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ymechi · 5 months

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Who is the real Creator?

To be honest I had no plans of even adding Wanderer but he casually came in and inserted himself into this story and he is here to stay.

-TW: cult au, yandere, impostor au, mentions of being hunted down, mentions of trauma,

-Gn reader and darling (please tell me if I mess this up message me and I will fix it)

part 1, part 2, part 3, this is part 4, part 5

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Reader woke up with a yawn stretching their limbs and with heavy steps going to the washroom. After they finished their business they turned the stove on to make some tea and prepared breakfast. The morning was rather lovely, the sun was shining again and the birds were chirping and the trees were swaying softly.

They sipped their tea quietly as they watched the scenery outside. With a hum, they packed up their bag with books for today's classes and headed to the Akademiya. One of the perks of being promptly isekai-ed was the instant teleportation. They thought of the teleporter near the Akademiya and white light enveloped their eyes. After a few seconds, the sights changed. Most people had gotten used to their and the traveler's teleportation antics and paid Reader no mind.

They hummed a tune as they headed towards class.

In a rather unexpected surprise, they saw Wanderer, they did not expect to see them today. It looked like he was heading towards them. Reader gave him a wave but their smile fell as they saw the serious expression on his face and not his usual one.

He looked at Reader and nodded.

"I expect you know what this is about, Lesser Lord Kusanali wants to meet you at her office."

Reader tensed and their eyes widened. They tried so hard not to think about yesterday.

The sting of a cut, gold blood, broken old friendships.

They rubbed the thumb they had cut off. Wanderer looked at them with an unreadable expression, he then turned away his head and spoke.

"We can take the longer way so you can get your bearings."

He turned away and started walking. Reader stumbled and could do nothing but follow along. Despite his harsh exterior Reader knew he meant them well. If the situation was not urgent Reader bet Wanderer would have told them to forget it.

Knowing it was a serious matter did not help things. All morning they were in an odd serene calm trying to dissociate from the revelations of yesterday. They rubbed their forehead. Reader hoped they had more time to process the situation and go about their routine before they came to a conclusion or answer or whatever.

All the time while they were walking Wanderer was quiet leaving them to their thoughts. Reader was not familiar with the way to Nahida's office. They must have taken an even longer route as they kept taking certain twists and turns and Reader could swear they entered the same hall as before. It was honestly kind of sweet how he took care of them in his own way.

The sun enveloped his figure causing the decorations on his hat to shine and casting a gentle shadow on his face. Wanderer's face was unreadable but there was something kind in his eyes Reader thought they could see.

Reader sometimes did wonder if he knew it was them who gave him his new name.

Wanderer must have thought he gave enough time for Reader to prepare themselves because they stood still near tall intricately carved double doors. Reader gulped. They did not feel ready at all. Wanderer knocked on the door and Readers heart rate started going faster.

"Please come in."

It was Nahida's voice. It was oddly comforting, perhaps they had gotten too attached to the Archon without Reader knowing it.

Wanderer opened the door and held it open for them. He still had that strange look on his face as he looked at Reader.

As both Wanderer and Reader stood in front of the Archon, Reader took in the office. It was large and spacious and decorated with books (as expected), large glass windows let in the sunlight and it was decorated with plants giving it a welcoming feeling, knowing Nahida it was probably intentional.

Reader tried to distract themselves from the topic that will be discussed. Yet the inevitable would happen.

"I am sure you know what will be discussed so I will cut to the chase," she looked at Reader with a sorry expression, "It will soon be announced that Darling is not the Creator, as you both will know this event will cause wide panic and confusion. I am sad to say this might affect you as well Reader for your safety I hope you will stay here with me until things calm down.

Reader nodded and said nothing further, they could still feel Wanderers staring at them from where he stood. Did. . . he know?

Nahida then stared and Wanderer who took his gaze off Reader to stare back at the Archon. It felt as if both were having a conversation in their minds in the end the Wanderer nodded and left them alone.

Finally, it was just Nahida and Reader.

Reader felt a bit uneasy despite feeling safe next to the archon.

"I know you might need some more time to process what happened yesterday but unfortunately we may not have the time. I want to ask you what you want to do now."

Huh?

At Reader’s confusion, Nahida continued.

“You are the Creator as such you can take your rightful position and rule, you can live in the bigger temples or you can go to other Archons and live with them. Anything you choose I will of course respect.”

Reader was rather dumbfounded. They expected Reader to rule- a rightful position? It really went over their head. They did not want or desire to rule and they had no idea what they would do in a temple Reader was not the ascetic kind. What would they even do in other Archon’s places? Most of them were not kind to Reader.

Nahida was waiting for their reply. Reader wrung their hands and replied.

"Uhh - well, is it okay if I just stay here?"

Nahida blinked.

"Yes of course if that is what you want. Sumeru welcomes you wholeheartedly," she said with a smile.

At that Reader let out a breath and relaxed their shoulders. It seems the daily life that they had built could still be protected.

"Once again I am sorry to say there are still problems that are unsolved namely your identity, I won't force you to reveal it but I do think it is best to tell the acolytes," she said looking regretful.

At that Reader grimaced. Nahida said nothing further and looked and waited for Reader's reply. Reader looked down on their feet.

It would be a smart decision as what they say would have a public sway and it would be best if they were told from the source rather than hear it second hand and later come here and demand answers.

Reader was, still is, scared they were also frustrated. Just for how long are they going to feel like a helpless person? They did not want to continue to run away feeling scared all the time by the people who had wronged them. They should not be the one in hiding and being in fear all the damn time. Reader had enough of running away for a lifetime already.

"Fine they can know but I will be the one to tell them."

At their statement, Nahida looked surprised but she schooled her expression and smiled. She nodded towards them.

"Of course you can, if you need me I will be there with you."

Reader once again relaxed their shoulders and smiled.

"That would be nice thank you."

"There is no need to thank me I would do that for any friend of mine."

Reader's chest felt warm. Honestly, Nahida was just so sweet to them. They felt happy that even in a foreign world they managed to get such a good friend.

"Ohh right since I am telling the acolytes I think I can tell wanderer as a practice run."

"That is a good idea let me get him again he should be waiting outside."

Nahida called over Wanderer who once again stood next to Reader in front of Nahida's desk. Reader glanced at him again and struck while the iron was hot.

"Apparently I am the creator."

Wanderer blinked at them but otherwise said nothing. It was Nahida who spoke.

"How about we take it from the start," she said with a sympathetic expression aimed at the Wanderer.

Reader left Nahida to explain most of it as they had to take a break already from saying the truth and they honestly did not know how to properly explain everything that happened yesterday. By the end of the explanation Wanderer had a thoughtful expression.

"So the real Creator was the one hunted down what a twist of fate," he said and crossed his arms.

He looked a bit contemplative before Reader could say anything Wanderer faced Reader and bent down - no he kneeled.

Reader spluttered and felt like a deer in headlights watching the usually proud Wanderer kneeling.

"H-hey please get up there is no need-"

"I apologize for my earlier behavior it was unbecoming to act in such a manner in front of you, our golden lightning. I hope I did not offend you."

"Wait please get up this is so uncomfortable!"

After Reader said that wanderer got up and did not face them directly. Reader swallowed their saliva and tried to think why Wanderer had such a one-eighty in their personality. They did not think Wanderer would care about the Creator or the status of it from how they talked they were wrong by the looks of it.

To make such a prideful person kneel on a flip of a switch. . .

Once again they had no idea what the weight of the Creator was and what it held for the people of Teyvat.

"I understand I am sorry for the distress I may have caused you," he said and put a hand on his chest and looked down to the floor.

Reader gulped.

"P-please just act as usual, I- you," they paused trying to think of the right words, "When I first came here I was a mess and you helped me, I am the one who should be bowing."

"Please don't it was the least I could do for you as the Creator. Back then if I should have done more."

Reader hated this. When they wanted to tell wanderer they did not expect it to turn out this way. They did not want this weird worship and formal attitude.

"Please stop I don't want this, Not any of this. I wanted you to know because I see you as a friend," they said and clenched their hands.

Wanderer looked surprised at the admission, almost as if taken aback. Reader would have laughed at his face if the tension was not thick. He looked down for a bit and then back at Reader again.

"I will be honest I am not sure how I am supposed to reply, you are our Creator the one we all worship, yet you consider me out of all people a friend. . ."

He trailed off and Reader wanted to retort.

"Of course, I do, when I first came I was a mess and you still took care of chores around the house and bought groceries even if it was on Nahida's orders but you still did it all without complaint and you taught me a lot which you did not have to - all this to say you are a dear friend of me so please don't act so formal and weird. You are a precious person to me and I hope you think of me at least as a friend."

After they were done with their spiel they took a deep breath realizing they were out of air. Wanderer lowered his hat his face obscured but Reader could faintly see his face being red.

. . .

Oh-.

Reader felt the blood rush to their face and they looked away.

Nahida who had watched it all laughed quietly.

"I must say I am quite jealous of you now. You know Hat Guy, it's not every day the Creator themselves expresses their gratitude like this."

At the mention of the silly nickname, Reader relaxed and also laughed.

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Taglist: @resident-cryptid @probablynoposts @esthelily @mitsukashi @charming-mage @chaoticfivesworld @irisxiel @dulcedelechenginamo @yu-ulda @samohxt2-0 @pinkpainc @vianitry

#genshin impact #sagau #genshin sagau #self aware au #self aware genshin #cult au #yandere #imposter au #sort of not really an imposter au #mentions of trauma #wanderer genshin #wanderer #nahida #the plot is moving along at least #i had no idea wanderer would become a part of this story lol

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dearestgojo · 1 year

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Indifferent Love

Gojo x Fem reader

Summary: Satoru Gojo’s life gets turned around when you declare you’ve never held any feelings for him, and an arrangement is formed so that you may live the rest of your days in peace with each other. But upon your declaration, something stirs to life inside Satoru.

Warnings: 18+. Smut. Oral f receiving. Breeding. Vaginal Penetration. Creampie. Dubcon. Fingering. Violence. Choking. Mentions of Alcohol.

Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Series Masterlist | Wc: 8.2k

Satoru wakes up on Suguru's couch the next morning, a warm blanket slung over his body, and a hard pillow under his head. He wakes up later than usual, his phone flooded with messages from his mother asking where he was and now from his wife. He stares at your name on the screen, reading over the dry texts from before your wedding. He wonders if you ever question where he spends his nights. If it bothers you that he doesn't sleep at your side.

From your lack of messages, it doesn't.

The sound of footsteps walking the hall pulls his gaze away from the screen. He sits up to see Suguru walking out of his bedroom, hair sticking up every which way. "Morning," He greets from the couch, sitting up and running a hand through his messy white hair.

Suguru rubs his eyes and looks up at him, raising his shirt up as he scratches his stomach, making his way into the kitchen. "You're here later than usual. Thought you'd be home already, having breakfast with y/n and your parents."

"I overslept," Satoru answers, getting and following Suguru into the kitchen, grabbing a mug for a cup of coffee, "I'll probably head to the office from here."

"What about y/n? Won't she asks where you've been?" Suguru asks, starting the coffee maker.

Satoru shakes his head, leaning against the counter, "She never does."

Suguru nods absentmindedly, moving around his kitchen and starting to prep breakfast. "That explains why she didn't seem to care when I told her we were meeting. Lucky you."

"Lucky me," Satoru echos, serving himself a cup of coffee, "You saw her? When?"

"Yesterday, when I was with Yuki. We ran into her, Utahime, and Shoko at a cafe near downtown," Suguru answers, tossing his toast into the toaster, "They seemed in a hurry to leave, guess that's because she was meeting you."

Satoru sips from his coffee, glancing at him, "That or they were just trying to get away from Yuki."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Yuki and Shoko dated a few years ago, from what I heard. It didn't end well, Shoko wanted to let people know about their relationship and Yuki wasn't ready. So they called it quits."

"Didn't know that."

"No one really does. I just happened to see them once," Satoru responds, glancing at his watch, "I have to go. I'll be late."

Glancing at Satoru, Suguru watches as Satoru grabs his coat from the back of a chair, his mouth filled with toast, "See you later man."

Satoru waves over his shoulder opening the door, with his hand that holds his jacket, "I'll bring your mug back some other time."

"Not spend the night here?" Suguru calls out.

Sipping from the mug, Satoru shakes his head, "Not tonight. See you later."

He's fifteen minutes into the drive back to the office when his phone rings, your name popping up on the screen of his car. He answers, greeting while turning right with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding his coffee in place. "Hello?"

"You never arrived for breakfast," you answer, sounding bored.

The corners of his lips turn up, and he's sure you can hear it when he replies, "I thought you didn't care what I did."

"I don't you," you grumble, shuffling traveling through the speaker, "but your mom was worried and asked me to call you since you haven't picked up your phone." You pause for a moment, "She asked me why I didn't know where you were when we shared a bed."

Satoru's eyes flicker toward the screen. "Oh," he pauses turning back to the road, swallowing the knot in his throat.

"Don't worry though I remember that Suguru told me you were going with him and told her that...she still wasn't happy that I had forgotten. Pick up her phone calls next time."

He listens to you sigh, his father's building coming into view, "It won't happen again." He smiles again, his teasing nature surfacing, his voice falling down an octave, "You know we sound like a real married couple right now. Arguing like this."

You puff out an annoyed breath, "Shut up." The line falls silent for a moment, but he can hear you move around on the other side before your voice travels through once more, "You're going in to work soon, aren't you? Your dad left a few minutes ago."

He nods his head, pulling into the parking lot, "Yeah, I'm just now getting here."

There's another pause of silence on your in, "Well...good luck today," your voice sounds lighter as you speak to him, "Do a good job. I'll see you when you get home."

Satoru feels his heart flutter in his chest, and his stomach doing a couple of flips. He can't explain it, but hearing you sound cheerful turns him into nothing but jelly for a few moments. He stumbles over his words, parking the car and staring at the empty space in front of him. "T-thanks. I'll try. I'll see you later. Have a good day."

"I will," you answer, the sound of water traveling through the speakers of the car, "bye, now."

"Bye."

Satoru still stays in his car for a few more minutes after hanging up, staring at the wall in front of him. His heart still thrumming against his ribs and replaying the sound of your voice through the phone. Taking in a deep breath he exits the car and walks towards the elevator, closing his eyes and picturing you on the bed speaking to him, gathering your close before walking to the bathroom and running the hot water. He imagines the corners of your lips twitching with a smile as you wish him a good day at work.

The ding of the elevator reaching the top floor draw him out of his thoughts, Yuna greeting him by the elevator as usual. He listens to her give him the usual run-through of what his day will be like, working on calming the storm in his belly. But the sweet sound of your voice plays throughout the entirety of the day, and he anxiously waits for the day to end.

You're lounging around in the study, reading a book you had randomly picked up after coming back in from visiting the orphanage to find the house empty, your mother away to organize a charity with a few other housewives. You're dressed comfortably, in a pair of loose stripped beige dress pants and a white blouse, your hair tied into a loose chignon. The footsteps of the maids walking outside the study help to fill the silence of the house, but do little to hide the sound of the front door slamming closed.

You look from your book, hearing the maids greeting the person who just walked through the door. You can't make out what they're saying, but you can hear footsteps approaching the door. They open a second later, revealing Satoru.

"You're home early," you welcome him, looking at the time on your phone, the time reading five thirty, slowly getting up from you're spot on one of the chairs in the room.

Satoru nods his head, eyeing you from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, "I left work early." He looks around the space, "What are you doing in here?"

You close your book, walking toward him, "I've been reading a few of the books in here. Why am I not allowed in here."

"That's not what I was saying, you are allowed to do whatever you want, this is also your home. It's just no one ever goes in here, not even my dad," he answers, walking out the door.

"Why?" you ask, following close behind him up the stairs.

"It...doesn't matter. It can be yours while we stay here if you want. I mean you're already using it, but you can ask the maids to change stuff around if you want."

You shake your head, "I like it as it is."

"Okay."

The two of you walk past down towards you're shared room, the falling sun barely casting any light over the backyard and terrace. "How was work?"

"It was okay," he responds, opening the door to the bedroom and walking in, "we had a lot of meetings that I thought wouldn't end. Yuna seemed extra annoyed today for some reason too."

"Yuna's your secretary right?" You ask sitting on the bed, kicking your shoes off, and leaning against the bedframe.

"She is. She's been on my side since I graduated college and started working for my father," he answers talking off his blazer, "I don't know what I would do without her, she's the only reason things run so smoothly."

"Sounds like she is non-expandable, "you respond opening your book and reading.

Satoru continues to move around the room, taking off his watches and gathering a change of clothes. He eyes your form on the bed from the doorway to your shared walk-in closet, stands of hair framing your face, and your lip caught between your bottom lip as you read.

"I'll be staying here tonight...hope that's fine," Satoru tells you, fingers undoing the top buttons of his shirt while he walks towards the bathroom door. When you look up at him with your eyebrows raised, he's already sliding the shirt off his body. You swallow and tear your eyes away as the muscles of his back become exposed, freckles sprinkled across the back of his shoulders, lean muscles flexing as he moves to stretch them.

You clear your throat and eyes back to the book on your lap, "Yeah, this is your room, I don't see why you need to let me know you're staying the night."

"Guess you're right," he answers, peeking at from his peripheral vision, slightly upset that you haven't asked where he's been spending his nights the last two weeks and a half, "You're not going to ask where I've been sleeping, or why I'm suddenly staying here?"

You shake your head, turning the page, "No."

"Not even so you can give my mom an answer?" He asks, walking into the bathroom to turn the water on.

You snort, calling after him, "It sounds to me like you want me to worry about you. Like you want me to nag you about your whereabouts."

"I don't," he answers, poking his head out of the bathroom door, white hair falling out of its place, "But there should be times we ask each other this type of stuff while we live here."

"I thought the paperwork would be signed by the end of this week."

Satoru disappears back into the bathroom, "They will, but we still need to have answers. Thought you'd be the one to think this through since you're the one all about keeping appearances."

You pout slightly moving your legs off the bed and walking towards the door, leaning against the frame just outside, "I didn't think it would matter since we're moving soon."

"Apparently you thought wrong," Satoru responds, his voice muffled by the sound of water falling and the glass of the shower.

"In that case, you would be the only one who would have to give that information, you're the one who spends most of his nights outside of our bedroom. Showing up early in the mornings." You toy with the edges of your nails while you speak to him, "I on the other hand am here day in and day out, and if I go anywhere I let the maids know I'll return in a few hours."

"Then that's things will be until we move out," he calls back out.

Sensing that was the end of the conversation you move away from the door, and pick up your book again. The image of Satoru's back muscles flexing replaying over in your head no matter how hard you try to push the thoughts out of your head. The words in front of you blur into one another as you try to concentrate on them, and not the burning between your legs. A burning that only increased when Satoru came back out of the bathroom towel hanging low on his hips, droplets of water falling from his hair. "Sorry forgot my clothes," he excuses himself grabbing the clothes at the end of your bed and returning to the bathroom.

Your face burns, the highs of your cheeks feeling warm, "It's fine," you swing your legs over the end of your bed, slipping back into your shoes in a hurry, "I'm going to go see if the maids have dinner ready."

"Okay," Satoru calls out from the bathroom, the bedroom door opening and closing a moment later. You're face burns throughout the entirety of dinner and even afterward as you crawl into bed next to him. Pillows reoccupy the space between the two of you.

Satoru falls asleep long before you do, his light snores filling the bedroom door. All the curtains in the room are drawn close together, but the moonlight still manages to seep in through a few cracks, lighting your long night as you toss and turn before sleep takes over your body.

The fluorescent lights flash above you, blurring into one long strip. You can hear people speaking hurriedly around you, and pressure against your side, along with something warm dripping down.

You can't really make sense of any of it, your mind feeling fogged as you take in gulps of air. There's an echo in your head of screaming and yelling and a sharp sting on your right cheek, followed by the sound of glass breaking. You recall feeling warm spreading across your back, and your clothes stick to you.

There's the sound of your mother screaming, her hands cupping your face as she yells at someone to call for an ambulance. There isn't much to remember after that, the world fading into nothingness until you're watching the lights fly above you.

"Is she going to be okay?" you hear your mother's voice ask as you pushed through the halls of the hospital. The world fades again before you can hear the answer.

When you come back too, you laying on a hospital bed, a warm hand wrapped around you as the sunlight comes in through the hospital windows. There's beeping all around you and the television is playing the weather, you can barely hear it over the ringing in your ears. Looking around you see you're mother's head resting near your legs, her hand holding yours in her's as she sleeps.

You struggle to sit up, pain shooting up your sides. Your toil causes your mother to stir, her eyes shooting open and tear decorating the edges of her eyes, "Y/n, you have to stay still, you'll open your stitches again." The pained look she gives you calms you, and she slightly pushes you back onto the bed, empty apologies stumbling from her lips, "I'm so sorry, y/n. I should have done better to keep you safe. I'm so sorry."

You remain silent, turning your head away from her. Unable to fully forgive him, the pain on your side was a reminder that you were just a pawn to the two people who were supposed to care for you.

The cafeteria is buzzing with life during lunch, the employees giving him a quick greeting as they walk past his and Sukuna's table. The food on the table remains untouched.

"I thought we were meeting at the office to sign the papers," Sukuna says, breaking the long silence between them.

Satoru takes a sip from a glass in front of him, "We were, but I have some meetings I need to take care of." He reaches for the papers Sukuna places on the table, pulling a pin from his shirt pocket, "And I wanted to talk about my wife. You two seemed close."

Sukuna swallows, feeling as if all eyes are on him, "I've known her since my sophomore year of college, we were never really close so I don't know why you think I could answer any questions about her. Or why you would ask me instead of Utahime or Shoko who have known her longer," Sukuna drinks from his own glass, "And shouldn't you know her better than any of us, you've known her your entire life."

Satoru glances up at him from where he's signing the paperwork, "I presume at one point I did, but there's been a riff between us for some time now. I suppose that's my fault."

"Is that why you hired me," Sukuna queries," because you heard I was close to y/n and thought you could get to know her to better instead of just asking her."

Satoru sets the pen down, pushing the papers back toward him, "Yes and no. I knew found out you were close to y/n after hearing that she was personally sponsoring your brother's scholarship. Then I saw you at our wedding with him and assumed it was true. It was then I found out you were a real estate agent through my assistant and that you were good at your job."

"That's good, 'cause I'm here to speak purely business, nothing more nothing less," Sukuna answers.

"I see," Satoru laughs, running his thumb over his chin, "What do I have to do to have a personal conversation then?"

Sukuna leans back on the chair, thinking it over. He didn't see any ill intentions behind Satoru's asking about you, unlike when Kenji would, just a man trying to know a bit more about his emotionally distant wife. Sukuna answers with a sigh getting up "My lunch break is five minutes. I have to call the office to clock out for it, so give me a few minutes. I'll be right back."

"Okay, I'll be right here then," Satoru replies.

He doesn't take long, returning exactly five minutes later, tie loose and hair slightly disheveled, picking up his plate of food. "Ask away then," he grunts.

Satoru leans on the table, his elbows resting on the surface, "Did you and her ever date?"

"No. She wasn't interested. That and I'm pretty sure when we meet she still had somewhat of a crush on you," Sukuna answers shoving food in his mouth.

"Did she see anyone else then?"

"She did. Though I don't think it could've ever become anything serious since you were still in the picture," Sukuna twirls his fork over the food, "Shouldn't have y/n already told all of this? I mean you are both married."

"We're married on paper. And I would ask if I thought she would answer me directly, but she always seems to circle around with her responses," Satoru answers, "She never answers me straight."

"Oh," Sukuna laughs, "She's scared to let you in. I guess that's understandable considering what she's been through."

"What exactly has she been through?" Satoru asks, intrigued by the comment.

Sukuna considers his next course of action. He answers steadily, "It isn't my place to tell you all of this. Y/n will tell you when she's ready, just know that it'll probably take her some time and that she's in a...fragile state right now," he pauses and adds, "You're partly to blame for it in a way."

Satoru glares at the man, in front of him, "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying y/n could've been spared whatever heartache she's experiencing if you hadn't run off overseas," Sukuna returns his glare, "She and I could've been spared much pain if you had just married her sooner."

"I don't know what you're trying to say."

Sukuna laughs between his teeth, raising his glass up to drink from it, "Of course, you don't. You don't know anything about her. About what she's been through the last seven years. What she went through behind the closed doors of her house. All you know are your assumptions of her...from what she's told me."

Satoru takes another bite of the food, chewing angrily, "Then you tell me."

"Why should I? I don't owe you anything," Sukuna answers.

"But you owe y/n, don't you?" Satoru throws back, swallowing down his food "For whatever reason, you both feel compelled to only tell me half the answers, but I don't understand why you do. Maybe you do it cause you feel you owe her for paying your bother's tuition. Or because she got you this nice job. Whatever it is I'll find out."

"I hope you do," Sukuna glances at his watch, getting up and gathering the papers from the table, "I'll have to excuse myself. My lunch break is almost over and I would like to have some time for myself. I hope you and y/n enjoy your new home."

Satoru nods, wiping his mouth, "Okay. I guess we'll be seeing each other around still though since you're my wife's friend."

Sukuna returns his nod, "I guess we will. Goodbye for now then."

Satoru watches the large man walk away, noting the faint limp as he walks away. The curiosity of wanting to know more about the hints of your life Sukuna had given swimming in his head for the days that followed.

The move to the apartment feels like it takes longer than it should. Late deliveries of new furniture, the painters not turning up on time or painting one of the rooms the wrong color, and Satoru being busy at the office with meetings and late work nights. It takes you a week longer to finally move into the place that will be your home from now on.

Six weeks into your marriage and things have finally seemed to fall into a sort of routine. A routine that would need to be readjusted once again after the move.

Walking through the doors of your home you take in the space, not much has changed save for the new furniture and freshly painted walls. The walls of the entire bottom floor are no longer gray, black, and white, but an arrangement of colors that bring life to the space. The living room lies just beyond the dining area, with two small steps separating it from the kitchen space, and the large staircase that leads up to the second floor is still on the left, behind the large couch. The large windows still allow sunlight into the entire bottom floor. The kitchen granite kitchen counters have been wiped clean, and new appliances spread along the surface of them, resting neatly on top.

You walk past the dining table and down the steps to the living area, glancing out the large windows peering onto the terrace, and watching the sun glisten in the water of the pool. Eyeing the terracotta pink decorative wall the bathroom door is on and furniture accents of the space. Behind you Satoru huffs and drops the bags he had carried from the underground parking lot and up to the elevator, dragging it down the hallway that leads to your penthouse.

"Did you really have to bring these with you? Couldn't you haven't sent them with the movers?" He groans, falling on one of the white couches.

You shake your head, "I have some priceless jewelry in those that my grandmother gave to me on our wedding day."

"You're dad or mom's mom?" He asks, wiping the sweat from his face.

"Mom's."

"Was that the lady that came up to us and held our hands together while she gave us marriage advice for a happy marriage? Or was it the one that looked like she had a stick up her ass?"

"The first one," you respond, moving away from the windows and towards the bag, bitterly mumbling, "You think that with all the advice she was giving us she would have made sure her own daughter married happily."

Satoru peeks at you as you move across him, "What?"

"Nothing. Do you want anything for lunch?" you ask, picking the bag from the ground and setting it near the staircase.

"I could eat," He answered, watching as you move into the kitchen, "Don't tell me you're going to cook."

You look back at him over your shoulder, "I am."

He stands up from his spot following you to the kitchen, "I have to see this."

"What you don't believe that I can?"

"Not really. You don't seem the type who would be interested in that type of thing," the tone of his voice teasing.

You give him a small smile, opening the fridge, "Well I do, I actually had a really good teacher."

"Who? Your nanny?"

The memory of learning to cook in your old penthouse resurfaces. You swallow, "Yes and no." You pull two tomatoes out, and place them on the island, turning to look for a pot and pasta, "Did you have someone stock the pantry before we moved in?" You ask, changing the subject.

"Yes, I sent a few maids," he sits on one of the stools, watching as you move about the space, "You're not going to tell me?"

You shake your head, "No, just be happy we don't have to hire a cook."

"We'll see about that once I try your poison," he teases.

You grin back at him, pointing at him with the knife in your hand, "Keep teasing me like that, and I will poison you."

You finish making lunch, two servings of meatball spaghetti, and some freshly made lemonade. Satoru seems satisfied with your cooking, closing his eyes as he takes the first bite, humming from the back of his throat as he savors the food. "Have you always cooked like this? Maybe I should have married you sooner."

You laugh and shake your head, "I actually use to be a horrible cook when I first started to learn. Nana got food poisoning several times from undercooked chicken."

He laughs, the sound echoing in the empty home, "Well I hope you've gotten better since then."

The rest of the day is spent with the two of you settling into your new home. Dividing the closest space, and unpacking the clothes and jewelry you brought with you. Satoru spends most of his day in the study, the sound of the door opening and closing traveling up to the bedroom every few minutes. You barely notice the sun has started to go down the horizon before you climb down the stairs to make dinner, frying some chicken and making rice.

The smell has Satoru crawling out of the office, and he settles in the same stool, pouring you each a glass of wine. He compliments your cooking once more, as he bites into it, not expecting the next words to stumble out of your mouth.

"I'm ovulating," you comment, cutting into the chicken.

He stops chewing his food, swallowing the entire bite, "Oh."

"I wasn't going to bring it up since we haven't really talked about it, but I think it's best we get this done and over with." You take a bit of your food, Satoru's eyes never leaving you as you chew and swallow.

"So you want to...tonight?" He asks, picking up his knife and returning to eating.

"If you want we can figure out the rest later."

He nods his head, taking another bite of his food, speaking with his mouth full, "Okay."

The walk to the bedroom after dinner and cleaning is awkward. Satoru follows you to the bedroom you had spent the entire day organizing, with clean sheets on the bed and dressers decorated with fresh flowers and photo frames. You sit at the end of the bed, kicking your heels off.

"How are you going to do this?" Satoru asks, undoing the top button of his dress shirt and pulling the belt out from the loops of his pants all while removing his shoes.

"Just do what you would normally do I guess," you sigh, the palms of your hands feeling sweaty.

He nods his head," Okay." Satoru stalks over to you, falling onto his knees.

"What are you doing?" you ask as you feel his hands travel under your skirt, pushing it up to your thighs.

Satoru keeps in a moan when he sees a peek at your panties. "Doing what I normally do," he answers, dipping his head down.

You try to pull away from his greedy gaze, the back of your neck feeling hot as he looks up your skirt to your covered core. "You don't have to do that," you tell him, squirming in his hands.

"It's no fun if you're not feeling good, so just let me do this," He sighs into the inside of your thigh, longer fingers kneading the soft flesh, pushing your skirt further up your legs. His tongue runs along after, tracing the same trail his fingers have left behind.

You try to ignore his warm tongue as he spreads open-mouthed kisses on the inside of your thighs, your head traveling further up your skirt. His breath fanning over your heat seconds before he runs the tip of his tongue on your covered slick, damping the material slightly. He does it over again, again, and again, nudging his nose against your clit every time. All you can do is stare at the bump under your skirt and feel his hands need the sides of your thighs as he licks you.

Suddenly you're gasping, your body jerking forward as his lips wrap around your clit, sucking in through the thin material of your underwear. "Satoru you really don't have to," you grunt, squirming even more in his hold as he continues to suck on your clit. You can see his hand moving before you feel it, two fingers sliding up and down your slit while he works your clit, pushing your underwear into your entrance a bit every time he glides them downwards.

You continue to wither above him, one of his hands coming out from beneath your skirt to pull your leg on his shoulder, fingers pushing your panties to the side. His lips leave your clit, letting it be exposed to his eyes as he removes the material from it.

"You know when I saw these in your clothes, I didn't think you actually wore them," he comments, pushing the tip of his fingers in just an inch, "they're just too hot."

Pinching your eyes together you try to remember what underwear you had slipped on this morning. Your eyes widen as you recall putting on a blue stain thong with a small bow on the waistband, but you don't think long about it before you repeat what he just said in your head. "You looked through my underwear?" You pant, feeling his fingers go in deeper.

His head shakes underneath, voice muffled as he talks, "I didn't mean to, they were just sort of hanging out...and I grab them for a second," he spreads and closes them, stretching your hole open.

"B-but you still looked through them didn't you?" you gasp, hips bucking into his touch.

Satoru's ministrations pause for a moment, his blue watching your slick gather on his fingers, your accusation ringing in his ears. "I did," he answers, resuming his movements, mouth enveloping your swelling bud, tongue sliding down to move along with his fingers. The same fingers that are curling against your sweet spot. You toss your head up, watching the moonlight dance on the ceiling of the bedroom, not being able to come up with anything more to say, your brain muddled by pleasure.

It feels good, his tongue on you, you'll admit, probably the best head you have ever received, but your heart is yearning for another.

A black-haired someone. Who would make you giggle and laugh as he trailed kisses up your thighs. The man who had held your heart in the palm of his hand and crushed it. The only man who had been the very first name to come apart up until now. Even with Satoru kneeling between your legs, tongue lapping at your heat, you can't help but think of Kenji.

A loud hum, and Satoru's head pushing closer to your cunt while greedy hands knead the sides of your legs, snaps you out of your thoughts. His tongue is teasing around the entrance of your pussy, pushing in along with two of his fingers. He twists and curls, running the tips of them over the spot spongy spot that has your producing more slick. Satoru hums feeling his fingers slide in easier, tasting you on his tongue, the vibrations cause pleasure to shoot up your spine.

A familiar knot forms in the pit of your belly as he builds the pleasure up with his tongue and fingers. Your legs are starting to quiver and your gripping the edge of the bed, slowly grinding up into Satoru's mouth. He notes this and becomes more greedy, you can hear and feel his lips move against your lower lips, basically making out with your cunt. Your face burns as you listen to the wet sounds of his tongue running against your core and his hums as he tastes your juices on it.

Feeling the knot slowly start to cum undone, your legs tighten around his head, sighing out, "I'm g-going to cum." Your hand reaches down to keep his head in place as you release on his face. Your back falls onto the bed, back arching off the bed as you let out broken gasps and moans. Satoru's tongue never stops moving against your heat once, taking everything you give him, helping you ride out your orgasm.

Pulling back, Satoru watches as your walls pulse around nothing and listens to you breathing heavily above him, humming as you gently rub your legs on his head. He comes out from underneath your skirt, standing up at the end of the bed, looking as you blissfully stare at the ceiling.

Your eyes flicker to him, taking in his smile as he brings up the two fingers that had been inside of you to his lips, licking your juices off of them. He climbs onto the bed beside you, fingers trailing up your side.

"How do you feel?" He asks, spreading a few kisses along your jaw.

You stare at the spot on his head, your body still buzzing and feeling warm. Nodding, you shift your weight on the bed, "Good. Felt good, but you really didn't have to do that."

He glances up at you through his long white lashes, undoing the buttons of your blouse, "I did. As I said, It's not fun if you're not feeling good. We should both feel even if we don't like each other." He sneaks his hand beneath your shirt and bra groping your right breast, "I know what you think of me, but I do enjoy making the women I sleep with feel good. It's not always about me." He pinches your nipple between his fingers, tugging at it as he whispers in your ear, "And I should be making my wife feel great."

"And do you expect me to do the same for you?" You ask, biting your bottom lip to keep a moan in as he tweaks your bud between his fingers. To keep yourself from gasping when you feel him grind his crotch against your thigh.

"Trust me, I'm feeling plenty good," he grins into your neck, nipping at your earlobe. He rolls his body over you, knees resting on either side of your waist, unbuttoning the rest of your shirt. He runs his tongue over his bottom lip as he looks down at the valley between your breast, watching as the mounds rise and fall.

"Careful there sounds like you've been waiting for this to happen. Like you in love with me or something," you breathe, looking up at him.

His hands trail down your body, untucking your blouse and tearing it off your body. "Not exactly," he responds, unclasping your bra next, mouth watering at the sight of your bare breast, "but I won't lie that I've been slightly intrigued to see what you hide underneath." His head deeps and he takes your left breast between his lips, circling the nipple with his tongue while his free hand kneads the right. His fingers brush against a rough jagged patch of skin, his attention turning towards it, "What is this?"

"Nothing," you answer, "Just an old scar. Ignore it, it doesn't matter."

"Fine," he responds, pulling your breast back into his lips.

You squirm beneath him, "All this feels unnecessary. We could've already started and finished."

Satoru releases your nipple with a soft pop, a string of spit connecting it to his lips before he switches over to the right. "Trust me none of this is unnecessary."

You grunt, body curling up into his when his teeth dig into the hardened bud, "Well it feels like it is. We don't have to drag things out like this. We don't even like each other, so I don't see the point of it."

Looking up at you, he sits back on his knees. pulling his shirt off his body. He slides down your body to pull your skirt down your legs, speaking to you, voice low, as he raises your hips off the bed, "So would you rather I act like an animal and take what I want?" He rests between your spread thighs, fingers massaging the fat of them, trailing them up back to your panties, "It's true none of this is necessary because the only reason we're doing this is to have a kid for show." He whispers the end of his sentence, eyebrows scrunching as he seems to realize something.

There had been a time when Satoru thought he was the entirety of your world, and some strange part of him still believed that even after you repeatedly told him that wasn't the case. And now as he rests between your soft thighs and trances circles on your skin, listens to you tell him to get on with it, the idea crumbles in his grasp. "Have it your way then."

It's all the warning you get before he forces the head of his length into your walls. Your mouth falls slaps as you feel him stretch you, eyes widening as he pushes inch by inch, your hands gripping onto his forearms. It stings, but it isn't painful, the slick and spit from earlier making it bearable. Above you Satoru grunts as he feels your walls clench around him, your nails digging into his forearms.

Pulling his hips back he snaps them against you, one hand resting near your head and the other on your hip. He starts out slow and hard, steadily thrusting his hips against yours, swirling them every time they meet yours. Your clit bumping against his pelvis. "Fuck you're tight," He grunts, head tossed back as he takes in long breaths. Sweat dribbles down his temples, Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he ruts into you.

Your body feels on fire, the head of his cock brushing against your g-spot with every snap of his hips. Every vein that runs along his shaft rubs against your walls, his balls slapping against the curve of your ass. He's by no means rough, but his pace is hard and quick, wet squelching sound bounce off the walls with every thrust. He pushes one of your legs up, his face buried in your neck as he slowly loses himself to the feeling of your warm cunt wrapped around him.

You're not much better off than him, though your heart is disconnected from the act of intimacy, you can't deny that the drag of his member feels otherworldly. He has you seeing stars flying overhead as he moves into you, clit getting stimulated with the swivel of his hips every time they meet you.

The fire in your belly spreads, slick coating your thighs and Satoru's. You can keep your moans down, and mutters of his name, while you claw at his back and arm. "Too much, 'Toru," you gasp, the head of his cock kissing your cervix.

Grunting into your neck, his nails digging into your hip he reminds you, "This what you wanted. You wanted me to put a baby in you and that's exactly what I'm doing. Can't complain when you're getting what you wanted." He pushes his face further into your neck, his thighs starting to tremble, "F-fuck, I'm gonna cum soon, so just bear with me."

He becomes sloppy with his movements, his climax close to washing over him. He inhales your sweet scent, the aroma of lavender filling his nostrils. His pace falters and you feel his warm semen paint the inside of your walls as he heaves for air.

Satoru doesn't stop rutting against you, pushing his cum further inside, and you into your second orgasm. Your leg shakes against his hip, your body arching up into him, as you cum all over his cock. The name of another man threatening to slip from your lips.

The two of you remain still for a few more minutes, steadying your breaths before Satoru pulls out and sits at the end of the bed. "You good?" he asks, breathing laboriously still.

You roll over, gathering the duvet from the bed and covering yourself, "I'm good. Gonna go wash up." You get off the bed, pull the cover out from under Satoru, and head towards the master bathroom.

"Okay."

When you come back out, Satoru is already asleep on the bed, a pair of pajama pants resting lowly on his hips. You hesitate before climbing into the bed next to him, staring out the large windows of your bedroom, watching the city lights dance before sleep washes over you. The inside of your legs sore and your chest is heavy with longing for another.

The lights of the club glow overhead, and across the walls as Kenji enters. Music blasting from every which way. It's a crowd with men and women dancing to the loud music, people bumping into him as he glances around the room, making his way toward the bar.

He keeps an eye open for a specific person, someone with bright red hair that reaches her hips, her height measuring just above five-three. He knows that the girl would be serving drinks at this particular bar on this particular night unless she was forced to call in sick.

He's been waiting weeks for this to happen, spending sleepless nights waiting for news that the person he had hired had found information about the woman in the photos you had thrown in his face. His body was buzzing with anticipation to confront the woman who had ruined his life.

He wonders what you're doing right now. Have you eaten? Are you asleep? Have you let the man you called your husband touch what was rightfully his? Were you thinking of him? Of your lives before all of it came crumbling down.

How long had it been since he had last seen you? Two months? Three? It had been close to four now, and fall was starting to roll in. It had taken the investigator longer to find the name of the club than he had predicted, the girl they had been searching for using an alias during work. The last he had heard of you from Sukuna and the girls was that you had moved out of your in-law's home and into a penthouse Satoru had bought. The thought of you living along with that man made his blood boil.

Downing another drink to push back the thought he spots the face he's been looking for, heading straight to the bar to get drinks for a table. Yuri Tanaka, the girl who turned you against him, is leaning across the bar right next to him, giving the order for one of her tables. The smile on her face makes Kenji want to wrap his fingers around her neck and force her to confess everything about what happened that night. But he's a patient man if the last four months have proven anything.

He'll wait until he can get alone and then interrogate her, in the meantime he'd keep an eye on her. He drinks as the night drags on, making sure to drink water in between to keep himself sober. He waits for the right time to bump into her causing the drinks on her tray to spill all over him. He lets her drag him towards the employee restrooms, where she keeps apologizing as she tries to dry his shirt.

"I am so sorry, I should have been more careful. I should have watched where I was stepping." She answers.

"You're fine," Kenji answers, resting a hand above hers, getting her to stop, "it was an accident." He glances into her eyes, trying to see if she'll recognize his face, but she doesn't seem to and continues to clean him.

"You don't remember do you?" he sighs, slumping back on the counter.

"Huh? Should I remember you?" She questions, her hands stop moving.

Kenji laughs manically, his hand coming up to grip her back neck, not applying any pressure to break her airflow, but enough to scare the poor girl. "Yeah you actually should, you ruined my life. Made me lose the girl of my dreams. You made her think I cheated on her when I would never have done that to her when she's my entire world."

The girl claws at his wrists as he pushes her out of the bathroom into the poorly lit hallway. His body looming over hers, she struggles to speak, but Kenji can hear her over the sound of the music, "I don't know what you're talking about. I have no idea who you are." Her eyes are open wide in fear, the more she denies not knowing who he is the tighter his grasp around her neck increases.

"Just admit it," he growls, pressing his body into hers, slamming her head against the wall. Yuri shrieks as she feels pain shoot up the side of her head.

"I don't know, I don't know, I don't know," she repeats over and over as she cries. Her eyes flickered between the end of the hall and Kenji's glaring eyes. Scared that these were her last moments.

Kenji loosens his grip around the poor girl's jaw, staggering back to the wall behind him, running his hand over his face. He swallows, regaining control of his breathing, guilt bubbling in the pit of his stomach when he looks up to see the girl's fear-stricken face.

He sighs heavily, looking down the hall, neon lights and music traveling down it, causing his ears to hurt from the thumping and flashes. Kenji looks back at the girl coward next to the wall, mascara running down her face as she runs her fingers over the ghost feeling of his fingers wrapped around her throat. "I just want to know what happened that night. It's the only way I won't lose her," He breathes, carefully stepping towards her, keeping his hands inside the pockets of his jacket, "Please just tell me what happened."

Yuri continues to sniffle, rubbing the side of her head as she falls to her knees. Glancing up at Kenji, recognizing him after a few moments, the guilt that had been riddling her since the night she met him knawing at her throat. "I can't tell you any of that," she confesses to him, grabbing Kenji's attention.

Kneeling in front of her grabs her jaw forcing her to look at him, "So you do remember," Yuri nods, "Why can't you tell me?"

Her eyes glance at the end of the hall before she answers, curling away from Kenji, "I just can't. I'm so sorry, but I can't help you."

"Whoever had you take those pictures paid you off didn't they?" Kenji sighs, standing back up, and rubbing his temples when she doesn't answer. "They must be pretty powerful or rich in order to cause this much fear in you." He taps his foot on the ground, "Just tell me this then, 'cause I'm not asking who paid you, I just want to know this one thing." Yuri peers at him through tear-filled eyes, "Did we sleep together?"

The girl shakes her head, "No. I just undressed you and took the pictures, then waited until morning before you woke up to take more. We never slept together."

"Okay, good girl," Kenji answered bending down to lift her off the ground, "Now I'm going to need you to dry that pretty face, redo your make up and repeat all of that for my phone camera. I promise no one else other than me and the girl who will watch this will know about what you just told me. Understood." Yuri nods, as she gets dragged back into the restroom, the door clicking shut behind her, "Good girl."

Taglist(closed): @thetempleofnyx @legbouk @purplecandygerl @cloudsinthecosmos @watyousayin @descargueestoporgojosatoru @moonlightaangel @the-amaranthine @vintagexparker @fushiigumi03 @pyschopotatomeme @mekorausada @belovedcherry @my-names-angel-but-im-not-one @kellyyween @shintin @rntrsuna @crispmarshmallow @weebotaku21 @ekaterinatepes @artemisthestar @levisfav @lezgohome @winter-bearv @attackonsimpp @rogueofbullshit @no-name-jack

#Gojo x reader #gojo smut #jjk x reader #jjk smut #jjk x reader smut #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jujutsu kaisen smut #Gojo angst #gojo fic

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mishi-with-jazz · 11 days

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Vibrations part 2

What do u want lestrange? You spat.

Me? Hmm, let's see. Your boyfriends are very proud, and annoying. And you probably remember the prank they did on me the other day. He explained.

The one that made you look like an absolute dickhead, which yo- ow, ow!

Watch it girl, remember I have the upper hand here. He added turning the spell higher. As you sat down from the extreme rush of nerves.

You think you can control me?

No, but I can control your boyfriends through you. As I was saying, the prank your boyfriends did on men really ruined my reputation, so all you have got to do, is asked them to come infront of the great hall and ask forgiveness from me.

You jerk, you really think I will give up so eas- oh man. Stop increasing it.

You are on setting 4 right now, tho i really am excited to see you on setting 9. Saying that he left, while you picked yourself up and went back to the breakfast table.

Hey y/n/n, where have u been, baby? Asked James, smiling showing all of his dimples.

Oh um, I had to umm visit my friend at the hospital wing. You lied, ofcourse this didn't go unnoticed by the raven head.

Y/n I thought- he began but Sirius quickly cut him off.

Love, we have to go to class, grab something to eat, if we are late today Sluggy is going to kill us.

Alrig- oh. Your voice muffled. You felt an orgasm hit you at that point. You wanted to scream. It was so intense you thought you were going to faint. You gripped the table, eyes closed.

Woah, darling youu okay? Asked sirius his voice full of concern.

I m f-fine. You replied returning from your high.

You get to class, i need yo do something first you spoke to sirius.

I will jo-

NO. I will go it's fine.

James and sirius looked baffled while Remus raised his eyebrows in thought.

You quickly kissed all the boys and went to your dorm to get a fresh pair panties knowing these wouldn't last anymore.

You rushed to Slughorns class but couldn't reach in time and, as a result, got detention. During the class you went through another orgasm, and by the end of the class you were afraid you wouldn't be able to walk. You had already come three times already. There was no way you were gonna survive the whole day.

Your next class was with remus and boy was that bothering you. But you knew if you didn't go you get another detention. So with all the strength you had remaining in your body, you went back to the greenhouse. You wanted to actually be alone for one class, but that's one of the cons of having three boyfriends. Very overprotective ones that is.

You went and took you usual spot next to remus, the class started and you felt like everything was normal, but the out of a sudden you felt the vibration in you underwear amplify. You suckled in a harsh breath, as you came to you fourth prgasm of the day. That's when you noticed, right infront of you, it was him, conrltrolling ur vibrations. He held out his hand to show you "5" and then pointed at his wrist in order to tell you that time was running out. You wanted to tell your boyfriends but it would be too embarrassing. So as soon as your class ended, ignoring remus you went straight to ur dorm.

After classes got over, remus came to back to his your dorm. And slumped in bed right next to you. You tried to act like you were sleeping but remus was too smart to fool. Surprisingly he fell asleep.

**********

Next day you woke up next to James and sirius. your legs felt tired and you weren't sure if you had actually slept, but you decided to go out with remus so he doesnt get anymore suspicious. As soon as you got ready remus took you out for your usual sunday morning walk.

Something is wrong right? He asked. You didn't reply but just hummed quietly, wishing for him to understand by himself.

Why did u lie to them?

Me? Lie to who, remmy?

James and sirius. You told them something else at breakfast yesterday, while you told me something else.

Thats when you had, had it. You burst out in tears, tho remus was quick to bring you to his chest, you still couldn't stop crying, maybe it was the nerves from the stimulation or maybe from getting too little sleep, you didn't really know. You slowly calmed down and explained remus everything.

Sweetie, you have been in so much pain, you should have told us. Remus replied.

I will talk to the guy, just tell me.

No remus he doesn't want you.

James?

Not him either.

Oh gosh, sirius will never. remus started.

We should talk to him. He added.

NO- You practically shouted so a few people looked at you.

What? Why? He asked.

If you tell them remus, I will never talk to you again.

Alr but, lovely why?

Because. I- I don't know. You said and left too quickly for remus to grab hold of you.

Truth was, you didn't want to tell them cuz you weren't sure if they would, sacrifice their egos self respects, just for a small thing.

A/n: Chapter end. Ik this chapter was boring (its because it is a plot theory chapter) but, the next chapter is gonna be slay, I promise, it will also be out soon

Taglist:

Coming soon, I rly wanted to post this-

@lilymaymay @lemon-lav @rm202 @snitches-get-bitches @lovegoods-things @whenlilyfallsinlove @treefairy-28 @lolzghost

@lilsmooncast

forgive me if I forgot someone, dm me to be added in the next!!

#marauders #marauders era #james potter #sirius black #regulus black #the marauders #poly marauders x reader #poly marauders x you #politics #poly!marauders angst

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atonalginger · 4 months

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Snippet Sunday

Thanks for the tag @eridanidreams! Looks like you got everyone so I will extend the tag to anyone who might have a snippet they want to share.

My snippet today is from the Ranger and the Deputy fic I still haven't started uploading, lol. With Rekindling and Work-Life done I can focus on this one a little more and hopefully start uploading soon, otherwise I will just end up sharing it all in snips and wip previews lol.

anyway here's the snippet

The true shock of yesterday evening’s news hit Kitty like a wet pool noodle as she stood in the shower. When she stood with Del and the Marshal she was able to hold it together, to compartmentalize and tuck it away. She focused on discussing what she knew and where he might have gone, and then buried it down to focus on the fun evening Delgado presented her with. Now she was alone in the shower and the sadness and anger overpowered her, an angry sobbing fit taking hold. He shouldn’t have been alone, he shouldn’t have died. They shouldn’t be running head long into the unknown without properly understanding the risks. She remembered that Andreja and Matteo were also out in the Starfield chasing leads; was she going to be sent to find them dead too? Sam’s argument with Sarah played over in her head, Sarah, she barely survived that attack on Vectera and mentioned Vasco forced her to land on Kreet! She’s overwhelmed and needs rest…no she’s not fine what are you talking about? You have eyes…Just because she walked away doesn’t mean she can handle it…Vasco shouldn’t have forced her to go…No, it’s not okay…just give her a day, Sarah! The tears flowed as freely as the water from overhead as she kicked herself for not listening to Sam. She should have stood up for herself. She should have taken the risk of angering her new boss. It’s not like she chose to join willingly. Every step felt forced, like if she said no Ms. Morgan would have her tied up. Then the memory of the two dead miners hit her mind. Shot dead by those pirates who attacked. Who followed Barrett to the mine. He didn’t even seem to care. Several more were laid out, others checking over their suits and dragging people into the airlocks. Heller was on the ground, physically unharmed but clearly shaken. He looked scared when Lin sided with Barrett, ordering Kitty to leave. He’d argued too, but Lin told him it was out of their hands now. She acted like Barrett held all the power there. She heard the front door close and realized the water was starting to run cool. She calmed herself, rubbing her eyes and splashing water on her face before shutting it off and reaching for a clean towel. She didn’t want to worry Del; they had an important job ahead of them. She wanted to find who did it, wanted to make them pay. She didn’t even really care about the artifact, though she’d grab it if it was there just so whatever bad people killed Sam couldn’t have it. But that was secondary. Delgado was cooking breakfast when she wandered down the hall. He didn’t mention her puffy eyes but she knew he noted them, his smile faltering momentarily before reaching for his coffee. She appreciated that he didn’t ask, she wasn’t ready to talk about it. He’d convinced Jacob to let him at least look at the maps and mentioned heading out before lunchtime to strike them fast. He seemed to know the area and the people by the way he talked. Not the most surprising considering his job. Stories about the Freestar Rangers traveled far and wide and she’d heard some impressive tales, though she knew they were most likely exaggerated like all good stories. They were the lawmen of the FC, similar to sysdef or UC security. Unlike sysdef and UC security, they were few in number and wielded far more power, if the stories were to be believed. They would go undercover and bust smuggling rings and performed daring rescues of hostages. If anyone could figure out who did this, it would be a ranger like Delgado.

#starfield #starfield fanfiction #atonalginger writes #starfield spoilers #snippet sunday #starfield Delgado #ranger!delgado #kitty lincoln #it's exciting to only have one active project and also my brain goes AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa #just like Kitty's brain lol

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periwinckles · 11 months

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Please tell me you have a middle name - Epilogue

Epilogue

(Prim)

I wake up with the sweet scent of cinnamon in the air. That’s Peeta’s doing. He knows how much I love cinnamon rolls, and always has them ready for me for breakfast on my birthday, even though he has to juggle it with all his morning work.

The cinnamon buns will have to wait.

I cross the hall to Peeta and Katniss’ room, to recruit her for my inspection, but she’s not back from the woods yet. Living above the bakery is a lot more convenient for Peeta, and more comfortable for us, but a lot further from the fence, making her excursions longer.

I ended up moving in with them last year. Now that Rye works with Madge on the Justice building, Peeta and Katniss need help to keep the bakery running. Between schoolwork, helping out my mother and getting ready for my college admission in district four, I can still work a couple of hours on the bakery’s counter every week. They’ll definitely need to hire someone once I’m gone.

I enter the bathroom and inspect myself in the mirror. Nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t even feel eighteen. I inspect every inch of my body, top to bottom and find nothing.

What if I don’t have a soulmate?

Gale doesn’t have one and he’s totally fine with it. He even found himself a steady girlfriend in district 7, though I’m not quite sure on the terms of their arrangement because they spend months apart every year.

But that’s not what I want for myself is it? Aren’t soulmarks supposed to reflect your heart's desire?

I’m about to give up when I lift my foot and catch it. Beneath my toe. A simple and unembellished R.

Rory Hawthorne?

Please no, the last thing I need is for my soulmate to turn out to be an ex boyfriend.

Why, oh why? What have I done to deserve this? I’m a nice person, Universe! I do volunteer work in the community home once a week, I let Peeta think I’m the one pilfering the chocolate chips and I never go beyond the fence even though that’s technically legal ever since the rebellion two years ago!

I put on socks and silently hope Peeta doesn’t ask anything about it. Katniss surely won’t ask, unless I tell her.

At least I have cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

“… doing here? I specifically told you 7:30, it’s 7:05!”

Peeta has company in the kitchen’s bakery, and I tread with caution with my sock covered feet on the staircase.

“She wakes up at 6:30, I know she does! I just want to know if Katniss gave her the letters already…”

“Katniss isn’t back yet, once she is…”

Both of them freeze when I finally appear on the bottom stair.

“‘Morning Peeta! Reese!”

“Prim! Happy birthday!” Reese greets me with an awkward smile. He’s acting strange though I can’t guess why. Being Peeta’s best friend makes him a regular visitor here. And Katniss adores him. Whenever he has dinner with us she smothers him with questions. I barely have the chance to talk to the guy.

“You too!” I tell him. “I dropped by the sweet shop yesterday to wish you one, but you weren’t there.”

“You must have missed me, I had to run some errands.” He says with a shrug. “I’ll be back later…” he adds. I’m not sure if it’s for Peeta’s benefit or mine.

“If you don’t, I'll save you a slice of cake!” I call out after him, before he closes the door.

Peeta extends me a cinnamon roll as he kisses my cheek affectionately.

“Happy birthday, little sis.”

“Oh, you’re the best brother I could hope for!” I tell him as I inhale the sweet scent. “You should make these every week.”

“You’d be sick of them if I did.”

“Never!”

I pop one in my mouth as I start collecting the fresh out of the oven pastries and rolls, to bring them to the front.

“You don’t have to work on your birthday.” Peeta tells me as he takes the trays from my hands. “You have a big day ahead.”

“How will you two manage the bakery and the Hob stand?” I ask with a doubtful raise of my eyebrows.

“We’ll manage.” Katniss says entering through the backdoor. “Happy birthday, little duck.”

She opens her arms and I hug her as tight as I can. If there is one person who was a constant in my life, it was her. Every day of my life, she was always there. “Thank you, Katniss.”

When we break apart I notice the unshed tears in her eyes. “Are you crying? Seriously? Over a birthday? What will happen when I go to district four in the fall?”

“Let’s not think about that, shall we?” Peeta says with a chuckle.

Between the three of us we carry everything to the front. Just a few more minutes until opening time.

“I have something for you. Here.”

My sister is holding a few envelopes in her hand. When I take them I notice they are all addressed to me. The handwriting seems familiar, though I can’t exactly pinpoint it. It’s not Katniss’ and surely not Peeta’s.

“Read them in order.”

Without another word the both of them escape to the front, to finally open and deal with the morning rush, as I sit in a kitchen stool, with my cinnamon buns and a cup of tea.

May 20, 2076

Primrose

Today I got my soulmark. It’s a small P, under my big toe. I have no idea if there’s someone with a matching one across the district, but I sure hope not. Because I’m hoping… oh I am hoping it’s you.

If you were older I’d be at your doorstep in a heartbeat. But you’re not, so I've made up my mind to wait until you're ready. Please don’t be mad at me if I backpedal on our friendship. It’s the only way I’ll be able to keep myself accountable for the next three years.

Hopefully yours

Reese Donner.

(You want to read the rest o Reese's letters? You know the drill. AO3 link)

#How about giving Prim a love interest that is not Rory?#Am I done now?#Who knows?#Not me!#The hunger games #Primrose Everdeen #please tell me you have a middle name

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fastlikealambo · 2 years

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link to chapter one.

link to chapter two.

Fall of 94′: Eddie Munson x Black Reader Chapter 3

summary:

it’s been nearly 8 years since the events of hawkins and out of the entire party, the only one to stay behind is the one and only eddie munson. with a five year old daughter in tow, his life is a simple one, still trying to escape the dark cloud over him that never went away.

but when all too familiar hellish events start happening again eddie must team up with his daughter’s favorite and mysterious new teacher to protect his little girl and the town he owes nothing to.

warnings: violence, gore, religious trauma, soft dom! eddie, discussions of mental health and ptsd, praise kink, smut to end all smut, hawkins indiana is a warning to me. minors dni

yall aint ready for this chapter

When you got to your classroom, you already had a visitor in the form of Vice Principal Carver, itchy ill fitting suit and all, sitting in your desk chair.

“Good morning Principal Carver, how can I help you?” You asked, trying not to cringe as the man put his feet on your desk, resting them on top of your kids’ art projects.

“ Principal Tucker is checking in with all our staff this morning about yesterday’s events. There will be an assembly for the students later on this afternoon but I told him I wanted to see you personally.” He said, finally standing to his feet and sauntering up to you.

“Oh, well that’s very nice of your Principal Carver but I’m fine. It was a difficult day but the kids and I got through it the best we could.”

“We’ve heard such good things about your class so far, your teachers across the hall have nothing but nice things to say about you.”

“That’s good to hear.” You said with a small smile he did not return but instead moved closer to you than what was necessary.

“ It’s almost like you were dropped out of the sky, sent to help us in our time of need. You know I don’t think Tucker ever told me what school you were at prior to Hawkins? I haven’t had a chance to read over your file just yet.”

“I was at Abbott Elementary in Philadelphia, left for a change of pace. Is there something I can do for you Principal Carver? My students will be in from breakfast in a few minutes and I need to get things started.” You said, putting some bass in your voice.

That made him smile and he pointed at the name on the desk in the back.

“Rose Munson is also why I’m here. Should you have any issues with her, you will come to me directly.”

“I should?”

“ Her embarrassment of a father went to school with my late brother, so I feel it is my responsibility to make sure his offspring is brought to heel as early as possible. You are new to Hawkins and you are unaware of the good and bad this town has to offer so I trust you’ll keep an eye on things?”

“With all due respect Vice Principal Carver, should I have any issues with any of my students I will handle it myself and with their parents should it escalate to that. I may be unaware of certain things in this town but I’m not unaware of how to protect my students, Rosie Munson included. Now if you’ll excuse me-

You’re interrupted when the actual principal pops his head in, flanked by two police officers. Your heart is in your throat but they don’t even look in your direction.

“Carver, we’ve got a situation, let’s go. “ Tucker explains.

“Hawkins is a good town full of good people, it might be in your best interest to come to heel like everyone else.” Carver whispered in your ear before leaving.

The moment he steps through the threshold of the classroom, every single door in the hallway slams closed, including yours.

As if on cue, a few of your kids come racing in, putting away their stuff, no knowledge of what had just transpired.

You quickly wipe the blood from your nose and greet your students as the rest file in.

“Good morning class!”

“Good morning Miss!” They recite back, taking their seats.

“ Now yesterday was pretty tough and it’s okay if you were scared. It’s okay if you’re still scared right now but you don’t have to be, as long as I am here, you should never be afraid of anything. What does Miss always say?”

“ Rain or shine, if we work together we’ll be just fine.”

“ Exactly. Now we’re gonna take it easy today so take your color pencils and we'll draw for a bit, how does that sound?”

“Yay!”

“ Great, let’s get started and then if anyone would like to, we can share something fun we're doing this weekend.”

The day ends quieter than it started and with a big hug from Rosie, you send them off to their buses in the pouring rain.

It’s dark by the time you leave school but you’re not too worried.

Carver be damned, today was a good day.

A day for the longest time you’d never thought to be possible, a prepared daydream during your worst days, silly to others but so important to you risked everything for it.

Everything was going to be fine.

Except for the brief moment you took your eyes off the road, glancing at the bandana in your passenger seat only to look up and see someone standing in the middle of the road.

The last thing you see before your car crashes into a tree is the figure in the road coming into full view.

A girl in a cheerleading uniform.

“Before we wrap up for today, how have you been sleeping Eddie? Any more nightmares?”

Eddie sighed, ceasing playing with his rings, careful in the way he answers his therapist. He called them for an emergency appointment after Rosie’s horror story yesterday and immediately regretted that decision seeing as “ I think the hell spawn from another dimension that nearly killed me is back and wants a rematch” was not an acceptable answer to “ what brings you in today?”

“The pills help but I don’t like them. I mean,what if Rosie needs something in the middle of the night and I’m so under I can’t hear her?”

“We can lower the dosage if that’s what you’d like but I think we need to build a better framework for combating your anxiety. There’s something at the root of all this that we haven’t explored yet and when you’re ready, we can do that. Do you feel meeting me today helped?”

“As much as it could.” He responded, the first honest answer he had given since he walked in.

“You know, you won’t give me the exact details of what happened to you and that’s alright, maybe you’ll never be ready to disclose that. Whatever happened to you, you came out the other side of it, Eddie. Something terrible happened to you but that doesn’t make you any less of a person or a father.”

“You sure about that, Doc?”

“ Mr. Munson, your life is not a series of atonements and at the heart of the matter, you only change what’s right in front of you. I’ll see that we get you a new prescription and let’s get you scheduled for another session soon.”

They exchanged goodbyes and feeling no better than when he came in, headed to the nearest payphone to check in with Wayne and his wife who were watching Rosie for the weekend.

Night munchkin, be good for Uncle Wayne, okay?”

“I’m always good Daddy!”

First night alone in months, he didn’t know if he was looking forward to or afraid of the quiet that awaited him back home.

The idea of fixing his guitar with a few beers went out the window as he drove up on a car smashed into a tree, hood still smoking in the rain.

He could keep driving, report it from a payphone and keep moving. No doubt they’d find a way to pin this on him, the final push to drive him out of Hawkins.

But Rosie wouldn’t want him to just run away and after all these years, he made a promise to himself to never run away from the dark ever again.

So that’s what led him, armed with a flashlight and a pocket knife, to emerge from his car, hoping he wouldn’t be introduced to a charred body.

“ Hello, is anybody out here? Can you hear me? I can get some help, you just need to make some noise. “ He bellowed, shining his light into the car only to see smashed glass and a bandana.

His bandana.

“Shit, shit, shit!” The apprehension he had vanished and caused him to break out into a run on the slick road, racing around the car to check the backseat and trunk but there was no sign of you.

A whimper coming from under the car had Eddie on his knees in an instant, the flashlight rolling away from him but that didn’t stop him from reaching out a hand.

“Hang on, I’m gonna get you out! You’re gonna be okay, just don’t go into the light!” He shouted, fumbling for your hand in the dark with one hand while grabbing the flashlight with the other.

Eddie finally managed to get the flashlight on, aiming it under the car to better see you but what he found sent him scrambling.

Before he could even cry out, the cause of his nightmares had its tail around his neck, yanking him across the road, the demobat’s grip growing tighter around his windpipe no doubt ready to make up for lost time.

This was it, the upside down had finally come to finish what it started.

At least Rosie wasn’t there to see her father die.

He’d never see his daughter again.

His vision swam, rain and lack of oxygen turning everything to a blur as he tried to reach for the switchblade in his pocket but the bat was faster, teeth mere inches away from sinking into his throat.

But then that doesn’t happen.

A wild cry split the sky as the demobat was ripped from his body, exploding like confetti in mid air before falling in pieces on the road.

Choking and sputtering, Eddie shakily got to his feet, flashlight in hand and blade out aiming in the direction of the scream only for you to come out of the shadows, soaking wet with your arm outstretched in the direction of the bat, blood dripping trickling out of your nose.

Eddie had only seen one other person bleed like that in his life.

“ I can explain.” You muttered weakly before your eyes rolled back into your head, collapsing into the rocker’s arms.

“Jesus H. Christ.”

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x black!reader #eddie munson x yn #stranger things fanfiction

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worldcakecakecake · 1 year

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The Society of Romulus and Remus

Ludwig is the product of a centuries old curse that transforms him into a dangerous werewolf. His only chance for a cure is with Feliciano, heir to the Society of Romulus and Remus, a group of hunters who hunt on the supernatural.

Yes, I know, it has taken a long time…as per usual as it had been. I have some news though, ones that will definitely change how I update from now on. So for the last months, I’ve actually been pregnant. It is a wanted baby, so yes, I’m very happy and excited about it. It’s scheduled to come this weekend and although I’ve had contractions and everything, I haven’t broken water and the contractions are still too far apart, but we’ll see if it’s ready and I’m ready for it. Does this mean I will stop writing? Hell na’, this kid will have to embarrassingly tell people its mom writes fanfiction. But with the baby coming soon, it does mean I will have …way more less time to write than what I have had lately. I haven't been able to lately as much because my boyfriend and I moved in together and were still organizing and preparing the apartment for us and the baby. But not to fear! Updates will come….as long as it takes them…either way, hope you enjoy this chapter.

Warning, there is NSFW

Chapter 16

Breakfast was brought to their room, yet another perk Ludwig was not used to and refused to partake in like some snobby tourist, deciding he could enjoy the time for some extra hours of sleep. Feliciano on the other hand…was used to this. Ludwig wasn’t able to continue in his rest hearing all the clanks of plates, cups and then Feliciano’s delight at whatever was presented. He groaned and sighed, accepting that it was time to wake up and see what the fuss was all about. He washed himself and got himself ready, presentable, something casual. Of course, if they were not hunting and especially if they were somewhere so public, they were not to wear their uniforms. Ludwig had to admit it was quite the relief to go through this part quicker, just a black shirt, black jeans…that was it. He proceeded to cross the hall over to Feliciano, praying and hoping he had some sort of piece of clothing on. At least he did, although just some shorts and a shirt that he must have hastily picked from his luggage just to answer to the server with some decency. He met him currently stuffing his face with a chocolate croissant, the brown cream all over his face, caught frozen and surprised at seeing Ludwig just come in like that. He swallowed, grabbed a napkin to clean himself and sat as appropriate as he should.

“Buon giorno,” he wished.

“Morgen,” Ludwig took a seat on the table he sat, relieved that there was still some food for him to take. He helped himself and Feliciano continued to eat, although calm, silent, somehow awkward.

What was so different this morning? They sometimes shared breakfasts just like these in the Society, way before they even started getting friendly with each other. Was it the new surroundings? The fact that it was just the both of them? Ludwig just decided by keeping to their usual and telling him his plan for the day.

“All right, since we're well up, that means we can already start. Yesterday afternoon I noticed that there were a lot of people in the city. When is the festa della sensa again?”

“This weekend, Saturday and Sunday.”

“Which means that we’ll have a hard time looking for them. Do you think they know about the festivities?”

“Mamma told me they love human festivals, especially ones that have to do with the sea. They try to see them when they can. I’m sure some groups will be willing to come. Mamma told me they learn to hide well so they can manage to be present.”

“So you really think we might see some?”

Feliciano nodded positively, “I’m sure of it! We just have to be attentive and careful.”

“Then let’s go ahead and start looking. There might be some who are inspecting the area or preparing it for others before they come for the festivities. Any ideas of particular places they could come here?”

Feliciano eagerly raised his arm, “I know just the spots.”

There was an excitement and smile to him that Ludwig already suspected was full of plans…that had nothing to do with mermaids.

And he was correct.

The day was used as a sightseeings tour for Feliciano. They went to all the main public places, large aggravating crowds pressing against one another, the only time of peace when Feliciano dragged them inside museums and churches. Yes, gorgeous, spectacular…but no clear vision to the canals for anything suspicious.

He had to admit…a lot of these places he hadn't been given the chance to visit, so indeed it was an opportunity to relax and witness such majestical art, proof of the riches the once Venetian Empire owned. Feliciano surprisingly knew a lot of these paintings, a lot of the history, as if he had painted or lived everything himself. Ludwig found himself intrigued, listening faithfully, even asking questions…only driving them further and further away for the intended purpose of the day.

Feliciano didn't mind the money he had to pay for food…grandpa’s money of course, only wanting to eat the best and Ludwig had to admit that he did exquisitely.

After a rather…enjoyed day, they spent the last of the evening by a dock watching as all the gondolas, boats and ferries passed them by in a scene and calm that Ludwig found utter perfection. He could breathe, relax…and still see if he could spot any mermaids…someone had to do something about the research. Feliciano was surprisingly silent and it was in his curiosity that he finally turned to see what he was doing. He had a black leather sketchbook opened, a pristine pencil in his grasp, lining and shading with meticalation. He was trying to do this exact view, beautiful, wonderful, Ludwig was left in obvious awe at how to perfection Feliciano had made the scene.

“That’s incredible,” he complimented, inching closer to have a better view of it.

Feliciano perked up only slightly, not minding it at all. “Oh!” He looked down to it unimpressed. “Thank you! I just had to do it, especially now with this really great lighting!” He smiled.

“I didn’t know you could draw.”

“I just barely have any time in the Society, but I do love doing it! I wish I could dedicate more time to it. To be honest…I just want to be a painter…” he then offered the sketchbook to Ludwig, acceptance in looking through, for him to witness all kinds of pieces that left him with new awe for each page.

There were a variety of different things that showcased how well Feliciano could draw anything that was offered for him. From flowers, buildings, items, imaginative creatures, animals, wondrous wolves and…people to anatomy perfection. He managed to find some sketches of himself…indeed during lessons, early, back when Feliciano still did not know about his transformations. He couldn't find it in him to scold…these were spectacular, taking his image in such likeliness that it was like staring at a mirror of the past.

“How did you learn to do all of this?”

“Well, I was trapped in a villa with nothing much to do but help my mother with her paintings. I saw her and just…did everything after her,” he shrugged like it was nothing.

He went through a couple more pages….thinking if he should commission something from him to keep for after he leaves. A little token to remember him by…somehow that saddened him a lot.

He took a sudden deep breath that was surprising to Feliciano. He gave him back his sketchbook, careful and treating it truly like a treasure or prize.

“You have an amazing talent, please keep working on it.”

Feliciano smiled back at him that heartstopping way that he was finding harder and harder to hide the blush from.

“I haven't seen anything,” Ludwig reminded.

“Neither did I.”

Ludwig wondered if he truly gave an effort, but let it pass with a sigh. “Then let’s head back to the hotel and call it a day.”

“The waiter this morning told me they would bring us pesto pasta tonight!” He was clearly excited, which gave him the jump to come up to him. “And for dessert, there’s chocolate-” the side of his eye caught something, a droplet, a movement, swift and picking up with a sense that was from a hidden part of himself that was the hunter. He turned completely to it, but all he saw was a new ripple in the water. Perhaps sudden movement from a boat, a fish or…

“Chocolate what?” Ludwig suddenly asked, bringing Feliciano back to what he had been doing.

“Uh…” Should he tell him? But there was nothing.. “Chocolate pudding! …I think…” he decided to simply follow Ludwig back to the hotel and not think about what could have been any longer.

The dinner was great, the chocolate pudding a treat that they did well to enjoy on the balcony facing the canal. Calm, beautiful, peaceful, only chatter interrupted, talks of far off places Ludwig had visited, the most annoying people in the Society and should they change that very old sign in the main square of the Society den. Laughs, enjoyment, Feliciano was in one of those moments where all he wanted to do was lay his head against his chest. The table did a good divide to halt such temptations. They saw as the sky darkened into night, and yet conversation continued in such a delightful way that Ludwig kept pushing what was supposed to be his own curfew. By the time he took a quick glance at his watch, the lateness was indeed much more than what he had expected, he realized that he had to cut this wonderful time short.

“We should be heading to bed.”

Feliciano showed his disappointment. “Do we really have to?”

“Yes. Tomorrow is another day that we have to use. We might be luckier and find something once were of better sorts.” He stood, bringing with him plates and glasses to put back in the cart for a waiter to pick up.

Feliciano pouted but had to sigh and settle with the routine of the night.

It hadn’t been that late, but enough for Ludwig to think that Feliciano should be dead asleep by then. He was still awake reading some reports on his phone, things that were going on in the Society and perhaps his next mission for when he returned. He was well tucked in bed, gel cleaned off, showered, sleeping tank top and pants on. Perhaps some more messages to read and then the phone would be off for the night. He was just in what he decided would be the last message when he received the visit.

Feliciano’s hair was already a mess from whatever sleep he had just taken, only an open white shirt and his bright red underwear…clear in the darkness.

“What is it?” Ludwig asked, not as perturbed as he thought he would be.

“Um…” Feliciano fidgeted with his hands, unsure of what to do with them to word what he wanted to say, this impulse and want that he just couldn't hold back in his room any longer. “Can I sleep with you?”

“Sure.”

Where did that come from? Why did he answer so readily to…such a question. Did either of them understand what they just asked and agreed to? Part of Ludwig thought it was innocent, perhaps he was scared, perhaps he was used to sleeping with his brother or grandfather or mother or something. But then there was the other way it could be interpreted… and if it was that…why? Why did he just…let him? He hadn’t remembered drinking anything alcoholic for dinner…was he poisoned? Hypnotized. Something must have gone wrong! He couldn’t just…he couldn’t just…Feliciano was already moving towards the bed, elated, confident…and now that Ludwig thought about it, he doubted he could fall asleep knowing he had…him…laying next to him. Those legs, that body, those arms, his hair, his eyes…all…maybe Feliciano would keep his space, a breath of relief as he locked his phone for the night. He didn’t have to worry about that, he smiled knowing he could just- that was too close. Feliciano practically glued to his side, taking his arm and already cuddling as if he was one of the pillows that laid under their heads. He already sighed and made himself comfortable as if he was next to any other…not his own…teacher. Ludwig twitched and tried to think of a way to deal with this. Yes, deal with this, he couldn’t just lay there and let him…do this to him.

“Feliciano…what are you doing?” He managed to ask.

“Laying next to you,” said with an obvious tone that he didn’t know how to reply to.

“Um…” he gripped his hands, turned to the other side, not wanting to continue to be captivated, still trying to find words, excuses. “Yo-you…you shouldnt be laying next to me like that.”

Feliciano turned pensive and Ludwig had given a mental cheer in getting him to finally understand.

“Is this better perhaps?” He swiftly turned his entire body until both his legs were on either side of him, this time all over him.

No…this was much worse and he had to- he suddenly sat up, having Feliciano well comfortable and tight on his lap. He didn’t know what impulse made him bring his hands to his waist, grounding him more into his sitting, into a connection of their groins that was not making the situation any better. They both reddened at the realization, obvious to both, a lock of their eyes, faces close to take every glimpse, every crevice of their structures, every breath felt, time frozen to them, the wind, the waters of the canal, all nothing compared to this moment.

“I…I…” what was he to say? What was he to do? Every careful, planned out idea was lost in some abyss in favor of the moment, of having Feliciano like…he had to be honest…dreamed of having him. On him, gazing like no one else mattered, king in their minds, intimate, close.

Their lips were there, plump and calling, the moonlight that came through making them shine that more and neither could resist it any longer.

Slow, serene as the city, they came close until their lips touched in innocent magic, soft and calm, a quick departure with hazed visions, trying to realize if it had been a dream or not.

No…it wasn't, yet the moment was as beautiful as it had been one.

Without caring of dreams, responsibilities, what they were, who they were, their lips crashed yet again, this time with ignited passion. They mended and let themselves taste and smack. Feliciano tightened the grasp of his arms around Ludwig, and Ludwig let his hand take a raising caress from the swoop of his hips, to his neck, until he could grab those curls to himself, harshened to make the kiss more intense, to pull Feliciano much more to him, grinding then, not being able to resist the quick other hand that went to take his rear. The moan Feliciano shared was of the most delightful, one that made him lick and bite for more, Feliciano gripping along with the harshness of nails. He found that the more enticing. Ludwig began to mark on his neck, the part of him that was territorial, that wanted all that body only for himself, twisting them until it was Feliciano who laid below him. He caged him and Feliciano did not mind it at all. He quickly brought them back to the glue of their lips, continuing their mend and moans and nothing seemed to break it this time. They kept it locked even as Feliciano released himself of the blouse, as Ludwig practically ripped apart those shorts, as Feliciano removed his own shirt, Ludwig having to help him with the removal of his own shorts.

Naked, every inch of their bodies against one another, Ludwig between him in a sudden freeze…wanting to gaze at Feliciano in all his wonderful bareness. The moonlight only showcased him as a gift, a bestowing that for a moment he wondered how he managed to deserve. He gazed down at him and ogled at softness, voluptuousness, skin in some areas beautifully plump, others thin and accenting him as a descendant of gods. All while Feliciano tried not to let himself faint at the utter power, muscle and strength all across him. Ludwig was powerful…and Feliciano wanted all of it, he was desperate, and not wanting more silence, brought his arms around him again and pulled him back to the feast of their lips, of fingers traversing, of their skin exploring more of each other through grinds and pushes. They hardened and they both rolled their eyes at the luck and perfection in their groins.

They wanted more, they wanted a peak. Neither bothered to think that they absolutely had no experience. It was somehow as if the moment had given them the knowledge, the light guiding, and Ludwig knew enough to check one of the drawers for any lube. They were lucky. It was a small bottle at the very back side along with some condoms. Ludwig wanted to be quick with them…before they brought back any sort of sense when he was riding on an absolute high of Feliciano. He instantly went to prepping him with his fingers, leaning over his mouth to hear those mewls clear, to know where to move, avoid hurting him and gaze to the heaven his face was. Something he must be doing right with the way Feliciano heightens, grips and begs for more in the shine of his eyes.

That’s it! He knows he’s ready.

He hovers over him as he prepares himself, as he dares his mind to think…but it seemed the wild part of his werewolf took over, for as he looked down at Feliciano, still in want and expecting, there was no way he could find something to deny this any longer. Careful, he managed to begin his initial plunge, already rolling his eyes at this great warmth, and Feliciano moaned, accepting it with great pleasure, just perfect, just wonderful. They remained in that freeze, just living that amazing first height, first wave of ecstasy, feeling levitated and forever lost to the world. They gazed into their eyes and for a moment…it was like magic, amazing and perfect, diving for another kiss as Ludwig began the first of his thrusts. Here they shouted, it intensified more with their continuous gazes and lock of lips, beginning a slow rhythm that was beautiful and comforting.

As Ludwig got more confident in the hold, he thrashed, he forced himself much harder, louder getting Feliciano’s shouts.

For a moment he feared they could be heard out into the canals, quickly gazing as if the very water could catch him and tell the news for the whole society to hear, but another shout from Feliciano brought him back to this delicacy, this wonder…and he just had to continue, an award for himself to enjoy and not wonder about anything else.

Another splendorous sunshine welcomed him the next morning. The chirp of the birds was somehow more splendid, the heat not as piercing and overall he just felt a new refresh along with the new day. Ludwig woke with an internal smile…that was rare. He was not bothered by the bright light, the shouts of tourists and gondoliers coming in from the opened window or the breeze that seemed to help him breathe, to awaken, stir and enjoy this new warmth in his bed.

Warmth…he was naked…he caught the scent of another, of…his eyes widened in shock, and there before him was Feliciano in his same state, still fast asleep. The way his hair fell on his face was spectacular, and with the added sun, it shone like a halo…beautiful and…oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Ludwig suddenly sat up, horrified despite, the memory of last night filling and reminding, proof still in the very union of the bed they shared. He began to pull his hair, turning about hoping that this was just still…some really nice dream and when he awoke…he’d be alone and Feliciano would be in his own room. But the longer he stared, at Feliciano’s body only half covered…gorgeous still, the more real it was becoming, the sensations alive through his body, his breaths seeming to beg for more of that body. And no! No! No more, he couldn't let this keep going, he had to somehow…disinfect his whole body from this, pretend it didn't happen, that it was just- moans, movements, Feliciano was awakening. He panicked, shouted and even fell off the bed. It was just the shake to have Feliciano completely sitting up.

“Lu-Ludwig, are you all right?” He asked, seeming not at all bothered….about anything but simply that Ludwig was not on the bed anymore.

Ludwig sat up, messed and with piercing eyes, clearly shocked and disturbed. Feliciano instantly panicked and tried to come closer, reaching his arm to try and help. Ludwig, instead, threw a pillow at it and stood, picking his underwear from somewhere on the floor and putting them on.

“We-we…were late!” He tried to excuse, rushing to the bathroom, closing the door and creating quite a ruckus in the room that only brought more confusion to Feliciano. He sighed and thought to simply join him, but it was in that moment that he felt a sudden cramp…right by his waist and towards…he instead smiled at it. He blushed, and as if he was in crowded streets, he covered his redness, yet his grin escaped through it, almost like a full blown laugh that could be heard throughout if it wasn’t for the water running from Ludwig’s shower.

They did that…they did that last night…and it had been amazing, euphoric, a heightening that Feliciano had not been intending to witness. But he went through it, took all that passion and desire and well…as his grin became one of seduction and pleasure, he couldn’t wait for another chance.

He gazed to the bathroom door hoping for another retreat into Ludwig’s arms.

No…they did have to hurry.

Feliciano went to his own bathroom to prepare, with a jump expecting much from the day.

< previous chapter

#The Society of Romulus and Remus #gerita #gerita fanfiction #gerita fanfic #gerita fic

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disco-elysium-via-polls · 8 months

Text

2. No. I can take this. I am not going to go looking for speed.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Are you sure? Ready to live as this pathetic shell of yourself for days? Basically a week? Let's be honest -- two weeks, maybe three? You won't make it. Half the town will be dead by then. You will be fired.

Who am I kidding? Of course I want some speed. (Opt in.)

That's a lie. I can do this without the speed. Half the town won't be dead... (Opt out.)

+5 XP

ELECTROCHEMISTRY - Suit yourself, slow, sad shell-man. See how you do without your spark.

MIRROR - A mirror hangs on the bathroom wall. In it -- your face, adorned with *The Expression*.

There's a new check here.

3. [Interfacing - Challenging 12] Use your chaincutters to fix the faucet. Stop steam from fogging up the mirror.

INTERFACING [Challenging: Failure]- The chaincutters slip out of your hands as you attempt to twist the faucet into place. Well, you know one thing for sure -- you've probably never been a plumber.

4. [Let the mirror be for now.]

The Whirling is busy today. Kim is already here talking to Garte.

"Good morning."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Morning." He gives you a quick nod.

"Looks like we can get to work at once. The Union muscle turned up." He points to the mess hall doors. "They look rowdy. We should talk to them."

"Why do we need to talk to them?"

"What do you mean 'rowdy'?"

"Are these the men Garte told us about yesterday?"

"Let's roll." [Leave.]

KIM KITSURAGI - "Everything points to the Dockworkers' Union: the *belt* used for hanging him, the circumstances in Martinaise, my preliminary information..."

"Which may, of course, all be wrong. But we still need to talk to them -- and it won't be easy."

2. "What do you mean 'rowdy'?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "I mean ungovernable. Martinaise isn't exactly enthusiastic about the RCM being here. They prefer to be *policed* by the Union -- these men here..."

"Men who drink beer for breakfast? There's talk of an armed wing of the Union called *the Hardie boys*, who are responsible for said *policing*. I think it's them."

3. "Are these the men Garte told us about yesterday?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "I completely forgot." He looks at his notes. "Sorry, I had a rough night's sleep. It's them, by the looks of it -- loud and nasty, just like the manager said."

"One loose thread less to worry about -- and one big problem to replace it." He crosses something out.

Task complete: Find out who is in the Union box

+30 XP

4. "There are so many of them. Maybe we should call in reinforcements?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "That would just escalate tensions. No captain would sign off on it. Solving one murder isn't worth a conflict between the RCM and the Débardeurs' Union."

"In fact, even the *death* of two detectives might not warrant an all-out war. So let's keep a cool head, okay?"

5. "Let's roll." [Leave.]

KIM KITSURAGI - "One more thing before we do..." He glances at the booth again. "We don't have to talk to them immediately. We can walk right past them, continue with our business."

AUTHORITY [Easy: Success] - Good. A power move. *Purposefully* concentrate on something else first.

KIM KITSURAGI - "They're in no hurry to leave -- they think they own the place... Anyway, I leave that choice to you. Whatever you decide is fine by me."

I quickly check if Garte has anything new for us (he doesn't.) Then Lena.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "Just a moment." The old woman turns back to the cafeteria manager.

"And there's no public phones nearby?"

GARTE, THE CAFETERIA MANAGER - "The closest phone booth is down the coast. Sorry for the inconvenience, ma'am." The cafeteria manager appears genuinely apologetic.

LENA, THE CRYPTOZOOLOGIST'S WIFE - "It's fine, I understand. Thank you anyway." She turns back to you with a weary smile. "I'm glad to see you again, dear."

SUGGESTION [Medium: Success] - The lady is distressed. Perhaps something more up-beat might cheer her up?

#disco elysium #kim kitsuragi #garte the cafeteria manager #lena the cryptozoologist's wife

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darcyfangirlsfrequently · 1 year

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She Will Be Loved - chapter 2: Solutions

For @bacchicly

Work Summary: After bonding with a teen girl, the daughter of the victims of a BAU case, Luke and Penelope decide to consider adoption as their path to parenthood.

Chapter Summary: The case comes to a close, and Penelope and Luke come to a decision.

Chapter word count: 2873

Total word count: 6975

Can also be read here on Ao3

After gently kissing Penelope on the head so as to not wake her, then silently getting ready and leaving, Luke was out the door and on his way to work. He decided to stop into headquarters to check in on the kids before heading back to the local police station to keep working the case. Plus, someone should probably bring those kids some breakfast. He picked up a box of donuts and one of those to-go boxes of Hot Chocolate that people bring to conferences or office parties. Well, normally it would be coffee, but Vivian was the oldest, and she was fifteen. Who knew if she even drank coffee? Hot chocolate was the best bet.

"Good morning, Grant," Luke said as he passed Agent Anderson in the bullpen.

"Hey, Luke. Shouldn't you be at the station with the rest of the team?"

"Yeah, I'm just dropping off some breakfast for the kids first."

"Ah, I see. Anne and I will be here all day, so we'll keep an eye on them, make sure they're safe."

"Perfect." Luke knew the kids would be safe at Quantico, but he felt better when he knew there were two people he trusted implicitly who would be looking out for them. "Have a good day, Grant."

"You too, Luke."

Luke put the donuts and hot chocolate in the Round Table Room and was just leaving the bullpen when he heard a voice call to him from down the hall.

"Agent Alvez?"

Luke turned and saw Vivian coming out of the room they'd put all the kids in for their safety. "Hey, Vivian, how are you? Did you sleep well? And please, you can just call me Luke."

She shrugged. "Fine, I guess." Then, bashfully, she added, "I'm just looking for the washroom."

"Oh, yeah, it's just down there," Luke told her, pointing down the other end of the hall, near Anne's office, Penelope's old one. "And then there's breakfast–donuts and hot chocolate–in the room in there with all the windows and the round table for you guys whenever you're ready. Someone from my team will be by later today to drop off some lunch."

She nodded. "And let me guess, since I'm the oldest, I'm responsible for the younger kids?"

Luke was stunned. "Um, no. That's not your responsibility at all, you don't have any responsibilities right now. Sure, you're older, you're fifteen, and you're not a child, but you're still a kid. Your only job is to stay here and stay safe, okay?"

She nodded.

"If you need anything, you can ask my co-workers Anne or Grant, he's right in there, and she's in her office at the end of the hall, just knock." He pointed at the bullpen and Anne's office sequentially as he spoke. "They'll be able to reach out to me or my team, you don't have to worry about anything."

She smiled a bit, and nodded again. "All right. Thank you, Luke."

"No worries." He patted her on her shoulder. "I have to get going now, so we can catch whoever's responsible for all this as soon as possible. I know this situation is far from ideal, but try to have a good day, okay?"

"Okay."

***

"All right," Anne said from over the phone, once the whole team had gathered at the police station. "All three searches I ran yesterday have yielded their results. I did in fact find that all five children have records of their parents being investigated for neglect or abuse, but they all fell through, nothing official was ever done. Abigail Price, the woman who placed Vivian in the Byron Girls' Group Home wasn't the Social Worker for all of their cases, but if we include Vivian, she was the social worker for three of the cases. The other two were co-workers of hers."

"So all of these kids are connected through the same company of Social Workers," JJ stated. "And co-workers talk, it's possible Abigail Price heard about the other two kids from them."

"Are you suggesting that Abigail Price is the unsub?" Tara asked her.

JJ put her hands in the air. "I am just stating possibilities."

"Could a woman do all this?" Rossi asked.

Luke looked at him incredulously. "C'mon, Dave, it's breaking into a house in the dead of night and shooting two sleeping people with a silencer. A twelve-year-old with YouTube, bobby pins, and access to their parents' guns could do it. We've seen women do far more complicated and difficult things." Luke had a lot of respect for Rossi, he did, and he loved the man. He was like a father-in-law to him. But he could still be a little… old-fashioned at times. Especially when it came to the abilities of women.

"Regardless," Emily said. "We don't have enough evidence to even pursue that theory right now. Let's learn what we can about all the Social Workers involved and bring them in, we'll treat them all as persons of interest."

***

Those interviews took up until lunchtime, and since Luke was still talking to one of the Social Workers, JJ was the one to bring lunch to the kids. McDonald's made a lot of money from the FBI that day.

Luke had told her that he'd just left the food in the Round Table Room and then let someone know, so that's what she did. She was setting out the food when she heard a voice from behind her.

"You're Jennifer, right?"

If it weren't for her years in the FBI, JJ would have jumped much higher than she did. She placed her hand over her chest in an effort to calm herself down, and turned around to see who the voice belonged to. "Vivian, hi! You scared me!"

"Sorry," Vivian replied, her eyes wide with apology. "I just remembered you from yesterday and was wondering if there were any updates? If you're allowed to tell."

JJ gave her a tight-lipped grin. "There's not much I can talk about right now, I'm sorry. But we're doing everything we can, I promise."

Vivian nodded.

"And I brought you guys lunch!"

Vivian's face lit up in a genuine smile. "Oh my god, McDonald's? I haven't had that in so long! Thank you!"

"No worries. But before I leave… how are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm fine." Vivian shrugged like it was nothing, but JJ could see right through her.

"No, it's not. Something’s upsetting you, and it’s not healthy to keep it in. You can talk to me.”

Vivian cocked her head to the side and squinted at JJ as if studying her. “You’re a mom, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I have a sixteen-year-old and a nine-year-old.”

“Yeah. I can tell. People who aren’t parents can’t usually tell when I’m lying. Parents always can.”

“So what are you lying about?”

Vivian sighed. “I’m really worried about this… friend of mine. Claire. We came to Byron’s around the same time, we’ve been practically inseparable since. Now I’m just suddenly gone for who knows how long without even actually getting to say goodbye? Nothing but a little pink sticky note to explain what’s going on? And yeah, we’ve been texting, but it’s not the same.”

JJ’s heart broke for the young girls. To be unexpectedly stripped of your support system in a situation like this… it must be awful. “We are doing everything we can to get you back to your friend as soon as possible,” JJ told her. “I promise.”

***

"How are the kids?" Luke asked JJ when she returned to the station.

“They seem fine, under the circumstances,” she replied. “I bumped into Vivian, and, if anything, she seemed more worried about a friend of hers back at the group home. They came there around the same time and haven’t really been apart since.”

Despite the far worst things he’d heard and experienced in this job, Luke found his heart breaking at that news. “Poor girls. Being without their support system like that, especially when Vivian’s in protective custody because there might be a serial killer after her? I can’t even imagine.”

JJ shook her head. “Me neither.”

The rest of the team joined them in the board room just as the phone starts ringing.

“What did you find, Anne?” Emily answered.

“Now, I am no profiler, but I think we all need to thank Mrs. Jennifer Jareau for her Abigail-Price-might-be-the-Unsub theory, because she very well could be right,” came Anne’s voice through the speaker.

“What makes you say that?” Emily asked.

“While you all were interviewing the social workers, I was going a deeper background search into each of them. Remember how Abigail Price and her sister were wards of Byron Group Home when they were younger? Well, it turns out that came to be because they ran away from home when Abigail Price née Fischer was fifteen and her younger sister Holly was nine, and their parents just… gave up their parental rights. They said if the girls didn’t want to be with them, they wouldn’t make them, and they could live in a foster home if they really thought that was a better solution.”

Rossi’s eyebrows bunched together. “That’s not something you hear from a lot of parents.”

“No, it’s not,” Anne continued. “So I did some more research into the Fischer family, and I found out that, just a few months prior, CPS was called on the parents due to claims of neglect and emotional abuse from the girls. There was an investigation but eventually, it was dropped and no charges were pressed.”

Tara was the first to connect the dots. “Just like all the kids. That’s a stressor if I ever heard it.”

“But what happened a month ago to make her snap and start killing the parents of kids who suffered the same fate?” JJ asked.

“The death of their parents,” Anne told her. “Car accident.”

Luke tensed. “She does think she’s saving them. She thinks she’s preventing them from having to live in a world where their parents, their abusers, are still out there and thriving, just like hers were.”

Emily quickly took the helm and started doling out instructions. “Luke, you know the way to the Group home, so you, JJ, and Tara will go there and look for her. Anne, send me Abigail’s address. Rossi, Matt, you’re with me.”

The team nodded, and were off.

***

“She’s not here,” Luke told Emily over the phone.

“She’s not here either. After our interviews, she must have known we were close on her tail, so she took off. She might be trying to knock a few more victims off her list before we catch up to her. I’m going to conference in Anne.”

“Hello, I’m here! What can I do?”

“Anne, are there any more cases that Abigail or her co-workers worked on that fit our criteria?" Emily asked.

"Yes, ten."

"Limit to just Abigail," Tara told Anne from her end of the phone. "She knows she doesn't have a lot of time, she'll want to keep it as personal as possible."

"Five."

"Narrow it down to children that would be in school right now with parents who work from home,” Luke instructed. “She’s striking during the day for the first time, but she won’t defer from her pattern so much that she’d risk injuring or traumatizing the child.”

“That makes it one, the Davidsons. Mom runs a small business, dad is unemployed.”

“That’s where she is then,” Emily stated. “Anne, send us the address.”

“Sending now.”

By the time the team arrived at the Davidsons’ house, Abigal already had them held at gunpoint and was trying to force a confession from them. They managed to talk her down without any casualties, cuff her safely, and take her in.

The rest of the team went back to the station to wrap up a few things, but JJ and Luke went back to Quantico to break the news to the kids and to take them back home, whatever that meant for them now.

“Hey, Vivian,” Luke said as he approached where she was sitting on one of the couches.

“Agen— Luke! Hi!”

“We got her. The woman who killed your parents, she’s been arrested.”

Vivian’s eyes widened. “Really? Already? Can I ask what her name was?”

Luke had hoped that she wouldn’t have to find out who the culprit was, but he knew that was unrealistic. After all, she was friends with Abigail’s daughter. “Yeah, her name was Abigail Price.”

Luke could pinpoint the moment when Vivian’s spirit dropped. “That’s… that’s the woman who got me placed in Byron’s. I’m friends with her daughter.”

“I know, I’m really sorry that this is how things played out. But hey, listen to me.” He sat down beside her on the couch and looked her in the eyes. “You have to know that this is in no way your fault. There was a series of unfortunate circumstances, and you happened to get caught in the middle, but the blame here falls entirely on her shoulders.”

Vivian tilted her curiously as she looked at Luke. "How many kids do you have, Agent Alvez?"

Luke was momentarily taken aback at the sudden change in conversation. "Um, none."

It was Vivian's turn to be stunned. "None? Really?"

"Yeah, why?"

"It's just that, well, no one who doesn't have kids is as good with kids as you seem to be. Especially with teenagers. Normally all the adults I've ever met have still treated me as a child. And I get it, yeah, I'm young, but you're the first one to treat me like an individual person. Like a mini-adult."

"My wife likes to say that 'age doesn't always provide smarts, life experience does.' You've been through too much, especially in the last two years, to be considered a child. This team always treats every kid it works with as if they were one of our own, but I don't know, it just wasn't in the cards for me and my wife to have any. We might adopt though, someday." He didn't know quite why he was telling Vivian all this, but she had asked him a question, and he wanted to be honest. All part of treating her like a 'mini-adult,' in her own words.

"You should," Vivian told him. "If your wife is anything like you–"

"She's better."

Vivian smiled at that. "Well then, any kid you adopted would be lucky to have you as their parents."

It was Luke’s turn to smile then. “Thank you. So, hey, you ready to go home?”

Vivian’s eyes brightened. “Yes! Oh my god, just let me grab my bag. I mean, no offense, this place is nice and all, but I miss my own bed. And not having to share with young children I don’t know. And my friend Claire.”

Vivian grabbed all her personal belongings, and they were off. Luke walked Vivian into the building and saw as she was reunited with her friend. He watched the way the girls held each other and the smiles on their faces. Vivian had exclusively referred to Claire as her friend… but Luke knew why Vivian had been kicked out of her house, and a part of him wondered if there was something more there. But that was none of his business.

***

As per tradition, Luke was greeted by his wife's open arms when he returned home from the case. This one hadn't been particularly bad, and it had ended comparatively well, but he collapsed into Penelope anyway, pulling her as close as he could and burying his face in her hair and neck, the way he always did.

"That was a fast one, huh?" Penelope asked him.

"Thank god," he replied. "There were ten other families potentially on her list."

"That's awful. All those kids… speaking of kids, have you given any more thought to what we were talking about yesterday?"

Luke sighed and pulled back from Penelope, knowing they should have this conversation face to face. "Well, Vivian went and told me that if you were anything like me–and of course I told her you were better–that any kid we adopted would be lucky to have us as parents. So, you know, that definitely didn't get my mind off it."

Penelope smiled up at him. "You really want to do this, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do. I really do. And even if it's not her, I want to do this. I want to have a family with you, and if we can make a kid's life better in the process, then that's just the icing on the cake."

"Okay, so talk to Emily," Penelope told him. "See if Vivian is even an option for us. And we'll go from there."

"You're serious?" Luke asked. "You want to do this?"

She nodded in response. "I do. And I know you, when you set your mind to something, when you decide you want something, you don't change your mind. I trust you. I trust us. I know that we can do this."

Luke leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," Penelope said, leaning up to kiss him again. "So much."

#Garvez #Garvez fanfiction #Luke Alvez #Penelope Garcia #Jennifer Jareau #Emily Prentiss #Tara Lewis #Criminal Minds #Criminal Minds fanfiction

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mercury4ever · 2 years

Text

A Dream of Spring: CH4

The kiss. The sweet kiss that Lucien gave Elain had been in her mind constantly. She couldn’t forget the touch of his hands on her waist. Couldn’t forget how his lips and tongue explored her mouth and how she needed to feel more of him. Those thoughts were imprinted in her mind and were of no help during breakfast. She was shy and hoped that Lucien didn’t notice her cheeks flushing pink at the mere sight of him. Lucien seemed nervous too, his eyes were avoiding hers at any possible way. Tamlin joined them…good, Lucien had thought—let the male provide some sort of buffer in this otherwise awkward breakfast. “Well, this is an incredibly quiet breakfast” Tamlin said, looking at both with dubious eyes. Lucien coughed immediately to suppress Tamlin’s remark as Elain cleared her throat. He continued sipping his tea as his said, “Well, if no one is going to attempt to converse, then let me just say that I have received half of the invitations confirming attendance”. “Great, this sounds very promising!” Elain interjected. Tamlin smiled as Lucien continued to remain quiet. At that Elain excused herself from the table and got up to help in the kitchen—with an excuse that she wanted to make sure they had everything ready for dinner. This left both males alone and Tamlin used this time to chat with Lucien. “Is there something going on between you and your mate?” Tamlin asked while placing a large piece of fruit into his mouth. “Besides the usual intimacy between mates…nothing else new to admit” Lucien replied. At that, Tamlin stood from the table walked towards Lucien and said, “I may be a lot of things, but I know…in fact…I can smell that you and your mate are not indeed intimate. You sleep in separate chambers and barely converse when are alone. Manor staff are gossiping on the status of both—with some gearing for score cards to see who falls first. Something happened yesterday that made both of you extremely awkward…and whatever it was…it was about time.” A smile slowly appeared on his face as he left Lucien alone in the breakfast chamber. Lucien responded with a low chuckle, got up and left to deal with several villages close to the manor.

Elain spent the rest of the day chatting with several manor staff in preparation of the gathering. Much time was spent on the specifics of the event that Elain had forgotten to write to her sister providing updates from her previous mail. She had meant to ask Feyre to loan her a dress for the gathering with high fae. As she walked the halls of the manor, she came across one of the servants who told her the High Lord had summoned her to his office. Elain grew nervous as she approached the door---she hoped that Lucien was around to provide her some assurance that all was well. As she entered the room, she saw Tamlin at his desk reading various letters, but noticed Lucien was not there. “Ah, Elain. Please have a seat, I’d like to talk to you about the gathering and other important matters.” Tamlin gestured with his hand to have a seat. Elain sat, her hands folded in her lap while fidgeting with her fingers. “Yes, my Lord. How can I be of help to you?” To that, Tamlin sat back to assess her carefully which made Elain extremely uncomfortable. He then said, “I’d like to thank you for assisting me in these endeavors, the beautification of my gardens, the assistance of the manor, and the preparations of the upcoming feast. But I feel like you can do much more.” He leaned closer to the desk as he continued, “That is why I will ask you to assist Lucien in his quest to bring my people together. Travel with him, tend to the females and children. Ask them what they need and promise them that The High Lord will grant their asks.” Elain didn’t know what to respond to that request, so she just said in a pleasant voice “My Lord, I’ve not had experience with those types of requests…how would I know if Lucien will be okay with me joining him?” Tamlin stood and walked next to her and leaned at the edge of his desk and crossed his arms, “I’ve seen how you chat with the servants; they seem to love you. I also see that you are good with words and people love to hear nonsense like that. Plus, just tell Lucien that you want to join him on your own accord—don’t tell him I’ve sent you. He would think I don’t trust him doing a good job” Elain knotted yes in response. As she got up to leave, Tamlin caught her arm and said, “Here, I have a letter from your sister. It appears she wrote this morning.” He gave her the letter. Elain took it and saw it was closed—he hadn’t read it. As Tamlin moved to seat again in his chair he said, “I know you are reporting back to the Night Court. I only ask that you please refrain from sharing any private information between you and Lucien. Whatever you feel for him, please share those feelings with him first before you tell your court. I think Lucien deserves this.” Elain curtsey and left the High Lord to his business.

Dinner came and went and both Lucien and Tamlin failed to join her. As she stood up to clear her plates, a kitchen staff member quickly cleared her plates and wished her a good evening. Elain didn’t think it was necessary to have them clean after her—but appreciated the gesture just the same. In her chamber, Elain bathed and set herself ready for bed. She decided to read Feyre’s letter before going to sleep and made a mental note to reply tomorrow. In the letter she had asked the status of Tamlin and Lucien. She had asked if she was treated well by both males and if she needed company. As always, she tends to end her letter all the same, please know there is no need for you to feel obligated to continue this farce with Lucien. Know that you are not alone—we offer protection and won’t hesitate to assist you. She didn’t know what to think about that. Elain knew this joining was not made of love but knew that both males had been respectful towards her. She was also nurturing feelings for the manor staff and was beginning to enjoy her time at the manor—regardless if at times she was alone. Elain closed the letter and slowly laid herself to sleep. A loud noise woke Elain from her sleep late in the evening. She got up from bed to open her door and checked the hallway—there was nothing, just the fae light flickering down the hall. Another noise coming from the end of the hall. Elain began to walk towards it and saw light coming from a half open door. The door led to a chamber; Elain didn’t know why but it beckoned her to come inside. She took in the colors: oranges, gold and brown—very masculine, and soon realized it belong to Lucien. She didn’t know whether to leave or call him to make sure he was okay. She decided on the latter, “Lucien?” she whispered. Her call was not answered. “Lucien?” she whispered again…but no answer. As she walked towards the back of the room—she saw another door halfway open. She walked to it and what she saw almost took her breath away. She saw Lucien step out of the bath…water dripping from his lean muscular body. His arms, legs, stomach, thighs all pure lean muscle. His russet wet hair—darker than usual. That golden tan skin—shimmering from drops of water running down his body. Elain’s heart began to beat faster…realizing this, she was terribly glad he was not able to hear her heartbeat. Then, Lucien turned fully towards her while lifting his hands to pat his hair dry with a towel. Elain’s jaw dropped…her mouth parted slowly at what she was witnessing. Slowly, she blinked as she took in his manhood—gosh she had never seen anything so enticing, so tempting. Mother spare her. She hadn’t realized she made an unintended exhale when Lucien quickly said, “Hello? Is anyone there?” quickly adjusting his towel to cover him. Elain ran out the chamber and into her room as fast as her long fae legs took her and prayed she wasn’t seen. Lucien inspected his room, seeing nothing, walked towards the chamber door and slowly closed it. He swore he heard a noise but then…a familiar smell…a brief scent of Jasmine lingered in the room. Lucien looked back at the closed door and then a smile slowly sprung from his beautiful delicate face.

#elucien #lucien vanserra #elain archeron #acotar

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whatdoesshedotothem · 2 years

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Monday 11 May 1835

7 50

11 ½

no kiss fine morning highish wind F52° at 8 ½ am - breakfast ½ hour at 8 ¾ - then had Joseph Mann - had seen Holt yesterday who thought the new plan of driving a new drift altogether very good and would not have me wait seeing him (Holt) before beginning the drift - so agreed for Joseph Mann to begin tomorrow if he liked, the drift to be driven on the same terms as the last i.e. 4/6 per yard - then had Shaw the plasterer about plastering over the north chamber end of the house - very ill done last year - Mr Bradley came about (before) 10 - he gave Shaw instructions about the plastering 1 coat of plaster and then to be done with Roman cement - Washington came for a few minutes but did not go into the house - came, I suppose to see if he should go with my father to vote, and to say he (W-) was doubtful whether his change of residence from Finny Royde to Crownest had made his vote doubtful or not - told him to run the risk and vote - my father drove to Mr Parker’s and Mr P went with him to the voting place for Northowram (voted for High Roydes) in Waterhouse street - a special constable let my father in by the back door that he got in and out very quietly and safe home again without any molestation - Mr Bradley brought his plan for the ice house - the arch to be more puddled and made up at the bottom and if this be done tomorrow the centres to be struck on Thursday Mr B- did not like my having ordered a piece of timber and fixed up the way of covering over the coach house and put the mangle over the carriages - he said my way would be more expensive in labour and take 4 planks more than his way and would not be so firm - he would have had 2 pieces of timber the whole length of the coach house instead of 1 piece across - and said his timber would be 1/. per ft. - I said I did not quite this but sorry if I had ordered a bad job - however as the timber was ordered I would not countermand it - Charles told me afterwards he had told Mr. B- it was his Charles’s plan and that Mr. B- ‘would be against him’ (Charles) by and by if he (Charles) did not mind - thought I it is true enough - he talked of Charles’ - pothering about about the passage window or it would have been done before - I found out afterwards that it was owing to Charles not to Mr. B- (who would have and had once over-ordered a skylight) that the window was so well managed - Remembering what Mr. Freeman said of Mr. B- I am glad I have employed Harper and B-

SH:7/ML/E/18/0033

will not worn out Charles H- very easily - 5 stone door steads wanting for the Ice house - said I would have them ordered at my own delph in Upper place land - walked with Mr B- to the delph staid by while he ordered them tho’ not hearing what he said (they are to be ready next week) and there left him to go that way home to Elland - he said the whole of the ice house would be done for £25 I spoke to George N- in his field harrowing - he carted stones for me on Saturday to wall along Bairstow wood - could only go 7 times a day - wanted the wallers there to side and stone so not to cart again till Wednesday - had seen A- off on her pony at 11 to Brighouse to Mrs Earnshaw about girls’ Sunday school teacher - about and came in when A- returned at 2 ½ - a few minutes with my father and Marian - then with A- till 4 helping her to make out words in her old wills she was copying - then out again at 4 - found Richard Woodhead not come from his dinner - his son did not [know] where he was - drinking somewhere - Mr Bradley observed on seeing him this morning that he had been drinking - Just before or at 2 10 A- came in had set James Howarth to bough the 2 sycamores laying in the Pearson Ing - Charles came about 2 ½ and helped James and I found them and John and Richard Woodhead’s son and the horses getting the trees away when I went out at 4 - Robert Schofield had been all day levelling at the bottom of the Hall croft by himself his man Joseph Smith getting married today - just in time the 1st child at hand - at 4 set the 2 Howarths to get up guards and put them down against the laburnum planted against the garden wall corner and round the 2 birches and one oak at the bottom of the hall croft and stood by them and Robert Schofield helping them till 7 - told the 2 H- to do the railing in the morning in the Paddock and between Pearson Ing and coal pit field I meant Richard Woodhead to have done - dinner at 7 10 - coffee - about 20 minutes with my father and Marian - wrote the whole of today till 9 ¾ - then with my aunt ¼ hour - F58 ½° at 10 10 pm and high wind - fine day -

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thewritingsofamadwomen · 2 months

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The Choices We Make

Not many people get it. Most get a series of choices and that's how you create your future. But Carolyn found herself having a single moment that would change her future if she let it. Does she reach out to him? Or retreat into herself?

Sirius Black X OFC

roughly 5k words

The wind whipped the snow in flurries against the windowpanes as the Hogwarts students sat down for breakfast on the early Monday morning. Carolyn sat alone this early, unable to sleep any longer, she wandered up to the Great Hall not in the mood to wait for her friends this morning. She knew they would come up soon enough. Putting some jam on her toast she sat there munching on while watching the snow out the window, thankful she didn’t have to go outside for any classes this morning but she needed it to quite for the afternoon. The Great Hall filled up fast, a group of unhappy children tired from getting back to school after winter break. Carolyn herself wished she had another week or two enjoying time at home with her parents and siblings. She was the only child at Hogwarts currently, her older sister Elieen graduated three years ago, and her two younger twin sisters Valerie and Kathleen were just short of eleven this year and didn’t make the cut off. So that left Carolyn alone in her fifth year at Hogwarts taking her O.W.L.S this year. With all of her studying just an extra week of relaxation would have been a gift, the professors seemly turned it up a notch and started giving them twice the amount of work from last term. Add onto the fact that a war was at an all-time high, which was hard to ignore when you walked through the Slytherin common room now a days, she just wanted to be back home with her family.

Shortly after three of her roommates found her sitting in the usual spot at the end of the table, grinning at their friend, she couldn’t help by smile back at them. Vivian went around the table to sit beside her, her half-asleep self leaning against her friend clearly not ready to be awake. While Adelina and Isabella sat across from the other two girls and started to put food on their plates. Carolyn grew up with Isabella and Vivian, their mothers forcing them to go to manners classes together. And Adelina and her mother came into the picture after the first year of Hogwarts. Carolyn was just glad that she generally liked the girls, she knew it was just luck that she did. Not like it mattered much if she did like them or not, she was expected to be friends with them by her parents but they were easy enough to get along with.

“Do you think the owls will be able to make it through the snow?” Isabella asked, flicking her brown hair out of her face as she turned to look at the snowstorm outside. “I left things at home that mum was supposed to send me but I’m not sure I’ll get them.”

“Hopefully they are just hiding out some place and waiting for the weather to get better. Dad said there is something important he needed to tell me. Said he would send the information once everything was final.” Carolyn said shrugging her shoulders.

“You just left yesterday, why wouldn’t have he told you then.” Adelina spoke up, giving her a questioning look.

“I’m not sure. His been…off lately.” Carolyn said quietly chewing her lip, a habit that she was supposed to long get rid of. It wasn’t very unbecoming of a pure-blood witch to have such an easy tell. Her eyes searched around the girls, none of them needing further explaining from her. Each of their families had members that are now ‘off’ it was the wording they used for family joining up with the Dark Lord. They still were not supposed to speak out loud what people were doing in case someone overhears them. They didn’t want others to know who were exactly involved with what. Carolyn was sure her father wasn’t doing the worst things, sure he may believe in him but he could never actually torture and kill innocent people.

“Must have just been distracted then. It takes a lot trying to right the world. I’m sure you will find out soon.” Vivian jumped in before being cut off by the sudden silence that overtook the Great Hall causing the girls to pause their conversation trying to figure out why.

It didn’t take long to figure it out. The doors were held open already but in walked four boys in their year, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin and James Potter. Clearly trying to ignore the fact that everyone was watching them enter the room. Mainly most were watching one Sirius Black walk across the hall, soon whispered erupted when they sat down at the Gryffindor table.

“Maybe he is telling you who your new husband is.” Isabella smirked at Carolyn, causing the girl to laugh at the idea coldly.

“I didn’t even think of that!” Carolyn told her before her smile faded. Sirius and her were planned to be engaged for as long as she could remember. The perfect pair. Her parents made sure that she was friends and got along with her future husband, explaining it was the least they could do within the restrictions that they had put upon themselves. Despite Sirius going on a rogue path her parents believed he was still a good match for her. His parents even believed that Carolyn could bring him back to them, which is why over the years they were actually friends. But something happened over winter vacation, Sirius Black ran away from home and got himself disowned. He was officially a blood traitor and that means he was no longer an option for Carolyn. She couldn’t help feeling sad at the thought, with Sirius she wouldn’t have to hide her thoughts and would have been able to be who she really was. There were already countless days and nights spent around each other growing to become a couple that generally liked each other. With him Carolyn could find happiness but now that had gone out the window. She couldn’t even think about how much she generally liked Sirius, she wouldn’t say loved but she could easily see herself growing to love him. But all that didn’t matter anymore.

“Oh yes the lovely ‘talk’.” Vivian said rolling her eyes at her breakfast with disgust.

All the girls went silent for a moment while looked at each other, the talk was an awful conversation that once you turned sixteen you sat down with your parents and got your job and husband choices. Being pure-blooded women, they didn’t have as much freedom that they liked to pretend to have at Hogwarts. Everything was watched and planned out for them from the day they were born and you were just told what to do and where to go. Sometimes your parents did take things you wanted and liked into account, which is nice of them to do but wasn’t really seen anymore. Carolyn’s parents were one of them that always wanted her to be at least happy with her life and would protect her at all cost.

“Yes and no. Mum and Dad asked what I wanted to do; they had no problem with me going to be a healer after graduation. But we really didn’t talk about the husband part yet. I guess we will see.” Carolyn said looking down at her plate. The girls sat in silence for a minute longer before Carolyn smiled at the three of them not wanting to be stuck in a serious conversation.

“No use getting upset about it. Isabella! You still haven’t told us how the winter party ended with Micheal.” Carolyn smirked at her friend, the Slytherin girls’ attention turning to the blush on their friends cheeks waiting for the story.

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The morning was spent going to classes and hoping the weather outside would calm down as the Fifth year Slytherins had Herbology after lunch. And they were not looking forward to making their way across the grounds in the weather. Carolyn left her homework in the dorm for transfiguration and had to quickly run to her room causing her to be late for class. As luck would have it as she turned the corner Sirius, who also seemed to be running late ran smacked into her. He opened his mouth before closing it again as he still stared at her unsure what he was supposed to say. It was odd, Sirius Black almost never shut up most of the time.

“I’m sorry Lynn.” Sirius said quietly but Carolyn gave him a grin as she looked at her friend, he would always be her friend no matter where they were in life.

“You didn’t mean it, no harm.”

“That’s not what I’m sorry for. I mean.. I am but…I’m so sorry. I couldn’t do it anymore.” Sirius explained shaking his head, his face showing how sorry he actually was. Carolyn reached a hand up running her thumb across his cheek, the bruise that he was trying to hide by magic creams was starting to show itself. She had found it for him a few years ago and made sure he always had some when he came back from home knowing how bad he had it on home.

“I don’t blame you. I am quite capable of taking care of myself. You needed to take care of yourself.” Carolyn shrugged, putting her hand down to her side not wanting anyone to walk into the hallway and get any ideas that something was going on between the two of them. Carolyn couldn’t actually be seen with Sirius anymore without her being seen as a blood traitor herself. They stood in silence between them, knowing this was the last time they would ever be able to speak with each other.

“If you ever want out Lyn, I’ll be here. No matter when.” Sirius told her. “I know you don’t have it like I do, well did.. but I know you don’t follow what your parents’ beliefs. You can get away if you really want to, only if you do.” He explained to her. Though Carolyn had never actually said the words there were too many summers days of the two choosing to wander around muggle London for someone who truly felt disgusted by muggles. Too many nights furious at the state of the world right now, for someone who would believe in her parents world. Carolyn never needed to speak it but Sirius understood her, it was the best part of being friends since you were babies.

Not like that mattered anymore.

“I’ll be okay. I can handle some pure-blood ways. My parents will make sure I am loved and happy.” She shook her head at him but gave him a smile.

“But you’ll have no real freedom.”

“I have a lot more than other of people.” Carolyn defended her parents, she was never going to have a whole lot of freedom but that was the way she was raised. Looking at her friends she had plenty of choices that she had been able to make, a little thing such as a husband really shouldn’t matter, to make her parents proud.

“Just because you are treated better then some others the outcome will still be the same.” Sirius rebutted.

“It would have been nice to marry you but even that was never our choice. Who says I cant find that with someone else again?” Carolyn told him shaking her head.

The two turned as they heard footsteps coming down one of the side hallways making the friends separate further. Carolyn looked around waiting for the person to come by to know if she had to be worried or not but they seemed to go down another hallway. Pulling her bag up on her shoulder she realized what a position she was in.

“We can’t talk again.” Carolyn spoke softly, almost in a whisper. “This has to be goodbye.”

“I know.” A smile across his face despite the situation they were in, he could always smile. “You know, I knew I could be different thanks to you.” Sirius wrapped his arms around Carolyn in a hug, pulling away he kissed her cheek and turned around and started to walk away.

“Sirius…class is this way.” Carolyn told him raising an eyebrow at him, pointing down the hall towards the classroom in the opposite direction.

“Ehh not going.” He yelled back giving her a wave as he turned around the corner.

Shaking her head Carolyn fixed herself and headed to class, she was not going to be skipping. Also hoping that transfiguration would be a good distraction for her. Her feelings were hurt, she had to lose her first friend but she was happy for him. He did never fit into his role, though running away wasn’t something Carolyn could’ve seen coming from him. She was glad that he would be able to find happiness even if she had to lose him. Carolyn gave Professor McGonagall a small smile when she slipped into her seat besides Vivian, her friend giving her notes to look over.

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The winter storm blew on for days, almost no one got owls within the last week and soon Carolyn had forgotten all about the letter her father was supposed to send. Classes were back again taking over her life and with her O.W.L.S coming up she spent her days and nights studying for them. It wasn’t until a week later that the snow had settled and they could finally see the sun and receive the letters from their parents. For the first couple of days, she didn’t even get letters besides from her mother asking her how she was doing. But as the days dragged on, she noticed some odd behavior from some of the Slytherin boys, mainly Amycus Carrow and Sewlyn Jugson were giving her attention. Carolyn best guess was now that she wasn’t claimed they were showing their interest in her but her parents would never allow a marriage with them. Amycus was always sadistic, even as a child and he never grew out of it. He enjoyed picking on the smaller students and the ways he went about it, some of the kids were found shaking and crying and wouldn’t speak for a week. Of course, everyone knew who did it but they were all scared to speak up. And Sewlyn was just an idiot. His family was lucky he had an older brother to carry on the family because Sewlyn wouldn’t be going anywhere in life. He followed Amycus everywhere and where Amycus came up with all the grim idea, Sewlyn would be the one to follow through with them. They made a disgusting pair.

They had been leaving her flowers or jewelry every morning, something the girls found extremely funny. Her mornings were spent thanking them and coming up with pleasant excuses to not wear the gaudy jewelry. Throwing the bracelet at Adelina laughing head she ran to the bathroom to be the first into the shower.

The fifth-year girls were smiling at Vivians story when they walked into the great hall until they saw they were behind the Marauders. Things were still tense between the Slytherin house and the Marauders in general, a couple days after the talk with Sirius there was a huge fight between the four of them and a couple of Slytherins, curses were thrown and in the end half of the fifth year had detention for the next three months.

“Blood traitors” Isabella muttered under her breath when we walked past them, causing the group to glare at her but they wouldn’t start anything. Even to Potter and Sirius three months worth of detentions were more then what they wanted Carolyn looked down at her feet trying not to look at the boys.

“What do we have for classes today again?” Carolyn asked, trying to change the direction the conversation could have gone.

“Well we have Herbology first thing. Oh and Professor Turner apparently warmed up part of the grounds for whatever we need to do today. I guess the greenhouses weren’t big enough. Then we have Defense Against the Dark Arts, then lunch and then a free afternoon.” Vivian let her know as she passed the eggs around the girls. “Which means studying all afternoon.” She complained rolling her eyes at the idea.

“I mean you don’t really have to study.” Isabella spoke up giving her a wink, unlike the other girls Isabella wasn’t expected to get good grades her only goal was to become a good pure-blooded wife. The other reason Isabella generally studied and tried in school was her own version of defiance against her parents. These were the small acts of freedom that the girls could commit too without being disowned and left in this world.

“If I want to be a healer, I don’t have a choice. N.E.W.T.S are going to kill me.” Carolyn groaned at the idea of it.

Just then the morning owls came in, included Carolyn’s fathers brown barn owl Milo. Sighing, she took the letter off of him and gave him some of the breakfast while she opened the letter.

Hello Carolyn,

Sorry it has been a while, work has been busy and has kept me distracted. I will probably be busy for the next couple weeks, so I will try my hardest to be able to write to you. How has the start of term been treating you? I know you are working hard for your O.W.L.S but do try to remember to have a little bit of fun. You are only at Hogwarts for so long. Your mother says hello and that she is planning to send you a package next week so any treats you would like? One of the reasons I needed to write to you, other than just checking in, is the discussion of your future husband. I’m sorry I couldn’t talk to you in person, a letter isn’t very personal or how I wanted to tell you about it but I would like you to start making a choice. Considering the state of things and what had happened recently, Black is no longer an option I have figure some other options for you. I have three for you, two seventh years an Antonin Dolohov and Thorfinn Rowle and a Rodolphus LeStrange who just graduated last year. Now the two boys in Hogwarts you can get to know in the meantime and Rodolphus we will meet up in the summer but please feel free to write to him. He will be sending you an owl sometime soon. I think all of these men show wonderful promise and will be able to take care of you. Though you are more than capable of taking care of yourself. I do worry being your father. I am certain you will be able to find love with one of them. I must go, I am sorry once again for dropping this on you like this and would love to actually be able to talk to you. Maybe I could take a hour of your time next Hogsmeade trip if you wouldn’t mind wasting it on me. But as always, I love you and study well darling.

Dad.

Carolyn blood ran cold when reading the letter, the names on the list were not good people in the slightest. They made Sewlyn and Amycus look like perfect saints against them. Her friends noticed the dread that had fallen over her. She handed over the note for the girls to read, soon as they were done they sat in silence unsure what to say.

“Do you want to talk or do you need a bit?” Vivian asked quietly handing back the letter to Carolyn, they took her silence as an answer.

Why would her father do this to her? Carolyn just felt numb, she wanted to remain neutral in this war. She wasn’t brave enough to fight and she didn’t even believe in the pure-blood side but could never go against her parents. She loved them, it wasn’t like they were bad parents. They were the best, loving and kind and gave her anything and everything she could have asked for. Why did this happen.

The girls led Carolyn out into yard, it wasn’t long of walk through the cold that they found themselves taking off their gloves and jackets. It was like stepping into a reverse snow globe. A huge part of the courtyard was warmed enough that all the snow had melted, green grass was showing though and even flowers were blossoming. On the left a section seemed to be roped off for class filled with these giant plants but everywhere else students seemed to be lingering around enjoying the warm. Looking across the yard ahead Carolyn could see Dolohov and Rowle hanging out with a group of older students. They seemed so normal and harmless laughing at whatever they were but Carolyn knew better and no faster did she think that, she watched them cast a curse on a smaller student causing the group to laugh even harder.

Carolyn wondered why again her father would pick them, they were going to be Death Eaters or at least support His side of the war. Rumors were already spreading about how during winter holidays they went to a muggle town and decided to explore their untraced magic by torturing a muggle family. Sure, they were just rumors but they could always have some truth to it. Carolyn wouldn’t be surprised about it honestly the way they even bragged and made some comments about it in the Slytherin Common room. They were so different than who she thought her parents would pick for her, people so cruel.

A loud laugh broke through her thoughts, in the roped off class was Sirius with his friends. Potter was laughing at something Evans and Lupin were telling him, Sirius arm was thrown over Peter grinning at his friends as they were sat down at the base of one of the trees. McKinnon, Longbottom, MacDonald and Fortescue were sitting around them laughing at the story. It was such a difference between the two groups, one was just joy and the other were laughing because they were harming someone.

The differences were as night and day, Carolyn knew that her father wouldn’t have known how Sirius would turn out but he had hope and assumed he would turn out like him. But that didn’t make much sense the more that she thought about it. Sure her father was loving and kind but wasn’t he only that way to people he saw as equal to him? Carolyn couldn’t think of a single time that anyone muggleborn had ever been invited to the house parties, he never associated with anyone other than purebloods. Where would her father be standing in this courtyard? Wouldn’t he be over with Rowle and Dolohov? After all wasn’t he doing exactly what they are doing just at a grander scale. Carolyn never actually thought about it before choosing to stand away from it all but the facts were always there just hidden behind the happy memories of him.

He was a Death Eater. He was going around torturing and killing innocent people that only fault was being born. And if she continued on the path she was in, she would end up being on the Darks Lord side. There wasn’t a way to know that she would be able to stay neutral. Any of her husbands wouldn’t be and what would happen when she refused? She wouldn’t take an innocent person’s life. She wouldn’t stand beside her father in this war.

Carolyn didn’t realize that she was staring between the two groups almost unaware of her actions. While she wasn’t aware others were, Adelina was looking over at her while Vivian and Isabella were talking about something. Slowly Adelina moved closer to her friend taking her hand as she stood next to her, her lips moved but Carolyn couldn’t process what she was saying. Her body felt warm as her eyes stared at her closest friend.

“I don’t want this.” Carolyn whispered quietly to Adelina. “I don’t want to make this choice.” She hissed. It didn’t even seem to be a choice between husband anymore, it was a choice between what side she wanted to stand on. And she didn’t want to be in this war but going with her father’s options she would be picking a side to stand on. Who was she joking? Carolyn would have always been expected to follow her parent’s side, it was only in her head that she thought she would be able to avoid this war. She never had any real freedom.

Carolyn eyes turned to Adelina, their hand still wrapped together while her best friend looked at her softly. Adelina wasn’t a person she knew from birth, they met on the Hogwarts Express first year when Adelina asked to sit with them. She understood how they were raised but she also understood Carolyn more than anyone in the world. If Carolyn would be picking a side, it would mean losing Adelina in the process. The girl who could understand Carolyn better than she could understand herself, who she never had to explain herself too. She would have to move to one of the set-up dorms that Professor Dumbledore had made because of people like her in the ongoing war. It wouldn’t be safe for her to walk into the Slytherin dorms anymore.

“You have too. I’ll be okay.” Adelina spoke, almost like she could read Carolyn mind of course. The two looked over at Sirius who was still sitting by the tree but his full attention was on them, his eyebrow raised in a questionable way. His friends were watching him confused about what was going on when Vivian and Isabella still were cluelessly talking beside them.

Carolyn squeezed Adelina hand giving her a smile, she didn’t have to tell her friend goodbye. After everything between them could have been left unspoken and Adelina would understand. Turning to Vivian and Isabella, she broke up their conversation easily.

“You know I love you guys. I know soon you won’t be able to talk to me or even want to but just know you guys are amazing friends and that I love you. And no matter what, I’m going to be on your side rooting for you guys. Just be happy, alright?” Carolyn spoke to them but walked away while they were stuttering over words trying to figure out what they missed. She could hear them calling out to her but she couldn’t stop or she would lose her courage.

Turning towards Sirius group of friends she put on a mask she was taught as a child. Honestly, she was terrified of what she was doing, she felt her stomach was in her throat with each step closer. Her hands were shaking as she tightly gripped them trying to get them to stop. This was her choice, a choice to be on the right side of this war and not allow anyone to take that from her. The rose-tinted glasses were off, it took less than a day for everything to snap into place and Carolyn could see the world the way it truly was.

Sirius stood up from his spot taking a step forward almost wary of being the one to come closer as if he was misunderstanding the situation. Carolyn had a ringing in her ears, and it seemed like everyone was staring at her when almost no one actually was but it wouldn’t take long for the Hogwarts gossip to spread. She would have to write to her parents before they ended up hearing about her choice from someone else.

After it seemed like forever, she finally made it to Sirius, standing before him neither spoke up at first just watching each other. “I need help.” Carolyn eventually spoke up, unsure how to explain it any better to him. And he knew exactly what she meant by why Carolyn would be so openly willing to talk to him.

“I told you I’m here.” Sirius told her placing his hands on either side of Carolyn face, her hands resting on his waist when they looked at each other. Leaning forward Sirius moved his lips hovering over hers making sure she was okay with it, nodding her head slightly Sirius closed the distance pulling Carolyn closer. Despite the fact Sirius and Carolyn had been promised to be together since they were children, they had never taken this step with each other. Late nights curled up together were as far as they allowed, wanting it to be a choice instead of them being forced.

Sirius felt safe. His warmth was surrounding Carolyn as they moved together, her hands wrapping around Sirius, pulling him close against her. Carolyn wasn’t sure that she was picking Sirius himself, but she wanted to give whatever they had between them a shot though. With no rules or boundaries. She knew that Sirius would help her in any way that she needed in order to get through the biggest change of her life, even if she choose to be alone he wouldn’t leave her alone in this.

“I’ve been wanting to do that forever.” Sirius told her before his face going stern. “We will do whatever we need to do to keep you safe. I promised to help you and I will. You picked the correct side, clearly me.” He told her cockily a smirk on his face causing her to break out in a smile reliving the fear in her body.

“It wasn’t just for you.” Carolyn countered his statement, rolling her eyes at his fake cockiness.

“My ego. You wound me, Lyn.”

“Pretty sure you’ll get over it.” Carolyn said, pulling him closer once again to kiss him, a smile playing on her lips when she did. Right now, not a worried thought in her mind, sure it wouldn’t last but at this moment she would focus on him against her lips. Carolyn had already made her choice and couldn’t go back now.

#harry potter #sirius black #siruis x oc #harry potter fanfiction #thechoiceswemake #mauraders #sirius black fanfic #sirius black fanfiction #harry potter imagine #hp fic #hp fandom #hp marauders #hp fanfic

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emptystove · 3 months

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The Long Con - Ch 11

One Piece Fanfic (Romance/Drama/Suspense)

Pairing: Nami x Law

Rating: EXPLICIT, 18+ ONLY

CW: Mentions of violence

Chapter Summary: Law and Nami each find something they don't expect while looking for each other.

Posted to AO3, FanFiction, and Wattpad under HortyCord.

Chapter 11 - Hidden

"You know, you really don't have to do this. I'm more than capable of unpacking myself," Nami stated sweetly, trying to hide any annoyance in her voice.

"This is true, but the young master insists I help you acclimate to your new accommodations," Viola brushed her off immediately, moving more of her clothes into the closet.

"Yes, and I appreciate that. I appreciated you joining me for breakfast, giving me a tour of the castle, bringing me lunch. Really, I'm so appreciative I can hardly stand it," she giggled nervously. Her tone was kind, but it was clear she was ready for some time on her own. There was a lot she had on her mind, and it was difficult to tackle any of her thoughts with Viola joined at her hip.

When she heard a knock on her bedroom door this morning, she couldn't help but be disappointed when it wasn't Law. She knew he saw her go in to have a private conversation with Doflamingo after dinner. Honestly, she expected him to come knocking last night, ready to grill her with questions about what may have happened. She could admit that she was eager to give him a hard time about not letting her know he had given Doflamingo a written report about their mission in Germa. She could even admit she wanted his thoughts on what the offer from Doflamingo really meant. What she wasn't ready to admit was that she wouldn't care in the least if neither of those things happened if it meant she could feel his touch again.

"You have some extremely beautiful pieces of jewelry." Viola had moved to unpacking a box of accessories.

Nami frowned when she saw her holding up the diamond and gold necklace. She hadn't had a chance to try to sell any of the things Ichiji gave her. There weren't any proper vendors for high-end jewelry in Zou, and she didn't have them with her during yesterday's shopping trip. At least, that's what she told herself. Truthfully, even if she had a chance to bring them with her, she wouldn't have gone near them. Just the sight of the necklace sent an unpleasant shiver up her spine, leaving her wanting to distance herself from the item for the fear of the memory that came with it.

"Why don't you wear this one today?" Viola asked cheerfully. She turned toward Nami, but the moment she took a step forward with the necklace, Nami flinched and moved away.

Viola froze. For the first time since they met, she looked at Nami. She really looked at her.

"It irritates my skin," Nami mumbled before moving to fiddle with some of her drafting tools on the other side of the room.

She could feel Viola's eyes on her back for several minutes before she finally spoke.

"I have to leave."

Nami was relieved if not a bit confused by Viola's abrupt departure. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more odd it felt. As soon as the door closed, Nami was at the other side listening for the direction of her footsteps.

She silently opened the door and slipped into the hall. The loud clacking of Viola's heels made it all too easy for Nami to follow at a safe distance. The sound eventually stopped after Viola headed down a particularly dark corridor. It wasn't an area included on the tour she had given Nami earlier that day, piquing her interest even further.

Nami waited to hear the sound of footsteps resume. A few minutes passed, and nothing. She crept closer to the entrance of the corridor. Viola should only be a few paces away. There were no other sounds in the hallway. What was she doing?

She crouched at the end of the wall and slowly peered around the corner. Nothing. She leaned further. No one. It was a dead end. No doors, no windows, just a few hanging portraits and a statue of what looked like a past king. Nami's gut twisted as she fully entered the short corridor. She was absolutely certain Viola came this way, but now there was no sign of her. It was like she vanished into thin air.

She frowned as she stared up at the face of the statue. How did Viola give her the slip? The labyrinth of corridors in the castle was frustrating to map, but she should have been able to keep up with one target. She sighed heavily. Viola finally gave her the solitude she asked for, but it was eating her up inside. She didn't feel like she was in danger, not any more than usual anyway, but she was starting to feel more unsettled by the hour.

She needed to speak with Law.

*****

It was late afternoon when Law started making his way towards Nami's room. He would have gone to her sooner, but Monet had been far too interested in his movements since last night's dinner. They needed to be more careful.

Monet had lingered into the next day, ghosting his steps with her cold presence. It wasn't until he was called to Doflamingo's office that he finally felt free of her watchful eyes.

He wasn't intimidated by the king as he towered over him from behind his large desk. He didn't take the bait when Doflamingo offered him backhanded compliments and obvious slights to get a rise out of him. He wasn't surprised when he was asked to continue researching the Vinsmokes enhancements, with direct orders to prepare to start human testing as soon as possible. He was, however, annoyed when he was told Monet would be assisting him with this task.

A quick glance as he left the office reassured him that he was alone in the hallway. He didn't hesitate as he made his way toward Nami's room.

He wanted more than anything to speak with her. Even if he couldn't have that, even if he could just see her, that would be enough. He needed to know she was alright. He needed to know that whatever happened with Doflamingo hadn't shaken her.

He was so close.

He rounded the corner and heard a familiar voice.

"Looking for me?"

His heart sank as his eyes were met with mint-green hair and piercing amber eyes.

No.

"Actually, yes," he lied. "I'm told you'll be helping me with the enhancement research."

"Lucky me." She smiled deviously. "And here I was worried you were looking for that ginger again."

"Hmph, why would you think that?"

She leaned in until her lips hovered a fraction away from his ear and whispered, "Because you've been eye fucking her since the moment you stepped on this island."

He rolled his eyes, and she laughed as she pulled away.

"I'll admit I had a passing fascination. Aren't you curious why Arlong allowed a human officer in this ranks?" he asked idly.

She took his arm and started leading him in the opposite direction.

"Everyone has their little kinks. Fishmen included." Her voice was equal parts sultry and condescending. "Even the red prince, the picture of stoicism, has quite the fetish."

Law looked down at her, and she raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to put the pieces together.

"So it was you watching us in Germa."

Her crooked smile widened as she glared back up at him. Having Doflamingo send another spy to watch them during their mission shouldn't have been completely unexpected. He did not like this realization though, especially since he couldn't be sure at what point she arrived and how much she saw.

"You should have seen him coming out of your abandoned apartment," she cackled to herself. "He couldn't even wait until he got back in the car before he buried his face in her pillow case. Tell me Law, was it your scent he was sucking off those sheets too, or just hers?"

"Don't be ridiculous." He was annoyed at the accusation, but he didn't need to lie to refute it. "The bed was hers. I slept on the couch."

She hummed in approval. "Too bad for you then I guess. It seems like even the young master had a passing fascination with her, considering how long she was in that little private meeting with him last night."

He knew her eyes were on him, searching for a reaction. He hid his clenched fist in his pocket, the only outlet for his frustrations, allowing him to keep his otherwise aloof façade.

"What Doflamingo does in private isn't any of our concern."

"My thoughts exactly," she purred, squeezing herself closer against his arm.

"What I am concerned with is where you're taking me. My office is the other direction."

"We're going to work on your research."

"All my files are in my office."

Her lips curled into a viscous grin as she brought him in front of an elevator. "Yeah, but what's the fun of conducting research if you don't have a little lab rat to experiment on?"

Her touch was cold and unwanted. He fought off the urge to push her away as they entered the elevator. He didn't need to give her a reason to doubt him before she brought him further into the fold. He had been too risky since his return, and he was lucky he hadn't been under more suspicion already. He swallowed hard, preparing himself. This was a level of the castle he hadn't been given access to before. He needed to stay alert if he was going to get what he needed for his ultimate goal.

But he struggled to focus with her unpleasant touch. He shouldn't care as much as he did, but he couldn't help it. He should be focused on the mission at hand, but his thoughts betrayed him. After what she went through in Germa, the thought of Nami receiving any unwanted touch was grinding against his nerves. And if Doflamingo touched her, Law would set aside any plans he had that ended in the so called king getting a quick and painless death. He promised her he would protect her. He needed to know he hadn't failed in that already.

He needed to speak with Nami.

*****

She was tired of searching for Law.

If he didn't want to be found, that was fine. They had agreed to be more careful when they got to Dressrosa. Surely, he was just keeping distance after yesterday. It was what they agreed after all.

And why did she care so much anyway? This was just supposed to be a quick, lustful affair. She couldn't let whatever she was feeling for him get in the way of her ultimate goal. She had to think about Nojiko. It was her own fault that she wound up in this mess. If she had just been more vigilant when she was stashing the money from her last job for Arlong, she would have noticed someone following her. She could have fled to another safehouse or found a better spot to lay low until she could stash the money safely. She grimaced at the memory. The sooner she could find information on Doflamingo worth as much to Arlong, the sooner she could move on from all of this. The sooner she could save her sister.

As she wandered the hallways of the castle, her ears perked up at a familiar sound. Viola's heels were on the move and heading in a familiar direction. Her body acted immediately on instinct. She was swift and silent as she closed the gap to her target.

She followed more closely this time. She was only a few steps away when she saw Viola turn toward the same corridor she disappeared from earlier.

Could she risk staying out of sight only for her to disappear again? She only had a split second to decide. She could always feign innocence if she was caught, right?

Nami turned the corner and came face to face with Viola staring back at her. Neither said a word and Nami stopped to blink, realizing that Viola's body seemed to be half way through the wall. Viola was frozen, wide eyes staring back at Nami until loud footsteps were heard around the corner.

Without so much as a word, Viola grabbed Nami by the wrist and pulled her into the frame of a large painting on the wall. She lost her footing as she stumbled over the bottom of the frame, but Viola steadied her by pressing against her. She placed her free hand over Nami's mouth as she slid the painting back into place behind them.

They both waited, not daring to move a muscle until the sounds of footsteps outside had long since faded. Viola gave Nami a hard look before releasing her and silently motioning her to follow. Nami obeyed. If Viola wanted to turn her in to the king for finding this secret, she surely would have allowed whoever was outside to find them. But she didn't. In fact, she looked terrified at the idea of being found by anyone.

She followed Viola to a hidden room connecting the passages. Truthfully, it was just a wider section of the cramped passageways, but it appeared that Viola had space enough for a small chair and table. The table was covered in books and trinkets, and above the desk was a picture of the same former king she saw a statue of in the hallway.

Viola was visibly furious at being found. She was quick to point out that Nami could have gotten them both killed, but even despite her anger, she pled earnestly for Nami to keep this a secret.

Nami didn't respond immediately. She was still taking everything in. She wasn't sure what to make of the situation yet. Although it did give her some comfort knowing these passages are part of the reason why the castle had been so hard for her to map.

"Does your king know about these hidden passages?" Nami finally asked.

"He knows of some of them, but he swore me to secrecy. He is too large to use them himself, and he doesn't want anyone else using them. Including me.

"I only use them to visit this room. All of the items here are related to the last king. It is the only place left such things exist. The rest were burned or sold or melted for scrap. I just... I need a place to remember them."

Nami wasn't sure what to make of Viola. She didn't know much about the former king or why she would need such a place. She wondered if Law could tell her more once they were able to speak again.

"Nami, be honest with me. You are thinking of telling Trafalgar about this place, aren't you?"

Nami hesitated before answering. "I think we can trust him." The words come out more weak than she would have liked.

Viola scoffs. "There is no one on this island that you should trust."

"Does that include you?"

"You can trust that I would do just about anything to keep this place and these passages a secret." Viola pauses for a moment in thought. "You really think you can trust him?"

"With everything we went through... It might sound stupid, but I trust him with my life." Her voice found its confidence with the last words. "I know I haven't been around the family long, but neither has he. Maybe you can't trust any of the others who have been here longer-"

"What do you mean, neither has he?"

She didn't like the look Viola was giving her. "Well he- he told me back on Germa. I remember because I asked him why the two newest people working for Doflamingo would be trusted on such a mission."

"And what was his answer to that?" Viola asked skeptically.

"He said.. He said he convinced him to." Why was she so unsure of herself all of the sudden? She swallowed hard, desperate to remember his exact words. "He convinced him that we were both disposable if anything went wrong. That we hadn't been around long enough to be associated with the family to outsiders."

"I supposed the part about Doffy thinking you both are disposable was true enough." Viola's voice was cold.

"I don't understand. What are you saying?" Nami's heart was clenched painfully tight in her chest.

Viola tilted her head and looked a bit more thoughtfully at Nami before responding.

"Trafalgar may have joined the family recently, but he is far from new here."

"What?" It was the only response her brain could communicate to her mouth. "What does that mean?"

"It means the dark doctor was brought in by Doffy far before I was."

"No. That's insane. Even I know that once you join the family, you can't just come and go as you please."

Viola shrugged. "This is true, but I know that it happened with Trafalgar."

Nami shook her head. "It doesn't even make sense, though. Even if what you're saying is true, why would Law lie to me about it?" It was the truth of what actually bothered her. She said she trusted him with her life, and she had meant it. She knew he had secrets. They both knew they kept things from each other, but one thing she did not expect him to do was lie to her.

"He is the Surgeon of Death. Who knows what madness he's plotting," Viola muttered.

"He's the- He's the Surgeon of what?"

Viola tilted her head and looked back at Nami. "The Surgeon of Death," she said again. "It's the nickname he received after killing 100 of Doffy's enemies. They say that's what made him agree to let Trafalgar back in the family."

Nami didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure what to think either. The person Viola described couldn't be the same gentle man who held Oso, who wiped away her tears in the middle of the night, who protected her when she needed him most. A deep frown set her face. There was no lie in Viola's voice. It twisted her gut as she was forced to face all of the questions about him she had refused to consider when she had instead buried herself in his embrace. She was pulled from her thoughts when Viola voiced the one question currently burning a hole in her heart.

"Honestly, Nami, are you sure you know him at all?"

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#op fanfic #fanfic #nami #nami one piece #nami op #law x nami #lawna #lawnami #nami x law #trafalgar d water law #trafalgar law

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ellie-e-marcovitz · 6 months

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Three: The Next Morning

prev.

2 September, 1850

It was to dawning sunlight that he awoke, body aching, and someone’s alarm clock sounding. He stared at the canopy of his bed, as the perpetrator was bombarded with three other pillows, heavy thwacks as they impacted.

This all still felt very unreal to him, despite the stories his sisters had told him and Hayden, and the adventure he’d endured yesterday afternoon.

Pulling himself out of bed, he set about getting ready for the day. It was also odd enough jostling for mirror space, as he lightly shaved.

Finishing his ablutions, he pulled the robes back on. They were a little wrinkled, but not bad enough. He thought he spotted Garreth head out with a silver tankard, filled with something.

What, he wasn’t sure.

Leander had gone down not long after Garreth, and Neal and Oswin had vanished shortly after. Leaving him to figure his way back down to common room.

Thankfully, it only took a minor bout of trial and error to get there, accidentally opening the door to the fourth years before realising he’d picked the wrong one.

“…must be different, starting Hogwarts as a fifth year…” he heard one of the Gryffindors mutter, as he stepped out into the common room.

It was bigger than expected. And actually very cozy, despite the large dimensions.

“It’s the new fifth year…” someone else said, as he took it all in. It was also busy, which surprised him a little.

“…they’re lucky they didn’t end up as dragon food,” another Gryffindor commented, rather bluntly. “Like the poor man from the Ministry…”

He winced at the reminder, absorbing the atmosphere.

Another voice, this one more authoritative. “A little room, everyone. Let them through.”

Some murmurs, as several students dispersed into the larger common room. He looked around further, before spotting Garreth and his silver tankard, trying to get a couple younger students to try whatever was in it.

Several shrieks from around the fireplace, drew his attention to the student walking across the mantle of the common room fireplace.

“That girl thinks she can get away of anything…”

“…if you get caught, I shan’t defend you!”

“Nellie!”

“Shame you weren’t born with wings, Nellie! I’m sure you’d use them!”

As he got closer to Garreth, he could hear more.

“Here. Have a sip,” Garreth coaxed. “Go on.”

Judging by the students’ reactions, this was nothing new.

“Sure you don’t want to try it?” he asked, in a last-ditch effort, as the two students refused. “Brewed it myself.”

He was, at least, curious about the concoction, though not enough to try it himself. “Having a… Butterbeer? for breakfast?” he asked, half-teasing.

“Hmm?” Garreth seemed momentarily confused. “Oh, no, no. I’ve been perfecting a recipe I came up with over the summer. I’m almost there!” A glance at the tankard. “Though, based on some of the reactions, it may still need some work.”

He laughed a little. “Seems you enjoy brewing, Garreth,” he noted. “Might I be right in assuming that you have something of a talent for potions of all sorts?”

“Well… as I see it,” Garreth grinned. “There’s little difference, fundamentally, between brewing a modification to Butterbeer, and a Wiggenweld potion.” He shrugged, clearly confident in his abilities. “Though, I’m not sure Professor Sharp, our potions teacher, would agree. Or make the connection.”

Garreth turned sheepish. “He doesn’t exactly appreciate my, ah, creativity, as much as one might think.”

He blinked. “Well, good to know.” He glanced at his watch, tucking it away. “Are you going down to the Great Hall soon?”

“Eh, a few minutes.” Garreth glanced around. “You should at least talk to Nellie Oggspire and Cressida Blume before you head down.”

He nodded, recognising the name Nellie as the one still currently walking along the fireplace mantle to bated breaths. “Thanks again, Garreth.”

“Anytime.”

He wound his way through the common room, trying to decide who to talk to first. Cressida seemed preoccupied by the hat in front of her, and Nellie…

“Nellieeeeeeeeeeee….!”

“Don’t fall off this time, Nellie!”

“Who does Nellie think she is, anyway…!”

“She gets bolder every year…”

He quick-walked under the fireplace, joining the group, not sure what to think.

“I hope a professor catches her this time,” one the nearby Gryffindors grumbled.

Without warning, she dropped down. “Why is everyone so highly strung?” she asked, laughing. “It’s perfectly safe.” She turned towards him, realising he was a new face in the crowd. “Well, hello!”

“Hello.”

“Don’t mind me, I find it helpful to change my point of view now and again. Even if it’s the first day of classes. Puts things… in perspective, in a way.” She shrugged, a wide grin breaking out.

“Once, I made it to the top of Gryffindor Tower. From the outside. And without a broom.”

“Goodness!” Even to him, that seemed quite a feat, and not for the faint of heart.

“I’m Nellie, by the way,” she introduced herself. “Nellie Oggspire. You must be Cyrus Northrup. I’ve heard some rumours about what happened to you on your way to Hogwarts. Is it true about the dragon?”

He nodded, somewhat taken about. “Yes, our carriage got attacked by a dragon. How did you know it was me?”

“Eleanor Parkmoore is my dormmate.” Nellie grinned, unrepentant in her nosiness. “She did a fine job at describing your face, at least. And did you say the carriage was attack by a dragon?”

He nodded, a bit stiff. There was something that disliked about repeating himself.

“Crikey!” she exclaimed, her expression hard to read, somewhere between excited and scared. “I can’t believe it! How thrilling! And also terrifying!”

He nodded. It had been terrifying, that’s for sure.

“Anyway, you’ve certainly brought some much-needed excitement to Gryffindor, Hogwarts, even, for that matter.”

“So, what exactly are the rumours about my journey to Hogwarts?” he asked, not sure how much had escaped from Kendal.

“Er…” Nellie hesitated. “That you escaped a dragon attack. Isn’t that enough? Most of us arrive via the train, or even occasionally by boat – not having just escaped the jaws of a dragon! Of course it got people talking!”

He flushed. If not Kendal and her rather large mouth, then who?

“Stories have a tendency to travel quickly at Hogwarts,” Nellie continued. “The ghosts in particular can be avid gossips.”

He groaned, before searching for a different topic.

“Going off your story, I take it you’re not afraid of heights.”

She shrugged it off. “Hm. It’s something I’ve always done, it seems, since I was little. My mother once found me on our roof when I was five.” Another shrug. “Still has no idea how I got there. Neither do I, for that matter.”

He laughed a little. Her expression shifted, more serious.

“But, with all the strange hallways and rooms in the castle, along with everything lurking in and outside the grounds, no doubt you won’t need to scale a tower to find something incredible here.”

He made a mental note of that. “I’m sure I’ll eventually agree with you on that Nellie. And I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around, either in the common room, or when you decide to scale your next tower.”

She took on a mischievous smile. “You never know. Bye for now.”

He nodded, then gaped a little as she pulled herself back up on the fireplace mantel, before shaking his head. Things would probably never be entirely normal here, not that he minded. A glance back at the fireplace, and he noted that Nellie seemed just as happy to perch herself there.

He wound his way through the common room, back towards a door bearing a ‘GIRLS’ sign, and a harried looking witch. That must be Cressida.

“What did I do wrong this time?” she bemoaned as he approached. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong! It’s not a complicated spell. I should be able to cast it non-verbally.” She growled, frustration evident. “Why isn’t this working? Ugh!”

He approached cautiously, and her frustration seemed to evaporate, temporarily. “Oh, hello there! You’re Cyrus Northrup! Welcome to Gryffindor! I’m Cressida. Cressida Blume.”

“Pleasure to meet you Cressida.” She reminded him of his sisters, older and younger. All seemed determined to spitfires.

“Splendidly theatrical arrival to the Sorting Ceremony, last night.” She complimented, and he winced. Not his favourite moment, to say the least. “Made it in by the skin of your teeth.”

“Erm, thanks.”

“Is it true that you are Professor Fig’s protégé?”

He hesitated at that question. No doubt Kendal had said something on the trip up to Hogwarts. “I’m not sure I’d say that. I mean… I’ve studied with him a little, before I arrived.”

Cressida’s face crumpled some. “Blast,” she muttered. “I was hoping he might’ve given you some advice on non-verbal casting.”

“Is that what you’re trying to do then?” he asked, curious. Cressida nodded.

“Ugh, yes. Having some trouble, though. I’ve mastered the charm using its incantation, but this is certainly proving to be a bit trickier than expected.”

“What charm is it, exactly? I know there are a few that can sometimes get mixed up.”

Cressida blew out a breath. “It’s the colour-changing charm, I believe.”

Hmmm… “Perhaps a little more practice ought to do it,” he suggested.

“I practiced all summer,” she grumbled annoyed. He was briefly confused by that, before remembering that Hogwarts students had less restrictions than Ilvermorny students did over the summer. “And I can cast spells more difficult than this one without speaking.”

She huffed. “What’s so different about this one?”

He shrugged.

“I’m just going to keep at it.” She resolved.

“Well, good luck with it.” He gave a small smile. “It was nice to meet you, Cressida.”

“You as well,” she returned. “Have a good day.”

He nodded, before catching sight of Garreth waving in his direction.

Giving a nod to Leander, who was near the portrait hole, he and Garreth exited the common room, followed by several other students.

He paused just outside the portrait hole, just beyond the sweep of the Fat Lady’s frame. It was starting to feel real that he was here.

“C’mon,” Garreth jokingly ordered. “Great Hall’s this way…”

Garreth nattered the whole way down to the Great Hall, regaling him with wild tales, including teaming up on prank with Eleanor Parkmoore.

He gaped at the thought of the slight brunette orchestrating a prank against Headmaster Black, which apparently included a local wizard and his bagpipes at six in the morning last year.

As they neared the Great Hall, Garreth patted him on the shoulder. “Good luck today, mate. Maybe we’ll share some classes.”

He nodded, following behind Garreth as he hurried off towards breakfast.

The Great Hall was buzzing when they arrived inside, mostly about the fact that the headmaster had cancelled Quidditch, though he seemed to attract some stares as he headed for the Gryffindor table and murmurs following in his wake. He spotted Professor Weasley further down the table, handing out schedules.

Looking around, he managed to find a spot near Eleanor and another of the Gryffindor girls, also discussing the Quidditch incident.

“Pfft,” Eleanor snorted, not caring who heard, newspaper open in front of her, plate half finished. The corner of said newspaper was threatening to dip into her tea. “Headmaster Black’s just bitter, because Slytherin lost the final, both on points and match score. That’s probably why Quidditch got cancelled, not because of player injuries. If that were true, there wouldn’t be Quidditch in the first place.”

The other girl, Seraphina, if he remembered correctly, had a sceptical look on her face, her fork hovering above her plate. “If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure.” Eleanor said, her tone matter of fact, and she disappeared behind the newspaper, ending the conversation.

Seraphina sent a small smile his way, once she realised that he’d been listening in. Shifting closer, she gave Eleanor a furtive glance. “She’s just upset because her mother doesn’t think Quidditch is something young ladies should be playing.”

“Ah.” A gulp of tea.

“Do you fly?” Another glance towards Eleanor.

“Um, somewhat?” he replied, feeling confused. He’d been instructed to leave the broom he did have with his parents. He suspected Seraphina was plotting something, as he finished his eggs.

Until Professor Weasley appeared at his shoulder. “Ah, Mr. Northrup, good morning,” she greeted, handing him a slip of parchment. “Your schedule.”

“Thank you, professor.”

“I’ve also been looking for you. Come,” she beckoned, before heading into the Entrance Hall area. He reluctantly followed, bringing with him the last of his toast. “I trust you’re ready for your first day at Hogwarts?”

He nodded, feeling almost like a toy of some sort. “I think so. Can’t believe I’m here.”

“You’ll want to make the most of it.” Professor Weasley continued. “You only really get one first day at Hogwarts.”

Entering the Entrance Hall, he was momentarily awestruck by the many paintings that covered the walls, and he marvelled at the variety. There had been far fewer at Ilvermorny, though in a more orderly manner.

“Magnificent, aren’t they?” Professor Weasley asked, eyes twinkling, as he pulled his attention away from the paintings.

“I’ll say,” he agreed.

“Now, as I understand it, you have something of a …unique educational experience,” she started, and he noticed that she was clutching a leather-bound book that also happened to be intricately decorated.

He nodded at her description of his time at school. Not many people had accidentally brought down the wards at the Massachusetts State House in a fit of anger, or were ordered to a boarding school by the government because of the breaking of said wards.

“You could say that.” he agreed, his tone even, almost neutral.

“In light of that, you’ll need to catch up with the other fifth years – and not fall behind. Especially since you’ll be expected to complete your O.W.Ls at the end of the year.”

O.W.L.s? “Owls?” he asked, perplexed. At Ilvermorny…

“Ordinary Wizarding Levels. I believe that Ilvermorny has an exit exam of a similar nature… One you must have missed taking. OWLs can determine what sort of career you can have, once you leave Hogwarts.”

Hm. Good to know.

“After much discussion,” Professor Weasley continued, “with both the Headmaster and the Department of Magical Education at the Ministry, we’ve devised something rather extraordinary to ensure your success for this year.”

She handed over the leather-bound book. “Here you are.”

Taking it, he examined the cover. Nothing overly dramatic in design, most likely meant to blend in with his other schoolbooks. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t you open it?” Professor Weasley suggested. “Perhaps place your schedule inside?”

He opened the book, letting it fall open in his hands, and stuck his schedule between the pages. Nothing seemed to happen for a moment, before it started shaking and pages seemed to escape the book and into the castle at large.

This was not normal. Nor was the burst of gold light that was currently radiating from the book.

“What the-!” he yelped, nearly dropping it in shock. Even Professor Weasley seemed in awe of what was happening. The piece of parchment with his schedule vanished. Words started appearing, as if they were being written by an invisible hand.

“That worked better than expected!” she exclaimed, as the light faded, and the book snapped shut.

He managed to keep from dropping it then and there, even as his hands shook. “What – exactly – is this?” he asked, holding up the leather-bound book.

“That,” Professor Weasley answered, “is your wizard’s field guide. It will help you to keep track of what you’re learning, so that you can master all that’s expected of a fifth year.” She tapped the cover. “You would be wise to take full advantage of this exceptionally valuable resource. Miss Parkmoore, I believe, has a similar one, though for a much different reason.”

He nodded absently, not wishing to pry, sticking it into his book bag. “Thank you, Professor Weasley.”

She nodded, before glancing over at the hourglasses next to the Great Hall entrance. Already, it seemed gems were floating up or falling down.

“Erm, what do you mean it will ‘keep track’ of what I’m learning?” he asked, pulling eyes away.

“Hmm,” Professor Weasley mused. “Perhaps seeing the field guide in action will help answer any of the questions you might have.” She beckoned, starting off in the direction he’d come heading for the Great Hall. “Walk with me, please.”

Passing through the Grand Staircase, he’d already spotted several pages flapping above his head. Why are they up there? He wondered.

“The guide will present opportunities for you to practice your magic, and even educate yourself on British Wizarding lore.” She noted, as if reading his mind. “And I certainly would have much appreciated something like the field guide, when I was a student.”

He laughed a little, and Professor Weasley grinned. “Using the field guide will also help train you to pay attention and be alert to your surroundings.”

He nodded, not having to really search for what she meant. Everyone needed to be on their guard with Ranrok making waves.

Professor Weasley eventually paused a flight down from the entrance to the tower. “It seems the Field Guide has information on the painting of poor Baruffio.” She gestured to the painting of a water buffalo.

“Who?” Part of him felt a bit ridiculous. Professor Weasley only smiled.

“Why don’t you use Revelio, and we’ll see what the field guide page says.”

He nodded, pulling out his wand. “Revelio.”

A piece of parchment appeared, followed by words. “…improperly spoken… ended up with a water buffalo on his chest…” He took another look at the painting, and now saw the legs sticking out awkwardly from under the creature. He also noticed the mention of ‘Brain Elixir.’ The field guide seemed to grab it, adding it back.

“Now, come along,” she beckoned, once again. “One last feature, and then it’s off to class.”

He hurried after her, stopping at a small plaque, which now bore a small, emerald fire and a pouch hanging from it.

“Clever, isn’t it?” she asked, her back to the plaque. “Keep your eyes open for more, as they’re all over the castle, and outside of it as well. You may even find interesting bits of American wizarding lore in one or two places.” There was that mischievous twinkle again.

“And this will possibly come in handy as well,” Professor Weasley continued, gesturing to the strange plaque. “Along with the map of the school, there are these Floo points.”

She waved her wand, and the small pouch floated over, allowing him to take it. “These will help get you quickly around the school and to Hogsmeade, should you have permission.”

He nodded, remembering the piece of parchment his parents had signed just the other night, allowing Professor Fig to take it back to Hogwarts.

“Very well. Open your field guide to the map.”

He managed to flip it open to the right page. “Faculty tower?”

“Correct. I have an office and quarters near here, as do several other teachers.” He filed that away.

“Now, take a pinch of the power in the pouch,” she instructed, as she did so. “And say ‘Central Hall’, very clearly, as you drop it on the flame.”

“Central Hall,” he said, doing as she said, followed by a sensation fairly similar to Appariation.

He landed with a slight thump, not recognising this part of the school.

“Well done,” Professor Weasley praised, as she appeared. “Well, here we are. They can be quite the time saver. Now, these stairs lead directly into Central Hall proper. Now, follow me.”

She headed down, and he darted down after her. While he would have preferred to tour with another student, this was probably less distracting and less likely to get him in serious trouble.

“You can get most anywhere in the castle quickly from Central Hall. The Transfiguration courtyard is just out those doors to your left, along with the Defence classrooms and Astronomy tower,” she pointed out. “Seems like there’s always something happening here. Our King’s Cross Station, so to speak. Heart of the castle and hive of students.”

It certainly seemed busy, mostly with older students. Professor Weasley stopped in front of the fountain that decorated the space.

“That should be all, for now,” she told him. “For today, you’ll only be expected in Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts. If you wish, you should be able to join Ancient Runes on Thursday.”

“That means a lot, Professor.”

“And I would like to be sure you get to Hogsmeade as soon as possible, to replace any supplies you lost on your way here.”

He nodded, trying to process everything. “Can you tell me about Charms class? What will I learn?”

She gave a short nod. “Of course. It’s exactly what you might expect. Spells, charms, jinxes, to name a few. All terribly useful. And I think you’ll like Professor Ronen. He’s a clever and entertaining wizard – as well as an exceedingly talented teacher.”

Ah, yes. What had been his best class at Ilvermorny.

“Thank you, Professor Weasley.” His head felt it was going to explode, from all the information.

“A lot to absorb on your first day,” she said knowingly. “And you still have much to learn. Happily, your professors have agreed to create additional assignments for you outside of class. I think you’ll be up to speed in no time.”

He wished he could believe her.

“Judging by your rather adept use of Revelio earlier, it seems Professor Fig managed to at least teach you some of the basics you’ll need.”

“He did, professor,” he agreed.

“He’s been terribly vague as to the events preceding your arrival here at Hogwarts,” she continued. “More specifically, about the events after that terrible dragon attack. My suspicion is that there’s more to the story than just a search for belongings and an extended trip up to the castle.”

He gulped. This must have been what Professor Fig had been worried about before the Sorting Ceremony. He shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Professor,” he started, fighting the instinct to tell her the truth. “But I’m afraid that’s all there is to it.”

“Hmm…” she pursed her lips, reminding him strongly of his mum. “Almost precisely what Professor Fig said, when I asked him.”

Professor Fig chose that moment to walk up to them. “Ah, speak of the devil…” Professor Weasley muttered. “Professor Fig, your ears must have been burning.”

Professor Fig cracked a grin. “Oh?”

“Yes. You seem to have provided our new fifth year with a solid foundation in the basics of spell casting.”

“Ah, well,” Professor Fig seemed to stand a little taller. “I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit, Professor Weasley. It seems that Mr. Northrup here has a rare aptitude for magic.”

“Hmm…” Professor Weasley seemed to puzzle over Professor Fig’s word choice for a moment, before continuing. “Well, I, for one, am just glad you both arrived in one piece. Perfectly good boats and carriages, and you chose to fly in the path of a dragon.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say I chose the dragon’s path, Professor,” Professor Fig countered. “Rather unfortunately, it seemed the dragon chose us.”

Professor Weasley seemed almost frustrated. “Very well, enough chit-chat. I need to get to class myself. Might I rely on you, Professor Fig, to help Mr. Northrup in explaining the Field Guide’s map?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.” She turned to face him. “Good luck today, Mr. Northrup. And remember to use your Field Guide. It will be invaluable to you through your school journey. And one more thing, it will also be invaluable to me, as I’ll be using it to keep up-to-date on your progress.”

“Yes, professor.” He gulped. So much for being able to explore as much as he wanted.

“Come and find me in my classroom after you finish your classes today, and I’ll explain further on those extra assignments I mentioned. And, we’ll see about possibly getting you to Hogsmeade today or tomorrow for your supplies.”

He nodded, and Professor Weasley hurried off, heading out the doors she’d pointed out not too long ago, leaving him with Professor Fig.

He sighed, still wrapping his brain around the complicated dynamics of all this.

“Fifth year, huh?” Professor Fig asked, and he nodded, almost mechanically. “That certainly makes things interesting.”

“It’s good to see you, professor,” he acknowledged. “And yes, it does. It seems that fifth year in Gryffindor was the only one to have an open bed for me.”

“That’s surprising. There are instances where students will leave after only getting their O.W.L.s, not seeing the N.E.W.T. levels as necessary.” Professor Fig observed. “Well, I was hoping our paths would cross, before you immersed yourself too deeply into your studies. Did I happen to overhear you masterfully evade Professor Weasley’s interrogation regarding our rather late arrival?”

He shrugged, before nodding. “You did. I did my best… but,” he dropped his voice, “I’m fairly certain she suspects we’re not being entirely forthcoming with the details.”

“Yes, well… Professor Weasley is a brilliant, and astute, witch. However difficult, it was right to keep the details to yourself, for now.” Fig reassured him. “We don’t know where this path we’re on will lead us. And no doubt, it may require more… flexibility, if you will, with your time than she would approve of for you.

Professor Fig grew tense. “Nevermind that she may feel obliged to share details with the Headmaster, ones that would be better left between us.”

That made some sense. “Understood, professor.”

“Good. Now,” Professor Fig relaxed a tad. “As capable as you are, I do believe that the ability you happen to possess obliges you to be well trained, in order to wield it more effectively. Happily, you have the benefit of a team of exceptionally trained witches and wizards here to help guide you in your studies.”

Part of him was sceptical about that. Even Ilvermorny was known to be home to excellent witches and wizards in the American Wizarding world, but he said nothing.

Professor Fig continued. “Speaking of ‘guides,’ and so that I may avoid another not-so-subtle reproof from Professor Weasley, let me show you how to use the enchantment on the map we placed inside your field guide. Open it up.”

He pulled out the book, already managing to distinguish between it and the rest of his textbooks, letting it fall open to the map. Unfolding it, he noticed the differences from earlier.

There were a pair of icons, sticking up at two points of the castle, fairly close to one another. And there was a short list, along the right-hand side of the map, which showed both Charms and Defence.

It was, thankfully, a rather straightforward and simple explanation: those icons were important things. Classes, the assignments Professor Weasley had mentioned, and anything to do with the ancient magic knowledge (apparently Professor Fig’s last-minute addition). Other icons would appear later.

The list also showed times, next to the class in question, so he wouldn’t be late. Which he was looking at being on his first day.

“…the map is also enchanted, to help you find your way around.” Professor Fig finished, and he closed the guide.

“This’ll be incredibly helpful,” he noted, grinning. “Thank you.”

Professor Fig gave a short nod. “Now, it does sound like you have quite the day ahead of you, what with classes, and even a trip to Hogsmeade for supplies. Including your own wand, I believe?”

A nod. “Possibly.” He hadn’t exactly been able to bring his Ilvermorny wand with him, considering he’d lost it somewhere in Diagon Alley.

“I think you’ll enjoy Mr. Ollivander. He’s quite the exceptional craftsman, along with being a good friend. I shall reach out when I have more information on our mysterious locket. For now, I want you focusing on classes, and pay. attention. More than just your O.W.L.s may rest on the magic you are able to master within these walls.”

He nodded. “Thank you again, professor.”

“Now be off.” Professor Fig hurried off himself.

chapter 4

Seraphina Hopper belongs to @thatravenpuffwitch

#A Fifth Year's Guide to Hogwarts Chaos #fic #chapter 3 #cyrus northrup #hogwarts legacy

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