#that isn't a train in the picture -- it's a camera i swear

[libraford]

The good news is that he found a different job and next week is his last week and I only have to work with him 2 more times and only one of those times will I be alone.

Tech talk and rant below.

But in my opinion, we should have fired him earlier on because two weeks into the season he was unclear of what any of the equipment apart from the camera actually did.

The camera takes the picture.

The lights light the subject.

The computer matches the subject to the picture.

The transmitter connects the camera to the lights wirelessly, so that when you take the picture the lights flash automatically.

The sync cord connects the camera to the computer so that the image is displayed on the screen.

The skyport connects the lights to the computer so that they automatically adjust.

Its just all the electronics going through a circular systems check to make sure they are firing properly and matching it up against our white balance test. I know it sounds complicated, but its literally just a circle.

I understand that this can be complicated for someone who is used to 'click button, get picture.' But having the same problems over and over again because he doesn't understand the proper procedure and doesn't look at the checklist that he swears he never received even though I gave him my laminated copy and having to fix all of the problems that are literally because he didn't respect me enough to listen when I explained it to him cuts into the time that could be spent getting ready.

Now we are a month and a half in and on Tuesday he asked me what the skyport does.

If your skyport fails, you have to adjust your lights manually.

Therefore... skyport makes the computer talk to your lights.

And every time something fails, he says 'this would be so much easier without computers' and I'm like. Fine. Okay? Try to match 900 student names to photos without a computerized indexing system. Try getting the light to be consistent without a startup exposure test.

No sense of troubleshooting, which isn't very difficult. If something isn't right, restart the computer and try again. If you get a repeat of the problem, call Freddie from IT. But usually, a reboot fixes most problems.

But then he started breaking the rules, and in a very intentional way. Like at first it was 'oh I didn't know I wasn't supposed to show them the photo' even though we went over this in training. Then it was 'well, I'm not supposed to show you the photo but if you come back here while I'm adjusting my lights I can't stop you.'

At first it was 'hey, Jay, remember what Freddie said about the no-touch policy during training? I know you want to make the kids like you, but its very unprofessional to ask them for a high five, especially since these schools are very strict about their own no-touch policies and also did we not just go through a wholeass pandemic?'

And now students are complaining about him physically adjusting their posture with his hands.

Like... I don't mind bending the rules a little. But before you can bend the rules, you have to understand why the rules are there, so that when they are bent there is a good reason. The rule about showing photos is there to make workflow consistent. The no touch rule is for the safety of ourselves and the students.

But breaking the rules constantly just out of disrespect means that I can't bend them myself. I have to be a hardass. I hate being a hardass. But if I'm not a hardass and someone tells me that he's violating our no-touch policy, the company gets in deep trouble.

Not that he'll ever... ever follow my advice on the subject because as previously mentioned- he respects no one here. He has 15 years experience as a photographer and is too good for this place. Why would he listen to someone under 40 with three years experience dealing with schools?

His pictures aren't even very good. They're average.

Just two more jobs with him and then he's off to do something else and gods I hope he's better at that than he is a school photographer.

[junnieverse]

TRACK STAR ➳ ENHYPEN

➙ how enhypen react to seeing you win first place at your cross country race

pairing: enhypen x gn!reader

genre: fluff, slight crack under riki's lol

request: " req for bf!enha when u finish 1st place at cross-country pls -rizzki anon"

warnings: lowercase intended, not proofread

a/n: hi angel, you know how much I love hearing from you so thank you for this request! hope you found it cute <33

🖇️ — 양정원 ; JUNGWON !

best believe he has his camera out to record the entire thing

jungwon makes sure to get footage of you winning your race just to watch it a whole bunch of times

he's like a proud mom that just saw his baby graduate from first grade

super supportive with helping you prepare for your races

he'll help you with stretches and even run/train with you whenever he can

brought maeumi to the race to support you as well

"Maeumi look, they won!" he says to his dog as she barked excitedly noticing you from the distance

rewards you with cuddles for the entire evening and gives you all the kisses in the world

doesn't miss praising you for how well you did and that he's very proud of you :((

🖇️ — 이희승 ; HEESEUNG !

your boyfriend is going to show off

you're always proud to tell everyone about his achievements and he in turn does the same with yours

his friends are tired of him talking about you (you're great but heeseung needs to put a sock in it)

he's usually pretty 'humble' or subtle when it comes to showing off but he couldn't hold back

starts doing this little victory dance in the crowd and tells everyone around him that he's your boyfriend

sweaty and all, heeseung still ran over to you after your race and hugged you spinning you around

smothered you in kisses and told you how well you did

makes sure to suprise you with a cute dinner and a muscle relaxing bubble bath afterwards as his treat to you

"My baby's a track star~" he says in a sing song tone whilst you both cuddled in bed

🖇️ — 박종성 ; JAY !

it didn't show but trust he was more anxious about how this race would go more than you were even though you were the one running

felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders seeing you crossing the finish line first

he knows how worried you were about the race so he was so proud of you for coming this far

jay is literally standing in the bleachers with a bouquet of flowers to gift you, even if you had came out last you'd still be a winner to him

calls you 'champ' from that day on

"How's my champ this morning?" he greets leaving a short peck on your temple

you missed hearing him calling you other endearing nicknames but oddly enough champ motivated you to do better in your other races

he also knows how straining the long distance run probably was so he makes sure to give you a massage to relax you and get the tension out your body

🖇️ — 심재윤 ; JAKE !

I've mentioned this multiple times and I'll keep saying it

jake will never beat the proud/super supportive boyfriend agenda

he will always be your biggest fan in any of your pursuits, win or lose he'll always be there to stand by you

your boyfriend was literally in the stands holding a banner saying ' my partner is a track star '

probably has a picture of you with your trophy/medal framed and hung somewhere in his room

he makes sure to treat you to an ice cream date after your race because in his words, his super star deserves their reward

he makes sure to post it on his social media too even if it isn't much of a 'big deal' to you

jake takes your wins to heart more than you do

you'd swear he was the one that just ran and came in first

"That's my baby over there!" he yells as you cross the finish line coming in first

🖇️ — 박성훈 ; SUNGHOON !

show off no.2, yep, this boy is telling everyone

the people next to him in the stands saw it first hand but he's loudly cheering about how his partner just won their race

hell he's telling the waiter at the diner you were both at that you won too

"Did you know they actually won their cross country race? Yep, I'm dating a star athlete." he says as you hid behind your hands

to say the least you also felt kinda embarrassed by your boyfriend and his boastful actions

but you were also happy to see how proud hoon was of your achievements and that he wanted to show you off

"You can stop now Hoon, the whole city knows at this point." you tell him covering his mouth during his phone call

yep, he called his mom to tell her too

she probably went around telling everyone excitedly too, it seemingly runs in the genes

🖇️ — 김선우 ; SUNOO !

he is that sort of 'sports mom' that comes with all the snacks and drinks for you

also asks you alot of questions to make sure you're not too anxious and you're energized and ready to run beforehand

"Do you need some water before running baby? can I help you with anything else? Make sure you stretch so you don't pull anything."

he just wants to make sure you don't get any injuries during your race

starts jumping around excitedly when he sees you've won your race

he knows you're all sweaty so he holds off hugging you until you're clean

going out to karaoke or for korean bbq to celebrate your win with friends

he's all smiles because he's happy to see how all your hard work paid off

🖇️ — 西村 力 ; NI-KI !

he knew you were a good runner but not this good

he was expecting you to place somewhere in the top ten but not first

was still really happy for you but mostly in shock

meets you after your race to give you a congratulatory hug and kiss (as one good boyfriend does in his words)

"Damn I owe Sunghoon hyung 30 bucks now-" he whispers which you caught on

you soon learnt your loving dear boyfriend made a bet with hoon that you wouldn't come out first and he ofcourse lost that bet

"Haha what, babe I always knew you could do it, I knew from the very beginning you were a cross country champion." he says following after you like a lost puppy trying to get your attention

he made it up to you by printing a shirt with your face on it and the words ' they won their track race and my heart '

it was cringe but you forgave him because he wore it in public embarrassing himself for you

riki made sure to never bet on you ever again but he was always going to be your number one fan

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #297

I wasn't able to get any pictures of any yummies at work today. And worse, there was a box of chocolate chip cookies, and the cookies were all gone, but there were TONS of leftover chocolate chips on the bottom of the box, and I was allowed to take them home, so I put them someplace I thought I wouldn't forget, and… I FORGOT ANYWAY. And I didn't realize until it was much too late to go back. That's because I was in an airplane when I realized it.

…Impaired Object Permanence: 1. Lumine: 0. I swear to goodness, I'd leave my head on the goddamn bus if it wasn't attached. Sigh…

Well, it's fine. Maybe I can get them later. I had a great time at work today! I found out that Ka - the replacement for Mi - was in a very difficult situation. You see, she wasn't a manager. But then she went away for a while for reasons, and then when she returned, her manager left, and she was left as the manager of a particularly difficult store, without having had the training to manage. So Mi was suddenly summoned to take her place, while she trains here at my store, under the other manager, Tr. Tr is smart and delightful; I'm confident that Ka is in good hands! And Ka is also smart and delightful; I have no doubt that she will learn quickly!

That said… Mi will probably not be returning to my store for the foreseeable future. I guess things over at the other store are pretty bad, so they need a strong leader to help get things to the way they should be. I feel sad about this; Mi was upset that he wasn't even given time to say goodbye to the folks at my store. I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to know Ka, but… I wish Mi didn't have to go away.

…Well, like I said, I was in an airplane today. J wanted to eat at a diner that is very close to a little airport in a nearby town. The place isn't far by car. But J wanted to make sure his little airplane gets at least an hour of flight each week, and the weather was good for it, so the diner was a good excuse to do the thing.

Today was my first time flying with J in his plane. I said yesterday that I'd do stuff and try to get pictures. But I decided to do ya one better and get VIDEO!! Here:

…It'll probably be a bit more time before it's ready. In any case, Like the car ride, you should maybe cozy up with a playlist and watch it on 2x or 4x speed. Just… it is autumn and my region is rainbow-colored right now because of it. I wanted you to see it. I wanted you to see the curves and contours of my region's mountains, valleys, and hills. I wanted you to see all the beautiful things.

We didn't get to go to the diner, though. The random pixelated break towards the end of the video is when J and I discovered that the runway that we were supposed to land on to get to the diner was covered in geese, and there was no one to chase them away, because it was a little airport, there was no one there to chase the geese away. Birds of any size are very dangerous to planes, and they move unpredictably. So we couldn't land there. We ended up needing to turn around and go home.

But that's okay!! Sometimes things don't work out in the way we expect. We still got lots of nice video for you on my camera!! And I took a few more pictures when we got back, too…

Tomorrow, we go to the funeral for Mark's grandmother. I'm not really sure what to expect, other than we will have to get up early. I'm going to stop writing so that I can go to sleep.

I hope you enjoyed today's letter. I hope you enjoy all the beautiful things I try to show you.

Sephiroth... don't give up just yet, okay? Please keep striving towards that normal life you wanted. You can have it if you work towards it!!! I promise!!!

I love you. Please do everything in your power to stay safe out there so that you can read tomorrow's letter when I write it.

Your friend, Lumine

[writeyouin]

Omg what's Total Warrior??? Do you compete against other people??? That's such a sick photo! Like, get em'! 💕

Total Warrior is a 12K or 7.5 Mile obstacle course that you pay to compete in (the payment basically just covers the costs of the obstacles and course maintenance.)

It happens once a year, and there are several courses. There's the kids one-mile course with baby obstacles, the 6K (3.7 miles) or the 12K, which I did.

Over the 12K course there are 37 Obstacles. Including several climbing walls, jumping over the fire pit as can be seen in the picture (that's called the Human Barbeque,) and the log carry where you can take a log up and down a hill; I carried 2 cos I made a bet with the blokes on our team who bet me I could only carry one (they weren't being misogynistic, it was all in good fun, I swear.)

There's a crawl under barbed wire, and the only obstacle I hate, running through the electric zappers. The full list of Obstacles can be found on the Total Warrior Website: https://totalwarrior.co.uk/

I'm on a Team called The Cleveland Crusaders (which I think is kind of a shit name, but I'm not the Captain).

Our team isn't about getting the fastest time, but rather about helping each other at the obstacles. When we reach any obstacle, we wait for all our other Team members to get there before carrying on, that way, we can all help each other. So like, I'm super fucking short, so I always need a boost up the climbing walls to reach the first step, and one of our team members can't swim, so me and our better swimmers guided her through the water obstacles. It's all in good funa and I have a really good Team of 29 people.

Of our Team when crossing the finish line, I wouldn't leave my mum who is great at the obstacles but slower in the cardio, so this year, I came 27th out of 29th. The two last members of our team were jacked as hell - They're professional rugby players, but they're slow over constant cardio. So for us, it's not really about speed, but we did complete the course in under 3 hours this year. Last year, we took longer.

At the end of the course, you get a T-Shirt for competing (Was very disappointed it was yellow this year 'cos it's supposed to be a different colour every year, and last year was also yellow.) You also get some drinks to replace electrolytes, a free beer, which I gave to the gents of our team, 'cos I don't drink, and a couple of other things in a tote bag. I also got pneumonia after competing 'cos I accidentally swallowed too much muddy water in one obstacle.

I really love this competition, it smacks of camaraderie, and it's a whole load of fun. How often, as an adult, do you get to roll in mud?

Here's some pics from the year before (I'm wearing Kerry's shirt because she had to drop out, so that first time, I went in with only one week's training and I nearly died from wheezing so much - it was great) -

The tag on my shoes in picture 2 is a tracker so the course cameras can automatically take pictures of the contestants.

[ducknotinarow]

2k12 Raph Don - #

| send me “#” for cell phone headcanons about our muses including:                              

"And why do you want that for uh? Fine I think this what 'ike the last time maybe you'll be in my phone? Im almost over all this damn invasion of my piracy so fine jus' get this over with ain't gonna be any worse than the others one I guess."

- what your muse’s name is in mine’s phone      

     '🧪Dork'        

"I mean what else would I put him as? Have you ever been in a room with the guy for more than a second? Guess all it 'akes ta see that Donnie's just a massive dork. Wouldn' be surprised if he dreams 'bout goin' to school he gets more excited over a fuckin' text book than Mikey over comics. Don spends all his time on these online message boards? He loves dorky crap, man I don' know who more a dork between all of my brothers sometimes. Then enters the king of dorks. Who else will make a flow chart? Oh and don' get me started on how he got over my stupid gift of those pair of- Know what forgot it ya got your answer next one."

- what your muse’s picture is in mine’s phone      

[image description] it's a pretty clear image of Donnie in his lab, standing by one of his work stations. He isn't looking at the camera but seems to be in the middle of showing something. But he seems pretty happy about what ever he was talking about though.

"Look Don an' I ain't all that close 'ike we used ta be" He lets his gaze drop as he mentions it for reasons he knew he shared blame on too. "I changed it, use ta be a picture of Donnie being all pissy cause Mikey got him with a water balloon. I changed it to this, the full picture was taken cause Don was rambling about stuff he needed and no way I was gonna know any of what he said. Jus' went lookin' through my phone the other day and notice he was smiling so ya know." Raph offers a shrug of his shoulders over the thought. "Just a better picture 'hat's all"                       

- what your muse’s ringtone is in mine’s phone      

Shooting Star by Owl City

Whoa-oh, whoa-oh, whoa-oh Brighter than a shooting star Shine no matter where you are tonight                     

"Eh I give Don a hard time but I mean I give everyone a hard time. Mikey mostly Leo Donnie's not excluded from that. Don' mean I don't think Don not great what he does but my brothers got an ego so i don' mind knocking him down a peg or two besides annoying him is honestly just a whole lot of fun. But eh Don can be kind of cool and awesome he does make some neat stuff time to time. But don' tell 'em I said that god that shot eating smile he have if I ever actually told him something close to that? Never here the end of it.

- my muse’s last text to your muse

[text] I swear Donnie if you kept leaving your crap out like this I aint gonna care if it break >:I

______________

[text] Leo pissed me off I'm going out, don' tell him where i'm at.

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

[text] Mikey's on a roll with the pranks might wanna lock your lab

[text] [image sent of Leo as the latest victim of Mikey's pranking streak, looking like a rainbow puked all over their older brother followed by three crying laughing emojis]

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

[text] Did you pass out in ya lab?

[text] Splinters making us train, I can cover for you just fucking answer dork!

[text] I told Splinter you liver exploded.

[text] I panicked you got like six seconds to hide whatever your doing fore he get to you. Leo's following

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

[text] so uh yeah uhhh

[text] that Von chick told me to give you that insulin? stuff so i left it outside your door.

[ecmlol]

Part 2 in my batman comic

Dick had to come up with a new name and identity before he could meet his new sibling. Bruce gave him blond tips hair and gave him different color eye. He became John thomapson there much older brother who was in the military just like their dad. Dick started to spend time with the girls on the regular bases. He learned the code that Bruce and his wife used in public. As time went on . Bruces family grew in every way. Dick came and left to be night wing jason came and died with out knowing about the other kids. Damien came into the picture and lucky for Bruce he explained everything that happen to him when he was abducted 9 years ago . He was found by super man and brought back home. At this point his first daughter was a year old. Bruce was happy that he was honest with her because she has had to deal with him dating other women publicly for years there have been a few time that he has slept with them also . He felt like this would have brought there relationship especially after she meet him as Bruce's long time assistant. She made the call to not tell him about his sister until he felt that he wasn't a danger anymore. Bruce had no plan to tell his second oldest about his siblings . He figured it out when he notice strange little thing like alfred always making more pastries then they ever need . Then he found a hair clip in the batcave one day. He walked in on his dad shopping online for winter coats . He always questioned both his father and Alfred about everything but they always say they are donation to a shelter . He knew they where lying but they always had s a quick answer for everything.even the empty trays in the bat cave. And the hair clip.So he decided to set a trap. He set up a camera in the batcave and he definitely saw way more then he ever wanted to see if his father. It was a women with dark skin and curly dark hair in lingerie coming from the shadows to greet his father . The bat suit was quickly discarded after a few words and things got heat quickly. Luckily for Damien the evening activity didn't start until his father carried the women to his chair at the bar computer. Damien doesn't have a clue who the women was but he was going to find out. He checked the camera every day for a week until he hit gold 4 days later when he saw his father disappeared into the shadows and Come back with blond frosted tip hair and two little girls in holding his hand. He watched as his father started to train the oldest in self defense. It doesn't look like her first time . Damien becomes intrigued because he swears he seen the oldest girl some where but he can't remember where. Then he sees the neck tie hanging out of her pocket. It's from his school. The next day Damien went on the hunt for the older girl at lunch he spots her and he knew it was her because he notices her lunch is what he had for dinner last night. Interesting. So alfred packs her lunch. He sits in front of her without a word. Ah hi she say with a confused look on her face. Who are you. Damien says ah why would I tell you? Because I asked. Sound like a you problem . She give him a like that reminds him of his father. They just stare at each other. Until the bell rings to go back to class . Neither move until there teach come and get them . This isn't over Damien says. We'll see about that the girl say for the next week Damien did the same thing every day . He wasn't getting a word out of her besides her being snarky. So I the next week she saw that he was eating the same food as her and that made her finally ask a question. Where did you get your lunch. My butler made it for me . Butler? Yes pennyworth. Something clicks in her head but quickly disappears. What do you know him? Damien asked . I don't have to tell you anything . For the next week Niether child says anything to there parents s about the weird kid at lunch . For the rest of the week they both had the same lunch and pastry but only one came with a note on the napkin. See we don't don't eat the same thing for Lunch I get a note in mine.

[funkypoacher]

recently snagged myself a commission spot with @yummychii​, who asked that I give a small blurb about the characters to get into the zone for the purposes of their drawing process. I was really impressed by that, and also inspired, leading to this little Margaret/Reed episode. 

also tagging @a-productive-manor​ for I am a beggard thirsty for them reblogs :,( (just kidding. unless?)

Reed Tobson/OC The Outer Worlds rated G 

The personal timepiece on Reed Tobson’s wrist, rather than read a specific hour, pointed out the indolence as he stood amidst fine and faded furniture, his eyes casting suspicion upon the dully lustrous swathes of wallpaper. Its gleam dimmed when Margaret walked passed, moving towards the tripod-cradled camera over which she bent and fussed, effusing the click of mechanics while she saw to processes he had no need to understand.

“Are we nearly ready, my dear?” asked Reed.

After setting the timer, Margaret breezed towards him, her head-shake burdened with the barest suggestion of reproach, and coloured by coquettish, playful wisdom. “Even in the most dire of situations, the company recommends, for every standard pay-period, one day of rest. Or a span of twenty four hours divided in such a manner as agreed upon by the employee and his superior.” Subduing the space between them, Margaret reached for Reed’s tie, righting the knot with a careful tug. “And seeing as you are dangerously close to infringing upon overtime which has not been granted this week, I suggest you commit yourself to this act of shiftlessness and stop checking the time.”

Distasteful though he found the notion of such idleness—it was akin to malediction on her lips—he could not help but admit, around a glowing smile, “how I adore your grasp of the labour guidelines.”

Her song of triumph was a soft, melodic laugh. Turning, Margaret faced the camera which loomed ominously halfway across the room, its lens shining like an inky eye.

“It takes a moment to warm up. Simply stand as you please.”

For her part, she posed loose-limbed and stale-countenanced in front of him. Reed balled his hands, awaiting the flash.

“And this is the rage in Byzantium, you say?”

“Oh, yes.” Margaret looked over her shoulder. “I had my portraiture captured alongside the troupe and Mister Rockwell, as well as for the corporations that rented my contract. And, as mentioned before, the promotional endeavors offered by Universal Defence Logistics back in ‘42.”

Reed sighed wistfully. “Hundreds of people forming a queue simply to have their likeness alongside your own. And to think—I get to skip the line entirely.” His chest expanded, pride crinkling his eyes. “I suppose it’s prudent that I have my wife’s portrait in my home if Halcyon’s privileged were given the opportunity.”

“Not quite, darling. UDL owned my image at the time, and weren’t inclined to give it away, even for a price. It was about the experience—the chance to rub elbows with luminaries, producers, and picture-stars. The Ruth Ballamy of my time was, by far, the more popular choice in these things compared to little, old me. Naturally.”

“Ah. Then…” Reed felt his collar tighten, and he put great effort into rebuffing it. “My, but what an interesting expenditure of one’s time. Byzantium’s elite certainly are fortunate. And, I suppose, I am now as fortuitous as they.”

Margaret was troubled unexpectedly. Turning, again, to cast a glance over her shoulder, she could not deny the affectionate call to touch his cheek. She did so; cupping his face, her hand indulged her heart to feel the warmth of his skin, and she stirred, deeply, particularly as his eyes met her own. 

“You are better than any I’ve known in Byzantium, Reed Tobson.”

It was the incertitude of his expression which she both cherished and girded against, but she knew it to be true. As his hand encaptured hers which, moments previous, had stroked his face, and his second palm went to her waist in a moment of stupefaction, Margaret considered how fully she esteemed the sentiment.

Hundreds had crossed her path in Halcyon’s capital, their right to fortune ensured by the Grand Plan’s strings of fate, but that did not guarantee a richness in morality. Expectations were heterogeneous between the classes; yet, while pride in one’s lot was universal, so many in Byzantium complained pitiably of their indulged position.

Not Reed. Where he was—where he belonged—was a point of self-regard. And for Margaret it had so long been a subject of torture heavy in her bosom, for she had been strung along between the various corporations that traded her contract—and her life—like so little a thing; yet, now, in Edgewater, she felt she had been found. She no longer believed the Grand Plan had forgotten her, thus denying her the stability of purpose, or the spiritual integrity of being in one’s place. And, as fate would have it, her place was at Reed’s side.

But to Margaret, Reed was not only a means to an end—an affirmation of goodness, or proof of worthiness. Reed was unlike those she had known in Byzantium; he was curt and boorish at times, yet this was simply straight honesty. He did not hide behind double-meanings or preening; he said things as they were, sour or not. When Reed Tobson stated that he respected her, she believed it. And when he expressed softly, with uncertainty in his eye, “as you say,” Margaret saw nothing like Byzantium’s arrogance in his countenance.

“You’re a good man,” she warmly insisted.

Reed was unsure of how to reply. To espouse his superiority over anyone from that echelon of society seemed, somehow, grotesque, yet his wife’s perception had always been sharp, if hesitant (out of regard for etiquette).

Beyond this, however, was the plain devotion she exuded, and it refashioned Reed’s doubt to thankful confidence. There were people chosen by the Architect to imbue a certain set of extraordinary skills, and while the interconnectedness of existence meant one’s influence reached far across the stars, Margaret not only touched the lives of many, but she enriched them. Her songs had soothed spirits, strengthened bodies, and bid minds to work harder towards the piety of productivity. She hadn’t been the voice of Spacer’s Choice in some years, of course, but her brilliance did not mar in the wake of changing fashion. Creative and solicitous, she achieved what every Halcyon citizen strove for: great self-sacrifice, dedication, and she demanded only what was her due—her right as a consumer and a cog in the system.

Margaret was not perfect in the sense of infallibility of action. She failed, often, yet she met disappointment with grace, accepted defeat beautifully, and tried and tried again. In a word, Margaret was the epitome of integrity. When Reed gazed at her, he saw all that was good in the galaxy.

Caught in the moment, the couple found themselves rooted to each other like a rock polished to marvelous marble. But this did not mean that neither jumped when the camera’s flash finally sparked.

“Oh!”

Stunned—and certainly embarrassed to have his improper, emotional passion immortalized in the picture soon to print—blood burned across Reed’s cheek. He blinked for the deadened spark which had blazed through the room, but Margaret laughed freely, her hands clasped joyously at her breast, as her amused effusement echoed off the wallpaper.

“You might have given me fair warning, dearest,” Reed said, pinching the bridge of his nose and blinking away the stars.

“Oh, darling.” Margaret sighed while approaching the camera which slowly produced its yield. “That’s part of the gambit, I’m sorry to say. Oh, and look! Reed, look at this—it’s perfect.”

But he could not say the image in her delicate fingers was the epitome of fineness, for he had the real thing in his own hold.

“You’re pleased, then?” With his hands on her hips, Reed looked over her shoulder, hope pulling his lips to a tight lilt, and fondness leaving a little gleam in his eye.

“Every moment I’ve been in Edgewater,” Margaret promised, reaching back to touch his cheek once more.

[garfinkelstingle]

social media au | timothee chalamet

pairing: timothee chalamet x fem!reader

a/n: hii! wanted to let you guys know right away, since i'm not a super fan of maude's i have no clue what her cats names are and i didn't really find anything on the internet, so for this au's sake i named the cats what i would consider naming my own cats if i ever got any! hope you guys don't mind that too much :) also i have not watched a single episode of euphoria so i hope i didn't do anyone too dirty but sorry in advance if i did lmao

masterlist

yourinstagram

liked by tchalamet, sydney_sweeney and others

yourinstagram the cat and crazy lady say hi

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yourfan21 dont know who's cuter you or dibbles 🥺

yourfan84 i wish my cat would let me take pictures with her, the second i put a camera in front of her she just starts hissing :(

anguscloud i would like to make it clear that you having a cat isn't what actually warrants you calling yourself a crazy lady

* liked by yourinstagram

euphoriafan02 petition for lexi to have a cat in euphoria simply for the extra y/n with kitties content!!!!!!

tchalamet favorites

yourinstagram not quite sure which one of us misses you more atm

*liked by tchalamet

timmyfan73 you two are beyond adorable i honestly cant 😭😭

tchalamet

liked by yourinstagram, zendaya and 2,392,104 others

tchalamet copycat

view all 283,422 comments

timmyfan62 not timmy remaking y/n's post they really are soulmates huh?????

yourfan19 where's dibbles???

tchalamet @ home with mom

timmyfan03 pls adopt me i'm begging you i promise i'll be good you don't even have to potty train me i swear!

yourinstagram dibbles thinks that i did it better

tchalamet tell dibbles no belly rubs for at least a day when i get back

yourinstagram ok pretty sure dibbles just changed her mind and made you her new favorite human. rude.

callmebyyourfan83 when are we getting cmbyn2 ????? cause i honestly can't wait anymore at this point

tomholland2013 hope you don't mind me for copying the hair mate

*liked by tchalamet

timmyfan92 y/n's the luckiest girl on the planet to be dating someone this handsome i mean honestly it should be a crime to be this hot

yourfan01 lol have you seen y/n????? they're both equally stunning, let's just leave it at that

* liked by yourinstagram

elleusa

liked by tchalamet, yourinstagram and 29,394 others

elleusa Spring is officially in the house, so pack your bags and pick some apples with yourinstagram. For ELLE's April issue, the next-gen actress demonstrates the patterns and flows you should be looking out for this spring, and also talks to us all things being in a hit-show like Euphoria and dating someone in the limelight- for three years straight now! Link in bio for the full shot + article!

view all 3,284 comments

yourfan53 oh to be an apple picked by y/n...

timmyfan98 love how kindly she spoke of timmy she really really loves him huh 🥺

yourinstagram had a blast talking to you guys! thanks for having me :)

*liked by elleusa

euphoriafan23 what's everyone's favorite bit from the article and why is it y/n saying that "timothee grounds me in ways i never thought another person could. he gives me peace throughout all the craziness that's happening in my life, and he makes me grateful for everything that has happened so far, even on the bad days, because i never would've met him had i just given up when things started to get hard. i love him for that, and i always will."

yourfan77 i still haven't recovered from that and i don't think i ever will,,, y/n has always struggled with her mental health and timmy really seems to help her cope with so much!!!!!

timmyfan64 what's best is that timothee has also said on more than one occasion that y/n helps him so much whenever he feels anxious and panicky!!! they really are a match made in heaven 🥺♥️

*liked by yourinstagram

sydney_sweeney

liked by yourinstagram, tchalamet and 2,492,194 others

sydney_sweeney bestie <3

view all 201,493 comments

euphoriafan82 so lucky to have you beautiful queens portraying cassie and lexi!!!!!!! love you girls!!!!!

*liked by sydney_sweeney

zendaya ♥️

yourinstagram you're missing from the picture z ♥️

*liked by sydney_sweeney, zendaya

euphoria gorgeous gorgeous girls

sydneyfan82 you two really are the most beautiful human beings ever i am so jealous of y'alls bf's like what do they have that i don't (except for money, looks and successful carreers)????

yourinstagram i'd like to know what i was going for because the wave? definitely in the top 5 most awkward things i have ever done in my life

tchalamet it looks more as if you're going for a high five with yourself lol

yourinstagram did i ask for your opinion? no >:(

tchalamet sorry baby

*liked by yourinstagram

euphoriafan38 season 3 of euphoria when????? need more of you two on screen together asap!!!!!!

entertainmentweekly

liked by yourinstagram and 38,291 others

entertainmentweekly Timothee Chalamet grazes this months cover of Entertainment Weekly and tells us all about what it's like portraying the iconic character of Willy Wonka, having (maybe) one too many cats and trying to keep life as private as possible with his lovely girlfriend Y/N Y/LN. Link in bio for the full article!

view all 1,393 comments

timmyfan27 my boy is looking a little extra fine today doesn't he

timmyfan18 brb gonna go and order a lifesize cutout of the first picture bc i have never seen anything hotter in my entire life

yourinstagram what a fine specimen of a human being ♥️

yourfan39 y/n or #1 timothee chamalet stan?

yourinstagram definitely the latter

timmyfan04 i love y/n but if i ever had the chance to fight her hunger games style knowing that the prize was timmy's love and affection... let's just say i wouldn't hold back

dunefan22 loved the article! very tastefully written :)

yourinstagram

liked by tchalamet, hunterschafer and others

yourinstagram date night w/ bae ♥️

view all 492,283 comments

yourfan13 how is y/n a solid 25 on a 1-10 hotness scale?????

alexademie hot stuff

*liked by yourinstagram

tchalamet my date > your date

yourinstagram probably, yeah ;)

*liked by tchalamet

yourfan65 bestie you in that dress???? i'm not strong enough for this, i'm really really not... my one true weakness wbk 😔

timmyfan27 actually saw them at carbone's yesterday lol. looked absolutely smitten with each other! didn't take pictures cause i wanted to respect their privacy

*liked by yourinstagram

yourfan18 how is nobody commenting on timothees photography skills???? if my boyfriend would take pictures like this of me i would marry him immediately!!! instead all i get is blurry trash 🥲

tchalamet

liked by yourinstagram, florencepugh and 3,281,394 others

view all 231,492 comments

timmyfan36 i still haven't recovered from this look and honestly i don't think that i ever want to

timmyfan94 ladies and gentleman, this is what i call a SERVE!!!!!

yourinstagram i love how you think you're too cool for a caption. like go king give us nothing (literally, since you're not even wearing a shirt) 🙄🙄

tchalamet you're just jealous that you couldn't go because you chose to get sick the day before the oscars

yourinstagram first of all, i didn't choose to do anything 😾 second of all, it's rude that you went out to have fun without me. unacceptable.

tchalamet don't worry, it wasn't even nearly as fun as it would've been had you been by my side love

*liked by yourinstagram

timmyfan82 i know the world is in shambles right now, but looking at this picture of my best boy timmy makes it all that much more bearable 🥺

florencepugh nice shirt ti- oh wait

*liked by tchalamet

yourfan13 really sad we didn't get to see you and y/n walk the red carpet together, but i'm sure we'll get to see it some day soon!!

tchalamet

liked by yourinstagram, marthahunt and 4,192,495 others

tchalamet forever home

view all 521,394 comments

timmyfan28 i'm sorry i'm not okay because what??????

yourfan05 y/n looks so happy too like yes miss girl it's what you deserve 😭

anguscloud don't tell me y'all got another cat???

yourinstagram the cat limit does not exist, angus

*liked by anguscloud

timmyfan99 you can't even begin to imagine how happy i am that timmy finally found his person and that she makes him so, so happy 🥺 he deserves the world and y/n is really giving it to him

*liked by yourinstagram

yourinstagram forever and always, mon coeur ♥️

*liked by tchalamet

yourfan17 i better be invited to the wedding otherwise i'm throwing hands

timmyfan04 WHY IS NOBODY ASKING WHAT THE NAME OF THE NEW KITTY IS BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO KNOW

yourinstagram it's lola!!

timmyfan04 omg queen thank you so much for noticing me and for letting me know i'm genuinely shook rn

[emf005]

Picture Perfect Chapter 1

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been working on a few different fics and also finals are coming up, so that' kicking my butt! Anyhow, I hope you guys enjoy this one, its a two-part series!

Warnings: Bullying, a bit of swearing, Draco being adorable. James being a ass hat. Mentions of death. Pretty much it I think. Let me know if I missed anything!

James Sirius Potter x Malfoy!reader

Summary: James Potter isn't one to be a bully, unless its to a certian Malfoy. But, what happens when his little sister starts dance classes and her teacher is the one and only Y/N Malfoy?

“Mommy! Come on!” A six year old Lily Luna Potter called, waiting for her mom, dad, and brothers at the doors of the dance studio. James ran up to his little sister and picked her up. “Jamie!” She giggled.

“What? Too old to be spun around? Is that what happens when you turn six?” he teased. She giggled.

“No.” James sat her down and looked up at the building, shoving his hands in his pockets. 

“This it?” He asked Harry and Ginny. Albus came up and stood besides his brother, looking at the large dance studio. Lily had been begging to go to dance classes since she was three. Lily and Harry had assumed it was a phase and never acted on it. But every year since that's all Lily asked for her birthday. 

“Yep,” Harry said looking up at the studio. It was a magical incorporated studio, said one of his coworkers who had sent his daughter there. Apparently a lot of magical students went for the summer. But it also had muggle students attending, so both magical and muggle money was accepted. “Ready to see what its like inside?” Harry asked, leaning down to his daughter’s level. She nodded and ran to the door throwing it open and running inside. James and Albus on her heels. James had his muggle camera strapped over his body in case his sister did anything or wanted a picture of anything. 

He had taken an interest in muggle photos back in his first year of Hogwarts when he found some stuck underneath his mattress that were old and faded. And, ironically, it was of his name sake. James Sirius, Remus, and Lily. There were a few with Peter in them, but he just ignored the man who got his grandparents killed. 

It had obviously been his grandmother’s camera that had taken them, since she was the only muggle born, but ever since then he had begged his parents for a vintage camera. Albus had taken up poetry, strangely. And James used to tease him about it until he actually read it. Now, apparently, it was Lily’s turn to get an art to pursue. 

“Hello,” a woman smiled from behind the desk. “What can I help you with?”

“We would like to sign our daughter up for classes,” Ginny answered, pulling her daughter off the desk. The woman smiled and looked down at Lily.

“Of course. A whole year or half?”

“Whole until she’s eleven,” Harry answered. The woman nodded. 

“Very good.” She leaned down towards Lily. “Would you like to look around? I’m sure one of our teachers would be pleased to show you around.” LIly nodded. 

“Yes please!” 

“See you, Margret!” You called, sliding your dance back higher up your shoulder and making sure your shirt was covering your whole body. 

“See you, Y/N!” She called back and you walked out of the back room. You had just finished four hours of vigorous dance training. You didn;t mind though. You loved to dance. You were headed to the back which was the fastest way home without apperating, which you weren’t legally supposed to do yet. But what's the harm in getting ahead of the game?

“Y/N!” You turned to see Miss Rosen calling you to the front. You smiled and walked up to her, braiding your Y/H/C hair as you went. It had been up in a bun for hours, but you didn;t want it to get in the way. 

“Hi, Miss. Rosen! Whats up?”

“We have a new student and I would like you to show her around.” You smiled. New students were your facvorite, although you did like working with the older ones as well. 

“Of course!” ou stepped into the lobby to see a little red haired girl looking up at you with bright green eyes, freckles decorating her face. You smiled. “Hi,” you bent down to her level. “I’m-”

“Malfoy?” 

Oh no. 

You looked up to see James Potter. The one person in the entire school who despised you. 

“James? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he spat. You sighed. Sadly, James Potter hated your guts, but you loved his. Everything about him. You couldn’t help it! But how could he ever love a Malfoy. Or even give you a chance. 

“Well, I dance here. And teach.” You glanced down to LIly and back at him and his parents. Harry and Ginny Potter. “I’m assuming this is your sister.”

“Y/N?” You looked over to see Albus walking in the door. You smiled and waved. Albus was a natural at potions, but not so much at transfigurations. You had been tutoring since his first year. He had slowly grown to like you, which you were grateful for. It also helped that he was friends with your half brother, Scorpius. 

"Hey, Albus!" You looked up at Harry and Ginny quickly tabdung and sticking out your hand. "Hello, sir, ma'am. I'm Y/N Malfoy. I mean, you probally already got that from your son's calling me by both," you laughed awkwardly. "Is it alright if I took your daughter round and showed her the studio? You can come as well if you'd like." You said polightly. You knew there was still tension between your families, still a lot of hate on the Malfoy name. You and scorpius had been trying to figure that out it, slowly, over the years. You were now in your fith year and Scorpius in his third. 

"Of course," they shook your hand and you could tell they were hesitant. Still, didn't blame them. "You two can go ahead on your own."

"Great! Wanna come back wit-"

"Can I come?" You looked up from Lily to see James standing there with his arms crossed. You noticed he had his camera across the side of his body, which wasn't unusual to see. "Can I go back with her to check it out. I want to make sure my sister has the best school she can," he narrowed his eyes at you, making you swallow. Why did he have to hate you? 

"Thats alright with me, just take off your shoes, the both of you." They nodded and took off their shoes, then the three of you headed back. You showed her the diffrent dance rooms introduced her to some teachers and some of your friends at the studio. 

"Hi! I'm Margret!" Your red haired friend introduced. She was one of the best in your studio. Also one of the kindest. If she was a which she would be a Hufflepuff you had decided long ago. "I see your going to be taught byY/N. She's one of the best in the studio. Don't worry, you'll see," she said excitedly to the little girl.  You rolled your eyes at your friend.

"Ok, yeah. Thanks for the encouragement, Margret." She bumped your shoulder and laughed before eyeing James. 

"Are you going to be joining too?" She asked, batting her eyelashes. Oh, did you mention she was a complete flirt? But, sadly, so was James. 

"No, but if you dance here I might just consider it," he winked, causing her to giggle and you and Lilly to gag. 

"Alright, Margret, she's already signed up, no need to flirt with her brother." She smiled sweetly at James. 

"Y/N/N, that wasn't the reason I was flirting," you nearly gaged again. 

"Disgusting. Alright. Theres one more studio I want you to see. It's the largest one in here," Lily grabbed your hand and you lead the two into the large. It was a studio as big as a stage with the wooden floors and folding mirrors that would some out or appear to be an audience. There was a balcony up top for parents and younger ones to whatch, which they always did often, pressing themselves up against the railing to watch the older girls dance. 

"Wow," she gasped when you lead her in. You flipped a switch and the mirrors folded to appear as if there were any audience and the lights hanged to resemble ones of a stage, even the heat was the same, she gasped again. You smiled at her reaction. It would never get old watching younger girls get excited over the first time they walked in. That's one of the reasons you had a camera in the corners. You would often go back and watch your first tape when you felt distraught. It reminded you why you got j to dancing in the first place. 

"I'm still not convinced. You haven't shown us if this studio teaches well enough for my sister to join," James scoffed. Lily's mouth fell open, halting at her. Brother and warning him to shut up and not ruin this for her. You just smiled. 

"Well, what would convince you?" You asked, no malece in your voice. I mean, you were talking to James Sirius Potter, could you even have malece in your voice?

He looked you up and downs nd smirked. 

"You dance." You raisrd your eyebrows.

"Pardon?" You squealed out.it was a known fact you didn't dance in front of audiences. Ever. Your father and half brother had tried to convince you, but you wouldn't budge. Your stage fright was to sever. And now you had your crush, yelling you to dance for him and his little sister to see if your good enough. Lily looked up at you with wide eyes. 

"Would you?" You swallowed and bit down on your lip. You sighed. 

"Fine. Fine. Here," you pulled your phone out of your back pocket, they were issued to all the girls for music and communication with muggle friends. Lily looked at the device curiously and James jus raised his eyebrows. 

"You have one of those?"

"How else am I supposed to have the music, record my various dances to study, and play the music out side of the studio and the ballroom in my home?"

"You have a ballroom in your house?" You shrugged. 

"Part time. Half the summer we live at Malfoy manor and the other half we stay at the cottage, which me and dad prefer but…"you shrugged as if saying it is what it is. You scanned your music until you reached the song you were looking for. "Could you hit play when I say so, please?" Lily nodded and grabbed the phone. You dropped you that and started to take off your shit. 

"What in the hell do you think your doing!" He yelled and covered your eyes. You crinkled your brow at him before it clicked. A coy grin spread on your face. 

"Something bothering you, Potter?" You teased and you slid off your pants as well, leaving you in your leotard and a pair of pink tights. His eyes were still covered and Lilly was stifling giggles. You tied a black ballet skirt around your waist and leaned on the bar. "For Merlin's sake, Potter! Do you really think I'd strip nude in front of you?" You laughed. He brought his hands away from his face and recomposed himself seeing as you were still covered,. It  matter how scandalous the outfit was. 

"N-no," he stuttered, still not looking. At you. He knew as soon as he did he would start to blush and he would not give you that satisfaction. You set yourself up and took a breath removing them from the world like you had to do in class. 

"Lily? Can you play it please?" Your voice came out shaky. The music began to play and you settled yourself before starting the routine you knew by heart. You had to make sure not to focus on the other two persons in the room. Yas soon as you took notice of them you knew your stage fright would over all of your senses and you would become a stuttering limp noodle incapable of doing anything. You were very careful with who you danced around. Your father watched you on a regular basis because 'he paid for lessons and for ficks sake he was goin to watch it'. You always laughed at him and then let him see. But your half brother and step mother never saw a lick of anything. Well, that's a lie, Scorpius' had walked in on you ounce, but you had caught him and broke your ankle. He had felt so terrible that he couldn't meet your eyes for weeks. 

You finished the dance with grace and let the last of the music settle in your bones before coming out of your finishing position and, shyly, face the two of them. You wrapped your hands around your body and ran back to your jeans and t-shirt. You quickly changed. 

"So, worthy of your sister?" James closed his mouth, still in shock something so beautiful could come out of a Malfoy. How a Malfoy could actually look beautiful. He snapped himself out of it quickly enough though and nodded. 

"I suppose it'll do. But if I hear one complaint I will march down here and demand a new teacher," he sneered. You smiled and slung your bag on your shoulder again, taking a drink of your water and ready to pass out. 

"Well, I'm glad you approve. How about you, Lily? Do you want to dance here?" She nodded vigorously and smiled. You couldn't help but reciprocate her smile. She was too cute.

You walked the two back out of the maze of studios and offices and back to the lobby where her parents were waiting. Ginny was looking at leotards and tights with a pained expression, like she didn't know what she was doing. 

"We're back!" You said. Lily ran from your grip and latched onto her mother's leg. 

"Is miss.Malfoy going to be my teacher? Please say yes! Please please pleeeeeease!" You chuckled and leaned against the doorway.

"I'm sure if you ask nicely," Ginny responded looking at her daughter lovingly and making you jealous. You had never had a loving mother look at you like that. You had a father who looked at you like that, but it was just different. 

"Miss. Malfoy, will you please teach me?" She begged. You smiled. 

"I think that can be arranged, Lily. And please, call me Y/N. I'm no one special enough to earn that much of a title," you laughed. She beamed and launched herself at you, hugging you tightly. You hugged her back and sent her to her mother and father again. Ginny walked over to you. 

"You wouldn't happen to know anything about… Apparel or anything would you?" You smiled at her. 

"I know a bit. What are you having trouble with? " Well, I'm not sure on what to buy or how much or hair or… any of it really," she shrugged guilty. "Quidditch I can do. Ballet?" She shook her head. You smiled. 

"You'll get the hang of it. You should have seen my dad when I started," you laughed. 

"Telling stories about me, sweet heart?" You looked up and saw you father step in. You ran over and hugged him. 

" No." You grinned cheekily. 

"Uhu." He poked your nose. “What did I tell you about lying when you can;t do it.” You laughed and pushed him out the door. 

“I’ll be out in a second. I just have somethings to finish.” He smiled and patted your head before walking out. “Sorry about that.” you walked back over to Ginny “As I was saying, you’ll get the hang of it eventually. But anything you need I’m here.” She smiled gratefully while Harry was eyeing you strangely. He had never seen Draco act like that. Not at school, not at work, not the few occasions he had seen him out of work. It was strange. 

“Harry!” Harry snapped out of his mind as Ginny yelled at him. “Stop staring at the poor girl! Unless you want to do this,” she offered and handed him a leotard. He backed up with his hands up. 

“No, definitely not.” You chuckled. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was staring at you,” you brushed him off quickly. 

“It's no problem, sir. I get the death glare from parents a lot. Any how, what days work best for you? I am here everyday.”

“Wednesdays?” Harry just shrugged. 

“Why did I even bring you?” She sighed. 

“It's no problem, just send an owl here or just come down personally whenever you figure out the best day or times. Like I said, I’m here everyday from opening till closing.”

“And sometimes longer,” Miss Rosen scoffed. You sent her a smile. 

“You’d miss me if I weren’t here so much.” She grumbled something and collected her papers, heading to the back. 

“Lock up when you're done. You still have your key?”

“Yup, have a good night, Miss Rosen!”

“Uhu,” she called over her shoulder. You walked to the desk and started collecting some papers to start a file for Lily and for the Potters to fill out. 

“Are we here after hours?” Ginny asked. You looked up at her. 

“Not really. I mean, technically, yes. But I’m here after hours so much that I have a key and often lock up.”

“They gave you a key?” James scoffed. You faltered for a moment before putting the smile back on your face.

“It beats having someone stay with me here till ten.” You handed Ginny a few papers. “If you could fill these out and just give them back whenever you decide on a day and time. Its just a few questions and health information. Also, her first day, if she would just come in leggings in a t-shirt or a tank top that would be lovely. We’ll get her measured for a leotard and tights then, we’ll also get her shoe sizes in order.” Ginny took the papers. 

“Thank you, Y/N. We’ll be back when we get these filled out.” You smiled and started to sort things in order on the desk which had turned into a complete mess. They started to file out. 

“Oh! Mrs.Potter!”

“Yes?” She turned back around and you bit your lip. 

“I know your family and my dad don’t exactly get along but… if you see my dad out there, could you tell him to just go along without me? It's a mess in here and it’ll bother me all night unless I clean it up.” She smiled. 

“Of course, dear.” She smiled and they disappeared. You let your smile drop slightly and you quickly cleaned up the desk before triple checking all the rooms to make sure they were clean enough for the night. 

The Potters stepped out of the dance studio to see Draco leaning against the building. He stood up when he heard the door, expecting his daughter, but only saw the Potter’s. He leaned back against the building. 

“Malfoy?” He looked at Ginny. He hadn't expected to be addressed. “Your daughter said to go on without her. She’d be a few minutes.” Draco just chuckled and continued to lean against the building. 

“Wasn’t expecting her to walk out with you. She’s always late. I swear she’s here more than her actual house. Thank you for the heads up, though.” Harry eyed Draco suspiciously. 

“Did you just thank us?”

“I did, Potter. I wouldn;t get used to it though,” James scoffed and Ginny shot him a scolding look. Draco eyed James and raised his eyebrows. “I suspect your James?”

“I suspect your Draco,” James drawled. Draco rolled his eyes. 

“Looks like he has just as good of comebacks as his father was,” Harry went to say something but Ginny squeezed his arm telling him to keep his mouth shut for the sake of not proving the man right. Draco nodded to Albus who waved awkwardly. “I’ll be going to see if my daughter needs any help inside. Thank you for telling me my daughter's message.” he turned and walked into the building. Ginny watched the door for a moment. 

“How did he end up with a daughter as nice as she was?” She mumbled. 

“He didn’t,” James muttered. They all started to walk away. 

“What do you mean?” Albus asked. “She and Scorpius are two fo the nicest people in both our years. Just because you don’t like who her father is doesn’t mean she’s rude.”

“And how do you know how nice she is?” James shot back. 

“She tutors me in transfigurations. She had some of the highest grades in your year, ya know.”

“She told you that?”

“No, professor Mcgonagall did when she suggested I ask her for help.” Albus shrugged.

You walked out to the front again with your arms full to see your dad leaning on the door. You frowned. 

“Why are you still here? I’m going to be here for a while.” He smiled. 

“Think I’d leave you to suffer this work all by yourself?” You smiled gratefully.

“Isn’t Astoria waiting at home?” You asked, putting some of the flies away. 

“She’s not the most important girl in my life,” he kissed your head and put a file on the top shelf. You smiled at hearing that. 

Astoria Greengrass. Your step-mother. You were happy she made your dad happy. You wouldn't have asked for anything better for him. But, she hated you. She preferred her own child and would make that perfectly clear when you were anywhere near her. 

Knowing that your father still cared about you made you smile and feel welcomed in your home. Well, the manor wasn't your home. You had never felt at home there. It was too large for you, though the ballroom was extraordinary. You preferred the smaller house, which was still particularly a large place. But it wasn’t as large as the mansion, it also never felt dreary like the mansion. Both you and your father preferred the “smaller” place, while Astoria preferred the mansion. Scorpius was indifferent to the whole ordeal. He could make himself comfortable on a bed of spikes, you often joked with him. Normally earning a dry sarcastic laugh from him. 

“How was class today?” Draco asked, breaking the comfortable silence as you handed him a few more files to put on the shelves that you couldn’t reach.

“It was good. I got my grand jete a bit higher today,” you said excitedly, though you knew this was all forgien to him. 

“That's great!” You smiled. 

“Still have no idea what I’m talking about do you?”

“Not a clue, but you seem excited about it.” You smiled wider. “That Potter kid wasn't giving you crap was he?”

“Lily?”

“The other one.”

“Albus?”

“No the other other one.”

“James?”

“That's the one. Seems like a piece of work, that one.” You chuckled and blushed lightly. Yeah, a piece of work indeed.

“No, he’s just protective. Wants the best for his siblings and such,” you shrugged. Draco scoffed. “What?”

“I was a prick like that. That's not the only thing going through his mind.”

“Dad,” you warned. 

“What? I’m just saying. The other two seemed fine. He was an egotistical control freak who, let me guess, has a new girl on his arm every other week. Wait, and let me guess, it gets better, right? He also bullies the less fortunate.”

“You almost described what you were like as a kid.”

“That's because I know what they look like. And that kid was me, just different.” You rolled your eyes, your mind wandering back to the school year and the various jabs he made at you… the less fortunate…

It had been a few weeks since you had taken Lily on as a student. Since she was new to dance you had suggested twice a week and found that Lily was a very capable dancer. She caught on quickly and was very confident in her movements, though you could tell she got stressed when she wasn't able to get something right. 

“That was excellent, Lily!” You praised. She smiled brightly at your praise. How about we move to the large room if you’d like, maybe even get your mother and father to watch,” you suggested. Her face lit up. “I’ll go get them. If there's someone dancing just stand on the side like usual, alright?” She nodded and practically pranced off to the large room.

You smiled at her and quickly walked to the waiting area. Her lesson was nearly over and Harry and or Ginny were normally there already. Your smile dropped when you noticed James leaning on the wall looking down at his camera.

“Hey, Potter,” You smiled. He looked up and his gaze made your heart go mad. “Your parents here?”

“No. They sent me to pick up Lily. Is she done?”

“We were going to run her routine in the large studio. Would you like to watch? She’s very proud of it.” 

“Sure.”

“Follow me.” you walked him back to a door. “Just go up these steps and you’ll be on the balcony. I’ll send her up to you when she’s finished.” You left him to go up the stairs and to the balcony. 

The large room was emptying out from the previous class when you entered. You had class right after you taught Lily so there was a few minutes break in between. 

“Ready?” She nodded and ran out to the middle of the room. “I’ll jump in if you get stuck, ok? Just keep going if you forget a step.” She nodded and set herself up. You pressed play on the music and her music started. You watched her from the sidelines, making mental notes on what to work on with her next lesson. You jumped in on the new part and helped her through it, which she seemed grateful for. 

The music ended and you smiled. 

“That was great, Lily! Keep practising and I’ll see you next week. Your brother is up on the balcony if you want to go meet him. You remember how to get up there?” She nodded. 

“Yep! Thank you, Y/N!” She hugged you and ran up to meet her brother as your friends started to walk in. You joined them in center to begin to stretch for class. 

James was waiting for Lily when she came running up the stairs. He put his camera away and picked her up. 

“That was beautiful! I got a few pictures of you doing it as well,” She smiled brightly. 

“Can we watch, Y/N dance?” She asked. “She has class right now and I wanna see what the older girls do.” James forced a smile, hating the idea of being in the same room as you longer than he had to, but agreed for his sister’s sake. He carried her to the edge as they watched you and a group of girls warm up. You were talking to Margaret as you stretched. You had taken your shirt off so you were in a backless red leotard; he was slightly surprised that the leotard wasn’t green.

“Hey isn’t that the girl you're teaching and her adorable brother?” You looked away from your curly hair friend to see James and Lily watching the class. You waved and Lily waved back as James just glared at you. You slowly brought your hand back down and turned back to Margaret. “What was that about?”

“He hates me,” you shrugged. 

“Why?”

“We go to the same school.” Her eyes widened. 

“Wait, that's the kid who bullies you?”

“I wouldn’t say bully.”

“I would. Want me to beat him up?” You laughed. 

“Maggy!”

“What? I will.” You rolled your eyes and slipped into your split. 

“No. I don’t want to lose his sister as a student. She is very talented, and a joy to teach.” Margaret frowned. 

“Well, whenever you want me to beat him up I’ll be all over it.” You laughed and your teacher began class. 

You notice James pull Lily out half way through, which you didn’t blame him for. Class was about three hours, and that wasn’t even the end of your day. Lily looked upset, but let him carry her out without a fuss. Margaret nudged you and nodded up towards the balcony.

“What?” You whispered, pirouetting a few times. 

“They left.”

“She’s probably exhausted. She danced for a vigorous hour with me.”

“Or maybe he likes you and couldn’t stop his heart from beating at the sight of you,” She hummed. You glared at her. 

She and Scropius were the only two who knew of your crush on James. And now you were regretting telling her. 

“Or maybe he couldn;t stand the sight of me anymore because he hates my guts.” You whispered back. She rolled her eyes. 

“Probably hard,” she muttered. You smacked her shoulder and stifled laughs. 

“Margaret!” She smiled at seeing you laugh. You had looked so off when you noticed them. Your stage fright getting the better of you. Now that they were gone you seemed more at ease. 

“Y/N!” You looked at the teacher. 

“Yes ma’am?”

“Class has ended.” You smiled. 

“Sorry ma’am. Would it be a problem if I stayed here for a bit longer?”

“By a bit longer do you mean ten tonight?” You chuckled. 

“Is that your hint that my day is over and to get out?” you asked with a grin. She rolled her eyes. 

“Well, my day is over. Good evening, Miss. Malfoy.”

“Good evening.” You went to the player and set up your music. You had some routines you wanted to run, as well as throw some tricks. 

James was tearing his already messy room apart, mumbling how he could not believe he lost something or other. 

“Jamie?” Lily asked coming in. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I left the cap to my camera at the studio,” He sighed and flopped down on the bed with a huff. 

“Y/N might not have left yet. She normally stays after closing.” James scoffed. 

“Like I want to be in there alone with her.”

“Wouldn;t surprise me,” Albus smirked from the doorway. 

“Go away, Albus.”

“You like her, admit it.”

“Why would I like a stuck up Malfoy?”

“Maybe because she isn’t stuck up?” Albus offered. “Come on, James. You know that better than anyone.” James scoffed and stood. 

“I need my lid, so I suppose it's worth a shot. Tell mum and Dad I’ll be back later.” He slung his camera over his body and grabbed his jacket heading out of the room, grumbling angrily.

He walked slowly down to his sister’s studio, semi praying that it was closed and he wouldn’t have to see you. He even stopped and took pictures of random things on his way. But, alas, it was not to be. 

When he got to the studio he pulled on the door which opened with ease. 

Maybe he wouldn’t see you?

Wrong. 

He walked up to the balcony and immediately heard someone on the floor. Being the curious person he was he peaked over to see you in front of a mat, pressed up against the wall on your toes. You ran and flipped in the air, landing on your behind. He cringed, but you got out of it with another trick. Had you meant to do that?

“Are you going to just watch me all day or are you going to at least say something?” You called up to him, prepping for another trick. He scowled and leaned over the railing. You glanced at him, sending him a small smile before running again and doing a front aerial, landing it perfectly. Though, you went over everything you could've done better in your head. 

“I was just looking for my camera lid,” he grumbled down at you. 

“Is that why you were studying me do a suicide?” You asked. His eyes widened. 

“A wh-what?” You chuckled. 

“Don’t think I didn’t see you cringe. I have excellent eyesight. The trick when I-oof-” you pushed off the ground into a roundoff back handspring. You landed it and rolled your shoulders, turning to him. “Landed on my butt. Its called a suicide. And the trick afterwards is a valdez,” you informed him. He just glared at you. You nodded awkwardly. “Nice talk. Oh, and your camera lid is on the desk out front.”

“How’d you-”

“I make sure no one left anything around the studio. If they do I leave it on the deck. You just happened to label it. J.S.P. Kind of hard not to know who that is.”

“Oh.”

You stood backwards against the mat and did four back handsprings, grimacing when you came up from the last one. You really needed a rest day. But a rest day would mean not coming into the studio. And you weren’t going to stay home with Astoria. 

Walking back to the other end of the mat nearly every bone in your body cracked or creaked in some way, making james cringe. You smiled up at him. 

“Not a fan of cracking bone?” You chuckled. 

“There was just so much. Is that normal?” You smiled to yourself. 

“Yeah. For me at least. I’m not naturally flexible so I crack a lot and I have to stretch every day in order not to get back to point A.” You stood against the wall and ran into your Front Handspring, immediately going into your back handspring. 

“Will Lily be able to,” he waved his hand at you. “Do this?” You chuckled and sat down on the mat, needing to stretch for a moment. 

“She’s very flexible. Her split is already down and her straddle is close. I could work with her during her lessons with acrobats. It's best to get them started young when they're growing. It gets harder when you're a teenager. So, if she works hard, yes. She could do this.” It was quiet for a few minutes as you stretched. “Your sister is very talented like her brother’s. You should be proud.” You smiled at him, standing and doing a backbend, sitting in it for a moment before coming back up, groaning as you did.

“I am. She works very hard at it.”

“Well, like you saw today, she’s moving quickly. By the time we go back to Hogwarts she should be ready to join a group class.”

“Is that good?” You smiled. 

“Yes. Group classes are fun and though they don;t cover as much as a private lesson does they’re just as challenging.”

“Really?” You chuckled at his confusion. This family knew nothing about ballet or dance at all. 

“Yeah I should know. I take at least four a week.”

“Four a week, really?”

“Yep. I teach on all of those days, plus one where I don’t have a lesson. And I have two days off. But, I’m still here working on technique.” You shrugged. 

“So you practically live here,” he joked. 

“Yeah. This is more of a home than Malfoy Manor ever has been.”

“Why, don’t love your parents?” he scoffed. 

“My dad I adore. We’re surprisingly close. Me and uh, Astoria, have a… forced relationship.” He raised his eyebrows in shock at you using her first name. 

“Must be honest, from the stories I've heard about the Malfoys, I wouldn't expect him to be a good parent,” James scoffed. You smiled sadly.

“Yeah, a lot of people wouldn’t. But I wouldn’t ask for a different one, as cheesy as that sounds.” You backed up against the wall and sprang off into a roundoff back tuck landing on your head. “Ah!” You sat up and rubbed your neck and head. That was going to be sore tomorrow. “Dammit!” You swore, smacking the mat. You stood up and walked back over to the end of the mat, getting ready to do it again. 

“Are you alright?” You glanced at James, yoru vision swimming for a moment before focusing on him. You blinked a few times to clear the spots from vision. 

“Yeah. Not the first time I’ve landed on my face,” you chuckled. You felt a tear slip down your face and wiped it away quickly. 

“You're crying.”

“Thank you captain obvious,” you joked, laughing. “It just hurts a bit,” you snifled and willed the rest of the tears away, rubbing your face and neck. It was definitely going to bruise. “Yet again, not the first time. Gotta fall a couple times before you stick the landing." You got ready on the wall to push off again, but your vision fell to the side and you knew you weren't going to be able to tumble any more. 

Dad’s gonna be pissed that he has to fix my head again.

You quickly rolled up the mats and looked at James who was studying. You smiled. 

“Did you eat yet? I’m positively starved and I know a good pizza joint down the road.”

“Why would I want to join you?” he sneered.

Moment of being civil over. 

You shrugged.                              

“Just thought I’d offer. My treat if you decide to join.” You looked around the room making sure everything was in place and clean. 

You nodded and left the room, shutting off the lights. You checked the other rooms and grabbed your bag, changing into jeans and a black crop top with your jean jacket. You walked out and grabbed your key from your bag. You saw James bouncing awkwardly on his feet. You smiled at him.

“Change your mind?”

“You did say you were paying,” he defended. “And I am not one to pass up free food.” You laughed and double checked everything. You grabbed your notebooks from the counter and shoved them in your bag.

“Well, let's go then. The pizza place is about a block away.”

“Don’t you need to get home?” He asked.

“Worried about me, Potter?” You asked teasingly as you locked up the studio. He scoffed. 

“Just asking.”

“My dad’s used to me coming home late. Though he might have to fix my head tonight,” you laughed and touched your forehead.

“It hurts?” You shrugged. 

“I mean, I did land on it with full force. I didn’t jump high enough or use nearly as much power,” you chastised yourself. “It was doomed from the beginning.” 

“Yet you're walking straight?”

“You were walking straight after you took that bludger to the head last year,” you chuckled. He rolled his eyes.

“That's because you Slytherin’s play dirty.” You laughed. 

“I can’t control the bludgers! I’m not even a beater!” You defended yourself. 

You opened the door to the pizza place and a fresh whiff of oregano cheese and dough filled your senses. You sighed. 

“Donte!” You yelled. A teenager walked from the back with crossed arms. 

“Y/N! What do you think I am? Your personal pizza maker?” You laughed and batted your eyes at your muggle friend. 

“Maybe.” 

“Your usual?” You nodded. 

“Yeah, but my friend here has never been.” Donte looked at James.

“Well, take a look at the menu. I’ll tell Dominique to start making your order.”

“It's appreciated!”

“Uhu,” he called back, already headed to the back. 

“Come here often, then?” James asked. You smiled. 

“Is it that obvious?” You walked with him to the counter where they had a menu above the counter for ordering. 

“What's good here?”

“What isn’t,” you laughed. “What kind of food do you like? They have pizza fries, garlic knots, pizza, pizza bread. Everything, realy.”

“What is it you get?”

“Garlic knots and a half of a calzone normally. I think that's what they’re cooking up back there. To be honest though I never know. They surprise me some days.”

“Who knew a Malfoy would be friends with muggles,” he sounded surprised. You hummed, holding back a snarky response. 

“Did you decide? I’m Sure the little dancer over here wasn’t much help.” You rolled your eyes at his nickname. 

“She really wasn’t. What do you suggest?”

“Well, if you like pizzas we sell smalls that are about six pieces. Great for taking home. Our garlic knots are pretty well known, but she’s already getting those, so I assume you’d just share with her.”

“Why would you assume that?” You asked, offended.

“Aren;t you two, ya know, a couple?” You laughed and so did James. The only difference was you cheeks flushed, wishing you were. 

“No,” You answered. “He hates my guts. I just happen to teach his sister. And then he came back to the studio because he forgot something.” Dante’s confused look dropped into one of murder. 

“Oh. So you're the one who’s picking on her,” he crossed his arms. 

“Donte!”

“Want me to beat him up?”

“How are you and Margaret not an item yet? She offered the same thing, and no. Just-Just order him the same as me but with pizza fries.” you huffed and turned to a both near the corner. James followed you, glancing over his shoulder at Donte who was still glaring at the two of you. 

“What was that about?” He scowled at you. You kept your eyes on Donte’s back, ignoring James. 

“I’d be careful when he brings the food over. He’s not opposed to spitting in people’s food,” you warned before fiddling with your napkin and waited for your food. You weren’t joking. You were starving. You hadn’t had time for an actual breakfast or to pack a lunch that day. You only had an apple before you left the house and a granola bar for lunch and you couldn’t wait to get some actual food in your body.

“So are you ever going to answer me?” James asked after a moment. You looked up. 

“What?”

“About your… friend?... Threatening to beat me up. Like he could touch me.” You laughed. 

“Donte is the most bad ass kid in this town. I bet he could beat you in a fight.”

“That was cold, Malfoy. Saying a muggle could beat me up.” 

“Oh? Would you cast a few spells on him so you’d get the upper hand?”

“Possibly.” You rolled your eyes.

“Because that sounds fair.”

“Since when do Slytherins care about being fair?” You mouth parted, but you had no words. Yet again, civil and then your back to reality. You slumped in your seat. Donte came over and glared at James as he gave you your food. “Thanks, Donny. I haven’t eaten all day,” you sighed, smelling the spices and ingredients better now that they were even closer to your nose. 

Your friend pointed to you threateningly. 

“You better start eating.” You laughed. 

“I missed my alarm!” You laughed. 

“And you had to get to the studio before your first lesson because?”

“Because I needed out of the house.”

“Mansion,” he coughed. You threw a fry at him. 

“Get back to work, Ankenson!” You laughed at him. 

“Of course, Miss. Malfoy,” he sarcastically bowed and left to continue working. You rolled your eyes and pulled apart one of your garlic knots. James watched the scene before grabbing a fry and eating it. 

“What?” You asked when you caught him studying you. He shook his head. 

“Does he know about the wizarding world?” 

“Yeah. I honestly should've obliviated him but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He found out my first year after I got home from school." You frowned and shoved the bread in your mouth remembering your first year. All the kids up to no good wanted to make nice and be your friend. Thinking you were the stereotypical Malfoy. You had no friends that year and got picked on by James like there was no tomorrow. 

“Ya know, you still never answered my question. Why did he want to beat me up?” You shoved a garlic knot in your mouth. 

“Becuas woo wick end e,” you mumbled. 

“Come again.”

“He found out I was getting.. Uh… picked on.. I guess,” you shook your head and shoved another piece of the knot in your mouth. 

“You can handle yourself though.” You looked away. 

“Yeah. He’s just over protective.” 

And for a good reason. You liked to think yourself strong, but you knew you weren’t. You could hold it together in the moment, but would completely collapse when you were alone. That's actually how you two met. 

You had gotten into another fight with Astoria when you were eight and had been packed and leaving the mansion. Scorpius was crying in the parlor because you were leaving and your father was still at work, so there was no one to talk the situation down. 

You had made it to the back of the pizza shop before completely collapsing and succumbing to sobs when a nine year old in jeans and t-shirt was walking by and saw you crying. He had taken you home after calming you down. He may have been a punk, but he was still kind. He had taken you back home and father was beyond furious at both you and Astoria. Mostly Astoria, though. You had just scared the crap out of him because he actually thought you would have gone through with it, and losing his kid was his worst fear. You and Donte had been friends ever since. 

The two of you finished in near silence. The only time one of you spoke was to see if the other could have fries or a Garlic knot. You had ended up paying, like you said you would. 

“I’ll pay you back in wizard money,” James said, his hands in his pockets as you two stepped out. 

“Nonsense! I told you I would pay. Besides, I'm pretty sure he gave me a discount.”

“How do you even have muggle money?”

“I work at the studio, so I get paid in both since I teach magical and non-magical kids.” You explained, hopping onto the curb and balancing like you always did. 

“Huh, weird. You’d think you didn;t even need to get paid.” You looked at him. 

“WHats that supposed to mean?”

“Well your family’s rich.”

“So is yours,” you countered. 

“Well, we don’t act like it,” he snapped back. 

“Oh? So just because I don’t dress down all the time and we throw a few parties with stuffy know it all pure blooded Slytherins that makes us act like it?”

“Yeah, actually. It does!”

“Fascinating, Potter. Your way of thinking is quite dizzying. A poor, simple minded Slytherin like myself is having a hard time keeping up. Should I bow down to the Gryffindor prince now?”

“Like you don't expect everyone to do the same,” He scoffed. 

“I don’t! You do understand that I hate the way people view me, right? I hate that my last name and all the little things that come with it! Having people look at me like I’m some monster! That I’m supposed to act like Slytherin’s princess!”

“Well aren’t you? You're from a family full of murders and monsters. Doesn't that automatically make you one to? A monster? A murderer?” You froze at the word murderer. Tears welled in your eyes and you turned away from the boy.

“Before you go around picking on people, James,” your voice cracked as you tried to keep your emotions in check, but obviously failing. “Try and get to know them first, they might just surprise you.” You bolted down the sidewalk and did not stop until you got home. Or, rather, to the manor. 

Tears were running down your face at this point and you were sobbing, the words murderer and monster ringing in your head. You slammed the door shut and pressed your body up against it, putting your hand over your mouth to quiet the sobs. But your father had heard you arrive and stepped out of the parlor, expecting a happy daughter who had just got back from dancing. This was not what he got. 

His smile fell when he saw you and quickly ushered you into the parlor where he had come from. You completely broke down and he just held you, worried about what happened. He rubbed your back until your sobs had quieted. He then sat you down on the couch. 

“What happened? What's wrong?” You shook your head, looking down at your hands. “Hey, sweet heart, what happened?” You sniffled and wiped the tears from your eyes.

“Dad, am-am I a monster? Because-because of mom?” he stared at you for a moment and shook his head. 

“Of course not, that wasn’t your fault. There were multiple compil-”

“But it was because of me,” you said sadly. “Because she had me. I killed mom,” you couldn’t look at him. James was right. Wherever your last name was, death happened. You had caused it last time. It was your fault that your mother died. Your real mother. 

“Look at me, Y/N,” he pulled your face up to meet his. “You did not kill your mother. Whatever put this thought in your head, get it out right now. Do you understand me?” You nodded and sniffled. “Where did this come from?” 

“It's-its just a thought, I've been entertaining for a while,” you mumbled. It wasn;t a complete lie.

“Possibly, but who brought this up?”

“He didn’t mean to, I don’t think.”

“Who?” He knew it couldn't have been Donte. He’d met him a few times and, though he was a rebel and got into fights every other day, he seemed to take care of his daughter and he was grateful for that.

“James,” you mumbled. He almost didn’t catch it, but he wanted to be sure before he went around throwing accusations. 

“Could you say that one more time?”

“J-James. But please don’t do anything!I don't want there to be more problems!”

“More?” He raised an eyebrow and you flinched back. 

Oops. 

Your father may or may not have known that you had been getting picked on at school. You didn’t want him to do anything rash, like you knew he was going to do now. 

“I-I mean any. Because there would have to be problems to begin with for there to be more. But-but there aren’t any problems. Ever. Nope. None.” you faked a yawn and looked up at the mantel’s clock. “Would you look at the time? I’m beat! I-I’ll see you tomorrow, Dad. And please don't say anything. To any one. Ever.” You rushed out of the room, hoping he wouldn’t say anything. 

But as Draco watched you scurry out of the room, he knew he had to. He didn't even know you were getting picked on. And by a Potter! How many times had a Potter made you cry and he was unaware there was even a problem? No way was this going to slide by him. Not happening. 

“Potter!” Draco called and jogged over to Harry who turned and looked at him suspiciously. 

“Yes, Malfoy? Can I help you with something?” Draco hesitated. 

“Can I talk to you in private?” Harry gave him a look but complied. They walked into an empty office. 

“What do you want?”

“I want to talk about your son and my daughter.” Harry furrowed his eyebrows. 

“I don’t understand.”

“Your son said a few… choice words that made my daughter upset the other night and apparently it has been going on for a while.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but she came home in tears last night asking if she were a monster because of a…” He cleared his throat. “An accident that happened when she was born.” Harry understood immediately. He had known about Draco’s first marriage and how that ended. “I then asked why she was thinking this and she asked me not to say anything, but I care for her… a lot.” Harry nodded. 

“I’ll talk to James. I’m sorry she had to go through that. You as well.” Draco nodded and cleared his throat again. 

“Yes, um, thank you.” Draco walked past Harry and out of the conference room. Harry thought about how the tables had turned. But it still wasn’t right. No matter what happened in their childhood. 

“James! Can I talk to you for a second?” Harry called to his son who was playing with Lily in the yard as if nothing had happened yesterday. He had spent the night convincing himself that she had deserved it. That Malfoys and Slytherin’s like that didn’t have emotions. It cleared his conscience and took away his guilt.

“Yeah, dad!” He dropped Lily and ran into the house. Harry took him to the empty dining room, not wanting to rope Ginny into this. “Whats up.”

“Did you say anything that might’ve upset Y/N Malfoy yesterday?” James’ mouth dropped. 

“The snitch!”

“So you did?”

“She deserved it,” he grumbled. “I can’t believe she snitched to her father,” he scoffed. 

“She didn’t.” James looked up, confused. “Apparently she came home in tears the other night because of whatever you told her. What did you say exactly.”

“Uh-” James rubbed the back of his head. “Just that all Slytherin’s like her never had good intentions and uh- that her family was full of murderous monsters?” Harry stared at his son. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. 

“James, do you know about her at home life?”

“She lives in a grand old manor with a huge ballroom, and her parents.”

“Parent. Astoria isn’t Y/N’s real mother.”

“Ok? That sucks but-”

“Her mother died from complications of childbirth.” Harry clarified. James stopped. He hadn’t known you had an actual mother. Albus walked in and read the uncomfortable air. 

“What did I just walk in on?”

“Just talking about the way James treats a few of his classmates.”

“You told him you bully Y/N? Thank Merlin!” Harry’s eyebrows shot up and he glanced at his son who was glaring at his other son. “Oh. That wasn’t the conversation, was it? I’m just going to leave now.” He ran out of the room before James could grab him. Harry crossed his arms. 

“So you're also a bully?”

“She’s a bi-jerk. Thinks she’s better than the rest of us.” Lily came prancing in the room with Ginny, who was holding a bag. 

“Hi, Harry. Hi James.” She kissed the two on the cheeks and Lily jumped on the counter. 

“Daddy! You should come next time! Y/N taught me a new turn and asked if I had an interest in par-su-ing acrobatics!”

“Pursuing,"he corrected her with a smile "I thought you didn't have a lesson today sweetie.”

“I had to run to a few places and Lily didn't want to go. We stopped at the studio to pick up a few things and Y/N asked if she would rather take an extra lesson. So while I ran boring errands, she got a free dance lesson.”

Harry eyed James. 

“Jerk? Really? She sounds horrid. Have you even ever had a conversation with her?” James grumbled a no. Ginny looked between the two. 

“What happened?”

“James made her cry the other day.” Ginny raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms at her son. 

“Did he now?” Lily frowned at her brother. 

“Thats rude. Especially since she took you to a pizza place yesterday.”

“How’d you know about that.” Lily handed him his camera lid. 

“You forgot this again. She also told me to ask you to forgive her for whatever she said wrong. She seemed upset today,” Lily frowned.

“See! She’s using my family against me. Manipulative! She told her dad in, obviously fake, tears and told him to complain to you about a miniscule fight!”

“A minuscule fight where you called her entire family murderous monsters. And she told Draco not to say anything.”

“You called the Malfoys murderous monsters?” Ginny asked, looking at her son, half proud half disappointed.

“I-I didn’t think she’d cry about it! She never does!” Albus walked in, deciding it was a good time to stop eavesdropping. 

“Actually she does. Every time. Same spot by the lake. She’s fine until she’s alone. Scorpius and I saw her sobbing one day.” James’ mouth went dry. He had made you sob everytime he picked on you? How did you still have tears? “What did she even do to you?" Albus asked, actually curious. He remembered James complaining about you since the first summer after Hogwarts, though he had never given a reason why. 

Ginny and Harry gave him a disappointed look. 

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry! I didn’t know!” James yelled in defense. 

“And that makes it better?” Ginny asked, disappointed in her son. 

“No,” he mumbled. “I’ll apologize.”

“You better bet your-”

“Ginny.” Ginny took a breath.

“Yes you will. Tomorrow. Go to bed.” James rolled his eyes and walked up to his room without complaint. 

James woke up late that day, dreading his task. Not only did he have to apologize to a Malfoy, but he had the strange feeling of guilt. Were you as terrible as he thought? He had only talked to you once before he found out you were a Malfoy. On the train. He had been utterly lost and you had wandered into his compartment asking if he wanted to share your bag of sweets, which was quite large. It was literally a duffle bag filled to the brim with all sorts of candies. 

“Mind if I join you?” An eleven year old you asked. He looked up from his wand to see you standing awkwardly at the door. Butterflies beat in his stomach. 

“Uh-yeah, sure!” he smiled. You smiled and slid into his compartment. You settled in front of him and sat the bag on your lap. You looked out the doors and back at him, motioning for him to come towards you. He leaned forward in his seat. And you smirked, making him nervous.

“Wanna see my stash?” He eyed you suspiciously. Before he could say no, you opened your bag to reveal it filled top to bottom and everywhere in between with chocolate. His mouth dropped open at the sight of it all. There was so much. 

“Wow. Where did you get all this?” You laughed and dug in it, pulling out a chocolate frog. 

“I have my ways. Want some?” 

“Can I?”

“Wouldn’t have offered if you couldn’t!” You slid the bag from your shoulder and sat it on the floor in between you so you could both eat it at your pleasure. You two talked the entire train ride. The butterflies in both of your stomachs were going insane. 

You were careful not to reveal your last name to him. Maybe if he got to know you first he wouldn’t hate you, like you assumed most people would when they heard your last name. But then you heard him say his last name.

“By the way, I’m James Potter,” he smiled. Your heart sank. The stories of your family history goes back centuries of Potters and Malfoys hating each other. Your father and his. Lucius and James. It went back even further than that. You smiled through the panic. 

“Y/N. So you like quidditch?” You had quickly changed the subject, not wanting him to ask more. Luckily, he didn;t seem to notice and he adored quidditch, just like you. But then it all just went wrong at the sorting Ceremony. 

He stared at his ceiling for a minute. Those same damn feelings rising in his chest when he thought about you. Not about how you were a stuck up Malfoy, but how you were an eleven year old girl on the Hogwarts express asking to share some candy with him and talk about his family and anything quidditch. 

“I’m just a jerk,” he mumbled to himself.”

“A big dumb jerk, yes,” Albus said from the doorway. He sat up and stared daggers at his brother. 

“What did I say about coming into my room?”

“And what did I say about you liking her?” He sneered at his younger brother.

“I don’t like her.”

“Lies.” Albus walked into his room. “You better get down to the studio soon. They close in about three hours. And don’t screw up. Just because her dad was a jerk to ours doesn;t mean she’s rude.”

“Yeah, thanks for the second lecture. Now get out of my room.” Albus held up his hands and walked out leaving James to get ready. He threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt, still half asleep and the other half of his thoughts were on you. “Merlin, I’m a mess,” he muttered as he slid his camera over his shoulder and headed downstairs. Harry was sitting at the dining room table with Ginny. “Morning.” He grumbled out and went into the kitchen to grab a drink before heading out. 

“It's afternoon!” Harry called into him. 

“So I see!” He chugged a water and looked towards the cupboard that had the chocolate stash. Without a second though he grabbed a small fabric drawstring bag from the shelf and filled it with chocolate. “I’m going down to apologize,” he muttered. Harry nodded in approval and James left the house, quickly making his way down the sidewalk and to the dance studio before closing hours.

He stepped into the building and walked past a bunch of girls who he knew were staring at him. He walked to the front desk and smiled at the woman working. 

“Hello, can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m looking for Y/N Malfoy. I have some business I would like to discuss with her.”

“She is currently teaching the new ones, but you can wait up in the balcony for her. I’ll send someone back to tell her you want to speak to her before she goes back to work on her other dances. She didn't look well today, probably landed on her head again and didn’t get it checked out,” she sighed. James swallowed. Had he made you so upset yesterday that you hadn’t gotten your dad to look at your head?

Why did he care this much? Maybe it was because since he found out that you had cried about it, he realized you weren't heartless like he had tried to convince himself. That you were actually kind and that he had wasted five years picking on you instead of talking to you. 

He sighed and walked up the stairs to the nearly empty sitting section. He went to his spot by the railing and looked over. You were helping itty bitty ones, looked around three and four. You cheered for them, teased them, and held them. He noticed how gentle you were with them. He frowned deeper. 

Merlin, I’m an ignorant jerk. 

You were helping Abby with her plie when Margaret walked in. You looked up at her and waved with a smile, but she didn't have the same expression on her face.

“What's wrong? Why are you still here?”

“I was heading out when Miss. Rosier stopped me. Apparently someone,” she glanced up in the balcony, “is here to see you." You followed her gaze to James. “Claims to have some business.” Your entire body tensed. Your heartbeat picked up and you looked down. “I can stay. This is the last class today so it would just be us thr-”

“It's fine, Maggy. Go home. Your mum must be ready to kill you for not being there already. She has four little ones to juggle,” you chuckled and went back to helping the little girl. 

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine. Thank you, though.” Your friend eyed James before nodding and leaving. You swallowed. You weren’t emotionally prepared for this. 

Class finished up too quickly and the girls left the studio to go home and to their families. You stayed in the large studio and James stayed where he was up top. 

“Might as well come down here, Potter. No matter how much you think I’m not going to cast a curse on you.” James walked down and into the studio, you noticed he had his shoes in his hands and was grateful for that. It was one of your biggest pet peeves. “What was your business with me?” You asked, turning around to meet his gaze. 

“I wanted to say I was sorry. For what I said the other day.” You shook your head. 

“I know my father went to yours. You probably think me a snitch along with a murderous monster.” He swallowed at your words. He hadn’t exactly meant what he said.  

“I don’t think you any of that.”

“Then why did you say it?” He stayed silent. He couldn’t answer that question. You sighed and sat on the floor. 

“I’m also sorry for the way I’ve been treating you since first year. Since I found you were a Malfoy and all.” You smiled sadly. 

“Yeah, well, there was a reason I didn’t tell you my first name on the train. Especially after you told me your last name.” He sat down in front of you. 

“I-I shouldn’t have judged you based off of your last name. I know better. I knew better.”

“It's fine, really.”

“But it's really not.” He sighed. “I mean, my brother is friends with your brother and I don’t go picking on him. It's not fair and I really am sorry. I’m not just saying that. And I also didn’t know about your… your mom,” you swallowed. 

“It was a long time ago.”

“But you blame yourself and I didn’t help. You're not a murderer, and neither is your entire family. I really am sorry about that. And for the loss of her.” You looked him in his eyes and only saw sincerity. You smiled. 

“Thank you, James. It actually means a lot to me.” He smiled and handed you the bag of chocolate he had brought. “Whats this?”

“This is my stash. Wanna see?” He whispered. You smiled and he opened it up to reveal chocolate. You laughed and smiled brightly. Sadness was still laced throughout it, but it was happier. 

“You remembered our first meeting?”

“Considering I thought you were going to ask me to do drugs with you, yes.” Your eyes widened. 

“That is not what you thought! Did I really look like a drug dealer?” He smirked. 

“No. I just figured that's what the bag was about when you said it the way you did.” You laughed and looked at the bag. 

“Can I?”

“I brought it for you, a peace offering. Maybe to try and start again?” You smiled and took out two chocolate frogs, handing him one. 

“Hi, I’m Y/N. Want to share my chocolate?” He smiled and took the frog from you. 

“I’d love to.”

“Don’t you dare eat on this floor though!” He laughed and put the frog in his pocket. 

“I wouldn't dream of it.”

“No, he’s just protective. Wants the best for his siblings and such,” you shrugged. Draco scoffed. “What?”

“I was a prick like that. That's not the only thing going through his mind.”

“Dad,” you warned. 

“What? I’m just saying. The other two seemed fine. He was an egotistical control freak who, let me guess, has a new girl on his arm every other week. Wait, and let me guess, it gets better, right? He also bullies the less fortunate.”

“You almost described what you were like as a kid.”

“That's because I know what they look like. And that kid was me, just different.” You rolled your eyes, your mind wandering back to the school year and the various jabs he made at you… the less fortunate…

It had been a few weeks since you had taken Lily on as a student. Since she was new to dance you had suggested twice a week and found that Lily was a very capable dancer. She caught on quickly and was very confident in her movements, though you could tell she got stressed when she wasn't able to get something right. 

“That was excellent, Lily!” You praised. She smiled brightly at your praise. How about we move to the large room if you’d like, maybe even get your mother and father to watch,” you suggested. Her face lit up. “I’ll go get them. If there's someone dancing just stand on the side like usual, alright?” She nodded and practically pranced off to the large room.

You smiled at her and quickly walked to the waiting area. Her lesson was nearly over and Harry and or Ginny were normally there already. Your smile dropped when you noticed James leaning on the wall looking down at his camera.

“Hey, Potter,” You smiled. He looked up and his gaze made your heart go mad. “Your parents here?”

“No. They sent me to pick up Lily. Is she done?”

“We were going to run her routine in the large studio. Would you like to watch? She’s very proud of it.” 

“Sure.”

“Follow me.” you walked him back to a door. “Just go up these steps and you’ll be on the balcony. I’ll send her up to you when she’s finished.” You left him to go up the stairs and to the balcony. 

The large room was emptying out from the previous class when you entered. You had class right after you taught Lily so there was a few minutes break in between. 

“Ready?” She nodded and ran out to the middle of the room. “I’ll jump in if you get stuck, ok? Just keep going if you forget a step.” She nodded and set herself up. You pressed play on the music and her music started. You watched her from the sidelines, making mental notes on what to work on with her next lesson. You jumped in on the new part and helped her through it, which she seemed grateful for. 

The music ended and you smiled. 

“That was great, Lily! Keep practising and I’ll see you next week. Your brother is up on the balcony if you want to go meet him. You remember how to get up there?” She nodded. 

“Yep! Thank you, Y/N!” She hugged you and ran up to meet her brother as your friends started to walk in. You joined them in center to begin to stretch for class. 

James was waiting for Lily when she came running up the stairs. He put his camera away and picked her up. 

“That was beautiful! I got a few pictures of you doing it as well,” She smiled brightly. 

“Can we watch, Y/N dance?” She asked. “She has class right now and I wanna see what the older girls do.” James forced a smile, hating the idea of being in the same room as you longer than he had to, but agreed for his sister’s sake. He carried her to the edge as they watched you and a group of girls warm up. You were talking to Margaret as you stretched. You had taken your shirt off so you were in a backless red leotard; he was slightly surprised that the leotard wasn’t green.

“Hey isn’t that the girl you're teaching and her adorable brother?” You looked away from your curly hair friend to see James and Lily watching the class. You waved and Lily waved back as James just glared at you. You slowly brought your hand back down and turned back to Margaret. “What was that about?”

“He hates me,” you shrugged. 

“Why?”

“We go to the same school.” Her eyes widened. 

“Wait, that's the kid who bullies you?”

“I wouldn’t say bully.”

“I would. Want me to beat him up?” You laughed. 

“Maggy!”

“What? I will.” You rolled your eyes and slipped into your split. 

“No. I don’t want to lose his sister as a student. She is very talented, and a joy to teach.” Margaret frowned. 

“Well, whenever you want me to beat him up I’ll be all over it.” You laughed and your teacher began class. 

You notice James pull Lily out half way through, which you didn’t blame him for. Class was about three hours, and that wasn’t even the end of your day. Lily looked upset, but let him carry her out without a fuss. Margaret nudged you and nodded up towards the balcony.

“What?” You whispered, pirouetting a few times. 

“They left.”

“She’s probably exhausted. She danced for a vigorous hour with me.”

“Or maybe he likes you and couldn’t stop his heart from beating at the sight of you,” She hummed. You glared at her. 

She and Scropius were the only two who knew of your crush on James. And now you were regretting telling her. 

“Or maybe he couldn;t stand the sight of me anymore because he hates my guts.” You whispered back. She rolled her eyes. 

“Probably hard,” she muttered. You smacked her shoulder and stifled laughs. 

“Margaret!” She smiled at seeing you laugh. You had looked so off when you noticed them. Your stage fright getting the better of you. Now that they were gone you seemed more at ease. 

“Y/N!” You looked at the teacher. 

“Yes ma’am?”

“Class has ended.” You smiled. 

“Sorry ma’am. Would it be a problem if I stayed here for a bit longer?”

“By a bit longer do you mean ten tonight?” You chuckled. 

“Is that your hint that my day is over and to get out?” you asked with a grin. She rolled her eyes. 

“Well, my day is over. Good evening, Miss. Malfoy.”

“Good evening.” You went to the player and set up your music. You had some routines you wanted to run, as well as throw some tricks. 

James was tearing his already messy room apart, mumbling how he could not believe he lost something or other. 

“Jamie?” Lily asked coming in. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I left the cap to my camera at the studio,” He sighed and flopped down on the bed with a huff. 

“Y/N might not have left yet. She normally stays after closing.” James scoffed. 

“Like I want to be in there alone with her.”

“Wouldn;t surprise me,” Albus smirked from the doorway. 

“Go away, Albus.”

“You like her, admit it.”

“Why would I like a stuck up Malfoy?”

“Maybe because she isn’t stuck up?” Albus offered. “Come on, James. You know that better than anyone.” James scoffed and stood. 

“I need my lid, so I suppose it's worth a shot. Tell mum and Dad I’ll be back later.” He slung his camera over his body and grabbed his jacket heading out of the room, grumbling angrily.

He walked slowly down to his sister’s studio, semi praying that it was closed and he wouldn’t have to see you. He even stopped and took pictures of random things on his way. But, alas, it was not to be. 

When he got to the studio he pulled on the door which opened with ease. 

Maybe he wouldn’t see you?

Wrong. 

He walked up to the balcony and immediately heard someone on the floor. Being the curious person he was he peaked over to see you in front of a mat, pressed up against the wall on your toes. You ran and flipped in the air, landing on your behind. He cringed, but you got out of it with another trick. Had you meant to do that?

“Are you going to just watch me all day or are you going to at least say something?” You called up to him, prepping for another trick. He scowled and leaned over the railing. You glanced at him, sending him a small smile before running again and doing a front aerial, landing it perfectly. Though, you went over everything you could've done better in your head. 

“I was just looking for my camera lid,” he grumbled down at you. 

“Is that why you were studying me do a suicide?” You asked. His eyes widened. 

“A wh-what?” You chuckled. 

“Don’t think I didn’t see you cringe. I have excellent eyesight. The trick when I-oof-” you pushed off the ground into a roundoff back handspring. You landed it and rolled your shoulders, turning to him. “Landed on my butt. Its called a suicide. And the trick afterwards is a valdez,” you informed him. He just glared at you. You nodded awkwardly. “Nice talk. Oh, and your camera lid is on the desk out front.”

“How’d you-”

“I make sure no one left anything around the studio. If they do I leave it on the deck. You just happened to label it. J.S.P. Kind of hard not to know who that is.”

“Oh.”

You stood backwards against the mat and did four back handsprings, grimacing when you came up from the last one. You really needed a rest day. But a rest day would mean not coming into the studio. And you weren’t going to stay home with Astoria. 

Walking back to the other end of the mat nearly every bone in your body cracked or creaked in some way, making james cringe. You smiled up at him. 

“Not a fan of cracking bone?” You chuckled. 

“There was just so much. Is that normal?” You smiled to yourself. 

“Yeah. For me at least. I’m not naturally flexible so I crack a lot and I have to stretch every day in order not to get back to point A.” You stood against the wall and ran into your Front Handspring, immediately going into your back handspring. 

“Will Lily be able to,” he waved his hand at you. “Do this?” You chuckled and sat down on the mat, needing to stretch for a moment. 

“She’s very flexible. Her split is already down and her straddle is close. I could work with her during her lessons with acrobats. It's best to get them started young when they're growing. It gets harder when you're a teenager. So, if she works hard, yes. She could do this.” It was quiet for a few minutes as you stretched. “Your sister is very talented like her brother’s. You should be proud.” You smiled at him, standing and doing a backbend, sitting in it for a moment before coming back up, groaning as you did.

“I am. She works very hard at it.”

“Well, like you saw today, she’s moving quickly. By the time we go back to Hogwarts she should be ready to join a group class.”

“Is that good?” You smiled. 

“Yes. Group classes are fun and though they don;t cover as much as a private lesson does they’re just as challenging.”

“Really?” You chuckled at his confusion. This family knew nothing about ballet or dance at all. 

“Yeah I should know. I take at least four a week.”

“Four a week, really?”

“Yep. I teach on all of those days, plus one where I don’t have a lesson. And I have two days off. But, I’m still here working on technique.” You shrugged. 

“So you practically live here,” he joked. 

“Yeah. This is more of a home than Malfoy Manor ever has been.”

“Why, don’t love your parents?” he scoffed. 

“My dad I adore. We’re surprisingly close. Me and uh, Astoria, have a… forced relationship.” He raised his eyebrows in shock at you using her first name. 

“Must be honest, from the stories I've heard about the Malfoys, I wouldn't expect him to be a good parent,” James scoffed. You smiled sadly.

“Yeah, a lot of people wouldn’t. But I wouldn’t ask for a different one, as cheesy as that sounds.” You backed up against the wall and sprang off into a roundoff back tuck landing on your head. “Ah!” You sat up and rubbed your neck and head. That was going to be sore tomorrow. “Dammit!” You swore, smacking the mat. You stood up and walked back over to the end of the mat, getting ready to do it again. 

“Are you alright?” You glanced at James, yoru vision swimming for a moment before focusing on him. You blinked a few times to clear the spots from vision. 

“Yeah. Not the first time I’ve landed on my face,” you chuckled. You felt a tear slip down your face and wiped it away quickly. 

“You're crying.”

“Thank you captain obvious,” you joked, laughing. “It just hurts a bit,” you snifled and willed the rest of the tears away, rubbing your face and neck. It was definitely going to bruise. “Yet again, not the first time. Gotta fall a couple times before you stick the landing." You got ready on the wall to push off again, but your vision fell to the side and you knew you weren't going to be able to tumble any more. 

Dad’s gonna be pissed that he has to fix my head again.

You quickly rolled up the mats and looked at James who was studying. You smiled. 

“Did you eat yet? I’m positively starved and I know a good pizza joint down the road.”

“Why would I want to join you?” he sneered.

Moment of being civil over. 

You shrugged.                              

“Just thought I’d offer. My treat if you decide to join.” You looked around the room making sure everything was in place and clean. 

You nodded and left the room, shutting off the lights. You checked the other rooms and grabbed your bag, changing into jeans and a black crop top with your jean jacket. You walked out and grabbed your key from your bag. You saw James bouncing awkwardly on his feet. You smiled at him.

“Change your mind?”

“You did say you were paying,” he defended. “And I am not one to pass up free food.” You laughed and double checked everything. You grabbed your notebooks from the counter and shoved them in your bag.

“Well, let's go then. The pizza place is about a block away.”

“Don’t you need to get home?” He asked.

“Worried about me, Potter?” You asked teasingly as you locked up the studio. He scoffed. 

“Just asking.”

“My dad’s used to me coming home late. Though he might have to fix my head tonight,” you laughed and touched your forehead.

“It hurts?” You shrugged. 

“I mean, I did land on it with full force. I didn’t jump high enough or use nearly as much power,” you chastised yourself. “It was doomed from the beginning.” 

“Yet you're walking straight?”

“You were walking straight after you took that bludger to the head last year,” you chuckled. He rolled his eyes.

“That's because you Slytherin’s play dirty.” You laughed. 

“I can’t control the bludgers! I’m not even a beater!” You defended yourself. 

You opened the door to the pizza place and a fresh whiff of oregano cheese and dough filled your senses. You sighed. 

“Donte!” You yelled. A teenager walked from the back with crossed arms. 

“Y/N! What do you think I am? Your personal pizza maker?” You laughed and batted your eyes at your muggle friend. 

“Maybe.” 

“Your usual?” You nodded. 

“Yeah, but my friend here has never been.” Donte looked at James.

“Well, take a look at the menu. I’ll tell Dominique to start making your order.”

“It's appreciated!”

“Uhu,” he called back, already headed to the back. 

“Come here often, then?” James asked. You smiled. 

“Is it that obvious?” You walked with him to the counter where they had a menu above the counter for ordering. 

“What's good here?”

“What isn’t,” you laughed. “What kind of food do you like? They have pizza fries, garlic knots, pizza, pizza bread. Everything, realy.”

“What is it you get?”

“Garlic knots and a half of a calzone normally. I think that's what they’re cooking up back there. To be honest though I never know. They surprise me some days.”

“Who knew a Malfoy would be friends with muggles,” he sounded surprised. You hummed, holding back a snarky response. 

“Did you decide? I’m Sure the little dancer over here wasn’t much help.” You rolled your eyes at his nickname. 

“She really wasn’t. What do you suggest?”

“Well, if you like pizzas we sell smalls that are about six pieces. Great for taking home. Our garlic knots are pretty well known, but she’s already getting those, so I assume you’d just share with her.”

“Why would you assume that?” You asked, offended.

“Aren;t you two, ya know, a couple?” You laughed and so did James. The only difference was you cheeks flushed, wishing you were. 

“No,” You answered. “He hates my guts. I just happen to teach his sister. And then he came back to the studio because he forgot something.” Dante’s confused look dropped into one of murder. 

“Oh. So you're the one who’s picking on her,” he crossed his arms. 

“Donte!”

“Want me to beat him up?”

“How are you and Margaret not an item yet? She offered the same thing, and no. Just-Just order him the same as me but with pizza fries.” you huffed and turned to a both near the corner. James followed you, glancing over his shoulder at Donte who was still glaring at the two of you. 

“What was that about?” He scowled at you. You kept your eyes on Donte’s back, ignoring James. 

“I’d be careful when he brings the food over. He’s not opposed to spitting in people’s food,” you warned before fiddling with your napkin and waited for your food. You weren’t joking. You were starving. You hadn’t had time for an actual breakfast or to pack a lunch that day. You only had an apple before you left the house and a granola bar for lunch and you couldn’t wait to get some actual food in your body.

“So are you ever going to answer me?” James asked after a moment. You looked up. 

“What?”

“About your… friend?... Threatening to beat me up. Like he could touch me.” You laughed. 

“Donte is the most bad ass kid in this town. I bet he could beat you in a fight.”

“That was cold, Malfoy. Saying a muggle could beat me up.” 

“Oh? Would you cast a few spells on him so you’d get the upper hand?”

“Possibly.” You rolled your eyes.

“Because that sounds fair.”

“Since when do Slytherins care about being fair?” You mouth parted, but you had no words. Yet again, civil and then your back to reality. You slumped in your seat. Donte came over and glared at James as he gave you your food. “Thanks, Donny. I haven’t eaten all day,” you sighed, smelling the spices and ingredients better now that they were even closer to your nose. 

Your friend pointed to you threateningly. 

“You better start eating.” You laughed. 

“I missed my alarm!” You laughed. 

“And you had to get to the studio before your first lesson because?”

“Because I needed out of the house.”

“Mansion,” he coughed. You threw a fry at him. 

“Get back to work, Ankenson!” You laughed at him. 

“Of course, Miss. Malfoy,” he sarcastically bowed and left to continue working. You rolled your eyes and pulled apart one of your garlic knots. James watched the scene before grabbing a fry and eating it. 

“What?” You asked when you caught him studying you. He shook his head. 

“Does he know about the wizarding world?” 

“Yeah. I honestly should've obliviated him but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He found out my first year after I got home from school." You frowned and shoved the bread in your mouth remembering your first year. All the kids up to no good wanted to make nice and be your friend. Thinking you were the stereotypical Malfoy. You had no friends that year and got picked on by James like there was no tomorrow. 

“Ya know, you still never answered my question. Why did he want to beat me up?” You shoved a garlic knot in your mouth. 

“Becuas woo wick end e,” you mumbled. 

“Come again.”

“He found out I was getting.. Uh… picked on.. I guess,” you shook your head and shoved another piece of the knot in your mouth. 

“You can handle yourself though.” You looked away. 

“Yeah. He’s just over protective.” 

And for a good reason. You liked to think yourself strong, but you knew you weren’t. You could hold it together in the moment, but would completely collapse when you were alone. That's actually how you two met. 

You had gotten into another fight with Astoria when you were eight and had been packed and leaving the mansion. Scorpius was crying in the parlor because you were leaving and your father was still at work, so there was no one to talk the situation down. 

You had made it to the back of the pizza shop before completely collapsing and succumbing to sobs when a nine year old in jeans and t-shirt was walking by and saw you crying. He had taken you home after calming you down. He may have been a punk, but he was still kind. He had taken you back home and father was beyond furious at both you and Astoria. Mostly Astoria, though. You had just scared the crap out of him because he actually thought you would have gone through with it, and losing his kid was his worst fear. You and Donte had been friends ever since. 

The two of you finished in near silence. The only time one of you spoke was to see if the other could have fries or a Garlic knot. You had ended up paying, like you said you would. 

“I’ll pay you back in wizard money,” James said, his hands in his pockets as you two stepped out. 

“Nonsense! I told you I would pay. Besides, I'm pretty sure he gave me a discount.”

“How do you even have muggle money?”

“I work at the studio, so I get paid in both since I teach magical and non-magical kids.” You explained, hopping onto the curb and balancing like you always did. 

“Huh, weird. You’d think you didn;t even need to get paid.” You looked at him. 

“WHats that supposed to mean?”

“Well your family’s rich.”

“So is yours,” you countered. 

“Well, we don’t act like it,” he snapped back. 

“Oh? So just because I don’t dress down all the time and we throw a few parties with stuffy know it all pure blooded Slytherins that makes us act like it?”

“Yeah, actually. It does!”

“Fascinating, Potter. Your way of thinking is quite dizzying. A poor, simple minded Slytherin like myself is having a hard time keeping up. Should I bow down to the Gryffindor prince now?”

“Like you don't expect everyone to do the same,” He scoffed. 

“I don’t! You do understand that I hate the way people view me, right? I hate that my last name and all the little things that come with it! Having people look at me like I’m some monster! That I’m supposed to act like Slytherin’s princess!”

“Well aren’t you? You're from a family full of murders and monsters. Doesn't that automatically make you one to? A monster? A murderer?” You froze at the word murderer. Tears welled in your eyes and you turned away from the boy.

“Before you go around picking on people, James,” your voice cracked as you tried to keep your emotions in check, but obviously failing. “Try and get to know them first, they might just surprise you.” You bolted down the sidewalk and did not stop until you got home. Or, rather, to the manor. 

Tears were running down your face at this point and you were sobbing, the words murderer and monster ringing in your head. You slammed the door shut and pressed your body up against it, putting your hand over your mouth to quiet the sobs. But your father had heard you arrive and stepped out of the parlor, expecting a happy daughter who had just got back from dancing. This was not what he got. 

His smile fell when he saw you and quickly ushered you into the parlor where he had come from. You completely broke down and he just held you, worried about what happened. He rubbed your back until your sobs had quieted. He then sat you down on the couch. 

“What happened? What's wrong?” You shook your head, looking down at your hands. “Hey, sweet heart, what happened?” You sniffled and wiped the tears from your eyes.

“Dad, am-am I a monster? Because-because of mom?” he stared at you for a moment and shook his head. 

“Of course not, that wasn’t your fault. There were multiple compil-”

“But it was because of me,” you said sadly. “Because she had me. I killed mom,” you couldn’t look at him. James was right. Wherever your last name was, death happened. You had caused it last time. It was your fault that your mother died. Your real mother. 

“Look at me, Y/N,” he pulled your face up to meet his. “You did not kill your mother. Whatever put this thought in your head, get it out right now. Do you understand me?” You nodded and sniffled. “Where did this come from?” 

“It's-its just a thought, I've been entertaining for a while,” you mumbled. It wasn;t a complete lie.

“Possibly, but who brought this up?”

“He didn’t mean to, I don’t think.”

“Who?” He knew it couldn't have been Donte. He’d met him a few times and, though he was a rebel and got into fights every other day, he seemed to take care of his daughter and he was grateful for that.

“James,” you mumbled. He almost didn’t catch it, but he wanted to be sure before he went around throwing accusations. 

“Could you say that one more time?”

“J-James. But please don’t do anything!I don't want there to be more problems!”

“More?” He raised an eyebrow and you flinched back. 

Oops. 

Your father may or may not have known that you had been getting picked on at school. You didn’t want him to do anything rash, like you knew he was going to do now. 

“I-I mean any. Because there would have to be problems to begin with for there to be more. But-but there aren’t any problems. Ever. Nope. None.” you faked a yawn and looked up at the mantel’s clock. “Would you look at the time? I’m beat! I-I’ll see you tomorrow, Dad. And please don't say anything. To any one. Ever.” You rushed out of the room, hoping he wouldn’t say anything. 

But as Draco watched you scurry out of the room, he knew he had to. He didn't even know you were getting picked on. And by a Potter! How many times had a Potter made you cry and he was unaware there was even a problem? No way was this going to slide by him. Not happening. 

“Potter!” Draco called and jogged over to Harry who turned and looked at him suspiciously. 

“Yes, Malfoy? Can I help you with something?” Draco hesitated. 

“Can I talk to you in private?” Harry gave him a look but complied. They walked into an empty office. 

“What do you want?”

“I want to talk about your son and my daughter.” Harry furrowed his eyebrows. 

“I don’t understand.”

“Your son said a few… choice words that made my daughter upset the other night and apparently it has been going on for a while.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure exactly, but she came home in tears last night asking if she were a monster because of a…” He cleared his throat. “An accident that happened when she was born.” Harry understood immediately. He had known about Draco’s first marriage and how that ended. “I then asked why she was thinking this and she asked me not to say anything, but I care for her… a lot.” Harry nodded. 

“I’ll talk to James. I’m sorry she had to go through that. You as well.” Draco nodded and cleared his throat again. 

“Yes, um, thank you.” Draco walked past Harry and out of the conference room. Harry thought about how the tables had turned. But it still wasn’t right. No matter what happened in their childhood. 

“James! Can I talk to you for a second?” Harry called to his son who was playing with Lily in the yard as if nothing had happened yesterday. He had spent the night convincing himself that she had deserved it. That Malfoys and Slytherin’s like that didn’t have emotions. It cleared his conscience and took away his guilt.

“Yeah, dad!” He dropped Lily and ran into the house. Harry took him to the empty dining room, not wanting to rope Ginny into this. “Whats up.”

“Did you say anything that might’ve upset Y/N Malfoy yesterday?” James’ mouth dropped. 

“The snitch!”

“So you did?”

“She deserved it,” he grumbled. “I can’t believe she snitched to her father,” he scoffed. 

“She didn’t.” James looked up, confused. “Apparently she came home in tears the other night because of whatever you told her. What did you say exactly.”

“Uh-” James rubbed the back of his head. “Just that all Slytherin’s like her never had good intentions and uh- that her family was full of murderous monsters?” Harry stared at his son. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. 

“James, do you know about her at home life?”

“She lives in a grand old manor with a huge ballroom, and her parents.”

“Parent. Astoria isn’t Y/N’s real mother.”

“Ok? That sucks but-”

“Her mother died from complications of childbirth.” Harry clarified. James stopped. He hadn’t known you had an actual mother. Albus walked in and read the uncomfortable air. 

“What did I just walk in on?”

“Just talking about the way James treats a few of his classmates.”

“You told him you bully Y/N? Thank Merlin!” Harry’s eyebrows shot up and he glanced at his son who was glaring at his other son. “Oh. That wasn’t the conversation, was it? I’m just going to leave now.” He ran out of the room before James could grab him. Harry crossed his arms. 

“So you're also a bully?”

“She’s a bi-jerk. Thinks she’s better than the rest of us.” Lily came prancing in the room with Ginny, who was holding a bag. 

“Hi, Harry. Hi James.” She kissed the two on the cheeks and Lily jumped on the counter. 

“Daddy! You should come next time! Y/N taught me a new turn and asked if I had an interest in par-su-ing acrobatics!”

“Pursuing,"he corrected her with a smile "I thought you didn't have a lesson today sweetie.”

“I had to run to a few places and Lily didn't want to go. We stopped at the studio to pick up a few things and Y/N asked if she would rather take an extra lesson. So while I ran boring errands, she got a free dance lesson.”

Harry eyed James. 

“Jerk? Really? She sounds horrid. Have you even ever had a conversation with her?” James grumbled a no. Ginny looked between the two. 

“What happened?”

“James made her cry the other day.” Ginny raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms at her son. 

“Did he now?” Lily frowned at her brother. 

“Thats rude. Especially since she took you to a pizza place yesterday.”

“How’d you know about that.” Lily handed him his camera lid. 

“You forgot this again. She also told me to ask you to forgive her for whatever she said wrong. She seemed upset today,” Lily frowned.

“See! She’s using my family against me. Manipulative! She told her dad in, obviously fake, tears and told him to complain to you about a miniscule fight!”

“A minuscule fight where you called her entire family murderous monsters. And she told Draco not to say anything.”

“You called the Malfoys murderous monsters?” Ginny asked, looking at her son, half proud half disappointed.

“I-I didn’t think she’d cry about it! She never does!” Albus walked in, deciding it was a good time to stop eavesdropping. 

“Actually she does. Every time. Same spot by the lake. She’s fine until she’s alone. Scorpius and I saw her sobbing one day.” James’ mouth went dry. He had made you sob everytime he picked on you? How did you still have tears? “What did she even do to you?" Albus asked, actually curious. He remembered James complaining about you since the first summer after Hogwarts, though he had never given a reason why. 

Ginny and Harry gave him a disappointed look. 

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry! I didn’t know!” James yelled in defense. 

“And that makes it better?” Ginny asked, disappointed in her son. 

“No,” he mumbled. “I’ll apologize.”

“You better bet your-”

“Ginny.” Ginny took a breath.

“Yes you will. Tomorrow. Go to bed.” James rolled his eyes and walked up to his room without complaint. 

James woke up late that day, dreading his task. Not only did he have to apologize to a Malfoy, but he had the strange feeling of guilt. Were you as terrible as he thought? He had only talked to you once before he found out you were a Malfoy. On the train. He had been utterly lost and you had wandered into his compartment asking if he wanted to share your bag of sweets, which was quite large. It was literally a duffle bag filled to the brim with all sorts of candies. 

“Mind if I join you?” An eleven year old you asked. He looked up from his wand to see you standing awkwardly at the door. Butterflies beat in his stomach. 

“Uh-yeah, sure!” he smiled. You smiled and slid into his compartment. You settled in front of him and sat the bag on your lap. You looked out the doors and back at him, motioning for him to come towards you. He leaned forward in his seat. And you smirked, making him nervous.

“Wanna see my stash?” He eyed you suspiciously. Before he could say no, you opened your bag to reveal it filled top to bottom and everywhere in between with chocolate. His mouth dropped open at the sight of it all. There was so much. 

“Wow. Where did you get all this?” You laughed and dug in it, pulling out a chocolate frog. 

“I have my ways. Want some?” 

“Can I?”

“Wouldn’t have offered if you couldn’t!” You slid the bag from your shoulder and sat it on the floor in between you so you could both eat it at your pleasure. You two talked the entire train ride. The butterflies in both of your stomachs were going insane. 

You were careful not to reveal your last name to him. Maybe if he got to know you first he wouldn’t hate you, like you assumed most people would when they heard your last name. But then you heard him say his last name.

“By the way, I’m James Potter,” he smiled. Your heart sank. The stories of your family history goes back centuries of Potters and Malfoys hating each other. Your father and his. Lucius and James. It went back even further than that. You smiled through the panic. 

“Y/N. So you like quidditch?” You had quickly changed the subject, not wanting him to ask more. Luckily, he didn;t seem to notice and he adored quidditch, just like you. But then it all just went wrong at the sorting Ceremony. 

He stared at his ceiling for a minute. Those same damn feelings rising in his chest when he thought about you. Not about how you were a stuck up Malfoy, but how you were an eleven year old girl on the Hogwarts express asking to share some candy with him and talk about his family and anything quidditch. 

“I’m just a jerk,” he mumbled to himself.”

“A big dumb jerk, yes,” Albus said from the doorway. He sat up and stared daggers at his brother. 

“What did I say about coming into my room?”

“And what did I say about you liking her?” He sneered at his younger brother.

“I don’t like her.”

“Lies.” Albus walked into his room. “You better get down to the studio soon. They close in about three hours. And don’t screw up. Just because her dad was a jerk to ours doesn;t mean she’s rude.”

“Yeah, thanks for the second lecture. Now get out of my room.” Albus held up his hands and walked out leaving James to get ready. He threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt, still half asleep and the other half of his thoughts were on you. “Merlin, I’m a mess,” he muttered as he slid his camera over his shoulder and headed downstairs. Harry was sitting at the dining room table with Ginny. “Morning.” He grumbled out and went into the kitchen to grab a drink before heading out. 

“It's afternoon!” Harry called into him. 

“So I see!” He chugged a water and looked towards the cupboard that had the chocolate stash. Without a second though he grabbed a small fabric drawstring bag from the shelf and filled it with chocolate. “I’m going down to apologize,” he muttered. Harry nodded in approval and James left the house, quickly making his way down the sidewalk and to the dance studio before closing hours.

He stepped into the building and walked past a bunch of girls who he knew were staring at him. He walked to the front desk and smiled at the woman working. 

“Hello, can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m looking for Y/N Malfoy. I have some business I would like to discuss with her.”

“She is currently teaching the new ones, but you can wait up in the balcony for her. I’ll send someone back to tell her you want to speak to her before she goes back to work on her other dances. She didn't look well today, probably landed on her head again and didn’t get it checked out,” she sighed. James swallowed. Had he made you so upset yesterday that you hadn’t gotten your dad to look at your head?

Why did he care this much? Maybe it was because since he found out that you had cried about it, he realized you weren't heartless like he had tried to convince himself. That you were actually kind and that he had wasted five years picking on you instead of talking to you. 

He sighed and walked up the stairs to the nearly empty sitting section. He went to his spot by the railing and looked over. You were helping itty bitty ones, looked around three and four. You cheered for them, teased them, and held them. He noticed how gentle you were with them. He frowned deeper. 

Merlin, I’m an ignorant jerk. 

You were helping Abby with her plie when Margaret walked in. You looked up at her and waved with a smile, but she didn't have the same expression on her face.

“What's wrong? Why are you still here?”

“I was heading out when Miss. Rosier stopped me. Apparently someone,” she glanced up in the balcony, “is here to see you." You followed her gaze to James. “Claims to have some business.” Your entire body tensed. Your heartbeat picked up and you looked down. “I can stay. This is the last class today so it would just be us thr-”

“It's fine, Maggy. Go home. Your mum must be ready to kill you for not being there already. She has four little ones to juggle,” you chuckled and went back to helping the little girl. 

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine. Thank you, though.” Your friend eyed James before nodding and leaving. You swallowed. You weren’t emotionally prepared for this. 

Class finished up too quickly and the girls left the studio to go home and to their families. You stayed in the large studio and James stayed where he was up top. 

“Might as well come down here, Potter. No matter how much you think I’m not going to cast a curse on you.” James walked down and into the studio, you noticed he had his shoes in his hands and was grateful for that. It was one of your biggest pet peeves. “What was your business with me?” You asked, turning around to meet his gaze. 

“I wanted to say I was sorry. For what I said the other day.” You shook your head. 

“I know my father went to yours. You probably think me a snitch along with a murderous monster.” He swallowed at your words. He hadn’t exactly meant what he said.  

“I don’t think you any of that.”

“Then why did you say it?” He stayed silent. He couldn’t answer that question. You sighed and sat on the floor. 

“I’m also sorry for the way I’ve been treating you since first year. Since I found you were a Malfoy and all.” You smiled sadly. 

“Yeah, well, there was a reason I didn’t tell you my first name on the train. Especially after you told me your last name.” He sat down in front of you. 

“I-I shouldn’t have judged you based off of your last name. I know better. I knew better.”

“It's fine, really.”

“But it's really not.” He sighed. “I mean, my brother is friends with your brother and I don’t go picking on him. It's not fair and I really am sorry. I’m not just saying that. And I also didn’t know about your… your mom,” you swallowed. 

“It was a long time ago.”

“But you blame yourself and I didn’t help. You're not a murderer, and neither is your entire family. I really am sorry about that. And for the loss of her.” You looked him in his eyes and only saw sincerity. You smiled. 

“Thank you, James. It actually means a lot to me.” He smiled and handed you the bag of chocolate he had brought. “Whats this?”

“This is my stash. Wanna see?” He whispered. You smiled and he opened it up to reveal chocolate. You laughed and smiled brightly. Sadness was still laced throughout it, but it was happier. 

“You remembered our first meeting?”

“Considering I thought you were going to ask me to do drugs with you, yes.” Your eyes widened. 

“That is not what you thought! Did I really look like a drug dealer?” He smirked. 

“No. I just figured that's what the bag was about when you said it the way you did.” You laughed and looked at the bag. 

“Can I?”

“I brought it for you, a peace offering. Maybe to try and start again?” You smiled and took out two chocolate frogs, handing him one. 

“Hi, I’m Y/N. Want to share my chocolate?” He smiled and took the frog from you. 

“I’d love to.”

“Don’t you dare eat on this floor though!” He laughed and put the frog in his pocket. 

“I wouldn't dream of it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~~~~~~

Let me know what you guy thinkin the comments I hope you liked it and stay tuned for chapter 2 next week!

[vexelier-suix-cipher]

Don't worry! Then can I ask for Chromeskull (and whoever you like too) with a s/o who loves dog a lot? Like everytime he/they sees a dog they talk to it in that high-pitched voice or they love to hug and pet them? Bonus points if reader convinces Jesse to adopt a dog!

×VSC×

Ahhhhh I prefer cats myself but I own a Doberman so I can't say I hate em!! Hope you like it!! (Couldn't think of who else to add so I just did Jesse!)

Jesse Cromeans with a s/o that loves dogs with all their heart

Warnings: Dogs(?), that's it?

Genre: SFW, Fluff

×××

×Once Jesse figured out how much you loved dogs your dates would turn into going to shelters and dog parks together

×When he'd walk around town with you or simply watch from the car and a person with a pup walked along, you'd always ask if you could pet the animal.

×If he had his camera on him he'd swear he'd have a whole stack of tapes just of you cooing at the dogs you met on the street

×Jesse isn't really a big animal person himself, especially ones with fur since he didn't really need fur all over his suits and the insides of his masks.

×But after some thought (and a bit of begging from you) he decided maybe a dog wouldn't be so bad.

×He ended up getting a bigger dog, like a Doberman or Cane Corso so he could get them professionally trained as guard dogs

×If they're here, they gotta have jobs as well

×Though Jesse does admit it is quite cute seeing you cuddled up on the couch with such a fierce looking canine happily on their back getting belly rubs.

×Maybe a little jealous even

×Dont tell him that though he'll deny it.

×But he'd do anything to see you happy. <3

×The man loves you very much what can I say <333

×Does expect his payment of kisses and love back though since he did get you a puppy

×Its only fair

×No he didn't fall asleep with the dog

×..maybe once or twice....

×You did snap a picture and make it your phone background though

×He loves watching you go on walks with this huge dog trotting by your side as you coo at other puppers on the street

×Of course now your dog park dates have more meaning to them as he watches you and y'all's dog play around.

×Does love playing tug-a-war with the pupper

×He danced with the dog once.

×No I won't go on about it.

×Wait you want another?

×Well...two dogs wouldn't hurt....

×××

×Vexelier×

[amive2567]

Flower crown headcanons

Characters: Mina Ashido, Katsuki Bakugou, Shouto Todoroki, Izuku Midoryia, Momo Yaoyorozu

Warning: flowers, fluff, mention of blood (because of roses), swearing (because of Bakugou), might be OOC, not really proofread

Disclaimer: My Hero Academia and the characters belong to Kohei Horikoshi.

Summary: Making flower crowns with them.

Quirk: not mentioned

A/N: It's my first time that I write headcanons. I hope you will enjoy it. The reader is in a developed relationship with them. The reader is gender neutral.

Masterlist

Mina Ashido:

If you suggest making each other flower crowns, she is totally up for it

Despite you suggested it, she'll drag you out of the dorms to going to pick flowers

The two of you end up on a large flower field

Since she is a stylish icon, she knows which color will suit you and your personality.

Will search for perfect flowers that match with your outfit that you are wearing

She puts her whole heart into the crown

will use geberas to symbolize that you make everything more beautiful

also a big fan of primroses (Idk why, but I feel like she would like them)

If she gives you the finished flower crown and you put it on, she will definitely shoot thousands of pictures. To use the best (you smiling brightly) as a background

every time she will look at the picture, her heart swells up with love

She will remember that day so clearly that every time she thinks of it, it feels like she is sitting with you in this large flower field, with the sun warming both of you and the smell of grass and flowers surrounding you.

Katsuki Bakugou:

"What? I don't do bullshit like that." was his first phrase as you mentioned to do some flower crowns

You annoy him until he finally gives in

"If it makes you happy dumbass."

You drag him through Musutafu until you finally find a park with a variety of different flowers

Acts like he isn't interested but thinks it's endearing that you are so passionate about flower crowns

You start to pick some flowers, while you are at it, Bakugou waits with his hand in his pocket until your done

"You can't just stand there Katsu. You should also pick some flowers."

Will scoff at first but eventually gets going

His parents are designers, so he knows what color suit you

The flower crown that you make for him contains red chrysanthemums, cloves, and a bit of lavender

he uses magnolias, zinnias, and some daisies for your flower crown

If even one stalk breaks off, he will make everything new and probably freak out (so prepare for a lot of swearing)

He is gifted, so even if he has never done this, his flower crown will be stunning

when you put your crown on his ash blond, spiky hair, a slight blush will creep up his cheeks

He will keep this flower crown so safe and wears it when no one is looking. Just to remember the wonderful day the two of you had

When the flowers wither, he is sad and gives you vague indications that he wants to do the whole thing again

Shouto Todoroki:

The two of you had a date on a flower field that Todoroki found one day

It reminded him of you, and so he took you to the spot

The bright colors of the flowers made him clear that you are the most colorful flower in his life and that you made his life more colorful as well

Since sitting in the sun and talking about everything and nothing got a bit boring for you, you decided to make him a flower crown

"What are doing, darling?"

"I am picking flowers to make you a flower crown."

His stoic face will turn into a questioning look, and you explain with such passion what a flower crown is that Todoroki will fly on cloud 9

His face lights up, and he begins to search for flowers

As you try to pick some red roses, you got poked by one, and you start bleeding a little

Shouto noticed your short hiss in pain and is immediately at your side

will check if everything's fine

he kisses your wounded finger

"A kiss will hopefully make the pain go away."

"It's perfectly fine now. Thank you."

The two of you will finish and hand each other the crowns you made

Todorokis crown is a bit loose, but luckily the flowers stick together

The flower crown that you made fits his hair

To finish the date, you took a picture of the two of you and made it your profile picture on (favorite messenger app)

Momo Yaoyorozu:

The two of you went for a walk

You passed a flower field, and you got an idea

"Should we make each other a flower crown?"

"I would love to."

With that, you got going and picked the most beautiful flowers for your love

The flowers you pick represent the love you feel towards her and that you trust her

She picked flowers that reminded them of you

As you finished, you hid the flower crown behind your back

"Alright, close your eyes," you told her

She closed her black eyes and waited for your next move

You put the flower crown on her head while you tried not to mess up her high ponytail

You used your selfie camera on your cell phone as a mirror

"Open your eyes."

She opened them, and you smiled widely at her

"You look stunning, babe."

She also smiled and handed you your crown

"You also look ravishing, my love."

The two of you wore the crowns for the rest of the day

Izuku Midoryia:

The two of you were training outside since the weather got slowly better

Well, at least you tried to train, but you couldn't help yourself and stare at your boyfriend

As he noticed your staring he blushed and tried to cover his face

"Why are you staring at me like this?"

"Because you're handsome."

His blush deepened and you smile at his reaction

"You know what would make it even better? A flower crown"

You searched around the area and found some daisies

With careful movements, you knotted the stalks together

After you finished you handed the simple crown to your boyfriend

"Thanks, honey."

He put it on, and you took a photo immediately

This was going to be your new wallpaper on your phone

On that day, he didn't let the flower crown fall from his head

He wore the crown until the flowers withered

On your next date, he prepared two flowers crowns for the both of you since you loved them so much

Meaning of the flowers:

daisies: trust

red roses: passionated love

magnolias: Symbolism is grace, beauty, true love, purity, strength from the depths.

zinnias: loyalty

red chrysanthemums:Love

cloves: In red they symbolize strong passion, in white eternal loyalty

lavender:loyalty

primroses: often seen as representations of youth and everlasting existence.

geberas: "They make everything more beautiful!"

[uas-fics]

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2

Read on AO3

Title: How to Train A Champion and Keep Your Reputation Intact

Summary: Piers doesn’t want to coach Leon, but the last thing Piers needs is for everyone to know a cool punk like him used to perform in Pokemon Contests! If it means keeping his reputation intact, he’ll begrudgingly teach this ray of sunlight what he knows.

Fandom: Pokemon Sword and Shield

Ships: LeonxPiers | dnnz

Rating: T

Contest Warnings: N/A

Chapter 1: The Early Morning Visitor

----

Of the people Piers expected to be sitting across his kitchen table at eight in the morning, the former champion was not one of them. Leon wasn't even in the top ten, yet here he was, twiddling his thumbs behind a cup of tea with a peppy expression on his face.

Piers was barely a human being this early, yet Leon seemed to have the same energy as a particularly bushy-tailed skwovet.

"You have a nice kitchen," Leon commented, more to fill the silence than an actual compliment.

Piers glanced at the pile of take-out containers on the counter then the singular shoe that hadn't made it to his room with its partner the night before. His kitchen was nothing spectacular, and it didn't need to be. His home was a place to crash or bring a date, not some fancy townhouse. With only he and Marnie there, why should he bother fancying the place up?

"What do you want, Leon?" Piers took a sip of his tea.

Leon wrapped his fingers around his cup but didn't move to drink. If Leon would have preferred coffee, he could have said something before Piers poured him a cup. It'd be a waste to pour it down the drain.

"Well, it's a little silly, but I could use your help with something," Leon explained.

Piers narrowed his eyes.

Leon was the chairman of the Pokemon League. Piers gave his gym over to Marnie after the last Champion tournament. What could he want Piers to help with at this point? The only connection he had with the League was Marnie.

Unless...

"I swear if you're goin' to pull the same shit as Rose did and try to get me to make Marnie move the gym—"

"No, no, nothing like that!" Leon raised his hands, palms facing out. "It has nothing at all to do with Spikemuth or the gym."

"Then what does it have to do with?" Piers leaned back and crossed his arms.

"Uh, well, alright," Leon didn't meet his eyes, "it's about a rumor."

Piers' frown deepened. He always had rumors about him floating about. It came with his persona.

"I heard Piers beat a man to a pulp because he spilled his drink on him." or "I heard Piers took three girls back to his home and made them leave before the sun was even up." or he was a dealer of rare hallucinogenic flowers or that he used his pokemon to break into Rose's office and peed in a potted plant behind his desk.

There was rarely any truth to the rumors. He didn't care to squash them. He was a dark-type trainer, having everyone thinking he was a bigger badass than he already was could not hurt his reputation.

"C'mon, mate, aren't you a little old to be listenin' to rumors?" Piers cocked an eyebrow.

"It's not a bad rumor.”

"What's the rumor then?"

"Ah, well, I heard," He paused to clear his throat, "that you, ah, that you competed in pokemon contests when you were younger—and that you won."

Piers barely kept his face deadpan.

Where had Leon heard that? Those contests happened just before posting on the internet boomed, so it wasn't like the contests were live-streamed and archived. The only video that he knew existed of his contest days hid in a box in the back of a closet. Marnie captured it when she could barely see over the railings at the stadiums. Even then, the video quality was terrible and Marnie kept moving the camera around. He looked like a black and white blob in them.

He forced himself to calm down. He could easily deny this rumor. No one would believe he, Piers, former Spikemuth gym leader, head of Team Yell, the fierce trainer of powerful dark-types, would ever compete in a pokemon contest.

"Where did you hear that?" Piers reached for his tea just to have something in his hands.

What credibility did this rumor spreader have? Probably none. Denying this would be easy.

"Oh, I heard your sister mention it."

Piers nearly dropped his cup.

Shit.

He could not deny this, not without putting Marnie's credibility on the line. She was still a new gym leader. The last thing she needed was the chairman thinking she was a gossip.

He hissed out a breath. "Oh, did she?"

"Yeah, she was talking to Opal while Bede filled out some papers," Leon told him. "She said she remembered you used to be good at pokemon contests. That's why I'm here."

"So what?" Piers spat. "It isn't illegal, now is it?"

Why couldn't this have been about Malamar scaring passers-by on Route 7 when he was bored? Why could this have been about the rave Piers helped throw in an abandoned mine last month? Why could it have been about pissing in the potted plant? Why couldn't this have been about anything else?!

Leon frowned. "Of course not—"

"Then why are you askin' me about it?"

"Because I wanted your help to win one."

Piers' mouth gaped. Did he hear that right? Leon, the former champion, one of the strongest pokemon trainers in all of Galar, wanted to enter a pokemon contest.

He stuck a finger in his ear and twisted it.

"Sorry, say that again. I must have somethin' in my ear. I didn't just hear you ask for help in a pokemon contest."

"That is what I asked." Leon beamed. "There is one in Ballonlea in two weeks and I want to enter, but I don't know the first thing about them. If you know, you could help me—if you want to, that is."

"Why?" Piers held back from pinching himself. How was this not a dream? Maybe he was messing with hallucinogenic flowers after all.

Reaching into his pocket, Leon took out a folded piece of lavender paper. He laid it flat on the table, smoothing it with the side of his hand, before pushing it over. The faint scent of roses wafted from it.

"All are invited to the first Bellonlea Pokemon Contest!" It read in a flowing, elegant font. "Coordinators of all ages and skill levels are invited to the Bellonlea Stadium to participate in a Pokemon Contest. Please contact the Bellonlean Ladies' Society for more details and how to enter."

"Was this ‘ppose to explain somethin'?" Piers pushed the flyer back. "Why do you want to win a contest?"

"That prize, of course!" Leon took his phone from his pocket. He scrolled a moment then turned the screen to Piers.

A picture of a red and white hat with a black logo stared back. It honestly looked like something an overly-excited ten-year-old would win from a cereal box drawing.

"It's a hat." Piers peered over the top of the phone to look at the hat Leon already had on.

"It's not just a hat. It's a limited edition!" Leon pulled his phone back. "I had one when I was a little kid, but I lost it to an angry corvisquire. The first place in the beginner contest wins it."

"And you can't just, you know, buy one for yourself?" He rolled his hand. "I know you have sponsorships out your ass." Piers looked down pointedly at his Spikemuth Chamber of Commerce shirt for emphasis.

Leon shrugged. "What fun is that?"

Piers downed half his drink in one go. The burn on his throat reassured him he wasn't dreaming.

"Piers?" Leon leaned over the table, his face alight with a smile. "Can't I talk you into helping me out? Please? I promise to owe you one after this."

Piers groaned. What choice did he have? He couldn't deny it without hurting Marnie's reputation. Their reputation used to be the only valuable he and Marnie had to their names, besides each other. Lying to Leon to save his own skin was not an option.

"Yeah, yeah, alright." Piers raised his hands in defeat. "Fine. I'll do it, but," he held a finger up in Leon's face, "you have to swear on your life that you won't tell a soul about it. I don't need anyone thinkin’ I ever put any of my pokemon in a frilly suit or made them dance around like pretty ballerinas or some shit."

Leon nearly jumped across the table. He put his hands on Piers' shoulders and squeezed a little too hard.

"Thanks a million for this!" He hopped up. "Where should we train? I think I understand the rules, but maybe we should go over the rules first? Or outfit—"

"Tomorrow." Piers cut him off. "We'll start tomorrow."

Leon's face fell like a growlithe that just had his bone taken from him. Piers held his sad gaze. Marnie's morpoko did the same pout when she wanted something, and Piers knew better than to give in.

If Leon still wanted to learn how to be a coordinator, he had to prove himself first. A day would be enough time for Piers to think up obstacles to make Leon forget about the silly notion. Contests, despite the stereotype, were hard work. While beginner contests weren't all that complicated, Piers didn't mind sprinkling in some of the more difficult to grasp bits from the higher tiers. With any luck that would confuse Leon right out of the idea and out of Piers' life.

Leon took a breath. He pulled his hands from Piers and squared his shoulders.

"I'll meet you back here at eight sharp tomorrow and then we can get started."

"No. You'll meet me outside Spikemuth at noon."

"Oh, well, alright. It'll be a champ—" Leon caught himself from using his old catchphrase. "It'll be a fun time."

"That's one way to think of it," Piers muttered, feeling less and less enthused at the arrangement by the second.

----

True to his word, Leon stood outside the front gate of Spikemuth at noon on the dot. He perked up when he saw Piers and jumped in front of him.

"Good afternoon, Teacher Piers."

He winked.

Piers wrinkled his nose.

"Call me that again, and I'm callin' this off."

Leon laughed nervously. "Sorry." He whistled. "Sooooo, what should I learn first? How to use music? Or pose? I'm already pretty good at that."

"How about the rules?"

Piers waved him to follow down the road towards the Spikemuth Tunnel. People were less likely to eavesdrop on them if they walked.

"Alright, rules. I know there are two rounds, and each trainer uses only one pokemon."

"Coordinator," Piers corrected sharply.

He promised to teach, but he didn't promise to be entirely pleasant while doing it.

"Yeah. There are two rounds. The first round is the Performance Stage. You show off your pokemon's appeal with a choreographed set of moves. The judges will assign points based on how well the performance fits into particular categories."

Piers began to ramble on about the different move categories as if the contest in Bellonlea would be so complicated. Beginner contests weren't judged by the five categories individually like higher-ranked contests.

Back when Galar still had a contest circuit, the people in beginner contests were kids with weak pokemon that might only know two or three moves. A performance with a cool move first and a cute move next wouldn't be judged as harshly as the first rank contest would.

However, Leon didn't need to know that. If he thought that the category system was complicated and—in Piers' humble opinion—limited and stupid, maybe he would back out.

"And that's all there is to the appeals rules." Piers looked at Leon, expecting him to be confused and dejected at the long-winded explanation, but instead found him holding onto every word.

"Well, that doesn't seem too hard." He nodded. "It's just putting on a show in a time limit with your partner. Easy."

"We'll see how easy you think it is when you're doing it." Piers stood under a shade tree. "The next round is the harder one. It's the battle round."

"Battle? I thought contests were for show, not for fighting."

Piers cackled at the genuine confusion on Leon's face. Of course, he would think that. That silly stereotype about contests never seemed to die, did it? Coordinators didn't just train their pokemon to teach them new moves. Their partner had to be strong to last the battles against one another. Even though Piers was a gym leader when he did contests, he still struggled against the stronger opponents.

He idly grabbed a lower branch and bent it down. If he didn’t slouch, Piers was tall enough that he could just about reach into the pokemon nest a few branches up with relative ease.

"You would think that, wouldn't you?" He opened his hand.

The branch whipped up and hit the branch the nest was on. The skwovet in the nest jumped with a squeak. Its sudden movement knocked a sitrus berry over the side.

"In the second round, two coordinators battle to remove points from the opponent, usin' moves that fall into the contest categories." He snatched the sitrus berry out of the air.

The skwovet glared at Piers. Piers smirked at it before wiping the berry on his shirt. The pokemon chattered and hurried higher into the tree.

Leon frowned at Piers' interaction with the skwovet. Piers met his gaze, daring him to comment on it.

Leon cleared his throat. "That wasn't necessary."

"It was an accident."

Leon pursed his lips in doubt but didn't argue. Instead, he said, "So it's a battle, but it's an entertaining battle. I can do that."

Around a bite of berry, Piers shrugged, "It's a five-minute battle, but the point of the battle isn't to knock out your opponent with the first move. No one needs to faint. It's to show that your pokemon is better than theirs."

Piers half-expected Leon to go on about how no pokemon was better than another, instead, Leon stroked his chin in thought. Maybe Leon realized that a contest wouldn't be as fun as he thought and wanted to give up on the idea.

The branches above shook and the skwovet chattered. A leppa berry slammed into the ground near Piers' boot. The skwovet, arm loaded with unripe leppa berries, held up another. It threw it. Piers took a step to the side.

"Nice try," he mocked. The skwovet's fur bristled. It tossed down the rest of its armful and missed every time. With a huff, it stomped back towards its nest to rustle through its hoard.

"Alright. I think I can handle this," Leon said, moving into Piers' personal space and lifting his arm over Piers' head, "with your help."

Grinning, he stepped back then opened his fist to present an oran berry. The skwovet cried out in frustration. Piers rubbed the top of his head. He glanced up at the wild pokemon once more before walking away from the tree, with Leon in tow. It was best not to test his luck anymore. The skwovet might use a move on him and the last thing he wanted was to spend the night picking slobbery bullet seeds out of his hair.

The skwovet angrily chattered but seemed to give up. It hurried down the tree to gather its berries. Leon crouched to roll the oran berry over. The skwovet eyed him but snatched the berry up to shove into its cheeks anyway.

Piers raised an eyebrow. Maybe this training wouldn't be as bad as he thought.

----

The training area outside Spikemuth wasn't much, just a patch of barren earth that trainers from Spikemuth would come to battle when they didn't feel like using the gym. Currently, the only souls there were Piers and Leon. Since Marnie took over as gym leader, the younger trainers of the city moved their training back to the gym.

"They didn't want to come when you were the gym leader. They think you're scary," Marnie had explained. "Dunno why though. You're about as scary as a teddisuara."

Piers crossed his arms. "Do you know which pokemon you're goin' use? These are Hoenn rules, so you can only use one."

Leon tapped the pokeballs at his belt. "I'm not sure. I didn't think I could go in with Charizard, so I didn't bring him with me."

"Why not Charizard?"

"Everyone knows what my Charizard looks like," Leon explained. "And I don't think I can pretend not to be me if I use him."

Piers' brows furrowed. What in the world was he talking about?

Upon seeing Piers' expression, Leon chuckled to himself.

"I guess I forgot to tell you." He put his hands on his hips and set his feet a shoulder-width apart. "I'm going to do this contest in disguise."

The hope Piers just acquired vanished.

"You're what?"

"I'm going in disguise," He repeated. "I was the champion, and now I'm chairman. That would give me an unfair advantage, don't you think?"

Piers pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course, Leon would want to win on a level playing field. The Bellonean Ladies' Society would probably just give him the stupid hat if he promised to simply show up and bring more attention to the event. If he did that, Piers could have stayed at home and lazed about, but, noooo, Leon had to win his silly hat fair and square.

"How do you plan to do that?"

"Well, I hoped you could help me with that, too." Leon pointed to his face. "I've seen your stage makeup, and you're talented. I bet you could make me look like a different person."

Piers hated that he couldn't argue with that. Not long after he decided to follow his dream of being a punk star, one of the gym trainers offered to teach him the basics of cosmetics. Once he had the basics down, it only took a year of using his pokemon, friends, and Marnie as test subjects for him to perfect his art.

He could easily make Leon's face look different enough: soften his cheekbones, maybe a few freckles, pull his bangs back, color contacts, and glasses...Leon would look good in glasses, even if it meant hiding his natural eye color...

Piers shook his head. He hadn't agreed to anything but training for the contest. He was not giving Leon a makeover like they were preteens at a slumber party.

Leon pursed his lips. "It would be pointless if I won because of who I am. That wouldn't be fair to the other train—coordinators."

"No. Figure that out yourself."

Leon sighed, his shoulders slumped. He muttered under his breath, something Piers couldn't make out. Finally, he straightened and shrugged.

"You know, I have to approve the budgets for each gym provided by the league," he lifted one finger and wagged it as he continued, "and wouldn't it be nice if Spikemuth got a little extra in their budget so their new gym leader could fix up her gym stadium? I know the Spikemuth Chamber of Commerce can't always give too much to the gym, and it needs a few repairs."

Piers' mouth fell a gape. Did Leon just try to bribe him through his sister? He had to admit, he was impressed. It wasn't the best bribery offer he'd ever been given, but considering whom the offer came from and what Marnie would get in return, he decided to give in.

"Make sure the gym gets enough to replace the crumplin’ stadium walls, and I'll do it." Piers stuck out his hand.

Leon took the offered hand in his and shook once. "I knew you'd have a change of heart."

Piers yanked his hand back. "Change of heart my ass. Just send out your pokemon."

With a nod, Leon let out each of his pokemon in turn: Aegislash, Haxorus, Dragapult, Mr. Rime, Seismatoad, then Rhyperior. True to his word, he hadn't brought his ace pokemon with him. Like a well-oiled machine, they quickly lined up and turned their full attention to their trainer.

Pride rolled off Leon as he gazed at his team. Up until last year, this team was undefeated. Leon kept them at their best and even Piers could call that admirable.

"Alright everyone, listen here." Leon clapped his hands as if any of them didn't have their eyes on him. "Remember how I said we were going to enter a contest? Well, only one of you can enter it with me."

Leon's Mr. Rime leaned on his cane and Aegislash shifted his shield, though the other pokemon didn't react one way or another to the news.

"Contests aren't like normal battling. They're a performance." Leon gestured to Piers. "Piers is going to help pick the best one of you for the contest."

Piers snorted. "Oh, didn't I tell you? I'm not assessin' your team."

Leon's hand dropped to his side. He tilted his head.

"You're not?"

"No."

Piers took out the only pokeball he had on him. With a flick of the wrist, he released his own contest partner. The stench of rotten eggs filled the air. Everyone but Piers jerked back to cover their noses.

Skuntank shook himself out. He stretched his front paws forward then pulled the rest of his body up like a cat in a sunbeam. Piers crouched down and patted his partner between the ears.

"Skuntank here won nearly every contest he entered," Piers explained. "He knows more about them than even I do, I'd say. Even keeps track of the Sinnoh contests online. If anyone can give this team a proper assessment, it'll be him."

Skuntank lifted his head proudly then stomped forward. He stalked up, down, and around the line, eyeing each pokemon. He stopped in front of Haxorus, narrowed his eyes, and rumbled. Haxorus shuffled nervously. She looked to her team members then back at Skuntank. Siesmatoad shrugged, and Dragapult looked away.

Satisfied, Skuntank trotted back to Piers. He took a breath and stated something to the pokemon, loud and clear.

The other pokemon were taken aback. They muttered amongst themselves, all except Mr. Rime and Aegislash. With his chest puffed out, Mr. Rime strode forward. A moment later, Aegislash floated next to him. The rest of the team remained still.

"That's the two to choose from," Piers said. To the other members of Leon's team, he continued, "You can go over there. Take a rest why don't you?" He jabbed his thumb towards the grass at the side of the training area.

Without missing a beat, Dragapult floated away, soon followed by Siesmatoad, Haxorus, and Rhyperior.

Leon gasped. "That's amazing. How does Skuntank know?"

It wasn't as if Skuntank could smell contest talent on Mr. Rime and Aegislash. It just so happened that when Skuntank asked, Mr. Rime and Aegislash wanted to enter a contest. The rest weren't interested.

Ignoring Leon's question, Piers asked, "How do you want to decide between these two."

Leon blinked. "Isn't that what Skuntank is here for?"

With a thump, Skuntank flopped to the ground, paws under his chin, and shut his eyes.

"He's filled his quota." Piers said. "This is your job, Mr. Chairman."

Leon stroked his chin. He crouched down between his pokemon. Mr. Rime tapped his feet and spun his cane. Leon lifted his eyebrows at the impromptu performance. Not to be outdone, Aegislash held his shield up and spun it on the end of his arm. He tossed the shield then expertly caught it.

Mr. Rime danced backward. He spun in a circle, holding his cane up to the sky. From the tip of the cane, snow flurried around him, glittering like tiny diamonds.

Aegislash, upon seeing Leon's dazzled expression at Mr. Rime's performance, clanged his shield and blade together. With his trainer's attention back on him, Aegislash whipped his arm out. The shield rolled out on its side into the middle of the battle area. In the blink of an eye, Aegislash descended into his shadow. Using shadow sleek, he hurried in front of the shield.

Aegislash burst from the ground, large and dark. He whipped the shield up. the sun glinted off the polished metal. Contrasted against Aegislash's dark form, the shining shield appeared like a bright star in the night sky.

Leon's mouth fell a gape. "Wow, I didn't know you could do that, Aegislash."

Aegislash returned to his normal appearance and smugly shurgged. Mr. Rime stomped his foot in frustration. He put his fingers to his mouth and whistled for Leon to look at him. Once again, his cane spun. Around him, aurous panes of light screen appeared then frosted over. Mr. Rime stopped and raised his arms. The light screen panes shot up and burst like fireworks.

Aegislash bristled. His grip on his shield tightened and his single eye narrowed. Mr. Rime sneered at him as Leon carefully picked up the frozen light screen fragments to examine.

Piers clapped his hands once. "Don't you lot make this a battle." To Leon, he ordered, "You need to pick one."

Leon stood. "But they're both really talented."

From behind them, Skuntank snorted. Aegislash and Mr. Rime turned their glares from each other to the dark-type.

Piers agreed with Leon, even if his pokemon didn't, but leaving those two to keep one-upping each other wouldn't end well. Leon had to pick a partner for the contest, even if it would hurt someone's feelings.

Leon thought on his choice then slumped forward with a sigh. He rummaged in his pocket and held up a coin.

"I can't decide," he admitted. "Heads for Mr. Rime and tails for Aegislash."

He flicked the coin into the air. Like the oran berry before, he caught it from the air. With a hard smack that made the top of Pier's hand hurt, Leon slapped it on the top of his hand. Aegislash and Mr. Rime stood tense as Leon slowly lifted his hand.

"Heads."

Mr. Rime jumped up with joy. Aegislash dropped his shield to the ground with a thud. Leon reached out to comfort him, but Aegislash waved him away. Dragging his shield through the dirt, he trudged towards the other pokemon.

Skuntank lumbered back to his feet. He intercepted Aegislash. Skuntank rumbled at Aegislash. He silently mulled over what Skuntank said then lifted his shield from the ground.

In a voice like clashing metal, Aegislash yelled at Mr. Rime. Mr. Rime stumbled in his tap dancing, looking shocked at what his teammate said. Skuntank cackled, slapping the ground with his paw. With his mood improved considerably, Aegislash led Skuntank away to join the other pokemon.

----

Mr. Rime was a showman. Even with the occasional heckle from Skuntank, he and Leon managed to cobble together the start of an alright appeal round. After Piers finally admitted that the move categories meant shit all for the beginner contests, Leon decided to make use of what Mr. Rime already presented: sparkling snow and unique uses of psychic power.

Piers, for his part, offered critique when he saw a move that might be too showy or too dull, but mostly left Leon to his own devices. After all, Leon was the one entering, not him.

A thunderbolt tore through an icy column, shattering it. A glow of psychic power protected some of the ice from the heat. When the mist cleared, what remained was the carving of the Champion's logo.

Leon pumped his fist. "There we go!"

Skuntank muttered something to Aegislash, who replied in agreement. Though he hadn't been as loud in his criticism as Skuntank, Aegislash made snide remarks for every misstep.

Piers had more fun watching Skuntank and Aegislash than Leon and Mr. Rime, honestly.

As the heat both from the thunderbolts and the day wore on, Piers was thankful he choose to sit under the shade instead of directly interact with Leon.

Though on the field, he would have had a better view.

Every time Leon raised his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow, Piers turned his attention towards him. Rehain once mentioned Leon weight trained and exercised to stay as fit as his team, and Piers could tell. He stared at the well-formed muscles usually hidden under Leon’s shirt several times before finally being caught.

“Is something wrong? Is this too much?” Leon gestured to Mr. Rime’s newest ice sculpture.

Piers made up a suggestion to save himself the embarrassment.

“It’s fine, but you’re rushin’. Slow down, if you know how to do that,” Piers replied, turning his head to hide his pink cheeks against his shoulder.

“Oh, alright.” Leon nodded. “Mr. Rime, take a few more seconds before calling down the thunderbolt!”

Stuntank chuckled and Piers sent him a glare.

“Shut up,” he hissed, earning another laugh from Stuntank.

Something pulled at Piers' sleeve. One of Dragapult's dreepy chewed on his jacket. When Piers acknowledged it, it flew in a circle trying to get him to play with it. It went to nip at the end of one of his ponytails.

Dragapult sighed and wrapped his tail around the dreepy to pull it back. He gave Piers an apologetic look.

The rest of Leon's team wasn't doing much better. They were bored out of their minds.

Siesmatoad ripped a clump of grass from the ground and tossed it in her mouth. Rhyperior and Haxorus took turns stabbing leaves through their horns or tusks, seeing who could make the biggest hole without tearing the leaf in half.

Before Leon and Mr. Rime could start again, Piers called, "That's enough for today."

He stood and put his hands on his lower back to stretch. Skuntank grumbled but got to his paws.

"Well, if you say so." Leon came over to the crowd of pokemon with Mr. Rime. "Everyone ready?"

Seismatoad spat out the grass clump, nearly hitting Rhyperior's foot. Dragapult cooed and the rest of his dreepy hoard hurried out of the tall grass. Aegislash refused to look at Mr. Rime, instead of staying close to Stuntank. Haxorus bent forward and pressed the button on her pokeball with her mouth scythe, returning herself.

When Leon took out Aegislash's ball, Piers put a hand on his wrist.

"Before you return him, can I ask you a favor?"

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Aegislash and Skuntank seem to be havin' fun together. Do you think Aegislash could come back with me for tonight?" Piers asked. Skuntank stamped a foot and wheezed in approval.

Leon lowered Aegislash's pokeball. He bent down so he looked Aegislash in his singular eye.

"Do you want to have a slumber party with Skuntank at Spikemuth?" He spoke like a parent to a child. Mr. Rime snickered. Stuntank kicked sand at him with a short growl.

Piers pulled the bill of Leon's hat down over his eyes.

"Aegislash is probably older than both of us combined," he reminded. "Don't call it a slumber party."

Leon pushed his hat up and wrinkled his brow. Realization crossed his face.

"Ah." He asked Aegislash, "Do you want to have a date with Skuntank at Spikemuth?"

Piers went to pull Leon's hat clean off, but Aegislash took hold of the bill and pulled until it completely covered Leon's face with the bill touching his chin. He rolled his eye and shrugged towards Skuntank. Skuntank snickered and shook his head back in reply.

Leon laughed, taking the hat into his lap. "I'm joking. I'm joking. Sorry." He put a hand on Aegislash's shoulder. "Really, if you want to hang out with Skuntank for the night, you can." He smiled sincerely.

Aegislash paused, eyed his trainer, then seemed to sigh. He took the hat from Leon's hands and set it on his head. He patted his head, like a parent pacifying a child. Aegislash floated by him towards Skuntank.

-----

“Listen up.”

Piers whistled to the crowd of dark-type pokemon around the Spikemuth stadium. All heads turned towards him and the two pokemon by his side.

“This is Aegislash. He’s part of Chairman Leon’s team.” Piers nodded to Aegislash. “He’s visitin' for the night, so don’t be an asshole.”

He sent a pointed look at Malamar, who crossed his tentacles. Malamar only recently got out of trouble for scaring people around Spikemuth. Neither he nor Marnie needed Aegislash going back to Leon traumatized from Malamar's pranks.

The gym pokemon muttered and mumbled to themselves, eyeing Aegislash suspiciously.

Going well so far.

No one jumped to attack or called out an obscenity towards the new pokemon. Already it was going better when Raihan brought his pokemon over to play while he and Piers visited. Not one sucker punch to the back.

Marnie’s Grimsnarl picked up the toy ball and held it protectively. Both scrafty scooted to shield their tower of cards. Obstagoon took his nose out of a bag of crisps for a moment before shoving it right back in. Liepard yawned, purposely exposing her fangs, before laying her head on Toxicroak’s lap. Toxitricity peeked an eye open from his corner then continued strumming his chest. Morpeko jumped off the stage and scurried over to Aegislash and Skuntank.

She greeted them. Skuntank wheezed to her as Aegislash lifted his shield in a hello. Morpeko spoke with Aegislash a moment before turning to the rest of the pokemon. She took a deep breath and shouted to them her approval.

Malamar snorted but uncrossed his tentacles. Grimsnarl slowly took the ball back out. Neither scrafty moved from their hard work. Toxitricity waved idly. Liepard and Toxicroak and Obstagoon didn’t acknowledge the announcement, the former two napping and the latter still stuffing his maw.

Skuntank jerked his head towards Toxitricity's corner of the gym. Aegislash and Morpeko followed after. Grimsnarl and Malamar watched them closely.

Marnie took a bite of her hamburger. Around it, she asked, “Is that really Leon’s aegislash?”

Piers open the bag from Bob’s Your Uncle to dig out his order. “He is. He and Leon’s Mr. Rime got into a fight, and Aegislash wanted to be away.”

“So Leon asked you?” She swallowed.

Piers thought on his feet. “Dark and ghost types are pretty close when you get down to it. Born of night and the deepness of the soul and all that.”

“Shouldn’t he have asked Allister?”

Piers took a bite of his burger and slowly chewed. He swallowed and said, “Kid must have been busy. He’s still got school to go— just like you.” Piers smirked, leaning over. “And how’s that school work going, little sis?”

Marnie blushed. She huffed, snatched the bag from Piers, then marched to the stage at the other end of the stadium.

Even being a gym leader, Marnie still had to go to school like every other kid her age. Since she was still learning to juggle gym leader duties and school, Marnie fell behind in her classes and had to take extra lessons.

Piers had been the same when he took over the gym, but he usually skipped after-school lessons. She complained about the lessons often, and Piers offered an understanding ear.

He wasn’t above using this information against her, though.

With long strides, he followed his sister. He overtook her quickly. Holding his burger between his teeth, Piers hopped onto the stage and sat, his toes brushing the ground. Marnie walked up the steps to sit near him. She purposefully set the bag with their food on the side farthest away from Piers. He leaned across her to fish his chips out of the bag.

They sat in companionable silence, watching the pokemon as they ate their fast food.

When Marnie’s scrafty turned to open another pack of cards for their tower, Malamar raised a tentacle glowing in psychic power. With both scrafty backs to it, a card from the middle of the tower pulled itself out.

Piers’ scrafty gasped and tried to hold the wobbling tower together, but only managed to save the top two cards from falling. As the scrafty started to argue, Grimsnarl went to the wooden crate next to the stage. She sat her ball inside and began to dig through the pokemon toys until she found another ball. This ball was worn and patched up. She wandered over to Malamar to talk.

Skuntank, Toxtricity, and Aegislash lounged against one of the crumbling stadium walls as Morpeko chewed on a berry. They made friendly conversation until Grimsnarl and Malamar came over. Grimsnarl raised her ball.

Skuntank shrugged and spoke to Aegislash. Malamar sneered at Aegislash. Aegislash rolled his eye and pushed himself up. Skuntank slowly lumbered to his feet. Toxtricity shook his head. Morpeko tossed her berry up and caught it in her mouth before standing as well.

Piers nudged Marnie and pointed at the pokemon as they walked to the middle of the stadium.

Grimsnarl tossed the ball and hit it to Skuntank. Skuntank bopped it with his head. The ball dropped towards Aegislash. Aegislash raised an arm to hit it, but Malamar’s tentacle shot out and smacked the ball up. Aegislash snapped something at Malamar, who ignored him.

Piers chuckled to himself as the game of hot potato continued. Every time the ball neared Aegislash, Malamar or Grimsnarl made sure to hit it before he could. Of course, they were testing him. Being on the former champion’s team wasn’t enough to prove Aegislash worthy, even with Stuntank and Morpeko's approval.

Soon Aegislash had enough. When Malamar went to hit the ball for himself, Aegislash shadow sleeked behind him. He burst from the ground and slapped the ball towards Grimsnarl. The attack on her friend took Grimsnarl by surprise. She stumbled back trying to hit the ball but missed. For the first time since the game started, the ball bounced against the floor.

Skuntank cackled. Morpeko chased after the ball. Malamar stared at Aegislash, who held his ground.

Marnie started to push off the stage to break up the fight, but Piers put a hand out to stop her.

After a few tense heartbeats, Malamar coughed a laugh. He covered his beak and shook his head. Grimsnarl took the ball back from Morpeko. Seeing the newfound respect for Aegislash from Malamar, she went back over to the box to switch the worn, old ball, for a nicer ball with a pink and cream polka-dot pattern.

Marnie let out a breath. Piers tossed a chip in his mouth.

He knew things would work out well. Like his trainer, Aegislash was endearing in his determination.

He wondered what Leon was doing while the Spikemuth pokemon played. As late as it was, he was probably home, or maybe he was training with Mr. Rime for the contest. Piers could almost see him now working with Mr. Rime to pose in time with some pop song.

Leon worked hard for what he wanted. It's no wonder he became champ so young and held the title for nearly a decade. If Piers had that kind of drive, he wouldn’t have left Spikemuth fall into disrepair as he did.

He bet he could ask Leon to help him fix up Spikemuth, and not just the gym. The outside walls needed the myriad of penises and breasts painted over. He could do it, but it would be better with some company, particularly with company that had the energy of a sugar-high puppy. Enjoying the outside air, just talking and working—That would be fun. Piers would be willing to wake up early for that.

Piers reached into his chip container absentmindedly but found nothing but salt. He jerked out of his thoughts to see his last two chips disappear—one into Morpeko’s mouth and one into Marnie’s.

“The hell?” He held his hands out towards the empty container.

“Do you have a new girlfriend?” She asked bluntly.

Piers choked on his tongue. “What?” He shook his head. “No! Why would you think that?”

“A boyfriend? A non-binary friend?”

“No,” Piers assured. “I don’t have anyone.”

“Huh.” Marnie scratched Morpeko behind the ears. “You had that look on your face.”

“Look?” Piers’ stomach clenched as he asked, “What look?”

“That look.” Marnie pulled her pokemon to her lap. “The one you get before Morpeko and me find some gushy love song folded up on the living room floor. It happens every time.”

Piers’ ears grew hot. Twice, Marnie found his secret love songs twice. For that reason, he didn’t even write them on scrap paper anymore but in a nondescript notebook in his dresser drawer—which he hadn’t pulled out since he broke up with an ex gym trainer more than a year ago.

Morpeko stuck her tongue out in disgust at finding another love song. She clambered over Marnie’s arms to the chips container. Morpeko licked her paw, dabbed it in the leftover salt, and cleaned her paw before hopping off the stage to rejoin the game.

“I don’t have a look like that.”

“Yes, you do,” Marnie replied in a sing-song voice. “You get this far away look on your face and a little, tiny smile like you’re thinkin' of somethin’ soft. I only see it when you’re datin’ someone or,” her eyes widen in realization, “you gotta crush.”

Piers’ stomach unclenched and fell to his boots.

“You’ve got a crush, dotcha?” His little sister pried. “Who is it? Do they like you back? Can they like you back? Are they a trainer? What’s their pokemon team? Do you see them often?”

Piers' head spun, blurring the rest of Marnie’s inquiries.

No way. He was too old for crushes, for one thing. For two, if Marnie’s theory held any water, then his ‘crush’ would be Leon.

That wasn’t possible.

Sure, he admired Leon’s strength and his determination. His kindness towards pokemon and others was sweet if a little goody-two-shoes. He was much more clever than he first appeared. His athletic frame stole Piers' attention and he wouldn't mind leaning up against that strength-trained chest.

Oh. Arceus. No.

Piers’ face reddened as he cataloged his thoughts. He did have a crush. He had a crush on Leon. Leon was the Chairman of the League. Not only that, he was and still is the poster child for preppy, sporty trainers everywhere. Leon was the goal children were taught to chase if they wanted to compete.

Only the trainers from Team Yell ever wanted to be anything like Piers, a badass who sang to his own song, not the one society dictated.

Sponsors flocked to Leon like mothim to a flame for his perfect public persona.

Only the Spikemuth Chamber of Commerce ever sponsored Piers, and that’s only because they always sponsored the gym leader.

Leon was the light that the world idolized.

He was the darkness that fought back to prove to those that the shadows were protective and safe for people like him. He was a fierce dark-type trainer. He sang punk rock. He had a band of miscreants who would follow his every order.

He could not have a crush on Leon.

Yet, he did.

What if people found out? Arceus, if news got around he wanted some of Leon’s finely toned ass—

“Piers?” Marnie poked his cheek.

He jumped, losing his balance and tumbling off the stage.

At the thud of his fall, the pokemon stopped their game. Obstagoon tossed his crisps bag aside to barrel towards his trainer. He skidded to his knees, dramatically throwing his claws up and crying out as if Piers fell off a ten-story building.

Marnie hopped down. Crouching, she asked, “Did you break your face?”

Piers groaned loudly. “Dark void, open up and swallow me. I no longer want to live in this cruel world that would play my heart like a harp string and snap it with its sick, twisted irony.”

Once Piers went on with his dramatic monologue, the pokemon returned to their games, confident Piers was fine. Obstagoon patted the back of Piers’ head reassuringly.

Marnie crouched next to him. “Is the person you have a crush on that bad? Are they married or,” she lowered her voice, “old?”

“We’re the same age.” Piers didn’t lift his head from the ground. “He’s single as far as I know.”

Marnie poked his cheek. “So what’s the matter? Are you too scared to ask him out?”

“No. It’s worse than that.” Piers crawled into Obstagoon’s lap and leaned his back against the warm, somewhat smelly, fur. Obstagoon wrapped him in a hug. He’d seen his trainer confused and in a pansexual punk panic before. Piers needed all the comfort Obstagoon could give him.

Marnie tucked her legs under her and waited expectantly for Piers to clarify.

He sighed, slumping farther down Obstagoon’s lap. Obstagoon’s arm fur tickled his nose as he buried his face in it.

“I can’t ask him out,” Piers muttered. “He’s my opposite.”

“Opposite?” Marnie echoed.

“Opposite,” Piers repeated. He paused, then said, “I’m punk. He does ballet. What more can I say?”

Her brows furrowed. She opened her mouth, then shut it, opened, shut, then tilted her head with one eyebrow raised.

"He dances?”

Piers rolled his head away. “You kids have no culture.” He sighed. “He’s the kind of person every kid wants to be like. I’m the kind of person kids stop comin’ to community gyms to train because of.”

Marnie hit her fist into her palm. “Oh, I get it. You don’t want to drag down his rep ‘cause people think you’re a lazy delinquent.”

“Hey!” Piers bolted up, right into Obstagoon’s hanging tongue. He wiped the slobber off his forehead with his forearm. He jabbed a finger at Marnie.

“It’s the other way around. He’d pull mine up from a mysterious, cool rebel rocker.”

He cringed at himself. Out loud it sounded childish. What was he, a schoolboy?

Piers flopped back against Obstagoon, grabbed Obstagoon’s arm, and dropped it over his face.

“Suffocate me. Please. I need to die to escape this torment.”

With a humph, Marnie wrapped her arms around Obstagoon’s thick forearm and lifted. She looked down at her brother with a frown.

“That’s it?” She shook her head. “That’s sad.”

“You’re a kid. You don’t understand.” Piers countered, trying to pull Obstagoon’s arm back over his face.

Marnie wrinkled her nose and tugged against Piers’ attempts.

“I am not.” She dug her feet into the ground. “It is sad. If you’re a ‘mysterious, cool, rebel rocker,’ why should you care what anyone thinks?”

Piers dropped his hands to his lap.

Without the opposing force against her, Marnie fell backward, still clinging to Obstagoon’s arm. Instead of letting her fall, Obstagoon lifted his arm, leaving her hanging off the ground. He carefully lowered her, but she kept his arm pressed against her chest.

Piers pushed himself up to his feet. He patted the back of his shirt, throwing black and white fur into the air. Without a word, he headed to the stage and picked up the trash from their food.

“Piers?” Marnie hugged Obstagoon’s arm to her chest. “Are you ok? I didn’t break you, did I?”

Piers turned. “Yeah. Just fine.” He walked back, bag in hand. A smile spread across his face as he reached up and ruffled her hair.

“You’re right. I was being the opposite of cool.” He admitted, prying her hands off Obstagoon's arm. “Thanks for reminding me.”

Marnie was right. He was the cool, fierce master of dark-type pokemon. He became one of the strongest trainers in all of Galar without resorting to Dynamax in a pinch.

Why the hell should he give a flying ratata’s ass about what other people think about who he wants to make out with?

He still didn’t want people knowing about his contest days. The stereotype of elitist snob coordinators still hung too closely to contests. The attraction could excuse Leon, but he didn't have a good enough excuse for dressing skuntank in a tophat and glittery, purple bow tie when he was still a stunky yet. Maybe if the contest scene grew a little, he could try again, but until then best keeping that particular secret under wraps.

Marnie shrugged, aloof. “It’s whatever. Someone needs to help you keep your head spun the right way around. I'm the only one qualified for it.”

“What would I do without you?” Piers chuckled.

“Die, probably,” Marnie replied. “So can you ask this guy out? Does he like you at all?”

Piers shrugged.

He didn’t know if Leon liked men. As far as he could remember, Leon never dated anyone of any gender. Leon had always been laser-focused on training and being the strongest trainer in Galar.

But if he did like men, would he be interested in Piers? He didn't know, but given how much time they’d be spending together training for the contest, maybe he could figure it out.

Marnie, her ponytails somewhat righted, asked, “If you need help, Gloria and me could—”

“I’d rather step on a pincurchin,” Piers cut her off, crushed the paper bag into a ball, and tossed it to the side. It bounced and went right through Scrafty's new card tower.

"Sorry," he apologized.

Scrarfy sobbed and slumped back. Marnie’s scrafty looked towards him then sighed. She walked around and helped him pick up the cards, their friendship restored.

“I’ll tell you if I find out anything.” He pointed at the hot potato game still ongoing with his thumb. “Right now, though, you and me don’t need boys when we can play with the best pokemon in the Galar region, though.” To Grimsnarl, he shouted, "Oi, toss it to me!"

Marnie giggled as Piers took her wrist and led her towards the game.

----

AN: Shout out to my friend Sara for the help with this! You da best!!! ^-^)/ Next chapter should be next week? I'll probably post to A03 first though if you want less of a wait.

Also feel free to follow my art blog @uas-art if you enjoyed the chapter art.

[waywardscorpio]

Title: His Queen And Her King

Tag list: @scuzmunkie @braunstrowmangirl @callmekda @luna-obscura @phoenixoffiretwo

Chapter One

Warnings; Smut, Swearing, Blood Drinking, Breeding Kink, Spanking and Daddy Kink.

Two Months Later after Y/N and Jeff mated.

*Y/N's POV*

I was in the locker room with Jeff, while he was getting ready for his and Matt's, match against, The Bar. "Baby you okay?" He asks me as I was lost in my thoughts again. "Oh umm.. yeah just thinking is all." I said to him. "What're you thinking 'bout, baby?" He asks me as he turns his head to look at me.

"I was thinking about a movie date tonight with you and Chinese food or pizza." I replied softly looking at him. "Mmm that's sounds like the perfect date to me." Jeff replies. I smile as I kiss him softly. "Good. Since we have the next couple of nights off after tonight, I was wondering... Can we take a road trip? Just me and you and the open road?" I asked him as i looked up at my multicolored hair, boyfriend. "Yes, Baby. Where would you like to go to?" He asks me as he looks down at me. "How about going to (P/S)?" <P/S= Pick State>. I said to him. "Yes." He replied. I smiled and kiss him softly. "I love you, Baby" He whispers. "I love you, Babe." I replied back to him. I had fallen deeply in love with Jeff.

"Five minutes." A worker said to Jeff, so he would go to the gorilla pin. I stood up fixing my clothes and follow him out. Matt was there waiting for us. "Hey are you two okay?" Matt asked his brother. "Yeah. Why?" I asked. "Because your eyes and my brothers eyes are different colors. did you two mate?" Matt asked looking. "Yes, we did." Jeff said to his brother. "Oh thank heavens finally you two got together." Matt said to his brother as he laughs a little. "I was wondering when you two were going to finally get together" He adds as he looks between his brother and I.

Matt and Jeff's song came on and we walked out. My neck was on clear view for everyone to see I have been claimed as Jeff's. The crowd was cheering and hollering. "Baby are you ready for this?" I asked Jeff, as I looked at him. "Yes, babe. I'm ready to show everyone who is mine." He said to me. I smile looking at him for a second and take his hand. "I'll always be yours Baby" I said to him. "Good. I'll always be yours too." Jeff said smiling at me softly. We walked to the ring hoping into the ring. Jeff grabs a mic "Myself and Y/N, have an announcement to make as soon as our match is over with tonight." Jeff said. I haven't told anyone I was pregnant, besides my mom and dad and Jeff told Matt. I didn't tell anyone else in my family or friends, because I wanted it to be a surprise for my family and friends. Edge and Christian, came out with Lita. Lita, stayed outside of the ring as did I.

The match carried on into the back with Jeff and Edge beating each other, Matt and Christian punching each other. I had followed up the ramp behind Lita. I looked for Jeff. I find him and Edge slugging at each other. "Come on, Jeff. Baby you can do this." I said cheering him on. Jeff was on the ground beaten, bloody and hurt. Edge turned his gaze to me and I whimpered backing away. Edge ran at me to spear me but I was pushed to the side by Triple H (Y/N's, Dad) and he took the blow. I hear my mom (Stephanie) screaming at Edge for trying to go after me. "Are you okay?" She said using herself as a Shield. "Yes." I answered her. "You need to get away from this fight." She said and pulled me down the hall out of the middle of the fight as we watched on. When Triple H got back up he told the referee to go that he would referee the match. After ten more minutes of back and forth fighting, Jeff hit Christian with the twist of fate and wins. I walk quickly to him and jump in his arms kissing him. "You did it." I said happy. Jeff, looks into a camera as he pulled me close. "Alright ladies and gents. It is time for the news. The reason Y/N, has been wrestling lately or the past two months to be exact isn't due to an injury. I'm happy to announce, as is Y/N, my beautiful mate. That we are expecting our first baby." Jeff said smiling from ear to ear. I smiled as well rubbing my baby belly. The crowd screams and cheers.

After we told the whole world the news we went to the locker room to change and get ready to go get food.

The next day Jeff and I, started off on our little road trip we planned. As we were driving I looked at Jeff, smiling as I watch him drive. "Baby?" I said. "Yes, Kitten?" He said calling me by my nickname. "I love you, to the moon and back." I said softly. "I love you, always and forever." He said smiling at me and then paying attention to the road again.

"Are we almost to the hotel?" I asked softly as I looked at him "yes, Babe." He replies. "Why?" He adds. "I'm hungry and a little tired." I said. "What would my Kitten, and my unborn peanut like to eat?" Jeff asks laying a gentle touch on my belly. "Chinese food and cake" I replied. He nods as he pulls off the exit to the hotel. We get checked in and order food and cake. As I was waiting patiently for the food I got in the shower. Jeff had showered first while I was on the phone and getting our clothes out. While I was showering the food had came. I came out the shower a few more minutes later after the food came. "Foods nice and hot still, Babe." Jeff said. I sat in his lap as we eat our food. I took a picture of us and saved it to my phone screen.

"God Babe, I swear I'm the luckiest man in the world." Jeff said. "An I'm the luckiest woman in the world." I replied to what he said smiling. I held his hand "Baby?" I said softly. "Yes, Babe?" He said looking at me. "What if someone else tries to go after me or causes me to fall on my stomach?" I asked afraid. "As long as I am still alive, ain't nobody going to lay a finger on you Baby Girl." Jeff said his eyes changing color cause he is getting worked up. I straddled his lap, while I looked him in the eyes rubbing his chest soothingly. "Relax. I'm here Baby." I kissed his neck softly "Are you thirsty?" I asked him. "I am. I'm not drinking from you." He said. "You won't hurt us, Jeff. You still need blood to survive." I said to him. But he wasn't having it. "No, Y/N. I ain't risking yours or our unborn baby's life." He said firmly. I knew the only way to get him to drink was to get him into a sexual mood.

I stood up and walked over to the bed after turning the lights out. "Daddy mmmmm." I moaned out as I touched myself in way I shouldn't be without asking Daddy Jeff, for permission first. I knew Jeff can see in the dark. Jeff, snarls and moves swiftly to the bed in less than a second. He was naked from literally ripping his clothes off into pieces. He swatted my hands away as he firmly but carefully swatted my core causing me to moan. "Princess, what did I tell you about touching yourself?" Jeff said hovering over me. "Not to without permission, from you Daddy." I bite my lip. "Now Princess, you know better than to break that sacred rule." Jeff said dangerously close. Our lips mere inches from each others. My eyes trained on Jeff, as I bite my bottom lip. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I won't do it again." I said closing the gape between our lips and kissing him. Jeff kisses back for a second before pulling away and biting into my neck drinking which only turned me on more. "Daddy!" I moaned out. He pulls away painting with a little of my blood dripping down his chin. "Fuck Princess, you got me so, hard." Jeff said as he spreads my legs and pushed in his cock in one swift movement. I arched my back moaning. "Fuck Daddy, you're so, big. Jeff started to thrust in and out faster and faster but he was careful at the same time.

"Oh fuck, Daddy." I moaned as he kept his pace fast and gentle. I bit my lip as I looked up at him and kissing him again. "Princess, you like when Daddy, fucks you good? Want Daddy to put another Baby inside your womb?" Jeff whispers against my lips. "OH yes, Daddy. I want to have all you babies. I'm only yours." I said mewling as he reached between our bodies rubbing my clit at a fast pace. "Oh fu-f-fu-fuck. I'm going to cum. Shit. I'm cumming." I moaned out tightening around his dick and coming hard around him. He thrusts a few more times before pushing all the way in. Both of us not knowing that his tip had latched onto the entrance of my womb because we had fallen asleep before he pulled out. Me not knowing I was a rare type of Omega, especially me being a human at that. While Jeff, and myself was asleep he cock was still pumping cum into my womb. I was awaken in the morning by Jeff, pulling his cock out causing a whine to slip from my lips. "Shhh, Babe, you're okay." He said kissing the top of my head. "Baby, I'm hungry." I said softly. "Let's shower first Babe." He said as I nodded agreeing with him. I sat up as he walked into the bathroom. I looked at the bed sheets between my legs confused because no, cum had slipped out when Jeff, pulled out. What I, myself didn't know his cock latched to my womb last night and his sperm mixed with another egg. I shrugged it off thinking it was gonna come out in the shower or when i stood up. I walked into the bathroom with Jeff, as he was shaving his face to clean up some of the edges around the spots he is gonna leave as he always did.

I smile watching him. "I'll start the shower" He mumbles an 'Okay.' I looked at him and seen the look of he wasn't happy with me and I knew why. "Baby?" I said softly. "What, Babe?" He said shortly. "Are you mad?" I asked him. "Yes. I told you I didn't wanna drink from you while you're baring our child." He snaps. I jumped back a little. "Jeff, you know what happens when you don't. We're okay. You didn't hurt us." I said looking at him. "I could've. I wouldn't ever forgive myself if...." He trailed off rubbing his face shaking the what ifs off not wanting to even think about it. Jeff, looks at me seeing I was crying when he heard my sniffles. "Baby, come here." He said to me as he looks at me. I walked over to him slowly and stood in front of him. "I'm sorry. I just don't wanna lose you and our baby." Jeff said to me as he wipes the tears from my eyes. "I trust you Jeff. I wouldn't of offered for you to drink from me if I didn't." I said to him. "I know. I just don't wanna drink from you and not be able to stop." He said. "I stop you if I think you're taking to much." I said softly. "And if I don't stop?" He said. "You will." I said firmly as I kiss him softly before pulling him into the shower.

[papergirllife]

Chasing The Flames

Chapter 7 : Beautiful Accidents

I'm so sorry this took so long. I hope the long hiatus was worth it with this outcome. Love y'all.

" You're going to be assisting in both Jeno and Jaemin's individual photoshoots with Allure Korea and Grazia Korea because they're currently understaffed due to the corona outbreak. "

" Okay? "

" You'll be fine, with the training I've given you, you just need to supervise if needed. "

" Alright. Can I have time and address? "

" Jaemin's having his tomorrow at 2pm. I'll send you the address and details about Jeno's shoot afterwards. "

When you got to Allure's head office, Jaemin was already sitting at the vanities.

As he noticed me coming his way, he took the nearest thing he could find to cover his face.

" Why are you covering your face? "

" You've never seen me barefaced before, don't want to scare you. "

" Bullshit. "

I lowered the magazine held up against his face to reveal Jaemin's face clean of make up.

" Perfect as it always has been. "

Jaemin turned his chair to my direction, and gave his full attention.

" I'm envious of your confidence. "

" Me? I'm not confident. "

" You are. You don't cover your face with foundation. You only use make up purely for its positive intention, that is to enhance one's features. "

" I'm just lazy, is all. "

" You should be thankful to your laziness then, because I am. "

I could feel my cheeks heat up at Jaemin's sweet words.

" Since it hasn't begun, I'm going to Starbucks for take away, you want your usual Americano right? "

" 4 shots please. "

" No. You should be grateful that I'm letting you have any caffeine. "

Jaemin ceased his pouting and smiled brightly at me.

" Can we share a muffin down stairs after we finish? "

" Whatever you say, sweet talker. "

When you finished the shoot you guys head into the deserted coffee shop as per Jaemin's request and shared a muffin.

" I can't believe you're making me eat a blueberry muffin. "

" It's nice. It's my comfort food, especially in the cold winter. "

" Okay, okay. But we're eating chocolate chip next time. "

" Deal. "

The both of you savoured the sweat taste of the muffin in silence, making you recount the things that happened today.

" I'm envious of your confidence. "

" I'm not as confident as you think I am. "

Jaemin tried looking into your shying eyes, wanting to understand the thoughts running through your mind.

" I have a scar above my left eyebrow, I got it when I was young in a water theme park by accident. I've started having bangs at highschool because of it. "

I lifted my hair to let him see what I hid away for most of my life. Jaemin just had that effect on me, willing me to open up to him.

I don't know if it is his caring eyes or sweet smile, but it just gets me every time.

Jaemin took a close look at me, purely observing, no judgement or whatsoever written on his face, he wasn't like the others.

" I could barely see it. And it doesn't matter, whether you have scars or not. Look at Taeyong hyung, he has a scar beside his eye but all seasonies love it. You shouldn't assume the fact that everyone wouldn't like it. It's the imperfections that make us flawless, irreplaceable. So you have nothing to hide Y/N, scar or no scar you're beautiful. "

" T-thank you. "

This is the first time someone has ever reduced me to happy tears about my scar, Na Jaemin is truly one in a million.

That evening, many thoughts were clouding my mind.

Why is Jaemin being so emotionally understanding?

Instead of plain flirting, he's flirting with real emotions. Zero intentions of gaining purely my attention, but also comforting me.

This side of Jaemin is like a puzzle piece that you just don't know how it goes in the bigger picture.

He's in a relationship with Jeno, but he's interested in me?

Or am I just reading into this too seriously?

He's probably only being a good listener.

Right. Nothing to worry about.

I still have to assist in Jeno's shoot two days later.

Time for bed.

Manager hyung said Y/N is going to be sitting in for this Grazia shoot, as she did with Jaemin's.

The biggest problem is that Jeno can't find anything to wear that will impress her but isn't too over the top.

What classifies as good looking to her, but not too over the top for a casual outfit?

" My, my, my Lee Jeno struggling to dress up for our dear Y/N. "

" Jaemin I'll let you have all my attention later, I'm busy right now. "

" Who says I came in to annoy you? I'm here to help. All your jackets are fine, just make sure you wear a white t shirt and black ripped skinny jeans underneath. "

Jeno looked at Jaemin with both his eyebrows raised.

" How are you sure that's what she likes? "

" I heard her complementing Kai sunbaenim's latest airport fashion, and that was it. But if you really want to make a lasting impression, it's time you bring out your black leather jacket. "

Jaemin's advice did work, because when Y/N stepped into the office lobby, both her eyes were on him.

" Hi. "

" Hi, I got you hot chocolate and a donut. "

Y/N's eyes lit up at the sound of food. Oddly, at that moment Y/N reminded Jeno of Jaemin.

" Thank you. "

Jeno noticed that Y/N was constantly shy when she's alone with him.

She can't even look him in the eyes for more than a millisecond.

Did he look too intimidating? He made sure he smiled today.

" Should we go up? "

Y/N nodded while sipping her hot chocolate.

' She's the cutest ', Jeno thinks.

Jeno held the door when they stepped into the elevator.

Jeno was just about to strike a conversation to fill in the emptiness when suddenly the elevator stopped moving.

Jeno grabbed the railings with one hand and held Y/N arm with the other as Jeno noticed that Y/N was wearing heels.

Once everything came to a final halt, Jeno let go of Y/N's arm, not wanting to cross any lines.

Y/N let out a loud sigh.

" I can't believe we're so unlucky. Just when I thought today was going to be okay. "

She teared out a few pages of her newspaper and sat down, tearing more afterwards and patted it, signalling for Jeno to sit down.

When Jeno took a seat, Y/N opened the brown bag, the sweet aroma of the donut covering the stale smell of disinfectant.

She tore half the donut and passed it to Jeno.

Jeno happily took it and quickly put the donut in his mouth to cover up his large smile.

Jeno looked sideways to see Y/N munching away happily like a tiny hamster, her round rosy cheeks stealing all his attention.

" Can I ask? Why are we sitting on newspapers? "

" So that we won't be exposing ourselves to any sort of viruses, and that includes our clothing. "

" You sound like Renjun. "

" No I don't! It's my job as a staff to make sure that idols of the company I'm working in aren't in any sort of harm. "

" Is that the front you're using as being caring? "

" Who says I'm caring for you? "

Y/N stood up to check up on the situation through the telecom to avoid letting Jeno see the blush dusting her cheeks.

" Hi, we're just wondering if someone is going to get us out here soon? "

" Our apologies Ms Y/N and Mr Jeno, the staff of this elevator's company is currently busy with another case and it might take a while for them to finish it up. If they take too long we'll call the fire fighters. "

Y/N slumps back on her make shift cushion with a pout on her face.

" Hey, don't be upset. Let's play dance charades, I'll start first. "

Although, Jeno purposely chose the songs that Y/N knows to let her win, Jeno can't help but mirror Y/N's smile whenever she gets the right song.

Soon enough it was Y/N's turn to dance and Jeno's turn to coo at her dancing.

After a few turns, the both of them for tired and opted to listening to music.

Y/N's head was laid against Jeno's shoulder, slowly being lulled into slumber by the soft music from Jeno's phone and the warmth radiating off him.

Their peaceful moment was however, interrupted by loud banging from the elevator doors.

" Stay away from the doors, we're going to open them! "

The doors were being forced open and the fire fighters told them to climb up as they were stuck between two floors.

Jeno sensing Y/N's discomfort in the situation climbed up first.

After Jeno got up, he beckoned Y/N to lift both her hands, and he lifted her up.

Y/N crashed on top of Jeno, their bodies against each others.

Jeno could feel Y/N's rapid heartbeat beating against his chest.

He could see the blush on her cheeks, the way her arms are wrapped around his shoulders.

Jeno didn't know why was he feeling such heavy emotions, all he knew that he wanted to keep feeling them.

As Y/N regained her senses, she pushed herself up, waking away without another word.

Jeno caught up to her and they walked into the studio that they were assigned to.

But because of the long wait on the elevator, the only photographer available in the company left, citing that she was a senior staff and that she doesn't revolve around things.

The only other empty slot that Grazia could give was taken up by Jeno's other activities.

So Y/N had to take up the job, browsing through Jeno's old shoots for reference.

The shoot went by smoothly, and Y/N it's even getting paid per photo.

" Why do you look at the camera differently at other shoots? "

" Because I was looking at you, not the lens. "

Jeno swear he loved it when your jaw dropped at his flirty remark.

When Y/N was driving home all she could think of was that Jeno was definitely flirting with her and that she does not want to be a home wrecker in his and Jaemin's relationship.