#who else still uses that stupid lavender page?

[kuschelkissen]

Ok. Ok, so... I need to "gush" a bit. This will be a long post, so I'll put it under a cut.

Background: I'm from Germany. In the early 2000s, we had this big anime-themed fanpage called Animexx. I mean, we still have that page, it's just gotten really quiet over there with the rise of Social Media.

Anyway.

That page had/has everything. You could submit fanart, fanfic, doujinshi/fancomics, cosplay photography, you could roleplay, write weblogs, there was a forum, etc, etc. It still feels a bit of a dream, but I loved this page because you could find EVERYTHING there.

That cool cosplayer you saw on the convention? If you went on Animexx, you'd probably find them and could tag them in the photo you took of them (this is still the thing I missed the most when I was more active in cosplay...).

I sometimes look back at my old fanart and fanfic over there and read the nice comments I got.

I think their downfall was mostly the many, many rules regarding fanart quality, cosplay quality, and last but not least, the whims of unfair mods ... but that's a topic for a different post.

SO ANYWAY.

They had - still have - a section for fanarts called "Aikos Lieblinge" - Aiko's favourites (Aiko being one of the mascots of that page). I think they rotate each week? I'm not 100% sure, but it's always 6 pictures that get chosen? Tbh I don't really know how it works, I know you can suggest a fanart for it, and I assume the 6 pictures with the most suggestions get chosen.

Back then, it was a big deal. If you were among Aiko's favourites, you'd get pages after pages of comments. 60-100 comments on your picture were pretty common, really good pictures got even more.

I always looked at that longingly, I usually got maybe 2-6 comments, and the most I got were my very old One Piece fanarts where I actually managed to get around 20, and even 40 comments on one.

SO. ANYWAY.

It finally happened. I've been on this page for 20 years (joined in May 2004 and have never really left, though been inactive every now and then through the years), and today I opened the fanart front page to see...

My Heizuha picture on there! 🥺 I made it! I made it into Aiko's favourites!!

I try not to listen to the tiny voice in my head that keeps grumbling "well, NOW it doesn't matter anymore, it's not like there's still a whole lot of people active over there!", because even though that may be true... this stupid moment just has lifted my mood SO MUCH??

I KNOW it is useless. I'm not gonna get an influx of new followers over there, and a whole bunch of people commenting on my picture(s). But just knowing what it used to be... knowing that there were at least SOME people thinking my stupid little drawing was good enough to be suggested for this...

It makes me incredibly happy ='//)

[2ndstar-ontheright]

toxic codpendent boys babyyyy

i love you and it's ruining my life (boyfs)

Summary: After coming home from college for the first time in years, Jeremy's flooded with a ton of mixed emotions. He's tried so hard to put his past behind him, but it all shatters in the blink of an eye.

A/N: UGH codependent relationships are so interesting to explore and write about, dude I'm going insane. (I don't JUST write doomed/toxic yuri, I also do yaoi. I don't discriminate) The negatives of Jeremy and Michael (other than "ugh jeremy's evil and stinky >:(" and "Michael's pining but jeremy's too horrible to see :(") really should be written about more often, IMO. I love these stupid teenagers

Anyway, thank you so much for reading!! Seriously, you're all the best.

Walking home from class, Jeremy’s door is softly pushed shut as he enters the room. His old room. Not much had changed since he left back in August, home again (at the request of his therapist) after spending his other holidays working. It wasn’t his idea, at the expense of his poor father, as he knew his unexplained absence left the man worried. He worried enough about him already, he shouldn’t have to add to that by being back here. All of the mess he was front and center. He’d changed since college, he really did. However, for better or for worse, they didn’t know him there so it was easy for him. Easy to be someone else. Not like he had in high school, yet still someone else nonetheless. 

But it was summer now, and that had to count for something. 

He toes off his shoes, shoulders falling as he breathes in the familiar smell of linen and lavender. Suddenly, his ears perk up at the sound of a car driving by. Creeping up to the window, he looks out and

“He’s still driving that thing?” Jeremy’s eyes widened in shock. It’s been almost 5 years with that thing. You couldn’t even consider it a car anymore. Jesus, with how many times it’s broken down, how is he even alive ? He shakes his head and puts it out of his mind, but for a moment he's interrupted. Almost instantly he recognized that car, but why? It’d been over 2 years since graduation and he never talked about home. So, it couldn’t have been that easy. Then, it dawned on him.

That was Michael.

____________________________________

Later that night, he’s standing in front of his bathroom mirror, trying desperately to put images out of his mind. As he takes off his shirt, his scars and not as much as it used to be but still ungodly pale skin are on full view, like a child’s connect-the-dots page taken a wrong turn. 

The room’s flooding with steam and as he dissociates, he looks up to see sixteen year old him staring back. He’s that teenage boy again. His grim expression as he looks almost ready to drive his fist through the glass, binder in full view. It almost gives him a heart attack at the reminder that this is the same person he was just 3 years ago. He never did end up doing that, but the thought of it just made him shudder at how awful that teenage boy he had been. That stupid, whiny, annoying teenage boy who he could never run away from. 

He ended up not going to Michael’s that night, he was too afraid. (And he also wasn’t home given that he was touring schools that weekend.) He didn’t want to leave the comfort of his bathroom and be perceived by everyone. A loser like him didn’t have the guts, and that’s all he was, right? However, he could fantasize. And so he did. He fell asleep on the cold tile wishing it was his best friend’s bed, the sounds of Link collecting his sword and silent “Shit!”’s of frustration followed by an attempt to be quieter in the background. 

Jeremy blinked quickly, swallowing his breath and stepping into the shower to escape the fading reflection. 

That didn’t help as much as he had hoped though. His mind, as it often did, only resurfaced more as he stood under the water. This was better, he deduced. Now, he didn’t have to see it. To be reminded. He could just think. 

____________________________________

“Michael..?”

Puffing out a cloud of smoke, Michael shifts his eyes from the ceiling to the beanbag next to him. The only light being from the lava lamp in the corner, he squints briefly before he’s able to make out the boy in question. Even in the darkness, he looked…god. 

He looked beautiful. As much as he still had so much turmoil inside him, how he knew they were drifting apart more than he liked but was too afraid to bring it up, he couldn’t deny the aura permeating off of his friend. Unable to look away as he drew him further like a moth to a flame. 

“

Yeah?” He replied, voice raw before coughing a little. 

“I…” Jeremy twitched. He felt like his teeth were about to run out of his mouth, like the back of his head was hinged open, brain fully exposed to the world. His thoughts, his feelings, his pain, all oozing out of each nook and cranny. He couldn’t help it. Maybe it was the weed, maybe it was being back somewhere so familiar. Regardless, he knew the real reason why he felt like he was losing it. Why he felt like he wanted to throw up and cry at the same time. 

“I fucked up.” He finished, head hung low. 

Michael shifted tiredly in his seat, hand covering his mouth to stifle a yawn. Leaning his head back, his eyes met the side of Jeremy, who instinctively turned to face him. “Whaddyoumean?” He asked, words slurring together slightly.

Jeremy laughs nervously as his lip quivers. Shaking his head, his brow furrows. “I- you know what I mean!” He exclaims and then almost a second later, his hand covers his mouth. Ugh, why’d he have to say that so loud? Thank goodness Michael’s moms weren’t home, but still. Jesus Jeremy, can’t you control yourself for one second? Tears pool behind his eyes, at first cooling to the bloodshot feeling, however stinging just a second after. His palms plunge hard to rub at them and make him look somewhat less pitiful than he already does. Which isn’t much as the croaking in his voice gives it away even more. 

“I fucked up real bad Michael. I know I did.”

Sobering up as best as he can, Michael snaps up and inches closer, a hand gently tugging at Jeremy’s wrist. “Hey, c’mon man, talk to me. What do you mean you ‘fucked up’?” 

His tone calming as always, Jeremy takes a quick breath; cringing internally at his shuddering. He sounded like a kid in trouble about to get sent to his room, but in his own sick way, wasn’t he just that?

“Just..” He sighed. “Everything. All of it. I keep screwing up and with the whole SQUIP thing…I- haven’t truly apologized to you for that. I didn’t even say I’m sorry and I should have!” Jeremy rambled, wringing his hands together before resting them on his knees, sweaty palms tugging at the fabric that was starting to feel like sandpaper. 

He blinked, tears falling shamelessly. Michael was always so sweet to him, and why? He of all people didn’t deserve it. After all that he’s done, the kind, loving, handsome, funny, and so many other flowery words he could use to describe his favorite person didn't treat him the way he ought to be treated. Like a monster. He still treated him like his best friend, and that made the anguish inside tear him apart even more than it had. 

“And I hurt you Michael. I never meant to, but I did and I’m…Fuck, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” 

Michael’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected that. Had it really been that long since he’d apologized? Since they’d talked about it? He wanted this, right? He’d been waiting for this for so long, and yet, now he doesn’t know what to think. It’s not that he didn’t think Jeremy meant it, it was just all so sudden and he’d already apologized profusely for everything else already.

But never for how much he had hurt him. 

He knew he did, and Michael knew he was ashamed of himself, but he never said those words out loud. 

How long had he been waiting to hear that? 

How much had they thought, things other than and still similar in their own right, but never said to each other? 

Michael sighed, head tilting to look even closer into Jeremy’s eyes. His hand rested on his shoulder and slowly, he nodded, glasses drooping down to his nose. “I know you are.”

“And I forgive you, Jer. I really do,” 

He offered a somber smile which in turn earned him almost falling to the floor as the other rushed into him. Or rather, fell, seeing as he was stoned out of his mind. 

And even in that foggy haze, Jeremy meant every word he said. Bubbling over like a shaken can of coke he wanted to say so many other things than sorry. He wanted to sing it until everyone in New Jersey heard how much he regretted it. How it was eating at him from the inside. He loved his best friend. He loved him so much. He was the light of his life, the one person he knew really cared about him. And that no matter where they went in life, he would always feel the same towards him. Was it romantic, he couldn’t tell. He just knew that he loved him more than words could describe. 

Was it a little unhealthy? Yeah, it was. But at least he knew it and didn’t let it show. How worse could it have been if he did? 

Voice muffled by the fabric of Michael’s shirt, he pulled away for a moment. Not caring out how desperate he sounded, he sniffled, cleaning his face off as best as he could with his sleeve. 

Jeremy swallowed, cheek resting on Michael’s chest. “I don’t deserve it though. I was such an awful person, and god..” He sighed, shaking his head. “I…I don’t want you to go either. I don’t wanna lose you.”

Michael clicked his tongue and ran a hand down the other’s wrist. Part of him wanted to snap back and agree with him, and it did. He had been a dick, plain and simple. But the rest of him just couldn’t do it. He never could. 

“Shh..hey, listen. I’m not going anywhere, Jeremy. Really, I’m not!” Michael smiled somberly in an attempt to cheer him up. And Jeremy, hung onto it like a dog waiting for his owner. “I know you’re sorry and you feel like shit about it, but I’m not angry about it anymore. What’s done is done. But, I’m still here, aren’t I?” 

Jeremy nodded and returned the gesture, lips curling into a crooked half-smile. As Michael breathed out an unseen sigh of relief, Jeremy inched back towards him. Emotions heightened from what was normally a welcome smoke, he was utterly exhausted. After taking what was way too long to say all that he had kept inside, he drifted into a wobbly sleep. Michael succumbed to a fit of yawns just seconds after, palms resting in the small of the others back as he passed out. 

__________________________________

Cicadas chirped outside his window and as Jeremy tried to fall asleep, that was all he could think about. Every thought that popped into his head pertained to that night, and many others before that. It was all memories. Memories of a better time, a time that passed, and a time that he could never return to. Maybe a time that he never deserved. Taken for granted like it meant nothing more when it truthfully meant the world to him. 

Turning over in bed, he faces the window; streetlights emitting a soft glow through his curtains. God, why can’t he just stop? Why can’t he relax and be normal for once? 

Sighing, he leaned up and propped himself on his shoulders. Reaching over, he pulled his phone onto the bed and unable to sleep already, he figured it couldn’t get that much worse. 

That didn’t last long. The first thing. The very first thing Jeremy saw when he opened his phone, was a throwback picture to a birthday party.

Michael’s, to be exact. 

It was his fourteenth, barely a month after eighth grade began. He pointed behind him, face wide in fake ecstasy at the banner saying “Happy Birthday Mikey!” as if he didn’t know what day it was. He “hadn’t expected anything”, but he knew damn well that wasn’t true. The kid reveled in his birthday. He was one of the few people, if not the only person,  Jeremy knew who genuinely enjoyed it. The memory made him smile. 

For a brief moment, he forgot about everything his mind had been weighing on him before coming down from the high and back to reality. The pain knocked the wind out of him harder than before. Why? Why did it hurt him as much as it did? Why did every time he even so much as thought about Michael he felt like crying? Was it because of the whole SQUIP thing? Was it from being home after so long?

Could it have been that he lost something he so desperately wanted back?

To return to the safety of having him there and they can live in their mutually doomed relationship forever.

Where they get high and everything somehow makes sense.

Where he’s a bigger loser now more than ever and it doesn’t feel like a giant failure. 

Where he feels…happy. And loved. And life feels worth living because someone, at least one other person, cares and has been there for the entirety of all he’s done. When others left, when he figured out who he truly was, when he almost lost himself, Michael was the one that stayed. After all the work he’d done to not return to those feelings or the person he was then, was just tossed out in the blink of an eye as he realizes he’s back right where he started.

Only difference now was, he knew what this was and that he couldn’t keep it up. He was older, and despite him basically regressing somehow, thinking about Michael, his subtle yet immediate swing into the beginning of a depressive episode; he understood that what he was hoping for wasn’t real. 

He couldn’t do that. Not to him.

As much as he missed him, he didn’t want to be the burden he knew he had to be on the other. (Michael never thought he was, but in Jeremy’s own fucked up mind, that’s what he believed.) He can’t deny himself anymore, about what he’s feeling/wanting at this moment anyway. He loved Michael. More than he’d loved…anyone. 

But now as he lies awake in bed, wanting to forget about it all, the thing that calms him down  into an uneasy sleep is going back into the place he regretfully knows best. His head. 

Dreaming he’s fallen asleep in the boy with the red hoodie's arms, like he’s done so many times before, he falls asleep. Finally. Why was he so pathetic? He wasn’t any better than his own father. Trying/chasing after a love that he knew he wouldn’t get. But hey, that was tomorrow Jeremy’s problem when he inevitably woke up. 

Unbeknownst to him, his phone dings from his bedside table. 

From: maybe? Micheal

“Hey.” 

[sxdmoonchxld]

Operation: Pop The Cherry | JJK

Jungkook x Virgin!Reader

Genre: Smut

Warnings: rough bathroom sex, college au, unprotected sex, teasing, fingering, Jungkook has a virgin kink if you couldn’t tell by he title, lowkey sadistic JK, Gay BFF Jimin, mentions of alcohol and weed, brief mention of homophobia. bIG diCK Jungkook, more belly bulging, and I forgot what else

Word Count: 6.1k

Summary: Against you better judgement and thank to your best friend Jimin. You somehow agreed to let a stranger on campus known as the Cherry Popper, too well..pop your cherry.

Alternatively: You're a virgin. Jungkook has a fetish/kink for fucking virgins.

A/N: I guess i’ll keep putting this note until i stop reposting my old stories. I use to be lizardsocial, and this fic was previously called Game. You may still be able to find it somewhere on tumblr. I edited this fic heavily and it’s honestly a new story, but there are still some elements from the fic it used to be still in there. Unedited so please let me know of any mistakes or typos. Like, comment, reblog, let me know what you think. Enjoy!

_________________________________________

Bass boosted pop music seeped through the dense walls of the energetic room. Strobing bright colored beams danced to the rhythm of the music in mesmerizing synchrony. The musty odor of marijuana, booze, and sex-saturated air shrouded the room in a turbid veil, covering the sea of drunken undulating bodies packed in the cramped living room.  Empty beer cans and other various booze bottles mixed with burnt-out blunts accompanied the young adults. You groaned with irritation and disgust. You didn't want to be here, but to your chagrin, you had a promise to keep.

It wasn't a secret that the college nightlife was unquestionably not your type of 'scene.' You quite frequently elected to willingly engage most of your time in your freshman dorm, wrapped in your weighted burrito blanket. A nightstand stockpiled with all your favorite snacks, lights dimmed low, and lavender incense burning, filling your room with the aroma of relaxation. The perfect setting to binge-watch your favorite show for the umpteenth time, the shifting distorted brightness of your computer screen, projecting the scenes against your face. 

It's kind of funny how you got yourself into this mess in the first place. The one time you decide to take the chance and branch away from the alternate antisocial hermit, your personality had adopted as its own had come back to bite you in the ass. You admit, lately, you've been neglecting your best friend. Your reasonings generally varying from the classic 'oh I was sleep' to deliberately silencing your phone, not wanting to hear the constant shrill ringing of the default ringtone. You loved Jimin, you truly did, but you could only take so much of his eccentric mashup of bubblegum and rainbow sparkles that was his personality. Eventually, guilt began eating away at you piece by piece until you ultimately caved in and invited your friend over for an impromptu movie night in your dorm room. 

Not even 30 minutes into the movie, one that you had been dying to see, might you add, Jimin commenced his drunk and high chattering. He had already started 'pre-gaming' before he came over; Six shots of straight Vodka and 2 blunts. Every day you prayed for this man's liver and brain function; with how much he drank and smoke, you would think he needed it to function. 

"Oh! Oh! Bitttch. Did I tell you about that football player, I fucckked last week!" Jimin started slurring on certain words. You noticed his eyes were glossy and glazed over. 

"No, you didn't, Chim." You sighed, completely giving up trying to watch the movie. You would have to watch it on your alone time. 

"Reeaally?" Jimin slurred, a goofy grin uplifting his lips.

"Yes, really. You haven't told me." Amusement lightly coated your voice. 

"Welll, his name is T-tae, Tae-tae something. Hold on, it's coming to me." Jimin said, rubbing the sides of his temples, trying to remember the guys' name. 

"Taehyung! That's it!" Jimin shrieked, snapping his fingers in victory.

You looked at him startled. You remember Taehyung from high school. You didn't recall him being at this college, though. Well, it wasn't like you paid attention to many things outside your bubble anyway.

"Wasn't he homophobic as fuck in high school?" You asked, genuinely interested.

"Yeah, he was. Buttt I guess he was trying to cover up, that he was actually on the DL." Jimin smiled, whispering the last part.

"DL? What's that mean?" You inquired

Jimin looked at you with a look of betrayal. "It means he's on the down-low, meaning he didn't want anyone to know he's gay. Girrl, I'm too crossfaded to be explaining this to you."

You chuckled, " My bad, Chim. So was it good?"

"Fuck, no! Dick was straight trash. The only thing that saved him a little was that his dick was huge." Jimin said, wiping away a pretend tear from the corner of his eye. 

You laughed boisterously at that. If Jimin wasn't so adamant about becoming a professional dancer. He could seriously take up a career in comedy.

"Speaking of dick. When are you gonna get some?" Jimin asked, turning his body to face you completely. As you looked at him, you noticed his eyes seemed a bit clearer, and his face wasn't as red as earlier. Not only did Jimin drink like a fish and smoke like a chimney. He was somehow able to sober just as fast.

"Oh my god, Jimin. Please don't sta-"

"Mmm, no missy," Jimin said, wagging his finger in your face.

"Don't you hear it?" He said, cupping his hand around his ear as if he was straining to hear something.

"Hear what?" You replied, rolling your eyes and crossing your arms against your chest.

"The cobwebs and tumbleweed living in your cunt."

"Jimin!" You shrieked, slapping the arm closest to you.

"Don't Jimin me! You know it's true, I swear you're gonna be a 40-year-old virgin, and by the time you finally make the decision to have sex, it'll be too late!" Jimin yelled, stumbling to stand up from the couch.

"First off, ouch. I won't be a 40-year-old virgin. That's very insulting. Second, I do plan to lose it soon. I just haven't found the time or the right guy." You said, looking down at your feet shyly. You did want to lose your virginity, but with being an introvert with a mix of social anxiety and just a dash of seasonal depression for added flavor. It was hard even to get out of bed sometimes. Much less going out and trying to find someone to do the do with.

"Oh! Well, if that's all, then I got you covered, babe. Time? Next week Friday at Jihyo's dorm. As for the right guy, I know a dude. He has like a kink for that kind of thing." Jimin answered nonchalantly, now scrolling through his phone, probably on his social media page.

You looked at Jimin, head tilted to the side, confused. "What kind of thing?"

"Oh, you know fucking virgins and shit. Popping their cherries." He said, popping his "P's."

You sputtered, exasperated. What the fuck. You didn't kink shame, that was for losers, but he can't seriously expect you to do something like that.

"What the actual fuck. Jimin, are you serious?"  

"Deadly." He said, looking you square in your eyes. His tone of voice haven dropped an octave lower.

"Jimin no. I-i can't."

"Jimin, yes! Err, I mean _____ yes, you can! Come on, it's a once in a lifetime experience. Plus, it's not like he's a total stranger. I've known him since he was 8 years old. I use to babysit the little shit head." Jimin said, waving his hand in the air, trying to swat away a rogue fly.

"Wow, Chim. You know, now that you put it like it makes me feel a lot better about the situation." You said tone dripped in sarcasm

"Really?" Jimin squealed, a delighted twinkling in his eye.

"Of course not! Don't be stupid!" Offended, you gawked at Jimin. You swear sometimes he could be so dimwitted.

"Come on, please? At least meet him, and if the vibe is not right, then you can leave no harm done." Jimin pleaded, his attention back on you. Was it crazy that you were actually thinking about agreeing to this? Jimin did have a point. It was sort of a once in a lifetime opportunity. He did know the guy, and if you didn't like the vibe, then you could just bounce, right? Right?

Sighing in defeat, your hands dragged down your face and turned towards a pouting Jimin. Grabbing at his deflated shoulders, you shook her lightly, and with urgency in your voice, you spoke, "Alright goddammit! I'll do it, but you have to stay by my side the whole time, no running off, you understand!" 

You watched Jimin's face quirk into a sly smirk. You swore you could see the cogs in his brain churning. Damn, you were going to regret this. You had the tendency to make deals when pressured. Most of the time, those agreements ended up backfiring on you, confining you in the proverbial rock and a hard place. 

"Yay! Operation: Pop _____ Cherry has commenced. Okay, so will meet at the auditorium on the art campus. From there we will walk to Jihyo's dorm, it's only five minutes. Promise me you'll actually show up and won't flake on me." A complacent expression rested arrogantly on Jimin's features, a single pinky finger extended towards you. 

"Don't give this situation a not-so-secret code name. And I can't believe I'm saying this but, I promise." You agreed, interlocking pinky fingers, yours thumbs coming up to press against one another.

"So I'll meet you at the location Friday, don't be late, and wear something sexy. No granny clothes." he chirped, making his way to your front door.

"Wait! You're leaving already?" you frowned, looking at the clock on your wall. He's only been here for an hour, and 30 mins of it were spent persuading you to hurry up and lose your virginity. You didn't even get to finish the movie together.

"Sorry babe, but I have a dick appointment." he shrugged, putting his arms through the sleeves of his jacket.

"Can you at least tell me the name of the guy who's supposed to fuck me?" you huffed, honestly you were done for tonight. As soon as Jimin left, you were heading straight for bed.

"Oh yeah, how could I forget." Jimin slaps the center of his forehead. "He's a real cutie. I would fuck him if he wasn't as straight as an arrow." Jimin looks off to a far wall, eyeing it with jealousy.

"Just tell me his name, please." You pleaded. Oh yeah, that's definitely a headache forming. You could feel it already. Jimin snaps out of his daydreaming and spins his body towards you.

"Jungkook."

Time skip to a week later, and precisely as you suspected, what a mistake that whole conversation was. Now here you were at this fucking dorm party with people you didn't know or care to get to know. Jimin had left you as soon as he saw his next piece of ass. Restlessly you hauled down the short black dress that insisted on riding up your ass, the soles of your feet protesting in the slim heeled shoes. Floundering your way into the packed building, you couldn't help but query where Jungkook was. Jimin was supposed to get around to send you a picture of the mystery man, but that never happened. Funny how now was the best time you decided to question why exactly Jimin was your best friend.

"Well damn, the pictures Jimin sent me doesn't do you justice at all. You're fucking hot." You recoiled from the closeness of the voice, the heated breath sending chills skittering down your spine, and the hairs on the back of your neck ramrod straight. Heat spurred to your face when you whisked around to meet an absolutely gorgeous guy. Like unfairly gorgeous guy. You stared wide-eyed, taking in his chiseled facial features, paired with wide doe eyes and bunny smile decorating his face. Somehow, someway he's mastered looked soft and sexy at the same damn time. And fuck was that a dangerous combination for your pussy. Your heart too, but more so your cunt.

"U-uh, thanks? Who are you exactly?" You watch as he recoils back from your with a look of apprehension on his face.

"A-are you not ____?" he stutters cutely. You think you can see the beginnings of a blush burning his cheeks. You nod your head once to confirm his question. He stared at you a minute longer before you see the recognition spark in his chocolate orbs.

"Jimin didn't send you my picture did he?" Shaking his head with his eyes close, you get the courage the scan his face a bit more. Yeah. He's definitely blushing.

"Sorry. I guess seeing you here, I thought Jimin would have...prepared you better." Shaking your head from side to side because your words refused to come out. You watched as he backed up a bit further from your personal space and thrust his right hand out to you. 

"The name's Jungkook, or J.K. Whatever suits your taste."

With clammy hands, you taking his outstretched hand marveled at how it almost covers your hand. Now that he's moved back from you, you now had to chance to see how tall he really was. Maybe about 6 to 7 inches taller. You look down at his feet and eye his combat boot, perhaps a little shorter but still taller. And big, yeah, definitely bigger. His oversized black jacket did little to hide the broadness of his shoulders and chest. You let your eyes travel down the length of his body. You bet he's hiding some killer abs under his shirt. And holy fuck, his thighs.

"You like what you see, baby girl?" Teasing, he's teasing but God, if his voice didn't make you pussy throbbing pathetically. Whimpering slightly, you let out a meek "Yes." God, you hope he didn't hear that.

Much to your dismay, he did, hear you. How he heard you with the music as loud as it was, was a mystery to you. But you watched his pupils dilate, and his nostrils flare slightly. Jungkook tucks his bottom lip between his teeth as his eyes rake up and down your scantily clad body. His heated stare scrutinized across your body, intrigue exerting over him, as he analyzed the way the snug-fitting dress molded to the curves of your shape. He could tell you didn't do this often. His dick twitched in his jeans with enthusiasm. 

It's the increase in pressure of your hand that makes you realize you're still holding his hand. You go to retract your hand from his. However, yelp shrilly as he tugs you closer to his body. Both hands now resting on his chest, and his wrapped around your waist. Fuck, you could feel the warmth and coarseness of his hands through your thin dress. A spontaneous tremor racked your body. The heat-transmitting from his frame mixed with the floral yet musky undertone of his cologne made you somewhat featherbrained.

"Fuck, you're so soft." You squeak as he squeezes your waistline, pulling you even closer against his body. You were now putty in his hands.

"Jimin told you my....preferences, right?" his voice caressed your ear. Just a slight movement or subtle twitch, and his lips would be on your skin.

"Y-yeah, he did." It should be an embarrassment how frail and breathless you sounded, but that didn't matter.

Jungkook hid his smile behind your ear. This was just too easy. Just how he liked it. He almost felt bad- almost. He was gonna ruin you utterly and completely, mold the shape of cock in the walls of your pussy. His name spilling from your lips, voice going hoarse by how loud he would make you scream. Fuck he couldn't wait. He's had virgin's before, a lot of them. That's his whole M.O. The cherry popper, virgin fucker, whatever. Jungkook's heard all the names in the book. But there's just something about you, you just had an air of genuine innocence, and he couldn't wait to defile it. 

Jungkook pulls his head back, enough to where his eyes can trail over the bared skin of your neck, and the sprinkling of perspiration sparkling off the bright strobing lights, no doubt from nervousness. His tongue traced over his thin upper lip, watching the droplets of sweat spiral down the curve of your neck. He wanted to taste you. 

"Alright, then." He jerks his body away from you. You're no longer touching his chest, but his hands are still on your waist. 

"Let's enjoy the party before the fun really begins. Every done body shots before?" Jungkook spoke casually, undeterred by the way you recoiled back or the look of stupor on your face.

"W-what? B-body shots, why?" you squeaked, failing to keep from stuttering over your words. Is this how it's supposed to go? Is this normal? You're bewildered, and just a bit perturbed. Were you just imagining that sexual tension that was going on just moments ago? For sure, you thought Jungkook was gonna throw you over his shoulders and haul you off to the nearest unoccupied bedroom or bathroom. At that instant, you didn't care. 

Jungkook regarded the war of emotions wage across your features, merriment and strobing lights twinkling in his eyes. Fuck, you were cute, so desperate staring up at him with a pout on your face a puppy dog eyes. He could honestly just take you back to the closest room and fuck the shit out of you. But he wanted to play with his prey, a bit more. The wait made it that much more satisfying.

"Don't pout too much, baby girl or I may not be able to contain myself. Follow me. The table is this way."

Jungkook didn't indulge in answering any of your questions you rambled off at him, delighted to see you trailing on his heels like a lost pup. Jungkook directed you further into the dorm, and like a dog on a leash, you followed. In the center of a sparse room sat a scraped up black table. You observed the area. It was devoid of many people. The several that were present made no recognition of your proximity in their intoxicated state.

"So who's first?" Jungkook asked, setting the bottle of tequila, rim salt, and limes down on the table.

"U-uh, I don't know. I guess it doesn't matter." You shrugged hesitantly. You were way out of your element here.

"Perfect then, you first." Jungkook should be ashamed by how excited he was at getting to sample your skin. It looked smooth, felt soft when he had you in his arms, and would no doubt probably taste as sweet as it seemed. You nodded in docility, wandering over to crawl on top of the table, being attentive to your dress. You lay flattened against the table, shiverings racking your body as he began pouring a trail of salt between your cleavage. 

He poured himself a shot in the depression of your throat and tore the lime in half with his bare hands. Smirking at how you flinched when he thumped the liquor bottle down beside your head. Jungkook pushed the other half of the unevenly split lime towards your lips, a silent gesture to take the lime in your mouth. Jungkook watched as your lips curled gently around the hull of the green citrus. A flare of lust stirred in his loins at the action. He couldn't wait to see your lips stretched around the head of his cock. He observed your eyes clamped closed as he began dropping his head forward to your chest. It was adorable and innocent. He noted the way your lips slackened around the citrus in your mouth, your chest heaving in speed, the closer his tongue trailed to your neck.

You tasted splendid, just as sweet as he thought. The salt on your skin did nothing to deter your natural flavor. If anything, it enhanced your sweetness, rendering your skin damn near mouth-watering. Jungkook's ears perked at the breathless moans slipping past the fruit perched against your lips, drawn out by the repeated pass of the wet, pink appendage lapping at the salt line between the valley of your breast. Committing your muffled moans to memory, he lapped persistently at the collection of salt and tequila in the hollow at the base of your neck.

You face flammed in embarrassment as panting moans effortlessly tumbled from your mouth. Who knew your chest and neck was such an erogenous spot. Despite your shame, you couldn't stop wriggling, shifting your thighs together for some form of friction to sate the rising arousal dampening your panties. You yelped at the sensation of blunt teeth nibbling at your skin before soft lips came to suck at the shallow indentations. Fluffy hair with an undercut came into your line of vision as Jungkook lifted his head up to your lips. Your heart stammered tortuously against your ribs, flirtatious eyes stared lidded with searing lust, his head advanced closer to your lips. Your eyes fluttered closed, lips puckering against the bitter hull of the lime.

Jungkook closed the distance, slanting his mouth over the lime, blocking his contact with yours. He sucked against the sour fruit, acidity puckering his lips, residual tartness flowing to your cracked lips. Jungkook withdrew from your mouth, taking the drained lime hull with it. Your saccharine moans were heaven to his ears. It had awoken something inside him, fueled his fire in knowing that possibly no one had ever heard such a sweet sound. He wanted more, craved more. 

"Have you ever been kissed before, sweetheart?" Your eyes followed the movement of his tongue, poking out to moistening his lips. 

"Yeah, once in like 3rd grade." Who hasn't snuck behind a tree or hid underneath the dark coverings of playground equipment to lock lips with a childhood crush?

He grinned salaciously, body moving to rest between your spread legs. Oh, now he was really excited. Your lips were practically untouched. Just another part of your body to claim first. You jumped when palms pressed flat against the revealed skin of your thigh. Gently, Jungkook rubbed lazy circles on your skin, never lowering or furthering than the hem of your dress. He felt you wiggle beneath his hands, observed your eyes, glimpsing―darting about, should you concentrate on his face, or his hand, uncertainty was etched on your face.

"Amazing." He groaned, eyelashes fluttering against his cheeks, before grinning again. His face inched closer to yours, his lips but a breath apart, warmth flickered against your lips as he talked, level and smooth. " Well, how about I become your second?

And then his lips were on you, the soft muscle mangled itself to your lips, tentative and sluggish to give you a chance to register his mouth slanted upon yours. Jungkook chuckled against your lips at your unresponsiveness. He guesses you were a little shell shocked. It only takes a few more stagnant seconds before you're shyly reciprocating his kiss. Delicate, shaky movements highlighted your inexperience. Increasingly, Jungkook increased the pressure behind lips, his hands spreading to enclose around your waist, dragging you closer against him. One of Jungkook's hands removed from your waist to bury itself in your hair, gently his fingernails scratched against your scalp, an airy moan was his reward. 

Hands completely abandoning your midsection, one gripped the meat of your thigh, pulling you to the edge of the table, flush against the tent of his denim jean encased manhood, the other embedded in your strands pulled sharply on your roots, a loud gasp tearing from you. Jungkook took that opportunity to advance his tongue into your gaped mouth. His tongue wrapped itself around yours, briefly wrestling for dominance before easily pinning your tongue in submission. His hips ground against yours, the heat of your covered core teased him through his jeans. 

He thoroughly explored your mouth, swallowing the now copious cries leaving your mouth. Reluctantly, Jungkook tore himself from your kiss-swollen lips. The ravished looked suited you perfectly. You looked beautiful, thighs brazenly spread, eyes glazed over in lust, your sticky chest heaving from the length of the shared kiss. Even in the dim lights, he could make out the taunt pebbling of your nipples. 

Your mouth gaped wide, flapping about like a fish out of water, trying despairingly to draw air into your lungs. Your first kiss definitely didn't compare to this much. Your wide eyes flicked between Jungkook and the floor, your bottom lip tucked firmly between your teeth, feeling shy as he just stares at you. Releasing your teeth from your lips, you timidly touched your mouth, admiring how plump they've gotten from the intense liplock.

Wordlessly Jungkook hitched you over his shoulder, winded with a grunt as his defined shoulder blades dug into your stomach and what sounded like a growled vibrate up into you. You squirmed lightly in his hold, scared he was going to drop you, and secondly, your panty-clad ass on display for the party-goers, not that anyone was looking. 

You watched the continuous panels of hardwood floor move beneath you as Jungkook carried you to an unknown destination. You couldn't believe you were really doing this. Were you actually going to have sex with a complete stranger? Someone who was known for explicitly fucking virgins. Realistically, you should be ashamed, yet, you conceded full control to him without a second thought. What did that say about you? About your character? Would you now be labeled as 'easy' or a 'hoe' after all this was done? What was going to happen between you and Jungkook? 

The flick of a switch stirred from your thoughts. You shield your eyes with your hand at the bright lights pouring into the room, or rather a bathroom. Jungkook loved the confusion marring your features. He wouldn't fuck you in his bedroom just yet. That was a privilege you would have to earn, no matter how intrigued he had become with you. There's always humiliation to be had in the corruption of innocence, and fucking you in the bathroom was a good start. He planned on making you watch him as he destroyed your body, popping your cherry, stretching your tight virginal hole to accommodate his length, and claimed it as his own. Jungkook shuddered at the thought, his possessive nature taking a turn for the worst. 

Impatiently Jungkook sat you on top of the bathroom sink counter, his lips smashed against yours, the previous tenderness was gone, vanished into a puff of smoke. Teeth banged, and tongues flailed recklessly against each other in the heat of passion, with you struggling to keep up with the demands of his dominating kiss. Thick fingers trailed beneath the hem of your dress, tickling the expanse of your thighs. Jungkook wasted no time in shifting your slick soaked panties to the side, a warm digit gliding effortlessly through your damn folds.

"Fuck, you're already so wet. You're enjoying this a little too much, baby girl." Jungkook growled, panting against your lips. His finger breached your sex, you tensed deftly around the foreigner intrusion, stretching your weeping walls. 

"Ah, Jungkook." You cried listlessly, rocking your hips against his stilled finger. He felt so good inside you, and it was just his finger. Maybe this experience wouldn't be as bad as you heard. Now you couldn't wait to see what his cock felt like embedded deep within your pussy. Jungkook pumped slowly, eventually introducing a second finger to help loosen you up more. You were gonna be a tight fit, very tight, but that just made it even better. You hissed at the slight burn as he began scissoring his fingers apart with each withdrawal. Your hands wrapped around his neck as you buried your head against his broad chest, your mellifluous moans suppressed by the fabric of his shirt. 

"G-go faster, please." You begged, your body adjusting and quickly becoming frustrated by the snail's pace his fingers were pumping. You bucked your hips against his hands, hoping he would ease the growing discomfort boiling in your stomach. 

"Have you ever had an orgasm before, babe?" You nodded eagerly at his question, whining as you bucked against his hand again.

"Oh, really? Who gave it to you." Slow, he was going too slow you wanted, no you needed more friction, more stimulation from him.

"M-me. I-i did." Jungkook loved how you stuttered, it stroked his ego and filled him with arrogance to know it was him, and only that was capable of making you stumble over your words.

"Mmm, and how did you do it? Did you rub this little clit of yours raw?" You cried louder when his thumb flicked at your clit, the stimulation further drawing the appendage from its hood.

"Or did you fuck this tight hole, with these tiny fingers of yours?" At those words, a loud, choked moan, even muffled by your face in his chest, echoed throughout the white bathroom. Jungkook had gone deeper inside, almost to the third knuckle. Another moan left your lips as he twisted his fingers inside you, his palm now facing upwards.

"Though you and I bought know they couldn't possibly reach deep enough to touch the spot you really want." It's euphoric, no better yet orgasmic, the sheer shock of electric pleasure that zaps through your body when he finds the spongy bundle of nerves. Your body jerked heavily, legs go to snap close, only to be stopped by his broad body between your thighs.

He chuckles softly, stroking your thigh with his other hand. Jungkook shifts his head down, bringing his mouth closer to your ear. He exhales quietly, warm air tinged with tequila and lime caresses the light hairs on you around your ear. " I found it, huh?"

You whimper, rubbing your head up and down against his chest.

"You want me to speed up the pace, sweetheart?" Jungkook's voice is delicate now, so gentle. But you're confused, overwhelmed, and scared. It's never felt like this when you did it yourself. Your not sure if you could handle the feeling, so you don't provide an answer to Jungkook's question.

"Don't ignore me ____, that's not nice manners. I'll ask again." You clench around his fingers as Jungkook inches just a bit deeper. 

"Do you. Want me. To go faster?" With each pause, he arches his fingers in a 'come here' motion, pressing deeply against your bundle of nerves, the sensation of having to pee accompanied with each thrust.

 "Y-yes, faster, more. Pl-lease." Fuck, you sounded so pretty begging for him if he wasn't addicted before. You had him sprung now. Jungkook buried his face in the crook of your neck, the sharp smell of tequila and salt still lingering on your skin. He sucked at the junction where your shoulder and neck met. You bucked harder against his fingers, your juices now dripping to coat his palm is sticky cream.

"If you wanted more. Why didn't you just ask?" Jungkook said deviously. Confused, you felt withdraw his sticky digits, walls gripping to stop their departure. Without warning, Jungkook flipped you over onto the counter, your knees buckled at the sudden change in position. Your faced burning at your displayed state, droplets of your essence dribbled from your pussy, slicking up your inner thighs. You yelped as Jungkook grasped at the length of your hair, pulling back pointedly, your neck craned back to observe him addressing you in the mirror.

"You've been wondrous for me ____. Such a sweet girl." He expressed, his empty hand disappearing behind your perked ass to fiddle with the groin of his pants. 

"Truly, you have. Your response and reactions to my touch have really gotten me riled up. It's been a while since I've tittered on the edge of losing control." You wheezed, starting to panic as you felt the thick head of his cock slap teasingly against your slicked throbbing hole. Oh, God, he's huge. Jungkook's cock might just tear you apart. You shifted your hips forward, pressing against the cold marble of the bathroom counters door.

"I-i don't think, I can t-take it Jungkook, you're too b-big. It's my first-time, r-remember?” Your stuttering worse now, but you're scared.

Jungkook pulls your hips back with the hand the was grasping his length, the side of your hip now coated in his pre-cum. His hand lays flat in the crease of your back, forcing you into a perfect arch. 

"You can take it, all of it. And don't worry, of course, I remembered your fragility. I'll go slow, I promise." You plead silently with your eye contact through the mirror. 

"You ready?" You nod once an advert your eyes down to the sink.

Your mouth shakily falls agape as he slowly began pushing the head of his cock into you. It burns, but not as bad as you had anticipated. You take the chance to look back up into the mirror, adamant about giving Jungkook a thankful smile for his gentleness. That vision that greets looks like it jumped right off the page of your favorite erotic story. 

Jungkook's got his head thrown back, the edge of his t-shirt clenched tightly between his teeth, your eyes trail the drip of sweat that follows the curve of his jawline. You have a clear view of his abs all the way down to the v-cut of his hip, to the happy trail that leads to a neatly trimmed bush of pubic hair. You clench tightly around him, efficiently aroused by the view. You feel his cock throbbed heavily inside you, even getting bigger if possible.

"You like that, sweet girl? You like seeing me struggling to contain myself because you're so tightly around me. This little pussy trying to milk me for all I can give you." You love it. You feel powerful in a way. Do you really feel that good around him?

"Yes." Jungkook draws out the 'S.' 

"You feel amazing, so warm and wet. I wished you could see how coated in white you've got me, and I'm not even all the way in yet."

You scream soundless as he bucks into you, shoving in half of his length. It doesn't hurt anymore. You just feel stuffed full. Lifting a trembling hand, you take the chance a feel the lower part. You noticed swelling that wasn't there before, intrigued; you push down against it, moaning in shock you realize it's Jungkook's cock. 

"Yeah, baby girl, that's all me, well, most of me. You ready to take the rest?"

"Yes! Please!" That's the clearest you've been all night. You don't get an answer as Jungkook immediately picks up his pacing, thrusting into you faster. He wastes no time pumping deeply into your tight pussy, his tip smashing against the entrance to your cervix as you pant and grit your teeth in slight discomfort, overshadowed by pleasure. The burning sensation is back as he fucks in deeper with each brutal and swift stroke. But you don't care cause it still feels amazing. You can hear yourself, sloppy and soaking wet, echoing throughout the bathroom. You're drooling down his pistoning cock. You can feel it dripping down your inner thighs. Your head jerks violently against your shoulders, to weak support your head from his menacing thrust. 

Tightened vocal cords released strained shrieks of praise; from your mouth, drool dripping from your lips, into the sticky cleavage of your breast, and sweat coated your skin. The coil in your stomach was quickly tightening, never had you felt anything so deep inside you. If you ever had sex with anyone else, they would never compare to Jungkook.  You were fucked both figuratively and literally.

Jungkook pulled you further from off the sink, the new position allowing him even deeper. You clawed at the marble tops underneath your fingers, your eyes rolling in the back of your head. That sensation of having to pee is back again.

"J-K, I-m. I have to-," You don't get to finish as the band in your stomach snapped. Silently you announced your release; if it wasn't for the new wave of cum coating his cock, or the fluttering tightness of your walls, Jungkook might have missed your orgasm. He wasn't far behind you. The constant clenching of your ridged walls around his cock, had him reaching his limit sooner than he would like. Jungkook had half a mind to pull out but decided to gamble his odds. You're the first person he's fucked raw in a while, and with three deep thrusts later, he was shooting his hot seed right against your cervix. 

Breathing heavily, Jungkook lets you fall against the sink, observing as you crumpled against the sink countertop. Pride swelled his chest as he watched his seed bubble out of your well-used hole. He's never contemplated going farther with the virgins he fucked. He wouldn't make any hasty decisions now though there were still a lot of things he wanted to do with you. He would sleep on it and revisit the idea in the morning.

"So would you say, Operation: Pop Your Cherry was a success?"

You giggled, winded, still having difficulty catching your breath. You straighten up against the bathroom counter, the majority of your weight still resting on the object as you had yet to regain the feeling in your legs.

"Jimin and his stupid code names. I swear when I get a hold ass, he's dead." You warned already preparing your revenge on your best friend. You stare at Jungkook in the eyes through the mirror, smile a bit goofy, you say.

"Operation: Pop My Cherry. Mission complete."

[blouisparadise]

Upon request, here is a rec list of fics featuring gentle Harry. If you enjoy our rec lists, please be sure to like this post and reblog it to spread the word. Happy reading!

1) I Wanna Hear Your Heart Every Single Beating Part | Mature | 2325 words

This is all Harry's fault for wearing that lavender sweater and me thinking Louis would look absolutely amazing in it with nothing else on.

2) This Here City Is For The Lonely Ones | Explicit | 2640 words

This is Harry’s favourite part. When Louis gets so blinded by the pleasure that he doesn’t think about what he should or should not be saying or doing, and just feels.

3) Some Anniversaries Are Messy | Mature | 6256 words

Prompt: Louis tries to cook Harry a romantic dinner for their 3rd anniversary...and it's an absolute disaster. Needless to say, it ends with tomato sauce on the ceiling, flour scattered everywhere, and a pleasantly sore arse hoisted onto the kitchen counter.

4) Act Out | Explicit | 6721 words

Harry leans forward so he's closer to Louis's ear, and murmurs, "If I was your husband, I'd never let you out of my sight."

It’s ridiculous. He is his husband. There’s hundreds of photos, and official papers, and rings, and two babies with the last name Tomlinson Styles that prove it. But it’s also possessive, and hot and Louis doesn’t know what he was expecting when Harry told him he wanted to try roleplaying a little, but so far he’s not complaining.

5) Enter The Rose Garden | General Audiences | 10387 words

Soft heats make omega Louis clingy. Enter alpha Harry.

6) As Deep As The Sky | Explicit | 12265 words

A passed-out omega on the bathroom floor isn't exactly what Harry had in mind when he thought about taking a cute boy home. The idea of leaving Louis there, vulnerable and unresponsive, weighs guiltily at Harry's conscience. Turns out it's the best decision he'll ever make.

7) (Quiet Like A Fight) Fingers Laced Together | Mature | 17479 words

The one where Harry is gifted a hybrid and it’s a whole new world for the both of them. 

8) A Grocery List Pinned In Blue | Not Rated | 19839 words

AU. After eight years, Louis finally has everything he's wanted. Except for Harry.

9) If Anyone Knew | Mature | 50828 words

Note: This fic is locked and can only be read by AO3 users.

Harry’s a young alpha who’s strangely gentle. Louis’ an omega who’s strangely protective. Being the only ones in the band who aren’t betas they automatically empathise with each other and decide that it’s their job to look after each other.

10) A Taste Of Freedom And Sweetened Passion | Mature | 74711 words

“Are you mad?” he explodes, throwing his hands up, groaning. “I was so, so close to reaching my goal, and your stupid, stalking ass had to creep up on me, hm?”

 Harry is trying to keep his laughter in, walking closer to him, eyes soft. He doesn’t like the way those eyes make him feel, an odd, dangerous mix of nervous and flustered, so he bends down to pick up the books, raising an eyebrow when Harry growls in protest.

“I wanted to pick them up for you,” the alpha pouts, and Louis glares at him, getting into position and lowering the pile of yellowed pages over the top of his head.

“I’m a functional human being, thank you very much,” he grits out as he begins to walk and mentally count the amount of steps he takes. One, two, three, for heaven’s sake Harry fuck off!, four, five. He doesn’t let himself be distracted as the alpha walks along with him despite the slow pace, green eyes focused on him in a way that would, in any other cases, compelled him to throw a book in the alpha’s face.

He doesn’t know why he doesn’t do it and certainly doesn’t want to think about the reason, whatever it might be.

11) And Down the Long and Silent Street | Mature | 86090 words

Wherein Louis and Harry are on the opposite ends of the social ladder, but their paths still cross on the filthy streets Louis calls his home. The odds are staked against them from the beginning, and even more when Louis’ past finally catches up with him.

12) Cold Little Heart | Teen & Up | 194589 words

Louis is a soft omega with an abusive past and an alpha child. A few months after getting a divorce, Louis meets Harry, an ex-military alpha wolf that offers him something odd. In exchange for teaching him how to cook, Harry will babysit his son, Abraham. Louis really could use the help.

Check out our other fic rec lists by category here and by title here.

[hops-hunny]

Temptation

Pairing: Neville Longbottom x McGonagall!Reader

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 4k

Request: “Could you maybe do a Neville x reader where the reader is McGonagall's grandchild?”

Summary: Neville had never experienced temptation, till it walked by him in a pleated skirt.

Warnings: Suggestive thoughts???

A/N: I won’t even lie, this was very self indulgent. I didn’t mean to write this much but oh well! Also I noticed I read the prompt wrong and wrote this for fem reader so I apologize anon. I still hope you can find joy in this!

Temptation. Temptation was a word Neville knew well. He had heard it many upon many times. From his peers, and even some of his teachers. However, he never really understood what it felt like to experience it, to have it coursing through his very being. Well, that was until it came knocking on his door or, to put it more precisely, walking by him in a (y/h/h) robe and vanilla-lavender perfume. He didn’t expect it to have such a beautiful laugh and he certainly didn’t expect it to be McGonagall's granddaughter! No matter how many times he had heard it described to him and how many times he had heard the feeling be recited to him like one of those shit muggle pop songs, it still didn’t prepare him for the real experience itself.

Could she be anymore perfect? Anymore graceful, anymore well, tempting? She was the kind of beauty that he read about in books and the kind of beauty he saw when he looked at all the flowers that bloomed within the greenhouse. He watched, observing her beauty as she walked. His face flushed softly as he saw her eyes light up, head facing straight ahead and shoulders held high unaware of his eyes of adoration upon her. His gaze was then shifted to her hair. The way the light reflected off of the (h/c) strand made his heart race! Next was one of his favorite things, her smile. Her smile was enough to brighten anyone's day! Well...it most certainly brightened his that is. His eyes fixated on her legs, the soft sheen they held. ‘God they look smooth, like the softest of pillows, the smoothest of silks, the fluffiest, puffiest of clouds. I bet the-’ he was broken out of his thoughts as she came to a stop in front of her grandmother which made him a bit queasy to his stomach. If only McGonagall new about his thoughts...wait did she? She could be using legilimency on him this very moment and he’d have no clue. What if she was, what if she-

He jumped, squeaking softly as a hand came down hard on his shoulder causing his body to tense. And his gaze to shift to the source of the force relaxing when he saw it was Dean. 

“Hey Nev, what are you doing just standing here? Oh I see what it is!” He exclaimed smiling at his lanky friend, watching his eyes flicker back and forth between in front of him and back to himself. Neville gulped, tugging at his sleeves a bit as his shirt suddenly began to feel constraining.

“Y-you do?” he asked nervously. His throat began to feel smaller. The problem with Neville’s little…’temptation’ was that he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone. It wasn’t like he hadn’t had feelings for people before. He had his fair share of crushes throughout the year. But she was different. See, he wasn’t the first one to notice how beautiful the girl was. Heavens no! Quite a few of his peers had noticed just how breathtaking (Y/n) was but once they saw the last name that was attached to her, that was more than enough to turn them the other way. However, the connection to her grandmother not only put up an invisible force field for suitors, but friends as well. He found himself feeling sorry for her often, he could only imagine how lonely she was. 

“Yeah, I do. You were waiting for me to find you so you could help me with my herbology homework! Man Nev, you’re such a good friend.” he said. Neville rolled his eyes noticing all of Dean’s missing coursework for herbology within his hands. As much as he loved his friend, he also couldn’t deny how unbelievably idiotic he was. Although he was disappointed in how irresponsible he was, he was also relieved he hadn’t noticed what had actually had him standing there lost in his thoughts. “Oh and I also saw you staring at McGonagall junior. I don’t blame you mate, she’s bloody fit. Have you seen her in that skirt she wears to Hogsmeade? It makes me just wanna-” Neville smacked his friend on the back again ignoring his groan of protest. He began to walk off leaving Dean confused. Neville noticed the lack of his friend's presence near him causing him to turn around.

“Do you want help with your herbology work or not?”

-----------

(Y/n) sat with Luna in the courtyard, watching as her friend picked at the wildflowers twisting them and molding them into a flower crown. She sighed once again as she continued to ramble onto her. “I don’t know Lu, he’s just so cute! I wouldn’t even know how to approach him. Besides, he probably wants someone from his own house and year, yknow?” She said as she glanced at her preoccupied friend. “Are you even listening to me?” she huffed frustratedly. Luna looked at her, rolling her eyes at her a bit.

“You’re only a year below us (Y/n), you talk about him as if he’s an old man! Besides, the whole different house thing would only matter to him if he was a Slytherin. Neville doesn’t care about little things like that.” she took the completed crown placing it on her friend’s head as she smiled at her. “Yknow, for someone at the top of your year you’re quite daft.” Luna said nonchalantly, causing her friend’s eye to twitch. One thing (Y/n) would never get quite used to is her friend’s ability to tell people the truth as if it were nothing. Luna squeezed the girl’s soft (s/c) hand before smiling at her. “Besides, you’re beautiful! If he doesn’t want you, I know there are plenty of guys who most certainly do!” (Y/n) felt herself get quite shy at her friend’s words, rubbing at the goosebumps that were forming on her arm. But, she was right. She couldn’t let her thoughts of if or if not a guy liked her get her down. 

“Hey (Y/n), have you ever, yknow, actually tried TALKING to the guy?” Ginny asked, smacking on the taffy she had been eating. The (e/c) eyed girl felt herself getting flustered once again.

“W-well, the short answer is no. Don’t look at me like that! I’ve TRIED. Every time I try something comes up! I’m either almost late to class, one of his friend’s comes up to him, or I have to do something for my Nan! It’s a lot harder trying to talk to someone when you don’t have any classes with them..” she said as she began to pout, reminded of her failed attempts to speak to the awkwardly charming boy. Ginny popped another taffy in her mouth, processing her friend's words before smirking a bit.

“Just leave it to me, I have the perfect plan! Don’t you worry a single little hair on that pretty head of yours.” she said, causing both of her friends to side eye her both with the same thought in mind: ‘Oh Merlin, what is she thinking now?’

---------------

Well, what Ginny had been thinking wasn’t too bad but, (Y/n) was still quite nervous as she sat here. She was thankful Ginny hadn’t trapped them in a 1 on 1 situation or did something fucking stupid such as locking them in the room of requirement together. No, instead she had gathered her and Neville’s shared group of friends and decided to have a picnic together whilst everyone else was at Hogsmeade. Luna had asked the house elves to spare some of the extra food they had from lunch which they gave to her kindly considering how sweet she was to them always. 

Even though all of their friends were there, she still found herself being nervous which is why she still sat on the blanket with Hermione as Ron, Harry, and Dean picked on Neville lightheartedly by splashing him with water, Ginny and Luna challenged each other to different swim challenges, and Hermione read a book, relaxing comfortably under the shade of the tree. She sighed to herself, hugging her legs closer to her chest as she brought her face to rest upon her knees. She let her eyes wander back to Neville, a smile gracing her face as she observed him. She never got the time to just watch him in a natural environment. Every time she saw him, he was always so jumpy or nervous, awkwardly engaging in conversation with people who usually just wanted herbology help or needed advice on how to care for their plants. But now, watching as he smiled and laughed with their friends she realized just how infatuated with him she truly was. She took in the way his hair looked wet, his usually wavy hair drooped, water dripping from the strands. She smiled, noticing the way his crooked smile looked when he was his happiest. She began to get flustered noticing the way his arms had a bit of definition to them which (Y/n) could only assume came from all the heavy lifting he did for Professor Sprout in the greenhouse.

“You should join him. Sitting there and wondering what could be isn’t gonna get you anywhere.” (Y/n) gasped a little, whipping her head around quickly to look at her friend whose eyes were still fixated on the book in her hand, flipping the pages delicately.

“H-how did yo-”

“How did I know? You’re so predictable. Plus, you’re a little chatterbox. The only time you shut up is when you look at him.” Hermione giggled, finally peering at her friend over her book. She closed it and set it down on the blanket before taking off her cover up. She held a hand down to her friend. “Well, are you coming?” (Y/n) looked up at her friend, biting the inside of her cheek as she thought about it before nodding, letting Hermione pull her up. She began to take off her own cover up before taking a deep breath. She looked at her friend and they began walking towards the lake.

“I’ve never seen ‘Mione in a swimsuit before. She looks...like a girl.” Ron said to his friends as they watched the two girls near the lake. His friends all responded in some form of agreement. He turned to look at Neville, smirking as he saw him staring at the girls. “It looks like you agree don’t you, Nev?” Neville shook his head, a light blush coating his cheeks. Unknown to his friends he wasn’t looking at Hermione though, he was looking at her. 

“Yeah, she’s quite beautiful.” This didn’t go unnoticed by Ginny though who smirked, deciding to turn things up a notch.

“Hey, why don’t we all play some chicken? There’s enough of us!” Ginny said, beginning to walk over to the guys with Luna not too far behind her. “Unless you guys are scared, you know I’m the chicken champion so I wouldn’t be surprised if you w-”

“Don’t be ridiculous Gin! You know for a fact I’m way better than you, I proved that when you came to my place last summer.” (Y/n) said giggling at her overly confident friend. She tried sneaking a glance at Neville but found she had been caught in the act as Neville was already staring at her. She looked away quickly rubbing the back of her neck. Wait, why was Neville already looking at her?

 She shook herself out of her thoughts as they all began to pair off for chicken. The (h/c) haired girl went to approach one of her friends but found that Ginny and Harry already paired. She quickly tried turning to Hermione who made her way over to Ron. She sent one last pleading glance Luna’s way but the girl simply smiled at her before walking over to Dean. She felt her heart race at what she already suspected to happen. “I-I guess it's us, Nev.” she felt herself growing a bit insecure at having to sit on the boy’s shoulders. Although she was short, she didn’t have as small of a frame as her other friends did. “L-listen Neville, if I’m too heavy or too much for you to lift don’t even worry about it! I have no problem bei-”

With all the courage Neville could muster, he took a deep breath diving under water before rising up with the girl on his shoulder as his large hands gripped at her thighs making sure she was sturdy on his shoulders. She shrieked a bit at the unexpected gesture, gripping at his hair a bit. Holy shit was his heart racing. Had he really just done that? What had gotten into him? ‘Don’t back down, Nev! Say something cool, say something cool!!’ 

He cleared his throat some, before patting her thigh with his hand. “You’re fine. Y-you don’t weigh much of anything.” He said. She felt herself relax some, hoping he couldn’t feel the goosebumps on her thighs. However, Neville’s thoughts were far from the goosebumps. He couldn’t help himself from thinking that they were just as soft as he had imagined them to be. He was in deep and he knew it. “L-l-listen (Y/n), I-”

“Alright who’s going first? Me vs ‘Mione maybe? Come on Harry, move faster!” Ginny said. (Y/n) found herself trying to stifle a giggle at the sight before her. Ginny was tugging at Harry’s hair and yelling at the boy as he argued back. She couldn’t contain herself at the sight, she began to laugh trying to make sure she didn’t fall off Neville’s shoulders at the movement. 

Neville however was so entranced at that sound. He found himself wanting to be the person to cause that melodic giggle to come from her every time. “They’re so cute aren’t they?” she asked as he hummed in agreement. “I’d love to have something like that.” she mumbled to herself, however Neville had heard.

-------------------------------

Ginny was on a win streak, she had beaten Luna and Dean, and Hermione and Ron. She was feeling confident as she banged on her chest cheering which reminded (Y/n) of a muggle movie her aunt once showed her. She had been absentmindedly petting Neville’s hair, running her fingers through it as she swirled it around her fingers. He hadn’t minded though, his face was flushed a bright pink and he was much too scared to say anything, worried that if he did he would end up waking up in his bed and it all would’ve been a dream. He heard his favorite voice pull him out of his thoughts.

“We’re up next Nev, think we’ll win?” she asked as she leaned over, her face appearing in front of his upside down. He jumped a bit, pulling his face back and tightening his grip on her legs.

“C-careful (Y/n!) You might fall if you’re not!” he said, staring into her eyes. God were they beautiful.

“I doubt it, I’ve got you holding me up. I trust ya, you wouldn’t let me fall.” she said giggling as she leaned back up, her lips accidentally brushing against his nose and forehead on the way back up which has caused both of them to freeze up and a silence to fall upon the two. Their eyes both watched as Luna fell off of Dean’s shoulders again as Ginny cheered at another victory.

“But to answer your question, I think we’ve got this in the bag! Let’s do this!” He said as he waded over to them. She smiled at his enthusiasm as they looked over at them. She looked over at Luna who gave her a wink causing her to grow shy once more. 

“Ah a new challenger approaches!” Ron exclaims, his eyes drifting to the pair. Neville glared at Ron a bit when his eyes lingered on the girl above him’s figure for just a tad too long before he cleared his throat.

“We’re gonna kick your ass, Gin! Prepare to get that gorgeous red hair of yours soaked! Isn’t that right, Neville?” She asked looking down at his head as he nodded along. “Consider this a rematch to last summer. I’ve come to snatch my crown right from off your head.” she said placing an invisible crown done on her head laughing as Ginny scoffed at her actions.

“Bring it on (y/h/h)!” She said as Harry began to walk over to her. The two girls both began to approach each other with looks of determination in their eyes. Neville let his eyes wander to the water watching the girl’s actions through the water.

“Beautiful..” he muttered in awe as he gazed upon her affectionately. Although he was nervous, he was even more so nervous of letting her down. He tightened his grip on her plush thighs as a determined expression made its way to his face. 

Ginny and (Y/n) both began pushing and tugging at each other trying to get each other to fall. And (Y/n) did have to admit, it was no easy feat considering how tone Ginny was from quidditch practice and how out of shape she was herself from all those late night cake sessions with the house elves but it didn’t deter her at all. She continued to push and shove at Ginny. If she could only get a better grip...she didn’t have that much time to do so as the redhead girl gave a particularly hard push causing the girl to almost topple over. Almost being the key word. Neville gripped at her a bit harder at her as she went backwards causing her to fling forward with quite a bit of force. Using said force to her advantage, the (y/h/h) girl was able to push Ginny, sending her and Harry falling in. They both cheered Neville spinning around with her as they laughed before he felt something tug his leg sending them both flying into the water.

Neville resurfaced, spluttering a bit as he shook his head a bit. “Sod off, Harry! You’re a sore loser!” He exclaimed laughing with his friend. He turned to his side remembering the (h/c) girl. He watched as she resurfaced and took a gasp of air. His breath hitched as he watched the way she pushed her hair back, chest on display behind her swimsuit. God was she gorgeous.. He shook himself out of his thoughts, pushing some of her hair behind her ear that she had managed to miss. He watched as she looked away from him shyly muttering a soft thank you towards him.

They went at it for a bit more, the girls all determined to at least win one round. At some point, Ginny even put Harry on her shoulders and as it turned out, he was way worse at chicken than she was. Even Luna had somehow managed to beat him. But as they all went on, the group grew hungry and decided as the sun would be setting soon, it’d be a good idea to eat like they originally planned. They all gathered around on the large gingham blanket and once again, her friends turned against her leaving the only spot available for her next to Neville. However, unlike last time she decided to take full advantage of the situation. She feigned a shiver, catching his attention as she hoped. 

“A-are you cold, (Y/n)?” He asked, eyes full of concern.

“Yeah, just a bit Nev!” she smiled back at him, popping another grape into her mouth. Neville looked at her blankly for a bit before deciding to give into his temptation. See, the thing with Neville wasn’t that he was scared. No, in fact he had had his fair share of flings during his time at Hogwarts unbeknownst to his friends. It's just, she was different. He made his heart race in different ways and gave him goosebumps on his arms and back. She made his brain short circuit from the mere sight of her. However, he knew she would not be single forever. He wasn’t oblivious to the lingering looks his friends had been given her throughout the night and he certainly wasn’t going to stay in the same lane as them. So, without a second thought he grabbed her with ease sitting her in his lap, the soft skin of her waist meeting the soft skin of his arms as he pulled her into his chest. (Y/n) felt her breath hitch slightly, as her own set of goosebumps started to form.

“Is that better?” Neville whispered softly to her as his chin came to rest on her shoulder. She turned her head slightly, her lips slightly brushing against his freckled cheek due to their close proximity. Instead of responding, she simply nodded still in a state of shock. Was this really happening? Her (e/c) eyes came to meet Ginny’s who simply smirked, sending her a wink before she went back to her conversation with Harry. None of her friends seemed that shocked at the position they were in. (Y/n) found herself a mix between relieved and offended that no one was surprised.

Although (Y/n) hadn’t noticed anything, the clenched fist and furrowed brows of his own friends did not go unnoticed. He felt himself smile internally, Neville 1 and the others 0. He caressed her skin lightly as if she was made of the finest of porcelain that would break from even a bit of pressure. The Gryffindor boy felt a surge of confidence within himself as goosebumps formed under his fingertips. He was knocked from his thoughts as a ripe strawberry was pressed against his lips, turning his attention to the (h/c) haired girl. He slowly took a bite from it, pink lips wrapped around the red fruit. He hummed constantly as he pulled away. (Y/n) moved back slightly to look at him, giggling at his red stained lips as the juice rolled down his chin a bit.

“Hey, you’ve got a bit of..” she trailed off giggling more as she motioned towards the juice. “One second, I’ll get it for you.” she murmured, reaching for a napkin. Neville pulled her back causing her to give him a confused look.

“No need.” he whispered, pulling her forward, pressing his lips against hers. The kiss was a mix of everything at once. Passion. Hesitance. Desire. And oh, he couldn’t forget his little friend: temptation. He pulled her closer, settling his large hands at the base of her spine right about her rear as hers wrapped around his neck. The girl’s fingers twirled the hair at the bottom of his head trying to distract her from the tingling sensation she felt all over. Neville nibbled at her lip a bit, biting it as he pulled away. “T-this is probably the wrong time to ask but, are you seeing anyone?”

-------------------------

The next week, Neville found himself in that same spot in the hallway that he was in the previous monday. His thoughts drift to the angel known as his vice, his temptation. He watched as her smooth legs made their way down the hall, smile on her face as per usual. However, this time he didn’t have to crave to be the one those eyes were lighting up at. He didn’t have to crave to be the one that oh so beautiful smile was caused by, because he was. He held his arms open with a smile, stumbling back a bit as the (y/h/h) jumped in his arms. He caught her, twirling her around as they both laughed before he placed her on the ground grabbing her hand. Neville placed a peck upon her cheek, nothing but adoration in his eyes. He gulped slightly, sweaty palms as they walked by McGonagall but he found himself relaxing when she sent a wink his way as she gave him a smile of approval.

Although temptation had originally showed itself on his doorstep as a visitor in his home, it eventually developed into something more and became a welcome resident in his home. Temptation was no longer temptation, it was love.

[thechangeling]

Five

Ok so I actually got this idea awhile ago long before someone suggested it on here. Ty finding a letter that Christopher Lightwood wrote.

Tbh I don't know if I got Christopher's voice right. I tried my best!

I listened to Five and Mind by SAL while writing this.

Cw: Mentions of ableism.

For the future,

To whomever may be reading this, I would first and foremost like to begin by mentioning that I have not the slightest idea why I am writing this letter. Perhaps I have gone mad, just like everyone always says.

I believe most importantly that I have a strong desire to maintain hope for the future. Hope for a future that can and will include people like me. Shadowhunters who are different like me. And as I reach out into the void, across the empty chasm of time, I cannot stop myself from wondering.

Wondering what your life has been like. Wondering if your childhood was as lonely and frightening and complex as mine. Wondering if you were also seen as the outcast. Strange and offputting, but brilliant.

The smart one.

Do you find yourself with the inexplicable need to pull apart every peice of this fascinating existence and examine it at greater length? To analyze and discover answers to questions you honestly did not even realize you had until that very moment? Do you think like I do?

I am very fond of science. Some might say too fond. Most shadowhunters find it unusual for a fellow shadowhunter to be so invested in what they view as mundane business. I suppose shadowhunters are meant to be fighters and not scientists, which I find utterly ridiculous. Science is the key to everything. As a matter if fact, I have proven time and again how useful it can be to be to examine a problem from all possible angles rather then continuing to believe that there is only one right way.

Nephilum are stubborn as you know, and they can also be cruel. I am sure you understand just how painful it can be to be different, especially when no one will ever let you forget it.

The people I grew up with, my family and friends for the most part mean well. My parents always encountered my interests and never scolded me for behaving in a way that others may have thought to be abnormal. My friends however, are a more complicated story. There love has always felt, strange. Lack-luster in some ways, almost superficial.

They never took an interest in my experiments or listening to me talk about them. Which I understand, some people seem to find science frightfully dull. However it always hurt, knowing that the people who claimed to be my friends did not fully accept me.

I think you'll find a lot of that in your life. People will only take a liking to certain parts of you, often requiring you to pretend to be something you're not to gain their approval. You will need to twist and remold yourself into a more appropriate shape. But if you are here, reading this letter then I beg of you, please learn from my mistakes. Do not lose yourself.

Please do not sacrifice one precious bit of that brilliant mind. It is your most treasured possession. I understand this world and this society are harsh and cruel. There are people who will want to use you for their own personal gain. They will see you as what you can do for them and not as a whole person. We are only valuable to them if we can serve them. To make revolutionary discoveries or to create brilliant masterpieces. Please remember that you belong to yourself and you do not have to please them to be great.

Yes you can change the world, but please heed my words and remember that you do not have to. You can save them from themselves, from their own stupidity and arrogance. But do they deserve it?

Finally, I wish to leave off on a more pleasant note. I want you to remember that no matter how lonley and isolated you may feel, you are never alone. We have always existed and we always will. Whatever you decide to do with this life, I want you to remember to trust yourself and trust that only you know what is right for you. No one else.

In a world that demonizes and dehumanizes those who are different, the most powerful act of defiance you can perform, is loving yourself. I can proudly say that I have finally managed to do exactly that.

I encourage you to do the same.

Sincerely,

Christopher "Kit" Lightwood.

Ty didn't realize he was crying until he saw the droplets of water hitting the page. Quickly he set the letter down beside him and quoted his eyes to avoid ruining the old parchnent any further.

He had been exploring the attic in Ciernworth while Kit looked after Mina downstairs. Ty found he could only take so much of the three year olds antics before he needed a break. Kit didn't seem offended. He understood that sometimes Ty just needed to be alone.

Which had led him to finding the letter hidden into a hole in the wall.

Ty was stunned. He was feeling a lot of things, none of which he could quite get a grip on. He knew of Christopher Lightwood of course, he was a shadowhunter legend. Did this letter mean?

Was Christopher...like him? Autistic? Was that what he had been referring to? Of course Christopher wouldn't have had the words back then.

But he still knew, Ty thought. Just like I knew.

The tears came again as he let Christopher's words sink in.

Kit, his brain supplied. He went by Kit. Just like my Kit.

By the angel that really wasn't helping. Ty picked up the letter again.

"You are never alone," he read out loud. And it felt real. It felt tangible, like Christopher was speaking to him in the room, like he was holding Ty's hand. Like Ty could just reach out.

It felt like a lifeline.

Ty let out a shakey breath that then formed into a laugh as he let the tears dry on his cheeks.

  "Thank you," he whispered into the empty silence.

And Ty could only hope that the message was recieved.

Tag list lmk if u wanna be removed/added.

@playwithravenclaw @lavender-scented-rat @dianasarrow @jazzkaurtheglorious @waterlillies @zfoxdraws @julieandthefandoms @older-brother-kit @the-wckd-powers @nott-the-best @stxr-thxif @magnus-the-fabulous-entp-bane @foxglove-airmid @littlx-songbxrd @clarys-heosphoros @thomas-gaypanic-lightwood @felicitygeorgia @queenlilith43 @arangiajoan @eutonyinwhisper

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

By the king’s hand 🐍 XVI

Warnings: noncon/rape, violence/death, trauma, allusions to torture.

This is dark!fic and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: The king proves himself and the reader must accept her fate.

Note: Welcome back, King Loki. Y’all better be ready because our little mouse will never stop suffering.

Thank you. Love you guys!

As always, if you can, please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

You felt like you were suffocating, slowly under a heap of rocks. Your return to the palace was a blur. You barely recalled the ride in the carriage or the flights of stairs between you and the chambers. 

You were entirely consumed by your memories and their voices; Magnus, broken before the court, confessing his crimes. Thor, angry and brutal as ever, shouting back at the people as they cried out at their traitorous prince. Neither gave you peace; they were only trapped animals waiting to break free and lash out again.

Hal was a spot in your vision. His voice tickled your ears but you couldn’t answer him as you laid across the bed, clutching a pillow as you rocked frantically. As you calmed, spent from your fit, you rested on your side and quivered every now and then. The sobs would not come, only rattling breaths that seized your whole body.

Time slaked away like layers of ice melting into a puddle. The curtains were drawn back and revealed the shift of sunlight. A pale grey darkened to a dull slate and cast shadows around you, looming over you like the monsters in your mind.

You flinched as you heard the door, the hinges creaked and your fingers sank deep into the feather pillow. Hal greeted the king and firm footsteps marched across the floorboards. Loki’s figure appeared at the edge of your sight as you laid with your back to the hearth. He sighed as he came up behind you and sat on the edge of the mattress.

“You left rather suddenly,” he said as his hand settled on your side. You winced and hugged the pillow tighter. You hid your face against it, the feathers poking through and causing your cheeks to itch. “Mouse…”

You whimpered and curled your legs up. What had this man done to you that was any different than those two savages? You still bore the scars of his switch across your back and your only shield was the life growing in your stomach. It was him who had brought you to this; who had sentenced you to live as a piece of a flesh; who had exposed you to the barbarity of his kin and kith.

“Why?” You asked softly as you turned your head against the pillow.

“I thought… I thought you would want to see vengeance done.” He said sternly. “To see that I’ve brought those beasts to justice.”

You sniffed and shook your head. “I never wanted to see them again… I…” You shrugged and exhaled weakly. 

“I did it for you, Mouse. I dragged that animal, Magnus, down to my dungeons and cut his flesh until he did confess. I watched his blood weep from his flesh and reminded him of what he'd done to you. I made him tremble at my hands. For you.” He sneered. “I’d do it again.”

“You did it for you. For your pride.” You uttered. “You’ve never done anything for me or any other. It is all for you. They humiliated you, took your plaything, kept from you your pleasures. It isn’t about me, it is about what I can do for you.” You wiggled away from his touch, “Do not lie to me, it not only makes me a fool, but you as well.”

“Do not presume to know my will,” he snarled, “Do not talk to me as if I am your subject and not the other way around. And look at me--” He grabbed your chin and forced you onto your back, “When you speak to me, mouse.”

You blinked as a lump lodged in your throat and let the pillow fall away from you. You braced yourself for what he would do next. You remembered the noise of the hinges, the heavy footsteps, the metal against your wrists, the stony touch of loveless beings, the violent claims to your body. 

You grabbed the king’s arm and began to flail. “No, no, no,” You exclaimed, “Please--”

“Gods,” Loki said in exasperation, “Hal! Hal!” You heard softer soles on the boards, “Fetch Birger. Now.”

Loki wriggled his arm from your grasp and grabbed your shoulders. He pinned you down as you kicked out and clawed at the air. “Mouse, shhhh. Mouse!”

“No! No! No!” Your hand flew up and struck Loki’s jaw. He grunted and shook away the jolt.

He struggled with you until the door sounded again and there was a clatter of footsteps across the front chamber. Loki climbed over you as the physician appeared and touched your forehead.

“I don’t know what has come over her.” Loki said, “She has these… episodes.”

“Ah, well she is with child and only just returned from an immense situation. Her nerves are split.” Birgir rubbed your cheek calmingly, “Dear, tell me five things you can see.”

“No, no, no,” you chanted.

“Five things, dear. Five things you can see.” He urged.

“The-- The bedpost…” You wisped, “Y-Your cap… Hal… The ceiling… A chair…”

“Very well, dear, and five thing, “Three things you can feel.”

“Y-Y-Your hand,” you touched the back of his hand, “The bed…” Your eyes flicked back and forth, “The fire.”

“Great, great,” he took your hand gently, “One thing you can smell.”

“The wood. Burning wood.” You gulped.

Birger nodded and smiled at you gently. “Hal, my boy, bring my chest.”

“What is wrong with her?” The king knelt on the mattress beside you.

“I told you. It is stress.” Birger said staunchly and squinted at the king, “Have you…”

“Not in the last days.” Loki admitted.

“But since her return?” The physician prodded. The king rolled his eyes and glanced away tellingly. “And you expect you to be as she was after all that? Do you even know all that happened to her?”

“She does not speak of it.” The king huffed.

“And why should she? To you?”

“You tread a dangerous path, Birger,” Loki warned.

Birger tutted and caressed the back of your hand. “Alright, I’ll do what I can.”

“You have something which can restrain her,” Loki said, “That can calm her.”

“As her condition stands, not much.” Birger stood as Hal approached with his chest, “It is better if she is kept calm. You can burn lavender--”

“No, you will sedate her so she will sleep,” Loki ordered, “I’ve pressing matters and little energy or time for this nonsense.”

“With respect, your majesty, this nonsense is as much to do with you as it is your brother or his accomplice,” Birger insisted, “It will persist.”

“So be it,” Loki pushed himself off the bed, “Find one of your vials and do your duty. She needs sleep, not quackery.” Birger let out a long breath and tapped his fingers on the lip of the chest. “Well, you’ve something else to say?” The king challenged.

“No, your majesty,” Birger looked into his chest and stirred through the contents, “Boy, bring some milk for the woman.”

Your body was limp across the bed, suddenly without strength as you listened to the argument. It was your fault. All of it. If you could just control yourself. If you weren’t so weak and stupid.

“When you finish, you will go.” Loki neared the door. “And do not bother me on your exit.”

The king disappeared through the doorway and you looked up at Birger as he pulled out a glass vial. You saw the irritation on his face.

“I’m sorry,” you said quietly.

“Why?” He asked bluntly, “You’ve nothing to be sorry for.”

You clamped your lips shut and stared at the top of the bedpost. Hal returned and handed a cup of milk to Birger. The physician mixed in drops of the tincture and sat to hand it to you. You pushed yourself up and took it from him.

“Perhaps it is better you sleep for a time,” Birger said. “Are you eating well?”

“Yes, a lot,” you assured him and sipped the thick milk.

“Well, you make sure you keep on. Rest as much as you can.” He looked to Hal, “See if the boy is permitted to take you on walks. You must keep active as you can.”

You nodded and swallowed the milk tainted with the odd flavour of the medicine.

“Is the king rough with you? As he was before?”

You shook your head as you offered the empty cup. “Not since…” You nodded to your stomach.

“Good, good,” Birger set the cup aside and packed up his chest. “Take care, dear. I will be look in as I can.” He hauled his chest up and clapped Hal’s shoulder, “And boy, you will keep her well in my absence.”

“On my honour,” Hal promised and followed the physician to the door.

You felt heavy as you laid back and listened to Birger’s departure. The king was just in the next chamber and you heard the flutter of pages. Hal’s figure lingered as your eyelids shut and you sank down into the abyss. You were smothered by a sleep deeper than any you’d known in months.

🐍

You weren’t certain how long you slept. You woke in a fog. It was dark but for the glow of the fire and the shapes around you, the furniture shroud in grey, seemed distant and yet close. You felt light and airy and your body felt detached from your thoughts.

You lifted your head and peered around, trying to focus on the chair before the hearth. A wraith sat in it and as you sat up, you realised it was the king. You giggled and let the blankets fall away from your shoulders. He glanced over at you and tilted his head as the firelight limned his features.

“Mouse?” He said quizzically.

“Looookiiiii,” you sang as you turned your legs over the edge. He was visibly aghast at your use of his name. You only laughed again as you stood and wobbled. “Such an odd name.”

“Is it?” He lowered his brows and carefully stood to face you, “You should stay, mouse.”

“No, I’m not tired,” you argued and gave a long yawn. “I feel alive!”

“You can barely stay on your feet,” he rushed forward as you stumbled and caught you. “Come on, to bed with you.”

“Wouldn’t you like that!” You snapped and wriggled in his grasp. “But I’m hungry.”

“You’re deluded,” he rebuked.

You laughed and continued to struggle with him. “I’m perfectly well,” you slapped his chest, “I’m just…” You looked down as your stomach brushed against him and your mouth fell open. “Oh, gods…” You rubbed your middle, “I’ve already eaten too much!”

“No, mouse,” you heard a sliver of amusement in his tone, “You… you are just fine.”

“I’m fat!” You pouted and glared up at him. “Why am I so fat?”

He barely withheld a snicker and took your hand daintily. “I have some biscuits. Would you like one?”

“I couldn’t…” You shook your head as you felt your stomach. “I’m already-- but I am hungry. Just one, just one.”

“Well, you must sit if you want one,” he chided. “Understood, mouse?”

“Mouse! Mouse!” You mocked. “I hate that name. I am not a mouse.”

“Alright,” he nudged you back to the bed and you sat heavily, “Then what are you?”

“Hungry. I told you.” You crossed your arms. “Who are you?”

He grinned and looked around as if confused. “It is me, Loki.”

“Your nose is big,” you said sharply. 

“Thank you,” he said rigidly. “Just wait here.”

He left you and returned with a small box. He took out a biscuit with currants baked into it and held it out. He set the box aside and sat beside you as you eyed the treat.

“What is it?”

“It’s a biscuit,” he said curtly. “Like I said.”

“Sure, sure,” you smelled it and cautiously took a bite, “Suppose it tastes like a biscuit.”

He was quiet. You flinched as you felt his hand on your back suddenly. He rubbed a circle there as you chewed and you clapped the crumbs from your hands as you finished.

“Good?” He asked.

“I told you,” you grabbed his arm and shoved it away. “No.”

He dropped his arm and nodded. He watched you as you balled your hands in fists. You stood and stomped like a child around the room.

“As good as it feels, no, no, no!” You swept your finger through the air. “But perhaps…” You stopped and thought for a moment, “No! No!” You sneered at him. “I don’t want your royal cock tonight, sir!”

At last he chuckled and you were startled by the noise. His features contorted in his mirth and you watched him with wide eyes. He stood and neared you slowly. He reached out tentatively and touched your arms.

“Fine. Not tonight.” He assured you. “But you must lay back down.”

“Why?” You quivered and looked at your body again, “Are my legs broken?”

He smirked and shook his head. “No, because it is the middle of the night.”

You frowned. “Oh.”

“So, bed?” He asked.

“Wait!” You stopped him.

“What is it now?” He sniffed.

“I don’t know,” you shrugged. 

“Right,” he said and calmly led you back to the bed. “Time to sleep, mouse.”

“Hmmpf,” you grumbled at the pet name and let him lay you across the bed. “I’m not tired.”

“Oh, you’re not?” He taunted as you yawned again into your hand.

“No,” you argued and your eyes closed. “Not at all.”

“Not at all,” he echoed as he pulled the blankets over you.

He sat with you until you drifted off again though you were barely aware of him. You fell back into the warmth of the bed and the haze of your mind. The peculiar scene blending in with your senseless dreams.

🐍

You awoke facing the king. He slumbered beside you, his pale features unmarred by his waking thoughts. Your head was fuzzy and your limbs heavy. You sat up slowly and wiped the sleep from your eyes. The events of the days before slowly came back to you but did not hit you with the same force. You were anxious to think of Thor and Magnus but not terrified.

Loki groaned and reached out to touch your leg, as if assuring himself of your presence, as he stirred. You watched his long fingers as he squeezed you through the blankets and opened his eyes.

“Mouse,” he voice was hoarse as he retracted his hand and swept his dark hair back. “Is there something the matter?”

You shook your head and looked around. You didn’t like how comfortable you felt. You recalled his callous words the day before during your panic and all those times before he had been unkind. How could he sleep beside you as he would a wife? A wife…

You turned your back to him and evaded his reach again as you stood. You hugged yourself as you neared the dwindling fire and shivered. You heard the mattress move beneath him but he did not rise. You looked to the ceiling as you tried to clear your thoughts.

“Why won’t you give me an answer?” You asked.

“Excuse me?”

“What is to become of me when your wife is here?” You spun back to face him. He sprawled across the mattress as his shoulders and chest were bare above them. “I know this… will change. And I know once this babe is born, you will be done with me or cruel as you were before.”

His face darkened but he made no move to rise. He exhaled, a low growl, and rubbed his forehead.

“I needn’t tell you anything more than you need to know.” He sneered. “I will do whatever is best at the time.”

You gritted your teeth in frustration. You hated his riddles. You weren’t going to get an answer.

“My wife will do whatever I wish of her. And when I have a child on her, then you and the bastard will be of little bother.” He uttered. “And when you are ready, you will return to your original duty.”

Your chest knotted and your stomach grumbled painfully. Your anxiety mixed with your hunger and made your core a pit.

“And the child? I am to carry it to some unknown fate?”

“My child. I shall keep it safe.”

“And me?”

“You are its mother. But you are mine, first and foremost.” He bent his arms behind his head. “You will serve me before the child.”

You scowled in disgust but said nothing. He watched you and slipped his hand beneath the blankets.

“I will have a nursemaid for you. You needn’t worry for the child’s health.” He cooed.

“And my own? Do you care?”

He scoffed. “I’ve provided you with shelter, with sustenance, with a physician for your ailments. I’ve seen you well and I ask little in return.” He declared. “Remind yourself again that you are not my wife.”

“Yes, I am your whore. I am aware.” You hissed. “But you do seem to forget yourself.”

“I forget myself?” He sat up. “Oh, let us put things straight.”

You staggered backwards as he was off the bed in an instant. He seized your arm and you struggled with him as he tried to drag you back with him. 

“The child!” You cried.

“Will be well,” he snarled as he grabbed a hank of your hair and twisted your neck painfully. “Come on, mouse, you want things to be as they were.”

“Stop! I only--”

He sat and you lurched against him. He pushed you back and forced you down to your knees and drew you between his own. His cock twitched and hardened slowly as he clung to you. You pushed on his thighs and wrestled with him as he gripped your jaw.

“My patience for you is spent,” he spat as he shoved your head into his lap. “Open up, whore.”

“Please--”

“Let me give you your answer.” He bit out. “When you have born my bastard, I will use those parts of you unruined by its passage.” He squeezed until you gasped and forced his tip into your mouth. “I shall have my wife’s cunt and your mouth.”

You gurgled as he pushed against the back of your throat and slid down it. You gagged and he pulled you back. 

“Breathe,” he warned, “You don’t want to hurt the child.”

He forced you back down and you clawed at his sides. He moved your head steadily, up and down his length until he was entirely hard. You were dizzy and helpless against him. His groans and grunts added to the noise of you in his mouth and he clutched your head tighter.

He fucked your mouth until you were gasping and gulping around him. He wrenched you off of him suddenly and stroked himself to his climax, his seed stringing across your face. He released you and you fell back in a heap. He stood and stepped around you without concern.

“That is what you will be. Always.” He barked as he crossed the room. “Mine. To do with as I please.”

🐍

The days that followed were frigid and fraught. You could not forget that morning as the king’s former disposition returned fully. He left you in the morning without disturbance and you bided the hours silently, barely aware of Hal as he tried to cheer you. When Loki returned, the boy was sent away. He didn’t speak, only sat and stewed in whatever blight had angered him that day.

And when he wanted you, he had you. Hand, mouth, or cunt. You bore it and hid yourself under the covers when it was done. 

Another week gone and Hal announced that the verdict had been dealt. Loki hadn’t said and you hadn’t dared to ask. You listened as the boy explained how the jury and judges had found Thor guilty and condemned him to death by the sword. Magnus, however, was to be hung like a common criminal.

But that did not mean you would be without a villain. Loki’s moods assured you that nothing had changed at all. It assured you that your life would be as it ever was. That the fate he’d promised you down in that dungeon would come to pass. You would never escape him and perhaps, though you’d not realised it, your time with Thor and Magnus could have been your only hope at an eventual end to the agony.

You sat in limbo. You could hardly believe that they would die and yet, you feared the future beyond. For all the certainty of their sentences, yours was still frightfully abstract. You could not decide if you were appeased by their demise or envious of it.

Your inner strife was interrupted as Hal stood suddenly and you turned to watch the door open. The boy bowed to the king as he entered, clothed in fur and his horned crown. You stood and the king looked between the two of you. He raised his chin and looked down his nose.

“Get her a cloak and boots,” he demanded, “You will accompany us to the green.”

“The green? Why--”

“Gird your tongue, woman,” Loki demanded. “Haven’t you asked enough questions?”

Hal glanced at you wistfully but did as he was told. He helped you into the fur-trimmed cloak and you pulled the hood up as he helped you step into the boots and laced them tightly. Hal snatched up his own cap as he followed you and the king into the corridor.

You walked behind Loki and his guards, Hal was at your side and foreboding set deep in your stomach. You could guess at the event on the green though you hoped it wasn’t as you expected.

You came out into the blustery winter light and a crowd gathered around a stage erected over the white yard. Just before the walls of Boulder Tower, housed tight within the borders of the palace, a platform stood awaiting the executioner and his victim. You stopped short and Hal quickly caught your elbow and urged you on. The king peered over his shoulder in a wordless reproach.

The people parted as the monarch approached and you were diverted into the crowd of onlookers by another armored man. You went unnoticed as the king passed to the front of the audience and you stood alone with the steely sentinel.

A hush went over the crowd as the king stood with his head high. The hooded executioner came out onto the stage and waited by the lever. Armor clinked and announced the arrival of the criminal before he appeared. Magnus had only rags wrapped around his feet and shreds of clothing barely hanging from his form.

He twitched nervously but showed little emotion as he was herded up the steps. The hooded man came forward to wrap the noose around his neck and a holy man offered muttered prayers to the condemned.

You froze as you gaped up at the scene. It felt like a horrid nightmare. The prisoner shrugged away the holy man and strained against the rope. He looked across the green and his eyes narrowed at the king stood among the masses.

“Fuck the king!” He shouted and the lever was pulled suddenly.

The heavy body plummeted downward and all could hear the crack of his neck above their gasps. It was a sickly sound that made your legs weak. You saw Hal, close to the king’s shoulder, lower his head and a few onlookers swayed before they fainted. You felt queasy but did not waver.

You only remained as you were as slowly, those who still had sense, roused those in shock and dispersed. Those who had fallen were carried away by their companions and you still did not move. It was only as the king’s figure retreated that you were woken from your trance.

“Shall I have his skull boiled and brought to you?” He asked as he neared with his guards in tow. You shook your head and looked away from him. Your eyes stung. “Do not act as if I’m the same as they were,” he lowered his voice as he leaned in. “They would’ve killed you and the child. Where do you think they were taking you?”

You shivered and pulled your hood low to hide your distress. Loki let out a breath that clouded before him in the cold. Snow crunched as an unseen figure neared and another armoured man came up breathlessly. You peeked from beneath your cloak and king frowned at the guard’s frantic energy.

“What is it now?” He poked the guard’s breastplate harshly.

“Your majesty,” the man caught his breath in rasps, “The prince--”

“What of my brother?” Loki tensed and fidgeted as he glared at the guard.

“He is gone. He has escaped.” The guard announced. “He--”

“What do you mean he is gone?!” Loki seized the guard by the mail that poked up around his cowl. “How could he be gone?”

“It seems there was a plot. Lord Fandral and his ilk--”

“Fuck!” Loki shoved away the man and punched his palm. “Fuck!!!” He shouted and looked around at the liveried guards, “Well, you fools, go find them!”

[omg-im-such-a-masochist]

🎁🔥GUESS WHO?🔥🎁

Prompt: Y/N’s first day back to work from her vacation is also coincidentally her birthday, as the day goes by, one mysterious box is placed on her work table. The content of it is a devious surprise and Y/N needs to find out who is the mysterious person who dared to give her such a kinky birthday present.

Word count: Long-ish

Pairing: Roman Reigns x Reader

Warnings: +18, smut, bondage(handcuffs), use of a vibrator, fingering, rough sex, mentions of voyeurism, oral sex (female receiving), dirty talk, cursing.

My Roman lovers: @ziasaph, @reigns-5sos, @mindofasagittaruis

Notes: What a better way to start 2021, then with a Roman kinky fic?! I wish you all a Happy New Year loves, may 2021 be kinder to us all. Y’all know the drill loves,sorry for misspellings,english isn’t my first language (bla bla bla),check out my other stories if you’d like to(it would make your girl here very happy 😊) and if you’re comfortable with it,please let me know what you think? Some feedback is always welcomed and appreciated ❤️You can check out my other stories typing ‘masochist writes’ on the search bar on my page and my newest story as a fixed post.Okay,now let’s get to the fun part,shall we? Hope you’ll enjoy 😉

“Happy birthday, to you..” I turn around to the sound of a person singing, just to see Sasha Banks holding a chocolate cupcake and a present bag on her hands.

“Hi Sasha.” I smiled

“Happy birthday babe!” Sasha ran up to me, placing the cupcake on my working table and hugging me tightly.

“Thanks Sasha”

This was my first day back from my vacation, and coincidentally it was also my birthday, so I was excited to see some of the good friends I’ve made while working for the WWE as a chiropractor.

“Here this is for you!” Sasha handed me a present bag.

“Oh Sasha, you really didn’t have to-“

“Shush! I love you, so of course I would pamper you on your birthday” Sasha said as I opened the bag to find a pair of Louboutin’s I had my eyes on for quite sometime, but couldn’t afford it.

“Sasha, are you insane? I can’t accept these! It’s way too expensive!” I gasped

“I am perfectly sane, you will accept these and I don’t care if you think they’re too expensive! I love you, you’re one of my best friends in this company and a human being with a heart made of gold. So if there is someone who deserves these is you” She happily said

“Sasha, I don’t even know how to thank you enough” I whispered with tears on my eyes

“Just say you will be my friend forever babe” She winked

“I don’t need presents to be your friend love”

“That’s why I gave it to you. I don’t care how much they cost, I just want to make my best friend happy on her birthday”

I hugged her and whispered ‘thank you’ on her ear

“So, who else has came here today?” She asked

“Oh! Bayley, Charlotte, Xavier, Kofi, Cesaro, Big E, Alexa, Naomi, Jey, Becky, Seth, Finn, Renee and Dean” I said, listing my close friends

“I was the last one then? Damn it!”

“It’s ok, I know you were busy today love”

“So...no Roman?” She whispered

“No, no Roman” I answered slightly disappointed.

Sasha along with Bayley and Renee were the only 3 people who knew about my stupid crush on Roman Reigns. It’s so stupid of me to think that a man like him would ever look at someone like me.

If he would ever look at someone on this company, it wouldn’t be the thick girl who worked as a chiropractor and yes one of the beautiful toned Divas of this company.

But still I couldn’t help but daydream about having him on top of me.

“Maybe he doesn’t know it’s your birthday?” Sasha tried to make it less uncomfortable

“Really Sasha? He’s friends with Dean! Everybody knows Dean is an open mouth, loud as fuck and can’t keep it to himself not even if his life depended on it...Roman just chose to ignore it, and it’s fine. We’re not close or anything so, I wasn’t expecting him to show up at my office door and fuck me on top of this table” I lied while chuckling weirdly

“Let’s be honest babe, everybody secretly wants Roman Reigns to fuck them on top of a table!” We both laughed at her statement before she continued “It’s his loss anyways babe”

“Yeah I guess so...”

I was making my way back to my office, from the women’s locker room, when a big black box with a golden ribbon called my attention on top of my desk.

“What the hell?” I said as I approached the box carefully. All of my closest friends had already wished me a happy birthday and gave me their presents so this was, to say the least, weird and unexpected.

I saw a blood red card on top of it, so I opened to find the handwritten saying

‘I hope these will make your birthday night unforgettable. Can you guess who’ve bought these for you? ;)’

Ok, that’s pretty fucking weird! I thought

From the corner of my eye I saw Sasha passing by and loudly whispered

“Sasha! Come here”

She entered my office “What’s up girl? Are you ok? You look scared”

I closed my office door and locked, and made my way back to the table by her side.

“Ok, I’m feeling a little paranoid. I just came back to my office to find this box and this card. Here” I handed the card to her and she red silently.

“Did you look what’s inside of it?” Sasha said

“Nope. And to be honest I don’t know if I can..what if it’s like a prank or something?”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out Y/N”

She opened the box, inside of it there was a fancy red paper, I took it out of the way to reveal what was underneath it and I tell you I almost passed out.

Inside the box there was a lavender and purple (my favorite colors) vibrator, it was actually pretty cute...two pairs of handcuffs, lube, nipples clamps and a whip.

“Oh my gosh” Sasha gasped as she took the clamps on one hand and the whip on the other. “Someone wants to get kinky with you girl!” She examined the items carefully

“What in the actual fuck?” I whispered shocked “Give me that!” I took the items out of her hand, shoved back into the box and quickly closed with the black lid.

“Jesus, I can get fired if someone sees that in my office! Who the hell would do that?”

“Someone who wants to get some! And wants it rough” She chuckled

“Sasha it’s not funny! I could not have a job tomorrow morning if someone from the company found these”

“Who do you think did this?” She asked seriously

“How am I supposed to know? I have no fucking clue!”

“Maybe someone who’s name starts with an R...” She smirked

“R?... What ar-... Oh hell no! Nu uh, that’s impossible!” She couldn’t be implying that Roman was behind this, was he? No! Of course not, that’s a dumb thing to think of...but a part of me wished it was him, even though I know it wasn’t.

“Why impossible? You’re a gorgeous woman Y/N! You two would make a beautiful couple, plus, I‘ve seen his handwriting before and I’m pretty sure it’s quite similar to this one” She said as she inspected the card closely.

“Obviously someone wants to make fun out of me, so I’ll just pretend this never happened” I took the card out of her hand and shoved inside the box.

“Or someone has an eye on you for a while and decided to finally make a move”

“Sasha, please don’t tell this to anyone”

“Your secret is safe with me babe. Just promise that when your secret admirer finally show up, you’ll tell me if you guys made a good use of his presents” She laughed

“You’re the worst!” I laughed along

I made my way back to my hotel room later that evening with my hands so full of packages I could barely walk. I opened the door and carefully placed the bags, along with the black box, on the floor.

I went to the bed and sat down on the edge, while I stared at the box.

*Could Sasha be right? Could it be Roman who did this?* Was the only thought that crossed my mind

I decided to forget all about it and take a shower to wash off the day.

As I was rinsing my hair I heard some noise coming from the bedroom

*What the hell was that?*

I blamed on my super active mind and turned the shower off.

I got changed into some clean oversized t- shirt, and went full on commando. I was brushing my damp hair, when I decided to lay out the contents of the black box on the bed.

I roamed my eyes on each item slowly, until they stopped on the lavender and purple happiness. I turned the vibrator on and felt slightly tempted to use it.

*Oh fuck it! Happy birthday to me I guess”

I got rid of the t-shirt and lay down on the bed naked.

I closed my eyes, letting my mind imagine my wet dream, in form of a man... his face, his body, his cock and how I wish I could feel it inside of me, stretching me as I teased my clit with the vibrator.

I moaned Roman’s name and heard someone clear their throat on the foot of the bed. My eyes shot open and my heart nearly stopped beating when I saw who was in front of me. The vision was so unexpected that I even forgot I was naked.

“I see you liked my gift then” He smirked

“Wh- What are you doing here? How did you get inside of my room?” I whispered

“Does it matter?” His eyes had an evil glimpse to it

“Roman... I- I can explain” I begin to stutter

He placed his index finger on his lips in a shh motion and I stopped talking. He hungrily stared at every inch of my naked body, making me feel quite self conscious of the imperfections of it. I grabbed the blanket to cover my nakedness, he notice what I was about to do and yanked the blankets off the bed

“I’ve been waiting for years to see you like this, so don’t you dare cover yourself from me now”

He took off his shirt and pants leaving only his boxers on, from where I was laying I could see the outline of his hard cock and the wet spot of pre cum near of it’s head. He crawled on top of me slowly, like a predator, with dangerous eyes that were glued to my own.

“At first I was only gonna watch you... I wanted to see you pleasure yourself with my gifts, but when I saw your body fully naked on this bed moaning my name” He grunted “I couldn’t control myself, I couldn’t see this” He took the vibrator off my hand and placed on the bed by our side “Having all the fun with you, enjoying every part of your beautiful body, stretching your sweet pussy while my own cock only got to watch, he wants to have his own fun with you baby girl. He wants to make you feel real good” He leaned closer to my face, his lips brushing mine as he asked “Do you want that Y/N? Do you want my cock to make you feel good? Do you want it to stretch you out baby? Do you want it to fuck you hard and rough? Or do you prefer it slow and sweet? Do you want me to fuck you from behind?...Or maybe I should eat you out first huh? Eat that sweet pussy until you’re begging me to stop, I can’t wait to feel you come on my mouth...around my cock,milking it really nice” He growled “Tell me Y/N, what do you want?”

“I want it all, I want everything” I panted as he dry humped me

“Will you let me do whatever I want with you baby girl? What I’ve always wanted to do?”

“Yes”

He smiled satisfied, leaning to kissed me roughly and sloppily as he grabbed both of my wrists into one of his big hands pining it over my head.

“If anything I do bothers you or you feel like your not feeling it or don’t like it, you let me know ok?”

I nodded

“I need words baby girl”

“Yes, I understand”

“Good” He smiled and I felt something cold close around my wrists. I looked up to see the handcuffs around my wrists being closed on the headboard of the bed. Roman sat up and looked down do my naked body at his disposal.

“Fuck, you’re such a gorgeous sight” He said as he palmed his hard cock through his boxers. “I can’t wait to bury my cock deep inside you” He panted

“Roman, please do something” I whispered

His hands roamed the sides of my body until he stopped at my breasts as his hands squeezed them hard while pinching my nipples.

“These were made just for me. Do you see how they perfectly fit my hands? I can only imagine how even more beautiful your breasts will look with my cock sliding in between them” His eyes were glued on my breasts.

I tugged at my handcuffed hands, begging “Roman, please, I need- something”

“Let’s take a look on this pussy...are you wet for me Y/N?”

“Soaked”

He raised his eyebrows “Really? Let‘s see” Two of his fingers slides through my folds “Fuck baby girl, you are soaked. Jesus, we won’t even need lube” His fingers traced lazy circles around my clit, making me moan in pleasure. One callused finger slipped inside of me.

“Oh baby girl, you’re so tight, fuck I will barely be able to move. I can’t wait to feel your sweet little pussy stretch around my cock”

He took his finger out and cleaned with his tongue, humming in pleasure to the taste of my juices.

“You taste amazing, Y/N. Fuck I need more” He slide down my body placing his head between my thighs. His tongue gave a long lick from my entrance to my clit sucking it. Making his way back to my entrance again dipping his tongue inside of me, beginning to fuck me with his tongue.

“Oh my god, Roman, please fuck me! I need you inside of me please” I whined

“As you wish baby” He smirked

He slides his cock through my folds to lube it up, then places the head of his cock at my entrance

“Are you sure about this baby girl? ‘Cause once I start I won’t be able to stop myself”

“Roman, just fuck me already would you?” I said impatiently

He chuckled lightly saying “Easy tiger, we’ll take this slow, I don’t want to hurt you” Roman leaned down to peck my lips and returned to his previous position.

He started to slowly slide inside of me, inch by inch, painfully slow. He’s the biggest man I’ve ever been with, so I knew that we needed to take it slow, but fuck he feels so good I just wish he would roughly thrust into me, so I wiggle my hips to take more of him.

“Fuck Y/N, slow down! You’re too tight and I’m not exactly small, if you keep rushing things you’re gonna end up hurting yourself and I don’t want that”

“I know is just that your cock feels so fucking good, I just want you to fuck me Ro”

“Trust me baby, there’s nothing that I want more then fuck you senseless, but I want you to enjoy it as well ok?” He kissed my nose then my lips

When all of him was finally inside of me we both moaned loudly, I’ve never felt so full before and it was both a dream and a nightmare

“Motherfucker! Jesus fuck Y/N, you’re so fuckin- Oh my god.. I gotta focus ‘cuz I feel like at the slightest move I’ll cum” He pressed his forehead to mine as his thumb slowly traced circles on my clit.

“Roman” I gasped “Please don’t tease me like that, fuck it feels so fucking good” I cried as I felt my walls tighten around him

“Oh fuck!” Roman growled loudly “Don’t do that baby girl, don’t squeeze my cock like that, you’re gonna make m-“

“Move,please” I circled my hips

“Fuck it” He said as he forcefully grabbed my hips and begin to quickly thrust me.

“Oh Roman...harder, I need harder”

“Harder?” He chuckled “Like this?” He pounded into me mercilessly

“Yes! Just like that, oh please, don’t stop” “Fuck Y/N you’re going to get me addicted to you baby girl” He kissed my lips vigorously

“I say we should push you a little further..” Roman took the vibrator from the bed and placed on my clit.

“Ooohhh”

“Fuck, you look so beautiful baby girl, a whimpering mess underneath me”

“Ro- Roman I’m gonna cum”

“Cum baby, I wanna feel you cum around my cock”

And I did. My orgasm was so hard that my juices made a mess on Roman’s thighs and the bedsheets.

“Y/N, fuck baby...so fucking gorgeous, my messy girl” He chuckled “Where do you want me to cum baby?”

“Inside” I panted while I felt another mini orgasm come through me

“Fuck, I’m officially addicted to you baby girl. You’re my wet dream come true...gorgeous face, delicious body, perfect pussy..so tight for me. And on top of it all, you want my cum inside of you?! You are beyond perfect Y/N”

He thrusts into me 3 more times before finally cum, filling me up with his seed.

As we tried to recover our breaths, Roman uncuffed my wrists and placed a sweet kiss into each one.

“You ok baby girl?”

“Mhmm” I hummed

“Did I hurt you? Was I too rough?”

“No, of course not. You were perfect!”

“Good baby” He smiled

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure thing baby”

“Why? Why me?”

“Why not you?” He asked sincerely while he brushed my hair with his fingers

“I don’t know, I can’t picture someone like you with someone like me.. I mean, there are so many beautiful women in the company that fit you better...I’ve never thought you could find me attractive”

“Are you serious? Have you looked yourself in the mirror? You’re gorgeous, so perfect Y/N. Yes, there are beautiful women in the company but they’re nothing compared to you baby. You stand out, exactly because you’re different from all of them. You’re unique”

“Still...I don’t know..”

“Oh so you don’t believe me? Maybe I’ll have to show you then”

I could feel his cock beginning to harden on my thigh

“Show me? How?”

“Well baby girl, good thing there are more items of the box for us to try it huh?”

“Us?”

“Yeah, you don’t really think that I’m gonna let you go right? Now that I’ve tasted you, you’ve got me hooked baby. We’ve got the whole night for me to change your mind about us together. And I bet you that I will” He smirked as he leaned down to kiss my neck...

What a great way to celebrate my birthday 🎁

[5-falsehoods-phonated]

When Our Hands Next Meet

Series summary: Soulmates are given memories of their past lives when their hands touch. For Virgil and Logan, each memory is happier than the last.

This series was created for @analogicalweek and made in collaboration with the lovely @birdsongisland! Please go look at their beautifully detailed piece they made for this work and support them with reblogs so it can be seen!

Credit to birdsongisland for beta reading this and everything else this past week! One last thank you as this wouldn’t have been as polished without you ^-^

Chapter 7: I Remember

Chapter Summary: In a nostalgic museum of their own creation, Virgil feels as content as he ever has living out lifetime after lifetime with Logan.

Day 5 Prompt: Free Day

Warnings: none. If there are any please let me know!

WC: 1787

AO3 link

Taglist (ask to be added or removed): @ace-in-a-shopping-cart @janus-is-an-adorable-snek-boi @logans-library @im-an-anxious-wreck @edupunkn00b

“Which one did you like chickens in?”

Logan poked his head out of the kitchen window while being sure to hold the dish he was drying well away from the sill. “Chickens?”

“You liked chickens in one of our lives for some reason.” Virgil didn’t look up as his tongue poked out of his mouth in concentration- something that never failed to make Logan smile since according to him Virgil did that in every life. Blowing away the dust from the mistake he had sanded away he grabbed up the carving tool and started again, holding the figurine a little too close to his face to technically be safe but he was far past the point of caring. He held his breath as he dragged a smooth line across the dark stained surface. It was perfect. All he needed to do was drag it the other way and-

Groaning in frustration he threw his head back and squeezed his eyes shut, trying his best not to cry over something so stupid. It was a chicken- and a wooden one at that- no more deserving of tears than a child’s block tower being knocked over. But as the slight tremor in his hands continued to betray him as the years went by he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of frustration. There were so many things he wanted to do and create and as their lives went by it became harder and harder to keep up with it all; thankfully he was stubborn enough that it never kept him from trying.

Opening his eyes as a cool breeze swept past him he couldn’t help but smile at the early morning sky, full of the deep purples and blues that they had both favored since their souls first formed. Cool and calm and deep the colors blended together with a soft brilliance he admired every time he reached for the soulbond he and Logan shared. He hardly knew how to describe the way Logan filled his life to the brim with a happiness that made him feel safely rooted to the ground and flung him headlong into the clouds at the same time. A kind of breaking open of the chest while still feeling as if everything was securely nestled in their proper places. He supposed the way the colors swirled endlessly between the stars- brilliant galaxies forming and reshaping in picturesque moments that would be gone in an instant- maybe that came pretty close.

Grinning to himself he carefully gathered up his tools and his current work in progress, nudging the door open with his foot and stepping into the warm comfort of the living room. They had spent an entire lifetime making it their own, as they so often did when they finally found each other again. Often there wasn’t a day wasted when they became whole again to pick up right where they had left off in their previous life, collecting an eternity’s worth of memorabilia that no one could ever hope to understand but them. Setting down his armload on a side table he eased himself into a rocking chair situated by the window, the gentle movements a pleasant stim as he listened to Logan move around in the kitchen. 

He leaned his head back slowly to rest on the back of the chair, staring up at the dark stained bookshelves overflowing with all manor of things they had made or collected in the decades they had been together. The old but thankfully sturdy wood bowed under the weight of books either so old they were bound with leather and cracked at the seams or so new the pages were still visibly crisp from the printing press. There was one in particular bound tightly in soft brown leather with a bright green gem stuck in the center of it that neither of them had ever opened but had found and added to their collection nonetheless. Whatever it was, it fit the aesthetic so neither of them could complain. 

Tilting his head to the side he watched as Logan bustled around the kitchen getting their morning dose of coffee set up, refracted light from various forms of open geodes glittering around him and making his glow in the room. They had become veritable hoarders in this lifetime, though Virgil suspected they always did, collecting everything from crystals that matched their colors perfectly to pond skipping rocks that had felt too perfect in their hands to ever give up to the water. Their vast collection of seashells littered nearly every surface as well with a suncatcher made from them hanging in the large window overlooking their yard. He nearly laughed as he caught sight of it, a wooden flute he had carved hanging with it as well reminiscent of Logan’s hippie phase he had yet to let him live down. He had justified it by saying it was just another thing to remember their time together with, but mostly he just loved the playful eye roll he would get every time Logn caught sight of it.

 Of course the better caving he had made for him was on the shelf behind him, nearly life size wooden ice skates that Virgil had made with as much care poured over them as he could muster. He remembered making and  presenting them to his best friend after one of his competitions- they’re fingers brushing and a thousand and one memories cementing their souls together once again. Since then their house had slowly filled with blocks of wood molded to the memories they gained of an eternity spent together. Several small blocks were shoved in the spaces they could fit, depicting all the constellations Logan had told him about when they would go out in a field or lay on the roof of one of their houses and talk the night away. There were so many animal figurines they could likely make a replica of a zoo- if of course that zoo featured mostly horses, cats and various other farm animals they swapped stories of when a memory struck them. He already knew where he was going to fit the chicken, he just needed his hands to cooperate long enough to get the feathers right.

Looking back down he scowled at the stubborn piece of wood for having the audacity to not simply shape itself the way he envisioned. Chickens, as it turned out, were hard enough to get right in the first place, what with Logan seeing them being plump fluffy things meant to be pet and cuddled. Virgil, on the other hand, saw nothing but mini dinosaurs that had to be smaller just to spite him with their sharp beaks being ankle height. He had seen what the tiny terrors could do with their beaks and talons, beady eyes zeroing in on a target and having little to no regard for what it was, so long as it reacted to being chased and pecked at. But Logan had loved them and still held them in fond regard even if he no longer worked on a farm, so Virgil had wanted to solidify the past life with his tools just as he did all the others. He’dthank his hands for not allowing him to finish it if he wasn’t so sure it would make Logan’s face brighten with the smile Virgil lived and breathed to see.

His chin was taken gently and tilted so that he was looking at his husband, that smile Virgil had fallen for time and time again gracing his lips as he ironically tucked a sprig of forget-me-nots behind his ear. Their house was full of them, dried and paired with lavender and tucked into nearly every feasible space they could. The dusty scent of their favorite flowers mixed with the wide variety of candles strewn about on spare surfaces, a collection of scents they had discovered reminded them of different places and times spent together. A gentle flick at his bottom lip returned him to the present, the smile now a smirk as Logan tapped his nose.

“I cannot fathom why you are attempting to carve a chicken if you despise them enough to nearly combust a replica with a glare.”

“You like chickens and I like you. So you’re getting a chicken.” Virgil rolled his eyes at the teasing, clenching his hands into fists in his lap. “I just need my useless hands to cooperate with me or I would have had it done ages ago. I can never keep up with everything I’ve done in the past.”

Virgil huffed and smiled ruefully up at the other who looked to be considering something. Before he could ask him for his thoughts however he was pulled carefully to his feet, his rough hands held tightly in dry slender fingers. Rubbing his thumbs over the back of them Logan brought one of his hands to his lips to place a gentle kiss to his knuckles, doing the same to the other even as Virgil blushed profusely and was pulled into a soft embrace. 

“I love and appreciate your talents and passion, making our memories real to remind us of the happiness we shared in the past.” Logan’s breath tickled his ear as he rested his chin on his shoulder, Virgil burying his face in the crook of his neck to hide his ever deepening blush. “I love your hands as they are, whether you find them useful or not. They’re there for me to hold and kiss and that’s use enough for me.”

“Logan-”

“You’ve made so many things that we’ve loved unconditionally throughout our lives. But it was never about our past or future, it’s just us.” Logan moved away to place his hands on his cheeks instead, steady gaze radiating warmth and comfort. “I love you. I always have and I always will- and I certainly don’t need you carving a quote ‘diet dinosaur’ to know that you feel the same.”

Virgil snorted and leaned forward to rest his forehead on Logan’s, simply taking in the quiet as they stood in each other’s embrace. To love and be loved by someone across multiple lifetimes was something he cherished above everything else, the lines of fate tracing forwards and backwards to weave them together again and again. He realized as he stood there, surrounded by a nostalgic museum meant only for them and lit with the soft glow of the early morning sun warming them further, that there truly was no one else for him. He leaned against soulmate and smiled, thinking through everything that had happened in the past and everything that would happen in the future, he had Logan.

And that was enough.

Previous   

[dragons-ire]

#31 (Bonus) - Ghost Story.

Thea Gilmore - Even Gods Do

Maybe one day you'll get up and sing a song, too!

Breandan turned from the small cluster of his friends and looked up at the bare stage. The night was over and winding down, people trickling out, finishing their drinks. Standing around and socializing a little before taking to wherever they were all off to.

He immediately thought about the idea of all those people all looking at him at once and immediately put up his hands with a violent shake of his head.

No, no no. Not for all the gold in the Aurum Vale.

I don't sing.  He reminded with his cracked and scarred-over voice. I've no talent for music.

He just happened to be surrounded by people who did. For him this was a nice night off- drinking a beer or two and hearing it.

Maybe you could learn to play the drums! Hit something!

Why, though, when you could just hit something that mattered.

The night carried him out into the woods past the light of the Lavender Beds. The boughs were relatively still - he refused to say quiet - and out into the darkness. Between the Quivermen's rotations and the South Shroud gang lookouts and down past the scrubby undergrowth.

And down.

He was a little too drunk to sleep, still, so he lit a lamp and brooded alone in the dark. Put the kettle on for tea, cut himself a hunk of some cheese or another from the dry storage that never dwindled fast enough.

Funny story, how that came to be. Just another one he never told.

But he used to.

Something to pass the time with Brighid in their foster-father's awful and lonely house.

(Their true father told magnificent ones while they were together, and their mother too. Fairy tales and legends and bits of things coded in tales. Things to look out for. Things to be wary of)

With Severine on the road, while they traveled and learned from their teacher.

(Ser Erembourc had told magnificent ones, as well, for their eager ears. Some kind of lesson that they never explained, that you had to think about. Maybe they just wanted the two of them to shut up and think a little sometimes. The more years he put between him and that past, he could almost appreciate it.)

With Silvestre, poorly spoken and ignorant of Ishgard's traditions, around campfires while they watched the skies and prayed to see another sunrise.

(He'd read so many magnificent ones in the estate library that nearly every knight around him knew and was tired of hearing. Talked over and dismissed. The cant of his friend's head and the considering look in his eye was enough to make up for it.)

Now, he did more listening. To people who wanted to say it more. To catch gossip from the treasure-finders of Quarrymill or the Forgotten Knight or whatever else got spoken around wherever he happened to be.  

Why don't you write them down? His sister had said it to him once, as if trying to tell him something else: (you stopped telling them. Not everyone around you thinks it's stupid)

Yeah, You'd be the only one to read it, I'm sure.

Down in the dark with one lamp lit, the draftman's pencil in his hand scratched roughly on the page of the field journal that went with him at the bottom of his traveling pack.

Whenever the woods would grow darker and the trees limned with mist around their boughs and roots, my father would insist that we not go out. That we take shelter, either inside or underground, and not venture out until the ill weather had passed.

Not look out the window. Not show an ilm of your face to the world.

For fear of catching the eye of the At-Rider. The dread Hunstman of the Fount.

They say he is a god born of another time and place. And primal gods are always hungry for something - for praise and worship. For sacrifices. For aether. And crystal.

The At-Rider hungers ever for battle and conflict. To taste blood on his fine foreign sword. And haunts the Shroud on his eight-legged beast, ever searching for foes by which to test his sword.

Many in number are the brave - the foolhardy - the dead. That have failed to heed the old warnings and gone out in search, by glory or by need.

A primal god cannot be tolerated to walk the earth, after all. But just as gods hunger, so do the hearts of men - for fame and renown, and for praise.

But the only glory to come by the hand of the At-Rider is your doom.

They say these woods are littered with the spirits of those broken by his sword or trampled under his grey-hooved beast. A thousand thousand faces of a thousand thousand souls, sundered by the At-Rider's sword.

A battle-god can be a death-god, after all. And a trickster-god, who brings promise of glorious reward, but gives only ruin in return.

A god of war can be a god of thieves - a thief who will steal your life, your soul, and last - your very face.

So, then: when the woods grow dark in the middle of the way, and the mist rolls in green and limned with tension, make sure to stay inside. And lock your doors and bar your windows, and don't dare to turn your eyes out to look, for fear the At-Rider may see you.

And beware any face that you know too well.

@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast

[unholyhelbig]

hizzie prompt with hope being gay about lizzies dimples

Title: Dimples & Sunshine 

Ship: Hope Mikaelson/ Lizzie Saltzman 

Request prompts here | Read on Ao3

Hope Mikaelson tried desperately not to notice Lizzie Saltzman’s smile. But it took over the room, no matter how large and stretching. She could flash a moment of grace and everyone would stop as if magnets in their shoes were suddenly conducting energy. That’s why Hope tried not to look- why she would bury her face into the scent of books, or the morning rain.

The camping trip was different.

It was some scheme cooked up by Doctor Saltzman over spring break. Hope was perfectly content with traveling back to New Orleans, or at the very least, staying in the school while it cleared out. She wouldn’t be the only one. But he refused, stating that they all needed to bond, and would do so much better the second half of the year if they weren’t cooped up all week.

So Hope pushed headphones over her ears as she slumped in the front seat. She watched as Virginia trees whirled by. She would latch onto one until it was out of view entirely before choosing a new target. It helped to drown out the twins entirely.

Josie had her head between her knees, clenching a shopping bag like a vice. Her white knuckles nearly shredded the plastic from the force of her nausea. Lizzie, on the other hand, was loud and angry that Hope had gotten the front seat in the first place. She caught an icy stare once and a while through the side mirror.

“I’m your child.” She pushed her head through the middle two seats “Aka, the one who gets first dibs on the best seat in your gas guzzler.”

Hope let out a sigh and removed one of the headphones “I called dibs,”

“Fair is fair, Liz Bear.”

That killed the argument momentarily. Lizzie hated the nickname, and she hated it even more when it came from her father’s mouth. She smelled like spring, and lavender, and a tinge of strawberry lip balm from the gas station they stopped at two hours back.

Josie groaned, noise muffled as Alaric took another sharp corner. He shot a worried glance back at the girl and eased up on the gas. His car was barely making it up the mountain. Everything, including a neon yellow beetle, seemed to pass them with ease.

Hope was beginning to feel like a caged animal. It didn’t matter how many true crime podcasts she had downloaded, and how many she had gnawed through like a dog with a bone. She was restless, and the cab of the car was cold- and she wouldn’t quite mind stopping to stretch her legs.

She glowered in the mirror at the taller Saltzman twin. She caught a stare back, and had to admit- she wanted to stir something up. If anything, she could get Rick to stop the car on the side of the road and let Josie gain her legs back under her.

“I’m just faster than you, Lizzie.”

“What?”

“I think you heard me. I’m faster than you. I always have been.”

She could hear the way Lizzie’s nails scraped against the leather of the backseat. But Lizzie smirked and that stupid little dimple of hers was painfully obvious. Fuck; it was almost endearing. She wasn’t supposed to smile. Hope hid her frown well.

Lizzie sighed “Right, believe what you want.”

Hope turned in the seat entirely and gripped the headrest. Lizzie was playing a game, a dangerous one that Hope had initiated, sure, but she was expecting some cooperation. Some type of argument that made Alaric turn off the interstate because nothing else would.

“Jo, do you still have your book?” Lizzie asked. She grasped it before she got an answer. Josie knew that reading made her ill in a moving vehicle. But still, she brought the latest fantasy series with her in hopes that it would change at some point. “Do you mind?”

She still wore that smile as her eyes flicked up towards Hope. That stupid dimple and the more than stupid look in her eyes. Hope drew out a breath and turned in her seat. She fished in the glove box to kill some time. The cassette tapes were collecting dust.

“Dude, do you have anything from this century?” She turned to Rick.

“Aqua?”

“I said this century.”

She had to admit that she had a weakness for Barbie Girl just like the next person. But Lizzie would lean into the soundtrack and she couldn’t have that. She so resigned to the silence and the occasional turning of the page. At some point, she had drifted off into an uneasy sleep as a small Toyota edged up on the left and vanished in front of them.

The campground is a large dirt path in the center of even larger pine trees. The sun barely shoots past the tops of them. But Hope can smell the mint and the wind in the air. The dirt is wet and there is a creek nearby that runs towards the west. She’s suddenly glad that Freya taught her how to read nature.

She walked ahead, a bag was slung over her shoulder. Lizzie was a few paces behind her and Rick had stayed by the car to hold Josie’s hair back as the discomfort from the last four hours came to a head. Lizzie was struggling to keep up and Hope was enjoying it a bit too much.

“There are too many bugs out here.” She grumbled, using her free hand to swipe away some gnats. “How long until daddy decides to call it quits and takes us to the nearest motel?”

Hope scoffs and sets their bags down in a dry area that caught the sun from the trees just perfectly. She turns to Lizzie. Her shoes are already sopping with mud and she looks like she’s never been outdoors in her life. The faded pink of her sneakers were a muted grey and all hell was going to break loose when she realized it.

“Yeah Liz Bear, that’s not going to happen.”

Her face turned red, scalding, and dark. Even when she frowned, she had a dimple. Hope dropped to her knees and started to pull open her backpack. The soil was cold and damp, and she knew it would be hard to start a fire before the sun started drifting away.

Lizzie squatted too, starting to pull the different contents from the bag. “You’re just trying to fuck with me, aren’t you?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because neither of us wants to be here.” She sighed, pulling out a few fire starters and the tent's manual. “And my father wants us to get along. You’re not good at listening to him.”

“You are?”

“Absolutely not.”

Hope let her eyes linger on the girl's face for way too long. It was hard to not notice her smile here; to not notice the way her chin curved and the way her skin looked so perfect under the lowering sun. She still smelled like lavender, sweet, and sour at the same time. And she smiled again- as Hope let her stare linger for a bit too long.

“I think it’ll make him happy though,” She continued “just for the weekend, you know? To play nice.”

“Just suddenly?” Hope sat back on her heels and quirked an eyebrow “Wouldn’t it be odd for us to suddenly hold hands and sing kumbaya?”

“Well, not all at once. I could see his annoyance in the car and I don’t know, I guess I felt kind of bad. This is his vacation too.”

She contemplated the offer for a moment; with the old cassette tapes in the car that were trying too hard and the way he rubbed Josie’s back diligently. Alaric was so excited about this stupid camping trip. She waited until she heard their footsteps to nod apprehensively.

“Fine, whatever. We play nice, but only for the weekend.”

Lizzie smiled once more, this time brighter and happier. And those stupid little dimples shined almost as brightly as the orange sunset. Hope hated the way she couldn’t ignore the way they lit up the room- and in this case, the forest.

[adenei]

I would love to read Romione fluff with “I feel like I’m in the clouds when I’m with you.” 😍

Hi anon! I’m so glad you asked for this one because it fit right in with a story I’d thought of not too long ago, but hadn’t gotten to write! I hope you enjoy this fluffy pieces. I’ll let you decide whether or not it’s canon :)

**********************************************

I feel like I’m in the clouds when I’m with you

Ron had just flown down from the quidditch pitch as Hermione stood waiting for him at the entrance of the locker room. It was a beautiful afternoon in early June. 

“I thought you were just going to clean out your quidditch locker?” Hermione asked with an amused look on her face.

“I did,” Ron pointed to the bag at the door as he dismounted from his broom. “It was too beautiful to not at least have one go around the pitch.”

“That’s true. Are you ready, then?” Hermione asked him.

“Sure,” he said as he grabbed his bag. “Where are we headed?”

“You’ll see,” Hermione told him as she turned around and tried to hide her smile. She grabbed his arm playfully and began heading back towards the castle. Harry and Ginny were once again off on their own somewhere on the grounds, which left Ron and Hermione to their own devices. She wanted to sit by the lake, and had the perfect spot in mind. 

She led him around the curve of the lake a ways up from the pitch. It was where the brush thickened, but there was a small opening that had a path leading inside it. Instead of going left as they usually would, Hermione veered right towards the opening. 

“Hermione, where are we going?” Ron asked.

Good, he’s never been down here before, Hermione thought to herself. “There’s a clearing up ahead that overlooks the lake. It’s quiet and out of the way, which I thought would be perfect for studying.”

Just as she’d finished explaining, the path widened, and sure enough there was a decent stretch of green grass before the the terrain turned to rocks and sand at the lakeshore. Up head, the brush made it’s way back to the lake to form a sort of semi-circle around the area. That’s why it couldn’t be seen from the castle. The sun shone brightly, and there was a blanket spread out where Hermione’s things had already been laid out. 

“Whoa, Hermione how’d you find out about this place? It’s brilliant.” Ron looked around in amazement.

“Oh, I discovered it a while back.” Ron didn’t need to know that this is where she’d spent time with Viktor one afternoon during the spring of fourth year. The ship had been docked nearby, and this was where the Durmstrang students often spent time when they weren’t on the boat.

She walked over and laid down, facing the sky. The clouds were white and puffy, which made for a beautiful backdrop against he blue sky. Ron laid down next to her, putting his arms behind his head. “I thought you wanted to study?”

“Yes, at some point, sure. I’d rather just enjoy the sunshine for now.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?” he asked playfully. 

She laughed at his words. “What? I can act like a normal teenager when I want to, you know.”

“Can you, though?” Ron was leading her on, mischief in his eyes.

“Of course I can! I could go this whole day with no studying and just goofing off if I really wanted to.”

“I’d like to see that!”

“Is that a challenge?” she propped herself up on her elbow to get a good look at him.

“Yeah, I think it is.”

“Fine. What do you want to do?” Hermione asked him.

Ron thought for a moment. He was perfectly content staying right here and talking with her. “I’m happy doing this.”

“Okay, but what else?” Hermione pressed him further. Because apparently laying there and staring at the sky wasn’t enough for that busy brain of hers.

Ron laughed at her question. “What do you mean ‘what else’? Do we really need to do more than just sit here and talk? Or am I not interesting enough to talk to anymore?”

“Of course you’re interesting enough!” Hermione said quickly. “I just didn’t know what you wanted to talk about…”

She had a point. It wasn’t like they’d run out of things to talk about, but their reunited friendship was still fragile and neither wanted to ruin things. “How about we just ask each other random questions, and the first one who can’t give an answer loses?” Ron asked. He’d overheard the twins doing that once with Lee to pass the time on the train, and it seemed like a good idea. 

“Loses? Loses what?” Hermione seemed interested. That was a good start. 

“Oh, I don’t know. The game?”

“Well obviously, but what does the winner get?”

“Umm..how about the winner decides what we do tomorrow?”

Hermione thought about his proposition. “I think that will work.”

“Oh. Alright, you start if you want.” Ron figured he’d follow the ‘ladies first’ rule.

“Okay, but let me get this clear. We’re trying to stump the other person out of answering truthfully, right?”

“Reckon we’re making up the game as we go, so whatever you want.”

Hermione returned his words with a sly grin of her own. “Okay, what’s the cheesiest pick up line you can think of given the current location?”

“What the-?” he was staring right at Hermione. So, she wasn’t messing around, was she? Fine then! He looked around rapidly and noticed the clouds in the sky. “I feel like I’m in the clouds when I’m with you.” He grinned at her. 

His answer made her giggle. Hermione Granger was actually giggling at him. “Okay, that was pretty good.”

“I have my moments,” he said puffing his chest out with pride. “How did you actually learn about this spot?”

Her face fell slightly. Of course her own rules were to come back and bite her in the arse. “Remember that one time in fourth year? I told you I was going to spend the afternoon with Viktor?” Her cheeks became very pink. “Well, this was the spot wher we hung out.” She noticed Ron’s face instantly turn sour. “But we only studied! I swear! This was the area all the Durmstrang students hung around because the ship was stationed just over there. So there were a lot of people around. I just didn’t care for people stopping and staring, starting rumors from their assumptions, and he didn’t like the attention, either,” Hermione said quickly.

“Alright, then,” Ron said. He seemed to relax a bit at her words.

“What do you think will happen after we’re through with Hogwarts?” Hermione asked. It was another question that took Ron off guard, but this time it was for a different reason. 

“I don’t know, actually. I haven’t given it much thought. I hope I’ll get into the Auror program, but I suppose I could always work for Fred and George if I needed money in the meantime.”

“But what about us? How often would we see each other after Hogwarts?” Hermione questioned.

“Ah, Hermione, you asked your question. I believe it’s my turn.” He saw a slight pout on her lips that he thought was adorable. “I like those questions, so how about you answer them. What about us after Hogwarts?”

“Oh, you sneaky little…” Hermione started as Ron gave a lopsided grin. “Well, I suppose it would depend on the situation. If you’re in auror training, I’d probably rarely see you. Especially because when you do have free time, you’ll want to spend them with your family and...well, I’m sure you won’t have time for me.”

“That’s not true at all!” Ron was trying to decipher her words. Did she mean to say ‘..and girlfriend’? He didn’t have a girlfriend. He wanted her as his girlfriend, and even with the book the twins had given him, he was still struggling to make that happen. “We’d still see each other loads of times! Unless you go off and make new fancy Ministry friends, or- or met someone of your own.. But maybe Harry would invite us to live with him at Grimmauld Place. We can clean it up, and then we’d still see each other all the time,” Ron suggested, getting away from the idea of Hermione finding a boyfriend. The thought made his blood boil.

Her furrowed brows turned up as she smiled at Ron’s thought. “That would be brilliant, actually. Of course, this is all assuming that we get through next year unscathed. Plus, there’s the whole Voldemort thing.”

“Let’s pretend that’s not a factor, yeah? More fun to think about when he’s not looming over futures,” Ron suggested.

“Yeah, you’re right. What about marriage and a family of your own. Do you want that someday?”

“Yeah, course I do. As long as it’s with the right person,” Ron said honestly. “You?”

Hermione smiled softly, feeling the gaze of his ice blue eyes on her. “Yes, same for me. How about kids? How many?” Hermione couldn’t help but feel like something was building between them. Sure, they’d had serious, somewhat intimate conversations before, but they’d never been this candid about ‘future’ stuff before. She had to keep reminding herself that this was just a stupid game to stump the other from answering their question so they could choose tomorrow’s activity.

“I think two would be more than enough. Seven’s way too many. You?”

“Really? See, I was thinking eight! You know, being an only child and all, maybe I should try out the whole ‘large family’ thing.” Hermione held her breath as she watched Ron’s reaction to her answer. He didn’t know how to respond to that, so he just stared at her wide eyed until she burst out laughing. “I’m only kidding! Definitely no more than two. I don’t know how your mum managed childbirth seven times!”

Ron exhaled, laughing with her. “You really had me there for a mo’.”

“The look on your face was priceless,” Hermione bent over.

“Yeah, I can’t say I pegged you as the ‘large family’ type. Glad we’re on the same page, though.” Ron didn’t even realize the words had slipped out as Hermione froze.

“Wh-what?” she asked, her voice higher pitched than normal. 

Ron’s entire face became blotchy red as he realized what he’d said. “I- er- I- Just meant we both agreed fewer kids for when we- er- with whoever we choose…” That definitely wasn’t the best save, but the insinuation he’d just made about he and Hermione having kids together had thrown him.

“Did you ever think about kids with Lavender?” Hermione asked him quietly.

“No.” Ron said almost instantly. He was repulsed by Hermione even asking the question. If he was being honest, Ron was a bit disappointed that Hermione’s reaction hadn’t helped solidify anything surrounding her feelings for him. If they were indeed there. “Do you think the person you’re going to end up with is here? At Hogwarts, I mean.”

“Yes,” Hermione said wihout hesitation. “I mean, if I had my way. Why? Do I need your approval?” Hermione asked him boldy.

“Well, someone’s got to make sure he won’t break your heart. So if Harry won’t do it, then yeah, reckon you would.” Ron tried to make it a joke, but there was an undertone of sincerity that wasn’t lost on Hermione.

She smiled at his words, actually smiled, which threw Ron for another loop. “You’re smiling? I thought you’d get on your soap box about how I can’t tell you how you can or can’t date,” Ron said, sounding surprised.

“Let’s just say I’m really confident that you’d approve of him,” Hermione chose her words carefully.

Ron considered her statement for a moment before responding with, “I hate to break it to you, Hermione, but Harry seems pretty happy with Ginny, and he’s probably the only person I’d approve of. Except maybe Neville. The rest of the blokes are downright...well...blokes.”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Only those two? There’s no one else you’d approve of?” Was Ron imagining it or had Hermione’s face gotten closer to his own. He could smell the peppermint on her breath now. He chanced a glance down at her lips. I mean, obviously he’d approve of himself. Wait…

He looked back up into Hermione’s eyes, trying to read her. To figure out what she wanted. She was so close now. It would be easy just to...he leaned in and grazed his lips against hers. He heard her breath hitch in her throat, but she didn’t slap him. She didn’t even back away. Ron leaned back slightly and said, “Well, I guess there is one other person I’d be okay with you seeing.”

“Oh?” Hermione said breathily.

“Yeah…” Ron said, without further explanation. To kiss her or not to kiss her? The internal struggle was killing him. What a time to be indecisive.

“Ron? Are you going to tell me?” Hermione sat dazedly, waiting for his answer. Sod it, he thought, and this time he leaned in, not overthinking anything anymore. This time, his lips pressed against hers firmly. She responded in kind. He pulled away. 

“Do you still need more of an explanation?” he asked her.

“N-no,” she said. “As long as that was your seal of approval,” she added.

“Sure was,” Ron said, letting the happiness finally take over.

“I don’t reckon we should tell anyone, though. I may get murdered in my dorm room if a certain someone suspects something.” Hermione said.

“You’re probably right..especially with Harry and You-Know-Who.” Ron agreed.

“Well, at least he and Ginny will keep each other occupied so we can spend time together without being questioned.” Hermione reasoned.

“That’s true.” 

Just then the bell chimed from the high tower, which indicated it was time for the students to head back in for dinner.

“That time already?” Ron asked. They got up and Hermione made to fold the blanket and place it in her bag.

“Doesn’t seem like we were out here very long,” Hermione agreed. “Guess we’ll just have to pick up where we left off tomorrow?” she gave him a shy grin.

“I think that can be arranged,” Ron matched her smile with his own. “Assuming your studying can wait…” he held out his hand for her as they made their way back to the castle. Finally, things were looking up.

[trashforgubler]

My Cell

Word Count: 1.7k

Summary: Spencer falls in love with the reader, who is the owner of a bookstore

Extra Info: Titled after “My Cell” by the Lumineers, which is one of my favorite songs ever, 11/10 should listen. Also the book I mention in here is one of my all time favs if you’re looking for a recommendation 

Requests: Open

masterpost

Spencer had a thing for books. At least, that’s what he told himself as he was walking into Bastet Books for the third time this week. Even though this bookstore was on the other side of town, and there were exactly three other book stores that were considerably closer to his apartment. He told himself this bookstore was better, even though the other ones had far greater selections (and lower prices). He told himself that he liked the white cat with one blue eye and one green eye that greeted him at the door every time he came in, and it had nothing to do with you thank you very much. 

 Of course, he had noticed that you were… attractive. But attraction is nothing but science. Anyone would be attracted to someone as beautiful as you were. The way your hands gently cradled the books in your arms as you restocked them on the shelf. The way your eyebrow furrowed slightly as you read, making you look lost in another world. Anyone would notice the smell of lavender and Old Spice as you walked by, excusing yourself with a soft voice and a shy smile, your bright eyes darting theirs as they moved past. This is what Spencer used to explain the butterflies that flew around in his stomach every time he saw you at the cash register. 

He did not have a crush on you, he was just observant.

 And as Spencer walked out of the bookstore with an armful of true crime and a copy of Twilight (in Russian of course, as he doesn’t read fiction in English, but still takes his friend’s recommendations), he realized he was going to have to think of some more reasons why he drives the extra 20 minutes to this bookstore, because the persistent itch in his eyes and nose were telling him he may be allergic to cats. 

 Three days later Spencer was back at the bookstore. The same bookstore that was an inconvenient distance away and had an animal that he was definitely allergic to. He told himself he got allergy medicine because there may be other times where it might come in handy and going into the bookstore was a good way to test it out anyway.

 The bell on the door welcomed him in. As always, he immediately looked to the cash register, secretly hoping to see you. No, I’m not hoping anything Spencer assured himself. Although his own mind contradicted this thought as he found himself disappointed when he laid eyes on not you, but an older man with a scraggly beard behind the counter. Funny, he thought for sure you worked on Thursdays. But he began browsing the shelves anyway because he was certainly here to buy books and that did not change based on who was working.

 He made his way to a section he hasn’t been down before: Historical Fiction. Usually, he preferred to keep historical and fiction books separate from each other, as he found the inaccuracies to be outraging when the two were mixed together. But he had already read all of the historical books in the store by now, and as he found last time, he was not a fan of complete fiction. Even in Russian.

 His long fingers traced the dusty spines on the shelves as he read each title to himself. The quiet music echoing down the empty aisle made him smile slightly, another reason he loved this store. The others were boring and dead silent. Stepping into them felt like walking around a prestigious museum more than a bookstore. Not here. Here, there was the strum of acoustic music that made everything feel alive. Small conversations could be heard from other aisles, and he liked how they stacked the books here. Not just on the shelves, but on top of them, and on coffee tables placed sporadically throughout the room. There were even books on the windowsills, as if the store were so bursting with words and stories they couldn’t be confined to a single space. 

 Spencer picked up a book from the top of the shelf: The Secret History by Donna Tartt. It was clearly used; the cover was bent at the corner and the spine was broken in several places. It was even starting to rip at the bottom. These were his favorite books. Ones that were read by so many people it was starting to fall apart but seemed to stay together just for him.

 “That’s a great book.”

 Spencer turned to the voice, but he knew he didn’t need to. He would recognize the softness of the words and the smell of lavender anywhere. You were standing near him, a box of newly shipped books in your arms, ready to shelve. Except the box was marked Contemporary, not Historical Fiction. Maybe it was this minute detail, the one that meant you had walked into the aisle he was in just to see what he was reading that gave him the courage to respond.

 “Yeah, it looks good. I think I’m gonna buy it.”

 He pretended to study the cover again. He wanted to keep talking, he really did, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. 

 “You’re Spencer, right?”

 Spencer looked up again and nodded, trying to keep his face and body language casual, even though he could hear his heartbeat in his ears. 

 “You’re in here a lot, aren’t you?”

 Spencer nodded again. Say something, he scolded himself. 

 “Yeah, I uh, really like to read.”

 He mentally slapped himself. Could he have picked something more stupid to say?

 “I can tell,” you said with a smile. God, you had such a beautiful smile. “I’m Y/N by the way.” You shifted the box of books into one arm and extended your hand to him. He shook it without thinking about all the germs that might be on it. For the first time in years, the thought never crossed his mind. Maybe it was because you were different than other people. Other people were germy and even the thought of touching their hands revolted him enough to spit statistics at them, lectures on how he would rather kiss a stranger on the lips than shake their hand if given the choice. The touch of your hand made him want to melt.

You stood in silence for a few seconds, smiling at each other politely. Spencer began to rock on the balls of his feet slightly, usure of what else to do. He should not be feeling nervous, but he was

 “Well, let me know if you need anything,” you said finally and leave the aisle.

 As soon as you were out of sight, Spencer rubbed furiously at his eyes. What was that? He interviews serial killers for a living but can’t have a coherent conversation with someone he likes? No, I don’t like them, he assured himself. Liking someone means going on dates and doing other things with them, and Spencer does not do that. He ignores the persistent voice in his head telling he would actually very much enjoy doing those things with you.

 A small purring object presses against the bottom of his pant leg, tickling his ankles. He looks down and sees the cat, rubbing his body against him. Spencer bends down and pets the top of his head, absently wondering if you had noticed that his hands had been shaking during the 30-second interaction. He looks back down at the cat and sees that they’re wearing a collar, Bastet it reads. Spencer smiled to himself. There seemed to be something unignorably adorable about naming a bookstore after your cat, and naming your cat after the Egyptian god of cats. Spencer liked the idea that there was someone just as nerdy as him.

 He gave Bastet a quick kiss on the top of the head and left the aisle. He turned right to go to the cash register but stopped when he saw who it was. Scraggly beard guy was gone, and instead, you were chatting with a customer as you bagged their items. Immediately, Spencer’s heartbeat picked up once again, and the butterflies returned to his stomach. Stop. He told himself. I will not let you get nervous over someone you don’t even like. When it was his turn, he put The Secret History on the counter and pulled the bills out of his wallet. 

 “Spencer, long time no see.” you joked. You scanned his book and took the bills from his hand. He would be lying if he said his heart didn’t jump when your soft fingers grazed his.

 Spencer forced himself to return the laugh even though he felt like throwing up. Why did he feel like throwing up? He avoided eye contact by shuffling the bills around his wallet until you returned the book to him. You opened your mouth to say something, but Spencer cut you off with a hasty, “Have a nice day!” before speed walking out of the store. He told himself it was because he didn’t want to hold up the line with another conversation, but he knew deep down if he looked at you for one second longer he would say things that were not rational, and Spencer was always rational. 

---

That night when Spencer tucked himself into bed and opened up the book, his receipt fell out of the first page and onto his chest. Only the receipt had something written on it in neat blue ink. 

 Spencer,

I’m not sure how to say this, so I’ll let someone better at words than I am say it instead (I’m a reader and not a writer for a reason). Read the poem "A Stranger" by Lang Leav. It’s one of my favorites and every time I read it, I find myself thinking of you. 

-         Y/N

 But Spencer didn’t have to read the poem, because he’s read it many times before. And every time he did, he found himself thinking of you. He smiled as he finally welcomed the butterflies and racing heart wholly at the thought of your name. And before he drifted off to sleep, he recited the poem in his head, and with every line he thought, a new butterfly appeared.

 There is a love I reminisce,

Like a seed

I've never sown.

 Or lips that I am yet to kiss,

and eyes

not met my own.

 Hands that wrap around my wrists,

and arms

that feel like home.

 I wonder how it is I miss,

these things

I've never known.

 Maybe falling in love, was not so scary after all. 

[twoidiotwriters1]

Written In The Stars XCII (Harry Potter xF!Oc)

A/N: :)

Words: 4,243

Series’ Masterlist

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

Liste to: Under The Last Falling Star -by Matthew Perryman Jones

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Milestone.

"You said you'd already worked out that egg clue!" said Hermione indignantly.

"Keep your voice down! I just need to — sort of fine-tune it, all right?"

Mel snorted, sending a pillow directly to its target.

They were supposed to be practicing the opposite of the Summoning Charm today — the Banishing Charm. Owing to the potential for nasty accidents when objects kept flying across the room, Professor Flitwick had given each student a stack of cushions on which to practice, the theory being that these wouldn't hurt anyone if they went off target. It was a good theory, but it wasn't working very well. Neville's aim was so poor that he kept accidentally sending much heavier things flying across the room — Professor Flitwick, for instance.

"Just forget the egg for a minute, all right?" Harry hissed as Professor Flitwick went whizzing resignedly past them, landing on top of a large cabinet. "I'm trying to tell you about Snape and Moody..."

This class was an ideal cover for a private conversation, as everyone was having far too much fun to pay them any attention. Harry had been recounting his adventures of the previous night in whispered installments for the last half hour.

"Snape said Moody's searched his office as well?" Ron whispered, his eyes alight with interest as he Banished a cushion with a sweep of his wand (it soared into the air and knocked Parvati's hat off). "What... d'you reckon Moody's here to keep an eye on Snape as well as Karkaroff?"

"Well, I dunno if that's what Dumbledore asked him to do, but he's definitely doing it," said Harry, waving his wand without paying much attention, so that his cushion did an odd sort of belly flop off the desk. "Moody said Dumbledore only lets Snape stay here because he's giving him a second chance or something..."

"What?" said Ron, his eyes widening, his next cushion spinning high into the air, ricocheting off the chandelier, and dropping heavily onto Flitwick's desk. "Harry... maybe Moody thinks Snape put your name in the Goblet of Fire!"

"Oh Ron," said Hermione, shaking her head sceptically, "we thought Snape was trying to kill Harry before, and it turned out he was saving Harry's life, remember?"

"Whatever he did before, it must've been quite badly if it already made him lost his first chance, Dumbledore is usually quite forgiving..."

"I don't care what Moody says," Hermione continued. "Dumbledore's not stupid. He was right to trust Hagrid and Professor Lupin, even though loads of people wouldn't have given them jobs, so why shouldn't he be right about Snape, even if Snape is a bit —"

"— evil," said Ron. "Come on, Hermione, why are all these Dark wizard catchers searching his office, then?"

"Why has Mr Crouch been pretending to be ill? It's a bit funny, isn't it, that he can't manage to come to the Yule Ball, but he can get up here in the middle of the night when he wants to?"

"You just don't like Crouch because of that elf, Winky."

"You just want to think Snape's up to something."

"I just want to know what Snape did with his first chance, if he's on his second one, like Mel said," said Harry. He did a quick movement and his cushion flew across the room and landed swiftly.

"Look at that!" Mel smiled. "You're finally catching up, Glasses!"

After her talk with Flint, she felt she was lucky to have something as unimportant as a crush as her major issue. Actually, she just thought she was lucky, period. To have the opportunity to fall in love with someone who cared for her -though maybe not as much as she did- someone who was her best friend, wasn't something to be sad about.

Harry told them the strange announcement the golden egg gave him, apparently, he'd have to face the merpeople while looking for something they were meant to take away from him. It was starting to be a problem and Mel wanted nothing more but to find a solution, she was glad that when Valentine's day arrived, they were too busy with their research for any of them to actually notice. She only knew it because it was her mother's birthday and she had to send her present first thing in the morning. Hermione however, found herself having quite a lovely -and secret- date with Victor Krum, while Mel made sure to keep Ron and Harry in the library for the whole day.

At nine o'clock Mel was in the common room next to Neville doing their potions homework, quietly going through their answers she tried not to think about the previous February and how even though she wasn't expecting anything, she couldn't help but feel disappointed over the fact that she and Harry would never spend one of those as a couple.

"Hi..."

Mel gave a start, looking up from her parchment she found Harry.

"Hello," Mel picked up her bag from the chair so he could sit. "Any luck?"

"Nothing," He sat down beside her with a heavy sigh. "I'm going to lose..."

"If I were a prat," She said, scribbling the last few sentences of her work. "I'd say I told you so because you should've done your research earlier... but I'm not a prat, so I'll say this: It's going to be okay. You're a fast learner, I bet you'll figure this out in no time."

She grabbed his hand and squeezed lightly before turning back to her paper and skim through it to look for any mistakes.

"I'll be going to bed now," Neville told her, putting his things away and standing up. "Happy Valentine's by the way, hope I didn't interrupt your plans or anything..."

She gave him a puzzled look, smiling. "What plans?"

"I don't know, Valentine's day..?" He shrugged, pointing vaguely to them.

Mel turned to see Harry, she realized they were still holding hands. Begging for the earth to swallow her, she retreated her hand and cleared her throat awkwardly. "We, uh- we aren't dating, Neville."

"Oh," Neville blushed. "I'm sorry... it's just– you went to the ball together and I... I'm sorry guys..."

"It's okay," Harry smiled tightly.

Neville left them in the middle of tense silence. Mel slowly put away each of her quills, parchment and ink, she felt like every movement had an echo of her friend's words. Funny how everyone always thought they were dating even if they hadn't kissed in public. Maybe the rest thought they just weren't fond of doing so.

Ironically, far from feeling ashamed, Mel felt the tiniest hope creeping up her chest, maybe Harry would warm up to the idea if everyone just kept insisting that they looked cute together, maybe he'd end up agreeing? Maybe she should listen to Hermione and flirt back to see where it'd take her..?

No! It was out of the question, their friendship was first.

Harry cleared his throat. "I know we don't... you know, together?"

"What?" Mel blinked, not knowing what he was trying to say.

"Do our friends ask you if we're dating as much as they ask me?" He asked quietly.

What was he up to?

What was he trying to do, asking questions like that?

"A few times," She tried to sound as collected as possible. "Parvati and Lavender... Angelina did it once, I think the twins pushed her to... it's silly, we're a little– er, cuddly," She cringed at the word, but kept going, "doesn't mean... you know..."

"Yes," Harry nodded, anxiously biting the tip of a quill. She was too distraught to let him now the quill was hers. "What d'you think?"

"About what they say? As I said, it's silly–"

"About dating," He then added in a hurry. "Not us! But... er– dating someone who's a friend, I mean... you think it'd be stupid?"

Mel looked at him, really looked at him for the first time since the year had started. The dark circles under his eyes from nights spent worrying, his hair a mess –but that was normal– and his gaze clouded with anxiety, yet, there was something else peering through...

'If you could see the way he looks at you...'

She wanted nothing more than to see this from an outsider's point of view. Someone older that knew how love looks like. No more wondering...

"Glasses," Her voice sounded like it could break at any moment. "I have no idea."

She had to admit that at that moment, something was whispering in her ear that eventually, they would find their answer.

"I don't reckon it can be done," said Ron's voice flatly from the other side of the table. "There's nothing. Nothing. Closest was that thing to dry up puddles and ponds, that Drought Charm, but that was nowhere near powerful enough to drain the lake."

"There must be something," Hermione muttered, moving a candle closer to her. Her eyes were so tired she was poring over the tiny print of Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes with her nose about an inch from the page. "They'd never have set a task that was undoable."

"They have," said Ron. "Harry, just go down to the lake tomorrow, right, stick your head in, yell at the merpeople to give back whatever they've nicked, and see if they chuck it out. Best you can do, mate."

"There's a way of doing it!" Hermione said crossly. "There just has to be!"

"You guys are a headache," Mel growled, rubbing her temples.

"I know what I should have done," said Harry, facedown on an open book. "I should've learned to be an Animagus like Sirius."

Mel snorted. "Oh, really? Why didn't we think of that?"

"You could've turned into a goldfish any time you wanted!" said Ron.

"Or a frog," Harry replied tiredly.

"It takes years to become an Animagus, and then you have to register yourself and everything," said Hermione, clearly ignoring they weren't being serious. "Professor McGonagall told us, remember... you've got to register yourself with the Improper Use of Magic Office... what animal you become, and your markings, so you can't abuse it..."

"Hermione, I was joking. I know I haven't got a chance of turning into a frog by tomorrow morning..."

"As a side note, though, registering is optional," Mel added distractedly.

"No, it's not," Hermione scowled.

"It is if you got the nerve..."

"Oh this is no use," Hermione closed her book roughly. "Who on earth wants to make their nose hair grow into ringlets?"

"I wouldn't mind," Fred Weasley walked out of a corner next to George. "Be a talking point, wouldn't it?"

"What're you two doing here?" Ron asked.

"Looking for you," said George. "McGonagall wants you, Mel. And Hermione."

"Why?"

"Dunno... she was looking a bit grim, though," said Fred.

"We're supposed to take you down to her office."

The girls looked at Ron and Harry. "Perhaps it has to do with our last work for Transfiguration? Maybe she thinks we copied?"

"We have the same book! Of course, some things might be similar!" Hermione exclaimed in outrage.

"Perhaps she doesn't want you to help me anymore," Harry said. "Maybe she thinks it's unfair..."

"We'll meet you back in the common room," Hermione assure them. "Bring as many of these books as you can, okay?"

"Right," said the boys.

"Don't lose hope," Mel said, glancing at him one last time before following the twins.

"I'm sorry, Professor," Mel said. "We're going to what?"

"The task is very clear, Miss Dumbledore," McGonagall repeated calmly. "The champions must rescue their loved ones from the lake, it's a simple spell and it'll break as soon as you touch the surface. Don't be alarmed, there's no way you could get hurt."

"But the..." Mel looked at Hermione. "Why us?"

"Well, it surprises me that you have to ask that," McGonagall looked at her over her glasses, "who else, if not you?"

"But we're..." She looked at Hermione again, still confused. "The two of us? How come we're Harry's loved ones?"

"Oh no," The woman replied like it was stupid to think they were. "Miss Granger is here for Krum if I'm correct?"

Hermione turned a deep scarlet shade. "I s'pose so," She said quietly.

Mel was having a hard time understanding what was about to happen, so she couldn't find it in herself to tease the girl.

"So if all doubts have been cleared, could you please come with me to the Headmaster's office?"

The girls followed her, Cho Chang and little blonde girl standing side by side looked as overwhelmed as them.

"Hi," Cho said.

"Oh, you're here," Dumbledore smiled at them. Madame Maxime, Bagman, Percy Weasley and Karkaroff were there as well. "Has Professor McGonagall explained everything?"

Mel and Hermione nodded quietly.

"Brilliant!" Bagman smiled widely. "So then Dumbledore, I think we should do it now..."

Mel turned to look at Hermione in panic. "I'm going to die."

"You're not."

"Harry has no idea of what's about to happen or how to fight back," Mel stated. "I'm a goner."

"D'you really think Dumbledore would let you die?"

That calmed her a bit, but she still felt awful for Harry. "I hope this doesn't make him more nervous than he already is..."

They watched as the little girl -who had to be related to Fleur- fell unconscious. McGonagall summoned a stretcher and they laid her there. Cho gave them a nervous smile.

"Bad time to be dating, huh?"

Hermione returned the smile, Mel felt a strange sense of pride mixed with embarrassment. Cho was dating Cedric, but not only that, she thought Mel and Harry were dating as well. She felt so guilty for disliking her before!

When Hermione finally laid next to Cho and the girl, Mel knew it was time to get a hold of herself and accept this was happening, look less afraid than how she was feeling. Dumbledore didn't need to say anything, with just a look she got all the information she needed. No matter what, things would turn out the way they had to. She needn't be afraid. One second she was staring into his kind blue eyes, and then...

She was pushed back into reality under the sunlight, her mouth opened and she gasped for air, blinking furiously to get rid of the droplets blurring her eyesight.

"Don't like this, don't like this," She felt her stomach drop at the realization that she was still in the water and her feet weren't the ground, every time she moved she would sink a little, spitting out water as she did.

Around her, the merpeople were swimming comfortably, and they were all wearing the same amused grin. Only then she was aware of the firm grip on her waist and the gasps of air coming from her left.

"Harry!" She held onto him, neither of them was good swimming. Her confusion increased when she saw the blonde girl with them as well. "What..?"

"C'mon," Harry breathed, "help me with her, I don't think she can swim very well."

Mel helped him without question until they reached the closest platform. Madam Pomfrey was there checking the champions and their companions, Erick -and Ron, who for some reason was there as well- helped Harry to pull the girls to the surface.

Ron helped the little girl and handed her a thick towel and a blanket, though he did it distractedly, looking at Harry with a frown.

"What did you bring her for?"

"Fleur didn't turn up, I couldn't leave her," Harry climbed up with difficulty.

"Harry, you prat," Ron rolled his eyes annoyingly, "you didn't take that song thing seriously, did you? Dumbledore wouldn't have let any of them drown!"

Harry frowned. "The song said —"

"It was only to make sure you got back inside the time limit! I hope you didn't waste time down there acting the hero!" His best friend scolded. Mel had a feeling, that it was exactly what he'd done.

Erick unfolded a blanket and covered her shoulders with it, as he leaned he whispered, "I hope this cleared things out for you..."

"W-What'd you mean?" She stammered.

"You idiot," The boy replied with exasperation, "think a bit! The only champion that didn't save their partner was Fleur, the rest had to save their girlfriends, what does that say about Harry?"

Mel opened her mouth, but nothing came out of it, instead, she was distracted by Fleur's screams.

"Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Is she alive? Is she 'urt?"

"She's fine," Harry sighed, he looked exhausted.

"It was ze grindylows... zey attacked me... oh Gabrielle, I thought... I thought..."

"Come here, you," said Madam Pomfrey. She seized both Harry and Mel and pulled them over to Hermione and the others forcing a measure of potion down their throats. Steam gushed out of their ears in no time.

"Harry, well done!" Hermione exclaimed. "You did it, you found out how all by yourself!"

"Well —" Harry looked at them, and then at Karkaroff, who was behind them, and gulped. "Yeah, that's right..."

'He's lying', Mel thought, but she was so happy to be back on solid ground that she didn't comment on it.

"You haff a water beetle in your hair, Herm-own-ninny," Krum said dubiously.

Hermione brushed away the beetle impatiently, "You're well outside the time limit, though, Harry... Did it take you ages to find us?"

"No... I found you okay..." He seemed aggravated every time someone asked him about his journey. Mel was curious, but between her own adrenaline and what Erick insinuated, she couldn't find the right thing to say.

Dumbledore was calmy talking with the leader of the merpeople. She was screeching back and forth with the old man, it looked funny, but Mel figured that he had to be talking mermish. When he stood up, he said, "A conference before we give the marks, I think."

"Harry," She said, finally starting to catch up with her surroundings, "what did you do?"

Harry gave her a grumpy look, but before he could reply, Fleur walked up to them.

"Look after Gabrielle," She told Madame Pomfrey sternly, then she looked back at the group. "You saved 'er," she said to Harry in shock. "Even though she was not your 'ostage."

"Yeah," Harry pouted.

Fleur kissed Harry twice on each cheek without hesitation. She then turned to Mel and Ron. "And you — you 'elped —"

"Yeah," said Ron, beaming at her, "yeah, a bit —"

Fleur kissed both of them just like she'd done with Harry. Mel felt a nice, pleasant tug at the base of her stomach, Hermione was fuming.

"Hey, what are you doing here anyway?" Mel asked Ron.

"Dumbledore picked me to be your replacement!" He smirked. "I'm a member of the committee."

"It's been a blast," Erick said with sarcasm. "Never had more fun in my life, Ron's a sight for sore eyes."

"Likewise, you prick," Ron retorted, but he was too happy about Fleur's kisses to actually care.

Ludo Bagman's voice boomed out with the results.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision. Merchieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows... Fleur Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm, was attacked by grindylows as she approached her goal, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her twenty-five points."

"I deserved zero," said Fleur reproachfully.

"Oh, don't be so hard on yourself," Mel pouted, then hissed when Hermione pinched her arm.

"Cedric Diggory, who also used the Bubble-Head Charm, was first to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour. We, therefore, award him forty-seven points." The crowd went mad, clapping happily at Cedric success, Mel did too, quite happy for him. This seemed to worsen Harry's mood, but she failed to notice.

"Viktor Krum used an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective and was second to return with his hostage. We award him forty points... Harry Potter used gillyweed to great effect, he returned last, and well outside the time limit of an hour. However, the Merchieftainess informs us that Mr Potter was first to reach the hostages and that the delay in his return was due to his determination to return all hostages to safety, not merely his own."

Ron and Hermione both gave Harry frustrated expressions that didn't look completely surprised about this. Mel, on the other hand, looked at him beaming, if there was ever a moment when Mel felt extremely attracted to him, this was it.

"You stayed?" She asked. "To make sure they were safe?"

"Don't start," He grumbled, completely missing her admiration.

"Most of the judges," Bagman continued, "feel that this shows moral fibre and merits full marks. However... Mr Potter's score is forty-five points."

Harry's eyes widened and he looked back at his friends, who were all clapping excitedly.

"There you go, Harry!" Ron shouted. "You weren't being thick after all — you were showing moral fibre!"

Mel laughed openly, relief washing over her as she pulled Harry in for a kiss (on the cheek) to which he blushed madly. Everyone except Krum and Karkaroff celebrated.

"The third and final task will take place at dusk on the twenty-fourth of June," continued Bagman. "The champions will be notified of what is coming precisely one month beforehand. Thank you all for your support of the champions."

"It's done," Mel sighed.

"It's done," Harry nodded in a daze.

That night she couldn't bring herself to sleep, she tossed and turned in her bed and decided to go to the common room and read a bit, maybe that would calm her. As she walked into the room, she found Harry on his own.

"Hey," He looked up and smiled. "Can't sleep, my nerves haven't slowed down..."

"Yeah, me too," She slowly made her way to him and sat down, shoulder to shoulder.

Grey appeared out of nowhere and jumped onto Mel's lap. She chuckled quietly before scratching his ears. "So..." She started, "you must be very proud of your moral fibre..."

"Bugger off," He grinned. "I got lucky, that's all..."

"You did," She nodded. "Care to tell me what happened?"

Harry explained to her that Dobby woke him up in the library, handed him a bunch of jellyweed and told him the basics of the task.

"Hey, that reminds me!" She said. "You never showed me your socks! You know, the ones Dobby made for you..."

"I'll wear them tomorrow to honour him," He said happily, "How does that sound?"

"Lovely," Mel smiled.

They were once again silent, although it didn't mean they didn't want to speak. For the first time in a while, Harry dared to be forward.

"I got scared when Dobby told me you were taken," He was stroking Grey's back. "I know that makes me an idiot, but I really thought you were in danger..."

"I don't think you're an idiot," She said. "I think you're great."

"Everyone's right when they say I'm too young," He shook his head. "Bet the others didn't believe the song was real..."

"Fleur looked quite scared if you ask me."

He shook his head again. "I'm barely making it through, I won't win."

"You don't have to win, Glasses," She said softly. "You don't need to prove anything, as long as you're satisfied with your work."

"You're not mad that I lost?"

"Why?" She said in amusement. "Get mad because you waited for the others? That was such a selfless thing to do! It'd be really shitty to be mad at the person who saved my life... again."

Harry's smile shifted into a teasing smirk. "So you admit that I've saved your life multiple times?"

"Never said you hadn't..."

"You're grateful that I'm always there to help?"

"What do you want me to say?" She laughed.

He stared at her for a second too long, the playful glint vanished.

"I don't like Joseph," He blurted out, "I don't like Erick either, but not because of his house."

Harry leaned forward and Mel leaned back, not knowing what was going on.  

"I thought they liked you and that was annoying," He continued, "because I like you, and I have nothing."

Something in her dropped and expanded until every inch of her skin tingled with anticipation.

"That's not true," She said quietly, but Harry wasn't listening, he was ready to let every thought out.

"I'm not tall! Not tall at all! I wear glasses– Erick's hair is always nice, his cousin looks like he stepped out of your novels– And... and they speak French!"

"Harry–"

"–Fred and George are popular too, they make you laugh... I just get you in trouble and drive you mad–"

"Harry!"

"–You've almost died at least four times thanks to me, of course you wouldn't like me– not when all I do is get you hurt–"

"Glasses!"

Harry stopped and stared at her in distress.

"Are you done?"

"No. I could go for hours," He admitted.

"You don't have to."

"Why?"

"Because I fancy you too!" Mel exclaimed in exasperation.

"Okay!" He blinked, a small frown on his face. "Oh... sorry."

Mel let out an anxious laugh, Harry laughed too, then cupped her face and kissed her.

Next Chapter —>

Taglist.

@dee123ksha​ @vampiregirl1797 @siriuslysirius1107 @stardusthigh @mikariell95 @vernon-dursley @thesuitelifeofafangirl @tomshollandz @kylosleftbuttcheek @reverse-hxlland @bloodorangemoonlight @omiwashere​ @t-rexs-world

[jenn-i-guess]

Kiribaku Childhood Friends AU: Chapter Two

Bakugou still kept that damned plushie.

It was childish of him to keep such a thing whilst attending middle school, and while training to become the next number one hero.

But it was Eijirou’s!

He couldn’t just get rid of it. Bakugou barely got to see his best friend already, attending different schools and all. Katsuki was attending Aldera, and Kirishima was going to a private school called Mustafa.

They still hung out of course!

In fact that’s what they were doing right now, in Bakugou’s room.

Kirishima had come over for help on some math equations that he had absolutely no idea how to do. Which Bakugou had agreed to help him with those pesky decimals and fractions, if Eijirou talked about his day. Leaving nothing out.

Katsuki wouldn’t call himself a clingy friend, he was just worried about him. It was hard so use to seeing Eijirou every day since they were kids and now having to be separated from him.

“Bakugouuu.” Kirishima whined, his cheek smushed onto Katsuki’s desk. “You said you would help meee.”

He snickered, writing down in his own private notebook. “You still haven’t told me about your day, dumbass.”

Eijirou huffed and rolled his eyes, sitting up straighter, “And I already told you! I didn’t do anything but attend that boring school. I mean, I hung out with Tomo at lunch, but we didn’t really-”

“Who’s Tomo?” Kirishima had his attention now, Bakugou staring at him from his bed while furiously clutching his pencil.

Kirishima shrugged, pushing some strands of black hair back from his face. “He’s just a classmate I got partnered with for a project.” He explained, tapping his own writing utensil on his paper.

Okay. Bakugou let out a deep breath. Tomo wasn’t even a friend! Just a classmate. Just a classmate.

“He’s kind of rude though, makes jokes about my size.” Eijirou pouted, sticking out his bottom lip in a cute childish way.

Bakugou had to laugh at that.

It was true, Kirishima was very short, even if none of them hit puberty yet. Bakugou was at least three centimeters taller.

“Rude!” Kirishima glared at him. “Now will you please help me with these stupid equations?”

Katsuki stood up from his bed and walked over, leaning over his desk to stare down at his friend’s paper.

It. Was. A. Mess.

Eijirou’s horrible hand-writing was all over the place, writing questions in the margins, doodling on blank spaces.

“First of all,” Bakugou started, earning a hopeful grin from Kirishima. “Erase everything.” His grin turned into a frown as he stubbornly scrubbed the pink eraser over his whole paper.

————

Kirishima whacked his head on the desk as they finally finished, mentally exhausted from having to remember every single equation Bakugou has said to him.

“Fuckin finally.” Katsuki sighed, stretching his arms over his head as his back let out pleasing cracks and pops. “God, it’s hard to get anything through your thick skull.” He complained.

“I know! I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to make up for it?” Kirishima asked, rubbing his droopy eyes.

Bakugou thought for a moment before he stood up, Eijirou doing the same. As they got towards his bed, Katsuki sat down and opened his notebook, the bed sinking a bit as the raven-haired sat next to him. “Help me with this.”

He showed the first page of the notebook to Kirishima, a picture of a body figure-kind of similar to Katsuki’s-sketched with what looked like costume ideas. Hero costume ideas.

And they weren’t bad sketches either, no they were detailed. Eijirou sat with his mouth agape as he looked at the drawings and back up to Bakugou’s eyes.

“This is so cool! Is this you?” He asked, a wild grin appearing on his face.

Bakugou’s cheeks flushed as he pulled the notebook away, fumbling with the page. “Yeah. I just need help with the costume.” He mumbled, and Bakugou never mumbled. It was kind of cute to see him act so shy.

“But it already looks completed. What d’you need my help for?” Eijirou asked.

Katsuki sighed and flipped the pages, “I have ideas, I just need help choosing some.” He explained.

“Oh!”

They stared at each other, both expecting one another to say something first, before Kirishima nervously spoke, “Well-those gauntlets look cool. They’re a bit boring though. Maybe put a design on them?” He asked.

Bakugou stared blankly at him before tilting his head, “Designs?”

“Yeah! Make them look cool! Something to match your quirk.”

He hummed in thought before staring down at his hand, balling it up into a fist.

Something that would match his quirk? What would match explosions?

“How about,” he started, watching Kirishima’s eyebrows raised in anticipation. “Grenades?”

His eyes widened when he saw that Eijirou’s ruby orbs were sparkling. “That’s so cool!”

Bakugou scoffed but began sketching, his pencil scratching against the paper.

When he was finished drawing grenade-looking gauntlets, he tilted his head back up to talk to Eijirou again when his nose brushed against something.

Holy shit!

Bakugou leaned back in surprise when he realized his nose had touched another nose because Kirishima was so close! And he wasn’t even looking at him. He was staring down at the paper, smiling when he saw the sketched out design.

“Yeah! That looks good!” He remarked, completely oblivious about Bakugou’s internal panic above him.

Shit! He was so close. And he smelled...so good. Like a mix of lavender and cherries. The smell was intoxicating and Bakugou had to scoot back before he did something stupid (like kiss him).

“So what else were you working on?” Kirishima asked cluelessly.

“N-Nothing else.” Bakugou stammered, closing his notebook entirely from those prying eyes.

“Oh.” Eijirou’s stance deflated a little before he sparked up another question, “Oo! How about your hero name?”

Bakugou smirked, closing his eyes as he triumphantly said, “Lord Explosion Murder.”

There was silence in the air before Katsuki whipped his head around angrily to see Kirishima giggling at him.

Giggling! Not fucking fair!

“Lord-pfft-Explosion Murder?” Eijirou chuckled, his body bouncing up and down as he shook with laughter.

“Yeah, whats fuckin wrong with it?” Bakugou growled, holding his palm up intimidatingly even though he knew it wouldn’t work on him.

“Nothing! Nothing, just uh-” Kirishima snorted, “Isn’t that a bit violent?”

Bakugou balked when he realized that he was absolutely right. And because of it, he smacked Kirishima over the head with his notebook, “Shut up! I can’t think of anything else.” He grumbled.

“Okay! Okay!” Eijirou calmed down, rubbing the red mark that was now on his forehead. He shook his head and cleared his throat.

That’s when Katsuki noticed. That’s when he noticed just how long Kirishima’s hair was getting.

“Your hair.”

Eijirou blinked, looking up at Bakugou like a deer in headlights.

Bakugou unconsciously brought his hand up, fingers grazing the soft locks of deep black hair. “Your hair. ‘S getting long.” He mumbled, combing his slender fingers through the sleeks strands.

“Oh.” Kirishima whispered, his heart accelerating at the rough fingers caressing him. “Um, yeah. I’ve been growing it out.”

The action was so tender. So affectionate. So unlike Bakugou. But the feeling was nice, Kirishima couldn’t help but let his eyes flutter at the attention.

“Hm. It’s nice.” Bakugou, drawing his soothing fingers back and into his lap.

Kirishima almost whined at the loss of touch, but soon yawned. He was bone tired, exhausted from his hard mental work, straining to keep his eyes open.

Bakugou didn’t notice, he had started going through his notebook again, stopping at the page filled with notes about his fighting tactics. He didn’t notice when the raven-haired boy drifted in and out of consciousness.

He really just wanted to lay his head down and sleep for a week.

Bakugou definitely, absolutely, did not notice at all when Eijirou’s head leaned onto his shoulder, soft hair tickling on his skin. And he definitely did not react by leaning his own head down on that pillowy softness.

And as he heard Eijirou’s soft snores, he felt himself begin to relax as well, inhaling his senses to smell like Kirishima’s shampoo.

Well, it was relaxing.

Until Mitsuki slammed the door open and said Kirishima had to go home.

That for sure woke Kirishima up from his five-minute rest.

He blushed heavily when he felt the heavy weight of Katsuki’s own head on his, squirming to stand up when he saw Bakugou’s mother in the room, grinning from ear to ear at the two of them.

Katsuki glared at his mom, standing up while brushing off his sweaty palms.

“Fuck off.” He growled.

“Language, Katsuki.”

[lavendertwilight89]

Shelter

This was supposed to be a one-shot... It was supposed to be...and now it’s over 40 pages. So here’s the first part

Also posted on AO3

@dangerouspompadour​ @lemonlushff​ @willowandfog​ @cstormsinukagblog​ @littlestuffstohide​ @clearwillow​ @ruddcatha​ @hnnwnchstr​ @smmahamazing​ @wolverine1092​ @inuyashaloverforever​ @xfangheartx​ @umacaking​ @bluejay785​  @murdergiraffe​ @superpixie42​ @shnuggletea​

Inuyasha awoke feeling groggy. Something was wrong… he didn’t even remember falling asleep. The last thing he remembered it was the new moon--his night of vulnerability.  His eyes felt extremely heavy; he must’ve fucked up. Miscalculated. There must’ve been a danger he hadn’t smelled or sensed before he lost his demonic abilities.

Fuck. His body hurt. The question had morphed from what happened to where was he? How was he alive? And why? He listened quietly and heard the pitter patter of rain--likely bouncing off of a roof. He smelled like he was in an enclosed hut. It was old--stagnant. Obviously, it hadn’t been used in awhile. But he wasn’t alone. There was a strong smell of lavender, honey, and jasmine flowers… it was alluring. Intoxicating. But it also scared the shit outta him. He also smelled a lot of blood. Not just his. Probably not just who he shared this little hut with either.

He sat up quickly and groaned from his stupidity. “Fuck…”

“Oh, you’re awake. You need to lie still,” he heard a soft melodic whisper from across the room. He turned to see a young woman in priestess garbs leaning against the wall of the hut he was currently in. He sensed her power and shit--he was about to fucking die. Or fry. Something. He gasped and clutched his gut as he tried to turn and run but his legs failed him. 

Her sigh and shuffling made him panic until he heard her whimper. He looked over to her to see she also was grasping her own torso as she scooted towards him. She was pale. Sweating. She… didn’t look good. 

“Stop,” he tried to sound threatening. It must’ve worked or she was where she had tried to get to. Water dripping from a bucket made him turn his head and see she was much closer. She grimaced and winced again as she shifted onto her knees and pressed a calming hand on his chest. She wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled softly--weakly.

“It’s okay… I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Get off me,” he said, grabbing her hands and pushing her away slightly. He hadn’t expected her to fall to the floor of the hut and cry out. Shit. He was an asshole. He noticed an overwhelming scent of blood--hers. Shifting he took her in and saw how dirty she was now that she was close enough. She was covered in demon blood--along with his and her own.

She rolled over onto her back and glared at him, “You--asshole! That’s not a way to thank someone for helping you!”

“Never asked for your help,” he shot back. “I told you to stop.”

“I thought you were just scared and confused! Not that you’d throw me!”

“I didn’t throw you, I shoved and you’re just weak.”

“Whatever,” she scoffed and rolled over to her side. She was whimpering as she pushed herself to get up and then made her way back to the wall. 

He took the opportunity to see she had bandaged him--”Where are my clothes??”

“Your kosode is ruined but your haori is over there,” she gestured behind him. He wasn’t surprised. Only his kimono made from the fur of the fire rat could withstand damage. Standing uneasily, she remained quiet this time as he began to dress. 

“Alright, I’m out of here.”

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” she said leadingly. He glanced back and saw a smug little sparkle in her bright sapphire eyes. He looked to the door and saw her barrier erected around the hut and grew angier.

“Why the hell not? I’m not staying here with you, you weak ass priestess! You couldn’t even slay me!”

“Why would I want to hurt you?”

“Are you fucking blind??! I’m a demon!!”

“Half.”

“Shut up! Anyway--so you’re a dark priestess then?? Ya wanna make a deal? I don’t really do that kind of shit so you might as well lower your barrier. I’m leaving whether I have to kill you or get zapped.”

“There’s a rather large horde of demons past my barrier. It’s there to protect us… until we heal.”

“Don’t lie.”

“Smell for yourself,” she flicked her wrist and a tiny hole opened and he got a good whiff. Fuck. He’d die the minute he stepped out. There’d be no way he would make it past them. 

“Damnit!” he yelled as he punched a hole through the hut. “Why didn’t you kill them huh?? God you’re fucking useless!”

“For your information, I was a little busy saving you,” she said in a huff. “For someone who had their life saved on such a time of weakness, you sure are ungrateful.”

“I should just fucking kill you now, bitch. But I need your fucking barrier.”

“Oh goody,” she sighed leaning her head back against the wall and closing her eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he snarled. She was planning to kill him after all! Fuck! 

“I may be a priestess but I’m still human. I’ve lost a lot of blood, been using my reiki for three days straight, haven’t eaten anything, oh, and, probably have slept for maybe six hours total,” she said with a heavy groan at the end clutching her abdomen. Okay, he felt like a dick. But he was only protecting himself.

“Why haven’t you been taking care of yourself? You’re of age to be independent. How the hell have you lived so long if you’re this dumb?”

“Gods! I’ve been taking care of you, stupid!!!” She yelled at him with tears in her eyes. “Gods just shut up! I’m sorry I saved you! Obviously I messed up--you clearly were trying to commit suicide. Don’t worry, in a couple hours, I’ll probably be dead anyway, my barrier will fail and they’ll eat us both!”

“Shut up! That’s not what I meant!” Inuyasha kneeled down at her feet, still not willing to get too close to her but she wasn’t going to be able to reach out in her state at that moment.

“Oh??? Want me to use myself as bait so you can escape??? Lessen the guilt so you won’t have to watch me die?? Prefer to think I just waltzed right out of here rather than succumbing to my injuries!!?”

“No! Fuck! Stop fucking talking!!”

“No really!! Tell me what it is you want! What do you need?? I live to fucking serve!!”

He finally lost his temper and slapped his hand over her mouth and glared into her wide eyes, “Shut. Up. Look, I overreacted. I didn’t remember what happened--still don't--I thought you were trying to kill me like every-fucking-one else--and I admit I’m a jackass.”

She just continued to glare at him and then she did the craziest thing he had EVER had happen to him. She. LICKED. Him. What. In. The. Fuck!??!?!

“Ugh!!!” he yelled and pulled his hand away like it was on fire. “You--you--youuuuu---WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!!? YOU LICKED ME!!!”

“Jeez, you’re acting like I just shot you with an arrow,” she mocked rolling her eyes.

“You’re--you’re so fucking weird!! Are you even a priestess?!!?”

“Uhm, duh?”

“Don’t you know demons are inherently evil?? That as a priestess we are naturally enemies?!" He felt like he was going to explode from rage that was driven by confusion. This woman hadn't tried to attack him yet. No matter how much he cursed her, poked and prodded her, insulted her-- she just took it. Rolling her eyes. Like she knew him. 

"Yes-- I'm aware we are 'supposed' to be enemies. I just don't believe in that notion. Not all demons are bad. You exist because a human and demon obviously loved each other to make you. I have demon friends that I care for, well, cared for." She sighed and took a ragged breath. "Look, I don't want to spend what could be my last hours arguing. I accept your lame apology. I forgive you."

"You--you what???"

"You’ve obviously had a rough life to be so callous. I'm just sorry we couldn't have become friends," she added as her shoulders relaxed somewhat.

"Oh fuck no! You're not gonna fucking die on me!"

"Haha, are you a demon of the underworld that can prevent that? I'm also not dying yet. Just resting." Her demeanor didn't convince him.

"No but I can heal you."

That made her eyes open again. "Hm? How?"

"I don't like owing favors and I unfortunately think I owe you a lot… my uhm… " Well shit. How was he gonna tell her? He doubted she'd accept help. She seemed to have about as much pride as he did. She wouldn't sully herself to be healed...

"How about while I rest you think of a way to tell me of your little 'secret'," she said as gruffly as a kitten. She was pretty weak, he probably shouldn't let her sleep. If she did, he wasn't sure she'd wake back up.

"No."

When she didn't respond he slightly panicked and reached out and touched her to rouse her. Even though he shouldn't care, she rescued him and likely gave her own life for his.

"Hey! You cannot sleep!! Bitch wake up!!"

"Ugh, I liked you better sleeping. I at least could imagine you being nicer."

He let out a breath he hadn’t known he had been holding and clipped, "Regret saving a half breed already?"

"No."

He blinked. Twice. Three times. She opened her glazed over ocean eyes and locked with his, "Why do you assume I'd regret giving my life for yours?"

"I can run off twenty reasons right now."

"Mmmm… I'd prefer not to hear any until after you let me nap. Next time you stir me I may make you regret giving me the idea of zapping you," she smirked weakly before letting her eyes shut again. 

"You better just be sleeping," he grumbled.

"Don't worry. I'll see your handsome smirk again," she slurred, finally succumbing to sleep.

Sputtering and blushing from her words he got up quickly and exited the hut. Fuck. She was crazy.  All he could do was equate her insanity to her exhaustion, blood loss, and hunger. Yep. That made the most sense. Finally calming his racing heart, he noticed the barrier wasn't just around the hut; it seemed to stretch out into the forest. Maybe he could find something to eat… rebuild their strength. Would animals be able to enter the barrier? How was the barrier able to even be maintained this long? How was this woman so powerful? 

He took a deep breath, finally calm enough to start his own healing process. He tamped into his body and allowed his demon blood to take over. The rush of power always made him feel alive. Free. His brother, even though he was an ass, had saved him from himself centuries ago. He'd oddly been in a situation similar to this one; that was why he typically took extra care on nights of the new moon to make sure a repeat never occurred.

He had been younger, no more than a whelp and hadn't been on his own long enough to learn to fight. Sesshomaru thankfully saved him. According to him, it was to honor their father.  He couldn't allow someone of their bloodline to sully it. He showed him how to control his blood, how to use his demonic aura, then sent him on his merry fucking way. The jackass said he honored his vow and blah blah blah. 

Only recently did the dick reach back out to him. Something about finding his mate, change of heart, yada yada yada… He scoffed at the thought of still trying to live with the asshole. 

He felt a weird surge in his blood-- something he hadn't felt before. The woman's scent had grown ten times as strong and he realized his demonic half moved before he felt the motion. He went back inside the hut to her side. She was breathing heavily, sweating, and moaning slightly. He heard his instincts screaming at him to heal her-- that they couldn’t allow her to die. 

What the fuck are you talking about? She’s just some priestess.... Who saved my life. No I don’t really want her to die but sometimes that’s just how life goes. She didn’t listen to me anyway.

Don’t fool yourself, hanyou. You aren’t this dumb.

Shut up and just fucking tell me why we can’t let her die? I know you don’t experience guilt which would be why I would be slightly upset over her death.

It’s just the two of us, actually, it’s just you here. No need to fool yourself. You like this little human. She not only saved us on our night of weakness, but she stayed by us until we awoke. Even now she keeps the barrier raised, unaware we are healing. 

So?

You are so dense half-demon. Why do you think she does this?

Look, you want to keep her alive for whatever reason and you’re running out of time if you want to act so…

I am you. You also want to keep her alive. Why do you think you would like someone so quickly? Allow someone to sway in your judgement?

I don’t know-- first person aside from Mother who didn’t run away screaming or even try to purify my ass immediately when I transformed back? I mean--

Her scent calls to us. Her body and soul compels us to be near her. Are you really so blind? Can you not see who she is? 

For fucks sake! Just spit it out! I hate your stupid snarky games when I actually try to listen to you.

She is our mate, hanyou. The one who is made to be with us. The one we are to protect, to cherish, to fuck, to pup--

Oh my God will you shut up!!! That’s not possible! She’s a fucking priestess!

Blind and dumb as ever half-demon. It does not matter if she was whore, a princess, a demon, or a child--her scent says she is our chosen. 

Dammit it all! What am I supposed to do with that?!

Heal her and court her, dumbass.

He fucking hated his demon half. The bastard basically laughed at him constantly and plagued him with nonstop riddles. Asshole. Demons and mates--a topic that wasn’t new to him. His brother had found her mate not too long ago. It was the main reason he sought him out. She was human--young--probably not too much younger than this young priestess.

Rin wanted Sesshomaru to mend the bridges he had tried to completely break. She was so… bright. Cheerful. Lively. The absolute opposite of Sesshomaru. It was odd to watch them interact. It also made them hard to be around. 

Regardless, mates weren’t common to find in demons. They lived such long lives that finding a mate was almost near impossible. Especially if one was human and you happened to miss them in their lifetime.

But… he was still hesitant. This woman was a priestess. Even if she hadn’t purified him into ash didn’t mean she still wouldn’t. His inner demon was determined they could woo her. Yea. What a bunch of horse shit. However, watching her body tremble in distress did make him die a little inside. He felt guilty… This young woman gave her life to save him. What was even crazier was even after his powers returned, she stayed by him. Kept the barrier up. Treated his wounds…

Other humans were disgusted even if he came into town. She… touched him. Bantered with him. She honestly held no fear of him. And even now, as she barely hung on for dear life, her barrier remained strong and firm.

She was beautiful. Unruly black wavy hair, those big blue eyes that he could have gotten lost in, her shapely body… Her scent though of lavender, honey, and jasmine. It just called to him. In a way he just wasn’t even sure how or why.

His demon was right. He couldn’t let her die. Not yet. If she wanted to kill him after this, he’d let her. If she sent him away, he’d go. But he knew he had to save her.

He pulled her away from the wall and lifted her into his arms. Gods, she fit perfectly into them. She shuddered and moaned as she sank into his chest.

“Mmmmm,” she pushed her face into his chest as he kneeled down to lay her down on the futon he had been resting on before he awoke. “Pine trees…”

“What?” he gasped. She recognized his own very unique scent of pine trees and musk. 

“What's your name?” her raspy voice full of sleep asked.

“You’re awake?”

“Mhmmm...may be weak… but tried to stay aware--was scared the barrier’d fall. Youki woke me up--surprised it didn’t take over ya earlier to heal you...” she muttered while slurring her words, drunk off exhaustion.

“I--...How can you trust me? Why are you still trying to protect me? You obviously sensed my power--I don’t even know your name and you’re just--why--” He was so speechless because this woman, within the past couple hours had proved to give more of a shit about him than anyone. 

“Kagome.”

“Huh?”

“My name. Ka--Go--Me--...and you deserve kindness. Just like everyone else. Your aura--it’s powerful. But not evil.”

“I--”

“Why did you move me?” she asked weakly.

“Your scent… You’re--I--” how does someone tell another they are close to death? She said she already knew but--

“Oh, you were gonna heal me,” she surmised. His silence likely confirmed it as she then sighed, “It’s alright if you aren’t comfortable with it.”

“It’s you I’m worried about, stupid.” 

“I just gave you my name, you could at least use it.”

“Whatever wench, look, do you want me to save you or not?”

“You’re not gonna eat me right?” He looked down to see if she was serious but saw a weak little cocky smile on her face. He rolled his eyes in response.

“No...I just--I don’t think you’re gonna like it.”

“Could you stop speaking in riddles? I’m using too much energy to keep up with your mood swings.”

“You are not gonna like it--my saliva has healing properties. I can heal you by…” he trailed off. He was already scared of the rejection.

“Ah… I get it now. Okay.”

“‘Okay’?”

‘It… makes sense. I know little about inuyoukai. They aren’t that common. Typically keep to themselves,” she groaned and shifted her face back into his chest to take what he could only describe as comforting breaths.

“Wh-what are you doing??” he blushed.

“S-sorry… You--you smell good. It helps. A bit,” she cringed.

Fuck. He could literally hear his inner demon purring and laughing about how right it was. Bastard. He laid her down and hovered over her. To say he was petrified she would reject him would be an understatement. But here he was, putting himself out there, in likely more ways than one. 

“Are you really okay if I…”

“Tell me your name,” she asked again weakly.

“Why?”

“I wanna know the name of the man who saved me…” she sighed as she tried to relax on the futon beneath him.

“Inuyasha.”

“Mmm… Inuyasha…” she breathed as she raised her hand to cup his cheek. He gasped as her sapphire eyes locked with his, giving him all the trust he never knew someone could have in someone like him. She smiled softly and dropped her hand to her side and passed back out. As if she was at ease with him now being her protector. He felt the barrier had still not lowered but it wasn’t as strong as it was. 

Swallowing hard he did what he had never done before--he started to undress a woman. Honestly he had never been more uncomfortable in his life. He was scared his demon would get ideas. Just from the idea she more or less submitted to him without knowing put his demon into a frenzy. 

He got her obi untied and easily tugged down her hakama. She was pretty heavily bruised--her right upper leg in particular. He wouldn’t be able to do much for a broken bone which he was fairly positive she had. He parted her kimono and saw her binds weren’t in great shape. They were tattered and he wasn’t sure exactly how or why she hadn’t bothered removing them all together. Her own bandages that wrapped her torso were soaked. She shouldn’t have been wasting their supplies they somehow had on him--she should have been taking care of herself. 

Dammit all--of course his mate would be the most selfless person in the world. She’d probably die before he could even finish courting her. Probably offer herself up as dinner to a hungry wolf. Fuck. That’s not where his mind should be. He just needed to focus on making sure she lived. He could think about the what ifs and other crazy unrealistic hypotheticals once she was better,

He sliced through her bindings and bandages until she was bare before him. Fuck. He had seen naked women before, not on purpose but after centuries of being alone--you see things. Bathing where you’re hiding, couples sneaking away where they think they're alone, saving girls who were taken from their homes by bandits. He was no stranger to the female form or what men did to pleasure it. Not that he ever had the balls to try anything with anyone ever. No woman would ever show him the time of day… well, at least until now.

Gazing down at her sweat glistening body he decided to start on the largest wound--the one that was likely threatening her life most at the current moment. Gulping, he let his demonic side rise again to the surface as he began to lave her body. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Her blood was tantalizing. Oh Gods, why was her blood so good? He wasn’t a fucking bat demon. This was something he’d likely have to ask Sesshomaru about. Maybe. This seemed rather intimate. Maybe he should mention it to no one. Ever. Not even her. Who knows, she might run off after this was done anyway.

Finally the demon seemed to be satisfied with his work and receded back. Now, he had one more job. Getting rid of the hordes of demons so that he could hunt for food. He took off his haori and draped it over her now clean and well resting body.She was still pale but her breath had evened out and she wasn’t struggling as much to be comfortable. 

He found what he was looking for in an instant. His sword pulsated to him-- called to him. It was in the corner of the hut near where his haori had hung. Grabbing it quickly, he stepped outside and unsheathed it. He waited to see if he heard her stir but there was silence. She must've been holding on by a thread.  He felt bad but he was going to have to shatter her barrier. The action would likely wake her if not shock her a bit. But if she stood a chance at fully recovering, the demons had to go. 

Even if she didn't, even if her leg didn't heal, even if she couldn't bear his pups, or even if they could never consummate their mateship, he would stay by her side, if she allowed it. If she wanted that life. He couldn't even understand his declarations or vows let alone his undying desire to protect her, but he couldn't resist the undeniable absolute certainty that Kagome was his mate. 

He changed his sword to the beautiful color of red and then swung after muttering a soft apology in the wake of his guilt. The barrier came down and that's when the aura hit him. Fuck!! Why were there so many after him?! How did he not sense them even in his human form??

What he found even more peculiar was they did not attack. They merely hovered like a disgusting hive. What the fuck was happening?

"Give us the girl half-breed," one hissed.

"What? Why?" He yelled in defensiveness. They wanted her?! She led them to him?! It wasn't even him who they were after?? Who was she?!

"We were told to bring the girl to our master."

"Why?!"

"That is none of your concern half-breed. Release her and we will allow you to leave," another ugly son of a bitch replied.

"Inu-ya-shaaaaa…" he heard the weak murmur of his name from behind him.

"Stay back, wench," he said harshly hoping she'd crawl her way back into the hut.

"It's okay, they want me. It's my fault you were even hurt… Please, let me do this so you're safe. You don't deserve him hunting you down as well."

He didn't take his eyes off the demons but he almost did.  She was being hunted. And she was giving up. For him. Fuck that!

"Let's make one thing clear right here and right now, priestess. I have no intention of allowing whatever prick that is hunting you down to take you."

"It's not up to you, Inuyasha. I'm not going to let anyone else die for me!"

"I don't plan on dying; I plan on protecting you!" He had enough of their banter. Raising his sword, he unleashed the power of the Wind Scar that killed all the weak ass demons in one downward swing.

"H-how?!" She gasped.

Turning around as he sheathed his blade he finally took a look at her gorgeous face. He didn't smell any fear or disgust coming from her. There was pain but if anything judging from her expression it was mostly surprise. 

"Father's fang. All powerful sword of mortals and crap," he explained gruffly as he knelt down to her slowly. He wanted to give her the opportunity to flinch, tell him to back off, anything. But just stared at him in wonder. Then she glared at him.

"You idiot! Now he's just going to send more! Stronger ones! He's never going to stop! Uhh!! Gods!! Don't you ever listen?!"

"What the fuck?!? That's the thanks I get for saving us?! You!!? Well fuck you too!!"

"No! You just put a giant target on your back by saying that you're protecting me and now your life is going to be in danger!! Gods, I need to get out of here before he finds us together." She made to stand but cringed and fell directly into his arms. 

"Shut up. You can't go anywhere in that condition let alone in my haori," he scoffed as he lifted her into his arms as she blushed.

"L-look," she stammered avoiding eye contact. "You have no idea what you're signing up for! This demon that's after me-- he'll stop at nothing to get me! He's a shapeshifter. He'll kill your family, friends, anyone you've ever met.  He'll turn villages against you, towns, all until you're all you have left in this world and then you're so alone you're begging for death…"

He sat her back on the futon and retracted his arms but kept his amber eyes on her disheartened face. His blood boiled knowing she was speaking from her heart. Why she hadn't bothered to really help herself or fight him… it was because she had given up on her life. It took all he had to not pull her in his lap and swear it would all be okay.

"Why not just let the demons take you if you've already given up?" 

"Don't sound dejected-- we just met. But there are things much worse than death…"

He honestly didn't want her to elaborate; he knew it'd unleash his inner beast and he'd hunt the son of a bitch down right then.  Whoever the s.o.b. was, that is. 

"Listen, I realize you don't know me and I don't really know you but you saved my life so I owe ya," he tried to explain his presence.

"You repaid that debt and even then, I'm the one that almost got you killed. And for involving you I'm so sorry. I appreciate you trying to help me but you should go.  You're basically fully healed and you helped me a lot. I probably will never be able to repay your kindness but I can try by telling you to go. "

"You're a fucking idiot if you think I'm going anywhere without you!" He was losing his temper and possibly his sanity when he grabbed her hands in his to make her look at him with those big ocean filled eyes. "The minute you found me, the moment you saved me, the instant you decided not to kill me because we are natural born enemies, you shook my world. I owe you more than you'll likely ever understand. I don't have friends, a family I can run home to, a place to even fucking call home. You aren't putting my life anymore at risk than it already was. I'm a hanyou. Not a demon. Not a human. There isn't really an actual place for me to belong. If it's alright with you, I'd prefer sticking around making sure you find your place back in the world where you belong." Not the actual confession he wanted to make but close enough. He still basically admitted he wanted to be by her side.

"Inuyasha…" She looked… in awe. Oh shit. She was tearing up. Was she that disgusted by the idea of him staying with her? She'd prefer to die or be hunted alone rather than being protected by him? "I… thank you!" 

His mind must've blacked out. Blanked. Something. But her arms were wrapped around his neck and her tears were soaking his kosode. Her body was pressed up to his and she trembled from her sobs… holy fuck. He was shocked she would be so--personal? So intimate. Did she realize how little she was wearing?? 

As he was about to return the gesture, she pulled back and wiped her eyes, "Sorry. It's just been so long since I've talked to anyone. That someone hasn't chased from the streets. Oh my gosh! I'm being so insensitive! Please forgive me!" 

She was about to bow but he caught her shoulder surprising her. "No. None of that.  You finish," he motioned to her tears,"that-- and I'm gonna catch us dinner." Before she could object he took off running.

Flustered. Hot. Bothered. And most of all, happy.

It had been about a month since Inuyasha had met Kagome. Tonight was the impending new moon. He had just gotten back to their hut after hunting for their dinner. The sky held a blood red hue to it--a dark omen if he ever knew one.  But Kagome had regained most of her strength. Her leg was still healing as were her ribs he hadn’t noticed before but, she was able to move around a little more steadily. 

They hadn’t experienced any additional trouble from the demon that was hunting Kagome. It had been oddly very quiet. Not that they complained. It gave them time to get to know each other.  

He learned she was feistier than he originally thought. And if that didn't make him hotter than hell. She never backed down from a dispute they had whether it was over how much liver she should be ingesting, how much she should be sleeping, if she was leaving the barrier up long enough-- Gods his instincts chose a wild mate. 

She also learned he was an 'overprotective-jealous-insensitive-crazy-loud-mouth-jerk-asshole'. Her words. Not his. He still hadn't exactly told her she was his mate. To be fair, he wanted her to be fully healed before he even confessed something like that. He wanted to hear her genuine feelings first… and not have them swayed on the fact she was dependent on him for her care. 

Not to say they hadn't had tender moments together. Moments that if she wanted to go back and live a normal life once that demon was gone, he'd cherish forever…

She told him about her family; she had a mother, brother, grandfather. Her father died right after her brother was born from the fever cough. Her grandfather was a priest, not the most powerful one, but he was able to train her in her powers. 

When the demon began pursuing her, she left one night without a word. She wasn't sure if the demon came for them again or not. Originally she sought help from the demon slayers, but they told her they couldn't help a demon's whore who willingly allowed five of their best slayers to die at the hands of her mate.

Inuyasha knew that tidbit was wrong, but it hadn’t calmed his youkai blood when hearing some demon was going around spreading the idea that it was his Kagome's mate. That what was his, belonged to someone else. He was going to enjoy ripping out the fuckers intestines, wrapping them around his neck, and watching the fucker choke on his own blood and lack of air.

Midtransformation, Kagome had reached out and grazed his cheek, trying to calm him. Her words still echoed in his brain, "I'm here. He didn't get me. It's not true." It was like she knew-- she knew what he needed to hear. 

He had confided in her about his childhood. Not a whole lot of detail. Just his mother too, died from the fever cough. He was on his own for the majority of his life. Told her about the asshat he did have for a brother and his sister in law…

"It sounds like he's sorry for what he did-- or rather didn't do," Kagome had surmised.

"Don’t matter."

"But family is family and they sound like they want you to be a part of it. It sounds like Sesshomaru has trouble expressing his feelings, must be a family trait," she laughed while he glowered. "I'm sorry, I couldn't pass up a way to poke at you. Anyway, you don't have to be alone anymore. Your family wants you to be with them; if I were you, I'd take that chance. You said how long you've been alone, how no one accepted you, and you have a chance now. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. I know it's hard to believe but trust your sister; Rin seems to be that voice of reason."

Like you are for me… Not that he could say that aloud. But she must've seen the look in his eyes. Or maybe, just maybe on her own, she just wanted the closeness too. She had leaned her head upon his shoulder and let out a slightly ragged breath. He smelled the salt water that pooled at her eyes and heard her whisper so softly he almost didn't catch it, "I don't want you to leave me though…"

He had nuzzled her head and buried his nose in her hair as he wrapped his arm slowly around her shoulders. She had shifted and gripped his haori in her fist and cried silently. His little miko was so strong, stubborn, and determined. It was rare to see her finally succumb to her grief of the losses she suffered. The pain of the rejection she faced. The silent confession of wanting to be with him. 

Again, he wanted this stupid demon to be dead before he asked her to be his mate.  He didn't want it to be out of gratitude. She had admitted she had previously been promised to another male--Hobo? No, Homo? That wasn't it… Hojo. Yea that little fuck head. When his growl emerged from his chest without warning, she laughed and said even if she ever returned to her village, she had no intention of going through with that marriage. It was arranged by the families in thanks of their support after Kagome's father had passed. 

Sighing over the reflection of how far he and Kagome had come in the last moon cycle, he cleared his head. Or rather tried to. He already felt the pull of the moonless night pulling his youki away. His emotions were getting twitchy and edgy. Fuck his life. 

He entered the hut and was greeted by the most radiant smile that made his heart beat faster. Shit. It was going to be a very, very long night. His human half was bound to share some secrets that shouldn't be shared. Ever. Well not ever, just not yet. 

"I missed you! Did you have a good hunt?" She asked as she stood uneasily. She still favored her left leg but was able to put more pressure on her right than she had been able to. It pissed him off for her to be moving at all but she explained to him she had to. More or less explained if she didn't use it, she could likely lose it. Even though he comforted her, she said she wouldn't be able to rely on him forever. 

"I got a couple hares and found some plums."

"Oh good, the vegetables are roasting now if you wanna clean them and throw them in."

He nodded to her and handed her the plums then stepped back outside to the dirty work. Kagome was not an ordinary woman. She cared so deeply for basically all manner of animal or beast she almost became a vegetarian. Weirdo. He had grown accustomed to skinning and cutting his game outside out of her sight so that she would eat meat. She needed it after all.

Once he was finished he brought in the cubed pieces and dropped them in the kiln 

"We can use the fur to make blankets for the upcoming season," he mentioned as he hung them out to dry.

"I hope we won't need them but that's a wonderful idea." Oh yea--they weren’t actually together. Or at least not yet. Him and his big mouth. It was weird; whenever he opened his mouth to say that stuff without thinking, she never told him she didn’t want them to be together--just that she hoped that they didn’t have to stay in this hut. He was too scared to ask what she wanted to do when the demon was caught. It also would mean he would likely be confessing some of his feelings in the process because she in return would ask what he wanted to do…

He felt the similar pulsation he’d felt hundreds of times as his powers drained completely. He felt the shift in his claws, fangs, and the last hinting remains of his heightened senses vanish. Sighing, he turned and saw Kagome had watched with interest. Did she like him in this form? Did she prefer him this way? Was it a human she wanted to be bound to?

“Wow,” she gasped. “I know we technically met in this form but… it’s still strange.” She began to rise; the action annoyed him as he saw her still struggling. He grabbed her elbow to assist her to which she sent a grateful look. What he didn’t anticipate was for her to grab his arms to stay in place. He watched her face study him. Did she think he was a different person?

“Hmmm,” she hummed as she took her hands and brushed his hair back to reveal his human ears.

“Something on your mind?” he finally snapped.

“OH, uhm, nothing really,” she said far too quickly.

He debated on letting her comment go but couldn’t shake his insecurities. “Well go ahead and spit it out--you prefer me as a human right??” 

“What?? NO! Why would you think that!!? Oh my gosh, is that why you think I--ugh! You’re so stupid!”

“I’m ‘stupid’?? How’s that?!”

“To think that I would just be lumped in with everyone else! That you’d even think that!!”

“Well excuse the fuck outta me!!! You were the one who was basically ogling me just now!”

“Oh my--ugh!! Kami!!! How old are you?! You’re acting like a preteen girl!!”

“Take that back, bitch!!”

“No way! You’re being super sensitive right now! Acting like you’re hitting puberty and your mood swings are fully swinging around!!"

"Let me tell you something, wench; I am at least ten times older than you I can promise you I have gone in and out of the maturing process "

"Clearly not, otherwise you wouldn't be acting like a freaking child!"

"I am not acting like a child! I'm just pointing out you clearly like this form better!!"

"I didn't say or imply that!! You're still you! What's the problem with what form you're in anyway?!"

"Because no one, no one will ever want a half-breed!! No one will ever love you, no one will ever accept you!! You're always the last one that is picked out of a line up; everything is always, always your fault!"

Her eyes widened at the proclamation he unwittingly made. "Inuyasha..."

He turned away from her embarrassed about his admission and turned away to head outside.

"Wait! Where are you going?!" Kagome was panicking. But he needed a minute alone. He had to reign in his emotions. 

"I just need a minute…"

"Inuyasha please--I'm--"

"I'll be back," he grumbled as he walked out of the hut. He almost went back in when he heard her sobs but he had to compose himself. They couldn't necessarily fight all night.  He needed to remind himself she was not them. She wasn't like everyone else. His stupid humans emotions couldn't betray the trust they had built together. Allowing his insecurities to make him act like that?? Pathetic. 

After everything she had done for him and they were going through? Gods, he should leave her. He wasn’t a suitable mate for her. He didn't deserve her.

After a couple hours spent in the tree nearest their hut since it was still engulfed in her barrier, he figured it was time to go back. Even though she was upset, she refused to lower it. He often wondered if she was just as afraid to be alone as he was… Not that he'd ever admit that. 

As he entered the hut, he noticed she was laying on the futon facing away from the door. He wasn't sure if she was sleeping, faking, or just simply resting and ignoring his presence, but either way, he figured it was for the best. He wouldn’t risk making more of an ass out of himself and hopefully he could figure out a way to apologize to her for acting like an idiot.

Another couple hours passed and after he ate, he took up space on the wall so that he could face the top of her head. He still couldn't look at her face.  He knew it would have been puffy from crying herself to sleep. Thank Gods he didn't have his sense of smell tonight--it would have broken him. He decided to rest his eyes for a bit. It wasn't like he'd ever been this safe before on his human nights since his mother had passed.

He awoke when he heard the creaking of the floorboards. Years of running, hiding, of being in constant fear for his life made him sleep lighter than anyone. His eyes shot open without a second thought and his hand reached to his unusable sword. The look of horror on Kagome’s face snapped him out of his stupor and he quickly righted himself.

"S-sorry. You snuck up on me," he admitted groggily.

"It's okay. I'm sorry. I should have let you rest… I just… I didn't like how we ended our conversation. But, we can talk about it in the morning," she whispered as she stood back up and turned to head back to the futon. He grabbed her hand before she stepped out of range. 

"No. Dawn is not far away. We can talk."

"O-okay. If you're sure," she muttered sitting back down beside him.

"I don't usually sleep on these nights anyway. I usually don't-- can't relax."

"I'm sorry I made you feel like you were being ogled. I don't want you to feel like that. I also want you to know, I do accept you. Just the way you are."

"I should be the one apologizing. I know all that. If you didn't feel that way, you would have killed me the dawn after we were attacked. But you didn't. You haven't. And you still continue to offer protection to me even though you know what I am. I think I was just so hell bound to not let my emotions get out of control that I took the tension away by blowing up on you over nothing." He looked into her eyes that were glued to his. She was so invested in everything he was saying to her it was unreal… It made him full vulnerable, weak, shit, he needed to say something so she didn't think he was in love with her. Even though he was-- but he promised himself not yet!! "Don't think you'll get another apology out of me in the morning. I won't feel guilty or nothing then. You're only getting this because of my weak human emotions."

Her giggle sounded just as beautiful in his human ears as in his demonic ones, "Of course not. But just so you know, I love you as a half-demon. I was just curious how human you actually were. That's why I studied you so closely. I'm sorry if I made it seem like I prefer this form of you. But you're still you. I'm happy to just be by your side.”

He was officially blushing. “You-you what??”

“I said I--” her eyes widened at her recollection of what she said. “Uhhhh--I mean--I--oh darnit! I didn’t mean it like that--oh Gods, please don’t be weird now. I’m sorry! I wasn’t thinking!” When she caved in on herself, his heart broke a little. She was hiding her beautiful eyes from him but he could see her body rack with sobs just like earlier. Why couldn't they get this right?

“Hey--hey--why are you crying??” he said 

“I blew it! Please don’t go! I-I can’t lose another friend! Please-- you’ve been my only friend for so long--please, I can’t lose you too! I’ve lost everyone.”

He held her in his arms as she cried. She was genuinely scared by her admission to preferring his half demon form--terrified he was going to up and leave…

Not that he could blame her. He lacked… tactfulness. While they had their tender moments, he still avoided his ‘feelings’. Which was why he was nervous as all hell about the new moon. But this actually may have worked to his advantage. She may not want to talk anymore until dawn--since she, like him, always had a knack for speaking without thinking. If his demonic self was still present it would be rumbling with pleasure of how like minded they were.

“Hey, I’m not going anywhere okay?” he tried to soothe her with a lesser gruff voice.

“Wh-what…”

“What, Kagome?”

“What about when this is all over? What then?”

“Dunno. Guess we’ll figure it out then, huh?”

“You don’t have to stay with me… You’ve more than repaid anything you owed me. If anything, I owe you more than I could--”

“Shut up. Unless you actually want me to go because you’re tired of me, because you actually don’t want to be with me, then I’m staying right here. Okay? You’re not alone anymore…” I’m not alone anymore.

“What if… I never ask you to leave…?” she asked hesitantly. Her voice was so small. So unsure.

Think first. Think first. Think first. Think first-- “We’ll see how you feel when this is all over… I don’t want to be the person you choose because I’m the only one here.”

“O-oh…” she said disheartenedly. Why was she sad now?! That was a perfect answer! He was actually proud of himself for actually thinking!!!

“What now?” Oops. There went his mouth.

“N-nothing,” she said trying to push out of his arms.

“No, not ‘nothing’, what?? Is that not the answer you were looking for?”

“I just don’t like that you think that I like you because I’m that lonely,” she admitted hotly.

“That’s not--”

“No,” she said as she finally weasled her way out of his arms to glare at him with those sparkling blue raging eyes. Oh God, he needed to take a deep breath and control himself before he did something he completely regretted. Although he knew he'd never regret it. He’d regret if he never smashed his lips to hers--taste that sweet mouth of hers, see if it tasted anything like he fantasized about nightly. “That’s exactly what you meant. Gods, I’m so stupid--”

“Kagome stop--” he grabbed her arms to stop her from pushing away further from him.

“Would you just let me go!! I’m embarrassed enough!”

“Could you be any more impossible, wench?!!”

“Yes! Now for the last time--”

“I’m not letting you go and you can’t make me!!”

“Wanna bet, jerk?!”

“Wench--”

“How charming,” a new voice rang through the hut.

They both jumped at the sound of the intrusion and he shoved her behind him. Standing before them was some weird ass white baboon covered dude. How he got through Kagome’s barrier was puzzling--Inuyasha had learned even animals couldn’t pass into it. They couldn’t even get out of it once it was erected. How’d this crazy interrupting asshole manage to get in?

“You--” she gasped.

“You know this asshat?” Inuyasha growled.

“Oh, we know each other quite well. Don’t we, Ka-Go-Me?”

Inuyasha felt Kagome shiver at the mention of her name in such an intimate form. He placed his hand on her hip as she clutched onto his haori from behind. If he had his senses, he knew she would be reeking in fear. From the time he met Kagome to now, he never imagined he would see her so powerless. So flooded with fear she didn’t just attack--didn't purify him. She never mentioned if she even met this son of a bitch who was after her. ‘There are things much worse than death…’

“Shut the fuck up ya nasty piece of monkey shit,” he snarled.

“You traded down, Kagome. I’m disappointed. This human man is nothing compared to me. I expected more from you… Well, I was about to get more until you disappeared, that is,” the evil fuck cackled. 

“I told you to shut up!!!!” Inuyasha said finally lunging at the demon who was clearing playing with them. 

“My, my, aren’t you an angry one?” He dodged his advance and swung around. Inuyasha gasped as he saw the baboon leap back towards Kagome. 

“Kagome!!!” He said rushing back to her side only to be slammed up against the opposite wall of the hut Kagome was near. He cringed but struggled to get back up.

“Inuyasha!!” Kagome cried, pressing herself against the wall of the hut as if it would swallow her to protect her. It enraged Inuyasha to see her so frightened and helpless. What the fuck was this creature?! It was no ordinary demon!

“Get away from her!!” He pulled his sword in its sheath from his belt and tried to use the barrier of the scabbard to beat off the tentacles. 

“You shall not keep me from my mate, human,” the baboon chuckled as he knelt to Kagome. She thrust her hand forward and tried to purify him but he held no reaction to her outburst in power. Her eyes wide with disbelief, she quickly closed them and screamed.

Dawn was still at least an hour away, but Inuyasha had enough. He tackled the demon away from her. “Kagome!!! Your bow!!!”

He held on for dear life as the crazy fuck wiggled about trying to get Inuyasha off. Inuyasha ended up dropping the sword and tried to keep the baboon pinned while Kagome scrambled to the hut's entrance to grab her bow.

“B-but--it won't--”

“It’s a doll!! That’s why your purification isn’t working! Why he was able to enter! Shoot him with your arrow--strike the heart!!”

“Ku ku ku, clever man, aren’t you? Not clever enough though.” Inuyasha twitched at his words only to feel a tentacle pierce through his back to his abdomen. He didn’t even recognize the scream of pain as his own let alone the scream of his name Kagome cried.

He fell to the ground hard as he realized what he had grasped onto disappeared into dust. Opening his eyes he saw her beautiful tear-stained face hovering over his. He felt his eyes grow heavy and prayed silently that sunrise wasn’t as far away as he originally calculated.

Kagome was a woman of many secrets.  Secrets of which she was learning were costing everyone their vitality. 

It was just a month ago she escaped her imprisonment. She had never wanted to return. Originally when she learned she was being hunted, she tried to seek help from monks, priests, demon slayers to only discover her name was being tarnished. Her family still believed her virtue… however the villagers began to question it as more and more demons began to attack. 

She said her goodbyes to her friends Shippo and Koga who resided in the wolves den--well--it a vague goodbye. They didn’t know it was a full parting she was going to do. They only thought she was leaving for the day after playing with Shippo and the wolf cubs. She had gone up to check on Koga’s mate--Ayame. She was due with the twins any day and she had wanted to be there for her… Breaking promises was something she wasn’t good at; but she kept hers to herself to keep them all safe from Naraku.

Kagome took it upon herself to save her family, her village, by doing the only thing she could do; she left in the middle of the night without a word. She began traveling to the only place she could think that may help her-- Mount Hakurei.

A couple times she managed to secure a hut by using exorcism but more times than not, her face had been used in deceit like with the monks and exterminators--they said she brought calamity upon the village. That she was cursed. That she was a dark priestess. That she should be hung for her crimes…

She eventually got used to sleeping in the woods. Luckily it was still warmer; she wasn’t sure what she would do come winter. Hopefully the villages near the mount would be pure enough the demon couldn’t taint their minds with lies and she could finally live in peace there.

Never once had Kagome questioned why she was being chased, hunted, or pursed… whatever way it was worded, it was true. Naraku wanted her--in more ways than one. The main reason was her power. She had been born with a greater power than any other miko on record. After some serious meditation, it was discovered by her great-aunt, Kaede, that she was born with the Shikon no Tama within her. Stories were passed down in their family about the tale of the shrine maiden who ended the war between demons and humans by sacrificing her own soul to imprison the hordes of demons within it. From the act of engulfing the demon souls with her own, the jewel was born. It had been passed on from priestess to priestess from eons and then it disappeared for half a century as one priestess had it burned with her body.

The priestess, Kikyo, claimed the jewel was cursed. From the legends and stories, she was likely correct. The shrine maidens that were given the duty to protect it often met an unfortunate and quick end to their lives. She too, suffered at the hands of a former suitor whose motivation was greed for the jewel. With her dying breath, she demanded the jewel to follow her in death...only then it was reborn in Kagome.

Kagome’s family were the only ones who knew of the jewel's continued existence within her. They were unsure how a strange demon had learned about her let alone the jewel, but it became evident that he would stop at nothing to possess her.

Before she even made it to a village near the mount she was taken. When she awoke from the forcible grab, she was in darkness. She could only hear laughter, feel slight caresses on her flesh… She honestly thought she was in hell. What was worse was the utter silence when there was no sound of chuckling. She had no idea where her captor was--let alone who he was or what he truly intended to do with her. When there was silence, she often checked to see if her hymen was still intact; she didn’t know if he had drugged her and violated her, or if he took her and she just blacked out from the trauma.

One day, or night, she wasn’t sure how long she was there for, but she started to count when she was awake between visits of her psycho captor and when she got to five thousand for the first time, she knew she was likely completely alone. She invoked her power and was able to see--and gods she wished she hadn’t. Completely surrounded by demons, flesh, blood, and remains, she almost lost her sanity. But she needed to escape. She could break later. She had to remain strong until then. 

Sneaking out, as carefully as she could, she finally saw light as she climbed the rocking surfaces. Touching and testing each place before she firmly grabbed or placed her foot, the climb out of her little hole took likely hours. By the time she got through the hole of the cavern she was in, the light was almost all gone. It was sunset when she finally emerged. She found her clothing and barely wrapped her bindings before her shaky hands threw on her pants and kimono top. Her breathing was ragged but she kept it quiet--kept it under control because she would not be discovered. She would not go back there. She had NO intention of learning what the freak had actually wanted with her other than the jewel.

Thankfully she saw a pile of weapons aside additional clothing. She grabbed a bow with a quiver of arrows before she started her unfortunate descent of the mountain she apparently climbed from the inside.      

     By the time she made it back down to the forest floor, it was night time. The moonless night. She tried to think back to the moon she was taken on… or right before rather. She wanted to say it had been a full moon. But she wasn’t sure if it had been two weeks or over a month's time since she was in that hell hole. 

She was about to sit down to rest when she heard them; laughter. Hissing. Tongues licking lips. Claims of a tasty treat… then the recognition she belonged to Naraku. That whisper was enough to refuel her. 

Running for her life, from uncertainty and evil, she wasn't sure how long she could hold out. She was already so drained she couldn't pull any of her power to the surface without passing out. That was when she heard a call. She turned her head and saw a man dressed in red. He had long black free flowing hair and the most piercing violet eyes she had ever seen on anyone. 

"This way!!" 

Deciding not to wonder why that handsome man was even wandering around in the deep forest in the middle of night, she ran to him and followed him. He seemed like he knew where he was going. She figured even if it was a trap, she wouldn't last not following him. It was ultimately a possible lose lose situation. But he seemed… trustworthy even if it was just from a distance. 

He ran farther ahead of her; it was almost like he was avoiding her. Did he recognize who she was? In her haze of anxiety and onsetting fatigue, she tripped and fell into a tree that laid on the ground. She heard a couple of her ribs crack upon impact more than she felt it. 

"Ahhhh!" 

He must’ve heard her cry out as he was instantly pulling on her arm to rise, "Get up or I'll leave you behind!!"

"Just--just go," she said defeatedly.

"Let's get one thing straight here wench, I'm not out here riskin' my ass so you can give up! Now move it!!"

She couldn't believe his determination. It was weird. Why was he so set on helping her? Was he lonely too??

Trying to stand she cried out and grasped her chest, "M-my ribs--"

"Fuck!" He stood in front of her, his hand stiffly on his sword.

"You--you should go. Please. It's okay, I appreciate your help."

"Shut up, you got me involved the minute you entered the forest with this scum."

"I'm sorry," she breathed looking down at her hands clenching the ground. 

"If you're sorry, you'll get outta here."

"What?" She looked up to see the back of his head.

"Are you deaf or dumb?! I said run!!" Before she could stand she saw the demons charging for her. She grabbed her bow and groaned as she shot off an arrow and blew a portion of them away. Unfortunately she must've distracted the man as a couple knocked him off his feet and attacked his chest.

His scream was what awoke whatever power she thought was drained. She launched arrow after arrow destroying the pack of youkai that surrounded them. Kneeling next to him, he was her priority to save. One demon got too close and knocked the bow from her and two others wrapped around to restrain her hands. She felt burning pain as they stretched her out to open her for attack. Two more came at her and bit down on her stomach and another lunged for her heart. If not for the man by her who was groaning and leaking blood she doubted she would have fought to survive. 

A bright light engulfed her and she was briefly lost. The only thing that snapped her mind back into reality was feeling the rise and fall of the man who risked his life for her. Her eyes popped open and she noticed they were covered in ash, blood, and guts. She sensed another round of demons were on their way. Standing unsteadily, feeling the burning stabbing pain of her cracked ribs, she grabbed her bow and then grabbed the man's arms and started to drag him the direction he previously was headed. She winced as she put pressure on her right leg, realizing it was likely broken when she purified the demons when they dropped her and twisted her on their way back to hell.  

She finally saw what the guy was originally leading them to--a hut. It was old; the wood looked rotted and the reed door was barely hanging on but it didn't matter--it would do.

She got him inside before she finally collapsed on the floor and crawled back out the door. She drew two markers by the doors, the star-based shape she was named after into the dirt in front of the door and began to pray. She prayed for the man’s safety. She prayed for the man’s health. She prayed to be able to make it to tomorrow...

The barrier was erected and she made her way back inside and scavenged for bandages. Thankfully there was already a pot of water above the fire pit and logs were ready to be lit. She lit the fire and boiled the water. As the water was being cooked, she opened the man’s kimono and gasped at the slashes the demons had made. His skin was ripped apart and she wasn’t sure how far the damage went down… She could see his organs, blood leaked loosely from his stomach. If she had anything of substance in her stomach, it would have come up. She had to use her power one more time. Just once more. To heal him as much as she could. 

Hovering her hands over his torn abs, she drew her power once more to the surface. She honestly thought she might die then. He was draining her--slowly. Once she noticed his organs were fully enclosed, she began to clean him and bandage him. Her breath ragged and her mind foggy, she collapsed onto him right before dawn. His aura pushed her back into consciousness. She hadn’t even been on him for a minute. Trembling, she studied the change that occurred within him…

His hair faded to the most beautiful silver colors, his fingernails lengthened and thickened to claws, his ears grew pointed and shifted to the top of his head. He--he was a half demon. He… he showed her his time of weakness. Oh Gods, he placed so much faith and trust in her. He almost died for her.

Her.

Kagome. The reincarnation of Kikyo, the keeper of the Shikon no Tama. The woman whose reputation was ruined by a monster. Rumored to be the mate of a demon... and allowed that demon to kill, eat, and destroy villages for fun. The idea of being mated to a demon was not the thing that disgusted her--it was the fact he said she was his mate. 

Was it possible to fall for someone you just met? Was it possible you never wanted to be without them? The very idea of them leaving your life physically hurt, even though you didn’t even know their name? Was it possible that… he was actually her mate? Could that be sensed because of her spiritual powers? But… would he know? Half-demons were so rare. Would he be able to tell if what she was feeling was real?

Honestly, she could say she had never been in love. She never felt ‘lust’ or ‘desire’ for anyone in her village. She had been on the receiving end of those feelings along with love, but she never felt like she could reciprocate. Truthfully she thought it was the jewel. Her duty was to the jewel. She had no time or desires to be with a man because her sole purpose in life was to guard the jewel. Just like the other shrine maidens before her…

But now she was confused. She knew Hojo--they grew up together. He fell in love with her. He courted her from the time they came of age until she left without a word. Even though her family had agreed, she never had intentions on marrying him. Even her other best friend, Koga, had taken interest in her. But thankfully he found his actual mate and backed off. She loved Ayame and Ayame held no bitterness towards Kagome. That was how Kagome even learned of mates for demons. Not that she was upset with Koga for dropping her the moment he met Ayame, but she was curious why and how.

The way Ayame described it… was exactly how she felt right when she locked eyes with this demon. Well, locked eyes over his body. But was that possible? For a human to be able to discern a demon for their mate?

After on and off sleeping, changing his bandages, watching the sun rise and set for three days and the hanyou didn’t awaken, Kagome began to lose faith… She failed him. He was going to die. And it was all of her fault. The only mate or whatever he was, she was going to lose him. She truly believed that the jewel was cursed--correction--she was cursed.

She prayed. And prayed. And prayed. And prayed some more. Then she began to beg. She cried. Take her, not him. He saved her. He rescued her. Any Kami that would listen she groveled for the nameless half-demon's life. 

When he finally opened his eyes, his beautiful rich, golden eyes she felt her heartbeat quicken. Some of her strength returned just from the rush of relief while her body began to falter. She saved him. Thank the Gods.  His eyes met hers and she swore she felt the electricity between them… and then he opened his mouth. 

The Gods had a funny sense of humor that was for sure. While her mate was fucking gorgeous and absolutely mouth watering--he was a complete asshole! He had zero bedside manner, let alone any form of manners at all. He was gruff, rude, and ugh! She was so drained and exhausted she had no patience for dealing with her raging emotions and his complete distrust in the person who basically let herself die trying to save him.

Whatever. 

She didn’t care anymore. Hopefully she rested in stupid mother loving peace. She’d take the jewel back to hell and refuse to find nirvana. That was her new duty; to keep the jewel from ruining anyone else’s life.

But then she awoke to a massive surge of demonic aura. For a half demon, he was quite strong… 

Whoa. He was holding her. She fit perfectly in his arms. Oh Gods. If she had energy to be aroused, she likely would be. But she was in so much pain, she couldn't muster anything but burying her head in his chest. His scent was so comforting. It was like coming home. 

After she learned his name, she passed back out. Everything that happened was too overwhelming. Too much for her let alone her body to process. 

She almost killed him the next time he woke her. Her barrier had shattered. Son. Of. A. Bitch. Literally!!! She was going to murder him. When she sat up to ream him a new one, she realized two very crazy things: 1. She was completely naked aside from his haori and 2. Her wounds were healed… except for her broken bones. Oh Gods. Boundaries. They needed to talk about those. One would be when she is out of her mind with pain then things needed to be explained to her more thoroughly. Her fault really. She really wanted to feel better. She also didn’t want to leave him. 

Once he bade the demons away, their weird, highly tensioned relationship began. She was unsure if he thought she was his mate or not. He was so… stubborn. Off putting. Defensive. Quick to speak. 

Over the month they spent together though, it became a song and dance. Sometimes she thought he enjoyed rattling her. He enjoyed ‘poking the bear’. Jerk. He was very protective and provided for her. He literally helped her do everything. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. If she thought she was mortified over the fact he licked her naked body while she was asleep, she was gravely mistaken. Him having to help her take a leak in the bushes was hundreds times worse.

But he stayed by her--even though he didn’t have to. It slightly gave her hope that he too, felt the draw of mateship. She found herself trying to help him, coax him to go be with his family. Understand that he belonged. Teach him he wasn’t bad because he was half-demon… but then ended up whispering things to try to keep him. Asking him to stay.

She didn’t want him to feel like he owed her; he shouldn’t feel like he should just be by her because she didn’t want to be alone.

When she finally asked the impending question about what he thought if she never asked him to leave… she was heart broken. She really put it all on the line and he basically said that she just wanted him because she was a pitiful lonely girl who was crushing on the guy who was helping her.

She wasn’t that pathetic. How dare he insinuate that! She wanted him because she loved him!! Because all the tales of the red string of fate were true--she was bound to him just as he was bound to her!! He was just too stupid to realize it and ugh!!

Then she heard that dark chuckle that haunted her in the dark. 

Then she saw Inuyasha try to protect her.

Then she saw him drop to the ground…

She did as Inuyasha told her--she shot the bastard through the heart. She was so so so scared--her mind was so clouded in fear she didn’t even realize it was a demon puppet. How stupid was she?!!? 

Kneeling down next to him she saw the gaping hole in his gut and feared for his life--again. This was why she asked him to leave her. This. This right here! She couldn’t allow this man to sacrifice himself for her. The jewel’s existence was her curse. But somehow it was starting to affect him. 

She cared so deeply for him--it was hard to ask him to stay but also tell him to go. Maybe she should have been more forceful! Maybe she should have been meaner… Ugh! Who was she trying to play? She could never treat him like that. He didn’t deserve that; after everything he confided in her, after everything she had been through in the last couple months, she would never treat him so coldly to leave.

His eyes were closed but dawn was approaching. Slowly. Too slowly. He had lost too much blood; she had to heal him again. Closing her eyes she drew her power to the surface and fed it into his battered body. She was strong enough this time to fully close his wound--but that didn’t mean it still didn’t drain her. Feeling part of herself drift back into him, she collapsed onto his chest again and breathed raggedly. 

Damn. He’d probably kill her if he knew what she was doing. Giving away her life force to heal him. But that was just another secret she’d take to the grave with her. If he wasn’t her mate like she thought, he’d move on. It would all be okay; she’d just be the woman who opened his heart and taught him to love and trust. If she was his mate, they’d figure out a way to fix it…

She closed her eyes unable to move herself from his chest. His scent calmed her and soothed her. He would be okay. He would be okay. He would be okay. Even if she wouldn’t be.

Inuyasha felt his youki pulse through him; the change woke him this time. The revelation startled him-- hadn’t he been run through the gut with a tentacle? On his human night? Shouldn’t he have bled out??

He started to sit up, pressing a hand to his head from the massive headache he had when he realized there was weight sitting upon him. His eyes shot open when he sat up and the weight fell to his lap. Looking down he was met with long black locks. It was Kagome!!

“Kagome!” He grasped the young woman on his lap and flipped her over. Her breathing was ragged, sweat glistened down her face,  and she was unresponsive. What the fuck?! What happened?! Was she hurt somehow?? 

He examined her in his arms, sniffed to discern why she seemed like she was in discomfort and came up with nothing. No injuries, no wounds; if anything, her aura was depleted but he was surprised due to the length she held her barrier up. 

Shaking her, he called her name until he finally saw her eyes clenched tightly as if she was trying to regain consciousness. 

"Ughhhh…" she groaned weakly.

"Kagome." Her name fell from his mouth with a gentleness he didn't think he actually possessed. When her sapphire eyes finally appeared he exhaled thankfully and pulled her closer to his body. He didn't give a shit about putting distance between them at that moment; he was just thankful she was awake.

"Kagome what happened?"

"I shot him; the puppet disintegrated and…" She seemed reluctant to finish her train of thought. He knew she did something she likely shouldn't have done… something that he would likely be angry with.

"And what then? Why am I breathing without a scratch? Don't lie to me either, " he warned with a low growl.

She averted her eyes and snuggled into his chest, "I can't tell you. "

"What do you mean you 'can't'?"

"Exactly as it sounds."

"Kagome--I know you have secrets. I do too. Obviously we haven't known each other that long but I know for a fact that some of these secrets are putting you in danger.  I can't help you if you're not open with me."

"I can handle this myself," she said stubbornly.

"Pft, right. That’s why you were trembling behind me when that crazy fuck entered the hut. Who was that anyway? What is your history with him?”

“That’s none of your business!” she yelled sitting up and trying to push away from him. He wasn’t having any of that though--his hold remained firm and he growled low..

“The fuck it isn’t my business! Look here--I’ve almost died twice now saving your hide you better own up to what the hell is going on between you and that sick fuck!”

“Inuyasha! Just DROP it!!”

“Kagome!”

“STOP--” she commanded slamming her hands balled up into fists against his chest, his hands still tightly around her arms to keep her from moving away from him. 

Before he knew it, he had pinned her on her back and was snarling in her face. Her hands were secured above her head and she looked at him fearfully. The beautiful blues made him realize what had happened; her reluctance and obstinance made his inner demon emerge. It was pissed off by the fact she was disregarding her own safety. The fact she was keeping such big secrets from him made it decide it was time to make her submit.

He threw himself off of her and jumped to the doorway; he needed to calm down. Fuck. He hadn’t lost control like that in centuries. Was it because she was his destined mate? Even then though, he usually found her spunk and fury arousing--charming… right then it made him pissed to the point he scared her. He was a monster. She would never accept him now.

When he felt a hand on his arm he pulled away from her without thought. Her gasp made his ears pin to his head and he turned his sadden eyes to hers. She looked worried. Crap. 

“What?!” he spat.

“Inuyasha,” she said softly.

“You didn’t wanna talk right? That’s fine. I’ll give you your space,” he turned back to go out the door.

“No!! Please!! Stop!! I’m sorry!!”

“Whatever Kagome. Maybe you were right. Maybe I should just go; obviously I’m just as untrustworthy as the monkey-shit that just strolled on in. He clearly knows you better than I do. Maybe you shoulda just gone with him. He probably could protect you better than I can since I keep getting myself basically killed trying to keep you safe from yourself.”

He knew he was being harsh. He knew he was reacting in the worst way possible. To be fair, he was doing what he did best--he was pushing her away before she could leave him. When he saw her face, it looked like he struck her the way her face was shaped. He hit below the belt.

The history between her and that demon obviously was extensive enough for the nasty asshole to be claiming she was his mate. Yes, it was a lie. Mates were only linked to each other and no one else. But this crazy fuck obviously was different from the rest. Who knows? Maybe the Gods did link her up to him and an actual demon because he was a half-breed. Unworthy of the beautiful goddess she was. 

She deserved better. He would push her to that point; force her to see she needed someone who could fully protect her. Someone who could support her. Someone who she could take back to her village and not be ridiculed for being with. A man who was not a half-breed. Someone who was not him.

When she didn’t reach out to him, he stepped outside the hut and hung by the barrier waiting for her to lower it. He knew he had to leave her. After what he just did to her, he was likely no better than the baboon. He shouldn’t have her trust. He shouldn’t be allowed to be near her.

“You… You really want to leave?”

“You have ears don’t you?”

“Inuyasha… why…”

“You said so yourself didn’t you?? That I should leave--that I repaid you enough. This last save between us officially made us even.”

“Is… I... Please--no--”

“Lower your barrier, bitch,” he growled knowing she detested that word.

“Do you hate me now?? What happened?! Because I don’t want to share you’re just leaving?! Running away?!!? After everything!!??”

“After what? We’ve been in this shithole for a month. That’s nothing. It isn’t even enough to trust each other, stupid. I’m proving it to you right now; I refuse to be by someone who is hiding their life. Especially when it involves me basically dying every month. I don’t need that. I’ve survived centuries being alone. I prefer loneliness over dying for a pitiful excuse for a human like you.”

Her gasp hurt him. It physically hurt him. He felt like he was ripping his own heart out. A soft thud onto the dirt almost made him turn around until he saw the barrier start to waver.

“Wh-why…?” Her voice was trembling. It was so small, timid. 

“Do you need a list? You’re worthless. You’re so weak you can’t even keep your head held up when you use your powers; you let a demon slip right through your barrier. What kind of priestess are you? Probably a tainted one. I could smell demons on you the moment I woke up in this hut after the last new moon. Do you just whore yourself out to anyone who shows interest in you? Is that why you’re ‘in love’? You’re a stupid little girl who has no idea what love actually is or what it means to be in love with someone. You’re just looking for your next conquest. You make me sick.”

“Inuyasha--please--”

“No, girl. Just lower the barrier before I make you do it for me.”

“N-no… I--I won’t!”

“You’re that desperate?!” He chastised finally swinging around realizing the mistake in the action. She was looking at him in full determination, tears trapped in those deep oceaniantic eyes.

“No!! I’m just that serious about you, Inuyasha!!”

“Shut up and let me out,” he said as harshly as he could but it came out muddled with thick regret.

“Make me. You said you’d make me,” she cringed as she pulled herself up using the doorway as a brace. She stood tall and firm. “Go on. You don’t care--you don’t like me?? Fine. Then force me!!!”

“Don’t tempt me bitch. I’ll rip you apart like you’re nothing at all. I already told you earlier tonight didn’t I? As a human nonetheless, that I doubt you’ll feel like you wanna be with me when this is all over. That was my weak way of saying I’m out of here. But I have always been more about self-preservation anyway. Two brushes with death is enough for a lifetime. Now. Let. Me. Out,” he hissed with the facade of menace standing less than a foot away from her now.

“I’m waiting for your threats to be real. If I have learned anything about you, Inuyasha, it is that you are all bravado. You are just doing this to save some sort of face… Yes, your words hurt. Yes, you’re breaking my heart. Yes, I don’t know if we’ll actually recover from the damage you’re trying to inflict, but, I’m not willing to let you go.”

He was stunned and his face likely didn’t even bother hiding it. Did she really know him that well? How did he actually allow himself to get that close to her to where she knew this pattern about him? Fuck…

He couldn't physically hurt her. Never. Neither his human or demon half would ever allow such a thing. He tried the emotional route only because he thought it would protect her. Even though he pushed her away, he could always watch her from the trees.  Protect her without her ever truly knowing. But now, he may have unknowingly set his fate in just a lifetime of friendship. Whatever. This was the lot he had been given. This would be the lot he would take.

"Why are you hanging on so hard? After everything I said--how--"

"Because I'm not everyone else, Inuyasha. I know you. You'll be just as heartbroken as I will be if you actually step out of this barrier…" she sighed leaning heavily on the door frame for support. It was like all the energy she was using was fake and she was her last reserve. He refused to help her; he was trying to prove she didn’t actually need him. In the end, he would hurt her. She was lucky she had snapped him out of his demonic rage. What if it happened again? What if she didn't pull him back?

We would never hurt our mate.

Yea. Right. Tell me she didn’t look afraid at the stupid showcase of dominance. What would have happened if she kept fighting?

We would have made her submit.

By force, jackass. Never. Our mate is safest away from you--away from me.

That is a foolish lie you are telling yourself, hanyou. Our mate is the safest in our protection.

Shut up!!! 

“Whatever. Start fucking talking. I’m outta here if I hear any bullshit,” he grumbled and tried as hard as he could to keep his eyes averted.

“You first--what the heck was that?!!”

“I’m asking the questions here, wench,” he pointed out, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Yea, let me explain to you how this will work, Inuyasha. It’s going to be a ‘you-go’ ‘I-go’ kind of thing. Since you just decided to up and leave all of a sudden after declaring you were there because you wanted to be, I want to know why?!”

He felt a jolt in power. She obviously was very pissed off or hurt, or the third option, both. Not that he could blame her; that was his goal. But she didn’t have the correct reaction. She was supposed to let him leave, he would watch her from afar, then kill the disgusting asshat who was stalking her. After that, she could return to her village, marry some nice guy, have his pups, grow old, then die. Then Inuyasha would move on with his life and reminisce about how he fucked it all up. But no, this woman was likely more stubborn than he was. 

“None of your business.”

“Uhm, actually, it is!!” Another surge flowed through her barrier. Was she just trying to scare him? Or were her powers acting on their own?

“Actually it isn't. Next question.”

“Inuyasha…” she warned.

“I said no, Kagome!! Next FUCKING question!!!”

Her pause made him look at her and he saw those beautiful blue eyes angier than he had ever seen them.

“I know what happened, Inuyasha. I’m a freaking priestess! I know your demonic half emerged when I was fighting with you. I know as a inu-youkai, the act of defiance in a pack is huge. I know you were making me submit. Now, tell me why?!!?”

Our mate is smart. You don’t give her enough credit, half-demon.

Shut. Up. Stay the fuck outta this! You’re the reason we’re even in this mess!

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why not!??! You were the one just going on about trust and everything else!! Can’t you extend the same courtesy?!?!”

“If you don’t shut up, you’re gonna end up in the same position!!”

“Good! Maybe your demon will be more talkative than you are!!!”

“Trust me, it doesn’t want to fucking talk!!”

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Exactly how it sounds! It's my basic instincts--the most primitive animalistic part of me! The furthest thing from its mind is talking!! That part of me kills first and doesn't even turn around to ask why. Anything it deems as a threat to power or life is automatically cut down. It was over the fact you don't fucking listen! That you constantly put yourself at risk and don't bother to tell me why! I stayed with you to protect you! If you know what's after you and why I deserve to fucking know!!"

"I didn't ask you to stay!"

"Well you're certainly not letting me go either."

"Can't you just trust me?? That maybe I'm not telling you to protect you??!"

"We both know that's a load of bullshit because I’ll repeat myself just because I want you to see your face when I tell you how wrong you are: I. ALMOST. DIED. TWICE. I don’t know how you keep saving me, but face it Kagome, you’re not doing me any favors.”

He watched her face contort to discomfort and then shame. Her barrier dropped as did she into a slumped position against the doorframe. Sighing, he knew he got through to her. Maybe. Or maybe he broke her. As much as he wanted to lift her into his arms and carry her back into the hut, he knew he needed her to sweat. She needed to open up to him lest they have a repeat incident where he actually bit her--marked her without permission. Rutted her like the goddamned animal he was. 

“Just go…” she whispered.

“Are you… ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?!?!!?” He felt his youki rising. What was wrong this--this--bitch?!

“I’m not going to tell you. You’re right though. You don’t need to be here because you’re just in danger. Go,” she waved her hand dismissively but her eyes were trained on the tattered reed hanging from the door.

He surprised her when he grabbed her by her hair and shoulders. Her gasp this time didn’t break his trance when he tilted her head to expose her neck to him. What shocked him though was he didn’t mark her--he just bit her enough to leave a bruise. Cocky demon half. He was lucky she only inhaled sharply and didn’t zap him into the next life. Remaining as still as he could while the growl that had been flowing through his chest kept a steady noise to break the now very awkward silence, he tried to figure out what she was going to do. Well, even what he was going to do.

When he felt the lick of her tongue against his cheek he unceremoniously dropped her. Whoops. Fuck. Shit. Dammit. He was actually at a loss for words. She stayed upright and caught his forearms. Her eyes looked into his as if making sure he was--well that he was back, he guessed. 

“Happy?” she asked hesitantly. He must’ve forgotten how to talk though. Communicate in general. He was stuck just staring at her. Wasn't even sure how he was gazing at her. Curiosity? Disbelief? Shock? 

"Are you… okay?" She asked tentatively, reaching up to stroke his cheek where she likely saw his jagged stripes. 

Well say something hanyou.

…

She submitted--just as we commanded. Pull yourself from your stupor. 

She… why…

Outloud moron.

Shut up and go the fuck away!!!

“Y-you---I---” Gods what the fuck was she doing to him?? Now he couldn’t speak.

“For someone who demanded I be the one to submit, it seems like you’re doing the opposite.”

He cleared his throat as best he could and averted his eyes. Because he was likely to bend down and kiss the fuck outta her if he didnt look away.

“His name is Naraku.” That caught his attention. “Have you heard of him?”

“Yea--my brother said he’s been running around for about half a century. No one knows what he looks like outside of the fact he typically wore an animal suit. Even then, nothing has ever been confirmed. He’s… trouble to say the least.”

“Yea…” she said suddenly anxious.

“Why does he want you? Why is he claiming you’re his mate?”

“I--I don’t know.”

“You’re lying…” he hissed.

“I honestly don’t know why he claims I’m his mate! That’s not a lie!”

“But you do know why he wants you.”

“It’s a secret that has been passed down in my family for generations. It’s something not shared with demons or anyone.”

“Well whatever little secret you’re hiding, it’s about to cost you your life,” he clipped. And mine… If you die Kagome, I’ll die.

“Inuyasha please--I think it’s just best if--”

"Just fucking stop, wench." He was exasperated. He'd have better luck torturing Sesshomaru for information. Maybe they needed a break. He could calm his nerves; she could… figure her shit out. "I'm gonna go."

She looked down, her breath hitching. Sighing, he grabbed her face to look at him so their eyes met. "I'm not leaving. I just need a minute. My instincts are all riled up. You're… well, emotional and panicking over nothing. But this isn't working.  You have to agree with that. What's dumb as fuck is I'm the one saying this. You're the one who's supposed to be good at the words and crap. Go rest. You better be ready to talk after you sleep."

He released her face and began to turn away when he felt her arms wrap around his waist and clench his haori. Gazing down at her, he was again at a loss for words. 

"I'm sorry Inuyasha."

"Keh, whatever.  Not the first time someone's tried to kill me; it won't be the last."

"N-no. I… I swear it's not that I don't trust you. I just don't want you to look at me differently. Our…" Her pause was apparently taken to contemplate her next words carefully. "--friendship means so much to me. I can't-- I just-- please--"

"I'm just going for a run. You have been awake all night. As a human, I know you're tired. As a priestess I know you're drained. I won't be far enough away where you can't sense my aura."

She was quiet as she clung to him. One second she's ordering him to go, the next she can't bear the idea being without him. What did that twisted fuck do to her? 

"I really need you to get your head on straight. I can't be the only one actually thinking."

When her resounding silence was her answer yet again and her hold did not diminish, he began to growl.

"Kagome! Can you fucking answer me!!" Growling he finally grabbed her arms and pulled them from around him. Her legs gave out and she ended up being held up by his hands on her forearms like a doll. "What the fuck?! Kagome?!" Her eyes were closed and she was out cold. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK!!

He picked her up and cradled her body to him. It finally dawned on him that Kagome was right; he needed to go back to Sesshomaru. Even if Kagome never told him her secrets she was hiding, he needed his brother's help to save her. He honestly might know what she was hiding. Stepping inside the hut, he grabbed her bow and quiver. There was nothing else of value. The hut had served its purpose. It was a shelter. It was their safe haven. But no more. It was time to leave and find a new home. Start a new journey. A journey towards trust and hopefully, of love.