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imagineabrighterworld · 3 years

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A/N: I fought tooth and nail for this prompt so I hope you like it anon 👀

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Dabi had left the Nightscape for several reasons.

For better scenery, for less screaming, for.. for a third reason, and to escape his crazy as fuck ex girlfriend who never seemed to get the point that they were done. She was a phase, she wasn’t the endgame.

Did she get that as he tossed her ass out of his apartment? No, she just came back with a lighter to set his home ablaze. But the woman didn't realize he controlled flames as easily as he did breathing.

So he left. He packed a few things, clothes and whatever currency the humans were using nowadays and went up to the world beyond. His father was one of the lords of the Nightscape, but he didn't need to worry about slipping past him, Dabi was thought to be dead for ages.

More like “Touya” had been dead for ages, but that was a clusterfuck of different issues he didn't care to unfold.

Living above ground had added perks beyond escaping a crazy ex and not being surrounded by shades and wraiths on the daily. He could take on the form of a true human, not the horned and fanged form he usually wore. His tail was gone, and his scars and staples were replaced with tattoos and piercings, but he grew used to his new form very quickly.

In the human world, humans had long since developed quirks, so his flames were not an oddity. He was thankful for them when he was questioned about how he got his scars, scars that would occasionally show through his glamour. It was an easy answer, his body couldn't handle his “quirk”. People gave him sad eyes and let him go.

Easy.

What he did struggle with was the occasional demon hunter nearly tracking him down, but he always managed to turn their eye the other way. Was it testing the line choosing to live so close to a school that trained demon hunters? Yes, but he was always good at magic, a simple glamour always did the trick.

When he scored a job at a coffee shop, he was pleased to see it was a simple transaction kind of job. No one would be able to ask him why his eyes were constantly rivaling the blue of his flames or why a phantom tail would lash out and occasionally spill the row of cups behind him.

He pegged it as a ghost haunting the shop, and so it became a little inside joke within the workers ranks and some of the shop's patrons.

Opening on a rainy Wednesday, he looks around the room before lighting the candles at the tables with a flame on his pinkie finger. Setting up the tables and scooting in the chairs, he walks back to the counter and sets up the machines when the door rings, signalling someone had entered.

“Welcome.” He rolls out in a soft purr, a habit from years of toying with his playthings as an incubus. Eventually he would get rid of the habit. “What can I get for you today?” He turns around.

You were soaking wet with a satchel above your head, you were shivering and looking at the coffee machines as if they were god sent.

You looked adorable.

He leans on the counter with a growing smile. “Wet out there isn't it?”

Your gaze snaps to him. Your eyes were a soft mahogany color, reminding him of a tree. It wasn't the most romantic thing he could come up with, but trees were also very rare to find in the Nightscape, so he supposed it was based on your point of view. “C-Coffee. Please.”

“Sure thing babe, what kind?”

“A mocha cappuccino with three shots of espresso.”

He quirks a brow as he types in your order. “Three?”

“I usually get five but my doctor told me I need to cut down.”

“How about you aim for two?”

“I don't think I’d survive that loss sir.”

He chuckles. “Sir?” He asks as he tells you the price of your drink, accepting your soggy wad of cash and giving you your change once the transaction was complete. “Well madam, your drink will be out shortly, take some napkins to dry up, they’re by the sugar.”

He spots a small blush on your face as you go to the condiments counter. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” He prepares your drink as he hears you pluck a plethora of napkins out of their container. Small curses are all he hears as you open your bag, he hears the clicking of latches and the zipping of zippers. You scuttle past the counter and stop in front of the register again.

“Do you have a bathroom? My bag is drenched..”

He brings you your drink and tilts his head as he debates your question. A bathroom wouldn't solve the water issue, you just thought it would.

Dabi places your drink on the counter and holds his hand out. “I can dry your bag.”

You smile, adjusting your glasses in the mean time. “You have a wind quirk?”

“I'm not a blowdryer.” He grins. “But I can still dry it for you.”

You debate his words, looking down at your soggy satchel that was only getting worse as time passed. You hand him the bag with an accepting sigh. “Please.”

He takes your bag and lights his hands on fire. You nearly scream before he speaks up. “I can control my fire, this one won’t burn anything, it's just warm.”

“Oh.” You shut your mouth with a sheepish bow of your head. “Sorry.”

“It's alright.” He turns the bag in his hold, looking at the patches and bad attempts at embroidery on its edges. It was cute. The sad little attempts seemed to get better as they reached the top, which led him to believe this was your first attempt at embroidery.

What would you do if he had burnt it to ash?

His flames were highly destructive, and sometimes even he couldn't handle them.

Maybe he was being risky to test his powers like this. It had been ages since he last used his flames for something more than lighting a silly candle or a cigarette.

“So..”

Oh right, you were still there.

He looks at you and rotates the bag in his hold. “Yes?”

“Is it always this empty?”

“Only when you're here.” He winks.

“Rude.”

“Rude, sir.”

You laugh, and from that point on he's hooked to the sound.

Dabi used to like his job, now it was turning into something akin to gratitude. It allowed him to see you on most days.

He had learned quite a few things about you ever since that rainy day.

You were a teacher in training, specifically the nearby high school. You were aiming for Shiketsu and had a foot in the door with the vice principal taking notice of you during their mock trials. He didn't peg you for a demon hunter, but everyone had a hidden side to them. Hah. You had two pet birds named Sweet Pea and Darlington, you had a snake named Petra and were looking into getting a newt.

You loved coffee but hated it black, it needed sugar or chocolate of some kind because you couldn't stand bitter food. You loved spicy food even if you couldn't tolerate it, and you adored sour candies.

While you looked book smart, you were also street smart, and he was beginning to believe you might be vying for a spot as a demon slayer teacher. He just didn't know what your quirk was yet.

“Hey Dabi.” You chime in unison with the doorbell as you walk inside, this time with an umbrella to keep yourself out of the rain.

He leans on the counter with a grin. “Hey babe. What is it today? The usual?”

“Just a shot of espresso this time.”

He narrows his eyes. “Are you sick?”

“Nope.” You fold your arms behind your back, rocking back and forth on your heels with a huge smile on your face. “I got news.”

“Do tell.” He says as he starts preparing your shot.

“I got the job!” You squeal in excitement, arms coming out of hiding so you can clasp them in front of you. “Starting in the spring I’m going to be the new first year homeroom teacher!”

He genuinely smiles. So you wanted to ruin your happiness with a shot of liquid bitter? He didn't understand you sometimes. “I thought your celebration drink would be a sakura latte, not a shot of espresso.”

You wave your hand dismissively, already removing your wallet from your pocket. “I'll come back for one.”

“Two visits in one day? Is that a gift for you or for me?” He chuckles and hands you your espresso, taking your yen and entering it into the register.

You adjust the glasses on your face. "I figured I would grace your presence because you've been so humble as to fuel my caffeine addiction."

"It's my duty to make sure you don't kill some other sorry bastard with a coffee maker."

Your eyes flash green for a split second, and in that moment he has to keep from reeling back. Did he really see that?

The cups behind him tumble to the ground.

His tail had appeared in his brief moment of shock.

You cock your head to the side. "What happened?"

He kneels and collects the cups. "The shop's ghost. Don't mind it."

"I thought I saw a-"

"How about I give you the latte now? On me." He interrupts you mid sentence, standing up with the cups in his arms.

The blush on your face was one of his favorite sights in the human world.

"You don't have to Dabi."

"It's just a drink." He waves you along to one of the booths. "Sit, it'll be ready soon."

You take your shot of espresso and go to the booth he had motioned you to.

The way you scrunched your nose in disgust as you drank your shot was also one of his new favorite sights.

Maybe it was just you.

After you had gotten your job at Shiketsu, you were around every morning to prepare for the day. Sometimes you would come by for lunch, unfortunately he clocked out on those days, but sometimes he would make sure he was in the area just to catch you off-guard. Those days he spent his lunch with you, and you got to tell him stories about your students.

It was one of your lunch breaks when hell came to toll.

His eyes were trained on you as you spoke, you were talking about a girl who wielded fire similar to him when the bell of the cafe rang.

The sound resonated through him, and in that moment he knew who was at the door.

What was at the door.

His glamour of his new human form nearly drops as he hears a woman's voice ask from the counter of the cafe.

“Is Dabi here?” She croons in a sickly sweet voice he hadn't heard in nearly a year. He doesn't hear his coworkers' response but he feels the air fill with the flowery scent of her. He grits his teeth to keep his fangs from showing through as he hears her heels click against the ground.

You had stopped your explanation and looked behind him, adjusting your glasses as you did so. “You're looking for Dabi?”

“I am, what a sweet peach you've got here Dabi~ I didn't know you still had it in you to snag such a cutie, your charms must still be working even in this sad form.” He feels her hand on his shoulder, her fingernails drumming along the stitching of his jacket. “Did you catch her, or did she come crawling to you?”

He knows he has to speak up, before she says another word, but his fangs were already piercing the inside of his lip as his glamour slipped.

He looks at you with the most apologetic gaze he can muster. Grabbing his coffee, he lifts it to his mouth to hide his fangs and he speaks. “Excuse me.” He stands up and slams the cup on the table, grabbing the wrist of the woman behind him and dragging her out of the shop and into the closest alleyway.

He slams her against the wall with her arm pinned above her head. His glamour drops completely, his scars and horns bared for the world to see as he growls with rage. “You!”

The succubus in front of him smiles coyly, dragging a finger across his scars and the staples holding his mouth together. “Aren't you happy to see me? To see one of your own again?”

“No. What do you want?”

She plays at pulling on one of the staples but is stopped as he pins her other hand up as well. The succubus sighs and turns her head, “I come see you and all I get is this. And seeing you with a little human.” She peers at him with violet eyes. “Don't tell me you've gone soft Dabi. She’s human, she’ll die just like a human too.”

He hadn't let that thought slip into his mind and wasn't planning on starting to. He tightens his grip on her wrists. “We broke up, I made that clear.” A feral grin forms on his face, pulling at the staples on his face. “I told you, if you try me again, I’ll kill you.”

“I heard you had a human now. We all heard.” She whispers, her eyes glowing in the dark of the alley. “They know Dabi.”

His grip falters.

Shit.

Shit. Shit Shit-

He lets go of her wrists and he paces in the alleyway, flames licking at his face as his emotions spiralled.

“They need your power, but you’re squandering it here with a girl who will die before you know it. While you're full of youth, she will be an old crone with nothing but a coffin awaiting her.” She didn't sound bothered at all as she rubs her wrists. “Honestly Dabi, you were the one that taught me never to fall for a human. They’re too brittle, their life essence too weak.”

He did teach her. He taught her to keep her heart shut and to leave it open only for him. He taught her a little too well, as she now believed she had rights to him.

But he never taught himself as well as he did her.

He fell for you bad, and you were mortal.

“Anyway, I was told one of two things. Either bring you back with me, or expose you so you have no other choice but to return.”

He looks back at her, his rage quelled only by the dread that was now spiralling in him. “You will do no such thing!” He roars, his flames igniting and setting him ablaze. “If you dare go near her-”

The succubus’s body transforms into mist starting from her feet then rising to her waist. She puts a finger to her lips. “I’ll be back in three days. If you don't do it, I will.”

She was gone. Leaving him alone in the alley with nothing but flames that wouldn't stop burning.

Dabi spent the next two days trying to find ways to tell you, but with each scenario came the same question.

What would you do if you knew he was a demon? You worked at a school that trained demon slayers- what other option for you would there be if not to turn him in? It was your duty to turn in any demon that showed up at your door, and here you were having coffee with him.

He couldn't do it.

On the third day, it was raining, just like the day he met you.

He hated the mist that had surrounded the shop, reminding him of the succubus and her promise.

Three days.

He had to tell you.

But why was it so damn hard to do? He used to be cold and calculated, having his fun toying with human emotions and killing without regret. He had no empathy, no sympathy for the lives he ruined.

But you were kind. So incredibly kind.

He rests his head on the counter as the door opens. He scents you in the air before you even step through, the smell of milk and honey wafting in the air as you approach the counter.

He had to tell you.

“Morning Dabi!” You cheer as you fold up your umbrella. “A mocha cappuccino with two shots of espresso please!”

He looks up and smiles crookedly. “Finally down to two?”

“I figured I would finally listen to you.”

“That's my girl.” He chuckles as he grabs a cup and prepares your drink. His hands were shaking, but he knew what he had to do.

When your drink was ready and paid for, Dabi keeps his hand on the cup as you take it from him, your hand overlapping his. You look at him with curious eyes behind your wide rimmed glasses. “Dabi? What’s wrong?”

“If I told you I was a bad man, what would you do?”

You narrow your eyes, but keep your hand over his. “Stealing a croissant from the place you work at isn't evil Dabi-”

“Not that.” He laughs but it's noticeably strained. “Not that.” He looks you in the eyes, greedily taking in the sight of you, for perhaps the last time. “What if I told you I was a bad man, who did horrible things. Whose caused terrible things.”

Your hand tightens around his, he feels the tremors in your body before you still.

“I would tell you I know better than to judge you for what you've done, and tell you that I judge you for who you are now. Does that forgive you of what you've done or what you've caused? No. But I judge what I see. And I see a good man.”

He lets out a shaky breath as his glamor drops, revealing his true form of scars and fangs and horns. His flames curl around him as he whispers. “What if I'm not a man?”

You jump back, hands flying to your glasses before they could tumble off of your face. You stare at him with your jaw hanging.

He looks at the coffee still in his grasp. At the scars covering his body.

He knew it.

He puts down the cup.

He knew it.

Clapping comes from the corner of the room where the succubus has taken form, her body still halfway between corporal and mist. She smiles, showing off her sharpened canines. “Bravo Dabi, I almost thought I’d have to do it myself.”

You shut your mouth and look at the succubus. “You're from before-”

“I am.” She purrs. “And I’m here to take Dabi home. Shigaraki will be happy to see his lieutenant again.”

Dabi burns away his apron, leaving him in his normal attire, the stitches of his black coat catching his eye. Memories of your embroidered bag slip through his mind, though are soon flushed out entirely when he hears the shattering of tables as a high pitched shriek comes from the mist succubus.

He phases through the counter in a wall of heatless flame as he sees you covering your ears.

The shriek had destroyed the tables and windows turning them into scrap, and had shattered your glasses. Blood was running down your ears from between your hands.

He stands between you and the succubus, his arms lit with powerful blue flames. “This wasn't part of the deal!”

“Not our deal. Shigaraki doesn't want you to have any temptations for returning to the human world. We need your girl gone for good.” She grins fiendishly. “She will never grow old, isn't that the best gift you could receive?”

“Dabi-” You call out from behind him.

“Stay back!” He yells at you. “Get out of here!” But he knew if you went into the rain outside, you would be done for. The succubus would be able to drown you where you stood.

Her body turns to pure water as she rushes at him. With her power boosted by the rain that washed in through the broken windows, all he could do was send wave after wave of fire to evaporate the water.

But what was evaporation if not mist?

He was fighting a losing battle as he backed up until he finally reached you. He covers you with his body as he puts up a wall of flame.

“I’m sorry.” He whispers to you as his flames are soon put out. “I’m sorry.”

You lift your hands to his face, eyes still closed, and pull him in, pressing your forehead against his.

“Don't be sorry for the things you can't control.” You whisper in return.

The succubus’s body turns corporal from the waist up. She coos. “How sweet, one last goodbye.”

You press a kiss to his lips.

“Don't open your eyes.” You murmur against his lips before letting go of his face and turning around to look at the succubus.

He closes his eyes, prepared to hear you scream in pain, prepared to hear your body drop to the ground.

But all he hears is the loud boom of thunder from outside and the crackle of rock breaking.

Rock?

He opens his eyes and sees you on your knees in front of a marble statue of the succubus.

His eyes widen as he sees you stand up. From the reflection of the marble, he can see your eyes flashing green.

“Did I ever tell you my mother was a demon?” You ask as you kneel and pick up your eyeglass frames from the floor. “She called herself Medusa. Silly, huh? My dad was human though, and well, as you know, they had me..” You turn around, your eyes now closed. “I guess you can say my quirk is having a very strange lineage.”

Dabi gets to his feet and runs at you, barreling into you with his arms swiftly wrapping around you.

You return the hug, your face nuzzled into his chest.

“So.. you're not mortal?” He says quietly, as if the good luck that had been shone upon the both of you would wither out.

“I'm not. It's my hundred and twenty-fourth this year.” You look up from his hold, he could see the faint glow of green from under your eyelashes. “Will you be there?”

He tightens his hold and presses his lips against yours.

“As if I'd ever leave.”

#bnha #mha #bnha x reader #mha x reader #my hero academia #my hero academia x reader #boku no hero academia x reader #boku no hero academia #bnha dabi #boku no hero academia dabi #bnha dabi x reader #mha dabi x reader #my hero academia dabi x reader #dabi x reader #touya x reader #- Luca #I snatched this prompt and I will fistfight Jesus all over again #- beta Andro #wHo aPParEntly cAnt ReAd

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fantasia-monogram · 3 years

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As the clock strikes midnight, part 1

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / epilogue

♥️ Taeyang x reader (nonbinary, female anatomy) x Jaeyoon; mentions of other SF9 members

♥️ Suggestive (~2k words); smoking, mentions of alcohol, (lightly) implied BDSM. Mutual pining. Next part is going to be NSFW (and reveal more about the characters’ history).

♥️ You’re a beast at work, having to be tough to climb up the corporate ladder, but what you never thought of is that your attitude might be intimidating to your long time crush. Luckily, your much more laid back friend is here to help... both of you.

♥️ Disclaimer: this is just for fun! I’m not claiming that’s how they are in real life, it’s just my imagination doing whatever it wants. Read at your own discretion.

“Ah, the exciting world of corporate banking.”

You were too tired to check the time, but one look over the room gave you a clear idea of what kind of stage the party has reached: vast office space, with all the desks pushed against the wall and a long table situated in the middle, was littered with barely-sober people, most of them in groups of two or three. The goal was to let coworkers of various titles and positions mingle in a casual manner, as the fairly young company’s hierarchy and employer count was expanding proportionately to its growth - friendly office culture was a staple in this place. Truth was, after a couple drinks (or, in case of some tougher individuals, whole bottles of soju), everyone would group into their regular lunch break cliques, usually within the same department.

Long gone were the days when the business was much smaller, and it was easier for people from different departments to form close bonds.

Luckily, you remembered them very well, and that’s why, as the party was dying down, you shared a (small and not very comfortable) couch with your two best colleagues: Lee Jaeyoon and Yoo Taeyang.

“Look at him. What a fighter,” Jaeyoon said with a hushed voice, pointing his almost full glass of whisky towards another corner of the spacious room. There, behind one of the squished-together desks, Quality Department leader Kim Inseong was still angrily babbling about work-related statistics to the nearly-wasted Training Supervisor, Baek Juho. The latter, with his forehead propped on his hand, kept waving at his superior to stop, as coherent words would not come out of his mouth at this point no matter how hard he tried. Inseong, incredibly professional yet warm and welcoming when sober, would do a total 180° after a single bottle of soju and turn into a snarky bastard ranting at everything going on in the company.

“Supervisor Baek is holding on strong, though,” Taeyang added in a matter-of-fact tone before taking a sip from his glass.

You couldn’t help but cover your mouth and snort with amusement.

The three of you were an unusual group.

You all joined the company on the same day, and underwent basic training for a couple weeks. Even though Jaeyoon was close to your age, the gap between you and Taeyang was much bigger. Add their impressive height and you had to admit, it was awkward to sit between these two guys every single day. Soon enough though, your small talk during short breaks would turn more and more enjoyable, and when the last week rolled in, as the oldest one, you mustered up the courage to invite them to a nearby coffee shop. Formally, you just wanted to celebrate the end of your training stage, but honestly… You grew fond of them, so there was no harm in getting to know them better away from the workplace.

Who knew the three of you would find common ground during that fateful meeting?

“Hey… Y/n… You there?” Jaeyoon’s voice snapped you out of a trip down the memory lane.

“Yeah. What were you saying?” you asked, a bit embarrassed.

“You don’t seem to be having fun at all. I haven’t seen you around the bar even once,” Jaeyoon ranted, haphazardly shaking his glass.

“You know I don’t drink.”, you stated calmly.

“Aish… It’s a party! No need to be so strict. Am I right?”

For some reason, Jaeyoon looked towards Taeyang with a wicked grin, and you followed. The youngest one, sitting by your right side, cleared his throat theatrically.

“I’ll go get myself another one.” he mumbled, already leaving the couch.

“Don’t overdo it!” Jaeyoon yelled, then turned back to you. “You could really use some percents, though. Just saying.”

“I have an image to maintain,” you said quietly, crossing your arms against your chest.

“You dressed like it’s every other day at work, too,” your friend pointed out, “It’s just a different colour.”

You looked at him resentfully. That’s true, tailored suits were your usual look, not just because you simply didn’t like dresses or skirts. It was the easiest way to elongate your silhouette, and you were already lacking in height compared to all the higher-ups attending company meetings with you.

A powerful look was expected from the Compliance Supervisor who rose to that position in a record-breaking time and was nowhere near done career-wise.

Besides, you had to admit, your neat suits in a whole variety of colors boosted your confidence every single day. You had all of them adjusted, so they would accentuate your figure in all the right places. Oh, all the times you and Jaeyoon would shamelessly ask poor Taeyang who’s got the best ass out of you two (“Okay, forget it. Taeyangie does,” Jaeyoon would end the competition each time, making Taeyang cringe).

"You're just jealous because I look better in red than you do," you barked, although lacking any real bite.

"Listen, what I'm trying to say is…" Jaeyoon leaned dangerously close to your ear. "...I don't mind your uniforms, but someone over there is on the brink of losing his mind right now."

You backed off, wide-eyed. Your friend discreetly threw a glance towards Taeyang, who just came back with his glass refilled.

Still dumbfounded, you kept looking back and forth at each of your friends, not realizing how silly it must have looked.

"Did I miss anything?" Taeyang asked, clearly feeling something went down during his absence.

"Yeah, I just said that maybe we should leave this remnant of a party and move somewhere else," Jaeyoon replied, looking over your shoulder at the youngest.

You furrowed your eyebrows, but ultimately decided his idea wasn't that bad after all.

"I don't know… Wouldn't it be rude to leave so early?" Taeyang mused.

"Seokwoo left, like, at 9," Jaeyoon pointed out. "Way before anybody had a chance to get drunk."

"Ah, our lovely Escalation Specialist," you sighed, talking about Kim Seokwoo, your right hand man at the Compliance Department. "You could say the party escalated too much for him."

"At nine!", the older of your friends laughed.

“What time is it anyway?” you asked. It didn’t matter that you could just check it yourself. You were used to people doing things like this for you around this place.

Jaeyoon, who knew it very well, fished his phone out of his shirt pocket.

“Uh… Fifteen to twelve,” he announced.

Taeyang tapped your shoulder.

"Happy early birthday," he threw casually.

Pleasant warmth rose to your cheeks. You were just starting to smile, your eyes crinkling already, when Jaeyoon jumped in his seat, startling both of you.

"Wait, what?!" he yelled, making a few heads turn for a second or two.

"What kind of a friend are you, really?" Taeyang snorted dryly, "It's y/n's birthday tomorrow."

Jaeyoon let out a sound that could best be described as a happy roar and pounced forward in an attempt to give you a bear hug. You dodged it by moving backwards, thus colliding into Taeyang's side.

You briefly glanced at each other, awkwardly nodding as an apology, before he uttered a quick it's fine and slid further into the couch.

"Hey, that hug was supposed to be a present!" Jaeyoon whined, recovering his dignity after the failure.

"Thanks, but no, thanks." you retorted, staying at a safe distance.

"Okay, but now we really have to go somewhere else. This calls for a celebration!" Your overly enthusiastic companion wasn't giving up that easily.

You turned to your other friend.

"Taeyang?"

"That's enough social interaction for today," the boy in question replied, "One more crowded place and I'll pass out on the spot."

He was known for his introverted tendencies; even at work, he occupied a desk that was a bit further from everyone else, guaranteeing him all the peace he needed, and had only one coworker he was somewhat close to apart from you two.

"What about we go to my place instead? I've got no alcohol, but there are plenty of leftovers for a late dinner if you're hungry," you offered instead.

"Sounds like a plan!" Jaeyoon clasped his hands. "I'll pay for the cab."

Taeyang bottomed out his glass.

"Wanna go for a smoke while we wait?"

As soon as you put a cigarette in your mouth, Taeyang was there to light it. You could swear his eyes lingered on your lips, but maybe it was so late that your eyes started pulling tricks on you.

A good five minutes passed of the three of you smoking in silence, enjoying the cool summer breeze and the sight of a nearly full moon above you. Taeyang was the first to finish, with you following. Jaeyoon was the last to end his cigarette, throwing it into the trash can nearby in a somewhat angry manner.

"Taeyang, I can't possibly imagine a better time to tell them than now."

Both you and Taeyang turned your heads towards Jaeyoon.

"Tell what?" you posed a question, confused.

The guys exchanged looks. After that, Taeyang averted his eyes, while Jaeyoon locked his with yours.

"I think he should be the one to explain." Jaeyoon stated firmly.

"It's fine," Taeyang's voice was unexpectedly weak, "I'm fine with you telling them."

You felt your heartbeat quicken all of sudden.

"He's head over heels for you."

And then, it was as if your heart just stopped. No, that couldn't be. Your pretty, soft spoken dongsaeng you always had your eyes on? In love with you?

"No way." you muttered, turning to face Taeyang. He still couldn't bear to look at you. "Is that true?"

Internally, you were screaming for him to say yes.

Poor guy seemed like he was about to get a panic attack, breathing in and out loudly, hands balled into fists. You could see him biting his lips.

"Come on." Jaeyoon ushered, "I did the hard part for you. Now it's your turn."

Taeyang slowly raised his gaze. His doll-like eyes were glazed over with tears - a sight so stunning it almost made you gasp.

"It's true. It's been going on for more than two years now." His voice was quiet, but steady.

You kept staring at his gorgeous, flushed face, unable to say a word. It was a clue for him to continue.

"I knew I had a chance. I'm not stupid. I noticed you treated me differently than Jaeyoon or any other friend at work. But I also knew your no relationships at the workplace policy and your attitude towards age gaps, and decided to keep it to myself."

Your heart was about to burst.

"I'm just as demanding in love as I am at work," you explained, "I'd ruin you."

Jaeyoon circled you. As soon as he stopped, he put his left hand on Taeyang's shoulder, while his right on yours.

"Tell them," he encouraged the younger guy again.

As if on command, there was fire burning in Taeyang's gaze. You felt it consume you as a whole.

"I'm not fragile," the boy declared, “I want to be ruined.”

You thought you were dreaming, but a squeeze of Jaeyoon’s hand on your shoulder anchored you back to reality, this reality being your crush at first sight confessing to you.

“Your confidence… How strict and relentless you are…” Taeyang went on, his voice breaking, “The tone of your voice… And your suits. Oh, your suits. It all turns me on so much.”

“What a guy,” Jaeyoon chuckled, shaking his head.

Both you and Taeyang decided to ignore him for now.

“I repeat,” Taeyang insisted, “I want to be ruined.”

Despite Jaeyoon’s continuous hold on both of you, you reached towards Taeyang’s face to caress his smooth cheeks with the back of your fingers. That was all he needed to surge forward and plant a brief, fluttering kiss on your lips that still managed to leave you with your head spinning, needing more.

“Happy birthday, y/n,” Taeyang whispered, holding his forehead against yours.

It was only then when you realized you were both breathing heavily, even though nothing had happened yet.

The moment was interrupted by the ringtone of Jaeyoon’s phone. At last, the guy ceased his hold on you to check the device.

“Okay, lovebirds, the cab is here. It’s gonna be a fun night.”

You glanced at Jaeyoon, then locked your eyes with Taeyang’s again. He reciprocated your devious smile.

(to be continued)

#sf9 scenarios #sf9 smut #sf9 imagines #yoo taeyang imagine #yoo taeyang scenario #Another long piece of writing...#Please bear with me #As the clock strikes midnight

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stuffy-attic · 4 years

Text

Tipsy [Reader x LOV Spinner] Part 2/2

Here’s the link for part one!

Somehow you ended up home and okay. And somehow the memory of the previous day, despite the alcohol’s best attempt, was very much remembered in that afternoon when you finally dragged yourself out of bed. Not an easy feat considering how much you just wanted to disappear. Despite the rumblings of a hungry stomach and the long gap of time since your last meal, you brushed past your kitchen without a second thought. The diner just down the street sounded a lot better than making a pile of dirty dishes that future you would be too bummed out to wash.

This day is going to fucking suck.

Maybe I should just run away, you considered as you poked at your half-eaten sandwich. Could go to America, take up a new identity, and never interact with people ever again. Maybe just live alone in the woods – become the local big foot. It shouldn’t sound appealing, but it did.

“Surprised I haven’t heard from the crew yet…” you mumbled as you fished for your phone; the lingering embarrassment had caused you to forget to even check it when you first got up. “Should be about time to hear something- ah?” Opening the phone, unfortunately, lead to no answers as the screen didn’t light up. You pressed a few buttons but there was still no response. Right didn’t charge it.

Originally the plan was to check messages and likely head over to the bar, even if there wasn’t anything, but that went out the window. Shigaraki was just going to have to wait right now. You needed a working phone and its charging cord first.

You boxed up the remnants of your food, paid and tipped the (delightfully) quiet waitress, and headed out. The walk to your apartment wasn’t long. But the scene you found when you arrived? That was confusing.

“She’s not opening the goddamn door! Yeah. I was knocking for five minutes, of course she would’ve heard! Well she hasn’t been answering that either, right?” Spinner pulled one hand roughly through his untied hair before banging on the door once more. “I am!” he yelled into the phone.

Ohhhh shit. You didn’t know which was more distressing: the fact that you were apparently late to some league business or the fact that the last person you wanted to see was the one at your door. Should? No… but maybe… You swayed at the top of the stairs, trying to decide if you should run off or not while you had the chance.

“Hey!” A middle-aged man emerged from the apartment next door. “Fuck face. What do you think you’re doing?” Spinner stopped his banging but didn’t get a chance to rebuttal. “Fucking dumbass lizard. All you mutants this fucking dumb or something?”

Oh not this guy. Mind made up. “Hey yourself!” You hopped up the last of the stairs. “Don’t fucking talk to him like that.”

Spinner wheeled around and shut his phone with a snap. Whoever was on the other end must’ve been happy about that. You stood beside your reptilian coworker. It wasn’t the first time you’d had beef with this jerk and you sure as hell weren’t about to let him treat Spinner like trash.

“What’re you saying, dumb bitch?”

His words didn’t deter you in the least. “Look here ass fuck, talk shit about him again – no, if you so much as look funny at another mutant I’ll show up at your ex-wife’s apartment with aaallllll the receipts I got on you holding out on your income amount during the divorce proceedings and the child support payments you somehow keep skirting around. I will personally make sure that the court of law shoves a gavel up your fucking ass. Yeah? Get it?”

The man’s mouth flapped a few times but he had nothing of value to say and apparently couldn’t form a cohesive thought to save his life. Face fuming and red and he stomped back into his apartment and slammed the door.

“Will that guy ever learn to not be such an ass?” you asked as you fished out your keys. “I’m just gonna go ahead and tell his wife anyway. He’s had it coming for a long time.” Don’t look at him. Maybe he’ll leave. Maybe he doesn’t even remember! Yeah!

Click. The door unlocked but you didn’t even make it into the threshold before a strong scaly arm was barring the way. You actually walked straight into, nearly dropping your to-go box. “Hey!”

“Hey? Hey?” Spinner’s voice wasn’t much more than a growl. “That’s all you got to say?”

Freezing at his tone, you slowly looked up and locked eyes. Oh he’s angry. Fuck. “Yeah?”

His scaly jaw tensed and his dark eyes narrowed. “You didn’t go back to the bar.”

That’s what this is about? What the fuck does that matter? Luckily logical brain was able to be the one in charge today. You took a slow breath to temper yourself for what was going to be a tight situation. “No. I wasn’t… in the mood.”

“I told you to go back there for a reason.”

“I didn’t-”

“You could have gotten injured or attacked.”

“I’m hardly helpless!”

Spinner paused before he huffed. The air tickled your face but you didn’t flinch or look away. “Are you telling me that if something had happened and you had been attacked that you were in the right mind to respond to it?”

“… no.”

“I told you to go back. I…” Spinner looked away, “I didn’t want to walk you home, but I didn’t want you to go on your own either. You going home like that then not showing up earlier and not answering the door or your phone… I – we thought something had happened to you!” His eyes bored into yours once more.

You studied his face. Whose idea was it to come here? Did someone else suggest it first? “How did you know where I live?”

“Toga told me.”

“Because you asked…?”

Spinner ignored the question. “Learn to turn your phone on.”

“Right.” You didn’t even bother to mention that it was currently dead. You bit your lip. Should I? I can’t leave it to fester I guess… “Yesterday…”

Both of you were silent.

Please meet me halfway on this. “When I said what I said – about the… me like you thing, I was being serious…” You gripped the box tightly as you hugged yourself with one arm. Eye contact was difficult as fuck but it could serve an important role in signifying to Spinner that you were being truthful. “It’s wasn’t the alcohol or Dabi.”

“Yeah about that.” He finally dropped his arm and sighed. “I… they told me.”

Your eyebrows shot up. “Who did?”

“Everyone. Earlier. They were all excited asking if we had… they thought we had left together and you confessed and we…” He shifted. “I guess,” the leather creaked as Spinner shrugged, “maybe it wasn’t you trying to play me.”

“So you don’t think it’s some cruel prank now?” The question was a little bitter (yesterday had really sucked after all) but there was a little bit of hope renewed.

“No. I should’ve listened-”

“No, Spinner. Look…” You sighed and rocked on your feet. “I know people have treated you like shit before just because of how you look – which is dumb cuz you’re really cool, so I shouldn’t have expected you to just be immediately receptive to it. I could’ve gone about the entire thing a better way I guess.

“I definitely shouldn’t have let Dabi instigate anything… I’m sorry.”

It took a minute for you to realize that the noise coming from him was a chuckle. “You’re sorry? I should be the only one that’s sorry.”

“You don’t-”

“I’m sorry for yelling at you and being… rude,” Spinner said. “Even if I was upset it wasn’t okay of me to just leave you there like that either.”

“Spinner-”

“Shuichi.” The look on your face must’ve been especially dumb because he laughed. “My name. It’s Iguchi Shuichi.”

You nodded. “Right. Well, Shuichi, thanks for coming to check on me. Sorry I didn’t listen yesterday or show up this morning – or really give any indication that I wasn’t dead.” Maybe we can just roll right over this now. Pretending it never happened would be best. Although Dabi probably won’t let the damn thing go. Or maybe he’s already bored of it…

It was difficult to get a damn read on that stapled asshole. About as difficult as it was to get a read on this reptilian asshole…

You could see Spinner’s jaw working and his eyes shifting. It was a quick shift considering how friendly he was being just a moment ago. “You probably wanna forget about the whole thing, huh? That’s fine by me.” You shrugged, feigning indifference even though your chest burned. You stepped past Spinner and into your apartment, fully prepared to make amends and shut the door (literally and metaphorically).

However you froze at Spinner’s words. “What? No.” You looked over your shoulder to see him shaking his head with a frown. “It’s a bit…” His coloring looked off. He rubbed his neck. Oh he’s blushing? That’s cute!

You swooned internally but let him finish the thought. Short of a volcano spontaneously erupting beneath your feet, nothing was going to make you shatter this tense moment. No way were you going to crack the glass first and give him an out. You’d squeeze the words out of him at any cost.

Spinner fumbled a few more times before he finally found his footing. “I like you too.”

There’s no way this is real. What the hell kind of dream is this? Maybe I really did die on the walk home. “You do?”

His gaze on the floor and head hanging low, Spinner confirmed his feelings. “Yeah, I do.” His body language was throwing you off though: closed off and stiff – sad even.

You couldn’t help but frown. “You don’t seem very happy about it.”

“Well I mean it’s… me.”

“Did my asshole of a neighbor get to you? Because I’ll happily drag him out by his ear and beat the shit out of him for you.”

Spinner chuckled but it was hollow. “No, it’s just that I know what I am. I know what I look like and how-” He jumped. “What’re you doing?”

“Your hair is so soft!” you admired as you ran your hand through it once more.

He cringed but didn’t move away. “You’re being ridiculous. What are you doing?”

This time you let your thumb brush along his cheek; he flinched. You pulled away slowly. “I like you. As in all of you. Whether you think your skin is gross and scaly or that you’re ugly or less than because you’re a mutant – none of that is what I think. So don’t debase yourself or put yourself down or think less of yourself.”

Spinner wasn’t hanging his head anymore, but he looked stiff. “Sorry I’ve, uh- no one’s ever… this is all new to me.”

You tossed your leftovers onto the nearby couch. “I’m sorry no one’s told you that before. I have to ask though: does the touching really make you uncomfortable? Because I can stop doing it if it is.”

“God no, I don’t want you to stop...” Spinner looked at you wide eyed before realizing that you weren’t going to freak out at him for his confession. “I just feel like if you touch me, you’ll realize your mistake. You’ll be grossed out by me.”

“Of course not,” you said as you grabbed one of his hands. The texture of his skin wasn’t much like scales, textured leather might be a better comparison. He was cool and remarkably smooth to the touch. “You’ve probably overheard how picky I am about clothing and food texture, right? I think there was an incident with some pasta a couple of weeks ago.”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“So clearly if I didn’t like the feel of your skin you’d know really fast. And I haven’t stopped touching you yet, right?” You punctuated you point by squeezing his hand.

“You could have anyone-”

You laughed. “I’m very flattered that you think that; but I think you’ll find that have very discerning taste and a stubborn disposition. I like you. I want to have you. And that’s the end of it. Bask in it?”

His mouth hung open for a moment. “Bask in it?” He chuckled and squeezed your hand after a moment of hesitation. Spinner gave you a questioning glance, as if asking if that action was okay. “I think-”

Ring ring!

“Now that’s an old-fashioned ring tone!” You laughed and Spinner rolled his eyes.

“It’s Shigiraki,” he confirmed as he looked at the lit-up screen. “I really don’t want to answer…”

He’s probably wondering what the fuck is going on. Although I’m sure he doesn’t care much beyond the fact that Spinner and I aren’t dead. Man, he’s gonna pissed about all of this. “I thought he was amongst the excited crowd this morning?” You asked teasingly. “Wasn’t he right there beside Toga and Magne with that excited grin he gets?” Your voice was thick with sarcasm.

Spinner snorted. He replied in a voice equally as sarcastic, “Oh yeah. That sounds like him alright.”

“Well this’ll be fun. Let me just grab a charging cord…” You dug around in your couch cushions for a moment.

Of course, unknowingly to you, Spinner stood right behind you unable to take his eyes off of you. His head was spinning in a way that he had previously thought only alcohol could achieve; there was no way this could be real…

Taking a deep breath, he looked at his hand. It was still warm from your touch. He glanced around your apartment only to jump when you clasped his arm with a triumphant grin. Those eyes, that smile, that nose – Everything really… “Ready?”

“Yeah. Don’t text Shig yet though. I got an idea, let’s pretend I’m missing. Oh! Or dead!”

“Do you want to actually die?” Spinner asked, deadpan. “Because that’s a one-way ticket.” His face nearly burst into flames when you planted a kiss on his cheek. He grumbled abashedly while looking at the floor.

#bnha lov #bnha x reader #bnha spinner #spinner x reader #shuichi iguchi x reader #shuichi iguchi

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kplr-radio · 5 years

Text

Broadcast: Rob Kranken, 01/11/19

Rob: Good evening everyone, this is Rob Kranken coming in for your weeknight show here at 103.5 KPLR Radio. It’s midnight, so Cinderella you better get going. Everyone else stay tuned, I’ll be getting to the news in a minute. As usual, the station doesn’t monitor what music I play, so we’re going to stray from the usual country twang. Here’s Glass Animals “Life Itself.”

[Life Itself Glass Animals]

Rob: There’s not much to report on to be quite honest with y’all. Weather is dreary, we’ll be getting up to mid-sixties at most, and there’s no one on the roads right now. As it should be, really, because it’s late and Kepler’s street lighting is not optimal. So, since we’re on an easy night, why don’t any of y’all call in with stuff you want to say? We’ll do… let’s say a question for every three songs. I do have to ask you refrain from using bad words, because I get in trouble for those. Other than that, it’s the middle of the night. Go ham. Ah, here we go.

Caller: Rob please say “it’s Britney b*tch” in an Elmo voice.

Rob: Your wish is my command, random listener. [Perfectly impersonation] It’s Britney, b*tch.

Caller: Oh my god [click]

Rob: Is this what I’m known for now? I’m known for my ability to impersonate anyone, and then say rude things. Well, I suppose it’s better than not being known at all. Here’s “Hate Thy Neighbor” by Brick + Mortar, and then we’ll be playing some Lemon Demon and Miike Snow.

[Hate Thy Neighbor Brick + Mortar] [Eighth Wonder Lemon Demon] [Cult Logic Miike Snow]

Rob: That was “Eighth Wonder” by Lemon Demon and “Cult Logic” by Miike Snow, some good creepy tunes to set the tone for tonight. Who’s up next?

Caller: Hey, uh, is it okay if I call in to ask someone out here? Is this allowed?

Rob: Yeah, sure! I don’t know what your crush would be doing awake at midnight, but here we both are, so I guess I can’t talk. Go on.

Caller: Um... h-hey, Jenny, you wanna go out for lunch sometime? I’m free on Saturday. Don’t feel pressured to say yes? Uh... oh my god sorry! Uh bye! Thanks! Oh by the way it’s me, uh, Katie! Katie Graves from school! Hi! [click]

Rob: Young love… adorable. Back in my school days I was too much of a nerd to have crushes on anyone, so I’m glad to see the youth of today are more social than I was. This up next is “Bird Song” by Florence + the Machine.

[Bird Song Florence + the Machine] [Choke I Don’t Know How But They Found Me] [Not Your Fault AWOLNATION]

Rob: That was “Choke” by IDKHOW and “Not Your Fault” by AWOLNATION. I need to add some new songs to the rotation, I think. If you all have any recommendations I’d be glad to hear ‘em. But let’s get back to your calls. Hello, listener.

Caller: Hey, hey, what’s going on with the theatre company now? what show are they doing, how’s progress?

Rob: Ah yes, the theater. I’ve been hanging around there lately, things seem to moving along nicely! The director-slash-producer-slash-everything Mack has been working quite hard to get everything together, and she’s had some spectacular talents come in. I won’t say anything until i’m given an official release, but let me say I am very excited for the production. Here’s “Good Grief” by Bastille.

[Good Grief Bastille] [Nina Cried Power Hozier] [The Rabbit Miike Snow]

Rob: That was “Nina Cried Power” by Hozier featuring Mavis Staples, and “The Rabbit” by Miike Snow. Looks like we got someone on the line, howdy!

Caller: How do you apply for an internship at the radio? Do we need any experience?

Rob: [laughs] My friend, this is where you get the experience. Technically, this radio station shouldn’t even exist. Still, it does, so feel free to apply! Station management should probably put up some kind of application process on the website. I’ll see about that later. In the meantime, I’d recommend some kind of public speaking experience and/or some good voice acting skills. And, you know, figure out your gimmick. It’s better to get it down before you go on air, or else it will be assigned to you. Here is “Gun.” by My Chemical Romance, followed by “It’s A Trip” by Joywave and Young The Giant’s “Superposition”.

[Gun. My Chemical Romance] [It’s A Trip Joywave] [Superposition Young the Giant]

Rob: Now I may be biased because I choose these songs, but Young the Giant’s latest album from last October is pretty excellent. Oh, looks like we got our next caller. Hello, you’re live on the air.

Caller: Hey, I’m Megan, if announcements are a thing here, I would like to say that my IDIOT BROTHER GORDON is having his SECOND ANNIVERSARY with his boyfriend TOMORROW and that he BETTER NOT F*** UP HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH SUCH A GOOD DUDE BY F***NG FORGETTING.

Rob: Alright then, Gordon, if you’re out there, don’t forget your anniversary is tomorrow, or probably today, considering it’s after midnight. Hopefully you know. As Megan here said, you wouldn’t want to ruin anything by not remembering. Up next we have “Turn the Lights Off” by Tally Hall.

[Turn the Lights Off Tally Hall] [Blood // Water grandson] [Tidal Wave Portugal. the Man]

Rob: That was “Turn the Lights Off” and then “Blood Water” by grandson and “Tidal Wave” by Portugal. the Man. What’s next?

Caller: Please play some songs suitable for forest f***ery.

Rob: Alright, here’s some of my personal favorite songs for forest crimes.

[Way Out There Lord Huron] [Shadowplay The Killers] [Jungle Youth Young the Giant] [Long and Lost Florence + the Machine] [In the Woods Somewhere Hozier]

Rob: I hope those sufficed. And it seems like the calls have stopped for a bit, so allow me to talk about myself for a bit. I’m sure you’re all dying to hear more about me. No, I’m kidding. But today was noteworthy for a few reasons. I went to get a drink from the kitchen refrigerator, and my coworker Angelo, who you might know from his morning show— hello Angelo, by the way, don’t be too mad that I’m getting more listeners than you despite the time. But yes, he was in the kitchen, and he was— oh, someone’s calling. Hello?

Caller: Hello, sorry to interrupt, but you sound like Cecil from Welcome to Night Vale right now, and I just wanted to say keep up the good work. [click]

Rob: Oh, uh, thank you? I’ll have to ask Angelo what that means, he listens to that show, but I’m guessing it’s a compliment. Anyways, as I was saying, Angelo was there and he said [scarily accurate impression] “I, uh, got you the soda you like, it’s in there.” And I look in the fridge, and it is indeed the cream soda that I like. I took it, and I thanked him, and then I retreated to my office. Listeners, is this— I haven’t been in Kepler long, I must admit, but are people always this friendly? I’m going to play some songs while you all come up with your answers, as I’m sure you’re planning to do. This here is “Sunlight” by Hozier.

[Sunlight Hozier] [Rearview Bad Suns] [2am Sir Sly] [Action Cat Gerard Way] [Middle Fingers MISSIO]

Rob: Alright listeners, I’m back. Those were, in order, “Sunlight” by Hozier, “Rearview” by Bad Suns, “2am” by Sir Sly, “Action Cat” by Gerard Way, and “Middle Fingers” by MISSIO. Now please call in with your opinions. Is there something I should do for him in return? Okay, here we go.

Caller: You might want to try calling into his show for advice [snickering].

Rob: Very helpful, thank you. I will definitely do that. Goodbye now. [click] Hopefully you have a real answer.

Caller: Honestly, I think it would be nice to return the gesture, but if you don’t know him that well it might be that he’s trying to befriend you so just talking to him might be enough. Or, if you don’t want to befriend him, just move on. I’m sure he’ll either get the message or initiate the conversation with you.

Rob: That is… actually very helpful, thank you. I think this’ll be all you’ll hear from me for tonight, folks, lemme leave you with some music to watch the sunrise to.

[Handyman AWOLNATION] [Be Still The Killers] [Le Vélo Pour Deux The Brobecks]

#broadcast #1/11/19 #robkranken

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musicfeedsmysoul12 · 6 years

Text

Haven Raised Chapter 2

Summary: Harry's life is completely changed when his aunt and uncle are forced to take him to a funeral at a relatives. Now being raised by Primrose Evans, her sister Grace and the citizens of Havenfall, his life is going to be a roller coaster.

Beta again is @anastasian-dreamer

On AO3

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Last Week of August 2011

“I have never seen so much paperwork, ever,” Grace said as she stared at the pile of paperwork on the kitchen table. Prim sighed as she tugged her hair into a bun on top of her head.

“Well, this paperwork is from the Goblins regarding Harry’s estate. Apparently, the Dursleys had burned all papers from them which probably was a good thing if you think about it.” The angry look on Grace’s face said she completely understood. It was even worse when you took in the fact they apparently burned Harry’s birth certificate because it had his name written Hari James Potter.

Harry was quietly playing with some of the toys they had gotten him, and the look on his face made Prim so happy and so angry at the same time.

Anger seemed to be a staple though. A lot of anger directed towards the Dursley family.

“How much is it?”

“Well given the… circumstances of Harry’s fame in the Wizarding World-”

“That Warder was hilarious. Did you see his face? Lucky his boss was here and caught him with that spell.” Grace snickered. Getting their electronics warded had taken little time, but the hard part was when the person doing the warding had recognized Harry and freaked. His boss was with him though- doing evaluations apparently- and had hit him with a spell that stopped him from saying where Harry was for their safety.

“Quite, but don’t interrupt Grace.” Prim scolded lightly. “With the circumstances, a few people willed things to Harry and some have even sent fan mail. There is a vault filled with the stuff.”

“...What?” Harry and Grace asked trading looks. Prim nodded, feeling highly amused at the very confused faces the two had.

“Yes, and I did draft up a proper thank you note for all who sent it, and the Goblins agreed to send copies for us,” Prim said as she grabbed said draft to hand it to Harry who took it quietly and looked it over.

“It sounds funny,” he said. Grace read it over his shoulder and snorted.

“It sounds like how you write Prim.” Prim rolled her eyes.

“Well, it should. It’s very proper to write it like that.”

“Yeah, well hopefully they do understand you wrote it and not Harry so he isn’t asked why his own writing isn’t so proper,” Grace said. Prim rolled her eyes at Grace who snickered.

“Would they?” Harry asked in a small voice.

“No, Grace is being a pest,” Prim said dryly. “Ignore her.”

“Rude.” Grace teased before she ruffled Harry’s hair. “I’m going to bike to work! You have the afternoon shift yeah?”

“Yes I do,” Prim said. Typically she worked every day but the shifts themselves would change. Given it was the last week before school she would be working mostly evenings or afternoons so she could help with the teenagers coming in for their last few nights of freedom.

“...” Grace hesitated and Prim looked up from the papers she had picked up.

“Grace?”

“I… have some plans with Mike? The guy who works as a waiter at the diner?” Prim purposely pulled her glasses down a bit to look over them. Grace snorted. “Not like that! Mike’s… Mike’s gay and having a hard time with his parents about it. He just wants to hang out.”

“Understandable, have fun then,” Prim said. Grace’s eyes flashed to Harry but Prim waved her off. Razi truly didn’t mind when Harry came to the alley and while it would be a late night, Razi had offered to let Harry sleep for a while in his office one afternoon so it should be alright.

Harry quietly went back to playing while Prim flipped through the various papers. Most just talked about what kind of finances Harry had, how much Prim would receive a month for taking care of Harry- which was a fair bit honestly. Galleons changed into USD was a very nice rate. One galleon was worth ten dollars and Prim was still startled by that amount- though most of the money did go to Harry and his upkeep.

But the other stuff was the worst. Apparently many people had been making money off of Harry’s name and while the Goblins did take a cut, they had also offered a lawyer to stop the more… disturbing pieces of merchandise. Which Prim eagerly accepted the help of, agreeing to let the Goblins keep the majority of the settlement in her letters.

She never wanted to look at that thing again.

“Alright, onto the Black family…” Prim muttered, finishing some of the paperwork. Opening the file for the Black family, she stopped.

The Black Family Seat is owned by Hari Potter. Black Family Seat in use by Lucius Malfoy.

That… did not seem right. Prim grabbed the large book she used to communicate with the goblins- one that was linked between two books and kind of worked like a texting app honestly.

Is it correct that the Malfoy family is able to use Harry’s seat without authorization from his guardians? I do not see any authorization in the file.

Nor did she expect it given the Dursley family and their burning of the goblin letters.

No, was the response. Would you like us to deal with this?

Yes, please.

It was the only response she could give. The idea of someone apparently using a seat- which sounded like a government thing- that belonged to an orphan child without permission… it made her angry. It was theft. It was disgusting.

I ask you to make them bleed, please.

A pleasure doing business, Miss Evans.

Going to work that night was simple enough. They ate sandwiches at home and Harry brought a new book with him and some toys so he could play quietly.

It was when they got there things were different. A large black motorbike was parked in front of the alley, which was confusing to Prim. No one in Havenfall owned a motorcycle as far as she knew.

Harry stared at it in awe.

“That’s so cool!” he said. Prim chuckled.

“I am glad you think so, though I ask you not get a bike until you move out for the sake of my poor heart,” Prim said. Harry giggled and she marked it as a success in her relationship with him. She got out of the truck to adjust her work clothing. A bright blue bowling shirt and jeans, along with a pair of thick-soled boots. She liked boots and tended to prefer them over most other footwear.

Opening the bowling alley door she was surprised to see a person wearing a leather jacket and with yellow and orange hair at the bar, scowling.

“Prim!” Razi called out. “I want you to meet your new coworker!” Prim smiled then, leading Harry into the alley.

“Pleasure to meet you,” she said to the person who raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m Primrose Evans, but most call me Prim.”

“For that prim and proper attitude?” asked the person sarcastically.

“Actually the attitude is because of the name,” she responded. The person snorted at that and offered their hand which she shook.

“Jordan Davies, call me JD.” They said. “Pronouns are they/them.”

“Pronouns?” Harry asked at that. Prim smiled at him.

“Well you see Harry there aren’t just boys and girls in this world,” she told him. “And they don’t all use similar pronouns.” Harry frowned. “Sweetie?”

“Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia…” he trailed off and Prim crouched down to smile at him.

“Are horrible people who are very wrong, sweetie.” Harry frowned and looked down and Prim reached out to gentle ruffle his hair, causing the wide and shocked eyes again.

“What about boys liking other boys or girls liking girls?” he asked and Prim smiled softly at him.

“That’s completely normal and if they said it wasn’t they’re wrong again, honey,” Prim promised Harry who looked overwhelmed. “Need to go read?” He nodded and Prim stood up, letting him head over to the couch in the alley.

“Cute kid. He yours?” JD asked, voice cautious.

“He’s a cousin of mine but yes, he’s mine in every way that matters. His former guardians… weren’t appropriate.” Prim said. “Hence why I am the one currently taking care of him.” JD nodded, their eyes a little knowing.

“He’s a good kid,” Razi said. “So, Prim, ready to train JD?” Prim nodded while JD groaned deep in their throat.

“Of course. Do they need to change into their uniform?” JD made a horrified face while Razi snorted out a laugh.

“They will get one, I just don’t have one ready currently.” Prim nodded and then smiled at JD.

“Well then, let’s begin shall we JD?” Prim asked. JD just gave her a weirded out look. “Pardon?”

“Do you ever drop the prim attitude?”

“Never,” was the cheerful response as Prim began the task of teaching JD the ropes around the bowling alley.

She quickly grew very annoyed.

“Your comments are very UN-appreciated,” she said, emphasizing the un part of her sentence.

“And?” JD asked with a smirk. Prim gave them a look they rolled their eyes at and she gritted her teeth.

She could handle it but the comments about her mannerisms and the complaints about the work…

Those were annoying.

The door to the alley opened and in marched the Sheriff who looked tired as she looked around. Harry looked up from his book to give a shy smile at Mackenzie Hunt. The short-haired blonde gave him a smile back before her face went serious.

“Razi, where is our newest member of Havenfall?” she asked and Prim blinked, looking to JD who scowled in annoyance.

Why did they have a cop looking for them?

“Jordan Davies,” Mackenzie said, spotting them. She crossed her arms. “I understand you caused some problems in Jersey.” JD scowled and Prim decided to carefully back away.

She did not need to get involved in that.

-0-

“You excited for school?” Razi asked Harry a few days later as Prim covered a morning shift while JD promised to cover the evening one.

“Dunno,” Harry said with a shrug. He played with one of his action figures. “... Auntie Prim says I can do my best.” Razi nodded.

“Yeah. School’s important kiddo. I bet she’s excited at the idea of you doing good?” Harry nodded, looking surprised at the notion. Razi gave the kid a grin.

“Good people typically are,” said JD as they came into the alley. Razi raised an eyebrow at them. “What?”

“I thought you were out until this evening?”

“Nah, just didn’t want to work this morning. Prim doesn’t mind.” JD pointed out and Razi had to agree. Prim was a hard worker who just wanted to do her best. “So, squirt! You planning any pranks?”

“Huh?” Harry asked as Prim came up to the bar.

“Do not corrupt him,” Prim told JD.

“Come on! Pranks are an essential part of school!” JD complained.

“High school, not elementary,” Prim responded. JD grinned then.

“So I can teach him to prank in high school?” Prim propped an arm on the bar counter and gave them a look.

“No.,” she said simply before ruffling Harry’s hair. “Just do your best love.”

“Trying to talk like the English Prim?” JD asked sarcastically.

“I think we have a cute enough English accent here,” Prim responded, smiling at Harry who blushed but hesitantly smiled back.

“Gah,” JD made a face. “I’m going upstairs until my shift.”

“Good,” Prim muttered before she went back to work.

“...she just broke her attitude!” JD said with a grin. Harry gave them a look. “What?”

“Stop being mean,” Harry said. “Auntie Prim just talks like that around other people. It isn’t bad.”

“Kid’s got a point,” Razi said. JD just scowled. “Look, I agreed to let you bunk here because of your dad. You cause problems you’re out though. And you know what that means.”

JD scowled and stomped off, passing by Prim who ignored them. They didn’t say anything.

September 2011

“Have a good day, okay?” Prim said to Harry, leaning down and giving him a kiss on his forehead. “Listen to your teachers, tell me if anyone is mean and do your very best.” Harry nodded but hesitated before he went into the classroom.

“...Auntie. If I don’t like it…”

“You can call me,” Prim promised. “Ask a teacher and call me and I promise I will always come and get you.” Harry smiled at her before he entered the classroom, leaving her to watch.

“The first day always sucks,” a voice said from behind her. She turned to see an older woman smiling behind her. “He your brother?”

“He’s my cousin. He’s living with me currently.” That was the only information she gave. By the look in the woman’s eyes, she knew who she was now.

“Ah, you’re the woman, everyone, gossips about.” She said. She offered her hand. “Erin Summers, I moved here recently with my husband.”

“You have heard of me so quickly?” Prim asked in amusement. Erin shrugged.

“Luce seems to like her gossip. The mailman is defending you though as are some others. Apparently, you proved yourself with stepping in to take care of your cousin.” Erin said. Prim withheld her sniff. So this impresses them after years of dislike for no true reason?

Pathetic.

“Have you considered getting a therapist for Harry?” Erin asked. Prim frowned, looking at her.

“I must admit I don’t know what you mean.”

“A therapist for… his past home life,” Erin said slowly. Prim hesitated and looked away.

“I haven’t.” She admitted. “I… suppose I simply haven’t thought of it.”

“They can be expensive,” Erin admitted. She hesitated for a second. “How about a companion animal?”

“I… well, I haven’t seen anything that requires it I suppose,” Prim said. Erin nodded but pulled out a business card to give to her.

“My husband is a veteran. He has a very nice companion terrier he adores. This is where we got him from if you ever think about getting one for Harry.” Prim nodded, taking the card before Erin left, Prim hesitating a moment before she copied her, heading out to her truck. She had the day off thanks to Razi and had planned to spend the day doing laundry.

When she got home, Prim noticed the letter in the mailbox she had set up in the kitchen right away. She was somewhat surprised, having not expected any mail from the wizarding world that day- her dealings with the goblins were completed and now she was just waiting for them to contact her back about that business with the Malfoy family and what they were being fined- if they were being fined at all.

Taking the letter out, she was surprised to see it was from a man named Remus Lupin and addressed to her.

She started a pot of coffee and opened the thick letter.

Dear Primrose Evans,

I remember Lily talking about you a little. Not too much, but she did mention her cousin. She was upset that you never stayed in the contract but understood how hard it is to lose parents.

I believe I should be upfront about why I am not allowed to be in contact with Harry and why I am not allowed to leave the country. I am a werewolf and as such there are many restrictions on me. I understand if you do not wish for me to keep in contact, but I have sent pictures with this letter for you to give to Harry.

-Remus Lupin

Prim sniffed.

“Like hell, I’d hate someone just because of a condition they have,” she muttered to herself. She looked at the various pictures within the letter, seeing many of Lily and a dark-skinned man she assumed was James, though just as many as a younger looking version of the man with three other boys. The pictures were all moving, surprising her, but she just sighed.

“Magic,” she muttered, looking at some of the photos and frowning. What were they wearing… it looked like traditional Indian garb but… “Google time.” she decided, grabbing her phone and looking up what the clothing styles were called.

It was an interesting way to spend her morning.

-0-

“We’re gonna have to figure out how to explain the moving photos,” Grace said, looking at the various photos Prim had set up around the living room. Harry was staring at one where his parents were waving at him and holding the baby version of himself.

“Oh, apparently they can hear you and they’ll freeze if you ask,” Prim responded. “Expecting a lot of company?”

“Nah, but Harry might get some friends.” Harry shrugged at that. “How was school anyway?”

“People stared.” was his only response. Prim and Grace traded looks and Prim thought about the card in her pocket the rest of the evening.

Third Week of September 2011

“I’m going to admit I have no idea what that means,” said Prim as she studied the English worksheet Harry had on the bar counter. “Razi, do you know what this means?” Razi looked at it but then gave her a very confused look.

“I have no idea.”

“Aren’t adults supposed to know this?” Harry asked in confusion.

“I remember nothing of my grade three English class at all,” Prim replied. Harry made a face. “It is weird they expect you to know… this.” JD looked over at it then from where they were washing dishes, forced into the bowling alley shirt.

“You’re learning onomatopoeia?” JD asked. “That's when the word is associated with the sound it makes. Like, tick-tock or cuckoo.” They noticed the looks then. “What? I know stuff!”

“How are you so good at English?” Prim asked while Razi just chuckled at their face.

“It’s not that hard,” JD muttered.

“What next will we discover about you? Perhaps you know random flower meanings?” Prim asked. JD simply stared at her in silence. “You’re lying.”

“I don’t know meanings but I know flowers like the gladiolus flower. Kinda looks like a sword.” JD said. Prim threw her hands up.

“I’m leaving to a place that makes sense. Though if you help Harry with homework I will bake you a batch of cookies.”

“Sold.” JD agreed.

October 2011

“Do you fancy the place up for Halloween?” JD asked Razi, who was doing some accounting work.

“Usually just a pumpkin or the such, why?” Razi asked. JD grinned. “Nothing to tacky.”

“This is basically a disco bowling alley. Tacky is all it is.” JD shot back, as Prim walked into the alley, dressed in her normal work clothing along with a grey coat and white toque with a pompom on top. “Sup Prim?” JD called out. The relationship between the two had cooled down after JD started helping Harry with his homework almost daily at the alley. Prim was excellent with math, Razi was pretty knowledgeable about social studies and history while JD rocked at the English and art part. Harry was doing very well, something all of them were pleased with.

“Not much,” Prim responded. She removed her coat and hat, placing them behind the bar. “What is the plan for today?”

“No parties were booked so it's just another day,” Razi replied. “JD was talking about Halloween decorations but I know you were planning on taking the day off…”

“Oh yeah! What's Harry going to go as?” JD asked with a grin. Prim hesitated. “What? Doesn't he have an idea?”

“No… it is… Harry truly only recently learned that Halloween was the day his parents were murdered. He's not really up to dressing up.” Prim admitted. JD swore under their breath while Razi hissed.

“His relatives never said?” Razi asked. Prim dropped her prim and proper act to make a face. JD felt very unfavorable to the unknown relatives at that. “Is he doing okay?”

“As well as he can,” Prim responded. “We’re going to light a candle and look through some of the photos we got from an old family friend. Have a little candy I suppose but… we’re not celebrating.” She gave a smile that looked a little too brittle before heading to the back stockroom, not wishing to be more social at that moment.

“Who the fuck were his relatives?” JD demanded in anger. Razi scowled.

“They were abusive and got tossed into jail. Their own kid they had was put into the system I heard- his aunt was considered unsuitable.” Razi seemed satisfied by something and JD squinted at him.

“What did you do?” Razi just smirked. “No fair, not telling me.” Razi opened his mouth but Prim came out then, carrying a list.

“We’re missing a few parts of the shipment.” She said. Razi sighed as he took the list and JD pouted, knowing they wouldn't get an answer from him for a while.

Last Week of October 2011

Prim ran into the school, dressed in her uniform but without her normal jacket or any of her normal behavior.

“Where's Harry?” She asked the secretary at the front, looking terrified. Said secretary pointed at a room off to the side, looking sympathetic as Prim ran to the room, opening it to find Harry on a small bed, passed out. The school counselor was there along with a man in a white lab coat and red sunglasses. “Harry?”

“Are you Primrose Evans?” asked the man. Prim blinked and quickly wiped her eyes before taking a breath and turning to him.

“Yes, I am. How do you do?” She asked politely. The man nodded.

“Well, thank you.” Prim looked at Harry again in fear and the man continued. “I'm Dr. Escalona. They called me in when he passed out.” Left out was the fact there was no nurse given it was a small school and most of the time it was a simple band-aid needed or they could call the hospital.

“Thank you,” Prim said. “Is he okay?”

“He's doing alright. From what I understand a few of the students accidentally caused a panic attack. The teacher did not handle it properly and it lead to Harry passing out.” Dr. Escalona said. Prim’s hands clenched as the councilor spoke up next.

“We already informed the teacher of what went wrong and the boys… were punished.” She looked uncomfortable as she spoke. “They thought it funny.”

“He's being bullied?” Prim demanded, eyes wide. She hadn't known that.

“It's the typical boy thing-”

“No, it isn't!” Said, Prim. “This isn't a typical thing. It's gross and abusive for kids to treat other kids like crap! Saying boys will be boys is just enabling the problem!” The counselor scowled but the doctor spoke up then.

“I agree with Miss Evans. I've seen too many cases of bullying being brushed off like this. One lead to the bullying becoming deadly. It's not typical.” He said firmly. The counselor scowled while another voice spoke.

“I agree.” An older man came into the room, dressed in a suit.

“Mr. Jameson!” Said the counselor. Prim recognized him as the principal.

“Mrs. Galloway, I was informed various cases of bullying are going unreported thanks to you. I will be looking into those cases myself now.” The man said. The counselor went red but Prim didn't take the moment to bask in it as Harry began to stir.

“Harry! Sweetie?” She asked, going over to kneel down by his cot. He woke up sluggishly, blinking.

“... Mama?” He muttered, starting Prim slightly as the doctor reached out to pull her away gently. She stood up and let him check Harry over, the ou blinking in confusion.

“He's alright. No concussion or anything.” Dr. Escalona said. His glasses have been pushed up and Prim noticed they were red as she looked at him. Maybe he had contacts in?

“Thank you.” Said Prim. She moved to sit in the cot, hugging Harry. “Oh, sweetie. When I got the call I panicked! I was so worried for you.”

“... thought I was tougher.” Harry muttered. “Uncle Vernon-”

“Uncle Vernon was a snake and a liar Harry,” Prim said firmly.

“But the other kids-”

“Were wrong. They're nothing but bullies Harry.” Prim promised.

“She's right.” The doctor said, crouching down to look Harry in the face. “Those kids are wrong. Being tough isn't about keeping quiet when you're being targeted. It's about being able to say: this isn't right. It's about knowing when you need help.” Harry looked down, not wanting to look the doctor in the face.

“Thank you, Dr. Escalona.” Said Prim with a smile. Harry piped up after, a little softer.

“Yeah thank you, Dr. Es… Es…” he frowned and the doctor chuckled.

“You can call me Dr. Diego.” He said the Harry, standing up.

After a few more minutes of discussion, Diego grabbed Prim’s elbow softly when she was about to leave with Harry.

“Miss Evans? Can we chat for a moment?” He asked. Prim placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder.

“If we’re discussing Harry- Harry would you like to stay here and listen?” Prim asked. Harry shrugged, looking at his feet. Prim looked at Diego and waited. He took it in stride.

“From the reports of the teacher Harry has had minor panic attacks before- not that she recognized them until now. Is he… I'm new in town so I'm relying on second-hand knowledge but is he going to therapy for what his… former guardians did?” Diego asked. Prim hesitated.

“No. We couldn't afford the specialized care.” She admitted. Even with the money she got, there wouldn't be enough for Harry to gain the help he needed. Diego frowned.

“I see.” He said softly. “... have you considered a companion animal like a dog?” Harry flinched at that.

“Aunt Marge’s dogs were mean.” He said softly and Prim squeezed his shoulder.

“I… believe we may have some thinking to do.” She said to Diego who nodded his head.

“May I have your address? I would like to do a check up on him tonight.”

“Don't you have work?” Harry suddenly asked Prim, looking shocked. “Ma- Auntie Prim, you can't-”

“Razi gave me the rest of the day off paid. He's worried about you, too, love.” Prim replied, smoothing back Harry’s hair. “Tomorrow you're coming with me and he'll probably mother hen you while JD hovers. Or offers to teach you pranks.”

“Razi?” Diego asked. “Oh, I should have recognized the shirt.”

“You know Razi?” Prim asked.

“He's an old friend,” Diego replied. “Address?” He requested and Prim gave him it, leading Harry out to the truck. He fell asleep on the way home, exhausted from his panic attack and his day. She ended up carrying him up to his room- painted green with a stenciled forest covering the walls after he admitted to liking nature.

She went back downstairs to find the card she had been given on his first day of school. She had some people to call.

October 30, 2011

Harry sat in the truck, holding onto his seat belt tightly. He was terrified and it showed as Prim drove them to the small farm. Communicating with the goblins had them sending her a little extra to get a permit and even the address of a magical animal farm… which turned out to be the place she was given anyway much to her amusement.

“You don't have to pick a dog Hary,” Prim promised him, looking at him through the rearview mirror. “There's cats and owls and other animals.” Owls were still strange pets to her but if he wanted one…

“Yeah, Harry! It's gonna be great!” Grace said with a grin, turning around to smile at him. Prim only wished it wasn't happening the day before Halloween. But maybe it would take his mind off of everything.

Parking in front of the farm, Prim was helping Harry get out of the truck when a large black puppy came out of nowhere to jump on Harry and begin licking his face.

“Harry!” Prim shouted as a young woman came barreling from around the side of the farm.

“Crap! I'm sorry Miss-” the woman began but delighted laughter stopped her. Harry was laughing and giggling as the dog licked his face. He seemed so happy.

“Guess we’re getting a dog after all,” Grace said smiling.

-0-

“So you don't know what type he is?” Prim asked in curiosity. The owner of the farm- a woman named Elizabeth Scamander- shook her head.

“Unfortunately no. My grandfather was an avid magizoologist with many ideas and thoughts but he never wrote about this type of dog.” She replied. “He's a hybrid with a husky but we don't know what the magical part of him is- other then he sets things on fire and can teleport.”

“... how often does he set things on fire?” Prim asked.

“Not too much anymore. Do you have a fireplace?”

“No… though we have had bonfires in our backyard before.” Said Prim.

“Maybe set one up so he can have fun.” Elizabeth pushed a pile of paperwork forward and Prim began signing it. “What will ya name him a kid?”

“Spot! Like how Hades named Cerberus in his myth!” Said Harry happily and Prim shared a grin with Grace. That was too cute.

Second Week of November 2011

“Good afternoon Diego,” Prim said with a nod as the doctor came into the alley. He always came in every day for a drink. Prim had been a little weirded out at first but she figured it was probably just so he could catch up with Razi. The two seemed very close.

After a week of calling him Dr. Escalona, she had finally been told to call him Diego, something she took to with dignity.

“Auntie Prim!” Harry shouted, suddenly running into the alley. Grace walked in after him, having gotten Mike to drive the two to the alley after school. “I got an A!”

“What?” Prim shouted in glee, dropping down to hug Harry who hugged right back. “On your science test? That's wonderful sweetie!!” She took the test and grinned at it, feeling incredibly proud as Harry went to the bar to thank Razi for his help with homework.

“Proud of you kid,” Razi laughed. “How about some ice cream to celebrate?” Harry turned to call out to Prim, excitement in his voice.

“Mama! Can I?” Prim nearly froze but instead, she pressed on.

“Of course!” She grinned wildly and walked up to him, laying a kiss on his forehead as Grace grinned at the door.

“Can I get some to Prim?” Prim waved a hand and Grace went off to get some ice cream.

No one mentioned the Mama thing. They all just traded quiet smiles and continued with their work, Diego getting his usual drink.

“And me and Spot found a frog!” Harry said excitedly to JD who was also at the bar, dressed in uniform but said uniform was covered in buttons. “It was sleeping so we didn't dig it up but it was so cool! How many animals live in the forest?”

“Probably mostly squirrels and rabbits. Maybe a deer or two.” Said JD. They were smiling though. Harry had that way about himself you just had to smile around him sometimes.

Mackenzie Hunt came in then, looking annoyed. “Davies!”

“Oh shit, it's the fuzz!” JD said jokingly. Prim gave them a nasty look.

“Don't swear around my kid please.”

“Why do I have three different complaints about someone spray painting ‘we like to gossip about kids’ on their garage doors?” Mackenzie demanded.

“Dunno, guess they were gossiping about a kid or something.” Prim blinked, looking at JD surprised as the punk refused to look at her or Harry who looks mostly ignorant, to busy staring at Mackenzie.

“You arrested my uncle.” He said in an awed tone. Prim had to hold back her unlady like short while Grace just cackled. While Mackenzie had arrested Vernon Dursley a few months back and while she had been around the alley- mostly to yell at JD, Harry hadn't really seen her much as he was often in the office doing homework or sleeping. It was the first time he had seen her since that day, and he looked awestruck.

Mackenzie coughed a little, looking embarrassed but pleased.

“Of course I did kid, he deserved it.” She said to Harry and the boy smiled wide.

“Do you often arrest people like him?” Harry asked. “It was so cool seeing you do your job!! I've never seen any of the cops arrest Vernon before!”

“What do you mean?” Mackenzie asked in worry. Harry continued, blissfully unaware of the atmosphere around him.

“Uncle Vernon got visited some by cops. But they all seemed to think he was in the right? I dunno. He gave some money and mentioned he was glad that they could be sent to him all the time?” Harry shrugged and Prim could swear Mackenzie let loose a growl at that, but it had to be some sort of wishful thinking. After all, she wanted to growl some to!

“I wish I had connections to the British police service.” Mackenzie said in an angry voice before she plastered on a smile and answered a previous question. “Luckily, we don't get his type of person a lot here. We mostly have people like Davies.” That got her attention back to JD. The punk just grinned.

“They deserved it, I would say, if I had, in any way at all, done the deed,” they said in a chipper voice. Mackenzie just sighed.

“You know technically it can be a felony charge.” Mackenzie said. JD snorted.

“If it causes extreme damage to valuable property yes.” They smirked and Mackenzie sighed again.

“Why am I not surprised you know that. I suppose if I asked you would claim to have no spray paint cans anywhere?” She asked Razi.

“Spray paint is bad for the environment.” He responded. Mackenzie shook her head.

“Alright. I'll say it was unknown. Don't do it again.” She told JD who looked offended.

“How dare you accuse me! I'm hurt Mackenzie!”

“Wounded even?” Grace asked then and Prim sighed.

“Enough with the references you two.” She said as JD exclaimed,

“Hurt Mackenzie!”

“I'm banning that movie.”

“But I like it!” Harry said, looking up with big puppy eyes and Prim groaned.

“Very well then, you may continue watching it.”

“Thanks, Mama!” Harry said with a grin only to freeze, eyes widening. Prim didn't let him think on it, instead kissing his forehead and smiling.

“Welcome sweetie.”

December 2011

Harry frowned as he propped his chin onto his hands, staring at the bar counter top.

“Ah, I know that look,” Diego said from beside Harry. The doctor didn't often chat with Harry but he did at times help him with homework when it was science related or would offer advice at other times. “What's wrong?”

“I don't know what to make Mama and Auntie Grace for Christmas,” Harry admitted. He had taken to calling Prim Mama like nothing else. He adored her and she adored him. Everyone saw it.

“That is a dilemma.” Said Razi from his place behind the counter. Harry looked up at Razi with big eyes and felt his cheeks flush a little as Razi hummed. “What does your mama like?”

Harry did not mention her late-night binge watching of those documentaries she liked. She never really talked about it and got really red when Grace teased her- nice teasing. The fun kind everyone likes. Harry liked nice teasing. “She likes boots. And coffee. And cooking.” Harry said. “Auntie Grace likes cute stuff.”

“How about a mug then?” Razi asked. “You could paint a coffee mug here and hide it from your mama and… make a really cute one for your aunt?” Harry brightened up.

“Yeah!!! That would be great!!!” He grinned widely at Razi, so happy he was willing to give ideas to him. Razi was so cool!! Razi gave him a wink and Harry felt his cheeks warm up a little much to his confusion.

Why would he be blushing?

-0-

The great Christmas Project, as Harry called it, was only so much of a secret that Prim didn't know what it was. She knew Harry was doing something in the office for her and Grace but not what.

She let him have his fun, giggling with Grace about it.

“He's doing well,” Mackenzie said to Prim with a smile. “You've been great for him.”

“I try,” Prim responded. Mackenzie clapped her on her shoulder.

“Well, you're succeeding.” She told her honestly. “Has he asked about any more police stuff?”

“Somewhat. He heard about police dogs and is obsessed. He loves animals now that he has Spot.”

“Did he name the dog?” Mackenzie asked curiously as Prim handed her a water. Mackenzie was apparently friends with Diego and Razi and had shown up near the bowling alley closing for some get together they had planned. Prim was happy to chat while JD cleaned the arcade area. Much to their displeasure and Prim’s glee.

“Yes, he did. Apparently- and I'm betting Grace found this out given it sounds like something you'd discover on Tumblr- Hades in the Greek myth named Cerberus the Greek equivalent of Spot. So Harry thinks it's funny to name Spot… Spot.”

“It is kinda funny,” said Mackenzie with a grin. Prim chuckled and nodded her agreement as Harry came out of the office with a small bit of paint on his nose. She had no idea how it ended up there.

“Hi Sheriff! Hi Dr. Diego!” Harry said happily. “Mama! Razi said you guys are having a Christmas party!” He looked extremely excited and Prim had to raise an eyebrow at the shine in his eyes as he looked at Razi. She withheld her chuckle.

Oh, that was too good.

“We are! It's next week, honey, and you're completely invited.” Prim told her son with a smile.

“Awesome!” Harry cheered. “Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia always locked me in my cupboard when they had parties.” Prim kept her smile on her face even as she mentally grumbled that there went her happy mood.

She heard a crack and looked up to see Diego dropping his glass- completely shattered. She thought she heard a loud bang as well, but when she turned her head, JD hadn’t dropped the bowling ball they were carrying. She then focused on Diego.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

“I’m fine,” Diego said, giving her a grin that looked more like a grimace. “Razi, can I…”

“First aid kit is here, you can use my office,” Razi said, pulling out a case that Diego took with a smile.

“It looks like you bled a fair amount though,” Prim couldn’t help her protest, seeing the red liquid on the shattered glass.

“Was I bad?” a very soft voice said and Prim turned her attention to her son to reassure him as Razi cleaned up. He purposely did not mention the few glasses he’d dropped in his anger himself.

-0-

The party was just Razi, JD, Prim, Grace, Harry, and Diego- the doctor having been roped into it somehow by Razi or JD.

It was simple and sweet, and Prim had to take a picture, something everyone else agreed to do.

The said picture was soaked in a special solution to move. On repeat, Prim kissed Harry’s cheek while JD laughed at Razi and Diego smiled. Grace was laughing herself, head thrown back.

It was perfect. Made even more perfect when Harry gave her and Grace their gifts. Prim got a coffee mug claiming her the best mom ever- hand painted, while Grace got a coffee mug with a cat hand painted on it.

Another picture went up, of the two holding their mugs and kissing Harry’s cheeks.

January 2012

Prim pulled her coat tighter around herself, shivering slightly in the cold air. New York was freezing but it was where the central hub for Gringotts was in the USA and where you could speak directly with a manager from a different country. Which was what she needed to do.

Harry held her hand as they walked the streets, looking around in awe at the skyscrapers and Prim wanted to do the same but she had to focus on finding the entrance to the bank. It was in Central Park they said…

Harry tripped and she had to stop, mentally berating herself.

“Am I going to fast?” She asked him. Harry looked embarrassed but she just picked him up. He was still a little underweight- even after months spent with her. “Now, what statue are we looking for again?” She asked Harry. The boy grinned.

“Alice in Wonderland!” He said in a very happy tone. He loved that movie.

“Excellent now…” she frowned, wondering where the statue was when a voice spoke up.

“It's about three minutes that way.” They turned to see a dark haired woman in a fashionable black coat and a very nice hat. She smiled. “Didn't mean to interrupt or eavesdrop…”

“Ah, thank you,” Prim said. “We probably would have been searching all over.” She nodded at the woman. “I'm Primrose and this is my son, Harry.”

“Vanessa.” The woman said, smiling. “Having a tour of statues?”

“Yeah!” Harry said. “It's so cool!!!” The woman laughed and waved goodbye as she walked, Prim heading over to the statue as well. Once there, she tapped the plate three times and spoke out loud.

“I'm a muggle but my son is a wizard. I would like to see the bank.” With that, the statue came to life and Alice nodded before the front opened up and she and Harry walked down the stairs that lead deep into the ground.

“I love magic,” Harry said with a grin. Prim gave her own smile as they entered the bustling bank of Gringotts USA New York.

-0-

“Pleasure to see you again Brightaxe.” She said politely to the goblin who grinned at her.

“You as well Miss Evans.” He nodded to Harry. “And you heir Black.” He had met them when he had gone to the house to confirm it was, in fact, Harry that Prim was in charge of and not anyone else. He had seemed to take a liking to them.

“So it is official then?” Prim asked. “He's been claimed as heir Black and there is trouble brewing for the Malfoy family?” It had taken months for the paperwork to be put together and the proper procedure put through. Prim was eager to learn what exactly had happened.

Brightaxe smirked before slipping her a newspaper.

“Malfoy Family Stealing From The Boy-Who-Lived!” The title read. It was by a woman named Rita Skeeter and it spoke of how it had been discovered that the Malfoy claims of being the inheritors of the Black family name were wrong. Not only had they taken a Wizengamot seat but had also claimed the Board seat for Hogwarts from the Black family. Skeeter seemed pleased to tear them apart.

“All laws passed are currently suspended and all Board decisions have as well been suspended until you find a new regent Miss Evans,” Brightaxe said. “I believe Dumbledore offered?” Prim frowned.

She didn't mind Dumbledore but she was leery of placing an old man such as himself into that sort of position. Call her an idealist or millennial or what you wished but she firmly believed that anyone above a certain age had no rights playing politics. Most of them were too stuck in their beliefs and wished to keep the status quo.

“What sort of laws are there about who can hold the seats?” Asked Prim.

“That they are magical humans shaped beings,” Brightaxe replied. Prim grinned then.

“So would a werewolf be allowed?” Brightaxe’s grin copied hers.

“Indeed.”

Prim left the bank with a smirk on her face and knowing that she was going to be able to meet Remus soon enough.

Of course, she had a promise to make first and the two went to the Central Park Zoo, Harry laughing as he looked at all the animals. It was there they met Vanessa again.

“Oh! Hello!” Prim said in surprise. Vanessa looked shocked herself but covered it with a laugh.

“Nice to see you again,” Vanessa said to the two. She was adjusting her coat a little, her hat slightly askew, but Prim figured it had probably been a strong wind. “Have you seen the red pandas? They’re quite cute.”

“No! Mama, I wanna see them!” Harry said, grabbing onto her arm and prim chuckled.

“Alright, let’s go find them,” she said to Harry. Vanessa offered to help, and the three spent a nice day together, ending with Harry begging to have a photo taken to remember the day, Vanessa going pink in shock. Prim had a nice giggle over that but took the photo.

A few days later, Razi asked her if she’d seen anything odd at the zoo.

“No, nothing of note anyhow. Some people dressed odd but it is New York.” Prim replied. “Why?”

“A murder happened that day. Some guy ended up getting stabbed with a wooden stake. I’m glad you’re alright.” Razi said, his face a bit strange. But then…

“A wooden stake?” Prim asked. “That’s… strange. I’ve never heard of anything like that before, other than in vampire fiction.”

“Yeah. It is strange.” Razi said, his voice off but it was a very weird story after all.

Second Week of January 2012

Prim opened the door to reveal a wizard dressed in somewhat shabby robes.

“Hello!” She said cheerfully. “You must be Remus! Please do come in!” He came in with a smile and took her hand, holding it warmly.

“I can't thank you enough.” He said to her. “You… you've done so much for me already.”

“I gave you a job Remus. That's about it.” Prim said with a chuckle. “How is it going?”

“We officially start tomorrow on casting new votes on various laws which is why I'm here today.” A pained look was in Remus’s eyes and Prim frowned at it.

“Won't you…”

“No. It was a unanimous vote to keep werewolves from leaving Britain. It might be suspended now but it won't be for long.” Remus looked exhausted and bitter as he stood in the doorway. Prim felt horrible for the poor man as she stood there.

“Well then.” She said. “You better come and hug Harry and spend the evening with him.” She lead him to the kitchen where Harry was doing his math homework, his tongue poking out of his mouth. Remus took in a shuddering breath and Harry heard it, turning around in his chair to look. “Sweetie, this is Remus. He was a friend of your parents.”

“The one who sent us the pictures?” Harry asked.

“Yeah, yeah I am.” Remus agreed, slowly walking over to the table to sit down next to him. Prim crept out of the kitchen, a grin on her face.

She'd leave them alone for a bit.

March 2012

“I swear if there is another incident of bullying-!” Prim shouted at the counselor who scowled while Mr. Jameson also looked furious.

“There won’t be. Ms. Galloway? You’re fired.” he said. The counselor looked shocked and horrified while Prim took Harry with her out of the office, shooting angry looks at the three boys who had cornered her son and nearly broke his arm. Their parents all looked ashamed as Prim stood in front of them.

“I do not know why you dislike me. I do not know why I am hated in this town, but for you to spread this hate to your children who take it out on my SON…” Prim shook her head and stormed off.

She drove back to the alley as she had to work and couldn’t keep letting Razi give her paid time off. As well, she was aware that Razi tended to make Harry smile a lot- something she did tease him about a little.

Harry was quiet when they entered, heading for the couch to curl up with a book.

“The only good thing that happened is that counselor got fired,” Prim said to herself.

“Good,” JD said as they walked up to her. They weren’t wearing the shirt- Razi got tired of the pins and random rips said shirt had- and instead had on their jacket and tank top. “Bully is bullshit.”

“Without using the same profanity, I have to agree,” Prim said. She sighed. “It was hard enough when I was in school. I know how nasty kids can be.”

“You were bullied?” JD asked in surprise. Prim nodded.

“Yes. Primrose is a strange name after all. It’s how the prim and proper taunt started.” JD frowned.

“Prim and proper taunt?” they asked and Prim frowned. Didn’t…

“I forgot you’ve only been here for not even a year…” she trailed off, blinking in confusion before she pressed on. “It was a taunt started in elementary and well… continued. Eventually, I got back by acting prim and proper in general and thus, the taunt lost its power over me.”

“...No, it didn’t.” JD said, looking at her. Prim just gave them a look and they sighed. “...Sorry,” they muttered under their breath.

“...Did you just apologize?” she asked. JD scowled.

“Bullying is bullshit and gross,” they said. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories when I taunt you over your attitude.”

“You haven’t done so for a few months.” Prim pointed out. JD shrugged.

“I got used to it I guess.” Prim hummed before she gave a soft smile at JD.

“You didn’t mean to bully me- sure maybe you were mean in the beginning because you were lashing out, but you never crossed a line,” Prim said. “...I also never thought I’d ever hear you say sorry.”

“Well, this is the only time you’ll ever hear it.” JD snorted. They went off to work and Prim chuckled as she went to do some work herself.

That was nice.

July 2012

Prim frowned at the book, flipping through it in confusion. What was… that didn’t… what?

“Having trouble?” asked an accented voice. She looked to the side to see an older Indian woman dressed in colorful clothing and jewelry, a red dot in the middle of her forehead.

“A little I must admit,” Prim said, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Do you perchance own this store?” Prim asked, gesturing to the small Indian shop she was in. The woman nodded.

“Yes, I do. What brings you here?” the woman asked.

“I have recently taken charge of a relative whose father was from India. I am… not sure which part though I know in his wedding photos his wife, my cousin, was dressed in a sari though not…” Prim coughed and changed the subject, realizing she had been rambling. “I wished to learn to make some traditional foods the proper way from him for his birthday at the end of this month, hence why I am here.”

“Well then,” the woman said, sounding pleased. “Do you need help? Or a few lessons? I was going to make some pani puri for my own supper tonight. I can teach you if you wish?”

“Thank you,” Prim said honestly. “Thank you so much.” The woman waved her hand in amusement and directed her to some She introduced herself as Chetas and Prim introduced herself as well, the two chatting together as Prim gathered the food and pans she would need.

“Harry… do you know how is spelt?” Chetas asked. Prim nodded her head in the positive.

“We managed to recover his birth certificate and it is spelled H-A-R-I, though typically he spells it the English way. From what I understand his parents wished to give him an Indian name but as well wished for him to have an English name as to prevent harassment.” Prim said. Chetas snorted.

“Harassment? If people teach their children better than none there will be.” Prim nodded her agreement to that. “Come then, I teach you and you come back to find present here for child.”

“He likes to read,” Prim said thoughtfully. She had noticed some Indian stories written in English. As well there were some books dedicated to teaching Sanskrit she thought he might like.

“Excellent, but lesson first,” Chetas said and Prim agreed, following the woman to the back of the shop where a kitchen was, the shop also being a place to sell food.

It would be a very fun lesson for both of them.

Second Week of July, 2012

Chetas showed up in Havenfall one day with a cookbook under her arm. Prim was rather surprised to see the Indian woman come into the bowling alley.

“Chetas, hello!” she said in surprise.

“Miss Evans,” said the older woman. She offered the cookbook. “For you. Found it in back of closet.” Prim blinked, taking the book from the woman.

“Thank you, ma’am, let me grab my purse to-”

“It is gift. None of my grandchildren wish to learn.” Chetas looked annoyed at that and Prim chuckled. “Where is young Hari?”

“He’s with my sister right now- she has the day off,” Prim explained. Chetas nodded before she smirked at something. Prim looked over her shoulder just to see Razi and JD. “Oh! Sorry Razi! This is the woman I was talking about, the one teaching me to cook food for Harry’s birthday.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Razi said, bowing his head. “You can put the book in my office if you want to hide it.”

“Thanks, Razi!” Prim said, going off to do so. She took a few minutes to find a good hiding spot before she came out to find Chetas leaving with a wave. She waved back with a smile, unaware of the looks being traded by JD and Razi.

July 31, 2012

“Happy birthday Harry!” Prim cheered as she put the cake in front of Harry. He grinned widely as everyone around him all sang. It was happening in the bowling alley, and Harry was just happy to have everyone around.

It was just him, Prim, Grace, Razi and JD- with a quick appearance by Mackenzie when she came in to yell at JD and offer her congratulations- but it was the best party he ever had!

A camera set up took their picture as he blew out his candles.

A year ago, a funeral was held on August first for a family that lost a grandmother, but a full year later, a birthday was held to mark a son that had gained a family.

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Harry is eight when he ends up with Prim, so he’s got about three years until Hogwarts, so I’m just doing a chapter for a year. Otherwise I’ll never finish this fic. I know myself.

Now, because I know I’m going to get complaints: There is no bashing in this story but there is some unfriendliness. Yes, people may say what I have placed here as being bashing, but to me it isn’t, instead it is being unfriendly- that is I am portraying a character in a negative way. Bashing is when you take a character and ONLY give them bad traits or make them ridiculous for no reason. As it is, I can totally see the Malfoy family doing something like I have them doing so here. Why? They openly say that Lucius Malfoy hides illegal items or sells them and there is bribery mentions. It’s not that far out they would do this. Yes, it will have long reaching consequences- this isn’t a vacuum. It’s just they won’t hit until Harry goes to Hogwarts because Prim and Harry live in the USA. They won’t interact with the Malfoy family or the British Wizarding World until then.

Now tiny bits I thought of for here and want to explain:

-I adore JD but they state in the game that they hated Havenfall when they first got there. So, I made them a little angry and bitter. And given Prim is very prim and proper, they clashed. As you can see they did make up, but yeah. Not a great beginning.

-I don’t know who came up with the idea that Harry’s name on his birth certificate is Hari but I used it here. Yes, he uses the English spelling mostly due to the Dursley family and because he never knew until he saw his certificate. So kudos to whoever did it.

-Prim gets 150 galleons a month for Harry which is about 1,500 in USD. Yes, lots of money but that is for Harry and while Prim does use some for groceries for everyone it can go fast. The lawyer was given to her for free because the goblins make bank on the money from the Harry Potter name and she was willing to let them keep 60% of the settlement.

-I'm like 90% certain it's mentioned in some route that Diego hasn't been in Havenfall long. So I took creative license and made it so he just shows up here. As well- not sure how American schools do it but we didn't have a nurse at my school because we were a small town so I just went: here! Also it gives me an excuse to introduce him earlier!

#haven raised #harry potter #havenfall is for lovers

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tk-duveraun · 6 years

Text

Title: The Enchanted Florist Fandom: Dragon Age: Inquisition Rating: T Genre: Friendship & Romance Summary: Amrita Llanamara, despite her family’s place in the peerage, works at The Enchanted Florist - the branch attached to the Tethras Medical Research Hospital. There, she meets a young doctor and watches as he lives a true fairy tale romance. Notes: Power Couple Future Thedas AU, featuring Companion Amrita from Blood and Magic. Glossary of flower meanings at the end of the story.

Amrita was content with her job as a florist. She hadn’t liked it at first, making gaudy arrangements for her parents’ rich friends and their endless, meaningless parties. She was almost happy when her boss used her as a scapegoat for a spoiled debutante ball. Her family had been disappointed, of course, ashamed of her claimed failure, but she had been transferred to the hospital branch of The Enchanted Florist. And she loved it.

Most of her new clients trusted her to make whatever bouquets and arrangements she saw fit, as long as they were the specified price. Amrita took care to pick blooms without too much pollen when making arrangements for delivery in the hospital. Chrysanthemums were a staple, of course, with crocus in spring and white and red zinnias in summer. The rest depended on the client’s relations with the recipient, any tidbits they’d let slip during the order and whatever simply felt right.

When she could, Amrita delivered the flowers to the patients herself, partially to spare the overworked nurses and partially to give her own, sincere wishes for improving health. The small joy she brought to their faces eased the ever-present ache in Amrita’s heart. She didn’t know why the small sadness clung to her, but the relief was lovely nonetheless.

Two years into her employment at the hospital branch, she met Dr. Sa’alle. She hadn’t known he was a doctor at the time. He was just a kind young man in a tailored suit - Amrita knew the difference; Laurel had delighted in teaching her how to spot quality dress when they were resting their voices. Even though she never wanted to spend any time in Society, Amrita loved spending time with her brother. But this young man’s handsome looks weren’t what caught in Amrita’s mind. Dr. Sa’alle had paid for a ‘thank you’ arrangement to be sent anonymously to the nurses’ station in the pediatric ward.

While she put the vase together, Amrita invented an elaborate explanation for the gift; it lead to better arrangements. In her imagination, the finely dressed man had suffered a severe childhood illness, treatable only by the excellent staff at Kirkwall’s esteemed Tethras Medical Research Hospital. He’d survived and gone on to be a successful businessman, always remembering the staff that saved his life. The nurses tittered excitedly and tossed out wild speculations as to the sender’s identity, but Amrita just smiled and walked the long way back through the hospital complex to the shop.

Two months later, Dr. Sa’alle returned, that time in medical scrubs. “Oh, hello again. You took my order last time. Amrita, wasn’t it?”

Amrita blinked at him. None of her customers had ever remembered her name before. “Yes, you’re correct.”

He smiled at her, wide enough his dimples showed and wrinkles formed at the corners of his eyes. “Fantastic. The nurses are still talking about your arrangement. If I could trouble you for another, I need a smaller arrangement.”

Amrita dutifully wrote down his order, but internally she was confused. He was a paying customer, of course it wasn’t troublesome to do her job. And it was so unfamiliar to be the target of such… pure pleasantness. It made her a little uncomfortable and almost made her miss that this order was also to be anonymous.

She had no idea what possessed her to be so rude, but Amrita asked, “Please pardon my candor, but won’t your grandmother be happier knowing it’s from you?”

Dr. Sa’alle laughed. “She’s not my grandmother. I passed by her room on my break and she didn’t have any flowers. I thought I’d rectify the situation. Happiness is my favorite treatment to give.”

Embarrassed by her rude outburst, Amrita finished the transaction in shamed silence. After handing him his receipt, Amrita looked down at the counter and said, “Thank you and have a good day, Dr. Sa’alle.”

He laughed again. “Please, call me Dr. Fox. I’m not really part of the Society Sa’alles.”

Amrita nodded, even though she had no intention of using such a casual nickname.

“Lovely. You have a good day yourself, Amrita.”

He left then, leaving Amrita confused and embarrassed. Surely if he ever needed another bouquet he’d request one of her coworkers, but it wasn’t as if she was paid commissions and she’d really rather not shame herself again.

However, the next week proved her wrong. Dr. Sa’alle returned again and politely declined her coworker’s offer of help. He browsed the seeds and fancy vases until Amrita finished wrapping the bouquet she was working on when he entered. The moment her hands were free, Dr. Sa’alle approached her with a wide smile, warm hello and a compliment on the last arrangement. He ordered another bouquet to be anonymously delivered to a patient in the geriatrics ward.

It was his weekly ritual. When he finished his shift on Wednesday afternoon, he came to The Enchanted Florist and ordered flowers to be sent to one of the hospital’s patients. They mostly went to the geriatrics ward, but every now and then he entered with sad eyes and quietly ordered a small package with a soft, white teddy bear. As the weeks passed, he revealed bits and pieces of himself beyond his generosity and profession.

Like her, Faust Sa’alle was technically a member of the peerage - him Tevinter and her Free Marches. He had even less interest than her in participating in Society. He loved small animals and was in his first year of residency with the hospital. She nearly changed her schedule to avoid him when he revealed he was… he was a mage. All Amrita knew of mages were her family’s stories of the cruel, evil tyrants that destroyed everything in their path. They celebrated the Solidification with a feast day for the entire bannorn every year.

But Dr. Sa’alle wasn’t evil. He was one of the kindest people Amrita ever met. He could use magic, yes, but he used it to heal. It was the reason he was such a good doctor. Amrita heard the nurses gossiping about how wonderful he was and debating whether or not it would be worth their jobs to date him.

In the privacy of her mind, Amrita scoffed at the last. All of the kindness in Thedas wouldn’t make sex any less painful, or sinful, since the nurses certainly didn’t mention wanting to marry the doctor. Even at the height of her infatuation with Ema’an, she’d never- Amrita cut off the painful thoughts by pressing her eyes tightly shut and singing the Chant in her head. Ema’an was in the past and she could only keep moving forward and serving the Maker. They were barking up the wrong tree, anyway. Fox frequently mentioned barely having time for his friends; he didn’t have time for significant other.

At least, that’s what Amrita thought.

Six months after meeting Dr. Sa’alle he changed his regular routine. After purchasing his usual, he pulled out a well-folded piece of paper. He opened the paper and skimmed over his writing. “Alright, I need one in the small vase with the silver heart. I was thinking,” he looked back at the paper, “red and white carnations, crocus, lily of the valley, forsythia, red tulips…”

A twinge of excitement bubbled in Amrita’s chest. The dreamy tone and faraway look in the doctor’s eyes was unmistakable, even to someone as inexperienced with love as Amrita. “I think I have a good idea of what you want, but I think it would be better to space some of these out. You won’t want any yellow in the first arrangement, even if it is forsythia. I can make you a lovely mix of forsythia and crocus for the next bouquet. If there is one.”

The doctor looked up from the paper, desperate joy in his eyes. “I certainly hope so. I don’t have enough words for how striking her personality is.”

“I think something simple with the carnations and roseleaf to start. Forsythia and crocus for the second and if that’s well-received, I can order in some lily of the valley to mix with tulips - you’ll want red and variegated.”

Without warning, Dr. Sa’alle leaned across the counter and gave Amrita a one-armed hug. “Oh, Amrita, you’re a treasure. Thank you. I spent all night looking up flowers.”

“It-It’s my pleasure. Really.”

Over the next few weeks, Amrita made bouquets for Dr. Sa’alle’s new girlfriend. He let her have full creative control over the flower choices and simply spent ten minutes gushing about how wonderful she was. Her name was Ela and she was a primary school teacher. She was Dalish and clever and got along great with her students. Amrita could only assume Ela was pretty, given how handsome Dr. Sa’alle was, but he never commented on her appearance.

Now that she thought about it, Dr. Sa’alle never commented on her own appearance, either, except to say that she looked well after recovering from a cold. Actually, given how much time he spent talking about how wonderful and amazing everyone he knew was, Amrita couldn’t think of a single instance of him mentioning their appearance. She was still musing on it one Saturday morning when Dr. Sa’alle came on.

“Amrita! Perfect! Thank the Maker I remembered your schedule correctly,” Dr. Sa’alle said. His clothing was rumpled and stained and there were dark circles under his eyes.

Amrita blinked at him, thrown equal parts by his appearance and the fact that he remembered she worked Saturday mornings. She’d only mentioned it once and that some months ago. “Are you alright, Doctor?”

“What? Me? Yes, fine, thank you. I need an apology bouquet, but not too large. We had a date last and- Well, I don’t want it to be… intrusive.”

The bottom dropped out of Amrita’s stomach and she nodded dumbly. She started with purple hyacinth and tried to swallow past the dryness in her throat. There weren’t too many things that came to mind that the handsome young doctor could have needed to apologize for after a date and each of them made Amrita feel ill. Especially given the state of his clothes. She didn’t want to help him apologize. She wanted to throw him out of the shop and never see him again. I knew mages were evil. I never should have-

“What time is it? Half six? She shouldn’t be awake yet, should she? Not on a weekend.” Dr. Sa’alle said, mostly to himself. “She knew I was on call, but still. To be called away in the middle of- Well, I’m sure you don’t want details. Sorry. I haven’t slept. Terrible accident at a college party. All hands on deck for most of the night.”

Amrita felt the knot in her chest untie in an instant. She sighed loudly in relief, but the sound was masked by the doctor’s yawn. She grabbed her best irises to add to the bouquet and wrapped them up in ivy with some blue statice. Dr. Sa’alle had never mentioned whether or not Ela understand flower language, but it was important to him and important to Amrita’s professionalism that every bouquet had the appropriate meaning.

The ivy was a bit strong, but if he was so upset that he needed to give her a gift before even sleeping after an entire night of work in the emergency room, he was dedicated enough to warrant ivy. She wrapped it all in silver-heart patterned cellophane and tied it together with purple silk ribbon. “To what address do you want it delivered? And what time? You’re in no state to take it yourself, Doctor.”

“Thank you. You’re a charm. I’m having breakfast delivered at half nine, so around then would be best,” Dr. Sa’alle said. He had his smartphone in hand, presumably ordering that breakfast. After a minute he lowered the phone and blinked at her. “Oh! The address! Sorry.”

After he rattled it off, he gave her a one-armed hug over the counter and left the shop.

It wasn’t until the delivery driver came for the pick up that Amrita realized he’d forgotten to pay. After laughing in dismay, Amrita paid for it herself and passed the bouquet to the driver. She knew he’d make it right on Wednesday, if he didn’t realize his mistake and come in before then.

He did settle his bill on Wednesday, but because he was Dr. Sa’alle, he didn’t leave it at that. On Friday, her next work day, he came by with two small cakes, claiming it was because she might not like one flavor. She knew he was lying; they’d spent two weeks discussing cake flavors right before Dawn’s 35th birthday party and she clearly remembered telling him those were her two favorite flavors. But she let the lie stand and even walked around the counter to give him a full hug, which just made him beam at her, his smile nearly as bright as the sun.

After that, Dr. Sa’alle began inviting her to the weekly get-togethers his friends had. She protested, claiming family obligations, but the was that she knew she’d be uncomfortable. He was just a regular customer. He was offering to be polite. Just like how he politely asked questions about her family and interests outside of the shop. Nevertheless, she answered those honestly, telling him about her siblings and her old dreams of being a nurse.

When he finished his residency and moved into a regular position at the hospital, Amrita expected the visits the stop, but instead Dr. Sa’alle simply placed his regular orders on Fridays: one to a patient and one to his Ela. He even let her practiced new techniques from her magazines and articles she found online. Ela’s bouquets always ended up picked over by the children anyway, so it wasn’t terribly important that they were perfect.

Two months into his new position, Dr. Sa’alle finally wore Amrita down enough that she agreed to let him take her out for Saturday lunch. The maitre’d eyed Amrita skeptically in the foyer, but his demeanor transformed for the better when Dr. Sa’alle introduced her as his sister. The words left a heavy warmth in Amrita’s chest that she didn’t know what to do with. Even Laurel calling her “little sister” didn’t garner such a reaction. Amrita decided to do nothing and simply took the seat Dr. Sa’alle held out for her.

“I meant it, you know. You’re like a little sister to me. If you ever need anything: money, somewhere to stay, a hug, anything you have my personal number. I’ll come help you, any time, day or night.”

Amrita was about to protest that she didn’t have his personal number when she remembered that she did. She had it memorized from filling out at least two order forms for him every week for more than a year. Clueless as to how she was supposed to feel or react to that, Amrita simply nodded and put all of her attention on the menu.

Long after he’d left her back at the shop, Amrita dwelled over what he could possibly have meant. She had her family; they loved her and she had her place in their home and wanted for nothing. Though she tried not to think about it, as the days passed his words were never far from her mind.

Two weeks later, a beautiful, blonde, Dalish elf entered the The Enchanted Florist. Her vallaslin framed her soft features and though her clothes were modest, the gentle style and soft colors did nothing to detract from her appearance. Amrita recognized her at once, though she’d never seen so much as a picture.

“You must be Ela,” Amrita said. She fervently hoped Ela hadn’t come in on a jealous tear, but the elf’s face was so beautifully serene… Well, Amrita couldn’t imagine anyone else at Dr. Fox’s side.

“I am; you must be Amrita,” Ela said, holding out her hand to shake. “Fox thought you might have assumed he was just being polite, but no, really, we’d love to have you come hang out this weekend. It’s just a few close friends - the quiet ones. And we have plenty of drinks - non-alcoholic ones, that is. He doesn’t really drink since he’s on call so much.”

Denying Dr. Fox was easy, Amrita had practice at refusing his dimples and bright smile, but his pretty girlfriend was a completely different story. Meek and blushing in the face of such radiance, Amrita mumbled her acceptance and dutifully wrote down the address, even though she had it memorized from weeks and weeks of filling out Dr. Fox’s details on the order forms.

No one in Amrita’s family asked why she wouldn’t attend dinner on Saturday, they just silently accepted it, returning to their own conversations before she’d even left the room. It wasn’t a new interaction by any means, but it did leave a cold ache in her chest.

Neither Ela nor Fox had told her what to wear, so Amrita agonized in front of her closet for an hour before pulling on a dress she normally only wore to the Chantry. It matched the lovely necklace Ema’an left her, though she took care not to put that on until she was parked outside of Dr. Fox’s flat.

She took several deep breaths before finally unbuckling her seatbelt and tentatively walking up to Dr. Fox’s flat. The large number three on his door had a large, vinyl sticker of a cartoon cat, so she knew she was in the right place, but she couldn’t bring herself to ring the bell. Just as she was considering going back to her car, the door opened to reveal a qunari with horns so large there was no way he’d make it through the door straight on.

“Oh! Sorry if I startled you,” he said. He turned his head to call back into the flat, but knocked one of his horns on the door frame. “Ouch! Hey, Boss! Your friend Amrita’s here! Nice to meet you, Amrita, I’m The Iron Bull, but I’ve gotta grab something out of my truck, so I’ll be right back.”

Amrita backed up to let him pass and then stared through the open door, wishing the ground would swallow her up and teleport her back to her room. But the ground refused to cooperate and Amrita finally braced herself and stepped inside. The flat was full of modern-style furniture and artwork, though there were macaroni and crayon pieces hung up in places, undoubtedly works gifted to them by Ela’s students. Seeing them warmed Amrita’s heart and ensured that the smile on her face was genuine when Dr. Fox came to greet her.

As promised, it was a small gathering with quiet conversation over fruit and cheese platters. Dr. Fox and Ela’s friends seemed genuinely interested in Amrita, though they moved the conversation to other topics when Amrita started squirming under the attention. The Iron Bull was a youth counselor at Ela’s school, while Leliana and Josephine were both lawyers. The last guest was Cassandra, a Seeker focused on preserving the history of the Chantry.

Amrita thought she should feel woefully undereducated in their company, but somehow they had enough combined social grace to make her feel included without being stifled. It was foreign and nice and comfortable and overwhelming and Amrita thought she might be sick when Ela asked for her help in the kitchen. With mounting terror, Amrita nodded and followed Ela. She knew how to boil water for a nice tisane, but little else. It was unseemly for someone of her station to be seen helping in the kitchen.

However, once Ela closed the shuttered door into the living room, the dalish woman sighed in relief and leaned against one of the counters. She met Amrita’s eyes and gave her a wane smile. “Thanks for coming with me. It’s all a little much sometimes. Even Bull has a masters. I feel so out of my depth sometimes.”

“Oh. You just… Wanted a break?” Amrita asked, hardly able to believe it.

“Absolutely. Usually my friend Sera’s here to breakup all of the intellectual talk, but she had a meeting with the Jennys and couldn’t make it.”

Amrita didn’t know what the Jennys were, so she just nodded.

“Oh, here, let me get you some more juice,” Ela said as she turned to Dr. Fox’s fridge.

Actually, Amrita wasn’t quite certain it was Dr. Fox’s flat. Despite the cat sticker on the door, Ela’s personal effects were clearly spread all throughout the flat, but at the same time, so were Dr. Fox’s. It must have been difficult for them to keep track of what was at which home unless- Oh. Right. Of course. He had a few orders sent to his home. I’d thought he just wanted to deliver them himself. And it has to be his flat. This has been his address since before he met her.

Unsure what to think of her newest revelation, Amrita just took the glass of juice silently. She didn’t need to say anything, since Ela was still rambling about how intense and overwhelming Leliana and Cassandra got when talking about the meanings behind different passages in the Chant. Amrita was actually a little sad they hadn’t gotten into one of those discussion with her present because she would have been able to keep up with the conversation for once. Well, hopefully they’ll talk about it next time.

Amrita felt alternating flashes of hot and cold. Next time? Would she even be invited? Surely not. Now that they knew there was nothing special or interesting about her, Dr. Fox would stop casually inviting her and- But Ela was thanking her again and giving her a sincere smile that made wrinkles form next to her eyes. Amrita’s heart was fit to burst. She couldn’t process anything else for the last half hour she spent at the warm flat, but she remembered smiling so much her cheeks hurt.

She left promptly at 9:30PM after warm hugs from both Dr. Fox and Ela and friendly handshakes from the others. No one pressured her to stay later and everyone expressed their hope that she’d join them again some time. The moment she buckled her seatbelt, Amrita bent over the steering wheel in sudden, inexplicable tears. She was happy. She’d had a wonderful time. Everyone had been so kind and welcoming, she shouldn’t have been crying.

Amrita allowed herself a minute to be hysterical before she wiped her eyes with her monogrammed handkerchief and started her car. Her family’s Kirkwall house was only ten minutes away and she still had twenty-five left before her self-imposed curfew of 10PM. Even though most of her attention was on the road, Amrita allowed a small part of her brain to think about how nice the gathering made her feel. She was still glowing with quiet joy when the steward let her into the house.

Grace stood on the first landing of the grand staircase, her arms crossed over her chest. “I see you’ve finally deigned us with your presence, sister.”

The last word was spoken like a curse and slapped Amrita across the face, freezing her heart mid-beat. The shock was so complete Amrita could only stare dumbly at her sister. She glanced at their mother, but she averted her eyes and raised her chin.

“Nothing to say for yourself? I suppose you don’t need to, it’s clear enough where you were, wearing that slut’s necklace.”

Amrita gasped and clutched the delicate pendant Ema’an left her. Her mouth quivered and her eyes were hot, but this time she knew exactly why she was going to cry.

“So are you done whoring yourself to this new knife-ear, or can we expect an extended shame on our family?”

“Mother!” Amrita protested, even as tears fell from her eyes.

But she may as well have not spoken because her mother simply turned her back before walking with precise, elegant steps up the stairs.

“Don’t you dare speak to her. Not when you’re still covered in his filth. And in one of your Chantry dresses. How dare you?”

Amrita choked out a single, loud sob before fleeing back the way she’d come. She didn’t remember getting in her car, let alone starting it. She didn’t come back to herself until she drove up on a curb a few blocks from the townhouse. There was no crunch of impact, but the shock from hitting the curb shocked her enough that she shut down her car and sobbed into her hands. When she was a horrible, soggy mess, Amrita fumbled with her handbag until she had her smartphone.

With shaking fingers, she punched in Fox’s number and waited for it to connect. He sounded so terribly worried she nearly hung up, but she managed to answer his questions. No, she wasn’t injured. No, she wasn’t in immediate physical danger. Yes, she did know where she was, yes, she would love it if he came to pick her up.

Before she knew it, Fox was opening her car door and pulling her into a warm hug. He rubbed her back while hashing out a plan for Amrita’s car. She couldn’t have cared less about her car. She just cried into her friend’s chest and held onto him, trusting he would take care of her. After a few minutes, Amrita’s sobbing abated and she was left with just silent tears. She sniffed and rubbed her face with her handkerchief, but it was still wet from earlier and the material felt coarse on her damp face despite being silk. She pulled her face back and looked around, but Ela and Amrita’s car were gone.

“Don’t worry, she just took it back to the flat. We couldn’t exactly leave your car up on the curb overnight,” Fox said. “When you’re ready, we’ll go home. Ela’s setting up the spare room for you right now.”

We’ll go home, such a tiny, simple phrase, but it sent Amrita into another round of hiccuping sobs. She hugged him tightly. She wanted to protest and say he didn’t need to do this, she wasn’t worth it, it was fine, she should just go to her parents’ house, but she couldn’t get any words out, so she just clung to him.

Once her crying abated again, Fox gently guided her into the passenger seat, even going so far as to buckle her in and kiss her forehead before walking around the car and getting into the driver’s seat. The ride itself was a blur of haloed street lights and Fox saying things that were probably comforting and reassuring, though only his soft tone penetrated the haze in Amrita’s mind. Back in Fox’s flat, Ela handed Amrita some warm pajamas and a warm hand towel to clean her face.

“Get some sleep, little sister. We’ll wake you up for Chantry services in the morning,” Fox said.

Without really thinking about it, Amrita went through her usual nighttime routine before curling up in the too-big pajamas and falling asleep with her hand closed around Ema’an’s pendant.

When morning came, Ela helped Amrita back into her dress and pulled a lovely, grey sweater over Amrita’s head. Even though it was such a small addition, it changed Amrita’s appearance enough that she didn’t look like she was wearing last night’s clothes. Words were still too much for her, so Amrita just hugged the other woman and let herself be bundled into Fox’s car. They didn’t go to her usual parish, but Amrita didn’t think she could handle seeing her family, and the service was lovely regardless. She managed to sing a few verses of the Chant, but otherwise just sat in the comfortable space between Fox and Ela.

When it came time to spread the Eternal Flame, Amrita rose mechanically and joined the line of regular parishioners. The statue of Andraste was humble and welcoming and singing the few short verses before it warmed away some of Amrita’s numbness. She let herself be pulled along with the flow of people leaving the Chantry. It wasn’t until she was outside that Amrita realized she was alone. Just as the panic was setting in, Fox touched her shoulder before giving her a hug.

Amrita pulled away and blinked at her friends, as if seeing them for the first time. Ela couldn’t have been more Dalish if she tried, with her clear vallaslin and green clothes with only a facsimile of sandals. And then there was Fox, Tevinter in accent and mindset, if not appearance. He was a very polite atheist, but an atheist nonetheless. Neither of them would ever come to a Chantry service on their own. They went for her and no other reason. She clutched Fox’s arm and tried to hold back her tears.

“This is too much,” Amrita said, her voice quavering.

“It’s the very least you deserve. And we’ll see to it that you get everything you deserve.”

chrysanthemum - You're A Wonderful Friend; Cheerfulness and Rest crocus - Cheerfulness zinnia (red) - Constancy zinnia (white) - Goodness carnation (red) - My Heart Aches for You; Admiration carnation (white) - Sweet and Lovely; Innocence; Pure Love lily of the valley - Sweetness; Humility; You've Made My Life Complete forsythia - Anticipation tulip (red) - Believe Me; Declaration of Love tulip (variegated) - Beautiful Eyes roseleaf - You May Hope hyacinth (purple) - I Am Sorry; Please Forgive Me: Sorrow iris - Your Friendship Means So Much to Me; Faith; Hope; Wisdom and Valour statice (blue) - Intimacy, Deep Trust, Peacefulness ivy - Wedded Love; Fidelity; Friendship; Affection Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

#power couple AU #fox companion AU #amrita trevelyan #my writing #modern thedas au #so cute your teeth will hurt

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neverisalongtime-ja-blog · 7 years

Text

Chapter 27: Landslide

Thanks to everyone who reads the fic, much love to you all! ♥

Remember to visit Anastasia’s IG profile:

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Read chapter 26

“That was an extremely awkward conversation”, Anastasia thought. She would have liked to avoid Josh but she found him suddenly walking through the Staples Center and she couldn’t hide from him. She was polite and he was nice and that was weird. They didn’t speak to each other the rest of the dates in Los Angeles, now it was Friday, March 10th and it was time for the last show at Staples. Even though Anastasia didn’t get to see Josh again the conversation they had that Wednesday rumbled in her head.

- I forgot to tell you but I had the strangest encounter with Josh the other day – Anastasia told Mandy in her dressing room.

- How in the world do you forget to tell me that? What did he say? – Mandy wanted to know.

- He was nice, he liked my tattoos.

- He’s still a douche. Don’t forget that – Mandy said – Is everything ready for the party?

- Of course! Barbara handled everything like the boss she is. Once the Chilis end their set, we are out to party!

Anastasia thought that it was a good idea to host a party for everyone in the tour to celebrate the LA dates and as a way to thank the band for letting them back. Yes, it was kind of a suck up move but they really had a lot of love for everyone involved in the tour and Anastasia wanted to have a moment of joy with her friends before starting traveling again.

The last show at the Staples was incredible. Anastasia wore a pair of sequin hot pants with a Rolling Stone t-shirt and a pair of thigh-high black boots. Dead Curse played a lot of old songs and the entire venue sang along to them, the energy was incredible and the band had never been so happy. She saw the smiles in Nick’s, Eric’s and Mandy’s faces and knew that it was a great place and moment to be at. As usual they watched the Chili Peppers set afterwards but this time they enjoyed it with family and friends so the vibe was a lot better. Mark and his friend Andrew were going crazy singing to every song they performed that night, they did the same in New York but this time Anastasia was feeling a little bit better so she decided to join them in jumping and singing at the side of the stage until it was time for Josh’s solo. He had a tradition of singing small parts of some covers while the band took a break and came back to stage to finish the show.

Anastasia saw him grabbing the blue D’Angelo guitar she gave him for his birthday last year and she felt a knot in her stomach. “This isn’t good”, she thought and then she heard the first notes of a song she knew very well: Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.

- How dare he?! – She told Mark.

I took my love, I took it down

Climbed a mountain and I turned around

And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills

'Til the landslide brought it down.

Can the child within my heart rise above?

Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?

Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I've been afraid of changin'

'Cause I've built my life around you

Josh was singing better than ever before. Anastasia could tell he had rehearsed the song before the show. She listened to him and got lost in the melody but far from making her happy, it made her very angry. She couldn’t believe Josh was ruining Fleetwood for her. “Why would he do this? And with that guitar, precisely?” It was obviously about her, but she didn’t want to admit that to herself. After Josh finished his number she walked backstage to her dressing room and just laid there, waiting for the show to finish and leave for the party so she could focus her thoughts on something more than Josh.

Barbara set everything up in a cool place in Hollywood and Mark was going to be in charge of the music. Everybody was there, friends, family, coworkers, all enjoining and drinking on a relaxed Friday night. Mandy, Anastasia and Kelly were going crazy dancing and laughing and for a short while An even forgot Josh was there. She avoided him all night, talking to her family, having a drink with some friends from high school, joking with Clara, Flea’s daughter, laughing with Chad and his wife, playing nineties songs with Mark and Andrew, trying to keep her mind busy and praying to not run into him.

While Anastasia was having an entertaining conversation with Barbara, Anthony, Chad and his wife, Flea, Clara, Mandy and some of her high school friends about how much of a pain in the neck she was in her teenage year, a Security guy called her to a side to tell her that there was a situation at the door. Apparently someone was trying to get in uninvited. She joined the guy to the door without a clue on who it could be, but the Universe likes a laugh and when she saw the person in question she knew this must be the biggest joke of all.

- What are you doing here? – She asked Valentine who was at the door looking like a deer in headlights. He was wearing a navy blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of dark jeans and brown shoes, he looked so stylish. His beard was gone, his hair was still long and he looked like the Valentine Anastasia fell in love with. – This is a private party – She grabbed him by an arm and pulled him away from the door a little bit.

- I just wanted to see you. I was at the show but couldn’t get backstage to congratulate you – Valentine said with the most stupid smile on his face.

- Wow, that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard – Anastasia said sarcastically.

- You look beautiful – He said.

- And that’s even sadder – Anastasia was losing her patience. She didn’t want Valentine there; she didn’t want to see him ever again. She was having so much fun and there he was ruining everything again, but the Universe’s joke was just starting – I thought I’d been clear the last time, I don’t want to see you again in my life!

- Is everything alright? – She heard a voice in the back, she turned and she couldn’t believe it.

- Yes, Josh, don’t worry – She said without looking at him.

- So this is the Josh – Valentine said laughing and Anastasia could smell the alcohol in his breath – Nice to meet you – Josh didn’t answer.

- Valentine was just leaving – Anastasia said looking at Josh. The light outside wasn’t bright but she could see the anger on Josh’s face and that made her very nervous.

- Me? I ain’t going nowhere, I’m here to see you – Valentine said.

- I think it’s better you leave, man – Josh talked and that increased Anastasia’s nervousness.

- You don’t get to decide that! – Valentine told Josh with a violent attitude.

- Relax, there’s no need to get rude – Anastasia said trying to calm him down. She had seen Valentine angry before and it wasn’t pleasant at all. She felt a hand on her waist and turned to see Josh trying to get her away from Valentine.

- Oh, I see – Valentine said looking at the scene – Did you already tell your boyfriend right here – She never told him about their break up – That I took you to eat at your favorite sushi restaurant at Venice, which I’m sure he has no clue what it is? Did you tell him that we kissed and you told me how much you had been missing me? – Valentine started to lie and that ignited the fury in Anastasia.

- What the fuck, Valentine?! – She didn’t care what Josh was thinking but Valentine didn’t have the right to say such lies and he started to walk towards her.

- Tell him how much you love me! – Valentine screamed and that was trying to grab her by an arm.

- Don’t you even dare to touch her! – Josh screamed while putting himself in front of Anastasia.

She saw Josh stopping Valentine’s arm by moving his own arms, then Valentine positioned to punch Josh but in a fast move she saw Josh giving Valentine a hard hit on his face and that petrified her. The guy had to hold onto the wall to not fall on his ass but when she saw him recovering strength to go after Josh it was time for her to take action.

- Stop! This is absurd! – She said hugging Josh and separating him from Valentine. Her mind just automatically chose Josh to hug – Valentine, just leave, goddamn it! The next time I have to tell you to leave me alone I will do it with the police by my side.

She saw the fury in Valentine’s eyes as he checked his mouth and noticed he was bleeding from it. He didn’t say a thing but looked at Josh with rage before walking the opposite way.

- What was that? – Anastasia asked Josh while still outside, in the street.

- You’re asking me?! – Josh said confused as he looked at his hand, he was bleeding too.

Anastasia grabbed him and they walked to the parking lot. She always carried a first aid kit in her car, thankfully the wound wasn’t deep and she just cleaned and put a couple of band aids over his knuckles. Then they looked at each other at the same time.

- Valentine was lying – Anastasia said to him.

- I know – Josh said with a serious face.

- I never kissed him nor told him that I missed him, that was fucking nuts – She said.

- Don’t worry, you don’t have to give me any explanations – Josh said and started walking back to the club. Anastasia knew she didn’t have to give him any explanations of what happened with Valentine but she just did it, she felt her mind was forcing her to do it – But you did go eat with him? – Josh suddenly stopped walking and turned around to look at her again.

- Yes, I did – Anastasia answered walking towards him, again she felt she was being forced.

- Why? – Josh asked.

- I’m not sure. I guess I wanted to close the Valentine circle.

- I thought that circle was closed when we started dating.

- It wasn’t, Josh – She said walking again.

- Did you succeed? – He asked her walking next to her.

- Yes.

- And what about our circle? – He asked again. She stopped and looked at him.

- I think you know the answer to that – Josh looked to the floor and she could swear she saw a small smile on his face. Before entering the club again she looked at him and said, – By the way, thanks for Landslide – And then his smile was real.

Next morning when Anastasia told Mandy what happened outside the party, the pink haired girl couldn´t believe it.

- You are joking, right? – Mandy asked confused with a smile on her face.

- I wish I were – Anastasia said containing the laughter seeing her friend’s face – Josh was like this super hot, badass human being and punched Val in the face – She made a mimic of the moment – Split his lips and all!

- And then he smiled when you thanked him for Landslide?

- Yes!

- So he sang it for you?

- He used the guitar I gave him, the one “he’s always going to see and think of me because it reminds him of the color of my hair” – Anastasia did the quotation marks with her fingers.

- What do you think that means? This is so fucked up in so many levels.

- I don’t know, but I won’t let him play with my head.

- Pff… Not even you believe that – Mandy said rolling her eyes slightly.

- No! For real! I don’t want to allow it. He made a choice and needs to stick with it.

- You will fall again, my friend. Mark my words!

- I don’t think my mind is ready to be involved with him again – Anastasia looked at the floor – But… sleeping with him again is a serious present possibility. I’m weak for him, I can’t deny that.

- You are weak in general. That guy cheated on you with this stupid girl and yet you are here talking about sleeping with him again.

- Yeah, but he never stopped loving me, Mandy, we read the conversation he had with Eric. He was just confused because he has self-esteem issues.

- Yes, and because you are too much for him.

- I don’t think so. I think he has to deal with it but it wasn’t like he said bad things to me, like Valentine who used to say I’d be worthless without him. Anyway, I don’t think that the Josh/Lauren thing is that serious.

- Believe me when I say that no one sees a future in that.

- At the same time I don’t want to keep that thought on my mind, instead I like to think he is in a great relationship so I can build up this wall and keep myself far away from him.

- What? I know you and you are fucking weak.

- You are such a supportive friend – Anastasia said sarcastically.

- Always – Mandy said giving Anastasia a kiss in the cheek and both friends laughed.

Read chapter 28

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