#with luz teasing that she likes to be her patient too

[pageofheartdj]

I had to write something, I just had to xD

A lil’ silly thingy xD

***

She was staring.

It was an undeniable fact that Lilith Clawthorne was burning holes in the back of Collector's head. Said star boy was gleefully chatting with Amity and describing something by widely gesturing with hands. Amity was holding a pleasant and patient smile she usually wore with kids in the library. The genuine one that made every kid want to open up to her. It was working wonders with Collector as well. And Titan knows they needed it.

After his attempt to leave and very loud protests from basically all present adults and teary looking Luz and King they carefully snuggled on a couch tightly hugging Francois.

They weren't comfortable. They wanted to be. But now that the adrenalin and fright had died down they were slowly but surely falling back into nervous suspicion. Poor kid.

But back to the nerdy older sister.

Someone naive would have assumed she was strictly against the little god's presence around her family. Eda had heard her story about the short encounter she had with the Collector before she was quickly taken out of commission. Without any fighting chance. Lily was holding a brave face but Eda knew the worry wrinkles when she saw them.

She wasn't that loud when everyone protested against the star child’s attempt to fly away, but she wasn't protesting against him staying here either.

Maybe because she knew they had nowhere else to go. Or maybe she was too preoccupied with her crazy discussion with Hooty. It didn't matter in Eda's book.

No. She would recognise that intense look, that spark, that hunger. For knowledge.

Collector was a bottomless mine full of everything Lilth dreamt about and never dreamt to dream about.

After learning that the Collector was alive and running well before the Boiling Isles Titan became the Boiling Isles Lilith couldn't help but keep throwing little glances Collector's way. She thought she was being sneaky. She was not, not for Eda.

Thankfully Lily kept her distance. Eda would have liked to pretend she was doing it for kid's sake rather than her own nervousness about approaching the little god. Whose eyes looked more and more droopy with every second.

They were half hanged over Amity's shoulder now. She didn't look bothered at all, as if she wasn't in a room full of loud people with someone who played dolls with living beings for months snuggled on her shoulder.

She made an eye contact with Eda.

Welp, that was her cue.

Carefully settling King on the floor with short 'weh' from a little titan, she made her way towards the pair and crouched down. She caught Lilith's glance on her way.

"Someone here looks tired", Eda softly teased, carefully reattaching the kid from Amity and into her own embrace. It was awkward with having just one arm.

Amity shot her an apologetic look, realizing the same, and Eda booped her nose. Mumbled 'm not tired' was the last sign of awareness before the Collector slumped completely.

At least they weren't afraid to be relaxed around Eda.

As Amity sneaked away towards Luz who was happily chatting with her mom, Eda rearranged Collector in her hold and was about to head upstairs before a dark shadow appeared in the corner of her eye.

"Is your tea party already over, Lily?" singsonged Eda fully turning towards her sister who had a bit of a startled look, that was quickly schooled.

"Why yes, Hootsifer was too insistent on adding Hunter to the party and soon all his attention was on the boy. Not that I mind, he is a miracle worker and that kid clearly needs some calming tea."

And yes, in the corner of a room Hooty was pouring yet another cup of hot liquid to heavily flustered Hunter. Eda was sure Willow's tight hold on his elbow had nothing to do with it. Hooty's wiggling eyebrows were also not the case.

Snorting at the picture Eda once again shifted Collector in her arm. He wasn't heavy, yet it was still a struggle to keep him from falling over.

"May I?"

"Sure, go ahead."

In one sweep motion Lilith relocated the star child into her arms. She was much more successful in not letting them hit the floor.

"Comfortable?" teased Eda seeing the droplets of sweat being formed.

"Most certainly."

"Scaaaared?"

"Wha-?!"

Ah it was always a joy getting those silly little reactions.

"No need to get all scarlet embarrassed on me!"

Eda waved at her and led the way towards her room. It still had the nest after Raine had their well-needed rest. Dang they really needed to get all their stuff back. That coach in the living room was barely breathing in the first place.

It was still odd seeing her home so empty and gray. Devoid of life and presence. The happy chittering from the first floor uplifted her clouded mood. Things are just that: things. As long as she had her loved ones by her side, nothing could bring her down.

Eda quickly made her way to her room, opening the door and letting Lily in, and gracefully helped her struggling sister to carefully put the child down into a crispy nest where they snuggled comfortably before stilling yet again.

Heavy sleeper, huh?

Lily was still here. Welp.

"I am sure I don't need to tell you not to bother the kid with your questions, right? At least not right away?" she said, trying to sound light hearted.

Sure they had some nice time with the kid, but everything was a new territory right now and Eda would have liked to settle a new norm first and she wasn't sure how her sister's nagging would affect them.

Lily predictably shot her a scandalized look.

"I would never!- Although I wouldn't mind sooner than-"

"Lily..."

"Thousands years, Edalyn! Thousands! Do you have ANY idea what value this kind of information has?! The history of-"

"Yes-yes, bla-bla-bla, nerd stuff. All I care about right now is to get this kid comfortable enough to trust us and rely on us. You just..."

Deep breath.

"You didn't see them, Lily. They didn't look like some terrifying mastermind who was terrorizing the Isles for funsies! Actually I am sure they did have their fun, but my point is: they looked scared and lost. They were sad and confused. And all I want is to give them some stability and I have no idea what I am working with!"

The room fell into silence. Not even the happy chatter from below reached them.

Lilith looked stunned watching Eda's tense shoulders. She knew her sister had changed, but she didn't expect her to fall into the guardian role so quickly.

Forcing herself to relax after such a sudden outburst Eda shot her sister a crooked smile. It was a lot. A LOT lot.

After everything they went through, the future had never felt as unstable as now. They won, yet they were walking in the dark.

They got a brand new child with a brand new trauma. And it's not like she could just ask them to list everything bad that had happened to them. She had some vague ideas about their shitty siblings and titan's knows what 'quality' time they had had with Jerklos. Not to mention that they were most likely alone before that pompous jerk had found them. If anything their desperate desire to have friends, even if fake ones, spoke loud and clear.

Lilith's hand woke Eda up from her spiraling thoughts, reminding her where she was. She made a gesture towards her chest and took a deep breath. Eda mirrored after her.

In and out.

In and out.

Giving her a soft sympathetic look Lilith said, "Apologize, sister, I once again... overdid it with my drive and passion and well-" she clasped her hands- "No one is rushing us."

In a second Lily gave her a tight and warm hug, waiting for Eda to curl her own arm around her shoulders. They stood like that for a while, just enjoying being here in this moment, before splitting, coiling smiles on their faces mirroring each other.

"One step at a time."

"Couldn't have said it better myself, sis."

A soft snore caught Eda's attention. Her brand new child was drooling on her nest, mumbling something about bagels in their sleep with the most delightful look on their face.

Soft smile touched Eda's lips.

"One step at a time."

[evanox]

rewatching TOH pt2: I’ve seen some arguments about how the final season bent back over to coddle Luz and how it felt like she had everything to gain and nothing to lose, and the counterarguments that “not every end needs to be doom and gloom to be good.” I mean, I get where the latter is coming from; there’s too much media out there obsessed with angst because oooh realism but I still find myself siding with the first opinion, because the show makes a point of calling out the Chosen One trope, and there was a significant amount of screentime dedicated to Luz stressing about having to choose between Earth (real world) and Boiling Isles (fantasy land) only for her to get both anyway, and become the chosen one. It feels like the Luz we started the show with is the same Luz with whom we ended the show. And like, having to lose/sacrifice something doesn’t necessarily make the ending sad yk? Maybe bittersweet but not necessarily bad.

What really cemented this for me was s1ep11/Sense and Insensitivity, where Luz mentions that she was aware that becoming a witch on Earth was impossible, so her runner up dream was to become a writer and I wish that was how the series ended---Luz choosing to stay with her mom before the gateway between both worlds is destroyed, thus choosing the real world with all its dread and dullness, but realizes that doesn’t mean she has to become dull too. Instead she channels her creativity and love for magic through writing and shares the stories of the heroes of the Boiling Isles. In a way she does get both real life and fantasy but it feels like she actually grew up. And she herself says in s2ep13/Any Sport in a Storm (after finding out Azura’s writer was human after all): “Some times it’s nice to be reminded that you don’t need to be a powerful ancient witch to make something special.” 

I’m gonna get a bit fanfic-y here but I like to imagine her on her first book signing/reading/whatever in the epilogue. In the first page she dedicates the book to her father, with whom she found her love for magic and books, to her mother, the kindest and most patient mom anyone could ask for, and finally to the Owl Lady and her magical friends who helped find her real ambition and grow into the person she has become today. A bright-eyed child asks if the Owl Lady, Amity, and King are really real, which Luz answers vaguely, with a distant but affectionate gaze.

Move on to the Boiling Isles and everything they need to show us about how it changed including the reformed schools of magic, and end with Amity walking by the beach where she discovers what resembles the human trash Eda used to collect (and maybe Tibbles picking through it to find his next scam). Among these is a book, its cover art a dramatic witch duel between somewhat familiar face, and it reminds her of all these years ago when she first found the Azura series. Unlike that series, however, this book is signed by a name she knows very well. 

Boom happy where everyone finds their place in life and is doing what they love and even though it’s sad that they separated you still have an open ending that gives hope for the gang finding each other again.

Idk I just think it’s a shame ep11 is the only episode where we see Luz’s passion towards writing fantasy (rather than just reading or dreaming about it), besides maybe teasing starting a writing club with Amity in s2e13. If not to foreshadow where her future was headed, the whole episode was kinda pointless since the episode right before this one where King manipulates a half-transformed Eda could’ve already served the purpose of bringing to light King’s tendency to step over others for his Demon King fantasies (but he gets away with it scot-free because Eda conveniently turns a blind eye every time Luz or King do her dirty lmao) so why do we need 2 of those in a row? Tbh there’s too many King-focused eps towards the second half of the show when I’d rather there was more time dedicated to seeing Luz actually learning magic. Why’s there 3 episodes between the episode where she gets signed up for school and the one where she actually has her first day? So much for a magical girl show.

[noblechaton]

Fic Title: I would live a thousand lives (For You)

I got a fandom in mind but lemme see whatcha got.

what springs to mind here immediately for me is a post reveal story that sees Desperada return - it's set in the afterwards of her most recent attack, with Chat breaking down after barely holding it together throughout the fight, dramatically detransforming as he comes to finally admit to the fact that he'd lost Marinette over and over again during Desperada's first appearance, failing again and again to save and protect her. Adrien slinks down along some concrete wall, tears welling up as he professes to just how traumatic this has been for him to hold inside for so long, apologizing for keeping it a secret but admitting he'd had no idea how to tell her that she basically died thousands of times

cue Marinette taking him by the shoulder and shaking him to his senses, making it a point to assure him that she was okay, that she is okay. she understands why he'd kept it a secret, but professes that she wishes there'd been some better way for him to share this story before this, in a less traumatic situation. Adrien starts calming down as Marinette reaffirms her love, hands at his shoulders and a peck at his lips as she admits that she'd live a thousand lives for him, with Adrien briefly kissing her back before repeating that sentiment, too

[lollytea]

How do you think each hexsquad member +ver&camilia is dealing with suddenly living with so many ppl in one house?

(no need for analysis silly hcs d be enough)

That last rb reminded me of this ask lmao. It really is super funny to think about because most of these characters aren't really used to such an environment. Camila has only ever had one daughter. Ever since she learned the truth about Vee, she's been considering how things are going to operate once Luz gets back. Two daughters. Yeah she can probably manage that. She was not prepared for FOUR EXTRAS.

- Luz, Willow and Gus and Hunter have always been only children with plenty of space for themselves so they're certainly not used to being all lumped together in such a small house. Luz had King for a while but he was just a teeny tiny guy. So there's a lot of butting heads and bickering over stupid shit.

The one who adjusts the fastest is Amity. The others soon learn that Mittens can be vicious. You can only assume she was fighting for her life in that Manor to survive Ed and Em. Hunter has learned that she fucking bites.

- She's also a huge tryhard when it comes to earning Camila's approval. Cooking, cleaning, running to the store, Amity's always front and center to announce "Oh, Ms Noceda, let me give you a hand :D"

Willow, Gus and Hunter tease her over being so obvious about it, but quite frankly, they're not much better. Camila has an emotional chokehold over all of these kids. With their parents gone, they're all pretty starved for parental validation and affection.

Out of everyone, Willow is the best at hiding it but Camila braided her hair one morning and told her she was such a lovely little girl and on god she has not been the same since.

- Vee misses the peace from the time that was just her and Camila. And now constantly bumping elbows with all these other kids who also want her mom's attention is a reminder that those times are long gone.

But Vee is mature for her age so she doesn't let her jealousy show. She's very helpful and patient with the others. It wasn't so long ago that she was still learning how to blend in like a normal human so she admittedly enjoys feeling smart and teaching them things. Like how a toaster works and what pointy objects you should not stick in a socket. Gus needed a few extra lessons but he's doing great now!

- As for sleeping arrangements, Luz and Vee usually share the top bunk. Luz wakes up at random hours of the night squealing because Vee touched her with her ice cold blooded body. Vee can only take so much of the theatrics before she groans at Luz to stop being dramatic. Sleeping next to Luz is like sleeping next to a grease fire and you don't hear Vee complaining about how suffocating it is!

- Amity and Willow share the bottom bunk. They both believed this would work out just fine until the reality of the situation was discovered. Willow kicks in her sleep. And she kicks hard. She fucking launched Amity out of the bed at one point. She's utterly mortified when she's informed that she might be a little bit of a restless sleeper and apologizes profusely over it. From now on, Amity sleeps on the inside and they have a wall of pillows between them.

- (from that one post.) Gus is not a morning person. Willow and Hunter are. This leads to the two of them rousing him at 6am with their big dumb enthusiastic smiles to tell him they're going on a morning run and if he wants to come? Gus answers that he'd sooner lift a finger to show them horrors beyond their comprehension until their brains are deep fried than lift a finger to put his jeans on. Now scram.

- Luz has to take Camila aside at one point and discreetly tell her "Listen mom, my friends might be a little too embarrassed to tell you themselves but...they're all kinda...dealing with different stages of witch puberty right now. So if they act kinda weird, that's why." And Camila is like "Oh! Well that's nothing to be embarrassed about. They're growing kids. And I've already been through this with you, I'm sure I can handle it with them."

But fucking. She was not prepared for....whatever in God's name is going on with these children. When Amity gets too overstimulated her body overheats and pink fire singes Camila's carpet. Vee is shedding her skin. Willow is growing moss on her shoulders. Gus keeps involuntarily summoning illusions that broadcast his deepest secrets to everyone in the house. This shit is chaos. What the absolute fuck.

Hunter sheepishly approaches her one day and Camila fearfully holds her breath for whatever insanity this kid is going through that he's about to tell her about.

"Hey. Uh. Ms Noceda. Would it be okay if...if I got one of those...um. y'know those human spray potions. The ones that make you...y'know....not smell bad...?"

Camila blinks. ".....deodorant?"

"Yeah that's the stuff. And uh," His fingers ghost across his jaw. "A razor. If that's not too much trouble."

She feels the relief wash over her. Okay, this one she understands. Thank fucking God.

"Of course, Mijo. I'll pick those up for you later :)"

- The house has one bathroom. On more than one occasion, Camila hears the commotion from the floor above as the herd tramples over each other in an effort to reach said bathroom first. There are yells and protests and somebody elbowing somebody's stomach or somebody slamming somebody into a wall. Luz and Hunter are usually the ones who get the worst injuries because they do not hold back when it comes to decking each other.

- Gus has gotten really into horror games/movies/etc. Luz hums disapprovingly when she hears whatever he's currently downloaded. "I dunno Gus, are you sure you're up for that? It's just...whenever I used to watch that kind of stuff I couldn't sleep right. So just...maybe pace yourself."

Once Hunter hears that Gus is apparently consuming really scary content he's like "Don't worry, Luz. I'll supervise him."

Long story short. Gus becomes passionate about horror media. Hunter, meanwhile, is too chickenshit to tell him that he CANNOT keep watching these movies with him. He hasn't gotten a good night's sleep in weeks.

- Camila assumed that since these were teenagers, she didn't need to pester them about bedtimes and whatnot. This could not have been more incorrect. She had to lay down a very strict lights out schedule because otherwise they'd be up all night. Either doing gravesfield research or getting absorbed in whatever new human thing they were currently addicted to. And then it's always all "oh I haven't brushed my teeth yet" or "oh I'm gonna head downstairs for a glass of water" it takes FOREVER to get them all down and settled. She's finding that there is no difference between teens and five year olds when it comes to bedtime.

(This is all the silly HCs I can think of for the moment.)

[sleepingdeath-light]

Lumity x fem! reader where the reader was forced to break up with them because of their parents,, angst please !

Angst Drabble | Lumity [Luz x Amity]

thank you for requesting!

word count : 833

note : Not really confident in how I portrayed the characters as I haven’t written for Luz or Amity before and am only able to base their relationship dynamic on available clips and the wiki. So this may be reworked in the future.

They were enamoured with each other before she had even met them, being a mid-term transfer to Hexside, but they had welcomed her with open arms all the same.

First they were friends, sharing laughter and kindness freely amongst themselves and the other members of their small social circle. They met throughout the week, hanging out between classes and sharing their frustrations and successes throughout the school days—walking arm in arm through the hallways and not caring for the rumours and rivalries held by their more spiteful peers. At the beginning, she paid no mind to the dull throbbing in her chest when she saw the way they looked at each other… but whilst ignorance is bliss it didn’t last forever and she couldn’t keep neglecting her feelings.

But how could she confess? Luz and Amity were perfect for each other and were so deeply devoted to one another. She didn’t stand a chance.

So she was fine with keeping them as her friends. It was okay. She would be okay, as long as she didn’t lose them.

However, her affections were returned by the couple, whom again welcomed her with open arms and warm smiles as they shared unconditional love and concern amongst themselves freely. They were a couple, as in love as ever, as they stayed up late into the evening exchanging “I love you”s and “see you tomorrow”s—only half of which they were able to keep.

After all, they had to share their time with family and friends, no matter how much they wished to spend their every moment together.

Now her weekends were filled with laughter and promises of a future together that made her heart swell with a warmth she’d never felt before. Everything they had to give, they did: their love, their kindness, their promises and themselves—and she gave back just as much, returning their promises and energy with a smile that didn’t even leave her face when she slept.

It was perfect. They were perfect.

—

“I have no idea what my future holds, but it would be so cool if you guys were in it.”

“We will be, Luz.” Amity had assured, kissing your girlfriend’s cheek and grinning in spite of her cherry-red complexion. “Right?”

“Of course! You’re stuck with us now.” She had teased lightly, reaching down to squeeze Luz’s hand before looking between both of the girls she cared for. “No take backs.”

“Promise?” Luz had asked again, outstretching her pinky finger with small smile.

“Promise.” They responded just barely out of sync, entwining their pinkies with hers in a way that didn’t quite fit but felt right nonetheless before they all started laughing and fell into a tight and warm embrace.

Nothing else mattered as long as they had each other.

—

“I can’t be with you anymore.” The words felt like poison on her tongue, thick and unnatural as they fell from her lips shortly followed by the acrid aftertaste of fear and regret. “I’m sorry.”

She could barely bring herself to look at them, already feeling the waves of anger and sadness radiating off of the girls she loved—and it made her sick. But it wasn’t her choice to make, it was her parents’… and they couldn’t bare to see their daughter in a relationship with those who would dare defy the emperor’s will.

“What are you talking about?” Luz was as kind and patient as ever and she couldn’t stand it. She could take anger and hatred and disgust but this. Titan, the crack in her voice made her want to cry. “What happened? Did… did I do something wrong?”

“No!” Her response was fast and certain, tearing her away from her self pity as she finally looked at them and saw their sadness. “No. I… I just can’t.”

Amity still hadn’t said anything, but she could practically feel how hurt she was from where she stood a few feet away: her head was turned down and away from her, her expression stony but the tremble of her tight lips was a clear giveaway; her nails were dug into the fabric of her dress, twisting and almost tearing at the delicate skirt in a way that made her feel ill; her entire demeanour was off as she was turned away from her and leaning into Luz, whose arm was wrapped around her—supporting her despite her obvious sorrow.

Titan, was she crying now too? She needed to leave.

“I’m sorry.” She repeated again, her voice soft and wavering as she turned away from the heartbreaking sight in front of her—away from Amity’s crumbling silhouette, away from Luz’s teary eyes and trembling body, away from the girls she loved—only comforted by a single thought.

They were perfect for each other, so they would be okay without her. They would heal and, then, they could be happy—even if she wasn’t.

After all, nothing else mattered as long as they had each other.

[drabbles-of-writing]

Electric Love

This is part of my Wing AU

AO3

Masterpost

Summary: In Amity's defense, Luz would've flown into that thunderstorm if she'd agreed to it or not. The least she could do was be there to make sure nothing bad happened. Though, this was Luz she was talking about. Crazy things would happen with or without supervision.

Dry thunderstorms were nothing new to the Isles. They were among the most common storms, really. If there was lightning, then there was a relatively decent chance there’d be no boiling rain. 

Which also led to a rather popular game among the young and reckless known as Thunderdiving. A sport where one would fly into the center of the thunderstorm and spend however long they deemed necessary dodging and flying through strikes of lightning. Flying through a heavily clouded sky is already dangerous enough, what with the possibility of smacking into whatever else was flying or getting lost and crashing. But to fly among conditions such as that plus lightning? It was practically a death sentence. No wonder teenagers liked daring each other to play it.

Now, Amity had never taken interest in it. Her parents would’ve murdered her if they were to find out she tried to Thunderdive. Didn’t stop the twins, though. Amity can name three separate times the twins came back from a dry thunderstorm, shaken up but still whooping and cheering at having survived it with whatever group of equally idiot teens they went with. Only after the third time, when Emira narrowly avoided getting her wing shot like a lightning rod, did they call it quits.

And Amity was fine never knowing anything else about the sport. Even if her siblings hadn’t come back shaken up, she wouldn’t have had any interest in it. Who, pray tell, would be idiotic enough to know the dangers of Thunderdiving and still want to participate? It was absurd!

Unfortunately for her, Amity had a nasty habit of being surrounded by those kinds of people.

,

A clap of thunder roared through the air, making Amity pause. She leaned up from her bed, peering out her window. Sure enough, the ominous clouds from earlier had descended upon Bonesborough in no time. There didn’t appear to be any rain, so Amity simply shrugged and sat back in her bed, continuing with reading the Azura book that Luz had gifted her. She finished it long ago, but rereading it wouldn’t hurt.

And that would’ve been her whole day; reading as the dry thunderstorm passed overhead, with nothing but the occasional lightning out her window to distract her.

If it hadn’t been for her crystal ball to begin ringing.

Amity’s wings twitched at her sides and she sighed. She cast a glance to her bedside table, expecting someone like Boscha. It’d be on-brand for her to call in the middle of a storm when bored.

Instead, she saw the name Luz spread across the crystal ball.

Amity jerked up, wings snapping to her sides as she completely ditched her book in favor of wildly reaching for the crystal ball. She nearly knocked it off her table in her haste, but managed to secure a good hold on it before yanking it back towards her. 

She takes a moment to pause and take in a deep breath, checking her reflection in the crystal ball. She ran a hand through her hair, making sure none of it was sticking up. She hoped her wings were neat enough that, should they be seen through the clear ball, she wouldn’t look as much of a mess as she felt.

With that, and a slow inhale, Amity accepted the call.

“Hi, Amity!” Luz beamed, her face quickly overtaking the ball. She continued speaking before Amity could even think of responding. “So, out of curiosity, did the twins happen to mention anything important to you about dry thunderstorms?”

That caught Amity’s attention. Luz was known for odd questions here and there, but typically not so specific. The mention of the twins immediately put the kestrel on edge.

“Luz,” Amity said, a warning laced into her tone. “What are you doing?”

“Me? Nothing! I’m--I’m not doing anything.” Luz stuttered, her eyes darting everywhere but at Amity. “Just thought that, y’know, since we have a thunderstorm with no rain going on, might as well check to make sure there’s no like, secret about these things that could mangle me.”

“And why would the twins know this?” Amity asked patiently, despite all her internal alarms going off.

“Well, I sorta,” Luz’s hand came into frame, scratching at the back of her neck. Amity could see the faint outline of her wings twitching behind her. “I heard that they, uh, had experience with dry thunderstorms.”

“Only really with--” Amity paused, trailing off as the piece clicked in her mind. “Thunderdiving,” She said blankly. “You mean with Thunderdiving.”

“Oh, is that what they did?” Luz asked in a far-too innocent voice. “Had no idea.”

“Luz,” Amity growled, her ears flicking back as her eyes narrowed. “What,” She repeated, with an edge to her tone. “Are you doing?”

Luz stared back at her, eyes wide and guilty. She could see her wings hunch up to her shoulders, like she could shield herself subtly and avoid getting called out. She mumbled something under her breath.

“Luz,”

“It sounded fun--”

“Oh for the Titan’s sake.” Amity groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “I’m coming over, don’t you even think about flying in this.”

“Maybe I’ll be in the air by the time you get here,” Luz snorted. “Unless, of course, you flew here…” Luz trailed off, her voice taking on a hopeful tone. “But then that would make you a hypocrite, wouldn’t it?” She added teasingly.

“You know, I’m starting to regret learning to fly.” Amity muttered, swinging her legs off the side of her bed and standing up.

“No you don’t.” Luz cheerfully singsonged. 

“Debatable,” Amity shrugged, despite the smile on her face. “Point is, do not fly until I get there.”

“So I can fly after you get here then?” Luz asked excitedly.

“Absolutely no--”

“Too late! No take backs!” Luz crowed. With that, and a fast flourish of feathers through the crystal ball, the call abruptly ended.

Amity, not for the first time, was left wondering why Luz, of all people, just had to be the one she was so fond of.

,

Amity did not fly to the Owl House, thank you very much. She may have, however, simply ‘boosted’ herself along by flapping her wings. She knew Luz said she wouldn’t fly in this storm (for now), but she also knew Luz wasn’t known for patience. 

Lightning flashed, striking some part of the ocean in the distance, causing Amity to flinch for barely a moment. Thunder rolled overhead not long after, almost being mistakable for an earthquake.

She slipped through the trees that surrounded the old house, cursing quietly as he tugged her foot out of a small thicket of brambles. She stumbled, catching herself on the trunk of a tree. Grumbling, she looked around it, trying to judge how far she was from the house.

Turns out, not far at all. Because immediately upon seeing the structure, her vision was quickly enveloped by the bane of her existence.

“Hi, again!” Hooty yelled, or at least sounded as such. He always sounded like he was shouting. “Luz told me not to kick you out, so we can chat now!” He said gleefully.

“Get out of my face,” Amity hissed, her wings flaring behind her as they puffed up. “Before I rip off yours.”

“Hooty! Leave Amity alone!”

Luz’s voice had never been so divine. With great reluctance, Hooty retracted his face and looked back, up to the roof of the Owl House. Amity, with her sight no longer obstructed, could see Luz sitting on the very edge of the roof, her legs dangling off. Her wings were relaxed at her sides, almost draping as she lightly swung her feet.

“I was just saying hi!” Hooty complained.

“And you did a great job, Hooty.” Luz said patiently, if not exasperated. “Go back to the door, please.”

“Hmph! At least someone appreciates me around here.” Hooty grumbled, his weird tube body retracting back into the front door, where he continued to mutter to himself.

“Eugh,” Amity shuttered, her wings lying flat once more. She hated that thing.

“Sorry about him,” Luz said, her voice drifting and faint from the distance between them. “But you should come up here! Views great,” She added happily.

“You're going to get struck by lightning,” Amity sighed.

But even she couldn’t deny the request. Her dyed-green wings spread, creaking in protest at the movement. Even with her flight nearly back to normal, they still weren’t used to being opened completely. She figured (read: hoped) it would get better with time.

Amity stepped out of the trees with a flourish of her wings, rising to the air with minor difficulty as she soared towards the roof. Luz’s grin brightened as she approached, and Amity squandered down the little jump her heart did at the sight. Land first, panic about the cute sparrow later.

Amity folded her wings back as her feet brushed the tile of the roof, holding her arms out to keep her balance as she dropped back down via gravity.

“Personally, I think you could balance better by keeping your wings spread.” Luz said, looking over her shoulder from where she sat as Amity reoriented herself. “Tilts things around better. Though that's more a preference.”

Amity turned, huffing good-naturedly as she let her arms fall.

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

Amity’s sentence was cut off as thunder roared overhead, even managing to make the ground tremble slightly. She stumbled, her hands quickly connecting with Luz’s wing. The human had raised it up to catch Amity, blinking in concern as Amity clung to it for a few moments until the thunder faded out.

“You alright?” Luz asked, a hint of teasing in her tone.

“Fine,” Amity said curtly, quickly letting go of Luz’s wing. Even knowing that Luz wouldn’t have offered it if she didn’t feel Amity had the right to touch her wings, it still put her on edge. 

“I’m not typically out during thunderstorms.” She mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck. “Which you shouldn’t be, either.” She added right after, fixing Luz a pointed look.

“Hey, it's a storm with no boiling rain!” Luz persisted, getting to her feet as she gestured out to the sky. “You expect me to sit inside when I don’t have to?”

“Please note that there is still lightning.” Amity said, pressing the palms of her hands together. The sky flashed white for a brief second, enunciating her point.

“I mean, in the human realm, the chances of getting struck by lightning are pretty slim.” Luz shrugged, her wings mimicking the gesture. “Unless you're at a high point with metal. Which I will not be taking with me up there.” She said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“How much do I have to stress that this is a horrible idea for you to go back inside?” Amity asked, her wings squeezing tighter at her sides. “Just because the twins Thunderdived doesn’t mean that it's a good, or safe, idea. Quite the opposite, actually.”

“Too late, made up my mind.” Luz teased, her wings raising slightly over her back as she looked back to the sky as a less-destructive clap of thunder sounded overhead. “Sounds like it could be fun.”

“Your idea of fun is sitting in the maw of a hungry demon and daring it to eat you.” Amity deadpanned. “Where’s Eda, anyway? Surely she’s at least a little responsible with Thunderdiving?”

“Eda’s out stealing with King, I think.” Luz said, face scrunched up in thought. “She just said it had to do with business and left. Which either means she got a deal on something or felt like pestering the Warden again.”

“It’s a miracle you're still alive.” Amity groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“I’ll say,” Luz agreed, looking down to the ground far below. “Now, since you're here, I believe there’s some lightning that needs to be evaded.” She said, her wings arching and opening up as she crouched on the edge of the roof like a feathery gargoyle.

“Don’t you dare,” Amity growled, reaching for Luz.

In the same movement, Luz pitched over the ledge. She dove up almost instantly, but the sight still gave Amity’s stomach a sharp drop for a solid second. Luz flew just out of reach, spinning around and hovering in the air with a wide grin plastered on her face.

“Tell you what,” Luz said, mocking the impression of being deep in thought. “I won’t Thunderdive, if,” She raised a finger at that, despite Amity not even attempting to interrupt. “You can catch me.” She said, smirking like she’d made the deal of the century.

“...are you seriously gambling with your life on a game of tag?” Amity demanded incrudeously, once again questioning why this was the person she cared a stupid amount for.

“You make it sound so dramatic,” Luz whined, crossing her arms. “Plenty of people survive Thunderdiving.”

“Surviving is not the same as avoiding plummeting into the ocean.” Amity stressed, seconds away from knocking her head against something.

“Guess you’ll have to be fast then.” Luz said with a shrug, her tail flaring out. “Race you!”

With that, Luz shot off into the air, causing a breeze to ruffle Amity’s hair and wings. For a sparrow, she was remarkably quick at how she sped into the air and up towards the looming darkening clouds, thunder booming around them.

“Luz!” Amity snapped, more annoyed than anything. She leapt off the roof as well, taking half a second more to orient herself in the air before shooting off after her.

,

Now, being a kestrel, Amity obviously had the upper hand on speed. No matter how fast Luz boasted she could be, she was still a sparrow. In a straight-line flight, Amity would’ve caught up with little effort, even with her wings limited use.

However, what Luz lacked in speed, she made up for tenfold in agility and tricks. Amity blamed Eda for all of that.

So it was no surprise (albeit it still frustrating) that when Amity found herself surrounded by swaths of storm clouds, Luz was already long hidden. The dark masses providing perfect cover for her duller feathers. And while Amity could scarcely tell up from down, Luz never seemed to be bothered by it in the slightest.

“Luz!” Amity called, deciding it best to glide in a large circle. “I thought this was tag, not hide-and-seek!” She gruffed, eyes scanning the clouds.

Another point to Amity’s team. She had far sharper vision. Meaning that should Luz stray so much as a hair too far out of her cover, Amity would spot her in seconds. Hopefully. 

“But it makes it so much more fun!” Luz crowed, causing Amity to spin around.

Luz flew like a bullet, a mere few meters away, as she ducked and dove through another clump of clouds.

Thunder roared in Amity’s ears as she sighed, tucking in her wings and diving after her. Amity broke from the dark mass and came to a cleared-out section in the sky. Clouds were still all around her, but the storm seemed almost hollowed-out, leaving rolling stretches of clear sight.

And with a strike of lightning in the distance, Amity’s eyes instantly locked onto a distant shape flying right through the middle of it, closer to the lower-level clouds.

Amity took off, keeping high as she began to overtake Luz. The human appeared oblivious to where Amity had gone, her head moving back and forth as she scanned everywhere but up.

Amity squandered the impulse to call out. Instead she took a deep breath, reigning herself in before sharply yanking her wings to her sides, nearly folding them completely.

She dropped like a stone, careening straight down towards Luz. Her wings tensed, ready to flare out and stop her descent at a moment's notice. She wanted to catch Luz, not strike her out of the sky.

Perhaps it was the sound of her diving, or maybe it was simple intuition, but just as Amity was nearly upon Luz, the sparrow spun around. Her eyes widened right as lightning flashed. Amity was close enough she swore she could see it reflect in her gaze.

At a speed Amity would chalk up to magic if she weren’t human, Luz rolled out of the way, her wings whirling as she dropped for a second before darting to the side. Amity flared out her wings as she missed, almost giving herself whiplash at how quick her descent stopped.

“That’s the spirit!” Luz cheered, flying around Amity as she shook her head and steadied herself. 

“Spirit, huh?” Amity parroted, taking the moment to twist around and lunge.

Luz, completely unbothered, simply rolled out of the way again with a laugh, rising a few feet in the air. She gave a happy chirrup, now tauntingly flying in a circle around Amity.

“That's the best you got?” Luz teased, doing a cocky flip in the air.

Thunder rumbled around them. Amity was very aware that Luz was purposefully egging her on, getting both of them caught in Thunderdiving.

She couldn’t find it in her to care right then.

“You wish,” Amity huffed, bolting towards Luz in the same instance.

Luz squealed excitedly, almost getting a wing to the face as she ducked and shot up back into the clouds, Amity close behind. 

Luz twisted and dipped through the sky, trying and failing to give Amity the slip. And despite Amity’s best efforts to treat this seriously, she couldn’t help but laugh alongside her. It was fun, dare she say it. Though never in the proximity of the twins. She’d never hear the end of it.

Luz darted around Amity again before shooting into the air, diving straight up before pausing, her momentum slowing. Amity tilted her head as she watched, admittedly intrigued. 

When Luz hit the peak of her ascent she trilled, tucking in her wings and flipping backwards before diving back down again. She flew right over Amity’s head as she passed, giggling and, though Amity couldn’t be completely sure, a little nervous.

“What are--”

Amity’s amused inquiry was cut off by a roar of thunder, feeling like her brain was rattling in her skull. Luz, unbothered as ever, swung back around in her flight to cuff the tip of Amity’s wing with her own, whooping gleefully.

“Wha--unfair!” Amity shouted, fumbling in the air for a moment before shooting after her.

Luz cackled and flew up again, wings tucked close as she flipped through the air. Lightning struck in the distance, highlighting both girls for mere moments.

Once again, Luz cheerfully chirruped when she reached her peak and dove back down, ruffling Amity’s feathers as she zoomed by.

It was a pattern Amity had seen before from other birds of prey. Usually at some dinner party or get-together her parents hosted. Typically from the other snobby rich kids who wanted to impress the eye of a Blight. It had always been one of the most shoehorned spectacles Amity had the misfortune of witnessing.

And as Luz made a noise similar to a chatter and dove right by Amity, throwing taunts behind her, Amity wondered if she was aware of this. She was quick to dismiss the thought and shook her head, calling back to Luz with a jeering crow. 

Luz did things that sparrows normally never even thought about all the time. The few times anyone had pointed it out, Luz had always stared back blankly. Luz was just, well, Luz. She did whatever she felt like doing with the only reason being because it was fun and she wanted to.

She simply didn’t know.

Didn’t mean Amity was gonna stop her, though.

Amity shook out of her thoughts before beating her wings and soaring after Luz, who had flew around a spiral of clouds with a mischievous grin. 

“And you said this was a bad idea,” Luz teased, ducking to the side as Amity flew right by her.

“It is.” Amity huffed, tilting her wings to glide back around, allowing for their game to pause. Because it was hard to talk while chasing after an uncatchable human, of course, why else?

“You sure?” Luz asked, giving Amity a smug look over her shoulder that did not make her wings falter, that would be ridiculous. “Because I’d almost say you're having fun.” She teased.

“That doesn’t mean this isn’t an awful idea,” Amity reminded, the thunder rumbling around them enunciating her point. “We could go flying any day, but in a thunderstorm is the worst time.” She said, forcing herself to let her wings relax when Luz began flying at a leisurely pace, resisting the urge to chase after her again.

“Hey, we haven’t been struck yet.” Luz pointed out, turning so that she could face Amity while flying backwards (how she managed that so casually, Amity wished she knew). “The twins must’ve taught you enough then, huh?”

“The twins have taught me a total of three things in my life.” Amity said, a bitter tone not going unnoticed. “Don’t trust them with anything of importance, how to sell any absurd lie, and that Thunderdiving is a terrible, Titan-awful idea.” 

“Can really feel the familial love,” Luz said blankly. “Look on the bright side, now that you're here, we both get a learning experience.”

Lighting struck twice in the distance, catching the girls eyes for a brief second.

“How fun,” Amity sighed, slowly tearing her eyes away from where the lightning had been. “I still don’t know why you thought it would be a good idea to ask me for the twins. Even without a dry thunderstorm, that's gotta be the most suspicious thing you could ever ask.”

“Heh, yeah, well, we’re here now.” Luz said, glancing to Amity for a quick second before tilting her wings until she was flying a few feet below and to the left of Amity, her gaze pointed forwards.

Amity narrowed her eyes, positive that Luz knew she was staring at her now and was ignoring her. There was something nagging at the back of Amity’s mind, and from experience, it was probably best to follow thoughts like that.

“Hey,” Amity said, her voice slow as memories were pushed to the front of her mind. The way Luz’s entire body tensed so violently that she almost froze midair was so comical Amity almost lost her train of thought to snort at it.

“Don’t you have the twins' numbers?” She asked, raising a brow.

“Oh, do I?” Luz said, her voice a few octaves higher as she looked sideways towards Amity, her eyes notably wider. 

“Yeah, didn’t you share numbers with them when I was preparing you for Grom because they thought it’d be fun to grab you for some scheme if you survived?” Amity said, not even bothering with a suspicious tone. She could tell from the first tense she had been right.

“Huh,” Luz said, visibly swallowing as she looked away. “Weird. Must’ve forgotten.”

Amity gave Luz possibly one of her best unamused expressions to date, which she had the audacity to refuse to look at.

“You planned this, didn’t you?” Amity deadpanned, the realizations coming to her mere moments before she said them. “You,” Amity blinked, her words coming out as shocked and maybe a little impressed. “You wanted me to come here!”

Luz turned her head to Amity then, looking guiltier than Gus after being caught trying to get petty revenge on Mattholomule for the third time in a week. Her hands fiddled together as her wings looked like they wanted to hunch up, but couldn’t due to them being the only things stopping her from plummeting.

“I mean…” Luz said slowly, her eyes darting this way and that. “It worked, didn’t it?”

Amity, if anything, was far more dismayed that she’d fallen for the most basic trick in the book than the fact Luz had goaded her into doing something as recklessly stupid as Thunderdiving. And that must’ve shown on her face, because Luz looked like she didn’t know if she should laugh or be concerned. 

“You sneak!” Amity cried, taking Luz’s unsure state to tuck into a dive right for her.

Luz yelped and barely managed to dodge, her tail feathers brushing the tips of Amity’s fingers. Luz whirled around from where she escaped a few meters below Amity, fear flashing across her features for a swift moment until she saw the determined smile on Amity’s face. 

“You're just mad that it worked!” Luz laughed, with only a hint of worry in her tone.

“Just for that, I’m going to tell Willow about this.” Amity said, raising her chin defiantly before darting towards Luz once more.

“You wouldn’t!” Luz gasped in playful offense. “Willow would know that you were out here, too!”

“I’m not the one who wanted to fly in a storm!” Amity shot back. “I’m innocent by reason of trying to do the responsible thing.”

“You're still here, though.”

“Because you won’t stay still!”

They went around in circles, making themselves dizzy as they dodged and dove between darkened clouds. The only way to tell up from down was by pausing the beating of their wings and letting gravity overtake them before they went right back to doing loop-de-loops.

Luz shot up through a swath of clouds, wings arched slightly as she rose into the air with the dark, almost black, clouds at her back. Amity tilted her head up, letting her wings pause briefly in the air as she watched, maybe a little entranced. Possibly.

Luz turned, gazing down to grin at Amity as her descend paused.

And lightning lit up practically on top of her.

She swore in that moment that it looked like the lightning had cut right through Luz. She shut her eyes a moment after, the light blinding her momentarily as she jerked back and rubbed at them.

“Luz?” She called, blinking her eyes rapidly a moment later. “Luz! Where--”

The sparrow wasn’t there. Amity whirled around, wings almost failing in keeping her upright due to the speed at how fast she looked all around, not knowing if she should be relieved or not she couldn't see anything plummeting to the ground. Did the clouds swallow her up? Was she already on the ground? Were they over the ocean? She couldn’t see--

“Amity!”

She startled, feathers flaring up as Luz appeared from a cluster of clouds. Shaken, clearly, her eyes were heavily contracted and darting about. But flying, albeit wonkily, and that was the important part.

“Great Isles!” Amity breathed, not even aware of her wings moving until she was right in front of Luz, grabbing at her arms and flicking her eyes over her for any mark that wasn’t there previously. 

“I’m-I’m okay, hey,” Luz shook her head, tail twitching. “Barely even grazed me, I promise.”

“Barely is not the same as didn’t,” Amity stressed, eyes finally landing on her right wing.

Three secondary feathers were gone, instead replaced by smoldering black stumps. The ends of the feathers surrounding it were tipped with ash, too. Lucky it wasn’t any primary feathers, or Luz might have actually begun to fall.

“Oh Titan,” Amity murmured, eyes locked onto the hole through Luz’s wing. She could see now Luz was favoring her right wing.

“You weren’t kidding about lightning being nasty, huh?” Luz said, following her gaze and looking over the blackened feathers. “I mean, I knew it was, but I wasn’t expecting it to, you know, be out for blood.”

“Please don’t joke about being hit by lightning,” Amity said quietly, shoulders hunching.

“Hey, hey,” Luz pulled an arm free of Amity’s grasp, also grabbing at her and getting her to look away from the missing feathers. “I’m fine. Nothing that won’t grow back.” She assured. 

Thunder rumbled through the sky, causing both of them to flinch. Their eyes darted to the sky for a moment, antsy and waiting for the flash of lightning.

It lit up the sky further away, highlighting the two of them before it died out.

“I think I’ve had enough Thunderdiving for today.” Luz eventually said, tearing her gaze away from where the lightning had hit and back to Amity. “Besides,” She added as she rose up her arm, showing Amity was still tightly clinging to her. “You caught me.” She said, giving a small smile.

Amity blinked, staring at where she was hanging onto Luz so tightly her claws looked close to piercing the skin. She jerked her hands back, offering a nervous, apologetic smile.

“Yeah, right, course.” Amity nodded, flying a few paces back. “Gotta get that wing checked out, and...all that.”

“Think I could spin it off that Hooty was the reason for this?” Luz asked, readjusting her wings so she was flying more towards her uninjured side. 

“I’ll be your witness,” Amity agreed, glancing back as thunder rolled through the sky. 

“Cool,” Luz smiled, shaking her head and flickering her distant gaze away from the dark clouds. Amity almost asked if she was alright again before she called out; “Last one to the House has to get in through the window!” 

Luz took that same moment to tuck in her wings and plummet. 

“Wh--don’t dive on a wing with missing feathers!” Amity squawked, feathers fluffing up as she dove right after her.

Luz’s laughs answered her. Leaving Amity wondering, for possibly the fifth time in two weeks, how Luz had lasted things long to begin with.

But hey, if Luz can survive a run-in with lightning, she could probably survive anything.

[buzzyandbadatmath]

A Fiddle’s Jubilant Melody

1.6k words

warnings: nothing really, it’s just pure fluff

this is the song they’re playing

Elves were clumsy. They tripped over things, they knocked stuff over, they set things on fire, they accidentally summoned demons from other realms… Ok maybe that was just a you thing, but the point is: having four appendages protruding from your torso was already a hassle. But you know what would make that even better, two feathery wings with the span of five feet protruding from your back.

No matter how used to them you were, you still knocked things over constantly. Even when you kept them closed behind your back you’d still find a way to accidentally smack someone if you turned around too fast.

“I still don’t get it.” Gus peered at the multi-colored cards in confusion.

“You have to put a card down that’s either the same number or the same color,” Luz repeated with a patient smile on her face, but you could see the twinge of frustration in her eyes as she tried to explain this human card game to Amity, Willow, and Gus. It was ironic, Gus was the most passionate about learning about the human realm yet he was the only one who was still confused about the rules of this human game.

“Let me see them Gus,” You said, looking over his shoulder to see what cards he could use. Pointing at the green one, you told him to put it down on top of the discard pile. He let out an “ooohhh” of understanding before dramatically pulling the card out of his hand and slamming it into the pile, a proud look adorned on his face.

As the four of them played their little game of Unus, you were wiping down empty tables as your serving partner, Hunter, was jotting down orders. There was a fair amount of people communing about the small tavern, the environment quite peaceful as the band played softly in the corner.

“Hey (Y/n)! Can we get another round of boiling ale over here?” King yelled from a couple tables away while waving your way.

“King! You’re not supposed to have alcohol!” Luz said, pausing her turn as she worried about the health of her friend.

“Don’t worry Luz, it’s not an alcoholic beverage. I know it has the word ale in the name making it confusing though,” You reassured her and she went back to playing her game.

You poured King another cup of boiling ale and enchanted it to float over to his table. Once he grabbed it he drank it with just as much excitement as when he first tried the drink. You took a few moments to appreciate the way he sat as if he was the biggest one at the table despite needing a booster seat to be able to reach his drink. He’s just so unbearably adorable.

“Why don’t you ever stare at me like that?” A voice said from right next to your ear. You turned your head to see Hunter with a feigned pout.

“Needy much?” You teased, raising your eyebrow.

“Proudly.” He answered as he slipped his arm behind your back to pull you closer, being careful not to nick your wings. You melted at how gentle he was with them, it took a while for him to get used to them though. At the beginning of your relationship he would grab them without knowing how sensitive they were, and suffice it to say, he was very surprised at how hard wings could accidentally slap someone in the face.

He nuzzled the top of his head into the crook of your neck and sighed in content. You giggled as his hair tickled you and wrapped your arm around his shoulder. “Are you okay, Love? Normally you’re not this cuddly in public.” You inquired.

He shrugged, keeping his eyes glued towards the dance floor as couples danced together with the music. “I’m on break and I want to have some quality time with my partner.” He started to sway with the music, humming the melody softly as he rubbed his thumb up and down along your side.

The two of you stayed like that until the song ended. Once the guitarist strummed the final chord of the song Hunter lifted his head from your shoulder to look at you. His eyes skimmed over your face until they landed on your lips, and he slowly leaned in, hands traveling up to hold the back of your neck to pull you into him. You did the same, eyes glued to his as you chased after his scent and the feeling of his lips on yours.

Before you even got the chance to kiss however, you got distracted as the next song played. Your head perked up once you realized was was playing and tugged on Hunter’s sleeve in excitement. “Oh I love this song.” Hunter groaned at the interruption and hung his head dramatically. “C’mon let’s dance,” You encouraged, hand now grasping his wrist to pull him to the dance floor.

He snatched his wrist away from you and put his hands up in dismissal. “No way, last time you smacked me five times and gave me a nose bleed.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the the wall behind him.

“You know it’s part of the job description,” You goaded, but he shook his head.

“Hector can yell at me all he wants I’m not getting smacked in the face again.”

You scoffed, “Kill-joy,” and you made your way to the dance floor, half hoping Hunter would change his mind and follow you. But when you looked back he looked as uninterested as ever.

As you approached the floor full of laughing patrons you drew a circle in the air and a tenor guitar appeared in front of you in a puff of smoke. You grabbed it out of the air and walked out onto the dance floor, plucking the strings to the melody of the song. The crowd cheered as you got more and more into the rhythm, encouraging you to keep going.

Hunter watched you as you let yourself glide across the dance floor with your wings proudly on display, completely enamored by your movements. He hoped no one noticed how love-struck he looked as he stared at you, but that hope was shattered as he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder.

The boy turned to see Amity with an unreadable expression and Luz behind her giving him a knowing smirk. He scowled and turned away as he grumbled incoherent curses, but his emotions betrayed him as a noticeable red tint dusted his cheeks and the tips of his ears. “What do you want?” He asked, attempting to keep his expression indifferent, but neither of the two girls failed to notice his slight smile when his eyes landed back on you.

Luz looked back at Eda and Raine and they gave her a thumbs up. She turned back with a determined expression and took out a piece of paper with a few runes on it and shoved them into his chest.

Before Hunter could protest, his feet lifted from the ground and he felt a hand tugging at his wrist, pulling him towards the crowd of people surrounding you as you danced. He tried resisting but his efforts were futile, as he soon was plopped back down on the ground at the edge of the dance floor. He was about to turn around but he caught a glimpse of Amity’s subtle death glare at him and whipped his head back forward. A puff of smoke appeared in front of his face ,clearing to reveal a fiddle.

Hunter’s face erupted in crimson as he looked over to see Eda snickering and Raine giving him a cheeky wink. The Fiddle fell into his arms as he was shoved into the circle, and all eyes were on him as he nervously clutched the instrument close to him.

You were too engrossed in the music to notice Hunter at first, but the sudden cheering from the crowd caught your attention. Their eyes were on someone behind you so you turned around to see Hunter holding the instrument, grimacing as he brought the bow to the strings and got ready to play. Your wings flapped in glee when he made eye contact with you and you started towards him. Drums started to pick up along with the tempo and you flashed him a reassuring smile before he rolled his eyes and started playing.

He started off just tapping his foot to the beat, but as you started moving he gradually joined and the two of you were playing and dancing together. The crowd cheered and started clapping along with the song.

The two of you gradually got closer only to whip away from each other to separate sides of the dance floor and get closer again. You circled each other, feet crossing as you spun around the floor, too engulfed in the music and each other to even consider the amount of eyes watching you.

As you neared the end of the song you ran towards each other and stopped right before the final notes and stared at each other. He was reluctantly smiling as you looked at him with a smug expression. The crowd erupted in cheers after a moment of silence, and you grabbed Hunter’s forearm to pull him closer.

His lips crashed into yours in a surprise kiss, his eyes were wide and his arms were bent at his side, not knowing what to do with them. The cheering crescendoed and people whistled in celebration as you pulled away, chuckling at Hunter’s dazed expression.

“I didn’t know you could play the fiddle,” You whispered. Hunter simply stood there, words escaped him as his brain still processed what had just happened. He couldn’t think of a response to your comment as he stared at your beaming face. All worry left him as he slowly leaned in to capture your lips one more time.

“Damn, aren’t I lucky to have a person like you in my life.” He said before pulling you by the collar for yet another kiss.

[prinxlyart]

Vinera headcannons?

Ooooooooo :D

So I’ve definitely done this one before, but that’s only in regards to how Emira gets Viney’s attention

I think Viney would be HELLA SUS about Emira trying to get her attention like. What does she want with me...? Is she just trying to pull a prank on me? Is she trying to get information out of me? What does this Blight want from me?

Lmao nah, Luz definitely just mentioned how rad Viney was in conversation one day and anyone that’s cool in Luz’s book is automatically cool in Emira’s book. And then she actually saw her for the first time riding on Puddles and her heart flipped because that’s literally the coolest person I’ve ever seen holy shit. She does ask Luz to try to help introduce her, but Luz is extremely busy with her all-track schedule and doesn’t often get the chance. So Emira has to try to meet her on her own.

Edric is also interested in meeting Viney, but solely because he’s curious about the beast-keeping track. He really wants to meet Puddles. (Based entirely on It Started With a Crash Landing by The_Wolf_Of_Winter on AO3; THANK YOU @prophet-rebellion FOR LINKING ME <33333333333)

Once Viney confirms that no, the Blight Twins are NOT out to ruin her for some imagined wrong-doing, she eases up a little on them and learns to be friends with them. She defo infodumps about beasts to Edric who is just so starry-eyed at all the information. Emira is also starry-eyed but mostly because she’s got a raging crush on Viney.

Emira is just as bad as Amity when it comes to blushing. She’s usually super put together, like, on another level of Cannot Be Phased, until she has to interact with Viney. She blushes so much and maybe has a stutter that she had speech therapy for as a kid? That defo comes back when she’s trying to talk to Viney. Viney finds it adorable. Edric and Amity know how to tease her for it without crossing any lines because that was definitely a huge source of shame for Emira when they were younger. Their parents paid for private speech therapy sessions to get her to learn how to “control” it. Edric and Amity would often find Emira after those sessions either angry or crying from frustration.

Viney definitely loves seeing Emira flustered because it’s so rare to see a Blight come undone. She definitely flirts with her every chance she gets without tipping off anyone else and she lives for seeing Emira go bright red and tight-lipped.

She does ask Emira about why she covers her mouth whenever she gets so flustered and Emira can only shake her head and run away before Viney gets an explanation; she asks Edric about it later and he explains with a grimace cuz it’s something she’s been embarrassed about her whole life. Viney aplogizes, but defo continues to flirt with her because she finds her stutter so cute. She doesn’t want Emira to hide it around her. It takes Emira a while to feel safe enough to do so, but she does eventually start trying to speak around Viney whenever her stutter comes up and Viney just sits and waits patiently for her to finish her sentence before either cooing at how adorable she’s being or hugging her tightly.

Viney is in the Healing track because she likes making things more easily accessible. WordPainter15 on ao3 has the best headcanon that she’s in Healing and Beast Keeping because she’s trying to start the concept of service animals on the Boiling Isles which I have absolutely latched on to. She definitely knows sign language and even teaches Emira some for when she can’t get her words out. Emira almost breaks down into tears after the first day Viney suggests teaching her sign language because nobody’s ever offered such a solution to her before. Edric and Amity just sit there consoling her while she goes on about how amazing Viney is and how she doesn’t deserve someone so genuinely kind and thoughtful in her life but she’s so grateful to have Viney in hers.

I think Emira studies sign language on her own (with Amity’s help; Amity’s always been better at studying) and asks Viney out in sign language once she’s confident she has it down. Viney is stunned at first but definitely throws her arms around Emira in a giant hug and laughing in relief because oh thank Titan, she likes me back, I don’t have to suffer the shame of being rejected by a Blight.

I highly suggest WordPainter15’s I Don’t Need Eyes series on AO3 too, their series informs a lot of my headcanons about how they interact with each other :’).

[suntann]

Hello, yes. I would like to ask any headcannons you might have for the Diakko Moms AU pls 🥺

I’m gonna put this under read more because boy do I have A LOT thanking for enabling me anon

Angstly ones

When the Blights find out Amity’s missing, they… don't look for her. Emira and Edric are visibly distraught and worried that their sister is fucking GONE while the Blights carry on. Their reasoning is because It is a privilege to be a Blight. Amity will realize this and come crawling back. And if she doesn’t.. well that’s on her.

Emira and Edric had to look for her, with the help of Luz and Co. They cry in relief when they find her and that she’s safe.

Diana is… indifferent to the Amity’s parents, the Blights. She wasn’t very close to her mother’s other siblings like she was with aunt Daryl (well.. as close as those two are...), so whenever she meets them during family events, she treats them how she would treat other aristocrats.

Well, until she meets Amity and she starts living with them. Ever since she learned about their TRUE nature Diana just goes feral at the thought of them. (“They abuse kids, Akko!! Who’s a low enough reject to abuse CHILDREN?!”) For her, it’s on sight. She almost beat up Amity’s father because she saw him at a grocery store. Akko has to be the voice of reason for once.

Akko, surprisingly, handles her anger well. She’s polite whenever she somehow runs into them. She’s the one who handles affairs between them if they even come up as Diana swears a storm in the background. Diana asks Akko how she could possibly keep her cool and she responds, “Why should I waste time on them? Aren’t we Amity’s family now? As far as I know, they don’t even matter anymore.”

Heartwarming ones

In a way, the reason why Diana takes Amity in so quickly is because she longs for a family dynamic she never had. Her mother died when she was young, she wasn’t old enough to meet her father before he died. So seeing Amity fit so well in their little household, it makes her heart swell. In fact, she and Akko have been furiously reaching ways in which they can adopt her.

And even more secretly… she’s been looking at different engagement rings. Diana always knew she wanted to marry Akko ever since they got together in Luna Nova. But seeing her take care of Amity and how patient and understanding she is, it just solidified it for her that this was the person she wants to be with for the rest of her life. This is the person she wants to build her family with

And Amity is just, in shock. She’s never seen such a healthy adult relationship before, especially one like Diana and Akko. She sees how much they love and take care of each other and herself, even with the little things like reminding her that her lunch is on the table or always leaving a glass of water by her bedside. It’s just everything they do is laced with love and they don’t even notice it. But Amity does, everytime.

Just fun funny ones

Amity walks in on Diana looking at engagement rings in her office and she asks Amity not to tell Akko. She wants it to be perfect because Akko deserves it to be and things like that. After Amity reassures her that she won’t, she proceeds to watch, unamused, as this full grown ass women gay panics right in front of her about whether or not Akko will say yes to her

Unbeknownst to her, Amity just finished listening to the same gay panic when she also accidentally walks in on Akko practicing her proposal speech in the living room. Akko asked for pointers, obviously.

Akko and Diana are the biggest lumity supporters. They give Amity pointers and advice they can think of. And they would be helpful, if not for the fact they both have different views on how to flirt with your crush. “No! Ask her to have a study date! And without her knowing, turn it into movie night! She won’t suspect a thing!” “That’s too forward and preposterous! Here Amity, I have prepared a 5 page 60 step plan where—“

Diana and Akko know Amity and Luz aren’t dating, but they don’t miss a chance to tease her and call Luz “Amity’s girlfriend” much to her chagrin

Diana and Akko and Eda have cheesecake and tea time together. Eda gives them tips on how to be good parents, Diana takes notes. Eda always steals a bit of Akko’s cheesecake without her knowing. They’re all good friends.

In fact, Akko has always admired Eda because of her wild magic. She thinks it’s really cool and wants to learn more to make her shows more fun.

And yeah, Akko’s FAMOUS. She regularly goes to schools to do speeches, interviews and stuff. She loves every minute of it. she really feels like she’s helping people.

I have more but I’ll shut up for now (unless someone asks me to spill more 👀👀)

[cartoonfangirl1218]

The Owl House zodiac signs

I decided to match zodiac signs with TOH characters because why not. Info from https://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com.

Luz: Libra

Strengths: Cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social Weaknesses: Indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, self-pity

Likes: Harmony, gentleness, sharing with others, the outdoors Dislikes: Violence, injustice, loudmouths, conformity

They are in a constant chase for justice and equality, realizing through life that the only thing that should be truly important to themselves in their own inner core of personality. They will be inspired by good books, insurmountable discussions and people who have a lot to say. ibra representatives are highly social and put their friends in the limelight, but sometimes raise their expectation bars too high, but will often help others understand the other side of their personal conflicts and trouble with other people.

She enjoys being taught about new things and enjoys talking about herself and her personal interests, just as much as she likes sinking deep into her partner’s life. She is charming, intelligent, and finds solutions to problems that arise along the way with certain ease.

Eda: Sagittarius or Aries.

Strengths: Generous, idealistic, great sense of humor Weaknesses: Promises more than can deliver, very impatient, will say anything no matter how undiplomatic

Likes: Freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors

Dislikes: Clingy people, being constrained, off-the-wall theories, details Freedom is their greatest treasure, because only then they can freely travel and explore different cultures and philosophies. Because of their honesty, Sagittarius-born are often impatient and tactless. The fun-loving Sagittarius enjoys making and spending money.

Aries

Strengths: Courageous, determined, confident, enthusiastic, optimistic, honest, passionate

Weaknesses: Impatient, moody, short-tempered, impulsive, aggressive

Likes: Comfortable clothes, taking on leadership roles, physical challenges, individual sports

Dislikes: Inactivity, delays, work that does not use one's talents

Aries rules the head and leads with the head, often literally walking head first, leaning forwards for speed and focus. Its representatives are naturally brave and rarely afraid of trial and risk. They possess youthful strength and energy, regardless of their age and quickly perform any given tasks. They are continuously looking for dynamic, speed and competition, always being the first in everything - from work to social gatherings.  They are tolerant of people they come in contact with, respectful of different personalities and the openness they can provoke with simple presence. Their circle of friends needs a wide range of strange individuals.

Independent and ambitious, an Aries often knows where they want to go at a young age, separating from their family a bit early. They will take on family obligations when they need to be taken care of, never refusing more work as if their pool of energy is infinite. They live in the present and aren't that focused on the future, and this can make them irrational and hasty when it comes to financial decisions. Still, they seem to always find a way to earn money and compensate for what they have spent.

King: Leo

Strengths: Creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous

Weaknesses: Arrogant, stubborn, self-centered, lazy, inflexible

Likes: Theater, taking holidays, being admired, expensive things, bright colors, fun with friends

Dislikes: Being ignored, facing difficult reality, not being treated like a king or queen

Aware of their desires and personality, they can easily ask for everything they need, but could just as easily unconsciously neglect the needs of other people in their chase for personal gain or status. Leo is generous, faithful and a truly loyal friend, born with a certain dignity and commitment to individual values. Tuned to themselves for the most part, they tend to become independent as soon as possible. Still, a Leo will do anything to protect their loved ones.

Willow: Taurus

Strengths: Reliable, patient, practical, devoted, responsible, stable

Weaknesses: Stubborn, possessive, uncompromising

Taurus likes: Gardening, cooking, music, romance, high quality clothes, working with hands

Taurus dislikes: Sudden changes, complications, insecurity of any kind, synthetic fabrics

They are loyal and don't like sudden changes, criticism or the chase of guilt people are often prone to, being somewhat dependable on other people and emotions they seem to be unable to let go of. Still, no matter their potential emotional challenge, these individuals have the ability to bring a practical voice of reason in any chaotic and unhealthy situation. People born in this sign are loyal and always willing to lend a hand of friendship, although they can be closed up for the outer world before they build trust for new social contacts they make. Many of their friendships begin in childhood with a tendency to last them a lifetime.

Gus: Gemini Strengths: Gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas

Weaknesses: Nervous, inconsistent, indecisive

Gemini likes: Music, books, magazines, chats with nearly anyone, short trips around the town

Gemini dislikes: Being alone, being confined, repetition and routine

They are fascinated with the world itself, extremely curious, with a constant feeling that there is not enough time to experience everything they want to see. Gemini's changeable and open mind makes them excellent artists, especially writers and journalists.

Lilith: Virgo

Strengths: Loyal, analytical, kind, hardworking, practical

Weaknesses: Shyness, worry, overly critical of self and others, all work and no play

Virgo likes: Animals, healthy food, books, nature, cleanliness

Virgo dislikes: Rudeness, asking for help, taking center stage

This is a sign often misunderstood, not because they lack the ability to express, but because they won’t accept their feelings as valid, true, or even relevant when opposed to reason. Their goals and dreams still have strictly defined borders in their mind. People born with their Sun in Virgo are very dedicated to their family and attentive to elderly and sick people. They understand tradition and the importance of responsibility, proud of their upbringing and everything that made their mind be as dominant as it is.

Amity: Scorpio or Capricorn

Strengths: Resourceful, brave, passionate, stubborn, a true friend

Weaknesses: Distrusting, jealous, secretive, violent

Scorpio likes: Truth, facts, being right, longtime friends, teasing, a grand passion

Scorpio dislikes: Dishonesty, revealing secrets, passive people

They are excellent leaders because they are very dedicated to what they do. Scorpios hate dishonesty and they can be very jealous and suspicious, so they need to learn how to adapt more easily to different human behaviors.

Capricorn

Strengths: Responsible, disciplined, self-control, good managers

Weaknesses: Know-it-all, unforgiving, condescending, expecting the worst

Capricorn likes: Family, tradition, music, understated status, quality craftsmanship

Capricorn dislikes: Almost everything at some point

Capricorn speaks of each natural chain reaction of fear, Immersed in their secrecy, they face the world just as they are – brave enough to never run away, but constantly afraid of their inner monsters. Capricorn women are ambitious, persistent, responsible and reliable. She only wants to find someone to make her smile, and can’t wait to open up and feel the real pull of emotion that makes her warm up to the possibilities that lie in the future. It will take some time for her to lower her guard and feel safe and comfortable enough to show just how sensitive and caring she can be when she is in love.

Edric and Emira: Aquarius

Strengths: Progressive, original, independent, humanitarian

Weaknesses: Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof

Likes: Fun with friends, helping others, fighting for causes, intellectual conversation, a good listener

Dislikes: Limitations, broken promises, being lonely, dull or boring situations, people who disagree with them

Aquarius-born have a reputation for being cold and insensitive persons, but this is just their defence mechanism against premature intimacy. They need to learn to trust others and express their emotions in a healthy way.

[potatosoldier]

Are you still there?

  /Part 7/

I am hot, I am sweaty, and I am crammed into a small cot surrounded by equally sweaty men. It was the 6th of September, and we had just boarded the Great Samaria a few hours ago. We were now on a journey to Europe. 

How they managed to jam us into this ship, I have no clue. It isn’t like there is 20 men over the capacity of this ship. No, this ship was made for 1000 passengers and now there were 5000 men from the 506th shoved in. I could have made the choice and went to the officers and made my stay there, I want to be near the men. 

“Joe, darling, your shoulders are like barn doors, I can’t fit”

Oh yes, as the passenger count was so high, the cots were shared by two soldiers. I was sharing with Joe. At first I also considered going to Skip, but then I came to a conclusion that I could stand Joe’s singing in this suppressed place, but listening to Skip talk non-stop would make me an irritable person. And I truly did not want to become that. These men are my companions and I want to treat the with the respect they deserve. I did not have the right to become rude even in these circumstances. 

Also, if I was put too high, Bull would have to carry me around like a baby monkey. 

“For God’s sake, just turn the other way”, Joe grunts as I try to maneuver myself without jostling the cot too much.  

“Joe, please move”, I whine and try to push him. He rasps and looks at me teasing smile on his lips. 

“you wanna continue trying, Bambi”, he teases. I scrunch my brows and pout. Why did he have to make this so difficult. Then I put on my most motherly glare. “Joseph Toye, this is not how you should behave”, I scold. 

He chuckles once again, but proceeds to move over so I’m finally able to fit in next to him on the cot. It was a tight squeeze, both of us were on top of the bed springs, but we tried to be so that it’s the least uncomfortable. Physically and mentally. 

“So you told Muck, huh?”, he whispers once we are in and he hears Skip talking while making his way around the ship. I nod as we both look at the cot above us. “You sure that was a good idea?”, he asks. I could hear in his voice that he didn’t doubt Skip personally, but he was just checking in. 

I smile. “He has been good to me since I came here, He won’t betray me now. And it does feel good to let it out”, I tell. He nods. 

“So, what do you think about going to Europe?”, he asks. I shrug. “I’m glad I’m here, maybe we can speed up the process of ending this war and Matias and dad can go back home”, I answer. Matias was my older brother. I think he is the reason I’m so fond of Skip and Luz, Matias was such a jokester too. It broke my heart to think of him out there somewhere, fighting for his life. 

“I’m glad we’re going to Europe too. Hitler gets one of these right across the windpipe, Roosevelt changes Thanksgiving to Joe Toye Day and 10,000 a year for the rest of my fucking life”, he says in a much louder voice. 

I look at him trying not to laugh. “Joe, I promise I’ll celebrate Joe Toye Day from now on even if you don’t succeed”, I manage to say without laughing. 

“What if we don’t get to Europe, what if they send us to North Africa”, Smokey points out from above us. 

The conversation doesn’t awfully concern me, till I hear these words: “ I like Winters, he is a good man. But when bullets start flying, I don’t know if I want a Quaker doing my fighting for me”

My head turns sharply up towards Bill’s bed. My blood starts running cold with the rage I’m feeling. He had the audacity to condemn someone by their religion and to add to that doubt MY husbands skills in combat. 

“How do you know he’s a Quaker?”

“He ain’t Catholic”

I’m about to jump up and teach the boy some manners when, Joe apparently notices my open mouth and shoves my head under a blanket. And by shoving, I mean shoving. Nothing gentle about it. I can only imagine the looks people are throwing at us. 

“Okay Bambi up we go” he then says and starts lifting me up, my head still covered. I can hear Liebgott and Bill still having a spat and am about to turn to go towards the noise, but Joe keeps me covered till we are away from the scene.

“You need some fresh air, you angry hedgehog, to he deck we go”, Joe says and pushes people around to make us way forward. He really saved me from making a mistake. 

With Richard

The Boat was far from comfortable, that was the only thing Richard Winters would say to the circumstances at hand. Last time he had been this hot, was while running in full gear in Toccoa. 

“They really filled this Troop ship to the brink”, Lewis says looking just as sweaty as his friend. “If I’m going to be this hot, I’d rather have 5000 ladies here. At least there would be something to look at”, Nix says. 

“Yeah, and by the time you’d make it to your destination they’d have eaten you alive, after finding out about Kathy”, Dick teases. Keeping your mind light in situations like this was the key to keeping your head together. His friend had his own lightness hidden in Dick’s footlocker. 

Lewis let’s out his trademark chuckle. “Easy for you to say”, he snarks back. Dick knows exactly what he means. It was easy for Dick to judge other men for seeking affection because his own wife was there. 

Dick only looks at his friend with a dry look and they remain silent for a while. 

“Never thought this day would actually come, of course I knew it was coming, but hell we’ve come a long way”, Nix says and takes a swig from his flask. Dick lets out a small huff. It really was a miracle that Sobel hadn’t found some way to get rid off them. 

“You think we can make it Nix, back home I mean”, Dick asks thoughtfully and plays with his fingers. It was a curious question, not one of sadness or fear. 

“That’s not for us to decide, but hey I’ll drink to the thought of seeing your children some day”; he says raising his flask in what was supposed to be a happy remark, but when he sees Dick’s face, all the happiness goes away. 

He furrows his brows and looks at his friend more closely. “You okay Dick?”, he asks while still studying his now pale friend. Dick just continues looking ahead like he was not there at all. 

“Yeah, Nix, I’m okay”, he finally whispers and they drop the topic replacing it  with silence. 

Sonja / Day 3 on the Samaria/

“Better out than in, there we go”, George says as he brushes some of my hair back. I had been throwing up for the last two hours. I wasn’t sure was it the sea or the smell of the fish soup that made me so nauseous. 

“I fe- ugh”, I puke again in the middle of my sentence. I was not the only one throwing up, no. But I felt very embarrassed to be in this situation. I was a nurse, not a patient. 

Suddenly a pounding of boots is heard and I feel someone place themselves on the other side of me. “There we go, a Hershey bar for the lady. Got it from Winters, tried scrounging and he was kind enough to offer when he passed”, Skip says as he opens the wrapper for me. 

And what I can take from his story is that, that he went to tell Richard I’m unwell and Richard gave him the bar. 

“Thank you”, I whisper and take the piece Skip snaps me. Luz takes the bucket from my hands and gives water to rinse my mouth.  “For a small lady, you sure puke your guts out like a grown man”, Luz teases. 

“Shut up, I’m only three inches shorter than you”, I grumble and lean against him while savoring the chocolate to get the taste of vomit out. He only chuckles and makes a mocking “UGH” noise. 

“Thank you boys for getting me out, I thought Joe was going to kill me”,I giggle softly. They both huff in laughter. “I mean you did puke on his chest”, Skip points out. I grimace, that I sure did. His chest and neck where running with fish soup after I retched on him. 

“Someone get her a bucket, fucking hell, if someone isn’t gonna help her, Imma kill every fucking one of you”

“Skip, go get us some cards, I don’t think she can handle the sweat level yet”, George says as he strokes my back, as I gag again a little. 

How long was I going to be stuck on this boat.

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

The night was awful, I felt sickly and I noticed that Joe was turning more than usual, probably because of the back pain. We were lucky enough to fit on the cot so that we could both sleep in it, but nothing seemed to get me catch sleep. I was afraid of throwing up again. 

“Nurse”, I hear a whisper. I jump and look up. Even in the dim lighting I can recognize my husband. I carefully stand without jostling Joe too much, and gently put the blanket on him again, after raising it up a little to get a little cool air on him. 

“Yes sir?”,I ask professionally as I stand before Richard. He just nods his head towards the deck. 

As we make it to the deck we quickly and quietly find a corner with no one sleeping in it. He takes a look around and has a seat. Before taking something out from his pocket: chocolate.

“Richard, you don’t have a sweet tooth, how do you have all these”;I ask looking at him oddly. 

“I got this from Nix, he was willing to sacrifice it for I quote ‘holy business’“, I giggle at my husbands expression as he quotes Lewis. I take the bar from him and put it next to me. I honestly felt too sickly to eat it now. 

I look at Dick biting my lip. He seems to notice the softness in my gaze as he utters a gentle “come here”, and gently guides me to lay my upper body onto his legs. 

“Don’t worry, darling. I can keep watch, and if they ask more, I can say that I was just looking out for you as your officer”, he soothes and rubs his hand along my arms. Which feels amazing on my sore muscles. 

“I think it’s time to tell the men soon anyway. They need to get used to the idea before we jump, and I think that they know you well enough to not judge you”, he then brings up. I nod against his leg, this living in secrecy was starting to become more and more difficult. 

I then squeeze my eyes shut as nausea takes over me. “Richie I think I might puke”,I whimper. I always got very stressed when I had nausea, and sensitive. “I don’t wanna puke on you”,I say and try to rise, but in all honestly rising just made it worse.

Richard guides me back gently. “If you puke on me, then you do. Don’t worry about that. Let’s just get you comfortable”

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

On the 15th of September we finally made it to Liverpool. I was still quite pale after the ride. Eating had really become a task, and without food, you lose strength. But with the threats from Joe and gentle urging from Carwood Lipton, I was able to get food down. 

“You feelin’ good ma’am?”, comes a familiar Arkansas drawl as I give a happy sigh to be on the steady ground. I chuckle “Aye, sir, better than ever”, I say teasingly. He mock salutes me and we start walking for our shelter for the night. 

I walk on Joe’s side keeping a firm hold of his sleeve as I had been told by Lip.

“We don’t want you getting lost, you are harder to find than most of us”

At first I had wanted to tell him that I am a grown woman with military training, but his truly caring gaze changed my plans.  If I could express in words, how thankful I was for that mans care I would shout it at his too humble face. Okay, these boys are really rubbing off on me, I wouldn’t shout, maybe gently lecture. 

Tomorrow we would be going to our final destination. 

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

Aldbourne was vastly different from all the places I’ve had my training and from what the men told me, it was also very different to them. We were in the middle of a village! We could actually see other people. 

“Come on Sonja, please, please please”, Skip was begging on his knees. We had gotten our passes to go to Swindon for a Saturday night dance this weekend. The boys were all excited about being able to go and actually getting the passes this time. 

“Skip, you know I get uncomfortable with many people, also it’ll be nice to have some time alone”, I try to reason as he keeps pushing my skirt and blouse towards my hands. 

He looks at me with his green puppy eyes. “please, Bambi, for me, Joe is coming too. Aren’t you? Hear that Joe is there too”, he begs. I sigh and look at both of them. 

“Okay, but when I say want to come back, I will”, I say pointing at him. 

“Yes!!”

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

I didn’t put on my skirt and blouse, instead I took out my light blue swing dress and let my hair down. It was nice to feel girly again, and actually have a reason to get dolled up. That was not the best part, the best part was actually putting my wedding ring onto my finger. I gave a small kiss to my cross and said a little prayer of gratitude before going to the boys. 

The boys were happy to have me, their lady with them. 

“Your husband is one lucky bastard”. George had said when he saw me. Bull had even blushed when I gave him a kiss on the cheek as thanks for helping me with my jacket. 

All the girls in the dance were dolled up too. I found the music in there absolutely delightful. It might have not been completely in my taste, but I appreciate it nonetheless. Also the sound of shoes clapping against the floor was beautifully relaxing. 

“Would my lady like to dance?”, Skip asks bowing at the waste. I shake my head at his antics but take his hand none the less. And boy did I make a mistake. I was tosses from Skip to George, to Bull, to Joe, to Don (who mind you, was an excellent dancer!) and god knows who. The Easy boys really decided to hit the floor. 

Once I was able to make a run from them, I found Joe drinking a beer at one of the tables. “You having fun?”; he asks and takes a long sip. I nod and smile widely. 

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve been able to dance so much! But I do wonder”, I bite my lip. “Am I a bad person to be here, without Richard?”; I whisper. 

Joe shakes his head. “You’re too good for this world. There ain’t nothing wrong with you being here. He trusts you and you trust him. And hell, you were giggling like a school girl when you realized you still had time to go to him after this. You aren’t committing any sin”, he soothes with a little teasing making me blush. 

Who can blame me, I just want to grab my Robert Burns poems and go read with Richards head on my lap. Was that really too much to ask for? He was my husband.

We continue our conversation, with me sipping a cup of water, until I hear a similar interruption as in the boat. 

Bill and Skinny make it to our table chatting. “He might be a good man, but Quakers aren’t meant for this shit” My patience had been running thin with these comments for so long and now my patience was all run out.

“He is not a Quaker”, I snap. Bill turns to me with an odd look on his face. 

“And how do you know that Bambi”, many of the Easy men were now near our table from hearing my raised voice. 

I don’t know what made it come out of my mouth, but this did anyway: “If my husband was a Quaker I think I’d be the one who knows that and not you”

I quickly realize what I said and plant my palm against my face, trying to remember how to breathe. I hear Joe sigh from next to me: “Well, now you fucking said it”

@iilovemusic12us​

@georgeparisole​

[imagine-being-straight]

What a Simp

Summary:  Three times Willow's chat tries to convince Willow to make an Amity simp emote and the one time she gives in. Based off of @pastatiger Minecraft AU. Go check it out cause it’s amazing.

AO3

(Part 1) (Part 2)

Word Count: 931

Trigger Warnings: None

It wasn’t unusual for Willow to stream late into the night, but for her to be streaming at 3 am was out of the norm. She had been finishing one of part of her most recent build and ran out of supplies midway through, so she decided it was a good idea to grab some more. That was at 12 am and here she was three hours later still emptying a desert.

Grinding for supplies was always a boring task, but it did give her a good excuse to talk with her chat. Her chat was always a joy to read no matter how rambunctious they got but at this hour the chances of them being chaotic this late was low. 

While mindlessly destroying sand she heard her donation alert go off as pussydestroyer420 donated 20 snails with her message being, “Go grief or prank someone else on the server.”

Willow sighed before reluctantly saying, “Thank you pussydestroyer420 for the 20 snails. And no I’m not gonna go grief or prank anyone. It’s not like anyone is on this late.” She then showed the player list to prove her point and to her surprise, Amity was online. 

Willow being the curious soul she was typed, “VC in general 1?” and patiently waited for Amity to join. While waiting for her to join her chat started guessing what Amity was doing for her to be awake at 3 am. Some theories ranged from completely reasonable, like XP grinding, to the more outlandish, she’s planning a revolution against everyone in the SMP.

“Hello,” Amity tiredly said. 

Willow hadn’t noticed her join and let out a yelp in surprise before responding, “Hey Amity. You scared the shit out of me.” 

“Oh sorry,” Amity not very apologetically replied. She sounded like she was half asleep, but also strangely determined?

“Sooooo, what are you doing up so late at night,” Willow curiously asked. She knew Amity was typically in bed before three since Amity is actually one of her more responsible friends.

“I’m just farming some sugar cane and leather,” Amity replied.

Willow narrowed her eyes as she thought over Amity’s answer. It’s completely possible she was telling the truth and just needed materials. On the other hand, it is also 3 am and knowing Amity she would’ve checked the time at least once and noticed how late it was. Maybe Amity was farming it for Luz. It would certainly explain why she was up so late. What a simp Amity was if that was the case.

Willow decided she should take the gamble and asked, “You’re farming the sugar cane and leather for Luz aren’t you?”

The silence from Amity spoke volumes. Willow lost her shit and started laughing like a madman much to Amity’s embarrassment. She laughed for five straight minutes before she finally could speak again without cracking up. While that happened her chat called Amity a simp and Amity silently contemplated her choice of friends.

Willow wiping away the tears in her eyes barely got out, “Oh god. I haven’t laughed that hard in ages. I can’t believe I guessed right.” 

“I hate you so goddamn much Willow. I hope you know that,” Amity embarrassedly responded, which sent Willow into another laughing fit, which took her another few minutes to recover from, much to Amity’s dismay.

“Love you too. I just can’t believe how much of a simp you’re for Luz,” Willow replied, her voice full of amusement and a hint of curiosity. 

Amity let out a resigned sigh before responding, “I’m not a simp for Luz Willow. Stop calling me that.”

Willow let a disbelieving hum at Amity’s answer, she knew Amity would do almost anything for Luz. She smirked before asking, “So how much sugar cane and leather do you have for Luz?” 

Amity went silent for a moment before quietly answering, “A double chest of sugar cane and a chest of leather.”

Willow launched herself into another laughing fit, this one lasting much longer than her previous two. She almost fell out of her chair because she was laughing that much. She could vaguely hear Amity talk about how much she hated Willow, but she didn’t care as all she could focus on was how much of a simp Amity was. 

As soon as Willow managed to compose herself she heard her donation alarm go off as pussydestroyer420 sent another donation of 20 snails with the message, “Make an Amity Simp emote you coward.”

This time Willow actually fell out of her chair because of how hard she was laughing. She felt a bit of pain from the fall, but she barely focused on it as all she could think about is an Amity simp emote. Just the thought of it sent her back into her laughing fit. Amity would’ve felt concerned over how much Willow laughing and how little oxygen she must be getting, but all she could think about are ways she can murder Willow. 

Willow finally recovered from her laughing fit, her sides hurting like hell, and as she recovered she heard Amity mumbling about plans to kill her. She smirked yet again and asked Amity, “Hey, so how do you feel about drawing an Amity simp emote for me?”

There was a minute of silence before what Willow said hit Amity. Willow watched as Amity abruptly disconnected from Minecraft and the VC, probably dying from embarrassment. She let out a little laugh, being careful not to aggravate her sides too much, as she thought about how much fun she’ll have about teasing Amity about this later.

AN: Of the four chapters I have planned, three of them are based off of true stories. They're all exaggerated at points, but I find it funny that they almost all have a story behind it. (And no I'm not simping for anyone. These are things my friend did. Also hi to anyone who recognizes these stories.)

[mrsalwayswrite]

Tipsy Confessions (Darrell “Shifty” Powers x f!Reader)

So based on this post by @problematicfavesareproblematic​ because I love it!  

Warnings: None...just Shifty cuteness. 

Words:3200

Tag list: @happyveday​ @evelynshelby​ @sydney-m​

  He looked down the barrel of his M1 Garand rifle, lining up the sight with the target at the end of the shooting range. The noise of his fellow paratroopers drifted away to blessed silence. There was something for him when lining up his shot, everything else seemed to fade away. The world narrowed down to himself, his rifle and the target. The faint breeze kissed his cheek and made the ends of his hair sway. Shifting the rifle just slightly, he accommodated for the wind. Finally, he was ready. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, hold, squeeze…

 Bang!

 "Nice shot, Shifty."

 Darrell "Shifty" Powers looked up at the target, an almost perfect bullseye, just a little to the left, then over to his friend standing nearby. "Thanks, Popeye."

 "Can we head back now?" Floyd Talbert asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

 "Why? You gotta brush your hair or somethin'?" Popeye Wynn teased. 

 "That's why I get all the dames at the dances and you don't."

 "Come on, lectures will start soon." Smoky Gordon stated good-naturedly, then he pointed at Talbert. "And you owe me a pack of smokes. Told you Shifty could hit the target."

 "You said bullseye, not just hit the target."

 "Well, he did it."

 Talbert grumbled but dug the pack out of his pocket and tossed it to a smirking Gordon. 

 Bang!

 Shifty looked over his shoulder in the direction of the gunshot. He thought they were the only ones there. This was his favorite time to practice since everyone else was either at the mess hall or relaxing in their barracks. Usually he came alone but today Popeye decided to keep him company and then from there Gordon joined them, dragging Talbert along. 

 To his surprise, he saw you a few lanes over, laying on your belly, rifle set in front of you with your finger still on the trigger. The ODs they gave you were just a one or two sizes too big, thus your sleeves and pant legs were rolled up a few times. Somehow you still pulled the look off well. Instead of looking like a child playing dress up in too large clothes, you looked…. well…. good. 

 Talbert gave a low whistle. "She's a good shot, I'll give her that."

 "Even if she arrived with Hitler's head in a sack, Sobel would still hate her." Gordon stated, watching you closely. 

 "And Guarnere."

 Another shot rang out and Shifty would easily admit...he was impressed. Not because you were a dame and knew how to shoot a gun. His mother would string him up sideways for thinking something like that. No, the distance you were shooting at...most of the soldiers did not even try it. Only himself and a few others shot that far with any accuracy. 

 And you were dead on. 

 Finally you stood up, slinging the rifle over your shoulder when you noticed the four men staring at you. He could see the hesitation in your usually guarded expression. You had only joined Easy Company once they arrived in Camp Mackall. Sink thought your connections and resources in Europe would prove invaluable to the paratroopers. Unfortunately, by that point, most of the men had bonded and were not looking to add an outsider...especially a woman. Even worse, you spent most of your time with Intelligence so the men could never get a good read on you. 

 "Hey, doll," Talbert called, a flirtatious smirk lighting up his face, "you going to be a sniper for Easy?"

 You moved a little closer, head held high and shoulders back. “If the need arises...and that's Lieutenant to you, not doll."

 "Yes, ma'am."

 Your gaze moved his way, eyes assessing with just a look that seemed to see more than they let on. "Are you Private Powers?"

 "Ah, everyone calls me Shifty, ma'am."

 "You're an excellent shot. If you have the time, I'd appreciate some pointers from you. I'm better with a pistol."

 He could feel the blush rising on his cheeks. "It's not a problem, ma'am. I'm… I'm not sure how I can help though. You're an excellent shot yourself."

 Your lips turned upward at the corners but you just shrugged. "Thank you, but there's always room to improve."

 "How good are you with a pistol?" Talbert asked, gaze skimming over you. "Think you can hit that target?"

 The target he pointed at was only about five yards away, any paratrooper was expected to hit at that distance. It was almost an insult to think you could not. 

 And the look on your face after he asked...you definitely took it as an insult. 

 Without removing your eyes from Talbert's grinning face, you pulled the pistol off your hip, pointed at the target and unloaded it. 

 Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang. 

 "Have a good day, boys. Shifty, I hope we can talk soon." You stated, switching from staring down Talbert to a small smile at Shifty. Then you stomped away, reholstering the pistol, rifle still slung over your shoulder. 

 Shifty's gaze moved to the target and froze. All six shots were in the center of the bullseye...which you had shot at without looking. 

 "Tab, you better not piss her off. She don't even have to look at you to kill you." Popeye japed. 

 Shifty's eyes darted back to your retreating form in awe. He had never met a woman like you before. And damn, if watching you shoot did not do something to him. 

 "Oh, now that's a knockout." He softly said, unable to tear his eyes from you. Never mind him giving you pointers, he wondered what you could teach him! 

 "Yeah, yeah. She can shoot." Tab muttered, turning to head back into camp. 

 "You're just mad she showed more interest in Shifty than you." Gordon joked then screeched when Talbert hit him upside his head. 

 Shifty ignored their taunts as the group walked back towards their barracks. He found you beautiful, any man with eyes could see you were attractive. But watching you shoot, that focused look on your face and the confidence you held...that was going to be a problem for him, he could already tell. 

 Especially with the way he kept having to readjust his pants so the others would not notice the effect you had on him. 

 *****

 "You're starin' again."

 "Mmm?" Shifty blinked, it took a long minute for his friend's words to sink into his brain. When they finally resonated, he practically jumped in his seat, face turning red. "What? No, no, I'm not."

 "You're starin' at her like Perconte when he sees garlic bread." Popeye stated, clearly amused if the shit-eating grin said anything. 

 "What?" Perconte yelled further down the table. 

 "Nothin', Frank! Wasn't talkin' to you!"

 An argument broke out with Perconte demanding to know why Popeye said his name. Shifty only half listened, his gaze drifting back to you across the mess hall. You were facing away from him, talking with some of Easy's officers.

 It had been several weeks since the encounter at the shooting range. Since then whenever you were around, he became a bumbling mess. He stumbled over his words, a blush continuously heated his face, a couple times he tripped when you would casually touch his shoulder or arm. Yet the whole time you were kind and patient with him, ignoring his awkwardness. Or at least he hoped so. A few times the two of you would find the other at the range and shoot together, giving one another pointers or creating silly competitions. It was during this that he realized he was falling for you. 

 Hard.

 Like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute and feeling gravity control one's descent as if that person was just along for the ride. 

 It did not take long for the others to notice how his gaze was always on you when you were nearby. How his brain ceased to function properly as if you were all he could focus on. How he would go out of his way to try and say hi to you every day. The dopey smile on his face when you smiled or laughed, even if you were across the room.

 And thus, the teasing began. 

 One of the more embarrassing moments was when Sobel was leading a strategy practice in the woods, quickly getting everyone killed from his impatience. Shifty, you and two others were forced to be left behind as wounded while everyone else tramped back to the rendezvous point. During those hours of laying in the grass, you and him, lying next to each other, began a quiet, running dialogue telling stories from your lives. Who taught you to shoot, what you were doing before the war, favorite foods, ect.

 Once the four of you were relieved and allowed to return to the rendezvous point, you broke away to return to your separate barracks to clean up. When Shifty returned to 3rd Platoon, they immediately teased him about his rumpled clothing, the grass in his hair and if he remembered to wear a condom when you two….

 He still blushed thinking about some of the graphic things they said. 

 Not that his mind had not enjoyed picking up those images and replaying them in his dreams. 

 *****

 He was drunk. 

 Or at least tipsy. 

 A part of him knew going out was a bad idea. He never drank. Just did not like the taste of beer. It always sat like lead in his gut. But at the moment, he did not care. 

 Easy celebrated the fact that they were moving on from Camp Mackall soon. One step closer to be official paratroopers. One step closer to war. Drinks were flowing, some even found local women to dance with in the bar. Glenn Miller crooned over the radio. Sobel was gone on a forced weekend pass. Everyone was in high spirits. 

 Shifty sat at a table with a few others from Easy, listening to Luz tell some story...and he kept giggling. 

 Giggling! 

 Popeye was giving him an amused side-eye as he sipped his own beer. They all knew Shifty did not drink. Sure, he got teased about it but most respected it. For a very specific reason tonight when someone offered him a beer, he took it. And then another. And another. 

 He felt sort of floaty as he sat there. Everything was funny. His head was spinning slightly but it did not ache. That was good, right? He could still see straight...mostly. He was beginning to see why the others drank often.

 When he looked around the bar, he finally spotted what had made him start drinking. You reclined at a table talking to Lt Winters and Lt Nixon, which was unsurprising. What was different was the dress you wore. It molded to you in sinful ways and dear God! he almost swallowed his tongue when you walked into the bar. Between that dress, the red lipstick and victory rolls in your hair, he swore even sunrises were jealous of your beauty. Others definitely noticed, a few buying you drinks but you refused to dance with anyone. A comradery had finally developed between you and the men of Easy, most accepted your presence and the intelligence you provided. Plus, your marksmanship added points and willingness to take the brunt of Sobel's verbal abuse. 

 You laughed at something Nixon said, head tipped back and a hand on your chest. A sappy smile grew on Shifty's face as he watched your joy radiate. He loved seeing you smile and laugh. Even if he was not the cause of it, he liked you being happy. You had the ability to make even the gloomiest day seem like the peak of summer sunshine. 

 Excusing yourself from the table, you started towards the outside door. With a bright smile, you redirected slightly and stopped at his table before passing it. 

 "You boys having a good time?"

 A chorus of "yeahs" answered from those around. 

 "So, when are you going to admit you're in love with me?" Talbert asked, cigarette between his lips. Over the past weeks, he shamelessly flirted with you, even more than Luz but everyone knew it was done jokingly and when superior officers were not around. 

 "Mmm...the same time Sobel admits he has a hidden stash of pornography in his footlocker."

 Malarkey's chair dropped back down onto its four legs as he gaped at you. "And how in the hell would you know that?"

 You just winked. "Well, I'm off. Have a good evening, boys."

 As you stepped away, Shifty found himself stumbling to his feet to catch up. "Y/n, ma'am."

 You stopped, turning to watch him as he approached your side. There was no plan, no rationale in his following you. It was almost instinctual. He wanted to be near you...to hear you laugh again...be graced with one of your brilliant smiles. Now though, as you stood in front of him, waiting for him to speak, his brain sluggishly tried to come up with a reason for him to be near you. 

 "I'll walk you back if you like. It’s...you...you shouldn't walk 'round alone none." His words tumbled out, somewhat coherently in his rush so he was not just awkwardly staring at you. 

 You smiled, your face lighting up. "Thanks, Shifty."

 A giggle escaped him and he practically felt his heart splatter on the floor at your feet. You were so beautiful and looking at you made him feel warm inside. Or was that the alcohol? 

 A few wolf whistles follow you both out but he did not pay attention. He floated walking next to you...or felt like he did. He was unsure. His boots caught on a rock and he stumbled faintly but tried to play it off. For some reason the ground swayed just enough under his feet. It reminded him of the floating dock in the next town over from his home, how it was stable yet unsteady. The stars were really pretty tonight. Not as pretty as you. Oops...he stumbled again and a giggle slipped out. 

 "Are you well?" 

 "Ah?" He looked over at you, your eyebrows furrowed and eyes scanning him as if for an injury. "Yes, yes." He giggled out. Why would he be injured? No more Currahee! 

 And then he tripped, almost landing on his face if you had not caught his arm. 

 "Stop. Stop. Look at me." You moved to stand in front of him, placing your hands on his chest to hold him still. 

 Your touch sent an electric current through him. It sharpened the warmth of your hands on his chest, how good they felt there. How your breath ghosted over his face as you peered at him. How close your bodies were. No one could ever compare to you. His feelings, his affections, bubbled up inside of him like a champagne bottle after being shaken, threatening to explode. 

 But he could not say anything. No! It would be wrong. So wrong. Not right. You were a superior officer...and... just incredible. 

 "Shifty, are you-"

 "I like you. " He suddenly blurted out. The cork of the champagne bottle finally popping off. 

 You tipped your head to the side, watching him. Your hands still on his chest, still so close to him. Your eyes seemed to draw him in and he did not have the strength to escape their current, pulling secrets and truths from him. 

 Before he could stop it, his mouth disconnected from his brain and went on autopilot. Secrets and thoughts spilled out he had never told anyone. "I think youse beautiful and strong and an amazin' shot...and... I like you but not like...I like Popeye or Gordon or Lipton, no. I like-like you... like I want to kiss you and hear you laugh. But I can't tell you cos youse an officer and you would just laugh at me. I love watchin' you shoot. Rogers says you have a great ass but that don't matter to me cos, well truth is, I think I--"

 You slapped a hand over his mouth, clogging the outpouring of words. "Are you drunk?"

 He shook his head then changed his mind and nodded. Christ, he hoped he was drunk. Maybe you would ignore his ramblings then. Oh, what had he done? What happened? If he suddenly sprinted away, could he somehow hide from you for the rest of the war and he could pretend this never happened? 

 "Right. Here's what we are going to do." You tapped his chest with your pointer finger, drawing his attention back to you and ceasing his inner panic. "I am going to walk you to your barracks so you can sleep this off. After everything you just said, if you still feel this way in the morning, I want you to tell me all this when you are sober. Since I like-like you too. If not, then you owe me breakfast in exchange for my silence, jerk, and we'll never speak of this again." You smiled, other hand still on his mouth. "Nod if you agree."

 He did not think he ever agreed to anything so quickly in his entire life. 

 "Good, let's get you back now." You pulled your hand away from his mouth and slipped it around his arm. Together you two walked, arm in arm, towards his barracks. 

 Shifty still felt like he was floating on air. For more than one reason. 

 *****

 A few hours later, just as the sun was rising, he stood outside the barrack you were staying at. Practically bouncing on his toes, he knocked on the wooden door. Thankfully you stayed there alone since there were no other female paratroopers. You opened the door wearing an oversized shirt and gym shorts, hair amess and a sleepy smile on your face. 

 "I still think you are the most beautiful woman and I like-like you a lot." He exclaimed without preamble...and then paused. "And I'm sober."

 "I like you too, Shifty."

 A stupid grin spread across his face, cheeks warming up but he did not mind for once. "Can... can I... hug you, ma'am?"

 You laughed lightly before grabbing the front of his ODs and yanking him inside, slamming the door behind him. Before he could utter a word, you pushed him against the closed door and slammed your lips against his, your hands gripping his ODs tightly. 

 Oh. 

 Oh!

 This was much better than a hug. 

 Cupping your face, he returned the kiss fervently. He sank into your mouth, loving the feel of you pressed against him, how everything seemed to fade away and your touch and taste were all that mattered. You deepened the kiss, your tongue slipping into his mouth. If you did not have him pinned to the door, his knees would have given out. His hands slipped to the back of your head, tangling in your hair. Your tongues fought for dominance, which he would gladly let you win if only you did not stop. But it was when you whispered his name against his mouth that he almost came undone right there. 

 Finally you broke apart, desperate for air. Both of your chests heaving like you had been sprinting up Currahee. Staring into your face, your pupils blown wide, lips red and swollen; he decided he liked this even more than watching you shoot. Then he dove back into your mouth with unbridled passion, wanting to test how good your accuracy was in other ways.

 Yes, this was much better than a hug. 

[rohad93]

Moonlit Masquerade: Sandcastles  Final

The final part of MM: Sandcastles its 2:30 am so just excuse any mistakes in it for now.

She doesn’t really want to go to the beach house with the twins.

She’d much rather spend it with Luz, but since Luz is busy and it would be depressing to sit at home alone all weekend, and on her birthday no less, she relents. The two practically beg her to come with them anyway, which is strange, but she knows they still feel bad about the hair thing from a couple of weeks ago, and are looking to make up for their teasing her about it, so with few other appealing options, she agrees.

They get off the Boiling Isles version of public transport at the closest town to the beach and from there it’s a short ten-minute walk to the Blight family’s vacation home.

Though it’s mostly only used when their parent’s really want to show off to people, most of the year it sits empty.

“Ah, don’t have such a long face, Mittens,” her brother starts. “Maybe Luz couldn’t come with you to the house, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time.” He smiles at her and there is something suspiciously knowing about it, she knows her siblings, they’re planning something, but she hasn’t the slightest clue what it could be.

The pranks are still quite present, but to a much smaller degree since the ‘library incident’ as it’s now referred to, so she’s not particularly worried about that; her siblings are just acting strange.

They’ve been sneaking around and having hushed conversations; last night she’d passed by Edric’s closed bedroom door and overheard some of their muffled conversations by chance.  

“Luz is sneakier than I gave her credit for,” Her sister laughed. She hears her brother’s muffled voice but can’t clearly hear what he’s saying. “I trust her, I’m sure she has it all taken care of, I can’t wait to see Mitten’s face,” Emira speaks again, and then it’s too muffled to hear anything else, try as she might. That one little comment set off warning bells in her head.

Luz was doing something with her sibling, but what could it have to do with her?

By the sound of it, all Luz’s sudden absences during the week make sense if Ed and Em have her sneaking around doing something, which worries her. Her siblings can be quite devious when they want to be and sometimes even when they aren’t trying, their pranks sometimes tend to backfire spectacularly. She worries that Luz may be in over her head, that, and she’d lied to her about Eda needing her help. The only reason she would do that she can guess at is that the twins have her doing something she wouldn’t approve of, which makes her head spin with worrying possibilities. She knows Luz would never help her siblings pull some kind of mean spirited prank on her; not intentionally at least.

She hadn’t intentionally been part of the debacle with her diary that night in the library either, but it had happened. Her stomach twists up and she frowns. Ed and Em know how much Luz means to her and she can’t imagine them doing something, now that is, that could end with Luz hurting her in some way.

She’s missing something but she can’t for the life of her figure it out. It’s the blue moon masquerade all over again. Luz and her siblings are collaborating again. Not that that had turned out bad in the end, not at all, but the twins are unpredictable and Luz is an unstoppable ball of energy when the mood strikes her. Amity loves that exuberant energy when it’s channeled in the correct direction that is.

They round the bend and the house comes into view.

It’s large, just like their everyday home, in the gothic style the Blight family is known for and sits only about thirty yards from the sand and water of the beach.

“Ah, sweet, parentless solitude!” Edric grins as they walk around the house to the front door with their bags.

“Ready for an awesome birthday weekend, Mittens?” Emira nudges Amity playfully with her hip and grins.

“What’s going to be so awesome about it?” Amity grumbles, crossing her arms, missing the looks the twins throw each other over her head, they are living for this; knowing what’s coming.

“You sure are grumpy without your daily dose of Luz,” her brother teases, and Amity pinks, growling at him, her sharp eye teeth poking out from between her lips, but doesn’t say anything though.

There’s no point, they all know it’s true  and she won’t do their relationship the disservice of denying it. She’s wrankled because she’s here with just the twins when she’d really hoped Luz would be able to come with them, and they know it.

Add in that something is going on with her girlfriend and siblings and she hasn’t the slightest clue, does not put her in the best mood.

“Hey, I bet Ed and I can give you the best birthday you ever had.” Emira smiles at her and Amity can tell it’s genuine.  

“I doubt it,” Amity mumbles, making her sister frown and she feels bad immediately after. The twins are trying, they are, which is more than she can say about their parents.

She stops a few feet from the door, looking down at her feet and the twins both look at her.

“I’m sorry… I’m being a jerk…,” she finally says, and the twins share mirrored looks of surprise. “I just… we only have a few minutes before school and a couple of hours after, and we can’t be seen out together in public much or mom and dad would find out, and then after what happened at the owl house someone is always checking up on us…,” she trails off.  “I was just really hoping she would be able to come this weekend so we could hang out without worrying about anything… I really wanted her to be here for my birthday… which I didn’t even tell her about…,” she sighs.

When she looks back up the twins are looking at her with identical, sympathetic faces.

“Hey, it’s okay, Amity.” Emira wraps an arm around her shoulder. “We can’t imagine how hard it must be to have to hide it all the time.” She squeezed.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it… it’s not like we’ve never been jerks to you!” he chuckled. “But, uh…, why didn’t you tell her about your birthday?” he asks what both twins have been wondering since Luz revealed she didn’t know.

Amity frowns at the question and fingers the hem of her shirt

“I guess I just… didn’t want to explain the stuff about our birthdays to her. I know she feels bad about a lot of the stuff that goes on at home already, I didn’t want to give her another reason to worry about me, or do something totally overboard,” she huffs a small laugh but it quickly dies in her throat and she chews on her lips before looking up at the twins who for once are looking at her with patient, understanding.

“Sometimes… I just feel so overwhelmed by all her affection, like I don’t deserve it…,” she barely gets to finish before both twins have their arms wrapped around her.

“Of course you do.” Emira squeezes her tightly. “Maybe you can be a stick in the mud sometimes…”

“But you’re our stick in the mud,” Edric finishes. “And we bet Luz would say the same thing.”  

"Yeah, she’s lucky to have you,” Emira agrees.

Amity’s cheeks are pink but she can’t help but smile as her brother and sister squeeze her between them.

They finally let go and stand back.

“We know how much you wanted Luz to come with us, but don’t worry, this is gonna be the best birthday you ever had, we made sure of it,” her brother assures, and the twins smile, not their usually coy or playful smiles, but ones of genuine affection for Amity, who can’t help but smile back.

“Okay…” she takes a step forward but her sister holds her back.

“One more thing…,” Emira says, her smile turning into a grin. “What happened at the owl house that makes the owl lady have to check up on you two?”

Amity’s face turns blood red.

“Nothing! Nothing happened at the owl house!”

The twins share knowing grins.

“It sure sounds like something happened…,” Edric sing-songs and Amity scowls.

“I’m going inside!” Amity spins on her heel and opens the door and the twins follow her in, still grinning. They’ll just have to interrogate Luz later. They promised themselves they wouldn’t tease Amity this weekend… much.

The house is pitch black, save for the shaft of light coming in from the open door to light the entryway. The curtains are all drawn closed, keeping out the sunlight.

Ed and Em close the door behind her and it’s truly dark for a second before somewhere in front of her she sees a blue and green spell circle blink into existence for a brief second before all the lights are lit.

“Surprise!” Confetti is flying everywhere.  

Amity jumps as Willow, Gus, Luz, and the twins yell.

“Wha- what…?” she stares at them wide-eyed.

“Happy birthday Amity!”  The three standing in front of her shout.

Amity just stands there, mouth hanging open.

“I think she was surprised,” Edric laughs from behind her.

“I do believe your right,” Emira agrees.

“What is this?” She blinks, wide, gold eyes as she looks around, confetti in her hair. The room is decorated with streamers and balloons.

“Your surprise birthday party, duh!” The twins laugh at Amity’s shocked face. They are quite pleased with themselves.

Willow and Gus both run up and hug their bewildered friend. Luz hangs back, still grinning and watching her girlfriend’s shocked face. She knows her turn will come, she’s glad to watch for the moment, even as she vibrates with energy.

“I…,” Amity mumbles finally when it sets in what is happening as her friends hug her. Her lip trembles and she doesn’t even realize she’s crying till it’s hard to see through the tears. She squeezes both Gus and Willow who are still grinning madly and laughing.

They finally let her go as Luz walks up.

“Soooo, are you surprised?” she asks, grinning from ear to ear and only just manages to steady herself as Amity throws herself at her with a choked cry, arms wrapping around her.

“It’s a party, don’t cry, mi amor,” she chuckles quietly, running a hand soothingly up and down Amity’s back.

“I’m just… really happy…,” she hiccups into Luz’s shoulder. She pulls back and wipes at her face but she’s smiling so brightly it makes Luz’s chest tight to see her so happy

“How did you…?” she trails off, still sniffling.

“It was all Ed and Em’s idea.” Luz nodded to the twins, giving credit where it’s due, looking back at the twins who were grinning at them; when Amity turned around to look at them, they wink.

It’s the twins turn to get wrapped in Amity’s arms, an arm slung around each of their waists as she squeezes them for all she’s worth, face buried in their chests.

“I love you.” only the twins can hear her muffled words. They squeeze her back, a head-on each side of hers.

“We love you too,” is quietly mumbled in stereo into her ears.

“Are we going to party or not?!” Gus finally asks, throwing up his hands when the siblings have separated.

“Yeah!” Luz whoops.

They quickly get settled in, putting away their bags and retreating to the strip of beach that makes up the backyard.

There’s a net stretched between two poles stuck in the sand and the Blight siblings notice it immediately.

“What is that?” Edric cocks his head curiously.

"It’s a net. It’s for a game I’m going to teach you guys called volleyball.” Luz explains, holding up a grudgby ball. It was the closest thing she could find to a volleyball and was of a similar tough, but giving, material.

Luz explains the rules and they have a few practice rounds before they decide to play a game.

“Who is going to be on the teams?” Willow looks around at them.

“We could play boys vs girls,” Gus suggests.

“That would make the teams four versus two though.” Emira points out.

“We’ll take Luz.” Edric wraps an arm around the human’s shoulders and Gus nods his approval, while Luz just blinks as the guys drag her to them.

“Why do you get Luz?” Amity is quick to protest.

“Because, she’s good with girls, and looks dashing in a suit.” He holds up a finger for each reason. “What else do you need? She’s one of us,” he explains with a smirk. Emira rolls her eyes at her brother and Amity grumbles while Willow can only watch, chuckling.

“It’s cool, I’ll play with the guys,” she agrees. “Let’s get this game started, I’ll serve!” Luz runs to her position and everyone else moves into place.

They’ve been blessed by the last lingering whispering dregs of summer and the day is quite warm.

Especially as they run around in the sun, screaming and laughing as they chase the ball and trash talk across the court Luz has drawn with a stick in the sand.

“That was so in!” Emira yells.

“In your dreams!” Gus yells back.

They only have to break up a few arguments, usually between some combination of the Blight siblings, though Gus and Willow will argue a call too.

Luz is just glad they all seem to be having a good time.

She knew Amity was athletic and could be very competitive, but actually watching her play, and a game without magic at that is a different experience altogether. She’ll jump and dive at any given opportunity to score or keep their shots from scoring.

The timer on Luz’s phone is ticking down to the final minutes. The next shot will decide the winner and Ed is serving.  

He smacks it in the air and Willow meets it, passing it over to Amity who sends it flying back over the net.

“I got it!” Gus shouts diving forward into the sand and sending it back over before Amity’s shot can land.

Luz watches the ball fly over the net but her eyes land on Amity who is grinning brightly as they play, and she can’t help smile stupidly, glad Amity is having so much fun.

She’s too busy gawking at her girlfriend instead of watching the ball and especially not Emira, who jumps up at the net to intercept Gus’s shot and with a loud smack spikes it over the net.

Luz sees Amity’s eyes turn to her just before the ball smacks her straight in the face and it all goes black for a second.

“Luz!” Several people are yelling her name as her back hits the sand.

Her eyes squint open, the bright sun glaring down at her.

Then there’s a shadow over her, blocking it out. Amity’s scared and worried face comes into view, followed closely by everyone else.

“Luz, are you okay?” Willow asks.

“Ow…,” Luz mumbles, and then her friends are helping her sit up.

“I’m sorry!” Emira quickly says.

“I'm… okay… just kinda dazed…” she smiles reassuringly, though it looks a little more like a grimace as they help her to her feet.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Amity is gently running her fingers over her face as though looking for a fracture or something.

“I’m fine, Amity,” she says, shooing her hands away, though her face does smart, she’s not going to tell Amity that.

“Good… in that case, we won!” Emira cheers with a grin and the boys squawk at that.

“That doesn’t count!” Edric stomps.

“Injuring a member of the other team does not count!” Gus agrees.

“It hit the ground.” Emira sticks her tongue out.

“It did hit the ground inbounds,” Willow agrees.

“After it bounced off Luz’s face!” Edric fumes.

Amity rolls her eyes at all of them and turns her attention back to Luz as she stands, brushing sand off her shorts.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” she asks.

“No harm!” Luz grins. “Not the first time someone hit me in the face with a ball, and it probably won’t be the last.”  

“Let’s try to keep it to a minimum anyway though,” she smirks, crossing her arms. “Try watching the ball and not me,” she says quietly, so only Luz hears as the other four squabble about who won.

Luz chuckles while Amity looks at her knowingly.

"No promises, Hermosa.” Luz winks.

Amity knows that word from her Spanish to English dictionary and Luz knows she does by the way she flushes red, which makes her snicker.

The girls finally claim victory when Luz agrees with them that the ball hit in bounds, regardless of whether or not it bounced off her face first. The boys look betrayed for all of a few seconds, but concede, she’s the injured party here, and she knows the rules.

Though that doesn’t stop Edric from coughing ‘whipped’ into his hand, which fools no one and only makes Luz blush and Amity scowl; everyone else just grins or smothers their laughter

Edric quickly issues a challenge for a rematch, though this time it’s the Blight siblings versus the friend squad, and they give as good as they get, but the Blights are overwhelmingly victorious in the end.

They hang out on the beach and play for a while until the twins decide it’s time to start cooking dinner.

Luz uses a fire glyph to start the fire pit sitting in the sand and the twins go back up to the house to collect the things they need. Willow volunteers to go with them to help carry stuff back down.

“I’ll stay here with…,” Gus starts but Willow grabs his arm and drags him along with her after the twins.

“You’ll come with me.”

“But…,” he protests as the plant witch drags him away.

Amity chuckles at it. 'Very smooth, Willow…’ she thinks fondly as she plops down into the sand next to Luz, who smiles at her.

“Having a good time?” she asks and Amity wraps an arm around Luz’s as they sit shoulder to shoulder.

“The best.” She nods, setting her cheek on the human’s shoulder. “This is the best birthday I ever had.”

“Well, there’s still more to come.” She beams. “Which reminds me, why the heck didn’t you tell me tomorrow was your birthday!?” She throws her free arm up. Amity grimaces, turning her face away and sighs.

“I’m sorry, Luz,” she says. “I just know you worry about the stuff that happens at home and I didn’t want to add the mess that is our birthdays onto that. It’s not a big deal, I just didn’t want you to worry about it.”

“I know you don’t want me to worry, but I’m gonna anyway, and I worry more when I find out stuff like this from Ed and Em instead of you, so you shoulda just told me. We talked about this…,” she said quietly, frowning.

“I know, I know, I’m sorry. I just didn’t think my birthday was anything to be concerned about, but I knew you would be, It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal to me! I for one am glad you were born!” she says and Amity smiles at that.

“…I also didn’t want you to go overboard trying to make up the difference…,” she adds.

“But going overboard is what I do!” Luz grins, much to proud of that, and Amity rolls her eyes but smiles fondly at her.

“I know you do. It’s just…,” she pauses, and Luz can see her making that face that means she’s thinking about what to say. “It’s overwhelming sometimes,” she finally says and Luz blinks, smile falling as she looks at the pensive look that has slipped onto Amity’s face.

“My going overboard? I can work on pulling it back…,” she starts but Amity is shaking her head.

“No, Luz, not that, and don’t do that, I love you just how you are.” She stops her, and those words make a whole host of emotions rise up in Luz. She can’t help it, after being the outcast all her life in the human world, but she pushes that aside for now. She needs to stay focussed! She unwinds her arm from Amity’s and turns to better face her.

“What’s overwhelming then?”

Amity doesn’t hesitate for more than a second.

“Being loved by you,” she finally says, and brown eyes widen at that. “Sometimes, it just feels like so much all at once and I feel like I don’t deserve it all,” she admits.

“That’s not…,” Luz begins but Amity’s hand on her mouth stops her.

“Just… let me finish?” she pleads, looking at Luz. She nods and Amity pulls her hand away. She looks sad and Luz frowns, she wants to tell her how wrong she is, but she waits. Just more time to gear up for her rebuttal.

“You're… so kind and loving… and I’m just not. So I can’t help but wonder why you love me…,” Amity trails off and turns away from Luz to look out at the water, hands on her knees, pulled up to her chest, unable to look at Luz right now.

Luz pursed her lips. Leave it to Amity to not see how great she is and that just isn’t going to fly with Luz.

“Can I talk now?”

Amity nods.

“Excuse the language, but that’s crap, Amity,” she says plainly and Amity whips back to look at her, gold eyes wide.

“Eda says when it comes to kindness I’m a freak of nature, so you shouldn’t be comparing yourself to me or to anyone for that matter! You’re one of the kindest, most loving people I know!” Luz starts. “And maybe, yeah, you’re not great at outwardly showing it, but I know that’s your parent’s fault.” She reaches over and takes hold of one of her girlfriend’s hands.

“When you didn’t know it was me and turned me down at the masquerade, I could tell how upset and sorry you were, because you’re kind like that, you don’t like hurting people, and hate it when you do. You read to little kids at the library, and put up with a lot of my nonsense…”

“Luz…”

“Hup up.” Luz stops her with a finger on her lips. “Not done.” She smiles, pulling away her finger and Amity frowns, but remains quiet. “As far as loving goes, someone who wasn’t wouldn’t always be running their hands through my hair the way you do, or take care of me when I’m throwing up 'cause I eat all kinds of weird things I’m apparently allergic to, and try so hard to recreate my favorite food for me, or hold me for hours while I’m a sobbing mess. So, yeah, that’s crap!” Luz looks at her sternly. “You ARE kind and loving and you deserve everything,” she finally finishes, squeezing her hand.

Amity is biting her lip and getting teary again. She only just manages to keep them from falling and wipes at the few that have gathered in the corners of her eyes with her free hand.

“Well, I don’t want everything…,” she finally managed to get out. “Just you.” She squeezes back.

“You already have me, amor,” Luz tells her with a bright smile.

Before Amity can say anything else a loud sob makes them jump and look over their shoulders.

Gus, Willow, and the twins are standing a few yards away and Emira is biting her lip, trying to stifle her crying while Gus is openly sobbing into Willow’s shoulder while she pats his back and Edric looks a little choked up as he stands there awkwardly holding a tray of uncooked food.

“How long have you been standing there?!” Amity screeched, face almost purple all the way to her ears, and Luz has also turned a bright shade of crimson at her friends bearing witness to this, supposed to be, very, very private moment.

“Since… Amity… said she didn’t deserve Luz’s love!” Gus helpfully cries before going back to sobbing into Willow’s shoulder.

Edric shuffles his feet awkwardly in the sand.

“We thought you’d hear us coming and stop talking, but then you didn’t and…,” he trails off, unable to look at his baby sister or her girlfriend.

“Then we couldn’t interrupt…,” Emira sniffles, wiping at her eyes, moved to tears by what she’d just witnessed.

“Sorry…” Willow grimaced, still consoling Gus.

“Well, this is awkward…,” Luz mumbles, scratching the back of her head.

Edric clears his throat, gaining everyone’s attention.

“Why don’t we get cooking?” He offers with an awkward smile and walks over to the fire pit, Emira nods and follows him, still wiping at her eyes.

“I’m gonna just… take care of this…” Willow leads Gus away from the group.

“It was so beautiful!” They hear his muffled cry.

Amity buries her face in her hands and groans loudly.

Luz pats her back.

“Me too…”

The awkward air hanging around the beach eventually disappears once the food is done and they all fall into easy conversation as they eat.

Luz sticks to the foods she knows, but the rot dogs are calling her name and she picks one up when her girlfriend isn’t looking.

Luz holds up a rot dog… it looks so good… but she knows the bun is bramblewheat bread…

Just a bite wouldn’t hurt…

Before she can get it in her mouth Amity slaps it out of her hand into the sand.

“No, Luz!” she scowls and Luz pouts while the twins snicker at them.

“Still thinks she’s kind?” Edric mock whispers and Amity turns red, this time a combination of embarrassment and anger.

“She’s allergic!” she barks at them, and they only howl with laughter.

When the food is gone, the sun is starting to dip toward the horizon and Luz jumps up, excited.

“I’m going to go get the cake!” she declares before turning and running toward the house.

“What kind of cake is it?” Amity turned to her siblings questioningly. Ed shrugs.

“Dunno, we put Luz in charge of the cake,” Emira says with her own shrug.

“So, hopefully, no bramblewheat,” Willow chuckles. Gus makes a face.

That catches Amity’s interest. There’s no telling what Luz has prepared.

Luz comes back a few minutes later with the white box and sets it on the small table they brought out.

She unboxes it to an appropriate chorus of 'oohs’ and 'ahhs".

With Lilith’s help, it actually came out quite beautiful.

The white icing is smooth as glass with a lip of smoothly piped icing keeping the jam filling on top from sliding down the sides.

“Oh, it’s beautiful, Luz!” Willow praises and Luz puffs out her chest. Sure Lilith helped, but Luz wanted to make it, so she had the elder Clawthorne walk her through every step, though maybe Lilith went back and smoothed the icing that may have been a little chunky when Luz was finished.

“Thanks, I made it myself.” She smiles proudly and Amity’s look of awe that had been trained on the cake is now on her instead.

“You made this?” Emira asks, bewildered. Edric also looks impressed.

“Lilith helped me some, she’s a crazy good baker, but, yeah!” She beams. “The Redstone bakery was closed so I couldn’t get a thornberry cake anywhere else.”

“It’s thornberry?” Amity is still looking at her amazed.

“Well, yeah, that’s your favorite,” she says casually. “Those were not easy to get…,” she mumbles, unconsciously reaching up to touch the bandage on her forehead. In the back of her mind, Amity makes a note to ask her about that later.

It amazes Amity how easily Luz can just do these things that mean so much to her and just shrug it off like it was expected. She’s starting to get misty-eyed again, and she is adamant that she’s not going to cry for a third time today, despite how determined Luz seems to be to make her. The twins seem to sense this.

“Well, let’s eat this bad boy!” Edric calls.

The assembled witches then quickly notice something though.

“What are those?” Gus is the first to ask, pointing at the fifteen little pink candles Luz has stuck on top.

“They’re candles…” Luz blinks at the cake and then back up at everyone else who is looking at her strangely.

“Yeah, but why did you put them on the cake?” Willow asks what everyone else is thinking.

“Oh! I guess you guys don’t do that, huh? It’s a human tradition. Usually, you put a candle for every year you are, and then you blow them all out and make a wish,” Luz explains to the gathered witches. “It’s just that your birthday is supposed to be… well, magical,” she chuckles to herself. “So the belief is if you make a wish on the candles it’s more likely to come true.” She shrugs. “I can take them off…,” she starts.

“No!” Amity almost shouts as Luz reaches for the little pink candles. “No, leave them… I do have a wish I want to make,” she says quietly and smiles.

Ed and Em smile at each other and twirl their fingers, and pale, blue spell circles appear before the candles light up in a flicker of flame.

Amity seems to think for a second, eyes closed before they open and she blows them out. Willow cheers and Gus waves his flags excitedly, and they make little whipping noises.

“Whoo!” Ed whoops and Emira leans down to press a kiss to the top of her sister’s head, making her cheeks pink.

“Cake time!” Luz grins and starts cutting it up, humming to herself, unaware of Amity watching her with that same small smile as she does.

Luz hands Amity a piece as she sits back down next to her.

“Is it any good?” Luz looks around nervously as everyone takes a bite.

“I think this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten…,” Emira mumbles in amazement and Edric just stuff’s more cake into his mouth.

“It’s fantastic, Luz!” Willow praises and Gus nods, following the older boys, lead, trying to shove more cake into his full mouth.

A delighted hum at her side makes Luz look at Amity who looks absolutely smitten by the dessert and Luz grins. Amity catches her gaze and her cheeks pink but she is smiling so hard she can’t stop it.

“It’s amazing, Luz,” is all she can say. There are so many words but none of them do what she’s feeling justice.

She doesn’t think she’ll ever get used to this feeling that consumes her entire being when Luz is near, and she really doesn’t want to.

Between the six of them, all that remains of the cake are some smears of icing and crumbs. The sun has set as they move back into the house so they can give Amity their gifts.

Gus proudly presents her with a book he found. 'A witches guide to humans’.

“I thought this might come in handy for you. It’s got all kinds of facts about humans,” he explains.

“I am both intrigued and mildly offended by the implication that I’m an animal from the wild…” Luz makes a face at the book and Amity grins. The twins just laugh at her.

“You can be pretty wild…,” Willow supplies helpfully.

“Fair”

“Thank you, Gus.” Amity smiles at the younger witch, who grins.

“Here, Amity.” Willow smiles, handing the other witch a potted plant. Their flowers with wide, pure white petals.

“It’s an Emoticanthea plant. Also known as…”

Amity reaches up to touch one of the flowers and they all suddenly shift to a bright sunny yellow.

“Mood flowers,” Willow laughs and Amity grins at them.

“Oh, that’s cool!” Luz breathes, leaning in close to look at it. Amity glanced at her and smiled. the flowers change to a deep fuchsia and Willow giggles as Amity whips her hand away from the petals.

“Thank you, Willow,” Amity says, cheeks pink. This was a dangerous plant when Luz was near.

“Oh!” Luz digs in her pocket and pulls out the small dark blue wrapped gift. “Here Amity, this is… it’s from Lilith, but she said only if you want it.” She holds out the present.

Amity hesitates.

She wants to forgive her old mentor, she does. She’s just afraid of being hurt again. She trusted Lilith and she used her to cheat. She wouldn’t say her pride wasn’t stung by the fact that she hadn’t thought she could win under her own power. Though now the idea of trying to beat Luz in a witch’s duel is completely ridiculous to her.

“Taking the gift doesn’t mean you have to forgive her,” Luz says after a few seconds. “She’s trying…”

Amity nods and takes the package and pulls away the paper. She opens it and her eyes go wide.

“Whatcha get?” Edric leans over, trying to see into the open package.

Amity pulled out a necklace.

It looks like a large coin made of carved stone, with runes etched into the surface around it and they glow a faint pink in Amity’s hand. All the witches in the room look shocked, so Luz knows she’s missing something.

“What is it?” she finally asks, tilting her head curiously and glances around at the others.

“It’s a power amulet…,” Amity mumbles numbly.

“A what?” Luz is as confused as ever.

“A power amulet,” Willow says. “Their ancient magic artifacts. They’re incredibly rare, you wear it, and over time it absorbs power from you to store. So if you’re in danger or something you can use up all the stored power in the amulet to cast a much more powerful spell,” she explains.

“Oooooh” Luz looks at the stone coin hanging from a braided cord in a whole new light. “Magical present,” she mumbles with awe.

“Wow, Mittens, that’s some gift.” Emira stares at it wide-eyed.

“Yeah, I’ve never seen one before, just pictures in our textbooks,” Edric agrees.

Amity thumbs the coins gently. Willow is right, as far as anyone knows there are very few power amulets remaining in the boiling aisles, full-grown witches spend years of their lives searching for power amulets in vain. Where did she even get it, and to just give it to her?

Amity doesn’t know what to think.

For now, she slips it back into its box and nods, saying nothing.

“Didn’t you guys get her anything?” Luz turns to the twins, in an effort to break the sudden tension in the room; it works.

“The party is our present,” Emira says.

“Yea, and what’s with the accusations, you didn’t give her anything.” Edric sticks out his tongue.

“Luz doesn’t need to get me anything, she’s done enough.” Amity is quick to jump to her girlfriend’s defense. It’s true though, Luz has done so much for her, she doesn’t need more.

“Well, I didn’t buy you anything,” Luz admits. “But I do have a gift for you.” She grins excitedly. “We’re going to have to go back outside though.”

She and Edric carry the two large boxes she brought back out to the beach while everyone else follows in the dark.

Luz sets it down and starts digging through it, buzzing with excitement.

“You guys don’t have this on the Isles, so I thought this would be perfect to celebrate your birthday!” Luz says to Amity, grinning wildly.

“It’s not going to explode is it?” Amity asks with a laugh. She finds herself asking this question much too often ever since meeting Luz, she’s mostly joking though.

“Actually, yes.” Luz grins, and that grabs everyone’s attention.

The twins look absolutely giddy with excitement while everyone else looks very concerned by her answer.

“What is it?” Amity asks, suddenly worried.

“Patience, mi amor.” Luz smiles deviously as she pulls some long tube-shaped things from the box and moves away to stick them in the sand at the water’s edge. She lines up several and turns to them.

“Ready?” she asks, and her grin couldn’t be brighter, so against her better judgment, Amity nods.

“Yes!” The twins shout.

Luz pulls out a fire glyph and taps it.

She holds the flame up to the bottom of the tubes and a sizzling sound fills the air. They watch the small sparks travel up toward the bottom of the tube and suddenly it erupts, shooting into the sky, making everyone jump.

It climbs higher and higher before suddenly exploding in a bright wash of colored lights.

“Wow!” Gus shouts, Edric and Emira whoop, while Amity and Willow watch in amazement.

Luz runs down the line of tubes and lights them and the air is filled with explosions and colors of varying patterns.

When the last ones die down she turns to the witch’s who are still staring up at the sky in wonder.

“What was that!?” Gus turns to her and he’s still grinning.

“They’re called fireworks,” Luz says. “You shoot them off at celebrations and stuff.”

Edric is suddenly digging through one of the boxes, excited, and pulls out a package of long, hand-sized tubes. They’re significantly smaller than the ones Luz just set off.

“What are these?” he asks, turning to Luz

“Oh, those are Roman candles.” Luz takes them and opens it, handing him one. “Here…” she directs his arm out toward the ocean and lights the fuse. It sizzles for a few seconds and then a flaming blue ball shoots out of the end of it. He’s startled at first but then grins as they continue to shoot out the end at intervals, making a puffing sound as they do.

Luz hands one to everyone.

“Just light the fuse.” She shows them, and then they’re going off everywhere.

“This is awesome!” Gus says and Willow laughs in agreement.

Amity’s face is alight with astonishment as she watches them shoot over the ocean and Luz is smiling as she stands at her elbow, watching.

“In the human world people like to have roman candles fights,” she says.

“What’s that?” Amity turns to her.

“People shoot them at each other.”

Upon hearing that, the twins turn to each other with wicked grins and suddenly brightly colored flaming balls are whizzing back and forth across the beach, and then everyone is running and shooting, shrieks of laughter echoing everywhere.

When they’ve used them all up Luz shows them some of the other items in the box and the twins are delighted by the pen missiles and their loud screeching sounds as well as the smoke bombs. If they pocket a couple for later use, no one notices.

Luz explains the mechanics and then everyone is digging things out of the box and the beach is awash with pops, explosions, and bright colored lights. Luz digs out a small box and trots over to where Amity is sitting in the sand, watching the other four set off different things.

She plops down beside her and smiles as she pulls two long sticks out of the box and hands one to her.

“I think you’ll like these, they’re called sparklers,” she says and lights it and it begins to pop and crackle, throwing off sparks.

Amity jumps at first but when the sparks cause no pain, relaxes, smiling. She doesn’t think she’s stopped smiling all day.

“So, you like it?” Luz asks after a few moments of comfortable silence.

“I love it.” Amity turns to her and Luz can see the joy that lights up her entire face, and she feels incredibly proud of herself. “This… everything, it’s all just been so amazing,” Amity says, leaning into her and Luz wraps an arm around her back and squeezes.

“I’m glad.” Luz is grinning back.

Now that it’s dark, the beach is getting cold, and that’s a fine excuse for Amity to sit as close to Luz as possible, not that she really needs one.

Luz touches her sparkler to Amity and it lights.

“Watch this.” She quickly twirls it around and Amity can see the word 'Luz’ trace through the air, following the motion.

She reaches out and flicks her own wrist and her name traces through the air, making her giggle, which in turn makes Luz laugh.

They sit there, flicking out different shapes and words as they work through the box of sparklers.

Luz draws a heart in the yellow light before her sparkler dies and If it’s possible Amity smiles wider, and with the last dregs of her own, she flicks her wrist and the words 'i love you’ are traced in the air in bright light before it fades away, leaving them in the dark.

The next thing Luz knows is Amity’s hand on her cheek, turning her head and then her lips are on hers.

Everyone else is too preoccupied with watching the lights and colors of their fireworks to notice them.

They empty one box and decide to save the other for tomorrow night as they pack up and head inside, it’s nearly frigid out now.

It’s late and everyone is partied out.

They say their goodnights and make for the rooms they’ve been given for the weekend.

Amity walks into her room after brushing her teeth and sees a second bag sitting on the bed that is not hers. Before she can go ask anyone, Luz walks in and freezes upon seeing her.

“Did you need something, Luz?” She turns to her girlfriend.

"No, just… the twins said this was my room…,” she trails off and Amity blinks before scowling and stomping over to the doorway, past Luz, and sticks her head into the hall.

“Edric, Emira!” she yells and somewhere in the house, they hear loud snickering and the sound of running feet.

Amity growls, rolling her eyes before pulling her head back into the room.

“This is my room and they know it,” she grumbles.

“Oh, well Gus and Willow are in the other two rooms. I can go sleep on the couch,” Luz offers.

“No,” Amity says, and the tone leaves no room for argument. “You can stay here, we’ve slept in the same bed before,” she reminds, closing the door.

“I know, I just didn’t want to…” Luz makes some vague hand gestures. “…assume anything,” she finally says with a shrug.

“You’re fine, querida,” Amity says, kissing her cheek, and Luz smiles. She’ll never tire of that word coming from Amity’s lips.

“I’m gonna go change in the bathroom.” Luz hooks a thumb over her shoulder and goes to dig through her bag, pulling out some clothes and dashes out of the room.

Amity changes into her own nightwear and crawls under the covers.

She reaches over and pulls the book Gus gave her out of her bag and starts flipping through it.

It has a lot of interesting things but some of them sound so outlandish she’s not sure if it’s fact or not. Luz is kind of strange at times. Always in a good way, but strange nonetheless.

She’s been flipping through it for a few minutes when the door opens and Luz comes back in wearing her shorts and a tank top.

“Is that the book Gus gave you?” she asks, stuffing her clothes into her bag before crawling into bed and snuggling into her side, draping an arm across her waist and resting her face on Amity’s arm to look at the pages.

“Mhmm” she flips a page.

“Well, what does it say? Should I have a tail or wings?” she asks laughing. “Cause I’ll feel cheated if I should.”

Amity chuckles at her.

“No, no wings,” she says.

“Aww…,” she says sadly and Amity rolls her eyes.

“It says you shed your skin twice a year… do you?” Amity looks at her curiously.

“Not last I checked…” Luz grinned up at her.

“Spit acid venom when threatened…” Amity can barely read it with a straight face and Luz chokes on her laughter. The more they read the more ridiculous it gets.

“Where do they come up with this stuff?” Luz snickers and Amity grins.

“Well, I know you can’t glow in the dark…,” Amity says reading another line.

“No, but how great would that be?!” Luz lights up at the idea and Amity just laughs, finally closing the book and setting it on the bedside table.

“For you, that would be perfect,” Amity agrees, shuffling to lay down. She presses a brief kiss to Luz’s grinning mouth. “Goodnight, Luz.”

“Night!”

She draws a spell circle and the candles go out, casting the room in darkness.

She rolls onto her side and Luz quickly sucks up to her back, snuggling into her

They’re quite a while but Amity keeps shuffling around like she’s uncomfortable.

“You okay?” Luz mumbles after a while.

There’s a pause.

“Yeah…”

Luz frowns in the dark.

“You sure?”

Amity pauses, thinking. There’s something she wants but feels embarrassed to ask even though she knows that’s silly.

She mumbles something that Luz can’t quite hear.

“What?” she asks, and Amity sighs silently to herself.

“Can I… be the big spoon?” she mumbles and feels her face heat up in the dark, especially when she feels the hot breath from Luz’s laugh on the back of her neck.

“Of course, mi amor” she moves her arm and flips over and Amity is quick to turn and wrap her arm around Luz, her face buried in between her shoulder blades and she hums contentedly at the warmth and earthy smell she’s come to associate with the human, happy as she gets to hold Luz for a change, and pointedly ignoring her girlfriends knowing giggling.

They’re quiet again for a long while, Amity is nearly about to drop off before she feels Luz’s hand on hers in the dark.

“Hey…”

“Hmm?” Amity hums drowsily, eyes closed.

“It’s midnight,” Luz says and were she more awake she would be able to hear the glee in those words.

“And?” The word is a sleepy, half mumbled slur, and Luz feels the word as much as she hears it with Amity’s face pressed into her back.

“Happy birthday, Amity.” The hand on hers squeezes gently.

That brings her back to full consciousness.

She just squeezes Luz tighter.

[the-curious-butterfly]

The Gift of a Good Meal

Someone really liked the Motherly!Eda moment and asked for a Daughterly!Luz one. So this is a companion fic to “You’ll be in my Heart” but before the events of said fic.

For the longest time Eda got by with eating whatever she could scrounge up. Whether it be something she stole off a stand or an unrecognizable blob that happened to be in her fridge. Most of the time it was bland and tasteless, until Luz came around and things slowly changed. 

It began one morning when Luz was feeling particularly generous, which was a feat let me tell you cause that girl didn’t just have a heart of gold it was like she was sculpted out of said metal, but she was feeling generous in the way that she wanted to make breakfast for Eda. And King too, of course, that shouldn’t even be a question. 

The child had discovered earlier in her stay that Eda didn’t have much in the way of ingredients to cook with but she did have milk and what looked to be pancake mix, or at least the Boiling Isles equivalent of it. Putting on and apron that said “kiss me and you die” Luz got to work making as many pancakes as she could. For there was nothing bigger than the appetite shared between the three of them. Four if you counted Hooty who would sometimes eat food but Luz found it a little weird considering he was the house and all. Where exactly did it all go?

Shaking the image out of her head she looked down at the first stack of pancakes she made. They were a little odd shaped and had weird multicolored spots on them but overall Luz thought she did a fairly good job. 

That’s when Eda walked in rubbing the sleep from her eyes “Whatever that good smell is woke me up and lead me here. Kid, what are you doing?” 

“I’m making pancakes!” 

“Pancakes?” Eda’s confusion over something so simple was actually kind of adorable. 

“Yeah! Hasn’t someone ever made you pancakes before?” 

“No ones ever made me anything before.” Eda said in her usual way that conveyed ‘it is what it is’ and she didn’t really mind it. But the admission did manage to tug at Luz’s heartstrings. No ones ever made anything for her? Not even her parents? 

“Well, I’ll be the first then.” She placed the stack of pancakes on the table nearby Eda, along with a bottle of what she thought could be syrup and a cup of apple blood. 

Eda stared at the display for a moment before looking up at Luz. “You made this for me?” 

“I just thought you deserved something special for all you’ve done for me.” 

“Oh.” Eda sat at the table and picked up her fork, she continued to stare at the pancakes a little longer before looking back up at Luz. “Thank you.” 

The smile the human gave her was sickeningly sweet but Eda found she was slowly growing use to it and even maybe preferred them over her frowns. 

“Alright, now time to make a stack for King!”  

~~~

Ever since then Luz started making her meals more and more often until it finally got to the point where Eda couldn’t even remember what it was like before, she hadn’t needed to scrounge for food for weeks. 

Breakfast was ready as soon as she awoke and if it was a school day there would be a package wrapped up in the fridge or left on the counter with a note that said “Don’t forget to take this with you when you’re off running the stalls or on an adventure. Love, Luz.” 

And when she got home the first thing she’d do before studying the latest piece of drivel the teachers filled her mind with was prepare dinner. One particular day Luz stated it was a goal of hers to find out if Eda had a favorite of things she’s made. Eda would just shrug, she’d never say it out loud but she considered everything Luz has ever made for her a favorite. 

Today, the owl lady decided it was her turn to have dinner ready by the time Luz got back from school so she found an old cook book she had laying around somewhere that she never used and searched for a recipe she hadn’t had in a long time. 

It wasn’t completely true when she said no ones ever made anything for her. Once there was someone who would do so a few times and though they hadn’t made anything for her in the longest time she remembered what her favorite was. She remembered they’d still make it for her even if they didn’t like it themselves. Hopefully Luz would like it. For some reason she really wanted Luz to like it. 

When Luz got home that day she was surprised to find the table set with three different plates of food. Eda and King patiently waiting in two of the chairs. 

“Welcome home, Luz, now hurry and sit so we can eat!” King called out in the adorably loud voice of his, digging in as soon as her butt found the chair. 

“What’s this?” Luz asked Eda who still has yet to take a bite. 

“Oh just something from my past, nothing much really.” In truth it was her favorite meal when she was fourteen. 

“Eda are you blushing?” Luz teased in astonishment, somehow understanding in her Luz way that this meant more than Eda was letting on. 

“Kid, you’re going crazy, I don’t blush.” 

“Well considering I’m in this magical talking bird house with a witch and a tiny King of demons, I’d say I’ve been going crazy for awhile now.” The two chuckled as Luz picked up her fork. “Thanks for the food!” she called out like the nerd she was before shoveling a good bit into her mouth causing her eyes to go wide. 

The reason Eda had yet to take a bite was she was waiting for this, for Luz’s reaction. She really, really wanted Luz to like it. “Well?” 

“Eda this is so good!” The young human looked at her with sparkles in her eyes and that sickeningly sweet smile that Eda had completely grown use to. Luz shoveled another good size portion into her mouth that it surprised even Eda that she was still able to speak around it. “Couwd yew mawk ths evy eek?” 

“Slow down, kid, before you choke. It’s not like it’s going anywhere.” She had remembered to take the legs off this time. 

Swallowing the huge bites in one go, like a champ, Luz spoke clearer this time. “Could you make this every week?” 

Eda’s answering laughter was genuine and sweet and Luz couldn’t put a finger on it but it felt so much different from her usual. “Sure kid.” ‘Anything you want’ she added silently in her head. 

(I don’t know what I like more. Writing Lumity or writing Luz and Eda mother/daughter bonding moments. ^^) 

[takemyopenheart]

Eternal (Part 2 of Now or Never)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey and f!MC (Luz Beltrán) | Category: fluff | Rating: M | Warnings: implied s e x | Word Count: 2.3k | AO3 link | Part 1

summary: Ethan and Luz are finally one step closer to the heart-to-heart that has been long overdue.

Her mind was in a fog. The trembling fear in Kyra’s face burned into her memory, or perhaps it was Luz’s own reflection staring back at her. She stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at her bloodshot eyes and dried streaks of tears down her reddened cheeks. Her throat felt tight; she drew in a deep breath, blinking away any more tears that threatened to escape. Luz’s own voice spoke to her, ‘be strong for her, hold your head up high. Don’t break down, not now. She’ll be okay..." But Luz knew the truth. The words echoed in her mind, not paying any attention to door opening until Jackie appeared behind her in the mirror. "Luz, you okay?" She slowly approached, desperately trying not to cry with her. The question was too much for her, the dam burst. She held her hands over her face as the sobs took over. Jackie wrapped her arms around Luz’s hunched over body and held on to each other for dear life as they thought of their patient—their friend. "She’s okay for now. She’s resting," Jackie briefed Sienna, Elijah, and Esme, who were gathered in the corridor. "We should get back to work." Luz’s voice was small, but she straightened her back, determined to not let the other patients who needed her down. Kyra was stable, and that’s what was important. The rapid and loud footsteps coming toward them caught their attention, and Luz’s heart fluttered at the sight of Ethan approaching them. His face was full of concern, and all she wanted to do was cling to him and for him to tell her that everything would be okay. To feel his body warmth against her and his comforting embrace. "I heard what happened, is she okay?" Ethan asked, glancing around the group before locking eyes with Luz. "Yes, she’s okay at the moment. Dr. Dano’s with her now," Jackie answered. The group soon dispersed to get back to work, but Luz remained by Ethan’s side. "Join me in the office?" he asked after it was just the two of them. They weren’t completely alone, but no one paid them any mind as they went about their business. "I just need to check in with another patient, but I’ll be there soon," she explained, keeping her gaze down—afraid she’d burst by just the way Ethan always looked at her when he was concerned about her. "Take care of what you need to first. Text me whenever you’re ready." He smiled, which she returned, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. They separated, both glancing back at each other as they retreated. Luz touched her lips, remembering the feeling of Ethan’s against hers. The memory provided the tiny bit of strength that she needed. The hope that their eventual conversation regarding last night would give her a peace of mind and that she’d finally be able to have her broken heart mended. She needed a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.

‘On my way soon’, the text message read half an hour later. Ethan gathered his paperwork and walked over to the doctors’ lounge to grab the Georgian stuffed chicken she’d helped him with and that he promised to bring to her. After heating it up, he briskly walked back to the office.

It was his turn to take care of her.

Kyra’s health had taken a turn for the worse, and the devastation was evident on Luz’s face. He just wanted to take the pain away.

He rubbed his weary eyes as he cleared the desk and took a large gulp of water from his flask. He still felt tired from the lack of sleep he’d gotten. His brain was still racked with the guilt he felt at how he’d treated Luz. If his theory that she loved him was correct, he wasn’t sure how he’d ever forgive himself for having been so blind. His worst fear was that she’d move on from him.

This all ate at him as he thought of the conversation that was long overdue. But right now, he just wanted to be there for her. That conversation could wait. He didn’t think she’d be up to having that discussion just yet, and that was okay with him.

Her head felt heavy as she made her way to the diagnostics office. What had been only a few hours of work already felt like an entire day. She mustered a smile at every face that turned her way and held her head up high; she dared not show anyone how she was truly feeling.

She made it to the diagnostics office and opened the door to find Ethan sat and hunched over the desk, rubbing his obviously tired-looking eyes. Their eyes met as soon as the hiss of the door closing sounded, and his expression softened as she took the seat in front of him.

He scooted his chair closer to her and rested his hand on her arm. "How are you?"

She stared at her hands in her lap until she lifted her head to meet his gaze. Sad ocean-blue eyes stared back at her, and her skin tingled at the contact of his hand on her arm.

"Better..." she spoke softly and blinked to stop the tears she felt well up. But she did feel better now being with him. She didn’t feel so alone anymore.

"How’s Kyra doing?"

"She’s stable," she answered, wanting to change the subject otherwise she feared another breakdown.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked her. For a split second she assumed he meant the conversation they were supposed to have, but she knew he had meant Kyra.

"To be honest, I don’t feel like talking if that’s okay."

"Of course." He nodded and turned toward the chicken in the plastic container on the far side of his desk. "I brought you the chicken we made."

She smiled at this. "How’d it turn out?"

"Delicioso," he answered in Spanish with a wide grin.

"All thanks to me, of course," she teased with a wink.

He chuckled and shook his head. He was glad to see her relax again. Her smile wasn’t forced this time, and he was glad she was okay, at least for right now.

The chicken had been cooked to perfection, the seasoning just right—thanks to Alan. They sat in comfortable silence as they ate. The day became a bit brighter, but Luz feared this was only temporary. Kyra was still sick, the hospital was still in trouble, and the status of her relationship with Ethan was still hanging in the air.

But for the moment, she wanted to escape all of that. And the person providing that escape sat next to her, his knee slightly touching hers, and giving her a smile that made her heart race.

•

The long day of work had ended. The sun had sunk in the horizon, and the cool breeze of the night air chilled his skin as he made his way out to his awaiting car.

After his lunch with Luz, they went back to what they were at the hospital for—work. That was always their number one priority. She seemed more relaxed the last moment he saw her before she returned to her rounds.

"Call me if you need anything."

"I will." She smiled a small smile, glancing one last time at him before walking out.

He stepped into his apartment and threw his tired body on his bed as soon as he stepped into the bedroom. He was ready to sleep ten hours away. Or more. Dinner could wait—or at least he thought so until his stomach grumbled. He hadn’t eaten anything since lunch.

After feeding Jenner, he made himself a veggie sandwich with the leftover chicken—something not too heavy but that could still fill his stomach.

He pulled the living room curtains together when he was done and stepped into the shower to get ready for bed. His towel was wrapped around his waist when there was a sudden knock on his door.

The time was 10:05. Who could that possibly be? He wasn’t expecting anyone. He groaned and thought to ignore it, but something urged him to see who it was.

Looking through the peephole, he felt his heart jump when he saw who was standing in front of his door.

"I’m sorry," Luz spoke quietly, afraid to disturb his neighbors.

Ethan stood in front of her wrapped in a bathrobe with his hair damp. It was obvious he had just gotten out of the shower. Her heart quickened slightly at the implication that he was most likely nude underneath.

"I-I’m sorry to disturb you so late."

"Don’t be. Please, Luz, come in." He was rather confused but still pleased to see her. Her shoulders were slumped, and her eyes appeared red and tired. "Come sit down." She followed him to the couch and sat close to each other. "I’m here for you." He stared into her brown eyes and took her hands in his, gently caressing the skin with his thumb.

"Can you just—can you just hold me?" Her eyes pleaded.

It didn’t take him even a second before he wrapped his arms around her trembling frame. She sunk her face into his chest. There were no tears. The feeling of his arms wrapped tightly around her and the sound of his heartbeat, was all she needed to feel safe again.

His large hand held the back of her head close to him as his other soothingly rubbed her back. They stayed like that for a long while, clinging to each other and hearing the sound of each other’s steady heartbeat. This is what she needed.

"I’m ready to talk about us, Ethan," she suddenly confessed.

He peered down at her, she looked so small wrapped in his large hands. "Are you sure?"

"Yes...I’ve waited long enough."

He winced at the pang of guilt he felt. He felt her hands rest on his cheeks. "I’m not saying that to make you feel guilty, Ethan."

"I have a right to after how I acted."

She smiled, holding his face in her hands. "A doctor I know once told me that marinating in guilt won’t change things."

"I wonder who that was."

"Someone smart I know. The best mentor I could ever ask for."

He swallowed the lump in his throat as their eyes stared into each other. His eyes darted to her full inviting lips and licked his own at the sight of them.

"We have to move on from that...it’s no use thinking of the what-ifs. I want to know what’s going through your head." Her eyes searched his for an answer. She couldn’t read them as they continued staring at hers; the sparkling ocean-blue eyes that always seemed to reach her soul.

"I don’t want to regret anything from this moment on...I fought and fought my feelings toward you because I didn’t think I was worthy of you."

Her brows furrowed as he spoke. "You know that’s not true, Ethan."

"I know. I know that now." He grabbed her hand and pressed his lips to it. "I also resisted because I wanted you to be the best doctor you could be, but I should’ve realized sooner that you already are. Finding what was wrong with Naveen and what you’ve done for your other patients...I couldn’t be prouder of you, Luz."

"I learned from the best doctor I know."

"Hold on to him. He’s a little broken. He may need time, but having you by his side has made it easier and has shown him things he’s never felt before."

Her heart rate increased at the closeness of him. Their faces inches apart, her hands on his face as he clutched them. The world disappeared around them at the words he said next.

"I love you, Luz. I’ve fallen deeply and madly in love with you, and I know no other greater feeling than that."

Her eyes immediately watered as the words escaped his lips. Those two simple sentences caused the flutter in her stomach and the pounding of her heartbeat. She didn’t have to think before she responded because they flowed naturally from her mouth.

"I love you too,"—she cried with a smile—"so much, Ethan freakin’ Jonah Ramsey." She let go of his face and encircled her arms around his neck.

His heart felt complete. He tightened his grasp around her waist and nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. Her admission settled his racing thoughts. He would no longer push her or himself away. He wouldn’t dare push any feelings away. He was all in. He didn’t want to go back to the misery he put himself in time and time again. He would hold her close, comfort her, protect her, stand by her, and love her.

He gently trailed small kisses along her exposed neck. She slowly pulled away and looked up at him before pressing her lips to his. He deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth when it parted for him. The sensation left them dizzy and wanting more.

He snaked his arm beneath her knees and pulled them both up, leading them toward his bedroom, their lips not separating even for a second. Once shutting the door behind him with his foot, he gently lay her on the mattress and hovered over her body.

"I love you, I love you, I love you," he quietly whispered, capturing her lips again as they slowly removed their garments.

There was no rush as they explored each other’s bodies. Oh, how they missed the feeling of their naked skin pressed together. They became one, expressing what they meant to each other and the love they wanted to share.

@openheartfanfics