#we had four in our garden last night

[oh-my-frog]

Badger spotted !!!

[hellodropbear]

like she used to

alexia putellas x sister

i have been writing this for ages and it has just sat in my documents folder since january. i don't usually post stuff i write so this will probably get taken down at some point. i've written 13k words so far but this is just the first 4k.

~~~~~~

I hadn't expected to get the call up, not at all really. But Mapi tore her meniscus and apparently the first team found themselves in need of a backup centre back and I was the best option from the B team. It's a compliment, really. Mami is very proud of me and she is excited for me and my sister to play together in a few weeks, even though she is still recovering from her surgery and I will probably not make it off the bench. I am only 15 and 10 months, usually they wait until you are at least 16 and a bit before you can play. 

But, I don't really know how to feel. Thankfully Alexia won't be in training with me for now and I try to avoid thinking about what will happen when she eventually gets better and I have to face her again.

Alexia is my older sister by a lot. There's a 14 year age gap between us and I used to completely and utterly idolise her. She and Alba were two superheroes, always by my side when I needed them. I put them on a pedestal like they were the greatest human beings to ever walk the planet. To me back then, they were. 

I was only four when my father died. All I remember from that time was the big black invisible sheet that hung outside his study and the dark and scary emotions that swallowed our house whole. Alba and Alexia would argue about who got to cuddle me at night and I was so unaware what was happening that I would happily agree, wiping away their tears when it all got too much. 

The death of our father made our family unit stronger. Mami, Ale, Alba and Elena - it was all any of us needed and we supported each other in whatever ways we could. 

Mami had to pick up more shifts at her job, so she couldn't pick me up from school. Alexia had just got her license so she would come in a break during training and pick me up in her training gear. 

Alexia didn't have time to drop me off at home so I would sit and watch the training with whoever wanted to give me company when they were injured. 

Most days, Alba would come and pick me up and take me on the bus all the way home. She would play cartoons on the TV as she sat at the table and did school work. Some days, when she had the time she would sit with me and watch Alexia's training and we'd all go home together. Alba used to say she enjoyed the training. Looking back, I think she just wanted a free ride home and an excuse to not do her homework. 

As I grew up, everything just worked. Alexia and Alba were still living at home as a support to Mami and everything was perfect. My sisters were my idols, my Mami was my shining star. She still is. She would do anything for her daughters, as long as it meant we were all happy. 

That is why it has been so hard for her over the past two years. 

I have not been happy, not really. My football has been thriving, I have represented my country in the under 17 age group and I am a consistent starter in the Barcelona B team. I spent two years in La Masia before they sent me to the B team last year and I have only been improving since. Everything is going well. Mami says I have had a better start to my career than Alexia did. 

Maybe that is why Alexia hates me. Maybe Mami is just saying that to make me feel better about it.

Alexia and I, despite the 14 year age gap, were always inseparable - for the first 12 years of my life. She was at every single school event, football game, she picked me up from trainings when she could and would train me herself in the garden. We shared a common passion that Alba was not interested in at all - we both love football, we eat, sleep and breath it. Football is everything. She was the one who gave me that mentality. 

"Football is life, Lena, you are lucky you are so good because now you also get to live football and hermanita, it is the most incredible thing." 

She had whispered that to me when I was 11. We were sat on the beach, a place we visited frequently throughout my childhood, both of us staring out at the reflection of the moon on the sea. Alba was fast asleep, her head in Alexia's lap as she snored lightly, completely oblivious to our conversation. 

It all fell apart over three years ago, although I don't have the first clue as to why. 

It was not an explicit event that ruined everything, more my older sister growing up and flying the nest that was so secure and established over years and years of shared success, happiness, failure and grief. She moved out of home long before that, but her split with Jenni upset her, I think, a great deal. I wouldn't know because she didn't really tell me anything - that was strictly Alba's business. 

I didn't even know they had broken up until 5 months after it actually happened. 

"Mami, why does Jenni never come over any more?" 

It was an innocent and normal question, but the look on my mother's face told me everything. Everything about Jenni and everything about my sister. 

I think that was the first knock. She hadn't done anything wrong but I had loved Jenni and Jenni had loved me. I would have thought that she would have told me they broke up. Maybe she didn't want to, maybe she just forgot. She does a lot of that these days. 

Before she and Jenni broke up, she still came to all of my games. She never missed one game before I transferred to La Masia and would insist on taking me out to ice cream after every one. She would tease me for not scoring like she does, even though I play as a centre back. 

"You need some training from Mapi, she is a centre back and has the most lethal free kick, hermanita! She is the best defender I have played with, but don't tell her I said that. I think you will grow up to be better than her." 

She was excited that day, I had made a few good saves and I think that was the first time she really saw that I had the potential to be great. 

I remember the first game she was late to. I noticed immediately but we both pretended she was on time - she only made it to the last 10 minutes but I put it down as traffic or being caught up at training. She was busy, it takes a lot to be La Reina. 

I remember the first game she missed entirely. She wasn't there at the beginning and she wasn't there at the end. I was 13 and I didn't have a phone yet so I couldn't call Mami and ask her to come pick me up because Alexia was too busy. I told myself it was because she was too busy. I didn't want to say she had forgotten because that was too hard for me to handle. 

I remember vividly sitting outside the stadium as the sun set. My coach had asked where my sister was, I was a bit stuck with what to say but I managed to convince her I was fine and she could go home. 

Alba came and picked me up after work that night. It was dark and she looked sad but when I asked if she was ok, she just shrugged her shoulders and said everything would be fine. 

I found out from Mami a few weeks later that Alba was sad because I had never once been forgotten anywhere. Alba saw that as the destruction of our strong family. I suppose she was not wrong. 

Alexia never said anything about that game but she was at the next. She didn't take me out for ice cream after, instead patting my head and telling me she would drop me off at Mami's work. 

"I have things to do, Elena, I am very busy. Hopefully soon Mami will let you catch the bus on your own. Maybe Alba can take you soon so you know the correct routes." 

Her words hurt more than I could admit to myself, I told myself to stop being pathetic. Mami asked why I was crying when I walked into her office. I told her I had played terribly and she comforted me. I think she knew I was lying. I think that is why she had tears in her eyes when she released me from her grip-like hold.

Since that day, Alexia has been to 3 of my games. She went to one more of my old club games but she was sat beside Alba, her eyes glued to her phone the entire match. I was so unfocused that the ball deflected off my face and we conceded. I was taken off with a bleeding nose but when I looked up in the stands, my sister was still staring at her phone. Alba had run down the stairs and was by my side when I entered the little sick bay. 

I cried then too. Most people thought it was because of the bleeding nose or the conceded goal. Alba knew that wasn't the real reason. 

The penultimate game she watched was the final of the under 15s Catalonia cup. I don't know what she did during the game because Mami told me not to look up. She said she didn't want me to get distracted but I think she meant to say she didn't want me to get hurt. 

I think I still idolised Alexia at that point in time. She was still my older sister and she was still the best player in the world. She still had weekly dinners at home, although she wouldn't sit next to me and sneakily take all the food I didn't want off my plate anymore. She stopped staying to watch a movie after dinner even though my favourite part of the week was falling asleep in her lap as her hands combed softly through my hair. 

I remember when I was accepted into La Masia, Mami held a nice big dinner. It was right in the middle of covid so it was technically illegal, but we had a lot of my family over. Mami invited a few of the Barcelona girls as well and Mapi and Leila reminded me of what it used to be like before Alexia stopped loving me. 

The reminder of the before was more painful than I liked to admit, and the night ended when the tears that had been burning in the back of my eyes finally spilled out as I was talking to Mapi. 

She immediately pulled me into her arms and asked what was wrong and I struggled to find a lie that would be believable. 

I settled on saying I was upset about everything changing - which I suppose was true. 

I remember Alexia looking mortified and breaking eye contact as soon as I looked at her. She told me off that evening when Mami was in the shower and Alba was talking to someone else. She told me I needed to be grateful for everything I have been given and that she paved the way for me. 

It was even worse when she said I would never achieve the things she has. She said it was because I didn't have the mentality that she did, that I had it all so easy. 

It hurt the most when she told me she was disappointed in the person I was. 

"I hope we never share a shirt, Elena, because the day you play in the first Barcelona team is the day that we have run out of players. It will mean that football players are week and female footballers can not be weak. You do not have it in you to be like me, to do what I have done to get to where I am."

The venom in her voice sent a cold shiver down my spine and I felt like I had been stabbed. I didn't cry that time. I waited until I was in my bedroom to sob my heart out. 

The last time she ever watched me play was the next day, but she didn't have an option not to. I played terribly, my first game as a La Masia student, my sisters words repeating over and over in my head. 

That was really what tipped the relationship I once shared with Alexia on its head. The pedestal I had put her on was destroyed and suddenly she was just another player. I barely saw her as my sister any more. She couldn't love me, you wouldn't be able to hurt someone you love so much. 

I have barely seen her since. She still comes to our family dinners on Thursday nights - she still very much loves Alba and our Mami. But I tell Mami that I have training with Barcelona B late on Thursdays. It finishes at 6 and dinner starts at 7, but I just organise to go to my friends' houses for dinner instead. 

Sometimes we both have dinner together at home, but it is awkward and I hate it. I think she has probably forgotten about what she said to me in June of 2021, but I don't think I will ever be able to. 

She doesn't like me, but it's ok because I have learnt to accept that. But I will never not love my sister because she was once everything to me. 

~~~~~~

"Pequena Putellas!" Patri's excited shriek is what welcomes me into the dressing room on my first day. She tackles me into a hug and squeezes me tight. "It has been such a long time, mi favorita!" 

The last time I saw Patri was only last year at the champions league final. I had sat with my whole family but I went to the bathroom when everyone else went and spoke to the players. I don't think Patri would have seen me. 

I can only smile as she continues. 

"I remember you as the little 8 year old who would sit and watch our training sessions after school! I was so confused by you when I first arrived here, you know. I remember the first time Ale let you play a game with us and you were so good!" 

"Nobody doubted that you would be on this team one day!" A new voice entered the conversation.

"Marta!" I hugged the brunette closely. She was always one of my favourites. 

"I am proud of you, pequena putellas." 

Her words are familiar as I have heard them out of my mothers voice time and time again my whole life. But they seem foreign coming from Marta and it is an unwanted reminder of my sister. I don't know why - maybe it is because I have always associated this Barcelona team with her. I don't remember the last time she said she was proud of me. 

I don't remember the last time she said anything to me, really. 

"Gracias, Marta, I have missed you." I bury my head into her neck and she holds me closer. 

"You have not been around as much since you transferred to La Masia. I wanted to come and watch but Ale never extended an invitation and I didn't want to overstep." I shake my heads at her words and she frowns. 

"Alexia doesn't have time for my games, she hasn't for a while. It takes a lot to be La Reina." 

Marta's frown deepens at my words and the attention of a few spanish players is captured. I should have spoken quieter, I forgot how many people in here speak catalan. 

"It is ok, she is very supportive, but she just can't come to my games. She makes it up in other ways." I am lying through my teeth but Marta will never know. 

"I am sure, she must be very proud of you, being selected in this team for the first time, it is a big deal, you are very young."

All I can do is nod, my energy is all being put into holding back my own tears. I don't know if Mami told her. I don't know if Alexia even knows that I was selected. 

"Get changed now, I am sure Jona will want to talk to you before the session, especially with the game tomorrow."

I nod again as Marta pats me on the back and walk over to the cubby that says my name. It feels a bit surreal, really. 

I never really thought I would see my name on a Barcelona cubby, accompanied by my new number that I chose in the meeting a few days ago. It was always a dream, but I never thought it was achievable. Alexia always seemed like a superstar, a superhuman of sorts and I would never reach that kind of level. 

But here I am in the team that I always wanted to be in - in no way am I anywhere near my sisters level but I am on my way to being like her. I just wish she cared. I wish she was proud of me like Marta is. 

Her cubby sits across from me and I try to tear my eyes from it but it sits and stares right back at me. I feel like an intruder in Alexia's space, this is not for me, she would not want me to be here. 

I tie my laces quickly after that and head out onto the pitches to begin training. 

I have trained with the first team twice before, but the Barcelona Bs were always slightly seperate and we could keep our distance from the first players. Jonatan is a familiar face and I feel comfortable as he smiles and me and motions for me to follow the others to the gym. 

It is weird, being promoted within my own club. I am not so much a new signing, but a replacement - I am not good enough to be in the first team but they had no other options when Mapi injured herself. 

I used to worry that people would say I only get opportunities because my last name is Putellas. When my sister told me I was weak all those years ago, that idea sort of cemented in my head, I suppose. 

I never told my Mami what her daughter said to me because it would upset her. I told Alba half of it when she found me crying in my room a few days later but made her promise to not tell anyone. She couldn't say anything to Mami, Alexia, anyone at all because it would only make Alexia think I was weaker. 

She was furious and tried to tell me it was untrue but it had already been said. I believed Alexia's word more than anyone else. To me, she was a superhuman. 

But when I spoke to Jonatan a few days ago he made me feel like I was wanted within this squad. He made it clear that he wants me to integrate completely into the squad in the next few years and that he can see me playing soon even though I am only 15. 

I told him I didn't want anything special because of my surname. 

He told me that he chose me because of my first name. 

"Elena Putellas,"  he said with a grin, "you may be as good as her, but you are not your sister. This is a professional environment. As long as you perform, which I know you will, nobody will care what your name is."

It was a big boost to my confidence. 

Aitana Bonmati caught up to me quickly as I walked to the gym. 

"You are big now." I chuckled but did not look over, I didn't need to really. "But not that big. You are only 15, si?"

"Yes, I am 15." 

I met Aitana when she first joined the club. She always used to say that she would steal me and take me home with her because she thought I was adorable. It is strange that I am now sort of in the same team as her. 

She started playing for the first team when I was 8. I was older then, I played my own football and liked staying with Alexia so I could kick a ball around with her teammates when they were done. 

Aitana was one of the few who would stay every time I was there. When Alexia didn't want to wait she would drive me home herself, all the way to the other side of Barcelona. We would always stop for ice cream on the way home. 

"I have not seen you in too long, Lena. I have missed you a lot but you have been doing very well in the B team. I am very proud and I take credit for your abilities." She spoke in such a dead pan voice but it was somehow still filled with emotion. 

"I have missed you too, ABC." It was a nickname I gave her the first time she drove me home. I had been learning about the alphabet in English class and had the little song stuck in my head when she told me her full name. I used to sing her initials in the tune of the song but it quickly merged to me just saying the three letters. 

"I have been to a few of your games, you know?" 

I look at her in confusion, I have never seen her there. She just nods. 

"Alexia never invited any of us but she was never at the ones I went to so I would sit in the stands with a hat and glasses so people wouldn't recognise me, but I was there. I went to your La Masia games as well. You have become a phenomenal player, Lena."

She has always spoken with such sincerity. I have missed her a lot. 

"Maybe you can drop me off at home again tonight? I have missed you."

She chuckles and pulls me into a side hug. 

"I was waiting for you to ask, little Lena. Oh you are not so little any more!"

I chuckle as well and let my head fall onto her shoulder as we enter the gym. My eyes scan the room, looking at all of the players on their equipment, nerves quickly settling inside me. 

"Don't worry, it's all easy." Aitana seems to read my mind. "Just come with me and I will show you how to do everything. It will become second nature in the next few days."

The gym session went quickly as I was taught all the different exercises. I was familiar with most of them, having done a very similar program in the past with the B team. 

We went out onto the field to do some drills and I played well. Jonatan was impressed and so were the first players. My teammates? Maybe, not quite, I don't think. I still haven't been in a team list, so I suppose I'll be their teammate when that eventually happens. 

It wasn't until we reached the ice cream shop that Aitana started asking me all the awkward questions. I should have seen it coming. 

"Why do you never come to our games anymore, Lena?" I was very grateful for the scoops of gelato in my hands. Eating it delayed my response as I tried to come up with something to say. I shrug as I eat.

I can not say it is because I do not get along with Alexia. It is too hard for me to say now, even after all these years. 

"I'm not sure. I suppose I got busy with my own training and school. I have been to a few but I usually go home with Alba pretty quickly after they finish." It is only half a lie but she just shrugs, apparently not believing my words. 

"And why is it that I am driving you home from your first ever first team training? I thought Alexia would have wanted to." I anticipated a question like this but that does not mean I wanted her to actually ask it. 

"Alexia is busy." I hope that Aitana understands I don't want to talk about it. I haven't spoken about my broken relationship with my sister to anyone. I think she can sense something is wrong though, because she puts her spoon back into her ice cream and grabs my arm so I am staring right at her. 

"If you ever want to talk, I am right here, Lena. I know you don't like people knowing what is going on inside that crazy head of yours but it is good to release your feelings." 

She definitely knows something is wrong so I appreciate her not pushing. 

"I have outlets, I play football, I play the piano, I am ok, aitana, I really am." 

She eyed me as if to say she didn't believe me but dropped the topic anyway. 

"When did you get so good?"

chapter II

[munsonsfairy]

I have an ideaaa

how about a Paige x fem!reader wedding/proposal fic or headcanon??

the idea of her draft fit as a wedding outfit omfg 🤭

my peace 🕊️

omg i love this idea!! i did wedding headcanons if that’s okay!<3

content: fem reader & no physical description of reader or their wedding outfit

౨ৎ the night before, you and paige spend it by cuddling into each other while sitting on the balcony that overlooks the city.

“my wife, my wife, mine,” she whispers against your neck after every kiss. “not for another day, babe,” you’ve been reminding her since she proposed.

౨ৎ it takes her 20 minutes to leave your townhouse that night. lots of goodbye kisses have already happened that it took kk & ice to drag her ass out.

“bye my beautiful gorgeous wife!” paige yells out the window as ice drives away. she doesn’t get into the car until you are out of her sight.

౨ৎ instead of reading your vows in front of your wedding guests, the both of you decided to do it before the ceremony. as you walked towards paige, you could see her wavy blonde hair with her front pieces in braids (as always). she was wearing an all white suit. you could tell she was nervous and excited by how much she was fidgeting.

“paige?” when she turned around her blue eyes already had tears in them. she looked at you in awe and almost fell to her knees. “we can’t cry we both have make up on,” you fan both of your both eyes trying to hold it all in.

she laid her head on yours and looked into your eyes. for a moment it felt like it was only the two of you in that garden. “we’re finally doing it. my wife,” you see a tear fall from her eye as she leans in to kiss you.

౨ৎ now the vows!!!!!! 🥹

paige reached into her pocket and took out a folded piece of paper. you could see her shaking, so you squeezed her hand to remind her it’s just you.

she smiled at you and took a deep breath, “ever since i could remember, i was always told, “you’ll know when they’re the one,” and i never understood that. i never felt complete until i saw you. when our eyes met, i knew after 3 seconds that you were the one. i’m blessed with the pleasure to know someone like you.” she looked up at you and saw you tearing up. “bro if you cry, i’ll cry,” she said laughing. “okay okay! no more crying.”

she took another shaky breath, “to be able to love and be loved by you. you are my sunrise and sunset filled with the most beautiful colors. you’re my peace with the world is too loud. your love is my turning page. you are the strongest person i know and i admire to be my best self everyday. i never doubted our love and will always consider myself lucky to love and learn from you. these past four years have been my favorite movie. i promise to love every single detail of you for the rest of my life.”

after you said your vows, paige was walking up to kiss you until you stopped her. “not until we say i do!” she looked at you with shock but kissed your knuckles on both hands. she leaned her forehead on yours once more. “see you at the alter,” then watched as you walked back to the venue’s house.

she didn’t want to take her eyes off of you. just wanted to stand there and admire you.

౨ৎ during the dance, you reserved chick-fil-a as a surprise for paige. she ran to you and grabbed your face to kiss you all over. her and kk were fighting over who was going to be the first to be served. spoiler alert: you got served first since they were too busy bickering. when you were eating your nuggets, paige noticed you had ranch on the corner of your mouth and kissed it off of you.

౨ৎ once your reception was over and almost all of your wedding guests have left, you and paige danced one last dance. your heels were long gone and paige was very tipsy. she held you so close to her chest that you could hear her heartbeat. you felt the breeze against your skin and closed

your eyes. paige was slowly guiding you in a circle while humming the song.

she kisses your head and said, “my wife.”

tagging: @urantisocialgay because i know you’ve been asking for this (:

[obsessedwithceleste]

Daisy Chains and Kept Promises

George Weasley x reader

Based on this request🫶🏽

Summary: George Weasley was never one to break a promise. Especially not one sealed by a daisy chain ring.

word count: 3.2k

©️ obsessedwithceleste. all works posted here belong to me and should not be reposted or copied in any way or form.

It was the first sunny afternoon in what seemed like forever, but in reality had only been a few days, and the residents of the burrow were eager to escape onto the vibrant, green lawn.

“Fred, George you stay out of trouble now!” Molly shouted from the kitchen as you run out the door with the twins.

“Come on now, it’s our last summer before they ship us off to Hogwarts! We gotta make the most of it!” Fred replies, sprinting out to the shed where the Weasleys stored all their brooms.

“Hurry up Georgie, or I’m taking the good broom!” You tease as you race past the other boy, snatching the best broom from the rack before he has the chance to protest.

“Aw c’mon! Why’s she always get the good one?” Ron complains as he catches up with you all.

“Oh shut it Ronald,” George retorts, not bothering to give his youngest brother a second glance.

The four of you spend the afternoon zooming across the field, a beat up quaffle tossed between you in carefree bliss as the sun shines down on you and Ginny watches from the ground below.

Eventually you all tire and you find yourself lying in the shade of the old oak tree that loomed over the garden. Thankfully the rain had scared off the gnomes that had a habit of sneaking into the garden for a tasty treat.

“Show me how to make those daisy crowns? Like the muggles?” Ginny asks, bringing over fists full of the little white flowers.

“Not now Ginny,” Fred sighs, rolling his eyes at the young girl.

“No, no, we can do it now,” you argue, patting the ground next to you, gesturing for the younger girl to sit beside you.

“Yeah, let her stay,” George agrees, smiling fondly at you.

Fred snorts at his brother, eyes rolling once more.

“You always side with her, you’re supposed to be my twin! How are you two going to survive without each other?” Fred retorts, leaning back against the tree.

“It’ll only be a year, then y/n can join us in the fun,” George replies happily.

“Oh at this point you might as well just marry her,” Fred responds with a huff.

You feel your cheeks begin to grow red and you turn to focus all your attention on the young girl beside you, showing her how to intricately wrap the stems together to form a chain of daisies.

You’d known the twins for as long as you could remember. You’d practically grown up with them. Your father Remus did the best he could raising you on his own, he really did, but it was hard. Especially on full moons. The Weasleys always took you in on those nights, often resulting in you staying for days while Remus recovered.

George had had a soft spot for you since the beginning, always being the slightly softer twin while Fred was more severe and brash. You could remember a particularly bad night when it had been storming, the loud thunder making you shake with fear. George had stayed up with you all night, making sure the storm didn’t get you. You had been seven at the time.

It had started back then you supposed, your little crush. It had confused you at first as you had thought of all the boys as your brothers, but now, at the ripe old age of ten, you could tell that Georgie was different from the other Weasley boys.

“There!” George announces excitedly, shaking you from your thoughts as he brandishes a single daisy up into the air, its stem tied rather roughly in a small circle.

Without warning, he grasps onto your hand, sliding the makeshift ring onto your finger, looking rather pleased with himself.

“There. You’re my wife now,” he says proudly as you stare at the little flower adorning your finger.

“You didn’t do it right! You have to ask her to be your wife. Everyone knows that!” Ginny exclaims, watching the two of you with a dopey little grin on her face.

“Oh. Right. Y/n, will you be my wife?” Georgie asks, batting his eyes dramatically at you and sticking out his bottom lip.

“Yes I will,” you reply with a laugh, admiring the pretty daisy that now sat on your finger.

“You two are so gross,” Fred says, making a face.

“Oh, oh! Do the promises! The ones where you say I do!” Ginny urges excitedly, clapping her hands.

“Alright. Do you promise to always laugh at my jokes, always be there for me when I need you, and always take my side when we argue with Fred?” George asks.

Fred begins to make dramatic gagging sounds.

“I do.” You reply with a giggle as Fred just glares at you. “And do you promise to always make me smile, always protect me, and always make me hot chocolate when I can’t sleep?”

“I do.”

It was dark. The whole house was dark really. All the time. Dimly lit and constantly smelling like mold and rotting wood. And the furniture seemed to be permanently damp, the coldness settling into your bones.

You hated it here at Grimmauld Place. The constant shrieking of decrepit, old portraits, the eerie feeling of constantly being watched. The only positive attribute about living in this wretched place was the fact that Remus had never been happier.

It had taken months to do it, but after Harry had been able to help Sirius escape the dementors, Dumbledore had inconspicuously been able to move Sirius into Grimmauld place where you had been staying ever since.

It had been strange at first, no doubt. You had only just met the man, but he grew on you quickly. Like a fungus. You loved seeing how comfortable he made Remus who visibly softened whenever the other man was near. And you hadn’t seen Remus smile as wide or as often, well ever. You could tell that the two of them were just meant to be side by side, and honestly, that was enough for you. Especially in dark times like these.

“Lighten up love, we have a surprise for you before dinner,” Remus announces, entering the drawing room where you sat wrapped in a pile of blankets, a book in hand as you tried to ignore the screeching bag lady in entry way portrait.

“Is it another one of those horrendous sweaters that Sirius keeps digging up from somewhere?” You ask, nose scrunching at the thought of another one of the putrid smelling things being presented to you. You didn’t have the heart to tell him that you detested the nasty things, so you had been giving them to Kreacher to dispose of rapidly. “I know I keep telling him that they’re lovely, but how many of the things does he think I need?”

Remus just laughs, shaking his head. “I’ve told him to move onto something else, but he’s determined to fill your wardrobe I think. But no. It’s not another sweater. For now at least. No, I do believe you’ll quite enjoy this little surprise.” He tells you before leaving you to your book and your thoughts.

Dinner time couldn't come fast enough as you eagerly eyed the clock every fifteen minutes, only to be disappointed by how little time had gone by.

About thirty minutes before the three of you usually ate dinner, you began hearing a chorus of voices coming from the entry way. And not the familiar voices of the Black family portraits.

"Well where is she then?" a loud voice asks.

Hearing the voice, you immediately perk up, not quite believing you'd heard correctly. This place might be driving you mad.

"Oh bloody hell mate, don't seem too eager now," comes the sarcastic response.

You'd know those voices anywhere. Practically throwing yourself from the couch, you eagerly scramble to the door and down the staircase to be greeted by the whole Weasley family grinning up at you.

"Look Georgie, there's your wife, don't get your knickers in a twist now," Fred scoffs.

You fly into George's arms, sighing contentedly as his arms wrap securely around you.

"Well hello to you too," you hear him laugh as he gives you another squeeze before releasing you.

You hadn't seen him, or the other Weasley's for that matter, in what felt like ages. He and Fred had grown their hair out, and you didn't quite remember them being so tall last you saw them. His smile never changed though.

Bashfully, you greet the rest of the Weasley bunch, even Fred giving you a quick hug, before rubbing the top of your head affectionately and effectively tossling up your hair. You stick your tongue out at the boy in response, batting his hand away.

"I missed you all, so much! I've been going absolutely bonkers being here alone for so long," you tell them.

"Well not to worry love, we'll be here all summer. Hermione too, though she's not coming for another few weeks." George tells you.

Feeling eyes on you as you laugh with the boys, turning to see both Sirius and Remus gazing at you intently, eyes flickering between you and George.

Sirius silently points at you, then George before drawing a line across his neck with his finger before giving you a wink. You feel heat creeping into your cheeks as you turn back to the boys.

"What are you all doing here?" you ask eventually as the adults begin to file into the kitchen.

"Came to be used as house elves of course," Fred replies, earning him a nudge from George.

"Mum said that Sirius volunteered the house to be headquarters for the Order," Ron butts in.

"Yeah, then mum volunteered us to help clean the place up," Ginny adds.

You make a face at that.

"We have a lot of work to do then, this place is disgusting," you tell them, leading them up the stairs to the room you'd been staying in. On your way up the stairs, George's hand never leaves yours, fingers intertwined as you guide him up the dusty staircase.

"Long as there aren't any spiders," Ron replies, eyeing the spiraling stairs with suspicion.

You just look back at the boy with concern, pity overtaking your face as his own face turns pale.

For once Grimmauld place was silent. A rare luxury you'd found, especially since the Weasley's had moved in. Not that you minded, the red headed family made the grim, old place feel alive and vibrant. Something you thought the it needed desperately. But you liked the quiet too.

It had been a strange couple of weeks as everyone, the adults especially, seemed to be on high alert. And who could blame them? Hermione had just moved in, sharing a room with you and Ginny. You could hear their breathing now as you stared up at the dark ceiling above.

After the Weasley's arrival, you had all spent countless hours decluttering Grimmauld place. Sweeping, dusting, banishing the more mouthy portraits to the attic. It was hard work, but you had loved every second of it with George making you laugh until you keeled over, tears streaming down your face. His presence just made everything better. You thought so at least.

In the darkened room, your mind drifts to the conversation you had heard between the adults just hours ago. It definitely wasn't a conversation you had been meant to overhear, but Georgie had given you a pair of extendable ears that he and Fred had developed, and you just couldn't help yourself.

"Oh really Sirius, they've all practically grown up together, George would never do anything to hurt her," Molly had said.

At the mention of George's name, you just had to find out what they were talking about.

"We never said he was going to do anything malicious, we just don't want to see her get hurt," Remus replied with a heavy sigh.

Her?

"They're practically adults, you can't protect her forever. So what if they fancy each other? They're not children!" Molly retorts.

"Oh that's rich coming from you. Just the other day you were going on about young witches and wizards rushing into marriage during the first war. And how many times have you told the twins that they're forbidden from joining the Order hmm? They're adults, Molly, you can't protect them forever," Sirius responds.

"Oh but at least I've done all I can to protect them up to this point. What have you done for y/n? Nothing. Because you've been locked up!" Molly spits. You can hear the fury in her voice.

Your fists ball up in rage at her comments. None of it was Sirius's fault. He didn't do anything wrong. How dare she?

"That's enough!" you hear Remus cut in, a sharpness in his voice that you hadn't heard before. "We weren't coming to attack George, or the way you raised any of the children. We were simply raising our concerns, as any good parents would. Now that we've made our point, if you don't wish to interfere, fine. We won't either."

After that the only thing you had heard was the shuffling of feet as they abandoned the dining room. They had most definitely been talking about you. No doubt about it. You hadn't realized they were concerned about you. They never said anything. And it was only Georgie. The two of you had been married for six years now. In all the ways that mattered to you at least. He would never hurt you. In fact, he'd made it a promise.

Mind racing and unable to sleep, you slip out of bed, careful not to make a sound as you slowly creep to the drawing room that you so often took refuge in. To your surprise however, a dim light was already flickering inside when you approached, and a familiar head of red hair sat facing away from you on the sofa.

"Georgie?" You whisper cautiously, not wanting to spook him.

His head turns in surprise, but his face lights up when he sees you.

"What are you doing this up this late, love?" he asks.

"I could ask you the same."

"Fair enough. Just a lot on my mind I suppose."

"Me too," you reply.

A silence falls between the two of you as you stand, watching mesmerized as the light flickers on and off of the boy's handsome face.

"Want me to make you a hot chocolate?" George asks finally.

A smile grows on your face and you instantly perk up at the mention of your favorite treat. George always knew how to put you to sleep, and he always made the best hot chocolate. Nodding enthusiastically, the two of you make your way down to the kitchen where George begins gathering supplies.

One thing you'd always admired about him was that he never minded doing things the muggle way. While Fred was always quick to magic his way through things, George was content taking his time.

"Help stir the milk so it doesn't burn?" he asks, gesturing to the pot now on the stove.

You silently take the wooden spoon from his hand, fingers brushing ever so slightly, before focusing on the task at hand. George sets out two mugs on the counter before helping you melt in the chocolate.

It all felt terribly domestic. As if there wasn't a sociopathic murderer on the loose. Like it was just the two of you.

It isn't long before George is pouring the dark liquid into the mugs, sprinkling in a few little marshmallows and a cinnamon stick or two and the both of you are retreating back up to the drawing room.

The first sip sends shivers of satisfaction down your spine as you lean into George who wraps his free arm around you. You pull a blanket over you and revel for a moment in the comfort.

"Care to share what's been on your mind?" George asks, breaking the silence.

"Only if you go first," you reply, not quite sure how to explain that he was really the only thing on your mind these days.

George just sighs. "It's nothing you we haven't told you before," He tells you. "Mum is just fighting for her life to keep Freddie and I out of the Order, but Moody agrees with us. We're of age. There's nothing she can do to stop us."

"Will you be safe?"

"Safe as can be. Mum has made sure they don't give us any real missions. Just patrolling Diagon Alley since that's where we set up shop."

You simply nod your head, letting it fall against the boy's chest as you feel his even breathing and let it overtake you. You'd never admit it out loud, but you were grateful for Molly to an extent. The twins had an abysmal lack of self preservation skills, and you didn't know what you would do if you lost Georgie.

"And what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

You feel your shoulders shrug as you think carefully of what to say.

"I overheard our parents talking today," you mumble, not exactly sure where you were taking this.

"Oh?"

"Dads are worried about us," you tell him, hiding your face in his chest.

"Worried?"

"I dunno. They said something about your mum talking about how a lot of wizards and witches rushed into marriage during the first war, and there was a lot of talk about you being of age and what not. It got intense. There was a lot of yelling."

You feel George's chest rumble with soft laughter at your words.

"Well that's a silly thing to be worried about considering we've been married for years now at this point," he says.

You're not sure if he's joking or not. Maybe the exhaustion was finally getting to you.

"I'm being serious Georgie. I didn't know they were so worried about me. And Sirius sounded so upset," you reply, sitting up to take another long sip of your hot chocolate.

"So am I." he responds, looking you dead in the eye. The usual mischievous gleam is gone this time and you know he's never been more serious about something. "You know I'm not one to break a promise."

The air grows heavy as you feel yourself freeze for a moment at his words before you sink back into his warm embrace.

"I still have it you know. Your ring. Your mum charmed it for me so it wouldn't wilt. She knew all along," you tell him.

"She tends to have a sixth sense when it comes to these kinds of things."

Another silence falls between the two, but this time, the silence brings comfort as you feel your eyes growing heavy. George tries to stifle a yawn, but it escapes anyway. It was later then you had realized.

"I'm glad it's real for you too," you murmur, leaning further into the boy as your eyes flutter close. Something about being in George's arms provided a sense of security you couldn't find anywhere else.

"It was always real. I'd never break a promise to you, love."

bby's first non-slytherin boy fic🫣

don't ask me if I edited this- the answer is no and I don't want to talk abt it💀

tag list: @sol-lupin-black @breeistired

[yumeaoka-chan]

Mr. Crow Buster

Pairing: Hobie Brown x Reader/ Demon! Hobie x Reader

Word Count: 6.2k

Tags: night terrors, scarecrow hobie, slight body horror (I don't even know how to write that, ugh), chasing, corn maze, peer pressure (for a good reason, trust), scared reader, lovestruck hobie, pining, sparse use of Y/N (like three times really), lovestruck? reader("I'm liking this more than I should???" is basically r thought process), no physical description of reader(besides clothing), can be read as any gender really, cursing, (your friends being absolutely disgustingly cute, ew)

Summary: Humans getting lost in his corn maze happens quite often around this time of year. But none had a soul as shiny as yours.

A/N: Credits for the lovely banners go to @the-shroom-garden !!! Fourth entry for Octobie @the-kr8tor , let's go!!! Saw a video on TikTok that inspired this.💕 This is the next part to the last fic I wrote, but you don't need to read that one to understand this one.

Part 1 >>> Part 2 >>> Part 3 >>> Part 4

“I'm telling you guys. It's like, super big every year. Plus, it's free. We have to go.”

“You've lived down there before right, Riri?” Your friend nods beside you, letting out hum as she finishes swallowing the mouthful of fries. Riri narrows her eyes at you as you not so sneakily snatch a few of them with a smile on your face before looking over at Ned with a grin.

“That's right. I know all the good shops and I can show you lot around if we go.” Serenity plops down on the couch beside you and reaches over to snatch a few fries herself, Riri pulling her food away with a scrunched up face of indignation. Chuckling, she winks at her before poking at your side.

“If we're going, we should think about the costumes we're gonna wear. Any ideas?”

“I'm just going as the same thing I was last year”, you say while rolling your eyes at the way your friend groans in your ear. “You can't beat it, Reni. It's a classic.” Riri chuckles as the woman clicks her tongue and flings a fry at her. Serenity just sighs before batting her lashes up at Ned, who's all too ready to bend down and listen to her ‘woes’, fondness swirling in his eyes.

“Baby, our friends are borin’.” She pouts as she places her hands on his face, thumbs caressing his cheeks and the man before her all but melting at her touch. You bite back the giggle that threatens to escape you at Riri’s loud boos of disapproval, her yelling turning into fake gags. Ned shoots her a glare and flips her off before smiling sweetly at his girl, pressing a kiss to her palm. The sight makes you smile, your chest warm at seeing your friends happy with one another. Serenity and Ned have been together for as long as you've known the three, Serenity being the one to introduce you to Riri and her boyfriend. You've been friends with Reni for so long that you aren't sure when your friendship began. The four of you just somehow clicked, never without one another. A little frown forms on your face as you try to remember the exact day and circumstance that led to you befriending them. The details were rather fuzzy and hard to recall at the moment, which makes your frown deepen. Shaking your head free of the thought, you focus your attention back on Ned and Reni.

“It's alright, doll. Let's show ‘em how it's done and look better than them, yeah?” He mumbles softly before pressing a kiss to Reni’s lips. Rolling her eyes and sprawling her body across your lap, Riri pats your thigh and looks up at you.

“We can match themes, yeah? Who knows what those two got planned, though. Probably somethin’ all cute and couple-like.” She says with a feigned grimace of disgust, shuddering and shaking her head. It makes you giggle as you playfully tug at one of her curls.

“Sure thing, Riri.” Warmth fills your chest as you look on at your friends before the scene blurs before you. The sounds of laughter and the feeling of hands wrapping around your waist surround you as the memory bleeds into your reality. Something tickles your cheek, soft and warm as you lean into the arms around you. You blink and it's gone, your friends now gazing at you with concern. Ned looks at you with an unreadable expression on his face and you wave a hand in the air dismissively.

“Sorry, I… Just, um, another episode I think.” You say with a sheepish smile, cheeks warming at the sympathetic looks they gave you. This was nothing new, of course. You've been having these sensations of déjà vu lately, memories and dreams of a past life you know that you've never lived before. The memories would come at random and your friends have told you that they could tell when it happens. That you go quiet and glassy eyed, mouth slightly opened as you peer off into the distance. Even if you tried to reel in your expression at times, it was like they always just knew. Reni pats your arm and smiles at you softly.

“Why don't you rest early tonight, love? It's getting late and we need to catch the bus. We'll pick up this discussion tomorrow, yeah?” She says as she stands up and gathers her purse. Riri nods before sitting up from off of your lap.

“She's right. Especially since you didn't get much sleep last night. Don't lie to me, I can see the bags under your eyes.” Riri says with a chuckle, poking your cheek when you groan.

“I'm fine! Honest!” Ned is the one to shake his head at you, arms crossed and eyebrow raised.

“We believe you. But as your friends, we also want you to take care of yourself. Get some rest, Y/N.” The caring look he gives you makes you slump further down on the couch, a deep sigh leaving your lips. Damn them for being so caring and being right. You did need sleep. Especially after the nightmares that plagued you all last night, keeping you wide awake to avoid having another. Walking to the door, you hug them goodbye as you see them out. And suddenly, you're left alone with your thoughts. Thoughts that drift back to the nightmares from last night. Of the sounds of children screaming and your own sobs as you look around blindly. Of the smell of fire and smoke, burning trees and wood. And the unmistakable shouts of fury from someone who isn't you.

“I'm gonna be thrown in the looney bin at this rate”, you mumble as you press a hand to your temple, eyes closing and letting out a tired sigh. Every time you had those dreams, those false memories, there would be a person you couldn't see. You could hear him, feel him, but never were you permitted to see his features. It unnerved you a little, seeing these images playing in your mind over and over. Its started to get worse in recent years, the dreams and fake memories coming more often than not nowadays. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, you clean up the small mess on the couch before heading off to bed. It doesn't take long for you to drift off, weariness seeping into your bones and making your eyelids heavy.

“Run! Get the children and get out of here!” The voice yells at you, frantic and in disarray. Hands push at your shoulders, forcing you to turn away.

��Not without you!” You sob desperately, trying hard to look at the source of your worry. Only for his hands to be firm in making you flee.

“I'll find you! Just leave, quickly!” Fire licks at your cheeks as the scene suddenly shifts, now with your arms around something, protecting something. A hand harshly yanks at your hair, pulling you away as you scream and kick, trying to get back to what you were protecting. Sounds of children crying and screaming fill your ears as you look up, heart shattering as you watch the cottage you built with love crumble to the ground, flowers crushing and burning under the lit wood.

“Get away from them!” The voice you know in your heart roars, all boiling rage and dripping despair. “Osborn! I'll rip you apart!” You can hear as he struggles, trying hard to get to you and the children that cry in the distance. A piercing scream rings through the air and now you're falling from up high, tears dripping from your eyes as you gasp. It feels like hundreds of hands are dragging you down, your deadly descent to the ground impending. You reach your hand towards the sky and…

Gasping and clawing at your chest, you shoot upright in your bed. Sweat drenches your sheets and makes your clothes stick to your skin as you choke and gasp for air. You can still feel the ash and smoke in your lungs, feel it cling to your cheeks like a layer of dirt. Your scalp stings, the feeling of hands restraining you still lingering on your skin. Shaking, you bring a trembling hand up to cover your mouth, muffle the wrecked sobs that wrack your frame. That dream just now was too vivid, too real. Tears, hot and thick, fall down your face as you squeeze your eyes shut. It would pass, as it always did. This feeling, these nightmares that you knew was your mind playing tricks on you. It takes several moments before your thundering heartbeat slows, until your body realizes there's no danger. Exhaustion clings to your very bones as the fright from your night terror dies down, leaving you sagging against your pillows once more. You can't even fight against sleep when it comes for you yet again, mind and heart too tired to stay up again. At least this time, you dream a dreamless sleep for once.

Days pass after that night, and you don't utter a word to your friends of the nightmare. You don't want to ruin this day, the idea of a festival making you perk up a bit. You needed some fun to rid you of the terrible screams that went off in your mind like a broken record. Looking in the mirror, you fix the lacy ruffles on your white shirt and fluff out the feathers on your faux white wings. Pinning the glowing halo headband onto your head, you smile at your reflection. Your angel outfit was nice, but it felt like something was missing. Pursing your lips, your eyes drifted down to your bare neck and you snapped your fingers before rummaging through your drawers.

“Come on. I know it's around here somewhere”, you mumble as your fingers blindly feel for the item you're looking for. Feeling the cold metal of the chain, you let out a triumphant huff and pull the necklace from the drawer. It was a long, dainty silver chain with a sparkling ruby in the shape of a tear. Putting it on, you feel a sense of familiarity come over you as you stare at the jewel in the mirror. You're not sure when you had gotten it nor how you obtained it. The only thing you knew was that it held weight over you, meant more to you than most of the other things you've gained in your life. Your gaze lingers on the gem a little longer as a wave of sadness washes over you before you shake your head, ridding yourself of those thoughts.

“No being sad today. Get it together.” You whisper quietly to yourself, your ears perking as you hear the sound of a car honking outside your apartment. Looking out the window, a grin lights up your face at the sight of your friends waving to you from inside the rental car. After grabbing your keys and wallet, you hurry outside, jumping into the back seat and letting out a low whistle at Riri’s costume. She's dressed as a demon with horns, impish wings and a tail. Red dress stopping at her thigh that's covered with her black fishnet tights, her black leather jacket is adorned with a plethora of pins and buttons. The buckles on her long black combat boots jingle and her black lipstick stained lips pull back in order to smile at you, flashing a pair of fangs.

“Look at you, Ri. Lookin’ hell-a fine.” Her smile drops just as fast as it had appeared.

“I love you, but don't ever do that again.” You laugh before patting her knee. Ned grins at you through the rear view mirror, large spartan helmet covering most of his face. You raise an eyebrow at him before looking at Reni, who's decked out in a white chiton with gold leaves wrapping around her torso. A crown of golden leaves sit on her head, braids wrapped up in a bun and adorned with little gold specks. She flashes you a smile, lips stained a wine red color. The costumes click in your mind and you look at them both with fondness.

“Ares and Aphrodite, hm? How cute.” Riri scoffs at your words before folding her arms, nose scrunched in feigned disgust.

“So cute that it makes me wanna vomit.”

“Oh, shut up, Ri. We look bloody fit and you're just a hater”, Ned says with a smirk as he leans over to press a kiss to Serenity's cheek. You chuckle as you watch Riri pretend to strangle herself, Reni sticking out her tongue at you both. The ride to Gloucestershire is filled with loud joking and sparky remarks, the lot of you eager to see what the Halloween festival has to offer. Once you get there, your eyes widen at just how big the festival actually is. There are dozens of people dressed in all kinds of costumes walking about, fairy lights strewn up on every post. Jack-o-lanterns with wicked smiles sitting on mounds of hay greet you as you walk down the cobblestone path to enter. There are multiple stands with games and food about the place, the prizes you see tempting you. There's a haunted house and a wagon for hayrides, horses waiting patiently. But, what really draws your attention is the giant corn maze way off in the corner.

The slight breeze rustles the stalks of corn, making them sway in the wind. There's no signs nor fancy lights set up in front of the opening, as if it was purposely ostracized. The sight makes you raise an eyebrow in question, your attention fully on the corn maze that seemed to beckon you under the light of the full moon. A hand on your shoulder snaps you out of your daze and you smile sheepishly at a confused Reni. She tilts her head and points a thumb over at the balloon popping stand.

“Let's go, mate. They've got this real cute spider plush I know you'll want”, she says in a sing-song voice, eyes shining with a knowing gleam in her eyes. Your eyes lighting up in apparent interest makes her giggle and she loops her arm in yours, leading you over to the stand. Something brushes along the back of your neck and you shiver, glancing over your shoulder back at the maze. Shaking your head, you focus your attention on your friends, determined not to let your episodes get the better of you tonight. Several rounds of balloon popping later, you're holding a giant black spider plush with a huge grin on your face. Your friends watch you with amused expressions and you lean your head on Riri’s shoulder.

“Thanks for winning me the plush, Ri”, you say with a sickening sweetness to your voice while batting your lashes up at her. Which in turn earns you a hand to the face, mushing you as she recoils.

“Ew, go be cute somewhere else”, Riri huffs playfully before pointing over to another stall. “Guys, I want candy corn! Let's go!” Ned gags as he walks beside you two, arm draped over Reni’s shoulder.

“I can't believe you eat that crap. It's so gross.” Riri glares at him and sticks out her tongue, blowing a raspberry at him.

“Whatever. It's not for you, innit. It's for me. Now shut up and pay for it, Neddy boy.” He grumbles under his breath but still relents and pays for it, forever a sap for his favorite people. It makes you smile. After a while of walking around and seeing what each stall has to offer, Ned is the one to pull your small group over to the corn maze you had seen earlier. Sweat drips down the back of your neck as you peer at the dense rows of corn stalks, a sudden feeling of nervousness washing over you. Grinning, he fixes the belt of his costume and gestures to the maze while wiggling his eyebrows.

“Wha’ do you lot say to a little race? Last one out has to buy drinks for everyone. Good?” Before any of you can utter a word, one of the locals that was running the pumpkin carving stand nearby shakes his head. His eyes are dark with an unreadable expression that seems to unsettle you. He waves a finger and points to the thick corn, his voice a dreaded calm.

“I wouldn't go there if I were you. Too many visitors go in every year. Very little come out of the bloody thing.” He lifts his hands then, wriggling his fingers and a deep grimace appearing on his lips. If he was trying to scare you, his little act was doing a poor job. “There's a legend. Of a demon prince who was banished to the mortal realm and forced to sit as a scarecrow for the rest of his days as a punishment. For what, nobody knows.” The man slams his hands down on the table then, eyes wide and startling the poor customers who were carving their pumpkins.

“They say if you go into his maze without a light source and make even the smallest of sounds, Mr. Crow Buster will come for you. And feast on your very soul.” The story makes you want to laugh but you bite back the giggle and smile at him. Your friends, however, burst out laughing and keel over. Reni holds onto your arm as she wheezes and the man glares at her, folding his arms and waiting for them to finish. You shake your head and look at him apologetically as you hold your friend up.

“Oh… Oh my days”, Ned heaves out as he tries to reign in the loud chortles of amusement. Taking a deep breath, he looks over at the man and nods his head.

“Alright, mate. That was a good one.” The man scowls and narrows his eyes at you four.

“It's true! There's been numerous disappearances every year whenever people go into that maze. But, be my guest. Don't say I didn't bloody warn you.” He grumbles before turning back to man his stand. His words make you a bit nervous, the idea of people going missing in the maze making you hesitant to go in. Even though you're already so very drawn to it, like something was coercing you into stepping inside. Riri shakes her head and rolls her eyes as she turns towards the maze.

“Some people are just bonkers”, she mumbles as she walks closer to the maze, peering into it with a twinkle in her eyes. You watch as your friends walk closer to the start of it, clearly very ready to race to the finish line. Anxiety gnaws at your stomach as you linger a few paces behind them, gazing into how the corn splits into five different paths. Hands fidgeting with the sleeve of your shirt, you clear your throat.

“Did you see the look in his eyes, though? He was serious when he said people have been disappearing…” You say quietly, pressing your face against Reni’s shoulder. Serenity chuckles and pats your cheek softly.

“Absolute rubbish. If there were disappearances, the festival wouldn't keep happenin’, right?” Reni says as she fixes the gold bracelet on her wrist. She had a point. Still, you couldn't shake this nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach. You step back away from them a bit and they all turn around to look at you with confusion.

“E-Even if that's the case, I think I'll just stay out here. Watch everyone's things, ya know?” You say with a sheepish smile, only for Riri and Ned to laugh. Riri folds her arms and raises an eyebrow at you, a teasing smirk on her lips.

“Seriously? Come now. I thought you were better than this, Y/N! Letting a silly rumor get the better of you…” Riri shakes her head and clicks her tongue in mock disappointment. It makes you furrow your eyebrows in confusion and slight irritation. Frowning, you place your hands on your hips and glare at her.

“I don't have to participate in this stupid race if I don't want to, Ri.” She holds up her hands in mock surrender and smirks at you, only furthering your growing irritation.

“Of course, of course. We understand if it's too much for you to handle, little dove”, Ned says, snickering as he leans against the wooden post outside the maze. You can feel your eye twitching at the nickname. They knew how much you absolutely loathe that name, the simple words always triggering your flight or fight sense for some odd reason. You shoot him a warning glare and open your mouth to speak before Reni pipes up, a giggle of words escaping her lips.

“Little dove, so quick to fly away when in front of a challenge. Don't worry. We understand.” Her soft words make you grit your teeth, anger swirling in your chest as you glare at them all. Without a word, you place your plush near the opening and grab one of the flashlights in a bin by the start of the maze. Flicking it on, you narrow your eyes at them all, scoffing at the accomplished look on their faces before silently trudging into the maze.

You each take different paths, separated from one another. As you stomp down the path, the feeling of unease comes back, washing away the fury that had been there before. It's silent, save for the whistling of the wind. And yet… Taking a deep breath to calm yourself down, you remember what the man at the stall had said. You'd be fine as long as you stayed quiet and had a light source, easy peasy. Unfortunately for you your flashlight begins to flicker, light blinking on and off. Alarms ring in your head as you shake the tool in your hands, hoping that it's only a loose battery or a short or something. You didn't know how flashlights worked, dammit. Only that if it flickered out, you'd be left in the dark with nothing but the moon as your guide. Your heart plummets when it slowly stops its blinking, light no longer shining down the path before you. You can feel your heart thundering in your ears as you slowly trudge on, eyes frantically moving about as the urban legend replays over and over in your mind.

“Shit!” You cry out loudly as you suddenly trip over something then, falling onto your knees on the dirt road. Scowling, you turn to see what had made you fall, only for your eyes to widen at seeing a lone gray sneaker. Your breath stills as you slowly get up, dirt clinging to your knees as you study the shoe. Why was there only one and where in the world was it's owner? Crows shoot up from the corn in the distance, cawing and flying high into the air. The sound startles you and you look up as they fly away. Sweat beads at your brow, knowing something had to frighten the birds for a flock of them to suddenly just up and leave. Rubbing at your arms, you continue walking, even as the air seems to grow colder around you. Growing fed up and nerves worsening the longer you spent trudging through this maze, you take a deep breath and cut through the tall stalks of corn.

You can feel as your shirt snags onto the stalks as you walk, the feathers of your faux wings falling onto the ground. Scowling, you mentally curse your friends for egging you on, then you curse yourself for entertaining their jabs in the first place. It feels like hours trudging through the leaves until you suddenly stumble upon a clearing, surrounded completely by stalks of corn. In the middle sits a lone scarecrow, hanging up by its hands and feet on a pole. Straw sticks out of its large hat, bundles of hay surrounding its hands and feet like the hem of clothing. You raise your eyebrow at it curiously before you inhale sharply, eyes widening and heart pounding so hard in your chest that you swear it aches. Because there's no way that it's looking straight at you, is there? But it is, it's head slowly turning to the side to fully look at you, long lanky arms falling limply at its sides as it continues to stare. You can't move, can't even blink as you stare back at the living scarecrow, terror and dread welling up inside your chest. You suddenly recall your earlier slip up, lips trembling with fear.

The scarecrow tilts its head which makes its entire weight lean forward. Slowly, it tumbles forward onto the ground, body rolling into itself as it sprawls on the dirt. It doesn't move for several heartbeats, minutes that seem like an eternity. Lanky limbs twitching and lifting up, its movements are lanky and erratic as it picks itself up, back now facing you. A whimper leaves your lips as it's head turns completely around to face you fully, the sound of creaking twigs snapping reminding you too much of wet bone. Its limbs whip around as it rights itself, turning to you correctly now, its head tilting as it takes a wobbly step forward. That's all it takes to send you sprinting, dashing and zipping through the dense stalks of corn.

Hot tears of terror streak down your cheeks and blur your vision a bit as you weave through the corn, breath coming out in harsh pants as you run from the creature. A loud roar pierces through the night, ringing in your ears and sounding close to a growl. You take the chance as quickly glance behind your shoulder, crying out in horror as you see the scarecrow hot on your trail, running at you on all fours with its head turned upside down. The painted face on it morphs then teeth turning razor sharp and blood seeping from its mouth. Eyes now gaping black holes, it cackles wickedly before lunging at you. You scream and duck just as it jumps at you, quickly running away in a different direction. Just when you think you're going to make it, your fake wings get stuck on a stalk of corn. You pull and pull with all your might, frightened tears dripping down your shirt as the scarecrow steadily draws near, now running at you on its legs. It moves like a ragdoll, limp and janky and no less terrifying. You finally manage to pull away from the plant, wing now damaged as you move to run again.

Hands roughly grab your arms and you scream as you're turned around to face the creature who opens its dripping, bloody maw. And as you peer up at the source of your demise, you're suddenly lying in a field of flowers, hands lovingly caressing your skin. Lips press against your cheek as you close your eyes, the scene once again shifting back to the creature before you. Clenching your eyes shut, you await death with a heavy heart. Only, confusion fills you as you continue to hear your heartbeat in your ears. Trembling, you wait for several more minutes that feel like an eternity, waiting for the painful sensation of teeth on your flesh or however it goes. Only to feel a warm hand pressing against your cheek gently. Flinching, you wrench your eyes open and feel your very breath being stolen from your lungs at the sight of the stranger.

Standing before you is a man so beautiful that you can't believe your eyes. He looks at you with wide golden eyes, surprise gleaming in them as he gazes down at you. Piercings that look like thumbtacks litter his face, hair in wicks that look like straw. He smells of hay and something else, like cashmeran. Something about his expression seems sad as he gazes at you and you suddenly feel more at ease than you have in months. His presence brings about a calming effect that would worry you if you weren't so lost in his golden gaze, liquid and warm as he stares at you. Taking a deep breath, you look him over slowly, breath hitching at the sight of his clothes, the same ones that the scarecrow was wearing. Lips trembling, you peer back up at him.

“Y-You're not gonna eat me…?” You whisper softly, still a little shaken up. The man chuckles softly and you feel your cheeks grow warm underneath his palm, heart fluttering at how deep and pleasant his voice sounded just from that alone.

“I was goin’ to, but 's not everyday I get such a gorgeous angel visiting my little place ‘ere.” His mumbled words almost make you swoon a bit, but you can't help the sudden snort that leaves you at his words. His eyebrow raises in question as you place a hand over your lips to muffle your chuckles, a grin flitting across his face as he watches you laugh. His fingers on your cheek tap at your skin as he looks at you.

“Somethin’ funny, darlin’?”

“Sorry, sorry. I just… You're a demon, right?” He nods his head, removing his hands from you to stuff them in his pockets. You don't dwell on how your heart flops a little in disappointment for some odd reason.

“And you're not eating my soul or whatnot because I'm dressed like an angel…?”

“Hey, I got morals, innit. Feastin’ on angels means I gotta go to the Hells and I ain't tryn’ to burn for eternity. Ya get me?” You can't help the laugh that leaves you at that and he chuckles as you hold your stomach. A demon with humor, who knew? You gaze up at him with a curious gleam in your eyes and you tilt your head.

“What's your name Mr. Demon with morals?” His lopsided grin as he lifts your hand to his lips makes your head spin, heart pounding in your chest as he places a tender kiss on the back of your hand.

“The name's Hobie, love. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Hobie leads you out of the corn maze after that, the two of you talking during the walk to the exit. His company is welcoming and not at all like the frightening terror he was earlier. And, even though he had been trying to devour your soul at first, you couldn't wipe the smile off of your lips the whole time you talked with him. He was funny and sweet and so very handsome. Perhaps it was strange how utterly safe you felt with him, how you wished his hand would grip yours as you walked. You couldn't help it, though. Hobie had this gentle air about him, an aura that nestled you in a blanket of warmth. The moon shined down brightly on you two as you neared the exit, disappointment coiling in your stomach. You wanted to talk with him more, learn more about the strange demon who seemed to captivate you. Stopping a ways ahead of the exit, Hobie turns to you and softly grips your hands in his, fingers intertwining with your own. It makes your breath hitch and your heart flutter as you gaze up at him. His golden eyes glitter like the stars above and you think you're imagining the adoration shining within those lipid pools of his.

“Come see me again, angel…?” He whispers softly, face leaning down until it was inches from your own. You bat your lashes up at him and bite your lip, nodding slowly.

“I-I can… I will. As long as you don't eat my soul.” He chuckles lowly and your eyes flutter shut as he presses a gentle kiss on your forehead, leaving you breathless. Hobie presses a hand against your cheek and you sigh as you nuzzle your face into his palm.

“You drive a hard bargain, love. I promise not to eat your very tasty, very scrumptious lookin’ soul. Till next time, darlin’.” The next time you open your eyes, he's nowhere to be found, nothing but the silence of the corn stalks greets you. Your eyes linger at the spot he was just at, wondering if it had been a dream, another one of your fake memories playing tricks on you. An arm wraps around your shoulders then and you startle as you look at the one who grabbed you. Reni looks over you with growing concern, her hands cupping your face.

“Oh my days, we're so sorry for pressuring you into goin’ in there! You look a right mess. What happened?” Ned and Riri crowd around you as well and you chuckle, pulling away from Serenity's hands.

“I'm okay, guys, really. Let's just enjoy the rest of the festival, okay?” They shared looks of concern before looking at you with a gleam in their eyes. Like they knew something happened. You just walk ahead of them to another stall with a huge smile on your face, waving a hand at them for them to hurry up. And when some random person comes up to you and tells you that they like your fallen angel costume, you feel something inside you click into place. Though you wouldn't figure that out until much later.

“Evening, your Highness.”

“Cut the bullshit, Ri. You never call me that.”

“You're right. Perhaps I should start saying your Majesty, with how well everything's been going.” Hobie rolls his eyes at the cambion grinning up at him, a smile playing on his lips despite himself. His thoughts drift to you, the feeling of seeing you again after all this time... After nearly a century of longing for you, he'd finally gotten to touch you again. And to think his soul starved mind was begging him to feast on that glittering soul of yours, a soul that shined way too bright for just a mere human. It all made sense when he saw your eyes, your exquisite face. It was no human, it was you. His love, his angel, the one who he'd take any number of punisments for regardless of the severity of them. Riri sighs and leans up against his post, checking her nails as her tail swishes back and forth. Her voice pulls him out of his musings.

“Bet you're excited at gettin’ your true form back. How's being a scarecrow been, by the way? Riveting?” A chuckle sounds to his left and he turns to glare at the Crow demon, Riri waving at the new arrivals. Ned looks up at his prince with an amused smirk, dark feathers rustling with his every movement.

“Gotta say, Hobes. The scarecrow look is good for you. Fits with you being so skinny and lanky. You like it, don't you boss man?” He says as Serenity giggles beside him, the succubus wrapping her tail around Ned's leg.

“Not sure. How'd you like my foot up your ass, hm?” Hobie sneers down at him. Ned winces and shakes his head, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Sounds awful. For you, I mean. It's just gonna break right off into a pile of straw, innit?”

“Oh wow. You havin’ a laugh? Good. Cause if you don't have my intel, you're not gonna be laughin’ in a second.” Hobie huffs as he glares down at his crew of misfits, his words just an empty threat. As much as his friends like to joke with him, they were his family and always did right by him. Serenity rolls her eyes and sits on top of Ned's shoulder, fingers fiddling in his hair.

“Osborn is getting weaker by the day and the other rebel archangels sent word that they're ready to dethrone him in three months' time. Seeing as your angel's memories are coming more often than before, I'd say it's a perfect time to return home.” Serenity looks up at their prince with a wicked grin on her face, fangs on full display. Nodding his head, he looks over at Riri, eyebrow raised and golden eyes slowly turning to slits.

“The location of my children?”

“In your father's realm deep beneath his palace, locked up and frozen in time still. Ready and waiting. Along with our rebel army ready to fight under your name. What say you, your Majesty…?” She says, lips curling into a smile. Rolling his neck, joints popping and golden eyes bleeding into the darkest of crimson, Hobie grins wickedly. His fangs elongate, sharp nails clawing at his wooden post as he molts out of his straw body. Spider legs unfurl from his back, black as night and deadly sharp, glinting under the light of the moon above. On his neck shines a tear shaped sapphire, dangling on a silver chain.

“First”, he snarls as a portal to the Hells opens up in front of the four, “we take over my father's domain. I get my Angel, I get my kids, and I fucking devour that bitch Osborn. Any questions?” They all shake their heads as they excitedly pull out their weapons. Riri pulls out the twin daggers strapped to her hips, Ned brandishing his flaming metal staff and Serenity's fingernails elongating into claws. The smell of fire and brimstone hits their noses as the four walk towards the portal, eyes raging with a furious storm.

“Then let's go kill ourselves a devil.”

[yuurei20]

Do you have a master list of the translated novel chapters so far? Or someplace to read all of them at once? If not, thanks anyways!

Hello hello! A compilation thread of translations from the first novel can be found here! It is not a complete translation of the entire novel, just a few blurbs that I found interesting for being different from the game, if that is okay :>

I hadn't put together a compilation of second-novel translations because it is still ongoing, but I can list them now!

(Disclaimer: I am very, very much not a writer, I promise that the actual book is much more well written than this, and I encourage everyone to read the official translation when it is released! The first novel is coming in August, 2024, from Viz Media!)

Introduction "In a corner of the prestigious magic school, Night Raven College, there stands an old, unused dormitory."

Yuuya and the Rumors “'What's the matter? You look a bit down,’ says the ghost." Grim, Unhappy "’Whaddya mean? I’m a Night Raven College student. That means I can play in the tournament, right? Right!?’"

The Classroom “'There's no way that Ramshackle can compete on the same level as our dorm—that’s a crowning moment. Us, being mocked like that? We wouldn’t stand for it.’"

Bakery Day "Yuuya hands over the money he had promised to Ace and Deuce, then lines up for his usual lunch set, alone."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt1) "Yuuya looks over his shoulder to the sight of a skinny boy standing behind him."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt2) "Thinking about it, Yuuya realizes that he can’t recall seeing Japanese food or sweets since coming here."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt3) "Each dorm at Night Raven College has its own distinguishing characteristics."

Ruggie in the Cafeteria (pt4) "‘You mean they have good teamwork?’ Yuuya recalls an earlier conversation with Ace."

The Botanical Garden Scene "Ruggie and Leona are both from Sunset Savanna, with Ruggie coming from a humble upbringing in the slums as a hyaena beastperson, who are generally regarded with contempt."

Riddle and the consequences of overblot "When Riddle enters the Mirror Chamber, the other dorm leaders cast open and obvious glances his way. It has been like this ever since that day."

Leona and the Housewarden Meeting "‘Remember. What was it like two years ago? Last year? How did it feel to be used as a stepping stone to showcase the power of Lord Malleus Draconia?"

Riddle on Leona: The Housewarden Meeting "'I don’t really mind putting him in the Hall of Fame,’ says the Ignihyde Housewarden in an unenthusiastic tone over his speaker."

Yuuya and Grim's Club "Yuuya and Grim were told by the headmage that they would both have to choose the same club."

Crowley's Request (pt1) "As Yuuya listens to the ghosts' stories from their prime, the doorbell rings."

Crowley's Request (pt2) "‘Actually,’ the headmage begins, his voice turning serious."

Crowley's Request (pt3) "‘But I really don’t think I will be much of any help.’"

Crowley's Request (pt4) "The headmage remains silent—which makes Yuuya nervous—but rather than upset, he seems to be deep in thought."

Meeting Pomefiore (pt1) "Having reached the Hall of Mirrors, Yuuya faces the mirror that, according to Deuce, will lead him to Pomefiore. It is splendid, adorned with a large peacock and framed in its feathers."

Meeting Pomefiore (pt2) "‘You came to see the student of ours who was hurt, did you not? Here he is.’ With a gesture from Rook, a second-year student steps forward."

Trey's Room (pt1) "They knock on the black door, and there is an immediate answer from within."

Trey's Room (pt2) "It seems that, in each dorm, 1st-year students are four to a room with 2nd-year students two to a room and, as a 3rd-year student, you finally get a room to yourself."

Trey's Room (pt3) "‘It looks really painful…’"

Trey's Room (pt4) "‘Things seem a little rough, but it’s good he’s okay,’ Yuuya murmurs to Ace and Deuce, but they do not reply."

Trey's Room (pt5) "‘It was because of Housewarden Rosehearts? What do you mean?’ Deuce asks."

Yuuya in Class "‘We’ve got that strategy meeting at lunch today—Yuu, Grim, you two gotta come, all right? No running off. The Housewarden isn’t mad anymore, so don’t be so freaked out.’"

The accidents befalling Spelldrive players "‘Yuu will come with me.’ ‘Eh? 'Yuu will come with me?’’ Yuuya echoes Riddle’s words back at him with a puzzled look."

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt1) "'Jade Leech and Floyd Leech, twin second-year students. Jade is vice-housewarden of Octavinelle—he is also in my class.'"

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt2) "‘Ah!’ A loud call echoes out over the grounds. 'Over there—isn’t that Lil' Goldfish?’"

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt3) "‘Ah, nice to meet you. I’m…’ ‘Yuu-san, I believe. I have heard of you. It is an honor to meet the new student of the rumors.’"

Meeting Jade and Floyd (pt4) "Yuuya finally understands why Riddle looked so displeased when they first arrived."

Meeting Silver and Lilia (pt1) "Silver is often doing physical training, even on days when he has no club activities."

Meeting Silver and Lilia (pt2) "Silver accepts the towel with a casual ‘thank you,’ and wipes the sweat from his forehead. The birds chirp back, as though in response."

Meeting Silver and Lilia (pt3) "Lilia is as cheerful as he is lively. His sweeping gestures are so mismatched with his small stature that Yuuya cannot help but smile."

Riddle on Malleus "‘Someday, I'd like to ask Malleus-senpai what he thinks makes a good Housewarden.’"

Pre-Practice Match (pt1) “Perhaps it is because they are all so focused, but no one seems to have noticed them yet."

Pre-Practice Match (pt2) "The students who surround Yuuya's group are a mix of beast-people and others, each with impressive physiques and vibrant yellow shirts—the dorm color—stretched tight over their muscles."

Pre-Practice Match (pt3) "Only Ruggie makes a chuckle of sound, jogging to Leona’s side."

Pre-Practice Match (pt4) "Yuuya gives Cater a hopeful glance, but Cater’s expression is surprisingly stern."

Pre-Practice Match (pt5) "‘Shi-shi-shi!’ Ruggie laughs like air is escaping from him—a unique sound."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt1) "Deuce is about to respond when suddenly both he and Ace are enveloped in light, their school uniforms transforming into their gym clothes."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt2) "Colliding with another player Deuce tumbles onto the ground, but quickly regains his feet. Yuuya breathes a sigh of relief."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt3) "'This has got to be a joke. You mocking me?’ Leona asks, lifting one hand and forming it into a fist."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt4) "As Cater says, the unity of the Savanaclaw students—led by Leona—is overwhelming."

Spelldrive Practice Match (pt5) "Spelldrive is a timed sport, and a considerable amount of time still remains."

Leona and Jack (pt1) "It was three years ago, when Jack was still in middle school."

Leona and Jack (pt2) "‘The important thing isn’t how hard you try. It’s the result. Results are everything.’"

Leona and Jack (pt3) "Filled with frustration and sorrow, Jack clenches his hands into fists and leaves to return to the dorm, in silence."

Meeting Malleus (pt1) "‘Who's there?’ ‘Ah—' Suddenly, a voice from the darkness."

Meeting Malleus (pt2) "Yuuya quickly drops his eyes. Regardless of what those horns might be, it must be uncomfortable for one to have their physical attributes stared at in such a manner. Perhaps he has been rude."

Naming Malleus (pt1) "‘—and I guess it’s because I was so surprised, but I didn’t get any sleep at all last night.’"

Naming Malleus (pt2) "'The only reason you can say that is because you’ve never met Hornton.’"

Continued >>

[dilemmaontwolegs]

The Aftermath || LN4 {2}

Pairing: Lando Norris x widow!reader Summary: Lando's new role of taking care of you is one he takes very seriously. Warnings: 18+ only, grief and loss, depression WC: 2.6k

F1 Masterlist || One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine || Ten || Eleven || Twelve || Thirteen || Epilogue

Lando felt useless as he watched you cry in your sleep, the quiet whimpers making him hate himself even more. He should have come by and checked in on you, he should have been a better friend. He had foolishly convinced himself that you were better off without his interference since all he did was remind you of what you lost. 

He remembered how hard it had been to get back into his race car for the first time after the funeral and not see René in the McLaren next to him. It had been a gut punch that was more shocking to his system than the weight of the casket he had carried on his shoulder. Whatever loss he was feeling could only be tenfold for you and he didn’t want to make it worse.

Now he wished he could go back in time and save you from yourself, but all he could do was plan to help you move forward.

He grabbed a blanket from inside the ottoman and draped it over you, the very same one he used countless times when it got too late and he would crash on the couch after a movie night or BBQ. It was like a mausoleum of memories and he could feel himself tearing up as he walked around the room opening the curtains and windows for some much needed fresh air. 

Stepping out onto the terrace he found the pool you had loved to swim in daily was ruddy brown and the once pristine garden that you had tended to was overgrown with vines creeping up the stonework of the house. Anger flooded him and he pulled his phone out. 

“Why the hell did no one invite Y/N?” he growled when his team principal answered the phone. “She didn’t even know about René's memorial.”

“Look, take a breath, I know it’s upsetting but the FIA didn’t feel comfortable having her there after her accusations last year.”

Lando laughed humorlessly as he dragged a hand through his hair. “Uncomfortable? Fucking unbelievable. Of course they are uncomfortable, they pretty much killed him.”

“Lando…” Andrea started to warn him.

“I know, I know.” Lando took a deep breath. “Is there really a ‘surviving spouse’ clause in our contracts?”

“It’s not exactly easy to get life insurance for you guys, too much risk,” Andrea confirmed. “Look, I’m not going to say stay away from her, but be discreet, we don’t need to be pissing off the FIA right now. Pictures of your car at her house is not discreet.”

Lando frowned as the call ended and he opened instagram to see he had been tagged in a photo.

Only moments later did his phone vibrate with a What’s App message from his old teammate, Daniel Riccardo.

It was still daytime when you woke up on the couch to find all the curtains and windows open wide. Your neck protested the movement of getting up but it was quickly overpowered by the pain shooting down your legs and you remembered why you drank so much in the first place.

“Lando?” you called out, wondering where he was as you stood up on shaky legs.

You searched the house and found the carpet in your bedroom covered in foam cleaner to try get the bloodstains out and all the glass had been vacuumed up too. Other than that, there was no sign of Lando at all so you walked outside and followed the sounds of quiet cursing in the backyard.

“Is that a good idea?” you asked as you sheltered your eyes from the harsh sun and looked up at a shirtless Lando scaling an unstable ladder.

“Probably not,” he shot back, leaning out with a pair of clippers to cut the vines climbing the house. “Will it stop me? No.”

Rolling your eyes, you stepped into the garden bed and grabbed hold of the ladder to try stabilise while you looked around and saw he had already mowed the lawn. 

“You must still be single then I take it,” you said with a shake of your head. “You never had this much time to waste when you had a girlfriend.”

“First of all, it’s not a waste of my time. And secondly, well, yeah, okay, I am single. But that’s not the point and not why I’m doing this.” He nearly lost his balance as he hacked at a stubborn vine and scrambled to cling to the ladder. “Maybe I’ll call an arborist. And someone to clean the pool too.”

“Stop, please, you don’t need to do any of that.”

“I know,” he said as he jumped down and used his discarded shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow. “I want to.” He nodded his head back to the house. “Food’s ready, I was waiting on a sleeping beauty to wake up.”

You self consciously touched your hair at the comment and stepped away before he followed but he easily caught your hand.

“Don’t do that,” he said with a shake of his head. “Don’t shy away. You still look beautiful, and I am almost decent at untangling curls so we will tackle that whole situation after you have eaten something.”

“Lando, Lan, La-”

He shoved the spoon into your mouth with a laugh before dunking it back into the soup bowl and starting the aeroplane sounds again. “Here comes another one.”

“I’m going to shove that spoon up your ars-” He took the opportunity to get it past your lips again and you thumped him on the arm. “I can fucking feed myself. Give me that.” 

You swiped the spoon out his hand as he doubled over laughing and before you knew it a foreign sound bubbled from your chest and your cheeks ached as a smile tugged at the forgotten muscles. Lando froze at the sound before a slow smile broke over his face as he sat back in his seat like he had witnessed a miracle. 

“Stop staring, you’re making it weird,” you murmured as you took another mouthful of the surprisingly good soup. 

“For a while I didn’t think I would hear that again.” He smiled to himself as he stirred his soup. “You couldn’t go a minute without laughing and joking over something stupid.”

“That’s because you and René were always doing something stupid.” His name slipped past without a thought but the moment it filled the room you felt the air leave and the spoon trembled in your fingers. 

Your chair clattered backwards as you rose swiftly and covered your lips as if you could take it back.

You spun on your heel almost tripping over the chair as you rushed down the hallway. The back door you passed offered an escape from the suffocating weight on your chest but instead you ran deeper into the house, your feet flying as you spiralled down the stairs to the converted basement. You slammed into the door and it flung open as you burst into the space you hadn’t dared open in a year. 

This place wasn’t just his, it was an extension of him. The shelves were lined with his helmets, his team shirts hung on the walls. The trophies in glass cases were dull and dust clung to every surface. 

But in the cold, still air you could smell his lingering scent from the hours he spent playing on the sim set up in the corner. You closed your eyes and felt the air shift around you, feeling his presence enveloping you and chasing away the bone-numbing chill you had endured for 365 days.

“It’s finally real, Lando,” you whispered, knowing he was standing in the doorway watching your back. “When the house was silent I could pretend he was down here, playing iRacing or Gran Turismo. I could fucking pretend…that I wasn’t alone. If I didn’t call his name then I could pretend that’s why he doesn't answer me.”

Your vision blurred and when a pair of strong arms wrapped around your body you could pretend one last time that it was him holding you. It was the closest to a goodbye you would have.

“He’s gone.” You sighed and swallowed the lump in your throat knowing what you needed to do but somehow no longer finding the thought as daunting as you once did. “No more pretending.”

“I’ll try be gentle,” Lando promised as he stood behind you, armed with a hairbrush. 

He had poured a bottle of conditioner onto the bird's nest on your head and let it absorb for almost an hour before working up the courage to try and detangle it. While the conditioner was hopefully working its magic, he had helped to dust and polish René’s trophies, doing most of the work while you silently mourned the fantasy you had lived in. 

“Just do it,” you ordered as you locked eyes with him in the bathroom mirror.

“Here goes nothing.”

Your neck ached and your scalp burned by the end, and there was a huge pile of hair balls he had pulled off the hairbrush, but finally he was able to drag the brush relatively cleanly through your hair. 

“See, who’s the man?” he grinned as he flipped the brush confidently in his hand.

You rewarded him with a small smile in the mirror before turning and wrapping your arms around his narrow waist. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you,” he said as his own arms encased you and he pressed a friendly kiss to your hairline. “Ugh, it smells like coconut but doesn’t taste like it.”

You laughed and stepped back with a wave to the door. “Go on, let me wash it out.”

It took far longer than you expected for your hair to finally feel clean but eventually you were satisfied with it and got out of the shower, wrapping the towel around your body. Your fingers automatically reached for a shirt of René’s when you opened the closet but something had changed in the basement. 

You grabbed a handful of his clothes and pulled them from the closet, coathangers flinging off in all directions, before grabbing another and another. 

“Hey, woah!” Lando skidded into the room thinking you were having another meltdown. “Uh, what are you doing?”

“If I keep them,” you panted as the small effort already exhausted you, “it’s all I will wear again, I just know it. I have to get rid of them.”

“Are you sure?” he asked hesitantly.

You sent him a peeved glare before opening the drawers next and grabbing the stack of sweatpants he had amassed over the years. “Yes!”

“Look,” he said softly as he raised his hands with the universal sign of peace, “why don’t we go and get some boxes, pack them up, and then you sleep on it before doing anything drastic?”

“I’m not going to change my mind, Lan.”

You did change your mind. 

You woke up at 3am and sprinted through the house to the front door, tripping over Lando’s leg that hung off the couch and waking him up with one hell of a fright. He burst onto his feet after pulling himself off the ground and his wild curls swung as he looked around for some threat. 

Seeing it was just you looking equally dishevelled, he grabbed your shoulders and bent his knees so he was at the same height. “Are you alright?”

“Tell me you didn’t throw them,” you begged as your rapid breathing sent stars dancing around your vision. “Please, please, please.”

“What? René’s clothes?” he asked as he wiped the sleep from his eyes before pointing to the door on the other side of the living room. “Of course not, they’re in the garage.”

The relief was immediate and you sagged against his warm chest only to notice he had taken his shirt off to sleep. Clearing your throat, you straightened up stiffly and frowned. “But I asked you to dump them…”

“I know, and if you still wanted that in the morning I would have done it.” He sighed and took a seat on the makeshift bed he made on the couch despite there being plenty of spare bedrooms in the house. He patted the space beside him and you took a seat, the only warmth coming from his arm touching yours. “It’s going to take time, Y/N. Moving on doesn’t just happen overnight, even when you are ready to.”

“You sound like a shrink.”

His shoulders bounced with a small laugh and he fell back into the cushions, pulling you with him. “Mandatory counselling sessions, courtesy of Zak. Everyone got them, and I think it helped. Maybe you cou-”

“Don’t push it, just be proud you got me out of bed today.”

“Hmmm, but then I got you drunk.”

You looked up to see he wasn’t happy about that and you didn’t like seeing that look on his face. “But then you brushed my hair.”

A small sleepy smile grew on his face as he looked at your hair that was a little messy after sleeping on it but nothing compared to what it was before. “I always liked your hair.”

“I always liked yours,” you admitted as you eyed the curls that fell over his forehead. “I wondered if they were as soft as they looked.”

He tipped his head down for you and you reached up, running your fingers through them leaving ringlets twirling closed again. Even when you pulled one out straight, the moment you released the strands they bounced back into shape. 

“Huh,” you chuckled as you did it again. “I thought you used hairspray to keep them perfectly curled.”

“As if I have time for that kind of maintenance,” he muttered drowsily as he closed his eyes and let you play with his hair. “That feels nice.”

“You’re no better than a house cat.”

He cosied deeper into the couch to get comfortable as he stretched his long legs out in front of him, his head falling onto your shoulder while you continued massaging his head. Just when you thought he was asleep, he let out a quiet, “Meow.”

Laughter filled the still air of the night and he peeked an eye open to watch you find joy for the second time in one day, a proud grin written on his face. “I missed your laugh.”

“Me too,” you admitted after feeling how light it made your pain, if only for a moment.

“I would go to the zoo and visit the hyenas when I really missed the sound.”

More laughter grew in your belly and you punched him repeatedly on the arm as the loud bursts escaped. “You’re an asshole.”

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” he gasped between his own fit of laughter before catching your hands and holding them above his head to stop your pitiful attack. “I just wanted to hear it again.”

You froze as you realised how close you were to him, your face only inches from his and his full lips so close to yours. Your heart stammered as his tongue peeked out as he licked his lips and you cleared your throat as you pulled away, shattering the strange moment.

“I’m, uh, I’m going to go back to bed,” you muttered weakly as you stumbled off the couch. 

He looked like he was going to say something as he sat up straight but his lips closed again and he nodded, settling for a polite, “Sweet dreams.”

“You too, Lando. And thank you again, for being here.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said as he settled back into the blankets and covered his very distracting body. “I should have been here sooner.”

You could have sworn you heard him whisper something more as you walked back down the hall.

“And I’m not leaving you again.”

Click here for part three.

[heavyhitterheaux]

Bows and Barrettes

First Lady of Private Garden Fic

AN: we love domestic daddy Jackman

Synopsis: Jack feels confident enough to do his daughter's hair by himself without any guidance from you and it ends up turning out better than he expected

Pairing: Husband!Jack Harlow x Wife!Reader

First Lady of Private Garden Masterlist

Requested by: 1/3 of hot chips and bad decisions @nattinatalia 😜💕

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

You let out a frustrated sigh as you thought about all of the things that you had to do today and felt as if there wasn't any way possible to get them all finished.

But you literally had no choice for all of them to get done, otherwise you would be working even later tomorrow.

There were a few performances and appearances that you had coming up and it was pertinent that you started planning everything out as soon as possible.

Since the triplets were only two, you did these appearances and performances in waves at a time such as every few months so that once they were done and over with, your primary focus could still be on them.

Jack was starting to get back on his grind after him staying home the first year with you and the triplets. He was hesitant at first not wanting to leave you with all three at one time, but you saw how much he missed it so you encouraged him to do so after his self-titled album Jackman was released.

You were sliding on your pink and gray 550's when you heard Jack’s footsteps come into the room and leaned down to kiss the top of your head.

“Baby?” Jack said once he noticed the look on your face which immediately made him concerned. 

“Hmm?” You answered while staring off into space.

“What's going on? Something's wrong and I can tell so don't tell me nothing is.”

“I have so much to do today and don't see how I'm going to make it happen.” You quietly said while standing up and Jack immediately brought you into a hug while soothingly rubbing small circles on your back.

“Anything I can do to help to make it easier? I told you that you don’t have to be superwoman all of the time.”

“Actually there is now that I think about it and I’m trying to do that less and less.”

“Name it and it'll be done.”

“Can you do Ivy and Autumn's hair for me? I was supposed to do it last night but I was too tired. They look like we don’t take care of them.”

“That's all? Of course I can. And they’re kids and only two at that. We can’t expect for their hair to stay in it’s rightful place even if you did it only four days ago. I've practiced on you enough since I distinctly remember when we were 20, you said I need to learn how to do hair if we have girls.”

“Are you absolutely sure?” You asked while looking up at him and he simply nodded.

“Of course I'm sure, baby girl. I got this. Don't worry about anything.”

“As weird as it seems, start with Autumn because Ivy had a fit last time when she had to go first.”

Jack simply laughed to himself before responding to you.

“I remember. She went and ran to hide under our bed.”

“And only came out when you bribed her with a cookie. Typical Ivy.”

“Go ahead and leave so you won't be late.” You reached up to kiss him when you suddenly felt little arms wrap around your legs and looked down to see Ivy looking up at you while her pacifier was in her mouth and reached down to pick her up.

“And look who it is. Hi my sweet baby.”

She took out her pacifier so she could kiss your cheek and promptly put it back.

“Be good for daddy, okay. I'll be back later.”

She simply nodded before you handed her to Jack and went to hug Axel and Autumn.

“Ivy, daddy has to do your hair today and it's going to look really pretty when I finish.”

Her eyes went wide and she tried to get him to put her down as she began to squirm and he simply laughed.

“I’ll give you a cookie if you sit still for me, but you can't tell mommy.” He whispered to her and he immediately saw her nod her head and hold out her hand for it.

“Not yet, baby. Wait until mommy leaves and then I’ll get it.”

Doing Autumn's hair was never a big huge task so when he started to wash her hair, he handed her the iPad so she could be distracted and watch cartoons.

Ivy was a different story.

Axel was playing with Ivy on the floor next to Jack and Autumn so that he could keep an eye on all of them.

When he had finished washing it, Jack had wrapped Autumn's hair in a towel and helped her to sit up before taking all three of them to the living room.

He made her comfy before starting to blow dry and detangle it as she was still playing on her iPad.

He pulled up the gallery on his phone and asked her to choose which hairstyle she wanted since he had saved several pictures wanting to try them out on his girls.

“Princess, do you know which one you want?” He asked as he flipped through the pictures to show her and she lit up once she made her decision.

“This one, daddy.”

She decided on the third picture out of six which had two braids in the front, and two ponytails on the side that had purple butterfly clips decorating them. 

Just like her dad, her favorite color was purple.

The hairstyle wouldn't take him too long and then he would be able to start on Ivy's with giving her a cookie first of course. 

Autumn was able to stay still as Jack braided her hair and added little jewels to it similar to the picture that he showed her.

After adding more products to her hair to keep it moisturized, he put the rest of her hair into two ponytails and added the butterfly clips for the finishing touch. 

“All done, princess. Do you want to see it?”

She eagerly nodded as she had climbed into his lap as Jack pulled up his camera on his phone to show her.

Once she got a good look at her hair, she couldn’t stop smiling and dancing in the camera while making Jack laugh at the different poses that she was doing.

“I look pretty, daddy.” 

“You sure do.” Jack responded while kissing her cheek and setting her down on the floor to play with Axel as he scooped up Ivy into his arms knowing that she was going to put up a fight. 

She immediately started whimpering and squirming, but all Jack did was slide a cookie in her hand and she instantly went silent as she began to eat it.

By the time you got back home, it was around 4 in the afternoon and as soon as you stepped foot in the door, you were greeted once again by Ivy.

You took in the appearance of her hair and was impressed how Jack had done it all by himself without your help and the fact that she had any hair left was a good sign.

“Ooohh Ivy, look at your hair! Maybe daddy should open a salon huh?” You asked her as you picked her up. 

“Catch me at New York fashion week next year. I’m doing wigs and weaves next.” You heard Jack say as he was holding Autumn who was excited to show you her hair.

“And look at Autumn! Aww, my babies look so pretty. Good job, daddy!” You said as you reached up to kiss Jack. 

“At this rate if they want me to keep this up, I need to start charging.”

“I… Jackman! You aren’t not charging our kids for you to do their hair!”

“Why not?! They can pay a small service fee!”

“Lord, help me. I swear I cannot deal with you.”

“I can do yours next if you want. But um… I got the ultimate experience package for you.”  Jack said while eyeing you up and down and licking his lips.

“I’m going to act like I didn’t hear that.”

“You’ll fold by tonight. But uh we’ll take care of that first before I do your hair. Don’t want to sweat those curls out.” He said while leaning down to whisper in your ear making you earn a smirk on your face.

“But sweating it out is the fun part.” You whispered back as you leaned up to kiss him.

“Just wait until I put them to sleep.”

Taglist:

@harlowsbby

@babyharleezy

@hoodharlow

@stefansalvatoresgf

@jackiehollanderr

@primadxna-girl

@dessmxsworld

@cockslutslurper3000

@raelorns21

@variety-fangirl

@gbaabyyyy

@kamorsstuff

@harlowthot

@sinsandsuccubus

@curlyhairclub

@bootlegroach

@haylexo10

@thinkingaboutjharlow

@fluidsentiment

@charli123456789

@moody4world

@yourstrulymayah

@yana4life

@beanbagbitch

@alinaharlow

@carma-fanficaddict

@minaxcarter

@arination99

@xjup1t3r

@venusvinc

@jackharloww

@midnight-star47

@minkookie95

@inluvwithladybug

@exoticr0ses

@jharlowsangels

@jackierose902109

@knack4harlow

@cmalass

@megawhoree

@softtcurse

@sia2raw

@miniaturehideoutmentality

@hoya122

@nattinatalia

@jackslover12

@skyesthebomb

@jackharlows-world

@louisianalady

@fdl305

@automaticpeachsong

@harlowcomehome

@gassyandsassy1

@babygirlwilly

@amethyst09

@harrycanyonmoonn

@bout-mine

@tattered-tales

@sisiking99

@dessxoxsworld

@gillybear17

@jacksdaycare

@iheartharlow

@disaster-rose

@babyvinnie

@evansxchalamet

@chtkmyharlow​

@itsyagirljaz

@neon-lights-and-glitter

@awhore4moree

@a-moment-captured

@jackmans-poison

@valentinqee

@lightsoutstyles

@j-worlds-blog

@middlechild404

@0elliotswhore

@iknowdatsrightbih

@w1ldthoughts

@love2loveonme

@hufflewhore128

@shawtypoison

@fantasywritersstuff

@harlowtales

@lightsoutstyles

[epicbuddieficrecs]

Weekly Recap | April 15th-21st 2024

Warning you now that there won't be a recap next week because I'm gonna be on a birthday trip! (hello don't mind me I'm turning 30 this week 🙈). ((now that I think about it I could always post the recap on saturday. oh well. we'll see 😆))

Enjoy!

Complete

i'll fit you inside my future by withmeornotatall/ @chronicowboy (S7E5, BuckTommy | <1K | General): "Why'd you choose that abomination of a coffee for me?" And Buck groans just to hear Tommy laugh. "Really? What even was that?" "Black coffee four sugars," Buck mumbles, kicking a stone across the sidewalk sheepishly. "Jesus, Evan." Tommy's laugh is something special, loud and unrestrained and the sound of sunshine maybe. "Why?"

wild again, beguiled again by Maira/ @mairaiscarrierofthepaperclips (Post-S7E4, BuckTommy | 1K | General): The kiss had taken him out at the knees, a rush of lips and heat and just the barest hint of teeth, the graze of stubble not his own thrilling him in a way like nothing had before. Which was ridiculous, because the kiss hadn’t even been that long. He’d had longer kisses, hotter kisses. Kisses where Buck had very nearly forgotten his own name by the time they’d ended. And yet, this one kiss still had him smiling like a fool. ... or, the one after the kiss.

I gotta get that feeling by elless (Post-S7E5 | 1K | General): Buck watches his mouth as he speaks and the way his adam’s apple bobs when he swallows, and reminds himself to pay attention, because all of this is important. He wants to know everything. OR: what happens at the cafe after Buck's an eager beaver and asks Tommy to be his date at the madney wedding.

The New Normal by Tizniz/ @tizniz (Buck/Tommy/Eddie | 1,7K | General): While he had had a few drinks at the bar, Eddie hadn’t even been tipsy when Buck had blurted out those words: I think I’ve been dating both of you. That statement had settled in the middle of Eddie’s chest and burrowed into its new home, feeling so incredibly right in a way he’d never experienced before. (Part 3 of Buck's Boyfriends)

a good ally by thewolvesof1998/ @thewolvesof1998 (BuckTommy, PWP | 2K | Explicit): Tommy figures out Buck's humiliation kink by accident during sex and they explore it a bit.

everything’s growing in our garden by fleetinghearts/ @shitouttabuck (Post-S7E5, Pre-Buddie | 2K | Teen): eddie’s growing a garden. buck might be the most firmly planted thing in it.

every part of you (simple as that) by withmeornotatall/ @chronicowboy (BuckTommy, Madney Wedding | 2,8K | General): OR: buck comes out to chris, talks to tommy about the future, has realisations about the past and finds a little peace at the wedding

Lactose Intolerance by Rianne/ @rianneeyre (Drunken Confessions | 4K | Teen): After last night's tequila shots at the karaoke bar, Buck had just gone home and rolled into his too-big, too-comfortable, too-empty bed in his too-quiet loft, and he’d— Texted Eddie. He thinks. The memory is kind of vague.

Tell Me Anything by AnnaNSmith/ @annansmith (Near Death Experience, Love Confession | 5K | Teen): Or, how Buck shattered Eddie's entire world one night by confessing his love to him.

we don't know where this is going now (don't be afraid of heights, let me open your heart wide) by wikiangela/ @wikiangela (Post-S7E5, Tommy POV | 5K | General): Tommy cuts their first date short, but to his surprise he gets a call from Evan just a few days later.

Despite it all, I'm Happy by InsaneJuliann/ @marvelingjules (Established Buddie, Post-S4, Secret Relationship | 6K | Teen): Something's up with Buck, but he's not telling. No one else even seems to notice all the faked smiles and laughter, not like Eddie does. But he's afraid of pushing too hard. He's happier, lately. Chris, his family, the team - and especially Buck - make him happier than he's been in a long time. Eddie doesn't want to put that all at risk. Not now, while it still feels so new. (Part 12 of The Evolution of Buddie)

Be Yours if You'd be Mine by InsaneJuliann/ @marvelingjules (Established Buddie, Post-S4 | 5K | Mature): Things with Buck are good. Sure, Eddie's pretty sure that some days Buck is still hiding something from him, and sure, their relationship is still a secret to their friends. But there are moments where Eddie can only feel how right it is, Buck in his life, with his family and with Chris. And Eddie may not be able to put a word to the feeling he's been having lately, but he knows that his relationship with Buck isn't going anywhere. At least, Eddie was sure of that until he potentially fucked things up. Now, he's not sure where they stand, precisely. He's not sure if he's what Buck really wants, or if Buck's second guessing. They need to talk. The thing is, talking and vulnerability has never been Eddie's strong suit. (Part 13 of The Evolution of Buddie)

somebody i can kiss by Rianne/ @rianneeyre (Christmas, Getting Together, Post-S5 | 7K | Explicit): Buck might be a little touch-starved. And he knew that, but he was not prepared to deal with how the knowledge would interact with his newfound awareness of his crush on—no, realistically, his undying love for Eddie. Because now, whenever he sees Eddie, Buck just wants to shuffle close, bury his face in Eddie’s neck, and hold him. Every second he spends with his best friend, he’s either picturing that, or he’s imagining Eddie’s mouth on his dick, Eddie’s hands on his skin, Eddie’s fingers in his mouth— Anyway. The point is, he should not spend Christmas on a fucking sleepover with Eddie. But he’s gonna.

A Brief Interruption by Leslie_Knope (S7E5 Spec, BuckTommy but Buddie Endgame | 8K | Teen): The restaurant door squeaks again, which Buck ignores, but it’s accompanied by a little noise, just a hitch paired with a small intake of breath, which would be completely unremarkable if not for the fact that Buck has heard that sound a thousand times and would recognize it anywhere. He turns his head, abruptly enough that Tommy’s mouth briefly mashes against his cheek. “Eddie,” Buck says, his voice squeaky and weird. His brain is just pure static, partly from the kiss and partly because Eddie is standing six feet away, eyes wide, staring like he’s never seen him before.

Take These Little Pebbles One by One by giselleslash/ @gigi-gigi (Post-S7E5, Endgame Buddie | 9K | Teen): Eddie tells Buck nothing will change between the two of them, except it does. He feels Buck quickly slipping away so he starts to steal pieces of him back. Literally. Or, the one where Eddie has a couple of come to Jesus moments courtesy of Christopher and Tommy, a bit of an emotional breakdown, and a lot of feelings about Evan Buckley’s dentist appointments and where his socks belong.

all I want (your eyes on mine) by bigfootsmom/ @bigfootsmom (Buck/Tommy/Eddie, PWP | 10K | Explicit): Buck is lying there, Eddie instantly recognizes the head of honey blond curls resting on the arm of the couch. But the head of short brown curls between Buck’s shaking thighs takes a second longer to place. But then they look up, blue eyes going comically wide as they lock onto Eddie. Tommy Kinard is on Buck’s couch. He’s on Buck’s couch between Buck’s thighs with his lips wrapped around Buck’s cock. The one where Eddie yearns, Buck pines, and Tommy just wants to have a good time.

🔥 give your heart and soul to charity by 42hrb/ @exhuastedpigeon (Post-S7E5, Sexuality Crisis | 12K | Teen): “It’s been a while since you asked for an emergency session,” Frank says, voice even as always. “Can I ask what brought this on?” “I think I just dumped god,” Eddie says and then he bursts out laughing. He can’t control it, he knows he sounds manic, like he’s somewhere between laughter and a breakdown, edging closer to the breakdown. “Holy shit I did dump god.” “I’m going to need just a little more than that,” Frank says and his face looks torn between concern and amusement. OR Eddie dumps God, gets some more therapy, accepts parts of himself he was taught to hate, loves his best friend, and loves himself.

Buck up, Buttercup by etlagiapet/ @etlagiapet (Canon Divergent, ~S5 | 14K | Mature): “God, you’d probably make a good writer for an advice column. You’re so earnest and optimistic, and you want to help people literally all the time.” Buck blinks at her, frozen with his beer halfway to his lips. His stomach does this thing, an excited little lurch that happens when he gets ahead of himself, but he can’t help it. He clears his throat and manages to ask, “Uh, really?”

Breaking news: LA firefighters in love by AnnaNSmith/ @annansmith (Taylor POV, ~S5, Getting Together | 19K | General): “In an incredible turn of events firefighter Buckley is alive and mostly unharmed. What could have ended in a devastating tragedy finds its happy ending after all. What an absolute relief that firefighter Buckley made it out alive and that we now see-” Taylor turns around, only to come to a stuttering stop at witnessing the spectacle in front of her “-my boyfriend kissing his best friend.” Or, Taylor gets a second shot at accompanying the 118 for another segment and notices that her boyfriend is a lot closer to his best friend than she remembers.

🔥 drink the river dry by Rianne/ @rianneeyre (Post Shooting, Getting Together | 32K | Explicit): It wasn’t until they were discussing his discharge paperwork and painkiller schedules that it really sunk in for Eddie that Buck would be staying with him and Christopher. That he would be around 24/7 except for his shifts at work. That he’ll sleep on the couch, where he’s been sleeping for days now to look after Christopher. The worst part is that it’s necessary—Eddie isn’t going to be able to do a damn thing for himself for the next couple of weeks. He’s lucky if he can put a shirt on by himself a month from now. Yeah, that’s going to be a problem. Or: Eddie gets shot, breaks up with his girlfriend, and pines like there’s no tomorrow.

🔥 The Heart Opening Sequence by Leslie_Knope (Post-S3, Getting Together | 34K | Mature): Eddie’s handsome, that’s obvious, Buck clocked that the second he met him. Part of him still can’t really believe that the guy he was so threatened by at first ended up as his closest friend, which is why these weird twinges are so unsettling. Buck isn’t sure if they’re real, for one, these odd flashes of what it would be like to lean over and kiss Eddie while they’re watching a movie or brush a hand over his back while they’re in the kitchen. And for two, it’s so far out of the realm of possibility that it’s barely worth thinking about.

🔥 everything (nothing) has changed by bizarrestars (Post-S4, Love Confessions | 48K | Explicit): After Eddie gets shot, Buck confesses his love. From there, things get a little out of hand.

🔥 let it pour out of your soul series by Rianne/ @rianneeyre (Magical Realism AU, Witch Eddie | 3 works | 71K | Complete):

collectively unconsciously composed (S4E6: Jinx | 46K | Explicit): Or: in which the author re-watched Buck Begins and Jinx and thought: what if this was gayer and had actual magic?

that systematic drug (PWP | 5K | Explicit): Eddie’s mouth goes dry when he opens the door and sees Buck. He’s clean-shaven and with his hair carefully styled back, smiling at Eddie sweetly and a little teasingly. Buck is wearing his dark jeans and his light blue v-neck polo shirt, the one that’s tight enough that it shows off the bulge of his biceps and the definition of his pecs and abs. Eddie knows this shirt. Buck's favourite, because he knows he looks good in it.

something binding us together (Established Buddie | 20K | Teen): Or: Eddie plans a long-avoided visit to his parents, discovers some things about his magic, and begins to build his family a home in LA's witching community.

Podfic

🔥 [podfic] tomorrow will always and forever now be today (tomorrow is our always and forever) by Matriaya // fic by @chronicowboy (Post-S6, Time Loop | 5-6h | Mature): "Think I can get a hug from my best man on my wedding day?" he asks, quietly hopeful in a way that makes Eddie want to tear off his skin. "Sure," Chris replies with a shrug, turning to throw Eddie a cheeky grin. "Dad, Buck needs a hug." (OR: eddie gets trapped in a time loop on the day buck marries natalia)

🔥 my certainty is wild, weaving [Podfic] by blackglass/ @blackestglitter for tuckergreeen/ @henwilsonmd (Post-S5A, Hurt Buck | 45-60min | Teen): “Eddie,” Carla says softly. “You could have called. We would’ve met you at the hospital.” He shakes his head. “No. I didn’t—uh. I didn’t go to the hospital.” He feels the way Carla’s hand goes still. “Eddie.” It’s not nearly as soft-spoken this time. “You didn’t go see him? Or Chim? Your team?” “They’re not my team,” Eddie says, almost without thinking. He winces as soon as the words are out. Or: Buck is hurt, Eddie is worried, and everything is broken.

[podfic] i was supposed to sweat you out (i think there's been a glitch) by half_bakedboy/@half-bakedboy // fic by @loserdiaz (Canon Divergent, Fire Academy | 45-60min | Explicit): "What's your problem, man?" "You. You're my fucking problem, Diaz." There were a lot of problems with Eddie Diaz, if you ask Buck. The guy is obnoxiously good at everything without even trying, he's too perfect, too confident. And the biggest problem of them all: Eddie's an attractive asshole that features more often than not in Buck's filthiest dreams. or; The Buck and Eddie meet at the fire academy, rivals to lovers fic.

🔥 Like Any Unloved Thing [Podfic] by ReformedTsunderePodfics/ @film-in-my-soul // fic by @hmslusitania (Urban Fantasy/Noir AU, PI Eddie, Ghost Buck | 1.5-2h | Mature): After the war, Eddie Diaz opened his own private investigation business here in LA and usually he does alright for himself. But this case, the one with the Buckley siblings, is going to crawl under his skin and stay there. It's going to change his life. He has no idea how.

[Podfic] If I Risk It All (Could You Break My Fall?) by liketherestofla, MistMarauder/@gracieryder for Princessfbi/ @princessfbi (James Bond AU | 4.5-5h | Explicit): “This is Buck,” Bobby said when Buck’s tongue refused to unstick from the top of his mouth. “Your new quartermaster.” Eddie’s eyes— brown with just a glint of green if you caught them in the right light— widened before he scanned Buck with another sweeping assessment. “You’re—” Buck had heard it all before. “Not all of us nerds are the skinny kids that used to get picked on in high school.”

🔥 Hot Ghost Problems by ebjameston [Podfic] by Rhea314 (Rhea)/ @rhea314 // fic by @ebjameston (Canon Divergent, S2, Ghost Buck, Witch Eddie | 5-6h | Teen): Eddie is the newest firefighter at the 118. Buck is the ghost haunting the 118. Unfortunately for both of them, Eddie's also a witch and needs to put Buck's spirit to rest, because that's what witches do. Turns out, Buck's spirit? Super not interested in being put to rest. Very interested, however, in flirting with Firefighter Diaz, who is just trying to survive his candidate year. (Also turns out, Buck? Super not dead.)

WIP

Kiss Me Once Cause You Know I Had A Long Night by I_still_dont_understand_13 / @dangerpronebuddie (Prompt collection | 30/? | 19K | Teen): 100 kiss prompts.

30. 70. what if i told you none of it was accidental: An accidental kiss that confuses you both, but only a moment passes before you crash your lips back against each other's

What’s Your Order? by JJK/ @trenchcoatsandtimetravel (Post-S7E5, BuckTommy | 3/6 | 6K | Teen): 5 Times Buck Guessed Tommy’s Coffee Order + 1 Time He Didn’t Have To

🔥 Cowboy With a One Track Mind by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Canon Divergence, Not A Firefighter Buck | 2/4 | 11K | Mature): Spin-off Sequel to Evan Buckley & the Coma-Verse of Madness - Chapter 7 (Land): Grieving and tortured, Evan Buckley has been living alone in Montana in a remote cabin for nearly a decade. After an incident that leaves him missing six months of his life, and suddenly in connection with a group of strangers from Los Angeles, Evan must decide whether to remain in his self-imposed exile, or take a chance at life again.

🔥 Any Other Way by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Canon Divergent, S2 | 9/18 | 49K | Mature): In a switcheroo alternate universe, Buck spends young adulthood in the military, while Eddie, who has no idea Christopher exists, spends his twenties messing around, finally enjoying freedom away from his family’s expectations. When they both end up in Los Angeles, at the 118, some things are different, and others will be the same in any universe.

[irisintheafterglow]

HAND THREE - TWO PAIR

summary: in a season where you're determined to fly under the radar, newly-returned crown prince!touya todoroki has other ideas. in this hand, a date is had.

wc: 2.5k

cw/tags: royalty!au/regency!au, fem!reader, some swearing, banter and dialogue driven, fake dating, pining and tension, todoroki enji jumpscare LOL

note: the two wolves living inside me is one wanting to rush the hell out of slow burn and the other telling me to make it painfully slow. however, i broke a little and made the pining a little obvious in this chapter oops. one day i will achieve the emotional release of s2 bridgerton bee sting scene. hope you enjoy !!!!

likes, reblogs, and replies are appreciated <3

“Show.” 

“You first.”

“I’m royalty.”

“And I have the higher stack. Now, show,” you repeat and he scoffs, the corner of his mouth tugging upward and creasing the deep purple scars on his cheek. He turns his two cards face-up and, sure enough, you’d snatched another victory from the self-proclaimed Prince of Calculation. “I win again,” you smile and he begrudgingly pushes the pot to your side of the table, an amalgamation of garden pebbles, stray buttons, and a few gold coins you managed to produce. You were using whatever you had to gamble and the prince didn’t seem to mind. Touya, you remind yourself. You were supposed to call him by his first name throughout this whole charade, but it seemed as foreign on your tongue as a protruding third set of teeth. 

“You’re a much more dangerous woman than you give yourself credit for,” he muses with a clever glint in his eyes. Over the course of the last month or so, you’d accumulated an immunity to his unwavering stares and scalding eyes; lately, it actually seemed you found a certain affinity for his intense nature, even when you were its only target. His sweetly poisonous words were the latest test to your composure. “If we dressed you as a man for the night, we could relieve an entire club of their purses before the clock strikes ten.” His pretty fingers dealt another two cards and you peeked at them from the bottom of your vision. Queen of hearts and two of clubs. Not the best hand. 

“Hmm. How much of the pot would you use to bail me out for invading said club?” You lay out the first three cards, the flop, and flip the first over before betting a conservative amount. Four of diamonds. 

“Who ever said anything about bail? I’d just sneak you out. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time,” he answers, calling your bet, and you can’t tell if he’s kidding. It was another piece you were still trying to solve of the puzzle that was the prince of the Todoroki family, how he joked so casually about breaking laws and dodging authority. The nonchalance of his recklessness made your stomach turn, sometimes, but you couldn’t tell if it was from fear or intrigue. You flip the second card of the flop. Two of hearts. A pair, if all else failed. You just had to hope he didn’t have anything either. 

“For a royal, you seem to know a concerning amount about rule breaking. Do you have any intent to corrupt me?” 

“By the end of our courtship, possibly.” Jack of diamonds. Not what you were hoping for as the third card, by any means. A flash of excitement lights up behind your opponent’s eyes, too purposeful to be genuine. You mentally added his poker tells to the never-ending list of things to figure out about him, right under the number of crimes he’s committed against the government. Tossing in a few medium-value flower petals, you’re unsurprised when he matches your bet again. 

“Our courtship which, I’ll remind you, is causing quite the stir in the ton,” you point out while revealing the turn. Seven of hearts. You try not to let your disappointment in your current hand show on your face. The prince, you notice, looks like he’s trying a little too hard to contain his excitement. “You know, I suspect they might be rooting for us.”

“That’d be a new experience for me. Never received too much support in my endeavors before.” He places a high bet and you have no choice but to match it. If you were right about him lying, you would learn something new about his poker strategy; but, if you were wrong, you wouldn’t hear the end of it for the rest of the day. You flip the river and your heart stutters. Two of diamonds. You’re careful with your next bet, knowing that three of a kind wasn’t the best or worst hand you could create. The prince, however, pushes his entire hoard into the pot with a challenge in his eyes. He was trying to force you to fold. 

You match the bet and reveal your hand. 

Two pair versus three of a kind. The prince was bluffing, and you won again.

“At least this time, you’re not alone.” The admission is obvious but still catches both of you off-guard when you say it. You’re about to apologize for being too sentimental when that unreadable look passes over his face again, sudden as a lightning strike and gone just as quickly. 

“I guess you’re right,” he murmurs, relinquishing the remaining pot of knick-knacks to you. “Though I will say, having my ass handed to me in a card game was not a part of my plan.”

“A woman with intellect is never part of a man’s plan, yet she prevails all the same,” you conclude and he hums in agreement, collecting the remaining cards and slotting them back into their box. A concerning thought occurs to you and you glance around the secluded palace courtyard with new-found suspicion. His eyes follow your own, watching you keenly in a way that was both comforting and unsettling. 

“What is it?” 

“Will the servants not whisper about a woman playing a man’s game?” 

“They will whisper that you won, and that is what matters,” he states like a well-known fact. “Why? Is something bothering you about them?” 

“No, I’m just mulling over this whole arrangement again.” You wave him off dismissively and take another sip of lemonade from your teacup. A drink which, when you’d finally agreed to meet the prince at the palace for a day, he ordered presumably because you both shared a distaste for tea. “How odd it is and how people gossip so.”

“A lady beating the prince at poker is hardly a scandal compared to what transpired last week,” he recalls with terribly-hidden amusement, breaking off a piece of scone and smearing a glob of berry preserves onto it. “Wouldn’t you agree?” Your cheeks heat when you think of the memory and you snap your fan open to cool yourself and hide your burning face. It certainly wasn’t your proudest moment, to say the least. 

“Would you like me to retrieve a stick to keep your competition at bay?” You had jokingly asked, following his distracted gaze. It was your third ball of the season and your third public appearance with the prince; both you and your co-conspirator were forced to acknowledge the increasing number of interested suitors trying to pry you away. Dances, you found, were one of the few moments where other men weren’t climbing over each other for your attention. The only problem was being forced to share breathing space with him for an extended period of time. “Your Highness, why are you glaring like that?”

“I said to stop calling me that, and I’m not glaring,” he mumbled, very obviously glaring and avoiding your eyes. His hand stiffens around your waist, making your already-awkward distance from him more uncomfortable. It didn’t take long to notice that he was a fine dancer when he was with any other partner but you, and you figured it was because being in such close proximity was not part of your agreement. You raise a skeptical eyebrow, finally making him look at you when the silence indicates your displeasure. “Pay me no mind. I am only–”

“Moping like a kicked dog, that’s what you’re doing,” you interject and, in a blink, you’re back in another standoff with his intense stare.

“I don’t recall when you gained the right to comment on my behaviors so crassly.” Your eyebrows pinch, taken aback by his sudden hostility. His eyes were always burning, like embers in a fireplace, and it felt like the longer you looked at them, the less likely you’d be able to pull away. After a few moments of staring him down, you back off with a frustrated huff. You think you feel some of the tension leave him, too. 

“If we are to keep up this ruse in a believable manner, I suggest you confide in me from time to time, especially if it causes you to act in unfavorable ways,” you state simply, your irritation obvious. 

“You know nothing of my unfavorable ways.” The venom in his voice makes your heart sink, against your own judgment. His expression doesn’t soften, but his voice does. “Trust me. It’s not your burden to bear,” he says in a low tone and goosebumps spread across your arms, despite the fabric of your gloves and the sleeves of your dress. He meets your eyes and you could have sworn his gaze flickers to the neckline of your gown, but the action, like so many of his movements, is too quick to comment on. “So, let’s keep to our sides of the street, shall we?” 

“You’re insufferable,” you hiss, letting your politely smiling face slip as the strings conclude the dance. “Enjoy the rest of the evening. I feel a bit faint.” The muscles in his jaw clenches and you turn on your heel to beeline for an exit when a strong hand grabs you by the wrist and pulls you backward. Before you can register where you’re moving, your hand is placed firmly on his forearm and you’re a split-second from slapping him when–

“Touya.” Shit. With a blank mind, you remember to curtsy from pure muscle memory, dipping deeply toward the ground while the prince bends at the waist.

“Good evening, Father.” Touya’s voice becomes empty, devoid of all sarcasm, teasing, and charm. A glance at his face tells the same tale, blank and emotionless. The only indication of his true thoughts came the slight shake in his arm and how he unconsciously tugged you closer and closer to his side. You let yourself be pulled in and your free hand moved on its own, coming to rest on top of his and running your thumb over his knuckles. He exhales shakily. “Father, this is–”

“I know who you are,” he says before you could be properly introduced, making your nostrils flare. The man besides you bristles and you wonder how such a hard-faced, stoic man could make such a reckless and carefree son. You’d never seen King Todoroki except in victory parades and newsprints of his alliance with King All Might, but you could recognize the family’s flaming eyes from miles away. You decided that, no matter how irritating the prince was, his father was lower on your ranking of the Todoroki royals. “Should you marry, are you aware of the responsibility of being the wife of a king?” 

“I believe she is called a queen, Your Majesty,” you hear yourself say before you can stop yourself. From beside you, the prince makes a noise somewhere between a choke and a snort, and you direct your attention to the floorboards in hopes of surviving the king’s scathing reply. Despite the chatter of the party around you, it feels like your words were echoing off the gilded ceilings. The reprimand, however, never comes. The king turns back to his son with a look of suppressed wrath before turning and stalking away, a crowd of nobles crowing for his attention. 

“I can’t believe you just did that,” he whispers in disbelief as he hurriedly guides you out of the hall and into one of the manor’s gardens, still within sight of nosy mothers but out of their earshot. Your hand hasn’t left his arm, nor has he tried to pry it off. If anything, you click into his side like a missing puzzle piece, and you’re confusingly reluctant to let go. “That was the worst possible way you could have answered that question,” the prince continues and your stomach turns. 

“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you,” you reply with poorly masked shame, lowering your head and letting him walk ahead. Your hand detaches from his arm and you’re struck by the sudden lack of warmth. He turns sharply to look at you, looks back at his empty arm, and then back at you before closing the few feet between you. His eyes were burning into you again but he said nothing, watching you watch the blades of grass surrounding your shoes. Your voice is as quiet as the swaying summer wind. “If I have jeopardized our plan, I understand if you–”

“Stop,” he commands, and it takes a moment to register his gloved fingers under your chin, gently but firmly tilting your head to look at him. Your eyes trace the jagged lines of where his skin meets his scars and the world around you quiets. “I am…the opposite of angry with your actions.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not an easy task, talking back to my father. Yet, you performed it as easily as breathing,” he explains with a soft awe in his expression that made your breath catch in your chest. 

“I guess I’ve had good practice, countering your arguments for the better half of the summer,” you agree hesitantly. What the hell was this feeling? For whatever reason, the world around you temporarily faded to static noise and blurred paintings, with the only decipherable images being the man in front of you. “So, you’re not unhappy with my behavior around your father?”

“I have never been prouder to be seen with you,” he reassures you and you finally crack a smile, his hand leaving your face and his feet stepping back to a respectful distance. “On another note, can you recall what we were arguing about before we were interrupted?”

“I can’t, unfortunately. I believe I was about to leave you alone on the dance floor to mingle with other suitors,” you joke and, though his expression remains relaxed, his eyes darken subtly. 

“I wouldn’t let them so much as breathe in your direction,” he declares, your breath becoming stuck in your lungs again. “Plus, you were saying that you required a stick to fight them off.”

“I did not say I required a stick,” you counter, lightheartedly bumping your shoulder against his while you make your way back into the manor. He merely smiles, a rare, genuine smile. “Though, I would like to apologize for my brash observations.” 

“You are forgiven.”

“Thank you,” you exhale, following him to the refreshments table.

“And…”

“Nevermind,” you backtrack, but he continues nonetheless.

“As reparation for insinuating that I act like an abused animal–”

“Which you do,” you retort quietly and he chuckles, shaking his head. 

“Next week, you will accompany me in receiving a visiting ally prince,” he says. “As it would be dreadfully boring to do alone and you, thankfully, bruised my ego, I will be dragging you with me on his guided tour of the kingdom’s market district.” 

“Must I really attend?”

“Who’s acting like the kicked dog now?” He smirks and you have no choice but to go along with his plan. Now, after several rounds of beating his royal ass in poker, it was time for you to leave and prepare for the social night between the Takami and Todoroki kingdoms. 

if you enjoy my writing and would like to support me, you can buy me a coffee on my ko-fi! you can also check out my full masterlist here :)

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 48 (He Had Him At Hello, Bromance Edition)

Leaving her friends in Old New Henford after dark, Heather, Ash, and Conrad returned to her childhood home with her parents.

They found River and Cassandra still in their work clothes, the two having spent most of the evening trying to get their infant son to sleep. "Doctor Scott says its a phase, it'll pass, but when he doesn't sleep well, we don't sleep well," lamented River. "These days we're thrilled if he sleeps for more than two hours at a time."

Conrad already felt at ease around her siblings, and Heather left them chatting upstairs while her parents showed her the new plants in their always impressive garden. When Michael woke up fussy, she soothed him back to sleep to give his tired parents a break.

Upstairs, River studied Conrad with keen interest. His sister's taste in men had always been a little...off, and he wanted to be sure this one deserved her. "Driving between San Myshuno and Brindleton Bay must not be easy."

"We make it work," said Conrad. "We're waiting for me to get a transfer, but all that driving can be pretty tiring."

"Sometimes I dance just to keep myself awake," said Cass, grooving a little to the music. "Since I left the art studio to help my mother-in-law with her floral business, it's been a bit easier working from home. I never realized the artistry involved in floral arranging, but I can be just as creative with a bouquet of flowers as I can with a palette of acrylics!"

Conrad couldn't relate, but he empathized with their lack of sleep. "I don't know much about raising kids, but Ash likes a story I tell him that my mom used to read to me when I was a kid. The Giving Tree."

"I love that story," Cassandra mused. "I think I saw a copy at the bookstore in the square."

River nodded. "I'll try anything. I'll pick up a copy tomorrow." Despite his fatigue, River's wall crumbled as he got to know Conrad. "What made you think our sister was worth risking your career?"

The question was sincere. Conrad had asked himself the same thing a thousand times. "At first I thought it was because her son needed her more than the Landgraabs needed a win, but then they dropped the charges and I couldn't stop thinking about her. I booked a vet appointment four hours out of the way just to run into her again."

"Why didn't you ask her out, then?"

"River, stop interrogating him," Hazel pushed, but Conrad smiled.

"I wanted to, but I knew she'd been through a lot and I wanted her to be sure she was ready. I sort of knew it would be it for me if I knew she was interested."

"It's a good thing Holly intervened," said Hazel, smiling. "You might still be waiting for her, otherwise."

River grinned. "He definitely would be."

Hazel left to meet Nicola and some friends at the Gnome's Arms, and River and Cassandra finally changed and sat down to dinner. Because they could know no peace, Ash talked their ear off about dinosaurs. "Conerd say t-rex no swim, we safe," he babbled. "T-rex roar!"

"You know there were less scary dinosaurs," River said. "Smaller ones who ate plants. Also big ones. Like brontosaurus."

Ash listened with intense curiosity. "Bront-so-us?"

"Yeah, they were even bigger than your dad's apartment."

Cassandra stifled a laugh. "River, hush."

They were interrupted when Michael woke again from his nap, wailing from the bedroom. With her plate still full of food, Cass left to tend to her son as Heather walked into the kitchen. "We should probably head out. It'll still be an hour on the Simmerloop at this time of night, and we should get Ash to bed before midnight."

Cassandra brought Michael outside for their goodbyes, but the fussy infant didn't last long in the cool autumn air.

River, meanwhile, had found a new best friend in Conrad. "When I found out my sister was dating a cop I wasn't sure what to think, but now I'm pretty confident you've never played bad cop in your life."

Conrad shrugged. "I mean, I don't see the point. It doesn't get me to the truth any faster. But I admire what you and your father do. Building green infrastructure for your community is just as important as what I do."

River laughed. "Please, don't flatter me. You deal with hardened criminals like my sister."

Daisy turned to Heather as they watched River bond with Conrad. "Riv grew up with a house full of sisters, but I think he always secretly wanted a brother."

When Conrad left to get the car, River turned to Heather. "I recognize the way he looks at you, and he's not going anywhere unless you tell him to. I know you like to think you're better off single, protecting your independence, but he's the guy who's perfect for you. You and Conrad finding each other is one in a million, like the day I met Cassandra. He's your Cassandra."

(Can confirm, Jane Simsten's Soulmates mod kicked in for these two way back on the night they ran into each other with Holly and Kris in San Myshuno, but Heather's unflirty and she's been burned in the past, so it's had to be this way. I'm sorry!)

River's beautiful wife gazed at him with love while he spoke. They were so sweet together, and their love used to make Heather feel like she was missing out. Now she had Conrad, who was as close to perfect as anyone she'd ever met, and she couldn't shake her insecurities.

"I know raising Ash with his father isn't easy and you're afraid to get hurt again," River said. "But that is a guy who's waiting for you to say 'I love you' so he can say it, too."

Neal frowned. "Huck, you don't know that. Don't test your sister's emotions-"

"I do know that, and I'd die on Old Mill Hill defending that take!"

"He makes me so happy," Heather admitted. "But what if he moves in and I find out he's a criminal mastermind masquerading as a detective?"

"Then you're even more perfect for each other than I thought."

Heather couldn’t deny her feelings for Conrad, as afraid as she was to put them into words and make them real.

Despite her fears, she was grateful for her family's approval, and she embraced her brother warmly when Conrad brought his car around. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: This got it's own post because Conrad and River literally said hello to each other and were basically best friends (they became official best friends later, when it mattered for Conrad's Friend of the World aspiration. tbh by then I thought they already were but either something glitched or broke with the Lovestruck patches or I never bothered and forgot). Their instant bromance felt so right - River looks up to his older sister and wants the best for her even though he can't help but tease her, and he and Conrad are both responsible guys focused on bettering their communities. It's a perfect match and I loved this development.

[oh-my-frog]

Badger spotted !!!

[palebluewords]

The Sanctuary

Summary: You've found yourself in the fabled Sanctuary. Now that you are in the wolf's den, what more will you discover?

Part Six of Dead Weight: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five

A/N: Phew, it's been a while! I don't know if or when I'll update again, but this is a story I've been circling back to over the past couple years when I've gotten the inspiration and it means a lot to me that anyone's read it. If you've read in the past two years, thank you :)

There was a moment of silence as you took in Michael’s words. He had not only thwarted the witches again, but also isolated you from joining forces with them. Both of you were now beyond their reach. From the smirk on his face, this was the plan all along.

“You son of a bitch!” you roared, letting your control slip. In the skylight, lightning streaked across the night sky, and a bellow of thunder shook the room. Michael quickly steadied himself, relishing in your fury. “They were right there! Why did you-”

“Oh Miss Y/L/N,” he tutted. “Did you really think I would leave you behind? You’re the most valuable export from that hellhole.” Mead, overcoming her shock at her new surroundings, returned to Michael’s side.

“Michael,” she murmured. “What’s so special about Miss Y/L/N that we couldn’t kill her with the others?” Michael regarded her respectfully as he answered.

“I have my reasons, Mead. Right now, we have to prepare our newest addition to the Sanctuary for her introduction tomorrow morning.” You stumbled to your knees, aghast.

“But,” you sputtered. “What about the witches? They’re still looking for you at the Outpost-”

“You’ll forgive me if I'm in no rush to participate in their little last stand,” Michael dismissed your concerns.

“But, you wanted them dead! After everything that’s  happened-”

“They will get what’s coming to them, believe me. But right now, there’s more pressing developments to attend to, now will you please stand up?” Slowly, you rose to your feet, staring him down. Looking at him, you noticed how different he looked now that you had abandoned the harsh lighting of the Outpost. Here, the moonlight made him look ethereal, a ghost who looked through you in the last living garden in the world. You tore your gaze away, chilled.

“What do you plan to do with me?” you asked, voice low. “Because I assure you, you won’t be able to stop me from leaving here.”

“Oh please,” he scoffed. “Drop the theatrics. I left your friends in Outpost Three to waste, the world outside remains ash and dust and God on high still doesn’t want you. There’s nothing for you outside of this Sanctuary.”

“Then why the fuck did you bring me here?!” you spat at him.

“All in due time, but I can assure you it’s not nearly as nefarious as what you’re thinking.”

“This is cheating!” you exclaimed, causing another strike of lightning. “The Outpost…that was supposed to be where everything was settled, you knew that damn well when Cordelia was at the doorstep!” Michael laughed.

“Cheating, Miss Y/L/N, really?” Then, with the controlled force of a conductor, he swung his hand up toward the skylight, and metal paneling came out to cover it up, closing out the view of the storm you had brought on. Now the light was much dimmer, Michael all but a specter against the darkness. “Do you really expect me to play by your rules? You don’t even know what they are. As it happens, the little showdown you and Cordelia had planned for me was merely an inconvenience that I didn’t have time for. I was anxious to return home.” The last word fell out of his mouth awkwardly, tripping you up. Of all the words he could have used for this place, why go for that? 

You shook your head, your frustrations finally taking their toll. What were you even doing anymore? 

Your path has become more and more oblique, with no hope of an end to your mission on earth. Time and time you’ve sought to prove your worth, and you’ve failed. You began to cry.

Michael froze as Mead stepped back, repulsed. You hid your face in your hands, quietly sobbing. Then, with a short roar, you sounded a thunderclap that vibrated through the room. This is what you’re reduced to, wailing in the stronghold of your enemy, your hopes of joining forces with your only allies shattered. You heard Michael shuffle toward Mead before speaking.

“The door out is that way, if you see anyone, ask for Josephine and tell her I’m here.”

“Michael,” Mead prodded. “Are you alright with this one?”

A pause before his answer. “Of course I am, just get Josephine and this will all be taken care of.” Mead stayed a moment, before finally obeying her orders and quitting the room. You wiped your eyes, useless creature you were.

“Oh,” Michael’s voice taunted you. “Come now, angel. How is this going to solve your problems?”

“Damn you,” you seethed. “I was supposed to be with them! I was there to help them beat you and you ruined it.”

“If it’s any comfort,” Michael lilted. “You could never have won. Cordelia was never any match for me, why do you think she never tried to take me head on herself?” Hearing him say this made you halt your crying, having remembered all the cards in your hand.

“Not just Cordelia,” you sniffled, your voice clear and low.

“I’m sure she had all the other remains of her coven along for the ride as well,” Michael said dismissively. “But it still doesn’t matter. They’re all easy pickings to me. I would have destroyed them just as I did the rest.” You lifted your head, your eyes staring vacantly up at him. 

“Of course,” you said. “I remember.” Then, adding before Michael could ask. “I was there, you know. When you attacked Miss Robichaux’s academy. I escaped with Cordelia. I felt you there.” Another pause. You couldn’t see Michael’s face in the dark, but you could guess he was keeping his guard up as he took this in.

“You really are her friend, then,” you could picture the smirk playing on his lips. “And you kept it to yourself so well. I guess it makes sense now, I suppose I felt you too that day. I felt something...unpleasant. Of course, I didn’t realize it was you then. It’s a shame you took off, it would have been a delight to meet you in the waking world then.” You scoffed. “Alright then, who else managed to leave with you? I can’t quite remember who all I did away with that day.” This comment made your lip curl in disgust.

“Oh you know,” you said. “There was Myrtle, and Madison, who I know you’ve met. And these other two witches who were fairly newer. Coco and Mallory were their names.” You smiled at him. “One of them was going to be the next Supreme, you know. How convenient that you took off, giving her all the more time to build her powers.”

Dead silence. You couldn’t help but chuckle at what you’ve dropped on him. Serves him right for walking out on his own reckoning. He has to miss out on all the revelations that come with it. Finally, he spoke again.

“I suppose I’ve come to accept that you’re going to keep surprising me,” he said slowly. “But to think that Cordelia managed to fool me…and Coco Vanderbilt of all people-!” Was he actually…embarrassed? You were fully grinning now.

“If it makes you feel better, I don’t think the ruse was intentional on her part. I think Cordelia wiped their memories before the apocalypse…but yes, you had a very powerful Supreme under your nose, and now you’ve left her behind to continue to plan your downfall. Scary, isn’t it?” You chuckled, rolling your eyes. “And to think, you could’ve eliminated that threat this whole time, but I guess I was just too interesting, wasn’t I?”

“Angel,” Michael seethed at you. “As troubling as you want this news to be, I’m not changing course. If your witch friends still want me, let them try and find me again. Until then, make yourself comfortable.”

“Fuck you,” you hissed. “If you really think that I’m going to just sit here-” The door to the garden reopened, letting the outside light break inside of it. In stepped Ms.Mead, trailing behind a tall and slender woman. Her blonde hair was pulled into a loose braid that fell over her shoulder, and she wore a light blue nightgown. She looked between the two of you, the sleep falling away from her eyes, confusion taking its place.

“Michael,” she whispered, a slight accent on her voice. “Is this-?”

“Josephine!” Michael greeted, immediately painting a smile on his face. “How good to see you again. This is Y/N Y/L/N of Outpost Three.” He took you by your shoulders- you flinched at his touch, but the fabric of your dress protected you from any real sting- and walked you over to them. “Our newest neighbor. Would you be so kind as to show her to one of the empty rooms? Preferably one of the ones in the west side of the facilities.”

“O-of course!” she responded, looking at you with wide eyes. Michael stopped just at her side to give his last order.

“Oh, and when you’re done: fetch de Flores and tell him we need to speak. It’s most urgent.” Josephine nodded, and he walked off. You watched him as he disappeared down the hall.

               With that, Josephine hurried you through the halls of the Sanctuary. You were equal parts impressed and disgusted by the marble walls and pillars. The bright white, in contrast to the dim yellow of the outpost, was both refreshing and blinding.

       Eventually, you were ushered into a bedroom, one of the most beautiful you'd ever seen. If not for the lack of windows, it would have been indistinguishable from a bedroom in a palace. In lieu of windows, however, were detailed paintings that looked to be of Renaissance persuasion.

    "I believe these are one of the more special rooms," Josephine remarked as she scurried out. "Congratulations. Make yourself at home." Hearing that word made the hairs of your neck stand. With that, she was gone.

      You took in the room. The fully furnished sitting area, the four-poster king bed, and the biblical painting of Adam and Eve in the wall all made you want to vomit. What a hell you've placed yourself in, and worse yet, you know you've only scratched the surface of it. You were in completely uncharted waters, and on Michael's terms.

You could not stay here. You resolved to go at that moment. Whatever was outside the Sanctuary was outside Michael’s reach also. You would rather wander the scourged earth haplessly than live under Michael’s watchful eye, waiting for the board to move again. You sat on your plush bed, and used your powers to lose an hour. You blinked once it was done, then changed out of the Purple dress. As unideal as the white nightgown laid out on your bed was, the purple dress was ten times worse for moving around. You stripped off the dress, put on the nightgown, and then put the purple jacket over it to feel less exposed. Then, you set out into the Sanctuary to find an escape.

The place seemed even more like a maze without Josephine to guide you through it. You mused that if Gabriel was here, he could use the angelic omniscience that you still lacked to chart a course out. Alas, you were still of that different, lesser make. You would have to search on foot.

A fruitless endeavor. The grand halls seemed to swallow you immediately, the bright lights teasing you around every corner. You passed the supposed ballroom what seemed to be a dozen times. You saw the ceiling in it and thought it must stretch for miles.  Painting after painting seemed to repeat so much that soon enough they started to blend together. Every time you thought you were trying a new path, you found yourself in the same godforsaken hallway outside the ballroom. Eventually, you couldn’t take the circles anymore, and walked inside, looking for any other paths to take. At the far end, you saw a set of double doors and scampered over to them. You pushed them open, and found an empty kitchen.

Empty, except for a teenage girl and small boy sat up on the counters with food in their hands. Their heads snapped toward you, the girl assuming a defensive demeanor at the sight of you. She looked you up and down, evaluating you.

“Are you the newcomer?” You steeled yourself against the door.

“Yes, I am,” you looked around, searching for an excuse for being here. “I stepped out of my room and couldn’t find my way back.” The boy looked at you impassively, neither believing nor disbelieving, he just looked right through you.

“What part are you in?” the girl asked you, still watching you closely.

“The west part?”

“Back out the large arches, take a right, you’ll find it among all the doors.” She stared at you, silently commanding you to leave. You bowed your head, desperate to get away from her cold gaze.

“Thank you,” you stumbled out of the kitchen, beelining in the direction she told you to go. Who was that?! You're stomach turned, a sensation you'd only experienced in the past because of Michael. There was something in the coldness of her gaze... Good or bad, it wasn’t natural. As you crossed the ballroom again, you saw Michael's shadow dance against the hallway walls. As you entered, you saw him walking toward you.

"Michael-" you began.

"To bed, angel," he dismissed you. "Nothing for you to do now. You should get your rest." 

“Are you doing this?” You asked. “With the hallways? I’ve never been lost like this.”

“Could be the sleep deprivation,” but as he smirked, you knew your true answer. “Goodnight, now.” And with that, he turned and walked away from you. Without thinking, you spat at his back as he walked by you. He only chuckled. "Yes, better get some sleep." You watched him disappear around a corner and huffed. You knew how to go nowhere but back in the direction of your room. A bird in its gilded cage. Very well. To bed, then.

You enchanted your door behind you and fell asleep in your comically large bed. You dreamt of the garden and the stars you hadn’t seen in so long.

---

The next morning, you awoke to a gentle knock on your door. You knew immediately that whoever it was, it wasn’t Michael. Nausea induced by his presence aside, he would have had a much grander way of making himself known. Adjusting your nightgown, you opened the door to Josephine.

“Miss Y/L/N,” she greeted curtly.

“Oh!” you exclaimed. “Josephine, how can I help you-”

“Mr. Langdon wanted to ensure that you didn’t miss breakfast,” she interrupted. “He was very adamant that you meet some of the others.”

“Others,” you repeated. “How many other people are living here?”

“On this level or in the whole Sanctuary?” She took your stunned look as answer enough. “Throughout the complex are two-thousand people. Mr. Langdon has appointed leaders to multiple units of the Sanctuary to oversee their goings-ons. Beyond the facilities we have multiple radiation-controlled cities in-progress  that we are using to rehabilitate those out there who survived the nuclear blast. Those are currently at six-thousand, with more arriving every day. In our unit, the Eden unit, we have two-hundred. Mr. Langdon oversees this unit.”

“That’s…quite an operation.”

“Mr. Langdon is a dedicated man,” she shrugged. “Will you join us?” You thought for a moment. So far, everyone you’ve met seems oblivious to who Michael is, or at the very least accepting of it. You had to wonder what Michael’s aim is to pack this place full of seemingly harmless people. What did he want with them?

“I will,” you answered. “Just give me a moment to get ready.” You closed the door. After freshening yourself, you searched the wardrobe of the room.

You would only be a little embarrassed to admit to the sigh of relief you breathed when you saw a selection of clothes beyond the Victorian era and the purple monochrome. The clothes here were normal. The range was casual to formal and modern day to items that couldn’t be associated with fashions earlier than the 1960s. Whatever Michael was up to here, it at least wasn’t playing period dress up with human dolls. You wondered if it was so he could stand out more, with his bold makeup and clothing. A wolf among the sheep.

You settled on a flowing white top and a pair of flared- would you believe it- jeans. You reopened the door to Josephine, finally taking to note her own beige maxi skirt and brown sweater. Almost like being in the real world again. “Ready.”

Some of the hallways Josephine took you down were all too familiar from your accursed walk the night before. You felt yourself tense as you remembered how Michael’s magics had disoriented you. Today, you could make out the twists of the halls perfectly, assuring you he had let his little hexes fade. The halls also didn’t hold the same foreboding energies as before. Along the ceilings so you could see little skylights letting sunlight in. None of them were so grand as the one in the garden, but you relished in seeing the blue of the morning sky again.

Finally, Josephine brought you to a large set of doors. “I hope you’re awake by now,” she muttered, as she lifted the giant knockers and slammed them three times before opening them. “Look sharp.” Your eyes widened at the site.

A sea of two-hundred faces, all sat at long feast tables, all turned to look at you. Stupefied, you looked around. You saw a litany of groups and families and couples sat together, looking at you as the strange new outsider. What kind of place was this? At the back of the room, you could make out the outline of Michael’s form, sitting at a head table, with Mead’s dark figure sat at his side. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and you could see he was wearing a plain, white shirt with billowing sleeves. A far cry from the Outpost regalia. You could tell he was looking at you, and you just knew he was smiling. After a moment, he rose.

“My friends in Eden,” he boomed. “As you all know I have been on an expedition to our smaller outposts to rescue the survivors housed there. It was to my dismay that I found them all overrun and destroyed.” Hearing this, you remember the smile on his face when he had told your fellow survivors at Outpost Three the same news. “But I found hope in my last stop, one person who could live with us in our Sanctuary and join us in rebuilding the earth. An exceptional and compassionate young woman whose heart, like all of ours, longs for the world before the nuclear winter, a most excellent addition to our mission. Let us all welcome our newcomer, the lone survivor of Outpost Three, and all other outposts, Miss Y/N Y/L/N!” With this, you were enveloped in thunderous applause.

“Lone survivor?” you asked Josephine.

“What else would you call it?” she asked you. “Come, he wants you at the front table.” With that, she led you across the sea of well-wishers, all smiling kindly at you. Michael stared at you the whole way. It felt like an eternity before you were finally standing before him, feeling like an animal being sold to the slaughterhouse.

“Miss Y/L/N,” Michael greeted you. “I’m so glad you could join us.” Your eyes grazed over the rest of the table. From the right of him, you could see Josephine going to take a seat, as well as a little girl next to them, beaming at you. To his left, you saw two empty seats,  next to them a woman dressed in bright greens and yellows, and a large man dressed in a simple plaid shirt. Meanwhile, Mead stood behind Michael’s chair, not even bothering to pretend to eat.

“I didn’t know that I could refuse,” you said. At this, the unnamed man chuckled, and the brightly dressed woman smiled at you.

“I knew you wouldn’t disappoint us with your wit,” Michael continued, unfazed. “Do come and sit, your food is coming soon.” A moment passed, and you realized that he meant for you to sit next to him.

“I don’t know that I’m hungry,” you told him.

“But of course,” he said with complete ease.. “How could you ever find your appetite after those cubes in the outpost? But this food is real, I must insist you indulge yourself.” Seeing there was no tactical way to make him relent, you climbed the platform step and sat yourself next to him. Your companions to your right were quick to introduce themselves to you.

“Glad to have you,” grunted the man in plaid. “The name is Roger Richards. I’m the unit planner for the Sanctuary. I design the infrastructure.” You inclined your head.

“So you designed these skylights?” you asked. He nodded. “They’re wonderful.” His eyes glittered with pride.

“They’re actually pretty basic in design,” he said. “I just thought that these people would need some sunlight.”

“Roger loves to be modest,” tittered the woman next to him. “I’m Phoebe, I’m the overseer of agriculture. I heard from Langdon you tried one of our apples already?” Your stomach crawled at the memory of the poison coursing through you. You forced on a weak smile.

“Oh yes,” you said. “It was such a relief to have a taste of the world before.”

“Well,” she smiled. “Then you will like the Sanctuary.” At this, you couldn’t force yourself to agree. So you smiled again, and pretended to turn your focus to the food you had no stomach for. Your gaze kept flicking to Michael next to you, happily digging into his breakfast. You wanted to smack the cutlery out of his hands.

“Josephine is Head of Operations,” he said without looking at you. “She sees all of the in-between and nitty gritty of the Sanctuary. She also oversees the nursery.”

“Who’s the little one?” You asked him, stomach churning while looking at the painfully oblivious little girl.

“Rebecca, she’s a rescue. Are you going to eat?”

“I told you,” you said. “I’m not hungry. What do you mean ‘rescue’?”

“She’s a survivor from the nuclear wastelands,” he told you. “An orphan from the fallout. Now she sits as a symbol of hope for us all. Isn’t that inspiring?”

“Hope,” you repeated, too tired to laugh at the suggestion. “Just what kind of a sick game are you playing with these people?”

“All in due time, Miss Y/L/N,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to spoil it too early.” Then his gaze flitted to a man approaching the table, dressed in black robes. Your heart leapt a moment, mistaking it for Satanic attire. Once your panic subsided, you looked closer and realized with dread that rather than the anarchic black and red of the Satanists, this man donned a familiar vestment of black and white… he couldn’t be…

“Ah,” Michael smiled. “Father de Flores, good morning.” You looked at Michael in shock. “This is Y/N Y/L/N.”

“Of course,” said de Flores. “It is my pleasure to meet you at last.” You opened your mouth to speak, to scream, anything to warn this man of the demon in his midst. Michael clamped his hand on your shoulder, purposefully grazing a finger over some exposed skin on the nape of your neck. The sting of his touch was enough to shut you up. You could only nod as the man took his seat next to you.

Michael removed his hand, and you watched as he flexed his fingers in pain. A moment invisible to all but you. He lifted his eyes to meet your accusing gaze.

“Oh angel,” he whispered the nickname for only you to hear, before speaking again at full volume. “You really must see the chapel that Richards designed. It is truly something to behold.”

[ceruleanmindpalace]

Nightly encounter

Last night at roughly four o'clock I had to go the bathroom and while in there I heard some noises and my pulse went up. Then I thought: Must be the fridge, its making weird noises these days.

When I left the bathroom, in the corner of my eye I saw something move and by then my pulse was racing. But no one was there, the dog was quiet and I realised the movement must have been above the living room door. My thought: Oh, just another peacock butterfly that got lost in the house - must be quite a large one.

Halfway back to bed, my sleep-addled mind gave me a pop up: That was definitely way too large for a butterfly. Then more noises from the kitchen: and too loud, too.

I went looking but saw nothing. A butterfly this huge must be quite a sight and I wanted to see it, but … nothing to find.

When I switched off the light and headed back to bed something flapped around me in the dark and I switched it on again, now convinced a small bird must have lost its way.

Imagine my surprise when a bat was circling my kitchen lamp!

Bats are rare where I live and this is not exactly a rural area. So, I was really proud that we have obviously some in our close-to-nature garden.

These are the moments when I miss my mother most, because she would have been thrilled.

Sorry for the bad picture quality, but I didn't want to disturb it when it finally settled behind my kitchen curtains, it was panicked enough. It is hanging upside down and struggling to get a grip in the fabric.

The window was open and it was gone this morning, so it must have found its way out. If not, I will probably see it again tonight.

[ivyyisbored22]

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭— 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐅

Note: Check Description and other chapters first to understand the story ^^♡

(This chapter contains both POVs)

Chapter 10

Aria & Bang Chan

.

Aria

"I'll be home by 3pm," Chris's voice cut through the air.

"Your dress will arrive anytime. We're leaving at four," Chris said as he grabbed his coat hanging on his chair, heading out to his office leaving me alone in his bed.

"See you later." He waved at me before leaving and the door clicked shut behind him.

Flashbacks replayed in my head. Chris and I went through it the whole night passing out literally breathless, I couldn't remember when we started and how we stopped. Heat flushed my cheeks as my eyes fell on the floor, our clothes were scattered around the bed, my hands ran up my face awkwardly at the memory.

His room was tranquil and completely minimalistic with grey furniture and dark curtains covering his windows. The walls were a cool, muted shade, enhancing the serene atmosphere. A wardrobe was seamlessly attached to the wall, blending in perfectly with the sleek design and a desk occupied the corner of the room, its chair tilted to the side, suggesting his recent departure. Next to it, his guitar leaned against the wall.

I quickly changed into my clothes and rushed to the other end of the hall to my room and directly to the shower. The cold water felt good against my skin, washing away the remnants of the night before.

Twenty minutes later, I stepped out and saw my reflection in the slightly fogged mirror looking back at me. My cheeks were still flushed and there were slight hickey marks on my chest, I turned away refusing to look at myself.

Last night had been a whirlwind of emotions and sensations, a stark contrast to the usual coldness that surrounded Chris.

I wrapped myself in my bathrobe and moved to my dresser, my mind still replaying the intimate moments and the passionate night we shared. It felt surreal, almost like a dream, but the tender way Chris held me, the way his eyes never left mine was unmistakably real.

But fuck all of that when it's the next morning, because somehow Chris changes his entire self going back to his smug, cold personality. It irritated me, making the contrast between the night and day all the more jarring. It felt like I was talking to two different people during two different times of the day.

A knock on my door distracted me as I was blow drying my hair, I opened the door to see Deliah smiling bright as she held a huge box which was definitely my dress. "Hello dear, this package arrived for you."

I walked towards her and politely took the box, it was heavy despite how light it looked. "Thank you Deliah," I smiled, she was warm and always so cheerful, another contrast to the cold elegance of the house.

"No problem at all, dear. Enjoy your evening," Deliah said with a wink before she walked away, leaving me with the box in my hands.

I carried the box to my bed and carefully set it down. With a mix of anticipation and excitement, I opened the lid to reveal the dress nicely wrapped and a little note laying on top of it.

"I hope this makes you feel as beautiful as you are. -Chris."

I couldn't help but smile at that note. It wasn't hand written by him but I'd take small moments and gestures like this over his cold demeanour any day.

It was also these fleeting moments of warmth that gave me hope, even when the coldness threatened to overshadow everything.

Before changing into my dress, I went downstairs and made myself a snack and shared a heartfelt conversation with Deliah. It was surely thanks to her I could make myself feel at home even though tiny specks of thunder roamed every once in a while.

Once it was almost 2pm, after helping Deliah around for a bit and walk in the garden, I finally began to get ready by the time Chris came home. One experience with him for not being "ready" when he said so was more than enough, I didn't want to repeat the same mistake.

I went uptairs to my room and sat infront of my dressing table, starting to style my hair with a simple hairstyle, pulling it back in a neat fancy bun. To maintain the elegance of the hair and the dress, my makeup was subtle yet enhancing, with a soft smoky eye and a hint of blush to complement the natural flush of excitement on my cheeks.

The hour passed by just like that taking the time for my hair and makeup, as the clock neared three, I slipped into the dress. The fabric hugged my curves in all the right places. Standing in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and confidence. The dress was absolutely perfect, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly beautiful.

My eyes fell on the note on my dressing table Chris sent with the dress, a faint smile painted on my lips. Just as I finished putting on the heels, Deliah softly knocked on my door and slipped in, "Mr. Bang just arrived dear. He asked you to come down when you're ready."

I smiled, nodding at her, taking a deep breath trying to hide my nervousness. "Thank you Deliah" I said softly, my voice betraying a mix of excitement.

Deliah smiled warmly. "You look absolutely gorgeous. Enjoy your evening," she said, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving.

Alone again, I took one last look in the mirror, adjusting a stray strand of hair and smoothing out the dress and getting my clutch purse. Gathering my courage, and after a few minutes, I made my way downstairs.

As I descended the stairs, my hand on the glass railing, I caught the sight of Chris waiting, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that sent a flutter of butterflies in my stomach.

My breath caught in my throat. Chris looked remarkably handsome. The classic black tuxedo was a perfect fit, hugging his broad shoulders and tapering down to accentuate his strong frame, complete with a satin lapel that added a touch of sheen.

His white dress shirt was crisp, complemented by a perfectly tied black bow tie and a silver Rolex gleamed on his wrist. The tailored trousers featured a satin stripe down the side, and his polished patent leather shoes completed the look.

There was a strong confidence in the way he stood, a magnetic aura that made it impossible to look away.

"Wow..." Chris swallowed once I made it downstairs, his adam's apple moving up and down, as if he was trying to find his words. "You're stunning." His comment pulled a genuine smile from me, I felt my cheeks flush, keeping my eyes locked with his.

"Thank you Chris," I said tucking an invisible strand of hair behind my ear.

It was the first time- maybe the second, I got a compliment from him. The butterflies in my stomach just kept multiplying as his gaze was fixed on me. And for the first time since our marriage, I saw him smile, his deep dimple was equivalant to a lethal weapon.

"You look really handsome too," My words came out softly, earning a quiet chuckle from him, he looked at the floor then me.

"Thank you," He said.

"Shall we?" Chris held out his arm, I nodded gently as I slipped my hand in his, making our way out. His sleek Rolls Royce was waiting outside the entrance, my heart buzzed with excitement and anticipation as we settle into backseats of the plush interior.

~

Bang Chan

I've always stayed true to myself since I moved out of Australia to Europe; that I will never let feelings get in my way. They only cloud judgment, muddle decisions, and lead to complications I can't afford. Life's been simpler that way.

Clear-cut, logical, and driven by ambition.

Well, ambition since I returned to the States.

Yet here I am, battling a demon inside me trying to stop it from pushing my feelings further towards a certain woman; my wife, who's sitting next to me. That logic clearly fucked up my mind. I felt like an asshole. My mind didn't want me to get attatched to her but the goddamn muscle that's beating in my chest has other plans for me.

Even having grown up with luxury, Emotions are a luxury I cannot afford.

"What kind of event is this?" Aria's soothing voice pulled me out of my thoughts, I calmed my racing breath as I shifted my gaze to her. "It's like a Coperate Gala," I replied trying to keep my voice neutral.

"Basically celebrating achievements in the coperate world. The awards ceremony was a week ago." Her eyes were filled with curiosity as I spoke, it settled an unfamiliar feeling in my chest that kind of felt...warm.

"Oh I see, that's interesting." Her face turned to the window. Goodness knows what answer I was expecting from but it was surely not that. "Will there be other guests you know?" Her tone remained cool and casual, it almost felt like she wasn't truly nervous about anything. I was definitely overthinking about tonight.

"Felix and Hyunjin will be there. Since they model for Louis Vuitton and Versace,"

I kept my gaze straight ahead before she turned to me almost twisting her neck causing my eyes to widen at her shocked reaction. She blinked rapidly, clearly taken aback by my statement. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

"They didn't tell you? My eyebrow arched, she looked down at her clutch purse then at me.

"No, not really but I did vaguely recognize them. Although, I am not so keen on the fashion industry" She was attempting to conceal her initial surprise, which I found rather cute.

I chuckled softly, the tension between us easing slightly. "Well, now you know," I said, a hint of amusement in my voice. "They've been modeling for a while now, quite successfully."

Her lips twitched in a faint smile. "It's impressive," she admitted, her tone more relaxed now that the initial shock had passed.

"Yeah, they're doing well," I agreed, feeling a strange sense of pride for my friends. It was rare for me to talk about my friends with pride—we usually gave each other shit, but in the end, they were thicker than blood.

After quite a drive, thankfully the traffic was much less than the usual nights, we reached the grand venue. The imposing doors of the Rolls Royce were promptly opened by impeccably dressed doormen, who greeted us with warm smiles. I walked to the other side of the car as Aria got out and stood before the entrance, she slid her hand into my arm as we walked inside.

Crystal chandeliers hung down the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the elegantly decorated tables, each adorned with intricate centerpieces and fine china. The soft hum of conversation of the guests dressed in tuxedos and glamorous gowns mingled with the gentle strains of classical music played by a live string quartet in the corner. But everything felt like a blur as Aria stood out, looking like a single, radiant star in a sky full of constellations.

I guided Aria through the crowd, introducing her to influential figures in the industry. My confidence and ease in these surroundings were second nature, essential traits I naturally inherited from my father; maintaining respect in the coporate world.

During cocktail hour, I introduced her to several other key executives, each conversation she held with them was effortlessly balanced with warmth and professionalism, as if she herself had multiple experiences at such events.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride having Aria by my side. Her presence was captivating, a blend of grace and intelligence that drew people in and left them wanting more at the way her eyes sparkled with interest and how her smile seemed to put everyone at ease.

I appreciated her being here with me, not just as a part of our agreement, but as a partner who could hold her own in my world.

A wave of relief and excitement swept through the room as Felix and Hyunjin entered, both of their custom suits, fitting their lean bodies perfectly. The atmosphere shifted as they made their way through the crowd, exuding confidence and charm.

"They know how to make an entrance," Aria chuckled softly. "Surely" I said as I glanced at her.

"Good evening Christopher," Felix and I shook hands, keeping our usual handshake down, maintaining professionalism. "And Hello Aria, good to see you again". He gently bowed at her, his manners impeccable. Aria returned his greeting with a warm smile.

"Good to see you too, Felix."

Hyunjin stepped forward, offering a charming smile. "You look stunning tonight, Aria," he complimented, his eyes twinkling with sincerity. She blushed slightly, her confidence unwavering.

"Thank you, Hyunjin. You both look quite dashing yourselves." The two of them couldn't suppress their smiles at her compliment.

"You were literally blue this morning. How did you manage to go platinum within such a short time?" Incredulity laced my voice as I turned to Felix. The guy's scalp was stronger than a tank's armor, a transformation faster than a Formula 1 pit stop.

Felix's grin widened as he spoke, "My stylist has their ways." He brought up his hand to fix his cufflinks, a smile so radiant I could get a sun tan just from him.

Hyunjin's eyes met mine, politely turning from Aria, "How's the project going?"

His words echoed as I exhaled a deep breath. The reminder of the project threatened a headache and the last thing I wanted while being here was a sharp stinging pain in the back of my head.

"It's progressing," I replied evenly, keeping my tone controlled. "We're gearing up for the launch next year."

"Oh great. I hope you're aware of what's on the internet," He continued.

"People's hopes are high along with suspicion when you announced sustainability and eco-friendly products in the high-end fashion industry. It's a big deal Chan" Hyunjin's tone matched my own in its controlled demeanor.

As COO of Aurelius, I was given the initiative task to launch a new sustainable luxury collection, increasing brand loyalty and attracting environmentally conscious customers.

It's quite a big shift since Aurelius was one of the top luxury brands in the world. Sustainable luxury products mean a complete overhaul of our sourcing, production, and marketing strategies.

I nodded, winking at Hyunjin, turning to find Aria engrossed in a conversation with Felix, probably talking about baking or how to bring sunshine during the thunderstorm just by stepping outside.

Her hand rose to her chest and covered her mouth as she let out a small laugh, I couldn't help but wonder why she kept doing that.

A few minutes later we made it inside the ballroom, exuded an aura of refined elegance, bathed in a soft, ambient glow cast by strategically placed spotlights. Rich velvet curtains in deep hues of burgundy and gold framed the expansive long windows, their lush textures adding a sense of opulence to the space.

As the four of us were conversing, I spotted my father; Current CEO of Aurelius, excused himself from his group and approached us with a soft but controlled smile.

"Good to see you Christopher," My father greeted as he approached.

No matter how much I'd grown and confident I became, I couldn't shake the reverence and unease that came with facing my father. His voice remained steady and neutral, rarely betraying any emotion— another trait I knew I had naturally inherited.

"Good to see you too, father," I replied meeting his gaze with a with a nod of acknowledgment. I turned to Aria, whose hand was slipped comfortably in my arm.

"Aria, you remember my father," I said. "The CEO of Aurelius." Aria smiled politely, her demeanor poised as she greeted him.

"Of course, it's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Bahng," she said respectfully, her words measured and professional, matching the formality of the occasion.

My father inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, his demeanor professional yet distant. "Likewise, Aria. I hope you're enjoying the evening. And I hope my son is treating you well."

"He is, sir. And thank you," Aria replied smoothly, her voice steady despite the underlying tension. She glanced briefly at me, a subtle reassurance in her eyes that belied the cool facade I presented to my father.

"Good," he remarked tersely, his tone betraying nothing of the complexity beneath the surface.

"I trust everything is proceeding according to plan." My father's gaze fell on me again, sharp and expectant. I nodded curtly, knowing full well that he wasn’t just talking about the evening’s event.

"Yes, father," I responded crisply, falling back into the familiar pattern of formal discourse with him. "The preparations for the new collection are on track. We're anticipating a strong reception."

"That's what I like to hear," he nodded, his approval measured and precise. "Remember, Christopher, Aurelius stands for excellence. Don't let anything compromise that."

"I understand," I assured him, my tone matching his in its unwavering resolve. Despite our strained relationship, there was an unspoken understanding between us. Expectations that hung heavy in the air, unyielding and immutable.

My father glanced at Aria once more, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

"Enjoy the rest of the evening," he said finally, his tone softening imperceptibly before he turned and walked away, leaving me to ponder the weight of his words and the delicate balance I must maintain in both my personal and professional life.

"Sorry if my father was too...scrutinizing" I apologized quietly to Aria, my voice tinged with resignation. Despite my efforts to shield her from my father's scrutiny, his presence always managed to unsettle.

"It's okay," She said softly. "It felt like seeing an older version on you," I let a deep chuckle at her comment, not offended but acknowledging the similarities between my father and myself.

"I suppose I can't escape my lineage," I remarked dryly.

The evening passed by in a blur of conversations, laughter, and the soft clinking of glasses. Aria navigated the elegant event with grace, seamlessly blending into conversations and engaging with the other guests as if she belonged in this world of luxury and refinement.

And to me, she did.

Felix and Hyunjin's charismatic presence added to the ambiance, their effortless charm drawing admiration and respect from those around them.

The night wore on, we began to depart, bidding our goodbyes to my father, friends, and other guests. As we exited the venue, the slight evening breeze chilled the air, I felt Aria shiver against my touch.

I removed my tux coat and drapped it over her shoulders as we exited the building, slipping my hand in hers, a genuine smile tugging my lips. We madde it to my Rolls Royce which was waiting for us outside, entering the luxury interior and made our way home.

"Chris," Her voice cut through the silence in the car.

"Thank you for tonight." Her smile sent a pang of warm and fondness through my chest.

"You're welcome, Aria. I'm glad you enjoyed the night." I returned her smile with a soft grin of my own.

Once we reached home, Aria had fallen asleep on my shoulder. I gently carried her inside and upstairs to her room, carefully laying her down on the soft sheets, her peaceful expression a contrast to the whirlwind of emotions stirring within me.

I stood there for a moment, watching her sleep, unsure how I felt about the serenity and chaos she brought into my controlled world.

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

Taglist: @bowsnbang @bangchannie97lov @hwasmints @laurenalpha123 @mrs-hwangh @greyyeti @sociallyawkward18

If you want to be added to the taglist, let me know <3

Thank you for reading!

xx,Ivyy

Next Chapter

[archangeldyke-all]

okay it’s been a while but could you do a pt. 3 to the slow living with sev reqs? Maybe this time it’s just about how they constantly get chosen by the cat distribution system despite always saying how they won’t take another?

adorable ! i was just thinking about these blurbs the other day :)

men and minors dni

the first cat comes to you about three years after you moved in. you guys are finally starting to get the hang of living a slow life, starting to get in the groove. and then a giant blizzard hits.

it's the biggest area you've seen in decades.

you guys were snowed in for days. it was nice for the first few days. like a little vacation-- no where to go and nothing to do but cuddle up by your wife and watch the world outside get blanketed in fluffy white snow.

but by day four, you and sevika were both getting antsy. cabin fever was setting in, and the weather had no intention of lightening up for days.

so that evening, when sevika leaves an icecube on the kitchen tiles to melt and you step in it, the two of you get into a petty, pointless, incredibly passionate argument. it lasts an hour-- mostly because you've got nothing better to do and you've gotta let off steam somehow.

just when sevika's finally fed up with your bickering and tries to distract you with kisses-- her eyes less annoyed and more lusty-- a howl sounds out from your porch.

you both run to the window.

sitting pressed up against the screen wall of your wrap around porch is a skinny white cat-- cringing as the snow batters him. you gasp. sevika gawks.

the cat's in the house in a flash.

the poor thing must have been stuck outside the entire storm-- and the two of you spend the rest of the storm cuddling around the pathetic little thing and feeding him shredded tuna.

and three days later, when the snow's expected to finally melt and the streets are expected to get cleared, you turn to sevika in bed and nudge her.

"you know we're keeping the cat, right?" you ask. sevika chuckles.

"i know." she says.

"wanna take it to the vet with me tomorrow? we can visit the pet shop after. i'll even let you name it." you say. sevika grins.

"cool."

"but i get veto power if you pick something stupid."

"well that's no fucking fun." she grumbles, flopping on her back in disappointment.

she does come with you to run errands the next day, but it takes her ten days to pick a name. it's hilarious.

she takes the process way too seriously-- trying to find something 'perfect' for the cat.

at one point you suggest 'snowball' and she rolls her eyes at you.

"that's way too basic-- you wanna name our white cat we got in a snowstorm 'snowball'?" she asks. you're kind of hurt at her criticism, but you also find it adorable how much she obviously loves the new addition to your little family.

the cat is sevika's first pet. she never had the time when she was an adult, and her parents didn't get her one as a child-- and it's incredibly clear to you that this cat in particular was sent to her.

you guys settle on icicle. apparently 'it's way more badass than snowball.'

sevika calls her ice for short. icicle sleeps on the pillow beside sevika's head.

icicle gets big and chunky in her first you with you and sevika-- neither of you can see past the night you first found her when she was skinny and shivering and so so so cold in your arms. so you spoil her.

sevika installs a little cat door in the porch, and she serves as great pest control for your garden.

on the first real day of summer, you walk outside and find sevika asleep in the hammock, the sun streaming down on her, icicle curled up on her chest. it's the cutest thing in the world.

you ask sevika once about maybe getting another cat for icicle so she'd have a friend, and sevika blinked at you, her eyes wide and her lip pouting as she spoke. "but i'm her friends."

so you guys don't get another cat. but icicle doesn't know that you've landed on this decision.

icicle is pretty friendly with most of the animals on your property. she respects the ducks-- they're too big for her to try to attack them. she loves the goats-- she loves napping with them.

so it really shouldn't have surprised you when one evening as you called out icicle's name through your back door-- ready to feed her dinner-- she came trotting up the stairs with a little ball of fur in her mouth.

she let it go at your feet, gave it a lick, then turned back around and returned with another fur ball, presenting it at your feet as well.

at first you thought maybe she'd caught some bunnies and was trying to show off-- the little fluffs of brown and grey fur beneath you were hardly moving. but when you got closer, you realized that they were kittens.

"where the fuck did you get these!?" you asked icicle. she just licked away at the little babies beneath her.

sevika found the four of you on the back stoop ten minutes later, gasping when you gently placed one of the tiny kitties in her arms.

"was ice pregnant?!" she asks you. you giggle.

"i--i dunno, we got her spayed, right?"

"what the fuck?" sevika asks her fur baby. icicle just licks her paw, the picture of innocence.

it turns out the kittens weren't icicle's. the vet says that she likely found them abandoned and made the decision to foster them. sevika scoffed at that, nudging you and huffing, "i guess we forgot to tell ice she's supposed to be an only child."

the kittens are fucking adorable. ice was an adult when you rescued her, and getting to watch the kittens grow up is so entertaining. they're so playful in the first few months, and icicle is a great kitty-mom, incredibly patient with her babies, gently teaching them the ropes of your property.

icicle even shares sevika with them, and often all three cats can be found tucked into sevika's side while she snores on the couch.

they're both boys, both from the same litter, and the gray one's a grumpy old man in a kitten's body, while the brown one is a sweet, curious little baby. so you decide to name them bert and ernie.

your bed gets a little more crowded, as all three cats like to sleep beside the two of you, but sevika doesn't mind.

she does start complaining about all the vacuuming she has to do, though.

so when a year later, the two of you are visiting the pet supply store and they're having an adoption event and you walk right by a wrinkly, scraggly, mostly hairless cat-- you both fall in love.

she's got four patches of orange hair-- one on each of his cheeks, one on his forehead, and one on the tip of her tail. looking at her head on-- she looks like a normal cat. and then when she turns to the side, as sevika says: she looks like a scrotum. she's adorable.

you tried to walk away, not needing another cat to buy food for-- but when the attendant told you that her name is 'shredded cheddar' and she was rescued from a fire-- hence the baldness-- and she only had a week left to get adopted before she'd be euthanized so a new cat could join the shelter-- well, what were you supposed to do?

shredded cheddar is your 'fourth and final' cat, sevika declared as she scooped the sweet, sleepy cat into her arms and began kissing the tuft of hair on her forehead. your just laughed at her and she glared at you.

"what?"

"every time you say that, we got another cat in our bed in a year." you say. sevika snorts.

that's not true.

it's true.

less than two months later, all four cats in your home start acting suspicious.

they're skittish around you and sevika, their food is disappearing-- you start to wonder if they've started going to neighboring properties and scamming other families out of food, pretending to be strays.

you find your answer a week later, while you're cooking.

sevika shouts out a curse from the basement, and you go flying down the stairs.

"what? what's wrong?!" you ask.

sevikas holding her chest and glaring at icicle where she's sitting in the corner.

"sev?" you ask. sevika gestures for you to come over to the closet she's got open, and you poke your head in, gasping as a pair of green eyes blink up at you from the dark, shadowed floor.

"is that a cat?!" you ask.

"i smelt wet food down here-- i thought maybe one of them threw up. nope-- they've all been harboring a fugitive-- feeding it their own food. she says, gesutring to where a pile of uneaten shreds of fish and beef sit beside the cat. you giggle.

"looks like we got another cat." you say, shrugging. sevika groans.

"you have to take over vacuuming for me. i can't deal with five cat's worth of hair in this house."

"or you could just give it up babe. we're the crazy lesbians that built their own house 'n grow their own food-- of course we're gonna be covered in cat hair." you laugh, leaning down to pick up the black cat and hug it to your chest. sevika pets its head, chuckling.

"fine. but i wanna name this one." she says, smiling down at the cat. you laugh.

"i get dibs on the next, then."

sevika just rolls her eyes.

taglist!

@fyeahnix @sapphicsgirl @half-of-a-gay @ellabslut @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner @shimtarofstupidity @love-sugarr @chuucanchuucan @222danielaa @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther @gr0ssz0mbi3 @ellsss @sevikaspillowprincess @leomatsuzaki @emiliabby