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windupnamazu · 2 years

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for the things that the world brings

ffxivwrite2022 #01: cross go or extend across or to the other side of (a path, road, stretch of water, or area).

lunya & family. post-6.2, no patch spoilers. 2424wc. title is from 'mapa' by sb19 and ben&ben ⮞ a girl, her family, an island, filial piety, and the end of a long storm.

"This family desperately needs a vacation," Lunya declared over dinner.

Said family looked up at her all at once from their spread of patatim, rice, laing, and lumpia, expressions mixed. Cousin Azzy dropped the spoon of mashed sweet potatoes she was about to feed her infant son, a deer in the lamplights of a chocobo carriage. Two of her uncles dared to trade raised eyebrows and one great-aunt nearly spat out her tea.

"Yams, anak, we're farmers," Papa said with the patience one typically afforded a small child who could not understand why her parents would not buy her a destrier chocobo for her nameday (which was fair, considering they had missed the large part of her life she spent Growing Up and learning reason). "We don't get vacations."

That's what they thought. Besides when they wanted to brag about her to their neighbours, her family generally tried to forget that their wayward-daughter-come-home was still pretty wayward because she was one of the Warriors of Light and had more perilously close calls with death on the daily than probably the entirety of Vylbrand combined. But being one of the Warriors of Light came with a great many perks. Being Lunya Lanya, a woman who had a sprawling artisanal crafting empire with the network to match, came with even better perks.

"You will," Lunya insisted, waving her pork-speared fork not-so-threateningly. "Next week, in fact, and for one whole moon. I already have everything arranged and covered." It took surprisingly little wheedling and a charming y'know I literally saved the world and prevented precious undiscovered square grape subspecies from going extinct, right? to get the finest botanists of Meryall Argonomics and Greatloam Growery to agree to babysitting the family orchards for the month, and a handful of close family friends from neighbouring farms were plenty willing to take care of the family's personal livestock.

"Everything?" Mama echoed, probably restructuring her mental calendar for her campaign to convince everyone that bananas weren't evil.

"Hired hands to watch over the farm and the animals, transportation, food," Lunya listed, counting off on her fingers. "Lodgings aren't quite done yet but they will be within the week. You just need to bring your clothes!"

Tito Lipe, ever the worrier, continued to frown. "Neneng, it's hard to leave our family business to others."

"Nothing bad will happen while we're away," Lunya said firmly. "I can promise this, Tito. I've only recruited the best and loyal." Because if something did happen, there weren't many people left on this side of Etheirys unfamiliar with just how much wrathful destruction she was capable of.

"At this point it'd be a waste to not go," a low, creaky yet steady voice contemplated.

Everyone turned slowly.

Not everyone could understand the words of the oldest member of the household—Lunya's great-grandmother, the woman from whom she took her chosen name. Luningning Kalangitan spoke only the tongue of her ancestral home in the southern isles, and her children and grandchildren fluctuated in fluency and understanding. Lunya was lucky enough to understand her now, blessed with the Echo as she was, but very few others in her generation could say the same without it. Nana did not often interrupt family squabbles, only offering advice when directly asked for it.

Though the captain of their long-landlocked crew was Lolo Beni, the title of family matriarch still belonged to his mother—if Nana said it would be good to go, no one else could bring up any worthy arguments.

"Pleaaaase, Nana?" Lunya pleaded, eyes shining as she leaned toward her seat at the head of the table. She didn't dare press anymore than this even if the odds were already in her favour; her great-grandmother loved the family deeply, but she was the ultimate voice of reason and decision-making in this house.

"She's cheating 'cause she and Nana can talk properly now," Kuya Benji stage-whispered before yelping when Tita Amihan yanked at his ear. The rest of the family that had teetered on apprehensive were now simply resigned to whatever the matriarch said, and a few dared to look excited.

"If our Neneng has it all handled already," Nana Lunya said, a gleam in her amber eyes as she folded her weathered paws on the table, "there's no reason for this family not to take its very first vacation."

"There they are! Over here, over here!!!"

The whole clan and their luggage took a whole procession of chocobo carriages to ferry over, a ribbon of dusty yellow that struck a colourful line in the Gods' Grip as they descended into Moraby Drydocks. Lunya couldn't help herself, leaping up and down and waving frantically as the first of them came into view on the slope.

Her husband laughed as he grabbed one flailing hand and steadied her, though she was unable to stop herself from continuing to bounce on the balls of her feet. When she looked up with a wide grin G'raha could only grin back. "If I knew you were going to be so worried about them missing us I would have asked Tataru to make a giant welcome banner."

"I'm just excited!" she half squealed, half wailed into his forearm. Prying him away from Krile's million sidequests for the Students and his poking around in the Omphalos had been an extreme undertaking, but she couldn't emphasize enough how much better she felt with him by her side again. "It's been so hard keeping this a secret and what if they don't like it Raha what am I going to DO—"

"They'll love it, Lu," G'raha assured her with a squeeze of her hand. "Just trust in them and yourself."

The natural clamour that followed her family wherever they went swept in at full volume as the first of the carriages drew up and everyone began to pile out, cousins and aunts and uncles and grandaunts and granduncles alike in the brand new "vacation attire" she'd sent them. Lunya stepped forward to greet them, eyes bright and smile wide, but they had other plans as they looked past her.

"RAHA'S HERE!" one of her cousins hooted, and immediately everyone in range turned from unloading bags and trunks to look for him.

"OUR BOY!"

"Ey, Raha, where have you been!"

"Kuya Raha, Kuya Raha! You promised us you'd finish that story from last time!!"

"Look at you, you're still so skinny! Yeyema, what have you been feeding the poor boy? Come, come, I packed baon for the trip, you should eat!"

"Yeyema's been treatin' you well, yeah?"

"Kuya Raha, can you sit next to me on the boat? Pretty please?"

"You're allowed to visit even without Yeyema, man! We won't tell her!"

"Did you get a haircut, son?"

Lunya scoffed, crossing her arms as she watched her family swarm her husband. "And what is dearest Yeyema, who's the only reason anyone here even knows him, then?! Chopped liver?!"

"We love liver, Neneng," Tita Liryo cooed, patting her cheek affectionately as she passed by with a packed lunch. "You know I make an incredible igado."

"He's only skinny because he holes himself up reading instead of eating when I'm not home!" Lunya hollered at the wall of bodies. Of course, everyone already knew how damn happy she was that they all loved G'raha to pieces, but she had the right to pretend her pride was being injured over them doting on him more than her.

"Yeyema," called Mama from where she, Taro, Papa, and Lolo Beni were helping Nana down from their carriage, "come say hi to your lola sa tuhod."

"It's been a while since we've been out at sea," Nana was musing as Lunya came over, allowing the boys to settle her gently into her wheelchair. She offered a gray paw for Lunya to press her forehead to in respect. "Yeyema, what is this surprise of yours?"

"You'll see." Lunya grinned before she kissed both her parents on the cheek in greeting and gave her grandfather a hug. Taro dodged out of the way of her trying to ruffle his hair.

Papa whistled at the sight of the ship as they took Nana down to the docks. It had to be bigger than the one Baldin usually took her to the island on, given the sheer number of people she was bringing this time, but Ahtbyrm managed to pull a few strings for her and loaned it for little cost as a long-overdue thank you for the Victory incident. "Shipwrights have come a long way."

They stood to the side, watching as the rest of the family bustled between the gangplank and the carriages, carrying so much luggage that Lunya was starting to suspect that more than a few of them packed bags just for their personal snacks. She herself kept a secret stock of dried mangoes for her own consumption in the Hideaway but she told them they didn't have to worry about the food—

"Speaking of ships, your titos have been talking about dismantling the Lady Luck," Mama said.

That was news to her. "Is that… alright?" The Lady Luck was an old ship for sure, practically ancient history; she didn't know its exact age but it'd have to be at least 50 summers old at this point, if not way older, and for a good 28 of those summers it'd just been sitting in the waters below the farm. The family had diligently tended to it anyway year after year, and all the buying offers they were constantly pestered with in her childhood had long since stopped coming. But it was their ship. The ultimate symbol of their family.

"Of course." Mama chuckled, locking one arm through Lunya's and the other through Taro's. "You know, the Lady Luck you were born aboard wasn't the original. The one Nana took with her from her village, that is." Well, that made sense, given that it was Lominsan style. One of her great-uncles had charcoal illustrations of the traditional outriggers that traversed the Southern Seas and the Cieldalaes, and they were nothing like the Lady Luck. She honestly never thought about it before.

Nana's eyes were trained on the towering masts above them. "It was a bigiw," she said, her voice lost in the memory in a way Lunya did not see often. Though she was well over a century in age, Nana held a vice grip on her clarity with a stubbornness inherited by her daughters and her daughters' daughters, so seeing her eyes misty like this was strange. "Large enough only to carry one woman fleeing from tragedy with her infant son with what few possessions she had time to take in the chaos."

"It shattered against the rocks of Macalino," Lolo Beni continued for his mother once he translated for Taro's benefit. "But we lived, and that was enough. That was our first Lady Luck. Tita Asusena—your Lola Urduja's mother—named its broken parts on the beach."

"And every ship after was named the Lady Luck too," said Papa quietly.

Oh, thought Lunya.

"It wasn't the same ship, though," Taro argued. Lunya thought he'd been too busy watching the Maelstrom officers patrolling the Drydocks to pay attention, but her younger brother was much more thoughtful than she gave him credit for. "What was the point in reusin' the name?"

"The heart, anak," Lilina said, pinching his cheek to his discontent. "The heart has never changed."

"The Lady Luck, Kalangitan—they're both still here, regardless of what form they take," Nana said, and she took Lunya and Taro's hands in her own. Nana's paws were a fascinating thing—though no longer vibrant with youth and covered in as many scars as the rest of her was, her paw pads and fur remained warm and soft. "It lives through me, and through our name. It lives through you. Its memory, its legacy."

"'hoy, lass!" Baldin hollered as he stepped onto the gangplank, waving off the chocobo carriage drivers by the aetheryte plaza. "Yer folks are all packed an' rarin' to go. One o' 'em lil ankle biters got loose an' nearly tipped 'eadfirst into the bay when she 'eard we're takin' ye to yer own island, but her pa caught her alright. All's ready when ye are."

Oof. Did Kuya Jonah ever teach Joyling how to swim?

Dazed, Lolo Beni nearly tipped into the bay himself. "An island. A whole island, Yeyema? How…?"

"An island in the Cieldalaes," Lunya asserted, beaming as her parents and grandparents straightened all at once. "And it's mine, officially. No one can take it from us, not ever again. It's ours."

Nana's eyes were trained on the walls of the ship, but Lunya thought she might have been trembling.

"When I received the deed for it, it came unnamed." Raha was right. She needed to just trust in her family and their love and understanding for each other. This trip was a good thing; the stroke of fortune her family deserved after all these years. If she had to inherit the title of Lady Luck then she would live up to it in the best way she could. "All they could tell me about it was that it was previously a pirate's den, long abandoned and then reclaimed by nature, as most of the isles in the Cieldalaes are today. But Raha knows a thing or two about archaeology, and we were able to piece together more of its true history based on its location in comparison with old sailing maps from the Sharlayan archives and a couple of artifacts I managed to unearth while I started developing it. There was a village there, once, decades and decades ago."

Looking into her Nana's eyes, Lunya thought she could picture what a young Luningning Kalangitan looked like before she was forced to leave home forever, unable—unwilling—to look back at its wreckage in her wake, before her fur grayed and scars laced across her body and she became Captain Lunya of the Lady Luck. This light in her eyes now must have shone just as brightly back then. Anger and loss claimed her soon after, but she didn't forget after all this time.

Not one ancestral village of their glue-and-twine family remained, but not everything was lost, not while they continued to live. Every sacrifice they had made would be worth something in the end; they had to believe it would.

"I decided to name it after that lost village," Lunya said, smiling gently as she reached up to wipe her great-grandmother and namesake's tears away. "Its name is Kalangitan."

#ffxiv #ffxivwrite2022 #ffxivwrite #lalafell #tales from the warriors of light #oc: lunya #g: polaris #*

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quietplace26 · 1 year

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Now we're getting into the GW:T plot!

(A few side notes. The Fox Devil is called The Nameless Kitsune in this au. She looks exactly like she does in the anime/manga. Unlike how characters in Chainsaw Man have to feed The Fox Devil parts of their body to summon her, The Nameless Kitsune asks for no such thing from Akito and Mari.)

Kon! au (2)

It wasn't long after that trip to the countryside that things slowly started going downhill for the Izuki family.

Akito and Mari's parents began getting sick, and as the years ticked by, their health became worse and worse. Nothing seemed to help, and before either sibling knew it, both their parents were just gone.

With how young they were, Akito knew they would most likely be shipped off to live with a distant relative. Thing was, the only relatives he and Mari had left were the same ones related to the kids that thought it would be funny to lock up the siblings up in an old shrine.

Akito could still remember the screaming match between his parents and his cousin's when he and Mari made it back to the house all dirty and tired. The screaming only became worse when Akito told his parents what actually happened.

All his cousins gave him a look of betrayal, but all he did was glare back at them as he rock Mari in his arms. Serves them right for doing what they did to him and Mari!

However, his aunts and uncles all thought is was a harmless prank. Their kids would never hurt someone on purpose. Needless to say, Akito's parents cut ties with those family members.

Akito knew he and Mari needed to disappear, and he knew exactly who could help them do it.

After packing their things, the Izuki siblings head outside their childhood home where Akito proceeds to make a familar fox hand sign. "Kon."

This summons The Nameless Kitsune from the shrine and she becomes the Izuki sibling's guardian as they grew up without their parents.

While The Nameless Kitsune had no real name to be called, Akito and Mari eventually started afectionally calling her 'mom' over the years.

The Nameless Kitsune still preens whenever her human kits called her 'mom' to this day.

But one day everything came crashing down for this odd little family.

A fire had broken out while Akio was out, leaving Mari all alone and trapped in the flames. Luckily, she managed summoned 'mom' to save her, but the damaged was already done.

For the first time in a very long time, The Nameless Kitsune felt powerless. One of her kits was hurt, and she could do nothing to help her!

She had healing abilities, but there was no telling what it could do to a normal human! She needed something else to heal Mari!

"...Little one?" Akito perks up when he hears his 'mom's' voice echo around him in Mari's hosiptal room. "Hm?"

"I will be gone for a few days. Stay safe till I return." Since it was revealed that she couldn't heal Mari herself, The Nameless Kitsune had been doing everything possible to find another way to heal the young girl.

Akito rolls his eyes at his 'mom's' worry. "You don't need to worry about me. I always stay out of trouble."

Cue the next night, and trouble slams head first into Akito.

Shibuya has gone to hell, and not only has Akito somehow been possessed by a grumpy ghost, but Mari's been kidnapped by mask wearing lunatic!

He needed to summon his 'mom'! But everytime he tried to summon The Nameless Kitsune, something got in his way or ruined his chance to summon her!

Akito's breaking point came when he found himself surrounded by a army of all kinds of visitors!

"Looks like we have no choice! We have to fight our way through!" Akito hears KK's voice snarl in his head, making his current headache worse.

Even with him being surrounded by murderous monsters, Akito wasn't scared. He was just tired, and very, VERY angry.

Angry at what happened to his sister, angry at being possessed, angry at having so many things try to kill him, and most of all he was angry at that bastard Hannya! He was done with that lunatic's shit!

This time he was going to call 'mom' in. Hopefully she won't be too mad at him over the fact he didn't summon her sooner...

Taking a deep breath, Akito holds up one of his hands and makes the familar fox hand sign.

"Kid? What the fuck are you doing?!" KK's voice was loud with panic as the visitors creeped closer.

"I'm calling for backup KK."

"You're just making a weird as hand sign-"

"Kon!"

The ground under them explodes as a massive fox head pops into excistence, swallowing a large mouthful of visitors in one go.

"...What. The fuck. Is that THING?!" KK was in complete shock. That had to be the biggest yokai he's ever seen!

"Little one." The giant fox head turned her head toward Akito. All her red ring eyes were zeroed in on the human who now looked and felt a little nervous. "Uh... Yes mom?"

"Mom?! What the fuck?!" Akito ignored KK's yells as he walked over to his 'mom', feeling very much like a naughtly child that did something wrong.

"I clearly remembered telling you to stay out of trouble, didn't I?"

Akito's sighs, running a hand through his messy hair in frustration. "You did, but that isn't important now! A mad man took Mari and is planning on using her in somekind of weird ceremony! We have to save her!"

"And we will save her. I promise you that." When The Nameless Kitsune brought her head closer to Akito to nuzzle him like she usually did, she suddenly goes completely still.

"...Little one?" Her voice was calm, but Akito got the feeling she was very angry for some reason...

"I-Is something the matter mom?"

"Oh there is something matter alright! Why is there a parasite in you?!" She roars out, causing Akito to fall back onto his ass at how loud she was being.

A parasite? In him? Wait a second... Was she talking about KK?!

"W-wait mom! KK's not a parasite!" While he and KK didn't exactly start out on the right foot in the begining, Akito couldn't help but become fond of the grumpy yokai hunter as they fought through Shibuya.

In fact, Akito could honestly say he liked KK. The older man, while grumpy and sarcastic, had a certain charm to him.

Akito wonder what it would've been like if he met KK while the older man had been still alive and in his own body...

The Nameless Kitsune's many red ring eyes glowed ominously as she growled out, "That thing in you is a parasite! Come here! I will get it out of you!"

Luckily for KK, The Nameless Kitsune didn't do him any harm after a long talk with Akito, who by the way, somehow manages to convince the massive Kitsune in helping KK get his body back from Hannya!

"You can give me back my body?" KK couldn't believe it! He simply couldn't believe it! A yokai that mere seconds eariler was threatening to eat his soul was now saying she could get his body back!

"As long as it is in good condition and your soul is not corrupted, however let me say this, parasite. One wrong move or word, and not only will I eat your body, but your soul as well!"

With her talk with KK out of the way, the massive Kitsune turns her attention back to her kit. Her expression shfts something more gentle. "Now with that out of the way, I need to tell you something important my kit."

Akito looks at his mother figure curiously. "What is it?"

With a pleased expression on her face, the nameless Kitsune says, "I found it kit. I found a way to heal our little Mari."

#ghostwire: tokyo #ghostwire tokyo #akito/kk #kon! au #chainsaw man #crossover #the fox devil adopts akito and mari #she doesn't like kk #she considers kk to be a parasite #she will grow fond of kk... eventually #long post

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yzeltia · 2 years

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Memories of Earth

"Ag-again!"

Whimpering, Y'zel rubbed the dirt from his chin then put up his fists as his uncle chuckled from atop a boulder, legs crossed and amusedly stroking at his magenta goatee. "Again little Nuhn? Aren't you tired yet," the keeper laughed heartily before giving his neck and knuckles a good crack.

The boy nodded, tail perked high as he bounced on his feet side to side, earning another chuckle from his uncle. Running in, he tried to jump and punch his uncle in the chest, missing the retaliation of his forearm this time, only to be seized around his ankle by the man's tail and whipped back. Hissing, the boy unleashed a flurry of blows into the air and he swung in the man's grasp.

"Oh? Are you now a little spitting courel? We're still on raptor strikes!"

"P-Put me down uncle Saru'to!"

"As you wish."

Y'zel let out a shriek we he plummeted down into the dirt once more.

"Are you sure you want to keep this up? Don't you want to read me a book or go visit with your aunties?"

The boy looked up as the keeper, the man's large pupils that matched his own upon him with worry. "I have to get stronger…Father says that I'll never be able to lead if I let everyone push me around…and I'm good with magick like he is but I'm not strong like everyone says mother was…"

Saru'to frowned then went back to rubbing his chin before standing up and helping the boy to his feet by the scruff of his shirt. "Yes, Zel was great with an axe, I am good with my fists, and your aunties excel in combat, with techniques passed down from matriarch to matriarch," he started, "But there are many in our family who are more gifted in skills of the mind. There's no shame in the passive arts."

The man began to brush the earth off his nephew with his tail, earning small giggles as he squirmed.

"But…father wants me to unite my seeker family someday…I'm gonna have to know how to fight," he chirped back.

"Is that what you want though?"

Y'zel's ears flattened as the question echoed around in his head. "No. I like playing with my cousins…I don't want to be their boss…But dad wants me to learn combat anyway…And I'll be more useful to everyone if I can do everything!"

"No one can master everything, but I commend your ambition to help your family," the man laughed before picking the boy up and tossing him across his shoulder. "And mayhaps when you visit we do what you want to do? Not what your father expects you to want, hmm?"

"He'll be cross…" the boy whimpered.

"Let him. Your aunties and uncles will just have to remind him of what we're capable of. It was many moons before he could sniff around for your mother without one of us catching him and giving him a…rather martial send off," he chuckled.

The boy yawned. "Did father really pitch boo at her?"

"Hmm? Pitch woo you mean," the keeper laughed out. "Yes. He was very determined to turn her head. Some of the worst yowling of poetry that even would deafen Mephina."

"Oh…I guess he really did love her then…"

"Aye boy, I believe he still does. Loss can just make one hard."

Silence passed between them as the man carried his nephew down the muddied slope towards their family abode. "Can I hold momma's axe when we get back," the finally asked, another yawn escaping him.

"We'll see little Nuhn…We'll see…"

—-

Y'zel whimpered as he rubbed his face into something soft and warm, trying to unpin his ear from a firm hand upon it. At some point, the firm shoulder of his uncle had been replaced with the soft lavender scent of his father's robes.

"Brother, please. Can you not see the boy's muddied knuckles? He's going to bloody himself up if you continue to ruin his esteem."

"He's my son Saru'to. I will seek to raise him in a way I see fit."

"And he's our nephew," a softer voice rang, one of the boy's aunt's, the small miqo'te couldn't tell which. "Zel wouldn't want this."

"Don't presume to speak for my late wife. She knew my ambitions."

"And thought them talk of a man aloft upon the high of fatherhood. She would never have wanted the boy to push himself as such," another voice rang out.

"I remind you that I do not need to bring him-"

"And we will remind you that you are one and we are five. Do not threaten us Y'lem. He is as much our clan as yours, if not more so in the eyes," the elder uncle roared.

The room went silent as Y'zel stirred once more, feigning sleep as he clutched onto his father's robes. "He will be strong, there is naughty to discuss. I shall return him again in a week's time," the seeker finally breathed out.

No response came beyond five sets of palms brushing through his hair as he was carried on and into the night.

—----

Y'zel's ears rang as he lifted himself up from a borrowed cot, the scent of gunpowder quickly rousing his senses from his dream. Looking to the doorway, he watched as his seeker friend stumbled in, clothing in tatters, fur singed. "The bombs…I dodged the bombs," he stated triumphantly before collapsing upon the ground. Sighing, the miqo'te slipped out of the bed to nurse the aspiring Nuhn, happy to be free of such madness.

#ffxiv oc #ffxiv rp #final fantasy xiv #final fantasy 14 #ffxiv #ffxiv endwalker #seeker of the sun #keeper of the moon #ffxiv miqo'te #ffxiv miqo #miqo'te #miqo boy #male miqo #M'zhet Tia

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ask-the-layers · 6 months

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You mentionned sedonc gens in another post, are they the kids from the layers? How many are there?

Yes they are and currenty we have 13 of them! The second gens only contains biological children (hence why a LOT of layer kids aren't here) + Eden who is not drawn because he's a bit special

Cosmos > MCU

Quaesir > GoT

Astred and Arde > GoW

Ase > Vampyr

Kore and Ezra > Story of Seasons

Calliope > Castelvania

Delta > Harry Potter

Berwin > Ace Attorney

Maya and Remi > D Grey man

Meiro > Naruto

Now onto Eden

He's Dee's little brother, but due to Dee's complicated birth he inherited a part of her layer core/DNA which is what happens when a 2nd gen is born. Because of that Eden has all perks of a second gen; these being:

> An inherant knowledge of Eden (the place), their aunts, uncles and cousins

> An ability to roam the void at will without risk

> The knowledge to not show their omniscience so as to not catch Mother's attention

#i like them all they re funky #oc #ask the layers #ask the 2nd gen #art #the layers #the newby art #ask #anonymous

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xanonymouscatharsisx · 1 year

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Cw: s*xual ab*se, residential schools

This feels weird to write about the family secret...

I remember growing up, sometimes in school we would talk about things that had a family secret, which was usually something s*xual ab*se. I don't remember specific titles of anything but I know for sure I never read the Perks of Being a Wallflower, which sucked when I watched the movie for the first time after my PTSD diagnosis and flew into a panic attack. Their portrayal of flashbacks was really good, and apparently super dicey for me.

The biggest takeaway I had from some of these discussions was how different some reactions were. Myself and a few others in the class were resigned. Like, yeah, this happens. The rest of our peers looked at us in abject horror. Honestly, they rightly should have. But that was when I knew it wasn't "normal."

This is all only a part of what happened to my mom. And I know there must be more that I don't know, but I know enough that I can see some patterns emerging.

Before I go on, the reason this feels weird, is because in all her failings on other topics, my mom protected me from this. So that's... Something.

I don't remember how I know this but I know my mom was mol*sted. I don't know how often, how many times, all that, but I know for sure at least one man did. I'm also not entirely sure of ages. This was either an example of "I'm in the room pretending to be so entrenched in this random item I'm reading and pretending not to listen" or it was one of the rare times my mom actually spoke to me about something. I think this might even be a combination of the two.

By the time I came around, the man in question was my uncle. I remember very clearly my mom talking about this, and I remember her being so angry that her sister knew that he had been ab*sing her, and I think some of the other sisters, and still ended up marrying him.

I don't know for sure who else was ab*sed, but considering how many of my aunts and even cousins wouldn't really leave their girls especially alone with him, I can make an educated guess. I feel like I have somewhat vague memories of any time I was maybe left alone in a room with him, I was called into the other room.

I always remember feeling icky about him before I remember knowing about the ab*se. Thinking about him leaves a pit in my stomach and I remember that very early on, and I still get that feeling to this day. It's worse in person.

I see so much how this has affected me, even now. Sort of. It affected how I was raised.

When I was getting to be a teenager and dealing with hormones and such, everything about my body was so demonized. It did not help that I was also raised catholic, but I think my mom blamed herself for her ab*se. I've never had a conversation with her about the effects on me, and I don't know if I intend to. I don't think she's ready to talk about her trauma and how that trauma impacted her ability to parent.

I remember being a little little kid, around the time when girls start sitting on armrests and such as part of early sexual development. I remember doing the armrest thing anyway.

Any time my mom caught me doing anything of the sort, I was yelled at, made to feel ashamed, and there may have been spankings? This continued into adulthood when I ordered my first s*x toy, and hadn't thought about it until my dad grabbed the mail. I was 18-19, and I swear, it was like I murdered someone, my mom's reaction was SO intense and shameful.

I have since learned, a lot of what I did as a child was normal, and s*xuality is normal. We're human, and we like pleasure. For some of us, it's this, for someone who is ace, it may be something else. Learning that all of this was normal for the first time actually brought up feelings of betrayal. Trauma can be... Very complicated.

I have empathy for my mom in this. In more recent years, I've gotten into a lot more crime ... Stuff. Documentaries, dramatic series, podcasts, etc. And the amount of victim blaming and just acceptance I see in these is palpable. I even see this in me, when it came to talking to a doctor about issues with my period and wanting to look into endometriosis, and being shut down, there's this resigned acceptance that "that's just what it is." And in cases of SA it is even worse, and especially when I was growing up, our approach as a society about these things was almost victorian. It's impolite conversation.

Now... I know what affected my mom. That's the why for the things that ended up affecting me.

That's not where the pattern stops though. Because there has to be a "why" to why he ab*sed her, and others, right? I don't know that particular why, but I can kind of extrapolate.

This is going to feel very roundabout, especially since I don't have stories directly shared with me, and I would recommend that people explore these, but know that it's not for the faint of heart. It's harrowing, it's heartbreaking, and there is a lot of damage because of it.

Residential schools. Okay, well... I'm in Canada. That's what they're called here. In the US they were "boarding schools" and I'm not sure if this system was implemented anywhere else to affect other Indigenous populations in other countries. I can imagine it was though.

We never learned about this in school when I was growing up. The most we got was "Jesuit priests came to convert Native Americans" and the VERY sanitized story of Pocahontas. I believe I learned the truth about Matoaka in high school, but not from the education system, but it wasn't until I was an adult that I started learning about residential schools, and not even from people close to me, even if they had been through the system.

If you look up these schools, you find plenty of reports about SA, as well as other ab*se. Almost all stories I have seen from survivors have had the same beats in terms of turning to drugs and alcohol to deal with the trauma that they experienced in these schools. Some make it through, and are able to get sober, and start healing, others don't.

It's a pattern I see in my own family. The result of trauma on the person and how it affects those they show up for. I know my mom never went to residential school, but the trauma I know about that she endured has the reek of the same trauma I've seen from other survivors, and I'm making an educated guess at what I don't know.

I know for sure my grandparents were alcoholics. I also know my grandma did not go either, because her father did not think girls belonged in school. So hey, maybe misogyny helped save from one awful thing in all of this.

Regardless of all of this, the continued patterns that I see from residential schools, which were mostly run by the Catholic church in Canada but also some other denominations, all the way to the shame about my own body, the ripples are obvious.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

And their website for further information.

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1581971225188/1581971250953

#abuse #residential #indigenous

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thebmatt · 2 years

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FFXIV Write 2022 Prompt #6 - Onerous

“Miss Aliapoh, a moment of your time, if you please?”

Rheika looked in the direction of the speaker. She had just disembarked from the ship that had brought her from Thavnair to Limsa Lominsa, opting to take the longer route back home and enjoy the views of the Bounty rather than simply teleporting to the port city, and now an unfamiliar Roegadyn man in the garb of one of the Gate’s assessors was motioning for her to come to one of the many side rooms that the Gate used for more private inspections.

She sighed. The Assessors usually weren’t corrupt, at least not nearly as often as the Brass Blades or Wood Wailers, so this probably wasn’t a shakedown, but she had things to do, dammit. If this turned out to be the exception, he was going to be in for a very rude awakening. It would mean a hell of a lot of questioning from the Yellowjackets, but some throwing of her status as Warrior of Light should get her out of that. Saving the star had the occasional perk.

She followed him into the side room, but left the door open. “All right. What’s this about? I didn’t have any luggage, so this can’t be an inspection. If you’re looking for something….untoward, you could not have picked the more wrong girl, sir.”

He looked affronted. “Madam, I assure you, I take the responsibility of my station very seriously. I would never break the trust placed in me.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“I will get right to the point and dispel your suspicions then. This is not a personal matter. I have a…personal request to ask of you.”

She looked him over again. Tall even for a roegadyn, and clearly kept himself in shape. His chalk white skin was certainly uncommon, as were the faint blue patterns tattooed on his face. Some kind of clan marking? She didn’t recognize it. But his expression seemed sincere enough. Hrmm…maybe he needed some assistance?

She crossed her arms. “All right, I’m listening”

The motion drew attention to her low cut top and the cleavage she proudly displayed. It was a subtle test, but his eyes didn’t waver from her face. Interesting. He paused for a moment, looking away.

“I understand that this will likely sound suspicious, so I will answer any questions you have. I also have no doubts that you will ask you Scion compatriots to look into me. I will hide nothing from them.”

“You realize this is only making me more suspicious, right?”

He growled in frustration. “I do now. I apologize. I will come to it then. My name is Geyssfyr Wintidaegsys and I am only recently come to Eorzea within the past few moons. My original home is Aerslant”

“I assume you’re here to study, then?”

He nodded. “That is correct. My father retired to Eorzea last year, and now resides in Ul’dah.”

“Is he all right? Did he go missing?” Rheika asked.

“No, no, he is well. He is not the family member I wish to discuss today..”

Rheika uncrossed her arms, lowering them to her side. “Mother, then?”

He shook his head. “No, my cousin. She fled to Eorzea some years ago. Her name was Syhrwyda, but I understand she no longer goes by-“

He was interrupted by the sound of steel clearing leather and turned to regard Rheika. The daggers she had at her hips were now in her hands, and her stance had shifted to one he’d witnessed the Upright Thieves assume more than once.

“Wait, no-“

“You can tell your uncle that he’s violated the terms of our agreement.” she growled. “Assuming I don’t send you back to him in pieces. Maybe I’ll just write a note and pin it to what’s left of you.”

Geyssfyr raises his hands. He’d left his grimoire at his side. “Peace, Miss Aliapoh! I am all too aware of my aunt and uncle’s proclivities. My father and I have not seen Syhrwyda….excuse me, Fearless Willow, since she and I were but six summers old. He suspected based on her behavior at the time that his brother was cruel to her, but we could never prove it, and the family cut us out not long after that. He regretted not being able to help her, truly. “

Rheika did not drop her combat stance. “….Very well. Let’s say that’s true. What do you want with her now?”

“All I ask is that you tell her of me. Of my father. We have heard of your deeds as the Warriors of Light, it would be difficult not to, and we are both thrilled that she has escaped whatever cruelties her ‘parents’ heaped upon her and found true happiness. We do not wish anything of her save to speak with her again. To let her know that she has part of her old family that still care for her.”

“And if she doesn’t want to see you?”

He lowered his head. “It will bring us sorrow, but we will respect her wishes.”

Rheika narrowed her eyes. “Just like that?”

He faced her, his expression solemn. “I have no wish to bring hardship into her life. Nor to invite retribution from her fellow saviors of the star. I give you my word: Neither I nor my father will approach Syhr-Fearless, excuse me, until she does so first. If she never wishes to speak to us, we shall be content knowing that she is happy, at least.”

Rheika dropped her ready stance but did not re-sheathe her daggers, continuing to stare at him. She’d always had a knack for reading people’s expressions, a talent honed by training with the Upright Thieves and years of practice. The man clearly was trying to keep up the stoic facade he was used to presenting to the public in his profession (she chuckled internally at her own alliteration), but his hope seemed sincere. She saw no tells or other signs to indicate deception or hidden misdirects.

Very well, then. She returned her daggers to their place on her belt.

“Given how you opened this conversation, I’m assuming you know this will all be checked out.”

He nodded. “I am usually here, and only ever leave the city to visit my father. His name is Wintidaeg, he lives in Ul’dah, and teaches weapons part-time at one of the schools near the Gladiator’s Guild. I can direct you to both his home and employer, should you desire.”

She nodded. “Write it all out, I’ll take it with me. You know this is likely to take time, too. If she says no, I’m not going to bother to inform you. You had better hold to your word. If you don’t, I will not hesitate. Do you understand?”

He nodded, not flinching at her threats. “I do. And I will.”

“Good. And you’ll understand if I don’t wish you luck. You certainly seem sincere, but I’m withholding judgement for now. We’ll see if your scrutiny holds up to Tataru’s connections.”

“Very well. Thank you for at least listening, Miss Aliapoh”

#FFXiv Write 2022 #Rheika Aliapoh #Geyssfyr Wintidaegsyn #Fearless Willow #but she's only mentioned #I kinda ran out of steam on the ending but hopefully it gets the point across

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just-another-blog-of-fluff · 2 years

Text

Family Forged Between Realms

Word count: 9,600

Pairing: Loki and Thor x reader (platonic)

Warnings: mentions of strained family relationships

This was such a cute prompt! I had the ABSOLUTE WORST writer's block 😣 but I think it turned out alright? I hope it did! 💚

Prompt - reader wishes they had a closer sibling relationship in their life. Thor and Loki decide they’re going to help with that. + prompt - Thor and Loki play a game at the reader’s expense

They say that family ties aren't always bound by blood.

It was always comforting to think about it. You had a loving single father, and he was your entire world. On the other hand, you had a mother who'd left you when you were only a year old, and two older brothers who blamed her absence on your existence. To say your relationship was strained was an understatement.

You didn't have aunts and uncles, you didn't have cousins to grow up alongside and supplement that sibling bond that was missing in your life. Of course, you had friends growing up - some had come and gone, others had remained in your life to varying degrees to this day. None of those relationships quite felt as though it filled that void left by the two siblings who'd scorned you as far back as you could remember.

So, yes. You still held out hope that there was potential to form that close, unbreakable type of bond with someone, even in your adult life. Because blood bonds had failed you so far.

You hadn't anticipated that family ties could be forged across realms.

Most of the year, you lived in one of the many residential floors of the Avengers tower in New York. It was convenient, since you worked alongside Bruce Banner as one of his lab interns. The job certainly had its perks - a cushy apartment, decent pay, unlimited access to Banner's brain... not to mention, the chance to get to know the actual Avengers. That piece was really shocking at first, although you found that despite their superhuman abilities, they were quite personable.

A few times a year, you made the trip home to visit with your family. Mostly because you missed your dad terribly, but you were unfortunately obligated to spend time with your older brothers at least during the holiday season. A part of you always hoped that this year would be the year that things would be different - that they'd suddenly realize they had been unfair to you, and they wanted a relationship. And every year you were sorely disappointed. After a week filled with tense family dinners and cold stares, you were more than ready to be home, where you could seek solitude when you needed it and confide in your friends when you wanted to rant.

"Seriously... if it weren't for my dad, I wouldn't even bother going home for the holidays." You leaned your head back against the sofa cushions, reaching out to accept the very full glass of wine Nat offered you as she took her seat beside you. "I'd much rather spend the holiday season with you guys. It would be a hell of a lot more fun."

"You'd rather sit on the couch and drink wine all night on Christmas Eve while watching terrible movies and complaining about our lack of festive spirit?" Nat quipped.

"That sounds wonderful. Count me in next year," you sighed. "Holidays with my family are emotionally exhausting."

"Maybe next year go visit with your dad at a different time?" Wanda suggested. You shook your head with a sad smile.

"He loves having his whole family under the same roof. I can't take that away from him." You took a long, drawn-out sip of wine from your glass, savoring the full-bodied, oaky taste on your tongue. Nat always did know how to pick out a fantastic bottle of wine. "I know it will never happen, but sometimes I just wish I could have a loving sibling relationship with my brothers. I feel like I missed out on that my entire life."

Wanda smiled, her eyes glazing over, likely remembering her own close relationship with her twin brother. Your heart ached for her, knowing what she had and how abruptly she'd lost it. At least you never had a real sibling to lose.

Nat, on the other hand, laughed with a shake of her head. "It's not all sunshine and rainbows, even in the best sibling relationships. Yelena and I fought all the time when we were kids. Still do, in fact."

"Yeah, but it's all out of love, right?"

Nat chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose."

"See, I would give anything even to have fights with my brothers. Fighting would mean there was some emotion. My brothers are just... cold. Indifferent."

Wanda reached over from the armchair she was perched in to place a comforting hand on your forearm. "Well, we can be your sisters if you'd like."

You smiled, a breathy laugh puffing through your nose. "Thanks. But you guys are my best friends. You already know way too many of my secrets to be my honorary siblings."

"Yeah, you probably wouldn't want a sibling to know about that night in Ibiza..."

"We don't talk about that, remember?" you hushed quickly, earning a laugh from your two friends. "Anyway... I really appreciate the sentiment. Maybe someday I'll have that sibling sort of relationship with someone."

The three of you continued chatting about the holidays, sharing what you'd missed while you were away. You had no idea that anyone else had been listening to your conversation that evening. As it turned out, there had been a familiar hulking figure standing just outside the door to your apartment, and he'd heard the whole story.

Thor had become a fast friend of yours when you'd moved into the tower. It was hard not to want to be friends with him - he was boisterous, funny, and above all he cared deeply about the welfare of all his friends. On days you were feeling down, there just wasn't anything quite as uplifting as one of Thor's giant bear hugs.

His brother, Loki, on the other hand, had taken longer to warm up to you. It took him time to warm up to anyone, Thor assured. He definitely wasn't the physically affectionate type in the way his brother tended to be - he always seemed to have a grimace on his face when Thor forced him into one of his trademark hugs. Although, he certainly wasn't shy about the playfully aggressive sort of physical affection with his older sibling. A hard shove on the shoulder when Thor said something particularly amusing, or a gentle (mostly) whack to the back of his head when Thor said something rude or embarrassing, were commonplace with Loki.

It was only after you'd encouraged him one too many times to confide in you after an argument with Thor or one of the other Avengers that Loki finally caved and began being more open with you. He was hesitant initially to talk about his problems with a mortal like yourself, but you were patient with him, and a good listener to boot. And, surprisingly, you often had good advice for him. He hated to admit it, but his relationship with Thor had improved significantly since he'd begun coming to you first before lashing out at the blond, robust god. Not to mention, he came out of their heart-to-heart conversations with a lot fewer bruises.

Hearing your plight about your uncaring siblings and your unmet need for a loving big brother or sister, Thor immediately knew he had to do something. You'd taught Thor and Loki how to be better siblings - a grand feat in and of itself. It was time they returned the favor. Who better to fill the brother-shaped void in your life than the Asgardian duo?

"Loki!" Thor burst excitedly into his brother's bedroom without so much as a knock. Loki rolled his eyes, shutting his book and placing it on the bed beside him where he was propped against his headboard.

"Welcome, dear brother! Please, come inside! Make yourself at home." His tone was positively laden with sarcasm.

"Yes, yes, I'll remember to announce my presence before entering next time," Thor sighed, throwing his head back in annoyance. "Brother - we must embark on an important mission!"

"And, pray tell, what might that be?" Loki groaned, scowling.

"We must adopt the young lab assistant as our honorary sibling!"

Loki's eyebrows shot up high on his forehead, clearly not expecting such a strange statement to come out of his older brother's mouth. "Come again?"

Thor plunked himself down on the edge of Loki's bed, jostling Loki in the process from the sudden extra weight on the mattress. "When I stopped by their apartment this evening to welcome them home, I overheard them discussing their plight with Wanda and Natasha. Their brothers are poor excuses for siblings, Loki! Our dear friend has no family but their father to care for them."

"And... why exactly does that mean we must become their family?" Loki queried skeptically.

"Brother! Have you no gratitude for what they've done for you?"

"Me??"

"Oh, don't pretend as though you haven't sought out their advice and wisdom after every one of our arguments," Thor scoffed.

"Yes, well... I still don't see how that means we must take on the role as their brothers. Have you even discussed this with them?"

"Loki! Becoming their brothers is not something we can simply offer to do. We must fill the roles through our actions!"

"Our actions?" Loki's brow furrowed in both confusion and annoyance. "Forgive me, but how does one act like a Midgardian sibling?"

Thor was silent a moment. How exactly did sibling relationships work on Midgard? Certainly there must be some similarities to his and Loki's relationship, some universal characteristics of siblinghood. But what was it you were looking for in a sibling? What had you been missing in your relationship with your biological brothers?

"We must research this!" he declared at last.

"And how, might I ask, do you plan to do that?"

"I'm certain there must be something on the Midgardian internet that could provide us some insight." He pulled out his phone, locating the internet button and clumsily typing into the search bar. "Allow me to consult the almighty Google."

Loki rolled his eyes. "Sure, Thor. See what you can find on that silly device."

After clicking through a few pages, Thor finally landed on one that showed some promise. With exuberant curiosity, he began to read some of the page aloud.

"Let's see here... 'often times, the older sibling takes on the role of a mentor in their younger sibling's life, teaching them about the world in a way their parents could not.' That sounds simple enough! We could teach them about life on Asgard, and how to defend themselves..."

"Why not teach them how to read while we're at it?" Loki quipped. Thor shot him a glare.

"Alright, how about this: 'siblings often lean on one another for support.' We already do that quite often, don't we, Loki?"

"Well... yes, I suppose." Loki crossed his arms over his chest, appearing somewhat disinterested. Undeterred, Thor continued reading.

"'Siblings often antagonize one another - eating each other's snacks, getting competitive over board games, stealing the television remote, or simply just poking each other because they asked you to stop.' See, Loki? There are quite a few similarities to Asgardian sibling relationships."

"Hmm." Loki sat up a bit and unfolded his arms. "I do enjoy a bit of mischief. Perhaps... perhaps we could give it a try."

"YES! That's the spirit, brother!" Thor exclaimed, pounding his open hand against Loki's shoulder and knocking the wind out of him. He then rose to his feet. "I shall continue my research this evening - we must be the best Midgardian siblings to our dear friend!"

Loki sighed exasperatedly. "Alright, Thor. I will play along for the time being."

Truthfully, he wasn't entirely opposed to the idea, despite his outward skepticism. Granted, it was a bit unusual, simply making a decision that this mortal was going to be an honorary family member. But he did care about you - you'd become one of his few friends in the tower since you began hanging around the Avengers, and you were always willing to lend an ear to listen to his woes. Perhaps becoming your honorary brother wouldn't be such a terrible idea.

* * *

The following morning, you wandered up to the Avengers' suite to say your hellos to the others, now that you'd returned from your time away. Vision had just cooked up breakfast for the team, and as always, he had made a bit extra in case you decided to stop by. You accepted a plate and sat down with the others in the common room, casually munching on your breakfast while chatting with your superhero friends.

The moment Thor walked in and laid eyes on you, he grinned broadly, opening his arms wide for a hug. You set your plate down on the side table and stood, allowing him to scoop you up in a bear hug and lift you a few inches off the ground.

"I missed your hugs while I was gone," you told him, voice muffled in his shoulder where your face had been smooshed in his tight embrace. He set your feet back on the floor and released you, blue eyes sparkling brightly.

"I hope you enjoyed your travels?"

You cringed a bit involuntarily. "Er... yeah, I always love seeing my dad." Turning around, you busied yourself with picking up your breakfast plate again so you could return to your seat on the sofa. Thor slid into the seat beside you.

"You sound as though you have something on your mind. Please - I am here to support you." He smiled warmly at you, gazing expectantly while awaiting your response. You couldn't help but think the wording he'd chosen was a bit unusual, but you appreciated the sentiment nonetheless.

"It's nothing, just some family dynamic issues. I'm just happy to be home," you explained, knowing you were brushing off the truth but not really keen on discussing it in detail in front of the entire team. Thor placed a comforting hand on your shoulder.

"Might I suggest we do something fun this evening to help forget about what troubles you? A movie night, perhaps?" As he spoke, Loki entered the common room with his own plate of breakfast, and Thor motioned toward him. "Loki shall join us as well!"

"I'll do what, exactly?" he asked warily.

"We're going to have a movie night this evening!" Thor declared. You swore you saw Thor shoot Loki a wink, but you couldn't be certain.

"Oh, I see. I'd be happy to join you."

Now this was unusual. You hung out with the brothers all the time, of course, but it was never based on specific plans. More often than not, you invited yourself over to hang out with the team, or joined them on one of their group outings. But for Thor to suggest a movie night - and, even more outlandishly, for Loki to agree to be social for once - something was definitely weird about this.

Although, you supposed Thor had picked up on your slightly sour mood over your trip home. Maybe he was just trying to cheer you up?

"It's settled, then! The three of us shall gather for a movie night this evening. Be certain to wear your pajamas and bring your coziest blanket, dear friend!"

With a last gentle pat on the shoulder, Thor stood and wandered out of the room. You locked eyes with Loki, tilting your head slightly in confusion. Loki appeared almost sheepish as he shrugged his shoulders, then turned and followed his brother out of the room with his half-eaten breakfast.

Ok. This was definitely unusual.

Still, a movie night in your pajamas with two of your friends sounded like the perfect way to unwind after a stressful holiday. Regardless of Thor's reasoning for suggesting it, you were going to go and have a good time.

You were glad you did. Curled up in one of the oversized armchairs in the common room with your fleece blanket wrapped around yourself, with Thor and Loki occupying two of the other seats around the room, you felt more relaxed than you had been since before you left for your trip. The lights were dimmed, a giant bowl of popcorn stationed on the coffee table that the three of you could share. Thor and Loki both made jokes throughout the film at random, making you burst into laughter despite your attempts to withhold it.

As the ending credits rolled and Loki began preparing the next film on the screen, Thor snatched up a giant handful of popcorn for the umpteenth time that evening. This whole evening had you feeling so much more relaxed, you were feeling in a bit of a teasing mood.

“Hey, big guy - stop hogging the popcorn,” you griped, scooting the bowl closer to yourself. Thor chuckled, dragging it closer to him instead with a grin.

“Try and stop me.”

“Hey! You’re supposed to be sharing!” you whined. His smirk grew wider, prompting you to swipe a popcorn kernel off the top of the bowl and chuck it at him, striking him square in the forehead. You honestly had expected to miss, so the moment it made contact with his face and made him flinch, you clapped a hand over your mouth and tried to withhold the giggles that threatened to spill out, eyes wide in surprise.

“Oh-ho, is that how you want to play?” Thor scooped up a full handful of popcorn and hurled it in your direction. You squeaked and ducked your head as the salty snack rained down on top of you and bounced off, littering the floor where you were kneeling to reach the popcorn. You looked up to see the pleased-looking God of Thunder observing you in amusement.

“Oh, TWO can play at THAT game!” You gathered the popcorn from the floor, throwing it right back at Thor as he simultaneously began pelting you with fresh kernels from the bowl one by one. They didn’t hurt, but he was throwing them hard enough that you instinctively held up your hands protectively and curled in on yourself, unrestrained laughter bubbling from your lips. “Hohohow is THIS fahair??”

“You started it!” he retorted, the withheld laughter evident in his tone as he scooped up another handful of popcorn to replenish his supply of projectiles. You turned your face away to avoid getting struck by a rogue kernel in the eye.

You heard the bowl of kernels shift, then heard a crash followed by a sprinkling of little kernels striking the ground. Turning around now that you were no longer under fire, your laughter only increased when you saw Loki standing over his brother, the popcorn bowl now overturned on top of Thor’s head with the entire supply scattered across the floor.

Thor lifted the bowl off his head, a dusting of crumbled pieces of popcorn stuck in his hair. With a battle cry, he tackled Loki to the ground, proceeding to scoop up the littered popcorn pieces and pelt them at Loki’s face.

“Look at the mess you’ve made, brother!” Thor jested. Loki spluttered as one struck him between the eyes. Suddenly, the kernels on the floor threw themselves at Thor, barraging him as he ducked his head and laughed. Loki sat up with a mischievous smirk, turning to wink at you as he waved his hand to call off the magic he’d used to assault his brother.

“Nice one!” you exclaimed, holding your hand up toward Loki almost instinctively for a high five. He glanced at you in confusion for a moment. Sheepishly, you chuckled, realizing that wasn’t really a think Loki did. “Right, sorry, I…”

He cut you off with a slap to the palm of your outstretched hand, grinning victoriously. Your jaw dropped open in surprise, a smile brightening your face as your brain registered the fact that you just managed to get Loki to give you a high five. A “Midgardian frivolity” as he’d referred to it previously.

Thor conceded the popcorn war after that last attack, and the three of you cleaned up before settling down for a second film. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d goofed off like that. In fact, you weren’t sure you’d ever gotten into a popcorn-throwing war. It was childish and silly, but it was such fun that you really couldn’t care less. And Thor and Loki seemed to enjoy it anyhow.

After that evening, Thor and Loki seemed to be hanging around you a lot more often. Occasionally, Loki would stop by the lab to chat and hover over your current experiment (only when he knew for certain Banner wouldn't be present). Thor visited your apartment every so often, seemingly without any purpose other than to ask you how your day had gone and to make pleasant conversation. Even on the days you'd stop by to visit with Nat and Wanda, the pair of them seemed to be conveniently hanging around, interrupting your conversations to say hello, and occasionally making a ruckus in another area of the room with their bickering.

More and more, you began wondering what the hell had gotten into the pair of them. You certainly didn't mind having them around - they were your friends, after all, and you enjoyed the time you spent with them. But lately, the Asgardian brothers had been behaving quite unusually. It was unlike them - especially Loki - to want to hang out with you all the time. Not to mention, they'd taken to going out of their way to tease you or irritate you sometimes, which you definitely weren't used to. Thor would steal a snack right off your plate, or Loki would hide your lab goggles while you looked away to manage some part of your experiment. They were never mean, of course. And you couldn't lie and say you didn't enjoy having this sort of playful relationship with someone. But for the life of you, you couldn't figure out what had led to this sudden change in your interactions with the two brothers.

Thor had been going on for weeks about wanting to help teach you some self defense, to 'keep you safe' as he explained it. And so, you found yourself hanging out with the brothers into the Avengers' fitness facility late one afternoon, nervously awaiting what sort of 'defense training' they had in store.

"I just want to remind you that I know absolutely nothing about fighting," you declared as they led you over to the cushioned sparring area. "And you two are literal gods. You could snap me in half if you wanted to."

"We would never dream of doing such a thing!" Thor insisted. "Now, then - I suspect you won't be doing much fighting in your line of work, but it's important that you know how to escape a captor's hold should the need arise."

"Comforting."

"I shall show you first, and then you try." Thor motioned to Loki, who appeared somewhat hesitant, but stepped up anyway as Thor turned his back to him. "First - if an enemy tries to choke you from behind..." He paused a moment, then turned his head to look at Loki. "Brother, that's your cue," he hissed.

"Yes, alright," Loki grumbled with a roll of his eyes, grabbing hold of Thor in a headlock. Thor turned back to you, completely unphased.

"This seems to be a rather common way that you mortals try to attack each other," he explained. "Now - obviously you do not possess our godly strength, so I shall demonstrate how a mortal could escape such a hold."

Thor ducked down low, stepping outward toward where Loki's hand rested on his shoulder. The motion loosened Loki's grasp, which left an opening for Thor to twist and shove his brother in the side, knocking him off. With a big grin, Thor nodded at you.

"See? It's simple! Come here and give it a try."

"What?" You laughed nervously, eyeing the god who was easily twice your size. "I don't think-"

"I promise I won't hurt you!"

Thor's smile was so warm, his eyes shining with hopeful excitement. You couldn't help but smile and nod, stepping up to Thor and turning your back to him.

"Alright... I'll give it a try."

"Ready?" he asked. You nodded, then stiffened as you felt his strong arm wrap around your neck and shoulders from behind. As promised, he didn't squeeze nearly tight enough to hurt you - only enough to demonstrate so you could attempt to escape. You followed his directions, ducking out of his hold and shoving him off. The shove barely moved him, but it did at least provide you momentum to stumble away from your imaginary assailant.

"Wonderful!" Thor praised proudly. An involuntary grin spread across your face. You hadn't expected to succeed on the first try.

"You sure you weren't going easy on me?" you asked skeptically.

"I was merely simulating the strength of a mortal," he chuckled. You folded your arms across your chest, still unconvinced. "You don't believe me?"

"If I may - might I demonstrate the next one?" Loki stepped in suddenly, looking at Thor. "You may be soft, but rest assured, I do not go easy on anyone."

"Er..." You took a nervous step backward, knowing he was telling the truth. Thor was a big softie at heart, but Loki was nothing of the sort. If he said he wasn't going to play down his strength, you were certain he'd come at you with the full force of a god. You weren't sure you were ready for that. You opened your mouth to say so, but Thor cut you off.

"Excellent idea, Loki! Let us show the move first, then our dear friend can give it a go!"

Loki turned to face you, a smirk spreading across his face as he took in your anxious expression. "Alright. Thor is going to grab me from behind, and I shall show you how to escape."

"No magic," you warned. Loki glared.

"You doubt my ability to slip out of my brother's grasp without use of magic?" With a nod, he motioned for Thor to attack. Thor wrapped his arms tightly around Loki's midsection, pinning his arms to his sides. "Now, as you know, a mortal such as yourself is unlikely to be capable of exerting enough force to actually cause pain to a god, so you must find another way out."

"And how exactly do you suggest I accomplish that?" you demanded, feeling a bit salty about his implication that you were weak.

"You change the momentum."

He stepped backward, throwing Thor off balance, then ducked down lower to center his gravity more firmly as he shifted to plant his foot around and behind his larger brother. You gazed at him curiously, trying to understand what his plan was.

"The knees are a weak point for most mortals," he stated, then shoved his own knee into the back of Thor's. His grip resultantly loosened, allowing Loki to duck out of his hold as he toppled over backward. He returned his gaze to you, his smirk broadening as you shrunk back a bit. "Come, now. You try."

"I... uh..."

"Fear not, friend! I shall be here to rescue you if necessary!" Thor reassured, stepping a few paces back to watch. With a sigh, you reluctantly turned around and braced yourself for Loki's attack.

For a moment, nothing happened. Just as you decided you were going to turn around to see what he was up to, his arms were wrapped tightly around you, squeezing your own arms to your sides. You squeaked in surprise, earning a laugh from the mischievous god.

"Go on - try to escape."

Completely forgetting everything he'd shown you only moments ago, you twisted your torso a few times to try to break his hold. Loki responded by tightening his grip, barely budging as you fought against him. You let out a huff of frustration, pausing in your struggle.

"Loki, this is impossible!"

"You're not even trying! Have you already forgotten the steps?" he chastised, his tone teasing. "Perhaps it's your memory we need to work on?"

Growling, you stepped backward as he'd shown you, throwing off his center of balance in the process. With significant difficulty, given the continued vice grip he had you held in, you managed to position your foot around behind him so your hip was behind his as he'd shown you to do.

"Excellent! Now take him down!" Thor cheered. Encouraged, you slammed your knee into Loki's, feeling his leg buckle beneath him. You barely managed to keep yourself upright as he nearly jerked you down with him while he fell, stumbling backward free of his hold.

"I did it!" you exclaimed in shock. Thor approached and clapped you congratulatorily on the shoulder as Loki picked himself up off the floor. Even he had a pleased expression on his face, offering you a nod of approval.

"Perhaps we are going too easy on them," Loki wondered aloud, glancing at his brother with an impish smirk forming.

"Ah, perhaps you're right," he concurred, shooting his younger brother a wink that only served to make you nervous. "Why don't you skip the demonstration and try the next one? Perhaps our friend can figure out their own way to escape?"

"What- no way! How is that fair??" you cried indignantly, stepping away from Loki with a nervous laugh as he began to advance on you.

"What's the matter? Don't believe yourself up for the challenge?" he sang teasingly. Before you could tell him that no, you didn't believe you could magically figure out how to escape the grasp of an almighty god without some instruction, Loki had lunged at you and tackled you to the floor onto your back.

"LOKI!" you shrieked in surprise, immediately going into fight or flight mode as he planted his weight on your hips and began grabbing for your wrists. Despite yourself, you couldn't help but laugh at the silliness of this situation as he caught your left wrist in his hand. You jerked your right arm away just in time, causing his hand to instead close around your side. An embarrassingly high-pitched squeak burst out of your mouth as you jolted at his touch, the distraction of it giving him the chance to grab hold of your other wrist.

"Thor - I believe I've discovered some additional incentive for our dear friend to figure their own way out," Loki called to his brother, releasing your left wrist to free his hand to knead at your side. You spluttered then giggled, your stomach flipping as you watched a smirk spread across Loki's face.

"L-Lohoki!! Cut it ohout!" you demanded through your giggles.

"You'll have to find a way to escape," he countered, continuing to tickle your side. "Here - I'll even allow you free use of both your arms." His hand left your other wrist in search of another weak spot, digging into your lower ribs on your other side. You were full-on laughing now, hands hooking around his wrists and shoving hopelessly at his tickling hands.

"Thihis isn't FAHAHAIR!" you screeched, kicking your heels against the mat beneath you in desperation as his fingers moved away from your side and skittered across your belly.

"Brother, I have to agree with our dear friend, here. This does seem rather unfair," Thor scolded half-heartedly.

"Ohh, you two are no fun," Loki groaned, ceasing his tickle attack and shifting his weight off of you to allow you to sit up. You pulled your knees up to your chest protectively, scowling at the fond grins on their faces.

"No tickling during practice!" you ordered. "I can barely muster the strength to get out of your holds anyway."

"So... you're saying after practice, then?" Thor teased. You groaned, picking yourself up off the floor without providing an answer. Truth be told, you didn't mind being tickled. It was a rare occurrence, never having been subjected to the standard tickle attacks from your siblings growing up given they preferred to ignore you. It was kind of... freeing, being able to bond with someone you trusted that way.

The Asgardian brothers obliged your request, reserving the remainder of your training time to actually teach you more self-defense. No one had ever bothered to take the time to teach you things like this. It was nice, knowing they cared enough about your well being to show you how to protect yourself.

Despite having threatened to attack you with tickles after their little lesson, neither brother so much as mentioned it when you'd finally called it quits for the day. You weren't sure if you should be relieved or disappointed as you headed back to your apartment for the evening.

Little did you know, the moment you left, Thor and Loki began to hash out a plan.

"You know, brother - I'd read about something like this in my research regarding Midgardian sibling relationships," Thor informed, pulling up some of the saved web pages on his phone. "Apparently it is common with Midgardians that the older sibling will subject the younger to relentless tickle torture during their childhood years."

"Hmm. Older brothers tormenting younger brothers. Sounds rather familiar, don't you think?" Loki quipped. Thor laughed heartily.

"Oh, dear brother - don't act as if you never played any tricks on me when we were children! Not to mention, you frequently had me in trouble with mother for things I was not responsible for."

"Ah, yes, I do seem to recall a vague memory of that," Loki hummed with a smirk.

"I suspect our friend has little experience with playful torment from their older brothers. They were only cruel to them."

"Are you suggesting we help supplement this gap in their life experiences?"

"You suddenly seem very interested, brother."

Loki chuckled. "Of course I'm interested. You're telling me I have free reign to cause mischief. What's not to be interested in about that?"

"I thought you might like the idea." Thor grinned. "Shall we make it a game, then? As I understand it, Midgardian siblings are often just as competitive as we're familiar with on Asgard."

A sly smirk overtook Loki's features. "What do you suggest?"

* * *

It was rare for you to have to go work in the lab on a Saturday, but there was a time-sensitive experiment you were working on. If you didn't observe and record the results today, it would be far too late by the time you returned to work on Monday.

So, you found yourself seated alone in Bruce's lab bright and early the morning following your training session with the Asgardian brothers. Not normally a morning person, you clung to your travel coffee mug as though it was a lifeline as you removed the growth plates from the incubator and set them out across the lab bench. Your lab coat was somewhat disheveled, and you knew Bruce would have cringed at the wrinkles in the white fabric, but you couldn't care less at the moment. You pulled your notebook out and got to work jotting down your observations, taking a sip of coffee every once in a while as your eyelids began to droop.

Without an ounce of warning, two hands suddenly latched onto your sides through your lab coat and squeezed rapidly into the soft skin. You nearly knocked your stool over with your surprised jolt, letting out a shriek as you whipped your head around to identify your assailant.

"Loki!! What the he- HEHEY!" Scolding morphed into giggles as his fingers sprang back into action, kneading their way up your sides to your ribcage. "I-hi was WOHORKING!"

"You appeared to be falling asleep, actually," he responded casually, "I'm simply helping you wake up."

"O-HOKAY, OKAHAY I'M AWAHAKE!!" you squealed, leaning backward into his chest involuntarily as his fingers reached the middle of your ribcage. After a couple more exceedingly ticklish squeezes, he relented, waiting until he was certain you wouldn't fall backward off your stool before stepping away.

"Now then - you should get back to work. You wouldn't want Banner to think you're slacking off, now, would you?" he teased. Your mouth dropped open indignantly, though you had to fight back a grin.

"Excuse me, I was working until you decided to come in here!" You waved your hand dismissively at the trickster. "Now, shoo! I'll see you later this afternoon."

"Yes, yes, alright, I'm going..." With a grin and a shake of his head, he turned and exited the lab, leaving you alone once again. You were certainly more awake after that. More strikingly, you couldn't wipe the grin off your face as you finished writing up your observations.

As promised, when you finished recording your data, you changed out of your work clothes and headed up to the Avengers suite to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon with your friends. This sort of thing was commonplace for you on the weekend - you loved spending your free time with the superhuman neighbors upstairs.

You headed to the common room, knowing you'd find at least a few of them hanging out there. Peter was typically playing one of his video games, and he often roped in some of the others to play a multiplayer round here and there. Watching Steve and Bucky fumble with the game controllers was rather amusing. So, you were excited to find the two super soldiers seated with the young hero as he attempted to teach them how to play one of his first-person shooter games.

"Hey! Want to join in next round?" Peter asked brightly as you took a seat on the empty sofa by the television.

"Nah. It's much more entertaining watching these two," you responded, gesturing to Steve and Bucky, who were both sitting unnecessarily on the edges of their seats as they squinted at the screen, intermittently glancing down and pounding buttons on their controllers.

"Shh - I'm concentrating!" Steve hushed.

"Is that what you're doing? I thought you were trying to break the 'A' button."

"Oh, shut up," he shot back. An involuntary grin tugged at the corner of his mouth despite his dismissive words. You stretched your legs across the couch cushions in front of you, turning to get a better view of the screen as Peter's character shot Bucky's from behind.

"Damn you!" he cursed, glowering at the teen as he waited for his character to respawn. Meanwhile, Steve's character was wandering around the edge of the map, seemingly lost as he tried to find his way back to the rest of the action.

"Steve - turn left," you instructed. He turned as instructed, nearly turning completely around before heading in the opposite direction. "No, now right... Ok, less right... oh my god Steve, you- eep!"

A fluttering of fingers against your socked feet made you squeak mid-sentence, instinctively moving to jerk your feet closer to yourself. Two large hands caught hold of your ankles and pulled your legs straight, your assailant planting his weight down on your shins and continuing tickle your trapped feet.

"THOHOR!!" you cried, bursting into airy giggles. "Whahat did I doho??"

"Nothing, my friend! You just seemed to need a laugh," Thor declared, scratching his fingers at the sensitive spot above your heels that made you jolt. "Not to mention, I was rather bored!"

"Soho you d-eehee-decide to tickle mehe??" You sat up and reached helplessly for his tickling fingers, unable to reach or even see his hands where your feet were trapped right beside the God of Thunder's leg.

"Why not?" he asked casually, worming his fingers into the fabric of your sock under your toes. You threw your head back and laughed, tugging desperately at your legs.

"O-ho my GOHOD Thor!! Thihis isn't FAHAIR!"

"No, keep going, Thor - they deserve it for making fun of us," Bucky insisted, watching in amusement.

"If you insist, Barnes." Thor slid a hand beneath your knee and scratched at the taut skin, using his other hand to scribble up the length of your soles.

"Ahah-yohou're KIHILLING MEHE!" you screeched, holding your stomach as your abdominal muscles grew sore from the belly laughter his fingers were drawing out of you. He ceased his attack, lifting his weight off your shins long enough for you to pull your legs up to your chest protectively.

"Your face is quite red," Thor observed teasingly. "Perhaps we should open a window, you must be overheating."

"Yohou're a jerk," you grumbled jestingly, squeaking as Thor threw in one last poke to your side. He laughed boisterously, rising to his feet.

"Would you like something to eat? I'll bring you a snack." Without waiting for your response, he disappeared on his journey to the kitchen, leaving you more than a little confused as to what in the hell had gotten into these two today. Deep down, you honestly didn't mind the playfulness Thor and Loki were exhibiting, but it was so out of character for the two of them to be this physically affectionate towards you. Particularly with Loki.

Rather than remaining in your seat to endure the inevitable teasing that was to come from Steve and Bucky, (who hadn't known you were ticklish until Thor so kindly demonstrated for them), you stood and followed Thor toward the kitchen. Perhaps you could learn something if you made conversation with him.

You didn't quite make it to the kitchen, however. The moment you stepped into the hallway, someone threw their arms around your waist and pulled you into their chest, digging their fingers into your sides. More desperate laughter burst from your chest, your knees buckling beneath you as the effort weakened your muscles. It didn't take long for you to figure out it was Loki who had attacked this time.

"Come, now - you learned this one yesterday," he scolded playfully, toggling his thumbs into your belly. "Let's see you get out of it, hmm?"

You made a feeble attempt at executing the escape move, taking a shaky step backward, only to feel your legs give completely as Loki's hand dropped to dig his thumb into your hip. He followed you to the floor, tickling you to pieces while you tried to formulate a coherent sentence.

"Alright, brother - you win this round," Thor's voice suddenly sounded from above your heads. Loki immediately released you, and you collapsed forward onto your hands and knees as the last of the giggles bubbled out of your throat.

"W... wihin whahat round?" you demanded.

"Oh, didn't he tell you? We're having a competition to see who can make you laugh the hardest," Thor explained lackadaisically. Your eyes widened in surprise.

"You're whahat??"

"Yes, currently I'm in the lead," Loki boasted.

"Perhaps you could help me out and tell me your worst spot?" Thor suggested teasingly.

"Oh, I don't think so," you shot back, failing to suppress a grin as you picked yourself up off the floor. "Now, where was that snack you promised me?"

"Ah, yes-" Thor held out a plate of Oreo cookies. "I understand these are your favorites?"

"Y-yeah... how did you know?" you asked, startled.

"You informed me once, shortly after we met, actually," Thor explained. "You also informed me there is only one appropriate method to eating these cookies - however, Barton has shown me another method, and I believe you were mistaken."

"No way!" you argued, snatching up one of the cookies off the plate. "You have to separate the cookies from the cream part. It's the only way to eat them."

"Ah, but Barton says it's only an Oreo if you eat the cookies and the cream simultaneously," Thor argued, scooping one up and shoving it in his mouth. "Pluff, thiff way iff muff faffter."

"Brother, stop spraying your cookie crumbs everywhere and allow me to show you the real proper method to eating one of these exceedingly sugary mortal confections," Loki interrupted, taking a cookie for himself and conjuring a glass of milk out of nowhere in his hand. He dunked his cookie in the milk before taking a bite, gazing at the two of you with his brows raised expectantly as though awaiting your admission that he was right.

"Alright, that's it. We're ending this argument." You swiped another cookie, pivoting on your heel and re-entering the common room as you called to the gaming guys to provide their input. As it turned out, the three of them agreed with you. You made sure to flaunt that fact to the two brothers while you munched on the rest of the cookies Thor had brought for you.

Now that you were aware of their little competition, you were on edge whenever one of the brothers wasn't within your field of vision for more than a moment. And with good reason. Thor jumped you in the hallway when you'd exited the bathroom, wriggling his fingers into your belly. Not to be outdone, Loki found you napping on the sofa later that evening before dinner, pinning your legs to the couch before you could wake up and ruthlessly squeezing the muscles above your knees until tears of mirth started forming in the corners of your eyes. Neither was willing to admit defeat, and so you had to remain on your guard, ready to flee on a moment's notice.

Not that you made it very far before they caught you. They were gods, after all.

And yet, you couldn't remember the last time you'd had this much fun. It was silly, childish, and borderline ridiculous, but you hadn't laughed so much in your entire adult life. But the question was still burning in the back of your mind - what had prompted these two otherworldly gods to suddenly play this little game with you?

You decided, finally, you had to know the answer.

After dinner, you offered to do the dishes, waving off the assistance of the others despite their insistence on helping you. The kitchen finally fell silent as the team dispersed to their various evening activities. Dinners with the team could get rather loud, so the silence was welcome as you turned on the faucet and started washing the silverware.

The moment you finished rinsing the last fork and reached for a plate to wash, ten fingers dug into each of your sides simultaneously, eliciting a startled yelp. You dropped the sponge into the sink and stumbled backward, giggling hysterically as you broke free of Thor and Loki's tickling fingers.

"You guys!! Whahat the hell has gotten into you??" you demanded, a ticklish grin still plastered to your face.

"We've already informed you of our competition," Thor responded in confusion. You shook your head, planting your hands on your hips sternly.

"Noho, not that! I mean in general! You two have been hanging around me all the time, wanting to play games and have movie nights, teaching me defense moves, teasing me constantly... I'm not saying I mind, but... what gives??"

Thor and Loki glanced at one another uncertainly, only serving to further your confusion and desperation to have an answer. Clearly there was something they knew about that you didn't.

"Thor - why don't you just tell them already?" Loki hissed. "They've obviously determined something is going on."

"I don't want to ruin it!" Thor whispered loudly, shooting Loki a look intended to silence him. He opened his mouth to reply, but you interrupted.

"Ruin what? Thor, tell me the truth. What's going on?"

Thor sighed defeatedly, hanging his head. He glanced up at you sheepishly with his chin tilted downward still. "I overheard your conversation a couple of months ago. When you were talking to Wanda and Natasha."

"About what?" You wracked your brain, trying to recall what you'd even chatted with the girls about recently.

"About your plight with your cruel older brothers," he elaborated. "And how you wished you had a true sibling relationship."

Oh. Now you remembered.

"We thought that, perhaps, we could become your honorary brothers... to help fill that void in your life," Thor continued, wringing his hands nervously. "I-I've been researching what is required to be a good Midgardian brother. I thought it might be helpful."

It all made so much sense now.

The sudden interest in your life. The offering of support. The suggestion for a cheer-up movie night. The popcorn fight. Annoyingly hovering over your shoulder while you were working. Clinging to you when you were there to visit Nat and Wanda. The playful teasing. The insistence on mentoring you. The tickle fights.

These were all things you'd missed out on as a kid because you didn't have that brother or sister figure in your life. And when Thor and Loki found out, they took it upon themselves to take on the role of your big brothers.

Hot tears filled your eyes and blurred your vision as you stared wordlessly at the two of them. Thor grimaced when he noticed the poignant emotion clouding your face, and Loki turned to begin scolding his brother. You cut him off, stepping forward and wrapping your arms around both of them.

"Thank you," you sniffed, tears streaming down your cheeks. "I c-can't tell you what th-this means to me."

Thor returned your embrace first, wrapping his massive arm around your back. Hesitantly, Loki followed suit, relaxing into your embrace after a few moments.

"Does this mean we did a good job of it, then?" Thor asked hopefully. You laughed, releasing the brothers and stepping back a bit, wiping the happy tears off your cheeks with the back of your hand.

"Yes, Thor. You two are wonderful big brothers."

Even Loki cracked a small smile at that, though it was nothing compared to Thor's vibrant grin at the knowledge that he'd succeeded in his mission to become a brother to you.

The three of you finished up with cleaning the dishes together, retiring to the empty common room once you'd finished. You plunked yourself down between the brothers on the sofa, wrapping one arm around each of them despite Loki's protesting.

"Since I'm the youngest sibling, does that mean I get to pick the movie?" you teased.

"What?! You chose the film last time!" Thor griped, snatching the remote off the coffee table. You retracted your arms from around the pair of them, lunging for the remote and just missing it as Thor held it out of your reach.

"You know, brother..." Loki began, his tone laden with mischief, "... what sort of older brothers would we be if we didn't punish them for trying to exploit their youngest sibling status?"

"Ah, you're quite right, Loki," Thor concurred, placing the remote back down on the table before turning to face you more fully. "Not to mention, we've yet to determine a winner to our competition."

"Oho no, no I don't think so," you stammered, moving to stand and put distance between yourself and the two of them. Thor and Loki each caught hold of one of your wrists, dragging you back down into your seat. "Wait, wahait! How is it fair for the two of you to gang up on me??"

"As I understand, it is rather common for the older Midgardian siblings to gang up on the youngest," Thor countered.

"Perhaps if you tell us your weak spot, we'll go easy on you," Loki added with a fiendish smirk. Eyes wide, you shook your head wildly.

"N-no, not gonna happen."

The brothers leaned forward slightly so they could lock eyes, nodding at one another before each digging their free hand into your exposed sides. An explosion of laughter tore from your chest as you tugged helplessly at your arms to protect your sides. They held fast to your wrists, Loki finding your hip and scratching at the soft spot by your hipbone while Thor's hand ascended your ribcage, digging into the spaces along the way.

"Brother, it will be rather difficult to determine a winner this way," Loki stated casually. "How are we to know which of us is causing them to laugh?"

"A fair point, brother," Thor concurred. "I am the eldest, therefore I should get to go first."

"I suppose I'll allow it."

"Well I dohon't allow ihit!!" you argued, whining as Thor passed your wrist to Loki so he could hold them both. With a bit of manipulation, Loki pinned your wrists against your back and spun you to face Thor, who was gazing at you almost as mischievously as his younger brother would. "Noho! Thor! Dohon't you dare!!"

"But I must! We must determine a winner!" Thor insisted, wasting no more time in clawing into your belly with both hands. With a shriek, you dissolved into belly laughter, twisting your torso and tugging hopelessly at your trapped wrists. His hands were large enough to scratch at the entire length of your belly without having to shift all that much, unfortunately allowing him to slowly pick up on the fact that you jolted each time his fingers neared the front of your ribcage.

"Might this be a weak spot?" Thor asked teasingly, shifting his focus to scratch at your lower ribs. You screeched, nodded, and laughed harder, legs curling up toward your chest to block as much of your ticklish torso as possible. Thor had already broken past your defenses, and so you only managed to succeed in trapping his hands against your ribcage with your knees. He smirked as he began to vibrate his fingers into the spot, laughing heartily when your own laughter pitched up an octave in response.

"Alright, brother, you've had your fun. I believe it's my turn," Loki demanded. Thor relented, allowing you a moment to breathe now that your laughter was no longer consuming all your oxygen. All too soon, Loki had passed your wrists to Thor, who spun you around to face his younger brother.

"Lohohoki!! Have mercy!" you pleaded, flashing a puppy-dog pouting face at the mischievous god. He chuckled darkly.

"You should have asked Thor for mercy - you should know by now that's not in my vocabulary."

You whimpered, interlaced with anticipatory giggles as Loki plotted out his plan of attack. Averting your gaze, you tried not to let the nervousness display on your face as his eyes skimmed over your potential weak spots. Despite the fact that you'd nodded when Thor asked if he'd found it, it wasn't the entire truth. Your ribs were a weak spot. They weren't the weak spot. Though it had been a while, you knew exactly where it was.

"Thor..." Loki spoke suddenly, "... might you hold their arms up?"

Oh no.

"Pshh. Y-you're not gonna win that way," you scoffed, trying to throw him off. His mouth curled up into a smirk.

"I'll take my chances."

With a nod to Thor, the elder brother dragged your wrists up over your head, and you immediately began to protest frantically. He ignored your pleas, and you winced when the cooler air of the room chilled the skin under your arms through your thin cotton shirt. Loki hadn't even touched you yet and you were giggling hysterically, twisting and tugging at your wrists to no avail.

"I'll admit, brother - I think you may have beaten me on this one," Thor lamented.

"There's only one way to find out."

The second Loki's fingers descended on the soft skin under your arms, you were a laughing, blubbering mess. It was definitely much worse than you remembered - every flick of his fingertips against the spot sending a fresh wave of ticklish sparks through your nervous system. Loki found it rather amusing, removing all but one finger on each side and finding you were still in hysterics even with the gentlest scratching. Your laughter became breathy, then silent, and Loki finally let up on his torment, motioning for Thor to release your wrists.

"Alright, brother. I'll give you this one," Thor conceded.

"Thank you for admitting defeat honorably, brother."

"Y-yohou guys ahare the worst," you groaned, your chest still heaving with the exertion of your laughter. Thor wrapped an arm around you in a tight one-armed hug.

"I suppose we should allow you to select the film after tormenting you so," Thor offered with a grin.

"Thank you," you huffed indignantly, swiping the remote off the table and moving to a new seat in one of the armchairs. "I'm not sitting with you guys either."

"You think that will keep you safe from our torment?" Loki chuckled.

"I demand little sibling immunity for the rest of the evening," you retorted. Loki rolled his eyes.

"You know, there was a time when you got to reap the rewards of being the youngest," Thor teased, nudging his brother.

"Ah, yes. I quite enjoyed being defeated in wrestling matches every time," Loki shot back sarcastically.

"Hey! You know you got special treatment from mother because you were the youngest!" Thor countered.

"Wait - now I'm curious. You guys have to tell me everything," you demanded, leaning forward with your elbows propped on your knees in anticipation.

As the brothers began to tell you tales of their childhood on Asgard, you thought wistfully of the childhood you could have had. Your brothers may have been bound to you by blood, but there was nothing else that made you feel tied to them in any way. And yet, here before you sat two brothers - gods from another realm entirely - and already, you felt more of a bond with them than you ever had with your biological brothers.

This was your family.

And though you were not bound by blood, there was something much stronger that had formed between you.

#loki x reader #thor x reader #loki x gender neutral reader #thor x gender neutral reader #marvel tickle #tickle fic #tickle fluff #ticklish!reader #platonic loki and thor x reader #honorary siblings #marvel fluff

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lumosinlove · 3 years

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Vaincre

It’s here!! Thank you all for the support of this universe, it truly means so very much to me. Every time I get a comment, or get to read the fan fiction you all write, see the art you create...it just fills me with so much joy. I’m so excited to share the Sweater Weather sequel with you, Vaincre! Go Lions!

cw: brief mention of past injury and past abuse

part i: July

I’ve been holding my breath

I’ve been counting to ten

The media wasn’t kind. There were network shows and blogs. Magazines and papers and podcasts. Not to mention Twitter.

Remus had heard his name on all of them, even if he wasn’t listening. It was part of Alice’s job to make sure he knew what was being said about him. It was his job to tune most of it out. Some outrage. Some elation. Some confusion.

This is my question, one podcast asked. I mean, I’m happy for Black. Lupin, too. I’m happy for the hockey world to have this happen, it’s about time, I mean, tune it, come on, and all that.

I’m confused about the, you know, ‘let’s put the PT on the roster.’ I’ve seen college clips, like, those have been released, we know that he got injured, we know all that. He’s fast, we know that, too. But a lot of guys are fast.

Just…what a move by Coach Weasley. A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

Remus had always loved to run. It cleared his head. It had been one of the forms of exercise he had been able to do first once his shoulder had healed, before weights or any sort of strength training. His therapists had recommended it. Endorphins, they had said.

But Remus liked it because it was the closest he had been able to get to gliding on the ice, even when he still couldn’t stand to even look at a rink.

A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

Remus was used to not knowing. He was beginning to think he thrived on it. Would he play hockey again? Would he ever find love? Would Sirius want him?

Was this really happening?

He didn’t think of dreams as coming so late, but, then again, why should dreams be put on any sort of time schedule?

Now, he banged out the screen door and onto the rickety, well-loved porch of the lake house that had been passed down through his family for years. His mother and her brothers split it up in the summer, overlapping for a week or so, and there were always little gifts left behind for each family at the trade-off. A bottle of the best maple syrup, or some of the local honey. They were small, but Remus smiled when he saw what his uncle and aunt and cousins had left for him and Sirius after his parents and Julian had given them the month of July with the house to themselves. A little flower arrangement with two hockey sticks, carved out of wood, sticking up in the middle.

Sirius had plucked one from the dirt, twirled it over in his fingers, and smiled.

“Your family will never stop surprising me.”

Green Lake was deep, prime for fishing, and gorgeous. The smell of the water, of the soil and sweet summer air was as good as home to Remus. He breathed it in now as he bent to lace up his sneakers. He could smell the fire pit that they had lit last night, one that he and Julian had roasted thousands of marshmallows over.

“I showed Jules how to roast the perfect marshmallow here,” Remus had said that first July night, leaning back against Sirius’ chest.

Sirius had blew out his burnt-black one. “Like this?”

Remus had scoffed. “No, you heathen.”

Sirius looked good here, surrounded by the woods and rusty cabin, wearing the old fleeces that never seemed to leave this place for when the sun had yet to warm the chilly mornings. Some mornings, they’d make their coffee, tangle their socked feet together on the small couch until the sun began to get high and they’d strip it all off in favor of swimsuits and sunscreen. Other mornings, Remus would rise, pressing a gentle kiss to Sirius’ sleeping face, and take to the dirt road that ran around the lake.

Sirius, just off of the hard won playoffs, needed to rest. Remus needed to train.

A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

They would leave in two days for Pascal’s Cup Day celebration, and then to meet Remus’ parents, his little brother Julian, and Regulus back in Gryffindor for Sirius’ Cup Day. And August training. Remus stretched his hands to his toes and closed his eyes. A strange type of adrenaline filled him whenever he thought about practicing with the team, about the fitness tests that would come first. He’d have to prove himself again and again. He wanted to. But part of him wondered what would happen if he couldn’t.

The screen door squeaked open and shut again, and Remus jumped, looking up to find Sirius, still sleep rumpled, standing there in running shorts.

Remus laughed, reaching up to trace a pillow crease in his cheek. “You’re supposed to be sleeping in while you can.”

Sirius let out a grumbly sort of yawn and gathered his hair, long from the summer and just brushing his chin now, back into a small half-up bun.

“I can’t believe you do this before coffee.”

“Too acidic. Gives you running stitches.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sirius sighed, and threw his arm around Remus’ shoulders as they walked up the steep driveway to the road.

Remus kissed his wrist. “I’ll miss being here with you.”

Sirius smiled. He was tan from the summer, hair dark as ever and his skin sun-kissed.

Remus leaned into his shoulder. “I mean look at you. I like seeing you this relaxed.”

Sirius bit his lip as the rounded a bend, waving at Mrs. Barrow, who was tending to her garden.

“I don’t think I knew I could be this relaxed,” Sirius admitted. “It was always train, train, train, you didn’t get a Cup, try harder.”

Remus was familiar with the notes that appeared in Sirius’ voice now from years of Sirius’ small slips in conversation, even when, to Remus, Sirius had only been they youngest captain in the league, cold and reserved from even more years of his father’s abusive, relentless attitude towards hockey and Sirius’ skills. Even when Remus had only been the team’s physical therapist, closeted, crushing on Sirius, and surprised by the cracks Sirius showed when he had gotten his ankle smashed by Severus Snape, Captain of the Slytherin Snakes—the Gryffindor Lions greatest rivalry. Pain, it had seemed, and fear of never stepping on the ice again, had given Remus his first glimpses into a different Sirius beneath it all, a boy who was filled with much more than just a need to win, but for whom the want of winning only made him love his sport, and his team, more.

“And now that you have a Cup?” Remus asked. “How’re you feeling?”

They came to the road and Sirius balanced on one foot, stretching his thigh. “Now that I have you,” he said. “I’m feeling just fine.”

Remus snorted. “Yeah, the Stanley Cup Champion part has nothing to do with it.”

Sirius laughed, but took Remus’ face between his palms. “If I didn’t have you, and I had only a Cup, all I would be doing right now is thinking about another Cup.”

Remus put a hand on his chest, fingers finding the number twelve pendant that rested there.

“Now, there’s more,” Sirius said simply, and leaned down for a tender kiss. “Like your mother’s peach pie.”

Remus punched him in the arm as Sirius laughed loudly.

“You’ll have to beat me if you want a slice of that!” Remus called as he took off.

Sirius made a wounded noise, but sprinted after him until they were side by side again.

“I don’t think I can leave this beach,” Leo mumbled into the lounging cabana they were spread out beneath, and Logan looked down at him from where he was reading—trying to read—one of the books Finn had given him. He didn’t know how many books Finn had tried to get him to read over the years, but he knew he never made it through more than a few pages without looking up, getting distracted, or having to go back.

“Non?” Logan asked.

Leo shook his head. “The sun. The sea. I’m in heaven.”

“What about hockey?”

“Brr.”

Logan laughed and settled back into the pillows, setting the book aside and rolling towards Leo to feel his sun-warmed back and leaned down to kiss his temple. A private beach definitely had its perks—and so did three hockey salaries.

“We’ll just stay here, then.”

They’d had a good summer. Leo’s Cup Day, Finn’s, his own, all in their hometowns and accompanied by large parades and fanfare. Logan had finally gotten to take Leo home to his sisters and parents for the first time. It had been nice to see Finn around his family again, too, after what felt like eons of avoiding him in that small gap between being at Harvard and then them both making it to the NHL, and to the Lions.

Leo’s sleepy smile up at him melted Logan like ice in the sun.

“Okay, good,” Leo said, then his eyes went behind Logan. “There’s the ghost-on-toast with our drinks.”

Logan snorted and looked up to see Finn—and Finn’s tiny blue swim shorts that he insisted weren’t see-through—walking towards them through the sand from the resort bar with a tray of drinks in his hands.

“Hey, lover-nuts,” Finn said as he set the tray down in the shade. “Got us some snacks, too. That bar tender loves me.”

“You are so pale,” Leo laughed. “I love you, though, please put more sunscreen on.”

“Keep your sandy feet off my towel,” Logan nudged Finn’s foot with his own as he reached for his drink. Finn just smiled and nodded at the book.

“How is it?” Finn asked.

Logan just looked at him.

He laughed and ran a hand through Logan’s salty, damp hair. “I know. I’ll read it to you later. I just thought you might want something for the beach!”

Logan held up his cocktail. “I have something for the beach.”

They settled back under their cabana, the thin, white linen curtains fluttering around them in the three o’clock breeze. Maybe Logan, as he closed his eyes between Leo and Finn, Leo’s hand still on his thigh, Finn’s arm pillowing the back of his neck, never wanted to leave this beach, either.

“Back to Gryffindor tomorrow,” Logan said.

“Group chat says most guys’ll be back this week,” Finn said, squinting at his phone over his sunglasses. “We gotta be back for Dumo’s, and then Cap’s Cup Day. That’ll be nice, man.”

“I like that they’re bringing it to Gryffindor Pride,” Leo said, rolling onto his back. “Should have thought of that. Or, I guess…” Leo trailed off and Logan frowned. They couldn’t do that. Not yet, at least. Leo caught Logan’s expression and rested a reassuring hand on his thigh. “I’m glad we get to go, even if its for them on the surface. That’s real thoughtful of them, you know?”

Logan nodded. It was thoughtful. When Remus and Sirius had brought it up to them, he’d found himself getting a little choked up.

“We want you guys to be able to experience that, too,” Remus had said. “If you want. No matter what you decide to do public-wise in the future.”

Finn clicked his phone off and chucked it to the side. “Hey, don’t take me off island time yet. We’ll order to the room, eat on the deck, hike up and stargaze…”

Finn rattled off the perfect list, tilting towards Logan until their lips met.

“And then we’ll go win another Cup.”

Leo and Logan punched him at the same time.

Thomas sat in the shade with Kasey as they watched Alex try to take on Natalie and Noelle at pool basketball.

“I really think they’re going to accidentally drown him,” Thomas said thoughtfully.

“He probably thinks that, too, and is just too competitive to stop,” Kasey replied.

Thomas laughed, and held out his beer to cheers.

“This is a nice house the O’Haras have, man,” he looked at the sparkling ocean beyond the steps and fence, and at the pool with the grill and lounge chairs. They’d only come up for the weekend, between training and visiting their own families, and before returning to Gryffindor for the season.

“Tell me about it.”

“Cheating!” Alex spluttered from the pool as Natalie put all of her weight on him to dunk him under the water. Alex pointed very seriously to the foot marker on the side tile. “We agreed from that to Thomas’ chair, I was too far away!”

“Too bad!” Noelle shouted as she made another basket.

Thomas didn’t think it was the alcohol that made him feel a little fuzzy at the edges as he looked over her in her swimsuit. She was all curves of tanned muscle, softened the summer around her stomach and arms. Thomas was a goner. But she seemed pretty gone, too, so he guessed it was all right.

“This moment’s always rough,” Kasey said softly from beside him, and when Thomas looked at him questioningly, he gestured vaguely with his beer. “The end of July. One more month, but not really. Alex’ll go back for training, you know? It’s like a trick. I always think, I get three months with these two. But it’s more like two and the first week of August.”

Thomas nodded. “I know. Noelle, too. Her training camp starts on the eight. I’m just…”

Kasey sighed in sympathy.

“At least you have Nat, you know?” Thomas said. “Not that I’m saying you have it easier, I just…”

Kasey shook his head. “I know. Believe me, I’m thankful for that every day. But…when you miss someone, you miss someone.”

Thomas nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, exactly.”

Last season hadn’t been too bad. His relationship with Noelle had been new. They only really knew FaceTime dates, and squeezed in weekend flights that sometimes left them more exhausted than sated. They had been taking it slow. Thomas had been kissed by Noelle—a lot. Enough to make him dizzy with it. Only, then she’d met him at the airport in Quebec, they’d spent a month with her family in France…

And Thomas wasn’t sure he knew how to do just FaceTime anymore. There was a new yearning, knotted just below his heart. He knew what her skin felt like under his hands now, knew what she looked like right when she waked up, even her skincare routine before bed. It would feel like being away from the ice for too long, the knot pulling tight. He thought this year was going to be harder. Maybe he knew it, but if he did, he was pretending it might be easy still.

“T,” Noelle called, floating on her back, dark hair fanned out in the water. “C’mere!”

Thomas smiled, setting his drink down. He would come, whenever she called. Wherever.

Cole Reyes didn’t know if Adele Dumais staring at him the way she was was a good thing, or a bad thing. He was nervous enough without the seemingly disapproval of Pascal Dumais'—the Pascal Dumais of the Gryffindor Lions, oldest player in the league—teenage daughter.

“Don’t you talk?” Marc, one of his sons, asked.

Cole blinked. “Uh. Yeah. Yeah.”

Adele waved her brother off. “They’re always super nervous at first. Remember Sirius?”

Marc scoffed. “I was a baby.”

Cole let out a breath. Now they were casually talking about Sirius Black, who had lived in the very room Cole had been sleeping in for a week now when he was a rookie, too. It was the same with Logan Tremblay. He felt like he needed to keep the room pristine, like he was living in some Hockey Hall of Fame museum that he had not earned the right to be in yet.

“You’re still a baby,” Adele shot back.

“Kids,” came Celeste, Pascal’s wife’s voice from where she was setting the table. “Come on now.”

“Sorry, maman,” Marc said softly.

“Sorry,” Adele sighed more reluctantly.

“Go help your father with the grill, you two,” she said. “Everyone will be arriving soon.”

Katie, Celeste and Pascal’s youngest daughter, perked up from where she was sitting beside Cole, drawing. Not Pascal, Dumo—Cole kept having to remind himself that he could call Pascal by his nickname now, that it was all official, that he was a Gryffindor Lion, too. Katie hadn’t left his side since he arrived a week ago to billet with the Dumais, and he still wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Even the Cup?” she asked.

Celeste laughed. “Oui, ma cherie. Cole? Would you mind going to get the flowers for the table? They’re on the kitchen counter, just inside.”

“Oh, sure, Mrs. Dumais,” Cole nodded, glad for something to do. The thought of the Cup arriving gave him the chills. He’d have to be careful not to touch it. He was scared to even look at it, to be honest. His mom would be laughing at him right about now. He wanted to call her afterwards, tell her everything.

“Call me Celeste, I told you, please,” Celeste smiled. She was lovely, with her dark hair twisted and clipped up and a summer dress as green as her eyes, silky against her olive skin.

Cole flushed, but smiled. “Celeste.”

Cole made his way through the sliding door from the back yard and through the dining room. The kitchen was one of the biggest rooms in the house—and it was a big house. Beautiful copper pans hung shining above the island, along with some herbs that Celeste grew and dried herself. It looked like something out of a magazine to Cole, and it was nice, but it wouldn’t beat his mom’s kitchen in the small apartment they shared in Boston. The small space would fill up to the brim with the smell of spices, or cobbler. The thought sent a pang right to his heart. He missed home, that was for sure. After being away for so long, for so many hockey camps, he’d hoped he would be more used to it by now.

The flowers were right where Celeste had said they would be, and he was reaching for one when the back door that led to the garage dinged open. Cole froze, sure that he was about to run into captain Sirius Black completely unprepared, when a girl stepped through instead. She was dressed in denim shorts and a white tank top, had dark brown skin, and a Gryffindor College hat over her hair, which was plaited back into many small braids.

She smiled when she saw him. No sign of surprised, or of the nervousness Cole felt when he met basically anyone.

“You must be Cole,” she said.

Cole nodded. The girl was gorgeous. Cole was a mess of nerves already. He didn’t need the stare of the teenage daughter of one of his idols, but he especially could not handle a beautiful girl right now.

“Yeah,” Cole said. “No, yeah, um. Yes.”

The girl strode forward, setting her bag down on the counter, along with a water bottle decorated in stickers. He caught a few Lions ones. She offered her hand, which was slender and had two golden rings on it. “I’m Layla. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Cole took it, trying to place her. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I babysit for the Dumais family,” she said in explanation, then waved her hand. “Well, this year, at least. I’m actually—we’re going to be working together.”

Cole blinked. “You mean the Lions?”

She nodded. “I’m in the middle of my undergrad for physical therapy. Dumo’s amazing and he got me an internship under the new PT. You know. I’ll probably get you stick tape or something,” she laughed. “Congrats, by the way.”

Cole tilted his head and she raised an eyebrow.

“On making it to the NHL?”

“Oh,” Cole laughed. “Oh, I, yeah, thanks. You, too—or…yeah.”

Cole was going to stay in his room in the basement and never come out.

“I gotta—Mrs. Du—Celeste wants these flowers outside,” he said, picking the vases up.

“Sure thing,” Layla smiled.

“Layla,” came a shriek, and a moment later Katie Dumais came sprinting into the kitchen and wrapped herself around Layla’s legs and smiled at Cole. “This is my new hockey player.”

Cole couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t have a lot of experience with kids, but Katie sure was cute.

“Yours?” Layla gasped as she smiled at Cole. “He’s all yours, is he?”

Katie nodded. “Like Tremzy and Sirius. His name is Cole, like when Santa Clause doesn’t like you.”

Again, with the casual mentions of Logan Tremblay and Sirius Black.

“Oh, of course,” Layla laughed. “Well, I’m sure Santa Clause has never not liked you, babes. Let’s go let your mom know I’m here, okay? Your new hockey player can come with us, too.”

“He’s yours, too!” Katie insisted. “You’re here all the time, so he’s yours, too, don’t worry.”

“Oh, good,” Layla said. “I was worried.”

When Katie looked at Cole expectedly, Cole managed, “I guess everyone does need a hockey player?”

“Exactly!” Katie squealed, and Cole could only follow them outside, heart pounding.

It was good to be back in Gryffindor. Remus and Sirius had dropped their bags in Sirius’ entryway, said hello to Regulus, showered, and then hopped right back in the car to get to Pascal’s house.

“You two look disgustingly happy,” Regulus said, leaning forward from the back seat.

“We are,” Sirius grinned at him in the review mirror. “I am also happy,” he stroked the leather steering wheel of his Range Rover. “To be back with this baby.”

While Sirius’ hair had grown longer, Regulus had shaved his short. The curls were barely curls at all anymore, but Remus was happy to see that his seemingly ever-present dark circles had receded some.

“Why, thank you, Regulus, you look happy, too,” Remus snorted. “When do you leave for NYU’s orientation?”

“August 23rd,” he said. “Been texting with my housemates, too. They seem cool.”

“Maybe one of you will pull a Finn and fall in love with each other,” Sirius said.

“Twice,” Remus laughed, and Regulus did, too.

“I think I’ve had enough romance drama to last me a life time, thanks,” Regulus smiled. “But, yeah. I’m just…I’m focused on friends right now, I think. Normal, non-hockey creatures like you two. But that’s not to say if something came up…or I guess someone. Who knows.”

Sirius’ smile was softer this time. “Focus on whatever you want, Reg. You deserve it.”

Regulus just grumbled something about hockey gods, and then they were pulling up to the Dumais’. There were silver and white balloons lining the driveway and the fence to the backyard where, as Remus slammed his door, he could already hear laughter. A zing of excitement shot through him.

“I missed this team,” he sighed as Sirius took his hand.

Sirius pressed a kiss to his temple. “Your team.”

“Our team.”

“Jesus Christ,” Regulus said, and gave them a shove forward.

Thomas gave a loud woop when he spotted them coming out to the backyard. Regulus immediately made a B-line towards Leo and the Cubs.

“Yes! The Captain!” Thomas said and pulled Sirius into a hug. “Missed you, man.”

“You, too, T,” Sirius said. “Ready to tear it up?”

“You know it.”

Remus smiled as Thomas hugged him next. “I forgot you two train together before pre-season.”

“You two?” Thomas raised an eyebrow, the small gold hoops in his ears glinting in the sun. Remus noticed he’d shaved three stripes into one side of his head. They were a little wobbly. Maybe Noelle had done it. “You’re not coming with us?”

“You know how this one is about his routines,” Remus said, wrapping an arm around Sirius’ waist. “Wouldn’t want to mess anything up.”

“Please,” Sirius said. “I want you there more than I want a second—”

Remus and Thomas punched him at the same time.

“I know you weren’t just about to say that,” said an accented voice from behind Remus, and they turned to see Pascal standing there. He looked as he always did, smile lines around his eyes, gray streaks at his temples. He wore a white t-shirt and had Katie on his hip. She was definitely getting too big to be carried around like that, but Remus couldn’t see a time when Pascal would ever refuse her. He’d probably carry Adele around like that, too, if she’d let him.

“Dumo,” Sirius smiled, and took the two beers he was holding out, handing one to Remus. He kissed Katie’s forehead. “Good summer?”

“The best,” Pascal laughed, and nodded towards the edge of the yard. “Especially with the promise of seeing that thing again.”

Remus followed his gaze, and his breath caught, just as he knew it would. The Cup stood there, its guards near by with drinks and plates of food in their hands. It sat proudly on a table, surrounded by white tulips—no doubt Celeste’s doing.

“I’m excited to see you two bring it to the parade,” Pascal said. “That will be a wonderful day for everyone.”

Remus glanced at where Logan, Leo, and Finn were standing with Kasey Winter, Gryffindor’s goalie, and his partners Natalie, with her long blonde hair, and Finn’s brother Alex, who played for Tampa Bay.

Sirius’ smile lit up his face. “It will be.”

Remus peered around him. “Is that our rookie?”

Sirius scoffed. “A rookie can’t call a fellow rookie rookie, rookie.”

Remus blinked. “What did you just say?”

“That’s Cole!” Katie said. “I love him.” Then she turned and shouted his name again. He looked up from where he was standing quietly beside Jackson Nadeau, another player, and Remus suppressed a smile at the way his eyes widened when he saw Sirius.

“Oh, here we go,” Sirius mumbled.

“Oh, hush,” Remus said, and sounded far too much like his mother to himself. “You’re going to be throwing hands for him the second someone gets close, and you know it.”

“I don’t know how to tell rookies I’m just a person!” Sirius whispered as Cole began to make his way over. “They act all…”

“Star struck?” Thomas offered.

Sirius just glowered at him.

Cole Reyes did not look as young as he was. Even at 19, he was jacked, and tall, with light brown skin, green eyes, and a stripe shaved into one of his eyebrows. His hair was shaved at the sides, but longer on the top and in tight curls.

Remus glanced somewhat self-consciously down at himself. He could only put on more muscle healthily so fast. He thought he’d been doing well, but looking at Cole…

“Hello,” Cole said hesitantly and Pascal set Katie down and clapped Cole on the shoulder.

“Reyes, meet Sirius. Sirius, meet the boy who is a much better billet than you ever were.”

Sirius snorted, and Cole laughed—nervously.

“Hi, Cole,” Sirius said, and held out his hand. “I know we spoke briefly over the summer, but it’s nice to officially meet you.”

“You, too,” Cole said, smile slight. “Thanks for the call. My mom freaked out. I mean—well, me too, but my mom…” Cole stuttered out, wincing.

“Loves me?” Sirius laughed. “I get that a lot.”

“He’s so humble,” Remus shook his head jokingly. “Hi Cole, I’m Remus. Welcome to the team.”

“You too…?” Cole said hesitantly. “Well, the roster, I guess.”

“Cole,” Katie said, taking his large hand in her small one. “Come meet Tremzy. He’s my best friend.”

Sirius feigned a pout. “What about me?”

Katie smiled sheepishly, throwing herself at Sirius’ legs, “You, too!”

“Always one-uped by Tremblay,” Thomas laughed, shaking his head. “How’s it feel, Cap?”

“Wonderful,” Sirius said dryly and then looked down at Katie, petting her head. “Go on, go show Cole your best friend.”

They watched her lead Cole through the crowd for a moment before Sirius huffed.

“See?” Sirius whispered to Remus. “It’s like he’s scared of me.”

“I’ve never heard you use the phrase spoke briefly in my life. Who are you, Alice?”

“I was trying to be professional!”

Remus laughed. “Why?”

Sirius just rolled his eyes and dragged him over to stack their plates with food.

The party went well into the evening, the sky pink and blue in the setting sun. There were lanterns floating in the pool where Evgeni and Jackson were playing chicken with a delighted Marc and Louis, or sometimes one of Coach Arthur Weasley’s boys, on their shoulders. Logan was sitting with Cole and Finn, cradling a sleepy Katie against his chest, Leo and Regulus laughing with Kasey and Alex.

Remus found Sirius again standing alone in front of the Cup. His hair was falling into his face, the curls gentled by the evening breeze and the Cup’s silver surface reflecting the silver of Sirius’ eyes. Remus went to stand beside him, and neither of them spoke for a moment.

“I’m nervous,” Remus broke the silence.

Sirius nodded. “I know, mon loup.”

Remus sighed, resting his head against Sirius’ arm. “Yeah?”

“Of course,” Sirius switched his drink to his other hand so he could run his fingers through Remus’ hair. “This is…big.”

“It’s what I’ve always wanted,” Remus whispered. It felt dangerous, to say the words aloud. “It’s everything that I lost. Last time.”

Remus could still feel Fenrir Greyback rip at his shoulder, even if it was years ago now, while they were still at college. Being in the NHL meant that Remus would have to play against him again whenever they met Vegas.

Sirius turned towards him, hand on his cheek.

“You will have this,” he said earnestly, and then smile, reaching into his shirt for his necklace, the one Remus had gifted him last Christmas. He brought it to his lips. “Loops.”

Remus smiled at the now familiar sight, touching the pendant when Sirius’ let it drop.

“You know,” Remus said. “You’re everything I’ve always wanted, too.”

Sirius’ smile was one of Remus’ favorites, and he tucked him against his side. Remus followed his gaze to find him looking at Cole again.

“I’m not happy with the way it happened,” Sirius said softly, and Remus knew he was thinking of the pictures that someone had leaked of them kissing. The pictures that had upturned their entire lives. “But I’m glad I get to hold you like this in front of new faces. I wasn’t thinking about trades—I try not to—but getting Reyes, if things had been different, would have meant we were back to square one at parties like these.”

Remus nodded, taking a drink. “And he seemed okay with it. With us.”

“I was thinking we should invite him to train with us. With me, you, and T. Maybe Dumo would join, too. I know he usually goes with Sergei, but Sergei might be with Kuns and Nado, even though they usually like it just them. The Cubs—”

“Okay, Captain, okay,” Remus laughed.

Sirius pressed a hand over his eyes, laughing. “I just don’t like it when they’re nervous around me. Like Leo was. It’s so much better now that we’re friends.”

“You’ll get there with him,” Remus said. “Yeah, invite him to train with us. The more the merrier.”

Secretly, Remus wanted to see how Cole trained. He couldn’t shake the analytical side of him, the physical therapist side. Cole was built for such a young age.

“If I didn’t know better,” Sirius said softly, mouth close to Remus’ ear. “I’d say you were checking him out.”

Remus spluttered. “I’m not! I want to know his routine!”

Sirius cracked up. “This is your superstition, isn’t it? Cracking other player’s codes.”

Remus just shrugged, smiling into his cup.

“Have you cracked my code?” Sirius asked in the low voice he used that made Remus not want to be surrounded by people.

Remus looked up at him. “Maybe. It certainly has nothing to do with a piece of toast at five o’clock.”

“My pre-game toast is very important to me.”

Remus leaned up to press a quick kiss to his lips. “No, you just like honey and cinnamon.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Okay, I’m going to talk to Reyes now.”

“Catch him if he passes out.”

Sirius just glowered over his shoulder as he stalked across the grass. Remus looked around at the back yard, at the team, together again. His team.

451 notes · View notes

babyboibucky · 3 years

Text

Stages - Part 2

Pairing: AU!Bucky x Reader

Word Count: 2,780

Summary: Bucky slowly realizes that he wants to cross the line of friendship with you.

A/N: Well, well, well. I obviously lost control and wrote a long-ass part lmfao

STAGES MASTERLIST || MAIN MASTERLIST

TWO: DENIAL

On the day you landed your first job, Nat decided that a night out must take place in order to celebrate. All your college friends were there: Bucky, Nat, Steve and Sam. All of you hopped from one bar to another, took body shots, played beer pong— basically, it was a crazy, wild night.

Knowing that you didn’t have the best tolerance for alcohol, Bucky kept his eye on you the entire night. He always made sure that you were safe whenever you all went clubbing and that night was no exception. Although he was extra protective of you and this didn’t go unnoticed.

“Someone do a body shot on me!” You screamed and hopped on top of the bar counter, earning cheers from everyone in the club.

“Quick, take a video of this!” Sam nudged Nat who immediately fished her phone out of her pocket.

Bucky restlessly stayed close to you to make sure that you weren’t going to do something stupid. You didn’t need to have alcohol in running in your system to do crazy shit, what more if you were actually shit-faced drunk.

“Put the salt on her tits!” Nat yelled.

Bucky glared at her and then turned to Steve with a shocked expression on his face, “What the actual fuck?”

Steve chuckled and shook his head, “Well, what’s new?”

More cheers erupted from the crowd when you sat on the bar counter and let the bartender dust some salt into your cleavage.

“Any volunteers?” He asked.

“I’ll take the shot.”

Bucky’s ears perked at the voice of a guy, probably around your age. He was tall and lean, he was good-looking to be honest. But Bucky didn’t like his aura. At all. He didn’t like how the guy eyed you from head to toe, how he licked his lips as he squeezed through the crowd to get to you like a predator stalking its prey.

The guy was up to no good, Bucky could tell.

“You ready?” The bartender asked you.

“I was born ready!” You exclaimed at the top of your lungs, eyes lidded as the amount of alcohol you’ve consumed began to take over your senses.

Bucky could feel his blood boil with how the guy was too touchy as he waited for the bartender to give him his shot. The way his hands squeezed your waist, how they slid lower so he could get a feel of your ass. Or how he kept on whispering to your ear, his lips brushing against your cheek as you merely chuckled in your drunken stupor.

The bartender handed the shot glass to the guy and it was at that moment that Bucky knew that he wasn’t going to let the guy have his way with you.

“Hell fucking no.” Bucky said and rushed over to you, snatching the shot glass from the guy and gulping it down in one go.

“No body shots tonight, everybody. Have a great night!” Bucky said as he ushered you away from the perv.

The crowd booed Bucky as he glared at the guy who looked ready to deck him. Thank god for Steve who placed a heavy hand on the guy’s shoulder, squeezing it as a warning.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Steve pointed out.

Bucky pushed you away from the crowd despite your protests, “The fuck is wrong with you?” You slurred.

Bucky deadpanned, “That sleazy fucker was about to swallow your tits.” He said, sitting you down on one of the couches in the club.

You pouted, “I have salt all over my boobs.” You said, looking down at your cleavage before looking up at Bucky through your lashes as he stood in front of you.

Bucky blushed at how fucking innocent you looked, something he never really noticed about you until now. The way your eyes fluttered in an attempt to keep them open, how your cheeks were flushed from the tequila running through your body.

“Well, if you didn’t volunteer to do a fucking body shot then you wouldn’t have that problem.” Bucky scolded you, turning to Steve and grabbing the glass of water he had brought for you to drink.

“Here, drink.” Bucky instructed you, pushing the glass of water into your face.

You shook your head, “Clean it up first.” you told him.

“Clean what?” Bucky asked.

“The salt on my boobs. Clean it.” you said with a pout, finally drinking the glass of water and burping out loud afterwards, making Bucky cringe.

“Fuck no, wipe it off with a tissue. I’m not licking salt off of your chest.” He said.

“You’re no fun, Barnes.” You huffed out. “Imma go...fuck...I wanna throw up.” You hiccupped and stood up, wobbling your way towards the bathroom.

Bucky approached Nat and nagged her to follow you into the bathroom to make sure you were fine.

“You know, you’re acting strange.” Nat observed with a sly grin. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you’re in love with your best friend.” She teased.

“First of all, that’s gross. And second, everyone knows how much of a pain in my ass she is when drunk. I’m preventing said pain in my ass, that’s all.” Bucky defended. “Now go and follow her, make sure she throws up in the toilet and not on the ground.” Bucky said and pushed Nat towards the direction of the bathroom.

“Fuck no, I’m not cleaning up her mess. Why don’t you go instead?” Nat complained before walking away.

Bucky? In love with you?

“Me? In love with her? Gross.” Bucky uttered under his breath, unable to notice that Nat was smirking as she walked away and disappeared into the dance floor.

Bucky snapped out of his trance when he heard Sam’s voice calling for him. He grunted when he looked around and saw that Nat had disappeared. Looking over at Sam who was watching drunken girls squeal as they rushed out of the bathroom, he figured out that you failed to reach the toilet before actually puking.

Running a hand through his hair, Bucky quickly ran to the bathroom and sighed when he saw you kneeling by the entrance, your vomit pooling around your knees.

“Good god.” he huffed and bent over to pick you up, “I fucking knew you wouldn’t make it. C’mere.” he said and brought you over to the sink.

Bucky made sure to hold your hair, keeping it away from your face as you continued to throw up for the next minute.

“You’re disgusting, Christ.” Bucky said as he watched you heave out a couple more times before whining.

“My throat is burning and the world is spinning.” you sang, gripping onto the edge of the sink to steady yourself.

Seeing how fucking drunk you were, Bucky turned on the faucet and began cleaning you up almost drowning you when he continuously splashed water onto your face. He then took out his handkerchief, soaked it in water and began wiping your arms and legs which had remnants of your vomit.

“Bucky.” you slurred as you leaned against the sink while Bucky was bent down, cleaning up your legs.

He hummed in response but didn’t say anything.

“Buckyyy, bonky boo...booboo...” you giggled.

Bucky looked up at you with a confused look on his face, “The fuck are you saying?”

“Are you my boyfriend?” you suddenly asked.

“How many fucking shots did you take?” Bucky asked as he stood up, unable to bite back his amusement at your antics.

“What’s your shirt made of, huh? Boyfriend material? ‘Cause you look like a boyfriend...my boyfriend.” you said and laughed, throwing your head back.

Bucky felt his heart flutter as he gazed at you with a certain glint in his eyes. You looked so carefree with your head thrown back as you laughed. Even with your face all wet from the water and your hair sticking on your forehead, you looked really pretty. Hell, you smelled like vomit and yet Bucky found himself adoring you as you kept giggling and slurring your words.

Nat’s words rang in his head like an alarm, sending his senses into overdrive and panic.

If I didn’t know any better I’d think you’re in love with your best friend.

As if it was all the wake up call that he needed, Bucky’s eyes went wide as he shook his head.

“Fuck no.” he said as he stared at you, neck and ears red at all the weird thoughts crowding his brain.

He began slapping your cheek gently, “You look ugly and you smell like vomit. Definitely not girlfriend material.” he said and it was most likely directed at himself rather than at you.

As if he was reminding himself that you were still the same girl in college who had the ugliest haircut he had ever seen.

“God, I fucking hate these heels.” You complained as you bent down to fix the strap while you gripped Bucky’s arm for support.

“Maybe if you actually listened to me and bought the other pair I showed you, you wouldn’t be whining like a fucking bitch.” Bucky complained as he watched you fiddle with the straps every now and then.

“That pair was hideous!” You told Bucky as you straightened up, your hand still wrapped around his arm.

“Hideous but comfortable. Don’t make me fucking carry you when you finally decide to give up on those damn shoes.” He said, waving over at the waiter passing by to grab some champagne.

Bucky frowned when he saw someone arrive at the reception of your cousin’s wedding. He quickly handed you the glass of champagne, “You’re gonna need this.” He whispered, tipping his head towards your father who just showed up.

You knew that your father will be attending your cousin’s wedding, it was the reason why your mom who was supposedly your plus one, decided not to go. So automatically, you had asked Bucky to accompany you knowing that you’ll be seeing your father again after the divorce, ten years ago.

If only you didn’t love your cousin, you would’ve ditched her wedding for sure.

Your breath hitched when you followed the direction of Bucky’s eyes. True enough, your father was there and he wasn’t alone; someone younger was clutching his arm, smiling sheepishly at your aunts and uncles that your father had approached. You downed the champagne in one go and wished it was enough to loosen up your nerves.

“Can you stop squeezing my arm?” Bucky asked, feeling your fingers clench around his elbow tightly.

Your grip on Bucky tightened even more when your father’s gaze landed on you. The closer he got to where you and Bucky stood, the tighter you held onto Bucky.

“Breathe.” Bucky bent down to whisper to you as he gently removed your hand from his arm so he could place it on the small of your back for support.

“Wow. Hi.” Your father greeted you with a smile. He glanced over at Bucky and tipped his head in acknowledgment.

Bucky offered a tight-lipped smile before focusing his attention on you. You looked pale, not even your make-up managed to give color to your face at that moment.

“How have you been? It’s been...so long.” Your father asked and Bucky could tell that the question was genuine.

But he also knew that you hated your father with a passion and that no matter how sincere he would be, it wouldn’t be enough for you to forgive him. It was as if you spaced out and if Bucky hadn’t gently tapped your back, you wouldn’t have responded.

“I’m good.” You stated, voice small and shaky.

Bucky noticed that your father too didn’t know what to do or say. The both of you just remained still with unspoken questions hanging in the air. The woman beside your father must’ve felt that awkward atmosphere and cleared her throat.

“Hi, I’m Diana. It’s nice to finally meet you.” She chirped and extended a hand.

Bucky watched as your eyes slowly went from Diana’s face down to her hand where two rings sat on her finger, one with a princess-cut diamond and the other, a simple silver band but with tiny diamonds studded around it.

“You’re married?” You asked your father, leaving Diana’s hand hanging in the air awkwardly.

“You actually remarried.” You bitterly chuckled. “For how long?” You asked.

Bucky’s hand on your back was now wrapped around your waist, keeping you steady on your feet.

Your father opened his mouth but nothing came out. It was then that Bucky understood the gravity of the situation. You’d told him about your parents’ divorce, how they slowly started to lose interest in each other and how they ended up fighting daily. All these years you thought that it was a simple falling out, that one day they both woke up knowing that they no longer loved each other.

Diana straightened her posture, “Ten years.” She responded.

All hell broke loose.

A string of hushed curses escaped from your mouth as you angrily addressed your father’s betrayal. You’d been angry at him for giving up on your mom that easily, for not fighting for your custody...for simply disappearing from your life after the divorce.

All this time you��d been angry at him for all the wrong reasons.

He’d been cheating on your mom. It was the reason why he had signed the papers immediately and without any hesitation. You couldn’t understand why your mom hid this from you, why she never told you the real reason why she filed for a divorce.

“I will never ever fucking forgive you.” It was the last thing you said before running out of the venue, your painful heels long forgotten.

Bucky ran after you and grabbed your arm, stopping you in the middle of the hotel lobby. You thought he was going to reprimand you for being rude to your father or that he was going to ask you to go back to the reception and finish the program out of respect. But instead, Bucky bent down and started to unbuckle the straps of your heels.

“If you’re going to dramatically walk out, make sure you won’t fall flat on your fucking face. That shit’s embarrassing as fuck.” Bucky said and carefully removed your heels.

He knew you were holding back your tears and he honestly thought that the dam was going to break. But remained stubborn and managed to suppress your emotions. For some reason, Bucky wanted to pull you into his embrace and tell you that it was okay to cry.

“Go forth and walk out.” Bucky dramatically told you, motioning towards the grand double doors of the hotel.

A smile. Bucky felt proud for making you smile despite the tension a few minutes ago. He watched you chuckle at his gesture and Bucky couldn’t help but laugh along.

“C’mon, let’s go buy some burgers. Food here is shit anyway.” He told you as he began to walk towards the exit.

However, you remained standing behind him with a frown as you stooped down to your feet. Bucky grunted, “Please don’t tell me—“

“My feet hurt.” You told him.

Bucky rolled his eyes but walked back towards you, groaning as he turned on his back and bent down, “Hop on, bitch.”

You quickly jumped on his back and wrapped your arms around his neck, grabbing your heels from Bucky’s hand so he could carry you properly, “And I thought you said you wouldn’t carry me.” You teased.

“Knowing how much of a whiny bitch you are, I’d rather carry your heavy ass than deal with your complaints.”

Bucky bit back the smile that had been tugging at his lips. He could smell your shampoo at how close your face was to him, could feel the smoothness of your legs as he held onto them; how you held onto him.

“Thank you, Bucky.” You told him ever so softly, voice barely above a whisper.

He knew that you weren’t just thanking him for carrying you. You were also grateful for him simply being there when things went to shit with your father. If he wasn’t there, you probably wouldn’t know how to deal with the situation. And you appreciated how he didn’t stop you from your outburst, how he didn’t force you to go back in and apologize for the scene you had caused.

Bucky supported you in all the ways you needed him to support you.

“Anything for you.” Bucky replied, but only in his mind because he wasn’t quite ready to face the truth.

The truth that his heart was beginning to flutter whenever you were around.

Everything Bucky Tag List:

@ddowii @jessou893 @hersilencedscreams @stealapizzamyheart @bagelofthelord @mxnt @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable @jeeperky @ohladymacbeth @wildflowergubler @supraveng @twinerd14

Stages Tag List:

@ambitiousandbitchious @its-yasbxtch

#bbbwrites #stages #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x reader #bucky #bucky x you #bucky x reader #sebastian stan

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lilyflowerforest · 3 years

Text

Leaving

Summary: Sirius leaves 12 Grimmauld Place

Warnings: verbal and physical abuse, description of injury, torture, a bigoted family that ends with the last name Black.

This is my entry to @alpine-loves-bucky 's writing challenge. Thanks for letting me participate, and here you go! Get ready for some heavy angst...

(prompts are in bold.)

It always seemed to end like this- him and his mother on two opposing sides, like two Quidditch teams gunning for the first victory of the season. It was the beginning of the summer holidays, barely a week in, and Sirius was already wishing he was back at Hogwarts. Some family were over- His aunt Druella and Uncle Cygnus, and two of his three cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa- for a supposed calm and collected meal.

But then it went south. As south as it possibly could've.

They were all sat along the long glass table, the patterned mossy green runner hosting multiple silver lit candlesticks. Each of them had a glass of some sort of liquor to the right of their plates, and were engaging in some idle chat whilst waiting for the food.

"So, Regulus," Druella said sweetly, disconnecting her conversation with Narcissa, her eyes now turning to her nephew. "I hear you've made the Slytherin Quidditch team again this year. A very admirable achievement, I must congratulate."

Regulus nodded, his chin up. "Thank you Auntie."

"We've got a very good team this year, I think we have a nice shot at the House Cup." Narcissa added. "I hear this year's Gryffindor Captain is a little lacking." Some pairs of eyes drifted towards Sirius' end of the table. He didn't meet them. Although, Sirius' ears perked up at the mention of James. He had kept quiet the majority of the day to avoid any run-ins with his family, having ignored far too many sly comments so far, but a remark too great to loose was on the tip of his tongue. But no, he mustn't, he mustn't....

"Not as shoddy as some of the company you keep, Narcissa."

Dammit. He took a swig of his drink, his eyes closed in a slight wince.

The comment was barely audible, yet everyone turned to look at him, including a taken-aback Narcissa, her fair eyebrows raised. Regulus had seemed to have found a keen interest with the table, his light eyes fixed upon the glassy surface.

"Excuse me?"

Sirius placed his glass back down calmly. "All I'm saying is that your little group seem to lack some sense, that's all."

"Sirius." Walburga sternly warned, holding her head up with her bony hand in distress. Narcissa laughed incredulously whilst Bellatrix rolled her eyes.

"They're far more sophisticated than your little gang, cousin." She remarked.

Bellatrix tilted her head. "Still hanging about with the blood-traitor and the half-breed, Sirius? Oh how some things never change..."

Sirius clenched his fists. "Don't call them that." He warned, earning a chuckle from Bellatrix. Narcissa smirked and turned to her sister.

"Bella, do you not know about the mudblood?" This made everyone at the table quieten, the single word absorbing all their attention. Bellatrix looked as if she'd been told some incredibly exciting news.

"A mudblood, you say?" Walburga asked, raising her head, and Narcissa nodded.

"Oh yes Auntie Walburga, quite a fiery one too, am I right Sirius?"

Walburga looked down at Sirius. He didn't reply. He kept his gaze on the wall.

"Well?" Walburga's voice dripped with snake venom as she eyed her son.

Bellatrix leaned forward; she was sat opposite him. "What're you so afraid of little Gryffindor? Be brave for us. For your family."

And, when Sirius didn't answer, she picked up her glass and threw it at the wall, specifically the spot Sirius had been staring at. The shatter sound made him involuntarily jump, his head jerking up and meeting his mother's manic eyes.

Sirius glared at his mother, right in her dark stern and steely eyes. "She's just as much of a wizard as you and me. More so, even."

"CRUCIO!" Walburga screamed, standing from her chair and aiming her wand arm at her son, her knuckles white around her wand's handle.

Sirius fell from his chair to the cold marble floor. He hit his head. The pain wasn't new, it was like welcoming back an old friend after their long trip abroad. But that didn't stop the pain from burning just as badly as it had many times before. It wracked his bones into his very core, like all of his nerves had been set alight with the simple mutter of an inscendio spell, or fiendfyre. Sirius' body shook and convulsed with the all too familiar throb of dark magic, yet despite it all...

He began to laugh.

The laugh lacked all humour, it was more daring than anything else. It was hollow. And the loud cackle seemed to haunt the room, echoing and engulfing it. A mocking.

"DON'T YOU DARE LAUGH AT YOUR MOTHER!" It was Orion, red-faced as a tomato. Sirius father. He too was stood up now, and he cast yet another Crucio, aiming directly for his son. "YOU ARE NO LONGER APART OF THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK, YOU SCUM! YOU BLOOD-TRAITOR!" Sirius felt the pain multiply with the words, yet no screams could be heard but Regulus', his sobs begging his parents to stop hurting him. His brother. Narcissa took Regulus into the drawing room, with relentless protest from the sixteen year old, and eventually the two left the dining hall.

Once the Crucio had worn off, and many other horrific spells later, Sirius lay on the floor unable to move his joints without hearing some sort of pop or crack. Bellatrix skipped over and bent down next to him.

"Just so I get this right, does the half-breed prefer a nice bubble bath after a rough full moon, or does he just lick himself clean like the mut he is?" She whispered into his ear with a sickly sweet look of fake innocence.

"Stop... d-don't say t-that." Sirius managed, his voice croaky and hoarse.

Bellatrix pouted. "Oh, should I write it down instead?" She asked, and she withdrew her wand, moving Sirius' sleeve up his left arm. She muttered something under her breath.

Sirius suddenly felt the most unbearable pain he had ever felt, his screams scraping his throat as he bellowed and shouted, and it quickly knocked him unconscious.

When Sirius awoke noticeably hours later, he was in the exact same position he was earlier, the outside world darker, no longer shining its summer sunrays into the room. It was dark, and so were they. As dark as they come. He was alone, and the smell of sweat and blood overpowered his senses. Sirius scurried to his knees, the pain an afterthought as he winced with regret. He could hear the muffled far off voices of his family members in the drawing room and he visibly tensed. He could make out the staircase from the ajar door on the other side of the dining hall, his vision slightly impaired, so he dragged himself with his right arm towards it, his other arm limp, running with crimson- the pain was far too much, becoming a smudged blur to his senses.

He was far more tired than the word exhausted could muster once he had shuffled up the stairs and into his bedroom, and practically fell onto his side as he pushed open his bedroom door.

And there sat Regulus, cross legged on Sirius' bed, his tear-stained face red and blotchy.

"I'm not dead." Sirius announced, attempting to rise to his feet using the silver door handle as support. His knees buckle, and Sirius was on the path of falling back to the floor if Regulus didn't rise from the bed and catch him. Regulus led Sirius to his desk hair and sat him down, taking the medical box he had brought with him and opening it. Regulus began muttering healing spells, and Sirius looked at him, surprised.

"I didn't know you knew this stuff." Sirius remarked.

"Miss Pomfrey taught me, she says I have a talent for it."

"Hm."

Regulus continued his spells, but when he had just about gotten Sirius mobility back again, Sirius stood up and walked to the end of his bed. He grabbed his school trunk and emptied it.

"What are you doing?" Regulus asked, getting up. He knew what he was doing, but he wanted to hear him say it.

Sirius sniffed, wiping a trickle of blood from his nose with the back of his bruised hand. "Leaving." He said bluntly as he placed a few of his things in the trunk. There it is, Regulus thought. Sirius was about to pack a photo frame when Regulus snatched it from him. Sirius turned to look at his brother.

"What?" Sirius asked, irritated.

"Why?" Regulus asked at the same time.

The two boys sighed. Everything they did was in sync. It ached with the past.

"Don't go." Regulus tried.

Sirius laughed, yet the humour was sucked dry. He did that a lot these days. "I'm clearly not welcome, Reg." And the two boys stood in silence. Overwhelmingly loud silence it hurt. Regulus couldn't argue with something so true as that. So frustratingly true. It pained him.

Sirius took the photo frame back, Regulus catching a glimpse of James Potter's smile next to his brother and the Lupin boy, the smile so caringly, so brotherly, and his heart ached once more. Sirius packed it along with a change of clothes, and he changed his polished shoes for his beaten up combats. Then, he shrugged on his leather jacket, the one he had hidden from their parents underneath his bed. Regulus felt as if he was watching through a window of sorts. An outsider on the scene. "Stay." Regulus asked again. The belief in his own words were even faltered.

His brother shook his head, tears threatening to fall. "You know I can't. Not anymore."

He limped to his bedroom door, trunk dragging along the hardwood floor, small scratches from its corner etched on the panels.

Sirius turned around once more. For the last time.

"Tell me what happens, yeah? I don't want to miss out, I've always been a sucker for pureblood drama." He said with a smirk, like he wasn't leaving his home, his family and his brother behind with no secure destination. Regulus wished he could've stayed in that moment a little longer.

But then Sirius was gone, he had left, and had seemed to have taken every last piece of Regulus' broken hope and happiness with him.

1,718 words.

tags:

@alpine-loves-bucky @marauders-lupin @messers-moony-lupin @suckitlikeavampire

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melzula · 4 years

Note

hi ! i don’t know if this counts as a whole prompt, but could i request some iroh ii ? maybe their reunion when kya’s daughter went back with bumi to the fire nation and their whole reunion to wedding story ?

a/n: I just did the reunion part of this because it would be hard to cram the whole timeline into one piece aha but nonetheless enjoy!

*based off of these hc’s

The cool breeze of the ocean air does little to calm your nerves as you fidget with the beads that wrap themselves neatly around your wrist and stare out into the open water. The Fire Nation docks are fast approaching, and you foolishly wonder if everything will be the same as it was when you left it behind all those years ago. You wonder if he is still the same, fearing for a moment that perhaps he has forgotten you after being apart for so long, but you don’t have time to dwell on your anxieties when a firm clap on your shoulder breaks you from your thoughts.

“Why the long face, kiddo?” Your Uncle Bumi grins. “I thought you’d be happier to be back here.”

“I am,” you reassure him, “it’s just I’m a little nervous is all. I haven’t been here in so long...”

“Well I’m sure the royals will be happy to see you,” he says. “You were Lord Zuko’s star student after all, and General Iroh is always asking about you.”

“He is?” You gasp, doing your best to quell the excitement that bubbles up inside of you at the news. You always brushed off your infatuation with the General as a silly childhood crush, but if that were the case then the mere mention of him shouldn’t have made you as cheerful as it did.

“Of course! Why do you think I brought you out here with me? Some good old nostalgia would be perfect for you!”

“Uncle,” you say with a pointed look. Bumi grins sheepishly.

“You could use a friend, y/n. And so could Iroh.”

You don’t get the chance to argue or insist that you’re fine, that you’re perfectly okay with the fact that your best friend is your Gran Gran, as the ship pulls into the docks and Fire Nation guards arrive to escort you to the palace. None of them are familiar to you, most of the men you’d known as a child having retired by now, but they still greet you with the same kindness as always, a perk of being the Avatar’s granddaughter and the Commander’s niece.

“I have to prepare for the meeting,” your uncle says as you reach the front gates and are permitted entry to the palace, “but if you want to head off and look for some old friends or even just explore your old playing grounds go right ahead.”

“Good look with the meeting, Uncle Bumi,” you reply before gifting the man a kiss on the cheek and parting ways with him for now.

You find yourself wandering into the gardens, admiring the blooming fire lilies and enjoying the refreshing breeze that blows cooly against your face as you reminisce on the memories you hold in this very spot. If you look hard enough you can almost see yourself sitting underneath the shade of the tree with Zuko and his grandson studying fire bending scrolls and enjoying cups of tea. Life had been so quiet and simple then, so peaceful. Maybe Bumi was right about needing a friend; you’d never felt lonelier in your entire life than you did now looking upon old childhood memories.

“Y/n?” A voice calls almost hesitantly, void of the confidence he’d always held, and despite the fact that your heart catches in your throat at the sound of his voice you will yourself to turn around and face the man you never stopped thinking about.

You can’t help the way your mouth hangs agape at the sight of him; he’d always been a good looking boy, but over the years Iroh had grown into the handsomest man you’d ever seen. He was beautiful with his strong jaw and shimmering gold irises, and despite how much he’d changed over the years he still held that same boyish grin you’d taken comfort in many times before.

“Iroh,” you finally say, heat crawling up your neck as you smile shyly. He’s rushing towards you in an instant, pulling you into his chest for a tight hug and laughing with pure unadulterated joy.

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he admits with a sheepish grin, hands resting on your shoulders as he pulls away and looks you in the eyes. You don’t know it, but he’s just as taken back by your beauty. He was used to seeing you running around in your pigtails with your wide smile and a few teeth missing; you were absolutely radiant, your features maturing with the time that had passed, but your eyes still held that same twinkle they always did.

“It’s so good to you, old friend,” you say, smiling fondly as you rest a hand upon his cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

“So have I,” he replies, and you don’t miss the way he seems to melt into your touch. “I have a meeting to attend to, but perhaps you’d like to accompany me to dinner tonight? I want to hear about all of your adventures.”

“Dinner sounds lovely.”

“Perfect,” Iroh grins, “I’ll see you then.”

He parts from you then with a kiss on the cheek, leaving you with a dazed smile alone in the gardens as you watch him walk into the palace.

“We’re having dinner,” you murmur quietly to yourself, an excited smile pulling at your lips as you rush towards your assigned quarters to prepare.

~~~

“A date with the General, huh?”

“It’s not a date, Uncle Bumi,” you remind him as you sit before the vanity and slip on your favorite pair of earrings, a pair your mother had bought for you once during your travels, “it’s just dinner.”

“Sounds like a date to me,” he teases with a knowing grin. “You know, I always had a feeling about you two.”

“You said the same thing about Uncle Tenzin and Aunt Lin,” you retort only for Bumi to grimace.

“I never said it was a good feeling.”

“It’s not a big deal,” you shrug nonchalantly. “We’re just two old friends who want to catch up with each other.”

Oh, but it actually is a very big deal for you. You can’t remember the last time anyone has taken you out to dinner or the last time you had actually dressed yourself up for someone else, and frankly you don’t know why you’re so nervous. It’s Iroh, after all, your childhood friend, why should you be nervous?

“Oh, I’ll walk you out!” Your Uncle exclaims excitedly once you put the finishing touches on your ensamble, and before you can even get up from your chair Bumi is yanking you onto your feet and dragging you out of the room towards the front gates where Iroh is presumably waiting for you. “I only wish your mother were here to see this!”

“Uncle,” you groan in quiet embarrassment, “you seem more excited than I am.”

“What? That’s nonsense!” Bumi scoffs. “Can’t I just appreciate the romanticism that comes with seeing old friends?”

“I see you’re a poet much like your father,” a third voice intrudes, a smiling Iroh startling both you and your uncle. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“No, not at all!” Bumi says before you can so much as open your mouth to reply. “In fact I was just leaving. You kids have fun! Oh, and uh, bring her back home safe and sound and all that protective Uncle junk I’m supposed to say.”

“Of course, Commander,” he says with a slight laugh before turning to you. “Are you ready?”

“I am,” you smile, making sure to give your Uncle a chaste kiss to the cheek before taking Iroh’s outstretched and following him out the front gates. Your Uncle watches your retreating forms with a faint smile and a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Phase one of my matchmaking plan is complete.”

~~~

The royal plaza is beautiful at night. Lanterns hang from the skies and bathe the streets in their golden hue. The restaurants and shops are bustling with customers as lovers, families, and friends all spend their evenings out on the town. No one seems to notice your presence— Iroh had insisted that no guards were needed to escort you both— and for that you are grateful.

“Hungry for anything in particular? I know you were especially fond of dumplings when we were children,” Iroh notes with a chuckle.

“I’d love anything spicy. As much as I enjoy sea prunes and seal jerky, nothing in the south really has that same kick to it that Fire Nation food has.”

“I know the perfect place,” Iroh says, and you have to fight against the way your stomach seems to summersault when he takes your hand in his own and weaves you through the streets.

You end up in a quiet little restaurant together where the food is fresh and the hostess is the sweetest little old lady you’ve ever met, though she brings you way more food than you ordered. You’re eager to scarf down the spicy noodles and steaming buns, so eager in fact that you don’t notice the love stricken way in which Iroh watches you practically inhale your food.

“How’s your family?” He asks behind his cup of tea.

“Good. Gran Gran has been training the new Avatar and my mother helps where she can. My Uncle Tenzin and Aunt Pema just had a new baby not too long ago, a son named Meelo.”

“That’s amazing,” Iroh smiles, “congratulations on your new cousin.”

“Thank you. Our family is certainly growing,” you say with a slight laugh. “And how are things with you and your family?”

“I have to admit, I haven’t really been home much to know,” Iroh chuckles. “This visit is also my first time back in a while. Mother is a gracious ruler and the people love her, my sister is still living her quiet life with her husband out on the farm, and my grandfather comes back and forth all the time. Everyone seems to be happy.”

“And are you happy?”

“I like to think so. I’m the youngest General in the United Forces which is a great accomplishment, and I’m having dinner with a friend I thought I’d never see again, so yes, I’m very happy,” he notes with a wink. You can’t help but roll your eyes at his slyness, a small huff blowing past your nose.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” you tease.

“Really, y/n,” Iroh says, all features void of his previous humor as they morph into a more tender nature. He reaches across the table and rests a hand across your own, a faint smile on his lips. “I’ve missed you, and I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too,” you admit with a tiny smile. “It’s been hard without you, friend.”

“Friend,” Iroh repeats with a small sigh, but his smile never falters. He pays for your meal and offers you his arm to guide you back to the palace; you talk about old memories and new ones, your adventures during your time apart, and your excitement to create new ones together. You’ve never been happier, and for the first time in a long time the loneliness that normally gnaws at your spirit is nowhere to be found.

“Can you find your room okay?” Iroh asks as you reach the front doors of the palace.

“I can,” you nod with a smile. “I’m actually staying in the room I had when I was a kid.”

“Go figure,” he laughs softly before gracing you with a sweet smile. “Thank you for accompanying me to dinner tonight. Will I see you tomorrow?”

“You will.”

“Good. I look forward to it,” Iroh says. “Sleep well, y/n.”

“Goodnight, Iroh,” you utter with a small smile, making sure to gift him a kiss on the cheek before disappearing inside. Stunned, the General stands frozen in place with a dazed smile on his face. He hasn’t felt this way about anyone in such a long time, hadn’t felt such genuine excitement and joy, and he had to admit that it somewhat intimidated him. He’d always seen you as the girl he’d grown up with, the one he’d spent his time with stealing desserts from the kitchen and running through the hallways, but now...

“Spirits,” Iroh exclaims with a breathless laugh. “I think I’m in love.”

In the gardens sits the trio of adults who watch the scene unfold before them, knowing looks exchanged among them as they sip their tea and watch Iroh disappear into the palace.

“They make a handsome pair, don’t they?” Zuko notes offhandedly to his daughter. “I give them a month.”

“A month?” Bumi snorts. “No way! Three weeks maybe, but not a month.”

“I have more faith in my son than that,” Izumi says with the shake of her head. “One week.”

“One week?!” The Commander exclaims with a laugh. “Oh, you’re on!”

“Betting over the love life of my grandson and my former student was not how I pictured spending my retirement,” Zuko sighs, but there’s a smile on his face as he considers his grandson courting the granddaughter of his best friend. Life has a funny way of working out sometimes.

And it was going to work out for you and Iroh.

| iroh/atla tags: @nataliahaslosthershit @zukh03s @rainteslerrrr @simpinforsukka |

#iroh ll #general iroh #iroh #general iroh x reader #general iroh imagine #iroh ll x reader #iroh ll imagine #iroh x reader #iroh imagine #kya #kya x daughter!reader #bumi #bumi x reader #the legend of korra #lok #lok x reader #lok imagine #atla #request

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 4 years

Text

In the Neighbourhood

Warnings: nonconsensual sex, very lightly edited

This is dark!Andy Barber and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: After your grandmother breaks her hip, you volunteer to look after her as she recovers but her neighbour is a bit too friendly.

Note: @lokislastlove thinks I won’t call her out anymore but I’m calling her out and you should too. Always blame her.

Thank you. Love you guys!

As always, if you can, please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

Your grandmother’s house never changed. Nestled between two larger homes and with grass as green as the next, it was as perfect as any along the suburban sprawl. Inside, the same framed pictures of your mother and your aunt and uncle, those of you, your siblings, and your cousins, and family members you only saw at reunions. All of them far away. All of them keeping her company only in the still images. None of them coming to care for her; none but you.

You didn’t mind so much. With two degrees under your belt, you were ready to start your novel as you pondered a third. Your online transcription job was easy enough to travel with and you loved your grandmother. The least you could do was help her out in her recovery. A broken hip but otherwise okay. She couldn’t do much from her wheelchair and you feared a worse injury if she tried.

You moved in on a Sunday. The family next door, the Barbers, were the perfect picture of a suburban clan. Andy introduced himself and his wife, Laurie, and their quiet son, Jacob. Then they asked if your grandmother, Lucille, was coming to their barbecue that afternoon and invited you along with her. Your grandmother confirmed that she didn’t want to miss out on Laurie’s potato salad because she’d tripped on a rug.

So you wheeled her over, careful as the grass slowed the chair, and you angled her through the open gate. You seemed to be the last to arrive. The air smelled of searing beef and swirled with the buzz of voices. You stood behind your grandmother’s chair as you looked around nervously and a plump woman with short curly white hair approached.

“Darla!” You grandmother greeted. “You’re back from your little getaway.”

“Arn was keen to come home,” The woman smiled up at you and back to your grandmother. “I heard you had a bit of an incident.”

“Oh, still spry, but the damn doctor has me ‘takin’ it easy’,” You grandma sneered. “I’ll be up at it before long. This is my granddaughter, you remember her, don’t you?”

“I do,” Darla smiled though you barely remembered her. “So sweet of you to come down to look after our Lucille.”

“It’s nothing,” You said. “I owe her. I spent too many holidays on campus.”

“That you did,” Your grandmother chided. “But do go on and socialise, dear. There must be someone here your own age. Or closer to. You can’t be lettin’ yourself get caught up with us old biddies.”

“I’m fine,” You chuckled. “Really.”

“You go. Get something to drink.” You grandmother snapped her fingers. “Mingle!”

You huffed but left her with Darla and another woman, you were certain her name was Betty, passed you on her way to join them. You looked around. The wives were in their clusters and the men drank from brown bottles as they laughed and talked about sports. You didn’t know about children or baseball.

You went to the end of the table, just by the barbecue, a cooler open and waited as a young boy claimed a can of Orange Crush. You reached inside and took out a grape soda. The lid of the barbecue closed and you turned to face its master; Andy smiled as you blinked at him.

“That’s the kid’s cooler,” He said. “There’s a mini fridge in the garage if you want something stronger.”

“I’m good with this,” You cracked the can.

“I thought you were a college girl,” He said as he set down his long spatula.

“Graduated.” You assured him. “Never was big on the scene though.”

“Really?” He lifted a brow. “I kinda miss it.” He stepped around the barbecue, closer to you. “It was a while ago now but it was fun. You know,” He put his hands on his hips as he looked across the yard. “I was in a frat with Carson over there,” He nodded to skinny man holding a bottle of water amid the sea of brown glass. “We got in quite a bit of trouble. Maybe I wrote a few of my exams drunk but didn’t do much harm.”

“Oh yeah?” You said dully. “What do you do now?”

“Law. Assistant district attorney.” He preened. “But don’t worry, I can still have fun.”

He winked and you squinted at him. He was an old man trying to relate to a youth. There was what, ten, fifteen years between you? Wasn’t that much, really, and yet it was.

“Legal fun,” You suggested.

“Well, the immoral isn’t always illegal,” He mused. “So… Miss Graduate, you have a job lined up?”

“I work online for now but I’m writing, too.” You shrugged. “Nothing fancy but it’ll do for the time being. Until my grandma’s better.”

“That’s a nice thing you’re doing,” He said. “You know, not a lot of people I know my age would drop everything to go care for family.”

“Least I can do,” You sipped from the can. “She always did make the best lemon meringue. It has its perks.”

He chuckled and backed up as he grabbed the spatula again and opened the barbecue.

“Offer stands,” He called over the smoke. “Beer’s in the garage.”

“Thanks,” You smiled and slowly walked away. This was like that party you’d spent hiding on the porch; awkward as hell.

🏡

The first two weeks passed swiftly. You woke up, made breakfast for your grandmother, her usual oatmeal and tea, then you spent a few hours working online, then lunch, an hour of writing, a walk through the neighbourhood, some alone time, dinner, and then some nightly crime dramas with your grandmother. Each day was identical to the last and you felt the vaunted slog of suburban life.

It was Saturday. You needed to get out. Your grandmother even encouraged it. A few hours at the bar, drinking, dancing, you returned with a guy, Gabe, you met there, hushing him as you snuck him in the front door.

The house was dark as you climbed the stairs carefully and ushered Gabe into your bedroom. You closed the door and grabbed him as you stumbled to the bed. It was messy, hurried, and desperate. Entirely regrettable as you laid staring out the window at the sky after. You didn’t have time to ask him to leave before he started snoring.

You slept for a few hours and woke as the sun began to rise. You poked the stranger you knew as Gabe until he woke up and you threw his clothes at him before you dressed. You peeked into the hall and waved him out behind you. You led him down the stairs and to the front door. He left you with some empty nicety and you hid your wince. It wasn’t your first one night stand but it was definitely the worst.

“Fun night?” You turned as Andy descended the steps of his porch and opened his car door.

“You work on Sundays?” You grumbled. You hoped he hadn’t seen your regret walking away.

“Not usually but I got some hours to make up.” He dropped his briefcase in the back seat and closed the door. “I know that guy. Pretty sure he’s still on probation for the molly he was dealing at the mechanics.”

“Ugh, no.” You covered your face. “You saw?”

“I got a bit curious as I was finishing my coffee.” He pointed to the window with lacy curtains. “Great view just above the sink.”

“So you’re one of those neighbours?” You crossed your arms.

“I seem nosy but really I’m just looking out for you.” He opened the driver’s side door and planted his hand on the roof of the car. “Look, you don’t know the people around here. I’m just trying to help.”

“Well, I won’t be seeing him again.” You retreated to the door and stopped there. “Boring, to say the least.”

“Heh,” Andy scoffed. “Really?”

“Not that it’s any of your business.” You rolled your eyes and stepped inside, closing the door with a snap. You went to the bottom of the stairs and looked up. “Hey, grandma,” You called as you began to climb. “You ready to get up?”

🏡

At the end of the next week, you took your grandmother to her check up. Her recovery was on track but she had a long way to go. The doctor was optimistic that at her next appointment, she’d be ready to use her walker more often.

As you helped her out of the car and got her settled in her chair, you ignored the roar of the mower in the next yard. You’d seen Andy as you drove up. He was pushing the machine back and forth across his already perfectly manicured yard; shirtless. As you turned to push your grandmother up the walk, you couldn’t help but notice that he was in great shape for his age. For any age, really.

“Hey,” He yelled over the motor and shut it down. “How’s it going, ladies?”

“Andy,” Your grandmother chimed. “Great! Doc says I’m doing well.”

“Mmhmm,” You mumbled, still slightly embarrassed over your last interaction with the man.

“Well, seeing as I’m already out here and you already had such a busy day, I could do your lawn while I’m at it?” He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and you quickly tore your eyes away from his chest.

“Oh, you’re too sweet,” Your grandma giggled. “It’s so hot out here.”

“I don’t mind,” He insisted. “Laurie’s gone to see her parents with Jacob so I’m just trying to keep myself busy.”

“Twist my arm, why don’t ya?” Your grandmother shook her hand. “Fine! Sweetie,” She reached back and tapped your hand. “Let’s go make some lemonade for this young man so he doesn’t overheat.”

Andy smiled and you nodded at him awkwardly. You wheeled your grandmother up the newly installed ramp and inside. She ordered you to the kitchen and directed you to the lemons hidden in the crisper.

“The juicer is just under there.” She pointed to the cupboard, “And you’ll want to add some sugar.”

“I know how to make lemonade, grandma,” You said as you pulled out the pitcher.

“That Andy’s a nice man,” She said. “So helpful… handsome too. It’s too bad you’re so young… and he’s so married.”

“Stop,” You warned. “You said the same thing about your doctor.”

“Yes, but he’s a doctor. He’s rich.” She snickered. “And not married, just not into your type.”

“Grandma,” You snipped. “Really.”

“I don’t know how your mother ended up with you.” She said. “She was such a little troublemaker.”

“Trust me, I’ve heard,” You said as you washed the lemon juice from your hands and added water and sugar to the pitcher. “I think her stories were more a warning.”

“Too smart for your own good,” She tutted as you mixed the lemonade.

You went to the cupboard and grabbed some ice cubes from the freezer as you set a glass on the counter. You poured the lemonade and gave her a sour look.

“You think you can look after yourself for a few minutes?” You asked dryly.

“Girlie, I was taking care of you while you were in diapers,” She narrowed her eyes.

“Oh, how the tables have turned.”

“I don’t wear diapers,” She hissed as you neared the door. “Yet.”

You went out the front door as Andy pushed the mower across the yard just along the walkway. He stopped and looked over at you. He shut down the motor again and neared you as you came down the steps to hold out the glass. He thanked you and took a big gulp before he handed it back.

“You know, I didn’t mean anything,” He said. “The other day. Sometimes… I say stuff without thinking.”

“It’s… whatever.” You shrugged and set the glass on the rail of the porch. “No hard feelings.”

“I just got a hot tub. Just gotta hook it up and it’s ready to go.” He said. “You should stop by later. Get a soak in.”

“No, I don’t think so.” You stood at the top of the steps. “I don’t wanna leave grandma all alone. She wants to watch Casablanca tonight. I promised we would.”

“Maybe another night.” He offered. “You work so hard. You deserve a break.”

“Maybe,” You said evasively as you turned and crossed the porch. You glanced back as you opened the door and he was still looking at you.

“Lemonade’s good.” He smiled. “Thanks.”

🏡

You finished lunch and left your grandmother to her puzzle at the dining room table. You went upstairs to change the shirt you’d spilled mustard down; it was all you could smell. You tore off your shirt and tossed it on the bed. You rounded the bed to the dresser that sat just below the window and opened the draw. Movement caught your eye and you looked up across the space between yards.

Andy’s eyes met yours through the windows. You’d never realised they were adjacent, let alone so easy to see through. He wore a towel around his waist, freshly showered and his gaze strayed for just a moment. You blanched and pulled out a shirt and covered yourself with it. He smirked and tilted his head. Then he winked and a shiver went through you.

You grabbed the curtain and closed it so forcefully you nearly bent the rod. You backed away and put the shirt on properly. Surely, he was being funny. A tense, awkward moment. What else could he do but make a joke? Well, it wasn’t a very good one.

🏡

You stayed inside for the better part of a week. Aside from your walks with your grandmother and a trip to the grocery store, you kept your curtains closed, and hid yourself away. Maybe you’d built it up in your mind but you were just set off-kilter by the wordless interaction. Since, you felt as though you’d been walking a tightrope, too afraid to look down.

But that night, your grandmother wanted to sit outside. It was warm and the nights were shorter; later. You wheeled her out, a book on her lap, and as you made to skirt back inside, he appeared. Andy had impeccable timing. It made you wonder if he was watching you; if he had been for much longer than you knew. Well, now you were just being paranoid.

“Hey,” He stood at the edge of the yard. “Beautiful night.”

“Sure is,” You grandma replied. “I’ve got a new book and I’m ready to enjoy the breeze.”

“Oh, a new book? What’s it about?” He asked as he neared tentatively.

“Another scary one.” She cracked the cover. “Or so I hear. Skinwalkers taking over a whole city.”

“Ah, spooky,” He commented and looked at you. “And you?”

“Writing. Inside.” You said evenly.

“I figured since it was so nice, I was finally gonna try out my new Jacuzzi,” He said. “I just… I did promise you a soak so I thought maybe--”

“Eh, I don’t know.” You neared the door. “I really should try to get some writing done.”

“Nonsense, dear,” Your grandmother intoned. “You’ve been on that computer all day. You should go, relax.”

“Really, I--”

“Laurie might join us. She’s inside doing some work.” He piped up. “She wouldn’t mind the company.”

“Go on! I’m getting sick of ya anyway,” Your grandmother snorted. “You could stand to loosen up.”

“Grandma,” You huffed.

“Go get changed,” She ordered and smiled at Andy. “She’ll be over shortly.”

You blinked and tried to hide your irritation. You went inside before Andy could notice and you stormed upstairs. You weren’t even sure you’d packed a suit. You searched through the dresser. The curtains were still drawn tight. You found your old pink bikini with the white flowers. Really? It had to be that one?

You changed, reluctantly. It couldn’t have covered less of you. You found a tee shirt and pulled it over. You descended the stairs again and stepped out on the porch.

“Thanks for that, grandma.” You scowled.

“I can see why you were never popular,” She laughed. “Go. Have fun. This old lady can handle herself.”

You stomped down the steps beside the ramp and stopped at the border of the yards. You sighed and went to the gate, it was open in expectation of you. You heard the whir of jets before you entered. Andy was just beside the hot tub, testing the temperature with his hand as you stood across from him. He looked up and gave a crooked smirk.

“Andy,” The back door opened and Laurie appeared. “Oh, hey.” She smiled at you before turning back to her husband. “I’m gonna pass. Gina’s not going to make it in tomorrow so looks like I’ll be up all night.”

“Damn, that’s too bad,” Andy said. “More tub for us I guess.”

“Yes, love you too,” She said dryly. “You enjoy yourself. And don’t leave that thing on all night.”

“Yes, honey,” He said before she shut the door. “Love you.”

You swallowed. Your mouth was dry. Maybe you had been a bit presumptuous. Andy climbed into the jacuzzi and lowered himself into the warm water with a sigh. You hesitated to get closer but you did. He watched you, expectantly. You grabbed the edge and tried to will yourself in.

“You’re wearing that?” He nodded to your tee.

“Yeah,” You lifted your leg over the side.

“You don’t gotta be shy,” He grinned.

You paused and frowned at him.

“I’m joking,” He said. “The other day. That was… funny. Bad timing.”

“Mhmm,” You drew your other leg over and carefully sat.

“You met any more cute guys?” He asked suddenly. You squinted.

“What?”

“Not much to do around here, you know? Pretty boring.”

“No. I don’t--” You sputtered. “I don’t think it’s a very good idea. Once my grandma’s better, I’ll be going.”

“Still, it’s lonely.” He said softly.

“What do you care?” You asked, harsher than intended.

He was quiet. He leaned back and looked over at the house then back to you. He exhaled and spread his arms over the edge.

“So… that toy you hide in your night table? You always use it or you ever just… feel yourself?”

Your heart sank. You felt as if you would choke on air. Had you imagined his words?

“What did you just--”

“Took you long enough to catch on,” He said. “Got a good view of you when I can’t sleep but… not anymore. Too bad.”

“Andy,” You stood and the water splashed around you. “You-- You’re-- Laurie, she--”

“I haven’t fucked her in months. This is what she does.” He sat forward and caught your hand. “She works. All the time. I try and she… just doesn’t want to.”

“Let me go.” You struggled with him. “You’re disgusting. You’re married!”

“Me? Fucking awful some young girl strolls into town and tries to seduce a married man? What would grandma think? And Laurie? She’s not one to sit back and be humiliated.” He tugged on you. “I have a reputation around here. You’re just a stranger, and apparently one, who fucks strangers.”

“What are you talking about?” You nearly slipped as he spun you back to him. “You’ve been watching me and--”

“I’m just a neighbour looking out for you,” He pulled even harder and your feet slid across the bottom of the jacuzzi, forcing you to catch yourself on him. “Like I do all my neighbours. They would confirm as much.”

“Get--” You grabbed his arm as it snaked around you. “Andy! Laurie--”

“Doesn’t give a fuck and if she came out, well, she’d only realise what’s she’s pushed me to.”

You wriggled as he held you to him. He drew your leg over his so that you straddled his lap. You pushed on his chest and grunted.

“You keep it up and everyone will hear. Even sweet old nana.” He snarled. “I saw you looking at me that day… when you brought me lemonade.”

“No, no,” You rasped.

“I’m old, not that old,” He purred. “As you can obviously see.”

“Let me go. Please.” You begged. He was too strong and your arms only ached from pushing against him. “Andy--”

“Shhh,” He grabbed your chin with his wet hand and pulled you close until your lips almost met his. “In this town, rumours travel. It might be old news that you left a bar with that dumb kid but now, it’s evidence.” His hand slipped down your neck and squeezed. “Such a bad girl.”

“No one would--”

“They have no reason not to believe me,” He rolled up your wet shirt with his other hand. “Annie across the street, she likes gossip. She’s seen you flirting with me, at least that’s how she told it to Laurie but you know, my wife just laughs it off. And now she’s no doubt seen you come into my backyard in just this.” He pulled your shirt higher. “And her mind is going wild.”

“I can’t--”

“How long did he last? A minute? Less?” He snarled and his other hand slipped down to draw your shirt up. You kept your arms down as you tried to resist. “Bet you could wait to use your little toy.”

“Stop,” You pleaded.

“Get your arms up.” His voice was deep and dangerous. “And stop your whining.”

You stopped and stared at him. His blue eyes burned into yours and sent a shiver through you. His fingertips pinched your hips as they crawled under your shirt and he pushed it higher.

“You don’t shut up and someone will hear, sweetie,” He warned. “Up.”

He tugged until you raised your arms. A wave of bile rose in your chest and you let him peel away your wet shirt and reveal the skimpy bikini beneath. He dropped the cotton over the side of the tub and his hands grazed the triangles of your top.

“Cute,” He hummed. “You hiding this from me?”

You were quiet, sickened. With him, with yourself. You knew you couldn’t fight, wouldn’t. You remembered the barbecue and how you’d been the odd one out. Recalled how Andy had talked to almost every person there. Everyone loved him and no one knew you.

“Mmm mm mm,” His fingertips walked around your neck and he picked at the knot behind your neck. The straps loosened and he let your top fall and expose your chest.

He bent to bury his face against you and nibbled along your tits. You looked, startled, to the back door. It was still shut. A light glow from a bedroom above and the distant beat of music escaped through the slightly opened bedroom window. Another light died on the first floor and was replaced by a second on the top floor, reflecting against yours on the other side.

You quivered as Andy took a nipple in his mouth and sucked. You felt it in your core as his hand cupped your other tit. He reached beneath you and played with the edge of your bottom. He drew you back as he leaned against the side of the tub and lifted his pelvis, and you with him. He tugged on his shorts and sat back down.

You felt hollow and a cloud of panic filled your stomach. You struggled against you and he bit you. You squeaked as his teeth threatened to break the skin and stilled. He parted and looked up at you.

“Be a good girl,” He felt beneath you and began to stroke himself.

“Please--”

“Shhh,” He turned his hand and hooked his fingers in your bottoms, pulling them aside. “It’s okay, sweetie.” He rubbed his tip against your folds. “It’ll be good.” He drew you to him and angled you over his dick. “Better than ever before.”

He forced you down and your lips formed an o as he entered you. You latched onto his shoulders without thinking and he pushed you to his limit. His lips and teeth returned to your chest as he once more began to toy with you. You quivered as he began to rock your hips.

The water swished around you, swirling and slapping against your skin. You held your breath as you tried not to cry out. You hissed as you dug your nails into his shoulders and let him guide you. Despite yourself, despite everything, it felt good. It felt wonderful. He was right and you were weak.

“You like that?” He nuzzled your throat. “Is this what you think of at night, huh?”

You bit your lip as he kneaded your hips and kept your moving.

“I think of it all the time,” He muttered. “All the time. Maybe…” His breath caught and he groaned. “Maybe I could offer to take you grocery shopping, hmm? We could have some fun in the car…”

“Andy…” You whimpered. “No, we can’t-- not again…”

You grasped his wrists and tried to push yourself off of him. A semblance of sanity returned to you as you looked him in the face. His eyes were dilated and dusky. He was entranced; incorrigible. You struggled as he held you down.

“This is wrong--”

He shoved you off him as his lip curled. You stumbled back and caught yourself on the other side of the tub. The water splashed as he stood behind you and grabbed your arm. He turned you over and pushed you over the siding, a jet blowing against your pelvis.

“Doesn’t feel wrong to me.” He growled.

He held you down with a large hand between your shoulders as he pushed your legs apart with his knee. He pressed against you and searched for your entrance, swiftly impaling you. You choked down a mewl as your hips crashed into the wall of the tub. He leaned his weight on you entirely as he rutted into you without relent. You were certain someone would hear the clapping of flesh or the stir of water all around.

“You’ll do what I want, when I want,” He sneered. “And from what I can tell, you’ll like it.”

“Andy--” Your voice fizzled as the pressure mixed with the steady stream of the jet as it hit your cunt.

You held in a moan as you hung over the side of the tub, the blood pounding in your head as you panted wildly. You covered your mouth, afraid you would cry out as the coil inside you twisted and twisted. Your legs quaked as you orgasmed.

Andy’s hand gripped your hips and he pulled you back against him, again and again, using your body easily. You slid back and forth over the side and he bent over you, crushing you against the tub. He growled in your ear and his thrust jolted your body.

He pulled out suddenly, still looming over you as he stroked himself against your bikini and pressed his damp beard to your cheek as he shuddered. His hot cum spilled out onto the wet fabric and dripped down your thigh as he eased himself through his climax. He sighed and pushed himself from atop you, falling back into the water heavily.

You stayed as you were for a moment. Stunned. Shakily you stood and fixed your top and pulled your bottom straight. You couldn’t look at him. You climbed out of the tub and walked unsteadily across the grass.

“Ah, that was relaxing,” He said. “Come back anytime.”

You ignored him and continued onto the gate.

“Oh, and it’s supposed to be a cool night,” He called after you. “You should keep your window open.”

You slipped through and the gate creaked behind you and closed with a metallic click. You shivered as you kept to the side of your grandma’s house and entered through the back. You didn’t want anyone to see; you were certain they would know if they did.

#andy barber #dark andy barber #dark!andy barber #dark andy barber x reader #dark!andy barber x reader #andy barber x reader #fic #one shot #dark fic #dark!fic #Defending Jacob

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fandomscombine · 3 years

Text

The Boyfriend Introduction

George Weasley x Reader

This is an entry for @wonderful-writer ‘s Ficmas Writing Challenge

Prompts: “Exactly how many people did you invite over for Christmas dinner?”

Tropes No.6. There’s only one bed

Trope No.8. Snowed in

BG: Will George make a good first impression on your strict parents over Christmas Dinner? What happens when prying muggle relatives are added to the mix? No magic is allowed, and a heavy snowstorm trapped everyone inside. What was supposed to last a couple of hours had stretched overnight. Will your family approve of George? Or will he be trapped with people who dislike him for the night?

A/N: This took almost a month to write. Started this with my writing motivation streak on high. Then the burnout came, I could write nor even read. Now I’m slowly trying to get back into the mood. Yea I realized that it’s not super Christmasy. But I hope that you enjoy it all the same.

WC:3352

>>>MASTERLIST<<<

‘Okay, you remember everything?’ You had just finish debriefing George on the what to expect when you arrive home later. What your parents likes and dislikes, what the home dynamic is, etcetera, brownie points to note to make sure he lands on your parent’s good side-you want your boyfriend’s first impression to be perfect!

‘Yes love, EVERYTHING. We’ve gone over this 3 times already, trust me it’s all up here’ George said, tapping a finger against his temple. ‘At this rate, I am more scared for them as it would be a total stranger knew everything about them!’ He pointed out.

‘Hey, you’re not a total stranger, they’ve met you before!’ You countered.

‘For only a couple of minutes, plus Fred was with us that time, I doubt they could have differentiated between us from that short time alone.’

Recalling back to the end of the summer holidays when your family had bumped into the Weasleys and Harry while school supplies shopping at Diagon Alley. You were just leaving of Flourish and Blotts while they were headed in. You had dropped your brand-new books and the twins had helped you pick them up. You had exchanged a quick thank you before hurried leaving to catch the bus back to muggle London.

Your parents had gratefully allowed you to spend the holidays at The Burrow, but only after they had met the boyfriend who you could never stop talking about. Majority of your letters back home consisted of gushing about how wonderful and sweet George is, so naturally your parents were curious and intrigued to finally meet this handsome fellow.

They had arranged for a Christmas Eve Dinner at home before you depart for The Burrow later in the evening.

‘You know, you still haven’t told me how you got your parents to let you spend the Christmas holiday with us.’ Quipped George. ‘I thought your dad was pretty strict.’ The Hogwarts Express had started slowing down, nearing its destination of Platform 9 ¾.

‘Yea but I guess it the real gamechanger was Mr.Weasley. The last I heard was that they started hanging out during breaks in the Ministry. It started out as a reconnaissance of some sort-the basic background check if the boy dating my daughter is good enough. Which then blossomed into friendship.’ You lean back against the train compartment window, giving him more space to reach up to the luggage rack overhead.

‘Really?’

‘Really.’

‘George! Y/n! Over here!’ Ginny yelled. She was standing near the trolleys, surrounded with a group of redheads.

Once you reached her, she wrapped you in a tight embrace. ‘I’m going to miss you.’

You chuckled, patting the girl’s shoulder. ‘Gin, I’m only be gone for a couple hours, we’ll be back by midnight.’

‘Yea, but til then I’ll be stuck with these dofusses.’ She winced, nodding towards the direction of her brothers.

‘Hey!’ exclaimed Ron.

Ignoring him, Ginny continued. ‘You know how time drags with these idiots. Why couldn’t I just come with?’

‘No you aren’t young lady.’ Stated Mrs.Weasley, making her way pass her children. ‘This is a very important occasion, meeting the parents. George has to make a good impression to y/n parents.’ She turned to the younger twin, hands on her waist. ‘So. NO funny business okay? I expect you to be on your best behaviour.’ She warned.

George raised 3 fingers up. ‘Yes ma’am. I promise.’

Mrs Weasley knew that despite George’s playful response, would keep this promise. Afterall she knew her children at heart. Recognises George’s coping tactics for nerves is through humour.

‘Alright then. I’ll see you later.’ Hugging you then her son. ‘Oh before I forget, we’ll take your luggage back with us so that it’ll be easier for you to get home. Fred! Percy! Come help me with these!’

‘Thank you Mrs.Weasley for-‘

‘Molly dear, call me Molly. I’ve known you for years now, you’re basically part of the family.’

You can feel your face warm up. ‘Thanks…Mrs…. I mean Molly for everything.’

‘No worries dear. Just be careful, I heard that it’ll snow more later.’

‘We will Mum.’ Replied George, placing a kiss on her check. ‘Don’t worry.’

You held your hand out to George. ‘Ready for your first ever ride on a muggle double decker bus?’

‘Oh yes.’ He nodded, interlocking his hands with yours.

‘Mum! I’m home!’ You shake off the snow that had stuck onto your boots before entering.

‘In here Dumpling!’ said a distant voice.

‘Dumpling huh?’ George teased; a smirk plastered on his face.

You were glad to see him calm down. ‘yea yea.’

‘Care to tell me why?’

‘Nope. Now get your butt in here.’

The house though small is full of life. Walls are lined with picture frames of the family together and along the hallway are frames of each member throughout the years.

You follow the fragrant smell of citrus in the air coming from the kitchen.

You head towards the opened refrigerator. ‘Merry Christmas Eve Mum!’ You greeted but were surprised to see someone else. ‘Dad! What are you doing here?’

‘What do you mean? It’s MY house!’ He resorted, taken aback.

‘You know what I mean.’

‘They let us off early in the Ministry.’

‘He means he left early’ Chimed your mother.

‘Perks of being the head of the department.’ He says nonchalantly, releasing you from a airtight embrace.

Your eyes light up. ‘You got the promotion?’ You asked, your father standing proud with a dazzling smile. ‘Congratulations Dad!’

‘Now now, this evening is not about me.’ His eyes dart to the tall boy behind you. The boy whose face showed apparent awkwardness during the mini intimate family catch up. ‘I don’t believe we’ve formally met. y/f/n yf/l/n.’ Extending his hand.

‘george..’ George cleared his throat. ‘George Weasley ,Sir. Pleasure to meet you Sir.’ George wondered if his hand had sweat more, feeling that your father was gripping his tight. Before his mind were to go down that rabbithole, he turned to your mother. ‘M’am..’

‘No please, call me y/m/n.’ Your mother insisted. ‘It’s nice to finally meet you George, we’ve heard so much about you.’ She leaned in close, whispering. ‘Between you and me, most of our dumpling’s letters here are about you!’ She looks over her shoulder to make sure, they aren’t overheard. Thankful you are preoccupied with dad. ‘It’s great to finally have a face to the name!’ Taking a more solemn tone she continued. ‘Listen you take good care of her okay, she doesn’t let anyone in her emotions easily, so you must be special.’

Just as fast as it came, she was back to normal. George would have thought that he imagined that whole exchange if it weren’t from the gleam in your mother’s eyes.

‘Right then.’ She clapped her hands together. ‘y/f/n, my love. Why don’t you give George here a tour of the house. Then help y/n and I when you’re done.’

‘On it my love.’ Your father replied, pecking your mother’s cheek. ‘George! I’m told you love inventing, so why don’t we start on with my study, I bet there’s a lot of things you’d find interesting.’ Said your father, leading George up the kitchen and up the stairs.

Once they rounded out the corner, your mother was instantly at your side, bumping your hips. ‘He seems like a nice boy. Quieter than I expected.’

‘Yea, He’ll get into the zone later.’ You noted. ‘Give him time and when he’s comfortable, he’ll be more like himself. He’ll really nervous, that’s all.’

‘I know.’

That made curious. ‘You know?’

‘Oh yess.’ Your mother sighed. ‘Your father had that exact same face when he first went to meet Grannie and Grandpops.’

‘Really?’ How had she never shared this story before?

‘umm hmm’ She reminisced. ‘It’s good that his reaction is like that. It shows that one’s scared and anxious, wanting to impress and give a good first impression.’

When she saw how lost you look, she held your chin up, elaborating. ‘It means that he cares. That it’s a big important deal, meeting the parents.’

It’s been a hour already since your father had dragged George off, to what you believe as a house tour disguised as a boyfriend interrogation. Truth be told you were scared out of your mind, you never had brought home a boy before so you didn’t know what to expect, this is unknown territory.

The growing sounds of footsteps and…laughter? Surely that was a good sign.

‘Woah that is a lot of food. Exactly how many people did you invite over for Christmas dinner?’ George had come up behind you, with a hand on your lower back- touchy as if warming up and testing the waters on how much physical touch he could get away with, with your parents in the room.

‘A lot.’ You replied, angling up to poke his cheek. ‘You’re not the only one with a big family, Weasley’

‘I thought you were only 4 of you?’

‘well, my mom’s side of the family is coming.’ You explained, counting them on your fingers. ‘So that’s includes my grandparents, aunts and uncles and their family-my cousins.’

‘why only your mom’s side?’ George was genuinely confused, isn’t Christmas all about getting together with family?

You chuckled. ‘oh it’s a funny story actually…’

‘More like an almost disastrous story.’ Cut in your father. ‘See my brother is a lightweight but every Christmas he tries to outdrink himself. And one Christmas, things…..got out of hand.’

When your father didn’t explain more, your mother further clarified, taking pity on George’s ever more puzzled look. ‘Long story short, he end up doing magic infront of my family specifically changed into his Animagus form it would be easy to say he just disappeared behind the couch if his animal form was small but his was a tiger- so harder to cover up.’

‘Dad ultimately had to obliviate 7 people’s memories of the past hour. From then on, for long holidays we separate the family into magic vs muggles.’

‘SO remember NO magic!’ Announced your dad. ‘Tonight, we act as Muggles, no magic at all cost. We won’t wanna risk Ministry intervention.’

The early Christmas dinner had gone in a blur, the food was quickly devoured by the table of 15. Yes that’s right, 15. Normally the dinner table could expand to accommodate 6 people, but thanks to transfiguration, your father had lengthen it to fit the then arriving guest.

In addition to enjoying the food, your relatives had seized the time to pry into your love life in between bites. The previous years’ answer of “I don’t have a boyfriend” followed by their unwanted input about what you’re doing wrong, was obviously not applicable.

So you ended up being interrogated by your aunt on your right, while George, who was sitting on your left was being questioned by your grandfather.

‘Gee is that the time! We better get going, maw come on dear we don’t want to be caught out of the road by the snowstorm.’ Your grandfather said, helping your grandmother up from her seat. ‘Get the car ready, Finn.’

At that, everyone began to get pack up. Usually you would all stay up for more talks, but under the threat of a looming snowstorm, it was better to be safe than sorry.

‘Alright dumpling, got everything?’ Your mother wondered, straightening up your coat.

‘Yup’ You replied, all snuggled up. You didn’t bother telling her that the coat wasn’t necessary as you would be apparating back to the Burrow- you knew how much she hated the tension apparition causes to one’s temples.

‘George..’ She said, now moving towards the quiet young man who had once again caught himself a bit out of place in such an intimate family moment. ‘It was really nice to meet you; I do hope that we would get to see you most often now that y/n has formally introduce us.’ She pulled him into a motherly hug. ‘You take care of my dumpling, or else… you’d find out what muggle parents do to those who hurt their children, and I warn you, you magic folks don’t know what’s coming.’

The final warning came and went, and George managed to utter. ‘I promise.’ Before your father came into view, looking more unreadable and stricter than their introductions earlier in the day.

George was terrified, he had thought that things had gone well, surely they had bonded over the guide house tour. Might had he said something wrong during dinner, Grandpa y/l/n sure did ask a lot of questions. George mentally recalled the past couple of hours, where could this all gone sideways.

To his surprise he was greeted with an outstretched hand. ‘You’re a good lad, George.’ Remarked your father, ‘Oh and you can call me y/f/n.’

Both your and George’s eyes go wide.

‘Thank you, sir! I mean…’ George was still nervous, a part of him thinking that this was a secret test. ‘y/f/n, sir. Thank you’ Tried George, the tips of his ears red.

Your father chuckled at the hesitant boy, ‘In time you will get the hang of that’ He turned to you. ‘That is.. if y/n is willing to for us to join you two in the future. The dinner might have frightened you off, sorry for that.’ Your father wrapped an arm around your mother, ‘Perhaps the next time could be with MY side of the family…’

At that moment the doorbell rang.

‘Now who could that be?’ Voiced your mother. ‘Mum, Dad!’

‘Bad News dearie, Roads and Highways are closed for the night-Too much snow.’ Explained your grandfather, barging into the warm house. ‘We’ll have to stay the night.’

‘Uh! George my boy, you are still here! Great! Pa look who it is!’ Cheered your grandfather, pinching his arm (His cheeks were too high up to reach). Leaving George’s right sleeve with specks of melting snow. ‘Though I am afraid we would get to chatting in the morning, sleep is calling me.’

But before George would reply that he wouldn’t be here in the morning, your father interjected. ‘Yes yes of course, the guestroom is ready as always. Have a good night’s rest nannie.’ Looking past her to the doorway he shouted. ‘Finn you can take the couch, we’ll give you some blankets in a sec.’

He gestured for you both to follow him into the dinning room. You quickly followed suit, panicking as to how in the world could you apparate to the burrow while presenting a valid reason to your grandparents in 2 young person’s disappearance overnight when the is a heavy snowstorm raging on.

‘I wouldn’t suggest apparating tonight’ He huffed. ‘Unless of course if you don’t mind popping back in again tomorrow morning.’

You shook your head. You were not an earlier riser, besides spending the night in the burrow when had to be back home first thing would be wise, you would be just exhausting yourself.

‘Good. I’ll notify Arthur of our situation. Now unto the other thing….’ He raised a brow at George. ‘Since that the spare room and the couch are taken, it would be rude to ask a guest to rest in a more comfortable place..’

You internally groaned, you kinda had an idea where this conversation was headed to but gosh was it in the parents handbook to deliver to so awkwardly?

‘…you are bot old enough and trust both of you. So, George if you don’t mind, you would be spending the night in y/n’s room.’

You dared risked a quick glance at your boyfriend and you could tell that he was trying not to smirk.

George in fact was trying his best not to smile, biting the insides of his cheek to stop himself.

‘So no funny business.’

‘Yes Sir.’ George didn’t dare call him, y/f/n. Not at this moment, even if he was granted the permission.

‘So….This is me.’ Presenting your room. ‘It’s not much, but-‘

‘It’s beautiful.’ George cut you off. There wasn’t much going on, seeing that you spend majority of the year in Hogwarts and only a month or two at home. A single bed next to the window overlooking the road, a small desk, a wardrobe with a mirrored door and 2 bookshelves. Plain white walls decorated with a small makeshift photo wall of your most cherished memories.

Spotting the photos next to your bookshelf, he chortled. ‘It’s really sweet of you, I feel honoured.’ He turned to you. ‘But this one? Seriously??!!?’ Pointing at the photograph.

It was of the yule ball. The relationship wasn’t official yet, it was still teetering on the side of best friends but with something more or so Fred calls ‘Y/n and George’s Era of Mutual Pining’.

The shot was of you in your gown, not so elegantly piggybacking on George, who was mid fall. Despite it all, you were both laughing your heads off. Ginny had taken that picture with your muggle camera. Something about it being developed as a standstill compared to the moving wizard photos adds charm to it, further highlighting such a moment.

‘I for one love it.’ You declared, leaning your head on his shoulder.

‘We do look nice together.’ He teased. ‘But gosh that is a bit unflattering, don’t you think? It looks like we’re drunk!’

‘Drunk on love you mean.’ Nudging his side. ‘Though we haven’t admitted it then.’

George squinted closer, ‘Wait a minute! It’s not moving!’

‘Yup, don’t want any muggle walking in a moving photo. But more importantly, it’s forever captures the moment of ‘I am in love with my best friend, a person who would never let me fall.’

‘Expect to fall in love, with your truly.’

‘Exactly.’ In moments like these, where no one else in the room, does George lets his sappy cheesy side on full blast and you love it. It’s as if a top-secret surprise that is for your eyes only.

‘Now come to bed with me.’ You reach for his hand, dragging him to your tiny bed. ‘I’m tired’

‘Love as much as I want to, I don’t think we’d fit.’ Eyeing the bed. ‘One of us will fall off- most probably me.’

Taking one of you pillows he said ‘ I’ll just lay down here.’

‘Nuh uh, not in my house. You are my boyfriend and my guest! No way am I letting you sleep on the floor!’ You argued. ‘Come cuddle with me, pleaseeeeeeee’ Giving him your best pout. ‘We have had any alone time, the whole day! Pleaseeeee babe! ’

George shook his head, knowing that the was no way that he could ever say ‘NO’ to you. He did miss his girl and after an exhaustive day practically being interrogated by multiple family member, he was grateful to finally spend time with you. ‘Alright.’ Giving into your request. ‘Scoot over and let me engulf you into a world of softness.’

Your head was resting on George’s chest, bopping along with his each intake of breath. The snow outside is still pouring but the all the noise is silenced as you focus in his heartbeat. Tilting up slightly you pipped. ‘You comfortable Georgie?’

George wrapped his arms around you tighter. ‘I’m good anywhere with you.’ He placed a final kiss on your forehead before exhaustion take you both away to dreamland.

Bonus:

The sun had come up, casting a warm glow onto the white blanked pavement.

Still drained from the day before, neither of you had woken up to your bedroom door opening.

‘Merry Christmas Y/n dearie! Nannie has bought you your favourite hot choco—’ Your grandmother stopped in her tracks upon seeing 2 angels tangled together with smiles etched on their sleeping faces. Reminding her of own younger days.

She leaves the mug on your desk, quietly shut the door. Once out on the hallway, she quickly makes her way to her husband, eager to tell him what he just saw and excited to come up with more questions they could interrogate George with-only the best for their granddaughter!

Taglist [All/General]: @gruffle1

#hailey’s ficmas wc #george weasley x reader #george weasley fluff #george weasley #george weasley imagine #weasley x reader #fandomscombine writes #harry potter imagine

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