#shes too weak to stand on her hinds like imagine a dog or a cat trying to do so

[0bir]

"I loved you like my son."

textureless under cut

[ganymedesclock]

since you like worldbuilding- what do you think are be some good ways to indicate that a fictional world very definitely is not our world? most sci fi books do stuff like calling a horse a Tallpoodle but that seems... situational...

I’m DELIGHTED you asked, anon! I have a lot of thoughts on this subject. 

I think that many of the most immersive worlds I’ve experienced are worlds that break from what I consider the default human experience. What you expect is familiar with your audience. Good examples of this are the movie The Dark Crystal, and the game Hollow Knight.

As you say, just calling familiar creatures different names is fairly weak. So, instead, ask yourself, what if this creature wasn’t here? What if this world evolved without horses- or, rather, that they made something ‘like a horse’ but approached from a different direction?

To use Heartfelt as an example, in Heartfelt, I had the idea that my protagonist is going to need to travel fairly large distances. Even if she’s only exploring a relatively small pocket of the world she lives in, it’s a planet many, MANY times the size of Earth. For that purpose, I gave her a steed, which became the character of Spud.

The number one thing I wanted to avoid in my Heartfelt worldbuilding was unbroken familiarity- that is, making any creature simply be a horse or a dog or a cat in aliens’ clothing. But I don’t want Spud to be so unfamiliar as to seem like a weird gimmick creature or incomprehensible to my audience- so the result is creating a patchwork of familiarity. picking multiple familiar pieces, and then playing them in unusual directions.

For Spud:

First, Spud is a wild animal. He is smart enough to decide to work with Chalice after she helps him, but this is a fundamentally different relationship than one does with a domesticated animal, and it injects an element of potential conflict or even danger. He can and will disagree with her. To convey this wildness, I looked to ‘relatives’ of horses- that is to say, other ungulates, but creatures who had never been tamed. His ultimate inspirations ended up being elk, moose, and the okapi for some flavor.

I am delighted to inform you that nature is really, really weird. Way weirder than you think it is- so just crack open your inner little kid who liked to read animal fact books and find something buck wild. 

Second, and this is a guiding principle for Heartfelt overall- I didn’t want to make Spud look too much like a mammal. Pop culture, especially movies aimed at kids, have a huge preferential favoritism for dogs, cats, horses, wolves, big cats... We’re a sucker for pretty charismatic predators. You’ll seldom find an animal more valorized and adored as the dog, and you’ll find an awful lot of ostensibly other animals (see: Sven from the movie Frozen) who act conspicuously like a dog in an animal skin.

That’s not unforgivable, by the way! I certainly see the appeal of dogs. But as you say, if you want to convey an alien world, I think it’s a good idea to confuse those algorithms in your audience. If you make something act like a dog, it’s a way to make it very winsome, potentially- but it also makes it feel familiar, and that’s not the enemy, but it’s to be used carefully. 

So Spud played to a couple of rules I had already set for myself: no fur, and to evoke sea life when possible. I also set some new rules: I wanted to make him expressive, but in a way that an audience might have to learn his expressions. This meant fighting some of my own impulses- you’ll notice older versions of Spud have cute ears! I took those away and replaced them with gills, which he still emotes with by flaring or constricting, but this creates some more confusion about his head. I also added the frill of tendrils running down his neck.

That’s not to say there’s no inspiration to be had in familiar animals! I love cats, and I really wanted to introduce a creature with a very winningly catlike niche. That gave rise to the Beks, who are probably the most unabashedly mascotworthy of my creatures. If this was a disney film you bet they’d be marketed as all get-out. 

Look at this fuzzy little guy! (and, yes, they are fuzzy. ‘no fur’ doesn’t mean ‘no feathers’, though they are uncommon)

So how do I cover that I shamelessly included Just An Alien Cat? Easy. Abstract the animal in question down to its essentials- in the case of cats, they’re small colony-social predators who basically domesticated themselves to us because most of our small pests were tasty treats to them. Then, build the animal out of something totally weird- like, say, a flightless parrot.

And, for an added twist, I based the beks off a very specific kind of cat- specifically, videos of cats who had lost their front legs and recovered. Cats with their weight only on their hind legs exhibit fascinating variations in gait and body language where they’ll use their whole upper body to emote and it’s both really weird and really charming. 

With this, I could be totally blunt and call these guys “cats” and they still wouldn’t seem ‘just like a cat, just like earth, just like normal things you expect’. And the fact that they are weird little parrots while also being stalking predators opens up so many fun behaviors to mix and match.

Some final notes I’ll make that are less about creature design and the world itself:

Resist the urge to give characters human standards of normality unless they are literally a human experiencing an alien world. Basically, the world as they know it is what’s normal to them, and you can use that skillfully to illuminate that this is a different world. A good way to do this is think about casual expressions. Would people say “can of worms” before the invention of the can? What expressions might they use instead? What would be something very inconvenient to loose on the world that you’d struggle to gather back up again?

Challenge yourself to work against your own assumptions. Even if the technology exists to make something one way- like technically the inhabitants of Furrow could make bricks and mortar- that doesn’t mean they have to! In going to my “seas and insects” theme, I ended up basing their structures off things like potter’s wasps, so normal houses around here tend to be urn-shaped.

Related to the above, though it has to be done a little carefully to pull it off really well, examine how alien things are that we take for granted. Hair and teeth are both foreign things to Heartfelt’s world- when Chalice meets someone who has both, she’s terrified of them. Likewise, as someone who’s spent her entire life underground, Chalice has a small form of agoraphobia- open spaces without the comforting boundaries of walls and ceilings unsettle her when she has spent her entire life in spaces that have finite bounds, no matter how large they are. This only gets worse considering that she comes from a sphere-shaped planet whose inhabitable surface is on the inside of it, with the sun in the center- so, imagine the horror of standing on a planet like Earth, putting your feet on the ground and looking up, simply indefinitely, to see the lights of distant stars and the endless void of space beyond your planet!

I hope this helped! Happy Worldbuilding!

[aeon-wolf]

A New Member of the Family - Julie Ertz x Reader

Word Count: 1.1k+ Pairing: Julie Ertz x Reader

Anon Request: JJ imagine with sickening sweet fluff

You squat down so you can rub the dog’s belly in front of you. “Who’s a good boy?” You ask as you scratch the fuzzy tummy before you. 

“I think he’s perfect.” You hear your girlfriend, Julie, say to the Humane Society volunteer helping you. 

“Excellent. He’s a good boy that has been looking for a forever home for a while now.” She replied. You looked up at the two conversing women. 

“Well, hopefully, we’ll be the right family for him.” You said, standing up next to your girlfriend. 

“If you’ll follow me, you’ll just need to fill out a few forms and you’ll be good to go.” The volunteer told you. You and Julie nodded, following her into another part of the building. But not before you waved to your new family member. 

--

“Welcome to your new home!” You exclaimed as you opened the door to your shared apartment, your girlfriend and new family member close behind you. Julie bent down and let your new addition off his leash. He shyly sniffed the floor a bit, clearly unsure about his new surroundings. You got down on the floor. “C’mere boy.” You called to him, outstretching your hand. He approached you cautiously, sniffing your hand before letting you pet him, scratching behind his ears which he seemed to appreciate. Julie sat on the floor next to you. 

“Can you believe we finally are a dog-owning couple?” She asked, rubbing his side. You shook your head. Honestly, you couldn’t believe it. The two of you had been together for a few years at this point, but this had only been possible within the last year. You hadn’t wanted to get a shared pet because you were apart for a majority of the year, JJ playing for Chicago and you playing for Houston. But when you had gotten traded to Chicago, you had been sad to leave the team you had been originally drafted to, but also excited at the idea of playing for the same team as your girlfriend, as well as being able to move in together.

“I’m just glad we’ve got the opportunity.” You admitted, scratching Riley’s head some more. You and JJ had decided to bring home a sweet Rottweiler. At first, Julie had been apprehensive about it, but you had managed to convince her. You had grown up owning the breed and despite the scary reputation, when well trained, they were gentle giants that would transition well into your active lifestyle. You got up off the floor, wandering into the kitchen. “Hey bud, you hungry?” You had asked the volunteer at the Humane Society when the last time he had eaten was and she told you that it would probably be a good idea to feed him when you got him home. 

You took out the container that held the dog food you and Julie had purchased a few days ago when you had confirmed that you’d be adopting Riley. You put a few scoops into a bowl, putting it on the floor. “Riley, c'mere boy.” You call to him, the Rottweiler trotted over to you as you nudged the bowl closer to him with your foot. He sniffed it briefly before chowing down. You walked over to Julie, putting an arm around her waist. “I think he’ll fit right in.” 

-- 

As it turned out, the dog bed you bought for Riley went largely unused because he insisted on sleeping in the bed with you and your girlfriend. You had tried to shoo the big lug off the bed but eventually gave up. “Guess we’re going to have to get used to a third party in our bed.” You say to Julie who was watching you, amused at your attempts to try to shove the large dog off the bed. 

“Who knows, he might end up being warmer than you and I’ll exchange you for him.” She teased. You rolled your eyes. 

“You wouldn’t.” 

She laughed, sidling closer to you, snuggling into your side. “You’re right, there are other reasons I keep you around.” You snorted, putting an arm around her, nudging Riley so he was lying between the two of you at the foot of the bed. 

“Love you too.” You mumbled as you fell asleep. 

--

The next morning you and Julie leashed up Riley and went out on a run together. It took some getting used to, having a large Rottweiler with you. At some points, he was dragging you along with him, especially when he got fixated on a flock of birds or a stray cat. And at other points, it was like dragging a brick. But either way, it was a good workout. Your heart was pumping within a few minutes. 

You had decided to take your morning jog through a local park that was close to your apartment. When Riley decided he wanted to be a bump on a log, you had to almost drag him along, though that did give you ample time to check your girlfriend out as she ran ahead. “C’mon, let’s go catch up to momma.” You whispered to Riley, pointing at Julie who was a few yards ahead of you, and he seemed excited at the idea as he took off running towards Julie, almost dislocating your arm in his enthusiasm. 

He quickly caught up to her, jumping up on his hind legs next to her. She slowed briefly as you ran right into her, managing to catch her before she fell on the ground. Riley stood next to you on all fours, looking extremely pleased with himself. “Hey.” You said sheepishly. She laughed, pressing a kiss to your lips, untangling herself from your arms. 

“It’s like having a small child.” She joked. You shrugged. 

“I mean, we are dog parents now.” You reminded her. Julie smiled, kissing your cheek, reaching down to scratch Riley between the ears, who rubbed up against Julie’s leg for more attention. 

“Well, I’m glad I get this with you.” She said before continuing on your jog. You watched her for a few seconds before urging Riley follow you to catch up with her. 

--

“He’s so cute!” Tierna said the moment she walked into your apartment as Riley excitedly trotted over to her. He had been with you for a couple weeks before you and Julie had invited a few of your Red Stars teammates over to meet him. They had all seen the pictures but none of them had actually met him yet. 

“He seems to like you.” You mentioned as he licked Tierna’s hand. 

“If you two ever need a sitter, I’m your girl!” She said as she rubbed Riley’s side. He sat down next to her as Alyssa also approached him and scratched him behind the ears, something that you had discovered was his weakness. 

“We’ll keep you in mind, T,” Julie said. 

“He is a sweet dog, guys,” Alyssa added. You smiled. 

“Yeah, he is.”

A/N: This prompt was really... vague and broad. So basically just a bunch of dog fluff because why not. 

[akishito]

Lost somewhere

I kinda got caught in the WitcherSvetlana/AU and needed to get this out of my system. So… here is something different. 

What if the things worked out for Svetlana differently? When her brother Aiden invites her for a few beers too meet his new friend, the long lost past knocks on the door in a way Svetlana never dared to imagine. What if the memories weren’t truly long gone…

Song lyrics used - In The Woods Somewhere by Hozier

“Do you think those bastard are able to shed a tear? To show any real emotion?” said an old farmer, his eyes locked on a table far back and the two men sitting there, each carrying two swords on his back.

“I bet they would not move an inch even if their own mother was dying in from of them.” added younger farmer.

“That’s an interesting question. Would the Witcher remember that person to be their mother?”

The conversation the two farmers were having was interrupted by a third voice. Voice not so harsh as theirs, not so quiet as theirs and way more feminine then theirs.

 The older farmer, the one who asked the question, turned around in a search for that female, the woman daring to mingle into their talk. He was ready to scold her, make a remark about her appearance but he did neither. Because the eyes watching him took all the word from his mouth as the rest of his confidence.

 Eyes watching him from the above were not one of a fair maiden but of something not even human.

 The Cat watched him with playfulness and curiosity and even if those emotions could be genuine, the stare alone scared him shitless.

***

“Svetlana, you made it! I was scared you would bail on me like the last time.” man greeting her was just a few inches taller than her, yet his charisma made him look giant. She was so happy to see him.

 "Come on, I already apologised. And you know I had my reasons… It was bruxa reasons.“

 "I am so glad to see you again.”

 "Me too, brother.“ They hugged and for Svetlana this dusty inn in a middle of nowhere felt like home.

"I would never forgive myself if I would miss another meeting of ours. Although the woods did not want to let me pass peacefully.”

 "Complications?“

 "Pack of wolves though my and Myesats would be an easy snack.”

 "Speaking of wolves, there is someone I would like to introduce to you.“

Aiden guided her to a table in the back of the room. Svetlana noticed Aiden and the other man the moment she entered the inn, but the farmer really did ask an interesting question.

 "The best beer you have for my friend here!” shouted Aiden as the passed the innkeeper who showed little to no actual enthusiasm in a compleating given request. Svetlana tossed a gold coin into his hand and his attitude changed slightly, now felt more involved in compleating the task.

As they come t the table Aiden pulled a chair for her to sit on and settled himself next to her facing the other witcher - the Wolf.

 "Svetlana - Lambert"

 "Lambert - Svetlana"

 "Nice to meet you.“ she greeted him with a polite smile.

 "Pleasure is on my side, Aiden told me about you. Did not believe him though.” She was not surprised, who wouldn’t be? “Never seen a female witcher before, at least not one alive one after the Trials.”

 "Yeah, my existence is one of the many mysteries this land holds.“

 "You were lucky that day.” Was she? Aiden’s optimism sometimes went beyond her understanding.

 "Lucky as one can be. Just two of us got through it alive. And believe it or not, I was the one without unwanted side effects.“

 "The old masters mixed something new into the mixture. Ten died, one survived and one sometimes loses his head… Hard.” Telling this was even Aiden’s gaze fixated on an indescribable place on the table, away from anything too materialistic. “Never used the same mixture again.”

 "Met him last month, havent seen any new scars on him,“ said Svetlana to Aiden, just becouse. Does it even mean anything?

Svetlana drank from her mug, the first sip, the first taste, the first try out of many to wash the bitterness in her mouth with a different kind of bitter-sweet sensation.

 ***

 "You two travel together?”

 "Yes, for a while. Some contracts are better done with help,“ said Aiden.

 "True, but a cat and a dog?”

 "Wolf.“ barked Lambert.

 "That’s what I said.” Svetlana made a note that if she ever meets Lambert again, he is a good guy to get wasted with.

 The mugs pilled themselves on their table and with new ones on the table, Aiden took the liberty to make a toast.

“To new friends! To use!”

“To the lucky ones.”  said quietly Lambert and the cynical tone with which he spoke made Svetlana smile at him in understatement.

 ***

“I have had heard that Wolves spend their winters together at the school. That must be nice.” Svetlana heard this from one traveller she met a few years ago.

 "That old castle is in ruins, but yeah, It is better then letting your ass freeze somewhere outside.“

 "I prefer the adventure in never staying in one place too long when its too cold I head south and if it’s too hot… who am I kidding, it’s never too hot.”

 "Not everyone is a stray like you. I wish I was born a real cat. Just lying all day never hungry. My royal owners would treat me so good. Yeah, that’s the dream.“

 Svetlana couldn’t recall the last time she was having such a good time.

 ***

 A melody came from the other side of the inn. Close to the fireplace, a group of musicians started playing their tunes, with people singing along. Svetlana was singing too, quietly. She felt the tune dance around her ears carrying some familiar feeling that made her heart skip a beat. So she sang.

 My head was warm

My skin was soaked

I called your name ‘til the fever broke

When I awoke

The moon still hung

The night so black

That the darkness hummed

 She abandoned the conversation she was having with her two companions, letting them talk to one other.

 I raised myself

My legs were weak

I prayed my mind be good to me

An awful noise filled the air

I heard a scream

In the woods somewhere

 A woman’s voice

I quickly ran

Into the trees

With empty hands

Her mind was somewhere else. In a land far away. Not here yet not there at the same time. Singing to the tune dancing around her ears.

 A fox it was

He shook afraid

I spoke no words, no sound he made

 His bone exposed

His hind was lame

I raised a stone to end his pain

What caused the wound

How large the teeth?

I saw new eyes were watching me

 As the song continued the singers died along the way, in the end, it was only Svetlana singing the song that no one else knew how to finish.

The creature lunged

I turned and ran

To save a life I didn’t have

Dear, in the chase

There as I flew

Forgot all prayers

Of joining you

 I clutched my life and wished it kept

My dearest love

I’m not done yet

 How many years

I know I’ll bear

I found something

In the woods somewhere.

"Young lady, is that you?”

The whole inn fell quiet. Every eye in a room on a small fragile figure of an old woman standing behind a woman with two swords strapped to her back.

Svetlana turned around, meeting with eyes filled with disbelief and hope that contrasted with the confusion she felt.

“I knew it was you, the moment I heard you sing. I sang you that song when you were little, remember. My sweet, sweet child.”

 "I am sorry… Do I know you?“ "There must have had been some misunderstanding. You must have mistaken me for someone.”

What is happening?  

 "How could I? I can see your father in you, those eyes and that nose of yours.“ The old woman’s face burned with euphoria as she spoke. "My little owl.”

The musician that stop the music a while ago, put his instrument down and with worry in his eyes approached that old woman.

“Mother, what are you doing? Please, come sit back.”

 Svetlana gestured to the troubled man, that everything is fine which did not make him any less worried. He was in his late fifties, his face filled with wrinkles, some from laughter other from all the hardship, if he smiled she knew the dimples on his cheeks would be more prominent.

Would I look the same as Gustav if I aged normally? Wait, who is Gustav? A picture of a young boy with cute dimples flashed her mind. Just for a second.

 The old woman did not stop talking to her, but Svetlana heard less than half of it. Because what she heard was too painful, too vivid to be true.

Pictures shaped like stories flood her mind as could do nothing and just watch the old woman’s lips.

“You are going to go to a place where they can help you,” said to her woman with fire in her hear and oceans in her eyes.

“But I wanna stay here with you and nanny, who would take care of you now that dad is gone.” answered her voice but not herself.

 Now she watched the carriage that was supposed to take her to the school she knew nothing about. She watched as a pack of Nekkers attack them. Back then, she did not know what those little devils were.

“Run, you can’t let them catch you!” yelled the guardsman as he fouth for his life.

Hide, hide, hide - the sun burns. She had to hide, too much pain.

 The imagery shifted again. She was hiding in a crack in a big rock when the man found her. “Look what do we have here. Come on out, little one.”

That mans eyes glowed in the dark like candles flame, she was so scared.

 After this last memory, she knew what would follow - the pain, the despair, the Trials.

“Your dear mother was heartbroken when she heard about the attack. She refused to accept that you were gone just like your father. I should have had believed her.”

The woman placed her soft, gentle hand on Svetlanas cheek. The touch of a loving mother - something that was long forgotten - something lost in those woods somewhere.

 With all the eyes turned Svetlanas way, that night those two farmers got their answer - in one way or another.

[ra-veela-claw]

Animal Instinct

Sirius x Reader for Anon!!!  My first imagine in months, enjoy! 💕

Request: Can you write a Sirius x reader where she always comforts everyone in her animagus form (cat) and only the marauders know it's her, and once she's sad and Sirius cuddles w her as Padfoot? I really like this idea, hope you do as well :)

The night had taken its toll, and Y/N was prepared for the worst as she waited anxiously for the four marauders to return.  She sat upright and still, her hind legs tucked into her soft fur, with her big yellow eyes fixed on the portrait hole.  Her tail skirted side-to-side with anticipation when, at last, four boys stumbled through.

Finally, she thought with relief as she got to her feet and padded over to them quizzically.  Remus leaned on Sirius and James for support, his knees weak, but as Y/N’s keen eyes scanned him over, she noted he didn’t look all too bad this time, save for a few deep scratches along his arms.

“Good evening, Y/N,” James smiled, his eyes tired.

“Nothing too bad tonight, love,” Sirius cooed to the small tabby, patting her delicately on the head between her attentive ears.  She shook him off and mewed at Remus, rubbing against his leg. The exhausted boy had a hint of a smile.

“Thanks for being here, Y/N.”

As the boys helped Remus upstairs, Y/N pranced eagerly after them, settling onto Remus’s bed where they lowered him next to her.  A warm, purring ball of orange fur, Y/N situated herself in Remus’s lap.  She nudged her head into his chest, seeking to comfort the boy after his monthly ordeal.

Remus was thankful for the distraction of her soft fur as Sirius dragged a wet rag across his cuts.  He winced and gripped Y/N’s fur as she nuzzled into him, purring and mewling softly to shift his focus away from the pain.

Once his wounds were cleaned and properly dressed, Remus let out a low, long sigh and leaned back into his pillows.  Y/N watched him with curious eyes.

“He’s alright, Y/N, don’t worry,” Sirius smiled and reached to smooth his hand over her ears once more.  This time, Y/N leaned and nudged into his touch.  Her little heart fluttered.

Remus had fallen fast asleep.

“Thank you for being here for him, Y/N,” James whispered, covering the sleeping boy with his blanket.  “I think it really comforts him…you’re like one of those therapy pets.”

He chuckled and Y/N nodded her head once in understanding.  She was eager at the opportunity to help ease her good friend’s pain.  She’d do so for any of these boys in a heartbeat.

As Sirius lay in bed, he bit down on his lip and groaned softly.  Y/N’s ears perked up and she immediately jumped up next to him, searching with her round eyes and sensitive nose for any injury. She nudged his side and looked up at him sternly.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry,” he brushed off, scratching behind her ear. Y/N hissed softly and nipped at his hand, pawing at the material of his shirt stubbornly.  Sirius sighed and lifted his shirt to reveal quite an angry scrape.  Y/N nearly glared at the wounded boy.

“What?  Don’t give me that look,” he rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushed slightly.  “I can take care of it m’self.”

Y/N tutted and inspected his wound.  Without hesitation, she stuck her tongue out and began running it over the scrape. Sirius hissed.

“Oi!  What’s that going to-?” before his eyes, his wound was disappearing with every stroke of the tabby’s tongue.  He blinked and soon enough, the wound was nothing more than a memory.  Y/N sat on her hind legs triumphantly.

“…I guess it comes in handy that you paid attention during the unit about healing,” he chuckled and Y/N’s tail swayed side-to-side with pride.

“Thank you, Y/N,” he murmured with a small, signature smirk as he playfully twirled her tail around in his hand.  She nipped at his hand in mock annoyance, but had she not been in her animagus form, Y/N would have been blushing fervently.

“You can stay here y’know,” Sirius said after settling under the covers. “Take a little cat nap.”

He smirked at Y/N, who practically rolled her eyes.  Despite the fact that he was her good friend, Y/N’s heart hammered in her chest with the knowledge that Sirius Black wanted her to stay the night. Unsurely, she looked around for a suitable place to curl up.  

Sirius wiggled his foot under the covers, indicating a cozy spot, and Y/N’s pupils instinctively constricted as she struck out with her paw and pounced on his foot.  

Sirius barked out a laugh.

“Animal instincts kicking in, eh?”  Y/N released his foot and looked away, embarrassed.  “Come on up here, Y/N, I won’t bite if you won’t.”

Sirius patted a spot on the bed beside him, and Y/N’s ears perked with hope. She carefully stepped next to him and sunk into the softness of his comforter, letting out a great big yawn. Sirius chuckled and scratched between her ears.  Y/N sighed and nuzzled into the feeling, letting her wary feelings subside as the two drifted into sleep.

Y/N woke to the sound of soft snores against her ear.  She smiled to herself let out a long, luxuriously yawn, stretching her hands out. Wait…

Hands?  Her eyes snapped open to look at her perfectly human fingers stretched out in front of her.  A brief wave of horror washed over her as she realized she had transfigured from her animagus in her sleep.

Sirius’s strong arms were wrapped around her midsection, his body irresistibly warm against hers.

Merlin, he’s in for a fright when he wakes, she worried silently.  Sirius stirred and pulled her closer

“Mornin’ love,” he mumbled against her ear, pressing a gentle kiss to her jaw. She held her breath, waiting for the shock of his realization, which never came.

“Good morning,” she spoke hesitantly, humanly, waiting for him to throw her out.  Sirius only nuzzled her neck.

“M’glad you changed back, I missed your pretty face,” he murmured, causing Y/N’s cheeks to flush bright pink.  It was like a dream, her head was swimming with his irresistible presence.  She relaxed a bit into his touch.

“Me too,” she whispered, sinking into him at last, her worries quelled. She could get used to this.

Classes passed that day in a blur, as Y/N dreamily floated through each one. She hadn’t expected one night spent in Sirius’s arms would affect her quite like this.  Nevertheless, Y/N smiled and hummed as she walked through the corridors of the great castle and outside towards the serenity of the lake. She passed a number of students, some her friends who she distractedly called greetings to, and some she knew through the boys’ countless stories.

Y/N nearly tripped over herself when she caught sight of one particular girl, who stood gossiping with her gaggle of friends.  Her honey blonde hair hung in perfect ringlets down her back, and her curves dipped like those of an hourglass.  She was beautiful…and to Y/N’s dismay, she recognized her as one of Sirius’s one-night stands.

Y/N’s heart dropped at this stark reminder: the reminder that Sirius was a player, that he could never truly fall for her, that she wasn’t good enough, and that she was kidding herself.  Her smile and jolly humming ceased as she continued towards the lake and sunk down against a tree.

Why would he ever go for you?  He wouldn’t even commit himself to that girl back there, and she’s three times as pretty as you are.

Her eyes stung with tears, and she picked at the grass anxiously.

He’s only your friend anyways, why do you care?

She sniffed.

Because I love him.  And he doesn’t love you.

The weight of the realization crashed over her, and she let out a quiet sob. She trembled as wave after wave of anguish crashed over her, her tears falling heavy with unrequited love into her lap.

A small whine startled her, as her red eyes snapped to the fluffy black dog seated only a few feet from her.  She quickly wiped her eyes and sat up straight.

“Oh, hi Padfoot,” she bit her lip and tried to smile.  Padfoot cocked his head, his eyes boring into her as if asking what was wrong.  Y/N breathed in shakily.

“I’m fine, Padfoot, really….it’s nothing,” she sniffled, not helping her case. Padfoot nearly glared and stepped closer to her, nudging her cheek with his wet nose.  She couldn’t help but smile softly.  Somehow, her grief was disappearing by the minute.

“I’m okay…listen,” she took a deep breath.  Talking to Sirius as Padfoot proved somehow much easier.  “I don’t know if you know, or even care for that matter…”

Padfoot watched her attentively, his ears perked, as he laid his head in her lap.  She stroked his fur absentmindedly.

“But I….I like you, Sirius.” His ears perked and he seemed to smile.  His tailed wagged.

“I’m sure you don’t like me, but-“  

Padfoot barked and sprang to his feet, shaking his head from side to side fervently and huffing, before giving her cheek an affectionate lick.  Y/N’s heart skipped a beat as she looked in his big grey eyes, and all at once she knew he felt the same.

“Really?” she whispered, breathless.  Padfoot bobbed his head once in agreement, and flashed his teeth in a goofy, canine smile.

Y/N matched his goofy smile and was positively elated.  She threw her arms around the giant black dog, burying her face in his neck.  In a matter of seconds, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her, pulling her tight to Sirius’s chest.  Y/N whispered cheekily:

“I’m glad you changed back…I missed your pretty face.”

Sirius chuckled and lifted her from the ground, finally pressing his lips to hers in sweet, silent triumph.