#sure he's got some very convincing replicas in his mouth now but boy oh boy is it (and he!) unpleasant much of the time

[chiropteracupola]

always on the edge of collapse now / absolutely nobody cares...

[flintlock fortress is a collaboration with @dxppercxdxver]

[messrmoonyy]

Have you seen that popular post of tonks going to Remus class after the war and taking teddy with her? cood your write something with that? Please 😃

I sure have anon! I loved this. Some happiness amongst all the angsty asks I have lmao.

I took some mild creative liberties with the conversational abilities of portraits and the timeline is slightlyyyy wobbly. But enjoy

Read my other writing in my masterlist and feel free to drop me a request

Pairing: Remus lupin x Nymphadora Tonks

Warnings: none

When Tonks woke up Remus was already gone, her fingers reached around blindly on his side of the bed and found nothing but cold sheets and she groaned. In the year that they had been living at Hogwarts with Remus back teaching again, she had gotten herself into the habit of waking up with him. But Teddy had simply refused to sleep last night so she had been up for hours with him so that Remus could sleep. She opened her eyes and saw there was a steaming mug of tea on the bedside dresser with a little note propped against it and she reached over to grab it.

'My dear Dora,

Don't be mad at me for not waking you, you needed to rest. I checked on Teddy before I left. I have a class of 6th years 3rd period so feel free to come down if you want to. I have a free afternoon too, so tea in Hogsmede?

Yours always, Remus'

She smiled and sat up in bed stretching her arms up above her head with a yawn, grimacing slightly as her arm popped. It was one of the main reasons she still hadn’t gotten back fully into working herself, an injury from the war that still hadn’t recovered. The curse still that had hit her making it seem like it might not ever recover properly. Madam Pomfrey saw her once a week to help with it, but it wasn’t much better really.

She felt quite useless some days. She was desperate to get back into working again. She was never one for just lazing around doing nothing. She had been offered her job back at the ministry when ever she was ready to return to it, a hefty promotion waiting for her too. She still dis small things for the ministry, Kingsley has worked very closely with her and Remus on getting equal rights for Lycanthropes, made wolfsbane much more accessible. But for now she didn’t really mind that much, it meant having plenty of time with Remus and Teddy. Now in terms of work she she just helped out around the school where she could, because they didn't mind if she brought Teddy along with her. Some days she helped out in the hospital wing, her extensive knowledge on healing coming in handy. Other days helped with Minervas homework study groups, helped Remus plan his classes, she kept busy.

Teddy started to fuss and she got out of bed with a roll of her shoulder to try ease the morning pain. She peered into his cot to see him wide eyed and awake. He had Remus’ eyes. Big and brown and beautiful. He looked so much like Remus, she knew the older he got he’d simply be a double of his dad. Minerva was already joking that with them looking so identical now she would resign the day he was old enough to attend Hogwarts. With Remus and Tonks as his parents he was certain to have a mischievous streak in him for certain. It was practically fate.

" my silly boy huh " she said as she saw he’d managed to completely change ends he was sleeping on. She smiled, rolling her eyes with a smile and picked him up. His hair was a vibrant shade of red today, like the phone boxes back in London. His hair was the one of the only thing that seemed to change about him at the moment but he was already starting to control it. He had seemed to have learnt how to change his hair to match who he wanted to be held by when he was particularly grumbly. Which made things particularly difficult if they were staying at the Weasleys. But also quite cute when they would visit Harry and a little scar would appear on his head. She didn't even mind that just lately it would go brown more often than pink because seeing Remus and Teddy together was one of the greatest feelings in the world. Seeing Remus happy was one of the greatest feelings in the world. Because he so often would wake up in the night in a cold sweat as his nightmares replayed all the trauma of the war back to him. But work kept him distracted. And Teddy did. And she did. And though he would never admit it, the fact that he was sole income for the family now kept him motivated too.

She carried him over to her bed and sat down with to feed him, knowing that must be the reason he was fussing. It was quite peaceful sitting there in her room with him, it was raining outside and the rain hitting the window panes was almost melodic. Remus loved the rain and she’d grown to love it as well, sometimes convincing him to go out dancing around in it with her. If she listened closer she could hear the chatter of the children, she glanced at the clock and saw second period would be starting in 5 minutes so they were noisily moving between their classes. Even though there were no classrooms by the teachers wing in the castle, she could still hear them.

When Teddy had had his fill she propped him up on her pillows as she opened up his little wardrobe to get him something to wear. There was a quidditch friendly later on the evening, so she pulled out his little hufflepuff quidditch jumper ready. Molly had knitted it for him and it was an almost perfect replica. Even though Harry had tried to convince her he should be wearing Gryffindor. But even Remus agreed Teddy would be a hufflepuff. Through and through.

" wanna go see daddy teach later, hmm? You like being in his classroom don't you? Mummy does too because daddy looks very handsome in his teaching robes doesn't he? He does " she said as started to get him changed, unhooking his foot that he had shoved into his mouth “ are you going to be a good boy whilst he’s teaching? My good boy huh? “ Teddy gurgled an answer and went back to trying to get his foot into his mouth again.

With a half hour or so to go until his 6th year class she left their quarters and took Teddy down to his second favourite place in the castle. In one of the corridors off the main entrance hall a long row of portraits of those that had been lost in the war had been hung. Including one of Sirius. The first time they had seen it both Remus and Dora had cried only to have had the painted Sirius tell them both to grow a pair. But getting to introduce Teddy to his family was worth it, even if it did still make her emotional to see his face and hear his voice again.

When she reached Sirius frame he wasn't in it and she rolled her eyes knowing exactly where he would be. She walked down a couple more portraits to Fred Weasleys. And there was Sirius. Turns out even painting Sirius and Fred were mischievous and Sirius acted like the marauder he once was around Fred as they tried to play pranks on the others in the hall.

" do you ever actually stay in your frame?" Tonks said with a smile, bouncing Teddy lightly on her hip.

" Tonksie! And my little man! " Teddy started laughing as he heard Sirius voice and made grabby hands towards him. Tonks held him to the frame and Sirius pulled stupid faces at the little boy making him laugh even more. She wished Sirius was still around to truly play with Teddy. To make him laugh and turn him into the little prankster she knew he would grow up to be. But a portrait would all she was going to get nowadays. So she took what she could get " where's moons? Teaching? "

" yeah. We're going to see him now. Arent we Ted? Gonna see daddy? “ Teddy’s hair shifted brown at the mention of his dad and with a slight worry he would start crying and disturb classes, she said a quick goodbye to Sirius and made her way down to Remus’ classroom. She was a little early but Remus tended to let his class go early if he knew she was coming down.

And as exactly as she had suspected he had let his 3rd years go early when she arrived and they were piling out of the room. They all smiled as they saw her, all of Remus’ students knowing who she was.

" morning Mrs Lupin! "

" hi Ted! Hi Mrs Lupin! "

" good morning Mrs Lupin, oh hiyya Teddy! " some of the children greeted her as they left the classroom and she smiled at them all eagerly still just loving the sound of ' Mrs Lupin ' as she stepped into the classroom Remus had his back to her, tidying something on his desk and she snuck up behind him, wrapping her free arm around his waist.

" hi " she said softly and stood up on her tip toes to kiss his cheek. He turned in her embrace immediately, a smile gracing his faces the sight of his family. He leant down to kiss her only to be disturbed by Teddy yanking on his hair.

" oh I'm sorry, does someone feel left out? " Dora said with a laugh and handed him over to Remus who kissed his nose and both his chubby cheeks.

" kisses for both my favourite people " he held the baby boy up in the air and playfully tried to bite at his little feet making Teddy squeal in delight. Remus was well and truly in his element as a father. He had taken to the role so well and it warmed Doras heart watching them together. He may have had a rocky start. But he was more than making up for it now. He doted on his son, spoilt him completely rotten and showed him all the love and affection she’d known he’d had in him from the start.

Teddy soon became disinterested and far more interested in the model of some small creature on his desk. Remus handed it to him and sat him down on the floor as he gurgled to himself, inspecting the skull as if it was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen.

“ did you catch up on your sleep? “ Remus asked turning to Dora then as she watched Teddy with a smile “ you look tired darling “ he pulled her into, his hands on her waist. She gave a small shrug and looked up at him. His face was mildly concerned. He always worried too much. Always.

“ a bit “

“ you should’ve stayed in bed. Gotten some more rest “

" I’m fine Remus. Honestly. Besides. I like watching you teach " she said with a smile and hopped up to sit on his desk after a look towards Teddy. He was still babbling to himself as he investigated the small skull, still insanely amused by it.

" people aren't allowed to sit on my desk you know " Remus said and moved to stand in front of her, his hand reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear.

“ if I recall we’ve done much more than sit on this desk Mr Lupin “ his cheeks flushed and she couldn’t help the giant grin on her face. After all the time since they’d first met she could still get him flustered. She loved it.

" you're a tease you know that? " he murmured and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

" I'm well aware. But you married me didn't you? You signed up for it " he smiled and she brushed her lips against his with an smile to match his. Though he’d barely kissed her for a second when there was the sound of children in the corridor, his next class arriving. Dora gave a small sigh and pressed a quick kiss to his lips before hopping off of the desk and picking up Teddy.

“ you’ll stay? “ Remus asked, straightening up his desk and pulling her back in gently before she could go “ it’s mostly just a study lesson, you won’t be a bother darling “ how could she say no to him when he was looking at her like that? He made her melt. She gave a nod and pressed a kiss to his cheek, before retreating to the back of the classroom so she and Teddy wouldn’t get in the way “ in you come class! “ the children piled in, some stopping briefly to talk to Tonks and Teddy before finding their seats.

She’d attended so many of his classes by now and she’d never seen any children really misbehave. They all seemed to love him, all listening with pure interest in everything he had to say. And maybe it was his parental instinct, but he was practically a father to some of them. They went to him for advice, just to talk, some of the more quiet students would even seek him out at lunch break so they didn’t have to eat alone. There were the odd few that were still coming to terms with the new easing of laws regarding werewolves, having grown up around people always saying they were bad. But everyone quickly grew to love him.

Just like she’d said they would.

He’d been a little hesitant to take on his old job after the war and had declined twice before finally accepting. She’d had the joy of watching him flourish after returning to work, he was truly in his element. He was happier. More confident than ever. And she loved him even more for it.

Teddy remained quite as Remus started teaching, always looking at his father almost in awe. He only became a little restless when Remus set the students off to do their own working, a quiet chatter filling the classroom.

“ Mrs Lupin? “ Tonks turned her head as she heard her name and smiled as Ravenclaw girl looked at her expectantly “ could you give me a hand with this one? “ she happily walked over to the girls desk, crouching down to help her with her questions on the behaviours of Pukwudgies. Teddy continued to wiggle around as she tried to help the student so placed him down to sit by her feet.

She had only taken her eyes off of him for a few moments , but Teddy took his chance and wiggled out of his mothers grasp and crawled away to sit at Remus foot who was stood a few desks away helping a student himself.

" oh- Teddy " Dora hissed and went to snatch her child back to their place in the back of the classroom. But Remus simply bent down and picked Teddy, not even stopping his explanation to his student , and placed him on his hip which made Teddy clap his chubby little hands excitedly. Tonks finished helping the girl before hurrying over to Remus, ready to relieve him of their son. But Remus declined with a smile.

“ it’s okay. Have a break. He’s fine sweetheart “

He held him for the rest of the lesson , even when he brought the classes attention back to the front for the final part of his lecture. He held Teddy in his arm and acted as if it was a perfectly normal thing to teach about the life expectancies of dark creatures with a small child on your hip. None of the students seemed fazed by it either and Dora sat at the back of classroom with a smile so wide it hurt her cheeks. Nothing would ever come close to the sight of Remus happy. So at ease with being a father now, so at ease back in front of classroom. Helping. Teaching. Shaping small futures as he has always dreamt of doing.

And of course the cherry on top. His family. Something he had never thought he could have. He was finally living the life she’d wanted him to have since that first meeting back when she joined the Order. The war was over. He had lived most of his life in war. And now he was finally free. Free with her. And their son.

[thepancakeboi]

118. “Forget the douche. He’s a dick. He’s a dickdouche.”

Divergence AU Part IV

Previous | Next (coming 10/17) | AU list | Prompt source

Fanfic under cut

11/22

Leader of the Phantom Thieves Commits Suicide in Custody

No, he hasn’t. The headlines are wrong. He’s alive-

They’re wrong, but he’s not alive. You killed him.

That’s wrong! He didn’t die, I’m sure of it.

No, you shot him in the head! He didn’t survive.

It was a fake. It was Sae’s cognition of him. It wasn’t him!

Sure about that?

Yes. That wasn’t him. He wasn’t acting like he normally does. He would have-

He was drugged, you fool. He’s as good as dead.

“Shut up!”

I sigh, closing my eyes and pushing away the pages of unfinished work as I lean further back in my chair. I hadn’t meant to yell that out loud. These past few days have been...rough, to put it mildly. No one should have to shoot their friend in the head and pretend to enjoy it. The memories are still fresh in my mind. I couldn’t give a shit if the guard had actually died or not, but Ren...

I’ve continuously told myself that everything worked, that he’s still a part of this world. The rational part of my brain tells me otherwise. There had been so much blood...and that fearful look on his face...

He only looked like that because he realized that we failed.

All I want to do is scream if only to silence the voices in my head. Maintaining the charade for so long is taking its toll on me. I open my eyes as I feel something wet sliding down my cheeks.

Am I...crying?

I wipe the tears and the moisture away, disgusted with myself. I can’t let myself cry. Crying is a form of weakness. You can’t let your feelings show like that. It’ll simply get you killed in the end.

This isn’t getting me anywhere. I shove myself to my feet, hastily grabbing my briefcase as I leave my apartment. What I need right now is a delicious cup of coffee and confirmation that my rival/friend/potential love interest managed to cheat death after all.

The hour it takes me to get from Kichijoji to Leblanc in Yongen-Jaya seems to drag on and on. It’s a relief when I finally arrive at the familiar back-alley cafe. The little bell jingles as I enter. There’s no sign of Ren. “Sorry, we’re closing for-” Sojiro starts to say, only to stop when he sees it’s me. “Oh, it’s you.”

“My apologies for coming so late into the evening,” I respond, my voice a little louder than necessary in the desperate hopes that Ren is still alive and will hear me. “I hope you don’t mind, but could I-”

My words are interrupted by someone barreling down the stairs and nearly tackling me as he pulls me into a hug. “I lived,” a familiar voice whispers in my ear, sounding very smug for someone who just cheated death.

“Ren...” I gently push him away, wanting to verify for myself that it’s truly him. Unless the black-haired, gray-eyed boy holding onto me is an extremely convincing replica, it’s definitely Ren Amamiya. He looks remarkably well for someone who had been beaten up and drugged by the police. The very thought of it still pisses me off. We hadn’t expected anything like that, and it really could have messed everything up. I hate that I thought it had screwed us over. Luckily, Ren must have remembered the plan in the end. “Nobody knows you’re alive, right?”

“Other than the Phantom Thieves and Sae, no. Oh, and Kawakami, but she won’t tell anyone.”

“Good.” I don’t know what else to say, so I just say nothing at all.

“I’m heading home now,” Sojiro says amid the silence. “Don’t forget to close up shop once you’re done.”

“Got it,” Ren answers. We watch as Sojiro leaves, quiet for a few more moments before Ren speaks up again, pulling me close to him once more. “I missed you.”

“I know you didn’t see me for nearly two days, but I wasn’t the one who could have died,” I retort.

“Yeah, but I still missed you.” He rests his forehead against mine, for some reason wanting to be close like this. An impish smirk appears on his face as he notices my blush. “What about you, Akeppi? Did you miss me while I was dead? Did you think about me in all your waking moments? Wonder what could’ve been if we just met sooner?”

“Quit being so overdramatic,” I reply with a roll of my eyes. He doesn’t need to know how I haven’t gotten much sleep the past two nights because of him or how he did, in fact, occupy my thoughts day in and day out. “You weren’t dead nor are you currently dead.”

“But I am dead. Drop-dead gorgeous.”

I avert my gaze away from his beautiful gray eyes. Eyes that a couple of days ago had been completely terrified before-no. I shove that thought away into the deepest recesses of my mind. Now is not the time to break down. Not in front of him. “You must be fine if you’re managing to make jokes like that,” I snark.

“What? I am Joker,” he replies back with a sassy grin to match. The corners of my mouth twitch upward. His grin is downright infectious. The grin drops away as he seems to remember something. He hesitates for a few seconds before asking, “So...what are we gonna do about Shido?”

I jolt at the mention of that man’s name from Ren’s mouth. Outraged, I nearly shove Ren off of me as I yell, “How did you find out about him!?”

His hand instinctively moves, covering his mouth. I recognize the motion, a habit of his when he’s anxious or nervous. Whatever he’s about to say, he’s likely worried about my potential reaction. “I had Futaba wiretap your phone.”

So, he was eavesdropping on me, and when I had slipped up and said Shido’s name in the call after having “murdered” Ren, he and Futaba heard it too. It feels like a punch to the gut. I had been planning on telling him! There’s only one reason I can think of for why he would wiretap my phone without telling me. “You don’t trust me, do you?”

“I do trust you!” he replies immediately, fervently denying the accusation. I want to believe him. “But I had to take precautions.”

“Like what, exactly? You shouldn’t have kept me in the dark!” Hypocritical, I know. I had kept him in the dark regarding who Shido was for months now.

“What if something had changed in the plan?” I open my mouth, about to respond, but he cuts me off. “I know you’ll say you would’ve told me, but what if there wasn’t a chance? If something changed while I was in prison, you wouldn’t be able to tell me.”

“I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

“Would you have been able to stand up against Shido?”

What does he mean by that? Of course, I would have tried, but... “I would have fabricated some reason as to why the plans could not be changed.”

“But what if push came to shove? What if he threatened you?” I can feel the blood draining from my face against my will. I wouldn’t put it past Shido. He praises me now, but if I were to try and turn against him, I know he’d kill me off somehow. Knowing him, it wouldn’t be pleasant, either. Ren seems to realize this too. He gently wraps his arms around me, pulling me back into the hug from earlier. “I really did mean it when I said I’d help you. We’re going to change Shido’s heart. Will you join us?”

“I can’t.”

“Huh?” Ren sounds genuinely surprised at my refusal. “Why not?”

“As much as I would love to get my revenge myself, Shido would notice if-”

“Forget the douche. He’s a dick. He’s a dickdouche.”

That gets a hearty chuckle out of me. The way he phrased it is just too amusing. I’m sure he can hear my sarcasm as I reply, “Oh, how marvelous. That was the most profound and articulate statement I have ever heard come out of your mouth.”

“I try,” he says, grinning. “But why not? What’s stopping you from joining us?”

“My schedule is going to be...very busy in light of recent events. I won’t have a lot of free time to be gallivanting with you through his Palace.”

“We can work around it. I know you spent so much time planning this. And I’d love it if you were there by my side when we take him down.”

“We won’t have time to waste. It has to be done before he’s elected.”

“December 18th,” Ren interrupts.

“Yes. You’ll have to be ready for me to say we can enter Shido’s Palace.”

“You know the keywords,” he says. So, he remembers how I hadn’t denied knowing them before. I nod in confirmation. “We have the name and place. But what does he see the Diet Building as?”

“A ship.”

“A ship?” he repeats, making sure he heard it right. I don’t blame him. If I didn’t know that rotten piece of shit personally, I would’ve been stumped too.

“Yes, a ship. He sees himself as the captain of a ship for the elite in a sinking country.” How absurd. “If you go in tomorrow, I would be able to come,” I add.

Ren grins, seemingly happy with this. He then gets this melancholic look on his face. “Our deal’s going to be over soon. Once we change Shido’s heart, that is.”

“No,” I assert, shaking my head. He’s not getting out of this so easily. “I haven’t fulfilled my end of the deal. We still need to prove your innocence in the assault charge. That starts with finding the man who accused you.”

“About that. I...think I might know who it is. I’m not sure, but I think I’m right.”

“Really? Then who is it?”

“...Shido.”

“You’re joking,” I guffaw. Surely he must be kidding.

“Dead serious.” Ren laughs a little, probably because his sense of humor picked up on how he just said he was “dead” serious. So mature.

Once he’s finished laughing, I ask, “Are you telling me that we both were going after the same man this whole time?”

“I guess so,” he replies with a shrug.

I can’t help but chuckle, shaking my head at the sheer absurdity of the number of coincidences that have been occurring between us. “Fate works in quite mysterious ways.”

“Fate’s been good to me. I got to meet you. And we got to fall in love.”

I tilt my head to the left, a little confused. “Where did you get that idea?”

“You told me that you love me.”

“I did not,” I deny, clearly lying. There’s no way he could know. He-

“Did too. It was a week ago. I wasn’t asleep,” he adds, nearly whispering the last part in my ear, sending unexpected shivers down my spine.

...wait. There’s something in what he said that is vying for my attention now. Even if he had heard me as he claims, he said we fell in love. Could he...? I have to know. “Hold on, does that mean...you love me?”

The grin that brightens his face could melt through the coldest of hearts. “Yup!”

“But...I’m a bastard son.” I have no idea where this self-deprecating behavior is coming from. However, I need him to realize that the person he thinks he loves isn’t me. I’m not that polite, pleasant boy he met in June. “I’m an utter disgrace to the world...a deranged murderer. Hell, you could have died because of me! And you...you’re special. Perfect. How could someone like you-”

“You’re perfect just the way you are. I don’t want anyone else. Just you.”

“I’m not the ace detective you think I am. That simpering personality is just a charade to ingratiate me to the public. That’s not who I am!”

“I know.”

“And? You can’t possibly-”

I don’t have a chance to finish my sentence before Ren’s lips are pressed against mine. My breath catches in my lungs. I can only stare, eyes wide with shock. If I could see myself right now, I’d probably also be blushing. The kiss took me quite by surprise. The air still feels alive between us as Ren pulls away from the kiss, pulsing with an energy I hadn’t noticed before. I find myself wanting more. His smile is intoxicatingly sweet as he says, “I love you. I’ve seen the real you, and I love you for who you are.”

“You’re not just saying that because you think it’s what I want to hear, is it?”

“No. I mean it. Just like how I’ve meant everything I’ve said.”

I finally wrap my arms around him. His warmth is so welcome. I didn’t know how much I wanted him like this. I refuse to let him try and save me or fix me or whatever he thinks he needs to do for me. All I want from him is his existence. Nothing more. “I love you too,” I say, resting my forehead against his, much like how he did earlier.

Ren holds onto me a little tighter as he whispers, “Let’s take down the dickdouche together.”

I snicker at his choice of words. “Yes. Together.”

[stonecoldhedwig]

Caraway Street: 1

Decided to start master-listing my fics on Tumblr, so here we go with the big WIP! 

_________________________ Chapter 1: Shotgun  Sirius looked around him, as the floorboard creaked beneath his feet. The room was surprisingly airy, with a sloping ceiling and whitewashed walls, and a little window that looked out over a somewhat-bedraggled back garden. The August day was hot and bright, beating down on the flagstones below, and through the open window Sirius could hear the sounds of the city alive with activity.

He and Remus had taken a room together in a flat along with James, at the top of a slightly-crumbling Edwardian house in London’s Muswell Hill. The house belonged to a bumbling man called Elphias Doge, who Sirius was quite convinced was over a hundred years old, and who had a penchant for remarkable hats. They’d found the advert for the place on a noticeboard in a coffee shop early in the summer, after a terrible viewing of a flat with so much black mould that Remus had walked out midway through. The first time they’d visited the house, Sirius had declared it perfect, even with the peeling paint in the bathroom and the front door that required a hard shove to open; the slim cupboard door in the hall that revealed stairs up to the roof had been the icing on the cake. Even better, the bigger flat below (which was in considerably better condition, James pointed out), had come available at the same time, and Lily, Dorcas and Marlene were set to move in.

Together. The word didn’t get old. Hadn’t got old for nearly a year now, Sirius thought. The word still had the capacity to send a frisson of excitement through him, make his heart beat a little faster. Remus, him, together. Sirius grinned in spite of himself. He turned, and cast his eyes over the piles of boxes, the bare mattress on the wrought iron bed frame, and the detritus of his life that lay scattered about, waiting to be unpacked. Their lives. Together.

“That’s everything, and I’ve finally got rid of Elphias,” Remus said as he walked into the room. He pulled his sunglasses off the top of his head, running a hand through his sandy blond hair. He shoved them into the pocket on his shirt, and walked over to where Sirius stood by the window.

“Elphias is such a legend,” Sirius grinned.

“God, he can talk though,” Remus replied. “I feel like I know his family inside out, and it’s only the second time I’ve met the man.”

Sirius barked out a laugh.

“He just likes a chat,” he said, good-naturedly. “Anyway, enough about Elphias. We’ve got a week until Prongs gets back from his holiday with Evans. What do you want to do with all this free time now we’re here? Christen the bed? Shag on every possible surface?” Sirius wiggled his eyes suggestively, and Remus swatted him on the arm.

“We should unpack,” Remus said finally, looking at the boxes and suitcases that littered the room.

“It’ll wait,” Sirius said, pulling him closer. “Why don’t we go explore the new hood?”

“The hood,” Remus repeated, raising his eyebrows.

“Yeah,” Sirius grinned, “the new hood. The ends, the neighby, the homestead, the turf.”

“You are so white.”

“I shall ignore that comment, and direct you to the front door. C’mon.” Sirius held out a hand, and Remus took it, smiling in spite of himself.

They made their way down the two flights of stairs, passing the front door to what would soon be the girls’ flat, and the accountants whose office occupied the ground floor. Stepping out into the hot summer sunshine, Sirius glanced back at the building. Even the name sounded good, he thought. 11, Caraway Street.

“Can you believe we’ve actually done it? Graduated, I mean,” Remus asked, smiling gratefully as Sirius held the garden gate open for him as he stepped onto the street.

“It feels bizarre, doesn’t it?” Sirius hummed, lacing their fingers together as they crossed the road. It was a wide, quiet street on a slight incline, with plane trees in bloom along the pavement and the houses on either side replicas of their own - albeit, somewhat less scruffy.

“I feel a bit bad about Pete, to be honest,” Remus admitted, as they strolled. “It can’t be fun having most of your friends move to London and you’ve moved to Bristol.”

“Eh,” Sirius shrugged, “that’s graduate life, isn’t it? You go where the jobs are. Plus, his job pays so well that he can afford to come visit!”

“True, and I guess it’s not just him who’s not living with friends anymore. Mary and Reg have finally found a flat in Edinburgh.”

“Oh good! I know Mary was worried - Marlene mentioned it the other day on Skype.”

“How is Marlene?”

“She’s doing well,” Sirius said, “tanned as anything. She’s back in the country in the next couple of days, and not happy about it - I think Spain suits her.”

“Sun, sea, and sangria would suit me too,” Remus replied.

“Getting bored of me already, Lupin?” Sirius teased.

Remus was about to reply with a sarcastic comment, when out of the corner of his eye he saw the door to number 26 swung open. He and Sirius stopped at the sound of a rather fake sounding cough.

“Hem, hem.”

They turned, and found themselves face-to-face with a woman who Remus could only describe as looking remarkably like a toad in a cardigan. She had a wide, pallid face with a broad, lipstick-coated mouth that was plastered into such an unpleasant smile that Remus didn’t know where to look. Perched atop her head was a pink velvet bow, matching the fuchsia dress she was wearing, and the sickly, baby pink knitwear she had draped about her shoulders.

“Have you just moved into number eleven?” she asked, in an uncomfortably girlish tone. Remus glanced at Sirius out the corner of his eye.

“Er, yes, we have,” he said.

“Dolores Umbridge, how do you do,” she simpered, stepping forward and extending a hand over the low garden wall.

“How do you do,” Sirius replied, taking her hand. “Sirius Black.”

“Remus Lupin,” Remus said, doing the same in turn.

“So lovely to see such bright smiling faces move into the area,” she said, looking at Sirius appraisingly. Remus bit his lip to stifle his grin - he was never going to let Sirius live this down, that he was getting checked out by an amphibian in argyle.

“What is it that you’ve moved to Muswell Hill to do?” Umbridge continued.

“I’ve just got a job working as a buyer in a gallery,” Sirius said. “Remus is studying for his masters in History.”

“I see,” Umbridge breathed. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence.

“What is it you do?” Remus asked politely.

“Oh I’m very involved in the local community,” Umbridge simpered, puffing up. “I run the local Conservative association ladies club, you know, and..."

Sirius zoned out, unable to keep his attention on what she was saying when her hands were so distracting. She counted on her stubby little fingers as she spoke, bedecked with some of the most unattractive costume jewellery Sirius had ever seen. One of the rings seemed vaguely familiar to him, but he couldn’t place it - amber, with a kind of serpent set in the middle of it.

“And I run the women’s union at the church,” she continued, before enquiring, “have you a faith?”

“Oh yes, hail Satan,” Sirius said, in such a sweet and unassuming tone of voice that Umbridge did a double take to make sure she’d heard him correctly. She paled, her toad-like eyes growing wide with horror.

“He was joking,” Remus said quickly. “Quirky sense of humour, you know.”

“Yes, well…” Umbridge trailed off, looking quickly between the two boys as though she couldn’t work out if they were mocking her.

“Anyway, we must be off,” Sirius said jovially. “It was lovely to meet you, Delilah.”

“Dolores,” Remus muttered.

“Yes! Dolores!”

“And you,” Umbridge replied, her simpering tone returned.

“Goodbye now,” Remus said, and they turned. They walked away with Remus feeling as though Umbridge was watching their every move as they passed further down the street.

“Hail Satan?” Remus said under his breath, once they were out of earshot.

“I couldn’t resist!”

“Well, something tells me that woman is insane.”

“Total fruitcake,” Sirius replied. _________________________

Remus and Sirius spent the afternoon exploring their new home. They walked down Muswell Hill towards Alexandra Palace, taking in the hustle and bustle of the city and browsing the shops as they went. At one point, Sirius tried to buy them ice creams at a little shop run by a very enthusiastic man, who had introduced himself as Florian Fortescue. Upon finding out they had just moved into the area, he had plied them with an ice cream each and categorically insisted that they didn’t pay. They spent a happy few hours lounging in the park, before meandering home.

Later that evening, and once they’d returned to the flat to begin their mammoth task of unpacking, Sirius stepped out to collect their take out food that had been delivered. He walked to the curb, handing over the cash in his hand to the driver and receiving their delivery in return. He had just pushed open the low iron gate, which squeaked horrendously, when a figure seemed to emerge from nowhere in next-door’s garden, springing up. Whatever the figure was wearing seemed to billow about them in the evening breeze, giving an ethereal appearance out the corner of Sirius’ eye. When it spoke, its voice was loud and clear.

“You must be one of our new neighbours!”

Sirius yelped, nearly dropping the bag he was carrying full of take out food. He spun round, and came face-to-face with what was, in fact, an old man. He was tall, and looked rather friendly, as Sirius’ heart pounded in his chest.

“Bloody hell,” he cried, “you scared the life out of me!”

“Sorry,” the old man chuckled. Now Sirius had a chance to look at him properly, he noted the man’s incredible appearance. He had a long white beard, and had on a pair of gold-rimmed, half-moon spectacles, behind which were a pair of electric blue eyes. They were surrounded by wrinkles, and glittered with amusement and inquisitiveness. Atop his equally long white hair was perched a little hat with a gold tassel, and what had seemed like eerie robes were in fact a rather striking midnight blue dressing gown, embroidered with constellations.

“Albus Dumbledore,” he said, extending a hand. Sirius took it, surprised by the strength of the old man’s grip.

“Sirius Black,” he replied.

“Black, Black,” Dumbledore repeated, looking like he was searching his mind as though it were a filing cabinet. He scanned Sirius’ face. “Not the Grimmauld Blacks?”

“Unfortunately,” Sirius smiled ruefully.

“Orion Black?”

“My father. Again, unfortunately.”

“I think I saw your father in court, once.”

“Really?” Sirius frowned.

“I was a lawyer for a long time,” Dumbledore said, “before I became a professor.”

“Oh, well then, you’d have got the full force of my father’s stellar personality, he hates lawyers. Let me guess, it was tax evasion, or something like that?”

“Something like that, yes,” Dumbledore smiled softly. He lifted his left hand, and Sirius saw him holding a trowel. “I’m sorry for scaring you, I should have thought that you weren’t expecting anyone. I have to do the gardening at night at the moment, as it’s too hot during the day.”

Sirius was about to reply, when the front door of Dumbledore’s house opened, and out stepped a woman who he would have described as old, but nowhere near as old as the gentleman standing in front of him. She had a lined and somewhat stern face, and was dressed in a dark green shirtwaist dress, with her dark hair pulled back into a bun.

“Albus, did you- oh!”

She had a clipped Scottish accent, and looked surprised to see Dumbledore speaking to someone. She stepped out of the front door, and crossed the garden.

“Minerva,” Dumbledore said warmly, as she approached. “This is one of our new neighbours - I’m afraid I’ve just frightened the life out of the poor boy.”

“No harm done,” Sirius said kindly, and smiled at the woman.

“Minerva McGonagall,” she said.

“Sirius,” he replied, deciding to leave off his surname. No doubt the old man would share it later.

“Have you lived here long?” Sirius asked, politely, while acutely aware that the takeaway in his bag was cooling.

“Minerva’s lived here for, what, twenty years?” Dumbledore said, turning to look at her.

“Twenty three.”

“She’s an old friend,” Dumbledore continued, “and very kindly offered to let me lodge with her. I moved in only last year. We practiced law together for many years.”

“Lovely.”

“You’ve just moved in then?” McGonagall asked, albeit a little suspiciously.

“Yes, just me and my boyfriend at the moment. Lazy first night, you know, thought we’d order in,” Sirius said, lifting the takeout bag up.

“We’ll let you get on,” Dumbledore said warmly, “and hopefully we’ll meet again soon.”

“It was lovely to meet you,” Sirius said to them both, and stepped back across the flowerbed he’d been standing in to the garden path.

“Cheerio, then,” Dumbledore smiled, and Sirius waved. He turned, and fished about in his pocket for his house keys. Remus would wonder where he’d got to, he thought. Finding the keys, he stepped onto the front step, and just as he was about to put the key into the lock, Sirius heard a hushed tone from the next-door garden.

“Do you know, Minerva, that young man is the son of Orion Black?”

“No!” Sirius heard the woman reply. “He seemed positively pleasant!”

Always the tone of surprise, Sirius thought, grinning and letting himself into the house.

[her-world-on-fire]

Stargaze {Leo Valdez x Reader}

MASTERLIST

REQUEST: Hi! Would you consider writing a Leo Valdez x reader one-shot where they sneak out at night to go stargazing and they make out after some cheesy remarks and random thoughts about the universe from both of em? Thanks in advance xoxo

WORD COUNT: 2,294

A/N: My Love by Sia is recommended. :)

"Leo?" I called, I walked to the forge, the campfire's glow still illuminating my path. His shirt was on the floor in a ball, it was surprisingly untouched. He was working on his new project, it seemed to take a lot of time lately. He had to sneak out to work on it since his last little prank, Chiron banned him from the forge. It was the best punishment, he couldn't work on more pranks or do anything he loved until he learned his lesson. He had been engaged in a prank war with the Apollo and Hermes children. He had built a machine that made them appear in the strangest places.

Leo had built a replica of him and kept it inside his room. There was no need to answer back because he was so grumpy he wouldn't want to talk. His siblings were too busy to notice him and even if they did they wouldn't snitch. Having a bone to pick with Leo? Not a good idea. Especially if you're in the same cabin you're always open for an attack. They didn't dare mess with their cabin counselor.

"Down here." He replied, he got up from the floor and greeted me. He gave me a kiss and then brought his hands to my face. Soon it was covered in oil, I glared at him and he laughed as wiped his hands and collected his shirt off the ground. He knew it was time to head back to camp. He grabbed his tool belt and placed it around his waist again. He made sure to make it look like he hadn't been working on anything. "You sure you want me to put my shirt back on?" He asked, "You seem like you want it to stay off." He winked and I smiled, "I can see you without a shirt anytime I want Valdez."

"However you're covered in grease, Chiron might not like that." He looked down and groaned, Leo didn't like wearing clothes. He was always very warm due to his pyrokinesis, add in the fact that it was summer, and sitting in front of a campfire. "Well, now we're both covered in oil. We could always sneak in the shower?" He teased kissing my neck, it was very tempting indeed. I thought about it for a moment, rules were meant to be broken. Leo always said it to try and convince me to do something we shouldn't. Most of the times I was the impulse control, but every once in a while he was just too damn convincing. Especially since he's been on house arrest lately. The forge was close to the campfire, so we would have to take a long way around.

Soon we arrived his cabin hand in hand. His room was isolated which was very convent for us. As suspected it was empty. He smirked and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into a deep kiss. His lips moved away and he began leaving a trail of wet kisses down my neck. I knew exactly what he was doing. Leo loved to leave hickies. He loved them during the summertime because they would be especially hard to hide. His shirt was already off, so he went to work getting mine off. He pulled away and took my shirt off and threw it across the room. He pulled me to his bed and climbed on top of me. I took the opportunity to leave a few marks of my own. He began pulling my shorts off, and as I ran my hands through his mess of curls we pulled away the only thing that mattered was getting each other clothes off.

--

We took a shower before arriving at the campfire noticeably late. Everyone was there gathered around, we spotted the group and sat down with them. Annabeth leaned against Percy. Piper and Jason sat next to them, Jason's arm around Piper. Behind them was Hazel and Frank's hands were intertwined, having an important conversation. We sat next to them and got the attention of the group.  "You two couldn't be more obvious." Jason sneered, and Leo punched him. Chiron was too busy to notice how late we were. "Gods, What happened to your neck, Leo?" Hazel gasped, genuinely concerned, earning a snicker from Percy and Annabeth. Frank's eyes widened, and Leo went to answer shooting me a look, "Well |Y/N| here-" Frank cleared his throat, desperate for Leo to keep his mouth shut.

He held his hands up in defense, and Chiron began announcements. It was Thursday, so he reminded the cabins of capture the flag the next day. The two teams were the Hephaestus cabin vs Athena's. The group had already split up, Percy, Annabeth, Frank, and Hazel were playing for Athena's cabin. While me, Leo, Jason, and Piper were with the Hephaestus cabin. Percy turned around and smirked at Jason, the friendly rivalry evident. Annabeth smacked Percy lightly, whispering at him to pay attention. Soon the Apollo camp began singing, their instruments turned into coins, I turned to Leo and he shook his head. Hermes had gotten their revenge, they found a way to improvise, with acapella. By 10, everyone was sent to bed.

--

The day passed by slowly everyone was ready to play the game. Piper, Jason, Leo and I stayed at the armory and began planning. As head of his cabin, Leo already had a few ideas. Due to his nickname Latino Santa's Elf by Jason, they decided he should be the one to capture the flag. He was sneaky, fast and mischievous. However his serious ADHD proved a problem, so Jason would follow behind just in case. Piper would stand guard to use her charmspeak. I would be the next line of defense. We all strategized having been on the same team and predicted possible outcomes. They didn't imagine one, however.

"Go get Y/N now!" Jason called out to Frank as he struggled to hold Leo back. He began to get hotter, and soon Jason would have to release him. One of the kids from the opposing team decided to distract Leo. He was a fast runner, "Didn't mommy teach you it's not nice to steal? Oh, wait-" Leo dropped the flag and turned his attention to the boy. Jason wasn't far behind and he pulled Leo away but not before he got in a few punches. Jason couldn't calm him down at all, he knew how Leo felt about his mother's death. Now Percy had to hold him back as well while Annabeth tried talking sense into him. "Leo he's not worth it. This is what he wants don't give it to him." Frank and Hazel ran across the field in search of Y/N. Piper and Y/N were guarding their flag unaware of the events by the border. "What he wants," Leo growled, "Is to have his ass handed to him!"

I heard Frank and Hazel shouting my name from a long distance, I looked to Piper. They wouldn't do this unless it was important. We left two others in charge and we ran to meet them. "It's Leo. We can't calm him down." Frank breathed and led them to where he was. I saw Percy, Annabeth and Jason gathered around him. It wasn't hard to piece together what happened Leo was pleading with Percy to let him go. The fire was spreading throughout his body. I stepped in front of him and the fire began subsiding, "Leo," I said and took his chin and made him look in my eyes, "Breathe." He shut his eyes an inhaled deeply. He was fighting it, he did not want to calm down but he listened. Chiron arrived and looked at Leo and the boy with the bloody nose. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Valdez, care to explain?" I winced and took Leo's hand in mine. "Someone's a sore loser," He spat through clenched teeth, "He thought it was funny to make a joke about my mom." Chiron looked up and his eyes darted to the boy. He held his bloody nose, he knew he deserved it. "You know the rules, no dessert for a week, I want to talk to you." He said and looked at the boy, head counselors as well. Holly and Laurel Victor stepped up, "I will talk to you separately." He told Leo and parted.

It was announced that Cabin 9 took the victory. Leo was absolved from his other punishment. I could tell that the comment really got to him. He was off for the rest of the night. Chiron sent everyone to bed for the night. Leo and I approaching the cabins, "How do you feel about breaking a few more rules?" I suggested, a small smile formed on his lips. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. I led him to Half-Blood Hill. I had been saving this date for a rainy day, this qualified. 

"What are you doing?"

"You'll see." I had left his presence and went to Talia's tree, Leo was very clingy. He hated being apart, especially when he didn't have anything to work on. There was nothing to occupy his time. It began to get a little bit colder, as night approached. Thanks to his cabin mates I had the perfect hiding place. "A rock, baby really?" I rolled my eyes and placed the rock. We had made a sensor, and when the rock touched it, "Holy shit! I love you." Some logs came together for a campfire. Nearby there was an air mattress with blankets and a telescope.

He walked to the mattress and threw himself down. The mattress surprisingly didn’t falter under his influence. I couldn’t help but laugh. “What? I have to make sure it’s sturdy enough to-” I interrupted him and grabbed the collar of his shirt. Our lips were close, I smirked, “Only one way to find out.” We kissed for what seemed like hours before I realized why I brought him. I pulled away and he pouted, “There’s a meteor shower tonight.” He gasped, and grabbed my face and gave me a quick peck. He moved off of the mattress and to the logs.

He wouldn’t stop whining about missing the last one and I didn’t want to put up with it again. Leo was crazy about space. He wanted so desperately to understand how the world worked. He clung to theories and ideas as if they were his lifeline. The universe was his favorite machine. I watched him he gazed at the sky just waiting for the showers to begin. I joined him and my arm brushed against his. Once again I was reminded of his intoxicating warmth. To just be near him was fulfilling. “Hey, you’re cold.” He cooed, we had forgotten to light the fire. Leo didn’t feel the temperature drop like I did. He put an arm around me and used the other to light the fire. I felt better immediately and breathed a sigh of relief. Amused, he chuckled, “I can still remember how my mom used to scold me for never wearing a jacket. It didn’t help her case that I never got sick.”

The fire reminded him of his mom, it used to really make him uncomfortable. He used to think of it as a curse until he learned to control it. He realized it could help people. I found it best not to interrupt him, it was hard to get him open up so I just listened. “I really hope she knows I’m okay. She must’ve been so worried.” I could see he was replaying that night, I put my head on his shoulder. “She knows Leo. She’s with you always.” He gave a smile and nodded. As if on cue the shower began. We watched astonished, “My gods, so many events had to transpire for us to be able to see this.”

“First, there needs to be some kind of chain reaction. There has to be an explosion or a collision. As parts of a machine, this is what gets the whole thing started. Meteors are pieces of debris that float through space. After that chain reaction happens they are sent through space. Some find their way to Earth. The atmosphere-” I looked at him and was just so overwhelmed with love. Hearing him explain just a little bit about the universe made my heart swell. I could tell he was really eager to explain. He looked down at me and paused, “What?” I shook my head and smiled, “Nothing. I just love you, keep going.” 

“You know all of this already don’t you?” 

“It’s okay, I like your explanation better.”

He rolled his eyes and kissed me, “Why waste my time when we can be doing something much more fun?” The shower had died down and a lot of the excitement had passed. He grabbed my hand and led me back to the mattress. “Gods, I love you,” He said right before kissing me. This time it was gentle, unlike this morning. He was trying so desperately to show his love. We pulled away from each other, a little out of breath.

“Chiron is not letting us get away with this one.” He smirked, “That’s if he catches us, mi amor. We can be very quiet.” He said, and once again brought our lips together. It didn’t matter that we could be caught. It just added to the thrill. We could get into so much trouble but nothing could outweigh this. Being in his arms, warmed by his body heat and the fire, nothing was better than this. I laughed a little, Leo smirked into the kiss. It was like he read my mind. 

[sweetcatmintea]

A Stranger’s Malice

Hey! It’s Flash Fiction Friday (finished on Saturday because it got late <.<;;) I didn’t see a prompt this week? So it’s time for a stranger and kid update! This had great dialogue until I opened word..  Anyways, I hope you enjoy spending some more time with this weird pair ^u^ Feedback is my life blood appreciated!

Characters: Stranger and Super Ninja Man

Words: 2608

Previous parts: 1, 2, 3, 4

----------

If I’m being honest, having a week between the kid starting school and my being called to the principal’s office surprised me. I’d have put my money on the third day mark. Turning the ignition off, I take a moment to just sit before I leave the car. Although it was inevitable, my guts writhe. They’ll continue until I find out why exactly I’ve been called in. If I’m lucky, it’s a Strongly Worded discussion about calling my kid Ninja Man. (I convinced him to drop the Super for school.) If not, well, at least I won’t be worrying about dinner tonight. I sigh. Might as well get it over with.

The school is decent. Not too fancy, not too lacking. After Grace started helping, things have smoothed out a lot more. It helps that she has the benefit of experience here. I didn’t expect her to be so on board with all of this. I should’ve called her sooner. Although, it was probably my desperation that invoked her sympathy so maybe not. Making my way down the concrete path winding through the school grounds, I ignore the noises from the classrooms, focusing more on finding the main office again. It’s strangely difficult to resist the urge to detour and poke my head into the kid’s class. Nerdlet that he is, he’s probably enjoying himself. Hopefully. Ugh, what’s up with all this sap lately? It’s just school.

You can imagine my surprise when, after finally finding the dingy little building tucked into the back corner of the grounds, I let myself in and there was the kid. Slouched uncomfortably in a hard, plastic chair, avoiding the receptionist’s gaze. Not that she was looking at him, lost in a cheap novel. He notices me but keeps his head down, avoiding my eyes as well. His sneakers scuff at the linoleum – ugly, as was custom for administrative standards – while he fidgets with whatever his worried fingers can find.

“Whatcha doin out of class?” My voice startles the receptionist out of her book. She tries to greet me, but she can wait. Something’s up. The kid continues to look anywhere but at me. He frowns into his hands, picking at his nails. The new stains on his shirt collar twinge my chest uncomfortably. I don’t let it show.

“’m in trouble.”

Well. This is interesting. “Out with it then. What you do?” The receptionist is still trying to get my attention. I wave her off, she can go back to her book. I want to hear it from him first.

He huffs. “Jimmy’s an idiot. He kept picking on me and calling me names to I made him stop.”

“You’re gonna have to give me more than that. Means squat to me without details.”

He huffs again. There’s no remorse in his scowl, just frustration. His tail twitches as a deep flush crawls over his skin. I doubt it’s me, personally, that’s burning him up, but there is definitely something there. I put my hand on his shoulder.

“Take your time. I want to understand.”

He nods and takes a deep breathe. Trying again, he manages to organise his thoughts well enough to voice them. “Jimmy is in the year above me. He keeps calling me lizard breath and skink brain and I told him to stop because I don’t like it, but he just did it more and then he got Luke and stupid Ben-ja-min to do it. They’re in my class. And they’re the Worst. The keep stealing my pencils and telling the teacher I threw them at them! I didn’t though! My aim’s not even that good! And then Ms. Jacobs made me move all the way to the front and switch with Stacy so I was in front of stupid Benjamin but every time she wasn’t looking, he tried to stamp on my tail.”

He pauses to catch his breathe. I wait for him to continue. There’s more there, obviously, and I don’t want to break his flow.

“And then today, I went to eat my lunch and I was looking forward to it because you said there was a surprise for me but they stole it and filled my lunch box with worms. All the girls freaked out even though it was just worms and when I tried to tell the break teacher, he told me to stop upsetting everyone! It wasn’t even me! So I didn’t have any lunch and I went to play with Georgie, they’re cool, I like them, but when we were playing, Jimmy kicked a ball right at my face. He did it on purpose too, even though he told the teacher it was an accident. He looked right at me! So I got really reeaalllyy mad.”

He’s not the only one. The dried blood crusting his upper lip makes me feel a certain kind of way. It’s not pretty. It takes all of my self-control to mask how much my fists are shaking. “What did you do?”

I almost don’t catch his mumbled response. “I threw a beehive at him…”

Don’t laugh. “You threw a beehive at him?”

“Yeah… Then he got chased by bees… And then he ran into the door because the bees were chasing him… He went home early…”

Through some miracle, I stifle my chuckles. I’m giddy with anger, it’s hard to maintain my tone. “Did you get stung?”

“No. I was quick.” He mimes the act, tossing an imaginary hive into the air in front of him.

“Alright. We’ll talk about this properly when we get home. We’ll fix your face up too. Do you feel dizzy at all? No? Good. If you start to feel sick, let me know the instant. It doesn’t matter if you interrupt me. Okay? I’ve got to talk to your principal now. Thank you for telling me what happened.”

The receptionist is all smiles now. Probably my murderous face. Her complacency commits her to the crimes. They should have called my much earlier. Not bothering with an announcement, I barge right into the office.

Principal Hobs has his head buried in his work, pouring over several files on his expensive looking desk. I wonder if he knows it’s a cheap replica. By the way it’s lovingly polished to near perfection, I’d wager no. Apparently, I��m not the only one without manners. He stuffs around, fiddling with more papers, medical reports by the look of it, waving me in with a lazy hand. Like he’s to Busy and Important for the likes of me and my Rowdy, Trouble-Making kid. Doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never been particularly moved by his acts. I drop into the arm chair, more armature than filling of course, slinging my arm over the back and reclining into it. Head tilted and brow cocked, I wait for him to face me. I’m looking forward to the expression.

He finally decides I’m worth his time. “I’m sure Louise has caught you u-” He jolts, cool demeanour melting right to the floor. “What are you doing here?”

I smile. Charming as a shrike. “Hi Ratface. It’s been a while, huh?”

He flounders, fumbling through his notes. The window light catches the shine of his receding hairline. Although we’re older, he’s hardly changed at all. I suppose I haven’t much either, just becoming more proficient in my… hobbies. His eyes dart from his notes to me like ping pong balls. He must’ve missed me. How sweet. Clamping onto a file like it’s a raft, he clears his throat, trying to regain composure. “I, erm, we are both adults now. I’m the principal. You will address me with the respect afforded to an individual of my stature.”

“Sure thing, Ratface. Try to move it along. I’m a very busy person.”

He stutters out a response, sitting straighter in his chair. Like the desk, it’s a cheap replica of a nice model. “Y-yes – I mean, urhum, I called you here to discuss the discipline of your son. He is your son? The Tainted boy?”

He’s acting like the kid suddenly appeared and started school midway through the year. Where does he get these silly ideas from?

“My very own flesh and blood. The product of one of my, many, sordid rendezvous over the years. Why? Want all of the juicy details? Haha that’s right up your alley, isn’t it?”

His face glows red. Huh. It is his thing. Judging by the oh-so-subtle glance at the door, it may just be Louise’s thing as well. He changes the topic quickly.

“Are you aware that John attacked another student today? Poor Jimmy Dorrson suffered several injuries thanks to your offspring. That kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in my school.”

I lean in, resting my elbows on his shiny desk. He leans back despite himself. I catch the malice of my eyes reflected in his glasses. “Now there’s a whole lot to unpack here, isn’t there. Let’s start simple. What in god’s name did you just call him?”

“W-w-well, I- uh- I called him John. I-”

“That’s not his name.”

“You, well, you can’t very well expect me-me to call him “Ninja Man” It’-”

“It’s his name. That’s what the kid wants to be called.”

“But-”

“But nothing. You will refer to him by name. But let’s move on, shall we. Would you like to explain to me why, exactly, you called me in here to talk about Jimmy whats-his-face but conveniently failed to tell me that my kid was hurt?”

“Jimmy was attacked! It took priority!”

“Oh yes, poor, poor Jimmy. He’s lucky he’s not here right now. I have some words for him as well.”

“W-what are you implying here? It was a simple case of boys will be boys.” He flinched at my deepening venom. “I, you know, I never pictured you as the over protective type.”

“I’m not. I’m his parent. Boys will be boys? Don’t give me that garbage. I know my kid. I know what kind of people schools breed. Did you bother asking him what happened? Did you listen when he told you how the gutless trio provoked him? No? Did you even Consider the root of his “disruptive behaviour”? Of course you didn’t. That would be too inconvenient for your busy, busy self. God forbid you Teach these kids anything.”

Hobs is gaping like a dying fish. His mouth opens and closes but nothing comes out. He can’t play this off as nothing. Not with me. “You know how it is! You know better than anyone how kids can be. Yours, he’s, he’s different. Bullying was inevitable. What do you want from me?”

“I want you to deal with the situation.”

“But, he’s Tainted!” He growls the words. “I can’t stop what happens. It’s just how things work!”

“What happened to your ‘zero tolerance policy’?” I don’t let him defend himself. “Things are going to change here. Unless you want me to call up some of my friends – you remember Todd, right? Of course you do. You two go way back – and make some things, disappear, as it were – you have taken out life insurance, right? It’d be such a shame if your lovely wife was left high and dry if something were to happen to you – you’re going to make some changes. This school is about to become extremely progressive, isn’t it?”

“What do you…”

“Disappearing not good enough? I can make things appear too. Your wife might deal with you herself if evidence happened to come to light about why you really stay late.”

“You don’t have any proof of that!”

“Oh, but I do. You think I wouldn’t come prepared? That I accidentally enrolled my son in your school? Please. I own the shadows Ratface. You can’t hide in them.”

“Are you threatening me!?” And the last horse crosses the line.

I slam my hands on the desk, leaning over him with an alligator grin. He shrinks back into his cheap chair. “Oh, dear, sweet Ratface. Of course not. I’d never threaten you. I’m making a promise. If my kid ever comes home with so much as a sniffle again, I will make your life miserable in ways you can’t ever imagine. Are you clear?” I think he’s going to pass out. His face is another shade of pale entirely.

“Y-yes. I understand.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I-Implement anti-bullying policy changes.”

“That?”

“Uh,, that are meaningful and not superficial.”

“Good.” I ease off him, leaving him to crumple into himself while I collect the kid and leave. Theatrics are tiring.

---

A comfortable silence builds as we drive home. The kid seems less upset which is good. A bruise is beginning to form across his nose. I’ll have to take care of that. He pokes my arm.

“Do you really know all of Principal Hobs’ secrets?”

I give him a side-eyed look. He pretends he doesn’t notice. Eavesdropper. “No. I don’t. I just made a few lucky guesses. I know the kind of person his is.”

“Hmmm. He seemed real scared of you.”

“Yeah…” I scratch my neck. “I was a little mean to him in school.”

“Were you a bully?”

“Yeah. I guess you could say that. I never touched him personally, but I did point him out to my friends. They liked to torment weaker kids.”

“How come? Did he deserve it?”

How to explain? I’m not exactly proud of what we did but with him, it’s hard to find sympathy. “My friends like to pick on people. I think it made them feel strong. It didn’t matter of they deserved it or not.” He looks more than a little disheartened. “But with your principal, I saw him pulling wings off of flies. He liked to pick on weaker things too. I pointed him out to my friends because of that.”

“Because of the flies? Did you ever tell him that?”

“No. I figured, he didn’t tell the flies why he bullied them so why tell him why he was being picked on?” I sigh. “Really, I shouldn’t have done that. I should have just confronted him about it. No matter the excuse, it’s never okay to hurt people.” I glance at him again. “If you’re ever picked on, tell me. I can’t help unless I know what’s going on.”

“Okay.” He nodded. That was easy. Did he not realise he could talk to me? Hopefully things will change so he won’t have to.

We pull up to the gate but neither moves to get out. I switch the ignition of.

“Am I in trouble?” He looks worried.

“Do you think you should be?”

“Yeah, kinda? I did get Jimmy hurt… But he deserved it. If he left me alone when I asked him to, I wouldn’t have had to do it.”

That was a whole issue in itself. A messy one. “Look, we’re gonna have to have an ice cream talk about Jimmy, but not today. I reckon you’ve had a big enough day as it is. I’m not going to get mad at you for self-defence. The last thing I want to see is you getting hurt. Especially if you’re holding back because of manners or whatever. However, starting tomorrow, we’re digging out a new garden. You’re going to grow native flowers to make it up to the bees. They didn’t ask to get in the middle of your fight, or for you to break their home. I’ll help you, but this will be you taking responsibility for your actions. Does that sound fair?”

“Yeah. I am sorry about that bit.”

“Good. Let’s go in.”  

----------

Tag list

@inkovert, @snobbysnekboi, @kainablue, and @i-rove-rock-n-roll

---

Hmm, does the stranger feel out of character here? I’m not sure if their character is loosening up or if I’m going off model..

[nezzfiction]

ENMY Chapter 54 - The First Profane Maiden

Chapter Synopsis: As tensions between Yang and Cinder rise, more insight is revealed into the Fall Maiden's mysterious ambitions.

Team RWBY is disbanded, and Yang must find herself new allies. For her, that might very well be yesterday’s enemies. Joining up with the likes of Emerald, Mercury, and Neo, the four will comprise Team Enemy.

Links to read the series: Ao3 or FF.net

Or hit the jump below

.

The First Profane Maiden

.

The best people possess a feeling for Beauty.

The Courage to take Risks.

The Discipline to tell the Truth.

…And the Capacity for Sacrifice.

Ironically, their Virtues make them Vulnerable.

They are often Wounded.

…

And sometimes,

Destroyed.

.

.

In the midst of a forest experiencing the peak of winter, Raven stood on an unnatural patch of lush, green grass. With her was a young boy, whose height barely reached her waist.

“She’s gone, Argent. It’s what Bean and I said,” Raven spoke into her scroll.

“……Are you sure?”

“Bean can’t sense her, and I can’t find a trace of her in the Never Realm. If that wasn’t enough, this should convince you.”

Raven turned on the camera on her scroll and transmitted a video feed of what was before them.

Centered in the patch of luscious green land, was a headstone carved of finely polished boulder. The workmanship was uncanny, and the environment just so. The ones who erected the monument made certain it would withstand the tests of time.

On the headstone, it read:

One who Championed the Future.

Who stood tall among Remnant’s finest Huntresses.

Headmaster of Haven Academy.

Loved by Friends, Family, and Students.

Here rests, Victoria Stein.

…

Argent recognized the craftsmanship immediately.

“Masa…” he let out a soft mutter. “If she was the one who made this, it cannot be a lie.”

“I’m sorry, Argent.”

“…...Both of you should return to the armada. You’ve been away long enough. If you are attacked now, there would be no assistance.”

“I am truly sorry.”

“Are you?”

Raven paused, and was about to flare with anger, when she remembered all the things that happened between them. Also, the man was clearly grieving. This was a time for understanding, not defending some petty sleight.

“I am, Argent. You have my sympathies.”

“…”

“I’ve lost siblings before. It was when I was young, and we were never truly close, but I know the pain. I doubt you’d take the offer, but if you ever want to talk… the offer stands.”

“I see.”

“Arge—”

“I must inform Henry. He will not believe it coming from someone else.”

“Tell my father—!” Bean tried to hop within screen view. Raven leaned lower to him. “Tell my father, I am sorry I failed him.”

The Prime Minister shook his head.

“You did not fail him. It is us that failed her. You must take great care, Bean. Your father would not be able to stand losing you as well.”

“I… I understand.”

“Stay close to Blake and Raven.”

“…Instructions will be followed.”

Bean was about to say something more, but shut his mouth.

Raven immediately caught it and knew. It was these precious few moments, these small and humble words that held the most importance. But if never spoken, something would be lost forever. Time can never reverse, and matters left unsaid was a tragedy she experienced too often herself.

She gave Bean a gentle prod on the back. The boy looked up at her face, which all but told him to speak his mind.

“I… I never knew the subject called, Victoria Stein. She… was my mother?”

Argent expressed a bit of confusion. “I suppose, in a sense.”

“I would request her information disclosed to me.”

“…I can arrange you access to her archives.”

“I meant—I request the Prime Minister personally disclose the information to me,” he spoke quickly, but awkwardly. “Father does not speak of her much. Curiosity, peaked. Personal interaction, no longer viable. Would like to know.”

Finally understanding the meaning behind Bean’s words, the elder man smiled. His eyes glossed, unable to bury his emotions.

“Yes. I would be happy to speak about Victoria with you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“No. Thank you, dear boy. We shall be in touch soon.”

The call ended.

Raven and Bean stared at the grave for a while.

“My gratitude, Commander,” the boy said.

“……Remember this, child. Never leave anything unsaid. Ever.” Raven sliced open a portal and plucked a white rose from it. “Never give in to the chance that the words you leave someone aren’t your last. Cut a few simple words short—and you can carry regrets that will eat at you for the rest of your life.”

“You reference previous experience?”

“……Yes.”

“A mother?”

“No. Someone whom I loved more than anything and anyone in the world.”

“They sound important.”

“Yes.” Raven spoke a silent prayer before laying the rose at the grave.

“She was my moon on peaceful nights.

And the bell that chimed my happiness.

Now, the nights are dark.

And my ears can’t hear a thing.”

.

* * * * *

.

“…”

“…”

“That. Is not disturbing in the slightest,” Cinder groaned, waking up to the blank, empty stare of Penny from across the room. “I believe sleeping arrangements had myself and my subordinates in one room, with the rest of you in the other.”

[I was ordered by Emerald to announce when you were awake.]

“An order she did not think through thoroughly, it seems.” Cinder saw the beds beside her empty. “Where are they?”

[Training, as per usual scheduled routine.]

“Training. I remember when those two shuddered at the word.”

The woman threw off her covers, dressed, and went into the living room.

There, she found Team ENMY sitting with their backs against each other, eyes closed. From what Cinder could tell, they were probably in the middle of running a hallucinated simulation. A practice she had originally designed.

[Cinder has awakened!]

Penny yelled through her internal loudspeaker.

“BAH!! Freakin’ hell!” Emerald gasped, along with her other teammates.

“Em, don’t just bring us out like that!”

“Yeah. It’s my fault your friend freckles over there almost gave me heart failure.” Realizing that her boss was awake, Emerald swiftly regained herself. “Evening, Cinder. Me and Merc didn’t want to wake you, so we thought we’d let you sleep in a bit longer.”

“I see. Never do so again.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“I will oversee your next training session. It would do well to grasp how much you two have grown—and what more you have to improve on.”

“About that, do we even need training anymore?” Mercury cut in. “I mean, bringing up the obvious here, but we’ve got two powerhouse Maidens.”  

“I’d hate for the both of you to return to your old slothing habits. So, yes. Your training will resume as it always has, but under my supervision. Have our fake identities been prepared?”

“Just *huff* got ‘em!” Junior ran in out of breath, while passing out several passports. “Only the best, for the best.”

They each took their forged credentials with an obvious scrutiny.

“‘Masamune’? You’ve spelled this one’s name incorrectly.”

“‘Hermes’. Sounds like an STD.”

“What in the hell is an ‘Aladdin’? Is that a guy’s name?”

“‘Rapunzel’? Really?”

“‘Cinderella’. Hm.”

“GUYS. That’s the point of fake IDs. They’re fake. They’re not supposed to actually sound like you.”

“I can’t believe we’re paying you for this,” Emerald clicked her tongue and badly threw a stack of lien to Junior, which he almost dropped.

“No. Of course, no ‘thanks Junior’ or ‘you’re the best, dude!’ Forget that I saved your lives that one time.”

“You had keys in your hand, and you tossed them to us. I wouldn’t exactly call that saving us from a giant, lava assassin, but sure. AND we paid that debt back, and then some. So, no more milking that tree.”

They all gathered around the dining table to have some breakfast/dinner. While Neo, Yang, and Masa were on the cooking shift, Emerald read through news articles on her scroll.

“Can you believe this? ‘Heroes or Menaces?’” She showed them the title of the news article and the picture below of Team ENMY laying waste to a street full of gangsters. “Conveniently forgot to mention that those assholes attacked us last night for the bounty.”

“Heh, chumps. But seriously, what exactly happened to these two?” Junior asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“I mean, how did blondie get a massive upgrade. And I remember this one being freaky before,” he nodded to Cinder. “But these two just solo wiped the concrete with all my business rivals. Like, what’s the deal. New workout routine? Steroids? Or new workout routine AND steroids?”

“None of your business, beardo. Back to what’s really important, our fame just kicked up a few notches. Will these fake IDs hold up?”

“Of course! You can see for yourself. Perfect replicas of Vale Army IDs to get you train access, then Atlas personnel credentials to get you the rest of the way. I pulled a lot of favors to get you these. All you need now are pictures. My advice, don’t look like yourselves.”

Neo instantly morphed into her dark-haired, green-eyed persona.

“Were is so easy for the rest of us,” Cinder commented.

“Mine says I was injured in combat?” Mercury furrowed his brow. “Says I lost both my legs from an airship falling on me.”

“Better than me,” Yang snarled. “Says here, I got my arm decapitated by one Ruby Rose.”

“LOOK. I thought it would sell better if your backgrounds read soldiers returning to Atlas as injured combatants,” Junior huffed.

“That’s actually pretty smart,” Emerald approved.

“Not too insensitive?”

“Oh, it’s insensitive. But it also tickles me, so whatever. Looks like Mercury has to put on the old, ‘you hit me with your car’ routine again.”

“How’s this?” Mercury cleared his throat. “THEY GOT MY LEGS!!! OH GOD! THOSE BASTARDS GOT MY LEGS!!! THE AGONY~~~!!!”

“Okay, maybe we add shattered jaw to your list of injuries.”

“I still can’t believe everyone bought that,” Yang commented in disbelief.

“Like suckers for suckers. How about you? Think you can act like when you first lost your arm?”

“You mean, when I was angry all the time and hated all of you, and didn’t talk?”

“Yup.”

“You just want me to look angry all the time and not talk, don’t you?”

“Yup.”

“……Yeah, I can do that,” Yang rolled her eyes.

“Great. Only problem is, unlike the rest of us, anybody with eyes will recognize you a mile away. Maybe, do something with your hair?”

“Dye it black,” Cinder immediately recommended. “I think it would look rather fitting,” she grinned.

Emerald, Yang, and Neo simultaneously twisted their expressions at her words.

“That. Was a joke.”

“Ha-ha,” Emerald tried to laugh forcefully. “Um, also, I think you might need to change your appearance too.”

“I do?”

“A lot of authorities know about you—especially Atlas officials. And you’re also really…”

“Yes?”

“……Eye-catching,” Emerald blushed.

“Hm. I suppose you’re right.”

“Someone, gag me now,” Yang moaned from the side of her mouth. “Oh, but I could ugly you up a bit. Then, no one would recognize you!”

“A haircut, then. Something short.” Cinder turned to Neo, who was setting the last dinner plate. “If you would do the honors?”

The petite girl nodded cheerfully.

Waiting until they were out of earshot, Yang whispered to Neo with a chuckle.

“Hey, do you think you can mess up cutting her hair?”

The girl violently flicked her nose.

“GAH! Really? I thought you’d be all for doing that.”

Neo puffed her cheeks and jabbed Yang’s chest with her finger.

“Okay, okay, I got it! You take your hobbies seriously.”

She continued to poke her.

“‘Friend’, huh? Cinder is?”

Neo nodded with crossed arms.

“…Why?”

The petite girl threw her a hard look.

Just because you hate her doesn’t mean I have to too.

Don’t be stupid.

Neo turned and walked away.

Back at the table, Emerald continued reading off various news articles.

“Mistral’s pushing hard from the east. ‘Vale forces are faltering.’”

“All according to plan, it seems,” Cinder commented.

“They’re losing the war on purpose?”

“Calculated retreat. Vale’s army is drawing them as close to Atlas’s forces as possible, while making it difficult to gain ground. They plan to force the war into a long-term contest of attrition. It’s the only viable option they have.”

“Hm? ‘Atlas campaign is halted’?”

“…Elaborate.”

“A large portion of the Atlesian Fleet has been recalled back to the Kingdom. They’ve taken a secure post in Vale, but right now, it doesn’t look like they’re continuing with the invasion.”

“Has a reason been given?”

“Nothing said here.”

Cinder held her chin in thought.

“I don’t like it. We’re moving up our departure time.”

“I must reach Atlas as soon as possible.”

.

* * * * *

.

“So, they finally got their asses over here,” Coco muttered, while watching an incoming ship from the harbor.

“It’ll be so great to see them again!” Velvet smiled excitedly.

As soon as the ship docked, a Faunus girl stepped off its outstretched plank.

“Always have people begging to be smuggled out of Atlas—but smuggling people in?” Ilia shook her head. “Well, I got your order. Including two Shade Academy students, safe and sound.”

Filing off the boat behind her were two male figures. One with short hair and an enormous glaive mounted on his back. The other with dark orange hair and whited irises.

“Did you boys miss us?” Coco smirked.

Velvet ran up to Fox and Yatsuhashi, and threw her arms around their necks. They supported her weight as they hugged her back.

“It’s great to see you again, Coco,” Yatsuhashi replied.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get sappy on me. We got a lot of work to do. Team CFVY’s reunion party can wait. There’s a big meeting starting soon.”

“Where is Weiss anyway?” Ilia asked.

“…She’s got her hands full with something else.”

“Uh huh. I was wondering if the rumors were true.”

Coco tilted her sunglasses down.

“What rumors?”

“They say the heiress is dead.”

“She isn’t. It’s business as usual.” She tilted her sunglasses back up. “Vel?”

Velvet let go of her reunited comrades, and handed Ilia the data for the next batch of Faunus waiting to be smuggled out of the Kingdom.

“Alright. Well, along with your friends, this week’s shipment of Dust is underneath the floor of the lower deck. Just crack that baby open, when you wanna move it out.”

“Our people got it from here.”

Ilia nodded.

“…Send Weiss my best, then. Tell her she should show herself at the next shipment.”

“Does she need to be here?”

“No, but yeah. She does.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ilia’s tone lowered and she rested a hand on her hip.

“It means, me and Temujin made a deal with her, not you. No offense. If she’s not around, our business is done. That’s just professional practice.”

“I don’t get it. She’s here, she isn’t here. What does it matter if you still get what you want?”

“Heh,” Ilia chuckled. “See, that’s why you don’t. You’re a mercenary. You’ll work for anyone who pays the right price. People like us? My people? We only work with those we trust. And as weird as it sounds, we trust Weiss to do what’s fair.”

“You’re right. That is weird.”

“Look, I’m sure you’re a really cool gal with your shades and brand-name clothes, but if I don’t see Weiss next week—you don’t see me. We crystal on that?”

“…Yeah. Fine.”

“Now, if that’s all, I got a job to do.”

The girl walked past them and vanished into the streets.

Once Ilia was gone, Velvet walked to Coco’s side.

“This is bad.”

“I know. One thing at a time, Vel. One thing at a time.” She turned to Fox and Yatsuhashi. “Alright, you two.” Coco led them to a waiting car, and tossed them a pair of trench coat jackets and sunglasses from the trunk. “We’re hitting the ground running on this.”

As Team CFVY was driven to the Silbern Mafia meeting, Velvet filled their comrades in on the situation.

“This information is classified and should stay between us. At the moment, Weiss is asleep and we can’t wake her.”

“Do you know who’s responsible?” Yatsuhashi asked.

“Someone who we thought was an ally, Hades,” Coco snarled. “Apparently, he fed her magical fruit or some bullshit. Did the same to the Winter Maiden too. Now, they’re both out of commission.”

“With Weiss gone, Coco and I have been running the organization in her stead,” Velvet continued. “Unfortunately, the work is becoming more harrowing. We need help, which is why we asked you two to come.”

Yatsuhashi and Fox nodded with recognition.

“We’ve tried to cover for Weiss’s absence, but as you’ve seen at the docks, rumors are starting to spread of her disappearance. To be honest, there are a few individuals who are trying to take over Silbern. That, and we are entering strenuous relationships with the other organized groups in Atlas, including the White Fang.”

“This sounds worse than you described,” Yatsuhashi said.

“Much worse. Feel like trailing it back to Vacuo?” Coco snickered.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Knew I kept you guys around for some reason,” she jabbed him with her elbow.

The team reached the meeting place and entered the abandoned theater. Members of the Silbern Mafia had already filled in the seating. Compared to when Weiss was in charge, the cascading waves of discussions did not cease upon their arrival. Something that irked Coco at the back of her mind.

As they strode down the aisles, murmurs and whispers rose. Some commented on how Weiss failed to show again. Others questioned who the two new members were. Everywhere they turned, it seemed doubt dwelled in their numbers.

As the acting boss, Coco couldn’t help but aggravate under the difference of treatment between her and Weiss. If she was being honest, she thought she made a better leader. At first, the girl thought it was because the members were averse to change, but she was growing to realize it was something else entirely. She touched on it earlier in her conversation with Ilia. And she certainly felt it now.  

Weiss had a specific personality—a charisma. She inspired people and drew their trust. She was tough, but fair to all. People had faith in her judgment, because in a way, she made herself completely transparent. There was no questioning her intentions. Within every action, they could see Weiss truly aspire an equality in the Kingdom. For not just people to rise, but to rise together.

It was something Coco could not do.

She took her seat center stage with the rest of her team standing at her side.

Not a second after she did, one member stood and puffed out her chest.

“I propose a vote on new leadership!”

Team CFVY froze immediately, while the rest of the auditorium nodded and voiced agreement with the proposal.

Is it over already?

Yatsu and Fox just got here.

I thought we could get them to calm down if we produced results, but we might not even get a chance to.

Crap!

CRAP!

“I…”

“Once Weiss returns, you may place forth a request to vote for new leadership,” Velvet’s voice echoed with the acoustics. “Until such a time passes, we will operate as business per usual.”

“Except we can’t!” one of the members yelled. “One of the aristocrats must’ve gotten her. We need to pay them back!” another shouted.

“Everyone, calm down.”

“We should just join the White Fang, instead. It was stupid trusting a Schnee,” a Faunus protested.

“Please, you all know the good she’s done.”

“She’s right! If Weiss Schnee isn’t leading this outfit anymore, I’m outta here!”

“Weiss will return shortly. We promise that. She is currently busy with another emergency.”

“Liar! Our birds at the Schnee household told us she hasn’t been there for a while now.”

“…!”

Velvet was going to make another excuse when Coco held her hand.

“You tried. You really tried, but it’s okay.”

“Coco?”

She sighed, and depressingly thought, ‘what would Weiss do in this situation?’

…

Yeah, okay, let’s give it a shot.

“Alright, everybody. Listen up,” Coco stood.

The audience was still in an uproar of debate.

“EVERYONE, SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT NOW!!! OR I’LL OPEN UP SOME NEW EARS FOR YOU!!!”

““…””

“Thank you. *Ahem*. It’s true, the princess is out of commission—for now. She’s sleeping away while we’re all freezing our asses off trying to revolutionize a Kingdom. Typical, right?”

A few chuckles came from the crowd.

“While Weiss is getting her beauty rest, we need to pick up the slack. A lot of you have followed us this far. When she came out with her true identity, not one of you left. That means something. I know it does, and I know you guys think so too, cause let’s be honest folks—none of us expected anyone to stay after that. But here you guys are.”

Coco took a deep breath.

“All we’re saying, is hold out a bit longer. The princess isn’t dead. We’ll find a cure, and when we do, she’ll be back on her feet. Come on, who else is going to fight for you like she has? Is there anyone else you’re willing to trust like that? The White Fang? The other crime syndicates? The aristocrats? Let’s not kid ourselves.”

Much of the audience nodded with some mumbles of acceptance.

“Look at all of you; Faunus, Human, poor, rich, middle-class, military, civilian. Weiss was able to bring you together for a reason. She doesn’t just fight for one of you, she fights for all of you. And I think, that’s worth waiting around for. At least for a little longer.”

The theater was silent for a long stretch of time.

…

Then one voice spoke up.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Coco was surprised, since it was the first question about Weiss’s well-being. She coughed and shrugged.

“She literally ate a bad apple, got sick, and fell asleep. Like, not even joking.”

The audience erupted into laughter. Atmosphere in the abandoned building eased.

A few words of, “Food poisoning? She’s sick with food poisoning?” or “I guess the boss is still mortal, after all” made their way through the crowd.

“Um, if the temporary leadership needs help, the Mantle Loyalists will provide support!” a young girl piped up. “Also…”

“What?”

“If we’re talking about a sleeping princess and a cure to wake her up....”

“……You’re going to suggest that? REALLY?”

“A true lover’s kiss should do it!”

More laughter erupted down the rows of seats.

“I volunteer!”

“Me! I’m a great kisser!”

“I don’t know. I think the boss is likely to the kick the crap out of anyone who disturbs her beauty rest! Hahaha!”

As more of the members joked, Coco fell back into her chair shaking.

Whattaya know.

Sometimes honesty is the best policy…

Just as she was starting to relax, Velvet came to whisper in her ear.

“On that note, I think it’s time we tell Ruby about Weiss.”

“……Yeah. Been putting that off for a while, but the kid’s better off hearing it from us than anywhere else. Was not looking forward to that conversation.”

The thought dampened Coco’s mood, but at least the most immediate problem was resolved. She wondered if Weiss would ever understand how strangely she affected these people. How she inspired them.

Now, all we need is for our princess to wake her ass up before Ilia’s next shipment.

.

* * * * *

.

A jolt of energy passed Yang’s senses and made her look outside the train.

Their group had been traveling with Vale’s reserve armies for a few hours now. The train had stopped to refuel, and most of the passengers were fast asleep. Including Neo and Masa, who nestled closer to her on each side.

Ever since gaining her newfound powers, Yang found no problems dealing with the weather. Her perpetual warmth was quickly taken advantage of by her teammates, who clung to her like a lifesaver from the cold.

Along with her self-sustaining heat, she gained what she could only describe as a heightened sense of energy. Her eyes did something similar, but this was different. Almost as if Yang could read into the space where fabric of reality and Never Realm overlapped. And it was this strange form of intuition that revealed to her a burst of power some distance away from the train.

She looked across their compartment, and saw Emerald and Mercury without their own Maiden body-heater. Yang remembered Cinder leaving earlier, but pretended not to notice.

After carefully untangling herself from her allies, the girl made for the fluctuating energy signature outside.

…

…

“Are you guys actually asleep?”

“No, but I was enjoying the peace and quiet, Mercury. Plus, it’s too cold to sleep without Cinder or Yang around.”

Emerald, Mercury, Neo, and Masa opened their eyes and sat up.

“Okay, so everyone’s thinking the same thing I am, right?”

“No one. Ever. Thinks the same stuff you do—”

“What’s our new team name? Are Masa and Penny included? Cause I kinda feel like they shouldn’t be.”

“We are not, this one says firmly, not wanting to be associated with your team’s infamous reputation.”

“Cool.”

“Merc. We have more important things to worry about than team names.”

“CYNEM is what comes to mind.”

“Not a high priority. And what the hell is CYNEM?”

“Cinnamon. Like cinnamon cruncha munch.”

“You’re only thinking that cause it’s one of your favorite cereals.”

“So?”

“We’re not naming our team after a freakin’ cereal.”

“Fine, but you explain to Cinder why her letter’s not in the name when that fun topic comes up.”

“Burn that bridge when we cross it……… And it’s CMYNE. Carmine, you dumbass.”

“What the hell is carmine?”

“It’s a kind of red color. Which makes more sense than ENMY, actually.”

“Ah, yeah. Now that I think about it, our team name does kinda break that rule. How come we went with that? I mean, you noticed when you first came up with it, right?”

“Sure, but I thought the team was going to be super temporary, so I didn’t care. Now, we’re just stuck with it.”

“I like it though.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“I don’t really wanna change it to whatever the hell carmine is.”

“Naming’s hard.”

“So, next question.”

“God! There’s more?”

“Who would win in a fight between Yang and Cinder? I mean, really.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Everybody knows you love Cinder, but let’s be real. Who do you think would win?”

“……You know what? No. I’m not gonna guess who would win if they fought.”

“Not even if we put lien on it?”

“……No! I’m not doing that!”

“I think Yang would win.”

“Merc!”

“What? I’m not saying I’d let Yang kill Cinder if it ever happened. I’m saying maybe, possibly, if they fought, 1v1, no handicaps, final destination—Yang might win.”

“That’s messed up. Why?”

“Just a feeling I got.”

“Mr. Mercury’s assumption is accurate.”

Emerald and Mercury whipped their necks to Masa, accompanied by a crooked stare.

“Wait, why do you think Yang would win?” Emerald asked.

“Hm. It is true they are both Maidens, and under correct circumstances, neither would be stronger than the other.”

“But?”

“But Cinder is fundamentally flawed, this one surmises. Her power is incomplete.”

.

* * * * *

.

On the edge of a ridge, Cinder clutched her burning eye and screamed.

Fire and pillars of molten glass rose around her like a hellish nightmare-scape. The earth itself broke out in an endless bramble of dark, polished crystal. The Maiden warped the surrounding environment itself by raw power alone.

At the edge of her manifested territory, glass shattered from a mighty blow. Cinder knew who it was, without seeing her. As more ash and fiery flakes fell from her body, the woman felt her Aura overflow, begging to be unleashed.

Her counterpart appeared from the tree line. Glowing feathers rose in her wake. Eyes piercing with crimson. Yang didn’t seem at all surprised to see the other’s outbreak.

Cinder stopped covering her eye. She stopped trying to fight the pain. Instead, she embraced it.

Although Yang just arrived, she read into the air and knew what to do.

Her arm cocked and triggered, propelling her towards her opponent. In response, Cinder erected a wall of molten glass spears to block her. Flame plumed and bust down the barrier.

The Fall Maiden propelled back with rocket propulsion. In her hands, she materialized a bow and arrow. She pulled the string made of energy, and loosed a number of razor edged projectiles.

Yang parried every one of them with her gauntlets. When Cinder reached groundside, she closed in and brought the fight into close quarters. A furious combo of kicks and punches were exchanged, miniature shockwaves detonated with each meeting.

Though the battle bordered on cataclysmic, it was nowhere near a life or death conflict between Maidens. If anything, it was a simple spar. No more than an exercise, or flexing of muscle.

…

…

When Cinder finished expending her excess energy, she sat on the cliff of the ridge.

“You can’t control it, can you?” Yang stood next to her. Not close enough as friends would, but not so distant either. “Do you know why it’s happening?”

“It is none of your concern.”

“Yeah. It actually is. I keep wondering when that’s gonna happen to me.”

“You have nothing to worry about, I’m sure.”

“…What’s that mean?”

“Nothing. Unlike you, I must devote special care in keeping my power in check.”

“Didn’t look that way just now.”

“I merely thought it was convenient you were here, and took advantage of the opportunity presented to let off a little steam.”

“Hmph. Right.”

Cinder grimaced. She disliked Yang, but even more so in this moment. This moment of weakness.

“If you’re having trouble, tell Emerald and Mercury about it,” Yang said. “They shouldn’t have to put up with you fronting like you’re alright.”

“It is not a concern.”

“You think they don’t notice, but they do. The way you toss and turn in your sleep. We all know. How you have nightmares of still being stuck in the Never Realm. They’re just too nice to tell you.”

“…And you are not so nice.”

“No. I’m not.”

“Heh,” Cinder chuckled. “Not very compassionate of you,” she remarked with a snide.

The two stared out into the open space for a while. Nothing but still air in their surroundings. Any ambient noise was muffled by snowfall.

…

…

“Why are you doing this?” Yang asked.

“Doing what, pray tell? You’ll have to be more specific.”

“All of this, what you did before, what it all leads to. Why do you want to destroy Atlas so bad?”

“Emerald and Mercury haven’t told you?”

“No. I didn’t want to put them in that position either. Figured it was better to ask you myself.”

“I simply want what is rightfully mine.”

“And what’s that?”

“The keys to the Kingdom…… along with my personal freedom.”

Something about Cinder’s words and tone struck a chord with Yang.

“Freedom?” she asked.

“Yes. Don’t you feel the same?” Cinder asked back expectantly.

“You already have it. You can walk away, find some small place to live with Merc and Em, and just—”

“There are those who will never stop hunting me, never stop wanting me dead. In order to live my life, I must have power. It is my raison d'etre. My calling. Surely you understand that more than most. I can read it on your face. You seek your own brand of freedom. The two of us…”

“If you give me that, ‘you and I are not so different’ spiel, I will literally knock your tongue down your throat.”

“Hmph,” Cinder scoffed. She plucked a few frosted blades of grass in her hand. When she blew them into the wind, they turned into burning embers. “Emerald tells me you’re fond of fairytales. You and your sweet little sister.”

“…”

“Have you heard of the First Profane Princess?”

“……I don’t like that one very much.”

“I’m sure you don’t.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“It’s where my story starts. You want to know why my first ambitions involve the crushing of Atlas? Then, allow me to tell you a tale. One unfiltered and unsoftened for the ears of children.”

“……I’m listening.”

…

With that, Cinder began to narrate with an enticing, smoky voice.

Long ago existed a prosperous Kingdom.

As a nation, it was young. Only one of the few permanent settlements to exist outside of Mistral.

The environment was cold and harsh for living. An everlasting Winter all year round made survival rather treacherous. A commonality among mankind’s pioneering years.

Though the Grimm that inhabited the lands were powerful, the land also yielded large amounts of Dust, with which the people defended themselves by. The citizens of the Kingdom struggled, but for the most part, grew happy. This was considered due to the benevolence of the royal family, or more commonly known then, as the Mantle Monarchy.

The Queens chosen to lead the Kingdom were famed for being exceptionally selfless in their rule. They gave resources freely. They never taxed heavily. They worked tirelessly for their people, overworking themselves to the point of sickness.

How admirable, is it not?

This trend continued until the turning point of one of the Monarchy’s fateful generations.

Two sisters were considered candidates for the throne. While one was a true heir, the other was only a step-sibling.

Now, I’m sure you’ve heard the most popular part of this tale.

To choose the next ruler, a test was conducted. Whosoever’s feet fit perfectly into the shoes owned by each presiding generation, was the one meant to rule.

An inane concept, substituted for something greater. If there ever was such a thing, it was created to make sure those of a specific genealogy inherited the throne.

And we know what happens next.

The true heir was favored to rule. She was benevolent and selfless, just like those that came before her. She was loved by the people. And with the throne, and the power that came with it, the heir was set to bring more good to the Kingdom.

But the evil step sister grew jealous and greedy.

She killed the true heir.

But because she was not a full descendant, her feet did not fit the shoes. So, she sliced off pieces from her feet. Some say her whole heel was carved. She did so until the shoe fit.

The First Profane Princess.

And with her, started a Game of Thrones, as it were. The royal family blackmailed, injured, and murdered each other for the right to rule.

That is what the former Kingdom of Mantle is known for now.

Now, comes the part where I ask how much you’ve been paying attention.

So, Yang Xiao Long.

Have you discerned the tale underneath the tale?

…

“……The Profane Princess didn’t just kill her step sister for the throne.”

No. She did not.

“She killed her for the Fall Maiden’s powers. She was the first to kill a Maiden to gain their powers.”

And started a bloody tradition that continues to this day.

The First Profane Maiden.

My ancestor. My legacy.

Cinder formed a shard of blazing molten glass in her hand.

“That’s… pretty terrible.”

“The ‘evil’ step-sister is painted rather convincingly as the antagonist, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Is there any other way to look at it?”

Cinder crushed the polished crystal in her hands with an ear-splitting snap.

“What the stories and the histories forget to mention is that war loomed on the edges of the Mantle Kingdom. That the First Profane Princess killed the step-sister she cherished with all her heart, because she knew she was too weak, too selfless to win the war for them. In a sense, she too was so selfless as well… And it led to self-sacrifice. The princess took actions knowing full well what those around her and in the future would call her. A monster.

Cinder formed a twisted smirk.

“Virtues have a way of weakening one, even if they have the power, they refuse to use it out of some misplaced sentiment. That was the fault of the true heir. She would have surrendered her Kingdom away for the sake of peace, if allowed to live. Knowing that, I wonder who was truly the antagonist of the story.”

“You’re not going to convince me you or your ancestor were misunderstood victims. This lesser evil, greater good crap is just something people hide behind to do messed up shit.”

“And you believe those most purest of virtues are in the right? Surely, you’ve learned better than that on your journeys.”

“I know owning principles isn’t everything. But throwing them away and making your own rules is just as stupid. Like everything, there’s a balance. Right or wrong doesn’t exist. Only the actions and decisions people move forward with, and the consequences after.”

“My. No wonder you were deemed worthy.”

“……What do you mean by that?” Yang kneeled beside Cinder and grabbed her collar. “What do you mean by that?” she asked again through gritted teeth.

“So, very compassionate is Yang Xiao Long. A true Maiden of Spring. The first in a very long time, I think.”

“Answer me!”

Yang’s temper boiled. She was called compassionate and worthy by Victoria Stein upon accepting the Maiden’s inheritance. Back then, she assumed they were just parting words, but were they more?

Cinder grabbed Yang’s wrist and peeled it off.

“There was an older way the Maidens were chosen. Not by those who had slain them, or those held in their final moments. They originally meant to stand as judges for their successors. The inheritance was promised to those who held the purest virtues given on the premise of the very first Maidens.”

Cinder touched her freshly short hair for a second, and continued.

“In the beginning, the Four Maidens went in search of a key to helping their people. On their journey, they met a powerful old man that gifted them with the Magic to save their Kingdoms. For Mantle, at its earlier conception, was ripe with corruption, the immortal gifted the Maiden who exemplified Selflessness. For Vacuo’s Maiden, whose lands were the most defeating of all, he gifted their most Hopeful. And Vale, whose people suffered from sickness and poor health, he granted power to its most Compassionate.”

Yang paused.

“That’s why there’s something wrong with your powers,” she tensed. “You killed for your inheritance.”

“Indeed. On the other hand, you removed the thorn from a lion’s paw, as it were. Compassion,” Cinder repeated with emphasis.

“And what about the Winter Maiden?”

“I’m not sure. I can fathom a few guesses, but whatever virtue Mistral’s savior personified has been lost to time.”

“Hm,” Yang repeated the words. “Hope. Selflessness. Compassion.”

“An optimistic ideal. But we know the flaws that lie there.”

“…”

“Hope can lead to Naivety. Selflessness can lead to Sacrifice. And Compassion…”

“Yeah?”

“…Blindness. You can see so much of what makes someone flawed that you forget they are that same darkness no matter what reason they have. How often has your compassion blinded you to what things truly are?”

“Not for a long time,” Yang answered bitterly. “And?”

“And, what?”

“The First Profane Maiden. The Mantle Monarchy. Where do you come in?”

“Mine is not so grand a tale. Twenty years ago, the Monarchy was overthrown. In its ruin, rose the capitalist empire of Atlas. My family was stripped of power. The Fall Maiden’s inheritance, taken and hidden away.”

“…”

“To ensure we would never rise again, we were hunted. As a child, I was almost killed simply for bearing my last name.”

“……And then, my mom saved you.”

“Yes. Raven did.” Cinder’s expression softened, before hardening again. “And I swore I would never feel so powerless again. To live a life that wasn’t my own—at the whims of Atlas or Salem. Never again. I’d die before that happens a second time.”

“…”

“As such, my only option, the only way I can exist, is through the destruction of Atlas.” She spoke with a fire. A confident certainty Yang had so rarely seen in others. An almost undeniable draw, like gravity. “And I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t enjoy watching its disgusting Kingdom burned to nothing but shadow and ash.”

Yang closed her eyes.

She hated how much she could empathize with Cinder. Powerlessness and the desire for freedom were things Yang knew too well. They were more than enough driving forces to cause anyone to seek less-than moral methods. She compromised in her own way, after all. Not to the lengths Cinder had, but in another time...

The woman took Yang’s chin in her hand, and they locked intense gazes.

“Emerald was born to be a thief.

You were always meant to fight.

…

And I?

My destiny

Is to Rule.”

[khhunniewriting]

Emergency Family (2)

“Here we are.” Christian opened the door for Daamin to get out of the car. He had already undone the straps of his seat and jumped down to the ground. Circling around Christian he saw the tall apartment building in awe. “You live here hyung?”

Christian nodded before slamming the car door shut. He swung his bag back onto his shoulder before reaching out towards Daamin. “We have to cross the street so hold my hand, okay?”

Daamin took his hand with a nod.

Across the street at his apartment building, there were people looking in his direction. “Younghee isn’t that young man our neighbor?” an elderly woman asked her granddaughter.

The girl didn’t respond right away. She was sure it was him as soon as she saw him but was shocked to see the boy holding his hand. “Yes grandma, it is him.”

“How long was he gone?” The grandmother gasped as she saw Christian smiling from ear to ear when the boy looked up at him. It might have been her bad vision but to her, Daamin looked like a replica of Christian. “He has a son and we didn’t even know.”

“It can’t be his son grandma.”

“It would explain why he isn’t around much. He must be a secret love child...”

“Grandma I don’t think-”

“Or secretly married.”

“Grandma!” Younghee was a fan of Christian’s. She lived with her grandmother because she wanted to be close to him. She knew Christian couldn’t keep something like marriage or a child quiet. He wasn’t just a normal person, he had fans around the world and the media would surely report it.

“I live on the seventh floor so we have to go up the elevator.”

“Elevator?” Daamin stopped dead in his tracks. “I don’t like elevators.”

Christian knelt down on one knee to level with Daamin. “Why not?” 

“They make my stomach feel funny.” He hated the feeling he got when the elevator suddenly began to move. 

“What if I carry you?” Christian wasn’t sure if science would back up his statement but it was worth a try. “Like that, you might not feel anything.”

A look of relief washed over Daamin. “Okay.”

Christian effortlessly picked him up and made his way to the apartment building entrance where he was stopped by Younghee’s grandmother. “Christian look at you, you finally came back and you brought such a cutie with you.”

“Hello Mrs. and Miss Yang.” Christian respectfully greeted the elderly woman and Younghee before making Daamin do the same. “Daamin greet the nice ladies.”

“Hello” Daamin greeted rather shyly.

“What a cute boy. I’m going to the market with Younghee to buy ingredients for dinner. Why don’t you two join us later.”

“Thank you for the offer Mrs. Yang but I only came to pick up some things.”

“So soon?”

“Yeah, someone is waiting anxiously for us. Well for him anyway.” Christian could imagine you opening the door for them before they could even get to it.

“Okay, okay, we will be going then. Take care of the cute boy Christian.” The elderly woman had nothing but warm intentions. Her granddaughter, on the other hand, was very different. 

As soon as Christian entered the building she stopped her grandmother. “Grandma you had the opportunity and didn’t take it!”

“What are you talking about Younghee?”

“He said someone was waiting for them. You could have asked who.”

“Why would I? That’s his business, not mine. Even if one is curious, it’s not polite to snoop into other’s private life.”

After returning home with the groceries Younghee spotted Christian and Daamin leaving his apartment. Christian had a big suitcase in one hand while holding Daamin’s hand in the other. By the looks of it, she predicted he wouldn’t be back anytime soon. “Younghee I’ll get started on dinner you wash up.”

“Grandma I forgot I need to buy something. I’ll be back.” With no further explanation, Younghee closed her apartment door and ran down the stairs trying to beat Christian to the bottom.

When she got to the bottom level Christian had already come out of the elevator with Daamin in his arms now. He crossed the street to his car and put his suitcase inside before walking down the street holding Daamin’s hand.

“He’s not leaving?” Younghee decided to follow them at a distance.

“Can I really eat ice cream? I haven’t eaten dinner. Won’t Noona get mad?” The little boy was well taught. He knew sweets were to be eaten after having taken care of his nutrition.

“Yeah, you can get whatever ice cream you want.” Christian stopped in front of a small familiar ice-cream shop. “I always came here with Y/N when we first started dating. She said the ice cream was the best and never needed to eat food again because all she wanted was to eat this every day. So how can she get mad at us?” 

“Really?” Daamin figured if you said that then he could have some. 

Christian nodded.

Someone came out of the ice-cream shop holding a cone overflowing with ice-cream that convinced Daamin. “Then it’s okay to  have some.”

Christian laughed, “you are a kid after all Daamin.” He opened the door leading him inside. Not long after they ordered their ice-cream Christian got a call from you.

Younghee entered behind him pretending not to notice who he was. 

“Oh it’s Y/N” Christian showed the phone to Daamin. He gasped starring at his ice-cream with wide eyes that made Christian chuckle. “Don’t worry I’ll take care of it.” He slid his finger across the screen to answer your call. “Babe!”

Younghee almost jumped as she heard Christian. 

“Yeah, he’s here. He’s fine and so am I, thank you for asking.” Christian was less than pleased with the way you forgot to ask about him.

You laughed at his response. “Of course you are, that’s why I don’t ask. I just wanted to see how Daamin was doing. You two have been gone longer than I thought.”

“Oh yeah, we just stopped for a snack.” Christian looked at Daamin with a mischievous smirk. Daamin responded by laughing. He was feeling a rush as he secretly ate ice-cream behind your back. 

“Yeah, we’ll be back soon babe.” After Christian hung up the call Daamin attacked with questions.

“Does she know? Is she mad?”

“She doesn’t. I don’t want you to think it’s okay to lie to your family but this is just a little white lie that won’t hurt anyone.” Daamin nodded in understanding. “So promise me you won’t lie to me or Y/N. Only this once because I was here.”

“Prom-ise” Daamin struggled to speak with the ice-cream he had all over his face. 

“We need to clean you up before we go back. I’ll go get some napkins, wait here.” When Christian got up so did Younghee. She followed him to the counter where the napkins were and decided to get his attention by pretending to bump into him.

She bent her knee willingly and yelped as she lunged forward into Christian’s well defined back. 

Christian immediately turned around and helped her stand. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, yes I’m so sorry. I guess my heel slipped between the tiles of the floo- Oh Christian!” Her last couple of words were expressed in a higher pitch. She tried to make it seem like she had just realized it was him but it was poor acting. “I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you were leaving.”

“I am. I just stopped to get Daamin some ice-cream.” 

“Ah, for a minute there I thought you were avoiding me.”

He was, Younghee was a fan who was just a little too obsessed with his personal life. He had caught her following him before and since then he was careful to only interact with her when others were present. “I’ll be going now.” He didn’t want her going over the edge.

“Wait!” Younghee held him back by the sleeve of his shirt. She pretended to be shy and scratched the back of her head as she meekly asked, “I couldn’t help but hear you on the phone. Does Oppa have a girlfriend his fans don’t know about?”

Christian tensed as he heard her refer to him as ‘oppa’ as if they were close. “They know.” 

“What!” She gasped, “B-but it’s not on your Instagram.” She had trouble forming words thinking she was the only one out of the loop.

“No, but they see me coming and going from her house all the time.”

“Her house! When you aren’t here...do you stay with her?”

Chrisitan could see the crazy look in her eyes and decided he was done being polite. He had answered her questions up to here but she was getting too personal by asking questions no one asked before. He had been able to keep his relationship with you fairly personal and wanted to keep it that way. “I’m sorry but that’s none of your concern.”

“But Opp-”

“I have to go” he cut her off and left her standing in the shop alone. He took hold of Daamin and walked out of the shop with him.

As soon as you heard the wheels of Christian’s suitcase coming up the driveway you opened the door and ran out to meet them. “You two are late, you missed lunch.”

“Noona” Daamin met you halfway. His arms wrapped around you as he greeted you happily. He was smiling and jumping around. “Hyung and I ate already.”

“You did?” It reminded you of your students who came into class after lunch. They were all hoped up on sugars that it was hard for them to sit still and pay attention to your lesson. “What did you eat?”

“Food” he immediately answered. “Food” you repeated to confirm you weren’t being played. Daamin was horrible under pressure. His smile faded as he looked back to Christian for help.

“Healthy food” Christian responded averting his eyes from yours. He could never hide something from you when looking into them. Your eyes made things come out of his mouth involuntarily. 

“What kind of healthy food.” You walked up to him getting closer to the point where he could see you from the corner of his eye no matter where he turned.

“Just some stuff that had dairy and was low in sodium and...” Christian trailed off trying to think of other positives about ice-cream but there weren’t anymore. It wasn’t necessary anyway because you had your answer.

“Healthy you say” your brow furrowed as you crossed your arms and watched him panic. “Daamin doesn’t really like dairy products. Milk, yogurt, cheese, all that stuff... there’s only one dairy based product that he loves.”

Daamin and Christian looked at each other knowing they were caught. 

“You bought him ice-cream didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Christian gave up and laughed. “Sorry not sorry” he circled around you to get away. “Come on Daamin before she explodes.” 

Daamin immediately ran into the house with Christian. “Sorry Noona” he shouted out to you before closing the door leaving you no one to get mad at.

Later that night you and Christian had sat down to watch a movie with Daamin. It wasn’t until it was over that you saw he had fallen asleep. “I guess he finally crashed from all that ice-cream you gave him.”

“It was only one time besides can’t I be the cool hyung who buys him ice-cream?” Christian looked serious making you question if there was something else going on.

“Is something wrong?” You laid your hand on his wanting to get his full attention. “Are you trying to win him over?”

“Well...yeah. You were so upset before because Daamin was sad. When he started smiling again you did too. I want to keep Daamin smiling so you can keep smiling as well. Is something wrong with that?”

You shook your head and showed him the smile he was trying to protect. “Thank you Christian.” You rested your arms on his shoulders lowering his head so you could secure him tightly against your chest. Literally embodying your desire to keep him close to your heart. “I love you so much.”

“Me too babe.” 

-end-

A/N: Sorry for the wait everyone. I will explain my sudden disappearance in a small post. 

[ronanlyncx]

the best parts of the dream thieves (featuring me crying pt. 2)

part one

- “Ronan was everything that was left: molten eyes and a smile made for war” 

- Ronan’s second secret #gay

- Gansey: “i would have thought you had more muscles. Don’t feminist have big muscles?” i just want to punch him can someone please punch him

- gansey calling ronan an incredible creature #gay 

- “The elderly made ronan anxious” bitch me too!!!

- Ronan wanting to race kavinsky in the pig and adam is like dude no there is like 5 people in here we weigh too much and ronan goes: “noah doesn’t count” “Hey!” “You’re dead!” i love these nerds

- Gansey: “am I in your dreams?” Ronan: “Oh yes, baby” i hate him jsjksksk

- “Ronan sometimes dreamt of Adam, too” #gay

- Gansey and Ronan going to get orange juice at 3:32 am 

- “Unlike some people, my sense of worth isn’t tied into my occupation.” “Ooooooh,” Orla crowed… she traded her Henrietta accent for a gloriously snotty version of the Old South. “Someone’s been hanging out with Richard Campbell Gansey the third too much.” orla just came for blue’s life holy shit 

- “Jane!” “It’s a wizard in box.” “It will do your homework.” “And it’s been dating your girlfriend.” “Are you all drunk?” hey quick question wtf am i reading

- “Why is the tea so good here?” “I spit in it” Blue Sargent is an icon

“Blue Sargent was pretty in a way that was physically painful to him. He was attracted to her like a heart attack.” not to sound like a cheesy white lady or anything but this shit breathtaking bro

- “What do you want, Adam? What do you need, Adam?… Freedom, autonomy, a perennial bank balance, a stainless steel condo in a dustless city, a silky black car, to make out with Blue, eight hours of sleep, a cell phone, a bed, to kiss Blue just once, a blister-less heel, bacon for breakfast, to hold Blue’s hand, one hour of sleep, toilet paper, deodorant, a soda, a minute to close his eyes. What do you want, Adam? To feel awake when my eyes are open.” PROTECT THIS ANGEL GET HIM SOME TOILET PAPER WTF (also notice how what he wants continues to drop in difficulty to acquire this is so sad i’m literally a mess) 

- “You be careful, Adam Parrish. ‘Cause one day you might get what you ask for. There might be girls in Henrietta who’ll let you talk to them like that, but i’m not one of them.” i really love this woman

- “He [Gansey] was bare-legged and sockless in his Top-Siders and very clearly a real human, an attainable human, and this, somehow, made Ronan want to smash his fist through a wall” #gay

-  “Adam thinks he saw an apparition at his place” Ronan eyed Noah, “I’m seeing an apparition right now.” this entire relationship is just ronan roasting noah have you ever seen anything so pure

- Noah freaking out about the glitter in the snowglobe #angel

- Ronan paying Adam’s rent i am alive

- Gansey comparing Blue to a platypus

- “He threw me out the window!” “You’re already dead!” amazing

- Blue wanting to get Adam high so he can relax seriously someone let this boy take a nap

- Noah: “Is crack the same thing as speed?” 

- Ashley not going into St. Agnes bc she “refuses to participate in a ceremony that doesn’t allow equal spiritual privileges to women”  NICE

- Ronan dreaming kavinsky a replica of his white sunglasses after kavinsky gave him a copy of ronan’s leather bands #pettygay

- “and he was the boy with the most beautifully interesting car and the most savagely handsome of friends, Ronan Lynch” #gay

- Gansey: “I love this car. I should buy four more of them. I’ll just open the door of one and fall into the other. One can be a living room, one can be by kitchen, I’ll live in one…” what...the fuck

- Declan coming to give gansey a new battery for the pig and Ronan actually doing the most™ “He hurriedly sprawled back in the seat, throwing one jean-covered leg over the top of Adam’s and laying his head in a posture of thoughtless abandon. By the time Declan arrived, Ronan looked as if he had been asleep for days.” this is so extra omfgggg

- “His [Declan’s] gaze followed his brother’s leg to where it rested on top of Adam’s, and his expression tightened.” dude ronan even your brother is noticing your crush u gotta do better

- Gansey thinking that Ronan tried to kill himself after all this time and then finding out that Ronan was attacked by a dream demon thing #shook

- Gansey and Ronan fighting a different dream demon thing with a box cutter and a crowbar how are these children alive 

- “She [Blue] wore a dress Ronan thought looked like a lampshade. Whatever sort of lamp it belonged on, Gansey clearly wished he had one. Ronan wasn’t a fan of lamps.” This is the least subtle homosexuality metaphor i have ever read in my life (also: Gansey crushing on Blue #nice)

- refer to this post 

- “Let’s just go on before Gansey has time to say something that makes me hate him” lmao

- “The air was stained permanently with the pleasant odor of Ronan’s childhood: hickory smoke and boxwood, grass and seed and lemon cleaner. ‘I remember,’ Gansey said thoughtfully to Ronan, ‘when you used to smell like this’” #gay

- Dream toaster

- “I am being perfectly fucking civil” #iconic

- “Don’t fucking swear” #iconic pt 2

- Calla preforming arial yoga through the continuation of Ronan’s reading 

- The entire time they are on the boat adam and gansey have the biggest hard-ons for orla and blue wants to die/kill them and ronan is disgusted 

- ronan complains about the heat like 600 times i love my dramatic son

- Gansey finding the skin of blue’s calf more “tantalizing” than orla’s entire torso boiiiii if u dont get!!!!!

- “Blue cheerfully spit a mouthful of brown water on his boat shoes.” she’s doing god’s work

- “He was struck by what a glorious and fearless animal Blue Sargent was.” I’m emo

- “Gansey, pacing next to his ruined miniature Henrietta, set his eyes on Ronan. There was something intense and heedless in them. There were many versions of Gansey, but this one had been rare since the introduction of Adam’s taming presence.” The fact that adam calms gansey down is so pure and i cannot believe this is canon (also: blue also calms gansey down... i love my bisexual son)

- Gansey being badass asf when him and ronan go to confront kavinsky about breaking in the apartment and ronan going super heart-eyes 

- also i am convinced that this scene is dick’s bi awakening

- “…Gansey leaving for D.C. without him was unbearable. They had been a two-headed creature for so long, Ronan-and-Gansey. He couldn’t say it, though. There were a thousand reason’s why he couldn’t say it” #GAY

- “While i’m gone, dream me the world. Something new for every night.” #REALLYGAY

- no one in fox way can work a cellphone maura literally had to get blue to make the gray man’s voicemail work

- Ronan blowing a kiss to gansey and adam when they are flying away in the helicopter i fucking hate him jsjsjs

- Helen asking if Adam wants to go into the whole foods with her and adam just stares at her. me too buddy

- “’Pigmy Pouters. Feisty ones!’ Gansey mouthed Blue at Adam. Adam let out a little wail of helpless laughter.” adam parrish laughing: a concept

-  Blue finally admitting to herself that she likes Gansey while laying in his bed

- “I’d ask you out, if i was alive” “i’d say yes” :(((((

- the fact that adam’s dad actually pushed my manz down the stairs at one point i will personally fight robert parrish

- “This is Adam Parrish. Shake his hand. He’s more clever than I am. One day we’ll be throwing one of these shindigs for him.” MY HEART

- Adam literally filling up a whole page describing helen #bi

- when helen asks why ronan wasn’t with them, adam and gansey both get the mental image of the house burning down lmao

- “you gonna race with those shades on, you Bulgarian mobster Jersey trash piece of shit?” he’s so elegant with words!!!1111!!!

- Ronan thinking Kavinsky is beautiful um this is gross but #gay 

- Gansey calling Blue to calm him down just because she makes him feel “uneven and shattered” im fucking emo

- Kavinsky calling gansey literally anything BUT his name: “Dick three” “dick dick dick” “Dickie”

- Ronan figuring out how to master his dreams and then leaving kavinsky #scammer

- to be honest i cannot believe helen and gansey managed to convince adam about the hondoyota with the literal SKIT they used 

- “HEY, OLD MAN!” “Ronan!” ANGELS

- ronan apologizing for wrecking the pig and Gansey actually not believing his ears.

- “Hey, Churchill tried to negotiate with hitler.” “Did he?” don’t argue with boat shoe about history this man will rip you to shreds

- pink switchblade

- “Times circular, chicken”

- BLUE GOING OFF ON ADAM IM JUST ABOUT TO QUOTE THE WHOLE ROAST

- THE WHOLE ROAST: “Politics! I have no interest. Voting? What? I forgot my apron. I think I ought to be in the kitchen right now, actually. My rolling pin-” “i didn’t know that you-” “thats my point! did it even occur to you? You wouldn’t have gone someplace without Gansey, though. You two make a grand couple! kiss him! (lmao) Well, i don’t want to be just someone to kiss. I want to be a real friend, too. Not just someone who’s fun to have around because- because I have breast!” GO OFF BITCHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Adam calling Blue a raging feminist like do boys not know that this is a complement like yes this is the angle i am going for thanks for noticing

- Gansey and Blue’s first drive together #i #am #emo

- “Jane, in this light you... Jesus. Jesus. I’ve got to get my head straight.” MURDER ME

- When Adam woke up at fox way after being asleep for 24 hours or whatever he drank four glasses for pomegranate juice and three cups of tea and then left in the span of ten minutes. i know sometimes these kids act like they are 50 years old but....this is a teenage boy 

- “It was against Ronan’s nature to appear overly interested in anything.” HES SO EXTRA 

- Grey man: “But it wasn’t personal.” Ronan: “It. Was. To. Me.” :((((((((((( also i’m pretty sure neil josten said the same thing to that police officer one time i love parallels. 

- “when ronan thought of gansey, he thought moving into monmouth manufacturing, of nights spent in companionable insomnia, of a summer searching for a king, of gansey asking for the grey man for his life. Brothers.” kill. me. 

- kavinsky dying #goodshit