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foreverrandomwritings · 1 year

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Actions Speak Louder Than Words- Part 5

Summary: It’s dog fight football day how will Mute and Ramble handle it? Will feelings be hurt on the sunny california day?

Pairing: Romantic!(slow burn) Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia x Afab!OC

Warnings: Swearing, tattoos, drinking, anxiety I think that’s it. As always if I missed anything please let me know.

Word count: 2995

Masterlist Series Masterlist

Jane and John had both eaten a quick bowl of cereal and some fruit for breakfast as they had slept in and were running slightly late for their afternoon plans. They got dressed quickly. Jane opted for black biker shorts and one of John’s shirts because she wanted one that had a bigger fit today. John put on a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt. They both wore gym shoes.

The car ride over was filled with the duo singing along to one of John’s playlists. It bounced between the Black Eyed Peas to Britney Spears to Three Doors Down. They talked about when they were going to order the stuff for the home theater. Ramble brought up Fanboy to which Mute blushed and told him to drop it. They pulled into the parking lot of the bar both excited to play dog fight football for the first time.

They saw that some of the others had already arrived and that some of them weren’t there yet. Jane was the first one out of the car this time. But John was quick to meet her on her side of the car. He opened the back door and reached into their beach bag for the sunscreen. He sprayed down Jane and then she returned the action. He grabbed the bag as Jane went to the trunk grabbing out their chairs just in case.

Mute had a really good feeling about the day. After the week with the crew she was finally starting to feel like she fit in. The final point was what Mickey told her last night. How they were all her friends and that they loved having her here. More importantly, he was her friend.

As they made their way behind the building they heard music coming from inside. As they rounded the building they saw Fanboy, Payback, Halo, and Hangman already on the patio. Fanboy and Mute made eye contact over Hangman’s shoulder and Mute put a finger to her lips telling him to be quiet. She carefully made her way behind Hangman. Once she was about a foot away from him she let out a loud “boo” which had the pilot jumping in the air screaming.

He whipped around seeing the duo giggling behind him. Mute had a giant triumphant smile on her face. “Fuck Mute you’re just as sneaky as Bob is.” He told her, shaking his head. Mute made her way up the stairs gaining high fives from Payback and Halo.

“Hi Fanboy.” Mute said to the back seater and he decided he’d never get tired of hearing her say his callsign.

“Hiya Mute, have a good drive in?” He asked her with a friendly smile on his face.

“We did, even though I had to listen to John’s absolutely terrible singing the whole time.” John smacked the red head's arm at that.

“Hey don’t be rude, I’m the best fucking singer you’ve ever heard.” He told her with a pout.

“Oh yes I’m so sorry forgive me oh amazing one.” Mute said, trying hard not to laugh. Fanboy just stared at her, happy to see her calmer and more relaxed than when she left the night before. He hoped he could see her like this everyday.

“I’ll forgive you this time. But only because you are just too damn cute not to.” John said as he tapped her nose with his finger giving her a beaming smile. She swatted his hand away in return before giving him an equally happy smile.

“Where’s everyone else at?” John asked the group of aviators.

“Omaha decided to stay home because his wife isn’t feeling well today. Fritz and Rooster are inside helping Penny, Mav and Hondo with something. Bob and Phoenix are on their way.” Halo replied to the taller man.

“Where’s Coyote at?” Mute asked Hangman, the blonde seemed mildly surprised at the question. The only time she had spoken to him was in the air.

“He had to run by the store to grab a case of water and some chips for lunch. He should be here soon though. Then we’ll see how good you play.” He responded to her sending a wink her way at the end of the sentence.

“She’s gonna whoop your ass bagman.” Phoenix spoke up from behind him as she and Bob rounded the corner. Mute gave her a fist bump as they made their way onto the patio.

“I’m gonna run the food inside. Then we can head out to the beach and get our chairs set up.” Phoenix said to Mute as she passed her, Mute gave her a nod in reply. Phoenix was quick running the food in and was out in less than a minute. As the two front seaters started down the stairs Mickey, John and Bob joined them.

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They had finished setting up about 15 minutes ago. Chairs, umbrellas, coolers and bags all lined up. Natasha, Bob and Mickey had explained the rules of dogfight football and now they were all sat talking getting to know each other better. Mute stood up and announced she was going to run up to the bar and asked if anyone needed anything. They all told her they were fine.

Then she was on her way to the building. She passed by Coyote on the patio who must've gotten there while they were setting up. She gave him a nod in greeting before slipping into the building a wave of cool air hitting her as she entered. Right before the door closed she heard Hangman speak up.

“Have any of you heard her talk as much as she did this morning when she got here?” He asked the group but Mute didn’t stick around to hear their reply. She rushed to the bathroom as anxiety flowed through her.

She had finally felt like she was fitting in. She was hoping she could find a group where she was comfortable. But now she was regretting talking so much. She should’ve known better, thoughts of her childhood flowed through her mind. All the times kids, teachers and her parents told her she talked too much. How the kids would tell her to just shut up already. How her parents would reprimand her when teachers would write on her report cards that she was talkative.

She had decided when she graduated high school and started the academy that she wouldn’t talk to anyone unless it was a superior. John was the only one she had opened up to in ages. He had wormed his way into her life no matter how much she silently protested. Now her heart broke as she realized it was like high school all over again.

She quickly went to the bathroom before slipping back outside and walking down the beach. Everyone was gathered around near the water so she hurried her steps until she was stood by John. He flung his arm over her shoulders and pulled her into a side hug continuing his conversation with Maverick. She noticed a beautiful woman she hadn't seen before standing and talking to Rooster about something. As their conversation died out Mav turned to Mute.

“Hey Mute.” He greeted her with his usual Maverick smile then he gestured towards the woman that had been talking to Rooster. She wasn’t standing next to Rooster anymore she was right next to Mav. Mute must’ve zoned out because she didn’t see her walk over.

“This is my fiancé Penny, I don’t think you’ve met her yet. She was out the two nights you guys came this week.” Then Maverick was nodding towards Mute and Ramble. “This is my new two seater team I was telling you about. Jane and John or otherwise known as Mute and Ramble.”

“You are the pair that got tone on him Monday aren’t you?” Penny gave a beaming smile before extending her hand to shake the aviators.

“That would be us.” John replied quickly with a proud smile on his face.

“He needs his ego knocked down sometimes so thank you for that.” Penny said back, sending a wink towards Maverick. He gave her a playful shake of his head at that.

“Alright old man, are you ready to get your ass kicked?” Rooster said as he came up behind Maverick and slapped him on the back lightly.

“I’m gonna kick your ass sounds more like what’s going to happen.” The captain replied.

“Let’s get this party started, aviators.” He yelled out to the group.

“Rooster, Fanboy, Fritz, Mute, Phoenix and Coyote on a team. Halo, Bob, Ramble, Hangman, Payback and myself on the other.” He said as everyone gathered around the footballs. Hondo blew a whistle and then they were off.

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Mute was having a great time, she had gotten the hang of the game pretty quickly. The thoughts of what Hangman said earlier were cleared from her head as she was passed the ball by Fritz. She could see Ramble coming towards her from the corner of her eye. She sidestepped him quickly as he came up on her. The wind rushed across her face as she ran past her backseater.

She was on cloud nine as she weaved through the aviators until she was scoring with the ball. Her team cheered her name as they all came up on her. Rooster and Coyote picked her up as Phoenix gave Hangman a middle finger. Fanboy and Fritz were hollering at her patting her legs. She had a wide smile on her face when her eyes connected with Fanboys. He gave her a beaming smile, a look of pure happiness in his eyes.

As she was set back down on her feet John came running over. He dramatically fell to his knees before bringing his head down to the ground. His arms were stretched out towards Mute hands grasping sand. He brought his head back up. The sand he gathered in his hands slipped through his fingers as he brought his outstretched arms towards the sky. Mute giggled at her best friend's antics realizing he was bowing for her.

“All hail the powerful Jane.” He spoke out in an announcer's voice. Then like dominos all the aviators around her fell to their knees. Bowing dramatically at her feet.

“All hail the powerful Jane.” They all spoke out through their laughter. The scene before her reminded her of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. The scene was so similar to when Bridget was playing soccer and her friends bowed for her. Then Mute was flashing back to before the game started. The words Hangman spoke flowing through her and her mood soured again. Even though Fanboy said they were all her friends she was now having a hard time believing it.

They all slowly stood up but then John was tackling her down into the sand. They both laid there as John rolled off her. They were breathing heavily as they looked upon the clouded sky. Jane fixed her sunglasses that were knocked askew when John tackled her. The other aviators moved away from the duo as Mav called for lunch.

John grabbed her hand and squeezed once a silent ‘Cammineremo’. He could tell something was wrong when she hesitated to squeeze back. Her silent ‘Saremo Potenti’ came as two weak squeezes back. He turned towards her and saw the solemn look on her face. He had seen that look before. She got that look when she felt as though she was alone again. That look lived on her face when they became friends all those years ago.

“What happened?” John asked her quietly not wanting anyone else to hear their conversation.

“Hangman made a comment about how much I was talking this morning.” She replied, turning her head to look at him. She thought about not telling him and trying to act as though she was fine. She wouldn’t have been able to though, he had always been able to read her.

“Do you want me to go and say something?” He asked her, already moving, to get up. But he stopped as she shook her head.

“It’s alright John, I’m okay.” She told him with a weak smile. “Let’s go and get something to eat. I'm starving since I cleaned the floor with you in that game.”

“Okay hotshot let’s go and get you some food.” The wso said as he stood up pulling her along with him. He had decided to talk to Hangman anyways.

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They had eaten lunch and played a few more games. They had all taken a swim afterwards to cool off. John and Jane took turns dunking each other under the water. The group played a few pool games. Categories, racing, who can hold their breath the longest and a few rounds of chicken. Now they were all sitting around a bonfire a couple yards away from the Hard Deck. They wanted to be far enough away to avoid the crowd. But also close enough to go and grab drinks if they wanted. There was a faint breeze that would occasionally wash over the group of navy personnel.

Idle chatter flowed about the group. Mute sat listening to the group talk to each other. Ramble kept a hand on her leg occasionally stroking his thumb along her knee. Hangman stood up from his spot in the sand. He announced to the group that he was going to go grab some drinks from the bar and asked if anyone wanted anything. Everyone responded with a yes or a no.

“I’ll go with you and help.” Ramble said as he stood up striding towards the blonde as he walked away. Mute didn’t think anything of it. But John had a plan forming as he and the aviator walked together.

“Did you say something about Mute talking too much this morning?” John asked Jake bluntly, wanting to get straight to the point. Jake looked stunned for a second before responding.

“What are you fucking talking about man?” He asked the taller man.

“She went to the bathroom this morning and she was fine. She came back and she was acting a little upset. When I asked what was wrong before lunch she said you made a comment about her talking too much. So did you make a comment about it or not?” Jake stared at John for a second then went to defend himself before a look of regret popped up on his face.

“Fuck, I said something this morning about how I had never heard her talk as much as she was this morning. She must not have heard the rest of what I said. I told them how great it was to see her coming out of her shell. I’m so sorry man, I really didn’t mean anything by it I swear.” Jake said with a slight pleading look on his face. John narrowed his eyes at him.

“It’s not me you should be apologizing to. When we get back to the group I expect you to apologize to her.” Jake nodded his head bringing a hand up to his neck sheepishly.

“I really didn’t mean to offend your girlfriend. I’ll apologize when we get back.” John laughed at that.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” He told the blonde.

“So you’re both single then?” Jake asked him.

“Yes we are both single.” John said reluctantly, Jake wasn’t the one he wanted Jane with. Fanboy would be perfect for her if either of them got up the guts to actually talk to each other. The conversation was dropped at that.

Once they got back to the fire Jake asked Jane to go on a walk with him. She looked at John with a curious look and he just nodded his head. So she stood up and walked towards the blonde. He let her lead him down the beach. Then he apologized to her. Back at the fire, they were sitting around talking when Nat asked John about his tattoo.

“Hey John, I noticed a tattoo on your chest earlier. What’s it say?” She asked him before taking a sip of her drink.

“Saremo Potenti, it’s Italian for we shall be mighty.” He said as his hand came to lay on his shirt right above the tattoo.

“Does it mean anything?” Rooster piped up.

“It’s something that Mute says to me. She has one that kind of matches mine in the same place right above her heart.” He said as he thought about their time at the tattoo shop.

“What does hers say?” Asked Halo.

“Cammineremo, it’s Italian for we shall stride. That’s what I say to her, it’s normally before something that’s stressful or uncomfortable. It started while we were back at the academy.” He replied to the group. He looked up at the beach and spotted her walking with Jake. They seemed to be in the middle of a conversation.

“How long have you two been dating?” Came Fritz with the question this time.

“We aren’t dating. She’s more like a little sister to me.” He laughed as he shook his head.

“Though I imagine if I wasn’t gay then I’d definitely go for her. She’s quite the catch once you get to know her.” Fanboy could feel relief wash over him at the realization. But then there was jealousy and disappointment. It was obvious now that Hangman was trying to worm his way into her pants. Hangman was a very attractive man, he had seen plenty of air bunnies fawning over him at their time in the bar. There’s no way he had a chance if Hangman was after her.

“I’m gonna head out guys.” Fanboy said abruptly as he stood up. He gathered his chair and was making his way to his car not waiting for anyone to say anything. He would miss the disappointment in Mutes face when she got back to the fire and saw that he was gone.

A/N:I think this one had a bit more of fleshing out than the last chapters did. I also realize that this part literally took forever and that's my bad sorry guys. Please wear sunscreen and protect yourself against the evil sun!☀️

Tags(Open): @wkndwlff @sylviebell @coffee-prince-kyungsoo

#mickey fanboy garcia #Mickey fanboy garcia imagine #mickey garcia imagine #ASLTW #mute and fanboy #mute and ramble #mickey garcia #light angst #some fluff i think #slow burn #Mickey Garcia x OC #Fanboy imagine #Fanboy x OC #mickey fanboy garcia x OC

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theroadgoes-ever-on-and-on · 29 days

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Peace

(Based on a word prompt from Phoenix Down Resources' 2021 prompts list on Roleplayer.me)

Definitions of Peace

Freedom from disturbance; tranquillity.

A state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.

As a Ranger of the North and also their Commander, peace was not a word that Hal used often. It was subjective. Something that looked like it was happening on the surface. When below, there was nothing but worry, fear and terror. Danger was all around them, from mortals to Sauron and also the wild creatures which lived in the air and on the land. The Rangers worked from the shadows, protecting and helping whenever they were needed.

“Mama! Snow!”

For the Bree raised Dúnedan with a reputation of having no emotions, peace meant something else. It meant a small house inside of Edoras in Rohan. It meant the sounds of small running feet and a childish male voice that called her Mama. Peace was subjective, yes. But it meant her son could grow up with people who they both trusted. Even if her duties as a Ranger and Aragorn’s second in command often took her far from home and from Theo, her four year old little surprise.

“Mama!”

She laughed softly at the more insistent call and put her book down, before heading over to the dark haired little boy. Although always on guard, it was here in Edoras that Hal was able to lose some of the tension in her shoulders. Seeing Theo cheerful, happy and content as he played with the other children made her feel like everything she had gone through was worth it. And she trusted Théoden, his family and his guards to keep her son safe. “Are you ready?”

A pair of slate grey eyes stared up at her for a moment, before he eyed himself. Coat, one glove and shoes on the wrong feet. “I’m ready.” The four year old assured his mother.

Hal smiled, warmth in her gaze as she knelt to help put his shoes on the right feet. “And I think your missing… this.” She teased, pulling out his wayward glove from his coat pocket. "Now you’re ready, kiddo.” It took her a moment to pull her own coat on and soon followed him out into the snow, far too used to colder climates to be wearing gloves. Ever since the unexpected arrival of the little boy, her priorities had needed to change in order but that was the only difference.

Only a few people outside of Edoras knew about Theo and her years of being known as closed off helped with that fact. Along with the Rangers being known as a secretive group, something that she was glad about. A soft smile formed as Hal kept an eye out on the playing kids, making sure none of them got hurt in anyway. Despite the peaceful scene, her senses instincts were still on alert so it was easy to recognise the footsteps of the King’s niece. “Éowyn.”

“Hal. My uncle wanted me to ask if you and Theo would join us tonight for the Yule meal.”

It wasn’t unusual for the younger woman to come and search the gender-fluid Ranger out whenever she was in the city. In fact it was well known that if Hal was visiting, then the people got to see all of the King’s family far more often. And this particular visit had been no exception. At the question, she gave Éowyn a faintly amused glance. “Like Theo would allow us to miss one of his favourite meals of the year with some of his favourite people.” She snarked with a grin, shaking her head.

The laughter that came from the White Lady of Rohan attracted the attention of the playing children and then warm grey eyes lit up at seeing her. Hal smiled as her son scrambled to his feet and promptly flung himself at Éowyn, who caught him in a hug easily.

Peace was a word of novelty for the Esteldin Commander but she had found it here in Edoras, in the face of her son’s warmth and laughter. Yet the biggest hurdle was still to come for very few of her kin actually knew about Theo or the events surrounding his birth. That were thoughts for another time through. And now Hal was happy to push it to one side and just focus on being here at Yule-time.

#~|| writing is best done at night with music ||~ :: drabbles #~/ i will always answer the call \~ :: hal #~|| ֆօռ օʄ ȶɦɛ ƈօʍʍǟռɖɛʀ ||~ :: ⁿᵉˢᵗʰⁱʳ #peace #yule #*|* land of green grassy plains & horses *|* :: rohan

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briamichellewrites · 9 months

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“I’m buying a castle in France. Do you want to come?”

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. Bria was using her monitor to talk to herself while zooming around the house. She had taken a bath after breakfast, then a nap after lunch. Since they had been busy the previous day, they decided to have a quiet day at home. Mike was watching his wife while playing with the animals. She was in one of her weird moods, so he was letting her be. Her mind was probably tired. He was going to be back in the studio.

Tina and Rachel were coming over. So he didn’t have to worry about her being home alone. Rascal used his paw to clean his face before going back to playing. Neither he nor Misty understood why his human was going around in circles. Humans were strange creatures like that. He jumped up to catch a toy that Mike had thrown at him.

He almost fell on Misty. She grumbled a little. Mike rubbed her head and told her she was okay. She went back to chewing on her bone. Did it taste good? Yes. It tasted like plastic. It also gave her something to chew on that didn’t make the humans angry. She learned that as a puppy after accidentally eating a pair of shoes he had accidentally left by the door. Thankfully, they weren’t expensive. Instead of yelling at her, he gave her one of her toys and told her to chew on that.

She learned her lesson. He tried not to be too angry because she didn’t know any better. The shoes were thrown away in the garbage bin because they were destroyed. Bria stopped at where they were playing. Did she wear herself out?

“Yes, but I don’t want to take another nap. I just want to sit here for a while.”

“That’s fine. You can stay there.”

He noticed how she was breathing. It was as if she was out of breath, which had never happened before. He checked her heart. It was beating quickly. How was she feeling other than tired? She felt like she had gone running. He was going to keep an eye on her heart and he would mention it to Tina when she came over in the morning. Even if it was nothing, he wanted to be one hundred percent sure.

He asked her to let him know if she felt like she couldn’t breathe because then he would take her to the hospital. She promised she would. After a while, her heart rate dropped to a normal rhythm. He was happy, though still cautious.

Tina did a basic inventory of her vitals while she was still in bed the following morning. Her heart rate was normal, as was her blood pressure. He had a right to be concerned. She would keep an eye on her during the day. He thanked her. After saying goodbye, he got his stuff and left. He was running later than usual. This time, he had a good excuse.

He shared it with the band members when he came in ten minutes late. Brad determined it was a good reason. He didn’t tolerate lateness because he wanted to stay on schedule. Things like sleeping in, forgetting, or going back to retrieve a forgotten item were not good enough reasons. Mike had a great reason. He sat down and they officially started working. His phone was in his pocket, just in case of an emergency.

“What do you think, Miss Bria?”

“It’s Monday.”

“That’s right. It is Monday. Did you have a fun weekend?”

“Yes. Mike and I spent the afternoon at Target because I needed new clothes. We then had dinner with Brad and his friends, George and Matt. They came over. I ended up going to bed around nine-thirty. Then, I slept in yesterday and then took a nap.”

“It sounds like you had fun. What’s your friend’s name?”

“Brad. He was busy working on movies, so he wanted to visit when he was home.”

Mike tried to remain focused but his mind was distracted. He checked his phone during breaks to see if he missed anything. Phoenix threatened to take his phone away from him, so he could concentrate. He determined that was a good idea, so he handed the phone to him. They all knew that whenever something happened with Bria, even if it was minor, he became obsessed with it.

He could not escape the anxiety in his mind. Not until he got home and saw that she was okay. They didn’t blame him for being stressed out, though they didn’t want him to obsess over something he couldn’t control in the moment.

Tina and Bria took Misty for a walk around the neighborhood. She had a jacket and her blanket over her lap because it was cold outside. Misty had her tongue out because she was so happy to be outside! The cat was annoying her again, so she was also happy to be away from him for a while. The fresh air felt good on her. She could feel the cold pavement on the bottom of her paws.

It wasn’t too bad. She did her business, which was cleaned up by the human and thrown away. Tina cleaned her hands with sanitizer. She would wash them with soap and water when they got home. Bria stopped to wait for her. I’m coming. When she caught up to her, they continued walking. Misty made sure she was okay. She head-butted her legs, which had become uncovered by the wind. Human, I need help! She bit the blanket and pulled it.

Tina recognized what she was trying to do. She took it from her mouth and repositioned it, so it covered her. Misty smiled satisfied that her human was now warm again. Bria hadn’t noticed the blanket had blown away. Not until she pulled it off. She thanked her and called her a good girl. Yes, I am! Thank you, human! I am a good girl!

Mike thought that was a cute story when he heard about it later. It was likely she hadn’t felt the cold because of her paralysis. She monitored her heart rate and blood pressure multiple times throughout the day. They were all stable. She understood why he was anxious about it. He was just happy nothing happened. Bria came over to them after getting her diaper changed by Rachel. After going over everything, they switched places.

Bria was feeling energetic. She turned on the music before going around the house. Rachel followed her while he made dinner. He also looked through the notes. It was another quiet day. She took her usual nap after lunch for about an hour. They then took Misty for a walk to get some fresh air. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing with the animals.

She mentioned visiting him and his band, but she didn’t know if that was allowed since they were working. He wrote that it was. They loved having her there! It was not a problem. She stopped her zoomies in the kitchen when it was time for dinner. Since she had taken a bath the day before, they could wait until the next day to do that. He suddenly felt like something was missing, so he went over to his stuff. His phone was missing. Phoenix.

He went over to her monitor and asked if he could use it to call him. Okay. He laughed when he heard him asking if he had his phone. Yes, he did. He would give it to him tomorrow. You would lose your head sometimes if it wasn��t attached to your body, Mike. Yes, he would. They said good night before hanging up. He then put the monitor back on her wheelchair.

@zoeykaytesmom @feelingsofaithless @alina-dixon @fiickle-nia

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princess-prentiss · 2 years

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All Too Well - Chapter 6

Pairing: Natasha “Phoenix” Trace/Jake “Hangman” Seresin

A/N: im running out of ways to tell you all i love you so much, and thank you so much for the love, ur all really great motivators anyway, this ones a little dialog heavy, but its about damn time! again i would like to say im no expert in the us navy, or even in any navy tbt, so i would like to both thank and curse google for its confusing resources and apologise for any inaccuracies

He wasn’t sure how long he sat there, head in his hands, thinking and rethinking every decision that led him to sit there.

He thought he heard the door open behind him, but he didn’t look up, even when he heard footsteps beside him. He felt a hand touch him lightly on his shoulder, leading him to raise his head just enough for his eyes to take in the figure in front of him.

Helen Trace was a formidable woman.

“So,” she said almost conversationally, “I expect it’s quite different to see her like that. It certainly was for me.”

He nodded slowly, not sure what she was getting at. She moved to stand on the other side of him from the door, leaning against the wall.

“She never did tell me everything that happened,” She looked down at him with an eyebrow raised, “But I’ve got to say, your reaction when you saw Mia is not one that I would have expected of someone who knowingly left their child.”

So that was it then, confirmation. He huffed out a chuckle in disbelief.

This only seemed to confirm her suspicions. Her gaze turned sympathetic.

“Whatever did happen, you need to talk to her now.”

He knew he did, he had been trying to talk to her for the past week but all she had done is shrug him off, claiming that she had nothing to say. But now it was him that had no words to explain how he was feeling.

“I will.”

She seemed satisfied by his response, turning her back to him and walking away down the corridor.

He let out another deep sigh before pulling himself together, pushing off the floor to his feet. He took in a slow breath before re-opening the door to her room and going back inside.

Natasha looked up at the sound of the door opening. Mia had fallen asleep, her head resting on her chest, her even breaths brushing the hairs on her neck as she ran a hand up and down her daughter’s back from where she was sprawled out over her.

She met Jake’s eyes as he looked up at her, she watched as his gaze dipped to look over her daughter sleeping on top of her. She couldn’t read the expression on his face, which instantly concerned her, normally she could read him like her favourite novel.

He moved silently back to the chair he had occupied less than an hour ago, the only sound in the room being the soft sighs from Mia and the soft thuds of his shoes against the hospital floor.

She was the first to break the silence, returning her gaze to her daughter’s head, not wanting to see his reaction.

“My mom said she was going to get coffee,” her tone was conversational, but he could tell it wouldn’t last for long, “She said she’d be back to take Mia in a bit.”

“We need to talk Nat.”

“I know.” She sighed, gently brushing back the hair from her daughter’s forehead.

He watched her ministrations, both of them quite happy to sit in silence, waiting, neither knowing what to say. The way she stroked the hair on Mia’s head was not unlike the way she had done for him when he broke down. He remembered, long ago, telling her that when he was upset he liked someone to play with his hair. It was a moment of vulnerability amidst the brutality of their relationship. It was just like he knew that whenever she felt bad, she liked a hot chocolate with cinnamon, the way her mom made it, she had said.

He wondered how much of him had translated to Mia. It gave him some comfort that she seemed to like to be soothed in the same way that he did, but beyond that, what was she like? He leaned forward, arms resting on his knees, hands clasped, watching the two women that now held the most importance of anyone in his life.

Feeling a hand grip around his wrist, he looked up to see her looking down at him, a soft look of concern on her face. He didn’t have time to say anything, however, as the door opened once again and her mother walked in carrying two cups of coffee, walking over to stand next to him before holding a cup out for him to take. He took it gratefully, flashing her as close to a genuine smile as he could manage.

“What no coffee for me?” He heard Natasha say almost incredulously.

“Sorry honey, I didn’t know what meds they had you on.”

“Moooom.” she groaned exaggerating the syllables like she was a moody teenager and not a fully grown woman with a daughter of her own lying beside her.

The elder of the two merely let out a short laugh at her daughter’s antics, who had moved to gently shake the shoulder of the sleeping girl, trying to get her to wake. It took several attempts, but eventually, she was up, looking around the room with drowsy eyes.

“Come on baby, Grandma’s gonna take you home now, but I’ll see you tomorrow ok?”

The girl, who was still not fully awake, nodded her head but gripped onto her mother even tighter than before.

Phoenix placed a delicate kiss on her forehead before removing the sheets around her, allowing her to climb to her feet and join her grandmother where she stood at the door holding out her hand.

“Bye, mommy.”

“Night baby.”

“Bye Jake.”

To say he didn’t expect it would be taking it lightly, it took him a moment to remember what words were.

“Bye Mia.” He said softly, smiling at the girl before she turned back to the door, following her grandmother out of the room.

Natasha watched as his face turned from a look of shock to a hesitant smile, his eyes following the pair as they left the room.

When the door closed behind them he turned back to her, trying to school his expression back into neutrality.

“So,” he started, “That day when we broke up, when you stormed into my dorm, this is what you meant.”

“She.” Natasha corrected. “She was what I meant. But everything you said, and well, didn’t say told me enough.”

“Jesus Nat.” He said, getting back to his feet and returning to pacing, this time along the end of her bed.

“You didn’t think I should get a choice about this?” He turned to her, arms flailing in anger.

“Jake you could hardly handle us being in a relationship, let alone being responsible for another person.” She tried to explain to him.

“I’ve changed! I could have changed for her!” He was getting angrier now that she didn’t seem to understand that she should have at least given him a chance.

“You weren’t the same person then, you didn’t want..”

“How the hell do you know what I wanted!”

“Because I knew you, Jake! I know you! You’re reckless! How the fuck do you expect me to trust you with another human’s life when I don’t even trust you with your own!”

This hit him like a tonne of bricks, stopping his agitated pacing just as he passed the midpoint of her bed frame. Turning to face her, bringing his eyes up slowly to meet her gaze.

“I want to know my daughter.” His voice was ice cold, he didn’t need to shout to get his message across, the clarity of his tone pierced the air shattering any doubt in seconds. “If I have to fight you for custody of her I will.”

He didn’t really want to, but he thought that putting the threat out would aid his case.

It didn’t.

Natasha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The absolute bullshit making its way out of his mouth seemed to only get worse until he stared her down and let out what he thought was the supreme ultimatum. Words didn’t describe the pain she felt at the empty threat, she knew he would never actually do it, and anyway even if he wanted to, he couldn’t.

“I don’t have custody of her.”

She didn’t raise her voice to the levels it was before, but she made sure he could hear her over his own anger.

“What?”

“Jake we had just graduated from the academy, there was still flight school and deployments. What if anything happened to Mia and I wasn’t there? And anyway, I don’t know if you’ve ever read the laws about academy grads having kids, because I can assure you it was the best choice. The only choice.”

“I…Nat.” He couldn’t seem to find anything to say.

But then again neither could she.

He broke eye contact with her first, looking down to see his hands gripping her bed frame, so much so that his knuckles had turned white with their lack of blood flow.

He didn’t know what to do, all of the fight had been knocked out of him at her admission.

“I need time to think.”

Not meeting her gaze again, he left the room, pulling the door shut behind him with a thud, he forced his legs to carry him out of the hospital not wanting to be stuck in the prison of the warrens of bright-white corridors any longer. Who knows what he would stay if he remained there?

That night all he could do was toss and turn under the light military-issue sheets of his room, longing to be back beside her, where she would run her fingers through his hair and tell him everything would resolve itself soon.

Because despite his initial anger, he didn't seem to have it in him to stay mad at her. He never did.

#hannix #natasha phoenix trace #jake hangman seresin #top gun #top gun maverick

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lumosandnoxwriting · 4 years

Text

Navigating Fatherhood - Fred Weasley

Title: Navigating Fatherhood Pairing: Fred x Fem!Reader Summary: Fred knew being a dad would be an adjustment, but he never imagined it would be this hard. Early mornings, tantrums and meltdowns are all new territory for him, and each time something goes wrong he can’t help but feel like a failure. Complete and utter exhaustion seems to be his new normal, and he can’t seem to keep up with his kids’ ever changing moods. Luckily for him he’s got the best co-parent in the world who knows just how to make him feel better. And it helps that the good parts of being a dad certainly outweigh the bad ones. A/N: first part of the dad!fred mini-series!! I really wanted to showcase some of the more difficult times I think Fred would experience as a first-time dad to small children, but also make sure to show some of the more tender parts as well! Feedback is always appreciated!! Tags: @feltondarling @pandaxnienke @raerae27 @thefifthweasley

Series Masterlist Based on Honey, Flowers and Pinky Promises

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“Oof,” Fred groans as a little elbow digs into his thigh. One of his eyes slowly opens and he can’t help but smile when he sees Phoenix looking up at him sheepishly.

“Sorry, Daddy,” Phoenix whispers as to not wake up Y/N.

Fred yawns and sits up a little. The room is still dark, so he figures it’s only a little past midnight. “That’s alright, little man. Come here.” Fred opens his arms up, melting as Phoenix crawls up the bed and onto his chest. He wraps his arms around the little boy in a tight hug, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “What’s wrong, Phoenix? Why aren’t you in bed?”

“Because I’m done sleeping,” Phoenix answers, looking up at Fred.

Fred chuckles and brings a hand up to stroke his son’s fiery red hair. He’s only been in Phoenix’s life for a few days and Fred can’t believe how much he already loves him. Every time he thinks his heart can’t fill with more love, all he has to do is look at Phoenix or his sister and it swells ten times bigger.

“What do you mean you’re done sleeping?” Fred asks, his tone light. “It’s only,” Fred pauses to look at the clock on the bedside table, and he has to do a double take to make sure he’s seeing it correctly. “It’s 5 am?” Fred is still exhausted, as if his head had just barely hit the pillow before Phoenix crawled into bed with him and Y/N.

The door to their bedroom creaks as it slowly opens then, and a moment later Fred can see Electra’s head poking through the opening. She smiles when Fred’s eyes meet hers, and she runs into the room to launch herself up onto the bed. Electra crawls up towards where Fred and Phoenix are, pushing her hair out of her eyes and Fred lifts one of his arms up so she can burrow into his chest as well.

“Good morning, Daddy!” she greets happily before turning to her brother. “Mornin’ stinky.”

“Good morning to you too butt face,” Phoenix greets, sticking his tongue out at her.

“It’s wonderful to see you Angel but what are you two doing awake?” Fred asks, causing both kids to look up at him. “The suns not even awake yet.”

Electra gives Fred a look, and he can’t help but chuckle at how confused she looks. “What do you mean? We always wake up before the sun! The we get to say good morning to it when it finally wakes up too!” Phoenix nods along in agreement.

Fred raises his eyebrows. The last time he’d been awake at 5 am was because he didn’t go to bed until 6 am. “You guys get up this early every day?”

Y/N laughs then, causing Fred to look over at her. She rolls over to face Fred, a bemused smile on her face. “Every single one,” she answers, stretching out her limbs. “Good morning my monkeys.”

“Good morning Mummy!” Electra greets happily, crawling off of Fred so Y/N can cuddle her into her chest.

Fred reaches down to stroke Y/N’s cheek, a soft smile appearing on his face when she turns her head to press a kiss to the palm of his hand. “Mornin’ love. Hope we didn’t wake you up.”

Y/N shakes her head with a chuckle, reaching out to ruffle Phoenix’s hair. “Don’t worry about it, Freddie. I’m so used to waking up this early my body just kinda does it on its own these days.”

“Really?” Fred asks in disbelief. But he can tell that Y/N is being truthful with him just by her appearance. Her eyes are already bright, not an ounce of sleep still clinging to them and her voice is clear. Fred can still feel the heaviness of exhaustion in his eyes and his voice is still deep and grumbly. “I feel like I barely slept.”

Y/N gives him a small smile. “It’s okay, Freddie. You’re still getting used to all this.” She sits up then, and both kids look over at her. “Come on then, monkeys. Let’s head downstairs while your Dad gets some more rest before he has to go to work.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Fred insists. He’s already missed out on so much of their lives, and just a few nights ago he’d promised Y/N, Electra, Phoenix and himself that from that moment on they were going to be a family, and it’s a promise he intends on keeping. “Let’s go do some coloring, you guys can make me some pretty pictures to hang up in my office.”

Fred clutches Phoenix to his chest as he stands up and settles him on his hip. Electra abandons Y/N and runs at Fred, jumping into his outstretched arm. He starts to head downstairs then, both twins giggling as Fred tickles their sides.

By the time Fred actually has to start getting ready to leave for the joke shop he feels like a zombie. Coloring only kept Electra and Phoenix occupied for so long, and Fred has spent the last hour and a half alternating between chasing them around the living room and tossing them up in the air and catching them. Thankfully they got distracted in a game of hide and seek and Fred was able to sneak upstairs.

“Blimey. What have I gotten myself into?” he muses with a shake of his head as he starts to head over to where his suit is hanging up. This is the first time that Fred has spent the night, and while Y/N did warn him that the twins can be a bit much in the morning, a 5 am wakeup call was not what he was expecting. He gets dressed slowly, already plotting how to sneak upstairs to his bedroom for a midday nap without George noticing. Today is their long day at the shop, they’ll both be there early to restock, and Fred is sure he’ll never make it to closing time without at least one nap.

Fred has just started to do up his tie when the bedroom door swings open and Electra barges in.

“Found you!” she shouts, looking around the room. When all she finds is Fred, her smile turns into a pout. “Oh, sorry Daddy. I thought Phoenix was hiding in here.”

“It’s alright, Angel,” he assures her with a chuckle. He sits down on the end of the bed to pull his shoes on, watching as Electra climbs up to sit down next to him.

Electra reaches out to grab Fred’s tie, her eyes focused on the blinking pin in the shape of the shop’s logo on it. “Woah,” she sighs, sounding completely mesmerized. “That’s so cool!” When she looks up at Fred her eyes are wide, and he can’t help but laugh.

“You think so?” When Electra nods wildly Fred leans down to kiss the top of her head. “I’ll get you one, then, Angel. Then you can match with Daddy.”

“Wicked cool,” Electra announces. She watches Fred tie his shoes for a moment, a frown on her face. “Why are you getting all dressed up?”

“I’ve gotta go to work, Angel,” Fred explains. He kisses her on the top of the head one more time before heading to the dresser so he can fix his hair in the mirror.

“Work? What do you mean you have to go to work?” Electra asks, her disappointment evident in her tone. “Mummy works from home, why can’t you?”

When Fred turns around his heart breaks in his chest. Fat tears are rolling down Electra’s rosy cheeks and her lower lip is wobbling. “Oh Angel,” Fred coos, reaching out to her. Fred picks her up and holds her against his chest, one of his hands rubbing her back to try and calm her.

Electra presses her face into Fred’s neck as she sobs, her breath coming out in sharp pants. “I don’t want you to go!” she wails.

“Shh. It’s okay, baby,” Fred soothes, starting to gently sway her back and forth. “I’ll be back before you know it, okay? And I’ll have a pin just like mine for you to wear. And we’ll play together, and I’ll tuck you into bed and read you a bedtime story.” He pauses to press a few kisses to her forehead. “Does that sound good?”

Electra’s sobs start to quiet down and she pulls away to look at Fred. “I guess,” the little girl sniffles. “Will you be here tomorrow when I wake up?”

“Of course, Angel,” Fred promises with a smile. “I’ll be here every day when you wake up no matter how early it is.”

Electra holds her pinky out and Fred immediately hooks his around it, squeezing tightly.

After a few days of waking up early with the kids and going to bed late after finishing up some work Fred is practically dead on his feet. Normally he’d stay at the shop to take care of the day’s paperwork after closing, but ever since he found out about the twins he’s been skating out right after closing and taking it home with him. Between helping Y/N with the kids all evening and dealing with the massive amount of paperwork he always seems to have, Fred figures he’s only getting four or five hours of sleep before the twins are crawling into bed to start their day all over again.

“I don’t know how you did it on your own for so long,” Fred sighs as Y/N cuddles into his side. The kids are upstairs playing before bed and they’re having their first quiet moment alone together since the night they got back together. “Even with you to lean on I feel like I’m falling behind.”

Y/N looks up at Fred, smiling when he kisses her on the forehead. “You’re doing great, Freddie. The kids love you and all that matters to them is that you’re there with them and that you love them too.”

“I do love them. So much. More than I ever thought I could love anything,” he says softly. “But you make everything look so easy. It makes me feel like I’m never going to be good enough for them.”

Y/N sits up so she can look at Fred properly and grabs his face in her hands. “It wasn’t always so easy for me, Fred. I can’t tell you how many times I would mess up or forget something and end up crying endlessly. I spent a lot of time feeling like the worst mother in the world while the twins were growing up. Being a parent takes time to get used to, you gotta figure out what works best for you and your kids. Hell, I still feel like there’s loads more for me to learn as they grow up. All that matters is that you’re trying, Fred.”

Fred leans down and capture’s Y/N’s lips in a slow kiss, letting the movements of their mouths melt all of his stress away. She’s always known just what to say to talk Fred off of a ledge, and while his chest is still tight with worry, he doesn’t feel it as strongly anymore. Fred’s just started to deepen the kiss when the phone rings, and he pulls away with a groan.

“Your Mum has the best timing,” he jokes, pulling away from Y/N so she can go answer it.

“It’s time for the twins to go down anyway,” she chuckles. “Can you go up and start getting them ready? I’ll join you in a bit.”

Fred nods but stays on the couch until Y/N disappears into the kitchen so he can watch her hips sway as she walks away. Once he’s alone Fred bounds up the stairs, determined to get the kids to bed quickly in the hopes that he and Y/N can spend some time together in bed. There is a stack of paperwork that needs his attention on the kitchen table, but he can deal with George being cross tomorrow if it means getting to spend some time alone with Y/N.

When Fred reaches Electra’s doorway he leans up against the frame, just watching the twins play together for a moment. They’re talking to each other excitedly, passing toys between them. Fred never thought this would be his life at 22 but he wouldn’t trade it for the world. He still can’t believe that these two pure, cheeky little Angels are his and he can’t wait to spend the rest of his life with them.

“Daddy!” Electra says suddenly, pulling Fred out of his thoughts.

Fred smiles down at her, opening up his arms to grab her off the floor as she runs at him. “Hi, Angel. Long time no see.” In reality, it can’t have been more than 30 minutes since Fred saw them last. He’d been helping Electra and Phoenix with some kind of art project when they both got bored and abandoned it to head upstairs to play.

“You’re so silly, Daddy! We just saw you downstairs!” Electra reminds him with an eyeroll.

“You’re right Angel, my mistake,” he chuckles pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “Have you guys been having fun?”

Electra nods and wiggles in Fred’s grasp so he’ll let her go. Once her feet are back on the ground she’s running back towards her brother. “Load and loads and loads of fun!”

“Uh huh!” Phoenix agrees happily. “We built a tower, and then we knocked it down and then built it again. Then we played restaurant but that got really boring, so we’ve been playing with our stuffed animals!”

Fred nods along as Phoenix talks, amazed at how much energy they have in their tiny bodies. He makes a mental note to send his mum the biggest box of chocolates he can find as a part apology, part thank you for dealing with him as a child as he steps into the room. “I’m so glad you guys are having fun! But it’s time to start getting ready for bed now, okay?”

The energy in the room goes flat as both the twins turn to look at Fred.

“No, it’s not,” Electra insists, picking up one of her dolls.

Fred sighs, clearly this is going to be harder than he anticipated. “Yes, it is. Now let’s all clean up your toys so they’re ready for you to play with tomorrow and then we can get ready for bed and pick out a story for me to read to you. Sound good?”

“Sounds rubbish,” Phoenix responds, making both him and Electra laugh.

“Come on guys, let’s start cleaning up,” Fred encourages. He starts to pick up some of the things strewn about on the floor, trying to ignore the way Electra huffs at him.

“But I want to keep playing,” Electra whines, giving Fred her best puppy dog eyes.

Fred’s insides melt at the adorable look on her face, but he knows that if he gives in now he’ll regret it later. “I know you do, sweetheart. But it’s time for bed.” Fred pauses to put some of the things in his hand in their proper spots. “You guys can get up tomorrow and play all day, but for now it’s time to clean up.”

Phoenix and Electra share a look before they reluctantly start to clean up.

“Good job guys,” Fred praises, hoping it will motivate them to keep doing.

When they don’t say anything, Fred frowns and helps them pick up the few remaining things on the floor. This is the first time he’s had to be stern with them, and while he knows it was the right thing to do, he can’t help but feel like he’s messed up somehow. Fred continues to get them ready for bed, trying everything he can to get them to say something. But they continue to do as he asks in complete and utter silence, angry looks on their faces.

“Alright, what book do you want Daddy to read?” he asks quietly as they settle into Electra’s bed. Getting the twins ready for bed has somehow exhausted Fred even more and he’s ready to just read them a story, take Phoenix into his bed, and kiss them both good night.

“We don’t want you to read us a book,” Phoenix grumbles, looking up at Fred.

“Yeah, we want Mummy to read us a book. She’s nice to us,” Electra adds with a huff.

“Oh,” Fred says softly, feeling defeated. All the worries Y/N had washed away come flooding back, and Fred’s chest tightens so hard it feels like he can barely breathe. “Alright then. I’ll send her up.” Fred heads towards the door, pausing in the entryway so he can turn to look back at them. “Goodnight. I love you both.” He waits for a moment to see if they say anything back, and when they don’t he heads back down towards the kitchen, his heart heavy in his chest.

Much to Fred’s surprise, when Electra and Phoenix come to wake him and Y/N up the next morning, they both snuggle into his chest first. He thought they might still harbor some anger towards him, but they both demand he hug them 5 times before he leaves for work in the morning, and they’re both waiting by the front door to jump into his arms the second he gets back in the evening. It confuses the hell out of him, but he gladly accepts the snuggles and kisses.

“Alright, what movie are we watching?” Y/N asks as she enters the living room, a giant bowl of popcorn in her hands. It’s Friday evening, and they’ve decided to start a tradition to solidify their new family, so from now on every Friday will be family movie night.

“Frozen!” Electra announces excitedly as she bounds over to Y/N, a DVD case pressed close to her chest.

“Daddy’s never seen it! Can you believe that, Mummy?” Phoenix asks as he climbs up onto the couch, pressing himself as close to Fred as possible.

Y/N shakes her head with a laugh, handing Fred the bowl of popcorn so she can take the DVD from Electra. “I can’t, baby. We’ll have to be sure to sing the songs extra loud for him, okay?” She settles onto the couch, waving her wand to get the movie set up. “Come here, Ells, sit next to me.”

Electra doesn’t move from her spot in front of the couch. She’s facing Fred and Phoenix, her arms crossed and a deep pout on her face. “I wanted to sit next to Daddy!”

“Snooze you lose!” Phoenix taunts, sticking his tongue out at her.

“You can sit next to Daddy next week, Electra,” Y/N suggests softly. “Just come sit next to me so we can start the movie.”

Fred watches in amusement as Electra turns to glare at Y/N. Last night both Electra and Phoenix wanted nothing to do with him and now tonight they’re fighting over who gets to sit with him. He tries his best to keep the smile from his face, not wanting to encourage her behavior, but he’s struggling. It makes him feel good that his kids both love him enough to fight for his attention.

“But I wanted to sit with him tonight,” Electra whines.

“Here Angel, how about this,” Fred starts, causing her to look at him. Fred hands Y/N the bowl of popcorn so he can pick Phoenix up and move him closer towards his mother. “We’ll all move down a bit,” he continues, moving down the couch so he’s sitting next to Phoenix again. “And now there’s room for you on Daddy’s other side.”

Electra smiles brightly and scrambles up onto the new spot Fred created for her. She immediately snuggles into his side before looking up at him happily. “I love you Daddy.”

“Love you too, Angel,” Fred responds, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead.

Phoenix makes a noise, snuggling into Fred’s other side. “I love you too, Daddy!” he announces.

“And I love you too, little man,” Fred says with a chuckle, kissing him on the forehead as well.

Y/N rolls her eyes fondly, her chest warm from the amount of love she has for the three of them. “Are you monkeys finally ready for the movie to start?” When all three of them nod she waves her wand, letting the opening song begin.

Electra and Phoenix both start singing along excitedly, and Fred kisses his plans of falling asleep goodbye.

“You sure you’ll be alright with them by yourself?” Y/N asks, eyeing Fred wearily.

Fred rolls his eyes, hitching Phoenix up onto his back higher. While bedtime had been a disaster the other night, Fred has been feeling more optimistic after family movie night. Clearly both Phoenix and Electra love him, and while he still feels like he can barely keep up with them, being able to spend this time with them and bond with them makes it all worth it.

“Y/N, we’ll be fine,” Fred assures her. There’s some kind of issue with one of the ads Y/N had written for tomorrow’s issue of the Daily Prophet and she needs to head into the office to take care of it.

“If you’re sure,” she responds, shrugging on her coat. “They can color or play with their toys but absolutely no screens and no sugar. It’s too close to bedtime,” Y/N reminds.

Fred chuckles and leans down to press a soft kiss to her lips. “This isn’t my first rodeo, Y/N. We’ll be fine. Right guys?”

Electra cheers from where she’s gripping onto Fred’s leg and Phoenix nods wildly over Fred’s shoulder.

“Daddy is the bestest Daddy in the world, Mummy! We’re gonna have loads of fun,” Phoenix promises.

Fred bites his lip, trying to contain the emotion he feels buzzing around in his chest. He’s had a hard few days parenting wise, but hearing Phoenix call him the best dad in the world has certainly made the struggle worth it. “See? Go on, get to work and sort everything out like you always do. And when you get back everything will be fine.”

“Alright, alright. I love you my monkeys, okay? You might be in bed when I get back, but I’ll come in to give you kisses, alright?” Y/N reaches over to ruffle Phoenix’s hair before leaning down to press a kiss to the top of Electra’s head.

“Love you!” Both twins shout as Y/N steps into the fireplace, watching in awe as green fire swallows her up and takes her away.

“Hey Daddy?” Electra asks sweetly, plopping herself into Fred’s lap.

Y/N has been gone for nearly an hour and so far everything has gone smoothly. Fred brought their large box of blocks down from Phoenix’s room, and they’ve all been sitting on the floor together building random structures for the twins to knock down before building something else and repeating the process. Bedtime is quickly approaching and while Fred is a tad nervous that he’ll have to go through it alone again, he’s optimistic that it will go well.

“Yes, my Angel?” Fred responds, pressing a light kiss to her hair.

Electra looks up at Fred from under her eyelashes and the softest look she can muster is on her face. “Can we pretty, pretty, pretty please have some ice cream?”

Fred gives her a look. “No, sweetheart. It’s too close to bedtime.”

“Please,” she begs, sticking out her lower lip.

“No, Electra,” Fred says firmly. “And that’s the last time I’m going to say it.”

Electra glares at Fred and scrambles out of his lap, her cheeks turning red at her frustration. She storms over to where Phoenix is standing and knocks over the tower he’d been working on.

“Hey!” he shouts, his little fists clenching up. “What did you do that for?”

“Electra,” Fred scolds. “That wasn’t nice. Apologize to your brother.”

“No,” she responds firmly, kicking some more of the blocks. “I want ice cream!”

Fred sighs and stands up. “Alright, that’s it. It’s time for bed, let’s go.” Fred moves to grab Electra’s hand and she slaps it away, stomping her feet.

“No! Not until I get my ice cream!”

Fred fixes her with a firm glare. “This is not appropriate behavior, Electra. I said no ice cream and that’s final.”

Electra’s face is red with anger, and Fred can see tears welling up in her eyes. Her fists are clenched at her sides and when she stomps her foot again, several things in the room fly off of their shelves and move in every direction across the room. “I want ice cream, now!” She starts to scream as she rips pillows off of the sofa and the frustrated tears start flowing down her cheeks.

Fred ducks as a picture frame comes flying at his head, his mind moving quickly to decide what to do next. If the other night had been disastrous, this is nuclear. The living room is slowly turning into a giant mess and Phoenix grabs on to Fred’s leg in fear.

“Fine!” Fred says suddenly, grabbing his wand from his pocket. Electra is still crying, but several of the things that had been flying around the room clatter to the floor. “I give up. Eat the damn ice cream.” With a wave of his wand the freezer opens and the pint of ice cream inside of it starts to float over towards them. A spoon from one of the drawers joins it, and all of Electra’s anger disappears as she grabs them both out of the air.

“Daddy,” Phoenix says quietly, tugging on his pant leg.

Fred looks down, his heart breaking at how upset his son is from his sister’s meltdown. Tears have started to roll down his cheeks and his bottom lip is wobbling.

“Oh, baby, it’s okay,” Fred coos, gathering him up in his arms. He hugs him close to his chest and starts to head towards the stairs. “Come on, let’s get you into bed, yeah?” Fred rubs Phoenix’s back as he takes them upstairs, his mind racing about what to do about Electra.

20 minutes later Fred is finally heading back down the stairs after getting Phoenix to fall asleep. His shoulders are tense, and his mind is still trying to figure out what exactly to do with Electra. He’s never seen a meltdown quite like that before and he has absolutely no idea what to do. Fred’s never had to punish a child before and this is certainly the worst place to start.

“Why aren’t you in bed, Electra? And why in the world are you eating ice cream?” When Fred finally reaches the living room he can see how mad Y/N is just from her body language. Her shoulders are tense, and her hands are planted firmly on her hips.

“Daddy gave it to me,” she answers calmly, licking her spoon clean.

“I can explain that,” Fred says quietly.

Y/N turns to look at him, her eyes narrow. “I thought this wasn’t your first rodeo, Fred? And yet this room looks like a bomb went off and I’ve got a kid not in bed stuffing her face with ice cream.” Fred opens his mouth to respond, but Y/N puts her hand up to stop him. “We’ll talk about it later.” She turns back to look at Electra. “Bed, now Missy.”

Electra begrudgingly gets off the sofa and heads towards the stairs, putting the ice cream and her spoon in Fred’s outstretched hand. Fred watches as she stomps up the stairs, Y/N following close behind. He sighs heavily before shuffling to the kitchen to put the ice cream away. Once the freezer is shut tight he waves his wand so the living room can start to put itself back together, before collapsing in a chair at the kitchen table.

“Can you not yell at me,” Fred asks when Y/N comes into the kitchen a bit later. “The past 45 minutes have been hell on earth, and I can’t take anymore yelling.”

Y/N sighs as she hoists herself up onto one of the counters. “What happened, Fred? You were so confident when I left and now you just look, broken.”

“Everything was going so well. We were all playing and laughing, and then Electra asked for ice cream. And I said no. And she asked again, and I said no. Then all hell broke loose. She went full meltdown. Crying, screaming, shit was flying all around the room. I didn’t know what to do. Phoenix was scared, she was throwing pillows all over the place, so I gave her the damn ice cream.” Fred runs a hand through his hair before he looks over at Y/N. “Which I know is probably the worst thing I could have done but I just needed her to calm down and then Phoenix was crying, and it was all just one huge shit show.”

“I’m so sorry, Fred,” Y/N says softly. “Electra can throw some explosive tantrums and I should have warned you. And I shouldn’t have left you alone with them. That was my fault.”

Fred rubs his forehead, trying to relieve some of the tension in his head. “They’re my kids too, Y/N. I should be able to handle them on my own. But the second something goes a little wrong my mind goes completely blank. I’m a terrible father.”

“Freddie come over here.” Y/N’s tone is firm, yet gentle and Fred slowly makes his way over to her. When he gets close enough her legs wind around his hips and she pulls him in. “You are not a terrible father,” she starts, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’re a new father. There’s a difference.”

Fred buries his head in Y/N’s neck, taking a deep breath in. Her scent of honey and flowers overwhelms his senses, and Fred can already feel himself starting to relax. “I love them both so much that I think my heart is going to explode. And I thought that would be enough but I’m very clearly in over my head.”

“Then walk away,” Y/N says flatly, surprising Fred. “Walk out the front door and never come back. “

Fred pulls away from Y/N’s neck and grips her face so they’re looking into each other’s eyes. “I would never do that, Y/N. You have to know that.”

Y/N smiles at Fred, rolling her eyes. “I know that you dummy. You know how? Because you’re not a terrible father. A terrible father would walk away when things get tough.” She grabs Fred’s chin and tilts his head down to kiss him on the forehead. “Becoming a parent is a huge adjustment, Fred. And honestly you’re doing amazing, love. I promise you that. You know how I know?”

“How?” Fred murmurs, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose.

“Because Electra and Phoenix are giving you a hard time. I know it sounds weird, but kids tend to be extra naughty for their parents,” Y/N chuckles. “They could be throwing the biggest tantrum for me and the second my mum walks in their all smiles and hugs and kisses. They’re testing your boundaries. It’s what kids do.”

“Who knew being a parent was so confusing?” Fred muses with a chuckle. He leans down to kiss Y/N softly. “I couldn’t do any of this without you, you know.”

“Well duh, I’m the one that gave birth to them,” Y/N jokes.

Fred rolls his eyes, letting his hands wander to her hips. “Well yes obviously. But that’s not what I meant. You always know exactly what to say to make me feel better, to motivate me to keep going.”

“I will always be there to motivate you and support you. Because I love you, and I love our family and I can’t imagine a future that doesn’t have you three in it with me,” Y/N admits, a pink blush on her cheeks.

“I love you too,” Fred whispers. “And I love our kids. And our family.” Fred pulls Y/N into a slow kiss, trying to convey every feeling he has for her through his mouth. “I used to dream about having this life with you. And now that it’s come true I’m never giving it up. I promise you that.”

Fred comes up behind Y/N as she stirs something on the stove, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Hi, love.”

“Hi Freddie,” she greets with a laugh. She tilts her head back slightly, allowing Fred to kiss her briefly. “You’re up to something.”

Fred gasps in fake shock. “Me? Up to something? Couldn’t be,” he teases. His grip on her waist tightens and he starts to press a few open-mouthed kisses to Y/N’s neck. “I just couldn’t help but notice how quiet the house is.”

Y/N lets out a quiet moaning, letting her head fall ever so slightly to the side to give Fred more room to kiss. “Yeah the kids are out back running around.”

Fred hums as he kisses Y/N’s neck, smirking when she shivers. “I think that means we should sneak upstairs for some, mummy and daddy time,” he suggests. While Fred expected that they wouldn’t be having sex every night as they adjusted back into their relationship and into this new normal, he had figured he and Y/N would have been intimate again by now. But with Phoenix and Electra always sneaking about, the closest they’ve gotten is some heavy petting while making out in bed before they both practically pass out.

Before Y/N can respond there’s some kind of commotion outside before one of the kids bursts into tears. They break apart and just as Y/N reaches the back-door Phoenix is approaching, his hair damp from the light snow that started to fall, and tears streaming down his cheeks. Y/N squats down and holds her arms out for him, and to both of their surprise he pushes right past her and heads over towards Fred.

“What’s wrong, buddy?” Fred coos, leaning down so he can pick Phoenix up. He settles him on his hip before he starts to wipe away some of his tears, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“I-I fell down and hurt my elbow,” he gasps in between sobs.

“That’s no good. Want Daddy to kiss it better?” When Phoenix nods Fred presses another kiss to his forehead before gently placing him down on the counter. He helps him out of his jacket before slowly rolling up his sleeve. Fred leans down to press a few kisses to his elbow. “All better?”

Phoenix nods at Fred with a smile, sniffling through his last few tears. “So much better! Thank you Daddy.”

Fred tickles his sides a bit, laughing as Phoenix starts to giggle. “You ready to go back outside and play with your sister?” Fred helps Phoenix put his jacket back on before putting him back down on the ground.

“Love you!” Phoenix shouts as he runs back out into the yard.

“I can’t believe he just did that,” Y/N muses with a shake of her head as she comes to stand with Fred.

Fred chuckles and pulls her into his chest. “I detect a bit of jealousy in your tone there, Y/N,” he teases. He hugs Y/N tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “That’s the first time one of them has chosen to get help from me over you, did you know that?” Fred’s chest feels like it might burst from how happy he feels.

“See, love? You’re navigating this fatherhood thing just fine,” Y/N responds, pulling him down into a kiss.

#fred weasley #Fred Weasley imagine #Fred Weasley fanfiction #fw #golden

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justanotherteentitansblog · 3 years

Text

Poolside bbraeweek21 day 2

(So this fic is actually based on my headcannons for BB and Rae’s Future kids, Phoenix and Mavis. Phoenix is 6 in this and Mavis is about 1 ½ I have another fic during this week that features them but background info Phoenix has her dad’s powers and Mavis has her moms but Mavis has cuffs on her wrists that block them because a toddler with emotion based powers is a recipe for disaster. That should be everything you need to know before going in.)

“MOOOOOM!” Phoenix complained as her mother was trying to get sunscreen everywhere her bathing suit didn’t cover.

Raven continued despite her older daughter's protests, “Oh, I’m so sorry I don’t want you to get sunburnt. I’m the worst mom in the world, they should throw me in jail.”

“Can I even get sunburnt?”

Raven paused, that was actually a good question. She’d have to ask her husband about that one later. “Do you really wanna find out?”

“I wanna go play in the pool!”

“And you will, if you can be patient for five minutes while I get the rest of this on you.”

Phoenix huffed but complied as her mom finished applying sunscreen to her emerald skin.

“Go, but no morphing into salt water animals, just because I know CPR does not mean I want to use it.”

“Ok!” Phoenix shouted behind her as she ran into the Titans tower pool diving in feet first spraying droplets of water on her mother.

Just then, the door to the roof slammed open and Gar appeared carrying Mavis over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

“Why is it that trying to put my children in bathing suits is like trying to wrestle baby alligators?” he grumbled before Mavis kicked him in the face with a jelly shoe.

“At least Phoenix can dress herself now,” Raven replied.

“Ok, Rae” Gar said, handing her a wiggling giggling Mavis, “You can do this, I believe in you!”

“I’m going to need more than your belief Gar, I’m going to need a miracle.” Raven said, placing the girl in her lap as she squeezed sunscreen into her palm.

Raven attempted to work quickly before Mavis could realize what she was doing but it was too late. Mavis immediately threw her head back and arched her back as far as it could go to get away from her mother. She kicked and screeched and bit at her mother in an attempt to get away from her and the sunscreen. Succeeding only twice as Mavis was like a greased up pig at this point. Eventually Gar had to step in and hold his screaming child down while Raven rubbed the rest of the sunscreen into her skin, all whilst Mavis was screeching at the torture she was being made to suffer.

Finally finished with her work, Raven and Gar let Mavis go while she ran and threw herself down next to the pool, now able to throw a proper tantrum.

Door to the roof opened again revealing the rest of the former team along with the new titans as they filed out.

Cyborg stood at the door, hands on his hips glaring at the couple, “Yo what did you two do to my baby!” A long time ago this sentence would’ve meant the T Car but now exclusively meant Mavis whomst Vic had a huge soft spot for.

“We dared to put sunscreen on her.” Raven deadpanned.

Vic picked up the crying child and held her to his chest shielding her away from her parents, “Well don’t do it again,” he narrowed his eyes at the empath.

“Yeah Raven, how could you?” Gar added in sarcastically moving to retrieve his child from his best friend before she could push any buttons on him and blow everyone up.

Kori softly chuckled at her friends' interactions as she approached with Mar’i in her own arms.

“Raven, would you like me to watch over the little ones so you can have some time to yourself?”

Raven stood stunned for a moment, alone time was a rare treat and one she didn’t take lightly since having children and here Kori was offering it up like it was nothing. She could cry, she could’ve kissed Kori at that moment!

Gar was more hesitant however, “Are you sure, Star? Mavis is a handfu-”.

“Thank you so much Kori!” Raven interrupted shooting her husband a dirty look. HIs overprotectiveness was NOT about to ruin this rare opportunity for her.

Gar sighed but handed over Mavis to his friend and threw himself in the pool identically to the way Phoenix did spraying Raven with more water this time. Raven didn’t care though as she had already started lounging in a chair near the poolside with a book she kept in her bag just in case a rare opportunity like this occurred.

Gar swam over to Phoenix who was at this point testing out different freshwater fish she could turn into whilst doing laps. Upon seeing her Dad she morphed back into a girl and swam to meet him. “Dad! Dad! Look what I just figured out!” she shouted before morphing into an green lizard-like creature with fuzzy antennae on the sides of her face.

“Good work Nix, and that is called an….”

She morphed back into a child to answer, “Axolotl, a freshwater anphi, anphoebe, ambphibi,”

“Amphibian” Gar chuckled out.

“Yeah that one, and it comes from mexico.”

“You got it kid!” he said, giving the girl a high five.

Much to her delight her Dad then picked her up and threw her over his shoulder into the water. Phoenix emerged from the water, squealing “Do it again!” and he complied, throwing his child again and again as she cackled at their little game.

As much fun as Gar was having as well, he knew something was missing and that something was his wife. He knew how much her alone time meant to her, but with having the kids the time he had with just Raven was far and few between.

Phoenix swam back over to her Dad to get thrown again when he grabbed her up and whispered in her ear, “Hey Nixie, ask Mom to come in with us.”

Phoenix looked over at her mother fully engrossed in her reading at the poolside. “Mom doesn’t want to get in the pool”

Gar rolled his eyes “I know but she’s more likely to say yes to you than me.”

Phoenix regarded her mother lounging again, Phoenix really wanted to get ice cream after the pool and she knew that was more likely to happen if her mother was in a good mood and reading definitely put her in a good mood.

“No.” she said, staring at her Dad straight in the eyes.

Gar narrowed his eyes at Phoenix and threw her over his shoulder again but with less mirth this time.

Gar swam to the edge of the pool near Raven gave her his best puppy dog eyes, “Hey Ra-”

“No.” she said without looking up.

“Come on! I just want to have fun with you!” he complained.

Raven tore her eyes away from the book in her hand to glare at her husband, “Who stays home with the kids?”

Gar sighed at the familiar argument he always lost, “You do.”

“And when you’re on set, you get breaks right?”

“Yes”

“Do I ever get a break from being the mom?”

“No”

“So when I get a get a rare break, I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest, Gar”

Gar pouted and looked up at his wife, “but I miss you.”

Raven sighed and grumbled something to herself about him being as bad as the kids. “I promise we can do something together after the kids go to bed, but right now I really just want to read my book.”

Gar's ears drooped but he resigned, “Ok, enjoy your book Rae.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it,” Raven smiled.

Gar offered a half smile, still disappointed but deciding it was best to give her space.

Meanwhile Kori was sitting with Mavis and Mar’i on a beach towel while the girls were playing with toys. Mar’i was trying to wrestle the plastic elephant out of Mavis' hands whilst Mavis kicked and screamed at the other toddler.

“No, no, please girls no more fighting,” Kori implored the children.

The two girls had done nothing but fight since Kori had brought them over and she was at her wits end. She hadn’t truly understood what Garfield had meant by Mavis was a handful until this moment.

Mar’i had finally ripped the toy out of Mavis’s hands and threw it into the deep end of the pool. Mavis, outraged, bit the half tameranian on the arm leaving deep teeth marks.

Kori was shocked and scolded Mavis whilst running to get the neosporin for Mar’i.

Mavis took this as her opportunity to go retrieve her elephant and waddled her way over to the pool's edge.

Gar was throwing a beach ball back and forth with Phoenix when he saw something that made his blood run cold. Time stood still as he watched his youngest daughter trip over the edge of the pool and begin to fall in. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe, all he could do was panic as he watched her tiny body disappear into the deep end.

“MAVIS NO!” he screamed, willing the inevitable to stop.

Raven’s eyes tore away from her book and it was discarded in an instant as she sprinted to where her daughter had fallen in jumping in without a moment’s hesitation. Mavis had barely been in the water for a few minutes before rising to the top, struggling and splashing to keep herself afloat as Raven snatched her up and breathed a sigh of relief that she came back up quickly and didn’t try to inhale water.

Raven clutched a sobbing Mavis to her chest, shaking and attempting to stop herself from thinking about what could’ve happened. Gar swam over to examine the pair and make sure everyone was ok before hugging them both. Phoenix swam over as an axolotl to the deep end and cocked her head to the side in silent questioning at her mother.

“Everyone’s ok Nix. Thank you.” Raven replied, finally calming down at the same time as Mavis.

Gar smiled at Raven and then began to chuckle.

Raven narrowed her eyes at her husband, “I fail to see the humor in this situation Garfield!”

“Good Job, Mavis. You somehow got your mom in the pool!” he said through his laughter.

Raven’s eyes glowed with black magic as she sent a tidal wave crashing over her husband whilst holding both of her girls to her.

#bbraeweek21 #bbrae #bbrae fanfiction

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harpyloon · 4 years

Text

little red

Pairing: Harry Potter x Ginny Weasley (BUT this is more of a Ginny Weasley and Sirius Black friendship HC if you will)

Summary: “Excuse me, but I care what happens to Sirius as much as you do!” said Ginny, her jaw set so that her resemblance to Fred and George was suddenly striking. - Chapter 33: Fight and Flight (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

Warnings: Small battle scene, minor mentions of blood and injuries, small mentions of death... I think that’s about it? Mostly fluff and humor.

Word Count: 6.8k+ (oops)

A/N: hello! This is my first time posting an HP fic here so I hope you'll be kind! This idea has been an itch in my brain I've been wanting to scratch ever since I re-read OOTP. It's mostly canon apart from the ending (y'all know what ending I'm talking about lol). Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!

Order of the Phoenix missing moments

Read on AO3

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Sirius always knew. He thinks he's known from the very beginning, but even more so when he chanced upon her creeping down the rickety stairs of Grimmauld Place—clutching a hand full of round mud brown pellets that looked all too familiar—with a mischievous glint in her eyes and lips pursed in strict concentration. With as little noise as she could possibly yield, she made it to the bottom of the second landing, eyeing the offending door with the equally offending Silencing Charms casted to muffle whatever it was the "children" were not allowed to hear.

Leaning over the bannister to get a good view of her target, her fiery red mane tumbled over one shoulder like a curtain, concealing half of her determined face from Sirius who was gazing up at the show with amusement; he was suddenly in no hurry to get back to the meeting that was getting fouler by the day. Although the sounds were muffled, he knew exactly how riled up everyone was behind that door, the very reason he had to step out in the first place.

Fighting in the first war, Sirius knew that every moment for members of the Order of the Phoenix was as good as their last. "We might as well seal our deaths," James's voice echoed through his thoughts at the distant memory of him and his friends officially joining the Order that one bleak winter evening. He could still feel Lily's grip on both his and James's hands as she sat between the two, not once glancing at anyone as Dumbledore spelled out every possible danger being a member of the Order would entail.

"Might as well," Lily breathed out and looked at Dumbledore straight in the eye, "Count us in."

Dumbledore didn't need to look at the rest of the gentleman for approval. Lily might have been James's woman, but whatever Lily Evans said the Marauders always followed.

Almost always.

"Ah, crud."

Sirius is yanked back into the dreary hall of Grimmauld Place, just as a putrid ball of manure bounces off the charmed kitchen door and zooms past the cobwebby chandelier, straight for his startled face. Times like these made Sirius truly grateful for his canine instincts, as he stepped aside just in the nick of time.

The mud brown ball splattered onto a worn-out tapestry, right beside the large troll’s leg umbrella stand.

"Oops."

He glanced back up at Ginny Weasley who was grinning sheepishly down at him from the second landing, "Sorry, Sirius."

"Good aim," said Sirius, winking up at her, "Although I believe your mother has the door Imperturbed, little red."

Ginny scrunched up her nose and it reminded him too much of another red head he knew, "That's no good. Well if Dungbombs won’t work then it's a long shot for Fred and George's Extendable Ears."

Sirius quirked an eyebrow, "Extendable Ears?"

Ginny waved a hand, "Eavesdropping contraptions they made up over the summer—" she stopped short and eyed Sirius warily, "Will you tell? Because if mum finds out, you didn't hear it from me."

Sirius grinned. As if anyone would expect Sirius Black, 1/4 of the Marauders, to ever tattle about anyone's mischief. "Bound me by oath, I shall tell no living soul."

Ginny sighed in relief and tucked her hair behind her ears, leaning over the bannister even further. If Sirius didn't catch the tips of her shoes hooked through the railing, he'd be afraid she'd fall flat on her face.

"What are you doing out here?" she inquired curiously, "That door may be Imperturbed but I'm almost positive I heard yelling."

"Precisely why I'm not in there," he sighed and glanced at the kitchen door. He didn't feel like going back inside the chaos at all.

"Really?" Ginny looked even more interested than she was a minute ago. "Don't tell me it's boring?"

Sirius nearly scoffed, "No, little red. Quite the contrary. But being in a room discussing plans for a war you cannot participate in can get quite stale."

He grimaced at his own tone. Sirius wanted to stop feeling sorry for himself, truly and largely through with all the pitiful stares Remus kept sending his way (although discreet) every time Dumbledore so much as shrugged off his requests at lending a hand (or paw) to anything the Order might need. He knew he was being overbearing, which was the last thing he wanted to make anybody feel with his presence. Although being stuck in his wicked mother's house filled with nothing but forbidding memories did no good to his sanity or his morals. He glanced back up at Ginny who was chewing on her bottom lip, deep in thought.

"Anyway, little red, up you go before your mother finds ou—"

"Wanna play Quidditch?"

Sirius blinked.

"Quidditch?"

"I need to practice."

"Trying out for the team are you?" he asked.

Ginny shrugged, "I think Ron wants to have a go, but he's always been Keeper. Just staying on my toes in case Angelina needs a new Chaser this year."

"Chaser, eh?" said Sirius smiling. "Was Keeper myself back in the old days. James, however, was—"

"Chaser, I know. I also knew you were Keeper," said Ginny impatiently. "So do you want to play?"

Sirius peered curiously up at her once again. He wasn't sure even his own godson knew of his Quidditch history. "How did you know I was Keeper?"

Now Ginny had the nerve to look shameful.

"I've been walking past the Trophy room on the third floor to all my classes since first year," she blushed, "Charms was always fun. Professor Flitwick never really minded if I took too long in the loo."

Her embarrassment ebbed when she saw Sirius's proud grin.

"Anyway, all the Gryffindor teams over the years are listed on the Quidditch board," she said.

"And you have them memorized?"

She ignored him. "So? Will you help me practice? Or were you no good?"

Her eyes held a glint of a challenge and was filled with outpouring mischief Sirius hadn't felt in years.

Dreadful meeting forgotten, he asked, "And where do you propose we are to practice? I've played quite a few years to know we need more than a grimy hallway to fly, little red."

Ginny's eyes were filled with mirth, "I know just the place."

----—-----

Ginny Weasley was a fantastic flyer. Her small but built frame made her agile and quick enough to score a couple (more than a couple) past Sirius, who, admittedly, was rusty on a broom, but could neither deny the fact that the girl was akin to a zapping ball of flame, whizzing past him zealously.

The small alcove behind Grimmauld Place (that Sirius previously remembered to be a dump for old furniture the Black family disposed of ) was cleared and mowed into a backyard of sorts; although the grass was a dying shade of brown, weeds scattered the soil, and the lone shrub by the fence seemed to be in its last breath.

"Mum had Bill and I clear it out just in case the kitchen got too full," explained Ginny. "But nobody's used it yet, and we've still got room. Mad Eye had the surroundings Disillusioned so we can fly as high as the attic."

Sirius spent the next couple of weeks training with Ginny on a Comet Two Sixty they borrowed from Tonks. It was the highlight of his days, superbly scheduled right after Order meetings. An angry Sirius coming out of the kitchens to practice was something Ginny looked forward to (and often hoped, although she'd never admit), only because he wouldn't have the mind to hold out on blocking her Quaffles— almost saving every attempt she had at a perfect goal. There were days when the twins and Ron would come out for a match, three-on-two, and Sirius would give Ron tips on how to Keep.

“You’re fast,” he told Ginny at one point, trying to catch his breath after her third goal of the day; the Quaffle zoomed behind his broom and into the makeshift goal post after her clever diversion of swerving around his front. She raised her eyebrows at him as if to say Duh. He rolled his eyes.

“Have you ever considered Seeking?” he inquired.

“Seeking?” she frowned. “Nope. Never. Besides, that position’s not up in the air anytime soon anyway.”

The perpetual loneliness was in no hurry to crawl back into Sirius's mind. Out of all the members of the Order (children included), it was Ginny Weasley (apart from his godson) who made him feel the most welcomed into the world once again; treated humanely, and not some fugitive on the run. She even managed to find the time to occasionally rally him with a game of Exploding Snap.

One particular night that summer, Molly walked in the living room carrying a tray of sandwiches which she set down beside the two.

"Would you know where the extra sheets are, Sirius?" asked Molly, "I need to prepare Harry's bed for tomorrow."

Sirius doesn't miss the way Ginny paused the slightest, then carried on with playing a card down. He swiftly taps the top card with his wand, his opponent only seconds behind. He grins at her cheekily. She missed.

"That point was mine thank you— Ah yes, Molly, of course. I'll have Kreacher bring the sheets up to Ron and Harry's room."

"Harry's arriving, mum?" asked Ginny behind her cards, seeming as though she was deciding which one to play next.

But Sirius could register her unfocused eyes.

"Mad Eye and the rest are leaving at dusk tomorrow. You best tell Hermione and Ron as well. Like twitching worms those two are, can't stop asking when Harry'll be arriving," Molly sighs wistfully, "My poor boy."

Although he hadn't been in the best moods with Molly these days, Sirius couldn't help but grasp her hand to give it a light squeeze.

"No need to worry, Molly. You know Mad Eye. He'll be very thorough."

"Oh, I suppose you're right," said Molly, squeezing Sirius's hand back and reached out to rake her fingers through her daughter's hair.

"Not tired yet, Ginerva? You spent the whole afternoon flying," she looked back at Sirius reproachingly.

He merely shrugged with a small smile.

"I'll sleep when I beat him," said Ginny, finally looking up from her cards.

"Fat chance, Weasley," said Sirius.

Molly sighed tiredly. "Oh why do I even bother," she grumbled as she gathered the empty mugs on the coffee table and walked back into the kitchen.

"Love you, mum!" Ginny yelled after her mother as she grabbed a sandwich on the tray and started nibbling.

"You haven't drawn," she said with a frown.

Looking from the cards piled on the floor and back to the ones she held, "It's your turn. Go draw."

But Sirius didn't draw.

He gazed at his cards instead, as if concentrating hard.

"So," he spoke casually, "my godson will finally be gracing us with his presence. About time."

Ginny didn't answer.

He looked up from his cards to see her shuffling with her own, mumbling to herself.

"I suppose you two are friends?" he asked.

"Hmm? Oh yeah— er — well, sort of..." she trailed off, clearly having no intention to confirm nor deny.

Sirius waited two beats before realizing she wasn't going to elaborate, "Sort of?" He never really saw much of Ginny around the trio while he tailed them restlessly in dog form through Harry's third year.

"Aren't you going to draw?" she snapped irritably, making a show of how annoyed she was that he was interrupting their game.

"Are you?" he spoke slowly, "Friends with my godson?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I heard you the first time."

"But you haven't answered."

"I have! I said yes!"

"Actually, you said 'sort of'."

"Well, I meant 'yes'!" Ginny huffed indignantly, her ears were turning pink. "Are we still playing or not?"

"Fred said you never talked around him," he said casually.

At this remark, blood swiftly rushed to her cheeks and her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Did he now?"

Sirius no longer bothered to hide his grin.

"George said you fancy him even."

Ginny was so red, her freckles were more prominent than ever before. She seemed to be debating whether or not to abandon their game and flee to the safety of her room, or abandon their game to run off and hex her tattle tale twin brothers.

"For your information," she finally spoke, swallowing a lump in her throat before proceeding, "I used to fancy him a little bit. Not anymore, not for a very long time now actually."

“Oh?”

“Over him. Done. Moved on.”

A pair of cards exploded between them, emitting red and orange sparks.

“You’ve done it now,” groaned Ginny. She glanced up at Sirius whom she saw was smiling knowingly at her, his cards abandoned.

“You know what?” she said, “I’m going to bed. Good night, Sirius.”

“Oh come on,” he laughed as she gathered the cards and neatly put them away in a box, “Is Harry that bad? Can’t be as bad as James can he? That git never had the balls to man up to Lily until our 7th yea—"

“I’m seeing someone,” Ginny announced suddenly, which shut Sirius up quickly.

“Seeing someone?” he blinked up at her as she stood from the carpeted floor where they sat and began to gather the cushions around her.

“Yes. Michael Corner. He’s in Ron and Harry’s year, but in Ravenclaw. He's cute. We met at the Yule Ball and been writing at the start summer,” she had a small smile as she mentioned their exchange of letters, as if she had a nice little secret tucked inside her pocket.

Sirius’s brain, however, seemed to have stopped working.

Michael Corner?

His godson was losing a battle to a boy who did his homework? And who maybe even enjoyed it?

"Although I haven't heard from him since we moved here. Can't owl to him now either," she said with a frown, as if she didn't like the thought. "Maybe I should ask Dad to check if I've got post at the Burrow..."

Sirius's head continued to spin at the outrageous thought, but he looked at Ginny calmly.

“Yule Ball, eh? A dancing chap then,” he swallowed the profanities doing somersaults in his brain. “So, a Ravenclaw...”

Ginny eyed him warily, “That’s right.”

He forced an excited grin, “Splendid! Does he play Quidditch? Bet we can invite him over sometime.”

Impossible, Sirius thought. First of all, he was still a fugitive. He reckoned Michael Corner wouldn’t want to be tossing Quaffles with a man who escaped Azkaban; and second, wanted or not, he didn't think he’d ever let Harry get away with letting a girl like Ginny escape from his fingers. He didn’t let James cower away, he sure won’t let Harry either.

He heard her sigh and focused on keeping his face devoid of any inner turmoil.

“He doesn’t play Quidditch," said Ginny.

DOESN’T PLAY QUIDDI—

“Doesn’t play Quidditch?” Sirius raised an eyebrow, keeping his tone neutral. “Interesting.”

What’s she going to do with a bloke who doesn’t play bloody Quidditc—

“So what does he do?” he clears his throat, “in his spare time? Any hobbies?” He seriously should consider an acting career once his name got cleared.

Wrapping the quilt she was sitting on around her shoulders and balancing the tray of sandwiches her mother left on her hip, Ginny pursed her lips at Sirius and huffed, “Nothing that would concern you, Mr. Sirius Black. After all, what other hobbies did you have back in the old days? Other than stirring up trouble?”

She gathered the trail of her quilt with her spare hand and started walking towards the stairs, up to the bedrooms.

“Oh, come on, little red!” said Sirius exasperatedly, “What did I say? Tell me more about Michael Corner! What does he do? What sort of lot does he hang out with?”

He blanched at a sudden thought, gaping at her retreating back in horror.

“Michael Corner doesn’t hang out with Madam Pince does he?”

Ginny trudges up the stairs and doesn’t look back, but her steps progressed louder and heavier.

“If you stop saying his name like that, maybe I’ll think about answering your questions!” she growled and was out of sight.

----—----

Dear Padfoot,

You were right! I did get Seeker! But only because Harry received a lifetime Quidditch ban from Umbridge. I’m sure you’ve heard. That old hag. Fred and George got banned too. I wasn’t supposed to tryout till next year, but Angelina was desperate. You should’ve seen her face. Nearly close to tears every time I see her at breakfast.

I’m sorry you can’t floo anymore. I kept everyone out of the common room the last time. Pavarti left her Herbology homework by the fire but I convinced her to pick it up in the morning instead. I also told the Creeveys that the house elves were cleaning out the common room that night. Nobody wanted to bother them and welcome a bad breakfast. I hope you got to talk to Harry enough. If that old toad didn’t barge in, I’m sure he would’ve told you more about the D.A.

He’s a really good teacher Harry. REALLY good. He reminds me a lot of Remus, the way he teaches. Did you know he can produce a corporeal Patronus? I’ve known of course, from Ron, but seeing it up close was bloody brilliant. You’d be proud. Especially since his Patronus is a stag. Didn’t you say his dad was Prongs?

He’s also seeing this girl, Cho Chang. She’s nice. Very pretty. A Ravenclaw. She plays Quidditch as well. I guess we both have a thing for Ravenclaws? She always cries though, I’ve noticed. It must be hard for her, dealing with Cedric’s death. They were a thing before he died you see. I hope she doesn’t make Harry too sad at least. He’s been looking a lot gloomy these days. Always BROODING. And don’t get me started on his temper.

Anyway, this will likely be my last letter before Christmas. They don’t bother monitoring my owls as much as they do Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s, but it’d be best if you didn’t write back till after the holidays. Hopefully I see you for Christmas. I’ve already got you a present.

Don’t go sulking around too much!

With love,

Ginny

----—----

Never in her life has Ginny ever seen Harry Potter as broken and desolate as he was now, right before her eyes. That is to say she's seen quite a bit of his dismal days. But it was nothing like this. Although, of course, she knew she couldn't feel the extent of his pain, but pain she still felt; the hollow ache in her chest reverberated, first through her arms, paving way for gooseflesh to rise up to the very tips of her fingers, then down her legs and she felt her knees wobble desperately, as if they were telling her, We can carry you no longer.

With her sprained ankle and failing knees, she gripped the bed post nearest her so tightly it croaked beneath her weight. She watched as Harry did his very best to stand back helplessly and watch the healers fuss around Sirius's frail and pale body, casting stabilizing charms and fixing various droughts by the bed where he lay in the Hogwarts hospital wing.

It almost hit him.

Ginny whimpered at the memory of waking to Sirius's barking voice echo through the Department of Mysteries. Despite her busted ankle, she dragged herself up and registered Luna and Hermione passed out cold, while Ron struggled through the binding tentacles of thought wheeling out of the brain that held him captive. Neville and Harry were nowhere to be found.

"RON!" she yelled at her brother, who seemed to have finally snapped out of the laughing jinx he was in. "Hold still—"

"I HATE BRAINS!" screamed Ron. He managed to have pierced a tentacle with the tip of his wand and the bindings around his torso pulsated, as if the brain yelped in pain although no sound came out.

"GINNY, NOW!"

"Diffindo!"

The brain's tentacles weren't severed as Ginny would have hoped, but it weakened its hold on Ron most definitely that he succeeded in wiggling his way out.

"I've got it," mumbled Ron when she bent down to reach for him, "It might get you too." He finally kicked the tentacles of thought away and it trembled furiously on the cold floor, flashes of memories fluctuating.

Both siblings were panting heavily as they paused to catch their breaths. Ron's right knee jutted out in an odd angle that didn't look particularly natural. He shifted his weight to his left backside, scanned the room, and spotted Hermione lying across the room from him with her eyes wide open. His face paled.

"Hermione," whispered Ron weakly.

Ginny glanced over at her and Luna's lying forms.

"They're stunned," she said. "We need to get them back to school. We all need to get out of here."

She wouldn't have known if Ron heard her for his eyes were fixed solely on Hermione, but he gave a quick nod, "Yeah we—," his eyes suddenly darted around, searching, then he looked back at Ginny in panic.

"Where's Neville?" his eyes were filled with fear, "Where's Harry?"

A deep booming yell echoed from the open door, and Ron's face first scrunched up in confusion, then suddenly turned to a hopeful expression.

"Is that— is that Moody I hear?" his voice was almost weepy.

"Yes," said Ginny, struggling back up on one foot. "And I think I heard Sirius too."

She tried helping her brother up to his feet but to no avail. His right knee was most definitely not okay.

"I'm going to get help," she said. "Stay here and look after the others."

Ron looked like he was about to protest but swallowed the argument quickly. "Wait—" he quickly glances at Hermione then at Ginny's angry and swollen ankle, "you can barely walk."

"Compared to you I can," she said and winced as she shifted her weight. "Look after the others."

Ron swallowed painfully but nodded, his eyes finding Hermione again. No one would dare doubt Ginny's hexing skills, but as the older brother it was instinct to worry.

"Hurry back, yeah?"

Ginny stared at her youngest brother and felt her heart swell almost as much as her throbbing ankle (the pain intensifying to the point of numbness, which made it easier to ignore). People always thought it was Bill that she favored the most among her brothers, them being particularly close as the eldest and youngest. But while their closeness was unquestionable, there was one brother whom Ginny revered the most. Sheer—although closeted—admiration.

Ron always wore his heart on his sleeve, no matter how much he tried to clam it up—which Ginny admired profusely, if not envied at times. While he regularly complained under his breath about the state of poverty their family lived in, his face often falling behind his mother's back whenever he found out he'd be inheriting something of his older brothers' (like Charlie's old set of school robes instead of getting fresh, personally tailored ones from Madam Malkin's)—it was exactly this that made him all the more benign.

It was Ron who always lent Ginny his hand-me-down broom after an afternoon of spitting out tantrums all over the Burrow when her other brothers refused to let her play along, Ron who merely huffs in annoyance every time she barges in his room, plopping down on his bed as she talked his ear off—though he let her anyway; Ron who was just so selfless despite all his lamenting, never thinking twice about giving.

You're my hero, Ron, Ginny thought to herself as she gave her brother a nimble nod.

"Wand out," she cautioned him, and he snorted.

"I'll give those Death Eaters a Bat-Bogey hex in your honor."

Ginny had to swallow back her tears. She didn't know why she was getting emotional at this point. Perhaps it was the thought of death not very far from where they stood, as Death Eaters swarmed the Ministry. She pointed her wand to his knees to distract him from the glassy sheen forming in her eyes.

"Ferula."

Bandages spun up Ron's leg, strapping it tightly to a splint. He winced as they secured themselves and then he heaved a grateful sigh. "Thanks. Hold out yours."

Ankle patched and throbbing dulled to a minimum, Ginny limped out of the Brain Room, wand out and ready.

If Sirius and the others are here, we'll be alright, she thought, fighting down the growing panic that if the Death Eaters didn't get to him first, the Ministry would capture him instantly. He was, after all, still a mass murderer on the lose. She refused to think about Harry, who was god-knows-where, probably being impulsive and angry and careless with a helpless Neville on his toes.

Ginny evaded all abhorrent thoughts and swiped traitorous tears from her cheeks angrily.

He has to be okay. They all have to be.

She headed straight to the only other door still open, the one through which the Death Eaters themselves had come. Gripping the frame tightly as she fought through the pain on her ankle, she saw—to her horror—Mad-Eye lying on his side in the middle of the room by the dais, bleeding from the head, his magic eye spinning across the floor near a paralyzed Dolohov; Kingsley was swaying across her field of vision, battling with a now mask-less Rookwood, and she saw Remus, who had successfully disarmed Lucius Malfoy.

Her eyes scanned the room in panic, but was suddenly swept with utmost relief at the sight of Harry and Neville hobbling up the stone steps towards her.

Ginny stopped the scream from bubbling out of her throat, noticing the glass spherical prophecy tightly clutched by Neville's hand, not wanting to draw attention to them any further.

“Come on!” she heard Harry cry desperately, hauling at Neville’s robes. “Just try and push with your legs —”

Something hot like liquid heat was suddenly melting down Ginny's ankle. She looked down to see that the bandages Ron had given her were glowing a deep purple. It's not the bandages, she realized, it's my foot— the glowing stopped.

What the—

"It won't last, Ms. Weasley, but it'll do long enough."

Ginny turned, wand raised, to see Albus Dumbledore standing behind her, his own wand equally aloft, his face white and furious. She felt a kind of electric charge surge through every particle of her body—they were saved.

"Professor," she stammered, "I—"

"Mr. Longbottom is in need of your assistance, dear one," Dumbledore said with no preamble. "Go. The spell on your ankle won't last long."

She wasted no time.

Running down the stone steps, she ran into Neville, clutched him by the arm, and he almost sagged on top of her completely if it weren't for Harry holding him up.

"Ginny!" Harry looked at her in panic. "Where's Ron?"

"He's fine," she panted, hitching one of Neville's arms over her shoulders, "They're all fine. Harry, listen. Dumbledo—"

Announcing his presence was futile, she realized, as screams of fury suddenly rang throughout the chamber.

All three of them turned back to see one of the Death Eaters running for it, scrabbling like a monkey up the stone steps opposite. Dumbledore’s spell pulled him back as easily and effortlessly as though he had hooked him with an invisible line.

Only one couple were still battling, apparently unaware of the new arrival. Ginny saw Sirius duck Bellatrix’s jet of red light: He was laughing at her. “Come on, you can do better than that!” he yelled, his voice echoing around the cavernous room.

The second jet of light barely missed his head. Sirius staggered backwards in shock. Ginny saw Bellatrix's face erupt into a triumphant smile as she raised her wand, pointing straight for his chest—

She heard Harry yell to her right but she had no more time to think, adrenaline and desperation pumping through her veins. She grabbed the prophecy from Neville who's grip had slackened in fright. This is way lighter than a Quaffle, a voice spoke in the back of her head as she let go of Neville, though unaware of doing so, shifted her weight back for a split second and released the glass orb with all her might, aiming for the space between Sirius and the tip of Bellatrix's wand.

"Avada Kedavra!"

It almost hit him

The jet of green light flashed through Ginny's memory, colliding with the the spherical orb of the prophecy instead of Sirius's chest, although its force was so strong that it knocked him off his feet, he passed out cold on the Death Chamber floor....

"Ginerva? Ginerva, dear, I told you to lie back down— Oh, my sweet," Madam Pomfrey's voice shook her out of her painful daze. She was back in the hospital wing, hand numb from clutching the bed post so tightly; the pain from her ankle was making her dizzy that she didn't realize the tears pouring out of her eyes.

"Is," she sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve messily, "is he going to be—"

"The healers are doing everything they can," Madam Pomfrey murmured quietly although her face was grim. "Let me have a look at your—"

"I'm okay," said Ginny stubbornly. She wouldn't move an inch farther away from Harry and Sirius than she already was.

"Ginny, I swear if you don't let Madam Pomfrey look at your leg I'll hex you myself," she heard Ron growl, although tiredly, from the bed behind her. "There's nothing you can do just lie back down."

Ginny gritted her teach so hard they almost hurt as much as everything else. She stared at Sirius's lying form helplessly from afar, then shifted her eyes back to Harry who now had a tired-looking Remus guarding him from shaking his godfather awake.

She gave a defeated sigh and let the school matron lead her to bed, sleep consuming her instantly no matter how hard she fought it.

----—----

It's been almost a week. A week. And Sirius still hasn't woken.

Ginny was finally discharged after four days; Madam Pomfrey casted final charms to fully mend her ankle and prescribed her with the Potion for Dreamless Sleep to help her with her shock and nightmares.

Ron and Neville had to stay for two more nights, and Hermione for another week—the curse Dolohov had used on her, though less effective than it would have been had he been able to say the incantation aloud (Hermione had cast a Silencing Charm on him before he attacked), had nevertheless caused, in Madam Pomfrey’s words, “quite enough damage to be going on with.” Hermione was having to take ten different types of potion every day and although she was improving greatly, was already bored with the hospital wing.

This gave Ginny every excuse to drop by everyday without fail. She brought everyone Honeydukes sweets, some pastries from Dobby, and fresh flowers for Sirius's bedside. She's also piled his stash of Pumpkin Pasties so much that she heard one of the healers attending to him scoff in disdain.

"If the rebound curse won't kill him, those sweets will, deary," said the healer in disapproval.

But Ginny didn't care, of course, she merely hid the stash under his bed, away from prying eyes. He would thank her when he woke up. For a laugh (more for her than anyone, really), she also hoarded volumes of The Quibbler from Luna, specifically the editions flooded with speculations of Sirius being the innocent singing sensation Stubby Boardman, lead of the band The Hobogoblins.

"You have to wake up now," she told his sleeping form, making sure to sound as miffed as she possibly could. Dumbledore said that talking to him might help, although she suspected he only said so for Ginny's sake. She sat on the edge of his bed one Hogsmeade morning. She barely went anywhere besides the hospital wing these days—despite Dean Thomas's efforts in coaxing her a trip to the Three Broomsticks. "You haven't even seen me play Seeker, Stubby, what happens when your godson takes it back next term?"

But she was only met with Sirius's steady breathing. Which was a good thing, at least is what the healers from St. Mungo's said. The collision that the Killing Curse and the prophecy made was enough to block the curse's intentions, but was able to emit some kind of stunning aftermath, knocking Sirius out cold. She remembered when they all thought him dead, Harry shaking with fury as he dashed out of the Death Chamber after Bellatrix Lestrange.

"You should've seen him, Stubby," she whispered, her eyes roaming all over Sirius's pale, gaunt face. "He looked like he would've killed for you."

She thought she saw a hitch in his breathing, a change so subtle that she held her own. But the following breaths after that were as steady as it had bin, making her convince herself it was only her hopeful imagination.

"Ginny?"

She was so focused on studying Sirius's breathing that she didn't hear privacy curtain open behind her.

Harry Potter, skinny, pale, and hair mussed up as ever, stood awkwardly by the foot of his godfather's bed, his hands holding a bowl of what smelled like onion soup with sides of sliced bread. His glasses were askew and misty from the spring wind and he looked like he just shimmied out of bed and put on the first jumper he saw, because he was wearing one with a big 'R' on his chest.

It was then that Ginny realized that she hasn't seen much of Sirius's godson in the long period that he's been lying in the hospital wing. Every time she visited, even when the others were still around, Harry would've already left to god-knows-where, or she would have had classes and missed running into him. Even sightings in the common room or at the Great Hall were rare.

It's not as if you've been avoiding him, Ginny thought to herself as she stood up to leave, it's just bad timing is all.

"Harry," she smiled at him and nodded at his bowl of soup, "That for the dog?"

He gave out a laugh that made her insides thump erratically. She hasn't seen a smile on his face for so long and she's missed it terribly.

"Yeah," he said with a small smile, and looked at Sirius. "Looks like he's not hungry still."

His smile still held its place but his eyes were almost cheerless.

Crossing her arms dramatically, Ginny turned to glare at the benumbed form before them, "Hear that, Stubby? Your godson's been bringing you breakfast and this is how you repay him?"

Again, they were met with silence and she heard Harry chuckle, "Maybe that'll work," he said, "I've been spitting praises all over to try to get him to wake."

She rolled her eyes, "Don't spoil him," she warned although she smiled fondly down at Sirius, "he might be enjoying it too much."

Harry let out a tiny laugh once again, making her warm all over. She loved seeing him not brooding. It was a rare sight this term, and now that Umbridge was gone, she hoped she'd see more of it.

"Well," she started as she scanned the floor for her book bag, "I'll leave you with the rascal then—"

"You don't have to leave," said Harry and she looked up at him to meet his alarmed gaze. "Really, Ginny I—," he stammered, "you don't have to go."

Ginny stared at him worryingly, "Are you sure? You don't have any secrets to talk about?"

He chuckled, "Yes. I mean no. No—we— I have no secrets," he was surely flushing now, and Ginny sniggered.

"Well alright then," she said, hoisting herself back up on the edge of Sirius's bed. "Is that onion soup I smell? Haven’t had breakfast."

Harry sighed with relief and rounded the bed, grabbing two spoons from his godfather's bedside drawer and sagged down the chair beside Ginny's legs. They sipped the onion soup in silence for a few minutes before Harry cleared his throat and glanced up at her.

"I—," his face was red and she was sure it was because of the soup, "I never got to thank you."

Ginny raised her eyebrows at him questioningly before slurping loudly from her spoon. Harry burst out laughing.

She grinned cheekily at him, legs swinging back and forth on the edge of the bed, "What for?"

He shook his head, "What do you mean 'what for?' You saved Sirius."

It was Ginny’s turn to look embarrassed. Seeing as this was the first time they were actually talking about what happened at the Ministry (the first time talking at all after the Ministry), the subject of the prophecy that Ginny so careless sent flying (quite literally) was never mentioned, not even by the others. She didn't think anybody even knew about it—apart from Harry and Neville and other members of the Order present in the Death Chamber. She had little thought for it, all her worries focused on her friends and her brother getting better.

"Barely," replied Ginny, shrugging nonchalantly at the boy in front of her. "To be honest, I could've thrown something more durable," Harry laughed at this, "but balls are the only thing I'm good at aiming with and that was the closest thing." She frowned after a thought, "To be honest, I wasn't thinking at all."

Harry shook his head again and looked at her with something she could've described as awe, "Well I'm glad you didn't think," he said and a hint of despair flashed in his eyes, although quickly appeased. "I don't even want to think about what would've if you did."

They were quiet for a moment, both now focused on Sirius's rhythmic breathing. Ginny chanced a deceitful glance at the boy she so perplexingly pined for for so long. She couldn't deny that her fourth year in Hogwarts drastically changed now that Harry was more to her than just her brother's best friend. She could actually call him her friend. She couldn't believe it took her this long to woman up and finally start talking around him, realizing how much of an awkward bloke he was.

Well, I won't miss out on you anymore, Harry Potter.

She smiled wistfully at the fact that his hair was as unkept as ever, not realizing that her own hand was reaching out in a foolish attempt to tame it...

"Hey, I was thinking!"

Ginny gave a startled jump, Harry's voice slicing through her shameful haze, and reared back her hand so fast that her elbow hit Sirius's knee.

"OW," she yelped, clutching her joint closely.

"Wha— are you okay?"

"What in the—what is this man made of? Steel?" She rubbed her elbow, wincing, and hoped Harry took no notice of her mortifying intentions.

He merely laughed, "No, I don't reckon Sirius is much of a Superman."

"A super what?"

His eyes were full of amusement as he gazed a Ginny's disgruntled face. "Never mind. Listen, what do you think about trying out for Chaser next year?"

She blinked at him.

"Chaser?"

Harry blushed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah I mean—er—I know you're Seeker now," Ginny was smirking now, "but uh, you have really good aim and— well, that's not saying you're not a good Seeker already. I mean— I don't even know if next year's Captain will take me back in if—"

Before Ginny could stop herself, she grabbed a piece of uneaten bread from the meal they just shared and flicked it straight for Harry's face.

It hit him square in between his eyebrows, nudging his round glasses even more askew.

His expression was priceless.

She laughed boisterously at his stunned look. He was gawking at her.

"That aim good enough for you, Potter?"

It took him a beat to recover, a wide playful grin spreading across his face. "Pretty good, Weasley," he admitted, then tapped on his forehead mockingly, "Could definitely use some practice though, you missed the scar."

Nothing but absurd and ridiculous banter issued after that, their conversation flowing with so much ease, that Ginny swore to herself she would never allow her foolish feelings to keep her from Harry ever again.

And if she wasn't so enamored by his breath-taking laughter, she might have noticed the impish ghost of a smirk from the patient lying on the bed.

#by gabi #hinny fic #ginny weasley and sirius black friendship #harry potter #ginny weasley #sirius black #ootp #order of the phoenix missing moments #Sirius lives #byGabi

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loving-daisy · 4 years

Text

Cry For Me | George Weasley x Reader

Masterlist | Cry For Me Masterlist

Chapter 3 - Break Your Heart In The End

Words: 7.8k

Warnings: Small spaces, Bullying, name calling, underage drinking, truth of dare, jealousy, scheming

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

Stay by your side and break you heart in the end.

____________________

“Icestone, about last weekend…” George began as sat beside his potions partner from the Slytherin house, the ginger fidgeting his fingers as he attempted to recall last night’s rehearsal of the speech of apology he constructed with his brother.

“I’m sorry about how me and Fred acted. We knew none of it was your fault, you weren’t even a part of the quidditch team! We just thought that since you’re the Slytherin queen you would…” The Gryffindor sighed, his eyes giving Icestone a sincere look of guilt. “I’m so sorry, Icestone. Let me make up to you.”

The girl beside the ginger snapped her head up at him, turning her attention away from her half empty parchment as she raised a brow towards the Gryffindor. For a minute or so, the atmosphere between the two students from rivaling houses was quiet. Unlikely for a Gryffindor, George lost his confidence of gaining the forgiveness of the Slytherin, thinking that she had enough of him and Fred’s continuous distrust towards her. I mean, it’s not like they trust her. They really don’t. That’s why a plan was generated from the minds of the ginger pair. Take the queen down is what they said. And that’s what they’re planning to do.

Meanwhile, the Slytherin had a few battles on her own. Mainly with her head. Do I accept his apology as simple as that or should I make him put an effort to earn my forgiveness? In all honesty, her head was telling her to do the latter but her heart was saying to do the first option. Should she listen to her heart or should she listen to her head? But then she thought that everyone deserves a second chance and from the look the Gryffindor has been giving her, she couldn’t resist but to simply say “Apology accepted.”

As if the Weasley boy saw a ghost, he looked up from his fingers, eyes wide as his mind and face was enveloped with disbelief. “Wait, really?”

Y/N plastered a small smile on her face before turning her attention back to her parchment. Shrugging as she directed a small nod.

The disbelief from George’s expression did not falter. Placing a hand on top of the girl’s parchment to gain the attention back on him. “No kneeling, no crying, no cleaning your shoes?”

Y/N scrunched her nose from the statement. “Excuse me, what?”

George gave her a shrug. “Don’t you do that when someone does you wrong?”

The Slytherin dropped the quill she was holding, crossing her arms and fully facing the ginger with an amused look on her face. “Is that how people these days pertain to me? Brainwashing the system now, huh?” Y/N scoffed. “Don’t let them get into your head, George. I’m nothing like that.”

George Weasley, was once again, in disbelief of the Slytherin’s personality. Just a few weeks ago he and his twin were turned into cats for accidentally pranking the girl and then suddenly she’s been following them everywhere and has been endlessly flirting with him. And then she bullies some 1st years, gets lashed out but accepts their apology anyways. Now, they got even more furious at her for assuming that she was behind Slytherin’s foul play but she accepts George’s apology like he didn’t do her wrong at all. She could have turned me into a cat again George thought.

George flopped his elbow on their shared desk, his chin letting it rest on a hand as he stared at the girl with a knowing smirk on his face. “You know what, Icestone? You’re not so evil like people describe you to be.”

Y/N dropped her arms, mirroring George’s actions as she rested her chin on her palm, rivaling the Gryffindor’s smirk with her own astonishing one. “Well that’s because I’m much worse.”

____________________

“Ms. Icestone.” A tall man with long platinum blonde hair muttered as his eyes as blue as the winter sky pierced at the next heir of the Icestone wealth. Y/N turned her attention away from her thoughts, feigning a small smile before doing a small curtsy as a sign of respect.

“Mr. Malfoy. Lovely to see you here.” She greeted politely, hopeful for the man to not say another word and just leave and ignore her like what he does with the other students he encounters. However that would be less-likely, seeing as the man greeted the girl, a thing he does not usually do.

“Likewise.” Lucius answered, nodding as he examined the girl from head to toe. “Say, how have you been?” He inquired, which resulted in the girl to raise suspicion as to why senior Malfoy was suddenly curious about her well-being.

Of course, with the Icestones being a wealthy pureblood family that has been present since the ancient times, respect is greatly handed down to them. Not to mention how the family runs a consistent bloodline of successful wizards and witches from the house of Slytherin, one would kill to be a part of it - whether letting their daughter marry an Icestone offspring or ordering their sons to sweep the feet of the current Icestone princess for their family to get involved.

The Icestone family runs as early as Dionysus Icestone, one of Salazar Slytherin’s outstanding students. Married to Coraline Velvet, who bore Athena and Anthony Icestone, one of the most well-known healers in the wizarding world with their invention and contribution to the field. Generation to generation, wizards and witches coming from the name Icestone has been nothing but utterly successful. Not only in the field of healing, but in the ministry as well. Edward Icestone, one of the appointed ministers, the first ever Icestone to be so and definitely not the last, who governed for more than 8 years, maintaining peace and order in the magical world. A few more years later, John Icestone was conceived by the love of Alice and Cyrus Icestone, who then was married to Aurelia Phoenix, Y/N’s mother.

There must be something going on. She mentally scoffed at the thought. At least other families don’t make it so obvious, I’m just not stupid enough to not notice.

“Aurelia, I am beyond delighted that you and your family could make it today.” A woman who looked like she was in her 30s, greeted. The woman was wearing an all-black outfit, covered in finest silver jewelries, as she gave Y/N’s mother a small hug. Breaking away, she turned to Y/N’s father, shaking his hand as she muttered his name with a smile.

Retrieving her hand, the woman looked down at the young Icestone girl, giving her the biggest smile as she offered a small flower, in which Y/N gladly took. “And you dear, must be the lovely Y/N Icestone. Ecstatic to finally meet you.” She said.

Y/N feigned a mirror of the woman’s smile. “It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for inviting us to your lovely home. Congratulations on your birthday.” She remarked, obtaining words from gratitude from the woman before turning her attention back to her mother.

“Aurelia, you raised your daughter so nicely. She’s beautiful.” The woman complimented. Suddenly, a young lad who resembled the appearance of the woman showed up, announcing his presence to who seemed to be his mother through a kiss on the cheek.

“Great! You’re here!” The woman exclaimed. Directing her attention back to the young Icestone, she grabbed the boy’s hand on her right one and gently reached for Y/N’s using her left. “I would like you to meet the lovely Y/N Icestone.” she spoke, bringing their hands to rest at each other.

The boy gladly held the young Icestone’s hand, raising it to his lips to give a small kiss. “It is an honor to be in your presence tonight, Ms. Icestone.” He declared, causing Y/N to mentally roll her eyes with the formality and with the act. Reluctantly retrieving her hand, she spoke with feigned kindness. “Please. Call me Y/N.”

Uninterested with their building conversation, she eyed father, who was giving the boy a stern look. Meeting his eyes, she immediately caught onto what her father was thinking.

Another one. Another one trying to slide their way up the family tree. The young Icestone thought.

“Y/N.” The boy pronounced. “Lovely name for a lovely girl.” He continued.

Great. Another one of those overused lines. Where is the originality? Y/N thought.

Throughout her encounter with the boy, the noise in her head was loud with her ranting and complaints. She was tired of being attempted to be used like this. She has had enough of these families' constant effort to pursue her for other intentions.

“My name is Ethan. Say, would you be delighted to be offered some cake tonight? It is my mother’s birthday after all. We have chocolate cake. I heard you a-”

“No thanks.” She answered, giving a charming smile like she always does that would hurt her suitor’s ego.

It was basically normal for her to encounter elite pureblood families that try to get on her good side but it was not normal for the Malfoys to join her list. Throughout her life, not once did the Malfoys befriend the Icestones. Mainly because John and Lucius were best friends turned rivals, even if they were sorted into the same house during their Hogwarts years.

Clasping her hands in front of her, she eyed the tall man, trying to read his body language to know his real intentions. Not that it worked though, Lucius Malfoy was just standing there like an old creepy statue.

“Splendid, sir. Are you here to see Draco?” She answered, deciding to ask another question in hopes to see some sort of emotion. “No. I’m here to see Severus.” He muttered.

“Oh…” Y/N trailed off. A few moments into the awkwardness of the silence, the young Slytherin decided to bid her farewell. ”Take care then, sir.”

Giving one last glance, the blue-eyed man nodded, tightening his grip “Likewise Ms. Icestone. I’ll see you soon.”

“Soon?”

____________________

The same evening, the Slytherin found herself situated inside the Great hall with Daphne Greengrass surprisingly seated across the table, joining her for supper. Prior to digging on the plate her fairy prepared for her, she chirped a short teasing towards her friend as to how it's been so long since Daphne sat with her that she thought that her best friend forgot what a proper meal is for snogging the same boy every night at the same hour. “Got tired of tasting the boy’s lips after a few days?” She snickered, earning a piece of bread to be sent flying towards her face.

Traveling her eyes passed her best friend’s figure, she slowly examined the Gryffindor table, seeking for a certain tall ginger amidst the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff table blocking her full view. Finally spotting two fiery redheads beside each other, she narrowed her eyes as she examined their faces, slightly being challenged to determine which is which because of the distance. Directing her eyes from the Weasley on the left to the Weasley on the right, she met eyes with the ginger who then gave her a wink with a knowing smirk on his face.

Getting flustered at the interaction, on impulse, she gave the boy her signature ice-cold glare before reluctantly grabbing her goblet to quench the sudden drying of her throat as heat creeped into her frame.

Daphne examined her friend, her eyes narrowing as she watched the interaction unfold. Sighing, she dropped her bitten muffin, drank on her goblet and set it down before resting her elbows at the Slytherin table, her hands clasping one another. “What now, Y/N?” She bursts out.

Y/N pried her eyes away from her plate, turning her attention towards her best friend, confusion enveloping her features by the sudden question. “What do you mean?”

Daphne sighed, her chin leaning against her clasped hands as she was dying to know what her true best friend’s intentions towards the Gryffindor were. “You’re acting really weird these days.” She began. “It’s getting really suspicious. You told me that you’re just gonna play with the weasel’s heart but it seems like you’re the one being played!” She exclaimed, earning a small “huh?” and a confused look from Icestone.

“I heard about your quarrel at the halls!” The black-haired girl retorted.

“Oh.” Icestone answered casually with her realization. Shrugging, she continued to divulge in the feast prepared for her, muttering a short “Which one?” before taking a sip of her pumpkin soup.

“Both of them! The one with the little Hufflepuffs and the one after that quidditch game. Especially the one after that quidditch game! That was crazy! How dare they accuse you of being the reason for their loss? Blimey! I would punch them if I could.” Daphne indirectly threatened, causing Y/N to giggle at her overprotective best friend. “Calm down, Daphne.” She encouraged.

Daphne Greengrass was irritated at the thought of the Weasley twins crossing Y/N. She knew how that isn’t how Y/N is to be treated. Although her best friend built an ice-cold hard stone aura around her, she knew that all of those were just an act to protect herself. Past the icy stares, she knew Y/N Icestone’s heart was soft and fragile that should be handled with the utmost and proper care.

“But they did you wrong!” She blurted out. “Remember when you told me about those little Slytherin blabber mouths that crossed you? You tortured them at the great hall the day after!”

“Torture?! I did no such thing! I just warned them! Unless you think that asking for Weasley’s information was torture, then fine!” Daphne groaned at the response, earning a small chuckle from Y/N. She really wasn’t taking this conversation seriously.

“You know, for someone who’s younger, you do nag me a lot.” Y/N piped, earning a small glare from Daphne.

“I’m only a year younger than you, Icestone. Besides, we’re literally in the same school year! I don’t know why you suddenly care about age. You’re 15, I’m 14, we’re in 5th year, and most of the students in our class are 16 but so what?” She sassed, earning laughter from the Slytherin queen. This resulted in the students around them turning their attention towards the sound. It’s not everyday you hear Y/N Icestone laugh. This was a rare occasion! For once, she was actually in a good mood and she projected it, which was favorable to the Slytherins because they knew they wouldn’t get lashed out anytime sooner.

Once Icestone’s laughter died down, Daphne did not hesitate to fire another question. “But why? Why do you still act so nice towards those Gryffindors when they have crossed you for like….too many times?” She asked, earning a knowing smirk from Y/N.

“Daphne, you can’t have a plan if you don’t know how to execute it despite the challenges you may face.”

____________________

Two uneventful days later, as Y/N made her way towards her Charms class with Professor Flitwick, her arm was hastily grabbed as she was forced to mirror her kidnapper’s running pace.

Finally being enabled to process what was happening after the heart-dropping shock, she found herself in an alcove, face to face with no other than George Weasley, who looked and smelled like someone who survived a small explosion.

“What did you do?!” Y/N inquired, George immediately shushing her by covering her mouth. The boy had his eyes fixated on the entrance of their hiding place, a plan generating in his ginger head in case their cover was blown. Meanwhile, the Slytherin was glaring at the boy for bringing her into their mess.

After the passing of a few minutes, George finally retrieved his hand, facing the girl as he offered a sweet smile.

“How exactly did you know about this place? This is like...one the hidden spaces in the castle.” Y/N questioned, amused by the small secluded place.

“Me and Fred know every hidden space in the castle, Icestone. We know every single corner, every single room, and every single shortcut!” George answered. Y/N nodded, however still not satisfied with the reply. “Yeah, but how?”

“Well, that’s for me to know and for you to find out, Icestone.”

“That’s why I’m asking you, Weasley. To find out!”

“Touché.”

Y/N suddenly remembered that she was supposed to be in her class a few many minutes ago. Growling before facing George with raised brows, she questioned. “So are you gonna explain why I got dragged to this?”

George gave her a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck to think of a reason. “Because I want you here with me?”

“George Weasley-”

“Fine! Fine! You were blocking my way and I figured that if I was stalled by your presence, Filch would have caught me!” He deducted, causing the Slytherin to look at him in disbelief as she crossed her arms around her chest.

“Then you should have avoided me then. I have a class in like...10 minutes!” She exclaimed. “I couldn’t avoid you. You’re Y/N Icestone! You would have turned me into ice!” George reasoned.

Y/N rolled her eyes at the response. “Haha, very funny, Weasley. I don’t have superpowers that could turn you into ice.”

“Correct, but you have a wand that could turn me into one, ice queen.” George sneered, shooting a teasing wink towards the girl.

“Stop calling me that.” Y/N bellowed, unamused. “Why not?”

“Just....stop.”

“Fine. I’ll call you sweetheart then.” He mused, causing Y/N to drop her hands in defeat and sighing. Eyeing the entrance to the alcove, Y/N gave the boy another glance before declaring her leave. “I’m gonna leave now…”

“Aww! You don’t want to stay with me any longer?”

Y/N grumbled, her hand massaging her temple as she thought about the boy keeping her longer away from her class. “Why would I even? I’m already running late for class because of you!” She exclaimed.

“Alright, alright!” George confided, Y/N finally letting herself turn away and exit the small space.

“See you this weekend?” The boy suggested, unsure if the girl heard him.

____________________

The next weekend, Y/N Icestone found herself being dragged by a certain female redhead towards the hospital wing. The Slytherin was confused. The hospital wing is not the place she wouldn’t want to be after the quidditch match. It was always full of injured players and their loud and obnoxious friends. Loud and obnoxious. Some of the things she really despised.

The week’s quidditch match consisted of Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw to which Gryffindor succeeded in getting their victory. It was no match actually. Everyone knew that the team of lions would win anyway. They were the most promising team in the school afterall.

Unfortunately, George was accidentally shoved off his broom by Fred as he dodged a bludger, which is why Y/N found him laid on one of the beds in the hospital wing, his eyes closed as a cast on his head and some bruises in his arms are visually seen. Right beside him was his twin and another familiar redhead who Icestone is yet to formally meet.

The older Weasley twin caught the emotionless eyes of the Slytherin, his thoughts slightly clouded with disbelief and amusement as to how his sister managed to convince Y/N Icestone into dragging her here. “Surprised to see you here.” He stated nonchalantly, earning a small shrug of the girl.

“Well, Ginny here told me that she was about to show me something really urgent. I didn’t expect it to be this.” The Slytherin explained. “What happened to him?” She asked, pointing her finger to the direction of the younger Weasley twin.

“He went out of balance.” The older twin answered briefly, pushing to shrug off the question to satisfy his curiosity. “I didn’t know you and Ginny were close.”

Y/N shrugged. “I guess you can say that me and Ginny are friends.”

“This boy went out of balance?” She questioned, scoffing as she stared at the unconscious boy. “I thought he was the great George Weasley who is the master of Quidditch? Bragger.”

“Actually…” The boy who Y/N knew was another Weasley boy that was friends with the famous Harry Potter spoke, turning his attention away from the snack that he was divulging and meeting eyes with the Slytherin. “Fred accidentally shoved him off his broom during the quidditch match earlier.” He informed.

Y/N put her hands on her waist like a nagging mother who scolded her child for being mean to his siblings. “Oh…so it was Fred’s fault.”

“Hey! I don’t even know why you’re asking me what happened with him when you should have known! You weren’t at the stands earlier!” Fred pointed out, crossing his sweaty arms around his chest.

“Yeah and that’s because Slytherin had no match!”

“But Gryffindor does! And me and George are there!” Fred exclaimed, causing Y/N to raise a brow and cross her hands on her chest. She really didn’t like it when someone raised a voice on her but it was technically her who started it and seeing George lying unconscious on the bed worried her, even if she didn’t want to admit it. Inside, she wasn’t really feeling herself. Outside, she tried to mask it. She wasn’t really keen on picking another fight with Fred today. Not to mention how the boy hasn't even apologized to her yet.

“So?” Icestone questioned.

Fred placed his hands on this chest, feigning hurt as his face portrayed a look of hurt and offense. “Ouch. Show some support, Icestone. I thought we were friends?”

“Icestone? Y/N Icestone? Like THE Y/N Icestone from Slytherin?” The younger Weasley boy spoke again, the second sentence he has ever given since the Slytherin arrived at the hospital wing. This caused Y/N to turn her attention towards the younger redhead, the thoughts of cursing the older Weasley twin slipping out of her mind.

“Uh...yeah.” Y/N answered awkwardly. She examined the boy from head to toe. “And you are?”

“That’s Ronnikins. Our brother.” Fred cut in, earning a glare from the Slytherin for speaking when not consented and another glare from the young Weasley boy for bringing up the twin’s made-up nickname for him.

The 3rd year Gryffindor turned his attention back to the girl, opening his mouth to speak. “I’m-”

Once again, the boy was interrupted but this time, by an entering pair of students who was known to be ⅔ of the Golden trio. “Ron! There you are! What happened with George?” The curly-haired girl asked, eyes full of concern.

The redhead sighed. “Ron. My name is Ron.” He said, making the Gryffindor girl turn her attention towards the Slytherin. “Oh, hi. My name is Hermione. This is Harry.” She introduced, earning a small nod from the 5th year. “Y/N Ice-“

“Icestone?” A hoarse voice called, making all 6 people who were surrounding the bed turn their attention towards the boy laying there.

“Georgie!” Fred called. “You’re alive!”

“Congrats.” The youngest Weasley muttered, gently holding her brother’s bandaged left hand.

“Wow...you wake up and the first person you call among us six is Y/N.” Ron stated, shaking his head as he made his way back to his chair, grabbing another snack from his pocket. This earned him a laugh from Harry and a smack on the head by Hermione.

“Quiet down, Ron! You’re not as special to George as you think you are.” Fred teased. “You’re not so special either, Fred. He called Y/N even before you!” Ginny clapped back, bringing realization upon the tall ginger.

Once again, Fred placed his hands on his chest, feigning hurt. “Wait, that’s right! How dare you, George! I thought I was your best friend.”

“Can you guys leave us for a moment?” The lying Weasley requested, earning a grunt from his twin who in the end, was pulled by Ginny to leave with the others.

Y/N made her way towards George’s side, extending her arms as she gently caressed the boy’s bandaged head. “What did you need me for, George?” She whispered softly.

“I just…” George began, looking directly into Y/N’s eyes. “...wanted to see your face as soon as I regained consciousness.”

The brave Gryffindor’s cheesy remark caused Y/N to snort, partially not believing what just came out of George’s mouth. “You get shoved by Fred and fall off your broom, get brought up in the hospital wing but the first thing you wanted was to see me?”

“...yeah. To heal myself.” He reasoned, causing confusion to flood Y/N’s mind. “What do you mean?”

“Seeing your face makes me a lot better.” George recited.

Y/N looked away, muttering a stern “Shut up.”

“But it's true!” The ginger convinced. “Besides, I didn’t see you on the stands earlier. I was expecting you’d watch our game against the Ravenclaw.”

The girl raised her brows in return, crossing her arms and interrogating the boy. “And why in Salazar Slytherin would you look for me?”

George smirked. “For good luck.”

____________________

“Hey look! It’s the ice queen!” A group of Gryffindors teased as Icestone passed by them. She gave them a glance, shooting icy daggers but the group just mocked her even more. “Ooh I’m so scared.” One said teasingly.

Suddenly, a group of Slytherins made their way towards the teasing Gryffindors, staring them down, their actions being fueled with hate and disgust as they dared hurt Y/N Icestone. “Leave Icestone alone you git!” One threatened.

“Or what? Is she gonna turn me into ice?”

“If you don’t stop, I’ll be the one who’ll do so. I-”

“Icestone!” George beamed as he called, him and his twin suddenly bumping into the Slytherin as they turned to the next corner. Expecting a reply, George was disappointed to only get a small glance and a shove on the shoulder.

____________________

The boys’ dormitory was enveloped in light snores coming from young individuals who conquered another day and are trying to recharge their empty batteries. It was dark, but not pitch black as the bright moon that illuminated the dark sky, shined beyond their window.

George laid on his bed as he stared into his room’s ceiling, failing to fall into a deep slumber no matter how he stretches his feet, no matter how he closes his eyes. He was completely wide awake on a Thursday night. The Weasley boy has had his own episodes of insomnia. This was not new to him and it frustrated him because no matter how tired he is, he couldn’t bring his mind to shut down.

Looking at his side to see a sleeping Fred, he eliminated his warm blanket, got out of bed, and quietly picked up his wand. He tiptoed towards the door, his steps gentle to not wake anyone up and get caught. He made his way outside the Gryffindor common, illuminating his wand as he roamed around the halls of the wizarding school.

Somehow, George found himself climbing up the steps of the astronomy tower, suddenly wanting to find a secure place to capture the stars with his eyes. Upon entering, he saw a figure of a girl sitting on the ground, her arms snaked around her legs, her chin rested on her knees as she quietly stared at the sky.

“Surprised to see you here.” George began, completely startling the girl.

Y/N did not fail to recognize the boy as his shadow was all too familiar for Y/N Icestone. Not to mention the deep voice the Slytherin has got to know for a while now. “Weasley.”

George quietly entered the girl’s territory, sitting next to her own the cold wooden floor as the stars burned right above them. Silence was in their atmosphere. Silent, but no hints of awkwardness. Just peace and quiet.

George eyed the girl, noticing how she showed no hints of slumber nor hints of falling into one, as she stared at the night sky. “Can’t sleep?” He questioned, whispering to retain the mood both were in.

“Too many thoughts.” Y/N answered. The girl not taking her eyes away from the million sparkles the universe has to offer.

“Care to share?” George suggested, finally earning the girl’s attention as she stared deeply into his eyes, contemplating whether to open her heart out and let the boy inside. She shrugged, shook her head from side to side before answering “I think I’m good.”

But as the boy reciprocated the doe looking eyes of the Slytherin, he knew that the girl needed some sort of consolation despite her decline of the offer of a listening ear. Y/N Icestone’s eyes shined under the moonlight like a light illuminating the black lake. It shined like melting ice, with waters threatening to fall.

Almost immediately, the Slytherin felt a pair of arms snaked around her figure, warmth enveloping her as the Gryffindor pulled her into a tight embrace. She blinked once. She blinked twice. She blinked multiple times to evaporate her ice-like eyes before seeking an answer to her head full of questions. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She croaked out.

George moved a hand to the back of Y/N head, straightening, patting her hair as he pulled her head into his big chest. “Shush, Icestone. I know you want this too.”

Y/N had her cheek planted on the Gryffindor’s chest, her ear directly above his heart as she heard the calm beating of the organ. She closed her eyes, focusing on the beat which washed all her worries away with the cold wind.

“I didn’t ask for a hug.” She muttered. George had a grin plastered on his face, though Icestone couldn’t see as she still had her eyes closed. “Warmth, Icestone. It seems like you were asking for warmth since you were shivering like a wet kitty.”

Y/N fluttered her eyes open, giving a glance towards George but not breaking away from their intimate position. She gave him a smile. “Thanks.” She whispered, her voice full of sincerity, earning a soft smile from the ginger.

The Slytherin snaked her arms to the waist of the Gryffindor, reciprocating his warm hug, which made the boy feel cold sweat as he felt the familiar butterflies enter through his stomach. The girl once again shut her eyes out, unable to catch the reddening face of the redhead boy.

“You know when I can’t sleep, I think of good memories. It makes my mind calm. Makes me feel a little bit better.” He began.

“Well, I like to count stars whenever I can’t fall asleep.” Y/N answered.

George looked at her in disbelief, huffing as he thought that it would be impossible to count something like that and for what? It’s not like you’re gonna get A+ on Snape’s class when you managed to count all the visible stars in the sky. “You know it's useless to count stars, right?”

Offended by the statement, Y/N pulled away from their warm embrace, sitting straightly as she crossed her arms around her chest. “You know it's useless to count freckles too, right?” She began.

Y/N raised a hand, moving it towards the ginger’s face as she gently poked a cheek. As light as a feather, she used her finger to trace the outline of the boy’s face. Cheekbone to cheekbone, to his forehead down to his nose then to his chin, and finally his jawline.

“But you have 41 on your face.” She stated, breaking the moment of silence as she retrieved her hand.

The Gryffindor felt sudden heat at his cheeks, getting flustered at Y/N’s statement. “Am I too good looking that you always stare at my face, sweetheart?” He covered up.

Now it was the Slytherin’s turn to feel heat creep at her cheeks. “Shut up.” She growled, earning a light chuckle from the boy.

“You’re so cute when you’re red. It matches my hair.” George further teased, poking the sides of the girl.

“Weasley, it’s like you're inviting me to punch you in the face. Do you have a death wish?” The Slytherin threatened.

“How brutal you are!” He exclaimed. “Speaking of invitation...are you perhaps busy this Friday?”

“Are you asking me on a date, Weasley?”

“...yeah” George confessed, the floor suddenly interesting to look at.

Y/N raised her brows. “Well? Then spill the details!”

“That incident during one of McGonagall’s class where you accidentally opened Malfoy’s invitation...the ones me and Fred sent to the rest of the class was an invitation for our party this Friday for the holidays! I was hoping you would want to come with?”

“I don’t get a handwritten invitation?”

“That’s why I’m inviting you right now.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?!”

“Yeah.”

“Wow.”

Y/N slanted her head with the comment. “What’s wrong?”

“I did not expect you to actually agree on going on a date with me.” George beamed.

“Why not? We’re friends. Friends go on dates too.”

“But sweetheart, I’m not asking you on a friendly date” He teased, turning his head to mimic the girl which earned him a glare. “I have a name, and it’s certainly not sweetheart.”

“My apologies Icestone, it must have slipped my mind how your heart isn’t as sweet as I thought it would be. Ice queen.”

“Right now, I’m not so sure whether I want to push you off that window or kiss you.”

George smirked, crossing his arms against his chest as he raised an eyebrow at the glaring Slytherin queen. “Can I pick?”

____________________

Friday night came, wizards and witches invited to the Weasley twin’s holiday party began making their way to the portrait of the fat lady. This included Y/N Icestone. Who carefully sneaked out the Slytherin dungeons, dodging anyone who would suspect to know her whereabouts. Reaching the next hall to reach the Gryffindor common rooms, she was met with a line of students, which she assumed was the line for the entrance. Making her way at the end of the line, she kept on looking towards the portrait, in hopes to see George and let her enter without having to wait any longer. Besides, the one handling the entry duty was seeking for the student’s invitations. Y/N Icestone didn’t have a handwritten one. She was just invited by George.

“I can’t believe the Ice queen was invited.” Spoke the student behind her.

Y/N turned her attention away from the portrait, turning around to eye the student who dared to talk to her like that. With her famous icy expression, she glared at the boy, shooting daggers. If it was any other boy, he would have whimpered like a puppy but this boy didn’t because it was no other than Draco Malfoy.

“And you’re here because?” Spoke Hermione, who came to fetch Y/N with Ginny, as per George’s requests.

“Here to stop Icestone from entering your stupid friend’s party.” Draco began, his expression sour as he started to fume. “She doesn’t belong here. And she definitely should not be hanging around with blood traitors and filthy little mud-”

“Shut it, Malfoy. Or I'll turn you into a white ferret once again.” Icestone threatened, her wand at the tip of Draco’s throat as Y/N trapped him against the wall. She placed her left hand beside the blonde’s head, leaning her face closer to the boy. “You are to leave this place unless you want me to curse you. You do not ever tell me what to do and what not to do, Malfoy.” The Slytherin girl glowered. Draco smirked, raising both his hands up in surrender, before escaping Y/N’s grip and walking away.

____________________

The crowd trumpeted as the spinning bottle landed on Fred Weasley. Hours after their holiday party began, the sneaked firewhiskeys were finally served, but with a twist. In a game of truth or dare through spin the bottle, one is to choose between the two after taking one full glass of the said spirit.

“Fred, truth or dare?” George asked with a full blown grin plastered in his face, placing the full glass in front of his twin. Fred smirked, grabbing the glass and gulping it in one shot, earning more and more cheers from the crowd. Once empty, he put it back down, stood up and boasted. “You think I’m a coward, George? Where’s the thrill in picking truth? I’m all in. I pick dare!”

“Of course, he’s gonna act like he’s the star of the night. Typical coming from one of the twins.” Ginny muttered beside Y/N, causing her to spat a small giggle.

George spinned the bottle once again, this time to decide who would be giving the dare to Fred. As the bottle came into a halt, it was pointed to no other than Lee Jordan, who gave the twins a knowing glance.

“Fred, have you ever kissed a girl before?” He questioned, earning a cackle from Ron. “I picked dare, not truth!” Fred huffed, pouring himself another glass to consume, obviously tipsy now.

“Well, then I dare you to kiss…”

Y/N rolled her eyes at the statement, thinking that it was another attempt of the twins and Lee at helping Fred make a move on Angelina.

“Y/N Icestone.” Lee called.

This caused the crowd to go wild. Some gasping for not satisfying their expectation of calling Angelina’s name, some murmuring at the thought of a Gryffindor calling out Y/N’s name, and some disappointed for their name not being called. Y/N gave the boy a stone cold glare. Beside her, Ginny gave the same look Fred and George, who she was really suspicious of.

“Excuse me, what?” The Slytherin asked, confused. Lee turned his eyes back to his tall friend. “Fred, I dare you to kiss Y/N Icestone.” He repeated.

Y/N eyed the younger Weasley twin, the grin on his face no longer there as he blankly stared at his brother. Fred, clearly caught up in the moment with all the drinks he took, didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he made his way towards Icestone, kneeling down and grabbing her hand.

The Slytherin stared at him with wide eyes, not believing that Fred agreed to perform the dare Lee gave him. Trying to get out of the situation, she gave the boy a glare, to which he was unfazed with.

“Well?” Fred mocked. “What do you mean, ‘well?’” Y/N inquired, causing the ginger to chuckle.

“Well, pucker up, Icestone! I’m going to kiss you now.”

In another attempt to avoid the unwanted rumors of her snogging a Gryffindor, more or less rumors of her snogging the twin of her controversial ginger friend, Y/N tried to flee but the grip of Fred on her hands was too strong. She then eyes Ginny, who was only giving her an apologetic look until the Slytherin decided that she would have to wake up to new rumors of herself being spread around the castle.

Closing her eyes, she froze on her spot, waiting for Fred to lean in until she heard a “Ow! Hey, George! What was that for?!” Fred exclaimed at his twin, who gave him a glare, before grabbing the Slytherin’s arm and pulling her outside the Gryffindor common room.

In the mask of Y/N Icestone, her form was confused as to why George Weasley would pull her away from his twin. Y/N knew that George was also on Fred's side for his crazy shenanigans. Fred was a troublemaker and so was George. Y/N did not understand what crossed George’s mind to not agree this time. But behind the mask of Y/N Icestone, she knew. She knew that the plans she told Daphne one night were coming true. However, she didn’t want to continue on what she was planning to do if ever her thoughts of what is to come next actually happens.

With the couple swiftly arriving at one secured and quiet hall, she retrieved her hand to cross her arms, deciding to interrogate the ginger in hopes to unfold what the future holds for the both of them. “What has gotten into you, Weasley?”

Almost immediately, the boy in question answered “George.”

“What?” Y/N mused.

George sighed, running one of hands in his lustrous hair. “My name is George. Call me George.”

Slightly confused at the answer, the Slytherin nodded slowly before continuing. “Okay, George. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong!” The Gryffindor claimed.

“If nothing was wrong, you wouldn’t have shoved your twin away from me.”

“Merlin!” The ginger exclaimed, “Are you that oblivious, Icestone?” he challenged, earning a knowing smirk from the girl. “Of course, not. But I want to hear it from you, George. Tell me.” She demanded.

Silence enveloped their shared atmosphere with George having a conversation on his head and Y/N watching him quietly. Getting impatient, the Slytherin scoffed, opening her mouth to say another word before she was cut off by George's confession.

“Alright, fine. I’m jealous, okay?” He revealed, his heart beating 10x faster than it usually was because of the drinks he had or because of the situation he was in. It definitely was the lather.

“And why would you be?” Y/N quizzed.

George sighed, dropping his shoulders as he motioned for the Slytherin to come closer to him. Y/N obliged, thinking that the boy was probably being shy to say it out loud so he opted to just whisper it instead.

In a swift motion, the Gryffindor placed his hands on the back of the Slytherin, pulling her close for a quick touch of the lips.

When he pulled away, he suddenly felt his stomach drop, butterflies filling in as he stared at the wide-eyed girl who looked at him in shock. George feigned a smirk, hoping to hide his nervousness. “Does that answer your question?”

Y/N’s face went from shock to disbelief to confusion to questioning, in a span of seconds. She raised a brow, examining the boy before her before narrowing her eyes in interrogation And crossing her arms against her chest. “I told you, George. I want to hear it from you.” She demanded.

“I fancy you, Icestone.” George croaked out. “Y/N Icestone, you have managed to steal my heart.” George declared, his eyes showing a glint of hope and his voice sweet and sincere like a lullaby.

With George’s sudden confession, the Slytherin dived deep into her thoughts, carefully examining the ginger that’s in front of her and contemplating on what her next action would be.

Under the moonlight, Y/N Icestone looked like a red rose full in bloom. Beautiful but hard to grasp. George did not understand Y/N Icestone. One minute she’s cheerful and the other she’s as cold as ice. He did not understand what Y/N was feeling.

With no answer coming from the Slytherin, he felt as if her thorns were snaking around his neck like a serpent, prickling him as he waited with anticipation. “Well?”

“Well, what?” She asked.

“What will you do about it, Icestone?”

“Y/N.” She answered.

“What?”

The girl’s face was plastered with a charming smile before taking two steps back and finally turning her heels away from the confused ginger. Walking away to retrieve back to her house dungeon, she gave the boy one last glance before saying “My name is Y/N. Call me Y/N.”

____________________

“Be honest with me, Icestone. What is your deal? And don’t you dare give me one of those reasons on how I’m making this such a big deal. This is a big deal!” Daphne criticized as she paced in front of a sitting Y/N who was cuddling her pet cat.

“Nothing, Daph! I have a plan, remember?” Icestone advertised, earning a grunt from the dark-haired girl.

“Oh quit it with your stupid plan! You said you’re going to make him fall for you and rub it in his face that he’ll never have you. But now you tell me that he was able to kiss you?!”

“It’s not a big-“

“Oh yes, it’s a big deal! He’s your first kiss! And you kissed back. Now tell me, Icestone. What. Is. Your. Deal?” Daphne repeated, a speculation already crossing her mind but she ought to confirm it with the proper words from Y/N Icestone.

Y/N contemplated for a second before calling her friend. “Daphne….”

“Go on.” Daphne pinned.

“I think I’m having feelings. How do I make it stop?”

____________________

Fred claimed his place beside his twin after bidding Angelina a sweet good night kiss. The Gryffindor common room was finally calmed as guests made their way back to their dormitories. It was 5:00 in the morning of Saturday with George sitting by the fireplace around the Golden trio, as well as the youngest Weasley.

“Nice acting skills, George. I didn’t expect you to push your face against Icestone.” Fred commented, breaking the silence. The statement caught the attention of Ginny, who sat straightly, praying that she misheard her brother.

“What?! You did what, George?” She questioned, causing Fred to exclaim “He kissed her!”

“You kissed Icestone?!” Ginny repeated.

“Bloody hell!” Ron cursed. “Have you really developed feelings for her, George? A Gryffindor and a Slytherin, huh? You’d be the talk of the whole school! Not to mention how Icestone is literally labeled as the Slytherin queen and George is just...George.” He stated.

“Hey! What do you mean I’m just George?! Just George?! I am George! One of the greatest pranksters in Hogwarts history!” George claimed, unamused by his brother’s statement.

“And what is so great about that?” The Weasley girl challenged. “Ginny! Why can’t you ever let your own big brothers have some fun?” Replied Fred. “Besides, what are you even blabbering about, Ronnikins? It was all part of the plan!”

“The bottle was secretly enchanted by Fred to make it land on Icestone on purpose!” George confessed.

“And George was to pull Icestone away before we got to do so!” Fred continued.

“To act jealous, that’s right.” George gloated as he nodded. “And to finally confess my non-existent romantic feelings!”

“Georgie here has been doing really great with the execution. She must be mad for him right now!” Fred broadcasted, giving a proud pat on his twin’s shoulders.

“I don’t know Fred. I don’t think it's such a good idea to mess with Y/N Icestone to this extent. You’re going to break her heart after this stunt!” Ginny protested, not really amused with her older brothers’ plan against the Slytherin.

George smirked. “She has a heart?”

____________________

tag list: @abrunettefangirlnerd @gloryekaterina @lilypad-55449 @memekingofwwiii @leovaldez37

Author’s note: Hello~ it been awhile since the last chapter~ My apologies for taking too long to update. I was caught up with university work that I had to use my free time to accomplish requirements as well. To make up for it, here’s a longer chapter compared to the first two. Hope you enjoy <3 Thank you so much for reading!

EDIT: I’m so sorry :’< This was meant to be posted earlier as this was supposed to be a scheduled post but I think something was wrong so it didn’t push thru aaa my apologies!

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marauders-venting · 3 years

Text

Our Last Summer (Part 2)

pairing: wolfstar (sirius x remus)

genre: fluff & angst

warnings: mentions of death and disappearances, hints at sex

words: 1789

note: based on the song ‘Our Last Summer’ by ABBA

We made our way along the river and we sat down in the grass by the Eiffel tower. I was so happy we had met, it was the age of no regret, oh yes

“Come on, it’s the last Hogsmeade visit we’ll ever have!” Dorcas said. “You have to get in.” Remus sat outside the water of the shallow river.

“You know we can come back to visit Hogsmeade right?” Remus said. “It’s a village, not part of Hogwarts.”

“Ugh you know what I mean,” they said. “Just come inside, Remus, it’s fun.” She reached to pull his foot in but Remus was too quick for her and his foot slipped out of their grasp.

“Moony, just come in,” James said. “It’s really hot outside anyway and the water is nice.”

“If you don’t come in we’ll splash you,” Peter warned him.

“Guys, leave him alone,” Sirius said. He had taken his shirt off (surprise surprise) and left it outside on the grass. Remus was finding it very difficult to focus on anything else. “If he doesn’t want to come in he doesn’t have to.” Maybe if Remus was less focused on the fact that Sirius was half-naked he would’ve noticed the mischievous twinkle in his grey eyes or the smirk playing on his lips. Sirius came out of the water and sat beside Remus. He waited for maybe two seconds before pushing him into the water. Remus sat in the river, spluttering and wiping water out of his eyes.

“Thanks for that,” he said to Sirius.

“Anytime, babe,” Sirius said, rejoining everybody in the water. “You’re too trusting, Moons.”

“That’s a first,” Remus muttered.

“Oh lighten up, Remus,” Lily said, splashing him with water. “It’s fun.” Remus splashed her back and soon enough a water fight broke out (as they do).

To an outsider, it would have been unclear who won but James, Sirius, Remus, Lily and Marlene would all claim that the victory had been their own. Either way, by the end everybody was soaked from head to toe.

“Let’s go get food,” Sirius said.

“I’ll come with you, I’m starving,” James said. They climbed out of the water and began drying themselves with their wands.

“Wait,” Lily said, climbing out of the water as well. “Don’t waste money on food while we still get free food from the school. We raided the kitchens this morning.” She opened her bag to reveal loaves of bread and spreads.

“Wow,” James said. “I’m impressed, Evans. I didn’t know you had it in you, being Head Girl and all.”

“Right, like you haven’t done this a million times and you’re Head Boy,” Lily said, blushing a bit. “And Remus was a prefect and he’s done it plenty of times too.”

“Who’s ‘we’?” Sirius asked, eyebrows raised.

“Me, Marlene, Dorcas, Mary and Alice,” Lily said.

“What, you didn’t think you guys were the only ones who could pull pranks, did you?” Marlene asked. They all came out of the water with Remus and Frank as Lily started pulling food out of her bag. They sat on the grass making sandwiches, talking and laughing.

“I can’t believe it’s nearly over,” Sirius said, looking back at the castle. “Has it been seven years already?”

“I know,” Mary said. “It feels like time has barely passed since our first day.”

Sirius thought back to the day he sat on the chair in front of the whole school with the Sorting Hat on his head, the thrill he felt when the hat called out Gryffindor, not Slytherin. He looks around at his friends, the people sitting here now and he just feels so grateful that he met them. All of them, every single one. Who knows where he’d be without them. Probably still at his parents’ house. Yes, Sirius thinks, I definitely got lucky. And as his eyes meet Remus’ and their hands link together, Sirius knows everything will be ok. He has no regrets. Everything will be just fine.

But underneath we had a fear of flying, of growing old, a fear of slowly dying. We took a chance like we were dancing our last dance

But despite that confidence that Sirius had felt towards the end of his time at Hogwarts, there had been cracks of fear and doubt even then. The war was still being fought and their side was growing weaker by the day. People were dying left, right and center and Sirius felt helpless in it all. He was in the Order, he was fighting, he was trying. But it wasn’t working. They were losing. And Sirius could not shake the fear that haunted him day and night: it’s only a matter of time before someone he loves dies. Everybody Sirius cares about is in the Order of the Phoenix. At this rate, the chances that they’ll all make it out of this alive are minuscule.

Sirius is trying to stay positive but it’s not working. Most days the only thing that gets him through to the night is the thought that if he stops fighting it’ll just be worse.

He usually went to the Potter’s in the evening but he was just too tired tonight. Remus was out, probably on a mission, so Sirius collapsed on the couch. He lay there for a while, eyes closed but not asleep. Just thinking. Thinking and thinking and thinking. It’s like that was all he ever did these days. Thinking about James and Lily and Harry, how unfair this was on them, raising a family in the middle of a war. Thinking of Remus, of how far away he felt lately even though they shared a bed every night. Thinking of Peter, who he hadn’t seen in a while. Just thinking.

It felt like hours had passed but it had probably barely been one. Sirius gives up on sleep and decides to make a cup of tea. He opens his eyes and looks at the clock. It’s nearly eleven-thirty. And Remus still isn’t home. His missions didn’t usually run this late. And when they did he always made sure to tell Sirius. He started to panic. Relax, he told himself, he probably just went to Lily and James’. Just because you were too tired doesn’t mean he can’t go.

Sirius hurries to the phone and dials the number for the Potter residence.

“Hello?” Lily’s voice.

“Lily? Hey, it’s Sirius.”

“Oh, hi Sirius. Is everything ok?”

“Um, is Remus at your place?”

“No,” Lily says. “Why? Has he not come home yet?”

“No,” Sirius says. He can hear the panic building in his voice.

“I’m sure everything’s ok,” Lily said quickly but it doesn’t sound like she believes it herself. “Have you tried checking with Peter? Or maybe with Marlene and Dorcas?”

“No, I–I haven’t called anyone else yet,” Sirius said. His hands were beginning to shake.

“Ok Sirius, don’t panic,” Lily said soothingly. “We’ll find him. You call Peter and I’ll call Marlene and Dorcas. Even if he isn’t—”

“Remus!” Sirius says. The door opens and Remus walks in, kicking off his shoes. “Lily, he’s here, I have to go. Thanks though.”

“Oh thank god,” Lily mutters. “Ok, I’m glad he’s ok. Bye Sirius.”

“Bye, Lils.” Sirius hung up the phone and ran to throw his arms around Remus. Remus stumbled slightly but hugged Sirius back tightly.

“It’s ok,” Remus said into Sirius’ hair. “It’s ok.”

“I thought… I thought…” Sirius felt the tears well up in his eyes. I thought I lost you.

“I know,” Remus whispers. “But it’s ok. I’m here now. I’m sorry.”

“What kept you?” Sirius asked, almost angry as he pulled away and wiped his eyes.

“Dumbledore wanted to talk to me about something,” Remus said. “Some new mission.”

“Oh.” Sirius’ heart sank. More dangerous missions, more risks, more deaths. He couldn’t stand it anymore. “What kind of mission?”

“He wants me to… to spy on the werewolves who sided with Voldemort,” Remus said. He sounded bitter.

“What?” Sirius said, shocked. “He wants you to spy—”

“On werewolves, yeah,” Remus said. “He says it’s important to try and get them on our side. Or at least to try and find out Voldemort’s plans through them.”

“And you… you’re ok with this?” Sirius asks.

“Well I have to be, don’t I?” Remus says. “It’s about the only useful thing I can do for the Order.” Then after a moment, he adds, “Sirius, what’s wrong? If you don’t want me to do it, I won’t.”

“Do you want to do it? Cause you don’t exactly sound enthusiastic about the offer.”

“I just…” Remus sighed. “I want to be useful.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” Sirius said. “I’m worried about you, Remus. I’m scared.”

“I know, love. I’m scared too.”

“I want you to be happy,” Sirius says, taking his hand.

“Then I need to do this mission,” Remus says, “I want to help, I— like you and James and Lily and Peter are. Whatever time I lose during the full moon, I make up for it by spying. Instead of being an inconvenience, I’ll be an asset.” Sirius nods.

“If that’s really what you want,” he says.

“Look, I know it’s scary. But it’ll be ok. As long as we have each other we’ll be fine.”

“Promise you’ll stay with me?”

“I promise,” Remus whispered, kissing him softly. Sirius leaned into the touch, sliding his arms around Remus’ neck. They had been growing distant lately and Sirius had needed this. He missed Remus. Was it possible to miss someone you shared a house with, shared a bed with? Apparently, it was.

“Are you tired?” Sirius asked softly, still holding Remus close.

“Not really,” Remus said. “Why? Did you have something in mind?”

“How about I play some music and we can… dance?” Sirius said.

“Hmm, but we both know that I am the least coordinated person in existence and I cannot dance,” Remus said, smiling.

“Come on Moons, dance with me,” Sirius said, smirking and taking a step back. He turned on the radio and the song Endless Love by Lionel Riche and Diana Ross was playing.

“I’ll hold you close in my arms,” Sirius sang, pulling Remus back in. “I can’t resist your charms, and love, I’ll be a fool for you—”

“You’ll be a fool anyway,” Remus muttered under his breath. But he was smiling, his hands on Sirius’ waist as they stumbled danced across the living room.

“Shh I’m singing, Moony,” Sirius said. “You mean the world to me. Oh, I know, I’ve found in you, my endless love.” They locked eyes, fiery amber and stormy grey, before melting into another kiss. Needless to say, not much dancing or sleeping was done that night.

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wiypt-writes · 4 years

Text

Stark Spangled Forever

One Shot: Wings

Intro: They say that once you’ve been inked, it kinda becomes an addiction…

Warnings: Bad language.

Pairings: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR STARK SPANGLED BANNER

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Stark Spangled Forever Masterlist // Main Masterlist

“Jamie, ”Katie sighed exasperatedly as her 9 year old looked up from where he was sprawled on the rug of the den, piecing his newest lego kit that Sam and Bucky had bought him for his birthday “You need to get your stuff for school.” “Don’t wanna.” he pouted.

“Tough.”

“I don’t feel well.”

“Oh no, really?” Katie bent down, feeling his head. “Hmmmm. You do feel warm. What’s wrong?” “Sort throat.” “Oh, well… that means no soccer practice tomorrow then…and you should go straight back to bed until I can take you to the doctors later today…”

Jamie paused and looked up at her and she raised an eyebrow “Nice try Pal.”

“Mommmm”

“Don’t make me shout your father.” she used her ace card.

Jamie gave an exaggerated sigh and stood up, rolling his eyes. Katie bit her lip to stop herself laughing at the utter indignation on his face.

“It’s Friday dude.” she smiled at him. “You got all weekend to play legos if that’s what you wanna do.”

“Does that mean I can stay up late tonight to work on it?” he asked hopefully.

“Define late.” Katie looked at him.

“11?”

“Hmmmm, I dunno.” she said playfully.

“Please?”

“I’ll speak to your dad.” she said and he smiled at her, the pair of them both knowing full well that Steve was a soft touch when it came to stuff like that. He’d probably be there helping him out with it anyway.

“Ok Mom. Can you make sure Harry doesn’t touch it whilst I’m at school?”

“I’ll keep this door shut, I promise.” Katie assured him.

He left the room and true to her word Katie shut the door to the den and watched him head up the stairs, passing Aurora who was on her way down with her rucksack, Steve right behind her with their youngest placed on his hip.

“Hi mammamama!” Harry babbled at her and she grinned, taking him off Steve and planting a kiss to his cheek.

“Hi baby!” she grinned as his hand instantly went to grab the chain of her necklace.

“Jamie not planning on going to school today?” Steve asked her with a grin as Rori headed off to find her shoes.

“Tried telling me he was sick so he could stay home and play legos.” she snorted “Soon decided he was ok when I told him that meant no soccer practice tomorrow morning.” Steve shook his head, smiling to himself.

“Daddy?” Rori tugged on his trouser leg and he turned his attention to her.

“What’s up Princess?”

“I can’t find my sneakers.”

“Where did you leave them?” he asked, his hand gently dropping to the back of her head.

“Erm…” she pondered for a moment, before she looked up at her mom bashfully.

“Somebody left them in the middle of the lounge…” Katie looked at her. “So the Fairies put them away.”

“Sorry…” Rori wrinkled her nose and blinked up at her mom.

“It’s ok. They’re on the shoe rack sweetie.” Katie nodded to the kitchen in the direction of the utility room located at the back of the house.

“Thanks momma.” she said, running off to retrieve them.

“What time does Emmy’s train get in?” Steve looked at Katie.

“Just after twelve.” Katie said, blowing a raspberry on Harry’s cheek. “I’ll meet her and then take her straight to get inked…” Steve let out a breath from his nose. All Emmy had talked about since turning 21st was a tattoo. Steve wasn’t particularly sure he approved but then what could he do? She was an adult now. Katie hadn’t been bothered, but then as she’d pointed out, she had a big enough one on her thigh so it would be fairly hypocritical if she had. Emmy had won Steve over though when she’d asked him to draw it for her. She’d described what she wanted, a small Phoenix type bird that would sit just above her ankle. So after a few designs and sketches she’d finally settled on something she wanted and after a consultation she was having it done this afternoon.

“You staying with her?” Steve looked at Katie, concern etched across his face. Katie gave a soft laugh.

“She’s a big girl now Steve but yeah, I’m gonna stay.” she said, tugging on his beard playfully.

“Good.” he nodded, jerking his head out of reach. “Do you need me to pick the kids up later or…”

“No, by the time their afterschool clubs are done we’ll have finished so I’ll do it.” she smiled as Rori came back, sneakers in her hand. She sat on the bottom step and proceeded to push her feet into the pink converse, Steve crouching down on one knee to tie her shoelaces for her.

“Thanks daddy.”

“You’re welcome sweetheart.” he said, dropping a kiss to her head before he turned to look up the stairs “Jamie! Come on!”

“I’m coming…” came the surly reply, and no sooner had they heard it he appeared at the top of the steps, rucksack in hand.

“Drop the attitude.” Steve said sternly as Jamie trudged down the stairs, scowling. Steve looked at Katie, raising his eyebrow as their eldest son stalked past them, heading to the door, Rori running behind him.

“Wait for me Jay…” she called, her small feet slapping on the tiles of the hallway as she went.

“Told you…” Katie said, smirking “He’s a mini you…”

“That filthy look he had on his face? That is a Stark expression.” Steve said, looking back at her as he picked Rori’s rucksack up.

“Is not.” Katie laughed “That’s the face you make whenever someone’s pissing you off.”

Steve gave a snort before he dropped a soft kiss to her lips, making Harry shriek.

“Kissy!” he laughed.

“See you later.” Steve smiled against her mouth “Love you.” “You too” she said, and with a last peck and a ruffle of Harry’s hair he headed after Jamie and Rori, barking out an instruction for them to quit their squabble over who was sitting in the front seat.

“Easy solution…” Katie heard Steve say loudly “You can both get in the back. End of discussion.”

Their protest’s died as the door snapped shut.

Katie chuckled to herself and looked at Harry “Shall we get you ready to go too baby boy?”

“Go!” he nodded, grinning.

*******

Katie’s morning was reasonably easy. A meeting and a manuscript to review which she’d managed to do by half 11. Changing out of her office clothes into a loose pair of sweats, trainers and a hoody she headed out and made her way to Grand Central.

She spotted Emmy emerging into the main terminal and swept her daughter up into a hug.

“Hey mom.” Emmy said, squeezing her back.

“Ready to go get inked?” Katie asked, Emmy grinned and slung her satchel over one shoulder, linking her arm through her mom’s.

“You eaten?” Katie asked as they walked out into the early April sun.

“Yeah, followed the instructions.” Emmy nodded.

“Good.” Katie said. “Nervous?”

“A little.” Emmy shrugged “It’s gonna hurt right?”

“It’s not so bad.” Katie shrugged, “Some places hurt more apparently but…most important thing to remember is if you need a break just ask.”

“Ok.”

The two women walked a few blocks, catching up. It had been a couple of weeks since Emmy was home, fast approaching the last few weeks of the semester at Harvard before her exams started. All of her marks so far had been sky high, leaving her parents immensely proud, although both had taken great pains to tell her that they didn’t care what the outcome was, as long as she tried her best.

Eventually they reached the place and Emmy opened the door, stepping in. David, the man that had done the consultation a few weeks back beckoned them both through.

“Ok, so…” he said, tilting the screen to show Emmy the picture of her design he’d scanned “I gotta say I’m excited about this one, it’s pretty unique.”

“My dad drew it.” Emmy beamed.

“It’s phenomenal.” David smiled “I had to sharpen some of the lines up but there’s no major changes. Are you happy with it?”

Emmy nodded.

“Ok, and yours Mrs Rogers…” David clicked and the imaged changed. “The touches we’re adding to your thigh are fairly straight forward but this one…this is what I think it is right?”

Katie nodded.

“Awesome…” David smiled, and hit print and stood up to collect both the prints.

“Have you told Dad?” Emmy looked at her. Katie smirked and shook her head.

“Nope.” she popped the p on the word “Thought it would be a nice surprise when he gets to see it later.” “I’m not sure if I should be grossed out by that thought or not.” Emmy mumbled and Katie simply laughed.

Just over 2 and a half hours later they were done, leaving the parlour with strict after care instructions. Emmy had hardly flinched through hers, whereas Katie’s new one had been slightly uncomfortable due to the placing.

“Think that earned us a beer…” Katie said checking her watch. “Come on, we got time before we need to collect the heathens.”

***** “Show me! Show me!” Rori demanded.

“You can’t see it yet short stuff.” Emmy said fondly “It’s still wrapped up.”

“When can you unwrap it?” Jamie asked.

“Another hour or so yet.” Katie answered “So quit bugging your sister and go put your school bags away.”

“Emmy do you wanna watch Sponge Bob with me?” Rori asked.

“Only if we can sing the special song…” Emmy grinned, holding her hand out for a hi-five. Rori giggled, and slapped her smaller palm against her sister’s.

“What special song?” Katie looked at her.

“Oh just a variation on the theme tune we made up.” Emmy said, grinning mischievously

“I dread to think.” Katie muttered, watching Jamie and Rori head up stairs to deposit their rucksacks in their room.

Katie bustled around making dinner, simple spaghetti and meatballs as requested by all 4 kids…well, the elder 3…Harry merely clapped his hands and yelled “getty” in agreement. She was stood stirring the sauce when she heard Steve walk through the door an toss his keys onto the table in the hall little under an hour later.

“Daddy’s home!” she heard Rori shriek and a moment later Steve chuckled.

“Hey…” he said, sweeping her up and placing a kiss on her cheek. He carried her through to the kitchen where he greeted Harry with a ruffle of the hair as he sat by the table doodling on a pad with Emmy.

“Hi sweetie.” Steve said, as Emmy stood up to give him a hug. “How was the tattooing?”

“Good.” she nodded, “Oh, actually, mom….should I unwrap it now?”

“Errr, yeah.” Katie said, turning the heat down on the stove and accepting the kiss Steve offered. “Can you watch these 2. I’ll go help Emmy out…”

“Sure.” Steve said, “Where’s Jamie?”

“2 guesses” Katie grinned at him and Steve shook his head, smiling, knowing full well that meant he was nose deep in lego.

Katie and Emmy bounded up the stairs and returned about 15 minutes later, Emmy proudly showing off the design on her right ankle. Steve had to admit, it did look pretty good, but then he would say that, he drew it after all.

They dragged Jamie out of the den for dinner, where the boy managed 2 helpings before he ran off again, almost having a meltdown when Katie told him he had to share the den as Rori wanted to watch Cartoons. One stern look from Steve nipped the tantrum in the bud and the 4 kids departed once dishes had been deposited in the sink, Katie waving away Emmy’s offer to help, telling her to go spend some time with her siblings. It didn’t take her and Steve long to clear down and they were heading towards the living room to collapse onto the sofa together, but the shriek and cheers coming from the den made them both stop in their tracks.

“What on Earth are they watching?” Steve looked at his wife.

“Sponge Bob, apparently…” Katie said. The two looked at one another, before they headed back towards the den and peeked through the door which was open a crack.

Emmy was stood, swaying with Harry held on her hip, the pair of them laughing, whilst Jamie was doing some kind of strange running man dance as Rori bounced up and down on the sofa as the opening credits began to roll. Emmy opened her mouth and started singing along to the opening theme tune in a pirate voice.

Only she wasn’t singing the theme tune. They were completely different words.

“Who lived as a Capsicle under the sea?” Emmy paused to look at Jamie and Rori who both yelled back in chorus, Harry mimicking them as best he could whilst clapping his hands.

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

Steve blinked, looked at Katie, his mouth dropping open as she burst out laughing at the look of utter confusion and perplexment on his face. She pushed the door open further and all the kids turned to see their parents watching them. But instead of stopping, they continued to sing even louder at Steve as he folded his arms and leaned against the door frame.

“Saluting a hello and killing Nazis…” Emmy continued

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

“If patriotism be something you wish…”

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

By this point Katie was laughing that hard she couldn’t breathe. She doubled over, tears pouring from her face as the kids continued their relentless serenade to their father.

“Then throw a big shield and punch with your fist…”

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

That was it. Steve couldn’t keep his face straight any longer and he too started to laugh, grinning as Rori ran over to him and pulled on his hands dragging him into the room to make him twirl her round.

Eventually the song stopped and the room was simply filled with laughter which died down. Steve wiped his eyes and looked at his kids before he crossed his arms.

“You’re all grounded.” he smirked, and then ran as they started pelting him with throw cushions.

****

Later that night, as always, Steve couldn’t stop his eyes from roving his wife’s body as she walked out of the en-suite and into the bedroom, dressed in one of his shirts and a pair of sleep shorts ready for bed. As he lounged on top of the duvet, back propped up against the headboard, his gaze travelled down the lines of her body and he frowned as he spotted something on her thigh that looked different.

Suddenly it dawned on him what it was.

“Is that…is that a new tattoo?” Steve sat up, looking at her leg then to her face, and back again.

“Technically it’s an addition to an existing one.” Katie grinned as she made her way to the bed and knelt up in front of Steve. His hands gently fell to her hips as he examined the new ink. The area surrounding one of the 4 stars that formed part of the original tattoo had been shaded with red and gold in a water colour effect. He didn’t need her to explain, but she did anyway.

“That’s for Tony.” she said softly, “And these…” she pointed out 4 additional stars she’d had placed within the existing design “One for each of the kids.”

“Not one for me?” he eventually pouted playfully, looking back up at her.

She bit her lip and grinning slightly, pulled his shirt over her head leaving her top half naked, and she turned her torso slightly the left, holding her arm over her breasts so he could see. His eyes widened as he saw the design that was now etched onto her skin just underneath her left breast on her rib cage.

It was his wings. The wings he had worn on his helmet. The wings adopted by the Howlies as their symbol in the war. And above that sat a star that was the same as the others on her thigh.

“That’s for you…” she said softly.

Steve was struggling for words. There was something he was finding outrageously sexy about the fact she’d had that placed somewhere that no one would really see other than him. And something ridiculously sentimental about the design she had chosen.

“Do you like it Soldier?” she asked softly, biting her lip.

He looked up at her, smiling as his hands gripped her bare waist and he pulled her down with him so she was led on top of him. “I love it.”

“I love you…” she grinned, melting into his arms as his hands ran up her bare back, her nose nudging his softly.

“Back at ya pretty girl.” he smirked, before his lips claimed hers in a heated kiss.

**Original Posting**

#stark spangled forever #steve rogers #steve rogers fanfiction #Katie Stark #steve rogers x ofc #steve rogers x original female character #steve rogers fic #mcu #mcu fanfic #chris evans #chris evans characters

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blankdblank · 4 years

Text

Ridikulus Pt 30

Bent in half in an empty hall beside Vivienne and Ollivier in matching states of stretching the pair found you, having woken to their own mooing alarm clock Glorfindel stroked the chin of to silence. Readied in light robes of silver with matching trousers and boots with varying embroidered patterns the pair were off to breakfast following the servant sent to guide them down to eat. Passing the hall they joined your great uncles mid conversation on their continued youthful pull back to their former appearances complete with the loss of their darkened grey hairs similar to Vivienne’s hair also darkening back to its youthful deep brown. Wrinkles were fading and all, Minerva included had been remarking on the changes you were all facing being taken in link to the change of your ears. Any youthful in heart still seemed to feel the pull while those like Albus and Slughorn held to their aged appearances as a sort of badge of pride for having lived so long.

Yet before question of when you were joining them was voiced you came in and their eyes scanned over the sweats and t shirt you were wearing as you sat to tie your converse on. With your hair pulled up into a messy bun and bangs swaying over your stunningly scar free cheek you peered up at the pair staring at you and asked, “Sleep well?”

Thranduil, “Yes, we did. There is something about that pillow, my head touched it and I was gone. You?”

Eric, “That would be the Hoo-Hoo feathers, help to lull any who rest with it off to sleep.”

Glorfindel murmured, “Hoo-Hoo..”

“Idris, is a Hoo-Hoo. One of the Phoenix family known to have songs to lull people into peaceful sleep, certain feathers on them hold the same qualities. But you have to ask very nicely for them.”

Thranduil, “Ah, most of our pillows hold swan feathers, also willingly granted.”

Minor details were shared and the breakfast was savored between glances at you while Ollivier and Vivienne chatted around you sharing comments through Trina’s feeding of Em. Into the car again and oddly for the men stealing glances at you in your casual clothes far from what you wore to teach they settled still glancing between you and the couple also coming for their own roles as King and Queen they would be disguised for.

Over the city you flew and parked among the lines of other flying cars and got out to join the other actors in line to head for the makeup and wardrobe tents. Overture, Me Who Am I, Loneliness of the Evening, Prologue, Prince returning home from first meeting Cinderella, The Prince setting out to find the owner of the slipper and the talk with the King and Queen about finding Cinderella, exit scenes of town and announcing the Banquet. All of these had been filmed in the past couple days before you had showed up with just your portion of the few ensemble or duet numbers to film in your own locations.

It was hours before dawn and the first scene you would film was your readying for the banquet. Just past when the step mother and sisters would leave and into the tent you strolled smiling at Bernadette’s announcing giddy squeak. “There you are!” Into a tight hug she wrapped you and guided you in filling you in on all you had missed before asking, “Did I hear right you brought two dates with you?”

Chuckling weakly you changed into the servant costume for Cinderella and replied in sitting for the hair stylist, “King Thranduil and Lord Glorfindel.”

Again she squeaked, “Tell me everything. I know you used to dream about them, I want all the details.”

“Not much to say, I told you about Ones,”

“Soul mates, right?” You nodded, “Which one’s yours?” The corner of your mouth ticked up and she gasped patting your arm taking her own seat, “Both?”

Your head tilted to the side allowing the stylist to braid the side of your hair back that was rippling out into a deep maroon shade. “It seems they don’t want me to choose and they are difficult to choose between. Dad seems supportive, I mean it’s no shock that I might have ended up like him, all romantically free and whatnot.”

Bernadette chuckled and said, “Now you and I both know you are nothing of the sort.” Her hand folded around yours, “No doubt they both love you to bits, why they wanted to come and spend the spare time you have with them.”

In a chuckle you replied, “Films are strange to them, especially any where there’s some sort of mock intimacy in it.”

Bernadette’s eyes met yours in the mirror, “They’re jealous then?”

“They are curious. I’ve showed them the play and they wanted to see how it’s handled.”

Smirking herself as her hair was finished and pooled into a tall feather accented beehive she joined you out of the tent holding the front of her extravagant gown. “Oh we’ll calm them down, surely they won’t be able to do anything but fall helplessly for you as Cinderella. Forgetting all about any petty ideas of jealousy.”

A single glance of you from the distance was all they got while you were shown up to the house being used for Cinderella’s home. But in your absence Bernadette hurried over eager to meet the duo who recognized her from a photograph of yours. Pleasantries were traded and off behind the cameras she showed them the best spot to watch the monitors in seeing the scenes of you readying for the banquet with the Fairy Godmother. After changing again to your tattered gown after being supposedly locked up, weeping only to calm at Godmother singing There’s Music In You. Your half of the Loneliness of the Evening came up next sung between chores to the sun rising to match the Prince’s scenes in the Palace.

Next would be various scenes of you for background images for the opening, cleaning, organizing and various chores before scenes walking to town. The Lords stood waiting at the tables for your first food break watching as your cheek was cupped by a dark haired man with his eyes shut who had kept hold of your shoulder for the stroll down half to set block on his own way to another scene back at the Palace the waiting carriage would drive him to. Catching their stares in seeing a kiss on your bare cheek followed by another Bernadette stated, “That’s Andrea Bocceli, he’s playing the Proclaimer of the Orders of the King. You’ll get to hear him tomorrow I believe.”

Glorfindel muttered, “No doubt he is far more friendly with Jaqi that the other actors. Scarcely pays the others any mind.” His eyes lingering on his hand easing down to your shoulder again in your turn to the carriage.

Bernadette’s lips parted, “Oh honey,” that made the pair look at her, “He’s blind.” That had their brows inching up, “He’s one of our greatest singers from our old world, used to sing with Jewels, scores of plays, operas and musicals. I’ve got a whole heap of pictures with him holding Jaqi as a baby when Sirius would bring her to shows. You see, he’s from a long line of Squibs, scattered Witches in between, but the men of the line have a blood curse they go blind. Jaqi found a spell to reverse it, but if you do it would just skip to his son and continue on, but if he remains blind his son’s sight is safe. His shoes are enchanted to sort of give him a feel for where things and people are, but for his friends he doesn’t mind being led around.”

Thranduil, “Ah, you performed with her mother as well, how does she match up?”

Bernadette smirked, “It’s hard to put into words. She has all Jewels’ talent and then some, built more for somber or drama by what she has to draw from, Jewels couldn’t help but burst into giggles after.” She wet her lips, “She might have just asked for acting lessons first off to be a convincing double agent, but she’s far more talented than she gives herself credit for. Even if she signed the contract reluctantly she actually does enjoy acting. Who knows, could take a couple years off when she’s finished the final two obligated films and get a better contract when you have all settled everything.”

A snack with you ended with a pair of stolen kisses before Luis showed up for his own filler scenes in the Palace. Him, his husband and children all greeted you and the duo fondly before heading off to change when your partners were off with Eric and Roderic for the start of their tour of Paris. Museums would be first with a pass by the Eiffel Tower they would see the following day. Each piece in the museums they were shown only adding to their curiosity on what else the Muggle portion of this country had to hold for them. From the Louvre to a Wizarding art museum they saw the vast difference in style and subjects chosen in the moving portraits both silent at chatty.

Filler and walking scenes between home and town were captured leading up to the big draw, everyone gathering in the town to do a final run through on The Prince is Giving a Ball you then filmed into the following scene where the Prince and Cinderella would first meet and split up again to head home. Lunch was next and with the final bit left you filming your half of the number Do I Love You at the house again mid chore. All of these scenes were little to be intriguing for an audience in being filmed, tedious and detail oriented but around the table you sat at the empty seats on either side of you were filled again by your partners eager to share all they had seen through the stack of pictures you shuffled through while eating.

Behind the monitor they watched the lead into your next slew of scenes, all mainly musical. In My Own Little Corner bled into scenes of readying the three other women in the house furrowing the men’s brows seeing their harsh treatment of you. A pick up of the second part of my own little corner bled into the arrival of the Fairy Godmother for Impossible through to the ride to the Palace in It’s Possible.

Grins were plastered on the duo’s face between stolen glances at others around them with teary or sentimental gazes holding through each number. Another meal break came at the setting of the sun and in the night scenes you began by walking home post change back with one heel singing He Was Tall lost in a dreamy haze reminiscing on the wonderful evening. The arrival of the carriage out front had you hiding the slipper and readying to greet your returning family bleeding into the numbers When You’re Driving through the following number, A lovely night until the Step Mother sent you all to bed and you lingered behind to lowly sing the second rendition of A Lovely Night.

Noting the time the men had hoped you could head back home again, however after another hurried meeting with you a stolen pair of pecks were taken on your way to the scene you had warned the pair of. When Cinderella would be locked up, in a combination of an agreed upon set of hexes, tugs and shoves from the Step Mother stirring up a tension in the air ending at your burst of giggles at hitting your elbow in the final shove post cut. Hugs and giggles came in Bernadette’s path to change with you.

The final collection of scenes were to be the forest scenes. First, It’s Possible for the final stretch of it heading up all the way up to the Palace gates then into the courtyard, from which you looped around and before the men could get a good look at the Palace you were off to film the big chase scene on the marked path to the chime of the giant clock. With hearts racing even knowing looking on what would happen the clock was giving its final chimes and the carriage split apart full speed behind the transformed horses now mice again. Rolling through the grass in the timed crash your dress turned back to the servant uniform as your hair whipped around you violently when you rolled to a stop.

A glance at the following Prince’s carriage had you clambering to your knees and up behind a tree panting in the closing of your eyes to melt against the tree behind you. Smiling frailly to yourself the remaining shoe on your foot was removed and when the other carriage was gone you began your barefoot stroll through the forest singing He Was Tall on the way back to the house again. Once there however cut was called and you were able to change and head back to the house. Nearly falling asleep on the way back you rested between the guys and filed out to help you to the waiting dinner.

Bed came right after and for a hard drop off to sleep you would get more sleep than the night before ensured by your dreamless draught drop you had eaten to ensure only your alarm would wake you. An early breakfast allowed you some time with Em before heading off to set, only over your omelet your eye caught the paper that had been set aside when Vivienne was through with it. Unfolding the front page your lips parted seeing a picture of you in the bog at the Triwizard Tournament with the stoic duo behind you hovering over the water. The headline reading a bid to have you nominated to be listed as a genuine seer with the image of your arrival the other day with the same duo beside you as proof that years ago you had foreseen the fall here in one way or another and had set about to protect as many as possible to arrive here.

Roderic stated, “Surely they will add you to the lists if they haven’t already.”

Glorfindel leaned over and accepted the paper you tapped the image of stating, “Top one’s from the Triwizard Tournament.”

He nodded, “Yes, the bog Ron stated he saw us in.” Tilting the paper he showed Thranduil who eyed it carefully, “What is the story about?”

“Oh, they are saying I knew, at least partly, on the fall here years before it happened so they want to add me to the list of genuine seers.”

Thranduil, “Is it not well known already your abilities?”

Eric, “That’s not the issue, to be added to the list it must be a large prophecy or vision to be seen coming true witnessed by dozens. Only twelve have ever been added to the list.”

Roderic nodded, “And two have been disproved as hoaxes. Jaqi’s is the largest by far, destruction of a whole world and discovery of allies in a new one,”

Ollivier, “There was no doubt on our following her here, merely up until your arrival here and photographs with her none thought to have proof her visions were at least a sign we were meant to come here.”

Vivienne, “But outside of that are you excited for the morning tour today? We are not needed on set until two. We even secured a tour of the zoo.”

The pair sat quietly enjoying the fact they would be spending the morning with you and with them in colorful robes you wore comfy jeans and a sweater carrying Em on your hip after securing your wedge boots. A short flight later you were parked in the group of some of the cast also wishing to see the zoo either new to this one or new to zoos all together. But the odd animals had the men puzzled when seeing the billboards but Em named what she could and following the map you spent the morning allowing the duo to inspect each of the animals and learn what each sign posted said about them. Both a bit saddened that the boys weren’t here but with a confirmation from you a promise to take them to the London Zoo had them grinning so they could help to guide the boys around alongside you with just a stack of pictures to bring home to tide the boys over until then.

Each animal echoed in their mind along with the statements that each zoo would be following suit of the London Zoo, the first of which to have enchanted territories to be closer to those in the wild people could roam through safely to see the creatures in their native habitats instead of cages. It would be a full day outing no doubt and set to open the following weekend with you among a group of other celebrities to bring press to hopefully encourage other zoos to follow suit once they saw how successful it would be for guests and the populations of their animals. Everything seemed spectacular and they couldn’t wait to see it after having seen something they imagined to be similar, your snake room with habitats for each of the snakes to feel safe and happier under your watch. Another sign that your people were actually peaceful and wishing for even the speechless non magical animals to have their own safe homes in this new world to repopulate again.

Work however did call again and this one had the meat of the film for the duo to watch from the sidelines. The start of it being nice and slow where Cinderella frees herself by using a wand her father had left her to unlock the door after having been kept from practicing magic by her step mother after he had died only making her study more while they slept from his old books she’d hidden away. While filming that the Prince and the other women in the film were recording their tries for the magical slipper. Cue the arrival of Cinderella and again the duo noting the sentimental grins of those watching through the proposal and tearful hug you shared.

Explosively the set seemed to flood around the stunning Palace the duo toured through while things were being readied then went back to the director’s sides to watch the wedding including the first of the two kisses. Barely a blink flashed by and it was over, chaste and to the point fitting for a Royal Ceremony ending with the Godmother recapping There’s Music In You. From there a quick change of décor after the wedding parade scene that allowed you both to change quickly the Prince was back again to come and greet the endless chain of women to dance with him while a touch up on the arrival scene to the Palace.

Each lady would dance a circle with the Prince through the sea of waiting Lords to collect the lady and pass them on to another in the next pass keeping the chain of ladies moving, with passing flirtations when each would ease near the Prince again. Through the Palace Cinderella strolled holding the hem of her lavish gown until the doors opened and the big entrance came stunning the Prince. Greetings to the near endless dancing bled into the trip out to the gardens where a second film crew waited to capture your dialog as the Stepsister’s Lament played out inside amusing the crowds looking on behind the camera. Yet in the ticking of the added clock to the gardens the distance between you closed and a tender cupping of your cheek came in a steady press of lips to yours. For the camera angle it seemed very intimate, and yet the angle the Lords were watching from clearly it was forced, but a glance at that screen and they could see why others were grinning madly at the image.

All the same that clock chimed and even knowing the story everyone still seemed to wish that she would get caught and live happy ever after. Still that show was lost and the carriage was jumped into and took off for the Palace to be reset once again for the arrival to the follow up banquet. This second flight away however ended with cheers and claps with a sea of hugs and cheeks kissed stunning the guys until they realized that that was it.

One more flying car ride filled with comments on your final scenes and reactions to it they had seen came before Thranduil had asked, “When are we leaving tomorrow?”

“Um, we actually have to head to the station by midnight to get back in time.”

Glorfindel, “You get no rest at all?”

“I can sleep on the train.”

Thranduil sighed, “Fine, but after class you are coming over to sleep if I have to bring you myself, Darling, you need your rest.”

A quick stop upstairs for you had you coming downstairs again with your silvery blue hair pulled into a bun and white facial scars back again. The dress you had changed into was silvery blue with ruffled skirt under a mostly sheer top with lace leaf pattered panels covering your chest to your cleavage with short sleeves and a collar secured in the back with buttons down the back of it. The dress was stunning and fit the family color chosen for the dinner with Em in a similar ruffled dress of her own complimenting the pictures captured of you all before you managed to sneak back to your duo with Em on your hip while Vivienne and Ollivier greeted the other guests.

Glorfindel accepted hold of Em while Thranduil asked in a smooth of his hand over your back, “Are you tired?”

Peering up at him you smirked saying, “I’m fine. I can handle a dinner.”

Though the approach of Jean, the assistant who handled the affair of discovering Suzienne’s grave and transferring her to Paris with another familiar face right behind him, Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France Luc Gerard. An offer of a handshake was stoically accepted in his introduction to your partners. “We are so pleased to have been able to welcome you for a visit, even if it is just for a short time. Have you enjoyed the few sights you were able to take in?”

Thranduil nodded, “Yes, it was quite enjoyable.”

Glorfindel took his glance falling on his to say, “There is a great many things to take in. Mainly the differing cultures between your countries and varied races dwelling together, we have just begun to learn about them, it seems we have a great deal more.”

Luc grinned saying, “Well said. Hopefully we might be able to bridge that gap and become more comfortable with one another in the future. We have heard a great many wonderful things of your lands and people as well, and might we say we have been curious to discover what the link would have been to the pair of you since seeing you following our dear Miss Black here in that bog challenge.”

Glorfindel, “Yes, we saw the picture. It was intriguing when her family arrived in Rivendell months before her and described the challenge to us as for why we seemed familiar to them.”

From the initial greetings to the dinner table it became absolutely clear that even more than you had claimed you were a natural at smoothing differing cultures together and were the grease keeping the gears moving and the conversation natural. Both sides relaxing into the neutral zone you helped to guide the council and Lords into between luring others from the large guest list into a moment of their own focus of your attention clearly brightening their moods the same as your relatives and the Delacours seemed to pull out of them. Name and influence of this half of your bloodline surely wasn’t missed and even in moments of odds with them you still strove to uphold the names you came from while clearly defending, guiding and teaching the Lords one day to be your husbands. Even in your denials and doubts there was no one more suited in their eyes to bridge the gap or to learn how to aid in ruling the Elves of Greater Greenwood.

Doubts clearly weren’t anywhere close to the impression your family gave on if you could join them, barely seven years and you had silenced any doubts possible of what could have come from their lost daughter’s bloodline. Bad choices and unfortunate circumstances or not through the painful rubble of those lost years and pair of women in their line you were the diamond glimmering out of all of it with Em shimmering all the brighter for your determination to keep her safe. Guests soon left and with a sigh you were up at your room changing back again to your jeans and sweater with wedges added again. A glimpse at the clock showed you still had time and closing your eyes you followed the pull you felt to head to the Pearisiyiae Tomb.

Onto the bench outside of it you sat just talking to your grandmother hoping she was at peace and was content with how you had turned out. A hushed whisper from your mother however in your ear sounded that after years of being back with her family she was ready to talk and they were meeting one another. On your feet you stood trusting that maybe one day she would feel strong enough to let you see her and with a token of her favorite flowers left behind. And just a short walk later you stopped in to leave some flowers for Leta Lestrange as well sharing a few words on how Newt was doing and how much she was still missed and always was spoken of fondly. Zapping back again you wiped the corner of your eye at the tear lingering there and you made sure you had everything then walked down to join the others waiting there to say goodbye while Thranduil kept hold of Em already asleep in his arms and grinned seeing you with them again.

Hugs were traded between respectful nods and wishes for another visit soon from your relatives to the duo on your path to the waiting car. It didn’t take long till you were back on the train again laid out on one of the two beds in the now sleeper car with Em across from the duo grinning in organizing the pictures to share with the boys and Legolas when they returned. Four hours you slept through their elaborate plan of sharing the whole trip and offer to take the boys to the opening of the London Zoo along with the clear way they had decided to bring up the travel papers issue with Elrond and Celeborn. This would all work out, meeting the other Ministers and settling at least a friendship with them as there was little trade needed between your people past curiosity for culture and crafted items. Much like the quartet of animal plushies you had brought back for the boys and Legolas they would surely treasure.

One in the morning the train swayed to a stop and in your groggy blink awake Thranduil cradled Em to his chest and Glorfindel helped you up and kept hold of your hand for the walk back from Lower Bulgaria gaining more stamps for their travel booklets only to walk back into Pumpernickel finding it was raining hard. Hastily Glorfindel hoisted you up in his arms saying, “Off to Greenwood. No risking it, you need to sleep.”

A deep sigh from you came in watching Thranduil behind you using his wrap to keep Em covered from the rain on the eager trot to the arch exiting in the main gardens protected from the same massive storm by the canopy above. All the same eyes lit up and heads bowed seeing the Lords returning, yet in their glances at you the reason for your silence was that you had fallen asleep again making the duo chuckle. Carefully tucked into bed with Em by your side they left you to eagerly bring the pictures and the gazelle stuffie you three had thought Legolas might enjoy. Grinning while holding the gazelle he listened to each of the animals you had seen before inspecting the pictures of the museum exhibits, Versailles and the Eiffel Tower and view from the top of it.

Stories of the set were set aside as Elrond and Celeborn came after receiving notice from him that they had returned early. Inspection of the travel papers were taken and altogether it seemed an agreeable deal for the time being to be counted as allies of your Ministry after the details had been shared word for word how you had described it.

Celeborn, “Was her family more agreeable to Miss Black?”

Thranduil, “They were, us as well.”

Glorfindel, “I believe she might have spoken with them to calm them a bit more.”

Thranduil nodded, “Yes, and for all her doubts on being an acceptable ruler it is quite natural for her to ease two cultures into friendship. It was quite masterful her guidance through dinner with the French Minister and Council and other important people in France with us.”

Glorfindel nodded, “Yes, for what little suspicions we might have had on the Pear clan not accepting Jaqi, they seem to be quite in awe of her among the rest of us. Her Great Uncles even remarked how it would have been perfect for her to even have an inkling of interest in performing when they had first met, but to see just how talented she is in various fields. In my opinion I believe they are starting to see her outside of her grandmother’s shadow.”

Celeborn, “That is magnificent news. How was Cinderella?”

Elrond, “Yes, it was quite short notice to bring you along.”

Thranduil inhaled and decided to share the truth, “There are two kisses filmed in Cinderella,” ticking Elrond’s brow upwards, “Just as in the drawn version and in the play her mother performed in they were brief and chaste, from the angle of the camera, while at our angle it was evidently forced.”

Celeborn, “You both seem calm.”

Glorfindel nodded, “Yes, before her trip Jaqi stated it plainly and laid out the whole protocol involved in filming these sorts of feigned intimacies. Once we got to the village they filmed in we met the man playing the Prince and his husband and their children. All very old friends since their childhoods.” That seemed to calm the other Lords more worried on how their friends would have taken the encounter than anything else.

Legolas wet his lips asking, “It is common for actors to kiss in films?”

Thranduil caught his eye, “Apparently some films can grow quite intimate, even involving faked consummation of relationships. However Jaqi was quite clear she does not accept romance centered scripts, I believe the most she has filmed before was a kiss on the cheek for a child one of her roles tasked her to raise alone after the father had passed in an accident, who was played by a child of a friend hired to play her cousin. It was very comforting how clear she was on the rules and what the role pertained, I do not believe it will trouble us in the future.”

Glorfindel nodded, “And everyone watching the tale was equally swept away with adoration for the new recording of the classic tale. Even filmed out of order from the bits we did see it is quite a task to pull a story together, often Jaqi and Luis, who played the Prince were on opposite ends of the city they were filming in. Most of her scenes we witnessed she was alone or with one or two actors in fact.”

Thranduil, “Not counting the day they filmed the wedding and the ball and then banquet in one day. And they had this carriage chase scene, quite intense at moments, it will be a sight, the day the film is unveiled. A few months I believed they said they could edit it and release it widely through the countries.”

Celeborn, “Was Miss Black able to get much rest?”

Glorfindel, “No, she did however sleep on the ride home again and fell asleep when I carried her from the arches in her lands when we saw it was raining.”

Thranduil, “She is resting in our apartment and has been tasked to return here after school for more rest.”

Elrond, “That is good. I would be lying if I did not state we wish to see just how bright her shimmer will grow when fully rested and adjusted here.”

Pt 31

#HP Crossover #Thranduil x Reader OC #Glorfindel x Reader OC #Paris #Filming Cinderella

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refinedbuffoonery · 4 years

Text

Riley + Sunglasses + Undercover (5)

masterlist.

Read it on AO3.

*****

Of course the one time Matty let the CIA borrow her best agents, they ended up walking into a trap. The Company was messy like that. Matty swore that as soon as she got her team back safe and sound, heads were going to roll. Starting with the director of the CIA himself.

In the meantime, she tapped her foot on the war room floor while she waited for Riley to finish scrubbing the security footage. No one spoke.

“There,” Riley said. She mirrored her screen so Matty could watch.

Desi stood in the lower left corner of the video. While all of the other guests were enraptured by something just outside the frame, a pair of gloved hands smothered her agent’s face with a rag and dragged her out of view.

Mac and Riley weren’t in the picture at all.

“Mac, Riley,” Matty said, “where were you when this happened? And what is everyone staring at?” On the other end of the line, someone choked. It sounded like Riley. Bozer’s soft chuckle came through the speaker.

“Guys, what are you not telling me?” she prompted. With the way Bozer was laughing, she knew something was up. Bozer’s “I have a secret” vibe was literally visible from the moon.

Mac finally answered her. “Riley and I were...uhh...busy.” No one elaborated further.

Matty had a feeling she knew exactly what “busy” entailed. Apparently, it was a very public “busy.” Even though they couldn’t see her, she smiled. “I look forward to reading all about it in your reports.” Just to make them squirm, Matty let her statement hang in the air for a few moments before getting back to the situation at hand. “Riley, can you see where Desi was taken?”

Riley’s nails clicked on her keyboard. “Desi was standing in front of a side exit. The footage of the hallway outside doesn’t show anyone entering or leaving, so whoever took her must’ve looped the cameras.”

Perfect. This op was the gift that just kept giving. “Mac, what do you think she was drugged with?”

“Chloroform, most likely. Everything you need to make it can be found in any janitor’s closet.”

“Okay, and where are we on locating Pierre?”

“I’ve got him,” Riley answered, mercifully. “He’s in a car driving southeast.”

“What’s southeast?” Bozer asked.

After a few clicks, Riley said, “For starters, the border with France. But it looks like there’s a helicopter-only airport before that.”

Matty didn’t like the directions she was about to give, but she gave them anyway. “Riley, go get him. Bozer, stay in the suite to help Riley and figure out how to get the hotel out of lockdown. Mac, find Desi.” A chorus of “yes ma’am”s filled her ears.

She hung up and took a deep breath. Her agents had been in far worse situations, but any mission that went belly-up put Matty on edge. Mac and Riley would get them home safe, she promised herself. One way or another, they always did.

*****

None of them like splitting up, but they all agreed it was their best option. Riley was the best high speed chase driver, and Mac would know what to do if Desi needed immediate medical attention.

Riley was secretly relieved she’d be getting some distance from Mac, however brief. She’d figured she would spend the entire op tied to him, but chasing down Pierre gave her an excuse to process her emotions alone and figure out what the fuck was going on.

First, she needed to get out of the building and find some wheels.

“Hey, Mac.” He immediately met her eyes. “Could you please make me a small grenade?”

Mac’s eyebrows skyrocketed. “Sure.” He started to head off in search of ingredients, but seemed to think better of it and turned around, leaning against a wall. “Riles, why do you need a grenade?”

Riley grinned. “Distraction while I steal a car.”

Mac’s mouth quirked into his ‘I’m impressed’ smirk. “That’s my girl.”

His voice echoed in her head. That’s my girl. That’s my girl. That’s my girl.

A few minutes later, Mac handed her his suit jacket and a plastic water bottle filled with god only knew what. For once, their fingers didn’t brush, and that stung more than any impending rejection. Even though it was wholly unnecessary, they always found excuses to brush hands. Brief reassurances they had each other’s backs.

“Don’t have too much fun without me,” he said with mock seriousness.

“No promises.” Riley stared at the jacket, trying and failing to figure out how it was related to the grenade. Maybe she was supposed to wrap it around the bottle? Looking up, she asked, “What’s the jacket for?”

She could’ve sworn Mac blushed. “In case it’s cold outside.” She pulled it on, ducking her head to hide her own blush. Trying not to love him was damn near impossible, even if he was confusing. He didn’t touch her, but he gave her his jacket? If this was supposed to be a rejection, he was doing a terrible job at it. The jacket was way too big, but it was warm and smelled like him. Riley immediately felt safer, like his actual arms were enveloping her. Fresh memories of being wrapped up in him lurked in the back of her mind. She told them to fuck off.

Water bottle grenade in hand, Riley slipped out of the suite, fighting the urge to look back.

Walking through the hotel without raising suspicion was easy enough, but getting to the hotel’s underground parking lot was another matter. Since the hotel only had valet parking, there was no guest entrance to the lot. After consulting the building’s blueprints, Riley had found the series of hidden staircases she crept down now, narrowly avoiding getting caught by a pair of roaming guards. With every step, her heels clicked on the concrete, and the sound echoed up the stairwell. She’d been planning on begging Matty to let her keep the designer shoes, but at this point, she would give anything to have her favorite boots instead.

At the bottom of the stairs, Riley clutched the water bottle and peeked into the lot. There wasn’t a soul in sight other than the twenty-nothing year old kid on his phone in the valet booth. His right thumb moved rapidly across the screen, as if he were playing a game. Lucky her.

She chucked the grenade as far as she could away from the booth--and the exit. It exploded with a loud bang, causing the boy to practically jump out of his skin before running to investigate. “Boom,” she said with a smirk.

Riley walked right into the booth. Keys covered two walls from floor to ceiling, each labeled with a number. Her eyes caught on a set of Lamborghini keys just below eye level. Perfect. She hit unlock, and the car chirped from across the lot, lights flashing.

First checking to ensure the valet employee was still distracted, Riley jogged between cars and through the aisles, ignoring the way her stilettos pinched her toes.

“Hey!” A male voice called across the lot. Shit. The valet employee finally saw her. Riley sped up. She probably looked ridiculous, running as fast as she could while trying not to fall on her face.

When she finally reached the sleek, black convertible, Riley flung the door open and slid inside, yanking off her right shoe. It still had that new car smell. Aside from being pissed at her for not giving the car the reverence it deserved--or something like that--Jack would’ve been so jealous if he knew. Not only was it the nicest car any of them would ever drive, but the real icing on the cake was that Mac wasn’t there to destroy it.

The engine roared to life. Bozer practically screamed in her ear. “Damn, Riley. What kind of car did you get? Also, when you exit, turn right.”

“You’ll see,” she responded gleefully. Riley gunned it out of the lot, following Bozer’s instructions.

As soon as she pulled out into the street, Bozer shrieked. “A Lamborghini?!? You stole a fucking Lamborghini?”

Riley cackled with delight, speeding off in pursuit of Pierre.

*****

Meanwhile, Mac set off in search of Desi. Riley’s laughter rang in his ear, a warm sound that reverberated through his bones. He tried and failed to ignore it.

He knew Desi was still in the hotel. Bozer was monitoring all the exits using a Phoenix satellite, so if she had left, Bozer would’ve seen it.

Mac knew this was all his fault. If he hadn’t been distracted by kissing Riley, then Desi wouldn’t have been kidnapped. Plain and simple.

At the thought of kissing Riley, he was transported back into that damn closet, where they’d kept kissing for a few seconds, even after they ditched their audience.

Those precious few seconds nearly undid him.

There was no need to continue the show, yet she still kissed him like he was the very air she needed to breathe. And the way she’d pulled him closer by his tie…It was just enough to foster a small hope that maybe, just maybe, she might have feelings for him too.

He just hoped those feelings were strong enough to forgive him for throwing himself at her without her consent. He’d kissed other girls as ruses before, but this was Riley, and it was different because she’s his best friend and there were uncommunicated feelings involved. Even if it made her uncomfortable, Riley played along with his ruse and totally sold it because that’s her job. That didn’t mean she wasn’t probably pissed. He crossed a line he could never uncross, and no matter what she inevitably said about it, a piece of her hard-earned trust was gone.

Mac shook his head. Getting caught up in Riley was what got him in this mess in the first place. He needed to focus on finding Desi.

He shoved thoughts of Riley into the far recesses of his brain and got to work. Starting from the ballroom--where the auction was still going--he tried to retrace Desi’s attacker’s steps. If he was the kidnapper, then he would’ve taken Desi down the hallway to the left. It was, by far, the least traveled, and it had a multitude of doors and other hallways branching off it, providing plenty of hiding places and alternate routes.

Mac didn’t like working on mere speculation, but it was the closest thing to a lead he had. Whoever took Desi was careful to leave no trace of either person.

“Okay, Mac.” Bozer said. “In this direction, there are four places they could’ve gone: an out of the way conference room, a janitor’s closet, upstairs to a room, or downstairs to the basement.”

The conference room seemed too obvious, but Mac wanted to check it anyway. “Where’s the conference room?”

“It’s-- Hang on. Riley, go straight through the next two roundabouts. Once you’ve gone through the second one, you’ll have crossed into France.”

“Got it.”

“Sorry, Mac. The conference room is down the hall, second to last door on the right.”

“Thanks.” Mac marveled at how Bozer simultaneously juggled helping him search for Desi while guiding Riley through the streets of Monte Carlo--and now, apparently, France. He imagined Bozer at the computer, bouncing between maps and satellite imagery on one monitor and building blueprints on the other.

Mac checked the conference room and the janitor’s closet. Both empty. He hated it, but he was slightly relieved Desi wasn’t stuffed in the closet. Something about the irony of finding his ex--who was kidnapped while he was in a different closet with a different woman--in a closet made him feel sick.

Riley’s voice floated over comms. “Hey, Mac! Any leads on finding Desi?” Her calm and collected tone yanked him out of his guilt spiral. It was like she knew he was caught up in his head, even while hurtling away from him at breakneck speed. He silently thanked her.

“Nothing yet. I’m going to check the basement next.”

“Riley Davis, you are driving over a hundred miles per hour.” Bozer used his best chastising-mom voice. “Pay attention to the road!” Riley didn’t dignify him with a response, but Mac knew she rolled her eyes and pressed the gas pedal a little harder.

*****

Riley couldn’t believe her luck when she caught up to Pierre’s blue sedan without running into any cops. She’d been driving well over a hundred miles per hour, weaving around literally every other car on the road without using her blinker like a true Californian. Catching Pierre was hardly different from her daily commute to work.

Driving that fast, she couldn’t afford to get distracted, so she banished every trace of kissing Mac from her head and focused on catching the con man.

She tailgated Pierre long enough for him to realize she was following him. He turned off the highway, but Riley was hot on his heels.

“Bozer! How do I cut him off?” Her plan was simple: let Pierre think he lost her in the streets and cut him off before he could get back to the highway.

“Take your next left, then an immediate right.”

Riley let a couple cars merge between her and Pierre. Predictably, he kept going straight, which was the quickest way back to the highway from what Riley could tell. Following Bozer’s directions, she turned onto a parallel street.

The cars on this road drove infuriatingly slowly--slowly enough that moments from the auction and the goddamn closet clawed their way in from the edges of her mind. As much as Riley tried to ignore and deny it, she had put all her cards on the table with that kiss.

In doing so, she’d screwed everything up. Before Bozer interrupted them, Mac had been about to say something. A rejection, most likely. Short of verbally confessing, Riley had made her feelings crystal clear, and Mac didn’t feel the same way. He’d played a role to cover their tracks, but he meant none of it. She wasn’t even upset that he’d launched himself at her without asking first. If anyone else tried that, Riley would’ve kicked their ass the moment they had some privacy. But, this was Mac. She trusted Mac. And, if she had said stop, he would’ve immediately stopped, even if it got them in a heap of trouble.

But, even though she trusted him with her body, with her whole life, she didn’t trust him not to shatter her heart into a thousand tiny pieces that even duct tape and paperclips couldn’t put back together.

She cursed at a car that nearly swerved into her lane. Riley had no idea what to do next. There was no way Mac didn’t know how she felt, but she felt none of the relief that came with actually confessing feelings. Should she confess, even though she already knew he couldn’t reciprocate? Or was it better to just keep it to herself and learn to let him go? Both options sucked.

Some part of her knew it was best to just cut her losses and break her own heart, but she wasn’t ready to go down that road just yet.

In addition to her situation with Mac, Riley had no idea what to do next in a literal sense. Bozer had been eerily silent for the last couple minutes.

In the distance, the street came to a dead end. “Bozer…”

“TURN RIGHT!”

Riley nearly jumped out of her skin, but she skidded around the corner and mentally flipped Bozer off. He really needed to work on giving better directions.

Riley brought the car to a screeching stop in the next intersection, blocking Pierre. She put the car in park, flung her door open, and stood, pointing a gun right at Pierre’s face.

“Pierre! Get out of the car and put your hands up, or I’ll shoot.”

“Shoot?” Bozer asked.

“Since when do you have a gun?” Mac followed.

“It’s Desi’s spare,” Riley explained, “now shut up!”

She wiggled her gun at Pierre, something she’d seen Jack do a thousand times. Pierre, smartly, did exactly as she commanded. Slowly, he stepped out of his car and raised his hands up by his head. Keeping her gun trained on his chest, Riley walked toward Pierre, stopping only a few feet away.

“Miss Jackson,” Pierre babbled, “I’m sure we can work something out.”

“Cut the crap. Who do you work for?”

“I work alone.” Pierre didn’t seem to be lying. If he worked alone, then who the hell took Desi?

“Tell me something.” Riley stepped closer. She still wasn’t all that comfortable with guns, but mercifully, her arms held perfectly still. “Do you consider yourself good at your job?”

“Of course, Mademoiselle.”

“Then tell me why a skilled con man would try to pull such a pathetic, obvious scam.”

He gave her the same sick smile he’d given her at the pool. Riley really didn’t like this guy. Schooling her expression into cool boredom, she raised the gun and pressed it to his forehead. “I’ll only ask once more. Who hired you?” Pierre’s eyes widened, realizing who was the predator in this situation and who was the prey. Good. Be scared, Riley thought. Maybe then you’ll give me better answers. He didn’t need to know that she wouldn’t actually shoot him.

“Okay, okay! Let’s not get hasty. I was hired by a man named Viktor Petrov to run this specific job. He supplied the locket and the chip.”

She didn’t dare lower the gun. “I need more information than that. Who is he?”

“I don’t know. He hired me to run it, and gave me ridiculously specific directions, like he didn’t trust me--a professional con man--to successfully run a con. Oh, and he let me keep all of the profit from the sale of the locket. That’s all I know, I swear.” Riley was pretty sure he was telling the truth.

“Riley,” Bozer said in her ear, “I’ve got Interpol agents closing in to pick up Pierre. Did he tell you anything useful?”

“I’ve got a name, but it’s a common one.” She eyed Pierre. Even with a gun between his eyes, he shamelessly dragged his gaze up and down her body, taking in her fitted, navy gown and Mac’s gray suit jacket. Her stomach churned.

Behind her, a pair of Interpol agents announced their presence. Riley breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t have to endure Pierre’s creepy staring anymore.

Slapping handcuffs on the con man, one of the agents said, “We’ll take it from here.” Riley waited until Pierre was securely in the agents’ car before returning to her own.

She prayed their only lead wasn’t a dead end.

*****

Mac had nearly cleared the whole laundry room before finding Desi unconscious and slumped against a washing machine, wrists and ankles zip-tied together. A rag was tied over her nose and mouth. Shit. Shit. Shit. He yanked the rag off and checked her pulse. She’d been drugged--a quick sniff confirmed his chloroform theory--but she was alive.

He cut the zip ties before shaking her shoulder to wake her up. After a few minutes, Desi groaned and cracked her eyes open. “Hey,” he said in a low voice. “I’ve got you.”

She mumbled something, and it took Mac a moment to realize she’d said “I know him.”

“Know who?”

“The man who did this.” Desi coughed. “I...we hooked up once.” Her voice was high-pitched and loopy; she was high as a kite. “Okay, maybe a lot more than once, but before you judge, you need to know that he’s really hot.” Desi tried to sound stern but failed miserably. “Viktor Petrov. He’s a mob boss who poses as an art collector.” Mac checked her for injuries while she explained. “I didn’t find out about the mob boss part until later...about five minutes before he discovered I was a spy. It was all downhill from there.” No shit, Mac thought. “He must’ve been at the auction and recognized me.”

“Then let’s get you out of here before he comes back,” Mac said, hauling her to her feet.

“Goo--I think I’m going to puke.” Mac dutifully held her hair back as she hunched over and vomited on the floor. He couldn’t help but think this was his fault. If only he’d been paying attention…

Not even looking at him, Desi snapped, “Give yourself a break. This isn’t your fault.”

“It feels like it is.”

Desi straightened up. “I know a hundred different ways to take someone out with just my bare hands, yet I still got drugged and dumped in a hotel laundry room. It happens to the best of us. The important part is that you found me, I’m fine, and now it’s time to move on.”

Move on. She didn’t know him at all if she thought he could just move on. First he’d fucked up his relationship with Riley, then he fucked up keeping his partner safe, all in the span of a few minutes. He was on a high speed train of fuckery that only crashed at the end of the line.

“Let’s go,” Desi commanded.

They stumbled back to the suite without any trouble.

#Beth writes #riley+sunglasses+undercover #MacGyver #macriley #mac x riley #Angus MacGyver #riley davis #macgyver fanfiction

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what-is-your-plan-today · 5 years

Text

Stark Spangled Forever: Wings

Intro: They say that once you’ve been inked, it kinda becomes an addiction…

Warnings: Bad language.

Pairings:

Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

A/N:This takes place in the SSB universe way beyond Endgame. You don’t have to have read that series to understand or enjoy this but feel free to check it out but be warned this kinda reveals a few things...

SSF Masterlist // WIYPT Masterlist

This one shot was written for @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan ‘s Follower Celebration writing challenge. My prompt was “Is that a new tattoo?”

I also can’t claim credit for the song contained within this fic, I just tweaked one line…all will become clear when you read!

Please re-blog and comment if you enjoy. Tagging all my usual SSB readers.

“Jamie…”Katie sighed exasperatedly as her 9 year old looked up from where he was sprawled on the rug of the den, piecing his newest lego kit that Sam and Bucky had bought him for his birthday “You need to get your stuff for school.” “Don’t wanna.” he pouted.

“Tough.”

“I don’t feel well.”

Jamie paused and looked up at her and she raised an eyebrow “Nice try Pal.”

“Mommmm”

“Don’t make me shout your father.” she used her ace card.

Jamie gave an exaggerated sigh and stood up, rolling his eyes. Katie bit her lip to stop herself laughing at the utter indignation on his face.

“It’s Friday dude.” she smiled at him. “You got all weekend to play legos if that’s what you wanna do.”

“Does that mean I can stay up late tonight to work on it?” he asked hopefully.

“Define late.” Katie looked at him.

“11?”

“Hmmmm, I dunno.” she said playfully.

“Please?”

“Ok Mom. Can you make sure Harry doesn’t touch it whilst I’m at school?”

“I’ll keep this door shut, I promise.” Katie assured him.

“Hi mammamama!” Harry babbled at her and she grinned, taking him off Steve and planting a kiss to his cheek.

“Hi baby!” she grinned as his hand instantly went to grab the chain of her necklace.

“Jamie not planning on going to school today?” Steve asked her with a grin as Rori headed off to find her shoes.

“Daddy?” Rori tugged on his trouser leg and he turned his attention to her.

“What’s up Princess?”

“I can’t find my sneakers.”

“Where did you leave them?” he asked, his hand gently dropping to the back of her head.

“Erm…” she pondered for a moment, before she looked up at her mom bashfully.

“Somebody left them in the middle of the lounge…” Katie looked at her. “So the Fairies put them away.”

“Sorry…” Rori wrinkled her nose and blinked up at her mom.

“It’s ok. They’re on the shoe rack sweetie.” Katie nodded to the kitchen in the direction of the utility room located at the back of the house.

“Thanks momma.” she said, running off to retrieve them.

“What time does Emmy’s train get in?” Steve looked at Katie.

“You staying with her?” Steve looked at Katie, concern etched across his face. Katie gave a soft laugh.

“She’s a big girl now Steve but yeah, I’m gonna stay.” she said, tugging on his beard playfully.

“Good.” he nodded, jerking his head out of reach. “Do you need me to pick the kids up later or…”

“Thanks daddy.”

“You’re welcome sweetheart.” he said, dropping a kiss to her head before he turned to look up the stairs “Jamie! Come on!”

“I’m coming…” came the surly reply, and no sooner had they heard it he appeared at the top of the steps, rucksack in hand.

“Wait for me Jay…” she called, her small feet slapping on the tiles of the hallway as she went.

“Told you…” Katie said, smirking “He’s a mini you…”

“That filthy look he had on his face? That is a Stark expression.” Steve said, looking back at her as he picked Rori’s rucksack up.

“Is not.” Katie laughed “That’s the face you make whenever someone’s pissing you off.”

Steve gave a snort before he dropped a soft kiss to her lips, making Harry shriek.

“Kissy!” he laughed.

“Easy solution…” Katie heard Steve say loudly “You can both get in the back. End of discussion.”

Their protest’s died as the door snapped shut.

Katie chuckled to herself and looked at Harry “Shall we get you ready to go too baby boy?”

“Go!” he nodded, grinning.

*******

She spotted Emmy emerging into the main terminal and swept her daughter up into a hug.

“Hey mom.” Emmy said, squeezing her back.

“Ready to go get inked?” Katie asked, Emmy grinned and slung her satchel over one shoulder, linking her arm through her mom’s.

“You eaten?” Katie asked as they walked out into the early April sun.

“Yeah, followed the instructions.” Emmy nodded.

“Good.” Katie said. “Nervous?”

“A little.” Emmy shrugged “It’s gonna hurt right?”

“It’s not so bad.” Katie shrugged, “Some places hurt more apparently but…most important thing to remember is if you need a break just ask.”

“Ok.”

Eventually they reached the place and Emmy opened the door, stepping in. David, the man that had done the consultation a few weeks back beckoned them both through.

“Ok, so…” he said, tilting the screen to show Emmy the picture of her design he’d scanned “I gotta say I’m excited about this one, it’s pretty unique.”

“My dad drew it.” Emmy beamed.

“It’s phenomenal.” David smiled “I had to sharpen some of the lines up but there’s no major changes. Are you happy with it?”

Emmy nodded.

“Ok, and yours Mrs Rogers…” David clicked and the imaged changed. “The touches we’re adding to your thigh are fairly straight forward but this one…this is what I think it is right?”

Katie nodded.

“Awesome…” David smiled, and hit print and stood up to collect both the prints.

“Have you told Dad?” Emmy looked at her. Katie smirked and shook her head.

“Think that earned us a beer…” Katie said checking her watch. “Come on, we got time before we need to collect the heathens.”

***** “Show me! Show me!” Rori demanded.

“You can’t see it yet short stuff.” Emmy said fondly “It’s still wrapped up.”

“When can you unwrap it?” Jamie asked.

“Another hour or so yet.” Katie answered “So quit bugging your sister and go put your school bags away.”

“Emmy do you wanna watch Sponge Bob with me?” Rori asked.

“Only if we can sing the special song…” Emmy grinned, holding her hand out for a hi-five. Rori giggled, and slapped her smaller palm against her sister’s.

“What special song?” Katie looked at her.

“Oh just a variation on the theme tune we made up.” Emmy said, grinning mischievously

“I dread to think.” Katie muttered, watching Jamie and Rori head up stairs to deposit their rucksacks in their room.

Katie bustled around making dinner, simple spaghetti and meatballs as requested by all 4 kids...well, the elder 3...Harry merely clapped his hands and yelled “getty” in agreement. She was stood stirring the sauce when she heard Steve walk through the door an toss his keys onto the table in the hall little under an hour later.

“Daddy’s home!” she heard Rori shriek and a moment later Steve chuckled.

“Hi sweetie.” Steve said, as Emmy stood up to give him a hug. “How was the tattooing?”

“Good.” she nodded, “Oh, actually, mom….should I unwrap it now?”

“Errr, yeah.” Katie said, turning the heat down on the stove and accepting the kiss Steve offered. “Can you watch these 2. I’ll go help Emmy out…”

“Sure.” Steve said, “Where’s Jamie?”

“2 guesses” Katie grinned at him and Steve shook his head, smiling, knowing full well that meant he was nose deep in lego.

“What on Earth are they watching?” Steve looked at his wife.

“Sponge Bob, apparently…” Katie said. The two looked at one another, before they headed back towards the den and peeked through the door which was open a crack.

Only she wasn’t singing the theme tune. They were completely different words.

“Who lived as a Capsicle under the sea?” Emmy paused to look at Jamie and Rori who both yelled back in chorus, Harry mimicking them as best he could whilst clapping his hands.

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

“Saluting a hello and killing Nazis…” Emmy continued

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

“If patriotism be something you wish…”

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

By this point Katie was laughing that hard she couldn’t breathe. She doubled over, tears pouring from her face as the kids continued their relentless serenade to their father.

“Then throw a big shield and punch with your fist…”

“CAPTAIN ROGERS!”

Eventually the song stopped and the room was simply filled with laughter which died down. Steve wiped his eyes and looked at his kids before he crossed his arms.

“You’re all grounded.” he smirked, and then ran as they started pelting him with throw cushions.

****

Suddenly it dawned on him what it was.

“Is that…is that a new tattoo?” Steve sat up, looking at her leg then to her face, and back again.

“That’s for Tony.” she said softly, “And these…” she pointed out 4 additional stars she’d had placed within the existing design “One for each of the kids.”

“Not one for me?” he eventually pouted playfully, looking back up at her.

It was his wings. The wings he had worn on his helmet. The wings adopted by the Howlies as their symbol in the war. And above that sat a star that was the same as the others on her thigh.

“That’s for you…” she said softly.

“Do you like it Soldier?” she asked softly, biting her lip.

He looked up at her, smiling as his hands gripped her bare waist and he pulled her down with him so she was led on top of him. “I love it.”

“I love you…” she grinned, melting into his arms as his hands ran up her bare back, her nose nudging his softly.

“Back at ya pretty girl.” he smirked, before his lips claimed hers in a heated kiss.

@the-omni-princess @momobaby227 @geekofmanythings16 @angelofhell-666 @thewackywriter @marvelfansworld @cobalt-gear @asgardlover75 @jennmurawski13 @jtargaryen18 @saiyanprincessswanie @navispalace @patzammit @joannaliceevans-fanficblog @icanfeelastormbrewing @djeniiscorner @ayamenimthiriel @coldmuffinbanditshoe @disneylovingal @madzmilllz @sgtjaamesbaarnes @official-and-unstable-satan @sweater-daddiesdumbdork

#star’s celebration challenge #stark spangled banner #oneshot #steve rogers x original female character #steve rogers x oc #steve rogers #captain america #mcu #mcu fanfiction #marvel #marvel fanfiction #avengers #avengers fanfiction #stark spangled forever

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