#yes i changed it to present tense because they are alive and dating and married deal with it

[firethekitty]

[chifuyuzu]

leap of faith — sano manjiro x reader.

word count — 1.3k.

genre — fluff fluff fluff, i love sweet mikey.

contains — cursing, timeskip SPOILERS present, reader is gender neutral.

description — sano manjiro is in love with you, and he realizes how much he loves you at the ass crack of fuckin' dawn.

author's note — hey besties, this is my first published fic here, kinda short but mikey brain rot is heavy. i hope you enjoy this cute fic before i rip your hearts out with some angst in a few days :^) reblogs and likes are always appreciated! and please give me feedback in my inbox! hehe, enjoy.

“it’s late.”

you know. but you still wanted to hear the sound of his voice before bed.

“mm… i missed ya’, is that a crime?” your voice echos through the receiver, the sound of your duvet crinkling in the background as you shift in place. sano manjiro was a busy man. always has been, always will be. being the leader of a biker gang was never easy—let alone some “new age” criminal organization.

you didn’t understand why manjiro persisted to play this game of russian roulette with his life. but it was never your place to overstep, especially since this was his life. it was all he knew, all he understood. you’re not sure what he’s doing, or if he’s even allowed to talk on the phone at this hour, but you still wanted to hear him. just so you know he’s alive and well.

you hear him chuckle, the sound of his feet scurrying against whatever floor his sandals were clacking against. the background noise that accompanied him earlier has dissipated; you realized he probably went outside to hear you better.

“your crime is loving a fool like me way too much. don’t think you’re sane.” he’s right. you’re actually crazy for even pursuing him. there was a lot of push and shove in the beginning, both parties scared of being hurt and getting hurt. but you were always there, even when manjiro went through whatever darkness was eating at his soul.

“crazy for you.”

“corny.”

“you love me.”

a pause. eerie enough to send shivers down your spine. why wasn’t he responding? did something happen? did you smother him too much? is he regretting—

“marry me.”

… not what you were expecting. especially not over the phone.

“sano manjiro, did you just propose over the phone? what kind of shitty rom-com are we in?”

“is that a no?”

“... never said that.” you wanted to marry him. but you wanted him to put that lifestyle behind, for the sake of the family you might have in the future. kids, dogs, cats, etcetera. you wanted him to be in, one hundred percent. but you knew he was too deep into this world to run now—especially since he’s so well-known as the ‘invincible mikey.’ you still longed for a happy home with manjiro, and a normal life.

“maybe you’re right. it’s not my style to ask you this over the phone.”

“try again later. when you’re really ready.”

the gag is, he is ready.

manjiro hurries home, blond locks hidden underneath a thin, black hoodie. he’s shaking, like a pomeranian in the presence of fireworks. his hand meets the left side of his chest, back pressed up against the grey colored wall of your shared apartment as he slides down to sit on the floor. it was four in the morning, and manjiro was about to shit himself.

he gulps, eyes peering around for you, double checking that you were fast asleep before he makes a phone call. his fingers tapped the back of his iphone, impatiently waiting for the other caller to answer. though it was the crack of dawn, he still needed some moral support.

“mikey? fuck you callin’ for at this hour? haven’t heard from you in mo—”

“ken-chin. i’m proposing.”

a loud ‘flop’ rang through the receiver, accompanied by the bedsheets seemingly slipping underneath draken’s feet. it was a huge bomb to drop, especially when the duo has been separated for months on end. manjiro hears more shuffling, followed by a few curses. “you’re fucking lying. the one you’ve been one since—?”

“yeah. i’m crazy as hell. but i love them. head over heels. i’m a goddamn simp.”

“why the hell am i the first to know, man?”

“you’re m’best friend, even if i need to stay away from you. and, also… you’re not the first to know. i asked them already.”

“you WHAT? don’t fuckin’ tell me you did it some dumb way like over the pho— you did. you’re impulsive enough to do it like that, too.” regardless of how long it’s been, draken still knows and understands manjiro like nothing ever happened.

“yeah… not romantic. but i can’t see myself with anyone else. i trust no one else. but i… am…”

“scared? man, you’re the head of a criminal organization. ‘course you’re scared. you don’t want the love of your life… to get hurt…” his voice trails off and manjiro’s heart tenses even more. the memories of the past still felt fresh. all the people they lost in tokyo manji… could never be replaced. not in a million years.

but the living must live.

“i love y/n. never felt like this before. i’d quit everything. but i would have to make sure they’re safe and whatever future we have together is secure. i know i promised takemichi that i’d protect everyone and that future he worked so hard to save… but what about mine?”

manjiro really did sacrifice everything for his friends. being the type of person who carries everyone else’s burdens takes a toll on his mental. he felt selfish for wanting to leave it all behind. but maybe being selfish was beneficial once in a while.

“listen—”

“do you think i’m stupid?”

“mikey. you’re not stupid,” draken sighs, shuffling again in place. “you just want to love someone and be loved in return. nothin’ stupid about that. what is stupid though, is you proposing over the damn phone.”

he’s not wrong. it was a spur of the moment decision that could drastically change his life forever. but with you, he doesn’t care. as long as you’re his, forever.

“how do you think i should do it?”

“well. i guess, tell me some sappy shit. how do you feel about them, and whatnot.”

“i don’t think i could ever imagine me with anyone else. a lot of people have tried to grab my attention but i only have eyes for y/n. sometimes when shit gets real hard…” manjiro takes a deep sigh, fingers threading through his hair, tilting back the hood to let it fall onto his back. “i think of y/n and i remember that even in this shit world, someone is here for me. someone cares about me. they make me feel like i’m not alone anymore.

i have dreams ‘bout us, y’know? me and y/n… kids running around. a little mikey clone. pissin’ them off because we want little flags on our meals. going to the park and letting kids be kids. maybe i’ll teach ‘em at a dojo like gramps did for me and my siblings. maybe i’ll teach ‘em about bikes—with your help, of course.”

draken laughs, letting his friend continue his little speech as he gets comfortable in bed again. don’t think i’ve ever seen mikey like this, ever, draken muses.

“man, we can own a whole zoo if we wanted. chifuyu could hook us up, in secret, of course. still have to protect everyone,” manjiro is grinning from ear to ear, head resting against the wall. “i wanna grow old with them. honestly, i didn’t think i’d make it to my twenties. more so, i didn’t want to live past twenty-something. but now… things are different. wanna be old and gray. see grandkids terrorize our children. die together.”

the tension in manjiro’s chest has faded away, only left with warmth that only you could bring him. his free hand reaches into his pocket to fumble with a small box, snapping it open to reveal the engagement ring his grandfather handed down to him.

he wasn’t the marrying type. but for you, he was.

“that all? you sound good like that, man. make an exception and let us come to the wedding.”

manjiro wants that more than anything. his friends, you... all safe. all happy. but again, the fear creeps up. he doesn’t know what to do with himself if any of you get hurt.

“... how do i tell y/n that?”

“you already have.” your voice makes him jump, knocking the velvet box out of his fingers and onto the hardwood floor. his face pales, followed by a huge lump forming at his throat when he sees your figure emerge from your shared bedroom.

“i-uh… i thought you were a-asleep.” manjiro mumbles, earning a huge laugh from draken on the other side. he hears him say something along the lines of ‘my cue to leave. good luck. send me an invite.’

“i was waiting for you.” 

he’s sweating now, a small bead forming at the base of his neck. his phone is now at his side, the screen flashing from draken’s caller id to the lockscreen photo of you on your first date together, a few years back. your eyes zone into the box, though.

“i was going to do this… better. god, i fucked up, huh?”

you’re laughing now, rubbing your tired eyes before you join him near the wall, picking up the box. “what makes you think that, dummy?”

now he’s confused. you wanted him to ask when he was serious, but in his head, serious meant rose petals, candles, someone singing celine dion in the distance.

without a word, you slip the ring onto its appropriate finger, holding up to the small rays of sunlight that peaked through the window from the approaching sunrise. manjiro’s hands fly up to your face, holding his whole world in his hands. his eyes are shiny, on the brink of tears. you nudge your noses together, foreheads connecting tenderly. your hands hooked onto the hem of his hoodie, bringing his frame closer as you whisper a soft ‘yes.’

“yes?”

“yes, i’ll marry you.”

manjiro’s lips curl up into the silliest grin you’ve ever seen him sport, before he presses a soft kiss to your lips. now he’s kissing you quite desperately. as if he’s trying to make sure you’re real, that this isn’t a dream. you feel his words vibrate against your lips, “gonna make you so happy, i promise. i love you. i love you so, so much.”

“forevermore.”

“forever yours.”

[celtics534]

Natural Chapter 14!

It’s time for the next installment of Natural!

Also read on: FF.net and AO3

Harry’s mouth trailed down Ginny’s neck and across her chest, not stopping until just above her navel. He allowed his attention to focus solely on her. Nothing else mattered. The world could combust and it wouldn’t make a difference as long as he and Ginny were still together.

“Harry?” Her voice was delightfully husky.  

“Hmm?” He didn’t stop his ministrations at her abdomen.

“We can’t keep avoiding our parents.”

And that was one way to calm his randiness; mention their parents. Harry rolled off her and fell back against the messy sheets. “They haven’t asked any questions yet.”

Ginny turned to face him, lifting her head up on her elbow. “That’s because we keep claiming we have practice or the flu, but I know my mother. If we dodge another family dinner she’ll just show up at the house.”

Harry brought his hands up to scrub his face. Even after two months, the cool metal that rested on his left hand still both startled and thrilled him. They had been married for two months. Two amazing months, filled with quidditch and honoring their nuptials, though they both took off their rings when they went out in public, hoping to keep a low profile. If either of them was spotted with gold on their fourth fingers, it would be on the front page of every newspaper you could think of (and some you wouldn’t expect).

But even being unable to wear their rings out on the town hadn’t brought them down from their high. No, the only regretful thing that had been nagging at them over the past sixty days was the lack of family time they’d had. Neither of them wanted to tell their parents they had gone out and gotten married without including their families. So instead of going to the Weasley family dinners or luncheons that Harry’s mother (and Sirius, whenever he felt posh) hosted, the couple had begged off, claiming hectic schedules or bouts of illness.

No one had argued with them (both families knew how crazy quidditch and life could be), but the end of the season was almost upon them. The Harpies had their final game next week, having been unable to clinch a season win without the help of their new star chaser for most of their games. Puddlemere, however, was in the lead for the title. Their final regular season game was next week, against Holyhead.

Ginny bopped her husband on the nose. “Earth to Harry. Focus, luv. We have to tell them before some reporter snoops around and finds our certificate.”

Harry knew she was right, but fuck, he didn’t want to upset their families… He didn't want to imagine his mother’s face, let alone Molly’s! He took a deep breath and turned so he faced her. “How about we invite everyone out to dinner the night of the game?”

She considered it for a moment. “That could work. And if we’re in public our mothers can’t scream too loudly.”

“That was my thought as well.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Because I came up with the plan, though, I think you should be the one to tell them.”

Ginny let out a snort. “In your dreams, Potter.”

“You are in all my dreams, Potter.”

Harry was rather proud of that line, but Ginny’s jaw just dropped. “Oh… I sometimes forget my last name is Potter,” she admitted.

“I don’t.” Harry gave her a wicked grin and turned them until he reclaimed his position above her. His mouth grazed her ear. “I love calling you Mrs Potter.”

A sudden thought hit him as he made his way from her ear to her cheek. “Next season, we can make it so your jersey says Potter on it.” Harry couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face. “I can’t wait to see you with my name on your back.”

“I didn’t know you were so possessive, Mr Potter.” Ginny’s tone held bite, but Harry looked into her eyes and saw no anger. Actually, if he was reading her right (and Harry was sure he was), Ginny was more than a little turned on.

“Possessive makes me sound so egotistical. The others can look, but I reserve all rights to touch.”

Ginny leaned back and let one eyebrow raise. “Who gave you that kind of power?”

Instead of giving her a verbal reply, Harry closed the distance and kissed her, letting his teeth pull at her bottom lip when he drew away. “Feel free to tell me no whenever you want.”

The way Ginny drew him back to her was all the response he needed.  

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“What a presentation we’ve had today!” Mothers said for the third time since the final whistle had blown. The game had seemed so one-sided from the moment the two teams had mounted their brooms. “Weasley was in perfect form. Twelve goals and seven assists. Incredible!”

“Too true, Phil,” Gregory agreed. “The Harpies came out looking for blood.”

“And there was a bit of that. Morgan’s health report has just come in and the healers are saying he’ll make a full recovery before the first game of the playoffs.” Mothers let out a little chuckle. “I can count the number of times a keeper has knocked a beater out of the game on one hand.”

Gregory laughed along with his fellow announcer. “We all knew Hansen had a strong arm, but now Morgan now knows better than most.”  

“One final recap before we change over to the Kenmare and Falmouth. Puddlemere has won their final match of the regular season by a mere ten points. The score being two hundred and seventy to two hundred and eighty.”

“Potter made a spectacular catch!” Gregory praised. “He was perfectly in tune with the chasers and their position. If he had caught it a minute sooner they would have lost. I don’t think we’ve had such a nail biter all year!”

“Not for the Harpies at least. With Weasley back, the vibe has changed.” Mothers tapped his fingers on the edge of his desk. “Weasley has become such a staple in their lineup. Leading her team with -” He paused as a mane of red hair walked out of the Harpies tunnel. “Hold on now. Speak of the devil. Weasley has come back onto the field and -- yes! -- that's Potter exiting the Puddlemere pit.”

The two announcers watched the couple meet to the by the Puddlemere tunnel. “Every time these two play against each other, we get a lovely scene,” Gregory told the listeners.

“Our local hopeless romantic, folks.” Mothers chuckled fondly. “Wait… Hey, Dan, did you see that? The gold in Potter’s hand. Do you think he kept the snitch?” The average listener was able to hear Mothers shuffle things around. “My trusty pair of omnioculars.”

Mothers zoomed into the display before him, Potter and Weasley embracing. “It seems to be… No way!” He shoved the omnioculars into his partner’s hands. “Is that a ring?”

“Now who’s the hopeless romantic.” Gregory’s laughed, but accepted the proffered item. Five seconds passed before Gregory turned to look at Mothers. “That’s a ring. And Weasley has one too. Are we looking at the Potters?”  

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Molly Weasley considered herself a fair woman. She liked to think the punishments she’d given her children over the years had been just and appropriate.  And she’d never judged someone for something they couldn’t prevent.

But if that was true, why had her daughter (her only daughter!) gotten married without her? And then, why had her child let her find out about her nuptials through two quidditch announcers? What had she done to deserve such treatment?

Molly stared at the two guilty young adults. “Care to explain?”

“Mum,” Ginny started, but seemed unable to elaborate. She looked towards her husband. Husband! Molly’s daughter took a deep breath before starting again. “Mum. It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing.”

As much as Ginny had hoped that would placate her mother, those words had only rekindled her fire. With a voice both quiet and filled with rage, Molly began speaking. “Even if that was the case, why didn’t you come and tell me after? Why is that you’ve waited… how long was it?”

“Two months,” Harry muttered, not meeting her eyes.

She gave a sharp nod. “Two months. Two months my baby has been married. Not even Fred and George have done something so-” Molly couldn’t even think of a word.

It was Harry who chipped at her wall of anger. “I’m sorry, Molly. We should have told you.”

“Damn right you should have.” Molly pointed between the two. “I want to know everything, and don’t think for a second this means we won’t be having a wedding.”

Ginny exchanged a quick glance with Harry, as a smile slowly spread across her face. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Mum.”

“Good.” Molly stood to go make a quick stew for dinner. “Now, Harry, go get your parents over here. We have some things to discuss.”

Once Molly walked out of the room, Ginny released a tense sigh. “That went better than I thought. But I’ve got to say, that quiet tone is much scarier than her yelling.”

Harry nodded fervently. “I thought she was going to skin us alive.” He looked down at his hand. “How could we forget to take off our rings before the game?”

Ginny shrugged. “We were kinda too busy with our… pre-match ritual... to think about jewelry.” She gave him a light push so he stood from the sofa they’d been sent to the moment they’d arrived.  “You best go fire-call the Potter brigade.”

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“Such a lovely day for a wedding,” Arthur commented as he and Ginny stood by the back door of the Burrow. It had taken only a week for Molly and Lily to be satisfied with the wedding plans. The real challenge had been finding a date that worked for both families. That had taken a few months, but they’d finally found a day where everyone in the whole Weasley-Potter clan could be in attendance. In that time, Harry’s team had been able to clinch the championship title and Charlie’d filed all the paperwork to travel from Romania. And if you believed in serendipity (which honestly Ginny might because of this moment), they were having their wedding party on the day she had Harry had met just a few years ago.

Now after months of listening to her mother excitedly chatter about all the perfect placements and ideal seating charts, it had finally come to life -- and Ginny couldn’t help but feel a little more than grateful for the obsessive discussions between Lily and Molly. They really had created her dream wedding. Simple, yet elegant.

“You know,” Arthur mused, brushing a stray hair from Ginny’s face. “I always imagined this day differently.”

Ginny turned to her father. His face had a look that she only could describe as bittersweet. “What do you mean?”

“Well for starters, I didn’t think you’d already be married to the man I’d be giving you to.”

They both chuckled at his joke. Over the course of the last few months, the fact that Ginny and Harry (now called Hinny by the numerous articles penned about them) were already married had become a running gag between the two families. The only people who didn’t participate in the jokes were Molly and Lily, both of whom were still a little peeved at their children.

“What else?”

Arthur smiled at her. It was the same smile that he’d had when she had run up to him as a little girl, a frog clutched in her tiny fingers. She had been so happy with herself on that occasion and all she had wanted to do was show her findings to her dad.

“I’m so proud of you, Ginny.” He pulled her into a tight embrace and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You’ve grown into a remarkable young woman and I know you and Harry will continue to make each other happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, happiness.”

Ginny had promised herself one thing: That she wouldn’t be one of those brides who cried during her wedding. She was already married to the man for starters, also she hated tears. But Merlin, her father had gone and fucked up that plan.

“Don’t cry now.” Arthur held her at arm's length and moved his thumbs to brush at the slowly falling tears.

“I love you, Dad.” She moved closer to kiss his forehead. Taking a final deep breath, she forced herself to stop being sentimental (at least for a bit), and backed away just in time to see Bill approach them.

“Hey, you ready?” Bill smiled at her; he’d had inherited that smile from their father.

Ginny tucked her arm into Arthur’s, using her free hand to check for any stray tears. “More than ever.”

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“And we now would like to present, the not exactly newlyweds, but our couple of honor... Mr and Mrs Potter!” Lee Jordan, the twins’ friend from school, called out from his DJ perch.

The crowd laughed and clapped as Ginny took Harry by the hand and led him to the dance floor. Harry gave her a small grimace but took charge once she situated herself in his arms.

“I wish I didn’t have two left feet,” Harry complained as he swayed them to the gentle beat of their first song.

“Well, my two right feet make up for it.” Ginny leaned up and gave him a quick kiss, much to the delight of the people watching. It wasn’t a large group of people really. Just both their teams, their families and school friends (some of Harry’s had come all the way from America).

"Ah, the true linchpin of our marriage. Together, we make one passable dancer."

Ginny laughed and rested her head over Harry’s heart. Somehow the beat of the song matched the rhythm of his heart. Thud - thud - thud. She let the words wash over her as she used Harry as the bass drum.

When you say You love the way I make you feel Everything becomes so real Don't be scared, no, don't be scared 'Cause you're all I need

“This isn’t so bad, I guess.” Harry’s head had been resting atop her head and she  felt more than heard him speak.

“I would hope getting to hold your wife would be at least acceptable,” Ginny teased as she tilted her neck to look at him.

He was smiling in that way he reserved for only her. “Trust me, I always appreciate getting to hold my wife. I just appreciate what happens when I hold you in private a little more than dancing like a ponce in front of everyone.”

“Now, Mr Potter, don’t start talking about such naughty things when my mother is a mere fifteen yards away.”

That caused his smile to become a coquettish smirk. “Your mother being nearby has never stopped us before.”  

Ginny had to hold in her chuckle. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Harry.”

“Trust me, I have every intention of both of us finishing. You may even be able to take a second lap.”

This time she couldn’t contain herself. Ginny laughed and kissed her husband. “I love you.”

Harry’s hand came up and caressed her cheek, his eyes never wavering from hers. “Ditto.”

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“Does this mean you’re taking a second honeymoon?” Max (one of Harry’s old school mates) asked, his eyebrows wiggling suggestively. After a few bouts of dancing, the married couple decided to sit down and rest their much abused feet. They had already made rounds to thank guests and they’d eaten the perfectly-cooked meal Lily had selected. Now, they were sitting at the head table, joined by a bunch of friends.

“We never really had one the first time around,” Harry admitted as he took another bite from the most delicious cake he’d ever had. His mother really had outdone herself with the catering selection.

“Where are you guys going?” Neville, Ginny’s friend, questioned.

“I picked the island of Tenerife in Spain.” Ginny leaned closer to Harry and opened her mouth for a forkful. Harry rolled his eyes fondly before cutting her a large bite and presenting it. She patted his cheek in thanks and blissfully chewed her dessert.

“Oh, I’ve had reports of high numbers of Crumple-Horned Snorkack mating on the Canary Islands around this time of year.” Luna Lovegood watched them with a dreamy look that slightly alarmed Harry. No matter how many times he had talked with Luna, Harry was still surprised by the woman’s words and actions. “Are you going to join them?” Luna added serenely.

And somehow she’s topped herself, Harry thought. He exchanged looks with Max and Duncan. They both were biting their fists to hold in their laughter.

Ginny, however, took it in stride. “Maybe they’re gonna join us.”

Harry turned to his wife, unable to even think of words; his old school mates gave up trying to hold in their chuckles.

Luna nodded understandingly. “Yes, you would want to be the dominant species. Good thinking, Ginny.”

Neville just shook his head, used to the way his two friends worked. Harry blinked rapidly for a few moments before pulling his laughing wife to her feet and leading her to the dance floor.  

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“¿Quieres otra copa?” the waiter asked as Ginny sipped the last of her tinto de verano.

“Sí, por favor.” She handed him her empty cup and he walked away. Ginny took the opportunity to lean back in her sunbathing chair and look over at her nicely-tanned husband. His wide-brim hat was pulled over his face, shielding him from the Spanish sun.

Ginny reached across the almost nonexistent gap between them and started walking her fingers up his arm. She could feel the goose pimples rise as she made her way up to his shoulder. Moving her mouth next to his ear she murmured, “Hola, guapo.”

It took a moment for Harry to respond, but when he finally spoke, Ginny could hear the smile in his voice. “Are you flirting with me, señora Potter?”

“Sí, eres muy caliente.”

At the speed of lightning, Harry took off his hat and kissed her. “Te amo, mi amor.”

[nofearofwaves]

O’er Golden Halls

A lokaneweek fic

Prompts: First, Fake Dating, Marriage of Convenience, Family

FF.net link

Ao3 link

Arms flailing like jellyfish tentacles, Jane wiggled out of her cocktail dress and pulled on her pajamas. Her feet sang with aching pain, marks from her sandal straps etched in red lines across her ankles. When she collapsed on the bed, it heaved around her like a ship at sea. Maybe that was just her punch-drunk head.

The bachelorette party had been fun. Darcy didn't need to twist her arm to get Jane to admit that. Even though she would have preferred something quieter, like a board game extravaganza, she had to admit that Darcy's idea of sampling every brand of Norwegian vodka in the liquor store—along with some questionable mixers—had led to a lot of fun at the karaoke bar later.

She certainly would never forget the sight of Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries, brandishing her pumps in one hand and a microphone in the other, crooning You're So Vain while Natasha streamed it directly to Tony's cellphone.

Good times.

Despite it all though, Jane knew she would be happy when the wedding was over. Of course she was excited to marry Loki, but the bustle and fuss around the affair had been exhausting. Never one to imagine her hypothetical wedding in any detail—who wanted to think about dresses or party favors when the stars beckoned?—Jane had found the sheer number of details waiting her personal approval to be a constant stream of mild to moderate irritants.

Eventually, she left most of the planning to Darcy, who not only knew her personality and interests, but had much more definite ideas of how a wedding should be than Jane did.

See above: bachelorette party.

But Loki had had some strong preferences too. He insisted upon the ceremony being held on Friday, and the venue had been his exclusive choice. Though surprised that he'd want a destination wedding, Jane couldn't fault it; there was a rugged magnificence to the cliffs overlooking the fjord, and a clear purity in the air that made her feel as though each breath was the first one she'd ever taken.

Also, being so far from civilization meant the stargazing was fantastic.

Not that she could take advantage of it now. Clouds had bloomed thick in the sky every day they'd been there, and Jane suspected she would be looking at the view through the plastic windows of an event tent. Rain was in the forecast, because of course it was.

Groaning, she shook her head. The weather, like her wedding, like her headache, was out of her control. Everything was doubled and fuzzy; Jane closed her eyes and wished for only one thing:

That she wouldn't have a hangover tomorrow.

She dreamed. Fantastic visions floated across the hazy dark field of her sleeping mind, gone before she could grasp them. Explosions of color exploded from the black—a nebula, maybe?—but she passed through in a blink.

Then she was standing in a field, tall with sweet-smelling grass. Loamy dirt was a soft carpet beneath her bare feet. Summer was heavy in the air, the atmosphere itself verdant and blooming. She tilted her head back and enjoyed a touch of hot sunlight and a breath of gentle wind on her face.

A hall rose before her, dazzling in the sunlight. Its vaulted beams were thick as cathedral pillars, carved in intricate patterns from single, colossal trees. Its doors could have welcomed a stampede of giants, who would have marveled to see the intricate whorls of wrought iron that decorated them. But the roof was the hall's crowning glory, thatched magnificently with beaten shields of soft, yielding gold. Each shield had its own crest; Jane could see animals, ciphers, writing, plants, even what looked like mathematical equations. No two were the same.

She shook her head. Something about this place struck a spark in her memory, but she couldn't think what that meant.

Her feet moved of their own volition, winding her down a footpath towards the hall.

The great doors opened as she approached, a bare sliver providing enough room for Jane to sneak through. As she did, a raucous chorus of joyous voices spilled out into the air. Moving into the smokey hall was like jumping into the middle of a carnival.

Long tables, so long they faded beyond Jane's sight, seated thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of...well, some were people, but others...

Jane knew half a dozen alien species; the number here exceeded that by a factor of ten. None of them took special note of her as she inched up an aisle between tables, darting a glance at a face here and there. She didn't know why she was being timid. This was just a dream. A hell of a dream, but just—

"Welcome, Jane Foster. Daughter of Michael and Helen Foster. Astrophysicist. Savior of my sons."

She gaped, shaking her head as though to clear the sight of Lady Frigga from her eyes. The vision didn't fade. "Your majesty," she gasped, dipping her head, "I—what—you're," too many questions. "Where are we?"

"Ah, yes," the queen smiled, good humor beaming from her face, "I forgot. Welcome to Valhalla."

"Val—" she ran out of breath. "Am I dead?"

"By no means," Frigga held out her hand and drew her down the hall. "No, I hope and believe you have many years of life left before you. You must forgive me; when I heard news of your engagement to my son, I knew I had to speak with you. Even in death, I am a sorcerer of no mean ability. I have brought your soul here; your body remains on Midgard."

"Oh," she managed, faintly. Suddenly Frigga's arm under hers was a necessary support. Again, questions crowded her, but she couldn't decide which one should have priority. So she let Frigga continue.

"I admit, I was very surprised to hear of your connection with Loki. I can remember no women who, once beloved of Thor, spared a thought for him."

"Oh," she swallowed. "Um. I realize how it must seem, your Majesty, but Thor and I broke up—ended our relationship—as good friends. Loki and I had more in common, and the more we worked together, the more we realized it," when Frigga only smiled in reply, Jane went on, "I really want you to know that I love Loki for who he is, not because he's a prince or anything like that. I didn't like Thor for that either, but I know how it looks and I don't want you to think that I'm some kind of—"

"You needn't defend yourself to me, Jane. Your loving Loki is enough of a recommendation to be, even had I not known and liked you before. I did not bring you here to dispute your marriage. I only wanted to talk of Loki a little. He is so hard to know."

Jane couldn't argue that.

They continued down the hall in silence, any possibility of conversation drowned by loud voices on either side. Understanding now that this was Valhalla, Jane knew that everyone there must have arrived by virtue of a glorious death in battle. Many seemed to be recounting these deaths, telling ever-taller tales of desperate last stands, innocents saved, or cataclysms averted. Not the way she'd like to spend eternity, but she couldn't help but be glad, wholly glad, that there was some recompense for bravery after death.

If knowledge of the Norse gods hadn't yet shaken Earth's foundations, this definitely would.

Frigga took her into a quiet alcove, hung with tapestries of Asgard and the surrounding stars. There was nothing else there but a cask of mead, golden goblets, a rough wooden table, and a few three-legged stools. Did anyone sleep in the afterlife?

Frigga poured them both a drink and motioned Jane to a seat.

"Tell me," her eyes sparkled with warm interest, "how did it happen?"

Her tongue loosened by the strong mead, Jane launched into a description of her and Loki's staggering courtship. In retrospect, the story was tangled as a skein of yarn, with as many knots and twists as smooth, unbroken string. Jane mostly talked about their firsts: first date, first kiss, first declaration of love. Each one had its own...colorful history.

More than once Frigga laughed aloud at her descriptions of their missteps on the road to happiness. More than once, her eyes shone with tears.

"Thank you for this, Jane," she said, as Jane finished, "Hearing this has made me very happy. I would apologize for some of my son's mistrust and misdeeds, but..." her lips drew together, troubled by painful memories. "I know Loki has changed—you never knew him when he was a child—but I suppose he was always this way. Growing up under the great shadow of Odin, and the lesser one of Thor, Loki found little sunlight for himself. I favored him, as he had talents I understood, but I was only his mother."

"I know that my childhood wasn't anything like his," Jane replied, choosing her words with care, "but I understand being ignored and humiliated by the world. In a way, our shared sense of injustice brought us together. Maybe that seems petty, but...discovering that sense in another person was cathartic, in a way."

"I understand. A lifetime of slights is no easy thing to overcome," she sighed, "I only wished I had seen those slights for what they were: poisoned arrows in his heart. If I had, I might have," she shook her head, "but such thoughts do no good, now."

"Loki knew that you loved him," Jane reached out a hand to where Frigga's knotted together. "He loved—loves—loved you too. I'm sorry," she eyed her empty goblet, "I don't know...you're still alive, aren't you? I don't really know what tense to use."

Frigga smiled. "Is not love always present, even if the object of it is gone?"

Jane swallowed. Dream, vision-quest, whatever, this was way too much wisdom to process when she was getting progressively more drunk. The only solution she saw was to have more mead, and pray Frigga didn't want an answer.

But the queen's head raised, distracted. "At last," she stood, "I was wondering when he would get to bed. He was always such a night owl."

"Who?"

"Your groom," she smiled. "I will go fetch him. Please," from thin air, she plucked a wooden tray of salt bread, smoked fish, and sliced cheese and laid it on the table, "help yourself."

Jane picked off a sliver of cheese and almost groaned aloud at its creamy texture and sharp flavor. Everything in Valhalla felt, if anything, more true to its own nature than things on Earth. How could that be possible in an afterlife? Shouldn't any afterlife, by definition, be less real than real life?

Her more elevated mind wanted a debate, with rational answers. Her monkey brain thought food good and stuck with that. By the time Frigga returned, she'd eaten half a loaf of bread, two smoked herrings, and a small wheel of cheese.

Loki looked as stunned as she had, finding himself face-to-face with Frigga. Jane smiled at the childlike vulnerability and openness in his face. Wrinkles were gone from his forehead, tension from his jaw. It was as though long years of bitterness had melted away, allowing room for hope—hope for love, for redemption, for family—to revive in his heart. His fingers were interlaced with Frigga's, and though he nodded to Jane, he sat next to his mother rather than her.

She didn't resent it. How could she? He looked so peaceful.

"Your bride has been telling me of your relationship," Frigga said, pouring Loki some mead. "I cannot tell you how pleased I am that the two of you found each other."

"Yes," for the first time, Loki really looked at Jane. The smile he gave her was heartbreaking in its artless simplicity. "I never thought it possible to love someone in this way."

Her throat seized up. Jane knew his difficulties with emotional honesty, but it shook her to her core to hear so openly sentiments she only rarely heard from him.

Frigga nodded, radiating joy and contentment like the goddess she was. "There are gifts I would like to give you. If I may?"

They both nodded.

"A tradition among our people, Jane, is to braid the hair of a bride. May I do that with you?"

"Of course," she nodded, hoping that her hair hadn't knotted too badly from any drunken tossing and turning. Frigga moved to her side and drew Jane's hair between clever, nimble fingers. As she wove, she talked with Loki. Gave advice. Shared sorrows. Lanced painful sores from the past.

Jane kept silent. She knew Frigga was speaking so personally to Loki in her presence for her benefit, but it was still a conversation that deserved a veil of privacy. She listened, heart aching, as Loki—almost in a trance—confessed his insecurities, his jealousies, his faults.

Frigga would not allow him to descend into self-recrimination. As only a mother could, she helped shift blame's burden where it belonged to be. Yet she also agreed when Loki touched on truth.

Nor was the conversation solely about fault or blame. Jane laughed aloud as they recalled old jokes, well-worn stories, family history that didn't rest on pain or secrets. In a half-hour, in a year, in however long they lingered in that dreamlike hall, Jane learned more about Loki—his past, his hopes, his ambitions—than she'd learned in their five years together.

At last, Frigga placed the last pin in her hair.

"Beautiful," she said, surveying Jane up and down.

"Yes," Loki agreed, wide-eyed.

Jane blushed. "Can I see it?"

"Best wait until tomorrow," Frigga said, adjusting a curl where it lay over her forehead. "It is not finished yet."

She stood, turning to the wall. From an alcove Jane hadn't noticed—maybe it hadn't even been there—she drew a crown woven of golden straw, jeweled with fragrant violet flowers.

"My own bridal crown was lost with Asgard," she said, "so I cannot give it to you. This one is a poor substitute, but I hope you will accept it."

Jane couldn't speak, her throat so tight it felt like a fist constricting it. Tears stung her eyes and burned her nose. She didn't answer. She stood and threw her arms around Frigga, hugging her as she had longed to hug her own mother, the night before her wedding. Silent sobs shook her; Frigga stood firm.

She whispered. "Be well, Jane Foster."

Jane woke, jerking upright in bed, sheets slithering to the floor. Loki snoozed beside her, expression lax and calm with sleep. The bedroom was so familiar and mundane that, for a wild moment, Jane really believed she'd dreamed it all. Then she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror next to the bed.

A crown suited her well.

Lost in her reflection, she didn't hear Loki wake until he touched her wrist.

"Mother sent another gift," he said, nodding towards the window.

Puzzled, she followed his gaze.

Golden sunlight, heavy with pollen and summer heat, poured across the floor. It promised to be a beautiful day.

[asunafairywizardessheart]

Unplanned Date

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PROMPT: KLAUS/ASANA

REQUESTED BY: @roseinaloiney She requested number 2, pretend to be dating.

SUMMARY: Asana’s parents are alive in this one and she has an older brother, but her parents are away and her brother doesn’t land until the morning, so a customer to the vet clinic, Klaus Goldstein, asks her to be his pretend girlfriend to show up his parents.

Extravagant and elegant dinner parties is not she is used to, and she looked and felt out of place sitting at this table. Though, she sat here as part of a lie, pretending to be the girlfriend of Klaus Goldstein in the face of his parents and his extended family, invited to their annually, and very private, elegant Christmas feast.

Expertly designed, a large wreath of green ferns and Christmas cherries, topped with a bow, and with three large ignited red candles, created a beautiful centrepiece on the white clothed and golden-legged table. Set on dim, the crystal chandelier hovered above the centre of the dining table, enchanting the ignited wicks of the candles and filling the room in a warm light.

Shadows of the guests reflected in the white polished marble floors, even the walls and the ceiling, though shining with golden features, reflected the fusion of colour of the beautiful designer gowns, worn by women who had the faces of Princess, and the luxury suits of the men, who had the handsomeness of Princes. Looking down at her own dress, she felt second-class compared to the other women sitting at this table. Fine art, antique furniture and well-designed vases of flowers, big and small, gave the Goldstein Mansion a palace feeling.

Weaving between the gaps in the various lively conversations, a smooth melody of violins and piano playing the hymns of Christmas is just audible, giving a joyous mood to the festive holiday. Then, there was the food, as if the elegance of the party had not already been showing off.

Gourmet creations, cooked by a hired chef and served by hired wait staff, the food centralised around Christmas: delicious works of art presented on a plate. On the back of the place card, Asana had already read the course of the meals for the dinner. To start, honey roasted carrot soup, the main course a choice of roasted duck with applesauce, roasted potato and asparagus salad or a butternut squash tart for the vegetarians, and lastly, for dessert, an apple, cinnamon and raisin tart with cream. Optional, a mini mince pie and a fill of tea.

Right now, as she looked around the beautiful room, she wondered how she managed to get into this mess and really wanted to be at her family’s ranch outside the city, with her family. Though, she was alone this year, and tasked with looking after her father’s clinic for the next three-months, her brother, though, returning home in the early hours of tomorrow morning after more than one year abroad.

She pinched herself in the arm to assure herself she wasn’t dreaming, “Ow,” she complained, pinching herself a little too hard.

“Why did you pinch yourself?” a familiar voice asked her, and she glanced to her right.

Sitting beside her, is the son of one of her father’s most valued customers and top donors to their wildlife shelter, and a man she often sees around the city and in her father’s veterinary clinic, where she too works as a veterinarian, Klaus Goldstein. Through the clinic and working nearby each other, they had developed both a professional relationship and a personal friendship.

“Oh, just making sure…I’m not dreaming, that’s all,” she answered, cheerfully smiling at him but internally crumbling at the thoughts going through her mind, hoping the night was nearly over, “Um…this night is nearly over, right?”

All evening and into the night, various members of his family, especially his parents and older brother, had been asking all kinds of questions about their relationship and how they become a couple. She struggled for answers, and, like an actor fooling people into believing his performance, Klaus remained calm and cool.

Apart from imagining her father’s scolding voice, her own little voice in the back of her mind convinced her, his family were beginning to suspect their lie, and images of all kinds of scenarios began to plague her mind. How would she explain herself to her his family?

“Do you want to run away from me that quickly?” he laughed, his lips curling into a teasing smirk that both frustrated her and yet, made her weak to him. He has an honest yet harsh nature about him, but she could see a decent man and wouldn’t lie in saying she felt an attraction to him. Aside from being rude and mean when he talks, Klaus has a handsome physique and face to rival the mythological Gods of Greece. “Relax, would you? If you remain tense, they will see through our lie.”

Voluminous chatter shielded their conversation, so they could talk freely about the little façade but in body language they looked like a couple completely in love. “Relax, huh? I’m glad you don’t have to think about the consequences if they find out that we’re lying.”

“Oh, you mean the unprofessionalism in dating the son of the family who donates money to your family’s shelter?” Klaus wondered if that was the case, and smirked at her, flicking her little nose, “We donate willingly, not because we have a contract with your father’s business or anything, but because my parents love animals and the Way Veterinary House, Wildlife Rescue and Animal Shelter are passionate about the animals they care for. We respect the work you and your family do.”

“Did you have to flick my nose?” she glared at him in response.

He smirked, unthreatened by her narrowed pink eyes, “Well, I did get to see your cute angry face so it was worth it.”

Hearing him tell her that she’s cute, caused her cheeks to change colour by turning red, “That blush is cute too,” he teased, pinching her cheeks this time, and vanishing the embarrassment and turning it back into anger.

“Are you always this rude and mean?” she questioned, looking him directly in the eye, “…I didn’t have to do this tonight, so be nice to me. Seriously, I had plenty of things to do tonight then pretend to be your girlfriend,” that was a lie, but she hoped the bluff would work.

Knowing that she couldn’t tell a lie, her gaze averted to the side after she had told her bluff, but it was not convincing him. A bright smirk braced his features, “If you had plans already, why did you agree to do this for me? You could have said no.”

“…I…,” caught, she should have been prepared for that question, but the truth was is she would be sitting at home, watching romantic Christmas movies eating popcorn and ice cream in her underwear, but she was not about to tell him that, “…Shut up. Still, why did you ask me to do this?”

She deserved to at least know that much, even if she had nothing to do and was asked by Klaus so suddenly to pretend to be his girlfriend for the night. “I’ll tell you that later, but I am happy that you are here. It makes tonight…bearable,” his words this time were honest, and that teasing smile had vanished.

“…Okay,” she agreed to that condition, and felt herself blushing.

“Seriously, though, why are you alone this Christmas?” Klaus wondered, taking a spoonful of his dessert course, the last meal of the night before this party would finally finish, “Did your parents go somewhere?”

She nodded and replied after swallowing a spoonful of her dessert, “…My parents celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary on the 28th of December, and they have always wanted to travel across the southern hemisphere, they will be gone for three-months and I will be in charge of the shelter and clinic while they are gone. I have an older brother who’s coming home tomorrow, though.”

“I had no idea you had a brother.”

“You never asked if I did have a brother.”

“Are you two close?” he asked, interested.

“Yes, but I don’t get to see him often because of his job.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a photographer and cinematographer,” she replied, and tried to put into words the best way to describe his job, “He takes photos and videos of animals in their environments and publishes his findings in magazines and documentaries. His work has been included in heaps of documentaries for biologists. He travels to some of the most remote places on the planet, like he’s been to the very top of a volcano, he’s climbed mountains where the air is really thin…he’s like a daredevil.”

“Sounds interesting,” Klaus laughed, giving her his full attention and finding it hard to peel his eyes away from her. He asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend because his parents were trying to arrange for him to marry, but he insisted he had a girlfriend, when really, he still pursued her.

After sorting through his own feelings and realising he has feelings for her, he needed the right time to properly ask her out on a date, especially after tonight has confirmed how much he truly does like her. The “fake” kisses they have so far shared were anything but fake to them.

“Hey, I will walk you home after this, alright.”

“Thank you.”

Finally, saying their goodbyes, she could sigh in the relief she no longer had to lie and felt the tension fall off her shoulders with the chilly breeze floating low between the city buildings.

Calling a taxi, Klaus escorted her home and never realised how much time had passed them, “It’s later than I expected. I apologise for brining you home so late,” he turned to her but her head was on his shoulder and she was fast asleep.

Pushing her fringe back, he decided to let her sleep off some of the wine she had been drinking. He knew the wine was vintage and the alcohol percentage would likely have been higher than she could handle. Wrapping his arm around her, he let his body warmth keep her warm from the chilly air, and looked outside the window.

Visible streaks of fog floated between the high buildings of the city, blurring the traffic lights and people walking along the sidewalks. Hardly a car was on the road, but a few police cars were patrolling the area. Asana lived in an apartment in a well secured area of the city, and not far from where his apartment either.

With her street in view, Klaus gently woke her up but the task was more difficult than he thought. He shook her but her eyelids refused to open, he spoke loudly to her but he still received no response, “You leave me no choice,” he motioned, and pinched her nostrils together where she struggled to breath. Finally, he could see her eyelids open and her pink eyes staring back at him groggily.

“Sorry, but I tried everything else to wake you up,” he apologised, “We are nearly at your place.”

“Oh…thanks,” she blushed, and straightened herself out as the taxi pulled over to the curb and parked in front of a tall building with secured doors with surveillance cameras out front.

Klaus helped her out of the taxi and paid the fare, leaving the taxi driver with a festive tip and walked her to the door of her apartment. “Aren’t you getting back in?” she asked, seeing him pay the driver.

“I only live a street away, so I’ll be fine if I walk from here.”

Digging around her handbag for the door key, she faced Klaus once she found it, “…Um…did you want to come inside for a cup of tea or something?”

He shook his head, “I’ll raincheck that,” he smiled and watched her hopeful face crumble, that look tugged at his heart and his smile widened, “Listen, about tonight. Thank you for doing it. Like I said, if you had said no, I would understand.”

She smiled at him, “Are you going to tell me why you asked me to do it? I’m sure a man like you could have hired another girl to be your girlfriend, why did you chose me?”

“My parents…have been trying to set me up with the daughter of a wealthy Lord over in England. I have never met her, and I am not the kind of person who would marry for money. To get them off my case, I told them I am seriously involved with another woman,” he paused and looked her straight in the eye as he spoke, “I chose you because it was the easiest option.”

As they talked, another yellow taxi pulled over to the curb on the other side of the road. A handsome and tall man with shoulder length dark brown hair stepped out of the vehicle and removed his luggage from the trunk, leaving the taxi driver with a fare and a good tip, “Happy holidays, sir,” he spoke kindly and softly, and attention turned to the two figures in front of him.

His sister with a blonde-haired man, he didn’t recognise, “Oh? Little sister, who is this?” he wondered, and waited, keeping a close eye on the pair, not aware she had boyfriend.

“What do you mean by ‘easy’?” she asked, not growing offended yet until she had a full explanation.

“…Because, I can’t act unconvincingly around my parents…if the girl I like is helping me,” he confessed, “I have feelings for you, and I have for quite some time now. Honestly, sometimes, I use my pets as an excuse to come see you by the clinic and I know every morning you stop at McJeffery’s Coffee House…,” he trailed off, not wishing to sound creepy or uncool in her presence.

“…Oh, I see…,” she didn’t quite expect him to come right out and admit it so confidently.

Her eyes averted and her response, didn’t leave much room for encouragement, “You don’t feel the same way?” he asked, and at some point, had started holding her hand.

She shook her head and returned her gaze to him, “No…I was surprised to hear you say that…,” she shyly replied but felt triumphant in her heart because she felt the same way, “…It’s just…I have feelings for you too.”

Tobias looked on like he was watching a romantic comedy, and watched this unknown man move his body closer to his little sister. Seeing her smile, Klaus smiled too, and pressed his lips to hers. Her hand moved from where it rested on his chest to wrap around his neck while his arms wrapped around her body.

Deepening their kiss, Klaus hugged her close to his body to keep her warm from the cold air. With the flow of the kiss, her lips parted to invite in more of his taste, self-control starting to fade. “Um…awkward now,” Tobias scratched his head from behind the kissing couple, breaking up the kissing.

“Tobias?! When do you land?”

“I took an earlier flight because I felt bad that you were alone, but I see you’re not alone,” he smiled, and turning his attention towards Klaus.

Before, in the shade of the night and in the light of the apartment’s outside lights, he couldn’t make out the figure of a Goldstein hugging his little sister in his arms. Having never met Tobias, Klaus turned to Asana for an explanation, “Um…Klaus this is my brother, Tobias. Tobias…this is my…um…,” she didn’t know if she was supposed to call him her boyfriend since they’ve only just come from a party where she had to pretend to be his girlfriend, and just now confessed their feelings for each other.

Klaus extended his hand out to Asana’s brother and finished the sentence she was unsure about putting into words, “I am Asana’s boyfriend, Klaus Goldstein. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Tobias. I have heard a lot about you.”

Tobias laughed, “That’s funny, because I’ve never heard anything about you or how on this planet my little sister managed to nab herself a Goldstein?”

Stomping on his foot, Asana glared at him, “How am I supposed to talk to you when you go to remote places where we can’t reach you? Secondly, quit embarrassing me,” she whispered to him, “Make yourself useful, and disappear for a minute.”

“Geez, talk about a greeting,” Tobias screwed up his face in slight pain, “Gone for a year and a half and the first thing you do is stomp on my foot. I just want to know your boyfriend, why don’t you come upstairs for a cup of tea? I have something really exciting to show you Asana, and your boyfriend is a Goldstein, so he’s an animal lover too, right?”

Klaus was about to go home, but seeing that he had the rare chance of meeting her brother, he accepted the offer of going upstairs. “I accept your invitation,” Klaus agreed, “Did you need help carrying your bags upstairs?”

“Oh no, I travel light with all the places I go. The other bag is just my camera equipment,” he smiled and carried his bags with ease.

With his offer of help declined, Klaus took her hand as the stepped inside the elevator that would take them to the floor of her apartment. This time, they didn’t have to pretend being couple because their love story had just begun.