#the bell keeper fanfiction

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

Fireflies Over The Wall - Chapter 1

Relationship: The Bell Keeper & Meiri (Original character)

Summary: "The troll brought with herself, every night without a fault, a baby.

Every night, she placed it upon the grass, and pointed upwards, showing her baby the stars and constellations. Showing her baby the fireflies.

Holding it tight. Cuddling with it. Making sure it saw the beauty the world had to offer. He had never considered himself a sentimental man. Yet this image, for some reason, never failed to make him return home feeling something gaping and void inside of himself.

Every one of his former coworkers must have returned to their families.

Who would Edmund return to when he could work no more?

What would give him a reason to get out of bed when the fireflies were no longer enough?"

An OC's origin story as well as a Bell Keeper character study, because this character is much more fascinating than I'd been giving him credit for.

Notes: So so happy to be able to share this with you guys!!! I'm afraid Meiri doesn't actually show up yet (this one is more of a prologue than anything), but my girl will be in the next chapter. And then every other one after that.

Chapter titles will all come from songs in my Meiri playlist, either because they represent her or her relationship to the Bell Keeper. Today's is from The Moon Will Sing, by the Crane Wives.

Also, this fic uses 'Edmund' as the Bell Keeper's name.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter title: I could have been anyone, anyone else

Read it on ao3

They used to be an army of bell keepers. And how foolish they had been. He had been very young when the Patrol put out a drafting call to replace their keepers, who were now of advanced age and ready for their much deserved rest; naturally, like any young person, he had believed it when told that he, too, could be a hero. That he could be useful to his town. That he could do good, could make a change. But even the more well-seasoned people seemed to have believed in the Patrol’s point of view. They had believed it as they volunteered, they had believed during their training. But as soon as they were out to the field, the truth began slowly coming out. It always did, up close.

Many of them had quit as soon as the truth became evident: both the brutish ones who couldn’t stand not having anything to brag about and the ones who were far too ethical to continue working for a broken cause, contributing to a rotten system even if only in number.

But Edmund had remained.

He had remained because regardless of having been wrong about everything else, his parents had been right to say he had no idea what he wanted in life. He had remained because the bell keepers that remained were left to themselves without the Patrol bothering them and had a socially acceptable reason to live so far away from the bustle of the city centre.

He had remained because, at the end of the day, nothing had ever made him feel as alive as the midnight wind on his hair as he sat over the painfully obsolete stone wall and listened to the sound of each night critter. 

The fireflies that came out each night were his favourite part.

Most Trolbergians didn’t even know there were fireflies in the vicinity. For some reason, there weren’t any inside the city walls anymore. Maybe their habitat had been too heavily modified. Maybe they just couldn’t stand humans anymore. Either way, he felt a kinship with them and honoured that he was one of the few people in their surroundings who had the privilege of seeing them.

It probably sounded weird to any and everyone that ���fireflies’ were what motivated him to keep doing his job. But lately he’d been grasping any reason he could find to get out of bed.

As a young man, it had been so easy to ignore what his job really was. He had been starting out in life, and needed a job to get away from a shitty home. The Safety Patrol had been recruiting and the gig had fit like a glove. He could get away from everything he hated and meet new people, make new friends all while being independent.

And it was like that for a long while. He had been happy. But rose coloured glasses never stay on for very long. The troll attacks they were supposed to warn about never came. Their superiors revealed themselves to be more biassed and paranoid each meeting. Library researches about the actual history of their city, not the sanitised version they learned at school but what had truly happened, at least as far as the serious historians were concerned, left him nauseous.

But he hadn’t felt like he was actively doing harm, so he remained. He even found out that he could do some good in there, turning lemons into lemonade and all of that stuff that was so much prettier in theory, even if his mind did tell him that willingly being part of a corrupt organisation necessarily meant being corrupt. But their numbers kept being cut. And cut. And cut.

Edmund lost friend after friend. Well, he didn’t lose them, per se, but it turns out he wasn’t that good at keeping contact with people he only moderately liked once they didn’t have to see each other every day anymore. Regardless of his feelings about them, though, they had been everything he had. Some of them had been too loud, some of them had been too inconvenient, but they had all been united by having similar experiences and routines, and it had been the first time in Ed’s life he had had that. Relating to people, he had found, was very powerful.

Not only that, but all of them were people who were now jobless, having to resort to gods-knew-what to make ends meet. And all because their Patrol, while growing more vigilant and overprotective each and every day, also controversially decided that patrolling the walls isn’t that important, actually.

Like they were waiting for a fight.

Like they were hoping for it.

Yet, for some reason, they didn’t send him away.

And so, once again, Edmund remained. And he sat to watch the fireflies for another night.

There had been something else, however, that had been catching his attention lately. Something so beautiful and mind boggling that it made him question all of his fine Trolbergian education. 

He’d seen trolls before. Many times, in fact. Both the inaccurate and frankly offensive caricatures they were shown during training and actual trolls, always walking near the wall picking a thing or another up from the ground, but never getting dangerously close. They’re like wild animals, their superior would tell them. And they were. In the sense that they were far more scared of the keepers than the keepers were of trolls.

One seemed to have gotten relatively comfortable around the area he patrolled, though. Because this big, strong troll had begun going to that spot more and more often, holding something so precious that surely she wouldn’t take it anywhere she didn’t feel safe.

The troll brought with herself, every night without a fault, a baby.

The baby troll was still very small. It fit in the palm of the mother’s (he was assuming it was a mother, at least) hand. Every night, she placed it upon the grass, and pointed upwards, showing her baby the stars and constellations. Showing her baby the fireflies.

Holding it tight. Cuddling with it. Making sure it saw the beauty the world had to offer. He had never considered himself a sentimental man. Yet this image, for some reason, never failed to make him return home feeling something gaping and void inside of himself. 

Every one of his former coworkers must have returned to their families.

Who would Edmund return to when he could work no more?

What would give him a reason to get out of bed when the fireflies were no longer enough?

He sighed impatiently, munching on the last bit of his cucumber sandwich. They were never as good as the ones he ate as a child, and he never stopped being annoyed at that.

And that, he thought as he groaned, deciding to keep walking around the monitored area so that he didn’t have to keep looking at the happy troll family, was why you should never reflect on your life after nine in the evening.

…......

He had met Kaisa when he had been studying during his training, and she’d been a trainee at the library. They hadn’t had much contact other than him asking where he could find the books he wanted, and being slightly terrified of how quickly she could find them, but for a while, that had been it. But whoever she’d been working for (or trying to earn a job from, at least) had clearly wanted a little more than someone who could find books with ease. He’d figured that much out when, during one of his first days as a keeper, he caught the young woman trying to sneak past the wall after the curfew.

She was five years younger than him, but neither that nor the position he’d caught her in had earned him the slightest bit of respect from her. Even as she was questioned about her intentions, she showed clear signs of believing <em>she</em> had the upper hand. That first night, he got no clue as to why, nor any answers to his questions. But it kept happening. She kept going past the wall and coming back with bundles of gods-knew-what, and he was tired and not paid enough to care. 

That seemed to have been the right course of action, because on one particular night, during which they’d made very obvious eye contact as she snuck out and he’d told her ‘have a nice trip, see ya later’, she sat down with him after coming back and actually talked. Not everything, of course, not all at once. But she’d returned in the small hours of the morning and sat by his side on the wall and explained that the someone who she was working for wanted herbs that could only be found on the other side of the wall, and that same someone always sent the younger recruits to get them. 

He couldn’t think of anything else to do other than to shrug it off. Sure, he supposed. That might as well happen.

The woman started doing that more and more, and their late night chats resulted in the forming of a bond and even a friendship over time. Kaisa was promoted (he hadn’t been sure what to, since to him she was still just the librarian at the time, but apparently there was promoting involved) and they decided to keep their weekly meetings, except elsewhere and some other time of the day that wasn’t the dead of night.

So, like the two gay people they were, they chose brunch.

The bell on top of the door of their preferred coffee shop jingled as Edmund walked in, seeing that Kaisa had already grabbed them a table in the back. Very helpfully, she seemed to have ordered them a pot of black coffee already as well, the type that came with infinite refills. Great. He was going to need it that day.

“You look like shit.” Was her lovely, kind greeting, sweetheart that she was. 

“Thanks, it’s the night shifts.” He draped his large yellow coat over the back of his chair before sitting down on it. It was hardly ever cold enough to justify wearing it, but it was comfortable and he liked the feeling of hiding underneath its volume. Kaisa had teased him for it before, but it wasn’t like Miss Cape had any ground to stand on. “They’re helping me cultivate this lovely dark shade under my eyes.”

“Have you coined a name for it yet?”

“I call it ‘The Void of No Return’, which is where someone is going if she doesn’t get her shit together in a year, hmm?”

The librarian flipped him off and didn’t even try to tell him she was working on it.

“I work during the nights too.” She said instead. “You don’t see me looking like a vampire with major depression, though.”

Out of all of the entertaining answers he could give to that, he surprisingly chose the least mean. “You’re a witch, aren’t you undead or something?”

She only rolled her eyes at him, knowing that at that point he knew very well how witches worked (tip: not like that).

They looked over the menu only to end up ordering the exact same combo they always did, sharing an amount of assorted foods that was meant to feed a party of at least three.

“Jokes aside, though.” Kaisa said halfway through the meal, spreading syrup on a waffle and using it as an excuse to not look at him as she went through the terrifying ordeal of expressing genuine affection. “Are you doing alright? Can I help you with something?”

Edmund shifted in his seat as he tried to deal with the even worse ordeal of Accepting The Care Being Offered. “I’m alright. Just going through my midlife crisis, I guess.”

“Please tell me you don’t plan on dying at fucking sixty, Edmund.”

“You never know, I lead a wild life.”

Kaisa glared at him with the combined lack of amusement of someone who knew his life consisted of an endless cycle of walking the wall and going to sleep, and of someone who didn’t want to even hear about the possibility of his early death. He sighed and sank back on his seat, toying with the eggs and bacon on his plate.

“I don’t know, I guess I feel lonely.”

She quirked an eyebrow, not having expected him to actually open up nor for this to be the issue. “Lonely?”

“Yeah. Guess it’s normal, I mean. The few coworkers I still have, well, we don’t cross paths all that much. And I don’t really <em>care</em>, you know? The only person I really talk to and go out with is you-”

Kaisa lifted her coffee cup up in a ‘cheers, I’ll drink to that’ gesture.

“- but other than that I don’t really have any ties in life. No one… no one to fall back into, I suppose. No one to catch. No one to think I’d like to do anything for. And it’s okay to live like this.”

He looked at her, now gesticulating in the rare way that he only ever did when he didn’t know how to word something. Which was probably the right situation, since Kaisa had no idea what the hell he was going on about, and it must have shown in her eyes.

“It’s okay to live like this.” He repeated, sounding like he was trying to win an argument. “But I’m wondering for the first time if it’s what I want. ‘Cause when I get to the end of my days, I don’t know what I will have done in life to be proud of.”

“You will have guarded a useless wall, duh.”

“Exactly!” He said energetically, startling the librarian who had only been trying to get in his nerves. “I just… see this one troll every night, she brings her baby to lie down near the ‘shrooms. And she looks so happy, and Kaisa, she’s a troll. But even then, I think she’s more at peace than I have ever felt!”

“Well, obviously, Edmund. She doesn’t pay rent.”

“You’re being thick on purpose!”

“No, I’m genuinely trying to understand.” She kind of was, too. She’d known this man for over a decade and he rarely let his guts spill like that. Unfortunately, his guts seemed to be in a foreign language she did not speak. “Be more direct and maybe I’ll get it: what do you wish you had that you don’t?”

Apparently he was caught by surprise, because he kept his gaze on her face but didn’t answer. His usually stern face looked crestfallen.

“I wish I knew that, Kaisa.”

Well, damn.

“Okay.” She tried again. “What would you feel better if you had?”

Somewhy the different wording seemed to have triggered his thinking. 

“Something to dedicate myself to that isn’t a job I don’t even see a point in.”

Kaisa nodded, finding that a perfectly reasonable answer, actually, but he rubbed his chin and then added:

“Someone. I don’t want a hobby or a new graduation or something. I want to want to be around someone else. Isn’t it kinda fucked that we don’t?”

Too reasonable, the alarm bells in Kaisa’s mind rang. Too reasonable and understandable. Let’s shift this away from us.

“And the troll baby makes you emotional?” She asked instead of looking further inside herself, like a closet full of old stuff she did not want to sort through and kept putting it off for a later date. Edmund shrugged.

“I guess so.”

“Well.” Kaisa lowered her voice and leaned forward conspiratorially. “That has a name, you know?”

Edmund didn’t fall for it, remaining right where he was and keeping his voice at a normal volume, even if he did expect her to say something even remotely related to the occult. “Does it, now?”

“Yeah. It’s an ancient curse called ‘baby fever’. Yikes.”

He rolled his eyes and huffed, crossing his arms as she smiled smugly at him. “Nah, I don’t think that’s it.”

“Because you know it is?”

“Because I know I can’t have a kid.”

“Congrats on coming out, king.”

He briefly entertained the idea of spilling his coffee on her, but quickly decided it was too mean even for him and that he didn’t want the cafe staff to cordially invite him out.

“I’m serious, Kaisa.” The words were taken as such for once, and she stood up straight as she heard him out sincerely. “I work a full time job, day and night sometimes. I’ve no one to go to for help should I need it-”

He held a hand up when it was clear she was going to interrupt with an offended interjection at that sentence, and was allowed to continue speaking. 

“I never really learned how to keep a relationship. Not platonic, not romantic, and certainly not with family members. My house is so small that sometimes people think it’s just a well kept storage cabin. The hell would living with me do to a kid? The best of parents will hurt their children in some way or other. I ain’t sure I should be trusted with myself, let alone a child!”

Unfortunately, Kaisa seemed to actually consider his concerns, instead of laughing them off. He would have been pissed, but at least that reaction would have made his troubles feel less real. Damn her misplaced consideration for his feelings.

“I think.” Kaisa began, looking down at the food spread on their table instead of at him, meaning she was giving real weight to what she was saying. “That not a single adult feels ready to be a parent, and not a single parent feels like they’re doing all they should. But in the end, they try, and they reflect on what they did right and wrong, and they choose what to keep and what to adapt. And I think that really, the only thing that makes you a truly bad parent is never being able to admit the possibility of being one. That, and not really wanting your kid. That would already mean you’re safe, wouldn’t it?”

Edmund remained silent. In an uncharacteristic move from her, Kaisa reached for his hand where it rested on the table, having found one of the only spots that wasn’t being occupied by food.

“I don’t know how much this is worth.” She smiled. “Since I don’t feel ready to be an adult, much less a mother either, but I’d trust you with a child, and you’d have me to help you with them should you ever choose to have one. I think the only part you’re missing is the one you’d actually have some trouble with.”

Edmund couldn’t help but smile in the face of the kind words, grateful he had someone who he could empathise with so deeply. She was a good woman. Had gotten him in some dangerous situations over the years, sure, but he couldn’t hope for a better friend.

“And what would that be?” He asked, hoping his moustache would hide his gentle smile. His answer came in a mockingly sweet singsong.

“Finding a boyfriend.”

“Oh, you mother-”

[hyperpsychomaniac]

And.... next chapter now up on A03

[anguishedlurker]

I've been Isekaied into Paulina's Novel?!

Welcome to the fic for the EctoImposion 2024 event! I was paired with @thebooo-merang for this wonderful fic, and you should go check them out! And check out the ao3 posting HERE

After an incident with Box Ghost solicits a fight with Ghost Writer, Ghost Writers out for revenge. And Paulina has a convenient little fanfiction that Ghost writer could use. Now Danny just has to survive it, with a starstruck Paulina in tow.

The first chapter doesn't especially need warnings, as everything remains cannon typical. It's under the cut!

~

"Get back here!" Danny shouted, ready to be done with wit for today.

"I, THE BOOOX GHOOOST, WILL-"

"Piss off Ghost Writer!" Do you just break into random lairs in search of weird boxes!?" Danny screeched, trying to dive after a flying notebook.

"I, THE BOX GHOST, WILL-" Box shouted over Danny, waving wildly as he went and sending even more boxes and books flying back and forth.

"RUIN WHAT LITTLE TRUCE I'VE GOT GOING WITH HIM!" Danny cut back, struggling to grab books mid-air with one arm and blast Boxy into submission with the other.

"THE BOX GHOST HAS NO NEED FOR LECTURES ON YOUR INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS! PREPARE TO BE DESTROYED!"

Danny was gonna kill him this time!

~

Boxes and books rained over the town, causing havoc and mild property damage to the unprepared. Paulina could only huff and puff as she bolted across the open street from shop to shop, trying to find somewhere to camp out while Phantom dealt with the box menace, trying to keep an eye out for whatever storefront Star had managed to find for herself.

Another keeper kept their shoulder into the door as she pushed, and bitterly she cursed them out. She probably didn't get any sympathetic glances through the wood door, but whatever! Rude ass motherfuckers locking out innocents while there was an attack!

It was tempting to keep under the eave, but beyond being mere cloth too much was getting tossed around- plenty enough room for something to slam in sideways and get her then!

God! One good day is all she wanted right now.

Though a few more after wouldn't go amiss...

There! The geek shit shop was probably going to let her in! Maybe!

She didn't care, actually, she'd punch through the glass if she had to! Take that, losers!

First, she needed the mental psyche up to dart across the road again. Three, two, one, go!

The owner, or possible customer, waved behind the glass as she ran.The door opened and closed near instantaneously on her entry.

The sound of Phantom yelling at The Box Ghost dampened as the bell rang, and the store owner gave her an uneasy smile and gestured towards the windowless back. 

“Everyone’s in the back. Might be cramped by now, but there’s a lot of shelves to sit behind.” He nervously informed, eyeing the glass windows.

The casual thumbs up sent him away as she bent slightly to wheeze out the adrenaline.

Yeah, cheer takes some stamina, but adrenaline really messes up her rhythm!

Breath caught, it was time to pack in with the other unlucky idiots back here. With care and precision she marched over behind the popular shelf, examined the bodies packed like sardines, and picked a new shelf to hide behind.

This one was packed with books instead of weird anime figures and dungeons and dragons minis, the spines a cold comfort as she sat down and started staring.

The titles on this sort of crap were so weird… 

But she supposed Star seemed to enjoy them, Star's rants echoing clearly in her head. 

She wouldn’t admit it with a gun to her head, but after enough of those rants… she may or may not be able to pick out a few of the series on display.

Sue her, she's a sucker for some of the romances even if they were trashy a lot of the time. And Star's collection at this rate was pretty impressive, to the point Paulina was convinced she was the only reason a store like this could keep afloat in a town like Amity.

The other nerd shit probably helped it keep alive, though. More screaming outside, this time sounding like it was from The Box Ghost in rage. Good. Phantom could pummel that no good fool to goo for what it mattered.

... Ugh. The fight could easily take a long time; Box Ghost might be weak, but he clearly had a lot of material to use this time. But whatever. Here she is in a castle of weeb books. Maybe some could be a good distraction.

~

"No! Not you!"

"Yes, me! Did you think you could trash my library and get away with it!?" Ghost Writer roared, trying to come up from behind.

"It wasn't me, it was-"

But Box Ghost was already gone, the leftover boxes of books now floating to the ground in a suspiciously gentle manner.

Coward. The thought wouldn't leave as Danny shifted the books he'd been trying to save around, awkwardly offering the armful to Ghost Writer. 

Ghost Writer loomed ominously.

~

All at once the outside world went quiet, some shouting occasionally coming close enough to hear, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief loud enough to drag Paulina from her pile of books.

Five more minutes would've been great to finish the book she'd had in hand, not that it mattered...

Now she needed to find where Star ran off to without her, the books carefully left behind in a pile.

Phantom and a ghost she couldn’t recognize quipped back and forth, the day still significantly quieter than it had been fifteen minutes before. The area remained strewn with books, the ghost gesturing to some on a roof.

Now, she could walk around the district lost and confused looking for Star... Or just sit back down on a nice ledge and wait for Star to come to her while watching Phantom.

Phantom made an odd twist in the air as he shouted, still a little too distant to make out properly.

Yeah, watching sounded so much safer and calmer. One hop later and she was perched on top of one of the lower walls purporting to be defensive.

Fat lot of good they did...

Phantom and his assailant came closer, lending her a nice view of what was going on.

Maybe she shouldn't be here, but it seemed to be more arguing than fighting, so whatever.

"While I'm sorry my NOT PARTNER didn't have a spine, you can have yours back!" Phantom shouted as they passed overhead, throwing a book at the weird ghost.

She had to huff out a clipped laugh as the ghost was whacked, even as the ghost elected to bolt as it realized its inferiority.

She could just hear the stunned silence from Phantom, right before he cried out "Get back here!" 

Truly, a foolish thing to think it could stand up to the town hero.

With a certain lack of ceremony, the book the from the fight fell onto her 

"Ouch!" She yelped, one hand raising to rub her scalp as the other fumbled for the offending book.

The whole thing might be a sign it's time to get up and go. Still...

"Raining books is a new one." She muttered, far too late for the comment to be witty but all the same a perfectly serious remark on the latest weird shit Amity came up with.

She cautiously eyed the book in her hands, looking for any oddities. You could never quite trust some of this stuff...

It was just a notebook. Nothing special about it, besides being a trophy for today. The decoration and signature on front was incomprehensible to her, an initial she didn't recognize against the slightly plain front.

Caving to curiosity, the book opened easily. Not that she’d expected anything else. 

It revealed... nothing. Nothing at all. None of the pages had any sort of writing in them.

Well she can't be begrudged for snooping- it's her prize right now. An apology for getting assaulted in broad daylight. This G-W could just deal with it, and the spat was already away from her, so it's not like she was going to be in more danger sitting here.

The blank notebook continued to be uninteresting, and she couldn’t help her annoyance as she shut it. There wasn’t a damn thing to pay her back for getting hit.

Or... well...

She could feel her lip work up into a slight smirk.

I have been wanting to write a new Phantom fic...

The thought was clear as day to her, even as she couldn't wait for the night. What better way to celebrate this particular trophy?

~

Ghost Writer was forced to watch on in abject misery as he realized his collection had been tossed around like a toddler’s toys. No respect whatsoever from the box obsessed lunatic for the actual contents of the boxes.

The nerve! The audacity! To treat his writing like this! The ghost may well need a lesson in manners.

But first, Phantom.

Sure, the boy wasn't the sole force at work- but undeniably the lunatic never would've gotten close to his manuscripts if Phantom hadn't been snooping around in his library.

But don't think he's lost the plot of getting his own books tossed at him! The tactical retreat was nothing more than an admission of lack of home turf!

Nothing to do with not having his typewriter or any notebooks activated!

Ahem... So the child would need an appropriate punishment as well.

Sometime after he collected his books

The whole lot of them, all across town! Lunatics.

It was easy enough to threaten people away from his scripts, but nonetheless annoying and time consuming. Go here, show up there, yell to get their grubby mitts off his stuff. 

Ugh.

The annoyance was the cost of getting everything back. though. He pointedly ignored Phantom’s continued patrolling, likely looking for whatever trap Ghost Writer would end up creating.

Easy enough to stay low and out of sight in the meantime. Whatever he was about to do, it wasn't a ‘now’ plan. Such things take planning, and unfortunately it's not the season to stick the boy back into Christmas stories.

So he was collecting his books, and chasing fools away from them. The cost of love, he supposed.

Still, he was being forced to waste hours upon hours taking his books out of the hands of fools. Having such a collection was not currently a point of pride; He’d have to figure out what went where later.

Slowly but surely his boxes filled back up as he found his manuscripts. There was his old horror story from the eighties, there was his attempt at something akin to a superhero comic, there was his dabbling in... well he couldn't remember either, but if he sat to read it right now it'd take hours for him to finish the book. No reading for him.

Finally, it was time to find his blank notebooks again. He'd be forced to admit that he simply cared less if these ones vanished mysteriously, for a blank notebook was nothing more or less than a possibility.

Most were alright, scattered down the streets carelessly. Some had been picked up and put back down to be examined by wretched hands at a later date.

There was an exception though, something swaying as if held at the edge of where he could feel things. Curious, for how late at night it was getting, but that'd just mean he needed to scare another pathetic mortal off his books.

The pull and search brought him to a cracked window in the suburbs. Nothing meaningful crossed his path, though it was good to be wary; The boy was likely still patrolling, and no doubt Ghost Writer's appearance had put him on edge. As it should.

Slowly rising up to look through, invisible to the mortal eye, he could hear a girl rambling slightly. 

His look through the window was enlightening, the girl curled onto her bed as she wrote with ink that even from this distance sparkled with glitter.

"And then Princess Paulina lived happily ever after with Prince Phantom, aaannd the end." She whispered, pleased with herself.

Barely pausing, she snapped the book shut and laid it on her nightstand, moving to stand and stretch.

Shouting called her away, which was plenty convenient for him even as she huffed and puffed out of the room.

It was child's play to take the notebook back, even with it defiled by mortal hands. It wasn't a toy to be left with creatures that didn't understand what could be done with such tools.

The cover had already been decorated with a couple of stickers and a flowing cursive he couldn't bother deciphering at this second.

Phasing back out of the room and coming to rest back outside of the window, he flipped the cover open.  The inside was decorated similarly.

Oh, yes. That was glitter pen. The pages were coming away bedazzled with runaway glitter.

This book was most certainly going to have to be put in its own container, but for right this second the name on the inside was of modest curiosity.

Paulina Sanchez in bold strokes, fancy flourishes forgone in favor of legibility. If found, return to owner, do not read.

Well now he just had to, didn't he? It wasn't like the rest of the books were going anywhere, the grand total of three he still had to find now could rest safely.

Or well... No, he could spare the time now> What would the boy do, if it blows up on them both? The books shouldn't even be in the town anyways, and it was most certainly his fault thank you very much!

He quickly leafed through the beginning burning through thanks to his superior-ness and a speed reading class he'd attended before.

... hmm.

Hmmmmm.

He'd recently been complaining about what to do with the boy, no?

"This could work." He spoke to no-one, clapping the book shut. For now.

~

Barely past sunrise, Danny squinted at the sky and grumbled. Damn malicious blob ghosts, eating billboards.

Not that he cares about the billboards, but first it's a billboard and then it's drywall.

"Catch!" Got shouted, an object (presumably) sailing from behind him.

Snapping too and turning, he could see Ghost Writer grin manically in glee as a book opened wide.

All he could do was choke out an "eh?" as he reflexively reached, the book splayed open and glowing. Illustory pages floated up and off, and he had a really bad feeling about what was coming next as the world around him went white.

~

Coming to under Ghost Writers writing was not a fun thing to experience, see. One did not simply fade into one of his chaotic and weirdly random worlds. You blink and then suddenly you're just there!

Danny was there, wherever there was. Somewhere was currently a bright grass field, with a decorated horse beside him.

Which he would grant was a better entrance than the last time he'd been flung into one of Ghost Writer's many insane stories.

He would never forget that anglerfish...

But almost just as fast as he got here there was another stupidly bright light, and someone was falling into his arms, briefly bundled into his chest before quickly popping back up to look at him.His tongue was stuck in a way that implied Ghost Writer had ideas about what he should or shouldn't be saying at this time, but that didn't stop the extremely strained noise he gave when he realized the person was Paulina, looking VERY enthused.

[lotusishere]

I’ve seen a lot of people do an introduction so I’ll give one a gooooo

You guys can call me Atlas or Lotus. My pronouns are they/them. I am autistic, dyslexic and mentally ill (have mercy on me 🧍).

These are my flags 🇨🇺🇨🇴🇵🇷

If you have anymore questions, just ask me. I love making me new friends and talking to people with the same interests at me. I’m a fanfiction writer along with an Indie Writer.

Hyper fixations (some of them)

- Keeper of the Lost Cities

- Percy Jackson

-Miraculous Lady Bug

- Steven Universe (and future)

-Star Vs The Forces Of Evil

-She-Ra (princesses of power)

- Epic the Musical

- My Little Pony

- Musicals (I love a lot of them)

- Shatter me

- Renegades (reading it right now)

- Tinker Belle

- Winx club

-Gravity Falls

- Video games (Little Nightmares, Undertale, Little Miss Fortune, FranBow, Until Dawn, FNAF, Resident Evil, SallyFace, and etc)

- ANIME (MHA, SOUL EATER, FULL METAL BROTHERHOOD AND ETC)

- Drama Shows (Pretty Little Liars / Switched at Birth and etc)

- Minecraft

- DTI (Dress to Impress Roblox)

- COLOR THEORY

Hobbies

- Writing

-Reading

- Playing Roblox

- Coloring

(Ehhhh I’m pretty boring when it comes to hobbies but I’m fun to talk to. I like yapping about my theories and everything)

[little-shop-of-stories]

Ballroom thoughts

Will you be my Belle

For this masqueraded ball

I'll dance away the night with you

Or with none at all

Enchanted by your candy smile

And sharp, observant eyes

Enraptured by your knight's disguise

Your subtle wit and guile

Dressed in lies you tell yourself

With a bright sun shining through

I'll undress you neath the moonlit sky

I've eyes for naught but you

gasp I did not mean to sound so crass

I shouldn't feel like this again

Mortified by my own thoughts

Of such metaphors abstain

Yet I do wish to know you deeper

Help you with old wounds and woes

Protect you from phantasmal foes

I too'll be your soul's keeper

I want to peer into your shell

To see you, to accept you whole

In costume still you shroud your soul

... I'll wait for you, I shall not dwell

So I ask to dance the night with you

'Till the dawn's too early chime

And let me see, in your own time

Your dark side of the moon

(This one's a bit different, in that it's an attempt at fanfiction of sorts. Just what I think might go through Edwin's head if he and Charles had to go to a (masquerade) ball for a case.)

[greypetrel]

Hiiii, this is for the dragon age questions and for your darling Aisling

ESSENTIALS

04. What is their moral alignment?

LIFE

06. Which aspects of the culture they were born into holds the most significance for them?

12. How efficient are they with things like crafting potions or repairing their own armor?

DRAGON AGE: INQUISITION

06. How did they behave at the Winter Palace? Who did they support in the political scheming?

12. Did they respect the rituals in Mythal’s Temple? Who drank from the Well of Sorrows, Morrigan or your Inquisitor?

13. What do they think of Flemeth? If they drank from the Well, how do they feel about being now beholden to her as Mythal?

Hello! Thank you so much for asking Kat! :D

There's a cut because you made me speak about my two favourite missions (with all its flaws, but I write fanfictions to fill gaps in a story, and the Arbor Wilds is the perfect match of a map I love, lore, fun banter -Solas and Morrigan should co-host a talk show where the guest inevitably tries to stop them from turn the other into a toad... and my brain is on fire.)

Tis the Prompt List

ESSENTIALS

04. What is their moral alignment?

Neutral Good.

LIFE

06. Which aspects of the culture they were born into holds the most significance for them?

The sense of community. Acting like you're part of a group, your actions aren't really just yours, but can influence everyone else. The sense that you can survive only together, and everyone has a part to play, no matter how small.

12. How efficient are they with things like crafting potions or repairing their own armor?

Potions: she's pretty good. Her Keeper was a very skilled herbalist and she learnt well from her. She's not exceptional or a talent, and it doesn't come naturally to her, but she studied enough to be highly proficient. Repairing armour: She can keep her armour in good conditions from fighting. As a Storm Witch, she doesn't wear much metal in her gear (too conductive, and she uses armours in enemies enough to know exactly what happens if she makes a mistake). She knows how to to maintenance, but for bigger repairs she definitely needs help.

DRAGON AGE: INQUISITION

06. How did they behave at the Winter Palace? Who did they support in the political scheming?

Contrary to most people's belief, seeing her wearing her heart on her sleeve, she behaved very well. After long, LONG weeks of Josephine training her for the task. With the super-power of the people-pleaser, she won Belle of the Ball. On the support... With the Well of Sorrow, it's the one choice that keeps haunting her in the future. She couldn't bring herself to trust Gaspard to stay put and let Briala tell him what to do without any retortion. In her opinion, if the man launched his country in a civil war out of ambition, he isn't one to be trusted with a throne, and he isn't one to be trusted not to try and gain some more power for himself. She hated it to guts, but she supported Celene, believing that out of love, she'd be a little less prone to assassinate Briala than De Chalons. Kept every single scrap of paper she found in her studio as a safeguard and is ready to take everything out and blackmail the Empress should the need occur. Yes even after she disbanded the Inquisition, Leliana is instructed to call her immediately if Celene looks at another Alienage for more than 10 seconds.

She is still not sure it was the right decision, even if she really despises Gaspard too.

12. Did they respect the rituals in Mythal’s Temple? Who drank from the Well of Sorrows, Morrigan or your Inquisitor?

Respected every single ritual, defined the floor puzzles as "quirky but fun", quarreled with Cassandra and almost broke her friendship with her over it.

Another decision that haunts her even after: she let Morrigan drink, thinking she was readier than her to face the consequences (after being assured thrice that Kieran would have been taken care of by a trusted person should something bad happen). For her, it would have been a jump in the dark with risks she hadn't considered before, and respected Morrigan enough to trust her with it. Add the fact that Solas was a little too much involved in that choice... Which never happened before. She took it as an alarm bell and trusted him thinking that at least Morrigan was prepared to face risks, knew some of them... She didn't. If hurt and it felt bitter that she didn't, but she stepped back. Kept her sister back too. Continues with motivations in the next question.

13. What do they think of Flemeth? If they drank from the Well, how do they feel about being now beholden to her as Mythal?

Terrible mother, struggles to connect Flemeth to the Mythal she's been taught about. It was the first crack in her faith. It kept up for 2 years thinking that she did it for the greater good and was thinking on the long run... And then well, Trespasser happened, and it's part of the reason why she took it so bad. If she had actually drank from the Well, she'd hate being beholden by her. But like, hate to the point of asking Solas to fix that and leave the Anchor, leave her to die instead. She feels horribly guilty about having left the Well to Morrigan. If she could turn back time again, this is the one choice she'd change in a heartbeat. If she knew from the start, she would have pushed Morrigan away from the Well and jumped in herself, Pocahontas-style to spare her being beholden by her.

But I played that mission without knowing so go Aisling you can have one horror more.

[blackiraven]

You voted - Blacki fulfills a promise!📢

As soon as I finished my master's thesis, I immediately started writing this story. Oh, it's like a breath of fresh air!

Since Ao3 is blocked for me, I will post it here. There was a lot of text, so this is only the first part of the story. The continuation depends only on your interest (I still remember that 53 people voted for this fanfiction!😑😑😑)

Unfortunately, I'm not an artist, I'm a writer, so I can make a lot of letters✍

Enjoy your reading (very bad English) I'm sorry, but I'm not good at rhymes and children's fairy tales, so I had to improvise.

Heron and Frog. Part 1.

People in white coats – they remind me of chess, that they unceremoniously rush all over the board and do not follow the rules of the game. But I hate chess and I'm not going to become a figure of the opposite side. They quickly get used to permissiveness and therefore are horrified when I break the rules and shake their only support. White pawns fall, crushed, and meanwhile I run out of the playing field. I was driven by bitterness and a thirst for revenge, I didn't even stay to enjoy the torment of the Arkham staff. Now I have a specific goal and I can't delay, I can't waste the hourglass minutes. I can't let a Bat grab me or follow me around.

The night covered me, the darkness built an invisible path over the roofs of buildings, and the rain absorbed all sounds and thoroughly washed away my tracks. My previous plan was perfect and Batman couldn't find me. But at the very last moment he gave me away! Riddler... the keeper and trader of valuable information. This pathetic frog is constantly jumping from one bank to the other. Finds and sells information to us, but can also help the police and Batman. One thing unites everything – the inhabitants of both shores will break their heads from his riddles. And this is only part of the whole problem. While the Bat was breaking my bones under the guise of justice, someone stole two bottles of my toxin!

"The heron is very angry, the heron is very hungry. Chop-Chop. Hop-hop. Now I would like to eat a delicious frog." I fly between houses, sometimes knocking and scratching with my claws on window panes to wake up and scare sleeping people. The fear that disturbed sweet dreams gave me strength and gave free rein to fantasies. The distance between us was gradually shortening, as I knew the shortest way. A small amphibian got into the affairs of the bird and revealed all the secrets to the bat. Are you really so afraid of being eaten, Nigma? Well, you've made a big mistake and you're going to pay for it. If it weren't for the overly brazen theft of my creation by some petty bandits, then you would have a slim chance of staying alive��

That's an inconspicuous two-storey apartment, merging with the rest in the area, but it's not so easy to get here. The door is closed with several locks, and the bell is hidden in a recess in the wall. Only the right people know the password. But such security can at some point turn a cozy house into a death trap. He's there, in his nest, hidden in the thick grass and cattails. Thoughts of the frog, who suspects nothing and crawls in the soft vegetation, excited the appetite of the heron that swooped down to this swamp. I managed to open the closed window quickly and without making a sound and get into the thicket. Rainwater trickled down to the floor from the suit protecting me from the cold and getting wet. Steam was coming out of my mouth, my eyes were frantically searching for a small green body. The bed was empty and made up, everything was quiet and tidy in the kitchen and in the bathroom, every thing was in its place. Only the first floor remained, where his office and a small library-archive are located. Yes, in Arkham I studied the plan of this house every day and imagined what was in each room, what my target could do before his punishment. If Riddler is not here, then I am ready to wait for his return for hours or days, going over the torture options in my head.

The floorboards didn't creak under my weight, but the water squished treacherously after each step, so I went down carefully so as not to scare off the prey. He was standing in front of the bookcase, with his back to me, and was flipping through some book. My successful hunting. My sweet revenge. Can't sleep? Then I'll send you to eternal sleep.

"The heron sat in a cage for a long time. The heron is terribly hungry. Why not eat a juicy and chatty frog?" my tall and wide shadow threateningly covered Riddler. A folding and serrated knife clattered in my hand. A sharp beak that is ready to disassemble a frog carcass. The short man turned around sharply and did not even have time to shout out of fright, as I pounced on him and grabbed him by the throat. The scream I had caught could not get out in any way and writhed under the skin. The book with the mixed pages crashed to the floor. From my strong grip, Nigma wheezed loudly and began to choke, and I played with him like a wild dog with a fragile toy. At first I let him take one breath, and then I squeezed his neck hard and enjoyed a new portion of agony.

"Come on, show me the courage with which you told Bat about me." I hissed in the ear of Riddler, having previously picked him up and slammed him into the bookcase so that all the contents fell to the floor.

"Please... no… Scarecrow… I didn't... want..." gritting his teeth, he literally coughed up every word. The frog's paws twitched uncontrollably, all ten fingers clutched at my wrist. So thin, so weak, like a straw figurine… Wonderful. I want to squeeze the soul out of this trembling body all night, to the very last drop.

"Yes, try to distract me with your croaking from the desire to eat." I relax my hand a little, but I continue to hold Riddler above the floor. When he joyfully began to breathe deeply, I immediately interrupted this moment and brought the sharpened knife to his face.

"Every heron knows from hatching that delicious frogs still live and chatter for a while if you rip open their soft bellies." the tip of the blade and my eyes shone equally, with cold, with danger. It took only one movement to paint my instrument in the same scarlet color as my eyes were. Feeling my smile stretching to my ears under a thick mask, Nigma howled plaintively and whined. The small notches of the knife, capable of tearing flesh like a flock of hungry piranhas, made him cry and sob softly. And I didn't even have to carry a scythe with me. Frogs are so timid and funny…

"I didn't want to... I didn't want to! But Batman... also came to me and... his demands to find out everything were... very weighty." the black mask quickly soaked with tears pouring from the rapidly blinking green eyes. With his twitching, he was able to point out a large dent in the wall where the desk stood. Surprisingly, it turned out to be very familiar, since the relief of Batman's fists is remembered quickly. Hmm, and I thought that Riddler decided to completely become his faithful dog.

"That's not enough, Riddler. I was robbed because of you!" I squeeze the thin neck again, but this time I dig my long nails into the stretched skin, rubbing it until it bleeds like files.

"I know... I know! And I've been looking for them... lately! Please!" little frog screamed so much in horror and slight pain that tickling goosebumps ran through my body, and my insides fairly stirred. Warm drops rolled down my palm. A sweet for me smell reached my nostrils. Now I didn't want to end it all with a quick kill. What was happening now gave me more pleasure and amused my grievances.

"Really? Then, little frog, tell the heron about what is happening at the bottom of the swamp." I do not restrain my malicious laughter and insidious grin. His crying caressed my ears. I wanted to throw him up and catch him like a ball. He's so light, like he's hollow inside. The same Hatter, my colleague, is much shorter than Nigma, but at the same time hard and heavy as a cobblestone. When I raised my index finger, Riddler squeezed his eyes shut and shrank all over, but instead of maiming, I poked him in the cheek, thereby squeezing a blissful squeak out of him. For a second it seemed to him that he died from my touch, but then he was surprised that he continued to breathe.

"Table... on the table!" groaning and gasping, the tortured frog was already choking on his whining. Mentally sated for a while, I let him go, just threw him on the floor like a used rag. Riddler immediately grabbed his throat, which, presumably, was unbearably sore after several attempts at strangulation and inflicted wounds. While I was slowly pacing to the desk and proudly shaking my "feathers", Nigma huddled in a corner between the cabinets and tucked his trembling paws. Among a small stack of copies of police reports and clippings from fresh newspapers was a map showing the place of my capture and possible escape routes of the brazen robbers. A small piece of paper with dates and addresses written in a column was glued to the map. Hmm, it looks like the frog was aware of his act and expected an angry heron.

"Addresses. Here the heron will be able to find the worms collected by the frightened little frog?" licking the blood that has not yet dried from my hand, I turn back to Riddler. The short-term freedom was enough for him to catch his breath and recover, but Nigma still shuddered from every movement I made.

"No-no." getting to his feet and wiping tears from his face, Riddler carefully, almost on tiptoe, jumped up to me and began to put the papers in different piles.

"When I found out that two bottles of fear toxin were missing after your arrest, I immediately started searching and connected all my informants to this case. Because... um... what will a Scarecrow do if someone else starts scaring crows? The answer is he will be very angry..." he feverishly and with a guilty expression on his face showed me small articles telling about minor crimes in which the victims were... too scared. But not enough to suspect me. Very similar to the effect of the minimum doses of my gas. And it happened at this addresses. Is my piece of chemical art being used for petty robberies?! Now it is clear why Bat is not interested in this and the whole investigation has fallen on the back of the plush amphibian. But I liked such pleas for mercy.

"Then... I won't kill you, Nigma. But you have three days to find the names and burrows of these worms." leaving memorable deep scratches on the corner of the table, I grabbed him by the collar of his jacket with a sharp jerk and dragged him to me.

"Otherwise, the heron will swallow a delicious little frog and will enjoy his death throes in stomach!" I press his face to mine to see my own reflection in the green beads and taste pure, childish fear. The wrinkles on his forehead became more prominent, drops of sweat trickled down his temples, pale lips pursed, and raised eyebrows almost reached each other.

"Yes... yes... the frog will feed the heron!" Riddle literally nodded with his whole body and swallowed the tangles of fear and excitement tangling in his throat. His palms instinctively rested on my shoulders and tried to push me away. Warm…

"What a responsible and cowardly frog. So that you don't float away on the first water lily, I will always look after you..." I turned Nigma around and pressed his back to my chest.

"No! Not that..." unfortunately, I had to interrupt these innocent bleating. I put my whole palm over his mouth and nose. A fine amber powder fell from the small pocket of my glove. Mixing with the air, it turned into a good dose of the fear toxin. And I forced Riddler to breathe it all into his lungs, so that all the fresh air would be replaced by flying horror, so that a part of me would circulate in his blood. He was kicking and lashing my arms furiously, but this only increased my strength. Ah, I'm like Luigi Galvani, and Nigma is the object of my experiments. Loud grunts filled the whole room, the frog's heart was about to explode like a fragmentation grenade. From lack of air, his eyes filled with new tears and rolled up.

"Now only be afraid of my wings, little frog." after making sure that all the powder was used for its intended purpose, I released Riddler, who played for me a beautiful melody of painful wheezes, groans and squeaks. At a fast pace, it turned into a loud orchestra of screams, panic and sobs. This is my gift for you. He was trembling, huddled into a ball on the floor, and I was stomping around him and scaring him with my shadow.

"No!.. Don't touch me!.." his voice twitched, broke, and his hands covered his head. So be it, frog, I'll have time to torment you yet. To beat and physically break such a lovely creature is an unattainable crime even for me. But I can easily break your soul and mind. In the meantime, do something important.  

"Tick-tock. Hurry up, little frog. The heron wants the fattest worms."

[pearblossommina]

Ships: if it’s queer I probably ship it, but my faves are Cazriel, Morlain, Gwynlain, Morrigwyn, Emorie… slowly getting over my aversion to Eris so I can enjoy the wealth of Azris fics

As for het pairings I guess I like Feysand and Nessian (I just enjoy the books mostly and I’m afraid i don’t read much fanfiction based on these couples) (unless it’s a threeway) (especially Nes/Cas/Az or Feyre/every single one of the bat boys)

I’m more of an Elriel than a Gwynriel, but I don’t have strong feelings which way he goes, I just want Azriel to find some happiness in this world (and obviously WHY NOT BOTH) (Gwyn and Elain would be so cute together) (make Elain sapphic please SJM I would give ANYTHING) (one of these sisters should have a sapphic love interest) (I am ROOTING for Elain) (Miss plants and flowers, miss I’ve-had-enough-of-you-fae-and-your-expectations, miss “i don’t want a male.”) (Just!!!! Become a cottage core lesbian, Elain!)

Last song: USA for Africa - We are the World (my friend sent me the music video this morning!)(she was born with this song playing on the radio)

Last movie: It must have been Glass Onion or Avatar 2 (i don’t watch much tv lol)

Currently reading: The Fae Keeper by H. E. Edgmon

Currently watching: Wednesday. The Simpsons.

Currently consuming: Nothing. I’m so hungry and I’m about to indulge in some Taco Bell

Currently craving: Taco Bell

Tag, you’re it! (No pressure besties) @primroseprime2019 @elliemarchetti @foundress0fnothing @jealousveronya @nezumichan16 @woahpip @vikingmagic33 @valkyrieassassin

“Tag 9 people you want to get to know better”

I got tagged by ���> @ricketycr1cks 

Ships:

I ship almost anythinggg but my favorites are macden, neris, elucien, azris, and nesseida

Last song:

A&W by Lana del Rey is on repeat 

Last movie:

Avatar 

Currently reading:

Heir of Fire

Currently watching:

I’m rewatching trailer park boys for the 80th time 

Currently consuming:

Cran raspberry sparkling water

Currently craving:

A cinnamon raisin bagel 

Tagging: 

@looseleaflettuce @tuzna-pesma-snova  @mcdens  @lady-winter-sunrise

[frankie-in-the-ferns]

Kaisa! technically this is a younger version of her, but her style hasn’t changed much... check out her adventures with the Keeper of the Bell in our fanfic over on Ao3!

Hilda forever!

[ladyorlandodream]

Lady Dimitrescu-tag FanFiction List PART 1

Since it has become a case among gamers and non-gamers, I decided to create this post containing the FF dedicated to Alcina Dimitrescu (Lady Dimitrescu / Tall Vampire Lady) that I can find on the Internet This post will be updated as soon I find something new, therefore, feel free to send me links to add to the list and come back anytime, because from the reposts you will lose the updates!!

part 2   part 3   part 4   part 5  part 6   part 7

1) In Vino Sacrificium (Series)

2) Feast Your Eyes (short story)

3) The Woman in the White Dress (Chapters in progress)

4) Lost (short story)

5) Resident Evil Village but Awesome (short story)

6) We Are Marionettes By Strings Animated, Yet Like Lovers Of Strings Liberated (short story)

7) Village (Chapters in progress)

8) The Lady of the House (Series)

9) Intruder (short story)

10) Resident Evil: Lewd Village (short story)

11) The Surprise (short story)

12) Nothing Fucks With My Baby (Except Me) (Chapters in progress)

13) Hers, forever (short story)

14) Lady Dimitrescu and her Good Girl (Stories completed)

15) Be a good pet (short story)

16) The Lapis Inferno (Chapters completed)

17) Our secret love (short story)

18) Bad day (short story)

19) Its a superiority thing (Chapters in progress) 

20) The Lady’s Kitten! (Chapters in progress)

21) her new toy (Chapters in progress)

22) Why Are Humans Like This (short story)

23) The Cold is in Her Bones (Chapters in progress) 

24) Lady of Legend (short story)

25) Sweet Pet (short story)

26) Beloved bound (short story)

27) Fuck You're So Gorgeous, (And I Wanna Touch You). (short story)

28) Dessert (Chapters in progress)

29) Taken from the village (short story)

30) Resident Evil Drabbles (short stories in progress)

31) I'm Here, I'm Safe (short story)

32) For Old Times' Sake (short story)

33) Virgin Dog (short story)

34) Akaibara (Chapters in progress)

35) So This Is Love (short story)

36) Who's The Master Of Tall Now, Huh? (Chapters in progress)

37) The Mistresses New Daughter! (Chapters in progress)

38) A Willing Maiden? (short story)

39) Beloved [SCRIPT OFFER] [F4TF VARIATION] (short story to fill)

40) I trust you (short story)

41) Little Fly (short story)

42) Never Mind That Moaning In The Halls, There's No Such Thing As Ghosts (short story)

43) I know what you’re after (short story)

44) neither pink nor pale (short story)

45) what of the body isn't an unbecoming (Chapters in progress)

46) Blood and Byrrh (Chapters in progress)

47) Beginnings (Chapters in progress)

48) To Live Forever (short story)

49) Skelly Meets His Match (short story)

50) Just a toy (Chapters completed)

51) Stormy Illusions (short story)

52) I'm Falling (Don't Catch Me) (Chapters in progress)

53) Desperate Escape (short story)

54) Ignis (short story)

55) finders keepers (short story)

56) Roses Before Dawn (2 chapters story)

57) Aftertaste (short story)

58) Liar (Chapters in progress)

59) Alcina's Ultimate Form! (short story)

60) Love makes monsters of us all (Chapters in progress)

61) Cursed (Chapters completed)

62) Where It's Warm (Chapters in progress)

63) The Witch, The Werewolf And The Vampire (short story)

64) Death Trap Clad (short story)

65) Plaything (short story)

66) To become something more! (Chapters in progress)

67) Lost, but not forgotten. (Chapters in progress)

68) I Love Human Stupidity (short story)

69) Lady Dimitrescu A-Z NSFW (short list)

70) Danse Macabre (Chapters in progress)

71) Game Over! (short story)

72) A Pet That's Not You (short story)

73) The patterns of your heartbeat (Chapters in progress)

74) Survival (short story)

75) It Was A Wicked Thought (Chapters in progress)

76) Blackbird (Chapters completed)

77) How vampires are born (short story)

78) I Like My Coffee Like I Like My Women: Hot and Venti. (Chapters in progress)

79) Kiss of Blood (Chapters in progress)

80) You're Not What I Asked For (short story)

81) I walk My Days On a Wire (short story)

82) Team Dimitrescu (short story)

83) Daughter's Plaything! (short story)

84) It Starts With a Spilled Cup of Tea (Chapters completed)

85) There You Are (short story)

86) Fanfic of: "I Like My Coffee Like I Like My Women: Hot and Venti" (short story)

87) Lady Dimitrescu's new slave (short story)

88) How The Mighty Have Shrunk? (short story)

89) Lady dimitrescu x oc (Chapters in progress)

90) Novitiate (Chapters in progress)

91) No More Tears Left (short story)

92) Taming One Of the Beasts! (short story)

93) In the Shadows of the Enemy (short story)

94) Rebirth series (short stories)

95) Comfort's Embrace (short story)

96) A Maids Tale! (short story)

97) To Have Tea and Crackers (short story)

98) Me of all People!? (Chapters in progress)

99) The Tall Mistress (short story)

100) A Dance Of Death! (short story)

101) Retourne-toi! (Chapters in progress)

102) Roses, Hearts and Wine (short story)

103) Care to Dance? (Chapters in progress by me!)

104) Happy Valentine's Day (short story)

105) Share The Love? (short story)

106) Vampire (short story)

107) Between monsters (Chapters in progress)

108) Giant Woman (song/rewriting)

109) Steeplechase (short story)

110) In The Shadows (Chapters in progress)

111) What is it Worth? (Chapters in progress)

112) The positives of being a maiden (short story)

113) Young And Beautiful (short story)

114) Queenslayer (Chapters in progress)

115) Life in Castle Dimitrescu (Chapters in progress)

116) A Soak (short story)

117) Child’s Play! (Chapters in progress)

118) Forbidden (Chapters in progress)

119) The Vampire's Groom (short story)

120) Vampires Can Wear Sweaters Too (Chapters in progress)

121) Don't Cry Mercy.... (short story)

122) Hear Me Out (short story)

123) Sanguinis et Mortis (short story)

124) A Warm Bed (short story) 

125) The Bite That Binds The Gift That Gives (Chapters in progress)

126) Two Hearts Beat As One! (Chapters in progress)

127) Cat Got Your Tongue? (Chapters in progress)

128) The Truth Can Make a Rose Dead (short story)

129) The Mistress's Artist (short story)

130) The Art of Submission (short story)

131) Her Name Upon My Soul (short story)

132) Mine only (short story)

133) Don’t leave me (short story)

134) The Morning Sun (short story)

135) What About What I Want? (Chapters in progress)

136) Facing the Leviathan (short story)

137) No Title (from Deviantart) (short story)

138) MILKERS: The big Smoke | Libro 1: Dimitrescu (Chapters in progress in Spanish)

139) Rolling Stone! (short story)

140) Moonlight Reflections (Chapter in progress)

141) In Sanguis Virginis Veritas (Chapters in progress)

142) Video Games? (short story)

143) Fragility (short story)

144) Pet Lessons (short story)

145) Symphony of Destruction (short story)

146) The Protectors (Chapters in progress)

147) Such A Messy Affair (short story)

148) nourishment (short story)

149) Ma Belle Evangeline (short story)

150) Big Tall Vampire Lady (Chapters in progress)

151) Plaything (Alcina Dimitrescu x Male Reader) (short story)

152) Unexpected (short story)

153) All Hallows’ Eve (Chapters in progress...by me!)

154) Affliction (Chapters in progress)

155) Adapt and Overcome (Chapters in progress)

156) So We Meet Again (short story)

157) Stole (Chapters in progress)

158) Unexpected expectancy (short story)

159) Blood Moon! (short story)

160) Under Your Spell (Chapters in progress)

161) Kitten Likes To Play! (short story)

162) A Good Servant (short story)

163) My Huntress, My Wife (short story)

164) Mother Is God In The Eyes Of A Child! (short story)

165) Memento Mori (Chapters in progress)

166) Hunter Becomes The Hunted! (Chapters in progress)

167) The One She Spared (Chapters in progress)

168) From Eden (Chapters in progress)

169) it takes a village (Chapters in progress)

170) This one time in Romania... (Chapters in progress)

171) One witch dead. One more to go. (short story)

172) Surprise Visit! (short story)

173) Falling into Darkness (Chapters in progress)

174) Finding What's Lost! (Chapters in progress)

175) Call Me Mistress (short story)

176) Burn Witch Burn (Chapters in progress)

177) Scare Tactics (Chapters in progress)

178) a one shot from tumblr (short story)

179) Recon (Chapters in progress)

180) Tea and Ice Lattes (Chapters in progress)

181) Yes, Dear (short story)

182) Use Somebody (Chapters in progress)

183) The Party (short story)

184) Dimitrescu Winter Ball (short story)

185) Learning The Hard Way (short story)

186) The Vamp & The Wolf (Chapters in progress)

187) Trust Is Worth A Thousand Words (Chapters in progress)

188) Family Portrait (short story)

189) The Long Journey Home (Chapters in progress)

190) ~Iubire nemuritoare~ (Chapters in progress)

191) A New Breed (Chapters in progress)

192) Part of the Job (short story)

193) Lingering (short story)

194) Dani’s Mom (shorto story)

195) What Do We Do With A Drunken Vampire? (short story)

196) You're Such A Royal Pain In The Fang! (short story)

197) Woman in White (short story)

198) One shot from tumblr

199) Night Light (short story)

200) The Goddess And The Vampire! (short story)

HOUSE OF DIMITRESCU FF

1) Between Thirst and Affection (short story about Daniela)

2) Series about new character Rosemary Dimitrescu: Part 1 When A Rose Blooms In Winter (Completed); Part 2 Every Rose Has It's Thorns (Completed); Part 3 A Bed of Roses (In progress)

3) Potential Bad Idea (short story about Daniela)

4) Supermarket Flowers (short story about Daniela)

5) Good Girl! (short story about Daniela)

6) Taming one of the beasts! (short story)

7) Into the Unknown (Chapters in progress, multifandom)

8) One Of the Girls (short story)

9) Can't Sleep! Won't Sleep (without you)! (short story)

10) A Mix of the Species! (short story)

[jadedxrealityw]

-Quiet- Oliver Wood x Female Reader

    ☼-☪-☼

   Summary: You have been the chaser for the Gryffindor quidditch team for about a year now and were what everyone would call a ‘quiet brute’ you were fast and silent. For the past year both you and Oliver grew feelings for each other, but Oliver didn’t think you had felt the same. Until one day when Slytherin cheats during a match and you reveal why you have been quiet for so long

   Kody: Let’s see if i can capture the Oliver Wood we know. i’m am also fully aware that the timing will not fit in well, but it’s fanfiction so like lmao. I watched every single quidditch scene for this bullshit lol and i still don’t get it so bare with me please. 

   House: Gryffindor

   Possible Triggers / Warnings: cursing, Marcus Flint, Slytherin slander, (jkjkjk) a smidge of angst

   ☼-☪-☼

   Tap!

   Tap!

   Tap!

   you open your eyes and snap your head towards the sound. Eyes stopping your window. An owl was tapping its beak against the glass pane. It was so early, who would send a letter this early? Sitting up from the bed and throwing your legs off, you walk towards the feathery companion. 

   reaching for the latch, you unhook and push it open. The owl stepped off of your windowsill and onto the desk right under the ledge. You plop down onto the seat and reach for the letter in its mouth. The owl drops the letter in your hand. You rip off the wax seal and grab the folded piece of paper in the envelope.

   unfolding it you see a familiar name written at the bottom ‘Oliver Wood’ the captain of your quidditch team. The wizard you had known for a year and had a small- well large infatuation with.  You cracked a small smile before reading the contents of the letter. 

   ‘Dear Y/n, since we are playing against Slytherin tomorrow and they are our biggest rivals i want add an early morning practice today, hence the letter now. This extra training will help, i promise. Once you receive this letter head to the Gryffindor common room. With l- Sincerely Oliver.’

   you sigh deeply. Not being a morning person meant you hated getting up early in general, but you couldn’t do much about it. So you go over to your dresser and grabbed some clothes suitable to practice in. It’s been cold outside recently so you needed to cover up. 

   you slip on your quidditch sweater that had your number and name on the back, your black quidditch pants, and your gloves as well. As you lace up your boots you sit on your bed so you wouldn’t fall over. Once you were finished you stand up straight, reaching for your wand on your nightstand.

   you slip it into your belt loop even though you plan on putting it in the locker that was in the changing rooms later anyway. Once your all set you open your dorm room door and make your way down the hall, passing a couple girls that unfortunately woke up as early as you. 

   as you reached the common room you saw your whole team sitting on the sofas or standing up. Angelina was the first to notice your presence “Y/n’s here. That’s all of us” she says, standing up from the couch. All eyes turn to look at you, making you advert your gaze to the fireplace. 

   lifting up your hand for a second, basically an introverted wave. “Not a morning person aye L/n?” Fred asks, pushing off the wall he was leaning on. You didn’t say anything and just shrug your shoulders in reply. “Alright, let’s head out” your captain, Oliver said, gesturing with his hand to the door. 

   the team replies with okays and such and you all begin to leave the common room. You let most of them walk out so you can be in the back, mostly so no one would try and talk to you. It was too early and you were too cranky for conversation right now- or ever really.

    ☼-☪-☼

   as you all walked the halls, you didn’t notice the certain scottish boy slowly falling behind until he was standing next to you. You only noticed when he suddenly spoke “Sleep well?” he asked. You turn your head to look at him for a split second before back the other direction “Fine”

   he nods once. You didn’t really give him much to go off of. Oliver made you more nervous than other people did, probably because of the crush you had on him. If only you knew he was exactly the same. “That’s good. Are you nervous about tomorrow's match? I sure know i am” 

   you shrug your shoulders once, not really knowing how to answer “A little.” you say, looking forward. You all were nearing the field now and everyone was going into the male and female locker rooms to get there brooms and such. Oliver was about to follow the other guys when you spoke again.

   “I wouldn’t worry much, your a skilled keeper” you say, E/c eyes focused on your fingerless gloves on your hands. Before he could get a word in you follow Katie Bell into the locker rooms, leaving Oliver dumbfounded by your words. “Aw look at the young love. If only you weren’t a nervous wreck right?”

   Oliver heard both twins snicker and laugh, causing him to become flustered “Both of you get your brooms” he snaps, before pushing pas the two of them. 

    ☼-☪-☼

    morning practice went well that day as well as afternoon practice. You were actually excited for the game tomorrow, which was a first. Maybe it’s because you wanted to see the look of despair as your team own the match. Either way, you couldn’t wait for the match to start

    “Welcome back everyone to another exciting day of quidditch! Today Gryffindor is going against Slytherin for this seasons quidditch cup! Both teams are currently tied, so this game will for sure see who is the superior team! Now, let’s welcome our teams. First Slytherin!”

   Lee Jordan’s voice boomed through the mic as the Slytherins roared for there team. You watched from the ground as the Slytherin team flew onto the field, throwing their hands in the air. You took a deep breath as they took positions “Alright we're up next guys. Mount your brooms!”

   Oliver shouts before mounting his own broom, all of you doing the same. “Let’s welcome our Gryffindors!” Lee shouts and all of you took off into the air, making your way up. You stopped in front of the Slytherin team and assumed correct positions as Madam Hooch stands on the ground below us

   “I want a clean match, ya hear me!? No magic and no wands, understood!?” she spoke, looking at both teams. Some of us nod while others just blink mindlessly. Madam Hooch kicks he box and the snitch and bludger are released. After a couple of seconds, she lifts up the quaffle from the box and holds it up.

   you tighten your grip on your broom, ready to launch at the quaffle once she throws it. Hooch smiles before tossing the quaffle in the air, causing Lee to shout once more “And let the games begin!” you and Angelina dove in to grab the quaffle while Katie drew back, just in case it was tossed outside the ‘kill circle’ that was happening at the moment. 

   a Slytherin chaser managed to get ahold of it, so Katie flew after her. Katie catches up to her and pushes the quaffle from under her arm, causing her to drop it. You could see it fall a few feet in front of you and took that chance to attempt to catch it. 

   you hold out your hand and grab the quaffle “Yes!” you say excitedly to yourself before beginning to make your way to the hoops where the slytherin keeper awaited for you, Miles Bletchley. You throw the quaffle towards the hoop and it completely misses miles and went straight in.

   “Y/n L/n scores ten points for Gryffindor!” Lee annonces, as the Gryffindors cheered your name while the Slytherin booed. Typical. You fly back as the quaffle lands in the middle again, this time Angelina goes after it.

    ☼-☪-☼

   after about an eternity of playing, both teams were tied with 140 points each. Harry and Draco have been unable to catch snitch. It was exhausting, but you seemed to be going strong. That was until you saw Marcus Flint with the quaffle. He was heading towards your goal.

   you see that Katie and Angelina are to busy being bombarded with bludger so you chased after Marcus. As you did so you watched as he uses his free hand to reach into his robe and grab his wand, he had most of it covered by his robe but you know what you saw. 

   Oliver, who was at the goal and ready to deflect Marcus’s throw was suddenly thrown back into the hoop and hit the metal bar. Marcus takes the opportunity to throw the quaffle into the hoop and scores “Another ten points for Slytherin and that’s 150 points. Slytherin wins!”

   you feel your heart drop as Slytherin erupts in victorious cheers. It was almost as if you were on autopilot as you flew down to meet your team. All of you watched as the Slytherin team high hived each other. What a bunch of bloody cheaters. 

   “I swore i had that. This is all my fault” Oliver spoke, his face dropped into a sad expression. You feel as if you had been punched in the gut, your fists balling in anger. You drop your broom and shrug off your robe “Hey Flint!” you shout, catching his attention as well as his teammates.

   “Well if it isn’t Gryffindor’s chaser. Came to congratulate us? How sweet” he holds his hand over his heart in mock sympathy and you swore you saw red. “Drop the act Flint. I know you cheated! I saw you pull out a wand! Which is against the rules!”

   the shouting seemed to draw in Madam Hooch as well as a couple or Professors that were leaving the stands “What’s this shouting all about!” she says, placing her hands on her hips “Marcus Flint used a jinx on Oliver to win! I saw it! He has his wand in his robe!”

   your teammates stood behind you, shocked by your outbursts. You only spoke about three words at a time and you were always so neutral. It was strange to say the least as you were fuming with anger. “I did not cheat! Your just being a sore loser and a bitch!” Marcus yelled back at you. 

   “What did he say!?”Oliver shouts, ready to knock Marcus out, but Fred and George hold him back. “Mr. Flint! There is no need for that language, now empty your pockets this instant!” Madam Hooch points to his robes as he turns a shade of white.

    “B-But i didn’t do anything! She’s spewing nonsense just because her captain is incompetent!” Marcus blurts out as a last attempt. Oh he did not. “Listen here you sack of shit! Oliver is the best captain and just person in general that i’ve ever met. So much so that you had to cheat just to win!”

   everyone is stunned into silence as you yelled, venom lacing each and everyone of your words. “Now Mr. Flint!” Madam Hooch repeats and you watch as Marcus pulls out his wand and hands it to her. She looks disappointed and shakes her head solemnly.

   “What a disgrace to quidditch. Marcus Flint, you are hereby removed from the quidditch team and will serve two months in detention. Also, Gryffindor wins!” she shouts and all the Gryffindor students who remained shouted in happiness now they had gotten their rightful win. 

     Marcus crosses his arms and mutters another insult towards you. You walk up to him and punch him straight in the nose, causing him to fall back. With that, you walk off the field. You needed to calm down and couldn’t do it with all those people around shouting and yelling.

    ☼-☪-☼

   you had avoided your team for the rest of the day, shameful of your outburst. You wondered if you would get in trouble for punching Marcus and the fact that you told half the school you thought Oliver Wood was the best person in the world, either way. You were fucked. 

   you were now making your way to your dorm so you could cram in some studying before bed. You wore a white t-shirt, a red and white flannel as well as baggy blue jeans. As you opened the door of your dorm a flash of light causes you to stumble abit as well as a bunch of colored paper? oh confetti. 

   “Thank you Y/n!” you hear multiple people yell. You quickly decipher each one as one of your teammates. As your vision cleared you saw Fred and George holding up a banner that said ‘Y/n is the best’ Angelina and Katie were holding baskets that were filled to the top with sweets. 

   Harry was holding a case of butterbeer with a kind smile on his face. Last. but not least Oliver stood in the middle with a bouquet of flowers. you felt your heart race a little more when your eyes met “Um- Hi” you spoke shyly and began to fiddle with the sleeve of your flannel. 

   “You didn’t tell us you had that fire in you Y/n!” George shouts out of nowhere, his twin nodding in agreement “Wicked” Fred says in agreement. You just shrugged your shoulders “Uh- Thanks?” you said, unsure of what the both of them meant. 

   “yeah, you definitely put Marcus Flint in his place. Even Draco Malfoy apologized to us. It was insane, you should of been there!” Angelina exclaims, placing her basket of sweets on the ground of your room “You avoided us yesterday, why?” Katie asked, everyone's heads perking up.

   you sigh deeply and figured you owed them some sort of explanation “I’m just really socially awkward i guess. My uh- my parents died when i was like nine in some freak potions accident with Luna Lovegood’s mom. So Xenophilius Lovegood took me in. I was mute for awhile, so talking is just hard i suppose?”

   the girls faces drop as well as Olivers. Who knew your silence came with such a dark reason. “Sorry- did i ruin the mood?” you ask and they all immediately shake their heads “No, of course not! Anyway, we wanted to thank you for calling Marcus out and basically handing us the win.” Oliver spoke, taking a step towards you.

   “Also for sticking up for me. I appreciate it” He adds and you feel a familiar warmth invade your stomach harshly. Oliver hands you the bunch of poppies and you tilt your curiously “There fake?” you question and he nods once “I know your allergic to pollen” he says, which makes your heart skip a couple beats.

   you remember mentioning that you were allergic to pollen when you first met. He remembered after all this time? A cough interrupted the both of you and you look to see Fred double fisting butterbeers “Enough of that love shit, lets just hang out”

   your team burst out in laughter as both you and Oliver looked away from each other in embarrassment. Stupid Fred.  

       ☼-☪-☼

    a couple hours later Angelina was passed out on top of Katie on the floor, they had all brought sleeping bags apparently. This was very planned. Harry was laying on a beanbag chair with a blanket over him and marker on his face. George and Fred’s idea. 

   speaking of the twins they both were laying on the floor next to the trunk at the end of your bed, sweet wrappers surrounded them. You and Oliver had yet to fall asleep yet. You had actually opened up a bit and enjoyed talking to him. The more you talked, the more you fell for him really. 

   during the little ‘party’ your team had you all changed into different clothes (in their own dorms of course) so you were now wearing a black muggle t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Oliver was wearing his quidditch jersey and black sweatpants. He looked- well...hot.

   “You know Y/n. I can stop thinking about how you said i was the best person you knew” you inhale sharply and lean back onto your pillows, since you were both sitting on your bed “Yeah?” you question, afraid to say anything more. Oliver sits up straight, eyes boring into you. 

   “I think your the best person i know” he says confidently, reaching for your hand. He grabs it and runs the pad of his thumb over your skin. “Yeah?” you repeated once more. He snorts and looks down at the bedsheets for a moment before looking back at you “I’m trying to say i like you Y/n, like a lot”

   say what now? Oliver Wood. The guy who you thought barely noticed you just said he had feelings for you. Like earlier, your brain ran on autopilot “Yeah?...” you say a third time. Oliver rolls his eyes before leaning into kiss you gently, hands cupping your face and leaving room for you to push him away. 

   up close he smelt like fresh cut wood- like from a broomstick. That made sense actually. You snapped back to reality and hesitantly reach up to place your hand on the back of his neck, pulling him in for a deeper kiss. Oliver responds and places one hand on your waist.

   he lays you back against the bed and hovers over you, breaking the kiss. You look at him with a flushed expression “I like you too- you said it earlier so i felt like i should say it now...before anything else happens” you spoke quickly and quietly. 

   Oliver raises a brow in amusement “Anything else? Who knew you could think so dirty Y/n” he says in a teasing tone. You shake your head “What- no that’s not what i meant” your sentence trails off into a mumble. He chuckles quietly “I know” he said, going into kiss you again.

   “Can you guys not shag up, were right here” when did Fred wake up?

   “Yeah, be respectful to others around you” and there goes George.

   you watched as Oliver’s eye twitched in irritation “Both of shut up and go back to sleep. We are not shagging up” he says and they both mumble an okay. He lays back against the bed, turning on his side to face you “I think we should sleep as well, you don’t mind me sleeping here right?”

   you shake your head, not minding him there. He smiles lightly before reaching down to the grab the sheet. He pulled it over both of you. You go to scooch away to the other side when he wraps an arm around and pulls your back against his chest “You can’t get away that easily, lass” he whispered.

   you held back a small laugh before getting comfortable in the Captain's arms. “Night Y/n” he spoke quietly before placing a kiss to the back of your head. “Goodnight Oliver” you said back and used your wand to turn out the lights before closing your eyes.

   and with that. You fell asleep. 

    ☼-☪-☼

   Kody: I call these group of idiots the chaotic Gryffindor quidditch team. Anyways, peace. 

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

Fireflies Over The Wall - Chapter 2

Relationship: The Bell Keeper & Meiri (Original character)

Summary: "The troll brought with herself, every night without a fault, a baby.

Every night, she placed it upon the grass, and pointed upwards, showing her baby the stars and constellations. Showing her baby the fireflies.

Holding it tight. Cuddling with it. Making sure it saw the beauty the world had to offer. He had never considered himself a sentimental man. Yet this image, for some reason, never failed to make him return home feeling something gaping and void inside of himself.

Every one of his former coworkers must have returned to their families.

Who would Edmund return to when he could work no more?

What would give him a reason to get out of bed when the fireflies were no longer enough?"

An OC's origin story as well as a Bell Keeper character study, because this character is much more fascinating than I'd been giving him credit for.

Notes: Title from ‘Enchanted’, by Taylor Swift

Chapter title: Walls of insincerity

Read it on ao3

Technically, if you were to follow all the rules, bell keepers were supposed to work their shifts without pause and then get longer periods of rest. But with the massive dismissal of keepers that had been happening, there were no longer enough of them to keep rotating their posts like they were supposed to, making it necessary for them to work two or even three shifts in sequence. The only saving grace in that situation was that, considering there wasn’t enough monitoring to keep them from having to work until they no longer felt like human beings, there was also not enough to stop them from taking breaks whenever they’d like.

What was the worst that was going to happen? A troll attack?

He had been on the job for over a decade, and he had never witnessed a single one. He couldn’t be blamed for his scepticism.

It was about eight in the evening, two hours after his shift had ended and the task had been passed over to, you guessed it, himself. But Edmund was getting hungry, so even though it was still early enough that a superior could very well pop up to check on his job, he couldn’t be arsed to care. So he climbed down from his post on one of the many ancient staircases that were hidden throughout the wall, walking towards his cabin while wondering what he could possibly get to eat. He’d been working since the early morning, so it wasn’t like he’d had time to cook for himself, and despite his lack of interest, he wasn’t incompetent; it wouldn’t be safe to leave his post for so long, even if only considering his own financial stability. 

He could make a sandwich, as always. But was there even stuff to make a sandwich with at his house? He’d have to check that out. Even worse, he’d probably have to bring himself to go to the market come morning.

Not that he had any great plans for anything else to do with his free time. 

The night was quiet; it usually was, around those parts. Kids showed up during the day to play, sometimes. The local scouts went near the wall for certain activities. Couples came for romantic picnics somewhere secluded. But when the sun left, so did the noise. It was just the wind on the trees, the cicadas, and his old reliable boots on the grass. No one wanted to be near their one line of defence when it was most likely to be attacked, which served him just well. He didn’t feel like being around most people either.

The air was cool and crisp in his lungs. There had been a bit of rain earlier, so the scent of wet soil still lingered pleasantly. Few lamps were installed along the wall, just enough so that he could see the outline of his cabin and the trees.

And the silhouette of something small scaling the wall.

As soon as he noticed it, his hand went inside his coat to grab the flashlight he kept with himself at all times. He didn’t instantly flash it; if it were an animal, or a magical creature, he could frighten it into attacking him. Instead, he first asked, loud enough that he could be sure he would be heard.

“Who’s there?”

Whatever it was, it didn’t answer, only stilled its movements. He then turned on his light but kept it pointing towards the ground, and began his approach in as calmly of a manner he could.

The figure was humanoid, but far too small. He wondered if it could be a nisse. He sure had never heard of elves being that big, and hadn’t gotten his hands on the proper paperwork yet, anyway. Maybe it was some sort of magic construct, one of those creatures Kaisa would tell him about and he’d pretend not to believe in so he could sleep peacefully.

Slowly, he dragged his beam of light all the way from the floor to the creature. Its gaze had been directed straight at him, so he could immediately see its face when he got there.

Ugh, even worse.

It was a child.

“Hey!” Came the impressively offended interjection, as if she wasn’t the one practically invading Trolberg City property. “Put that down, that’s not nice!”

He did as he was told, because yeah, that was fair. Nobody wanted light straight at their face. But he was also amused because her voice sounded like if she knew how to swear, he’d be hearing some very nasty words leave her mouth. He could respect that. But he didn’t budge an inch and kept lighting the lower side of the girl’s body.

Her little body was hanging on to the vines that grew over the door to his belltower, a surprising show of strength for someone who looked so young, especially since she was holding on with only one hand. He could see the other one reaching up above her head. What for, he hadn’t the slightest idea. 

“What are you doing?” She didn’t answer for a good couple of seconds, but apparently decided it was something she had to do upon seeing his Patrol badge, not completely hidden by his garment. 

“I’m just trying to get a sprout of Simulium philia.”

He blinked, frowned, and debated whether he was being played a prank on. 

“Pardon?”

“Simulium philia. It attracts an insect, and there’s a sprout right over there.” She pointed to a spot above her head she couldn’t quite reach yet. “It’s not wrong to pick plants.”

It’s not wrong to pick plants. Not followed by an ‘is it, officer?’ or by a ‘right?’. Just stating her gods given right to scale the wall and grab a plant if she saw fit. It wasn’t like she was exactly wrong (he didn’t think so, at least. He may be from the Patrol but he only really learned the laws regarding his job), but it was still probably not what she should be doing at that moment.

He sighed, unwilling to deal with that situation. “Where are you parents, kid?”

“I’m an orphan.” She said with the bluntness and nonchalance of someone commenting on the weather.

“Well, then where is whoever is responsible for you?”

Poor person, he thought to himself in the moments of silence that followed his question. Except the moments began to stretch and stretch, and with his eyes now better adjusted he noticed that she was still looking at him, not like a deer in headlights, not like a child caught stealing cookies, but rather the way you look at an annoying coworker who just won’t stop talking and leave you alone. Clearly waiting for him to get tired and go away to leave her to her previous plans, without the slightest intention of answering that question.

Edmund let his head fall back and groaned as he squeezed his eyes shut. He was tired and hungry and he hadn’t a drop of patience to deal with that right now. Had he been slightly less conscious, he would have just pretended he hadn’t seen the little wannabe monkey and kept on with his appealing evening of putting together something that could barely be called a sandwich and go back to his post. But, annoying or not, this was a child, alone in the middle of the night. He couldn’t in good conscience just leave her alone. And he apparently couldn’t make her cooperate either. 

His decision made, he walked closer to the girl (who seemed to have gotten back to her endeavour, hoping that ignoring him would make him go away) and stood on his tiptoes in order to grab the exact sprout she’d been on the verge of reaching.

“Hey!” She sounded less distressed this time, but no less murderous. “That’s mine!”

“Nope, it’s mine now. I caught it fair and square.”

As he kept on walking towards his cabin pretending to not pay a mind to her, he heard a solid thump as she let go of the vines and landed on her feet without a single huff or squeal to indicate any struggle with the jump. 

Creepy kid.

Then, just as expected, came the pitter patter of her feet behind him, having to take many more steps than he had for obvious reasons. He only stopped and looked back when he was already at his cabins’ steps and had opened his front door.

“I’m gonna get something to eat. Do you drink tea?”

She was standing much closer to him than he had calculated she would, but he kept his startlement internal. Her hands were inside the pocket of the dark green hoodie she wore, and she was glaring at him like he was one big inconvenience she did not want to deal with.

Luckily, the feeling was mutual.

“Not black.” Was all she said, through gritted teeth.

“Me neither.” What did she take him for? If he wanted something bitter and caffeinated he’d just drink coffee. “Come on.”

Although the fact that she reluctantly followed him into the cabin meant his plan had worked, it didn’t put him at ease at all; in fact, it may just make things worse. Certainly the girl had someone to teach her she should not, under any circumstances, accept to be taken by strange people into their homes?

“You can sit down if you feel like it.” He said, even though he didn’t pay enough attention to her to see if she’d done so or not. He went straight to his teapot and put it over the fire, walking then to his fridge to see what he had. 

Ham and watercress and three slices of bread - what were those doing in the fridge? - and not a thing more. It would have to do.

“You want some toast, kid?” He asked because really what use would he have for exactly one slice of bread, and because he wasn’t a troglodyte. If someone is in your house, you offer them food. That’s how it goes. 

He heard her scoff from behind him. “I’m not eating something you give me. I don’t know you.”

“That’s a great point you’re making right there.” He plugged his toaster on the outlet and put two slices in there. “Which brings me to the question of do you usually enter the houses of people you don’t know? You could get into big trouble, you know.”

“Obviously.” She did not seem to understand she’d been scolded. “But I want my plant. Just give it to me and I’ll go!”

Edmund turned to face her, crossing his arms and leaning against his cooking counter. 

“Listen, kid- what’s yer name, actually?”

She lifted an eyebrow at him. Turns out she was still standing up; he could see her better now, in the lighting of his living room. Her skin was olive-toned, a shade darker than he’d previously thought; she had a hooked nose and very dark eyes and bags under them that looked genetic rather than a consequence of poor sleep. Her hair was just as dark and wild, although very short. He couldn’t tell if it was a result of the wind ruffling it up as she climbed or if it was just like that. 

“You were just complaining about me following you here. Why should I tell you my name if I don’t know you?”

“Fair enough.” He heard his toaster go off and turned around to spread butter on the bread. “Well, how old are you?”

“Can’t you tell?”

No, he couldn’t and he rationally couldn’t see a reason why he should be able to. He hadn’t interacted with a child in more years than he could count, instances when he had to make one or another stop damaging the wall with silly games and slash or bets notwithstanding, so his knowledge of developmental milestones was admittedly lacking. Her question sounded so judgemental that he felt like he was missing important information, though. From what he had seen, she had a full set of teeth and enough anger inside of herself to make her sound like a bitter retired elderly person, so… probably older than three?

“No.” Was what he said instead shooting his shot and failing miserably.

Being in the middle of his sandwich making process, he couldn’t see her shrug.

“Then it can’t be that important.” She answered, and that told him absolutely nothing other than she was still in that fantastic age where kids remained under the impression that adults knew everything. He was far too tired for this.

The kettle rang, and he placed satchets of herbal tea inside of two mugs - the only two mugs he had, in fact - and placed them on his wooden table. Sandwich already in hand, he sat down and pretended to not be watching whether or not she’d take a seat. Feigning nonchalance was what had gotten her to follow him to begin with. And also what had made Kaisa begin talking to him all those years ago, come to think of it. Maybe it had a similar effect on grumpy girls as pstpstpsting had on cats.

His meal tasted… well, he had food, he supposed he shouldn’t be complaining. It was a wonder, with how little housekeeping he did. It wasn’t that he didn’t like to cook, or to keep things in order. It was just that doing those things only to himself felt pointless. He could live very well just keeping things clean, who was he trying to impress? There was no point in dirtying his pots and pans and having to spend hours in the kitchen just so he could have an actual dish every day. He was fine with his sandwiches and deconstructed meals.

He was still thinking about this when he heard the chair directly in front of him scratch the floor and the girl sat down. The chair being too short for her, only up until her chin was visible from over the table. Continuing to apply that same tactic, Edmund didn’t look at her as the girl picked up her mug and took a sip.

“Lemongrass?” She asked and he hummed in assent, still chewing. 

“Sure you don’t want that toast?” He broke the silence they had fallen into to ask, when he was about halfway through the sandwich and she was still waiting for her tea to cool down enough to drink it properly. “See, I’m eating that same bread. It’s not poisoned.”

She was gazing around at his cabin when she answered.

“No, thank you. I already ate.”

Huh, look at that. She knew how to be polite. 

Maybe it happened when she was distracted enough. 

He kept eating and wondering what the hell he was supposed to do. He had to go back to work (well, truly it wasn’t like he <em>had</em> to do it, the likelihood of something happening was very small, but he still wanted to keep this job) but he couldn’t just leave this random child inside his house. Which, considering she wouldn’t tell him where she came from, was looking like his only option. 

“What do you do?” She asked once he was done eating and they were now both nursing their mugs, showing the first bit of interest in him since they’d met. Though it was probably just to cut through the awkward silence.

“I am a bell keeper. I stand watch on a section of the wall and I ring the bell if anything is off.”

“And have you ever had to ring it?”

“Not really.”

She grimaced mockingly. “Sounds useless.”

And, sure, that was true, but why was everyone and their mother rubbing it in his face lately?

“Well, what do you do when you’re not stealing plants, young miss?”

“I go to school.” She didn’t miss a beat. “So I don’t have to become a cop when I grow up.”

Caught unarmed, he scrambled for something to say that wasn’t an utter lie or worse, a defence of the Patrol. Even in his most desperate hour he couldn’t resort to that.

“I’m very low ranking, as far as the Patrol’s hierarchy goes. I just pay attention to what’s going on and discourage anyone who wants to go outside the wall after hours.”

She gave him a look that was all raised eyebrows and tired smugness.

“Cop.”

He rolled his eyes and sat back, defeated. “Yeah, you know what, just keep on studying, kid.”

“So I don’t end up controlling people for a job?”

“I don’t control anyone!”

“Really?” She crossed her arms to mirror his stance. “Then why are you keeping me here?”

Oh. He’d walked right into that one.

“Because I can’t let a child go walking alone at night by herself!” 

“And instead I’m alone at night with a stranger. Great job!”

Letting his body slide down his chair a few inches, he groaned. Never had he wanted to go to work this badly. 

“Listen, kid. I’ll give you your plant. I just need you to give me the number of whoever you live with so I can call them to come pick you up. Or if you don’t trust whoever you live with or can’t call them for whatever reason, the number of an adult you do trust. It’s a win-win situation.”

By that time, the girl was already done with her lemongrass tea. She got up from her chair and, taking him by surprise, attempted to wash it.

“Leave it be.” He told her, essentially unnecessarily since she couldn’t reach the kitchenette’s sink, anyway. “I’ll wash them both later.”

“I don’t know their numbers.” She admitted, not sounding at all regretful of the fact. Her little hands now shoved back inside the hoodie’s pocket, she began wandering around his small living room, instantly attracted by the book shelves near his front door. He couldn’t imagine a single thing there that would appeal to a child, but she seemed to read their spines with care nonetheless. Anything was possible, though. After he’d heard her in all seriousness throw a scientific name into the conversation two seconds after having met her, Ed wouldn’t be willing to bet against her or her intelligence anytime soon.

“Well, listen, I need something. I can’t leave my post for long enough to drop you off at home, and you can’t stay here until morning.”

The girl didn’t even stop looking through his collection. “You can just give me my S. philia and let me go. I know the way.”

“You could get hurt.” 

“That’s not your problem.”

She didn’t sound accusing, or angry, or anything of the sort. Just slightly tired of that conversation and distracted by a book she was currently flipping through. He saw that it was his tree identification manual.

Edmund began rubbing his eyes with so much pressure that he could see purple and blue blotches behind his eyelids, in that characteristic manner we all know we’re not supposed to but still do when we’re too tired. His tea had grown cold. The girl apparently decided to sit down on his sofa and read his book. She had a point, mind you. It wasn’t his problem, and whoever was in charge of her should have either established clear rules or made sure they were implemented. Because for all that he had no clue what at what age children did what, he was certain someone as young as the child in front of him should not be going out by themselves this late.

He was beginning to seriously consider taking a sleeping mat back to his post so she could sleep while he was at work to be delivered at the end of his shift. That’s the level of clueless he was. But then something extremely rare happened.

His doorbell rang.

Edmund’s stomach dropped, his first thought being that out of all days the Patrol had chosen this one to guarantee that the keepers were all doing their jobs accordingly. The best case scenario would be a coworker having somehow noticed he wasn’t at his post and coming to ask him about it, in which case he could probably either bribe or blackmail them into not snitching on him. But then he’d still have to explain the child to them.

The reality, it turned out, was all the opposite of that.

“Good evening, sir.” Said a lithe blond man as soon as the door was opened, in what looked to Edmund like office clothing, though neither it nor the person himself were very well put together. He looked worried and out of sorts, and had the laboured breathing of someone who had been running. “Sorry for the disturbance, but would you happen to have seen a child around these parts?”

It just so happened that the spot the girl was in wasn’t one the man would be able to see from where he was standing. Intrigued,  Edmund crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe, further obscuring the view of the side of the house she was in.

“A child?”

“Yes, sir.” Edmund had thought he was tired. This guy, though, he looked like he was having an even worse evening. “I work at Saint Anne’s orphanage. One of our little girls escaped again today. She’s six, short black hair, was wearing her green hoodie and black leggings when she was last seen. Does that ring a bell?”

“Hold on.” He couldn’t see or hear her, but something told him she was greatly amused by the situation. At least he had gotten answers for two of his questions already. “Again? The hell do you mean ‘again’? How hard can it be to keep a kid that young from escaping?”

It was as if he had triggered war flashbacks on the younger man. 

“Very.” He answered, and with the amount of feeling behind that one word, Edmund was even moved to believe him. “Meiri is a good girl, but she gets terribly bored inside the orphanage after school. So she learned how to sneak out and nothing we do seemed to stop her. In the end we stopped fighting it and just gave her instructions on how to keep safe. But she always comes back by sunset, so when we realised she was still out we began searching for her. No luck since.”

Edmund hummed, taking in that information. He then asked, without sounding like he was actually waiting for permission. 

“Would you give me a minute to grab my coat? I’ll help you go looking for her.”

And then he closed the door before he could hear any arguments, which the man looked like he wanted to make.

He turned back to the girl, who was watching him, looking disinterested. He wondered if she was using his own tactic of faking it.

“Six, huh?”

“Oh, shut up.”

She let some surprise show through her face when he approached her and crouched down, so that he’d be nearer to her level, sitting on his sofa as she currently was.

“Can you go with him? Is he good to you?”

The girl seemed surprised at the question, even more surprised that he’d even ask.

“Terry? Yeah, he’s okay. He’s one of our caretakers.”

Edmund nodded and got up, taking one last look at her to guarantee that she looked like she was being sincere before turning around and going back to the counter that served as his kitchen.

“Then please go put him out of his misery. I’ll get your plant ready to go, you open the door for him.”

For a couple of seconds, the girl remained still, looking between the book, Edmund and the door repeatedly. Eventually, whatever she’d been thinking about faded away and she sighed, getting up to get the door. As soon as she’d opened it, the man let out a gasp that sounded more terrified than relieved.

“Meiri!” He tried to pick her up, but she took a step back to move away. The message was clear enough and he didn’t make another attempt. “Where have you been? We were looking for you everywhere!”

Before the girl could open her mouth, Edmund chimed in.

“My fault, pal. Saw her around on her own at night and thought there must be something off for a kid so young to be all alone after hours, so I made her come here. We were figuring out how to make contact with you people when you knocked.”

Though he didn’t see it, being too busy thoroughly washing a former pickle jar he’d emptied this morning, Meiri’s gaze locked on his back with a frown. Wondering why he’d downplay her lack of collaboration when he’d get nothing for it.

“Oh! I understand. Thank you.”  

The Terry person didn’t sound too thankful, understandably so since he’d probably cost them extra time of worry and searching, but just enough that Edmund knew all was well. He then began trying to get the girl to thank him as well, which amused the bell keeper to no end, since he’d been around her for less than an entire hour and already considered it a futile endeavour. True to that impression, she’d only said ‘I won’t’ the first time she was asked to express her gratitude and remained silent as a tomb when he continued insisting.

“It’s okay, mate. She didn’t wanna come anyway.”

Edmund walked towards them with the now completely clean jar and the sprout, which he’d kept in his most spacious pocket, now inside it.

“There ya go.” He leaned down to hand it to her. “Simulation philosophy. Was it worth it?”

Just as he had expected, she glared at him something violent. But funnily enough, her eyes didn’t quite have the fire that they had before. 

“Simulium philia. It was.”

“Good. Now if you excuse me, I have to go back to my post.”

He paid the caretaker no mind as the man attempted to bid a polite goodbye, instead going around the house to turn off all the lights. The man gave up when Edmund only answered with ‘yeah, sure’s, and began heading back the way he came with the little girl in tow. 

After having put his house moderately to sorts and closed his front door, Edmund drew his coat’s hood over his head, ready to climb back up to his favourite spot on the wall and forget about the weird approximate half an hour he’d had. When he was about to do so, though, his feet on the front steps of his house, he saw that the two of them were still within eyesight as they walked away in the direction of the city centre. And that the girl, who immediately avoided his gaze and went back to facing forwards upon being caught, had been looking directly back at him.

He chuckled, putting his hands inside his coat’s pockets, and went back to work.

[hyperpsychomaniac]

Chapter 2 up.

[ya-girl-mc]

Lips on Lips

Character: Kageyama Tobio × Fem Reader

Concept: Kageyama being the awkward babie that he is, has no idea how to kiss. Luckily, his girl's there to help him out (wholesome fluff!!)

A/N: So hiii,,, I finally took the plunge and decided to post my first fic here. Idk if anyone will actually read or like it, but I rly enjoyed writing this one 😅 so hope u will too

☆☆A mostly self-indulgent Haikyuu!! Fanfiction☆☆

The ringing of the school bell signifying the end of final period had always been a highlight for the students of Karasuno High. Excited chatters filled the hallways as students pooled out of their classrooms, eager to pursue after-school activities with some making a beeline towards the exits.

As soon as the bell rang, Kageyama would usually head straight to the gym for volleyball practice, racing occasionally with Hinata as the 'quick-attack' duo turned every mundane activity into an opportunity to best the other. However, with club activities cancelled for the day, Kageyama had but one destination.

Completely oblivious to the wistful stares he got from some of the female students, his attention was fixated on only one of them as she made her way out of the classroom, her expression brightening as soon as she set her eyes on him.

His girlfriend.

Him and Y/N had known each other since middle school. What had formerly been the latter's unrequited love had now blossomed into a romantic relationship, with Kageyama eventually finding himself enamored by her as they reached high school. A couple of weeks have passed since then and everything was going great, if he could say so himself. Despite his intimidating demeanor, Kageyama did his utmost best to keep her happy, however, given his track record of social interactions, he was initially convinced that he would jeopardize their relationship. But, with Y/N’s assurance to accept him for who he is, his worries eventually dissipated.

Kageyama allowed himself the most subtle of smiles as she made her way to where he stood, looking up at him with bright eyes that he had come to adore. Completely unaware of the stares the other students threw their way, the couple continued to gaze at each other. "Tobio! No practice today?" She asked as she smiled at him.

"No, the gym's being cleaned. So, I was wondering..." He trailed off, fidgeting ever so slightly. "Do you want to go and hang out somewhere?"

At that exact moment, Hinata joined the forming group of interlopers as he witnessed his intimidating partner and sworn rival interact fondly with his significant other. Pretty soon, Tanaka and Nishinoya came across the crowd, easily spotting their tangerine-haired teammate. "What's up, Shoyo?" Nishinoya inquired.

Nodding in acknowledgement at his senpais, Hinata gestured to the couple. "It seems like Kageyama's asking her out on a date."

Tanaka let out an exasperated sigh. "It's still amazing that THAT guy managed to get a girlfriend before we did."

Sympathizing with his teammate, Nishinoya placed his hand atop Tanaka's shoulder. "And it seems like it just made his popularity shoot up. How unfair the world we live in is."

Shifting their attention back to the couple, Y/N happily responded to Kageyama's invitation. "Sure! How about at my house? My parents are out working so we'd have the house to ourselves the entire afternoon."

At her rather bold suggestion, jaws dropped in disbelief and with Kageyama completely unaware of its implications, nonchalantly accepted her invitation. "Sounds great."

Gleefully responding to his concurrence, Y/N excused herself and headed to the restroom, paying no attention to the incredulous stares that followed her. As soon as she was out of earshot, Hinata and Nishinoya scrambled towards him.

"KAGEYAMAAA!" Yelling in chorus, the duo tackled him as Tanaka proceeded to disperse the crowd.

Kageyama steadied his footing at the sudden attack, shooting his teammates an irked expression. "What was that for?"

Tanaka soon joined the trio and placed his arm around Kageyama's shoulder. "I can't believe it. Our Kageyama's finally entering the ultimate stage of manhood."

Puzzled by the sentiment, Kageyama jumped in surprise as Nishinoya slapped his lower back, his expression donning that of a proud father. "While we still can't stomach the idea of you getting there first, we salute you, comrade."

"What are you all getting so worked up about?"

Hinata gave his partner a knowing look. "You're about to hang out in a very private place with someone you're in a relationship with, it's basically a perfect situation to do THAT."

It suddenly dawned on Kageyama, his eyes widening as he began to panic, the trio watching him in disbelief. "Seriously, Baka-yama?!" Hinata exclaimed. "We both may be volleyball idiots but I can't believe that I know about more stuff in that area than you."

"Dumbass, don't compare me with the likes of you!" He growled as he harshly pinched Hinata's cheeks. In a state of uncharacteristic panic, Kageyama began pacing back and forth. "W-what should I do? It's not my intention to do THAT, it's way too early!"

"Let this senpai give you some wisdom." Nishinoya slapped Kageyama's shoulder, stilling his movements. "Listen, nothing good will come out of overthinking matters. You both just started dating after all, just trust your gut and let things flow naturally."

"Nishinoya-san..." Kageyama trailed off in thought as he digested the advice his senpai gave him.

"Noya-san SO COOL!" Hinata and Tanaka fawned over him in admiration.

At that moment, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi passed by the group. Without ceasing his stride, Tsukishima let out a lengthy sigh. "Nishinoya-san, you say that but got no experience to back it up."

Something snapped in Nishinoya as the cold, hard, and undeniable truth was given to him straight. "Ha? The hell did you say? Tsukishima, you bastard!" Nishinoya attempted to lunge at him, however, the trio scrambled to hold the seething libero back. Yamaguchi waved sheepishly at his teammates as Tsukishima held up a peace sign with his fingers which only seemed to rile up Nishinoya more.

Just then, Y/N emerged from the restroom and took in the shenanigans unfolding before her, amused yet relieved at the thought of Kageyama finally finding people he could feel comfortable with. It was a stark difference from how he was back in middle school as his peers isolated the so-called "King". Despite his reputation, Y/N saw through Kageyama and witnessed a sensitive yet unwavering person beneath. It was what drew her to him in the first place.

Shaking her head at how sentimental she had gotten, she approached the group and cleared her throat to catch their attention. She had become accustomed to the rowdiness of the volleyball team, especially with the uproar they caused when Kageyama formally introduced her to them. "Hi Hinata, Nishinoya-senpai, and Tanaka-senpai. Mind if I steal Tobio away?"

"Y/N-chan!" Hinata greeted cheerfully, letting go of Nishinoya's arm to push Kageyama towards her. "Sure, he's all yours."

He stumbled a bit as Y/N held his arm to steady him, giggling at the dagger-like glare he shot his partner. "Since when were you on a first name basis with her, dumbass?"

"Well then, we're off!" She chimed and pulled Kageyama away before he made any attempt to lunge at Hinata, waving gleefully at his teammates. "See you around!"

Bowing slightly at his senpais and shooting one last threatening glare at Hinata, Kageyama let Y/N lead him to the exits. Looking back once more, his expression turned to that of disdain at the enthusiastic thumbs-up his teammates gave him.

Once the couple was out of earshot, Nishinoya let out a whistle. "Damn, she's got Kageyama wrapped around her finger, huh? He better treasure her 'cause a girl like that's a keeper."

Nodding in agreement, the three of them fondly watched the retreating couple, silently cheering their setter on for what's to come.

*****

"Pardon the intrusion!" Kageyama rigidly yelled to no one in particular as Y/N ushered him into her empty home. Settling himself down on the living room sofa while she headed to the kitchen, Kageyama tightly clasped his hands on his lap, not daring to move a single muscle.

To say that he was nervous was an understatement. He never felt this much nervousness before, not even during official matches as it only exhilarated him. But then, having devoted most of his life to volleyball, the dynamics of dating was somewhat uncharted territory for him.

Calm down, calm down. You're both alone in her home, with nothing to disturb you. It's just like what that idiot said, it's the ideal set-up for THAT. Is Y/N even aware? She invited me here so does that mean she wants to do...THAT?! Since when has she been that straight forward? And is she expecting me to initiate something?

Wait, don't get too ahead, that may not be her intention and maybe it's just that Tanaka-san, Nishinoya-san, and Hinata's minds are in the gutter and I'm letting them get to me. But what if she really wants to go THERE? Shit...I don't know what to do! Maybe I should look it up and do some research while she's-

"Tobio," Y/N’s sudden voice roused him from his spiraling thoughts as he flinched in surprise, nearly toppling the contents of the tray in her hands. "Hey! Geez, why are you so jumpy?" Setting down the tray of snacks on the table, she sat down next to him, and - to Kageyama's relief - allotted a reasonable distance between them as he definitely didn't want her finding out that he was on the verge of losing it.

But then again, this was his girlfriend. With a seemingly uncanny ability to see through his stoic persona, she just simply knew how to read and handle him. "So you're nervous, huh?"

Kageyama's eyes widened as he felt himself starting to sweat. "N-no, I'm not," he stuttered, practically giving himself away.

Letting out a nervous chuckle herself, Y/N placed her hands atop her lap, her posture stiffening. "Uh...well to be honest, I invited you here not with the purest of intentions."

Kageyama felt himself freeze, his face burning at her revelation. He kept his gaze trained on hers as he mustered up the courage to say something, anything.

Shit, so she definitely wants to do THAT.

As Kageyama kept staring at her dubiously, Y/N eventually caught on to what has rendered him speechless. Reevaluating her words, it was her turn to become flustered as she realized that they were barreling towards a huge misunderstanding. "N-no! Not THAT impure! Geez, it's way too soon for that! Ugh, how do I say this..."

Kageyama couldn't help but audibly sigh in relief, feeling like a huge weight was lifted off of his shoulders. But if it's not about that, what's got her so bothered?

Keen on finding out the answer, he looked at her expectantly, watching as she fiddled with the hem of her skirt. Glancing momentarily at Kageyama, her cheeks burned as she forced herself to elaborate on her woes. "Well, it's just that we've been dating for a few weeks now and all we've done is hold hands."

As she fidgeted uncomfortably, Kageyama was intrigued as he prompted her to continue. "What do you mean?"

Okay Y/N, so far so good. This has been bothering you for some time now, just say it!

Tightening her grip on the hem of her skirt, she couldn't bring herself to look at Kageyama as she turned away, hiding her flustered expression from view. "I mean we haven't...k-kissed yet. So I was kind of overthinking lately that maybe...you didn't want to do that with me...?"

There! I finally said it, all that practice in front of the mirror seemed to pay off! But why isn't he saying anything?

As silence engulfed the room, Y/N subtly peered at Kageyama, taken aback at the aghast expression on his face. "Idiot! Why would you think that?"

"Hey!"

Sighing in defeat, Kageyama eventually felt his cheeks heating up once more as he turned away, hiding his face in his hands. He couldn't help but feel guilty since his girlfriend was compelled to harbor those thoughts...well...because of him. After pausing momentarily, it was his turn to shy away. "S-sorry. It's not you, I promise. I've never been in a relationship before so I have no idea how to...k-kiss. And, I was afraid that if I try to do it and I do it wrong...you might not like me anymore."

There! You finally said it, Tobio - albeit quite lamely.

At his unexpected confession, it was Y/N's turn to gape at him as she processed his words.

The hell? What the hell was that cuteness?!

Kageyama usually carried himself with confidence and a subtle tinge of superiority. Seeing this whole new side of him was pretty bad for her heart, as her pride also swelled at the thought that she was one of the few people able to witness this endearing side of him. "Awww, Tobio!" Y/N swooned, scooching closer as she gave him a sideways-hug. Kageyama jumped at the sudden contact as he looked down at his girlfriend, his cheeks seeming to grow even warmer. "That awkwardness of yours is what makes you so adorable!"

"A-adorable?!" He reiterated aghastly.

She put a little distance between them once more which allowed her eyes to met his. "Yeah, I said what I said. So what if you don't know how to kiss? That won't change my feelings for you. I told you, right? That I'll always like you."

It was still pretty amazing how much her words affected him as he felt his insecurities gradually crumble away. Unable to find the right words, Kageyama wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close instead, hoping that that simple gesture was more than enough to convey his feelings.

After a few moments of tranquil silence, Y/N pulled back from the hug and faced him, her cheeks donning a bright shade of pink. "Say, Tobio…w-would you like to try to kiss?"

Gulping audibly, Kageyama shifted to mirror her sitting position. "O-okay." Completely at a loss at what to do, he shut his eyes tightly. With lips subtly pursed, he awaited for the much-anticipated contact, but instead, Y/N's giggling caused his eyes to fly open. "Why are you laughing?!"

"You're too adorable! Geez what am I going to do with you?" She tried to say through her laughter, stopping as soon as she noticed the irked expression he threw her.

Now that's just unfair. He's even cuter!

Clearing her throat, Y/N decided to take matters into her own hands. She scooted closer to him and recounting on all the "research" she's done, she clasped both of his hands in hers. "Where do you want to touch me?" Letting out a shaky breath, she guided his hands towards her face. "Here?" Following suit, Kageyama then found his hands on either side of her waist in one smooth motion. "Or here?"

His hands were shaking pretty badly due to nervousness, and while he was sure she could notice, she didn't pay it any attention. "T-the face," he managed to reply, gently cradling her face in his hands as the space in-between them decreased.

His hands were huge and warm against her cheeks as she leaned into its warmth. Fixating her eyes on his, Y/N proceeded to instruct him. "Now, let's try moving our faces closer until our lips touch. And close your eyes, idiot!"

Both of their hearts were going haywire as the distance between them decreased. Y/N’s eyes have fluttered close and Kageyama followed suit, steeling himself as he awaited for contact. With their lips mere centimeters away, Kageyama felt his nose bump against hers and he drew back in a panic, blushing furiously as he did. "I-I'm sorry, I messed up!"

Ugh, I swear to God this cuteness of his will definitely be the death of me someday!

Refraining herself from giggling at his embarrassed state, Y/N took his hands and placed them once more on either side of her face. "Let's try again, and uh, let's move our heads in the opposite direction. I'll go left, you go right."

Unable to speak as the nerves began building up once more, he simply nodded, the atmosphere suddenly shifting as they locked gazes. Little by little, their faces drew closer and closer, and Kageyama took the opportunity to admire her features amid their current proximity. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her cheeks faintly tinted, and her lips parted slightly as they anticipated his. At that moment, he found her utterly captivating and his eyes fluttered close. With all the courage he could muster, he finally pressed his lips on hers.

The contact was subtle, featherlight, and only lasted a second, but it was more than enough to send their hearts into overdrive. He slowly drew back and found her staring at him with wide eyes, her breathing hitching as she finally came into terms with reality.

H-he actually did it...we kissed. We finally kissed. All those shoujo manga describing the thrill of the first kiss - it comes nothing close to actually experiencing it for yourself.

Mirroring her flustered state, Kageyama slightly increased the distance between them, his eyes darting away from hers. "H-how was that?"

Dropping his hands from her face, Y/N's fingers lightly grazed the spot where his lips met hers, recounting on the enthralling sensation. "My heart feels like it's about to explode."

"Same here," he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly, still quite embarrassed.

"Uhm, can we do it a bit harder?" She requested in a voice so soft he almost didn't catch it. But he did hear, and his heart began racing uncontrollably as a result. Y/N sensed what she assumed was his apprehension and chuckled awkwardly, berating herself for being a bit too wanton. "Is that a weird thing to ask?"

"It's not." Kageyama's reply was a bit too immediate in an attempt to reassure her, but he once more found himself spiraling internally.

Letting out a sigh of relief and with every ounce of confidence she could muster, Y/N wrapped her arms around Kageyama's neck and pulled him towards her, their faces in such close proximity. Too surprised to respond, he simply stared back at her, his hands naturally finding their way around her waist. Her breath tickled his lips, whispering ever so slightly against them. "Follow my lead."

Their lips met once again, but it was different from the one they shared earlier. With an increase in pressure, he could feel just how soft her lips were, and pretty soon, he felt them moving against his. His heart literally close to bursting, he recalled the advice Nishinoya shared with him.

Trust my gut, huh?

Finally letting go of all of his inhibitions, he allowed his lips to move against hers naturally, his eyes fluttering shut as he reveled in the sensations. It was unbelievably sweet yet exhilarating at the same time, both of them losing themselves into the kiss. Neither wanted the moment to end but Y/N was the first to pull away as she panted slightly. Eyes fluttering open, they both smiled sheepishly, their foreheads pressing against each other. "So, how was it?"

"Better, I liked the second one better," Kageyama stated, no longer feeling as much embarrassed as he did earlier. "Where did you learn to do that?"

At his inquiry, Y/N drew back slightly and dropped her gaze, fidgeting once more. "Uh...research?" Her vague answer seemed a bit suspicious, and with Kageyama shooting her an inquisitive look, she groaned and buried her face in a pillow. "Fine! I read a lot of shoujo manga, okay? You happy?!"

"Pfftt," Kageyama couldn't help but sputter out and pretty soon, he was laughing uncontrollably as he clutched his stomach.

Too annoyed by his mirth to swoon over how adorable Kageyama was when he laughed like this, she grabbed the pillow and began hitting him. "So what of it?! The kiss turned out fine didn't it? Stupid Tobio! Idiot! Idiot!" All of a sudden, Kageyama stilled her movements as he leaned over and pecked her lips, both of them blushing profusely at the sudden gesture.

"Hey Y/N, I'd like it if maybe we practice some more?"

"You sneaky little..." Still slightly reeling from his surprise attack, Y/N looked away in embarrassment. "I'd have no problems with that...I guess."

And with that, the rest of their afternoon was filled with banter, laughs, and with a few stolen kisses here and there.

[ultimate-kaisa-simp]

2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 18, 22, 34?

2. Why do you write fanfiction?

It’s really fun! There are always moments when I don’t have any motivation but when I actually write I really enjoy it! That’s why I’ve stopped setting deadlines for myself, it makes it way too stressful.

4. Are there any writers that inspire you?

Actually, at the moment my biggest inspiration is you! And not just for the fact I’m writing for your au, but you’re super nice and a really good writer and you make me feel good about my writing!

5. What’s the fic you’re most proud of?

Probably my current WIP ;)

But as for published, probably my 5+1 fic I did for the runaway AU, it’s the longest fic I’ve done (aside from one but it’s not my favourite) and was generally very fun to do!

8. What characters do you find easiest to write?

Probably ones that I like the most! If I like a character then I’ll read more fics with them and re watch their episodes more! So at the moment it’s Hilda, Frida, Kaisa, Johanna and Gerda!

9. What characters do you find the hardest to write?

The ones I’m not interested in. Not the ones I hate, they’re fairly easy for me, but the ones that just don’t interest me.

12. Tell us about a WIP you’re excited about.

Ok I’m 99% sure you knew what I’d pick but I’m not even mad because I like it so much.

My current fic is for an AU called “Littlest Keeper.” In this, the events of Old Bells of Trolberg goes horribly wrong, and instead of the bell landing harmlessly on Ahlberg, it kills Johanna. Argus (the bell keeper) ends up taking Hilda in, both of them blaming themselves.

This is not my AU and it belongs to Pikablob (or @cinnamon-sparrow-scout)

18. Wildest fic you’ve ever written?

So tumblr crashed and didn’t save this one and I don’t feel like retyping everything so just take the fic XD

When you need a superfriend

22. Do you listen to any music while you write?

I don’t have specific playlist for writing but I have been listening to your Runaway Hilda playlist on repeat XD

It’s very catchy!

34. Copy and paste an excerpt you’re particularly fond of.

Here’s a bit from Littest Keeper! I don’t know when it’ll be done but probably not too long.

In a surprising show of strength, Kaisa picked Hilda up and walked over to a nearby couch, wrapping the younger girl in her cape as they sat. The kindness being shown combined with the warmth of the cape and all her repressed feeling made Hilda lose her tight grip on her emotions and she buried her face into Kaisa’s side, starting to sob. The librarian didn’t say anything and simply let her, rubbing soothing circles into her back.

I just love softTM Kaisa alright.

Thank you sm for the ask!

[scarlettrhettelizabethrichard]

Chapter 4. The Boutique Robillard, my GWTW fanfiction

Atlanta, May 1876

Scarlett stood on the pavement, checking the wrought-iron sign that had just been installed above the freshly painted storefront. "The Boutique Robillard", a simple name, a French touch, easy for the customer to remember. She had set her sights on this building, whose vast spaces had just been vacated. With its large display windows, ist Corinthian columns separating the exhibition areas, and four small private fitting rooms, the shop was reminiscent of the splendour of a plantation reception hall of the past. The lighting was provided by beautiful gilt bronze wall lights with cut crystal tulips. Three large, finely chiselled bronze and brass arms with gas spouts hidden under crystal cups, surrounded an impressive white milk glass lampshade. They enlightened the cream burlap-covered walls and made the flamed mahogany veneer of the shop furniture glisten. Elegance and femininity, that's the atmosphere Scarlett wanted to create in her new business. Clearly, the gamble paid off. "Mrs O'Hara, could you tell me where the fans should be placed?  "Emma Whising interrupted Scarlett in her contemplation. This dynamic young widow was delighted to have been hired. Another saleswoman, a seamstress, a retoucher and a delivery man completed the staff brigade. "The three glass cabinets are for fashion accessories. Place fans, umbrellas and parasols in the first cabinet. Highlight silk gloves and mittens. Hair accessories, brushes, silver combs, hairpins should also be displayed there. Devote an entire display case to leather purses, pearl reticules, and embroidered ball pouches. The largest glass cabinet is for hats, bonnets and capelines." Scarlett sighed with contentment. What a rebirth in her life since that fateful day in November 1873! She had decided to stop dwelling on the past. A few minutes of introspection would be enough for her to sweep away almost three years.     First the shock of the divorce. The clean and frank break with Rhett, the love of her life, well, of her old life. It is true that he had greatly facilitated her task to turn the page: by crudely mocking her physical appearance deteriorated by lack of appetite, alcohol abuse and the absence of her husband, Rhett had brilliantly succeeded in making her feel ashamed. She, Scarlett O'Hara, had become uglier than the least of the whores, he had made her understand. "What the hell !" The affront had to be addressed. Solange Robillard's little girl was going to straighten her head, and quickly!     The day after Rhett left, she ordered Dilcey to throw out all the liquor bottles in the house, the wine cellar and the kitchen. A strict schedule of meal times in the dining room with her children was put in place. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners were calibrated to ensure balanced meals with fresh vegetables and fruits. As in Tara during the war, there was no question of leaving the table before finishing one's plate. This had always been the rule for Ella and Wade. To the surprise of her children, this was now also the rule for their mother.

Thanks to this diet cooking, her graceful curves started to be restored and her figure slowly sculpted. To gain back her skin's elasticity, Scarlett took a daily walk with her children. Ella Lorena was reluctant the first few days, not being used to long walks. But soon the outing was a time of discovery, play and laughter. The O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy family was coming back to life. The two children's faces were slightly tanned by the sun. Scarlett took care to bring an umbrella to preserve her pearly complexion. Her cheeks were flushed with physical exertion and fresh air.     How sweet it was to take care of one's body again! The relaxing scented baths were followed by the application of regenerating creams and ointments. The texture of her skin became softer and smoother. The beautiful hair that Rhett used to like to wrap around his neck at night at the beginning of their marriage had become dull, the tips brittle. It took Prissy's careful handling to untangle the long tresses and massage them with castor oil. Her nails were treated in the same way to strengthen them. The physical discipline she had been practising for many months was eventually rewarded when, on a sunny morning, Scarlett gazed at her reflection in the large mirror in her bedroom. The young woman in front of her radiated health and beauty. Her first battle was won!

"Mrs O'Hara, should I sort the clothes by colour or size? "Emma asked. "Choose one of each item from the display shelves. You will carefully arrange the other sizes inside the drawers of the counters. Above all, don't forget to protect each piece with tissue paper. » Emma set about her task, marvelling at the quality of the interior design of the furniture, which was covered in bird's eye maple veneer. The rich purple hues of the sideboards and wardrobes contrasted beautifully with the golden sheen of the wood inside. At first glance, the clientele was assured of the presence of luxury in every detail. Scarlett resumed her rambling. Her biggest battle, of course, had been to fight the infamy of divorce. News of the Butler couple's scandalous separation had spread like wildfire through the good society of Atlanta and the surrounding counties. How could they not be offended? It was the first divorce to occur in this Georgia city. Two camps were facing each other: the ladies of the Sewing Circle - headed by Mrs Merriweather, Mrs Meade and Mrs India Wilkes - had welcomed Captain Butler's decision. „The good man had loved his little Bonnie so much! For years he had endured his wife's disgusting attitude towards Ashley Wilkes without flinching.“  "Serves her right," said Mrs. Easling. "This will bring the arrogant, pretentious Scarlett down from her pedestal. » These well-born ladies agreed that, sadly, her offspring could no longer be invited to their grandchildren's parties and birthdays. "It's a shame about poor Wade Hampton Hamilton and Elena Lorena Kennedy, but it's all about the goodwill of our society. » Yet a minority had sided with Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy. How could such a boor as Butler dare to abandon his wife and children? All of Atlanta knew of this vermin's degrading association with Belle Watling, the most notorious brothel keeper in the state of Georgia. If Ellen and Gerald O'Hara had been alive, they would never have accepted the misalliance of a Robillard with a banished man from his native Charleston. The first to be scandalised by the news was, of course, Scarlett's solicitor who had to deal with the formalities of the divorce. Henry Hamilton, Wade Hampton's great uncle, was incensed that this Scalawag could jeopardise the future of Charles Hamilton's heir by damaging his mother's reputation. A divorcee's son! How was this brave little boy going to endure the offence? "Butler gone? Good riddance! "Ashley Wilkes was the first to think so, and to say so loudly. He had taken the time to analyse his cowardly behaviour when India had created the scandal on his birthday. Instead of defending Scarlett and assuring everyone that nothing had happened between them two at the sawmill, he had taken refuge, as usual, behind the fragile figure of his wife. Melanie had proudly protected her dear sister until her last breath. Since the war, Scarlett had bravely helped the Wilkes family. When his beloved Melly died, she took charge, as she had in the past. She organized a funeral worthy of the greatest lady Atlanta had ever known. Today, it was up to him to protect 'his' delightful Scarlett who had had the misfortune to meet this sad sire at Twelve Oaks. Scarlett, so full of passion, whom this Butler had broken. Ashley's support warmed his childhood friend's heart. She had been delighted to find that he had defended her against her sister India at a meeting of the ladies of the sewing room in his house. "This is my home, India. In my presence and under my roof, I forbid anyone to criticise the sister my Melly loved so deeply. "His unexpected tirade and determined tone had stunned those present at the meeting. His words were widely reported among their friends and acquaintances. What had hurt the former Mrs Butler most was the disastrous impact of the divorce on Wade and Ella.  „Divorce". It was a word Wade had already heard spoken in hushed tones around him, like a threat hanging over Peachtree Street. More than once, the young boy had had to raise his voice at a classmate who had made fun of his mother. He had even come to blows, much to Scarlett's dismay. For Ella Lorena, the word 'divorce' meant nothing. She just noticed that her friends Bridget and Karen had not invited her to their birthday parties. Above all, they missed Uncle Rhett. He had always told them that he considered them his children. Finally, he had abandoned them, without any explanation, simply by bringing them presents in November. As if the two children were no more valuable than two packages. This drama brought the mother and the two children together. A valve had fallen off. The little girl with the red curls was no longer afraid to tell her mother about her daily activities and games, without her mother scolding her for being too noisy. As for Wade, he tried to anticipate his mother's every wish. He would bring her a glass of water before she asked for it. He would carry her parasol when she didn't need it in the street. And above all, he would hug her tenderly. In gratitude, his mother would stroke his hair gently, sometimes slipping a kiss in. Yes, the divorce was finally good for their family. For her children's sake, and because Scarlett O'Hara had never given up in the face of adversity, she put all her newfound energy into her "redemption" with the Old Guard. Oh, how hard it has been! The Merriweather ladies and other paragons of virtue blocked her first gestures of peace. Scarlett pretended not to notice. Remembering her past experience in Bonnie's time, she was aware that her money would not be enough to secure their good graces. She volunteered to buy and transport the raw materials needed to distribute meals to the needy affected by the financial collapse of 1873 which was beginning to distress the middle classes. She made a point of sharing the Old Guard Ladies’ long embroidery sessions to supply the charity stall at Christmas. Magically, some debts pending at Kennedy's shop disappeared from the shelves, 'through accounting errors'. At other times, prices of items coveted by the ladies were abruptly lowered, 'due to end of stock'. This was never openly mentioned.

Scarlett's good deeds combined with an apparent less stormy behavor slowly began to bear fruit. Until one day, a blue hand-decorated cardboard card invited Ella Lorena Kennedy to share the Merriweather grandson's birthday cake. The child was overjoyed. Her mother had tears in her eyes. Her biggest battle was won!

With a clearing of her throat, Emma allowed herself to interrupt her boss's reverie once again. "Peter arranged the rolls of fabric on the scroll racks. He placed the most precious silk textures high up to protect them from soiling. He did well, didn't he? On the other hand, I arranged the lace rolls, ribbons, buttons and thread spools in the beautiful haberdashery cabinet, as you asked me to. I love its little drawers with glass knobs!" Scarlett smiled at the enthusiasm of her young saleswoman. "Let's hope that she will show the same smiling look to the most reluctant customers!" said the new owner of "The Boutique Robillard". She had been dreaming about this shop for three months. When her body regained its beauty, when her reputation was restored, she finally took the time to think about her future. How could she continue to live without passion? Her bank account was now well filled. Thanks to the terms of the divorce settlement. As soon as the funds were transferred from Charleston, she opened two savings accounts for Wade and Ella. This would come in handy when they decided to embark on life's adventure. „"Uncle Rhett," who always boasted that he considered my children his own, will ultimately leave only a trace in Ella and Wade's lives, dollars to make them forget his abandonment." With her children's financial security assured, she could now move on from the Kennedy shop. It no longer gave her any excitement. Hugh Easling bought it. After many years, and thanks to the constant supervision of his boss Mrs Butler, he had finally learned to manage it properly. To please the Old Guard, she gave him her "first child" with easy payment terms. The land belonging to her first husband Charles Hamilton, including the houses she had built, was also sold at a comfortable price for Scarlett. She also sold the second sawmill. Her first sawmill, Ashley now owned it. It had hurt so much that she had given it up on Rhett's advice. It was her baby, the one that had allowed her to support her family. How long would it take Ashley to destroy what she had worked so hard to build? Poor Ashley, she would always have to be a protective and discreet support. She had promised Melly that. As for Beau, a third savings account was already reserved for him. Scarlett was amused that Rhett would finally contribute to the cost of raising his former rival's son. This money would be managed by Ashley, providing Melly's child with all the comforts a member of Southern society had a right to expect - a pony, Melly had made him promise on his deathbed - payment for his education, his future Grand Tour in Europe. Melly, from Heaven where she was watching her together with her dear Bonnie, could be satisfied. "Of course, theoretically I would not need to work anymore. But will I become a matron devoted to her good works? What a horror! I have to find a new passion that makes me want to fight every morning. » ********************** Fate was waiting for her in Savannah. Savannah, February 1876 In February 1876, she made an emergency visit to her mother's hometown upon learning of the sudden death of her grandfather Robillard. The same man who had broken young Ellen's heart by preventing her from marrying her cousin and only love Philip. Scarlett had no reason to mourn the death of the cantankerous old man who had refused to help her financially during the war, when they were struggling not to starve in Tara. She had visited him several times, accompanied by two of her children - not Bonnie, Rhett wouldn't have wanted her to deprive her of his father, even if only for a week. The meetings between the French aristocrat and the Franco-Irish descendant were... interesting. Two beasts gauging their strengths: Pierre Robillard, full of himself, a master of pithy phrases, scornful of those around him, and amusing himself by persecuting the two daughters he had left, Aunts Eulalie and Pauline. Opposite him was his granddaughter, Scarlett, the eldest daughter of his beloved child, Ellen. Ellen who had betrayed him by marrying an Irish peasant. Indomitable and fierce Scarlett, whose beauty and temperament reminded him with a twinge of his only love, his wife Solange Robillard. After several explosive confrontations, Scarlett had become convinced that her grandfather hated her. In a final "thumbing of the nose", he ended up leaving her his entire fortune - an opulent one - simply by giving his two daughters a comfortable monthly pension that would protect them until their death. This was fair, because until now it had been Scarlett who had supported her ungrateful aunts, even during the war, while she had struggled to keep everyone in Tara alive. Family had always been sacred to this Irish descendant. Pierre Robillard rewarded her for this. This unexpected generosity allowed her to reject Rhett's money out of hand. Her departing husband had carelessly boasted that he would 'generously' give her a pension for five years to thank her for getting rid of her. As soon as the Robillard estate was settled, Scarlett informed Rhett Butler's solicitor of her decision to refuse the pension. The money that had already been paid since the day of the divorce was returned to him in full. "Free, I am free, Rhett, and I don't need you!" The last link between the two former friends - spouses - lovers - was definitely cut.         On the last day of her stay in Savannah, she treated herself to a visit to the city's fine shops. The coquettish Scarlett suddenly stopped in front of an ocher painted antebellum shop, with the sign  "La Mode Duncan". In the display windows, wooden mannequins wore the prettiest dresses the elegant Atlanta woman had ever seen. She pushed open the sandblasted glass door, engraved with the sign "Duncan Vayton". The manager of the establishment greeted the beautiful young lady with respect, quickly understanding that she was not going to be satisfied with buying a single item. He explained that the owner was a young fashion designer based in Paris, Rue de la Paix. Back in his native South, he had decided to give the Ladies of Savannah the benefit of his best creations. "I am a business owner myself, back home in Atlanta. I have a hunch that the rich people of Atlanta would quickly fall in love with such quality clothing. Would it be possible for me to meet with your landlord to discuss my project? » "With great pleasure, Ms. O'Hara. Mr. Duncan Vayton will be delighted to meet you. » That day Scarlett knew that, eventually, she had found her new 'baby' - a fashion shop. It also marked the beginning of a the relationship between two enthusiasts, Scarlett O'Hara and Duncan Vayton.

"Yes, it has taken courage to get through the past 31 months. There have been many shocks, disappointments, pain and tears too. « I, Scarlett, had to show humility - Rhett would have laughed about it, in another time - courage and resilience. But it was worth it. Almost three years later, I have survived. Rhett, you didn't get me down! Scarlett O'Hara is up and ready to fight! »

#GWTW fanfiction, #GWTW, #Gone with the Wind, #romance, #Savannah, #Scarlett O'Hara, #Atlanta, #roman historique, #écriture, #littérature