#she slipped and tripped some but didn’t fall even in heavy rain

[iwatcheditbegin]

I know puberty is hell but I’m curious as to how Taylor managed to go from Bambi to barely slipping at all even in heavy rain while standing on a LED screen in heels

[darkesttimelinestuff]

"Don't worry, I got you."

Day 4 of Fictober and I'm trying my hand at some spooky X-Files shit.

Prompt #2 - "Don't worry, I got you."

The muddy earth sloshed beneath their feet. Last night’s rain surely washed away most of the evidence, but Mulder insisted on seeing the body, ritualistically posed, immediately. A cloud of mist persisted in the dense forest, but the agents pressed onward toward the crime scene. 

They reached a clearing where the body lay untouched. 

“It’s right through there,” said the young officer acting as their guide.

Scully thanked her and began examining the mutilated body, Mulder close on her heel. 

The victim was young, maybe in his late teens or early twenties, and splayed out on a large rock. His was cut open, his insides draped and adorned him like fine clothes. The putrid stench that filled the air of the clearing was inescapable. 

Mulder immediately turned away in disgust, a hand to his mouth and nose blocking the smell. Instead, he examined the surrounding area for clues, keeping as far away from Scully and the victim as possible.

“Well, it’s just like the other ones,” Scully said, coming up behind him and removing her gloves. “The body is posed in the same manner. Same M.O. as before, right down to the crown of intestines.”

This was the fourth killing of this nature, but Mulder grimaced every time. “How long has he been here?”

“I’d say a few days, maybe a week. This is a pretty remote location. We’re pretty deep in the woods.”

Yeah, if that hiker hadn’t stumbled upon this, who knows how long it wouldn’t taken to find him.”

Mulder called to the local law enforcement to have the body sent to a Dr. Dana Scully at the F.B.I. A special gift, just for her. 

“What about you?” she asked. “Find anything?”

“Just like the other ones,” he echoed. He put a hand to the small of her back and led her to a set of flat rocks on the edge of the clearing. She shivered under his touch. 

On the rocks there were candles with a wreath of leaves and flowers, an ornate silver crucifix, and scattered salt. Same as before. Scully nodded and walked around the makeshift witch’s table, taking in the whole picture.

“What is it?” Mulder asked. 

Scully shook her head and circled the rocks, looking contemplative. Mulder, unsure of what to look for, followed behind. 

Without warning Mulder was on his back, taking Scully down with him. She fell onto his chest. His breath was heavy and ragged from the fall, blowing her hair with each exhale. They stared at one another in a moment of surprise. 

Scully apologized, pushing awkwardly off his chest in an effort to climb off him. Mulder stood beside her brushing dirt off his tailored suit. 

“What happened,” she asked, with genuine concern. 

“I’m not sure. There was some…”

But then he lost his balance again, his arms flailing.

“Don’t worry, I got you,” Scully said, reaching out to steady him. He caught her arm, finding his balance. 

“Uneven ground,” he finished.

The agents bent to investigate the area beneath their feet. Next to them was a patch of sticks and leaves, more heavily concentrated than the rest of the clearing. 

“Mulder,” Scully said urgently. “You’re bleeding.”

She pointed to a trail of blood on his left hand.

“I didn’t even feel it,” Mulder said. 

Together she and Mulder unearthed a slightly buried dagger with a short, leather-bound handle, and discovered that Mulder had tripped on a large hole covered by forest debris. A human trap. And a folded piece of paper. 

As an officer approached them to ask about Mulder’s fall, Scully noticed Mulder slip the paper into his pocket. She held his gaze, but didn’t say anything.

*****

“So what did you find?” Mulder said by way of greeting when Scully walked through the office door. She set down her bag and two coffees. He grabbed one. 

“Nothing unusual. For this case,” she emphasized, sitting opposite Mulder. 

“I did some research on some of the witch material we found yesterday.

“Witch?” Scully arched a brow.

Not to be discouraged by Scully’s questioning, he continued. “The dagger is called an athame. It’s used in rituals, to command spirits and direct energies. In the Satanic arts.”

“Mulder…” Scully interrupted. 

“But there was also the crucifix and salt,” Mulder continued. “Someone cast a protection spell. There were two forces at work.”

“Good against evil?”

Mulder nodded. “Exactly.”

“But evil won.”

“This time.”

“What about the paper?” Scully inquired.

“That,” Mulder said, taking the paper from his jacket pocket and placing it on the desk in front of Scully, “is up for debate. This drawing is of the Romanian Muma Padurii, or Mother of the Forest. She is known as an ugly old woman who can transform her body. An urban folk legend used to scare children into being good.”

“Be good, kids, or the Boogie Monster will get you.”

“She lives in a dark little house in the forest,” he continued, “and kidnaps children to enslave them.”

“Or murder them,” Scully offered.

“Or maybe protect them,” he countered.

“Or a seriously disturbed person, inspired by Eastern European folklore, wants to make this look like witch’s ritual killing.”

“No, I think this witch is casting protection spells against a Satanist,” Mulder said.

“So, how do we find a shape-shifting witch?”

“I’m so glad you asked,” Mulder said, smiling. “There are a large number of spells that can be used to defeat her, according to legend. Or, in our case, find her.”

“Mulder, no.”

“Get out your crystal ball, Scully. We’re going to find a witch!”

[social-mockingbird]

sunlight eyes

(an Obiyuki Cowboy Bebop AU)

obiyuki bingo 2023, yeehaw! this is my first time participating, and I’m really excited to see all of the entries and post my own! this particular fic is based on the finale of cowboy bebop (with some changes, obviously) because apparently I like sadness. it was hilarious to see the similarities between the two shows: namely the existentialism and tendency towards poetic monologues, except it’s hopeful in AnS and sad in CBB. go figure. enjoy!

________

Zen’s eyes were dead before the rest of him was, and he was pointing a gun at her.

“You didn’t come because of the rain?” Her hands were in her pockets in a deliberate act of nonchalance. They were also the only part of her that was shaking.

“I was supposed to kill you,” Zen said, steady in his aim. “That day, if I had killed you, I would have been free.”

“So why didn’t you?” Shirayuki could feel her composure slipping. Zen’s eyes were so dark, devoid of anything human. Once they’d been brighter than the summer skies. She’d lain under their gaze and flown. “Why did you choose to be chased, Zen, it doesn’t make sense.”

“Why did you love me?”

“What?”

The gun was rattling. “Why did you love me?”

Shirayuki couldn’t breathe. She’d waited for him that day, waited and let herself cry, letting the thunder mingle with her sobs, and she’d wondered then if there had ever been any love in his eyes, or if it was just the thrill of illegality. She’d been poisoned by him. She’d fallen in love with an illusion, and now she was terrified of waking up.

Zen had put down his gun. His hands were on her shoulders. He was embracing her, fingers in her hair, breath on her neck. She couldn’t move a muscle.

“Let’s just run away somewhere,” Zen said in her ear, and his voice was warm on her skin. “Just the two of us. Escape this world—go where no one else is. Fly away with me, Shirayuki. Please. It’ll be like a dream.”

Something deep in Shirayuki’s chest snapped. She could feel her feet on the ground, solid on the wet gravel. She could feel how his hands were clenched behind her back, not touching her despite his loving embrace. He was almost falling into her, heavy, trapping her in place.

And yet, if she opened her mouth, she knew she’d say yes. ___

There was a time when the smoke would have bothered her lungs, when she would have hated the acrid taste on her tongue, when she would have stolen the smokes from her friends’ fingers and crushed them under her boots. Shirayuki had been a healer, and she’d believed in the sanctity of the body.

But now she breathed in the nicotine with a straight face, reveling in the calm it brought her thudding heart.

The year was 2071, and it was always raining. Someone poked her arm.

“Thinking too much, cowgirl?”

“Not thinking at all.” White hair in an arc of blood. Birds like reapers carrying his soul away in their wake. Blue eyes turning to glass.

“Then what’s that frown for?”

“Obi, stop.” Shirayuki dodged his prodding finger, almost stepping out from under the wing of the ship into the pouring rain.

It was raining then, too. Hazy like a nightmare.

In response, Obi slung a blanket over her shoulders. His hands were warm even through the fabric. He never could seem to lash back out at her. 

“You’ll catch a cold like that,” he said, grinning as Shirayuki fumbled with the blanket and draped it over her arms like a cape. “Mitsuhide’s making breakfast.”

“Eggs again?”

“It’s all we’ve got, so don’t complain,” Mitsuhide yelled from somewhere inside the ship. How he’d heard Shirayuki from that far was a mystery. Maybe he was running on autopilot.

Obi’s skin had the same greyish shadow as Shirayuki’s did in the overcast light, but there was still a rosy undertone to his face that hadn’t been there in a long time. She’d never admit it did her good to see some color in his cheeks. Obi had been fresh out of snark and sarcasm lately since his last impromptu trip, and it had bothered her more than she’d like to admit to see him looking so serious.

“I’m not going to leave again,” Obi said quietly.

“Huh?” Shirayuki turned, finally looking him in the eye. Gold was so different than blue.

“My memory came back.”

Shirayuki blinked. “I thought it wasn’t going to. Obi, you hit your head so hard.”

Blood on the pavement, blood on her hands. She’d screamed his name when he wouldn’t wake up. That day he’d promised to tell her where he was going every time he left—and for someone so secretive, he’d never broken that promise.

“Nothing good came of it,” Obi laughed, bitterness on his tongue. “There was nowhere for me to return to. Torou’s long gone. I can never be Nanaki again. This—you were the only thing I could return to.”

“Obi, wait—”

“Let me finish, please.” Obi, usually so deferent to her, was facing her with thunder in his eyes. Shirayuki closed her mouth.

“You’re leaving. I can see it in your eyes. That mess with Zen and with Izana is getting to you, and you’re going to leave, and knowing you, you’re going to do it when I can’t go after you.”

Shirayuki dropped the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under her boot to avoid looking at him.

“You’re going to do something hopelessly noble and horrifically stupid and I—Shirayuki, I can’t lose you.”

“You wouldn’t be losing me, Obi, I’m not going there to die.”

“Zen’s gone,” Obi said quietly. “Isn’t he?”

He was falling like a trapeze artist without a net, boots sliding on the rain-slick rooftop. She’d felt something tear in her throat when she screamed and she scraped her hands and knees when she fell beside him, cradling his body in her arms, hoping there was still light in his eyes, shaking him, praying. Why couldn’t she stop crying?

“Izana’s men killed him,” Shirayuki was able to say, wondering vaguely why her cheeks were wet. “I have to go after him. He can’t keep doing this to people, it’s not right. He killed his own brother because of me.” “This is…a dream?”

Zen pulled her close, blood-spattered hands clutching her lapels. He was so heavy in her arms.

She hated herself for lying to Obi. There was nothing noble about what she planned to do. Izana had killed Zen, and there was a hole in her heart that needed fixing.

His gaze was far away, and he was smiling, looking through her.

“Yeah,” she’d choked. “Just a dream.”

There was one other thing she couldn’t tell Obi. She prayed he couldn’t see it in her face.

“Food’s getting cold,” Mitsuhide shouted from inside, and Shirayuki got caught up in racing Obi for breakfast, glad she didn’t have to keep fielding his questions. There would be time enough to answer all of his questions if she was right. And if she wasn’t, well…he could find the answers on his own.

____

It was quiet on the ship when Shirayuki left her room. They were drifting gently through space, sleeping with the stars, and she took advantage of the silence, sneaking to the dock. The tiny exploration ship sagged a bit, but it would do.

She heard the click before Obi stepped out of the darkness, pointing his pistol at her.

“Where are you going?”

Shirayuki lifted her hands, pivoting to face him. She hadn’t noticed him in the shadows.

“Where are you going?” Obi repeated. He was close to her now, gun lowered to her belly. She knew it was just a way to get her to talk. He’d told her the day he boarded the Bebop that hurting her was never something he planned to do. She’d taken it as a joke then, but he’d kept his promise. Obi never seemed to break his word. Unlike her.

“You told me once,” Obi said, resting the gun gently against Shirayuki’s stomach, flicking the safety on, “that the past didn’t matter.”

“I don’t care what your real name is,” Shirayuki had grumbled, the softness of her hands contrasting with her sharp tone. “I don’t care what you did before. Can you just stop letting your past rule you? It doesn’t matter. In the end it’s just a stepping stone. And no one dwells on those.”

Obi looked at the girl bandaging his arm, feeling her warm fingers on his skin, and wondered why there were tears standing in her eyes.

Shirayuki nodded.

“Then why are you so tied to yours?” Obi had lowered the gun now, and was almost leaning into her space, nose inches from hers.

“I’m not,” she protested. “I have to go, Obi, please—”

Obi grabbed her arms, not hurting her, but keeping her in place. “I never thought I’d see the day you went for revenge, Shirayuki. If I know you, that’s not what this is, despite what you want me to think. Please don’t lie to me.”

Why had she loved Zen so much?

“You’re right, it’s not for revenge.” Shirayuki was desperate now. She could feel her heart beating, her pulse picking up, and it was getting harder to tamp down. “I have to go, Obi, I have to see if-if he really loved me and if I loved him and if it was worth it.” She broke his gaze and looked at her feet. “I have to see if he’s worth dying for.” Her voice was too shaky and quiet for her liking. “He decided I was and I want to return the favor.”

Obi felt cold. “You—that’s not something you repay, Shirayuki. Death doesn’t have to be life for life, especially when the person who died for you didn’t really love you in the first place.”

That’s what Obi wanted to say. He wanted to shake Shirayuki, wanted to tell her that she shouldn’t throw her life away. That Zen had loved the game of her hatred for Izana more than he’d loved her. That he’d loved defying Izana by being with her. That Zen died because Izana didn’t forgive betrayal, and his revenge was vicious. Obi knew enough after talking to Mitsuhide, and everything else he’d figured out on his own.

But he didn’t.

Obi instead put his hands on Shirayuki’s shoulders and pulled her into his arms.

Weightless on his feet, sunlight in his eyes. Obi was light in every sense of the word.

Shirayuki snaked her fingers around Obi’s waist, burying her face in his neck. It was all she could do. It hurt to hold him but she wasn’t letting go.

When he put his hands on her shoulders, she didn’t feel like she was being weighed down, only filled up. “This isn’t something you solve by dying,” Obi said in her ear. “You’re gonna carry that weight of feeling like you don’t understand and don’t deserve someone’s sacrifice, and that’s okay. He wanted you to live, Shirayuki—I want you to live.” Obi held her tighter. “And if that means carrying the weight with you, say the word. But please don’t go down this path. Don’t die for someone who doesn’t deserve you.”

Shirayuki stiffened and Obi was terrified she’d been offended.

“I’m not going there to die, Obi,” she said, almost too quietly for him to hear. She slid her hands up his back, over the planes of his shoulders. Obi shivered, just a little. “I’m going there to find out if I’m really alive.”

Obi leaned back and looked her in the eyes.

“Well, now, if that isn’t the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” he said, laughing a little, raising an eyebrow, and then Shirayuki was pulling him forward with her hands in his hair, and Obi couldn’t remember anything else he’d planned to say because Shirayuki’s mouth was the softest thing he’d ever tasted. She kissed him long and sweet, letting him hold her waist and press into her, and Obi tried his hardest not to think about how much this felt like a goodbye.

Shirayuki pulled back first, hands gentle on the back of Obi’s neck, a little dazed. She hadn’t really thought before kissing Obi and now she couldn’t think at all.

Why had she loved Zen?

Obi was leaning down, chasing her mouth, and she tilted up into him, closing her eyes. She felt tears on her cheeks and realized they weren’t hers, and her hands went to Obi’s face, cupped his jaw, wiped his tears with her thumbs. Zen kissed her like a guilty man and held her like a dragon.

Obi was oh-so-gently stroking her sides with his thumbs, and through his tears was able to smile into her mouth when it made her gasp.

Obi made her feel like she was flying, and like she’d have somewhere to land.

Obi said her name and ran a hand into her hair.

It was so hard to figure out why she’d loved Zen.

Resting her head on his shoulder, reveling in his warmth, Shirayuki felt safe and contented. It was so easy to love Obi. “I’ve never carried anything, Obi,” Shirayuki said, under her breath, half-hoping he couldn’t hear. “Not really. Not with you around.”

She hadn’t loved Zen. She couldn’t. Not really.

She was never meant to.

“Then don’t. Live with me.”

Shirayuki pressed her lips to his cheeks, one after the other, kissing away the still-present tears.

“I still have to fight Izana,” she told him, and Obi nodded once.

“Don’t you dare do it without me.”

____

The elevator door opened and Shirayuki charged out, red hair and a spray of bullets, and Izana’s men dropped like dolls onto the slick linoleum. The main doors opened when she slammed into them, driving her shoulder into the curving floral dragons that embossed the wood. The roof exploded. Shirayuki flung up her arms and dove for the ground, debris raining down on her from above. She could hear Izana’s footsteps on the great stairs at the front of the room. She stood and shook herself, ears ringing, as Izana descended under the newly revealed night sky.

“I told you before, Shirayuki,” Izana said, pulling two silver katanas from a sheath on his back, “Zen’s death meant yours was next.”

“And if I return the favor?”

Clack-clack-clack went her pistol as she reloaded it. Izana quirked a brow.

“Either way, Zen doomed you to die. This was your destiny from the beginning.”

“Zen’s death has nothing to do with me anymore.” Shirayuki took aim, closed an eye. “Let’s end it all.”

“As you wish.”

She moved before he did, boots clattering halfway up the stairwell, bullets clashing with Izana’s blades. Shirayuki swooped under, shooting a katana out of Izana’s hand as he swiped at her, slicing her thigh, her side. Izana’s hand came down on her gun as hers grasped the handle of his sword, and they were locked, arms shuddering as they fought for control.

“You don’t control me,” Shirayuki growled. “You never did.”

Izana stepped back suddenly, reclaiming his sword, pushing her gun back into her hands.

“Then show me.”

Izana’s sword was a silver arc spinning towards her gut, and Shirayuki fired, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get out of the way, watching the bullet gleam, dreamlike, watching it find the mark.

Izana fell.

His sword stopped inches from her stomach.

Obi was holding the blade of the katana in a gloved hand, turning it in the air, flinging it far. His fingers were cut and bleeding and they were both alive.

Izana coughed, once, and quit breathing.

Then Obi was wrapped around her and Shirayuki went limp in his arms. ____

The first rays of dawn made the courtyard blindingly bright. Izana’s men watched the figure stagger out from the wreckage, raising guns and swords.

Obi set Shirayuki down and kissed her cheek, lowering his stance, prepared to run. He was holding Izana’s swords. Shirayuki raised her arm, pointing at Izana’s men, fingers in the shape of a gun. The smile came easily to her face now. It was so easy to smile when there was nothing weighing you down.

“Bang.”

And they charged.

--------

@snowwhite-andtheknight

[tswaney17]

Daddy's Snowball

This might be the cheesiest of cheesy fluff that it's almost cringeworthy. ��� My one Christmas fic turned into an AU (honestly, who's even surprised?) so there will be three, possibly four parts to this that I'll be posting throughout the month. This first part, basically Az being a simp for his wife and son. Enjoy, and happy holiday's! 💙

My fanfic account: @tswaney17fics​​​

My ao3 account: tswaney17

Please let me know what you think about this update. I love getting your feedback. Constructive criticism is always welcome. 💕

Trigger warnings: tooth-decaying fluff.

Word Count: 1,820

Azriel had his hands, elbow-deep in the sink as he finished washing the dishes from their breakfast. Elain had made a brioche French toast that was unbelievably delicious—though everything she made was always wonderful.

His wife was currently cleaning the syrupy mess that was their son. By the time he finished eating, Azriel was pretty sure more of the sugar glue had ended up on his face and hands than in his mouth. He smiled to himself at the image.

Sunday was always his favorite day of the week. Because, on Sunday, he, Elain, and Kaden sat down for breakfast and then spent the rest of the day together. Sometimes they planned little day trips. Others, they spent lounging around the house just playing with their son. Kaden had quickly caught on to their Sunday rituals and started voicing his own suggestions for what they should do. Going to the zoo, watching a movie, or spending the afternoon at the park were just a few of his many ideas.  

He was finishing up wiping off the counter when a little hand tugged at his pant leg.

“Daddy,” Kaden looked up at him with those large, pleading eyes that had his heart melting in his chest. “Can we go outside to pway in the snow?”

A smile took over his face. “Of course. But we need to get our snow gear on.” He dropped the towel on the counter and held his hand out for him. “Come on, let’s go get changed.”

Small, tanned fingers grabbed his ring finger and pinky as they walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his bedroom. Azriel grabbed all of Kaden’s winter clothing, his snow pants, and a sweater, helping him change. “Your jacket is by the door and so are your boots. I’ll meet you down there.”

“Tank you, daddy!” he called, racing from his bedroom.

Az chuckled, shaking his head at the hyperactivity his son was now displaying from his sugary breakfast. Quickly pulling on his rain pants over his jeans and thick socks, he met Kaden at the back door where Elain was zipping up his jacket.

“Don’t forget your gloves,” she told their son, helping him stuff his hands into snow gloves. “And a hat,” Elain added with a giggle, flopping a blue beanie on top of his rogue curls.

She turned, eyes beaming. “You too,” she said and tugged a beanie over Azriel’s head.

He leaned forward for a quick kiss as their son slid open the door and plunged into the snow. “Can I convince you to join us?”

“Oh, no. It’s much too cold for me. Plus, this is good to spend time with him alone. I’ll make some hot chocolate for you guys and come get you in about an hour.”

Azriel pecked her soft, pink lips again. “You’re too good to me.”

Elain’s fingers slipped into the hair at his nape, holding him there for a few more seconds.

He would’ve stayed rooted to the spot in the open doorway, kissing his fucking amazing, beautiful wife, had a high pitched, “Daddy!” not beckoned him to the frozen wasteland they called their backyard. Elain’s gardens flourished the rest of the year, but very little could thrive in Velaris’s harsh winters.

“Coming, buddy!” he called out, closing the door behind him as he trudged out in the nearly two-foot-deep white blanket that covered their yard.

It was cold enough that Kaden didn’t sink too far in, the underneath layer frozen. But Az’s heavy, muscular body sent his steps nearly to the ground. He snatched his son around the waist, tossing him in the air and catching him under his arms.

Kaden squealed, falling into him as they both landed in the snow, the little one on his chest. The happy giggles coming from his son’s lips were one of his favorite sounds, ones he collected like precious stones to store and take out when he was having a bad day.

“Can you do a snow angel, Kaden?” he asked, lying him down on his back.

Those hazel and green eyes looked up at him in such wonderment. Azriel sometimes forgot how innocent children were until Kaden came into his and Elain’s lives. They were his providers, his caregivers, his everything. It gave him whiplash how much their lives had changed since his adoption.

“Okay,” he started, positioning his limbs. “Be a starfish.” He followed his orders, his limbs forming a spread eagle. “Now slide your arms up and down.”

Kaden’s arms shuffled, pushing the snow around.

“And your legs,” he guided gripping the tip of his boots to direct him into the proper motion. “All right, up we go.” Az grabbed him and hauled him into his arms. “Look at your snow angel, buddy!”

Those eyes widened in child-like astonishment. “Now you, daddy!”

Setting Kaden down on the ground, Azriel flopped back into the snow, swishing his limbs to create his angel right next to his son’s. White powder dusted his dark hair, collected at the collar of his jacket, but he didn’t care. Not when it produced the precious, toothy grin on his son’s face.

“You’re so big,” Kaden stated, pointing at his snow angel once he climbed back to his feet. “Will I get big like you, daddy?”

He ruffled dark hair under his beanie. His soul softened every time Kaden called him that name—it had taken a while for him to grow comfortable with it.

At one point in his life, Azriel believed he’d never be worthy of a wife, of children. And then Elain came along and turned every doubt, every insecurity, into something he fought to concur. His demons, his past, they couldn’t touch him because of her love, her undying affection. He adored her for it.

��One day, you’ll be as big and strong as me,” Az promised, cradling the back of his head, and letting his thumb swoop in his loose curls. He could see it, with Kaden copying a lot of what he did. Elain had probably two hundred photos and videos on her phone, catching him grabbing more meat and veggies after Azriel did, trying to mimic him doing pushups when he worked out at home, sitting at his desk scribbling on paper pretending to work with him, tinkering in his shed with him. It was, undoubtedly, the cutest thing.

Those sweet eyes lit up at his words. A few weeks ago, Kaden announced he wanted to be “just like daddy,” and Azriel would be lying if he said that proclamation had him both puffing up his chest in pride and wanting to sob at the same time. It also had him stepping up his game to be an even better role model for his son.

They rolled around in the snow, tossing handfuls of it up into the air and letting it rain down on them, when he asked, “Kaden, do you want me to show you how to make a snowball?”

“Yes! Show me, daddy!” he cheered, running to plop himself on the ground next to Azriel’s hip.

He grabbed a handful of snow, forming and shaping it into a perfect sphere, explaining to Kaden how to pack it and smooth out the edges. Over his many years of snowball fights with his brothers, he learned quickly how to create the perfect ball.

His son watched him attentively, trying to copy his movements. “Like this, daddy?” he asked, presenting Azriel with a misshapen white blob of snow.

Az had to hold in his chuckle, knowing that as soon as Kaden threw it, the ball would disintegrate in midair. “Very good, buddy. Would you like me to help you make one of daddy’s snowballs?”

He nodded his head enthusiastically.

Digging into the ground, he told him, “First off, you want to get the right kind of snow. The top layer is typically too soft to hold together, so go down a little bit and get some of the firmer snow underneath.” He helped Kaden dig down, collecting a handful of snow in his small, gloved palms.

“Next, we want to pack it together.” Folding his hands over his sons, he helped him tighten the snow into a firm ball. “And then, shape it so it’s round.” He dusted off some of the rougher edges until it was smooth. “And there we go, a perfect snowball.”

Az lifted Kaden to his feet, aiming him for one of the close trees. “Try and hit the trunk.”

He threw the snowball with all his might, the frozen thing missing the tree by a good three feet. Az laughed. “Good try, bud. Here, let’s make more and try it again.”

Sitting on the ground, not caring that his ass was currently frozen, he made snowball after snowball for his son who took every single one in an attempt to hit the tree trunk.

Finally, after thirty balls or so, he did, the bark covered in a splotch of white. “Daddy!” he screamed in delight. “I did it! Did you see?” A little body came crashing into his chest, arms thrown around his neck.

“Awesome job, Kaden!” He hugged him tightly, taking every advantage he got while his son was still young, knowing that when he got older, hugs would become less and less frequent. The realization had him holding Kaden closer.  

The sound of the sliding door opening caught his attention. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Elain, leaning against the doorframe with a smile gracing her face.

“Boys, come inside before you freeze. I’ve made hot chocolate,” she beckoned.

Azriel rose to his feet, still holding his son against his chest.

“With marshmallows, momma?”

Gods, the smile on Elain’s lips would one day make his heart stop. It was so beautiful, so bright, that it lit up the darkest corners of his troubled past. Made him feel warmth, unlike anything he’d ever experienced.

“Yes, with marshmallows. I’ve already put some in your cocoa.” She leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss Kaden’s reddened cheek and then placed another on his. “Come in before you let all the hot air out.”

He set his son down, halting him when he started to run off to the kitchen. “Boots and jacket off, buddy. We don’t track snow all through momma’s house.”

After stripping him down to appropriate houseware, Kaden took off for the kitchen where yet another sugary concoction was waiting for him. “He’s going to be bouncing off the walls today.”

Elain laughed, looping her arm with his. “Yeah, well, he’s sweet and deserves it.”

Azriel looked down at her in awe. Because he knew she was right. They wanted to spoil their son with love, and he did just that. Sitting down at the table, he clinked his mug with Kaden’s and then Elain’s, thinking just how lucky he was to have this perfect little family.

~~~~~~

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[morganofthewildfire]

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After The Rain - Chapter 3

The Nightmare

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masterlist

~1.5k words

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1923

She was in utter darkness. There was something scratchy covering her eyes, and no matter how much she tried to claw at it, she couldn’t remove it. Maybe that was due to the way her arms were bound, maybe that was due to the hands on her, clawing at her dress and her legs. She was being pulled backward, struggling and kicking as she was rolled in her stomach.

Hands roughly pawed at her body, and she panted for air, suffocated by the sickening stench in the room. The stench of death.

They’d been so close. They’d been so close. But it was futile, and too late, and now he was paying the cost. Not her, but it should’ve been her. It should’ve been her. 

She gasped for air, her heart beating painfully as she was lifted up by her bound arms, the rope hung to a hook, keeping her uncomfortably slung into a sitting position. She still couldn’t see either, the blindfold covering her eyes.

“This’ll teach you what happens when you try to leave,” a sharp voice she didn’t recognize hissed in her ear, and there was nothing she could do as her dress was ripped off, leaving her in her underclothes. She kicked at the culprit, shouting expletives, but he didn’t try anything more, leaving her hanging there. Alone. 

She panted, fighting the ache in her body as she shook her head, trying to loosen the blindfold enough to see. She could hear the distinct sound of a body being dragged across the stone, his body. 

There was shuffling, so much shuffling and noise, a creaking of a door opening and then being slammed shut. And then she was really alone. 

Until the door creaked open again, and slow footsteps sounded her way. She shook her head again, managing to get the blindfold to slip a little bit down her nose. And she nearly vomited at the sight in front of her. It was - 

Celaena jerked awake, sweat running out of every pore in her body, making her nightgown and her sheets stuck to her skin. She breathed heavily, lifting a shaky hand to brush back her sweaty hair. Fighting the nausea roiling through her, she scrambled out of the bed, reaching for her pitcher of water. 

She poured herself a glass, draining it quickly. Some of it spilled down her chin, and she wiped it away, closing her eyes and sighing. 

She didn’t like to think about her past very often, and what had happened to finally make her snap and run away. Again. But sometimes it slipped into her dreams, where she wasn’t prepared to fight it. 

It was miserable, but the only thing she could do was keep going with her day. She was away from it now. Away from everything that had forced her to end up in that situation. 

Celaena huffed a heavy sigh, setting down the glass and smoothing back the loose strands of her braid. Her hair had been cut short in the style of the times when she was about sixteen, but she’d let it grow since then, and now it reached to about her waist. It wasn’t always practical, but she wasn’t going to cut it now.

It was still dark out, but knowing she wasn’t going to get any more sleep, she headed toward her armoire, grabbing a change of clothes and her well worn pair of brown boots. Might as well get started with her day now.

-----

The sun was out this time as she left her cottage, hooking her bag over her shoulder as she headed toward the market. Fall was coming, but the last vestiges of summer were still clinging on, and in the daytime it was still quite warm. 

She’d kept her hair in the braid from the nightmare, and opted for a looser cotton dress with short sleeves for her trip. Whenever she didn’t make it to Mistward, she tried to cook as healthily as she could, even though all she ever craved was chocolate cake. If she was being honest, she could barely cook anyway, so she ended up making as simple of meals as possible. 

Arobynn had never taught her to cook; one of the few skills she’d learned nothing about. Maybe it was his attempt at making her dependent; but fuck him, she would survive on her own.

Celaena strolled down to the market, keeping her chin up as she headed not toward the produce stand where she knew she should go, but to the baker down on the other side of the square. Every weekend, all of the vendors in town as well as the farmers in the surrounding area came to the town square to sell their goods in an outdoor market of sorts. Every other day, you’d just have to go to the grocer’s, but she preferred this way. She could get everything at once, but still straight from the source.

“Hello, Elentiya,” the baker greeted, a smile on his face. “What can I get you today?” Celaena smiled back, looking down at the array of pastries. It was all making her mouth water.

“Hmmm,” she answered, considering. “I think I’ll go with a half dozen chocolate hazelnut cookies.” 

“A classic,” the man said, reaching for a paper bag to slide the cookies into. “Just so my best customer knows,” he said, “I’ll be off for the next few days. My wife is taking me into the city to catch a jazz show for our anniversary.” 

“That’s sweet of her,” Celaena replied, pulling out her wallet from her bag to pay for the cookies. “You better let me know how it was when you get back.” 

“Sure will,” the baker said, accepting the money she passed him. He didn’t even need to give her a price, she’d bought these often enough. She thanked him as he gave her her change and the bag of cookies, and then she was waving goodbye as she stepped away from his stand, turning to go attend to more of her chores.

And then - she saw him. 

The silver haired man from the day before. He was standing across the way, leaning against the wall of the grocer’s, smoking a cigarette, a sight that was rare here. But not rare in the city, harking back to where he was from.

He didn’t seem to be shopping, so Celaena knew he was out here for an ulterior motive. And she had a feeling that ulterior motive was her. Why else would he (they) be seemingly following her, first to the bookstore, then to Mistward, now to here? 

She didn’t like the implications of that, that they were somehow connected back to Arobynn and were hunting for her. But - she’d never seen them involved with him before, and she’d been a high ranking, trusted, member. Or so she thought. 

Too many questions, not enough answers. So she decided to try and get some. 

Sliding the cookies into her bag, Celaena made her way over to where the man was standing, not allowing herself any hesitation. He saw her pretty quickly, but didn’t attempt to move, just sucking in a bit of smoke where he stood, his hat perched on his head. 

“Yes?” He asked as she slowed to a stop in front of him. “May I help you?” 

“Do you two have some business with me?” She asked, getting to the point. “Because if so, I’d prefer you tell me directly instead of dancing around the topic and stalking me around town.” 

“Who says I’m stalking you?” The man questioned, and she rolled her eyes. “It’s a small village, maybe it’s simply a coincidence.” 

“Oh yeah?” Celaena said, snatching his cigarette from his hand and taking a puff of it herself. Instead of being shocked, he just huffed a laugh. “If it’s simply a coincidence, then tell me. What are you doing here?”

“Shopping,” he said, a small smile curling at the edge of his lips. “Same as you.” 

She narrowed her eyes, tapping out his cigarette on the wall. “I meant in the town.” 

“That’s a complicated question,” he replied, pulling out another cigarette from his jacket. 

“Alright,” Celaena said, “I’ll ask an easier one. What’s your name?” 

He really looked at her then, and her breath nearly left her as those green eyes pierced into hers. “Rowan,” he answered, looking at her intently. Like he expected something to happen when he said his name. “Rowan Whitethorn.”

She just blinked at him, flicking his cigarette away from her. “Well then,” she said, pushing away from the wall. “Rowan Whitethorn.” His name felt odd on her tongue. “You have two choices.” She stepped a bit closer, until less than a foot separated them. “Either leave me alone voluntarily,” she said, her voice dropping in volume, “or I’ll make you leave me alone.” She paused. “Choose wisely.”

Then she stepped back, hating the small smirk that appeared on his chiseled face. 

“So violent,” he said, leaning his head back against the brick. Celaena simply smiled sardonically and stepped away from him, about to head back to the market. 

“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, shrugging. “I’m just a simple country girl. I wouldn’t know the first thing about violence.” 

But they both knew that was a lie.

----

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[reilliane]

Fortuna ✤ Bennett

F o r t u n a

A/N: Give Benny boy some lo~ve. And goodness, Bennett! It seems that you’re not so unlucky after all! :>

“Words in this format with the quotation marks indicate a dialogue in flashback.”

✤ she/her

Words: 1.8k

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"[Name], watch out, you're going to get hit by that Mitachurl!!"

Bennett yells as he pulls back his sword from a fallen Cryo Abyss Mage, emerald eyes growing owlish as he takes in your nonchalant form standing someplace in the vast prairies, the only thing shielding you being the sturdy violet parasol that bounced off the heavy rain.

You see his panic rising in how he carried himself to run as fast as he could, obviously endeavoring to reach you first before the Mitachurl could, but you simply laid your hand out to collect the droplets of rain. 

You're certain he almost got a heart attack by your refusal to even budge.

"Don't worry! I'm sure chances are absolute," you point your look down to see the small, barely noticeable ledge that elevated a section of the land and smiled, "The big guy will have to stumble and fall on its face! I'm sure you can find a way to defeat it, then!"

The teen voices out his incredulity at your indifference as the axe-wielding Mitachurl dashed towards your unsuspecting back and he nearly threw his sword in hopes of it bouncing off its face, but to his shock, the monster toppled, stumbling to the side and faceplanting onto the ground. Like you predicted.

A whine resonates amidst the rainfall but Bennett takes the chance to leap and swing his flaming weapon down, disintegrating the already wounded foe in one strike.

He is still left astounded as the embers blink into ashes then nothingness, the pitter-patter of rain washing over his soaked hair and clothes. Staring at the nullified existence of what used to be a monster made him feel odd—and giddy. Normally, he would've also tripped on the way to finish off the Mitachurl.

Heck, he could've even slipped.

Might've even lost one of his boots.

But—

"Hey, now, what's gotten you looking so far away?"

He blinks and looks up upon sensing no cascade of water and meets the base coverage of the violet parasol, turning his head to meet your gentle smile, he gulps.

—But ever since [Name] joined, he barely has anything bad happening to him.

"Don't be so down, you! The weather's about to be so nice, too! Come, I'll treat you to Good Hunter, you deserve it!" he doesn't stumble over his own footing when the girl takes his hand and began tugging him towards the path back to Mondstadt, eventually leaving the grasslands.

Your parasol hid most of your back, but he's sure that you still have the same smile on your face. It sure is a miracle he hasn't fallen even once when you're practically skipping in evident joy, though the reason remains unknown—you're just always happy. 

There is never a day someone in Mondstadt sees you frowning, it's almost like you're actually incapable of feeling bitterness.

As he dwells on this revelation, he notices a gleam of faint yellow kissing his skin and the absence of small water drops.

"It's... it's sunny!" he exclaims as the two of you falter by Mondstadt's gates, with you closing your parasol and playfully hitting his bicep.

"Is it worth getting surprised over?"

He flushes at this, shaking his head and murmuring out his denial.

You laugh anyway, leaning over to tap his cheek—though that only seemed to worsen the redness of his face.

"You better stop being so cute—I'm afraid I'll do something I'll regret!" you teasingly rose your hands and crept closer, landing them on his shoulders and making him jump at least a meter in the air at the sudden proximity between you.

Poor adventurer is twitching all around as he yelps your name and a plea to stop. It didn't help that the guards stationed by the gates are giving you two amused looks that would stay in his head for about a week while you'd still go around teasing him to no end. 

He wonders how you are so capable of being so free spirited—he knows he is, but you're on an entirely different level he cannot meet.

With your hand encapsulating his wrist, you tag him along towards the interior of the city and made your way towards Good Hunter, your parasol hanging by your other elbow. He takes this as the chance to oversee your appearance, mainly the adequately sized pouch that's strapped to your waist filled with medicinal herbs, potions, and even ingredients for cooking!

It's a wonder how he managed to have you in his team.

Sure, you were no Vision holder, but what you lack in offense and prowess, you fill up with all the possible support—from advanced healing, treasure hunting, and to cooking.

He was on his way back to Katheryne to report and collect his rewards for completing the four commissions that took him a whole day to do -thanks to his bad luck that got him thrown off cliffs... suspended in mid-air.. and many more- when he spotted her talking to [Name], a common girl who tagged along other adventurer parties in hopes of finding the perfect one to stay with.

"Oh, you're just in time! Bennett, [Name]'s here per request to join your adventure team."

He didn't think he had the time to react properly because the wind had notoriously blown off his loose goggles.  

He did, though, when [Name] caught them in her fingers with a bemused giggle.

"Pleasure to meet you, Benny!"

After being in his team for more than a month after that, she claimed that she'll be sticking around his side until he puts a stop to adventuring. He was surprised, of course, not expecting anyone to last long with him around them but oh was he proven wrong!

When queried why, she only gave him a toothy smile and said,

"I'll be your good luck charm!"

He didn't knew it was possible—but it was possible.

His bad luck practically dropped whenever he's around the smiling female. There were minor situations where he still knocks over a cooking pot and burns himself by accident, but none so major like him nearly drowning in a lake.

And now...

Bennett stares at your hand still around his wrist and he wonders aloud,

"Is this how it feels like to be blessed by a god?"

You blink and look at him over your shoulder, momentarily cutting off your conversation with Sara to address him with a meek, "What did you say just now?"

The Pyro-user squeaks and jumps again, tearing his hand from yours and frantically waving them around to try and dismiss your question.

Ah, I can't believe I said that out loud! He cries inwardly, berating and beating himself up for embarrassing himself further, but it did quell a little when you gave him nothing but an understanding nod and turning back to resume speaking out your order.

Well aware of what dish he's partial to, you speak up for his behalf, taking out the required amount of mora for payment and heading back to take a seat on one of the vacant chairs. 

To your befuddlement, Bennett is still standing upright, lost in thought and staring at a faraway stall down the stairs. You reckon he's glancing at the blacksmith, you swore you saw some chips on his sword a while ago, after all.

So whilst resting your cheek on the palm of your hand, you hum sweetly,

"Don't worry about me, go ahead and let Wagner have a look at your weapon."

He visibly brightens at your offer and after slamming his hands down at the table—taking you by surprise—then swearing to get you something along the way, he bounces off with a cheer—only to trip and fall on his face. You wince at this, but take comfort when he rose and gave you a thumbs-up to assure that he's perfectly fine.

It's endearing how he promises to fetch you a gift of sorts as if he's going somewhere far when in truth the blacksmith is just down the corner.

Laughing at his adorability, you close your eyes and raise the cup of juice to your lips to rehydrate. The gentle billow of the wind caresses your hair and with it came the inquisitive tone of someone you have befriended a long time ago.

"Fancy seeing you here, staying around for so long, isn't that a bit weird?"

Oh you can just see his smile already.

"Venti," you greet as you open your eyes, seeing him seated in front of you, "What pleasure it is to see you again."

He laughs brightly.

You both knew he's been hanging in Mondstadt as of late, and you knew that he's also aware of your sojourn at his city, this is just the first time you have properly acknowledged each others' presence after a long time has passed.

"A citizen of mine has captured the interest of the Goddess of Fortune, with that, I suppose you won't be leaving anytime soon."

The grin is already on your face before you could even stop it from appearing—gosh this Archon's bubbliness is just contagious.

"Hey now, don't go spreading that info around," your words fall mute when you hear a certain teen's voice growing near and you raise a finger to your lips, mimicking a shushing motion that the bard only snickered at, "Let's catch up later at the tavern."

Venti is already gone by the time your companion has reached the top of the stairwell, still in awe that he didn't plop on accident this time around.

"Was someone just here?" he asks.

You shrug with a minuscule simper.

"A friend, yes."

Bennett takes a seat in front of you with extreme meticulousness, as if he's worried that one of the chair's leg will break apart. When it didn't, he snakes out a sigh of relief, moving to adjust his goggles before presenting you a small box.

Oh! He really bought something!

"Yeah? The bard, right? I heard he talked about some Goddess going around Mondstadt?"

You tensed, watching as a flurry of emotions flew over his face. He didn't even react when a plate of his favorite dish is placed steaming hot in front of him!

Luckily, however—

"Nah! Sure, I'd like to meet her and be blessed somehow, but that doesn't matter anymore since I have you!"

You didn't think it was possible to be on the flustered end, it's always been the other way around but this particular sentence of his just sent you spiraling into a flattered mess.

You're not sure whether you should be offended since he dismissed your other persona in a sense, or be touched because how can he say that so casually!?

"[Name]? [Name], are you okay?" Bennett questions.

Coughing at the sight of a way too entertained Sara who didn't even bother trying to hide from eavesdropping, you shut your eyes and gently patted your cheeks in an attempt to cool them down from your previous fluster.

"Yup! Yup, totally!"

"Cool!" Bennett grins as he picked up the utensils in preparation to scarf down his dish, "Wonder what's a Goddess doing around here, though! How's my luck and what are my chances of seeing her even by just a second?"

You grin as you began to eat your own food.

"An absolute one hundred percent."

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‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　To the Scrying Glass　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

[chudleycanonficfest]

Day 20, Story #2 is by @floreatcastellumposts

Title: Dittany Author/Artist: FloreatCastellum Pairing: Neville/Hannah Prompt: Bravery Rating: T Trigger Warning(s) (if any): Discussion of maternal death, mentions of violence. 

Hannah's mother had been a muggleborn, and that had been her death sentence. 

Or rather, she had been a muggleborn with the audacity and bravery to be proud about it. 

Most muggleborns ended up slipping entirely into wizarding society, and as much as they might say that they would keep in touch with their roots, the magic took over. Jeans became robes, electronics didn’t work in their homes so their pop culture references grew stale, the effort involved in keeping the statute of secrecy for extended family and old friends was too exhausting to sustain, so they saw them less and less and eventually… 

This had not happened for Mum, even though the Abbotts were a very old family, well rooted in the magical community. She had agreed with Dad to live in Godric’s Hollow, because the Abbotts had lived there for many generations, but she had insisted on Hannah attending the local primary school, where she could make muggle friends. She was adamant that they make regular trips to Liverpool, to visit her side of the family, who believed that she worked in HR (which she did, but for a potion manufacturer, not for a haulage company as they believed) and that Hannah had received a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school, and that Dad owned a pub (which he did, but they neglected to mention that it was frequented by witches, wizards, goblins, the occasional hag and a half giant). And when the Stephens side of the family came to visit, they would have a flurry of activity where they would hide away anything magical-looking, and from the loft they would bring down the big television, and they would speed read some muggle newspapers so they could give their opinions on Tony Blair or Men Behaving Badly or Charles and Diana’s divorce or whatever else they thought might come up.  

That was life as Hannah knew it, and it never felt complicated or brave or shocking or daring or any of the things she later found out it was. 

She remembered certain details from the day very clearly. She’d been easing sneezewort plants out of their pots, the last repotting before winter, her fingers shaking at the long, pale roots, creating a rain of soil. The last of the cream coloured petals, curled and brown at the edges, fell onto the potting bench. There was a sudden shock of cold air, a breeze from the door opening that hit their faces and whipped through their hair.  

‘Professor Dumbledore’s here,’ said Susan with surprise, and Hannah had glanced up to see him closing the door to the humid greenhouse, his long white beard tucked into his belt, Professor Sprout hurrying over to him. 

Hannah looked back down at her plant. The roots were all tangled together. Professor Dumbledore was probably here for Harry Potter, there were all sorts of rumours flying around about secret meetings between the two of them. 

The plant needed a much bigger pot, but the roots were strong, there was no rot there. 

‘Hannah.’ 

There was no hiding the bewilderment on her face. She had never had a direct conversation with the Headmaster before, and here he was, speaking kindly, gently, softly, one hand touching her shoulder and the other, black looking, gesturing to the door. 

‘I need to-’ she started saying, as he led her out. Everyone was staring. 

‘Don’t worry, dear,’ said Professor Sprout, and her voice sounded so strange, ‘I’ll finish up here for you.’ 

Perhaps part of her had known then. She knew it was something terrible. She was too afraid to ask. No one was ever pulled out of class for a good reason. She walked up to the castle alongside him as though in a dream, her heart beating up through her throat and into her mouth.

She was not sure how it happened, but suddenly she was in the warmth of his office, staring at Professor Dumbledore’s grave face, his lips moving, without really hearing, except for that first, terrible, world destroying little phrase. 

‘I’m so very sorry to tell you that your mother has been found dead.’ 

There would be no worse event, no greater loss, no stronger pain in her entire life. 

There was still dirt under her nails and in the creases of her palms, she noticed, as she reached into the silver box of floo powder. 

It had been so long since she had seen Godric’s Hollow like this, golden and red in its autumn. Fallen leaves tumbled and floated down the river that rushed through the village, or collected in the gutters along the cobbled roads, damp and heavy. The sun stayed a little lower each day, casting long shadows across the beer garden of The Lost Owl, and the wind ruffled the sign on the door which read ‘Closed due to family bereavement.’ 

During the days, she wondered what to do with herself, stuck between boredom and terrible, overwhelming grief. When she could cry no more, she wondered if there was something wrong with her for wanting to find something interesting or fun to do, but when she tried to read, she could not focus. When she tried to listen to the radio, she would fall asleep. She could not bring herself to ask her weeping father to play cards or chess or anything with her. She thought of going back into school, but how could she see other people? Now that the world had ended? She wanted to tell people about it, wanted to say the words enough until they made sense to her, or until someone found the right words to say back that would make it OK, but she did not want to do this to her friends. 

At nights, she would cry herself to sleep, and her whispers, please come back please Mummy please come back, would grow and grow and grow into sobs, begging into her pillow as the agony of it tore at her, the desperation, the feverish thought that there had to be something, that this couldn’t be it, there had to be a way, a special way, just for them, just for her, because it was her mother and there was no way she could live without her. Mum wouldn’t leave her like this, there was no way Mum would allow it, she would go to the ends of the earth to make sure that Hannah was happy, she had always said so, she had always promised… 

But Death was something parents could not protect their children from, it seemed. The more Hannah thought on it, the more she became crushingly devastated, horrified to realise that each and every human on Earth had to endure this at some point. In different ways, at different times, with different feelings, but the mere act of bringing a child into the world was to condemn that child, one day, to the unbearable pain of loss. Every person she passed, she wondered, have you suffered as I have? Or is it yet to come for you? She wished she could spare them from it.

The aurors said she was probably targeted because she loudly and openly discussed her muggle heritage in the pub, and it must have been heard by the wrong people. That was what passed for bravery these days. 

In the church of St Jerome, the stained glass window pattered with rain, and Hannah looked up at the colours of red and yellow and green rather than looking at the coffin with the splay of lilies, and she wondered when this nightmare would end, when Mum would come back, and tell her that everything would be all right. 

***

Months passed in unbearable agony, worse than she could have imagined. But there were glimmers of light there too. 

Here, at the school she thought she would never return to, in the place that was filled with unimaginable horror and oppression, she had purpose again. More purpose, in fact, than she had ever had in her life. And with it, new friendships that ran deeper than she had ever expected. 

‘This way,’ Neville whispered, and they ran low across the lawn of the grounds. Some of the windows in the castle behind them blazed with light, so that she thought for a terrible moment that they must be visible from the Great Hall, but, of course, the windows would be black with night to anyone who looked out from them. 

It was the summer term now, but the air was still cold as they panted, as though Dementors were close, which, she reasoned, they might be. She could feel the dew of the grass, left to grow long since Hagrid had left, soaking the bottoms of her jeans, seeping through her ratty trainers. 

Following the dark shadow of Neville’s figure, she ran through the grounds until she heard the crunch of gravel underfoot, and, ahead, the slight shine of starlight reflecting off the greenhouses. 

‘They’re in greenhouse three,’ Neville muttered, and her stomach dropped. 

He did not notice, and continued to hurry along the garden path, past the raised beds for the hardier plants and herbs, and she followed, but at a walk now, dread gnawing at her. 

He stopped at the door, holding his hands up to the glass to peer in. ‘OK…’ he said, still breathless from the run. ‘OK, looks clear… Now, while I talk to the venomous tentacula, you grab a tray, and fill it with perlite and only a few handfuls of compost, it’s a mountain plant so it likes it nice and rocky.’ 

‘OK,’ she said, and though she thought she sounded normal, he turned to her. She could barely make out his expression in the darkness. 

‘Are you all right?’ 

‘I… I’m sorry, I just… I haven’t been in the greenhouses for a long time… especially not this one. I should have thought before I volunteered, I'm sorry.’ 

She felt immediately embarrassed for blurting it out, and she had no idea if Neville would even grasp what she was getting at. He had been in the class, yes, but did he even remember that day? What had been the worst day of her life had been a perfectly ordinary school day for the rest of her classmates, and so many terrible things had happened since then. 

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, ‘I can’t leave you out here.’ 

She thought he was telling her off, or saying that they had to go back, but before she had the time to feel hurt or ashamed, he was holding out his hand towards her. 

She swallowed, and then placed her trembling hand in his. She was not unaccustomed to physical touch with him, or many others. Over the past year, she had tended wounds and comforted people as they cried, she had grasped hands and arms and knees under desks to soothe people or tell them to control themselves, she had passed secret notes and morsels of food and whatever else needed smuggling, slipping it nimbly from her fingers into their palms as they passed in the corridors.  

But now his fingers pressed firm and reassuring against hers, and there was something very different about them holding hands. 

She let him lead her into the greenhouse; the humid, warm air surrounded them at once, like an odd sort of hug that sat heavy on their lungs. Tall, leafy plants towered above them, brushing the domed glass high above their heads, which magically reflected the brilliant stars above them and lit the place in glorious silver. 

Now that she was in here, she felt a little better. The dread that had stopped her ever returning here, that had caused her to drop herbology and pretend that this part of the castle no longer existed, had not come to pass. It was, after all, simply a greenhouse, and Mum could not die again. 

‘Are you all right?’ he said gently. 

‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘Thank you.’ 

He nodded, and reached for some gloves on a nearby bench. She missed his hand around hers. ‘Let’s move quickly, and get you out of here,’ he said, donning some goggles and a thick leather apron.  

She went to the potting tables where Professor Sprout always stood, and seized a large seedling tray. As she took handfuls of compost and perlite, she could see Neville wrestling with the venomous tentacular, saying, ‘I’ll bring you doxy granules tomorrow - I’ll move you to a sunnier spot - I already checked with Professor Sprout - come on, you knew this was part of the deal, we agreed-’

Eventually, when he had tied enough of the writhing vines together with garden twine and stroked the shoots into calmness, he gave a nod to Hannah, and started to remove his protective gear as she hurried over and they squeezed behind the plant

There, on a table surrounded by blue lanterns to make up for the blocked light caused by the tentacula, were long, deep pots, stuffed with dittany. Their slender, arching stems were clustered with pleasant green leaves, with a dusty sort of whiteness, and they were dotted with pink flowers. She had never seen the plant as it was before; she had only ever remembered the little vials of dittany kept in their first aid kit, good for scraped knees and cuts from any broken glass in the pub. Mum had always said it was good to be prepared in an emergency, it had been one of her funny little things like that, along with being a bit of a hypochondriac, and so Hannah had had a vial in the bottom of her trunk when she returned to school. That, combined with her good potions knowledge, had helped her stumble into a kind of mothering role that she found had rather suited her. 

‘I just need the flowers, the book says,’ she said, as Neville started gently pulling some up by the roots. 

‘Yes, but I think it’d be good if I can grow another set somewhere, as a back up so we don’t have to keep sneaking out here. It’s just me and Seamus in the dorm, I don’t think he’d mind if I put them in the window between Harry and Ron’s beds. Here, take these, cut the flowers where the stem splits off - yeah, there - so it’ll grow back.’ 

‘It’s really pretty,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t expecting it to be so pretty. It’s usually that the most useful plants are the ugliest.’ 

‘It is,’ said Neville absent-mindedly. ‘It’s from Crete. The healing properties were only discovered in the 17th century - people used to think it was an aphrodisiac, and it’s still used in some love potions.’ 

She looked at him, and though the light in the greenhouse was white starlight only, she could still see his cheeks burn red. 

‘It’s… it’s not, though,’ he mumbled. ‘Well… a little bit, but I… I don’t know why I said that.’

‘Because it’s interesting,’ she said quickly, as he busied himself repotting the seedlings. He nodded rapidly, and cleared his throat a little, and she cast around for something to say. ‘You… you should be careful, growing these in the dorm. If you’re caught-’

‘There’s no rule against growing plants,’ he said. ‘I’ve had plants up there loads of times. Especially my mimbulus mimbletonia, that’s had pride of place for a while.’

‘You know they don’t need an explicit rule,’ she said quietly. ‘They do what they want. If they think you’re… doing anything good, anything kind. That’s enough.’ 

He nodded, looking down at the delicate, thin roots of the dittany. There was a reason that he and Professor Sprout were growing such an innocent plant in such secrecy. ‘I know… but… it’s worth the risk.’ 

‘That’s very brave.’ 

‘Is it? Just growing a plant? Is that what passes for bravery these days?’ 

‘Yes,’ she said honestly. ‘Anything good does now. And it’s not just that.’ She paused, still cradling one of the delicate, rose pink flowers in her hand. ‘I mean… what were you thinking in muggle studies the other day? I hated seeing you screaming like that.’ 

‘Well I had to say something. It was repulsive, what she was saying about muggle children.’ 

‘No one believes her, no one really thinks-’

‘We don’t know that. Maybe some people might start believing her, because it’s easier. And anyway, it’s not just about that. Remember Umbridge?’ 

‘I try not to,’ she said dryly, and in the pale, washed out starlight she saw him grin. 

‘I know it’s stupid, but as Ginny and Luna haven’t come back, and Harry and Ron aren’t here, or Dean, or loads of other people… I’ve been-’ he sighed, as though frustrated he couldn’t find the words, ‘I’ve been trying to think about what they would do. I can’t afford to be Neville Longbottom, I’ve got to be someone braver. And Harry used to just completely go off on her, used to tell her straight in lessons that You-Know-Who was back, and, yeah, it got him more trouble than it felt like it was worth at the time, but you know what? I always found it really inspiring.’ 

‘I did too,’ she said quietly. ‘I remember thinking… well… why would he stick to a lie through all that?’ 

‘Exactly. He had principles, and if he was here he wouldn’t stand for any of that rot. There’s a lot of times over the past few months where I’ve just tried to…’ he shrugged helplessly, ‘pretend that I’m Harry. That I’m brave.’ 

‘I don’t think you’re pretending at all,’ she said. ‘You are brave. You always have been. You’re a Gryffindor, aren’t you?’ 

‘Somehow.’ 

‘No somehow about it. You’re the bravest man I know, and that includes Harry.’ 

‘How on earth does it include Harry?’ he asked, and he sounded like he was on the verge of laughter. 

‘Because he’s had to be,’ she said. ‘I’ve grown up in Godric’s Hollow, you know, I’ve seen the ruined house that he lived in. He’s had to be brave all the way from when he was a baby. But I didn’t. You didn’t. You’ve chosen to be brave, you’ve chosen to channel him. You're a pureblood, you could choose, every day, to keep your head down and get on with things, but you don't. You stand up and call her a bigoted liar in class and get tortured and you never back down. I find that more inspiring than anything.’ 

‘That’s very kind of you,’ he said quietly.  

‘And you were brave lots of times even before. Don’t you remember winning those points all the way back in first year?’ 

He beamed, and looked at her directly, for the first time since he had blurted out that dittany was an aphrodisiac. ‘You remember that?’ 

‘Of course I do. Dumbledore pointing out about standing up to your friends - he was so right, that does take a lot of bravery. I tried to do it next year, when Ernie was telling me that Harry was the heir of Slytherin. I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t as brave as you, but at least I tried, I suppose.’ 

‘I think you’re very brave too,’ he said. ‘Looking after everyone like this, handing out essence of dittany, running out here with me to get more… I’m sorry that you’ve had to come back in here. I didn’t think.’ 

‘I didn’t either,’ she said, and she started cutting more flowers. ‘I was just so focused on the idea of more, I didn’t really think about where I’d be getting it from… But, you know, I’m OK, actually. The thought of it was worse than the reality. It’s just a greenhouse.’ She looked around. The white starlight bleached the dark greenery into shades of silver, bounced off the watering cans, sparkled in the droplets of water from the sprinklers. ‘A very beautiful one.’ 

‘I like to think so,’ he said, a little hoarsely. ‘I always found this whole place beautiful, but now it… sometimes feels like only the greenhouses still are. They’re the only place I haven’t seen people being tortured.’ 

She paused. ‘I’m secretly thankful my mum isn’t alive to see this. Is that awful? I’m just glad she never had to worry about me being here. I feel bad enough for Dad.’ 

‘It’s not awful,’ said Neville. ‘I know what you mean.’ 

‘Do you?’ 

‘My parents don’t know anything about what’s going on, and for the first time in my life, I’m glad,’ he said, and for some reason his words seemed to surprise him. 

‘What do you mean?’ she asked, and without thinking she put down the little secateurs and touched his arm. He breathed deeply, not quite meeting her eyes, pressing down one of the seedlings quite firmly into the tray, before finally turning to her.

‘I live with my gran, because… my…’ He took another deep breath, and suddenly there was a clanging from outside. 

They froze, and heard a low voice swearing. 'Bloody wheelbarrow…' 

Hearts thudding, they ducked down and stayed silent, Neville silently mouthing for Hannah to get onto the large empty shelf under the potting table, where bags of compost were usually kept. He reached up, fumbling for the secateurs, and then started crawling along on his belly. 

'What are you doing?' she whispered, horrified. Alecto Carrow was opening the door to the greenhouse, still muttering and swearing about the wheelbarrow he had tripped over. 

He put a finger to his lips, and then pointed at the venomous tentacula, which had begun to writhe against the twine. The snip snip snip of the secateurs seemed unreasonably loud, but from the other side of the greenhouse Carrow did not appear to hear them, rifling noisily through the plants and shrubs, sending terracotta pots crashing to the floor. 

'Anyone in here?' he demanded. 'I saw your footprints in the gravel. Hello?' 

The vines of the tentacula waved threateningly, and Hannah watched with trembling fear as one of them reached out to Neville, still prone on the ground, and started to wrap itself around his throat. 

'Don't be cheeky,' she heard him mutter to it, and he calmly prodded it with the secateurs until it released him. 

It kept one tendril around his ankle, but Neville seemed to allow it as a compromise, and instead watched through the vines as Carrow upturned a table, still shouting and swearing. 

After several, agonisingly long minutes, Carrow came close to them. The venomous tentacula silently released Neville’s ankle, and raised it's spiked tendrils. 

'OW! Son of a bludger-' 

A long line of expletives followed, and the venomous tentacular shook noisily, whip-like noises echoing through the greenhouse as it reached after Carrow, now bolting from the room. 

'Grab the tray,' Neville told Hannah. 'He'll be heading straight to the hospital wing, we should have a clear path back. Quickly, before the tentacula gets over-excited and turns on us-' 

She did so at once and he held back the spiked vines as she squeezed past the plant, and hurried safely out of range. 

She stood there, holding her tray of little dittany plants and the heads of the flowers. She watched as Neville easily unentangled himself from the tentacula, patted it, said, 'thanks mate,' and grabbed a clear cover for the tray. He came close to her as he fitted it over the dittany, protecting them from the cold night air they would have to hurry back through.  

His face was inches from her own, and she felt her breath hitch in her throat a little as she looked up at him. There was a slight clunk as the lid of the tray found its place. For a moment, they were perfectly still, just their breathing in that humid place, and his eyes, shining light blue in the pale light, lifted from the tray of dittany to meet her own. 

'Do you really think I'm brave?' he whispered. 

She nodded, and he seemed to be steeling himself for something. Please, she thought, please make this place good for me again. Her hands gripped the edges of the tray.

Very gently, very slowly, he leaned closer over the tray. His hand moved as though to softly move her face to meet his, but he didn't need to, for she was already naturally tilting her head, and her heels were lifting a little off the ground without her bidding them to. 

Their lips met, soft like the petals of the dittany between them, sweet like the fragrance. His fingertips were trembling slightly as they caressed against her cheek, but then they calmed as the kiss deepened. 

The tray pressed into them as he tried to move closer, and it reminded them where they were. They broke apart, panting and gasping as though they had just finished the run down from the castle. 

She had never kissed anyone before. She was glad, unbelievably, overwhelmingly, joyfully glad, that her first kiss had been with Neville, in this place where the warm air was scented with damp soil and sweet flowers. 

'We… we should take these back,' he said, his voice slightly hoarse. ‘Let - let me take them.’ 

He took the tray from her, and in her happy daze she allowed it, and let him lead the way out of the greenhouse. Joy had returned to her again, beneath the fogged glass, amongst the green plants, bursting with life. 

[bloodycassian]

anon asked:

ok hear me out, azriel x reader where reader can hear thoughts or something along those lines and she doesn’t know how to control it so she’s constantly hearing or feeling thoughts/emotions and it’s heats super overwhelming and az helps her through it <3

The headaches hadn't stopped for weeks. Rhys had even called over a medwitch from the continent to help, but there was nothing she could see that was wrong. They were all worried, but their worries just somehow made your head hurt even more. The whispers you could hear from them down the stairs of the townhouse were the worst part. 'Do they need a cleansing?' 'What happened to cause it?' 'Their body is doing this for a reason.' they went on and on and on, never answering each other. Each voice different through the muffling of the walls.  You were ready to scream. Pillow over your head wouldnt even block them out. You rocked in bed, hands over your ears. Nothing, no more silence ever. Just the ringing in your head of all the voices. Mor had tried asking her father if he knew anything about such subjects. Anything for help. Azriel swooped into the city streets, nodding at a few shopkeeps as he went. After being gone for the last few weeks, the welcome faces of his home were a sight for sore eyes. He held the bag of various salts and salves gently, just as he had his whole trip back. He landed with precision at the front gate of the town home. The familiar wrought iron fence squeaking slightly when he opened it. You felt his presence before he even opened the front door. The coolness of his essence seeping through the walls. The curling shadows that darkened everything ever so slightly. "Your condition seems to have...developed since I left." He set the tote down on the chair by the door, then closed it softly. The whispering became more intense, a pounding in your head that drowned out almost everything else.  "Oh-" He breathed as he walked in. A shocked look then he was grinning. "Leave us." He dismissed Rhys, who gave him a look before obeying. He took off his jacket, leaving him in a dark tunic that made his eyes look brighter. He cocked his head when staring at you, then took a breath. The shadows seemed to summon around him, making him look even more intimidating than normal. They slunk around his ankles like a fog. Then they covered the walls of the room, blocking off the light from the window entirely. The relief in your mind was overwhelming.  You choked out a sob, looking at him with wide eyes. The silence, the weight taken from your brain was like breathing for the first time. "H-how?" You panted, getting up from the bed. Sickness did not weigh you down any longer. The pounding ceased completely, alleviating your too warm temples. He came close to you, only too close because of the thin nightgown you wore. Really it was one of Cassian's old shirts that just fitted you like a dress. When you had taken his room due to your apparent illness you had found a few 'interesting' items of his that were left. "It seems your condition has...evolved since I saw you last." He reached a hand out to you, the siphons atop thrumming with a warm dark blue. You took it tentatively, your eyes slid shut -then there he was. His scent, his thoughts, his everything was in your mind. You scrambled away from it mentally, your heart slamming in your chest. He stroked a thumb over your hand. His mental voice was warm, yet rough and commanding. "Slow. Think, but slowly. I'm here, you're okay." The voice said.  His darkness seemed to follow him to your mind, coating it in a coolness that was much appreciated. "What do I do? What am I?" You took a breath, trying to center yourself. Your entire being was roaring at you to fight back against the intrusion, but he shushed you into not trying it. "You...are new. You're like me, in a way." He whispered softly, his essence drifting over you comfortingly. Like a soft blanket, cold but still comforting.  "How do I get it ito stop?" You sighed, wanting to bury your head in your hands again. He touched you then, slowly at first. Dragging a soft, textured hand up to your wrist, then pulling you in for a hug. His warmth was the opposite of everything else about him, those shadows did nothing against the core of him, his heat.  "You dont, you learn how to make it work with you." He said aloud, his presence rolling out of your mind like a thundercloud. He pulled out of the embrace, "You need to make the thoughts blend like street noise- like a crowd. Learn to select what you want to hear. "  "You make it sound so easy." You rolled your eyes at him, crossing your arms over your chest. Azriel may or may not have glanced at how it hitched up the oversized t shirt. Hunger opened up in the pit of his stomach at the filthy thoughts. He knew it was Cassian's shirt, recognized and scented it. It made him want to put his own scent on you in several different, creative ways. He cracked a grin and shrugged slightly, "It'll be like reading a new language. But you need to learn to speak it first." He wrapped an arm around your shoulders and lead you to the balcony, the shadows following you in a close bubble the whole way.  "All these people have their thoughts, their words and actions. My shadows tell me all about their outfits, their scents, their hair. Unnecessary unless they have a weapon." He gestured to a few fae males outside a townhome a few houses down. One threw their arms up in the air and stormed back inside." I can't keep them from giving me this information, but I do let it go. I dont even listen unless I detect a threat."  You let out a long breath, feeling the anxiety of him leaving already. "Please stay." His stomach dropped at the words. You grabbed for his hand. As if the open sky was demanding he take off that second. " I cant-" You kept your voice from trembling. "It's too much. Why me? Why now?" Tears threatened and you looked away. He couldnt bear to see you in such pain. He wanted - he needed to give you relief from it. He squared his shoulders and squeezed your hand back. "Are you afraid to fly?" he asked, flexing his wings. The shadows answered with their own wave. "I'm not the biggest fan-" Before you could give your list of excused you'd rather not fly, he was shooting into the air, the backs of your thighs rubbing over his deliciously warm skin. Your yelp of surprise was left behind you. You held on to his shoulders for dear life. "If you would open your eyes you might not be so scared." He laughed, his siphons glaring a bright shield around you that protected you from the wind. He flew fast, and far. His presence was the only one you felt, like a cool rain on your still reeling mind. He had sent Rhys an advisory thought before he took you, letting him know you needed some 'fun'. "If I open my eyes I'm going to vomit all over you." You said, squeezing your eyes tighter. You felt the laugh through his chest. His thumb circled the back of your knee, giving you goosebumps that had nothing to do with the slight chill running through the shield. The shirt was not nearly enough for an outing, and you doubted he was taking you anywhere with anyone who would mind. The thought sent a thrill through you. Alone. He wanted to be alone with you.  As if in approval, his essence drifted happily into your mind, caressing you as his thumb did. He flew lower slowly, enjoying your scent mixed with the cool smell of the lake below. The way the sun at this angle made your hair shine. He landed softly, setting you down only after you'd made him promise you were no longer flying.  "We're done...for now." He winked when you opened, marveling at his wind tosseld hair for a second before collecting yourself and brushing your shirt absently. He grinned wider, and the coolness you'd felt since he showed up in the town home receded. You felt...like you. Normal again, weightless in comparison after the weeks of buzzing in your head. And the view beyond his goofy grin was marvelous. A snowcapped mountain towered above, sloping to create the lake. Mixes of different rock lay everywhere. The scattered pines seemed like giants whispering in the breeze. "Listen to the birds, enjoy the silence for a while." He said, then began walking to the bank of the bright blue water. You stood in shock for a while, letting the sound of the wind and nothing else seep into you. You reveled in it, joying in the simplicity of it. Everything seemed so much louder than you remembered.  You sat on a boulder and watched him skip rocks, the short splats of them echoing off the mountainside. He skipped one after another, occasionally picking up smaller ones and pocketing them. You let your mind wander, trying to regain the feeling he had shrouded you with in the townhome. The solid wall he had put up around your mind for you. But he had said you needed to learn to let it blend in, to deal with it and not shut it out. It was an asset, not a hinderance. You shuddered at using the gift for much. You didnt care to know peoples ins and outs in normal conversation, let alone without them knowing. You attempted to summon that wall. It was like grasping at water, thick and heavy and impossible. The lingering remnants of control slipped away like sand through your fingers. You buried your face in your hands, letting the tears fall.  When he approached, you didn't bother hiding. He had been in your head, he knew what it was like. He said nothing, just wrapped an arm around you and let you cry into his shoulder. Holding you tighter on the bigger sobs that ripped out of you. 

[dirtychocolatechai]

meet-cute | b.b.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader Warning(s): fluff, awkward Bucky, vet appointment stuff, Alpine Request: Babes if you're lowkey taking requests can I lowkey make one? 👉🏼👈🏼🥺💕 something flirty and cute and maybe a lil spicy with Bucky and vet!reader where something's going on with Alpine? Not self indulgent at all 😻💖 Notes: This was the first thing I’ve written in months and it felt damn good. Funny story, I actually almost went to school to be a vet tech + shadowed a vet for two weeks and got to see some wickedly cool things.

This was a bit self-indulgent on my part because I had a cat who passed away some years ago because of struvite stones and I wished he had a happier ending like Alpine so I thought why not 🤷‍♀️💖

Taglist is open

(gif from google)

There’s nothing Bucky hates more than the stringent smell of industrial cleaners and clinical white walls - too many associations and shades of memory long laid to rest - except for when something’s going on with Alpine. The Turkish Angora was fine up until a few days ago when he started to hide away and sleep all day.

That wasn’t too concerning at first...

But then came the pained little noises, the frantic running back and forth from the litter box, the excessive grooming. The pit that started forming low in his belly grew, his instincts screaming at him that something was wrong, very wrong, with his little buddy. 

Bucky wasn’t about to fuck around and set up an appointment with the first vet office he could find that had a same-day opening. And now he’s trying not to fall apart at the seams while he waits for the docs to do their magic and tell him what the hell’s going on with his cat and what he has to do to fix it.

The vet tech collected Alpine a bit ago and every minute stretches into years, the cat’s pitiful meow echoing in his ears and those betrayed eyes burned onto the backs of his eyelids.

I know, Bub, I’m sorry but they gotta figure out what’s going on. It’ll be okay, they’ll take care of you. 

His ass went numb from the plastic chair ages ago, his leg jiggling up and down at a rapid pace as he chews on his thumbnail and waits.

And waits.

And waits.

God, he knows these things take time but he’d rather be back at home, curled up on the couch with Alpine pigging out on breakfast food and watching space documentaries. 

How much longer-

“Alright, Mr. Barnes?”

The heavy door swings open with a click, a kind, professional voice preceding a pair of sensible shoes as the vet steps into the room with a clipboard cradled against her chest. His eyes snap up, skipping over her completely to look at the tech holding his cat who looks absolutely miserable. 

She introduces herself but he’s not paying attention. He’s not meaning to be rude but all his focus narrows in on that white little face, the knot in his chest unfurling at the little mew.

He smiles, his eyes crinkling around the edges as he breathes, “Hey there, Little Buddy.” 

The vet doesn’t push, in fact, she seems a little enamored with how much he melts at the sight of his pet. Her own lips quirk up into a soft smile while she stands off to the side patiently as Alpine’s set down on the metal table.

Bucky gets in a few good scritches under his chin, the beginnings of a purr just starting to vibrate his hand when the vet clears her throat delicately. 

He clears his throat, heat burrowing into the apples of his cheeks. “Shi - uh, ‘m sorry.” A hand scrubs over the back of his neck. “I’m just - uh - y’know...” 

Her laugh trickles down his spine like warm rain, the sound effectively drawing his attention away from the cat rubbing up against his side. He gets his first look at her and oh.

A bare face and a no-nonsense hairstyle greet him, her scrubs and white coat adding to the overall doctor vibe but she’s still breathtaking. The natural beauty in the curves of her face, the slant of her brows, the sparkle of her eyes.

He feels like he got sucker-punched in the chest, his heart giving a sudden throb that has him coughing like an idiot as he scrambles to not look like such a jackass.

“So,” he clears his throat, scratching at the stubble along his jaw, “What’s - what’s wrong with him?” 

Glancing down at Alpine’s chart, she hums and writes a note before glancing back up with a reassuring smile. “Nothing that can’t be managed with a special diet and watching his water intake.”

It’s like the weight of the world disappears from his shoulders, his broad frame practically heaving with his sigh of relief. “Oh thank fucking- ahem, ‘scuse me - thank god.” 

Her chuckle and sly smile have him blushing from the roots of his hair to the collar of his shirt, his stomach squirming in discomfort. Old habits are hard to break, especially ones his momma taught him with a box to the ear.

“You’re allowed to swear, Mr. Barnes,” she says, reaching down to run her fingers through snow-white fur. “We’re all adults here.” 

“No, no, I know...” 

“Hm, anyway, his blood work came back and everything looks fine which is a good thing.” 

And it’s back to business like that, any hint of personality hidden behind cool professionalism that Bucky thinks even Tasha would admire. Except for the playful gleam in her eyes as she sneaks peeks at him while going over everything they did and what they found. 

“Struvite crystals are quite common in cats at low levels, especially males because their tract is longer and narrower.” She pauses, flipping to a new page. “Depending on the severity, they can clump together in the urinary tract and actually form stones. That’s where the true problem lies because get one large enough, and it can cause a blockage.”

He’s listening with rapt attention, soaking in the knowledge she’s imparting to him all the while, petting Alpine who keeps nuzzling him and making little sounds. Honestly, he could listen to her talk for hours even if he didn’t understand a goddamn thing. 

She’s so animated when she speaks, holds eye contact and makes sure he understands everything without making him feel like an idiot. He’s had so many doctors who talked at him rather than with him, staring through him without seeing, more interested in the paycheck rather than their patients.

But not her, she cares.

Deeply.

He can see it all over her face and it’s utterly enchanting. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little enamored, charmed.

Turning the tablet towards him, she shifts closer and a waft of whatever perfume she’s wearing tickles his nose as she explains what the x-ray of Alpine’s abdomen found.

“These are the stones but thankfully they’re relatively small,” she points to several hazy white ovals starkly visible on the radiograph, “We caught them in time before they became a really big problem.” 

Shit, she smells so good...

 “Now, we’ll send you home with a special diet and see how he does. Also, make sure to up his fluid intake as much as you can. The food can take several months to start dissolving the crystals so we’ll have to do everything we can to help. Sound good?”

Bucky hasn’t pulled his eyes away from her face once this entire time, and how fucking creepy is that?

Quickly looking down at Alpine, embarrassment gnawing at his belly, he nods and wishes for the first time since he cut his hair that he hadn’t so he’d at least have a passing chance at hiding the blush burning its way across his face. 

“Yeah,” he says, picking up the ball of white fluff to hold against his chest, a makeshift shield. “Is there anything else I should do?” 

“No.” She smiles, writing another note and tapping away at the tablet next to her. “I do want to see him again in about a month for a check-up.”

Fuck, he doesn’t want to leave so soon.

The irony isn’t lost on him either.

How does he make this last longer? What can he do? If Sam was here right now, he’d be kicking him in the ass and bitching at him to ask for her number already, Ice Pick.

The clack of the chart being set down rings through the room, bouncing off the walls and sounding so fucking final that he starts to panic. 

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. 

She’s already halfway to the door when she asks, “Do you have any questions?”

The word vomit spring from him, unbidden and sudden without any thought, more forward than he’s been with a woman in years.

“Can I have your number?”

As soon as the question leaves his lips, he curses, cringes and wishes he could snatch the very words from the air itself.

Great, I just hit on my vet.

No amount of backpedaling can salvage this but goddamn it if Bucky doesn’t try, stuttering out some half-assed excuse about wanting it just in case he thinks of something later.

When he glances up, he wishes he hadn’t. The vet tech is in near tears in the corner, biting her lips so hard he wouldn’t be surprised if they started to bleed.

But it’s the absolute surprised bafflement on the woman he just inappropriately hit on that does him in, makes him about ready to burn all forms of identification and run for the hills. 

Her brows nearly reach her hairline, her mouth slack, eyes startled. She gets ahold of herself before he does, and he barely stops himself from slapping a hand over his face.

Right when he’s thinking there’s no way he’s going to be able to show his face in the office again, her expression softens with gentle amusement and her lips twitch. 

Struck dumb, he can only watch as she writes something down on a slip of paper before handing it over to him. He barely believes the string of numbers and the cheeky little call me anytime :).

The wink she sends his way is there and gone, so fast he almost believes he imagined it. 

“For emergencies only,” she says, slyly. “Of course.”

“Of course,” he agrees, almost tripping over the cat carrier as he hurries to stuff Alpine back in. “Of course, thank you. I...appreciate it.” 

“Anytime, Mr. Barnes.” 

Bucky leaves the room in a stupor, the world sharply shifted to the left as he heads to the front desk to make the follow-up appointment, but not before hearing the whispered, “Girl, you’re lucky. He’s fine!” and the “He is, isn’t he?”. 

[ikeromantic]

A Very Hot Bath

A (not so) mini-fic for @cinnamon-hoe featuring my favorite gentleman vampire, le Comte de Saint-Germain. For my 400 follower celebration! It turned out longer and smuttier than intended. I’m . . . sorry? Approx 2000 words.

April, le Comte, Spicy and Sweet

If there was one thing le Comte knew, it was how to read a woman’s moods. And his mademoiselle was an easy study. For example, today, she lingered at each shop window and walked slowly, a clear sign that she wasn’t ready to go home despite the dreary rain and chill weather. “Ma cherie,” he said, leaning down to speak so that he didn’t need to raise his voice above the patter of the rain on their umbrella. 

“Mmm?” 

“This weather is certain to get worse. If you want to stay in town a bit longer, perhaps a cafe?” 

She smiled. “A cafe would be nice. Hot tea, something sweet . . .” 

“I knew you’d agree.” He stroked her hand with his thumb. He pretended to consider his next idea, though he’d already decided on it. “After, let’s get a room. There’s a lovely home in this district that once belonged to a friend of mine.”

“Do you think it will be alright to leave everyone on their own for a night? Without you there to keep them in line . . .” She laughed. 

Comte grinned. “Sebas will hold the fort while we enjoy our evening. Besides, it’s been too long since I had you all to myself.” His golden eyes were molten hot when he spoke, testament to the truth of his words.

“I’d like to - to have you all to myself too.” She turned her head to kiss his cheek, but he was too quick for her. He caught her lips in a kiss, pulling her tight against him. She gave a breathy moan, silenced by his mouth, that made him want her more. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one that hadn’t wanted to go home today.

When he finally released her, she was breathless, glassy-eyed, and pink-cheeked. “We’re in public,” she gave a half-hearted protest, belied by the way she leaned closer and licked her lip. 

“That is why I stopped when I did.” He smiled. 

She gave a little pout and turned back to look in the shop window. “Is this where you got my little purse? The beaded one?”

Comte nodded. “It is.”

“Can we go in? I’d love to see what they out for this season. If - if that’s alright. We don’t need to buy anything.” 

His cherie was always so worried about what he spent on her, as if somehow she could dent his wealth. He’b buy the entire shop just to see a smile on her face. “As you like, ma belle.” 

They went in and handed off their coats and umbrella to the doorman. The shop owner recognized le Comte and came out to greet him, stumbling over his courtesies. Comte did his best to put the man at ease while his love wandered the shop, looking first at the ready-mades and samples, and then at the material samples. 

Despite her insistence that they not buy anything, he kept an eye on where she lingered and what she touched. A woman could never have too many purses. After he reassured the shop owner that, of course he would be placing an order - he hurried to her side.

“Did you see these,” she asked, pointing to some delicate red beads. “They are garnets but they look like drops of blood when they catch the light.” She shivered and touched her neck. 

Comte didn’t miss the spot her fingers found. The last little love-nip he’d given her faded there, barely visible even to his keen eyes. “I think they’d look gorgeous paired with your ivory gown.”

She shook her head. “No - it’s just- there are so many beautiful things and I just like to look at them. It makes me happy just to see them.”

“That must be why I can’t take my eyes off you. There is nothing more beautiful anywhere in this world.” He took her hand and ran his fingertip along her wrist, tracing the vein beneath. He could feel the warmth of it there through her skin. 

Her eyes closed for a breath at his touch. “Ah, you can’t say things like that.” She laughed softly. “Besides, I’m not anything special. I’m glad you think so though.”

Comte kissed the tip of her nose. “You are humble too.”

Her tummy growled at exactly that moment, and she blushed crimson from the neck up. “Ah, and hungry? How far is it to that cafe?”

“It’s close. Why don’t you get your coat and the umbrella. I’ll be along in a moment.”

“You aren’t buying me anything, are you?”

“Ma cherie! You wound me.”

Her look told him she wasn’t buying that bland denial.

“I promise that I will not purchase these beads for you. A direct promise - and you know I don’t break my word.” He kissed her hand. “Now hurry along. I need a word with the shop owner.”

She raised an eyebrow but lost the expression when his lips touched the skin on the back of her hand. If there was another thing le Comte knew how to do, it was how to make his belle giddy. And he enjoyed doing it.

After she hurried over to get their things, Comte placed an order for a new purse and matching shoes using the brocade she’d lingered over and some matching blue beading and pearls. It would look gorgeous with the dress he’d commissioned for their country trip. 

Comte was nearly done with the specifications when a shout got his attention. The door to the shop was open, a young gentleman on his way in. But his love was darting out into the rain. He hurried after.

“I’m so sorry, monsieur. When I opened the door, the lady’s umbrella caught a gust of wind. She’s run after it . . .” The gentleman looked perplexed. 

“Yes, she’s quite impulsive,” Comte smiled. It was one of the things he loved about her. She didn’t plan or plot - she rushed headlong into life, full of joy and hope. It made her even more beautiful.

“That poor girl will be soaked to the bone,” the gentleman sighed. “If you know her, can you pass on my apology?”

“Of course,” Comte grabbed his coat and swept past. Outside, the rain was still falling in tiny chill droplets, the kind that made quick work of even heavy wool. They got under it and soaked you through, right down to the soles of your feet. 

He could see her a little way down the street, running after the umbrella as the wind tugged it along. Her hair was already stuck to her scalp and her clothes were dripping. It took him only a moment to catch up. 

“Quick, Comte! Catch it,” she shouted, pointing. 

It was too late though. An updraft between buildings caught the fabric and the umbrella shot up and caught on a roof tile. 

She turned and looked at him with big eyes. “I lost our umbrella.”

“It’s alright, ma cherie. Our lodgings are close.” Comte lifted her up and tugged his overcoat up to cover her head. “How is that? Are you a little drier?”

“Mmm, I don’t know about dry but you are so warm.” She slid cold hands against his chest and snuggled close. 

Comte smiled. “And you are very cold. I should hurry or you’ll get sick. Then I’ll be forced to nurse you back to health.” 

“Promise?”

He laughed. “I don’t know, ma belle. If you are looking forward to it, I should threaten you with something else. I don’t want you to get sick.” 

Ahead, he could see the lights of his friend’s estate - though it was now a waystop for ambassadors and dignitaries, and his friend long dead. He knocked at the door, and when it opened, they were ushered in.

Given their soggy state, the staff wasted no time getting them into a fine room and drawing a hot bath. The maid offered to stay for any needs they might have, but Comte shooed her out. And then he was finally alone with his dearest. 

She was shivering in her wet clothes, bare feet burrowed into plush carpet. Her teeth were chattering, though she tried to hold them still with a clenched jaw. Such a stubborn beauty. 

Comte crossed to her. “Come now, let’s warm up.” He undid the tie on her flange and let the little capelet fall to the floor. Then began on the buttons, his fingers moving swiftly down.

“I c-can d-d-do it m-myself,” she chattered, and reached for the buttons. 

Ever the gentleman, Comte dropped his hands. “As you like, ma cherie.” He gave her a wide smile, one reminiscent of the predator that he was beneath the civilized veneer. “I am eager to see you without.”

She blushed and began to undo the buttons on her own. Her cold-numbed fingers were much too slow for le Comte’s liking but he was a patient man. Most of the time.

Instead of watching her, he saw to his own soggy clothes. His jacket and vest, his scarf. He undid his shirt and draped it on a chair to dry. Then he began to unbuckle his belt but stopped at a breathy gasp from his beauty. Comte looked up to see her wide-eyed and watching him. 

The hungry look in her eyes would have made any predator proud. As if she was considering eating him up. 

“Ma cherie?” 

She blushed and looked down. “S-sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”

“You misunderstand, ma belle.” He closed the distance between them and lifted her chin to look her in the eye. “I want you to watch. You looked like you were enjoying it.”

She licked her lips and nodded. “Y-yes, but -” 

He stepped back and finished with the buckle. Then with a duelist’s grace, he slipped his trousers off and set them on the chair. All that remained between him and the open air was a thin layer of cotton. Comte crooked a finger. “Ma cherie? Perhaps you could help me with this drawstring?”

“H-help?” She looked down at her slip, the last bit of clothing between her and the hot bath. I - I was about to -”

“I’m terrible with these knots.” Which was, of course, a lie. An egregious one. If she refused, it gave him plenty of space to laugh it off. But she didn’t. She walked forward and reached toward him tentatively. Her hands slid down his chest, caressing his belly and sides. Stopping at the top of his hip. It sent an electric shiver through him and suddenly, he very much wanted the rest of their clothing off. It put too much space between them. Entirely too much.

Her fingers slipped under the top hem, pushing the fabric down. 

The sensation made Comte gasp. “My bold cherie!”

“Mmmm, turns out I’m bad with knots too,” she teased. Her fingertips danced over his low belly, stopping just above the rise of fabric and below his belly button. She slid her other hand over the top of the fabric and he groaned. “I’m not sure I can take these off you . . .”

A true gentleman, Comte reflected, would take the teasing with a sigh. But he was no true gentleman. He reached for the tie and in a heartbeat, that last shred of fabric dropped to the floor. He could feel her cool, silk slip against his belly and before he could consider it, Comte had tugged it off her and tossed it away.

“I thought you were a patient man,” she giggled.

“Not when it comes to you, ma belle.” He pulled her against him, his hot flesh to her cold skin. Even like this, she felt of heaven to him. The closest to the divine he’d ever reached. He wanted to be in her, to devour her, to taste every part of her. 

Comte’s hands cupped her and lifted her up, hip to hip. 

She threw her arms around him, still laughing. “What will you do to me now, you beast?” 

“Nothing you don’t want me to,” he purred. He might have said more, but she nipped the skin at his neck and suckled it. An imitation of the vampire’s kiss. It destroyed what was left of his composure, though he had enough control to carry her to the bath and climb into it. 

Hot water splashed over them as he sat, holding her tight in his lap. She gasped at the sensation, the sudden warmth and wetness. Then she grinned at him wickedly. “Should I be your bath maid, noble sir? I can wash your back. And all your hard to reach places.” One of her hands went under the water, seeking - and finding - his achingly hard shaft. 

Comte inhaled sharply at her touch - and her boldness. “I - I,” he cleared his throat, trying to hold to words and coherency. “I think . . . we shall . . . be much d-dirtier . . . in this b-bath.”

She raised an eyebrow. “A dirty bath? You’ll have to show m-”

Her speech stopped mid-word as he leaned forward and took a nipple in his mouth, scraping it lightly with his teeth before suckling and stroking with his tongue. If she wanted to find out how filthy bathtime could be, he had every intention of teaching her. In detail.

[butterfliesinmyguts]

rest easy

summary: you save guts

warning: blood and violence( its berserk), virgin reader, angst, and smut

your days were spent alone, only few a visitors pass by your cottage mostly lost travelers. you tended to your farm, horse, and went into the village every once in a while to gather supplies but it was unsafe now and days. you couldn’t ever get visitors.

on this night, you were heading back from the village deciding to take a short cut threw the forest as the rain started to slowly fall. your boots helped against the mud and you applaud yourself for not wearing a dress. pulling your hood over you head your pressed on, as the rain pour even more.

thunder clapped along the sky and it was getting a little harder to see the trail. stop for a second you leaned brush the mud of the rocks to see it was straight for here to your cottage.

wiping off the mud on a branch, while your ears filled with a loud roar. your eyes widen, as your feet dragged you towards it. groans and loud cracking echo there the forest. maybe someone hurt, something clicked in you. who ever it was they need help.

“ who goes there!” you shouted, a sorry attempt to place fear in the sound you feared.

“ ugrhhhhhhhh!” the creature howled, your body frozen in pure terror. the things body was blob with a a abnormal human body attach like .. like it was it face but the eyes were above the body, I grew nauseous.

the tall creature eyes were fixed on a wounded man who was on laying against the dirt “ silly of you to think you could win!” his hand pressed on his lower stomach, looking at the mans face he had no far just a blank expression with blood and dirt covering his tight chin.

as the creature slowly approached him- i thought quickly- I had to do something , I couldn’t just stand by and watch this happen. bending down patting the soggy ground not letting my eyes of the monster as my fingers tips grabbed a hand full of rocks. I knew for sure if chucked the matter at the dam thing and stayed where I was creature it quickly find me in tear me apart, I had to be smart about this.

the man body was inches away from a large tree, if I could throw the rocks and make it over there before the rocks hit the creature body i could survive. convenicing myself I watched the man turn looking over at this huge blade his face contorted yet focus on the object- what is hold did that have to him?

as the creature stood closer to him - your hand fling the rocks at the things whist your feet twisted to keep from slip it lead you to make a break behind the tree and then infront of the man. “ are you okay?” drop your knees to the wet ground your eyes wondered the mans body as he looked surprised at your presences, the man was handsome to say the least, he would have saw the warm tint of cheeks if it wasn’t for the cold rain.

my questions were answers his palm lifted slightly of the wound to display blood. he had a deep gush, pushing back his hand applied pressure again as I turned.

a loud screech rumble through the forest followed by thunder as the creature turned in angry crawling towards were I just left trying to find out we’re the rocks came from- he tore through the trees- I eyeballed the thing. that could of be you. the monster was extremely strong, this would be your only time to put it down.

the man notice you as cover his body was yours, the smell of blood and sweat made way through your norstils as his filled with lavender and mint, the man behind whined in pain as he tried pushing himself up guts knew he had to do. you rejected his actions slowly pushing him down but his shoulders. the man watched you perplexed, what is she doing?“ I’ll protect you I promise...” his eyes widen as your trembling begun searching around as you found a long sword the he was looking at it.

weakly you stood up with the sword in hand, stepping back you sunk you heel in the ground pulling the blade up. you grunted as result, finally getting a good grip you aimmed behind the creature as he still tore. the man watched you in awh as he question who you are, you had to be lms of the kingdom swordsman but he hadn’t seen you before.

the heavy sword pulling you down, but you refused to let you go. the man cough concern you leading to the turning of your head“ please I ...” sniffing he picked his head up “ I’ve got this run fast..” shaking your head no at the man. You had to protect him, that was what you said you had to stay true to your word.

finally your arms got used to the weight blade, You knew it wouldn’t be long before your muscle give out so you aimmed toward the distracted creature. “ AHHHH” you cried charging toward the thing who finally turning to you but it was too late.

stabbing the creature, “ you bitch!” it spat at you, cover your body with blood in. throwing your head back in disgust you shoved the blade all the way through letting go finally killing the thing as you fell on your knees to the ground.

turning to the man, he was stunned, pushing his body against the tree to push himself up. he was surprise that you could even lift his sword but killing the dam thing! out of the question.

picking herself up of the ground, he watched her run towards him. the women was beautiful, her shirt ripped and her face covered in dripping blood- but still wore the look of worry on her face. “ let me help you, my home is just this way...” nodding she allowed him to leaned my body against hers.

“wait...” guts breathe as he bent down pulling the blade with ease out of the creatures body placing the sword on his back.

leaning against the woman he realized he hasn’t even said his name, “guts..” his deep voice vibrated. you looked up towards the man, “ my name is guts, yours?” he claimed as you both finally step into a clearing leaving the dark forest. the women lead guts toward her home replying with “y/n, it’s nice to meet you.” the rain finally slowly down only drizzling on the top of you.

walking through the opening of glossy grass a small cottage was pointed out by the bright moonlight. “thank you for that..”

“ that? I saved your ass..” guts hands held her sides letting a nice squeeze to them almost making her laugh. “ thank you for saving my ass”

you were extremely proud of yourself, when you were younger your brothers taught you how to wield a sword and fight to defend yourself. 

leading guts in you, you placed him on the ground on one of the rugs you just finished. now it’ll be covered in blood but you had no worries about that. getting up you ran to the outside getting a bucket of water and placing it on the fire place. grabbing your clothes and sewing kit.

guts groaned a bit, as he discarded his armor. rushing to his side you begun to clean him off and sewing him up. guts watched you tend to his wounds, you made sure to take care of injured spot.

he knew there was only so much you could do but he’d appreciated everything you did. finish your sewing, you patted him off with the warm towel. y/n knew one of his ribs were at least cracked due to the bruising, but guts still moved around like it was nothing lifting him self up and everything. this told you that it wasn’t his first time fight against something like this.

“ thank you...” nodding standing up stretching your limbs. turning you looked out your window the rain finally stop, but you finally saw your reflection of dirt and dried blood on you body. you need to clean yourself, “ you can lay your head here tonight...” a smirked played on his lips, realizing how forward and a bit inappropriate that sounded you stumbled saying“ o..oh only if you like” guts rose towering over you, finally getting a good look at him. his was extremely ripped, raven colored hair laid against his scalp and presence made you feel like a was a teenage girl with a crush. guts was nothing but handsome.

you didn’t realize his stare towards you as your eyes wonder his body, you stumbled backwards tripping over bunched up rug. Guts didn’t let you let you fall, as you as met his watching him warp his arms around you- hands planted flat against your back . the corners of his mouth quirked up as his eyes instantly fell to your lips, “ don’t fall” he murmured. breathing out, you pulled back nodding and apologizing.

Guts smiled at the fact that he made your this flustered, you turned grabbing a towel. “ I’m going to bathe, I’ll make you one too... please ea-t your welcome to anything...”

you wondered off, as he dropped his things, looking around your cottage it was full of greerny, candles all around lit the room but the large arch window allow the moonlight to shine in, and your bedroom was on top of garret with only could be reached by a ladder.

you had rugs over the wooden floor and paintings that covering the wall with some unfinished, is this how you made your money? leaning on the window seal he saw your crops. how could so much be done by one person, and from the looks of it she lives all alone. turning he say a sliver man armor in the corner, mhm maybe she doesn’t.

after eating most of your bread and fruit you had out- gut heard you called out and told him the bathe was filled again letting him know you were all done. you opposed no threat, not one at all. you laid your life down for him, it made him fair you even than your stunning looks. he felt comfortable around you-you risk your life for him.

guts watched from the door frames as you tended to your night gown in the mirror, you looked beautiful.

“I’m here..” guts broed body stepped into the wash room- you had on a dress with a loose corset bra on, you skin was glowing in the candle lit room. “already for ya...” you watched as guts go towards the bath as the steam from the bath covered the room, pulling down his pants down you turned your body. does this man have no shame? closing your eyes you hand gripped the door knob, “my apologies, I’ll leave y-“

quickly silencing her guts look behind him to you, “ I’ll need help, do ya mind?” he watch you slowly opening your eyes to him, you quickly nodded. making your way to find a small towel and pulled the stool behind him.

guts placed his feet in the wooden tub trying to get used to the warm water as he slowly set, you turned away you waited until his lower was in the water as guts let out a sigh.

your eyes studied his scar fulled back. your fingers tips traced them, getting lost in them it was almost like a puzzle. guts felt your innocent touches and relaxed, letting his head fell between his shoulders. “ so is there another bed?” shaking your head gaining focus again grabbing the towel, “ no, I stay alone I hope you don’t mind sharing..” your heart skipped a beat at the thought of the warm feeling of other by your side. “no I was confused on if you laid alone...”

blushing a bit you, started washing back and then turning to face him to wash his chest with warm towel. guts observed you again as focus deeply on your task at hand. biting your lips you spoke again “ my brother died two winters ago, so I keep to myself..”

that answer his question, “ I’m sorry fo-“ her finger hushed him while she placed the on his lips, “ don’t apologize...” you said seriously- all guts could do nodded, as she started at his neck with the cloth. “you just getting to know me, what about you? “

guts felt warm, staring at you he spoke with a “complicated “ looking at him for a moment until you could help but to bust out in laughter. guts rolled his eyes, “what?” you sighed, “ you were so serious you just look a little funny”

guts watched her giggled to herself, at least she didn’t beg on. compared to others she’s seen way more, and she’s calm. y/n is laughing, watching her eyes closed and she talked about how she planned on cleaning the blood stained rug and went on about the monster outside and how heavy my sword was. “ you know I could have saved myself?” guts looked up, making her roll her eyes. “ then clean your own body baby..” she sit up beginning to walked away.

“Ah!” guts gasped as you turned back to him in worry, “did a cut open?”she leaned in and earned as splash of water on her, “ hey!” she questioned guts, “ you just looked funny”

after guts finished you give him some dry clothes with a cup of tea. you give him an explanation about the crops, “I wake up everyday at five in the morning...” that was crazy to him. you guys climbed up into you bed, guts set up looking out the window.

resting your head on the pillow you watched him. guts was tense, like he was worried. reach out for his hand he flinched. confirming your thoughts, his eyes watched you as your hand pulled him down to you. “ I promise your safe here...”

guts watched you, letting his head finally rest. after what it felt like years. eyes watching you, brush his hair from his eyes. “ you don’t have to worry..” giving him a hazy smile. guts heart throbbed pulling you into him.

for a moment you let your eyes fall and pressed deeper into him. savoring this moment, chest pressed together guts felt your heartbeat. it was a slow thump, letting him know you were relaxed. his hand smoothed along your curves petting you.

you body buzzed, while your palms instinctively went behind his neck. grabbing your waist he pulled you closer to him, I moan slipped pass you lips. you’ve never had this happen, guts watched you as his hips grinded against yours. your eye closed and mouth ajar along his lips in pure pleasure that you’ve never felt before. thinking of the times you rocked against your pillow, having his hands and the musk of him around your was completely different. guts lips touch your cheek as you quickly pulled back.

guts confused and extremely turned on by the sounds you made in his ear- glazed at your in worry. “ I’m sorrry..” you mumbled holding yourself, you felt almost embarrassed and weak. you haven’t been-

“ no one ever made me feel like this before..” looking guts eye widen.“ it’s your first time?” he asked you, you didn’t want to answer but guts could see in your movements, your were awkwardly nervous, and your corset squeeze against your chest due to your tight breathe.

guts eyes darted to your bust, licking his lips. He thought about this situation in front of him, slowly guts arms found your hips pulling you on top of him.

your hands laid flat again this chest looking down, you didn’t know how to feel nor what to do. guts stared watching your lips quiver, his fingers worked on your the strings on your back with eventually let your top fall.

his hands discarded it as he planted soft kisses on your skin. leading up to your lips, starting off soft you two made out until you craved more. lifting your hips up and sitting them down on his.

guts large hands reached under your dress to your bare soft thighs. squeezing them you bounced, pulling away to look down. “ I wanna- ah- watch ” your hands swiftly bunched up your skirt at your waist making guts smile. As his this slowly brushed past your heat, “ that fe-ahh so good” you moaned resting your head on his shoulder.

guts cock throb, stunned from the words that just left your mouth. pushing deeper gut thumb became cover in your juices, you were dripping for him. “ oh guts!” you moaned into his ear, his thumb continue to move against your ball of nerves as his finger starting pushing against your opening.

gasping your pulled back a little, guts hand kept you still and held you there. you never felt that pressure before and it sting a little, “ sorry it just came as a surprise..” guts nodded, pressing is lips against yours again, His thumb so moved against you as your lips molded together- he pulled back breathless “ we don’t have rush okay?”

desperate for his lips again you moved again them, nodding not even needing to convince yourself. guts slowly pushed his finger inside you, hearing the slick sounds as he twist and turn his finger made it hard to go move against his finger. a loud moan left lips, while you held on top him tight.

you never wanted this to stop, laying you down softly as his hand on your back went to soothe the warmth on your cheeks, you were expose to him.

guts took your beautiful body in, as his hands showed appreciation to every part of your body. his lips kisses you stomach and then your hips. making his way to your breast that he knead, earning a moan from him, squeezing your legs against his body he felt his member jump.

guts faced you, “ this is an honor...” kissing you again, you feel him pushing into you. your lips part opening up more as he sucked on your bottom lip. his large hands held you thighs as the burning slowly went away, as guts groaned started to rock move his waist as yours.

You gasped in astonishment pawing at guts back. guts drive into you, your left perfect around him. your pussy hugged him tighter than ever, begging - pleading for more of him.

his was in a complete trance by y/n, your moans were music to his ears “ oh guts!” only pressed him to want more of you.

you had mixed emotions, you told yourself that you would never marry off to keep your family name. So expected to never have this intimate moment with anyone, to never experience this moment . but now that you are it felt so right and you never wanted to stop.

“ holy shit your tight..” lips roughly pressed at your skin, you were in heaven. your body felt so good, placing your hands on his sides you dug your nails in pleading for him to go faster.

“ ugh! “ your legs wrapped around his body pulling him deeper inside of you awakening a bundle of ecstasy. guts saw you were a messy, words left your mouth in pants as you body shaked. flickering down to his cock he saw you milking him, you were experiencing your first orgasm and it was all from him.

lips falling on your neck, he drove deeper insane you wanting more as your hands gripped his hair. “ oh god!” you were in a frenzy, a guts frenzy.

pulling back guts watch you release for him, his hands clenched the sheet to hold his in. the site of you, was just enough for him.

as soon as you notice guts stop his movements you hips rode against earning a deep sigh from him. “ more!” you cried, guts gocked letting his head fall, as you pushed him deeper. You were so desperate for him, you were intoxicated by him. kissing him more your felt a spark, tingle your lips as guts pulled away groaning.

“ahh y/n fuck!” guts cried releasing inside you as he buried his inside you making you whimper in his ear, hold his head in your arms. guts screwed up his face, thrust more inside you. his cum all going deeper in you, as your pushed his hair out of his face.

kissing you deeper, you both felt enchanted by each other by each other, panting into each other guts gazed at you telling you that your amazing making you feel all warm inside.

laying his head on your bare chest he fell into a deep well needed sleep. your fingers ran through his hair as you replayed the recently events.

as the morning came you routine begun, guts still sound asleep- well not sound you could hear his snores even as you tended to your crop. you took it upon yourself to pack him fruits and berries in around cloth that smelt just like you.

fixing yourself, you changed into a dress passing your ankles. your corset tight, as you heard a stir. looking up upon your loft guts body was cleaved, his abs laided tight on his chest as he rubbed his eyes sleepily. looking down on your he almost gasped, you were breath taking as you smiled at him.

you were glowing, slowly climbing up the ladder Sitting on your knees in front of him. “good morning sleeping beauty..” chuckling he connected your lips, as your hand placed on his shoulder pulling of with a smile.

guts fingers found your hair twirling around his fingers, “ when do you plan on heading off?” guts smirked placing his hand behind your neck using his thumb to rub your temple. his lips take hold of you again while you threw you on top of him.

your lips dancing together as you playful caressed his body. guts hips pushed against you making you pulling back to lean up. “ what are you doing?” his snaked up to your hips as he slowly brushed his cock against you. eyes fluttering as you whimpered. guts smiled, flipping you over so he was on top. placing your hands on his chest, your face turned to the side.

did I do something wrong, guts eyebrow quirked as he turned down. “ we can’t do this right now, we gotta get you all packed..” as you continued to rumble you tried to ignore how guts kissed trail lower and lower down your body- his hands push your dress up as he placed a kiss on your heat. “so much to d - ah guts !”

after loud screams and heavy rocking for half of the day guts smiled at you, lips parted and eyes closed. brushing your cheeks he was enchanted by you.

guts had to get back, it’s been weeks since he’s been home. come to think of it, he’s never seen this place. a clear meadow and even this cottage, he always takes this way home. plus why didn’t anything attack this place last night? that was the first quiet night guts. you eyes opened, smile beaming at him.

“ let’s get you going before sunset..” nodding slowly while she peck his lips and stood up to fix herself. guts found his items neatly cleans and organized, while he dressed himself you handed him a bag with food.

he sighed grabbing his things walking with him in silence until you reach the middle of your meadow. turning to you guys frown a bit. hand on his cheek you smiled towards him, “ don’t forget about me..” shaking his head no, never. you nodded in response.

“ thank you, I owe you one..”

“you owe me a lot...” guts smirked played along his rough face, “ I’m in debt eternally...” the wind swayed the grass along both of your feet’s. it was finally quiet for once. guts two fingers hooked under your chin pulling your closer.

his face studied yours, he found you almost angelic. guts couldn’t believe he just had stumbled upon something so mesmerizing. pressing his lips against yours one last time, pulling away leaving you purely enchanted.

guts swore he’d come back to you but when he came back he couldn’t find you. guts found the clearing, but there was no cottage not crops no trace of nothing like it was never there- like she was never there.

author notes:

I just started berserk and I’m falling deeply in love with the it.

* proofing reading in progress *

[fanficsandthings]

Through the Years, Ch. 7

A George Weasley Fanfiction

A George Weasley x Slytherin reader story.

Each chapter shares events in one year of George and reader’s life together.

Word Count: 6.1k

Author’s note: i know i’m like 3 months late on posting this chapter, but i promise i haven't abandoned this fic. 

Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 

Year 6, Part 2:  Fireworks

 The heavy rain soaked through your clothes as you made your way into King’s Cross. It had been raining hard since early that morning, and the heavy gloom that hung over London was starting to take hold in your chest. The events of two weeks prior were impossible to purge from your mind, and on days like this the memories slowly crept their way forward. You swore that green skull could illuminate the sky again at any moment, so instead, you forced yourself to think about other things. 

You uncle and dad had been talking for weeks about an event happening at Hogwarts this year, but they wouldn’t give anything away. All you knew was that you needed a fancy dress, which you bought a week ago at a second hand store. It now sat in the bottom of your trunk, its intended use unknown to you for now. 

You no longer needed the motivation to run through the brick wall that separated platforms 9 and 10, like you did in your first year. You and your father casually waited by the wall, wringing the water from your clothes, as you watched the muggles pass by. When all was clear, you casually leaned against it, disappearing suddenly to anyone who might’ve cared to notice. 

The steam from the scarlet coloured engine filled the platform, the people rushing about looking more like ghosts than corporeal beings. You searched briefly for a family of redheads, but quickly gave up and turned your attention to the items you had brought with you. 

You checked quickly on Minnie, whose carrier was concealed under your rain jacket on top of your trunk. She was dry, just a little perturbed at all the movement happening on the trip here. 

“You packed the camcorder, right?” your father asked. “And the extra tapes?”

“Yes,” you told him, “they were the first things I packed.” 

“And you’re sure you know how to use it?”

“Yes, I’m pretty sure we went over it about 100 times.”

“I just don’t want you to get there and then not be able to capture anything,” he said, looking around at the people on the platform. He lowered his voice a bit to speak the next part. “It’s going to be a very fun year. I don’t want you to forget any of it.”

You let out an exasperated sigh. “Will you please stop being so secretive, and tell me what’s going on?”

“I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough,” he told you. 

You were about to protest and beg for more information when three more people came through the platform portal. Ron, Hermione, and Harry appeared before you, squinting through the steam. 

“Oh, look!” your dad cut you off, ignoring the annoyed look on your face. “Friends! Now, go get on the train with them. I might see you sooner than you think.”  

You said a very quick goodbye before turning to the three newcomers. They were still looking through the steam, trying to orientate themselves before heading to the train. You snuck up as quietly as your trunk would allow, thankful that the train engine was letting off some noise. 

“What’re you looking for?” you shouted, right in between Ron and Harry’s heads. It caused all three of them to jump; the owls in the cages they were holding hooted frantically as they got tossed around. 

“Please don’t do that,” Hermione voiced as she clutched her chest. 

“Sorry,” you said, smiling, “I couldn’t resist.” You turned your head to look at the brick wall briefly. “Where is..”

“Your boyfriend?” Ron butt in. He turned to Harry and made a fake gagging noise. Harry let out a laugh, amused at his friend’s actions. 

“Right behind you,” a familiar voice said. You turned to see Charlie, Fred, and George. George was smiling brightly at you. “We just passed your dad on the other side of the barrier.” 

“Charlie!” you exclaimed, giving him a quick hug. “I expected you to be back in Romania by now.”

“Do we even exist?” George whispered to Fred. 

“Apparently not when Charlie’s around,” Fred answered. 

You rolled your eyes as you turned to the twins. “I’m gonna see you two constantly for the next 10 months. I rarely see Charlie.” 

“I took extended time off,” Charlie said, answering your question, “because I’ll be working a little extra in a couple of months.” 

Ginny, Bill, and Mrs. Wealsey made their way through the wall behind the twins. 

“Hello,” Mrs. Weasley greeted upon seeing you. 

“Molly, it’s so good to see you. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see you at the Quidditch Cup,” you told her, giving her a hug. 

“Quidditch isn’t really my thing, dear,” she informed you. “But I might get to see you all again soon.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” you asked. 

“It’s nothing,” she said, pushing you back towards Fred and George. 

“We should get going,” you said to the twins. “We need to find Lee and seats” 

The twins said goodbye to their family, and you all headed off through the steam towards the train. You found Lee, who had already boarded and was saving a compartment for the three of you. You stuffed your trunks above the seats and put Millie’s carrier in the seat next to the door. 

It was a weird feeling, purposefully sitting so close to George on the train; him next to the window and your head leaning on his shoulder so you could watch the countryside pass by. Really, it’s not like much had changed from being just friends to dating. You had always sat close to each other before, even holding hands when the situation allowed for it. Something seemed to change over the last couple months, though, and now you felt more comfortable than ever resting your head against George. 

Maybe it was the fact that you could hold hands now without people whispering in the background and speculating about you. Or the fact that you could run your hands through his hair, which he had let grow a little longer over the summer, and not be worried about accidentally looking into his brown eyes and having to hide your embarrassment over the matter. You could freely count the freckles splattered across his face and name the constellations you made in them. Freckles that would always remind you of the falling snow on the night you first kissed. 

At some point, you let Minnie out of her carrier, letting her roam freely around the compartment, careful to make sure the door was securely closed. She eventually found a comfy stop on the seat between Fred and Lee. You watched as she curled up into a ball, her tail carefully covering her eyes, as if to block out any light. 

As the train rolled on and the rain outside got heavier, the windows fogged up, making it impossible to see outside. You turned your full attention to the conversation happening. Lee was talking about what he did over break, and brought up the Quidditch World Cup. 

Your eyes moved briefly to the window, thinking you might see the bright green light shining through the rain. George saw your movement and squeezed your hand in reassurance, a small smile on his face. You smiled back at him, telling him that you’d be alright. 

Lee mentioned that his father had been cheated out of money over a bet he made with Ludo Bagman at the Cup. 

“That dirty little cheat!” Fred yelled at the mention of Bagman’s name, causing Minnie to startle beside him. 

“He took our money, too,” George added on. “He paid us back in leprechaun gold.” 

“That’s exactly what he did to my dad,” Lee said. 

“You bet all the money you had saved, didn’t you?” you asked Fred and George. 

“Yeah,” Fred sighed. 

“We’ll have to find another way to open the shop now,” George said. 

“I still have some money saved up,” you told them. “About 20 Galleons when converted from muggle money. It’s not much but maybe we could find something to invest it in.”

“We couldn’t ask you to give us your money,” Fred said. 

“Yeah, I’m sure there’s other things you could use that money for, right? ” George inquired. 

“Not really,” you told them. “I’ve always planned to help you with Weasley Wizard Wheezes one way or another. Whether that be through money or inventing inventory.” 

“Oh,” George said rather quietly beside you. “Thank you.” 

You leaned up and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. “Anything for you, Georgie.” 

“And you know I’m always here to test out products,” Lee chimed in. 

“Oh, speaking of which,” you voiced, “did you finish those Canary Creams in the last two weeks?” 

“Not quite,” George told you. “There’s still some kinks to work out, but give us a few weeks and some of Snape’s potion supplies and we’ll get them done.” 

“But!” Fred said, pulling a small, wrapped treat out of his pocket. “We did nail down the yellow hair color.”

“Now we have all the house colors down,” George finished. 

“And I think we should take advantage of that,” you said with a grin. You grabbed the sweet from Fred’s hand. “This one’s yellow?” He nodded. “And you guys still have a beef against Cedric for winning the quidditch match last year?” 

“We should’ve gotten a rematch,” all three of them said in unison. 

“I know, I know,” you said, faking sympathy. 

The rest of the train ride was spent slipping sweets into other student’s train compartments and hiding in the hallway until you heard a couple screams. Cedric didn’t really seem to mind too much; being more embarrassed of the attention his friends were giving him because of it, opposed to being mad. You did manage to slip a pink one into Draco’s compartment, but one of his oversized bodyguards ended up eating it instead. 

You found Adrian Pucey, who was trying to rekindle your friendship a little bit. He had written to you over the summer a few times. You gave him a blue haired sweet just because you wanted to see if the color would look good on him. It really didn’t, as the Ravenclaw blue didn’t mix with his complexion very well. You made him promise to sit next to you at the welcome feast, and you’d reverse the effects then. 

Overall, you were very happy to be going back to Hogwarts where you’d be able to hang out with your friends again. 

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

The term seemed to pass too quickly with all the Tournament excitement going on. You had been concerned for Harry ever since his name was pulled out of that blasted goblet, but ever since he won the first task, he seemed to be in a much better mood. 

You had snuck out of the castle the night before the first task with Fred and George to meet up with Charlie. He had excitedly shown you the dragons they had brought from Romania, their fiery breaths keeping you warm in the cool November air. You had never seen creatures like this upclose before, and they intrigued you enough to think for just a moment that maybe you wouldn’t mind working in Romania with Charlie. 

A month after that, you found Hogwarts covered in snow, the winter chill finally settling in the castle corridors. Fireplaces blazed in every room, warming you ever so slightly as you sat by them. The fireplace in your dorm room did little to help fight the cold of the Black Lake. Again, just like last year, you spent most of your nights in the Gryffindor common room, curled up next to George by their roaring fire. 

Minnie took to spending her nights in George’s room. She seemed to be making friends with Crookshanks, as you would sometimes find them cuddled together in the common room. 

At times you felt bad for the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students. Their carriage and ship didn’t seem like the warmest of homes. You’d look across the school grounds and see them covered in ice and snow, and it would send a shiver down your spine every time. 

Christmas Eve came, and the entire school was filled with excitement over the Yule Ball the next day. You were excited too, but there was one more thing you needed to do before that day came. 

You had told George to meet you in the Astronomy tower in his pajamas at 10pm on Christmas Eve, a surprise all planned out in your head. You had stolen the radio from the Slytherin common room for the night. It had taken you and Adrian over a week to figure out how to get muggle radio stations to play on it, but eventually you got past all the magical interference and were able to listen to muggle music for the first time in almost four months. It wasn’t that you didn’t enjoy The Weird Sisters, but sometimes you just missed the music your mum would listen to at home. 

You set up your camcorder in one corner of the tower by the stairs, getting as much of the room in frame as you could. With no one else in the room to film, it would be the best shot you could get with the camera. 

You met George at the base of the tower five minutes before 10, confusion etched on his face. 

“I see you wore the pajamas with a little lion embroidered on them,” you teased him, reaching for his hand. “My cute little Gryffindor.” 

He blushed at your words, but he took your hand nonetheless and let you lead him up the stairs. 

“You’re literally wearing the same ones but with a snake embroidered,” George said. 

“Hey, your mum made them, and I love them,” you told him. You squeezed his hand as you both laughed. 

Music from the radio played softly from the top of the tower, a song that neither of you had heard before. When you reached the top of the stairs, you paused briefly to press the record button on the camera. This caused a confused look to make its way onto George’s face, but you reassured him that nothing harmful was going to happen.  

You pulled him to the middle of the room, the chill from the winter night just barely reaching you. Pulling him close to you, you wrapped your arms around his shoulders. George instinctively put his arms around your waste. You started to sway to the slow song coming from the radio.

“We haven’t been up here in a while,” George whispered. 

“Not since fourth year when we flew right into the middle of Professor Sinistra’s nighttime class,” you said, laughing. 

“Hey, we both expected her to have a midnight class that night,” George said, “not an 8pm class.” 

“I didn’t even mind the detention we got from it,” you told him. “I was just happy that I beat you in the race up here.” 

“I remember you cheating to beat me up here,” George said, wrinkling up his nose to tease you. “You and your old money Malfoy broom nearly knocked me into the castle wall.” 

“All’s fair in love and war, Georgie,” you said. “I was just using the speed that broom gives me to its full potential.” 

“If I didn’t love you so much, I’d still be mad about it.” He leaned down to kiss you on the forehead. “I still can’t believe you finally let me kiss you a year ago now.”

“You can thank Charlie for that actually. He gave me a little pep talk before I came outside that night.” You rested your head against his chest, listening to him hum along to the music. “Do you know this song?” 

“I’ve heard you play it before while you were at my house. I quite like it.” 

You pulled yourself as close to George as possible, trying to absorb his body heat. You hadn’t really thought about the open balcony and the winter weather when you planned this out. You leaned against him and swayed with the song, only really listening to his heartbeat through his chest. When the song was over and a more upbeat one came on, you pulled away just enough to look at his face. 

“Do you think Dumbledore really got The Weird Sisters to play tomorrow night,” you asked. 

“I hope so,” he said with a small laugh. “It’s all everyone’s been talking about the past few days.” 

“Speaking of the ball,” you started, “Did Fred ever ask that girl he likes to go with him?” 

“He asked Angelina a few days ago,” George told you. You wrinkled up your face in confusion. “What? They’re going as friends.” 

“But what about that Hufflepuff girl that he talks about constantly?” you asked. “I expected him to ask her, and I thought Lee and Angelina would go together.” 

“Lee’s going with a Ravenclaw fifth year, actually,” he informed you. “One of Cho Chang’s friends. Cedric actually set them up.” He seemed to have a hard time admitting that Cedric could do something nice for someone. George and Fred really held a grudge when it came to quidditch. 

“Cedric’s a good person, you know?” you said. “He wanted to have that rematch. But back to Fred; why is he being an idiot about his crush?”

“Because he is an idiot in general,” George said laughing. “He asked Angie just to prove to Ron that he had a date. He didn’t think it through.” 

You let out a sigh. “He’ll never learn.” 

The next song started with a familiar tune. “George, I think you’ll love this one!” 

You pulled away from him and grabbed his hand. There was no rhythm to your dancing, but it was fun nonetheless. George left all his worries behind and danced with you, not caring that you two definitely looked like idiots. He did really like the song that was playing, and he enjoyed it even more knowing that you loved it. 

You turned your camcorder off after that song, saving room on the tape for the next night too. You walked with George to the balcony, braving the cold to look over the snow covered grounds. Hogwarts really did look beautiful at this time of night. The moon reflected off the white snow and shone brightly over the Black Lake. The ship and the carriage looked like mere children’s toys from this far away. 

You rested your head against George’s shoulder as you both leaned against the railing. “Thank you, George.”

“For what?” he asked.

“For being my best friend, I guess,” you said. “It means a lot to me to have someone like you in my life.” 

“I’m glad I have you too,” He kissed the top of your head. 

You moved your head to kiss him properly, his body heat warming your face as you leaned in. The smell of potions clung to his skin, as he had been working on new products the entire last week. You caught the scent of a rather sweet one, and breathed in deeply. You pulled away reluctantly, but the cold was getting to you and you needed to head inside. 

George picked up the camera as you grabbed the radio, turning it off. You walked quietly down the stairs, hoping not to run into anyone at the bottom. He offered to walk you to your dorm, but you knew that Gryffindor tower was a lot closer than the dungeons, so you walked him there.

“Keep the camera for tomorrow,” you told him. “Record whatever mischief you get up to in the morning and then put it in the Great Hall.” 

“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow night.” He leaned in for one more kiss. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

You hurried off down the hall as he climbed through the portrait hole. Sneaking down to the dungeons at this hour required a bit of stealth and luck, but you had done it enough to basically know the patrol schedules. You made it to the common room after only one near run in with a teacher, but you ducked behind a statue, just barely avoiding them. 

There were a few students left in the common room, so you casually put the radio back in its spot on the table. Hopefully no one had missed it too much. 

You made your way to your dorm room, opening the door quietly to not wake your roommates. The last embers of the fire were still burning in the fireplace, and they gave you just enough light to be able to see your way to your bed. The light from the moon didn’t reach this deep into the Black Lake when there was a layer of ice on top of it, so your windows remained pitch black. 

You laid in bed, pulling the quilt from last Christmas as close to you as you could. You breathed in the earthy smell and let out a content sigh. Sleep found you easily that night, and your mind raced with dreams of what tomorrow might be like. 

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

The buzz and excitement in the air was contagious as everyone got ready before the ball. You had spent the morning in the common room with Adrian, trying to get him to tell you who he was going with, but he refused, saying that you’d find out in a few hours anyway. 

“Why won’t you just tell me?” you asked, leaning forward and narrowing your eyes at him. 

“Why does it matter so much?” he asked in return, ignoring the look you were giving him. 

“Because I want a picture of us and our dates,” you said, “and if I don’t know who your date is, then I can’t force them to take the picture.” 

“I promise you’ll get your picture,” he said. “I’m meeting up with him in front--”

You nearly sprang to your feet, but kept yourself in your chair when you saw the look of embarrassment on his face. 

“So it’s not the seventh year Ravenclaw girl that has a crush on you,” you said, putting your hands over your mouth to think a bit. “I really thought it was her.”

Adrian looked flustered, his cheeks turning red. “What? No, no, she doesn’t have a crush on me.”

“She does,” you told him bluntly. “She asked me if you had a date about two weeks ago. I told her yes, but seeing as you won’t tell me who, I couldn’t give her more information.” 

Adrian sank back into the couch, wishing this conversation would end. You looked at him, still thinking about who he could be going with. 

“The Beauxbatons boy who wouldn’t stop staring at you on their first night here?” you pondered, but he remained quiet. “The fifth year Hufflepuff who ran into you in the hall last month? He’s cute and rather shy. I remember him apologizing profusely. I noticed him ducking his head away from you when we’d pass him in the hall after that.” 

You watched him for a reaction that would give you a yes or no answer, but all you noticed was his face getting redder. Adrian never really talked about crushes and who he liked. This conversation about people who maybe liked him seemed to be a little much for him. 

“Alright, one more guess,” you said, “and then I promise I’ll drop it until tonight.” He looked at you out of the corner of his eye. You took it as a sign to go on. “It’s not one of your dorm mates, is it? They’re rather all kinda assholes.”  

You finally got a laugh out of him at that. “Absolutely not. I know them all way too well to ever want to go on a date with any of them.” 

“Good, just checking to make sure you were still sane,” you said, standing up. “I’ll see you in a bit. Meet back here before we head up?” Adrian gave a small nod as you headed towards your dorm. 

You got ready while the rest of your roommates chatted around you. The dress you had picked out just before the school year started hung from a hanger on your four poster bed. The purple fabric of it was accented nicely by some small gold details. You had added a little bit of magic to it over the past few months, making it more your own, rather than just a second hand find. 

You found Adrian a few hours later, sitting in the same spot you had left him; his casual clothes now swapped out for dress robes, and his hair neatly styled. 

“You look nice,” you told him, causing him to look up. 

“Thanks.” He stood up, scratching the back of his neck. He looked at you, taking in your dress. “You look great. Did you get the sparks to work?” 

“Yes!” you said excitedly, looking down at the gold details. “Technically not sparks, but you’ll see. Wait till George can see them too. Can you carry this?”

You handed him your disposable camera, and he quickly put it in his pocket. He held out his arm, and you easily linked yours in it. You headed out of the common room, ready to meet up with your dates.

Walking up the stairs from the dungeons, the first person you saw standing in front of the Great Hall was Ron in his interesting dress robes. He was staring angrily at two people as they walked into the hall. It took a second to realize the girl was Hermione, having never seen her with her hair done like that before. You recognized the boy as Viktor Krum when he turned to greet one of his friends as he walked past them. 

Viktor’s friend turned in your direction, and his face lit up with a smile as he saw you and Adrian. You turned to Adrian, who was smiling just as brightly back at the Durmstrang boy. 

“A Durmstrang boy?” you whispered to Adrian as you made your way over to him. The boy was tall, at least a few inches taller than Adrian, and his long dark hair hung to his shoulders. When he reached the two of you, he turned his attention to you and took your hand, kissing it softly. His green eyes looked into yours briefly. 

“Adrian has talked a lot about you,” the boy said, dropping your hand. He looked back over at Adrian, the softest expression on both of their faces.

“This is Georgi,” Adrian introduced you. You looked at him, trying to hide your expression of slight shock. 

This is exactly why he wouldn’t tell you the name of his date. He knew you would tease him about going to the ball with a boy who shared a name so similar to your boyfriend. In all honesty though, the two boys were almost nothing alike. Georgi seemed a little more subdued and quiet, opposed to George who, though quieter than his brother, was still too loud for his own good. 

While making polite conversation with Adrian and his date, you were also trying to find the twins in the crowd of people. You noticed them coming down the stairs with Lee and Angelina, Lee soon hurrying off to find his date. 

You nudged Adrian in the side and gestured towards the twins. “I’ll be right back.” He nodded at you, and you set off through the crowd. 

“George!” you called as you ran up and hugged him. He and Fred were wearing matching outfits, probably passed down from their uncles to them.  

“Hello.” George pulled you back from the hug, looking at you fully. “You’re beautiful.” 

You ignored his statement, trying to hide the heat rising on your face. “Come on, I want you to meet Adrian’s date.” You looked at Fred and Angelina. “You too. I want a picture.” You pulled George’s hand, leading the group back through the crowd. 

“You put the camcorder in the Great Hall, right?” you said over your shoulder. 

“Yeah,” George confirmed. “About an hour ago. You’ll just need to hit record.” 

Meeting up with Adrian again, you gestured to George, introducing him to the Durmstrang boy. “George, this is Georgi. Georgi, George. My boyfriend.” 

They stared at each other for half a second before Fred butted in. 

“Well, isn’t that fun,” he said with a grin. 

You just grinned at Adrian, a smug look on your face.

You introduced Fred and Angelina and chatted for a bit before pulling another student over, who you knew was muggleborn, to take a picture of the six of you. Adrian nudged you and pointed to your dress. You looked down at it before realizing what he was suggesting. 

“Oh,” you said, catching the attention of the group. “I almost forgot. I added a little magic to my dress. Adrian, do you mind doing the honors?”

He pointed his wand at your dress, and a translucent, almost invisible smoke came out of the end. Tendrils of smoke reached out, attaching themselves to the center of each little gold detail and then disappearing into the dress. Each gold detail began to shake, as if filled with an immense energy. Suddenly, the details exploded across the dress, mimicking fireworks to the best of their ability. After a moment, they settled into their original shape. 

The group was staring at you, transfixed on what had just happened. 

“I’ve never seen a spell like that before,” Georgi finally said, a look of wonder on his face. 

“That’s because Adrian and I invented it, just for this,” you told him. You smiled as you looked over at Adrian. “We’ve been working on spells and such all of term in our free time. So far we only got the radio to work, and now this. This one isn’t perfect though. The smoke isn’t supposed to be there; it’s supposed to just be an immediate effect.”

George could tell that you were rambling now. He could see that your ramblings were bringing your excitement over the fantastic job you did down into doubt about how it didn’t work exactly how you wanted it to. He reached out and grabbed your hand. 

“It was beautiful,” he said. He looked into your eyes, trying to bring your attention to only him, trying to calm you down. “You know I love fireworks. Maybe they could be a part of the uniform at our shop.”

You smiled at him, giving a small laugh. “That would be wonderful.”

You turned back to the group and noticed Angelina standing by herself, Fred nowhere in sight. “Where’s Fred gone off to?” 

“He said he needed to talk to someone,” Angelina said, pointing towards the stairs that led towards the kitchens. 

You turned, expecting to find Fred putting a firecracker in someone's robes, but instead found him trying to get the attention of the Hufflepuff girl. She was standing close to another Durmstrang boy, but looked rather uncomfortable at the whole situation. She kept trying to scoot closer to Cedric, but every time she did, the Durmstrang boy would scoot with her. Cedric said something to her before he took Cho by the hand and led her into the Hall. Fred called her name again, but she continued to ignore him, instead saying something to her date before they too walked to the Hall. 

“Why didn’t he just ask her?” Angelina asked beside you. “I would’ve been fine going with someone else.”

“Because he’s an idiot,” you said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You’re not wrong,” Angelina agreed. 

The entrance hall was getting emptier as everyone filed into the Great Hall. You took this as the cue to follow suit. You stood in the large crowd, pressing play on your camcorder as the school champions were ushered to the dance floor. The dancing started, and George almost immediately pulled you to the dance floor as more people joined in. 

The night went by quickly, but you would always be able to watch it back thanks to your camcorder, and look at pictures that you took. 

Your favorite picture by far was one of Adrian squished in a hug between the twins, their red hair and gold vests standing out extravagantly against his all black outfit. Adrian and the twins were still not the best of friends, but over the past few months they had all agreed to try to get along for your sake. The twins liked to show their progress through aggressive acts of friendliness. 

The videos were another story. They showed the night in motion and sound, something you were eternally thankful for. You could never give enough thanks to your dad for buying the camcorder for you. 

The video of the school champions dancing showed Hermione being the happiest you had ever seen her. It was quickly interrupted by you laughing as George pulled you onto the dance floor, followed by Fred grabbing Angelina to dance with him. It even caught a bit of McGonagall dancing with Dumbledore, a surprising sight, as you had thought you would never see either of them dancing in your life. 

You caught a video of Percy, zoomed way in on his grumpy face as he watched his ex-girlfriend dancing with someone else. Penelope looked happy with the boy she was dancing with though. You knew in a few years, hopefully, Percy would be able to laugh at his emotions too. 

You got Fred and George pulling Percy, Ron, and Harry out of their seats as The Weird Sisters started to play. Ginny joined their group to dance with her brothers; the three excited Weasleys trying their best to dance the grumpiness out of the others. You set the camera down on a table, facing the group and ran to grab Adrian and Georgi. Passing Angelina and Alicia on the way back, you told them to come with you too. Your large group now took up much of the dance floor, but no one seemed to mind as you all jumped around to the song the band was playing. 

The next video had the band playing a slower song in the background. The camera just sitting on a table, having been accidentally turned on by someone. It showed the Hufflepuff girl sitting at a table with Percy. They were talking, but the music drowned out any words that they were saying. Percy looked a little happier than he did earlier. Fred came into frame, sitting next to Percy, but putting his whole attention on the girl. She said a few short words to him, but when it was obvious she didn’t want to talk, he got up and walked towards the camera. He must have noticed it was on, because he mumbled a few words at it before the video cut off. 

There was a short video of you and Adrian walking outside in front of the castle, lights sparkling around you. George and Fred were a few paces ahead of you, talking about something you couldn’t hear. Georgi had offered to record for a bit, even though he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing. The video cut off abruptly when the camera was dropped. 

The last video on the camera was George recording you as you were leaving the Hall for the night. 

“How was your night,” he asked from behind the camera. 

“I had a great night,” you told him, walking backwards. You were holding up your dress so you didn’t trip. “Better than some people.”

The camera panned over to Fred, who flicked it off. He had a smile on his face, though, so you knew he still had a wonderful time. George moved the camera to catch Angelina in frame. 

“Did you still have a good time,” he asked her, “even though your date was kinda a drag?” 

“I had a wonderful time,” Angelina said as she put her arms around Alicia and Katie, who were walking beside her. “I still had my best friends to lift the mood.” 

“And what about you,” George turned so now he was walking backwards, camera pointed at Adrian and Georgi. They were walking hand in hand, Adrian’s head resting on Georgi’s shoulder. 

“It was alright,” Adrian said, smiling up at his date. Georgi squeezed Adrian’s hand. 

You had now reached the base of the stairs that led up to the Gryffindor common room. Everyone stopped walking to say their goodbyes. 

“One more thing,” you said to the camera. “I wanna get my spell on record.” You grabbed out your wand and pointed it at your dress, setting the fireworks in motion. 

“Beautiful, as always,” George hummed behind the camera. “I think this is where we part ways.” He took your hand in his. “Goodnight, love.”

“Goodnight.” 

The video stopped as you leaned in to kiss him. 

[stylesann]

Rebuilding

Steve Rogers x fem!reader

Summary: Steve decides to go back to the 40’s and you hurt.

Warnings: idk? Angst but happy ending

A/N: I have no idea what this is but aaa I feel like it’s bad lol, I just always get in a very angsty and dramatic mood every time that I read a story about Steve leaving so I wanted to do my own twist? Idk, and it’s been yeaaaars since I don’t write anything and also I’m not a native English speaker so I apologise any mistakes. Comments are always welcome 💕 -> written in around 15/04/2021; ->posted 28/05/2021

Masterlist

You stare at the ocean and release all the air you were holding on your lungs. You still felt your body heavy but at least your tears had stoped. You’re fighting hard to keep your thoughts out of your head, to keep your mind calm like the scenario in front of you, an empty beach with the ocean waves rhythmically hitting the shore. The sky had a lot of clouds and it would probably rain soon, but you didn’t mind, it matched you mood.

You could say you were surprised but all you felt was disappointment, sadness and if you were being honest, you felt anger and jealousy. What Peggy had that you didn’t? I mean, you didn’t know the answer and you were sure if you had asked Steve he wouldn’t be able to give you one cause he had spent such a short amount of time with her that he couldn’t be able to actually know all of her. All her flaws, all the quirks. In the past you had thought he didn’t even loved her anymore and was just in love with an image, an illusion he had from his past. But for him to had left you for her you weren’t even sure of that anymore.

You also felt used, replaceable, like you were just kept there cause he couldn’t do better, cause he couldn’t be with her. And now that he could he just tossed you away. You knew Steve wasn’t that kind of guy, but thats how you felt. And no one could tell you how you should feel or deal with it.

So that’s what lead you here. It had all happened hours ago. You saw his old self in that bench and you just felt numb. Bucky tried to hold you, he said that Steve wanted to talk to you but you just left. You had that right didn’t you? You didn’t care about what he had to say, it was all bullshit. You didn’t care about his guilt, or how sorry he was. You didn’t even care to go back to the apartment you shared with him, because you knew if you had gone there you would be stared by a hundred pictures you had with him.

You just wanted to get away. So here you came. You look down to the wedding band on you finger and the engagement ring. You wore both together but it didn’t make sense to have them anymore. You didn’t want any memories from Steve on you so you take them out and feel their light weight on you palm. You knew this was it, it was your way of closure, of ending that part of you life. You take a deep breath and throw them at the sea. There’s no way of seeing them drown but just the thought that you didn’t have them anymore made you lighter.

You turn around, ready to go back to the car that brought you here but you see a familiar figure blocking the way. Bucky.

“How are you feeling, doll?” he says approaching you. You didn’t know how long he was standing there or what he had seen. You wonder if he could see how empty and drained you really were.

“In the moment I’m not feeling anything. I think I’m still mostly numb. But that’s probably for the best, right?” You try to give him a light answer knowing that he lost his best friend too. How could Steve have left him after fighting so long to have him back was beyond you. “Did you know? Did you know what he was gonna do?”

“I did” that was all it took for the tears to start falling from your eyes. Why had Steve told him and not you? You were his wife for gods sake didn’t you deserve at least this? Bucky reaches for you but you push him away.

“Why didn’t h-he tell me? Why did he d-do this?” you hiccup between the words, the tears falling harder than before.

“I think he just didn’t have the guts to. You know he loves you, Y/N-“

“Screw him! If he did, he wouldn’t have done this!” All the feelings you were trying to push down seem to come to surface and tighten their grip on your chest. “I can’t understand why you aren’t angry? Why aren’t you feeling betrayed?”

“He didn’t leave me alone Y/N, he asked us to take care of each other” he has a pleading look on his face while he says that, and you see that the difference between you and him is that he had some time to come to terms with his friends decision, he’s sad but keeping it to himself. He’s trying to be strong for everyone one else who didn’t know, for you mostly.

“I don’t care about what he asked. I’m not staying and I’m not doing what he would want me too. I’m always gonna be there for you Buck, not because he’s wants that but because I care about you. Whatever you need you can call, even if it’s just for a chat, but I’m not staying, i can’t. I am getting into that car and I’m gonna drive away as much as i can, and I’m only stopping when I feel like I’ve put miles between me and this” you say more calm than you were minutes before. You had a plan, it may not be the best one but that’s what you had for now. You didn’t want to be in the same place you lived with Steve, you didn’t want to see the same scenarios you saw with him, you wanted nothing from him. Maybe it was bitter of you, or maybe you didn’t have the best coping mechanism but you needed the distance.

Bucky’s expression seemed to sadden a bit but he understood, he knew this wasn’t easy for you. “I don’t want to change your mind about leaving, so I say the same, if you need anything you call Y/N, got it?” He says as he hugs you firmly.

“Got it” you say in whisper against his shoulder, his arms still around you delaying the last moments he’s gonna have with another friend. You hate to be doing this, he didn’t deserve it you knew it, but you also knew that he wouldn’t be willing to accompany you on your trip, and it was something that you needed to do alone. You were alone.

“You know he wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t know you you be able to rebuild your life, right? You’re a strong person” He uses the same tone of voice you had, he probably just didn’t want to trigger you into making your feelings rise again.

“Everyone has the ability to rebuild themselves, Buck. The fact that I’m strong shouldn’t make what he did alright. And I don’t feel much strong now... I just feel like I’m a shell. And even if I do find someone else, how am I going to let them in? How am I supposed to trust anyone with my heart, when the guy I gave all my heart before completely destroyed me?” A single tear fall from your eye, but you hold the rest back. “I’m going to be fine but I don’t even know what that mean anymore.” He just nods to this, and I know there’s nothing left to be said so I head to the car and take a deep breath holding the wheel. This is it.

I look at Bucky while I drive away, he’s still standing where I left him and I hope with everything on me that he will be fine too. Whatever that means.

****************************

The sun is harsh on your eyes slipping through the curtains open frames. You turn your head to the other side and you feel a heavy weight on your waist stopping you from moving further than that. You slowly open your eyes to see Franks figure with his arm on you and his head drowned on the pillow.

You turn again to look at the clock to see it marking 8:47 am. Mary would be up soon, so you slip from Frank taking extra care not to wake him up and head to the kitchen to make a quick breakfast.

“Y/N! Y/N! Can we have pancakes today?!” Mary breaks into the small kitchen excitedly jumping around. Today you and Frank would be taking her to her new math club and she couldn’t be more anxious about it.

“What is going on here” Franks rough morning voice appears on the room. He’s rubbing his eyes and seems to be sleeping still.

“We are making Mary her favourite pancakes for breakfast” you answer them as you get the ingredients on the counter. Mary hugs you and sits straight on the table waiting for you to prepare them.

It had been 6 years since the day you left New York and ended up traveling for a long time through the country only to end up here. Florida. It was hot all the time, you always felt warm but it was distant enough from your past and you felt better about it. You decided that you wanted to rent a small place near the beach and so you found a woman named Roberta, that rented a few houses that fulfilled your wish. You didn’t think twice before accepting her deal.

You weren’t carrying anything on you except for the few clothes that you had bought on your journey so the move was quite simple. And you weren’t expecting to fit in so well here but the fact that as soon as you were settled a little girl, who was maybe 7 at the time, had come to you with a lot of questions that honestly you couldn’t answer warmed you up to the place real fast.

The fact that Mary had managed to always meet up with you but you still had to meet Frank was beyond you. She talked a lot about him “Frank did this today”, “oh did you know Frank let me adopt another cat”, “the first cat Frank got us was Fred, he has only one eye”, and so on. You knew more about him that you probably would by talking to him in person, according to Mary herself. She said he was very closed but had a great heart, she even told you the story about him fighting in justice for her guard. It only made you think he was a great guy who would do anything to protect his niece, and you were sincerely excited to meet him, give the person a face.

However, as it appears that his schedule was always all over the place and you always waking around town and spending many hours on the beach didn’t help with your meeting. You didn’t understand at first too how Mary always found you around, but she explained that whenever she wasn’t studying and Frank was going out with his girlfriend Boni, she stayed with her friend Roberta, who quickly became a good acquaintance of yours.

Either way, Mary had been talking to you for weeks when you finally met Frank. You couldn’t believe your eyes and genuinely thought you were delusional. He looked just like Steve, but the moment he started speaking you could see the differences between the two and the helped you find your foot again.

In the beginning you were hesitant about spending time with Mary and Frank, who surprised Mary with the news that he had gotten a more stable job. According to him, he still fixed boats but for a company that payed well. You were happy for him but the memories his face brought still made you want distance.

During the four years you traveled around you had let him go, all of him. You had been trough all the grief stages and learnt how to do well with your own company, you didn’t need anyone else. But looking at his face had the effect of hitting you with a sad resigned feeling and you didn’t like it. But Mary always spoke so highly of her uncle that you knew keeping your distance from both because of memories wasn’t fair.

Frank, of course notice that you never iniciantes any conversation with him and he wondered if Mary had introduced the same woman she said was talkative and affectionated. He asked you about it and it wasn’t until you answered with sincerity that he understood. Since then he was more careful in your presence which you appreciated.

With time though, you warmed up to him, he was a good guy you never doubted that. You became close friends and when him and Boni broke up you helped him. It was a mutual break up but it’s never easy.

You friendship was going great until you notice him treating you differently than he would before and you realised he was slowly catching feelings for you. Obviously being romantically involved with him was the last thing you wanted but you couldn’t bring yourself to change the way things were going between you two and that’s what led you to this moment.

In a car, dropping Mary off to her math club, with Frank by your side and the promise that it would be okay. It had to. You took so long to let him in that now you didn’t want to let go, and you doubt Frank wanted anything but stay. Bucky said the same when he came to visit you and Frank. You look at him and you see him smile at you.

“You think he’s gonna be a mini genius?” He asks looking at the small bump on your belly.

“If he gets MY genes, obviously” I sass laughing.

“Ha, you know the genius genes it’s on my side of the family Mrs. Adler” he chuckles.

“On your dreams” you smile. It you be okay.

[queenoftheworldisdead]

Home coming 4

Summery: Slow burn. You are forced to move back to your home town due to the pandemic.  When your high school tormentors return to remind you why you never  wanted to come back. This gets darker as it goes. I’m not a good writer folks sorry.

Warning: forced oral.

Dark Steve x Black Reader, Cop AU

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5

You watched antsy as the text bubble animated then disappeared. The pause between Steve's text was strangely long. Making you wonder what could have stopped the normally persistent Steve. Not willing to wait in the car any longer you headed inside.

When you unlock the door of course Uncle Nick was on the couch very much annoyed. "You need to ask if your gonna borrow my truck."

"Sorry I went to the bank" it was a lie, but you knew he would never bug you about something like that.

"What happened to your face?" He shot up rushing over, fuming. "It was that fucking Steve wasn't it!" He examined your face, you pulled away when he tried to cup it.

Shit

You forgot to cover your face backup. "Unc... it wasn't Steve. I fell, tripped on something getting out of the truck. Damn thing is so high up off the ground."

By the look in his eye he wasn't buying it. You moved and pushed past him, you could her him cursing under his breath.

When you got to your old room you close the door. Leaning against it you took a deep breath.

*Buzz Buzz

Ripping the strap from your arms you throw it across the room. Your hearts pace quickened, the thought of that squad car from earlier containing Steve. What he might do if he knew what you were planning.

Pushing off the door you run to your closet. Tossing things around, looking through unopened boxes for your duffel. Your hands tremble as you search. When you hear the faint buzz again and curse.

You had to go to it. Turning around you stare at the purse again. Swallowing thickly as you approached it.

Unzipping the bag, you dip your hand inside, pulling it out. The screen lit up with his name.

MSG Steve: Come outside

Your heart felt like a hammer. The short text not giving any hint to what you would be walking into if you walked out that door. Texting him back you tell him to give you a minute.

Had he seen you?

Blinking away tears you try and collect yourself.

You wanted to avoid another confrontation from your Uncle so you decided to go out the back. Slipping out the room you close the door quietly. Walking with bare feet and shoes in hand gingerly on the old floor.

You peer past the archway to see him laser focused on the screen. Still on tip toes you walk into the kitchen and through the back door.

The yard was over grown, Nick's old car rusting and in pieces in the back. You put your shoes on and walked around the house.

When you saw the cop car your mind reeled. Was he going to arrest you for steeling? He knew you stole those tools. It was him.

Through the squad car window's the tent was so thick that Steve's features were barely eliminated by his cell phone. You wanted to run back to the house, board up the doors and hide, but you knew you couldn't.

Each step you took toward the car seemed heavier and heavier like a weight was drawing you down. When you finally approached it he looked away from his phone and up at you with a smirk.

He opened his door and towered over you. "Sorry have to go to work later, so I hope you like a man in uniform" he joked. His eyes burned on you. Twitching a bit when he finally noticed the damage.

Lacing his fingers with yours he said nothing as he led you to the other side of the squad car. He boxed around you on the car when you reached the passenger door giving you another once over. The last time he saw you like this you had fucked up and trusted the wrong person. He sucked in air before letting out a long sigh. You flinched when he lowered his hand down and opened the door. Still silent he watched you slid inside.

Your stomach sat in knots while he drove you. He kept his hands on the wheel. The controls and laptop on the dash made the cop car feel like an alien space ship to you. He kept his work radio low, the back and forth chit chat filling the quiet spaces.

Steve's presence was so overbearing even with him not touching you. You couldn't remember a time being in a car alone with him like this and he hadn't tried touching you in one way or another.

*Ring Ring

Steve shifted in his seat, pulling out his phone. Splitting his attention between the road and the screen. He didn’t answer it. You glanced over quickly to see him silence the phone and tuck it away.

Your head tilted toward the window as the trip trekked on. The scenery slowly changing as you passed. The little town of Yielding looked like it was just waking up. The traffic just starting to get busy.

"It's just me and you today." When he spoke it was even. Still no hint of what his mood could be.

When he turned to go the opposite way from the direction of his house, you got more worried.

"Um... Steve where are we going?" You somehow found the courage to ask just above a whisper. Your nails picking at the seat as you waited for a reply.

"It's a surprise" he said coolly.

It wasn't until he turned down a residential street that you realized where you were. The row of houses flooding you with memories. He had taken you to his parents house.

Slowing to a crawl he parked in the driveway. Steve got out of the car and you watched as he walked over to your door. Opening it he held out his hand for you to take. His hand was so warm when you took it, but that didn't stop your skin from prickling.

Hand in hand he walked up the cracked walk way, halting only to unlock the front door.

Following behind him, you noticed just as at your uncle's house how everything looked frozen in time.

"Mom you in here?"

You looked at him puzzled. He lied.

Dishes clanked from the kitchen. "Just a minute" his mother called out. When she walked out it looked like she had aged a bit since you last saw her. Her once platinum blonde hair now mixed with grey.

"Hey Ma look what the cat dragged in."

his arm wrapped around your shoulder bringing you into a side hug. The move made you stiffen and shift from his side uncomfortably.

*Ring Ring

"Oh my goodness!" She opened up her arms to you, embracing you. "Steve told me you were back in town." Apprehensively you rose your arms to hug her. In you peripheral going in his pocket likely silencing his phone again.

She pulled back and frowned at Steve, you crossed your arms and picked at your sleeve. "You should've told me you were swinging by."

"Are you hungry Sweetie? I have some coffee brewing and I can whip you up something."

"No thank you Mrs.Rogers." Stepping back from you turned to address her son. You looked away as they talked.

Above the old TV a family picture hung on the wall. The sight of his smiling father opened a boxed memory.

You were never a favorite guest when the patriarch was around. Your 'study sessions' at the Rogers home diminished greatly after one faithful night.

Steve's father busted through the bedroom door, to find you two entwined. It was the first time you saw fear on him. He was whiter than the sheets you two laid upon.

He yelled for his wife as you redressed quickly. Mr.Rogers dragged Steve to the living room. Even though Steve surely could take the older man he coward on the floor in a ball.

The one time in your life you watched the great Captain brought to his knees. It was as if he had turned back into that scrawny boy from Mrs. Peppers class. His mother and you watched on as the older man beat his son. You wished at that moment for it not to stop.

She gripped your shoulders, her nails dug into you. "They were just studying?" She had shouted at him over and over again.

You didn't care that the old man cursed you for being a 'nigger'. Bringing trash in the house as he called it. The cacophony of blows that rained down on Steve filled you with joy and you tried to hard press down the smile on your lips. Even when Steve's tearful eyes found you, you could not hide your delight.

"I'll be right back Ma." He told her before capturing your hand again. She nodded and waved you off with a smile as Steve led you.

Walking through the house until he landed at his childhood door. You accidentally squeezed his hand because of your anxiety. When he felt it he brought your hand to his lips and kissed it, trying to comfort you. Instead it gave the opposite affect.

Urging you to go inside once it opened. You went in alone.

"You stay put I need to talk to her for a minute."

He closed the door behind you and you listened to his foot falls disappear. You hear his phone going off again as he moved further away. Steve uniform making his presence heavy as he moved down the hall. You scanned the familiar surroundings. crossing your arms again you pick at your sleeve, even with him not in the room it was hard to escape the feel of him. There was never enough distance you could make.

Trophies mounted on the wall next to ribbons of all his athletic achievements, movie posters, his twin bed pressed against the wall. All a time capsule.

You heard music turn come on from somewhere in the house. A thing she always did to give you both privacy. The classic tunes making your stomach knot tighter. Steve opened the door to find you unmoved. He closed the door behind himself.

"Do you know why I started dating Peggy?" He paused, his back pressed to the door. You couldn't face him. Walking around to face you he lifted your head with one finger, you were already crying.

"To find ways to make you fall for me, for you to love me." He looked at you so endearingly wiping a tear away with his other hand. You hiss when his thumb dragged across your bruised cheek.

*Ring Ring

The phone broke his train of thought. You could feel his agitation grow. Steve sighed dropping his hand, the vein on the side of his head started to become more prominent. He didn’t silence it, just letting it ring out before he started again.

"Bucky...I didn't tell him to do that." 

You didn't believe him. "I'm sorry I didn't think he would lash out on you. I’ll talk to him..." When his hand rested at the hip of his holstered gun your trembling intensified. 

“Get in position.” His request was soft, but it still made you break down harder.

There was no point in begging. Sobbing, you step back and get in the middle of the room.

"No...not like that...get on the bed. I need to show you how sorry I am."

"Pleas Steve there is nothing to apologize for." You assured him. It was a rare occasion when Steve wanted to 'apologize', and you never looked forward to the endeavor.

His face turned cold. His lips a hard line. It felt as if Steve had sucked the air out of the room. You felt the wetness from your cheek travel down your neck, sniffing repeatedly. You walked backwards, wiping away tears until you bumped into the mattress.

The bed dipped and squeaked as you lowered yourself on to it. Scooting back enough until your knees hung over the bed and your feet on the frame. Your legs splayed on the bed, then laying your back flat on the mattress. Steve only stood and watched, his dark uniform made him much more menacing.

He was unmoved by the puffiness of your face and red teary eyes.

You kept your clothes on, he preferred it that way. Steve felt like you shouldn't have to lift a finger when he needed to atone.

"Steve.." You spoke out softly. "It's not your fault..please"  you sniffed. Steve walked over to the bed, his badge twinkled as he approached.

Hiccups started the instant his hand fell on your jeans. Closing your eyes tears fell from each side, the salty water getting into your ear. The sound of his clothes crinkled as he half bent over you. The bedding wrinkled in your hands as you gripped it.

Steve’s palms pressed into your belly as he unfasten your pants. His fingers felt as if they burned your skin as Steve hooked his hands on the waist. Pealing them down slow,  taking your panties with them, making sure that your entire lower half was bear for him.

"I need to show you..." Steve's voice went low and you locked your ankles. "How sorry I am for not being there to stop him." Steve lowered and knelt on his knees.

"I forgive you please" your eyes shoot open when he palms both your knees. You tried to keep your focus anywhere, but him.

Steve's hands moved your knees apart, your ankles unlaced with ease. You tried to control your breathing, the hiccups fell with every exhale. All you could do was stare at the blurry ceiling. Steve's weight pressed into your thigh when he came face to face with your sex.

Steve’s arms wrapped around from the back of your legs. Locking you in place, his hair tickled your thigh the closer he got to your mound.

"Forgive me." He softly pleaded with you. Pecking down your inner thigh each time. Your legs tense hard at the contact.

"Stop I forgive you please stop" your shaky voice was so small when you felt his breath on your skin. You felt his lips part, taking your folds into his mouth and then pulling off slow to release.

“Mmm...”

"I'm sorry" Steve spoke softly before he began again. You felt every word as he talked into your lips. Every syllable driving sensual a moan from you. Steve's teeth grazed your folds until he moved to play with your clit, taking it between his teeth.

"Please..." His tongue plunged deep, curling and swirling.  Steve's nose grazed your clit as he swirled around, the touch electrifying you.

"Show me you forgive me.." He begged.

You fought the urge to grab his head and press him further when he sucked you in.

You knew exactly what he meant by that. He was forcing a need onto you. If you broke, then to him he was won.

"Forgive me...." He pleaded before flattening his tongue on your mound, making your back arch and spasm. Through it all his phone rang again and yet again unanswered.

Even though you cried, even though your eyes burned, you came for him. Steve devoured you, lapping up your wetness.

"Captain please I forgive" you panted, he wasn't finished. Steve wanted you to cum over and over again until it hurt.

There was no way to fight the desire for him like this and he knew it. Steve unwrapped his arms and moved his hands behind your knees. They bent as he slowly rose them up, folding you as he continued to apologize. Deepening his kiss, fucking your pussy with his tongue, your mewls louder than the last.

Your thighs tried to squeeze Steve's head, but he forced you to stay in place. Gritting your teeth hard you moan and cum on his face again. Each orgasm filled with tears.

"I-I...I need you...I love you, Captain I-I love you, I forgive you!" You were delirious as you come a third time or a fourth you weren’t sure. You wanted to say anything to make Steve stop.

When he finally released your legs they were a shaky mess. He rose from your mound, his face wet with your juices. You could feel his eyes as you laid there, a crumbled mess on the bed.

Before leaving his mother asked you two to stay for lunch. Steve declined. He needed to start his shift soon. She hugged you both goodbye and you felt numb.

When he dropped you home it was close to noon. Steve kissed your cheek and apologized about needing to go into work. Promising that he would text you as soon as he could and you shuddered.

Reminding you of the times you had to wait for him while he was at practice. Forcing you to lay down in the back seat of his car until practice was over.

Sliding out of the door your thighs felt sore. He offered to walk you up, but you managed to dissuade his help. Steve waited in the driveway for you to enter. A wave of relief washed over you when you saw that your uncle wasn't in his usual spot.

His truck was still here so you were sure he was just sleeping in his room. So while he slept you packed.

Chapter 5>>>>>

Tagging: @readermia​ ; @mrsbanreswillseeyou ;@astrobabezblog ; @sebastianstansqueen​ ; @tian-monique​​ ; @shadowcatsworld​ ; @sllooney​​ ; @tinystudentfirepurse​​; @mrsbanreswillseeyou​;  @jxtr610​​; @villanellevi​ ; @2fab4utheatrediva​; @afriendlyblackhottie​; @stupendouslovegardener​;

[xo-cuteplosion-xo]

Midnight ball | Chuuya x reader |

Midnight Ball | Chuuya x reader | (female reader)

I feel like I'm doing Chuuya dirty with this one-

Warnings- references to some NSFW themes, inferred attempted rape, mentions of drug use.

(really hesitant on actually posting this... nothing happens, but I don't wanna make people too uncomfortable)

Undercover missions were normal in the port mafia. Every once in a while they would come up. You went on a lot of these missions. Even the ones you didn’t care for.

The air was brisk, not too cold, but not a comfortable warmth either. It wasn’t every day you were called in on what should have been your day off. The clouds covered the noon sun, keeping its warmth tucked away. It felt as if it may rain. Maybe snow would fall with how cold the air was. The trees were bare of their leaves and the grass slowly warping to brown. The winter flowers, in full bloom. You shivered tugging the scarf closer as you walked towards the black buildings. Stepping inside was bliss, the air warm and welcoming. You walked slowly towards the elevator stepping inside as it carried you to the level Mori’s office was.

Making your way into the office, your eyes landed on the short male you had become close to. Running a hand through your hair you looked to Mori. “Ya know it’s my day off right? This better be important.” you had guts talking to your boss like this. Elise snickered from the corner of the large room, drawing a picture. Most likely something rather disturbing, as she tended to do.

You hadn’t noticed it before, but Chuuya’s face was contorted in both disgust and anger. Whatever this was, gave him quite displeasure. “He’s having us go undercover. Instead of picking another female… he’s making me wear a fucking dress.” his eyes narrowed in Mori's direction.

“Well, you work well with (y/n). I carefully considered members like Kouyou, but none of them matched what I needed for the minor mission." Mori grinned as Chuuya huffed, crossing his arms.

You tried to imagine him in a dress, but the only thing that you could think of was Kouyou, considering they did both have ginger hair. Shrugging you grabbed Chuuya’s hand, tugging him away. You figured he could brief you on the mission later.

~

As the sun fell under the horizon, and the moon took its place in night's embrace, the two of you settled inside the limo. Chuuya’s arms were crossed as he tugged on the dress. His eyes set in heavy glares. His hair happened to be up in a neat bun. It had taken a lot of fighting and shouting that could have deafened somebody. He was even dolled up with light specks of makeup. The red dress suited his form, his height made it ideal for heels. He already had a feminine figure, so there wasn’t much you needed to do to pass him as a female. He kept squirming around glaring at you. “How the fuck do girls wear these dreaded things.” he hissed, referring to the corset hidden beneath the silk he wore.

Snickering you shrugged leaning back. “They say beauty is pain,” you hummed, leaning back in your seat. This wasn’t ideal for you either. You much preferred to be slightly dressed down from this. Looking as fancy as you did now wasn’t modest, and it sure wasn’t something you liked to wear. You were sucking it up so why couldn’t Chuuya? Could he really be all that uncomfortable? “I could loosen it a bit.” you offered, but Chuuya shook his head staring at himself. He had mastered heals within a handful of moments so you weren’t worried about him tripping. The real challenge would be flirting with the target.

This was a two-person job due to the size of the party and the security around the target. One of you would distract the guards while the other smooth-talked their way into a private area with the target. They would either get the extent of the information this person had managed to take early this morning or silence him. You two hadn’t decided who would be doing what. It was more one of those whoever gets there first situations. The car pulled up to the entrance just as your thoughts finished. Stepping onto the ground you waited for Chuuya. The clunk of his heels on the pavement were steady and even. You went to remind him about his expression, but he rolled his eyes. “I know, no scowling, glaring, or yelling.”

You smiled gripping the edge of the dress, pulling it up so you could walk the stairs without tripping on the (f/c) fabric. Your hair was down but pinned in specific places. “Don’t forget, no swearing. We have to act ladylike Chu.” clicking his tongue, he pinched the fabric of his dress and walked up after you. Entering the large mansion you were escorted to the ballroom. Standing at the railing that overlooked the floor you smiled. Never in your life had you been to one of these. You truly wanted to participate at least a little.

Chuuya noticed the excited glimmer of your eyes and grabbed your hand. Tonight, you both were trying to pass as two female teenage siblings whose parents wanted a night alone. Without a boyfriend, the two of you showed up alone. A naive action when it came to noble parties. These were incredible to get into. You had to have power and money somewhere. He pulled you down the stairs, flashing you a small smile. He wouldn’t admit but this wasn’t that bad. He didn’t mind the corset or the way the dress flowed in the wind. He minded the hair since he always wore it in one specific style. He’d done this once before with Dazai but doing this with you was different. Probably because he wasn’t being forced to be the fiance this time. “We might as well try to enjoy ourselves.” he was surprisingly skilled at keeping his voice higher in pitch. There were a few occasional slips, but he sounded somewhat feminine.

Smirking you pulled him to the food table. “I’d say you're actually enjoying yourself Chu.” his eyes narrowed for a second before playfully hitting your shoulder.

“Sure I am.” he huffed looking over the table of snacks. He grabbed one of the tea-sandwiches and took small bites. Despite how he tried to enjoy himself, he was focused on the mission. There was still no sign of the target. Two older-looking gentlemen came up to the pair of you, holding their hands out.

“Would you two care for a dance?” Chuuya’s mouth twitched to snarl, but he quickly put on a smile despite how much he wanted to string profanities. You glanced at him, inhaling softly, you tapped his shoulder as if to reassure him.

“Depends~ how old do you think we are?” you two had decided on your roles already. To spare Chuuya some dignity you would try to be the more seductive while he played the part of the shyer, more innocent twin. Since he was a boy playing a girl, he matched the innocent child-like stereotype well, considering he didn’t have breasts.

One of the men standing in front of you chuckled lightly. “Teens, though it’s not like we're hitting on you. We simply wish to take you for a dance. You appear lonely.” Chuuya was sick to his stomach already. The last time he’d done this he didn’t have to deal with these situations because Dazai had been there. Yet, as he looked to you, he tilted his head. Your hand grabbed the man's as you looked back to Chuuya.

“Trust me, it’ll be fun. There aren't any men our age, so trust me.” the act flew softly off your lips. There was a hidden motion when you flicked your ankle. It would have passed as your feet were slightly sore to anybody else. Chuuya glanced to the railing, spotting the target. He nodded, faking a smile as the two of you entered the dance floor.

With every pulse of the music, you got closer and closer to the edge. Your eyes tracing for the amount of guards. Though based on what you were observing you had both already found them. It was a widely known fact your target had a thing for younger females. Not young like Elise but teenagers who appear frail. You and Chuuya most definitely looked the part tonight. Dipping you back your eyes met Chuuya's, a smirk crossing both of your expressions. When you returned to the normal position you switched partners.

Things started going slightly south from there. While you two had managed to keep your dancing rather close to one another, you were starting to drift apart now. Chuuya moved closer to the stairwell, while you made your way towards the back doors. Despite how you tried to move back towards him, your dance partner kept you moving in that direction. Eventually, you noted what was going on. Occasionally these types of missions had unexpected twists. This was one of those twists. You hadn’t thought to watch for other predators. Trying to rip your hands from his you glared. “I ought to get back to my sister.” you wove innocence into your voice, but he paid no mind as if he had not heard you. As the music ended, the rough grip that had succeeded in pulling the two of you apart let go. A silent satisfactory smirk placed over his lips. Walking from you he headed back to find another dancing partner.

Walking around you began to search for Chuuya among the crowd. Innocently asking couples and other women if they had seen a short, rather young-looking female ginger dressed in red. They had shaken their heads but one couple pointed towards the stairs. You curtsied respectfully, racing to the stairs only to be stopped by the two men you had previously been dancing with. Batting your eyelashes you explained somebody had seen your sister walk up these stairs not too long ago.

You couldn’t help but feel worried despite knowing Chuuya could handle himself with the utmost care. He was strong both physically and ability-wise. You bit the inside of your cheek figuring, they probably weren't idiots. If they had separated the two of you they had to think you already knew something was up. You'd probably made that worse when you tried pulling away in the dance. The high-heels were beginning to get rather annoying. They were difficult to run in, jumping would probably result in a twisted ankle if you don't land perfectly. You made sure to blend away into the crowd. Losing their eyes you slipped through doors until you made it into a hallway. Laying out the map of the building in your head you walked the halls trying to find the staircase leading upstairs. You had to dodge behind corners to avoid security. It took you close to ten minutes to finally reach the stairs. There were so many rooms it would be difficult to find which one to enter. You narrowed it down to two in your head. The others would be a waste of time, the two you had narrowed it to were close to the ballroom, small, and were bar areas. Off-limits to party-goers as well. There would be no interruptions to their perverted actions.

You looked around, spotting a guard, you gripped the edge of your glove with your teeth. Walking up as if you were scared you began to stumble purposely over words. “I-i think I’m lost. I needed the ladies room and I couldn't find my sis or the ballroom.” faking tears as you got closer, the security officer's eyes softened as you approached. Taking you as a younger female instead of an adult, he offered out his hand. You gripped it before smirking as your ability activated. Moving your hand away, you tilted your head. “Sleep,” you commanded them. They fell to the floor with a thud. Grabbing the gun from their belt you checked that the safety was on. Assured it was you stashed it in your dress. Walking to the first room you burst inside finding no sign anybody had been there, you closed the door.

Making your way to the next option you pressed an ear to the door. Whispers and the sound of metal sent you to a light panic. Glaring at the door you pulled the gun out and switched the safety off. Entering the room you pointed the gun only to hear clicks follow. Your eyes darted to the sound. “So there were four.” snarling you entered and shut the door with your heel. Your mind began thinking of every way to get away from this situation. You lowered your gun with a defeated sigh. Letting it drop to the floor, one of the guns pressed to your head. Their hand grabbed your wrist as you looked to the mop of passed-out ginger.

“Damn idiot,” you hissed knowing this was probably the result of drugging. There was no way in hell he’d be beaten by mere ability-less scum. Shoved to the floor you glared. Your hands were pulled above you. Looking to the side you snickered at the poor idiot who touched your skin. “Kill your boss,” you commanded and their body dropped you and turned to the person whose hands were on your love interest. When the next guy pointed the gun at you, you swept them off their feet, whistled, and pointed. “Shoot them.” with another fire, two of three were dead. “Now shoot yourself.” and so they ended up three of three. Tossing off the heels you made your way over to Chuuya. Checking his pulse you rolled your eyes.

You lifted him in your arms before leaving the bloody scene. Your dress was now stained with splatters of crimson. Jumping from the window, then to a tree, and down, you placed Chuuya in the limo. Grabbing a bottle of water you opened his mouth and poured it down his throat. He stirred a bit, his head falling on your shoulder. Blushing lightly you found the back of his dress was open and the corset already loosened. “Got there just in time.” you sighed as the limo pulled to your small apartment. Lifting him you carried him inside. Dropping him to the bed you sat on the opposite side of the bed.

It took three hours before his eyes fluttered open. Holding his head, he glanced at you. “Why the fuck are you here?” of course his first words would be aggressive. He could hide it all he wanted by the shiver of his body and the way his hands moved to his back made it clear. Finding the strings and ribbon undone as well as torn his eyes widened for a fraction.

“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting to be separated like that.” you played around with your gloves looking back at him you pulled a thing of makeup wipes from the side table. Tossing it to him, you sighed. “I hope you don’t mind, I had Dazai lock pick your door and get you your usual clothes.” he couldn’t even be mad at you for letting that bastard into his house. His mind was still focused on recollecting what had happened. He was beyond humiliated. He should have seen it coming. “I should have gotten there faster. They shouldn’t have been able to even get that close. I’m so sorry Chuuya! I’ll talk to Mori about not putting you on these types of missions. I know you're mad but please… say something.” you twirled a strand of your hair on your finger.

“I should have been prepared.” he looked away from you before feeling your arms around his body. Your head laid in the crook of his neck as you shook your head violently. He felt something wet soil, the shoulder of his dress. Turning so he could pick your head up, he blinked, startled to see the water dripping from your eyes. “You’re crying?” he sounded baffled, confused even.

“I should have let you be yourself! If I hadn’t pushed you to act like an innocent defenseless child, that situation would have been different.'' Chuuya gripped your shoulders laughing lightly as he shook his head. “You didn’t even have a good time! You hated being there.”

“No, no, (y/n)... I... Fuck!” he was bad at words, so as he tried forming the correct words he kept shaking his head. “I enjoyed spending time with you! I’d prefer to accompany you as a man next time. Neither of us are at fault. Missions go south. Nobody got hurt, sure I feel like an idiot, I’m utterly humiliated that I let my guard down and got drugged up, but nothing happened.” he pressed his forehead against yours, his thumb wiping away the tears on your cheeks.

This was out of character for him, but it was a side only you gotta see. He hated seeing you break down or get upset over things you had no control over. His hands wrapped around your ungloved ones. Your skin touches him with a small shyness. “Can I?” he asked watching you nod as his lips passed over yours.

“We both deserve a break from work. How about we tell Mori we are taking two days off?” you hummed looking into his eyes. He smirked and nodded. His lips pressing back to yours in a heated kiss. You pressed him underneath you with a smirk. His face went red as he glared.

“You’re a fucking pervert.” he hissed watching you snicker.

“Wow Chu, I'm so offended.” you leaned back into a kiss as his cheeks turned a brighter shade of red. “Think this makes us a real couple.” he rolled his eyes as you rolled to lay next to him.

“Yeah, I guess.”

[kaimelia]

never be alone

a/n: okay! this was originally supposed to be part of enough for you, but got cut out and I figured I would still turn it into it’s own fic...I hope you enjoy it! thank you to everyone who helped me out with this one!

tw:references to drug use

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

"Link?" Her voice was quiet, so soft that for a moment, she wasn't sure that she had actually said anything; the only thing she could hear was the pounding of her heart in her chest.

"Yes?" His response was stern, the way he had spoken to her the last time their relationship fell apart, when their only communication was shared over patients at work, when Amelia had lost him for the first time. She sighed at the sound of his voice. It had only been a few days, but it sounded so unfamiliar to her that it took her by surprise.

"Link, I know you're mad at me, but I need you right now." There was a pause before she heard him sigh, her hand shaking on the phone as it was held up to her ear. "Please," she whimpered, her eyes darting around.

The bathroom was dark; she'd purposefully not turned on the lights in the hopes of avoiding the reflection of herself in the mirror. Between the bags under her eyes and the knowledge of the thoughts swirling around her brain, she knew that she couldn't bear to look at herself. The floor was cold, her pajama shorts providing no warmth as she shivered slightly.

"Where are you?"

"At Meredith's, she's out with the kids, and Maggie's still on her honeymoon, and I can't be alone right now, Link; I need to not be alone right now." Another pause, followed by shuffling from his end before he made some mix of a groan and a sigh, and she felt momentarily guilty. "I'm sorry," she whispered, tears beginning to pool in her eyes.

"Is Scout okay?"

"Link, he's fine; he's with Mer; I need you right now."

Her mind was filled with so many dark thoughts that she was surprised she was able to speak to him. The idea of feeling the relief from taking the one thing she had sworn away a long time ago was more appealing to her than anything, and if she wasn't frozen in place, she was sure her legs would be carrying her to somewhere she shouldn't end it.

It wasn't good. She thought of her son, her son who far, far away at the park, probably running across the woodchips where he often tripped and ended up in tears. Her son, who she had to stay sober for because she didn't want to ruin his entire life all because she couldn't be a good enough mother for him.

"I'll be there in five minutes," he muttered, and Amelia heard the sound of him picking up keys.

She wondered if it was his regular key ring, the same one that held his house key, the bright blue key he'd insisted on spending an extra dollar on because it attracted Scout's attention for so long.

"Okay." She breathed out slowly, her face dropping as she heard the sound of the call ending. She brought it away from her face and frowned at the black screen in front of her.

The air around her was so quiet that Amelia was sure the world had stopped turning on its axis. She leaned her head back on the wall behind her, staring up at the ceiling and trailing her eyes over the molding of the wall.

She heard the sound of rain outside as it hit against the bathroom window, finally filling the silence around her with something. She breathed heavily.

The sound of the door opening was jarring, causing Amelia to flinch as he burst through. She somehow hadn't heard his heavy footsteps coming up the stairs or the door unlocking downstairs when he came in. She glanced up at him.

He looked terrible, to put it gently. He hadn't shaved in the past few days; he was wearing the pajamas he almost always wore to bed, and part of Amelia knew he likely hadn't washed them since putting them on. His hair was disheveled, longer than she remembered it being, the strands falling straight down to frame his face.

Link looked down at her, his jaw locked and his eyes dark. He kneeled in front of her slowly, placing his hand on her knee wearily. "What do you need?"

"Hold me, please." Link sighed, maneuvering himself to sit behind her against the wall, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his body. She felt him embrace her tightly, pushing his arms into her body and applying pressure.

Amelia leaned forward as if about to heave, coughing loudly and choking on her breath, her body instinctively slamming back into his as she breathed heavily. He didn't loosen his grip on her at all, and Amelia was grateful for that.

He pressed his lips against the side of her head, and for a moment, she allowed herself to think that everything was normal. That she had a rough day, lost a patient, and came home to Link, who promptly wrapped his arms around her without any question. That she wasn't on the verge of ruining years of progress in her life, that everything in her life hadn't been flipped upside down, and didn't feel entirely wrong. His embrace was so warm that she finally stopped shivering, his breath hot against her head, his stubble scratching gently against her skin.

Shivering soon turned into shaking. She was no longer cold, but her body wouldn't stop moving, and she wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, but her voice was gone.

Amelia didn't even realize she was crying until she felt Link's thumb against her cheek, brushing away a stream of tears. His touch was soft and gentle, and she felt his other arm lifting her ever so slightly until she was sitting on top of his legs, her body sideways against him. She subconsciously leaned into him, pushing her face into the fabric of his shirt.

The fabric smelled like him, his cologne that she knew he managed to pack before he left their home, as it had already been gone by the time she arrived. She inhaled, and the strength of it caused her to cry harder, feeling his shirt damp against her cheeks as she realized how much she had missed his comfort over the past few months when he slowly slipped away from her and seemed to turn into a different man.

She shut her eyes.

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

She woke up to the feeling of his thumb grazing against her arm, his embrace just as tight around her as when she closed her eyes. The next thing she took in was the warmth around her, sweat dripping down her face, and the smell of her damp shirt mixed with his cologne suddenly nauseating. She coughed, finally finding the strength to move, and she quickly crawled over to the toilet before vomiting into the ceramic bowl. His palm rested on her back, rubbing a circular pattern as his other pulled back the strands of her hair fallen out of her ponytail.

Her vision blurred as she sat up, reaching to flush the toilet and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, slowly standing and spitting into the sink. "Can I get you something? Tea, maybe?" Link tried, pushing himself off of the floor and standing behind her.

"No, I'm fine."

"Amelia, you need to drink something. You look-"

"Like crap? Yeah, I haven't exactly been doing very well recently," she muttered, swishing mouthwash around and spitting it out. "Water, I guess." He nodded sternly, his hand dropping from her back as he hurried downstairs, returning soon with a glass of water. Amelia turned around and took it, attempting to hide the shaking of her hand as she took a drink.

"Can I ask what happened?" The glass clinked against the sink as she set it down, her hand running through her hair and an accompanying sigh leaving her mouth.

"I was worried that if I was alone any longer, I would," her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip, drumming her fingers against the edge of the sink. "I was worried that I might relapse. And, I know that you hate me right now, but I just needed a second to breathe and make sure that I didn't find some junky oxy dealer and screw him for drugs. Because I don't know if you've noticed, but these past few months have been absolute hell for me, and I'm not going to marry you when it takes everything in me to just stay sober."

"You didn't say anything," he muttered, leaning into the wall behind him, crossing his arms over his chest. "I didn't realize."

"How the hell am I supposed to talk to you when every time you open your mouth, you start rambling about putting the clothes Scout's outgrown in the attic so that we can use them for our next kid! Link, I don't want to have another kid. I don't want to get married, and I couldn't say anything about it because you kept shoving your happiness down my throat when all I needed was a minute to breathe." Her mouth closed slowly, and she looked away from him. "You haven't noticed how I go to meetings almost every day? Link, I feel like I'm dying over here, and all I've needed was for you to be there for me." She took a breath before looking up at him, his gaze cold and his face hard.

"I don't hate you, Amelia."

"Then why the hell would you propose to me, at my sister's wedding, in front of the kids, when we haven't been talking about marriage. You stopped checking in, Link; you stopped giving me space to talk to you about things."

"I thought you wanted it. When Owen proposed to Teddy on Christmas, you looked happier than you had been in months; Amelia, I thought you were ignoring me because you wanted more. And you started working for longer and longer, and I didn't know what to do. How am I supposed to know what's going on if you don't even try to talk to me about it?" He had raised his hands as he spoke, and he now brought them down, sighing loudly. "Listen, I'm sorry. I did stop checking in, and I should've asked before I proposed; I just thought that-" He froze at the sound of the front door opening downstairs.

"It's Mer; she was only taking the kids out for an hour or so," Amelia spit into the sink again, wiping her mouth with a washcloth. "I can't fight right now, Link; I need time to think things through. I need to make sure that I'm okay."

"Amelia?" Meredith called out, and Amelia glanced up as her sister's footsteps approached the bathroom. "Can I come in? Scout just wants to be held, but I need to go ay down; I'm exhausted." She hesitantly moved towards the door, only opening it enough to take Scout from her sister's arms. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, go lay down," she began to shut the door before Meredith grabbed onto it and pushed it open, her eyes widening at the sight of Link against the wall.

"Oh, I'll leave you two-"

"We're not, god, Mer, just go." The bathroom door shut, and Amelia leaned back against it, Scout babbling in her arms as he tugged at the loose strands of her hair.

"Can I hold him?" She raised her eyebrows at Link. "I haven't gotten to see him in the past few days," Link muttered, walking towards them. "I've missed him."

"That's not my fault."

"I didn't say that, Amelia." He grinned at the boy, holding his arms out and happily taking Scout from her, the baby immediately settling comfortably in his father's arms. "Can I take you to a meeting or something? I'm not sure how to help."

She thought for a moment. The sight of her son so relaxed in his father's arms was both enraging and settling. He had been asking for his father ever since she arrived home from the wedding, and even though she knew he got over it the second she handed him a toy, it was relieving to see them interact so normally.

She didn't want to move on, find someone new and restart her family. But, she also wasn't quite ready to forgive Link.

"Amelia?"

"Yeah, a meeting would be good." He smiled for a moment, and Amelia almost did so herself as well. Link nodded, cringing slightly as Scout's hand slapped against his cheek.

"We should get going before this guy bruises my face," Link laughed, bringing Scout's hand up to his mouth and pretending like he was going to bite it. Scout shrieked happily, babbling nonsense as they headed down into the car, and he was placed into his car seat.

The car ride was silent and not the comfortable silence that Amelia was used to between them. She stared out the window, occasionally glancing back at her son, who had fallen asleep as soon as the car had started moving. She snapped forward as the car was put into park.

"Do you want me to come with or stay here?"

"Stay, I need to do this by myself," she murmured, opening the car door. "Thank you. For coming over, for bringing me here."

"Amelia, I'm always here to help, no matter what's going on. And, I'm sorry-"

"No, not right now." His lips pursed tightly, and he nodded. "Text me if he needs anything."

"I will." She stood in place for a moment, glancing between Link and Scout, breathing slowly.

"Alright. Bye, Link," Amelia whispered, waving to both of them in the car and shutting the door.

Maybe she was too optimistic for someone who had just been screaming twenty minutes ago, but part of her felt hopeful. The things that had weighed down on her for months were finally out in the open, and as she stepped towards the group of people, she finally allowed herself to smile.