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#theseus scamander fic
lacollectionneuse1967 · 5 months
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slip of the tongue
Theseus Scamander x Reader
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The word left your mouth before you could process it, “Daddy.” He froze completely, locking eyes with you. You couldn’t read the expression on his face.
summary: you're a personal assistant at the british aurors office. you accidentally call your boss, theseus scamander, "daddy."
fem!reader. theseus scamander x reader.
category: smut with plot
warnings: 18+ smut, ddlg themes, (light) mdom/femsub dynamics, (light) size difference kink, unprotected penetration
It was mid-November. London was dark by four in the afternoon and you were out of the Ministry by five, pulling your trench coat around you and shouldering your way out into the stone streets and coal black skies. It wasn’t bitingly cold yet, but you kept your arms tucked close to your body regardless. Dipping in and out of the indistinct crowds, moving with purpose.
You had about fifteen stacks of classified documents on you, but they were safely magicked away into the lining of your coat, and they weighed nothing. Magic almost always weighed nothing, cost nothing. 
For you, at least. 
“A natural.” “The brightest witch of her year!”
That’s what they’d called you at Hogwarts. Even your closest friends in [your House] eventually grew bitter and irritable, so you had to feign stress before exams and pretend to practice your spells alongside them in the common room, in a display of camaraderie.
The truth was you didn’t need to practice, or study. Ever.
You were muggle-born, everything in your life before Hogwarts had been so difficult to bear, your parents’ death, the streets of East London, the orphanage. Even talking to other people, simple conversation, bore some inexplicable strain for you.
But magic had come as easy as breathing. Your wand was like a limb, an extension of your body, you didn’t even have to reach for magic, it just sprung forth, dancing into the world. 
You wanted to be an Auror since you were fifteen. You were good at magic, and little else, and you were curious, had a talent for dueling and abhorred those who took advantage of the weak. It seemed a natural path.
You were hired straight out of graduation. You were only meant to work as an Administrative Assistant at the Ministry of Magic for a few months. But that was nearly a year ago…
In truth, you’d already been offered a position as an Auror. You turned it down discreetly. Theseus Scamander, Head of the British Auror Office, was the man you’d been assigned to as an assistant. He was the figure you answered to, and you’d been his sole, personal secretary.
Before you loved him, you liked him, but even then you could recognize that you liked him too much for what was appropriate to feel for your boss. He was nothing like you in that he was maddeningly easy to become fond of. He was funny and charming, kind and handsome. Sarcastic and a bit of a straight edge. You glowed in his praise.
Every “Excellent work, Y/N” or “Y/N, you’re a lifesaver,” or casual introduction beginning with “This is my genius assistant-” swelled inside of you with happiness. Once he’d even, absent-mindedly and only half-looking up from his copy of The Daily Prophet, said “Good girl,” and you’d nearly fainted. 
The first time he hugged you, after some successful project of yours, he’d braced his arms around you and spun you around, and you’d gone wide-eyed and stiff. He set you down in a flourish.
You were terrified your reaction would put him off touching you forever, but he only laughed aloud, the sound like bells in the wind.
“Not scared of the death threats we receive from dark wizards but you’re scared of a little hug from your boss?” 
Your heart seized, though you returned his laugh in relief. If he only knew what you were really scared of.
“Try it again,” you smiled and met his gaze defiantly. “I’ll do better this time, I promise.” 
It always seemed to shock and delight him in equal parts, the way you responded to him. You liked to challenge him, and to make him smile just to see it spread across his face.
When Theseus hugged you the second time it was him who hesitated at the feel of your warm body pressing into his, his large hands hovered in mid-air before resting delicately on your upper back. 
When you were hired he was still engaged to Leta Lestrange, as he was when you turned down the promotion you were offered. Pathetically, being his assistant was the closest you could get to him. You weren’t about to walk away from that, walk away from him. Between late-night talks at the office and laughter-filled afternoon teatimes at his house, he’d become something like a friend. You couldn’t have him, but this was enough to sustain you. You weren’t her, but you knew you meant something to him…
When you entered his dark apartment, slipping the key out from under the welcome mat, it was no warmer than the outside world. Barren and cold as death, no signs of life. You whisked your wand out and spelled on the lights, spelled the documents free and they fell heavily from your coat, thunking unceremoniously on the hardwood floor.
Since he broke up with Leta, Theseus hadn’t been home, that was clear from the state of his place. He had hardly been at the office. You covered for him without even having to think about it, without even blinking you spewed out excuses and deftly dismissed the Aurors who came to call on him.
You didn’t think about what that meant about your loyalty, to the Ministry and to him. 
"Y/N," he’d prefaced in a letter, an owl sent to your house. "I trust you with my life. Not in theory, but in practice: with this letter you hold my life in your hands. You’re my assistant, but you’ve also become my closest and most cherished friend."
He’d mentioned Grindelwald, going behind the Ministry's back, “choosing sides,” and that he was with his younger brother, Newt. He told you to tell the Ministry he was on business if they asked, to make up something about a dark wizard lead in Romania. And he mentioned that he would need you to make copies of some confidential documents from the archives for him. He asked you to set them aside "but not in my office. Not safe. Bring them to my apartment. Key under the mat. I’ll be in touch soon. I owe you."
And so here you were. Still in your work clothes, a navy blue pencil skirt and chiffon blouse, black tights and your [hair color] hair pressed into loose finger waves, your heels scattered somewhere across his floor. You were organizing the documents into piles.
He’d requested the strangest things, all top secret, in the most restricted section of the Ministry Archives. Old maps and travelogs pertaining to sightings of some ancient creature with certain prophetic or spiritual abilities. Topographical maps of Bhutan and Austria. Classified research on dark magical objects that bound promises in blood.
It made you feel like you were in school again, made your head spin.
Wishing always hurt for you, coming from your background, you hardly let yourself indulge in it. But right now you wished he would’ve told you more. You wished, more sharply and painfully, that he was here.
In the middle of organizing the endless piles of parchment you began to drift off. The words on paper began to cross and blur in your vision. You didn’t want to disturb his apartment or his things, so you hadn’t put on the fireplace. Cold and tired you padded to his empty room. 
Just a little rest before I finish up here. You thought to yourself. Just going to rest my eyes.
You crawled under his crisp bed sheets and your eyes pricked at the overwhelming smell of him. If you didn’t allow yourself to miss him before this, you couldn’t help it now. You’d never been in his room before, you thought distantly, fatigue already claiming you, dragging you down into a black sleep. 
-------
You weren’t cold anymore. Someone had put the fireplace on. You became aware of this before you heard him.
“Y/N,” Theseus’s voice was rough and low and sweet. It must've been past midnight. He was dressed in a suit still, bending over the bed, his eyes tender and tired. “Did you fall asleep, sweetheart?”
Sweetheart. You stirred. That word undid something in you. Unfettered any tension or stress you’d been holding in your body since he’d been gone.
“Theseus,” you muttered, still half-sleep. Your eyes were swollen, you would’ve been mortified, but he was here, at last, and he was looking at you with a gentle smile, so affectionate.
“M’sorry, the documents—I fell asleep-"
“It’s okay,” he chuckled. He dragged a hand over his face and stood. You felt guilty for stealing his bed, you didn't know where he'd been, but he looked positively wrecked. “Rest. I’ll wake you in the morning.”
He turned to leave, presumably for the couch. You reached out for him, any part of him, and your hand caught the waistline of his pants, a finger hooked there.
He looked down at the offending hand and raised a brow.
You were half dreaming, his arrival was so unexpected, so surreal. Your face felt hot, something like fever. 
"Mm, don't go," you mumbled. And then, the word left your mouth before you could process it, “Daddy.”
He froze completely, locking eyes with you. You couldn’t read the expression on his face. You were suddenly terrifyingly awake. 
You clapped a hand over your face, mortified, and rolled over in his bed so that the pillow concealed your face. Consciousness seeped in gradually and with every sober second you were swallowed by dread. 
“Oh,” you said stupidly. “Oh god, I have to leave. I'm sorry, I was sleeping, I don't know why I said that."
You stood as clumsily as a drunkard, taking half his sheets to the floor with you. Your hair was a mess and your skirt had hiked up nearly around your waist, revealing your black panties through your sheer tights.
“Oh god,” you said again. You couldn’t look at him. You began to fix your skirt and pat down your hair when he stepped forward, eyes dark, hand gripped around your wrist. 
You startled, confused. But he looked the opposite, an absolute calm washed over his face.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he said.
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Coming home to you in my bed,” he let out a sharp breath, something like a stifled groan. “You have no idea what I wanted to do to you.”
Your stomach fluttered. You searched his face for any signs of confusion. He looked tired, a little undone, but more himself than ever.
“I don’t understand,” you didn't know why you felt on the brink of tears, when this is all you’d wanted all along. “You… you want me? But you were engaged, you…”
The look in his eyes was blazing and still, fire in water. It was enough to silence you. 
“I want you. I ended things with her because I couldn’t live with it, wanting you. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable, not at your job, and I’m sorry to bother you with it now, but it can’t be helped. You can leave if you want, things can go back to normal. Me, wanting you, and you knowing nothing about it.” 
He seemed to return to himself now, he sounded like the Theseus you knew. Poised, sure of himself. Mercifully kind. But his chest was heaving and the desire, plain on his face, was enough to make your knees buckle.
He wants me. He wants me. With each beat of your heart you felt the truth of it swell inside you. You could see it, unmistakable, the look of want that mirrored your own. Ready to worship and renounce and claim.
“I don’t wanna leave,” you admitted, weakly. When he spoke again his words were terse, strained.
“Get back in bed,” is all he could manage, and then, “And call me that again.” 
And for the first time since you’d known him, you defied him.
Like the possessed, you fell into him, kissing him. He stumbled back in surprise, catching you with his hands crowded around your face. And you were both kissing and grabbing at each other, you fell to your knees and he followed you down.
You couldn't stop kissing him, not even to regain your balance, to catch your breath. He tasted so good, and his mouth on yours would've been enough to sustain you forever. The two of you were so desperate with need, you were half-kneeling on the floor. 
You began to whine in protest when he pulled away at last, but he stood and pulled you up from under your arms. When he threw you back onto his bed, your stomach flipped. He was looking down at you, pulling off his shoes and jacket, unbuttoning the cuffs of his sleeves. With him looking at you like that, you would've let him do anything to you, anything at all.
“Sweetheart, I said,” he pulled off his dress shirt and your head went dizzy at the sight of his bare chest, his shoulders and arms. “Get back in bed.”
His voice was stern, but fond. You knew what he wanted immediately, and it thrilled you to give it to him.
“Yes, daddy.”
You could see him struggling to control his expression, he just bowed his head back and pinched his eyes shut. The corner of his mouth twitched.
The knowledge that it was you doing this to him, driving him crazy, turning him on, heightened your arousal. Submitting to him strangely felt like power in your hands. 
“Good girl,” he said at last.
He was in his boxers now. The shape of his dick through the thin cloth made your mouth water. You wanted to press your open mouth against it there, wanted to pull it out and kiss it. You don’t know what had come over you. You couldn't think straight.
He got into bed beside you.
“Come and sit in my lap.” 
Your body purred and thrummed in delight. This is all you’d ever wanted at the office, to drape yourself over and onto him like this.
You crawled over him and sat firmly in his lap, legs splayed around his thick thighs. His hands came up around your waist, sliding further up to your chest. He looked up at you unblinkingly, eyes hooded and reverent, but his fingers moved of their own accord, unbuttoning your shirt.
You reddened, suddenly self-conscious. “Wait, don’t-“
“Don't?” he raised an eyebrow. “What, you want me to stop?”
He made a tutting noise and continued to remove your shirt, you had to look away when he flung it across the room, you were so embarrassed. He had your bra off in seconds.
“So cute. So shy.” he said dotingly, but his actions were anything but cute, massaging and running the rough pads of his thumbs over your nipples over and over again in circles. 
You moaned without meaning to, and the sound embarrassed you further. You felt him grow even bigger beneath you, between your legs.
“No, you don’t want me to stop.” He sounded so cocky you wanted to tell him off, but you couldn't, not with him playing with you like this. You could only moan weakly beneath his hands.
Your hips began grinding against the outline of his cock. It was so big your entire body thrilled at the feel of him, at the ludicrous idea of fitting it inside of you.
He seemed determined to humiliate you, he kept talking you through it.
“You’re doing so good, baby. Can you feel how hard I am?”
“Yes,” you answered, breathless.
“Tell me what you want. How you want me.”
“Inside me, please.”
“Please, who?”
You were so frustrated you could've cried. You wanted to come so bad, your legs were trembling. Up and down grinding and rubbing wasn't enough when you knew he wanted to be inside of you, that you could've had him inside of you.
“Please, daddy," You cried, feeling broken. 
Theseus pushed you back onto the bed roughly and crawled over you, reaching down to hike your skirt even further up your midsection. You were already topless, but he gripped into your tights with both arms flexing and ripped them apart at the seam.
You gasped and instinctually tried to cover up, bringing your legs together, but he was already pushing your panties down past your ankles, and then his broad hands were covering your kneecaps, pushing them apart.
“No, no, don’t do that. You’re mine," He reprimanded.
It felt so vulgar, him seeing this part of you. But you were only half a person now. You needed Theseus inside of you to be complete, you were dumb with want. A whining, needy mess and he couldn't get enough of you.
Tears stained your cheeks.
“Please, pleaseplease-" You started to beg, but he silenced you with his mouth on yours, wet and warm and perfect. When he shushed you this time it was surprisingly caring, he caressed your face reassuringly.
“Okay, baby. It’s okay, I’m not trying to tease you, hold on.” 
When he pulled out his length, your mouth went dry. You instinctually spread your legs wider. It was big, bigger than you thought. Both thick and long.
He reached a hand down between your legs to find wetness. Your back arched, your whole body curled and keened in pleasure against his hand, his touch.
But when he pushed a single finger at your entrance it met resistance. You moaned in pain and contentment when it finally slid in fully, past the knuckle.
“Ah,” he said with a grunt. “You can barely fit my finger, baby. You’re so tight.” He said this in equal parts admiration and lament. 
“No!” you whined. “Please, please, I can take it-“
Theseus shushed you and kissed your forehead.
“I know you can, pretty girl. I don’t wanna hurt you, though.”
“I want you to. Please, please.” 
He hissed something like fuck under his breath and began to add more fingers, a second and, then, absurdly, a third. You already felt like you were being split in half. He could barely move them, but soon enough he was pumping them deep and slow, in and out, and the act was so lewd you wanted to cry again.
“Fuck, that’s tight," he said to himself again. “Christ, Y/N, you’re gonna kill me.”
When he removed his hand you wanted to cry out at the loss, but then he was moving his body up, his hands clasped around the inside of your knees and he spread your legs up and open and wide, just for him.
When he sank down into you, his dick was so big and hard that your eyes bulged and your mouth opened pathetically.
“Oh,” you said, stupefied.
Then he pushed in and in, endlessly, until he bottomed out. You were already throbbing around him, so overstimulated from before, coming and fluttering around his cock before he’d even fucked you properly.
“Oh!” you exclaimed again, throwing your head back against the pillow and bringing the back of your hand to your mouth to bite, hoping to stifle the moan as your orgasm washed over you hard. Waves of pleasure ran from the crown of your head all the way down your legs, you could see it coming from a mile away but were nonetheless overcome, completely. 
He made a small noise at the sensation of you tightening and pulsing around him and ripped your hand away from your mouth.
“I wanna hear you,” he ordered, and so you let him. It was almost an out-of-body experience, the way he materialized in front of you, inside of you, when you finally came back down to earth, blood roaring in your ears.
“I just stuck it in, and you already came?” His tone was dark and teasing. “That’s all it takes, darling?”
He leaned over and kissed you deeply, passionately, and then straightened your legs and threw them over one of his shoulders, bending you in half. He began to fuck you in earnest, fucked you limp. You really felt like a rag doll now, helplessly pinned beneath his weight, his hips pounding into your backside. He drilled into you, growing impossibly harder by the second, it was almost like being filled for the first time all over again. 
You couldn't stop moaning, he kept telling you how good you were doing, how you were almost there. Kept asking you questions that made you blush, making you answer them.
Every thrust of his hips was pure ecstasy, vibrating shocks of pleasure were sent straight to your core, your whole pussy throbbing with it. He was fucking you and it was the best thing you’d ever felt, you never imagined sex could be this good.
You felt his dick stretching you wider and wider when he said, “Where do you want me to come?” 
You didn't even think. The word preceded any thought.
“Inside. Please, please-"
“Fuck.” 
The feel of him shooting into you, hot and warm and pulsing, sent you tumbling into another orgasm, it hit you so hard your vision went white and spotty. You had the impression your whole body was vibrating with the force of it.
He rolled your sweat-slick bodies over so that he was cradling you, holding you. You could feel his heartbeat, feel the air rushing in and out of his ribcage. He held you for a few minutes before finally relenting and pulling out with a hiss.
“You’re so perfect,” he panted, pressing a kiss to your temple, your chin, your neck. 
You felt overwhelmed with emotion. Overstimulated. Completely at his mercy.
“I love you,” you said. Powerless. All your life you had clung to power, whatever power you could cling to and not be kicked off like a dog. But for him alone you allowed yourself to be weak.
Utterly and devastatingly weak. 
You always imagined him saying it to you, first, but the thought barely had the chance to dampen your soaring heart because then he said, “I love you more. I promise you, whatever love you have for me, Y/N, I'll always have more for you.” 
-----
He cleaned you up and gave you some of his clothes to change into. Soft and oversized, you were almost drowning in them. He changed into his own pajamas, changed the bedsheets and threw the old ones on the floor. Gave you a toothbrush to use and soon you were both cozy and tucked back in his bed.
“I wanted to do that from the first time I saw you," He admitted. “Even though I was your boss, and your friend, and I was a taken man at the time. It made me feel ashamed, sick with myself. How badly I desired you.” 
Hearing Theseus say these words was like a dream, or something you wouldn’t even dare to dream.
“Are you staying here for good now? Or are you leaving me again?” You asked.
“You’re coming with me. With us.” He said in a way that was so sure and simple, it made you feel safe. Made you forget about the Ministry, and the world falling apart. “We need your help. And besides, I've missed you.”
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part two here
A/N: woohoo first fic ever! let me know if you have any requests or if you'd like a part two. right now i am only writing for theseus and no one else.
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strangerdangerwrites · 9 months
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the art of lies | t.s. (fantastic beasts) - chapter one
Summary: all your life you had been handling the dirty truth, and here he comes presenting you with his sweet lies. 
Pairings: Theseus Scamander x Fem!Reader
genre: romance, mature audience intended
warnings: mature themes, implied sexual content, sexworker protagonist, pleasure house (brothel), smoking
the art of lies masterlist
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IN THE ABSENCE OF DAYLIGHT, Paris comes alive, after all, it is known as the City of Love.
Love in the form of freshly picked flowers from the florist.
The sweetest chocolate that tickled your taste buds.
Hand-written poems that rivaled world-renowned poets.
A love so sweet and tender that it caresses you gently in the night
But that certainly wasn’t the truth, it never was. Love wasn’t like that. 
Love was the thorns that hid beneath the roses.
Love was the bitter taste that lingered in your mouth after your first dark chocolate.
Love was the letter from lovers that had written goodbyes instead of ‘I’ll stay’.
Love was the harsh tug of your hair, the rough hands that hold your wrists, saying the words ‘You are so beautiful’ only when you are in the middle of the bed, spread willingly to the desires of man. 
Here, in Paris, is nothing but filled with nights of debauchery where all senses are thrown out the window. The sickening smell of expensive perfume and wine drowning you in the world of sins. And Paris was notable for it, here you are free! Or so they say.
Truth be told, you could never be free, always staying in hiding from the Non-Magiques. And here you were indebted to your handler, Madame Blanche, the owner of the renowned luxurious Maison close ‘Amour Délicat’. 
Like her name, the whites in her hair and the sharp look in her eyes tell her story. She was a former courtesan before and when the first war of the non-magiques happened there she learned something that would give birth to her only child, the Amour Délicat. When she shared the truth of what was happening in the world of the non-magiques to the Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France (Ministry of Magical Affairs of France), Madame Blanche was greatly compensated, and there from the ground up, she built her history. 
Madame Blanche is far from the harsh and ruthless handlers in the non-magiques world of prostitution; she is commanding and ruthless. When she saw the reality of the world, it opened her mind to do whatever it takes to protect herself, and that is by being well-known that you create a sense of security in being seen. Here she opened her doors to those willing to work for her, at first, many were wary as to join and take employment, the look of disdain and gossip were indeed not for the faint of heart. 
And you who had nothing to lose, took the first bite and jumped straight into death potion. 
You, who only had your name and the clothes you wore on your back crawled straight inside Pandora’s box. 
Madame Blanche had saved you, she had given you a roof, food, clothes, and the protection that you needed. The life you formerly had was long gone; it was all in the past, thrown into the sea to be forgotten.
And here you learn to be a great witch. She first-hand, had taught you how to be a legilimens, as her first courtesan, she has taught you how to traverse the mind easily, to learn secrets, and how to use them to your advantage.
“The most powerful of witches and wizards can all be defeated by the secrets they hide.”
While the other courtesans were only taught surface-level legilimency, you were a natural. Not only can you do it nonverbally and wandlessly, but you can also communicate with others telepathically. Madame Blanche had opened you to all possibilities, and with that, she entrusted you with the highest position of being her right hand.
And your skill at legilimens always comes at night when you bed another clientele. And in the middle of pure ecstasy, they reveal the truth unwillingly. Here in the dimmed candlelight, you walked through the halls of their mind unlocking every door with a skeleton key of your abilities. No matter how many layers, or how many locks they keep, trust you could open it with ease. Secrets like marital affairs, financial debt, graft and corruption, illegitimate children, crimes, enemies, first love, their favorite color, the last thing they ate, their thoughts at that very moment… you can see and feel. An out-of-body experience, stripping you naked from yourself, from what you are and who you were. Here you forgot you were even breathing.
You didn’t realize you had been lying on the bed still for the last few minutes, the house elf, Bernadette, had been looking at you worriedly, and in her hand was your dressing robe, colors almost like the blinding light.
“Was the man harsh on you today, Miss?” She asked, placing the mulberry silk robe on your hand. You gave her a small smile and shook your head. The faint marks of rope were the clear sign of your lies, yet you were accustomed to it.
“It is alright. Run my bath for me?” With a wave of her hand, the bed took itself towards the laundry room and came in a small golden tub that fit your frame. Muttering a spell it filled the tub with bubbles and water, you stood before it before hitting it with a wave of your wand. The gramophone in the room suddenly erupted into soulful jazz music. With a scrub and a bar of soap ready at hand, Bernadette tried to assist you but you declined. Stepping foot into the warm bubbly bath.
“I would like a moment alone.” You waved your hand as soon as the words left your mouth, the house elf knew to leave you to your own devices. You were a grown woman, a woman who has been doing these for the last decade. And whenever you tried to look into your future, all you could see were the grand walls that painted your very eyes, the moving wallpaper depicting fields of various white flowers, you were stuck in Amour Délicat for the last moments of your life. This was the only thing you will ever know. You were indebted and grateful to Madame Blanche, and that led to your loyalty. She protects you and everyone in the Maison close. Outside these walls was uncertainty.
In the hot water, you submerged yourself trying to wake yourself up to the fact that this is your life. Yet when the warm glow of the city, fireworks erupted the skyline, muffled by the water you sat straight to peer at the noise. Without even looking, you knew families were in their own homes, enclosed with the scent of pastries and the warmth of their own fireplace. It was just a few minutes before New Year's Eve, and here you were working. Alone, staring into the distance, craving the sense of a warm home. 
Holding your knees close to your chest, you stared at the skyline as Muggles and Magical people alike celebrated the night with a bright display of fireworks. 
Unbeknown to you, Clarice, the receptionist had been preventing the members of the British Ministry of Magic from stepping foot towards the quarters an hour before the new year would start.
“You cannot go inside; this is a private and respectable property,” Clarice spoke, her accent rushing the words as panic littered her veins. Her arm at ready with her own wand. The lounge was filled with thick air as the British aurors pointed their wand at the girl, not understanding a word she shouted. 
Click-clack! Click-clack!
With every slow step, Madame Blanche descended the stairs. 
“And what do you English want? Here to close Amour Délicat? You don’t have the right.” Madame Blanche boasts, looking at the men below with her chin pointed upwards. Looking at them one by one, the Madame could not read their minds, the British aurors have been trained in occlumency. Remaining calm, she stood on the balcony, overlooking the whole crowd below.
“We were looking for one of your workers. I believe they have the answers to the disappearance of one of the assistant delegates of the British Department of the International Confederation of Wizards.” Torquil Travers claimed, holding a photograph of a man in his middle 30s-40s. 
Summoning the paper in the grasp of the Madame, she looked at the photograph intently, racking up all the lists of their clients. Without even showing hints of recognition, Madame had thrown the paper back into the hands of the aurors.
“I believe you must have a permit before we further your inquiries. If not, then leave.” Turning around, she waved a hand to open the large doors.
“We have it, signed and approved by your own Minister.” Stopping in her tracks, the auror walked up to the steps and held it right in front of the Madame’s face. Now a hint of annoyance was painted on her pointed brows.
“Come to my office, only I can accommodate two of you. Choose wisely.” Madame Blanche said in a cold tone, not even bothering to wait for aurors as she walked straight to the lift.
“Scamander! Come with me.” Travers could upon the young man, the older auror respected the young man’s abilities and thinking, after all, he was a respectable war hero.  
Stepping into the lift, the walls were decorated with moving painted white flowers, the madame touched the button to the highest floor, and the black lining of the lift showed its elegance. As the Aurors stood behind her, eyes darted across each other in nervousness. The Brits showed no sign of anxiety, even if that was far from the truth, the Madame held an air of regalness suffocating them with the scent of floral perfume. As soon as the doors of the lift parted for her, the room was quite the luxury and beauty with its eclectic interior, engulfed with knick-knacks from travels, moving statues, paintings from famous muggles, and the large glass pane showing the night sky. 
In the middle of the room was a velvet green chair, a large glass table, and a lone flower sitting in the golden vase.
“Sit.” She pointed toward the chair in front of her, while she remained standing encircling the room looking at the Englishman that disturbed her home. 
“Our clients value discreteness, we simply could not disclose it easily… yet since you presented me with a hand-written note by our minister I must oblige to your request. Then talk, what is it that you want?”
“We are looking for Charles Moore. He has been in charge of communications with the French Ministry as a part of assistant delegate for our Ministry, he asked to be assigned here after the Muggle World War. The day he was posted to return, he didn’t. And we believe that in his letters to his sister, he claimed to be…”
Madame Blanche raised her eyebrow at Torquil Travers waiting for him to spit it out.
“In love.” Theseus replied. “He claims that he has found the love of life here in Paris and was planning to buy off her indenture. Or so we believe.” 
Madame Blanche scoffed.
“There are many dames in Paris, and he chose to settle with a courtesan?” Madame Blanche laughed, making Travers find it humorous as well. In the keen eyes of Madame Blanche, he saw Theseus's brows turn into a frown before shifting back to biting his cheeks.
“Are you certain that it was in Amour Délicat?”
Theseus answered with a nod. 
There were three letters in total from Charles Moore to his sister. And for the past few days, Theseus had been assigned to look for the exact description of the building. He alone took the time of the day, looking at details of every establishment and brothel in Paris, from the world of the muggles to hidden alcoves of the French Wizarding World. After 2 days, he had seen the exact description of the magnificent-looking walls lined with silver and the sweet nauseating scent of flowers, that’s when he knew this was it.
First Letter:
Dearest Ange,
I believe I have found the love of my life! No one is ever as beautiful as her. No amount of theatrics on the show could ever take my eyes off of her. She sat there like a flower, waiting for me.
As soon as the play was over, I tried to approach her. Tell her to take my hand and run away with me. Oh, Ange! I never felt something like this. This must be what love is. Yet, my heart turned to pieces when I saw her taking the arm of another man, walking together side-by-side as they left the theater. I trailed behind them, and saw the most luxurious of buildings, sparkled with silver linings and flowers decorating its walls. Then I stopped and stared, and the man left her there. That’s when I realized what it was… I know this might sound ridiculous, but she is working in the red-light district and with that, no amount of apprehension could hinder me. I know you would flip the whole house upside down, but Ange this is love. I am certain of it. No amount of your denial could keep me away from this.
                                                                                                             From your darling brother, Charlie.
Second Letter: 
Dear Angelique, 
With the amount of your reply, I take that your silence was your approval. 
Today, I took liquid courage to go ahead and talk to her. But the only way was that I had to pay a fortune. I walked to the receptionist with high hopes, and with her assistance, she immediately gave me a room. With flowers in hand, I waited for her only to get my hopes up when another girl walked into the room. I was filled with disappointment. I asked the lady of the night for the description of my love, and she claimed that she was part of the ‘bouquet de blanc’. First-time patrons' pocket money is not enough to gain an audience. And me being an assistant could only lead me to certain places, yet I will persevere. 
 Give me a few more days and I’ll be able to, no matter the cost.
                                                                                                             From your brother, Charles.
Last Letter:
To my Darling Sister,
I hope this letter finds you well, I could not disclose to the ministry the cost of my expenses… but I found another way. Worry no more. Today, I will finally be able to talk to her.
The day that I return home is when she is with me.
                                                                                                             From your loving brother.
Placing the letters right in front of the Madame of the house, with a lifted finger her smile faded into a scowl. Someone from the inside was spreading information about her courtesans; Bouquet de Blanc was valued in secrecy. This was a catalog of their courtesans that had regular high-paying patrons, and this was not open for viewing so easily. Patrons that were deemed valuable to her and her Maison close were accommodated, the pure-blooded noble families, higher ranking officials, royalty even. And someone from the lower ranks of her courtesans had their tongue quite willingly.
Waving her wand, she summoned a large logbook. There inside was information such as names, professions, ages, nationalities, and ranks of their patrons, of course, the courtesan they were assigned to. Whispering the name Charles Moore, it skimmed through the pages with ease, and there in bold letters was the name of the auror the Brits were looking for. Travers tried to peer at the other listed names, his curiosity taking the best of him.
“Curiosity is the lust of the mind, Mr. Travers. Why don’t you sit still, and I’ll call upon her.”
Closing the book harshly, Madame called upon Bernadette. Apparating next to her mistress, Madame Blanche whispered to call the girl. Nodding the house elf disappeared within a blink of an eye. Behind them, the elevator dinged, while the Madame tapped on the book with carefully manicured nails. 
“It is New Year’s Eve; would you like to avail of our services? It can easily be arranged. I know it’s a long journey and your work for your ministry is greatly appreciated, it wouldn’t hurt to take the night off— to indulge yourself in your sensual desires.” 
The older man shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Suddenly they were interrupted when the elevator doors dinged, signaling the arrival of the courtesan. Turning around a slender figure stepped foot in the room, She wore a long flowing green nightgown.
“Come in here and greet the Brits, Maeve. They would like to talk to you about Charles Moore.” Madame Blanche pointed to the aurors in front of her, the back of the courtesan’s neck grew in a cold sweat.
“I–I do not understand Madame Blanche. I didn’t do anything wrong! The man asked– and I swore that was the last of it, I told him what he wanted to hear.” The girl's pleading cries fell on deaf ears as the aurors could not understand what she was crying about. Theseus' eyes darted between Madame Blanche and the girl’s tear-stricken face. While Torquil Travers stood to show his authority, ready to apprehend the girl.
Within just a few seconds, Madame Blanche had already seen the inner linings of the girl’s mind. The fear registered in her thoughts while she traversed doors upon doors to look for the memories of the missing delegate, and right there she found what she was seeking.
In just a few quick strides, Madame Blanche towered over the girl with a look of disdain painted on her red lips. The old mistress, jaw held tightly as she wiped the tears of the girl. Only to hold the young girl’s face tightly, her long nails pierced through the delicate skin while she stared straight down into the young woman’s eyes with an intense look, unblinking. 
“You may leave, pack your bags, and look for work elsewhere. I do not take it kindly to those willing to open their mouths willingly to my secrets. Bernadette, escort her out of here. I have found what I’m looking for.” 
The girl refused as the house elf dragged the wailing girl back to the elevator, screams of ‘no’ echoed through the walls. 
Travers, who was far too confused, shouted for the house elf to stop as the girl was a key witness. Even pointed his wand threateningly at the old mistress, ready to cast a stunning spell within the tips of his lips. The madame disarms him with a flick of her wand, his wand went flying right off his grasp and cluttered on the hardwood floor. Madame shook her head no when the auror Travers tried to pick it up. 
“You’re a legilimens.” Theseus muttered; Madame Blanche turned around to face the man giving them a tight-lipped smile and nodded. 
“Would you like to view the girl’s memory and be done with it? I need to run my business after all.” Offering to perform legilimency to project the memories to the aurors, they declined. They knew not to, after all, they too have secrets that protect their ministry. 
“We decline. We, Aurors value our minds and do not open them so willingly.” Travers stated, still apprehensive of Madame Blanche. “But the girl needs to be questioned, we have to have her testimonials as to Moore’s disappearance.”
“Then you must trust my word because I too have my secrets to keep. That girl didn’t kill or cause his disappearance. He came in here one night, to question about the catalog of my courtesans and that was it–”
Cutting off the handler of the brothel, Theseus insisted; “Charles Moore stated in his letters about a ‘bouquet de blanc’. I hope that might ring a bell, after browsing through your catalog in the lobby earlier. I couldn’t find traces of this list, is this a secret that you are hiding from the ministry?” 
Madame Blanche’s eyes narrowed at the young auror; her piercing ice-blue eyes almost looked like they could kill.
“No, of course not. My bouquet de blanc is the Amour Délicat trade secrets. I could not easily say it out loud for fear of our competitors copying what I built from the ground up. If you would like to browse that catalog, then let me— although I must say, we do not easily offer our services freely.” Walking towards a dark oak cabinet grabbing a large book with golden linings. Placing right back at the table, Madame Blanche flipped through the pages with images of different courtesans, and right on its last page was a picture of you. 
“I believe she is the one he is asking for.” She pointed with a manicured finger, right before your name was a title given to you. 
Queen of the Night; Night-blooming Cereus
You were smiling, looking right at the onlooker like it was destined. While others bashfully hid their eyes, sultry looking to get admirers, you didn’t need to do that. You had your charm, something that allures the onlookers to choose you. Madame Blanche tried to flip the page to show them another photograph of you leaving nothing to the imagination to the spectator, but Theseus stopped her.
“I think that is enough, could you summon her to talk to us.” Theseus declared with a cough, standing up to close the book and stepping right in front of Travers' line of sight. “Please.”
Madame Blanche smiled, this time it was far different. “I believe your permit only limited you to talk to one of the key witnesses… And since Mr. Moore was not a benefactor of bouquet de blanc, I know because I am the only bookkeeper of that catalog… you must pay a hefty price.”
Now, the Aurors were stuck in the beginning, only pieces of blocked paths. If Charles Moore was not on the list of high-ranking patrons, then they could only comply with the demands of the authority and right now it wasn’t them who was holding the winning cards. When Travers' authority gets threatened, he scoffs, ready to drag Theseus out of the old woman. Madame Blanche truly was a businesswoman, she played them a fool. Whether they get out of the establishment empty-handed, or with empty wallets was their choice. They could simply not arrest the old woman, this was out of their jurisdiction, they were out of their element and far from their own country, and they simply couldn’t do whatever they wanted. 
“Either you pay full price, or you will tell me why such a simple assistant is being hunted down by the best Aurors of the British Ministry. Pick your price.” She sat arms folded right in front of her face, holding her chin while she grinned at the standing men.
Within a minute of no one budging, Travers' patience wavered. With a deep sigh, he faltered. With one last glance at Theseus, he held his head low. 
“Charles Moore stole 4,000 galleons. We believe that he tried to buy her indenture and convince her to come to London with him.” Travers confessed. That was the half-truth, Theseus’ senior took out the part that it was from the subsidy for international affairs. And the way he stole it was undetected like he had some insiders to help him, they were now battling an unseen threat. They only noticed it was missing after 3 months, when Theseus looked at the accounts and noticed that something was awry.
Madame Blanche started laughing, “He believes he can buy off her indenture for 4,000 galleons. Oh, what a joke! That’ll only cost him half an hour at most”
When Madame Blanche stopped laughing, she pointed back to the lift doors. “Head to the floor below. I’ll tell her I sent you.” The aurors nodded and headed to leave only to be held when the Madame halted them to stop.
“You endanger my investment; I’d rather you stay here than be near one of my priceless courtesans.” She stated, pointing at the older auror. Theseus can see his senior jaw tightened, and the veins on his neck grew red in anger. Not only was the older auror disarmed, but he was also being held under surveillance in fear that he might endanger you, now his patience and authority wavered on thin ice, and his eyes clouded with anger.
“I’ll talk to her and I’ll find what we need.” Theseus whispered as soon as he stepped foot in the lift. The doors closed slowly; he saw Madame Blanche’s eyes watching the other auror like a hawk. 
When the doors for the lift opened, what greeted him was a vast hall painted like the night sky. With a slight shift of his eyes, he can see the tiny freckles of stars that decorated a lone white door. Unlike the outside of the establishment, this seemed out of place with the flower motifs of Amour Délicat. Here he can feel the cold breeze of the winter night. Knocking on the white door, he called out to the name he had seen written on the catalog. 
You who had been preoccupied with your thoughts; wishing to know the feeling of stepping out of your body, floating, freely, like the ghosts that linger down the dark alleys. Right outside the window, the streets erupted in cheers as they all greeted each other another happy new year. Drinking down the champagne that was given to you by a patron, noting a taste of toast and coffee and a subtle spice drowning out all your other senses. When the fireworks ended, you lay there looking at the skylight as the only glow of the light left was the moonlight.
A subtle knock started you as you let Bernadette waltz her way in. Her company and the cup of tea are greatly appreciated when your water has now gone cold. But instead of the house elf, what replaced her was someone far taller than her; there he stood only the silhouette of his slender frame seen. 
Theseus didn’t expect what he saw, a lone woman basking in the golden tub, a melancholy look written in her eyes.
Sad. You looked sad. 
The only sound that could be heard was the faint hum of the gramophone across the room and the muffled cheers that erupted right behind the glass windows. With the faint sparkle of light, you saw a slight frown on his face. Realizing your predicament, you went back to wearing the mask when you were at work.
“Would you like me to keep you company?” You asked, turning around delicately, careful not to show another ounce of skin. Tilting your head to one side and smiling at him, the same one he has seen in the photograph earlier.
When Theseus realized what you were implying, he held his hand and shook his head, showing you a metal badge indicating the words ‘auror’. You had a fair share of French aurors that came to you for a night, often playing the role of the captive and captor. What a lack of imagination, if this is the role he wants to play then so be it.
“You would like to play that role? I, the convict, and you the detainer. Would you like that darling?” You asked, ready to approach him when he realized what was happening, he turned around not to face your naked form. The tips of his ears went red in embarrassment. 
“I didn’t come here for your service; I was sent here by Madame Blanche to question you. My name is Theseus Scamander, I was sent by the British Ministry of Magic.” He announced. 
Ahh… A British Auror. You hummed and stood to grab the white robe and placed it on your body. Hearing the sound of faint footsteps, Theseus waited until you gave him a signal. 
“I see… talk I don’t have all night to entertain you.” This time you put your weight and one foot, crossing your arms across your chest. Your hand laid steady on your wand.
Turning around, you pointed toward the chair that sat across from you, and he agreed to your request. As soon as he did, you went and grabbed the champagne you had been drinking earlier and procured another glass to pour him one. Placing it next to him, you stood in front of him and drank yours, waiting as he did too. Theseus eyed it suspiciously, but you continued to drink it on your own accord.
“A gift… something lighter than the fire whiskey.” You replied as you down the glass in one gulp. He nodded and carefully took a sip of his. You sat in front of him and grabbed the bottle to pour more down into your glass.
When he exhaled in satisfaction, you knew it tasted amazing. Theseus knew what you were doing, trying to lower his guard, not sitting to show you were in control, and intoxicating him to vulnerability. Yet, he remained calm, showing no signs of threat to you. If Madame Blanche was a legilimens, there was a high chance you were too, all he needed to do was throw you off his scent.
And just like he had predicted, right at the moment you tried to pry his mind. A knot on your brow formed when you stared intently at him.
‘You looked sad.’ Those were the thoughts that circled his mind, like a mantra. You can feel it. Feel him. It made you nauseous, the bile in your throat rose as his thoughts engraved into yours. No one had looked at you and thought you were sad; it was always beautiful. Sadness and you were never to be put in a sentence, and when his thoughts did it terrified you. 
To be seen broken makes you fear. To be seen feeling sadness made the feeling of being stripped naked for the whole world to see. All your life, you had built these walls that made you stand on your own two feet. The ache in your mind becomes unbearable, you weren’t beautiful… underneath all the expensive clothes, and pearls that glittered your skin— you are crooked, battered with bruises, wrecked by time, your skin filthy with sin, you were a tragedy… a rotten work.
“Stop.” With gritted teeth, you fail to look at his eyes and his mind. A slip of the tongue made you realize what you had said out loud, that was all Theseus needed to know that you too are a legilimens. “State your purposes.”
Right in the pockets of his coat was the photograph of Charles Moore, he carefully placed it on the table in front of him waiting for you to pick it up.
“Do you recognize him?” He placed the picture within your line of sight. Pausing he tried to scope for your reaction. “It’s Charles Moore, an assistant delegate of the British Department of the International Confederation of Wizards.”
“He has been missing for months and the last contact we had from him was a letter to his sister, trying to have an audience with you.” 
Your eyes examined Moore’s photograph. And minutes passed your silence almost became too heavy to Theseus's dislike, but he needed to thread your waters carefully, you were already agitated for unknown reasons.
“I believe I do not know who this person is.” You smiled and stared at Theseus, the first time you met his eyes after your outburst earlier.
He pointed out another slip of your strong facade right at its mark. “Yet you do not deny that you do recognize him.” 
“Maybe I do… Maybe I don’t. It is possible he is one of my long lists of admirers, doesn’t erase the fact that I do not know him at all.” 
“I highly doubt that. You’re a legilimens, and I am not; that is true. I need to know if you have met with him once, and if you are proven to be telling the truth then I would leave this room. But I can tell you’re lying. Skilled legilimens can procure memories into another person, and all I needed was the time and date, any people that were trailing him. Your truth is all I need.” He proposes.
“Or would you rather we do this the hard way? The choice is yours.” He leaned forward as his head rested on his knuckles.
“You give me the illusion of free choice when all you want is to pry my mind. Is there something you are not saying, Mister Scamander? Tell me the truth, what is in it for you? What would you get to look into the inner workings of my mind? You expect me to believe that you honestly want nothing else? Just my memory? I hardly doubt that.” Challenging his proposition, you leaned forward as your palms hit the glass table harshly with a loud slap, not before rebutting his claims. “Surely it could not be just you are looking for a testament, you wouldn’t work hard on that, all you needed is a vial of the strongest veritaserum and it would be done. Then why are you pushing hard to look into my mind?”
“You play a cruel game of trust.” He sighed, making you scoff. “Mr. Moore had said in his letters about how he will get the currency to meet you, his means to getting it is unsaid. And that was a clear sign that he needed someone to work with him to get that from a subsidiary of international affairs, you are simply a madman to be able to work alone. And all I need is— you. All I need is you.”
Your brows furrowed in confusion. 
“I need you to work with me. You knew better than just mere rumors, you knew everyone and could see their thoughts.”
Working with the British Ministry, consider it treason. Yet, you never were loyal to this land. Your loyalty lies elsewhere, it stays to those who have given you a sense of protection. Your loyalty is within Madame Blanche’s hands. Hands that remained choking you to stay. 
Still, you let Mr. Scamander entertain you with his words.
“It would have to take you a valuable price, Mr. Scamander. I am an expensive woman, yet, I am considerate. Give me leverage and I will give you what you want.” That’s when he stopped and stared at the photo, avoiding any eye contact. “What could you possibly offer Mr. Scamander, tell me.”
You grinned as you took a sip at the champagne, just like a war, both of you had been disarming and hurting each other for the kill. Breaking down every barrier with a small slip-up of each other, both of you were professionals at your trades. He is an Auror, he knows how to spot lies and negotiate, give you the feeling of support to make you break down your armor. Meanwhile, you pride yourself on being a great liar, you know what to say to appear compliant, and you know how to adapt and play the games to your tide. Every word and sentence uttered until one of you would lose the battle of wits, one slip and the fallen would crash and burn.
Leaning back you gave him a smile, your wand procuring a cigarette that lay on the table. Placing it gently on your lips, the tip of your wand lit up a flame. With a deep inhale, you knew you were already winning the battle. You didn’t need to look into his mind, to know that he was fighting a losing war. His occlumency was far useless when the knot on his forehead and the jaunt of his chin told you he was conflicted.
“I have been offered riches that could fill De Nile, clothes that were woven from the rarest of silks, jewels that shone brighter than the sun, houses that housed thousands of rooms, paintings of the most beautiful landscapes, songs and sonnets about my beauty, the most exotics of creatures that lay hidden within the government’s grasp… Pray tell, what could a simple auror like you have that can overthrow all those proposals?”
He was silent, expression never changing. And no matter how hard you try to pry to look into his mind, it remains still like he is right in front of you. 
“Safety.” Your smile faltered. “I offer you safety.” 
You blinked and blinked. Trying hard not to show that your jaw was slack in silence; the timeliness of the gramophone hitting its ending notes was fitting. His words lay heavy on your mind.
Amour Délicat had always offered you protection, but never safety. Safety was a word often associated with emotional aspects that were never visible in your job, safety offered you the sense of never needing to keep your secrets in this line of work or needing not to utter a word that would be your downfall in these walls. Protection kept you free and sheltered from physical aspects and threats, like the two guards that trailed you whenever you needed to do outside work, or the walls that shielded you from the rain. Safety is a foreign word, way too foreign that it burns you with curiosity. A thrill you never experience on a silver platter. It gives you hope— and hope gives you greed. A greet that surpasses all material things known to man. You want to take it all, consume your being until all is left is the safety that you wanted, the safety of being able to walk free, to run away, the security of not needing to know that this is the place where you would meet your demise. 
You knew how Madame Blanche worked, she took pride in knowing secrets and that is her leverage. And right now Madama Blanche would be none the wiser when you will take his deal. And there is one thing in the world that the Madame hated, and it is to not know anything at all. 
“Give me your hand.”
“What?” 
You held your hand to him and stood up, apprehensive he stood up as well taking your hand in his. Looking up into his eyes, you called upon the house elf. Bernadette immediately appeared right beside you.
“Don’t promise me empty words.”
“I won’t.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if we made an unbreakable vow.”
Your hold on his palm tightens, only to travel into his wrist. Without breaking eye contact you give him a minute to decide what his choice would be. Does he trust you enough to do it at the expense of his life, or would he rather fear being the one to dictate his actions?
His palm pressed tightly into your wrists, not like the rough hands that occupied your wrists hours ago, his hold was gentle, not imposing. Nodding at Bernadette, a thin tongue of flame issued at the tips of the house elf's fingertips and wound its way around both your and Theseus’ hands. It felt like a burning wire, keeping your skin aflame.
“Will you, Theseus Scamander, promise to provide my safety, as he and I work together?”
“I will.”
“Will you, abide by our oath, to only tell the truth to me?”
“I will.”
a/n: dialogue that is formatted like this “dialogue” is in French. i tried hard to make it one-shot i really did, buT I SIMPLY CANT SO HERE I GIVE YOU WORLD BUILDING AND MORE LORE UPON LORE ON THIS FIC.
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spideyharrington · 2 years
Text
Guiding Light
summary: based on this request for jealous Theseus. also it wasn’t inspired by the Mumford & Sons song, but it did cross my mind after i wrote the line
warnings: jealous and kinda touchy Theseus, upset Theseus, a moment of arguing / yelling, kinda suggestive ending but definitely nothing explicit
A/N: This was surprisingly trickier than writing jealous Newt somehow. I hope you like it :) also, per usual i did not proofread lol
word count: 1.6k
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You and Theseus have both worked in the British Ministry of Magic together for 3 years now. You became quite close quite quickly. You never see each other out of work, however. Then again, you’re really only ever home to sleep.
Recently you’ve been doing a lot of work inside of the office rather than leaving to go on missions. For the most part, that was true for Theseus as well. But when he was away for work and you were stuck in the office, you were slightly miserable. You’d never admit it to his face, but you loved having him around. You loved using his height when you couldn’t reach things (which was often), you loved his stupid jokes, you even loved when he would poke fun at you. Another plus, that you had forgotten about until he was away for a couple of weeks recently, is that whenever he was around none of the other men in the Ministry bothered you unless it was for work. Which meant they really never bothered you since Theseus found a way to be glued to your side everyday.
Now that he’d been gone for some time, one of your fellow aurors decided to start talking to you more. It wasn’t that he was rude by any means, he was sweet actually, you just were too anxious around other people. Especially alone.
He started talking to you everyday at lunch and you started to warm up to him and get used to his presence. It was good for you to get acquainted with people without Theseus to interrupt. And Eli was a great place to start. He seemed to be able to ease your anxiety, much like Theseus was able to. What you hadn’t realized was that Eli had a thing for you. Your head was too focused on Theseus to notice. Even when he was gone for almost 3 weeks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You were eating lunch with Eli when you heard someone clear their throat as there was suddenly a shadow over part of the table. You whipped around to see Theseus leaning against the table behind you, arms crossed per usual.
“Am I interrupting something?” He sounded mildly irritated, but you were far too excited to notice.
“Theseus!” You quickly got up to hug him, and he did not hesitate for a second to hug you tightly back.
“I missed you dove.” He whispered into your hair, but it was loud enough so that the other auror could hear the pet name.
You remembered when he first gave you that name, he said it was perfect for you since you’re the most kind and gentle person he’s ever met (who wasn’t his brother with his magical creatures). You smiled widely and pulled away to keep from touching for a suspicious amount of time. He decided to sit between you and Eli for the remainder of lunch. You didn’t mind, you were just happy he was back. You were starting to get worried.
Everything was normal, in your head, until you felt his hand on your leg after you laughed hard at something Eli had said. You almost choked on your sandwich as you shot him a confused look, your eyes moving between his hand and his eyes.
“Um, I’m gonna head back to my office. See ya later, yeah?” Eli stood up and gathered the remainder of his food.
“Yeah! Of course!” You smiled and waved goodbye to him. You glanced at Theseus and noticed an odd smirk. He seemed proud of himself for something.
“Thees what was that all about?” You raised your eyebrows at him.
“What was all of what about?” He still hadn’t removed his hand.
You pointed at his hand.
“Oh, sorry. I guess I’ve just been away from you too long.” He laughed and moved his hand.
You were still confused but decided it was nothing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day you were in your office with Theseus when Eli walked in. You saw his smile fade when he noticed Theseus standing next to you.
“Y/N, uh, hi. I was just wondering-“
Theseus unexpectedly put his arm around your shoulders as you stood, smiling at Eli.
“What’s up Eli?”
“Yeah, no nevermind. Sorry I seem to have forgotten.” He nervously laughed and left the room.
“Eli? His name is Elliott.” Theseus removed his arm from around you and furrowed his brows.
“Well I like Eli better. What’s it matter what I call him?”
“You’re being too friendly-“
“I’m being too friendly? Theseus since when has me being kind been an issue? The entire point of calling me dove was because of how ‘kind and gentle’ I am. A direct quote from you by the way.” You moved to stand in front of him so you could try to read his face. He’s always incredibly hard to read. Even to you and Newt.
“He clearly fancies you! And by the looks of it he thinks you fancy him as well.”
“What makes you say th-“
“Oh come on, Y/N! Are you really that stupid? Or are you enjoying leading him on?”
Him calling you stupid hurt, but his implication that you could be capable of enjoying toying with someone’s emotions like that was the real stinger. Your eyes started to water as you turned around to just go home early. His arm shot out to grab your hand in a panic, he didn’t mean to hurt you. It was really the very last thing he was trying to do.
You whipped around, but instead of the wide grin when you looked at him, it was pure anger and confusion, “What has gotten into you?! What happened to the Theseus I know and love?” You yelled out at him, and he visibly looked taken aback at your tone, but he didn’t move a muscle.
“Let me go.” You whispered out angrily. Theseus listened, watching you leave, wishing he could follow you and just tell you everything. He wished he could just run right after you, spin you around, and kiss you. Right there in the middle of the Ministry. But he knew he couldn’t. He may be a war hero, but he knew he couldn’t handle it if you were to reject him. You’ve been his guiding light ever since you first met. When he felt incredibly lost and alone. When he wasn’t even talking to Newt. But he didn’t know which was worse. The idea of losing you because you didn’t feel the same, or losing you because he accidentally pushed you away. Because he hurt you. Merlin, he really couldn’t live with himself if he lost you because he hurt you.
You stomped back into your office a couple minutes later, “I forgot-“ you started to say you forgot your keys in an angry and mildly awkward tone, but were cut off by the site before you. He was leaning against your desk, gripping the edge with his hands as he looked down. Your stomach dropped. You know you’re the one who should be raging and he’s the one that said hurtful things to you, but you’ve never seen him like this.
“…Thees? Are you ok? What happened to you while you were gone?” You asked softly and quietly, slowly walking towards him until you were standing in front of him.
He remained gripping the desk for a moment before he looked into your eyes and shook his head, tears welling up. Your heart started racing from anxiety. You’ve never seen him like this and you really wish you weren’t. You could swear it was literally breaking your heart in two.
You hugged him, it was the only thing you knew to do. He hugged you back so tightly that you thought for a moment that it was a cruel trick for him to be able to strangle you to death. And then you felt the small shakes of him silently crying.
“Theseus talk to me. Are you okay?” You softly rubbed his back in circles as he cried into your shoulder.
“I’m sorry.”
“Look, it’s ok. I’m not sure why you’re upset but people say things they don’t mean when they’re upset and it’s-“
“No. No not for that. Well, that too but,” he pulled away to look into your eyes, and to be able to read your reaction, “for acting the way I was. I’m sure Elliott is a swell man, but I…”
“You what, Theseus?” You whispered as your heart began to race for a different reason.
“I’m so sorry if you don’t feel the same but I need to tell you. And if I don’t tell you now, I don’t think I’d ever get it out there. I love you, Y/N. And please, before you respond, I need you to know something else. Before I met you I was disconnected. I felt incredibly lost and I was completely alone at that point in my life. I hadn’t even talked to Newt in months. But then you came along and… And you became this guiding light of sorts for me. I don’t know how else to explain it. Newt is much better with dealing with emotions than I am and I’m sorr-“
“Theseus,” you smiled, “that was an amazing little speech. And I can’t believe you called me stupid for not realizing Eli ‘fancied’ me, while you were right here thinking that I didn’t love you back.” You gave him a playful grin as you looked down at his lips for a moment. And before you knew it, you crashed your lips to his. Both you kissing the other as if your life depended on it. As if you were starving. You were then interrupted by a knock on the door, presumably Eli again, but Theseus pulled out his wand to close the small curtain on your door and to put a chair in front under the handle. You giggled before he kissed you feverishly again. And let’s just say you didn’t get much work done that had to do with the Ministry the rest of the day.
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its-vannah · 2 years
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Daylight - Theseus Scamander x Reader
A/N: This was a fun one to write <3
Series: Theseus Scamander x Harry's House (a collection of one-shots based off of Harry's newest album)
Song: Daylight
Word Count: 717
Warnings: Implied 😏 (cough cough), long distance relationship
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Theseus held you tighter to his chest when you tried to get out of bed, burying his head deeper into your neck, mumbling something about not wanting you to leave.
"I've got a train to catch, Theseus," You smiled, trying to pry his arm off of you, "I don't want to be late."
He grumbled, "I don't want you to go."
"It's not my decision, Thes, you know that," You sighed, "If I could stay, I would."
Turning towards him, you pressed a soft kiss to his lips, "I've got to go, Thes."
He lifted his hand, allowing you to shuffle out of bed, grabbing your robe and slipping it on.
"Not saying you look bad in a robe, but I think I preferred you without one." He called out as you made your way into the bathroom.
"Theseus!" You exclaimed, laughing to yourself as you began getting ready for your departure.
"Do you really have to leave?" He asked, appearing beside you, leaning against the doorframe, "You've only been here for a few days."
You frowned, scrubbing your hands in the sink, "It's the most I could get off. Trust me, if I could have stayed longer, I would have."
"I'm going to miss you," Theseus said, running a hand through his hair, "I wish I could just apparate to you."
"I wish you could, too, Thes. But apparating from one city to another isn't the same as trying to apparate across an entire ocean. MACUSA needs me there, and the Ministry needs you here."
"I need you here, too." He teased.
You smiled, taking his hands in his, "I'm sure you do."
You stepped out of the bathroom, your hair expertly styled, rouge applied to your lips and blush to your cheeks, wearing a light blue blouse and dark grey skirt.
Thesues smiled up at you between bites of cereal, "You look stunning, darling."
"Thank you," You grinned, jokingly curtsying, "Like royalty, right?"
"Like a Queen."
You walked over to him, wiping the milk off of his bottom lip, leaning in to give him a kiss goodbye. He placed a hand on your side, deepening the embrace before you pulled away, "I love you."
"I love you, too," He sighed, rising from his seat, "Let me walk you to the train station."
"Are you sure? I don't want you to be late for work."
"You're in for a long day. You've got a train ride and a flight to catch. It's the least I can do," Theseus said, slipping on his shoes and grabbing your suitcase, "Ready?"
You nodded, "I'm ready."
The train was about to depart, but neither one of you wanted to be the one to say goodbye first.
"I'm going to miss you," Theseus said, his forehead creased, "More than you know."
"We're going to make this work," You reminded him, "I don't think I can keep saying goodbye to you. It gets harder every time."
He nodded, "Tell me about it. I'm at the point where I'd rather join MACUSA than say goodbye."
You quirked a brow, "You can't stand the people at MACUSA. You'd hate it."
Theseus shrugged, "You're probably right, but I'd do it for you. I'd do anything for you."
"You would now, would you?"
"I would."
Smiling up at him, you laughed, "Start trying to find me a job at the Ministry. Nothing below what I'm doing now and I'll think about making the move."
"Really?" He asked excitedly, to which you nodded.
He wrapped you in a tight hug, kissing your forehead, cheeks, nose, and finally your mouth. It was what Americans would call a passionate goodbye.
The train's engine started, pulling you out of your trance.
"I'll see you soon." You said over the roar of the engine, "I love you."
"I love you, too!" He called out, your hand sliding out of his grasp as you walked towards the train.
Giving him one last wave, you stepped aboard, disappearing into the train.
Theseus smiled to himself, burying his hands in his pockets, watching as the train departed the station. He reached further into his pocket once you were out of sight, pulling out a black box. Flipping open the lid, he watched the diamond sparkle in the light. It wouldn't be long before that ring was on your finger.
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exoticbabe69 · 2 years
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Theseus Scamander x reader
This is my first ever fic! Hope you enjoy! Making this a series🪄💗
✨Love is magical✨
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6| Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9| Part 10| Part 11|
You’re sitting in your office gazing at the stars outside, about to be off work. It’s winter in London, the weather outside is indeed frightful, snow is falling from the sky, and it might be the coldest night of the year but you don’t care because Christmas is only 20 days away! Yes, you were a sucker for Christmas, even though your family wasn’t Christian you just loved the Christmas spirit and everything that came with the heartwarming holiday. You moved to London about 6 months ago from the states. This was the first Christmas you’d be spending away from your family. And your ex who you broke up with before moving here because “long distance wasn’t going to work” for him, not to mention he flat out demanded you to quit your job. At this point you were basically over Peter (your ex) and that sadness that once filled your heart was now outpoured by curiosity for this new environment you were in. You liked London, sure the accents and lingo took some getting used to, but there was something magical about where you lived! You couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but the city just twinkled with a spark that had to be other worldly.✨
You left work to take off on a dreadfully cold trip home. You had to take the trolley because your car was in the shop. Even though it was unbearably cold the beautiful bright lights, and Christmas decorations filled throughout the city took your breath away!
You entered the trolley only to see it filled with couples, it was cute, sweet even, but it also kinda reminded you that you were very single, which made you a little sad. You look down at your feet after noticing everyone staring at you (you thought it was because you were alone and felt awkward but in reality everyone was taken aback by your beauty). You were the prettiest girl in that town but you having an even prettier soul and heart of gold never paid much attention to looks, you just thought people were being nice when they’d compliment you.
As you stand looking down at your shoes wishing your car wasn’t in the shop you hear a deep voice with a strong British accent say “excuse me miss would you like to sit down?” You look up and see a tall gentleman with blue eyes, and curly short brown hair smile at you endearingly.
You smile back and say “I’m fine thanks.” He gets up and says “I insist” to which you look back again and say “no really I’m fine, my stop is coming up!” The trolley stops just in time for you to wave bye and hop off.
The trolley stranger doesn’t hesitate to follow you pretending that it was his stop as well (which you think is a bit strange).
“I’m Theseus by the way, Theseus Scamander” he says. You nod your head and continue to walk, sure you thought he was handsome but you’re wary about meeting literal strangers.
“Aren’t you going to tell me your name, miss” he says looking at you with almost puppy dog eyes, like he was a kid begging his Mom for that delicious piece of candy she wouldn’t let him have.
“I’m y/n, y/ln,” you say, as you both stop. His eyes filled with delight and amazement “ah what a beautiful name, almost as beautiful as you miss y/n.”
You smile “thank you Theseus….so was this really your stop?” (Asked with suspicion in your voice).
He laughs “I’ll be perfectly honest, it wasn’t but I couldn’t pass up the chance of knowing your name.” You blush, and start walking again.
He walks briskly to keep up with you “so if I may ask, do you live here, in London?”
“Yes I moved here not long ago for work, how about you?”
“Yes I live here as well, all my life actually!”
“Oh and what do you do for work?” You ask.
“I’m head aur- *he stops himself mid sentence* “head of the architecture department.” He says nervously hoping you wouldn’t notice that he meant to say head auror at the ministry of magic.
You didn’t notice though, you just thought he was a bit goofy, but you like goofy, you were goofy yourself, and suddenly you found this stranger somewhat charming.
Theseus insists on letting him walk you home to make sure you get there safely. You chuckle “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.” He pauses and looks at you with the most sincere stare “please y/n, you can trust me.” For some reason the warmth in his eyes made you feel safe, at ease almost, and you believed him.
So you both continue and the entire way you’re laughing, and talking about your life stories. It was easy with him. Finally you make it to your door “well this is me” you say. Theseus becomes sad realizing that your time together has come to an end. “Thank you for the company Theseus,” you say before turning away.
As you’re walking into your home he yells ‘Y/n wait!!” “Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow? Please! I insist! I’d love to take you out and show you around town!”
You look back and smile “sure, I’d love that, stop by around 6.”
Theseus literally jumps for joy thinking you didn’t notice but oh you did, you bust out laughing and his cheeks flush a bright red. “You’re cute” you say blowing him a kiss good bye and locking the door behind you.
You swoon as soon as you walk in and slide your back on the door. A rush of what feels like magic takes over your body, and you’re basking in the glow of your first post break up crush.
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gabbydoesthings · 2 years
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𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪
𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳
@gabbydoesthings 2022, please do not repost!
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𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙮: A oneshot where you're upset at Theseus because he danced with another woman at a ball which results in Theseus confessing his feelings for you.
𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: None really, just a heated kiss towards the end, but nothing too explicit or anything. A bit angsty and fluffy.
𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚: This is my first posted Theseus x Reader oneshot, so I hope you enjoy it! This is heavily based off Bridgerton's season two, so Theseus's confession is similar to Anthony's. If you'd like to see more, don't forget to leave a heart and a comment if you'd like! P.S: If you see any grammatical errors, please tell me. It helps me grow as a writer. <3
𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜: Theseus Scamander x female reader.
𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 1,654 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨
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With your heart in your throat, you stormed outside, running towards the gardens of your aunt’s estate as you search for an easy escape from confrontation. Physical confrontation, yes, you weren’t in the mood to face Theseus, but mainly mental confrontation. You didn’t want to have to face yourself with the truth, all you wanted was to forget.
The thought of crying did cross your mind, but you felt more anger than sadness. Why would you give him the satisfaction of seeing you cry? Only to affirm your feelings towards him? Fuming, you held your head in your hands, taking slow breaths as you tried to slow the erratic beat of your heart. 
The patio doors slammed shut and there was the voice of the person who’d caused you so much distress. 
“Y/N? Y/N! Please wait!,” he called, spotting you next to the entrance of the garden’s maze. Pulling away from your hands, you looked towards the voice and began to run. You knew it made no sense to run, but knowing you put up a fight made you feel better. After all it’d be a few seconds before he caught up. 
“Oh, come on, Y/N! Please,” he begged, finally catching up to you by grabbing your forearm and roughly pulling you towards him so you could finally face him. 
“Lord Scamander, daresay you have not thought of how indecent it would be if anyone saw us? Us two, alone without a chaperone, and you calling me by my given name?” you stated calmly but firmly, showing your anger by ripping your wrist away from his grasp. 
With persistence, Theseus grits out, “ I do not care if anyone were to see us. I must speak to you.” 
Clenching your jaw, you take a deep breath before speaking. “Of course you do not care. You only care for yourself. If my family were to fall because of such scandal, you would be relieved it were me than you.”
“Do not say that, Y/N. I would never put you  or your family in harm’s way,” Theseus snaps back, shocked that you would say such a thing. 
In anger, you gasp, yelling, “Oh my God, Miss Y/L/N. Do not call me Y/N, you do not get that privilege. If that is all, Lord Scamander, I must be on my way.” 
You turn, just about to walk away when Theseus grabs you by the wrist once more and pulls you hard, pushing you into him. Yelling, he replies, “No, I am not done, Miss Y/L/N. Whatever you think you saw, you are wrong.” 
Releasing your heavy breaths against his chest, you laugh full heartedly. “Oh, of course. I should have known. I suppose Miss  Johnson was in on your foul ploy? Was the way you looked at her apart of it too?”
With tears prickling in your eyes, you push away, holding your head in your hands as you ask yourself, “How could I be such a fool? How could I have believed that you truly harbored such feeling for me? But it is perfectly fine, I must thank you for liberating me from such torment.”
“Do you think I do not feel torment?” he asked, stepping closer to you. Theseus grabbed your hands, slowly removing them from your face as he pulls you closer. “Do you think I do not feel agony too?” His voice was now dangerously close to a whisper, only the sounds of breathing were able to be heard.
“Every moment I pass away from you fills me with so much misery. From the moment I met you, I knew it would not be easy to hide this, but I did not think it would be so insanely difficult. My feeling for you grew over each visit, and now I humble myself before you as I tell you I love you,” he whispered, chest heaving as he squeezed your hands gently in his. 
You were in complete shock, not knowing whether to be happy, sad, or glad. You try to open your mouth to respond, but nothing made its way out.
“You do not have to accept this, but I just wanted to tell you. I promise you that I have no feelings for Miss Johnson, not any that compare in any way, shape, or form to the ones that I harbor for you. My mother was the one to push me dance with her, telling me to keep my options open, not knowing that there was truly never any options. It has been you since the beginning, Miss Y/L/N.”
You could tell that he’d been holding that in for so long as his posture and breath relaxed once he’d finish speaking. You had no more words except, “I love you too.” 
After waiting for so long, the release from your mental torment finally came, allowing a tear to trickle down your cheek. Theseus stepped in closer, leaning his nose on yours as you fluttered your eyes shut.
You were finally free, and all you wanted to do was kiss him. You knew it was wrong, but when he leaned against you, his hard breath against your skin, you froze, not wanting to stay or pull away. Theseus’s hands found their place on your face, his calloused thumb rubbing gentle circles on your cheeks. He took a deep breath in, the smell of your lavender perfume making him dizzy. 
“I am a gentleman, but every time I am near you, I do not seem to be able to control myself. I’ve never felt so much desire in my whole life,” he whispers, lips ajar as they hover over yours. “Just the smell of your sickeningly saccharine perfume is enough to drive me close to insanity,” he muses, shutting his eyes, lips inches away from closing the gap between you.
You swallow hard, conflicted on what to do. Your mind told you no, but every inch of your being was screaming yes. Shaking your head against him, you breathlessly reply, “No, Theseus, we can’t. If anyone were to spot us, we’d be crucified by the ton.” 
“Please, Y/N,” he pleads, voice needy and desperate. “I need to touch you, I need you, I want you.”
I need you, those words rang in your ears, heart pounding in your chest as you sucked in a breath. You nodded, softly wetting your lips as he wasted no time. 
Theseus crashed his lips on to yours, and it had felt like time stopped around you. Your heart crazily jumped as every second went by, and your lips felt aflame. Every little touch of his made your skin buzz with excitement, and the pain returned in a more pleasurable way. It was like someone had set fire to you both, and you felt like you were desperately searching for water, grasping onto him, his hair, his neck, his face.
“Theseus. Theseus,” you managed to gasp, pulling him harder into you, wanting to devour him whole. You craved more, both of you wanted more yet your need for air limited you. He left his mouth slightly ajar, sharing the heated air between the two as you both gasped for air. There was no cue, no words had been shared, but Theseus knew just when to kiss you again.
In a more delicate way, Theseus brushed his lips up on yours and you reciprocated, gently tugging on his bottom lip with your teeth. He hummed in affirmation before he stopped you, pressing his open mouth against yours.
Your breathing jilted, a wave of heat travelling down your body, lingering on your ears, cheeks, and fingertips. He finally pulled away, releasing you to breathe as he muttering breathily, “You don’t know how long I have waited for this moment, it has been engraved in my dreams. Every night I have this image of us seared into my mind, never being able to truly know how it felt. It was always a figment of my imagination, but now I have no need to imagine no more.”
You couldn’t help but smile, cheeks glowing with heat. It was reliving to know that you hadn’t been the only one awaiting this single moment. Feeling your smile, Theseus grinned, softly nuzzling his nose against yours. You finally pull away, both of you sharing the fuzzy warm feeling in the pits of your stomachs. 
Feeling much more cheekier than before, Theseus intertwines his fingers into yours, smiling. You look down before raising your hands, letting out a boisterous giggle. He joins in, laughing along as he takes a sneaky peek at the dance card tied on your wrist. Funnily enough, you had one dance left and he was determined to have it.
He releases your hand for a second before turning to you, flashing his charming smile. “Since I am a gentleman, I noticed that your dance card is not yet full and I wanted to do you the favour of asking you to dance. May I have this dance, Miss Y/L/N?” he teases, placing extra careful emphasis on “favour”, “gentleman,” and “Miss.” He extends his hand forward, awaiting your response. 
You fake gasp before chuckling softly, eyebrows raised in disbelief. “Favour? You? Ha. I might as well entertain this delusional thought of yours since I have nothing more to do for this evening. Yes, you may, Lord Scamander,” you roll your eyes as you play along, biting down on your bottom lip to hide your smile. You place your gloved hand on his before he entangles your hand on his arm to walk side to side towards the door.
“Very well, I must make the best of this and show you to a good time,” he replies, opening the door to welcome you in. You laugh, thanking him for the door with a nod. 
Linking arms with him, you turn to look at him and say, “Anywhere with you is a good time, my Lord.”
————————————————————————
THANK YOU FOR READING!
You can also find this story on AO3 under @gabbylicious https://archiveofourown.org/works/39977289
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skyebounded · 2 years
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I have fallen down a rabbit hole of watching Theseus Scamander edits on tiktok, don’t send help.
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14thgalerie · 7 months
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harry potter reads.
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marauder's era
sirius black —
what side are you on? by @lustsickforyou
you deserve love, too by @fourmoony
attention by @igncrantbliss
two strangers by @inpraizeof
all i want by @maraudersjukebox
heart stamp by @shadowbriar
don't leave by 14thgalerie (of course, i had to put myself here)
james potter —
you’re unbelievable by @livinginshambles
you don’t really like me, you just think you do by @perpetuallydaydreaming
time warp series by @astonishment
walk you home by @astonishment
why didn’t we work out by @astonishment
i’ve got plans, sorry by @livinginshambles
i want to be loved first by @livinginshambles
no longer yours by @singmyaubade
you’re losing me series by @astonishment
25 by 14thgalerie
shampoo thief by 14thgalerie
i peeled my orange today by 14thgalerie
remus lupin —
wherever you stray, i follow series by @mediocre-daydreams
you’re losing me by @astonishment
quiet curiosity by 14thgalerie
regulus black —
unearthed by @cherryslyce
second son by @cherryslyce
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golden trio's era
theodore nott —
i think he knows by @dreamcubed
i thought you knew by @agirlsguidetolove
missing you by @battinscn
love is sour grapes by @patrophthia
path to you by 14thgalerie
the one by 14thgalerie
dreamin' of him by 14thgalerie
tell me why by 14thgalerie
mattheo riddle —
the muggle mixtape by @writersblockedx
cat’s out of the bag by @rilakeila
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other characters
tom riddle —
for the love that used to be here by @fatesundress
mortem expetere by @little-diable
faded ink of the fated by @cardansriddle
to be loved by @darkmagic-s
home by 14thgalerie
theseus scamander —
pay no attention to the magizoologist by @captainsophiestark
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ay0nha · 11 months
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Some Unholy War | Theseus Scamander
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SUMMARY: In an ideal world, you’d like to think you and Theseus could be friends. Frankly, though, his compassion made you nauseous. Or maybe it was nerves. The feeling was always hard for you to distinguish. You wished the way he looked at you would bring warmth to your chest, but it only reminded you of how that was another impossibility. 
PAIRING: Theseus Scamander x f!reader 
WORD COUNT: 2.1K
WARNINGS: canon-typical things, mentions of smoking and drinking, angst, morally gray reader, mutual pining, semi enemies-to- lovers, protective Theseus, etc. 
A/N: Lowkey proud of this one, so comments and feedback are Super welcomed! This was based off this request, so thank you SO much anon, this was a blast that might have to be a series. Also Huge thanks to @kalllistos​ for all the help, couldn’t have been done without you!! Enjoy.
PART II, PART III, PART IV
You fit in so absolutely.
The rim of your glass was still lined with enough sugar to enjoy dwindling sips. Theseus knew it was gin. Your lipstick left a mark on everything you kissed, the pattern was found on your glass, and the cigarette holder balanced between your fingers. You made everything look so serene. Simple.
Scanning the room, you hadn’t seen Theseus yet. However, he, too, fit in—tie properly knotted to show his status and pocket-watch cleverly tucked in his waistcoat. Once he joined you at the secluded booth, he’d complete the idyllic image.  
Yet, Theseus lingered for a moment, taking you in. Your confidence was always envious. It worked silently, exuding from your presence alone. Your magnetism couldn’t be credited to magic but to how you evolved, becoming pointed and moving without fault.
Theseus was one of the only ones remaining to know it hadn’t begun that way. He remembered you, a few years below him, always sprinting to class, already late. The professors would scold you, and your confidence was read as insolence. You challenged everything and excelled in doing so, but it only lent itself to trouble. It created a barrier always present between the two of you.
“You’re late.” You sucked in a crackling breath. With pointed eyes, you took his presence in. Even late into the night, he was always so poised. Professional.  “I’m risking a lot showing my face here.”
“You look beautiful.” Theseus slid into the leather cushion. The charm always came with his supposed  professionalism. It came in waves and never crawled under your skin the way intended. “Relax…It’s fine.”
Unbuttoning his suit jacket’s button, Theseus settled. It was bold of you to accept his invitation to meet so publicly, but he knew you couldn’t resist. You just needed to play your part smartly and get what you want.  
“Your promises are too shallow for me to trust.” You crossed your legs, making it easier to lean and be heard. Then, you clicked your tongue against your teeth with sarcasm, “I think I’d rather you arrest me.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve clocked out for the night.” Theseus was an intentional man, a clever man. He was protecting his image just as much as yours. “It’s just you and me.”
“That’s why you wanted to meet here…” You hummed with feigned realization. The muggle restaurant was a precarious cover but equally as rewarding in its purpose. “You know there are better ways to ask someone on a date.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for next time…” Theseus matched your hum absentmindedly. The banter was a buffer, something to ease into an inevitable unwanted conversation. Reaching into his heavily charmed jacket, he pulled out a file.
It was always a fucking file. The folders were always pristine, never quite full of all the information, just enough of what Theseus was willing to share. It grew over the years of the unorthodox relationship, but you knew not to mistake that for trust.
The figures in the picture were blurry, moving incoherently as they entered a building. The stack of images moved in sequence, following rushedly an exchange that was meant to remain a secret. Without seeing their faces well, you knew who they were, and you held back from using your cigarette roach to burn it all away. Instead, the image repeat over and over before you, but your expression was trained with passivity.
“When did he get out?” You finally met Theseus’ eye. Your composure could fool most, but to a trained eye, your discomfort was obvious.
“A month or so at this point...”
Your laugh was bitter. “So, I’ve been a sitting duck.”
“You’ve been avoiding me...” Theseus countered, his tone just barely teasing. There was truth in jest, as there were plenty of owls following you. You looked at him, knowing what came next. His compassion would get him killed. “...I can help you.”
“Careful.” You cocked your head, musing a buried thought. “You’re getting awful sentimental these days.”
“Don’t you want those off?” Theseus leaned in like you had, voice low. Although his fingers were threaded together, he pointed to the bracelets on your wrists.
You smirked, “And ruin my outfit?”
Rarely did you acknowledge them so explicitly. The bracelets—admonitors—dampened your magic by tracking your every spell. They made you feel like a child with a trace spell. Part of you wished you could say you grew accustomed to the constant surveillance, but you grew weary of lying.
The offer was too sweet, and you wanted more than just your magic untraced. “What’s the catch?”
“You help the Ministry find him.” Theseus was trying to protect you, but you were too filled with vindication to notice.
“You mean work for you.”
He frowned, correcting you, “With me.”
“There truly isn’t a difference in your world.” You spat. The ministry was the reason you were in this mess; they branded your cuffs as a daily reminder that your autonomy was shared. “You’d be using me as bait.”
The conversation would go in circles, as it always had. It was the reason more time was added between meetings. Every time you left, that bitter taste grew stronger, and it was difficult to put it aside to face Theseus again and again. This was different—more threatening, but your anger prevailed.
“I won’t do it.”
“Catching him will clear your name.” Theseus all but begged. He remained poised, but you knew it would only last for so long. Those around you looked your way; interest piqued in conversation they weren’t privy to.
“I’m not innocent.” You were blunt. You had been called cold because of it. But it was a trait that you favored, especially at times like this. You wanted to see Theseus break.
You had done unspeakable things, figuring it was an acceptable way to siphon your affection. You were young and blinded by false idolization. Theseus chose to see the best in you, even now, even after everything. He, too, was blinded by an image of you that hadn’t changed since you were children.
The table held your drink, forgotten and diluted. The air was tense and hushed. Theseus needed to move fast, knowing you were moments away from fleeing. But he knew he had just enough time as you lit another cigarette, this time not for vanity but to quell your nerves.
Your nails tapped on the base of your cocktail glass. Your fingertips twitched, begging to satisfy their itch for magic. You debated on if your actions would be worth it.  Theseus decided for you, hand flexing to replenish your drink.
Your lipstick remained fresh but still marked the glass. It was perfectly cold, calming the swarm of nerves that hit you. “It’s a bit strong.”
“Nothing you can’t handle, I’m sure.” Theseus appreciated your teasing; it meant he was doing something right.
“This place is quite charming, you know,” You looked around before shifting forward even more. It may have been improper, but you leaned over the table, elbows resting comfortably. “Next time, we’ll have to venture and order food.”
“Sure.” Theseus agreed, body language mirroring yours. To anyone else, the pair of you would look smitten. “Anytime you’d like.”
“Anytime?” Your eyebrow ticked up as you tapped at the ashtray.  “Come on, I’m surprised you’ve stuck around as long as you have.” Your knuckles crept forward, almost bumping his as they dragged to the middle of the linen cloth atop the table. “Truly—We haven’t—”
You stopped yourself with an uncharacteristic laugh. A tinge spread below Theseus’ freckles, assuming your humor was chastising him. But you were laughing at yourself, at how ridiculous you felt. You were enjoying yourself.
The feeling felt foreign, so you prickled. “Be practical, Theseus.”
Your worlds barely overlapped, and where it had highlighted the worst parts of each of you. Your world was dark and hidden; you stole and bribed. You were suitable for it and resisted morphing into the image Theseus expected of you.
He was as kind as any Hufflepuff, putting other needs first and blindly placing his kindness. He mistook his demeanor for bravery, but his true bravery formed by sitting across from you. The only barrier seemed to be Theseus’ incorruptible moral code, a space where you couldn’t quite freely exist.
“I need to know the full story.” His voice was commanding, betraying his desperation.
Theseus looked warm, contrasting the winter blizzarding outside. A bubble was created that was becoming suffocating, but with him across you, it seemed just marginally bearable. His hand flexed, skimming yours, hoping to regain your attention.
“You already know how it ends. What does the rest matter?” You thought to sink back, but you chased the small contact. “I want nothing to do with this. With him.”
“I’ll be there the entire time,” Theseus promised, voice low and steady, reflecting his sincerity. You could make out the warmth he was willing to share, but you weren’t willing to accept it wholly.
“And my interests?”
Theseus’ expression fell slightly at your evasive rejection. It reminded him of his position, of his strained relation to you—what he was supposed to do but always found a reason to put off.
“It depends on where they lie.”
In an ideal world, you’d like to think you and Theseus could be friends. Frankly, though, his compassion made you nauseous. Or maybe it was nerves. The feeling was always hard for you to distinguish. You wished the way he looked at you would bring warmth to your chest, but it only reminded you of how that was another impossibility.
You wished his gaze would turn you to stone; that way, you could avoid everything else. Instead, it made you melt, it made you pliable in way you opposed with others. There was a suspicion he kept returning just because of that—despite your bluff and his willful ignorance, you weren’t made of stone, and deep down, he knew that. Probably not consciously, but he did.
You always came back. Or he did—another indistinguishable something. You could still feel his fingers reaching for yours. It almost made you cave. Yet, your back met the bench of the booth, and your hand drew away as you placed your cigarette on your lips.
Although you were still present, Theseus watched you flee. Your guard returned stronger, but he didn’t regret his words. Theseus’ eyes were pleading, and you went to blame his naivety, but you found something distinct there. The reason you were here tonight was not for a favor.
It was an ultimatum, not a request.
“When was this decided?” You asked. You thought Theseus came alone, and now the naivety fell on you. There were too many eyes on you now to dismiss the crowd as solely muggles.  You fell so perfectly into the trap that all you could do was laugh.
“I wanted to keep you out of this,” Theseus admitted. It was the truth, but he knew what needed to be done. The greater good, you could already hear his defense. “This is the only way.”
“Your way.” You shook your head. Another laugh. “And what happens when he kills me? Hmm?”
“He won’t.” Another promise that made you sick. “I’ll be there the whole ti—
“Then you, Theseus—” Venom dripped from your every pointed word. From the corner of your eye, you saw how the undercover aurors were ready to respond to your agitation. If they wanted a spectacle, you were moments from providing it. “— are ill-prepared for what he’s willing to do.”
“You need to trust me.” Theseus attempted to regain the conversation but failed to recognize any mending he made was lost.
“And why should I trust the man that watches my every move?”
Theseus put you in this position; he was the wizard who held your wrist tightly all those years ago to secure the admonitors. For your own good, he told you. He believed it, and yet again, you found yourself at the hands of his so-called mercy.
“And if I decline?” You weren’t in such a position to, but Theseus understood your question only brought ruination. 
“The only way you're walking out of here is because of me.”
A threat, how original.  Your cigarette threatened to burn your lips. The ash tarnished the linen that fell over your lap. Apart of you hoped it would set the entire thing aflame. Maybe then you’d have a chance at a genuine escape. For now, though, you resolved to the final word.
“You think you are blessed with morality—” You finished your drink, the taste becoming sour. “—yet what sits before me is nothing but a boy that’s only purpose is to follow orders blindly.”
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milliondollarwomen · 6 days
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Fateful Meetings
Thomas Webb x Reader
Word Count 2.6k
Hello! This is something I wrote up the other night cause I feel there isn't a whole lot about Callum Turner. This is just an intro and if you guys like it I will write more! Enjoy.
A knot of anxiety tightened in the pit of your stomach as the soft morning light poured through your apartment's transparent drapes and spread across the space. You had decided to meet up with your ex-boyfriend today, and while you were excited about the possibility, you were also worried.The nerves were unshakeable. And if things went wrong? What if you felt exposed and raw because old wounds reopened? You felt a mixture of excitement and fear at the prospect of confronting your history. You grabbed the bag tremblingly and made your way toward the door, each step felt more difficult than the last. You took a deep breath and ventured out onto Manhattan's busy streets, ready to take on whatever the day might bring. Even with all of your anxiety, there was a glimmer of optimism that perhaps, just possibly, this encounter would provide the closure you had been longing for.
You rounded the corner, lost in thought, only to crash into someone coming from the opposite direction. Your bag and other items fell to the ground, and you let out a startled gasp, your heart racing as you struggled to regain your balance. "I'm so sorry!" you exclaimed, crouching down to gather your fallen belongings, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. A stranger knelt beside you, offering a friendly smile as he helped collect the scattered books. "No worries, happens to the best of us," he said, his voice warm and reassuring. As you reached for a stray book, your fingers brushed against his, sending a strange jolt of electricity through you. You looked up, meeting the stranger's gaze, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. "Thomas," he introduced himself, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Nice to meet you, Thomas," you replied, returning the smile, though your heart still raced from the unexpected encounter.You packed up your things and headed to the coffee shop nearby, memories of the unexpected encounter with Thomas still circling around in your thoughts. The smell of freshly ground beans wafted through the door, a soothing reminder of the familiar scent that still danced in your stomach. Your ex was already there, seated at a corner table, their gaze fixated on their phone as they waited for you. As you approached, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over you—nostalgia mingled with apprehension, memories of both laughter and heartache flooding your mind. With a forced smile, you greeted them, sliding into the seat opposite theirs. The air between you crackled with unspoken words, a silent tension that hung heavy in the space between you.
"Hey, it's been a while," you greet him as you meet up, trying to keep your voice steady. "Yeah, it has. Thanks for meeting up," he responds casually. The conversation continues, the usual pleasantries exchanged, but there's an underlying tension you can't shake. Finally, unable to hold it back any longer, you ask him, "Why did you even bring me here? If all you wanted was to check in, why did you make it seem like there was something more?" His expression falters, caught off guard by your question. "I... I didn't mean to mislead you. I genuinely just wanted to make sure you were okay," he stammers, apologetic. You shake your head, unable to hide the hurt in your voice. "It's just... it's hard, you know? To see you and not feel like there's still something between us. And then to find out that there isn't... it hurts." He's at a loss for words, realizing the impact of his actions. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize... I'll leave you alone. Goodbye," he murmurs, before walking away, leaving you feeling more confused and hurt than ever. As you gather your things, a heaviness settles in your chest, and you wonder if closure will ever come, knowing you need to find the strength to move on from what could have been. As you stepped out onto the bustling city streets, the weight of the conversation with your ex still heavy on your mind, your phone buzzed in your pocket, interrupting the tumultuous thoughts swirling within you. With a sigh, you pulled it out to see your best friend's name flashing on the screen. "Hey," you answered, trying to sound more composed than you felt. "Hey, are you free tonight?" your friend's voice came through the line, laced with excitement. You hesitated, the events of the day leaving you feeling drained and emotionally spent. The last thing you wanted was to put on a brave face and pretend like everything was okay. But then again, maybe a night out with your best friend was exactly what you needed—a chance to escape the weight of your thoughts and lose yourself in the simple pleasures of the present moment."Yeah, I think I could use a distraction," you admitted reluctantly, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips."Great! I'll swing by your place in a couple of hours. Get ready for a night to remember!" your friend exclaimed. With a newfound sense of anticipation, you hung up the phone and headed back to your apartment, the promise of a night out with your best friend offering a glimmer of light in the darkness. Maybe, just maybe, tonight would be the reset button you needed—a chance to leave the worries of the past behind and embrace the joy of the present.
You found yourself standing in front of the mirror, struggling with a whirlwind of contradictory feelings as the evening approached and the possibility of spending the night out with your best friend grew closer. You were feeling uneasy about the day's events and your head was still spinning from the encounter with your ex. A nagging thought of your brief interaction with Thomas earlier in the day crept into the corners of your mind as you started getting ready, carefully applying makeup and choosing the perfect dress. His name stirred feelings you'd tried to push under the surface of the evening's distractions, resonating in your mind like a whisper on the wind. However, you soon dismissed the concept, telling yourself there was little to no chance of ever seeing him again. Considering the size of New York City, the likelihood of a coincidental meeting on the streets was minimal at most. You gave a resolute shake of your head to drive away any thoughts of Thomas and bring your attention back to the task at hand. It was a night to let go of the past and embrace the present, with your best friend by your side. As your best friend's taxi pulled up outside your apartment building, you felt a surge of excitement mingled with apprehension. Rushing out to meet her, you greeted her with a warm smile, the events of the day momentarily pushed to the back of your mind as you embraced the promise of the night ahead. "Hey, thanks for picking me up," you said, sliding into the back seat of the taxi beside her."No problem at all! Ready for a fun night out?" she replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Definitely," you answered, the corners of your lips turning up into a grin. "It's been a long day, but I'm ready to let loose." As the taxi merged into the flow of traffic, the two of you engaged in light-hearted small talk, discussing everything from work gossip to weekend plans. The hum of the city buzzed around you, a comforting backdrop to the easy camaraderie you shared with your friend. Before you knew it, the taxi pulled up outside a cozy-looking jazz bar, its neon sign casting a warm glow against the evening sky. The sound of live music spilled out onto the sidewalk, beckoning you inside with promises of soulful melodies and lively atmosphere. "Here we are!" your friend exclaimed, excitement evident in her voice as she paid the fare and stepped out onto the sidewalk.You followed suit, a sense of anticipation building in the pit of your stomach as you made your way towards the entrance of the bar.
As you and your best friend settled onto the barstools, the soft glow of the jazz bar enveloping you, you couldn't help but feel grateful for her comforting presence. Ordering a round of cocktails, you took a moment to savor the lively atmosphere and the anticipation of the night ahead."So, spill the tea," your best friend exclaimed, leaning in with a mischievous grin. "How did the conversation with your ex go?" You took a deep breath, knowing that your best friend was never one to mince words. "It was... okay, I guess," you replied, swirling the ice in your glass. "He just wanted to check in and make sure there were no hard feelings." Your friend's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Seriously? That's it?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with incredulity. "After everything he put you through, that's all he has to say?" You shrugged, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation. "Yeah, pretty much. But I guess it's for the best," you replied, trying to keep your tone light. Your best friend shook her head, her expression one of fierce determination. "You deserve so much better than that," she declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "You deserve someone who sees your worth and treats you like the queen you are." You couldn't help but smile at her words, feeling a warmth spread through you at the unwavering support of your best friend. Raising your glasses in a silent toast, you clinked them together with a sense of solidarity. "To better days and finding someone who truly deserves you," your friend proclaimed, her eyes sparkling with determination. "To better days," you echoed. As you clinked glasses with your best friend, the vibrant energy of the jazz bar pulsed around you, filling the air with a sense of anticipation and excitement. With a shared grin, your friend grabbed your hand and led you towards the small area where people were swaying to the rhythm of the live band. But as you followed her, your gaze inadvertently drifted towards the entrance, and there, amidst the dimly lit crowd, you caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It was him—Thomas, the man you had bumped into earlier on the street. And to your surprise, he was looking right back at you. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as your eyes met, the connection crackling with an unspoken electricity that sent a shiver down your spine. His gaze was intense, unwavering, as if drawn to you by some unseen force. As the realization of the moment sunk in, a jolt of nervous energy coursed through you, your heart pounding in your chest. What were the odds of running into him again, especially in a city as vast as New York? But before you could gather your thoughts, your best friend tugged on your hand, pulling you towards the dance floor with an excited grin. "Come on, let's dance!" she exclaimed, oblivious to the brief exchange you had just shared. With a fleeting glance back at Thomas, you allowed yourself to be swept away by the music and the infectious energy of the crowd.
As the music swirled around you, you and your best friend danced with abandon, the infectious energy of the jazz band filling the air with an undeniable sense of joy. But as she twirled off to chat with a handsome stranger she'd just met, you found yourself drifting towards the bar, craving the solace of a quiet moment amidst the lively chaos of the club. As you leaned against the polished wood, waiting for the bartender to notice you, a gentle tap on your shoulder caused you to turn around. And there he stood—Thomas, the man whose gaze had lingered in your mind since your chance encounter earlier in the day. "Hey," he said, his voice soft yet filled with an unmistakable intensity. "Hi," you replied, your heart fluttering with a mixture of nerves and curiosity. "Crazy meeting you here." "Yeah, what are the odds?" he chuckled, his eyes meeting yours with a warmth that sent a shiver down your spine.As the two of you fell into an easy conversation, the noise of the bar faded into the background, leaving only the sound of your voices and the steady beat of your heart. It was as if the rest of the world had disappeared, leaving only the two of you in this moment, suspended in time.
"So, how was your day?" Thomas asked, his gaze soft yet filled with an underlying intensity. You hesitated for a moment, surprised by the genuine interest in his eyes. "It was... eventful, to say the least," you replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "I ran into my ex earlier, and let's just say it was more awkward than I anticipated." Thomas nodded, a sympathetic expression crossing his features. "I know the feeling," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "My day wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows either. I found out that my dad is cheating on my mom, and I... I confronted the other woman." Your heart went out to him, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. "I'm so sorry," you murmured, reaching out to touch his hand in a gesture of comfort. "That sounds incredibly difficult." Thomas offered you a grateful smile, his eyes meeting yours with a sense of vulnerability that took your breath away. "Thanks," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's been a rough day, but talking to you somehow makes it feel a little bit better." You felt a warmth spread through you at his words, a sense of connection blossoming between you like a fragile flower in the darkness. It was strange, this inexplicable bond that had formed between two strangers in the span of a single conversation, but somehow it felt right. Eventually Thomas had ordered you a drink and once you both finished your drinks, he glanced towards the corner of the jazz club, where a vintage photo booth stood, invitingly lit. With a charming smile, he suggested, "Hey, want to check out that photo booth?" Your eyes sparkled with excitement as you nodded eagerly, saying, "I’m always up for a good photoshoot." You both made your way over to the booth, anticipation building with each step. As you stepped inside the cozy space, the curtain closed behind you, cocooning you two in privacy. “Okay what should we do first?” He asks “There's no fun in planning it, I'll just hit start and we will figure it out” you say Laughing, you two tried out different poses, capturing candid moments of joy and connection. The camera flashed, freezing your smiles and laughter in timeless snapshots. As the last photo was about to be taken, Thomas locked eyes with you, a flicker of something intense passing between us. Without breaking the gaze, he slowly lowered his gaze to your lips, a silent question lingering in the air. And in that moment, as if drawn by an irresistible force, he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to yours. Time seemed to stand still as you guys shared a tender, electric kiss in the dimly lit confines of the photo booth, the world outside fading away into insignificance.
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lacollectionneuse1967 · 5 months
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slip of the tongue part 2 - jealous
Theseus Scamander x Reader
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“He was all over you,” he hisses. “I am not a possessive man, but I could’ve killed him then and there. He doesn’t know what’s mine.”
summary: after confessing your feelings for (and sleeping with) your boss, theseus, you join his brother newt's team of wizards attempting to thwart the notorious gellert grindelwald. when you're tasked with distracting and seducing a powerful dark wizard on your first mission, theseus gets uncharacteristically and fiercely jealous.
fem!reader. theseus scamander x reader.
category: smut with plot
warnings: 18+ smut, (light) mdom/femsub elements, unprotected penetration, semi-public sex, jealousy/possessive behavior, also the reader suffers brief unwanted sexual advances in a scene
part one / part two
Your dreams are uninventive. Your nightmares are even less so. 
Often you are hounded by dogs: drooling, snapping canines, bloodthirsty past the point of cognizance, they’re more open mouths than animals. Or, you’re standing on the hill where your old orphanage used to sit in North London, barefoot on the roof while the rest of London floods below, water rising, you know you’re going to drown. Or some other tired, boring allegory for your past catching up with you, at last, your blessings, your wand, crumbling to ash—you know what the dreams mean and they don’t scare you anymore. 
But tonight you are perfectly dreamless. The dream dogs, the wintry world outside, the sound of the wind whistling through the empty London streets, it cannot touch you now. The fireplace is crackling and warm orange light spills in beneath the door from the living room.
Theseus’s arm is draped over your body, your head is on his chest. Every part of your body where your bare skin meets his buzzes with contentment. His room is like a sanctuary, his arms a house that holds you. 
You don’t think you’ve slept for even a full hour. It’s still dark outside when you feel Theseus jostling your shoulder. 
“Y/N. Wake up, darling.” 
You sigh in response and are about to put up a fight, but when you meet his eyes they’re full of sore regret, apologetic. He wouldn’t ask you to leave his bed unless it was important.
You emerge from the covers and start to stretch. 
“What time is it?”
“I’m sorry, love, but it’s nearly four in the morning. We have to be going, it’s urgent.” 
You turn to look at him, he’s raking a hand through his hair, sitting up in bed.
“Did you sleep at all, Theseus?” You ask incredulously.
“No, too much to think about. And besides, I knew if I slept I wouldn’t be likely to wake. Better you sleep…”
Your heart wrenched. In a swell of affection, you went to him, crawling back over his body on the bed.
“No,” he groans, but his hands come around you, sliding down to your hips, anyway. You kiss his neck, raking your teeth over the skin there.
“Don’t do this to me,” he anguishes. His grip tightens on your hip, it’s meant to be chastising but it makes you want him more. “Please. We need to leave, Y/N.”
It wasn’t easy letting go of him. You know he would’ve given you what you wanted with enough persistence. 
“Okay, okay!” You relent, kissing his mouth with a smile. “I’ll stop terrorizing you now.” You leap out of bed again without complaint. 
When he stands he’s serious-Theseus again, your boss. And you love him still. 
For his sake, you pretend not to notice his erection in his boxer shorts. It looks painfully hard. 
“Get dressed,” he says to you before turning to the bathroom. “We need to get to Hogsmeade.”
It was wonderfully strange to see him like this—hair in wavy disarray, looking soft and subdued, barefoot and in his t-shirt. You want to appreciate the sight, you want to talk about what had happened between you and all that had been said. But his mind is elsewhere, preoccupied, and it seems you are both running late.
At your insistence, he lets you apparate to your apartment for a change of clothes, but then the two of you are off, running down the stairs of his building into the dark world below.
————— 
Hogsmeade is more of a detour. There is an incognito meet-up organized with none other than Professor Albus Dumbledore. You’d, mercifully, taken a train--the Hogwarts Express. Theseus mentioned that Dumbledore was being watched by the Ministry, and that there were anti-apparition charms put up around the village and the castle.
You were just grateful to see him sleeping, at last, on the way there. 
It was barely daylight when the two of you arrived, the sun bleak and pink over the Highlands, providing no warmth. You were grateful for the coffee you'd nursed on the train, as you were grateful to relieve yourself of the confidential documents from the Ministry. Their weight was an invisible one for you, evidence of your betrayal.
"Some aspiring Auror you are," you thought to yourself, bitterly.
“I tried to organize them for you. I started to, actually,” You supplied sheepishly when Dumbledore regarded the haphazard stacks of parchment, laid out on one of the tables in what you assumed was his brother's inn.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at you regardless and thanked you sincerely. 
When you step out of the inn, you look to Theseus just as he looks over his shoulder at you. You're both more or less sleepless, and cold, and it seems the both of you have betrayed the Ministry and embarked on a hopeless mission, without many allies in the world.
But you were a united front.
It surprises you when he says, so earnestly that the tension in his shoulders seems to deflate, “God, I missed you. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.”
You blush, but don’t break his gaze. You’re not afraid to let him see you anymore. 
“Where to, Mr. Scamander?”
He flexes his jaw like he’s not thinking about the plan at all, like he’s thinking about last night. But then, with a sigh, the moment is broken. 
“Germany,” he says. “It’s time you meet my younger brother and the rest of the resistance.” 
He says ‘resistance’ like it's some inside joke, some funny jab. You don't understand it until you arrive at the hotel room in Berlin. 
-----------
Other than the hair, that uncommon shade of reddish, honey brown, and the apparent kindness and sense of humanity, Newt is nothing like Theseus. In fact, when he comes over to greet you he can hardly meet your eye, his head is half bowed in the other direction, his mouth a nervous, flat line.
"Pleasure to meet you, Y/N. I was sure that you'd do the right thing when Theseus sent you his letter. It was... very brave of you."
You look to Theseus in sharp amusement, eyes sparkling.
"Was there ever a question of whether or not I'd betray you? Did you really think there was a chance I'd turn you over to the authorities?"
Theseus places a reassuring hand on your shoulder.
"Come now, Y/N," he says. "You know if I were to die I'd prefer it to be at your hand anyway."
You want to roll your eyes, but you're not sure to what extent he's joking.
You shake Newt's hand. You're soon after introduced to a muggle baker named Jacob and an astute, somewhat brash Auror from America named Tina. You're not much of a people-person, but you find that you like them both, immensely. They feel genuine, the sort of strong, singular characters that couldn't deceive anyone if they tried. That is why Newt's explanation of your task for the night sends a bolt of dread down your spine.
"We need to need to retrieve a magical object from a German Minister's office. I-I can't say much, it's better you don't know, but it's safe to assume that a large portion of the German Ministry of Magic has already fallen. Helmut, Vogel--and who knows how many others are under the influence of Grindelwald."
"Which German Minister's office?" Theseus says. His hands are in his pockets, he's leaning against the windowsill, the picture of nonchalance, his hair swept back. He's so handsome you could cry.
Newt ignores him. "Now, tonight may be our only chance. There's a diplomatic gala at the ministry itself. I can get us all in, Pickett and I can handle sneaking into the office itself, but there are five people who know about the object being at the ministry, who will be on the lookout and who need to be distracted until we're out."
He doled out assignments swiftly. Theseus was to distract the head of security. Jacob, the two waitstaff who served as the Minister's private informants. For Tina, the German Auror, Helmut. And for you? The Minister himself.
"Which Minister, Newt?" Theseus asks again, the edge in his voice unmistakable, though you don't understand it.
"Baron Dietrich, the Minister of Finance," Newt says at last.
Dietrich. Most of your work for Theseus was domestic, but you try to remember what you can. Dietrich was some Bavarian-born descendent of the aristocracy. Hedonistic, high society. He fought in the war, but gained his reputation in the drinking clubs of Berlin. Even you knew he was ruthless, notorious. A brute of a man without much respect for the law. That was the extent of what you knew.
Newt is rushing to explain before you or Theseus can speak.
“Please, Y/N, Theseus." He looks between the two of you, trying to appeal to both. "Dietrich, h-he likes…he likes beautiful women and he-"
Theseus crosses the room to his brother in a single stride. "Yes, and do you have any idea what he likes to do to those beautiful women, Newt?” He's seething. “Even everyone at the British Ministry knows he brutalizes them."
“I-I wouldn’t ask her if it weren’t absolutely necessary. So long as she’s able to distract him at the party, keep him interested there, at the party, nothing will happen to her—to you!” Newt turns to you now, addressing you directly. “I’m sure of it…”
Theseus sucks his teeth and turns away from his brother, still fuming. “Absolutely not. You will not send her away from my side, that’s final. Not to that man.”
“Theseus, please-"
“She’s muggleborn, Newt! Do you know what men like Baron Dietrich do to wizards like her? If he found out, if any one of Grindelwald's followers did, she'd be killed.” Theseus is speaking with such firm authority, but you know him well enough to detect the barely concealed panic in his eyes, the fracture just beneath the fortress. “Send Tina instead, she’s an Auror.”
“But Y/N is exactly the sort of girl that Dietrich would be-"
“I want to be an Auror too,” your voice sounds strange to your ears when you find it. It has a clear, confident quality, musical and lucid.
Theseus looks to you in shock. You wonder if he knew about the promotion you’d been offered at all, if he knew all you’d sacrificed to stay close to him—your very dreams dashed to pieces. From his expression, naked and open as day, he did not. 
“I can do it,” you make an effort to sound settled. Unshaken.
Being a young, vulnerable girl in the streets of East London, at the orphanage after, and then being a woman at the British Ministry as an adult, you’d dealt with plenty of over-friendly and entitled men. Boorish men were everywhere and were not uniquely monstrous. You hoped Baron Dietrich wasn’t either. 
"It's settled then," Jacob claps his hands together, seeming relieved that the tension between the two brothers has evaporated. Theseus is slumped over, leaning back on the nightstand in apparent defeat. "We're going to a party!"
Tina places her hand on your arm, leading you towards the closet. She doesn't seem to be terribly affectionate, so you're grateful to her for extending you this small kindness now.
"Here, Y/N," She says. "Let's get you dressed. We have plenty of time to go over the plan. It'll be okay."
------------------
Your outfit, "disguise" you suppose, is nothing like the subdued robes of your companions. You don't know why you're surprised when they ask you to enter the ministry ten minutes after them, alone.
The skirt of your dress is flowy and short, like a dancer's, ending just above your knee, something that might've been acceptable a decade prior, given the fashion trends. It's made of delicate petals of off-white fabric, adorn with tiny silver and pearlescent beads, glittering. Meant to draw attention. It's sleeveless and the top is breathtakingly form-fitting, pinching in your waist and hugging every curve of your body, but you are gratefully afforded an elegant high neckline. Silk, ivory-colored, wrist-length gloves that do nothing for the cold cover your hands and a fur half-coat is draped over your shoulders. Your lipstick is a deep red.
You understand what it means, these luxury items, your styling, the fact that you were instructed to enter alone. By no design of your own, the implication was that you were an escort, a madame of the night. No wonder Newt had Theseus leave the hotel first, before he could catch a glimpse of you. You didn't dare imagine his reaction.
As you enter the gala, handing the doorman your fabricated invitation without a glance, every head turns to you. Chatter stills as you pass, the women gawk and the men look stricken, hungry as the pack dogs in your dreams. Plates and trays sail overhead and the instruments play on, unattended. The German Ministry of Magic has spared no expense.
Patrons lean in close and speak hushed and anxiously. You assume the upcoming election for the highest office of the International Confederation of Wizards is on everyone's mind.
You head for the bar with your head held high, hoping it doesn't show on your face, your discomfort at being so seen. You were told Baron Dietrich would be at the bar with some of his men. With a trembling, gloved hand you motion the barman over and order a drink.
You don’t dare look for your friends. You assume things are going swimmingly for them, but for you? You are drowning in your finery.
You’re not even alone for a moment before the wolves descend. You should've known a man like Dietrich would come find you.
"Mädchen!" He approaches you partially, but expects you to come the rest of the way, waves you over with a meaty hand. When you raise an eyebrow, haughtily, he switches to English.
"Girl, come here." The timber of his voice is low, gravelly. He has a heavy brow, his hair is thick and peppered with gray. The gray does nothing to diminish the impression of his strength. In a fight without your wand, he could have your neck snapped, broken and rolling around its stem, in a heartbeat.
You walk over, leaving your drink at the bar, untouched.
The gala is housed in a mammoth, marble room, twenty foot ceilings held up by smooth columns, something that reminds you of Gringott's. But around the massive bar at the room's center are half-circle booths and tables, spiraling out like lily pads. You slide into Dietrich's booth and his arm goes around you immeditely.
He smells chokingly of cigars, a perfumey, sickly sweet smell. He is a bloated, thick-limbed man. No, you couldn't have fought him off. There are so many uniformed men at his table that some of the younger ones have to stand. With a sting of shock, you don't see how you could be of any influence on these men at all, they hardly see you as a person, aren't speaking to you. You hope Newt and Pickett work quickly.
Another young man, dressed in what looks like a soldier's uniform, slides into the booth after you, sandwiching you in next to Dietrich. You let out of noise of shock and begin to push him off you when Dietrich grabs both your wrists.
"Don't be fussy. This is my young friend, newly recruited. I plan to make him my protégé."
The other men slap the boy over the shoulder, jostling him in congratulations. He smiles meekly. You could hate him for that meekness. That pathetic deference to power.
"We'll share you tonight, of course." Dietrich is looking at the boy, not you. "In my office."
Dietrich's hand clamps over your exposed thigh and his fingernails jab into the fat of your thigh. You don't react to the bright bite of pain. The other boy begins to lean into you, breath hot over your neck.
Whatever small bird lives in your ribs begins to beat itself against that cage, flailing and thrashing.
"No!" You can't help the edge of panic in your voice. Dietrich is too strong, so you don't bother, but you shove the boy off of you and out of the booth without much effort. The boy stumbles out, dumbfounded.
Dietrich snatches your wrist with real fury, bruisingly.
"What?! You're for sale, aren't you?" He won't hurt you in front of his men, not at the gala, but his face is so colored with anger that it's nearly purple.
"Please," there's a real plea in your voice when you say it, you try to cover it up with a hurried smile, you try to look charming. "Dance with me, sir?"
That seems to sedate him. He looks irritated, but pleased by your attention. At least he won't be able to molest you in front of all his colleagues and superiors.
He leads you to the dance floor and the entire way your mind is racing, scrambling for purchase, trying to figure out how you're going to keep him out of his office. He made it clear he had plans to go there later tonight with his men. With you.
And he was an even cruder man than you'd thought, he'd made no attempt to even flirt with or seduce you. His interest in you was moreso entitlement, the same interest a predator has for a slab of meat.
Your wand, concealed on your person, gave you little comfort. Newt had asked that you did not reveal yourself, didn't make a scene. But if it came down to it, you would fight Dietrich rather than submit to him. He was more than repulsive. He wanted to hurt you.
"Please," you think to yourself. "Please, God, don't make me-"
You startle at the large hand that grips your waist and spins you away, just before you reach the dance floor.
Dietrich, abandoned, turns in flustered outrage and is swallowed by the crowd. You're being whisked away before he can fully react, Theseus guiding you deftly out of the overfull room of diplomats.
You sob with relief. "Theseus-" you start, but he's leading you deeper, still, away from the gala.
It's not until you're in some pitch-dark, gaping mausoleum of a hallway that Theseus finally stops, pressing you delicately against the wall, holding your face in his hands like water, like something precious. He examines your body.
"Are you okay?" He asks, pressingly.
You could cry out in joy, the sight of his face is balm-like, giving you a familiar relief.
"Yes, yes!" You reassure him. "Is it done? Did we do it?"
Theseus nods in confirmation, still looking over you for injuries, turning over your wrists in his hands.
"The others are already out. It was quick. No one noticed a thing, we probably took too many precautions this time around..." He finally meets your eyes. The look in his is dark and indecipherable. When he swallows, it's raggedly. "You're really okay, Y/N?"
"Yes," you answer, hesitant at the intensity of his look. "Why?"
Theseus presses his body against yours harshly, you don't even have time to moan before he's swallowing it with his mouth. Your hands are all over him, but he gives you no room to move, it's as if he doesn't notice, the way he's pushing you up against the wall, kissing you like he wants to consume you.
"You're so damn beautiful," he mutters. "When you walked in I almost blew my cover just to go to you."
"Theseus," you pant. You're needy, you want him to keep kissing you but he's leaning his neck back, pinning you against the wall but holding himself away so he can look at you when he runs his warm hands from the backs of your thighs up to your ass. He hooks his fingers around the waistline of your panties and pulls them down so they're only hanging onto you by one of your ankles.
He leans in for another kiss, just as deep and wretched as the last, just as maddening.
He pulls away again with a pant.
"Your dress is too damn short," he curses under his breath.
"Are you angry at me?" You ask quietly, still writhing against him, desperate for friction, but suddenly self-conscious.
"No, no sweetheart," he soothes. "Not at you. You did so good. Such a good job." His praise has you leaning into his palm, which is cupping the side of your face.
You whimper, "I want you." You realize it's true as you're saying it. You can't ever lie to him. "I want you," you repeat, more insistently.
“He was all over you,” he hisses against your ear. “I am not a possessive man, but I could’ve killed him then and there. He doesn’t know what’s mine.” He punctuates the last word with a squeeze to your backside. 
"Theseus," you breathe out, helplessly. You can't believe this is happening. The wing of the German Ministry that you're in is completely dark, you can barely make out the tapestries and curtains hanging loose from the walls. But there's distant light at the end of the hall, and dim voices and music filter in and out from the gala a few rooms over.
But you want him to keep touching you more than you know better, know you should stop. More than anything.
He starts to hike your dress up, his movements urgent, when he stops abruptly. The spot where Dietrich's nails dug into your upper thigh is small, but he drew blood.
Theseus pauses, loosens his grip and lets you slide down the wall. With a slow-thudding heart you briefly fear he'll be so furious he'll run back to the gala, to find Dietrich, but he only bends down and kisses the wound, just barely, lips ghosting over skin, so gently you could cry. Kneeling before you, he looks like a prince, a knight. He's careful to avoid the wound when he lifts you back up against the wall.
You can't help but stare down at it, in awe, when he takes his dick out. Your body still thrills at the sight of it, there, huge, resting at your entrance. Theseus grinds a slow circle, sliding it against your wet folds, against your clit. You just stare.
He flashes you a lazy smile.
“What? You want me to help you put it in?” 
You moan, audibly. You're not doing a very good job at being discreet, but how can you when he says things like that to you and expects you to answer?
"Yes, please," you close your eyes, too flustered to meet his burning gaze when you say the words.
He grips the base of his cock and guides it into your pussy. Clamps a hand over your mouth to muffle the noises you're making, you whimper dumbly against his palm. Only releases his hand from your mouth once he's fully seated inside of you. The stretch is so big you know it would hardly take any movement at all for him to break that tension and make you come, drive you mad, unravel you completely. Just a few rocks against the wall, a few rolls of his hips and you'd be brainless and spent, crying out his name. You're already dripping around him. But you want to last longer for him this time.
He's looking directly into your eyes.
“You’re taking it, Y/N. You can choose where—in your mouth, on your face, inside. But you’re taking it all.” 
You nod. Then once again he's fucking you dumb, you don't even care that anyone could walk by, you're just thinking about how big he is, how good it feels. He's fucking your body slack now, you don't even have to do anything, he’s holding you up, lifting you onto and off of his cock roughly, debasingly.
His hands nearly circle your waist completely, they’re so large. Your mouth is stuck open, making stupid, feeble noises and he’s grunting small words of encouragement.
"Say my name," he says.
When you don't respond immediately, too blissed out to think, he slams your body down harder onto him and you nearly yelp.
"Hngh, Theseus. Theseus, please-"
You can feel him get almost unbearably hard inside of you, then he’s heaving you up and flipping you around, manhandling you, so your back is his against his torso, his right arm a bar across your chest, still inside. He brings a hand down roughly to your clit to touch you through it, and then you're both coming hard, your loud, jagged breaths echoing through the empty hall.
Your head spins, you're seeing stars.
"Baby," he says, when you don't come back to yourself immediately. "Was I too rough? Are you okay?"
You nod, breathlessly, but stumble when he finally stops supporting your weight. Your body is still juddering with pleasure, your fingertips quiver and feel numb as you smooth down your dress.
He's right, you think with a laugh. My dress is too damn short.
Theseus has the decency to look around the hall to make sure no one was watching, and to help you fix your hair and what's left of your lipstick. Your lips are pink and bitten now, swollen.
"They're probably wondering where we are. We should go." His voice is serious, unemotive, but there's something like devotion in the way he looks over you from head to toe, just one last time, to make sure you're beyond reproach. He hands you his jacket, which is huge on you, and slings your fur cape over his arm, bearing the cold himself like a gentleman.
A flurry of snow has begun to spiral down in the streets of Berlin, white particles curling and dancing in the wind. You've always found this type of snowfall to be so fanciful, the closest thing to magic in the muggle world. You walk back to the meeting point in comfortable silence, Theseus's hand clasped firmly around yours.
"He doesn't know what's mine," he'd said about Dietrich, about you. And last night, not that long ago, he'd said, "I love you."
Albeit, after you said it first. You look over to his oblivious face, checking both sides for cars before leading you across the busy street. His kind eyes, the line of his jaw..
You wonder how he could mean it... You'd so meticulously tried to conceal from him all the ugly parts of your life, your past, your fears, even your wants when they seemed to inconvenience him.
Could he love me? Could I let him?
"I want you," you'd said to him in the hall of the German Ministry. You realize now that you meant more than his body. For so long even just a look from him, just a word, was enough to sustain you.
But now you wanted more. Maybe it was selfish, undeserved, that the magical world was giving way to crisis, the dark forces were closing in around hope, and yet here you were, wanting to ask him for more...
part three here
author's note: hiiiiii! YES i switched to present tense from past tense in the last part, and no i'm not sorry... please let me know if you'd like me to continue this fic! i have a third & final chapter in mind. or i can take other theseus requests. the theseus brainrot is real... some AUs would be fun too! as always, feedback is welcome &lt;3 taglist: @mystic-mara
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strangerdangerwrites · 8 months
Text
the art of lies | t.s. (fantastic beasts) - chapter two
Chapter Summary: real partnerships need faux relationships.
Pairings: Theseus Scamander x Fem!Reader
genre: romance, mature audience intended
warnings: mature themes, implied sexual content, sexworker protagonist, pleasure house (brothel), smoking
the art of lies masterlist
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YOU CAN TELL A LOT ABOUT A PERSON by the way of their touch.
Is it comforting? Like a mother who eases their child about the bruise on their knees.
Is it skilled? Like the pianist who is adept at playing the key to a composition.
Is it warm? Like the embrace of a friend whom you have not seen in years.
Is it tender? Like the palm of the lover carefully caressing your cheek.
Or is it dominating? Like the hands holding your neck, making you gasp for air while you could only comply. 
Every breath you take, clawing at the hands that tighten with every passing minute. Strangling you until all you see are the ceilings painted like the night sky, it would be your deepest desire to be held so gently, not like this. Not like this. Your lungs burning with every passing second, reaching for anything, a small gasp of wind would be enough to suffice.  The only thing that registered in your mind was how hard your heart was beating out of your chest. One more tightened grip and it would be your last breath, your feet wriggled right under his grasp, tears welling out of yours. You didn’t even know you could cry.
You didn’t want it to end like this, to be seen unsightly. To lie cold on the white sheets, eyes with a blank glassy stare and tear stains on your cheeks. The tell-tale sign that you were once alive is gone with your last breath. You didn’t want it to end like this… You were a fighter— you were fighting for a semblance of a home, the warmth, and the pure love.
With a gasp, you tapped on the arms that held your neck, trying to push off the undesired touch. You grabbed them harshly, as if your life depended on it, and pushed them off your frame. You sat still and coughed, the air you desperately wished went back to your senses slowly. You were alive. You are alive, Feeling the pulse of your veins right beneath your bruised neck.
The man on the sofa whispered but words fell on deaf ears, he muttered something, and all you could do was hum. Unlike earlier, the rough hands by your neck weren’t like the soft kisses he left on your shoulder, leaving the feeling of ice on your skin.
“I said tell me the truth. Did I hurt you?” He asked, warm breath tickling your skin. Looking right at your shoulder his arms circled your waist as he inhaled your scent. 
“You didn’t.” Intense eyes looked right back at you. His once-slicked-back hair was ruffled lying flat on his forehead, he looked at you. Scoping your reaction once more but nodded, nonetheless.
Lies. Lies. Lies. It comes naturally to you, like breathing.
And only one person had caught on to your lies. You take pride in having a knack for the art of deceptiveness, yet when Theseus Scamander looked at you, he knew that you had recognized Charles Moore. Mr. Scamander was far too perceptive and smart for his good, his nobleness would only lead to trouble.
The truth is it wasn’t even in the Amour Délicat that you had first met the missing assistant delegate, his thoughts were loud and clear, unbearable with the thought of your beauty.
‘She’s beautiful.’ The words you have seen a thousand times. 
And for the second time, Charles Moore presented himself in front of you, right in front of a jewelry shop, he held a flashy ring that glittered in the sun. You tried to look at your surroundings, to look for the people that accompanied courtesans every time you had to go out for help. But you couldn’t feel or see them, strange.
“Run away with me. I’ll make you the happiest woman on earth.” Charles Moore proposed, kneeling on one knee as a crowd of onlookers looked at the spectacle expecting you to say yes.
“I do not even know you; you must have had the wrong person.” You said as you turned around to walk another block, trying to get away from his hands as he tried to reach you. 
“You don’t understand, I am in love with you! You are the woman of my dreams. Why are you running away from me? I am your true love!” Your heart hammered in your chest; you couldn’t risk losing your job by creating a scene in front of the crowd. Madame Blanche kept you her secret, a weapon to investigate secrets and he is risking it by following you. 
When you have reached the dark alleys of Paris, streets that looked at you in hunger, you were sent back to a dark time where you had no roof over your head. You have seen life and decay in these very streets. It felt like you were back from where your stomach growled in hunger as you stared at the windows of a bakery begging for a piece of bread. You felt your lungs tightening in your chest like an incarcerous spell had taken hold of your chest, squeezing it until panic littered your veins. Your eyes darted at the crowd, looking for the protection that you desperately craved. Suddenly, multiple people stood in front of you, dressed in shabby clothing. They had followed you, looking at you with disdain asking if you were acquainted with the man earlier, you shook your head no as tears threatened to spill in your eyes, only for them to grab your arms harshly.  Every spell of protection flew over your head as your heart still hammered in your chest, stunning stem into their place you ran. The soles of your feet were sore and when you were back to the familiar streets of the red-light district, back to Amour Délicat, you could finally breathe. You stood there for what felt like a lifetime, only to hear the panicked breaths of people who were supposed to protect you.
That is the memory you had shown Theseus, who is now sitting on the sofa with his head propped up on a soft pillow looking at the ceilings while dissecting every memory of the encounter, For someone to force their memory on you it would hurt for the first time. You muttered a healing spell to ease his pain, while he lay on the soft velvet seats, collecting his thoughts.
“I would say that you are quite indeed a great liar, but the first time you looked at me I knew you were lying.” He said with a cheeky grin. Proud that he had seen through your facade of lies. His eyes remained closed, and you frowned.
“What gave it away?”
“Your eyes. My mother said you can see a lot of a person through their eyes, that’s why Hippogriffs only respect you if you look right into their eyes. And you didn’t with me, you covered yours with a smile.” Opening his eyes, he looked right back at you. “And that is your flaw, you’re too good of a liar that lies upon lies is the tell-tale that you are hiding something.”
What a funny thing, you failed to be the greatest deceiver. Now you were only obligated to an oath of truth to Theseus Scamander. You were a mere pawn in this game, all your life you were, and to be presented with a ticket out, you became a feral dog ready to taste the sense of freedom. Your truth is hard to come by because all you knew were lies. And the way he had you right wrapped around his fingers was a sure new record of low for you, what a pity you were. Madame Blanche would sure be ashamed. You and your rotten judgment would lead to your demise; you were certain.
Yet, he vowed for your safety. All that needs to be done is you get information as you’ve always done before. Gather secrets and tell him what he wants, that would be easy. The only obstacle was how you would communicate discreetly, all he needed to do was be within your vicinity for you to use legilimens to him. But, how, he couldn’t simply use his account to buy your time, he significantly declined that idea. His righteous beliefs prevented him from using you for that kind of service, ‘We are working together, you don’t need to think about ways to please me. Your help is fine.’ he says.
Madame Blanche would become too curious, too prying as to why the British auror had come to take you, therefore you settled on an agreement, every time you had to go out, he would trail by the shadows until both of you were all alone he would get the information he wanted.
You would ease into Mr. Scamander’s mind gently, give him the truth that he wanted. 
The man that lay on your sofa slowly unwrapped his arms around your waist. It was becoming a common occurrence for you to be lost in thought. Being deep into your head, made you make plans for the imminent future, like what would you or where would you go questions have circled your mind. Daydreaming has now been a habit that distracts you and makes you hope, and having hope is a dangerous thing.
You even forgot it was not Mr. Scamander in the room with you but a regular patron of yours, whose name you were forced to remember since he was a high-paying clientele. Pierre Baudelaire, the next-inline as the Duke of Baudelaire, a part of the royalty of pure-blooded families. And you were nothing but his mistress.
If you squint your eye, you would’ve thought it was the figure of a certain auror, something your mind didn’t expect it to play. Buttoning his suit with ease, Baudelaire acquires an extravagant box in his coat pocket. He kneeled right in front of you and grabbed your hand in his.
“What is this?” 
“A gift.”
“I don’t think I can accept—”
“Take it.”
Your hands fiddled with the box unwillingly, his palms pressed to it tightly, not giving you the choice to reject his offer. Nonetheless, you smiled at him not before you grabbed your robe and walked with him as he went to say his goodbyes.
With one last look, he turned around to step in front of you. His deep green eyes stared at you unblinking not before holding your neck, lightly this time. With his thumb, he tilted your head up at him not before giving you a kiss. Closing your eyes and the hold on your neck slowly tightened. The feel of your pulse right beneath his skin, you willed your heart to remain calm, afraid that the repeat earlier would happen again.
The touch of authority is evident in the way he holds your neck, making you want to submit to his desires that are still not satisfied. Back then you would’ve let them, it was your job after all. You would’ve been your ruin, a tool of satisfaction but now you feared. You fantasize about life outside these very caging walls. Back then, you would’ve been fine if your last dying breath was in between the sheets, and the taste of freedom far from your mind. But now it is different.
When the lift doors closed behind him and your clientele for the day had gone, you gave a tired sigh and rested your back among the door frames. Your hand touched your neck feeling the faint bruise slowly starting to burn, by the time you would have looked in the mirror you were sure that it would’ve been dark red. Going back inside the room, other elves started appearing and cleaning the room from the ground up. And at the corner of your eye, Bernadette gave you a comforting smile. A cup of tea in her hand
“I hope I didn’t take long. Bernadette.” Grabbing the warm cup of tea in hand, the crushed leaves provided you with the comfort that you needed. You muttered a ‘thank you’ not before hearing the creaking wall opening behind you. You followed her as both of you walked towards the hidden door in the room, the bricked walled lead you downstairs to the common rooms and large dining hall for every courtesan. Loud chatter and boisterous laughter could be heard echoing on your way down. 
As soon as you opened the large lounge where every staff and courtesan lazed around; there they talked about rumors of their own, happenings on the street, and what the client of the day did. Passing by some who flaunted their lover’s gift as they giggled at the thought of love. Not before you get stares of your own; thoughts you could hear loud and clear about how you were the cause of Maeve’s disposal. Not even caring that their voices were loud whispers.
If Maeve didn’t run her tattle tale mouth, then would have still been working here, It was not your fault she grew jealous of your status as the right hand. She did it to herself, you were merely a vessel to her downfall. At first, that former courtesan acted like you were the best of friends, clinging to you to make her status higher but you knew not to make friends; you could hear and see the disdain in her thoughts as soon as she saw you. Thoughts about how undeserving you were, and that you were never special to begin with. And when she realized that you were unapproachable and someone who never let her secrets slip, she knew that you would never open up. 
“Why did Maeve get to be punished, she should’ve been the one who left.” A comment that went past your ears. You paid no reaction and continued your way back to your room, all you needed to do was get out and talk to Theseus, passing him a piece of crucial information about how you were being trailed these last few days and how Maeve held no contact after being laid off by Madame Blanche. No letters to her friends in Amour Délicat, which is unlike her character at all. She liked to gossip and was often associated with the one who made the nasty comment about you, and to not get a peep out of the former courtesan was unlikely. Very unusual.
Passing down rooms until you reach the final door. Courtesans from Bouquet de Blanc had different sets of rooms. You were never placed to bed in the lower ground rooms, where one hall five people are being accommodated in their respective rooms, you stayed on the upper floors where a singular door resides. There were clothes designated for you to wear, to not lose their status, and you were only required to wear white, a sign of purity when the truth is you are embedded with sins. 
Opening the door, what greeted you was a simple room. No knick-knacks, just all the necessities to be considered a bedroom. There were no high ceilings or chandeliers like the room upstairs that decorated this simple abode. The only splash of the decor was the potted Epiphyllum oxypetalum residing at the dresser, its buds still not formed. It was charmed to be water daily while you were occupied by other means, you never miss it when it blooms once a year. This plant was a gift from the Madame, every courtesan had a flower designated to be their own identity. A cruel reminder that this is who you are in the establishment of Madame Blanche. A flower in her bouquet of courtesans.
Bernadette who has been by your side all this time summoned the golden tub, and immediately you succumb to cleaning yourself hastily. You scrubbed hard while the water still flowed to a full; Bernadette rushed as well as she poured an essence of floral shampoo right into your hair. The house elf saw the forming bruise right at your neck and touched it gently.
“Again? Please be careful around men like that Miss.” You flinched when her cold hands touched the sensitive skin, she whispered a healing spell. You could only nod as you hurried to dress yourself, in simple clothes, something inconspicuous.
“Are you meeting the auror again?” Bernadette asked. Worry was written all over her face.
“I have to, this— this contract is an opportunity I could simply not pass. When the time comes, I’ll make sure that you’ll come with me to be free. And this is the only reason for that to happen, trust me. Please.” Kneeling right in front of the house elf, she caressed your cheek and wiped the worry off your face. Bernadette nodded and put a tight lip on her lips signifying her silence. The house elf that you have trusted your whole life, embraced you in a hug like a doting mother would. 
The truth is Bernadette is your only friend, she is the only other person you ever trusted and cared for. When the world turned their eyes with disgust at you, it was empathy and a cup of warm tea that she offered. Bernadette took care of you as a loving mother would; not that you knew what it's like to feel a mother’s touch. It was she who gave you warmth, and sincerity. And even if you are not related by blood, the bond you have with each other is irreplaceable. 
“What would you do if she asks?” 
“I’ll think of something, don’t worry.”
“Stay safe.”
“I will.”
Walking towards the back doors, you stopped at the guard’s quarters to call upon Chen and Marc. The men who were assigned to watch your every move whenever you are needed outside. They did not only to keep you from harm but to prevent you from running away. Those were Madame Blanche’s orders. 
“Are we too lazy to go outside boys?” You crossed your arms across your chest and looked at their round of poker game.  Groaning, the two boys sat their cards down to fold. And just by hearing their thoughts out loud, they were dejected. Placing their cards down, they begrudgingly stood to follow you, calling out to their other mates about continuing the game later.
“Where are we going today, Miss? Another theater or a trip to see the Seine?” Chen enthusiastically asked.
Chen and Marc were great at their job, they knew to keep tabs on all behavior and what to report to Madame Blanche as soon as the trip was done. You had been doing this for years, and with experience, you knew how to throw them off your scent easily. All you need is a place wherein utmost surveillance would become useless when faced with difficulty; for that to happen you need an obstacle, an obstacle called the non-magiques. With the planned rendezvous in mind, you hummed not even trying to act overly giddy at the thought. 
“We are going to the non-magiques golden district, the Champs-Élysées Avenue.” With a loud choking sound, followed by a slap on the back you walked towards the double doors. The feeling of air right on your skin made you elated.
“What for?”
“I need a look… a look on how to be the perfect bride.”
For the non-magiques it would take them 10-12 hours to travel to Champs-Élysées Avenue from the Amour Délicat, but apparition came easy to you and there are portkeys scattered in Paris. Besides, the farther you are in Amour Délicat the better. You didn’t need prying eyes or ears to watch your every move, and besides the non-magiques tourists spots were certainly a beauty to look at, that was just an additional benefit. Marc and Chen could only comply with your demands as you looked at every boutique with wonder in your eyes. They were on edge and yet they couldn’t do anything about it, afraid that the Bureau des Aurors would show up any minute. They were not accustomed to traveling outside the wizarding walls, they were wary that they would be captured and jailed if they ever slipped and showed magic towards the non-magical people. Pinballs of sweat dripped to their forehead as their wands remained at the inside of their pocket, eyes darting across one another as they tried to remain calm.
“Did you hear about ‘Handcuff' Houdini? I believe he is now in Wales touring! How I wish I could’ve seen his magic again; my papa said it was like sorcery!” You nudged the thought loud and clear to the young boys who bumped past your escorts. Messing around a little more, you whispered the fear of sorcery in their veins. 
Another group of elegant young ladies passed by this time their thoughts were merely pure coincidence. 
“I’m excited, I’ll finally be able to go to Magic City.” You stopped to tap them on their shoulder, the girl stared up at you in wonder. You looked regal with your white coat and scarf, even in the eyes of the non-magiques you were a beauty to look at.
“Did you say Magic City? I don’t believe that I’ve been there, care to tell me where it is?”  You asked, voice loud and clear for the eavesdropping escort to hear. “Yes— yes the one by rue de l'Université. Their dance halls have the most extravagant balls and celebrations. I heard that it is the most magical place here in Paris. We hope to see you there!” 
“Is that so? Thank you and I do hope to see you too. Have a wonderful day!” You turned around at their pale faces and gave them a small smile.
“Do you think that is a wizard-owned location?” Chen approached you but you could only hum in uncertainty, placing doubts onto their heads.
“I don’t know… I do think it is.” Turning around, you smiled as you heard one of your escorts gulp nervously, whispering amongst themselves about this new development and how they would tell Madame Blanche. If it is a new competitor, then it would be a threat to the Madame’s establishment
“Come on Chen and Marc, you have to hurry we do not have all day.” You hurriedly walked, passing through throngs of people, widening the gap as the men behind you were slowly losing you among the crowd. As soon as you walked two blocks away, you walked inside the corner shop street. 
Ready to welcome yourself in, the floral ambiance greeted your senses, the name of the boutique long forgotten when you realized what kind of establishment it was. Countless white bridal dresses decorated its walls, and mannequins stood still wearing expensive-looking gowns. In another life, you would’ve rejoiced to be a bride, but now you despised the color white. 
White. Felt restricting; it reminded you of the control, the emptiness, the loneliness, and the lies. White made you feel empty. 
“Welcome to ‘Love Affairs’. How may I help you today?” The boutique assistant's voice spooked you and immediately helped you to snap out of it. She guided you to a sofa that held champagne and a catalog. It almost made you nauseous to see the closed catalog staring straight back at you, you thought that if you scanned through its pages, you would see yourself and the price under your name. You held everything in your will to force the bile from coming out of your mouth. This place felt sickly, it reminded you of Amour Délicat. 
But you remember Theseus, curse him for choosing something like this. Something that is triggering every parcel in your body to just run away. He had provided you with this exact location, a place wherein you can do it discreetly. He could not afford to use the hotels the Aurors were staying at, that would cause too much curiosity in his superior. And the tavern had too many curious eyes and ears, this place was the first best thing. A place where no one would look for you and you could come up with an alibi easily, here you know that Marc and Chen could not follow you or it would raise suspicion.
Mr. Scamander… Mr. Scamander was here. Forcing yourself to remain in control you asked, “I was wondering if an English man has come in here? He was supp—” Her eyes widened in delight before you could even finish your sentence.
“Oh, you must be his bride! What a wonderful couple you two are. Come with me!” She urged you to stand up and she grabbed your hand, almost dragging you up the stairs where you can look at the catalog of dresses privately. 
A lone stylist stood in the middle of the room, entertaining a man who was slouched down on the couch. His knees showing signs of nervousness.
“His fiance is here!” The girl called out and Theseus looked at you, he expected you to not even show up but when you did his fear was lifted. He stood immediately, engulfing you in a tight embrace as he buried his face in the crook of your neck. Your hand hovered right behind his back, wary of your touch on his. You were afraid that if you became too close, he would flinch and push you away. All it took you was a second to decide before giving him an embrace of equal force, not too harsh that your bones would crush and not too soft that the wind could blow you away.
With his voice in your ear and his hand carefully drawing circles into your back, he whispered. “We need to talk, they almost thought you stood me up.” 
It did interesting things to you, his whisper felt like feathers on your back making you arch closer to him and parted your lips. You felt yourself tremble to his voice, almost wanting more; you almost wanted to be greedy and see where this would lead. You push back to stare at him, but this is not the time or place for it, you have a job. And your job is to give him the information that he needs, not your services but secrets; he needed your secrets. And you two were not alone.
Your palm caresses his cheek softly; “Follow my lead.” 
Dropping your hand back to your side, you turned to stare at the stylist, the white streaks on her told of her age. She gave you a genuine smile, and in her thoughts, you could see her admiration. Slowly his hand left your back to stay right in his pockets, the warmth leaving as he did. 
‘Just like me and my husband.’ The lady's thoughts circled in your mind as her finger fiddled with her own ring. 
You formally introduce yourself and shake the stylist’s hand, flattering your eyes. Like stepping in front of an opera house, you performed another lie of a lifetime.
“I had to apologize, I had to run an errand. It is hard to plan a wedding with only two people.” You gave them your made-up story, how quickly and easily it came to you. 
Theseus would’ve thought it was true, but he knew your truth. Your contract was to only tell him the truth and to be seen on the other side of your white lies, he knew not to meddle with an expert at hand. You were far too quick on your feet to lie between your teeth, it came easy to you. He admired you for that, you would make a great auror. 
“The way your husband came here was uncertain, we almost pushed him out of our boutique. He was a nervous wreck. Now that I know why he is like that, your case is something unheard of, we always thought that the groom would only see the bride’s dress at the wedding, not the planning. Yet, you do not need to worry about anything, we'll make sure that this is a wedding you’ll never forget.”
Theseus stepped to your left and closed your hand in his, placing a chaste kiss on your knuckles, hiding the view of your ringless finger from the spectators in front of you. “We wanted it to be private, just the two of us against the world.” He declared, and the boutique’s assistant swooned at the thought of pure love. 
“Ah, then why don’t you let us do the magic, all you must do is trust us and we will surprise you with the collection suited for someone like you. We will not leave you disappointed.” The stylist said as she closed the catalog and ushered the young assistant down the stairs. 
With the given privacy, you immediately walked toward the round-stage podium and closed the curtains surrounding it, not before dragging Theseus inside. Charming a muting spell in the vicinity, you looked up at him with seriousness plastered on your face. Now you were back to business, putting down the facade of pretending to be husband and wife.
He fiddled with something in his inner breast pocket. “Take this.” 
In his hand, a small dainty ring resides. It didn’t need the most expensive of gems to look beautiful as it glittered through the sun's rays. The golden band protected the one moonstone right in its middle, it looked beautiful and delicate.
Not even realizing that you were traversing his mind, you found a memory behind it. It was his mother’s ring. In his head, you saw him in front of the dining table along with his mother passing that very ring with a smile on her face, her small freckles dusted on her cheeks looking the same as her son. You can see her muttering the words ‘When the time comes, I know you’ll give it to the right person.” His mother placed the ring in his hand and closed it tightly. You can see him being apprehensive but with one last look, he thanked his mother and hugged her.
“This is your mother’s. Mr. Scamander— I–I don’t think I am the right person for this.” You muttered, eyes darting back to his eyes. The palm of his hand was left unoccupied with the ring as you didn’t even want to touch something so special to him, afraid that your ruination would cause its destruction. Your heart was pounding loudly, mind muddled with the unknown as the thoughts of all people within 50 meters became one. The voices all came at you at once as the white noise grew louder. You were breathing heavily, your hand slapped right into your ears to make the voices of the people stop.
His eyes grew worried, as he held your hand beside your head. Muttering. He was muttering something. You stared at his lips as you leaned closely.
“They’ll think you’re lying if you are not wearing the ring.”
“Oh... Yes of course.”
You expected he was giving it to you as an act of commitment, but his thoughts were loud and clear, you just didn’t expect the disappointment that followed. Placing the ring onto your right hand, not before he stopped to carefully hold your hand and place it on your left ring finger.
“Vena Amoris. Vein of Love. You wear it on your left, closer to your heart.” He whispered, realizing what your implication meant. Air thick with tension and uncertainty made you step back, giving distance and formality once more. This is a job, you don’t meddle with a personal relationship with it; you should know better than that.
Clearing your throat, eyes avoiding his stare as his mouth opened and closed, trying to pull the words right out of his mouth.
“Should we start? We can’t afford to lose time by dallying around.” As professional as ever, you procure your wand to show him the memory. Shaking his head, he nodded and stood straight closing his eyes, as he waited for you to push the memory into his mind.
In this memory, you gave him the exact faces of the people who are trailing you, the same people who asked if you were acquainted with Charles Moore. Even giving him the exact location where and when these people were trailing behind you. Two men, a feat larger and burlier than he is and one small with a mean look in his eyes. 
For the second memory, you gave him the news about the unresponsiveness of the former courtesan Maeve. You gave him details about how she never answered letters from her friends and almost seemed like she disappeared from the face of the world when she was a person who is quite the opposite of that. You gave him details as to her last known location, giving him the harder part of the job. 
When you were done, he was gasping for air, almost as if he was drowning. Theseus almost tripped on the curtains as they opened when he fell. You tried to catch him but he was halfway on the floor when you caught his arm. You dragged him back to the couch while he regained his senses. Transferring memories with the use of legilimency is not an easy art to master, with time you’ll learn to endure the pain better but, for his second time, Theseus was faring far better. 
When the assistant downstairs heard the bustling noise of someone falling, she immediately came upstairs to see you hovering right above your supposed husband. Meanwhile, Theseus lay there almost as if he was asleep. The aftereffects of legilimency took a toll on him. 
“Is he okay? What happened? Do you need anything?” The assistant asked.
“Just took a tumble, do not worry. May we please have a glass of water? I think my husband is too tired and nervous for all of this.” You politely said. The girl immediately nodded and headed down the stairs. When you heard the pattern of footsteps disappearing, you sighed.
“Mr. Scamander?”
“Mr. Scamander?!”
“Answer me.”
“Theseus.”
Your voice commanding is still laced with worry as he remains to catch his breath, his eyes still closed and his skin still pale. Theseus muttered a sentence, way too quiet for your ears to pick up on.
“What? Can you repeat it?” You asked leaning forward, as pinballs of sweat and the colors from his cheeks started to come back.
“I said you didn’t give me time to gather my thoughts. Yes, you would be the right person for someone… I’m not saying you aren’t. Someday a lucky bloke would be lucky to have you as their right person.” Giving you the cheeky smile once again, he opened one of his eyes to stare at your reaction.
Slapping him lightly on his arm, “This is not the time for this type of conversation.” You sighed nonetheless when he laughed. When he laughs, you have never heard a sweeter and warm sound.  His laughter made you at ease. He was fine.
“Then when? Care to join me for a cup of fire whiskey later? I think we do deserve it, after all, you now called me Theseus, I assume that I am now your friend not just an ally.” He replied cheekily. Held tilted to one side, wiggling his eyebrows for you to agree.
“When this is done, we will drink fire whiskey and gigglewater until the next morning. And I’ll make sure that you are too drunk to remember anything. Happy?” You fixed yourself and stood straight arms folded across your chest, he nodded.
“And stop getting a reaction out of me, we are in the middle of a business here. And I can’t take it seriously to see you annoyingly smiling at me.” 
“So, you’re implying that I make you distracted?”
“Yes, you are a large distraction, an annoying one. I can’t believe I made an unbreakable vow to a cheeky person like you.”
“You know you would make a great auror someday.” 
“Ha! In your dreams.” 
You didn’t realize that the stylist and her assistant walked up the stairs with refreshments and too many dresses on hand. The lady looked at the couple in front of her with a large smile plastered on her face.
“Come on my dear, we must make you the perfect bride.” She dragged you as you watched Theseus sit straight and drink the refreshment in his hand, still giddy at the thought of you breaking down the facade of seriousness when you rolled your eyes at him playfully and stuck your tongue out at him.
“Real mature.”  You said to him when you knew that he wouldn’t understand a word you muttered but with the way you said it, he knew what you meant.
You didn’t expect it; the walls that were too high to climb, too tough to break down easily crumbled under a certain auror. The absence of difficulty and pretending came naturally, it came to you as easy as breathing. Whether it is because you're bound by truth or maybe it's just the way that he is, you are uncertain. All you know is that it felt nice not to withhold the true you. 
After pretending and having fun wearing white bridal gowns, you would think you lead a normal life; the high life of having a sense of normalcy felt nice. Mr. Scamander—Theseus certainly made his company a pleasure to be with. It was hours of leisure and laughing as the cheap champagne of the non-magiques stayed on your lips; bickering among throngs of dresses as he tried to ‘fight’ a particular dress he seemed to like. The stylist and her assistant were accommodating and made sure that the two had fun, and a ‘day you won’t forget’, but they were none-the-wiser, this was all a faux relationship. Looking at bridal dresses is a certain once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, where you don't need to worry about who is behind your back and watching every move. Maybe soon, you could be like this. You would find the love of your life, experience the freedom other people have, and possibly love the way other people love. Oh, how beautiful and bright that future would be.
Walking back to the steps, back at Amour Délicat you almost feel like a schoolgirl having a crush. Your own escorts who spent their whole day almost looking for you were tired. And yet their worries were lifted when you pretended that you had been searching for them as well. And behind them Theseus has to tip-toe out of their line of sight, waving you a small goodbye and a large smile plastered on his face. It almost seemed like a secret love affair, and you giggled at the thought. As soon as you open the back doors, all you can see are the courtesans gathered around the fireplace peering at something. Gasps of amazement filled the air. Their shadows danced right by the fireplace, passing on to something with great curiosity. 
“Isn’t this expensive?”
“Do you think our lovers could get that too?”
“Ah, I’m so jealous.”
You paid no mind to them, as you walked towards the halls to your room. At the end of the hallway, Bernadette is biting on her finger with worry. 
“There you are!” Someone behind you exclaimed, Turning around they gleamed. “The beauty of the night is here.”
The courtesan immediately surrounded you, and right in front of you was the black velvet box. And inside was a necklace with far too many pearls for you to count, and those weren’t just normal non-magiques pearls, these were siren tears. Acquiring siren tears is not an easy task, banned in most countries, and to do something so inhumane to a siren is punishable by law.
“What is this?” Staring at it with disgust and annoyance. 
“What are you talking about? Just wear it, it’s yours after all.”
And right in the middle was a note, written in golden ink. Sitting innocently and untouched. Picking up the note with an apprehensive hand, you wavered. This is something your mind couldn’t see or read with the use of legilimens, you needed to see with your own eyes to understand.
‘I hope you wear it. This is merely a downpayment worth 4,000 galleons and the life of a certain English Man.’
And right on your left ring finger, a lone simple ring resides; a ring no amount of value could surpass. An engagement ring that came with love, a love from his mother to him, a ring that has seen pure love. You felt it grow cold on your finger. 
text format: “dialogue” is in French.  ‘Dialogue’  are thoughts. a/n: cant be touch starved when you hate physical touch (I am a hypocrite)
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its-vannah · 1 year
Text
Snow on the Beach | Jacaerys x Reader
A/N: I'm so sorry it took so long for me to get this posted. I've been crazy busy with finals and had to work on it rather slowly every night. Nonetheless, I hope you guys enjoy.
Warnings: Arranged marriage, fear of flying, your mother is anything but kind
Midnights Masterlist
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Life is emotionally abusive
When your mother had informed you of your bethrothal to Jacaerys Velaryon, you felt as if the weight of Westeros had been placed on your shoulders.
Not only would you one day be Queen of the seven, but you'd be expected to conceieve and birth an heir. You would have had to do that no matter who you married, but being wed to the future King put even more pressure on you.
As you slid into your nightgown, preparing to get some sleep, something caught your eye outside the window.
I saw flecks of what could've been lights
It was dark, and you could barely see it, but in the light cast from the moon, you could make out wings flapping in the distance. It was too big to be a bird. It was a dragon.
The dragon could have been on its own, you figured. But it was far more likely that a Targaryen or a Velaryon was controlling the beast.
Passing by unbeknownst to me
You racked through your brain, thinking of all the dragon riders in the realm. Queen Rhaenyra, Aegon, Aemond, Helaena, Daemon, Rhaenys, Jacaerys—Jacerys.
But it might just have been you
A small part of you hoped that it was him, flying over the home you had grown up in your whole life. But as the dragon faded into the distance, you shook your head of your thoughts, settling into bed.
-------------------------------
When you met Jacaerys formally a few days later, you had expected for things to go smoothly. But that was anything but the case.
And time can't stop me quite like you did
He had insisted on taking you on a dragon ride—and you were utterly terrified. Your mother urged you to follow after him, but you stopped in your tracks, fear striking every bone in your body.
And it's fine to fake it 'til you make it
Climbing on the back of his dragon, who's name you couldn't even remember in your stress, your chest began to heave. But you forced a smile on your face, for no one but your mother. You may not have been happy, but you had to look the part.
I'm unglued, thanks to you
You weren't even a foot off the ground before you were begging for Jacaerys to land, tears streaming down your face.
As soon as you stepped off the beast, you fell to your knees, hands placed firmly on the ground.
And my flight was awful, thanks for asking
Jacaerys slid off of his dragon, kneeling beside you. He gently put a hand to your back, "Are you alright?"
Blurring out my periphery
You shook your head, your vision blurring from the tears in your eyes, uttering, "No."
Your mother briskly walked towards you, coming to a halt at your hunched over body. Nudging you with her foot, she spoke through gritted teeth, "Get up."
Shuffling to your feet, you wiped away your tears with the back of your hand, apologizing, "I'm sorry, mother."
She turned her back on you, just as she had done all those years ago after the accident. This time, you weren't sure there was any coming back.
-------------------------------
That night, you climbed into bed, falling back onto the soft mattress. Your head hit the pillow and you released the sigh you had been holding for the majority of the day.
You had disappointed your mother, again. But it was nothing new, really. Ever since the accident, her life had been nothing but a constant disappointment.
One night a few moons ago
You thought about the day your life changed forever. You were sitting in the highest tower of your castle with your brother, who was brushing up on his sword fighting technique. The open windows let a soft breeze in that caused your hair to float around your head as you worked on your embroidery.
This scene feels like what I once saw on a screen
You watched as your brother worked on perfecting each swing, stabbing at his imaginary victim. That's when it happened. That's when the world stopped.
Just as you were about to recall the events that had shaped you into who you were today, there was a knock at your balcony door.
I can't speak afraid to jinx it
Jumping at the sound, you grabbed the candlestick from your bedside, taking a few steps towards your balcony. You were aware that danger could be lurking on the other side, but curiosity had always gotten the better of you.
Taking a sharp breath, you pushed the door back quickly, hoping to knock whoever found themself outside your chambers off their feet. But they had already moved. He had already moved. Jacaerys had already moved.
You rushed to cover yourself with your free hand. Dressed in your night clothes, it was hardly appropriate for a man to see you in this state until after marriage.
A sour expression crossed your face, "My Lord, it's late. What could you possibly want or need at this hour?"
You wanting me tonight feels impossible
"You."
His answer was short and simple—at least that's what you assumed.
I don't even dare to wish it
Shaking your head, you waved your candlestick around, almost blowing out the light, "I'll have you know that I'm a woman of honor. Your requests—"
But Jacerys pressed his hand to your wrist, "You misunderstand me, my lady. I wish to take you for a ride."
In that moment, his dragon rose from it's position below your balcony, it's wings flapping rhythmically.
"I don't like heights, my prince. I'm sorry, I can't."
Jacerys bowed his head, "Your father told me what happened to your brother. I'm sorry for your loss."
Your heart dropped, "Then you understand why I can't go."
"That I don't."
"He fell from the highest tower in the palace. I watched him fall to his death and I couldn't do anything about it. I watched him die. I won't watch another suffer the same fate. I can't."
Jacaerys moved his hand to side of your arm, "No one's going to fall. I've been dragon riding ever since I was a boy. And I'll be holding onto you the whole time."
"Jacaerys—"
"I may not have known your brother, but I do know he was a boy of honor. It's tradition for my family to ride dragons. As your betrothed, I want to share that with you," He explained, "This could help both of us, my lady."
You hesitated. But you knew he wasn't going to bscj down, "If I tell you to bring me back down, you'll do it in an instant?"
"In a heartbeat."
You took in a deep breath, clenching your fists to feel anything other than feer.
Jacaerys extended his hand for you to take, and once your fingers were entwined with his, he led you to the edge of the balcony.
Looking up at him through your brows, you pulled back slightly, "Isn't there a safer way to mount?"
He shook his head, "Trust me. I won't let anything bad happen to you."
With that, Jacaerys climbed over your balcony railing, jumping until he landed on its back.
He steadied himself, holding out his arms, "My lady..."
You had gripped the railing so tightly that your knuckles were now ten shades lighter, trembling at the thought of being on dragon back.
"A promise is a promise," Jacaerys reminded you, "As soon as you want to return, you have my word."
Nodding, you climbed over the railing, clinging onto it once you reached the other side.
"I'll catch you, I promise."
You would've climbed back over if your hand hadn't slipped. Once your hand slipped, your foot slid off the edge. Caught by surprise, it wasn't long before you were falling.
But it's coming down, no sound, it's all around
But you weren't falling for long.
Before you could even scream for help, you felt strong arms around your back and thighs.
But your eyes are flying saucers from another planet
Jacaerys's big, brown eyes met yours in that moment, and you nearly felt yourself swoon. Half of you wanted to slap him for urging you to go on a ride at this hour, knowing your fears, but you couldn't harbor any anger towards him—not with the way he was looking at you.
He set you down gently, moving the stray strands of hair that had fallen over your face out of the way, "Are you alright, my lady?"
You nodded, "Yes, my prince. I'm fine—"
Are we falling like snow at the beach?
Then the ground began to shift beneath you. It was in that moment that you realized you weren't on solid ground—you were standing on the back of a dragon.
Clinging to your betrothed, he ushered you to sit down before him.
He sat down first, patting the spot in front of him. Your nails dug into his shoulders as you positioned yourself on the dragon.
Jacaerys took your hands in his, motioning for you to take the chains in either hand.
My smile is like I won a contest
When you felt his hands on yours, you felt something deep within your chest. Your heart fluttered, your stomach turned, and your face flushed at the contact. You couldn't help but smile, no matter how much you tried to hide it.
When the dragon began to move, you leaned back into his chest, your whole body trembling.
He took it slow, moving the reigns every few seconds to steer, his hands still clasped over yours.
Flying in a dream, stars by the pocketful
Gazing down at your now small home, you released the breath you had been holding. The view was beautiful.
Weird but fucking beautiful
Soon after, you calmed your nerves, your grip of the chains loosening. Crossing over a vast lake, you could see the moon's reflection in the still water.
I've never seen someone live from within
For the majority of your life, you had taken all of this for granted. Now, it was like you were truly living for the first time.
I searched aurora borealis green
You gazed up at the stars above, the barely noticeable clouds that hung low over you, casting a slight fog. While your head was reclined to view the stars, it meant Jacaerys's shoulder.
And to hide that would be so dishonest
Instead of pulling away, you let yourself melt into the touch.
Like snow on the beach (are we in a dream?)
After gliding across the sky for what didn't feel long enough, Jacaerys returned you to your balcony.
The two of you rose from your spots, and he gently lifted you up so you could lift yourself onto the edge.
Climbing back over the railing, you smiled down at him.
He remained on the back of his dragon, gazing up at you, "I trust that you enjoyed your ride?"
Nodding, you sighed, "I just admit that it was rather nice, my prince."
"I'm glad, my lady," He said, returning your smile.
You cleared your throat, "Do you come this way often, by chance?"
"Same time tomorrow?"
Grateful you didn't have to ask the question you had longed for, your smile grew, "I'd love nothing more."
"Then it's a date."
Can this be a real thing? Can it?
Your face flushed, and you attempted to hide your embarassment, "Yes, I believe it is."
It was silent for a moment before you spoke, "And Jacaerys? Thank you. For tonight, I mean."
Now I'm All For You like Janet
"Please, call me Jace, my lady."
'Til you do, 'til it's true
"Then call me Y/N."
Like snow on the beach (you want me)
Your faces were inches away, with him now standing on the edge of the railing as you had.
Pressing a kiss to his cheek, you smiled, "Goodnight, Jace."
With that, he settled back down on his dragon, grinning from ear to ear, "Goodnight, Y/N."
And it's like snow at the beach
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jakes3resin · 1 month
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gosh!! magic au!! theseus! chaos of having at the base and it’s like two bucky. gale would definitely be shocked!
That au really hit me like a fever dream, my dear anon. I was thinking about the Twin Cleven AU and the Blond Bucky bit I added when I remembered I tacked on a tiny Theseus Easter egg. 30 minutes later I had Magic AU in my drafts with no memory of writing it.
But I've sketched out some thoughts for you and for those who are interested (please keep in mind the last time I watched Fantastic Beasts was a few years ago so I don't remember much):
Bucky's a Scamander by his father (Theseus and Newt's uncle) but goes by his mother's maiden name as he was taken in by her brother and his wife.
Both his parents were magic, but they died near the end of the First World War. Bucky stayed with the Scamanders for a little while before eventually going to America before he turned 4. Theseus was very close with him, and they were occasionally mistaken as father and son due to the age difference (Theseus was a war hero during the First World War if I remember correctly?) (Also that could be an AU now that I think about it but not rn)
He has a bit of a British accent, comes out more when he's using magic. Or when he's around his cousins. First time Buck hears it, he just about faints.
Went to Hogwarts solely because his parents went there, and he wanted to feel close to them. Not sure what House but leaning Hufflepuff. He seems like he'd be happy there.
Enjoyed the school somewhat, but he dealt with some bullying due to his American upbringing as well as some of the students still remembered Newt and bullied him for that connection.
His favorite animal is still the unicorn. It's just not extinct like he said to Buck. What can I say? Every Scamander is good with magical animals.
Had an accidental falling out with the Scamander family who wanted him to move permanently to England and stay with them during his schooling, but he prefered spending his summers in America and winter holidays in the castle.
Came home before he turned 18 (I guess started Hogwarts young for his grade? Idk.) And decided to blend in to Muggle/No-Maj society by going to college and later joining the Air Force.
After Bucky's revelation to the RAF pilots, one of them writes home saying he met Theseus Scamander's cousin! This gets passed through Wizarding society until it lands in the ears of Theseus who didn't have a clue his cousin was in England, let alone serving in a Muggle unit. And after hearing about the death toll, he gets scared.
Theseus resolves to pop down there and check in on his cousin. And unknowingly reeks havoc upon Thorpes Abbotts.
Looks like this:
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(This is in a nebulous point before Curtis' death because he deserves to be alive my baby boy)
Literally everyone that sees him is flabbergasted because 1) Major Egan is handsome but he never dresses like That and 2) Major Egan is supposed to be flying back from a mission right now. Word travels through base, and it's alight with rumors.
Theseus gets dragged to Kidd's office because literally everyone is freaking out, and he's quite confused why everyone keeps calling him Bucky. He tries to explain that he's Theseus and that he's here to see his cousin John, but every time he speaks the people around him all jump (its cause his accent spooks them. That accent should not be coming from someone who looks so much like Bucky in their mind. Boy are they in for a rude awakening.)
Bucky flies back in, and after interrogation, he doesn't even get a chance to change clothes before he's being dragged to Kidd's office. Buck and a few of the boys follow utterly confused. If Bucky's in trouble, Buck's not just gonna stand by.
Theseus happily greets Bucky when he walks into the office, and the pair have an okay reunion before Theseus states that he's here to check on his younger cousin, heavily implying that he's here to transfer Bucky to a British outfit as he's a British citizen and their family connections want to keep him safe (really a Wizard one but among Muggles he's better at speaking around the issue)
Thus an argument breaks out. Bucky's accent also comes out, and nearly everyone around him loses their minds.
Buck really, really does not want to talk about what that accent does to him. It's confusing and concerning. (Clegan are together, but when your partner busts out the London Accent, well that's a gamechanger)
Anyways idk where it goes after that, but now everyone has to deal with the fallout that Bucky is British and has a nearly identical cousin who pops in to check on him.
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exoticbabe69 · 2 years
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Theseus Scamander x Reader
✨Love is magical✨
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10| Part 11
The first ray of sunlight finally hit the window in your bedroom. Your eyes were wide open and the nervous smile on your face began to make your cheeks hurts. It was your first day working at the Ministry of Magic. After countless hours spent discussing with Theseus whether or not you should take the job, you ultimately decided to go for it. After all, the idea of helping the wizarding world defeat the bad guys and make the universe as a whole a better place brought an immense passion and purpose to the career.
“Theseus wake up!” you couldn’t contain yourself of the excitement jolting through your body. You barely got any sleep thinking about how the first day as lead auror would go. “Will everyone like me?” “Will this job be difficult?” “Should I refrain from telling everyone I’m a parselmouth?” All of these thoughts filled your mind, as your imagination took over. “Someone’s excited” Theseus murmurs with his deep still half asleep voice. He places one arm around your waist and pulls you back down whispering in your ear “don’t worry my love, you’re brilliant and I’ll be there every step of the way.” Theseus was home, your rock, your other half, and you could now declare with confidence- your soulmate. “I’m getting up and making us coffee, I can’t lay here anymore Thes, the excitement is not letting me!” Theseus couldn’t help but laugh at your quirky behavior this morning.
While the two of you were eating breakfast Theseus began explaining some basic rules for the Ministry, who all works at the aurors office, who to watch out for, and how overbearing Travers could be. You interrupted him “look Theseus, I don’t want this to come off the wrong way but I would prefer if you gave me some space at work, ya know I don’t want everyone thinking I got this job because of you or that I’m not capable on my own.” Theseus furrowed his eyebrows “I’ll try my best darling, although I could put you to good use in my office” a cheeky grin appearing on his face as he winks at you. You rolled your eyes and proceeded to clean up the table.
You scurried back to the bedroom deciding what you would wear for your first day. “Hmmm do I want to go for business casual? Is this too sexy? Does this look like I’m a serious auror?” picking up outfits and weighing your options while looking in the mirror. You didn’t notice Theseus standing at the door mimicking you and chuckling at your nervousness. He had never seen you in this type of state before. “I’m sure whatever you wear you will look lovely my dove.” You ultimately decide on a silk blouse that accentuated your bosom, and a chic skirt with matching pearl earrings. You looked perfect.
As the two of you got ready to apparate to the Ministry of Magic, you gave Theseus a loving kiss only to follow it with, “is it okay if we arrive separately? I just want to walk in alone, if you don’t mind.” Theseus was hurt of course but he also understood why you felt this way, you wanted to make an impression as “y/n the new lead auror,” not “y/n Theseus’s girlfriend.” “As you wish darling” Theseus half smiles, you knew when he half smiled that something wasn’t right but you were set on your decision. So you apparated first and Theseus followed suit.
As you walked into the British Ministry of Magic, excitement filled your core. There were so many wizards and witches around, everyone walking as fast as they could to get to their departments. It was beautiful, busy, and colossal inside. Taking in a deep breathe you hustled to level two where the British auror office was. Theseus was sneakily walking behind you hoping you wouldn’t notice, as much as he wanted to listen to your orders he also wanted to make sure you were safe and knew how to get there, it was a huge Ministry after all. A plethora of thoughts filled your mind about what to expect, so naturally you didn’t notice everyone staring at you. You even made a bunch of wizards awkwardly bump into each other from checking you out, Theseus of course noticed and gave them all the death stare.
“Alright I’m finally here, keep it together y/n” you say to yourself. You were greeted at the front desk by a middle aged woman Petunia “Ah you must be y/n, come Travers is waiting for you in the head office, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” she says. Right after you hear “Oh hello Mr. Scamander.” You were so focused on making a good first impression it didn’t bother you that Theseus was behind you the entire time. Walking down the hall you heard everyone whisper amongst themselves: “that’s y/n the new lead auror.” “Wow, she really is gorgeous.” “Theseus is one lucky man.” The whispers all focused on how good looking you are and of course Theseus, which bothered you deeply. Then you hear one woman snicker “you can’t be that beautiful and good at your job, probably not too bright that one.” This made your blood boil, so you turned and stared her down, to which she fell back and tripped against her chair. Theseus grabbed your shoulders “it’s alright love, just ignore it.” You instantly brushed Theseus’s hands off “please, not here.”
“Ah Miss y/n/ y/l, please come in, we have been eagerly awaiting your arrival, I am Torquil Travers, Minister. This is Rudolph Spielman, and Arnold Guzman they’re visiting to discuss some international matters.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” you state assertively. “Scamander, please sit down, we need to go over today’s plans,” Travers commands. You all sit down at the table, the center of it looked like blue glowing water that glittered. Travers begins “y/n welcome to our auror team, I’m sure Scamander has already informed you that you will take the position of lead auror. I must say it took a long time to convince him in recruiting you. Your powers have been the talk of the wizarding world lately, is it true that you posses the elderwand?” Spielman and Guzman both looked at each other in a concerned manner. “Thank you Mr. Travers, yes it is true.” “Fascinating, well then let’s get started.” The rest of the meeting consisted of different cases you would be leading, as well as the first mission you’d go on next week. The mention of your first mission made Theseus tense he was about to interrupt what Travers was saying but you glared at him and he refrained. When accepting the job however, you knew how protective Theseus would be so you excused his impulses. Theseus would not stop gazing at you the entire meeting with his twinkling love filled eyes, you adored it obviously, but wished he wouldn’t be this way at work, at least until you made a name for yourself.
After the meeting was dismissed Travers came up to you. “Y/n, I’d like you to have this, I think you will benefit from the literature.” He handed you a book “The Pure-Blood Directory.” “Thank you sir,” you said, confused as to what this book was about. Theseus also found it peculiar, but you both brushed it off for now. Theseus walked you to your office, and before you could open the door, a fellow auror Franklin Moody (of the renowned auror moody family) approaches you. “Miss Y/n if I may introduce myself I’m Franklin Moody”, he takes your hand and inappropriately kisses it “charmed,” he drools. Theseus clears his throat “mmmm,” it was his way of saying “stop” without actually saying it. Then another auror approached Simon Diggory, “your beauty is truly astonishing Miss y/n, it is a pleasure to be working with you.” Auror after auror *all male* walked up and introduced themselves until Theseus had enough of everyone hitting on you. “Alright that’s enough, everyone get back to work” he yelled. This time you were happy Theseus intruded as it became a bit overwhelming you looked up at him and smiled “thank you.”
At long last stepping into your office, locking the door, you and Theseus had some alone time. “I love you pumpkin,” you coo finally able to let your guard down. “I love you too my world, so how did I do? Enough space?” You chuckle “hardly.” Theseus grabbed your waist to pull you into a kiss “I’ve been dreaming about this all damn day.” Right when your lips were about to touch Travers slams the door open. “Scamander, y/ln! We need you on a mission now! There’s been a murder in Hogsmeade right next to Hogwarts and it looks like dark magic was utilized!” Theseus immediately looks at you….his body taut….eyes full of worry…..it was time for your first mission.
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iridecsense · 1 year
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the feels when...
you accidentally delete your most popular theseus fanfic.
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