#I hope she roasted him during the ride back

[thissisatitle]

Chapter 12 deleted scene

#my art #rufus shinra #elena of the turks #ff7 #ff7 rebirth #ff7 rebirth spoilers #elena ff7 #elena #rufena #ruiri #rulena #the way she get so heated to the point we see her telling off a director on the board by using Rufus' authority or yell at Rude #a superior #& how vocal she gets about some of Rufus' decision while the others either just go along or enable him #despite being the rookie #I hope she roasted him during the ride back #love how they emphasized how fiery & intense she is to the point not many can handle her #it makes my love for rufus/elena even more stronger #which make sense when you remember how she was in BC & TKAA

[gamma-rae-bursts]

Courtroom Obsession pt.1

y/n is an ADA assigned to Special Victims Unit. She’s been dating Olivia Benson for the past couple of months and despite their crazy workload things have been going great between them. This is until y/n’s office is flooded with mystery flower deliveries that don’t seem to stop.

Pairing: Olivia Benson x Fem!Reader

Warnings: y/n has a stalker, it's mild in this one tho, lil makeout sesh.

Genre: Mostly Fluff, will lead to angst.

Word Count: 1400+

A/N: Would you look at that, I finally wrote something! This is a part 1 of what will probably be a 2/3 part mini series. Covers a square of my bingo.

It started with flowers. You didn’t think much of it, after all being an attorney meant that sometimes you would receive gifts from grateful families for getting a conviction. But the flowers kept coming throughout the week, all kinds of bouquets bound together with ribbons, sometimes even placed in white twined baskets, with no notes attached. You looked at the colourful petals displayed in your office, the white lilies perfectly complimenting the vibrant colours of tulips and irises. The types of flowers varied in each of the bouquets, but it was never roses. You hated roses. 

After a few days you started thinking it was your girlfriends doing, who else would have known this small rose-hating side of you. 

When you finished work on a Friday evening, you headed straight to Olivia’s apartment, hopeful to finally get a free weekend after closing multiple cases during the previous week. Considering the field both of you were working in and the recent increase in cases you’ve barely seen each other outside of the precinct for the past couple of weeks. You’ve only been dating for a few months, although things were official between the two of you, you opted to keep the relationship private from work. You aimed for your professional relationship to remain unchanged and as far as you were aware it was working. After all the last thing either of you have wanted was to become the centre of attention of the 16th precinct and 1 Hogan Place. 

The uber ride, although long, was very peaceful. You looked out the window at the streets of New York City that were beginning to fill with the darkness of dusk, taking in the sight of people rushing down the streets, probably hurrying to their homes before the city was consumed by darkness. After what felt like eternity you finally arrived at your destination, thanking the driver and handing him the cash, with a few extra notes as a thank you for not bothering you too much during the ride. 

You used the key Olivia gave you just a few weeks earlier to open the apartment door, just as you entered the space you smelled the array of scents of what you presumed to be Olivia’s cooking, wafting through the air, filling the space with warmth. You smiled to yourself while taking your shoes off, before following the aromas deeper into the apartment.

Olivia was standing in the kitchen, fully consumed by preparing on of your shared comfort meals and as it turned out, one of her specialties. You always begged her to teach you how to make the signature mac and cheese, but she always joked that if she let you in on the secret you wouldn’t need her anymore, hence keeping the recipe hidden away from you.

 You took in the sight of her, she was wearing a checked apron on top of her comfy clothes, her hair was in a half-up-half-down style, with a little bun on top back of her head. The domesticity of it almost melting your heart.

“You’re staring, again.” she said softly as she turned around to face you, with a warm smile on her face.

“I can’t help it; you just look really cute.” you laughed, as you kept shamelessly staring at your girlfriend. 

“Here, try this.” the detective reached out to you with a forkful of the broccoli she roasted to go with the dish, always adamant to up your vegetable intake. 

 You gratefully accepted the food, opening your mouth and letting Olivia feed you. You practically moaned at the tease of the perfectly roasted broccoli, making her smile. “This is so good.” you added when you finished chewing the food.

“I’m glad you like it my love” she whispered, placing a kiss on your forehead before getting back to cooking. 

You watched Olivia gracefully move around the kitchen for a little longer, before wrapping your arms around her waist and resting your head on the back of her shoulder. She hummed and gently leaned into your embrace, happy to finally get to spend some time with you and you had no plans on letting her go now. 

The two of you stayed like this for a while, Olivia effortlessly finishing grating the additional cheese and you only restricting her movements a little bit.

“You can stop hugging me now, you know?” she laughed while you only tightened the grip you had around her.

“No, I don’t think I can” you giggled and placed a kiss in the crook of her neck. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too sweet girl.” She turned around in your arms to face you, cupping your cheek she placed a soft kiss on your lips. One of your hands moved from her waist to the back of her head deepening the kiss. Her lips moved against yours in perfect harmony, you pulled her closer to you, desperate for the contact as she traced your bottom lip with her tongue, making you smile into the kiss. She reluctantly pulled away “If you keep this up the dinner is gonna get burned”  

You giggled and placed one last peck on her lips. “You know I wouldn’t mind, I’m sure it would still be better than that disaster of a carbonara I made before”

“It wasn’t that bad” she laughed before getting back to the task she was occupied with before you successfully distracted her.

“Oh really? How about I make it again this weekend then?” you asked raising your brow at the detective. The carbonara was indeed that bad and both of you were fully aware of it.

“Okay maybe I’ll stay on the food duty for now, but you can watch!” you laughed at her statement, happy with the offer as you didn’t want to risk poisoning your girlfriend with your cooking.

You moved around the kitchen in silence, while Olivia continued working on finishing the meal, when everything was either fully out of the oven or with only a few more minutes left to go you finally broke the silence in the room.

“Thank you for the flowers by the way.” you whispered looking at her, a warm smile spread across your face. “they’re beautiful.”

“What flowers?” she questioned, not having a clue what you were referring to.

“The ones that were coming into my office the whole week?” you raised your brow, now also confused. “I assumed they were from you since there was no notes and none of the bouquets had roses in them.”

“No, they weren’t from me but now I wish they were.” she looked at you, a slight glimpse of worry in her eyes. “Is there someone I should be concerned about?”

“If by that you mean whether there is some rookie detective or ADA waving their eyelashes at me then absolutely not” you assured her, brushing her through her hair with the tips of your fingers. “I’m sure they were from the families from previous cases, you know they like to show their appreciation for getting the perps convicted.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” she said letting out a deep sigh.

“Hey, no need to get worried.” you gently cupped her cheek as you looked into her eyes. “I’m a big girl I can take care of myself.”

“I know you are.” she ducked her head down a little “But you are also my girl, so I am going to get worried regardless.” Her hand softly rubbed your back as she burried her face in the crook of your neck.

The rest of the evening as well as the following days passed and before you knew it you were getting ready to return to the office on a Monday morning. You and Olivia slept in that day so both of you hurried to get ready and rushed out of the apartment, taking your respective rides to your workplaces.

When you entered your office, a white basket filled with tulips, lilies and dahlias as well as small strands of forget me nots was nestled in the middle of your desk. You examined your surroundings before examining the basket itself. It looked like every other one you received the previous week, although this time it came with a small envelope attached to it. You opened it, finding a rather simple card inside, with a handwritten note. 

“Can’t wait to see you again, V.”

***

Taglist: @bratty-subby-girly @ashbones

Join my taglist here, or DM me to be added <3

#raeswritingbingo #olivia benson x reader #law and order svu #law and order special victims unit #olivia benson #svu #l&o svu

[sorrowsofsilence]

Harder • Folio

Pairing: Nick Folio x Fem!Reader

Words: 1.7k

Warnings: Smut (18+, male!receiving, female!receiving), choking, slight exhibitionism?kinda, mentions of drinking, derogatory terms used (whore).

Prompt: you know what they say, drummers hit it harder.

Author note: I enjoyed writing this way too much oh my god. I hope you enjoy it too &lt;3

THIS IS A FANFIC USING REAL PEOPLE IN A FICTIONAL SITUATION! I AM NOT IMPLYING THAT THIS PERSON WOULD DO THIS IRL OR ACT LIKE THIS! ITS FICTION!

Tags: @sammyjoeee @cookiesupplier @nyxthedestroyerofworlds @th4t-em0-k1d  @lans-angels @dsireland86 @whenthesummerdies

Well, you know what they say, drummers hit it harder.

“I am so fucking excited!” Ruffilo exclaimed, tossing the last bag into the minivan. You and the boys were going on your last camping trip of the year, and it was bittersweet.

Initially, the trip was just supposed to be the two of you; but Ruffilo was persistent that the rest of the band tagged along, as well as Matt and Bryan.

Folio loved taking you out on his bike to go camping, fishing, and hiking; but his absolute favourite part was the great sex you two shared camping. Something about being away from home made it that much more exciting. His least favourite, was now his bandmates were going to be there.

“Yeah, me too,” Nick muttered through gritted teeth, giving a tight smile as he placed his helmet over his head, zipping up his leather jacket.

“Oh c’mon,” You sat behind him on the bike, geared up for the ride, wrapping your arms around him as your chest pressed into his back, “We’ll still have tons of fun.”

Nick shifted in his seat, “Is that a threat or a promise?”

You smiled cheekily, despite him not being able to see since the helmet covered your face, “both?”

He hummed in response, before turning the bike on and preparing to leave.

That evening after setting up, everyone was sitting happily around the fire, drinking beer and roasting hotdogs- the classic camping combo. Everyone laughed as they exchanged stories, Noah and Jolly reminiscing about funny memories during the tour they had just finished.

“And-” Bryan said through a broken laugh, “Remember when you just fuckin’ dive-bombed off the stairs?” He doubled over laughing, almost spilling his drink as he leaned into Noah, the two giggling.

You smiled at the exchange, arms folded over your chest as you sat comfortably in your camping chair, before glancing over at Nick. He watched the fire intensely, eyes glazed over in thought, face neutral yet disappointed. You knew he was upset that this trip wasn’t just the two of you, especially because he would be getting ready to leave for tour again in a few weeks; and this was one of your last fun events planned.

You wanted to cheer him up a bit and had the perfect idea.

Reaching over you ran your fingers through his hair, “I’m going to bed,” you said, eyes lingering on his for a moment to see if he understood what you meant.

Nick’s eyes flashed with excitement as he shifted in his seat, giving you a curt nod.

You stood up, stretching your arms before folding up your chair and staring at the group ahead of you. The flame danced in the middle, illuminating the shadows of the boys’ faces, who stared at you sadly.

“Packing it up now?” Jolly frowned, opening another can of beer.

You nodded, “I’m not feeling too good, so I’m going to get some sleep.”

You eyed Nick one more time, his gaze catching yours before wandering to the tent.

“I’m going to make sure she’s ok, I’ll be back.” Nick nodded at your friends before following you into the tent, zipping it up behind him.

You sat on top of your sleeping bag, motioning for him to lay next to you. Nick obliged, immediately scooping your waist between his fingers, gripping your side as he yanked your body towards his. You grabbed his face, pulling him up to kiss you, and his lips attached to yours hungrily.

Nick’s voice was hoarse as took a breath, “The boys-”

“I don’t care,” you said, and Nick moaned as you kissed him again roughly, “I need you, Nick.”

“Can I at least take my shoes off before you pounce on me?” Nick chuckled lowly, kicking off his sneakers hastily, before lying down.

You crawled on top of the man, his dark ember eyes devouring you as you stripped your clothes, remaining only in your underwear, straddling his lap. Nick’s hands gripped your thighs roughly as you began rolling your core into his, and he hardened below you.

Adjusting yourself you sat on his thigh, the fabric from his jeans rough as you began to grind against his body, riding along him. A red hue fell onto Nick’s nose as he smiled, admiring how heavenly you looked as you pleasured yourself against him.

All for him.

Nick peeled off his shirt while you played with the buckle of his jeans, undoing the zipper and springing his erection free.

Licking your lips you watched as his mouth opened slightly, soft puffs of air escaping as you spit on your hand, letting the saliva drag off your tongue onto himself, sliding your hand up and down his desire. Nick watched in awe as you worked on him, pumping up and down with a gentle roll of your wrist; his eyes unsure whether he wanted to stare at your hand, bouncing chest, or your face, eyes radiating with lust for him.

He licked his lips, whispering a soft plea, and you knew he was begging for your mouth wrapped around him. You obliged, sliding down his leg before licking up his length, smiling as he shuddered below you, precum dripping from the tip as his body prepared for yours.

“Fuck you are so hot Y/N,” he mumbled, hands grabbing each side of your head as his fingers tangled in your hair, pushing you against him forcefully. You loved it when Nick thrust into your mouth with need, causing you to gag against him. He fucked into your mouth, hips shooting up strenuously with an innate craving, needing you to take all of him.

You choked against Nick’s body, a deep guttural groan of satisfaction escaping his lips as he held the bottom of himself, slapping the tip against your cheek before sliding back inside your mouth. Your scalp burned as he held your hair taught.

You moaned along him before pulling away, your chest heaving with heavy pants.

Nick stripped off his remaining clothes, before sitting up and unclasping your bra, taking your chest into his hungry mouth, sucking on the skin. He kissed up your Neck, biting and licking against the sensitive spot behind your ear, causing a gasp to leave as your hands raked up his back. Your nails trailed along his skin, dancing back to the top of his head, running them through his chestnut locks as he hooked your panties, pulling them down your legs. The voices of your friends outside the tent became white noise as you watched Nick’s eyes worship you.

“I want to fuck you so bad,” Nick growled into your ear, the warmth of his breath contrasting the crisp air within the tent, causing your body to shiver. Nick wanted nothing more than to ram himself into you, bruising your skin and giving you everything he had; but the shame of his friends hearing halted his actions. He loved taking you from behind, clawing at your hips as he bred into you eagerly with thirst. He would have to wait till he got home to completely rail you into your bed, listening to you scream a slurry of profanities mixed with his name.

You moaned at his confession, biting his jaw gently and affectionately before pushing him back into the air mattress, having him look up at you with greed.

“You’ll make me scream if you fuck me, you’re always so rough,” You whispered heavily.

“Then keep riding my thigh until you come, like the good little whore you are,” Nick praised, and you nodded greedily. You rolled your hips into him again, sliding along him, your slick gliding you with ease. Your free hand began jerking Nick off and he threw his head back at the sight, completely overwhelmed with infatuation.

Nick wanted to touch your body, one of his hands wrapped around your throat. He groaned, squeezing gently, but hard enough that your vision danced into a darkened satisfaction.

“You like it when I choke you?” He said, dirty words sliding off of his tongue as his free hand made it to your core, flicking roughly at your pleasure. A loud moan slipped from your lips as your body shook, your senses heightened through Nick’s possessive grip, and he squeezed tightly for a moment.

He hushed you, staring with eyes dilated with fervour, “They’ll hear us if you’re not quiet.”

“Fuck,” you said sharply, completely indulged in his touch. Your eyebrows furrowed and Nick watched you through hooded eyes, hips thrusting into your hand as you pumped him.

Nick’s lip found its way between his teeth, “Look at me Y/N,” and you purred, staring into his eyes with his hands wrapped around your neck, holding you in place while you ruled each other.

Your body clenched as Nick’s fingers continuously brushed over your desire, sliding along his thigh over and over until your abdomen began to clench, eyes trying to remain fixated on the man who possessed you below.

“I-” you whimpered, trying to be quiet as your legs began shaking, back hunching over as you folded into Nick’s hand; but his grip on your throat held you up, resisting your need to push away from him.

“Shit!” You gasped, your body letting go as your orgasm consumed you, but you remained gripping onto Nick, sliding your hand along him.

Nick’s mouth fell open as he watched you come undone, a sly smile of satisfaction playing on his lips as he eyed you with admiration. He loved when you came for him, from him.

“Fuck Y/N, mouth, now,” Nick demanded, and you sucked along him again. His fingers dug into your thighs as he clenched through his orgasm, a strain of continuous deep groans escaping his body. Nick was unable to contain his sounds as you drank in all of him, ropes of his release coating your throat. He pushed into your mouth and you gagged, but he held you firmly in place with his hand, pushing your head into him.

“Good girls swallow, everything,” He said through deep breaths, your stomach erupting with motive as you drank all of his surrender.

You sat up, smiling down at him as you wiped your lips. Nick panted, giving you a knee-weakening grin before closing his eyes, and catching his breath.

“Not feeling well, huh?” You heard from outside the tent. Nick’s wide eyes snapped to yours in horror as you covered your mouth in embarrassment, the two of you hiding your ashamed laughter.

#bad omens #bad omens cult #bad omens band #bad omens smut #nick folio smut #nick folio #smut #camping #camping smut #noah sebastian

[waitingforwinterwinds]

ASOS; Steel and Snow: 25 DAVOS III (pages 343-354)

Davos recovers in the prison cells of Dragonstone, has a concerning chat with Melisandre, and then gets some gossip from Stannis's newly fired Hand.

-

The cell was warmer than any cell had a right to be.

??? Oh shit, right, Davos got arrested (his) last chapter. The downside of a chapter a day reading, you kinda forget stuff... but then again, some folks forget stuff between chapters even when they devour a 500 page book in like two hours.

But Davos could not complain of chill. The smooth stony passages beneath the great mass of Dragonstone were always warm, and Davos had often heard it grew warmer the further down one went.

That makes sense if there's still active magma zones under Dragonstone. Given the presence of obsidian the area was volcanic, rather than purely tectonic, in origin.

Underground gets pretty warm if you dig far enough, deepest artificial point (deepest hole humans have dug) is like, 12 Km deep, but they had to tap out because the heat was turning the ground basically liquid, any further and they might as well have been digging magma. There's one site, iirc, where humans were digging by hand, not remote machinery, and they had to abandon the site because the heat was so intense. Might have even been the same site pre-machinery, idk.

I will not linger long, he remembered thinking. I will die soon, here in the dark.

There's some kind of irony, I think, in Davos going from surviving horrible condition in the ocean, no protection from the sky, to underground and roasting. Water&Air > Fire&Earth

... nicest prison stay anyone has had in the series thus far... are we sure he's under arrest and not under house arrest so the heat can drive the chill from his bones? Oh, right, the cell is rat infested an kinda nasty, so he's definitely under-arrest arrest.

Oh hi Melisandre.

"The way the world is made. The truth is all around you, plain to behold. The night is dark and full of terrors, the day bright and beautiful and full of hope. -"

TNiDaFoT = 🥛

"- Against him stands the Great Other whose name may not be spoke, the Lord of Darkness, the Soul of Ice, God of Night and Terror. -"

So legit the Night King? Or is the Night King just his Champion?

The great ruby at her throat seemed to pulse with its own radiance.

ruby = 🥛

... So she might have been able to firebend wild fire? Cool Beans. Unfortunate she wasn't there, but politics.

... And Davos is back to questioning gods, and tired of it all. I do like that GRRM purposefully leaves it vague on what is an isn't real with the gods. are they gods or just something powerful, are they real or just built from faith and coincidence. It makes the world feel more real in a lowkey magic way, cause yes there's magic and dragons, but the Big Questions are still something people can only answer for themselves.

"- the red woman burnt Lord Sunglass, and Lord Bar Emmon is fifteen, -"

I just misread that as "and Lord Lemonbar is fifteen." I might be in need of snacks...

... Lord Alester Florent is not that bright, is he?

"He has no choice." "You are wrong, my lord. He can choose to die a king." "And us with him? Is that what you desire, Onion Knight?" "No. But I am the king's man, and I will make no peace without his leave." Lord Alester stared at him helplessly for a long moment, and then began to weep.

Davos. Is just. the most Ride Or Die person in the entirety of Westeros, and Stannis doesn't deserve him.

poor Alester. But Davos is right, Alester really stepped over the line. Unfortunate truth or not, the Hand of the King is a glorifies secretary, not the king themselves, something as big as surrender during war times? that's a King's Choice Only kinda deal, and Stannis... well, Stannis is Stannis.

#a storm of swords #steel and snow #a song of ice and fire #davos seaworth #a chapter a day reading #asos #asoiaf

[aristobun]

Bryan had been trying to convince the french defense lawyer to go out on a date with him since the two met during a trial for a very kind and loving elderly gentleman named Kris Kringle. She’d shot him down so many times since then he didn’t know which way was up half the time, but her walls were broken down until they crumbled to pieces after a heartfelt conversation with Kris who happened to know a thing or two about what Noelle truly felt deep down.

Kris had very delicately, yet impressively, opened her eyes to the possibility of joy and wonder at the beginning of a likely relationship with the man who was trying so desperately to woo her and attract her affections. Noelle had fought a hard battle up until now, but she had finally agreed on a small get together between the two of them; just one quiet evening having dinner at a beautiful restaurant downtown called Raoul’s, serving both French and American dishes alike.

‘ Mr. Bedford— ‘ she addresses him very formally, seating herself at the table opposite him while the waiter retrieves her coat and gloves. It was already starting to get a little nippy outside and a chill had swept her right down the street as she bustled along in a hurry to make it in time. Riding a cab was not one of her favourite past times, so she elected to walk from her apartment right to the restaurant and managed to earn a soft red hue to her nose and cheeks as a result.

‘ Please, call me Bryan, ‘ he informs her, smiling warmly and rising briefly as she takes a seat so as to appear proper and a gentleman. Given how much trouble his friend, Kris, had gone through just to make this evening happen, there wasn’t going to be anything he would do to mess it up as he had so longed for a little quality time with her. ‘ I trust your day went well, Noelle? ‘ he asks, to break the ice as much as to make sure she knew how very interested in her he was.

‘ It did, though I have had better days. Today was particularly unpleasant to start, but after a few downfalls here and there, I managed to right the situation, ‘ she states, picking up the menu from in front of her and browsing the many dishes they had available. ‘ And your own, Bryan? ‘ she is fascinated by him already, yet doing everything in her power to make it seem otherwise as a little bit of playing hard to get. Her mother taught her many years ago how it drove men crazy.

‘ Much the same, I suppose. I don’t think there’s been a rough day at work yet since the Kringle case, ‘ he says, looking up over the top of his own menu to find her already staring back at him and there, a smile dances across her lips and he opens her mouth to offer a response but does not quite manage to do so as the waiter returns to the table, notepad in hand with the tiniest and scruffiest little pencil she had ever seen, ready to scribble down their order.

‘ Oh, I’ll have the roast king salmon with artichoke confit, please.. and for the lady? ‘ Bryan asks, following the movement of the pencil’s scribbles for a moment before casting his gaze over the woman who was his date for the night, setting the menu back in its place ready to be taken away so they could await their meal.

‘ I’ll take the dover sole meuniere with green asparagus, please, thank you very much, ‘ she has a brighter smile now, showing teeth this time as her lips lift higher on her features in appreciation of the waiter and his efforts. ‘ Might I also request a glass of merlot, merci, ‘ she adds, before her date pipes up and asks if a bottle could be brought to the table so the two may share the chosen drinks for the evening he hoped would end very well.

‘ Exquisite taste, ‘ Bryan remarks, loosening his tie ever so slightly to allow himself a comfortable manner of eating his food when it arrived. ‘ I’m not sure I’ve tasted dover sole before, but I have seen it ordered many times before. I’m more of a play it safe guy myself, sticking to traditional in case I have some god-awful reaction to anything obscure to my palette, ‘ he chuckles.

‘ Oh, it’s absolutely beautiful fish, it has almost a sweet taste to it, but if it’s paired with flavoured butter it’s all the more divine— ‘ she shares, propping her chin atop her hand as an elbow rests casually on the table so she can give him her undivided attention in the meantime. ‘ Perhaps we can try each others dishes and see what we think, ‘ she suggests.

‘ Don’t mind if we do, ‘ he smiles, happy that the conversation is already flowing and the two are getting along swimmingly so far. Bryan had hoped it would go well, in spite of the fact that she’d tried so many times to stamp out his advances in the months leading up to this evening. For all it was worth, he couldn’t have hoped for it to go any finer than it was.

#drabble #save #noelle auclair #bryan bedford #yes i stole bryan from miracle on 34th street shh

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

Graveyard Siblings (4)

I am sorry for not posting in a while. School is a total bitch. Here is part 4 of a fic that is not a fic.

[Masterlist]

(Part 1)(Part 2)(Part 3)

-------

Tall Marinette.(I admit I might be projecting a little here.)

One day, she took out something from someplace high and the whole family realized that ‘holy shit when did you get so tall?’

Bonus if Jason comes back from a long mission and had a wtf moment because she was wearing 6-inch-heels and met his eyes with them on.

“Pixie?!”

------

You know how Bruce has the identity of Matches Malone to infiltrate the Gotham Underground.

While Jason does the drug deals more street crime stuff, Maria uses an excuse of being the representative for Red Hood excuse to mingle with the rich people who does crime on the side (Penguin), she uses it to go to black market auctions and buy some of the lost miraculouses which got into the hands of black market dealers.

Jason knows about it and acts as her ‘bodyguard’ anytime he can or sends one of his henchmen to be one with a death threat if she gets a single scratch on her.

Bruce is unaware of this. Or is he?

------

Mari helps with running WE since she is a little less busy with the vigilante side of things.

It started with Tim panicking about deadlines and Mari offering to help, to Bruce and Tim bullying the board to have her as co-CEO.

She has to be that and head of Afterlife. So she is very busy. Doesn’t know about what comes next….

------

Somehow the class comes to Gotham for a trip. It has been 3 years since her death.

Mari has changed her appearance since the day she left Paris. She has highlights in her hair after a ‘sibling bonding day’ with Jason. Her hair is kept short for convenience and not in pigtails. Along with her tall height and more confident aura, she is almost unrecognizable.

She rides a motorcycle too.

The class waits in the lobby for the tour and in walks this badass woman with aviator sunglasses, leather jacket and designer clothes which was all MT brand, making a lot of people swoon.

She takes off her glasses and walks past the class. Checking stuff on her phone and sipping coffee in her other hand.

She seems familiar but they couldn’t figure out why. (All except Chloe, Alix and Felix who are snickering in the background.)

Lila sees her and comments on how she must be a criminal with the way she dresses. (Lila internally freaks out because were her eyes messing with her? Because she looked a little like Marinette. Also jealous of the new arrival for stealing all the attention.) Alya takes the bait and calls security to ‘arrest’ her.

They just laugh. The class doesn’t understand, speaking in confused French.

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

“I am Maria Todd-Wayne, also known as designer MT. CEO of Afterlife and co-CEO of the very company you are in. I am allowed in here. Don’t judge a book by its cover.” she said in perfect French.

“But Lila told us you can’t speak French.”

“Who?”

“Lila Rossi, your friend. She told us that you and MT were dating.”

“Me dating myself. Okay I love myself because self-love is a thing but that is a whole other level. MT are my initials. Anyone who has a brain could have figured that out or at the very least do a Google search. I am not sure where your friend got that notion.”

“Hey, Bean, come on. We have a long day ahead of us.” Tim reminded her.

“Goodbye but cease the rumours or you would be escorted off the premises.”

As they rode up the elevator, “Tim, why are they here?”

“They are the lucky winners of the Wayne Enterprise Young Prodigies Contest. Why, Maria?”

“Lucky, huh.” She muttered under her breath. She might as well tell him. They are the Bats and they will find out anyway. “They are from my old class, the one you know…”

“Oh. Want me to send them back? I can do that if they are making you uncomfortable.”

“Nah. Too much to deal with. And it is unfair to send them back over a petty grudge. Besides, I could have some fun.”

“Anything that Bruce and I should be worried about?”

“I swear no killing. Just because Jason came back from the dead, hell-bent on killing. Doesn’t mean I am too.”

“Cool, just don’t do any property damage or traumatize our employees.”

“I might need you to erase some footage later and tell Bruce about this.”

“Some brownies, my favourite coffee cake, the ‘special’ brew and you have yourself a deal.”

-----

So basically she just showed up around where the class was ‘by coincidence’.

Talk to a few people and take them out of earshot of the rest of the class.

End the conversation by saying a few things only they and her would know. Insides jokes and secrets. (I pick her old childhood friends like, Nino, Kim and maybe Sabrina)

Uses Trixx to turn into a walking dead version of her 15-year old self and disappears as they freak out about how she knew that secret/story.

Freaks them out further by appearing again in front of the whole class and pretending not to know their previous conversation.

Mari manages to get Lila alone.

I should also say that Lila thought that her curse was making her see MT as Marinette.

It terrifies Lila when she finds out that MT is actually Marinette, not dead but alive after all this time and apparently living the high life she wanted. This fact made the Italian swell up with jealousy.

“I hope you are not lying about me again, Lila Rossi. Like you always do.”

“What do you want with me? I swear I didn’t say anything else about you.”

“Aw, Lila. Don’t recognize me?”

Maria flickers and Ladybug is in her place and later, the Marinette that appeared in her bedroom and back to normal.

“You! How? Why are you here? Why can’t you leave me alone?”

“Why not? I mean you did take away nearly all my friends, my parents and made my life a living hell. If you think about it, I am just repaying you the same favor. How are the others? Treating you well?”

“What did you do to me, you bitch?”

“I just put a curse on you. The ghosts of your past will haunt you until you stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop Lying, Liar. They all feed and grow in power from your lies. I wonder what would happen in a few years if you kept this up.”

“You think you can get away with this. This is war and I have already beaten you once.”

“Oh Rossi. This isn’t a war. It’s a death sentence.” With that she disappears.

Lila tries to tell her class that MT is actually Marinette. She is met with crazy looks. Some of them look like they want to believe her but don't because they don’t want to look crazy too.

Oh. Adrien wasn’t on the trip because his mother didn’t want him to go to the crime capital of America although the crime rate has gone down a little due to Hellbat curing some of the city’s bad energy..

Right after Lila told the class about MT, Scarecrow came to steal some Wayne tech and the class got caught in the crossfire. So later, it was brushed off as Lila seeing things due to the fear toxins.

-----

Joker made the mistake of kidnapping her. Once was enough to never try that again.

(It involved the use of nearly all of the Miraculouses, old and new. He was thoroughly humiliated at the end of it and his picture by the time Hellbat was done with him was on the Batfam’s Christmas Card. Like I said she doesn’t kill but making them beg for death was okay.)

It coincided with Jason’s Birthday and the video of the incident was ‘the best birthday present ever.’ The uncensored version was watched at the next undead siblings bonding day. Damian included.

After hearing a few rumours about what happened, most criminals were glad for Hellbat’s rare appearances. (which happens once a month and during really busy time of the year)

There was a time where Penguin was carrying out one of their plans and when Hellbat showed up, all of their thugs surrendered instantly. (No Batman did not pout at the fact that this French girl was more imitating than him.)

Scarecrow used his newest batch of fear toxin on her during the first year after she died.

He was astounded to see her still standing and she later proceeded to beat the crap out of him while being under the toxin’s influences.

He has tried to stay out of her way since then.

She saw Scarecrow as Hawkmoth and said a lot of things in French which scared everyone because she said it with so much hate, anger and in a very menacing tone that everyone is like ‘I am not touching this.’

It took Red Hood and Nightwing to restrain her from further beating Scarecrow up.

He was one of the people who sympathised with the Joker after the Incident.

The next was Riddler being so arrogant in his plans and managed to get Hellbat and Spoiler into a death trap.

“You know I have a few regrets in life. And my final one is that I got captured and am now going to get killed by a walking fashion disaster.”

“Hey! I made this myself. I will have, you know.”

“You have a brilliant mind but no sense of fashion at all. When I get out of here, I am going to burn that thing with you in it, for your crimes against fashion.”

“What is wrong with it?”

Cue a lot of roasting of Riddler’s costume and Spoiler adding more fuel to the fire.

They manage to escape while Riddler is crying on the floor, having an existential crisis.

The thing was no one knows why Riddler was silent the entire week after encountering Hellbat and crying when anyone mentions it.

They now think Hellbat is the scariest one in the Batfamily, second to Batman and tied with Black Bat/Orphan.

The few who find out what really happened in the warehouse that night. Blackmail material on the Riddler.

Three ( four if you count Penguin) of Gotham’s biggest villains of the Rogues Gallery scared of Bats’ newest addition. Hellbat was not someone they wanted to mess with.

---------

Magic crisis stuff. Like a world ending event thing. Dr. Fate says they need the Miraculous jewels but the last mention of them had been in Paris a few years ago and had vanished since then.

Costantine looked at Batman. “You know who you have to call.”

Batman calls Hellbat. Who hasn’t been introduced yet to the JL.

“Ah. Bats. Not that I question your authority or anything but how can your newest ‘ward’ help us?”

She takes off her helmet and reveals her face and more importantly, her earrings.

Tikki comes out of her hiding place.

“I am the current Guardian of the Miracle Box and wielder of the Ladybug miraculous during Hawkmoth’s reign in Paris a few years ago. Any other Questions?”

“Oh great Guardian. Tikki. It is an honour to meet you.”-Wonder Woman, who else.

“You too, Princess Diana. Pass on my regards to your mother.”-Tikki

A huge face-off and the big evil is defeated.

WW asks abt HM and gives a horrified face at the end of her story. Nearly everyone who eavesdropped on the conversation was.

"Forgive me, Guardian for not aiding you in your hour of need.”

“It’s okay. I understand that there are other crises, world-ending ones that JL have to take care of. I am better now. Mostly.”

“I doubt it with those revenge schemes I found lying around. But she is getting there with her therapist.”-Batman

“I hate you, Dad.”

“Did you just call him Dad?”

“No….”

“Do you see me as a father figure?”

“I see you as a nuisance with how nosy you are with my personal business. So you are more of a bother figure.”

“I see you as part of the family too, Daughter.” (Got that reference anyone?)

“Jason was the one who adopted me.”

“Legally you are adopted by me.”

Maria with Pikachu surprised face because nobody told her that. “My life is a lie.”

-------

(Part 5)

#graveyard sibling #platonic jasonette #maribat #mlb x dc #platonic daminette #platonic timinette #some class salt #lila salt #lila bashing #joker doesn't look good here either #platonic! jasonette #siblings jasonette #platonic timminette #marinette and stephanie teaming up to rip into Riddler's costume

[nnightskiess]

𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞

₊° - 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧!𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧

₊° - 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: when anthony invites one of eloise's possible suitors over for dinner at the bridgerton house, y/n makes sure the boy will not want to come back.

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

"But Mama-"

"The arrangements are done- he's coming over. We can't change the plans on such short notice. It would be rude if not raise questions. You cannot break a promise."

"I would rather get hit by a carriage than-"

"Eloise! Don't you finish that sentence." A stern look from her mother shut her up, but not before she let out a frustratingly loud groan as she let herself fall against the sofa next to her sister, Y/N.

"Hugh is a sweet man, just give him a chance."

Y/N closed her book with a loud clap at her mother's last attempt and watched her leave the room.

"Anthony hasn't learned one bit after last year with Daphne! I don't even know the boy and he has already invited him over to- wipe that smug smile off your face, Y/N! You'll be next."

Y/N straightened her back and wiped a crease out of her dress, "I'm just smiling to myself, is that such a crime?"

Eloise made a face and crossed her arms, "Well, what about?"

"The Durrell boy..." Y/N shrugged and looked away noncomittally. "It's not a bad thing to invite him over."

Eloise scrunched up her nose in disgust. "Thought you'd have my back?!"

"No- listen, let him come over... he'll not want to come back after he's done with dinner." Y/N raised her eyebrows and a small smirk appeared on her face as she watched Eloise put two and two together.

"Good luck with that," Eloise let out a breathy chuckle. She admired how her sister never seemed worried or bothered by the world and if she did, Y/N would find fun ways to lighten the mood. She didn't even seem too worried about the fact her debut was close and whenever Eloise brought it up, she'd just shrug it away.

"Mama will have our heads."

Y/N Bridgerton rolled her eyes and leaned in closer. The two sisters were alone in the tearoom, but she needed to be sure no one was lurking through the hallways,

"Remember when Colin's bed was filled with ants and he got scolded because Mama thought he had left some sweets in his room that had attracted them?"

Eloise nodded at the childhood memory and motioned Y/N to go on.

"Do you really think they crawled into the bed by themselves?"

Eloise gasped playfully, "Oh, how unladylike of you, Miss Y/N." She teased.

"He broke my violin when he was mad at me, it was his own fault."

"Remind me to never get on your bad side."

Y/N stood up and held out her hands for her sister to take, "You will never, you're one of my favourites. Now come on and let me help you, we have some planning to do."

☾ ⋆*·ﾟ:⋆*·ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:·ﾟ .: ⋆*·ﾟ: .⋆

Violet Bridgerton hastily adjusted Eloise's dress before taking a quick glance at her children standing in line-- they all looked neatly dressed and had gentle smiles on their faces, just perfect. She smiled nervously and watched as Anthony welcomed the Durrell boy inside.

However, she got more nervous when Eloise curtsied and smiled as bright as she could. It didn't take a fool to know the girl was up to something, and every Bridgerton sibling tried to hide their laughter when Eloise spoke next-

"Oh, how wonderful to see you, Mr Durrell. I hope your carriage ride hasn't been too unpleasing?"

Y/N quirked a brow and let out a snort, only to be nudged in the waist by her mother. Even Hugh Durrell himself seemed taken back, for the previous times the two of them had talked, Eloise had always seemed uninterested or rude.

"No, not at all, my lady." He smiled bashfully and handed his hat and coat to the family's butler.

"I have looked forward to this night ever since my dear brother told me the news." She glared slightly at Anthony before the smile on her face reappeared, "Shall we get seated? Yes, we shall- follow me." She linked her arm with Hugh's and tried to walk to the dining room as elegantly as possible.

Violet held her forehead in frustration and worry before following her children through the hallway, trying to mentally get ready for whatever Eloise had in store for them. When Y/N sat down on the other side of Eloise, with a mischievous grin that matched her sister's, Violet knew enough.

"Y/N, darling, why don't you come sit next to me tonight?" Their mother tried to appease her with a warm smile, wanting to sabotage whatever plan the two girls had in mind, but her daughter's quick wit helped her out of the situation, "No, Mama, I promised Eloise I'd sit next to her- and we mustn't break promises, right?"

Violin forced a smile, her daughter had used her own words against her, "You're right, dear."

Y/N leaned sideways to whisper in Benedict's ear as the first course was put in front of them, "You took care of it?"

"Oh, I did." He smiled to himself as he started with his soup.

A while later, everyone would find out what surprise had been waiting for Hugh Durrell, as the second course was brought into the dining room. The plates were filled with bedding of lettuce as decoration while a piece of roasted fowl was resting on top of it with some vegetables to tuck it in. But Hugh had been too focused on his own plate to notice his was different than the rest. On top of his lettuce, laid a brown frog, one he wasn't so sure was really dead.

Mr Durrell hesitantly grabbed his utensils and tried to look for a good part to start with. Were they seriously eating frogs for dinner?! He grimaced but then remembered he was a guest and quickly looked up to send Anthony and Violet a smile. He noticed Eloise had rested her head against her palm, she was sitting sideways and waiting for him to take a bite with the most wicked grin on her face ever. She was beyond amused.

All of a sudden, the animal hopped off his plate and onto Violet's, which caused the latter to let out a scream. She had almost, almost, forgotten that she had to be on her toes.

Both Y/N and Eloise let out a loud laugh before remembering they had to keep up the act, even if it was only for Hugh's sake, since the rest of the table already knew who to blame.

Hugh was given another plate after a lot of apologies from Violet and the kitchen staff. How it had landed on the plate, no one knew. Perhaps they should've noticed Benedict leave the room for a split second before the second course was brought in.

Dessert wasn't any better, as Eloise purposely tried to eat her chocolate pudding as inelegantly as possible. Her whole face was coated in the pudding, and when she smiled a toothy smile as Hugh looked up, he had to clench his spoon to not make a face of disgust and disapproval. He all but ran out of the house by the end of the night and both Eloise and Violet knew that his thank you's had just been out of good manners. He would definitely not want to see Eloise again.

"Well, that was a delightful night, wasn't it?" Y/N grinned and turned to Anthony, sending a glare his way the moment he looked back. Anthony would have to think twice if he wanted to pull something like this during her debut next season.

"Up to your rooms, now!" Violet pointed a finger at her daughters, who gave each other a sneaky handshake behind their backs before running up the stairs.

"How was your frog, Mr Durrell?" They heard Eloise ask her sister from the floor above, in a ridiculous accent.

Y/N replied in a voice just as ridiculous, "Why I don't know, my lady, I was too busy thinking of your pretty pudding smile."

Their laughter echoed through the house before both their doors closed, and Violet couldn't help but crack a smile. Her girls were a handful, especially when it came to being in the society of the ton, but she loved them dearly. The day their laughter and silly pranks would leave the house, would be a sad day.

#bridgerton imagines #bridgerton imagine #bridgerton x reader #eloise bridgerton imagine #eloise bridgerton x reader #eloise bridgerton imagines #bridgerton!sibling #bridgerton!sister

[crispy-chan]

misjudged ↷ bang chan

❛❛ secrets are revealed, and memories are brought back when you find out why the lonely boy was cast away by the villagers. it all seems to be rooted back to the fateful day, almost a decade ago, when his mother saved a young man's life.❜❜

↷ pairing: bang chan x gn.reader

↷ genre: fantasy, fluff, angst, little red riding hood retelling

↷ warnings: lots of talks about being shunned/ignored, judgmental people, death (by fire, during a flashback, not the main pairing), witchcraft, some blood (not in detail), mention of alcohol (brief, not by the main pairing)

↷ word count: 7k

↷ note: this is for the tales as old as time collab by @wavesmp3 (tysm for being so kind and responding to all my stupid questions !!). it's a retelling of the classic tale with a little twist. honestly, this is not my best work, but it was fun playing around with the concept before I fully delve into the fairytale genre. also - this isn't exactly a red riding hood au, more so the elements of the original story are there so I hope that's okay. hope you enjoy :)

|| masterlist ||

For the hundredth time, you sigh, nodding your head as your mother reminded you of the one thing she had been drilling into your mind since the day you could walk.

Avoid the lone wolf.

Wolf was just a nickname the villagers have come up with for the lonely boy from the forest. Nobody knew his name, only that he didn't speak much and occasionally wandered out of the woods onto the main road, picking flowers from the field.

Nobody has ever spoken to him. Instead, they chose to cower in fear whenever he approached, the words he was about to utter getting stuck in his throat as he watched the people run away. With a sigh adorning his pouty lips, he looked up at the sky, calling to the clouds and imploring: why wouldn't anyone ever talk to him? Was he really that scary? He was just a boy for god's sake. A lonely boy at that, a boy who craved some company.

All he wanted was a friend.

Yet it seemed like that was too much to ask for. The simple wish for a companion was something the universe could not grant him. He wanted to scream with all the frustration welling up in him.

Why was everyone so judgemental?

“Yes, mama. I promise I'll avoid him. I won't pick any flowers and I won't stray from the main road,” you promised in a monotone voice, hoping to silence your mother into not giving you orders all the time. She, not unlike the rest of the people in the village, believed that the so-called lone wolf was nothing but trouble. Despite having never even spoken to him, she still preached that you should be cautious and avoid him at all costs.

You felt that it was a bit unfair.

You too however have never exchanged more than a few glances with the forsaken boy, but with the way he looked at everyone, it was evident he sought some company. You truly doubted that he was any harm, and yet you still have never approached him.

The power of peer pressure.

It could turn the kindest man into a cruel monster.

“Okay, don't forget to take the basket,” your mother chided while buttoning up your blouse. “I made beef roast, apple pie, and a jar of fruit compote. Oh- and there's also a bottle of wine in the cellar, so if you could grab it too…”

You nodded your head, gaze trailing to the staircase that led to the cellar. You absolutely hated that place, the air was too thick, there was no light and it smelled like rotten socks. Yet you knew better than to defy your mother when she was on edge like that. It would only result in another one of her annoying lectures so you decided to put your tendencies away for a few seconds and stumble down the stairs.

Navigation through the dark cellar was difficult enough, even without your usual fears. In the day, at least a sliver of sunlight reached the room from the only window in the room which was at ground level. That precious ray of sunlight was your only guide down in the dark and you used it to navigate down the steep cold steps made out of stones.

“Damnit-!” you cursed out loud when you almost tripped down the staircase, hand shooting to the side to steady yourself. By sheer luck, you had managed to evade toppling down, which would most definitely result in an injury, not to mention the scolding you would receive. After you were properly on your feet, you skipped down the last few steps, urge to leave steadily rising. Spotting the wine bottle on the wooden rack, you made your way to it, palm clutching around the glass and yanking it from the shelf.

With the bottle now in your hold, you quickly race up the staircase to escape the scary cellar. You release a sigh once you finally emerge on the surface of the cottage. You always felt safer when firmly grounded, the fact that you were under the Earth’s initial surface irked you to the bones.

“Is everything alright? I heard a thud…” your mother asks with concern lacing her tone. You quickly nod, straightening your head and wishing her a good afternoon as you grabbed the basket laying at the door. “Bye, sweetie. Don't forget to watch out for the w-”

You slammed the door behind you, not giving her a chance to finish her sentence. And off you go…

~

The dark forest was really pretty. As much as it radiated a mysterious aura, you weren't one to deny that it allured you. Lush trees huddled in clusters casting shadows over the pebbled path, emerald bushes full of ripe fruit, and most importantly; the shuffle that never seemed to quiet down. It accompanied anyone who dared to set foot on the sacred piece of land, reminding them of the unrelenting presence of the lone wolf. Almost as if he was always there, watching you, judging you for the disapproval he received from the common folk.

This was his turf.

You softly hummed to yourself, skipping every other step. You weren't sure why you were in such a good mood, perhaps it was the knowledge that you would soon spend time with your grandma. She was a lovely person with a very loving and caring personality. Whenever you were with her, you felt free, knowing that she wouldn't judge you. She liked to keep an open mind when it came to people, knowing firsthand exactly what it felt like to be misunderstood or misjudged.

As you were walking, you couldn't help but get distracted by the pretty flowers that bloomed alongside the path you were walking on, ranging in every color, shape, and size. Daisies, poppies, mini sunflowers, bellflowers, and bluebells. Like a true nature cocktail. Placing the basket on the side, you carefully looked around to confirm that the coast was clear, before bending down and picking some of the flowers.

But of course, you couldn't just stop at a few. Before you even realized it, you had already managed to make a small bouquet of wildflowers. You admired the flowers in your hold, each petal like a drop of color on a fresh canvas.

It was so pretty.

While you were so engrossed in your own little world, you didn't hear the rustling of the leaves, nor did notice the figure looming in the shadows. Eyes glued to the petals, you smiled with glee. Granny will definitely love them! She always had a soft spot for anything that had to do with nature, especially if it was from her beloved grandchild.

As you were spinning one of the daisies between your fingers, you suddenly felt a heavy presence behind you. With a squeak, you whipped your head around, eyes landing on a young boy. His eyes were blown out wide, glancing at you with unfiltered curiosity as he raked over you. A soft smile was present on his lips, yet a hint of uncertainty has managed to surface when the corner of his lip twitched.

He was waiting, that much was obvious. Staring at you and waiting for your reaction.

And you immediately knew who he was.

The lone wolf.

You thought the name did him dirty. He didn't seem like someone you should avoid, let alone cast out of the community. His soft doe-like eyes, still blown out wide, were staring at your form as he fiddled with the hem of his cream-colored bouse. Paired with the simple cotton trousers, he almost looked like any other villager, maybe just prettier, but with a quick glance, you could see the dark circles under his eyes.

And then it suddenly hit you...where does he even live?

He lived in the forest, or did he? Definitely not in the village. But did he own a house? Was he there alone? Where were his parents?

With all these questions running through your mind, you almost forgot that the boy was still standing in front of you. His mellow cough stirred you from your trance. You glanced back at him, a question at the tip of your tongue but he beat you to it. “You...you didn’t run away?” he whispered, stating it more as a question than a statement.

Your eyes widened in shock at the softness of his voice. Unsure of how to respond, you settled on simply nodding your head, indicating that you weren't going run from him as everyone else did.

The joy that erupted could be only described as adorable and childlike. It warmed your heart when you saw the cheeky grin spread across his face as he scanned you over, with even more curiosity than before. You were a special one.

“You know, you're the first person that even let me finish a sentence in ages,” he continued when you stayed rooted to your spot. Your gaze fell down to your boots before you found it in yourself to answer him, “y-yeah? Well...the villagers tend to be very judgmental-”

“Definitely! They seem to think I have the plague or something,” he halfheartedly chuckled, but you could sense the underlying pain in his tone. The more you observed him, the more you felt like people were monsters. Of course, you didn't exactly know him well, but just the fact that you were one of the only people to ever hold a short conversation with him spoke in volumes.

“I'm Chan, by the way...and you are?”

“Y-Y/N. I'm Y/N,” you quickly responded, regaining your voice back. “Y/N...sweet! That's a beautiful name,” he smiled sincerely, and at that moment, you were convinced that everyone had read him wrong. There was no way that this kind human deserved to be cast aside like that.

“Chan,” you whispered, almost tasting how the name felt on your tongue. You decided you liked the way it sounded. “That's a lovely name too…”

Chan could only smile in response, his eyes crinkling into small crescent moons and dimples appearing on his cheeks. His eyes shone brightly, despite the dark circles, and you found yourself wishing to be the reason he smiled like that.

“Thank you. Where are you going, by the way, Y/N?” he questioned with a curious glance. “Oh, I'm going to visit my grandmother,” you responded swiftly, hand reaching for the basket that was till now just laying on the side. As soon as Chan saw you struggle with it, along with the bouquet that you were carefully trying to hold on to, his hand shot out, grabbing the basket from you. “Here, let me help. I can carry it,” he smiled, holding the weaved vessel as if it weighed nothing at all.

“T-Thank you.” Your lips pursed, but there was no denying that you felt the relief. Your hand had begun to cramp prior to you stopping on the sidewalk to enjoy the flowers so you were infinitely grateful that Chan had decided to help you out. The dimpled boy let out a chuckle at your shyness before his gaze returned to the landscape in front of him.

“So where are you headed, Y/N?” Chan grunts, transferring the basket from one hand to another to lessen the ache. Oh right. You almost forgot the purpose of your trip in the first place with everything that has happened. “I'm heading to my grandma’s.”

“Hmm, and where does she live?” he quizzed, “we're walking in the direction of the forest. If we don't turn, we'll be walking straight into the den of the bears…”

For someone who never got to talk to people, Chan sure seemed to talk a lot. Yet you wouldn't have it any other way. You found his voice incredibly soothing, not to mention the sweet smile he exhibited once you gave him just the tiniest bit of attention. He truly was a lone soul, robbed of the fruit we call life.

No human can live without contact with others. No one can survive without at least occasionally talking to others. And it made you wonder, just who exactly did this boy talk to when no one was there for him? Just how hard had he taught himself to stay sane while everyone ran away from him?

Your inner monologue was soon interrupted when Chan started to hum a tune in a rather obnoxiously loud voice. You couldn't suppress the burst of laughter which made him instantly turn to you, a question balancing at the tip of his tongue, but when he saw your cutely scrunched up face, with your cheeks bunching up, he couldn't help but laugh too.

Both of your melodic chuckles echoed through the land. Chan hasn't laughed like that in a long long time, he realized. Scratch that, he has barely ever laughed, let alone with another person. It felt oddly liberating, almost as if he wasn't alone anymore. Like he didn't have to face the world on his own. If this is what it felt like to have a companion, not even a friend, a companion, Chan prayed that he could keep you by his side forever.

And not in this weird possessive way. No. A way more gentle type of want blossomed in his chest. He longed to see you every day, laugh with you, hold quiet nonsensical conversations, pick flowers...Anything but this solitude he had to deal with daily. It was hard, very hard to face the world on his own. Whenever things got bad, he had nobody to rely on, no shoulder to cry on.

He didn't want to be alone anymore. Not after he got a taste of what it feels like to have a friend.

“Are you sure it's this way?” his voice rang through the place, almost making you jump in your own skin. “I'm telling you, the bears’ den is just up ahead.” You chuckled, nodding your head in agreement. That's what most people thought, but you knew of the small path hidden behind rustling trees that lead your grandmother's cottage.

“Do you know of the woodpecker’s cave?”

Chan stared at you, confusion visible in his eyes as he glanced around, almost as if trying to find a lead on the mysterious woodpecker's cave you were talking about. He was surprised he had never heard of it, as he prided himself on the vast knowledge of the forest he possessed. It wasn't often that he came across something he didn't know. “I- where is it?” he sheepishly trailed, not wanting to admit his lacking knowledge in the area. “It's right behind the big oak tree, you know — the one where the summer celebrations take pl-”

Oh.

You almost forgot. He has never been there. Nobody has ever invited him to the annual summer festival. You panicked, apologies spilling from the tip of your tongue but Chan interjected, letting a small chuckle escape his pursed lips.

“It's okay. I've never attended the festival, but I've watched from afar.” you could see the saddened smile and you felt a pang of guilt in your heart. But Chan quickly recovered, turning back to you with his curious gaze as he implored, “so where does she live? I mean — I doubt that she lives in a cave-”

“-of course not, you dummy,” you swatted his arm, making him fall into another fit of giggles. “Behind the cave, there's a hidden passageway. If you take it, it will lead you to an open field. Granny’s house is there.”

His lips formed an O as he nodded, partially shocked that there was anything like that he didn't know of. “Does she live alone?” “She does. My mother has offered her to move in with us many times but she keeps refusing. I think she feels attached to this place,” you pushed a branch out of your way, “and also...I think she likes the freedom that she has here. My granny is free spirited, kind, and she doesn't appreciate judgmental and overbearing people. She likes to make her own opinions on everything.”

“Oh,” Chan breathed out in surprise, “she sounds like an amazing person.” You nodded, eyes crinkling in response and forming little crescents on your face. At that moment, Chan thought you were the most amazing and beautiful person to walk on earth. As stupid as it sounded, the short conversation you had with him opened his eyes and showed him the best things life could offer. Quite literally. It showed him the importance of bonds between humans. Except, Chan still wasn't sure if you could be called friends, having only known you for less than an hour, but if he could go ahead and guess, bonds like these were called friendship.

“Granny really loves flowers too, that's why I decided to pick her some,” you mused, still holding onto the bouquet of wildflowers. Hopefully, she'd like them just as much as you did.

Liked flowers? Hmm.

This was new. As much as Chan didn't know much about the other villagers, this sparked a flame of recognition deep down inside of him. He remembered seeing this person on many occasions, but after the fateful night, the night he would always remember as the worst moment of his life.

But could it really be them?

The question was at the tip of his tongue, he was about to ask you if your grandmother was the owner of the flower shop on the main square. He remembered visiting that place a few times when he was younger. When he wasn't alone. But he couldn't handle asking you. At least not yet.

He had to first check for himself.

Make sure it was the same person. He wouldn't dare get his hopes up, just for them to be squashed down like a fly. Not after all the heartache and disappointment he's been through.

“Y-Y/N?” he slowly asked, turning around and looking ahead with a blank stare. You hummed in response, tugging on your fitted sleeve and wiping off nonexistent dust from your attire. Chan's pupils momentarily dilated, as he carefully weighed out his words. “I-I… I'm sorry, but I think I have to go. I j-just realized I have to-” his voice rose a pitch, turning into an apologetic squeak, as he struggled to speak.

“-Chan,” you softly spoke, hand reaching out to graze over his which was tightening onto the basket, knuckles turning white. Chan looked up, afraid of your reaction. What a friend he was (or at least almost-friend). He just met you and offered to help you with the heavy basket, only to abandon you moments later. But to his utter surprise, you didn't seem to mind. Or that's at least what your eyes were saying. You opened your mouth to speak, “it's completely fine. Don't worry about it,” you tried your best to calm him down, his distress breaking your heart. “You've already helped me a lot so don't fret. Now go on-” you motioned for him to go with a grin, “-go ahead and do whatever you have to.”

With the reassurance, Chan finally handed you back the basket, his warm hand brushing over your cold one. After the swift exchange, he braced himself for the next words he was going to utter.

“See you soon, Y/N,” he smiled brightly, waving before eventually running off into the deep forest.

You enthusiastically waved back, but you never would have expected his predictions to come true so soon.

~

Right after you parted, Chan's plan fell into motion. He ran as fast as he could, a skill he has learned as a child after the horrible tragedy that made him an orphan, skipping over rocks, fallen trees, and virtually anything that stood in his way. He recalled the information that you told him mere minutes ago. A cave. He was looking for a cave. But after minutes have passed, he has still yet to find the mysterious woodpecker's cave.

He had to find it. And soon.

He wasn't sure exactly how much time he had, but he knew that not much. It was only so long that you would be picking flowers along the path. He knew he had to speed up. Finally, after around ten minutes had passed, he was sure he found it. The cave itself was small, only a few meters deep, and to his surprise, there wasn't anything there. Only a few rocks and pebbles covering the earthy ground, nothing more, nothing less.

He looked to the right from the cave, hands held in front of his face to swat out any stubborn branches. And there he could see it, a small red ribbon, tied to the trunk of a big oak tree.

Heureka.

With a little bit of further inspection, he realized that there was a path there, indeed, that led to a massive flower field. If it weren't for the ribbon, he would have entirely missed it. Breaking into a light jog with a clear goal in mind, Chan set off to find your grandmother so that he could hopefully seek answers.

In the meantime, the recollection of the horrible afternoon, almost exactly a decade ago which left him alone in this world, rang through his mind like a fever dream.

~

Back then, Chan was still a young child. A child stranger to the cruelty of the world, and yet he was at least a happy child. He lived with his mother in the woods, and despite that they were the only ones to live outside the village, most people still treated them with respect. But Chan knew, even at such a young age that his mother was different from all the other people.

She was gifted with the ability to cast simple spells.

Some would call it magic, but Chan knew at the time that his mothers' craft required more than just a few gibberish words. It was in a sense a form of art, which meant that it couldn't be made out of thin air. It was something that had to be practiced for years, skills polished to perfection, and only then could you truly call yourself a wizard or a witch like his mother.

She spent hours upon hours studying different spellbooks, plants, and old scrolls, not to mention how much wielding magic drained her energy. It was her passion that she poured her entire heart into, but people never took too kindly to magic, didn't they…

It was a spring morning, nothing unusual. Chan's mother was headed to the village market to sell what their crops produced. It was their only way of making money, yet Chan never found himself unhappy about it. The harvest wasn't bad this year, and they were left with a lot of food to spare. His mother would usually set out at the crack of dawn, woven basket on her back heavy with the produce she would later sell on the market to the other villagers.

Overall, it was a normal day for them, nothing unusual, no signs of the tragedy that was about to occur. To this day, Chan wishes he had gone with his mother. Maybe if he was there, he could prevent her premature death.

“I'm leaving, Channie,” his mother called to him at the door, a sweet smile present on her lips. “I promise I'll bring back some cherries since you love them so much.”

Little Chan could only yell in excitement, the sweet taste of the expensive fruit already lingering on his tongue, causing a little drool to spill from the side of his mouth. “Wipe your mouth, son,” his mother chuckled, “I'll be back at noon.”

That day, the worst tragedy of his life would occur, yet little Chan had no idea. He was lulled in blissful ignorance, daydreaming about cherry pie topped with a dash of mint, and perhaps, but only if they were lucky enough, a dollop of whipped cream. It has been a long time since he's had a sweet treat. A really long time.

Chan's mother was a caring person if that wasn't obvious, so even after the hour long trek to the village when she was covered in sweat and wanted nothing more than to open her stand and sell all her produce as soon as possible, she couldn't help but approach the commotion that was in front of the baker's house.

She didn't think twice before dropping her basket and rushing to the scene, pushing away all the people in her way. In the middle of the circle sat a young woman, holding onto a man, likely her husband. She was shivering, sobs were racking her throat and tears were streaming down her face, staining her cheeks. The man was...to put it nicely, he was bleeding. A lot. There was a big gash on his temple, it almost looked like he hit himself on the corner of a table or fell down the stairs.

His wife was desperately sobbing, clutching onto him and peppering his forehead with kisses. It seemed like she, along with the rest of the people thought his fate was sealed. He was rapidly losing blood and they'd never get him into town quick enough. The village's doctor was currently on a trip so there wasn't anyone qualified to help him.

Or at least that's what they thought.

“Move! Please — I think I can help him-” she shouted, kneeling beside the dying man. She ripped off a piece of her skirt, ignoring the shocked looks of the villagers, but the weeping woman was too far gone to care. She nodded profusely, wiping off her tears and whispering a quiet ‘thank you’.

After she pressed the cloth to his wound, she started quietly chanting the spell. It was a complicated spell that required a lot of concentration and drained a lot of energy. She was lucky she even ate breakfast this morning or she wouldn't have enough strength to continue.

By now, most people around her have realized what she was doing. She was casting a spell.

She was wielding magic. In other words, she was a witch.

Murmurs and whispers could be heard, many without a doubt talking behind her back and spreading rumors, yet she couldn't find it in herself to care. All that was on her mind was to save this man's life. If she could prevent his death, she could save the entire family. From the corner of her eye, she could see a young child, around the age of her son, standing by with tears in their eyes. They were clutching onto a small plush rabbit, watching their father with worry.

She had to save him.

After a few agonizing minutes, the wound started to slowly heal, flesh coating the bloodied spot in a matter of seconds, almost as if awakened by the dance of her fingers and the symphony of her voice. She had managed to save him.

The man coughed a few times, chest heaving up and down before his eyes opened. His wife and child immediately hugged him, throwing themselves onto him, tears of pure happiness trailing down their faces.

The woman smiled, gathering all her things back and strapping the basket on her back. When she turned to leave, letting the family rejoice peacefully, she heard a faint whisper. The young child, which couldn't have been a day older than her own son, was boring their innocent sparkly eyes into her. “Thank you,” they whispered.

The wife turned around too, her sobs having diminished into hiccups, “please, stop by when you return from the market. You can have as much bread as you want from our shop, on the house, of course.”

The woman nodded, setting off to the market. She was glad she used her powers to help somebody. To save a life.

Her happiness was short lived, however. Once she turned around the corner of the street, she was ambushed by two men; the ‘mayor’ and the butcher.

“You are under arrest for practicing witchcraft,” he grumbled, holding both her hands together. “No-no! Please! I have a son! I have a small boy to feed-”

Her pleas fell on deaf ears. The two men dragged her to the village guildhall which also served as a prison. They threw her into a cell and locked her up. They treated her like a criminal, with the same attitude as the one they'd use if they were dealing with a murderer or thief. And she was neither. She just wanted to help, yet they insisted on tying her hands together and gagging her with a piece of cloth so she couldn't perform any spells.

She knew what was coming. In a few hours, they'd burn her at the stake.

Meanwhile, Chan was getting impatient. His mother was supposed to be back a few hours ago and he couldn't help but worry. She would scold him for disobeying her like that and leaving on his own. But something must be wrong for her to not return like that.

Everything after was like a blur, and Chan could only remember bits and pieces. He left their cottage in a hurry and trekked to the village.

But nothing could prepare him for the sight. He stumbled onto the main square, shock written all over his face as he watched the gruesome scene in front of him. He saw the flames, the burning, bright red flames that were licking away at her. She was tied to a wooden pole, left there to die as the fire consumed her body.

Chan felt sick. Tears started to obstruct his vision, making everything seem like a blur. He ran back to the forest, tripping over numerous branches as he rushed to get back home. Away from all of this. On his way, he had to empty his stomach, ridding it of his breakfast.

He desperately hoped this was all a dream, that he would wake up from this nightmare to find himself sitting up in his bed with his mother in the room next door.

But that never happened.

He had to accept the cold harsh truth, that he was alone now. Nobody would help him. They'll probably avoid him like the plague. More tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. He stumbled back inside the cottage, the once small space feeling way too big.

~

Chan was running, running like a madman. He had to find her, for only she could provide him with answers. He thought she had died, or perhaps moved away (which he was right, she did, just not as far as he expected her to). She was the only person that wouldn't scream at him to go away, or at least he hoped.

She was the only person that could hopefully provide him with answers.

After a few minutes, a small brick cottage finally came to view. This must be it, Chan thought. Adrenalin was pumping in his veins, yet he still felt nervous. Was she even the right person?

But there wasn't time for doubt, he was already there. The big wooden door with a small peephole greeted him with a sneer, reminding him that he still had to knock and introduce himself. His hand curled into a fist, knuckles coming into contact with the wooden surface three times.

“Come in.”

~

You were walking past the woodpecker's cave, a steady bounce to your step. In your left hand, you clutch the flowers, while in your right, you hold onto the heavy basket. You didn't get to tell him that since he ran off so quickly, but you were insanely grateful for Chan carrying the basket for so long. He was such a nice boy, you genuinely hoped to meet him again soon, but you wondered out loud, when would you see him again? You didn't even know where he lived, who he lived with, what he enjoyed. You didn't know anything.

And that hurt the most.

Did anyone know what his favorite color was? What was his comfort food? What was his favorite song?

The answer was probably no. He had lived in isolation for so long and you started to feel guilty that you haven't talked to him earlier. You were always warned to stay away from him (for what reason, you didn't know) but you never actually properly met him.

You passed the oak tree with the red ribbon that led to your granny's flower field. Oh, how you couldn't wait to share the beef roast and apple pie with her. You haven't eaten since breakfast and it was nearing midday now.

You could see the small cottage materialize as you walked closer and closer. Your hand was aching, but you found comfort in the fact that you were almost there. Just a few more minutes and you'd be there, you tried to tell yourself.

Finally, you were just a few meters away, only a few more steps and you'd be there. Your hand reached for the door, knuckles tapping at the wood exactly three times.

“Come in!”

You let yourself in, delicately placing the basket on the ground and slipping off your shoes. Peeling your eyes from the ground, you were met with dark brown orbs that were staring at you from the side of the bed. Your gaze flickered between your granny and the second person.

“C-Chan?”

The boy chuckled, looking back down to his lap. He was glad to see you again, despite the fact that you saw each other just recently, he already found himself missing you. “Come have a seat, Y/N. We have a lot of explaining to do,” your grandma proclaimed, smoothing out the sheets on her bed. “O-Oh, sure...let me just prepare the food…”

You ran to the kitchen to grab some plates so you could set the table for you all to eat and although your mother had only prepared for two people, her portions were usually massive. You were thankful, for once. Still trying to process what just happened, you start pulling out plates, Chan joining your side and taking out the silverware.

“I'm sorry, Y/N...it's really complicated, and I think your grandma is the only one who can give me answers to what happened to my only family.”

You nodded in understanding, it's not like you were angry at him in any way, shape, or form, more so confused, but not angry. “It's alright, Chan. I'm not upset, just a little surprised. Let's first eat lunch and then we can discuss whatever you came here to find out.”

“Thanks.”

After setting the table, you and Chan help your grandmother sit on the chair, she is on the older side after all and requires a tad bit of assistance. Everything goes smoothly, you get to enjoy the tasty meal and down it with some of the fruit punch you found in her cabinet while she sips the wine you brought from home.

It is calm before the storm.

Swallowing a piece of the delicious beef roast, she turns away to look at you and Chan. You have yet to be told why he suddenly showed up here, and the curiosity is getting the better of you. You peer at him through your eyelashes, trying to be as discreet as possible but Chan notices. After all, years have passed since other humans were paying attention to him, so he has learned to feel every gaze on him. Natural instinct, if you will.

He reciprocates your curious stare with a rather awkward smile, flashing his dimples as he chews down the piece of pie. “Granny—” you mumble, wiping at your mouth with a napkin, a nice cream napkin with a flowery stitch detail. “—I think you could maybe start explaining-” you take a deep breath, “-explaining whatever is going on here. Like what's he doing here,” you point to your companion but quickly add, “-of course I don't mind at all, Chan. It's a pleasure to have you...but you know, it's just a bit—”

“—it's fine,” Chan reassures you, placing his palm on top of yours and smoothing his thumb over your knuckles. His hands are soft, really soft, you realize.

“Well,” your grandma takes a deep breath, readjusting the glasses on the top of her nose, “Chan's will live with me from now on!” she exclaims joyfully as if she was simply stating what she had for breakfast.

Your eyes bulge out of your sockets and you look over to Chan, who to your surprise looks just as shocked as you are. “I-I will do what?!”

“You will live with me,” she smiles, “of course, only if you want to, but let's save that for later. I should start the explanation, it's the least I can do.”

Now you were confused. Dropping your fork, you focus your gaze on your grandmother, the gears spinning in your head at full speed. What was she even talking about? What did she owe Chan, and more importantly, how does she know him?

“It's a long story, you should buckle up, kids,” she heartily chuckles, placing her utensils neatly down on the plate. “It all started when I met her on the market one day. We immediately clicked, so I invited her to my flower shop for some tea…”

~

“I—I can't believe it— I mean… Chan's mother-”

“-yes. Chan's mother saved your dad, sweetie. If it wasn't for her, you would have grown up without a father. It was a noble act on her side, but an act she paid dearly for.”

You were still overcome by the shock, staring down at your lap when you heard quiet sobs. Quickly whipping your head to the side, you saw Chan whimpering, hands fisting at the table cloth as he tried to muffle his cries. It broke your heart to see him like this, to see someone so kind, yet scared and unjustly treated, finally let it out. He must have been in so much pain all these years, mourning the sudden death of his mother, his only family, but you couldn't imagine how much more it stung knowing that she was persecuted for saving someone's life.

It was absolutely infuriating.

And you could sense how much Chan tried to hold back, not wanting to cause a scene. “I should probably go get some fresh air,” he mumbled while abruptly standing up from his seat and walking to the door.

You were left inside with your grandma, along with a thick layer of sadness and guilt. It wasn't your fault, you knew that, yet you still couldn't help but feel partially guilty for what happened to his mother. It ate away at you from the inside, the cruelty some people possessed.

“I should probably go check on him,” you whispered, standing up and heading for the door, just like he did a few minutes ago. Your grandmother nodded in agreement, her eyes shining brightly, yet you could still see how the corners were a little moist.

Swinging the door open, your eyes landed on Chan's slumped up body that was splayed against the porch, knees pressed to his shoulders as he gazed at the sun. The wildflowers flowed in the air, tousled by the afternoon breeze, painting an almost idyllic picture of a situation that most certainly wasn't that.

After a few seconds of self-contemplation and voices screaming in your head, you finally slid down next to him, eyes locked at the view.

“Some people really suck, don't they?”

Chan tried to discreetly wipe his tears off with the sleeve of his shirt before replying, “yeah. They can be quite the bastards.”

There is a bitter edge to his voice, but it was different than it was back in the house, the anger seemingly evaporating from his being, leaving only grief and hurt.

Your hand instinctively reaches out for his, clutching onto his calloused fingers, “I'm sorry, Chan, I really am. This was something tragic and cruel. It should have never happened. It's not much but...if you ever need to talk, I'm here for you, okay?”

Chan wordlessly nods, eyes still trained at the horizon but you can feel his hand clutching yours and tightening its grip. “I-If you want, you can move in with granny. A-And I'll visit you every day, okay?” you squeak out making Chan softly chuckle.

“Thanks, I appreciate it. I really do. C-Can I hug you?”

Your breath hitches in your throat and your eyes widen. “Of course.”

~

epilogue

“Wait up, Chan! I- I'm not as f-fast as you are,” you panted heavily while trying to catch up to the boy. He was running a few yards ahead of you, clutching onto a picnic basket that your grandmother prepared. She filled it with many delicious treats and a small bottle of grape juice.

“Well you're gonna have to catch me-!” he giggled, hiding behind a tree as you frantically looked for him.

“Boo,” he shouted, making you yelp. He burst into another fit of giggles while dragging you to the spot you two always went to. It was your secret little hideout.

It was here that you met Chan for the first time exactly three years ago. And you couldn't be any happier that you decided to disobey instructions and pick those flowers near the road...

© April 2021 by crispy-chan — all rights reserved. do not modify, copy, repost, translate or claim as your own.

a/n: hello!! if you read all of this (mess), I can't thank you enough <3 let me know how you felt reading this dumpsterfiretruck of a fic :b

network tags (cause tumblr tags rarely work): @kpopscape @kdiarynet @k-dinernet @kwritersworld @ultkpopnetwork @newskynet

#kpopscape #kdiarynet #kdiner #kwritersworldnet #ultkpop #newskynet #bang chan x reader #bang chan x reader angst #bang chan x reader fluff #bang chan imagines #hyunjin #stray kids oneshots #stray kids angst #stray kids scenarios #skz angst #skz smut #skz fairytale au #bang chan fairytale au #bang chan x reader fairytale au #little red riding hood au #stray kids fanfic

[orionwhispers]

Bravado // Tommy Shelby Imagine

(A/N - its been a long ass time and i wanted to ease myself back into writing but this ended up being long and also super super angsty. sorry that this illness imagine came during covid idk whats going on with my imagination lol. love you guys SO much thank you for always being there. reblogs, comments and likes mean everything to me.)

trigger warnings - LOTS of angst. fluff. implied smut. my hc that tommy has a fear of illness, bad descriptions of hospitals. 

He knew something wasn’t right the minute his car pulled into the driveway and you weren’t waiting for him under the great concrete arch, with that smile on your face that made his knees buckle and heart race like he was a love struck teenager.

You were always there as soon as he came home. Barefoot in a broderie dress in the summer with tousled hair and baby pink toenails. Wrapped in a hand knit blanket with fire flushed cheeks and woollen socks in the winter - even running across the gravel and into his arms in the middle of a storm, the ice cold rain whipping across both of your faces as you kissed under the light of the moon.

No matter how shit his day or week or month was, no matter what stained his hands or darkened his heart, no matter what lay heavy and hard deep in his gut, seeing you made everything vanish in the night air like wisps of smoke. You made everything worth it.

He refused to give into fear, he wasn’t that kind of man, so he swallowed all of the nagging thoughts and apprehensions as he came up to the dark foggy windows and the iron cast door. It felt strange turning his key in the lock without the weight of you in his arms or the sticky peach kisses you left down his jaw and neck, the smell of the vanilla in your hair and lavender on your skin.

The second thing that sent a jolt of white hot electricity down his spine was Mary, watching him anxiously and wringing her hands in the hallway. Usually, she was calm and collected, taking his jacket and leather travel bag with her signature placid smile and gentle fingers. Usually she would return to the kitchen and finish up whatever she was making - a hearty roast lamb with rosemary and garlic and glazed potatoes or a pheasant pie with honeyed carrots, always followed by a three layer chocolate ganache cake that was so thick and rich you practically had to saw through the sponge. She would always have dinner piping hot and dripping with gravy by the time the two of you returned downstairs, no matter how many hours it took for you to get... reacquainted.

Now she looked sheepish and pale, her skin almost translucent under the syrupy yellow lights. There was something about the way she stood, as still as a wraith, that made his blood run cold.

“Mary. Where is she?”

“Mr Shelby, I - ” Her voice was strained and hesitant, like a slowly fraying rope.

“Where is my wife?”

She moved forward, creases forming around her eyes. “We tried ringing you in Liverpool but the hotel said that you had already left, so we...”

“You rang me? Why? What’s happened?” He couldn’t hold back the desperation in his voice, and it lingered and festered around them both like a poisonous gas.

“Mrs Shelby came down with something a few days ago, we thought that it was just a common cold but unfortunately she seems to be getting worse.”

He tore upstairs before he could even think, his shoes leaving perfect muddy footprints on the cream carpet. He almost slipped at the top, and he lurched forward, his hands reaching out and holding onto the portrait hanging above the stairs for stability.

It was the oil of the two of you. A soft, personal picture that revealed more than he ever possibly could. The love in your gazes, the hint of a soft, drunk smile on the dangerous gangsters face as you leaned into him, melting into him like butter, him holding onto you as though he couldn’t bear to let you go. It was his favourite photo, one that always washed a sense of calmness over him, a reminder of the woman that he loved and the way he felt around you. But now he felt as if was riding out a terrible storm.

He lived his life with no fear, he was capable and practical and used to the sound of bullets and the copper sweet smell of blood. There was really only one thing, one terrible thing that he couldn’t control, and that was what drove him crazy.

Sickness.

It gnawed at his insides like a rabid dog, clawed under his skin and settled behind his ribs. Losing someone he loved was like ripping out a piece of his heart straight from his chest, and he knew better than anyone what it was like to lose somebody to a violent, quick death - the pull of a trigger or the smack of a fist. At least in those moments he could lock them away in his mind, he could leap in front of a bullet or crack the neck of any man who dared to get too close to you, but there was almost nothing he could do to stop sickness, and the devastation it caused.

When you first met him it had been a surprise, almost amusing, that this powerful God of a man had these small little quirks. His house was always sparkling clean and smelling of Lysol, his fruit bowls were filled with citrus fruits and round, plump blueberries. He always made sure you were wrapped up warm in the winter, always placing his coat around your shoulders and bringing an extra pair of gloves in case you forgot yours. It was adorable, the way he took care of you,

It wasn’t till a little bit later when you learnt of those he had lost. His mother and his childhood sweetheart taken away from him much too soon. It broke your heart when he told you late one night of the sallow tint of their skin and the way he could almost see them vanishing from earth, the way that illness had moulded and changed those he loved the most.

You understood.

Your best friends older sister had died of tuberculosis when you were young. The elderly woman across the street from your first flat had passed away from a bout of horrendous smallpox. Your brother lost his first child to pneumonia. Times were changing but the fear of disease was ever present. Medicine was improving and so was knowledge, but still there remained a huge, dark cloud of what could happen, one that always hung around your husbands head.

——————————————-

All Tommy could think was the worst as he ran through the landing. His heart was in his ears and his bones felt loose, like the sweet liquorice the two of you would share at the pictures. He came to a stop by the bedroom door, tentatively pressing his palm onto the wood and ever so slightly pushing it open, listening to the gentle creak it made.

The room was warm. The lace curtains were pulled shut, and your favourite lavender candles were flickering on your vanity, casting syrupy shadows against the wall. He exhaled loudly as he saw you, bundled up under a mountain of satin sheets and hand crocheted blankets, your hair splayed across the pillows.

He moved to your bedside, pretending not to notice the large, untouched jug of water and the tissue box next to you, hoping and silently praying that you weren’t sick - just asleep and waiting for him, ready to wrap your arms around his neck.

You were silent, your lips parting every so often as you breathed, your chest rising and falling. He reached out gently, as though he was picking up shards of glass, and brushed his fingers against your cheek. Your forehead was beading with sweat, your cheeks flushed, and yet your skin was ice cold to the touch. He recoiled quickly, his heart dropping like a weight into his gut, and he inhaled a shaky, deep breath.

He saw something curled up beside your hands, a fluffy white cloud with sparkling emerald green eyes trained on him. Despite everything, he smiled. He thought of your birthday - of strawberry cheesecake and champagne, and surprising you with a ribbon wrapped little kitten as you woke up. He thought of that day often. How you smiled and leapt onto him with tears in your eyes, his whole world blissfully quiet as he spent the day in bed with you and your new best friend.

He would have preferred a big dog, one with sharp teeth and a menacing gaze to ward of visitors whilst he was away. But you were drawn to the tiny, malnourished runt of the litter who was scared of his own shadow. A kitten no bigger than the size of his clenched fist. A little white hairball who only ate and drank from fine pink saucers. A cat that had a very frustrating habit of crawling in the bedroom right as Tommy’s hand was up your skirt and his lips on the sweet spot of your neck, the tiny thing mewling and crying until you picked him up and nuzzled him into your chest.

He was a horse lover through and through, and never saw himself having time for any other pets. But in the summer when you saw the litter from one of John’s barn cats and fell in love with the sweet baby who mewled and cried and crawled right into your lap - he knew that he would give you anything and everything you wanted.

Including a cat who refused to accept that Tommy was the man of the house.

“Hello, boy.” He said, leaning over to scratch Comet under the chin, using a voice he only reserved for the two of you. “Have you been looking after my girl whilst I’ve been gone?”The cat meowed loudly in reply, pressing his head into Tommy’s palm but not moving from his spot beside you.

Tommy suddenly felt you shift under him and his heart lurched into his throat. He turned to face you, cupping the side of your clammy face as your eyelids fluttered open, blinking under the candlelight. A rush of red hot heat built up in his belly as you registered him, that angelic smile growing on your face, your tired eyes glimmering with recognition of the man you loved.

“Tommy?”

“Hi, Princess.”

You smiled sadly. “You’ve been gone for weeks - I missed you.”

He felt his brows crease as he rubbed along your jawline softly, trying to stop you from falling back asleep. He felt panic in his throat as sour as vomit, and he tried to bite back the nagging feeling that something was very wrong.

“No, sweetheart, I’m early. It’s only Thursday. I left on Monday.”

“Oh.” You said softly, your voice as gentle as the breeze rustling through the trees outside. “Well let me welcome you back properly - let me make you a lemon drizzle or a...” You lifted your head from the pillow and shuffled under your blanket, but he pressed his hands against your shoulder and held you down.

“No. You’re staying right here.”

“But - ”

“No.”

“Hmm. Don’t leave me, Tommy.”

“Never.” He said, his tone firm and cast like stone. He stroked your hair softly as your breathing slowed, but it didn’t nothing to quell the hard thump of his heart in his chest.

——————————-

Tommy left the room as quietly as he could after you had fallen asleep in his arms. He hadn’t wanted to move, not when you were pressed against his chest, looking ethereal but vacant, sweat beading under your brow and your face lacking colour. He wanted to stay with you, curled up by his side, his fingers laced through yours, the sound of your heart thumping in his ears.

But he was a man of action, and seeing you there - your lips cracked and dry, shudders passing through your body and goosebumps raised over your skin - he couldn’t fight the fiery urge to do everything in his power to make you feel alright again.

He found Mary waiting outside the door, chewing on the skin of her lips and swaying on the balls of her feet in anticipation. He grabbed her by the arm, harder than he meant to and something he would apologise for later, and pulled her downstairs, determined to let you rest whilst he got some answers. As soon as they reached the drawing room he spun her around, clenching his jaw and pointing a finger at the anxious maid.

“Where the fuck is the doctor? Why isn’t he here?”

“Mr Shelby.” She said, stepping forward calmly. “We phoned Doctor Moore and he came on Tuesday to see her.”

“Tuesday?” He seethed. “My wife has been ill since Tuesday and no one called me?”

Mary raised her hands in defeat, making it clear that the decision wasn’t hers to make. “He said it was nothing of concern . He gave her some antibiotics and told her to rest. She asked us herself not to call you, she knows how you.. worry.”

He ignored her sugar coated attempt to quell his anger, but if anything it made his vision darken. “When it’s my wife, It is always my concern.”

“Mr Shelby, we were just doing what we were told. As soon as we noticed she wasn’t getting better we phoned the surgery again, but Doctor Thomas was out for the day and said he didn’t think it was necessary to come round again, so we -”

“I don’t give a fuck. My wife is the number one priority. Ring every doctor in England if you have to, get somebody out here now to see my wife.”

He stormed away, anger pulsating through his veins, but he stopped suddenly, and threw out over his shoulder:

“And call Doctor Moore’s ’office. Tell him to expect a visit from the blinders soon.”

———————————————————

Once, when you were first dating, you found Tommy at the door to your flat at midnight, with scraped knuckles and blood dripping from his nose. You let him in, cleaned him up and sat with him in the bath until his skin was clear and his breathing was even. He knew that night, as you were pressed against his chest and his lips were pressed to your scalp that he was truly, madly and completely in love with you.

He remembered waking up the next morning, love drunk and blissful, and finding the bed beside him empty. He found you in the kitchen, wincing slightly and pressing a hot water bottle to your belly as you buttered a few pieces of toast. He rushed to your side with eyes as wide as saucers, concern lacing the features that were usually ice cold and hard as stone. You were completely baffled as he held you at arms length, his bright cerulean eyes trailing up and down your body for any signs of injury he might have missed. You were bewildered at the sight of the powerful man practically on his knees as he made sure you were alright, and you bit back a giggle as his warm palms spread over your abdomen.

“What is it? Whats wrong?”

“Tommy. Sweetheart.” You said softly, bringing his gaze level to yours. “It’s just - you know - that time of the month.”

He brushed off your embarrassment and ran his fingers through your hair, pressing a uncharacteristically gentle kiss to your forehead, sending a swarm of butterflies around the pain in your stomach.

“Do you need anything?” He asked, half ready to run down to the corner shop and buy any amount of painkillers or chocolate bars or your favourite lavender tea that you might need; not caring who saw the seemingly terrifying gang leader in the street with an armful of strawberry laces and salt water fudges.

You smiled like the summer sun and he melted, pulling you close as you whispered in the shell of his ear that you only needed him, and that was all you ever needed.

That was the first time you fully saw the extent of Tommy’s fear, but it definitely wasn’t the last. He knew he wanted you forever and always, and it took only six months of neck kisses and pillow talk, red hot jealousy and possessive hands across your skin and dancing in the rain and falling asleep under the pale yellow moon for him to put a ring on your finger. You were both consumed by your love, as though it was the only thing that mattered, it was insatiable and powerful - the wonderful mix of the devil and his sweet little angel.

And with that, came the good and the bad.

Like when you got food poisoning after Arthur cooked you a Sunday lunch to cheer you up whilst Tommy was gone. He came home to you retching over the toilet bowl with Mary holding back your hair, and swore that he would kill his brother with his own hands. Or when you slipped on ice and broke your arm while out with friends in London, and Tommy went ballistic and tried to ban you from ever leaving the house. It was just in his nature, how he always made sure you walked on the side furthest from the road, kept an arm slung around you whenever you were together, kept his eyes alert and vigilant no matter where you were - always looking out for his girl.

But he had never been like this.

———————————————————-

You were falling in and out of sleep. Waking up drowsy and heavy headed, squinting under bright lights, an ache in your skull and a burning in your throat. Every so often you felt a pinch in your upper arm, a squeeze on your palm, a kiss on your forehead - but you always drifted back into unconsciousness.

You weren’t sure how much time had passed when you woke up. The room was dark and you could hear the wind howling and whipping rain across the windows. You felt all too hot and all too cold at the same time, and the bed was damp with sweat. You struggled and tried to sit up, your head swaying and feeling as heavy as one of Tommy’s marble statues; as if you had been carved up and moulded. You could hear voices out in the hall, and unsteadily got to your feet, moving towards the noises.

“Pneumonia?” You heard through the thick wooden door, instantly recognising your husbands voice. “That’s impossible.”

“Sir...”

“Fucking. Impossible.” You knew his teeth were clenched.

The other man cleared his throat.“I know that it’s hard to hear, Mr Shelby, but your wife is very sick.”

“Just...” You felt your heart flutter and clench in your chest as the sound of his broken words, could practically feel his desperation and you wanted nothing more than to hold him. “Just tell me how to make her better.”

The second man spoke again, his voice softening and lowering, something you knew Tommy would hate. “Mr Shelby, the first round of antibiotics didn’t work and that means that it’s time for something stronger. Usually I would suggest the Birmingham hospital but I don’t think it’s equipped for...” He paused, trying to think over his words carefully. He wanted to convey the severity of the situation but also didn’t want to risk getting a bullet in his head from your very protective husband. “...This kind of reaction. I recommend we send her down to London for extra testing.”

“London? That’ll take two fucking hours. How the fuck can you recommend letting my wife travel that far? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“I’m my opinion this is the wisest choice to make, but unfortunately that could mean your wife might get worse before she gets better.”

“Worse than she already is? That’s not an option.”

The man you assumed was the doctor was insistent, trying his best to portray the severity of the situation but failing as your hardheaded husband had already come to a decision.

“I’ll look after her here. She’s safest with me.”

Once Tommy had spoken that was the final result, and the doctor slinked away into the darkness and shook his head. You remained peering from behind the door, your tongue between your teeth and your heart hammering.

Tommy took one look at you and frowned, scooping you in his arms like a baby despite your protests. He ignored you, acting playfully and cheerful but you could feel his heated skin and the see flare of his nostrils. You wanted to help him but didn’t know how, and let him tuck you under the covers once again. He kissed your crown and stroked your hair and you wanted to speak but no words would leave your mouth.

“You stay there this time. You know I have no problem with tying you to the bed.”

You rolled your eyes as he left, and his clenched fists and tightened shoulders told you all you needed to know.

————————————————-

Comet watched from his spot beside you as Tommy wrestled with the fire. He had noticed you shivering despite your high temperature, and bundled you up in blankets whilst sparking matches beside the fireplace. There were raindrops across his shoulders, evidence that he had been outside and to the log store right at the end of the property - a job that had always been for the Groundskeeper. Your precious cat nudged the tips of your fingers as you sighed and watched your husband throw kindling onto the coal, a deep unease settling over your gut.

“Tommy, my love, I’m fine.” It wasn’t exactly true but you felt he needed to hear it. But you could practically see your words wash over him and evaporate like ocean spray.

He was shaking a metal tin in his palm as he worked, and you groaned and let your head hit the pillow as he pulled out two round chalky tablets. You winced as he placed them beside your glass, your mouth already tasting like the sour talc medicine you had come to loathe. He raised his eyebrows and shot you a look that told you he wasn’t far off plugging your nose with his fingers to force you to swallow, and you childishly stuck up two fingers as you took them.

Your stomach rumbled with nausea and you bit back the bile in your throat as you settled into the pillows. You watched your husband as he pulled off his crisp white shirt, revealing his taut tan stomach and the deep ink tattoos that you loved to trace with your fingertips and your lips. There was something about him standing there, with those damn cerulean eyes and hidden muscles, that boyish hair and slender fingers that you wanted desperately around your throat, that made a million tiny fireworks spark inside of you.

But instead you pushed him away from you despite your body wanting nothing but him wrapped all around you. “Don’t get too close. I might have something contagious. I can’t have you getting sick.”

He ignored you, smiling inwardly at the way you always put others before yourself. It was one of the million reasons he had fallen for you. You were sweating out a high fever and shivering in pain, and yet you always thought of him first. He pressed his lips to your temple and pulled you closer, knowing that skin to skin was a way to bring down a fever - even if it meant he had to restrain himself from tugging off your pretty little white nightgown and whatever frilly things you had on underneath.

“I’m not going anywhere. Fuck it if I catch anything.”

“That’s easy for you to say. I’m the one who will have to dote on you hand and foot, you big baby.” You teased, pressing yourself into him playfully, finally giving in.

He held you like a child, trying to hard to soften despite the way you felt underneath him. Everything on him was running a mile a minute, and he couldn’t help but want to try everything and everything to make you feel better. His hand was pressed against your temple to always try and measure your fever, his other palm across your chest to try and count your heart rate.

He could hear Mary treading across the landing carpet but he ignored his anxious maid, instead letting himself be completely consumed by the only thing that mattered - you.

This was something he had to do by himself. He was the only one who could care for you he reminded himself. And he let the words tumble over and over in his skull until they were all he could hear.

—————————————————————-

You had been asleep for a long time.

Every hour, after pacing the length of the hall and sanitising his hands and wiping the beads of sweat above your brow and above your breasts he woke you up and held a cool glass to your lips. You mumbled and moaned and pushed him away but he kept his fingers across your wrist - harsher than he ever had before - and kept you as close to him as possible.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had cooked. Perhaps it was last valentines when the two of you had camped out under the stars, drinking icy white wine and sharing stolen, day drunk kisses. That night he had roasted a chicken over the fire and it had burnt to a crisp as the two of you rolled around the grass, his head buried in your neck as you giggled at the poultry going up in flames.

He was trying now though, easy, plain substantial meals that wouldn’t upset your stomach. Boiled egg and dippy soldiers. Crackers with smooth cheese. Bubbly water and ginger biscuits. Each time he went upstairs you pushed him away, your whole body shuddering and almost retching, and he felt like smashing the plates against the wall at his defeat.

It had been almost thirty six hours since he had come home and it had been almost as long since you had eaten something, and his heart thundered and shattered in his chest when he found you gasping and wheezing over the toilet bowl when you had taken a bite of toast to calm him. He rarely left you alone, only for a few minutes to put the still full dishes in the sink, to ring Lizzie and tell her that he wouldn’t be coming for reasons that he refused to disclose, to smoke a cigarette under the grey stone archway, his shaking hands and bitten fingernails barely visible through the sleepy rolling fog.

He had grabbed handfuls of papers and the brass ink pen you had got him for your anniversary and broke his own rule - bringing work into your bedroom. It had always been a sacred space. For candlelight and soft laughter, aching hands and heart shaped bruises, a sanctuary for him to breathe and to love and to be loved fully in return. But he was afraid if he didn’t have a distraction, he might just completely lose it, and he had to be there for you.

So he sat squinting in his glasses, the room almost completely dark save for a few candles because of the migraines that had started to spread throughout your skull, and let himself be drawn into the mess of squiggly lines and numbers that suddenly didn’t add up, with you still centre stage in his peripheral.

After about forty minutes of rereading the same sentence a dozen times to try and make some sense of it, he heard your voice, like a small crack spreading across a sheet of ice, coming from the bed.

“Tom?” You sounded so weak, he practically flipped your cream vanity as he got to his feet and darted towards you. “I don’t feel well.”

He lifted you as you reached your arms up at him like a child. He almost gasped at the sweat pouring from your body but didn’t want to scare you, and instead held your shaking, shivering body against his own. How could you be so hot, yet so cold at the same time? Your skin was prickled with goosebumps yet you were burning with a fever, and for the first time in a long time, he had no fucking idea what to do.

He left you propped up against the headboard and he entered the bathroom. He ran over to the claw foot tub you loved, twisting the faucet and trying to find the perfect medium between boiling hot and freezing cold. He didn’t want to overwhelm you, just try and soothe your raging fever, and he ignored the shelves of expensive bath oils and scented soaps that you coveted, instead opting for a handful of something meant to ease tension - praying to whoever was listening that it would help you somehow.

There was a brutal, awful moment as he lifted you from the bed, limp as a rag doll, where he imagined what would happen if your heart were to stop. He couldn’t comprehend what it would be like to miss the weight of you in his arms, the smell of your skin, the feeling of your lips against him, the shovels stopping and fading into nothing. It hit him square in the chest, as merciless as a bullet, and he had to lean against the doorframe to stop the two of you from plummeting to the ground.

He undressed himself first. Tugging his white shirt off, sliding off his slacks and his underwear, keeping you as close to his chest as he could. Then he pulled your nightgown up and over your head. He gathered your hair and secured it up with a claw clip so that it was away from your face, the heat radiating off your neck as fierce as the fire now burnt down to ash in the bedroom.

He lowered the two of you into the bath, sinking down beneath the eucalyptus smelling lukewarm water, letting it wash over you both. Your teeth were chattering and you were barely awake. He gathered handfuls of water, letting it drip over your shoulders and pulse points, grabbing a washcloth and running it over your raised skin, hating how you barely registered his touch. As he scrubbed over your collarbones and up to your face he saw your lips had turned to an awful, silvery blue, as vibrant as a fresh bruise. He hissed and tugged on the plug, now determined to get you wrapped up in a fresh towel and tucked back into bed.

You were soft and placid and he helped you out, lacking the usual fire that he adored. Your eyes were glassy and missing their vibrance, like the vanishing spark of a lighter - and he felt miles and miles of invisible distance between the two of you. You were unsteady on your feet and he used his body to prop you up as he warmed your arms with a fluffy white towel. You suddenly stopped, lifting your hand to your mouth as you started to cough - a horrible, dry, gasping cough.

He noticed it almost immediately. His eyes darting to the splatter of red against the white, a smudge of crimson that was as loud and commanding as a siren, a warning signal that something was definitely not right. A bead of scarlet that would linger long behind his closed eyelids.

He managed to get you back into bed, remaining calm as he stroked your hair and kissed your temple. He tucked you under the duvet and waited for your breathing to even before he ran downstairs, his heart thumping in his ears as he practically ripped the phone off of the wall.

“Pol? Fuck. I think - I think I need help.”

—————————————————————-

The room smelt like bleach and metal. Unfamiliar and clinical. There was something hard on your chest and covering your mouth, it tasted like wet pennies and was as heavy as a hand over your throat, but for the first time in days you could finally breathe. You tried to sit up, but there was a needle in your chest, a gown you didn’t recognise cut straight down the middle to accommodate it. You struggled and lifted the thin bedsheet above your shivering torso, trying to look around the cold room.

“Careful!”

It was Polly, dressed immaculately despite her surroundings. She reached out and placed a manicured hand across yours, and you smiled at the woman who had always been a calming influence when you had joined the circus of a family. There was concern in her eyes, rimmed with black eyeliner and lifted lashes but still swimming deep around her pupils. That made you frown, and you moved as much as you could to face her.

“What happened?”

She ran her tongue over her teeth, choosing her words. “You gave us quite a fright, love.”

“I did?” Your memories of the past few days were much like a fever dream, blurry and distorted snapshots were all you could really remember.

“Your pneumonia got worse. A lot worse.” She paused, looking over to the door and you followed her gaze. “They found fluid in your lungs.”

“So...” You started, gesturing to the needle in your abdomen and the breathing apparatus around your head.

She nodded. “Yes. You were in surgery. It was touch and go for a little bit.”

“Really?” You were bewildered. You couldn’t remember anything, let alone having major surgery. You looked her straight in the eye, asking her the questions that had been on the tip of your tongue since you had woken up. “Where is he? Where’s Tommy?”

“He’s outside.” She clicked her tongue, reaching deep into her purse and pulling out some hand cream, gently rubbing your dry hands like she was your mother. You leant into her touch despite all of your questions.

“What? Why?”

“I think he blames himself. God knows what goes on in that mans head. All I really know is he was bloody terrified.” She paused, looking over in the distance. “I’ve never seen him so scared, not even on his wedding day.” She smiled sadly, trying to lighten the mood, but it soon faded. “He didn’t leave your side the whole time you were asleep.”

Your heart thumped in your chest, a soft aching that you knew all too well. “I want to see him.”

“I know you do. But right now...” She stopped right as a handful of nurses entered, clad in long blue dresses with white aprons, hair tied back and smelling of strong soap and disinfectant. You lost Polly in the bustle as one spoke softly to you before tugging on the needle right beside your ribs, your eyes just catching hers as she left, a promise to see you soon on her lips.

It wasn’t her you saw next, but Tommy.

The nurses had cleaned you up with wet flannels and bowls of warm soapy water. Your hair had been braided and your face washed, and walked you arm in arm over to the bathroom so you could relieve yourself. A skittish doctor followed after, his eyes darting across you and his touch gentle as he changed your dressings and took your blood - obviously under strict instructions from your husband, and despite everything, you smiled.

You were sat listening to the clock tick. A romance novel you had been given was dangling dangerously close to the end of the bed, but you were too tired to focus on it. You heard the door squeal softly, and the sound of familiar footsteps across the tiling, each small thud sending shockwaves across your spine.

“Tommy.”

He looked tired. Exhausted rather, as though he had been awake all the hours that you had been asleep. His eyes were bloodshot and his skin was sallow and bruised. His clean shaven face was dark with stubble and his hair was ruffled and unwashed. You longed to reach out to him and cradle him against you, but he stood in the doorway, lingering like a ghost.

“Tommy?” You repeated, your voice almost a whisper, breaking his already shattered heart once again.

“How are you feeling, my love?”

You smiled softly, like spun sugar and sweet honey. No hospital bed or itchy gown could dull your infectious light. “Better now.”

He approached you almost cautiously. He settled down on the hard chair beside your bed and stroked a line down from your temple to your lips, his touch setting you alight like an electrical storm. There was a sadness in his eyes that reminded you of how he got when things were bad, and you willed him to come back to you. His touch was tentative and he inhaled shakily as you cupped his hand with yours, pressing a tender kiss to the inside of his palm.

“Don’t scare me like that. Ever.” He was stern, as though hoping his words would make it true. “I mean it.” He kept his gaze on your pretty face, trying his best not to stare at the harsh bruising on your delicate flesh or the sickly tone of your skin.

“Tommy I’m going to get sick, even you can’t stop that.” You teased gently.

“I can bloody well try.” His hands cradled your face, pulling you into him and kissing you fiercely, still mindful of the wires and tubes taped to your body. There was something about the tenderness and deep longing in the kiss that when mixed with your total exhaustion and love for your husband prompted tears to start falling from your eyes. You sniffled as he pulled away, concern dripping from his beautiful features, his powerful mind wanting to do everything and anything to stop your hurting.

“Hey, hey.” He said, running his calloused fingertips under your eyes and wiping your tears away. You leant into his touch and he kissed your temple, squeezing you even tighter into him. “You know I hate it when you cry.” He toyed with your hair and winked playfully. “Besides, all you need to focus on is getting better. You’re going to have to take care of me when we get home, this week has given me a fucking stroke.”

You rolled your eyes, kissing the inside of his wrist. “You’re a idiot, Thomas Shelby.” You blinked at the clock looming above you both, wanting to stay in your blissful bubble but also knowing that Aunt Pol would probably be in the vicinity harassing a poor nurse over your results. “You should go and find Polly, let her know that everything’s alright.”

He shook his head and nuzzled his nose across yours, an act so innocent that your heart dipped and swooped in your chest. “Later.” He said, breathless and consumed by you. Everything had been too much. Almost losing you had been harrowing, it had punctured him completely and he just needed to feel his girl safe and warm around him. He needed to know that you weren’t found anywhere.

“I just want to stay here for a while. Just me and you.”

You grinned. “Always.”

#tommy shelby oneshot #tommy shelby imagine #peaky blinders oneshot #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby imagine #thomas shelby oneshot

[raya-rhaenyra-ahsoka]

Why Daenerys Should've Stayed Longer in the North Than Attack Cersei Too Soon (Which is a dick move, really) PART 2

This is a continuation from my other post, as promised. Here’s the link to Part 1 here.

ALLIES FROM THE SOUTH

The Stormlands. With Dany recently legitimizing Robert Baratheon’s last living bastard, Gendry (Yay!), and appointed him as the new Lord of Storm’s End, I think he had pledged his loyalty and full support to her.

Now since the Baratheons are the overlords of the Stormlands, it ultimately makes the Stormlands part of Dany’s new rule in Westeros. And if the Stormmen questioned Gendry’s legitimacy, there are two people who can back him up: Ser Davos Seaworth, a landed knight, and Ser Brienne of Tarth, literally the heiress to Evenfall in Tarth Island. Both of whom are from the Stormlands and have served the late Baratheon lords, Stannis,

and Renly, respectively.

TV show-wise, Gendry had taken over Edric Storm’s plotline. Edric Storm was another one of Robert’s many bastards and it was him who Ser Davos saved from being killed by Mellisandre in the books, not Gendry. Gendry himself was grateful to Davos for saving his life and he sort of stepped up as his own parental figure. I also think Gendry reminded Davos of the son he lost during the Battle of Blackwater Bay.

As for Brienne, she and Gendry never shared a conversation in the show, but in the books, he even saved her life. Brienne came from Tarth, an island in the Stormlands, where her father Selwyn Tarth is lord and one of the many bannermen of the Baratheons of Storm’s End. Brienne came across Gendry in the Inn at the Crossroads while she was searching for the Stark girls. When she saw him, she literally thought he was Renly because of his striking resemblance to his uncle. Their exchange went something like this:

Brienne: Oh my god, Lord Renly?!

Gendry: Uh, what? Lord? Lol no, I’m just a smith.

I wished it happened in the show, it would’ve been funny.

Dorne. There isn’t much plot regarding Dorne in the show. (Again, f*ck D&D for ruining a great sub-plot of the story!) But in the books, the Martell heiress, Arianne was the ultimate feminist icon. She supported and fought for Myrcella Baratheon’s claim to the Iron throne over her younger brother, Tommen, and she hoped that the rest of Westeros would follow after Dorne’s right of inheritance regardless of gender and order of birth. But no! They disregarded that seemingly important plot that even George R.R. Martin was disappointed about the changes. (We hear you, George!) Nevertheless, Arianne would’ve supported a queen, yes. But between Daenerys and Cersei, she’d probably go with Dany mainly because of their family ties. In case you forgot, Rhaegar’s late first wife, Elia Martell, was Arianne’s aunt. Also, because of what happened to Elia and Oberyn Martell in King’s Landing, the Martells practically loathed the Lannisters. In the show, Oberyn Martell’s paramour Ellaria Sand, and his bastard daughters, the Sand Snakes, hated the Lannisters, that’s why they sided with Dany. But with all of them dead and House Martell now extinct, I think the new prince of Dorne would’ve allied himself with a tamer ruler, not one who plays with wildfire. (Note: this is when Dany stayed in the North and did not march south yet.)

Spies. In the Art of War, the use of spies implies gaining knowledge of the enemy, knowing their motive and their next move. With Lord Varys the Spider in Winterfell, who’s still serving under Daenerys, has its advantages. Vary’s networks of spies or as what he called them, his “little birds” are literally scattered across the seven kingdoms.

His little birds are actually children, and appearance-wise, cannot be easily identified as spies. With his intel, they could easily formulate a plan to defeat Cersei.

DEFENSE AT SEA

 If Cersei couldn’t do it by land, she’ll go by sea. Which, Daenerys of course, have the appropriate fleets to defend, covering both the Narrow and Sunset Seas. Here's a map:

(Source: pinterest.com)

Enemies to the East. If Cersei will be stupid enough to attack through the Narrow Sea by sea, Daenerys has the fleets to defend. The Northern fleet, a.k.a the Manderly Fleet of White Harbor and the Arryn Fleet in Gulltown in the Vale will join forces.

Enemies to the West. And if they invade through the Sunset Sea, they’d have to pass the Iron Islands, where Yara Greyjoy’s Fleet will intercept them, with the help of the Mallister Fleet in Seagard.

Who would win depends. The only other person that’s probably as good as Euron at sea is his niece, Yara. The rest of Dany’s fleet would have to get lucky or outnumber the number of ships in a fleet.

At this point, you’ll probably be like, oh, what if they steer clear from the fleets and enter the North’s weakly defended areas? Okay, that job falls to the castles nearest to their borders. The northernmost castle is the Last Hearth, the seat of House Umber, which is practically already deserted. On the south is Greywater Watch, which has the strongest defense out of all four cardinal directions. On both east and west hold the seat of two branches of House Flint, with Widow’s Watch on the east, and Flint’s Finger on the west (Again, refer to the map above). Once they see Cersei’s fleet, they’ll inform the people in Winterfell.

People tend to forget that Daenerys has the only air support with her dragons. So when she hears about this, she’ll easily burn the enemy fleet with one dracarys away.

That is, if Qyburn hadn’t installed that big-ass crossbow in one of the ships, then she’ll have to be better at dodging them. It gets better if Jon’s willing to help her with Rhaegal, but we’ll never know.

OUTNUMBERED AND SURROUNDED

The map shows the Crownlands and its neighboring kingdoms of the Vale, the Riverlands, the Reach, and the Stormlands. (Source: pinterest.com)

Territories. With Cersei sacrificing Casterly Rock to tighten her grip on the Iron Throne, she technically had also sacrificed the Westerlands, which meant everything north of King’s Landing is Dany’s territory now. With Dany’s army and territories secured, the Crownlands, where King’s Landing is, is technically surrounded by the Vale, the Riverlands, the Reach, and Stormlands. I included the Reach because, well, she roasted the Tarlys and took the remaining men to her cause with a choice, bend the knee or die in a blaze of glory.

Armies. Dany has the combined armies of North, Vale, Riverlands, Westerlands, Reach, Stormlands, and maybe Dorne, plus, the Unsullied; fleets of the North, Vale, Riverlands, and Yara’s fleet from the Iron Islands; and the only air support, her two remaining dragons. Cersei on the other hand, just had the army of the Crownlands, King’s Landing’s City Watch, the queensguard, plus, the Golden Company without elephants; and Euron Greyjoy’s fleet.

I think it’s obvious that Dany outnumbers Cersei’s army, by a lot. And at this point, Dany has enough allies to lay a siege on King’s Landing.

DAENERYS VS. CERSEI

Let’s discuss the difference in the personalities and motives of Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister.

They both have blond hair, are the only girl among three siblings, and are queens in their own right. But that’s where their similarities end.

Cersei currently sits on the iron throne, and she is loving the perks that came with it. Endless Power, which meant she can do whatever she wants and not care about what people think, like sleeping with her brother. With the news of Dany coming back to Westeros, she sees her as a threat and wanted nothing more than for Dany to disappear so she could stay in power.

Daenerys, however, claims that being the queen of the seven kingdoms is her birthright, as it was the Targaryens that reunited the whole continent of Westeros. Of course, it’s still power, but at the same time, she sees it as a responsibility as well. (With great power, comes great responsibility. Wow, I’m quoting Spiderman now.) She believes that as a queen, it’s her job to take care and provide for the needs of her subjects and even makes an effort to hold court as she listened to their demands. She also thinks that slavery is a big no-no, so she freed them.

The key to becoming a great leader is finding the balance between being loved and feared by your subjects. Cersei is more likely feared than loved. She also doesn’t care about her people, a fact that she admitted to her brother, Tyrion once. Daenerys most likely had the scale tips on balance, with her being equally loved and feared by her subjects. She’s loved because she actually takes time to listen to the people’s needs, and feared because she could take you out using her dragons with one word.

If Dany did lay siege on King’s Landing (again, we aren’t counting her major mad queen moment), the only thing Cersei can use against Dany is the people living within the city walls. Cersei might have heard that Dany’s been freeing slaves in the cities surrounding Slaver’s Bay, and figured out that she has a soft spot for the common folk.

In conclusion, if Daenerys had simply waited out and took her time planning and gathering allies and supplies against Cersei, she would’ve been successful in her campaign to retake Westeros. But then again, we aren’t the writers for this show. In the end, they had Jon battling through himself while he chooses to reply with either of his two favorite lines, She’s my queen or I don’t want it. Or that Sansa and Arya doesn’t like Dany at all and think that she’s a power-hungry, dragon-riding bitch. Or that Bran doesn’t give a f*ck about anything. So, yeah. What do you guys think?

#game of thrones #asoiaf #daenerys targaryen #cersei lannister #house stark #house targaryen #house lannister #house baratheon #house martell #the north remembers #jon snow #sansa stark #arya stark #bran stark #gendry baratheon #davos seaworth #brienne of tarth #king's landing #casterly rock #tarth island #euron greyjoy #yara greyjoy #drogon #rhaegal #westeros

[levathia]

Forgive me those who'll find this AU rather strange

NEW DEMON SLAYER AU EXPLANATION

+

FEMALE (Y/N) CHARACTER INTRODUCTION

NOTE:

Regular Font - Speaking in Japanese

Bold - Speaking in a different language

Italic - Thoughts / Thinking

The Concepts in this AU Includes: 

Magic

Fantasy

Witch

Witchcraft

Supernatural

Modern Reader

Time Traveler

AU Explanation: You do not originate from the time of the Demon Slayers. In this Alternate Universe, you are a girl who was born in 2006 in Australia. Before your drug addicted mother died from an overdose, she never once mentioned the special secret that your family had unless it was just to play with you. As a child, you wished so bad to be the main character with cool superpowers, but of course as you matured you slowly let that fantasy go. But it wasn't until after you turned 13 when you randomly remembered that Witchcraft was indeed a thing and felt nothing but interest for it.

You don't know how or why you suddenly felt drawn to it, but you really didn't care. If anything, you were the only person who you knew didn't find Witchcraft that big of a deal. You thought that everyone should just accept it and find it normal. Your interest grew very slowly, and it was only until a few weeks after turning 14 when you decided in the middle of school that when you got home, you'd start your research on its history and it's differences. Then, when you felt like you were well educated and ready, you'd finally start to practice it.

But, of course, good timing wasn't on your side that often. In fact, nothing ever went as planned for you in your life. On that same day, you had gotten into yet another argument with your abusive, alcoholic father. Not to mention, it was right in front of your closest friend, Lydia. You trusted her with your thoughts and interests within Witchcraft and therefore, told her all about it. 

And lucky for you, she grew an interest in it as well.

She happened to come home with you on that day as you both expected your father to be passed out on the floor during most of the time, but of course, on important days like this, your father just had to be awake and fully functioning. It wasn't even the alcohol that made him act so violently towards you, it was your plain existence, the alcohol would just make it even worse. Your guys' fight was one of the biggest you'd have yet again, and it got so heated to the point where you'd snatch Lydia's wrist and drag her to the nearest room for safety. The nearest room was your father's, you didn't care if he'd become even more mad at the fact that you were now violating his privacy, you just wanted to make sure that Lydia would be safe and you wouldn't become even more humiliated than you already were by getting a full on beating in front of her. If you had to knock your father out in front of her, then damn would it suck to be him.

After locking the door, you quickly started to look around for objects that you could defend yourselves with. You armed Lydia with two empty and thick bottles of alcohol and made it clear that if he dared approach her with the intention of harming her, then to smack the lights out of the man. The next place to look into was under his bed, and that was when you spotted a strange object. Despite the loud banging and yelling from outside of the room and feeling every bit of panic and fear that Lydia was feeling(As the poor Empath you were), you felt drawn to the object and didn't mind giving it a minute of your attention. The object really wasn't that strange, it shouldn't have been. 

It was just strange for your brainless and ignorant father to have something that other actual, open-minded, intellectuals would also have laying all over the place.

It was a book. A really old, dusty and thick book. It had no title on it but it did have a name and date.

Greta Ricco

January 1, 1790

Ricco was your father's last name, but you always stuck with your mother's. Even though they both severely disappointed you as a daughter, you'd rather be with your narcissistic mother than with your hateful and ignorant and pitiful excuse of a human you were, as you'd say, cursed, to call your father.

'1790??' You thought to yourself in surprise,'How is this not in a museum?'

You gently flipped the book open and read it's first page

'Hmm, it's in Italian…' Good thing you decided to educate yourself on your Italian blood without any of your father's help as the independent girl you were

"This book belongs to all of the future descendants of the Ricco family. For the blood of our Witch ancestors runs through our veins"

Your father was a witch? But how come he'd never brought it up? 

"The ------ in this book will only work for those who possess their blood. To whoever the owner is of this book, you are to do whatever you can to hide it from nonwitches"

Curious, (Y/n) flipped to the next page

"Sleeping"

Under the title were little paragraphs of words arranged in a poetic type of format. You continued to flip through its pages until one caught your eye.

"Time Stopping"

"(Y/n)"

You started to read the Italian texts in your mind.

"(Y/n)..."

For some reason, you felt intrigued by the strange poem. You basically poured your emotions into every word of it.

"(Y/n)!"

Lydia reached her hand out to you and before she was able to touch you, you had already finished reading the poem. And at the same time, the banging had stopped, and the whole house was once again silent. You looked up at Lydia, and she too was staring at the door, wondering why your father suddenly stopped trying to break in. 

"Why did he stop?" Lydia asked

"I don't know…" You replied as you continued to look through the book

"Time Traveling"

'Eh?' You thought to yourself,'Time traveling?' Once again, you started to read the 'Poem' in your head

You read the words with emotion, not knowing what was awaiting you and your friend at the end of it. Once you finished off the last stanza, well, you couldn't really find the words to explain what had happened next. It was as if you and Lydia had teleported. You were just in your father's bedroom one second and in the next, a forest. 

"What the fuck?!?!" Lydia exclaimed,"What the hell- Where- (Y/n) what just happened?! Weren't we just in your home?!??"

All you could do at that moment was just stare blankly at absolutely nothing with wide eyes. That one word that you couldn't read on the first page of the book was unable to be read because you never thought about its Italian translation. This wasn't some diary from a distant relative of yours, nor was it a book of poems. This was a book of spells. It can only explain why your family's witch bloodline was mentioned in it.

And from what you could assume from the first page, you were a witch since birth.

You guys couldn't go back home now. No matter how many times you had tried. You had just discovered your powers and were still clearly unable to control them.

To make a long story short, you and your friend eventually found your way around and got used to the new environment and Era. One day, you and your friend decide to use the Teleportation spell to admire Japan's beauty. There, you two met a teenager by the name: Kagaya Ubuyashiki. You three grew close, and eventually you told him about your secret. Luckily, he kept it to himself and you even promised to use your abilities to an advantage to survive one of the most dangerous Eras in Japan, that you two didn't even know you were currently living in. The Taisho Era.

If your father or the global pandemic wasn't going to kill you, the demons sure as hell would. Because you still couldn't master your witch abilities and knew that you had to be able to defend yourselves if you were to ever run into a demon, you guys decided to join the Demon Slayer Corps. It was the corps that Kagaya was currently leading. Years went by, and you and Lydia never aged mentally or physically. Your wounds from the day you discovered the spell book never healed.

But your skills grew, and you were ready to defeat demons with or without the help of magic. You started to view Kagaya as both a best friend and a father figure for you. You were there to welcome the rest of the Hashira after they earned their spots and because of your thoughtful, caring, bright and energetic personality, you got along with all of them very well. You and Lydia lived together in your own, huge mansion, that could only be accessed whenever you use the spell that you made just for it. It was only Kagaya, his daughters and the Hashira that knew about your and Lydia's secret.

You'd think that you would be the Pillar of Magic. But Lydia took that title, and instead, you were given the title of: the Pillar of Positivity. In this Alternate Universe, you are a 14 year old, iconic, Gen Z, Australian girl who is full of optimism, humor, hope, open-mindedness, confidence, love and compassion, power and badassery. Unlike Shinobu, your smiles and happiness are genuine, you are as happy as a person can get. In the Demon Slayer Corps, you are either known as the Pillar of Positivity or the Moon Pillar, inspired by the line:

"You must be the moon, because you shine even when it's dark."

Being (Y/n) in my Demon Slayer AU Includes:

-Being Asexual/Aromantic af

-Yet shamelessly flirting with your friends and strangers 24/7

-"(Y/n), you're such a tease~!!" Zenitsu would whine

-Sending letters written on beautiful rose petals that you got from your oversized roses from your oversized garden

-Mother mode activated a fair amount of times

-Pillar of Positivity😊

-Being able to make everyone laugh without having to harm anyone

-Everyone loves your cooking and baking and look forward to it all the time

-Being surprisingly strong for a girl your size

-Accidentally roasting Lydia and the trio sometimes

-ZENITSU PROTECTION SQUAD-

-Being just as close to Nezuko

-Teaching Tanjiro and Muichiro the most out of everyone else about the 21st century

-Everyone by now is used to your and Lydia's Gen Z asses

-Going on rides with the trio and Nezuko at night on your big, flying lion and cat(Future scenarios will include explanations as to how you have such majestic creatures)

-So much affection to give and that's why you and Mitsuri get along so much

-Besties with the Master😁

-Being goofy af

-You just can't get pissed off😊

-You curse people with no hesitation and any second chances

-Badass

-"Slash my face, I'll slash your neck."

-Most of your injuries can heal within a day(Will always depend on its severity)

-Though, you can control the speed of its regeneration

-Nobody except for Tanjiro and Lydia know about your hobby for singing and dancing

-You're also a really great artist(You mostly draw your friends🥺)

-Animal and plant whisperer

-Meditating with Tanjiro 

-Always a clingy thing but once you're done being touchy you're DONE

-Great at acting and keeping secrets

-The mind fucker, prankster, you love to fuck with peoples minds

-The most clever and iconic of them all

-Will always be like everyone's mom/caretaker

-But at the same time very childish 

-Everyone knows when you're joking or not

-Unless you're pulling a little prank 

-Inappropriate jokes with Sanemi all the time 

-Thinks it'll always be only up to you when it comes to saving and helping people 

-Has a habit of head patting and ruffling other people's hair

-If they aint distracted by your beauty or your outfit(Author gave you quite the taste in fashion😌), then they'll be distracted by your eyes

-You've had Complete Heterochromia since you were seven from an injury that your father gave you

-So instead of having two, (E/c) eyes, only one of them remain a beautiful (E/c) shade while the other had turned into a beautiful blue shade

-But you've started lying and telling everyone that it was just because of your genes

-And they all believe you

-Except for Lydia, you two have been close since kindergarten(two years before you were injured)

-Thoughts you've had of either you or your friends: 

'Okay, Pillar of Bitchiness…'

'I'm the Pillar of Dumbassery'

'I'm the Pillar of Badbitchery!'

'What are you? The Pillar of Negativity?'

'Ugh, we should be the Pillars of Cuteness'

-Supportive friend🥺

-Never fails at lifting the mood or other peoples moods no matter how bad things get

-If anything, most of the characters would want to come to you just for comfort(you're great at it😊)

-Perfectionist when something's under your responsibility 

-Good at holding your laughter in(Most of the time at least)

-The entertainer of your friend group

-Demon fights are just full of Inosuke's laughter and you smirking 

-Can set objects and people on fire with your mind

⚠️🚨ONE MANGA SPOILER RIGHT BELOW THIS TEXT🚨⚠️ ⚠️🚨ONE MANGA SPOILER RIGHT BELOW THIS TEXT🚨⚠️

-It was only after Muichiro's death when you finally became skilled at turning your emotions on and off

-Your guts will always tell you if someone's lying or not no matter what

-Its almost as if people can't even imagine you being in a bad mood

-You're an Empath

-Always spoiling your lovely friends

-In easy words, you're just very well-rounded and unrealistic as a human being😌

PLEASE READ BISSES:

I am not planning on making a whole story/fanfiction of this with full chapters. I do not take requests as well💗.

#demon slayer #demon slayer au #female reader #demon slayer x reader #kamado tanjirou #kamado nezuko #agatsuma zenitsu #hashibira inosuke #tomioka giyū #kocho shinobu #tsuyuri kanao #tokito muichiro #kanroji mitsuri #iguro obanai #tengen uzui #kyojuro rengoku #shinazugawa sanemi #shinazugawa genya #gyomei himejima #asexual reader

[nuitthegoddess]

Carnival Date

OC x Canon

From my Twisted Wonderland Magical Girls AU

Sebimi content

Rated PG-13

For a run down: Hana’s friends finally made it to Twisted Wonderland to take their leader Hana back to their world, but she didn’t want to leave yet to help deal with overblots going around. It’s supposed to take place after Malleus overblot and the magical girls are trying to figure out how to get back but it’s a slow process sadly *cri*

Sebek and Aimi didn’t have a great start when they met, they argued and roast each other time from time. But during Malleus overblotting state. Hana wanted to help him, so the girls teamed up with Lilia, Silver, Sebek and Shrouds to help out. Thus, Sebek and Aimi getting along until they catch feelings for one another.

Tagging: @magebirdi

“Why don’t you ask her out?” Lilia asked Sebek who was doubting himself of his new crush on a girl who is friends with the dorm leader of the Ramshackle. Not only that, but she is also human.

He started to frown and began to rant, “I said I don’t want to get into these feelings! I can’t believe myself falling for a human! I don’t understand it?”

Lilia sighed; he knew he had this thing against humans. He just wished that he wasn’t like this, “You know, if you think of it this way. Your mother was probably the same way as you are right now,” Sebek blinked to him, the elder faerie smile to catch his attention. “I know you have a grudge against your father being human. Even though you always look up to your mother. Wouldn’t you want to know why she had feelings for a human? Maybe this will be an experience for you. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it. But if you do, you’ll see it.” Lilia explained to compare his parents to Sebek’s situation who was hesitant for a moment.

He closed his eyes before sighing in defeat, “You… You may be right… but how do I ask her? Where do I take a human girl too? What do they like?”

Lilia beamed excitedly of hearing Sebek at least trying, “Every human girl is different. Maybe to the movies? Or… Oh! How about the carnival that is starting in the middle of town!”

“How do you know this?”

“I saw it on magicam. There will be lots of games, rides and food. Maybe she’ll want to go with you!” Lilia grinned excitedly for this boy’s very first date! 

Sebek took a deep breath and said “Alright! I shall ask the human girl out on a date!”

Lilia held his finger up to the first year, “Oh, wait a second buster! We need to practice before you can ask her. You’ll definitely scare her away with you saying “Human! Let’s go on a date!”. Ask her kindly, say it with me,” He makes a genuine smile and says for example “Hello Aimi, would you mind coming with me to the festival preparing in town on Saturday?”,

Sebek took a deep breath to say the exact words, “Hello Aimi! Would you MIND coming with me to THE CARNIVAL that’s PREPARING in town on SATURDAY?”

“Close enough… we’ll get there! If she says yes. The Carnival opens up at 3 o’clock! Wait for her at the front gate of the campus! Got all of that? We’ll practice that too!”

“Yes, vice dorm leader!”

“But let’s practice! Okay?”

“Okay!”

“Oooh!! I am so excited for you!”

At the doorway without the two noticing. Silver and Malleus were watching Lilia helping him practice.

“Do you think this date will go well?” Malleus asks Silver.

Silver shrugs, “Let’s hope he doesn’t say anything offensive to Aimi… They didn’t get along for a long while. But ever since he and Aimi worked together to help with your Overblot situation… He’s been acting kind of different around her. I never thought it would have been this way...”

Malleus nodded in agreement, “Indeed. This human must be special to him I assume.”

“For it is enough for Sebek to at least try. I just hope he doesn't mess this up…”

-⚡️🌩⚡️-

“Kira! Do you need help watering the plants?” Aimi asked her pinknette friend who was watering the flowers in the botanical garden. She smiled at her, “Oh don’t worry! Thank you for your help.” 

“Alright, I need to hurry to the library before it closes.”

“You’re still looking for a spell?” Kira asked.

Aimi nodded to her, “Of course. We need to get back home. As guardians such as ourselves we need to get back or there will be more blots could happen on earth! Besides, I don’t trust Crowely.” It’s been about a month since they’ve been stuck in Twisted Wonderland. As guardians to protect people on Earth. They need to hurry back.

Kira nodded with a small giggle. “I agree.” 

They’ve trying to search on how to get back from earth now. They made it just in time as soon as Hana wanted help from an odd dream that resembles a dorm leader. Now after that is over, they need to hurry back home. However, it’s a long process.

She made it to the library and got herself a book with ancient magic to find at least something. As she was walking out with the book in her hands.

“HUM— HELLO AIMI.”

She jumped from the surprise loud voice. She turned herself around to see the familiar green haired half breed fae.

“S-Sebek! Uh— What do you want?” She frowned at him with her hand on her hip. He coughed a bit to clear his throat. Her brows furrowed at him while holding onto the book under her arm, “I came to you for a request.”

She started to raise her brow in question. “Uh… okay, what do you want?”

“W-Would you…” he was trying to utter the words. He was so proud that he was able to say the lines to Lilia from before. But to actually say it to her, it’s embarrassing. “Would you mind coming with me to the carnival that is being held on Saturday?” He finally got the words out! He was analyzing her reaction.

It took her a hot second to realize what he said. Her cheeks started to burn pink a bit when she began to say, “Y-You’re asking me out?”

“I-Indeed I am,” he answered as he looked at her, scratching at the back of his head looking away, “Since you and your friends are going to be here for a while. I decided I wanted to take you around town.”

“Oh well… I don’t see why not.” She answered. Sebek’s eyes fixed at her like she said the weirdest thing ever. Did she just agree to go with him?!

“What time?” She asked.

“The-Three o’clock! I’ll be waiting for you at the front gates of the campus to take you there.”

She nodded. “Alright, I’ll see you then! Oh, I must be going now! See you later, Sebek!” She ran off leaving Sebek who was stunned about her accepting his offer. He couldn’t help but smile to himself! He has a date! He went back telling Lilia and Malleus about what happened! Lilia could tell he was excited. 

Aimi was kind of shocked. Was he trying to be nice? She wondered if he knew she had feelings for him. She really didn’t like him in the beginning when they first met for a while, they started to become close. But to her it grew something more. Besides, even if he doesn’t feel the same way, it’ll be fun!

-⚡️🌩⚡️-

Later on, at almost 3 o’clock. Sebek was waiting out at the front gates as he instructed. He was devastated about leaving his guard duty of protecting his young master. But with such a moment he will never forget was Malleus wishing him luck and wanting him to go on this date of his.

He looked at the time on his phone, it was 2:58pm. Thoughts ran through his head. What if she stood him out? What if she is going to start hating him? — He couldn’t believe he had thoughts about this all because of a weak human?! This is so unlike him at all!!

“Hey Sebek!” 

He whipped his head around to see Aimi running over to him. Wearing a long black jacket with it underneath a blackish purple t-shirt and long yoga pants with shoes that matched her jacket.

He stiffened a bit as she approached him. Seeing him wear a green coat with black sweater inside of his jacket that that matches his pants and shoes.

“H-Human— Aimi! You’ve made it.”

She snickered at his attempt to get her name right instead of the degrading nickname.

“Yeah! Just in time like you said. What you thought I was going to bail on you?” She cocked a brow at him.

“O-Of course not!”

“Sure.”

Sebek scoffed, “Why you —“

“Are we going to go to the carnival or stand here and argue?” She asked with her hands on her hips.

He blinked in realization, “Yeah. Let’s not waste any time.”

“Alright! Let’s go!” She grinned.

-⚡️🌩⚡️-

They started to walk down the road passing by some venues and rides. Kids were running around laughing as people were walking, talking or laughing. Aimi smiled at the view of people while walking close to Sebek. He looked over to Aimi who seemed to be interested in the festival.

“S-So—Hu– Aimi,” He cursed himself for saying th nickname. She looked to the side at him.

“What do you want to do?”

The raven-haired girl thought about it and looked around. “Hmm… oh!!” She points to a gothic dark building called “Haunted Maze.”

“How about that one?”

“A haunted maze?” Sebek raised a brow at.

“Yeah, why?”

“Nothing, this seems like something for children.”

“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun!... Or are you scared? I thought you as a soldier aren’t scared of anything!” She teased a bit.

Sebek scowled, “Tch, I am not scared of this ‘haunted maze’! I know what real fear is and a haunted maze isn’t one of them!”

“Oh yeah? You’re all talk so let me see you prove your words!” She grinned to lift her finger to point at him. 

“I accept your challenge!”

Aimi tried not to giggle at his serious persona. It was too cute for her. They went into the haunted house. It was pretty dark inside; they were walking down a hallway. Aimi had a sense of intense surfacing through her gut when looking around for anyone to jump out to try to scare them. Hearing anonymous music ringing through their ears makes. It does not make the whole maze better.

They approached a fake grassy meadow, there were fake trees around. They were walking before someone popped out from the bushes and stumbled to them with a chainsaw. Aimi flinched back onto Sebek’s arm with a shriek of horror. He even flinched a bit from the actor in costume that walks slowly back away in its corner.

Sebek looked down to Aimi who was clenching his arm. “Hmph, for someone who is confident. You sure seem shaken.”

Aimi looked to Sebek who cocked a brow, “Oh psh! I was making sure you don’t try to punch someone!” She tried to convince him as she looked at his arm. Wondering now if she were to hold his arm back. Nah, she is a twig compared to him.

“Oh please. I wouldn’t unless someone tries to mess with me! You however seem scared for a guardian.” He started to smile slyly.

She scowled at him, “Oh hush! Let’s keep going! Some guardians can get scared too you know!”

“We have a long way to go, human.”

She groaned in annoyance at his sneer. For someone who was so serious all the time, he is acting mischievous!  Along the way she had a few jolts up as she was clinging onto his arm for dear life. Oh, why did she want to go through in the first place?! 

“I think we are almost there.” He said, looking at the path.

Aimi looks as if she crawled out from hell with her clinging onto him.

“Good!”

A few more steps a whole horde of zombies from a corner popped out from the corner making Sebek and Aimi jolt back with a screech. Aimi’s ear hurt from his yell. She stopped to realize.

He actually got scared.

“HA!” She pointed her finger to him.

He frowned at her, “‘Ha’,what?!”

“You got scar~ed.” She chimed.

His eyes widened and argued, “Oh hush human! You were way more scared than I was!”

“You got scared~! Haha! I wish I had a picture!” She giggled. Both of them made it to the exit. As if Aimi’s wish came true, there was a booth with a picture of people who were scared of the horde of zombies. Aimi of course got two pictures of them.

“I’ll never forget this as long as I live.” She giggled holding the picture up as they were walking. 

Sebek grumbled at the picture and her smiling about her own picture. He couldn’t believe she got him one too. However, looking at her smile was somewhat pleasant to him.

She looks to the side, noticing he was looking at her, “Hey. Do you want to go on a ride? Since I picked the haunted maze, you can choose.”

“Hmm…” Sebek looks around and sees a roller coaster. “How about that ride?”

She smiled a bit, “Alright! Let’s go!” She took his hand to drag him over to the line. Sebek’s face burned a bit red. He couldn’t believe how bold she was. They were waiting in line as it got shorter. The girl looked at the roller coaster going down. Aimi breathed in a bit as she stroked her hair. He began to notice she was watching the roller coaster go down.

“What’s wrong, human?”

She blinked to him, “Hm, I’m fine. Why?”

“You seem nervous.”

“No. Are you?”

“Such a ride doesn’t scare me.”

“Oh, like the zombies?”

He started to roll his eyes, “You got scared each time someone pops out from the haunted house!” Sebek retorted.

“You got pictures of that?” She smug, making Sebek groan.

“Can’t believe I am doing this.” He murmured; Aimi hooked around his arm with a sneer.

“You’re the one who asked me out though!” 

After a while, the line was moving. They finally made it on the roller coaster, sitting at the front of the roller coaster with the harness on them. When the coaster was full, it started moving. Aimi forced a sheepish smile until they got to the top and went down. Aimi and Sebek were screaming for their lives along with everyone else! After a while Sebek seemed to be enjoying the coaster. They went around loops, ups and downs. After being released from the ride, Aimi was so glad to get off. Her face was pale.

“Aimi! You look like death has tried to take you away!” Sebek exclaimed. She held her thumb up with a weak smile.

“I’m okay! Ahaha...”

“You could have said no, and we wouldn’t have gone on the ride.” He said with his arms crossed.

“I couldn’t.”

“Why not? It’s simple.”

“You wanted to go on, so I didn’t want to be selfish by saying no. You looked like you were having fun after a while.” She smiled as she rubbed the back of her nape.

He stared at her for a moment. ‘What a strange human you are.’ He thought, he looked away for a moment to ruffle through his hair.

“I-Is that so? Well. Let’s do something else other than rides that may terrify you.”

“Hey, I’m not that weak at heart!”

He puts a smug on, “Not like how you were just now?”

“Oh shush! At least you don’t have a picture!” Aimi frowned with her arms crossed.

They walked off to other stand games with a bunch of stuffed animals around each venue.

One in particular that they chose was, Balloon pop.

“Alright! If we hit three, we get a prize!” Aimi grinned. She held onto the pointy dart to stand back. She aims for the red balloon that is not too far nor too low. She eyed the target. Sebek watched her as well as the guy behind the stand. She throws it and it hits the side.

She clenched her fist. “Dang it!”

“Let me try.” Sebek picks one of the darts, eyed the target and shoots it. He popped a red one and then the purple one.

“Woah! amazing!!” Aimi exclaimed happily.

“We have a winner!!” The guy cheered and waved his hand to a bunch of stuffed animals on top. “Pick your prize, son!”

“Hmm I guess the small dragon stuffed animal.”

The guy picks up the stuffed animal down from the top to give it to him.

 “Thank you.”, Sebek holds it in front of Aimi. “Here.”

Aimi gazes at the toy and then to Sebek. “You’re giving that to me?”

“Yes. Think of it as a thank you for accepting to come with me.”

She was kind of surprised that someone like him would be kind enough to give her a dragon stuffed animal. She thought maybe because he doesn’t want a stuffed animal because it seemed childish.

She took it in her arms, “Thank you! But dang, you threw those darts like it was nothing.”

He crossed his arms, “I’m a well-trained soldier for my young master. I must keep a close eye on a target before taking action. It is what I’ve been trained for.” 

She half laughed a bit, “Guess I need more training myself as a guardian. Hey, wanna play another game?”

“I don’t see why not.”

They were walking over to a game stand with each pile of bottles in a pyramid.

Aimi tries it out with the small ball cannon gun to aim at the 6 can pyramid. She shot it and knocked four of them out.

She lets out an excited gasp, “Did you see that?!” She whipped her head to Sebek with a grin. He started to smile happily.

“You got them out!! All you need to do is to knock two of them off!”

The woman behind the stand set up the two bottles for her. She aims from the canon.

“You can do this!” Sebek cheered. Which was refreshing to her.

She shot it to knock the two cans off. Making herself jump with excitement and turn around to Sebek. 

“Oh my gosh!! Did you see that?!”

Her eyes widened as Sebek gave her a huge hug with the dragon stuffed animal. He happily said and it kind of hurt her eyes a little, “You made it with only two shots!!” He blinked for a second and pulled away. “I-It was just a good shot is all for a human guardian…”

Aimi’s cheeks were slightly pink from that moment. 

“Okay you love birds,” the woman chuckled, “you want to pick a prize?” Aimi looks around to the huge stuffed animals. She points to the blue cute koala stuffed animal. “That one!” The woman gave her the stuffed animal.

“Sebek! This is for you!” Aimi grinned. Sebek blinked at her holding the stuffed animal. “For me?”

“Yeah! Think of it as a thank you for letting me experience outside from Night Raven College!”

His cheeks were tint red. He switches the dragon with the blue koala. He wasn’t a big fan of stuffed animals. But this felt nice for some reason.

“Hey, wanna get something to eat? I’m hungry.”

“Ugh, the carnival food is filled with such calories. I don’t think I’ll have any.”

“Understandable. But if you want to find something you can snack on, I’ll definitely pay.”

“What? You don’t need to. I’m the one who invited you with me.”

“Whatever you say.” She giggled a bit. The two manage to find a food court. They looked at the menu on top while waiting in line.

“Crispy chicken tenders sound really good!” Her mouth watered at the thought of having some.

Sebek thought about it, “Hmm… I might as well. It does sound good now.”

Aimi nodded. Next in line, she ordered two crispy chicken tenders and two water bottles. Just the moments they both looked at each other. Aimi tried to use her cash, but Sebek was quick with his card.

“Hey!” She laughed a bit.

“I’m the one that invited you.” Sebek said smugly.

After that they waited until their food was brought out to them. Aimi was about to eat when she realized Sebek was midway of finishing up his tenders so quickly. Aimi’s brow raised at him. She only took one bite, and he was finished. He noticed she was staring at him.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You finished off your tenders before I did! That was quicker than my friend Yuko with 12 pieces of sushi!”

“Hm, maybe you’re just a slow eater.”

“No, you probably have more than one stomach!” Aimi snickered trying to eat her second tender, after swallowing a piece, “Are you still hungry?”

“Not really. I’ll be alright.”

She nodded as she was eating her tenders. After a while she had one left. She was filled up. He definitely has more than one stomach in this half breed of a Fae!

She picked the tender and brought it to him, making him notice.

“Here. Have my last one. I’m really full.” She offered.

He took a hold of her wrist gently and bit onto the tender from her hand. Released her wrist when he was chewing it all up.

“Thank you.”

Aimi's cheeks were glowing red. “WOAH! You ate it from my hand just like that!”

“Hm? You were the one who offered it to me.”

“Yeah— Well, you could have just taken it.” She whipped her head away from him. Feeling as if her cheeks was burning even redder by the minute.

“Why are you blushing from me eating a chicken?” He was very puzzled by the moment.

She couldn’t help but think, ‘Idiot!’.

“It’s not that I— Ugh never mind!” She shook her head and decided to change the subject. “Want to play more games?”

He didn’t want to argue to make matters worse since all he wanted was to be close with her. He held off, agreed.

After a while they were having a blast playing some weird fun games. Either losing or at least winning at something. Sebek couldn’t help but stare at Aimi’s smile. It was strange to him. He really liked seeing her smile rather than seeing her upset when roasting her. Which he still enjoys. They went on a ride that Aimi wanted to prove to Sebek she’s not weak at heart and it was the zipper ride.

When they got off from the ride, Sebek was laughing hysterically as Aimi was clinging onto his arm like a scared child. 

“It’s not funny!!” She cried.

“You were so sure but look at you are clinging onto my arm!” Sebek laughed.

She quickly realizes and releases his arm to cross her arms. “S-So! What else do you want to do? It’s getting dark so… one last ride?”

“Well, we’re not doing anything extreme on your behalf.”

She frowned at him with her hands on her hips. He almost smiled at that. He looked around and saw a Ferris wheel.

“How about the Ferris wheel?”

“Yeah, let’s go onto that.”

After a while in line, they got into the passengers’ car. They took their seats as they closed the glass case in. It started to rotate. Aimi gazed at the town’s night sky with the sun setting.

“Wow!! It’s so pretty!!” Aimi exclaimed.

Sebek cleared his throat. “A-Aimi,” she looked at him. “Be honest with me. Are you having fun?”

Aimi began to smile with a raised brow, “Of course I am! Why?”

Sebek looked away, “I-I wanted to make sure. Since we… you know…”

“We fight a lot?”

“Yeah.”

She shrugged, “We still kind of do. But it’s not bad. It was a rocky start on how we met..”

“You are right…” She looked at him closely, “Truth be told. Ever since you and your guardian friends, the Shroud, helped my young master. I-I did get to know you better. You were not some disrespectful human. You were kind of like me. You want to protect your leader.” Sebek said being genuine with her.

Aimi nodded, pushing her hair behind her ear, “Yeah. My friends have told me I’m kind of aggressive when it comes to protecting Hana.” She laughed a bit nervously, “She is the leader of the guardians. I was scared to hear that this “big scary dragon fae” was around her. So, I took action.”

“By action, you mean threatening him?”

She made a sheepish smile, “I did apologize… Yeah. I know. It was stupid of me… I was consumed with the thought of losing again…” She began to sniffle up. Sebek blinked to her, hugging herself as she slouched, “You don’t know how scared I was when five months ago in my world, she vanished as if she didn’t even exist. I thought I would never see her again until now…” she whipped away her tears that were falling down to her cheeks. He quickly switched from his seat to the other side to sit next to her. He quickly pulled her into his arms.

“I understand. I-I had the fear after Young Master’s overblot that he wouldn’t wake up. Not only would I lose him, but I wouldn’t be qualified as a good soldier. I was so glad when he opened his eyes, breathing…” he explained a bit as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a hug. 

“You would still be a good soldier even if you were still trying to help him! He would appreciate that,” Aimi said. She pulled back with a smile up to him. “I did get to know you better too! You’re not a crazy Malleus Draconia fan boy. You’re a passionate guy, fun and tough.” She smiled as he raised a brow.

“I would get that a lot.”

She giggled, “I bet!”

After a while they were let off from the wheel. They left the fair to go back to Night Raven College’s gates. Both of them had two stuffed animals.

“Hey Sebek,” He stopped to look at her, “Was there something else you wanted to tell me on the Ferris wheel?”

“W-What makes you say that?”

She shrugged, “We went on about ourselves. But I had a feeling you wanted to say something.”

He walked to her infront of her, “Okay… I did get to know you better. After the blot incident. When we see each other. I had this strange feeling in my gut. I didn’t know what it was. My heart beats now and then when I am around you, even when we were at the fair. It’s been happening for a while… You smiling was probably the best thing I’ve seen… Well, next to being with Malleus this year is the best thing— But!! That’s beside the point!” he took a deep breath as Aimi watched. “Aimi Morrison. You took my heart and soul away!”

She raised a brow; her cheeks were glowing red as his cheeks were.

“Th-That’s a way of giving a confession. B-But,” he looked at her worriedly, “T-To be honest. I-I know the feeling” she looked away for a second, his eyes were widened. She looked back at him into his golden eyes “I-I really like you too.”

He suddenly hugs her, “I’M SO GLAD!” He exclaimed happily.

She giggled as she hugged him back. Before they could pull away, they realized how close their faces were to each other. Sebek was growing butterflies in his stomach as well as Aimi’s chest beating as if it were going to explode. She places her hand on his cheeks. 

“Y-You mind. I mean! Like— if it’s too soon for you…”

“No.” He simply said.

Sebek leans in making Aimi's chest blossomed as sparks between them light up when his lips are brushed against hers. The butterflies in his stomach were swarming. He could not believe he was doing this. He was enjoying it!! She leaned into the kiss and noticed how soft his lips were. They pulled as if it were forever. Sebek’s face was bright red as her face was.

She started to giggle a bit, making herself cover her face. Feeling embarrassment. 

“W-Why are you laughing?” He asked

“Because I just got my first kiss!” Aimi smiled, moving her hands away.

His eyes widened, “Really?”

“Y-Yeah. It was nice!”

He looked away for a second, “I-It was mine too.”

“Really?”

“I’ve been training for my young master. I haven't thought about going on dates with anyone until now.” Sebek explained shortly.

She shrugged, “True. But you’re a handsome guy. I would assume you went on a date once in your life.”

His face was burning red, she shortly laughed at his reaction, she realized how dark it was with the moon up by the school building. “I should probably get back to the ramshackle. They are probably worried that I’m not coming back sooner.”

“I should too. As my duty as the young master’s guards. B-But I can walk you back home.”

She nodded. Sebek walked her all the way back to the Ramshackle dorm. Before he was about to leave. She leaned up to peck his lips. “Good night.” 

“Good night.” 

She got back inside of the dorm as he walked away. Holding onto the stuffed Dragon plushie and crocodile plushie. The long silver ponytail haired girl, and the brown-haired girl with the twin tails were waiting inside to the door. Surprising Aimi as she yelped.

“Sooooo?” Yuko grinned.

“Soooo what?”

“How was your date?! Did you have fun? Was he nice?” Hana asked excitedly. 

Aimi’s face turned red, “I-It was fun.”

Yuko smirked at her, “We were watching from the window.” 

Aimi’s face was brighter red holding up the stuffed animals. “WHY?!” She screeched.

“Fynaaa, why are they so excited about this?” Grim grumbled on the couch as Kira was reading her book. 

“Oh, Grim. They just want to support her. Also, Yuko wants to tease her more.” 

Meanwhile, Sebek was walking back to his dorm with the koala plushie and hawk plushie.  

Smiling to himself. 

“Kufufu~. Did you have fun with your date?”

Sebek jumps from Lilia suddenly being upside down with a sly smile on his lips.

“LILIA! How long were you here for?!”

“Don’t avoid my question. Tell me the details!” He asked excitedly as he floated right side up. He analyzed the two stuffed animals in his arms.

He looked to the side, “I-It was… it was a good day.”

“Oh, don’t be modest! You should be so happy right now! I’m so proud of you!” Lilia smiled happily at him.

He looked to Lilia, “Lilia, you were right,” Lilia stared at him curiously as his cheeks were burning red, “I think I… sort of understand about my mother.”

Lilia made a huge grin. “Sort of?”

“Just a bit! Okay.”

“Whatever you say, Sebek.”

They walked back to Diasomnia. Sebek hopes that he and Aimi could plan another time…

#sebek zigvolt x oc #fanfic #twst sebek #twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #twst lilia #twst silver #twst malleus #twst oc #twst ocs #sebimi #Sebek x Aimi #sorry for the cringe PFPFPFP #twisted wonderland magical girls au

[sw124]

BonelyHearts Reader Insert6

{Female!ReaderXSkeleton household}

Camping! Pt.6

Well yesterday was quite the day, so much for your enjoying your ‘leisure’ day out. You ended up soaked to your very bones all because of some jerk/jerks in a speed boat. It wasn’t so much getting soaked that bothered you, it was the fact that boat came so close to hitting you and Ash; that is what made you mad…but that was yesterday. An its not like the day ended badly, when you got dry clothes on and the skeletons practically waiting on you hand and foot to be sure you were ok.

You’d be lying if you didn’t enjoy it but you reminded them that you were fine and all warm again. That an you woke up again with the same skeletons in your tent, cuddled up next to you like little darlings. Well this was your last day of camping, that meant it was ‘your’ day. The past two days were dedicated to the skeletons but now it was your turn an you had only one special thing in mind.

“Human, what exactly do you have planned. We’ve done all the trails you wanted minus the …what was it..Grandfathers duff?” Asked Nox.

“Thats ‘Grandads Bluff’ and trust me when I tell you this activity will be great for everyone. But remember we need to pack up before we head off for our last activity, when we’ve finished it we’ll be going home; everyone got that?”

They all responded with a nod, you felt giddy as you helped them pack up. You had a wonderful surprise waiting for them! Packing didn’t take long at all, you handled most of the kitchen items while Papyrus and Boss dismantled the tents. Poplar helped Russ pack up the van while the others walked around picking up any litter left behind. It didn’t take long to get cleaned up really, in less then thirty minutes dishes were clean, tents dismantled and put away, campsite cleaned up and finally the van packed. Now that was done you could take the boys on the last activity of the day!

“Ok boys its gonna ten to fifteen minute walk to our destination so no whining.” You gave a playful wink and motioned the boys to follow you.

It was kinda funny to see some of their deadpan expressions but you digressed. You lead the way towards a road, sticking close to the shoulder of course. Though there weren’t any cars on this road there were ATV’er’s driving about; but they all were polite an stuck to their own side, time to time waving at you and the skeletons. Most if not all of them were simple ‘drive through rugged terrain’ people or parents taking their kids for rides.

Like you said it didn’t take long before you reached your destination…

“…..A ski lift?” Russ tilted his head.

“Well its not used for skiing now but during the autumn its used as a ‘special tour’ option. You take the lift up the mountain to enjoy the view of the local foliage, there at the top is the local ski resort. We’re taking the long ride up so it’ll take about an hour. By the time we get there it’ll be time for lunch so we’ll stop at their cafe to eat. Then comes the best part!”

You wriggle in your boots, ready to explode with excitement.

“The best part is the tram ride down the mountain, on the way down your served the best local drinks in the area. Non-alcoholic of course, the ride down will take just about the same amount of time as getting up give or take a minute. By the time we get back down the mountain it’ll be time to start heading home, you boys ready?”

They all looked at each other before nodding, when you got to where the chairs picked up the skiers you paused…thats right you had to see who was going with who. You looked and already Nox was arguing about going first…call you impatient but you hopped into a chair an let the boys figure it out for themselves.

You turned your back…and felt the chair sweep you up then it dropped its safety bar down. You squeaked like a little mouse as it lifted you up, you turned back to see the boys were still arguing…you waited at least a minute before shouting.

“HEY! I’M ALREADY ON THE LIFT! GET THE LEAD OUT BOYS!”

You laughed as you watched some of them scramble to get on the lift, Poplar and Ash were already getting on by the time the others heard you calling for them. Now that the boys were on the lift all you had to do….was relax and enjoy the ocean of autumn colors at your feet. This truly was a great idea, you slowly watched the wind blow waves of leaves over the trees. It really did look like water, a sea of cold fire…

A sudden thought hit you….there was a few spots on the mountain where special cameras were set up. They were to take pictures of people on the ski lifts, kinda like the camera’s on amusement park rides! They did this for the skiers as something commemorative or something. Oh this was gonna be fun, you hoped you’d see it so you could take a nice photo, if not something funny to laugh at.

[A beautifully peaceful ride later]

You gingerly slide off the lift chair and walked over to a small waiting area, there were some benches and a small kiosk to get your photo. The photo you got didn’t turn out like you hoped but it was still nice, the pictures was of you looking off to the side. You recalled that moment too, you caught sight of a hawk in the distance.

You decided to wait for the boys, you saw the photo’s drop in the kiosk. Not sure if it was ok or what you decided to look. The first photo of course was of Poplar and Ash, they looked like the spitting image of a happy elderly couple. The next was Stretch and Blue, where on earth did Stretch get the Groucho glasses…heh poor Blue didn’t notice he was given the ‘bunny ear’ treatment. Next was Boss and Red who were mostly enjoying the scenery, then it was a picture of Papyrus yelling at a sleepy Sans. Finally was Nox and Russ who much like Red and Boss were just enjoying the scenery…hehe Russ looked so cute.

You slipped the photos into your pocket and went to greet them, by the time you left the little kiosk Poplar and Ash were just getting off the lift. They greeted you and sat down to wait for the others, one by one the pairs of brothers came off the lift. Once you all regrouped you headed for the resort’s cafe.

“Here it is…” you sighed happily, it didn’t have a name other then ‘cafe’ but it just oozed with charm.

Inside the floors were a deep black mahogany with plush bright red carpets, the tables, chairs and table cloths all matched. What made it so charming was each table had a small fire pit in the center where you could roast marshmallows. But since you did that already you had booked a special treat for the boys…

“Fon…due?” Asked Nox.

“Yes, Fondue is a pot of melted cheese where you dip food items into such as bread, vegetables, meat an other things. Don’t worry I’ll be ordering the vegetarian special, it comes with the local favorites! Come on lets sit, I’m starting to get a little hungry now.”

“Yes lets have lunch!” Agreed Poplar, he seemed just as excited about the fondue.

Everyone gathered at one big round table, the waitress took down orders for drinks. Mostly of coffee’s and coco’s but you chose some tea for yourself. Before long your pot of fondue was delivered and everyone proceeded to dip pieces of bread and vegetables into the melted white substance. It had a slight sharp smell but the herbs were mostly the source of it, the taste…was pure velvet. You could taste the cream and hints of butter, instantly you thought of popcorn from a movie theater the moment you took bite of asparagus dipped in the white concoction.

All the vegetables you got were roasted, including some sweet potato chips and some eggplant. This really was a great place, once you an the boys had enough and paid the bill came the tram.

You walked over to check the schedule.

“The next ride will be leaving at 11:45am guys so we got about forty minutes to enjoy the sights around here. Please pay attention to the time ok guys?”

“Got it!” They said in unison.

You smile and walk away, everyone wandered around the outside admiring the scenery. You gravitate away from the boys and wander a bit towards the railing.

Everything was so quiet…so beautiful…but was interrupted by the sound of loud voices. You look to see four men stumbling towards you, hanging off one another, even from a distance you could smell the booze. You were about to move away but they caught sight of you.

“Hey baby, you alone wanna hang (hic!) out?”

You glared. “No, I’m here with my friends now leave me alone-“ just when you turned to head for the nearby staircase to get away from these jerks one of them grabs your arm.

“Hey aren’t you that bitch thats hanging out with them skeletons? Come on hang out with some real men, we got the goods to please a woman!” Well one of them was half sober enough to recognize you for some reason.

You rip your arm away from him.

“Get away from me you filthy piece of crap!” You stepped back…

“See told you she was a bitch, an I know what we do with bitches!” Before you could do anything one of the drunks raised his foot and kicked you…you stumbled back…and took a hard tumble down the stairs behind you.

It wasn’t many stairs but enough that when you landed…you landed hard. For a moment you laid still, you were still conscious so that was good….slowly you started rising to your knee’s, you put weight on your right foot; no problems there……but the moment you tried to step on your left foot….thats when you went down again.

Your ankle felt as if someone drove a spike into the joint and was twisting it around, you let out a pained scream when you put any weight on it. You winced and looked at your hands…oh your poor hands got bruised up good that was for sure…

“Human? Human where are you?!” You looked up, you saw Nox but thankfully no sign of the drunks.

“D-Down here!” You cried…tears were streaming down your face, the pain was almost too much.

You looked up, Nox was racing down full speed. You got scared thinking he’d fall too…give him some credit he had good balance. He reached you and noticed your disheveled self.

“What happened?!” His hands hovered over you.

You sobbed. “S-some drunk guy kicked me down the st-stairs…my ankle hurts real bad Nox…”

Normally you could tolerate a little pain but this…this wasn’t little, already Nox was checking the rest of you. Your arms, head (noting the slight bruised lip you had), neck, he already saw your hands but was now focusing on your legs. When he was satisfied he checked your ankle, slowly he removed your shoe and examined your ankle. His fingertips ghosted over your ankle, flinching when he touched parts near the joint.

“….Its just bruised thankfully, hang on.” He took out his phone and after a few taps made he put the phone to his cheek….and spoke.

“Russ get Boss to my location, a pack of drunks pushed the human down a flight of stairs, she has a bruised ankle an I need someone strong enough to carry her to the Tram.”

He had just put his phone in his pocket when you heard footsteps, already you saw Boss descending the stairs. He had such a graceful step to him despite practically running down those stairs, Russ wasn’t far behind him.

“Oh god, human…” Russ looked ready to cry, you tried to put on a brave smile but it hurt to smile…

Boss waisted no time gathering you into a princess carry, with almost no effort on his part escorted back up the stairs…where a group of worried skeletons were waiting for you.

[three hours later]

This wasn’t how you wanted your camping to end….sure you got the tram ride back but it wasn’t that special ‘lets have a warm drink while watching the woods slowly go by’ kind of ride. Now you were bundled up in a blanket sitting in your room, you just finished crying when Boss walked in with a mug of ‘golden flower’ tea.

“Thanks Boss…” you whimpered as you took the cup from him.

“Now human don’t be so melodramatic, sure the trip didn’t go completely as planned but we still had fun and we got you healed up.” Said Boss crossing his arms.

“Yeah…..thats true….” The tea was the perfect temperature, you hadn’t realized you had gulped it all down…well you were thirsty. “….You know maybe I should go sit in the living room with….everyone…maybe that’ll make me feel…..better…”

You forgot..’golden flower’ tea practically knocked your butt out, you drank it when you couldn’t get to sleep at night. You swayed a bit still bundled in that thick blanket, was you imagination or did you feel Boss wrapping his arms around you?

Oh he just picked you up….you all bundled in your blanket…you felt like a newborn baby swaddled after birth. Warm, safe and loved….you snuggled against the brooding skeletons chest as he walked you out of your room.

You could hear the others having a conversation but….you didn’t care….you could hear cooing but you didn’t care….instead…your mind drifted back to the camping…

Sleeping in a tent curled up with the skeleton family, sharing s’mores and hot coco…

Your mind drifted into a dream…where all you could think about…was you…

And the loving skeletons who were always…and always would be at your side…

End.

[The ending was inspired by a drawing done by @mmhinman and again this is a reader insert dedicated to the @bonelyheartsclub ]

#undertale #fanfic #bonely hearts club

[imagineclaireandjamie]

Blood calls to blood.

It Does My Heart Good: Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6 || Chapter 7 || Chapter 8 || Chapter 9 || Chapter 10 || Chapter 11 || Chapter 12 || Chapter 13 || Chapter 14 || Chapter 15

“That’s it, Rab!”

Jamie almost doubled over, breathing heavily, beaming with joy as his six-year-old son pedaled down the road on his bike, wobbling just a bit.

“No training wheels, Da!” Rab shouted, almost not believing it himself.

Jamie took deep, heaving breaths. “Claire!” he croaked. “Where are ye?”

Claire poked her head out of an upstairs window, peering down at her husband and son in the street. “What? Everybody all right?”

“Mama, look!” Just then Rab pedaled back to the house.

“Oh, lovie!” Quickly she darted inside, raced down the stairs, and flew out of the door, almost colliding with Jamie who still clutched to the mailbox to hold himself steady. 

Rab absolutely glowed, smiling ear to ear as he pedaled back and forth in front of his parents. “Look, Mama and Da!”

Slowly, carefully, Jamie pulled his phone from his front shirt pocket to take a video of Rab racing up and down the street, giddy with joy. 

“Has he fallen yet?” Claire asked, trying to not sound worried.

Jamie shrugged. “He’s a boy. It happens.”

“That’s not exactly comforting - ”

“Have ye had a message from Bree today?” he interrupted uncharacteristically.

Her brow furrowed. “No. Why?”

Jamie held out his phone so that his wife could see the screen. It was a text from Brianna, sent about half an hour previous: I need to see you and Claire tonight. We’re fine. I’ll explain later.

Silently Claire counted to five before responding. “Well I’m worried.”

Jamie watched as Rab ground the bike to a halt at the end of the road, stood up, caught his breath for a bit.

“I hope it isnae the bairn. She’d tell us, aye?”

Brianna and her husband Roger were expecting their first child - Jamie and Claire and John and Isobel’s first grandchild. It had been a surprise - Brianna had become pregnant only about three months after her wedding and six months after starting her new job, and although the two of them were young and early in their respective careers, they loved and cared for each other. And they could provide for a baby - a baby that clearly they both wanted.

Claire nodded. “She would. Same if it was some kind of problem with Roger. I know it’s been stressful, and that they’re still trying to plan for what they’ll do when she goes back to work.”

Jamie tucked his phone back into his pocket and wrapped an arm around Claire’s shoulder. “The puir child has four grandparents to care for it, not to mention two decrepit great-uncles who have gladly said they’ll be full-time carers.” That was true - Lamb and his partner Fez had told Brianna as much during the dinner they’d organized to celebrate her pregnancy. With Lamb retired and Fez on sabbatical for the next year - and with Isobel Grey only working part time, and with Jamie himself fully in control of his schedule at the bookstore, this child had an entire network of people to ensure his or her comfort and care.

“I can’t help but worry.” Claire sighed. 

Jamie squeezed her shoulder. “You’re her Mam. It’s your job to worry.”

Rab raced his bike down the road again, whizzing past them, hitting a rock, and wiping out in spectacular fashion.

“Thankfully he’s wearing his jeans today,” Claire muttered before racing over to her son, too drunk with joy to feel any pain.

---

“That’s a huge scrape you’ve got there,” Brianna politely observed as her brother showed off his skinned knees.

“Yeah. And I was even wearing pants! Mama said it was a good thing I didn’t wipe out in the dirt.”

Bree smiled, rubbing her six-month-pregnant belly. “That’s certainly true.”

“How old were ye when ye learned to ride a bike?” Jamie spooned up the last of the peas Claire had made to go with the roast chicken and mashed potatos she and Bree had cooked for dinner.

Brianna frowned, thinking. “I think I was about seven. It was the summertime, I remember that. I was wearing shorts, and my legs were covered in bruises and my arms were covered in mosquito bites.”

Rab wrinkled his nose. “Gross.”

She laughed. “You don’t need to tell me that.”

Jamie swallowed his last bite and stood, pushing his chair away from the table. “All right, wee Rab. Help me clear the dishes. Bree - you and Claire can sit in the living room if ye like?”

Carefully Bree stood, stretching. “Sounds like a great idea.” 

Claire stood too, and took Bree’s hand. Bree squeezed it, and together they retreated to the soft chairs in the room off of the dining room.

For a while they sat next to each other on the couch, not speaking, listening to the low hum of Jamie’s voice speaking quietly to Rab and the clink of dishes and silverware as they washed and dried. Claire wanted Bree to make the first move, but soon enough Bree spoke.

“I had a realization this morning. Well, two, really. And I wanted to talk to you about it.”

Claire nodded. Patient.

Brianna looked down at her lap as she spoke. “The first is...I almost feel terrible for saying this, but I’m glad not just that you’re a doctor, but that you’re my mother, and I can talk to you about being pregnant and all of the weird things about it, because I can’t talk to my Mom about it.”

“Because she was never pregnant,” Claire said softly.

Bree nodded. “I feel terrible even thinking that - she’s the greatest Mom, and she’s known me all of my life, but -”

“But it helps to talk to someone who has experienced it firsthand. I understand.”

“I remember when you were pregnant with Rab - I  remember asking you all about it, and learning about it. Because I’d never had that growing up. But it’s all so different now.” She paused. “I feel terrible even saying that about my Mom.”

Gently Claire rubbed the back of her daughter’s hand. “Don’t feel bad. I think she’d understand. And I’m so glad that I can help you, Bree. That this is another thing we can share.”

Bree swallowed, still not looking up at her. Claire felt her daughter’s hands shake with emotion.

“Are you all right, honey? Is everything all right with Roger?”

Bree let out a breath. “Oh, Claire, he’s so wonderful. He takes such good care of me. He’s a goofball and it’s really, really endearing.”

“I’m so glad you have that love in your life. Having a child with the man you love - it’s an incredible experience.”

Inexplicably Bree began to sob. Working from an instinct she couldn’t even begin to name, Claire leaned in to hold her daughter close. Comforting her, sheltering her as she cried and cried and cried.

“What’s wrong?” she crooned softly. “You can tell me anything, lovie.”

Brianna hugged Claire even tighter. “The other thing I realized today,” she whispered, “is that I can’t even begin to imagine my life without this baby in it. And then I realized that that’s exactly what you had to do, with me.”

“Oh, sweetie.” Claire rubbed her back soothingly. “That was different. I was unmarried and alone.”

“But still - I feel such a bond with him already, and I can’t imagine disrupting that. For most of the time before I was born, you knew me - and you knew that you wouldn’t be able to keep me.”

“Yes. But I made that choice. Jamie and I made that choice together, because it was the best choice we could make for you.”

“I can’t even imagine making that choice.” Bree took a deep, shaky breath. “And it really, really hit me today. I feel like I finally understand. And I want you to know...” Now she pulled back to look at Claire, wiping away the tears still streaming down her cheeks. “I want you to know that I love you so much more for what you did for me. Because I don’t know if I’d ever have the strength to do that.”

Tears welled in Claire’s own eyes. “Jamie said something to me, before we left each other in Glasgow, during those few precious weeks we had together when we knew you were coming and before I came back to Boston. He said - love forces a person to choose. You do things you never imagined you could do before.”

Bree smiled tearfully. “He’s right.”

Claire wiped away her tears, and cradled her cheek. “Of course he is. I kept saying that to myself over and over and over before you were born, and after you were born, and after I’d moved to North Carolina.”

“I’m sorry if I scared you earlier today when I texted Jamie. I just - ”

“I know, sweetie. I know.”

Just then Rab darted into the room, oblivious to his sister’s tears. “Ice cream for dessert?”

Bree sniffed and looked at her watch. “Roger should be here in fifteen minutes or so. Mind if we wait until  then?”

Rab careened out of the room, intent on setting another place at the dining room table.

“Had I not made an adoption plan for you, Bree - I never would have had Rab.”

Bree turned to her mother, incredulous. “Oh my God. You’re right.”

Claire smiled tightly. “So. Everything is worthwhile. You never know the happiness that will come from the sadness.”

Bree squeezed her hands. “My life has become so much happier with you and Jamie in it. And Rab, too.”

Claire’s heart soared. “Oh, lovie. Ours too. Ours too.”

#;mod gotham #adoption au #Anonymous

[mm2305]

Hi Mil!!

I thought those Meet Cute asks were so much fun!! I am glad you did too!! If you have time I would like to request #35 for Ethan and Olivia.

Thank you!!

-Kate

Please drive!

Pairing : Ethan Ramsey x f!mc (Olivia Valentine) ¦¦ Words/Rating : 1.4k / T ¦¦ Warnings : mention of aggressive dogs ¦¦ Setting : Alternate Universe ¦¦

Prompt : They jump into your car breathless and tell you to keep driving

A/N : Hello!! I'm sorry this took so long but it's here now and I really hope you like this Kate! I certainly had lots of fun with this. Request from the meet cute prompt list (requests still open). Happy reading!

Disclaimer : all characters belong to the rightful owners. Also the Thomas Mendez headcanon here is by @jamespotterthefirst

Masterlist

-/-

It was a warm, sunny afternoon, the sun high upon the sky, the air unusually filled with humidity. A dreadful combination, for sure. The street was mostly empty, the sight of another soul, rare during this time that the heat was at its fullest. Most people would be sensible enough to not go out at 103°F, but as much as he needed to be one of those people, Ethan was on borrowed time that day.

Being an intern at a hospital was probably the hardest - and let's be honest, shittiest- situation you could be in, right? The answer is a big fat no. At least that's what Ethan Ramsey, a doctor who at just his second year as an attending was at the top of his game and highly successful, would say. Why? Because someone has to deal with the interns and that brave soul has to deal with a lot. He speaks from experience.

Hence why this was the only moment he could slip in his schedule to take a break and get some decent coffee. His best friend Tobias, had suggested he go to the new place in the suburbs to get his caffeine fix. Of course, Ethan didn't believe him at first. A coffee shop in the suburbs? Sounds like one of Tobias' usual pranks. Still, his curiosity won and he drove all the way to the suburbs in search of the infamous coffee shop.

He would die before he admitted that Tobias was right, but that was some pretty good coffee. Content and somewhat more ready to go back, he began walking to his car. He could hear some barking in the distance, but that was to be expected. All those rich people around here sure would keep a dog or two. "Well maybe I should adopt the pup Thomas stole. I could use the company of someone not constantly talking" , he thought to himself as he unlocked the car.

Ethan quickly got in and immediately turned on the air conditioning. He sinked into his leather seat and closed his eyes for a minute, finding some relief from the unbearable heat. Suddenly he heard the door of the car open and close along with some very loud barking and he instinctively jumped in his seat, turning to look at the person who jumped in his car.

He didn't even get to utter a word before the woman turned to look at him with pleading eyes.

"Oh my God I'm so sorry for barging in but please please drive ! I'll explain everything I promise!"

Not even thinking about it, he started driving, while keeping an eye on the woman next to him, who was breathing heavily and looking out of the mirrors. It was then that he saw six big dogs running after his car and all that barking he had heard started making sense.

The dogs stopped following them after a few more minutes, their endurance making them seem understandably terrifying. Only then did she relax and take a deep breath.

"Thank you so much for this. I'm so sorry for jumping into your car.", she thanked him with a small smile.

"Uh… it's no problem. Glad I could help."

"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Olivia Valentine, nice to meet you.", Olivia extended her hand towards him in a handshake.

Turning his eyes on her he briefly shook her hand. "Ethan Ramsey, it's…certainly interesting to meet you"

She laughed slightly at that, shaking her head and looking out of the window.

Ethan couldn't help but really notice how attractive she was. Her hair was gold blonde and tied back into a high ponytail, shaped in loose curls. Her eyes were big and green and her skin was spotless. Olivia wasn't wearing much makeup but what really stood out was her plump, bright red lips, perfectly contrasting with her fair skin. She was dressed in a simple, professional, dark blue , form-fitting dress with black high heels that accentuated her long legs. She was wearing a silver, elegant wrist watch and in her lap rested a black briefcase.

"Would it be okay if I asked what just happened to you, Miss Valentine?", the urge to solve mysteries whether it was regarding medicine or this beautiful woman, propelled him towards asking her this question. Besides she just came out of nowhere, I have a right I ask her. Right?

"Please call me Olivia."

"Only if you call me Ethan"

She grinned and nodded. "Deal"

"So, Ethan , I am a real estate agent. I had an appointment with a client to show him a villa that was for sale but I had been waiting outside the house for thirty minutes and he hadn't shown up. And of course, he didn't even call to let me know that he wouldn't come, instead of letting me roast in the sun. Anyways, I decided to leave and I walked a couple of blocks down the street in hopes of getting a cab. You can guess how well that went in this time and area, so I called a colleague to come pick me up. I was waiting for her to come, when two of these huge ass dogs escaped their homes, thinking I was an intruder just because I passed by and began coming closer, teeth bared and all. Since I am so lucky today, somehow more dogs gathered so I panicked and ran. They started chasing me… and then Olivia met Ethan", she finished her story with a dry chuckle.

Ethan was left speechless. His surprise must have been written all across his face because next thing he knew she was bursting into laughter.

"I'm-I'm sorry… it's just--that you should see your face", she said in between laughing.

"I mean. Wow. And all because of that jerk of a client."

"Definitely a jerk and not only because of that. He's a plastic surgeon and he's all about how successful he is or some shit. "I'm Dr. Thorne and I'm one of the leading plastic surgeons in Massachusetts." As if I give a damn. ", she rolled her eyes hard.

"Dr. Thorne you said? Ugh he's one of the worst of his kind"

"You know him?!"

"Yeah unfortunately. He works in Edenbrook, as do I. I'm a doctor."

"Ohh interesting! Let me guess. Internal medicine?"

"Actually… yes. How did you guess?", he turned to give her a surprised look.

"You previously said of his kind. I know enough about doctors that one working in internal medicine isn't particularly…fond of surgeons. Am I right?", she asked giddily.

Ethan chucked at that. "Yes, you are. Mostly at least"

"Nailed it."

Valentine. Where had he heard that name though…?

"You work in the big firm downtown don't you?" , he stated rather than asked after a moment of silence.

"I was wondering when you would figure it out Dr. Ramsey.", Olivia teased him, smirking.

"I am a diagnostician Ms. Valentine. I notice things. And your firm is difficult to miss"

"Technically not mine. My father owns the business."

"So it's safe to assume, your mother is the doctor?"

"Bravo, Doctor. Yes indeed. She works at Mass Kenmore."

"I see… So. Want me to give you a lift? We're already in the car and your work is on my way.", he raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"Sure! Thanks Ethan", she replied, grinning widely.

They spent the rest of the way comfortably talking to each other, both genuinely enjoying each other's company. For someone who was so talkative and gregarious, Ethan found himself interested in anything Olivia had to say. She was smart and confident, but in the most charming way possible. At last they reached the firm and Ethan pulled over.

Both turned to look at each other and started talking simultaneously

"Olivia--"

"I --"

"Ladies first.", he motioned for her to say what she wanted.

"Right. Thank you once again Ethan, both for the save and the ride. It was really nice to meet you.", her hand reached and squeezed his arm.

"You're very welcome, Olivia. I uh… wanted to ask…only if you want to of course… can I have your number?". He was quite visibly stuttering, but he tried to hide it behind a cough.

Olivia looked him in the eyes, clearly seeing through him and smiled. "Yeah, absolutely. Can I have yours too?"

He smiled back at her. "Yes of course"

They exchanged cards and after saying goodbye, Olivia got out of the car and walked back into the office. Just as she sat down at her desk she received a text message.

Ethan : Meet me this Saturday at 8, in "Gaston's Bistro"?

Olivia : I'll be there :)

Ethan : Perfect :D

She put her phone away and got down to work, smiling all the way, already excited for her date this weekend.

-/-

A/N : Of you made it till here, then thank you for reading! Likes, comments and reblogs are always appreciated :)

Taglist :

Perma (all OH edits and fics) : @romewritingshop @codykosuckmytoe @sophxwithers @actuallybored @potionsprefect @ethansramsey @crystalwillow @gryffindordaughterofathena @kiara-36 @mrsethanfreakingramsey @writer-ish @panda9584 @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @queencarb @shanzay44 @nikki-2406 @starryeyedrookie @coffeeheartaddict @schnitzelbutterfingers @mysticaurathings @starrystarrytrouble @lsvdw-blog @izzyourresidentlawyer @silma-words @stygianflood @headoverheelsforramsey @maurine07 @natureblooms24 @a-crepusculo @barbean @choicesaddict5

Fics only : @alina-yol-ramsey

+ @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Please let me know if you want to be moved to another category or totally removed. No hard feelings promise.

#open heart #ethan ramsey #choices open heart #ethan ramsey x mc #choices stories you play #choices #open heart mc #open heart fanfiction #open heart au #ethan jonah ramsey x mc #dr ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan jonah ramsey #ethan ramsey fanfiction #dr ethan x mc #ethan x f!mc fanfic #ethan x olivia #oph au #oph #fics of the week #Mil writes #cfwc

[sunflowersseemhappy]

Activities the Main Six always do during the Winter Holidays that just make sense.

Its that time of year folks and however you celebrate the winter holidays (or don’t for that matter) I wish you all the best for the new year and the future beyond that! 

Asra

Lights a candle in the doorway. Before MC died and the plague was just beginning MC placed a candle alight to keep ‘hope burning bright’. Asra continued to light it every Winter Holiday after, hoping for MC’s memories to return and for a brighter future.

Buys gifts through the year to give. Whenever MC or anyone else mentions something they like, or need Asra buys it the very same day if he can and places it in a box stashed away to give to the receiver that Winter Holiday.

Wants MC to sit in his lap as they open presents. Simple really, he just likes being close and being able to give MC neck kisses as they gasp at the gifts he gets them, or in thanks to MC for his own gifts..

Unwrapping presents in bed. Continuing from presents Asra prefers unwarping presents in bed because why not?! The shop flat is cold and the bed is warm and he’s too excited about the gifts to worry about lighting the fireplace yet. Also he just wants to snuggle with MC. 

Morning pumpkin bread. Every Winter Holiday Selasi the baker makes Winter Holiday goodies for the locals and Asra drags MC to go get some warm pumpkin bread to eat as both walk to Muriel’s hut.

Gifts Muriel an orange. When he and Muriel were on the streets the two wanted to celebrate but could never afford much besides an orange for each other, the tradition continued every year without fail even when Muriel was locked away in the Coliseum and when Asra moved into the shop. It's a symbol of their friendship and the times, good and bad, they spent with each other.

After the long day of other Winter Holiday activities Asra takes MC for a walk through the streets, snow lining the streets of the city and colourful lanterns lighting them Asra and MC wander the streets and everytime you hear music coming from a home or bar he leads them into a dance under the falling snow.

Nadia

Winter Holiday palace treasure hunt. Nadia’s favourite family tradition was the treasure hunt for the Winter Holiday tree and presents that her parents hosted every year (where they would find a string and follow it), not only did each of her siblings receive a gift but her parents gave gifts to each servant and guard that worked at the palace too. It's a tradition she proudly works on every year.

Gifts MC a new outfit for the festivities. Every year without fail MC gets a new unique outfit for the festive season (like a christmas jumper but a bit more formal), the outfit is worn during the Winter Holiday activities and is always too gorgeous for words.

Sleigh ride. Going out into the marvelous winter wonderland is magical, and a sleigh ride is even more so. Nadia often has a pair of dappled grey horses pulling a sleigh piled with blankets and hot drinks and drives the sleigh through the city giving out candies.

Food bank donations. With the sleigh ride comes the piles of food Nadia gifts to the homeless shelters of Vesuvia, she wants her people to experience as much joy as they can during the festive season. She wishes she could do better but she is working hard to make the season better for every one of the people.

Winter Holiday festival. Founded before Nadia and even Lucio’s rule over the city, Nadia’s favourite event is the festival the people throw on the frozen canals of the city (although she can’t vouch for how safe it is). But in all honesty she just loves spoiling MC with the gifts off the stalls and seeing how happy it makes others. 

Snowflake making. The return to the palace is filled with food and music but Nadia enjoys the evening most. Picking up yet another of her own family’s traditions, making snowflakes out of paper. It's a nice quiet time to talk about the festivities and share stories and generally the others show up to join in and relax with some yummy desserts.

Above all Nadia loves sharing spiced wine and reclining with MC, just sitting among pillows and drinking the night away. She’s full of giggles and chaste kisses during the evening and tells some truly terrible jokes and pranks that her siblings pulled on the servants during the season.

Julian

Stockings over the fireplace. Of the traditions he can remember Julian’s favourite were the stockings his parents filled for him and Portia, truth be told it's the only one he remembers... To this day he fills stockings for Maz, Portia and MC and somehow manages to hang them on respective fireplaces without any one of them knowing.

Does not get any sleep on Winter Holiday eve. Why? Because not only is he doing the stockings, he’s delivering presents from the ‘Winter Spirit’ to everyone he knows. Julian likes to think everyone believes in the spirit delivering the gifts but everyone knows it’s is him but they go along with it.

Popcorn and cranberry strings. For some unknown reason Julian is obsessed with popcorn and cranberry strings, maybe he likes the monogamy of it all but the real reason is he just likes hearing MC talk and there's nothing else to do but talk during the making of the stings. Also they are tasty, Malak agrees.

Draws loved ones for Winter Holiday. For all the excitement during the Winter Holiday Julian does take some time for peace and serenity, during a party or unwarping presents he’s usually sat in a chair scratching away on paper and drawing MC, or Maz, Portia, Asra, Muriel, Nadia or any one of the pets. Usually he ends up with little drawings of his loved ones to look back on year after year. It’s his favourite little tradition, one of his own. 

Strategically places mistletoe. Julian is all for kisses under the mistletoe (mainly with MC) but he is a devil when it comes to placing the mistletoe in places where it will yield the best results. No one is safe and pretty much everyone has kissed each other. Jokes on him because at one point he walked under some with Muriel. 

Bar hopping. Julian finds it very important to sample the Winter Holiday ales of all the bars in Vesuvia so he takes everyone for a round at every place. He loves seeing everyone happy and enjoying themselves and the drunken snowball fights that ensue are the funnest part of his evening even if he gets a cold afterwards...

Muriel

Making Winter Holiday ornaments. Even before the Winter Holiday season Muriel is making ornaments to hang around the hut or gift to people, he learned that many people were willing to pay for such trinkets and his skills in carving helped pay for many a meal when he and Asra were orphans. Now he does it out of habit, but is glad they make MC happy.

Makes charms that make the hut smell a certain way. A skill learned from Asra, Muriel enjoys making the hut smell like different things with his charms, they were also once popular in the market when the two sold them. Now they serve to make the hut a comforting smell, Muriel really likes the spiced orange smelling ones.

Messing around in the snow. When MC and Muriel are out in the snow the mountain man becomes strangely obsessed with messing around in it, pushing snow off branches and onto MC’s head, throwing handfuls for Inanna to snap at and even just falling into snow drifts with MC in his arms. He’s still plenty warm enough afterwards. 

Gifting to the orphans/feeding orphans. Muriel knows what it's like to have no home or family during the Winter Holiday, so there’s an open invitation to all the street urchins to spend Winter Holiday with him and MC. For all his bluster at not liking people Muriel is very warm and welcoming to the orphans.

Gift to the animals. Muriel spends the months leading up to Winter Holiday making sure each animal with have their own gift, despite the chickens seemingly indifferent take on their new hut. But the wild birds love the berries Muriel puts out and Inanna will refuse to give up her wolf pup teddy for even the juiciest slice of roast. 

Yule log and cuddles. Muriel spends many meticulous hours carving the shapes into the yule log and enchanting it to make the flames different colours so its a full fledged ritual to settle down next to the fire and cuddle with MC as both watch it crackle and sparkle. Muriel dishes out some gentle head kisses as he dozes on MC’s chin. 

Portia

Hot cocoa. Hands down Portia’s hot cocoa is the best in the city and maybe the whole world, since she was young Portia spent years making her hot cocoa recipe perfect. Julian likes to joke that it even rivals their father’s hot cocoa, Portia has tried many times to get it to taste like her father’s for Julian.

Makes MC a scarf, socks, hat, gloves. The mismatched and misshapen winter warmers Portia made in her childhood to hide in Julian’s own stockings have with practice become beautiful hand crafted sets of socks, scarves, hat and gloves that she gifts to her loved ones. 

Decorate the cottage. Since learning magic Portia has become obsessed with decorating the cottage using said magic, rainbow lights lining the path way, dancing lights around the doorway and a door knocker that sings a festive song when used. The list of decorations is exhaustive and the cottage is visible within a few miles everyone in the palace agrees it is the best decorated place in the city.

Sledding. Non-arguably Portia’s favourite thing to do in the snow, sledding is an activity she remembers doing with Julian many a winter when the snow was everywhere. She invites everyone to go sledding and even to this day she demands Julian pull the sled like he did when she was little. Even Pepi has her own little sled. 

Visit Maz who feeds Portia and MC. During Winter Holiday Maz, Portia and MC spend hours making the largest Winter Holiday feast for everyone to enjoy, packed into the small house the feast lasts just as long into the night. It’s not dissimilar to the feasts they had on Maz’s ship with the pirate crew and Portia enjoys the yummy food. 

Snowball ambush of Julian. Without fail if there is snow there is an ambush waiting to happen, it gets Julian very jumpy but without fail Portia and MC manage to get pelt him with snowballs. The resulting snowball fight usually ends in defeat for Julian, but Portia and MC hardly play fair. 

Lucio

Advent calendar. Such events as Winter Holiday were not widely celebrated by Lucio’s tribe but after discovering Vesuvia’s traditions he became infatuated with Winter Holiday. Especially the lead up to it between the two of them, MC and Lucio make advent calendars for each other, twelve days of receiving gifts which they have to hunt for in the city. 

Walk with the dogs. Once presents and morning cuddles are done Lucio and MC step out into the winter wonderland to walk the dogs (who practically disappear into the snow). The walk involves delivering presents to the others (who are warming up to the new Lucio) and chatting about various other plans for the day.

Baking gingerbread house. Ever since seeing the gingerbread houses the baker made Lucio has obsessed over making one, although he could easily buy them, but he couldn’t find anyone who wanted to make one of the palace. He’s getting better at them over the years, but MC’s own creations are much better.

Light show. In true Lucio fashion he plans the spectacular light shows that the city get to enjoy, fireworks and magic for all to watch. The light show is a far cry simpler than his other parties, but he doesn’t throw them to impress everyone, just MC.

Ballet. In the evenings Lucio would usually throw a party but since MC introduced him to the ballet’s he was invited too but never actually thought about going to. Lucio actually really began enjoying them, mostly because he likened the stories to himself and MC’s adventures. He’s actually begun planning one of the two of them for next year’s show. 

Charades. The last event of the evening is charades, usually he’s drunk or tipsy at that point so its quite funny to watch him make a fool of himself in front of the others who actually decided to indulge the former count. All he mimes is wanting a kiss from MC, who can’t help but blush even if its the fifth time he’s done it.

#the arcana #asra #muriel #nadia #julian #lucio #portia #christmas #winter #holiday #snow #sledding #ballet #charades #gingerbread house #advent #mc #haeadcannons #hc #fic #story #merry #happy