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nhlandotherimagines · 4 years ago

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Family isn’t Always Blood- Part 1 Elias Pettersson x Fem!OC

Masterlist | Part 2 | Part 3 |

Summary: Kinsey Waters, has never known family. Not a good one anyway. So when her boyfriend, Elias Pettersson, his family, and friends all start making comments about the pair starting a family of their own, she panics. Can she even be a good mother? What if she can’t? Will Elias leave her?

Author’s Notes: So here we go with Part 1! This will be a 3 part series, and it’s very self indulgent, so I hope some of you can also enjoy it! Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated! Thank You!

Word Count: approx. 4.4 k

Warnings: talks of divorce, absent parents, mentions of children/pregnancy, briefly implied sexual acts (nothing too spicy I promise), some strong language at times, self doubt and negative self-talk, some fluff too of course! Baby fever maybe? If there is anything else I should be adding here please let me know!!

———

Sometimes life isn’t fair. Maybe most of the time even. I often wonder what I did to deserve the life I’ve been given. Why I was born into a family devoid of love, why my parents would bring a child into the world to live their life yearning for their mother’s affection, and why a broken family is all I would ever see. These questions continue to plague my mind to this day, but at least now I can say I know a loving family is something that can, and does, exist.

A real family exists in the form of the Pettersson’s. At first, I was jealous of my boyfriend’s upbringing, and if I’m honest, I still am to a certain extent. Elias cares so deeply for everyone. His teammates, his friends, his brother, his parents, and honestly just everyone he meets. Including me. Although it has been hard to accept that someone with no obligation to, actually cares about me, Elias does his best to show me every day.

I watch from the opposite side of the room as Elias FaceTimes his family, and a sad smile forms on my lips. His voice is gentle, yet excited, as he speaks animatedly to his family in Swedish. His mom, Irene, obviously gushing over her son, has tears stinging my eyes. I haven’t spoken to my mother in years, not that I want to talk to her, but watching how Elias’ eyes light up as soon as he sees her, has me wishing I had someone like that. Anyone really.

“She’s coming to visit next month.” Elias smiles, placing a gentle kiss to my hairline, pulling me from my thoughts. “She is excited to meet you in person.”

“I’m excited to meet her too! Did you tell her to bring the photo albums?” I tease with a wink, earning a chuckle from Elias.

“Don’t you worry, even if she forgets them, odds are she will try and smuggle you back to Sweden with her! She’s going to love you.” he smiles against my lips as he places a sweet kiss to them. I let the stress of meeting his mother melt away as he kisses me. Maybe it won’t be so bad.

------

“Elias cares for you a lot.” Irene speaks softly from her seat next to me. The other family and friends buzzing around during warmups, absolutely oblivious to the nerves that have been coursing through me from the moment I stepped into the rink.

“I care for him too. He is a great man, you did a fantastic job raising him.” I smile at her, hoping she hears the sincerity in my compliment.

“He is wonderful.” She pauses, looking down to the ice watching as her son interacts with the fans. I follow her gaze, and watch as Elias interacts with a little girl. A wide grin on his face as he throws a puck over the glass to her. My heart flutters and I can’t fight the smile forming on my face. “He will make a fantastic father.”

Her words cause a wave of nausea to rip through me, and I’m glad she is so focused on her son. Elias and I haven’t spoken about children or the future much at all yet. I’m sure he would make a great father, there is no doubt in my mind. Me on the other hand? I’m sure I would be a poor excuse for a mother.

It’s not even that I don’t want kids. I love them, and I’d love to have a tiny little forever friend, but I can’t. You see, to become a good writer all I had to do was read the work of as many talented writers as possible, and from them I learned how to be a good writer. Therefore it would make sense that, to be a good mother, one would have to learn from a good mother. Something that I have not had the pleasure of knowing.

I don’t respond to Irene’s comment, but she doesn’t seem to notice. She also doesn’t notice how uneasy I am for the entire game, and for that I am thankful.

Her son however, knows me much better. “What’s wrong?” He asks the moment we are alone in his bedroom that evening after the game. Of course he can tell, I’ve been off all night. I shake my head as I change into a pair of shorts and one of his hoodies. “Kins, come on. What did she say to you?” His voice is pleading now.

“Elias, it’s nothing I promise. Your mother is fantastic, I love her.” I smile over my shoulder at him as I make my way into the bathroom to wash off my makeup. Elias is hot on my heels, and he leans against the counter beside me.

“So why are you acting so…” he pauses, frustration evident in his voice as he searches for the right word to use. “Weird?”

I let out a long sigh, and dry off my face before stepping into him. Wrapping my arms around his neck I give him a sad smile and take a deep breath. “She made a comment about how you were going to make a great father.” His hands that had fallen to my hips, give a quick reassuring squeeze.

“Okay, and did that bother you?” He asks, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“I mean I guess a little. I don’t know! She’s right, you would make a great father. It just felt like a lot of pressure I guess.” I want to say so much more. Tell him I don’t think I will be the one who makes him a father, but I’m too scared. I’m scared that me not wanting to give him children will be the end of this.

“We are only young. She just loves babies!” He chuckles pulling me tighter to him. “We won’t be having them tomorrow or anything!” His comments do little to ease my mind, but he’s trying. I place a gentle kiss to his lips, and as I pull away a mischievous smile stares back at me.

“What?” I giggle, knowing he’s got something up his sleeve.

“We could always practice the act of baby making.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, and I swat at his chest.

“Elias! Your mother is down the hall, get your head out of the gutter!” We are both laughing now, and Elias’ smile melts my heart. He always knows exactly how to make me feel better, I have no idea where I’d be without him.

“Guess we'll just have to be quiet!” Before I can even respond, Elias is lifting me into the air. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist, a squeal escaping my lips. Elias’ lips meet mine in an attempt to silence me, and before I know it he’s laying me back on his bed. “I love you Kinsey.” He is looking right at me, and the emotion behind his eyes is enough to have tears springing to my own.

“I love you too Elias.”

------

“Isn’t she beautiful?” The look on Elias’ face has my heart fluttering. Wrapped up in his arms is the newest addition to the Horvat family, Ava, a beautiful little girl.

“She’s stunning, just like her Momma.” I smile over at Holly, trying to contain the fear wracking my body. Holly is such a great mom, and watching Elias holding the little girl so gently, has me wishing I was half the woman Holly was.

“You two next?” Bo chirps from his spot on the couch. Although meant in good nature, his words have my blood running cold. I don’t know if I can respond without vomiting, but thankfully Elias speaks so I don’t have to.

“I don’t think so.” He laughs, eyes never leaving the girl whose tiny fingers are now wrapped around his index finger. The sigh that leaves me after his response catches Holly’s attention, but she chooses to not question it.

“Excuse me.” I whisper, feeling a fresh wave of nausea, as I get up in search of the washroom. Talking about having kids, watching Elias being so perfect with Bo’s baby, the whole situation has my stomach churning. The thought of us not working out, because I don’t want to have babies with him is the last thing that crosses my mind before the contents of my stomach are finding their way back up my throat.

After I manage to pick myself up off the tiled bathroom floor, I rinse my mouth, wash my face, and take a good look in the mirror. The bags under my are the darkest they’ve been for months, and I look like shit to say the least.

Running my fingers through my hair quickly I step out of the bathroom, only to be met by a very concerned Holly. “Are you okay?” She asked, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“I’m alright Holly, just haven’t been sleeping well for the last couple weeks.” The excuse falls quickly from my lips, and honestly there is a lot of truth to it. It’s been almost two full weeks of restlessness, and it’s getting old quickly. The nights spent in Elias’ apartment, consist of him asking what was wrong, and honestly I didn’t have an answer. I still don’t.

Holly nods in understanding, and I have no doubt she understands. The woman had just been pregnant for 9 months, and she also has a toddler running around. “I hope Bo’s comment didn’t upset you, he’s just teasing.” She adds, searching my face likely for a sign that she is right about what upset me.

“It’s fine really, it just seems to be coming up a lot lately. It’s not something Elias and I have talked about very seriously yet though.” Sure, maybe that was too much information to unload on a woman I hardly knew, but I already felt a bit of the weight lifting from my shoulders.

“Maybe it’s something you should talk about, especially if it makes you so upset to think about.” The smile she sends me is sympathetic, and I can tell she knows there is more to the story.

Thankfully though, she doesn’t press any further and turns back towards the living room. I follow closely behind her watching my feet as we walk. Holly stops short of the living room however, and I walk into her back. “Wha-“ I start to question her, but as I lift my head she stares back at me with a finger pressed to her lips. The confusion must be evident on my face, because before I can even question the action she is nodding her head towards the two men in the living room.

“She’s a good one Petey.” Bo smiles at Elias who now has the baby cradled against his chest.

“She’s perfect Bo, my Mom loves her.” As I quickly realize that I’ve become the topic of conversation, my cheeks heat in embarrassment.

I feel the urge to run away, interrupt them, or maybe just cover my ears. Anything really, because I wasn’t meant to hear this conversation. With Bo’s next question though, I’m unable to do any of those things. Instead I stand frozen. “And what about you? Do you love her?”

Yes, Elias and I have said those three words to each other many times. However, never in front of his teammates, and a part of me wonders if he just told me what he thought I wanted to hear. “Honestly Bo,” the unsure breath that leaves Elias has my heart racing, “I didn’t know I could love someone this much.”

I hadn’t felt the tear slip down my cheek until it hit the hand that was now covering my mouth. I quickly wipe it away, and attempt to compose myself before anyone sees. Maybe it’s hormones, or maybe it’s just how intensely I feel for Elias, but I’m not normally this emotional.

As Elias lifts his gaze from the small girl on his chest, his eyes find mine. A smile breaks across my face, and the whole world seems to stop. For a moment I see it clearly, this isn’t Bo and Holly’s home anymore, it’s ours. The baby on Elias’ chest isn't a Horvat, it’s a Pettersson. It’s our baby. For a small moment I let myself live in that fantasy, allowing the desire of living that perfect life with Elias to grow.

It’s Holly’s voice that pulls me out of it, “Well I’m sure this little one is getting hungry, and I bet you could use a break as well Petey.” Holly carefully scoops the baby out of Elias’ arms, and he stands from his seat walking towards me. His hand finds my waist as I watch Holly, Bo and the baby interact. The moment feels so personal I feel bad for watching, but I can’t look away. It’s moments like that, two parents totally in love and caring so deeply for their child, that I have always craved. Parents that put their children before all else, and want nothing more than for them to succeed? For me, that’s only ever been a dream. Something only found in movies and books. The reason I will never cut it as a mother.

———-

“Thank you so much for doing this you guys!”

Somehow I had let Elias talk me into babysitting Ava while Bo and Holly went on a date night. Thankfully, their eldest, Gunnar, would be staying with one of his friends tonight, because one baby to look after was enough. Not to mention I’ve been sick to my stomach all day, likely just with the thought of being responsible for a baby. “It’s not a problem! You two deserve a night off, go have fun!”

Holly smiles, handing me a bag of things as she tells me everything I’ll need to know about when Ava will need to sleep and eat. I mentally take note of all the information and usher the couple out the door. Once they’ve left, I make my way to the kitchen to prepare a bottle for Ava.

When it’s ready, I walk into the living room to find Elias shuffling around the room with Ava in his arms. He’s pointing at pictures on the mantle, and speaking gently to her in Swedish. “I hate to interrupt, but I think it’s time for a bottle.” I smirk, shaking the bottle in the air as Elias turns toward me.

With a small smirk, Elias settles himself into the armchair, positioning Ava so he can give her the bottle. I hand it over to him and sit on the arm of the chair beside him, threading my fingers through his blonde hair. He hums in approval as Ava begins drinking the bottle. We stay like that, Ava happily drinking in his arms, Elias holding the bottle smiling fondly down at her, and me playing with Elias’ hair and watching them both.

He’s so happy like this. So happy in fact that I can’t help but wonder if hockey is really what Elias was made for. Sure, he’s wonderful at it, one of the best there is obviously. I’m almost certain now though, Elias was made to be a father. The way he holds this baby like he’d give the world to protect her, and she’s not even his own blood, has tears forming in my eyes.

“Kins?” Elias speaks softly, still not having removed his eyes from Ava who is struggling to stay awake. I hum in response, and he finally lifts his head. “Why don’t you want kids?”

This certainly isn’t how I expected to have this conversation. I have never told him I didn’t want kids. “How do you know I don’t want them?” I ask, my voice definitely giving away how nervous I am.

“Every time someone brings up the idea of us having children you get all in your head.” He sends me a sad smile, and although he isn’t trying to sound disappointed, it’s not hard to tell he is.

“I’m just not ready for kids.” The look Elias sends me definitely says he doesn’t believe me, and he wants me to elaborate, but I don’t. Instead I notice Ava has fallen asleep, and use that as an excuse to change the subject. “I’ll go put her to bed, why don’t you go have your shower now?”

As I carefully lift Ava from his arms, Elias watches me closely. It’s evident he wants to say something, but decides against it.

As Elias heads off to the bathroom, I carry Ava down the hall and place her gently in the bassinet. She hardly stirs, and I take a moment to admire just how beautiful she is. She seems bigger now in the small bassinet, than she did in Elias’ arms. The thought has me crying as I lean against the wall. Elias, the man I’m sure is the love of my life, was made to be a father. I on the other hand, am the furthest thing from being capable of becoming a good mom. Once again, I’m painfully aware of just how unfair this is to Elias. He will have to leave me eventually, and now that he is obviously aware of the fact I don’t want children it’ll likely be sooner rather than later.

“Kinsey, baby, what’s wrong?” His presence startles me, and I quickly wipe the tears from my face.

“Nothing, I’m fine.” I whimper, my voice completely contradicting my statement. His arms are wrapped around me in an instant, and I push my face into his chest crying harder now. My body shakes against his, as he whispers, what I assume to be comforting words in Swedish.

“Y-you’re going to make such a great dad someday.” I’m sure I look a mess now as I lift my head from his chest to look at him. He smiles down at me, though it’s not hard to tell he is fighting off tears of his own.

“And you’ll be an amazing mother.” He’s trying to comfort me, but his statement has the exact opposite effect.

I shake my head, a whole new batch of tears falling down my cheeks. “That’s the thing though- I won’t. I’m not made to be a parent, not like you are.” His soft expression has a wave of nausea rolling over me as I push away from him. “I’m sorry.”

Elias calls after me in a whisper yell, as to not wake the baby, but I’m too busy trying not to get sick to even acknowledge him. As soon as I make it to the bathroom, I collapse to my knees. Once again emptying the contents of my stomach, cursing myself for my weak stomach as more tears fall down my face.

I’ve always been like this, as soon as my anxiety or fears get the better of me I get physically sick. Something my mother would scold me for constantly, saying it was for attention. Maybe there was some truth to that, but as I feel Elias brush my hair back out of my face, I want nothing more than to be all alone. I hate having anyone see me like this, so vulnerable and broken. I’m always worried it will scare them away, but Elias hands me a washcloth and pulls me against his chest as he leans against the tub.

“Do you want to talk about this?” His voice is so calm and his accent is heavy. I want nothing more than to confide in Elias, he is my person, but how can I tell him without breaking his heart?

“I don’t know how to be a mom, certainly not a good one.” I respond once I’m able to even out my breathing again.

“Answer one question for me okay?” He looks down at me, and I can feel the weight of his question before it’s even left those pretty lips of his. “Do you really not want to have children, or do you not want to have kids because you feel like you aren’t good enough? Because if you genuinely do not want to have kids you can tell me, and we can still work, but if you are scared you aren’t good enough we need to work on that.”

“You have good parents that love each other, that love you. I’ve never had the same thing, how am I ever supposed to love a child properly?” My voice shakes, and as I watch the tears pool in Elias’ eyes, I feel awful. That’s a lot to unload on him. Yes, I’ve told him my parents divorced when I was younger, and that I wasn’t close with them now, but that one statement is more than I’ve ever shared.

“Kinsey, you show me every day how much you love me. You show your friends you care about them every chance you get. Hell, you even look after my teammates, and I know for a fact that you would go to the ends of the earth for anyone you care about. You know how to love others better than anyone I know.” Elias sighs, a tear slipping down his cheek, “I’m not saying you have to be a mom, that’s not my choice. All I’m saying is that you shouldn’t doubt yourself, and that no matter what you decide I love you.”

“You’re too good to me, you know that?” I smile at him, holding his cheek in the palm of my hand. “I’d kiss you, but I should probably brush my teeth first.”

Elias frowns at my words, eyes filling once again with concern. “You should probably go see a doctor, you haven’t been feeling well lately.”

“It’s just my anxiety Elias, I’m going to be okay.” I assure him, slowly getting to my feet. His hands go to my hips to steady me as I stand.

“If you’re that anxious it’s making you physically ill that’s not fine. I’m taking you to the doctor tomorrow okay?” He asks the question, but it’s evident that the only answer he is accepting is yes, so I just nod and help him to his feet.

As I brush my teeth, Elias’ arms wrap around me and he rests his chin on top of my head. He watches me closely in the mirror, a small smile playing on his lips. When I’m done, I turn in his arms and press up on my toes to kiss him gently. He holds me against him, and the kiss lasts longer than I had intended, but we quickly pull away when Ava starts crying.

“Go lay down, I’ve got her.” Elias says quickly, placing a kiss on my forehead and scurrying down the hall.

Once again, I hear Elias cooing softly to the girl in Swedish. Maybe with Elias’ help I could be a mom. All I know right now is that, if I were to become a parent with anyone it would be him.

———

“Alright Miss Waters just a few questions for you real quick.” The doctor says, after finally entering the room Elias and I have been sitting in for what felt like an eternity. I shift uncomfortably on the bed, and the paper covering it crinkles loudly. “First, are you sexually active?”

My cheeks heat up slightly, and I look over at Elias who has a smirk on his face. “Yes.” I manage to answer, embarrassment rolling off of me.

“Okay, and is there any chance you could be pregnant?” This question has me laughing, and both the doctor and Elias look at me quizzically.

“I’m sorry-“ I manage to say, realizing no one else found the humour in the question. “No I’m not pregnant.”

“You sound pretty sure of that, how are you so certain? Are you on birth control?” The doctor's stare has my heartbeat increasing.

“N-no but I mean we always use condoms.” I manage to sputter out, and Elias reaches over and squeezes my hand.

“Right. Well I’m going to ask you to take a pregnancy test if you don’t mind, just to be 100% sure that’s not what’s causing the nausea. Although condoms are a fantastic contraceptive, they are only approximately 97% effective and that’s assuming they’re stored correctly and not expired.”

“Oh okay. Sure yeah.” I look over at Elias, but his gaze is now on the floor. The doctor places the little cup on the table in front of me, and directs me towards the washroom.

When I’ve finished up, I make my way back into the room, and hand the cup to the doctor. He explains the process quickly and shuffles off to complete the tests leaving Elias and I alone. “You okay?” Elias asks after a moment of silence.

“I’m not pregnant. Right?” I ask, my eyes pleading with him for the answer. He sends a sad smile back and kisses my cheek gently.

“We are going to find out babe, so don’t stress yourself out yet, but just so you know it doesn’t matter what that test says okay? If you aren’t pregnant and you want to be, great we will go home and get on that. If you are pregnant and you don’t want to be, then that’s okay too we can discuss our options. You are going to be okay. We are going to be okay.” He always knows what to say to make me feel better. I pull him into a hug, and he kisses my head. “I love you Kinsey.”

“I love you too Elias.”

After about 10 minutes, the doctor knocks on the door again. “The results of your tests are on this paper here.” He sets the paper on the table next to me. “I’ll give you two a chance to look at the results, and then I’ll be right back to do some blood work alright?” He doesn’t wait for a response, and quickly leaves the room again.

“You should read it first.” Elias says, picking up the paper handing it to me. I struggle taking the paper from him because my hands are shaking so much, but finally I unfold the paper.

A sigh of relief leaves my body as I fall against Elias’ chest, tears flowing down my cheeks. I can feel Elias deflate a little, but he quickly steadies himself wrapping me in his arms. He holds me close to him, and I feel safe in his arms. He’s home. He’s my family, we are a family.

“Can we get an apartment together?” My question has Elias pulling away, confusion evident on his face. We haven’t talked about moving in together yet, and maybe there was a reason for that. All I know is that after today, our relationship will never be the same.

Please let me know if you’d like to be tagged in the upcoming parts, or any of my future writings! Thank you for all of your support ❤️

@anastasiyaigorevnadobrodevskaya you automatically get a tag 😉

#FiAB #Elias pettersson #elias pettersson fanfiction #Elias pettersson fanfic #hockey fanfiction #hockey imagines #hockey imagine #hockey fanfic #hockey fan fiction #nhl imagines #nhl imagine #nhl fanfic #nhl fan fiction #nhl fanfiction #nhl writing #hockey writing #nhl #hockey

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that-scouse-wizard · 4 years ago

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Tigress and Hound, a Friendship in Many Parts. (Part 1)

[A/N: Hi everyone, this is just going to be a little series of loosely connected one-shots mostly based on ideas I and @judediangelo75 have discussed about our characters. Essentially, a catalogue of David and Judith’s friendship, from humble and slightly awkward beginnings to the epic duo that they are. Hope you all enjoy!

Summary: The introduction between the duo who will become known as the Tigress and the Hound.

Word count: 2151

MC friends: Judith Harris (@judediangelo75)

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

1st of September, 1985 (second year)

David

Thick steam hung in the air, courtesy of the Hogwarts Express as David made the familiar first steps onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Two other pairs of footsteps following close behind him.

“Wow!” Came the fascinated tone of Amelia, grey eyes on a swivel. Marvelling at the bright red train, the throngs of witches and wizards with their parents, and even at how they entered into this new place for the muggleborn witch, “We just went through a wall, we just went through a wall!” The young witch was practically bouncing with excitement

“This brings back memories...” David’s father, Matthew sighed nostalgically, giving a chuckle at Amelia’s attitude.

A smile tugged at the corner of David’s lips fondly, "And next year, you'll be coming with me to Hogwarts, Amy." He said as he pushed his luggage cart through the dense crowd that thankfully was parting in the wake of his trolley. Though Goliath didn’t seem to appreciate the rattling, the owl giving an annoyed chirp. One that David didn't pay any mind to, his owl was always in a bad mood when confined to a cage.

After handing his luggage over to be loaded onto the train, he turned to his father and soon-to-be step-sister, "I'll see you guys at Christmas then."

"Right, until then." Matthew said, sticking his hand out, “Best of luck to you, do well in school and please stay out of trouble.” David looked down at it, deciding he would cut his dad some slack. He ignored the outstretched limb, going in for a hug.

“I’ll try dad.” David said as he pulled away from his now-surprised father, giving Amelia one too, one that the young witch happily returned. He stepped onto the train, giving one last wave to them, now all he needed to do was find a compartment.

“Oh, David, over here!” Came a familiar voice, the source of it being a beaming Penny Haywood, “We have a seat going spare, would you like to join us?”

“Sure, cheers Pen.” David grinned, counting himself lucky he’d found a seat so soon, and with good company to boot. He soon found out the identity of the other two people who were occupying the area he would be sharing with Penny.

One was Rowan, who’s face lit up at the sight of her best friend, in letters they had exchanged she had detailed her own research into the Cursed Vaults. David would gladly listen if it brought him closer to finding Jacob.

The second person was someone both familiar yet not. Dark skin, pale gold eyes, there was no mistaking who it was as David froze in place. Judith Harris, Jamal Harris’s little sister, a boy who had been a friend of Jacob’s. A person who had also gone missing alongside him.

What exactly were they supposed to say to each other? ‘Hi, our brothers went missing together, let’s be friends!’ As if to make things even more uncomfortable, Penny took a seat, leaving the only one for David to occupy situated directly opposite Judith.

Just great...

Judith glanced at him as he sat down next to Penny, a mixture of shy and wary. The train soon pulled away from the station, “Oh, you two haven’t met before, have you? David, this is Judith Harris. Judith, meet David Willows.”

“Hi...” She said shyly, her voice so soft David almost didn’t hear.

“Likewise.” He said coolly in response, trying not to sound like he really didn’t want to be forced into an interaction. It didn’t help that Penny and Rowan had now struck up a conversation about potions, leaving David and Judith to avert their gazes from each other. David was seriously regretting his choice to not bring a textbook or something to distract himself with. At least then he’d have an excuse not to make eye contact.

“What were you guys up to over the summer?” He asked, not completely rude on his part but at least the question wasn’t just directed at Judith. David could have sworn Rowan sent a quick glance Penny’s way, as if she knew something he didn’t before his question was answered.

“I worked on some potions as some extra homework for professor Snape.” David smirked at Penny’s answer, should have expected that, her love of potions was as uncommon as her admiration for their normally dour professor.

“Well you already know what I’ve been up to.” Rowan stated excitedly, “I’ve been taking a closer look into Hogwarts’s history, aside from Sir Cadogan and a couple of other mentions in portraits of the castle, there’s nothing much about knights. Especially not about-” Rowan was quickly cut off when Penny slapped a hand over her mouth.

“Especially not about...?” Judith asked curiously. David internally swore, the last thing he needed was more people involved in the Cursed Vaults business... even if she did have a personal stake in it herself.

“The weapons that they used!” Penny answered, taking back her hand as Rowan gave the blonde a brief glare, “David is interested in muggle weaponry, he knows about maintaining and how to use a shotgun.” She elaborated

“That’s right and Judith can use Dao swords.” Rowan said, trying to shore up the ploy, “Come to think of it, David knows how to fight hand-to-hand as well, and so does Judith.”

“Really?” David cocked an eyebrow at that, a clear interest in his tone encountering another magic user with any knowledge of non-magical self-defence was definitely rare in wizarding world.

“I do Tae Kwon Do.” Judith confirmed, though she did give a slightly pointed look to the other two for giving away that fact about her.

“Muay Thai.” David clarified succinctly.

“What’s the difference?” Rowan asked, confused. That was when David and Judith were united, giving their mutual friend an incredulous look, then turning back to each other. A silent understanding passing between the two, Rowan Khanna not knowing about the differences in their respective fighting styles simply would not do.

“Ro, how would you like to learn something new?” David’s fellow Hufflepuff looked surprised, eyes widening at his question. A grin slowly spread across her face, all too eager to be educated.

“That has to be the best thing you’ve ever said to me, yes please.”

-----

Judith

It had taken a while for the two of them to explain the differences and similarities between their respective styles but Rowan had hung on their every word. Excitedly writing down notes and asking various follow-up questions. Even after it had ended, their fellow Hufflepuff still eagerly went over her bullet points.

David had even seemed a bit interested in hearing about Tae Kwon Do and she couldn’t deny, Muay Thai certainly seemed effective as a fighting style. Then... despite something they could have potentially bonded over, David had opted to sleep the rest of the journey off.

Judith was somewhat glad for the relief from the awkwardness on though she couldn’t deny she was somewhat miffed at his rudeness. Although, with him softly snoring as his head was lolled back, and Penny having fallen asleep against him, now would be the best time to ask Rowan anything she needed to without the threat of interruption.

“Rowan, what were you going to say before?” She asked. Immediately, her friend stiffened, turning to face her like a deer caught in headlights.

“Nothing.” She answered quickly.

“It didn’t sound like nothing.” Judith retorted quietly, her tone making it clear she wasn’t in the mood for games.

Rowan paused, glancing at the two friends opposite her while briefly mulling it over, and answering nervously, “Alright, fine. We’re looking into the Cursed Vaults. David didn’t want anyone else involved so I didn’t tell you...” She trailed off, noticing her friend’s fists had curled up.

Judith took a deep breath to calm herself. Her first year had been uneventful aside from bullying that came from being Jamal’s relative. She hadn’t uncovered anything about the vaults and now she knew why. David Willows had been keeping secrets.

“Judith, I’m sorry-” Rowan began but was swiftly cut off.

“I’m not mad at you, Rowan.” Judith said reassuringly, “Any issues I’ve got is between me and David.” Rowan seemed to accept that answer, distracting herself with looking out the window as the train weaved through the countryside. The sky being lit up orange indicated it wouldn’t be long before they reached Hogwarts.

Judith focused on David. On one hand she could understand him not bringing her into the fold in searching for his brother. On the other, if Jacob Hall was found, then maybe Jamal wouldn’t be far behind. If there was a chance of getting her own brother back, she would gladly take it. She’d need to get him alone, the question was how.

That was something she would need to ponder...

------

David stirred from his sleep, being awoken by the high-pitched screech of the train’s brakes as it pulled into Hogsmeade station. Blinking sleepily, he could have sworn he saw Judith staring at him, though her head was turned away from him by the time he next looked so he couldn’t be too sure.

There was no rush for any of them, their path being blocked by throngs of students eager to be off the train. From bright-eyed first years to seventh years who looked quite nostalgic at the thought of this being one of their last journeys on Hogwart’s Express.

Eventually, the crowd cleared, leaving their group straggling behind as they tried to follow the flow of the crowd. Hagrid’s tell-tale call for the first years sounded out as they stepped into the chilly air of the September night. In contrast to the first years who would make their voyage across the Black Lake, the older Hogwarts students would be taking carriages up to the castle grounds.

They made their way through the lit, paved streets of Hogsmeade, Rowan excitedly pointing out some of the wizarding village’s landmarks such as the Three Broomsticks. One of the carriages passed by, bound to pick up students that were further ahead. David wondered if they were enchanted, seeing as there was nothing pulling them.

Penny broke into a light jog as they approached the lane the carriages would initially travel down, waving for one of them to hold on. There was just one issue, the carriage in question already had four students, there were just two seats left for any additional passengers.

“Sorry everyone.” Penny said, scratching the back of her head sheepishly.

“David and I can stay behind.” Judith offered, taking a hold of his arm. David gave her a puzzled look, prompting to lean in and whisper in his ear, “There’s something you and I need to talk about.”

He understood, keeping her out of the loop had finally caught up with him, “Pen, Ro, go ahead.” David spoke up. Reluctantly, Penny and Rowan climbed aboard the carriage.

David turned to Judith as the transport pulled away, not speaking up until the clicking of the wheels had disappeared. Leaving the two of them alone on the paved lane, “What do you want?” He asked shortly.

“Answers,” Judith shot back, “I know you’ve been looking into the Cursed Vaults, I want in on it.”

“I dunno what you’re talkin’ about.” He answered curtly, hoping that would throw her off.

“Rowan told me.” She clarified.

“Listen to me,” David began after a brief pause to gather his thoughts, “The vaults are my business, no one else’s. If I had my way, no one but I would’ve gotten involved in them.”

“And now you have at least Rowan helping out, so what difference does one more person make?” Judith asked rhetorically.

“Because my brother-” David began before Judith cut him off.

“Our brothers, like it or not David, you’re not the only one with a personal stake in this. Please, I want to find my brother just as much as you want to find yours, it makes no sense for us not to work together.” She stated, “Look, Rowan and Penny like you, so I want to trust you, all you need to do is trust me.” She finished, sticking her hand out.

Having more people to help out could be beneficial but still David was unsure...

“Please.” Judith sniffled, sounding somewhat desperate.

David was take aback by that, feeling a pang of sympathy for his fellow Hufflepuff, this really was important to Judith. He sighed in resignation before clasping Judith’s hand with his own.

“Fine, I don’t know how this is goin’ to go between you and me but if you’ve got my back, I’ve got yours.”

Judith’s face lit up in gratitude at his answer, nearly knocking him off his feet as she slammed into him with a brief hug,

“Thank you.”

David chuckled at that, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all...

#harry potter hogwarts mystery #hphm #jacob's sibling #david willows #judith harris #hphm mc #hphm oc #hufflepuff!mcs #hufflepuff!mc

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three-drink-amy · 5 years ago

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All the Shine of a Thousand Spotlights

We’re back with Arc II!! Thank you so much for the support for Arc I! I hope you enjoy what’s to come!

masterlist - AO3

Arc II

Chapter Nine: Take My Hand, Will You Share This With Me

I made sure Jamie got to the theater before I did. Even if no one would suspect anything, we couldn’t walk in together. I worried that perhaps you could just see it in our demeanors. What if we both look like we’d just spent the last several hours having mind blowing, long overdue sex? Would people know it was together? Would our secret get out that fast?

I took a moment just inside the door, closing my eyes and taking a breath. We could do this. No one likely cared about our personal lives enough to pay close attention to us. Jamie was now a professional actor, so hopefully he’d have no trouble pretending things were normal.

I walked into my office that was now transitioning into the stage manager’s office. John was sitting on my couch, seemingly waiting for me. “Hey!” he said, startling me a bit.

“Hi.”

“How was your night last night?”

“What?” I asked, looking over at him suspiciously. He gave me an odd look. “It was fine. I just went home.”

“Louise said you went to the after party at her house.”

I nodded, sitting down in the chair. “I did. Very briefly. I was reminded quite quickly why I don’t usually go to them.”

“Was there a certain reason you went when you don’t usually go?” John pressed.

I watched him for a moment. It was clear he was fishing for some sort of information. I shrugged. “Curiosity?”

“So it had nothing to do with a certain Scot?” He raised one brow at me.

I glared at him. It was my only defense. “You’re going to make me regret ever telling you anything. If you’re not careful, I’ll start working with someone else.”

John laughed as he stood up. “Like you’ll ever actually get rid of me. You’ll never want to.” He shot me a look as he walked out of my office. I was starting to get worried that he’d make some pointed comment around Jamie. Or worse, watch our interactions too closely. I didn’t think John would actually tell anyone, but I didn’t want to risk it.

I sat in my office for a while longer, talking with the stage manager as she came in, and reviewing things from the night before. About a half hour before the show was due to start, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” I called without looking up.

“Hi. Do ye mind if I ask ye something?” I turned to look at Jamie. He seemed to be a bit nervous. “It’s about the show,” he clarified in a loud voice.

I nodded and he closed the door quietly behind him. “What’s up?”

“Tis no’ actually about the show,” he told me as he sat down in the chair across from my desk.

I smiled, shaking my head at him. “Then, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I just received a message from my sister. Apparently they were hoping to catch me after the show this evening,” he explained, a strained look on his face. “And I ken that we said —”

“Jamie, go see your family,” I all but commanded him. His mouth opened to reply, but I kept going. “You hardly ever get to see them since they live all the way in Scotland. Go see them. It’s fine.”

He took a deep breath. “Are ye sure?”

My head tilted as I looked back at him, a soft smile crossing my face. “Yes. You don’t need to worry. You should see your family.”

Jamie nodded slowly. “Alright.” He sat there, another question in his eyes. I narrowed my eyes at him til he cracked. “Look, they will likely ask what happened last night.”

“Do you really think I’m going to sit here and tell you not to tell your family?” He shrugged. “The reasons we agreed to —” I looked to the door and dropped my voice “— keep things a secret was because we don’t want any rumors or such to hurt your career.”

“Or yers,” he added.

I smiled as I nodded. “Yes. But I seriously doubt that your family would want to hurt your attempts at furthering your career, right?”

He nodded. “That makes sense. I just…” he stopped, taking a deep breath. “I dinna want to mess anything up.”

I wanted, more than anything, to get up and walk around my desk — to go to him. But I couldn’t. Anyone could walk in. I couldn’t comfort him in the way my body was crying out to. “I know. But you’re not.” I held his gaze. “I promise.” Clearing my throat, I broke the moment. “Now, you clearly haven’t been in makeup yet. Go get ready.”

He smiled at me, at the return to our regular dynamic. “Aye, I will.” He turned at the door, looking back at me. “I’ll see ye out there.”

* * *

The second show went just as successfully as the first. Jamie was flying high as he left the theater that night. He’d spotted Claire on his way out, giving her a meaningful look as he walked past her. The smile she’d flashed back had left him feeling almost weightless. He hated that he couldn’t walk over and kiss her, promising to see her later. Instead, he gave her a nod and walked out the stage door. His family waited for him just outside the door, giving him his first taste of fans waiting to talk to him.

Jenny was the first to him, throwing her arms around him. “Another brilliant show, Brother!”

Jamie hugged her back, giving her a squeeze. “Thank ye.” He looked up at his parents and Ian. “I’m glad ye all could come again.”

“We live too far away to only see ye once,” his father informed him. “We’ll be seeing ye plenty of times in the next week, son.”

Jamie smiled, clapping his father on the shoulder. “I appreciate it. Now, Mam, I’m sure ye’ve researched extensively on where ye’d like to eat. What are ye thinking?”

His mother started chatting away excitedly, asking him to lead them to the place she’d selected. He grinned, steering his clan away from the theater. There was a part of him that wished he could have asked Claire to join them. Perhaps it was too soon for that. The night before, she’d certainly gotten on well with them.

As they sat down at their table, Jamie stared at the menu, ignoring Jenny’s eyes on him. “So?” she asked.

He looked at her, brows raised. “So, what?”

“Dinna play daft wi’ me, brother.” She rolled her eyes at him. “What happened last night?”

“Aye, ye never told us,” Ian agreed.

The waitress thankfully chose that moment to take everyone’s drink orders. Jenny rushed them all into ordering so she could get back to interrogating Jamie in peace.

“Alright, tis just us again. What happened?”

Jamie shrugged, still looking over his menu. “No’ much. I found her and we talked.”

“Ye talked?” Ian asked, a disbelieving tone to his voice. “Come on, Jamie.”

“What do ye want me to say?”

“We want ye to tell us how it went!” Ellen told him. “Did ye tell her how ye feel? Did she tell ye how she feels? Did ye decide to try being together?”

“Did ye spend the night together?” Ian continued.

“Ian.” Jamie glared at him. Ian simply shrugged in reply.

“Fine, dig it all out, why don’t ye?” Jamie sighed. “Alright, so I went to her home and she wasna there. I waited and when she showed up, we started talking. There was a lot to clarify about the months we’d been dancing around feelings and such. So we talked things out. Yes, Mam, I said how I felt. And she also said how she felt. And at the end of it, we decided that, yes, we did want to try being together.”

Ellen clapped her hands together, squealing a bit. “I’m so happy for ye, my boy.”

“Ye didna answer my question,” Ian reminded him.

Jamie glared at him again. “Seriously, man?”

“Curious minds want to ken.”

“Ian, just let it go,” Jenny advised. “The rest of us dinna need to ken the ins and outs of Jamie’s private life.”

“I must ask ye to keep that information to yerselves though,” Jamie implored, looking at each of them. “It’s...a secret.”

“Why? Is she ashamed of ye?” Ellen asked.

Jamie shook his head vehemently. “No. At least, I dinna think so. No, it has to do wi’ my career. We dinna want anyone to make assumptions or start rumors that I only got the part because of my relationship wi’ her. Or for that matter, for her to get a bad reputation from it either.” He took a deep breath. “We’re just trying to protect each other, really.”

Jenny nodded. “I can understand that. And I can promise ye that we’ll all keep our lips sealed.”

“Aye,” Brian agreed. “We’re just happy ye’re happy.”

Jamie smiled brightly. “I am. I really am.” He took a sip of his drink, feeling a bit relieved. “So, what is on the agenda for ye tomorrow?”

His mother took the conversation and ran with it, informing him of each tourist trap she planned to drag the rest of the Fraser/Murray clan to. Jamie smiled and nodded along as his mother got more and more excited. He felt a vibration against his leg. Thinking it might be Claire, Jamie pulled his phone out.

You never answered my question.

Jamie looked over at Ian. He had one brow raised, staring back at him. Looking back at the other members of his family, Jamie made sure they were absorbed in his mother’s story. Noting that all eyes were on Ellen, he turned back to Ian, nodding slightly. Ian grinned broadly, smacking his knee under the table. Jamie’s phone buzzed again quickly.

That’s my boy.

“Don’t be gross,” Jamie whispered to him. Ian just chuckled and shook his head, turning back to Ellen’s conversation.

* * *

I was sitting in my pajamas, nursing a glass of wine as the TV played ahead of me. It had been a while since I’d sat and let myself enjoy a quiet night to myself. Well, at least one where I wasn’t trying to distract myself from something bigger. Something Jamie sized. I took another sip of wine as a contestant’s cake was criticized. Curling further under my blanket, I tried to ignore my phone.

I’d checked my phone too many times throughout the evening, waiting to see if Jamie would text or call me. I was the one who told him to go see his family. But at the same time, I also wished he’d been here instead. Now that I had the chance to act on my feelings for him, I found I wanted to all the time. A small part of my brain wondered if that was normal or not. Had I lost all sense of self-control? Perhaps only when it came to Jamie Fraser.

After checking my phone for the tenth time in a minute, I threw it across the couch, trying to act like a mature adult. A pillow fell over it and I left it hidden. I needed to stop constantly waiting for a man to contact me. We’d started our relationship — if you could even call it that yet — yesterday, for crying out loud. I could stand to be a little less available and obsessive.

I was into my third episode of Bake-Off when there was a knock at my door. Pausing the TV, I grabbed my phone, noting several missed texts. A stupid smile crossed my face as I got up to walk to the door. I opened it slowly, trying not to seem too eager. Jamie braced himself against either side of my doorway as he bore an almost desperate expression.

“You’re here,” I remarked.

“Ye dinna ken how to answer yer phone, do ye?” he asked, a cheeky smile on his face.

“I hid it,” I confessed. He looked confused. I reached a hand out, running my fingers along the buttons of his shirt. “I was staring at it for too long, daring it to show me a new text. So I threw it on my couch and left it under some pillows.”

He nodded, an amused look on his face. I hooked a finger in his shirt and he allowed himself to be dragged over the threshold of my home. “I was verra worrit about ye. So, I simply had to come over to check and make sure ye were okay.” He pushed the door closed behind him.

I stood close to him, looking up into his deep blue eyes. “That’s very chivalrous of you.”

A hand reached out to brush a few curls back. “I do what I can,” he whispered before bringing me in for a kiss. My arms flew around his neck. So much for being less available. He held me close, kissing me deeply. It had only been a handful of hours since we’d last stood by my door, kissing the other. Perhaps it was something to do with the fact that we couldn’t kiss at the theater that made us all the more desperate for each other now.

I pulled back, panting slightly. “I didn’t think you were coming here tonight.” My hand was tangled in his hair.

His hands tightened on my waist. “Do ye want me to go?”

My eyes met his quickly, no doubt a pleading look in mine. “Not at all.” I leaned up and kissed him softly. “It was just a nice surprise,” I whispered.

He started walking me back, moving toward the couch. “I thought about going home,” he told me. “But it just seemed somehow even more lonely now.”

I smiled, pushing him down where I’d just been sitting and climbing on his lap. “I couldn’t agree more.” I met him for a long kiss. His fingers dug into my hips as my tongue sought his. “Can I say something stupid?”

He pulled back, looking at me with a curious expression. “Of course.”

I kissed him again quickly, settling against him. “This is nice.”

Jamie chuckled lightly, pressing a kiss to the side of my jaw. “Aye, ‘tis.” He glanced behind me. “What are we watching?”

“Bake-Off.”

“How verra British of ye,” he teased.

I rolled off his lap and sat right next to him. “Hardly. Plenty of Americans are obsessed with the show.”

He looked at me critically. “Are ye saying ye’d rather be American than British?”

I laughed loudly, my head falling against his shoulder. “Goodness, it did sound like that, didn’t it?” He grinned as he nodded. “It’s odd, because I am British and I made damn sure I held onto the accent. But I haven’t lived there longer than a short vacation in thirty years.”

Jamie looked over at me. “Have ye ever been to Scotland?”

“Nope.”

He took his hand in mine. “Well maybe someday I can take ye there,” he offered.

I looked up at him, noting his sincerity. “I’d like that.”

He leaned down and kissed me softly. I started to lay back, pulling him with me. His body hovered over mine. Jamie pulled back, simply staring down at me. He started peppering me with kisses. “How was it for ye today?”

I grabbed his face in my hands, holding him steady, above me. My eyes drank him in for a long moment. “It was hard. But I made it.” I leaned up and kissed him. “And you?”

A small smile crossed his face. “Felt nearly impossible to leave yer office wi’out kissing ye or touching ye.” He kissed the side of my neck. “But like ye said, I made it.”

My hands rested at his neck. “How about you make up for it now?” I suggested, one eyebrow arched.

His eyes darkened as he stared down at me. He sat up a bit, stripping his jacket off quickly, throwing it to the floor. “Yer wish is my command.” Before I could reply, his mouth was back at my neck, his hand squeezing tightly at my waist. The sounds that were escaping me should have been embarrassing. But I was far too focused on the way it felt to have him over me, paying all his attention to me. At some point, his foot hit the remote and the TV unpaused. I vaguely heard Mel and Sue’s voices sounding through the room. As his hand moved between my legs, our combined sounds drowned out anything else.

Next chapter

#outlander #outlander fanfiction #outlander fanfic #my writing #all the shine of a thousand spotlights

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reactingwithexo · 5 years ago

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Hold Me Close - Kyungsoo Smut

genre: smut, angst, fluff

warnings: well smut yes, mentions of depression

word-count: 1.8K

A/N: I don’t know how to feel about it but hey! I did it, I finally wrote a full smut I’ll cry, It’s been so long I’ve written for Kyungsoo so it’s only fair he gets this honor, also I miss him.

You just weren’t in the mood to go, you really weren’t. But everyone around you insisted and thought it was the best for you to show you were evolving in your struggles and getting “back to society”. You hated the way they implied you weren’t living a normal life lately because of the months you spent struggling with depression.

You still fucking lived a normal life, you had to go to work, you had to finish your studies, and you did all that while hurting badly inside until it was too much and you shut down everyone.

Truth is no one really took your struggles seriously and you had to fight them yourself.

That’s why you decided you’d go spend part of your vacation on the family house in the litoral, you had good summers there when you were a child, and as much as you knew that now you’d have to go through your cousins parading their perfect lives everywhere, you still gave it a chance, you had to work through your difficulties your inner voice said.

The beach party was already in full motion when you got there, part of yourself was already tired from being in such an unusual ambient for you but still you tried to keep a positive mindset, your cousin had already vanished to talk to someone from her cycle of friends and you briefly waved at them.

30 minutes later, with no successful social interactions as everyone seemed too high or engrossed into conversation to speak to you, you decided you could use a drink and went on a quest to find the kitchen.

Between trying not to crash into anyone’s drinks and have your clothes soaked and finding a hint of where the kitchen might be, you stumbled upon something on the ground and almost ran into someone.

“Shit! I’m sorry” you exclaimed at the stranger, “It’s fine” he immediately answered and after a few seconds continued “I see I’m not the only one who’s lost”

He had black hair and big eyes, overall he looked like a nice guy and was definitely dressed for the occasion “yeah, i’m trying to find the kitchen, need a drink”

“I can help you out with that” , he said and added immediately “if you don’t mind of course”.

“Hm sure, but I thought you were lost too?” You asked refering to his previous remark.

He shrugged his shoulders and said “Well, two brains think better than one, also I saw some people coming from that direction - he pointed at a group of people walking towards you - with full glasses on their hands”

“Oh! Very sharp observation” you said and he smiled at your remark while you both followed the direction he pointed out.

“So are you new here? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in these” He asked.

“I’m just spending the holidays with my family, but I’m originally from somewhere else, guess you’re lucky enough to live here near this beautiful beach”

You didn’t know why you were already happy chatting with this stranger but maybe his features communicated safety to you.

“What no one tells you is that - he stops midsentence to give you a cup - the nearer you live from the beach, the less you go enjoy it”

“Hmm I suppose life gets shitty for everyone at some point” you say while you finally have your drink.

“Cheers to that” he says while you two ““have a toast”“ with your plastic cups.

“I’m Kyungsoo by the way”

“Y/n”

“Nice to meet you” after that some silence is restaured while you two drink from your respective cups and you felt his eyes on you.

“Well I think my friends are long gone now...maybe do you want to go see the beautiful beach with me?” he asks , trying to avoid your gaze in the last part of the sentence.

And that’s where it all started.

2 years later

When you stopped to think about how your life switched in that moment you realize how everything is so unpredicable.

Here you are, spending your third summer with your now boyfriend Kyungsoo before he moves with his family.

You didn’t wanna think about it too much on how everything will change again without having him around even though he assures you you’ll still be in touch.

One thing is to move to another city, the other is to move to a whole other continent. He didn’t really have a choice not to go but a part of you wish he defied his family and stayed here.

He helped you so much with healing, or how he likes to say it, you healed each other when no one else seemed to care anymore. And it was true.

So having to live without him now being close to you is really a test.

You helped him pack his things and was looking through the window while he arrived from buying some groceries with that smile on his face that you just adored.

“Hey” you went in to give him a peck.

“What are you so thoughtful about hm?” he asks while he pulled you closer by your waist.“Overthinking about the moving again?” you turned around in his hold and he kissed the side of your ear softly.

“I mean... I won’t lie” you answered while you played with the fabric of your shirt.

“We’ve had this conversation a million times y/n” he turned you around to face him again “i feel everything you feel as well” he took your hand and placed it above his heart, eyes on yours at all times “this is all yours ok? distance won’t change that”

“You promise?” you ask softly.

He smiled and answered “yes i promise”, he let go of your hand and leaned in closer to you. Before you got any time to think, he had his arms around you, his kiss tried to convey every word he has said to you, the intesity just rising from the way you kissed him back.

You felt a rush of need to give him your all like you wouldn’t have the chance to do it again, when he started playing with the hem of your shirt so you’d take it off the thoughts and insecurities that had surrounded you about your relationship were long gone from your thoughts.

After some clothing was gone he went on to explore your neck with soft kisses at first, the power only increasing while you clinged onto his body as soft moans escaped you.

He insisted on hearing those from you as he lowered his kisses to your chest, and you trembled upon his surrounding arms.

You felt him smile through his endless kisses and you couldn’t help but smile back even through your foggy brain that was filled with pleasure.

He swifted his attention to taking off your shorts as he kissed the whole path down with your underwear being thrown to the side, you showed your impatience with the fact that he was almost still fully dressed and he let out a chuckle at your plea.

“No rush, we have all night” , he mumbled while his lips brushed the skin of your thighs, his mouth spreading kisses all over it while you pleaded for him to get where you wanted him to.

He secured your hips on the bed with his arm and suddenly you were gone on the pleasure of his touches and kisses, your hand rushed to his hair in the middle of the mess between tongue, fingers and moans.

As your moans got louder, the need to have him inside you only heightned. He listened to your whimpers of “please” and he knew you needed something more, still he shushed you by bringing himself up eye to eye and he tapped your lips for you to suck on his finger while he added with an almost menacing tone “you’re cuming on my mouth first”.

The way he stared at you made you wanna loose yourself on those eyes, you couldn’t see yourself without having him near you often.

He chose to focus on his fingers inside you while he kept his stare on you, he kissed you on the lips and whispered countless sweet nothings.

When you released, you mouth followed with loud pleas of his name, he kissed you as he helped you ride your high on his fingers.

You two ended up enveloped on each other’s touches again while you managed to take his clothes off this time, he seemed to be less patient now as you felt his desperation rising along with yours. You went on to repay his earlier touches but he stopped you in the middle of his own moan “later, I need to be inside you first baby”

He seemed relieved when you just nodded, right afterwards he followed to give more attention to your breasts as he aligned himself with your entrance, only stopping to grab a condom, praises never failing to fall from his mouth, from the way your skin was soft, to the way your voice would drive him out of his mind.

He had no rush while first entering you, chosing to give you a deep kiss to heighten the contact between your bodies.

The kisses didn’t stop even ask his speed increased, the room filled with gasps, to the point you need to just close your eyes and enjoy the feeling of being there with him, he whispered between grunts for you to look at him as he enlaced his fingers with yours, he only hit deeper spots in you and your voice seemed to have left your body.

He must have felt you clenching around him because he seemed to have more difficulty in resisting falling into his own high after your upcoming second of the night.

Luckily you weren’t far off as he found your perfect spot and with ‘i love you’ promises on your ear, you didn’t resist much on having your second high, this time around his dick.

His high followed closely after as you kissed him through it, this time being you filling him with words of love and admiration. You both just stayed in the same position for a while until he showed you his adorable smile and you responded the same way.

You two went on to continue the night in an endless loop of loving each other and then getting a shower.

When you two were already as spent as possible cuddling in bed and too lazy to go into another shower, he told you “we’re gonna be fine” as he left a kiss on your forehead.

A/N: I went to do a minor change on the post and tumblr deleted the whole thing I almost passed out tbh, hope you guys liked it, I appreciate feedback!

#exo #exo smut #do kyungsoo #kyungsoo #kyungsoo smut #exo imagines #exo scenario #kpop smut #kpop #exok #requested #exo angst #exo fluff #exo one shot #exo scenarios #angst #smut #fluff

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lori-hime · 4 years ago

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I haven't written much about what I've been up to lately, so here's some word salad updates~ 🥗

NijiGaku Anime

So I started watching the new LL. I hadn't been keeping up with SIFAS' story, but I did read some of it when it first came out. I gotta say, I'm really enjoying all of the changes they decided to make for the anime version of the story, to both the characters and story. It's starting to feel like something coherent. The story in the game was ok, but the main thing that interested me was the interactions with Muse and Aqours, overshadowing the actual "plot" and even Nijigasaki themselves. But the anime really made me interested and excited about the story and characters again. I would be a little annoyed about the personality and dynamic changes, but honestly, I'm used to it by now. LL always ends up doing this sort of thing, and the personalities only seem to become solidified after the anime airs.

A little disappointed in Kasumi's change in some vague ways I don't really feel like describing, but honestly it balances out because Ayumu is fantastic now (previously one of my least cared for of the group.) Yu's personality is surprisingly super gay fun and I'm really excited for her and Ayumu's dynamic in particular. They're so cute. Seriously feel like I'm gonna ship them hard.

I also really like Rina's initial personality in this. Not only is she bad at expressing emotions through her face, but she also seems bad at expressing them through words too. I feel like this is gonna be much more interesting than her already being cutesy and genki like in the promo stuff and SIFAS.

When Karin was first shown, I had mixed feelings. At first I was like oh god I'm gay and she's beautiful. But the whole sexuality flaunting thing kind of put me off for several reasons I don't really wanna get into explaining. I really didn't know how to feel. I started liking her a little more during SIFAS, when she competed against Muse in DDR and lost... started feeling like I was getting a glimpse of her real personality without the whole sexy idol persona. Although not much has happened in the anime with her yet, she's giving me Nozomi vibes and I love it. I actually think if I had gone into this without previous knowledge of the characters, I'd be betting she'd become my fave for sure.

My list has gone from Kasumi > Rina > Kanata / Emma > Karin > Ai > Setsuna > Ayumu > Shizuku to Yuu > Ayumu > Kasumi / Karin > Rina > Kanata / Emma > Ai > Setsuna > Shizuku

Still biased a bit towards characters that have shown up more in the first two eps, so it'll undoubtedly change. But It's really interesting how much the characters I already felt I had good placements for changed so much.

Edit for episode 3, because I didn't post this fast enough. Student council speedrun was fantastic. Yu continues to be incredibly gay. I wonder how this episode will affect the ships people will gravitate towards. LL has always been a fairly monoship fandom, heavily gravitating towards specific pairs. Of course that's largely the fault of canon itself, often pushing and developing single ships. Well, I suppose we saw a big change with Aqours, though, especially with season two. But even then, the ships tended to stay at least between girls of the same year (aside from my rarepair, shout-out to YohaRiko.) Now, I wonder. From the very beginning, before Yu even had a name, it felt like they were really pushing the shippy stuff @ the viewer. I wonder if that’s still gonna be the angle. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it yet. I really want to see more YuAyu rather than YuSetsu, but I can't really be mad at more gay content unless they try to make it a DEEP story and then fail to resolve it but haha they'd NEVER do that, I'm sure!!

As for the others... I'm guessing they're gonna push RinAi, KarinEmma, YuuKasu, and maybe YuuShizu? My original guesses were that AiKarin would be a thing, evoking NozoEli v3. But I guess that'd be too predictable a third time. KarinEmma sounds like it could be cute and sweet, RinAi feels like it has adorable potential, and YuKasu vs. YuAyu sounds like it could have some good comedic rival-y potential, given they don't make Kasumi super serious about it and make it really angsty. Not that a cute idol show would ever do such a thing haha!!!!!

Higurashi Gou

Also started Higurashi. I doubt many people know this, but I used to be a major Higurashi fan before I got into Touhou. It was my main "fandom" I guess, even though there wasn't really that much of a fandom to interact with comparatively. Anyway, despite that, I didn't think I'd get into this remake super hard... but I'm really loving it so far. The art style is really pretty and eye candy, and it turns out it's a direct continuation of the story rather than a remake. Very excited to see where it's going, and also to see a lot of my baby Rena again.

An interesting difference to me as I'm rewatching are my feelings for Keiichi. While I don't hate him, over the years I've really grown tired of the generic male leads (especially in harem anime) like him. Of course, he's definitely not AS generic as they come, or maybe perhaps that's just my bias from when I used to really like him. The me back then found him unique enough to stand beside the girls. Nowadays, I definitely can't say the same. At least he doesn't grate on my nerves as much as most other harem anime protags do, however. I feel like despite lacking the quirks that make the girls so likeable and unique, he still has something going for him... perhaps the fact he's framed as inherently different from everyone else, because he comes from the city, and the way he acts a bit more realistically to the scary things that are happening. Although those things are obviously explained away later, at least for now I still accept him for what he is, old bias or not.

Genshin Impact

Been playing Genshin Impact religiously and loved every second of it. Though I've caught up with the main story content, so sadly it's slowed down. I'd never heard of this game before it came out, so I was absolutely wowed that such a game was f2p. I've heard a lot of people criticizing it because they added gacha in at the last minute, and I definitely understand being annoyed through the pov of someone who was anticipating it. But part of me is still really thankful that the game is free at all. I suppose that full but paid 60 dollar game would still be a better experience, but because of my non-existent budget situation, I may not have ended up playing it at all.

Aside from the arguably shitty monetization practices, however, the game is fantastic. It really is as similar to BoTW as people have mentioned, and I really appreciate that. BoTW, from a gameplay standpoint, is absolutely my favorite game. It's exactly what I want from any given game. So I really appreciated this. The story and characters of Genshin are also really interesting. I really like Qiqi, Venti, Fischl, and Xingqiu, among others. I spent a while rerolling for Qiqi or Venti 5*s, and eventually got an account with Qiqi. Venti on the other hand I've been trying to roll for but sadly haven't gotten. I have 1 roll left before the banner ends, so hopefully.. My friends whaled him for me. I swear I tried to stop them! I owe them my soul...

HoloLive, Pikamee & Vtubing

I briefly started getting into HoloLive a little while ago. After the Aloe stuff, I started worrying a bit about how the company handles these situations as well as the girls' freedoms and how much of their donation money they actually get.. (I made a post about it a while back.) After a while my worries died down a bit, but then came back full force with the Coco and Haachama situation. After that and one too many uncomfortable sexual jokes, I decided to just distance myself from HL. It's a shame, because I really enjoyed their personalities, but it was making me feel uncomfortable more often than not.

I told myself it’s fine, I’ve got Pikamee if I ever feel like watching vtubers again. And then like a week later... Well, it’s not really something I wanna talk about here, but she made some posts on twitter that made me too uncomfortable to continue watching her either.

On a much lighter note... A friend of mine showed us how to use prprlive and facerig to use the Touhou CB Live2D models, and Asa and I played around with Mokou, Kaguya, and Lyrica’s. It was quite fun, and I do look forward to using the Kaguya one for private streams on one of my servers. I’ve actually always wanted to try out vtubing stuff myself, but not really publicly. Of course, the costs for getting a model drawn and made specifically for me are too much for something I’m not really committing to, so this is perfect. I’m excited~

Touhou Cannonball & Kagura Thoughts

It’s been a long time since I talked about Touhou CB on my blog, and I’m pretty sure I left things on a pretty bad note. Mainly dissatisfied with Mokou’s portrayal for pretty shallow reasons on my part, despite they game having just started and having a lot of room to grow. And grow it did. While I quit pretty early in because of that, Asa decided to take over my account. She realized that it was pretty easy to upgrade any given character you had to a 5* without having to rely much on the gacha. She ended up playing a lot with the goal of upgrading everyone we had. I came back to it around July and actually had a lot of fun with it. The cast had gotten much bigger and we really enjoyed playing on multiplayer. It wasn't the best game ever from a gameplay standpoint, but it definitely had it's charm. The announcement of its death, although unsurprising, came at the worst time. Asa and I actually cried a little when we saw the announcement, ngl. The game had such good, wholesome, Touhouy vibes to it. Nonetheless, we made the most out of the last month or so after the announcement. We played a LOT of multiplayer and had a lot of really cute and good interactions with other players. Near the end, we realized that Lyrica was the only character from the normal banner we were missing, so we grinded like crazy (mostly Asa) to try to get her... we ended up getting a number of 5*s but none Lyrica... she eluded us to the very end. It was quite sad, but how hard we worked for it still felt satisfying somehow. We were able to max out our multiplayer level and complete a ton of goals we wouldn’t have otherwise.

So after this bittersweet experience with Touhou gacha, and all the scummy things I've been hearing about Lost Word, I've been thinking like... I'm done with Touhou gacha, at least for now. Don't wanna hear anything else about it for a good while. And then the 25th anniversary hits and they announce Kagura. Ugh. Please, give me a break. Needless to say, I'm gonna have to give it a try. Touhou is my life, I love rhythm games, I love Touhou music, and I love character collecting games. And I've been waiting for something to replace SIF gameplay in my heart for a long time. I'd banked my hopes on SIFAS but it's really barely a rhythm game so.... at least now that I've gone through CB's death and seen how cruddy LW is, I'll have lower standards and not get my hopes up too high.

If you got this far, thanks for reading my rambles and have a good day~

#loritalk #super long im sorry #there's even more stuff i wanted to talk about but it was already long enough as it is

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monotonous-minutia · 5 years ago

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So I weirdly actually did a thing I said I was going to do.

Here’s a handy dandy list of Nozze productions to avoid if you, like me, love Cherubino, and believe he is a precious sunflower that needs to be protected at all costs.

After watching about 20 productions of this opera (though not all of them in full) I have compiled the following list.

Truncated because it got pretty long:

*Some of what is written here is subjective so I apologize if I end up disparaging a production you’ve seen and enjoyed. But I tried to stay objective and focus on the specific details that made the production safe or not for Cherubino.

**If you’re morbidly curious and want to know what, exactly, goes on in the first two listed here, perhaps message me first to ask before seeking them out to see for yourself, to prepare.

Salzburg 2006

Do not watch this one.

It’s weird, disturbing, and borderline sadistic. I can appreciate odd productions if they look at operas in new ways, try a different take, or magnify certain elements to bring in a fresh perspective. This production does none of that. It’s just weirdly disturbing for no apparent or forgivable reasons. I’ve spent a decent amount of time searching for answers on this one but none of the critiques I’ve found have any clue what this is supposed to be, so whatever the director was trying to say, their attempts failed miserably and left an atrocity in their wake. EVERYONE in this damn thing (except Cherubino) is a freaking asshole, the set is minimalist to the point of being irrelevant and confusing, and there’s this weird, winged Cherubino look-alike going around controlling people like puppets and making them do weird dance moves during their numbers. Obviously this director did not know how to embrace the concept that some people can just stand still while they’re talking or singing. Also, people hardly ever make eye contact and it’s unnerving, like they’re all zombies. There are a lot of other small, weird details that just keep building to make this thing a terrible production overall. The worst thing about it is poor sweet Cherubino. He’s an innocent, delicate flower that’s abused by everyone in unbearable ways. I don’t even want to go into it. I beseech you not to watch this because it’s honestly kind of traumatizing. Just pretend this one doesn’t exist and you’ll be okay.

Redeeming factors: absolutely none. Cherubino is adorable and too pure for this world but that just makes the whole thing ten times worse because of all the terrible, terrible things that happen to him.

Dutch National Opera 2016

Proceed with caution for this one. It’s a shame because the production itself is pretty decent, and Susanna and the Contessa are great. The set is interesting—versatile, rotating, lots of doors that are utilized in interesting ways. It’s mostly portraying the somewhat-empty house that the cast is moving into it (at least that’s what I gathered). Reasons to avoid: Figaro is an asshole, the Count is downright gross, and Cherubino is treated terribly by almost everyone (except the Contessa and Susanna, bless them). The only part I like is the Act 2 scene between the three of them where they are all very sweet to each other and Cherubino is delighted to dress up and the kindness he’s shown here by the ladies makes up for some of the other things that happen. The worst stuff I won’t get into; I can’t talk about it without getting super upset. In general, Cherubino is terrorized by the Count on multiple occasions (physically threatened, punched, and thrown around), Figaro is super mean to him, and he doesn’t really get any closure at the end except that Barbarina dotes on him and he clearly loves her so we can imagine that he’ll be okay. It is a joy to watch him being super awkward, dreamy, and cheeky; I just wish he’d been given a better production.

My recommendation for this one, if you do want to watch it, is skip “Non piu andrai” and go right to Act II, although there’s one aspect that’s hard to explain without seeing that. For now let’s just say: there’s a reason Cherubino is wearing a beanie at the top of the second act, and it’s Figaro’s fault. You don’t need to know what else happens. (My rec: skip forward like ten minutes after the last recit, then seek backwards until you see Susanna sitting on a crate holding a remote which is the start of Act II. That way you don’t have to see the scene even in fast-motion.) At any rate please don’t watch that scene. I want to find the person who staged it and punch them. The rest is bearable; just be warned, it’s not fun or pretty.

Honesty hour: Figaro is mean enough too that I want Susanna and Rosina to run off together and just marry each other because their chemistry here is amazing. And take Cherubino with them and keep him safe and loved forever.

Redeeming factors: Interesting set, great leading ladies, insanely adorable Cherubino, and also it’s insinuated that the Contessa actually leaves Almaviva at the end; she even threatens him with his own hunting rifle and everyone else just watches in morbid fascination. She does put the gun down at the last second, but she doesn’t go to him after, so maybe he gets kicked out. We can only hope.

Salzburg 2015

Tbh this one’s just weird and probably not worth your time anyway. The set looks like the wall of the house was cut off so we can see all the rooms inside, upstairs and downstairs, at the same time. It’s an interesting device showing how all of the scenes interact, but it’s no utilized very well. There’s so much business in multiple rooms at one time that it’s hard to focus on the people who are talking and singing at the moment. The cast is mediocre. We get Pisaroni as the Count which should have been worthwhile but isn’t because of the weirdness of the production. It’s honestly hard to tell what or who anyone is supposed to be here. Plus there’s blatant abuse from the Count to the Contessa and it’s hard to watch especially because I’m more used to a huggable Luca and this doesn’t do him justice imo. Additionally, I typically stan gay Basilio, but here he’s got a thing for Cherubino, and Cherubino is super not into it so it just comes across as gross. Mostly Cherubino is just pushed to the sidelines (the Count literally locks him into the closet for most of the end of the first act). So it really minimizes his character in general and is disappointing to Cherubino fans.

Redeeming factors: Susanna is really cute, Figaro is nice, “Non piu andrai” is not sadistic, but this is mostly because everyone leaves the room when he starts singing it so he’s just talking to himself which is weird anyway. At least there is nothing Unspeakable although I do wish I could wipe this Basilio out of my brain. Also Margarita Gritskova as Cherubino being dapper and sweet and I’d say Pisaroni but I’m not a fan of him being the mean old Count when he should be playing those sweet Rossini baritone roles.

Salzburg 1995

Susan Graham is Cherubino and she’s super adorable, although she’s taller than almost everyone else which is awkward and amusing. However everyone is VERY mean to Cherubino. Even Susanna. He gets thrown around a lot which is just sad to watch. The production overall is kind of unremarkable and the picture/sound quality isn’t great either. Watchable but just be prepared for an annoying amount of meanness from characters who should be a lot nicer.

Redeeming factors: Susan Graham is amazing and adorable. That’s pretty much it. Someone tell me what is up with Salzburg and this opera, seriously.

Royal Opera House 2006

This Cherubino is a precious duckling who gets thrown around by everyone, especially Figaro, which is super sad. Honestly so many of these are ruining the character of Figaro for me. This one is watchable and decent except for Mean Figaro. The set is elaborate and detailed but sometimes the background action with the supers gets distracting. The rest of the cast is alright but I wish they would be nicer to Cherubino who hasn’t done one single thing to warrant the abuse. I recommend avoiding it for those reasons but it’s not as bad as some of the others.

Redeeming factors: Intricate, pretty set, Dorothea Röschmann being an adorable Contessa, and Cherubino being gawky and cute.

To balance out the depressingness here are some Nozzes that I highly recommend!

Garsington 2017

My absolute favorite, a pure delight. Though there are no big names here, the entire cast is amazing. The set is glorious, detailed without being distracting, super versatile to fit all the scenes, and the final act is actually in a garden and it’s just so PRETTY. The chemistry between Figaro and Susanna is lovely; they obviously adore each other and are a great team throughout all their plots. The Count is reasonably dislikable without being detestable, so the apology at the end is actually kind of believable (though it’s hard to pull off in general). He and the Contessa actually have an interesting dynamic so you can kind of see how they might make things work in the end (some of their arguments are more banter-y than mean and they actually make out briefly in “Susanna, or via, sortite” as if they’re kind of turned on by each other’s fury). The supporting cast is great too, full of personality and mischief. The staging is lighthearted, genuine, and intricate. THIS is what a Nozze should be! Cherubino is adorable, cheeky, super loveable, a SHAMELESS flirt, and best of all everyone loves him (except the Count obviously). Figaro is really nice to him too and “Non piu andrai” is really cute because he and Susanna are teasing him the entire time but it NEVER gets mean and it’s honestly so refreshing. Highly recommend this one!

Met 1998

Featuring my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE CHERUBINO, the incomparable Susanne Mentzer, as well as my favorite Contessa ever, Renèe Fleming. I could talk about those two forever. They are both individually fantastic and their collaboration is amazing. I died, to be honest. Also features an amazing Susanna courtesy of Cecilia Bartoli and a simply adorable Danielle de Niesse as Barbarina. Figaro is pretty mean to Cherubino especially during “Non piu andrai” (seriously what is it with directors and this number) but it’s nothing compared to so many others so it’s watchable especially because Mentzer is fantastic and she steals the entire scene without even saying anything because she’s amazing. Her Cherubino is just the sweetest, sassiest, most adorable, energetic, and expressive Cherubino ever to bless the operatic stage. She’s exactly what Cherubino should be in every way and the production fully supports it. Watching the entire Cherubino-Susanna-Contessa scene in Act 2 is one of my favorite things in the world. The production itself is classic, detailed and true to the period, busy without being distracting, and the rest of the cast is good too.

Liege 2018

A very cute production featuring a super sweet Figaro who teases Cherubino but is not mean to him. Cherubino is sassy and endearing and very much the flirt with every lady in sight, and is pretty popular among them. The rest of the cast is good too and we get a particularly sassy Susanna (whose chemistry with the Contessa is lovely). The set is simple but very pretty. Another lighthearted, sweet, and genuine portrayal that stays true to the heart of this opera.

Glyndebourne 1973

A classic; lots of familiar names, lush period set/costumes, and staging that’s simple but effective. Featuring the insanely adorable Frederica von Stade as Cherubino. Her smile melts my heart every time. A mostly nice Figaro and great leading ladies.

Obviously there are way more productions out there, and I’ve watched more than this, but these are the ones that to me are most noteworthy from one end of the scale or the other.

This list may get longer as I watch more, but I think I’m going to take a break from Nozze for a little bit (or more likely just re-watch the Garsington one and Mentzer’s Cherubino over and over again).

#Le nozze di Figaro #the marriage of figaro #Cherubino #opera #opera tag #opera reviews #beware the Salzburg 2006 #if that's your only takeaway i've probably succeeded #petition to slap whoever came up with that one #anyway i hope you find this helpful #Cherubino is precious and must be protected at all costs #monotonous-minutia critiques

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thenonsenseuniverse · 5 years ago

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Coffee Cups and Leather Jackets pt. 7

Hamilton Modern Au Hamilsquad x Reader Thomas Jefferson x Reader PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7

Summary: After finally getting away from ‘The King’, You decide that maybe it’s time you talk to Jefferson about his own interests in you. Meanwhile, the Hamilsquad decide to come up with a plan to get Y/N at The Blue Coats. Washington confronts them.

You had been sitting through dinner with these three imbeciles for about an hour and a half, and you could feel your self-control slipping. Within that hour and a half, all Sam, Charles, and George had discussed a range of things from how the school should stop accepting lower classmen as they only tarnish its ivy league reputation, to insulting the Hamilsquad, to simply talking about their classes. Throughout these discussions, George’s hand seemed to be restless on your skin. It went from your shoulder, to hand, to your knee, before finally resting on your thigh. You didn’t like his touch, but you played along.

“What I don’t understand is why, despite being the smartest and most powerful man in the school, we’re still not liked by the student body. Hamilton humiliated me in front of the entire student body when I was giving my proclamation on how the student body should be behaving and how we should be treated. He called me a dog!” Samuel whined putting his head on the table.

You sighed, growing tired of being submissive, and turned to him. “Do yo-you ever think th-that m-m-maybe it’s for that very reason that pep-uh-people disrespect yo-you?” They all went quiet and looked at you. You shrunk back into George’s chest shyly. “I-I-I mean, p-people don’t like, um, like being t-to-told what t-t-to do. People like the H-Hamilsquad believe in f-freed-dom, and th-that people should be a-b-ble to be them s-s-selves n-no matter who th-they are or wh-where they come f-from. So of c-course it’s going t-t-to upset th-them if you outright oppose them. Inst-stead of working against their be-believes, you n-need to allow them t-to pr-prove themselves wrong. Th-then provide th-them the resources to see th-things yo-your way. “

Charles rose a suspicious eyebrow at you. “Are you saying that our King is wrong? He is never wr-”

“Oh do shut up, Charles.” George cut him off as he stared ahead thoughtfully. “ So you’re saying I should let them go, have their independence, and let them realize just how much they truly need me when their alone and complaining of their own?” You nodded, and he hummed in agreement as he smiled down at you. “I suppose that is what happened to you, isn’t it? I gave you a little more space than usual, and next thing I know, you’ve come to senses about those scum and now your here with me.”

Huh. You hadn’t thought about it that way. You, of course, knew that wasn’t the case, but simply nuzzled deeper against his chest. You could practically feel him grin as he began to run his fingers through your hair.

“Y/N has a point, boys. This strategy would take much less time and energy and we wouldn’t have to use our sources through the school as much.” You slightly narrowed your eyebrows at this but said nothing. George brought his fingers under your chin and smiled at you. “I always knew you would be of great value to us, Y/N. You’ve only been part of the group for a day and already your slipping into your role by my side.”

A chill ran down your spine at his words. You didn’t like his tone or the way he was looking at you right now. You needed to end this.

You smiled up at him. “Thank you, my King, it's good to know that at least someone appreciates me.” You then let out a subtle yawn and glanced down at your watch. “However, as wonderful as this day with you has been, I’m exhausted and-”

George sighed and chuckled. “Of course, I completely forgot. You have English with Mr. Green tomorrow at 8pm.” You felt your blood go cold slightly. He knew your schedule, apparently, he knew your history, and he no doubt had more knowledge on you as well. This means that this man knows more about you than anyone except your family. You didn’t like this. George seemed to pick up on your confused fear and ruffled your hair. “Don’t look like that, it wasn’t too hard to find out your schedule. Just a matter of pulling a few strings within the administration's office. Your information is safe with me.” He snapped his fingers and signaled for everyone to rise. “Come on, we’re taking Y/N back to their dorm. They have a midterm to study for.” The more he talked the less at ease you felt.

He wrapped an arm around your waist as you were leaving. “You know, if you need help, Samuel is majoring in English. I mean, not that your grades are slacking, they’re stellar actually. But Samuel is our communications and English expert, I handle all the business and sciences and Charles...” He paused for a moment before sighing. “Well Charles is trying his best, but he’s loyal; I’ll give him that.”

After that, they did as promised. George got the driver to bring them to your dorm and kissed your hand before you left. “We’ll save you a seat at our table at lunch, Darling. Be sure to be there.” His words were final and left no room for you to say otherwise. He then flashed you a bright smile and waved as the car pulled away.

The moment it was out of your sight you let out a huge breath as all tension left your body. “Well, that was fucked up.” You mumbled under your breath as you entered your dorm.

As you entered the comfort of your bedroom, you reflected on the past week or so.

You finally confronted your shitty friends on their shitty behavior and dumped their asses

You met Jefferson and his friends on the same day. Which, to be honest, it was kind of creepy, but you were too sad and lonely to notice at the time.

And finally, you just went on the equivalent of a date with your long term stalker as per Jefferson’s request and am now scared to leave your dorm lest you be followed by his perverted ass.

When had your life become so dramatic? When had you allowed it to become this?

The image of a magenta leather jacket flashed in your mind. Jefferson. Looking back on your first interaction with him, it all seemed staged. There were similarities between how he treated you at that moment and how George treated you when you pretended to be in that same situation. They both desired to manipulate your pain to get what they wanted. They both seemed to have extensive knowledge about you, George more so than Jefferson.

Was it possible that Jefferson was hiding things from you? Aaron had briefly mentioned that he had been obsessed with you at some point.

But why? What so interesting about quiet little Y/N? Why did both Jefferson and George, arguably two of the most powerful students on campus, deem you worthy of their attention?

Just thinking about all of it gave you a headache. You’d deal with it tomorrow, for now, you had to sleep. George was right about one thing, you had class in the morning and if you didn’t want to be a sleep-deprived zombie you had to go to bed now.

You curled up under the covers and allowed sleep to overcome you.

***

At the same time, across town, the Hamilsquad was entering The Blue Coats.

They were exhausted. Ever since they had seen Jefferson and Y/N at the cafe a couple days ago, they had been working non-stop to come up with a plan to get them back. However, nothing seemed to be good enough.

Laurens plopped himself onto the nearest bar stool and slumped his head against the counter. “What are we going to do?” He groaned.

Alex scoffed and joined him. “There’s not much we can do with Jefferson spewing non-sense in their ear.”

Herc shook his head as he took his seat. “No there’s got to be away. I mean she just met Jefferson. She’s known us for over a year and a half. Yeah, we fucked up, but the fact of the matter is that she knows us.”

They all turned to Laf as he silently sat down staring intently at the counter. Alexander rose an eyebrow at his behavior when suddenly he was hit with an idea.

“What! Laf is friends with Jefferson. He can get inside information for us.”

The Frenchman sighed and looked up. “I do know him, but we’re not quite friends. More like he did me a favor once and now I owe him once.” He narrowed his eyebrows as he turned to them. “What confuses me is Jefferson never does anything without a reason. Everything is planned out and done with precision. So what does he want from Y/N?”

As they asked themselves this question, Washington appeared from the back and seemed to relax at their present. “Ah, boys! I was hoping I’d see you tonight.”

Hercules smiled at him. “G. Wash! What’s up? It has been a while since we’ve last been in.”

Washington batted off the welcome and looked at the with an air of authority and seriousness. “Can any of you contact Y/N? They were here earlier tonight with some...questionable company and didn’t seem entirely at ease. I want to make sure that they’re okay.”

The boys glanced at each other as Alex let out another groan of frustration. “I know! They’ve been hanging out with that no good Thomas Jefferson and-”

Washington frowned at his words. “They weren’t with Jefferson. Although that makes me worry even more. I trust that man about as far as I can throw. But no, they were here with that nasty little shit George and his posse. I offered them an angel shot, but they denied it. The whole thing just felt off.”

The entire Hamilsquad felt their blood run cold. Y/N hated George. He was a stalker, creepy, and possessive. He had been trying to get his grimy little hands on them since the moment he saw them. They had always been there to protect them though, always there to stop it.

Why would they go out with George willingly? Why would they put themselves in danger like that?

“Oh Y/N,” John whimpered out. “What have you gotten yourself into?”

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mannien · 5 years ago

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Let me tell you a short reunion story

June 9, 2020.

We’re in the middle of a pandemic. Although the curve is far from flattening here, our government loosened the restrictions. Self-distancing is still very much advised, but we are allowed to meet up in large groups in public spaces, given that if the authorities ask, we’re each 2 meters apart from one another.

Due to the global situation, I’m on an unpaid leave. As of right now, it’s been a month and a half since I’ve last been at work; for other people it’s over two or three months. Ever since I had to stay home, I said that I missed work generally for its environment and daily tasks. And I truly do miss this aspect: no room redecorating, nor the attempts to write my thesis, will make up for not being able to sit in our social room, making myself a cup of not-so-good coffee, and surviving through a 12-hour shift.

I thought that I would only miss certain individuals.

I’m a deep introvert, I have hypersensitivity and severe anxiety, and oftentimes I suffer from serious panic attacks. Only a few people from work know this about me. However, my workplace has been the source of the majority of my social interactions for the past 5 years. I have one friend from high school, one from my university, and the rest is… well, work. Every now and then, we would meet up for drinks, be it without occasion or for someone’s birthday. Those times I would always look for my comfort people, those that I completely trust. My anxiety acts up seriously whenever I’m around drunk people, or even strangers for that matter, so I dread being socially pressured to interact with someone I don’t particularly feel connected with. The fact that I’m the listener and observer is not an advantage in those interactions.

I feel like over the past year or so, I’ve gained a significantly wider range of people who care about me at work. I started feeling like a crucial part of the team and others started to make it quite clear to me with how excited they were to have a shift with me, or by simply worrying about me. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I started caring more about the sole atmosphere at work and contributing to it, rather than just being in it. I’ve also lived through a competition for a promotion, so that shone a light on me a couple of times. I found an important sense of belonging. My work is the place where I got outspoken and outgoing, because I gradually got comfortable there. It’s even safe to say that I’m a different person at work than at home. Still, in those two versions I’m very true to myself. We could see that as my only Gemini trait.

After some time at home, several mental health-related issues emerged. Hours and hours spent on talking to my therapist started to shape my reality without work and as it turns out, it started lacking its prime qualities which enabled me to breathe. When you lack certain aspects in life, even feelings, you tend to search for them unconsciously. I did so by dissolving into my work environment. No family is perfect, no way of upbringing nor childhood are ideal. I was sure I would be okay at home because I can care about myself, but it wasn’t enough. Being on the thin line leading to depression taught me that I used to supply myself with the missing pieces at work. Suddenly I craved each call from my manager about boring administrative things. I was dying to keep on messaging with my work friends. There were situations which showed me just how much those people care about me, and there’s nothing I desire more than being cared about.

Yesterday we broke the self-distancing rule, many times. I left my house for a social gathering for the first time in months and I was so, so terrified. I was panicking inside. I didn’t know who will be there, will anyone be willing to talk to me, how do we greet each other? I knew for a fact that I would hug my best friend from work, because we spoke about it briefly earlier. But the rest? How do we treat each other? Do we fear each other? Do we care about general statistics, or stick to the fact that nobody got sick for COVID neither in our workspace ever, nor in the whole agglomeration today?

The tone of my mind changed when I noticed my first friend. The guy who’s never been affectionate with me, who started taking me seriously only some time ago, yet counted on me the most in the race for promotion. When he saw me he didn’t wave, he didn’t fist-bump me as always. He casually reached out and gave me even bigger of a hug than I expected from him. My breathing slowed down and I smiled.

When more people started coming, nobody knew how to greet each other. It felt awkward at first. But there were some people who I wish changed their mind when they saw me. I only wish, because probably they would do so anyway. My manager and one of the trustiest people I know there now, he upped the game. The guys went his way to give him a proper high-five, but he stopped them. He said there are priorities and looked at me. And then he gave me the cozy bear-hug that I always dream of.

Solely seeing the people that I used to see on a daily basis was such a relief to me. I didn’t have to worry about interacting because watching them, smiling at them, and casually adding some things up to their stories… it all felt natural. During the whole night only once, a friend asked me why am I so quiet. Only one time.

My heart melted a couple more times that night. I got the pleasure of seeing the guy that no longer works with us but he’s still close to our team. We always had an exciting and loving chemistry between us two, almost as if we would make a good couple and we both knew it. We just appreciated each other, always enjoyed our shifts together, and then added a few affectionate gestures here and there. He woke up the crush that I used to have on him, when he greeted me. He was fist-bumping everyone, not breaking any safety boundaries, so I didn’t even stand up from my comfortable sit on the grass. But when he approached me he actually made the effort and leaned down to me, greeted me as everyone else, but then side-hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. My heart was full.

I hugged a lot with my work best friend, even though we didn’t greet each other at all: I was too stressed out. That night I got drunk not only with two soft beers, but also with love, friendship, and casual acts of affection contained within laughs and conversations. I didn’t need a girlfriend to walk me to the loo, but rather the most annoying at times but the most fun guy friend did it, made some drunken remarks about it, but then hugged me. I hugged a lot. I shouldn’t, but I did. My heart needed it. I didn’t care that some of those people were drunk as fuck, I just couldn’t care less. I was out with my team, they enjoyed my company, and I looked at the watch only once. Not once did it cross my mind to go home early. I didn’t want to. I was safe with my people. For the first time. All it took was a pandemic and loosing stable employment.

Oh, and my manager cares the most. He put me on the schedule for July. All he needs is the board’s approval.

I tossed around a lot that night. I felt very hot, quite sick even, so I started worrying that maybe I’ve gotten infected with the virus. But I don’t think I did. I just got drunk.

I love my people.

#me #my post #covid #quarantine #diary #writing #reunion story

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writinginstardust · 6 years ago

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Pining For A Prince | Part 1

Pairing: Keith x Lance

Warnings: little bit of language

A/N: So I saw this adorable Disneyland AU by @caelestee a couple of weeks ago and was obsessed with the idea of this AU so I decided I needed to write it. It’s the first Klance thing I’ve ever written but it’s also one of my favourite things I’ve ever written so 🤷‍♀️ It’s primarily Klance but there’s some background Romellura, Hunay and Adashi too. I don’t know how long this is going to end up being and how long it’s going to take to update every time but it will be finished eventually so I hope you stick with it if you enjoy it!

Word Count: 2663

Keith wiped the excess sweat from his brow as the little girl and her family walked away. He was boiling alive in the early-afternoon Californian sun but seeing the smiles he put on the faces of the little kids who came up to him made it all worth it. Contrary to popular belief, Keith actually wasn't as shy or brooding as most people assumed, he just naturally gave off a loner vibe in everyday life. He was great with kids and he loved being able to make others smile, his job at disneyland was a dream.

A soft gasp met his ears and he turned towards the sound, finding a young girl with bright red hair tugging on her mother's arm not far away.

“Mummy! Mummy! It's Prince Eric, I have to meet him!”

“Okay darling, go ahead.” The girl squealed with delight and ran towards him as her mother followed at a more leisurely pace.

“Ariel! Could it be? I've been looking everywhere for you!” Keith expertly feigned his character's surprise and joy at seeing ‘his princess’, his reaction making her giggle, the sound purer than anything he'd ever heard.

“Noo-o-ooo-oo,” her laughter broke up the drawn-out sound into more syllables than it should have been as she shook her head, “I'm not Ariel, she's my favourite princess though!” Keith gave her a thoughtful look as he crouched down to her level.

“Are you sure? You look just like her!” The girl giggled and blushed some more. “If you're really not Ariel then what's your name little princess?”

“Esme, but I'm not a princess, Prince Eric.”

“Esme, huh? Well that's kind of a pretty name. Princess Esme, it's an honour to meet you.” He stood and gave her a little bow before crouching down to talk to her again. After a few minutes she was ready to move on.

“Can I get picture please?” She asked before leaving.

“Of course princess!”

The girl's mother took out her phone and Keith posed with the girl for a couple of photos before also signing her autograph book. He promised to tell Ariel all about her before she met her later and the girl walked away with a grin wide enough to split her own face in two.

“Well who knew Mr brooding could be so charming? I may just swoon.” The teasing voice of Matt, or as he was known to park guests - Peter Pan, came from right behind him and he almost jumped out of his skin. He looked around quickly, seeing that the immediate area was mostly clear.

“Jesus, Matt! Warn a guy next time.”

“I'd say sorry if I was.”

“I appreciate that. And obviously I can be charming, I had to be to get the job. It remains a mystery how a menace like you managed to get cast though.” He smirked at his friend who just shrugged and grinned back as they both headed towards a cast member-only area for a break.

“Why do you think I got Peter Pan?”

“How's it going with your sister as your new Tink?”

“She's doing good so far, definitely has the mischievous persona down, and she's warming up to all the meeting and greeting.”

“That's good to hear. Honestly I was surprised when she told us the news, I always thought she hated kids.”

“She doesn't really, she's not a fan of the idea of having them but she's pretty good with them when she tries.” Matt shrugged and grabbed a bottle of water, downing the whole thing before reaching for another as Keith did the same. He almost choked on it a second later as a voice he'd recognise anywhere reached him.

“Keith! Matt! What's up guys?” Lance. Neither he nor Matt could reply immediately, Keith too busy choking and Matt laughing at him. “You okay buddy?” Lance came over to him and clapped a hand between his shoulders in an attempt to help.

“Yeah...I'm good.” He managed to splutter out and Matt finally managed to stop laughing.

“Great. Well, I've gotta get back out there, Allura's waiting on me. I'll see you both before the parade!” Lance disappeared almost as quickly as he'd arrived and Keith was left staring at the space he'd occupied just moments ago. His brain struggled to catch up with the swiftness of the interaction as it continued to fixate on where Lance's hand had rested on his back.

“If you don't stop with the dewy-eyed schoolgirl look in the next five seconds I'm telling everyone about your crush on Lance.” Matt threatened after spending a good 30 seconds waiting for Keith to snap out of it. The threat had the desired effect and Keith whipped his head round with a glare so quickly he almost gave himself whiplash.

“I will kill you if you even think about it, Holt.”

“I'd like to see you try.” It was an empty challenge, they both knew Keith would easily beat Matt in a fight but they also knew Keith would never hurt a friend. “But seriously, you should ask him out anyway.”

“Not unless you stop making heart eyes at the girl from the gift shop and actually talk to her.”

“Hey! I'll make a move eventually.”

“We all know that's not true, Matt.” A new voice joined their conversation.

“Shut up Shiro, you don't get to judge when it took you 3 years to ask Adam on a date.”

“Touché. You're still hopeless though.” He grinned as Matt scowled and Keith gave him a high five, glad to have someone on his side.

“Not as hopeless as your brother - the Prince of pining.”

“True, it must run in the family.” Keith shot his brother a betrayed look.

“Et tu, Brute?”

“Keith, you've had this crush on Lance since your sophomore year and you barely ever even talk to the guy, you brought the teasing on yourself.”

“Don't you have work to be doing?” Keith's voice was almost a growl, siblings really were the worst sometimes.

“Nope, I'm on a break. I've got a full 20 minutes to irritate my little brother.” He grinned the kind of grin which strikes pure fear into the heart of a younger sibling for it promises the kind of mischief and evil only an older sibling has the power to rain down on them. Keith, all too aware of the depths to which he and Shiro would go, wisely decided to make a swift exit at the sight of it. Yeah, he still had about 10 minutes of his break left but he decided just to take some extra time before the parade. No way was he going to suffer through Shiro's teasing if there was another choice.

“Well in that case I'm going back out. See you later guys.”

“Later Keith!” Matt called after him as he practically jogged away.

“You can't escape this forever Keith! I'm going to tease the shit out of you back home!” Shiro's not-quite-farewell earned him the middle finger from Keith and his answering laugh seemed to follow Keith even after he was well out of earshot. Brothers really were hell.

An hour after his brief encounter with Keith, Lance's hand was still tingling as if some of Keith's very essence still clung to it and the constant reminder was only prolonging his internal freak out. He spun Allura with practiced grace as they performed together for a small crowd in New Orleans Square but even the feeling of her hand in his couldn't rid him of the memory of how it had felt to touch Keith.

Finally their dance came to an end and Lance spent a few minutes talking to the kids and taking photos alongside Allura before they headed off to get ready for the afternoon parade. He couldn't keep the grin off his face or the spring from his step as they walked over to where the rest of the cast members gathered, so excited to get to see Keith again. However briefly that may be. The boy was beautiful, Lance was unafraid the admit that, especially in his Prince get-up, and even just a glimpse of his smile could make Lance's heartbeat go wild.

It was difficult to pinpoint exactly when he'd started developing a crush, certainly it was back in high school sometime. Back when Keith had been little more than a brooding shadow at the back of his classes, an enigma that Lance had spent far too much time trying to figure out instead of focusing on his studies. Knowing it was hopeless though, he'd buried that crush deep down for a long time and moved on, that was, until they'd both gotten cast as princes at Disneyland and Lance had found himself falling all over again.

It had been a shock, if he was honest, that not only had Keith auditioned (Keith! brooding, slightly menacing Keith wanted a job at Disneyland!), but he'd actually got the job. Knowing what the job entailed meant re-evaluating everything he'd thought he knew about Keith and, with this new perspective on the guy, Lance knew he was screwed. And that was before he'd seen him in costume!

“Someone's excited to see his Prince Charming it seems.” Allura's smirk was clear in her voice and Lance didn't even bother to turn his head to see it.

“He's Prince Eric, not Prince Charming. Wrong movie Allura.” He replied without thinking and it took a few seconds for him to realise his mistake. “Shit.”

He could feel the triumph radiating from the girl beside him and wanted nothing more than for the ground to swallow him up right there. Allura loved nothing more than to tease him and he'd just handed her all the ammunition she needed to make his life hell for at least a couple of months.

“Oh my god! You finally admitted it Lance! I finally got you!” She bounced along beside him and clapped gleefully. “Oh this is perfect!”

“Allura, I swear if you breathe a word to anyone else I will stop helping you with Romelle.” He didn't particularly like having to use that threat, he wanted Allura and Romelle to get together as much as anyone, but desperate times call for desperate measures. She pouted at that but agreed.

“Fine, I won't say anything but nothing you can do is going to stop the teasing. And I am sooo helping you get him, it's now my mission in life.”

“You're a nightmare.” He rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation but his voice was fond.

“Yep, but that's why you love me...almost as much as you love Keith.” She grinned and ran ahead to join the rest of their friends before Lance had a chance to retaliate and he sighed once again before walking over at a more leisurely pace.

“Lance!” Matt and Pidge yelled in sync, identical mischievous smiles on both their faces as they waved him over. He didn't trust those smiles one bit.

“Hey guys, how's it going?” He asked, somehow managing to keep his suspicion out of his voice and off his face.

“Oh same as ever, just now with the added entertainment from my darling sister.” Matt pulled said sister into a side hug which looked to be crushing the smaller girl.

“Fuck off Matt.”

“Language Pidgey! This is Disney, no swearing allowed!” Lance gave her the disappointed parent look and she narrowed her eyes at him.

“You can fuck off as well.” The two boys just sighed.

“You really are a delight to be around you know?”

“I try.” Her smile was falsely sweet as she batted her eyelashes before something behind Lance caught her eye. He watched with growing dread as that smile turned downright wicked and spun around to see what caused it. His stomach dropped as he saw Keith and Ezor a few feet away, deep in conversation, whatever Pidge had in mind was not going to end well for him.

“Keith! Dude come over here!” Keith looked over at the shout and Lance saw his face twisting with some sort of emotion he couldn't decipher as he saw the three of them. Ezor, however, looked knowingly between them and smirked before dragging over a reluctant Keith.

“Fancy seeing you here,” She said by way of greeting, still with that oddly knowing look.

“Considering it's their job as well as ours, that shouldn't be so surprising.” Keith helpfully pointed out.

“You're no fun.”

“Leave him alone, it's not his fault he's intrinsically grumpy.” Pidge finally managed to extract herself from Matt's hug in time to properly tease Keith.

“I hate all of you.”

“Liar.”

“Pidge, if you called me over just to be mean then I'm going. Maybe the princesses will be better company.” Lance felt himself wilt slightly at the prospect of Keith going, the break before the parade was one of the few times in the day he had a chance to have a proper conversation with him. Even when he could hardly manage to say a word, he could at least be in his presence and sometimes that was enough.

“Y'know, I expect they would be. YO ALLURA!” The heads of all the girls whipped around at the yell. “Bring your princess troupe over here, these guys are boring.”

“Coming!” She, Nadia, Romelle, Shay, and Nyma came to join them though the rest of the princesses elected not to, they'd never really gotten comfortable in this particular group of friends.

“What's up?” Nadia greeted them and Lance zoned out the conversation for a bit. Keith had shuffled closer to him to make room for the girls and he became uncomfortably aware of the heat radiating from him even through the heat of the day. He spent most of the next 10 minutes sneaking glances at Keith whenever there was no attention on him. He couldn't help it, whenever he was around him his gaze was drawn to the boy like a magnet and he was long passed trying to resist the pull.

“Alright, 5 minutes to show time, everyone in place!” Coran interrupted both Lance’s thoughts and the group’s conversation, all of them heading off to their respective floats. He chanced one last glance at Keith, only to find him already looking at him. Cheeks heating alarmingly, Lance whipped his head back round and boarded his float where Allura was waiting, a falsely innocent smile on her face as she pointedly didn’t look at him. It was a deliberate tactic to irritate him into talking to her and letting her tease him. He knew this but he still asked anyway.

“What’s that smile for.”

“Oh nothing, just planning you and Keith’s wedding, it’s going to be beautiful, a private beach ceremony at sunset, fireworks later, fairy lights everywhere, you two sneaking off to dance and kiss on the beach and under the stars during the reception. Shiro will be Keith’s best man, Hunk yours, your niece will be the cutest flower girl ever and Pidge, Romelle, Veronica and I can be your bridesmaids. You can do the bouquet throw and we'll all let Shay catch it and Hunk will be all flustered as it gives him the courage to finally propose to her. Everyone will be happy crying and we'll all eat too much and drink too much and we'll have the biggest party ever. No one will ever want it to end. It will be even better than Shiro and Adam’s.”

“Shiro hasn’t even proposed yet.”

“I know, but I have their wedding planned already as well. Yours will be better though.”

“I’m not marrying Keith, Allura, it’s just a crush. An unrequited one at that.”

“Sure it-” before she could finish their float started moving and they had to quickly get into character. It was hard for Lance to concentrate with Allura’s teases circling around his brain. He had to admit, she had planned his perfect wedding. Right down to his perfect groom.

#klance #keith x lance #keith #lance #keith kogane #lance mcclain #vld #voltron #klance fanfic #voltron fanfic #klance fanfiction #voltron fanfiction #vld fanfic #disneyland AU #I won't tag the other characters but pretty much everyone turns up at some point #klance fluff #Fic - Pining For A Prince

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braincoins · 6 years ago

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@yslanam & @m1tz0 - aka my Grey Warden Shallura squad

Shiro hated big cities. He liked small country towns, where you could get to know people. He’d always been the sort to judge someone by their actions, but in a city, there were so many people and you interacted with them so briefly, how could he build up an opinion of them? He usually stayed with Allura when they were in a city.

But they were in Denerim and he was alone. He’d had something he needed to do alone, so he’d concocted an excuse to split up, and Allura had accepted that and let him go off on his own. He’d rather face a whole Blight’s worth of darkspawn alone than be in a city by himself, but this was for her. He squared his shoulders and shoved his way through the crowds.

It was their anniversary today. The anniversary of the first time they’d kissed, when the acknowledgement that they were more than just fellow Wardens and more than just friends had been made. Also the anniversary of the first time they’d slept together, though that had come a year later. Well, the first time they’d done more than just sleep together. Anyway, it was their anniversary.

Wardens tended to view things like birthdays and anniversaries through a strange lens. Every birthday could be your last; technically true for everyone, but the Wardens were a bit more aware of it. Some people didn’t want the reminder. Some people clung to them desperately. In any case, the Wardens tended to view any excuse for a party as worth going all out for. Shiro didn’t want a loud & rowdy affair though.

Allura herself wasn’t much given to that sort of sentiment. Birthdays weren’t celebrated in the Tower, at least, not officially. Kissing and love-making were fine and wonderful; she both enjoyed and initiated such things, but she seemed to view them more akin to food than anything else. You ate and enjoyed the meal, and then it was over and done with. She would bask in the afterglow, smile and whisper endearments, but sex itself was never as important to her as just being with each other, as spending time together. She’d never marked their anniversaries before, and he didn’t expect her to now. But he wanted to mark the occasion. It was important to him. She was important to him.

He wasn’t sure what to get her. He thought he’d know it when he saw it. Something beautiful, something sparkly perhaps. He could get away with something a little flashier because if there was one thing he and Allura weren’t, it was “subtle.” Sneaking around was not something they did a whole lot of, so it wasn’t like he had to worry about being given away by the glint of light on metal. Besides, he had this entire arm of silverite. That’d give them away long before a single piece of jewelry.

But he also wanted something sturdy, something she wouldn’t have to worry about breaking. Perhaps even something with a practical purpose, like a cloak clasp? The order would prefer they use the sigil clasps, he was sure, but frankly, they were almost never seen without being in uniform. It wasn’t as if the double-headed gryphon clasps were the only way to tell they were Grey Wardens.

He’d been saving coin for a while now, but being a Warden wasn’t exactly a high-paying job. He hoped he could find something worthy of her.

It took him hours. He figured out one part of what he wanted and then had to procure the second part, go back to the first place with his new purchases... but it would all be worth it. He had the merchant box it all up, left feeling happy and almost giddy with anticipation...

...and then realized he had no idea where to look to find Allura.

He hated big cities. He frowned down at the box in his hands and then looked around as he tried to think. She might have gone back to the Warden compound. He started to head in that direction.

“Shiro!”

He turned to her voice with a relieved smile. “Oh thank the Maker.”

She snorted. “We didn’t make plans to meet up again before we split up.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“My fault as much as yours. I just used the taint to track you down.” I should have thought of that. She looked down at the box in his hands. “What’s that?”

He smiled shyly. “A gift. For you. For us, in a way. But I’d rather not discuss it out here in the street.”

She smiled. “I agree. Come with me. I got us a room for the night.” She grabbed his right hand and started tugging.

He followed after her. “Are we not staying in the Warden compound?”

“Not tonight,” she said. “I have plans.”

She led him through the streets and refused to answer questions about where they were going or what she had planned. He didn’t protest or object until he saw the sign on the building she was clearly taking him to. “Are you kidding me?”

She paused and turned to smile at him. “What? It’s a nice place. And like I said, I got us a room for the night.”

“HERE? Allura, this isn’t an inn.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know that, silly shemlen.” She only called him that to tease him, an artifact from when they were first getting to know each other, and her voice was fond when she said it. She swooped in towards him to whisper, “And it’s only part of my plan.”

He arched an eyebrow and looked between her and the Pearl. “I don’t want anyone but you.”

“And I don’t want anyone but you. I had to come here for the second part. I needed to do some research, and the madam was very educational. But they do rent private rooms for the night. I promise, it’ll just be the two of us.”

“Well... okay.”

“Come on.” She pulled away, went back to tugging him by the hand. “You act like you’ve never been in a brothel before.”

“Yes, well, there’s a reason for that.”

She stopped and looked back at him. “Seriously?”

“Why would I lie about this?”

She cast him a disbelieving look.

He rolled his eyes this time. “I didn’t say I’ve never... it’s just... you know, some of the serving wenches in some inns do their own business, that sort of thing. I’ve just never been to a proper brothel.”

“Okay, that I can believe.” She resumed hauling him towards the Pearl.

“Though I didn’t do a lot of... business. I prefer...”

“Getting to know someone, yes, I know.” She laughed. “We’ve been together for three years now! I think I know a thing or two about you by now.”

“You remembered?” he asked in surprise.

She turned to smile at him. “Let’s go inside.”

It looked a lot like an inn, but with slightly more scantily-dressed (and...um... friendly) staff. There was a woman in an expensive dress who came over to greet them. She handed Allura a key, said something about everything being ready for them, told them to pull the bellrope if they had need of anything, and bid them a good night. Shiro caught the madam - he assumed - looking him over appreciatively before Allura hauled him off to the stairs.

Upstairs, down some twisty hallways, and she unlocked a door. “This is all for us tonight,” she told him. “No worries about the other Wardens overhearing us.”

The room was sumptuously decorated, lit with lightly-scented candles. Allura tossed herself onto the bed with the joy of a child. “Soft sheets and bedclothes,” she said, stretching out along them. “Our own little luxurious hideaway from the world.”

He closed the door behind him and smiled. “This is nice.” There was a nook with a table and chairs, even. It was like a small apartment. The rug on the floor was soft and thick, there were well-woven tapestries on the wall... “It’s like we’re royalty.”

She giggled, pleased, and sat up. “You like it?”

He nodded and came over to sit on the edge of the bed. “I do. And I have a gift for my princess.”

She shoved his arm. “Stop that.” But she was eyeing the box. “Can I open it now?”

He nodded and handed it to her. “Please.”

She scooted over to be next to him before she took the box and opened it. Her breath caught. “Oh, they’re lovely.” But then she cocked her head. “Why are they two different sizes?”

He reached in and pulled out the larger of the two gold bracelets. “This one is for me.” He put it on his left wrist; it fit snugly, not too tight, and it felt ...warm and tingly, just for a second. “The other one is for you. They’re enchanted; when you put yours on, it should attune itself to you. And so long as we’re each wearing one, we can find each other.”

She smiled and put the other bracelet on her left wrist as well. Even though it was smaller, it still hung on her wrist a little, but it didn’t seem in danger of falling off. She smiled at the bracelet and then at him. “So thoughtful.”

He shifted the way he was sitting a bit so that he could better take her hands in his. “We’ve been together for three years now, and we were friends before that. I don’t know how much time is left to us, but I don’t ever want to be apart from you, Allura.”

Her smile grew, her eyes got a bit shimmery. “I feel the same way.” She leaned in and kissed him, then nuzzled his nose with her own when they pulled apart. “Let’s eat first, and then I’ll show you my other anniversary gift.”

“So you did remember,” he said. “I’m surprised you cared about it.”

She chuckled as she leaned over for the bellpull by the bed. “I know you care about it. That’s enough for me.” She tugged the rope. “And after dinner...”

“After dinner?” he prompted, starting to grin.

She leaned in to whisper in his ear, “After dinner, I can finally give you something you’ve wanted for a while now, my love.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

She stood and went to a dresser that was in the room and tugged open drawers until she found what she was looking for. “Ah, here it is!”

Shiro rose and went to join her and blinked when he saw what was in the drawer. “Is that... are... and you...” It all fell into place and he chuckled and shook his head. “You’re incredible. I should have known you’d find a way.”

She shut the drawer again and looped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Shiro.”

He slid his arms around her in return. “I love you, too, Allura.” He kissed her softly until there was a knock on the door.

“Food first. We have all night, after all,” she said, disengaging to go answer the door.

“All night and the rest of our lives,” he agreed.

#Dragon Age #DA Shallura #hints at something spicy but we don't see it #I just wanted to write something more from Shiro's perspective #and why not have him being a huge romantic dork?

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negasonicimagines · 6 years ago

Text

(You kissed her.)

Hi folks! I am so, so sorry for not posting, like, at all, ever! I am trying really hard, I need to stop procrastinating and get on you guys’ requests! I’m bad at keeping track of which rqs are anon and which aren’t, so, if you wanna be tagged in your fulfilled rq, please include to tag @[user] because I copy the rqs into a doc! (this is also useful if you wanna be tagged but not as your main blog!) anyways, I wanted to mix up the writing style a little, sorry if it’s obnoxious!

request: “Can u write something like,Idk,the reader is texting Ellie and asks her to make a makeup tutorial for youtube and she actually films it?And she's all flustered and embarassed interacting with the camera?Sorry if this is too vague”

I tweaked this significantly, I’m so sorry, I just really struggled with doing it justice, especially due to the vagueness of it. But, I did appreciate the request and if you’d like to submit it with a few extra details I would love to write you a new piece!

Additionally, this is my 30th NTW x reader imagine! Not my 30th published, but I keep my docs numbered and this is number 30! So, go us!

So sorry for the long A/N! Please enjoy!

(Text names are what you guys have each other saved as in your contacts!)

Ellie lost touch with most of her friends at home when she moved to Xavier’s.

(Most.)

There was one left, and if you’ve ever read one of these fics before, you know it’s you. Her best friend who she definitely doesn’t have a crush on.

Y/N ♡: Ellie!

҉ ♥Ellie♥ ҉ : What.

Y/N ♡: Your make-up looked really cute on the news today!

҉ ♥Ellie♥ ҉ : Thanks. Your point?

Y/N ♡: I was wondering if you would film a tutorial…? Please?

҉ ♥Ellie♥ ҉ : You don’t need a tutorial, you do makeup just fine. I saw your Snapchat story

Y/N ♡: Yeah, but I don’t do it how you do yours! I wanna learn THAT….

҉ ♥Ellie♥ ҉ : Tough.

Y/N ♡: :-(

Ellie rolls her eyes before leaving you on read. She’s so lucky you can’t see her face when you shamelessly compliment her like that. She gets so damn red, it’s embarassing. Whatever. She plugs her phone in and goes to sleep pretty quickly, not even dreaming.

The next morning, though, when she’s bored, she decides to create the video.

(Like it was a decision, when you were the one asking.)

҉ ♥Ellie♥ ҉ : Fine, I’ll make it. Can’t say I never did anything for you

Y/N ♡: Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

҉ ♥Ellie♥ ҉ : Whatever lol weirdo. Don’t text back I don’t want the phone to vibrate during

She suction cups her phone to her mirror, as she typically does so she can watch Netflix and do her makeup at the same time, but instead of that black and red app, she goes to the camera and begins recording.

“Hello, everyone. Or, just, y’know, Y/N. This is how I do my makeup. I start out with a primer, because I’m not completely stupid, then I go in with my foundation. Yes, it really is this pale ass emo shade. Then I blend it with a beauty blender, yeah, even I haven’t avoided that trend. And then this gray eyeshadow. And then the eyeliner, duh. And then mascara. Lipstick optional, but I’m wearing it tod- Oh! Oh my god!” She covers her mouth.

(Shocked.)

“Hey!” you tell her, stepping through the door. “Oh good, you’re actually recording. I wanted a video of us BFFs reuniting!” You wiggle your fingers towards her, and she rolls her eyes. You were the fun one, she was the grouchy one.

“What the fuck are you doing here?!” She remembers the situation.

“I’m not allowed to visit?!” you ask in reply.

“It’s kind of a long drive!” She argues, gesturing with her hands a little, and you shrug.

“Well, yeah, but when you’re moving somewhere it’s a good idea to visit first.”

“What?!” Ellie asks. “You’re a-!?”

(You nod.)

“What kind?! I mean, what do you do?!”

The people who overhear as they pass swear she’s never been this loud before, always responding briefly and nearly muttering her words.

You offer her a packet of sunflower seed snacks. She looks at you, confused.

“Take one,” you tell her. She’s always resisting.

(It’s cute.)

“What’s this got to do with anything?” the jaded girl inquires skeptically.

“Just do it, doofus!”

She takes one from the pack, and goes to crack it.

“No, hold it in your palm.”

“Y/N, you’re acting weirder than these jackasses think I am.”

“Watch!”

You close your eyes, focusing on the seed in her hand. She watches as a small green stem cracks the shell open, roots sprawling out as the stem grows thicker and darker, growing taller until the sunflower bursts open.

“Oh. My. God. Seriously?”

You crack open an eye nervously, smiling with the same tone. “Yeah. And…” You control the roots, causing them to make themselves into legs with feet at the ends. You make the sunflower dance, waving its leaves like arms.

(She just watches.)

Ellie usually didn’t speak as a choice, but in this instance she genuinely didn’t have anything to say.

(Until she realized that yes, she did.)

“Um, Y/N… Well, uh… Can you make the sunflower stop dancing?”

(No, that wasn’t it.)

“Oh, yeah, uh, here.” You hand her the gift bag she hadn’t noticed you’d been holding, and she peeks inside. It’s a bag of soil, as well as a black flower pot and plate set with silver skulls spray-painted on. “For the sunflower.”

“Nice,” Ellie comments, placing the plate and the pot in the correct position, on her desk in front of the window.. You dump some of the soil in the pot, and make the sunflower sit cross-legged, more roots expanding outwards to stake in the dirt before you add more. You take a water bottle from your purse and wet the earth inside with what’s left.

“Well, uh, I’ve gotta tour the campus. Kitty’s showing me around.”

“No,” Ellie immediately disagrees, jealousy rushing through her veins like it’s racing against her blood.

“Did I remember her name wrong?” You ask, confused.

“No, just- I’ll show you around. Tell her not to worry about it.”

You peek your head out the door and shrug, but then you nod.

Damn it, Kitty had been out there waiting for Y/N & listening the whole time? How embarrassing… Ellie thinks.

“Alright, let’s get the tour started, huh?”

The two of you go to exit, before Ellie realizes she’s (uncharacteristically) forgotten her phone! She stops the recording and locks it, sticking it in her back pocket.

You follow her around, listening to her explain the classes you’d likely take and what clubs there were in an exhausted tone.

“Is it really that bad here? Maybe I shouldn’t come…” you tease.

“No!” she nearly shouts,and you look at her with a mildly surprised expression. “Uh, it really doesn’t suck or anything, I’m just… You know… Like that.”

“I was kidding, Ellie, and besides. The papers are all in order. I don’t have anywhere else to go, anyway, my parents… Well, you know how that story usually goes.”

Ellie nods. “I’m really sorry. They seemed better than that.”

“It’s okay. Now I get to be roomies with… Well…”

Ellie’s eyes widen. “Me?”

“Yeah! You’re one of the few students who doesn’t have a roomie yet, so when they told me I could pick, I chose you!”

She tries not to blush.

(It doesn’t work.)

“Oh, jeez, El, you’re really red. You’d think with all that working out as an X-Woman, you wouldn’t get so winded after walking around a bit,” you joke, at least about the working out part. You’ve got no clue why she’s so flushed. “Are you okay? You’re not getting sick or anything, are you?”

“Sick of you,” Ellie remarks, though she doesn’t mean it. The only thing that makes her sick is her own cowardice. She couldn’t even ask you out over text, and now you’re going to be seeing her in person? She’s never going to admit her feelings, is she? She’ll die miserable and alone, just like she is now.

(And people wonder why she lashes out.)

You giggle nervously, eyeing her expression. Most of the time you knew she wasn’t being serious, or, at least, not being honest, but you did worry sometimes. “Alright… Suppose I’ll have to find Kitty to give me the rest of the tour…” You turn around teasingly, waiting for her to stop you as you slowly walk away.

(She doesn’t.)

It hurts your feelings signifcantly. You don’t turn around, knowing you wouldn’t be able to hide it. You begin walking at a normal pace.

“Hey, wait!” she protests, and you return. “Listen, I’m sorry I’m kind of a dick. I try not to be a dick to you, but it doesn’t always work out, because I really like you.”

“Um… Isn’t that supposed to be… Not like that?” You laugh nervously, a bit concerned for her mental health and your own safety.

“I just mean that- Well- I don’t like being nice to people! It makes me feel weak! And I don’t want to be weak in front of someone I like!”

“Like… Like-like…?” You ask nervously, trying not to sound too hopeful.

(It doesn’t work.)

“Yeah,” she admits dejectedly, your hope most likely being obscurred by the metaphorical dark clouds that always surround her. Most of the time, people saw them as anger. You understand, though.

(They’re shields.)

“Hey. Did you miss my tone completely or something? It was hopeful.”

“Hopeful that I wouldn’t? Sorry to disappoint you, prince- Mmf!”

(You kissed her.)

#negasonic teenage warhead #negasonic teenage warhead x reader #negasonic teenage warhead imagine #negasonicteenageimagines #ellie phimister imagine #Ellie Phimister #ellie phimister x reader #x men imagine #x men x reader #wlw fanfiction #sapphic fanfic

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warriorsrewrite · 6 years ago

Text

Enter the Wild Chapter 12

( you can either read it under the cut, or here on ao3. it’d be very much appreciated if you interacted with both ! )

Firepaw was the first to wake again the next day, mostly because the intense humidity was enough to made him feel like he was drowning by simply laying in his nest. As he stretched away the night’s stiffness, he noticed that a light drizzle was coming down outside, and he sighed.

Not good weather for hunting.

It was mostly out of habit that he exited the den and padded straight to where Yellow slept. It was Redtail who had been her night guard, and he smiled kindly at Firepaw as he approached, letting him pass without much fuss. Firepaw had grown to like Redtail very much, as he was a calm and sensible cat you could find yourself talking to without meaning to. That was why, as he passed Redtail, Firepaw murmured his explanation for visiting, “I just wanted to check her moss. Don’t want her complaining too much to Graypaw later because her joints are acting up again.”

Redtail purred out a chuckle, one very similar to Spottedleaf’s, nodding as he shifted back into his guard position. Firepaw figured he was eagerly waiting for the next day’s guard to switch with him; a night spent in the light rain was not a happy night to anyone.

Firepaw made heavy pawsteps to make sure Yellow knew he was coming. Sure enough, she lifted her head to glare at him from her makeshift nest. “What are you doing here?”

“Your nest’s wet, isn’t it?” he asked, nudging the side of it with his paw. As he expected, it came back damp. “I’ll change it out for you.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be back to training?” she grumbled, but lifted herself out anyway so he could roll the wet moss away. “You’re free from having to take care of me anymore.”

“Yeah, well, if someone doesn't change your nest soon, the whole camp with hear about it. Then the elders will complain about their rest being disturbed and… You get the point.” He stood and nodded towards the fallen tree. “I’ll be back soon.” He was already walking away when he heard the beginnings of Yellow’s protests, but he ignored it as usual.

As he sniffed around the tree to find some moss that managed to stay dry under the large trunk, he heard from behind him someone exit the elder’s den. Sitting back up and turning towards the elder, he spotted White-eye coming to sit next to him with a friendly smile. “Good morning, Firepaw,” she purred rustily.

He dipped his head. “Good morning, White-eye.”

She gazed at him, then at the tree trunk, and then over her shoulder at a barely visible grumpy Yellow. “Fetching moss for Yellow? I thought you didn’t have to take care of her anymore.”

“Yeah, well… Everyone’s seen how she can get when something isn’t quite right, and I was up, so I decided to do it myself. Save everyone the displeasure of waking up to her angry yowls.” Deciding she wouldn’t mind if he continued his task, he went back to poking at the visible moss.

White-eye hummed, but didn’t say anything to that. They were both quiet for a while until she sighed faintly. “You know, I remember when Yellow first became a healer apprentice.”

This caught Firepaw’s attention. “Oh?”

“Yes, it was my first Gathering as a warrior when ShadowClan announced her. She seemed grumpy then, and she seemed grumpy every other time I saw her. I don’t think there was one instance where I saw her smile.” She chuckled softly. “But… out of all the times I saw her sitting with the other healers, I never got the feeling that there was any kind of malice in her.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. “I also remember seeing Brokentail at a few Gatherings before I retired. He never stopped politely smiling when someone older than him was speaking.” She shook her head. “I always avoided him and his group. It’s good to know my gut feeling was right.”

Firepaw was unsure of what to say, so he didn’t try to say anything. He just nodded mutely and went back to work.

It wasn’t long before he found a large enough piece that - while not completely dry - wasn’t nearly as damp as what Yellow previously had. Gathering it all up in a ball, he picked it up with his mouth and dipped his head low in White-eye’s direction before trotting back across the clearing. He felt White-eye’s gaze on his back as he left.

Yellow was grumpier than ever when he returned, but didn’t complain when he set the fresh batch of moss down in front of her, which he took as a thank you. “Well, now that you’ve done that,” she grumbled, shifting to get more comfortable in her new nest, “you should get going. You’ve got a hunting assessment today, right?”

“Yeah,” he said, though in all honesty he was trying not to think about it too hard in case he started to get too nervous for it.

“If you catch half as many prey as you did yesterday, you’ll pass.” She lifted a paw to lick at, but paused to stare at him. “What are you waiting for then? Go ace it, kit.” She shooed him with her paw before using it to help groom behind her ears.

A warm feeling spread from his chest as he nodded and turned away, smile semi hidden as he looked to the ground. As he passed Redtail on his way to the gorse tunnel, he heard him whisper, “good luck. You’ll do great.”

This time, he didn’t even try to hide his smile. Lifting his head high, he padded through the middle of the clearing over to where he saw Ravenpaw nervously waiting by the freshkill pile. “Ready?” he asked once he approached. “As I’ll ever be,” Ravenpaw answered in a mutter, leading the way out and into the forest.

The night camp guards - Whitestorm and Willowpelt - nodded at them as they went, small smiles of encouragement on both their faces. Firepaw nodded back to them, his paws tingling as his sides squeezed through the tight tunnel.

Their short journey to the Sandy Hollow was silent as they both thought over what was going to happen. This is it, Firepaw thought, swallowing thickly. My first test as a Clan cat to prove that I really do belong here. I may not be close to becoming a warrior yet, but if I don’t pass it, then it’ll take far longer for me to get there. So, I have to do my best!

The two of them paused briefly when they came upon the bushes that marked the outer rim of the sandy clearing to glance at each other. They each took a collective breath, and pushed past the leaves and branches to enter the hollow.

“Ravenpaw,” Tigerclaw immediately announced as soon as they became visible. He sat tall and expressionless in the middle of the clearing, which Firepaw thought to be strange, considering this could be his apprentice’s final test for hunting.

The small black apprentice flinched as his name was called, gave Firepaw one last look, then darted over to Tigerclaw’s side. Firepaw watched him go with mild worry, but he knew he couldn’t think too much of his friend at the moment as his gaze slid over to Brindleface waiting a few fox-lengths away from Tigerclaw.

Brindleface looked far more tired than he had ever seen her. It was obvious her pelt had only just been given a quick groom with all the parts of it that still stuck straight up from sleeping. Her eyes had a strained look to them like she hadn’t had a good night's rest in a while. Her belly was as round as ever, perhaps even bigger, with the growing kits inside. Her smile when their eyes met was small, but genuine.

Firepaw swallowed thickly as he padded over to her, his ears threatening to pin to the back of his head as he thought of all the ways she could chew him out for breaking the warrior code. But when he sat in front of her, all she said was, “I’m glad you’re punishment is over and we can finally get back to training.”

Blinking in surprise, he lifted his head higher in confusion. “Yeah… I’m glad, too,” he murmured, unsure where she was heading but also meaning what he was saying.

She nodded. “We’ll have to see what a couple days of not training have done with this assessment, but I’m not worried about you being set that far behind.” Her smile grew as she continued, “I, after all, heard about all the prey you and Ravenpaw caught yesterday.”

“Yeah…” he trailed off.

Brindleface frowned. “What is it? Are… you actually not happy to continue training?”

“No, no!” he was quick to reassure. “I just…” His head lowered and his ear twitched. “Ah… I just was expecting you to give me a lecture on why eating before the Clan was bad to make sure I didn’t do it again…”

She blinked at him, then blinked again. Finally, the quietness around them broke with her soft chuckle. “Ah, so that’s it, huh? Well, rest assured, I’m not going to be chewing your ears out about it. I figured being around Yellow and confined to camp for three whole days was enough of a punishment. You’ve learned your lesson.”

Slowly, Firepaw sat back up. “Really?”

“Really. You may have made the mistake of breaking the code, but as I have always believed, to make a mistake is to learn, and to learn is to become better. Now that you’ve learned through your mistake, you’ll be able to become a better warrior. Of that, I am certain.” She leaned down to gently touch his forehead with her nose, affection in her gaze.

Firepaw didn’t quite know what to say to that, so all he did was nod solemnly, eyes sparkling. It was once the moment passed that he eventually asked her quietly, “are… are you all right? I know your mate was - is - ”

Before he could continue, Brindleface shook her head to quiet him. “I’m all right now, Firepaw. It was… rough, to say the least, when I learned what had happened to WindClan. I’ll admit to shutting myself away for most of the time you were acting out your punishment, and I’m sorry for not having that talk about mistakes earlier with you.” With a small grunt, she lifted herself to stand in front of him. “But I’m far better now, and the one thing I can think of that would make me feel better is if we started your assessment, yes?”

Firepaw stood with her at attention, nodding seriously.

“All right, then. Allow me to explain how this works.” She cleared her throat. “This will be a test to determine where you stand in your training for hunting and catching prey. It is a solo assessment, so if you see Ravenpaw, or Tigerclaw, or anyone else on patrol, you must leave them be and go a different way. I will be shadowing you from behind and observing how you go about doing things. You’re to catch as much prey as you can before sunset. Once you’re done, collect all your prey and head back to the Sandy Hollow. Is that understood?”

“Yes!” he said quickly and firmly.

“Good.” Brindleface glanced over to Tigerclaw and Ravenpaw. It seemed that the two had just gotten done with the explanation, Ravenpaw already dashing away and into the brush. “Tigerclaw and I agreed on the area of territory you two would hunt on. Ravenpaw will take the woods surrounding the Great Sycamore and Snakerocks, while you took the area around Tallpines.” She narrowed her eyes slightly at Tigerclaw as he slowly followed his apprentice. “I thought we should be more far apart to avoid accidentally running into each other, but he insisted that we all stay near this side of the our territory.” With a quick sigh, she shrugged and looked back to Firepaw. “But that’s basically it. Do you have any questions before we begin?”

Firepaw thought through the route he would take to ensure that he would get the most prey and nodded.

“All right. Then you may start when you’re ready.”

As soon as the word ‘start’ escaped her lips, he was already bounding towards Tallpines. The last thing he heard from her before he slipped out into the woods was her soft, quiet chuckle.

It was nearing time for Firepaw to call it quits. The sun was getting low in the sky, and his legs ached from so much walking and crouching. He had caught what he thought was an adequate amount of prey for being by himself. The stash he had buried in a small clearing contained several mice, shrews, and one chaffinch. They were small, but plump things, and he knew that whatever Brindleface thought of his hunting, he had done his best.

But, before he went back and collected his prey to bring back to the Sandy Hollow, he wanted to catch at least two bigger critters than a mouse or shrew. So, he decided to go out from his main zone of hunting and closer to his old house in hopes of finding a squirrel or larger bird to add to his pile.

It seemed that his decision was a correct one when the scent of squirrel entered his nostrils and made his ears perk. He was quick to locate the furry thing, scurrying around in a small patch of moss and twigs.

The way he crouched, keeping his paws light and posture balanced, was almost instinctual at this point. Making sure he was downwind, he zoned in on only the squirrel, and began to make his way towards it. He was almost in pouncing distance when another scent caught his nose that made him pause.

What’s that? he thought with a small frown. Careful not to lift his head and bring too much attention to him, he sniffed the air again, recognition hitting him with alarm.

It’s a cat! And certainly not from ThunderClan.

Before he could even begin to think about whether or not to continue to stalk the squirrel or go investigate the scent further, the choice was made for him as sudden noises that sounded like the beginnings of a tussle from beyond the bushes startled the squirrel into darting into the safety of a nearby tree. Silently cursing his luck, he knew he could do nothing but head towards whatever was happening.

What he saw when he broke through the bushes stopped him cold in his tracks.

“... Smudge?"

It was indeed the plump cat, being pinned down on his back by none other than…

“Ravenpaw?”

The black tom was on top of Smudge, holding the kittypet down with his front paws on his shoulders. But it didn’t seem like either of them were making a move, either to get free or tell the other to get lost. Instead, both toms seemed to be staring at the other in quiet surprise, frozen in their respective spots.

Firepaw frowned and quickly hurried over. “Ravenpaw, hey! It’s fine, you can get off. I know this cat.”

It seemed that being closer while speaking was the trick to get them both to snap out of whatever spell they were under. Ravenpaw physically flinched and was quick to scramble off of Smudge like he was caught doing something he shouldn’t have. Smudge was blinking away whatever emotion was on his face, but made no move to get up from the ground.

“Hey, Smudge,” Firepaw murmured, nudging the black and white tom’s side. “Are you all right?”

“You… know this kittypet?” Ravenpaw finally spoke, voice quiet. His gaze never once left Smudge.

“Yeah, he lived next door to me and my sister,” he answered before nudging Smudge again. “Come on, Smudge. I know you can get up.”

“Rust - … no, Firepaw?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” he huffed, hiding his pleasure at Smudge instinctively calling him ‘Rusty’. “What are you doing out here?”

Smudge glanced at Ravenpaw, swallowed, then whispered to Firepaw, “it’s been more than a moon and Princess is beginning to worry. And by ‘beginning to worry’, I mean she’s pacing her yard almost all day and night. I have to practically force her to go inside and sleep a little bit by promising her I’d watch out for you if you come. And today she said she couldn’t handle waiting anymore, so she sent me into to find someone to ask about you.”

Firepaw groaned. “That’s a horrible plan…”

“Exactly what I told her! But she’s beyond reason at this point.”

“And what horrible timing…” he muttered, glancing back at Ravenpaw to see him frozen again, green eyes wide. He internally cursed when he realized that Ravenpaw probably heard everything. I’m really going to hear it when we get back to camp… “Listen, Smudge, tell Princess that I’m fine, I’ve just been very busy. I still may not be able to visit anytime soon, especially with you being here. I mean, both of our mentors are supposed to be watching us right now and they could see you at any - ”

“Well, what do we have here…” the cold drawl of Tigerclaw sounded from behind him and Ravenpaw. All three stiffened as they turned to see the large warrior’s shape emerged from the shadows. “A kittypet on our territory, and two apprentices not yet chasing him off?” He clicked his tongue as he focused his intense glare straight on Smudge. “Seems I’ll have to do it myself.”

“Calm yourself, Tigerclaw,” Brindleface said as she came from the opposite side of his entrance. “He’s a young kittypet. This is probably his first time out in the woods, right?”

Smudge vigorously nodded, every last strand of fur standing on end as his eyes darted from warrior to warrior.

“Right. So, we should only send him off with a warning. He didn’t know any better, after all.”

“But these two should,” Tigerclaw growled, eyeing Ravenpaw and Firepaw like he could burn through their pelts.

“And I’m sure they have a perfectly good reason as to why they’re simply chatting with this kittypet.” Brindleface leveled a firm glance at Firepaw, who bent his head in shame. Right after we talked about my mistake of breaking the code would make me a better warrior…

“I…” Firepaw started, swallowed, and started again, “I was explaining to him why he can’t be here. He… he came because we used to know each other, and he wanted to check in on me, but I was telling him why we… why we can’t be friends anymore.” Avoiding looking at Smudge, he continued, “because I’m a Clan cat now, and he’s a kittypet.”

There was a moment of quiet where Firepaw risked a glance at his old friend. Smudge was looking right at him, amber eyes questioning. He wished there was a way to tell him that he was only saying these things so neither of them would get in too much trouble, but he knew there wasn’t without also tipping off the others.

Brindleface hummed. “That sounds reasonable enough,” she eventually said. “Now, young kittypet, you best move along back to your Twoleg den, and be sure not to come back into the forest. You may not encounter such friendly cats again.”

Smudge squinted in confusion at the words ‘Twoleg den’, but Firepaw explained to him in a whisper, “go back to your house.” Upon knowing exactly what he was being asked, he nodded frantically and darted away. But just before he disappeared through the brush, he glanced back, not to connect gazes with Firepaw one last time, but with Ravenpaw.

Frowning, Firepaw looked to Ravenpaw to see the other apprentice still frozen, his tail sticking out and fluffed up more than its ever been, a strange emotion Firepaw couldn’t figure out spread across his face.

Before he could ask what that was about, Tigerclaw grunted, “the assessment is over. Go grab all of your prey and we’ll head back to camp. Oh, and Ravenpaw.” He turned around, bent down to grab something off the ground, and tossed it over to where Ravenpaw stood. It was long, scaly, and dead. “You dropped the adder you caught in the bushes over here. If you want to keep that for bragging rights, you have to make sure you actually keep it.”

Firepaw’s eyes widened as far as they’ve ever gone. “You caught a what?!”

Ravenpaw made a strangled, embarrassed noise, picking the snake up and practically running away without saying a word.

Firepaw would say he was surprised, but in all honestly, Ravenpaw reacted how he expected when faced with such awe.

He still vowed to pester him over all the details when they got back to camp.

The attention they got back at camp was equally as great, if not greater than the attention they got the day before because of the long, dead adder hanging from Ravenpaw’s mouth. As soon as they entered the clearing, four kits who had been playing over by the nursery came rushing over with eyes as wide as the moon.

“Woah!” Thornkit, the small tabby that Yellow had snapped at the other day, said in awe, “is that an adder?”

“Did you catch that?” asked a tiny dark gray kit named Cinderkit.

“Did it bite you?” Swiftkit asked with horror.

“Can you even eat an adder?” a black and ginger kit named Brightkit asked before taking a cautious sniff of it. She immediately jumped back in disgust, shaking her head and gagging to get rid of the stench.

“You can’t eat an adder, but you can use it to scare the fur right off someone!” Graypaw announced as he approached them, grin splitting his muzzle. “Wow, Ravenpaw! I knew you were a great hunter, but I didn’t know you were this good! There’s no doubt you passed your assessment with a catch like this.”

Ravenpaw took a few tiny steps back from everyone, tail twitching nervously. Firepaw, sensing that he wanted to bolt, tried to step forward and assure him, but he was too late. The black apprentice dashed around the small group and heading straight towards the apprentice’s den, adder still clamped firmly in his mouth.

Graypaw frowned as he watched him go, ignoring the disappointed groans from the kits about not being able to play with the adder. “He’s more on edge than usual…” he observed, looking back to Firepaw. “Did something happen during his assessment?”

Firepaw’s ear twitched as he remembered exactly what happened. “Yeah…” he sighed, edging closer to him so the kits wouldn’t overhear. “A certain black and white pet came into the woods looking for me and found Ravenpaw instead. When I stumbled across them, Ravenpaw had him pinned to the ground. I don’t know what was said between the two, but they both seemed shaken. And, of course, it being an assessment, Tigerclaw and Brindleface showed up as I was talking him back to his house.”

“Ah…” Graypaw hissed softly. “I see… So, I’m guessing a trip to your old stomping grounds is way overdue?”

“Yeah, but now that Tigerclaw’s seen me talking to a pet, he’ll be extra suspicious. I think I talked my way out of any punishment, but for now we can’t - ”

“Firepaw.”

Both apprentices flinched as they turned around to see Tigerclaw looming over them both, eyes in slits.

“Bluestar wishes to see you. She’s in her den.” Not waiting to hear a response, the large warrior turned around and stalked over to the warrior’s den, disappearing under the thick bush.

Firepaw shared a panicked look with Graypaw, but could do nothing but obey the summons. Taking a deep breath, he slowed padded over to the Highrock where Bluestar’s cave sat. He almost took a step into the darkness when he remembered that no one besides the leader and deputy could enter the leader’s den. Shaking his head, he took his paw back and set it on the ground before straining his neck to call out, “... Bluestar?”

The lichens covering the entrance shifted immediately, and the tall, lithe frame of Bluestar appeared from them. Firepaw instantly had his head bowed, almost to the ground. He heard her huff a small laugh as she spoke, “you may lift your gaze.”

Hesitating only for a heartbeat, he relented and rose his head, though he still kept it at a small angle.

“I’ve been informed that during your hunting assessment, you ran into an old kittypet friend of yours.” Bluestar raised a brow as he flinched under her gaze. “He claimed you were talking to him as if he was still your friend. Is this true?”

Briefly, he considered using the same lie he told Tigerclaw, but knew as soon as the thought crossed his mind that it was a bad idea. So, after swallowing thickly, he opened his mouth to tell the truth, “yes, Bluestar, that’s true.”

Her other brow went to join the first. “Oh? Then should I be worried that you’re thinking of rejoining your kittypet friend back in the Twolegplace?”

“No!” he cried, regretting how loud the response was instantly. “No…” he said, quieter this time. “Bluestar, I may still be friends with Smudge, but I know that ThunderClan life is the life for me. As a kittypet, I was constantly restless. The best time of my day was when I went outside and into the forest to explore. Since coming here, I’ve realized that I’ve finally gotten to a point where I’m content with how I spend my days. No longer am I restless. So, please, don’t think that I would turn back to my old life if given the chance, because that would never happen.”

A blanket of silence settled over them as he waited for her response to that. It stretched for so long that he began to shuffle nervously in his spot, nerves practically on fire. Finally, she broke the quiet with a few simple words, “I believe you.”

Instant relief flooded his veins, audibly sighing despite knowing it was probably rude. “Thank you, Bluestar,” he murmured.

She nodded at him. “I may not have believed you, but I talked with Yellow while you were out, and she mentioned how dutiful you were, despite showing the obvious want to get back out and train. When I asked her what she thought about you talking with that kittypet, she told me not to worry, because you were seemed the most loyal out of anyone in ThunderClan that she could see.”

He didn’t know what to say to that, disbelief surely showing on his face as Bluestar smiled down at him. Yellow… saying that about me? he thought. It must have been raining squirrels for something like that to happen.

“Now,�� Bluestar continued, snapping him out of his small daze, “as for whether or not you passed your assessment…” she trailed off, glancing about the clearing until she spotted who she wanted to see. “Brindleface,” she called out, gesturing with her tail to have her approach.

Firepaw forced himself to stay still and silent as his mentor came to sit next to him. “You summoned me, Bluestar?”

“Yes, I wished to know what you thought of Firepaw’s performance today.”

There was a brief moment where he thought that Brindleface was going to say that he failed solely because of his encounter with Smudge, but the fear dissipated as she said, “I believe Firepaw met all expectations during his assessment today. Despite not training for the past few days, he displayed the skills one would expect for an apprentice who has been training for three moons now.”

“So, you believed he passed?” Bluestar asked.

“Yes, I do believe he did.”

“Then it’s settled,” she announced, standing to stretch her back limbs. “Firepaw, you and Graypaw will be allowed to go to the Gathering tomorrow.”

Firepaw’s head lifted all the way as he was overcome with shock. “Really?” he asked, breaking out into a huge smile as Bluestar nodded. “Wait, what about Ravenpaw? And Sandpaw?”

“Being so close to her final assessments, Sandpaw will stay behind and help guard camp. As for Ravenpaw, though he did pass his hunting assessment with flying colors, I was informed by Tigerclaw that in regards to battle training, he is behind. In order to catch him up, he will need to train harder, so he will need his rest tomorrow night.”

Although he felt a hint of sadness that Ravenpaw wouldn’t be joining them, elation at the fact it would be his first Gathering and smugness over Sandpaw not getting to go rose in him, and it was all he could do to bow his head and say a heartfelt, “thank you!”

Chuckling, her tail flicked as she told him, “and with that, you’re dismissed. Go on and get something to eat from the freshkill pile and rest. You’ve done well today.”

Not wasting another heartbeat, Firepaw stood, dipped his head in farewell to both Bluestar and Brindleface, then, in his excitement, dashed over to where he had placed all the prey he had caught to pick out the plumpest mouse he could find. As he grabbed his meal and headed over to the tree stump, all he could think about was how sweet of a feeling it would be to see Sandpaw’s face when he announced that he would be going to the Gathering instead of her.

#warriors #warrior cats #wc #warriors rewrite #enter the wild #chapter 12 #long post

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haleruby · 4 years ago

Text

Slipping Through Your Fingers (2)

Characters/Pairings: established Mal/Evie, eventual Mal/Evie/Reader (Quim), Reader & the Rotten Four (especially Reader & Carlos once we get in the flashback).

This part is Rotten Four interaction, you with Malvie, and then briefly you with Carlos.

Summary: Evie’s idea to design a dress for the newcomer is met with differing reactions from her friends. The actual consultation ends in a way no one could anticipate least of all Carlos...Poor pup.

Word Count: 4.2k

Notes: I am using a sideblog that is empty and not tagging bc this is only for your eyes, so no need to reblog/like, etc.

I promise it gets smoother once I can use ‘Shadow’ as the placeholder for you (instead of brunette, other girl, guest, etc.) alongside the pov sections of the Rotten Four in the flashback. The writing is still older so…Let me know if it’s too much like sandpaper, lol. I have other fics.

There are some things in this chapter that hint at what is to come in the flashback section. They may raise some questions too.

- - - - -

"You're so gonna regret this," Jay states it matter of factly. Another beaker is added to the steadily growing tower of glass so it is about as tall as the graduated cylinder Evie keeps adding to. Dark brown eyes that are almost black flick away from his handiwork to observe the counter top for more improvised building blocks. "Like, let's be honest, it sounds kinky." "Jay," Carlos admonishes. "Dude, what? It does sound weird." A test tube is moved out of reach from a tan hand, earning said hand ruffling bleached blond curls with black roots in retaliation for the interception. "Ugh, stop it," Carlos complains without any real bite. The test tube is handed to Evie, before Carlos turns his attention to his boyfriend. "We can't judge a situation we don't know anything about; it would not be fair. Evie said she seems sad." "I didn't say it wasn't bad," he corrects. A momentary seriousness displaces the ever-present, easy grin that was used to charm marks to make stealing easier and can serve as armor that hides his real feelings. "But how is she going to help? It sounds like they have a deal. Maybe the money, status, or protection makes it worth being his, so why mess it up?" Adding highly concentrated acid to the concoction she is brewing takes a steady hand to not over or under administer it. The boys' back and forth is starting to distract Evie. "He calls her pet-" "Kinky..." "-and treats her like property." The murmured comment is ignored, though a warning look is directed at the broad shouldered guy, who would cut an imposing figure to most, but now Jay raises his hands up in surrender. "I don't know why--I had to do something, it just didn't feel right..." "A lot of things aren't right." The firm statement cuts through the room as the fourth member of their group enters in through the double doors. Purple hair and mostly violet and green attire stands out against the white, gray, or stainless surfaces of the chemistry lab and compliments pale skin. Her stride is self-assured and commanding, even if she is the shortest of them, because knowing how to force others to fall in line due to her mere presence is something she honed on the Isle. Calculating green eyes cursorily assess the slight tension among them, before settling on Evie in question. "What did you get yourself into, E?" Mal asks with authority, though those close to her would be able to detect the concern there too. "M," she greets her with a smile to buy a bit of time. Talking this over with the more empathic Carlos was the plan, but Jay tagged along and now Mal is also present. Normally, she would not mind some alone time with their unspoken leader, who also happens to be her girlfriend, but not when she is scheming and plotting mode to fix something that has not even been explained yet. "I decided to make something for someone in exchange for information about Auradon royalty. I really just wanted to talk to the girl because-" How does she say this...? Evie keeps speaking, taking a quick breath. "I don't know how to explain it. This man--Sir Alistair is so creepy and I can't imagine having to listen to him all the time. His commands and whatever else he orders her to do. He interrupted my meeting with Ben, and then was about to leave but I didn't get to actually talk with the girl, so I offered to make something. He turned it into me making a dress for her instead, which is what I technically wanted..." Evie trails off, finishing the ramble. She is unsure if that explained enough or anything at all, still working through her own thoughts hampered her ability to convey them to others. "So, it's a pity dress?" Mal deduces. "No," Evie disagrees immediately.

A fine eyebrow raises at the steel underlying that tone, not expecting it. Evie seems more worked up about this than she would expect given how the acid is now hurriedly being put away, rather than being measured with the usual engrossed focus given to her projects. It is worrying. "As tragic as that sounds, you are already an advisor to Ben about the Isle, so why help?" Mal wonders. "You are busy with that, classes, your designs. I don't want you pushing yourself..." "She knows about arrangements and alliances." This bit of information secures everyone's interest. They were brought together through an alliance, an admittedly unconventional one, but friendship is not a common word thrown around on the Isle, let alone a common concept. Sliding her safety glasses up and off of her head, Evie fixes her girlfriend with a meaningful look that silently requests that Mal listens rather than immediately dissuade out of concern. "When she first saw me she looked afraid-" A blue painted finger nail levels at Jay, who is about to make a wise crack from the set to his lips, "-not like how people looked at us on our first day or how some of the older royals still look at us. This was different. It was not a judgment thing, but almost as if she was ashamed and frightened at the same time, before she just went blank-" A quick snap of her fingers emphasizes this, "-like that. It was different, and I need to know why..." Mal observes Evie carefully, but nothing is said. "I can tell you why. Because you are the daughter of-" Carlos nudges Jay to stop his words, nodding at the look on Evie's face that is edging on somber. "Do you think she is from the Isle?" "You saw how big a deal us coming over was." A welcome event, news coverage, and even a navy carpet was rolled out in an odd mix of tentative hope held by a few and the sensational aspect of it held by the majority. They were a spectacle and a main event. "I don't think so. Or at least I think we would have known if we were not the first VKs coming to the mainland," Evie offers her reasoning on the suggestion. "He could have bought her?" Jay hurries to explain when the two look at him questionably. He didn't mean it like that. "Not that that's right, obviously. But I imagine creating the barrier and stuff took a lot of coin, favors, and magic. If he is a 'Sir' or whatever, he could have had some pull." "I doubt the barrier would be lowered for someone to go window shopping for kids," she comments with a bit of disgust, because the suggestion reminds her of something that still aches after all this time. Special exceptions can always be made. Mal uncrosses her arms, settling on a lab stool on Evie's side of the counter so she is close to her. "You know they would only do it in an extreme circumstance. Anyway, if you want to talk to her that is fine. I will be with you too." "Mal, I-" "We don't know what she is capable of Auradonian or not, so I don't want you alone," she interjects firmly. Reaching for the hand that grips the edge of the laminate countertop softens the interruption; this does come from a place or care, even if she is not always the best at expressing it. "This is not Lonnie or Jane. We don't know this person, E." "Mal is right," Jay agrees. "Maybe we should also be there?" "No," Mal denies him. Jay pouts. "More people could make her uncomfortable..." Evie appreciates Carlos' support, considering Jay tag teamed with Mal as usual on tactics, since the two tend to agree on a more proactive, aggressive approach than the more moderate, measured ones of their other halves. Her focus turns to her girlfriend. "Just promise me you will play nice tonight-" A squeeze is given to their joined hands to preempt any quip or retort, "-since she is very, very quiet. If I have any hope of learning more, I need that shell to open, not close further." "I will be as sweet as cotton candy," Mal assures with some sarcasm, though there is sincerity in her expression. "You won't even notice I'm there."

- - - -

Most would probably hardly notice she is there... There should be the sounds of two sets of steps mounting the stairs to climb up to the level that holds the girl's dorm rooms, but only one distinctive clack is heard against the hardwood. Using her peripheral vision fails as does glancing to the side. The brunette remains just behind her almost in a blind spot, though Evie does not feel threatened. Slowing her steps was mirrored too. Jay would admire these skills that would speak to thievery or going about undetected on the Isle, but it seems like the goal is to go unnoticed--to take up as little space as possible--to disappear into the background, if not needed. It makes Evie feel sad... "-the grand fireplace can be used to roast marshmallows too, so it's great for s’mores," she continues speaking, though there has been no response aside from the initial stilted nod of greeting. Evie continues the abridged tour of the dormitory hall to fill in the quiet, but also to acknowledge her presence by addressing her without expecting anything in return. The long game will need to be played. "And here is my room, where all the design magic happens," she says it with a touch of drama. A golden key is pulled out and inserted into the lock after a single warning knock is given. Entering first occurs, she knows that waiting to let the brunette do so will lead to an impasse with them standing in the hallway all night. Evie spots Mal on her bed, sketchbook in hand, and phone off to the side. That is a relatively nonthreatening position. "This is my roommate." A hand gestures to the purple haired girl, who gives a lazy wave too intent on whatever she is shading to look up in a proper greeting. There is a difference between being rude and being inviting, but at least Mal tried... The brunette lingers on the threshold as if realizing once she crosses it the point of exit will be sealed completely. "Please come in and we can get started," Evie patiently requests. That gets her moving again, so the door can be shut, though the motion is short lived. (Y/E/C) eyes are trained on Mal so intently that the gaze can only be described as utterly piercing; there is nothing subdued or subtle about it. Her movements always seem rigid, but now it is like she is locking herself in place or holding herself back. Her arms are pulled behind her with one hand securing the wrist of the other just below the small of her back in a form of an at-ease military position that lacks any ease. Lips remain set in that horizontal line that does not convey much of anything, but something that may be confusion causes a slight crinkle to form between her brows. If only she was a little closer, Evie could attempt to parse out her expression better. Evie realizes she is staring at the brunette staring at Mal, but makes no effort to stop it. This is the opposite of their first interaction; it's like she is transfixed, rather than trying to retreat inwards. "Didn't your parents teach you about staring?" The quip is delivered without Mal even glancing up, but when she does everything shifts.

It would be similar to violent magnetic repulsion as soon as green eyes deviate from the sketchbook, (Y/E/C) instantaneously flick away to study the floor. Evie can see the tension she would like to think she somewhat alleviated snap back as the brunette's neck bows ever so slightly, trying to fully correct the previous direction of her gaze. The grip on her wrist also tightens up to what must be painful; it is like a full body, silent chastisement. Reaching out to prevent her from further retracting inwards crosses Evie's mind, but they are not that close... "Don't mind her personality. That is just Mal," she jokes to try and salvage the situation. Evie steps forward, past their two beds, and the small kitchenette and into her makeshift sewing area, hoping the brunette will trail behind her as usual and be away from Mal's scrutiny. "We will be over here anyways." A chair is pulled out, before she hovers, planning to assume her usual comfy seat at the drawing desk once the other is occupied. "You minded it enough to date me..." Mal snarks, though there is the start of a pout to her lips. "So, not the time..." Evie admonishes; this is not one of their friends or classmates, but more of a client, who she also wants to learn more about. Bantering with her girlfriend can occur later on. Unless maybe Mal is trying to ease things...? Somehow the brunette looks more uncomfortable now as she passes the bed without a spare glance at Mal, sitting in the chair, but not allowing her back to rest against the cushion. She sits ramrod straight like she is ready to stand up and leave as soon as possible. There was the slightest frown that is now gone with that neutrality back in full force. Making eye contact is near impossible for Evie to achieve when the pin cushion is being observed like it holds the secrets to the universe. Is she homophobic or just dislikes the topic...? "I thought your girlfriend would always be an important part of your time?" Mal presses. Now, Mal is just being difficult on purpose, likely because the discomfort from their guest was also picked up on. "M," she warns. "What?" The question is asked with affected innocence. Closing the sketchbook with a snap, Mal throws her legs over the bed, almost rising to join them, but remains on the edge of the mattress at the disapproval from Evie. The way she was looked at earlier bothers her. The intensity felt familiar; it was like she was back on the Isle: young, on edge, and simpering with the need to prove herself to her mother, but that there was something bigger and greater watching over her until she could get that far. The intensity didn't make her feel small, but seen too deeply. Mal failed to grasp why that was since the other girl folded rather than entertain a proper stare off. Her magic roils under her skin as if her veins funnel viscous magma throughout her system, not lifeblood; this feeling usually signals the need for her eyes to switch to a verdant emerald. She does not feel threatened, just that something is wrong, which makes her want to push to figure out why. "I bet she agrees with what I said. How about this: if you agree, don't say anything at all and if you don't agree, say something?" Mal goads, trying to force a reaction besides the stiff quiet. ... No reply is given. "See?" The triumph of being right seems bitter, because she did not want to be right, Mal wanted answers. Evie is moving past annoyance to disappointment in how her girlfriend is behaving, but it goes beyond what she suspected the reason was for the comments. She can feel a faint charge to the air that translates into a unique warmth skating across her skin that most would not notice; however, she knows it is a sign that Mal's magic is becoming more active from their time together, but why is that? A questioning look of concern goes ignored. Green eyes are now assessing the brunette just as searchingly, though the view is only of her profile since the pin cushion is still the sole object of focus. What is going on?

"Can we reschedule, please, Evie?" The tone of voice used is soft and gentle, it is only meant for the one across from her to hear. A folded piece of paper is slid across the surface of the desk, coming to a stop just before the blue haired girl, who still seems to be processing she is being spoken to. "My measurements have not changed, nor the typical expectations he has for a dress," she explains efficiently. "You don't have any preferences or ideas...?" Evie asks reflexively, surprised she is being addressed. "At all?" "No." A wry, sad smile gives the barest of curves to those lips for a second, and Evie feels something within her fracture just a bit. That was a stupid question. Scrambling to recover—to adapt—to say something that will get her to stay longer yields nothing, except a hand covers the one that rests on the paper. She does not know what to do or how to help just that she needs to. The skin beneath her palm is cold, bordering on an unnatural chill that is not off-putting, but definitely unique, just like how Mal's hands tend to hold a warmth to them. Fingers flatten themselves as if trying to become one with the surface of the desk; however, the brunette does not pull away, though she did tense up. "Fairest of them all or the sweetest?" The question is posed rhetorically with underlying sincerity. "But don't trouble yourself with this." She is actually talking, full sentences and clauses talking, to her after she has rambled and prattled on about the architecture, her classes, and favored design styles on the walk from the visitor's center to the dorm halls. This is what she wanted, though the message is not what she anticipated at all. Was she so transparent about wanting to help? "Why not?" Evie almost whispers back the question. . . . (Y/E/C) eyes actually seem to be taking her in this time, probing in a gentle yet intense way. This is unlike people admiring or judging her beauty, instead it is much deeper as if something lost now has the possibility of being found. It feels as if she is being assessed to decide if more can be said--if she deserves trust--if it is safe. That dark emotion lurks again, but it is overshadowed by conflict that soon eclipses everything else, leading to the brunette sliding her gaze to the side. Feeling the fingers slip out from under her own causes a feeling of loss that gnaws after the perceived sense of progress. Evie very nearly tightens her grip to prevent it; however, choice is already a luxury, so she will not take her's now. "Goodnight, Evie." An end point. The goodbye was not delivered curtly or dismissively; there was a finality that seems to pin Evie to her chair as the other girl rises to leave. Mal looks between the two, feeling just as stricken about her leaving even though making sense of the low tones of the conversation was difficult. What the fuck? The emotions confuse her immensely. Arms cross tightly around herself in a firm hold as if trying to provide some structure to her thoughts that do not need to be burdened with these sudden, inexplicable feelings. "What is your name?" There is no reply, not even a glance, as her bed is passed, not that she really expected either after the jeer she made at the silence.

They both feel frozen for a moment. The door closing shut near soundlessly aside from the faintest of clicks snaps them out of it. "What was that?" "Yeah, what was-" A hand lashes out to the side to punctuate the question, "-that?" Evie stands abruptly. Her warm brown eyes that border on a golden hue seem darker with anger like a honeycomb that should be harvested, though there is a lack of sweetness. There is no excuse for what happened. "I asked you to be nice, because this is important to me, and instead you antagonize her? Knowing that her situation is probably horrible?" "I was trying. She started it...?" The words sound weak to her own ears, forcing her to stifle a sigh. "Evie, I didn't mean for it to escalate, but I just felt—I don't know-" Teeth sink into her bottom lip for a second, though self-editing around her girlfriend is rare compared to engaging in it around everyone else to keep her not to be trifled with reputation intact. "...Things? And reacted, ok?" Mal offers a hand tentatively, trying to show some contrition now that her magic has somewhat calmed.

Evie pauses, but relents and takes the offered hand. "I'm sorry..." - - - - -

"I'm so, so sorry!" A string of apologies leave him profusely. Playing keep away indoors and outdoors is something Fairy Godmother specifically told them not to. Jay took one of the sprockets he needs for something he is working on and challenged him to a game. He was barreling down a hallway barely in pursuit of the swift thief, but instead of taking the corner he slammed directly into someone. He usually has to use hints left by Jay or the sound of his laughs to find him anyway. He definitely lost the little chance he had at winning... Carlos is actually on top of the person as in half laying on them, since they caught him partially. This is awkward... He bowled them right over. He is lithe compared to Jay and shorter, but the momentum from sprinting through the long halls probably packed a wallop. Hurriedly sliding off of the--Wait, the person is a girl. Carlos creates more distance between them, before he actually looks more closely at the figure in black, who is sitting up slowly after having landed harshly on the marble floors. Dark brown hair is styled differently in a way that gives a better view of her face; it's sharper now and more defined. While his own frame was wiry from the shortage of food on the Isle, he knows that losing some baby fat in the face is common in teen years and happened to him too. She is still just as beautiful as he remembers. Her skin is a little paler than he recalls; maybe she does not go outside as much? There is faint purple blooming under her eyes that alludes to tiredness more so than eye shadow, but it would not be that noticeable from a distance. It's those eyes that seals it. Just like the ocean, there was always something anchoring in those depths when he looked into them. He knows Mal and Evie were closer to her, but he feels like he could stare into her eyes for ages because she always took care to look at him a certain way. He needed that care after some of the incidents that befell him on the Isle. It made him feel whole, not broken. Not a something, but someone who was worth having around. She rarely showed herself in this form, except when he needed her most. The uncanny ability to know when that was to offer comfort in the form of a soft gaze and innocent, gentle touches (a hug, a hand hold, steadying his hands with her own) soothed him when he was younger. He blinks, bringing his knuckles to his head to tap it. No, this is real, not a dream.

Now, it is like the sea is in flux during a violent storm. There is nothing grounding in the turbulent, almost tortured (Y/E/C) depths that are so unlike what he remembers, but at the same time are oddly nostalgic. She appears utterly conflicted, unsure what to do or where to look. What happened? It is as if seeing her is a grave offense, like Carlos wounded her from his mere presence. His stomach turns with a sickly feeling due to how he is being regarded, since his knee jerk reaction would be to give a hug and never let go again. They already lost her once. Shame suffuses her; it is an emotion he knows all too well from growing up with Cruella. Her gaze averts to floor; shoulders slump under a weight he can't comprehend; legs are drawn so her knees are just under her chin as if taking up less space will fix things. Arms wrap around her legs tightly to ward off attempts at prying; and finally her face is hidden in a last ditch, irrational effort to make it all go away. He feels his breath leave him at the sight, knowing this position is one he adopted frequently on the Isle.

It feels wrong to see his former silent protector like this now. "...Shadow?"

#for quim who is awesome and nice!#there is a reason why mal acted the way she does that goes beyond magic #i don't think there is a soulbond in this fic (there is in one of my others) but these /feelings/ and that /connection/ is there but out of-#-reach....not like de-ja-vu just yet but the sense that there is something more??? idk.#it will make (hopefully) more sense with more words/plot. lol.

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textsfromumbridge · 8 years ago

Note

Prompt for Enjonine? "I work at a movie theater and I'm trying to clean up but you're still here, ugly crying" :P

(ancient prompt? FILLED!)

dedicated to everyone who’s still reading and writing for this ship, in particular to the awesomesauce @aurimaedre who deserves some fluff.

She’s been here for a while. She’s seen things, some of them she will never be able to unsee, not even if she lives to be a hundred years old. She has seen everything from full frontal nudity to proposals to vomit in every direction - and she hasn’t just seen it on the jumbo screen

And the tears? She was around when PS I love you premiered (as a surly teenager) and for the hype surrounding The Fault In Our Stars (as the surly assistant manager).

So she gets it - even the tough guys needed tissues when Han Solo died. And she’s heard that the latest Star Wars movie involved some kind of heroic last stand, so she’d stocked up on the Kleenex.

She just was not expecting the most outspoken idiot running for Congress to be the weepy mess she would physically have to drag from his seat after the 7 PM showing of Rogue One.

The surly teen currently on cleanup duty, some friend of Gavroche’s she’d hired out of something resembling pity, had been way too terrified to ask the intimidating man in the three piece suit to get up and leave. Eponine had no such issues.

“Sir?” she had to force herself to stay polite. “I have to ask you to leave. Your weeping is freaking out my employees and we have another showing to prepare for.”

Zero tact. Yes, she was aware.

The face that launched a thousand swooning housewives is almost unrecognizable through the tears and the snot. Wow, if she’d still been as desperate for money as she’d been in her teens, she would have been able to make the big bucks off this image. Hell, she could still make the big bucks.

But she actually wants him to win. His opponent is a racist, misogynist douchebag who would crush all the benefits that had allowed a poor non-white girl to raise her siblings all on her own. Also, an openly pansexual senator? Fuck yeah! Azelma and her girlfriend totally approved as well.

“Don’t worry, I’ll still vote for you,” she just had to fill the awkward silence. “You’re still prettier than your opponent. And smarter.”

That made Gabriel Enjolras blush while he tried to discreetly blow his nose and wipe his face.

Adorable. No, no, she couldn’t think that.

“Thank you for your candor,” Enjolras was suddenly all formality again. “And I do appreciate your vote.”

He really did not understand that nothing he said would ever make her see him as that distant symbol of composure again. The vulnerability was what made her like him all the more. He was real now.

“Hey mister Robot Man,” she interrupted him while he was putting on his metaphorical armor. “You’re much more appealing when you’re human.”

She does love a good exit line, sashaying out of the almost empty theatre, picking up some empty soda bottles on her way out.

People are pigs.

The next time she saw Gabriel Enjolras, it was on a random TV appearance she totally had not recorded - because she’d kind of become a fan of his. She’d been reading up on the weepy mess, and she’d been so damn impressed by what she’d found. Though he could use some loosening up. Did he even own jeans? Or a t-shirt?

Was he capable of smiling sincerely, instead of using the professional fake smile from the campaign posters?

What was lurking underneath that? Who was he other than the passionate politician? His past, his present, his family, it was all pretty much a mystery. When asked about them, Enjolras just turned the conversation back to his campaign.

Nobody even knew if he had hobbies.

And then she watched the interview. The host was not expecting anything other than the usual forced banter and election talk, but she certainly was charmed when Gabriel Enjolras talked about wanting to interact more with his constituents.

Sure, the woman started off a skeptic, just like the others.

“How come you’ve changed your tune?” the host asked, completely straightforward. “Until recently you’ve stuck to your campaign only strategy.”

Eponine started off merely being intrigued by the change, and of course pleased by the humanity she just about ordered him to reveal.

“I blame it on Star Wars,” Enjolras spoke, shocking the host.

“How so?” the woman is trying not to appear too caught off guard, but the surprise certainly showed on her face.

Her wide eyes were caught on camera, just like the hint of a smile that was playing on the future Congressman’s lips.

“Well,” he continued his explanation, “I was recently blubbering my way through the ending of Rogue One. No spoilers, I promise! And while the movie really did move me, the incredible manager of the theater was the one who inspired my policy change.”

The crowd oohed and aahed at the appropriate moments, and Enjolras paused briefly to sip his water.

Eponine was completely frozen in shock, staring at her TV screen.

“Because there I was,” Enjolras gestured emphatically to further illustrate his story, “blubbering my way through the credits, snot-faced and splotchy in my best three piece suit…”

Here the crowd laughed and Eponine had to take a second to remember the fit of that suit. It was a damn good suit.

“I’m sure I terrified the teenager on staff,” the self-deprecating grin Enjolras was now sporting was also really doing it for her. “So they called in the manager to get me to leave. Just so they could start the cleanup, mind you.”

Eponine was not the only one who’d fallen for him just a little bit just now. All the females in the crowd were a little mushy over this - she could tell. Even the usually so straightforward host seemed to melt.

Ugh, so rude of him to give her feelings. She hated those.

Not the point though. Definitely not the point - that came later.

The point came when one of the office gossips found out that the best fluff piece in the election had occurred in their theater. It was a PR dream - especially for one of the less popular theaters in the city. Something about the lack of bullshit extra amenities made them less popular.

So when stupid Cosette - okay, Cosette was almost her friend - found out that Eponine was the manager who’d given the Tin Man back his heart, she just had to use it.

And Eponine couldn’t blame her too much - it put asses in seats, it sold tickets, and as long as she didn’t have to be directly involved in the hype, anything that did those things was fine with her.

But then the Twitter stuff started. There was a hashtag (#enjonine - what did that even mean?). People got way too into this one moment she had with an almost Congressman - they shipped it. There was fanfiction - extremely explicit fanfiction - about what had “really happened” in that theater.

Honestly, something had to be done. Not that the internet could be stopped - there was no undo button once something was out there. But she was damn well going to try to salvage at least some of her reputation as a badass.

Her sister kept sending her links to the fanfiction, and the manips people had made of them together from some pictures she still had up on Facebook. Seriously, her privacy settings were locked down tight now.

This stuff had to stop! But it was such an integral part of the Enjolras is Actually Human platform he was running on that it was impossible for her to do anything about it.

And then, his manager, a way too charming man named Courfeyrac, actually reached out to her about being a part of the conversation. Which was how she ended up coming face to face with Gabriel Enjolras again.

Of course they were surrounded by cameras, and their handshake was more of a photo op than an honest interaction. Cosette had begged her to agree - the words “good publicity” were thrown about at least a dozen times before she finally said yes.

“I really am pleased to see you again,” Enjolras stuck around for the actual chat.

The writers of the fluff pieces that would undoubtedly show up online that very day had already left, but the future Congressman was still here.

“I’m not sure I can say the same,” she sighed, rubbing her forehead in an attempt to soothe an imminent migraine.

His shoulders sagged and he suddenly seemed... sad? Why? Why would he even care? Shit, this was just a campaign move for him.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” the robot mask came back on immediately. “If there is anything that I can do...”

She’d just become a random constituent to him. It shouldn’t have made her angry, but it did.

“Turn back to human Enjolras,” she ordered. “Robot you freaks me the fuck out.”

Enjolras laughed then, a laugh that bared his white teeth and made his blue eyes shine under the artificial lights. He’d thrown his head back and she had spent no time whatsoever studying the line of his neck.

It was rude to be that hot.

“Can human me ask you out?” he completely stunned her with his next question.

“I’m sure he can,” she tried for witty to cover up her surprise.

Also, she might have pinched herself just a bit to make sure that this was actually happening.

“I promise I will not be crying,” he continued, the charm completely natural at this point. “And no cameras. Just two humans, on a date.”

Oh, he really was good. And this was what he was really like? It was a good thing she could handle some charm, because this was just unfair.

“As long as it’s just us two humans,” she let her voice trail off. “We can start with coffee. You’re paying.”

He was still smiling - she liked that a lot better than the tears.

#enjonine #enjolras x eponine #you are my revolution #my stories #funny how my e/e stories consistently get liked even months after #so here's the latest offering #to hold y'all over until I finally finish the next chapter of mm

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its-actually-withered · 8 years ago

Text

Another ichiruki fic because I'm literal trash

Title: Roses by another name Fandom: Bleach Rating: T+ Characters: [Ichigo K. Rukia K] Summary: "You're something." A boy, a girl and a stab wound. There are better love stories, but this is theirs. Link

Roses by another other

Rukia has no time for normal.

She's inherited a shady family empire upon her graduation from boarding school, and her stoic older brother pulls no punches about the reality of it. It's something she appreciates after so many years of being in the dark about how exactly the Kuchiki name stayed so prominent over the years.

So she studies under a name that isn't Kuchiki and she does everything in her power to lay low – to learn what she can about what she needs to – the dog eat dog world of finance, business and politics; something that surprisingly her fancypants All Girls Boarding School for Scheming Rich Girls did not cover. Until she's ready, until she can be the heir and right hand her brother needs her to be.

She has no time for normal things like making friends or falling in love, but inevitably, both happen.

Rangiku is a pain in the ass, but she's Rukia's pain in the ass. And honestly, the rowdiness of the Rukongai apartment complex just off West campus was a definite culture shock to what she was used to, something her brother showed little sympathy for (the bastard). Yet somehow Rangiku kept a strange, almost refined control of the chaos in the building. As for Ise, she really is the only sane one besides Rukia herself, and what else was Rukia supposed to do when she found out that Ise was in almost all her classes at the university anyway?

As for the love part, that's a bit more complicated because Rukia had relied almost entirely on her lack of sex appeal and her too-good-for-you nose-in-the-air act that her fancypants All Girls Boarding School for Scheming Rich Girls did cover which would usually deter normal guys.

Unfortunately, Kurosaki Ichigo was not a normal guy.

The first time they meet is definitely no fairytale. Not by a longshot. He doesn't pull up in some horse drawn carriage, and she isn't decked out in some enchanted dress.

In fact, he was bleeding on the floor behind the Starbucks a block away from the Rukongai, and she was wearing sweatpants that she wasn't sure were clean, a shirt that had several holes in it around the one armpit, yesterday's makeup, and an Americano she didn't want but needed because mid-terms are coming and Jesus, why does it feel like she didn't know anything after half a year –

And her response to finding him there – looking valiantly like he wasn't in pain and holding his bleeding side with an equally bloody hand, was, "I thought I looked like hell."

She really was charming; she got it from her brother. (Seriously.) But to her credit, Bleeding Guy's reply wasn't any better: "You're fucking loud, you know that?"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware indoor voices were required in back alleys," she sarcastically replied.

He snorted, and she backtracked on the bitchiness because dude is bleeding, and asked, "Do you need help?"

Huffing through his nose, jaw clenched and eyes narrowed in suspicion, she can practically hear his refusal ringing around in his head, and she really can't wait for him to land on a figure for the probability of him dying here as opposed to accepting the help of some strange girl he met behind a Starbucks so she stooped down to his level and offered a hand. "No hospitals, I'm guessing?"

His eyes are amber, and they glint like a cat's, and she should be concerned and wary and run away right now because – you shouldn't talk to strangers, least of all strangers you meet bleeding in alleys – but her instincts are top notch, and there'd be no harm in being a good Samaritan. She added, waving her offered hand impatiently, "Hurry up, my coffee's getting cold."

"Why are you helping me; I could be a serial killer for all you know."

She considered him for all of four seconds before she shrugged. "Maybe, but what are the chances we're both serial killers?"

And that's the line that gets him because two minutes later, he has his arm over her shoulders and her arm around his waist supporting him as they hobble towards her apartment.

It being four in the afternoon, the Rukongai was unusually quiet.

Everyone was still nursing hangovers from Rangiku's latest party which coincidentally coincided with Rukia visiting her brother in the city, and the aftereffects just happening to result in a quiet environment for her to study upon her return. (Rukia couldn't help but chuckle at Rangiku's incessant winks and nudges of "Get it?" when she told her of the initial plan, and lamenting how, "You won't be there to see the fun part, but you'll thank me, you'll see.")

The apartment is mercifully clean when they enter, though small and sparse of anything to give Bleeding Guy too much of an idea about who she was, even as she dumps him on the couch and goes to the kitchenette to grab the First Aid kit.

His hair is bright and juvenile, and that's what she focuses on instead of all the blood and – "Don't worry, most of it isn't mine."

Her hands shake a little, but her fancypants All Girls Boarding School for Scheming Rich Girls were filled with people who talked a load of shit just to get a reaction. Maintaining a neutral expression, she asked, "Who the hell did you piss off?"

He bared his teeth, caught between a grimace and a grin. "You should see the other guy."

He looked so weirdly proud that it was her turn to snort. "You're such a cliché."

"And you," he began, gaze only flickering briefly into hers, but making her feel exposed all the same, "are something."

She found out a few hours after he left that Rangiku, half dead herself by her own doing, still knew everything that went on in the building and – "I did not K.O everyone for you to get laid," she scolded. "Not that I wouldn't, but I like to know in advance, you know; full disclosure, total honesty."

"There's nothing to be honest about, I didn't get laid."

"Obviously," the busty woman waved off, "you're way too grouchy and confused. What's going on?"

"Nothing," she lied, and at least that was something she was good at, but Rangiku was annoyingly persistent.

"Then who was that guy?"

Drying the coffee cups that they had used after she had cleaned up the stab wound that had grazed his rib (grazed! he really hadn't been lying that the majority of the blood wasn't his) and putting it back in the cupboard, right next to the First Aid kit she needed to restock. "I assume you know him."

"I do, but I want to hear the words from you."

"I found him in an alley, he was hurt, I thought he could use some help."

Shaking her head with a laugh, Rangiku amended, "So you took him in like a stray kitten?"

"Not exactly."

"Trust me, hun," she said, patting her arm, "He doesn't need the help. I'm sure one of his men would have come and gotten him."

"What?"

Her jaw hung slightly ajar at the admission, and because she had a flare for the dramatics, Rangiku's hands flew up to frame her cheeks. "Oh, so you really don't know him?" At her silence, her companion declared, "You're so dense! Everyone knows him, Kurosaki, ring any bells?" Her blank look answered the question, and with a long-suffering sigh, Rangiku tried again, "How about Shiba?"

Rukia's eyes widened. "Like, the crime family, Shiba?"

"The one and only," she said with some pride. "Word is that Ichigo's extending territory, making the old guys around here antsy, you know how it is."

She did, her family was one of those old guys, and she bit back a curse. That was exactly what she didn't have time for, and she resolved to stick to the plan – stay low and out of the way. Any interaction with Kurosaki Ichigo would just be an inconvenience, something he apparently loved being because three days later, he showed up in her class.

Everyone noticed, of course, because apparently people have been noticing him for ages and she's been laying so low the only thing she'd been seeing were the words in her textbooks.

Ise was filled with warning after, as they sit across from one another in the library, "He's looking at you."

"And what do you want me to do about it?" Rukia demanded; teeth gritted as she repeated the mantra study, study, study even as she could feel his eyes boring into the back of her head.

"You've heard about him, then?"

"I have," she eventually replied.

Her brother had agreed that having her own security detail would be counterintuitive in her quest in being invisible but she knew there were at least one of his men watching her, and so she had gotten him to give her intel on one Kurosaki Ichigo.

Renji had delivered. Everything from surveillance of his dodgy dealings, to fights he was involved in, to businesses that went under or rose to prominence under his control as his influence grew, Rukia felt, for an instant, at a loss of how shady her life actually didn't look compared to his.

Renji had side-eyed her hard.

"You need to tell your brother."

"And what will that do? Make him pull me out of uni?"

"No, but he should know. He could do something."

"Like what?"

"…I don't know."

"What are you going to do?" Ise asked for what felt like the third time that morning.

Sighing in frustration, Rukia asked, brow arching sharply, "Can I do something about it?"

Her companion shrugged, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose. "If you do, I'd love to know. This is a lot more entertainment than I gave you credit for."

She snorted because she expected to be the most boring person ever, that was the plan, and it's going to stay that way. "Whatever it is that he wants he won't get it from me."

"Is that so?"

Ise coughed.

And, though Rukia felt like she was being drained of all the colour in her face and going blood red at the same time, she remained composed because she's Kuchiki Rukia, damn it. She did not survive heiress etiquette classes and her fancypants All Girls Boarding School for Scheming Rich Girls to be sent off-kilter by some boy.

Tilting her head to take him in, one hand in the pocket of his pants and the other rested on the table right beside the textbook she was trying to absorb through osmosis, he was a combination of suave and dangerous.

To his credit, he didn't look like some gang banger. His bright orange hair was about the only thing that screamed delinquent, but the rest of him was all tanned, toned, lean muscle and chiseled jawline. He didn't walk around in baggy pants accented with chains; he's got suit trousers on, for goodness' sake. He wasn't even covered in tattoos. Well, except for the ones on his chest, the outlines of the black bands she can just make out from the buttoned-up white shirt that stretches across his – her eyes widened – Oh my god, no.

"Kurosaki," she greeted, neutrally, if not hastily.

"Rukia."

I didn't tell him my name. She's too invisible to know off hand; she isn't a Kuchiki here and the university has more than a thousand students in this part of the campus alone, and all she can think is Why do you know my name?

"Is there something you want?"

"Matter of fact, I do," he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Does it have something to do with you eavesdropping on my conversations, or do you just make it a habit to be nosy?"

"I like to know what goes on in my school."

She snorted quietly. "You think awfully big of yourself."

His shrug was nonchalant. "I know what I am, what I'm capable of, and what I want."

"I'm still waiting on what that has to do with me," she remarked, casting aside her pencil and crossing her arms, head tilted just so in an almost mocking acquiescence of acknowledgment, and that smirk of his got bigger.

"You'll see."

And that's what he left her with, and Ise exhaled deeply, muttering, "Jesus" and Rukia can't disagree because what was that?

She still doesn't tell her brother.

Even when Ichigo sat beside her in class, arm propped up on the back of the bench like that cheesy move guys did when they were at the movies except there's nothing really romantic about it – if the half-lidded gaze he sent the other students says anything at all it's that they shouldn't come near them.

Rukia didn't really mind because that's what lying low meant – no connections, no friends – but she also wanted no attention, and Ichigo's reputation demanded it.

"Can you not?" she hissed.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" Rukia can tell he wanted her to say yes, and give him that validation he wanted that he was the Big Bad Wolf on campus so instead she retorted, "You're more annoying than anything."

He snickered.

At the end of the lecture, he took her books from her and walked her to her next class, and if she wanted to fight about it, she forgets because they end up talking instead:

"The Republic is a load of crap." – He's good at distracting her – She spluttered, "Are you kidding me? It's like the greatest book on leadership ever written, it's still relevant hundreds of years after the fact." – "So is Shakespeare, and the majority of his work consists of dick jokes and sword fights, pun only partially intended." – And she forgets that she has no time for him and the inconvenience he brings because – without fail, she laughs. "Are you actually an idiot or do you have to work at it to convince people you are?" – He rolls his shoulders and smirks again, almost warm, always affectionate. "Depends on the day, depends on the person."

It's a routine she unwittingly gets into, like having coffee with Ise after their study sessions or day drinking wine in her pajamas on her days off with Rangiku as she regales Rukia on her latest escapade. Ichigo with his weird puns and love of Shakespeare and getting so easily ticked off by her to the point where the Big Bad Wolf on campus is pulling his tongue at her and teasing the hell of out her for kicks regardless of whose watching.

He's a friend in a different way that Ise and Rangiku are, Rukia is convinced. And she may not have come here wanting friends, but they're not so bad especially him.

Ichigo with his weirdly gentlemanly like habit of opening doors for her and walking her to class and carrying her books – and so what if he has two noticeably large men following them – him – at a distance or that when their attempts to irritate each other get physical, she never tries to touch him because what if he got in another fight recently and I don't know, and its healing and –

He noticed, of course, he noticed everything.

"Afraid I have cooties or something?"

"I'd be disinfecting myself constantly if that were the case," she retorted before sucking on the straw of her juice box. She'd never had a juice box before she started university, Kuchikis drank out of glasses, and Rukia certainly couldn't picture her older brother drinking out of a box. Ichigo had taken too much pleasure in that fact – that she hadn't tried it before and he was popping her juice box cherry, the nerd.

Swinging her legs from her perch on the railing of the Engineers' Building, the tallest building on campus because – "I like high places." – He huffed. "I hope you aren't thinking of jumping." – She snorted. "If I wanted to kill myself I'd choose something a bit more graceful than ending up like Humpty Dumpty on the sidewalk. Besides, the view's amazing." – "And you wanted to share it with me? I'm honored," he teased, and she almost walked all the way back down just to spite him, but she couldn't because she actually really did want him to see her favorite place.

"Then why is it," he began, suddenly right in front of her, his hands branded on the railing beside her thighs, "you won't touch me?"

Slowly she detached her lips from the straw and flicked his forehead with her index finger. "There. I touched you, satisfied?"

"Not even a little," he murmured, nudging his forehead a little against hers, getting her free hand to grasp at something – least she lose her balance and end up on the pavement– she settled for his hand next to her thigh. "Tell me."

"What's there to tell?" she challenged.

"I'm not the only with secrets."

"You don't have secrets," she retorted, "Everyone knows what you are and what you're capable of."

His agitation beginning to show in the tightening of his jaw as he asked, "So that has something to do with why you won't touch me?"

Rukia hummed, tilting her head so that they were literally nose to nose as she posed, "What if I did touch you…"

"And?"

"And you're hurt," she continued, "like the first day we met. What if I jokingly punch you, and not realize that you broke a rib or something during a fight? What if I touch you, and I hurt you?"

She expected him to snort in amusement as if this little slip of a girl could possibly hurt someone who ran a gang, but he looked to be considering her, eyes intently on hers.

And goddamn it, what was with his eyes? All intense and focused and piercing, and she can feel her blood pressure shoot up, and she demanded against the beating of her heart in her ears, "What?"

"You don't want to hurt me."

"Didn't I just say that?" she asked, rolling her eyes, mentally chanting play it off, play it off, play it off –

"Rukia," he exhaled and her name is like a caress on his tongue, and he was actually smiling as he informed, "you're something."

Snorting unconvincingly, she tried to push him away but did it too quickly that she teetered dangerously on the edge. Fortunately, his reflexes were faster than hers, and he held her to him, arms tight around her body, and her head tucking beneath his chin as she leaned against his chest.

"If it helps," he added, "I don't want to hurt you either."

And yeah, that's the day and the conversation she realized that shit, what have I done?

Friends she can handle; friends, people grow out of all the time, but love? Nonononono –

But whatever it is – was – it ends. Not in the obvious way, he still sits with her, carries her books, teases her relentlessly, but now – now there's a distance. They don't go back to the Engineers' Building.

"Shimizu-san."

Rukia looked up from her lunch, her conversation with Ise about a group project temporarily put on hold at the sound of her fake last name, and the sight of Inoue Orihime.

"Oh, hello Inoue-san," she greeted with a nod. "May I help you?"

The girl is older than Rukia by a year, and they only really have one class together – the one with Ichigo – and they worked together once or twice throughout the year for presentations, but Rukia couldn't claim to know her any more than she would any classmate.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"About what?" Rukia asked, genuinely concerned. They had a presentation in two weeks' time, did Inoue mess up somehow because there was still time to fix it –

"About you and Kurosaki-kun," she said.

She and Ise must have looked pretty comical, blinking in unison as Rukia asked lamely, "I'm sorry?"

Inoue nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry you broke up."

Ise made a sound of disbelief, but Inoue wasn't done, "We dated in high school you know, briefly, and we were just kids then and didn't know what we were doing. And I know it's only been a few days, but I hope you don't mind if we give it another try?"

What. What. What. What?

"Huh?"

She made to bow. "Of course, we don't need your permission, but I thought it would be polite to at least let you know, ne?"

Ise's dying. Rukia can see it, and she can feel her blood pressure spike for an entirely different reason to when she's around that orange haired idiot. Luckily Inoue wasn't waiting for a reply and left immediately after, probably to that same class they both shared with him. Fuck.

"Well."

"Don't say anything," Rukia ordered slowly, rubbing her forehead, her lunch forgotten on her lap. "I'm still trying to process." What was that 'we' Inoue had used? If Ichigo really was getting back together with his ex, why was he still spending so much with her? When did he even have the time to –

"So you and Kurosaki, hm?"

"No!" It doesn't matter, I shouldn't care. "Of course not!"

"Sure."

"Well apparently not," Rukia ranted, "we're hypothetically broken up and his ex-girlfriend is getting in there."

"You want to go claim your man?"

"Shut up."

But yeah, she kind of wanted to because love was an inconvenience that affected proper brain function and – her leg was jigging under the table in impatience because she can feel Inoue looking at them, biding her time for the class to end so she can –god, why is she so pissed it isn't like they're a thing –

Her jigging leg came to stop at the pressure of his hand on her knee. "Stop it."

"I can't," she hissed back.

"Why the hell not?"

"I'm irritated," she blurted instead of the lie she had prepared when she inevitably messed up and let him know that Inoue had bothered her with something so stupid, oh my god, what have I become?

For a few minutes as they paused to listen to what remained of the lecture, he asked above the hum of students getting up to leave around them, "Do you wanna to talk about it?"

She can see Inoue moving in for the kill out of the corner of her eye, and with a strained exhale and a message to whatever gods were listening to make this quick, she replied, "You'll see."

He didn't.

Without even lifting his head to acknowledge Inoue, a message on his phone distracting him, he stood. "I got to go, something came up."

Rukia blinked; the warmth of him by her side and the weight of his hand on her knee gone so fast she was left cold. "What? What's happening?"

He managed to throw her a smirk. "Don't worry, it'll be quick. I'll see you later."

Inoue's sunny smile was considerably dimmed as Rukia too stood to follow him out of the lecture hall, his long strides making her practically run to catch up to him in the hallway. "Wait, what? I'm seeing you later?"

"Yeah, don't worry I'll text you," he said, nodding at the two men that followed him about to go ahead, and there's a frantic voice in the back of Rukia's head telling her that something is going down, something dangerous and Ichigo could –

She didn't realize that he had his lips pressed against her hair until she's engulfed by him, his tall frame acting as a buffer between her and the people around them. He wasn't even touching her, really, but Rukia can feel the heat of him sinking into her pores, and she heard herself sigh as he pulled away.

"I'll be back, I promise."

It was two and the morning and she was still waiting on that promise.

Her phone had been fully charged for two of those hours, and she'd been pacing the length of her small apartment for about the same time. She had studied, revised and covered an entire wall in course material, telling herself that she wasn't waiting, she was studying.

When there was a knock at her door, she ignored it, instead glancing at her phone.

Rangiku had been checking up on her periodically for hours so when the knock on the door became more insistent, she called out, "I'm busy Rangiku."

"But I brought food."

That wasn't Rangiku.

Throwing open the door, Ichigo filled the frame – a box of pizza in hand and a bluish bruise on his jawline. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, searching his face.

"The line at Donatello's was brutal."

"Don't talk shit, what happened? It's midnight!"

"It's two, actually, but I'm sure you knew that," he said, sliding the box of pizza onto the center table and sliding onto the couch gingerly. "Were you waiting for me?"

"You said you'd text," she defended, before getting right back on the topic at hand because if he thought for one second she would forget –

"I'm part of a gang, I'm sure you know," Ichigo remarked. "This," he gestured, "tends to happen."

"Oh my god," she exhaled. "Are you hurt anywhere else? Bleeding maybe?"

"Nah, I'm starving though." Popping open the box, he added, "I wasn't in the mood to pick out the pineapples this time, hope you don't mind."

Seriously? Was this her life now?

"You give me anxiety," she declared, sitting beside him and resting her head over the back of the couch.

"Were you worried?"

"Don't be a jerk, of course I was."

The ass looked like he was smiling, and she pointed at him. "You better be happy because that pizza is amazing and not because you're taking pleasure in giving me grey hairs."

He raised his free hand in surrender, adding, "I won though." And she sighed, closing her eyes.

They spent a few minutes in silence, Rukia on the cusp of sleep as she heard Ichigo move about her apartment before she felt a considerable weight on her lap. Peeking out between her lashes, she said, "I swear to god, if you put the head of the person you beat on my lap, I will stab you."

"It's my head."

"Knew it felt pretty empty," she noted to his snicker.

"What happened?" she ventured to ask a beat or two later, and he sighed.

"Work, it rarely happens now that things get physical, but my dad had an old score to settle and I wasn't about to let him go alone."

"If you work, why are you studying?"

"Can't run a business without some know-how," he mused, "You would know, wouldn't you?"

She tensed. "You looked me up, Kurosaki?"

"I wouldn't be very smart if I didn't, Kuchiki." To this she was silent, and he added, "Shimizu fits you, in some respects though – clean, pure – bet you never had to do any of the dirty work yourself."

"No," she allowed, exhaling and feeling the tension ease. "I never even knew, not until my parents died and my brother was in charge."

"Both of them?" he asked.

"Yeah, car accident," she recalled, "allegedly."

"Huh," he mused. "My mom was murdered when I was nine on our way home from karate practice so mine was a bit more jarring..."

"It ain't a competition, Kurosaki," she reminded, pinching his nose in retaliation.

He chuckled. "I know." A second later, "I'm sorry about your parents."

"I'm sorry about your mom," she returned.

In unison, they exhaled, and the air was clear. "What happens now?"

"I spoke to your brother."

That was unexpected. "What?"

He shrugged. "Your family is old and traditional as fuck, I figured if you had to date a gang member, the least I could do was be polite about it."

"Who said I wanted to date you?"

"Fine," he declared, and she can practically feel him roll his eyes. "Court you, then."

Making an exaggerated face of disgust, she added, "Ew."

Next thing she knew, he had tugged her down to press his lips against hers, and apparently that was the deal being sealed.

Between their exchange of breaths, he murmured, "You're something, Kuchiki Rukia" and that was better than any declaration of love she could ask for, and it certainly didn't hurt that a second later, he promised, "I'll give you a city" because she was a graduate of a fancypants All Girls Boarding School for Scheming Rich Girls, and spoilt little rich girls loved grand gestures like that.

A/n: Lols, the trash. I'm terrible and I'm not sorry.

This story is also available on wattpad with the same name, but with original characters because, why not?

Thanks for reading!

#bleach #bleach fanfiction #ichiruki #ichiruki college #AU #SHIPPER TRASH #Ichiruki for always #rangiku matsumoto #Nanao Ise #Ichigo Kurosaki #rukia kuchiki #crime families #gangs

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