#so its not enough to just miss chats after the first branch u have to keep track of the hearts you get to make sure youre on the right path

[killjoy-prince]

Why are the second bad relationship ends hard to get for the deep route boys ughhhhhhhhhh

[tuagonia]

mistletoe - adam du mortain x f! detective

Pairing: Adam du Mortain x f!detective Summary: The detective catches an unsuspecting Adam under the mistletoe during the division’s holiday party.  Rating: G/T (to be sure).Pretty tame, just fluff. Warning: alcohol mention. Word Count: 2.3k  Note: I just really really wanted to write this scene that cropped up in my head during a  f u n  bout of insomnia. I’d like to think this takes place teetering on the edge right before the deep romance sweeps these two fools away. Anyway i used this fic as a way to get over my fear of writing for twc and to get to know my detective... before i launch into the other ideas i have.

—

It’s not that she’s drunk.

No. Not drunk. 

Happy, most definitely, and loquacious. More than the usual amount of conversation that he’s used to. And more laughter. 

Definitely more laughter. 

It’s an unrefined, rough, pitched-at-the-end sound he’s grown used to (fond of?) over the last year. 

Where the more uncouth the subject... the more untamed it becomes, and fighting the stiff edges of his mouth to remain in place becomes an active task.

There’s something so unsuspecting about it too, like how everything concerning her has been up to now. 

Olivia dances with Felix and Nate, and his oldest friend attempts to teach her how to move with the steps that feel like a lifetime ago. Where her shoulders, ankles, hips twist and she turns on the spot.

She sways with the motions of days gone past, as if she’s caught time in her hands — the elixir to it in her mug of wine clasped firmly in her grip — and Nate praises her. 

Adam didn’t catch the name, he didn’t care for it six decades ago and he doesn’t think he’ll bother remembering it now. But he’s certain it’s something as ridiculous sounding as it looks... if she weren’t doing it surprising justice.

When she spins in Felix’s arms, the silver, sparkling discs of her dress catch in the station’s white light and he’s dazzled...more than he usually already is.

No. Not drunk.

Just happy.

In the handful of instances she stops by him during her social rounds, she asks if he wants anything -- a refill of the uninspiring wine? -- and his responses are short. Yes. No. Good. Hmm. And when he doesn’t have the words he manages a slight shake of his head or a passive shrug.

Too distracted by the smile on her face, the mischief he can see twinkling behind her eyes. Sometimes, he can believe it. That she was a troublemaker, up to no good with too much time on her hands, and not this...woman...this decorous facade of pencil skirts, unscuffed heels, and neatly ironed blouses.

He can hear it in the deep, unearthed tone she takes when she lands a passing, unassuming, coquettish comment.

The reason he keeps his answers mono-syllabic.

He watches as she hovers over the snack table, where the food has undoubtedly gone cold, compiling a paper plate of random assortments and grabbing a tin of soda. And when he can no longer see her, he follows the sound of her heels out of the main floor towards the entrance -- barely visible from the wall he’s been hugging all night.

Olivia places the plate on the officer’s desk currently on graveyard duty. He's been longingly listening to and watching the party taking place just a few steps away. But he thanks the detective kindly, playfully clinks tin against mug of wine. 

She meets his eye on the way back -- brief, ever so brief -- before turning her gaze downward.

“You should come,” she said, directing her attention to the rest of the group. She avoided his stare, almost always avoiding his stare when it came to matters of bypassing his jurisdiction. But flitted reflexively to him, and then swivelled back to Nate and Felix (briefly over Mason), and she repeated. “All of you. You’re practically honourary members of the division.”

And although she didn’t say it to him, Adam knows (hopes?) she expected him to answer the invitation. 

Earlier in the evening (much earlier because how long is this going to go on for?), Nate asks him if he’s enjoying himself and Adam muddles together a gruff answer.

His response, with the words “work commitment” hardly audible, prompts bark-like laughter from the second-in-command and claps him on the shoulder before heading back towards the crowd. 

At the end of the night, which finally arrives right when Adam decides he can’t take another rendition of the tracklist that’s been on loop for the past four hours, he stays behind to help the detective clean up.

He sends the rest of the unit home, much to Mason’s relief and much to Felix’s displeasure, and volunteers to make sure the detective catches her cab and gets home safely. 

Or, at least, that’s what he tells himself after Felix winks at him, corralled out of the station by Nate.

And then they’re alone... save for the officer who’s gone on his break. 

She moves about space, clearing paper cups and forgotten plates of food in a large garbage bag. And she talks, and talks, and talks. 

Adam loses track of what exactly, he’s just too busy listening to the quality of her voice. A little hoarse after all the chatting over the music and enthusiastic laughter. It gives it a new edge, one he could grow to like -- the sudden deep, tender quality of it. 

Definitely not drunk as she launches into a spiel about something or other Nate taught her last week.

She tends to do this, jabber on about absolutely nothing in particular when it’s just the two of them. And although he prefers silence, he welcomes it. Because sometimes she’s not actually talking to him, instead using the stoic agent’s still presence to bounce ideas off of. 

Not like he minds. 

He’ll be whatever she needs him to be.

Adam tenses, unaware of where the thought could have surfaced out of so easily. He shocks himself out of his trance, out of following the detective around the room with soft, measured steps. Out of the unconscious non-committal noises he punctuates breaks in her speech with. 

He stops just short of the doorway of the kitchenette. 

Olivia turns to face him after dumping a number of coffee cups in the sink. She quirks an eyebrow, wiping her hands in a tea towel before casting it aside. Her mouth opens, but whatever witty remark she has ready dies in her throat.

Adam can’t decipher the zoetrope of emotions that flicker then disappear, hiding and lurking behind a wily smile. Her mouth is the colour of wild berries, purples and reds, and the crisp jasmine notes in her perfume remind him of a frosty mid-afternoon -- low winter sun in his eyes as he wades through a forest.

He can’t look right at her.

Gleaming winks of silver, a peek of white teeth, and a twinkle behind a dark curtain of hair.

“What?” 

He can scarcely recognise his voice, mostly a husky and unexpected croak. 

A full view of pearly teeth and the stretch of Mondeuse Blanche shiraz-coloured lips.

Adam almost misses the throw-away manner she points a finger up in the space in between them. For a fraction of a second, he’s distracted from the sudden kick of her heart and flickers his gaze to where she’s directing him.

Obnoxious oval-shaped gold leaves, thickly crowded plastic branches, and pearly-coloured fake berries hover in the space he’s decidedly placed between them. His stomach lurches in immediate recognition of the artificial plant.

“Mistletoe,” she chuckles an airy sort of sound. Different from all the crass, rough gleeful noises she made all night. 

A sound, maybe, she might wield against his sanity?

Adam’s gone rigid, the heat he’s been staving off all night makes a mockery of him, only egged on by the tugging of her lips when he glances back down at her. 

She steps closer and he can’t react fast enough, genetic mutations damned under her vexatious gaze. Her heart thumps a little heavier, a chaotically determined sound he can’t fend off. 

His own heart starts up that racket he’s grown to call reckless. 

“I heard,” she begins, so close now he can see the little scar on her nose from an old piercing. Tannin, oak, and jasmines -- the sparkling and sweet scent of violet from her lipstick, “that it’s bad luck...to refuse a kiss under the mistletoe.”

The click of the ‘k’ and the hiss of the ‘s’ in that word hanging so heavy in the air, the breath of its remnants brush his cheek. Faintly, his mind wanders between two realms. One of old wives tales and superstitions where a kiss is required for every berry in the bunch and, the second, how, if it weren’t for those heels, where would that breath have landed instead?

Her sly grin is tickled by his lack of response, the stiffness creeping into his muscles and his conflicted expression.

“Commanding Agent, do you -- maybe -- want to help me…” she begins, another step closer and this time he doesn't think he wants to move, “fight off any unnecessary misfortunes?”

Adam doesn’t recognise himself. He doesn’t know where it comes from, or how he’s sanctioned the movement of his body. It’s minimal, but to Olivia, who has spent the last year fighting off the hunger from the nearly nonexistent mementoes, it’s colossal. 

The smug smile on her face nearly slips.

It’s the tiniest, faintest, barely discernible half-nod as his gaze refuses to leave the curve of her lower lip. Fuller, rounder... he’s thought of the seam of her mouth longer than he’d like to dwell on.

She moves forward and there are no thoughts just the drumming in his chest that pounds a deafening beat. Her hand finds his first, a comfort from the heat roaring inside him, and he responds by tracing the lines of her palms with jittery fingertips. 

Olivia shivers and why does that thrill him? He wonders how long until she decides to put him out of his misery.

Please. Please. Please. The thumping against his ribcage wants to meet the erratic pulse of hers.

Roused by his response, her other hand so warm and soft draws a curious path up his arm, over the swell of his bicep and past his shoulder before it hesitates to fully press at the back of his neck where he knows she can feel fevered skin. 

It takes her an eternity, staring up at him with hooded eyes, dark fluttering eyelashes almost touching the tops of her cheeks. And he’d wait until whatever comes after that eternity.

This is the closest she’s ever been to him and he can’t help but revere the details he once took for granted. 

Olivia rises and the hand behind his neck cautiously coaxes him to meet her. 

And then, right as he thinks the world beneath his feet as he knows it will be thrown off its axis, she tilts her head a fraction and the hot press of her mouth meets his blushing cheek instead.

She lingers and everything amplifies. 

She is a dizzying bottle of Chianti, left out in the sun too long, and warming him all the way down with each indulgent sip.

A field of blooming shrubs of jasmines.

Warm, brisk, spring morning sun.

He hears her deeply inhale, and does he have the same effect on her like she does on him?

His heightened senses register the moment she parts and moves away, suddenly cold and left with the weight of the cream of her lipstick.

Her touch is deliberate, soaking up the feel of his skin, the fine hairs at his nape, under her gliding palms -- and she settles back on her heels.

The imprint of her lips remains on his cheek, willing it to singe him -- mark him -- so he never has to forget what they feel like. The pressure of her mouth, the moment her breath shuddered. 

Olivia makes to touch his cheek, to wipe away all evidence with the sweep of her thumb, but Adam stops her. He catches her wrist with reflexes she’ll never get used to.

He closes his eyes and he tunes in to the demanding call of his heart, thundering, thundering, thundering. And it won’t still. 

Just a moment longer. 

Is what it would ask.

Just a moment longer, so he can memorise the feel of her mark on his skin -- of the instance she cherished him, made room for him, during a fleeting blip that will be her life. 

Olivia moves again, fighting against the gentle strength of his hand, and she rubs the pad of her thumb once, twice, three times. Until the smudge of her affection is reduced to a memory.

She smiles, unlike the smiles she shared earlier. There is no arrogance, no teasing, no playful ridicule. 

She smiles -- with those lips that have touched him.

A sharp ringing echoes in the tiny kitchenette and, like he’s waking from a deep sleep, he blinks away the haze of their bewitchment. 

As if nothing happened, Olivia digs into her purse, sources her mobile and answers. The conversation is brief, he doesn’t follow any of it, still reeling from her magnetism.

“My cab’s outside,” she says when she hangs up. 

Still paralyzed, Olivia meets his eye and grins, before she drops her gaze to the floor.

She shakes her head and releases a small, anxious laugh. She touches his arm when she moves past him, out of the kitchenette, and heads for the exit.

He watches her leave, listening to the light click-clack of heels, still shaking her head and-- he practically hears the smile in her voice when she calls out behind her. 

“Happy holidays, Commanding Agent du Mortain.”

--

Note II: Yeah, it’s The Twist. Nate was teaching Felix and Olivia the twist....because I said so and because i hc N being really into the 60s/70s music scene....long legs.....in....flared....jeans. So many typos. But if I didn’t post it when I did I was never going to post it.

[alotsgonnachange]

Mystic Messenger Saeran’s AE Thoughts (.......And Prayers..) #Spoilerz

Hello, I just finished Saeran’s after ending and I have a lot of things to say and I am going to write it down while I'm still all keyed up about it.

First of all… Please DO NOT ask me how much money I spent to finish this as fast as I did…. I’m grown but my bank account is certainly going to have a good ole fashioned CHUCKLE at this….. It’s been a long quarantine I deserve a lil happiness as a treat methinks!

I have been playing this absolutely insane game since I think 2016? When I first started playing the deep routes had JUST come out I think? And I was just finishing up high school and am now a college grad...lmao

I’ve played all routes at least once except Jaehee but i’ve seen walkthroughs of her route (I’ve heard it makes you hate Jumin and he’s my favorite so um. hehe). V’s and Saeran’s routes I found to be so emotionally intense and just….a lot and I've been waiting a long ass god damn time for this after ending okay…. I would theorize and make up an ending in my head but i’m no writer so it was hard to figure out lol. I’m a Jumin stan mostly but I love everybody and yeah I should probably play that jumin dlc too but I need like a DAY to recover from Saeran’s AE. Enough about me HERE are my thoughts on it overall

Major Saeran AE Spoilers under da cut!

Can we please discuss V showing up to the C+R conference room with basically chloroform and made everybody Pass Out like??? I was alone in my room at like midnight just SCREAMING at my phone???? And the creepy ass CG ???? It’s like that gif of sarah paulson from ahs being like “I put arsenic in the wine….and the pasta”

Anyway I screamed at V a lot during this process!!

Loved RFA being sweet and kind to saeran (before V fucking drugged them…)

This is such common V behavior “I have to do it all myself...there’s no other way..” GIRL SHUT UPPP You do this every route....

SO many CG’s and I enjoy them a lot

Saeran’s sprite looks a little TOO crisp compared to everyone else but maybe its a glitch??? V next to him is in 480p while saeran is like 1080p

Hearing both Saeran and Saeyoung missing the other brother the whole time??? PAIN. All my homies know is PAIN

BOSS and his V for Vendetta ass guy fawkes mask??? I literally yelled “this game is TERRIBLE!!” several times at my phone

Their dad is so>??????? When he was sitting on the couch with saeyoung in that one CG while simultaneously telling him to kill himself?????????? Maybe chairman han is actually the best dad in this game somehow

When V and Rika were like we’re back together teehee teehee okay pack it up bonnie and clyde ..

When chairman han calls u and says hes jealous of u and saeran…..HUH????? I’m calling HR

When they go to the apartment and see boss and vanderwood and poor saeyoung is sitting there seeing his brother for the first time in years i wanted to D word sooooo bad like PAIN...PAIN….

Can we HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT JUMIN HAN BEING THE BEST CHARACTER IN THE GAME AND HE LOST EVERYTHING IN THIS AE……. he just took the blame and moved on jumin what the hell….. I love him so much r we serious? He watched his 2 closest friends betray him in the worst way and found out abt how Rika abused Saeyoung and Saeran???? I felt just AWFUL. Terrible ...Terrible….

Rika’s change in demeanor from Saeran's actual route is certainly a Choice. I find her much more bearable this time around and unfortunately i think I was too nice to her and ended up with a bad end LMFAO

I was happy to see Saeran stand up for himself and become stronger and confident. You go king!

The CG of Yoosung laying in Zen’s lap is everything to me…

HOWEVER YUP I sure did get a bad ending and I was so mad fdsafdskfdhsf ! (I would be happy to clarify how I got the good one the second time.) MAKE SURE To SAVE EARLY in days 2 and 3 bc the branches on day 4 is where the bad end will show up. For me it was the first day 4 chat and then a story mode titled “SAVIOR”.... If you see that RUN FOR THE HILLS!!

I was so mad! But I had saved in day 2 and replayed and MANAGED to get good end

I’m obsessed with everyone calling V and Rika “that psychotic couple” like…..its true its true…

No those two are so toxic… V’s route was torture watching them go on and on about the sun like yo can yall just call each other babe like normal people.

I respect straight people but not V and RIka that shit was just wrong… Straight marriage was a mistake

Oh lord i also FULLY Forgot Rika killed the twins’ mother…. Yeah that scene was um Certainly a lot but it needed to happen eventually

Like it’s good they know but damn that storyline is just so bleak

I think it was satisfying TO A DEGREE….To see Rika understand where she was wrong, why she was wrong, fess up and even APOLOGIZE! I was very surprised.

Saeran and Saeyoung are Certainly twins with the amount that those two self sacrifice in every route MY GOD…..

The scene with Jumin talking to his father and the other scene of him praying oh my god I cannot tell you how happy I was to see him begin to understand and address his own feelings in a route that was not his own. My main problem with Jumin’s route has always been the trapping MC in his penthouse aspect.. This way Jumin understands love and emotions without being overly possessive !!! YAY also loved seeing him be on good terms with his dad who was surprisingly profound

That last Story mode was Really a Lot…. and Strange things occurred which I will get into in just a minute

Jumin becoming a politician is so funny but ngl … i see it.

Yoosung going to france to study pastries ok king I see u! (it made more sense to me than the vet thing anyway)

Lastly Zen FURRY ERA

MY BEEF With the AE

I was happy with how they handled it for the most part. I think Cheritz heard our feedback about V’s after ending and was like okay….let’s try something different

HOWEVER

Saeran…. Sweet kind saeran… IS SO AFFECTIONATE HAHA….

He must have said I love you like 300 times…..very mushy gushy flowery language...and maybe that’s just his personality but for me it was like eating cake with buttercream cake. It means well, but god damn is it sugary and going to cause a stomach ache later.

He was just… SO MUCH! SO forward and ON all the time in his affections. I honestly felt kind of smothered and by day 3 and 4 I was sooooo over all the compliments… King you’ve come a very long way, but ur still putting MC on a pedestal and probably need to see a therapist.

Nextly….Rika and V….. Naw that knock out gas really ...that hurt lol. Coming from “I would do anything to protect RFA” V? Idk like…. EYE felt betrayed reading that. It was just hurtful. I can’t even imagine how the members would have felt as they were passing out. It was just so cruel. I suppose I understand why but like?? Just TERRIBLE

Them being in cahoots with the agency and the prime minister..HUH??? Also too much

V just felt so irresponsible like I do understand that he ended up in a weird web of secrets that’s hard to untangle but he’s so fucking stubborn he’s SO stubborn it makes me insane. Like sir… It seems like in other routes he wanted to try to protect Rika and the RFA.. But in this AE it seems more to me that he was like yeah i’m protecting Rika and That’s It… so fucking hurtful to me. Both of y’all apologize ESPECIALLY to the twins and Jumin..

The forgiveness thing…… Okay so I think some people will not like that Saeran decided to “forgive” the people who hurt him (Rika, V, Saejoong, his mother). I would point out that I actually think this was approached somewhat well. He says at one point that he doesn’t think they’re good or bad, just people. I think he sounded mature and like this was the way for him personally to accomplish his healing process. Would I have loved for Saeran to flip V and Rika off and kick Saejoong off a cliff? Yea I really would. But like…. If that’s what HE needs to do to heal then who am I to judge?

HOWEVER…. Everything Eye just said goes out the window when the scenes at the end with Saejoong come up… I was PERPLEXED. Like why did he HUG his deranged father who just kicked the shit out of him??? Also all the chat options that MC has with him r like blah blah you’re like this because no one loves you were so corny to me LMFAOOOO?

AND WHEN HE WAS IN THE ROOM LATER WITH SAERAN… i’m sorry but if that were me I would have called a nurse to deck his ass. Cool he turned himself in YOU SUCK SOOOO BAD AND I NEVER WANT YOU TO COME NEAR SAEYOUNG AND SAERAN AGAIN THANKS.

*scratches ass* I wish I got to see saeyoung and saeran finally sit down and have that first conversation after a long time and hug CG but the ending was fine I GUESS….. I dont care about ROMANCE I want those boys to be happy brothers together

Anyway that was really emotionally exhausting but I fr think I got it out of my system after literal years… And I can rest in peace knowing the choi twins are happy. THATS ALL I WANTED TO KNOW!!!!

[frangipanidownunder]

So you simply can't post a list of kiss prompts and expect me NOT to ask you for one. Do you not even KNOW me? Please consider a ficlet (or more!) for #11-Reunion kiss. But maybe pre-breakup. A reunion after being apart for some other reason? This could easily be combined with another kind of kiss - first, shy, etc. (And I am holding my breath for your maid/master AU!) Fic is Medicine Anon

A Lifetime Ago: Fic

Fat blossoms, serrated petals, marshmallow pink, weighted the branches on the tree in the courtyard of her block. Sun heated the top of her head, lifting the hair from her scalp, and the interior of the car smelled of warm leather and dust. Motes danced as she laid her jacket on the passenger seat. 

When Mulder got in, he moved the jacket. Of course. She’d become so used to driving alone. More dust sparkled in the shaft of sunlight that shot through the glass. A glitter welcome party. 

“Sorry,” she mumbled, lost in the weird sense of the strange and familiar, the old and the new. He looked at her oddly. 

It made her blush, the intensity of his scrutiny. But the house looked pretty in the rearview mirror. Climbing vines over the fence, vivid green leaves bushy on the trees and shrubs. She could see a row of stakes just by the shed.

“Tomatoes?” she asked, nodding over her shoulder.

“Dirty Girl, Super Snow White and Ruby Gold.”

She drove over the gravel towards the road. “Sounds like one of those movies you used to watch.”

His chuckle was chesty, and she caught his full smile out the corner of her eye. He looked well. He looked good. He’d been looking better each time she’d seen him over the past few months, as though he’d turned some corner in his mind and life was no longer the bitter drag it had been. If tomato plants with exotic names were the key to this change, she’d take that over Prozac and desperate, begging midnight phone calls.

Years before she had loved those quiet, murmured conversations. When they meant connection, trust. But the FBI was a lifetime, a lost child and a break-up ago. Now, phone calls were made in office hours, more recently, she realised, when she was already on her way to see him.

“Where are we going again?” he asked, winding the window down and resting an elbow on the sill. “I admit I was surprised when you called. It kind of felt like you were asking me on a date.” He looked across at her and the fresh blast of air saved her from blushing again. “Is this a date?”

Chuffing, she fixed her eyes on the road. “When was the last time you went out, Mulder?”

“I go out,” he said, indignant. 

She snorted. “Running at three in the morning does not constitute going out.” 

“I’ve become friendly with the guy at the nursery.”

“Friendly?”

“Don’t give me that look. I can be friendly, Scully.” She remembered his friendly as either empathetic, nerdy or flirty.  “He orders heirloom produce for me, teaches me about companion plants and has a fascination for UFOs. Funny how life works out, huh?”

“Huh,” she said. Nerdy.

A colleague at the hospital had married at the winery last fall and Scully had been struck by the setting, the ambience. Now she looked around and saw its precise beauty, high vaulted ceiling, wide landscapes on the silvery walls, starched white linen, gold embossed menus, cut crystalware. It was over the top. God, she’d misjudged this. Why didn’t she just go for Clint’s Diner where the talking point was the font used to spell the name, so that the L and the I were joined to form what looked like a U. Asking for the cunt’s special was Mulder’s favourite joke.  Even the Italian bistro with the red and white checked plastic tablecloths and fake tealights in jam jars would have been a better choice.

“So it is a date,” he said, but behind his broad grin there was a look of trepidation. He went to hook his thumbs in his belt loops but he wasn’t wearing shitty jeans. Instead, his fist curled into his pants pocket and he stood, uncharacteristically insignificant, in the magnificent room.

Guilt flared in her chest. Mulder had been a recluse for years, pummelling his chest with his self-hatred and lacing all their interactions with accusations and blame, and now, because he was growing fucking tomatoes, she’d decided he could cope with a three-course degustation lunch and two glasses of Pinot Gris?“This is not what I…” But she was cut off by the Maitre D who swept over and checked the booking. “Dr Scully, yes, that’s right.” Why had she chosen that salutation when she called. It made it sound like a business lunch.

Their table was on the terrace under heavy-scented purple wisteria. The waiter unflapped serviettes like he was cracking a whip. He placed glasses, crockery and cutlery with the precision required for surgery. Mulder remained quiet the entire time, but regarded her, not the waiter. His expression softened when the waiter left and dappled light filtered over his skin.

“This is not what I expected, Scully. But it’s a step up from chilli dogs and Shiner Bock.”

Ugh. Now she was craving an evening on the couch watching him watching the game. “I’m sorry, Mulder. This feels all wrong.”

“Hey,” he said, leaning forward, sliding his hand over the table top, but careful to leave his fingers just an inch from hers. “It’s fine. I kind of love being wined and dined. It makes me feel special.” His fingers crept closer, close enough for her to see the white fleck on his left index nail, the light abrasion on his ring finger knuckle, close enough to remember what those elegant digits used to do to her.“As long as you don’t expect me to put out, Scully.” He grinned suddenly. “You should know up front that I’m not that easy.”

No, she thought, you’re not. We were never easy, you and me. She laughed at his joke anyway, his smile urged her to indulge him. The waiter brought the wine and Mulder sniffed, swirled and sipped it before giving it his approval. They chose entrees and mains and he chatted amiably, telling stories about the nursery dude and his collection of blurry photos of cigar-shaped crafts.

“I hadn’t the heart to tell him it was all BS, Scully. Why burst his bubble? He gets a lot of joy out of it.” Ah, empathy.

“And you get free seeds. Sounds like a fair exchange.”

He sat back, arms behind his head, before realising where he was and sitting upright, hands on his lap, much more respectable. “I’ve missed you,” he said, out of nowhere. “But this was nice. Unexpectedly so. A nice date, if I may be so bold as to describe it so, Doc.”

Flirty. She chuffed, cheeks aflame. The wine, she thought. It was always the wine. “It’s good to see you so relaxed, Mulder. It’s been a while.”

“Was I ever relaxed, Scully?” he asked, genuinely. “I look back now and see how tightly coiled I was. Have been.” His head bobbed down, but his eyes lifted to hers. “Am.”

The first time she visited him after she left, he was cowering under the kitchen table, shards of glass and ceramic scattered across the floor. He didn’t speak for an hour. She sat at a chair six feet away from him, listening to his tight sobs, watching his shoulders bunch, while she embraced her old friend, guilt.

“You’ve been through a lot, Mulder. We both have. It’s been a difficult…”

“Life?” he supplied.

“I was going to say time, but yeah. That too.” She laughed and so did he. His fingers edged forward again, touching hers this time. Heat sparked. He felt it too, he almost recoiled in shock, but pressed on, covering her hand with his. He clasped it gently, lifted it, nuzzled her knuckles, eyes closed so she could admire the length of his lashes and the furrow between his brows. A lifetime of pain in two creases. She had an urge to kiss them, run her tongue along the downy lines of them, taste his familiar skin.

“We should go,” she said, after a time. 

He held the door open for her and stooped inside the car, dazzling her with his smile. “Just remember, I don’t go all the way on first dates.”

“What about first base?” she said, after he’d already shut the door.

They drove back, listening to an 80s radio station that Mulder found with ease. He belted out Living on a Prayer and other big ballads, air guitar and all. She smiled all the way to the house. When she parked, Sinead O’Connor’s singular voice introduced Nothing Compares 2 U. She went to turn the radio off but he held her wrist.

“I love this song,” he said. “Prince’s masterful lyrics. And that video clip.”

“It was a powerful statement,” she replied and let his fingers curl around hers. 

“I really did enjoy this, Scully. Going out, you know, where people are…out there. It’s hard sometimes. I…don’t…I haven’t done it often because it feels like I’m a trespasser, that I don’t belong.”

“You never did. We never did, Mulder. We were always on the outer.”

“But with you,” he said, snugging her single hand in both of his. “I always felt braver in company.”

Heat spread in her chest, her heart pinged. She didn’t know what to say. Literally no words formed, despite her mouth falling open. Tears burnt at her eyes but she wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t. 

“What about that first base, Scully?” His smile was a little hopeful, a lot wobbly.

She nodded. He captured her open lips and closed them between his. It was strange and familiar, old and new again. Sparkles glittered behind her eyes, just like those dust motes. When was that? Just a few hours ago? Surely not. That glitter welcome party was a lifetime ago.

[dailymolliarty]

The Mouse and the Spider by I’m Over There: Jim Moriarty gets bored. Molly Hooper gets lonely. They’re just two planets revolving around the brilliant sun that is Sherlock Holmes, drawn in by his gravity. And his light. But everybody needs distractions… 

Song as Old as Rhyme by @wherestoriescomefrom:  Hush, the wind is blowing hard. Be quiet, child, sleep soundly - Or the Dark One will steal your heart. [Beauty and the Beast AU]

Nameless by @wherestoriescomefrom: The first name was expected - even welcomed. The second, on the other hand, left much to be desired. And Jim would never understand what it was about it that was compelling. [Soulmate AU: On one hand, the name of your soulmate, on the other - your enemy. Molliarty.]

The Rose Point Manor:  A young woman struggling in an unjust society takes a break from the theatrics of pretending to be her male counterpart, Mark Hooper, and decides to relax at the quiet but foreboding Rose Point Manor. There she comes to a realization that something far more sinister lurks there than at her morgue back home - Victorian AU

We’re Ancient History:  When Molly Hooper had begun her scientific expedition, she never knew her time on the dig sites would unearth more than the dead.

Forget Me Not:  “This melancholy London - I sometimes imagine that the souls of the lost are compelled to walk through its streets perpetually. One feels them passing like a whiff of air.” What happens when two lost souls find each other? Are they still forgotten? - Amnesia!AU

Capture My Good Side: “Photography is all about secrets. The secrets we all have and will never tell.”

Deus Mortis: "You can hide from the devil, but he’ll always find you.“ - Victorian AU

Face Value: “I’m not sure how to describe this nonsense, basically Molly looks good in a moustache and Jim notices.”

Not a Body Farm: Molly really should’ve known better than to download FarmVille on a criminal mastermind’s cell phone, even if it had been a hilarious joke at the time. Since one day she wakes up in a bed in some random farm in the middle of nowhere, and the deed to the property in her name.

Oh God, Not the Westwood!:  In which timid Molly Hooper must hide a heinous crime from a man who likes to watch a murder take place while drinking his morning coffee.

Life Preserver: “Missing you comes in waves and tonight I am drowning.”

Midnight Edition: The Bittersweet: Pop-rocks can be unpredictable. In an instance, a delight to the senses, or startling painful the next - smut

The Bittersweet:  Even delicious things can be sour, at another glance.

Third Date Syndrome: Long bouts of silence and awkwardness on first dates are inevitable, and for the hundredth time Molly wished she was exempted from it.

We’ll Always Have St. Barts: “I wish I didn’t love you so much.” - Casablanca AU

Apex: Molly Hooper thinks fondly of Jim from IT, but can’t get enough of Jim Moriarty - contains smut~

The Parting Glass: After Reichenbach, Molly Hooper is drowning. She receives a package, request and tradition from a very dead Jim Moriarty. She receives nothing but burdens from a very alive Sherlock Holmes.

Rust and Stardust: “The last long lap is the hardest. I shall be dumped where the weed decays, and the rest is rust and stardust.” - Jim is a ghost, and wouldn’t it just figure that he haunts Molly Hooper.

Wild and Precious: “Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” - How Molly fell in love with a ghost, and tried not to waste her life beside him. She failed. - settled in the same universe of Rust and Stardust

Release: Written for the prompt “Jim fucking Molly so hard and so good that she can’t even get a full word out, only moans and half-uttered curses “: In which Jim surprises Molly after work - contains smut~

A Love Outside of Time: There’s a lot of strange happenings at 2945 S Willow Street, shrieks and screams and moans that have terrorized the neighbors and left the house unsold for generations. Can the great paranormal investigator, Sherlock Holmes, exorcise the spirits living there?

Gifts Given and Received: Sherlock ruined Molly’s Christmas gift and Jim is determined to make her holiday better. - ASIB AU, contains smut~

Cabernet Sauvignon: Written for the prompt “Jim’s ready to propose, but wants the event to be special, and so he hides the ring in Molly’s wine. Molly drinks it down too fast and chokes on the ring”: A fluffy slice of life, where Molly makes Jim’s life just a little less lonely.

Power Dynamic: Molly can’t help trying to control the insanity that is Jim Moriarty. A framework for his mind to lean on, a collar to hold him together, a mistress to keep him mostly sane.

Asphodel: “When you need slightly-less-than-legal magic substances, you seek out ‘Moriarty’s Special Imports and Fineries’. A new branch of Necromancy, pathologist-in-training Molly Hooper returns a set of counterfeit goods and receives a job offer in return.” - Fantasy AU

Her beast feature: “As he studied her from afar, Jim thought Molly’s best feature was her neck. He really didn’t anticipate her reaction to Sherlock beating a dead man with a riding crop.” - Molly x Jim, PWP, set at the beginning of A Study in Pink

Junior: So what’s a beleaguered pathologist to do when the UK’s Most Wanted turns up to visit her cat?

Mr Sex: Jim doesn’t ask her what she likes or what she needs; it’s not necessary. But he asks her what she wants - contains smut

Sunday Afternoon: Sleep with Molly Hooper:  Molly canceled their date at the last minute, but no one messes with Jim’s precisely organized calendar and gets away with it.

Why Don’t You Do Right?:  Seb arranges for Molly to get an extra special, early birthday present. Jim gets to learn something new about Molly. And Molly discovers one of Jim’s deepest secrets.

Club Calavera: Downing five zombies doesn’t give Jim the liquid courage he needs to ask Molly a very important question. It only makes him forget that he and Molly are already together.

Happy Birthday, Jimmy Boy: Jim’s never had a good birthday. Molly’s determined to buck the trend. - contains smut

It’s A Nice Day For a [White Wedding]: The wedding of James Moriarty to Molly Hooper can be nothing less than a momentous occasion. In his speech, their best man recounts some of the juicier bits of Jim and Molly’s journey into matrimony.

Cold War: She had to admit Jim was creative. Who else would think to kill three ice cream salesmen from different towns and attach a one-worded note to each corpse, forming the sentence, “Ready to concede?”

My Persuasion Can Build a Nation: In a world where Eurus had a best friend growing up, she doesn’t go to Sherrinford, nor does she turn out as unhinged as she did in canon. However, she’s still Eurus, and her brothers absolutely forbid her from meeting Jim Moriarty. She’ll just have to fix that, won’t she? Also: Matchmaker!Eurus ftw.

What Sober Couldn’t Say: “(11:23 pm) Drinking again(11:24 pm) And since it makes me too sad to go on my blog anymore thanks to you, I figured it’s only fair you become my new place to vent(11:25 pm) You’re probably not receiving these messages anyway so no harm no foul(11:25 pm) Right?” - Molly drunk-texts Jim over the course of several months.

I Wanna Feel Like I Am Floating: “Now the question is…" He vamp-flipped them over so she was lying down and his body was pinning hers. “Should I tie you up and make you take it, or are you going to be a good little vampire and let Daddy have his way with you?” Jim & Molly’s journey: blood-sharing edition.- Vampire!Molliarty AU, s-m-u-t.

Coffin Shopping: Sebastian could only imagine what the other, mostly ancient customers perusing the store must be thinking of the couple in their thirties, bubbling with laughter and fooling around as they ran about in search of the perfect coffin.

Come To Daddy: Jim failed to see how Molly’s physicality could ever not be arousing. The size of her lips did nothing to detract from how amazing she was at sucking cock. The size of her breasts made it no less fun for Jim to cup them in his hands, tease her nipples into hard peaks, suck on them until she squirmed and made those delightful little sounds. - smuttish ;)

Intention: A take on how the brief but unforgettable office romance between Jim from IT and Molly from Pathology began and how it just might become more than just a simple office romance.

An Exchange: Jim Moriarty comes across a familiar face and realises, from just one exchange, that it is not merely Sherlock Holmes that connects them, but a connection of their own.

A Beginning: Jim Moriarty tries to make sense of new waves of sentiment as his office romance with Molly Hooper transits to become something more.

Interruptions: Molly Hooper is made to face a stunning revelation about Jim Moriarty, but it is her reaction that stuns him most.

An Enemy’s Gift: In the pursuit of his greatest enemy, Jim Moriarty makes an unexpected discovery.

On Fanfiction.net:

Life: James Moriarty is in trouble, so much trouble that he fears for his life. He soon learns, however, he has absolutely nothing to fear, not with Molly Hooper around.

Spiders: Molly and Jim have a casual chat laced with hints of their plans, revealing a side to Molly that both surprises and seduces Jim.

(Re)kindle: Jim Moriarty is perplexed at the lasting impression a certain Molly Hooper has left on him. When his rekindled fascination with her meets an unexpected obstacle, an animosity is ignited.

Other fics:

- The Demon I cling to

- The Anatomist

- What Slinks Unseen (one-shot)

- Safety in Small Numbers (one-shot)

- Heart Shaped Buttons  (one-shot)

- I.O.U (in progress, Season 4 AU)

- A change of clothes (one-shot, smut)

- The Uninvited House Guest

- Home is where (one-shot)

- Danse Macabre (one-shot) mine

- Lay your body next to mine (one-shot, mine, smut, dark themes)

- Symmetry (one-shot)

- Kisses for the Devil (one-shot)

- Descend (one-shot)

- Death and the Maiden

- The Number Is (one-shot)

- The Devil’s Own (warning: dark themes)

- Reality of Innocence (warning:smut)

- Gifts (one-shot)

- Thanaptosis (warning: dark themes)

- Pulse (one-shot)

- Yorick’s grin

- Hades (one-shot)

- Gay (warning:smut)

- Oaths, affidavits and Other Lies

- Brain Drain (one-shot)

- Counting Days (one-shot)

- A conversation starter (one-shot)

- Spinning Tornadoes (one-shot)

- Secret Veins and Arteries (warning:dark themes)

- Watching the world burn (one-shot, smut)

- Death and the Maiden

- Unloveable

- Sweet Dreams (one-shot)

- Frozen Feelings

- Forever and Always

- I will burn the heart out of you

- Choke  (one-shot)

- His Dark Mistress (one-shot)

- He saved the last dance for me

- Exsanguination (one-shot, very kinky smut)

- Almost Anyone  (one-shot)

- No Space between Us  (one-shot, smut)

- Brain Drain  (one-shot)

- Between the bars  (one-shot, smut)

- Troubleshooting  (one-shot, smut)

- Falling  (one-shot, smut)

- Knots in this noose of mine  (one-shot)

- Glass shatters softly  (one-shot)

- Victor, meet spoils (one-shot)

- He kindly stopped me  (one-shot)

- Blow the House Down (one-shot)

- The answer is one  (one-shot)

- Strings  (one-shot)

- Heartbeats in the Dark

- The Fox (one-shot, smut)

- Bad Romance

- Lion and the Lamb (one-shot)

- Red Song in the Night

- The Rules Are (one-shot)

- Molly Mine (one-shot, smut)

- Restless Things (warning: very dark themes + Johnlock)

- Intention (one-shot)

- At the End of it all (one-shot, smuttish)

- An Incorrect Deduction

[hajimesh]

The Nutcracker

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 4.6k

Summary: nutcracker au

A/N: this is my first time writing for bucky, i enjoyed it a lot so expect more of it in the future ;) also, a big thank you to @writingsoftheloser for beta-reading this, i already told u this but dude, you were super helpful and kind and i can’t thank u enough. aaand it just happens to be her BDAYYY! happy happy birthday Vi!! i hope you have an amazing day, sending you lots of love and hugs♡ 

let me know what you think, feedback is welcome :) *gif not mine*

Masterlist

Snow falls in front of you as you stare outside, leaning on the window. It’s Christmas Eve and the whole family is currently at your home. A giant Christmas tree sits in the corner of the living room and all the lights of the house are off, the only light is coming from the candles placed all over the place. The adults are in the dining room chatting and drinking while you are stuck babysitting the younger kids in the other room.

Suddenly, you hear the door open and another guest comes in. Once you see who it is you feel your mood lift to the skies.

“Drosselmeyer!”

You catch his attention by exclaiming his name. He turns his head slightly to the side to look at you and once he sees you, he opens his arms. Getting up from the windowsill, you run towards him and embrace him in a tight hug. He has been a friend of your parents for a long time and you consider him an uncle. He is the sweetest man you have ever known and he is always so attentive and kind to you.

“Hello, child.” His gruff tone welcomes you and you release your grip on him.

He begins to search something in the giant bag he’s carrying with him and once he finds it – whatever it is the he was looking for – he puts it behind his back and turns to the rest of the kids in the room.

“I brought gifts for everyone, would you like to see them?”

He quickly catches their attention and he’s attacked by them. Loud cheering and shrieks are heard as Drosselmeyer hands them toys and trinkets. A loud scream echoes in the room as one of your cousins lifts an impressive replica of a train with rails included.

You stand there watching the kids play with their new toys and you frown as you realize no one thanked Drosselmeyer for the presents.

“Why the long face?”

Getting you out of your thoughts, Drosselmeyer stands before you with a gentle smile on his face. You smile at him and dismiss his statement. He seems to know what’s bothering you because a second later he’s searching in his bag again but this time he hands you a present.

“For you, my child.” Resting on your hands there’s a beautiful nutcracker.

It’s carved in wood and it seems to resemble a soviet soldier. He has black clothing and boots, and a black mask on his face as well. You launch yourself into Drosselmeyer’s arms and thank him. You hear whining behind you and you turn around.

“Why does she get a nutcracker and I don’t?”

Your cousin, who has just received the impressive train, is whining in front of you. His face is contorted in displeasure and quickly rips the nutcracker from your grip.

“Hey! What are you–”

You’re suddenly cut short by an ugly snapping sound. Your cousin stands there, eyes wide open as he holds the nutcracker with one hand and one of its arms in the other. He freaking broke it and it has just been given to you.

Not believing your eyes, you blink again and rage begins to fill your body. Your cousin, sensing the change in your demeanor, flees the scene leaving the toy on the floor.

You kneel and pick it up, trying to piece back the arm to no avail. Drosselmeyer watches you silently and it isn’t until he sees the tears forming on your eyes as you gaze at him, helplessly, that he embraces you in his arms comfortingly.

“It’s alright dear, I think I can fix it.”

Lifting your head to look at him, you clear the tears from your cheeks. “Really?”

Nodding his head, he fishes for his tool box in the bag and begins to repair the toy. You stand by his side trying not to bother him and after a few minutes he’s done.

“Well, it’s doesn’t look like it used to but I think it looks even better. What do you think?”

Handing you the nutcracker, you examine it and sigh. He placed a new arm on it but it was made with a different material so now your toy had a metal arm. It’s not like it doesn’t look good, it certainly does, but you can’t help but feel sad about getting it broken in the first place.

With a squeeze on your shoulder, Drosselmeyer leaves the room to finally go with the adults in the dining room. You sigh and sit back on your spot by the window, looking at the snow fall.

Hours pass by and most of the guests are gone by now. Your parents retire to their room and you and your cousins are instructed to go to yours.

Falling on your bed, you sigh and close your eyes. Looking after a hoard of kids was hard work and it took a toll on you. Suddenly remembering the incident with your nutcracker, you open your eyes and sit up. Concern sits at the pit of your stomach and you wonder where you left it.

Okay so after sitting by the window you placed it next to you, on the windowsill. But when mom and dad came to tell you to go to sleep, you stood up and left.

You left it on the windowsill.

Groaning to yourself, you walk to the door and yank it open. The hallway is dark and you can’t see a thing, but you can’t let something happen to your nutcracker again. Tiptoeing, you make your way to the living room and once you’re close enough you see it sitting where you left it.

Bingo.

You relax and walk towards it, picking it up and examining it. Taking a seat, you lift your legs on the cushion and minutes later you're fighting to keep your eyes open. With the nutcracker still in your hands, your breaths even out as you fall asleep leaning on the window, a gentle smile gracing your lips.

*     *     *     *

The clock strikes as it reaches the midnight.

Yawning, you stretch your arms over your head and groan at the sound your back makes. Blinking slowly, you try to focus your sight but a yawn interrupts you again. Rubbing your eyes, you slowly realize you fell asleep on the windowsill and as you look down, you notice the nutcracker on the floor. 

Standing up to stretch some more, you turn towards the tree, admiring the twinkling lights and ornaments but your brows furrow when you notice something strange.

Your eyes focus on a sudden movement between the branches and you take a step back. Keeping your gaze on the tree, you begin to circle it, trying to find whatever it is that’s in there but the sudden sight of the tree expanding in front of you sends your mind into overdrive.

Gasping, you watch as the tree towers over you and the ornaments grow to the size of your body and that’s when you realize that the tree didn’t expand, you are the one who shrunk. This is a dream, you think, it can’t be real. Looking down at your own body, you notice it looks the same and when you lift your eyes again you can’t help the scream from escaping your lungs.

Your nutcracker is… moving? It is as if it has come to life!

You watch as he moves his metal arm, staring at it. You see his lips move and you’re too flabbergasted to connect it with the sounds coming out of it. It isn’t until he stands before you that you’re brought back from your stupor.

“Miss! Are you alright?”

His long hair falls like a curtain on his face but his blue eyes pierce through it and catch you off guard. He gives you a concerned look and gently tries to catch your attention.

“Miss?”

You realize you are probably making a fool of yourself and advert your eyes, looking away from him as you tuck your hair behind your ears.

“Sorry I–” your mind goes blank. What are you supposed to say? Hi! I just saw you come to life but it’s all good!

Hell no.

He must have noticed your hesitation because after a few seconds without you talking again, he decides to cut in.

Offering you his hand, he introduces himself. “My name’s Bucky, I mean no harm.”

You take his hand and shake it slowly, still unsure about the whole thing. You tell him your name and he sends you a smile, making fine lines appear beside his eyes. Cute.

As you realize the way your thoughts are going, warmth settles on your cheeks and you lower your head trying to hide the blush from him.

Bucky’s eyes can’t seem to leave your face. He marvels at how soft your hair looks and he finds himself itching to feel it. You gaze is fixed on the ground but he remembers the wonder in your eyes and your brows raising in utter astonishment. Adorable, he thinks, but before he can act upon it a loud fuss catches your attention and your mind can only focus on one thing.

Mice.

A big horde of mice is making its way to you, all of them seem to be armed with swords and battle armour. You see Bucky take a gun from one of his pockets and he turns to look at you.

“Get some shelter!” Your heart is pounding and your eyes widen at his words. What is happening!?

Noticing your presence still behind him, he turns one more time to yell “NOW!” And this time you obey him.

You run towards the couch, thinking that climbing it and staying on top of it might keep you safe but you stop to a halt when you see an army of toys making their way to you. Your breath catches in your throat in a failed gasp and you close your eyes, bracing yourself for your imminent death but, they pass you by.

Opening your eyes slowly, hands still on top of your head, you see the army of toys join Bucky and place themselves beside him. Looking a bit further, you watch the mice still running and, on the front line, there’s a bigger and darker-looking mouse with a crown on his head, like some sort of king.

Your attention is brought back to the army of toys and Bucky as you hear a battle cry. They begin to run, meeting the mice halfway through and then the fight begins.

Sword against sword, both armies fight with what you can tell is mighty force. A few seconds in and there are already some fallen soldiers. You shiver and your eyes scan the place in search of Bucky. The pounding in your heart intensifies with each second that passes by without him on your sight. The good news are that you find him still alive, the bad news… well, he’s fighting against the Mouse King.

Bucky looks tired and weak, for each punch that he manages to dodge he receives two more. You wince as another blow hits his face and you begin to feel helpless. He snatches a dagger from one of his pockets and aims it at the king but the latter dodges it easily. In a quick movement, the king manages to catch a fist of Bucky’s hair and brings him down. He seems to say something to him but you’re too far away to hear it. The king turns around and with a single hand movement his army quickly submits the toys under their power and the battle stops.

We lost.

You watch as the mice bring the toys with them, walking away from the scene. Looking back at Bucky, you see the king pushing him forward and then kick him on his stomach as he falls to the floor. Your body suddenly fills with rage and anger. How dare he?

With big strides, you make your way towards the king who’s too busy kicking Bucky on his ribs to notice you. As you're walking, you pick a hammer that lies on the floor next to your feet and once you're right behind him, you smack it against the king’s head.

He falls on the floor with a loud thud and you’re left panting with adrenaline coursing through your veins. Bucky’s eyes widen in shock at the unresponsive body next to him. He looks back at you and then back to the mouse, still not believing his eyes.

You drop the weapon and offer him your hand. Wincing, Bucky stands up and you help him by flinging one of his arms over your shoulders. Looking at his face, your gaze grows concerned at the many wounds on it.

“Are you alright?”

He moves his head in order to look at you and smiles dashingly at you. He has got to be joking, you don’t understand how he manages to still look good even with a bloody and sweaty face.

Shrugging his shoulders, he gives you an innocent look. “I’ll survive.”

You roll your eyes and this time he can’t hold back his laughter. You give him a weird look and he only shakes his head. “M’ fine doll, don’t worry.”

You’re pretty sure the way your heart is pumping isn’t normal anymore. His words make you feel some kind of way and the blush is back on your cheeks. Fixing your gaze somewhere else so he doesn’t notice, your eyes fall on the mice dragging their King’s body away, the toys free from their grasp.

“I guess it all worked out in the end.” You let out a sigh as the last mice escapes from your sight and the previous adrenaline rush begins to die down.

“It’s all thanks to you, y’know.” You whip your head back at him and your words falter.

His eyes are fixed ahead of him, but he seems to be somewhere else. A gentle smile graces his lips and he brings his gaze back at you.

“You’ve set me free.” A thankful grin settles on his face and you mirror it, even if you have no idea what he’s talking about.

Before you can question him about it, a soft glimmer engulfs him and you gasp, completely thrown off guard. Bucky lets go of your shoulders and gently signals you to step away from him. After a few seconds you can’t see him anymore, he’s totally engulfed by the bright light and you don’t know what to think of it. Worry fills your mind.

What if he’s hurting? He seemed calm about it but still. Another thought clouds your mind and this time, you feel scared. What if it’s the ‘light’ and he is being sent away from here?

You’re about to step in when the light suddenly fades. Letting out a sigh, relief flows through you: he’s still here. But once he steps closer, your eyes widen in surprise: he looks– well, different?

His clothes are no longer black and bloody, they’re replaced with a nice tux and he looks clean. Like your very own prince charming.

He notices you ogling at him and chuckles lightly. Offering you his hand, he waits for you to accept it and you do, gingerly placing yours on top of his. His eyes are fixed on yours and you find it impossible to look away from them. He starts walking, dragging you along but he stops briefly when he feels the hesitance in your movements.

“C’mon doll, there’s something I want to show you.”

The soft smile on his lips captivates you once again and you nod absentmindedly, his fingers tracing lightly the top of your knuckles.

Screw him and his stupid smile.

*     *     *     *

It has been a while since you left home.

Bucky went through a small opening in one of the walls and assured you that you had nothing to fear. Minutes later you were facing a long trek covered in snow and flanked by large trees. Still holding your hand, he led you through it as you made small talk and after a while you just walked in silence, content with each other’s presence.

You feel the muscles of your legs and your feet aching in pain and you’re about to tell Bucky to stop when he suddenly turns to you, a wide smile on his lips.

“We’re here!”

You frown at his words and start looking around. There’s nothing. “Are we?”

He looks back at you and sees the confusion on your face. His brows furrow and you watch as they slowly raise and his mouth opens before letting out a laugh.

“Shit, sorry doll. I forgot.” He claps his hands twice and you jump, startled by the sudden noise.

You’re about to question his sanity when a soft, pinkish glimmer appears in front of you and seconds later it reveals a big castle with candy adorning it.

Okaaay, this is getting ridiculous.

Looking back at Bucky you see him making a gesture towards the castle as if nothing happened. You narrow your eyes and shove him away, secretly amused by this new playful side of him. He laughs loudly and beams at you.

“What’s the matter, doll?”

He’s trying to annoy you but you only roll your eyes and start walking towards the castle. He gives up and quickly catches up to you. Both of you are facing the monumental, wooden doors in front of you as they slowly open; revealing what it seems to be a hall flanked by chocolate soldiers.

You’re too caught up staring at the weird ‘people’ in this place that you don’t notice Bucky calling out your name. It isn’t until he places his hand on your shoulder that you finally turn to look at him.

“Huh?” Your head tilts to one side and you frown at him.

He smiles and squeezes briefly your shoulder. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Oh dear, more surprises? You nod your head hesitantly, wondering if it was a good decision to follow him here.

Reaching the end of the hall, another set of doors looms over you. Bucky nods at the guards in front of you and in return they open them. Loud chatter immediately fills your ears and you are met with quite a sight.

The giant room in front of you is decorated with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, a high, gold staircase at the back of the room and many, many people dancing and drinking in extravagant clothing. Your mouth is slightly ajar and you have no time to adjust before Bucky drags you across the room.

You stop once you reach a woman with wavy, dark brown hair and a – very puffy – lilac dress. He taps her shoulder and she turns around, gasping. She immediately engulfs Bucky in a hug and your hear her squeal.

“Oh goodness, it’s you!” She sounds excited and you see her embrace him tightly again.

A weird feeling creeps up on you and you don’t notice the tensing of the muscles in your jaw as you smile sourly at the scene in front of you.

They separate from each other, finally, and Bucky turns to you with the brightest smile. “Doll, this is the sugar plum fairy.”

He introduces her to you and this fairy finally looks your way and widens her eyes.

“What is your name, dear?” She looks genuinely curious and you look at Bucky once again.

He gives you a soft nod of his head and you turn your eyes back to her, introducing yourself. She beams at you and steps forward, holding your hand in hers and bringing it to her chest.

“It’s so lovely to meet you!”

She catches you off guard. Pleased to meet you? Deciding to shrug it off, you force a smile.

“The mouse king was defeated thanks to her.” Bucky suddenly exclaims proudly and he manages to catch not only the fairy’s attention but also from the people around you.

Her gasp is loud and she starts clapping like a mad woman. “This deserves a toast!” She looks at you and steps closer. Once she’s inches away from your face, she softly whispers “Thank you, for finally freeing him.”

The smile she gives you this time feels rather warm and you feel bad for thinking badly of her. She takes a few steps back and turns to the band sitting on a stage at the back of the room. Giving them a signal with her hand, they begin to play a beautiful melody. The fairy scurries away, finding her own dance partner.

“Would you like to dance with me?”

Bucky’s voice gets you out of your previous thoughts and you turn to look at him, mouth and eyes open. His hand is stretched before you, waiting for you to take it. Looking back at him, you nod your head and place your hand on his.

He walks the both of you to the centre of the room and once he places his other hand on your back, you begin to dance.

The way his blue eyes shine under the candle lights is mesmerizing. Instinctively you turn your gaze somewhere else and it just happens to land on his lips, which look softer and rosier than ever. A blush tints your cheeks and you look away, focusing on the orchestra on your left.

The sound of the violins dominate the room and it gives you goosebumps while the gentle melody of the harp contrastes against the trumpets. Somehow, the room feels colder but your whole body feels warm and ablaze from the soft contact of your body against Bucky’s chest.

He twirls you, making your hair fall on your face and once you’re back in his arms he can’t help himself from tucking it away from your face. Once again you’re captured by his lovely eyes and you smile.

Letting out a sigh, he slows down a bit your pace and places his mouth on the shell of your ear.

“Can I tell you a secret?” His tone is deep and it vibrates through your whole body.

Swallowing, you try to wet your suddenly dry throat and you nod your head. He moves a little bit away from you, just enough for him to see your face again.

“I kinda owe you my life.”

There it is again. A frown settles on your face and you’re ready to finally ask him what all the fuss is about.

“Yeah, I was wondering what you meant by that. And she,” Pointing with your eyes at the fairy. “said it too.”

He chuckles lightly, his breath fanning over your face making you dizzy. He’s going to be the death of you.

“When I was a little kid, a witch casted a spell on me by the mouse king’s orders. He wanted to ensure his ascension to the throne so he had to get me out of the way first.”

Still rocking you side to side, he sighs softly and you look at him with concerned eyes. His gaze looks distant, brows furrowed tightly.

With a tight lipped smile, he continues. “She turned me into a nutcracker, making it impossible for me to fulfill my duty as a prince. Thankfully, the sugar plum fairy took care of me, protecting me from the ones who wanted to hurt me until I was able to fend for myself.”

You heart breaks for him, this was horrible! You can’t begin to imagine how painful this must’ve been for him.

“Isn’t there a way to break the curse?” Staring straight at his eyes you ask, trying to find a solution. It’s not fair that he has to go through such a terrible thing like this.

You watch as the corners of his lips lift up in a smirk and a heartbeat later he’s dancing again.

“This is where you come in, doll.” His eyes are twinkling again, the playfulness back on his gaze.

“The only way to break the enchantment is by the Mouse king dying at the hands of a commoner.”

A loud gasp escapes your mouth and you look at him offended. “Rude.” You pout, turning your face away from him and crossing your arms in front of you.

His head tilts back as he laughs, his cheeks turning pink. Once he recovers, he looks down at you again and circles you with his arms, bringing you closer. Still holding your gaze, he smiles and traces a fingertip on the side of your face.

“And now, thanks to you, I’m human again.”

His words send your heart in a frenzy, making you warm and giddy. A giggle escapes your mouth and his smile widens.

Oh, how beautiful you are, he thinks.

Not caring anymore, he closes the space between the both of you and places a kiss on your, still flushed, cheek. He joins your foreheads and sighs dreamily, his heart threatening to burst out of his chest.

“My sweet princess.”

*     *     *     *

You open your eyes and blink rapidly trying to get the sleep out of you. Once you realize what’s going on you sit up abruptly and turn you head in all directions only to realize you’re sitting on the windowsill of your home. You look down at your hands and there he is.

Bucky, but as the nutcracker.

You feel you heart sink and sadness engulfs you. This couldn’t be happening. It all felt so real; him, the fight, the dancing… the kiss. Your eyes begin to fill with tears and a sob threatens to escape from your body. You turn your face to the tree and stare, longing filling your chest. Minutes pass by and you keep your eyes fixed on it until something catches your attention.

There’s a white envelope sitting between the vines of the tree, peeking slightly. You frown and rush towards it. Grabbing it, you realize it’s not an envelope but a box, hiding between the ornaments. You make your way back to the windowsill and you feel your heart pounding on your chest. Opening the box the first thing that catches your eye is a shiny thing and, once you pull it out of the box, you gasp.

There, laying in your hands, is a beautiful tiara adorned with the most precious gems. You study it briefly and then decide to keep checking the box. This time you feel something soft against your hands and grab it. A note.

Scanning your eyes quickly across it you feel your eyes water again, clouding your vision. Your heart constricts and a sob finally makes its way out of your mouth. You cover your mouth with your hand and close your eyes. A few minutes later you feel yourself calm down a bit and you read it again. And again. And again.

Warmth fills your body and you sigh both in contentment and anguish.

It has been such a pleasure and a privilege to share this adventure with you. Know that my heart belongs to you eternally, no matter what. I will always be looking out for you, my princess.

With love, Bucky.

Your tears are dry by now and you see the sun creeping up behind the curtains, lightly casting its light through them and showering the room with it. Yawning, you decide to make some tea to calm and wake yourself up.

A knock on the door stops you and you groan. Making your way back, your bare feet pad around the wooden floors and once you’re in front of the door you try to make yourself seem presentable by gliding your fingers through your hair. Yanking the door open you’re met with a familiar pair of blue eyes.

Your breath hitches and you can’t help but gasp. He smiles and winks at you.

“Hello princess.”

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