#please pardon if it's a little scrambled or rambling as I have just come off of another Mother's Day Florist Week myself.

[oreramar]

Florist Talk: Mother's Day

Given when I'm writing/posting this, it felt too topical to skip for later.

As always, I'm writing this at least in part with the idea that anyone writing their Florist AU can use it as a reference point for framing their story or throwing into dialogue. Whenever the Florist Blorbo comes up, I shorten it to Florbo.

Also, as always, whatever info I have to share is gonna be anecdotal and colored by the experience I have myself (US, smaller town, etc). Some stuff might work differently in other countries or larger population centers.

So! It's May and the Florbo is preparing for the second biggest florist working holiday of the year: Mother's Day (US, CAN, AUS, NZ according to my wall calendar). Unlike Valentine's Day, this always falls on a Sunday, and there's a lot more flexibility in terms of when a customer might want the flowers delivered - most of them go out from the preceding Thursday to Saturday, but occasionally orders will be made for the Wednesday before or even the Monday after.

Note here that the shop I work for is typically closed on Sundays, and it doesn't make an exception for Mother's Day. Other shops might - I don't know well enough to say one way or another. Write whatever makes sense to you for that aspect of it.

Another Difference from V-Day is the types of flowers: there's kind of a lot more variety. People still get roses sometimes but most flowers sold are just colorful variety mixes. That being said there's a possibly-regional thing were certain groups - churches, mostly, around here - advance-order huge numbers of carnations to hand out to mothers in said groups. I'm talking like 150 here, 120 there, sort of numbers. These have to be ordered in, counted out, and set aside in reserve for them about a week ahead just to make sure there's enough for both these massive orders and for general florist use.

So all that aside, what do these days look like for the Florbo, moment to moment? Let's start here, beneath the cut as it got long:

The Friday before Mother's Day (48 hours remain): Florbo arrives early. So does extra staff. If Florbo has friends and contacts and former workers still in the area they might have agreed to work for a couple of days, answering phones, handling front counter/store space, driving deliveries, or making arrangements if they know how. This day does not run on normal staffing arrangements.

You start the day making the stuff you either didn't finish the day before or stuff that came in online overnight, as well as stuff called and ordered in throughout the morning for the same day. Drivers are going going going, back to back trips. If Florbo owns the shop or manages it, it's possible they aren't arranging much flower stuff themselves - they might be too busy coordinating and organizing everybody else just to keep things moving mostly smoothly.

The printer always chooses the busiest time to jam up, run out of ink, or otherwise cause problems. This is a law of the universe.

Lunch breaks are short. There is not time for someone to disappear for an hour, not this day. The nicest thing a character can do is bring snacks/drinks for everyone working, so keep that in mind if you want another blorbo involved in the story to do something sweet for the Florbo (and company).

Once you start running low on same-day orders you can begin working on next-day (Saturday) orders. If a same-day order comes in then it gets immediate priority, though, especially as the day wears on. Anything coming through the phones can be redirected to the next day by the people answering said phones but internet stuff can be trickier if you don't have (or know) a convenient way to lock customers out of choosing same-day after a certain time.

Generally speaking, any orders made the day before will be delivered first (morning) and any orders made the same day will be delivered last (afternoon/evening). This is to keep it as fair as possible.

For some reason there always seems to be someone who decides to call on this day to order something to go to someone at a school which means dropping everything else to get whatever it is into a delivery van before school lets out for the day. >:(

Lack of forethought on a customer's part so often becomes an emergency on a florist's, I swear.

Between the sheer volume of stuff being made and delivered on Friday, for Friday, and the stuff that has to be made on Friday, for Saturday, this is the day Florbo is likeliest to go home late. How late depends on how popular the shop is and how much help they have and so on. It's not unusual to just leave the last few orders you have to do for the next morning.

It's also not unusual to start running out of flowers during this day! Florbo will likely have to figure out what's going down fastest and order more of it by early afternoon so it'll arrive in the mail the next day - if the wholesaler is far enough away, that is. If Florbo has a shop in the same town/city as their source(s) then I imagine this might be a bit faster.

This brings us to--

The Saturday before Mother's Day (24 hours remain): An early start again, but for some reason it's usually a little quieter while still early; it can take a while for phones to start ringing this morning. My best guess is that nobody is awake at 8am on a Saturday unless they are forced to be.

There's still probably internet orders to sift through from after closing the night before though so a slow start on the phones does not mean a slow start for the designers.

Now, this might just be my experience, but this day is never as intensely busy as the day before, and while incoming orders might flow in the later morning, not long after noon they tend to slow to a trickle if not stop altogether. In fact, aside from drivers who stay busy all day just catching up with the volume of stuff made the day before, the shop's activity tends to shift from "take orders, make flowers" to "clean up and make sure the last bunches of stuff go out properly" halfway through.

Mid-afternoon or so is when you get a handful of people calling to ask if the thing they ordered got delivered yet. Late afternoon, near closing, is when the shop people start calling anyone who ordered a pickup to make sure that they didn't forget about it or something.

While Florbo may stay late on Friday, there's every chance of getting to close up and leave on time on Saturday, barring anything unusual coming up at the last minute.

That is, more or less, the regular breakdown. Other stuff can be added to the mix, though. For example, drawing from experience:

Teacher's Week, Nurse's Week, and Mother's Day (Week) are all the same damn week. Rest in pieces, Florbo, and best of luck when someone wants to give their mom who is also a teacher or a nurse something extra special.

There's a funeral. Two funerals. Three funerals, all on that weekend. Mother's day flowers weren't enough, Florbo also has to make two casket sprays and like a dozen large funeral pieces.

Someone forgot to order their hundred carnations the week before and now Florbo gets to see if it's even possible to source those on short notice. The answer might very well be no, unless they can manage a small miracle.

A final note to ponder:

A Florbo will have a relatively easy time making flowers for their own mom(s) (assuming such are alive and well and local to the area), but what is to be done if the Florbo is themselves a mom? I don't know what the Florbo demographic is to be fair, so this might only be a question to consider if A) any child is old enough to buy flowers, or B) a partner would buy flowers on the child's behalf. If so, do they buy the flowers from the Florbo directly? Do they sneak the order to a coworker/employee to do in secret? Do they skip the flowers and do something else entirely? Is this not even a factor and the Florbo just gives themselves flowers as a treat? There is characterization work to be done here. Have fun.

[monofpoke4life]

Datr Week 2020 Day One: Missing You

(Totally forgot yo upload this last year. I think I was unhappy with it, but I can’t remember why. Anyway, please enjoy)!

"So how'd you know to do that thing to Chunk earlier?" His young voice squeaked, echoing into the dark, shapeless abyss.

"Any enemy can be felled with the right jab. It's just a matter of knowing where to hit. Most are susceptible to major and vulnerable organs like the kidneys or liver. I am particularly fond of throat punches. They're ideal for stunning an opponent while leaving them alive for questioning." Replied a feminine and distinctly accented voice.

A frown tugged at the corner of his lips, yet all it did was morph a frown briefly into a pout and back.

He felt his brow furrow, as the world suddenly came into view. It was like turning on your phone in the middle of the night. Blinding and full of color at its sudden appearance, but it didn't strain his eyes as they continued on their walk. A set path expanding in front of them far beyond their view, but materializing in front of them with each new step. One he walked what felt like a million times before. No different than all of the other times he walked it. Just the same old sidewalk with the same old cracks that were on his way from the school to his house.

Certainly nothing looked out of the ordinary, and yet, this walk was entirely different. It would be one thing if it were just the electrified thrum in his veins or the ecstatic beat of his heart from the idea of catching Zim in one of his alien schemes or running home to watch a new episode of Mysterious Mysteries. However, it was neither of those things, and had everything to do with the young lady walking beside him.

There was a tingle in his leg, but he paid it no mind as he chuckled, "I'll keep that in mind the next time those bullies try to stuff me in the trash again." He shook his head at the memory from earlier that day, before he pointed out, "But you still never answered my question." Her steely gaze of rare, purple eyes flicked over to meet his own bespectacled gaze as he elaborated, "I know you're British, but come on, "keep them alive for questioning?" You sound like you're from MI6 or something. I mean, where do you learn techniques like that?"

"Girly Rangers," came her little too clipped reply as she turned her head, giving him her full, narrow eyed attention.

At that, his heart suddenly jumped into throat. He could easily get lost in her eyes. His breath quickened just a tad as a wave of nerves crashed into him. Both the expected good kind, and unexpectedly bad kind, settling sourly in his stomach.

They stared a moment later before he called her bluff, and she quipped, "If I didn't find the idea ludicrous myself I'd have swatted at you." She shook her head as a genuine smile graced her lips, before she looked up to the bare branches of the trees that lined their walk, as she continued, "My mother was in the military. You pick up a thing or two with those you live with."

He felt the pin prickling feeling of a chill run down his spine, starting at his neck, yet his body lacked the telltale twitch as he excitedly murmured, "That's so cool!" At that remark, the corner of her lips twitched into a proud smirk at his unsubtle praise. Realizing she heard him, his face grew hot. He wanted to turn away, crawl into a hole, but the sight of her amused, gentle smile kept his eyes riveted to hers. 

"S-so what else did she teach you? Anything useful I could use on my paranormal investigations?"

The anxiety in his gut increased, and a familiar dread set in, waiting patiently for his world to shatter. The kind of dread that makes somebody want to hide under a blanket from the world. Yet he heeded it no mind as his lips parted into a shy yet ecstatic smile.

"Sure, one more tip couldn't hurt," she said, murmuring the last part more to herself. "Well, body language is always telling. When someone is lying their eyes will look up and to the right because they’re tapping into the imaginative part of the brain.”

“Wow, so you’re like a walking, talking lie detector?”

“You can if you train yourself enough,” she said nonchalantly.

“Could you teach me?” He inquired as a fluttery feeling in his gut returned. His arm nervously rubbed the back of his neck as he continued, a little too quickly, “Maybe you come over my house some time and-”

“I beg your pardon?” She inquired quizzically, yet something in her voice had an edge to it. Ice filled his veins at that, and he stammered and scrambled to recover, “I mean or your place is fine. Of course, only if you wanted to, but nobody ever usually wants to. Actually, no place is fine then. Look let’s just pretend this never happened and-”

His heart dropped from his chest only to roar within his ears as he felt a delicate finger lightly touch his lips. He froze. He didn’t dare to breathe let alone talk; meanwhile his eyes fixated upon the dainty appendage touching him. If he didn’t know better, a spark spread from her to him, electrifying him from the inside out. His whole body grew hot, and he felt like his brain would melt from the radiant blush that was surely upon his cheeks.

“Hm, so that’s where you’re off button is,” she mused aloud as she pulled her hand away. Her eyes shined with silent mirth. He gulped and could practically hear himself audibly swallow. Gawd she had to have known what that clever smile did to him! Forget his brain melting, he was going to melt into a puddle at her feet.

Dazed, he saw her lips move, yet didn’t hear a word she said.

“Sorry, I spaced out. What was that?”

“You shouldn’t apologize. It’s a sign of weakness,” she chided. He felt confused and opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, she continued, “I said that’s very kind of you, but unfortunately my parents and I are still adjusting from the move; however, once we’re settled, I’d love to come over.”

He blinked owlishly behind his round glasses. His flushed face cooling down within the time it took to sink in. However, when it did finally sink in, he grinned so hard his face felt like it could split in half.

“That’s great! I can’t wait until then! How long do you think that will take? Maybe a week? Oh I need time to prepare and clean my room-er-not that it’s not clean, I-” He abruptly cut off his ramble as he saw her finger raise once more. He skittered backwards with his trench coat flapping with his rapid movements. The usually heavy yet oddly light feeling backpack nearly threw him off balance, but he managed not to fall.

She snickered. His heart skipped a beat, and a warmth coalesced in his chest, emboldening him.

“How does this Saturday sound,” He asked with all of the courage and grace a socially outcast boy, like himself, could with his first real friend. The first person who made him feel secure and supported since...gawd, he couldn’t remember! He couldn’t think!

By that point they started walking again, and that dread came back tenfold. His untrained eyes followed her right hand as she tucked a dark blue strand of hair behind her ear. A gust of forceless wind slammed into them, and it appeared as though she turned her head to shield it from the winter wind. She was always honest with him up until that point, so he had no reason to doubt her. No reason to notice how the motion drew his attention away from her eyes.

But he knew to look for it now, and all of the other times his mind replayed it over and over again within his head. On this night, as it had so many times before, that dread feeling his gut finally crashed to the forefront as everything went dark, and squealing, victorious laughter surrounded him like a stereo system. 

He went to scream, to shout, warn her, anything! Yet nothing came out. In fact, she was gone. He whipped around in an attempt to find her. As he looked behind himself, he went to turn back around, and there she was in all of her green, alien, Irken glory as she rushed at him with pak leg raised. When she was so close he could see the darker, barely discernible, purple of her pupils did he finally gasp and rocket himself into an upright position. Eyes shooting open as he nearly fell out of bed.

His stomach roiled as a brief wave of vertigo hit him from moving too quickly, especially without his glasses. With the grace of a lean yet gangly teen, he leaned on his side towards the edge of the bed. His arm flopped onto the end table beside his bed, and he hung his head between the space that separated the two as he let the wave pass. He also took the time to catch his breath.

Once recovered, he raised his head to blearily look for his glasses in the dark. After a few near misses of lightly brushing against them, Dib finally managed to snag them. As he placed them upon his face, he frowned at the sight of the slight tremble of his hand.

At the reminder of his memory, that nightmare, Dib growled at himself as he flopped onto his back. He yelped and flinched as a sharp pain shot up his leg, having hit his ankle off of a bedpost. 

The pain quickly went away as swiftly as it came, and Dib huffed and sighed. His forearm falling back to rest upon his forehead. Barely awake and he was already exhausted. Of course, the fact that he had that blasted dream again didn't help at all.

At the thought of the dream again, Dib growled and rolled over onto his side, facing the wall and his open window. He knocked his glasses up towards his forehead as he rubbed his clenched shut eyes with the heel of his palms. If only he could forget and move on. That would make his life so much easier.

And yet...the thought of forgetting Tak or how she made him feel...he could never do it. Just the idea made his heart race into a panic and sent his mind into a whirlwind. His childhood crush aside, Tak was his first friend. A real friend, or so he thought.

Pfft, just his luck that his first friend turned out to be an alien who only talked to him for his information on Zim. The thought triggered a dull, painful ache to grow within Dib's chest. One more powerful than the pain of her trying to destroy the earth. With him on it.

Dib shifted his right arm under his pillow to further support his head while he opened his eyes to pensively glare at his drumming fingers.

"Four freaking years and I still can't get you out of my head," he grumbled to one person in particular. Not that she'd ever hear him, being flung into space in her ship's escape pod and all.

The pod. Possibly drifting aimlessly in the vacuum of space. Cold and lifeless as the metal shell encasing Ta- 

He shook his head to dispel the direction of his thoughts. However, he didn't do it fast enough as he felt the slight burning tingle of his eyes welling up with tears only for one to slide down his cheek.

He grumbled some more as he wiped it away and gazed up at the midnight blue sky. The busy tizzy of his mind slowed down to a crawl as he closed his eyes and tried to focus on his breathing. In and out. Find his happy place and think happy thoughts, or at least ones different from those that woke him up.

It almost worked too, as the angry tension in his muscles slowly evaporated from his body. His limbs became noodle-like and his facial muscles relaxed. The drumming stopped, and his mind drifted into a hazy fog of nothingness. He liked the nature of the nothingness. By definition, there was nothing there. Nothing that could potentially hurt him physically or mentally.

In and out. He pondered the nothingness, and how something so endless in area and possibilities could give him a sense of security, like being wrapped within a warm blanket.

Then, Dib's mind drifted to the thought of security, as it always did. The lack of it, how he could hold onto it, how he could find it within himself or others, and then finally when was the last time he felt it.

"Ya know they're wrong, right?" Tak's voice echoed from a memory that felt like decades ago. 

His younger self jumped at that, looking over at her from where she sat beside him in the library. She'd broken him out of a very important task...which was to stare morosely at his unopened book.

"Hm, what was that," He inquired, trying to sound tired to hide the sadness in his tone.

Her purple eyes narrowed at him suspiciously. As per usual her penetrating gaze felt like she could see right inside him, reading him like an open book. However, she chose to ignore it in favor of the topic at hand. 

"I said, ya know they're wrong, right? About you?"

His eyes widened in surprise at that.

"O-oh?" He paused a moment, before his brow furrowed and he inquired further, "About what exactly?" It wasn't like he didn't believe Tak. Dib had no reason to doubt her, but years had cautioned him to not get his hopes up. 

He watched her frown a moment as she paused. The question caught her off guard as she clearly thought it would be a one and done statement. However, ever the perfectionist, she persisted to speak her opinion of him.

Glaring at the pencil she twisted between her fingers, she elaborated, "Well, a lot of things. The most prominent, though, is that you're not crazy for being different, for believing in the paranormal."

He sat up straighter at that as he continued to stare in astonishment, watching her wearily for any sign of a lie. He found none, but still felt the need to ask, "Really, you mean that?"

"Of course! There's nothing wrong with being different. It-" She trailed off at that. He ignored the part of his brain that thought her brow furrowed pensively was cute. This was a serious, heartfelt situation, and it wasn't the time to make googly eyes at someone who probably didn't like him that way.

He opened his mouth to offer a word, in order to help her along, but she continued before he could.

"It doesn't make you wrong. You- you're not- you're not defective." At the word "defective," it came out of Tak's mouth with as much disdain as one would use when talking about the city's cesspool, and her gaze immediately snapped up to look him in the eye.

A part of Dib felt like she wasn't just talking to him at that moment, especially as shortly after she said it, she unconsciously snapped the pencil in half. It made him wonder who hurt her or called her that in the past, what was their address, and could he beat them up. Well, maybe die trying, but preferably not.

The other part of Dib felt like she meant every single word. Even after everything that would happen later, he still felt she meant it. The way her determined stare carved into his very soul, refusing to look away until he agreed with her. How those amethyst orbs tenaciously glared and willed him to take to heart her words of wisdom, but most importantly; the earnest, raw edge of emotion that slipped into her voice. 

No matter how brilliant of an actor she was, she couldn't fake that.

The full meaning of her words combined with her body language finally sank in and a blissful warmth settled in his chest. It quickly spread to every neuron and nerve until it felt like pure happiness, contentment, and safety was going to erupt from his mouth in the form of the widest grin he'd ever make.

However, he had enough sense to not grin at her like a fool or madman. His entire body thrummed with energy and oddly a sense of calm. 

For once in his life he felt relaxed, safe, peaceful even. Relaxed to just let things play out, and to have faith in her as his friend, as he did for her. He could say or do anything, and she'd have his back, always giving her 110 percent. It felt...blissful.

However, that bliss couldn't last, just like the nothingness as the memory faded in exchange with his conscious state. Before it fully faded, he remembered he got her to laugh

 Not a laugh at someone's misfortune, like Zim, or being victorious against those bullies, like Chunk, but a genuine, gentle laugh with a small smile to match.

The memory faded, and he opened his tear filled eyes once more. As they dripped onto his pillow, he curled in on himself. His heart was as erratic as his breathing. Trying not to sob aloud kind of does that to you.

Gawd how he missed that feeling of security, of being supported, of someone having his back, and boy did he miss the one who made him feel that way.

Ironic how an alien could act more and treat him like a human than the real humans. And there's a high chance that all of that was fake. If it wasn't, well, it was four years too late to think about that.

A choked sob escaped his lips as he angrily sighed out the window, "I hate that I miss you."

[em0avacado]

The Beehive bookstore - Angel Reyes x OC (part one)

A/N : Hey! I know I kinda dipped for a little bit but, the holidays were jam packed and I hope you all had a good one. I’m gonna try to make a little series, I don’t have the whole thing planned out yet but I wanted to get to writing and posting anyways. So. here we are. Side note. Thank you for all the positivity i’ve gotten from y’all, your’re all fuckin’ great.

word count : 2.1K

trigger warnings : gun violence, mentions of blood, cursing? i think that’s it tho.

tag list :

@mayans-sauce

“What do you think of cocaine?” the question ran ridiculously loud in Eldrids ears, one that raised both concern and curiosity. Shutting the book with nimble fingers trailing over the inked pages, she furrowed together her dark brows as her gaze shifted to one of the other employees at the book store she managed.

It was a cute little shop, shelves lined every wall, even made little path ways between genres, easily explorable. A quaint shop tucked away in the nooks and crannies of Santo Padre. Easily accessible, if you knew where to look. An empty cart that was usually used to haul the new arrivals into place, but all that was done. There had been one customer in the last few hours, so it was really only Eldrid and one other employee, Asher. There wasn’t anything to do, so her nose was buried deep in another world.

“I beg your pardon?” she asked, her brows furrowed so deep it left faint marks in her forehead. Pushing her glasses up further the bridge of her nose, she set her book down in front of her, on the smoothly finished wooden counter where the cash register sat on.

Ashers eyes blew wide, scrambling quickly and putting his hands out in front of him. “woah, I meant - not like. I’m not asking if you want any or know where to get any.” he said, defensively. His hands kept up in the same stance. “I just meant that, well, what if our shop is a front for something... bigger?” he suggested, raising both brows. Eldrid shook her head at that, Asher always had some sort of conspiracy theory going, always believed aliens would take over one day, perhaps robots, thinks the world is gonna end up like some sort of real life version of the movie ‘Wall-E’. Some of the things this kid would come up wiyh were very out of the ordinary. He hadn’t been working at the shop for too long, a few months tops, he had gotten into college during those months but kept up his work there. A lot of the time he was able to study during his shift, and was paid the hours he was there. A sweet kid, looked rougher around the edges than he really was.

“I think that maybe you should get back to your studies.” she said with a soft laugh, watching as Asher, once again, protested, but shook his head instead. He set his notebook down.

“No, no. Listen, Eldrid. Look at it this way, in the nineteen eighties, about. The Orejuela brothers would run legitimate businesses, small, unexpected ones, as a front and to launder money they made while they ran drugs for the big bucks” he rambled on, earning another shake of the head from his manager. “c’mon you’ve never heard of the Cali Cartel? You have to have heard of them. The biggest, and one of the longest running cartels in the history of cartels!” he spoke with passion, an undeniable one, and he looked at her with his big green eyes, his hands out stretched.

Eldrid was about to respond, of course she knew what he was talking about, but she was interrupted, by him, and further utters of conspiracy. “How do you think we’re still paid, very well, hourly and over time, we get bonuses all the time, and there’s hardly anyone ever in here!”

She snapped her wandering gaze over at Asher again, having drifted to surveillance the shop shortly when the front door jingle, signalling someone entering. “not another word about it, Asher. Study.” she demanded, before turning her attention away from a quietly muttering punk at one of her tables.

“Good evening Mr. Reyes.” she hummed a soft greeting, seeing the grey haired man walk into the shop, followed by his youngest son, the only, of which, she’d met. Despite him only coming in as of recently, she knew him well, theyd chatter as he looked for books, she knew he preferred older pieces of literature and she’d started occasionally setting ones she believed they’d both enjoy, to the side. “and Mr. Reyes.” greeting him in the same polite manner as she did the older gentleman. Their town was small, and she heard whispers on the street, more so from people who took the shop as a quiet place to gossip. She knew Ezekiel had come out of prison not too long ago, yet he seemed fairly well put together.

The soft, kind smile never left the woman’s face.

“Hello, Eldrid. good to see you again, sorry for dropping in so late, Ez wanted to tag along again today.” the older one of the two apologized as she dove down, setting a stack of books on the counter before waving them both over.

“no need to apologize, we’re still open for another...” she trailed off to check the watch that sat on her wrist, it’s leather bands hugging it well. “half an hour so do as you please, these are a few of the newest editions that caught my eye, i figured you’d both enjoy these so have a look.” she spoke, watching as both men began to look through the pile, talking amongst themselves while she busied herself with other things.

“Hey, Eldrid.” Ezekiel started, several books tucked beneath his arm. “do you think that, if I come back Monday, this one would still be around?” he asked, his index finger stuck to a book that sat on the counter.

Raising her brows only to furrow them, Eldrid looked at the man incredulously, but nodding her head. “considering we aren’t open weekends, and are about to close, on a Friday, yes. i believe so.” she informed him, a hint of sarcasm lacing her tone.

“perfect, so I’ll take these, and be back Monday.” he said, and she nodded, ringing both through and wishing them farewell before she started, alongside Asher, closing up shop for the weekend. With her bag strapped to her shoulders, she locked the back doors, and the front ones, as both left the building. Going home for the weekend.

Weekends aren’t usually a huge deal for Eldrid, the shop had become like a second home to her, and never felt a lot like work in the first place. When she was in her little apartment, it was all about self care, and laying back with her dog laying on the corner of the bed as she did whatever she wanted during her time away from work. She wasn’t big on going out, nor did she have all too many friends, she knew one would expect more from a woman in her mid twenties to be more active with going out, but she preferred to protect herself and her peace. The next Monday morning, bright and early, El strolled down the street that led to her cozy little book shop. There shouldn’t be too much restocking, she wasn’t expecting any arrivals this weekend, so unless the boss was in during those two days, there wouldn’t be too much to do. Unlocking the front, and letting herself in, Eldrid headed to the back to start a pot of coffee for when Asher, or whichever employee that was to help her today, came in within the next half an hour.

She was in the midst of setting her bag into the shelf when several loud crashes interrupted the silence, dropping the the floor when she head guns starting to penetrate the front windows, glass shattering as bullets littered every corner of the front of her shop. She hadn’t realized that she had gasped, and held her breath, panting, she cradled her hands around her head, staying pinned to the ground until there was nothing but silence. Her ears rang loud, as sobs racked her chest, heaving, her panic set in heavily. She didn’t dare move until quite a bit later, when she carefully stood to her feet with tear stained cheeks. Shaking, Eldrid grabbed her phone and called her boss.

After three rings, the man on the other end picked up with a casual “Hello?”

“Mr. Galindo, it’s Eldrid Orejuela. Y-“ she was bound to continue but he interrupted her with a gleeful “Good Morning” and “How are things at the shop?”

“that’s actually what I was - I was calling you about. I just got in, and while I was making coffee.. uh.. There was shooting, and the windows are broken. I’m- I’m so sorry the windows are broken I don’t know what happened.” she stuttered a few of her words, being still shaken up. She was met with silence, then Miguel spoke up.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

“no.”

“good. Have you called the police?”

“No. Did you want me to?”

“Please do so. I’ll be there shortly.”

After that, Eldrid hung up the phone to Mr. Galindo, and called the authorities, right after she hung up with them, filling them in, she dared to head into the front room. It was destroyed, bullets littered every shelf, lodged in many books, shards of glass laid in every corner. She placed a hand over her mouth, looking around, in complete shock. Her attention shot towards the door when the bell jingles, tears glazed over her eyes moments earlier. She didn’t recognize the man, but he wore the same vest that Ezekiel wore, though, he was taller, had more facial hair. He looked to her,she could’ve sworn that she saw a hint of concern in his eyes, but who wouldn’t.

“Um, I’m sorry, but we aren’t currently serving customers, there’s been... A minor set back.” she nodded, wiping her cheeks, and trying to sound professional despite the last few minutes.

“Clearly.” he spoke, in a ‘duh’ tone of voice. “are you alright? I saw vans speeding off while on my way in, figured I’d check if anyone was hurt.” he said.

“Thank you.” she said, feeling strangely drawn to him, the man was, a sight for sore eyes to say the least, his hands looked strong, his shirt hugging his biceps perfectly and the concern on his face.. Adorable, if he could be labeled as such. Eldrid tugged her cardigan tighter to her body, crossing her arms over her stomach. “I’ll be fine. Police is on their way.” she nodded.

Quickly approaching, the man caught her as her head felt heavy, then suddenly very light. On her way down, she had fallen into his arms, instead of on the shards on the ground. “maybe you should sit, did you get hit?” he asked, settling her on one of the chairs.

“no.” she muttered, rubbing her forehead, hissing at the pain that struck suddenly, very strongly. Pulling her hand back, she saw it had an all too familiar copper liquid staining her fingers. “I must’ve hit my head, when - when i was in the back I dove for cover and-“ she muttered, looking up at him when she heard the sound of police sirens echoing, hurting her throbbing head further. Seconds later, Miguel and Nestor walked past the threshold of the door quickly, looking for Eldrid.

“Eldrid!” Called out Nestor, someone who had been a friend to her for years, he alone, was the reason she had the job she adored, he’d set her up for it, suggesting the young woman to Miguel for the shop. He rushed to her side, kneeling in front of her carefully, he caressed her cheek, cradling her face in his hand. “are you okay? you’re bleeding.” he pointed oht, glancing up to the other man, his impression soured but returned to that same glance of worry when it shifted back to Eldrid.

“Paramedics are in the front, you’re getting checked out before anything else.” Miguel said, giving a nod to Nestor to take her out front. His eyes fixated on the man that had just had his hands on their Eldrid. She felt the tension, but couldn’t put her finger on it, with her head throbbing.

After a few minutes of getting poked and prodded, both with questions and medical supplies, she saw the man from a few minutes prior walk away from the scene.

“See ya around, Ellie.” he said as he walked passed her, she didn’t reply with much but a weak wave of her hand. Everything felt like a dream, it’d happened so fast, but also so slow. Nothing felt real. Did she really meet a man who saved her from further head injuries, and not get his name? Or did she imagine that? was her head really that out of place? Couldn’t be. Would she ever see this man again? Why was he there so early?

“It’s Eldrid!” She called after him, being met with only a chuckle.

[ambersky0319]

You’re Something Else

Part One // Part Two // Part Three // Part Four 

Prompt: Medieval Demus fanfic? Remus and Roman are both princes and with Roman set to inherit the throne their parents desperately want to see Remus married off, however Remus has the tendency to be picky with potential suitors and has turned them all down thus far. That is until Remus’ newest suitor turns out to be Prince Janus. At first Remus is difficult with him as he is with all his suitors but than Janus starts winning him over slowly. Janus also knows sorcery in this.

Overall Story Warnings: Blood and injuries(varies throughout story), kind of a terrible father, lmk if I need to add anything else!

Masterpost 

———————–

That's how they spent the next couple of miles, Remus asking questions and Janus gladly supplied answers. He also asked Remus a few things about the kingdom he was confused by- also what Orion's deal was.

Remus ended up not regretting letting Janus come along.

Especially when Janus had found a few of the plants he needed. They were more common than others Remus had seen, but they only grew this area of the forest. Janus explained that they didn't grow back in his kingdom, and he wanted to send one back to his father. The other few he picked he was keeping for his own reasons.

Remus rolled his eyes as Janus tucked them away carefully in his bag, Janus still rambling about something Remus didn't quite understand but he found that he liked hearing Janus's voice. He was about to continue on when he froze, staring into the clearing ahead.

Janus looked up, confused as he fell silent. He relaxed though, moving to stand beside Remus as he watched the dragon carefully. It was sleeping, or at least appeared to be. Janus did notice the discarded corpses of a few guards a few meters away from the dragon. They were missing their armor, and long cuts along their chests and backs told Janus a lot about the claws he could not currently see. They would be long, long enough to sink deep into the flesh of a human.

Remus must have also noticed the guards because his face seemed to pale a bit. Janus glanced up, the sun was hanging above them, a bit past noon if he had to guess. He grabbed Remus's arm lightly. "Come on, we should start heading back," Janus whispered. "If it killed five guards all by itself, we shouldn't wake it."

But Remus didn't seem to hear him. Or want to listen to him, at least. He gripped his morningstar tightly, glancing between the guards and the dragon.

It didn't look too big. Not as big as people had been guessing. And if he was quiet...

"Remus!" Janus hissed, not daring to step any closer to the dragon but Remus was out of his reach. Janus knew his limits with dragons, even sleeping ones. Janus huffed softly as Remus made his way closer, being careful to not make a sound.

Janus looked around the clearing a bit more, taking it in. An odd place for a dragon to sleep, or keep its hoard. Maybe it was one of those dragons Janus had heard about that preferred open areas?

But this wasn't as open as it would probably like. Maybe it was just making do with what it could find? And maybe it had grown up here. Abandoned babies rarely left their birthplaces, after all. So maybe no one had noticed the creature before because it was much smaller at the time, able to get away faster.

Janus didn't have much more time to think, though, as suddenly the dragon was moving, whipping around to knock away whoever had disturbed it. Janus stepped back slightly, flinching as the dragon snarled and swatted at Remus.

Remus's morningstar was nowhere in sight. At least, not until the dragon turned its back to Janus and Janus saw it stuck in the dragon's spine. Remus had barely made a dent in its scales. Remus tripped over his own feet as he tried to back away into the trees, another growl escaping the dragon's mouth. It swiped at Remus and Janus cursed as he heard Remus actually scream.

"Oh fuck it-" Janus hissed, fumbling to get his wand out. Hopefully he remembered those stun spells right- another cry, but it was followed by a thud, and Janus whipped his head up, eyes widening as he saw Remus slide to the ground against one of the trees.

By some miracle, the dragon had yet to notice Janus. Janus had been right about its claws, they were extremely long. And sharp. Janus swallowed, hand trembling.

No, he couldn't tremble. That would mess with the spell.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stop trembling. He wasn't in any danger. Remus wasn't in any danger. He was in the library back home, Logan was waiting in front of him, waiting for Janus to try stunning him. He was good at stunning.

Janus heard the tearing of flesh and the dragon snarl again and with motions almost like second nature, Janus waved the want in the pattern he was meant to. He made sure he was locked onto the dragon as he mumbled the incantation, finishing the spell and casting it.

The dragon barely stumbled- of course, it needed something stronger. But it finally noticed Janus. Janus took a step back as it started to stalk closer, its tail lashing from side to side.

Janus tried again, Logan's cool voice filling his thoughts. A different spell would work better, but which one?

Janus yelped as the dragon lunged at him and he dove under it, narrowly being hit by its back legs. He always had time to concentrate on spells-

The dragon tried to swipe at him again but Janus scrambled away, thoughts racing. What spell, what spell-

Janus cursed again, much louder this time as the dragon was able to hit him with its tail, sending Janus tumbling into the dragon's large pule. The dragon snarled and tried to lunge at him again.

Janus didn't try to dodge this time, casting the first spell that came to mind and squeezing his eyes shut. He didn't hear the words that fell from his mouth, expecting full well to be ripped to shreds then and there.

But that didn't come.

Instead, something tiny landed on his chest. Janus opened his eyes and looked down, and he almost cooed. He lied back on the pile he had been thrown against. Of course. A shrinking spell.

The little angry dragon roared, but it was no louder than a squeak. Janus grabbed it gently and set it on the pile. "I'll leave, alright, no need to throw a hissy fit." The dragon still growled, but it backed away from Janus now that Janus was the much larger one.

Janus's heart was about to stop racing until he remembered why he had gotten involved in the first place.

"Remus!" Janus rushed over to the fallen prince, relief washing over him when Remus groaned softly. Remus didn't open his eyes, though, taking in shallow breaths.

They were too far for Janus to carry him. And he didn't know any healing spells, just healing potions. And he didn't have the proper ingredients to make one on such short notice.

"Teleporting spell," Janus mumbled, looking around for his bag. Hopefully he could find one in his book, and fast, before Remus died of blood loss.

Janus spotted it where the dragon had managed to first hit him, and Janus scrambled over to the bag, bringing it over to Remus and pulling his book out. He flipped through the pages quickly, his heart beating in his ears. He barely registered his own cuts, sparing a glance at Remus. More panic flooded through Janus as it seemed more blood was staining the grass under Remus.

He searched faster and nearly skipped the page he needed. "Please, please, please work," Janus mumbled, following through with the motions and reciting the incantation and imagining the palace entrance as best he could.

The next thing Janus knew, they were there.

The guards were startled as they suddenly appeared, and Janus hated how they hesitated.

"Don't just stand there!" He cried out, forcing himself to his feet, "help him!"

--

Evelyn took a seat beside Janus just outside the infirmary. He was promised that Remus would be okay, that his wounds weren't as severe as Janus had feared.

Janus spared the queen a glance, freezing when she rested a hand on his shoulder. She smiled softly. "Thank you, for getting him here so quickly." Janus turned away, frown tugging at his lips. He didn't like the fact that he needed to use a spell to get back, and thus let the rest of the royal family and some guards that he knew sorcery. It was one thing he was hoping to keep from them, his parents advising that he didn't tell them, and Logan had agreed. Apparently, no kingdom in this land knew much about sorcery. It was astonishing they knew of creatures like dragons at all.

Another thing that bothered Janus though was the fact that Orion hadn't even bat an eye at Remus once Janus had appeared with his unconscious body. Roman had been stunned and had paled dramatically when he caught a glimpse of his brother, but Orion didn't appear phased at all.

Evelyn pulled her hand away, sensing Janus's unease. She folded her hands in her lap, looking at the wand gripped tightly in Janus's hands. She tilted her head, determined to get at least one word out of Janus though. "You must care for him a lot, staying with him despite the dragon. And by getting it out of the way, too." She glanced at the guards on the other end of the hallway. "Anyone else would have probably left Remus to die."

Janus gripped his wand tighter, bowing his head slightly.

He did care for Remus, but not as much as the queen may be thinking. Janus decided against crushing her hope that the two were incredibly close now, and instead looked at her through his bangs. His hair had become quite messy, dirt and a few leaves still in his curls. He had come straight to the infirmary and hadn't left to get cleaned up yet.

"Queen Evelyn?" Janus asked slowly, and she hummed, looking down at him. Janus took a deep breath. "Is that true?"

She frowned. "Pardon?"

"About anyone else leaving him to die- is that true?"

Evelyn looked away, at the grand painting on the wall across from them. It was a portrait of the family, about ten years prior. Even in the painting, it was evident a rift had started to grow in the family with how Remus was just close enough for there to not be a noticeable distance but anyone who looked more closely could see Remus was actually standing further away from his parents and brother.

"I'm afraid so." She said softly, and Janus remained quiet, gaze falling back to his wand. He ran his fingers over the wood, the action grounding him. He'd have to write a letter home soon- and have a long talk with his fellow prince.

-

They waited in silence after that. None of the guards made an effort to ask the queen if she was okay, to ask Janus if he was okay. They had already tried and failed to get Janus to go clean up, and the Queen looked adamant on staying with him.

Eventually a doctor walked out of the infirmary. She smiled at the queen softly. "Prince Remus will make a good recovery if he can get some rest. He was injured on his chest and stomach mostly, a lot of bruising on his back, and one of his legs had a nasty cut. And he had lost a lot of blood. But he'll be fine."

"Anything else?" Evelyn asked. The doctor nodded.

"He should wake up any minute, if you want to go see him."

Evelyn looked down at Janus, who was listening intently to the doctor. She shook her head. "I think I'll go let my husband and Roman know he will be okay. Prince Janus should go see him, though."

Janus looked at her with a frown, about to protest, but she held up her hand. "No arguments." Janus held her gaze, but he really didn't have the energy to fight against her words. Besides... if she didn't want to go see Remus immediately, why should Janus try to get her to? Janus sighed almost silently before bowing his head again, and Evelyn smiled before walking off towards the throne room.

The doctor waited patiently for Janus to get to his feet - they felt like lead from how long he had been sitting - before guiding him into the infirmary.

It was a lot brighter than the infirmary back home, much harsher lighting and the white walls only hurt his eyes more. But he still followed the doctor to a section that was closed off by curtains. She nodded towards it. "I'll let you two be for now. Call for anyone if it seems something is wrong though, okay?"

Janus nodded, watching her walk away and to another closed off bed, hearing someone coughing loudly behind that curtain. He slipped into Remus's makeshift room, finding Remus was still unconscious. Or maybe it was just easier for him to keep his eyes closed. Janus wouldn't blame him. Janus settled on the edge of the bed after seeing nowhere else for him to sit, and he examined Remus himself.

The doctors had done a good job in stitching him up, Janus couldn't tell that these were dragon wounds instead of sword wounds now. He couldn't help but think of how Remus wouldn't have needed stitches in Janus's kingdom, the healers would have used a variety of healing spells to have patched him up. And Remus probably needed more rest than he would have needed if a healing spell had been used.

Janus didn't notice Remus crack his eyes open, and was startled when Remus finally spoke up. "See something you like?"

The foreign prince flinched when Remus's voice cracked, a small groan escaping Remus as he shifted slightly. "By the stars..." Remus mumbled, closing his eyes again and leaning his head back. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?"

"Not all of it."

Janus bit his lip. "We stumbled upon the dragon. You attacked it after seeing some dead guards, and the dragon fought back."

"And I'm still here because...?"

Janus drummed his wand against his leg lightly. Remus hadn't noticed it yet. "I uh- I shrunk the dragon, and teleported us here."

Remus glared at him slightly, though the threatening look was useless when Janus was looking down at him and Remus could barely move. "You're lying again."

Janus shook his head. "No, I'm not." Remus's glare weakened, and faded completely when Janus slipped his wand into Remus's hand. Remus didn't try to look at it, not when his body ached all over, but the wood was smooth under his fingers, small grooves etched into it. "My wand. I'm not... I'm not good, not nearly as good as some sorcerers back in my kingdom, but I was able to get us back."

Remus remained quiet, taking in Janus's appearance. He noticed a small cut along Janus's cheek, not nearly as deep as some of the ones he had, but still there. And some bruises along Janus's exposed arms. "Why?"

Janus tilted his head, confused. "Hmm?"

"Why'd you stay?"

Remus's fingers twitched as Janus's hand found his, and he couldn't believe how soft Janus's hands were. How warm they were. The wand was moved away, and Remus felt Janus start to draw circles into the back of his hand. "I could never live with myself if I left anyone there to die when I know I could have tried to save them."

Remus took a deep breath. "You're certainly odd, Janus." He said softly, looking at the curtains instead of Janus. "Anyone else would have-"

"Would have left you. I know. Your mom told me." Janus cupped Remus's hand in both of his. "Remus... Do you actually like living here?"

Remus's brows creased together in confusion as he looked back at Janus. He opened his mouth to answer, but no words fell out, and he turned away again. He couldn't admit that it did sting, no one wanting him around. But this was his home, and he maybe didn't like his father but he did love his mother and he liked Roman and the petty arguments they'd have. Despite that this was his home though, and that he loved most of his family...

He didn't like living there.

He didn't like the disapproving expression his father always gave him, or Roman's jabs that Remus couldn't do anything he was supposed to do. He didn't like always disappointing his mother. He saw her sad looks whenever he did something wrong, whether that be missing an important meeting or dragging mud into a ball his parents were throwing.

Janus almost missed Remus's answer, he said it so softly, one small word uttered and almost lost to the noise of the rest of the infirmary.

"No."

Janus took a deep breath, still drawing circles into Remus's hand. It was as grounding as holding his wand. "Then I have an offer."

———————–

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[keichanz]

This Is Halloween

IT IS DONE. FINISHED. FINITO. COMPLETE. AND I AM SO

FUCKING

HAPPY YOU HAVE NOOOO IDEA.

moving on, i had a lot of fun writing this, and i had no idea so many people would enjoy the idea of writing little blurbs of the modern life of Inukag and their kiddos. also i’m surprised some people ship Izayoi and Raiden as hard as i do anD I’M SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT THEY ARE MY BABIES AND I LOVE THEM I WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY  

if some of you recognize the first half of this chapter and feel like you’ve read it before, it’s because you probably have. i posted the first half last year on Halloween and titled it “Haunted House” despite having not finished the series. I was originally going to just keep it as is, but then decided it wouldn’t be fair and anyway i wanted a proper ended for Izayoi and Rai, so i added onto it. i’m happy with how it turned out, despite it being a tad rushed because i just wanted this damn thing finished already lol.

anyway, thank you all for joining me on this adventure and for leaving all of your comments and reviews! i promise you i read all of your tags and reblogs and it truly does my heart good to know so many people enjoyed reading this story as much as i enjoyed writing it. ^_^

that’s enough rambling; ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, i present to you the last chapter of my series...

Spooktober Day 31: This Is Halloween 

Kagome had no idea what time it was when she turned over in bed with a grunt, her forehead scrunching into an irritated frown as she shifted into a more comfortable position then settled with a quiet sigh. Beside her Inuyasha sighed in his sleep and rolled up against her, his arm a pleasant warmth as it draped over her waist and he tucked his nose against the nape of her neck before going still once more.

She had no idea what had woken her up in the first place; snugly warm under the covers and cuddled against her husband quite nicely, Kagome should have been able to go back to sleep no problem but for some reason her mind was alert, refusing to give into the slumber creeping in on the edges, taunting her with sweet oblivion. The darkness of the room, Inuyasha’s steady breathing and the movement of his chest against her back should have been enough to lull her back to sleep, but for some reason her body would not give into her mind’s silent demands. It was as if her mind was subconsciously aware of something that her body was not and as such it would not be coaxed into that state of blessed ignorance.

Her frown deepened and she huffed quietly in annoyance; responding to her distress, even in his sleep, Inuyasha’s chest erupted with a soothing rumble and he maneuvered his arm beneath the blanket to reclaim its spot over her side and then press his hand against her bare belly. The familiar gesture sent warmth skittering across her skin and despite herself a fleeing, sleepy smile flickered at Kagome’s lips. It was one of his favorite things to do now that she was pregnant again and it didn’t surprise her at all that even in sleep he did it.

She went absolutely still, simply absorbing the feel of him against her, concentrating on his warmth, the sound of his even breathing, the pleasant roughness of his leg and chest hair against the smoothness of her skin, hoping to distract herself with the pleasing physical sensations enough to nod off again.

But no such luck; though she could feel the sleepiness pulling at the edges of her mind, it stubbornly refused to give in and Kagome’s frown returned, this time with a frustrated pout. Abruptly deciding she might as well see what time it was to gauge how much sleep she’d gotten thus far - and how much more she could sneak in - Kagome wrinkled her nose and cracked her eyes open just enough to peer at the blurry numbers on her alarm clock–

And screamed.

Inuyasha jolted awake with a startled gasp, shooting up in bed and blinking rapidly in order to clear his hazy vision as his mind struggled to come back online after very suddenly getting thrust into awareness.

“Huh–what–Kagome? What’s—?” Rubbing his eyes and shaking his head, Inuyasha turned his attention to his wife and found her sitting up in bed, clutching the blanket to her bare chest and staring wide-eyed at–

“Jesus! Fucking hell—!” Flailing in surprise, Inuyasha jerked back against the headboard in an instinctive reaction and slapped a hand against his chest over his rapidly beating heart.

“What the fuck–goddammit, Tai!”

Standing beside their bed, wearing his favorite Spiderman pajamas and the very detailed Halloween mask of the bloody skull of a skeleton that he’d begged his mother to buy for him at the store, their five year old said nothing as he peered at him through the meth openings of the eyes, looking every bit the spooky specter that he wanted to be for his favorite holiday.

Inuyasha and Kagome stared back, their eyes wide, wondering what the hell their son was doing standing at their bedside at five in the goddamn morning.

Tai was silent for another minute, before his slightly muffled voice reached their ears.

“…It’s Halloween.”

Then, as quietly as he’d apparently snuck into their room, the child slunk back out, leaving his parents in a state of “what the fuck just happened.”

A moment passed. Then their teenage daughter’s screech of, “Aaaahh! Ohmigod, Tai, you little freak! What are you doing?!” drifted down the hall and into their room. Tai’s gleeful cackling followed shortly thereafter and neither parent was surprised to hear Izayoi scramble out of bed and chase her laughing little brother though the house, tossing various threats of dismemberment and other creative jibes older sisters were known to torment their siblings with.

Finally over the initial shock, Kagome heaved a long sigh and slumped against the headboard while Inuyasha groaned and then slunk back under the covers with an annoyed grumble.

“Damn,” Kagome murmured and Inuyasha grunted. “Who the hell needs haunted houses and you wake up to that at five in the morning…”

A snort came from beneath the covers. “We can charge,” her husband opined, his voice gruff. “Pay for Izzy’s college tuition in a single night.”

Kagome snorted a laugh and slithered down to join her hanyou hubby under the covers. He slipped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her chest with a growling sigh and then they felt silent, wrapped in each other’s arms and listening to their children taunt and chase each other around the house in the wee hours of the morning.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome murmured a few moments later, drowsy, but unable to fall asleep as she distractedly rubbed her husband’s ears.

“Mm,” Inuyasha grunted, reveling in his wife’s blissful ministrations and struggling to stay awake to hear what she had to say.

“…You did buy all those Halloween decorations…” Her voice held an innocent lilt to it that had Inuyasha instantly grinning and his chest vibrating with a deep, husky chuckle.

“One condition,” he rumbled, his grin turning sly.

Kagome bit her lip to stifle her snickers. “And?”

“Tai and that damn mask are gonna be put to good use for waking us up at the ass crack of dawn and so’s Iz for saying she’s gonna rip off his arm and beat him with it.”

“Deal.”

“If you don’t stop fidgeting already, I’m gonna poke your eye and I won’t be sorry about it.”

“It feels weird.”

“I swear to god you’re the only girl I know of that complains about putting on makeup.”

“Bite me.”

“Hey, you’re the one who asked me for help, remember? So quit your whining and let me do this so you can impress your boyfriend. And stop glaring at me, it’s pinching your eyes and it’s gonna make me mess up and we’ll have to start all over again.”

“I hate you right now.”

“Love you too, cuz. Now stay still, will you? I’m almost done.”

Grumbling but because she’d rather not sit there for another half an hour while her cousin painted up her face to match her costume, Izayoi obliged and forced herself to remain still as Rin carefully added the finishing touches to her left eye. With her silver done and already donned in her costume, the only thing she had left to do was put on the hat after Rin was through and she was pretty anxious to see the complete look.

The party was set to begin in about twenty minutes or so and even from upstairs Izayoi could hear her mother order around her dad as they got everything ready. Her Aunt Sango and Uncle Miroku had arrived earlier to help as well and no doubt they were regretting that offer as Kagome flitted about agonizing over every little detail, stressing that it had to be perfect. She was pretty sure her mom had even put Tai to work, but last she knew it was something simple like preparing a cheese and cracker tray or picking up some of his toys to put away.

All in all Izayoi was glad she was pardoned from preparation duty so she could get ready. The instant they’d gotten home from school, she and Rin had bolted up the stairs to her room so they could change and prepare themselves, excited to wow their respective dates. They’d worked on Rin’s makeup first, Googling makeup tutorials and having fun experimenting with different shades and such. They settled on a simple design and coupled with the red wig and costume, Rin’s Sally looked positively stunning. Izayoi only hoped she’d look half as good as her best friend and cousin.

Then it was her turn, and by the time Izayoi was finishing styling her hair and changing into her costume, Rin had sat her down on the bed and set to work.

Now nearly thirty minutes later, Izayoi was starting to get antsy and a tad impatient. It really did feel weird to have makeup on. She’d never been one to care about her outward appearance and obsess over things other girls her age did. But still, she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t excited to see the result of actually putting thought into her appearance this time.

“Aaaand…done,” Rin finally announced and stepped back with a satisfied nod. Her smile was very proud and perhaps even a bit arrogant as she studied her handiwork. “Not half bad, if I do say so myself.”

With a muffled squeal of excitement Izayoi wasted no time in shooting up and darting over to the full-length mirror on her door. She took one look at her face and gasped, golden eyes going wide in absolute wonder.

“Oh my god, Rin,” she breathed as the aforementioned girl came strutting over to stand by her side, grinning widely as she slung an arm around her cousin’s shoulders. “This is…this is amazing. You’re amazing. I love it!”

“You’re welcome,” Rin said lightly and was promptly tackled by the enthusiastic half-demon in a hug a gratitude.

“Thank you!” Izayoi gushed and Rin’s half-hearted “Hey, watch the makeup!” didn’t even faze as she pulled back to admire herself once more in the mirror. “Rin, you are a goddess.”

“I know,” her cousin quipped but with a smile as she crossed the room the grab the last item to complete her look. “And now, the finishing touch.”

Beaming, Izayoi met her half-way and allowed her human cousin and best friend to carefully set the brown velvet hat on top of her head. Her ears flicked from the minor constriction against them, but it was tolerable and if it got to be too annoying she could just take it off for a while, so she paid it not mind.

“Perfecto,” Rin said just as the door to her room opened.

“How are you doing, girls? Almost done?” Kagome asked as she poked her head inside. Her eyes landed on her daughter and she gasped in utter delight, smiling broadly as she opened the door the rest of the way and stepped inside. Donned in a simple black long-sleeved shirt and black jeans, Kagome’s costume consisted of black cat ears and a tail with simple cat makeup on her face.

“Oh, Izzy, you look amazing,” she praised and the young half-demon beamed proudly. “And Rin, your Sally is spot on! I gotta say, your skills are stellar. The makeup looks like it was professionally done.”

Rin glowed at the praise and blushed, but her smile was very pleased. “Thanks, Auntie. It was easy, really. Just followed some YouTube tutorials. No biggie.” She shrugged, but it was obvious she really appreciated the compliment.

“Still,” Kagome said as she fished her phone from the pocket of her jeans, “well done. Alright, I have a picture of you two so I can show off to everybody at work. Say Happy Halloween, girls!”

With arms tossed over the others’ shoulders, the young cousins beamed and chorused, “Happy Halloween!”

Kagome snapped the picture, grinned in satisfaction, then beckoned them both over to her so show it to them and then quickly snap a picture of all three of them.

“Okay, the party’s about to start,” Kagome said after sending the photo to both her daughter and her husband. “Let’s get downstairs and show you two off!”

Giggling excitedly, the girls heeded the older woman’s words and scurried out of the bedroom, Kagome at their heels.

There were already a few guests milling about when they got downstairs, mainly people from Inuyasha and Kagome’s work, however a few family members had arrived as well. Rin happily waved to her parents from across the room and skipped over to greet them and to show off her own costume. Kagura had chosen a risqué witch costume while Sesshomaru merely had on a white t-shirt that said “This is my costume.”

Kagura gushed over the girls and praised her daughter’s makeup skills while Sesshomaru eyed his daughter’s costume for a bit before grunting in approval, satisfied that nothing inappropriate was showing. He nodded Izayoi’s way, approving her costume as well, and Izayoi knew it was just his way of showing his admiration so she merely beamed at him.

More people started arriving at the door and someone took it upon themselves to turn on some appropriately spooky music, but kept it at low volume in deference to the demons’ sensitive hearing. Pretty soon the dull roar of laughter and chatter filled the Taisho household as adults and children alike mingled and had a good time. Tai was running around with Sango’s and Miroku’s kids, wearing that bloody mask paired with the clothes he’d worn to school that morning. Whatever, as long as he was happy, is what Inuyasha had told his wife as she shook her head in exasperation.

Shippou and his parents were there, dressed as The Incredibles, and Kikyou along with her husband Suikotsu had arrived as Gambit and Rogue. Kouga and Ayame had opted for the Marvel route as well and showed up as Wolverine and Jean Grey. Daisuke was skulking about somewhere but he wasn’t dressed up, having been forced to accompany his parents.

Izayoi also spotted an Iron Man, the Joker, Penny Wise, various witches and princesses, characters from various horror movies, and even a toilet (???) and Kohaku and finally made an appearance making an excellent Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas. He and Rin looked positively stunning together and many pictures had already been taken of them, however the one person Izayoi had been expecting to arrive with him, she still had seen neither hide nor hair of her crush.

Kohaku had waved off her inquiry about him, saying he just got held up and was probably on his way here right now, but Izayoi still couldn’t help but worry as anxiety gnawed at her tummy. Had he changed his mind? Oh god, what if he came to his senses and realized he could do much better than a silly little half-demon with a crush and an overprotective dad—

“Would you chill out?” Rin said, appearing at her side out of nowhere and thrusting a caramel apple in her cousin’s hand. “He’ll come, I’m sure of it. Kohaku said he just got held up.”

Worrying her bottom lip, Izayoi merely nodded and stared down at the dark screen of her phone. She’d refrained some blowing up his phone asking where he was because she didn’t want to be that girl, but she’d be lying if she said the thought wasn’t tempting. It was almost 6 pm and he still wasn’t there…what if something happened to him? Was he okay? Was he hurt? Oh god she needed to go and find him—

A pair of hands suddenly covered her eyes just as a familiar voice murmured behind her, “Guess who.”

Izayoi’s face split into the biggest smile Rin had ever seen and even through her makeup she could detect the pleased blush that colored the half-demon’s cheeks.

“Rai,” she whispered and the hands dropped, allowing her to spin around and lock eyes with her crush for the first time all night.

“I’m glad you made it,” she said and ignored Rin’s loud snort beside her. “I admit, I was…a little worried.” Rin snorted again and Izayoi not so subtly elbowed her cousin in the ribs.

Blue-green eyes glinted down at her but before Raiden could say anything Kohaku slung an arm around his neck with a jovial laugh and along with their friends started harassing him as boys often did. Raiden gave as good as he got, laughing with them and poking fun of their costumes while batting away the hands that poked at his own.

Izayoi waited patiently, amused, as Raiden fooled around with his friend and watched as he finally sent them off with high-fives and promises to track them down later. Rin dragged Kohaku off to do god knows what, sending her cousin a wink, and Izayoi blushed, but smiled in gratitude.

“So,” Raiden said at length and turned to face her fully, unabashedly looking her up and down to take in her costume. His face lit up in approval and he grinned, boldly reaching up to grab the trailing back of her hat and give it a gentle tug.

“You look…amazing, buttercup,” he complimented sincerely, enjoying the soft flush that painted her cheeks. “Did Rin do your makeup?” At her nod, he whistled low. “Nice. See? I told you we’d be the coolest couple here.”

He smirked and struck a pose, putting his hands on his hips and tossing his head as he puffed out his chest.

Izayoi laughed at how ridiculous he looked, her previous shyness evaporating under his easygoing air. What was it about him that made her feel so comfortable?

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she praised, taking in his matching costume. It was simple, and yet complimented her as well as suited him perfectly. He made some modifications, such as ripping the knees of the trousers and shortening the sleeves of the shirt, but she had to admit, he looked positively dashing. She loved the shoulder piece and hat, and those combat boots? Oh, be still, my heart!

“Why thank you, m’lady,” he rumbled, smirking as he held out his arm. “Now let’s get this show on the road. Shall we, fair maiden?”

Grinning broadly, pleased as punch, Izayoi tucked her arm into his and replied smoothly, “We shall, my good man.”

It was just after 10 pm and the party was finally starting to wind down. It was mainly family and close friends that were sticking around, chatting pleasantly and even offering to help clean up, but Kagome dismissed their kindness with a smile and said she’d just do it tomorrow. Tai, tuckered out from all the fun, the copious amount of cookies and other food he’d consumed, and the various games he’d played, lie fast asleep in his father’s arms who sat in the recliner, feeling a mite winded himself.

The teenagers had claimed the kitchen as their domain, joking around and laughing together, but at a much calmer level now that the hype of the party had died. They munched absently on leftover cookies and other treats, plastic cups full of soda or cider littering the counter tops.

Leaning against the counter with Raiden at her side, Izayoi couldn’t remember having so much fun before. She and Raiden had flirted and teased each other all night long, even holding hands once and she’d managed to sneak in a kiss to his cheek once or twice when her parents weren’t looking. She was on cloud-nine, pumped full of sugar, cider, and so much junk food she should be sick, but yet she unable to stop smiling.

Best Halloween ever, Izayoi thought with a dreamy sigh and then suddenly her hand was encased in warmth and she blinked. Looking down, her eyes widened to find that Raiden had taken her hand in his and her face erupted in color when he laced their fingers together.

He squeezed, and she looked up, a question on her tongue, but he put a finger to his lips and tugged as he jerked her his head, a wordless inquiry to follow him as he gently led her toward the sliding glass doors. Izayoi was utterly helpless and allowed him to drag her away, biting her lip to contain her giggles as they sneaked out into the deck and into the cool night.

From his location in the armchair, Inuyasha’s brows snapped low over his eyes as he watched that boy lead his daughter outside away from his eyesight and a low growl rumbled in his throat. Oh hell no.

Tightening his hold on Tai, meaning to carefully lay him on the couch and follow after the two teens, Inuyasha moved to stand up, but a small hand on his shoulder gave him pause and he snapped his gaze to his wife who was looking toward the kitchen with a knowing smile.

He growled. “Kagome—”

“Leave them be, Inuyasha,” she murmured and shifted her hand to soothingly rub his ear. “She’ll be fine. I’ve been watching them all night; Raiden is a good boy with a good head on his shoulders, and you know your daughter. She’s smart, and we both know she can take care of herself. We need to trust her, okay?”

Inuyasha’s ears pinned down against his head and he winced, however he did grudgingly sink back into the chair. It was obvious he was fighting to keep himself from following after them, amber eyes zeroed in on the sliding doors he could see from where he sat, and Kagome smiled in understanding.

Perching herself on the arm of the chair, Kagome racked her fingers through his hair and quietly mused aloud, “Do you remember when we were that age, Yash?”

She purposely used the nickname she’d frequently called him while they were in high school and as she predicted, her husband’s gaze darted back to hers in surprise.

“We used to sneak off all the time,” she reminded him and watched the emotions flit across his face as he remembered their teenage years. Slowly his expression softened and a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he recalled their youth.

“We were young, and it was exciting,” Kagome continued, voice soft with fond recollection. “We broke the rules, caused mischief, didn’t care about anything but each other, and we had fun doing it. My high school years were some of the best years of my life, and it was because I had you to share them with me. Would you deny your daughter that same happiness, Yash?”

Inuyasha closed his eyes and sagged in defeat, releasing a drawn-out sigh of resignation. His wife, damn her, was right. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, his daughter was a teenager now, and as such she was nearing that stage in her life where she was going to act out and do what she wanted, regardless what he or her mother said. He just hoped to god she wouldn’t be as rebellious as he’d been, but like Kagome said, he had to trust her. He knew his babygirl, knew she would stay out of trouble.

Didn’t stop him from worrying, though. She was his only daughter, his little girl; of course he was going to worry. But it looked like he’d just have to do it from afar now and let her make her own mistakes so she could learn from them, as hard as that was going to be.

“No,” he finally allowed, shaking his head. “No, of course I wouldn’t. I just…” He sighed again and stared beseechingly up at his wife, brow knit into a slight frown of consternation. “This is gonna suck, isn’t it?”

Kagome’s smile was equal parts sympathetic and resigned. “Majorly.”

Inuyasha groaned.

“Well,” his wife piped up and he cracked an eye open. “At least your hair is already silver so you don’t have to worry about going gray prematurely.”

“Not helping, wench.”

Sitting on the wooden platform of the swing set, hidden from prying eyes with the waxing moon praying witness to their secret interlude. It was a chilly but clear night, but neither teen minded the cold, content to sit in the dark with the moon’s silver brilliance shining down on them and enjoy one another’s company.

Raiden had yet to release Izayoi’s hand and she wasn’t complaining at all. He was warm and smelled nice and Izayoi thought that maybe life couldn’t get any better right at that moment. She tried not to think about how mad her parents were going to be when they discovered she’d sneaked outside with a boy, and with Raiden there casting her tiny grins and squeezing her hand every so often, it wasn’t too hard.

“Sorry for stealing you away like this,” Raiden said, breaking the silence with a soft chuckle. “It was sort of a…spur of the moment thing. I hope you won’t get in trouble.”

Even if she did, it would be soo worth it. “It’s okay,” she said, smiling as a soft blush tinted her cheeks. “I don’t mind. And even if I do…” She shrugged and spoke her thoughts out loud, “It’d be worth it.”

Raiden grinned. “Yeah?”

“Oh yeah,” she returned and they shared a quiet laugh.

“I did sort of have a reason for bringing you out here,” he admitted a mite sheepishly, using his free hand to rub the back of his neck as he averted his gaze.

Izayoi tilted her head and regarded him curiously, a patient half-smile curling her lips upward.

“What’s that?” she asked lightly even as her heart pounded in her chest, not daring to hope…

“Uh, er, w-well,” he began, coughing into his hand, and Izayoi realized with slight astonishment that he was flustered. She’d never seen him be anything other than cool, calm, and confident, and she had to admit, she sort of liked it. It was adorable and he was actually blushing!

Fighting back a smile, Izayoi swallowed the giggle that bubbled up and waited for him to regain his bearings, if not a bit impatiently. She didn’t want to jump the gun of course, or jump to conclusions, but if he wanted to be alone to ask her something…

Sucking in a bracing breath, Raiden nodded to himself, hardened his resolved, and faced the pretty half-demon that he’d had a crush on for the better part of a year now. He gave her his best charming smile and enjoyed the becoming blush that stole across her cheeks.

Encouraged, he squeezed her hand and began, “Izayoi, I..uh…” He sighed, groaned, and then decided to just go for it.

“Ah, screw it. Izayoi Taisho, I like you,” he finally admitted and he could clearly hear the way her breath caught in her throat as her eyes widened. “And I, uh, I hope you like me too—”

“I do!” Izayoi blurted before promptly blushing so hard her face rivaled that of a tomato.

And just like that Raiden’s confidence was restored, the tension in his shoulders melting away and it was suddenly easier to breath. He grinned at her and squeezed her hand, shifting around and angling his body so he faced her.

“Yeah?” he said and though she refused to look him in the eye, Izayoi jerked her head in a curt nod and he felt like he could, like, lift a freaking house or something.

“Well then,” he started and reached over to gently tug on one of her braids to draw her attention. There was a pause, and then Izayoi slowly turned her head, pretty sunshine eyes locking with his blue-green ones.

“What do you say we go out this weekend? Just you and me, like a real date. Please say yes,” Raiden beseeched, his smile easy-going and entirely too charming for her little heart to handle.

Like she was going to say no? Heart pounding, face five different shades of red and her belly rioting with millions of butterflies, Izayoi allowed the utter delighted smile to surface on her face as her eyes lit up in absolute pleasure.

“Yes,” she whispered and had to laugh when Raiden made a fist and jerked his arm back with a hissed, “Score!”

Utterly elated, Izayoi resisted the urge to bounce up and down in exhalation as she confessed, “God, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted—”

Fleeing warmth and softness brushing against her lips so fast she thought she imagined it had Izayoi’s thoughts coming to a screeching halt. She gasped, hand flying up to flutter her fingertips across her lips and her eyes were very wide as Raiden pulled back to reveal a face that was nearly as red as hers.

“Sorry,” he muttered, wincing a little as he dropped his gaze. “I just…you just looked really cute, and I’ve kinda wanted to do that for a while, and well—”

Something warm and soft pressed against his cheek, close to his mouth, and Raiden sucked in a sharp breath as his heart stuttered in his chest. He swung wide eyes his crush’s way and watched as she bit her lip but didn’t avert her gaze, giving a shy but genuine smile that made him want to hug her and protect her at all costs.

While definitely not as brave as he’d been to kiss him on the lips, Izayoi couldn’t help but to return the affectionate gesture, both as a reassurance and because…well…he’d just looked too darn cute all flustered and blushing. She was still reeling from having gotten her very first kiss and her heart was pounding a mile a minute, but she could honestly say she didn’t regret it one single bit.

The two teenagers simply stared at one another for a silent minute, blinking and absorbing what had just happened. And then simultaneously they erupted into a quiet laughter, snickers and giggles echoing into the night. Feeling bold, Izayoi scooted closer to him and pressed her side against his; Raiden retaliated by removing his hand from hers and instead slinging his arm around her shoulders to tug her even closer.

“You wanna go inside?” he asked, frowning slightly as he rubbed his hand up and down her arm. Her skin was cold and he felt stupid for bringing her out here when it was so chilly out.

“Mmm…” Biting her lip, Izayoi glanced over her shoulder toward the deck and the sliding doors that led into the kitchen. She was somehow not at all surprised to find their friends pressed up against the glass, grinning from ear to ear as they spied on them. Rin, the brat, wasn’t even ashamed to be caught, waving at them from under Kohaku’s arm and Izayoi stuck her tongue out at her, though she smiled right after.

“On second thought,” Raiden drawled and a quick glance revealed he too was staring at their annoying friends, “maybe we could stay out here a little longer.”

“Sounds good to me,” she agreed, dismissing their friends and turning away just in time to miss the sight of her mother shooing away the teenagers crowded against the doors, shooting them a secret smile before walking away and dragging her protesting husband with her.

“Happy Halloween, buttercup,” Raiden murmured and dropped a kiss to her head, right between her adorable ears.

Sighing in utter contentment, warm despite the chill in the air and the happiest she could ever remember being, Izayoi smiled and dropped her head to rest on his shoulder, oblivious to everything but him.

“Happy Halloween, Raiden.”

a;kjfad i was in such a rush to get this done i forgot to add links to Izayoi’s makeup and costume, along with Raiden’s getup. whoops.

Izayoi’s Costume (though it’s more kid friendly in the fic of course)

Izayoi’s makeup

Raiden’s costume

[oh-theatre]

Objection!: Chapter 6

Chapter title: Truly Believe

A/n: This entire fic is just me loving Patton and projecting it onto the characters. I just love him a lot??? Also, would you guys like if I released like a separate chapter of just different moments of them in court? I have these small interactions between the group during trials and stuff and I think it would be fun. Let me know! Make sure to leave me some comments, I really appreciate them!!

First | Previous | Next

words: 4483

summary: Logan realizes some of his feelings, Patton has a realization about the case

pairings: Eventual logicality, eventual prinxiety, platonic demus

warnings: Murder mention, child murder, implied abuse, swearing, gun mention, abuse mention, abuse

Ao3 Link  

“I'm so sorry Mr.Tolentino” Reeve rushes in, scattering files everywhere “I didn't mean to be late” Logan adjusts his position on the desk pushing up, sitting straight, he checks his watch scrunching his brows.

“You aren't late Reeve, you're right on time” Logan assures. Reeve gives Logan the same look he had given many a time, critical and very judgy. “Although everyone knows-”

“Early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable,” Both Reeve and Logan say in unison. Logan nods at Reeve approvingly, he smiles shyly. Logan gestures to the chair across from his own, Reeve takes it nervously, he was still getting used to Logan. He shuffles awkwardly in his seat, something itching his mind.

“Yes, Reeve?” Logan sighs, noticing his erratic movement. Reeve chuckles feeling his palms grow sweaty. He set his things down by his side turning back to Logan, who waits impatiently.

“I have a note from P-Patton for you” Reeve informs, he has never wanted to curl up in a ball as much as he wanted to right now. “It's about the case files, and about...last night” Reeve adds quietly, Logan's eyes grew wide.

“Last night?” He asks cautiously, how much? About the talk, the children, the stars, the kiss on the cheek?

“Yes, about the man and thanking you for helping with the children” Reeve nods handing him the note. He takes it a little harder than he should have from the poor boy's hands, skimming it quickly. He feels a wave of relief hit him as the note goes on. He reads every line of the beautiful handwritten note, the penmanship was remarkable.

Hey Lo!

Just wanted to thank you for your help last night, the kids have not stopped talking about you. You might have to come over for dinner soon :)

I would love to. Logan struggles against his own smile, you really can write as you speak.

For your help, I'm sending Reeve over with some of my notes! And you’ll notice that you can actually read mine.

It was one time Patton, one time. Logan recalls when he and had Patton shared notes on a previous case. Patton had told him ‘He wouldn't need a doctor anymore, by the way, you write, you must be a great one. ‘ Not his best joke, but unfortunately very true.

Anyway, thanks for everything, can’t wait to get this case started.

Love, Patton!

Love Patton indeed. He hands the note back to Reeve who shoves it away scrunching his brows. Without command, he hands Logan a copy of Patton's notes that he had sent. Just as he had promised, his notes were organized, neat and well...extremely helpful.

“Brilliant” Logan mutters to himself, he flips through the notes scribbling down his own thoughts, feeling things fall slowly into place. “Absolutely brilliant, he is a ….” Logan searches for a word the could sum up how he felt. “A genius. Reeve come look at this” He ushers, Reeve, tilts his head, his face growing hot. Logan looks up, he sighs “You're here to learn, I might not be the one directly teaching you but at least you'll be getting something. So come look at these notes” Logan insists, his voice growing excited. Reeve decides to heed his command and goes around toward his side of the desk. He leans over catching up to where Logan was, his own excitement setting in. “What did I tell you, brilliant” Logan admires

“I see why he's so popular, I mean...wow” Reeve marvels watching as the notes dance from one page to another, each making sense, each claim backed up by mountains of evidence. Logan was picking a lock and Patton had given him the key. “What are those” Reeve inquires pointing at a separate file. Logan takes it studying it curiously, he nods as he read.

“Patton's transcripts, from when he first interviewed the client” Logans eyes were glazed over, Reeve swore he could see a sparkle. “Fascinating…amazing...” Reeve was questioning whether he was still talking about the actual files. He studies Logan deciding to put his deductive skills to the test. Logan's eyes were tired, poorly covered up with makeup. His cheeks were redder than usual, clearly burning with a blush. He was smiling, clearly engaging his zygomatic major muscle and his orbicularis oculi muscle, a Duchenne smile. Or, in layman's terms ‘Smizing’.

“Smiling with your eyes” Reeve mumbles softly, not softly enough however as this catches Logan's attention. He turns to face Reeve who scrambles away a little from the desk.

“Pardon?” Logan raises an eyebrow waiting for the boy to answer. He stutters over his words, muttering non-coherent sentences. Logan stands approaching him. “Reeve?”

“The Duchenne smile, more commonly known as ‘smiling with your eyes’” Reeve rushes, practically stumbling over his own words. “That's what you were doing, sir” He adds. He mentally kicks himself for that, preparing for the worst.

“Am I really that scary?” Logan sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He sits down calmly, arranging the files on his desk. “Sit please” He mentions to Reeve who wastes no time doing exactly that. “Why did you scramble?” Logan eases, trying to understand. Reeve pauses

“Nothing sir, I apologize”

“No, no, I apologize, perhaps I've been a little intimidating” Logan admits, Reeve listens, a little too scared to move. “Smiling with your eyes…Odd” Reeve smiles, a little more confident now. He adjusts his back in the chair straightening it. “Why did you say it?” Logans asks, clearly, it was bothering him.

“Well, while you were looking through Mr.Hart's notes you seemed to be almost… enamored with them” Reeve explains cautiously, he feels himself clutching on to the sides of the chairs. Logan moves his head back for the first time, he didn't know what to say.

“I'm not infatuated with Patton” Logan retorts, Reeve might have laughed had he not been so scared.

“I didn't say you were ...but now I'm starting to think you are…” He mumbles the last part. Logan pauses, he wasn't really listening. Infatuated? With Patton? He thought back on the past years, even just last night. “Mr.Tolentino?” Logan turns back to Reeve who was watching him now as if prepared to take notes on whatever he did, analyze every movement.

“Let's say, hypothetically, and I mean hypothetically” His tone becomes firm, eyes taking on stern look. Reeve nods.  “If I was…how would I approach...” He shakes his head waving the thought away. “Forget I said anything. You're here to learn what it's like being a lawyer let's get back to that” Reeve debates whether he was going to regret his next words.

“Buy him a coffee and a pastry from the coffee cart,” Reeve says, Logan turned to face Reeve once more.

“Why?” Was all he says, he was curious though. What would a delectable pastry and hot coffee do?

“It's a start, its a conversation starter, it's an excuse to talk to him and...it shows that you care” Reeve explains, he rambles but Logan understands. What he didn't understand is why? Why would he want those things?

“Tell me what went wrong with the ‘Scottsboro Boys’ case,” Logan asks, Reeve, tilts his head before frantically searching his notes. A wave of relief floods him at the subject change. He begins flipping through as Logan turns to his bookshelves. He tracks his fingers across the books skimming for a certain one. He hears light mumbles coming from Reeve behind him. Once he has located the book he turns to the next bookshelf, however, this one was covered in files. Each organized by date, what the trial was and whether it had been successful at carrying out justice, in Logan's professional opinion of course. He pulls the ‘Scottsboro Boys’ case reading through a copy of the original files with his own notes on the side. He hums softly before sitting back at his desk, watching Reeve who was now scribbling down some notes. He finishes quite triumphantly before looking up. “Ready?”

“Ready” And so they begin

Buy him a coffee and a pastry.

Shows that you care

~~~

Roman would be lying if he said that he didn't wish he could wake up this way every morning. And by that, he means having Virgil's Great Dane, Joey, hop onto the couch planting himself on top of Roman, licking his face. Roman felt his eyes open slowly, the light flooding into the room burning his dry eyes. He adjusts quickly to the slobbery mess on his face and the sudden added pressure on his chest. He looks up to find Joey breathing heavily, his paws folded in front of him, as he stares at Roman. He chuckles carefully sitting up petting the dog, Joey bounces, jumping off of him. He watches as the dog stands expectantly at his feet and decides he should probably get up. Wiping his eyes, stretching his arms he stands much to Joey’s delight. He follows as the dog walks happily towards the kitchen and thank god he did. Roman wishes he had a phone to take a picture of this. He watches as Virgil dances softly around the room humming along to the music playing in the background. He watches as Virgil prepares what seems like breakfast, for three. He turns finally spotting Roman and drops his pan.

“Roman!” He scolds, Roman, laughs going to help him clean up the scattered scrambled eggs on the floor. Joey has his own cleaning ideas, trying very hard to lick the floor. Roman holds him back stifling his laugh. “Good morning” He grumbles, picking up the fallen pan.

“It is a good morning indeed!” Roman exclaims happily. “Sorry for spending the night, the little guy tired me out” Roman rubs his neck, Virgil goes to pause his music turning off the stove. He hands Roman a cup of coffee, who having been here plenty of times, went straight for the cream and sugar.

“It's fine, don't worry, thanks for taking care of the kiddo in the first place” Virgil assures, leading the pair over to the table.

“Always and kiddo?” Roman teases

“Patton's rubbing off on me” Virgil jokes back, Roman releases a breathy laugh stirring his coffee. They yawn simultaneously gaining quite comfortable in the presence of each other, silent or not. They hear the light shuffling of feet both preparing for an incoming storm. They watch as little Damian comes scurrying in holding his snake plushie followed by Joey. He runs straight towards Virgil jumping in his dad's arms.

“Hi, Papi!” He squeals nuzzling himself into Virgil, he chuckles adjusting Damian's position on his lap. Roman watches with a smile, Damian fiddles with his plushie.

“Morning Dee” Virgil greets “Did you have fun last night?” Damian waves to Roman nodding.

“He's the best!” Damian exclaims throwing his hands in the air. The men chuckle at the small boy. “Can he always come here?” Damian asks his father, Virgil smiles. Roman folds his hands in his lap awaiting Virgil's answer, he raises his eyebrows. Virgil shakes his head at the judge.

“What do you want for breakfast Dee?” Virgil asks switching the topic, he didn't know the answer and would rather not discuss it at eight forty-six in the morning. Damian struggles in his father's arms making grabby hands at Roman, Virgil sighs at the smirk etching on the judges face. He stands, still holding the boy carefully giving him to Roman. “I will go make you some food” Roman nods completely focused on Damian now. Virgil makes his way back to the kitchen, still reaping the unfortunate egg incident he decides some cereal will do. He watches from afar, Roman and Damian seem to be deep in conversation. He seems to have some kind of idea and bounces off of Romans lap scurrying in the direction of his room. Virgil finishes serving his bowl of cereal and places it in Damian's highchair.

“He's so cute” Roman claims as Virgil sits back down. Roman awaits some kind of quip, but Virgil simply shrugs.

“Hey, no disagreements here.” Roman chuckles fiddling with his empty cups of coffee. “So, big day today. The trial finally begins” Virgil comments, something shifts. Roman exhales a long breath, some things he's been holding in. He doesn't want to discuss the trial, he's not sure why. Roman loves being a judge, serving justice, having total control.

“Yes it is, I have a meeting with Patton and Logan in my chambers in about…” He checks his watch rubbing his eyes. “Two hours” Virgil yawns nodding as Damian returns. How the kid has this much energy in the morning is something Virgil will never understand. Virgil picks him up placing him in his highchair. He instantly starts shoveling down his cereal, making a mess, much to Virgils ‘delight’. Roman watches wanting to stay here, frozen in this frame. Watching Virgil smiling at his enigmatic son. Its something Roman had always thought about, the prospect of a family. He always marveled at Virgil and Patton, their ability to balance a very busy work life and still have time for their children. Still, have the mental capacity to give them love when they go into work every day dealing with awful people. Roman is sentencing someone to punishment, to spend the rest of their days suffering. Do they deserve it? Yes. Does Roman know this? Yes. Does he still feel somewhat guilty every time the sound of the gavel hitting a hard surface echoes throughout the courtroom? Absolutely.

“I'm done!” Damian announces, throwing his hands in the air pridefully. Roman chuckles dryly at the small boy. His only worry in life is whether or not he can sing the alphabet or count to the number ten. Virgil stands, Roman follows, he picks up his son letting him out to play. Damian instantly rushes towards Joey who pounces licking the child. Roman kneels petting Joey softly, Virgil leads Damian to his room disappearing for a while. Roman sits on the ground now simply enjoying Joeys warm head laying in his lap. Virgil returns after a moment holding a now dressed Damian on one side and the boys backpack in the other. “I'm ready!”

“Yes, you are niño” Roman agrees, he stands dusting himself off, Joey whines at the sudden shift. Virgil collects a few more things, while Roman organizes himself.

“Ready to go?” Virgil asks, Roman nods following the detective towards the door. He helps him strap Damian into his seat before taking his place in the passenger's seat. Virgil slides into the driver's seat, Roman watches curiously as he goes through some kind of routine. First, he checks on Damian making sure the young boy is alright, then he checks the mirrors, once that's finished he turns on the car going through each small thing to make sure everything is in working order. Finally, he pulls out of the driveway, Roman leans his head against the window, taking this little time to himself.

~~~

“Morning Mr.Hart!” Jenny calls. Patton looks up waving, giving the sweet woman a polite smile. He hoisters his briefcase trying hard to keep everything from spilling out. This morning had been chaos enough, and the day wasn't going to get better. The twins had decided to pitch a fit about going to school, not even a day ago having wanted to go more than anything, claiming they wanted to hang out with Patton today. Which he knew was code for, ‘We wanna see Mister Logan’. He might have caved in had he not remembered he had a mountain of work to do, and that the trial was beginning this afternoon. So, after fighting for another hour, he finally got the kids to daycare where they now preside perfectly happy with their friends.

“Patton” Patton feels his heart sink, so close. He turns to face Liam who stands leaning by the door. He’s smoking a cigarette huffing away, now Patton's especially happy he didn't bring the kids. Liam puts it out after a moment approaching him. “Good morning” His voice, which once sounded so sweet, now felt like nails on a chalkboard as it tore its way through Patton's ears.

“It's not” Patton replies curtly, he hefts his briefcase some more, why did I pack it so heavy? Liam lets out a nasty laugh, he extends a hand out towards the briefcase. Patton brings it closer to himself, he doesn't need help, he needs to get to his office.

“Patton don't be stubborn, let me help” Liam tries again grabbing the handle, it's a rough touch, always has been. Patton struggles to free his hand, and briefcase for that matter, away from Liam. “Cupcake” His voice darkens, his eyes seeking vengeance. Patton squirms at the nickname, hating the awful taste it leaves.

“You didn't want to help before…” Patton mumbles finally pulling away. His case crashes to the floor with files and loose papers cluttering everywhere. He groans kneeling down frantically trying to gather everything. It was so neat, so perfect. Liam smirks maliciously before kneeling himself, he picks up a few papers reading over them. Patton manages to stuff most everything back into his case. He looks up at Liam expectantly holding out his hand for the final few things. Liam thinks for a moment for simply shaking his head, he continues browsing the files. “Liam, give them back, you're being childish” Patton says, he stands dusting himself off. Liam follows but won't give in.

“I'm being childish? You're the one who keeps ignoring me, won't let me see my kids and your running around with some...man-”

“I am not” Patton states firmly, he's not offended by the assumption. He just doesn't wish to carry on this conversation, and would rather not hear about Liam's thoughts, or Liams anything for that matter. He holds out his hand once more, signaling for him to return the papers. Liam rolls his eyes, shoving them into Patton's chest. “Thank you” He seethes, finally closing his briefcase shut. He turns to make his way towards his office but feels something clutch to his arm pulling him back. Liam digs his nails into Patton, he winces once more struggling in the man's grip. “Liam… “ he whines, his vision becomes blurry. It's not just the nails causing the incoming tears, though that contributes, it's just everything about his former partner. The things he did race through Patton's mind, things he had worked so hard to just shove away.

“You are so weak” Liam scoffs, he remains “You always have been, how you're a lawyer I will never understand” That cuts deep, and Liam knew it would. For years people, family, friends, anybody really, would laugh when Patton shared his dreams. He was much too soft to be a lawyer, he wasn't a shark, he cared too much. The comments continued even after he graduated from Harvard, even after he passed the BAR exam, even today they simply waited until the ball drops and Patton can't do it anymore. Patton tries again to no avail, Liam’s not fighting a losing war. He holds Patton close, if you were just passing by you wouldn't even tell something was wrong.

“Let him go” A stiff voice requests. However, it didn't really sound like a request, more of a command. Patton glances towards the source biting down a smile. Logan stands watching Liam, he holds some kind of hot drink in his hand and a small paper bag in the other. He looks as he always does, prim, proper, neat, and put-together. Except for his eyes, his eyes glare at Liam, Patton swears he can see a fiery pit buried deep in Logan's dark brown eyes. Patton turns back to Liam, but he won't budge, in fact, he digs further. At this point, it's a tug-of-war game and Patton has the unfortunate opportunity to be the rope. After a moment Logan walks towards them, he stands next to Patton still watching Liam. He might not be fighting a losing war but he just lost the battle. Liam pulls away finally releasing Patton from his hold. He grasps his arm massaging it, watching the color slowly return. Patton prepares for an argument but is instead met by a soft hand on his shoulder turning him away from Liam. He looks up to meet Logan's eyes, the fiery pit washed over by a calm wave. “Patton,” He says, Patton understands and they begin walking away.

“Thank you” Logan nods. They walk side by side through the courthouse, reaching a more secluded area Logan stops. Patton does the same, Logan faces Patton examining the be-speckled man. “Lo?” Patton wonders softly, Logan shifts turning his attention towards him. Patton instinctively backs up into the wall, he's not afraid but it's just something left over.

“I brought you coffee and a pastry” Logan informs, Patton tilts his head. He lifts his hands showing that he did indeed buy Patton a pastry and coffee. Patton lets out a small laugh, taking the food happily. “I hope it is satisfactory,” Logan says. Patton giggles smelling the coffee.

“It's great! I forgot to eat this morning so this is perfect” Patton compliments. Logan feels the heat rising in his face, a light tint of pink. They continue walking, Patton opens the bag revealing a vanilla cupcake. He pauses once more, feeling himself space out.

~~~

“Cupcake?” Liam asks, Patton looks up to see his partner returning home. He smiles at him, quickly returning his focus to the baby he cradles in his hand. Remus snores peacefully in his arms, something Patton would come to miss in the coming years. Liam approaches with a look of disdain, eyeing the baby as though it might do something horrible.

“How was work?” Patton asks not looking up from Remus little face. He wishes he could stay like this forever, his perfect angelic face, the way his eyes flutter open every few moments. Liam grunts throwing his stuff on the couch.

“It was fine...I have a stupid project I must do or my boss will fire me” Liam informs, Patton gives him an apologetic look.

“I'm sorry,” Patton says, Liam bites his lips watching Patton with the baby. Patton notices and lifts the baby. “Do you want to hold him?” He inquires softly, Liam stares for a moment before shaking his head.

“I'll just have someone do the project for me,” Liam says completely ignoring Patton's question, he feels his heart sink a bit. “If it sucks they take the fall if it's great I get the credit”

~~~

“Cupcakes aren't pastries” Patton mumbles, his eyes go wide “He didn't do it!” He exclaims, Logan feels Patton grab his shoulders and stare at him with his shining eyes. “He didn't do it! He's taking the fall! Logan, my clients innocent!” As if at this moment, he finally believes it.

~~~

Virgil swore he would never pull his gun on anybody but criminals and lowlife. But at this moment? It was very tempting. His hand flew to his holster as he walks into the courthouse seeing Liam stand by the reception area. The man turns, his eyes falling onto Roman and Virgil who glares back.

“You...son of a beech” Roman mutters, Virgil begins picking at his fingers fidgeting wildly. They walk towards him, Liam smiles mischievously.

“If it isn't Ronan and Virgin” Liam greets, Roman flings his hand towards Virgil holding him back instinctively. Virgil growls deeply at Liam, Roman keeps his hand on him not wanting a scene in his courthouse.  

“You know what? I'm going to arrest him” Virgil declares, Roman makes no comment he simply stares. Virgil wasn't kidding, he removes the handcuffs from his side and gestures for Liam to around. Liam furrows his brows, waiting for the punchline.

“You're abusing your power, detective” Liam comments.

“Like you abused Patton?” Roman blurts, Virgil turns to him eyes wide. Something in Liams expression changes as he turns to face Roman now, he almost looks hurt but that quickly morphs into something beyond anger.

“You s-” He moves forward but Virgils too quick, he places himself in between Roman and Liam.

“One wrong move and I will actually arrest you” Virgil warns. He might be absolutely vibrating on the inside but he meant it. Liam eyes him for a moment before recoiling, Virgil nods. Virgil turns back to Roman who now watches a spot intently on the floor. “You good?” He asks. Roman looks up grounding himself as he focuses on Virgil.

“Fine” He looks over Virgil to Liam “Just would rather not have him here” Roman shuffles uncomfortably. Virgil ponders for a moment before smirking. “What?” Roman huffs, he continues smirking “No, absolutely not”

“Why” Virgil whines “Come on, you want him out of here, I want him out of here, I’m sure Patton wants him out of here”  Virgil pleads, sure enough, Patton appears with Logan by his side.

“Patton wants what?” He asks Roman gives him an encouraging smile. He tilts his head before spotting Liam. “He’s still here?” He sighs.

“Yes, I am,” Liam remarks, he forces himself back into the conversation staring at Patton now. Virgil and Roman become on high alert, barricading themselves, while Logan places a protective hand on Patton's arm. It's delicate, it doesn't hurt. “Patton I would like to speak to you” Liam requests, making a trying effort to not look in the direction of the others.

“Why would he waste his breath talking to you?” Virgil snipes, Liam chuckles his raspy voice echoing through the foyer. Patton exhales sharply.

“I think we are going to go now” Patton informs, Roman and Virgil nod turning towards the now timid lawyer. Logan and Patton share a glance before they begin walking away. But alas, Virgil can't stride away without one final comment.

“Virgil” Roman warns, but Virgils not listening.

“If you ever come near him again” Virgil's voice is orotund. He points an accusing finger at Liam, the man might be taller but Virgil is pissed off. “I will not hesitate to reopen my case on you and put you away, do you understand?” Liam glares but he knows exactly what Virgil means. He takes a step back eyeing Virgil one last time before walking away. The swift bang of the door shutting washes over Virgil in relief.

“You should reopen the case anyway” Roman suggests half-heartedly. Virgil chuckles, before pulling out his phone and showing it to Roman. He marvels at the text smiling approvingly. “How?”

“I was a very secretive texter in school, and Remys always got the case ready to go...just in case” Virgil responds, he's not going to lie, the look of astonishment planted on the judge's face definitely left a sense of pride in the detective.

[sunniebelle]

A Rather Cute Meet-Cute

Eight x Rose AU

Rose Tyler didn’t realize anything was missing from her life until a chance meeting in a cloud of white.

A Birthday gift for @gingerteaonthetardis! I hope I got the voice man hotness of Eight in-character for this AU! (Sorry if it’s not. It’s my first attempt at Eight or an AU!) Hope you have a wonderful Birthday Abbey!!

Rose Tyler couldn’t believe what a fool she had just made of herself. Her focus had been entirely on worrying over her exam the next day and not on where she was going. It was little wonder that her foot had caught on the next to last step at the top of the stairs, causing her to fall forward in a rather undignified way. On instinct, she let go of the tote bags full of groceries, freeing her hands in an attempt to ward off a face plant into the concrete.

What Rose hadn’t seen was the man that had been directly in front of her and was now lying beneath her on the third-story landing. 

She tried to make her brain catch up with what had happened and why she found herself staring at a rather handsome man. She was finding it difficult to think about anything else though while looking into his face. Her eyes took in wonderfully curly, medium-length brown hair, the most gorgeous pair of blue eyes, an impressive jawline and luscious-looking lips.

Little specks of white, suddenly appearing on his face and hair and all around them, made her realize that when she dropped her groceries, her bag of flour had burst creating a cloud that was slowly settling over them like a heavy snowfall.

With the dawning realization—and slight horror—of what had happened, she hastily apologized and rolled to the side, trying to get off him without causing any more flour to fall into his face or on his dark grey suit, both of which were now specked with white flour. She felt her face going red from embarrassment.

“No apology necessary, my dear. I am thankful I was able to break your fall. I am afraid concrete is a rather unforgiving surface to land on.” He scrambled to his feet in one smooth move and bent over to help her up. Unfortunately, the position allowed a good portion of the flour in his hair to now dump into her previously clean face and it was he that was apologizing.

As they both stared at their now equally white complexions, laughter bubbled up from their throats and they soon found themselves in hysterics, coughing a bit from the flour.

Once their laughter died down he extended his hand. “I’m Doctor John Smith, from 3G. May I help you with your groceries Miss...?” He left his question open so she could supply her name, though she was temporarily distracted by the deep, melodic and velvety tone of his voice and realized with a start that she was staring at him.

Shaking herself free of her stupor, she shook his waiting hand and said, “Rose. My name’s Rose Tyler. I’m in 5C. And no, thank you, but I think I’ve imposed on you enough by dumping flour all over you.”

She wasn’t sure why, when their hands released, she felt almost bereft of the loss of his warm palm against hers. She really had to get it together. Her brain finally began working once again, her eyes going wide as she realized exactly what was now floating in the air around them.

“Oh, bugger. My flour! I’m gonna have to go get more. I’m going barmy.” she said aloud, whilst internally berating herself.  

He stared at her a minute. “If you don’t mind my asking, what kind of flour was it?”

Making a mental list of all she had to do, she answered without thinking about it as she bent over to pick up the items that had fallen out of her tote bag. “Plain flour. I’m gonna have to go down the grocers again.”

“If you want, I can save you the trip. I have an unopened bag of plain flour that will not be used any time soon, I assure you. I can meet you back here or at your door if you like in, say, 15 minutes?”

She paused for a moment and then stood staring at him like he had two heads. “I knock you on your bum and dump flour all over you and you want to give me a bag of your own flour to save me a run down the grocers?” she asked incredulously.

“Yes.” A lift of his eyebrows and a slight smile caused his blue eyes, sparkling in merriment, to be all the more distracting.

She considered all she still needed to get done and knew that she could replace his flour at another time. And accepting his generous offer had absolutely nothing to do with the possibility of seeing this man again, she told herself.

“Well, thank you, Doctor Smith. I’ll replace it as soon as I can. And I promise next time I won’t shower you in it.” They both smiled and a few moments later, went their separate ways.

Roughly fifteen minutes later, after having changed and brushed all the flour out of her hair, she answered a knock at her door to find the handsome Doctor John Smith also changed and free of flour, except the bag in his hand.

If she had found him handsome in a suit before, she found him downright gorgeous now in a dark green cable-knit sweater and khaki trousers. She thought the dark green did amazing things for bringing out the blue of his eyes. His freshly brushed hair made her fingers itch to run through the wavy curls. Rose mentally shook herself, wondering briefly if she had hit her head and caused a short circuit in her brain.

After a moment’s thought on the wisdom of it, she stepped back to allow him entrance, an action he obviously hadn’t been expecting, if his eyebrows raising were any indication. He stepped into the foyer, his eyes sweeping her sparsely decorated living room as she shut the door, then he turned to her and handed over the flour.

“Here you are, Rose Tyler. One five pound bag of plain flour, as promised.” 

“Thank you very much. You really didn’t have to.” Not trusting herself to hold the bag, afraid of another flour disaster, she walked to her kitchen to set it with her other baking ingredients.

She turned to him when he started speaking and found him to be standing quite close. “Pardon my rudeness for asking, but why is this flour so important to you?”

“Oh, um, well,” she stammered for a minute, distracted by the wonderful sandalwood and cinnamon-like smell coming from him. “My final exam at Uni is tomorrow and I know that I know the material, but if I try and cram in more studying, I’ll make myself believe I don’t know the material, so I decided to keep myself busy by baking, even though I’ve already made like three different types of cookies, it’s putting my nervous energy to work. Not to mention my little brother loves my cookies and will gladly take them off my hand.” She suddenly stopped talking, realized what all she had said while rambling and felt her face go warm.

He smiled widely, showing off a row of perfectly white teeth. “I’m very happy I was able to provide you with such a vital ingredient. I will leave you to your project and wish you the best in your baking endeavors and your exam.” He said with a slight bow, turning toward the front door, but suddenly turned just before reaching the entryway.

“I wonder, in celebration of what I expect will be a happy occasion tomorrow, would you consider joining me for dinner?” He asked, his smooth voice masking the nervousness that was showing in his eyes.

She was caught a bit off guard by the invitation, though she was secretly very pleased. She smiled wryly as she said, “I don’t know whether it will be a happy occasion or not, I might bollocks everything up and flunk my exam.”

“Positive thoughts, Rose! You must think positive!” he said exuberantly, his smile and energy contagious.

Not knowing why, but realizing she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet this fascinating man again, she said, “Yes, Doctor Smith, I would like that,” a pleased smile on her face.

“Excellent!” Then he frowned slightly. “And, please, call me John or Doctor, but Doctor Smith is too...proper.”

Turning a teasing, tongue-touched smile on him she said, “Alright, Doctor.” She felt a little shiver go down her spine as his eyes traveled to watch her mouth before quickly moving back to her eyes, his own smile widening.

“I shall pick you up at your door at seven?” he asked.

She nodded and moved with him to the door, smiling to herself as she closed it. Suddenly she was no longer nervous about her exam, but was instead very excited about tomorrow night. She looked very forward to seeing this mysterious Doctor again, who had entered her life in a cloud of white and effortlessly swept her off her feet.

[notveryglittery]

Flirting with Danger, Ch1

summary: Superhero life isn’t all sunshine and daisies… but constantly rescuing someone who is sunshine and daisies incarnate sure does make it a bit easier to deal with. or, Patton keeps getting himself into trouble so he can be saved by Roman, Virgil’s utterly exasperated, and Logan is just trying to do his job. words: 1,800 / ships: romantic royality, platonic moxiety warnings: a character being held at gunpoint, armed robbery notes: @do-your-socks-have-holes-in-them​ said superhero au royality and here it is. we’re collaborating on this and it’s been so much fun writing with nick!! even if they add angst to my angst and it hurts!! anyway, hope you like this! @fandersfic-royality @fandersfic-moxiety

read on ao3 | Ch1: the first time | Ch2: *mcelroy voice* hotboy! Ch3: sky soliloquy | Ch4: the interview™ Ch5: you have my heart | Ch6: the second time Ch7: is this allowed?? 

The first time it happened was pure coincidence- it, of course, referring to Patton being caught up in a crime. It was really just a matter of bad timing and bad luck. All he’d wanted to do was head to the convenience store nearest his apartment building, buy a jug of milk so he could make pancakes tomorrow morning, and get some chips. Virgil had seemed upset about something that happened at work and so here Patton was, in the chip aisle, taking pictures of all the options. Doritos? No-ritos? Maybe that’d get a laugh out of him, although… it was kind of a bummer that Patton wouldn’t be there to hear the delightful sound.

Next thing he knew, though, there was some yelling, and when he turned around, there were three people wearing black ski masks and holding guns. Chips suddenly don’t seem so important, Patton thought, dropping the bag of Lay’s he’d been holding. It notified the criminals of his presence and one spun towards him. The shouting was mostly garbled through the sound of Patton’s heart roaring in his ears, but he got the gist of it. Lowering himself to the floor and keeping his hands in clear view, Patton kept his eyes down, trying his best not to cry.

It wasn’t so easy a task. Patton was just naturally a crier and so the tears spilled over pretty quickly. He pulled the sleeves of his sweater down over his hands and pressed one against his mouth to muffle his whimpers. Virgil was going to be so worried. Could Patton reach his phone to send him a text? An I love you? There were more loud noises: the sound of a display being knocked over, a mother trying to quiet her sobbing child, and a fist slamming on the counter. The clerk was stammering, trying to explain that the till could only be opened if a purchase was being made. There was a clicking sound Patton had only ever heard in movies or television shows and his head snapped up to see a gun pointed between the employee’s eyes. Patton’s mouth was opening to… to… what? Make a distraction? Call for help? His voice got stuck in his throat. In the same moment, the sound of shattering glass came from Patton’s left. He ducked even lower, covering his head with his hands. His sweater paws kept his bare skin protected.

“Halt, villains!”

There was no mistaking who’d made an appearance. If the dramatic entrance wasn’t a big enough tell, the equally dramatic command would have been. Patton peeked from behind his fingers, watching the Prince’s (or His Highness’, or any other of his various “superhero” names) cape flutter in the breeze… the breeze that was coming in through the window he’d leapt through. His crown was nestled perfectly atop his red tinged hair and his green eyes sparkled prettily through his mask and… and Patton was in love.

“Oh, great, this idiot.” Even with the insult, the robber’s voice trembled nervously. The other two had stopped what they were doing and looked frozen on the spot.

“I beg your pardon?!” the Prince said angrily, hands on his hips. Patton tried his gosh darn hardest to not squeal. His voice was even more captivating in person. All Patton had ever heard or seen of him was through news reports. This… seeing him up close, in real life… wow.

Quite unexpectedly, Patton’s phone went off, blaring Virgil’s Nightmare Before Christmas ringtone into the otherwise mostly quiet store. “I’m sorry!” Patton yelped, scrambling to pull the device from his pocket to mute it, “don’t mind me, I-I’m not here!”

That failed spectacularly, however, as the leader of the trio stormed towards Patton and lifted him up by the collar of his sweater. There was suddenly a gun to his head. Patton stiffened, eyes going wide with terror, and dropped his phone. The man kicked it away. “Alright, Princey, one more step and he gets it.”

The hero didn’t look even slightly alarmed. “I’d like to see you try,” he taunted, and Patton was torn between swooning over his confidence or crying at his nonchalance or both.

The criminal snarled, shaking Patton roughly. He inhaled sharply. It was fine, everything would be alright, he was going to be okay. “Sure you wanna test that?” He clicked the safety off. “This one’s not as tough as you are.” Patton squeezed his eyes shut and dug his fingernails into his palms, no no no, no, it was going to be okay.

“I never claimed to be bulletproof!” The Prince turned to the other two robbers. They jumped when he paced toward them, understandably wary, but he seemed to only be doing it for dramatic effect. “Did I ever claim to be bulletproof?”

They looked to each other, thrown off by the casual attitude. Finally, the one with blonde hair spilling down their back spoke. “No… I don’t think so?”

“Thank you!”

“Hey!” The one threatening Patton shouted, and he flinched away from the sound with a quiet whimper. “D’you really think now’s the time?!” He was stepping back towards his team, dragging Patton along with him. He did his best to not trip over his own feet, not wanting to anger the man any further.

“Got you all distracted, didn’t it?”

The hero grinned and darted forward. It startled the one holding Patton into tightening his finger on the trigger, and it clicked, and Patton almost screamed, but… nothing happened? And then the man holding him up dropped, his legs knocked out from under him, and Patton did as well, too shocked to catch himself. He had barely begun to fall forward onto his knees when strong arms caught him and deposited him safely outside. “Be right back, handsome,” the Prince promised, winking, before disappearing back into the store.

Patton slid down the wall and blinked, trying to clear his head. What had just happened? Shouldn’t he be dead? Sure, he’d been a little dazed by the attractive hero, and a lot terrified at being so close to dying, but he hadn’t been that out of it, had he? The sound of sirens filtered in passed his confusion and he was just turning to look towards the street when a body collided into his.

“PATTON!!!!” It screamed, knocking them both to the ground.

“Oh, hi, Virgil,” Patton said mildly, wincing at the bruises he could already feel forming and wondering if he might be in shock.

“Patton, oh my God, are you okay, please tell me you’re not hurt, I saw police cars go tearing by the apartment, towards the store, and I knew you’d gone to get chips and milk, and you didn’t text me back when I said I was okay with Doritos, and I got worried and called you and then you didn’t answer my call, and you always answer when I call, and I got so scared, and worried, and, and, and…”

Virgil’s rambling trailed off into distressed muttering as he sat back and checked over his childhood best friend and current roommate. He looked for any sign of injury. There were little shards of glass in the fabric of his sweater and Virgil immediately pulled it off of him, tossing the thing aside. It was one of Virgil’s old ones; it was fraying at every edge and Patton was always swimming in it, but he said it was too comfy to throw away. Virgil was going to make sure it got thrown away this time.

“I’m okay,” Patton said, combing a hand through Virgil’s hair, which was… drenched in sweat. Actually, all of Virgil was drenched in sweat. He was having trouble catching his breath partially due to panic but also because of the exertion. “Did you run here?” Patton asked, touched by Virgil’s concern but also concerned for Virgil’s health.

“Did I… yes. For you? Patton, yeah, of course.”

“Well, isn’t this romantic.”

Patton’s eyes darted up to the figure climbing through the destroyed window. Princey still looked dashing as ever, despite having just apprehended three armed criminals. Patton’s heart thudded against his ribcage.

“Your cape’s on fire,” Virgil said with the most unimpressed tone Patton had ever heard from him, and that was really saying something.

“What?!” The hero shrieked, pulling the fabric forward and patting the flames out. He very well could have just snapped his fingers and made it go away, but he must’ve still been caught up in the moment. Patton thought it was cute.

He stood up, accepting Virgil’s help to do so, even as the other was still working on evening out his breathing. The sirens were louder now. Red and blue lights were flashing all around them but Patton was focused solely on the green irises staring at him through a maroon mask.

“You saved me.”

Patton was distantly aware of Virgil groaning. He knew his best friend had never cared for the superheroes of this city, or superheroes in general, really. They were all pompous, all thought themselves above the law, all never took responsibility for their actions.

“It’s my job,” the Prince said sincerely, reaching forward and taking one of Patton’s hands in his own. He brought the knuckles to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to them. “I could never live with myself if you’d been hurt.”

Patton giggled helplessly, averting his gaze.

“Alright, we get it, you’re both sappy lovestruck idiots. Can we focus on more important things? Like, oh, I don’t know, the fact that you could have died, Patton.” Virgil was sounding more and more frustrated by the second and Patton didn’t want to upset him any further, especially after he’d already been so worried.

He took his hand back and clutched it to his chest, hoping he didn’t look as silly as he felt, wearing a Steven Universe shirt in front of the city’s most famous superhero. “Thank you,” he said with soft reverence and hearts in his eyes.

“Your Highness!” A voice came breaking through the moment. “Could we get a report, please?” It was the Chief of Police, followed by three officers, who headed immediately into the store to take the criminals into custody.

“Absolutely, my good sir!” The hero exclaimed, giving his attention to the authority figure. Even as he turned away, he shot a wink over his shoulder to Patton, who blushed fiercely and finally gave in, squealing into his hands.

Before Patton could do anything else, Virgil looped his arm around his shoulders and towed him away. “We do not need to get dragged into that,” he was saying, “they’ll have other witnesses, it’ll be fine.” He kept pulling Patton along, not wanting him to realize he was leaving the sweater behind or be distracted again by Prince Airhead.

They could get groceries and a new sweater later.

[minahraven]

The Mug - GOT7 (Jaebum, Youngjae)

A/N – I’d like to preface this with a little seriousness, if I may. This fic is written with two things in mind: a friend I recently made, and a mental illness that often doesn’t get portrayed accurately. Anxiety/ panic attacks is/are hell to go through. It’s hard to show how they feel in a story, since they’re outwardly not nearly as bad as they are inwardly. As a result, I decided, in this story, to show the panic attack the way it *feels*, not just how it looks. Admittedly, some of what’s described is visible, but a lot of it is what goes on in your head while it happens. Hence there is a lot of inner monologue etc. It may be triggering to some, so please, if you are sensitive to depictions of anxiety/ mental illness, read with care or don’t read at all. That being said, if you would like to read a story with some fluff and perhaps learn something about anxiety in the process, read on!

___________________________________________________________

 You leaned your forearms heavily on the sink in the corner of the break room, focusing on the mug gripped tightly in your hands as if your life depended on it. You watched the water drifting over the mug as you rinsed it, willing yourself to put it into the draining rack but unable to bring yourself to actually do it. You hated when this happened. Every time you thought you had a rein on your anxiety, it would rear its ugly head and make you feel as if every second might be your last.

Biting the inside of your lip to give you something more to focus on, you reached over with shaky hands and carefully placed the mug in the rack, releasing a held breath as it settled on the rungs with a gentle thud. Relieved, you picked up another and began to rinse it, fighting back the thoughts that kept coming to your head It’s a mug, idiot. It’s not like you could actually do that with something really breakable.;

“Stop it, Y/N,” you muttered to yourself, chiding yourself for letting your own mind get the better of you.

“Pardon?” A voice asked from a couple of feet behind and you yelped, spinning with a jump and sending the mug flying to the floor. Jaebum’s eyes widened, mimicking your own as you stared at the shattered crockery mere inches from his feet. That was all it took. In a split second, you could feel the world starting to fall apart just like the mug. You couldn’t hold back the panic anymore and you started to tremble, beginning with your arms and gradually spreading to the rest of your body. You dropped to your knees, scrabbling at the pieces of porcelain as you tried to gather them all, not even noticing the cuts you were inflicting on your hands.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were there, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to break it. I’ll buy a new one. I can go as soon as I’ve got this cleaned up. I’m so sorry.” You could hear yourself rambling on and on, the apologies coming out like a mantra, but couldn’t bring yourself to stop. The tears dripping onto your now-bleeding hand stung slightly but you barely registered it. All you could think about was how your job was now on the line. You clumsy idiot! You’re going to be fired for sure. You can’t just go around breaking things! And now you look like such a fool. Stop crying! Act like an adult for once! What employer wants an employee who turns into a blubbering mess just because they break things?!

“Y/N. Y/N!” You could vaguely hear his voice calling your name but couldn’t stop your mind and words racing. “Y/N, what’s going on?” Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed your shaking wrists, holding them firmly and keeping you from moving despite your attempts to pull them free. No longer having the activity to focus on, the panic finally hit you like a sledgehammer and you broke into loud sobs.

The sound of footsteps thundered in the hallway and you fought to yank your hands free, trying to scramble toward the corner. Instead of freeing you, the hands moved with you, letting you settle in a trembling ball where the two walls met. A handful of people entered the room, one of them calling Jaebum’s name. He released your wrist and your eyes followed his hand, watching as he waved to them to be quiet and stay back. A single pair of feet moved closer and you caught a brief glimpse of Younjae’s look of concern before ducking your head again, moving to wrap your free arm around yourself. Jaebum’s hand stopped you, grabbing your wrist again and holding it tightly.

You could just see Youngjae kneeling next to Jaebum out of the corner of your eye, their voices low as they murmured to one another.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. She said something and I asked what she said and she jumped like I had set off a bomb. She dropped a mug and it broke and then…this happened.”

“I’m sorry,” you mumbled through the sobs wracking you so hard your shoulders were starting to hurt, curling up a little tighter at the mention of your failure. One of the thumbs gripping your wrist began to rub slow, small circles over the skin under it as Jaebum hushed you gently.

“See? She just kept saying sorry like it was the end of the world. She hasn’t looked at me since it happened. It’s like she’s disconnected or something.” There was silence from the two of them for a few seconds, the only sound in the room your own crying. All of a sudden, another hand rested on your shoulder as Youngjae scooted closer, the two of them now essentially creating a fence between you and the rest of the world. He gently grasped your wrist, Jaebum releasing it as he did so. Sitting beside you, he began to rub the back of your hand and forearm lightly, Jaebum following suit as it seemed the other member seemed to know what he was doing. “Do you know what this is?” he asked, concern in his face as he watched Youngjae. The other nodded slowly, as if thinking.

“I think so. My sister has panic attacks, and what you described sounds the same.” He released your wrist and tilted your head up to look at him, gently wiping the tears from your cheeks. “And this is definitely what she looks like when it gets bad” he continued, examining your face. “Is it a panic attack, Y/N?” Shame flooded through you as a new wave of sobs hit and you gave a shuddering nod. That was all it took before Youngjae was wrapping his arms tightly around you, murmuring to Jaebum to help shift you into his lap, not wanting to hurt you by pulling you around too much. Once you were on his knee, he rocked you gently, humming softly to you as he cradled you, Jaebum’s hands shifting so that one was holding your hand gingerly and the other stroking your back.

Eventually, between the two of them, they were able to calm you down until you were breathing normally, aside from the occasional hiccup. Once they were sure you were okay, Youngjae released you, letting you sit upright on his lap and moving to look at your hands. Seeing how many cuts you had, Jaebum dashed away, grabbing the first aid kit that stood by the sink and hurrying back to you, the two of them setting to work bandaging your hands in silence.

Once the blood was cleaned up, the shards pulled from your skin and the cuts bandaged as best they could, Youngjae gave you a small smile, lifting one of your hands and pressing a soft kiss to one of the bandages.

“There. All better?” he asked, the tone in his voice almost as if he was talking to a child rather than an adult taller than he was. You returned the smile, giving a little nod. “Let me guess, you were already feeling bad and the mug was the last straw?” You nodded again, your cheeks colouring at having to admit how silly you had been. He chuckled, pulling you close in another tight hug and pressing a kiss to your temple. “Don’t be embarrassed, it happens. Next time, talk to us, okay?” Jaebum leaned closer, giving you a light punch in the arm and grinning.

“Yeah! Instead of throwing cups at me, try just telling me to leave you alone” he teased, leaving you giggling despite yourself. You hadn’t realised just how nice the men you worked for were, but you were glad that you had found out when you needed the comfort the most, even if it had all come about just because of a broken mug.

[golemqueen]

JILY CHALLENGE | @2upergirl vs @chasehermes

This is for February’s Jily Challenge, even though I accidentally submitted past midnight March 1st. I totally didn’t forget February only has 28 days. Anyways, this ended up a bit darker than expected, I hope you like it anyways!!!

Theme: Fantasy AU

Prompt: “I’m a genie and you rubbed my lamp so congrats you get three wishes but honestly you’re useless just think of three wishes its not like its hARD"

“I want a story.”

Lily Potter sighed, halfway out the door of her son’s room. “Mummy is tired,” she said. “Can you sleep on your own, Harry?”

“I want a story.”

With another sigh (how could she resist those large green eyes, so like hers?) Lily returned to her son’s side and sank onto the bed beside him. “Very well,” she said. “What would you like to hear?”

Harry thought for a moment, his eyes screwed up in concentration. “Something with magic in it.”

Lily smiled at that. “Magic?” she asked. “Like magic carpets and curses?”

The little boy nodded solemnly.

Lily rolled up the sleeves of her thin robe dramatically. “Have I ever told you how your father and I met?” Harry shook his head, settling back onto his pillows expectantly. “It was many years ago,” she said, “though quite recently. It was in a far-off land, but it was right here. It was full of contradictions, but it was delightfully simple. Do you understand?”

“No,” Harry said. “But I don’t care.”

So Lily began.

James Potter was born the wealthy son of a wealthier merchant, and he hated every second of it. He grew up in a house that felt like a palace, but without any of the power that came with one. He had three friends he loved dearly, so he spent every waking second in their company.

One day, under the baking sun, the four friends sat in the shade near the harbor and stared out at the ships that came and went. The ships slid through the cool water to the horizon, and each boy found himself wishing he were on one. The white sails and shining decks were dreams, edging just slightly out of grasp with each swell of the waves.

“Can you imagine the freedom?” James said wistfully.

“Can you imagine the adventures?” Sirius said hopefully.

“Can you imagine the sights?” Remus said eagerly.

“Can you imagine the riches?” Peter said jokingly.

The four looked at each other, then once more at James. He was the richest, with the means to easily purchase a ship and never have to look back.

“Could we?” they asked. “Should we?”

The answers were simple: Yes, and probably not.

And so, without any further ado, they marched down to the harbor and right up to the fanciest, most beautiful vessel they could find. For a small bag of gold coins, the foursome managed not only to buy passage on the ship but the ship itself. James was named captain, as he had paid the men. Sirius was first mate by default, and Peter and Remus became co-first-and-a-half mates, a position Remus suspected had been made up.

The four boys (for no one could argue they were men) set sail before sunset, learning the ropes (if you’ll pardon the pun) as they sailed.

To absolutely no one’s surprise, least of all yours, they shipwrecked on the first island they came across.

The Marauder, as they named her, tossed and turned on a relatively calm sea, jostled by incompetent hands. The glare from the sun was blinding, and James ran her aground onto the sandy beaches of a small island. In an attempt to reverse course, the back rudder snapped entirely off. (How that is possible is beyond me—let me merely tell you that these boys were woefully terrible at sailing a ship.)

Remus and Sirius disembarked first to evaluate the damage.

James hopped down onto the sandy shore, throwing a hand over his eyes to shield from the glare of the sun. Was it his imagination, or was something glinting up ahead in the dunes? Yes, there it was: a sharp glitter amid the haphazardly strewn trees, further inland.

Peter shouted after him, but the scent of adventure was in the air, and nothing could stop James once he caught it. He hurtled across the sand, scrambled and slid over the rocks, and found himself facing a small golden lamp, sitting on a rock as though forgotten.

James looked around. Though small, he had moved to the center of the island, and could no longer see his friends or the ship. He stuck a fallen leaf in the sand in the direction from which he’d come, then picked up the lamp and sat in the shade of a tall palm.

Something was written on the side of it, carved into the gold, but it was covered in a fine layer of sand. James tugged his sleeve over his hand and wiped the sand gently away, pulling the lamp closer to inspect the curling letters.

No sooner had he done so, however, than the lamp grew unbearably hot in his hands. With a yelp, James dropped it and fell backwards off the rock, landing ungracefully on his back.

There was a loud BANG, and something was looming above him.

James squeezed his eyes open, then shut them again. He was seeing this, obviously seeing things. Because there was no way a gorgeous woman with hair like fire was leaning over him, her face frowned in concentration.

“If I’m dreaming,” he muttered. “I’d very much like to be back in Gryffindor when I wake.”

“Gryffindor?” the woman said. James supposed if she was a dream, his imagination was really quite marvelous. She wrinkled her nose. “That little seaside village?”

James blinked and sat up. “It’s quite a large city.”

“Oh.” The woman looked down, then sat on the rock James had so quickly vacated. “I suppose I haven’t been there in…many years.”

“It’s been a city since before I was born,” James said, sitting beside her. “You don’t look much older than—that is to say, how many years has it been?”

“What year is it?” The woman asked.

James told her, and she blushed.

“Several hundred years,” she replied. “Give or take a few decades.”

“My goodness,” was all James could think to say in response. “You look quite well for seven hundred years old, I must say.”

She laughed, like bells and honey. “I’m far older than that.” Suddenly she jumped up. “I can’t believe you let me ramble on like that! We have business to attend to, don’t we?”

He followed suit, standing a little more heavily due to exhaustion. “D-do we?”

“You rubbed my lamp, didn’t you?” she indicated the discarded thing. “What is your first wish?”

“Wish?” James asked dreamily.

The woman folded her arms impatiently and scowled. “You’re certainly very new to all this, aren’t you?” She spread her arms and stepped back, light sparkling off her multicolored robes. She looked like a sunset, all fire-red hair and pastel cloth. “I am Lilith, Djinni of the lamp. You…” she wrinkled her nose again. “You seem to be a shipwrecked sailor with no taste in clothing.” She twitched, like an idea occurred to her. “I know! You’d probably love some shade or fresh water, wouldn’t you? Why don’t you wish for that, maybe a lady companion as well, and I’ll just go back into my lamp and wait for someone…” her eyes swept him up and down. “Cleaner.”

“You’re awfully impatient,” James said. “Give me a moment, would you? My brain is a little addled, I did just shipwreck, after all…” he began to pace around the lamp, muttering to himself.

“Water?” Lilith suggested every so often. “Some food?”

He waved her away each time.

Finally, footsteps and shouts. “James! Mate, wherever you’ve wandered, it looks like we’re stuck. There’s a hole in the back, we’re taking on water fast…”

James’ head jerked up, and he snapped his fingers. “That’s it! Lily—”

“Lilith.”

“I wish my boat were fixed.”

Lilith sighed and rolled back her sleeves, revealing two thick golden bangles. “About time,” she muttered. “Let’s see the damage, then. Can’t fix something I haven’t seen.”

James scooped up the lamp and set it carefully into his satchel. “This way.” He kicked the leaf he’d set in place, leading her towards Sirius’ shouts. “I’m here!” he called. “I found a solution, I can fix it!”

“You can fix it,” Lilith scoffed. “I am right here, you know.”

The other three boys had gathered on the beach, and stared in awe as James neared, the radiant Lilith in tow. “Boys,” he announced happily. “I present Lilith, Djinni of the lamp. She’ll be fixing up the Marauder.”

As Lilith neared the ship, she began to laugh. “What have you done? This is an absolute disaster. Have any of you sailed before?”

They shook their heads, though Sirius scowled while doing so.

She raised her hands. “Very well. Your first wish is my command.” Golden light gathered at her fingertips and arched away, swarming the broken parts of the ship and surrounding them; it glowed so brightly James had to cover his eyes. When the light faded, the Marauder was safely tethered to a nearby tree, anchor dropped, plank lowered.

Lilith’s lips quirked in a half-smile as the boys turned to her, dumbfounded. “Good as new,” she declared. “Now, master, your next two wishes—”

“Not so fast,” Remus said. “James, you have three wishes.”

“Two,” Lilith corrected.

“Master,” Sirius cackled.

James blushed. “Please don’t call me that.”

“Two,” Remus amended. “Don’t use them all right now.”

“Of course not,” James said, as if the very notion were ridiculous. “Come, let’s sail on. Lily, there’s a spare cabin for you below, I believe—”

“Oh, dear me, no,” Lilith said with a tinkling laugh. “I’d much rather sleep in my lamp for all eternity than live on a boat—”

“In there?” James interrupted. “That’s inhumane! No, you’ll live with us until we reach our destination. We have plenty of food and fresh water—”

“I don’t need to eat,” she said dismissively. “And I will not get aboard your vessel.”

A week later, Lilith sat in the galley with Sirius and Peter, recounting the tale of Urg the Unfortunate while beating Peter at chess.

“He wished for…let’s see, what was it? A new button, a mouse, and the key to the hidden treasure his sultan had hidden beneath the palace. Of course, he never found it, so the key was a complete waste. Still, I’ve heard it’s now a family heirloom…”

“What did he do with the mouse?” Peter asked, fingering a pawn.

Lilith grinned wickedly, sliding her rook forward. “Fed it to his cat.”

“No!” Peter said, horrified. He had several pet rats in his cabin, all named Wormtail. When Lilith inquired as to why, he simply sniffed and said, “If you don’t know, I won’t tell you.” It remained the biggest mystery she had encountered in a thousand years of life.

“Yes,” Lilith said, as feet clattered down the stairs. James appeared, running a hand through his hair and looking harried. “Ah, if it isn’t my master. What can I do for you?”

“Don’t call me that,” he said. “Sirius, there’s a storm on the horizon, I need your help plotting a course around it.”

“I don’t really know what I’m doing, mate,” Sirius warned, getting to his feet.

“You’ve gotten us this far.”

“I could help,” Lilith suggested helpfully, as she had several times. “Just wish you’d reached your destination—”

James gave a small smile, though his entire demeanor was worried. “It’s about the travelling,” he said. “Not the location. Hey, Pete.”

Peter nodded in response, turning back to the chess game as the two disappeared on deck.

Several hours (or perhaps it was days—spending decades at a time inside a lamp tended to skew one’s sense of time) later, Lilith heard a resounding crash from up on deck.

She set down the book she had borrowed from Sirius and got to her feet, ready to affectionately scold the boys for whatever havoc they were wreaking now. Despite initial hesitations, she had grown to enjoy her time out of the lamp, to stretch her legs and interact with humans. This was one of the longest times she’d been out, since an evil wizard had trapped her in the first place.

As Lilith began to ascend the wooden steps that would lead her to the deck, she reminded herself firmly that the wizard was dead, and of no harm to her (or anyone) anymore. She had seen to that, she thought grimly.

At first, when she reached the deck and was assaulted by a wall of water, she assumed the boys were playing a prank on her, as they were wont to do occasionally. When her eyes adjusted and the water hadn’t stopped, she realized they had sailed into the storm, and the crash had been the main sail toppling over. How she hadn’t noticed the rocking was another mystery—she must be losing her wits after all this time free from the lamp.

She heard a shout and found herself, her eyes catching a flash of Sirius’ dark hair amongst the rain and fog. “Lily!” he was calling, desperately, over and over.

Like magic (though, of course, she had only run) Lilith appeared beside him, where he was cradling James’ prone body.

Lilith’s blood ran cold. “What happened?” she shouted.

She had never had a master die on her before. Would she die as well? Would she live the rest of her immortal life, tethered to a functionless lamp, doomed to wander for all eternity?

All of her questions flew into the void as she saw James was still breathing, replaced with a single, surprising emotion: overwhelming relief. She knelt beside Sirius, pulling a piece of mast to shield them as best she could.

“Part of the mast hit him,” Sirius shouted back, the howling wind ripping away each syllable. “Remus and Peter are below, there’s nothing any of us can do!” Suddenly there was a gleam in his gray eyes. “You can help.”

“I can’t!” Lilith screamed over the wind. “I can’t do anything! My magic is tied to the lamp!”

“Lilith, I wish he were safe.” Sirius bent over his friend, removing fogged up glasses from hazel eyes.

There was no twinge of compulsion. Lilith shook her head. “It has to be James,” she said. “Only he can channel my magic—I’m sorry!” In disgust, Sirius pushed away from her, leaning James’ unconscious form against the railing as he swore, staggering towards the helm.

Lily pushed James’ hair out of his eyes (though it didn’t help), and suddenly became aware that some of the water staining her cheeks were her own tears. “Please wake up,” she mouthed. “Please, please wish you were safe, you were awake and alive, we were safe!” She bent over him, all her magic useless. “You have to wake up!” she screamed. “You stupid, stupid sailor—why did you go and get yourself knocked unconscious? I can’t fix all of your mistakes!”

She screamed her throat sore, and then she screamed some more, hearing Sirius wrestling with the wheel to no avail.

A hand touched her cheek.

James was awake.

Lily gave a surprised yelp. “Quickly,” she said, watching his fluttering eyes. “Quickly, wish we were safe, wish we were home!”

“I—I wish—”

“Go on,” she said. “Wish we were home.”

“…who?”

“It’s me,” she sobbed. “It’s me, it’s Lily.”

“I wish we could get home safe.”

Magic surged to Lily’s fingertips, warming her through her toes, and she cried with relief. She hated not having her magic be truly hers, but for once it felt like it could be once again.

She got unsteadily to her feet, the deck swaying back and forth. Lilith threw her arms out, and the golden light swept from horizon to horizon, gathering up the storm clouds and the rain, swirling around the broken mast and James’ head.

It was so much; so powerful, that Lilith’s head spun and she fell sideways onto the warm deck. Changing the weather was huge magic, and Lily was drained. She pressed her cheek to the hot wood, melting in the new warmth around her. Hands were grabbing her shoulders, turning her face sunward.

“Lily—Lily—Lilith—”

At her given name from her master’s mouth Lily’s eyes jerked open. “I’m sorry,” spilled from her mouth. “It was a powerful storm, I’m s—”

She was pulled into a strong embrace, her eyes widening in shock. She hadn’t been hugged in a thousand years. Lily leaned into James, her cheek pressed against his shoulder.

“You did it,” he was saying. “You saved us.”

“I did, didn’t I?” she said faintly. “Look, I know I said I didn’t need to sleep…but I think…I might make an exception…” She slid sideways out of his embrace and into welcome darkness.

There was a tap on Lily’s door, jolting her from unconsciousness. Sleeping was a foreign concept. In her lamp she drifted in and out of awareness, but it was nothing like true sleep. With her energy restored, Lily found herself wide awake. She would most likely not need to sleep again unless James’ third wish required something equally taxing, which she sincerely hoped not.

She found herself dreading the arrival of the third wish. It meant a return to the darkness of the lamp and an immortal life of servitude. Lily dug her hands into the soft blankets on her bed, trying to ground herself in reality. She had time. He had, after all, only just used his second wish.

The knock came again, more insistent this time.

Lily swung the door open. “Yes, master?” she asked, leaning against the doorframe.

“I hate it when you call me that. Can I come in?”

“You can do as you please.” But Lily found herself wanting his company as she stepped back to let him in. “What can I do for you?”

James stood awkwardly, then sat on the bed. “I wanted to thank you for saving my life.”

Lily shrugged. “It was your wish.”

“Yes, but…you could have manipulated that into anything. I’ve read up on genies—”

“Djinni,” Lily interrupted. “We prefer Djinni.”

“Djinni,” James said. “They’re…well, it said you were tricksters.”

“I have been known to play my fair share of tricks,” Lily admitted. “Oh, once there was this man, Dippet, he wished for clarity and I made him invisible.” She laughed at the memory.

James patted a spot on the bed beside him, and Lily sat. “I hate this,” he mumbled.

Lily’s blood ran cold, much like it had when she thought he was dead. How curious. “What?” she asked. “I—you can make your third wish, you know. Anything you like. I won’t trick you.” She paused. “And I’ll go back to the lamp.”

“No!” He grabbed her hands. “That’s not—gods above, that’s not what I meant, Lilith.”

“Lily.”

“It’s grown on you,” he grinned.

She smiled back. “It makes me feel more human.” Lily blinked. She hadn’t realized that was true until she’d said it aloud. “More human,” she said again. “No. I don’t—I don’t need to be human!” She stood abruptly. “I am a Djinn. I wish I were Djinn again, I wish I could use my magic again, not be chained to some lamp and some human!”

“That’s what I hate,” James said quietly. “I hate that I control your magic—that’s what Sirius said you said, anyway. It’s not fair. How…how did this happen?”

A white, snakelike face. Two red eyes. Green light, a shocked human.

“It was a long time ago,” Lily said eventually. “You don’t want to know. You’ll think less of me.”

“Not possible,” James said immediately.

“I…” Lily sighed. He was staring at her intently, like back on the island. He was determined. “Very well. I’ll start at the beginning, then.

“Djinn have life spans very similar to humans. The main difference is that we have magic. I know, I know, a few rare humans do too, your wizards. That is where my story begins. I was seventeen years old, barely having mastered basic elemental magic. I was the worst at earth magic, so when my parents were busy and my sister was out, I snuck out into the mountains to practice.

“There had been rumors of a wizard in the mountains, a fearsome human, but I always suspected those were just tales, told to frighten younger Djinni from venturing out on their own. Besides, I was a seventeen-year-old, a teenager, full of idiotic ideas of being indestructible and noble.

“I began to practice. Little things at first—lifting stones, then boulders, then shifting the ground and the cliffsides. I was making too much noise, using too much magic, drawing too much attention to myself. The wizard noticed me, and he approached.

“He told me he was impressed. Told me I had talent, that I was better than my unrefined Djinni cousins. I was flattered. He offered an exchange: he would teach me the finer points of human magic, and I would teach him elements. It sounded too good to be true. A mentor, someone who appreciated my talents! I went with him at once to his castle, way up in the mountains. He led me to his lair, down in the dungeons. He wanted to show me a spell, something he thought I’d love.

“It was a golden lamp. He said whoever held the lamp could have their hearts desire, and I was to wish for the ability to perform human magic. It all sounded so perfect, so logical, so obvious. I took the lamp.

“No sooner had I touched it than bracelets appeared on my wrists, locking into place. My hands were stuck to the lamp. His eyes…I’ll never forget. They glowed red, he chanted something in another language…and then the lamp clattered to the stone floor. It seemed I was free. I raised my hands to blast him with fire, to kill him for whatever he’d tried to do, but nothing happened. My magic was blocked, like a cork in a bottle.

“He wished for me to murder a family of humans that lived on the other side of the mountains, just to see if I would. I did, and because he relished in it, so did I. He wished I would transport him to the kingdom of Slytherin, and I did. He wished I would assassinate the king, and I did. As soon as the third wish was granted, I vanished. Everything was dark, and all I knew was relief. I thought he had killed me, and all I could think was…was thank the gods I was finally free.

“But then I was back. I was in a different human wizard’s room, and he looked as surprised to see me as I was to see him. He was kind, he was good. Only a few years had passed, and the wizard who trapped me had taken Slytherin’s throne.

“The young wizard wished his mother was healthy, and I did that gladly. He wished his spells would work, and they did. And then…then he wished for the kingdom’s peace. There were so many ways I could have accomplished that; I could have created a surplus to last a thousand years, filled their rivers to the brim, slaughtered their enemies. Instead, I acted selfishly. I murdered their king, the wizard who had imprisoned me. I killed him slowly, and I thought I would be free. I had no idea what had happened to me, or what would happen. With his death, I suppose I ended a tyranny, so I had brought peace. But the young human’s face…his shock, his hurt. He hadn’t wanted that. He’d just wanted the people to be happy.

“I sank into nothingness again, not expecting to wake again. I had broken the cycle before it had begun.

“But I was wrong. I found myself in the hands of countless humans, sometimes days apart, sometimes centuries. I have travelled the world in snippets, never staying in the same place for longer than a week. Humans are impatient creatures, they always use their wishes as soon as they can.”

Lily fell silent, watching James. His eyes hadn’t left hers the whole time she spoke.

“Until now.”

James looked at her for a while longer. “I don’t think less of you,” he said, his voice rusty. “I admire you.”

“What?”

“You’ve remained strong,” he said. “A lesser Djinn than you would have broken. But when I look at you, I don’t see a murderer or a lost soul. I see a powerful woman who is completely in control of what she has, despite what she doesn’t.”

He had leaned closer to her, so close she could feel his breath on her cheek.

If he wished for her to kiss him, she would disappear into the lamp happy.

“JAMES!” A voice bellowed. Remus was running down the stairs. “Land! It’s Gryffindor! We’ve circled around, I suppose, we’ve gone back home—” the door was flung open, and James sprang away from Lily.

“Home? I—I suppose my wish did say something about home, I hadn’t thought…” He looked back at Lily. “I’ll be right up. Tell Sirius to take us into the harbor.”

James turned back to Lily after Remus had left. “I don’t have to make a third wish,” he said. “You could come with me, back home.”

“I thought it was about the traveling,” Lily said with a weak smile.

“I’ve had enough adventuring for now, I think,” James said. “I still own this ship, don’t I?” He stepped towards her again. “Please,” he murmured. “Please come with me. I won’t wish anything, you can stay…”

Lily found herself shaking her head. “I can’t,” she said. “I don’t know what would happen. I wouldn’t age, and when you die…I have no idea what will happen to me.”

James bit his lip. “At least come up,” he said. “We can decide what happens next. Together.”

Lily had never had a together, not even when she was a seventeen-year-old Djinn at home with her family. “Alright,” she said. “We can decide together.”

They met the other three on deck, pulling more smoothly into the harbor than they had left it.

“D’you reckon my father will be very upset?” James asked Peter, who just laughed.

The boys turned to Lily. “What will you do?” Remus asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “James will have to make a third wish, and then…”

“One of us could take the lamp,” Remus suggested. “That gives us nine more wishes to figure out what to do next.”

Lily blinked. “You—you would do that?”

“Hey, it’s free magic,” Sirius said. “D’you know how much a wizard costs these days?”

Peter elbowed him.

“I mean. Yeah, of course, Lils.” He threw the rope over the deck, where someone down below tied it off. “I’ll be in a pub if any of you lot need me. After all that, I need a good drink.”

“We brought three barrels of rum,” Remus protested, following him off. Peter took one look at James and scurried off after them.

“I can’t believe your friends would do that for me,” Lily said. “And not just for the magic. For me.”

“They’re your friends too, Lily,” James said amusedly. “I wi—I’m glad you’ll be staying with us. Even if it’s only until we run out of trustworthy confidants.”

Lily cracked a smile. “I wish I could stay with you forever.”

“I wish you were free.”

Golden light was everywhere, rushing over her skin like tiny feathers. The wind picked up, swirling around her like a tornado, catching her hair in its swarm, dragging her arms forward. Lily watched with stunned eyes as the light ate away at the gold bands on her wrists, dissolving the metal like acid, then shrank away from her limbs, collapsing in on itself until a small spot of light remained, just over her heart. Then that, too, vanished, sinking into her skin.

Lily and James stared at each other. She felt lighter than she had in a thousand years, in control of her limbs and her mind. Experimentally, she lifted her arm, beckoning to the sea around her. Hundreds of tiny jets responded to her call, arching over their heads, twining together and evaporating into a fine mist that settled in their hair and onto their skin.

A happy giggle burst from Lily, as she twirled, changing her robes from multicolored to bright yellow then back.

“You did it!” she cried, throwing herself at him in a hug. “You freed me—how? How did you know it would work?”

“I didn’t!”

They were both yelling and laughing and spinning and hugging, and Lily couldn’t stop herself from changing his hair to green and purple and blue and shades she’d never even seen before. James took her face in his hands and kissed her, and she felt it, every nerve in her body on fire, no longer numb and dull.

It was like being alive after centuries of sleeping.

On the deck of the Marauder they kissed, and she cried, and he laughed, and they both lived happily ever after.

“You didn’t tell me there would be kissing,” Harry said, sounding betrayed.

Lily smiled faintly, still lost in memory. “I’d forgotten about that bit.”

“Mum, can you make my hair blue?”

Lily laughed. “No, darling. Think about what Daddy would say if you and he didn’t have the same hair! He would be distraught.”

Harry thought about this for a moment. “Okay,” he said. “Goodnight, Mummy. Thank you for the story. Even if there was kissing in it.”

“Goodnight, my darling.”

James was waiting outside the door. “And they all lived happily ever after?”

“What?” Lily asked, pulling him in for a kiss. “We did.”