#we have two cages because i had another bird when we got angel and she did NOT like him

[thedawningofthehour]

I stumbled upon this post again

Fai, please stop coming out with these kind of scenarios, they are depressing!!! And of the kind that I eat up!!!!

I would like to know more!

Many- if not all- leo's Sep AU's with Draxum have Draxum being abusive to varying degrees, that it would be interesting to see one with a Draxum who at least tries to love his son and be a good father and still fails.

Leo would be his usual self, wich annoy Draxum, and causes self estem issues, but that's okay, in the end they only have each other and Leo doesn't really have competition, until he does, because his Long Lost missing Brothers show up and it turns out Draxum likes them more, which would be much more mess up because this Leo doesn't really have connections outside of Draxum. It all be complicated and 'll Will eat it with fries.

I mean, I've never really thought out how he'd be raising each of the boys alone, really just all together or just with Donnie. Donnie, I feel like is such a perfect parallel to Draxum that it just makes sense for a separated AU Draxum to get Donnie in the divorce. Like, Splinter and Big Mama, you could make an argument that pairing them up with any of the other three would fit in a unique and interesting way, but Draxum was just meant to have Donnie. (also I love how all separated AUs are like "hokay, obviously three of the parents are Draxum, Big Mama, and Splinter, and the fourth is...fuck, I dunno, the Foot? Hueso?") Not that I don't like other separated AUs where Donnie is raised by someone else, (Little Prince my beloved) but Donatello Draxum is just poetic.

But, going along this line of thinking, with the 'doth Draxum actually raises Galois from a hatchling' fantasy set of events except it's not Donnie he ended up with but another turtle...hmm.

(I'm going to use Donnie and Galois interchangeably for this post deal with it)

Well, for starters, he'd be less protective over the other boys than he is with Gale right now. (honestly, he'd be less protective of Galois too if he'd raised him for sixteen years, but that's for another post) He still would be overprotective, and he'd do the same isolating thing with any of the other boys and hide their existence until he was ready to move forward with his domination plans. Mikey, he would still be more protective of, considering his innate mystical ability surpassing his potential as the warrior he was designed as. Not to the same extent as Donnie though, since most of Mikey's abilities would still require him to be present on the battlefield, verses Donnie who could fulfill his usefulness 100% from an underground bunker.

Raph and Leo, however, were made for war and their greatest talents still lie in combat. If he is to make use of them then there's no way of getting around it, they'll end up on the front lines at some point. Draxum would have to train them to be able to survive that, to fulfill the purposes they were made for-and he would have to steel himself for the very, very real possibility that they may die.

(That's kind of present in his current relationship with Raph, he's aware that this might end with Raph dying from a bullet meant for Gale. And if Raph betrays Draxum, or he's forced to choose between Raph and Galois, he needs to be able to sacrifice Raph without hesitation. He really doesn't want to start seeing Raph as his son and complicate matters-the revolution needs Galois more than it needs Raph or even Draxum, there can be no room for choice between them)

Another thing is that Draxum and Donnie have similar interests, so they'd naturally have a stronger friendship than the other three anyway. He'd still find things to bond over with Mikey and Raph, they're both pretty versatile and easy to get along with. With Leo? Maybe history? Medicine? Like, yes he could impart upon Leo all his medical knowledge, (oh my god, so many dissections would take place in that house) but I feel like Leo's joking nature would make Draxum feel like Leo isn't giving the subject the attention it deserves and it would always end in a screaming match. Not to mention Leo's sense of humor is exactly what irritates Draxum's ego most efficiently.

And then there's the areas Leo actually excels at verses his brothers, namely 1) his charisma and leadership skills, and 2) his strategic mind.

Leo is smart. Doth Draxum is learning to his great displeasure how smart, but a Draxum who raised Leo from birth would know he's smart. And it's not the simple fact that his child can be smarter than The Great Baron Draxum that bothers him, no. Galois is smarter than him in many ways, and Draxum delights in that. He loves having someone he can intellectually spar with, whose arguments actually pose a challenge, and he feels immense pride that his creation is so brilliant he's outpacing his creator.

It wouldn't be the same for Leo. Because while Leo absolutely could outsmart Draxum, (or is getting smart enough that he's getting close) it's in a way he absolutely doesn't understand. When Donnie wins an argument Draxum is practically giddy over it, because what Donnie's saying or doing makes sense. Yes, Draxum didn't think of it first, but now that's he laid out the situation this way he can totally see what he's talking about and wow his son's brilliance takes his breath away, he can't believe this is the same turtle he fed with a bottle and rocked to sleep after a nightmare-who, less than two decades ago, bit his hand, cried, and then bit his other hand to see if that one hurt too.

Leo's brain does not work the same way. When he outsmarts Draxum, he does it in such a convoluted, weird-ass way that Draxum is like "???!!!!!!!?? How????!!!" And this infuriates him. Baron Draxum is one of the world's greatest minds. He's hundreds of years old. He will not be bamboozled by his teenage son working off the seat of his pants!

And it just frustrates him immensely, that Leo can be so smart in a way Draxum absolutely cannot follow. He can accept that he's perceptive and good at talking to people, yes, Draxum knows his social skills are lacking and he's accepted that there's a piece of the puzzle there that most people have and he just lacks-but how in the world can Leo out-strategize him?

Oh yeah, there would absolutely be self-esteem issues when Draxum is mooning over how talented his other sons are, when he gets along with Leo's brothers so much easier than he does with the kid he's raised for over a decade. And Drax probably wouldn't realize it until Huginn and Muninn pointed it out or Leo had a breakdown in front of him. But he would make a point to tell Leo-in his own awkward, roundabout way-how talented he truly was, and he's sorry that he's never been able to understand him.

And since I know you like my bird, an Angel update: along with having to deal with this molt, (he looks scruffy, the casing his feathers have when they come in is super hot and itchy, and he's hungry and tired all the time because growing a bird's worth of feathers is a lot of work!) my sister was home sick yesterday. His sleeping cage is in her bedroom, but she was long asleep by the time he goes to bed. So we just locked him in his downstairs cage, which he pretty much just uses as a playground/eating area. He did a few confused peeps, but then he settled down and went to bed-a very good bird! He was thanked for his compliance and got extra pets today, and was so excited to get his room back. He had to do a full inspection of his cage first, but he's happily snoozing away now. We're very proud of him for not being a dick about it.

[icannotgetoverbirds]

blease read this quote from this book about a pair of lesbian cockatoos

under a cut because it's kinda long

Some birds bond only with other birds, some only with humans, and some with both. Sammy had shown interest in other birds at Earth Angel, and had even spent time in her enclosure with a few favorites, but she hadn't found a mate. I was beginning to think she would never bond with anyone but me. It made me sad.

I think finally being in a fulfilling marriage myself made me realize how much Sammy was missing. There are plenty of unhappy marriages in the world - as a psychologist I see more than most people do - and a bad marriage can tear two people down. A good marriage is different. It can make us stronger; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Still, humans can survive happily with no permanent partner. It's in a parrot's nature to want a mate.

Then Sammy met Little Girl and everything changed.

Little Girl was a Moluccan cockatoo, and with her pink-tinged feathers and bright crest, she looked a lot like Sammy. Unlike Sammy, she still had most of her feathers. She had spent years in a garage, usually with the door down. In that unventilated space, most of Little Girl's days were dark and stifling. She didn't have people or birds to interact with.

Her owner came out to the garage occasionally to give Little Girl food or clean her cage, but most of the time she sat alone. She didn't even have a window to watch the outside world. She was truly in solitary confinement.

The neighbors heard Little Girl's cries, and they called the police. The police visited, but there was little they could do. There aren't laws protecting lonely parrots. The most they could do was cite the owner for the noise, and they didn't even do that.

The neighbors kept complaining, though, trying to get something done for the bird. Eventually, the owner called us. She was tired of dealing with the neighbors.

When we came to pick up Little Girl, the owner wasn't there to say goodbye. She said she was busy and left her son to open the garage for us. She'd said on the phone before we arranged the pickup: "If she wasn't so noisy I wouldn't have put her in there."

We took Little Girl out of the garage and drove her to our veterinarian. Once he cleared her for Serenity Park, it was time to find her a perch.

We decided to place Little Girl with Sammy. Sammy was never aggressive with Mango; she just wasn't crazy about him. Maybe a different bird would work. Sammy hadn't been interested in any males, so maybe it was time to test her with a female. I've observed several parrots through the years who, like some humans, prefer their own gender. Somehow, Matt and I both felt it was a good match.

We introduced the two birds slowly. First, we let them see each other for a while. Then, when they seemed comfortable, we put them on opposite ends of the enclosure. We let the birds take their time approaching one another. For Sammy and Little Girl, comfort seemed to come right away. Once we introduced them, they didn't have time for any of the other birds. The two groomed each other. They shared a perch. They seemed to talk together in a language that was their own. They were physically affectionate. Little Girl had suffered for a long time, but she was no longer alone.

Sammy was enthralled by Little Girl. She still got excited when I came to visit, and she still let me cuddle her, but she'd soon move back to Little Girl's side. Sammy had been the first bird I'd been close to and I missed our special interactions, but I was thrilled for both of them.

We had both found our mates. Everything was as it should be.

-- Lorin Lindner, Birds of a Feather, pages 204-206

@fishandchips321 us

anyways brb i gotta go cry about these lesbian birds

[violettelueur]

RYŌMEN SUKUNA || HIS LITTLE SONGBIRD

| featuring : ryōmen sukuna ft. itadori yuji and fushiguro megumi from jujutsu kaisen

| warnings : grammar errors and light mention of alcohol  

| form : imagine (with she/her pronouns)

| word count : 2411

| published : 02 december

| request : I just finished reading Sukuna with so who good at singing and I love it❤️ After reading this, it makes me think of another possibility for reincarnation au. What if the so got reincarnated but instead of Sukuna actually met them in person, he found out that the so is now a famous singer, so their songs can be heard all over japan. Itadori went a store and their song was played which Sukuna realized it was his little song bird’s voice

| barista’s notes : hi hi guys~ sorry for the really late update today and that is because i fell asleep the second i got back home from school ʕ ㅇ ᴥ ㅇʔ classic barista violettelueur and what makes it lowkey worst is that it’s 2:20 am right now.....for a little information that might be helpful while reading this, i was listen to BLACKPINK - Don’t know what to do (JP Ver.) while writing this, so that is going to get a little mention on this imagine ʕ·ᴥ·　ʔ other than that, i hope you enjoy you cup of classic black coffee (jujutsu kaisen request!) have a wonderday day and please come back soon!

The sounds of the strings being plucked to construct a beautiful melody filled the spring air with its euphoric sound as the pale pink cherry blossom petals graceful fell from its branches giving a beautiful sight to behold, while the crowds of men in the garden celebrated with red sake plates in hand that was filled to the brim with the sweet alcohol that was being consumed in a rapid rate.

However, as much as the King of Curses wanted to disrupt the little gather for his own sadistic pleasure, the melody that was playing in the air captivated him to pause his wicked thoughts and desires and demanded him to appreciate the music the was being created by the lone female that was at the centre of the ocean of men - who were laughing drunkenly while some observed her from afar.

The lone female on her knees, while her eyes were set on the musical tool that was set in front of her, was delicately but masterfully plucking the thin transparent stings to create a tune that no other person within the gardens could recreate - not even the other talented musicians that were also present within the large garden. Eyeing the beauty that was charming almost everyone within her presence, the King of Curses slyly came closer (but out of sight) to gain a closer look at what was going on.

“Who is she?”

“She’s the only daughter from the prominent L/N family, they’re are known for their musical talents and from the rumours, that is certainly no lie,”

“Is she married? I can imagine having her playing for me every day with that beautiful melody,”

However, before one of the males of court nobility could even answer the question, an elegant but powerful voice echoed throughout the garden causing everyone to swiftly turn to the direction of the angelic voice, only to suddenly find that it was that lone female in the middle of the garden singing with the alluring tone that she had created herself - leaving everyone in a trance to the grace that was beautifully presented to them.

“I need to make her my wife,”

“I’m afraid that is easier said than done, my lord. From what has been going around, she has refused all of the men that have proposed their hand in marriage, there isn’t a reason that is known for this that can answer everyone’s confusion,”

“What do I need to give her? Money! Power! I have plenty of that,”

“She has rejected all of the noblemen that have come her way, no riches could ever convince her and I’m surprised that her family also agree to her antics”

Listening from a distance, Sukuna couldn’t help but become intrigued by what was being said. Many women in this time would have jumped on the chance to marry someone from a higher status let alone be married off quickly, yet here you were singing and playing like you have all the time in the world with no worries or fears that could distract you. You were at peace, while he was the destruction.

Somewhat still in a trace, it was suddenly cut off once the final string was pulled causing there to be absolute silence to fill the space leaving only the wind to cover the lack of sound before a loud parade of claps were heard as the emperor - who hosted the party - stood up with pride written all over his face. Standing up from your position, you have a light smile before bowing to show your gratitude to being allowed to play in such a prestigious event as you then made your way to the other musicians to pass them on for the next performance.

“Y/N! That was amazing, you never disappoint,”

“I have no idea what you saying, I messed up on the second to last note when I hit the wrong string, ha what am I doing to do? That is going to extremely bother me for the time being,”

“Stop being such a perfectionist! None of the sorcerers, noblemen and emperor knows that, so you’re fine,”

“Thank you and shouldn’t you really go, is it not your turn?”

“Oh! My apologies, I’ll meet up with you later,”

With your friend running off to continue with musical performance, you stood in your spot as you watched her go further into the distance leaving you to soak in the sunray that was gently providing a warm glow to your complexion as the deep purple of your kimono also brightened up leaving it somewhat of a lavender shade. Taking a deep sigh, you looking up to admire the cherry blossoms that were in bloom, only to see a figure settled on one of the branches with his ruby eyes set upon you, even though the man was hidden very skilfully within the plethora of petals you could sense him from a while away, but before you could even voice out your confusion.

“Ah, there she is! Miss L/N,”

Displaying a face of irritation on the rude disturbance - leaving Sukuna to display a face of amusement instead - you turned around to find two men standing in front of you with one that seemed to be of younger age compared to his counterpart making you come to the realisation that it was a son and father - leaving you to mentally groan in annoyance as you instantly knew where this little conversation was going.

“I want you to met my son, he is -”

“I’m sorry, but I am not interested in his hand in marriage nor his companionship” you immediately interrupted the noblemen, causing both of the men to look at you in complete shock as they didn’t expect you to figure out their intentions so soon after only a few words exchanged.

“But my dear, this is an amazing opportunity for you to-”

“Become someone with a higher nobility? Don’t make me laugh, I rather become a peasant then spend the eternity of my life bound to you,”

“What is it that you desire for your hand? Wealth? Power? Prestige? You name what you desire and we will provide!”

“I’m afraid that what I desire is impossible for you to provide me, my apologies”

“What is it that you want, woman?! Who doesn’t want what I can give you within an instinct?” the son soon erupted in anger at this rejection, still in utter confusion on why you were so adamant on not wanting to wed him.

“Entertainment? Can you provide that? You see, you noblemen always offer what you have already stated to me and that may sound very enticing to another but, you all are so boring,”

The two noblemen looked at you with astoundment in their eyes as well as Sukuna, who was cunningly listening from above on where you found him - the King of Curses didn’t want to confess this to himself but he was confused on what you trying to demonstrate here with you little speech.

“You are so so boring, you men expect me to play and sing for you every single day like a bird in a cage, yet I get no entertainment in return from you? Isn’t that quite unfair? You have no talent yet you want to be greedy, what ridiculous idea is that? It’s almost laughable in my opinion,”

Sukuna almost burst out laughing from what you artfully expressed to the two men that were in front of you as he also could relate to what you were saying. The sorcerers that he had fought and killed with his bare hands were all boring with no hint of excitement from any of the battles he had faced and here you were expressing the same distaste - they were boring. All of them.

‘Well, well little songbird, I got your attention, now you have mine,’

                                        ꕥ

“Sukuna?” you called out in a hushed surprised tone, as you unexpectedly found him sitting comfortably on the wooden corridor outside your room. Even since that little encounter back at the garden party, you have been seeing the special grade curse looming about here and there within your personal space, causing you to one day to finally acknowledge his presence that was constantly around you, only leading up where you both were now.

The excitement of these secret meetings that you both had late at night was the entertainment that you were looking for. The excitement of being so secretive with the man you desired to love but couldn’t to the outer world was the entertainment that no nobleman would ever provide you. It was the fact that this romantic link between you and Sukuna was forbidden that excited the both of you. This was the entertainment that you both desire.

“Hello, my little songbird,” Sukuna greeted you with a smirk before gently grabbing your hand to pull you down to his height - well more rather below his height - to meet eye to eye with you. “Didn’t you miss me?” he then teasingly asked, causing you to look away in a bashful expression because you knew that he knew what your answer was going to be. However, pushing your pride aside, you slowly wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him into an embrace which then led him to place a hand on the back of your neck, holding you in place as he savoured the warmth that you were providing him.

“Where have you been? I was worried,” you stated to him, and even though it was a laughable comment to him since what was the point in worrying about him, he couldn’t help but appreciate the foreign concern that you had for him - it truly warmed his heart that you were here with him. “I was busy, now why don’t you sing for me, my little songbird, I do miss the sound of your sweet voice,” he declared to you before placing a few light open mouth kisses on your neck leading you to let out a soft moan of pleasure which seemed to put a smile on the curse’s face.

“What would you like for me to sing to you then?” You asked as you used your hand to gently run your hand through his hair which caused Sukuna to become relaxed and lower his guard within your embrace - the only time he allowed himself to do so and the only person that was allowed to see him in this state.

“Anything. Anything that you sing for me is enough”

To be held in your arms was what Sukuna always wanted and desired every day of his life, to hear your voice was something that made him forget about the world just like back at the garden party and the elegance that you embodied while playing the Koto was something he could never get out of his mind. You were his safe haven. His little songbird. However, that was 1000 years ago.

                                          ꕥ

Residing within his vessel, Sukuna began to wonder what could have caused him to start to reminisce about the past when clearly he couldn’t do anything to bring you back with him. You were gone. You have passed. There was nothing he could do even as a powerful curse himself to bring your back onto his arms and let you sing to him.

However, what could make do for now was the song that was annoyingly playing within the music store that his vessel - Itadori Yuji - decided to visit as it seemed like he was interested in what was new with his friend Fushiguro Megumi. Slowly, the King of Curses could hear the music beginning to fade, indicating that it was the end of it before another quickly began to play to replace the ending song.

Unlike the other song, this one was softer in tune with something being strummed in the background - just like how you would strum the strings of the Koto when he would ask you to play it for him to admire - to which was then sung on top with a female voice. Disinterested, Sukuna began to dissociate himself with the song that was now playing until another voice came in with the song, suddenly leaving him in a trance like the one he was back 1000 years ago at that garden party.

Sitting up from his position, he intensively listened closer making sure that his ears didn’t deceive him from what he thought he heard.

“Oi brat! Who is singing that song?”

“Ha? What do you want now?” his vessel replied, surprised and annoyed at the sudden appearance of the curse that was inside him. 

“What does Sukuna want now?” Fushiguro asked, slightly worried about what was happening and what could happen at this moment and time since they were in a public place filled with people.

“Answer the question before I rip your heart out again,” Sukuna threatened, slowing becoming impatient and desperate for an answer leaving Itadori no choice but for once cooperate with the special grade curse.

“From what I believe, it’s a group song called ‘Don’t know what to do’, I believe there are five girls within that group,” Itadori explained before he quickly stopped within his track to see a screen playing a stage performance of the exact same song being played in the store. “Yeah! There is the group, they are really well known in Japan since they’re are touring there, I think the youngest is the same age as me and Fushiguro” to which he pointed at a girl that he was explaining about.

Looking at the scene through Itadori’s eyes, Sukuna began to observe each and every single girl that was dancing on the stage before he paused his view on a certain girl that Itadori pointed, who was dressed in a white off the shoulder crop top that was long-sleeved with a white skirt paired with white trainers that matched with the rest of the girls within the group.

“Little songbird?” he quietly muttered, not believing what was presented in front of him at this current moment in time.

There was no doubt about it, that was you on the screen singing and dancing to a song that he slowly began to love once he heard your voice. You truly looked angelic as you gracefully danced across the stage somehow managing to maintain a stable singing voice that never disappointed him. You were back.

His little songbird.

[gashinabts]

Ask Me Out (m)

Words: 5k

Pairing: Taehyung x Reader, Idiots to lovers

Genre: Angst, Smut, Fluff, Mature

Summary: You and Taehyung get in a fight because you were allegedly cheating, the only problem is, who are you dating and who are you cheating on.

Warnings: Teasing, spitting, oral (f/receiving), fingering, DomTae, slapping, jealously sex

A/N: Just a small one shot, hope you enjoy!! This is my work no reposting this and my other works on any other platforms.

Holding the letter tight to your chest you breathe out a heavy sigh before giving the letter to Eunha. Taehyung texted her that he will meet with her across the administration building, instead here you are standing in front of her, counting the seconds of when this interaction will end. She opens the letter and you cringe at every second she reads it, you look off at a distance to see if Taehyung could be watching this scene unfold. “ What the hell is this Y/N? Where’s Taehyung?,” she crumbles the letter and there’s irritation evident on her angelic face.

The one con of being Taehyung’s friend is that you have to break up with his girlfriends since he doesn’t like confrontation, to see them yell at him or worst cry in front of them.

In middle school Taehyung told you to break up with Soojin for him on Valentine's day, that was the first time you got bitch slapped by someone at school. Taehyung went to visit you at the nurse office with a red rose. “ Where did you get that?,” you asked him as you pressed the ice pack closer to your cheek. “ I stole it from Jungkook’s valentine’s gift,” he says, as he hands you the rose and sits next to you. His hands gently take off the ice pack inspecting your pink slap mark. “ Ouch. This will be the last time I let you do this for me,” he gives you a boxy smile. Another con of being his friend, Taehyung could be quite the liar.

“ Well as it says on the letter, he wants to break up with you…” you trail off taking a centimeter back. You don’t think she’ll do anything crazy, Eunha was nice when she was with Taehyung, however break ups can change a person.

Eunha takes a step closer and takes the lid of her ice coffee and throws it on your sweatshirt. The cup is empty and the ice cold coffee makes you flinch, “ I knew you guys were sleeping behind my back. Tell him, ‘ The next time he wants to break up with someone, he should be a man and tell them in person,’” she bumps her shoulder against you hard as she walks past you. You groan at her comment and walk towards the center of the campus where the water fountain is, there are students who briefly look at your coffee stain white sweatshirt. “ Well she got you good?,” Taehyung bites his lip and you glare at him. He stands tall right next to you, with his neutral tone baggy pants and sweatshirt.  “ Hey I’m sorry I didn’t know she’ll react that way. Take my sweater,” he pulls his already oversized sweater and hands it to you.

You pull off your soaked sweater, “ That’s what you always say Tae,” then you put on his ugly dark green sweater. “ When are you ever going to have the guts to ask the girls you like out and also break up with them?” There’s also another thing he has a problem with, he needs to have someone, you, to ask the girls he likes out. It’s always awkward for you to tell them that Taehyung, the guy that you have a slight crush on, likes them.

“ Y/N, I can’t do that! Just imagine if I ask someone out and they straight out reject me. I would be traumatized for my whole life,” he takes your dirty sweater and walks with you to the apartment.

“ Nope. I can’t possibly see that. You are attractive and funny so I don’t see how you’ll be rejected,” you smell yourself and groan at the scent of ice americano. “ Look, ask me out right now,” you joke around while laughing to yourself. The short laugh becomes a gasp when Taehyung pushes you against a wall with his arm caging you in. His face is close to yours, you could almost count all the long dark eyelashes. Time feels like it slows down because the wind started to lessen along with chirping sounds from the birds.

“ Y/N. Go out with me,” he looks at you dead in the eye, his black curls slightly cover them. Without thinking much you let out a small okay and he backs up giving you space.

His face returns back to his bubbly self smiling, “ Do you want to order fried chicken and beer or pizza?,” he asked you while adjusting the straps of his backpack. The question takes you back and you pinch yourself just to see if this is a dream or an alternative universel. “ Fried chicken and beer,” you tell him, walking alongside him. There is silence between you two as he orders the food on his phone, he gives you the phone so you can review the order, you smile as he orders an extra order of spicy chicken since you are the only one that likes it. “ Looks good,” you say while handing it back.

You and Taehyung are watching a movie while eating the fried chicken peacefully until Jungkook barges in the living room from the front door, “ BAHAHA...Y/N you’re like all over everyone's snapchat. I even saw this video on my fyp on tiktok. Look it almost has one million likes,” he hands his phone while sitting down on the couch. ‘It’s the cheating for me’ you groan as you read the description. “ What the hell? Did you at least comment and tell them that I wasn’t the other woman?,” you ask Jungkook, the video plays and Eunha throws the coffee at you and your face grimaces.

“Yeah but like my comment got lost through the thousands of comments that are there,” he grabs a beer from the table, “ just live through your fifteen minutes of fame,” he chugs the beer. “ Ohh spicy chicken, my favorite,” his hands grab your chicken eating it with gusto.

You toss the phone on the couch, “ Y/N-” you ignore Taehyung’s voice as you go to your room. You take solace in your warm comforter hugging your stuffed penguin and taking a nap. The feeling of Taehyung’s warm hands wakes you up, he’s spooning you, hugging you tightly against his chest. You are used to Taehyung's skin ship at home, he typically does this when he sees a scary movie and has nightmares so he crawls into your bed or when the apartment is too cold and he doesn’t want to spend money on the heater. “ Are you okay?,” he asked carefully.

“ Yeah, I just hate how people don’t know the real story but it’s whatever I have you to make me feel better,” you sigh as you hug your penguin tighter.

He laughs and grabs the stuffed animal, “ You still have this raggedy thing?”

“ I’m not gonna throw him away. It was a present,” you take it back in your arms. Yeah, it looks beaten down but it was something special you cherished.

“ Man, I still can’t believe you dated Jungkook in high school. Doesn’t it feel weird to have that since you guys are not dating?,” he hugs you closer to him, you feel his warm breath against your neck.

“ Nah, we are still good friends even if he is kind of an asshole,” one of your hands reaches back raking your fingers against his curls. He hums deeply, “ Are you jealous of Mr. Penguin?,” you teased him with the question.

“ Kind of,” he mutters and snuggles into your hair. That wasn’t the answer you were expecting but you ignore it going back to sleep.

---

You grab an ice coffee for Taehyung and add sugar but a light tap halts you, turning you see a girl holding a phone zooming onto your face, “ Is this you?,” she asked you, eyes peering for a reaction. It was that stupid video from tiktok.

You laugh lightly, “ No, that is my twin,” you lie eaisly, you ignore her calls as you continue walking. You wait outside Taehyung’s office since he is talking to one of his students. The student adorably bows multiple times and thanks him, as she exits his room. “ She’s cute,” you comment as you enter his office with his coffee. He has his glasses on, along with his usual comfy aesthetic, there are a bunch of papers on the desk, and he looks the part as professor but clearly isn’t because he is a TA.

“ You are cute,” his large hand holds your hand giving it a quick kiss, while grabbing the coffee with his other hand and starts to gulp it. Today you were far from cute, you had no makeup, and you feel bloated because you were on your period.  “ There’s an essay due about the elements of Gothic architecture and she was having a hard time about what to write,” he moves his hand as he talks, he finally sits down on his desk.

“ That sounds fun,” you sarcastically state. Sitting down on the chair you look on his desk and there’s a picture of you and him at the Louvre, it was two years ago that you guys spontaneously took a trip to Paris.

“ Sorry you aren’t a fan of art history,” he nudges you with his leg, “ Anyways let’s go to this new hotpot restaurant,” he gets up putting his laptop away along with his papers. “ Should we invite Jungkook?,” you asked while putting your seatbelt on in Taehyung's car.

“ No. It’s Y/N and Taehyung time,” he firmly states but his sparkly teeth show as he smiles.

---

“ You guys look closer than ever, which is weird because how can you guys possibly get closer,” Jungkook comments as you wash the dishes. It’s obvious that he is talking about Taehyung. Taehyung had been more clingy with you, almost every night sleeping in your bed and taking you to random restaurants without Jungkook.

“ What do you mean? We are always like that, you are just jealous that we don’t take you out anymore and pay for you,” you finish washing the last plate, you put the gloves away to dry. Jungkook crosses his arms which cause his biceps to bulge and you throw your head back with a laugh, “ Is that supposed to intimidate me?,” you lean against the counter.

He walks closer, “ Kinda, I’ve been working out,” he flexes it more. You roll your eyes and he stands right in front of you, “ So friends just invade other people’s personal space?,” his face comes closer to you, making eye contact with you. He’s provoking you and you just want to slap his smirk off his face. Jungkook lays his head against your neck, rubbing his nose against your neck, his body is against yours. “ This kind of reminds me of our first time, we did it in my parent’s kitchen when they weren’t home,” his hands gripped your waist.

You decided to play at his game, your hands reach his nape pulling his hair, “ But then you came the minute you put it in,” you whisper against his ear. You laugh as his face flush with embarrassment, you push him against his chest so he can give you space.

“ C’mon Y/N that wasn’t nice,” he groans, he tugs his situation in his grey sweatpants to not make it obvious that he has a boner. You stop laughing when you see Taehyung standing near the entrance of the kitchen, he has a blank face and goes to the fridge. Jungkook turned around looking at Taehyung as he quietly grabbed a coke, “ Hey Hyung, have you eaten? Y/N made dinner.”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “ I’m good,” he doesn’t even acknowledge you, walking away from the kitchen and you hear his door shut.

It’s quiet as you eat dinner alone and it is even quieter when you go to sleep by yourself. The bed feels more bigger and you might think it’s more comfortable but it’s not since you don’t have Taehyung hugging you like a pillow. The next morning you wake up late, Taehyung usually wakes you up and cooks you burnt toast with a shitload of jam but this time he’s already gone.

After class, you get his favorite coffee drink, and go to his office, there is another cute student talking to him. You peer through the window and see how happily he exchanges words with her. You wait until their session is done and she thanks him and he waves goodbye, you walk into his office. He looks at you but quickly reverts his gaze back at his laptop screen typing mindlessly. Placing the coffee on his desk, “ She’s cute,” you comment.

“ Yeah,” he says and continues typing, your heart lurches not expecting him to agree with you. There’s so much tension you feel like you are walking on eggshells.

“ Umm...are you okay?,” you ask timidly. You aren’t sure if he heard you since a minute goes by and he looks through his paper and then again types. There is sweat coming off your hands and wipe them down against your jeans,“ Taehyung?,” you speak just a decibel louder.

He closes his laptop, packing up his papers, throwing them harpazidly in his backpack, throwing the ice coffee that he hasn’t even got a sip of into the trash. “ I’m meeting with someone,” he brushes past you trying to exit his office. You grab his wrist before he can leave, “ Tae, are you mad at me?,” is the only question you can think of.

This is the first time he looks at you, it’s the first time he has ever shown anger at you, he yanks his hand back to himself and the feeling of the subtle warmth is gone from the palms of your hand. “ I just didn’t think you were the type of girl to cheat and try to fuck their ex in the kitchen,” he says seriously.

Cheating? Who were you cheating on? “ I wasn’t- Jungkook and I-,” you try to explain yourself but he wasn’t hearing any of it. He interrupts you, “ I don’t care anymore...I don’t want to see your face,” he jabs at you with a disgusted face one last time before leaving. There’s tears coming out and you quickly wipe them but they still stream down your cheeks. This is the first time in your friendship that you had a fight with Taehyung and it looks like it will be the last time you grab the tissue of his desk blowing your nose. The picture of you and Taehyung gleefully smiling in Paris is mocking you, you grab the picture and take it with you before he can also throw it away as easily as he did with the ice coffee.

You usually don’t like going to your parent’s house but this time you accept their invitation, planning to stay with them for a week, you already submitted all the assignments for classes and you could always look at the podcast lectures. There’s not much clothes you have to pack up since you hardly buy any new clothes and you usually borrow Taehyung's infinite amount of clothes, well used to. “ I’ll see you in a week,” you hug Jungkook goodbye.

“ Make sure you get some rest,” he walks you to the car, you nod and smile at him, waving him goodbye.

This is the last time you will ever visit your family, they make you do chores and take care of your nephews and nieces. It doesn’t even feel like you got any rest, you found a box under your bed and it’s filled with pictures of you and Taehyung, some of Jungkook but mostly of Taehyung. The more you shuffle through the pictures it gets harder to hold your tears. You have the urge to call him but you are afraid that he has you blocked.

---

It feels and sounds quiet in the apartment, Taehyung thinks to himself. Jungkook isn’t even making noise either which is odd since he is loud. He hasn’t seen you in three days, he was sure that he was going to eventually bump into around the house while you cook or get out of the shower but nothing, he hasn’t even seen light peek out of your door. He hears the door opening expecting it was you but it was Jungkook. Jungkook goes straight to the kitchen taking out a pan and vegetables out of the fridge, “ You want some Kimchi fried rice?,” Jungkook asks as he cuts some kimchi.

“ No,” Taehyung shakes his head and scrolls down on his instagram.

Jungkook sighs loudly, “ Wow this is going to suck. I have to start learning how to cook better since Y/N moved out.”

Taehyung drops his phone on the ground, “ What?,” he asked while walking towards the kitchen to where Jungkook is at.

Jungkook puts oil in the pan and adds onions, “ Yeah she moved out three days ago. She looked really sad, took everything she had and left.” Taehyung doesn’t believe him and enters her room, the bed looks empty, there are no comforters or pillows, he opens your drawers and is met with nothing, there are some skincare products on the table but those can easily be left behind. However there are pictures of you and Taehyung on the dresser, and he easily spots the one that he kept in his office. He walks back out and Jungkook looks like he is almost done cooking. “ You could be a real asshole Taehyung. Y/N would never do anything with me since she already whipped for you. The things you make her do and how she always does it because your Taehyung,” Jungkook says and finally turns off the stove.

“ What are talking about?,” Taehyung asked with hesitance.

“ Ask Y/N, why does she break up with people for you despite the many times she gets hurt from it. Ask her why does she spend so much money on your dumb ice americano? Ask her why she broke up with me in high school?,” Jungkook didn’t mean for the last question to come out but he’s tired of his two best friends being idiots. “ I’m going to eat in my room,” he leaves with a plate of Kimchi fried rice.

Taehyung sits in silence in his room thinking about your last conversation with him, and how he didn’t let you explain. How he yelled at you, how he threw his coffee, and how you looked like you wanted to cry. He hugged his pillow tightly desperately wishing that it was you and maybe if he thought hard enough you would appear.

---

“ Are you sure you don’t want to stay the whole week?,” your Mom asked while she helped you put your suitcase in your car. It’s the fourth day, six in the morning, and you don’t think you can last another day with her yelling at you to stop taking naps and to go grocery shopping with her.

Getting in your small car you sigh,“ Yeah, I have to go back. I forgot to turn something in for class,” you make up a lie.

“ What? Are you serious? Why didn’t you do that before when you came here, that’s very irresponsible-” Maybe on another day you can take her lecturing but not today.

“ Okay, bye Mom. Love you!,” you close your door waving at her as you leave the driveway.

It is expected for the apartment to be quiet since it’s early in the morning, you drag the suitcase quietly hoping that you won’t wake them up. Opening the door slowly, you are shocked to see a sleeping figure in your bed, your hand let’s go of the suitcase and you yelp trying to get it but it comes down crashing loudly on the wooden floor. Taehyung's head pops up from his small blanket, looking at you with wide eyes. “ I umm- I’m sorry. I’ll leave right now,” you pathetically try to excuse yourself. Taehyung said he didn’t want to see your face anymore so you hurry to pick up your things. Your shaky hands try to grab your suitcase but you are tackled into a hug, Taehyung’s arms engulf you trying to make you part of his body.

“ You came...I was scared that you were gone forever,” he whispers. “ I’m sorry for what I said. I was an asshole and didn’t let you speak. I hurt you in many ways that I never expected. Then Jungkook said you moved out…” he trailed off you couldn’t clearly hear him since his voice muffled in your hair.

“ Taehyung, let’s sit down and talk, okay?,” you asked him and brushed some of the strands of hair out of his face. He nods and sits down beside you and your bed, “ I wasn’t going to move out, I just went to visit my parents hoping that would relax me but it didn’t so I came back early,” you smile at him. “ Okay good,” he smiles back and scoots closer to you. “ Taehyung, I need to ask you something?,” you look away nervously.

“ Ask me,” he encourages and grabs your chin to look at you.

You swallow nervously, “ Are we together? I mean were we together? Since you said I cheated on you and I was kind of confused…” you trail off playing with your fingers.

He grabs your hands gently squeezing them “ Of course we were together. I mean we still are. Remember when you told me to ask you out?,” he asked, you nodded remembering it vividly, “ Well since that day we’ve been dating.” You didn’t think that was serious but it did make sense because of all the skinship he was doing and the places he would take out to eat. He did take you to the Han river and had a picnic during the night which you found oddly romantic but you didn’t think much into it.  “ Y/N, I’m sorry,”  he asked, kissing your hands.

“ It’s okay there was a misunderstanding. Next time, let’s talk before we act out on our emotions,” you tell him softly, before pecking him on his cheek. Turning quickly away so he won’t see you blushing in the morning sun.  “ Help me set up comforters,” you get up, grabbing the comforters off the floor. He helps you set it up while complaining about how he missed you while you were gone, crying in your bed until Jungkook told him to shut up. You place Mr. Penguin on the bed and lay down hugging it.

Taehyung turns your body easily around so you're facing him, “ I actually didn’t know we were dating, I thought we were joking around,” your hand caresses his sharp jawline.

“ Idiot. I would never joke around about dating you,” he scoffs and takes the hand you were caressing him with, bringing it to his lips, kissing it softly.  His lips move to your wrist, trailing up your forearm, arising goosebumps and leaving a giggly response from you, making him smile. Taehyung scoots closer to your neck so he can leave kisses there and you hug him closer when he kisses a particular spot that makes you squirm. The kisses trail upwards to your jaw, going closer to the area you wanted. He looks at you seeking permission and you pull him to feel your lips against his. It’s soft as you expected and you sigh happily at the feeling of his warmth. He pulls aways looking at you, “ That was nice,” he says as he moves over to hover you.

“ Yeah, it was,” you pull him down for another kiss, this time it’s more needier. Lips smacking at each other can be heard along with some heavy breathing. Your hands leave his tousled hair and go under his baggy sleeping shirt, feeling his naked back. You never thought you could feel Taehyung this way, but here are lightly trailing your fingers up and down his back. His mouth leaves yours kissing your neck and leaving marks here and there, he pulls the collar of your shirt down trying to get more access but gets frustrated. Laughing at him, you pull your shirt off, laying back down so he can kiss wherever he desires. His eyes sparkle at the sight of the swell of your breast, immediately leaving open mouth kisses that make you shudder with excitement. His large hands pull the cups of bra and his mouth envelopes your nipple, sucking while his other fondles with your other breast. Your pants are being louder and you can’t take anymore of the teasing. Your hands pull his hair as he lightly bites your nipple leaving you with pleasure and pain, “ Touch me Taehyung,” moaning at the end of the sentence.

“ Baby, I am touching you,” his lips leave your abused nipple and go to the other one giving it the same treatment. It looks like he enjoys you getting impatient since he is smiling at your frustration as you try to grind against him. “ No no no, touch me somewhere else,” you tell him shyly, you are never this coy with your partners but Taehyung just screams out dominance. His eyes darken and his mouth leave your nipple along with a string of salvia, his hand wipes his spit all over your chest. He sits up pulling off his shirt, his eyebrow arched, “ Where does my baby want to be touched?,” he asked, looking down on you. Your hand trails down to the button of your jeans, slightly tugging at it, refusing to tell him in words. His index finger tugs at the belt loop, “ You want me to touch your pussy?” Blushing at his words you nod, he takes off your jeans and looks at your panties, smirking at your evident arousal. He bends down and kisses above the hem of your panties before tugging them down your legs.

“ Please Tae,” you whine as he teasingly kisses the inside of your thighs, Taehyung finally listens to your words and eats you out like his favorite dessert, his hands holding your thighs up trying to taste more of you. Crying out in pleasure, as his tongue pays special attention to your clit and his two fingers slowly inched his way into your seeping hole. Afraid that you are making too much noise, you moan into your palm, his head lifts up and you whine at the loss of his tongue. “ Who told you you can cover your pretty mouth?,” Taehyung slaps your cunt, making you moan louder.  “ Sorry,” you meekly let out but you desperately want to be punished again. He chuckles at your apology, rubbing your cunt to soothe the pain, “ Do you want me to fuck this needy pussy?”

“ Yes, I want you so bad,” you drawl at your words, hips rising and riding his long fingers. His fingers withdraw from you, quickly taking off his sweats and boxers, as you finally discard your bra. “ Spit,” he commands, his hand is below your mouth. Following his command, his large hand wraps around his impressive dick and you can’t wait for it to stretch you. Reaching to your drawer, you give him a condom and he puts it on. Taehyung slowly enters you and you feel an immediate stretch, your nails scratch his back at the slight pain. He kisses you to relax you and smile at his encouraging words. Moaning at the slow thrusting, the pain is completely gone, wanting to feel him deeper you tell him to fuck you harder. His hips move at fast pace and you can feel him in your stomach, “ You’re so fucking tight, I’m gonna have to fuck you everyday,” he moans out. “ Gonna have to fuck you everywhere too, so Jungkook can no longer flirt with you,” he thrust deeper hitting that particular spot that makes your toes curl. Nodding deliriously you meet his thrust, eyes rolling back at the euphoric feeling of Taehyung fucking you good. Moaning his name louder, as he grabs your jaw forcing you to look at him, “ I’m the only one that makes you feel this good, right?,” he asked but he already knows the answer.

“ Only you, only Taehyung,” you scream out feeling his other hand rubbing your clit. “ No one else,” you confirm once more, pulling him down for a messy kiss. Your approach is coming, clenching around him harder, “ I’m gonna cum,” you claw his back more, “ Can I please cum?,” begging him.

Rubbing your clit faster, “ Yeah, fucking cum for me, scream out my name,” he gives your clit you couple smacks. Crying out his name you come loudly with your body shaking in pleasure. Taehyung's pace falters, groaning at your tight cunt swallowing him in, holding your body closer as he orgasms. Kissing you softly Taehyung pulls out, tossing the condom in the trash bin. “ How’s my baby?,” he asked while stroking your flush cheeks.

“ Good but kinda tired,” giving him a tired smile. “ Taehyung I like you so much,” you confess, holding his warm hand against your cheek. High school you would be so proud that you finally confessed to him.

Taehyung grabs your hand and kisses it, “ I like you so much more. I liked you since high school but I was afraid to tell you and then you started dating Jungkook. So I thought I can never be your type. But then you told me to ask you out, joke or not, I thought that was finally my chance to have you be my girl,” he softly speaks but there’s an underlying insecurity in voice. Your hands pull him close to your body causing him to squeal, his head is on top of your breast listening to your heartbeat, as one of your hands comb his hair.

“ I guess we are both idiots, I liked you since high school too. But here we are now in each other's arms, better late than never right?,” you sigh. His fingers trace shapes your stomach, “ Just gotta make up for the lost time,” he agrees and his hand trails down.

“ Yes but not now because I’m tired,” you grab his hand before it can go any further. He laughs and kisses your breast tenderly.

“ I’m just glad that Mr. Penguin got to see me fuck my girl,” he snuggles more into you with heavy eyelids.

You sleepy smile at his words, “ You are so weird.”

——————————————————————————

Do not repost, translate, or alternate my work in any way, onto any platform. I do not take plagiarism lightly.

[rainbowrider1290]

Part 3 of my take on a genshin impact circus AU: Bennett, Fischl, and Razor as a beast-taming trio. Backstory under the cut.

Benny:

Bennett was adopted into a research team of zoologists (what in canon would be the adventurer’s guild). The ones that go out into the world and get their hands dirty in studying animals. He loved interacting with the animals, and though research was interesting, he always spent more time with the animal caretakers and vets than with the researchers so he’s extremely acquainted with their habits, how to feed them, when to keep them in captivity versus the wild, and how to regulate their environment properly when in captivity. He has this knack for interacting with them, even the big ones.

As for how he got into the circus: Well first off he got wind of how poorly these animals are treated in some circuses and got into the circuses for the caretaking purposes. He would hop from circus to circus to take care of the animals and show the performers how to Not Harm Them (like tigers jumping through hoops on fire??? Nuh-uh. Whips, tight collars, and muzzles? We don’t do that here). He certifies himself as a vet after a while of this.

More time passes and he realizes this is a bigger problem than can be solved by himself. He’s been kicked out of a few places and for a while had terrible luck finding work because some of his previous employers didn’t want to spend the extra resources on animal care (lacking funds and lacking planning for it) and spread word of a legal liability of a vet.

Aether and Lumine catch word of this and track him down to a little animal clinic where he works as an intern. They offer him a spot in their circus bc they’ve been wanting to introduce animals into the mix but want to plan correctly (like how many animals they can support properly). Long story short, Bennett gets into the circus and works with Yanfei to actually become a legal liability to the circuses not treating animals correctly, and he himself will take as many of those animals as he can into his corner of the circus and send the rest to his dads (since circus animals tend to be rare breeds and his dads have a branch of research on captive animals). And finally he can take care of his animals and show the world that you don’t have to harm animals for a good show. Mostly big ones like elephants, big cats, and camels.

He’ll do shows more like synchronizing movements between the animals and tricks like they do with marine animals. They do have cages for transport but they’re spacious and they take frequent breaks for physical activity. Benny will only take the animals that have been domesticated their whole lives and will send the ones fit to live in the wild to his dads to set free.

Fischl:

Fischl was born into the circus life and was that kid who would stop people from killing bugs, take them in a glass container, and set them outside. She regularly patches up the birds with broken wings she finds outside.

Def spent more time outside hanging with the birds than with the people in the circus, since birds aren’t technically a circus animal. Oz is an old old vulture (or falcon, I haven’t decided yet. If anyone can pinpoint his species please let me know) that has taken a liking to Fischl and so no matter where her circus goes, she sees Oz there to hang and bring her injured birds.

She once asked if birds could be circus animals and was told that they tried but it didn’t work out. She gets into reading the obscure materials on birds as circus animals and deduces that they just weren’t taking care of them right. She brings up this idea to the circus manager and essentially gets the door slammed in her face. The last time she asks about it, it’s to her parents and is told to find something realistic to do in the circus and forget about the birds.

From then she sees all the other kids her age in the circus training to be in the show in some way or another and hears what they say about her “head in the clouds”. So she starts training with different branches of the circus (gymnastics-based, death-defying stunts, fire, etc.) and she... genuinely considers leaving to pursue another profession.

Then as her circus is about to get on the road, she catches wind of a circus performing in the town they’re just about to leave. One that uses animals, and since her circus never used animals due to lacking funding, she goes for a night out of curiosity and on the off-chance that they use birds. She noticed that this wasn’t anything like she’d heard about or read about circus animals, so she sends them a letter addressed to the person running the animal part of the show asking about birds in the circus.

Benny’s response boils down to “well it’d be a little complicated but what’d you have in mind?” so they start exchanging letters and the next time the two circuses are near each other, she goes on over and brings all her letters after a show and sees how gentle Bennett is with the animals. They get to talking and Benny takes her to meet the animals, telling her about how he does things while she tells him about how she’d go about introducing birds to a circus.

Aether and Lumine hear about this and before she knows it, Fischl’s being told to get her birds ready, she has an audition in a month (spoiler alert: she passes). Her act is made up of all kinds of birds. Very few of them are housed on the circus for very long since she’s never liked the idea of birds in cages. The birds she uses are all the injured ones in the process of rehabilitation brought to her by Oz. She also keeps the ones that won’t fly again or never learned to find food despite her and Oz doing their best to socialize them. Those that don’t perform are excellent at taking care of the newbies and overall helping Fischl out. 

At any given point she’ll be seen with about 3-5 birds of different sizes on her and she’ll always smell a bit like worms and seeds of various kinds. She expands on her first-aid abilities from watching Bennett, and in turn offers knowledge on birds and how to deal with smaller animals with different bone structures, metabolisms, and cardiovascular systems.

Razor:

Razor’s story is a lot simpler. Backstory is essentially the same as in canon, except he doesn’t meet Lisa right away, and spends a little more time with Varka learning to read and write at the most basic level and fight hand-to-hand. Instead of an abyss mage attacking them, it’s a group of hunters. During this fight, a lot of the wolves are gravely injured but he takes one of them and runs into town looking for help.

After a show, Bennett and Fischl are on their way to see Bennett’s dads to take some birds that can’t handle the circus life but also aren’t fit to be free. They happen to be in the town where Bennett trained to be a vet and they stop by the clinic to say hello. Inside they see a boy dressed in rags and covered in dirt cradling an unconscious wolf pup, trying to get the attention of one of the clerks. One of the clerks tries to help him but the communication barrier is not helping them and the boy seems distressed on top of that, pointing and growling with the word “help” thrown in here and there, so Bennett steps in bc he knows some of these people in the clinic.

Bennett comes in and he and Fischl follow him out to where the rest of the pack is. Fischl brings her birds bc they’re her babies in case anyone was wondering. They perform first aid the best they can given the conditions, and manage to save a good chunk of the wolves, but a good chunk of them still die.

The pack splits up into two. On the one hand, the older wolves take whoever’s still alive and resume their activities in the forest. On the other, Razor has this opportunity to go and find out whether he’s a human or a wolf, and the little wolf pup he brought to the clinic goes with him because she’s too injured to go with the others. Same for a few other wolves.

So they go and the only place they have to stay is the circus bc Bennett and Fischl want to monitor the wolves a little more, so they spend the night. Next morning, Razor gives Fischl and Bennett a basket of meat, berries, and seeds to feed their respective animals and they realize Razor has some valuable skills, so he ends up staying upon receiving the OK from Lumine and Aether and telling Lisa and Ningguang for administrative purposes.

Because wolves inherently do not do well with loud noises and circus settings, Razor is very off-put by the idea of performance. Not to mention that he himself probs wouldn’t feel comfortable in the performance setting, so he sticks to the background (even learning the basics of tech) and gets really good at gathering resources from food for the animals to helping Oz bring back injured birds and track other injured animals. He and Oz interact a lot, which helps his friendship with Fischl as he was initially closer to Bennett.

His relationship with Lisa after a while can be summarized as “focus up you little monsters. not you Razor. You’re an angel and we’re thrilled you’re here”

[extremelyblackandwhite]

handmaid - 18

PAIRING: mob!sebastian stan x ingenue!reader

WARNINGS: age gap

A/N: someone last chapter said y/n was like cinderella and now i can’t forget it. i just love that movie, it’s such a good live-action remake. hope you enjoy this chapter xxx

NEXT CHAPTER

    - Gwen, you don’t need all of this. - half the staff of the penthouse was carrying bags and more bags into the lift that was almost filled with what looked like the full contents of two medium sized bedrooms. - It’s only for three weeks, Gwen. Besides, it’s freezing cold you won’t need a bathing suit. 

    - What if dad takes me to the Caribbean for New Years? - she crossed her arms, still pulling more and more clothing off her chest of drawers making the room look more messy than a bin area. Y/N sighed, grabbing some clothes and starting to fold them, placing them on the bed. - I have to be prepared, Y/N. People cannot see me looking less than. 

   - No one would see you as less than, Gwen. - probably over the top but never less than, Y/N thought to herself. - I don’t think all of this is gonna fix in the car. You’ll probably need to put some in the front and back seat. 

   - That is a great idea. - she closed the drawer with her feet. - You can go tomorrow so we have more space in the car today. 

   - But ... Gwen.

   - You are so smart. - the heiress patted her shoulder, handing her one of her brand named luggage. Y/N just sighed, it was probably alright to go tomorrow but that meant she would miss the decorating of the big Christmas tree in the big lobby. But then again, it was Christmas, the time to think of others and if bringing the entire wardrobe made Gwen happy, then Y/N was happy.

With two luggage bags hanging from her arms and one being held in her arms, she adventured herself into the staircase. However, due to the fact her sight was obstructed by the amount of suitcases, her feet tripped over each other and soon enough she felt herself flying towards the ground. She awaited the impact but instead someone grabbed her by her arms, the only impact felt being the sound created by the bags as they hit the floor in loud bang noises. 

   - Slow down, little angel. - she bite on her lip, recognising the voice. - You could’ve hurt yourself.

   - Just some last minute packing. - Y/N jumped off his arms onto the marbled floors, straightening the fabric of her dress with her hands. 

   - Doesn’t look very last minute. - he commented. - Three weeks, huh? That’s a bit long without seeing your pretty face around. 

   - You should be saying three weeks without seeing your wife to be will be long. - she handed one of the valets Gwen’s bags before she came downstairs and started panicking. 

   - You shouldn’t lie during Christmas. It’s Jesus birthday. - he chuckled, immediately returning to his regular stoic presence once Gwen came down the stair holding another bag. - Genevieve, my whole staff should not be packing the car. 

   - Not your whole staff besides if you need anything ask Y/N, she’s still staying here for a day longer. 

   - Gwen needs space in the car. - Y/N spoke up and before Sebastian could argue her own selflessness, she, along with several bags and Gwen, were already going down in the lift to the entrance where several staff where waiting with golden rolling cages to put all the luggage in so it could be hauled easily into the car. As everything got settled and placed, Y/N peaked her head into the window. - Are you sure you’re alright going on your own?

   - Yes, Y/N. You can go now, I’ll send the car for you tomorrow.

Y/N stepped back, waving goodbye as the car drove the heiress back to her family home. Sure, deep on the inside where no one but herself could see it but her, she was grieving losing what they did just before Christmas Eve. The decorating of the tree where she could put her very old yet near and dear precious ornament on the tree, the baking of the dough for the sugar cookies so they could be baked tomorrow but Christmas was not about Y/N, it was not about just one individual, it was about being there for those you loved and despite all, Y/N loved Gwen as much as a friend could ... sadly, she might also love her husband to be. 

As the car disappeared in the horizon, Y/N returned to the lobby, smiling at the lobby staff before she entered the lift which took her back to the penthouse. She had to admit the penthouse looked beautiful in the Christmas spirit. As she noticed the Christmas tree by the piano, an idea came into her mind and like a flash, she went into her bedroom, grabbed the red box and returned to the living room. Her hands delicately opened the box, staring at the still intact by time golden ornament. In her wildest fantasies as a child, she dreamed of marrying a prince, living her own life in her own little kingdom and pass the bauble down to her offspring. Yet those were childish fantasies and every once in a while, people need to grow and get newer fantasies. 

   - Leaving the room will not stop me from arguing with you, angel. - she held the ornament to her chest, softly turning on her feet to see Sebastian standing there, looking at her with a teasing smile. - She doesn’t need all that luggage. 

   - It’s alright, Elias said he’d drive tomorrow. 

   - What do you have there? - he pointed at her red glossy box, noticing the gold written Cartier on top. - A present from Gwen?

   - Not quite. - she opened the little drawer, holding onto the golden string of the gold bauble. - Mr. Forrest gave it to me when I was little. I always put it on the Christmas tree on the 23rd. 

   - You sure you don’t want me to drive you there myself? I’m sure if ...

   - I don’t wanna bother you or the staff. They deserve a Christmas break too.

   - I don’t know if it helps but ... - he stepped next to her. - You can always put it on our Christmas tree. 

  - Why don’t you put it? - she handed him the bauble and he probably would’ve said no, had it not been by the soft smile and hopeful nature her shining eyes had as she held the string. Sebastian merely smiled back, putting the ornament in the first free branch he saw, something he hadn’t done since he was a young boy. - It looks lovely. Doesn’t it?

  - You find beauty in everything, angel. - his eyes glued on the golden necklace that was always wrapped around her neck which somehow seemed to glisten even more than before. - You know, you never really told me about that little necklace you lost when we first meet. 

  - Oh ... it was my mother’s. - she smiled. - It’s been with me for ages. It’s a robin you know? The bird. When I was a little girl I used to think that was her name, Robin. 

  - My father used to know someone named Robin. Peculiar name, isn’t it?

  - Yeah, I always wonder about them during the holidays. Do you not ... wonder about your parents that is?

  - My father and I didn’t have the best relationship but I do miss my mother. She passed away a long time ago but ... she used to have the best sugar cookie recipe. 

  - You don’t mean to tell me the mob boss cooks. - she poked his shoulder playfully. - You ought to teach me someday. 

  - Of course, now go pack. 

Y/N had spent most of the day packing, deciding what to bring and what to show to the house staff. Not that she had a lot that she could show for but she wanted to bring the dress Sebastian gave her to show to the maids of the kitchen. Also because it had quickly climbed up to be one of her favourite gowns even with all the hand me downs from Genevieve.

She had fallen asleep mumbling Christmas carols, her mind going to one of her favourite time of the years and to the smells of cooking in the kitchen. She woke up with an unusual cold rushing down her spine. She popped her head from under the covers, eyes gazing at the outside of the Upper East through her window only to see it fully covered with lots and lots of fluffy snow. Oh no.

She rushed down the stairs like a mad men, punching the button of the lift which seemed to take ages to arrive and even longer to reach the lobby. She ran to the doors, pushing it open to the see the very busy Upper East Side with nothing but people walking. 

   - I’m sorry, sir. Are any cars leaving? - she asked the valet outside the door

  - Not today, Miss. All the streets are blocked. Pretty bad blizzard last night. 

  - Oh ... - if her heart could physically break, it had just broken. - Thank y ...

  - MISS Y/N. - one of the bodyguards rushed after her. - You almost gave us a fright, you could’ve gotten hurt. 

  - There’s no cars leaving. - she spoke with the weight of the world on her voice, following the bodyguard onto the living room. Most of the staff was gone and only essential and in-house living staff was in, mostly cooking for the holidays. 

  - Angel, are you alright? - Sebastian showed up from her left, still dressed in what looked like his sleeping clothes. 

  - There’s no cars leaving NY. - Y/N didn’t dare look anyone in the eyes, afraid her overwhelming sadness would manifest into tears if she dared to do so. - The blizzard ... nothing’s leaving ... I can’t go home. 

  - Nonsense. There must be something leaving. - his hand rested against her shoulder which was rather cold due to the contact with the cold weather outside. - Why don’t you go with Amelia and have something to eat? We’ll figure it out. 

  - Yes, come Miss Y/N ... - Amelia put her hands in the small back of Y/N. - I’ll make you some warm tea before you get sick. Come on.

Y/N was rushed into the kitchen by the cook while Sebastian grabbed his phone. Surely something had to be working, it wasn’t like she could walk what would regularly be a half an hour ride, she would freeze to death. No planes or personal flying vehicles were clear for take off and no cars or drivers were being allowed to drive.

  - Angel ... - he called out for the young girl who looked bluer than night ice. - Why don’t you go and take a warm bath while I figure this out?

  - Come along now. - Amelia pushed her off her seat before she could rebuff him. As the two disappeared into the hallway, Sebastian called out whatever he had left of staff which wasn’t too much. Luckily the stores were open and brave souls could adventure themselves into walking into them.

  - Right, you all have exactly one hour to turn this house into a Christmas paradise. Food, carolling, movies, all of it. It’s an order. Now go.

tag list: @lilya-petrichor @xoxohannahlee @irespostthingsiwanttoseelater @nikkipea @madisonpillstrom @cevans98 @thelostallycat @sideeffectsofyou @anxiousdreamersworld @captainchrisstan @lookiamtrying @sarge-barnes-sir​ @stuffforreferences​ @thebadassbitchqueen

[vixenpen]

Caged Hearts

Pt.25 Hawks x Dabi

((Hawks x Miku ((OC))

(GIF by: @dendriticheep)

(Yo I’mma be completely honest, Dabi’s motivation for fucking up Keigo’s life is mad petty and the side story is flimsy as hell, 😂)

Miku was in Tokyo shooting a promotional photoshoot for her tour. She was excited to get started on what would be the first major milestone of her career, and couldn’t wait for her tour.

Of course she hadn’t told Keigo any of this. No, he was stuck getting his updates from Twitter stalking and her online interviews.

After a week of tracking leads all over Fukouka, Keigo still hadn’t heard from her. He was on his one hundredth unanswered call, and thirtieth unanswered text. And if he was being honest? He deserved it.

There was a pained tug in his chest when he saw the candid shot of her smiling and waving to the camera as she entered a rehearsal space. Most of her face was obscured by a huge pair of sunglasses and her hair was tied up in a silk scarf, but she looked good.

He exited the article to tap on her contact.

Keigo: Angel I hope ur staying safe. Can we please talk?

Before he could add any more, his feathers prickled from the sudden movement happening in the warehouse. His golden eyes lifted towards the old building. They were moving something. Something big.

He squinted against the moonlight to watch the five men hustling large crates out the back of the warehouse.

His deep red wings stretched and carried him swiftly and quietly from the adjacent building to the top of the warehouse to get a better look. He shot off a few of his feathers and smirked with satisfaction at when he heard the henchmen’s bodies thudding against the walls. His sharp feathers pinned three of the goons to the wall of the warehouse, but the other two guys were fighting hard against him.

He winced as he felt the heat of their fire quirks shooting back at them. Keigo detached a few more to give the other feathers back up.

The moment he pinned the last two minions, the air around him changed. His wings twitched against the cool breeze as he scanned the ground. The men were all down for the count.

That was quick.

“You gotta get some better henchmen, Dabi.”

“Well, good help is hard to come by now a days, Birdie.”

The familiar raspy voice made him shiver. He turned around, stone faced.

Aside from the undercut and new facial piercings nothing had changed about his ex. He was the same brooding, alternative asshole he’d always been. Difference was, Keigo didn’t find it attractive anymore.

Dabi smirked at the hero.

“Miss me, babe?” He teased.

“Bold of you to face me like this, you son of a bitch.”

Dabi clicked his tongue and stepped closer to Keigo whose wings flexed out defensively.

He scoffed. “You and that girl of yours really are birds of a feather. She did the same thing when I stepped to her. So flighty you avian types. How’s she doin’ by the way? Heard she’s having a concert pretty soon-“

“What are you trying to do, Dabi?” Keigo interrupted, ignoring the man’s attempts to get under his skin.

“The usual, Hawks,” he spat back, “trying to take down this fucked up hero system that you seem so determined to keep intact.”

Keigo didn’t know why Dabi was blabbering so much. Usually he did it to prepare his body for an attack so as not to over exert his powerful quirk—but he wasn’t trying to attack.

“And how do you think you’ll do that?” Keigo shot back. “You don’t have the power or the vision that Shigaraki had, and you damn sure don’t have the numbers.” He scoffed. “Your henchmen are pathetic, those little nomu experiments are weak—face it, Dabi, you’ve got nothing. You’re fighting a useless battle.”

Dabi’s smirk melted into a smile. It was intimate and soft and...familiar. It took Keigo back to late nights spent laughing and rolling around in warm, tattered sheets. Secrets and insecurities being shared behind closed doors.

“It’s cute when you do that.” Dabi practically cooed.

The avian squinted his golden eyes, but said nothing.

Dabi was so close to him now that only an arm’s length separated them. The villain reached out to grab Keigo’s chin. His touch was so gentle it took the man by surprise.

“You can’t change a system from within a system. That’s why I’m on your side, Touya.”

Keigo’s breath caught hearing those words. One of the many empty promises he had made to the man he used to love.

“But you lied, Keigo...you lied.” He shook his head, slowly, his turquoise eyes piercing right through the man. “And I feel bad for that girlfriend of yours. She doesn’t know half of what kind of man you really are.”

The hero remained stoic, despite the pang in his chest. He knocked Dabi’s hand away from his face, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting it sharply.

Dabi’s unblemished skin pulled from his burned flesh at the force. The blood from his staples ran down Keigo’s gloved hand.

“What makes you think I won’t take you out right now?” Keigo ground out.

Just like that, the twisted smirk was back. “Because hero, you’re going to be a little distracted.”

Keigo’s brows furrowed, and before he could grasp the meaning behind Dabi’s words, the first explosion went off.

At that moment, Dabi’s quirk activated sending a fiery blast at Keigo’s face.

The heat was unbearable.

Fuck!

He stumbled back, disoriented.

“Well, babe, it was good seeing you again.” Dabi jeered as he walked backwards towards the edge of the building. “Bye for now.”

With that, he jumped backwards, leaving Keigo alone to deal with several burning buildings and a horde of winged dog beasts flying towards him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A pair of disdainful magenta eyes glared back at him. The curvy Latina glared at him, arms crossed.

“You look like shit.”

“I feel like it.” He replied, scratching his tangled blonde locks.

Konan appraised him a few seconds longer. It felt like minutes. Keigo averted her scrutinizing gaze. She tilted her head over her shoulder.

“Miku! Bird Brain’s here!”

She stepped out of the way to make way for Miku. Keigo felt her coming. Her heart pounded as she flew down the stairs. His own heartbeat sped up as well.

Finally, Miku stood before him wide eyed and disheveled as she looked him over.

“Keigo...”

He gave her a soft, rueful smile.

“Hey Angel.”

She reached towards his bandaged face tentatively then stopped, as if thinking better of it and dropped her hand to her side.

Keigo flashed her a cheeky grin.

“It feels worse than it looks. Trust me.”

She bit her lip, brows still scrunched in worry.

He sighed, shoulders drooping on the exhale. “I owe you one hell of an apology and an explanation.”

“Roof?” She asked.

“Roof.” He nodded.

The couple sat side by side, legs swinging over the edge. The weight of his Keigo’s confession about his sordid past and relationship with Dabi was wedged between them.

“There was no good reason for me not to tell you about Dabi. Especially knowing he was still out there, and that he could hurt you. I was ashamed. I’m a hero. I was supposed to know better than to fall for a villain. I’m the reason he’s still free. When we made the bust, I gave Dabi a way out. Like an idiot.”

“Like a fool in love.” Miku corrected. “Love makes people do stupid things, Kei. I’ll give you that, but-“

“But it’s not an excuse.” He shook his head, glaring down at the driveway below. “I indirectly put you in danger by lying to you. Knowing what I knew I had no right to get mad at you about you and Konan’s relationship-“

“Not necessarily true.” Miku turned to him. “You were right to be upset with me,” then her tone grew stern, “but you were also an absolute hypocrite...and an asshole.”

Keigo flinched, but nodded in agreement. “You’re right.”

“But, I am glad you’re honest to me now.” She added. He heard a smile in her voice. It was small, but it was there.

“Yeah,” he allowed a smile to creep through in his own. “I am too.”

Silence settled between them. It wasn’t awkward, but it wasn’t comfortable either. Sort of like the conversation.

“Miku,” Keigo started, she turned to him. “Is there any way you can postpone your tour?”

“No.”

He winced again.

“Baby, this isn’t a game.” Keigo pressed on. “You saw what happened in Fukuoka.”

The chaos of the fires and Dabi’s discount Nomu burned in the back of Keigo’s mind. By the time backup had arrived, his wings were whittled away to nothing trying to handle the situation, and the warehouses were crumbling beneath the blue flames. Keigo’s burns tingled at the memory.

“Dabi is dangerous, and he doesn’t fight fair.” He laid a hand on top of hers. It was the first contact they had made since he’d arrived. “Miku,” his voice cracked under the weight of his nerves, “Dabi would do anything to hurt me, and that includes hurt you. You need to be careful.”

She didn’t meet his gaze. Her eyes were zeroed in on his hand on top of hers, face screwed in contemplation.

“I’ll be more careful, but I refuse to put off my tour.”

He shook his head. “You’re being stubborn, Angel.”

“I’m not gonna live my life in a cage, Kei,“ she replied, clutching his hand in return. “I have a job to do and I’m gonna do it.”

“Angel...” he admonished. He softened his tone. “Please.”

Miku rolled her eyes.

She sighed, sounding like an indignant teenager. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll beef up my security whenever I go out.”

Keigo chuckled in defeat. “That’s the best I’m gonna get out of you, isn’t it?”

“Yup!” She exclaimed.

“Dammit Angel.” Keigo fought off the smile threatening to ruin the disapproval he was trying to project. “Fine. I’ll take it.”

He plucked another feather from his plumage and handed it to her. “For backup. Please keep them on you at all times, and if anything happens—“

“Break them,” Miku interjected. “I know, Kei, I got it.”

He allowed his face to soften some.

“I miss you, Angel.” He confessed.

Her expression fell.

“I miss you too, Kei, but I’m still not-“

“It’s ok.” He cut in, gently. “You don’t have to forgive me.”

Miku’s gaze fell back down to their intertwined fingers.

“Just...give me time—and space. Ok?”

He nodded. His fingers danced beneath her chin. Keigo tilted her face up to meet his, and managed a smile.

“Deal.”

(Miku is stubborn😝 but I love her)

[withluvgen]

My songbird - Warren Worthington X Reader

Words: 1,601

Warnings: Angst. Mentions of abuse and death. 

Request: Hi!! could I request a Warren x reader where him and reader have sort of the same mutation (reader's wings are like crow feathers) and they met before the whole Apocalypse thing and they reunite after and Warren cries cuz he thought he would never see them again? Thank you!

A/N: I tried to make this gender neutral because the pronouns used in the original request wasn’t gender specific either, so I just thought it would be better if I did it this way. Also, parts of this fic may or may not be based on Hawks from My Hero Academia, as well as some content of him I saw on tik tok (mostly just the songbird thing).  Anyway, I’m sorry this took way too long. I just had a lot on my mind and couldn’t think of a way to write this until now.

REQUESTS ARE OPEN!!

---

When Y/N met Warren, they were delighted to have met someone that looks like them. Warren had a beautiful pair of white wings that looked like they were as soft as clouds. He looked ethereal. While Y/N on the other hand, has wings as dark as night and weren’t quite as large. Warren looked like a literal angel, while Y/n looked like they grew crow wings on her back. This didn’t really make them feel insecure in anyway, they were honestly really proud of their wings as they can do something that Warren’s cannot.

Y/N had the ability to telekinetically control the feathers on their wings and can sense things through them. It wasn’t really much of a game changer when it came to the cage matches but to Warren, Y/N’s wings were amazing.

The two of them became friends easily because of what Y/N had said to Warren. Looking back, it was a bit cringey but hey if it made the curly haired bird boy stay, they’d gladly say it again.

“Oh hey you must be new here?” Y/N said as they looked out of the cage they were in.

“Tch.” Warren coldly responded as he sat on the ground hugging his knees.

“What’s with the attitude, bird boy? I was just being nice.” Y/N sighed before continuing. “Look, I know it sucks to be stuck here, but believe me it helps to at least make a friend or two. That way you wouldn’t be alone in this.”

“I don’t see the point of being friends if they’re just going to make us fight each other to the death.” He responds, head rested on his knees.

“Well aren’t you an absolute ray of sunshine?” Y/N chuckles “Those of us who’ve been here long enough to survive aren’t really pitted against each other. And seeing as you’re here in the same cell room as me, it’s least likely we’ll be fighting each other. Plus, we don’t really fight to death. Most of us anyway. We mutants got to stick together you know?”

Warren looked up from where he was sitting to finally take a look at the mutant who was talking to him. From behind the cell bars, he took in their features and noticed a pair of wings on their back, much like his, but they were smaller and a different color. Y/N noticed Warren staring and they smirked at him.

“Take a picture, bird boy, it’ll last longer.” They said with a wink. Warren’s face turned a light shade of red from the embarrassment of being caught staring.

“I-I wasn’t…” he started before Y/N’s laugh cut him off. Their laugh, it was something entirely different. It was enough to change the atmosphere in the room. He felt a warm feeling inside of him just from hearing them laugh.

“I was just teasing. Anyway, I don’t think I’ve introduced myself?” They asked before reaching out their hand to him. “I’m Y/N Y/L/N.”

“Y/N.” He thought to himself. The name suited them. He looked at their outstretched hand and took it. “Warren Worthington III.”

“Well, Warren, looks like you and are going to be really good friends.” Y/N said as they stretched out their wings. “After all, birds of a feather flock together, right?”

“That was stupid.” Warren laughed for the first time since being caught. He could tell that something about this mutant was different.

It was about a year later, Warren and Y/N had become a little more than just friends, but neither of them dared to address it or put a label on whatever they were. They were just two people who cared so much about the other, and besides their current situation wasn’t exactly ideal for a relationship.

But after Warren’s fight with Nightcrawler and all the mutants in the cage fights managed to escape, Y/N was separated from him. The last time Y/N saw him was when he struggled to fly out of the cage and into the night sky, only hearing about him days later on some news channel that he had joined the mutant called Apocalypse.

--

A few months later Y/N was flying around the night sky of Westchester when they saw a familiar winged figure standing near a lake. Y/N knew the place to be Xavier’s school, they were on their way there to seek refuge, knowing well that Professor Charles Xavier took in mutants. Y/N had hoped to find a new home in Xavier’s, what she didn’t expect was the person they once thought of as their home was standing on a few feet away.

They didn’t bother at first to go near the figure they saw by the lake, they thought it might just be a trick of the light or something. Only landing at the doorsteps of the mansion. The vast door opens to reveal a handful of mutants running about. It was late at night so Y/N didn’t expect to see other mutants until the next morning.

“You must be, Y/N?” A red headed girl asked.

“H-how did you know?” Y/N asked in surprise.

“The professor knew you were coming.” She smiled. “Come on follow me.”

Y/N followed the girl to what seemed to be an office at the end of the corridor. The mansion looked even more stunning on the inside than it did on the outside. As the red-head lead them inside, they were greeted by a bald man on a wheelchair. “That must be the professor.” Y/N thought.

“Thank you, Jean. Hello, Y/N Y/L/N, I am indeed Professor Charles Xavier.” He said with a smile on his face. “Came a long way, haven’t you?”

“Yeah. I started in Germany and flew from country to country just to get here.” Y/N said as they stood awkwardly in the center of the room, next to the red-head named Jean.  “I’ve been through a lot, honestly, and when I heard about this place from some other mutants, I knew I that this is the place I should be. I’m sorry if I just came here so suddenly, I just had to get away from all the violence.”

“I see. You are more than welcome to stay here with us, Y/N. In fact I think you may find some familiar faces.” The professor smiled and as if on cue, there was on a knock on the door. “Come in.”

“You wanted to see me professor?” Both Y/N and the boy were in shock at the sight of each other.

“YOU?!” They both said in unison.

“How did you get here?” Y/N asked the boy. “Last time I saw you was when you were in the cage fight with- the day we all got to escape that hell-hole.”

“I was brought here by the person who saved me, Mystique.” He said as he paused for a bit. “It’s not just me who is here. Someone else from the cage fights.”

“Warren?” Y/N said jaw dropped as they saw the familiar winged boy for the first time in months standing by the door. He’s changed. His wings no longer had the beautiful white feathers that Y/N adored, they were now matched the look on his face cold and metallic. But after seeing Y/N in all their likeness, the expression on his face seemed to soften.

“What are you doing here?” Warren said as he came rushing to wrap Y/N in his arms.  The professor nodded to Jean and Kurt, signaling them to take their leave.

“I flew here. I didn’t know where else to go.” They said as they melted in Warren’s embrace.

“I’m so happy to finally be with you again, songbird.” Warren said and Y/N’s heart fluttered at the sound of his pet name for them. “You don’t know how much I’ve missed you. I swear, I wanted to look for you after I escaped but my wings they- I lost them. They were beyond recovery and when Apocalypse came I- I’ve done some terrible things in the past few months without you and I thought that what I am now was the universe’s punishment for all that I’ve done. I can’t erase or undo what I did, and my wings and the tattoos on my face are a constant reminder of that. Every time I look at myself, I’m reminded of what I’ve done. But that wasn’t the worst part of it. The worst part is that I thought I’d never get to see you again, but here you are. I’m sorry.”

Y/N stops for a moment as they look up at Warren and see that he’s been crying. They wiped his tears with their thumb and cupped his face in the process.

“Hey, none of that. We’ve all done some terrible things in our lives, but it’s what we do to make up for them that matters. You being here means that you want to change, right?” Warren nods as he leaned in to their touch. “I don’t care what you did, or how you ended up looking like this. I don’t care about any of that, Warren. I knew how badly hurt you were that night. I came to find you but when I saw you on the news, I knew you had to do what you did. You don’t need to apologize for anything, Ren.”

“I’m just so happy that you’re here.” Warren said as he pulled them in for another hug. Wrapping his arms around them tighter, as if he was afraid that if he let go, they would disappear.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Y/N said as they buried their face in Warren’s chest.

---

[fanfictionaries]

Oh So Many Years: Ch. 19 - Shoot The Moon

Pairing: Hermione Granger x Fred Weasley

Summary:

Summer has ended and students return to King’s Cross to begin another year at Hogwarts. 

Warnings: Swearing, Death, Smut/18+ NSFW

Author’s Note:

For some reason Tumblr wouldn’t take my formatting like it has with previous chapters. I swear it’s a freaking crap shoot whether it will EVERY time I poster on here. It would be nice to know how that works...

Anyways, please enjoy :) 

Masterlist

<<<Chapter 18

 Summer days are gone too soon

You shoot the moon

And miss completely

And now you’re left to face the gloom

The empty room that once smelled sweetly

Of all the flowers you plucked if only

You knew the reason

Why you had to each be lonely

Was it just the season?

 Hermione Granger was nothing if not a punctual person. At the best of times she was fifteen minutes early and at the worst she was on time. However, she should have known that the Weasley family would want to stick true to their tradition of arriving at King’s Cross by the skin of their teeth. Tapping her foot impatiently as she stood in the busy kitchen, Hermione worked very hard at fighting off a headache. Mrs. Weasley was screaming at the twins for charming their trunks and accidentally knocking Ginny down two flights of stairs and Walburga was screaming because Mrs. Weasley was screaming. She checked her watch for the umpteenth time that morning and ran a hand over her hair. They may not even make it on time at all if they carried on this way, she thought irksomely. Especially if they waited any longer on Sturgis Podmore to show up like Moody wanted them to. The last thing she needed was to miss the train on her first day as a Prefect. Smirking to herself, Hermione stared down at the silver pin fitted snuggly to the front of her jumper and admired it. Prefect. She had done it. Just one step closer to Head Girl.

A tap at the kitchen window brought Hermione out of her musings. Looking up she saw the brilliant, snowy visage of Hedwig. Hermione sighed, striding towards the window, and throwing it open. Hedwig flew in, looking quite flustered for a bird. Perhaps she also knew they were running late. Cursing in her head, Hermione wondered if perhaps her parents had forgotten that today was the day she left for Hogwarts. Why else would they have chosen to send Hedwig back so late in the morning? She took the letter from her parents out of Hedwig’s clutch and then allowed the bird to climb onto her shoulder. The owl’s long talons dug sharply into her skin, holding on for dear life as Hermione sprinted out of the kitchen and up the stairs. On the second floor landing she spotted Crookshanks stalking a stray mouse and scooped him up as well. The giant orange beast squirmed in her arms, putting up a fight but possessing enough respect to keep his claws put away.

 “Oh stop, Crooks. Honestly, you’ve spent all summer doing whatever you please. Just cooperate with me for one second,” Hermione groaned, holding onto her cat even tighter and bounding up the last flight of stairs to Harry and Ron’s room.

 “Sorry Harry! Mum and dad only just sent Hedwig back,” she apologized, walking across her friends’ messy room to place Hedwig in her cage. “Are you just now getting dressed?”

 “Uh yeah, I slept late,” Harry mumbled, buttoning the last button on his shirt, and moving to pull on his socks and shoes.

 Hermione sighed, placing Crookshanks down on the bed and taking a moment to stare critically at her best friend. Harry had mentioned the resurgence of his nightmares earlier in the summer when she found him wandering the halls late at night. She had been on her way back to her room from another late-night library session with Fred, but of course she didn’t tell Harry that. While what her and Fred were doing wasn’t necessarily wrong, there was an unspoken agreement between the two of them that they should keep it to themselves. People just wouldn’t understand.

 However, looking at Harry now, Hermione didn’t need her former knowledge of Harry’s nightmares to know that he wasn’t sleeping well. He had circles under his eyes, and despite Mrs. Weasley’s cooking the past month he still looked too thin.

 “How’s Ginny?” Harry asked, tying his laces.

 Hermione rolled her eyes. “She’s fine. Mrs. Weasley is patching her up in the kitchen. I wouldn’t go down there right now though if I were you. It’s a zoo. Mrs. Weasley and Walburga are still yelling and now Mad-Eye’s complaining that we can’t leave until Sturgis Podmore shows up. Otherwise the guard will be one short,” said Hermione, leaning against the end of the bed and petting Crookshanks idly.

 “Guard?” Harry asked, looking up from his shoes. “We have to go to King’s Cross with a guard?”

 “You have to go to King’s Cross with a guard,” corrected Hermione.

 “Why?” questioned Harry, standing up in an irritated fashion.

 Hermione scoffed, “Why do you think, oh Boy Who Lived?”

 “I thought Voldemort was supposed to be lying low. What, do they think he’ll be waiting behind a dustbin at the train station, waiting to do me in?”

 “I don’t know. It’s just what Mad-Eye says,” said Hermione, fighting to stay calm and sympathetic. She was getting a bit tired of Harry’s moody demeanour.

 Her assumption about Harry’s arrival at the beginning of the month had been correct. Harry had been irate. At everyone, but especially at her and Ron. Luckily, Fred and George swooped in at the right time, just like Fred had said they would. Bless the both of them. Hermione didn’t know how much more chastising she could take, she already felt guilty for not writing to him. She’d apologized at least a thousand times over in the last month, but Harry still had a sour mood and while Hermione had been prone to tears at the beginning, now she was just frustrated.

 “Look, I’m not too happy about it either. Do you think I want to be late today?” Hermione asked snippily, looking at her watch once again.

“Will you lot get down here now?!” Mrs. Weasley’s bolstering voice boomed up through the stairwell and Hermione pushed off the bed with a sigh. She grabbed Crookshanks in her arms once again and headed towards the door. “Are you coming?” she asked once she got to the doorway.

 “Yeah, right behind you,” nodded Harry, looking a bit pink in the face. Perhaps her comment had embarrassed him. Hermione smiled at the thought. It would do him good to remember he wasn’t the only one with problems in the world.

 Hermione hurried down the stairs, running into the twins halfway down.

 “Well if it isn’t our favourite little Prefect,” said George, reaching out and ruffling the top of Hermione’s head. Hermione batted his hand away before reaching the bottom of the stairs and placing Crookshanks in his carrier.

 “I’m not speaking with you two,” she sniffed, looking away from them and instead focusing her attention on getting the finicky latch closed tightly on her cat’s wicker carrier.

 “Oh? Why’s that Hermione?” the two asked in unison.

 “I’m annoyed with you both,” responded Hermione in an off-handed manner.

 “Annoyed?” asked Fred with a shocked tone.

 “With us?” asked George, sounding equally as surprised.

 “That can’t be right—” Fred leaned against the wall beside her and took the strap from Hermione’s hands, latching the carrier closed with ease “—we’re angels, we are.”

 “You knocked your sister down two flights of stairs!”

 “By accident!” cried Fred and George.

 “Yes, well still. I hope you know that I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour once we get to Hogwarts.”

 “I knew this would happen Freddie,” said George, shaking his head solemnly.

 “We really should have prepared ourselves more for this inevitable betrayal,” added Fred woefully.

 “Our little Hermione, a swotty Prefect.”

 “No more fun.”

 “No more laughs.”

 “Oh the laughs we’ve had,” bemoaned George wistfully, throwing himself dramatically onto Fred’s shoulder.

 “You two are ridiculous—” Hermione shook her head, unable to stop the smile from forming on her face “—I told you before. Just because I’m a Prefect doesn’t mean I’m going to stop being fun—”

 “You were fun before?” asked Ron cheekily, entering the hallway with a cauldron cake in hand.

 Hermione scowled at him. “Ha, ha, very funny Ron. You know, you’re a Prefect too now. You should start practicing a bit more civility.”  

 Ron smirked, ignoring her comment, and instead taking a bite of the cauldron cake before going over to stand near Tonks and Ginny.

 Hermione turned back to the twins who stared down at her expectantly, waiting to hear the rest of the speech she’d given at least three times over since she’d received the letter with her silver Prefect pin. “Now, as I was saying. I’m not going to turn into a monster. Just realize that I have an obligation to the school first and I won’t hesitate to reprimand you if need be.”

 “Reprimand, you hear that Freddie?” asked George with an impish expression.

 “Sure did Georgie,” answered Fred, looking equally as puckish.

 “What are you going to do, Hermione?”

 “Give us a bit of a spanking?”

 Hermione blushed, furiously and against her better judgement. But she was more well-versed in the ways of the Weasley twins and so her embarrassment did not stop her from responding like it might have in previous years. Instead, she looked up confidently at the two and tried to put on what she could only imagine was a semblance of seduction. “Only if you’ve been bad boys.”

 The twins balked at her comment, mouths hanging open and ears tinging pink in a fashion very similar to Ron but very unfamiliar to them. Fred and George Weasley did not get embarrassed easily. If they had any kind of response, there was no time for it. A moment later, Mrs. Weasley came into the hallway from the kitchen and Harry came down the stairs. Walburga was still screaming insults from the wall, but all ears were trained on Mrs. Weasley’s instructions on who was going with who to King’s Cross and what to do with their trunks.

 A whirlwind of people, crosswalks, and magical barriers and Hermione was finally on Platform 9 ¾. In a way, Hermione was glad they had walked to the train station. It had given her a sense of control on how quickly they reached the train and she had practically run the entire way, Mr. Weasley and Ron on her heel. Once the stress of getting on the train was gone, Hermione was faced with a whole slew of new worries. Sirius had insisted on coming to the station with them and had done his absolute most to stand out like a sore thumb in his Animagus form.

 “He shouldn’t have come with us,” she said, watching the black dog chase the train exuberantly, as they took off from King’s Cross. The students in the train watched it laughing, and even some of the parents left on the platform smiled at the rambunctious dog. They wouldn’t be so cheerful if they knew it was Sirius Black, escaped Azkaban prisoner, thought Hermione cynically.

 “Oh give him a break. He hasn’t seen daylight in ages. Just blowing off a bit of steam he is,” said Ron, continuing to smile out the window at the dog quickly dwindling in size as the train travelled further from the station.

 “Well, as much as we’ve enjoyed your company these past few months, Georgie and I have some important business with people who well…”

 “—aren’t you lot,” George finished for Fred, giving them a short wave before the pair of them turned and disappeared into the next carriage.

 Hermione sighed, not even wanting to begin to think of the trouble they were sure to get up to. Over the remaining month they’d managed to nearly perfect their line of Skiving Snacks and have an admirable inventory at their dispense. As a Prefect, Hermione tried not to think about it. The less she knew, the better.

 “Should we find a compartment then?” asked Harry, turning to her and Ron looking the most cheerful he had all summer. It made what Hermione had to say next even harder. She chanced a look at Ron who was looking equally as guilty.

 “Oh…Harry. I thought you knew. Ron and I have to go to the Prefect’s carriage,” she said, watching the smile fall from Harry’s face. She looked back to Ron, hoping for some support but he was looking anywhere but Harry, focusing intently on one of the wall-mounted light fixtures as if he were seeing it for the first time.

 “Oh—” Harry nodded “—right. Fine.

 “I don’t think we’ll have to be there the whole time. Just long enough to get instructions from the Head Boy and Girl and then we have to patrol the corridors from time to time. We can still—”

 “It’s fine,” said Harry, cutting her off. He was using the clipped, overtly chipper tone he used when he was trying too hard to sound casual. “I might see you later then.”

 “Yeah, definitely!” Ron finally chimed in. “It’s a shame we have to go down there. I’d rather we didn’t, but…we have to. I guess…I mean I’m not enjoying it. I’m not bloody Percy.”

 Harry smiled again, this time in amusement at Ron’s rambling. “I know you’re not,” he said before waving them off to the Prefect compartment.

 Despite his reassurances that he was fine, Hermione felt guilty for leaving Harry there on his own.

 “He’ll be alright,” said Ron, leading her down the corridor towards the front of the train where the Prefect carriage waited for them. “I’m sure he’ll find Seamus or Dean or Neville or someone.”

 “Oh right…”

 It was easy to forget that they all had other friends outside of their small inner circle. Especially since for the longest time, Ron and Harry were her only friends. At least, her only close friends. Neville was her friend, she supposed. As were Fay and Emmy. She might even stretch as far as to say Lavender and Pavarti were her friends as well. Well…maybe more like close acquaintances.

 “Who do you think they chose for Slytherin Prefects?” Ron asked as they neared the front of the train.

 “With our luck it’ll be Malfoy and Parkinson,” grumbled Hermione, reaching the door to the Prefect’s compartment and sliding it open. It was almost poetic the way the moment the words left her mouth, the opening compartment door revealed none other than the two Slytherins in question. They sat in the corner, side-by-side, looking bored and smug. Their expressions only seemed to lighten when they spotted Ron and Hermione entering the compartment.

 “And I thought being a Prefect was supposed to be a place of honour—” Malfoy sneered, looking her and Ron up and down in a condescending manner “—now that I know they’ll give the job to just anyone, it takes away a bit of the prestige.”

 Pansy snickered.

 “Funny, I was just thinking the exact same thing,” Hermione spat back, staring Malfoy in the eye as she tried to telepathically burn him alive. If ever there was a time for emotion-fuelled accidental magic, thought Hermione, now would be it.

 “How dare you, you—”

 “Now, now—” cut in Roger Davies, a seventh year Ravenclaw and the newly appointed Head Boy “—leave the house rivalry for the classroom and the quidditch pitch.” Davies laughed, but Hermione could see the nervous glint in his eye as he gripped his wand tightly.

 “Bloody git,” Ron mumbled under his breath. Hermione didn’t know whether he was referring to Malfoy or Davies, but either way Hermione felt like it was fitting. The rest of the compartment seemed to feel the same as her, as both the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Prefects were giving Davies wary looks while trying to create as much space as possible between themselves and the Slytherins. Hermione was grateful to see that the other Prefects were familiar faces. Padma Patil, Pavarti’s sister, was the spitting image of her twin and gave Hermione a small wave as she sat down. Hermione, while having limited interaction with the Ravenclaw, found that she liked her much more than Pavarti as they had a shared interest for learning. Anthony Goldstein, the other Ravenclaw Prefect, she recognized from Transfiguration classes years prior. He also gave them a brief greeting. Ernie MacMillan was there too, and while Hermione still didn’t care for him since his spread of lies about Harry their second year, his presence was soothed by the kind and quiet Hannah Abbott who sat next to him.

 “Now!” exclaimed Helen Monroe, the Head Girl, some time later. They were coming near to the end of their meeting, or at least that’s what Hermione assumed based on the agenda they had been given. Their meeting had taken much longer than either Hermione or Ron had anticipated. Ashamedly she thought of Harry sitting on his own in a compartment waiting for them. Merlin she hoped he had found someone to sit with instead of choosing to mope by himself. Maybe Fred and George had found him at the very least.

 “The last thing on our agenda we’d like to address before handing out patrol and meeting schedules is an issue of favouritism,” said Monroe with a smiling face.

 “Favouritism? What do ya mean?” asked Ernie, sounding affronted as if he’d just been personally accused of the offense.

 “Well, in the past we’ve had issues with Prefects showing house favouritism—”

 “—giving points where they’re undeserved and taking points away to give their house a leg up on winning the House Cup,” chimed in Davies.

 “And we just wanted to remind you that your responsibility is to the school and it’s students first and foremost. So please try and show some sense of neutrality, no matter who is involved, whether it’s those in your house or…family members…” Monroe shot a nervous look in Ron’s direction that Ron missed but Hermione did not.

 For a second she wondered if perhaps they were talking about Harry, given he was so prone to getting in trouble and then the truth of the implication hit her square in the face. Maybe she was spending too much time with Fred and George otherwise, she would have caught on immediately that that was exactly who the Heads were referring to. Hermione wanted to laugh. She almost did. Bringing a hand up to cover her mouth, she faked a cough to try and hide the bout of giggles threatening to escape her chest.  

 They were given their schedules after that. Hermione and Ron had the first set of patrols up and down the train, and so instead of heading straight towards Harry, they meandered down from the head of the train, peaking into compartments, and breaking up little spats between younger students. Ron seemed to take to the position of power quite well. Almost too well in some instances, Hermione having to remind him of the speech they’d just been given about abuse of power in favour of their house. He had been trying to take points from a group of third year Slytherins for being too loud – an offense that Hermione deemed worthy of a simple reminder. They were about halfway down the train, Ron trying to reverse a jelly-legs curse that had been set on a fourth year Ravenclaw by accident, when a compartment slid open and Hermione nearly collided with Angelina Johnson.

 “Oh!—” the Gryffindor chaser exclaimed, stopping short “—Hermione. Hi.”

 “Hi…” Hermione responded awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Suddenly she was very nervous, which was ridiculous because she had nothing to be nervous about! It’s not like her and Fred had really done anything. Intimate? Sure. But in a friendly sort of way. Nothing that when taken into context could be deemed inappropriate, reasoned Hermione. Although, if that were true then she wouldn’t have anything to be nervous about.

 “How was your summer?” the older girl asked.

 The question took Hermione by surprise. Why did Angelina Johnson care about her summer? They weren’t friends, and up until that point Hermione was under the impression that Johnson didn’t even like her all that much.

 “Fine. I spent most of it with Ron’s family,” Hermione said, trying to push past how odd it felt to be having a conversation with Fred’s girlfriend when she was madly in love with him and had spent most of her summer nights curled up on a couch or in his bed with him. In a totally appropriate way of course.

 “I thought you might have. George mentioned one time that you usually visit them during the summer,” said Johnson, nodding and looking nervously around them.

 “How was your summer? I heard you spent it at quidditch camp. How was that?” Hermione asked, trying to bridge the uncomfortable silence between them with polite conversation. Why were they still talking?

 “It was good. Yeah, really good. I learned a lot of…stuff.”

 Hermione nodded, raising her eyebrows in acknowledgement. When Johnson neglected to continue, Hermione glanced back in the compartment where Ron was patting an exhausted looking Ravenclaw student on the back, having just broken the curse. She wished he’d hurry up and save her from whatever was going on right then. Her attention was pulled back to the uncomfortable conversation when Johnson spoke once again.

 “Listen, Granger. Now that I’ve got you, I was wondering…” Johnson paused, seeming to contemplate her next words. “I was just wondering whether—”

 “There you are!” Ron exclaimed, exiting the compartment behind Hermione, and placing a hand on her shoulder. “You know, I really could have used your help in there. You’re much better at counter-curses than me Hermione. Oh, hi Johnson.”

 The older girl seemed to go all rigid and awkward at the appearance of Ron. She shifted from foot to foot and cleared her throat before straightening her position and taking on a completely different demeanour. “Weasley. How was your summer?”

 “Good, thanks. Not as good as yours I imagine. Quidditch camp! That must have been amazing!” mooned Ron, getting a sparkly look to his eye at the thought.

 “Yeah, it was great. Learned loads of stuff that should be sure to put Gryffindor in the lead this year. We need a new Keeper now that Oli, I mean—” Johnson coughed “—now that Wood’s gone. Will you be following the Weasley legacy and trying out?”

 Ron went red around the ears, ducking his head bashfully. “Actually, yeah. I thought I might.”

 “Good. I look forward to seeing what you’ve got,” said Johnson with finality before giving them both a small nod and moving past them down the train corridor.

 As strange as the interaction had been, only one thing seemed to stick with Hermione in that moment.

 “You didn’t tell me you were planning on trying out for the team!”

  Fred reckoned he should have known the minute Angelina neglected to show up to their usual compartment that something was up. Alicia had given some offhanded excuse of Angelina going to scout out compartments for potential quidditch recruits and Fred had bought it at face value. In the past he might have questioned it a bit more, gone looking for his long-time friend and currently girlfriend. But in a way it had been a relief for him to not have to deal with the issue of Angelina the moment he got on the train. He was much too excited to show Lee and Alicia their new products and didn’t want to sully it by breaking up with his girlfriend. It had been a long-time coming. He’d wanted to end things weeks ago but had ultimately decided that he couldn’t do it over letter. Him and Angelina had history and she definitely deserved more than a letter saying ‘Hey, this isn’t working. Mind if we just go back to being friends?’. Not to mention the girl got harder and harder to reach as the summer went on. The last letter she’d sent him had been nothing but a picture of her and the beater for the Holyhead Harpies with the words ‘Isn’t this rad? Missing you lots! x Angelina’ written on the back. And while it was cool, Fred couldn’t help but think that in a way it was a finality to their relationship for him. The two of them had never really been gossipy conversationalists, falling back more on their shared physical activities and the comfortable silence that came with old friendships, but this was a bit too sparse for him. He wanted more. He wanted something different. He wanted…Hermione.

 Luckily after the reveal of their new products, Lee wasted no time in bringing other students into their compartment to show off their goods. Before Fred knew it, he and George were completely immersed in their salesmen roles and so all thoughts of girls and relationships were quickly replaced with galleons, sickles, and knuts.

 By the time he and George had made it to the castle their pockets were significantly heavier and their spirits lighter than ever. They were almost completely out of fake wands, biting teacups, and spitting teapots. They had even been convinced by a group of second year Hufflepuffs to sell some of their Skiving Snack Box products – the sweets not yet fully through trial runs. Fred and George agreed but only if they were willing to report back on the effects. The students were happy to do so as it meant they got the sweets at a discount.

 The next clue that went unnoticed by Fred was the fact that Angelina chose to sit at the opposite end of the table as him at the feast. But Fred had been too excited, telling Hermione all about their sales, to notice. Besides, Alicia and Lee were sitting with her and Fred and George usually sat with their family at the start-of-term feast. Still, when Fred caught Angelina’s eye at the end of the table as the last of the first years took their seats, he found himself panicked at the odd look on his girlfriend’s face. Did she know? wondered Fred feeling the all too familiar summersault in his stomach. How could she possibly know? The only person who knew he wanted to break up with her was himself. He hadn’t even told George, although he suspected that George suspected as much.

 The churning sensation stuck with him all throughout dinner and resulted in him eating very little, something that did not go unnoticed by neither George nor Hermione.

 “You alright, mate? You barely touched your porkchops,” said George, licking the last of his chocolate ice cream from the back of his spoon.

 “Yes, and you didn’t even fight Ron for the last of the custard,” added Hermione, her comment touching Fred as she had remembered custard was the only pudding he really cared for.

 “I’m fine. My stomach’s just a bit upset,” he lied, chewing on the side of his thumb as he stared down at the table, tracing the grain of the wood with his eyes.

 “Maybe you should go and see Madame Pomfrey once the feast is over,” suggested Ginny kindly. Fred shot her an appreciative smile before returning his gaze to the table.

 “Well, now that our stomachs are full and our hearts are warm from friendly conversation, I’d like to take a moment of your time to go over the usual start-of-term announcements,” Professor Dumbledore’s gentle yet authoritative voice rang throughout the hall, pulling all attention to himself at the centre of the staff table. He went into his usual diatribe on how the Forbidden Forest was of course, forbidden, how Filch wanted to remind them that magic was off-limits in the corridors between classes, etc. etc. Lastly, he announced that there would be two changes in staffing: Professor Grubbly-Plank was back to take over his position as the teacher for Care of Magical Creatures, and their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was a woman named Professor Umbridge.

 At the mention of her name, Fred looked down the staff table for the first time that night to see a new addition. A stout, round woman in a garish-looking pink outfit sat where the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher usually did. Despite her loud outfit she had a very unpleasant look about her, decided Fred. Although, it didn’t really make much of a difference to him. They had a new Defense teacher just about every year now and seeing as it was his last year, it really was inconsequential. They were all the same in the end.

 “Hey, I know her,” commented Harry. “She was at my hearing at the ministry.”

 Fred found that kind of odd. What was a ministry official doing teaching at Hogwarts?

 Dumbledore moved on, beginning to talk about quidditch try-outs when the new DADA teacher did something that made her stick out from all the other defense teachers before her. She stood from her seat. Dumbledore stopped, midsentence and looked at the short woman. Professor Umbridge let out a, “Hem, hem,” and Fred thought for a second that he must be hallucinating. Was this woman really interrupting the headmaster to give some kind of speech? More gracious than Fred could ever imagine to be, Dumbledore allowed her to speak and speak she did.

 Her speech was long-winded, full of comments about Hogwarts’s greatness and how the Ministry placed a lot of stake into the education of young minds. It sounded like a lot of hot air in Fred’s opinion and one glance around the room at the other student’s and even some of the teacher’s faces told him that he wasn’t the only one who felt that way. When Professor Umbridge had the audacity to say that she hoped they would all become great friends Fred couldn’t help but utter a sarcastic, “That’s likely” which was mimicked in time by George as well.

 Then she spoke of progress and change and how things must be done for the better and Fred felt an all-new unease take over him. An unease that radiated throughout the entirety of the room for once she had finished and taken her seat, the hall was much quieter than before.

 “Well that was certainly illuminating,” Hermione whispered from beside him.

 “Don’t tell me you enjoyed that shite,” said Ron exasperatedly. “That had to be the most boring thing I’ve ever heard.

 “I said it was illuminating, not good,” sniped Hermione. “It certainly put things into perspective.”

 “It did?” asked Harry. “Sounded like a load of waffle to me.”

 “Yes, well there was a lot of important stuff in all that waffle if you’d been listening,” said Hermione, her mood turning dark. She had Fred’s attention now as well.

 “There was?” asked Ron dumbly.

 “All that talk of ‘progress for the sake of progress’ and ‘practices that must be prohibited’?”

 Ron and Harry shrugged at her, but Fred was beginning to understand what Hermione was getting at. If Umbridge worked for the ministry and believed that changes needed to be made at Hogwarts then—

 “It means the Ministry’s interfering at Hogwarts,” said Hermione, surmising Fred’s conclusion perfectly.

 The room burst into applause, Dumbledore having finished the last of his announcements and then students began to rise from their seats. Ron and Hermione stood, leaving to escort the first years back to Gryffindor tower. Fred laughed with George when Hermione looked like she was about to lose her head when Ron called the first years ‘midgets’. Turning his head away from the squabbling pair, his eyes fell once again on Angelina.

 Fred swallowed thickly.

 If ever there was a time, it was now. He should just do it. Get it over with. Break her heart and hope that they could move on. Trying to find the bright side to it, he told himself that the sooner he ended things with Angelina, the sooner he could begin pursuing Hermione. However, that only left him with even sweatier palms. Standing up from the table, he looked between George and Angelina with the full intent to cross the room and ask his girlfriend to speak in private. But instead,

 “Alright, Freddie!” he announced loudly, catching George off guard. His twin looked up from the conversation he’d been having with Ginny and looked at him curiously. “I’ll see you in the common room. I have a few things I need to take care of first.”

 Before his brother had any time to question what he was doing, Fred flew from the Great Hall and past Angelina, avoiding looking in her direction as he turned the corner and headed towards an unknown direction. He had only gone a little way down the corridor when a voice called after him.

 “George! Wait up!”

 Fred stopped and turned to see Angelina running after him. What could Angelina possibly want with George, Fred thought for a moment as he watched the pretty witch approach him, her long braids bouncing off her shoulders. She looked nervous when she finally reached him. Her hands twisted together, and her eyes couldn’t quite meet his.

 “That’s me, George. What’s up?” Fred asked, wanting to kick himself. Coward. He was a coward.

 “Can I…can I talk to you for a second about…Fred?”

 “What about Fred?” Fred asked, feeling incredibly stuck in the lie he’d created.

 “Um, you know how I was at quidditch camp this summer?” asked Angelina, looking around them and grabbing Fred’s arm, pulling them over to an alcove away from prying ears and eyes. “And you know how Oliver was there?”

 “Yeah…” said Fred, feeling the blood drain from his body. His limbs had gone all cold and his fingers all numb and tingly.

 “Well, something might have happened.”

 “Something? What kind of something?”

 “Like I might have, I guess you could say I might have cheated?”

 “Might have or did? Those are two very different things Angelina,” said Fred, speaking now more as himself than as himself pretending to be George.

 “Okay, I did! I cheated!” admitted Angelina, bringing her hands up to cover her face in shame.

 “With Oliver Wood?!”

 “I know! I know! It just sort of…happened. Oli and I, we’re—”

 “Oh, so it’s Oli now?” asked Fred, feeling his temper bubble.

 “Look, I know you’re angry. I mean, Fred’s your brother after all.”

 Oh, right. She still thought he was George. Well this certainly threw a wrench in things. “Don’t you think this is something you should be telling him and not…me?” asked Fred, feeling slightly confused as he tried to wrap his head around processing the fact that his girlfriend had cheated on him with Oliver Wood, and that she had no idea she was speaking to him and not his brother.  

 “Yes, and I want to, but George. We’re friends too right? And you know him better than anyone. I was hoping you might know how to break this to him as easily as possible,” Angelina pleaded, looking imploringly into his eyes.

 Before Fred could even begin to figure out how to answer that, both his saving grace and downfall came all at once in the form of the real George Weasley.

 “You alright Freddie? What are you two up to then?” asked George, looking innocently between the two of them, tucked into the alcove.

 Angelina looked between George, the real George, and Fred who she now was beginning to realize was the one standing before her. Fred watched as the realization took over her and then how fear replaced confusion in her eyes before she muttered, “Well, fuck.”

 The conversation at that point had been a bit stale. Fred reckoned he might have gotten more answers out of her if George hadn’t come along and blown his act, but it was probably for the best. The more Fred thought about it, the less he really wanted to know. Still, some things stuck with him. What did Oliver Wood have that he didn’t?

 “I mean, it’s Wood!” cried Fred for the tenth time that night, laying face up, wrong way on his bed, head hanging off the end.

 “I know mate, I know,” responded George, continuing to unpack his and Fred’s trunk. A nicety Fred figured he was only giving considering his current predicament.

 “Maybe she’s bewitched or something,” suggested Lee kindly from across the room.

 “Yeah, maybe she’s under some kind of potion or spell. How else could a prat like that land Angelina?” added George.

 “I don’t know, Fred managed to land her just fine,” said Kenneth Towler, earning a round of glares from everyone in the room.

 “Shut it, Towler,” warned George, but he had gotten Fred’s attention now.

 Lifting his head till it was level with his body, Fred looked at the bookish boy with narrowed eyes. “What are you trying to say Kenneth?”

 Kenneth laughed, a short and breathy scoff, shaking his head from side to side. “Have you ever considered that maybe Wood’s just better than you?”

 The room was silent. Shocked at Towler’s words and more importantly in anticipation for how Fred would respond. Fred too was curious as to how he would react. Digging deep within himself he searched for anger, sadness, envy, but he found none of it. Instead, he laughed. A full body, side aching laugh that sent him toppling out of his bed and wiping at tears at the corner of his eyes. George and Lee joined in, followed shortly by Towler himself. When Fred finally calmed down enough to catch his breath he was on the floor, back leaning against the foot of his bed and one knee bent upwards to support his left arm.

 “Yeah, you might be right there Towler,” he sighed, feeling better than he had a few minutes previously.

 Despite his ability to laugh at the situation that night, Fred couldn’t help but mope the next day. Sure, he was planning on breaking up with Angelina as well, but it still hurts to get dumped and cheated on. Especially when the other man was your old quidditch captain. Not to mention, in a way he felt like it was slightly expected of him. In true Hogwarts fashion everyone knew the tale of him and Angelina and more importantly his mistaken identity. It had turned into a bit of a joke really and by dinner the next night people were saying things like “Just make sure it’s actually them and not their twin” when someone planned to meet with someone.

 It wasn’t particularly clever, Fred thought. Surely he and George could have come up with something much better if it had happened to someone else. But it hadn’t happened to someone else. It had happened to him, and he wasn’t about to throw fire to the flame by making a better joke that would surely stick around much longer. That just wouldn’t be fair to Angelina, who was already looking about as miserable as you could. It was clear she was embarrassed and guilty. Several points throughout the day Fred thought about putting her out of her misery and telling her not to feel bad. Maybe if he had been a better boyfriend she wouldn’t have been seduced away by another man. Maybe she could tell that his heart wasn’t truly in their relationship and therefore it was easier for her to be unfaithful. Still, he had been the one who’s heart wasn’t in it and he hadn’t been shoving his tongue down Hermione’s throat all summer. This was a new fact he had unwillingly learned from a few Gryffindor sixth year girls gossiping too loudly in the corridor before dinner.

 Once at dinner and knowing this fact, Fred longed for distraction. Glancing around he noticed that Hermione was noticeably absent. Of course she would be gone on the one day he needed the comfort of her ability to go on and on about whatever subject he asked her about.

 “Say, where’s Hermione?” Fred asked Ron and Harry as casually as he could.

 Harry shrugged but Ron answered, “Library maybe? That’s where she was last I saw her. You know how she gets.”

 “Maybe I should go get her? Make sure she doesn’t accidentally miss dinner,” Fred said, standing from the table.

 George gave him a knowing look. “Is that all?”

 “Dinner is the most important meal of the day Georgie,” said Fred, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

 “I thought that was breakfast,” said George back, smiling now.

 “Yeah, and I thought you weren’t a huge dickhead. I guess we’re both wrong.” And with that Fred spun on his heel and exited the Great Hall.

 Fred made it halfway to the library when he began to notice something very odd. The air had begun to thicken, a layer of fog soon surrounding him. Very shortly after his shoes started to make a wet splashing sound with every step. Looking down the corridor through the hazy fog, he realized that the floor was covered in water. A few steps further in and he realized that it was beginning to deepen. Something brushed his left hand and Fred jumped, spinning quickly, and pulling out his wand only to find a cattail. What was a cattail doing in a Hogwarts corridor?

 “Lumos,” he muttered, the tip of his wand glowing brilliantly and illuminating the corridor ahead of him. But he did not see a corridor. Or at least not the corridor he expected to see. No, instead the hall seemed to be transformed into what could only be described as a swamp with an expanse of still water covered by lily pads, cattails, and moss-covered logs. To top it all off, if he focused hard enough and held his breath, Fred could make out the croaks of toads in the distance.

 “What?” muttered Fred aloud in confusion.

 “Oh no, you weren’t supposed to see it until after dinner with everyone else,” whined a voice from behind him. Fred spun, his wand illuminating the face of Hermione Granger. She stood a few feet away, hands clasped behind her back as she frowned in his direction.

 “You did this?” he asked in shock.

 Hermione’s frown quickly morphed into a very proud smile and she nodded enthusiastically. “It’s a portable swamp. I’ve been working on it all summer. It was supposed to be yours and George’s Christmas present – you know, for the business.”

 “Why?” asked Fred, unable to really form full sentences from shock.

 “I heard about what happened with Angelina and I figured you might need some cheering up. I was hoping you’d get to see it for the first time when everyone else found it, but this is nice too. At least this way you won’t accidentally fall into it. A foot further and the water depth drops to about four feet,” she informed him casually, although the smug expression on her face told him she felt very proud of herself.

 Fred took a quick step away from the water and towards Hermione, not wanting to chance falling in. He stared at the witch before him, wide-eyed and speechless.

 “Do you like it?” Hermione asked, looking a bit nervous now as he had yet to make any real comment on her brilliant invention.

 Like it? He loved it! It was probably the nicest gift anyone had ever given him. How could he even begin to express how grateful he was? He was so happy he could kiss her. In fact…

 Fred leaned down, wrapping his arms tightly around Hermione and lifting her off of the ground as he claimed her mouth. The kiss was hard and overly enthusiastic at first, but in almost no time they were swept back into the memory of their first kiss all those months ago and they melted into each other like there had been no time between them. A single continuous kiss that went on for seasons. A kiss that Fred never wanted to end as he held Hermione tightly and snogged the living daylights out of her. Unfortunately, the kiss did have to end. A distant murmur of voices sounded from somewhere near by and they broke apart panting. Hermione’s lips were red and swollen and parted in a surprised expression when he carefully placed her down on the ground. They took a moment to just stare at each other, both surprised and delighted in what had just happened. But then the voices grew louder, and they knew they had to go. Fred held out his hand, raising his eyebrows expectantly. Hermione took it firmly, smiling bigger than he’d ever seen. Then they were off, running down the corridors and away from the scene of the crime. Through the halls of stone floors, ancient tapestries, and regal portraits they ran, laughing like school children. Which in a way, Fred supposed they still were.

Taglist:

@theworldisugly-22

@aoonai

@sjh-07-10

@is-it-madness

@i-d-e-g-a-f

[trying-write-fanfics]

Shouji Mezo X Reader Remember part 47

“I’m like this class’ cheerleader. You break them down, I set them up, they pass yet another exam!” She sang. 

“Is there someone you’re particularly fond of?” Aizawa asked. He had Shouji in mind, but figured he would tip toe. 

“Want me to paint your nails and play truth or dare next?” She teased him. “Yes, I do have someone I’m fond of.”

“Are they the reason for your good mood?” He asked her. 

He was worried she was using them as a mask. 

“It’s honestly everything staying the same. I was hurt that my parents didn’t come for me at the hospital, but I’m glad that my life isn’t going to go through another change.” Y/n explained.

Aizawa sighed. He was also a failure to her too, though she now lacked the grudge, he still felt awful he couldn’t protect his students or the girl he used excessive force on. It all worked out in the end, but how long till that luck runs out? And what about Y/n? Has she been emotionally stunted? Will this experience at U.A ruin her future as a productive adult? Her parents are to blame too, it’s not all of UA’s shortcomings that amounted to a mentally scared teenager.

“To think this was your equivalent to prison.” He breathed. “Your school grades are good, so I can only trust that you’re telling the truth.”

“Oh Aizawa, if you make a cage comfortable enough, the bird will work to stay inside it.”

Something was up, and she was warning him.

Back at the dorms, Kirishima was sitting on the couch waiting for an ad to end so he could watch the actual video he wanted. Y/n walked into the common area after her talk with Aizawa. She heard the ad for the firework show and found herself behind the redhead.

“I don’t think I’m supposed to let you look at my phone,” Kirishima said.

“You can’t be a goody-two-shoes all the time. Sometimes being manly is about breaking the rules. Where was the location for that?” She asked him.

“A park in the next town over...I don’t think Aizawa would let you go if its at night time.” Kirishima said.

“Oh, a girl can dream!” She sighed dramatically.

“You really like fireworks?” He asked her.

“It’s a family tradition that we get together and see them. I can say this year it’s not happening.” She then remembered the last time she spoke with her dad he promised her, and then took it right back.

“Maybe we can get some little ones and do them off the roof,” Kirishima suggested.

“Oh, chivalrous red riot!  Grand idea, a splendid idea. Perhaps after you guys ace your license exams.”

Tokoyami overheard the conversation and decided to use it to his advantage for his friend. He went to the gym to find Shouji working out. One thing Shouji opened up about to him and not Y/n was that he felt he wasn’t doing enough for Y/n. She knew his dreams, and his strengths for those dreams, she was always complimenting him and just being the girlfriend experience he never had which was better than he imagined. He didn’t know her dreams, and neither did she. But he had to make up for something, something special. Yeah he kissed her and showed his face, it was a big gesture, but he felt he didn’t amount the proper affections. He sure as hell wasn’t going to buy her anything, her room was the opposite of his.

“She really likes fireworks,” Tokoyami told him. “Kirishima and she are planning to get some small ones to celebrate after the license exams.”

“Why were they talking about fireworks?” Shouji asked.

“There was an ad.”

So the two of them both had plans. Shouji wanted to plan something before the exams and Y/n had a plan for after the exams. Two surprises because they just wanted to show each other how much they matter in their lives.

The day of the exam grew closer and closer. Shouji slept in Y/n’s room more and more. She would try to be the big spoon, but ultimately, Shouji just wanted to wrap her up in a spider bear hug. She could call him a talented hugger and shower him with more praise. She would play with his hair and whisper him stories as his exhausted eyes would close for slumber. Since Y/n wasn’t an actual student of UA or had to take attendance, Shouji would wake up before her. Her sleeping form always delighted him, that someone resembling an angel really wanted him. His reality was a dream, though he didn’t dream of love before this. He would leave her form, but always tuck the blanket around her to ensure she wouldn’t miss his heat too much.

Tonight was the night that Shouji was going to dazzle his love. He bought little sparklers and bottle rockets for them to light. Not only that but also some (favorite snack) because he may not know Y/n’s dreams, but knew what she liked to eat at least. However, it was still noon and they were still in class. Y/n cleaned the board as Present Mic talked. It all changed when the phone rang.

“Seems like you have a phone call, Y/n” Present Mic said. “I trust you won’t run off, not because you’re on crutches,” he told her.

And like that Y/n left and didn’t return to class. Present Mic wasn’t worried because her tracker showed she just went to the dorms. After class, Shouji found Y/n in her room with all the lights off. She laid in her bed, facing the wall. Tissues littered the floor.

“Hey…” Shouji started as he opened the door.

Y/n looked over. Her eyes were puffy from crying. Her cheeks were stained with tears. She quickly rubbed them trying a last-ditch effort to hide the evidence.

“Whats up…” Her voice shook as she tried to sound normal.

“Class let out, just thought I would stop by….” He tried to sound casual.

“Its been that long...huh…” Oh yeah, she didn’t have a phone to check the time.

“Who called?”

She sucked in some air and broke again. Shouji rushed to her bedside, took out some tissues to bring to her face, and placed his hand on her back. To think tonight was going to be a happy night.

“The police station…” she sobbed.

Was she leaving? Did something happen to her case? Was she going to jail? Was there more on that flame guy? Did her old group snitch on her and now she is convicted of more cases which would lead to a harsher punishment? Was she leaving???

“Y/n…”

“My brother he’s…”

Jojo (last name) the youngest son of the (last name) family, and third child. He was the only sibling not present when Y/n went to the hospital. The last time Y/n saw him was after he had a fight with their parents and he pushed Y/n down some stairs. That had been a long time ago already. Turns out Y/n’s other two siblings thought it would be best to find him to reconnect the siblings because now more than ever, they released how disconnected they were and a majority did not want that to happen? So they tried finding their brother and hopefully to give Y/n a complete sibling reunion. Their quest went to the police after phone calls, PI’s emails, there was no way of reaching him. So they contacted the police to discover Jojo is missing and hasn’t been seen in a year. Normally it is hard to tell if an adult is missing or packed up their life to start a new one. Jojo did have a motive to leave his life, but it seemed there were no leads on the man. They called Y/n asking if she knew anything, where was the last she saw him and told her she and her parents could be the last known people to have seen him. Sure there was other who saw him, but his known connections don’t know where he is.

After hearing what happened, Shouji was a little lost. There were no cuddles, or kisses, or hugs that would bring him back. He knew Y/n probably had complicated feelings towards her brother, her last memory he treated her badly, but she didn’t think that would be her last one. All he could do was clean up her face and listen to her sobs. She didn’t leave her room for the rest of the night. Shouji did give her the snacks he got her but kept the fireworks in his empty closet. Tonight was not the night for that.

 Y/n fell into a depression pit but would try to hide it. She would cheer for everyone, but didn’t have the same energy. She couldn’t keep up with it. Aizawa knew she was struggling, so in secret, he took her to the pet store to cuddle some cats. A kind gesture, but not one to ease the pain. Y/n was still on crutches, but it seemed that her body wasn’t healing itself. If it was a tough day, she may have only lasted in class for an hour and a half at most. Even Bakugo didn’t try fighting her. He was too focused on the exam.

[missperfectlyfine13]

Puppy Love

Summary: Beca and Chloe find a stray dog on the streets of New York and Chloe doesn't have the heart to leave him behind.

Bechloe Week 2020 - Day 2: “He Bit Me”

Read Below or on AO3 

“Chloe we cannot bring that thing home,” Beca groans as her girlfriend snuggles the dirty, scraggly little puppy into her chest, “our apartment doesn’t even allow dogs.”

“But Beccaaa...” Chloe pleads, petting the dog’s dusty brown fur softly, “it doesn’t have a home, and it’s not like our landlord will even notice or care, the family downstairs adopted a beagle two months ago.”

“We already have Fat Amy, we can’t take care of her and a puppy,” Beca rolls her eyes.

Chloe’s sparkling blue eyes are already watering and she’s jutting her bottom lip out dramatically. She knows that it gets Beca every time, and she’s not wrong, Beca can already feel her composure breaking.

“The shelter isn’t even open this late, can we at least keep him overnight until I can take him tomorrow?” the red head barters with her.

Beca’s not heartless and Chloe has a point, “Ok, he can stay overnight.”

Chloe squeals excitedly, jumping up and down, “Thank you Bec! We have to stop and get him some dog food on the way home.”

When they finally make their way back to the apartment, Beca is carrying a bag of dog food and a few toys Chloe had insisted on getting their newest furry friend. Amy is no where to be seen, and that might be for the best. Beca’s not sure how she would have taken their new addition.

“We’re home Scrappy,” Chloe coos, setting the puppy down to explore his new surroundings.

Chloe had quickly come up with the name Scrappy Doo for the dog, and Beca has to admit he does look a little bit like the famous cartoon dog. She knows that her girlfriend is already attached to the little dog. It’s going to be like pulling teeth to get her to actually take him to the shelter, but that’s a bridge they’ll cross when they get there.

“Bec, I’m going to give Scrappy a bath,” Chloe picks the dog back up and over to the curtain hiding their bathroom, “can you pour some of that dog food into a bowl for him, and some water in another?”

“Yea, I got it Chlo,” Beca moves over to the cupboard and grabs a couple bowls.

She can hear Chloe baby talking to the puppy in the bathroom as well as little yips of unhappiness from him as he’s getting bathed. It makes Beca feel warm and happy inside that Chloe has so much love for every human, animal, or creature she comes in contact with. This isn’t the first animal they’ve “saved”. A few months ago, they found a cat that ended up living with them for quite a while, but it was winter and Beca’s not heartless. Last spring Chloe rescued a baby bird that she helped nurse back to health at the vet clinic she’s interning at.

Beca wishes they could keep this dog. She knows how much Chloe wants an animal; it just isn’t going to work.

“Beca?” Chloe calls from the bathroom, it sounds like she just shut the water in the tub off.

“Yea?” she calls back, setting down the now full bowls of water and food for the puppy.

“Can you grab me a towel?” Chloe yells back, loud little barks now resonating through their apartment.

Beca grabs a bath towel and runs to the curtain dividing their bathroom from the rest of the living space. Chloe is on her knees, holding Scrappy in place in the tub. Beca hands her the towel and the red head begins to dry off the puppy, who looks far less pathetic now that he’s had a bath. The second Chloe sets him down on the floor, he runs to Beca and promptly shakes any remaining water from his fur, showering Beca with water droplets.

“Gahhh,” Beca yelps, putting her hands up like it’s going to actually help, “I swear he ran right at me to do that on purpose.”

Chloe rolls her eyes, “He didn’t do it on purpose Beca.”

“Sure he didn’t,” Beca wipes her face off with the back of her arm.

The rest of the night with the puppy goes similarly. Beca’s convinced the dog actually hates her. When he’s eating, he happens to fling a pellet or two all the way across the room at her. He has an accident inside, conveniently all over Beca’s shoes. He only seems to bark when he’s around Beca, and she’s convinced she heard a growl at one point.

He’s been an angel around Chloe. Never once did he fling food or water, or pee on her shoes, or growl when she gets near. When did Beca become the devil reincarnate?

It’s finally time to go to bed, which means it’s that much sooner to getting rid of Scrappy Doo. Beca settles down happily on the bed, cuddling up behind Chloe, throwing an arm around her middle.

“I love you Chloe,” she mumbles into her back.

“I love you too Bec,” Chloe says sleepily, with a big yawn.

Just when Beca is almost asleep, she feels something attempting to wiggle between her front and Chloe’s back. Along with the feeling are little grunts and whimpers…Scrappy is trying to get into bed with them.

“Ok this is where I draw the line,” Beca groans, sitting up abruptly to remove the puppy from their bed.

She reaches out to grab his furry little body, but before she can make contact, he lunges at her hand. His not very sharp yet teeth land gently around her hand and Beca lets out a frustrated yelp.

“He bit me!” Beca holds her hand up to her chest like she’s been fatally wounded.

Chloe sits up, now aware of the situation, “Bec…he’s a puppy, they bite sometimes, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“Yes it does mean something, that dog hates my guts and I wasn’t about to let him sleep in my bed, that’s already too small because it’s a pull out sofa!” Beca barks back, all her frustrations pouring out.

Chloe grabs the puppy protectively, “He can sleep on my side.”

She flops back down, cuddling Scrappy into her. Beca lies back down but facing the other wall. I guess that’s how it’s going to be, Chloe choosing a dog over her.

Beca can feel something warm and wet on her face when she wakes up the next morning. She scrunches up her nose disgustedly at the foreign feeling. When she finally opens her eyes, she sees Scrappy hovering above her, his tongue jutting out to lick her forehead.

“Aw, see he likes you,” Chloe says sleepily, her voice rough.

For the first time since they brought him home, Beca thinks that maybe Scrappy is kind of cute and that maybe he doesn’t completely hate her. For some reason, the new day has made her soft, and she finds herself lifting the puppy from her pillow and into her arms.

“I guess you’re kind of ok,” Beca yawns, scratching behind the dog’s ears, “but you still have to go to the shelter.”

“Beccaaaa,” Chloe whines, “but he’s so happy here.”

“He’ll be happy somewhere else too,” she quickly replies, lifting the dog off of her and onto the floor.

Chloe pouts the whole morning and the entire way to the shelter. She cuddles Scrappy, whispering things about how he’ll find a ‘furever’ home soon and someone will love him just as much as she does. It breaks Beca’s heart how hard she’s taking it, but they just can’t keep this dog.

When they finally leave Scrappy Doo at the shelter and are leaving, Beca breathes a sigh of relief. Scrappy had been almost just as upset as Chloe was when the two left. The little barks of disappointment almost made Beca think twice.

“I miss him already,” Chloe sighs sadly.

Beca them over on the sidewalk, so they are out of the way of pedestrians and grabs Chloe’s hands into hers.

“We’ll have a dog someday,” Beca says softly, rubbing soothing circles onto the back of her girlfriend’s hands, “someday when we don’t live in a cramped studio apartment, that doesn’t even really allow dogs anyways. Someday when we have a house and a yard, and you’re a vet and I’m making better money as a producer. I want to give you everything you want and more Chlo.”

Chloe steps in closer and places a lovingly kiss on Beca’s lips, “I love you so much Beca.”

“I love you too Chloe,” Beca replies before giving Chloe another sweet but short peck on the lips.

The days go by and Chloe slowly gets over the loss of their furry friend. Surprisingly it’s Beca who’s taking it hard. She finds herself thinking about how happy Scrappy had made Chloe, and how nice it was to have a shared pet between them. It felt nice, she kind of misses his happy, bright energy. He really was the perfect dog for Chloe.

Somehow, all her thinking has her making a pit stop into the shelter on her way home from work a week later. She walks in and the same lady who was at the front desk the morning they surrendered him, is sitting there again, eyeing Beca up suspiciously.

“Hey, hi,” Beca walks up to her awkwardly, “I brought a dog here about a week ago and was wondering if I could adopt it…if he’s still here that is.”

“I remember, Scrappy Doo,” the lady says dryly, “are you sure you want him back…you just got rid of him?”

“Yes, I really do want him back,” Beca says quickly, trying to assure the worker she’s serious, “my girlfriend really loves him, and I wasn’t sure if we could have a dog…but now I think I really love him too. I just want him back.”

The somewhat bitter looking lady almost cracks a smile at Beca’s long rant. She stands and motions Beca behind the counter with a wave, “Follow me.”

She walks Beca up to a large cage with a few other puppies. The second Beca makes it to the gate, Scrappy comes running up, tail wagging, barking happily. The worker opens the gate and Beca walks in, quickly scooping Scrappy into her arms.

“I’m sorry little dude,” she coos, “you ready to come home?”

The puppy simply answers by licking Beca’s cheek, tail still wagging ferociously.

Beca stops at the pet store on the way home, so she can pick out a proper dog bed and real pet food bowls for their new family member. She also picks out a collar and leash. When she finally makes it back to the apartment, her arms are full of pet supplies. Luckily Scrappy had been able to walk on a leash the whole way home, so Beca didn’t have to hold him.

Chloe isn’t home yet, so Beca decides to surprise her. She ties a big bow around Scrappy’s collar and sets him down in the tub. She hides all the pet supplies under their bed. Now she just has to wait. After about a half an hour, Beca finally hears keys jingling outside the door, and her heart starts to race with excitement.

“Hey Chloe!” Beca says almost to boisterously, as the red head walks in the door.

Chloe looks at her with a quirked eyebrow, “Hey Bec…what’s up?”

“Oh not much!” Beca chirps happily.

“Sure, ok,” Chloe laughs, setting her bag down and slipping her shoes off.

“I have a surprise for you,” Beca blurts out, barely able to hold it in anymore.

Now Chloe’s face contorts into a different look of surprise, an excited one, “What is it?”

“Go look in the tub,” Beca smiles.

Chloe doesn’t even question why Beca is having her check the tub, she just races to pull the curtain back, revealing their bathroom. When she finally looks down in, the scream that leaves her is enough to make Beca’s ears ring.

“Scrappy! Oh my god Beca, thank you!” Chloe squeals, picking up the puppy into her arms.

“I guess I kind of got a little attached to him too,” Beca admits shyly.

Chloe ignores her, too busy showering their dog with kisses. He licks at her face appreciatively, much like he had Beca’s earlier. When Chloe finally sets Scrappy down, Beca pulls out her haul of pet supplies, which Chloe is also very excited about.

When she’s finally settled down, Chloe sits down next to Beca on their bed, pulling her close. Beca let’s herself get wrapped up in her girlfriend’s embrace.

“You didn’t have to get him just for me,” Chloe whispers into her shoulder.

“I wanted to, you love him, he made you happy,” Beca replies easily, “plus I wasn’t lying about having a newfound soft stop for him.”

“You’re the best girlfriend ever,” Chloe pulls away and looks at Beca so genuinely it hurts.

“I try,” Beca smirks.

Chloe leans back into give Beca a kiss, but before she can, Scrappy jumps up into her lap. The puppy jumps up, stopping his moms dead in their tracks.

“Scrappy, if you keep me from kissing Chloe, you’re going to have to go back,” Beca jokes, giving the dog a pat on the head.

“Don’t listen to her, you’re part of the family now,” Chloe smiles, hugging Scrappy tightly against her.

“Yea she’s right,” Beca admits, “but just don’t stop me too often.”

“Shut up,” Chloe says playfully, before pulling Beca close, their lips finally meeting in a tender kiss.

[sariasprincy-writes]

Hollow Point - Epilogue Part 2

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine // Ten // Eleven // Twelve // Thirteen // Fourteen // Fifteen // Sixteen // Seventeen // Eighteen // Nineteen // Twenty // Twenty-One // Twenty-Two // Twenty-Three // Twenty-Four // Twenty-Five // Twenty-Six // Twenty-Seven // Twenty-Eight // Twenty-Nine // Thirty // Thirty-One // Thirty-Two // Thirty-Three // Thirty-Four // Thirty-Five // Thirty-Six // Epilogue Part I // Epilogue Part II (here) 

Epilogue

Part Two

The Ghost of You

15 Miles outside Venice, Italy

“I don’t like this. It feels like a trap.”

“Yes, but the question is by who?” Sakura asked.

A deep frown etched into the corners of her mouth. In the driver’s seat beside her, Kakashi raised his binoculars, his sights set down the street to a tavern that appeared otherwise unopened and unoccupied. They sat in a plain rental car. Only a few buildings down from the meeting point that had been provided to her. A small tavern in the middle of town.

Sakura still wasn’t certain Itachi had been the one to contact her. After all, he was dead. And so far, no one had come in or out of the pub.

“Itachi was the only one who ever messaged me that way,” she continued, her tone more withdrawn.

Kakashi lowered his sights to glance at her. “We witnessed his funeral,” he told her gently. As if she could ever forget. “If word got out about your attachment to him, it would be an easy trap for the CIA, Madara or even Kisame to set up.”

“The CIA would be most likely,” she said. “Shisui knew about our relationship and I don’t doubt he blames me for Itachi’s death. That doesn’t exactly give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. And if Itachi was alive, I don’t understand why he wouldn’t have contacted me before now.”

Kakashi didn’t reply to that and a moment of silence passed before he asked, “If it is the CIA, I wonder why they would have you meet here.”

“That’s another thing I don’t understand,” she agreed. “All of those three – the CIA, Madara and Kisame don’t have any territory here. This is neutral ground. Why ask to meet here?”

Not having an answer, he didn’t reply. Another few minutes passed before Kakashi finally asked, “So, do you not want to go in?”

Sakura inhaled a deep, silent breath. “No, I do.” Then she glanced at him. “You have my six?”

Kakashi flashed a quick smile in her direction. “I always do.”

His unwavering support steeled her nerves. Without another word, Sakura slipped out of the car. She pulled the collar of her jacket tighter around her neck as a breeze kicked up. She passed one last, purposeful gaze over the street. Other than a few pedestrians the block was empty. There weren’t even any lingering eyes in the windows.

Still, Sakura withdrew her gun as she stopped before the obviously closed tavern. She expected the front door to be locked, but the handle turned without resistance. It was utterly still inside. The door closed with an ominous, echoing thud as she shut it behind her.

The main bar was eerily silent upon her entrance, only her footsteps echoed against the polished wood as she stepped further inside. The teak chandelier was lit above her head, making the liquor bottles behind the bar flicker. In the lowlight, they looked like faces laughing at her.

Sakura turned away. She didn’t believe in ghosts.

The rest of the pub was empty. Totally and completely deserted. She didn’t understand why her mysterious stranger would send her here. It seemed like no one had been there since closing the night before.

Huffing a breath through her nose, Sakura turned back towards the door, intent on leaving when music reached her ears. It was faint, the gentle tinkle of a piano from somewhere else further inside the tavern.

Tightening the grip on her weapon, Sakura followed the sound. Towards the back of the room was another doorway. It led to a second bar that was a little smaller than the first. Off to one side, a wall of high-end liquors were lined on a the shelf behind a bar of polished mahogany. A number of square tables each with four chairs around them were set up about the main floor, all strategically placed to have a view towards an empty section of the room where a small band could set up.

In that space now was a single piano. And behind it sat Itachi.

If every cell in Sakura’s being hadn’t frozen on the spot, her gun would have slipped through her fingers and clattered to the floor. The world quit turning, the fire flickering in the fireplace stopped swaying and the tinkle of the piano faded into silence.

Itachi was here before her. He was skinnier than the last time she had seen him, the harsh contrast of shadows making his face appear more gaunt and his hair was a little shorter than before, but it was him.

Apparently, there was such thing as ghosts.

“The world becomes a dangerous place when you’re angry with it,” Itachi finally said.

As if someone had pressed play in the crescendo of a symphony, all of Sakura’s senses rushed back to her at once. Her hands trembled and she could feel the frantic beat of her heart in her chest like a bird trying to escape its cage. Noise, so much noise, filled her ears. The roar of the blood in her veins, the crackle of the fire, the tinkling of the piano. She just wanted it all to stop.

Sakura’s grip on her gun tightened until her knuckles turned white. If this wasn’t a hallucination, she didn’t want to shoot him on reflex and kill him. Again.

“You’re supposed to be dead.”

Immediately Itachi’s hands stilled over the keys as he looked up at her. “Are you disappointed?”

She didn’t know if it was the lighting or if it was because it had been so long since the last time she had seen him, but in that moment, he was the most handsome he had ever been. His skin was pale against the dark blue button-down shirt he wore under his jacket. His jaw and cheekbones were emphasized by the firelight, but it was his eyes that pierced through her soul and kept her rooted in place. They were like twin pools of liquid midnight.

He looked like death that had warmed over. An angel of darkness.

She had missed him so terribly. And now he was here before her. She didn’t know how, but it was true. All those sleepless nights and terrible moments of guilt and grief. Her hands shook. It took her a moment to realize it was out of anger.

“I saw your funeral,” she said accusingly. “You have a tombstone in Arlington.”

A strange expression passed over his face, as if he was grieving his own death. “The CIA thought this would be a perfect opportunity to send me deeper undercover.”

Astounded, Sakura could only stare as she relived that day. Her heart had shattered into a million different pieces and guilt had left her bedridden for nearly a week. And here he was, telling her all that she had witnessed was a lie?

“Does your family even know you’re alive?”

Again, a brief but painful look settled on his features. “Shisui and my mother do. Unfortunately to keep my brother safe, I have to keep him in the dark until my mission is complete.”

Taken aback, Sakura’s lips parted but no words escaped. It felt like someone had shoved her down onto the cold, hard concrete and kicked dirt into her face. She was full of grief and heartbreak and anger and betrayal, so full she thought all that emotion might crush her heart and explode out her chest.

When Itachi’s hands returned to the piano keys, she became even angrier. He was playing her song. And it wasn’t those shaky, four notes anymore. It was an entire verse, over and over again. That song no longer gave her an escape from reality. It reminded her of everything she’d had, could have had, and would have had if she hadn’t made her worse miscalculation of betraying Itachi. And here he was, playing her mistake right to her face.

“I don’t play anymore,” she snarled.

Itachi had just enough time to withdraw his fingers from the keys before she slammed the fallboard closed. He simply looked up at her like a parent watching their child throw a tantrum. All forced patience.

“That’s a shame. I did always enjoy watching you play.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How can you just lie to your brother like that?”

‘Lie to me.’ She didn’t say the words but they were heard just as clearly.

“I do not think you can lecture me on lying to those closest to me.”

“You should have contacted me before now!”

“I couldn’t!” Itachi suddenly snapped, all that patience gone. He stood abruptly, nearly knocking the wooden bench over in his haste. He still stood a head higher over her, but she didn’t flinch away from those impossibly dark eyes. “Not without the CIA finding out. And I needed time to heal. I did almost die, that much is true. I flatlined in surgery twice and was in a coma for nearly a week. I had to put my health first.”

Sakura wanted to argue, but she couldn’t find fault with his justification. It had taken months for her shoulder to mend; it still wasn’t completely healed. Itachi would’ve had a much longer recovery time.

Automatically her eyes drifted down to his stomach, where she was certain he would have a scar to match her own. The death grip on her gun loosened before she raised her other hand towards him. To touch him and feel him; to make sure he was really there.

She pulled her hand back before her fingers grazed his shirt.

“For the last nine months, I thought I had killed you,” she said, her voice suddenly soft in the wake of Itachi’s outburst of anger.

He inhaled and exhaled a silent breath before he replied, his tone equally as quiet. “You did.”

Not physically at least. But peering up at him, she could see the heartbreak lining his expression even now. There weren’t enough people in the world that could help shoulder the weight of all her guilt.

“Why did you come back? You could have stayed dead if you really hate me so much.”

“I told you already,” Itachi said not unkindly. “I have a mission to complete.”

Sakura’s shoulders stiffened at that. It suddenly occurred to her for the first time that this mission could very well be to dispose of her. He would be the perfect assassin for the job.

The sudden urge to turn tail and run nearly overwhelmed her, but her curiosity got the better of her. She had to know.

“Which is?”

Itachi’s expression was utterly unreadable. Like a Greek God, he might as well have been carved from stone. “What I’ve been doing all along: tracking Madara. Only this time, he won’t escape.”

Relief swept through her like a torrential downpour, only to dry up as quickly as it came as Itachi continued, “Because you’re going to help me.” From his tone, she clearly heard that he was telling and not asking. “I know you have been keeping tabs on him. I know you know where he is. You owe me at least that.”

He scrutinized her patiently but expectantly, like he wouldn’t leave until he got an answer from her. Still, Sakura hesitated. She wondered what he would do if she tried to walk out; what would happen if she told him the truth. Would things go back to the way they were, or would he disappear on her again as he hunted down his target?

“Madara’s in Hong Kong. He’s been there for the last four months.”

Itachi stilled, as if surprised she had told him without more persuasion on his part. Then he did the last thing she expected him to do. He cupped her face with both hands and bent his head until he sealed his mouth to hers.

It took Sakura by surprise, but she reacted an instant later, her eyes falling closed as she reached up with her empty hand to grip the open fold of his jacket to tug him closer. Itachi wasn’t gentle by any means. His kiss was bruising, putting all his emotions into that single action. His anger and heartbreak, but also his desperation and sorrow. It made her realize that he had missed her as much, if not more than she had missed him.

When Itachi finally pulled back, they were both panting slightly, the sound loud in the otherwise quiet room. He reached up to smooth her hair away from her face, his gaze tracking the action before his eyes dropped back to hers.

Then his expression hardened. “If you ever pull that shit on me again, we are going to have a problem.”

Even with his warning, Sakura couldn’t resist the corner of her mouth twitching in the start of a smirk. She trusted Itachi would follow through with his threat should she try to mislead him again, but she wasn’t concerned. Because if there was one thing she was certain of, it was that she wouldn’t let Itachi go again.

She holstered her gun before smiling up at him innocently. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

A vaguely disbelieving expression crossed Itachi’s face before he released a defeated sigh – as if he was just realizing for the first time that he was in love with an asshole. Even so, he kissed her again, only pausing some minutes later for Sakura to send Kakashi a text telling him not to wait for her.

Because she was going to spend the rest of the night with the man in front of her. And tomorrow, they would work on taking down the bastard known as Uchiha Madara.

end.

xx

So, this is the happiest ending I could give. It's not really a happy ending cause all the shit they've been through, they're going to go through again. But for now, they're happy.

This wasn't the original ending I had for the story. Originally, I wanted to write a sequel that had Itachi coming back much later to hunt down Madara. Together, Sakura and Itachi catch and kill him, but while protecting Itachi, Sakura gets killed. And that's how it ends, but I don't have as much time to write as I used to, and I did lose motivation with this story.

That being said, I still love this story and I'm happy with how it came out. Thank you everyone for your continued support. To those of you who have been with me since chapter one and those of you who just came across this fic, thank you for your reviews. They are incredibly motivating and I cannot say enough how much I appreciate them.

Still to come:

Not the Only One - MadaSaku/TobiSaku (continuation)

Under the Knife Edge - MadaSaku

[koko-pufff]

Strings

Usako could see them for as long as she remembered. Much like thin spider webs who you could only see glistening in the sun, they were invisible most of the time, but if she focused real hard, she could see them, gently tied around one’s pinky finger. 

Bringing it up when she was little would amuse people but as she grew older the reactions became harsher. Some people would laugh at her. Others called her a nutjob. Her father would hiss at her to stop with her childish nonsense and act like an adult. So she stopped bringing it up, even though she could still see them. Now she just observed and stayed quiet. Little children didn’t always have one. But she saw how the baby next door had none one day and then a string appeared on the next. Some old people had theirs appear tattered at the end. The strings’ function was foreign to her until one day she read a novel in which soulmates were connected by “the red string of fate”. It felt like a veil being lifted. She still didn’t know why she had the ability to see them, but at least she knew something more about it now. She knew their purpose and she knew their name.

 “Soulmates” The word rolled off her lips and something stung her heart when she remembered her father’s string blackened and torn. Her mother passed away shortly after her birth. What about her stepmom? Her string was fine... Where was it going to? Is this why she was always so sad? Her soulmate was somewhere out there and she was stuck in an unhappy relationship with a bitter father and his two children from his first marriage. Usako’s heart stung. She felt like running to her step-mother, to shake her by the shoulders and scream for her to leave this grumpy bastard. To go looking for her soulmate. But she knew better than to speak of soulmates and red strings.

 Time passed and she had found out more things about the strings. They couldn’t be cut by force. Tattered strings meant natural passing and black ended ones - untimely death. Most importantly, while she couldn’t see who the strings were connecting on both ends, when in close proximity they would react to one another. The string acted more like a rubber band and less like a string. She found that out when she went to a little noodle shop after school and saw the shop owner and his wife interact. When he brushed her silver hair back, her string would go up as if following his hand’s movement. When their grandchildren ran through the shop’s door, the string on the owner’s hand would dart in the same direction as his wife’s wide-open arms. Usako felt something warm in her gut and it wasn’t the noodles. The more she learned about her strange ability tho, the more her unease grew. Because while she could see strings everywhere around her, she didn’t have one herself. Every day she would check, but it was never there. “Maybe mine is extra difficult to see” - she thought at first, but as days went by, the more her unease grew. Was she born without one? Maybe she didn’t have a soulmate. What stung more? The thought that there wasn’t somebody out there meant for her or that nobody out there would dream of meeting her one day. Because everybody wanted to find their soulmate, right? It would be a lie if she said she didn’t care. Should she stay alone for the rest of her life then? She hated the idea of being like her father and taking somebody’s soulmate away, tho from her observations it wasn’t uncommon to see people who were married for decades, yet their strings remained still. Like calm water. Nothing to excite them, to “bring life” to the stillness.

--

 Usako dragged her feet towards the dining room, still very much asleep. The room was filled with chatter, demons and humans piled around the table in an animated conversation. “Oh! Usako, good morning! Did you sleep well?” Beelzebub’s warm smile always felt like an energy boost, especially in the morning. She gave him a sheepish wave as she greeted back. She considered sitting next to him but on his left side her friend Sen had already taken a seat and on his right - his twin brother Belphie who was dozing off as he was trying to eat his breakfast. Usako sighed before looking for someplace else to sit. ”You look terrible, darling. Did you forget to hydrate properly again?” - Asmodeus chimed as she sat down next to him and she playfully nudged him in the ribs. “I’m just not a morning person, stop teasing!” - she replied.

 It has been months since she became a part of an exchange program between angels, demons and humans. It still felt very much unreal to her. To think she’d find a place where she didn’t feel like the odd one out. She felt happy. She found friends. She fell in love... albeit it being a very one-sided one.

 The girl sighed, deep in thought, as she stirred her scrambled cockatrice eggs around. This was stupid. She had already given up on the idea of ever pursuing love, refusing to be the reason for somebody else’s misery. So why was her heart so restless every time she saw the ginger-haired demon? “Just shove these feelings in the back of your heart like always and you’ll get over it as time passes” - a little voice rang in her head and she sighed again, throwing a glance in Beel’s direction. He was chatting with Sen and both of them looked quite engulfed in their conversation. Usako wasn’t stupid, she had noticed how both of them were like magnets around eachother, although Sen was usually kind of shy and strayed away from Beel’s attention. To see her sitting next to him this morning was unusual for her. It felt like a knot had formed in Usako’s chest and she sunk into her chair, sulking. Her eyes shifted from Beel to the table to Belphegor who was resting on the table and was staring right at her. She almost jumped in her seat. How long has he been looking at her? Did he notice the way she was gazing at his brother? Blood rushed to her cheeks as she quickly averted her attention back to her plate. She peeked at back to Belphie, but he was now just staring at something on his DDD, lazily rearranging the food in his plate with his other hand. Usako calmed down and return to eating her breakfast.

 Everyone was pretty much done eating when Mammon rushed in with a football in his hand. “Oi! Ya ready for your big game, champ?” - he yelled at Beel as he was readying himself to throw the ball. Lucifer yanked him by the collar just as he sent the ball flying, changing its trajectory and directing it straight at Sen who was standing up from her seat, collecting plates from the table. She saw the ball that was headed at her and tried to hide her face with one hand before Beelzebub stretched his hand and grabbed the ball right before it made contact with the black-haired girl. “Mammon, what have we talked about throwing things around the house?!” - Lucifer growled before dragging his younger brother out the door. “Tsk tsk tsk... What an idiot!” - Asmodeus shook his head. “Are you okay?” - Beel studied Sen’s face, his own pale with worry. “I’m fine, thanks to you!” - Sen smiled sweetly in reply. In her seat Usako looked like struck by lightning. She saw it! She definitely saw it! Their hands, the strings pulling. Reacting. They were so close that it was unmistakable.

 She stood up from her seat and ran to the two, grabbing their hands and pulling them close then apart again. There was no mistake about it. She felt her heart flutter like a restless bird in a cage. “Is everything alright?” - Sen asked, slightly startled by the sudden appearance of her friend and her strange behavior. Usako jumped like a hare, realizing how weird she was being. “Ah! I just got really scared and wanted to check... if you were okay” - she said, before excusing herself and leaving the room.

 To pursue somebody who had a soulmate was a thing she’d never do. But she never made a promise that she wouldn’t meddle in their affairs. Determination burned in her as she strolled into the common room where she found Belphegor lazying around, half-asleep. “I need to ask you a favor!” - she leaned on the back of the couch, hovering over him. “Pass” - he muttered, not even giving her so much as a glance. “Please. It’s about Beel!” - she rested on her hands. A few seconds of silence and he turned around to face her, lazily opening one eye. He slowly rose to sit on the couch and she climbed over it to fall down in the space next to the sleepy demon. She fidgeted, trying to gather her courage to speak up. She was already feeling her cheeks reddening again. “...Well?” How did he manage to sound both agitated and bored at the same time?? “R-right. ...Help me hook up Sen and Beel!” Usako bit the nail on her thumb as she watched his reaction. “Hook them up? Really?” - he hummed, pulling his pillow closer. “You sound surprised.” “I am” - Belphie yawned. “I guess I expected you would ask for something else” - he added. “Is this how you see me?” - she frowned. Sure, the two of them barely interacted, but man! This kinda stung. “I’m just saying you could ask me to help you get together with him inst-” “Don’t wanna!” “Hm?” “I. Do. Not. Want. To!” - she accented each word, staring off into the distance, before mumbling something about soulmates.

 Apparently she forgot demons are better at everything, including hearing, because Belphegor chuckled at her statement. “They’re soulmates? How would you know that?” Usako let out a squeaking noise, much like a mouse. There we go. She’ll be made fun of again. “It’s just a feeling!” - she tried to cover up with a lie but the demon’s face became serious the instant she said that. “You’re lying” - he said matter-of-factly which sent her off freaking out again before she slumped on the couch. “Look, even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me” - she sounded defeated. “Try me.” “You’ll laugh at me.” “Promise I won’t” - he sighed. How annoying. This girl was stranger than he had thought.

 “I can see special red strings.” “Strings” - he repeated after her. “They connect soulmates.” “Soulmates” - Belphegor nodded and Usako rolled her eyes. “Everyone I know has one” - she continued - “I’m the one exception I know of.” “Why do you not have one?” - his eyes bore into her and she fell silent. It was a simple question and she felt no malice in it, but how was she supposed to reply when she didn’t know herself. “Do I have one?” - he asked, changing the subject. “Yes, it’s right here!” - she raised his hand and held it close to his face, leaning in. “When two soulmates are close to each other, the strings react” - she said, bringing her own stringless hand up. “For example, if I had a string myself and we were connected, if I pulled from this close...” “Pulled?” - he questioned. “Like this!” - she closed her hand in a fist and quickly moved it to the left. And his string followed.

[inkdrinkershadowsinger]

Thoughts/Background Goblet of Fire

What kind of creepy graveyard is this? Skeletons crawling over one another? Snake hidey-holes? Is this Nagini speaking or can she hear Voldemort from that far away? This just shows how fast she is as she moves along the ground here. Literally, we have here the Angel of Death equipped with wings and a scythe, which normally the Grim Reaper carries.

One light on in the caretaker’s house which is right next to the family graveyard? We are assuming that this is the Riddle estate, correct? Wealthy families like that would have had a family graveyard near their home. Also, that house in the background, Riddle Manor? Is super big and though it is dark looks grandiose.

The house here, looks well lived in, but at the same time, almost like it has only recently been inhabited. This is a kitchen, but it looks like there is a shovel on the wall, and only one light?

Still, only one light on in the main Riddle house. Wormtail can’t even draw a curtain? Dang.

Those are some old fashioned keys. I understand that this is a Manor or whatever, but this takes place during the nineties? No one thought to update the locks on this place? Frank mentions, “Those kids”, like people breaking in has been a real problem. Why not update the security? Also, who has been paying for the upkeep of this place? Lucius? Some secret Dark Lord Corporation? Is that why they are old school? Because we all know that wizards like to keep everything super, super, super old school?

Seriously, who is keeping up this place? The topiary is amazing!!

He looks like he is walking up a sort of backdoor entrance or servant’s entrance.

He is the caretaker for the grounds, but can’t dust a little? That clock needs a good one.

The light wasn’t muted because no one was casting a lumos, they were simply using a lamp that had the fabric bits removed that dampen the light.

The way that Barty is smiling when Nagini perches herself on Voldemort’s chair is fucking terrifying.

Ron’s room really is all orange. Such a fanboy.

The Burrow is in such a great spot. The little pond in front, the trees, the openness. The house itself is incredible. Still, only one light on. Whose? You can see the group walking away. That has to be Mr. and Mrs. Weasley’s room. Or Ron forgot to turn off the light, again.

They are all having to run to keep up with Mr. Weasley because he gets his cardio, bitch.

Mr. Weasley is rocking that straw cabana hat because he knows Muggles son!

Such a beautiful shot!

Did they travel through a worm hole here? I know the director or whoever had to make a creative choice in how this was going to be portrayed, but…. Idk.

Everyone is flying around, the arena is clearly segregated into Ireland’s colors or Green, Red, and Yellow, perhaps hinting at the final score of the match? Nice job, filmmakers.

What is this guy juggling? It looks like toy merecreatures almost.

Orange is the Weasley families favorite color. They’re just owning it at this point.

The pitch looks like it is in the inside of a volcano or a mountain.

Some people have seats right on the grass of the pitch? So, if the Weasle’s have bad seats at the very top what would the very lowest seats be classified as?

Who knew that a job qualification for Professional Qudditich players is the ability to adequately throw and spark fireworks?

Krum is a showoff.

Those are omnoculars? What Ron has to his face?

The way that they were all packed in together, it’s a wonder the whole place didn’t burn down with all the incendios they were throwing around.

They are all wizards, underage or not, and this is a life threatening situation, and yet, no one is firing back at the Death Eaters?

Okay, so everything did get torched to the ground. None of these tents had some fire retardant?

That amount of spells coming at the trio.

That style of hat that Crouch is wearing has got to be some ministry trend. Wait until they all hit the trucker hats in the 2000’s.

That Dark Mark is really cool.

I love her hat though. It looks like something that would have been worn to the royal wedding.

Seeing the train is always stunning.

I love the collection of sweets here. Colorful, to attract the youngins.

This is a really colorful movie. The third one was very muted while still being stunning. This and the next one experience with splashes of color that are just beautiful.

They are passing a big lake in the background there. Out of the window just looks wild and remote.

He addresses it clearly to Sirius Black. Is that a qualification for the owls to know where they letter needs to go or do they just have to have been there before? I need to know the specifics of owl travel.

You get to see the whole scope of how large not only Hogwarts is ,but the grounds, and I love that.

You see Neville in this first sequence as they are watching the other schools arrive as well as Fred, George, Ginny, Colin, Harry, and Hermione. Angelina Johnson is in the background behind the twins.

The sails on the Durmstrang ship looks like it is decorated with a two headed dragon. Is that the symbol for Durmstrang?

So while Dumbledore is chatting, Hagrid and Flitwick are behind him chit chatting.

There are two levels to the head table in this movie. The main folk are sitting at the higher table. Snape is leaning against the wall, not directly related to them at all. I bet he hated first days at the school.

Snape is one hundred percent mimicking Dumbledore’s speech for a hysterical Flitwick in the background.

The bald guy behind Dumbledore looks asleep, straight up.

Are butterflies the symbol for Beauxbatons? That would be very interesting. A creature that transforms completely into something else.

Hermione and Ginny are the only two who know what’s up in this shot.

Dumbledore was giving Madame Maxime eyes.

Filch is just standing dead in the middle of the Durmstrang wizards.

He is still standing there when Krum and Karkaroff walk in.

The kids so promptly follow Dumbledore’s instructions even though some of them are probably embarrassed about having to sing the school song.

But not Harry James Potter. He is living for this song.

Again we get so many shots of the school in this movie.

You can see the house point containers behind Dumbledore’s head.

You can see them again after the goblet is revealed.

Is that a tower of marshmallows?

OMgosh! The sky acted up when Crouch Jr came in because Hogwarts knew that he wasn’t who he said he was!!!!

The cup is so primitive looking compared to the container that is in.

It almost looks like each layer was created by a different faction of the wizarding world as a whole. That could definitely be a fanfic.

The perspective starts on the Durmstrang ship which again features a dragon.

Cages, nets in the background of the DADA classroom.

There is also a lot of glass and mirrors in the room which almost makes me think of a fun house where you don’t look like yourself in any of the mirrors which is super fitting for Crouch Jr. at this phase.

Why does Hermione look so suspicious already?

And what is the use of all the bugs, Crouch Jr. you sick mother f-er.

Who needs fifty overflowing worms in a jar?

Dean Thomas is straight up rocking a composition notebook from Walmart on that desk. He is representing Muggle culture at its finest.

Crabbe is wearing a ring. Is that his heir ring? That would be interesting as we see the younger generation start to really get pulled into the war in this film.

The portrait on the stain glass crying. We have all seen this, and appreciate the majesty.

We love a rain soaked Robert Pattinson.

Everyone is just watching the battle between the twins and Hermione.

There is no other light in the Great hall except for the Goblet? Dumbledore does love his aesthetic.

Snape is like, get me out of here.

And that display of power is why all of them dang kids sing that dorky song.

Who is Cedric kissing here as he goes up to the head table?

The cup is like the opposite of the Goblet of Fire. It is shiny and bright and new while the goblet is ancient looking.

You can see Harry’s scar quite prevalently in this shot.

The Hogwarts trophy room. I have never connected this before. It is huge.

Karkaroff has gold fillings.

What are the spinning trophies and where can I get one?

One light on in the top part of the castle.

Pensieve memories are blue, and the Goblet’s fire is blue. Coincidence? Fic writers, you tell me.

The suns on the curtains in the boy’s dorm is a nice touch.

Ron has a homemade quilt. I bet he gets those for birthday gifts instead of the infamous Christmas sweater. Molly Weasley is a boss.

What are all of these trophies for? I bet Dumbledore keeps all the ones that the various clubs and groups have won over the years.

Magical cleaner?

The scope of Hogwarts is amazing.

The owlery is literally covered in bird shit, like every inch. Dumbledore clearly instructs Filch not to clean it to deter frisky students.

Is that a cat on the stairs there?

I can’t ever decide if the Common Room looks too big or too small, here.

Harry talks about Voldemort so casually. But I guess if someone tried to kill me year after year we would form a sort of familiarity.

Those cabinets in the back are filled with board games. Bet me. Gryffindors are notoriously bloody, and game night, gets wild.

I bet Neville spends a lot of his time in the lake just researching and studying all of the different plant life.

Neville cares not at all for the drama behind him. He’s just like, “Give me the plants”.

I love that bright orange flower. Hagrid ain’t no fool. He knows how to get the ladies.

The mist in the background could almost be taken as fog, but then you think about the dragon’s and it literally could be smoke.

Hagrid representing all of the men who are shorter than their women.

There looks to be about six dragon handlers here.

They are carrying branches or their wands lit with fire at the end. Is that to confuse the dragons? Make them think that they already covered that area in their territory and are thus safe?

The handler on top gets bucked off the cage. He is done with this job.

I’m sorry, but those badges are ingenious. Do we know in the movie that Draco is the one that made them or is that fanon?

Those Hufflepuffs are nasty.

The sculpture that is seen in that scene in the courtyard looks like the same one that is present in Half Blood Prince. Do they also move around the castle at will?

Harry pushed Draco, and that guy in the back is like, “Yes, let’s have a fight.” Then he and the other guy straight up bounce when Moody pops on the scene. But Goyle is ride or die. Or maybe they ran and got McGonagall because she came really quickly???? Hmmm??

The walls are all green and lightly moss covered. Gorgeous.

Like, is there a legit list of all the things that teachers cannot do. 1. We do not use Transfiguration as a punishment. 2. Trying to main or kill students is expressively forbidden. 3. Flashy robes are allowed and encouraged. Share in the glorious pattern of life.

Crouch Jr. should have been shitting his pants at being at the end of McGonagall’s wand.

Again with all the mirrors. So, Crouch Jr. can make sure that his transformation isn’t slipping?

What are the faces in the mirror here?  

All the clues were there, and I didn’t see a single one. This movie and book is a masterpiece of plot. Plain and simple.

McGonagall was like, “Let’s not have the arena with the dragons so close to the castle, eh, Albus?”

There is a bed for each of the champions in this tent. Could no one transfigure a couch?

They have punch and muffins in the background. “Lime punch before you fight a dragon?” “Sure.”

I never noticed that blue in Madame Mazime’s hair. I love the school spirit that she is showing here. Dumbledore seriously thought of mimicking her. He would look bomb with a tie die beard. Convince me otherwise.

Filch is featured spectacularly in this movie.

The trunk at the bottom has a red cross on it, making this very likely an emergency tent that just so happens to double as the waiting area for the champions.

Colin made that sign for Harry.

I feel like that chain, oh, I don’t know, could have been magically reinforced or something.

How does his glasses stay on? I bend over, and mine are on the floor.

Even Draco here is like, “Come on, bro.”

Snape knew he should have stayed in bed.

So, does the waterfall seen here does that fall into Hogwart’s grounds as well because that would be awesome for field trips. My love for this ancient, magical castle in the middle of nowhere is unmatched.

Where was Seamus during that challenge? I did not see him.

The picture of the woman in the far left is very striking.

The Black Lake is a huge expanse. I always think of it as kind of small, but it is massive in this movie.

The pastries in the back are floating along the table. So cool.

Mrs. Norris just chilling, waiting to see these pitiful humans embarrass themselves.

Why can’t they have healed Harry? I understand the look, but dang, people continuity.

Neville has got them shiny dancing shoes. Augusta was very pleased when Neville asked her to buy them for him.

Hermione is a queen, and she knows it.

There is that semi circle of stone again from the third film. Hmmm….

Ginny’s friends are coming in with the support. Love a squad.

There was fruit on that table. I always wondered if they got snacks and what not during the daytime, between meals.

What was the need of carriages if the ball was held at the school?

Ron waited until last minute to even try on those robes or he definitely could have worked something out.

Owl sculptures are supporting the fires here.

Krum is dumbstruck by our girl.

Somehow she loses Krum to argue with Ron.

Is that couple making out at the table?

People are dancing in the hallway?

A gaggle of girls are crying on the stairs. Every middle school dance ever.

I’m telling you, whoever designed this cemetery had a very messed up imagination.

Neville stays out all night long. It is morning coming through that window. You dog, you.

Half of the allure of going to Hogwarts is to get to become a prefect and use that bath. Let’s be honest.

Crouch Jr. hates his life right now.

All of those books are like represent my best life.

Half of those students are like, “Yeah, no, you took all my money last time.” Because let’s be real, no one bet on Harry, and Fred and George scored big time.

Those top tiered placed have got to be enlarged with wizard’s space because they are quite small, and the whole school plus the two others are expected to attend each trial? Yeah, not big enough it seems.

Harry is a show off.

Seamus is wearing Hogwarts merch. Like where did he get that? A catalog? Gift shop in Hogsmeade?

You can see the merpeople’s ancient village here, or hints of it. Archways, etc.

Fleur looks legit worried here. Like Harry was right to not trust Dumbledore to ensure their safety when he can’t even tell Fleur who is out of the competition by this point that her sister is going to be okay.

Why are Fred, George, and Ginny right next to Malfoy and Co. for this shot, shouldn’t they be at odds? Or was that the best spot and neither were giving it up?  Or plain movie making reasons?

Harry is wearing a wand holster on his leg. Fanfiction writers catch all the details.

Seamus is like, “I am Harry’s hype man. I will keep him from getting hypothermia.”

Why did Hermione turn French here for that line?

Rescue….. that’s a strong word here, Dumbles.

Crouch Sr. is such an interesting character. He knows what it is like to lose a family, and he has his guard up because of that. Their story and their family is so interesting to me for some reason.

I think that’s the closest that Crouch Jr. gets to breaking character.

If you were born in the nineties you had at least one of those jackets that Hermione is wearing here, and if you had more, you had them in several colors.

Who bewitched Mad-eye’s eye? It is a very powerful magical object in its own right, right?

Please see my post about Sirius and Azkaban.

As soon as Snape is mentioned Crouch puts his head in his hands because he knows Dumbledore is going to have to have a say.

Dumbledore is looking so closely at the details that he misses the bigger picture in Harry’s dreams and Moody’s actions.

It’s so weird that Snape has a storage area for ingredients near Dumbledore’s office. I bet that Snape has several storage areas spread throughout the castle.

Snape could have just looked inside Harry’s mind, and be done with it, but no….because plot.

Neville is carrying yet another plant behind the trio here.

Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle are so carefree here that you almost forget that the happiness of youth that they have at Hogwarts is about to go extinct just like Harry and his friends. All of the kids in this story face a sharp change in perspective after this book.

I like that Harry has fake Moody, Krum has Karkaroff, Fleur has Madame Maxime, but Cedric has his dad because he gets to say goodbye to him.

The maze is just a massive headgame.

Do you think the reason that Fleur ultimately becomes close enough to Krum to ask him to her wedding is because Krum sought her out and made serious recompense for him being imperioused while in the maze?

They are just resorting to brute strength there at the end. The maze making them forget that they are capable wizards. A jelly legs jinx probably would have had much the same effect.

Angel statues I get, but this big dementor, grim looking thing holding the bones of Voldemort’s father. I just don’t get it.

Cedric gave Peter a chance to speak or stop, but Peter again took the cowards way out, and blasted Cedric before he really had a chance to fight back. What a punk bitch.

I’m glad that you are forced to choke your own self Peter because you deserve it.

Voldemort’s transformation here is both stunning and horrible.

The Death Eaters come out of the Dark Mark’s mouth.

Their masks here are different then the ones used earlier in the morning.

Voldemort is snatching their weaves here, and I love it. Stupid klan robe wearing wizard Nazis.

Voldemort puts his foot on Cedric’s face. Like, son, you need to pay for that privilege.

A lot of the Death Eaters here look like they have like staffs. I don’t understand.

A Death Eater in the background is litearlly clapping when Voldemort makes Harry bow, like get a hold of yourself, Hershel.

The statue, again, in the background presents such a striking image as the two duel.

The spell that Crouch Jr. urged Harry to learn is the one that saved Harry.

Harry just wanting to physically protect Cedric’s body with his own. Just heartbreaking.

I’ll never not sob when I hear Amos Diggory sob, “That’s my son! That’s my boy!”

Fred and George look to follow Crouch Jr. and Harry out. Do they tip off the professors?

Doesn’t Crouch know what it is like to stand in Voldemort’s presence? He was just babysitting the man, I mean, dang. Fangirling is one thing, but you have business to handle.

Don’t insult my Neville. I will throw down.

The mirrors are gone at this point. It looks like Crouch has almost packed up because he knows that he will no longer be needed.

Not his blood, ahhhhh!!!!!

Snape puts such flourish into his casting. That scene at the carriages earlier in this film. He looks like he is rearing back away from Karkaroff, but he is merely preparing to cast one fanciful, flourish of a hex on the man.

Just stick your face in the crazy Death Eater’s face, Harry. Great thinking. No wonder Snape doesn’t hold your intelligence in high regard.

We don’t get one look at Professor Sprout. This boy’s Head of House?

Look at all that magical cooperation, and yet, none of this was used in book seven, or any book after except for mentioning Fleur married Bill, and Harry learned a little tidbit about the Deathly Hallows symbol from Krum.

I love this film. It is stunning, and truly made me a diehard HP fan. I don’t think I will ever really tire of it.

[sunlightdances]

Blooming in the Shadows (5/6)

Pairing: Dean x Female Reader Rating: Overall PG-13 because of canon-typical violence. Also swearing. Words: 2,730 (this part) Warnings: Angst! Dean and the Reader swearing like sailors! Mutual pining with a dash of bed sharing and a slow burn romance added in for extra fluffy goodness. Summary: You and Dean Winchester are barely friends. His sudden reappearance from Hell brings you together, and you find yourself right back in the life you ran away from when you were a teenager. (Canon AU that takes place during season 4, specifically starting at 4.01 - for reference, Dean is 29) This chapter: This is the first chapter I wrote that originally was intended to be a oneshot. There’s a particular line of dialogue in here that inspired this entire fic. One more chapter after this one, folks. Thanks for sticking with me.

Links aren’t working - find the full master list for this plus the link to this story on AO3 on my blog!

You take a deep breath, the sound of it rattling through your rib cage on its way out. It’s silent in the old barn. Almost too quiet.

Your mind keeps flashing back to the way Dean was looking at you outside, the way he keeps half confessing things to you… you’re at your wit’s end.

You know deep down inside you that Dean Winchester doesn’t hate you. Just the same, you’ve never hated him, even after he basically stomped on your heart.

It’s time to put it in the past. There are bigger things to worry about, and you can’t lie - you’re terrified.

Pamela is out of the ICU now, according to Bobby, but blind, obviously. You’ve never seen anything like that. You think the sound of her screams will stay with you for the rest of your life, as will the crazed look in Dean’s own eyes during the attack as he held onto you and Sam for dear life.

And now you’re summoning whatever did it. Truly, probably the dumbest thing you’ve ever been a part of as a hunter. Sam’s fidgeting and Dean is pacing. The ritual has been done. The summoning is over. Now… you just wait. You’re still struck by the absolute silence.

You can’t shake the feeling that you’re not alone.

Suddenly, the doors to the barn begin to shake. The lights flicker, and sam and Dean both ready their rifles filled with rock salt. You do the same, the sawed-off comfortable in your hands despite the way your hands are trembling. You take a deep breath to steady yourself, though you can’t get rid of the feeling that tells you you’re in way over your head.

A clap of thunder, and then there’s a man standing there. Piercing blue eyes, almost blank expression on his face, but somehow still an intense look in his eyes. The look he’s giving you all makes the hair on your arms stand on end.

He takes a step forward, right through the devil’s trap, and your heart starts to race. “What the fuck…” you breathe, feeling Sam and Dean come closer on either side.

Almost as if on cue, the three of you begin firing, your rock salt doing nothing to slow down the man striding towards you like he’s on a mission. Your heart stutters again when he gets close enough to touch.

“Who the hell are you?” Dean asks, and you want to smack him for being so flippant.

The man’s voice is deeper than you expected and seems to echo around the barn. "I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from Perdition."

A beat, and then Dean’s smirking, the idiot. “Thanks,” he says snidely before lunging forward, the demon knife in his hand, and stabs the man in the chest, almost to the hilt.

It does nothing.

“Shit,” you say, and take a step forward, Sam heading up the rear. Before you can do anything, the man is turning to face Sam, two fingers on his forehead, and then Sam slumps to the ground.

Dean curses, and your eyes widen when he turns his attention on you, but the man is already there in between the two of you, pressing his fingers to your face before you can defend yourself.

Everything goes black.

.

.

.

“Wake up, kid. Come on,” is the first thing you hear, Dean’s voice low and worried. “She’s not waking up.”

“Give her a minute. It took me a second too,” Sam replies.

You groan in response, and can almost feel the relief palpable in the room.

“What happened?”

“A fuckin’ angel of the Lord. That’s what happened.” Dean says, and underneath his posturing, you can hear the fear there.

You sit up, with his help. “He’s-- what the hell did he want?”

Dean almost smiles, probably at your choice of words. “Said he was the one who got me out of hell. He said he did it--” Dean swallows, face turning serious. “Said he did it on God’s order. That I had a job to do.”

“Dean, what the fuck.”

He pulls you to your feet, and Sam steadies you on your other side as you get your bearings.

“I-- I’m not really sure where to go from here.” Dean admits, and it shocks you, really, to see him being vulnerable like this.

“We have to find somewhere to sleep.” Sam says, always the level head. “Let’s get a room and we’ll call Bobby. We should probably head back to his place next, anyway.”

“Two rooms,” you tell Sam on the way to the Impala. He gives you a look, but you refuse to meet his eyes. You know he wishes you and Dean would just hash things out once and for all, and there’s no way he’s missed how differently Dean is acting now.

You just can’t quite face it. After everything that happened today… the prospect of finding out whatever Dean was trying to tell you earlier today… it scares the hell out of you and you’re not sure how to deal with it.

Call it fight or flight, but it is what it is. You need a break.

The neon lights of a motel are like a beacon, and Dean practically speeds into the parking lot. He’s rattled and it makes you nervous.

Sam goes into the motel office while you hang out by the car with Dean. He’s fidgeting and you find that you want to put a hand on his arm, or his shoulder… find some way to comfort him. You haven’t had that feeling in a really long time.

“You coming with us to Bobby’s?” He asks, breaking the silence. It feels like a loaded question.

You dig the tip of your boot into the dirt, creating a pattern. “Not sure yet. Need to get my car eventually.”

He nods. “Is that the only reason you’d go back there?”

It’s not the question you think he’s going to ask, and you have no idea how to answer him.

Saved by the bell, the ringing above the door signals Sam’s exit from the building, and you heave a sigh of relief when he hands one key to you, and keeps another in his fist.

“I’ll see you guys in the morning.” You say, grabbing your bag out of the backseat and slinging it over your shoulder.

You take two steps before there’s a hand gripping your elbow. Your heart practically stops when you turn around to meet Dean’s eyes. He lets go almost immediately, a blush coloring his cheeks. “Just-- don’t leave without saying something.”

You can’t place the look in his eyes and you’re not sure you want to. You’re not sure you want to deal with any of this, but somehow you should have known you were always going to get dragged back into life with the Winchesters one way or another.

You nod and tug your arm out of his grasp, smiling weakly at Sam over your shoulder as you find your room and push your way inside, the weight of the last few days obvious as your shoulders slump.

A shower is in order, and then you plan on sleeping for about fifteen hours. You know you should eat something, too, but you’re too exhausted, too freaked out, too off your game to do anything other than collapse in your bed.

A knock on your door startles you awake after what feels like hours, but only turns out to have been about fifteen minutes. You stumble to the door, rubbing the sleep from your eyes, immediately on edge.

“What?” You ask when you pull open the door, revealing the eldest Winchester on the other side, a sheepish look on his face and his fist still raised to knock one more time.

“You were asleep.”

You shrug. “Not for long. What’s going on?”

He swallows. “Nothing. I mean, nothing bad. I just-- can I come in for a second?”

The nerves start up again. You feel anxious and feel like you want to leap out of your skin and sink beneath the earth. The dread coiling in your veins is only matched by what feels like anticipation.

You shut the door behind you, and watch as Dean rubs his jaw, pacing in front of the bed.

“Are you okay?” You echo your same question from earlier, because it really looks like he’s lost it this time.

“I have to-- I need to explain something to you.”

You say nothing. You’re caught completely off guard, with nothing to go on here but the desperate look in his eyes. He takes your silence as permission to keep going.

“When we were growing up, you… you showed up one day and completely flipped our world upside down. It’s always been just me and Sam. We never knew how to handle someone else being there, but then there was you.”

You find your voice. “Is that why you were so awful to me?” It comes out harsh, more than you intended.

“I deserve that.” He looks down at his feet. “I deserve that and I deserve everything you’ve ever said about me or thought about me since that night.”

You immediately know he’s talking about when you left. You just can’t figure out why he’s doing this now, why he’s trying to explain this now. It was all so simple for you. There’s nothing to talk about, as far as you’re concerned.

“I pushed you away when we were teens because you made me feel things that I was nowhere near prepared to feel. I thought it would be easier…” He stops for a second, laughs bitterly, “thought you would be safer if you were as far away from me as you could get.”

“Dean--”

“Wait,” he says gently, “I have to get this out or I’ll never do it.” He takes a small step closer to you, meeting your eyes now. “I also thought I was protecting myself. Killing two birds with one stone, you know?”

“Protecting yourself from what? From me?” You ask, hating the way your voice cracks on the last word.

He smiles, but it’s sad. “You scare me.” Dean’s voice is raw, honest. It makes your heart rate speed up.

“Why?” Your reply is barely a whisper.

His voice cracks, “Because you could break my heart in half and walk away without a scratch.”

You have no idea what to say. You’re frozen, rooted to the spot. It’s all at once everything you’ve ever wanted to hear from Dean, and the last thing you ever expected.

“You’re so strong. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that before. You came into my life, this spitfire full of loud opinions and the hardest left hook I’ve ever seen, and I knew… I knew that if I let myself feel these things for you, I’d never recover. You would. Because you’ve always been the strongest of the three of us. But me? I’d be ruined.”

A tear splashes off the end of your nose and startles you, because you didn’t even realize you were crying. You want to scream, want to tell him he’s so stupid for not just talking to you. This entire time, all these years… wasted. Because you both were so stupid for each other you couldn’t see the other’s feelings right in front of your face.

“So I put you down and I was cold to you and I pushed you away… and you want to know the dumbest thing of all?”

He takes a step even closer so he can reach out and use his thumb to wipe away a tear slowly tracking its way down your cheek. He’s close enough you can feel the heat radiating off him and can feel the way he’s shaking ever so slightly as he touches you.

“What’s the dumbest thing?” You ask, and his shoulders seem to curl in as he finally tells you whatever it is he’s been trying to say this entire time.

“It didn’t even work.” He whispers. “You left, and I moved on, and so did you, and you show up again… and it’s like I was punched right in the chest by all the feelings I thought I got rid of,” he says, grabbing your hand and placing it on his chest so you can feel the way his heart is pounding.

“Dean,” his name is a choked breath, the things you’ve never said to him stuck inside your throat. You swallow a sob that’s threatening to burst out and he steps up even closer, hand sliding from your cheek to the back of your neck, thumb rubbing circles into your skin.

“You’ve hated me for years and I deserved it. But trust me, sweetheart. You could never hate me as much as I do for what I did to you. You never deserved to feel like you didn’t have a home there. I even blamed you for leaving. The things I said…” He shakes his head.

“Can I say something now?” You ask shakily, a burst of confidence coming over you as you watch Dean practically bare his soul to you.

“You don’t need to--”

“Yes I do.” Your hand covers his, both of you locked there in a strange but wonderful embrace. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear something like this from you. I-- Dean, I fell in love with you when I was sixteen years old.”

Dean’s eyes slide shut, a pained noise escaping his throat. You feel the exact same way - all this time wasted, all the time you both felt the same way but were too scared to say or do anything.

“If you think that I could walk away from you without a scratch… well, you don’t know me very well, Dean Winchester.” You say quietly, his fingers gripping yours almost painfully.

“We don’t, do we, though.” He says, “We don’t really know each other anymore.” He pulls back and his eyes rove over your face. “Or, at least I thought I didn’t know you. I thought you didn’t know me either. But you’ve still got that necklace. And you’re still able to look right through me, just like you always were.”

Something’s still eating at you. “Dean… why now?”

His eyes are so fucking green as he stares at you. “We went up against an angel today. I thought-- at any point, that could have gone so far South. You could have died today.” His eyes are pained. “I went to hell and came back. And still the thing that scared me today was losing you before I had a chance to make things right. I didn’t-- it made all my reasons seem pointless.”

You’re both quiet for a few minutes. “What do we do now?”

He shrugs. “Haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”

You pull away and sit down on the edge of the bed. “I need to sleep. It’s been a hell of a day.”

Dean nods, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I’ll let you get some rest. I just-- I needed to say that to you.” He takes a few steps backwards towards the door. “There’s no pressure here, okay? This whole thing--” he gestures between the two of you, “it’s on me. It always has been. I just had to get it off my chest.”

He frowns. “Dumping all that on you wasn’t fair.”

“Dean.” You stand, coming closer to him. “That’s enough self blame for one day, okay? I just-- I need to think. I’m not going to disappear. I’ll see you in the morning.”

A small smile is on his face, one you’re beginning to think is reserved just for you. “Okay.” He grips the doorknob with one hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When you shut and lock the door behind him, you finally let yourself cry all the tears you tried to hold back earlier, slumping down to the floor, the weight of everything that’s happened between you and Dean crashing down on you all at once.

A hell of a day.

What an understatement.

[setaripendragon]

That Strange Bennett Child

So it occurred to me (I wasn’t even watching Rise of the Guardians, it just happened out of nowhere) that in the Rise of the Guardians fandom, there’s a lot of stories where Jamie and/or some of his friends remember the Guardians even into adulthood. And don’t get me wrong, I love those stories. But it occurred to me that out of all the kids, Jamie isn’t actually the one most likely to remember. Yes, he had direct contact with a Guardian, but even if the Guardians avoid contact where possible, there have to have been other kids who talked to the Guardians over the years. Jamie’s just as likely as anyone else to brush off what he saw as a kid’s over-active imagination when he gets older. Sophie on the other hand, visited the Warren. I could be wrong here, but as far as I can remember, she was the only kid in the movie to actually visit one of the Guardian’s realms. She, in fact, spent all night there. Add to that the fact that Bunny’s race is named after (and very, very losely based on) a specific type of fae, and, well. There are myths about people that get kidnapped by the fae, and those people are usually a bit odd when they get back, if they get back at all. So! I wrote the fic! =D

Everyone forgot. Oh, it wasn’t that simple, Sophie knew. They didn’t forget what had happened, exactly, they just… convinced themselves it couldn’t possibly have been real. That they’d made it all up. ‘Boy, I sure had an active imagination when I was a kid’ and so on. It had terrified her, when she was younger, watching everyone around her brush off friends they’d risked their lives to save, once upon a time, because it was too difficult to keep believing in them.

The worst was when Jamie had stopped believing. It hadn’t happened all at once, he’d just… been interested in other things. Dismissive, a little, and Sophie had been annoyed about, but Jack had just laughed it off, saying he was a newly minted teenager, and teenagers were just like that. Sophie’d been nine, almost two years later, the first time Jamie didn’t even look up when Jack dropped in to check on them. Sophie had tried to tell him, grabbing his arm and yelling “Jack’s here!”

And Jamie had shaken her off and told her “Enough, Sophie. I don’t wanna play make-believe with you right now.” Then he’d gone back to his video game. Sophie had thrown the mother of all tantrums, and sulked for a week, refusing to speak to anyone except Jack. And even with him, she was petulant and miserable.

Eventually, Jack had called in reinforcements to try and cheer her up. “Hey there, little sheila. It’s okay. We knew this was going to happen, we’re not upset.” The Easter Bunny told her, and then it had come out. It didn’t matter how much proof kids thought they had, it didn’t matter how much time they spent with the Guardians. The Guardians belonged to childhood, and so growing up meant forgetting.

It had terrified her. Sophie had approached her thirteenth birthday with dread, unlike the excitement all her friends were showing. She spent a lot of time with Aster – his name was Aster, he was the closest thing she’d ever known to a father, and she was going to forget he even existed – trying to cram as much time with him as possible into every day.

She lost touch with her primary school friends after that. It wasn’t that she didn’t like them any more, but she couldn’t bear to watch them forget like Jamie and his friends had all forgotten. So she made new friends. Sort of. She never really let them close anymore, because she was starting to get odd looks for mentioning Santa or the Easter Bunny. And she refused – refused – to pretend she didn’t believe, not even for one moment. Because if she started pretending, how long would it be before she forgot it was only pretend?

She spent her thirteenth birthday in the Warren. Aster hadn’t wanted to let her visit, but Sophie had run away from the party her mom had planned – she felt a little guilty about that, but not guilty enough to go back – and wandered around the woods until she found the entrance to Pitch Black’s lair.

Because any proof was better than nothing.

Jack had caught up with her while she’d still been gawping up at the room full of giant wrought-iron bird cages, and brought her to the Warren. Aster had scolded her up one side and down the other, but Sophie didn’t care, and she wasn’t sorry. She glowered and scowled through the whole ordeal, and didn’t say a word until, exasperated, Aster had demanded to know what she would have done if Pitch had found her first.

Sophie had smirked, flicked her fringe out of her eyes with a toss of her head, and told him; “At least I would have known he was real.”

Aster and Jack had relented, with sympathy clear in their eyes, and let her stay until it was starting to get dark in Burgess. They’d also told her stories, so many stories, about themselves. Their lives, their histories, their truths, and Sophie had treasured each and every one as the gift it was. The gift of memory, no matter how long it might or might not last. They were giving her the only thing she really wanted; more ways to hold on to her friends.

She’d gone home in the evening with flowers woven into her hair, paint and grass-stains making a mess of her clothes, and a chill in her fingers from a snowball fight in the middle of July. Her mother had been in state, too worried to properly take in just how odd Sophie looked in that moment, how out of place every last thing about her was, but Jamie didn’t miss it, and neither did any of the other people Lizzy Bennett had drafted to help look for her daughter.

“Where the hell have you been?!” Lizzy demanded with frustrated worry poured into every word.

Sophie had smiled, feeling more settled than she had for months. “Underhill.” She answered. It was, technically, not a lie. She had, in fact, been under a hill.

“Away with the fairies?” Jamie asked, teasing, but he was trying to be friendly. Sophie could see that now where she hadn’t been able to, before. Trying to join in the only way he knew how. It wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t remember, after all, and he just didn’t know how much it hurt Sophie that he didn’t understand her joke.

So she didn’t snap at him, like she had been doing for months. Instead, all she said was; “Something like that.”

“Strange child.” Someone muttered.

Lizzy shot a glare at the speaker, but Sophie just grinned. Yes. Yes, she was.

Sophie Bennett didn’t forget. She didn’t know why not. Why, at fifteen, she could still see Jack as clear as day, when everyone else looked right through him. She never once took it for granted though. She never once stopped being grateful that she could still run to the Warren when the world got too much, could go to Aster for advice, and North for hugs, and Jack for a few hours of uncomplicated fun. She never stopped waving to Sandy when he passed by, or leaving little treats out for Baby Tooth and her sisters.

She got dancing lessons from Tooth, and she learnt to paint from Aster. Jack taught her to ice-skate, and North showed her magic. From Sandy, she got lessons on fighting. Fighting dirty, fighting outnumbered, fighting with a weapon, fighting with words.

She never quite stopped being ‘that strange Bennett child’.

It never quite stopped hurting, the knowledge that everyone else had forgotten, but it got better. It got better when Jamie decided to write his own stories. “All those adventures I came up with when I was a kid,” he’d explained, laughingly, “they were good stories, weren’t they? I should write them down.” Sophie helped, reminding him of little details he’d forgotten when he’d forgotten they weren’t real, and she told him other stories, her own stories, and let him write those, too.

It got better when Cupcake started working at the local stables, and Sophie realised there were unicorns in the paddock. Cupcake couldn’t see them, of course, she thought they were just normal horses, but Sophie knew. She could see their horns and the intelligence in their eyes. No one knew why she favoured those horses, or why she talked to them like they could understand every word she said, but by that point, everyone brushed it off as being just another oddity from ‘that strange Bennett child’. She learnt to ride on the back of a unicorn, under the instruction of both Cupcake and the unicorn himself.

It got better when Caleb went to art college, and came home at the holidays with folders full of the most beautiful, fantastical pictures. Dragons that reminded Sophie of some of Sandy’s dream-sand creatures, all golden scales and delicate frills. Vampires that looked hilariously like a certain bogeyman. Little elves playing with trinkets like magpies. Villages full of anthropomorphic rabbits in robes and glasses. Angels with jewel-bright wings and scimitars and fairies with rainbow skin and little beaks. When she mentioned it to the Guardians, they’d all laughed about it, amused and pleased in equal measure, and Tooth had winked at Sophie when no one else was looking.

So it got better, even if Sophie couldn’t quite let go of her anger at the unfairness of it. More on her brother’s behalf than for herself. Jamie had adored Jack, had looked up to him like the cool older brother he’d never had, and that he’d forgotten that was just not fair. And sometimes, when he came to visit her, Jack would look over at Jamie with the ghost of sorrow in his eyes, and it took all of Sophie’s efforts not to scream.

Sometimes, she didn’t bother trying to hold herself back. Not with Jack, or Jamie, or her mom, because she loved them and it wasn’t their fault that the world wasn’t fair. It wasn’t anyone else’s fault, either, but Sophie only had so much restraint. She swore at anyone who ever told her – or anyone else in her vicinity – to ‘grow up’. She shouted right back at teachers who shouted at her for not paying attention because one of the bookworms had more interesting things to say. She broke noses when the other kids mocked her for still believing in Santa Claus, and picked fights with strangers who walked through what they only thought was empty air.

She knew her mom worried about her, worried that she was ‘falling in with the wrong crowd’ because Sophie still vanished down to the lake every now and then to visit her friends. Lizzy didn’t believe Sophie when she told her she was ice-skating with ghosts, or painting with a shapeshifter, or dancing with fairies, and she demanded the ‘truth’ until Sophie had exploded. “You don’t want the truth, or you’d believe me when I told it to you! You just want me to tell a lie you can believe! Well, I won’t!” She’d shouted. There’d been more shouting, on both sides, and Sophie had gone right back to the Warren to cry all over Aster about it.

Of course, he wasn’t much help, because his advice was to lie about it. But at least his advice came with hugs, and hot chocolate, and an egg-shaped nest full of the softest blankets for Sophie to curl up and sleep in once she’d cried herself out. She got to eat honey-slathered toast for breakfast with fresh apple juice, and Aster walked her all the way home after breakfast, patient and steady no matter how much she dragged her feet.

Her mother cried when she saw her, hugged her and apologised and swore to listen better from then on. They talked a lot that morning, and Lizzy was as good as her promise. She didn’t understand, not really, and it was clear she didn’t actually believe Sophie. It was obvious that she was very, very worried, but Sophie pointed out she’d never been hurt when she wandered off, she always came home safe, even last night, and Lizzy had to admit it was true. Eventually, they realised that they weren’t going to to be able to change anything, but they could, at least, accept each other. They came to an unspoken compromise. Lizzy still asked where Sophie was going, and Sophie still told her the truth, and Lizzy still didn’t believe her, and that was okay.

That Christmas, Sophie got two presents from Santa. One actually was from Santa, and it was the – accurate – book on magical creatures that she’d asked him for. The other was a butterfly knife, and the note was very clearly in her mother’s handwriting, even if it had been signed with a different name. It was the best Christmas present Sophie had ever gotten, and she’d put the knife aside to go and hug her mother and whisper a thank you with tears in her eyes. Maybe it had been a misplaced attempt – Sophie didn’t need tricks to affirm her belief – but it meant so much that her mother had tried at all. That whether it was true or not, she remembered buying ‘santa’ presents for Sophie when she was little, and she was willing to do it again, even if she thought it was silly, if it would make Sophie feel more accepted in her own home.

She got a present from Santa for her birthday that year, too. She’d gone to visit the Warren, like she did every year on her birthday. Only in the evenings, now, the rest of the day was for family, but she still went, every year, to remind herself she could. And that time, they’d all given her gifts. They never had before, birthdays weren’t really so much of an important thing when you lived for centuries, possibly millennia, but this time was different.

“If you have not forgotten by now, you are not going to.” North had told her solemnly, one large hand resting on her shoulder. “All children are precious to us, but you are something different. Perhaps, one day, you will be a Guardian yourself.”

Sophie didn’t think so. At least, she didn’t feel like any sort of spirit or fae creature. She had a little magic, just enough to warm her coffee when it started to cool, or keep her schoolwork dry when it rained, but she didn’t think she’d ever be anything like North, or Jack.

Tooth gave her an earring made with one of her own feathers. North gave her a puzzle box that would only open for her. Sandy gave her pen with ink made from dreamsand that would never run out. Jack gave her a snowflake pendant made of ice that would never melt. And Aster gave her a pair of leather bracers just like his.

Something different, Sophie thought to herself as her mom and Jamie both eyed her new gifts with confusion and wariness. It was true, she thought, in more ways than one. The fact of the matter was that she didn’t quite fit right in this life, but it was equally true that she was too much a part of this world to ever truly be something else. She wasn’t like Jack, who had cut all ties to his mortal life when he drowned, and she wasn’t like North, who’d left his mortal constraints behind one step at a time as he’d embraced the legend he’d become.

Sophie still had her family. Her mother and brother, whom she loved and wouldn’t let go of for anything. And she had her friends, her Guardians, whom she loved, and wouldn’t let go of for anything. She was caught in between, and quite honestly? She was perfectly happy right where she was.