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forzalando · 7 years ago

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Wedding Plans ~ Fred Weasley

OH GOD OH GOD I CRIED THE WHOLE TIME I WROTE THIS. thank you to @potter-harryjames for proofreading and telling me what she thought because I was nervous to post this. I hope you all love this as much as I do, it was so cathartic writing this like y’all don’t even know.

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Reader

Requested: no, I just like to torture myself

Y/N: Your Name

Warnings: sUPER MEGA FRED FLUFF, mentions of d*ath, mild language (i think just h*ll, sh*t, and d*mn)

Word Count: 2.5k

P.S. there are time skips and they are indicated by a break! also please let me know what you think! i love feedback, whether you say something in a reblog, message me, or comment! i love you all :)

As sweat dripped from your forehead while you worked in the yard, you cursed the season of summer. It was the end of July, and the blistering heat was definitely getting to you.

“Fred, can we please take a break?”

“Bloody hell, yes, I thought you’d never ask.”

“Me? I was waiting for you to ask! I thought you wanted to have everything finished before your Mum came home so she wouldn’t be too upset that you and George ate all of her baking!”

“Well I did, but it’s so damn hot out I don’t even care anymore. I’m so glad we live above the shop and don’t have a yard to deal with.”

“Tell me about it. I can’t believe your brother wanted a summer wedding and now we are stuck making sure the yard looks perfect for his bloody ceremony.”

Fred threw an arm around your shoulders as you walked into the Burrow to grab drinks and relax. He poured you a glass of lemonade, sat down, and then pulled you onto his lap.

“We definitely won’t have a summer wedding. I think May is a nice month, don’t you?”

“I always thought a May wedding would be nice…” you said confusedly as you turned to look at your smiling boyfriend.

“Brilliant, me too, darling. May 2nd sounds perfect to me.”

You had to admit, it was an absolutely perfect day for a wedding, even if you preferred late spring weddings. You had almost torn your hair out due to stress, but everything was worth it when the tent was up and when you saw the looks of pure bliss on Bill and Fleur’s faces when they were finally pronounced husband and wife.

You sat in a chair as the reception began with a dreamy look on your face, when suddenly you were pulled from your seated position and tugged towards the dancefloor.

“I didn’t know you wanted to dance with me, Fred,” you giggled as he swayed back and forth.

“You look absolutely breathtaking, my love, of course I want to dance with you; but first I had to escape the clutches of my relatives.”

“How’s Aunt Muriel? I see she left you a little lipstick stain on your cheek.”

You quickly wiped the bright red stain off of his skin and replaced it with a light pink mark that matched your own lipstick.

“There, that’s better. Now all of Fleur’s Veela cousins will know that you’re taken by me.”

Fred chuckled at your statement and leaned in to leave a quick but passionate kiss upon your lips.

“That was just in case there were any blokes out there who might have thought about asking you to dance.”

A comfortable silence settled over the two of you as you rested your head against his chest and wrapped your arms around his middle.

“Y/N, when we get married, promise me it won’t be this big of a fuss. I just want my brothers, Ginny, your sister, and my Mum and Dad. Is that alright?”

You sighed contentedly and answered him.

“Of course, Fred, whatever you want.”

“Wicked.”

“Y/N? Does your sister still hate George?”

You let out a bark of laughter at his incredulous question.

“No, she doesn’t hate your brother! She used to have a massive crush on him, that’s why she was always so mean to him during school!”

“Oh…how did I not notice that? Does she still like him?”

“Fred, she’s been dating Seamus Finnegan for a year now! I swear I’ve told you that before.”

“Right, sorry, I just thought it would be weird if the best man and maid of honor couldn’t stand each other so I had to check.”

You rolled your eyes at him and mumbled “alright, Fred” before going back to folding laundry.

“Hey love? Peonies are your favorite flower right?” Fred shouted from the kitchen.

You walked in to find him writing a letter home to his parents and you chuckled as he stood with a puzzled look on his face; worried that after almost six years together he couldn’t remember your favorite flower.

“Yes, Freddie, peonies are my favorite, but it’s October, love, they’re not exactly in season. They’re a late spring, very early summer flower.”

“I know but I want Mum to plant a bunch and apparently you’re supposed to plant them in early October.”

“What do you want peonies for, love?”

“I don’t want them, but we’re going to need them sooner or later so I figure Mum might want to make sure she has lots and lots of good ones for our wed…”

“Frederick Weasley, what sort of game do you think you’re playing? Your mother is worried sick about her two youngest children and you want her to plant flowers for me as some romantic gesture?”

“No game, sweetheart, Mum has been gardening and knitting a lot to pass the time since she’s so worried about Ron and Ginny. I was just politely asking her to plant your favorite flower.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, and he gulped.

“Besides, if I was planning a big romantic gesture for you, it would involve fireworks and chocolate and your favorite cake and – “

“Why don’t you just show me a big romantic gesture in the bedroom? Right now?”

“I think I can do that!”

And with that, all talk of peonies and romantic gestures ceased to exist for the time being.

It was Christmastime at the Burrow, but it definitely didn’t feel that way. The atmosphere was far from joyful; Molly spent most of her time in her room so that no one would see her cry, and the fake smile that adorned her face when she came out broke your heart into pieces. You and Fred had spent the past few weeks at his childhood home to help Molly and Arthur during this despondent time while George took care things of the shop.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were off hunting Horcruxes, and Ginny was at Hogwarts being taught by deatheaters and attempting to rally what was left of the DA for when the inevitable culmination of this war came about.

You all feared for their lives, and with no direct communication with your missing loved ones, a heavy blanket of sorrow surrounded each of you at all times.

You sat in front of the fireplace with Fred’s arms wrapped around you tightly.

“Fred,” you mumbled, “what’s going to happen? What if not all of us survive this war?”

“Y/N, your sister is safe, she’s staying with your Mom’s muggle cousin in America. My family…we’re tough, strong, and stubborn. There’s no way any of our family won’t survive.”

Even though Fred’s words calmed you down a bit, you still felt the weight of worry upon your heart. He softly stroked your hair and you felt yourself slowly drifting into slumber, but before you could fall completely asleep, Fred’s voice whispered into the silence.

“Besides, there’s another Weasley wedding on the horizon and no one is going to miss it.”

“I didn’t know Charlie found a girl…” you mumbled as you finally slipped into unconsciousness.

It had been discovered just a few weeks ago that you and the Weasley family were aiding Harry, and you were all forced into hiding, taking refuge at Aunt Muriel’s.

Fred and George spent most of their time focusing on selling their products via mail order, which left you to your own devices.

For whatever reason, Aunt Muriel had a record player, and your prized muggle record collection had been packed into your things when you moved into her house.

The sound of Elvis Presley’s voice singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” filled the small room you were sitting in, and your eyes closed as you swayed to the music.

Fred had left George to find you, knowing that you were the source of the music that was echoing throughout the home. He took you into his arms and danced with you the same way he had at Bill and Fleur’s wedding.

A tear trickled down your cheek and Fred, observant as ever, noticed you were crying before you had a chance to quickly wipe the tear away.

“What’s wrong, love?”

“I just…I always pictured myself dancing to this song at my wedding, but now I’m not so sure I’ll even live long enough to get married.”

“Don’t talk like that, Y/N, you’ll live through this war. We both will. And we’ll dance to this song at our wedding, and any other song you want to dance to.”

“You talk an awful lot about our wedding, Freddie.”

“It’s not talking, it’s planning.”

The two of you spent the next hour dancing around the room; long after the song had ended and silence filled the air.

You saw the blast knock his body tens of feet away from where he had been standing. The ringing in your ears causing you to lose focus of the situation at hand for a few moments.

Once you could see straight, you started to search among the rubble, searching for a familiar flash of red.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed your ankle. You whipped around to see Fred Weasley laying on the ground with his infamous smile plastered on his dirt covered face.

“Fred!” You cried as you helped him off the ground.

“Fred Weasley, you absolute moron, I thought I lost you. Don’t you ever scare me like that again or I swear to Merlin I’ll never let you leave the house for the rest of your life!”

You let him pull you into his chest and your tears soaked his jacket, but neither of you cared.

“It’s May 2nd, Y/N, I can’t die on May 2nd! That’s going to be the date of our wedding!”

“Shut up and kiss me Fred,” you mumbled into his shirt, paying no attention to what he was saying due to the fact that you were still in shock from seeing his body flung through the air.

“Oi,” George called from nearby, “there’s a bloody war going on, there will be time for snogging later!”

With one last kiss to your mouth, you and Fred took off running, throwing curses and hexes at anyone that dared to threaten your friends or family.

The entire Weasley family was at the Burrow; it was a bittersweet reunion. Although you were all overjoyed that everyone in the family had survived, you also mourned the loss of all the friends you had lost in the brutal war.

You especially were grieving the loss of Remus Lupin, who had become a father figure in your life ever since your parents passed away during your fifth year at Hogwarts. You excused yourself from the living room and trudged up to Fred’s old room. His belongings had been brought there from Aunt Muriel’s, and the two of you had yet to return to the apartment above the shop.

Your eyes landed on a particularly curious looking booklet sitting atop his trunk. In Fred’s unmistakable scribble, you read the words “wedding plans” on the cover, and your curiosity got the better of you when you decided to look inside.

The first page was dated July 29th, 1997, and on it he had written, “Date of Ceremony: May 2nd. Y/N and I agree that a late spring wedding would be absolutely beautiful.”

You flipped to the next page, dated August 1st, 1997, and saw that he had written down the conversation you had about wanting a small wedding while you danced at Bill and Fleur’s reception. Each page had something new written on it; the fact that you wanted peonies for your bouquet, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as your first dance song, and so many other small pieces of information Fred had coaxed out of you since last summer.

Suddenly, you heard Fred’s voice call out from the doorway.

“What are you reading, love?”

You turned around, booklet in hand, with tears streaming down your face.

“Fred…I…I didn’t know that you’ve been serious this whole time.”

“Well I told you that it wasn’t talk, I was planning everything out. It’s been what’s kept me going this past year, you know, the thought of everything in that booklet becoming real.”

“Oh Fred,” you cried as you ran towards him and wrapped your arms around his neck.

“You never said anything along the lines of ‘I don’t want to marry you’ so I figured we were on the same page. Besides, you always said you didn’t want a fancy proposal.”

“I did say that, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want one at all! You never asked me, how was I supposed to know you were serious?”

“Because I’ve always been serious about you, Y/N. You are the one thing in my life that I’ve ever been serious about and sure of. You’ve always been a bit oblivious though, so I suppose I should do this properly.”

He stepped past you and rummaged through his trunk before pulling out a small, black box. He kneeled in front of you and took your hand before smirking devilishly at you.

“I was only joking, you know, I had always planned to properly propose. But I knew if I did while there was a war going on you might have hexed my nose off, so I’ve been saving this for almost a year now.”

Tears were swimming in both of your eyes, and before Fred could ask, you gave him an answer.

“Yes. I want to marry you, I will marry you, on May 2nd of next year. It’ll be just us and our families. We’ll have loads of peonies and dance to Elvis Presley. I want to be Mrs. Fred Weasley.”

“Are you serious, love, I had a whole speech planned and everything, can’t I just say some of it?”

“Nothing will top me finding that notebook sitting on top of your trunk, but if you want to try…”

“You know what, you’re right, this turned out way better than I planned. It was romantic, you’re crying, the ring looks – oh bloody hell, I haven’t even put the ring on you yet.”

He fumbled with the box and slid the ring onto your finger. It was simple, elegant, and absolutely perfect.

Fred stood up in front of you and brought a hand to your cheek, swiping the pad of his thumb to catch the falling tears.

“We’re getting married,” he whispered as a tear of his own slid down his face.

“Yes, Freddie, we’re getting married.”

#fred weasley x reader #fred weasley fluff #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley angst #fred weasley #hp imagine #hp x reader

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everlarkbirthdaygifts · 7 years ago

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Happy Birthday, jbsaucy!

Today, we wish a very Happy Birthday to @jbsaucy! We hope you’re having a wonderful day full of treats and adventures! To top off the birthday cheer, the lovely @mega-aulover has written a story just for you!

For: jbsaucy

Request: I would love some soulmate/soulmark Everlark

AN: Happy Birthday @jbsaucy I hope you enjoyed your day. Special thanks to @norbertsmon who beta’d helped me come up with M.O.M….heart U.

Premis: A what if Thirteen unleashed a Nuclear weapon at the Capitol after it was bombed. Almost one hundred years later this is what my little brain came up with. Hope you enjoy and Happy Birthday. AU HUNGER GAMES

Rated: G

Name: Belive in Magic

“KATNISS EVERDEEN” the machine flashed her name on the screen. She chewed nervously on the inside of her cheek.

Today was ‘Match’ day. The day she would find out who her spouse was. Everyone born in Panem was tattooed with a number that indicated their genetic markers.

When they turned eighteen the computer read their seal and chose the best possible counterpart to be able to produce healthy offspring. Katniss didn’t want to get “Matched,” as they said, but it was the responsibility of the good citizens of Panem.

When the districts rebelled against the Capitol for it’s unfair treatment, the war lasted six years and both sides suffered many casualties.

As a way to end the fighting and to gain control, the Capitol bombed the rebellion headquarters, District 13. What they didn’t expect was for 13 to launch a nuke at them. The Capitol and it’s inhabitants blindly launched 3 nuclear bombs right before they were annihilated.

Many of those who survived the bombings tragically died from radiation poisoning. The nuclear fallout caused many deaths and health issues, forcing the affected districts to burrow underground in silos for safety. Then a smallpox breakout affected all of the districts.

Even now seventy six years later society was still reeling under the impact of the war. The main cities for all thirteen districts were underground even though there were some that survived on the surface. On February 14th of each year all of the eighteen year olds went through the matching ceremony. It was decided a long time ago that on the even years women would move to their spouses district and the men on the odd years.

Her father was a huntsman from District 10, moved here to District 13 to be mated with her mother.

It was not an easy life to live underground with restrictive hours outside. Katniss loved the outdoors and the sun shine just like her father. She didn’t want to leave her home, but it was her turn.

This year it was the women's turn, Katniss hated the idea of having to be carted off to a silo somewhere far. Next year it would be the men.

The machine beeped and stamped her with a tattoo and it read in bright red letters: DISTRICT TWELVE. It generated the name of her mate on paper. She took the slip but didn’t read it. She stuffed it in her pocket.

All around her there was excited chattering. A girl named Glimmer got District One; she was squealing. Glimmer always wanted to be in the luxury district. Katniss rolled her eyes and headed out if the room.

Her father was waiting for her. “So?”

“D12,” Katniss plopped down on the utilitarian chair.

Her father sat down next to her.

Katniss was like her mother, not much of a talker, and she tended to be moody. Her father, on the other hand liked to sing, dance, and was filled with life. She should have clashed with him but she didn’t. Katniss loved her father immensely and looked up to him.

“I need to tell you a tale,” her father finally uttered after a long silence.

Katniss glance in his direction. Her father’s stories were fantastical fables. Often grounded on some minute true event. “Our folk are originally from Twelve.”

Katniss frowned. This was one she’d never heard before.

“It's true, your grandparents are from District Twelve. You’re going to the land of soulmates.”

Katniss shook her head. She leaned forward and braced her hands on her knees to stand and walk away from her father when he said, “I have my mark and so does your mother.”

“Dad we all do. We’re tattooed with a barcode as soon as we’re born.” She'd accepted her fate even though the idea of marrying a stranger had never been appealing.

“No,” Her father said and rolled the sleeve of his shirt. “I mean you have a soulmate mark.” He held up a birthmark on his arm that looked like a sprig. “Your mother has the identical one in the identical place.”

Katniss shook her head in disbelief. “Dad,” she sighed. “I know you’re trying to make me feel better but his isn’t helping. I’m moving to D12 to marry,” Katniss took out the slip of paper from her pocket, “Tobias Wigglesnone.”

“Katniss you have to believe in magic.”

“Dad there is a reason these stories all called myths.” Katniss didn’t believe in magic and as entertaining her father’s stories were they were just invented tales told to boys and girls to teach a lesson or to make children or adults behave.

Her mother came rushing in, her pale face. “Did you tell her? Does she understand?” One look at her face and her mother knew Katniss didn't believe. “Katniss you have to understand where your father's coming from. There is more than one way to find a spouse. We firmly believe a machine program shouldn't be the end all that coldly decides your fate.”

Her mother lifted up her arm and rolled up the sleeve to her shirt. There was a sprig just like the birthmark her father had.

They stood before her showing her their matching marks.

It was unsettling, but not improbable. Katniss slumped back in the chair. Her brain actively trying to come up with a reason as to why her parents had identical marks in the same place.

Her father squatted down to eye level. “Katniss, your mother and I were lucky. We were chosen for the other through the system. Many of our folk aren’t as lucky and they end up in loveless marriages or partnerships.”

“I've heard of others who found their soulmate and were drawn to them,” her mother piped in.

Katniss didn’t believe it. It all sounded like nonsense to her.

“You know that birthmark on your hip, the one that looks like half of a bow with an arrow? The person you are supposed to be with has the other half.”

“Look, your father and I want you to be careful,” her mother quietly warned. “It’s not looked upon favorably to have an affair. You can be sentenced like Maysilee Donner.”

Katniss knew about Maysilee, she’d been found breaking the Match. Each person was selected to maximize the likelihood of children. Many felt as if they were being bred to be baby machines. Her parents, however, had a very happy life together.

There was a soft ping that sounded in the room. It was followed by an announcement: “This is a reminder to all female candidates; transportation begins in one hour.”

Katniss went to her space, and she packed up quickly. In D13 they only had the three changes of clothing, and something to sleep in. Every resource was valued and prized. Katniss didn’t know any other way of life. Grabbing her knapsack she and her family went down to the launching station.

Vast underground trains ran in between the districts and avoided the contaminated areas. It was a longer way of travel, but it allowed them to be able to share the things each district specialized in. Katniss stood with the hundred or so girls that were leaving.

Her parents were among of the few who looked concerned instead of exhibiting a joyous expression.

Katniss hugged her mother then turned to hug her father. She held onto him tightly. She wasn��t one to have emotional outbursts, but her eyes watered up when her dad gave her one if his prized bows. She stepped away from her parents and onto the train.

It pushed off heading west and she settled in by herself at the back of the train holding tightly to her pack. The motion of the train lulled her to fall asleep. She traveled for nearly a week, each time the train stopped at an underground station they dropped off girls. Today she woke up to see snow as they traveled between districts.

It blanketed the earth.

Katniss had seen images of snow, but she’d never seen it. She was one of only five girls left on the train. She pressed her nose against the cold glass; her hot breath fanned out on the window. She marveled at the tall pine trees right before the train went through the tunnel.

She hugged the bow and arrows her father gifted her. Perhaps they would allow her to hunt for food for the district like D13. Her leg trembled as the train came to a stop. D12 was often passed over in school. The only thing she knew about it was that it was the smallest of all of the districts.

The train came to a stop and she could see a group of people standing outside. Each person was wearing different clothing, so unlike the gray utilitarian uniforms of D13.

She and the other girls left the compartment and stepped out into the cavernous room. It looked as if it was carved out of a mountain side. People held signs with the names of the girls they were waiting for.

Katniss searched the group for her name, but she did not find it. The other girls were warmly, but awkwardly, greeted by their mates. Katniss felt like a voyeur, hoping her first meeting went as smooth.

Soon, she was left alone and the train chugged away. The lights swung from the ceiling as the train left the station. Katniss wondered if her mate, Tobias Wigglesnone, had forgotten about her.

The clock at the station read 0100 hours. A half hour later she was still standing in the same spot. Then she heard a quick tip tapping sound. She glanced to see a woman approaching with a clipboard in her hand. She was dressed in brown fur and was perched on the strangest shoes Katniss had ever seen.

“Katniss Everdeen?”

“Yes.”

“Oh thank heavens,” the woman huffed. Her voice was high pitched. “I am Effie Trinket, these people here are ruffians.”

Katniss couldn't tell how old the woman was because she wore so much face paint. “I am sorry, who are you?”

“Effie Trinket, did you not understand me?” Effie gave her a strange look.

Katniss shook her head. She was used to people speaking in clipped efficient sentences.

“I am with the Panem’s Ministry of Mating, we officially call ourselves MOM’s,” Effie spoke quickly. “Please come with me.”

Katniss grabbed her duffle bag and bow and followed behind.

“I regret to inform you that your mate Tobias Wigglesnone passed away recently. I was alerted this morning that I was to pick you up at the station and bring you to chose your new Mate.”

“WAIT,” Katniss stopped walking, “WHAT?”

“My dear we have a long way to go. I will explain it all on the way, and of course there are the waivers and forms to sign. You, my dear, have an opportunity to chose the man you want to mate with.” Effie looked at her clipboard. “Oh dear we are late.”

Katniss numbly followed behind the woman. “How did he die?”

“My dear Tobias was caught in the snow storm last night. He died of hypothermia. It’s very sad. You are considered a widow, but as you are within child bearing years we at the M.O.M want to extend to you the courtesy of being able to chose who you want to copulate with.”

All the while she spoke her the heels of her shoes click-clacked on the concrete floor. They arrived at a large bomb-bay door. There were a few hovercrafts sitting idling in the room.

“I was informed you are an extra-small.”

Katniss nodded as she saw a man who was leaning up against a wall glance their way.

“Haymitch, could you please do something and hand me the coat for this young lady.” Effie’s voice was clipped as she address the man. “I have to make a phone call.”

“Sure.” Haymitch stood and scratched his beard. He walked over with a package that looked like a bed roll. “Kinda of small for a girl from D13?”

Katniss scowled and took the package from him.

“Got the personality of slug too. Hope your new hubby appreciates that face of yours,” Haymitch snickered.

Katniss opened the package and was surprised it was a snow suit. “Wait we’re going outside?”

“Congratulations sweetheart, you’re in one of the three districts where its residents live outdoors as nature intended.”

Katniss hadn’t been outdoors since December. They claimed it was unhealthy for them to be exposed to the harsh weather. She quickly dressed and zipped up the suit. She slipped on her hood, scarf and goggles, before putting on her gloves.

“You know you don’t look too bad when you smile,” Haymitch smirked.

Katniss rolled her eyes. The click-clacking noise was back. She turned in the direction of Effie who was now donned in a similar suit, but her boots were heels as well.

“Don’t ask me how she moves around in those dammed shoes, but without them she trips on air.”

Katniss chuckled. When the door of the hanger was opened she took a deep breath of the cool crisp air. She closed her eyes, her body jumped for joy right before she opened them again to reveal they were amongst the trees. Huge majestic trees that were covered with snow. She marveled at the ridge of mountains surrounding them as she walked out.

They walked to what Haymitch called a souped up snowmobile and soon they were off. Katniss enjoyed viewing the the sites as she rode in the all terrain vehicle. She was glad she’d brought her bows. She really hoped she’d be able to hunt, like her paw had taught her.

So far she liked her new district and when they reached what Effie called the quaint village she swallowed hard. Effie told her she’d be able to speak to the three candidates and based off that and three mini-dates she’d be able to chose who she wanted.

This sent Katniss for a loop. By nature she wasn’t a talkative person. In fact she was shy at times, unlike her father who could easily make friends and allies.

Her gut clenched as they walked into the building. She was ushered into a room where she removed her snowsuit and left behind her belongings.

“Now don’t be nervous,” Effie said as she fixed Katniss hair and brushed off the standard uniform of D13. “There are three lovely men in there, all widows who have lost their wives and have been selected as your best chance to be able to have offspring.”

With that Effie turned the knob of the door and she was ushered into the room where three men quickly stood up. The blood rushed to her ears and for a moment she experienced white static noise.

She quickly blushed and lowered her lashes.

“Gentlemen, meet widow Wigglesnone. As you know Tobias tragically passed away, but we at the M.O.M. must move forward.” Effie announced, “Katniss, I would like to introduce you to Thom Briarpatch.”

Katniss quickly glanced up to see a tall man with dark skin tone and eyes similar to hers.

“Ma’am, a pleasure,” he smiled at her.

“Hello,” Katniss didn’t know what to make of him, for he was friendly but forgettable.

Effie introduced the next man, “Katniss, this is Earl Bleat.”

Katniss saw that he was a little older than the first man. His hair was slicked back and when he eagerly grinned at her she pulled back. There was a strong acrid smell that almost reminded her of ��one of her mother's fresh batches of rubbing alcohol.

“Wow you’re a pretty little thing,” he said. “I’m known as the Goat Man,” he proudly puffed his chest.

Katniss gave him a curt nod and lowered her lashes and turned away from him.Katniss wasn’t sure she wanted to go forward, if the next man was anything like the last, her only choice would be the first man. She frowned trying to remember first man’s name.

Effie cleared her throat.

“The last candidate is Peeta Mellark.”

Katniss didn’t bother looking up; she saw his pale hand beneath her lashes as he greeted her. With trepidation she extended her hand to shake it, expecting to draw it back quickly. But when her hand touched his her whole body suddenly woke up. His warm hand was firm. Katniss felt tingly all over.

She looked up and her gray eyes clashed with his blue ones. Katniss gasped at the kindness she saw there. She took a mental step backwards. He was handsome, around average height maybe a little taller, with a stocky build. She felt the blood rush into her cheeks as she registered just how wide his shoulders were and how they tapered into a ‘v’ into his trousers.

Her mother had been very thorough about her sex education. She didn’t want her to growing up clueless about the human anatomy. She wondered if he was well endowed. Her eyes flew up when she realized where her thoughts and eyesight had been.

“Hi,” she squeaked.

His smile was sincere and honest and Katniss couldn’t stop smiling like an gawking child.

“Now that the introductions are over with it’s time for the mini-dates.” Effie quickly handed Katniss her suit.

“You will have exactly ten minutes to exchange in polite conversation.”

Katniss put on her suit and they were taken outside. The tall man was first. He was nervous; he kept on looking at her and opening his mouth, but nothing came out. Katniss spent the entire time trying to remember his name.

“Time's up, I hope you had a good time, now for your second mini-date,” Effie said. “Come along,” her voice trilled.

Katniss skin crawled as she thought of having to spend ten minutes alone with the ‘Goat Man.’

She was brought to a different room, and Katniss heard a noise coming from inside. Effie opened the door and screeched. “I say, Mr. Bleat this is unacceptable!”

There were six goats crammed into the room with Mr. Bleat. The goats were hopping around and chewing on the furniture in the room. Katniss had never been in a room filled with livestock before. Her father had told her tales about having to tend to the animals and guarding them from predators. He never mentioned that they smelled.

“Mr. Bleat, you cannot have those filthy animals in this room!” Effie pointed to the goats.

“This is how I make my business. I know Mrs. Wigglesnone wouldn’t mind, would you?”

Katniss was caught.

Effie huffed and walked away, “This is an outrage, I am going to have a word with security over this.”

“Well don’t be shy come on in. I want you to meet some of my studs. My boys are highly sought after in the district for their ability to spawn kids.” He grinned proudly. “I’ll introduce you to them. That feller there with the one horn that’s ol’Bob. He’s a character; lost his other horn fighting with Willy over there,” he pointed to a goat with long whiskers. “The one with the huge horns is Billy. He’s the one the ladies prefer, if you know what I mean.”

Katniss blushed, she wanted nothing more than for the ten minutes to go by quickly. The goat man kept on talking.

“Now the youngest two were just born. That one with the brown spots, that’s Spring. He sure likes to jump. I’ve found him on my bed and all sorts of places. The last here,” the goat man patted the baby. “This one is Runt, he’s the baby of the litter and no one wanted him, but he’s a survivor.”

He looked so happy around his goats.

“So what did you do in District Thirteen?”

Katniss cleared her throat then said, “Well, your profession could be a problem as I hunt, I’m a huntress.”

The goat man’s eyes widened and he picked up the Runt.

“Mr. Bleat, you have ten minutes to vacate the premises.” Effie came whizzing back in.

Katniss hid her smile. She had no doubt, that if Effie Trinket had listened to her last statement the woman would’ve fainted.

“Come along, Peeta Mellark awaits.”

Katniss couldn’t describe the contentment that rushed through her body as she got nearer to him. She couldn’t wait to see him again. It was as if they were bonded somehow.

“You can take off your suit, you know, if you’d like to be more comfortable,” Effie said.

Katniss eagerly nodded and quickly got out of her suit. She patted her braid down, not noticing the small smile on Effie’s face. She opened the door and Katniss walked in.

Peeta stood. He’d donned a tie and had spread a tablecloth on the table with a picnic. It wasn’t necessary, but Katniss couldn’t hide the way she grinned widely.

“I know this might be a lot but, I just...why don’t we sit.” Peeta pulled her chair out and pushed it back in after she sat.

Katniss had seen her father do this for her mother all of her life.

“Have you eaten?”

Katniss shook her head no.

“I’m a baker. Here try these.”

He placed a bun on a plate for her and poured some tea out of a thermos for her into a dainty porcelain tea cup. She saw that he had milk and cubes of sugar. Happily, she poured in milk and added one sugar cube. Katniss noted he didn’t add either to his tea.

She took the bun that was still warm and bit into it and moaned as soon as the flaky savory fresh bread and cheese flavors exploded in her mouth.

“Good?” He looked so hopeful.

“This is amazing!” Katniss felt at ease with him for some reason. “My mother would love this, my dad would prefer something sweet. He’s got a sweet tooth, in thirteen we don’t have many sweet things.”

“They don't have bakeries?”

“No, they have a massive cafeteria where they doll out nutritious rations for everyone. There aren’t many luxuries, but we make do, making sure other districts, like eleven, have enough to eat since they are the biggest district and have the most mouths to feed.”

“I see, so what do you for fun?”

Katniss stopped chewing and frowned. Once she swallowed she tilted her head, “Fun?”

Peeta smiled easily “You know, for laughs during down time?”

“Oh, for meditation, we read, or talk about our day.”

He chuckled, “No I mean for fun, you know, do you dance?”

Perplexed she researched what she’d learned in thirteen and had never heard of what he spoke of. Other than her father people in thirteen didn’t dance for fun, “What do you mean by dancing for fun?”

“I’ll show you, if you’d allow it?”

“I’ll allow it,” Katniss said. He stood up and offered his hand to her. Without trepidation she took it and when he pulled her close to him she stepped into his arms as if she was meant to be there.

“Now follow my lead,” Peeta whispered.

He stepped back and she followed him. It was so intimate being so close, but she didn’t mind. Katniss couldn't stop staring at him. They swayed gently to invisible music. She was pressed up against the hard planes of his body. Instead of being uncomfortable, she wanted to get closer to him.

“What's your favorite color?” Peeta asked.

She’d been to busy trying to come up with the right hue to correctly describe the color of his blue eyes. “Pardon me?”

“Your favorite color?” He smiled and his face got closer. “Mine is orange, like the sunset.” His voice was soft and it caused goosebumps.

Katniss had once seen the sunset, she nodded.

“What’s yours,” he whispered. She could feel his hot breath on her face.

“I like green, like the forest,” she sounded out of breath to her own ears. Her heart raced, her body had awakened to something that was foreign, but intrinsic as breathing.

“Can I kiss you?” His mouth was so close to hers.

Having grown up with parents who demonstrated affection, she was familiar with the act. Though until now she never had the desire to kiss or to be kissed.

Katniss leaned up on tiptoe to press her lips to his. A small sound escaped her mouth as his warm soft lips pressed up against hers. He kissed her bottom lip sucking it into his mouth and her knees became weak.

Her arms wound themselves around his neck. The pull between them was electric and she could feel her physical attraction to him.

“Oh dear!” Effie squealed when she opened the door.

Katniss blushed, “Miss Trinket I’ve made my choice.”

“I see, I see...well let’s get you to fill out the paperwork.” Effie clapped.

Hours later after the paperwork had been filled and signed Katniss stood in front of Peeta at the bakery. She learned his eldest brother had moved to district two. His middle brother had moved in with his wife who lived next door. Peeta stood to own his bakery.

From what she could gather his first wife had been from district one and they didn’t get along. He wasn’t happy, but suffered through it when the town suffered an illness one winter. She and Thom’s wife were amongst the casualties.

“In twelve we have a tradition of toasting. I didn't do this with my first wife. It never felt right.”

Katniss nodded, each district had its marriage rituals.

He knelt before the fire, Katniss followed his actions. He broke a piece of rich dark bread with nuts and raisins.

“This bread is hearty and it supposed to bring happiness and longevity to the marriage.”

Katniss blushed, but was excited to slide the piece on the poker, together they extended the poker into the fire and soon the bread was toasted a golden brown. Silently they fed the other, and the act was more binding than all of the paperwork they’d filled out earlier.

She licked her lips, watching his mouth, waiting to kiss him again. Not wasting any more time she leaned in and kissed him. She knocked him on the floor and his laughter died on his lips when she did what she’d done earlier to him.

They rolled around on the floor; his hands touching her over her clothing. Her hands also strained over his clothing. She was hot and her uniform was stifling. Peeta must have sensed her frustration. He pulled away and she watched him begin to remove his clothing. Katniss did the same.

She attacked the buttons of her gray shirt. She slipped it off her arms. She had her tanktop underneath. She glanced up to see Peeta tear his undershirt off, then attack his pants. She bit her bottom lip as she greedily watched his pants drop down.

Her eyes narrowed in on the mark on his hip. She stood and approached him the way she would’ve approached prey. She gently pulled down the ridge of his boxers, she gasped.

Peeta became flushed, “I’ll explain, that’s a soul mark. In twelve we are born with our soulmate. They normally have the other half or have the same exact mark. I don’t know if I should…”

Katniss put her finger over his lips. She slowly removed her pants. She too wore boxers and she gently pulled them lower to show him her own mark.

“Holy…” Peeta said as he stared at the other half of the bow and arrow. “No wonder,” he said in awe gathering her in his arms.

It all made sense now to her. They were supposed to be together and would’ve found a way. Katniss smiled, “My parents told me about it, but I didn’t believe it.” She glanced up at him and quietly acknowledged, “you’re my soulmate.”

Peeta smiled brilliantly, his eyes radiated with happiness. As she lifted her lips towards his she learned to believe in magic.

THE END

#everlark #everlark fanfiction #everlarkbirthdaydrabbles #everlarkbirthdaygifts #fan fic #by mega-aulover

127 notes · View notes

mhalachai · 8 years ago

Note

*sidles in* May I know what this idea about BiW Vitya as Natasha's biological father?

you mean AKA the uncertain custody storyline no one asked for?

The super-short version: Viktor finds out that a fling in his early 20s resulted in a baby, goes on a mission to find out a) if it’s true and b) if the kid is okay, and through the power of love and understanding (and Natasha’s 9-year-old infatuation with Mila Babicheva (it’s right after the 2018 Olympics K)) Viktor signs over his parental rights and Steve becomes Natasha’s second adoptive father, and everyone is happy if not a little wistful when thinking about what might have beens (I have Firm Opinions on adoptive families ok)

That’s the 91-word summary.

But how about the 4070-word version?

Okay so backstory for those readers who aren’t into all the fandoms: Hands of Clay is a Marvel Cinematic Universe domestic kidfic AU where Bucky Barnes (the Winter Soldier) adopted Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) as a baby and Clint Barton (Hawkeye) is the son of Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Sharon Carter (Agent 13), and Bucky and Steve meet up again after years apart and fall in love over the course of 300K+ words etc. Blood in the Water is a Yuri!! On Ice preternatural AU in which Viktor Nikiforov (Russian figure skating mega-star) ‘s mother is a rusalka (aka a murderous Russian water nymph) and Yuuri Katsuki, Viktor’s husband and figure-skating coachee, is confused a lot of the time.

K it does sound a little weird when I write it out like that.

SO THE STORY GOES A LITTLE LIKE THIS

In the original Hands of Clay, Natasha’s mother was an undocumented Russian teenager living in New York and she had the baby and was like K I’m out and handed the baby over to hospital authorities and noped on back to Russia (or Canada, I wasn’t clear where I left that) and before infant Natasha could be adopted out of foster care, she caught whooping cough and ended up in the hospital for months and her social worker (Nick Fury) spotted a newly demobbed Bucky Barnes one day and was like “hey! Come meet this tiny infant “ because Nick watched Bucky in the Rangers for 8 years and was a pretty good judge of character and anyway tl;dr Bucky ended up adopting Natasha and the story begins 4.5 years later when Natasha is five.

In the HoC/BitW mashup, the mother shifts to a young woman (like early 20s) with whom Viktor Nikiforov had a wild week-long fling in mid-2008, then they parted ways with seeming no further thought. Only, surprise. The mother wasn’t sure what to do; like, she really didn’t want a kid but she didn’t want to have an abortion and she gave a bit of thought to finding Viktor and handing the kid over, but she procrastinated on the details until month 8.5 when Natasha was born early and the mother took a look at the baby, said “hey you can name her Natasha,” signed over her parental rights for adoption, and went back to her life. And see above for whopping cough and adoption by Bucky etc.

Now: the mash-up begins in March or April 2018, soon after Yuuri has won a gold medal in Men’s Figure Skating at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. Viktor, who has retired from competition (for real this time), gets a letter from someone (probably not the woman; maybe a parent or grandparent who bears more of a grudge against Viktor for “robbing” them of a grandchild) telling him about the baby and the details, and Viktor is understandably floored. Flabbergasted. Flummoxed. His first reaction is to think it’s a hoax, as he has been the victim of extortion attempts before. But Yuuri takes it far more seriously, and asks Viktor if he really wants to follow up on it, or if he would rather not know if he has a kid somewhere out in the world.

Without getting into the epic back and forths (and how hard Yakov rolled his eyes when Viktor said he might have had a kid with some mystery woman when he was 20) Viktor ends up engaging a lawyer in New York to open an inquiry with Child Protective Services to see what happened to the child. There’s a lot I don’t know about adoption law in New York but as Viktor never knew about the child and never terminated his parental rights, there could be Ground For Something. Viktor doesn’t know what, just… he remembered what it was like to have a caregiver who hated him, and being abandoned by his only parental figure, and he has to find out what happened.

The lawyer does their legal thing. Which lands in the lap of Nick Fury, deputy director of New York's Child Protective Services. Who in turn goes to visit Bucky to lay this all out for him, because it’s several months after Steve and Bucky got married and they’re in the process of having Steve adopt Natasha legally, only this throws everything into chaos.

Bucky freaks out, briefly considers taking Natasha and moving to Omaha where this possible birth father can’t find them, then calls Steve at work who does two things – one, calls the lawyer who is helping them with the adoption (Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner’s cousin and legal rock star) and two goes up to Tony Stark’s lab and says, “Tony, I know we’re friends and I’ve never asked you for anything in my entire life,” and Tony’s panicking, like does Steve have cancer? Is it brain cancer? (Tony spends a lot of time worrying about brain cancer) and Steve goes on, “Someone might try to take Natasha away from us, we might need help,” and bam, Tony’s there.

Once Jennifer gets in touch with Viktor’s lawyer, the first suggestion is a paternity test to see if this is even a thing, and that means that Natasha has to be told about it. She’s nine now, and understandably freaked out by everything, but Bucky has always been really clear that they’re a family and he is never letting anyone take Natasha way from their family, and that calms the girl more than it calms Bucky.

(Clint’s understandably wrathful and upset, which is a change in such an easy-going kid, and he gets into a little trouble at school and there are some Very Special Conversations that have to happen)

The test results come in and there’s a paternity match, which kind of destroys Bucky a little bit more on the inside, but Steve’s not daunted, he’s ready for battle. There’s a back and forth with the lawyers and Jennifer comes to them with a suggestion, that they have a short meeting with the birth father and his husband, where he can meet Natasha, as his lawyer has indicated that his client was unsure on next steps to take. “This is good news,” Jennifer assures Bucky and Steve. “If he was certain he was going to sue for custody, the papers would already be filed with the judge. Talk to him, and show him that Natasha is in the best place here.”

“You think he’ll take one look at us and just decide to go back home to Russia, after all the money he’s poured into the lawyers so far?” Bucky demands.

“I think it’ll be more chance of a positive outcome if we can convince this guy that there’s no reason for anything to change,” Jennifer retorts.

So they arrange for a meeting at Steve’s office in Stark Tower (“Because, Bucky, this way he doesn’t know where we live, and there’s the security staff on every door in case he tries anything, all right?”) and Clint’s angry he’s not included and has to be in school that afternoon, but Natasha just brushes her hair and makes sure she’s very cute in her school uniform (Natasha knows how to use Cute For Her Own Purposes) and she’s so nervous but Bucky has told her three times that this is just to say hello, and if anyone tries anything, well, Bucky was in the Army and he knows how to Handle A Situation (Steve was not in the room for this part of the conversation).

And then Viktor and Yuuri show up.

They’re ushered into the meeting room (one of the more impressive ones, Steve’s flair for showmanship is showing) and there’s this super-awkward moment of omg what do we do then Steve’s on his feet and going over to introduce himself and shake hands, and Yuuri’s so nervous he almost trips over a chair and Viktor can’t take his eyes off Natasha, and on the other side of the room, Bucky is shook. Because Natasha is the spitting image of her biological father (or, to Yuuri and Viktor, she looks exactly like Viktor’s mother).

Steve introduces Bucky, and hands are again shaken, and Natasha hasn’t moved from her seat by the window because, nervous and none too happy. Everyone sits down and there’s a moment of silence before Natasha decides that she’s had quite enough of the adults deciding things about her life; she’s nine and practically grown up.

“Hi,” she says, nice and loud so everyone knows she means business. She looks at Yuuri. “You have the same name as a figure skater.”

Yuuri goes a little pink in the face. “I am the figure skater.”

All of Natasha’s plans come to a screeching halt, as This Changes Everything. “You are?” she exclaims, sliding off her chair. “We did a whole unit on the Olympics in school, we watched everything. I love the figure skating the best, it’s like dance and I love dance!”

There’s a tiny smile on Viktor’s face now, but he just sits back and watches.

“Oh!” Natasha’s mouth falls open, and her eyes get wide. “You won the gold medal! Do you know Mila Babicheva? She won the gold too!” Natasha clasps her hands together in infatuated joy. “She’s so pretty, and funny, and she broke two world records!”

“Yes, I know Mila,” says Yuuri. “She trains with us in St. Petersburg, that’s where we live. But you should ask Viktor, he trained with her for far longer than I’ve known her.”

Natasha turns her attention to Viktor. “Why, are you a figure skater too?”

Yuuri’s head nearly explodes, as the idea of someone asking Viktor freaking Nikiforov if he’s a figure skater too, but Viktor just smiles. “Yes, I was,” Viktor says. “I retired just before the new year began.”

“So you know Mila?”

“I do.” Viktor pulls out his phone, and scrolls down in his pictures. “Mila is a good friend. She babysat our dog Makkachin when we went to visit Yuuri’s family last summer.”

Natasha scurries closer to look at the picture, and Bucky has to make a real effort to not grab his kid and run out of the room. But so far, things are going well.

“That’s a cool dog,” Natasha agrees. “We have a dog, his name is Lucky! And Mila looks so happy! Is she really nice?”

“Mila is very nice,” Viktor says, putting his phone away. “I can get her to send you an autographed poster, if you want?”

Natasha jumps up and down in glee. Her infatuation with Mila started hard during the Olympics, and she’s watched all the video clips of Mila’s performances on YouTube. A real poster signed by Mila herself would be so awesome!

“Nat,” Bucky says, unable to stop himself, “Come on.” He beckons her over, and she goes to cling to his arm.

“Dad, did you hear?” she squeals. “Mila is going to sign a poster for me!”

Bucky puts his hand on Natasha’s back, feeling like he’s going to throw up. But he has to keep a straight face and not screw this up or he could lose his little girl. “That’s great, honey. But these men are here to talk about you, not Mila.”

Natasha subsides, but she’s still full of happy energy.

Viktor reaches into the small bag at his side. “I did not know what is the proper etiquette in this situation, but I brought you a present.” He pulls out a small framed painting. “This is of St. Petersburg, in Russia. This is the place I live, with Yuuri. This is where my family comes from.”

Natasha looks at it, but it’s far less exciting than talking about Mila Babicheva. “Thank you,” she says dutifully. “Do your mom and dad live there now?”

Viktor, after setting the painting down, makes an apologetic motion with his hands. “No. My mother, she died a very long time ago. My father, he moved to America when I was twelve, to teach at a college near Boston.”

“Oh.” Natasha considers this. “What about my mom?”

Viktor’s smile freezes on his face. Steve jumps in. “Natasha, remember what Nick Fury said. Your adoption was a closed one, so we can’t know anything about your mother.”

Natasha twists her fingers up in her shirt.

Viktor clears his throat. “I can tell you a few things about her,” he says cautiously. “I can tell you that you have her hair, and green eyes like her.”

Natasha looks at him, her green eyes shining.

“And when I knew her, she was very smart, and very funny, and very kind. She had a very nice laugh, and loved to tell jokes. We Russian people do, you know.”

“I like to tell jokes, too,” Natasha breathes. “And I’m smart, too!”

“I have no doubt.” Viktor’s smile is halfway back to normal. “Are you in school?”

“Of course I’m in school.” Natasha’s indignation makes Viktor smile more. “I’m in the fourth grade. And I’m in ballet, and I take karate and judo and I’m really good even if I’m short.”

“Ah, short people have lots of energy,” Viktor says.

“You’re in ballet?” Yuuri says at the same time.

“Yeah.” Natasha scrunches up her nose, something Viktor does when he’s frustrated, and Yuuri’s heart skips a beat. “I’m okay. Madame says I don’t have the passion necessary for a prima ballerina. Which is dumb. My karate sensei says I’m full of…” She thinks a moment. “Unbridled intensity.”

Bucky pats Natasha’s back. “Ballet is more of a team activity here,” he says. “Martial arts lets Natasha be more individualistic.”

“I understand,” Viktor says gravely. “I like figure skating for that very reason.”

Natasha goes back to her chair and sits down regally. “Tell me more about you,” she demands. “What’s your job?”

“Currently, I am a figure skating coach and choreographer,” Viktor replies. “I also skate in ice shows. But alas, I have had to bow out of competitive skating. I am too old.”

“How old are you?” Natasha asks.

“I am twenty-nine.”

Natasha turns to Yuuri. “I know you’re twenty-five,” she says. “It says so on your Wikipedia page. I read it. I read all the wiki pages for the figure skaters.”

“I am,” Yuuri acknowledges.

“Are you married?” Natasha asked, her eyes round.

Viktor and Yuuri exchange a glance. “Yes,” Viktor says. “We were married last Christmas.”

Natasha accepts this without batting an eyelash. “That’s neat. My dads got married last summer, and I was Dad’s best man, and I had a really pretty dress and I got to make a speech and everything.”

“That sounds very fun.”

“It was.” And this is where Natasha fixes Viktor with a steely glare, something she’s picked up on from watching Bucky over the years. “And then Steve was going to adopt me so I’ll have two dads, but then you came around.”

“Yes,” Viktor says, very quietly. “I did.”

“Why?”

Viktor isn’t smiling now. “Because when I learned about you, I did not know what had become of you. In Russia, children without parents sometimes go to orphanages, or to homes that are not safe. I did not know how it happens in America.”

“I’m not like that,” Natasha counters, kicking her feet. “I already have a good dad, and a good home, and a good school, and once Steve adopts me I’ll have another dad and a brother and a grandpa and aunts.”

“I am very glad to hear that,” Viktor says.

Bucky stirs. “Nat, honey, can you go out and talk to Billy and Noh-Varr for a little while?”

Natasha whips her head around. “I want to stay here.”

“Honey.”

“You’re going to be talking about me,” she grumbles, but she slides off her chair and goes over to Bucky’s side and hugs him.

“Just for a few minutes,” Bucky promises. “Go on.”

Everyone is quiet until Natasha leaves the room. Once the door clicks closed, Bucky looks at Viktor sort of like he wants to dump Viktor’s body in the river.

Viktor appears not to notice the aggression, although Yuuri is getting more and more nervous. “Has she ever been sick?” Viktor asks with extreme Russian casualness.

Bucky’s gripping the arm of his chair so hard with his metal hand that there’s a quiet cracking sound. “The normal childhood stuff,” he grinds out. “She caught whooping cough when she was an infant, in the group home before I adopted her.”

“Oh,” Viktor says, his brow furrowing as his hair falls over his eye. “”That is bad, yes?”

“Yeah.” Bucky makes himself let go of the chair arm before he has to pay Stark for the ruined furniture. “She nearly died. The doctors were surprised that she survived, but she did. She’s got asthma and sometimes she has breathing problems, but other than that she’s healthy.” Bucky fixes Viktor with the same glare that Natasha had used minutes earlier. “What about you? Any sickness in the family we need to know about?”

Viktor’s still for a moment, utterly still, then his small, press-ready smile is back. Yuuri inches his chair closer to Viktor’s so he can press his knee against his husband’s. “No. My father’s father drank himself to death before I was born, but he grew up under Stalin so that is no surprise.”

“What about your mother?” Steve asks. “You said she was dead?”

Viktor’s expression doesn’t change. “She was murdered,” he says evenly. “Drowned, if you must know. And before you ask, it was not by my father.” Viktor brushes an imaginary speck of dust off his suit sleeve.

“We didn’t ask,” Bucky puts in.

“Ah, but many do.” He looks at Yuuri, and Yuuri can see the tension in Viktor’s posture. “We should go.”

Yuuri’s on his feet in a moment. “Where can we send the poster for Natasha?” he asks.

Everyone else rises. “You can send it here,” Steve says. “I’ll make sure she gets it.”

And this is the point where Bucky just snaps. “You can’t take her away,” he blurts out. “She’s my entire life.”

Viktor, who for once in his life doesn’t know what to say, manages to get out, “I will have my lawyer contact you,” and he moves towards the door, Yuuri in tow. Yuuri looks back to see Steve holding Bucky’s hand, but then they’re out the door.

In the lobby, Natasha is sitting with the Stark Foundation’s two-person marketing team, grumpily hole-punching papers. She jumps up when Viktor and Yuuri appear. “Are you going?” she asks suspiciously.

“We are.” Viktor walks over to her, pretending to ignore the very obvious security detail stationed by the front door. “It was very nice to meet you today, Natasha Barnes.”

Natasha looks between Viktor and Yuuri. “You too, I guess.” She scuffs her shoe on the carpet. “Are you still going to get Mila to send me a poster?”

“We are,” Viktor confirms. “Now, run along back inside, your father will want to see you.”

Natasha leaves at a run, and Viktor walks out the door without a backwards glance.

It isn’t until they’re in the cab that Yuuri asks, “What are you going to do?”

Viktor is looking out the cab window again. “I told myself that I wanted to see she was not going to grow up like me.”

Yuuri, who by this time knows what terrible things Viktor’s grandmother did to him, puts his hand over Viktor’s.

“And she is not,” Viktor went on. “She is too happy, too confident, to be like me.” He squeezes Yuuri’s hand. “And then I thought, what would happen if I took her to live with me?”

“Viktor—“

“She would hate me,” Viktor says over Yuuri. “She would hate me just as much as I hated my father for ripping apart my life.”

“Viktor.”

Viktor finally looks at Yuuri. “I cannot do it,” he says. “I cannot make decisions for someone else’s life, not like that.”

“Her dads seem nice,” Yuuri ventures.

Viktor nods. “She is happy, and she is smart, and she is growing.” He makes a face. “And in spite of my mother’s influence, she seems… normal.”

“Yeah.” Yuuri pats Viktor’s hand. “She looks a lot like you.”

Viktor sighs. “She is the picture of my mother, only...” He says something in Russian that Yuuri doesn’t quite catch. “How do you say, more blood in her?”

“Fire?” Yuuri understands, though – Viktor’s mother, although ethereally beautiful, is more like a ghost than a real being, with her silver-blonde hair and milk-white skin. Even Viktor himself looks as if he’s never seen the sun. But the little girl they had just seen, she was full of energy and life and colour. “I saw it too.”

“Which is good.” Viktor leans sideways, resting against Yuuri’s side. “That something so good can come from such tragedy.”

Yuuri rests his head on Viktor’s shoulder. “You’re here,” Yuuri says quietly. “You’re good.”

Viktor exhales. “It makes me happy that you think so.” After a minute, he leans forward and asks the driver to take them to his lawyer’s office.

Anyway. The Barnes-Rogers family spend a nervous night then the next day Bucky packs the cranky and sleep-deprived kids off to school, kicks Steve out of the house to go to work, goes for a five-mile jog with Lucky, and gets back to a voicemail from Jennifer that says Nikiforov’s lawyer is going to be at her office at eleven and Bucky better motor his ass down there. He shows up armless, hair still wet from the shower, to find that the lawyer has the official documentation from Viktor Nikiforov terminating his parental rights.

“But,” the lawyer adds while Bucky’s trying to breathe through his heart attack, “My client would like to maintain contact with the girl. Birthday cards, maybe an in-person visit while he’s in the country.”

“Only at my client’s approval,” Jennifer says smoothly.

“Of course.” The other lawyer stands. “Mr. Barnes does retain full custody and all parental rights.” He taps the paperwork on the table. “I’ll leave you to file this with the courts, Ms. Walters.”

After Bucky all but hugs Jennifer, he drives to Natasha’s school and pulls her out of class. She shows up in the headmistress’s office completely terrified, but one look at her dad and she’s hugging him.

“Steve can adopt you now, sweet pea,” Bucky whispers.

“We’re going to be a real family,” Natasha cheers.

“We’re already a real family,” Bucky corrects her, so goddamned relieved that he can’t stand up. “We’re always a family.

Then he pulls Clint out of class and Clint cheers too, and he packs the kids in the jeep to drive to Manhattan to surprise Steve with the news and everyone who’s around (Tony, Bruce, Pepper, and Rhodey and Carol who are in town on business) have a spontaneous ice cream party to celebrate.

As for Viktor and Yuuri, it takes Viktor a while to be able to verbalize his feelings, and while they’re on the way to Milan for that year’s World Figure Skating Championships Viktor is finally able to express that while he would always wonder what would have happened had things been different and he had gotten Natasha as a baby after her mother walked out, he thinks things are for the best they way they are now.

Yuuri is 40% sure that Viktor is talking out his ass, but at least Viktor knows he’s there for him if they need to work through things.

So most of it’s a happy ending, some of it is wistful, and then there’s the comedic effect we get when Viktor asks Mila to sign a poster, in English, to ‘Natasha’:

“Sure,” Mila says, uncapping the sharpie Viktor thrust at her. “Who is this Natasha? One of your fans?”

“My daughter,” Viktor says proudly, and Mila accidentally punches a hole through the poster with the pen, while a passing Yurio walks into the wall.

PS they all keep in touch and Viktor sends tickets to Skate America in the fall of 2018 and Natasha gets to meet all the skaters, and take a selfie with Mila Babicheva, and it’s the best few days of her little life, and as Natasha gets older, she builds a relationship with her biological father.

And they all live happily ever after.

#and that's that AU^3 #i really let this get away from me #hands of clay #blood in the water series #asks #anon #anyway it was fun to play with for a little while and get out of my head #Anonymous

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