#me joining another fandom long after its death? more likely than you’d think

[luskbook]

finally watched got. drew my favorite characters

#game of thrones #got #my art #sansa stark #arya stark #jon snow #jorah mormont #davos seaworth #a song of ice and fire #game of thrones fanart #me joining another fandom long after its death? more likely than you’d think

[ascalonianpicnic]

Since its almost mother’s day, I figured I’d post a little essay I wrote last summer, prior to No Quarter’s release.

Disclaimer: as said, this is nearly a year old and doesn’t take into account the end of icebrood (which i still havent played). additionally, I am not saying anyone has to like Eir, but I do expect people to at least hold Rytlock to the same standards

And Warning: discussion of parents, particularly absent mothers and fathers

There was a trend recently in the fandom that has really been on my mind. Rytlock, often referred to as Dadlock in these scenarios, acts as a father figure for the commander or other oc members of their squad. It's a cute idea, very found family. It's not personally my favorite, but I don't have a problem with it on its own. But there was another trend that popped up recently that, when combined with this one, really bothers me. So let's talk about Eir. 

Eir Stegalkin is our mentor in the norn personal story, as well as a member of Destiny's Edge, the famed heros and protectors of Glint. She's tough and strong and independent, but not afraid of admitting when she makes mistakes or needs others. She's imperfect, a bit overconfident at times, and she makes plenty of mistakes, but she tries really hard to be a good role model to our character and to others. One thing she isn't, however, is a mother.

Eir had a son, Braham. He's still young when we meet him, probably the norn equivalent of his late teens, and he doesn't view Eir as his mother. And she in turn, doesn't view herself as his mother.

Back when Braham was very young, Eir was called away to help fight off the Sons of Svanir. She left Braham with his loving and capable father, Borje, intending to be back soon but getting caught up and being away for years, getting caught up in the battle against Jormag's growing influence, then joining in the battle against Kralkatorrik. She didn't hear of her partner's death until after the fact, and by that point, she knew Braham was being raised by good people in her and Borje's stead, and she also felt she had been away too long to come back at that point. She hadn't been a part of his life, she wasn't his mother anymore. So she chose to do what she thought was best and stay away from the son she couldn't promise to be there for, fighting to make the world he was growing up in safer instead. 

When Braham and Eir reunited, it wasn't on good terms. Braham was resentful, and for good reason, and Eir understood and respected that. As the two spend more time together from that point, working together, Eir doesn't push the issue and lets Braham decide if and when he wants to try reconnecting. She hurt him. He gets to decide if he lets her back into his life. And that is important. 

You could call her a bad mom for being absent, though really, you'd be doing her a disservice. She never filled the role of a mother. She knows that fact, she doesn't pretend otherwise. When Braham gets a chance to speak with her spirit outside of Sun's Refuge, she tells him to focus on his actual family and let go of her, because she understands she was never there for the key moments of his life, but he has people right next to him now who were and are. Reducing her down not just to a mother, but to a bad mom, ignores so much of her character and who she is. 

Now let's compare her arc with Braham to Rytlock. 

Rytlock Brimstone is a fellow member of Destiny's Edge, fighting along side Eir and the others. He's also tough and strong, but he hates admitting when he makes mistakes, he hates apologizing, and he hates asking for help. He is the mentor for the charr personal story, where he is shown to play favorites at least a little, and he later on seems to be a sort of mentor to Rox as well, a younger charr and close friend of Braham's. 

Even just from how Rox views Rytlock, we can tell he probably isn't the best mentor, as she fears punishment and potentially death when she chooses to put Braham's life over dealing the killing blow to Scarlet Briar. 

Then there's his relationship with his own son, Ryland Steelcatcher. In charr society, it is standard practice to pass your cub on to the fahrar so they can be trained and prepared. Parents aren't supposed to participate in their cubs' lives after that point. Most still will though. Rytlock wasn't among the parents trying to participate though. He was entirely hands off with Ryland, even as Ryland's mother, Crecia Stoneglow, was taking an active part in his life. 

Much like Eir, Rytlock is absent from his son's life for mostly cultural and partially personal reasons. I would like to point out here that Eir is called a bad mom pretty vocally but I've never once heard Rytlock referred to as a bad dad by the fandom. 

Now, there's a huge difference in how Eir and Rytlock handled reconnecting with their children. Even when Eir wanted to, she didn't try until Braham reached out and acknowledged his connection to her first. She let the one she hurt make the first move and lead the process. Rytlock doesn't do that. 

After seeing the commander and Aurene interacting, and seeing how the loss of Aurene affects both the commander and Caithe, the dragon's two adoptive parents, he takes some time to think about his own cubs and realizes he wishes he'd been more active in their lives and that he could reach out to them now. How does he handle that desire? By going to an event where the person he hurt, Ryland, will be and will be expected to be civil so Rytlock can corner him and try to force himself back into his son's life. He doesn't give Ryland space. He doesn't give Ryland the ability to choose if it's time to reconnect. He hurt Ryland by being absent and shows no understanding of that. And if he does understand that he hurt Ryland, he simply expects to be forgiven for that because he changed his mind. 

And yet, he's Dadlock. He fathers the commander in fanon more than he ever did his own children. People act like he did no wrong. As I said, the idea of Dadlock itself doesn't bother me, but it does when it's presented side by side with the idea of calling Eir a bad mom. You can't forgive Rytlock for doing exactly the same thing Eir did while demonizing Eir for it. It's a double standard we see a lot. A man can get away with it, but a woman can't.  

Eir, a complex character, can't be forgiven for a mistake she made and owned up to time and time again while trying to make up for it. Instead she has to be boiled down to simply A Bad Mom. Rytlock, on the other hand, can make the exact same mistake, and handle it worse. But it's fine, nobody's perfect! He's a complex guy after all. But it isn't fine. It's a sexist double standard. 

#guild wars 2 #gw2 #eir stegalkin #braham #ryland steelcatcher #my essays #:) #not tagging cat man #because i dont wanna be rude #and put this in his tag

[eveningstar1516]

Rise of the Demon King ~ Chapter 11

Rise of the Demon King

Fic: Multi Chapter Paring: MC x Everyone (Mostly Lucifer) Type: Angst with a Happy Ending Total Word Count: 26,758 TW: Major Character Death, Reader gets stabbed with a sword through their chest so..., Abusive Parents, Past Child Abuse, Demon Hunters, Loss of Control Summary: You’ve done it. You’ve finally done it. You’ve managed to anger the demon king. Now you hold your head high as he hands down your sentence. AO3 Portal: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27065362 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A/N: I gotta Discord server guys! It's primarily Obey Me but other fandoms are welcome as well. It's kinda baby and dead so me and the other members are looking to revive it and we'd love for you to come join us. A roleplay area is included :) https://discord.gg/F3YEmDZCPS Please remember to read and accept the rules once you join for access to all the channels. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Previously:

After that day, Beel would take responsibility for waking the youngest whenever he slept for too long and Belphie took responsibility for making sure Beel ate whenever he was awake. From that day forward, you’d never find one twin without the other close by. Their relationship strengthened, one relying on the other. Always being there when needed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHAPTER 11 - 2 Realms, 2 Families (2003 words)

Making my way up the palace steps, I took notice of the lack of angels tending the gardens or palace. Oh well, I thought to myself. It is still too early for any of them to get to work. Michael led me through the castle towards the throne room. It was the same route we took on my first day here, only this time, I had a sneaking suspicion that it was about to be my last. Stopping in front of the door, Michael announced our presence and waited for the angels inside to open the doors for us. I’ve been in the throne room a small handful of times since my first day. Today, however, the atmosphere felt a little off. Normally, one would feel a sense of dread walking into this room, as it usually meant punishment. All ceremonies took place in the garden, the throne room being deemed as an unofficial courtroom. Today the atmosphere felt almost, denser than usual. Michael and I made our way towards the throne and kneeled before Father.

“Rise”

Both of us responded with a “Thank you Father” as we stood. God turned to face me.

“I apologize for calling for you this late. I do hope I didn’t wake you.”

“Not to worry Father, I was actually up finishing this week's work when Michael came to get me. If I may ask, why did you want to see me?”

“I called you to make an offer. I have observed how you ran the council this past millennium. I’ve seen your leadership and your dedication to your job. I’d like to offer you a permanent spot on the council.”

“Father, I’m sure-”

“I’m well aware of our initial deal. Bear in mind that this will not impede on your ability to see the Sins again. As head of the council, it will be your job to oversee business in the Devildom as Michael had been while you were here. You will be able to travel between the realms for business and visit the brothers while you’re there.”

“But I’d have to return and continue serving you, won’t I?”

“That is correct. You are a unique individual Y/N. You are a human with the blood of a fallen, you accepted the demons and was still elevated to the Celestial realm. As such, you have experience from all three realms. This is a powerful tool to have.”

“For you. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I am not interested in staying, nor am I interested in allowing you access to this “tool” as you so crudely labelled my experience. I made it abundantly clear that I serve you under the condition that I return once Lord Diavolo has been crowned. As the Father of the Celestials, I expect that your promises would be kept. Unless that is your telling me I’d have more luck trusting a demon if I wanted promises kept?”

“Y/N! While you’re here, you still serve Father. You cannot speak to him like that!”

“I’m not wrong though am I? If that is all, I’d like to get some rest before reporting in. Good evening, or should I say morning?” I didn’t wait for a response as I bowed to Father and walked out of the throne room without so much of a glance back.

“I apologize Father. I will see that they don’t speak that way to you again.”

“That’s quite alright Michael.”

“Father?”

“I find it to be one of their more enduring qualities. They don’t take anything from anyone, regardless of their position. It’s a valuable trait to have, if used correctly.”

“Father, you weren’t really going to cement their position as the leader of the council, were you?”

“No, I knew they wouldn’t have agreed anyway. I wanted to test them. By offering the position permanently, they would have gained an abundance of power and authority.”

“Instead they turned it down to be with Samael and his brothers. I still don’t understand what they see in them.”

“It would be wise to re-think your opinion on Lucifer and his family. Contrary to what you think, they haven’t changed much. If you looked at it from an outsider's perspective, perhaps you’ll find that they’re still very much angelic.”

“Are you seriously telling me that with a straight face? I appreciate your suggestion Father, however, I highly doubt my opinion on them could change.”

“I am not telling you to change your thoughts about them overnight.” Standing up God stepped down and put a firm hand on Michael’s shoulder.

“I’m just reminding you that Pride is a sin.” God exited the throne room towards his personal chambers leaving a perplexed Michael standing in the throne room.

“I’m not prideful.” Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he was wrong.

~3 Months Later~

“That is all for today. Does anyone else have anything that needs to be brought to attention before we leave?” I looked around the council table and took note of Azrael's continued absence. The angel of death was called for a quick meeting with God before the start of this meeting and had yet to return.

“Alright then. This meeting is adjourned. If anyone has anything they’d like to drop off, I’ll be working by the fountain." The council of 7 stood and started chatting amongst themselves as I packed up and left. A few weeks into leading the council, I found that much like the Devildom, I couldn’t find much peace anywhere indoors. As such, I turned to the gardens, in particular, the stone fountain. It reminded me of the one in my old village square back on earth and found a sense of peace here. I’m guessing the other angels got the hint of me needing some peace and quiet to complete my work as I’ve never been disturbed while I worked here. Anywhere else though, and it’s anyone’s game.

About halfway through my work, I decided it was a good time to take a break and get something to eat. Making my way to the makeshift kitchen area in the council building, I passed by Azrael and Michael conversing with each other. We exchanged some polite hello’s when something Azrael said caught my attention.

“I apologize for not making the meeting. There was an issue with a soul’s candle that was fluctuating that I had to deal with.”

“Fluctuating? I was under the impression that a soul’s candle can only slowly burn until the soul’s time runs out and the candle burns out or someone snuffs them out. How can a candle fluctuate?”

“It’s more like the candle was shifting, evolving. The flame itself is fine but the stick itself was changing. You see, the flame is just that, a flame that will never burn out until its designated time, or if as you put it, someone snuffs it out. It’s the stick that holds most of the magic. The type of wax used identifies the soul, its nature, and where it’s destined. Only angels of death, or reapers, can tamper with the stick and alter it, however, it seems this stick is changing itself without outside interference from myself or another reaper.”

“The stick is evolving on its own and this is a cause for concern because this type of thing shouldn’t be possible and has never happened before?”

“Essentially.”

“What did you do about it?”

“For now, nothing. We’ve tried manually altering it ourselves but it keeps rejecting the change. I have a junior reaper watching it now. He’ll update me if anything changes. That is all I can tell you for now.”

“That understandable, thank you for sharing anyway. Good luck with the candle.” At that, my stomach rumbled.

“Go enjoy your lunch” Azrael replied, walking away with Michael.

“Why did you tell them all of that?” Michael demanded of Azrael.

“They have a right to know. Besides nothing would be gained by hiding it from them. It’s best they are aware of the situation.”

“That’s not your call to make Az.” Michael responded angrily as he stopped. Azrael turned to face him, a calm mask slipped on.

“Yes, it is Michael. It’s my call as the leader of the reapers and the overseer of their candle. What isn’t right is how you keep insisting that they be left in the dark, blissfully ignorant. Despite what you may think, they are a bright soul and have brought much light with them, even to the brothers. I understand why you feel about them the way you do, but times have changed. They have changed, and so have the rest of us. Everyone but you. It’s time you change too before you do something you’ll regret.” With that, Azrael left, leaving Michael standing there thinking about what the reaper had said and thought back to what their Father had said 3 months ago. Threading his fingers in his hair, he made his way to his office, hoping to distract himself from these thoughts with some extra work.

~7 Years later~

“Y/N'' I woke up realizing that I fell asleep at my desk again. Looking up, I saw Uriel looking down at me. His hand on my right shoulder shaking me awake.

“Father would like to see you. Go get dressed please. I’ll be waiting outside.” Uriel left, closing the door behind him. I leaned back thinking about why God would want to see me, especially this early in the morning.

Not wanting to Uriel waiting for too long, I tidied up the papers at my desk, and sleepily made my way to the bathroom to take a quick shower and get ready. Once I finished, Uriel and I set out except this time, instead of heading to the palace, we headed for the gates.

When we arrived, I found that the rest of the council including Azreal and Simeon were already there and waiting for us. We landed and bowed our respects towards Father. Uriel joined the council in a semi-circle behind God.

“Y/N, as I’m sure you realized, the time has come for you to return to the Devildom. I offer you one last chance to stay here. You should know that once an angel falls, they’re not allowed back. Y/N, if you through with this, you will be cast out from the Celestial realm. Are you ready to make that sacrifice?” Looking to the council standing behind God. I recalled the past millennia I spent with them. While I tried to keep a professional relationship with them, they ended up growing on me and we became a little family of our own. I realized that I was going to end up missing them. None of that matters though, not anymore. I’m finally going home, to my real family. To the brothers. Ignoring God, I addressed the angels gathered behind him.

“Thank you, all of you. Despite our differences, you all still accepted me and let me into this little family of yours. I’ll be sure to remember all you’ve done for me and I hope we could meet again someday. Oh and Mike.” Michael looked at me, surprised that I singled him out. “You don’t belong down there. Don’t forget that.” I turned back to God giving him my answer.

“Yes, I am willing.” Giving me a nod of affirmation, God addressed me for the last time.

“Y/N, Virtue of Loyalty and former leader of the virtues.  I hereby strip you of your angelic status and cast you out into the Devildom for the sin of misplaced loyalty.” I faced the edge, ready to jump when I realized I had forgotten something. Turning around, I looked God straight in the eyes and threw the strongest right hook I had ever thrown in my life before jumping backwards, tucking in my wings and closing my eyes. A content sigh leaving my lips as I let the darkness engulf me whole.

I’m coming guys. Wait up for me

#obey me: one master to rule them all #obey me #obey me x reader #lucifer x reader #obey me lucifer #mammon x reader #obey me mammon #leviathan x reader #obey me leviathan #satan x reader #obey me satan #asmodeus x reader #obey me asmodeus #beelzebub x reader #obey me beelzebub #belphegor x reader #obey me belphegor #obey me micheal #OMFIC #In this house; We do not like Father #Did Y/N just sock him in the face? #Yes #Yes they did #Check out my Discord

[fandomsonrequests]

the little changeling boy

fandom: ATEEZ

characters: titania!park seonghwa

reader: oberon!gn!reader

word count: 1.2k

summary:  today was a good day— that was until seonghwa hears the thunderous call of his name from no other than you, his spouse and ruler of the Forest.

a/n: So this was obviously inspired by Titania and Oberon from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a good play owo Anyway, this is for Hwa’s birthday 🎂 

notes: fantasy AU, royalty AU (somewhat), character death, jealousy but it’s fluffy I swear 

Today is a good day.

The fairy king takes a deep breath, breathing in the fresh fragrance of the flowers and the wind. It fills his lungs and travels through his veins, giving him a clear mind. His flowers were in bloom, trees were bearing fruits and there was not a cloud in the bright blue sky.

“Peaseblossom, please make sure that the daisies are watered today. They look rather thirsty.” Seonghwa tells one of his attendant fairies as he tends to a patch of flowers. “And take Mustardseed with you.”

“Right away, your majesty.” She answers with a small bow. The fae flies away when she is dismissed, another fae with bright yellow wings following behind her.

Ah yes, everything was perfect.

That was until he hears the thunderous call of his name from no other than you, his spouse and ruler of the Forest.

He sighs and couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Nevertheless, he continues to do his chores as if nothing was happening. He could see his other attendants, Moth and Cobweb, flitting about anxiously when they see you storm closer. He could hear the pitter-patter of the small feet of your elf attendants.

“It’s alright,” he tells his two attendants, seeing them shake with fear. “If ______ wanted to attack they would’ve done so already.”

“Seonghwa!” You call out again. Your legs took long strides towards the Fairy King while your poor servant, Puck, tried his best to keep up with you.

“Ah, ______, my love. What brings you here today?” The blond-haired king hums, feigning innocence as he hangs a garland around your neck. “Have I ever told you that white suits you darling?”

You fume at his antics but couldn’t stop the blush rising to your cheeks. You could hear Puck snicker behind you and you sent a glare to him, effectively silencing him. You lean against your wooden staff, the bark almost black like coal, decorated with vines and sad-looking flowers.

“What’s this I hear about you taking in… a child?” You seethe.

You see, Seonghwa’s dear friend and loyal follower had passed away recently, making her young son an orphan. With no one else being able to take care of him, he took it upon himself to raise the boy. And since the boy was born to the late Indian king, it was only fitting if Seonghwa raised him under his wing as prince of the Faes. He didn’t want to tell you of his decision just yet since you were so busy and he didn’t know how you’d take to the news. Unfortunately, that plan never went through since you heard about it so soon.

“Oh, Farhan?” Seonghwa hums and floats away towards the trees. “He was orphaned quite recently so I decided to raise him.”

“Without consulting me?” You follow after your husband.

“I was going to consult you but you seemed rather busy.” He stops by a small patch of wilting dandelions, waving his hand over them. The flowers soon straighten up, their petals blooming back to its full color.

He turned to you again and laid a hand on your staff. Small but elegant flowers bloomed on the spot where his palm lay and offered you a teasing smile. “Besides, there isn’t much of a problem. I’ll have my prince and you’ll have your protégée, it’s a win-win darling.”

“He’ll only receive the best schooling and training. And I’ll be sure to keep watch over him when you can’t.” He continues.

You say nothing though, just nibbling at the inside of your cheek and tearing your gaze away from his. Your brows were knitted together as thoughts run through your head. Your husband quirks a brow at this, tilting his head curiously at your reaction. Usually when you reach this kind of compromise, you’d relent and say a few things but agree. Either that or reject the whole thing completely. So seeing you this quiet and this troubled was new.

But then, a thought crosses Seonghwa’s mind and it all clicks. The sudden bursts of anger, the flustered gazes, it all lead up to one thing. No wonder why you were so moody about this whole ordeal.

His confused expression slowly morphs into a playful one, his long arms wrapping around your waist and pulling you close to him. You were going to protest, thinking that this was one of his ways into convincing you to agree to his plan when he spoke up.

“My dear ______,” he twirls a strand of your long hair around a finger. “Are you perhaps… jealous?”

You blush at his suggestion and pull yourself away from his grasp. He laughs softly, a victorious smile on his luscious lips. You were caught, but your pride didn’t allow you to back down. “Of a boy? Don’t be silly.” You scoff.

“Hmm, I think you are my love~.” He takes in the deepening color of your cheeks. His hand lightly grazes the garland around your neck before leaning in to kiss your forehead. Your irritated disposition deflates at that, allowing yourself to relax under his gentle touch.

“I said I’m not,” You insist despite being proven wrong.

“Don’t worry, I’ll still make sure to make some time for you.” He cooes. “And if you’d like, whenever I’m giving Farhan his lessons, you could join us. At least that way we could bond with the boy while spending some time with one another. It has been a while since we’ve actually talked.”

A heavy sigh leaves you. “I know… and I’d like to apologize for that. I should be spending time with you instead of slaving away with my duties.” You reach out to hold his delicate hand in yours, raising it to your lips and laying kisses across his knuckles. “I know I can’t take back the time that was lost, but I hope you will allow me to spend the time I have now with you and Farhan.”

Seonghwa’s heart couldn’t help but melt at that. Sure you were a bit rough around the edges and a bit more brash than intended, but he knew you cared. He knew how much the people you loved, whether friends or family, and the creature of the forest meant to you. It’s one of the reasons why you work so hard in keeping it safe and why he married you in the first place.

The fairy king slipped his hand out of yours and used it to cup your cheek, leaning in to kiss you passionately. He smiles a little when you melt into the kiss, completely forgetting about the attendants watching from afar with fond grins.

Seonghwa rests his forehead against yours. “Well, I did invite you to join us didn’t I? Why don’t I introduce him to you? You two would get along quite well.” He loops an arm around yours and leads you to the fields nearby where the boy was playing.

The fairy king takes a deep breath, breathing in the fresh fragrance of the flowers and the wind. It fills his lungs and travels through his veins, giving him a clear mind. His flowers were in bloom, trees were bearing fruits and there was not a cloud in the bright blue sky. Soon, joyous laughter from his beloved and the boy fills the air and his heart is filled with love.

Ah yes, today was a good day indeed.

#ficscafe #ateez #ateez x reader #ateez smut #park seonghwa #ateez imagines #park seonghwa x reader #ateez fluff #royalty au #ateez fantasy au #ateez royalty au #fantasy au #ateez seonghwa

[whatifxwereyou]

Ashes Chapter 13: Perception

Fandom: Mortal Kombat 2021

Pairing: Liu Kang x Reader

A/N: Maybe it's inevitable. Definitely cried like an adult while writing parts of this. I'm a weepy baby. I hope you imagine an ugly MySpace style sparkly gif every time Y/N uses the word "kidnapping". As always, appreciate you guys <3

First Chapter << Previous Chapter Next Chapter >> Chapter Index

Buzz.

You peeked one eye open and caught sight of the smart phone dancing around on the nightstand close by. Strong arms were wrapped around you and there was no mistaking who they belonged to this time. Liu. You’d fallen asleep next to each other and somewhere along the line, in unconsciousness, he’d cuddled against you.

This was fine.

This was all fine.

The phone continued to dance and nearly vibrated right off the edge of the nightstand and onto the floor. You grabbed it from its place near the edge and wiped your eyes with your other hand. Johnny Cage. Rubbing your eyes again, you checked the time on the phone. It was nine at night. Carefully you snuck out of Liu’s arms without waking him. You’d mastered sneaking out of bed while you’d been dating Kung Lao. He was so heavy a sleeper that in the beginning of your relationship you had wound up trapped beneath his arms for hours. Then when you tried to get away, you’d wake him up. Eventually you’d mastered maneuvering from his grasp without waking him because waking him led to fooling around or talking and then you were either trapped having to pee or late for some responsibility or another.

Liu adjusted behind you but didn’t wake up. You fixed your askew shirt, grabbed your keycard, and then answered the phone and stepped into the hallway, carefully closing the door behind you.

“This is weird. I don’t think I even got your name earlier.” Johnny spoke without waiting for you to acknowledge him. You chuckled beneath your breath then cleared the sleepiness from your throat. “I know that may seem like it’s a pretty common thing for me but…”

“Y/N. You can call me Y/N.” You interrupted what you were sure was a very cleverly crafted explanation about his popularity and fame. Johnny Cage seemed like the type to be easily derailed from a topic with banter. You’d become skilled at wrangling men like that given that Kung Lao had been your other half for so long.

“And you’re from China, right?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“Just trying to make sure I spell your name right…” His voice was distant, as if he spoke nowhere near the phone. You spelled your name for him with a sigh. “Is that…?”

“That is not important right now.” You interrupted him again. You had to keep him on task or this conversation was going to go on forever.

“Right, yes. I’ve been thinking about this morning.”

“And?”

“I was hoping to hash out the details with you guys before I officially agree to anything.” Johnny Cage tried to sound like he was bargaining with you but you were already convinced that he was joining you. This seemed like a formality. Or like he was dragging it out. Why? You couldn’t think of a good reason. Maybe to try and land a date with Sonya? You didn’t think that was going to happen and also it seemed petty. Then again, you and Liu were a hot mess in the middle of all of this so you couldn’t criticize anyone else’s motives. “I’ve begun clearing my schedule for the next few weeks but I’m a busy man, you know. Takes time.”

“I understand that. I’m sure that we can meet tomorrow to answer any questions you may still have.” There was no point in arguing with him on that. It was a reasonable request though not entirely necessary. Besides, you were still ready to jump to the kidnapping stage of this endeavor. If he caused too much trouble tomorrow then you would promptly lure him somewhere quiet and knock him out. Then you’d go from there. You could probably convince Cole to help you if you had to but you didn’t think it would go that far.

“That’s exactly what I hoped to hear!” You could hear the smile on Johnny’s face. “When we’re off the phone, I’ll text you where to meet me.”

“Sounds like a plan.” You yawned.

“I wanted to ask you something. You seem like a nice woman.”

Oh, how misguided a man Johnny Cage was. Oddly trusting for someone in his position. Here you were planning out an elaborate scheme to kidnap him and drag him to China and he thought you were nice. It was probably the tea thing from earlier. Ah, well. You’d fooled him.

“Ask away, Mr. Cage.”

“Just Johnny, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.”

Then he sighed as if trying to word his question or embarrassed to ask it. You waited patiently. There was no need to rush him. You weren’t sure that Johnny Cage could be rushed. “Are you guys for real? Or are you just dicking me around? No one put you up to this, right?” After everything that you had showed him that morning, he was still stuck on the idea of this being a prank. Was Johnny often victim to silly pranks? Did he find himself the butt end of a joke amongst friends? It was funny to imagine.

“I know that this is… what’s the saying? Difficult medicine to take?” You weren’t so good with the English idioms. Maybe that was why he thought you to be nice. You were far more sarcastic in your native tongue. Your English was good but stuff didn’t always come out right.

“Hard pill to swallow but I got the point.” Johnny chuckled. “…so yeah? It’s true?”

“Trust me, Mr. Cage, I have much better things to do than play silly pranks on you.” You reassured him but he scoffed as if insulted. “That and I’d never heard of you before this.” It sounded like you’d punched him. Ah, yes, the delicate male ego.

“Low blow. Never heard of me?” You could picture the horror on his face.

“No offense meant.”

“I bet you just didn’t remember my name. Dragon Fist? Cage Match? Aquatic Assault? Exiting the Dragon of Death? A personal favorite of mine…”

“Exiting the Dragon of Death?”

“Yeah? You’ve heard of that one?”

“No.”

“Come on, don’t play with me like that.”

“I couldn’t resist.” You spoke over him as he made to list more movies. “I’m sorry to have offended you.” You were certain this could go on all night and you were still tired and now you were hungry too. Your appetite was back and you were far less shaky than you’d been earlier that day. “I did watch one of your films last night with a friend so that I could be familiar with your movement patterns.”

“For that crazy duplication thing you did?”

“For my arcana, yes.”

“…and?”

“It was a fun movie.”

“Which one did you watch?”

“Mr. Cage, this is a conversation for another time. Can we stay on topic?”

“Just Johnny, please.” Apparently no, he could not stay on topic. You pulled the phone away from your face so he wouldn’t hear your heavy sigh. Hearing footsteps behind you, you turned and found Cole approaching holding an ice bucket and offering a wave. He stopped next to you and nodded toward the phone. You mouthed that it was Johnny Cage. Then he offered you a thumbs up, pointed toward the end of the hall and walked away, presumably to get ice. “I’m making a choice to trust you. I don’t think you’re lying to me. I hope I’m making the right choice.”

“I’m a terrible liar so good choice.” He continued going on about something but your brain was tired of the babble. You needed food! This conversation felt like it would have gone on all week if you let him talk the way he wanted to. “Can I trust you no to dick us around?”

“I promise. You’ve got a deal, Y/N.”

“Text me the address and we’ll meet you just before noon.” You assured him.

“Got it. See you then.” Johnny hung up and you breathed a sigh of relief. At least this part of your trip was going smoothly. Seconds later your phone buzzed with a message from the same number. You selected the address and put it into the browser of your phone after figuring out how that worked. From what you could tell, the address seemed legit. A house by the shore. Of course, a beach house. Why wouldn’t he take the opportunity to show off?

“How’d it go?” Cole returned with his bucket full of ice.

“Mr. Cage is going to meet with us tomorrow to discuss details.”

“I anticipated us having to use your devious plan B so I’m surprised he’s going to meet with us.” Cole adjusted the bucket in his arms. “What do you think of him? I’m having a hard time taking him seriously.”

“I meant it when I said that I thought he was funny earlier. Honestly, if we had met without any of this pretense, I think that he and I would get along quite well.” You shrugged. “I also think that he’s going to do what he thinks is right if that’s what you were really asking. Seems like the type to talk a big game but ultimately a good guy.”

“That’s optimistic of you.”

“I usually have a good read on people.”

“I can tell.” Cole gestured toward your door. “You just getting in? Maybe not.” He looked down at your bare feet.

“I was napping.”

“And you came into the hallway to take a call?”

“Yeah, I was uh… going to grab food.”

“Without your shoes?”

“Are you always this nosy, Cole?”

“Not really but this afternoon has been especially boring. Plus, your reactions are entertaining.” Cole smirked. “You have more color now. That’s good to see.”

“Why does no one believe me when I say I’m just tired?” You gestured back to the room. “I’m gonna go.”

“We’re about to grab a bite to eat if you want to join us. Late dinner.”

“No, no, thank you though. That’s sweet. I’m okay.”

“You just said you were going to get food.” Cole laughed.

“…I think I’ll order something.” You pointed to your bare feet but was sure your expression was one that screamed you’d been caught in the most pointless of lies. Cole had inadvertently talked you into a corner. You hadn’t even meant to lie! It had just happened. This was why you didn’t usually bother.

“You’re lying.”

“Yeah, turns out I am. I’m not good at it.”

“I can see that.”

The door to your room opened behind you and Liu Kang peeked into the hall, still looking sleepy.

“Hello Cole” Liu stepped into the hall and kept the door propped open a crack, back leaned against it. Then he bowed his head politely in greeting. He turned to you and spoke Chinese as if this weren’t suspicious. You didn’t think it had the intention that he wanted it to have. “Everything okay?”

“I had a call to take with Mr. Cage. No big deal.” You replied in English to try and make it seem like you had less to hide. Why? Because Cole was already giving you a look as if to say it was ‘nothing’. You sighed. “I’m just about done.”

“Good.” Liu replied in English. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” You snapped at him without meaning to then took a cleansing breath. He was just worried about you but you were tired of the worry. You felt far better than you had earlier. A few hours of sleep had done you good. “I really am fine.” Liu bowed his head politely to both you and Cole and then disappeared back into the hotel room.

“What was it you were saying earlier? About that being nothing?” Cole teased in a whisper after you made no move to offer any explanation.

“If you recall, I also said it was none of your business.” There was no point in trying to lie again. You folded too easily. Instead, you’d be evasive. That was easier. Avoiding the truth was far easier than twisting it at least for you.

“Liu looked pretty tired. You guys have a nice nap?”

“We fell asleep talking.” You narrowed your eyes at his implications but also hated how close he was to the truth.

“Sure, is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

You shoved his shoulder with a laugh. “Your ice is melting Cole. It’s nothing.”

“Yeah, I’m going to have to mentally shift my definition of that word to better fit what I’m seeing.” He teased. “You’re trouble, Y/N. I’m making note of it.”

“You have no idea, Cole.” You pointed to the room behind you. “I’m going now.”

“Enjoy your nothing.” He called after you. You disappeared into the hotel room and then leaned against the door once it closed. You fiddled on your phone and sent a message to Jax, relaying what you’d learned from Johnny Cage along with the address and what you’d agreed to. The door to the small bathroom to your right opened and Liu stepped out, closing the door behind him. He waited patiently for you to finish on your phone.

“When I woke up and couldn’t find you, I was worried.” He nodded to the messy bed where you’d been sleeping. And snuggling. You mustn’t forget that there had been a fair amount of snuggling.

“My phone was ringing and it felt rude to answer it with you asleep so I stepped into the hall.” You shook the phone in your hand and then filled him in on the conversation you’d shared with Johnny Cage. You left out the exhausting banter that had kept you on the phone for far longer than necessary. Even if it had been mentally exhausting, you had also enjoyed talking with him. Your phone buzzed with Jax’s response. “Okay, Jax is going to arrange a ride to take us to meet Johnny tomorrow. He’ll also let everyone else know where to meet.”

“Good.”

Silence followed and you stood awkwardly in the small entranceway of the hotel room.

“So.” You began.

“So.”

“You should probably go, right?”

“Yeah.” Liu shifted but made no move to leave and a smile played on his lips. “Or… I could stay. We could order some food and continue our… getting along for the day.”

“Mostly getting along.” You corrected. Maybe he’d chosen to forget when he’d pushed you against the wall and you’d nearly undressed him. You blinked the mental image away. If you thought about it for too long then you’d probably end up right back where you’d started. “We could. Is that what you wanted to do?”

“Are you okay with that?”

“I guess.”

“There was a menu around here somewhere.” Liu walked back into the open area of the room and you were grateful he’d taken the initiative to make the decision to stay. In all honesty, his presence was comforting and conflicting. You craved the comfort but the guilt and pain made you want to push him away. Your brain was such a mess. Your emotions were even worse. You joined him and mulled over the menu, trying to discern what was safe for you to eat. Liu called to place the order since he had several questions about the food. His diet was more specific than yours was. You had never quite taken to the vegetarian diet completely. Your food arrived and you sat on your bed and ate while making quiet conversation. It was pleasant, if not a little awkward. In a way, it was reminiscent of when you would spend time alone together when you were first dating Kung Lao. You had often avoided discussing the difficult things then but not for the sake of each other. Instead, it was for Kung Lao.

“Cole seems to have taken a shine to you.”

“Yeah, he’s a nice guy and his family is cute. I think he feels guilty about Kung Lao so he’s compensating a little.”

“I could see that. I tried to reassure him that he isn’t to blame.”

“I did too.” You clicked your tongue in amusement. Liu gently nudged you with his shoulder.

“Today was nice.”

“I mean, parts of it were.”

“We had a bit of a rough start but things didn’t end so horribly.”

“Well,” you began in a higher, nervous pitch, “we didn’t exactly fix anything.” Liu laughed. “And I think we definitely made things worse but… all things considered, neither one of us is dead and we aren’t screaming at each other so that’s something.”

“I was thinking and… maybe we don’t have to fix anything.” Liu avoided your eyes and began to clean up dinner. You knew why he was avoiding your eyes because you were looking at him like he’d lost his damn mind. He had. He was insane. You couldn’t keep going like this. You both knew that. “We can’t ignore it, obviously. But we can’t expect to resolve anything when we’re like this. We’re grieving, Y/N. We hurt each other. But I also think that it could be healthy to try and find a way to be content amongst all of that too. We can’t force a resolution, Y/N. I think that’s clear.” Liu’s smile was soft but strained, like talking about it so analytically pained him. “I don’t think I can handle this much misery all the time.”

“I understand.” You didn’t necessarily disagree with him you just couldn’t see the end either. He seemed to think there was some kind of happily ever after waiting for you and you didn’t think there was. The only end to life was death. Even if you found happiness eventually, life would continue moving. No amount of happiness would erase your history nor would it erase your trauma. That didn’t mean you wouldn’t find joy. You were just being realistic. “It’s weird, isn’t it?” You helped him gather the dishes. Liu then placed the tray aside on the desk. You picked up the tray and placed it carefully outside the door and then returned to him. “Surreal is maybe a better word for what we are right now.”

“Surreal works.” Liu’s smile was forced and it pained you. “We’re going to be okay.”

“Oh, you think so, hmm? Confident in that?”

“I am.” He grinned but you could still see that worry behind his dark eyes. Liu had never been a good liar either. It was a wonder that he’d fooled you all those years ago. Perhaps because he’d said all the things that you’d been afraid he’d say.

“I suppose the worst thing that could happen is that we decide not to talk to each other anymore and lose touch. Then in like, thirty years, we’ll reunite and reminisce about the old days. Then this won’t seem so complicated anymore.” You hadn’t realized how much you’d considered that as an option until then. Liu seemed alarmed. “What?”

“Is that what you plan to do?”

“That would imply that I’ve thought past today so… no.” You sat on the side of the bed facing the window. There was no way to open the window so this was as close to the breeze and the stars as you could get. “But it happens. People drift apart even after being as close as we were especially after traumatic stuff like this. And this is a pretty messed up thing we’re dealing with, Liu. I can’t pretend to know what will happen.”

“I don’t want to drift apart.” He sat next to you and cautiously placed a hand over yours on the bed between you. There were times where he treated you like a ticking time bomb. This was one of them.

“Of course not, Liu. I don’t want that to happen either.”

“You had that scenario pretty thought out.”

“This time, Liu? You’re the one overthinking things.”

“Maybe.” He watched out the window, but you felt his thumb brush over the back of your hand. Looking at the night sky was easier than looking at each other. But right now the night sky looked empty. You didn’t see the stars. Just the lights of busy Los Angeles, a thing which brought you no peace. “Do you think you’ll still be this cute in thirty years?”

“I uh…” You laughed and pretended to consider it. “I didn’t think about it. For the brief moment I considered this make-believe scenario, you were still cute.” You joked and nudged him playfully.

“You’re beautiful Y/N, so I’m sure you will be too.” Liu still didn’t look at you. “I always thought so. Even when I used to tease you.” You rolled your eyes at him in disgust and he laughed again. You were well beyond being bashful at his compliments.

“Cut it out, Liu.”

“I just don’t want to leave it unsaid.”

“It feels like you’re trying to butter me up.” You narrowed your eyes in suspicion.

“Maybe. Or… perhaps this last week I’ve been cruel to you. I thought that I’d pay you a compliment instead.” That was as good an excuse as any. You had dug at each other quite a bit the past few days.

“I’m not vain.”

“I know. I always liked that about you.”

“Stop it, Liu. You’re freaking me out.” You laughed and shoved at his shoulder.

“I won’t.” He leaned back on one arm. You reached for your phone on the bed behind you as it buzzed. Jax had verified the location online as legitimate. He’d even found out that the property belonged to Johnny. Apparently, Jax had been much more suspicious of him than you had been. You’d decided to trust Johnny. And if he lied to you then you’d just go to plan B. Kidnapping. Jax continued on to say that he’s pretty sure the asshole just wanted to show off his beach house. You chuckled. You’d thought the same thing. You replied quickly to ask if you were still to meet in the morning in the same place. Jax replied to be in the lobby by ten. “Going off without a hitch?”

“Are you spying on my conversation?” You cradled the phone protectively against your chest and pouted.

“I didn’t mean to.” You set the phone aside face up. You had nothing to hide anyway, you’d just been trying to lighten the mood. Then you watched the dark sky out the window and tried to find something positive to say about it. He was right. You’d had too much unpleasantness lately. “Kung Lao would have loved…”

“Do you think about that a lot? What Kung Lao would have thought or felt?”

“Don’t you?” You thought that was obvious. “We spent most of our time together. This is the longest I’ve been alone in years.”

“I… hadn’t considered that.” Liu’s eyes fell to the floor. There was plenty that you hadn’t thought regarding each other. “It must have been hard waking up next to me.” You sighed heavily. There were those difficult conversations you couldn’t seem to avoid. You didn’t know how to respond. That wasn’t an easy answer. If you could have lied and said it wasn’t weird than it would have been simpler. But lying had gotten you into this in the first place and you didn’t want to lie. You were so tired of hurting.

“I… yes.” You sighed and then closed your eyes tight. “But I confess that I miss being held.” You hated saying it and even got the chills as you did. You and Kung Lao had spent most nights at least next to each other if not tangled up in each other. Liu was watching you with those big sad puppy dog eyes of his again. “But I also feel selfish and awful for having briefly thought it was nice.”

“It’s okay to be selfish at times.” He clasped his hands together in his lap, as if nervous they would betray him as they had often done. “I confess that when I woke up alone, I panicked.” You smiled a little. You hadn’t considered that he would be upset to wake up alone after falling asleep next to you. Oh, boy. You were both a mess. “But then I remembered this was your room and you had nowhere to run, really.”

“Did you briefly consider that I was so dedicated to running away that I went and got another hotel room to avoid you?”

“No.” He laughed and then furrowed his brow as if trying to picture you doing that. “You didn’t consider that, did you?”

“Of course not.” You chuckled, resting your elbows on your knees. “The phone rang and I didn’t want to wake you. That’s about as far as I had thought.” Your head was pounding and you realized all at once that you were clenching your jaw. Ugh, tension headache. “At least this time I woke up with all of my clothes on.” Liu laughed softly and avoided your eyes. Then he laughed harder as if he’d just gotten the joke. “What’s so funny?”

“It’s kind of like déjà vu, isn’t it? You woke up next to me again and then I woke up alone.”

“You know, Liu, I’m trying, but that’s not funny.”

Still he laughed and you watched him in disbelief. Was it you? Were you the one cracking up?

“I have to laugh, Y/N. I have to or I think about how screwed up it is.” He leaned back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. His face fell. You turned to watch him in disbelief and your stomach twisted up into knots. “I just couldn’t help myself, could I? I had to… cross that line.”

“Liu…” You didn’t want to fight again. You thought you had made a truce for the day.

“I have to say this, Y/N.” He turned his head to the side to look at you and you leaned on your side to better meet his eyes. They were so sad and it was killing you. “The woman that Kung Lao planned to spend the rest of his life with. Only a little while after he’s gone and I just… how selfish I am.” You searched his troubled eyes and then couldn’t help but laugh but you weren’t smiling either. Liu knit his brow in confusion.

“Liu, I… I said the same things to myself.” You offered a sympathetic smile but he didn’t seem relieved to hear that. “Not about you, obviously. I don’t think I’ve ever used the word selfish when describing you, really. Or at least meant it. Maybe out of anger… but I… how could I? Kung Lao’s best friend. His brother. I feel like I just lost him and I still, somehow, couldn’t manage to keep myself together well enough not to sleep with you.”

“Sometimes we’re a lot alike.”

“Most times it feels like we’re oil and water.” Now you avoided his eyes, afraid of what yours might reveal to him. “I’m sorry that I ran off that morning, Liu. I panicked. I didn’t know what else to do. I was terrified and embarrassed and ashamed and… the idea of having to talk to you about it was too much.”

“Why were you so scared?” He turned on his side to face you, as if eager for this answer, as if he had been caught wondering that same thing for too long. “I know it was a… big thing but I…”

“I guess no matter how I played it in my head, it went wrong. You uh…” You were having a difficult time saying the words without getting upset. “I kept picturing us having to find a way to… be okay with… it being a mistake because… I…” You were frustrated with yourself for not being able to say it. “It felt like a mistake. Like we’d fallen into an old habit. Or that it was just… a transaction and I couldn’t hear those words again after everything. I was already falling apart and I don’t know what that would have done to me. And then… you being receptive to it would have been just as painful… I… Kung Lao…” You had to stop there. You were pretty sure you’d made your point.

“I think I get it.” His eyes were taking you in while yours were avoiding him and were most likely glassy with tears. “Maybe I didn’t consider how much I’d hurt you back then. It never crossed my mind until you brought it back up and I realized the damage I’d done. I hadn’t considered myself that important.” There was that similarity again. Neither one of you thought yourselves to be important to the other when it was far from the truth. “I wish I’d had a say in the matter that morning.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I understand now.” He sat up and offered you a hand to help your back up too. you took it and sat up with him but he didn’t let go of your hand. “I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that I reacted so angrily. That I was so cold to you. I thought it might make things easier and put distance between us.”

“Did it work?”

“No. No, it didn’t. I wish, more than anything, that I could go back.” His eyes were dripping with sincerity and you avoided his gaze again. You couldn’t help but think that if this had been Kung Lao, you never would have had this conversation. Nothing ever would have gotten resolved. You had both avoided your emotions like the plague.

“To that morning? Hard pass, Liu.”

“Think about it. I could wake up with you. Keep you from running. We could talk.”

“That’s a fantasy, Liu. It wouldn’t have ended the way you want.” You threw him an accusatory glance. “You’re fantasizing. I was too panicked. I would have lashed out.”

“And maybe I could have kept a level head.”

“It’s a fantasy.”

“Let me have my fantasy, Y/N.” He laughed and gave your hand a squeeze. His smile faded as he let go of your hand and closed some of the distance between you. Your instinct was to pull back but you didn’t. He pushed your hair away from your face and tucked it behind your ear. The loose strands of your long hair tickled your neck as they fell back into place. You turned your gaze away. His hand was warm as it rested on your cheek and you could feel him admiring you.

“Seems dangerous to let you.”

“Many good things can be dangerous, Y/N,” he whispered. You got the shivers and moistened your lips nervously. You should have moved back when you’d wanted to. You were so much closer than you’d realized and his lips brushed just against yours. He was going to kiss you and you knew what would happen. Tender kisses led to feverish kisses. No kiss between you had ever stayed just that. You had never once exchanged a soft, momentary kiss. Every single time you had wound up in his arms. His lips would treasure yours like they were something priceless and yours would tease his in return to make him want more. Then you’d be naked.

The more time you spent this close to Liu the more inevitable it seemed to wind up in his bed and you weren’t sure that was the right thing. You weren’t sure it wouldn’t destroy you. It was a dangerous way to think but he was right too. Many of the best things were often dangerous.

“Don’t.” You managed and caught his eyes, half-lidded and admiring your lips. His gaze snapped back up to yours and you watched as he took a careful breath. You could feel it against your lips. He was thinking it too. How dangerous this had become.

“Probably a bad idea, right?” His voice was low and just for you.

“An incredibly bad idea.” You tried to joke but your words fell flat. It was miserable being this close to him and not kissing him, against every instinct in your body. You could feel as he ran his tongue over his lower lip, as he weighed the pros and cons of defying you. You held your breath.

Then he scooted back a few inches. You felt like you could suddenly breathe, like the air was less thick than it had been so close to him. Your heart was hammering away and it was a headrush, as if to punish you for having wanted that kiss. You cleared your throat and put more distance between you. But try as you might, you couldn’t stop thinking about those marks you’d left on his back that you had so clearly felt earlier. Did he think of how you’d clung to him in passion every time he shifted and felt those scabs? That was truly a dangerous thought.

“It’s late. I should go.” He had turned away, but his eyes were wide and his breath was short, as though he were also fighting dangerous thoughts.

“Yeah. Good idea.” You got up and walked past him and around the bed. He followed you and then walked past you to the door. Then he bowed politely.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” He looked hesitant, as if he were still considering crossing that line again.

“Get out, Liu.” You gestured to the door behind him, making the choice for him. He laughed and did just as you asked. Once he’d gone, you leaned against the door with a thud and whined. “What am I doing?” You closed your eyes tight and felt a wave of guilt weigh you down. Then you flipped the swing bar lock shut on the door as if this would provide you with protection from your stupid feelings.

Maybe you had to reconsider the situation.

Maybe this was inevitable.

Maybe guilt wasn’t enough to keep you from being attracted to Liu Kang.

It felt wrong. It felt like you were betraying Kung Lao. It was too soon and you were too broken. But maybe someday it wouldn’t be those things. You weren’t sure how long either one of you could wait either. Spending the afternoon with Liu had been eye opening.

Next Chapter >>

#liu kang x reader #self insert #reader insert #liu kang #mk liu kang #slow burn #mortal kombat movie #mortal kombat 2021 #ludi lin #liu kang/reader #liu kang x you #liu kang/you #fanfic #fanfiction #angst #romance #death #tension #grief #beauty through ash #mortal kombat fanfiction #mk fanfiction #liu kang fanfiction #mortal kombat fanfic

[strawbeebo]

~♡ Shio, Shoyu, Miso ♡~ [3/3]

Fandom: Jujutsu Kaisen

Pairing: Megumi Fushiguro x Fem! (She/Her) Reader

Warnings: SPOILERS!!! the spoiler is implied in the anime already and I think is coming up this week’s episode or the next, however I still want to put a warning just so y’all know!

Words: 3.6K

Genre: Fluff

A/N: the final chapter is here! hope ya enjoy

TAG LIST: @fairytailwzard​ @itadaklmasu​ @thebiggestnaturaldisaster​ @drealugo31 @minnieminnie00-got7

As always, if you enjoy this and want to see more of my work, PLEASE consider reblogging as it’s the best way for my works to get around and keepin’ me motivated to make more for y’all!

PART 1 | PART 2

When Fushiguro didn’t show up the following week, you didn’t pay much mind. The second week of his absence wasn’t that strange either. By the third, however, you were starting to wonder if maybe something happened, but your hopefulness filled your mind with assurances that he was probably just busy, maybe he had some sort of exams coming up or maybe he had just been too tired to make his way into town. Still, your hopefulness could only lift your spirits for so long and after a month of not seeing him, your mind couldn’t help but go to places of self doubt. Had you been too forward? You thought you had done a decent job of hiding your feelings, but maybe you weren’t so clever after all. Maybe he realized and got nervous and, not wanting to have to tell you off, decided it would be best to just cut your friendship short before things got awkward. Or maybe he just was never that interested in your friendship, or rather what you assumed was friendship. Maybe your lovesick mind was just filling in the blanks, putting meaning into every small smile he’d send you or every accidental touch even when he was nothing more than a polite customer. 

Another week and all you felt was embarrassment at the thought that you let your emotions get this out of hand. The two of you were barely friends, he was just a nice guy who made conversation with someone his age while getting a meal. There was nothing special, in fact you probably didn’t even really like him like that. Most of your friends were in relationships and it was making you a little bit of a hopeless romantic is all. You probably would’ve latched onto the first attractive person who gave you attention that could be perceived as romantic interest. Every part of your heart and mind were telling you that it was all just one thing or another, anything but a serious crush, and yet despite all that time and overthinking, eventually you had to admit defeat and throw up the white flag.

You liked Fushiguro. A lot. You loved his passion for his friends that he tried so hard to hide under a grumpy frown, you loved how he always seemed to put others first, you loved his goofy hair that he complained he could never get to lay flat, you loved everything about him to bits. However now it seemed like you had waited too long, decided to avoid the embarrassment of admitting to liking someone so much even though you hadn’t known him for long and now you were stuck with these feelings and didn’t even have the option to let them out. Another week passed and you had made one final decision: if you ever saw him again you were going to ask for his number and then ask him out. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. You thought your chances were slim of you seeing him again and even slimmer of him returning your feelings, but it was actually quite the opposite, the problem was that things for Fushiguro had just been...complicated.

He couldn’t even think of a way to explain the rollercoaster that had been his life lately, especially not to someone like you who knew nothing about what his life was really like. Hell, the past month and a half had moved so quickly even he was sure he had missed some of it. A few big fights were one thing, but losing Itadori after having the shit beat out of him by Sukuna was like getting hit with a ton of bricks. It didn’t feel real, it felt like a mistake, as if somehow he had dreamt up the whole thing. But it was real, he knew that from the look on Kugisaki’s face, and probably his own too, when they received the final news. He didn’t cry, hell he didn’t really know what to feel, and for a while you were gone from his thoughts just like everything else. He was moving on autopilot for a long time, only starting to get himself back on track when he was introduced to the second years once more as the two classes, or what remained of them, worked on some training for the upcoming challenge against Kyoto's students. 

It was then that thoughts of you slowly began to weasel their way back into his mind, only now he didn’t know where he was going with those thoughts and feelings. It made him feel a bit sick at first, or maybe he just felt guilty that despite losing his friend he couldn’t help but think about you amidst the aftermath, but he couldn’t do anything to stop it. At night when he’d try to fall asleep he’d think about Itadori and naturally his thoughts would drift to you. He’d tell himself that you probably couldn’t begin to understand his own self made hell that was his life and, even if you could, he wouldn’t want to drag you into something that could turn so dark in a matter of minutes. From there he moved on to convincing himself that maybe the two of you could just be friends and he could go back to how things were, but that just made him realize you’d be needing an explanation as to why Itadori wasn’t around anymore, plus he already tried to whole ‘acting like his feelings were strictly platonic’ thing and it never worked out once he was actually with you. So things stayed that way, with him having you on his mind whenever he would drift from thinking about school, but not actually doing anything about his situation. See, he thought he was getting back into a normal groove until once again his world was flipped over on its head.

Itadori was back. He was seemingly happier than ever and, y’know, without a giant hole in his chest. Not only that, but he had been back since only a few days after his ‘death’ and it was Gojō’s decision to keep him hidden until then. If Fushiguro could’ve, he would have beaten the ever living shit out of both of them, but there were more important things at hand so both he and Kugisaki were a bit forced to accept this new reality, act like they hadn’t been torn up by losing Itadori, and move on. And move on they did, and on and on and on. More unexpected turns of events, more fights, more questions and curses and all sorts of inexplicable things until finally, for a moment, they could breathe. And of course, just like any other time when his mental space wasn’t filled to the brim with more dangerous and serious matters, his mind drifted back to you.

 It had been about two months now since he had seen you, maybe more, and yet now he was more hesitant to visit you then he had been before. Itadori, however, was not, and he had a feeling it might be a good idea to pay you a visit without the company of his friends and that’s exactly what he did. The two of you talked for a bit as he ate, obviously not about the...odd events of his life, but there was one thing that even he couldn’t dismiss. First it was how excited you were to see him when he first walked in, then it was the look of disappointment on your face when you asked if Fushiguro was joining him and he said no. You tried to hide it, maybe you didn’t want him to feel bad that you were more looking forward to seeing Fushiguro rather than him, but he could tell regardless. You went on to explain that you hadn’t seen him in months and while you didn’t say how much you missed him or tell him anything about your revelation of your crush on his friend, he could tell that something was up. Still, you talked with him a bit more, wished him well, and he went on his way, practically making a beeline for Fushiguro’s room the second he got home.

His incessant knocking was more than enough to bring Fushiguro’s concentration on the book he was reading to a grinding halt and he could tell before even opening the door that it was probably Itadori. 

“What.” He asked, making zero effort to hide his annoyance as he opened the door to see his beaming friend.

“Guess what! I went and saw (Y/N)!”

Your name alone was enough to cause his eyes to widen and a wide range of questions and emotions to fly through his head. It wasn’t that he had forgotten about you, god knows that’s far from true, but he had sort of...pushed you back. Figured if he procrastinated or didn’t think about this one little issue for long enough that maybe it would go away, but Itadori just made sure that wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

“You what?”

“I said ‘I went and saw (Y/N)’! Do you need to get your hearing checked?”

“Why?” Was all he could ask, catching himself before he managed to ask his list of questions. Were you okay? Were you mad? Did you even care? Itadori simply gave a shrug in response, putting his hand under his chin as if he were thinking very hard on what he should say.

“Well I just figured it’s been a while since I’ve seen her, I like her a lot y’know, she seems cool.” He spoke, missing the way Fushiguro’s eye twitched at the notion of Itadori ‘liking her a lot’. “She seemed kinda sad too, she got real excited when I walked in, but seemed pretty disappointed when I told her you weren’t with me. She said she hasn’t seen you in months, what’s up with that man?”

For a moment his heart jumped at the prospect of you missing him, but then he was left with guilt just as quickly.

“We’ve been busy.” He muttered, already knowing that was partially bullshit. He had been busy before, but he had a good amount of recuperating free time over the past two weeks that he spent properly avoiding you and his feelings for you.

“I guess…” Itadori hummed. 

From their second or third visit to see you, he had a tiny suspicion that Fushiguro had taken a little bit of an interest in you, but judging by his reaction even he could guess that there was a significant amount more than just a ‘little’ interest.

“You should go see her.” He said, quite matter-of-factly, “I mean we’ve got some free time with it being summer and all. She’d probably like that a lot. Besides, you only live once right? Well- ok I guess that’s not right for me to say but you get what I mean.” 

Fushiguro rolled his eyes and gave him a short “Yeah.” in response and since Itadori had said all he really wanted to say, he gave him a goodbye shortly after that before making his way to his own room, leaving Fushiguro alone with his thoughts. He didn't want to get his hopes up as he tried to think this through without losing his head. Itadori said you seemed sad and that he only assumed you had missed him and if he knew Itadori, he knew he wasn’t always the best at reading the room. Besides, even if he was right and you really did want to see him, that didn’t mean you thought anything of him aside from being a friend, but then again, wasn’t that enough? Either way, hadn’t he been itching to see you and just avoiding it because he didn’t know what to say? He closed his door with a sigh before running a hand down his face with a groan. He still didn’t really know what he was doing or how to navigate his feelings for you, but he just wanted to see you, enough so that he was willing to forego his usual ‘think first and act second’ methods and simply decided that if time allowed it, he’d stop by to see you this weekend, which was exactly what you had been crossing your fingers for.

You had been halfway over the moon since Itadori paid you a visit and once again it seemed like you had forgotten your prior shortcomings, though it wasn’t really that you had forgotten, you had just sort of come to terms with the outcome. Even though you were a bit sad that Itadori had come alone, he didn’t mention Fushiguro having any ill will towards you and seemed equally surprised that he hadn’t visited you which made you think that at least he probably wasn’t upset with you in any way. Granted if he wasn’t upset with you and he didn’t not like you, that left you not really knowing why he had been gone for so long, but with Itadori coming in it gave you high hopes that you could either ask him about Fushiguro or Fushiguro would come in on his own. You hadn’t backed down from your promise to yourself and now you actually felt less nervous about the prospect of confessing. You felt like even if he didn’t return your feelings, having him around as a friend would be just fine for you, though while your spirits were up in comparison to how they had been, his had dropped to the bottom of his stomach.

He made it all this way, which really wasn’t that far from home or anything, but now that he was standing just out of view of the restaurant windows, he was having a bit of trouble getting his legs to keep going. He had practically been repeating ‘the outcome doesn’t really matter’ as a mantra to himself the last couple days and his whole walk here, but now he realized the outcome did matter to him. A lot. He only thought it didn’t matter because he figured if you rejected him there was no way you’d want to flat out cut him off entirely, but now he was worried staying strictly friends would be so much worse. Could he really push his feelings down just like that? If he wasn’t able to stop his feelings for you, would you be able to tell? Would that push you to stop contact? He knew the only way to find out was to see for himself, but his heart was currently trying very hard to just say ‘fuck it’, turn around, and save himself the possible heartbreak, but his resolve to do so was cut short and all it took was hearing his name.

“Fushiguro?”

You had gone outside to set up a little sign announcing some new menu options when out of the corner of your eyes you saw him, standing about ten feet away from the entrance with furrowed brows as he glared down at his feet. You couldn’t help the grin that bloomed on your face as you closed the distance between the two of you, stopping a few feet in front of him as his eyes finally snapped up to meet yours. If your heart could have burst with joy it surely would have, meanwhile his was hammering in his chest like there was no tomorrow. He heard you speaking, asking him where he had been and explaining your worry that he’d never come back, but it felt like your words were going in one ear and out the other as he simply stared at you.

“Am I losing you? Sorry it’s just-... actually I can talk your ear off while you eat.” You laughed nervously, trying to keep your composure and act like you weren’t bursting at the seams with intent to confess.

 “Anyways, what’s it going to be for you today? Salt, soy, or-“

“Actually, I wanted to ask for your number.”

His jaw clenched as he realized what he had just said without even thinking. He wanted to backtrack, to make some excuse, say he misspoke, but he knew this was his last chance so despite the look of sudden shock on your face he decided to keep going.

“I just- I thought it was kind of weird. That I don’t have your number yet, I mean.” 

Your face flickered with confusion and for a second he felt sick to his stomach. He was mentally stumbling over himself, suddenly not sure what the hell he was doing as he could feel redness creeping up his skin all the way up to the tips of his ears.

“And uh,-“ C’mon brain, please just give him at least a few more moments of functionality before crapping out on him. “Damnit, this is so stupid….do you think maybe you’d want to go out with me some time?”

He muttered part of that at himself, but you really didn’t care. All you could feel were the butterflies erupting in your stomach and the heat warming your cheeks even more than the setting summer sun had.

“...You mean like here?” You muttered, almost immediately mentally smacking yourself a second after the words left your lips. It was like your brain just had to make sure this was real and what he was asking of you wasn’t just some misunderstanding.

“What? No- I mean, I guess it could be? I was thinking more like...getting ice cream or something...together.”

Now he was avoiding your eyes, one hand nervously rubbing at the back of his neck and his cheeks ablaze with color. A moment passed and his heart began to sink and he was fully prepared to turn his ass around and strongly ignore any questions about where he had gone, but it was the sound of your laughter that kept him from doing so and instead brought his eyes back up to meet yours.

“Sorry, I’m laughing at myself, not you.” You said with a smile so big you had to bite your inner cheek in an attempt to make yourself look less thrilled. “I’m kinda jealous, I’ve been working myself up to ask you the same thing all week y’know. You kinda stole my thunder.”

He blinked, his brain taking a moment to process that you were accepting his offer- no, not even just that, but you had been wanting to ask him? Suddenly he felt even more guilty for avoiding you, then he just felt plain stupid for not asking you sooner.

“I’m…sorry about that.” He replied, eyes still a bit wide as his brain continued to mull over what was happening. “And about not coming by sooner. I’ve been busy...and I had some stuff going on.”

“Oh, that’s ok.” You responded, your giddiness only ceasing for a moment. “Honestly I was pretty worried about you, but I figured if you felt comfortable explaining then you would. But if not that’s fine too I’m just...really glad I got to see you again.”

“Yeah, same here.”

The conversation between the two of you quieted and you were left simply staring at one another, a mix of apprehension and excitement brewing inside both of you, but before more words could be exchanged the two of you were interrupted by your mother opening the shop door and yelling at you to come back inside.

“Ahh, ok so- How about I get you something to eat first and then we can figure out where we’re going to go, huh?” You asked with a shaky laugh and a nervous smile that for some reason made him feel like he could finally let out the breath he had been holding for what felt like ages as he gave you a short nod and followed you inside. 

All these worries about what would or could happen and yet here you were, just like always. Talking happily over food, though of course this time the conversation was a bit different as you discussed the different places you both liked trying to decide where to go as if you both knew it didn’t really matter where because the feelings were already there even before you had your first date planned. Your smile still made his heart skip a beat and the feeling of his eyes on yours still made your skin feel warm, but now it felt better without needless excuses or worries.

It felt like the two of you spent hours together over one bowl of ramen and when it finally was time to say goodbye, you both felt comforted in the known fact that it wasn’t permanent and that you weren’t leaving each other dissatisfied. Sure there was no knowing the future, hell he hadn’t even been five minutes away from you before new thoughts and concerns about where this was going entered his head, but it only took one look at the small slip of notebook paper he held in his hand with your name, number, and a small heart scribbled onto it to remind him that for once, he really didn’t care about the possible negative outcomes because he knew one thing for sure. For you, he was willing to take the risk, to take the good along with the bad and let himself be happy for once and if that’s what you wanted too, he was more than happy to let this story that started with an option between salt, soy, and miso ramen play out for as long as it possibly could and, if he was lucky, maybe, just maybe, that story would never have to end.

#jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen x reader #megumi fushiguro #megumi fushiguro x reader

[mcwerewolfblack]

Yule Ball: Part III - Professor Snape x Reader [Smut]

Synopsis: You and Professor Snape sort out a poorly written examination in his classroom, but somebody sees. With your reputations at stake, only magic can save you now... and a little of something else too, at a time most inopportune. 

Notes: Sorry this is three days late, but I wanted to edit it to perfection, since it’s been a year since the last part! Enjoy, I love all of you so much. Happy holidays x

@fandom-puff​ (sorry I know there are so many more ppl who asked to be tagged but I lost track!) 

Part One

Part Two 

Part Four

The soft bubbling in his classroom late at night was comforting to Severus. He found it helped him think... and grade test scores, as per what he was currently preoccupied with. The moon is full outside, shining through what little window Snape had left uncovered. He ignores the squawk of Hagrid's distant Hippogriff (that thing takes pleasure in ensuring he never got any peace and quiet as of ten o clock at night) and gets back to the paper. He scowls.  

"What is it with these twits?" he murmurs to himself, using his wand to mark a large "fail" on Ron Weasley's test, flopping it onto the pile of Fred and George's equally dismal efforts. Just then, he flips to one with your neat, flowery handwriting on it, and stops.

Well, what's the problem? Just mark it as you would any other student. Besides, this will be nice and quick. (y/n) always gets a perfect score on my examinations.

Beginning to read though, he finds himself beginning to frown. Wrong... another one wrong... He looks up at the ceiling, and clenches his jaw. Of course. Why should he expect any less, when you'd been all over him for the past month?

----

The next afternoon, you’re wiling away potions by watching your quill spin in its inkwell. Wandless magic, along with perfecting the art of apparition, is something you’d been trying your hand at for years, and the fruits of your labor are just starting to manifest now.

“Miss (y/l/n).”

Your attention moves up to Professor Snape, at the head of the potions room.

This your last class of the day, before a much needed weekend rest. You're supposed to get the test grades back this afternoon, and you have to say you're excited-- you studied long and hard for it, attempting to make Snape proud of a little more than your talents of bewitchment.

"Miss (y/l/n). May I see you after class?"

You smile to yourself. "Of course, sir." You expect he'll reward you, calling you his good girl, telling you all about how much you deserve him tonight. Snape was rarely pleased with anything, but you're sure he'd find exception in your astounding work.

After class had finished on the note of homework and groaning, you stay in your seat, assuring your friends you’d catch up later. Once the rest of the unassuming students had filed out, you move to get up and join him by his desk, but he strides over before you can, thwacking the test down in front of you.

"What… is this?"

You look down at it, and give him a charming smile. "The best damn exam you'll ever grade."

Snape makes a noise halfway between a laugh and a groan, sarcasm dripping as he says, "I insist you take a second look."

You frown, and look down at your work, flipping through. As you do, you become more and more frustrated. "But-- but I knew this one! This is... this was clearly draught of the living death..."

"Was it?" Snape asks patiently, staring at you with his arms folded, "I pray you never need to brew it, then."

You huff, glaring up at him. "Do you know, I studied for hours for this--"

"Don't lie to me," he hisses, "I know what you're doing. Fail the exam, get called up to see me when everyone else is safely in their dormitories and get the punishment of a lifetime.” He leans in, glowering. “I know how your mind works."

You balk. "You actually think I'd sacrifice my grades in potions to have sex with you?! You have more of an ego than I thought, professor!"

Snape sputters. It does sound quite far fetched the way you put it, but...

"Perhaps your exams are a little too hard," you raise your eyebrows, and push the test away from you.

"Perhaps. Perhaps I was mistaken as well..." He holds his frown. "I want a perfect grade next time, do you understand me?"

"Oh, perfectly. It's just I've been so preoccupied with extra activities, like the frog choir, that whole tri-wizard competition-- I mean the tournaments are bloody thrilling! They'll be leaving soon, anyway, with all the visitors. Also McGonagall's lessons..."

"There's nothing Professor McGonagall can do that I can't do twice as ruthlessly."

"Yes. I know," you smirk.

“Do not let it happen again. My class takes precedence… you should know that by now.” Snape waits, and when you don't get up to leave, sighs. "That will be all, Miss (y/l/n)."

“Will it?”

He turns back at your teasing tone, and already feels a headache coming on. He fell right into your trap… which wasn’t even a trap in the first place. He brought this on himself, truly. Perhaps he should just forget how to feel guilty. After all, how many times had this happened?

"I'm not wearing anything beneath my robes."

Snape gives a tight lipped smile. "I was never foolish enough to believe you were."

"Proved it a bit difficult in class..." you begin to shrug the robes off, "Malfoy was hanging over my shoulder the whole time, it's a bloody miracle he didn't get an eyeful.”

"Perhaps he did," Snape muses, "We'll never know." You watch him closely, parting your legs. He still looks hesitant, even after all these times.

"We don't have to if you don't want to," you bite your lip, starting to undo the robe, "But Professor… I want to."

He puts a hand on yours to stop you, and you look up in surprise. Maybe this is really where he would take a stand... you were wondering when he would.

But he smacks your hand away, giving you that look. "Don't touch." He turns you around, and slots himself behind you, dark hair falling against your cheek. "That's. My. Job."

You grin, and he slowly opens your robes, admiring how your tie falls between your breasts, perfectly centered.

"This will have to come off," he murmurs, taking the tie with the tip of his fingers, then stops. "Unless..."

"What?" you breathe.

He hums thoughtfully, eyes narrowing. "Perhaps I ought to make sure you receive what you deserve. It was an abysmal examination score, after all..."

A thrill runs through you. "What do you mean?"

"This is the third time we've done this, and somehow I doubt it will be the last. You believe I'd let you get off without a punishment for your dangerous behavior?"

"I believe you'd let me get off.”

"Silence." Though he maintains most of his stern expression, you can sense his impulse to smirk. He takes the tie off, and ties it around your wrists behind your back, laying your back on his desk. He then begins to slowly tug the robes off, and groans when he sees your breasts bare to him in full. You moan, stretching your arms, and bite your lip, blinking up at him.

"You don't deserve what you have in mind," he whispers, "You deserve my lips on you, teasing you, bringing you close until I deny you what you need. That is what you get when you don't take my class seriously."

You whimper, rubbing your thighs together. "But Professor... please, I haven't touched myself all week."

He narrows his eyes. "Why? Preparing for something, were we?"

You avert eye contact, blushing. "I..."

"Go on."

"I expected a good grade. I thought you would reward me, daddy."

Snape inhales sharply at the name, and you see his hips start to slightly shift to rub against the desk. "Well, we both saw how that turned out. Knickers, off."

Just as you're reaching down, you both hear someone mutter an 'alohamora.' The door swings open on you and Snape. There, a boy your age stands, eyes a fraction wider.

"Krum," you breathe. He seems caught, and slowly backs away. Snape's eyes widen slightly, and you pull your robes back on. Before you can run after the visiting student though, your professor grabs your arm, tugging you back.

"He'll tell Karkarov," you protest desperately.

"He will," Snape nods, "Let him. There is little he can prove. It will just seem like dirty sportsmanship for the Durmstrang visitors to try and smear the reputation of one of Hogwarts' best teachers.”

Still... it was unnerving.

---

The next day, you're far more on edge than usual. A meeting had been called, as Snape had relayed to you, and you’re both so sure it’s about… that.

You lay on your bed, flicking your wand about as a feather dances atop you. It floats up, down, with each unspoken leviosa of your wand, and finally, you let it fall against your chest. You would much rather be practicing your apparating—it was a little harder, and would take your mind off the possibility of your getting expelled.

You try and push the thoughts of Snape out of your head, and replace them with where you want to apparate. Focus… focus…

In Dumbledore’s office, Snape takes his seat alongside McGonagall, Dumbledore, Sprout, Flitwick, Karkaroff, and Maxime. Pursing his lips and narrowing his eyes, he doesn’t say a word.

“Well. Let us bring to attention why this meeting has been called,” McGonagall begins, and Dumbledore nods.

“Quite right, Minerva. There has been an incident.”

In your dorm, you concentrate hard on apparating to the library. If you could only… focus…

“A special thank you to Karkaroff, for one his boys, Victor Krum, bringing this situation to our attention,” Dumbledore goes on. “It is a matter we here at Hogwarts, take very seriously.”

Snape is about to open his mouth, when he feels something under the table, directly in front of his legs.

You glance around, confused. Where had you ended up?

“A matter, I might say, that could even have serious repercussions if not looked into further.”

“Mon Dieu,” Maxime tuts, “What has happened, Albus?”

Oh, shit. Oh, shit! Your subconscious had won out. You had been thinking of Severus too much when trying to apparate, and had apparated to the meeting.

Snape could not, for the life of him, figure out what had just materialized between his legs. Pretending to drop a vial from his sleeve, he reached down to check… and the two of you came face to face.

Snape’s eyes widen, then he narrows them into slits. The glare is threatening in every way it could be, and you cower back a little.

I didn’t mean to, you try to mouth, but he’s already sat up again. His boot comes up, and lays to rest on your stomach, keeping you far away from him, yet close enough so the others can’t feel you. If anyone else was to check under the table, it’s not like you have an invisibility cloak—you’d both be dead meat.

“What, might I inquire, would this matter be?” Severus asks, in the most level voice he can manage. He was absolutely furious that you were where you were. Had you no shame? He was about to lose his job over this! You were simply taunting fate, at this point.

“I’m very glad you asked, Severus,” Karkaroff interjected with sinister glint in his eyes, “For this matter concerns you.”

Between his legs under the table, you try to apparate back. Only… you didn’t apparate with your wand on you. Damn wandless magic! Now you couldn’t get back.

“What have I got to do with anything, pray tell, Igor?” Snape is doing a rather good job of sounding unimpressed, bored even. You start to squirm, listening to his deep voice. It still does things to you, even in a situation like this. Especially in a situation like this.

“It is a matter of something Krum saw, Severus,” Dumbledore says slowly, “Something troubling indeed.”

Under the table, desire starts to creep up on you. You had been given a very rare, very exciting opportunity here. You could get back at Snape for grading your test badly, and have a little fun along the way… two can play at that game.

“You see, we have learned that it involves one of our students here at Hogwarts,” Minerva says sternly, “Namely, Miss (y/l/n) of (y/house) house.” You hesitate, then take the chance to unlatch him.

“Miss (y/l/n)?” Snape quirks a brow, “A model student.”

“Seems like such a lovely girl. Tres jolie,” Maxime comments.

Snape begins to frown, feeling your hands on his breeches. You weren’t. You wouldn’t…

“Yes, well there’s no doubt about that,” Flitwick says, “But the news we have heard of her is nothing short of shocking! Nothing we would expect from a young lady of her stature.” You take Snape out of his pants, half hard, and close your mouth softly around his tip. He tries to swat you off, but you dodge him.

“No doubt,” Minerva agrees.

“Surely…” Snape swallows, shifting his hips, “Whatever she has done… can be forgiven?” Oh….

“Why would you be so quick to forgive her, Severus?” Minerva asks, “We haven’t even learned of the situation.”

“I only wish to reprimand students when reprimandation is wholeheartedly deserved,” Snape clenches his jaw, giving you a good whack with his knee, “Otherwise, such punishment would subsequently lose its value.”

“Well. With that I agree,” Sprout speaks up, “But this, from what we’ve been led to believe, is a very serious issue!”

“Out with it, then,” Snape annunciates in that menacing tone, “What exactly has she done, and how exactly… does it involve me?” His hand grabs you by the hair under the table, and tightens. If you’re going to play with him like this, then he will remain in control.

“Why don’t we simply ask the boy himself?” Karkaroff smirks, and with a whisk of his wand and the utterance of Dumbledore’s secret password, the doors open. Victor Krum comes in, rigid as if he had been trained for battle. He gives a swift bow, and stands before them.

“Tell us what you saw, Victor,” Minerva encourages. Krum looks to everyone, brow furrowed. Snape guides your head, gritting his teeth. He’s already close, and he can faintly hear you moaning like a whore.

“Wait for a moment,” Filius says, holding up a finger, “I hear something strange.”

Snape coughs, trying to overpower the sounds of him getting his dick sucked by a slutty little student. “Must be Hagrid’s Hippogrif,” he grumbles, “The infernal thing does not know how to quiet down.”

“Buckbeak only caws at night,” Filius frowns, “This sounds much closer.”

Snape begins to sweat. This was it. If you didn’t quiet down your sounds of pleasure from under the table, you would both be found out, and that would be that. Disgraced, humiliated, cast out--

Igor clears his throat in irritation, and attention is once again collectively returned to Krum. Snape relaxes a little bit, this being the only time he’s ever praised his old death eater friend for interrupting something.

You smirk under the table, quieting your moaning down a little as Snape slams you back into him, your lips sliding down even further over his cock with each thrust into your mouth. It feels so good to be used, especially in such a dangerous situation—you’d never been so wet in your life, and you start to rub yourself, gasping softly and gagging on his large cock.

Snape curses you out in his mind. You’re a troublemaker, more than a troublemaker, and absolutely disobedient little girl. What he wouldn’t do to slam you down over a desk right at this very moment and teach you a real lesson.

“Go on,” Minerva encourages Krum gently, “What you say will never leave this room.”

“Unless required,” Flitwick sniffs, straightening his tie.

“Oh, Merlin,” Snape grunts, crumpling forward a little. He’s on the edge, he’s about to come… Everyone turns to him, their stares burning.

“Something to say, Severus?” Karkaroff jabs, sneering.

Snape’s eyelids flutter, and he white knuckles the table as his orgasm hits him. You moan under the table, feeling it on your tongue, and you come as well, biting back a whine. Fuck, you’re hit little whore… oh, yeah…

“Severus?” Minerva prods, frowning. Snape clenches his jaw, regaining his foothold on the conversation.

“Only a reminder that I am very busy and do not have all day. Consider this an encouragement, Mr. Krum, to spit it out,” he growls, then his lips tug up ever so slightly. “Though not everyone present in this room must take that advice.”

You hold back a giggle, and swallow dutifully.

Through the confused stares of the heads of houses, Krum finally speaks. Snape holds his breath, and you listen carefully, nerves buzzing. At least you went out with a bang.

“I was walking past Professor Snape’s classroom,” Krum begins, staring at the dark Slytherin head of house, “And…” Everyone seems to lean forward. “And spotted (y/n)…”

“Yes?” Sprout murmurs. Snape worries the inside of his lip. This was it. Perhaps he could apparate as smoothly as you had, out of this room. Though he could never match your impeccable timing, surely.

“—I spotted (y/n) stealing lacewing flies from Professor Snape’s personal storage.”

Snape nearly drops his jaw. Everyone at the table looks terribly scandalized, and he counts his blessings that it is not for the reason they should.

“Allow me… to explain,” he says, fixing himself discreetly under the table. “I had given (y/n) an assignment outside of class protocol, brewing a specially modified batch of polyjuice potion for extra credit. I have been tutoring her as somewhat of an apprentice.” He looks up at Krum with a curious sort of respect. “I… appreciate your diligence in reporting what would typically be an unforgivable offense against my private collection of ingredients, Mr. Krum. However, in this particular case… no further action is required, at the bidding, of course, of Headmaster Dumbledore.”

Dumbledore opens his hands. “Your explanation is quite sufficient, Severus. I see no further need to pursue any consequence toward Miss (y/l/n), if her intentions were warranted and academic.”

You sigh in relief under the table, and Snape smirks. Karkaroff is fuming, thinking the matter would absolutely ruin him. The potions master lifts his chin.

“Will that be all, then?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” he growls, and rises. He gets out a small vial, and hands it to you under the table, as the others talk amongst themselves.

“Drink,” he mutters, and you do. Before your eyes, you begin to turn invisible. His potion-brewing abilities never fail to astound you. Flitwick and Sprout spot the slight elevation in the tablecloth as you get out and follow Snape. They frown at one another, and check for an open window anywhere in the office.

You follow Snape to his classroom, and this time, he locks the door.

“You are lucky he said what he did, you little harlot.”

You smirk, the small vial already wearing off. “He knows Hermione. Hermione knows me. It’s only natural he’d cover for me.”

“And what you did back under the table?!” he continues, cape billowing as he paces. You grimace a little, waiting for that. He just sighs, glancing at you. “Will be the reason for my nightly shut-ins.”

You saunter over, kissing his cheek. “I knew you’d thank me.” He doesn’t look up.

“Hardly. Detention for the remainder of the school year.”

“But sir!” You slowly start to realize what that means. “Ah. Yes, sir.”

He can’t help but smile to himself as you leave for your dormitory, admiring your uniform on the way out. Perhaps he hadn’t taken such leave of his senses when he had found you that night at the Yule Ball, as he had so forced himself to believe. Perhaps, instead, he had come to them.

#severus snape x reader #reader x severus snape #severus snape #snape #snape x reader #reader x snape #alan rickman #alan rickman x reader #reader x alan rickman #alan rickman imagine #snape imagine #severus snape imagine #snape smut #severus snape smut #harry potter #harry potter smut #harry potter fanfiction #snape fanfiction #snape fanfic #yule ball #yule ball fanfiction #pro snape

[cyhyr]

KakaIru Maze 2021: Cursed Places

Fandom: Naruto

Rating: T

WC: ~4400

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Additional Tags: Devil's Bridge, Ghosts, Demons, Curses, Established Relationship, Love Confessions, Oaths & Vows, Presumed Dead, Pet Names

A/N: Hey y'all I'm back on my bullshit and writing nonsense again ;)

This is based on the legends of Devil's Bridges. The one I referenced is the Rakotzbrücke in Gablenz, Germany. The curse, however, I made up, after reading all of the other legends of other listed devil's bridges I could reasonably find.

Read on The Archive

~

“What a gorgeous bridge!”

“Careful, now; it looks rather old,” Iruka says, cautioning Kakashi’s genin as the three of them run up to the stream’s edge. They’re busy ooh-ing at the perfect circle the bridge makes with its reflection in the water, and Iruka’s watching them closely and is distracted.

Kakashi takes the opportunity to sneak behind Iruka and wrap his arms around his waist, to rest his chin on Iruka’s shoulder and press his nose into the soft skin behind Iruka’s ear. One of Iruka’s hands reaches back and snags his hair, pressing Kakashi’s face closer into his neck. He glances up—the kids are still distracted—and quickly shifts aside his mask and presses his teeth to the back of Iruka’s neck, kisses him, delights in the soft gasps he draws out.

“Kakashi,” Iruka's voice is warm and smooth, and he chuckles, “not now.”

Kakashi pulls back and replaces the mask. He shifts so he’s standing beside Iruka; drops one arm but keeps the other around his waist. He presses one last, masked kiss to Iruka’s hair, and then they begin walking again.

“Iruka-sensei! Are we crossing the bridge?” Naruto asks.

“There's no need,” Iruka says. He’s right. Even if their group wasn’t shinobi and knew how to walk on water, the stream is shallow enough that they could cross to the other bank with little problem. They stay on the path beside the water and approach the bridge, but don’t veer off to cross.

There’s a statue where the path turns off, and a sign in the arms of the stone figure. Sasuke is the one to stop and read it aloud. “Cursed Bridge: Do Not Cross.” He turns to the rest of the team and shrugs, “Guess it’s good we’re not going that way.”

“What? You scared, Sasuke?” Naruto taunts.

“No, he’s just smarter than you!” Sakura says. “It’s not a bad thing to avoid curses.”

Sasuke ignores her. “I’m not scared, idiot. I’ll be the first to cross the bridge and prove that the sign is a hoax.”

Before Naruto can get another word in to continue the fight, Iruka interrupts. “Our destination is another two day’s walk,” he snaps. “Admire the bridge’s architecture all you’d like, but we’re not tempting fate by messing with a clear warning.”

Kakashi, beside him, tamps down on his jumping heart. Iruka’s so cute when he gets worked up.

The kids think otherwise. All three of them fall back in line and keep walking. Sasuke hangs back a bit and mutters, “Sorry, sensei,” quietly enough that only Iruka and Kakashi can hear. He then joins Naruto and Sakura up ahead.

Kakashi takes a few steps to follow, but then notices that Iruka isn’t moving with him. His hand has slipped around and settled on Iruka’s back, and he calls out softly for his partner. “Iruka?”

Iruka is staring at the sign, head tilted. His feet are rooted, a defensive technique taught in order to withstand earth and lightning attacks. Kakashi takes Iruka’s hand, surreptitiously slips his thumb against Iruka’s pulse and frowns.

It’s really slow. They’d been walking since dawn. If anything, Kakashi expected his pulse to be faster than usual.

He tries again, a little louder. “Iruka? Love?”

“A fate worse than death awaits those who cross this bridge, lest their souls be theirs to lose,” Iruka mutters. He looks back at Kakashi, his eyes wide and a tremble creeping down his spine. “You—none of you heard it, did you?” he asks.

Kakashi turns to the genin and calls, “Stop where you are! Don’t come back here, but don’t get ahead!”

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all turn at once and look back at him. Naruto looks, for a moment, like he’s going to disregard his orders, but the other two helpfully keep him calm and hold him back.

Kakashi faces Iruka again, and says, “No, I don’t think they heard anything like that either. Love, we need to get you out of here. Can I move you?”

Iruka's dazed, his eyes unfocused and glassy. His breath is coming slower, and he sways to either side. "It said it as soon as Sasuke started talking about proving it wasn’t a hoax. I don’t—Kakashi, it’s sad.”

“We need to leave.”

“It sounds like a child. Can’t we—oh fu—”

Kakashi catches him as Iruka drifts to the side, his rooted feet laxing and tripping underneath him. He slips his arms under Iruka’s knees and back, picking him up easily. He relishes the soft, even breaths against his neck as he flash-steps away from the bridge and closer to his genin.

“Iruka-sensei! Is he okay?”

“You three set the pace,” Kakashi says, “but we need to move as fast as possible. Don’t stop, don’t look back—not even at me and Iruka. Not unless I tell you to stop. Do you understand?”

He gets three nods of different speeds of hesitation. He has to stare down Naruto before the kid gives him the affirmative.

“Good. Go.”

Then they’re off, leaping through the trees and keeping the path by the stream on their right. Kakashi keeps a tight hold on Iruka, who slips further and further into a comatose state. His breath comes slower with each branch Kakashi kicks off of, and his eyes finally close half an hour into their run. He goes fully limp within another hour; Kakashi has to pause to adjust his grip and pulse his chakra so as to not drop his partner.

The genin stop when he does. He doesn’t yell at them. He knows he should, but he’s too worried by what could possibly have happened to Iruka to bother.

~

There’s a village up ahead which is in their itinerary, but which they hadn’t expected to reach before tomorrow morning. Kakashi calls for the genin to slow down, to flank him, and to keep up defensive positions until they have more information. This village is the closest to that supposedly cursed bridge; if there are legends or stories about the place, they’ll find them here.

Team 7 enters the village at a gentle run, and stop in the first business they see. Helpfully, an apothecary.

“Jii-san! Can you help?” Naruto asks the man at the counter with no preamble.

The old man looks up from his mortar and pestle, and takes in their appearance—specifically, Iruka’s. He narrows his eyes and stands, coming around his counter.

“You lot passed the Devil’s Bridge, didn’t you?”

Kakashi asks, “What's wrong with him? The sign said it was cursed, but only warned against crossing. We stayed on our side of the stream.”

“That’s… well, then this is just incredibly unfortunate, son,” the apothecary says. He gestures for Kakashi to set Iruka down on a futon, set up alongside one of the walls. “He went and stood before the statue for a bit then, didn’t he?” the man continues once Iruka’s settled.

“He said he heard a child’s voice,” Kakashi says.

“A child’s? That’s new,” the apothecary checks Iruka’s breathing and pulse, his temperature, and then finally lifts up his eyelids briefly and nods. “The curse is set. You lot are shinobi, aren’t you? Just passing through, or staying a while?”

“No, please; what’s wrong with Iruka-sensei?” Naruto pipes up behind them. The other two, for once, are silently backing him up. Kakashi, too, wants more information than what’s been given.

“What is this curse, and how do we break it?” he asks.

The apothecary sighs heavily. “Son, there ain’t no way out of this one. He got caught up in a pact that was supposed to be settled a long time ago, but…” His gaze is distant, watching the world outside the window over Kakashi’s shoulder. “He ain’t getting better, ‘less he crosses the bridge. And even then, after that his soul is forfeit. It’s a kinder fate to say your good-byes now and—”

“NO!” Naruto shouts, falling forward and kneeling beside Kakashi on the floor. He puts a hand on Naruto’s back and pulses his chakra to check in on the Kyūbi seal; it’s holding fine. “There’s gotta be another way! Please, Jii-san, there’s another way?”

The apothecary shakes his head. “I have a drug for this situation,” he says quietly. “It won’t hurt. He’ll slip into deeper and deeper sleep until his body simply shuts—”

“If you want your village to remain standing by morning,” Kakashi says, voice low and threatening, “you won’t finish that.” He pulses more chakra across his connection with Naruto to keep the seal steady, but can already tell the signs of the kid’s protective anger rising. “You mentioned before, it was new that Iruka heard a child’s voice. What do you mean by that?”

Sasuke and Sakura come to kneel around Naruto as well. Naruto reaches out and takes Iruka’s hand between both of his own.

The old man clears his throat. “Well, see most people who get the curse hear the voice of a deceased loved one, or a… hmm.” He strokes his beard with two fingers. “Did he say what the voice said?”

Kakashi recites, “‘A fate worse than death awaits those who cross this bridge, lest their souls be theirs to lose.’”

The man looks up, shocked. He stands up quickly for someone so old, and crosses the shop to a bookshelf. “‘The bridge waits for love to cross unhindered, for death can be a fairer fate to choose.’ Did he say that, too?”

“No, he didn’t. What is it?”

“The rest of the inscription,” the apothecary says, taking a book down and thumbing through it. He holds it open in his palm and frowns down at the pages, flipping back and forth, and finally settling. He brings the book back to them, and hands it, still open, to Kakashi. “My daughter,” he says slowly, sadly, “she also heard the call of the bridge. And the statue spoke to her, and it said the same thing. She said… she said she heard her mother, at the time. She told me what she heard, before the compulsion grew too much.”

“Kakashi-sensei,” Sakura says, reading over his shoulder, “look there. It says that the curse compels its bearers to—”

“I see it, Sakura.” He sighs. “How long do we have before he wakes?”

“Before he tries to cross that bridge,” Sasuke grunts.

“Considering his condition, a few hours,” the apothecary says.

“Is there any way you know to wake him before then?”

“No. All we can do is wait, and see how the curse manifests.”

~

Kakashi sends the genin out to find dinner when the sun starts to set. It’s difficult to convince Naruto to leave Iruka’s side, but he takes him aside and murmurs, just for him, “I won’t leave him. I won’t let him leave. Iruka is safe with me. Go eat something; he’ll kill me if he finds out I’m not taking care of you when he can’t.”

Naruto follows after Sakura and Sasuke.

The apothecary, who eventually introduced himself as Natsu, putters around his shop, putting together poultices of wet salt and herbs—like it’s going to help. Kakashi holds Iruka’s hand tight and watches as the dying sunlight crosses his face.

Finally, he starts to wake.

“Iruka, love?”

Iruka opens his eyes and sits up at once. Kakashi keeps hold of his hand and stares at the new color his eyes gleam in the evening light: cold red, just like the sharingan.

“I have to go back,” Iruka says.

From behind his counter, Natsu winces. “If you go, you’ll die,” he says.

“If I don’t, the child…” Iruka looks over at Kakashi and asks, “What else am I meant to do?”

“Stay,” he pleads quietly. “Be selfish for once and stay. For me, for Naruto, for the village, I don’t care but—”

Iruka laughs—three barks of horrible, defeated laughter. “If I don’t do this, am I really me?”

Kakashi softens. “No,” he admits. “No, you… but gods I wish…”

“There’s a child who needs me, Kakashi. Who am I to deny them?”

“You have a child already, and he needs you,” Kakashi tries one last time. “At least let us go with you.”

“Absolutely not. If any of you cross, you’ll die too. Better one of us than… than all.”

Then Iruka makes a few hand seals and presses his free palm to Kakashi’s cheek. “I’m sorry, my love.”

This is what he gets for falling in love with a fūinjutsu master. A sleep seal to his face, without the seal master needing ink or paper at all. He slumps forward, and Iruka catches him and trades places with him on the futon. He’s asleep before his head is placed on the pillow.

~

Iruka drifts his fingers over Kakashi’s slack face. The seal won’t hold for long; it’s not strong to begin with, and he purposefully weakened it so as not to even risk any harm to his partner. He turns to the old man behind the counter, still packing herbs into a silk poultice with wet salt. “Are you going to try and stop me, too?”

“No,” the man says tiredly. “I tried that once before with my daughter. All it did was prolong both our suffering.” He finishes the poultice and ties it closed with a piece of string. “You’ll want these. If the demon takes you, and it more assuredly will, they’ll keep you safe.”

“Herbs and salt?” Iruka shakes his head. “Thank you, but I’m not going to a demon. I’m going to a child.”

“That blond boy was concerned about you. You should reconsider, try to fight.”

“You just said—”

“I know what I said,” the man snapped. “I won’t stop you. That doesn’t mean you won’t break that man’s heart when he wakes up and you’re gone.”

Iruka leans over and kisses Kakashi’s forehead. “I have to do this.”

“That’s what my Naomi said, too,” the man muttered, suddenly tired again. “Go, if you must. But please, for my own peace of mind?” He holds out two of the poultices, one in red silk and the other in blue. Iruka gives Kakashi’s cheek one last touch and then stands, crosses the room, and takes the blue poultice.

“Give the red one to Kakashi, when he comes after me,” Iruka says. He doesn’t look back, tucking the poultice into his weapons pouch and striding out the door. Once outside, he turns back to the forest, to where the stream skips and flows, and he dashes away.

~

Natsu is kneeling beside him when Kakashi wakes up. He scrubs at his face to get rid of any lingering traces of the seal, and sits up. Natsu silently hands him a red silk bag which smells of salt, sage, rosemary, and—

“He left not ten minutes ago,” Natsu says. “If you hurry, you should be able to catch up. Get your last words in before he’s gone for good.”

Kakashi puts the poultice away and stands up. If the sleep seal is good for one thing, he at least feels refreshed and able to run, even after carrying Iruka and running along the trees for hours earlier.

“Shinobi-san,” Natsu continues, “if today is your last day with him—”

“It won’t be.”

“Shinobi-san—”

“Iruka is strong. He’ll make it past this. We’ll make it past this.” Kakashi stands, pats himself down to assure himself his weapons are in place, and then asks, “Is there an inn I can send my team to settle in for the night?”

Natsu sighs, and waves him off. “I have spare rooms. Your children can stay in the patient quarters, and if—when you come back,” he grins sadly, “my daughter’s old room is made up for guests.”

Kakashi nods. “Thank-you, Natsu-sensei. Please, keep the genin here until dawn as best you can.”

He doesn’t wait for a response. He’s wasted enough time. Once he’s on the street he bursts his speed like he used to in his ANBU days, back to the bridge. He should check in with his team before leaving them behind, but he feels he knows them enough to know that they won’t stay back if they know the situation.

So he runs. And when he catches Iruka’s scent his heart flutters. And as he comes closer to the bridge he can sense Iruka’s chakra—warm and steady—and he sighs.

Iruka

Don’t leave me. I can’t take another heartbreak.

He stops in front of the statue, really looking at it this time. It’s grotesque, depicting a monster with fangs and horns, feathers and fur alike. But the more Kakashi looks at it, the less frightening the statue seems and the more he gets the feeling of longing from the wide eyes and wrapping limbs.

It’s still holding the sign. Cursed Bridge: Do Not Cross.

Kakashi looks out at the bridge, and wants to be surprised to see Iruka standing at the crest of the bridge, looking off the side downstream. He’s not surprised, but he does catch his breath, because a glance in the water shows the reflection of two figures, even though Iruka is alone on the bridge.

“Iruka!”

His gaze turns away from the water and back to the bank, and Iruka smiles. He says something to the invisible figure beside him, and then comes back down the arch of the bridge.

He stops before he steps off, though. “Kakashi,” he holds out his hands.

“Your eyes are brown again,” Kakashi says, helpless but to step forward and put his hands in Iruka’s.

“Den-chan says the red eyes were always temporary.”

“Den?”

“The little girl who’s stuck here,” Iruka says. “She had been offered to the bridge as a guardian, but… oh, Kakashi, she’s so young, I can’t imagine she ever learned how to do this right.”

Kakashi brings Iruka’s hands to his face and kisses them through his mask. “If anyone can teach her, it’s you. Don’t lose yourself.”

Iruka sighs. “I think… but, I have to cross the bridge all the way, to see her home. It’s part of the curse. Den-chan doesn’t know how to undo it, but she knows she needs to be led across the bridge to be able to leave it.”

“And if you cross? This ‘fate worse than death’?”

Iruka nods. “I walk into the land of demons. And once one does that, the only way to leave is to become a demon yourself, a process which takes centuries.”

“You’re prepared for this, then.” Kakashi knows his voice is cold and his hands tighten around Iruka's. “Please, please reconsider.”

“If I don't try,” Iruka leans his forehead onto Kakashi’s and closes his eyes, “then my life energy, my chakra, will wane with the night and I’ll be dead at dawn. Den-chan unconsciously uses the chakra of those who refuse her in order to sustain herself.”

“You can’t,” Kakashi stops. Breathes. “Please. We’ve had so little time together. I want—I want, Iruka, and that’s more than I’ve felt in so long.”

Iruka kisses his cheek, his forehead, and then pulls his mask down and presses their lips together. The kiss turns hungry and desperate in a blink, and Kakashi tries to step into Iruka’s body to hold him, but is held back by Iruka’s hands flattening on his chest. He put his hands on Iruka’s hips, torn between grasping him tight or reaching back and groping—

“She’s still watching,” Iruka groans. There’s a smile in his voice. “Behave yourself.”

“Never,” Kakashi murmurs against his lips. “If this is the last time I get to hold you,” he takes a chance and grabs a handful of Iruka’s ass, groaning deep in his throat.

Iruka laughs, loud and clear. But still, he takes Kakashi’s hand off of his backside and presses a kiss to his fingers.

He still smiles, but is more subdued as he says, “I want… Kakashi, my love, I need you to do something for me before I—”

“I’ll take care of Naruto.”

Iruka shuts his eyes and ducks his head. He hisses a breath through his teeth and sniffs, “Gods, how did I get so damn lucky?” He lifts his eyes and strokes the side of Kakashi’s face, still bare from their kisses. “I love you. And I would be yours forever if fate would let it be.”

“Fuck fate,” Kakashi presses their foreheads together, kisses him again. “Let the earth become sallow and the oceans dry up—death will not keep me from you.”

“Kaka—?”

“My life,” Kakashi says emphatically, “my soul, is yours.”

Iruka looks back over his shoulder to where the little demon is, and then he kisses Kakashi quickly. “Will this work?” he mutters.

“Who cares? I’m not lying, Iruka. I am yours.”

Iruka swallows a sob and fights back tears. “Oh, gods I love you, Kakashi. My soul, my life, is yours. Death cannot keep me from you.” They share one last deep, searching kiss, and Iruka tears himself away from Kakashi’s arms and back to the crest of the bridge.

He stops once there, speaks to the air like there’s someone there, and then offers his hand like he once did for Naruto when the boy was six years old. The figure shifts into sight as they cross the bridge, a little girl in red pigtails, who looks back at Kakashi and smiles sadly at him before she fades out of view over the crest.

Iruka doesn’t look back.

~

Kakashi sits beside the statue with his eye closed, his mask back up around his nose, and his arms resting on his drawn up, spread knees. He had stood at the bank of the stream for an hour, not daring to cross after Iruka; he has a promise to keep, one of them has to stay alive to care for Naruto. But the hour passed and midnight came and went and Kakashi is trying not to sob for the unfairness of it all.

Iruka hasn’t come back.

The book Natsu-sensei gave him said that there is a theory that one whose soul belonged to someone else could cross unburdened. It would seem that a declaration of undying love and a mutual claim on each other’s souls isn’t enough to subvert the curse. He’ll have to tell Natsu-sensei about it later.

The night wind blows cold. Kakashi wonders if Orochimaru ever figured out that eternal life shit; maybe then, Kakashi will be around when Iruka comes back as a demon.

Kakashi

There are no animal noises in the forest tonight. He’s stuck somewhere between denial and depression. Bargaining is useless and anger… Well, maybe the animals have the right idea in leaving him alone.

Kakashi

Kakashi!

“Kakashi, my love, please look at me.”

He does—he opens his eye and here, kneeling in the dirt between his legs, is clearly a hallucination or a spector and fuck Kakashi doesn’t know which is worse. Iruka’s eyes are warm and brown and worried, and his hands are braced on Kakashi’s arms, over his knees. Before he can start crying again, he shuts his eye and tips his head back against the statue.

“If you’re going to haunt me, please—”

“Oh, my Kakashi, I’m here.” Iruka shuffles forward on his knees and places a palm on Kakashi’s neck. He-he can feel it. “Don’t count me out so soon.”

He throws himself forward, wrapping each of his limbs around Iruka’s body just to feel how solid he is. And he is, solid, warm and laughing and real and—

“How?” he sobs into Iruka’s hair.

“You,” Iruka says quietly. “It’s you. ‘Lest their souls be theirs to lose.’ Remember? It was your brilliant idea, my love.”

“I. But it took so long. You—you were gone for hours.” Kakashi pulls him in tighter (as though it were possible) and nudges his mask down with his nose so he can kiss every bit of Iruka he can reach while still being wrapped around him.

“I had to make sure Den-chan would be okay. And then find my way back.” Iruka kisses his temple, long and soft. “Your soul is beautiful, Kakashi,” he murmurs. “Thank you for giving it to me. It was the perfect beacon.”

“Iruka,” he whines. “Fuck, you’re really here.” He pulls back, enough so he can slip his hands up to frame Iruka’s face and press his thumbs into the scar bisecting his face, his lips, the corner of his eyes; beautiful, brown, perfect once more. He leans in and kisses Iruka again because gods he can’t help it.

“I came back for you, my love,” Iruka says against his lips. “You made sure I would. And Den-chan isn’t attached to the bridge anymore. She’s been trapped on this plane for centuries and you let me go so I could lead her to where she belonged. I can’t thank you enough. I can’t love you enough.”

Kakashi doesn’t let him keep talking anymore. He pulls Iruka down on top of him, still kissing, and together they spend the rest of the night reaffirming that, yes, Iruka came back—and yes, Iruka was real.

~

In the early morning rays, Iruka leans against a dozing Kakashi and watches the sun’s reflection on the water. He sees the spectors of dozens of people cross the bridge, fading away as they reach the opposite bank. Each one is led by the hand of a little girl in red pigtails, dressed in white.

He breathes easy. Den-chan knows her role now, and is helping all those she had accidentally hurt over the years. She had never wanted to be known as a demon, cursing the bridge; she just wanted to go home and needed a specific kind of person to bring her there.

Iruka turns his head into Kakashi’s collar and sighs. If he had to tie his life, his soul, to anyone, he’s glad it’s Kakashi.

Den brings a young woman to their side of the bridge and lets her leave, waving to her spector as she leaves the bridge and steps onto the path. The woman takes a few steps before vanishing, crossing into the next life. Den notices him sitting by her statue and smiles, giving him his own wave before going back to the crest of the bridge for the next soul.

Iruka lifts a hand in a subdued wave.

The sun rises.

The lovers sleep.

#KakaIru Maze Challenge 2021 #Cursed Places #hatake kakashi #Umino Iruka #KakaIru #my writing

[firemedicdiaz]

Our Branch of the Family Tree - 4

Fandom: 9-1-1. Word Count: 1175. Genre: angst. Rating: teen+. Warning(s): mentions of injuries, blood. Summary: Maddie’s life hangs in the balance on the way to the hospital after she escapes Doug and Buck is left wondering whether he’d be strong enough to survive without her. Note: for @thebuckleysiblingsweek 2021.  AO3 link here.  Unbeta’d.

            “Oh my God, Maddie, no, yeah.  Chimney’s alive; he made it.  You both did.”

            Buck held Maddie’s hand like a lifeline as the ambulance sped toward the nearest trauma center, away from Doug, from the horrors and ghastly memories the woods at Big Bear held.  He tried his best to keep her spirits up as the paramedic in the unit with them worked to get her stabilized.  He could tell she was on the fence between the waking world and the blissful darkness of unconsciousness, undoubtedly being tempted by the respite passing out would bring.  He hoped the good news would give her something else to cling onto.

            “Is he going to be okay?”

            Buck nodded, reaching up to cup Maddie’s cheek, brushing away a tear with his thumb.

            “He’s going to be fine,” Buck promised.  “And so will you.  You just have to hang on a little longer.  We’ll be at the hospital in no time.”

            Maddie made a wordless noise, blinking slowly and letting herself relax into the stretcher a little.  Between the blood loss and the morphine, sleep was looking pretty good.  

            “‘M tired,” she slurred, her breathing shallowing as the pain medication sank its claws into her.

            “You’ll have plenty of time to sleep once the doctors clear you, but until then you’ve got to stay awake for me.”

            Even as she nodded Buck could see that she was losing the fight.  He squeezed her hand hard, but she only managed a twitch of her fingers in response.  He called her name, his tone a little frantic, but she didn’t respond beyond a soft hum as her eyes fluttered closed.  

            “No, not yet, Mads,” Buck urged, slipping his hand from her cheek to her shoulder and giving it a shake.  “Don’t you dare.”

            Buck’s heart nearly stopped when she didn’t respond.  He glanced up at the monitor she was hooked up to, his eyes frantically scanning the quick and somewhat erratic heart rhythm on the screen and finding only a modicum of relief to see that it was stable.  He reached up to press his fingers to her neck, dropping his head and taking solace in the pulse he could feel there.  She was alive, and he prayed that she would keep fighting.

            The monitor started beeping in alarm a moment later and he quickly spotted the problem.  Maddie’s oxygen saturation was dropping and he cursed as the paramedic reached into a nearby compartment and swapped Maddie’s nasal cannula out with a non-rebreather mask.  The numbers improved a little bit and the monitor fell silent, but the rushing of blood in Buck’s ears as his heart pounded more than made up for the quietude.

            “Look at me, Maddie,” he pleaded, leaning in so he would be the first thing she saw if she opened her eyes.  “Wake up, please don’t leave me alone.”

            His voice cracked on the last word and he dropped his head, his entire world narrowing to that moment, to him and Maddie and a desperate prayer.  He couldn’t bear to think about what his life would be like if anything happened to her, if she let go, but at the same time it was all he could fathom.  His heart sank as he rubbed a thumb across her bruised and bloodied knuckles, tears welling in his eyes.

            Buck scarcely noticed the paramedic working around him until his voice broke through Buck’s grief enough to get his attention.

            “I’m going to need you to hold pressure on that wound,” the medic instructed firmly, gesturing to the stab wound on Maddie’s abdomen.  “The dressing’s just not cutting it.”

            Buck didn’t even pause as the medic held a pair of gloves out to him; he was already covered in so much blood that any more would hardly make a difference.  He reached out instead, firmly flattening the palm of his free hand over her wound, staunching the blood flow.  Satisfied, the medic went back to work running another set of vitals, leaving Buck alone with his thoughts once more.

            “You’re going to be okay,” Buck echoed the mantra from earlier.

            He glanced out the back window of the ambulance, watching the scenery fly by.  The mountains were fading into foothills, but he knew they were still a ways off from the hospital.  Too close to warrant stopping to wait for a helicopter, but far enough that he was concerned for Maddie’s condition.  Sighing, he tore his gaze away from the trees whipping by outside, focusing instead on the rise and fall of waveforms on the monitor.  Two heartbeats to every one second; fast, too fast, twisting each minute into an agonizing eternity.  

            Buck felt his phone buzz in his pocket but he ignored it.  He knew it was cruel to leave the team hanging, but he wasn’t sure he could hold back a sob long enough to pass along any news.  They’d have to wait, just like he was.  Athena would tell them that Maddie had been stable when they’d left the scene, but a lot could change in a half hour.

            “Have a trauma surgeon on standby.”

            Buck glanced briefly over at the medic in the captain’s chair, the grim reality that Maddie’s condition was dire settling into his very bones.  She was still with him, she needed him, but he needed her too.  He couldn’t stop seeing flashes of a future without her in it, no matter how many times he shook his head, and it scared him to death.

            “You’re strong, Maddie - strong enough to beat this.  Just hang on a few more minutes.”

            He lifted her hand, brushing a gentle kiss over her knuckles.  His other hand never wavered, his strength never flagged as he kept pressure on her wound, and he allowed himself to feel the smallest flicker of hope as the monitor cycled again, flashing her latest blood pressure.  It had come up just a little from the last time.

            “I’m sorry,” Buck said softly as his gaze flicked to her face again.  “I promised you he wouldn’t find you.  I promised you’d be safe here, that I’d protect you.  I’m so, so sorry.”

            His guilt was so cloying that Buck’s own chest felt tight, like a vice was closing around his ribcage, threatening to choke the life out of him.  A single sob escaped before he could put a lid on his emotions and he was so consumed with anguish that he almost missed the weak, subtle twitch of Maddie’s fingers against his.  His head snapped up at that, his eyes searching her face as he loosened his grip just enough that she could move her hand again if she wanted to.

            “Maddie?”

            Silence, stillness, nothing.  Buck glanced down at their joined hands, willing something, anything to happen.  When nothing did, his heartache set right back in, leaving him wondering whether he’d just imagined everything.  He sighed as the scenery outside changed to something distinctly more urban, signaling their proximity to the hospital.

            “Just a little bit longer, okay?  We’re almost there.”

#buckleysiblingsweek2021 #9-1-1 #fanfiction #9-1-1 fanfiction #Evan Buckley #Maddie Buckley #angst

[pikemoreno]

colors

pairing: catfish morales x reader

summary: a summer with frankie, as told by colors

word count: 5k

warnings: mentions of drug use (but no actual use!), talk of frankie’s past (so there’s some violence, death, ptsd), there’s some fluff, some angst, what can ya do!

a/n: an idea brought about by a similar fic i’d written for another fandom + talking about what summer with frankie is like with @lesqui​. 

i liked it for a while. now i’ve stared at it so long that i kinda hate it. but hopefully you enjoy it at least a little!

( @hdlynn​, this is me tagging you as requested. ily.)

Summers with Frankie were green. 

Frankie was ever the outdoorsman. He would spend every single hour of the warm days outside if he could, sleeping with the canopy of leaves as a ceiling, the soft grass as a floor, and a hammock strung between trees the only thing separating him from either. He did it on multiple occasions over the warm days: spending the night in the backyard. The less-than-luxurious sleeping arrangements weren’t exactly doing wonders for his aching, overused joints, but it did wonders for his mind. Disconnecting like that calmed him in ways nothing else ever could. Sometimes he’d go by himself to get away, but he didn’t like it nearly as much as when you or Santiago went with him. (He had found too much time in complete solitude outside had the opposite effect; too much time to think.) You were, of course, more than happy to oblige and go with him.

“It includes a nice view. And you... An even nicer view,” you would tell him, “Of course I wanna join.” That always sent warmth right to his cheeks.

The views were nice: wispy clouds and darkening skies interrupted by the trees that stretched overhead, their colors muting as night overtook the forested backyard; and beautiful Frankie, setting up his hammock. You watched from your hammock as he pulled his own taught, admiring the muscles in his back that were visible beneath his henley. You didn’t think you were staring that hard but then...

“Admiring that view, sweetheart?” he asked as he turned around, pleased with his work and the way your gaze rested heavily on him.

“Mhmm… Why are you bothering with that one anyway? You know you’re not gonna be using it. You’re gonna be over here in mine--” You didn’t finish. He’d sauntered over, hands resting on the fabric on either side of your head. 

“Go on. What am I gonna be doing instead?” he breathed, teasing. 

“Probably me.”

“You think so?” he hummed, “Maybe I should be bringing you out here more often.” His arms still supported him as he hovered above you just out of reach. You were growing painfully impatient

“Oh, just shut up and fucking kiss me already.” You swatted at his arm to get him to come down to your level and he took no more time in-- finally-- meeting your lips. You snagged the cap off of his head, letting it fall to the grass below. He was already too entranced to notice, but he certainly did notice the way your fingers tangled in his hair, the way your lips parted upon contact. He deepened the kiss in response, shakily getting himself onto the hammock to kneel over you and free up his hands. The kiss only broke when he let out an: 

“Oh shi--”. 

In a split second, you felt the hammock tip precariously to one side before it returned to normal. You opened your eyes to find Frankie, still hovering just above you, looking as though he’d just escaped death: wide eyes, heavy breaths, hands gripping the edges of the hammock’s fabric. You felt the breath of his laugh against your lips and a mumbled:

“Whoops.”

You laughed too. The kissing resumed, full of life and breath and utter joy, eventually travelling to your jaw and neck, hitting every spot he knew so well. Both of your hands travelling lower, lower…

You were right, of course. There was absolutely no need for the second hammock. It hung lamely from the two oak trees, moved only by strong breezes and not the shifting weight of a body. As expected, Frankie never left yours. 

“I almost died getting up here. There’s no way I’m pressing my luck by trying to leave tonight,” he argued as he pulled you in to himself.

“Sure,” you quipped back, letting your head rest on his chest. The henley had long since been discarded, laying on the grass with the cap. You sighed at the closeness: legs tangled; an arm, gentle, but strong around you; fingers drawing light patterns on your own bared shoulder. The trees above you and the stars just past them seemed closer too, all wrapping you up in serene safety as you drifted off.

Summers with Frankie were green. Green like the trees and the grass that surrounded you that night. Green like the feelings of safety and harmony that bloomed in your chest.

Summers with Frankie were blue. 

There was a creek near the house Frankie grew up in. It was the last stop of many on the grand tour he had taken you on through his old childhood haunts, and it was probably the one he was most excited for. Sure, he was excited that you’d gotten to meet his parents for lunch and see his old house and all of the memories with it, but his old creek. This was hallowed ground.

He led you over rocks and down slopes to the “best spot” on the creek. Despite the way the creek you sought was rushing mere feet away, you continued farther and farther down the cragged, unforged path. 

“I promise, this other spot is way better. It’s calm and it’s not as rocky and there’s this rope swing we put up one summer and--” He went on and on, praising the place of his childhood. You didn’t understand the difference between here and there, but you trusted the enthusiasm in his eyes and his years of experience, which he obviously had. Frankie’s feet still knew every step as if he could see a trail where you couldn’t. With every “careful here” and “hold on let me go first,” as he slid down a steep slope, it was as if he’d carved the path into the earth himself. He pointed out memories to you as you walked on.

“This scar here?” he briefly pointed to a raised mark on the back of his calf and then a boulder more than twice your height to your right. “My best friend in 5th grade dared me to jump off it. Fell on my ass and a rock stuck in my leg at the bottom.” You winced at the thought. “Yeah, it felt like it sounds. Cracked my tailbone too, couldn’t sit right for a month.” He fell into step with you and laced your fingers together. “But... “ He turned toward the river now, taking you through the patch of trees to where the forest floor sloped down to meet the bank. 

It really was better here.

The harsh rocks gave way to soft, silty ground and then quiet, lapping waters. It really was the perfect spot for a lazy swim and a jump from the rope that hung from a solitary tree, grown sideways over the bank. Otherwise, the tree canopy fell away here to the brightest skies that warmed the current-smoothed rocks further down the way. It took your breath away, not the way the Grand Canyon does, or the beautiful clear seas of some far off island paradise, but in its own little way, especially as you saw it through Frankie’s eyes. It was the rose-colored view of a boy grasping onto memories that were kinder to him than these recent years had been. You memorized the brightness of his face, the glow had little to do with the summer sun warming his cheeks and everything to do with worlds colliding: the pure joy of bringing his favorite person to his favorite place, like a child dragging you to the toy store window. You ran down to the water like those children, leaving socks and shoes and cover-ups strewn in your wake.

Your newly bare toes sank into the muddy, silty bank. It squished in a gross way, but the cool earth felt so good. The light waves lapped against your toes and little minnows swam up to check you out, darting away in scaly flashes when you took a step. Frankie was quick to get right into the water, testing his old beloved rope swing. The branch creaked with the unfamiliar weight, but held strong as he flung himself into the water, creating unnatural waves in it that raced all the way to you, where you were thigh deep in the cool depths now.

Five seconds… Ten… Then twenty. You looked a little nervously to where the rings had now diminished, but you were looking in all the wrong places. Frankie had swam over to you, using the opacity of the water to sneak up on you. You were none the wiser when he grabbed your ankle, causing you to gasp with a few choice expletives as you fell into the water with a splash. You could hear Frankie’s muffled laugh as he rose from underneath the surface as you became submerged in it. You shot back up, spluttering.

“What the hell, Frankie?” He was still laughing.

“Sorry,” he managed to wheeze out. He wasn’t. You narrowed your eyes playfully as he finally calmed down. “Really. I didn’t think it’d scare you that badly.” He wrapped his arms around your waist and you wrapped yours around his neck as you both drifted further into the water.

“What did you think would snatch you in a 7 foot deep creek? A shark?”

“A catfish?” you teased, sticking your tongue out at him. “I guess one did.” 

“I’ll always snatch you up.”

“Nerd.”

“Dork.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

You couldn’t tell if the kiss or the creek made you feel like you were floating.

After fingers and toes turned pruney you laid out on the pleasantly warm, almost unnaturally smooth rocks to dry. The deep sky above went on forever and left you with eyes half-lidded, warm and happy.

“You know, I had my first kiss on this rock,” Frankie broke the comfortable silence. 

“Is that why you brought me here? This where you bring all the girls, casanova?” He gave you a little shove. 

“Jealous?”

“Of your, what? 9th grade girlfriend? Absolutely not.”

“8th grade, actually.” 

“Was that before or after your 5th grade best friend stole your date to the 8th grade dance?” you teased, turning on your side to look at him, head resting on your hand. 

“After.” he grinned at the memory, “It was Sally Mason. My rebound,” he teased. 

“An 8th grade rebound,” you mused.

“Yeah, not much to be jealous of. The kiss was pretty bad anyway. We knocked our teeth together, eyes open,” he shook his head, “I’ve gotten a lot better since then.”

“Oh have you?” He gaped.

“Have I not?”

“You should probably remind me.”

“Not after that comment.” He pouted, but the dimple that rose in his cheek ruined the act. He couldn’t stop the grin.

“Come onnn, don’t you wanna take this old rock for another spin?” you crawled over until your face was hovering above his. You kissed either cheek, then several more pecks in quick succession when he didn’t respond. He broke, pulling you down to bring his lips to yours.

“Much better,” he murmured against your lips before leaving another quick peck.

Darkening skies eventually sent you home, delightfully tired. Frankie was quiet on the way back, but you chalked it up to the exhausted bliss you also felt. The long day in the sun had you passing out immediately after falling into bed. You were so utterly dead to the world that you didn’t notice when Frankie didn’t immediately join you. 

***

He sat on the edge of the bed for a while, hoping your soft breathing behind him and the darkness and the comfort of the mattress would bring some semblance of peace.

It didn’t. 

His thoughts were so very loud they woke him right back up; and worrying about sleeping made him spiral that much further, just another thought racing around and around with the others. He needed to be busy, to work himself into exhaustion like forcing a computer to power down. He moved to the kitchen to pace without disturbing you.

He hated what life had made of him.

He hated how his favorite place had seen him like this. The place he spent all of his school years living and breathing in had seen an entirely different man than what he had remembered. It had remained the same: steadfast, reliable, safe. Every tree and hill and hole was exactly the same.

But it felt so different, foreign. Like the woods he loved didn’t quite recognize him the way he recognized them.

It was hallowed ground and he was a sinner.

He’d seen war and death-- caused war and death--, and he still saw it everywhere he went. The creek looked red with the blood he spilled.

Not its fault, but his. 

He hated how different it was. This was supposed to be a special day, sharing a place so full of fond memories with the person he wanted to make a life’s worth of new memories with. Instead, it left him wanting, wishing he was still the person he was: a little older, sure, maybe a little smarter, but with the same curiosity and innocence and joy, the same zest for life. Not this man who was so hurt and untrusting and angry. He wanted to be like that boy again. He wanted it for her, she deserved better. For his favorite place, so that it would remember him the  and, he guessed, for himself too. 

His hands rested on the cool countertop, trying to get his breathing under control, willing the threat of tears away. This was bullshit. Things were how they were, he was who he was, and it was just a fucking creek. He shouldn’t be fucking crying. 

He’d be fine in the morning, he decided, but for now, he needed to numb it. He debated for a moment, fingers gripping onto and then relaxing against the edge of the counter before he pushed away from it and to one long-forgotten little cabinet in the kitchen.

He’d fully kicked the coke habit months ago. After coming back from South America for the last time-- the actual last time-- it just didn’t matter so much anymore. Being that close to his death once again reminded him just how fragile his life was and how much better he could be doing.

In its wake, it left a lot of problems that he didn’t know what to do with. You were always there; and it meant more than you could ever know, really. But even your soft touches and listening ear-- and some well-placed tough love-- could not drown everything out.

He needed to be numb again.

If he remembered right, he had the tiniest amount of the substance left in the back of the cabinet. There wasn’t really a reason to keep it, but just knowing he had it if he needed it made him feel safer in some crooked, fucked up way. He didn’t tell you about that part. 

He had barely begun to walk away from the cabinet when he heard footsteps on hardwood. He met sleepy eyes that looked between the clear bag in his hand and his grim face. He watched the heartbreak take root in those eyes he loved. Your shoulders slumped a little and your hand gently, sleepily reached out to him,

“Cat,” you whispered. You were so clearly disappointed. You had been his biggest cheerleader in this and now he was going back to square one. He was such a screw up. All at once he realized what he was doing. The baggy fell to the floor and he crumpled onto his knees behind it, sobbing into his hands in a way he hadn’t done in months.

“I can’t do it,” he mumbled. He felt your presence now on the floor next to him, felt your hand as it lovingly rubbed his back.

“What can’t you do, my love?” 

Anything. 

He didn’t respond. He just cried as your hand kept rubbing soothing circles. You were too good to him. You knew exactly what he needed, of course. He didn’t need overbearing attempts at comforting, he didn’t need a solution, he just needed a comfortable, patient presence until he could figure out what the hell was wrong with him.

“I’m sorry,” he sniffed, “I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” you pressed a feather light kiss to his hair, “You have nothing to be sorry for, you hear me? You’re ok, baby. Just take some deep breaths for me.” He did.  “Good, that’s good. You’re alright, Frankie.” His breathing evened and the two of you sat on the floor, backs against the counter. You gently played with his fingers as the last remaining sniffles subsided. 

“I-- I’m,” he started trying to explain, but there were no words.

“Shh,” you soothed, “Not a conversation we need to have tonight. Let’s go to bed, yeah?” You stood with him, arms around each other as you walked back to bed.

When you were both laid down, lights off, your back against his chest, his arm laying over your waist, you whispered his name.

“Hmm?” he answered, dreamily. 

“You know that I’m here for you right? For whatever you need. You don’t need to try to get rid of it with that shit? I’m here to work through anything with you.”

“Yeah, I know.” The silence after demanded more be said, but nothing more came. 

“Yeah, I know.” I know you’re here, but I don’t want your help. The quiet taunted you.

 He finally let sleep take him. Yours came uncomfortably. 

Summers with Frankie were blue.

Blue like the easy lapping waters and the blazing blue of the sky on a sunny, lazy day. Blue like his memories, now tainted with time. Blue like the sinking feeling in your chest when you realized there was nothing you could do about it. 

Summers with Frankie were red. 

You woke up groggily to beaming light and an empty bed. As the memories of the early morning hours flooded back, you panicked, wondering if he-- 

Fear won out over exhaustion and you ran to the kitchen. 

The bag of white powder was gone from the floor. Frankie was at the sink, scrubbing fiercely at a mug. That couldn’t be good.

“I took care of it,” he stated blankly over his shoulder. He was already so embarrassed, so angry at himself. He didn’t want to have this conversation.

“Took care of it, how?” He all but slammed the mug down. That was the wrong question right about now.

“I didn’t use it, if that’s what you mean.” There was an unmistakable bite to his tone. It startled you a little. Frankie was as mild-mannered as they came. You’d seen him angry, sure; no one was perfect. But it had never before been directed at you. It stung.

“Frankie, I-” you tried to backtrack

“You think I’ve been using again?” He was turned fully now to face you, but his fingers gripped the edge of the counter behind him, knuckles turning white with the pressure: angry, panicking.

“And what the hell am I supposed to think after last night? Hmm? I found you in here taking--” you froze then bolted to the cabinet. Frankie tried to argue, to stop you, but it was too late. You had the offending substance in your hand, and your frustration was burning as hot as his now. You stomped to the bathroom.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

“What you should’ve done months ago,” your tone was poisonous.

“I need it!” He tried to yank it out of your hand. 

“No you don’t!”

“I need it! Just in case. Just in case I-”

“Why am I not enough Frankie?” you finally yelled out. He dropped his hold on the bag. It fell back into your hand. It felt so incredibly heavy. You dropped it.

“What?” All of the anger was gone from his voice. It was light as a whisper. “Shit, do you think that’s what this is? That it’s your fault?” His expression grew softer, contrasting the prominence of the crease between his eyebrows as he tilted his head at you. You ran your hands through your hair in frustration, walking out of the bathroom. He followed.

“We’re not done here, baby. Don’t walk away from me.” The hallway had never felt more constricting. His hands came to your waist, spinning you to face him. Eyes searched your face, waiting for your answer

“Yes, Frankie. Yes. I feel like I failed you. I feel like I haven’t helped you like I should. That’s how most people deal with their problems: they talk to someone, they work through it. Obviously I’ve done something wrong here because that’s not what happened. You shouldn’t have to turn to drugs instead of me.” You shook your head, trying to clear your watering eyes. “You got help. You don’t need this anymore.” The breath he took in was sharp.

“I know… I know.” Hands squeezed lightly against your waist. “But what I was feeling yesterday. I- I can’t put that on you. What I’ve seen and done and how that affects me… It’s not always something I can just talk about. It’s a lot, it’s heavy. You haven’t experienced it and I don’t want you to, even second-hand. It’s not a you thing. It’s just a-- thing.” Your eyes went to the floor, but he lifted your chin back up to meet your eyes. “It’s not on you, you got that? You’ve done so much for me. More than you know. Sometimes it’s just… Too much for either of us. It can’t be solved that easily all the time.” You nodded. 

“It still doesn’t mean that should be your go-to instead, Cat.” He sighed.

“You’re right. It shouldn’t. I gotta find a better coping method when I can’t talk to you, or it’s too late to call one of the guys about it. But for now,” he punctuated by taking you by the hand, walking you back to the bathroom, and picking up the bag that started all of this. He held it up, presenting it to you before flushing every last bit of it. He smiled back at you. He looked so proud of himself. The weight that he carried on his shoulders looked as if it’d become twenty pounds lighter.

“That’s for you.” 

“No…” Your arms went around his neck and his found your waist once again. “...It’s for you. That is the best thing you could’ve done for yourself. Proud of you, Cat.” You brought your foreheads together, resting there a minute.

“I love you.” It was so lightly whispered that you might’ve missed it completely if you hadn’t felt it on your lips. “And I’m sorry I got angry. It wasn’t at you.”

“I love you. I’m sorry I got angry too.” You stole a quick, forgiving kiss, then pulled back. “Now, I don’t know about you, but my sleep last night was terrible.” He nodded in agreement. “Care to join me for a nap?” 

“Yes please.”

The rest of the afternoon was full of soft embraces and apologies for misunderstandings. You floated in and out of consciousness, broken up only by instances of “more strenuous activities”, quick kitchen runs for snacks, and one shared shower.

Day blended seamlessly into night until your dreams were interrupted by a far off whisper and a vague feeling of being shaken. You blinked awake and met Frankie’s grinning eyes. It was still pitch black outside.

“C’mon,” he whispered, clambering back to the edge of the bed to lace up his shoes.

“What time is it?” you murmured.

“Late,” you heard the grin in his voice. “Well, early, actually, I guess.”

“What are we doing?” 

“Don’t worry about it. That’s my job.” He looked back at you, “Hungry?” You considered a moment.

“Yeah, actually. Is this a Hal’s run?”

“Shhh.. You’re ruining it. What are you still doing in bed? Go get ready!”

“Alright, alright. Sheesh. Wakes me up at,” you finally looked at the clock as you crawled out of bed, “4am and now he’s all bossy.” He threw a pillow at you; you laughed.

Twenty minutes later you were sitting in Frankie’s pick-up, windows down as he drove. The rush of wind against your face brought the smells of the fields you passed: grass and wildflowers and something distinctly summer. The crickets were chirping loud and proud, a perfect compliment to the soft music from the radio. There was no talking, but it was a comfortable silence. The most comfortable you’ve ever felt. Sodium vapor streetlights intermittently interrupted the darkness behind your eyelids as you closed your eyes to take it all in. 

“You ok?” came a whisper as light as the breeze.

“Never been better,” you whispered back. You heard him chuckle as musical as the crickets.

The best diner in the city coming into view was by far the most beautiful sight you’d seen in weeks. You’d seen it often during the evening hours, as the sun went down and the last remains of the “dinner rush” finished (which consisted of fifteen parties in the tiny place instead of the usual five). It was kind of beautiful like this. Hauntingly beautiful. It looked like one of the places where time doesn’t exist. Its neons flashed between “Hal’s Diner” and “Open 24 hours” in gaudy fashion for no one in particular-- there were no cars in the lot and none on the road at this hour

You liked to think Hal’s single handedly proved the theory that hole-in-the-wall places always serve the best food. The sign on the window read “Hal’s: Since 1962.” You thought it should read “Hal’s: Has not updated since 1962.” 

But none of that mattered once they put down that plate of just-greasy-enough diner food. As you popped a fry in your mouth you decided that if torn and re-taped leather booths and old light fixtures meant they could keep serving food like this, then that is perfectly fine with you.

You really tried to keep your voices hushed in reverence of the graveyard shift employees who looked utterly exhausted, but you couldn’t contain your laughter as you watched Frankie bang on the back of a ketchup bottle, only to have nearly a quarter of the bottle splatter onto his plate. He gaped at it as you cackled.

“Gee, Frankie, want some fries with your ketchup?” you teased once you had control of yourself again. You dipped one of your fries in the pile.

“It’s too early for this shit,” he muttered to himself, closing the bottle and putting it back. But the grin you shared told you he wouldn’t give up these silly little 5am moments for anything.

When you’d devoured all of your food-- and some of the ketchup-- you left a generous tip on the table for the poor waitress and headed back out into the balmy summer air. The clock on the dash read 6:15am and you found yourselves passing the beginnings of morning commuters. You looked at him as you passed by the road to go home, about to question him, but he only smiled back at you with a look that said “trust me.”

Summers with Frankie were red. Red like deep hurts and anger at what can’t be changed. Red like danger signs. Red like diner neons and a gratuitous pile of ketchup. Red like love blossoming after a harsh storm.

As Frankie drove up a mountain pass at 6:45 on one of the last summer days, you thought about the summer spent with him. It was all of those colors: harmonic greens, calming blues, and overwhelming reds; and as you looked at the man next to you, putting his pick-up into park and telling you to “c’mon”, you decided he was too. He was all of those colors.

He was softly green. He preferred to be surrounded by green, after all; it was no wonder that it bled into him so effortlessly. He was so easy-going and mild-mannered, seeking peace and happiness with those around him. To you, he was safety; reliable as the grass beneath your feet.

But he had his blues. He was calming and joyful, free as the birds in a light blue sky. You saw that in him as you watched him tumble off of the rope swing or crack jokes with his dad. It was light and breezy, but too soon followed by blues of darkest night. You wished you could take the dark blues right out of him. Someone like him should never have to face dark blue feelings and dark blue memories. All you could do was stay with him in the storm.

But he was red too and it was a double-edged sword. He was one of the most passionate people you’d ever met, for better or worse. His usual mild-mannered attitude could not hold its own against the fury of injustice or bitter wishes that the world be different or, heartbreakingly, unbridled anger at himself for the pain he’s inflicted. But oh was he just as passionate about you: loving you, laughing with you, making things work with you. That passion that lead to anger was the same passion that loved you more deeply than anything. 

But then again, no. 

You sat in the truck bed with your Frankie, watching the sun rise over an untouched valley. The view was absolutely breathtaking. All of the sunrise’s swirling hues melted together so they were inseparable from one another, making a new color all its own. You decided it then:

Frankie wasn’t just green, blue, and red, all separate and incompatible with one another.

He was so much more, a swirling shade all his own. 

Every bit of it was him, and it was your favorite color.

(Moodboards by @aerynwrites)

#frankie morales x reader #catfish morales x reader #bri writes

[sunshinejins]

the slowest and most beautiful way to fall in love - theodore nott

hello and welcome to the 9.4k MONSTER that is my theodore nott x oc fanfic.  like two people said they would be interested to read it so uh here it is.  

pairing: theodore nott x camilla avery (oc)

fandom: harry potter

i. beauty and the boggart

“I heard we’re doing boggarts today in Defense Against the Dark Arts,” Draco sniffed as he took a bite of toast.  Theo looked up in interest, sticking his thumb in between the pages of Modern Magical History.  Draco was scowling at his plate as he flicked through the DADA textbook in front of him.  Blaise gave him a look that could have been interpreted as mildly amused, and turned back to his own breakfast.  Pansy and Daphne were too absorbed in their own gossip to even notice Draco had spoken, which surprised Theo to his core as Pansy made it obvious every time Draco spoke that it was worth dropping everything to listen.  Theo’s eyes then turned to rest on the one person who’s reaction he had been waiting for.

Camilla Avery, with her shiny blonde hair and curious hazel eyes had turned all of her focus from Pansy and Daphne’s gossip session to Draco.  Theo felt his heart catch slightly in his chest.  He’d always been fond of Camilla, ever since they were little and had played at Malfoy manor and had sat next to each other on the Hogwarts Express when they were eleven and Draco had been scouring the train for Harry Potter.  But when she had returned to school for third year with slightly longer hair that curled at the ends and a straight smile that dimpled in all the right places, Theo had felt like his heart had suddenly been submerged.

Now, she tilted her head slightly, and let waves of hair tumble over the shoulder of her robes.

“You sound annoyed, Draco,” her voice lilted with teasing, “Surely you realize that this would mean we’ve officially been taught more by a professor than any other year at Hogwarts?”

“I don’t trust that Lupin guy,” snapped Draco, “He’s a bloody Gryffindor.”

“And you’re a sodding stereotype,” Camilla gave him a warm smile and Draco rolled his eyes with a smirk.  Theo grinned.  Camilla caught his eyes and flicked her eyes pointedly at the book he held.

“That one any good?”

“S’all right,” Theo shrugged, “I’ll let you borrow it when I’m done.”

“Deal,” Camilla nodded.  Theo felt his heart swell.

Later, after a particularly taxing Charms class where Blaise accidentally shot a full glass of water at Theo’s head, the band of six piled into Lupin’s classroom and took up spots near the back where Draco and Blaise could easily tease the so-called “golden trio” in peace.  Camilla slid into place next to Theo with a soft grin and Theo immediately threw his arm around her.  His stomach tingled slightly but he ignored it in favour of keeping Camilla at his side.

Lupin talked for a while about Boggarts and taught the charm to destroy them, then revealed with a swell of excitement that there was one in the classroom they could attempt to defeat if they so chose. Camilla turned to Theo with excitement.

“We’ve got to try, Theo!”

“Nott’s’ll be a book with half the pages ripped out,” Draco teased over her shoulder.  Theo shot him a dry look.

“And what’ll yours be?  A copy of Harry Potter that can’t hear your brilliant insults?” Pansy burst out in a snort of laughter which prompted Lupin to pointedly shush them.

“That’s enough over there.  Now line up.  Neatly please!  You’ll all get a chance,” Lupin gestured to the cabinet that housed the boggart and the group of Slytherins, mostly guided by Draco, shoved their way nearly to the front.  Camilla stood behind Theo and wrung her hands excitedly. 

Weasley and one of the Patil twins, Theo wasn’t sure which one, went one after another and successfully transformed the boggart.  Millicent Bulstrode, a third year Slytherin that roomed with Daphne, Pansy, and Camilla struggled before somewhat turning a rather large dog into one with floppy bunny ears.  Theo stepped up to the boggart and it shifted a few moments before turning into a circus clown with blood red paint dripping down its face.  He cast his counter-curse with only a slight tremor and the clown became covered in sweet smelling flowers. Then, it was Camilla’s turn.  She stepped up with an easy smile and the boggart swirled between shapes for a moment before materializing into a figure.  Theo’s blood ran cold.

In front of his best friend was a figure dressed all in black, wearing an intricate silver mask, with a hood pulled up over its hair.  Camilla froze, smile no longer present on her lips.  Despite holding her wand readily in her hand, she made no move to cast the counter-curse.  It was like she was petrified.  Theo thought that would be the worst, that Camilla would recover and cast the counter-curse and turn back to him with a bright cheery smile and a throwaway comment about how easy she found it.  Then, the figure began to speak.

“Camilla… You have no choice,” it rasped in a voice that sparked something in the back of Theo’s brain.  Camilla still stood completely still, and Lupin had finally jumped into action and thrown himself in front of the boggart to force it to change.

“Miss Avery, you may lea-” Camilla didn’t wait to hear the end of Lupin’s sentence, she simply tore from the classroom without a glance back.  Theo found his feet were moving as well, chasing after her as quickly as he could.

Theo found her sitting in one of the windowsills on the third floor, the one where the two of them met frequently to trade books and read in companionable silence together.  She had buried her face into her robes, and from the short distance between them, Theo could tell she was crying.  He sat down softly in front of her, trying not to disturb her too much.

“Camilla?” She raised her head and Theo’s heart ached at the sight of tear tracks and tears themselves streaming down her face.

“Go away, Nott,” she buried her head into her sleeve again.  Theo tried not to feel badly about her using his last name, something she only did when she was upset.

“Camilla, please.  Talk to me,” he pleaded.  Camilla raised her head again, and after seemingly concluding that Theo wasn’t about to insult her, sat all the way up.  A few tears were still tumbling down her cheeks and she swiped them away hastily.

“What do you want to talk about?  How bloody embarrassing that was?  How weak I looked?” She snapped.  Theo shook his head.

“You didn’t look weak, Camilla.”

“Well what would you call it then?” Camilla shouted, voice echoing in the deserted hallway.  “I froze, Theo!  I couldn’t do a bloody thing!  I didn’t even move my wand!” Theo laid a hand on top of hers and she trained her eyes on him, pools of hazel blazing in the dim light of the sun.

“It was a Death Eater, wasn’t it?” Theo asked quietly.  Camilla hesitated.  For a moment, Theo thought she was about to pull away, but instead she flipped her hand up and slotted her fingers in between his.

“My father,” she said softly.  Theo nodded.  He knew Camilla’s father had been a Death Eater, so had his own, and Draco’s had been for sure.  Theo remembered Camilla coming to his house in tears when she was little, barely old enough to use the Floo network but stumbling into the fireplace in his bedroom anyways.  As she got older, she stopped speaking of her father completely, much like Theo.  His reasons, though much darker and more focused on bruises, didn’t cause a boggart to materialize in his father’s likeness however.

“He used to tell me that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would return one day, and that I would be expected to join the family in his ranks,” Camilla whispered, the words slicing through the morning air.  Theo frowned deeply and she looked sadly to their joined hands.  He stroked his thumb lightly over the soft skin.  He had never known that was the reason she used to cry.

“I didn’t know I was still afraid of it.  I didn’t think I remembered what he used to say,” she said with a grimace, “I’m terrified that he’ll come back one day looking like that and I’ll have no choice but to be forced into it.”

“That doesn’t make you weak, Camilla,” Theo said sternly.  Camilla gazed at him with thoughtful but endlessly sad eyes.  “It makes you very strong that the thing you find most terrifying is someone forcing you to abandon your morals.”

“But I froze,” Camilla’s voice was a terrified murmur.  Theo shook his head.

“You wouldn’t freeze if it was real.  You’d hex the ever-loving shit out of your dear old dad.” Camilla snorted and Theo smiled so largely at the sound that he couldn’t help but gather her into a hug.

“You’re the strongest person I know, Camilla.  I promise,” he said.  Camilla snuggled into his arms and he could feel her smile against his shoulder.

“Thank you, Theo,” she said.  Theo smiled into her hair.  It was then he knew: he was going to be in love with Camilla Avery for a very long time.

ii.  the blueprint to a perfect evening

“So, Nott,” Draco slid into the seat next to Theo.  Theo looked up with raised eyebrows.  Blaise sat across from the two and began helping himself to potatoes from the large dish in front of them.  Draco had a devious look on his face that Theo had seen before, right before he had broken his ankle when they were seven.

“Yes, Draco?” He asked, turning back to his bowl of oatmeal when Draco didn’t immediately start talking.

“The Yule Ball is in two weeks,” Draco said while taking a few slices of toast from the platter beside him.  Theo’s eyebrows rose again.  Contrary to his choice to appear uninterested in most school gossip, he had been aware of the biggest Hogwarts event in the last fifty years besides the bloody Triwizard Tournament.

“Yes, and?” Theo looked at Blaise for some sort of guidance and he raised his hands in defense.  Draco gave Theo a look that implied he thought he was rather thick.  Theo didn’t think he was but clearly Draco knew better.

“Who are you asking?” Draco flapped his hands in exasperation and Theo’s eyes widened slightly.  He hadn’t thought that far.

“We have to have dates?” He asked with a grimace.  Draco rolled his grey eyes and smacked Theo on the shoulder.

“Yes, dimwit.  Everyone needs a date.  Otherwise it’s just embarrassing,” he scoffed.  Theo shrugged noncommittally but the pit in his stomach deepened.  He knew objectively that he wasn’t a bad looking bloke, girls looked at him often enough when he passed by them.  He was more shy than his friends, but he supposed he had quite a lot of personality when he was comfortable.  None of that really mattered to him though, considering there was one girl in all of Hogwarts that he would consider asking to the ball and she had just slid into the seat beside him.

Camilla’s hair was pulled into neat plaits and they laid nicely against the emerald of her robes.  Her eyes were sparkling and she was giggling apparently from the remainder of a conversation with Pansy and Daphne.  Theo’s stomach turned cartwheels as she grinned at him and scooted close enough that their elbows brushed as she served herself eggs.

“You lot!  Do you have dates yet?” Draco asked, nearly leaning into a pot of raspberry jam to speak to the girls.  Pansy shook her head.

“We don’t.  But about five boys asked Camilla on the way to breakfast,” she said as she stole a strawberry from Blaise’s plate.  Theo’s stomach dropped.

“Surely you didn’t say yes?” He turned to Camilla in a panic.  Her eyes were wide with curiosity as she lowered the fork she had been holding.

“I didn’t.  I don’t want to go with someone random.  I’d rather know I’m going to have a decent night,” she said.  Theo’s stomach began fizzing again.  If he could just pluck up the courage, right now, when she looked so pretty…

“Why don’t we just go with each other?” Daphne said with a raised brow.  Theo looked up half-dazed.  Blaise was nodding, and so was Draco, and he quickly matched their attitudes.

“Makes sense at least.  There’s six of us,” Pansy said through a bite of fruit.  Camilla nodded, though if Theo knew her as well as he thought he did, she looked vaguely apprehensive at the idea.

“How are we going to decide who goes with who?” She asked, “Not to dent your confidence, Blaise, but I’d rather not be upstaged by that pretty face.” Everyone burst into chuckles at that but Theo knew there was a deeper meaning to her statement.  Camilla didn’t want to go with Blaise.  

“Well I’ll make it easy for you then, Avery,” Blaise drawled.  He turned to Daphne and extended a hand gracefully.  “Miss Greengrass, will you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Yule Ball?”  Daphne giggled and nodded, placing her hand good-naturedly in Blaise’s.  Draco shrugged and turned to Pansy.

“What about you, Parkinson?  Feel like accompanying me?” 

“Only because you asked,” Pansy mock sighed, then laughed and high-fived Draco.  Theo turned to Camilla who’s face had turned a rather pretty shade of rose.

“Guess you’re stuck with me,” he said apologetically, though his heart was racing against his ribs.  Camilla smiled, and placed her hand lightly into his.

“Guess so,” her voice was soft and it warmed Theo all the way down to his toes.

“I promise not to have a prettier face than you,” Theo said.  Camilla broke out into a laugh that lit up the room.

“Don’t promise something you can’t live up to, Nott.” 

The next few weeks were a blur of end of December lessons.  Theo wrote to his mother asking for dress robes and she had sent him a handsome enough set of charcoal grey robes that made him look like the lord of some fancy castle.  He had no clue what Camilla was wearing, considering that every time she tried to tell him, Pansy shushed her and made her keep it a secret.  Her smile convinced him well enough that she would appear looking flawless on the day of the ball.

Draco kept bugging him about Camilla every chance he got.  He had gathered that Theo harboured a not-so-small crush on their friend, and was convinced that he was a certified idiot for not asking Camilla flat out before they had all sworn to take each other as friends.

“I’m telling you, mate,” Theo said in frustration one night after Draco had been chastising him for an hour straight, “She wouldn’t have wanted to go with me.”

Draco had called him an idiot.

The night of the ball finally fell upon them and Theo felt his stomach bubble over from nerves.  Draco was dressed in complete black while Blaise had donned a rather posh suit of deep forest green which complimented his dark skin nicely.  They had gotten ready in record time, and expecting the girls to take at least another hour, had gathered some butterbeers and set up camp in front of the fire in the common room.

“I think Pansy’s wearing pink,” Draco was saying as he drained his bottle.

“Daphne’s wearing green too I think,” Blaise said thoughtfully.

“What’s Avery got going on then?” Draco asked him.  Theo shrugged.

“No idea.  Pansy would never let her tell me.”

“Watch her show up in orange or something ghastly,” Blaise snickered.  Theo shook his head.

“Whatever she wears will be beautiful,” Theo said, “Just like her,” he added in an undertone to himself.  Draco caught his words however.

“Bloody hell, Nott, just tell her you fancy her!” Theo was about to retaliate with some sort of half-formed comment on Draco’s lack of experience with crushes and therefore lack of ability to talk shit, when the girls descended from their dormitory.  Theo felt himself stop breathing.

Daphne and Pansy looked nice enough themselves, they weren’t in any way unattractive people.  But Camilla had them beat by a long shot.  Her dress was a beautiful shade of grey-blue that matched the colour of the sky on an autumn day and it had flowers all over the top before flowing into waves of chiffon at the bottom.  Her hair was glossy but her smile blew Theo off his feet.  She crossed the room to him and lightly punched him on the arm.

“You said you wouldn’t be the prettiest one in the room!” She joked, eyes sparkling in the firelight.  

“I’m not,” Theo said honestly, his voice rasping as it came back from where it had disappeared after Camilla had walked into the room.  Her eyes widened but the smile she gave him was so sweet that he didn’t mind the boldness of his statement.  He offered her his arm and she took it gratefully.  As the group exited the common room she leaned up to him and whispered softly.

“You’d best be ready to dance, Nott.” Theo wanted to tell her that he would have done anything for her if she asked, but he settled for squeezing her hand with a smile and walking into the Great Hall feeling like this may have been the best night of his life.

The party lasted for hours, and Theo had never had as much fun as he did twirling Camilla around on the dance floor and sneaking drinks of firewhiskey and bites of cake with her.  Pansy and Daphne had eventually ditched the boys to disappear and snog in some random corner for an hour, so Draco and Blaise had found girls from Beauxbatons to spend the night with.  Camilla, however, showed no desire to leave Theo’s side as she continued to laugh and sing with him through all of the songs of the night.

Finally, a few minutes before midnight, the Weird Sisters announced a slow dance for all the people who remained at the ball.  Theo gave Camilla a pointed look and extended his hand.

“Will you grant me this dance?”  Camilla grinned.

“Naturally,” she slipped her hand into his and he pulled her to an empty spot on the dance floor.  Theo fully expected her to keep a small distance as she had all night, only bumping into him during fast songs and once after too big a sip of firewhiskey.  Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms softly around his neck.  Despite the now almost alarming pace of his heart, Theo responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her close.  They swayed back and forth softly, more focused on holding each other than really dancing.

“I hope you had a good night, Theo,” Camilla said softly into his collar.  Theo pulled back and looked at her, her eyes more shy than he’d ever seen them.

“Why wouldn’t I have?” He asked.  She shrugged, playing with the edge of his cloak.

“I know you went with me because I was the last one.  I just hope it wasn’t disappointing,” she said.  Theo’s eyes nearly popped from his head.  He pulled her close to him again, until there was not an inch of space between them and murmured in her ear.

“I always wanted to go with you.  I just didn’t know how to ask.” He felt her smile against his shoulder before she pulled back and smiled at him deeply.  Theo grinned back, feeling like he had won the lottery.

“I wanted to go with you too,” she affirmed.  They fell back together and danced a few more moments before she leaned up one last time and pressed her soft lips against Theo’s cheek.  He looked at her in shock.

“What was that for?”

“A perfect night,” Camilla said.  The song ended and neither of them moved.  Theo felt like his heart was about to beat from his chest.  He had never wanted to kiss Camilla so badly in his life.  He could smell her perfume, some sort of flower, and the powdery scent of sugar on her lips from an iced bun.

He could do it, all he had to do was lean forward…

“Mr. Nott.  Miss Avery.  If you would please return to your common room.  The ball is over.” Theo looked up in shock at Professor McGonagall who wore a very knowing smirk.  Camilla stepped back immediately with a look of embarrassment and Theo nodded.  As they walked from the hall however, she slipped her hand back into his and didn’t let go until they had reached the dungeon.  She turned to him with a tired smile.

“G’night, Theo.” Theo smiled.

“Night, Cams.” She smiled and blew a small kiss, then turned to descend to the girl’s dormitory.  Theo leaned against the wall with a sigh of happiness.  He was never going to forget this night.

iii.  a green monster lives at the bottom of this bottle

Theo’s veins fizzled with what he assumed was a disgusting and unhealthy amount of firewhiskey.  Blaise and Draco were sitting up against one bed in the room, passing a bottle between the two of them.  Pansy and Daphne, hands grazing all over each other’s skin, were sitting against the wall beside them.  Theo was laying half on a pile of pillows that had been pulled off of Pansy’s bed, and Camilla sat beside him wrapped in an emerald green comforter while she giggled and took sips of her own bottle of whiskey.

They had made it to fifth year, finally, and this party was in celebration of that.  Pansy had bullied Millicent and Tracey Mills from the room and banished them to the common room for the night; Blaise had conjured about six bottles of firewhiskey from God knows where; Daphne had provided bags of treats she’d brought from home; Draco had cast silencing charms on the entire room to ensure no one disturbed them during their festivities; Camilla and Theo had done a ery good job of looking busy while the others bustled about.  Now, they had finished three bottles of whiskey between them all, and Theo was ready and tingling for something to happen.

Camilla’s head tipped towards him and she smiled in a way that made Theo think of very sunny days and chocolate ice cream.

“Theodore,” she drawled his name out.  Theo leaned up and tucked his chin into his hand while he gazed into her eyes. She looked beautiful, the flush on her cheeks from the alcohol deepening her dimples. If he wasn’t bloody terrified of ruining their friendship, he would have surged across their small distance to kiss her. 

“Yes, Camilla,” he tried to drag her name out like she had done to his own.  She giggled and the sound filled his chest.

“You look like a proper Englishman,” she said.  Theo blinked at her.

“What the hell does that mean?” Camilla started laughing again, which prompted the rest of their friends to tune in and listen.

“You’ve got the sexy messy curls and the pale skin and the look of someone who generally spends a lot of time being pretty.  That’s what Englishmen do,” Theo’s heart stopped and restarted about a thousand times in a row.  Draco let out a loud cackle and Daphne and Pansy dissolved into giggles while Blaise held a slight hint of a grin.

“Blimey, Avery,” Draco said through tears of laughter, “You’re bloody buggered aren’t you?” Camilla sat up in retaliation, though she wobbled a bit as she stood and the sleeve of her sweater brushed Theo.

“You’re one to talk, Draco!” She hiccuped and Pansy tumbled to the floor in laughter.

“You’re pissed, Cams.  Just admit it.”

“Maybe I am!” Camilla said, tossing her arms in the air, “But I’m not wrong!”

“Yes, Theo is beautiful and stuff,” Daphne said in quite a wobbly tone, “Can we move onto something fun?” Pansy’s face curved into a grin.

“We could play spin the bottle.”

“You two are in a relationship though,” Blaise pointed to where the two girls’ bodies were tangled at the legs, “How are we meant to play when you can only snog each other?”

“Oh I have no worries about Daph leaving me for one of you lot,” Pansy said dismissively.  Daphne nodded with hiccup and Blaise shrugged.

“I’m game.”

“Me as well,” Draco added.

“And me,” Camilla raised the hand that held a bottle of whiskey.  Five pairs of eyes trained on Theo.

“Fine, you bloody horny gits,” Theo said in fake exasperation.  They cheered and Draco drained the last of the firewhiskey he had been sharing with Blaise and placed the bottle on the floor.

“Ground rules?” He asked.

“Tongue absolutely required,” Pansy said.  Camilla snorted a mouthful of whiskey out of her nose and Daphne dissolved into giggles.  Theo shifted slightly uncomfortably.  Despite the alcohol burning his veins, there was only one person here he wanted to kiss and she was currently leaning over to spin the bottle with a grin.  The bottle landed on Daphne and she wiggled her eyebrows.

“I’m comin’ for your woman, Pans,” she chuckled before leaning over and pecking Daphne lightly.  Theo felt the knot in his stomach unsqueeze a bit.

“There was no tongue!” Pansy shouted.  Camilla leaned back and licked a strip up the side of Daphne’s face.

“There’s your tongue,” she said cheekily.  The six of them burst into laughter again and the game continued.

Eventually they had to make some restrictions to the game.  For starters, Draco made the assertion that they should be allowed to drink if they happened to not want to kiss someone, on the grounds that he would pitch himself off the Astronomy tower if he had to kiss Theo more than once.  Theo had steadfastly agreed, and since the addition of that particular rule, he had become closer to nearly inhuman levels of intoxication which had in turn made the girls nearly wet themselves laughing.

Then, the world skidded to a stop as Camilla spun the bottle and it landed without question on Draco.  Theo held his breath, hoping, truly hoping that despite all odds, she wouldn’t do it.  He hoped that she would take a large mouthful of firewhiskey and giggle in Draco’s face in apology.  Theo had never more wanted something not to happen.

She didn’t drink.  Instead, she climbed over the bottle in the centre of their little circle, settled herself into Malfoy’s lap and pressed her lips decidedly against his.  Blaise let out a whoop, his demure persona smudged away by alcohol.  The girls cheered as Malfoy’s hands cemented themselves on Camilla’s hip.  Theo felt as though he should maybe throw a bottle of alcohol into the fireplace.

Camilla finally pulled away after what felt like ten years of Theo’s life and looked very thoughtfully at Malfoy.

“You’re about a four out of ten on the snog meter, Draco.  You mustn’t treat a woman’s mouth like a whirlpool,” she said as she clambered off his lap and back to her spot at Theo’s side, though she sat much closer than she had before.  Theo gasped out a laugh at Draco’s offended face and Camilla turned to him with a smirk.  She tilted her head towards his ear and spoke in whispered tones that sent butterflies into his stomach.

“You didn’t honestly think that I wanted to snog him over you, did you?” She asked sweetly.  Theo gulped.

“It crossed my mind.”

“You’re supposed to be smart, Theodore Nott,” she giggled, and he felt her lips graze his ear.  Camilla then turned back to the circle and knocked the bottle away.

“I’m bored now.  Let’s play a game of Would You Rather.” Theo nodded his agreement to her suggestion, but focused mainly on the feeling of her lips on his ear.  She hadn’t wanted to kiss Draco, really.  He was glad she didn’t.  Though he supposed the stab of jealousy he felt towards one of his oldest friends cemented his growing feelings for Camilla.  She turned to him and gave a grin that seemingly soaked him from head to toe in honey.

Yeah.  He loved her.

iv.  a simple weekend

If anyone had bothered to ask Theo, they would have known how much he truly did not like trips to Hogsmeade.  He always wanted to visit Tomes and Scrolls and spend hours looking at the new books and writing utensils they stocked there, but his friends all insisted on spending hours in Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks.  He liked butterbeer well enough, but he would prefer to stay home and read and let his friends bring him back a bag of treats.  Not to mention catch up on homework.

There were all the reasons he gave for not wanting to attend the second Hogsmeade trip of their fifth year.  They were also all the reasons his friends were currently throwing back in his face.

“Come on, Nott,” Draco was begging, “It’ll be fun.  I promise we can stop in at that book place if you want but it won’t be the same if you’re not there.”

“Yeah, Theo.  We’d miss you too much,” Daphne added.

“Plus it’s our only chance to get out of here and away from Potter and his bloody prophecies about the Dark Lord,” Pansy added.  Blaise gave a nod to certify he agreed with the rest of them, but Camilla was suspiciously silent as she turned the pages of her book.  She wouldn’t even spare Theo a glance which he found, considering how close they were, quite odd.

“I just don’t want to go,” Theo said, finding himself becoming curiously angry at their rejection of his desire to stay back.  They all had copious amounts of homework, what with it being an O.W.L year and all, and he just wanted to stay back.

“Theo, honestly, don’t be a prat.  Come with us,” Draco said, flipping to another page in his Herbology book.  Theo felt his temper simmer and finally boil over.

“I’ve told you, you bloody git, that I don’t want to come.  That’s final.  Leave it,” he snapped.  At his words, Camilla’s head raised and she gave him a look that seemed like the halfway point between concern and curiosity.  He ignored her in favour of not turning his temper on her, gathered his books and swept up to the dormitory to sleep.  He heard murmurs of “what was his problem?” from Blaise and Pansy but he ignored them.  He was more than a bit tired of his extroverted friends and their ability to leave him be.  He would be fine after some rest and a day to himself.

The next day dawned bright and clear.  Theo was alone in the dorm when he awoke which he attributed to his outburst the night before.  He assumed the boys had gone on without him in an effort to avoid his temper.  His predictions were proven right when he descended for breakfast and found the Slytherin table void of all of his friends.  Camilla included.  Theo ate rather moodily, wishing he hadn’t snapped quite so much on his friends.  They probably wouldn’t even bring him back Sugar Quills.  Not that he deserved them.

Breakfast was over quickly, and Theo retreated back to the dormitory to pick up his study supplies.  They were rumoured to get a quiz in Potions the following week and he wanted to be as prepared as possible.  The common room was still deserted when he returned, and there was no sign of anyone returning for a while.  He sighed, though he knew he would study better if his friends, Pansy and Draco in particular, weren’t present.  His heart still ached a bit at Camilla’s absence.

It was on his walk to the library that he became aware of a pattering of feet behind him.

“Theo!” He turned and his heart seized as Camilla drew up to him, slightly out of breath, but smiling.  Her hair laid in soft curls against her emerald sweater and she was clutching an armful of textbooks.

“I assumed you were going to be studying today,” she said when Theo hadn’t managed to say anything to her after a few seconds, “So I ate breakfast early and I’ve been waiting in the windowsill for a while hoping you would come by and we could head to the library together.  You didn’t see me though,” she laughed slightly embarrassedly and Theo’s mind was still struggling to catch up.

“But… You… What about Hogsmeade?” He managed to sputter out.  Camilla’s smile turned slightly more bashful.

“I didn’t really want to go anyways,” she said softly before linking her arm with his.  Theo nodded, though his brain was still spinning slightly.  They walked to the library in relative silence, though it wasn’t uncomfortable in any way.  After choosing a table well away from Madam Pince, they both pulled out their textbooks and immersed themselves in studying.

Camilla and Theo had studied together plenty in their years at Hogwarts together.  They knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses as well as their study habits.  Their study sessions were more like carefully choreographed dances with school subjects and each other.  When he was younger, however, Theo hadn’t been quite so entranced by how the sunlight from the window wove in with the blonde strands of Camilla’s hair or how her hazel eyes flitted across the pages she was reading from.  He didn’t fantasize about holding her hand across the desk or resting his hand on her knee either.

They worked in silence for most of the day before Theo managed to voice what had been bothering him since the night before.

“Camilla?” She raised her head and fixed him with her whiskey coloured eyes.

“Yeah?”

“Why didn’t you talk to me yesterday?  When I was talking about how I wanted to stay back?” She shifted in her seat, looking uncomfortable in the way of someone who had been caught doing something against the rules.  Theo couldn’t see what would make her feel that way.

“I knew you were upset and I didn’t think another person talking at you would help,” she said.  Theo blinked.

“But that’s considerate of you?  I don’t see the issue?”

“I don’t know.  I was hoping you wouldn’t think it was odd of me,” she said looking away shyly.  Theo considered this for a moment before reaching forward and grabbing Camilla’s hand from where it rested on top of her Transfiguration textbook.

“I appreciate it, Cams.  I really do.  Just like how I appreciate that you gave up a day at Hogsmeade to study with me.” Camilla blushed deep pink.

“Well I wasn’t really giving anything up.  This has been a much better day anyways.” Theo processed her words more slowly than he cared to admit, but he made up for the lost time by lightly smoothing the back of Camilla’s hand with his thumb.  He remembered her saying he was pretty a few months ago with such bravery and confidence.  Now, she seemed more herself, and he couldn’t help but notice that she still let him hold her hand.

“I like it when it’s just the two of us to be honest,” Theo muttered, shifting slightly in his seat so his leg pressed against Camilla’s.  She smiled and rested her head against Theo’s shoulder.  His heart thrummed against his ribs deliciously.  Her hair smelt of rosemary, and her skin smelt like roses and almond oil.  Everything about her invited him in.

“Me too. I wish it was like this more often,” she said.  Theo hummed and nodded.  They sat like that for a moment, watching the sun dip below the mountains before Camilla sat up and lightly pulled her hand from Theo’s to his disappointment.

“The others will be back by now.  It’s dinnertime,” she offered as explanation.  Theo nodded, though he would have given anything to go back to their tender moment a second before.  They both gathered their books slowly and made their way down to the Great Hall.  Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Daphne were already back, cheeks pink from the cold and tucking into a roast supper.  Draco caught sight of them and waved them over.

“What if they’re angry with me?” Theo mumbled quickly.  Camilla shook her head and gave him a kind look.

“They understand they pushed you a bit far.  I’m sure they’ll be completely fine.” Theo nodded, but still kept a half pace behind Camilla as they settled into their places.  Draco gave him a slightly guilty smile.

“Hey mate.  Sorry for last night and all.  I went a tad far,” he apologized.

“You think?” Theo said, though the grin on his face gave him away.  Draco clapped him on the shoulder with a grin and Theo chuckled, feeling his apprehension ease.  Pansy then turned to Camilla.

“Where have you been all day?  You were supposed to meet us in the courtyard at ten.  We assumed you were right behind us.” Theo gave Camilla a shocked look and she turned a very pretty shade of crimson while she stabbed a Yorkshire pudding.

“I had things,” she said evasively.  Theo shook his head with a laugh and she gave him a very private smile.  Dinner continued, but if anyone noticed Camilla’s hand resting lightly on top of Theo’s in between their laps, no one said a thing.

v. pansy’s frustration

Theo hadn’t gone through much in his life.  He was born into a rich pureblood family that had enough old money to keep him going for centuries and enough new money to keep a swimming pool of Galleons if he wanted.  Sure, his father was a Death Eater and a generally unpleasant man to be around, but he generally left Theo alone, and Theo’s mother was one of the best women he knew.  He was never hungry, had never wanted for anything, and his time at Hogwarts had been filled with loyal friends and good grades.

He supposed these facts were the reason that the only real pain he had ever felt in his life came from his crushing and potentially unreciprocated crush on his best friend.

Camilla, despite all of Theo’s very best efforts, had cemented herself in his life so resolutely as the most important person in his world.  He would have done anything for her, and he strongly suspected that she felt the same though she never said so.  This was why, when their little band of six was hit by a sudden burst of Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder on the way to Hogwarts for their sixth year, he immediately grabbed her hand so as not to lose her in the fray.

“What the bloody hell is this?” Draco’s voice bloomed from the smoke and Theo chuckled a bit despite himself.  He hadn’t seen Draco all summer, and he had forgotten the posh tone of his voice.

“It’s probably a first year just messing around, sit down Draco, honestly,” came Pansy’s voice from a little in front of Theo.  The smoke finally cleared and Theo could finally properly see his five friends.  Pansy and Daphne were still curved around each other, sickeningly sweet in their love for each other, Blaise sat coolly with his fine china features curved into a delicate smile, and Draco was brushing dust from the sleeves of his black suit.  Camilla shook some powder from her head of blonde waves and shot Theo a smile before turning back to the rest of their friends.

“Right!  Sixth year!  N.E.W.T classes.  What are we all taking?”

“The basics I suppose,” Daphne hummed, “I don’t have many aspirations.”

“She wants me to support her I suppose,” Pansy said.  Blaise snorted and so did Camilla.

“Well I’m taking the full lot.  May as well, right?” Camilla said, running her fingers through her hair.  Theo gave her an interested look.

“What are you planning to do, Cams?”

“It’s a secret, Theodore,” she said with a devious smirk.  Theo rolled his eyes good-naturedly and Camilla laughed.  Draco turned up his nose slightly.

“I happen to think that Hogwarts is a pathetic excuse for a school.  I’d rather die than continue here another two years.”

“What, are you planning on dropping out?” Pansy asked with a raised eyebrow.  Draco shrugged evasively and turned his gaze out the window.  Theo looked to Camilla, expecting her to make a comment on Draco’s actions but she was watching him with a guarded expression.  She looked nearly afraid of him.  Theo ignored it, hoping it was a trick of light, and launched into a conversation about the start of term feast.  Eventually, everyone lapsed back into conversation and Theo felt the grip on his heart ease every time Camilla laughed.

They’d been back at school for only a few weeks when it happened.  Theo and Camilla had been eating breakfast in companionable silence, breaking it only to compare notes on each other’s DADA essay, when Pansy came charging up and tossed her Potions book to the table.

“I’ve heard something brilliant,” she said, helping herself to the bacon on Camilla’s face.  Camilla regarded her with a dry look.

“Is it about how good my bacon is?” She asked.  Pansy shook her head and Camilla rolled her eyes.  Theo chuckled and leaned forward.

“What’d you hear, Pans?”

“We’re gonna get to smell Amortentia in Potions today,” Pansy clapped her hands together in excitement.  Camilla raised an eyebrow.

“Isn’t that potion illegal?”

“Yes, but Slughorn thinks we should be aware of all sorts of potions in order to practice curing their effects!  Though I doubt we’d brew a cure today, but we still get to smell it,” Pansy said, now tucking into her own plate of breakfast.

“What’s so interesting about that?” Both girls fixed him with an incredulous look.

“Amortentia smells like the things you love,” Camilla said slowly, playing with the edge of her napkin. “You know, like what attracts you.”

“So you smell the person you fancy?” Theo asked, beginning to feel his heart rate pick up.  He could guess a few of the smells that would erupt from the cauldron for him.  Camilla nodded.

“Yeah that.  But also smells you like, like the ocean or something.” She turned back to her plate with a light blush.  Theo nodded, beginning to shovel his breakfast into his mouth at a slightly quicker pace.  Suddenly, he couldn’t wait to get to Potions class.

The three of them met up with the rest of their friends at the entrance to Slughorn’s class.  Draco looked slightly disheveled to Theo’s slight surprise.  Blaise was still immaculate, and he leaned against the wall casually talking to Daphne.  They had no sooner arrived than had the door opened and the class begun to file in.  There were only twenty of them in the class, most of their former classmates not getting decent enough grades from Snape to progress to a N.E.W.T level.  Theo took his regular seat next to Camilla near the front and immediately noticed the bubbling pink potion resting on the desk in front of them.

“Welcome, welcome!” Slughorn cheered.  Theo smiled.  He enjoyed the new Potions master infinitely more than he had enjoyed Snape.  He actually made the subject somewhat interesting.

“I’m assuming you have all realized that today you will be introduced to a few more intricate potions which we will attempt to counteract by the end of this year.  The most interesting of which is this one, of course,” he gestured to the Amortentia.

“Amortentia.  The most powerful love potion in the world.  One tiny drop and the drinker of the potion will fall madly in love with the giver.  At least until the effects wear off!” The entire class chuckled and Slughorn smiled.

“Now I know you’ve all gathered that Amortentia tends to smell like what most attracts the person.  It can be a brilliant array of things.  I, for instance, smell oak matured mead and Sugar Quills.”

“I know you all have an interest in giving the potion a good smell.  So I’d ask you to line up quickly and quietly.  May as well get this out of the way before the rest of the lesson.” Everyone scrambled to get in line in front of the little cauldron.  Theo shot a look back at Camilla who stood behind him and she gave him a nervous grin.  Theo knew how she felt.

The line crawled slowly, everyone taking the time to smell the potion for at least a minute before reluctantly pulling away.  Theo noticed Hermione Granger smell the potion and give Ron Weasley a look of surprise.  He snorted.  He’d have to bet with Camilla on that relationship.  At his turn, Theo stepped up to the cauldron and inhaled deeply.

The first thing Theo smelt was books, the crisp scent of newly cracked pages.  Then, the scent turned to warm vanilla, the exact smell of the sugar cookies that he baked with his mother each Christmas.  Finally, without much shock to him, he smelt the intoxicating scent of Camilla: rosemary, rose, and almond.

Theo pulled away, smiling slightly.  Camilla stepped up and inhaled for a few seconds, eyes screwed tightly shut.  Theo attempted to read her expression, but it was carefully arranged as she stepped back and betrayed no hint of any feelings she held about what she smelt.  There remained only a few people after Camilla, and Slughorn quickly launched into the lesson after Ernie Macmillan had smelt the potion.

Theo wasn’t the only one who wanted to talk about what he had smelt in the Amortentia.  The second class ended, and they had stepped into the hallway, Pansy was on their cases.

“I smelt mint obviously, you know how Daphne drinks peppermint tea all the time.  And then hot chocolate and salt water.  What about you lot?”

“I smelt hot chocolate for you as well, Pans,” Daphne smiled. “Then I also smelt mint and dusty velvet like the curtains in my mum’s room.” Pansy nodded, and turned to Blaise with an expectant look.

“Wood polish, black tea, and cinnamon,” he said simply.  Pansy turned then to Draco who shook his head.

“You can’t weasel out of it, Draco.  What did you smell?”

“Fine,” snapped Draco, “Green apple, pine, and what I can only assume is lipstick.”

“My sister always smells like lipstick,” Daphne muttered thoughtfully, though only Theo could hear her.  Pansy had rounded on Theo finally and he shot a furtive glance to Camilla.  Camilla looked as though she wanted the walls to collapse on Pansy.

“What about you, Theo?” Theo cleared his throat.

“Ehm.  New books, vanilla, and…” his voice trailed off as Camilla’s eyes widened in almost fear.  He made a split second decision.

“Watermelon.” Camilla’s expression didn’t change, though a look of surprise flitted lightly across Pansy’s face.

“Interesting.  Cam?” She turned to Camilla who looked like she was trying to gather her expression into a more neutral one.

“Um.  Rosemary, clean linen and ginger.” Pansy gave her a similar look to the one she had afforded Theo, but Theo’s heart was too busy breaking to notice.  It was true.  Officially.  Camilla had no feelings for him.  Theo suddenly broke away from his friends, feeling like he had to get to Transfiguration or he would positively cease to breathe.

That, and he didn’t want his friends to notice the spare tear that trickled down his cheek.

The next few weeks nearly killed Theo.  He avoided Camilla at nearly every cost.  He had taken to sitting with Draco in most classes, which as dreary and dismal as he looked these days, was better than pretending not to be in love with his best friend who for sure didn’t love him back.  If he wasn’t mistaken however, Camilla was avoiding him just as hard.  She had fully begun to sit with other houses in class, even sitting next to Harry Potter in a few classes to Theo’s frustration.

This continued well into October, and it was beginning to look like Theo and Camilla would never speak again.  Meetings with the entire group of friends had become so tense that often enough, the girls would separate from the boys and head off to do their own thing.  This, coupled with Draco’s bad mood and Blaise’s unaffected attitude had brought Theo’s mood to an all time low.  His grades were dropping alarmingly, to the point where he had received a letter from his mother telling him in not so kind words to get his shit together.  He couldn’t help it.  He was miserable.

Halloween came and went, and it was finally November.  Theo had given up hope on reconciling with Camilla long ago.  She had fully integrated herself into a friendship with Hermione Granger as well as Harry Potter, and spent most meals sitting either with them or absent from the Great Hall in general.  Theo had reciprocated these actions by dramatically exiting the hall when Camilla sat at the Gryffindor table, or slamming the door of the common room when he noticed Camilla there.

Clearly, Pansy had had enough.

“You absolute bloody git,” she said one day at lunch, after Theo had pointedly been stabbing at his potato post Camilla sitting with the Gryffindors.  Theo looked up in outrage.

“What the hell do you mean?”

“You’re such a child,” Pansy snapped.  Daphne looked up in alarm, but sensing the tension in the air, returned to her shepherd's pie with no comment.  Blaise also looked interested, but continued to stare at his textbook without comment.  Theo balled his fists.

“What has prompted you to call me names, dear Pansy?”

“I know you lied about what you smelt in the Amortentia in September,” Pansy gave him a harsh glare and Theo felt his stomach drop out from under him.

“W-what do you mean?”

“I mean,” Pansy nearly snarled, “That I am fully aware you smelt something Camilla related in that cauldron and you lied about it.” Theo’s mouth opened and closed a few times without sound before Pansy snorted in frustration.

“I knew it!  You idiot!  Why would you lie?” 

“I didn’t need to embarrass myself, Pansy!  You try telling your best friend you’re in love with them after being friends with them for over ten years.” Pansy clicked her tongue in disgust.

“Why do you assume you would have embarrassed yourself?”

“You heard Camilla!  She didn’t smell me either.  Not in the mood to have my heart broken!”

“Oh you absolute prat!” Pansy shouted, gaining curious looks from some of the other Slytherins. “She lied about what she smelt too!”

“What?” Theo felt like all the blood had drained from his face. “Why would she do that?”

“Because you lied too!” Pansy shouted again, this time rousing Draco from his own thoughts as well.  Theo felt like he couldn’t breathe, his heart was beating so quickly against his ribs.

“I didn’t… I didn’t know…”

“Well of course she loves you, you blind idiot!  You’ve both been absolutely miserable for months without each other.  You spent the past eleven years attached at the hip.  How could you honestly think that she didn’t like you?” Theo shook his head, trying to focus despite the new information rolling around in his brain.  As he was processing this clearly monumental new piece of information, he noticed Camilla stand from the Gryffindor table and begin to make the trek back to the common room.  Theo stood without realizing, then shot a panicked look to Pansy.

“Oh go after her you idiot,” Pansy sighed.  Theo nodded distractedly and tore from the Great Hall, only hearing a small snippet of “Now for you, Draco…”

Theo’s feet moved of their own accord, chasing Camilla down in the hallway.  She walked quickly, though he assumed that meant she wasn’t expecting anyone to follow her.  He finally caught up close enough to see the shine in her blonde hair and called out.

“Camilla!” She froze, cloak swishing against her ankles.  Theo nearly tripped over his feet rushing up to her.  She turned to see him and her mouth opened in a small “o” as she realized who had called her.

“Theo?”

“You lied,” he gasped out as he reached her.  Camilla’s features rearranged into confusion.

“I’m sorry?”

“You lied.  About what you smelt in the Amortentia.” Her eyes widened before she swore quietly under her breath.

“Pansy…” she shook her head and straightened, a new defense in her limbs. “I don’t see why that matters.”

“Because you lied to me.  We’re always honest with each other.” Theo said, stepping half a step closer.  If Camilla noticed, she didn’t say a word.

“Well why don’t you go be honest with whoever it is that smells like watermelon,” she spit, and Theo finally realized the jealousy in her tone.  Despite himself, he began to laugh.  Camilla looked appalled.

“I didn’t realize what I said was so funny,” she sniffed.  Theo couldn’t stop.  He drew even closer to her and wrapped her in his arms, still shaking with mirth.  Camilla scowled and it only spurred him on further.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Well you bloody well should be!” Camilla said, pushing back from Theo and effectively ending his fit of laughing. “I’ve been in love with you for years, Theodore Nott and I don’t appreciate you treating my feelings like a big joke.” Theo’s mouth dropped slightly.  She was in love with him?

“I don’t mean to imply that your feelings are a joke,” he whispered softly.  Camilla’s expression stayed stony. “I really don’t.  That’s the last thing I want.”

“Then what then?  What was the purpose of calling me out for lying about my Amortentia?” She asked, folding her arms.  Theo took a moment to gaze at her up close, for the first time in months.  Her hair was still soft and curled, brilliant blonde against the grey stone of the castle.  Hey eyes shone hazel, and her lips looked as soft and kissable as they had his whole life.

“Because I lied too.” Camilla’s eyes opened wide.

“What?”

“Rosemary, rose, and almond oil,” he spoke softly, moving closer to her again until their noses brushed. “It’s what you’ve smelt like every day for the past eleven years.  That’s what I smelt in my Amortentia.” They were standing so close now that if Theo dipped his lips half an inch, he would meet hers.  He waited.  Camilla’s eyes grew shy as they dropped to his mouth hovering ever so slightly above hers.

“Books.  A whole library.  And mahogany.  That’s what I smelt,” she whispered.  Theo’s face broke out in the biggest smile of his life.

“Camilla Avery, I’ve been in love with you for my entire life.” She looked at him with a look that he finally now recognized as thinly veiled yearning, the same look she had been giving him since the Yule Ball.

“I’ve been in love with you even longer, Theo Nott.  Maybe even since we were atoms.”

“Have you been reading Muggle science books again?”

“Maybe.”

“I don’t care,” Theo tipped his head down and kissed Camilla.  Her mouth opened slightly and he deepened the sweet kiss, pulling her flush against his chest.  Her hands tangled in his mess of curly hair and a small noise left her throat as his hands pressed into her back under her school shirt.  Theo kissed her over and over again, tasting strawberry and pancake on her tongue from breakfast, tasting sunshine on her mouth from the happiness that poured from her, finally feeling like his life was complete.

They pulled apart only slightly, still sharing breath between them.  Camilla’s eyes sparkled more than he had ever seen and Theo rested his head on hers.

“Please be my girlfriend.  I think I will positively die if you don’t.” Camilla laughed and the sound was sweet in Theo’s ears.

“We can’t have that.  Of course I’ll be your girlfriend, dummy,” Theo nodded with a laugh and pressed a kiss into her hair.  He didn’t care that they had probably missed the first part of Charms.  He didn’t even care that the comments Pansy would make would be nearly unbearable.  He had fallen in love with Camilla Avery and against all the odds, she fell in love with him back.

and there we go!  kudos to you if you made it all the way through.  tagging @remibarnes22 and @ladiefury because they both said they were interested!

#theodore nott #theo nott #theodore nott fanfiction #theo nott fanfiction #theo nott fanfic #theodore nott fanfic #slytherin #draco malfoy #pansy parkinson #blaise zabini #daphne greengrass #harry potter #harry potter fanficton #my writing #theodore nott x oc

[realityhelixcreates]

Beta, Theta, and Me Chapter 7: The Invisible Cage

Chapters: 7/?

Fandom: Thor (Movies), Avengers (Movies) Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rating: PG

Warnings: Relationships: Loki x Reader (But not right now),

Characters: Loki(Marvel) Additional Tags:  A/B/O, Sorta, More Of An Exploration Of Life And Self Expression Within An A/B/O Framework, Loki Does What He Wants, But Loki Does Not Actually Do What He Wants, Antagonistic Bosses, Loki Has A Throne Now, But It’s Not What He Wanted

Summary:  Loki and his servant discuss the nature of freedom.

You found yourself hiding in your apartment for several hours that day. Loki had gotten a call-the first you could remember-and had instantly bid you leave his presence. In fact, he said he would have preferred you leave the building altogether, but it was suddenly pouring outside, so you'd opted to hide out in your room instead.

You didn't know what would cause him to act that way, but you'd tried to use the time to take a nice relaxing nap. But the sound of rushing wind had rattled the tower, and someone had entered Loki's apartment without bothering to be quiet about it.

Shortly after that, the shouting had begun.

So much for napping.

You opened your door just a crack, and peered out into the round living space down the hall.

Thor was there.

THE Thor, the God of Thunder himself, the only man you'd ever thought might make a good case for monarchy.

He was pacing back and forth in front of Loki, gesticulating broadly, both of them speaking in raised voices. You didn't understand the language at all, it was round and bouncy, with long rolled R's, and rock hard consonants. They didn't seem to be fighting; this was not a shouting match with each other. This looked like shared anger, a common indignance over some other subject.

They discussed loudly with one another, Thor standing across from Loki, around the little table where you shared meals. He was drawing something in a note book, tapping the paper for emphasis, while Loki took up the pen and drew something else. Eventually, the loudness died down, both men becoming absorbed in whatever plan or problem they were going over, and you hid back away in your rooms, satisfied that there wasn't going to be a fight.

They were more than a little frightening when they shouted. There was power in those ancient voices, and it jellied your insides. What must it have been like for people, hundreds of years ago, to hear these beings speak? It wasn't surprising that bygone societies had been built around them.

Thor left eventually, with grim laughter, but seemingly on good terms. When you slunk back out into the hallway, Loki remained at the table, writing in his notebook. He seemed tense, but not angry.

“So...” You started. Loki blew out a long breath.

“I desire some kind of sweet confection.” He said. “If you do not already know how, please learn to make some kind of cake or cookie, and then do so.”

“And then...”

“And then eat some with me.”

Dismissal then. So be it. He'd tell you, or he wouldn't, what business was it of yours?

It was time to level up. It was time to learn how to make cookies.

                                                                         ******

You knew that if this were a movie, or TV show, smoke would billow out once you opened that oven, and your cookies would all be burnt. But that's not what this was, and your cookies were actually fine. A little flat and crispy around the edges, but perfectly tasty. Loki seemed to take extra pleasure in their crunchiness, a detail you filed away for later. He was still agitated, but it was like a swift current at the bottom of a calm stream. You found yourself a bit afraid to step in.

“What do you think freedom is?” He asked abruptly. He'd been back into his extra-long-titled philosophy books again. You'd been trying to convince him to move on from Keirkegaard, but the existentialism spoke to him.

He'd had you sit with him next to his huge fireplace, and sing a few times now, and he even translated excerpts from his books for you in order to discuss them with you. He liked your somewhat cynical, layman's view on these lofty subjects, even seemed to find validity in your sometimes frustrated “I don't know, why should it matter?” answers. This time you thought about it for a while.

“I think it doesn't actually exist. It's an unobtainable idea.” You said.

“Care to expand?”

“Well, okay. So what is freedom? That's a really tough question, right? Like, for some people, its 'not being discriminated against because of skin color' or something like that. For others, it as simple as financial stability. But both of those have something in common with what I think is the average definition, which is 'not being beholden to capricious authority figures'. But is that even possible? I mean, say you're a king.

Not literally!” You exclaimed, as Loki opened his mouth. “But as a king, there's supposedly no higher power than you in all the land, right? But...you also have responsibilities. Burdens. You have to rule, and you have to do it well, or you won't be king for long. You still, in some part, owe your time and effort to the people you rule. You aren't free. You can't just do whatever you want, whenever you want. The people won't put up with it. Eventually, they'll rise up an overthrow you, maybe even kill you. It happened a lot.

But if you go with the Divine Right idea, even though you're telling the peasants that they have to do whatever you say because it's God's will, it's still admitting that you answer to a higher power. Therefore, you are not free, because you are under the authority of a deity and supposedly have to abide by their rules and doctrines. If you don't, your Divine right to rule may be revoked and again, if you have ruled poorly, you'll be overthrown and killed.

You can't even reach freedom by removing yourself from the chains of society. Take yourself off to some deserted place with no other people around, and you can do whatever you want, right? Except you still have to eat. You still need shelter. You still have to spend a lot of time dealing with those things. You are still trapped by the laws of nature. Try to defy them, and you will be killed.

Even in death...either there's no afterlife, and you just stop existing at all, and therefore can't engage in concepts such as freedom, or there is an afterlife, but it follows the rules of the god who created it, and you have to follow those rules while you're there. There's no such thing as true freedom. It can't be achieved.”

“How does that make you feel?” Loki asked softly.

You shrugged. “Not as frustrated as I should, I guess. I don't feel strongly about it. What am I supposed to do about it, rebel?”

“Isn't that what your parents did?”

“Yeah, and they're both dead!” You exclaimed. Loki fell quiet.

“I'm sorry.” You said. “It's just that everyone who finds out about them expects me to be like them, but I'm just not. I'm not their opposite, but I'm not...them.”

“What happened to them?” He inquired. “I don't actually know about them, save for what you have alluded to.”

“You have a phone, right? Look up the 'Joyful Liberation Compound'. I'll clean up these cookies.”

You washed the dishes and cleaned up all the flour and crumbs. When you joined him at the table again, he was staring at his phone, expression grim.

“Yeah.” You said.

“You are the only survivor.” He stated.

“Yeah, because I ran away when I turned seventeen. Had to smuggle myself out in the back of a supply truck. They didn't let us back outside once we came in. Only very carefully vetted individuals, high in the pecking order were allowed back into the outside world, and then only to recruit or bring back supplies that we couldn't create at the compound. 'Liberation' was right in the name, but we were very Not Free.”

“Brave little thing.” Loki said. “It must have been very difficult to make that choice.”

“We joined when I was fifteen.” You said. “I was only there for two years. Not like the other kids, who were raised there, or spent most of their lives there. They didn't know anything else. Now they never will.”

“Your government baffles me sometimes.” Loki said. “Billionaire slavers are elevated rather than criminalized, yet they're perfectly prepared to raze an entire compound to the ground? With everyone inside? Even the children?”

“They were an accelerationist cult.” You pointed out. “They thought the end of American civilization was coming, and that they were supposed to help bring it about.”

“And your government is full of dominionists and fascists.” Loki pointed back. “This seems nothing more than one civil deconstructionist cult destroying the competition while it is still small.”

“Yeah, it sucks all around.” You agreed heatedly. “That's what happens when you have one set of laws for a favored class of people, and another for everyone else. The scum rises to the top and then chokes out everyone else...Sorry.”

Loki regarded you sourly. “You speak very freely, brave thing.”

“Is it different where you come from?” You asked.

“Yes, actually. We have an unbroken line of succession that oversees a thriving and prosperous culture, kept that way by firm, yet judicious leaders.”

“You tried to take over a whole planet by force!”

“I intended to fix your crumbling infrastructure and even out your unbelievable inequality issues.” Loki insisted.

“By enslaving us all? Making us all equally subservient to you?”

“There is a difference between bravery and foolishness.” He warned. “I meant to rule as a benevolent god. You do not wish to see me vengeful!”

You snapped your mouth shut. His Alpha scent intensified when he exerted his personality, but it was the power in his voice that shivered through you.

You hated that. You hated it. The scent made you so uncomfortable, dredged up so many tainted memories. And the vocal power of an Old God squelched your spirit. You sat, still and quiet, practically radiating resentment.

After a few moments of extremely uncomfortable silence, Loki sighed.

“It would not have worked.” He admitted. “My intentions were not pure. I would certainly have tried, yes, I would have given my best effort, but there were...other...factors.”

“What other factors?” You asked. Hadn't your real boss, the one that paid you, the Tony Stark one, asked you to find out things about this exact subject?

Also, you were curious. What was the secret? What had brought the great god Loki low?

His mouth opened and then closed. No sound came out. As you watched in growing confusion, his face began to twitch, twisting into a grimace, his eyes filling with frustration. Breath hissed through bared teeth, his fists clenching over the armrests of his wheelchair. Sweat broke out on his forehead.

“Loki? Loki! Stop!” You exclaimed. “Stop, you don't have to! Stop!”

Loki let out a groan of pain, then shoved you away when you grabbed his hand. You fell right on your rear.

“Get out of here!” Loki roared. “Get out of my sight, and do not show your face again today!”

You scrambled to your feet and rushed to your apartment, slamming the door behind you. Your organs felt like water, as you slid down the back of your door, flinching at the sounds of destruction coming from outside.

What was that? What had just happened? Did it hurt him to try to speak of what happened to him? It had seemed like some painful, physical battle. You fumbled for your phone and called your real boss.

#betathetaandme #loki (marvel) #loki x reader #tw: cult mention #tw: death mention

[enigmawrappedinhypocrisy]

Reader doing something nice for Barley (anything he'd like) because he deserves it

Pairing: Barley Lightfoot x reader 

Fandom: Onward

Warnings: Fluff, talk of fantasy death… I guess… people die in a game… some mention of nsfw (like It mentions the smex word... ) cuddling, Quests of Yore. 

A/N: you sent this ask twice… and I couldn’t decide what to do… so decided on both a sfw and a nsfw thing… thanks for your patience. 

Also… the other version is not a prequel/sequel… and is not necessary to understand this one… But I'm a whore so link. 

Also also… yeah I repeat the same lines in both of them so it’s kinda like a two versions thing… 

❀✦ Master List✦❀

♥

Barley had been working hard lately. 

He still managed to make time for you, even setting aside some time to fix your car earlier in the week. 

After that you decided you wanted to do something nice for him. 

You spent some time trying to figure out what to do, wanting to do something different and personal to show Barley how much you adore him. 

Eventually after much thought it came to you! 

♥

You realized it had been a while since he’d gotten together with his friends to play QoY, he hadn’t even mentioned the game recently. You felt bad about that, and with a little snooping found it had to do with lack of time, not an argument or anything… 

So you made a decision… 

You secretly borrowed his books, called his friends, and set about writing your very first one shot campaign. 

It was tough, and you were pretty unsure about a lot of the mechanics, but between Barley’s notes, written helpfully in the book, and his friends’s aid, you managed to come up with an okay one-shot you were fairly proud of. 

By the end of the week you were ready… well you were nervous but it was Barley’s first night off in weeks… so it was now or never… 

You decided to play it up a little, cleaning and decorating his room while he was gone. By the time his friends showed up his room looked medieval-tavern-ish… 

You had all the pieces laid out and everything planned, all he’d have to do is sit down and enjoy the game. 

You only hoped he wouldn’t be too tired… and hopefully not disappointed having been expecting something else. 

♥

By the time you heard Barley pull up in his van you’d nearly finished getting everything ready. 

All reference papers, mini’s, and dice set out. Snacks and drinks are placed around. Everything should be good, and ready to go. 

His friends were seated at a table you set up with all the things chatting excitedly with each other, and you ignored your nerves as his footsteps neared his room. 

When Barley walked in he was clearly tired, his eyes searching for you. Earlier today you had promised him something special and he was looking forward to spending a night off with you. 

He pauses, hand still on the door as he focuses on what’s in front of him, his brain trying to make sense of it. To be honest, Barley expected to find you waiting for him on his bed in some state of undress.

Instead he finds you, but not only you… 

You, his friends, QoY, all waiting for him.

 Barley smiles, it’s soft, a little tired, but the joy is there.  

“Welcome home Bar-bear” you chime. 

His friends suppress their snickers, planning on teasing him later about the nickname. They knew this was meant to be Barley’s night, and were respectful enough not to mess that up with their jokes. 

“What did you do?” he chuckles, moving over to give you a hello kiss. 

“I wanted to do something nice for you…” 

“Yeah man, you’ve been working hard” 

“You haven’t joined us for a game in a while” his friends join in. 

Barley frowns, “aww, guys… I don’t have anything prepared.” 

You nod and give him a nervous half-smile, “I thought I’d try Qm’ing… so you can just sit back, relax, and play.” 

“You’re too much” his face lights up before joining you and his friends around the table. 

♥

You begin the opening narration and soon the game is well on its way. It’s a little bumpy being your first time as quest master, but with help from the others you manage. Before long everyone’s fully engulfed in your story, and enjoying the quest. 

The party is told of a neighboring kingdom, taken over by a tyrannical ruler, his men constantly attacking anyone who drew close to their borders. 

Barley the Brave and his comrades were moved by their appeal and accepted the quest… 

Soon they set out in the direction of the kingdom, facing some low level threats along the way… 

You, getting used to running combat, and allowing the players to spend some time role playing.

♥

“As Barley’s barbarian strikes the final blow on the cruel king, bringing him to his knees, your remaining enemies disperse… they know they can’t beat you…”you narrate and the others celebrate their hard fought victory. 

The fight was tough and they weren’t fully prepared for the enemies numbers. Several of their characters were close to death and if Barley hadn’t rolled so super well on the last attack they might not have made it another round. 

But they managed and you were so, so proud of Barley’s quick thinking and problem solving. 

“You’re left alone in the throne room…” you tell them. 

“I’m gonna loot the corpse!” one of the friends declares. 

“I wanna look around” Barley decides. 

You tell them they find, “plenty of gold, (600p) and a key” on the king’s body. 

Barley rolls well again and finds a hidden door- “the key works- the door swings open”

Cautiously, still damaged from the battle, the party makes their way through the door. 

“Following the dark winding tunnel you find yourselves in the dungeon… all cells are empty but one” 

“I go up to it!” 

“Inside the cell is a ragged older man, he’s dressed in what looks like, used to be nice clothes…” 

“It’s the king!” 

“Is it the king?” 

“He struggles, but manages to lift his head, upon hearing the party enter the dungeon…” you tell them, he looks at you with quiet desperation. 

The magic user uses an unlocking spell on the bars. 

“I’ll help him sit up” Barley speaks, “Hello sir, by what cruel fate do you come to be in this place?” He uses his hero voice, which is a lot like his regular voice just a bit more calm and stoic. 

“‘The king was my brother… he turned my guards against me… and imprisoned me in this cell” the man explains with effort.” 

“Well no worries, my good man, he is no more” 

“The king sighs, “I suppose that’s what needed to be done, thank you, young hero’s for saving my people” he thanks you, though his eyes show a deep sorrow.”  

“Aww, that’s sad… they were brothers after all, I wonder why they turned against each other” 

“Maybe they both liked the same girl?” 

“I don’t know… can you imagine a girl liking that guy?” 

The group laughed, you don’t notice Barley’s loving gaze fixed upon your face.

Smiling, you conclude the story, telling them how they helped the rightful king back to his throne. He rewards them with gifts and a banquet in their honor…. And fade to black… 

By this time it was late and, while still excited about the game, everyone was ready to go home. 

They tell you how much fun they had and promised to get together for another session soon. 

Once it was just you and Barley though you were surprised with the look he was giving you.

[ In fairness it’s the same look he had been giving you all night… you’d just been so wrapped up in the game to notice. ]

It could only be one of love and adoration, “Babe that was so good” he pulls you into his arms. 

“I’m glad you liked it,” you say, nuzzling into his shoulder.  

“This was a lot of fun” he squeezes you to him. 

“I thought you deserved it… a night off… being able to relax and have some fun” You smile softly at him. “And your friends missed you too.” 

“I would have been happy just cuddling with you” he tells you with a grin. 

“Well that’s still gonna happen” you giggle, pulling him in the direction of his bed. 

“What about all this” he indicates the set up you had prepared for the game. 

“I’ll clean it tomorrow” you promise. 

Barley shrugs and pulls you onto the bed with him, causing you to giggle as you bounce slightly. 

He pulls you to him, inhaling your scent, before nuzzling your hair. “You’re wonderful, you know that?” he holds you tighter. 

“No you” you turn your head, kissing his neck softly. “You’re wonderful, and and a cutie, and warm, and so so too good for me” you babble trying to suppress a sudden yawn. 

“Alright, I think it’s time for bed” Barley chuckles brushing a piece of hair out of your face. 

“No, we’re cuddling!” you whine, “and then we’re gonna have amazing sex” you insist, even if your eyes were closed and another yawn threatened to escape.  

Barley laughs before pulling away from you, to your dismay. He quickly undresses both you and him, leaving both of you in only underthings.  

Turning off the light he rejoins you in bed. 

You instantly mold yourself to his side. 

He kisses your head, “Good night my love.” 

Once again, you nuzzle into him, responding with your own, slightly slurred “g’night.” 

You do feel a little bad, having honestly intended to follow up the game with some cuddling and intimacy… but, your mind supplies, there’s always early morning sex… 

Barley pulls you close, and is already flirting with the idea of calling in sick tomorrow by the time your breathing slows… 

Soon you nestled in his arms, Barley joins you in the pleasant world of sleep and dreams. 

♥

A/N: so this was done a little sooner than the nsfw one… but I really wanted to post them at the same time… and hopefully this being a bit longer than my normal drabbles makes up for my laziness. :( 

#Barley Lightfoot #Barley #Barley Lightfoot x reader #Barley x reader #Onward #Pixar #Fluff #ask #Quests of Yore #fanfics

[faulty-writes]

Warning: Death Mention, Blood Mention, Emotional Abuse Mention. 

Fandom: My Hero Academia 

Pairing: Tomura Shigaraki x Pro Hero!Reader 

[A hero’s life was supposed to be easy, but unfortunately, yours wasn’t so glamorous. You’re engaged to another Pro Hero but they aren’t the nicest to you, and a certain villain has his eye on you and he’s willing to kill to get what he wants.]

Your life seemed to operate on two extreme ends. You were a Pro Hero and though you weren’t ranked at the top, you were still well known and popular. You were more than happy to help others and saving lives was something you had a passion for. But while everything was good behind the flashing lights, it was another story when you got home. 

“Where have you been!?” your fiance(e) snapped, hands on their hips, and a stern expression across their face. You sigh and turn around to face them, you missed the days where you could enter your home without being questioned. Given your fiance(e) was also a fellow Pro, they happened to be controlling and often degraded you with their words.

You hated it and you had been guilted into the engagement, on top of that you didn’t have the courage to leave them. “I asked you a question!” they snapped and grabbed your arm, roughly pulling you towards them. “Answer me!” they hissed before taking a tight grip on your jaw. Your eyes narrowed and you tried to suppress the growl in your throat. 

“I had an interview …” you said before grabbing their wrist and pushing it aside. You reached up to rub your sore jaw as you entered the kitchen. “You didn’t tell me you had an interview!” they snapped as they followed you like a lost puppy. You rolled your eyes, “I ...didn’t think I had to tell you.” a cry left your lips a moment later when you felt them grab you, and you were pushed against the counter. 

“Yes, you do! I ordered you to tell me where you are at all times!” they snapped and you looked at them with a fearful expression. Your shoulders trembling, “No one else but me wants you, so I suggest you listen if you don’t want to die alone,” your heart sank at those words and you looked down, damn it. Sometimes you wished your fiance(e) would just disappear so your life could go back to normal. 

Shigaraki narrowed his eyes on the television, the image of you during your interview was playing across the screen. He felt his heart skip a beat as he watched you, though that was nothing new. While you and he had crossed paths numerous times, you were always playing the part of the hero, and he, the villain. He had fought against you as well, finding your skills to be admirable. 

But unlike most heroes, he didn’t have the desire to kill you. In fact, he had found himself growing attracted to you and he wanted you. He didn’t care how he did it, he didn’t care what was in his way. You’d be his and that was a promise. Of course, he already knew how he’d get you but he needed to get rid of the little pest in his way.

He knew full well about your engagement, it made him sick to think that you were giving yourself away to another pathetic hero. Someone who didn’t deserve you, someone who couldn’t provide you with everything you deserved. But he could and he’d cherish you once he got to call you his and you would belong to no other man but him. 

He turned off the television, feeling his stomach twist. Thinking too much about your fiance(e) often made him sick. He groaned and sat up on the couch, his hands curling into fists. “I’ll make them suffer,” he said before chuckling, the thought of murder making him smile. He knew the Hero Festival was coming and it was a public event. 

You had already stated in your interview that you’d be participating in the event along with your fiance(e) and that’s exactly when he’d put his plan into action. He slipped his hands into his pockets, that same twisted grin on his face as he walked to his bedroom. Just a few more days until the Festival and he was looking forward to the chaos. You, on the other hand, were dreading the Festival.

Your fiance(e) had set down a list of rules for it. Given you were going to the event in your hero attire, but despite that, you weren’t allowed to talk to any other heroes. You weren’t allowed to talk to the media and they told you to keep a smile on whenever you were holding their hand. It was disgusting, you weren’t sure if your fiance(e) was controlling or jealous. Probably both. 

Either way, when the day of the Festival came you weren’t feeling any joy. That fake smile you were forced to wear made you want to burst into tears and wish yet again you could just break off your engagement. The media was there, snagging up interviews with any willing hero and of course, children were running around having fun. 

You had tried to talk to one child who happened to be a fan of yours and they asked for an autograph which you were happy to give. Though your fiance(e) interrupted and dragged you away, leaving the child crying. “What is your problem?!” you snapped as you tried to rip your arm away from your betrothed. 

They scoffed, “I told you to follow my rules!” they replied before pulling you forward and finally releasing you. “You better be here when I get back.” they threatened before walking into the restroom. Your heart sank as you leaned against the wall, your lip quivering as you tried to will yourself not to cry. 

You took a deep breath before watching the people pass by, “Hm?” you blinked when you noticed someone dressed in a black hoodie standing across from you. Their face was covered but you could make out their long silvery-white hair and a feeling of familiarity came to you. Had you seen them before? You watched them slowly raise their hand and you narrowed your eyes, what were they doing?

Their arm came up before they chopped it through the air, a moment of silence followed. The quiet before the storm and it started with the ground shaking beneath your feet. You gasped and looked down, the small pebbles vibrated and you pressed harder against the wall, finding some sense of stability leaning against it. You looked back up, seeing that hooded figure raise their head and that’s when you realized.

“Shigaraki …” you whispered, watching as his face twisted with happiness before the Nomu’s appeared. Charging on both sides of him, screams echoed as they began to smash the stands and food carts. A massive amount of people created a riot, running for safety while the heroes tried to assess the situation. You looked through the crowd of people, Shigaraki had disappeared, you took a step forward but your fiance(e)’s words rang in your head. 

“You better be here when I get back,” you growled, tightening your hands into fists. Was it more important to follow the rules of someone who made you feel like less of a human being or the rules of your own heart? You had trained all your life to be a hero, admired them, and did your best to climb to the top. That meant you wouldn’t sit by and watch innocent people get hurt, despite knowing what your fiance(e) would say and do to you.

It didn’t matter and with that thought, you ran to join the action. Playing the part of the hero you were designed to be. Meanwhile, Shigaraki smiled as he watched the chaos before setting his sights on his next move. He walked into the bathroom, one of the walls had been broken by Nomu and the mindless creature had caused blood to splatter. A few bodies littered the floor and Shigaraki stepped over them without a care. 

Your fiance(e) was screaming, pulling as Nomu restrained them with a screech. Shigaraki looked amused as he approached your fiance(e), almost taking pride in how well his little plan had worked. With you distracted, he could easily take out this little pest. Then you would be his, all his and no one would ever take you away from him. “For a hero, you’re rather pathetic.” he spat and noticed how your fiance(e) looked at him with fear. 

“What y/n sees in you, I’ll never know. But it doesn’t matter.” he grinned as he raised his hand. “Soon enough your existence will be ended, but I think I’d like to torture you a little first. After all, it’s what you deserve for taking something I want.” he said and your fiance(e) growled, “What do you mean something you want?” they hissed and Shigaraki motioned the Nomu to begin the torture. The creature gave a cry and reached down to grab your fiance(e)’s arm before twisting it back and a sickening crack filled the air. 

Your fiance(e)’s scream echoed through the air and Nomu released them, Shigaraki laughed as they fell to their knees. Their face twisted in pain as they held their now broken and bleeding arm. Shigaraki’s laughter came to an end and he smiled wickedly. “Oh does that hurt? Remind me again, what was your question?” he placed his hands behind his back and continued to grin. “Oh right, regarding what’s mine.” Nomu grabbed your fiance(e) once more and screeched. 

“You see, y/n is mine or at least they will be. Oh trust me, they will be and you’re the little pest that stands in my way. It’s so simple, I kill you to get to them. Heh, it’s not like you don’t deserve to die. A hero that can’t even face off with a villain, how pathetic.” he motioned to Nomu who then took hold of your fiance(e) and with all its force, threw them against the wall. Their cry echoed through the restroom and once more, they looked to be in pain. 

Shigaraki approached them, pulling out a knife. Though it wasn’t exactly his style, he preferred using his Nomu’s and henchmen for his lesser work. But this was rather personal and so he’d take the pleasure in torturing the piece of shit that claimed to be your fiance(e). “W-Wait, please!” your fiance(e) begged but Shigaraki quickly silenced them by slashing their face with the knife. 

Blood dripped from the tip of the knife and a deep cut was now across your fiance(e)’s face, starting from their cheek and going across their nose, ending underneath their eye. “Oh, are you shaking?” Shigaraki asked before laughing, “Break their other arm.” he instructed and your fiance(e) panicked. “N-No, please!” they cried out, but Nomu already grabbed them and another sickening crack filled the air. 

Your fiance(e) hung their head and Shigaraki nodded in approval. “Now, tell me. How will you drag y/n around with two broken arms? Hm?” he questioned before he latched out. Wrapping three fingers around your fiance(e)’s neck and watched their terrified expression deepen. “I imagine you’re already familiar with my quirk, once all five of my fingers touch you. You’ll be nothing but dust,” he spoke with a hiss. 

“But before I do …” he smirked and leaned close, whispering into your fiance(e)���s ear. “Y/n is mine and your existence is not needed.” with that, he wrapped all five fingers around their neck and watched with sheer happiness as his quirk worked its magic. Your fiance(e)’s skin turned gray and cracked. Their eyes rolled to the back of their head as their body slowly turned to dust, nothing but their clothes were left behind. 

The pile of dust that was their remains fell to the floor and Shigaraki looked at it with a scowl before he heard your footsteps coming. He turned to Nomu, gesturing it to leave and cause chaos elsewhere. You rounded the corner of the bathroom, calling out your fiance(e)’s name only to find Shigaraki there and a shiver ran down your spine. “Where is …” you paused, did you really care what happened to them? 

Your clothing was ripped and you had received a couple bruises from the fight against the Nomu’s and trying to control the unruly crowd of people. You were panting and though the other heroes had taken control of the situation, you had returned to try and find your fiance(e). It was more so because the hero in you wanted to make sure they were okay. “Oh, I was wondering when you’d show up,” Shigaraki said as he walked over to you. 

You clenched your jaw, “Where is my fiance(e)?” you questioned, your hands curling into fists, and Shigaraki just smirked. His eyes staring you up and down, “Oh, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about them.” he said, his head turning to the pile of dust on the floor. You looked confused a moment and followed his eyes. “Wait ... “ you dropped your hands and took a step back, “Don’t tell me you …” Shigaraki turned his head back to you, smirking. 

“I simply got rid of the pest keeping me from what I wanted.” you gasped and for a moment, you locked eyes with Shigaraki. Had he ...killed your fiance(e)? You let the reality sink in, your jaw hanging open, and though most would probably expect you to cry. Instead, your heart accelerated. The sense of the freedom you wanted since you met your fiance(e) coursed through your veins. 

“You killed them …” you whispered and Shigaraki finally approached, standing before you. He leaned over and you felt your heart skip a beat as you stared into his eyes once again. His silvery hair hanging in his face and his red eyes glowed with certain mischief that you somehow found impossible to tear yourself away from. “I did, they were pathetic,” he said and you swallowed, your eyes shifted before looking down at Shigaraki’s lips. 

Though they appeared chapped and a scar was present, you smiled and leaned forward. Catching Shigaraki by surprise, your hands cupped his face and you pressed your lips against his. His eyes went wide and his body went stiff a moment before he felt you deepen the kiss. Slowly, his arms came up and wrapped around you. He was careful not to lay all five fingers on you, but the kiss itself still sent his head spinning. 

Part of him knew this is all he wanted, just to have you be his and accept him. You slowly pulled away, a soft pant coming from your lips. You looked at Shigaraki, smiling brightly before dropping your hands. “Thank you,” you said, knowing that the one thing you were afraid of was finally gone. 

#shigaraki x reader #tomura x reader #bnha reader insert

[chiscribbs]

PLUS EST EN VOUS Review

(Over a week later, and I’m finally posting this. At least I don’t have to worry about another episode coming out before it’s posted.)

Okay - there’s a lot to cover, so without further ado...  Let’s get right into it, shall we?

Things I liked about the finale:

All of the beautiful Cass / Rapunzel scenes! 

They were so emotional and beautifully done, it felt like everything that needed to be said was said, and seeing them act like friends again was very cathartic for me. In a lot of ways, Cass & Raps’ relationship reminds me of some of my own (old ones that didn’t end so smoothly, and then newer ones that I can already tell will leave a lasting impression on my life) and seeing them reconcile and talk about how much they meant to each other really warmed my heart. A best friend is an irreplaceable thing, and I love that their interactions showed that. I also really appreciated the “I love you”s, because the world needs more of those between friends. And it also reminded me of Eugene saying the same thing to Lance, in Beyond the Corona Walls.

The awesome Team Awesome content!  There was an abundance of it in this episode, and I loved every second of it! Truth be told, I was never a big “Team Awesome” fan until S3 came around. The relationship always felt a tad too one-sided to me, and I just couldn’t see them being particularly close, at least not as close as Varian and Rapunzel. The fandom helped me warm up to the idea a little bit, but this past season definitely sold it for me. Eugene has really matured and become a lot less self-involved since the first time they met. I absolutely love that he’s turned into sort of a cool older brother figure to Varian (in fact, many of their interactions are reminiscent of moments I’ve shared with my own brother) and Var now looks up to him rather than just the “Flynn Rider” persona. The fact that Eugene could tease him about his past mistakes and Varian just turned around and casually joked right back? That made my heart happy.

Speaking of maturing & happy hearts -

 I’M SO PROUD OF THIS BOY!!! 

I know I say that a lot, but He’s just come so far since S1, or even the beginning of S3! There were a ton of little moments showcasing his growth in this episode. Such as:  - Jumping onto the piano to help Raps rally the troops (did anybody think we were going to get pianist Varian? I sure didn’t, but I’m not complaining.) - Stating with certainty that he can rebuild Demanitus’ portal, before even seeing the schematics, and just overall showing more confidence in his abilities. (Quirin looked so proud when he was building the portal...you know, before going  all mind-slave and trying to pull the lever.) - Being the first - the FIRST - of the gang to walk into Demanitus’ tomb. This may seem small, but it was such a 180 from Be Very Afraid, where he was nervous and trailing behind Raps the entire time. Now he’s not only joining in on the adventure, he’s taking the lead on occasion! - Rigging Quirin’s helmet with a temporary stun mechanism as a fail-safe for the mind-trap. He seemed hurt and offended when Eugene initially brought up the possibility of his dad being a double-agent, but even so, he listened. He put common sense and the safety of others before his own feelings, and that’s not an easy thing to do.  - Firing an explosive concoction straight into the face of an enormous demon monster??? I mean,...heck yeah, boy!! Also - using his past mistakes (i.e. the amber and monster!Ruddiger) and repurposing them towards something good. I could go on, but you get the idea. he’s just come so far and I could not be more proud of his development. And the fact that he went on to become Corona’s Royal Alchemist Engineer was just the cherry on top! YOU DESERVE IT, BOY!!! 👏👏👏

You know who else I’m proud of? Rapunzel. She was never my favorite character in the series (despite being the protagonist,) but this story - and this past season in particular - has really endeared me to her. She’s grown so much, she’s become a strong and wise leader, and I’m proud of her for it. Honestly, I’ve related to her far more this past season than any other. And I don’t know if that’s because she’s older and more mature now, or because her naivete and eager-to-please attitude is all but gone, or because she just felt a lot more real and vulnerable in recent episodes - but I really, truly love her. And I’m happy to see her story reach its completion. (Also - long-haired brunette Raps is my new favorite thing, tbh.)

THIS:

‘Nough said, I think.

The epic new powers and abilities (and return of some old ones)!!! There were so many moments while watching the finale where I was literally just yelling at my sister like “wHOA, DID YOU SEE THAT?! THAT WAS AWESOME!!!” I had no idea that Cass could make ANIMATED WOLF HEADS of the black rocks, that completely blew me away! And then there were those golden rocks that Zhan Tiri manifested, that was so cool! I wonder if the sundrop alone could make those appear, or if you had to have both of the elements to make it work. Also - the Healing Incantation was finally brought back! I knew it would be, eventually, but I’d almost completely forgotten that was a plot point by the time the finale came around. It was good to hear Mandy’s voice saying those familiar, nostalgic words again. And she put so much emotion into it!

Now, onto the less fun stuff...

Things I disliked about the finale:

(Feel free to skip over this section if you’d rather just focus on the positives, I fully understand. I’ll do my best to be fair and only address the things that really stood out to me.)

This subplot went on for far too long:

It was pretty funny for the first few minutes (and I’m sure the animators loved getting to go crazy with the characters’ designs like this,) but after awhile, I was like “is this really what we want over half of our cast to be doing during the BIG FINALE?” I mean, we already had the monkey gag, which I actually thought was a riot. And this one came right in the middle of a pretty climactic moment, so it just seemed kind of out of place.  I’ll admit, the snake-hair joke and Lance’s multiple eyes had me rolling, but ultimately, I just felt like this whole bit only served to waste limited time that definitely could have been better utilized.

The portal was too quickly demolished.  They could have at least come close to a success with it before it was destroyed, so that it didn’t feel completely useless! I get that they wanted ZT to be defeated by her own power, and I’m down for that, but if the portal’s sole purpose within the story was just to temporarily remove all the secondary characters in limbo so that the mains could do their thing, I can’t really get behind it.  Especially seeing as their only Plan B was “throw things at the giant all-powerful octopus monster,” come on, guys. I would have preferred that be a last-resort after several failed attempts at other pre-orchestrated plans. They could have had Varian and Quirin working on repairing the portal while the others distract/attack Zhan Tiri and THEN have her destroy it (purposefully, rather than by some random falling rock.) Or, maybe everyone could have been in on the plan to get the sundrop and moonstone to meet, and then have Raps and Cass are the ones who finally succeed in doing it. I don’t know, I just feel like there was a lot of wasted potential there.

This scene:

I’m going to be perfectly honest, this scene bothered me. For a multitude of reasons:

Firstly; it was a shot-for-shot copy (not a parallel, a copy) of the iconic New Dream moment from the movie, just replacing Eugene with Cass. That wasn't necessary, Cass and Raps have their own unique relationship and their own moments, they don’t need to steal Raps & Eugene’s. This should have remained a New Dream-only thing, in my opinion. (Especially seeing as her parents already stole their gondola bit...I’m mostly joking about that one.)

Secondly; it didn’t make sense? Rapunzel was standing just as close to the blast as Cassandra, yet she wasn’t harmed at all. In fact, she seemed completely unfazed by it. Why was Cass the only one effected? (And we can’t even make an argument that the moonstone shard protected her, because the powers were lost the moment the two fused.) If they needed a brush-with-death scene, why not have ZT hurt Cass? I feel like that would have been a lot more dramatic, especially after manipulating her for an entire season.

And finally; it made every other character’s “death” seem unimportant in comparison. I get that the writers needed Raps to use the Healing Incantation, but, EVERYBODY ELSE WAS ALREADY HALF-DEAD, AT THIS POINT. I’m sorry, but, why wasn’t that incentive enough to use the healing power? Why did we need to have Cass’s near-death on top of everybody else’s?  I mean, I would’ve been maybe a little bit more okay with it had Rapunzel mourned everybody’s death and not just Cass’s, and then used the power to save ALL of them at once. But instead, she completely forgot about everyone else until the very last second, which was frustrating. I’m not a fan of plot devices that ignore other characters, especially when the protagonist is supposed to care about them but then just doesn’t even seem to remember that they exist for a hot minute. This felt like the ending of Freebird, only worse because you can’t make the excuse that she was unaware. (Just to be clear, I’m not blaming Rapunzel. I know it wasn’t meant to come across that way, I just feel like it was not well executed.) There are a lot of ways that this could have been done differently. Rapunzel and Cass could have BOTH been devastated about their friends/loved ones, I would have loved to see Cass show genuine concern and remorse towards the OTHER people whom her actions hurt, not just Raps. Or, Rapunzel could have at least landed near Cass so it would’ve made sense for her to notice her first, and then looked around and noticed everybody else before using the healing incantation. At least that way, the other characters wouldn’t have felt so much like a second-thought. I don’t know, I just didn’t appreciate the treatment of the supporting cast in this scene at all. It felt like they were forgotten right up until the very last second.

Cass didn’t get to sing in any of the songs.  I was really surprised by this, I figured given how important her role had become, she’d get to sing at least one line (like Lance and Varian did.) But nope. Actually, a good 90% of the music in this episode was sung by Raps, and as much as I love the songs & Mandy’s beautiful voice, I was hoping for the other characters to be a little bit more involved. Especially in the Life After Happily Ever After (Reprise), that would have been a great opportunity to have everybody sing together.

Things I would have liked to see in the finale:

More information about Demanitus and ZT.  We got so little! I was expecting this episode to answer all of our questions about that two, but I still have no idea; what their relationship was, where Zhan Tiri came from, why exactly she wanted the power (besides just to have it for herself, I guess), or how they came across the SD and MS in the first place! Like, just a little bit more information would have been nice, the only thing the flashback really gave us was what ZT looked like before spending a few millenia in limbo. (Also - apparently Corona is several thousand years old??? Which, I didn’t know, I was under the impression that it was a fairly new kingdom.)

Closure for this relationship:

This is probably what I was most disappointed by. Honestly, I’m still kind of surprised that this didn’t happen, even just a little bit. Given that Cass was wearing the Cassandrium at the end, we can safely assume that they at least parted on good terms. But the last few exchanges that they had really gave me the impression that we’d be getting some kind of closure before the credits rolled. We were given two whole episodes focusing on the unique bond that these two share (that’s more than we were given for Cass & Eugene,) they were painted as parallels, so it only makes sense to give them a proper wrap-up. In CR, Cass seemed hurt and devastated after realizing that she’d effectively pushed Varian away, it’s clear his friendship meant a lot to her. Not to mention, Var had the best understanding of Cass’s feelings, he could relate to her - especially about her guilt and fear of not being forgiven. But despite all of the build-up & foreshadowing, they didn’t even get an on-screen goodbye? Not a single “thank you” or “I’m sorry”?  I realize that the main focus was always on Cass & Raps’ friendship, and I’m totally fine with that. I’m just saying that after all the obvious parallels and time invested in this relationship, it would have been nice to get some closure. I just wish they’d included at least one little dialogue exchange to wrap it up in a satisfactory way, like we got with Cass and Eugene.

Actual pay-off for all the Varian - Demanitus parallels.  I think we can all agree that this seemed like it was going somewhere, and then it just...didn’t. He did rebuild the portal, but it turned out to be useless, and outside of that, the similarity was never touched upon. Not by Rapunzel, or Zhan Tiri, not even Xavier made the connection. I mean - this kid is doing at 15/16 what Demanitus did in the latter half of his life. He’s not only following the legendary engineer/inventor’s footsteps, he’s expanding the legacy. If that’s not foreshadowing for something, I don’t know what is! And I do love the fact that he became the Royal Alchemist Engineer, but at the same time, I just feel like there was so much wasted potential in this almost-but-not-quite-subplot.

An actual Brotherhood reunion, without all the mind-trap influence.  It would have been so interesting to see them all interacting! I was surprised that, even though Edmund and Quirin were both in the same place for most of the episode, they never really interacted? Outside of mind-controlled Quirin, Hector, and Adira attacking Eugene &  Edmund, they didn’t exchange so much as a word. And I get that a lot of that was time restraints, and having to focus on more important plot points (as Edmund said “bigger fish”) but honestly, if they had time to thrown in all that netherworld nonsense, a little Brotherhood interaction doesn’t seem like too big of a favor to ask. 

Rapid-fire Opinions: 

Favorite song: Through it All

In my opinion, this song is the best group number in the show (not counting the ones only sung by main 3, such With You By My Side or Next Stop Anywhere) It’s not quite as epic as Ready As I’ll Ever Be, but it has an infectious beat and a triumphant melody that I really enjoy. Also, the scene as a whole was so cheerful and fun, and we got Varian, Lance, Kiera, and Catalina all playing various instruments! (Plus more New Dream dancing! ❤ )

Favorite callback to a previous episode: Easy answer, because it comes from (what is still) one of my favorite episodes in the series - the Cassandrium.

Favorite scene: This one’s a little tough, but I did really enjoy the little moment that Eugene and Varian had after Quirin was incapacitated by the helmet. 

I also loved the final scene where Cass said goodbye to Rapunzel and they gave each other the biggest, warmest hug I’ve ever seen in animation history (and the prior exchange between her and Eugene was really sweet, as well.)

OH! And how could I forget? That beautiful New Dream proposal. 💜 That was absolutely perfect. The animation, the music, Mandy & Zach’s incredibly heartfelt voice work, just...I loved everything about it.

Most underrated moment: Catalina pushing Kiera out of Zhan Tiri’s way and getting grabbed herself. (Show of hands, who else briefly forgot that she was a werewolf and had a small heart-attack in that moment?)

Theories I had that were proven true: 

- Cass leaving Corona to “find her own destiny.”  I’d always felt like Cass never really had a dream of her own; she didn’t know who she was, and she was never going to get the answers by staying by Rapunzel’s side. So I had a strong feeling that she would be leaving, but I’m glad to see that it was on good terms.

- Everyone vs Zhan Tiri.  Granted, like most people, I was under the impression that Xavier’s “magic and alchemy” statement would be more...relevant? Turns out, we read into that way too much. Which, honestly, is a tiny bit disappointing, but it was still cool to finally see Zhan Tiri at her most powerful.

- Varian becoming Corona’s Royal Alchemist Engineer.  This is a theory I’ve had since my early days in the fandom, and I’m glad to see it finally confirmed! My only complaint is that we didn’t get to see Rapunzel bestow the honor upon him, because I would have loved to see that exchange.

Theories that were not proven true, but I still believe:

- Varian (and possibly Quirin) being a descendant of Demanitus.  You can pry this one out of my cold, dead hands, there are way too many clues pointing to it. I’m not even sure if Demanitus has any descendants (again, we have very little information on him still) but if he does, Varian’s a prime candidate. His lineage comes from the Dark Kingdom, he’s a genius alchemist/inventor, has a personal connection to both the Sundrop and the Moonstone; honestly, I’m kind of surprised this possibility was never even considered, at least one, in canon.

- Cass will eventually return to Corona.  I have no idea when, why, or how, but I truly believe she will. Her spirit may be roaming free at the moment, but the heart always returns home. And - as it stands right now, at least - her heart is still waiting in Corona. In the meantime, though, I’m glad she’s living her best life, seeking out adventure wherever destiny leads her! She deserves it <3 

Well, that’s my full Plus Est En Vous/Tangled the Series Finale review! I’d love to hear everybody else’s thoughts on the final episode, as well; how many people were satisfied vs unsatisfied with the ending? What were everyone else’s favorite moments, what else would have been nice to see? Let me know!

Final words: This show and this fandom have meant so much to me, and I’m far from done loving it. I still have many projects in the works to celebrate the show and its completion, but in the meantime - thanks for reading.

And God bless the amazing team that came together to bring us this incredibly beautiful, meaningful, story which will always have a special place in my heart. 

#artistnotes #tts #tangled the series #plus est en vous #character analysis #episode analysis #episode review

[the-odd-job]

Up in Flames chapter 1 - Embers (Ashes Part 2)

Warnings: Major Character Death, Chose Not to Use Category: Other Fandom: Transformers Relationships: Megatron/Sunstreaker, Megatron/Sideswipe, Sideswipe & Sunstreaker Characters: Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Megatron, Skywarp, Astrotrain, Seekers Additional Tags: Dubcon, Mechpreg, Sticky Words: 2672

Direct continuation of Ashes of Icarus chapter 20, but I split the story into two parts largely for AO3′s sake, hence the name change.

( Previous )

They didn’t say a word as they sat in Astrotrain’s hold. Not that there would’ve been anyone to talk with, aside from each other. And while Sideswipe fidgeted, disquieted… Even he didn’t start jabbering like he usually would.

Sunstreaker couldn’t exactly blame him. Things had gone… So wrong, so fast. As much as he’d known there would be consequences, sooner or later, and as much as he’d expected those consequences would directly involve Megatron… Pits, this still managed to go beyond what his imagination had managed to cook up. Having everything aired in front of practically all of the Autobots on Earth, that was a bit much. 

The shock hadn’t worn off yet, that much he was sure of. Reality hadn’t sunk in yet, no matter how much they were surrounded by a Decepticon signature, with no Autobots anywhere to be found.

Well, it would hit them eventually, and it’d likely feel rather unpleasant.

On waiting for that… What would they do from here on out? Besides living among the Decepticons for the foreseeable future.

What should they expect out of that?

They didn’t know a hell of a lot about the Decepticons’ daily life, having never been ones, but there were always rumors. Rumors about violent discipline, frequent infighting, vocal arguments, all encompassing cruelty—all the things Autobots abhorred, bundled into the purple faction.

Why had that always sounded so painfully familiar?

Decepticons originated from Kaon. The twins originated from Kaon. Did that mean something? Would they find a mindset they knew so intimately, that the Autobots had never gotten? The one they’d never managed to shake off, despite having spent the entirety of the war under the Prime’s banner?

Or was that just wishful thinking?

They were about to find out. They could feel Astrotrain descending, no doubt arriving to where the Victory had crashed and sunk into the ocean.

“Hop out so I can transform,” Astrotrain said, opening his hatch. He didn’t stop moving, probably because he couldn’t—they’d never seen him hover in place.

But they could see the platform risen from the sea. And jumping off moving objects… Not like they were exactly unfamiliar with that. It was an easy thing to calculate Astrotrain’s speed and the distance to the platform, and the moment when they would need to jump to land on it.

Piece of cake. They jumped, and for a moment there was nothing beneath their pedes—something they should’ve been uncomfortable with, as grounders, but just weren’t.

Never had been, for that matter.

Then metal clanged under them as they fell on it. Astrotrain continued on for a bit before looping back around to make his own approach. Megatron and the few Seekers with him similarly landed around them.

And they weren’t used to feeling small, having been among the tallest Autobots, but slag, they were feeling like short stuff now. Megatron was massive, of course, and while the Seekers weren’t as tall, they were still plenty taller than the brothers.

Then Astrotrain landed as well, and the triplechanger didn’t make them feel any bigger.

They’d probably need to get used to this now, though. Decepticons as a whole were just larger.

But then again, their predicament in Kaon had been the same. What was this but a return to the old?

Megatron gestured them onto the elevator, joined them with two Seekers, and then they began their descent into the ship itself. It wasn’t as long of a ride down as they’d expected, but still plenty long enough. The elevator shaft was barely illuminated by small lights along its walls, chasing each other up the walls as the platform steadily lowered. No one said anything, and the silence was… A bit awkward. The Seekers were flicking or fanning their wings every few moments, expressive as ever in responding to the mood of the situation.

A bit nervous, right now.

Megatron, though? He appeared completely unaffected by everything going on around him, only standing there oozing confidence. It practically pooled at his feet.

Typical.

It was a relief when the elevator came to a stop at the bottom, opening to an airlock. Megatron led the way, the twins after, and the Seekers behind them... But they’d barely taken two steps out of the airlock and into the ship’s interior before Megatron stopped and turned to face them. 

The brothers stared back at him with matching expressions of distrust.

“You won’t need these anymore,” Megatron said, and before either brother had managed to puzzle what ‘these’ he meant–

–Megatron had already leaned down and sunk his claw into Sunstreaker’s chestplates—at one corner of his Autobot insignia. Sunstreaker didn’t have time to do more than rev his engine in affront and alarm before Megatron had dragged his claw straight through the painted Autobrand, digging a deep groove across it.

Sunstreaker stumbled back seconds too late, one his servos rising to his chassis—but the damage was already well done. When he looked down he couldn’t see more than an ugly wound ruining the insignia of his…

Ah. Former faction, wasn’t it? Apparently Megatron wanted visible proof of their defection. 

Wouldn’t it have been enough to replace their insignias with the Decepticon one, seriously? Sunstreaker couldn’t say he particularly appreciated the damage his armor had now sported.

“Don’t you slagging–! Oh, frag you,” Sideswipe snarled when he tried to get out of Megatron’s reach, only to get grabbed by the back of his neck. The scratch was repeated on him despite his squirming.

Jagged, torn, ugly—and yet so intentional in appearance that there was little mistaking what it stood for.

Sunstreaker huffed as Sideswipe rubbed his servo across his sore plating, doing little more than aggravating the area further. Alright. So this was a great start to things. 

But Megatron was satisfied with that. “Come,” he ordered them with a flick of his digits, setting down one of the hallways branching from the area in front of the airlock, “Your quarters have been prepared.”

“You were expecting us or something?” Sideswipe asked as they followed the tyrant, just because they didn’t really have anything better to do. Besides, it would be nice to see their new living arrangements.

“You were always going to join me, after Sunstreaker’s ignition,” Megatron responded simply.

Sunstreaker growled, but Megatron glanced at him and continued, “One way or another.”

And… That was a threat if he’d ever heard one. He could likely conclude he was right in expecting Megatron would have dragged him to the Decepticons even if he’d tried to go Neutral—and that his only hope to not end up here would have been to stay with the Autobots.

But that wasn’t much of an option. 

Sunstreaker dedicated himself to sullen silence.

As with the Ark, the Victory was wonderfully tilted. Not so much it would have made living on it impossible, but enough, so at least that much hadn’t changed. That was about where the similarities ended, though. The Ark was brightly lit and garishly, cheerfully orange from floor to ceiling. 

The Victory’s lights were dim and its color scheme violets and greys. End result was that instead of appearing welcoming, somewhere you might actually want to be, it was just foreboding and gloomy. 

Not very uplifting. At all.

Somehow it fit the Decepticons, though.

They traveled down several ramps, Megatron’s heavy pedesteps shaking the deck on every step, but surprisingly he didn’t go so fast the twins would’ve had an inordinate amount of trouble keeping up with him. Oh, they still got to walk real fast after his significantly longer stride, but it never got to the point where they would have outright needed to jog.

But Sunstreaker doubted that was thoughtfulness on Megatron’s part, rather just… A continuation of his image of control. He was in no rush, because he owned the place and nothing and no one could threaten him.

Or something like that. Frag if he knew what went on inside despots’ helms. 

The brothers did make an effort to start building an internal map of the Victory’s layout as they went. That wasn’t too easy because everything looked the fragging same, but that was a fault in the Ark too. They’d get the hang of the place still.

Eventually.

But one particular corridor in what they assumed was the lower portions of the ship looked like it was lined with living quarters. At least, Megatron stopped at one of the evenly spaced doors and triggered it to open. He gestured for the twins to have a look and enter.

They did, a bit cautiously.

The room was nearly half of the size of their quarters on the Ark, but then again their quarters back on the Ark were meant for four mecha even if they hadn’t needed to room with anyone.

It looked like these were for two mecha only. There was a bunk berth at the back wall, a desk with a lonely chair next to the door, and drawers to what he assumed were subspace containers embedded on one wall, and… That was it.

But it was honestly more than he’d expected, all things considered. A perfectly well furnished room, as far as military standards went—even those of the Autobots’.

“The bunk folds into a double berth, if you’d prefer,” Megatron said. The brothers glanced at him in surprise, but the tyrant was already turning to leave. “Make yourselves at home.”

And then he just left. The door closed behind him, leaving them standing alone in their new home. Sideswipe blinked and Sunstreaker echoed his surprise at… What? What had they expected would happen? Something bad? 

Honestly, yeah. He wasn’t sure what kind of bad, but something bad nevertheless.

This… This wasn’t so bad.

Sideswipe went to poke around the drawers while Sunstreaker considered the desk, the berth, and the room in general. It was as dimly lit and depressing as the rest of the ship they’d seen so far, a bit claustrophobia inducing… But it could be worse. It was private, if nothing else. Oh, he wouldn’t trust there weren’t cameras or mics around, but at least they could pretend to be out of sight.

“Should we fold the berth?” Sideswipe asked, turning away from the drawers after he’d deemed them uninteresting. They weren’t yet ready to place their stuff in them and around the place to make it look a little more lived in. They weren’t that at home. 

But the berth… Sunstreaker nodded after a brief moment’s consideration. They had no need to recharge next to each other, and hadn’t on more than occasion for a long time, but in these circumstances… That might still be a greater comfort.

They stepped over to the bunk and inspected how it worked. After a bit of trial and effort they managed to unlock it and lowered the top one next to the bottom one, and locked it in place there. Smooth going.

There was a bit less space in the room afterwards, but all in all it wasn’t too bad. 

...Then what? He doubted they’d be allowed to just wander around, but Sideswipe went to test the door anyway–

–And found it wasn’t locked. It opened for him.

The brothers shared a look of surprise before Sideswipe stepped into the hallway, scanning it up and down.

There was no one around. Maybe in some of the other rooms, but not in the hallway itself. No guards or anything of the like.

They weren’t in the brig, but he wouldn’t have still put some sort of chaperons past Megatron.

Should they go? There wasn’t much for them to do here. They weren’t in need of recharge anytime soon, and he wasn’t even sure if the Decepticons followed the Earth’s passage of time or if they still functioned by Cybertronian measures. They might not go to recharge as a whole even when the planet’s sun set.

How else would they find answers to questions like that except by going out to look for someone who might be willing to entertain their curiosities? And since they could do that…

Why the frag not? It would also have the use of helping them familiarize themselves with the ship.

Of course, they might not find their way back to their room if they went too far and took too many turns, but eh. They’d worry about that when they got there.

After sharing a nod, they filed back out and went back the way they’d come. Where to? Really, anywhere would work at this point. Maybe they’d find the rec room, or the medbay, or the command center, or… The ship had to have a training room of some sort too. What else? Labs? Offices? Those weren’t of quite as great interest.

They decided to go up, first, and climbed two ramps before they stopped. Voices floated down one corridor, and that was the one they took out of simple curiosity to see what was happening. 

There was a gaggle of Seekers standing in front of one doorway, that, after a glance in, appeared to lead to some sort of recreational room. They wouldn’t have fit to squeeze past the Seekers to get to the doors even if they’d wanted to, though.

Skywarp took notice of them as they approached and waved cheerfully. “Twins! Mechs, I’m so disappointed I missed Megatron picking you up. I heard it was fragging awesome!”

And indeed on a second look, two of the Seekers in the group had accompanied Megatron on that particular trip.

Apparently some gossiping was happening. 

Sunstreaker scowled and Sideswipe rubbed the back of his neck, but Skywarp didn’t take any notice of their discomfort. “The way you left the ‘Bots, Sunstreaker! Slagging epic to own up to the whole thing like that. You’ve got some real guts on you, mech.”

Well. At least he was getting compliments. 

“Megatron showed you to your quarters?” another Seeker asked. Sunstreaker had no idea what their designation was, but he’d probably slagged them a few times. 

You know, because he’d slagged really all of the ‘Cons on one occasion or other.

“Yeah, told to make ourselves at home. We were, uh… A little surprised we could just walk out after,” Sideswipe answered, finishing off with a shrug.

Skywarp laughed, more than a little surprised—disbelieving? Over what?

It became clear in the next moment. “You’re ‘Cons now!” he argued. “Of course you can go anywhere you want, just the same as everyone else.” He sounded like he really meant that, or took it for granted, or…

Slag, was this just Skywarp being his usual idiotic self, or did the lot of them really plan to let them waltz around the place?

But the other Seekers nodded along, so maybe it wasn’t just Skywarp. 

“Oh,” Sideswipe said, very, very smartly, but that just… Wasn’t at all what they’d expected. Did they have any trust at all in their loyalties, after how they’d ‘defected’? Because if they did, then they were dumb as bricks.

“You don’t know the ship yet though, do you?” Skywarp spoke up again. Sideswipe shook his helm, but before he managed a word in, Skywarp had already continued, “Ohhh you’ll probably get lost a lot! I’ll give you a proper tour of the whole place later, okay?”

“As if you don’t get lost half the time yourself, ‘Warp,” one of the Seekers teased, eliciting some laughter from the group. Even Sideswipe twitched a smile when Skywarp’s wings shot up in offense.

“Everything looks the same, alright?!” he exclaimed. Sideswipe laughed along with the rest of them this time, not that he could really argue with that sentiment.

Skywarp shook it off quickly, though. “Ugh. Anyway, you wanna hang out with us in the rec room for the evening? I can show you back to your quarters after so you don’t get lost.”

Did they have anything better to do, really?

“Sure, why not,” Sideswipe agreed.

It couldn’t possibly continue this pleasant for long, but pits, they’d take the good times before the bad.

( Next )

#transformers #maccadams #sunstreaker #sideswipe #megatron #skywarp #astrotrain #fic #2020 #ashes #up in flames