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blueraineshadows · 11 months

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Love Me, Love Me Not - Part One

This is for @applinsandoranges and her brilliant request.

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC 🌶🔥 NSFW

Blurb: She loves him, he loves her, but they are both too damn scared and stubborn to admit it. She finds solace in the arms of other boys, he just wants her to be happy - can these two idiots actually fess up and admit the truth?

Summer after 5th Year

Clouds of the purest white, fluffy and inviting, as though you could jump in and lose yourself in the softness, sailed lazily across a perfect summer sky. It was beautiful, pure, the air warm and balmy, but summer was fading out fast.

MC lay on her back, her eyes watching those peaceful clouds float by, her chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. She allowed a sense of peace to wash over her and she closed her eyes.

A voice, deep and raw, the tone familiar and holding all that held her heart hostage. "I will never be able to repay you, you know that, right? Everything you've done for me. My debt to you is limitless."

Her eyes opened. Those clouds may look inviting, but don't be fooled. Once you dive in, there is nothing to hold you in their fluffy depths, and you will soon be plummeting for the ground, reality rushing up to swallow you whole.

The magnitude of the last school year loomed over her. Her first year at Hogwarts had been a baptism of fire and death. And yet, here she was, laying on the grass, spending lazy summer days looking up at the sky, alive. Beside her, the boy who had stolen her heart and consumed it with fire and magic.

Sebastian Sallow. A boy with trauma in his past, a boy just as lost in the dark as she was, a kindred spirit that had somehow found her and woven his tragedy deeply with hers.

Her heart was his, and yet he did not know it. The words were there, at the back of her throat, tethered there by all the horrors they had been through.

So much darkness, so much death, so much to process under this peaceful summer sky. Too much death.

The words from her heart had to be swallowed down, harboured safely in the secret caverns of her chest. They both needed time. Time to grow up, time to heal, time to sort through the mess that had been scattered after that day in the catacombs, the horrors underneath Hogwarts. The grief, the loss, the pain, and the sacrifice.

Her hand fumbled out across the grass, fingers seeking out Sebastian's, taking them and holding them securely. She would always try to catch him when he stumbled.

"There is no debt to pay," she said, softly. "I would do it again, gladly. As far as anyone else is concerned, we were never in those catacombs. I will take our secret to my grave, and even then I will hold it tight in my death grip."

She stared at the sky, not daring to look at him, because her eyes would betray the love in her heart. His head turned towards her, she could feel the burn of his gaze. Her lips ached to kiss him, to taste him, to know him even deeper than she already did.

But it wasn't the right time. And, who knew? He may not feel the same. He was grateful, of course, but that didn't mean love. He was her friend, first and foremost, and to lose that was out of the question. She'd never had a best friend before him, never had the chance to. He was a friend so precious that she had lied to save him from a fate worse than death.

Why then would she risk losing him over something so small as a kiss? No. For now, she was content to lay under a peaceful sky and hold his hand. Alive.

....*....

One Year Later

This would be MC's third year at Hogwarts but the sight of the castle on the first day still made her stop for a moment, a small pause amid the chaos of students arriving in their droves, just a moment to appreciate the beauty of the place she thought of as home.

A bump from behind made her stagger a little and she turned to see a group of younger students, their eyes widening in recognition as they looked up at her, mumbling their apologies. She smiled and waved them off. No harm done. They continued to stare at her though, whispering behind their hands as they headed off towards the school. "That's her, that's the Hero of Hogwarts."

Sighing, still shying away from the hero worship that didn't sit right with her, she followed the students down the path. How was she a hero? She had blood on her hands, and plenty of it. She held secrets that would scare you more than a creepy bedtime story ever could.

Trauma, she had discovered, wasn't something you could just sweep under a carpet. No. It lingered in the shadows and leapt on you when you least expected it, lurked on the edge of your dreams, circling, waiting, always waiting.

Carrying such weight was hard. And sometimes you needed a release. MC was sure her methods were a little scandalous, definitely frowned upon in the Muggle world, but luckily, she didn't belong there anymore.

The Wizarding World was more accepting, more open, but it still had a sense of morality of course. She still had to be discreet. And she was. Mostly.

She had been rather good over the summer. Working in a cafe by the sea, lodging in a room above it, taking the time out to try and find herself. Becoming an adult came with its own problems, and she had discovered that drinking in bars and meeting charming young men had eased some of the insecurity that plagued her. It made her feel good, even if only for a little while. She absorbed their compliments, allowed them to spoil her, allowed them to hold her hand and charm her with soft words. A stolen kiss in the dark to chase the shadows away.

But never to come anywhere close to her heart. No. Her heart was still in the hands of Sebastian Sallow, and yes, he still had no idea he owned it.

....*....

Walking into the Slytherin common room was like stepping into home, and MC felt a smile tug at her lips, savouring the feel of the room around her. The energy of a new term was thick in the air, excited chatter and the meeting up of friends after two months apart made for a noisy atmosphere. But it felt good. It felt right.

"MC!"

Her heart skipped and stuttered in her chest. She spun, her eyes lighting up immediately at the sight of him. She hadn't seen him all summer and the ache of missing him had her running, arms out, her feet leaving the floor as she threw herself into his embrace.

Sebastian grunted at the impact, the rumble of his laughter pleasant against her chest as she squeezed him tight. She didn't care that others were staring. She was owed a Sebastian hug, it had been too long.

"I missed you, too," he said, chuckling.

She lifted her head to look at him more closely, her hands behind his neck, her feet dangling uselessly where he still held her. A little sigh escaped her. Oh, how beautiful he was!

His skin was sun kissed, a riot of freckles splashed across his nose, his features sharper, hardened into those of a man. But his eyes, they were still him, still sparkling with his mischief and warmth.

Realising she was just staring at him, grinning like an idiot, she ruffled his mop of brown hair, some of the strands tinted with gold. "Someone has been spending a lot of time out of doors," she said. "You have a tan."

His eyebrows flicked upwards playfully. "I've been working the fields. Got to earn honest coin somehow."

He placed her back on her feet and her hands slid down to his upper arms, her own eyebrows lifting at the firm muscle she could feel through the fabric of his shirt sleeves. She gave them a squeeze in appreciation. Working the fields felt good on him. In fact, she took a step back to study him a little closer and felt a flicker of fire twist into life within her. He had filled out more, his shoulders were wider, and damn if he didn't seem taller. He filled the space he stood in completely, and she was staring hungrily.

His cheeks reddened and she gave herself a mental shake. If she wasn't careful she would be drooling in a minute. She covered her obvious oogling with a little smile, a turn of her shoulder. Make it playful, make him smile. "Looking good, Sallow," she nodded. "Your Crossed Wands fan club are going to be swooning in the spectator stands."

His trademark smirk appeared and he took her arm, walking her towards the staircase. "That's alright, if they get too much for me I can just set my all powerful bodyguard on them." He gave her a little wink. "Come on, let's find Ominis. I'm starving and there is a seat in the Great Hall with my name on it."

Getting to their table was a flurry of hugs and greetings. MC, Natty and Poppy had stood in a three person hug, squeezing each other for so long that Sebastian had waded in, separating the girls, tugging MC possessively away. "Now, now, ladies," he chuckled. "You can catch up later. Now, MC and I need to eat."

Poppy and Natty exchanged a secret, knowing look and then they let MC go with promises to meet up the next day.

Ominis was already seated, looking as handsome and composed as ever. MC slid onto the bench next to him, her hand gentle on his arm. "Hello, Ominis," she greeted.

He smiled and nodded. "Good evening, MC," he said. "May I say, your new perfume is particularly lovely. I shall have to remember it. I had grown used to your previous scent."

"Thank you, Ominis. You always say the sweetest things."

He passed her the jug of juice. "How was your summer? You're owls were less frequent this time."

"Busy, I was working through most of it," she said. "But I am more than ready to get back into the swing of things here. I've missed you all so much."

Sebastian met her gaze and smiled. Yes. It was really good to be back.

....*....

Sebastian turned down the covers of his bed and slid between the sheets, the cool, clean linen of his pillow soft against his cheek. His drapes were still open on the side that faced Ominis and he watched as his friend climbed into his own bed.

"It feels good to be back this year," he said.

Ominis hummed in agreement. "Our last year," he said, thoughtfully. "It's a bit scary to tell you the truth. The big, wide world awaits."

"How bad can it be?" Sebastian grinned.

"Where you're concerned, anything is possible," Ominis sighed.

Sebastian smirked and wriggled a bit, getting comfortable, sleepiness making his eyes droop.

"Do you think this will be the year when you finally tell MC how you feel?"

Sebastian froze, his eyes opening wide to stare across at Ominis. Ominis lay with his head angled towards him, waiting for a reply.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Sebastian said.

Ominis sighed. "Of course you don't," he drawled. "Except, for me, it's so very obvious that you are ridiculously in love with her."

Sebastian rolled over to stare up at his canopy. Was he really that obvious? Maybe he needed to reign his affections back a touch then. He didn't want to scare her away. The thought of losing her made him feel sick to his stomach.

But, at the same time, his whole body ached for her. He closed his eyes, his mind replaying the moment she had spun to face him in the common room earlier. She was just perfect, so beautiful, and she had run to him, run right into his waiting arms. The feel of her softness pressed up against him like that had made his mind reel. For a split second, when she had stepped back from him, her eyes scanning him from head to toe, her hands feeling at the muscles in his arms, for that split second he had thought he saw something in her eyes. Desire? Want?

His heart had leaped, sped up. Did she want him too?

But then she had turned playful, flirty, the look gone, if it had been there at all.

He rubbed at his face with his hands and turned to look over at Ominis. "Maybe it's not love, Ominis. Maybe it's just...I don't know. A crush?"

"Oh, Sebastian, it's not a crush, and you know it," Ominis said. He leant up onto one elbow to face Sebastian. "And I will tell you right now, if you don't say something to her, then someone else is going to beat you to it. Someone else is going to snap her up and then you will have lost your chance."

Sebastian scowled. The very idea of another man touching MC waking up a rage in his gut that made him feel nauseous. Ominis was right. Wasn't he always? MC was highly eligible. Who wouldn't want her?

He rolled over, thumping at his pillow a bit before settling down. The sleepiness was gone. He lay there and thought about MC, his demons hovering in the corner, waiting to pounce.

....*....

The whip of brooms speeding past filled the air, the whack of the Beaters, and the shouts of the team joining the din of Quidditch. MC sat in the stands watching Sebastian speed through the air, his arm swinging the bat to whack a bludger back towards his opponent. His face was set with intent, a grunt leaving his mouth as he hit it, the crack of the impact ricocheted across the stadium.

MC bit her lower lip. Watching him was stirring up feelings. Hot feelings. She felt her cheeks flush with heat. She had been kissed by some handsome lads during the summer, but none of them had fired her up as quick he did. And he hadn't even touched her like that. Like she wanted him to.

Then he was gone, zooming off, the chants of the spectators rising as Hufflepuff took a shot at goal, but the Slytherin keeper saved it. MC shot to her feet, a cheer bursting from her lips at the cracking save. She shook her Slytherin scarf with pride and the Keeper, Andrew Clemmens, looked her way, giving her a cheeky wink. MC laughed and waved at him.

The game continued, Slytherin dominating the play, Hufflepuff struggling under the relentless stamina of her house. Imelda was like a roaring dragon, driving her team with a mad gleam in her eye. It paid off. Slytherin caught the Snitch. They were victorious!

As the team were heading off for the changing rooms, MC elbowed her way through the mass of students milling about to find Sebastian. He had earned a congratulatory hug, but she couldn't see him, craning her neck over many heads, her hands tugging at her scarf.

"Hey, MC."

She turned and looked up at Andrew Clemmens, the Slytherin Keeper. He gave her a smile. He was cute, soft, dark curls framing a handsome face, eyes like a stormy sky. He was well built, a strong neck and tall, very tall. Her lips curved upwards in a return smile. "Nice save earlier, Clemmens," she said.

"Thanks. I saw you cheering," he said. He glanced about, rubbing the back of his head. "Are you coming to the after party?"

"Wouldn't miss it," she said. Her brow creased slightly. "Have you seen Seb? I was hoping to catch him."

"Oh, er, I think he has gone in to change already," he said. He hesitated. "Are you and him a thing?"

MC flushed. "Oh, no. No, we're not a thing. Just friends." She inwardly cringed. The irony of everyone assuming that was the case was not lost on her. She was faced with similar questions on the regular.

Andrew's eyebrows lifted a little, a smile widening his lips. "Oh, okay, well...maybe I will catch up with you later at the party then?"

She stared up at Andrew. She wished he made her heart beat faster, it would make things a lot easier for her if he did, but no. However, she found herself nodding and said she would see him later. His smile was dazzling, and she watched him walk off, knowing without a doubt that she might well catch up with him later, but she couldn't give him her whole self.

....*....

The way MC had smiled at Andrew Clemmens, the way she had stood and watch him walk off, it made Ominis' words ring in his ears. Somebody else would try to win MC's heart. Sebastian's hands were clenched at his sides as he watched them talk. Was Andrew swooping in to make a claim on her?

Sebastian had been about to go to her, celebrate the win with her before changing, but now he was wound so tightly he would probably say something stupid. The best thing to do would be to go shower, cool off, then find her at the party afterwards.

But then, she was turning, her eyes scanning the crowd and seeing him standing there. Her face brightened and she was skipping towards him. She flicked her scarf up and over his head, wrapping it about his neck. "Why, hello, Beater boy," she sang. "How's it feel to be a winner?"

Her smile was infectious, he couldnt help but return it. "It feels pretty damn good, I must say."

She giggled and tugged on the scarf, he was pulled a little closer. Her face was close, close enough to lean in and kiss her. Fuck, he wanted to. He really would be a winner then, better than any match win.

"Going to the after party?" She asked.

He nodded. "You?"

"Want me to wait, or shall I meet you there?"

He wanted her to wait, no, he wanted to sneak her in to the changing rooms, smuggle her into a cubicle, press her up against his body, naked and wet. Fuck the party.

He reached up to rub a hand against his forehead, his thoughts making his blood feel hot and thick in his veins. "Meet you there?"

Oh, Sallow, you idiot!

She nodded and slid the scarf free of his neck, the scent of her wafting up from the wool to drive him wild. She prodded his chest with a finger. "No getting waylaid by your little fan club and leaving me waiting," she teased. She glanced to one side where a group of 5th year girls were staring and whispering, little flushed cheeks and admiring eyes.

MC's flirting was doing things to him, twisting his insides up into tight knots. He couldn't care less about this so called fan club. She was the only girl he wanted to kiss. But his jealousy was scraping nails through his thoughts. Did she flirt with Andrew like this? Did she give him that same smile?

"Won't you have Andrew Clemmens to keep you company if I'm not there?"

The words had left his tongue before he even realised they were there. Her face fell a little, her brow creasing, and her cheeks flooded with a rosy blush. "What?"

The words were out there now. Too late to pull them back. He shrugged, trying desperately to look as if he didn't care. But he did care. He cared a lot. "You two looked fairly cosy. Don't let me stand in your way."

She stared up at him, a shadow passing through her eyes, and then she straightened. She wrapped the scarf around her own neck and gave him a tight smile. "Since when do I ever let anyone stand in my way? I'll see you later."

And then she was gone, striding across the grounds, away from him. He watched her go for a minute, cursing his stupid mouth, before heading to go and change.

....*....

The Slytherin common room was a riot of noise, flags hanging from wherever they were thrown, plenty of refreshments, including more than one flask of firewhiskey being passed around the older students.

MC managed to snag one and took a long drag, calming her frayed nerves.

Could she have been any more obvious? Putting her scarf around his neck, tugging him closer, asking to wait for him. Why hadn't he kissed her for Merlin's sake?

And then, to top it all off, he had mentioned Andrew, telling her he wouldn't stand in her way. In other words, go snog him, I don't care.

If it didn't make her feel so wretched she might have actually laughed. She really needed to stop trying to send him signals. He clearly didn't want them.

He was her best friend. She had been desperately trying to not fuck it up for two years now. Maybe she needed to accept that this is how they were supposed to be.

Slapping a brave face on it, she smiled, she drank, and she sang along with the bawdy songs. She didn't see Sebastian, he hadn't showed up yet. Must have been giving her plenty of time to catch up with Andrew.

Speaking of which, there was the Keeper, swigging from a flask of fire whiskey. She found herself wandering his way, his smile aimed right at her. She smiled back and he offered her the flask.

Just like during the summer, she covered her pain with a handsome face, seeking comfort in their playful flirting, giving as good as she got.

When Andrew bent down to whisper in her ear, asking her if she wanted to go some place a little quieter, she nodded, her hand sliding into his. Grinning, he tugged her through the still rowdy party, and along towards his dormitory.

When his lips found hers she closed her eyes and tried not to think too much, because if she did, it would be Sebastian's face she saw behind her eyelids, and not Andrew's.

....*....

Two weeks. It had been two weeks since the Quidditch match and Sebastian could feel a shift in his friendship with MC. She was always busy, her presence most definitely missed by his side, and he hated it.

She hadn't said anything to suggest she was cross with him, always had a smile and friendly word for him, but he felt like she was slipping through his fingers, drifting away from him. He didn't know how to pull her back.

Neither of them had mentioned Andrew Clemmens again, but Sebastian had heard she disappeared with him from the party. One of the crates in the Undercroft had been shattered into tiny pieces after that tasty piece of gossip.

They didn't seem to be a couple, they didn't spend a lot of time together, but Sebastian did not like the way Andrew smiled at her. He didn't like it one bit.

To distract himself, Sebastian threw himself into his studying. Final year meant exams, important ones, and Sebastian did not want to spend the rest of his life farming in fields. He had higher hopes for himself, and that meant getting his head down and putting in the work.

He was laying on his bed, head resting on a hand reading a text book, when Ominis came in, wand out. "Ah good, you're here, Sebastian," he said. He moved to join him, sitting on the edge of his bed. He grimaced. "I've just had a chat with Sharp about my Potions assignment. It was better than last time, but still not up to standard. I'm getting rather vexed about it to tell the truth. Do you still have that book we used last time? I wouldn't mind another read of it."

Sebastian sat up, thinking. "I may have returned it to the library already. I don't recall seeing it in the Undercroft."

"Hmm, that's a shame. Perhaps I should go and hunt it out."

"Would you like me to go?" Sebastian offered. "I was going to head to the library anyway and look up a few things. Might as well give old Scribner the wind up while I'm there."

Ominis sighed. "That poor woman. Why must you bother her so?"

Sebastian smirked. "She loves me really, and anyway, it's my last year. I can't disappoint her now, I've got a reputation to uphold."

"Just try to avoid detention,' Ominis said. "I thought you could aim for a whole term without one this year."

Sebastian slid from his bed and clapped a hand to Ominis' shoulder. "I love your optimism, my friend. But, you know me. I'm not usually put off by a little detention."

....*....

"Psst."

MC turned and quickly ducked as a little ball of parchment paper sailed towards her and bounced onto her text books. She snatched up the paper, smoothing it out to see words scrawled in ink. 'You look sexy when you're concentrating.'

MC fought the smirk that tried to lift her lips. She looked across the library to where Andrew Clemmens was sitting, his own study books out on his table. He was sitting relaxed, his chair tipped back a little as he gazed across at her. He winked and she shook her head, still fighting that smirk.

They had kissed a few times, but she had told him she didn't want anything serious, and definitely didn't want it to be public knowledge. Her excuse? Well, being the hero of Hogwarts made her prime gossip material, so it was better to be discreet.

Mostly, she wasn't sure she wanted Sebastian to know about it. Knowing she was kissing other boys might make him think less of her. Despite trying her best to bury her feelings, her heart ached for him. She missed him, but being close to him made it harder to try and forget how much she burned for him. So, she had been avoiding him a bit. It was killing her to do it too.

Andrew was a distraction. A bit of fun. She thought he would grow bored with her, fed up with being a secret. Oddly, he seemed to love it.

Feeling bored with her study and acting on her mischievous streak, MC stood up, picked up a book and walked past Andrew's table. She gave him a little smile, her eyes indicating to follow, and she moved towards a quiet part of the library.

There was an alcove, right near some old texts that people rarely looked at. Not quite the restricted section, but a good spot for hiding none the less. She moved behind the bookshelves and didn't have to wait long before Andrew joined her.

He glanced at the books, trailing a finger along the old, dusty spines. "And what are you going to study in here?" He asked. His grin was playful.

She reached out and gave his tie a little tug. "I can think of a few things."

His hands moved to her waist and she tilted her head back. "I can think of more than a few things," he murmured.

He kissed her firmly, backing her up against the bookcase. She slid her arms around his neck, their tongues meeting in a deeper kiss.

Andrew must have been feeling bold, because he slid his hands down to cup her arse, squeezing gently. He moaned a little, pressing his hips against her. His mouth moved to her jaw, pressing kisses down to her neck.

MC felt a flash of panic. She didn't want him to mark her. "Easy," she whispered.

He licked up the length of her neck, kissing behind her ear. His fingers moved to the waistband of her skirt, thumb tracing lazy circles before he tugged her blouse free.

She gasped. He chuckled against her neck. "It's alright," he said. He slid a hand under her blouse, his fingers hot through the thin fabric of her chemise as he caressed her waist.

She opened her mouth to tell him to stop and then froze at the sound of footsteps. Andrew hadn't heard them, he was still kissing her neck, his hand sliding higher under her blouse, rucking the material up against his wrist.

Shit! She made a grab for his arm, ready to pull away and then the footsteps rounded the bookcase and came to a sudden stop.

Oh gods, no! No, not Sebastian, not him!

"Oh, fuck," she gasped. She shoved Andrew forcibly away from her, her gaze locked on to Sebastian's as he stood there, dumbstruck.

Andrew looked up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Oh, Sallow, it's only you." He breathed out a relieved chuckle. "Thought you were Scribner for a moment. That would have been awkward."

"And this isn't?" Sebastian asked, quietly. Too quietly.

MC cringed, her heart a twisted thing in her chest. Of all the people to walk around that corner. Why did it have to be him? She would have taken a months detention any day over this. The look on his face cut her like a Diffindo spell.

"Sebastian," she said. Her voice sounded like a plea. She even held out her hand a bit towards him.

Sebastian looked at her hand, his gaze lifting to meet hers once more before he stepped up to the bookcase beside her. His eyes were blank, cold even. He scanned the books before sliding an old volume off the shelf. "Don't mind me," he said. "Just pretend I was never here."

And then he was gone. His footsteps fading as he walked away.

MC felt tears burn the backs of her eyes. It felt like something had been ripped, a wound opened and left to sting, a gap widening between them. She didn't think she could bear it. She wanted to shout his name and make him come back. But what if he didn't? What if he ignored her? That would be worse. So she didn't make a sound.

"That was a close one," Andrew said. He grinned. "Now, where were we?"

He reached for her and she immediately slapped his hand away. He jumped. "What the...?"

MC hurriedly shoved her blouse back into her skirt and threw a cold glare at Andrew. "Enough," she snapped. "We're done."

He frowned in confusion. "What? Is this because Sallow saw us? He won't tell."

"No, he won't tell," she said. Of that she could be certain. "But, what if it hadn't been him?"

He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. "Are you sure there is nothing going on between you and Sallow?"

Her throat tightened. Oh, she was sure, now even more so. "I'm sorry, Andrew. I can't do this anymore."

Without a backward glance she walked quickly away from him. So much for not fucking things up.

....*....

The Undercroft was blistering hot, smoke and ash thick in the air. The whole place was a wreck, crates splintered, books scattered, feathers from exploded pillows drifting through the smog of his spell casting.

Sebastian was soaked in sweat, his hair stuck to his forehead, beads of it dripping off his face. Despite his furious blasting, his stomach was still clenched tight, his stance rigid. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Andrew Clemmens with his hand up MC's blouse, her face flushed, bodies pressed close.

He gritted his teeth. He had dreamed of doing something similar with her once, a hot, suffocating dream. Seeing her reenact it with another man made him feel sick, the bile stinging the back of his throat.

His shoulders slumped as he realised he had no right to be this furious. She didn't belong to him. She wasn't his. And that was his own damn fault. Hadn't Ominis warned him? He stared at the devastation he had caused in the room and sighed. If either her or Ominis were to see this, they would want to know why, and he wasn't ready for the answers to those questions. He lifted his wand. This was going to require a fair few Reparo spells.

Undercroft all fixed and looking as though a Sebastian sized storm hadn't blasted through it, he made his way to the Great Hall for dinner. He wasn't particularly hungry, but he had to show his face. He had to smooth over the cracks in his heart and make it alright. He couldn't lose her.

She was there, sitting next to Ominis, looking composed and neatly dressed. His jaw clenched, the image of her all flustered trying to crowd his thoughts. He climbed onto the bench opposite her, and she looked up, pausing her conversation with Ominis. He almost flinched. She looked scared for a split second. It was a rare emotion on her face, but it flitted across her features, and then was gone.

His resolve to make things right strengthened. He smiled, the movement effortless, a well practised lie to cover up his boiling emotions. "And what are you two whispering about?"

He reached for a bread roll and pulled it open.

"My Potions assignment," Ominis replied. "MC kindly offered to help."

Sebastian turned his gaze to her and lifted an eyebrow, his smirk teasing. "I'm surprised you can find the time."

She blushed, her eyes skipping awkwardly away. "You're not funny, Sallow," she grumbled.

Ominis tilted his head. "Am I missing something?"

Sebastian wanted to punch something, he flexed his fingers, his smile cool and controlled. "MC seems to have found herself a boyfriend, that's all."

"He is not my boyfriend," she said, quickly. "In fact, he isn't anything. I won't be meeting with him anymore."

Interesting. Sebastian shrugged and popped a piece of bread roll into his mouth. Ominis was switching his interest between the two of the them, soaking up the vibes. He would definitely have something to say once he got him alone. Sebastian was determined to avoid that until he had the will to face it.

"That's a shame," Sebastian said. "There is a market and fair on in Hogsmeade at the weekend, I was going to suggest you invited your new man to join us. Never mind."

The lie almost stuck in his throat. He would rather swim with Dugbogs.

MC frowned at him. "How very welcoming of you," she said. She screwed up her napkin and dropped it onto her plate, food half eaten. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some things to see to."

She climbed off the bench, her mouth tight. Sebastian was trying to be nice, what was wrong with her? "I'll see you later, then," he said.

She threw him a look over her shoulder that almost made him flinch and then she put a gentle hand on Ominis' shoulder. "Meet me later and we will look at your assignment."

Ominis nodded. "Thank you, I appreciate the help."

MC left the Great Hall and Sebastian tossed down his bread roll, shaking his head. Maybe he should have just raged in front of her, at least he might have got some kind of reaction other than just coldness.

"Is this about Andrew Clemmens?" Ominis asked.

Sebastian stared at him. "You literally know everything, don't you?"

Ominis smirked. "Knowledge is power my friend," he said. Then he frowned. "If only that applied to my Potions work as well."

"I caught them kissing," Sebastian admitted, quietly.

"Hmm, well it sounds like that won't be happening again anytime soon," Ominis mused.

"You believe her?" Sebastian asked.

"Why would she lie?"

Sebastian shrugged. "I don't know."

Ominis sighed and shook his head, patting his mouth with his napkin and preparing to stand. "Honestly Sebastian, you're supposed to be smart."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll figure it out, hopefully." Ominis shook his head again and left Sebastian sitting at the table, a thoroughly confused frown on his face.

....*....

MC held out some kibble to the kneazle that was curling about her ankles, the interaction with the beasts calming her nerves. She hadn't meant to cry about it, but a twenty minute sniffle session in the bathroom had been unavoidable. How could she love Sebastian, but at the same time want to slap him across his smirking, handsome face?

He didnt feel the same way about her as she felt about him. Her heart squeezed painfully. His acceptance of Andrew had been like a cold bucket of water in her face. She tried to picture a jolly outing to Hogsmeade, Andrew at her side, Sebastian making jokes, and she just couldn't see it. There was something very wrong about the idea. But, he had offered that scenario up with a smile.

It was time to face the hard truth. She had to bury her love for him. Bury it deep. She winced, bending down to stroke the kneazle, scratching behind its ear. She might as well try and stop breathing, because switching off her feelings for him was going to be like being starved of air.

....*....

Halloween. Always an excuse to party, and being their last year, the students in 7th year were planning a little party of their own. Taking place after the feast, they had organised a place, just far enough from the school. A little tent near the edge of the Black Lake, innocent looking enough, until you stepped inside.

Decorated with pumpkin lanterns, garlands of flowers and spider webs, creepy candles, all manner of curiosities placed around, the party tent looked spectacular. MC had taken some inspiration from the gothic Victorian Muggle movement, and it had a creepy effect on their party space.

After the feast, MC, Poppy and Natty met up, giggling and whispering excitedly as they headed down towards the lake. MC was wearing a black dress, the corset adorned with lace and silver pearls, green ribbon tied through the laces. It pushed up her breasts rather scandalously, and she was showing much more skin than usual.

"Blimey, MC," Poppy giggled. "You're going to have no trouble finding a snogging partner tonight."

MC grinned wickedly. "That's the plan."

Natty frowned. "What about that Gryffindor boy you were courting?"

"Thomas? Pfft! We weren't courting," MC said. "I merely snogged him a few times. There is a difference."

Poppy put a hand over her mouth, giggling. "Oh MC, I wish I was as brave as you when it came to boys."

Brave? She wasn't brave. She was a fool. Hiding behind her flirting and kissing boys in broom cupboards was not being brave. Inside, she was quietly screaming. It didn't matter how many boys she turned a smile to, Sebastian Sallow was the boy who haunted her dreams, his was the face she saw when she closed her eyes at night.

Their friendship was a little strained lately, she found it harder and harder to be close to him. It was breaking her heart but she found she was spending less and less time with her best friend. And that was what she had wanted to avoid, wasn't it?

Ominis suspected, she knew he did, but he never pushed her for details, and she certainly didn't want to drag him into this mess. It would be highly unfair to place him between her and Sebastian.

Tonight, she wanted to drink, she wanted to dance, and she wanted to enjoy time with her friends. That wasn't too much, was it?

She turned to Poppy. "Got your eye on someone, Poppy?" She flashed a cheeky smirk. "Who is it?"

Poppy blushed a deep, rosy pink. She stuttered a little. "Oh, well...maybe."

MC squealed and squeezed her friends arm. "Oh, come on, don't leave me hanging!"

Poppy gave a nervous glance towards Natty, MC looked between them. "Who is it?"

Poppy winced. "Sebastian," she mumbled. She looked down, blushing harder. "I'm so sorry."

MC sucked in a quick breath, almost losing her step on the rough pathway, but caught herself in time. Ice spread along her spine. "Why...why should you be sorry? Sebastian is quite the catch."

Her voice sounded off to her own ears. She swallowed, hoping the other girls wouldn't notice her crippling shock.

"Sebastian was only one boy I thought might make for a lovely kissing partner," Poppy said, quickly. "But I also quite like Leander too. He has been very sweet to me lately, helping with the beasts. I think Leander is the more likely candidate. Sebastian isn't going to be interested in a girl like me. He is so handsome, highly eligible, he can have his pick of ladies I'm sure."

MC's lips felt stiff. The idea of Sebastian mulling over his pick of ladies made her skin itch and crawl. But, also the shock of realising that day was going to come hit her like a Bombarda spell. And she thought things were difficult now?

"I...er...I think Sebastian is indeed an eligible option," she managed to say. She looked at her friend, noting the awkward cringe on her face. She sighed and put her arm around Poppy. "Don't ever put yourself down like that, Poppy. If Sebastian thinks you're not good enough, then he is even more of an idiot than I thought."

Poppy managed a shy smile before looking at MC a little more closely. "You're not cross with me?"

"Why in Merlin's name would I be cross with you?"

Poppy and Natty exchanged a look. "Well, you and Sebastian have always been so very close..."

MC forced a chuckle and waved her hand dismissing her words. "Oh, Poppy, in case you hadn't noticed, I've been snogging my way through the Quidditch team boys. Sebastian couldn't care less. Of course I am not cross."

Poppy and Natty exchanged another meaningful look and MC decided that she'd had more than enough of this conversation. She tugged on Poppy's arm. "Come on, that's enough boy talk. Let's get to this party. I need a drink, the quicker the better."

....*....

Poppy and Natty watched as MC made a beeline for the drink table, scooping punch into a glass and downing it in a few gulps.

"You're a very good actress, Poppy," Natty said.

Poppy shrugged. "At least we got what we wanted," she said. She looked up at Natty. "You were right. She is mad for him."

"I would say she cares a lot for you too, my friend," Natty said. "Despite trying to cover up her true feelings, she was quick to jump to your defence."

Poppy grimaced. "I know. Makes me feel bad for deceiving her like that."

"Don't worry, it's not like you're actually going to sink your teeth into Sebastian now, is it. Leander on the other hand..."

The girls looked at each other and giggled.

....*....

The party had descended into a sultry, alcohol infused vibe. Couples danced close together, the lighting now dimmer, shadows reaching out from corners to cloak the wandering hands and stolen kisses. It was still packed out inside the tent. 6th years had found their way in, making the most of the night, or what was left of it.

Sebastian pressed his way through the throng of dancers, bodies hot and writhing. The atmosphere was thick, so thick you could taste it, and he debated bailing. Ominis had left about an hour ago, tiring of the shenanigans. But, he couldn't leave without one more look for her.

The sight of her in that tight black dress had nearly stopped his heart. She was so fucking beautiful, and bordering on scandalous with the amount of flesh she had on show. She had proved popular with the lads, and his ears had bled with the comments he had overheard.

The last time he had seen her she had been refilling her glass from the punch bowl, staggering a little, clearly drunk. He had asked her if she was alright and she had giggled, patted his cheek and insisted she was fine.

She was vulnerable in that state. The thought of someone taking advantage of that vulnerability had his fists clenched tight at his sides.

One more quick check and then maybe call it a night.

"There you are." A soft giggle, a hand on his upper arm. He would know that voice anywhere.

He met her gaze, her eyes were lidded, burning with something that made his insides turn molten. His eyes dropped to her mouth, her lips were slightly parted, welcoming. He licked his own lips. "There you are," he returned.

She leant in close, her mouth near his ear. "Dance with me," she urged.

Her arms snaked up around his neck and she pressed herself against him. His hands found her waist, his fingers flexing over the bones of her corset. Her smile was going to be his undoing.

They began to move, her hips a devastating tease against him, and he gulped. Heat spread through his blood, firing up every nerve ending until his ears were roaring with his pulse. Hadn't he just been prowling the dance floor trying to prevent someone doing this exact thing with her?

Her eyes locked with his, and his grip on her tightened, urging her as close as possible. She was intoxicating, irresistible. She rolled her hips and a groan slipped from his lips, a noise he hoped was swallowed in the throbbing sounds that surrounded them.

One of her hands slid downwards, over his shoulder to smooth over his chest. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his vest, holding him tightly. The blood in his veins was pulsing hotly, flooding downwards towards his pants. He could feel himself tightening, his arousal growing uncomfortable in the restriction of his clothing.

She moved her head closer, the warmth of her breath fanning across his throat. His heart hammered wildly, he smoothed a hand up and around to press against the bare flesh of her shoulder blades. Her skin was hot, feverish and impossibly soft.

She sighed against him, her head tilting, exposing her neck, her body a writhing, pulsing thing in his arms. He thought he might actually explode, his desire a roaring desperate thing. He stared at the flesh of her neck, smooth, inviting. He clenched his jaw, the need to claim that neck with his mouth made his tongue burn.

Other dancers jostled against them, they staggered a little, his arms tightened around her, protecting her his first instinct. She gasped, pressing impossibly closer, and somehow, his head had dipped, his mouth a breath away from the skin of her neck.

The temptation overwhelmed him and he sank his mouth against her flesh, lips sliding over the skin, tongue swirling until he drew her skin upwards in a desperate suck. She was divine, his eyes rolled at the taste and the scent of her this close. His cock twitched hungrily in his pants.

Her head rolled backwards, a long breathless moan leaving her lips, her fingers sliding upwards to grip his hair.

He sucked her, hard, his mouth moving to taste as much skin as possible. He was like a man starved, his tongue swirling over the reddened flesh to soothe her. He pressed hot kisses all the way up, the softness of her hair against his nose as he buried his face below her ear, breathing in deeply. He could hear her panting, her fingers twisting painfully in his hair.

He was lost, drifting in a haze of fire, the hand on her waist lowered, gripping her hip, grinding her against his arousal. He was so desperate for the friction he couldn't help it. She drove him crazy.

Her small cry of pleasure sounded in his ear. He'd made her do that, she wanted it. His teeth sank into her earlobe and tugged.

How was this happening? She was rubbing against him, seeking his arousal and grinding tightly against it. His control nearly slipped completely. Images of her doing this naked, her hair spread out against his bed sheets, seared across his mind. He could feel his underwear growing damp, his cock twitching and leaking against her movements.

"MC," he murmured hotly. They had to stop. It had to stop before he lost all control. But, fuck, did this feel good. If he could freeze the moment, savour it, hold her like this forever, he would die a happy man.

To be continued...... Part 2

#hogwarts legacy fanfic #sebastian sallow #mc x sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow fanfiction #blueraineshadows #hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow smut

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bogleech · 1 year

Text

I tend to just assume all my artwork, little fiction projects, comics, flash animations and other created work is just old news to anyone even passingly familiar with me but....I get the feeling very few of you know more than 1% of it as I look over the folder where I keep what’s probably less than half of all I’ve held onto.

This folder doesn’t include ANY of Mortasheen or Awful Hospital, each of which are another several thousand files themselves. I’m thinking of sorting a bunch of this other stuff into various zip files I could share on my patreon with accompanying notes, explanations and sketches wherever applicable, maybe also include the raw digital art files? I’ll probably still have to leave out some things that are just too boring and stupid, or really personal commissions/gift art, but there’s still gotta be a thousand things I could share. Here’s some random miscellaneous thingies:

For a while I was illustrating various mythological vampires, ghouls and other undead for a book collab with C.M. Kosemen (All Tomorrows, etc.) that fell to the wayside when he had to work on a much bigger project.

Another book project that didn’t get off the ground was going to be a cartoony look at truly obscure real world animal groups, like this Aspidosiphon. This was going to be a collab with biologist Ross Piper after his book Animal Earth, but didn’t really go past the “floating ideas around” stage and some sample art.

I illustrated a couple dozen enemies for the game “Crystal Catacombs,” in some cases influencing the final in-game designs. Had a lot of fun doing this, though the game never sold enough to get many royalties.

I started but unfortunately never completed a visual novel style game a few years back that was another Silent Hill homage, told from the perspective of a monster manifested entirely to torment a single human. Multiple characters/creatures exist as these very quick low-resolution doodles and a ton of story notes.

I illustrated creature cards for a board game, Chimera Island, where you mixed and matched different heads, bodies and tails then basically argued a case for what would make a given creature successful in the randomized ecosystem. Friends and I played an early copy of this game once and found it really really fun, but then the creator totally rehashed the mechanics after some other group’s mixed feedback, we found the new version extremely difficult to figure out, and I think the whole project got scrapped or it released to poor reception, I can’t remember, and I don’t even know what happened to that single fun prototype :[

There’s other unfinished or half-finished projects, and there’s just hundreds and hundreds of miscellaneous things that serve no purpose. There’s also tons locked up in Adobe Flash files from when I used that as my drawing software, but I no longer have any cracked software that can open those. There’s assets for multiple whole platformer games, for instance, that uh...were also commissions by people who gave up or moved on to other projects before any of it saw the light of day. At least I still got most of the pay, when pay was actually promised (I was a bit trusting)

#art

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theodorequartz · 2 months

Text

Undertale x Nezuko Male Reader

Chapter 2: Mama Toriel

After consoling the male, the goat lady introduced herself as Toriel. She said that she was the caretaker of the Ruins.

" Come! I will guide you to the catacombs."

Toriel then led the way towards a path. The male perked up and scrambled to stand up. He struggled to balance himself but was able to quickly adjust. He clumsily followed Toriel.

Seeing his soroundings, the male's eyes shine'd. He liked purple! It reminds him of ______!

Toriel walked further till they get to a double staircase that lead's towards a single door. Between the staircase were a bed of red leaves. What caught his attention however, was a glowing star-like object floating just in front of the red leaves. It seems like Toriel doesn't see it though.

The male looked at the glowing star curiously and touched it.

* ( The shadow of the Ruins looms above, filling you with love. )

The male blinked and retract his hand back. He looked up at Toriel and continue to follow her. The door lead them to another room.

" Welcome to your new home, innocent one. " Toriel said, smiling warmly.

" Allow me to educate you in the operation of the Ruins."

The male got excited hearing the word ' educate'. He loved learning new things! He remembered when _____ would teach him about medicine and healing. Oh! And ____ too! He taught him a technique about breathing to make his body stronger!

Flowers floated around the male as he smiled brightly. His imaginary tail wagging.

Toriel chuckled, feeling his bubbling excitement as she stepped onto four rocks pallets resulting for the door in front of them to open.

The male gasped! It was a puzzle! Oh! Oh! He adores puzzles!

The male hopped and clapped. Toriel laughed at the cute sight.

" The Ruins are full of puzzles that need to be solved to get though! Ancient fusions between diversions and door keys. One must solve them to move from room to room. Please adjust yourself to the sight of them. "

Toriel explains.

Toriel proceeded on through, but the male stopping to read a note at the side of the door.

* Only the fearless may proceed.

* Brave ones, foolish ones.

* Both walk not the middle road.

At the sight of the word ' fearless ' , the male suddenly felt something itching in his heart.

" Brother....I'm scared."

The male blinked, shaking his head. He walked through the door seeing Toriel standing there and waiting patiently.

" To make progress here, you will need to trigger several switches. Do not worry, I have labelled the ones that you need to flip. "

Both of them walked to a little bridge, that the male found adorable, and stopped.

" The first switch's on the wall."

The male nodded, looking at the switch attached to the wall with arrows drawn beside it. The male walked towards the wall and pulled the switch.

After pulling the switch, Toriel smiled and they crossed yet another mini bridge, which the male awe'd at again and pulled another switch.

The spikes leading to another room dropped as the switch was pulled.

"Splendid! I am proud of you, little one." Hearing this, the male puffed up his chest with pride, his eyes shining and imaginary tale wagging happily.

Toriel chuckled.

" Let us go to the next room."

They went to a room with a puppet and a doorway .

" As a human living in the underground, monsters may attack you. You will need to be prepared for this situation. However, worry not! The process is simple. When you encounter a monster, you will enter a FIGHT. While you are in a FIGHT, strike up a friendly conversation. Stall for time. I will come to resolve the conflict. Practice talking to the dummy."

Toriel stands to the doorway as the male approaches the dummy. He blinks.

"Hmmm... Ah!" The male tried to speak

* It doesn't seem much for a conversation.

The male blinked again. He then approaches the dummy closer. Toriel was looking at him, confused.

Then.... he hugged the dummy!

Toriel seems happy and proud with him.

" Ah, very good! You are very good."

Hearing this, he started jumping. He did very good!

* YOU WON! You earned 0 EXP and 0 gold.

He followed Toriel to another room.

" There is another puzzle in this room. I wonder if you can solve it?"

The male tilted his head. He followed her-

* Froggit attacks you!

Tha male blinked, startled.

He tried talking, but it was hard!

" hmm.. ah!"

* The froggit didn't understand what you want to say!

"!!!" He got an idea!

He slowly approaches the frog monster and hugged it! The froggit was startled!

He put the froggit down and smiled brightly at it.

" p.. pretty!" He exclaimed.

The froggit blushes.

* The froggit didn't understand what you said, but was flattered anyway.

Suddenly, Toriel came to view and glared at the froggit. The froggit sweats and slowly walked away. The male blinked.... weren't frog's supposed to hop? He tilted his head with a cute troubled expression.

* YOU WON! You earned 0 EXP and 0 gold.

Toriel stopped glaring as the froggit is out of sight and smiled gently at the male. She continues to guide him.

They came to a pretty dangerous puzzle. It was the same spikes that was blocking the path before, but the male doesn't see any switch... Oh! He saw the lighter colored path back to the other room! Maybe that's it! But even if it's not, he can smell which spiked tile is going down once stepped. It has a different scent due to its rust!

But still, he lat Toriel guide him in his way. Something about this is familiar to him ...

" Hold my hand, #@$&. So you won't slip."

" Careful, #@$&! Those plants are poisonous!"

" Watch out for the thorns, #@$&. I don't want you to get hurt. "

He snapped out at the gentle voice of the goat monster.

" Puzzles seem a little too dangerous for now. "

The male blinked and nodded. Toriel smiled.

" You have done excellently thus far, my child. However... I have a difficult request to ask of you. "

"... "

" I would like you to walk to the end of the room by yourself. Forgive me for this. " Toriel then walked away, leaving the male behind. The male blinked... He can still smell her...

... Blink

He walked through the long hallway, though he only walked through the lighter colored path. He came towards the end of the room, spotting a pillar ... He can smell Toriel behind it. He pretended not to know. He didn't want to hurt her feelings...

She walked out behind the pillar.

" Greetings, my child. Do not worry, I did not leave you. I was merely behind this pillar the whole time. Thank you for trusting me. However, there was an important reason for this exercise.... to test your independence. I must attend to some business, and you must stay alone for a while. Please remain here. It's dangerous to explore by yourself."

" I have an idea. I will give you a Cell phone. If you have a need for anything, just call. Be good, alright?"

The male took the Cell phone and nodded. Toriel smiled and walked away... Again... He smelled her less as she walked further. He stayed.

" Stay here #@$&. Protect your siblings."

" I love you... #@$&... I love all of you."

" I'm ... sorry. Forgive me..."

... He stayed.

He looked at Toriel's retreating back... He saw someone else...

He stayed.

Because she told him to.

... " Oka...san.."

#male reader #nezuko #nezuko reader #papyrus x reader #sans au #sans x reader #sans undertale #underswap #undertale #underfell #sixbones #mettaton x reader

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the-wizard-library · 8 months

Text

Fàilte! Welcome to the Wizard Library!

The Librarian is thrilled to welcome you to the official blog of the Wizard Library, a safe haven for all magic users and magical creatures. We house and tenderly care for tomes, scrolls, files, audio disks, tapes and loose-leaf visions of almost every magical text a person (or those otherwise aligned) could ever need or imagine, and everyone from the smallest faerie to the largest orc is welcome to visit.

While you're here on our floating entrance mat, though, the Librarian humbly requests that you follow a few simple rules:

Weapons, wands, staffs, strange orbs and mysterious powders must be surrendered to our receptionist, who will return them upon your exit. He doesn't bite. He promised.

Leave all shelves, common areas and other visitors as you have found them. Nobody visits a library intending to be irrevocably changed by another patron. Leave that to the books, please, and tidy up after yourself.

We welcome users of all magics and members of all species, and we recognise that this will naturally invite some level of danger to our collections. Pyromancers, especially, are asked to be mindful of their magic, though all users should remain aware of the power they hold over their environment.

Come in, explore our great halls and surprisingly cosy catacombs, and make yourself at home. Please, stay a while. We have cocoa - enchantments optional.

#wizardblr #wizard blogging #wizard #books #reading #library appreciation #Spotify

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beevean · 2 years

Audio

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Cursed Sanctuary

#castlevania #castlevania music #symphony of the night #music of the night #mom come pick me up i'm scared #first of all i love how this area looks #the catacombs were the lowest part of the castle so lava is flowing #the floating catacombs are so high in the sky that they're covered in ice #but also this area is virtually useless #the only things you'll find here are the hardest boss in the game and a frankly useless powerup #so this area is for the true hardcore players #and this is why the track is so scary #only the bravest may go forward

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bnuuys-writing · 10 months

Text

CHAPTER TWO. OVERTURE. Phantom of The Opera x Twisted Wonderland

Here is chapter two for you guys! I hope you enjoy!!

Chapter One, Chapter Two(You are here!), Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Leona's Ending, Malleus' Ending

~Bnuuy Out!

The year is 1919, in France. Within a bustling city in the center of town stands a magnifique Opera House, its dazzling lights outside its carefully intricate carved walls tells a story of Regalty, Royalty, and an awe inspiring show promising to be played within, yet; the inside simply tells another story, begging to be read by the others within the towns history.

The echo of the tapping cane reverberated within the desolate walls of the opera house. Which stood so beautifully with glamour and shine that now holds cobwebs and dust as if it were trying to hide itself away from the world. Leona sat there in a chair, overall confused on how he had even arrived here. He held all of his memories intact but perhaps that was because he was a powerful mage? All he knew was that in his mind was Y/N.

I have to save Y/N.

“Alrighty then! Lot 665, a monkey playing the cymbals, dressed in persuasion robes with the heart of a barrel organ! It has been stated that this item has been found in the very catacombs of the opera house. Ladies and Gentleman, shall we start off the bidding with 15 francs?” An unknown man stated out, standing on top of a podium, looking out amongst the small crowd before him.

Leona’s hand raised up without him knowing. A grunt of disapproval ripped out from his chest as he saw a familiar faces that he would honestly rather forget. Lilia Vanrougue. Lilia raised up his hand as the bidding continued, only for Leona to raise up his hand once more, raising the bid again.

“Do I hear 35 francs…?” The auctioneer’s gaze looked over at the old bat who only seemed to smile cockily at Leona, before shaking his head no. That little bastard making the price higher than needed… The sound of a hammer echoed within the desolate theater as the music box was sold to Leona De Kingscholar. Clawed hands reached forward for the barrel organ monkey as he began to look over it slowly, a memory forcing up into his mind that most certainly did NOT belong to him.

A collectors piece, indeed… Every detail, exactly as they said… Will you still play when all the rest of us are dead?

Shaking his head out of his stupor, he let out an annoyed grunt as he shifted around. The auctioneer cleared his throat as he motioned to a certain hanging over something quite large within the spacious room. Slowly, the auction would start as he read over the paper within his hands.

“Lot 666, a chandelier in pieces. Some of you may recall the strange affair of a Phantom hiding within this opera house, a mystery quite never fully explained. With the newly invented electricity, we are hoping to frighten away any ghosts, with a bit of illumination… Gentleman!” Sparks of electricity began to flood the room as a once nicely candle lit chandelier, now solely powered by the new electricity, began to float up towards the sky as everything began to shift around them. Dust flew off the walls, cobwebs floated off as if they were never there before. Old paint flashed anew as the beautiful statues were shining as if they were just proudly polished. Leona and Lilia looked at each other before they both completely faded away from each other's existence. The Mission has started.

The year was now 1881, the opera house was busier than ever with rehearsals. Chatterings of different conversations being echoed throughout the plywood walls, ballerinas running up and down the stairs trying to collect all their items. Stone masons working hard on their next project. Costume designers sewing and taking measurements. Towels, blankets, things that needed to be air dried being hung up over the railings as three important figures swam through the current of workers.

“Y/N, Silver, hurry up! Otherwise we will be late for practice!” Sebek seethed out at the two of you, not wanting to face Lilia’s wrath during their ballet practice. Silver could only groan as he was tugged along by Sebek and you just laughed as the trio of you ran down the stairs. Sebek and Silver had recalled the mission once they had entered the opera house with the help of Lilia’s wise words.

Remember, we are trying to find Y/N. We are in a book. I have already located Malleus but he must remain hidden for now.

Taking deep breaths as you ran past the trio of eyes, something was already boiling behind them as they watched your figure join your colleagues of ballerinas, ready for practice. Lilia watched as Sebek and Silver returned to your sides, posted like good loyal knights, yet there was no need for that because of course! This is ballet, and to Sebek’s dismay and like as if he would ever admit to it… Ballet was hard.

To the open stage, the orchestra was loudly playing as others marched around what seemed to be a very painted up Vil. Of course, these potatoes could all learn something from him as they all continued to parade upon his outfit and rip it here and there. What they all needed was discipline and to move with grace, not march around as they were! But what can you do when all you work with are lousy drunks who most likely do not care for the mastery of Opera? Including poor Rook who was struggling with his accent.

“It is not Ro-ma. It is ROME.” The conductor had stopped once more to shout at Rook who could only smile and shake his head. “My many apologies monsieur, it is just quite hard to grasp the foundation of what play we are exactly playing… Perhaps we can go over it once more?” Rook asked out which only caused the conductor to sigh. Though, could you blame them? Y/N had spoken about musicals and plays and whoever this Shakespear was from their world but never really got too deep into them. Hannibal was one of them, and although all of them had come to realize that they were in your world, something about it screamed as if they were in the wrong century of when Y/N was originally from.

“Excuse me, good sir! I have an important announcement to make!” The manager spoke, coming onto the stage as Vil only sighed. Of course he would have an announcement right in the middle of rehearsals, if they only knew who he really was, there would be NO interrupting rehearsals. “I have wanted to say- All the rumors are true, I am retiring!” Vil rolled his eyes, he was certain everyone knew that their manager would be retiring soon but to be replaced by who? His violet colored hues trailed behind his now ex-manager only to freeze.

Of course it would be Azul and the Tweels.

“The opera house will now be under the management of Azul Ashengrotto and his companions Jade and Floyd Leech. After their business of conducting an underground business-”

“A club.” Azul interjected with a serene smile, causing others within the room to sweatdrop slightly.

“-As I was saying; They will be your new managers, so make sure to treat them with plenty of respect!” The man finished as he welcomed the trio to the front of him, perhaps trying to get out of the spotlight like a certain Crow back in NRC? Who knows.

“We are deeply honored to with by your side and we would love to introduce to you our new Patron, Leona De Kingscholar!” Azul stated out, perhaps with some grit between his words. Afterall, he didnt forget about what Leona had done to his precious contracts within their homeworld but in order to save Y/N from the book, they had to push past their differences and move forward.

The clicking of heels echoed within the open theater as a certain lion reached up beside the mer-people, a growl within his throat as he looked out towards the crowd. Of course they were all here already. Vil, Rook, Azul and the Tweels, and if he looked a bit closer; is that Lilia?

“It is an honor to meet you Sir Kingscholar.” Vil stated out, tearing Leona’s gaze back to focus on the pompous Pomefire dormleader. A hand was held out towards Leona’s face and a smug smirk was plastered all over Vil’s face. Huffing, Leona’s hand grasped Vil’s own and gently placed upon the decorated gold hand, a soft kiss.

“The pleasure is all mine.. Now, don't let me interrupt you anymore. Carry on. I shall be here tonight to celebrate in your victorious show.” With that, Leona turned on his tail quickly and began to walk through the corridor, passing you with Silver and Sebek glued to your side. Your eyes were glazed over with memory as you stared at him, hoping he would say hello as he passed you by. Yet, no such luck as he didn't even spare you a glance.

“He wouldn't recognize me…” You stated out softly to Sebek and Silver with a frown upon your face. Through all of Silver and Sebek’s pesterings, it would appear that you had lost all memory as you became such an important character within the book- perhaps it was due to your lack of magic ability? Whatever it may be, Silver and Sebek hoped it wouldn't last back home in their world where they would bring you back.

“He didn't see you.” Silver cooed out softly, comforting you slightly before Sebek scoffed.

“You do not need that mangy lion anyways! There are bigger and better, like Lord-” Before Sebek could finish, Lilia cleared his throat and motioned for the ballerinas to start their dance as the familiar flutes began to play. Both knights sighed as they jumped off away from you to start their dance while you joined in with the other ballerinas. Jumping over chains and dancing gracefully around them; Afterall, Hannibal is very important to the culture of Rome.

Though the trio of mers stared at you deeply as they chatted away with Lilia. Jade watched your every move while holding onto Floyd’s shoulder so he couldn't break away to squeeze you too tightly now, after all they didn't want to break the code lines of the book and be casted out, or even worse. Get stuck in there permanently.

“And who is that one? No relation I trust?” Azul pointed out to you, raising up an eyebrow as Lilia let out a small ‘fufu~’

“That is Y/N L/N. Orphaned at 7, and came to live and train here within the Opera dormitories since then… I also think of her as a daughter. Now gentleman, if you would be so kind just to stand off to the side.” Lilia pushed the trio off to the side only to watch his ballet dancers. As the singing continued, the orchestra played with such oomph that a certain irritated German voice could be heard amongst it all as a rip was heard.

“Rook! Do not step on me!” Vil shouted out at Rook who looked sheepish as he had taken a step in the wrong direction as Sebek had jumped a little too close to him. After that, all hell broke loose as Rook couldn't jump into his seat where the fake elephant had come in due to his large billowing and not to mention- heavy- outfit was weighing him down. Vil had gotten so frustrated that he broke character as he stormed through the hallway, screaming how he is going to quit and he is finished. Only for Azul and the Tweels (Not Floyd though, he wasn't in the mood for it.) to grovel for Vil to stay and sing.

“Isn't there a song in uhm… Act three of Hannibal that you can sing for us?” Azul asked out hesitantly, trying to remember the play for Y/N’s sake.

“Yes! There is! But SOMEBODY did NOT finish my costume!” Vil pointed out and looked towards the costume designers who looked away sheepishly only for Jade to cut in smoothly.

“If its alright with you, Vil, we would love a performance just for us.” Jade hummed out smoothly only for Vil to stop and thing about it. Rook cleared his throat and nodded towards Vil, as if saying quietly ‘do it for the story’ in which Vil nodded.

“If my managers command… Maestro?” Vil looked over at the conductor who only stiffened up under his gaze.

“If my diva commands!”

“I do.” With that, Rook went around shushing everyone as Vil went to the front of the stage, preparing his voice for quite a song. Once the whole auditorium was quiet to Vil’s shushing and Rook’s deathglare of ‘silence’, the piano began to softly play like stars within the night sky. Slowly, Vil’s voice came out strong with plenty of vibrato that left Floyd wincing and looking ever so displeased. Vil knew that this was the doing of the book for he would never sing an aria so… Absurd. Though nothing could prepare him for what came next.

Shackles and chains clattered as a wheel began to squeak very loudly as a whole stage set background fell right on top of Vil, Rook’s eyes turning the size of dinner plates as he rushed forward to collect Vil off of the ground and out from underneath the heavy tapestry of a background. Lilia could only sigh as his ballerinas were panicking while Silver and Sebek stood close to you in hopes of protecting you from whatever might come next towards you. Another screamfest from Vil and the new managers before the auditorium went silent as Vil, Rook and their entourage stormed off into the back.

“Here is a letter, the Opera ghost welcomes you into his opera house and hopes that you can still pay him his money. Monsieur Le Fevre used to give him twenty thousand francs a month.” Lilia spoke, nonchalant as he handed over a note to Azul who seemed absolutely mortified at the idea of having to pay a GHOST. Most certainly they are real, for they all have been to the Ramshackle. “He also states that you need to leave Box Five empty for his use.”

“HIS Opera house? And TWENTY THOUSAND FRANCS? Well that's just great! Who is going to sing for us now! There is no understudy for Vil Schoenheit!” Azul shouted out, furious that he is going to have to refund a whole house which is 1. A waste of a bunch of money, and 2. This shouldn't be how the story should be going! 3. NOW HE HAS TO DEAL WITH SOME OPERA GHOST?

“Y/N can sing it for you.” Silver’s nonchalant voice spoke up through the chaos only for Sebek and you to look at him in shock. Azul slowly turned to you and quirked up an eyebrow but Floyd was first to speak.

“A simple ballet chorus girl? Nehh~...” With a shake of his head at not calling you Shrimpy, why couldn't he just call you Shrimpy? Sebek took it as denial and was next to speak up for you.

“They’re very well trained!” Sebek barked out, standing up straight as you just look between the two of them as if they were going a second head on their shoulders. Wishing that they didn't say ANYTHING. Granted, yes. You were being trained by a wonderful master but… Was it worthy of singing in front of a whole audience?!

“Who taught you.” Jade was next to speak, smiling at you with one of his very placid smiles that could put anyone on edge. You were no different than the rest of course…

“I don't know his name, monsieur…” You whispered out, suddenly bashful as now all the eyes were locked onto your form, Lilia cleared his throat in hopes of you gaining your courage to speak more. Yet for when nothing came out from your mouth, he only sighed.

“Let them sing for you monsieur, they are very well taught.” Lilia spoke up and pushed you forward with his hand on the lower of your back as Floyd began to wave you forward to the center of the stage.

“Cmon now Shrim–... Y/N” Floyd seemed to be annoyed with the fact that he was still unable to call you by your nickname, huffing silently as you were tentative on reaching the front of the stage. You feel everyone's eyes upon you and an all too familiar gaze upon the back of your head. You know he is here.

Slowly, the piano began to play once more as you began to sing a few beats in. Floyd and Jade seemed serene while Azul seemed so shocked by the sound of your voice. Who knew that their precious little Prefect had a voice of a siren! An Angel?! His face must’ve turned a shade of pink as he watched you very closely. You could only turn to face Lilia, Sebek and Silver who all looked very proud of you as Lilia motioned you forward to the center of the stage.

With a flash of the light in front of everyone's eyes, the once empty house was now filled with a full audience listening to you sing so gracefully. Leona sat in his seat as he seemed pleased at hearing you sing, his tail flicking around happily as his eyes narrowed down upon your shining form, as if you were a star itself. Who knew their clumsy Prefect had so much grace, and with a voice of the tweeting birds of the savannah. Unbeknownst to them, a form lurked within the shadows, listening to your voice as he seemed pleased with himself at how far you've come under his wing. You looked as radiant as ever, perfect for the prize of his game that is about to be played.

Leona stood up, humming to himself how it's wonderful to finally see your face, not like he would ever mention how he had missed you but for once in his life, he was rushing to see you. At the end of the song, you received a standing ovation from the crowd, roses were being tossed up onto the stage for you as a certain spy was watching you from below before rushing outside to see their master of Vil and Rook. Upon hearing the standing ovation for your spectacular performance, Vil could only smirk and chuckle.

“Who knew our potato had it in them all this time.”

All the while, a certain eel was more than happy to shout out to you about how wonderful your performance was, and Azul was more than happy with the outcome and with the fact that they now had a new rising star who wasn't Vil for once.

Sebek and Silver were the ones who first went out to go searching for you after your performance and everyone had left the auditorium. Afterall, this was a party and You were the star! You should be celebrating! Walking through corridors and slinking through hallways with couples that were more than happy to mash their lips together in what seemed to be the most secluded hallway they could find, they stumbled upon you in a room lighting up candles.

“Y/N! There you are! We have been looking for you. We thought we told you that you should always stick by us!” Sebek shouted out loudly, making you jump and Silver sighed. “Can't you see they’re lighting up a memorial, be quiet Sebek.” Silver whispered out to his friend before looking back down at you who turned to smile at the two of them.

“It's alright you two… I was just letting my father know that tonight went well. After all, father once spoke of an angel who would teach me all these musical things. Now I see him in everything I do, and he comes and visits me at night, sings me songs to keep me company as I sleep.” You whispered out to the both of them as they took their places on either side of you, again like how a knight would be for their King of Briar Valley.

“Y/N… You must have been dreaming, stories like this can't come true.” Sebek states out softly as he takes your hand and helps you up. Granted, he would NEVER touch you back in Twisted Wonderland but with the guidance of the book's written story, he guided you up to your feet as Silver helped steady your balance within your heels.

“Y/N you’re talking in riddles, and it's not like you.” Silver whispered out as they both began to lead you out from the room filled with painted angels and more towards your room, though both Silver and Sebek could feel a presence around them that was all too familiar. A drunkard man that is about to lose this game of cat and mouse if he keeps pestering their precious Prefect. Once back inside your room, with you all settled down in front of your mirror, the two had left you alone with Lilia and stood guard outside of your room.

“He is pleased with you.” Lilia would speak out softly to you, eyes lingering on your form as your eyes glance down to the rose, still filled with thorns with a green ribbon tied around it that was just placed down to your hand. “Make sure to go to bed at a reasonable time tonight. You know how he is with your sleeping schedule, and you have a big day tomorrow. Goodnight Y/N.” Lilia would softly squeeze your shoulders as he began to depart from the room only for a certain sneaky lion to squeeze past and intrude in.

“Little Y/N let their mind wander, not knowing of the hunter behind them.” Leona’s gruff voice would hum out, arms crossed with that smug smirk upon his face as he looked you up and down. Your eyes flickered up to his face within the mirror and a smile began to form upon your face at seeing your childhood best friend.

“No, they knew of the hunter stalking them, but what they couldnt comprehend is what it wanted.” You started out, swirling around to face him on your chair as you stood up.

“Am I fonder of dolls or of frocks, or possibly picnics in the attic?” Leona stated, walking closer to you to where he could smell you but couldn't just touch you yet.

“No, they said. Whatever is best, is when I'm asleep in my bed.” You finished out before giggling, pulling Leona in for a tight hug. Leona’s eyes closed shut as he squeezed you just as tight before pulling away with a roll of his eyes, dumb book making him do things he didn't want to do.

“You sang beautifully tonight. Why don't we go catch dinner together? Just you and me.” Leona stated out rashly and sighed, ears pinning down as his cheeks turned a bit red as he peeked one eye down to look at you. Your face said it all, you couldn't. Yet, he didn't care. “Get dressed, I will be back in five minutes. Don't deny that you want to go out and eat with me and I'm not asking. This is a demand, and you know I don't make many of those.” With that, Leona squeezed you slightly within his arms again before leaving.

“No wait, Leona!” You sighed as you heard the door shut with a loud click. As you turned around to face your bouquets of flowers lined against the wall, you shuffled out from your big poofy dress and into a more simple white linen one with a laced robe being tied around in hopes that you dear Angel of Music wouldn't notice your absence. Reaching towards the door handle, a loud voice boomed within the room that you knew all too well already.

“Insolent boy, this slave of Fashion! Basking in your glory! Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!” The angel hissed out, and you knew he was not happy with the outcome, and had already known your intentions of leaving for the evening.

“Angel, I hear you. Speak, I’ll listen… Stay by my side, guide me! Angel, my soul was weak… Forgive me- Enter at last, Master!’ You replied back out, tears pricking in the corner of your eyes at the thought of betraying you dear beloved Master. As for him? He had heard that term many times but he never wanted to hear it come from your mouth, though he was indeed flattered… As the candles died down with his presence, a few flickering lights of green began to spark in the room as if you had your own personal fireflies.

“Flattering child, you shall know me. See why in the shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror! I am there inside!” The voice continues as you slowly turn on your heels to look at your body length mirror. Inside showed your reflection until a very large apparition began to appear slowly within the lighting of the mirror. A man with jet black that turned into a soft blue that rested upon his shoulders, two black long horns upon his head and part of his face was covered in a mask. Was this truly an angel, more importantly… Your angel?

Slowly, your feet began to move towards the mirror, entranced with this man's form within your mirror as your hand stuck out slowly. Unbeknownst to you, Leona was in the middle of a scuffle between Silver and Sebek who were trying their best to protect you, as well as their master who was now making his move upon the impressionable you.

“Let me through! Let me see Y/N!” Leona roared out as he punched Silver, who grunted as Sebek took over and kicked Leona down. “Who is that voice in there! Y/N!!!” Leona roared out, throwing Sebek off of him at Silver, rushing up to the door as he jangled with the locked door. “Y/N!!!” He shouted out, continuing to fight the door as both Knights tore him away and continued to wrestle with him upon the ground.

“I am your angel of music… Come to me, Angel of Music…” He spoke out softly, leaving you entranced with his form as your hand reached through the mirror and with a hesitant skip of your heartbeat, your hand met with his gloved one as if a deal had just been struck right then and there.

You have met your Angel of Music.

#twisted wonderland #twst malleus #malleus x yuu #malleus x reader #malleus x mc #malleus draconia #malleus x reader x leona #twst leona #leona twisted wonderland #leona x reader #twisted wonderland leona #leona kingsholar x reader #leona kingscholar #twst lilia #silver vanrouge #diasomnia #twst silver #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader

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rosie-b · 2 months

Text

Centuries Overdue

Chapter 8

Marinette sighed in relief.

There, a little black cat was floating in the air near Adrien, who was still alive and okay! Beside the cat, there was a ladybug of equal size with sparkling blue eyes. As it hovered near the other kwami, it looked over at Marinette and smiled.

“Hello, Marinette! It’s good to see one of my own Mages,” the kwami gushed, flying over to her. “That hasn’t happened in a while. I’m Tikki. Nice to meet you!”

Marinette was lost for words. “Where’s Gimmi?”

Tikki looked confused at first, but then understanding flooded her face. “You met them, didn’t you? I’m so glad you’re all right! What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Marinette swallowed. “It’s a long story.”

“Then it’s all the more important to tell, don’t you think?” Tikki asked. She gazed up at Marinette with innocent blue eyes.

Marinette looked at Adrien, who sighed.

“Tell her the abridged version, Marinette. She and Plagg deserve to know.”

Marinette looked back at Tikki. “It started when I decided to visit the catacombs and Alya told me there were zombies,” she began. She spent the next few minutes quickly recapping what had happened next, and noticed how sad and remorseful Tikki looked when she heard about the Mages and Talents who’d been trapped by Gimmi’s magic.

“I am so sorry you had to go through that, Marinette! Thank you for telling us about it, though. It’s good that we know.”

The other kwami, who must be Plagg, looked horrified. “I wish I didn’t,” he said.

Adrien reached out to cup him in his hands. “I know how you feel. But it will be okay, right?”

Plagg nodded uneasily. “They would have had to be released,” he told Adrien. “All the Talents. They’re all gone now, Adrien.”

“I think they already were,” Adrien said sadly. “I’m glad they can rest now, at least. They had to wait for release too long.”

Plagg nodded, curling up in his Chosen’s palm. “It’s a good thing you’re safe, Adrien.”

“Well,” Marinette said, “I hate to bring it up, but I have a huge question that’s still unanswered. How do we get out of the catacombs? We’re still in a locked-off, uncharted section of them. No one can find us here, which means either we rescue ourselves, we get lucky and some cataphiles find us, or we die. And I’d rather not die!”

“You can use your powers to escape!” Tikki said excitedly. “Create a map of the catacombs, and Plagg and I will help you get out, even if the entrance is blocked.”

Oh, man, things had changed since just a few hours ago. Back then, Marinette had accepted that she just wouldn’t be able to escape, but now, she had gained a— a partner? Magic sort-of soulmate? Friend?

She had Adrien with her now, and her own magic to boot. Plus two helpful kwamis who’d recently been part of one big, scary kwami who’d almost killed her.

“Okay,” Marinette said dubiously. “I guess that could work, even if I’m still new to magic. But what spell do I use, Tikki?”

“Since I’m with you right now, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Just say, ‘Tikki, spots on!’ and I’ll give you a map instead of a yo-yo this time.”

“Is that how that works,” Marinette muttered. “Okay, Tikki, spots on!”

Sure enough, a map fell into her hands.

“Better than a teapot, right, Marinette?” Adrien asked.

She snorted. “Very. Okay,” she said, twisting the map around. “It looks like we should go that way!”

“We’ll need some light,” Adrien said. “And you may be powerful, but you’re still new to magic, so you can only do one spell at a time.”

“Let me do it!” Tikki offered. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to help one of my Mages. Without the Talents, it’s been nearly a decade since the last one made it to my castle.”

“Your castle?”

“Mm-hm, in Italy. Adrien’s visited it before; you can ask him to tell you all about it if you want!” Tikki studied the map and darted ahead, creating a series of little lanterns to show the way. The rest of the group followed after her.

“Oh, right! He wrote about it in the third and ninth journals. I remember now,” Marinette said.

Adrien looked amused. “Wait, did you read the rest of my journals, too? Not just the one you found me with?”

“Uh—” Marinette gulped as her face heated up. “Maybe? They were in a library I was working at for my summer job. They were kind of falling apart, but they were intriguing, so I read them anyway. They’re how I found out about magic.”

“Yeah, that would be why Gimmi was targeting my kitten,” Plagg grumbled. “He’s too good at his job. Gimmi didn’t want him to keep writing and risk the Ungifted finding out about magic again, or the Mages figuring out who was behind the Darkness.”

“I didn’t even know about Wishes while I was writing,” Adrien groaned. “Honestly, Gimmi needs to talk to other people before murdering them! And you should talk to other people more often, too, Plagg. And not just about cheese.”

“You spent how many centuries maturing in the catacombs, and you still can’t appreciate my gooey cheeses? Adrien, I’m offended!” Plagg let out a loud, indignant sniff.

Although, Marinette noticed that he didn’t move from Adrien’s shoulder, where he had moved to rest.

“Well, at least you feel comfortable telling me when you feel bad,” Adrien said. “Now, do it more often; tell someone when something is hurting you. Maybe if you and Tikki don’t store up negative emotions, that will help Gimmi be less angry all the time, since you two are what they’re made of.”

“Sure thing, kid,” Plagg said. “I’ll talk your ear off if you want me to.”

“We should probably talk, too, Marinette,” Tikki said, coming back from lighting the rest of the lanterns. Behind them, the ones they’d already passed winked out of existence. “I bet you have a lot of questions for me!”

Marinette smiled, feeling very weary and no small amount overwhelmed. “Maybe once we get out of the catacombs,” she promised. “We still have a long way to go. And hey, it’s pretty cool that we’re here, now that I think about it,” she mused. “No one else has been where we are since probably before you died, Adrien! A positive outlook—and knowing we’re not about to die—makes this trip a lot better.”

He winced. “Yeah. It’s pretty cool,” he repeated cautiously. “However, you’re going to have to teach me everything I missed in the last two centuries, or I fear I’ll never blend in once we’re out of here. I’m still surprised I was able to come back at all.”

“Yeah, thank you for that, Ponytail,” Plagg said.

On realizing who he was speaking to, Marinette reached back for her hair, feeling offended. “Hey! I needed to keep it out of my eyes, that’s all.”

“Plagg, be nice! Besides, milady, I think you look beautiful like this,” Adrien said.

Plagg peeked one eye open to stare at him. “Oh boy, here we go,” he groaned.

Marinette’s face felt like someone had turned into a furnace. “O-oh, hanks, Madrien! I mean, thanks, Adrien! It isn’t my usual style, though.”

“Oh! Well, I’m sure you’re beautiful no matter how you wear it.” Adrien smiled at her, but when she kept staring at him, he coughed and schooled his face. “Okay, I have a joke to share while we’re all still trying to keep distracted. Here it goes— what do libraries and catacombs have in common?”

Marinette blinked. Libraries and catacombs? “I don’t know. What?”

Adrien grinned and leaned closer to her. “They both have a lot of spines! Get it?”

Marinette looked sideways at Adrien, whose smile began to slip.

“Book spines, human spines? No?”

Marinette closed her eyes. “Adrien, I just almost died and you just came back from being dead. How can you joke about bones already? I think if I look at the walls we’re walking past for too long, I’ll throw up.”

Adrien winced. “Sorry! I’m so sorry. I forgot, it’s rude to speak that way in front of—"

“Girls aren’t the issue, Adrien,” Plagg interrupted. “The Un-Gifted moved past that, mostly.”

Adrien relaxed. “Oh. That’s good. I mean, the Mages were always a bit different, but it’s good to know the rest of the world has changed, too.”

“It definitely has,” Marinette agreed. “It was refreshing, to read your journals and know that at least for some women, the 1800s weren’t as bad as they were for most. You know, thinking back to the joke, I think the issue is that you grew up basically surrounded by war and death, but I didn’t. France is mostly at peace in the modern world; democracy is back, and so it was really hard to suddenly be thrust into a battle and confronted with so much death. I’m sure we’ll both need therapy when we get back.”

“Therapy?” Adrien questioned, raising one eyebrow. “You’re sure we can get that? What we went through is pretty specific, you know.”

“Modern therapy, yes. Alya told me the Mages have their own therapists, so you don’t need to worry about revealing magic’s existence in order to get some closure.

“I’ll talk you through the basics later, because we’re getting close to the exit. We need to figure out some other things first, before we get back on the main path and the guards hopefully find us. Like, how do we explain your sudden presence? We can tell Alya and the Mages, of course, but what about the guards and the rest of the world?”

“You should work together with Alya,” Tikki said, excitedly zooming in front of Marinette so she could face her. “I can go see her now and ask her to cast a spell! It will be hard for her to do, but very much worth the effort. With the help of her illusions, Adrien will be ‘recognized’ as another missing visitor to the catacombs, and once you’re both out, you can go to Alya and create a fake ID and whatever else you need to fit in.”

“An ID,” Adrien repeated. He looked adorable when he was confused, Marinette thought.

“It’s basically a card that tells the government who you are. It’s not that bad, I promise!”

Adrien scrunched his eyebrows together. “If you say that it isn’t, milady, then I trust you.”

Tikki smiled. “Great! I’ll go tell Alya, then.” She phased through the catacomb walls and vanished.

“Aww, why can’t we do that?” Marinette asked.

“You could, if you were less mortal and more awesome,” Plagg said with a smirk.

Adrien shot him a glare. “So, I need to pretend to have an ID. What else do I need to know right now?”

Marinette thought for a moment. “Cars! Okay, we’ve made these vehicles that run on gas or electricity and they’re basically mini rooms with seats on wheels, and they move really fast. There are also airplanes, faster ships, and subways and trains. Um, and lightbulbs? Did you have those?”

Adrien shook his head. Marinette sighed.

“They’re like lanterns, but they run on electricity. No big deal.”

“No big deal,” Adrien repeated in disbelief. “Really? It sounds like the Un-Gifted found a way to make their own magic! That’s incredible!”

Marinette blushed. “I guess it is. Um, other things run on electricity, too; a lot, actually. I showed you my phone; basically everybody has one now and they do a lot of cool stuff I’ll need more than ten minutes to explain, haha. There are bigger versions called tablets, and then there are laptops and computers, which are even bigger but still similar to phones, and TVs, which are even bigger and mostly show the weather or recorded, uh, plays and musicals. Oh, when we get to the entrance, there will probably be a ton of cameras, which are these devices that basically flash a light at you and take a picture of you, exactly as you are. Like an instant painting!”

“That sounds terrifying,” Adrien said, grabbing her hand. “I didn’t think things would change that much, even if it’s been a couple centuries! Next you’ll tell me they found a way to go into outer space,” he chuckled.

Marinette looked at him with a smirk growing on her face.

“Oh, you have to be joking,” he breathed.

She giggled. “Nope, I’m not! Aaand we’re at the entrance to the main paths, now. Are you ready?”

Adrien squeezed her hand tight. “If you are, milady.”

“Hey, lover-boy,” Plagg said, still not moving from his spot on Adrien’s shoulders, “If you want to get through that nice metal gate facing you, you’re gonna have to let go of her hand.”

“Oh! Right. Plagg, claws out!” Adrien said, dropping her hand with a bashful smile. “Cataclysm.” He touched the gate and it rusted, falling open and letting them pass through it.

“Is that how you got in, the first time?” Marinette asked. “I know you didn’t wait to go in like a normal person.”

Adrien flushed. “Oh, right, the journals. Um. Yes. Why did I ever write that down?” He muttered the last bit to himself, just barely audible.

“Well, it helped you out in the end,” Marinette said. “If it weren’t for your journals, I never would have been able to rescue you.”

“Which I am so grateful for,” Adrien said assuringly. “Have I said that enough times? I don’t think I have. Should I write you a song to say thank you?”

Marinette blushed and tried to distract herself from the romantic implications of writing songs. He’s from the past, it was different back then! “Ooh, you can write songs, too, not just write?”

“I’m a man of many talents,” Adrien smiled. “You could call it a gift.”

Marinette smacked his arm.

He grinned at her and kept walking forward through the tunnels.

A few meters later, a guard finally spotted them, and they were rushed up to the main building.

Predictably, the press was there waiting, and Alya was right beside them. Once they got some initial footage, she waved a hand, muttering something under her breath, and the reporters busied themselves with her illusions of interviewing the two rescuees. Adrien watched in awe as Alya stepped out to lead them away from the scene.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it all handled. They’ll think you just fell behind, got lost for a while, but turned around and came back without any real issues,” she told them. “Now. Are you both okay? You’re not hurt?”

Marinette nodded. Now that they were finally out, she felt completely exhausted. “I think we’re fine; no injuries here. Alya, that was so scary,” she cried, throwing her arms around her friend in a tight hug.

“I told you it was dangerous,” Alya said sadly. “I am so glad you’re okay. Tikki told me you found your magic, and defeated the zombies? You found Adrien, too, and resurrected him? Like, that’s insane! Girl, you are something else entirely!” she exclaimed excitedly.

“She is quite amazing,” Adrien agreed, wide-eyed. “If that’s what that means.”

Alya’s lips twitched. “Oh, it’s a good thing Tikki told me to start that illusion,” she said, barely restraining a laugh. “Your clothes would have given you away instantly if I hadn’t been there!”

Adrien frowned and pulled at his suit’s collar. “Yes, after seeing those other men, I can see why. What is the modern fashion these days?”

“It’s a lot comfier, for one thing,” Alya said. “I think you’ll like it.”

Relaxing, Adrien smiled at her. “That’s good to hear. By the way, it seems you both know my name, but I don’t think I know yours,” he said, gesturing at her.

Marinette smiled. “This is Alya, my best friend and head Mage of Trixx. She taught me about the modern Mage community and the finer details of how magic works.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Adrien,” Alya said, offering her hand. “Now, let’s get you up to speed!”

Written for @mlbigbang

#only one more chapter left to go!#ao3 links at the top #ml fanfic #ml au #centuries overdue #rosie-b writing #miraculous ladybug #adrinettte #lovesquare #oof I ran out of colors for the title #how did i not see that coming T_T

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