#they deserve to be living in a small house in the woods together man :((

[tsxmu]

JUST A THOUGHT...

but do you ever think that after the war, levi sometimes just sits down with a cup of tea while reading the newspaper and when it's like eerily quiet, he mumbles to himself a quiet "levi" like hange would so it's like they're still there in a way???

Idk, I just kinda feel like hange would often call out to him, visit his room at random times, share breakfast, lunch and dinner with him, have late night tea conversations while doing paper work, ect ect. So now that there's nobody talking to him, he does the talking for them?? Just like how they did most of the talking for him?

[tsxmu]

Couldn't have said it better. This was amazing :(((

Thank you.

the intimacy and complexity of "devote your heart" in 132

the devote your heart in 132 is usually taken purely at face value but I don't think it was meant to be just a literal sacrifice your life in the same manner as give up your dreams and die was? I understand it is easy to draw parallels with that scene but I think the circumstances leading up to hanji's departure weren't exactly like erwin's hence I believe the essence devote your heart and give up your dreams and die aren't exactly alike.

a detail that is often overlooked in ch132 was that levi wasn't exactly giving hanji an order the same way he did for erwin in ch80.

give up your dreams and die was as direct as it can get. this happened because erwin expressed his desire on fulfilling his lifelong dream to see the basement but at the same time he didn't want to fail their comrades who sacrificed their life. to relieve erwin of his conflict, levi took it upon himself to make the decision for him. levi made the choice and he gave the order.

but can we say the same thing with hanji in ch 132? when levi called out to hanji as they made their way towards the rumbling, they never let levi say a word but rather asserted their decision. yes I do believe levi wanted to stop them, you can see it in the way he strongly reacted to hanji talking about their comrades watching them (we all know what followed the last time this happened)

basically,"let me go will you" was hanji begging levi to not get in their way because they've made up their mind. they've declared to convinction to the 104th already and even named armin as the new commander. levi isn't giving the order this time around because hanji had already decided.

and this is the very first instance levi says "devote your heart". to offer up your heart would literally mean sacrifice your life but was it supposed to be taken in its most literal sense? because if so, why couldn't levi have said it to erwin as well when he ordered him to sacrifice his life? why did levi go out of his way to modify the salute form in hanji's case?

there wasn't an outright explanation from the author why levi had not once uttered this phrase but if you think about it, it kind of makes sense why he wouldn't. he isn't exactly the most expressive with words. rather than talking he'd show it in his actions. the apprehension may have also come from the fact that it felt like something the military would indoctrinate in its recruits. it is painting a glorious cause to give up your life to fight for the greater good but does everyone in the military live up to this principle? levi knows exactly how corrupt some of the higher-ups are. there hasn't been a motivator that encouraged levi to say it until ch132 where hanji zoe was the trigger.

you understand.

going back to the forest in ch115, hanji expresses their thoughts to a presumably sleeping levi. how it feels like it was finally their turn as sannes had put it once and also them expressing their desire to just stay in that forest together with levi. levi later on alludes to hanji's confession and said "I know you, you cannot stay out of the action"

it was like hanji was trying to remind levi of that moment. don't try to stop me now, you know me too well.

devote your heart was the most fitting response levi could give, but not in a sense that he was simply telling hanji to die for the cause. rather than an order, it was more along the lines of levi saying "devote our hearts right? that's how we've been living our lives, to live up to this cause" because for hanji, the words devote your heart was a way of life. their research, inventions, and motivations, it was all for the sake of a better future. all this time, they've been devoting their life for humanity. this is what I meant on the phrase not necessarily having to be taken too literally. rather than levi simply telling hanji to die as others love to put it, I believe it was the moment where it made sense to levi that hanji was the truest embodiment of it. the very same person who welcomed him and his found family into the scouts with a genuine heart.

just to add, during acwnr there was a scene right after meeting hanji where isabel remarked that she doesn't understand all this talk about dedicating their hearts and levi just mulls over the question. I don't know but maybe levi already felt some sort of connection or that hanji's passion had sparked something within him.

about levi changing the form, it wasn't a standard salute where levi strikes his fist over his own chest. they essentially did the salute together, I reiterate once more because it wasn't primarily an order for hanji to die. it was levi trying to convey that he gets them and that their hearts resonate and beat over the same thing.

and this is where the love vs. duty aspect of levihan enters the discussion. romance and levihan seems to have become a complicated topic among the fandom over the recent years, but I think there are enough evidence to back up the romantic nature/implications of their bond.

it doesn't take a genius to realize how "let's live together" is synonymous to a marriage proposal in many cultures and various works of literature. plus the fact that hanji said it right after levi almost died in their arms just puts things into perspective. and it's not like we can easily dismiss it as a heat of the moment thing because hanji affirmed they seriously considered it in ch27:

the way it was worded too? them thinking of throwing it all away and we all know except who.

what's even more interesting about this is the emphasis on jean's surprised expression and how the chapter began with jean's dream sequence of retiring for the corps and having a family of his own.

now onto one of the most popular arguments against levihan: levi rejected hanji

but did he really? I don't think it went that way. levi knew hanji all too well. he knew that abandoning and forsaking their principles for especially for the sake of personal desires would drive them into guilt for the rest of their life. also the first thing levi says when he fully became conscious was that hanji is already fixing a cart so they could pull him. if I was in levi's position, that's a clear indication to realize that hanji has decided not to stay in the forest anymore.

personally I think if there is anyone who might've felt rejected, it would be levi. he fixated on hanji's proposal but upon gaining full consciousness he finds out hanji had already essentially chosen duty over love. so to me his remarks actually felt more like him coming into terms regarding hanji's choice? I can't say the same for the order of events in the anime but in the manga, it seems like levi had fully drifted into sleep right after ifkk and there was a gap until eren summoned them into the paths. so in theory, hanji had time to process their thoughts further while levi was left fixated on hanji's confession.

now onto the other hint of romance was levi's implied confession in the form of unrquited love for titans. I'm not qualified to expound on this topic as I do not speak japanese so I will just put a link to the explanation. but the gist of it was that there was a nuance on how it was worded in the original japanese text that implies "your love for titans is unrequited but not with me"

my theory is that levi is still somewhat stuck in that moment in the forest and is probably alluding to hanji's confession by responding with his own. but why is it so late you ask? reminder that this was the only scene after the forest where they got a chance to be alone. but hanji's answer to him felt like they were trying to remind levi they've left the forest and that they're soldiers with duties and responsibilities to their comrades.

and finally, it leads us to the culminating moment. devote you heart. yes I've discussed this previously but I haven't gone in detail about the romantic aspect I'm pertaining to yet.

I theorize that hanji made a choice between love and duty back in the forest. so when levi seemingly attempts to stop hanji, they reminded him again of the path they've set on back in the forest. they cannot run away and levi knows this. he has echoed hanji thoughts that day. (the I know you line)

levi was powerless in this situation, there's nothing else he could do but accept hanji's terms. as heartbreaking as it is, he does understand. just as how his first meeting with hanji sparks something bright in him, their departure seemingly had taken away the life in his eye. it was now devoid of light.

it's devote your heart because it was the embodiment of hanji's way of life, how hanji had put duty and the sake of humanity first over their own personal wishes (hence I also see it as a choice between love and duty).

something that also catches your attention would be how the modified salute appears to have created an imagery of levi giving his heart to hanji. personally, I think his left fist representing his own heart touches hanji's. I view it levi devoting his heart to hanji figuratively. perhaps to insinuate that their hearts are one in duty and love or him imparting his heart to them. that he does understand what they must sacrifice for their devoting their hearts for the sake of mankind's safety and their comrades who had given their lives.

the moment levi strikes their fist upon hanji's chest to salute, hanji seemed surprised. it felt like it was an oh moment for them and I believe it was because hanji knew what levi was trying to convey.

they had to give up love, as first and foremost, they are two soldiers bound to their oath because of their own morality and principles.

so that's it, that's my take on the devote your heart in 132. there are still several things I haven't expounded on as much as I like such as the romantic aspect of levihan as seen in 115/126/132/139 and the plane but there is always a next time.

[frillydolle]

could you pretty plss write arthur asking for readers hand in marriage ?

arthur morgan x female reader

꒰ 𝝑𓏲 ꒱ after the whole micah situation and no tb cos im such a #sweetheart , arthur is such a nervous man in this

he was acting strange with u, but u couldn't put ur finger on it. he always acted like a gentleman towards u, but recently? he was extra sweet. like making u some food to wake up to, helping u, or even completely doing the house chores before u. sometimes, or he'd spend more minutes in bed with u before he'd get up. he'd even go shopping early in the morning to make sure the two of u had more than needed.

of course, u asked him. more than once if he was okay, and he lightly dismissed ur words, saying he was okay before his lips met ur temple with a kiss. and oh, u wanted to believe him. really, u did, but something inside was telling u there was something going on with him. u desperately wanted an answer from him, but u weren't the type to pry. u just weren't sure how to.. ask him proper.

“mjm, you sure you're okay, mr morgan?”

“yeah... yup, 'm fine, angel.”

oh, he knew that he had to be obvious. he was a gentleman, but being secretive around u wasn't a part of his identity. u made him feel like he was a teenage boy all over again, especially now since he's trying his best to not act all awkward, knowing that he has a ring in his inner pocket, just itching to be taken out and put on ur finger. he just so wanted to do it as soon as possible but he also wanted to make it such a sweet moment, just like u deserved after all those years...

he absolutely spoiled u rotten today. he surprised u with the most delightful food for breakfast. in the afternoon, the two of u went out on a ride to the town, and he brought u to a photographer, and oh, how cute the two of u looked together! and afterwards, he took u on a walk around the woods that surrounded the cabin. and now the two of u are lying on the ground, looming up at the bright, blue sky. u asked the big, burly man to look at the clouds with u, and of course, he agreed.

“... y'know, it's been a while since all that-”

“darlin-”

“no, no! not like that- just... 'm glad it's over, 'm happy here. happy with you, arthur.”

god, ur words made him feel like a teenager again as he turned his head to look at u with such adoration in his warm gaze. it's like u always knew what to say to get the reaction u wanted, u knew the buttons to press, and u pressed them constantly! he couldn't even say no to a pretty face like urs. but soon, the two of u filled the air with comfortable silence. well, more like arthur's nerves was getting the better of him, fiddling with the ring in his pocket.

his pulse quickened slightly, as well as his hands were getting more and more fidgety— and of course, u noticed. u weren't silly, and neither was he. it's not like he was scared of u but marriage? what if u rejected him? or just didn't want to? but then again, he wouldn't blame u for that, he was just a big, old, ugly bastard-

“...sweetheart, can i ask ya somethin'?” “mhm, 'course.”

finally, that's a start, he thought. u watched him sit up, fiddling with his fingers slightly as u followed by sitting up, too, before moving to sitting directly in front of him. seeing a man of his stature sit on the ground, near a small ray of flowers always made u giggle. it's just a funny sight!

“what're you askin'? you got me curious, arthur!”

a nervous chuckle left his lips as he scratched his chin. why was he so nervous? he had nothing to be nervous about. he wasn't a good man. he was more than that. he was a wanted man, a bad man. that didn't deserve any good knowing the life he lives— lived.

“... would ya marry me, miss [name]?”

ur eyes widen slightly in surprise and.. admiration? just, was he serious? the two of u were practically acted like an old, married couple already, even when the gang was.. still a gang. the two of u would even joke that ur already married towards the gang, the hotel owners, the saloon owners. but- a small giggle escaped ur lips

“we're already married, you silly man! we've always joked 'bout it-”

“yeah, but- i dont want.. us to be kiddin'. i want us to get married, real 'nd proper. unless y'don't want-”

“nononono! arthur, no, i- id love to get married to you, it mean everything to me. i just.. I don't know, I didn't expected it.”

how good it made it feel that you said that. nothing else could make him feel good the same way u do

“i would love to be married to you, arthur morgan. i dont want anything else more.”

he couldn't wait to tell his younger brother and his wife the amazing news.

[dilemmaontwolegs]

The Perfect Life || CL16 {7}

Summary: The first night at Charles’ house is almost ruined before it can even begin. Warnings: angst, light smut WC: 3.2k F1 Masterlist || One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight Taglist: RETIRED Head over to my dedicated library blog @dilemmaslibrary and opt to get notifications from there.

The paper bag in your hands crinkled as you opened it to see what Charles had asked you to carry. “What is this?” 

“Dinner.”

You raised a brow and closed it back up. “Those are ingredients,” you corrected, placing it on the kitchen bench in his apartment. “I hope you aren’t expecting me to cook because you will be bitterly disappointed.”

He laughed as he closed the front door and kicked his shoes off. “It’s all prepared, the pasta just needs boiling but I can do that. Why don’t you take a look around?”

You already planned on being nosey when he wasn’t looking but now you could openly snoop and happily left him to his own devices. Like most apartments in Monaco, it was smaller than you were used to but it was more than enough for a man living on his own. 

You circled the living room and tried not to be envious of all the photos he had hung in frames around the room. Faces you recognised held carefree smiles that they never had in your presence and Charles was no exception. You thought you had seen his real smile but even that was strained compared to what was captured when he was with his friends and family.

“I’m starting to think that frown is just your resting face,” Charles commented as he stepped out of the galley kitchen to see your progress. 

You schooled your face until the lines evened out and a mild look of boredom hid your thoughts as you turned away from the photos and found something that made your heart nearly stop. The manuscript was plain and unassuming on the shelf, the title print small and barely legible on the bare sewn spine, but you knew that book.

“You stole it.”

Charles’ confused gaze followed you to the bookshelf. “What?”

“It wasn’t enough to take him from me but you took our book too,” you muttered as you tugged it from the shelf and ran your fingers across the faded purple inscription in the corner: For Jules. A hint of the berry scented ink still clung to the page and you swallowed the lump in your throat as you opened it to the dog eared page you left behind.

“This was a mistake,” you said as you closed the book and shoved it back on the shelf. If it wasn’t this, it would just be something else- there was too much history to think this could ever work. “I can’t do this, Charles.”

He intercepted your exit, blocking the door with pleading eyes. “Wait, please. I didn’t know it was yours. You can have it back.” 

“I don’t want it back! I want to finish reading it to him but I’ll never get that chance because of you.” You took a step closer, ready to go through him to get out the door but he surprised you by sliding down the white panel until his ass planted on the floor. Charles pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them as he looked down to hide in shame.

The moment of silence dragged on as his breath grew as ragged as yours and you both relived that day in the hospital.

“I’m sorry,” he stressed as he threw his head back, the thud heavy against the wood. “I’m fucking sorry! For all of it. I didn’t deserve the time I got with him, I don’t deserve this career - it should have been his, like you. I definitely don’t deserve you.”

You slumped to the floor too with your back to the kitchen cabinets. This was not how you imagined your evening going. The plan had been simple; stay the night with Charles and arrive at the paddock for his first practice together - hard launching the relationship and confirming all the rumours that you had both started.

“When did this become your pity party?” you asked as you studied the herringbone tile floor instead of the enigma sitting opposite you.

Charles’ jaw dropped and he shook his head as he stammered over his words. “It’s not…I’m not…that’s not what…”

“How do you make it through interviews? One question and you’re a blithering mess.” You rolled your eyes and stretched your leg out to nudge his foot. “You are wrong by the way. I wasn’t meant to be Jules’ either.”

“I know.” He nodded and sighed, wiping his nose that had turned pink. “It probably doesn’t change anything but I finished it. I read him that book before he…before he died.”

You pushed yourself up to your feet and offered him your hand. His palm was clammy against your skin and you barely made any effort to pull him up as he did the work himself, rising to his full height in front of you. “You’re right, it doesn’t change anything,” you admitted, watching his shoulders deflate. 

“Figured as much.”

“But,” you said as you held a finger up when he went to move away and he froze, “that was a proper apology that actually felt real.”

“So you forgive me?”

“No, I don’t even know how to do that, but I’m not going to leave.”

He smiled like it was a small victory and enveloped you in one of his spontaneous hugs that you were slowly growing used to. “I don’t know how, but I am going to make it up to you one day. I promise.”

“How about you start with just making dinner?” You stepped out of his embrace and looked around the room with weary eyes. “I’m not going to find any more surprises, am I?”

He chewed his lip as he thought for a moment. “I have his helmet in my office but the door is closed.”

You swallowed deeply and nodded. You were going to avoid that room at all costs. “Keep it that way.”

Panic gripped you as the bike started to wobble. Your feet tangled in the pedals and your fingers slipped from the brakes before the gravel driveway rapidly came up to meet you. The skin on your knees stung with the dozens of little stones that grazed them and your elbows were in a similar state as you lay sprawled beneath the summer sun. 

“Up you get,” Jules said as he dusted the stones off and picked you up. 

Your bottom lip began to tremble and he shook his head. “There’s no use crying, lapinette, might as well laugh and learn.”

“I don’t want to laugh,” you grumbled, kicking the bike to emphasise your displeasure.

Jules shrugged and picked the bike up, holding it out for you to try once more. “Well, that’s usually when you need to the most.”

You accepted the bike and looked longingly at the trainer wheels he had taken off. The plastic wheels were beside his kart that was propped up on a stand, some of the parts in pieces for him to finish cleaning before he rebuilt it for the race. “Do you think you can win?”

“Absolutely, just like I know you can ride that bike.”

“I fell off.”

He laughed at your attitude and knew you would be a handful when you grew up. Pointing to the driveway he said, “Then you better try again, no? Because if you don’t ride it then I can’t win!” 

You laughed at the stupidity of the statement but rose to the challenge, throwing a leg over the pastel pink bike and ringing the little bell on the handle for good luck. “You better win, Jules.”

You took a deep breath and pushed the pedal down, slowly building momentum. The wind blew your hair back and you laughed as you realised you were doing it. You were biking…straight towards the wrought iron gates.

You jolted awake in the unfamiliar bedroom and found Charles sleeping soundly. Though you had woken before the impact came you knew Jules had saved you. The lanky teen had sprinted after the bike and grabbed you from the seat before it careened into the metal, buckling the front wheel. You hadn’t quite mastered bike riding that week but Jules still won his karting race.

Sleep was as distant as the memory that had resurfaced so you quietly slipped from the room and found yourself at the bookshelf. Sometimes you wished you had no memory, then you couldn’t be reminded of how happy you had been. But, on the flipside, if you didn’t have the memory you feared you would never know what happiness was at all. 

When Charles woke to an empty bed he wondered if you had left after all despite watching you fall asleep beside him. It was only the sound of the balcony door sliding open that let him breathe a sigh of relief and he climbed out of the bed to check on you. A cool breeze left a chill in the air of the living room and Charles grabbed the blanket that hung from the back of the sofa before he stepped outside.

“You’ll catch a cold like that,” he whispered to the night. The Ferrari shirt you wore fell halfway down your thighs but curled up on the outdoor settee had the red material barely covering your underwear and Charles covered the bare skin with the blanket.

“Bad dream?” he asked as he took a seat beside you and noticed the book in your hands. 

“Worse,” you replied. “A good memory.”

Charles draped his arm over the back of your seat, his fingers softly touching your shoulder, and he tucked his legs under the blanket too. “Want to talk about it?”

You gave him a look that made him chuckle before turning your attention back to the page. You were halfway through the story and you could finally appreciate the action thriller now that you understood the vengeance Jack Reacher felt and the way he fought but even that wasn’t enough to distract you from the dream. With an irritated sign, you closed the book and took to searching the stars instead. 

“Charles?” He hummed quietly and you looked across to see his relaxed state watching the dark sky too. “If I ask you something, can you just do it without reading too much into it?”

He tore his eyes away from the brightest star in the sky and frowned. “Uh, I guess it depends on what you ask me.”

“I want you to kiss me.”

His lips curled up in a slow smile and his fingers danced across your collar to the base of your throat as he leaned in. “You don’t have to ask me.”

“It’s not because I like you, I just need something to stop me thinking,” you clarified. 

“Again, you don’t have to ask me.” His lips brushed against yours before they teased your jawline and his breath warmed your ear. “You can use me however you want.”

It was already a messy situation and adding sex to the mix was only going to end badly but you needed it. You needed to forget the thoughts racing through your head and you needed the high of an orgasm. Charles was more than willing to give you both when he carried you back to his bed.

The next time you woke you were in a far better headspace.

You felt the ghost of a kiss on your cheek before Charles left to get ready for the day but you buried your head deeper in the pillow and tried to ignore the sweet ache in your body. It was impossible. Your core throbbed with the memory of how he had filled it and your thighs pressed together in search of friction only to feel the beard burn he had left between them. 

“Fuck,” you groaned as you realised you would not be getting back to sleep.

“Regretting your life choices?” Charles asked from the doorway, two mugs of coffee in his hands and not a lick of clothing to be seen.

“On the list of my regrets, this doesn’t even register,” you said as you sat up and accepted the hot cup, your state of undress not much better. “But it would have been easier if you sucked in bed.”

“How’s that?” He lifted his pillow up against the headboard and took a seat with an amused grin at the compliment.

“For starters, I wouldn’t want to do it again. Things are already complicated enough and now I have technically been fucked by my boss.”

“If you want to get technical, you fucked me,” he pointed out with a smirk. “You were in control, babe.”

You took a deep breath and told yourself it was too early for violence, even if he was right. Charles had been quite clear on the fact you were in control, especially when he sat in much the same position against the headboard and let you ride him into oblivion. “Maybe it will make it on my list of regrets after all.”

“You can worry about them later,” he said after a few mouthfuls of his coffee. “We should start getting ready to head to the track and your hair screams ‘sex’. Bathroom is across the hall, there’s a new toothbrush in the top drawer if you need.”

“Wow, a spare toothbrush? That screams manwhore.”

“I’m just being a gentleman, you’re the one that swallowed.”

You nearly spilled the coffee with the laugh that bubbled out of your mouth unexpectedly. “Ah, there’s the regret. I knew I should have snowballed you.”

His nose wrinkled with the idea and you laughed darkly. Next time he would probably hesitate and remember this conversation. You froze. You were already thinking about the next time you would fuck and that was enough to stun you silent so you busied your mouth finishing the drink. 

It was hard not to fall in love with the atmosphere of race week in Monaco. Arriving hand in hand with Charles had the desired effect and you were still feeling the ripples of it as the day ended. 

“I’m exhausted and I didn’t even do anything,” you admitted through the headset as the private helicopter whisked you back to Nice. 

Charles flexed his hand that had furiously signed autographs right up until the moment he stepped inside the helicopter. “It gets like that sometimes but I only feel it after everything goes quiet.”

“Are you sure you want to come to this dinner? You can go home and rest. Jacques can fly you back.”

Charles reached across the seat and took your hand even though there was no audience to witness the touch. “And leave you alone with your parents?” he chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s not going to happen.”

“I have managed to survive 25 years on my own.”

“That’s a miracle in itself. I probably wouldn’t be trusted with the steak knife if that was me.”

You grinned at the joke and rested your head on his shoulder. “I like this dark side of you.”

“I suppose that’s a start.”

Your good mood was brought down the moment you spotted the mansion before landing. Too many cars lined the driveway for the simple family dinner your mother planned and you fell quiet as the helicopter touched down in the backyard. 

“What is this?” Charles asked, looking down at his casual jeans and sweatshirt.

“The tenth circle of hell,” you muttered.

Veronica was practically vibrating with excitement when you arrived at the patio door and she held out two tickets for the opera tomorrow night, as requested. “Silly girl. You have dinner with Prince Albert, you can’t even go.”

Charles knew better after seeing the many masks you had adorned to hide your thoughts but it still amazed him how quickly you could become a woman he didn’t recognise. A sneer grew, twisting your smile into a cruel mockery of the one he knew and your eyes narrowed as you swiped the tickets from her hand.

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

“I tried, but that’s what you get for being a spoiled little brat.”

“Alicia! My room, now!” Your voice carried through the mansion and you stormed up the stairs with Charles following behind, his cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. The maid was already waiting outside your bedroom door when you arrived and you barrelled inside, slamming the door shut in Veronica’s smirking face.

The dress hanging in the closet was still wrapped in the garment bag and you took it off the hanger, holding it out to Alicia. “Get this dress out of my sight! I never want to see it again.”

Alicia looked a little shocked at the outburst you needed to be heard through the door. “But it is McQueen.”

“I don’t care!” You lowered your voice to a whisper and reached into your pocket. “Here’s two tickets to La Bohème, take the dress and go with Javier. You didn’t think I forgot your anniversary, did you? Go.”

Tears filled Alicia’s eyes and she threw her arms around you. “Thank you.”

You shook your head and sincerely said, “You deserve more than this.”

Alicia dipped at the waist and delicately hung the dress over her arm as she walked to the door. Veronica saw the tears in Alicia’s eyes and shook her head as the quiet maid rushed down the stairwell.

“Your father will hear about this tantrum.”

You tipped your nose up and crossed your arms smugly. “I’m his only child, that makes me his favourite by default. Now run along and tell him.”

Veronica turned on her heel with a scoff and you closed the door before sighing heavily. You would probably pay for the insolence in one way or another but it was worth it.

“Why did you do that?” Charles asked as he reached past your hip and locked the door.

“I couldn’t pay for the tickets myself and they already think the worst of me, might as well play the fool for a good cause.”

Charles opened his arms and you stepped into the embrace. He could see how draining the act was and couldn’t wait until the day you left Nice. “You’re a good person,” he said quietly before pressing a soft kiss to your forehead.

“I don’t think the guests downstairs would agree with you. I don’t even know why they are here.”

You found out soon enough when you emerged from your room dressed in more appropriate attire. Just as you suspected, it was punishment and you would play the fool once again for your mother’s entertainment. You felt sick seeing the grand piano in the dining hall and your fingers stiffened at the thought of sitting in front of the guests to play at her whim.

“Are you okay?” Charles asked as he saw your pallor fade.

Forcing the discontent away, you smiled in time for the first guest to spot your entrance into the room. “Just peachy, Charles. Ready to act lovesick?”

He didn’t need to act, and you found it all too easy that maybe it wasn’t acting either. Your body fit perfectly into the curve of his arm and you moved together through the room making introductions. But all too soon your mother dragged you away and snapped her finger at the piano.

“The Economy Minister favours Beethoven,” she whispered with a look to the man your father was for lack of a better word, schmoozing. “Don’t fuck this up.”

Click here for next part.

[libraryofgage]

The Wish Job (One)

Part of: Steve Deserves Good Parents, Actually

Debbie and Fester Addams One | Two | Three | Four | Five Rick and Evelyn O'Connell One | Two | Three Harley Quinn One | Two1 0th Doctor and Rose One | Two (on the way!) Scooby Gang (there are plans for this one lmao, so plz be patient with me orz) Jedidiah and Octavius (from Night at the Museum) One | Two Queen Clarisse Renaldi One | Two | Three Leverage Crew One (you're here!)

This fic was line jumped! If you'd like to learn more about line jumping (getting to see your favorite fics updated sooner) you can read this post

I had a lot of thoughts for this AU, actually, so I'm really glad it got line jumped so I was forced to put them down into words lol

Steve becomes one of Nana's foster kids, but he spends a majority of this series with the Leverage crew working a job (as the name of this series suggests), and they fill similarly parental role.

As always, if you see any typos, no you didn't ;P

----

After his father's arrest, everything is a blur. Steve can remember flashes, sure, but nothing concrete. Nothing more than two FBI agents in the door of his classroom, the cold steel of interrogation room chairs, an agent's ponytail with split ends, a kind smile but clammy hand on his elbow, the broken A/C of the car when he finally left the FBI office, and the slippery feel of the garbage bag he's given to pack 14 years of a life he'll never see again.

Nothing comes back into focus until he's faced with an older black woman, standing outside a two-story house. The man with a kind smile but clammy hands introduces her, but Steve doesn't actually hear the name.

"You can call me Nana," the woman says, looking at the man like she doesn't know why he's still there when his work is obviously done.

"Well, uh, Steve, feel free to call if you need anything. We'll keep in touch," the man says, nodding before half-running down the walk way.

"Never liked him," Nana says, clicking her tongue. "Too damn squirrely for my tastes. Now, Steve, come inside and we'll go over some ground rules."

Steve follows her mechanically, gripping his trash bag tightly and wondering far too late why he wasn't allowed to pack his own suitcases. The house is a cacophony of noises: feet running across wood floors, a TV blaring from the living room, shouts coming from every direction, a microwave beeping while the oven timer rings, a crash from the next room over that makes Steve wince.

Nana stands in the doorway, takes a deep breath, and then shouts at the top of her lungs, "Y'all had better stop all this racket right the fuck now before I cancel pizza night!"

The house goes silent, and Steve feels his shoulders tense even more. He hates the silence. Silence means anger, and anger means punishment. He clenches his jaw, trying to keep himself small as Nana nods and leads the way into a dining room.

A girl appears in the room shortly after, carrying a mug and a soda. She places the mug in front of Nana and the soda in front of an empty seat, gesturing for Steve to sit. "Welcome. I can take your bag, if you want," she offers, looking at the trash bag with bright eyes.

"Don't make trouble, Breanna," Nana says, dismissing her easily.

Steve watches her leave before sitting. He licks his lips, opens the soda as quietly as he can manage, and waits for Nana to take a sip from her mug before saying, "Thank you for taking me in, ma'am."

"I said to call me Nana, none of that ma'am business unless you're in trouble, and you're not in trouble," she says, waving her hand dismissively. "Now, the rules. No complaining about sharing a room. No TV remote access after seven because that's when my shows start. We all eat dinner together on Wednesday night. You go to school every day unless you're sick, and you tell me when you're feeling sick. You got all that?"

"Yes, m....Nana."

"Good. Now, I know you're used to a fancier living than this, but I expect you to adjust without too much complaint. You still get your own bed, and whatever you brought is yours to keep, but money is tight. We save where we can, and I expect you to help with that. Turn off lights, use less water, unplug things when you're not using them."

Steve nods again, inexplicably feeling a little better as Nana speaks. She's not treating him like a spoiled brat, but she's not coddling him, either. She gets another boy (an older one named Hardison) to give him a tour of the house. He shows Steve the mezzuzahs on each door and the Kaaba directional marker in each room---"We're a multi-denominational household, kid, Nana will get whatever you need if she doesn't have it already," Hardison says, grinning widely at him---and makes sure he knows which spots are good for hiding when he needs a few minutes.

He ends the tour at Steve's new room. It has two bunk-beds, three of the bunks with rumpled sheets and one bottom bunk devoid of sheets altogether. Hardison gives Steve blue sheets, welcomes him, and then leaves Steve to unpack by himself.

It's new, it's unfamiliar, it's terrifying. Steve hopes, despite himself, that it's not a temporary stop.

----

"I don't care! He can't stay!"

"We're already in London, Hardison. We can hardly send him back on a plane by himself."

"Isn't that how he got here in the first place? He's 17, not seven."

Steve moves his gaze from Hardison to Sophie to Eliot, feeling like he's watching a tennis match. He's sandwiched between Nate and Parker, a hand on his shoulder holding him back from trying to defend himself. Not that he's upset about it. Keeping everyone from turning their frustration on him sounds like a great idea.

"Yeah, and how did he get here?" Parker asks, dashing Steve's hopes right as they're forming.

He shifts uncomfortably as everyone looks at him, ducking his head and staring at the floor. A small part of him is frustrated, angrily protesting the familiar move when its usual target has long been absent.

"Hey, give him some room," Hardison says, moving forward to push Nate and Parker back a few steps. He stands at an angle to Steve, leaving him plenty of room to move away if he wants. "Nobody's angry, kid. Well, I'm a little mad, but only because you could be putting yourself in danger. So, how'd you catch up to us?"

Steve wonders for a brief moment about whose wrath he'd rather endure. In the end, he decides Breanna is scarier than Hardison, so he lies. "Nana and I overheard you on the phone with Parker at Hannukah dinner, and then Nana said she gets worried about you sometimes," he says, meeting Hardison's eyes before glancing away. He makes himself small again, but it's on purpose this time, broadcasting shame as he adds, "I still have, um, access to my savings account...from my....from them. Enough for a plane ticket and cab ride, at least."

"Aww, Nana worries about us," Parker says, smiling brightly as she nudges Eliot with her elbow. "That's sweet."

"If it weren't a lie," Sophie says, her lips pursed and her eyebrows raised slightly as she walks closer to Steve. She taps his shoulder, his temple, and his hand. "Lowered head but not as low as before. Shoulders drawn in but tense to hold them there. Fingers twitching just slightly. Impressive, I will admit, but I'm a professional, darling."

Steve sighs and lifts his head, his shoulders relaxing some as he frowns. "You didn't have to call me out on it," he mumbles.

"Breanna got you here, didn't she? Ain't no way you'd lie to protect anyone else."

"She could ruin me, Hardison."

"I can ruin you, too, did you forget about that?"

Steve considers him for a moment before shrugging.

"Well," Nate says, clapping his hands together and pulling everyone's attention to him. "Steve is here now, we might as well use him. Sophie, give him an Italian accent and some suede shoes."

"I can already speak Italian," Steve says, "and I have my own suede shoes to match a Cesare Attolini suit." He feels something like guilt twinge in his stomach when Hardison glances at him. Steve's mother may have forfeited custody of him, but she still sends gifts every now and then. Steve usually sells them, slips the cash into drawers and wallets and couch cushions so they can be discovered by Nana and his foster siblings.

The suit and shoes, though? Steve couldn't bring himself to sell them. If there was one thing he missed about life before Nana's foster home, it was the clothes. It was the way his clothes made him feel like a better version of himself, a version everyone would admire and approve of. So, yeah, he'd kept the clothes and shoes his mother sent him two months ago, and he'd packed them for this trip just because.

He'd glad they seem to be coming in handy.

After processing his words, Nate blinks, a smile growing on his face like he's discovered a treasure he won't be letting go of any time soon.

----

Tag List

Please let me know if you'd like to be tagged!

[inkspiredwriting]

Echoes of Tomorrow

Five Hargreeves x Fem!reader

Warnings: angst, sad

The once vibrant and bustling home of the Hargreeves family now lay in ruins, a desolate wasteland of charred wood and twisted metal. Smoke still curled from the remains of the house, a haunting reminder of the catastrophe that had torn through their lives. Y/n Hargreeves stood at the edge of the devastation, her heart a hollow ache in her chest as she surveyed the wreckage.

Her eyes scanned the debris, searching for any sign of the life they had built together. Each step she took sent ash and rubble shifting beneath her feet, the acrid scent of smoke and destruction burning in her throat. She felt numb, the shock of the loss still too raw, too overwhelming to fully comprehend.

Her home, their sanctuary, was gone. The memories, the laughter, the love that had filled these walls—all reduced to ash and ruin. And Five… Five was gone too. The thought was like a knife twisting in her heart, a pain so deep it left her gasping for breath.

Y/n’s hands trembled as she sifted through the remnants, searching for something—anything—that had survived the inferno. She found a few scorched photographs, the edges curled and blackened, the faces barely recognizable through the soot and grime. A broken piece of a picture frame, a melted clock. Ghosts of the life they had once known.

It was then that she saw it, half-buried beneath a pile of debris—a charred, leather-bound book, its cover cracked and blackened by the flames. She reached out with shaking hands, carefully lifting it from the wreckage. Her heart pounded in her chest as she opened it, the brittle pages crumbling slightly at the edges.

It was a diary. Five’s diary.

The words were faded, the ink smeared and blurred by water and heat, but she could still make out the handwriting—Five’s meticulous, looping script. Her fingers traced the letters, her eyes filling with tears as she realized what she was holding.

May 4th, 2023

Today, Y/n and I talked about our future. It’s strange, thinking about a future when I’ve spent so much of my life jumping through time, never staying in one place for long. But with her… I can see it. A home, a family. I’ve never felt this way before. I want to build something real with her.

June 17th, 2023

We talked about kids today. Y/n laughed and said she couldn’t imagine me as a father, but I could see the hope in her eyes. I told her I’d try my best, that I’d be there for her and our children, no matter what. She smiled, and for a moment, I could almost see it—little feet running through our house, laughter filling the air. It’s a future I never thought I’d want, but now… it’s all I can think about.

August 9th, 2023

We found the perfect house today. It’s small, but cozy. Y/n loves the garden, says she can picture us growing old together there. I told her it doesn’t matter where we live, as long as we’re together. She kissed me and said she felt the same. I want to make this place our home, fill it with memories, with love. I want to give her the life she deserves.

October 12th, 2023

Today was perfect. We spent the day planning our future, dreaming about the life we’re going to build together. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I love her more than I ever thought possible. I’m going to marry her, start a family with her. We’re going to be happy. I just know it.

Y/n’s tears fell onto the pages, smearing the ink even further, but she couldn’t stop reading. Each entry was like a dagger to her heart, a reminder of the dreams they had shared, the future they had planned. She could hear his voice in every word, feel his love in every sentence.

She clutched the diary to her chest, her body shaking with sobs. The weight of the loss crashed over her, the pain of knowing that the life they had dreamed of was now just ashes and memories. She had lost everything—their home, their future, and the man she loved more than anything in the world.

Y/n sat amidst the ruins, the diary cradled in her lap, her eyes staring blankly at the devastation around her. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the wreckage, the sky ablaze with the colors of dusk. It was a cruel reminder that life went on, even in the face of unimaginable loss.

She thought of Five, of the dreams they had shared, the love they had built. She could almost feel him beside her, his hand in hers, his voice whispering words of comfort and hope. But he was gone, and she was left alone in a world that felt empty and cold without him.

“I miss you,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I love you so much, Five. I don’t know how to do this without you.”

The wind picked up, rustling through the debris, carrying with it the faint scent of smoke and ash. Y/n closed her eyes, imagining that it was Five’s hand brushing against her cheek, his voice in her ear.

She knew that she would have to go on, that she would have to find a way to rebuild her life. But in that moment, surrounded by the ruins of their home and the echoes of their dreams, all she could do was mourn the future they had lost.

As the first stars appeared in the twilight sky, Y/n stood slowly, clutching the charred diary to her chest. She took one last look at the ruins of their home, the place where they had dreamed of building their future together.

“I’ll carry your dreams with me,” she whispered, her voice filled with determination and love. “I’ll keep them alive, for both of us.”

With that promise in her heart, she turned and walked away from the ruins, her steps slow and heavy, but resolute. She knew that the road ahead would be long and hard, but she would face it with the strength of the love they had shared and the dreams they had built together.

And as she walked, the stars above shone brighter, their light a beacon of hope in the darkness, guiding her towards a future where the echoes of their love would always be with her.

[strniohoeee]

Ardor

Pairing: Chris Sturniolo X Female Reader💌

Synopsis: Chris feels like Y/N deserves more. And what better way to show this than to take her to her favorite place.🌻

Warnings⚠️: None at all. This shit is just soooo CUTEEEE😭

Song for the imagine: Nothing Even Matters-Lauryn Hill (feat. D’Angelo)

Ardor

Noun

Enthusiasm or passion

Lately Chris and his brothers have been super busy between creating content and touring, that I hadn’t really had a chance to spend time with my boyfriend. Even though the tour ended, and they were back in LA they immediately started filming for their channel.

Personally I didn’t mind this, yes I missed my boyfriend, but this was his job. He always still made time to text me, call me, send me flowers, take me on a few dates.

However this was bothering Chris as he felt like he hasn’t really been able to sit and spend time with me. No matter how many times I told him I didn’t care he still protested against it.

“Y/N no! I feel like I haven’t been here for you, and we haven’t really spent a good amount of time together” Chris would say as we sat on the couch with his arm slung over my shoulder

“Baby, we’re spending time together right now” I told him

“Yes, but also no. I want to be with you, and only you and just spend every second glued at the hip. I want to stare into your eyes and watch the stars, all that romantic movie shit” he told me kissing me on the forehead

“Chris you hate that corny shit” I said laughing

“I’m a changed man mama” he said laughing

“We should take a trip one of these days. Just go to another state and get away” I told him

“Yeah let’s say fuck it and go to like Vermont or some shit” he said back to me

“Oh my god Vermont is so pretty during this time of the year. With all the orange and yellow leaves” I said getting excited

That was two weeks ago, and within a day Chris was getting everything booked. The flight, the Airbnb, the activities. All while I had no idea. Chris had surprised me one day telling me where we were going.

And that brings it to now. We had just got to a small little house in Vermont surrounded by the beauty of the woods and the orange and yellow leaves falling to the ground.

“Baby this is the best thing you have ever done” I told him as we settled into the house

“Anything for my pretty lady” he told me coming over and grabbing me by the waist, pulling me in for a kiss

“Chris I love you so much” I told him kissing him back

“I love you way more pretty girl” he said kissing me on the forehead

We had got to Vermont at 2, and by the time we settled in we decided we wanted to walk to the nearest town and find something to eat.

There was a small town within a 10 minute walk. Chris and I headed out, and as we got into the town we truly enjoyed how tight knight the community was.

“Man I could live here forever” I said looking at every store we passed

“Could you really?” He asked looking over at me

“100%, it’s so small and pretty, and quiet” I told him

“Maybe we could make that happen in the future” he said kissing my hand that he was holding

We had stopped at a small mom and pop restaurant. We sat, and decided to look at the menu.

“Ouu everything looks good” Chris said

“Chris you’re such a picky eater you better ask for chicken tenders and fries” I told him laughing

“Hey! Not nice, but also not wrong” he said laughing

We were interrupted by the waitress

“Hi guys! How are you my names Ari, and I’ll be your server for today” she said smiling at us

“Could I get you started with drinks?” She asked us

“May I have a Dr. Pepper?” I asked her smiling up at her

“And may I have a pepsi” Chris asked, and I laughed. Him and his Pepsi addiction

After we got our drinks we ordered. And the whole time we were laughing at each other, and he was reminiscing about the tour, and how much he loved meeting his fans.

A little while later the waitress came back with our check

“I’ve never seen you guys around here” she said handing the check to Chris who had his hand out

“Oh we’re visiting!” I told her looking up at her

“Ahhh I see! Thats nice. Are you guys on a honeymoon” she asked

“Oh uh-“ but I was cut off by Chris

“Yeah something like that” he said handing her the check back with cash

“Oh that’s so nice! You guys should check out the little cafe across from here! They sell the best homemade cookie dough!” She said

“Thank you! We will” Chris said, “oh and keep the change” he told her

She thanked him and walked away. We walked over to the cafe and purchased some cookie dough, and decided to walk back hand in hand.

“I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me” I said looking over at Chris

“I’m glad you’re loving it pretty mama” he said kissing me on my temple

We had got back to the house, and decided to make some cookies

“CHRIS THATS TOO BIG” I yelled as he rolled a ginormous ball of a cookie

“HA! That’s what she said” he said pointing his finger at me

“Chris…you’re such a child” I told him snatching the huge cookie ball out of his hand and breaking it into smaller pieces

“But you love it” he responded looking over at me

“I really do” I said smirking at him

I put the cookies in the oven, and set a 12 minute timer

“Babe! They have a glass lanai” Chris said running back into the kitchen

“They do???” I said excited

“We have to eat our cookies out there” he said, and I agreed

After the cookies were done I took them out and put them on a plate, and we walked out to the lanai

“Holy shit this is beautiful” I said placing the plate down on the coffee table

“Isnt it” he said looking at me

“I’m a whore for glass lanais” I told him sitting down on the couch

“Interesting choice of words, but yes” he said laughing and also sitting down next to me

He grabbed two cookies, and then sat back, wrapping his arm over my shoulder, and pulling me in towards him

“Here you go my love” he said giving me a cookie

“Thank you” I responded taking the cookie from him and biting into it

“I would’ve never thought I’d be sitting here eating cookies with you, and madly in love” he said eating his cookie

“I would’ve never thought either. You were such a player” I said looking at him to see his reaction

“What?” He said with his jaw dropped

“God we used to hate each other so much” I told him finishing my cookie

“We really did. Never understood why. When you’re the best thing to have ever happened to me” he said also finishing his cookie

“I guess I was scared of falling for the “bad” guy” i told him

“And I was so scared of commitment” he told me

“Isn’t it strange? How people can change from strangers to friends, and then friends into lovers” I asked him

“It truly is, and I’m so glad we did. I love you so fucking much. Like I get emotional and shit” he said pretending to wipe a tear

“Chris, I love you so much. I have no idea what I’d do without you” I told him kissing his cheek

“I think I’d die without you” he said looking at me

“I think I’d die too” I said going in to kiss him

When we pulled away we stared into each others eyes just truly enjoying each others company

I leaned my head back and looked up at the night sky

“Look babe, the stars are shining so bright tonight” I told Chris while pointing at the sky

“Fuck this is so beautiful” he said looking up at the sky with me

“You got your wish. To watch the night sky with me” I told him

“And look how bright they’re shining for you” he said back

“I never want to leave this feeling” I responded back to him

“Me neither” he said

“Chris, I love you so much. This is a love I’ve never felt for anyone. My heart just bursts anytime I look at you, and when I’m with you all my problems are just a mere afterthought” I said to him still looking up at the night sky

“Y/N when I’m with you I never want to leave the moment. I want to hold on to you forever and always. I was so scared of loving someone because I felt I couldn’t get that love back, but you….you showed me new ways to be loved every single day” he said also still looking at the sky

“Out of my mind in love with you” I said back

“I hope in every lifetime you choose me” Chris said back

“Always Chris. I will always choose you” I said snuggling tighter to him

“Good because I will always choose you” he said kissing my head

“It was always you, and it will always be you” I said back to him

Chris let a tear slip out of his eye. Overwhelmed by the immense love he feels for Y/N, and that he’ll always have her no matter what. Chris loved Y/N with every fiber in his body, but most importantly Y/N loved Chris.

The End

I know this is pretty short, but I don’t like to drag out cute stories, but also Idk wtf to say, but I hope you enjoyed❤️

-J💅🏽

[thesamoanqueen]

Blackwater XVI

Raiting: 18+

Warnings: drama cause this story would be nothing without it

A/N: first chapter of the year and we're getting close to the end, so I've left a few little hints here and there

A couple of years ago him and Jey had bought a house by pooling their savings. It was one of those semi-detached houses sell for a few bucks, with few rooms and zero comforts, covered in faded wood slats, paper-thin walls and a single walled backyard without green. For them it had been a victory, they had a party too, one of those goals that their parents had dreamed of achieving for years when they were in their place. Jey had already started a family, Roman was trying to do the same with different results, but he had thought to be happy at that time. Struggling night and day to fill the fridge, he sold himself to the highest bidder, aiming to move forward at any cost, with his head down, without asking questions, open ears, so they had taught him and his cousin did the same. When they weren't working outside the city, they sat in the backyard together, on too small chairs ruined by the sun, telling how it was going and how long it took to reach the top.

They had carried on like dogs, for years, until Roman had realized that the pats on the head he kept down weren't enough to fill a wolf. Their paths had not always been side by side beyond the backyard of that house, life had pushed him with other challenges, other trials, disappointments, pain, lessons. What had happened next, what had led them to bite each other's throats and then be together and separate again, had been the result of all of that.

That warmth in the bottom of his stomach Roman had felt it again, months and months before, the illusion of being happy with little things in another backyard - his - in another house - his - and just as it had happened then, it was gone. He was not meant to live like that.

We eat first. It's all ours. The beginning and the end.

Sitting at the head of the table, with Y/N beside him finishing her breakfast, he stared at the plates still full, enough to feed an entire family, at the padded chairs just waiting to be occupied by someone of their blood, the well-kept backyard where not a single blade of grass grew out of place.

- How you feelin- sitting to his left, the wiseman asked in an attempt at conversation, but it was enough for Roman to put down the coffee he was holding in his hand to silence him.

He was fine, he had recovered his strength, there was nothing wrong. It had been enough sleep next to his mate to restore order in his life and home, to regain full control. He had lost yes, but it hadn't depended on him, it hadn't been a weakness of his and whoever was no longer sitting at his table was a loss he could afford. He had everything needed and more, he was still the undisputed alpha. The attack he had suffered had not left a scratch on him and would have been forgotten. He still had everything he needed to avoid falling back into that misery.

Y/N on his right, took a sip of her smoothie, her sharp eyes focused on Heyman who was already arranging his tie to give himself a tone.

- While you were taking your well-deserved break, my tribal chief, I figured you still wanted to know how business is going and I checked on our members personally for you. A couple of them had heard some silly rumours, some really bad ideas that sleep or a heart attack should have taken out of their heads if you ask me – bad ideas, rumours, opinions, just hearing those words was ruining his breakfast.

Impatient, he dropped the fork onto his plate of eggs and the wise man fell silent for a second, his eyes scanning him as the smell of anxiety increased.

- I made it clear... that they cannot change partners if they don't want to pay for the exit, as per the initial stable agreements. Someone has persisted in starting some… incorrect practices, they are finding allies, but we can appeal, extort what is owed. They're playing a game beyond their capabilities, they don't know how it works – he tried again, making his lip twitch.

Allies, partners, power games. He knew his opponents, men who pretended to be alphas and who he had kicked one after the other, exposing them for the nobodies they were. Now they were running their mouths, they plotted, raising their heads again and showing their dog teeth trying to scare him. He knew what they had in mind, he knew who would try to step forward and who was working to ruin what he had built to take his place or presume justice. The previous night had been a gift for them, the moment they had been waiting for to step forward.

- And even though the border has been temporarily moved a little further south, I have already made it clear that we officially have the right to-

My packland.

- How far south? – he stopped him, his attention suddenly high and focused on him.

He heard the wiseman swallow, trying to take time now that it was too late to take back his words, his eyes fixed on his figure like a prey that feels is being hunted. A moment of silence and then the voice that came out already in pain.

- The border state – he admitted with a grimace and Roman couldn't help the tic that made his head bob – we-we can negotiate though, I'll point out that there has been some interference and that it's clearly not done, they won't take real calls if-

Cutting out whatever the wiseman was raving about, he clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, his lip curling in annoyance, a growl in his throat growing menacing.

Our home. They are close.

He still had his land, the one he had conquered, but the stain with which they had soiled him was spreading, threatening even what he could not afford to lose. He could do without some north land that he wouldn't have taken advantage of in any case, remote areas that he had never visited, that had never interested him. It was a loss he shouldn't have suffered, but he could bear it. What he couldn't tolerate was everything else, because the state border was south, too south for his liking and there were only two people, out of all the dogs that would be around his neck, who deserved to be blamed for that public execution.

- My cousins. Where are them? – he asked in a low growl and felt Y/N's eyes immediately on him, in silence.

- My Tribal chief -

- I asked you where are em, answer me – he snapped and so did her hand, invisible, under the table, resting on his thigh as if wanting to keep him anchored to the ground, blocked from smashing everything and exploding.

Heyman swallowed heavily, his attention now for a second on Y/N as if looking for an ally and Roman physically felt his eyes on her, immediately lifting his head to glare at him and make him press against the chair in a futile attempt to escape his fury.

- They came back with us yesterday morning, someone saw them on secondary roads to the west. I don't know where they are now, I've tried to contact them several times, still no answer... I'm sorry... - he said and Roman smelled what he too had felt in the bottom of his stomach the entire night, turning over in Y/N's arms: grief.

They had hit him from behind once more, using informations he had given them with trust, to get around him and go around his territory undisturbed. They knew everything, they had access to everything, there were only a few things that Roman had cut them off from in those years of success, the rest had always been there, served on a silver platter at their disposal. In the last period he had closed some doors, not given too many privileges, but there was no inch of that land where they had not spoken for him at least once or acted in his name. They could do anything, go where no other enemy could without attracting attention and this put him on the defensive more than he could tolerate. They were a danger on the loose and Roman couldn't allow them to keep doing what they wanted, how and when they wanted if he didn't want to find himself in an even worse situation than now.

They're our shadows.

He wasn't dumb to hope to physically block them from doing more or wandering around, he had once again shared the backyard and his land had been their home for too long, but he could find a way to remind them who owned the empire on which them and their families walked.

- Stop looking for them – he ordered seriously, his hand tightened around Y/N's now.

- My Tribal chief? – the wiseman whispered uncertainly, his expression at least as confused as Y/N’s.

His wiseman was right, anyone who tried to go against him made the same mistake: they were playing a game beyond their capabilities. For Roman it had never been just a game, everything for him had always been personal, inevitable, necessary. Those two, Jey especially as his right-hand man – and brother – knew everything about him, but he also knew everything about them and it wasn't what they knew about each other that would make the difference in the war they had threatened to wage against him. It was how they would use it and he had always been better at hitting to make his mark.

- Cut them out. From everything. All of em. The Bloodline is no longer their business – he announced without regrets, intending to finish his breakfast in peace.

They had decided to stab him and leave him after his attempt to fix the mess they had made. Now they would have to deal with it on their own, them and their families, filling the empty tables and starting to pay again for the air they breathed, everyone, from first to last without exception.

Starve them.

***

Y/N had seen him arrive from afar after hours, with his hands hidden in his pockets and that typical heavy gait. She had had the impression of watching a kid coming back home after a bad day and had stayed on the threshold of the entrance, waiting for him. Solo was not a kid, Roman and Paul called him the enforcer for good reasons, but the omega part of her, empathetic and protective, that sometimes couldn't stay in its place, had taken control of her that time. By tenaciously refusing, she ended up occupying that role within the new family, as if it had always been hers, as if she had always had it in her blood. She wasn't so sure if there was still a family anymore, but whatever shape it had now or how many people it was made up of, Y/N couldn't move from the entrance.

Solo opened and closed the door in silence, his head low, eyes resting on her only for a moment to acknowledge she was there, before walking straight on, slouching with his shoulders down. His round face, usually threatening, was swollen and his forehead marked by the thoughts that crowded his mind.

- Solo – she called him and even if he gave no sign of having heard, Y/N knew that it wasn't like that – it wasn't necessary for you to come – she pointed out, trying to say more, to make him understand and his voice came out quick, refusing.

-It's up to me – he announced seriously, heavy, time necessary to allow Roman to call him from outside after smelling him.

Y/N saw him staying there just for a minute before disappearing outside without further explanation and joining the empty table where Roman insisted on planning in Paul's company. From afar, she observed them together, in that new strange rigid balance and let herself breathe heavily.

Roman was ready to move on and Y/N knew that he would do everything in his power – and it was a lot – to regain control, but she wasn't so sure that that kind of approach was right. After what had happened to her as a child, she too had left everything behind able to move forward, until he made her understand that no matter what she thought, something would always be missing without a family with her.

That thought made her suddenly turn to go upstairs and try to do something, even if Roman didn't want to, even if he made her promise to let it go. She had avoided talking to Naomi after those messages, but it was time to do so, because she was perhaps the only one who in some way could understand and maybe help her. She could make Roman reason, she had already done it once, but if she needed to do it one more time she would have needed something more on her pocket and having someone willing to help ease the tension on the other side would have been useful. When she finally called her, she waited a couple of minute, but the chaos that reached her after waiting left no doubt. She knew that chaos.

- Y/N! How you doing? Ya good? – she asked immediately and as soon as she did so there was silence.

Her voice was a little too loud, a sign that she was probably joining that chaos before, but the apprehension inside made her realize that she wasn't the only one in that state of mind.

- I've had better days, it doesn't matter, im good.

- I'm sorry Y/N… believe me, im so sorry – she heard her admit too seriously and Y/N nodded even though she couldn't see it.

Naomi was the friend and sister she never had growing up, as were the twins. The bond they had made was a kind of connection that Y/N had discovered without looking for it, it had been natural, simple and now she had the impression of feeling it tremble for a stupid piece of land that had no value for her.

- I know, but it will be better when things calm down. That's why I called Nao - she said, hoping to hear from the other side the same intentions she had.

Naomi didn't answer, not right away, at least not to her, because Y/N clearly heard someone else making noise and her moving to silence him, before talking in a completely different tone.

- Listen... the boys want me to talk you, they say I have to make you reason about things before it's too late, explain to you how things are rightnow... - Did they want to make her reason about things? – I won't do it though, it's not on me. I just want you to know that even though it may seem that way there, it doesn't have to be like this, you don't have to end up in the middle. You don't deserve this, not after what you've already been through.

She hadn't expected to hear that when she decided to call Nao. They wanted to make her reason? What did they mean by not wanting her to end up in the middle with everything?! They were all in the middle, it was a family business, they had told her to the point of exhaustion what they were, for months, when she was still struggling to get used to Roman and now they wanted to keep her out? She was the only one who would listen to them, the only one who would defend them despite what had happened, but suddenly they kept their guard up, they didn't even try to explain to her why they acted the way they did and Naomi refused too. Did they just want her out or what?

- And what im suppose to do? Should I sit back and watch how will it end? – she asked in disbelief, confusion slowly turning into tension along her spine.

How could they have thought of suggesting something like that to her?

- It's this reaction that I worry about. None of us are asking you to choose and act, I'm just saying that we don't want this kind of pressure on you. Me, Jimmy and Jey, Im sure that no matter what, Roman also doesn't want to put you in such a bad position.

A noise, loud, like a sarcastic laugh, from the other side reached her despite everything and Y/N imperceptibly tightened her grip on her phone, trying to ignore that just mentioning him was enough to provoke them.

- A good way would be to resolve and make things the way they were, for everyone. It's not late if the guys- she tried, but Naomi stopped her before she could even try.

- We all hoped it would go differently Y/N. We all wanted things to change. It didn't happen and I'm not going to start talking about what has to be done or what will happen like Jimmy wants too, sorry, that's out of the question, I'm worrying about you and that you're there alone with him hearing all those stories.

Mate!

- What? – she snapped, her gaze suddenly directed at the wall as if she was in front of her.

Her she-wolf reacted even before her head, high attention, tense body.

Naomi wasn't the kind of person who ran her mouth about anything, she always said what she meant and what she was saying at that moment Y/N didn't like it at all. She herself had told Y/N almost a year earlier that she had to see beyond, that she had to give Roman an opportunity and she had seen beyond, she had tried hard and was doing so even at that moment. She was trying hard to understand and sort things out for everyone despite everything, but as things were at that moment, it seemed like she was really the only one who wanted it and she wasn't willing to hear unhappy hypotheses about what she was being told when just the day before she was kneeling to wipe blood from her mate’s body.

- I just want to make sure you're okay and you don't get any bad ideas, I love you – she listened to her add after a few moments, as if she had given her time to cool down knowing and Y/N closed her eyes, inhaling deeply.

She believed in Naomi's good intentions, however she didn't want to upset her, they didn't want her to end up in the middle, but it was her who put Roman back on his feet after they had knocked him down, her who listened to him struggle to fall asleep with his arms almost crushing her, her who tried to keep them together despite their hard heads refused.

- I love you too, but I'm good like this. I’ll be okay. Thanks for checking on me. Give a kiss to the guys.

She hung up before hearing her answer, putting the phone away with the real intention of not using it again for who knows how long. With her head resting against the wall, hands frozen and an unpleasant shiver down her spine, she realized that it was becoming too much, too quickly and her eyes instinctively shot towards the walk-in closet where, lost in a corner, she had hidden the suitcase she had arrived with there in Florida. Roman hated seeing it and would have hated it twice as much if he had known she still had the suppressants inside, but she needed to be clear-headed, now more than ever.

***

Someone else in his place would have stayed in their own home, safe, away from prying eyes and the dangers that rumors can create. In other circumstances he would have done it too, because now he had a very valid reason to stay within the walls of his house. It had no longer attracted him for a while to be always on the road, to grace people's gazes, the desire, envy, admiration that he read in their faces, he had distanced himself more and more. Their attentions didn't even interest him, he didn’t care, but he needed them, because once he had them they would reach the right ears and it was necessary for others to know that he was on his feet, back in strength after just a day. They had hit him, but not knocked him down and him leaving his personal reserve must have been a statement, together with the agreement he had planned that afternoon, for the future of his legacy. A statement that he had hoped would also improve Y/N's mood, at his side since the previous day and with a face that Roman had learned to know and avoid.

- I thought you would agree – he reflected, interrupting the silence inside the big black suv speeding along the coastal road that would take them to the city.

Perfect and composed in her red dress, Y/N turned to look at him, leaving the intensive study of the road, her hand clasped in his, her look confused for a moment. However, he knew what was buzzing in her beautiful head even if she hadn't said it, even if she had avoided any scene with a coldblood that would have made anyone envious, she wasn't the kind of woman you could tell a story and move on. And he wasn't willing to play that game, not with her, not after what had happened, not at risk of losing her too after what they had been through to be together. He had learned from the trial, he knew what to do now.

- I made that decision thinking about you too and you're not happy – he added, already feeling words weighing in his throat.

- Me? How would I have influenced your choice? – he heard her ask and slightly tightened his grip on her fingers, his tongue sliding over teeth to banish the tic that threatened to make his lip curl.

Mate must be on our side. Mine mate.

- I should go and get’em inside their homes, make em beg. I'm controlling myself, you don't like arguments. I'm doing it for you, it's what you wanted. No fights.

What his cousins had done deserved more than a lesson, but going against them, smashing, punishing them as they deserved, leaving them floundering in their misery would have been a dangerous move. The family balance was built on strength, however it was not only with that Roman had managed to obtain what he had now, what others before him had failed to secure. He knew that he had to beat them with the head they lacked first and then with strength, if he wanted to keep everything and re-establish order, jumping to the last step was too high a risk. Y/N also wouldn't have taken it well, she had already tried to keep them together once and even if she hadn't said anything yet, if she didn’t asked it again, Roman knew that it would be difficult for her to leave everything behind. He had promised to keep her out of business, away from that kind of thing, his cousins had ruined every plan and it was enough having to drag her around with him so as not to lose sight of her, making the wrong move could ruin everything .

Her hand moved without force in his grip, but enough to allow her to free her thumb and rub it over the back of Roman’s hand, one of her many ways to calm him when anger began to rise.

- What I wanted was to see yall together – she clarified and Roman nodded, without thinking twice.

- We will do it again, when they will come and apologize. Door is always open for those who are family – he added raw, the skyline of the city now running beyond the window.

His dynasty was made up of men and women with thick blood and hot heads. He had to have an iron fist to prove himself worthy of the title he had, of the ulafala that the Elders had put around his neck, weaknesses were not welcomed and mercy even less so. He hadn't forgotten who Jey and Jimmy were, their blood would remain like his even in the grave, but Roman wasn't willing to pretend nothing had happened just because of that, not after yet another attempt, not after losing. He demanded something in exchange for his forgiveness, he wanted them to remember why he was on top, they had to pay. Only then would he hold out his hand again, not a second sooner.

- And do you think that will happen? That they will apologize?! You can't really think that – Y/N replied with a short sarcastic laugh, a curl swinging next to her gorgeous face.

- No, not now. Their stupid heads will think they can do it, that they can teach me a lesson, they will try to prove that they don't need me.

They would have accomplished nothing without him, just as they had never accomplished anything before he lifted them out of the ground where they were eating and took them with him to the top. The only advantage they had was that there were two of them and even that was worth little since both of them didn't make a full thought. They would carry on stubbornly, trying to challenge his influence, trying to move with the knowledge they had and when they realized that they were in hot water, that they could not do a damn without his approval, they would start to growl. And even then it would only be a growl because he was already two steps ahead.

With an annoyed grin, he turned just in time to see her frowning, lips pouting slightly in that little grimace she always made before talking back.

- And maybe they'll try to get you on their side. Somehow, at some point – he stopped her, running his gaze over her figure, feeling her freeze.

Mark her. We need to mark her.

That one was more than a possibility, much more than a possibility.

Y/N was his future, his legacy, as much as the land he defended. Before her he had done the impossible to secure as much as he could, trying to please everyone, without knowing what would happen after, but with her everything had changed. She was his centerpoint, she was made to be next to him and build a new bloodline with him and for this reason she was also his weak point. His cousins would never dare to hurt her, none of them were savages, but they would try to convince her to side with them somehow and he couldn't let her hear a single word.

-Ro – she called him as if trying to bring him back from wherever his head was going.

-I know Jey... he'll try. He’ll do anything to be the good guy, to justify himself, he can't handle the pressure, he never has. He needs an excuse to look himself in the mirror at night and say he's not doing this to take my place. He'll try it with you and Jimmy will try with Solo.

Jey was an hothead, looking at him from the outside he seemed a rabid animal, he had always struggled to open up to those who weren't family, but he had a soft heart, more than anyone else. Roman had seen him do unthinkable things, many times he himself had ordered them and Jey had never backed down, but he needed a reason, a trigger that meant something to him. He wouldn’t have come forward without seeking support, without he was just a kid watching something he was scared of. Jimmy on the other hand didn't have those problems, he was the other side of the coin, the trigger without reasons. It didn't take much for him to sprint and was used to truly believing himself the big brother of the litter, he wouldn't have let go of the chance to keep that title knowing in his heart that he couldn't have any others.

- Well, maybe it's not a bad idea to convince each other and find a common point - Y/N tried to suggest next to him and just the idea that it could happen or her even thinking about it again, made him snap.

- Like me going to the border to help em, finding myself with ma head half open?! This kind of common point?! I didn't start this, I won't let them finish it until I say so now! – he growled, voice too loud in the limited space of the suv.

He saw Y/N eyes widen and reflexively free his hand, to pass it over the face, torturing his beard, gaze going quickly somewhere else, outside, to the window and to the driver who, beyond the divider, was tenaciously looking ahead at the streets to not get involved. He inhaled deeply, pushing away the anger and then looking back at her, fingers reaching for contact again.

It wasn't her he was mad with, was them. They were ruining everything even now, even when they weren't around. He wouldn’t have let them be near her.

- I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…- he apologized immediately, placing a kiss on her temple with caution – I know what you think… but it was you who cleaned the blood off me, you saw what they tried to do. It's not a game babygirl, it's not an argument. Ima doing this for us, I have to do it, that's what I meant when I told you it's just me and you

Y/N didn't move, but seeing her staying silent kept him with his gaze trained on her, fingers stroking her face now, trying to urge her to say something, react, nod, her hot spot on her neck still free from his mark, calling him louder and louder until it creeps into his head.

- ... have you thought about it again? You don’t want to be by my side? – he asked, unable to hold back the thought, atmosphere suddenly heavy and he saw her lower her tense shoulders. Walls down again.

One breath, her eyes closing before a hand found him, reassuring him, letting him keep his fingers where his scent should have been, the imprint of his teeth to make her forever untouchable to anyone other than him. She was made for him. The call, the impulse, became stronger with each passing day, after what had happened even more than before and Roman rested his forehead against hers, inhaling deeply to control the need to mark her there without no more waiting.

-If I had I wouldn't be here – Y/N whispered and he pulled her against him, burying his nose in her curls, grip becoming more possessive on her.

- I gave you my word I would take care of everything, I will do it – he stammered, looking distractedly through the window, while the Y/N nodded and the suv finally stopped in the building's parking lot.

Mine.

His, it was all his and would remain his forever. Y/N, the Bloodline, its territory and title. He wasn't a player like his cousins, he cleared the way when he went onto the field and made sure no one set foot there again without first asking permission. He was the alpha and would remain so until his last days.

***

Shaking his head, he went out into the backyard to see what had happened to his brother, who had disappeared into thin air as soon as Naomi had threatened a scene at Jimmy’s umpteenth attempt to convince her to talk some sense to Y/N.

Their call hadn't gone as they'd hoped, she'd refused to try and Y/N had hung up not in the best way. The last one hadn't been said, they could still make an attempt, Y/N was less unapproachable than she seemed at first glance, in a right way she would have listened and deep down Jimmy really wanted her to understand what she had ended up in. Naomi said they couldn't do it, that it was unfair and they should leave her alone living her life, he saw it another way.

Big uce wouldn't have put her in danger, him who didn't even look people in their faces when them spoke to him had lost his mind the first second he saw her, man was fucked, but he would have used her. He was already doing it, as he did with everyone, as he had been used to do all his life just for that place at the head of the table and she would realize it too late for her heart. It was up to them to make her understand how Roman’s head worked, what levels of manipulation he could reach to get what he wanted and it would be better for everyone.

Jimmy joined him as he paced back and forth along one side of the fence, like a caged animal, his face turned towards the neighbors house, his shoulders tense.

He didn't like that story, Jimmy wasn't even sure Jey could handle the stress. Roman had gotten inside his head so much that he changed his way of seeing things, taking advantage of the affection he felt for him, of his dedication to his family to keep him where he wanted, Roman had managed to manipulate him for years. He kept saying that they had to figure it out how to make peace, that he couldn't do it without all of them and Jimmy knew, he could already feel it through the bond, he was on the verge of exploding.

- Nao will try to talk her again, but not about this, she doesn't feel it right, she says is not good for Y/N and doesn't want to know about it, that we should stop... at this point we should try with Solo, he's eating trash from Uce’s hand and... hey? What’s wrong? – he stopped suddenly, when he was close enough watching Jey shake the fence in rage and immediately march towards the street.

- School called– he said in a hurry and Jimmy stiffened, going after him.

- Are the kids okay?

-They wants to throw them out. They say that they are not in order with documents, some checks, now they say that regulations have changed, we have to adapt or move them from there. They were rushing them, they tried to call him, Kecia is going to get them.

Documents, regulation changes, checks?! Without warning, from one day to the next and threatening to kick them out?! They were kids good God!

- Hey, hey, slow down, was it him? Do you think- he tried to ask and his brother snapped.

- Who do you think it was?! OG blocking everything, he wants to cut us off, he’s coming for our throats! Kids have nothing to do with this! – he growled mad, head down, teeth clenched.

It was unthinkable that he had actually done it, but more he remembered what kind of man his cousin had become over the years, more he knew that he had done it with a specific reason. The boys loved him, he was the uncle who solved their family problems, the one who spoiled them and who they could ask anything, they trusted that bastard, they were kids and he had used them as leverage to hit Jey again. Just as he had used him and Jey for years to take care of his business, Y/N to get out of the trial and as he would have done with anyone else at his disposal. He knew he couldn't go against both of them and tried to push things like this, with low blows and no morals, but he had gone too far that time.

He's coming for him. Get him.

Somewhere behind him he heard Naomi calling them, while Jey reached the car and he pulled his arm, trying to slow down what was now a hunt.

- Uce! Uce where-

- I have to talk to the elders, move.

It wasn't a request, it wasn't even an invitation. Jimmy knew that face and he also knew how it would go from here on out.

***

She had heard of a couple of those men names while listening to some conversation, one or two were faces she recognized, like that Pearce she had met some time ago with Solo during a tour of the city. They discussed balances, that silly border that started the war and Roman wasn't thrilled, even though his expression hadn't changed at all, even though he was sitting there with his back leaning against the chair like he was in full control. But he wasn't the one she was focused on, not now, not after seeing Paul reluctantly pull his phone out of his pocket to check on whoever was persistently calling.

His face had gone paler than usual and his eyes had rushed to Roman, as if seeking reassurance or terrified of his reaction. Y/N knew that face, it smelled of fear.

Something wrong, again.

Tag squad: @sunnyfleur23 @racerchix21 @alyyaanna @reignsangel444 @romanreignsdefencesquad @romanstheory @claymorexpunisher @keybladeofsteel @msbigredmachine @nayys-world @gobbersworld @utika151209 @cumxxslutt @civildawn @romanmydaddy @triscillal @papireigns-05 @helensanders92 @love-islike-abomb @darqchilddaydreamz @meggylynnloves @unfriendly--blvck--hottie @nicolewoo @reignsx @reigns-central-blog @kianaleani @daguenoire @extra-11 @thedonsfactory @snowpanda18 @brattyfics @mzv11 @romanreignseater @tribalchiefdaily @2baddies2furious @vebner37 @depressedneedingrevenge @cyberdejos2 @usosthetics @mahi-wayy @jxtina-86 @harmshake @harlem11680 @southerngirl41 @blkbutterfly816 @spritelucozade @smile1318 @joannasteez

[azulera]

Sweet Like Açai

Pairing: TAA x Black Reader

Summary: He’s still raw from a rough break-up, his club is trudging through a mid-season slump, and somehow Trent still develops a fat crush on the server at Merseyside’s newest smoothie place.

Notes: this will be my last story for a while, but it is a longer one, and who doesn't love wingman curtis and flustered shy trentski 😃 here is chapter 1, but all other chaps will be posted on ao3. pls enjoy and do tell me what you think!

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The new café that Curtis suggests is only a 15-minute drive from AXA, so after their last meetings and quick showers they take off in his Range Rover and make it there in ten. The owner, he says, is a friend of the Jones family, a former footballer who took the constant chiding of his nutritionists to heart and built a second career from it, and Curtis promises Trent that it’s the best combination of chilled fruit, yogurt, granola and whatever other superfood magic that he’s ever tasted.

But it’s not that Trent needs the backstory that his teammate gives or really much convincing at all - after training his stomach feels as big and empty as a house, and, even still, he figures he deserves it. The past months have been less than kind to him, and closer to brutal: the team’s performance has continued to nosedive in what by Liverpool standards was already an aggressively average season, and he’s still deciding if he’s moved on from the mutual but still painful breakup with his long-term girlfriend two months ago. “Self-care” is a foreign thing he’s been trying to practice at the insistence of his mum and Hendo, since they claim it’s okay to let himself have nice things, to not always push harder when the going is already tough.

A quick, sugary pick-me-up can’t possibly do too much more damage.

A little bell chimes as they step in the door and the air that greets them is pleasantly cool, and sweet. Dark purples and greens blend with browns and oranges on the walls in a swirling pattern, and rustic wood tables with high stools are arranged in rows from one side of the space to the other. There’s a couple sat together at a spot near the window, twin purple cups in front of them, and a single, serious-looking man on a laptop near the back, but the line to order and the self-serve kiosks are both empty. Curtis walks up to the counter, as in any room, like he lives there, and has been there a million times.

“The açai one’s gonna blow your mind, lad, I swear to ya. Plus, the place is Black-owned and that, supportin the community.”

Trent laughs once before settling his hands in the pockets of his sweats and looking up to the menu. There are too many options, really, but at the moment his stomach is non-discriminating.

“Yeah, it better. Won’t shut up about it, you. What’s good- the bowl or smoothie?”

“Hold on – Y/N? Is that you?”

Trent’s question goes unanswered, and smothered by the sound of Curtis’ yell. His voice lifts across the space, shouting the unfamiliar name another time, and again Trent is astounded by just how loud his teammate’s voice can be. That level of volume is helpful on the pitch but embarrassing in public, and Trent feels the eyes of at least one of the patrons on them.

“Curtis? Curtis Jones? Oh my days, one second–”

The ceramic counter holding the ingredients curves around into a small kitchen entrance on the left, and from where he’s standing, Trent can’t see what, or whoever it is that Curtis sees. But the mutual excitement in the voices can’t be missed.

“No way! Get over here!”

Curtis shouts, bouncing on his toes. A moment later, a blur of movement in the shape of a girl flies in from the kitchen, and has Curtis pulled into a tight hug. His teammate reciprocates, and Trent can see his shoulder muscles working to tighten the squeeze, even with the width of counter between them.

“Long time no see, Curt. Was starting to think you were something we dreamed up, only ever see you on the telly.”

Trent can soon confirm the voice does belong to a girl, and on the first glance he gets of her face it is slightly squished against Curtis’ shoulder, but painted in a look of open, undisguised surprise and happiness. It’s the kind of strong emotion he would only ever show on the pitch, almost never in a public place like this, and it almost feels like too much to witness such vulnerability from someone he doesn’t yet know, and who’s heartfelt reunion he seems to be third-wheeling on. He would look away, but his eyes betray him and zoom in, already busy taking inventory without consulting him first.

They start at her skin, which is glowy and smooth, and the same color he likes his tea, on the off day where he does drink a cup. He thinks it’s probably poor to compare a woman to a beverage, in fact, he knows it is, but blames it on his grumbling stomach and moves on. His gaze locks next on her lips, because she and Curtis are speaking again, loudly.

“Could say the same to you, can’t I, been ages since I’ve seen ya! And I’m loving the hair.”

“Yeah, wanted to try something different. It’s been a few years since I’m growing them.”

Her hair, Trent notices when he pulls his eyes from her face, is in locs like his, but lighter brown with amber highlights strewn throughout. They swing about her shoulders as she moves, so that she regularly has to push the strands back behind her ears, away from her face. The familiarity of the movement triggers a thing in his brain that yells “Me too!”, and his eyes travel the rest of her, suddenly hungry to find more things he recognizes. The first are her eyes, which are a warm, chocolatey brown, maybe two shades lighter than his own. The close second is that he finds her unpredictably, and undeniably attractive.

That feeling inside him that went dormant two months ago starts to fidget.

“How is everythin, though? Uni? And how’s the fam?” Curtis asks.

The two of them continue catching up with excitement that hasn’t yet worn off, and Trent stands to the side, trying not to intrude and trying not to be awkward. In a way he hopes is sly, he continues scrutinizing her features while intermittently looking at his shoes, up at the artsy menu board where the offerings are, impressively, engraved rather printed, and briefly at his phone.

He should, he supposes, listen politely to their conversation, try and contribute, but in truth he only checks back in after a loud burst of laughter. She's covering her mouth with one hand, and Curtis is straightening up from being almost doubled over.

“Whoo, I had nearly forgotten about that, you know! Your brother used to be absolutely mad. But hey, I was round here last week and didn’t see you. Are you workin here now?”

“Yeah, I am.” She pulls at the cafe emblem on the corner of her mauve t-shirt. “I’ll be working the front end of things while we’re still small. Only been at it a few days now, but Dad’s made sure I’m working hard.”

“I don’t doubt it, but you tell the big man he ought to hire some more staff, ‘cause me, I’ll be telling the whole city about this place. Dragged Trentski here as soon as I could, just to show him. Me first convert.”

The sound of his nickname evaporates whatever was left of his distraction, and he steps forward a little, as if finally being invited into the conversation. He looks up and finds she’s looking back at him.

“Alright?” She asks, smiling. “I’m Y/N.”

She waits for him to introduce himself even though if she’s a friend of Curtis and a footballer’s daughter, she surely knows who he is. Or does she? Either way, he decides he likes her for it.

“I’m Trent. Nice to meet you.”

“Good to meet you, too, Trent. Let me get Curt situated and then I’ll be right with you, yeah?” She smiles again, and it isn’t one of those plastic, forced customer service smiles, but one that lasts, like she means it. The light from it floods her eyes, and makes them even shinier, independent of the artificial lighting buzzing above them. In it’s glow, his chest does that stupid thing where it feels filled up with too much air.

He watches as she moves down the line and makes his teammate’s bowl with laser focus, trying to guess if what he’s sensing is just politeness, if her smile lasts as long every time. When the flash of white does appear behind her lips again, and twice more before she calculates Curtis’ total at the register, he gets too distracted by it to count the seconds.

“What would you like?” Too quickly she’s in front of him again, hands poised around a brown paper bowl.

“Em, yeah,” He clears his throat. “A bowl, please. Not a smoothie. The açai one?”

“Good choice.” She nods, while scooping portions of the purple fruit-yogurt mix into the container. “Any special add-ins for you today? Plant protein, energy, antioxidants?”

The health-food buzzwords set off signals in his head, and he gives the answer that would make his nutritionist proud.

“Need all of it, honestly.”

She laughs again, but it feels different this time, since he’s the one who made it happen, not Curtis.

“Good boy. Bet your nutritionist loves you. Which fruits?”

Trent freezes a second, affected in equal amounts by the “good boy” and the feeling that she’d read his mind. She pushes the right side of her locs back behind her ear in the silence.

“What about banana? It goes really well with the açai.” She offers.

“Yeah, banana’s good.”

She nods again and uses metal tongs to arrange the pale yellow pieces artfully over the yogurt. He goes on, choosing available fruits from the names listed on the clear glass shield, and trying not to stumble, again. The bowl gradually fills up, and it’s a smooth exchange – it’s much easier to do this, to talk and focus, he realizes, when her face is turned down – until they reach the last two options.

“Pineapple?”

“Em, nah, no pineapple, it-” The next bit of information he adds not because it’s particularly important, but because their interaction is almost over, and he doesn’t want it to be. “-makes me tongue feel—”

“All tingly? Yeah, that’s a thing!”

Her eyes light up as she exclaims and to Trent it seems her face sudddenly changes over — there’s more color in her cheeks, and vibration in her voice. But maybe he’s imagining it. She flits the tongs through the air as she continues.

“There’s an enzyme in pineapple, bromelain, that breaks down proteins, and you’ve got a bunch of those on your tongue and cheeks. It’s what makes it so acidic, and makes it burn a little to eat, but it’s interesting, cause, bromelain is also really good for you? Helps treat inflammation, and indigestion-“

“Not now, Y/N, just give the lad his food! If he wanted a lecture he would have gone uni with you.” Curtis teases from near the register, looking up from where he’d been on his phone, waiting. She graces him with a beautiful and dramatic roll of her eyes, but when she turns back to Trent they’re sincerely apologetic.

“I get a little carried away with the nutrition thing, forgive me. It’s nice to have Curt here, though, to keep me humble. Coconut?”

Trent wants to say, “No, it’s okay, I don’t mind it” but all he manages is a kind smile. He could care less now if she adds the shredded bits of white to his order or not, but he wants her to keep looking at him, for the excited glow on her face from when she’d mentioned food science to return.

“Em, yeah. Thank you.”

Minutes later, their bowls are bagged and paid for and they’re heading towards the door, fond words of parting on all their lips.

“You all come back, okay?” Y/N probes, pulling out from another Curtis, cross-counter hug. “And I’ll tell me brother and Dad you came in, Curt, they’ll be buzzin.”

“Oh for sure, I’ll send him a text as well. It’s been so nice seeing ya.”

“Same. And hope to see you again, too, Trent. Not just on the telly.” She waves at him, more a wiggle of her fingers, and it should look silly but somehow it isn’t. He wiggles his own back, and hopes it works for him too.

In the car, they dig in, setting aside the plastic lids unceremoniously on the dash. Curtis is obnoxious about the cleanliness and quality of many things, his clothes, trainers, and phone screen, but strangely his car isn’t one of them.

The bowl Trent ordered turns out to be far better than average. The yogurt is perfectly tart and tangy, the fruit crisp and juicy and the açai deliciously purple. He still hasn’t got the girl from the counter, Y/N, out of his head.

He’s four bites in when he finally asks the question bumping around his brain the past five minutes.

“How’d you know her again?”

“Who? Y/N? Her brother’s me mate. She was a year older, but we all grew up together in Toxteth. Why?”

“No reason.”

“Do you fancy her?”

“No-what lad?” Trent screws his face his up, unsure how indignant he truly is, and though he saw the question coming. Curtis only shrugs.

“I said, do you fancy her? I saw your face while yous was talkin, and you almost never ask after girls. Just pull with your mind games or telepathy or whatever it is you do.”

Trent gets a mouthful of coconut to formulate his answer, and the taste makes his stomach feel funny. He remembers why he doesn’t usually go for it.

“No, I mean, I think she’s good-lookin, yeah, but I don’t fancy her. Don’t even know her.”

“S’not hard to change that- I could put in a word for ya. Know she’s real busy, real serious about school and that, but you’re you, innit. Trent Alexander-Arnold. Be mad not to go for it.”

Trent lets the drama of Curtis’ compliment slide off him with a shake of his head. But the “you’re you” sticks; it’s what he’s been telling himself the two month’s he’s been girlfriend-less and on a season high not-winning streak, sitting middle of the table with indications to fall. He’ll keep on repeating it, or hearing it repeated to him, until it feels true again.

“You don’t feel weird about that? Since she’s your mate and all?”

“Why would I? You’re both sound people, better than sound. And if chattin to her gets rid of that kicked-dog look you’ve been wearin the past month, brother, I’ll plan the weddin.”

“I haven’t been— there won’t be-“ Trent splutters, before resigning to the chaos that is his closest teammate and friend. “I’ll keep the offer in mind, lad. But let me finish me smoothie bowl first, yeah? Let’s start there.”

“Okay, okay. You’ll remember I told you so.”

Trent keeps eating, lets Curtis switch the subject, and it's not until he’s home, scrolling the lists of Liverpool-based Instagram profiles containing the name “Y/N”, that he questions just what would be the subject of his friend’s “I told you so” — Y/N or the smoothie. He decides to treat him to another one tomorrow to find out.

[knoepfl]

A Quiet Christmas Away

Part 3 and I'm excited to bring my boy Nubbins in it! He deserves the world and the special present he receives^^

3/24

Characters:

• Y/N (Reader): A kind and nurturing individual who provides a quiet, safe space for Nubbins to escape the chaos of his family.

• Nubbins Sawyer: A chaotic yet endearing man with a childlike curiosity, who finds comfort and warmth in the holiday spent with you.

Trigger Warnings:

• Mild references to violence and chaos (Sawyer family background).

• Emotional vulnerability and themes of love and belonging.

Masterlist

Words: 1248

The old house you inherited from your grandmother stood tucked away in the woods, far from prying eyes and the noise of the world. It had been a while since you’d been back, but it was the perfect place for the peaceful holiday you both craved.

---

The snow fell softly outside, covering the world in a pale blanket of stillness. It was a stark contrast to the chaos that usually surrounded the Sawyer family, but tonight wasn’t about them. Tonight was just for you and Nubbins.

Nubbins, dressed in a slightly too-big sweater you’d convinced him to wear, sat cross-legged on the worn carpet by the fireplace. He poked at the flames with a stick he’d insisted on bringing inside, watching them crackle with a childlike fascination.

“You know, darlin’, this place ain’t half bad,” he said, his Texan drawl soft as he glanced at you. “Kinda cozy-like.”

You smiled, setting a steaming mug of cocoa in front of him. “It’s nice to have a little peace, don’t you think? No yelling, no chainsaws, no… well, you know.”

Nubbins laughed, his crooked grin lighting up his face. “Yeah, they don’t really go for this kinda quiet. Always gotta be somethin’ goin’ on back home.”

You sat beside him, wrapping a blanket around the two of you. The warmth of the fire and the gentle hum of an old Christmas record playing in the background filled the room. For once, there was no blood, no screams, no chaos. Just you, him, and the soft glow of Christmas lights strung haphazardly around the room.

Nubbins leaned against you, his head resting on your shoulder. “Don’t reckon I ever had a Christmas like this before. Kinda nice, ya know? Feels like... like somethin’ outta one of them picture books.”

You chuckled, running your fingers through his unruly hair. “Well, I’m glad you’re here to share it with me. It wouldn’t feel right without you.”

He looked up at you with those wide, slightly wild eyes that always managed to soften when he was with you. “Ain’t no place I’d rather be, sugar. You’re somethin’ real special, y’know that?”

Your cheeks warmed, and it wasn’t just from the fire. “You’re pretty special too, Nubbins. Even if you do scare the mailman every time he comes around.”

He cackled, a sound that could have been unsettling to anyone else but was music to your ears. “Ain’t my fault he don’t appreciate good ol’ Texas hospitality!”

The two of you sat there, the night stretching on as the snow continued to fall. You exchanged small, thoughtful gifts—he’d carved you a little wooden heart, rough around the edges but made with care, and you’d given him a scarf you’d knitted yourself, though it ended up tied around his head instead of his neck.

Later, as the fire died down and the room grew darker, Nubbins pulled you closer. His arms were surprisingly gentle, his usual manic energy replaced by something tender and calm.

“Merry Christmas, darlin’,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Merry Christmas, Nubbins,” you replied, pressing a kiss to his temple.

For a moment, it felt like the rest of the world didn’t exist. Just the two of you, wrapped in warmth and love, far away from the madness that so often defined your lives. It was perfect in its simplicity—a quiet Christmas, together.

---

As the night deepened and the snow thickened outside, you reached for the final present you had carefully tucked away under the small, scraggly Christmas tree. The moment you brought it out, Nubbins’ eyes lit up with curiosity.

“What’s that, sugar?” he asked, leaning forward with an almost childlike excitement.

You grinned, holding the small wrapped box toward him. “This one’s for you. Open it.”

His hands, rough and calloused from years of working with tools, carefully peeled back the paper. He muttered under his breath about “fancy wrappin’,” but you could tell he was savoring the moment. Finally, the box was revealed—a sleek, black camera, shiny and new.

Nubbins froze, staring at it as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His fingers hesitated before picking it up. “Is this…? Is this for real?”

You nodded, your heart swelling at the look on his face. “It’s yours, Nubbins. I know how much you love taking pictures, and I thought… well, maybe it’s time for an upgrade from that old Polaroid.”

He turned the camera over in his hands, inspecting every detail with reverence. “This… this is somethin’ else, darlin’. I ain’t never had somethin’ this nice before.” His voice cracked slightly, and he quickly cleared his throat, trying to cover up the emotion.

You reached out, touching his arm gently. “You deserve it. I’ve seen how much you love capturing moments, even the messy ones. Now you can take even more pictures—ones we can keep forever.”

Nubbins looked up at you, his eyes glassy. For a man who thrived in chaos, he was rarely vulnerable like this, and it made the moment all the more special. “I… I dunno what to say, sugar. This is… this is the best damn Christmas I ever had.”

He fumbled with the camera for a moment, figuring out how to turn it on. When the screen lit up, he let out a gleeful laugh. “It’s got a little window! Look at that! I can see stuff real clear, like magic!”

You laughed softly, leaning into him. “It’s called a viewfinder, Nubbins.”

He adjusted the settings clumsily, holding the camera up to his face and pointing it toward you. “Alright, darlin’. Gimme a big ol’ smile. Say cheese!”

“Cheese!” you said with a giggle, striking a playful pose as he snapped the photo. The camera clicked, and he pulled it away, staring at the screen.

“Hot damn, you look even prettier than I remembered,” he said, his grin spreading wide.

You felt your cheeks flush, but before you could respond, Nubbins turned the camera toward the window. “I’m gonna get me some pictures of that snow. Ain’t never seen it look so pretty like this before.”

He got up, practically bouncing as he moved to the window, snapping photos of the snowy landscape. His enthusiasm was infectious, and you couldn’t help but watch him with a fond smile.

After a while, he came back and plopped down beside you again, camera still in hand. He turned it off and set it carefully on the table before pulling you into his arms. “You’re somethin’ special, y’know that? Don’t think anyone else in this whole damn world woulda thought to do somethin’ this nice for me.”

You rested your head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. “You’ve done plenty for me, Nubbins. You make me laugh, you make me feel safe… even if you do have a bit of a wild side.”

He chuckled, the sound deep and warm. “Reckon I got lucky, findin’ someone like you.”

The two of you stayed like that for a long time, wrapped up in each other and the quiet warmth of the moment. Outside, the snow kept falling, and inside, the fire crackled softly.

For once, the world felt like it was exactly as it should be—just you and Nubbins, together, celebrating a quiet Christmas far away from the madness. And as he held you close, you knew this would be a memory he’d carry with him forever—captured in his mind as vividly as the photos he’d taken that night.

---

[sitp-recs]

hello!! I just finished reading The Bolthole for the first time and ohhhh my god it’s so good. I loved the setting, I loved the way grief and guilt and coping and desire and deserving were explored for each of them, I loved how the way they felt about each other was so embodied and tactile and desperate.

I love the different sides of them we get to see and how their relationship intensifies when they’re out in the middle of nowhere together (feels like the parallel inverse of the beloved classic: trapped in a house in the city together). Would you choose middle of the city or out away from everything, for Draco and Harry? Do you have favorite bucolic stories?

Ohh The Bolthole is amazing and I agree, those vibes are immaculate! I love the elements you highlighted and I’m so happy that you enjoyed this fic; I remember the thrill of seeing those 3 brilliant authors publishing a story together, it felt like Christmas! I’m a very urban girl myself (love the city lights!) but I can’t deny the charm and quiet intimacy of bucolic fics, I especially adore the ones with recluse!Harry living in the woods. I loved doing this rec list, thank you!

Home is Where the Nifflers Are by primaveracerezos (G, 4k)

Draco has a soft spot for animals with nowhere to go; soon his and Harry's small flat is bustling with adorable, semi-dangerous creatures.

Vintage by momatu (T, 7k)

Of all of the vineyards, in all of the regions, in all of France, Draco's blasted editor sends him to Potter's....

Beekeeping by khalulu (E, 13k)

A few years after the war, Harry needs distance from the British wizarding world and volunteers abroad as a teacher in a poor rural school. Draco is a low-budget traveler, wandering wherever his curiosity leads him. Their paths cross in Malawi, “the warm heart of Africa.”

the treehouse near primrose downs by @softlystarstruck (M, 14k)

Draco and Harry have been roommates for years, so buying a magical house in the countryside shouldn’t be a big difference. But in between fresh loaves of bread and beds of wildflowers, things start to fall into place.

amid this warm and steady sweetness by warmfoothills (E, 21k)

Harry is not living in a period drama, no matter what his friends or his new house or Malfoy’s sudden affinity for horse-riding might suggest, and if one more person uses the word courting, he’s going to start hexing people.

Twelve Moons by @corvuscrowned (T, 27k)

Harry Potter lives a quiet life, running an inn with his two best friends. Once a month, Draco Malfoy comes to stay. A real-time fic that takes place over the course of a year; updates every full moon.

Pathless Woods by @shealwaysreads (E, 30k)

Harry finds himself unexpectedly reacquainted with Draco Malfoy when his work as an apprentice wandmaker takes him to Wiltshire. Amongst the trees Harry finds magic, growth, and a man who might finally be proving he’s worthy of the wand that chose him.

Of Wands and Trees by Omi_Ohmy (E, 45k)

All Draco wants to do is be a wandmaker, but to do so he needs to understand the soul of trees. Of course, the only man who might be able to help him is the one man who is more of a mystery to him than any tree.

Among Ancient Pines by @graymatters (M, 74k)

Every day, Draco Malfoy tries. With every fiber of his being he tries. But he doesn’t much think about what he’s trying for. In his final term of Healer training, Draco is unfortunate enough to find himself on a plane, the only means of traveling to a small, magical town in rural Alaska.

Knead by laughingd0g (E, 83k)

This is not a story about Harry renovating Grimmauld Place. This is a story about coffee shops and brewpubs, about Ginny and Luna on a farm with creatures, about magical Oregon, coastal road trips, flying, friendship, and Draco Malfoy's lean arms.

Wild (orphaned, E, 92k)

“No,” Harry said, by way of greeting. Malfoy’s blonde head rose slowly, carelessly. “Get out.” “I feel as though we’ve already established this, Potter,” Malfoy responded. “And I feel that what we established was that you telling me to get out of places really doesn’t make me more likely to vacate them.”

A Sword Laid Aside by @korlaena (E, 128k)

When Draco’s cover is blown during a deep undercover operation and the Ministry is compromised, Ron takes Draco to the only safe place he can think of—Potter. Hiding out with a taciturn Harry Potter, who has been missing from the Wizarding World for almost two decades after a shocking fall from grace, is nothing like Draco thought it would be.

[impcrios]

( lorenzo zurzolo | cis-man | he/him ) — was that regulus black passing through diagon alley? those close to them say they remind them of an intricate tapestry of names and constellations, a family crest that’s starting to crack, a broken family that you don’t know how to live or even die for, a toppled pedestal of what you once believed in, a bittersweet memory of two small boys in grimmauld place’s garden, which i suppose seems to fit slytherin alumni. they’re actually pretty self-preserved, loyal, and intuitive for a twenty-two year old, but i wonder if it serves them well when working as unspeakable. rumor has it that the pureblood is aligning with the death eaters. i wouldn’t have guessed… but this is a conversation we should be having somewhere else.

name — regulus arcturus black nickname(s) — reg, reggie name meaning — regulus: little king. arcturus: watcher, gaurdian. black: dark. age — twenty-two date of birth — july 23nd star signs — leo sun, scorpio moon, cancer rising place of birth — london, england sexual orientation — homosexual religion — atheist spoken language(s) — english, french, german occupation — unspeakable education level  —  hogwarts, unspeakable apprenticeship  residence — grimmauld place family — orion black ( father ), walburga black ( mother ), sirius black ( brother ), kreacher ( his elf )  finances — when the wixen class war begins eat regulus first boggart — sirius dead patronus — if he were happy : hippogriff ( he doesn’t deserve this but i’ve done the stupid quiz numerous times and get the same results ) those with this unusual patronus are truly unique in character. people with the hippogriff are fiercely loyal to those who earn their trust, often willing to go the extra mile for those who they care for. if you have a friend with the hippogriff it is likely they are the most loyal to you above all others. those with the hippogriff patronus are often very proud and self assured. they do not forgive insults easily. occasionally this pride can drift into arrogance and cause friction with those around you. the characteristic which makes it so rare to find people with the hippogriff is the large heart. not many people have such a large loving heart as those with this patronus, something very special indeed. wand — laurel wand with unicorn hair 14 inches, hard flexibility, a wand belonging to a skilled witch or wizard who is likely to be precise, focused, and capable of powerful, controlled magic, with the laurel wood signifying a strong sense of purpose and the unicorn hair core providing consistent and loyal magical output.

tw: i mean he's a death eater with death eater views , brief mention of drowning

while not the eldest nor the heir to the house of black regulus knows all about taking up the mantle and what it means to take up duties that should have gone to his older brother. if he thinks about it too much he swears that the rumoured black madness might actually be real. regulus’ mind was wired different, he used to think, at least. if it weren’t for family pride, he might have settled well in ravenclaw. but the thing about regulus is that he loves his family too much to ever truly swing any other way than towards his true north ( which has always been the house of black ). even still, regulus has always looked back for his brother, and if he couldn’t find him he’d look to the stars. 

regulus was a quiet boy growing up, he loved his alone time in grimmauld garden, often calling sirius to come look at the pretty flowers that were blooming, and if sirius didn’t come then he’d call for kreacher, who he loved. 

when he had gotten a toy broom for his birthday he knew that it would be one of his outlets for when the world seemed too much. regulus enjoyed flying he thought about how when he would go to hogwarts how perhaps sirius and him would be on the same team. while regulus never said he loved his brother growing up he would always show it in actions. talking about their future together, because there was no way that there wouldn’t be one without the other, regulus saw the whole world in sirius’s eyes. their family was always about loyalty and he was always loyal to his brother. 

things changed when sirius left to hogwarts, and was put in a different house. he thinks that was the start of the change within their family. regulus had always been self aware of himself, if not been drilled in by their parents growing up, he knew that he couldn’t do what his brother did. 

so, he did everything right. the only real indulgence he gave himself in hogwarts was being on the quidditch team. he became prefect and headboy, and attended every single slug club party and schmoozed his way into an easy apprenticeship with the unspeakables. regulus yearned for knowledge, but more so yearned for secrets that he could never tell. 

the first stirrings of the dark lord intrigued him. regulus might have been a calm and gentle child growing up but his love for knowledge and power called to him. while always on the outside looking in, he doesn’t fully trust voldemort, but regardless of whether he trusts him his name holds power and regulus has always been interested in looking at powerful men’s weakness. 

so far, the dark lord has found regulus favourable, he says things about regulus being the youngest death eater with the mark on his arm. forever branded by a mad man. 

regulus is not a good person, he still holds his pureblood views while also being such a contradiction in himself. he thinks that he knows himself well but he doesn’t even realize how utterly lost he is. there are some days when he thinks that he’d betray his mother and father for sirius, while thinking the next that kreacher and regulus will escape somewhere very far away together, but as it stands now : regulus is to be betrothed, have an heir, and carry on the black name. the perfect son, heavy on his shoulders of things that should have gone to his brother if he had stayed. 

quietly, he thinks that this is the gift that he could give his brother was freedom. the weight off his shoulders to carry on the noble house of black. 

in the end it won’t end up mattering much anyway. 

if regulus had any last thoughts, he would have thought of his brother, and all the time they did have together, how he should have cherished it more. there’s a memory of them in grimmauld place garden, calling to sirius because he wanted him there, just to hold his hand, his eyes ever searching for kreacher to hold his other hand. his favourite people. 

regulus, like icarus, flies too close to the sun – doomed to fail, and much like icarus, he drowns. 

[beifong-brainrot]

weilin au’s…

Ah, I have too many lol.

I often like to just imagine small tweaks to canon where Wei and Bolin meet earlier, or have more interaction etc. But if we're talking like fullblown different universe shit I have a few favourites.

I think the first AU I've ever come up with is a selkie AU where the Beifongs are selkies and Bolin is a fisherman who accidentally finds Wei's coat and shenanigans ensue. (Kuvira is adopted and instead of being a selkie she is a huge carnivorous deep sea mermaid with deep sea gigantism bcs big scary lady.) Featuring the Triple Threats as seal hunters who also moonlighting as selkie hunters. And Lin who is a selkie who lost her coat and is therefore stranded ob land and her family believes her to have been killed by the triple threats. Ooh intrigue... and Mako is just concerned why Bolin keeps bringing this weird naked man who eats raw fish around the house.

Being the nerd that I am I do have a greek mythology AU. I chose to romanticise the myth of Hephaestus and Aphrodite's arranged marriage bcs honestly I think it has even more potential to be a good love story than Persephone and Hades ever did. I think Bolin would be a cool as fuck Hephaestus, living in a volcano and using lava to power his forge. Also disabled Bolin with cool mechanical prosthetics why not. And Pabu can be a mechanical ferret friend Bolin built. Wei would be an interesting Aphrodite bcs he is just... just such a bitch lol. Which honestly matches canon Aphrodite's personality let Wei start a war over a fucking apple he deserves it. Also the plot of two characters being in an arranged marriage and not happy about it but slowly growing to fall in love is an oldie but a goldie.

I did once come up with a Skyrim AU and I'm still gearing up to fit Bolin and Wei and the rest if the characters into it. But I think having Bolin as a half-Dunmer half-Breton working as muscle for the thieves guild (Mako acting as an actual thief), while Wei is a Altmer noble on the run after rebelling against the Thalmor would be an interesting concept? Might put in some background Wuko too (planning on Wu being a wood elf whose only skill is speech which he maxed out lol)

I have a few other Aus but these are the big three that I think about most and have built up so enjoy lol.

[legacyshenanigans]

A carry on to the (few posts down) of Rowan going after those hunters. 🤍 @dreambender96

Revenge 🐺

The hunters met at the old house on the outskirts of the forest at night fall, they entered together keeping their eyes on their surroundings for any kind of sign or movement that the werewolf they'd been told about was around. They came across someone picking mushrooms deep into the woods with their hood up.

Hunter: You there, What are you doing here?

Rowan: *turns to face them and gives them a sweet smile* Oh hey there, just out picking some mushrooms, I live nearby.

Hunter2: You know there's a werewolf in these woods right? You shouldn't be out here.

Rowan: *fake gasp* A werewolf? Really? Gosh..I thought it was just rumours..

Hunter: You can stay with us, and we can help lead you out, we'll protect you.

Rowan: Heh..Well thank god you came across me out here. I feel better now knowing I'm not alone..

Rowan stood and approached the men, as the three of them started wandering off together.

Rowan: So..Werewolf hunters are ya?

Hunter: Yup. Like my pappy, and his pappy, and so on..

Hunter2: I'm been a Hunter for a few years now.

Rowan: You both killed many werewolves?

Hunter: Oh aye..13 in total, all around the country.

Rowan: *nose twitches as he tries to play along with their game* I see..Well..I'm sure you're doing folk a great service.

Hunter: *chuckles* Absolutely...FOUL creatures. They deserve death.

Rowan clenched his fists as they got deeper into the woods. He took his hood down, walking alongside them. One of the hunters noticed his pointed ears.

Hunter: Are you erm..Some kinda elf? You're pretty big for an elf.

Rowan: *casually continuing to walk* I ain't an elf..

Hunter2: What's with your ears?

Rowan: Family trait I suppose, many folk in my family had pointed ears like this..

Hunter: Interesting..

Rowan: Mhm..I come from a long line of what I suppose you could call woodland folk..Infact..I'm the last of my...Personal Community, you could say.

Hunter2: Oh yeah? What happend?

Rowan turned to face them, all three of them coming to a stand still in a small clearing of the woods.

Rowan: We were hunted..

Hunter: (?)

Rowan: And they came and destroyed everything.

Hunter2: (??)

Rowan: And after that night..I decided hunters had to die *wicked smile baring his fangs*

Hunter: (?!?!?!)

Hunter2: He's one of them!!!

Rowan burst into this werewolf form as the men began shooting spells at him left right and centre, he dodged them expertly, using the darkness and trees surrounding them as cover before he seemingly disappeared. The two hunters were back to back, looking around.

Hunter: Where is it?!

Hunter2: I don't know!!

Rowan suddenly let out a roar, bounding out of the trees knocking into them both causing them to fall to the floor, their wands flying out of their hands, one of the hunters scrambled backwards on the floor, backing himself up into a tree as he watched Rowan loom over his friend.

Hunter2: Please please!!! No!!

Rowan: *deep gravelly chuckle*

Rowan tore at the mans stomach, pulling out his inards as the man screamed in agony, the hunter against the tree was frozen in fear as he watched the scene..Rowan then ripped off the mans head, throwing it towards the other hunter making him shriek and scream. Rowan then crawled over to him menacingly, drool falling from his lips, snarling deeply, his eyes glued to the other hunter..

Hunter: I...Listen..We-

Rowan: Shut up!

Hunter: *winces as Rowan gets uncomfortably close to him*

Rowan grabbed his neck, pushing him up the tree, strangling him, the man gasped for air, looking down at Rowan, eyes wide in terror.

Rowan: You won't hurt any of my kind..EVER, again..

And with that, Rowan broke his neck with one swift movement before dropping his body to the floor. He returned to his human form, heavy breathing as he looked at both of the bodies, backing away from the scene, a big grin spreading onto his face as he started to laugh before wandering off into the darkness of the woods.

~

[monocle-teacup]

Wrote a small fic for my Lotus AU. Mandroid picks up drawing as a hobby because he's bored. Tara decides to give him some drawing supplies to encourage him.

Gift

Due to Stephen’s size, it was impossible for him to sit on any of Tara’s furniture. The two of them worked together to build a chair made of metal and sturdy wood for him to sit on. Her living room had to be rearranged for it to fit, but it was an easy process since due to his strength. The chair was so large she felt like a child when she sat on it which the scientist found amusing. Now a common sight in the house was a human woman, a robotic spider, and a part man part machine monstrosity sitting in the living room.

Lately Tara noticed that Stephen spent his time with a pencil and paper. It was clear he was drawing, but from the glimpses she got it didn’t look like he was making a blueprint. She saw shapes and other things she didn’t have names for. It was great that he found a hobby and she wanted to encourage that. She had no idea when his birthday was and Christmas was months away so she decided to just surprise him one day.

“What is this?” he asked when he noticed the box on his chair.

“It’s for you.” she answered white sitting on the couch.

He stared at her like he couldn’t comprehend what she was saying. “You bought me something?”

“Yes.” she said patiently.

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Why?”

She resisted the urge to run her hand over her face and sigh. Instead, she gestured to the box. “Open it and you’ll see why.”

He picked up the gift as if it was the most fragile glass. Taking off the lid, his eyes widened in astonishment. “You bought me… drawing supplies?” His voice was full of wonder.

It made her happy to see him so enthusiastic. “You seem to enjoy it so I wanted to get some things for you.”

Despite his face looking like something out of a nightmare, his expression was soft. “This is very thoughtful of you.” He focused on her and smiled. “Thank you, Tara.”

“You’re welcome. I hope you don’t mind that I just got you different types of pencils and some pens.”

“It’s perfect for my needs. I especially appreciate the larger sketch book.”

“If you’re okay with it, I’d love to see some of your work.”

He was hesitant for a moment before he went over to a shelf. “I’ve only done this so far.” He handed her a sheet of paper that had a monochrome cat on it.

“Wow, Stephen!” she breathed. “This looks so realistic.”

His face lit up at her praise. “I modeled most of my machines after things found in nature so I frequently studied animals.”

“This cat was special to you, wasn’t it?”

His mood turned pensive. “She was a stray that found her way into my lab shortly after I gained my first Cybertronian arm. She was very strong willed and refused to leave even after I tried forcing her.” He grinned. “The Arachnamechs were terrified of her. Ironically, she came to think of Arachnamech as her name but I shortened it to Arachna. I found out Arachna was female when she gave birth on my workbench.”

Tara laughed, causing him to glare at her for interrupting. “I’m sorry. It’s just a funny image to think about.”

He ignored her. “She had five kittens. The Arachnamechs didn’t dare go near them.” He chuckled. “My lab certainly became more lively after that.”

She was almost afraid to voice her next thought. “What happened to them?”

He frowned. “I’m not sure. I know they managed to escape my lab being destroyed. My hope is that they all found good homes.”

She got up to pat him on his organic hand, noting his bewildered expression at her action. “I’m sure they’re fine. Cats are pretty resourceful.”

He rolled his eyes when she smirked. “Now what?”

“I’m having fun thinking about you fussing over a cat.”

“Because I don’t seem the type?” he asked in annoyance.

“No, because I think it’s adorable. I’ve seen how protective you got over the Arachnamechs. You probably spoiled Arachna.”

He crossed his arms and huffed. “She deserved nothing less.”

[innytoes]

Hehehe YouTuber au headcanons?

More Youtuber AU!

-So Carrie is clearly huge in the fashion and beauty and lifestyle spheres. She does brutally honest product reviews with stuff she buys herself (because fuck sponsorships that require you say nice things), makeovers for herself and Reggie into different styles, make-up tips and routines, and every now and then she goes all Rich Youtuber and surprises her subscribers with like, a shopping spree or buying poor kids their prom outfits or whatever.

-Reggie's favourite was the one where she got them both a full historically accurate Renaissance Faire get-up.

-Also of course Dirty Candi has its own channel and they do stuff for that too.

-Very few people link Carrie's cute hype-man and boyfriend Reggie to that video essay channel that goes really, really in depth into Star Wars lore and background details, mostly because he doesn't show his face on that one.

-Some people are like: hey isn't he that tiktok guy who films himself giving dogs at the park the most unhinged compliments. (Insert clip of Reggie telling a Pomeranian she could lead armies and help them win the skeleton war, while she wags and lets him pet her)

-Alex has a reaction channel where he does both shows and movies he's never seen/was never allowed to watch as a child, as well as like tiktok stories and memes. People like his snarky sense of humour. They also love whenever he does something horror, because he insists on watching it with his cute boyfriend, who is 100% not phased by anything and will be like: it's okay babe the werewolf is just tearing that guy apart. Remember, he deserved it, he was rude to that gas station attendant trying to warn them not to go into Werewolf Woods.

-Willie doesn't have a youtube but he does post sick skateboard tricks on tiktok.... sometimes in locations he Should Not Be.

-Flynn has a channel where she makes parody songs and raps. Julie and the guys are sometimes featured.

-They all live together in a big mansion and people are like: OMG IT'S ANOTHER YOUTUBE HYPE HOUSE and Carrie is like: um no, this is my fucking house and the others just live here because else it gets boring and also Reggie is like a sad puppy if he doesn't get to hang out with his friends at least an hour every day.

-Julie as a Sims Youtuber. She started playing a lot after her mom died because you can turn on the Sims and forget about everything and suddenly it's four hours later, and she needed that at the start to just get through the days. She's got a few long-running series that are very popular.

-Julie is the only one going to school because her Tía would murder her if she dropped out of college to become a youtuber. Ray promises her he'll be proud no matter what she does but also he doesn't really understand Youtube and how you can make a living with it. He's very happy to help film on bigger projects or give camera advice to everyone, though.

-Everyone has guest starred on Carlos' ghost hunter show and people keep wondering how the hell he knows all these famous youtubers because he's such a small channel.

-Luke is the guy who is like: COME ON GUYS YOUTUBE ISN'T A VALID CAREER WE NEED TO BE DISCOVERED AS A BAND THE OLD FASHIONED WAY. He's like a cryptid that pops up in the background of everyone's videos. There's special Youtube Compilations of him from across the different channels, and he HATES IT.