#when me and my friend nox saw this at the end of my run we were fucking BAFFLED

[yourdeepestfathoms]

imagine playing a game for over a hundred hours and are super excited to see how the main character goes through with the sacrifices that have been hyped up on the second to last day, and you’re so ready to witness this horrific, emotional moment, and then the final cutscene is the general dude and the kid he forced to go to war posing like they’re taking prom pictures

#no shade to ipl but what the fuck 😭 #block has NOT known clara long enough to be holding her like that #when me and my friend nox saw this at the end of my run we were fucking BAFFLED #it kinda comes across as creepy if i’m being real #i’m not saying that’s the intentions because i highly doubt it is #i think it could have been a tender gesture if block wasn’t actually pretty horrible to clara #like he isn’t rude to her but he DOES still use her #and also weirdly idolizes her #and forces her to go to war #i just don’t like block okay 😭 #but anyone this shot STILL bewilders me i home it does not return in P2 #pathologic #pathologic hd #pathologic classic hd #clara pathologic #clara the changeling #clara saburova #alexander block

[humblemooncat]

Happy 10th Anniversary to what has become my favorite MMO I've ever played.

I went into why and when I started playing here, but I figured I'd go more in-depth on my characters (and why Ki'to is my main) in this post since it's finally Rising time again.

Warning, long ass rambling post ahead

As I had mentioned, I started playing in late 2020 when a couple friends I played D&D with introduced me to it.

At that time, I created my first character Suna Amantius (Whom I still have for nostalgia, but don't play). Since au ra were free to play at that time, I made her a pink raen Arcanist. Yes, back when carbies gave every arcanist heart palpitations because they used aoe without asking. Thus why it took me a long time to pick it back up again.

The very first screen I got in cc while making her. <3

We only played together a few times, but since I was so deep into Genshin, I ended up uninstalling since XIV's a massive space-hog.

When I picked it back up for the free 30 days after my other friend bought me the game & expacks, I ended up making a viera named Bunilla Chai over on Faerie since my little brother was playing over there at the time. She was a WHM, and another I have kept for nostalgia's sake. (I sadly don't have a screen for her, but she's cute. uwu)

I kinda main-hopped for a while after I got back into the game and actually subbed in September of '21. I played with Bunilla for a little while, but when the option to make male viera came out with EW, I ended up making one by the name of Kieran Vashanti (The surname being an homage to my old TERA character of the same name; Kieran actually went on to become Seire, and now Vikesh). I co-mained him alongside Orias, my longest-standing OC, who actually started out as an Elezen.

Kieran / Seire / Vikesh

Orias

How it started > where it went > where we are now

I also ended up making a lalafell since I saw how much fun my mother seemed to be having with her own. My dear little Sprout Arboris. <3

The best pic I have of her. xD

I rotated through this menagerie of mains for a while until I fanta'd and renamed Sprout. Her new name? Nox Vitae.

Yup. My horrible son was initially a sweet lalafell lady. xD Though he did go through one hell of a transition, from fem lala, to fem viera, to fem miqo, to masc viera (this was about when I had come out to my friends, so I embraced it in my main at the time as well. As such, he started out looking like a self-insert, but took on his own traits after a while. This is also why he is canonically trans ftm, as I see both viera transformations as canon for him. His fem form being what was canon in appearance for Vitae when he and U'nhea were sprouts)

(I did miss Sprout after a while though, so I remade her on Zalera later.)

Alongside Nox, who was my main for a while, I also had an alt on Siren I used to play with other friends, A'razi Tia. He was my first introduction to Monk, as well as catboys. To say I took maybe too many pictures admiring him is an understatement. Before Ki'to, he was my most gposed character. xD

We ended up moving data centers a little while after last rising, and then is when I created Y'rhala and Ki'to, whom I played as alts while I switched back to A'razi for most things.

Once I hit the CT ARs with Razi, my social anxiety got the best of me, and I decided to run an alt for a while and redo ARR. So I picked back up with Ki'to, whom I had made as a pretty ashen moon keeper simply to grab the moonfire outfit last year.

He wasn't meant to be more than an alt. Honestly, he looked like a fuckboy and it made me laugh when I logged him.

Look at this fuckin' nerd. I do miss his ashen kitty days, truth be told, but I can't fanta him now. He wouldn't look right any other way.

He looked like this until I reached post-ARR. I ended up using his ARR fanta to make him a self-insert, thus his baby-faced face 3 catboy era.

Thankfully, with the FC he joined, I ended up getting help powering through CT and finishing ARR fully. It was post-ARR that I got another fanta and gave him more defined features with face 4, and gave him the face he's known for today.

As I put it on my personal discord:

It wasn't too long after this that I made this blog and captured his adventures through HW and beyond. It was then that I committed to making him my main, as the story had sucked me in and he was my protagonist. I couldn't imagine any other in his place.

Though, the story isn't the only reason he's become my most robust OC ever, that came through story and interactions over here. I'm constantly thankful that I decided to make this blog when I did, because using it as an outlet for headcanons and getting asks from the friends I've made during his journey has made him such a well-rounded character with a clear personality and character arc.

I am very grateful for those of you I've met here, not only have you been some of the best people I've met through this game, but you've all helped to shape Ki'to in some small way. The man fights for love because he was made from love. <3

Hope you enjoyed my rambling about my journey, and happy Rising my friends! Here's to 10 more years! /toast

#I'd put this in my ramblings #but it's technically personal AND game-related #Regardless it's a long ass post #xD #Happy Rising #and happy 10th anniversary! #Thank you for being part of my journey! #<3

[burninlovebutler]

17 - Do Not Disturb // Forever Winter // a.b x oc

warnings: sad?, ANGST, more internal conflict you know the drill, mentally unstable shit, drugs, 18+ always, mdni

17/? - Austin copes (poorly) with what he knew was always going to happen. But perhaps the loneliness and internal turmoil could ignite some motivational fuel.

see masterlist/summary for background info + chapter log

𝚂𝚘 𝚐𝚘 𝚊𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚞𝚗 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖

𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎

𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚜, 𝚊 𝚙𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚗𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕

-AUSTIN-

Elsie rushed into my bedroom tossing her duffle bag of clothes onto the bed, hastily throwing her belongs in. I knew this was coming but I guess a part of me - a deep deep part of me - wanted her to stay. What she saw in him I will never know. What does she need him for anyway? She could stay here and

and

well, I don't really know.

I wasn't her boyfriend, nor did I want to be.

Couldn't a best friend be enough? Maybe without him we could keep doing what we did last night. I'd like that. I'd really like that. Probably more than I should. 

We could come up with some intricate plan. Friends only - sex - no strings - and especially no love. At least not the romantic kind. Only friendship, friends with benefits, nothing messy. I know people say friends with benefits never works out but, our friendship was stronger than that. It could withstand it, right? It could withstand anything.

Anyway, it would be better than whatever fucked up shit she had with Nox. That shit was anything but love. And it'd probably be better than whichever ditzy girl I end up with next.

It didn't matter because I'd never pitch that to her and she'd leave no matter what I said.

“You just don’t fucking understand Austin.”

“No, I think I understand perfectly fine. Can’t you see what he does to you? You’re fucking delusional to go back to him.” My hands gesturing with my words, “You were here for weeks because you had a friend over and he was insecure.” Jaw clenching, “He had you in a chokehold because you had a friend over, is that not insane to you?”

She sucked in a breath closing her eyes and clutching a shirt like she was restraining from saying something she shouldn’t.

I was doing the same, restraining from throwing in her face what we had done last night. 

'I'm sitting in your lap silly'

'I wanna do it again'

'Never with anyone else'

’Stay’

“You just don’t fucking understand.” She repeated, this time through clenched teeth and a pointed hand.

“Oh really? What is it then? What is it that I don’t fucking understand?” My hand snatched the blue chiffon shirt from her death grip, holding it hostage for her attention.

Anger coursed through her, I could see it on her pinched face when she snapped up to me. “I love him Austin, he’s my boyfriend.” Going out of her way to emphasize that word as if it was the most important piece of this entire puzzle. 

“Yeah well, he doesn’t fucking act like it.” The words jutted from my lips before I could stop them, but it was the truth. My arms defensively crossed my chest. 

She narrowed her eyes at me pressing her lips together. “And you do?”

The words like daggers, ones I wasn’t armed for. But maybe I did act more like it than him, since I actually cared about her - and could actually make her cum. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, well actually, just the bare fucking minimum. It’s really not that fucking hard to be a good man, especially not to her. I didn't understand how he could treat her like that, with the heart that she has, the body that she has. Any half decent man would treat her like a queen, not like she's some simple handmaiden.

Would it be so bad if I did treat her better?

“Do you remember what you said to Nox when he had me against the fridge? You said, ‘at least Austin fucking cares about me’. What happened to that? Was that a lie? Because I don’t fucking think so.”

The edges of her mouth dropped into a frown and stayed silent for a beat. “I just have to Aus. I just need to go back. I love him. I have to try to make it work.” Her voice softer now, sounding like she was trying to convince herself more than me.

I stepped forward towering over her, “Answer the question.”

Her green eyes fluttered down from mine.

“No.”

Exactly.

But I knew I couldn’t stop her, no matter how much I wanted, no matter how much I tried. I wasn’t going to win this fight. I never do.

“You can’t go back to him El, please don’t.” I pleaded for what seemed like the millionth time.

She slung her bags over her shoulder, rushing out of the room, determined to reach the front door.

“I have to Aus- I love him.” Not daring to look up at me. “He’s better now, he apologized. It’s okay I promise.”

Safeguarding the door with a pressed hand, stopping her from opening the door, “Elsie, I can’t let you leave- it’s not safe. Don’t you see that?”

The anger returned. I was sick of it. “Well don’t fucking come back to me when he breaks your heart again. I won’t do it anymore, I can’t do it. I won’t pick up the pieces again. You don’t get to just use me whenever your shitty boyfriends do shitty things.”

“Use you? That’s fucking rich.”

Neither one of us still not daring to break the close call clause. 

“I have to go.” Though her tone wasn’t angry, it was soft. Sad.

And as quickly as she ended up here was as fast as she was gone.

-

It had been weeks since I’d spoken to her since she left. There was a strange knot that had taken shelter in my stomach. It feigned anger, maybe sadness. It was odd, like the type of hurt that comes from being cheated on.

My warm bed had become my refuge. I laid staring at the ceiling while my mind had floated somewhere I couldn’t reach. It wasn’t until my phone alarm went off that I realized that I never fell asleep. I hadn’t slept at all.

Letting out a heavy sigh before trying my best to unglue myself from the bed I had fused with. My body had been feeling so empty. Arms, stomach, chest – all hollow. My ribs felt like an empty bird cage.

After the alarm, my phone rang once more. This time from Elsie. This was about the 4th time she’s called in the last 2 weeks. I knew because I kept count. With an annoyed groan, I clicked to ignore it then turned on Do Not Disturb. My head was too crowded to even attempt deciphering the knots that strung my intestines together every time she called.

Was it because I was pissed? Or because I missed her? Was I hurt? Jealous?

This wasn’t the first time she’d ditched me for a boyfriend post-make up. But it never bothered me this much. It never hurt. But this did. And I didn’t know why. What was different now.

I pulled my gray MacBook opening it only to shut it again soon after. It was full of only study material for my newest role. The biggest of my career – which wasn’t saying much. It was just my first Hollywood role, everything I’d done so far had been indie shit. The heaviest pressure I had ever experienced since the character was so strong. Could I even execute that? I mean my last role was last year in a low budget film about aliens in an attic. Indie aliens. Not exactly Oscar worthy material.

My palms pressed into my sleepless eyes hard enough to cause white flashes in them. They glossed over to my wooden nightstand littered in trash, half eaten food, and pill bottles.

I need to get it together.

I filtered through the orange bottles, giving them a shake before reading the label. Sometimes I liked to play this game where I’d pick a number and take whatever bottle I ended up with on that round.

I plucked three different bottles before landing on my fourth, shaking it to make sure there were pills left. A flood of round, white pills poured into my hand and formed a small triangle in my palm. Cupping my hand, I poured the majority of them back, keeping two to swallow dry.

Keeping track of what meds I should take and when to take them became so exhausting. I lost track of whatever regimen I was supposed to be on, and I didn’t care anymore.

Some pills made me nauseous, some made me insanely thirsty, some ferociously hungry. Some made me too sleepy to function during the day, and others kept me up all night. And the ones that were supposed to keep me from fucking killing myself, killed my sex drive instead. That was arguably the worst one. Is life even worth it if you can’t get off?

I liked taking meds I chose, on my terms. The ones I liked.

I didn’t like the term addict. Nothing about my demeanor screamed addict. But I guess there is no mascot for addiction.

I derailed slightly, sure. But it was temporary, until I felt okay again. And it wasn’t that bad. It wasn’t a relapse. I’m not out of control. I’ll get back on track when I feel better. I just needed a little break.

Anyway, I was still taking my meds. Technically.

My leg began to bounce, a dead giveaway that anxiety was creeping up. A chill rolled up my spine. “It’s okay, it’s okay.” I repeated to myself in an effort to calm down. My hand instinctively ran through my now shoulder-length hair, another anxiety reflex.

I attempted to focus on a blank wall, a coping mechanism suggested by my therapist. Thanks Carol.

If you look hard enough at something, even a wall, you can always find details to focus on – the paths the paint streaked, the texture, the way light or shadows bounced off of it. The objective was to slow my brain down before it got overwhelming. It worked sometimes, depending on how soon I noticed the signs.

My worn-down nails nervously picked at what was left of my raw cuticles. They were ripped to shreds, sometimes pulling blood.

Slowly my anxiety temporarily slipped away, and I was finally able to get out of the messy bed.

I spread almond butter on some wheat toast accompanied by a glass of cold oat milk. My leg began to bounce once more.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to get a little extra help.

Now, I wasn’t particularly fond of smoking weed since being diagnosed, but it had helped me calm down before.

After breakfast I grabbed a metallic black grinder, picked some shredded green out, and packed it into a glass pipe. I flicked the lighter on letting the flame dance above the leaves before letting it burn. I wrapped my lips around the mouth of the glass piece, inhaling a sharp hit of smoke. Immediately with an exhale, the curling smoke cloud seemed to lift weight from my chest.

-

Inspired by my newly brightened mood, I decided to take my laptop and find a small coffee shop to work in. As I strolled through the city, the cold New York air hit my face pulling some pink out in my cheeks. My dazed bloodshot eyes squinted as I walked past rushing people. The city was never quiet, not even for a second, but this was one of the calmer days. And yet it still felt so crowded. I took the brief lull in the crowd to appreciate the falling snow, tilting my head back and letting snowflakes delicately land on my tongue. 

Finding my regular coffee shop, Roast. I ordered my usual and picked a quaint corner to work in. Roast was my favorite because it looked like a traditional coffee shop. Everything wooden, soft jazz filling the space, real coffee beans, quiet.

I worked for what felt like hours, and after 3 more oat milk cold brews later I was able to work on everything I couldn’t at home.

-

This was my new routine. Wake up, smoke, go to Roast, work, come home. For the last week I had been working diligently on my research. My mood was brighter, I felt lighter, and life didn’t feel so bleak anymore.

I finally found my rhythm, my secret formula. Therapy was working – the days I attended anyway. I was more productive, more focused, sharp.

The only thing that was missing was Elsie. I wanted her to see me like this, she would be so proud of me. But I couldn’t bring myself to answer any call.

Everything felt so complicated now. I wanted to be a good friend, protect her, get her out of the situation. But she wouldn’t listen to me. She couldn’t see how shitty he was, how dangerous he was. It was like he brainwashed her and put her in rose-colored glasses.

A turn of my stomach suggested something else. I didn’t want to call because things had changed – or I guess went back to normal.

Did I want to go back?

Another dull ache in my chest hinted it was more than that. The fact that she wanted to go back. She erased everything- like a swift shake of a 90’s Etch-A-Sketch.

-

As I made my way back home from the coffee shop, the freezing cold laid claim to my face. I tucked my laptop case against my body, as if it would warm me up. This was my fourth successful, productive day. A foreign sense of pride had planted a seed of motivation in me. While I wasn’t going to leave for filming anytime soon, I had gained more confidence in myself. It was almost enough excitement to snuff out the nerves.

Even though this positivity coursed through me, the arrogant New Yorkers I was swerving between were infuriating, annoying, unbearable. Almost enough to make me snap.

After crossing a busy street, I passed by a corner bistro. I almost missed it. If I hadn’t needed to dodge a tourist, I wouldn’t have seen it.

I caught a glimpse of a tall man in a leather jacket.

Could it be?

Is that?

I back peddled and dipped behind the corner to get a closer view of the outdoor table he sat at. I felt like some kind of super spy. Though some wicked spy gear would’ve came in handy as his back was facing me.

My eyes widened not wanting to believe what I was seeing. A distinctive dagger tattoo on his hand that I had the luxury of coming to be very familiar with. Nox. Sat across from him was a blonde in a slinky black dress. A dozen thoughts spun through my head all at once. How was I supposed to tell Elsie?

Pulling my iPhone from my back pocket, I decided to snap a quick picture for proof. That was probably the smartest thing I’d ever done on my feet. Since we weren’t exactly speaking to each other, I wanted to make sure she knew I was being honest. Especially all that shit I said about him before she left.

Elsie’s apartment wasn’t too far from where I was and there was no way I could keep this from her. No matter how much it would hurt her. I had to tell her. 

Next Chapter: 18 - Nothing There

// i regret to inform you that after this chp the story takes a turn onto an absolute menace of an emotional rollercoaster so … buckle up 😬 I apologize in advance 🫣

as always, a huge THANK YOU for every like, reblog, comment or follow - you all have been SO sweet - i appreciate any support, it means the world to me & truly fuels me

i love talking about this story so feel free to send asks or comments! i'm very open to sharing headcanons, teasers or just general answers :)

love y'all

-M🥀 xx

#austin butler #austin butler fanfic #austin butler x fem!oc #austin butler elvis #austin butler fanfiction #elvis movie #austin!elvis #elvis baz luhrmann #elvis presley #elvis 2022 #elvis #ao3 writer #ao3 author #ao3fic #comments and kudos #austin butler x oc #austin butler fic #austin #austin elvis #austin butler smut #austin butler fluff #austin butler angst #austin butler blurb #austin butler imagine #forever winter fic #forever winter #Spotify

[thevampiresiren]

Gone Too Soon

Leon S. Kennedy x Reader

Genre: ANGST, Fluff, Smut

Word Count: 3.5k

Summary: You and Leon end up having a miscarriage and he heavily blames himself. Now he wants to try again.

WARNINGS: miscarriage, cursing, alochol as a coping mechanism, depression, self doubt, oral sex (m&f), fingering, vaginal sex, unprotected sex (stay safe my friends!)

A/N: I know this is a VERY touchy subject. I personally have never had a miscarriage but I know someone who has so this may not be 100% accurate. Also this is my first time writing smut so sorry if it sucks😅

Lennox is pronounced Len (rhymes with pen) nox (Nyx like the makeup brand or Nick's)

Leon never really wanted to have kids. With your all's job and the world that everyone was living in with B.O.W.s and death knocking on the door, the last thing he ever wanted was bringing another life into it. So when you first told him you were pregnant, it didn't settle well with him. Leon didn't see himself as the parenting type and the thought of something happening to you or the baby terrified him. But now that you both had accepted it and you were now 7 weeks pregnant, Leon couldn't be happier. He was always rubbing and littering your lower belly with kisses, telling it how much he loved the little being growing inside of you.

"I hope we have a girl." Leon said while you two were laying in bed. His right hand was gently rubbing your belly while he had his left arm around you, pulling you to his chest.

"As long as they have your blue eyes, I don't care what we have." You said smiling moving a strand of your husband's blonde hair out of his face. Even though he was only in his black sweatpants, you couldn't help but think of how handsome he was. Leon rolled his eyes smiling, kissing you and your belly goodnight.

A few hours later you rolled out of bed to head to the bathroom. You had thought that your bladder was just full and the pressure was just from having to relive yourself. When Leon awoke from you screaming his name, he thought someone had come in and attacked you. He jumped out of bed and sprinted for the bathroom door busting it open.

"Babe! What's wro-." Leon stood to doorway of the bathroom and found you laying on the floor with your hands and disheveled h/c locks covering your face and crying your eyes out. You had removed your sleep pants and underwear and he tried his best to look away from them and what was on them. He sat on the floor beside you and pulled you in his lap; your head on his bear chest as you sobbed while your hands were in fists. He rubbed your back trying to soothe you and trying to ignore the aching pain in his heart. After a few minutes your cries of pain turned into faint sobs.

"We need to go to the hospital, Sweetheart. We need to see what's going on" Leon said just above a whisper. He knew in his mind exactly what happened. You both did, but he needed to make sure you yourself was actually okay physically.

*****

It had been ten months since you and Leon had lost the baby. To say Leon was depressed was an understatement. At the beginning of the loss he stayed strong for your sake. Always telling you it wasn't your fault, you didn't disappoint him, and that he loved you more than anything else in the world. But he was so focused on you and your grieving, that he never got to properly grieve himself. He started drowning himself in alcohol again to numb the pain and became more aggressive towards Claire and Chris. Tonight was no different when you got a call at 8pm from Claire.

"Y/N... Its Leon... He's been drinking too much and he's refusing to head home." She said in a sad voice. Your heart sank at the thought of Leon drowning himself in alcohol instead of coming to you.

"I'll be right there, Claire. Can you and your brother keep an eye on him for me until I get there?"

"Of course."

You grabbed your jacket and car keys and headed out to where Claire said Leon was.

When you parked the car outside of the bar, you saw Claire standing outside of it. She walked over to you after you got out of the car and pulled you into a tight hug.

"Are you doing okay? I haven't seen you since..." Claire cut herself off not wanting to cross any lines.

"I'm doing the best I can. I just want to get Leon back to the house though and get some sleep." Claire nodded and the two of you headed into the building. When you entered you caught Chris with his hand on Leon's arm, trying to force his attention causing Leon to shove him away forcefully.

"WILL YOU JUST FUCKING LEAVE, REDFIELD."

"NOT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS AND HEAD BACK HOME TO YOUR WIFE."

"GUYS!" Claire shouted, forcing the two to look over at her and Leon's eyes to focus on your form standing beside her. You walked over to stand beside Leon, causing Chris to move out of way and stand beside Claire. You placed your hand on top of his shoulder, looking into his broken eyes.

"Babe, I-"

"Not now, Leon." You softly said cutting him off. "Please, just come home." Your voice shaking. It took him a few moments but he gave a slight nod before picking up his leather jacket and heading towards the exit. You looked other at Chris and he gave you a sad smile while Claire told you to call her if you needed anything.

The drive back home was silent between the two of you. You focused on driving while Leon looked back and forth between the outside window and his lap, the alcohol slowly wearing off. When you arrived back your place, you hopped into the shower to de-stress yourself. When you walked back into the living room, you saw Leon sitting on the couch, eyes shut, hand on a glass of whiskey that was sitting on his thigh. You walked over to the sit beside him and wrapped your arms around his waist, your head on his chest. You felt Leon relax to your touch as he let out a deep sigh.

"Leon... We need to talk about this."

Leon went to bring the glass of alcohol up to his lips, but your hand on top of the glass and staled his movements. He looked down into your e/c eyes before pulling away and placing the glass on the coffee table.

"I'm so fucking sorry... Its my fault we lost the baby." Leon said looking down to the floor trying to hold back his tears.

"What the hell are you-"

"I didn't want kids. I never wanted kids. And I was so upset when I first found you were pregnant and blamed myself for not being careful enough." He said looking into your eyes facing you. "But then I got so fucking happy. I started loving the idea of seeing the first sonogram, hearing the heartbeat, feeling the kicks in your belly, you being called "mommy", and having another reason to keep this shithole we call the world safe." You noticed his voice started shaking more and tears were on the verge of escaping his now dull blue eyes. You weren't going to speak just yet, no matter how hard you wanted to cry. He needed to get everything out. Leon looked down at your wedding ring, and held onto your hand like his life depended on it.

"I thought three years ago when we got married that having you as my wife was the best feeling in the world and losing you would kill me. But us having a family was best feeling in the world and it was taken away from me because I was too selfish and scared in the beginning. And I want kids now but I'm terrified of them being taken away from me like this again." he said allowing his tears finally fall.

You wrapped your arms around his shaking form and laid down in the couch, situation yourself so he could lay his head on your chest. You gently ran your fingers through his soft golden locks to soothe him, letting your tears fall as well.

"Leon... this is not your fault and its absolutely NOT the world punishing you. You were scared and didn't know what to do. Hell, I was terrified." You lifted up his face to have him focus on you, gently stroking his stubbley cheek with your thumb.

"But you can NOT blame yourself for this. I love you too fucking much to see you fight yourself and think that world is punishing you for being scared." Your were crying in full force now. Leon gently grabbed the back of your neck, placing a gentle and loving kiss on your lips. You kissed him back smiling. Leon slowly pulled away, letting your noses still touch.

"I love you too, Angel." He said smiling, running his finger through your soft h/c locks. He paused for a moment, thinking about you, your lives, and everything that you both had been through. He looked into your e/c eyes with his loving blue ones.

"I want us to try again. I want a baby. Please, Sweetheart?"

Your heart swelled at the words coming from him. You've been wanting to try again over the last month, but were terrified of the outcome. But more than that you were willing to risk it all to have a family with the love of your life. With a giant smile on your face you said "Yes, Leon.".

That was all he needed to hear before he captured your lips in a deep passionate kiss. You wrapped your arms around his neck while he pulled closer to his body. Leon’s tongue gently licked your lips for an entrance that you happily allowed, making you quietly moan and sent shivers down your spine. His started slowing lifting your t-shirt up to caress your breasts and removed your bra while kissing down your neck leaving gentle bite marks. You let out a sigh  and pushed Leon's jacket off of him, making him discard it somewhere on the floor. Leon wrapped your legs around his waist and picked you up to head to the bedroom. He gently laid you down on the bed and hovered over you smiling.

"Aww, no couch sex this time?" You joked pouting your lips. Leon chuckled and peck your lips. He leaned back and removed his shirt revealing his toned body. You felt yourself getting more hot by the looking at the man above you who you loved for than life its self . As you scanned his body you noticed in his tight jeans that he was just as excited as you were. You reached your hands out to his waist to undo his belt when his hands gently grabbed your wrists. Leon looked down at you with his now dark navy blue lust and love filled eyes before placing your hands down to your sides.

"Not yet, Sweetheart." He said in a sultry voice causing your arousal to heighten. Leon removed your jeans in one swift motion. You look down at him as he place his large calloused hands on waist line of your panties, slowly pulling them off. The cool air caused you too shiver as it met your hot wet folds. You let out a quiet moan as he began kissing your inner thigh.

"Fuck. your soaking, Babe." Leon said while collecting your wetness.

"Leon... Please" you moaned. He smiled and gave your clit a gentle kiss before giving your heat the attention your body had been craving. His slow licks over your folds and feeling of facial hair rubbing against you set a fire inside of you. You felt your stomach begin to tighten when he began licking circles on your sensitive bud. Leon pushed your thighs up and further apart, giving him better access to suck on your clit and folds. A loud moan left your lips at the feeling and you tugged on his silky blonde locks. Leon moaned at the sting on his scalp, lavishing in the feeling and taste of your juices. He slowly inserted his index and in middle fingers into your wet cavern, rubbing that sensitive spot inside of you.

"Fuuck, Leon." You moaned bucking your hips against his tongue and fingers. Your walls tighten around his fingers, signaling that you were close to your high. Leon moved his fingers faster, making your back lift off the bed and toes curl. Your orgasm took over your body, leaving you breathless. Your body shook and your juices soaking the sheets. Leon removed his fingers from inside you to lick off the mess on them and rubbed your thighs. He gently kissed your lips, allowing you to taste your release.

"You good, baby?" He said smirking while resting his forehead against yours. Catching your breath, you smiled.

"Better than good. But I think its only fair if I pay you back." You said smirking. Leon sat on his knees and allowed your hands removed his belt. With his help you removed his jeans and boxer briefs. His hard dick hit right below his belly button, the tip an angry red with a little bit of precum making your mouth drool. You positioned yourself so that you were sat up a little but still laying down and he was above you. You placed your hands around him and gently started stroking then up and down. Leon took a deep breath as you ran you thumb over his sensitive head before slowly taking him into your mouth. His length was hot and heavy on your tongue and the taste of his precum only turned you on more. You swirled your tongue around his tip and gently kissed it before kissing up from his pelvis to his faint happy trail while you continued to stroke him.

"God, you're going to be the end of me." Leon moaned out, looking into your e/c while gently stroking your cheek. Your smirked and popped him back into your mouth. You bobbed your head up and down while stroking what couldn't fit into your mouth. Leon gently pulled you away kissed your lips, making you lay back down. You looked up at him confused.

"Not tonight, Babygirl.". He said before he slowly slid himself inside of you, kissing your forehead. You let out a soft moan at the feeling of him stretching your tight walls.

"Fuck..." Leon groaned at how tight you were. He moved his hips at a slow but deep pace while nipping at your neck collar bone. You wrapped your arms around his neck, bringing him as close to you as physically possible so your bodies were flushed against each other. He slowly started picking up his pace, lifting your legs around his waist so he could hit the spot inside you that made you see stars. Your body felt like it was in fire, your nails digging into his back. Your walls hugged him like a vice, showing that you were close, making him moan into your neck.

"I love you." He whispered, his ocean eyes staring in yours with your foreheads and noses touching.

"I lo- love you too, Leon. So much." You said as you felt almost reaching your high. Leon placed his thumb on clit, tracing circles around. You moaned loudly, Leon kissing you passionately as you came hard. As you felt yourself come undone, your second orgasm much more intense than the first; you felt Leon cum inside of you. The warmth of his seed soothing your aching walls, he gently pulled away from the kiss. He rubbed his nose against yours while gently rubbing your sides with him still inside of you as he began softening. Both of you held each other close, trying to catch your breathes. After a few minutes, Leon slowly pulled himself out of you, both of you whimpering as you missed the feeling of each other. He pulled you close, laying your head on top of his chest and wrapping the covers over the both of you.

"You okay?" Leon asked tired while stroking your cheek. You moved a strand of his disheveled hair out of his face.

"I've never been better." You said with a tired smile, bringing him into a gentle kiss. "I love you, Leon." You said.

Leon smiled, pulling you closer to him.

"I love you more.".

****

"The files for the new job are in the manila envelope over there." You said pointing to the kitchen island.

"Another? I just came back from one." Leon said as he walked over to you.

"Yeah, but apparently were working on this one together." You said shrugging your shoulders.

Leon sat down at the island and opened the envelope and saw some papers and another white envelope. Leon looked over the papers and saw that one was actually a blood test from the doctor's and one thing stood out to him

Y/N  Kennedy:

Pregnancy Test- Positive

Leon stared at the words in front of him for a moment in awe. He jumped from where he was sitting, knocking the bar stool over, and ran over to you gently placing his hands on your belly.

"You're pregnant?!  How far along are you?!" Leon asked excited.

You laughed at how he was basically acting like a kid getting the best Christmas present he could have gotten.

"Yup. I'm 10 weeks and the baby is as healthy as they can be."

Leon picked you up in his strong arms and gently twirled you around kissing you.

"You still have another thing to open, Kennedy." You said when he set you down, handing him the little envelope.

Leon looked at you and opened it. In the envelope were sonogram pictures. Leon felt tears fall down his face as he looked at the pictures. The pictures that symbolized your loved for each other. The little creation that was made out of the of you. Leon slightly jumped as he felt you wrapped your arms about his waist from beside him and kiss his chest; he instinctively wrapped his left arm around your shoulder pulling you close.

"So, Mr. Kennedy. Are you ready to complete this mission with me?" You said looking up and smiling.

Leon set the sonogram down before wiping the tears from his face. He gently kissed your lips "Always, Mrs. Kennedy.".

****Epilogue****

Leon stepped through the front door of the house barley getting his shoes off before he heard the thumping of little feet.

"DADDY! I MISSED YOU." Your three-year-old daughter came running towards Leon and jumped into his arms.

Leon smiled at the girl with cute freckles and moved a strand of her h/c hair out of her face, gently kissing her forehead.

"Hi Princess, I missed you too. Where's Mommy?" He asked.

"I'm in here." You called from your shared bedroom.

"C'mon Daddy!" Your daughter said, as her gorgeous bright blue eyes she got from her father sparkled.

"Lennox, why don't you go grab a book for Daddy to read to you for bed?" you said.

"Okay, Mommy!" Lennox ran as fast as her little legs could take her into her bedroom to grab her book. Leon smiled at you. You were in one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers that you had been wearing to bed as of late

 “I missed my girls" Leon said while wrapping his arms around your waist, his hands landing on the small bump of your stomach. "He giving you a hard time?" He ask as he kissed your shoulder and laid his head on the crook of your neck. Leon could tell you were exhausted by how you relaxed immediately in his arms.

"Yeah, I haven't been able to keep anything down all day. Nyx was never this terrible when I was pregnant with her. He's going to be a stubborn pain in the ass like you". You said smiling causing Leon to laugh. He gently turned you around and kneeled down so he was at eye level with your belly and placed a gentle hand on it.

"Listen here little buddy. Give your mom a break okay? She's amazing and loves you very much. But she can't handle too us or she'll lose her shit." He gently spoke. You both felt a little kick from inside, almost like the little one was responding to you making you both laugh.

"Good, I'm glad we're on the same page kiddo." Leon said while kissing your stomach.

"I GOT IT!!" Lennox announced as she came back into the bedroom. Leon picked her up and carefully threw her over his shoulder making her laugh hysterically as he carried her into her room. You followed them into Lennox’s room and smiled as Leon kneeled down next to her bed and began tickling and giving her kisses. Once your daughter was asleep, the two of headed to bed yourselves. You laid down beside your husband and he began rubbing your belly again.

“'Not father material my ass" you said chuckling.

Leon rolled his eyes smiling before kissing your forehead. “I wouldn’t have this any other way.” He said looking into your eyes.

“Me either. I love you Leon Scott Kennedy.”

“I love you more Y/N Kennedy."

#leon kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x reader smut #leon s. kennedy x reader #leon s. kennedy x reader smut #resident evil x reader

[sw124]

BonelyHearts Reader insert 2

{Gender Neutral!ReaderXSkeleton household}

Foxes and Chickens!

—————————————-

“Why are we even doing this?”

Boss growled as he checked his black tank top once more, everyone stood dressed in ‘gym-class’ attire. Well somewhat, everyone was either in tank tops or short sleeve shirts and basketball shorts. You though were in sweatpants and a baggy tank top. But you were smiling your head off, today was ‘your’ day. All of you gathered inside the large basketball/gymnasium of the Rec Center.

You stood confidently with your hands on your hips.

“Today boys we are playing a game from when I was a kid.”

The skeletons looked at you, a tad perplexed but could see you were not going to be swayed, Poplar spoke up next.

“What is it called?”

You beamed. “Foxes and chickens!”

Their expressions did not change, you chuckled and decided to explain further.

“This game is a mix between Tag and Hide’n seek, one of us is the ‘Fox’ and the rest of us are ‘Chickens’. The ‘Chickens’ will be given about a minute to find a place to hide, then the lights go out and the ‘Fox’ with their flashlight will go looking for the ‘Chickens’ among the mats or ‘Coops’ as I like to call them. The last ‘Chicken’ to be found is the winner and the get to be the ‘Fox’ in the next round! Everyone get that?”

The skeletons looked at each other, Blue’s eyes sparkle; this did sound like fun. Not one to shy away from challenges Boss and Papyrus were all for it as well.

“Yes, we’re in! What are the rules?” Asked Blue.

“The rules are simple, when you find your hiding spots you stay in that spot until the fox finds you, you can only hide in or around the mats, when your found you must sit by the entrance and wait until all the players are found, no helping the ‘Fox’ in anyway by revealing hiding spots thats cheating, no running or teleporting to different hiding places, you can share hiding spaces and lastly there is absolutely, positively...NO BETTING!”

Instantly you hear Blue whine, you go over and give him a half-hearted hug, playfully petting his head like he was a kitten.

“Mwah, there, there baby Blue, you can bet on something else.” You chuckle when he pushes away, crossing his arms and pouting.

“Ok, ok, now that everyone knows the rules lets start the game, first though lets see who wants to be the ‘Fox’ in the first round.”

Instantly Blue and Papyrus raised their hands, oh this was gonna be tough to pick. You opted to flip a coin to see who gets to be first as the ‘Fox’. Papyrus chose heads Blue chose tails....it came up tails. Blue happily took the flashlight and waited outside.

“Ok everyone, one minute to hide!” You squeal as you bolted for the ‘coops’.

Everyone scrambled to hide as well, you found a sweet hiding place, one of the mats that was standing up had a small fold where you easily fit into. You shut it tight almost like a door and waited, you could hear everyone else scrambling for a hiding spot. You restrained a another squeal when the lights went out, you heard the gym doors open.

“Ready or not here I come!”

You covered your mouth as you heard Blue run all over, calling out the names of everyone he found. The first person he found was Stretch, you knew that cause Blue was shouting how he didn’t bother to hide properly...and Blue shouted out his name. In fact he was shouting everyone’s name the moment he found them. After Stretch was Rus, followed by Sans, Ash and Poplar then Boss, Red was cursing at Blue for shining the light right in his eyes,; finally Papyrus and Nox were found. You were knew you were the last but Blue still couldn’t find you.

You could hear him running past your hiding spot more then four times, peeked out and saw him. His back was to you, a Cheshire grin formed on your face as you snuck out. Tip toeing closer you reached both hands out and-

“FOX!”

You yelled as grabbed his sides, he yelped and dropped the flashlight. Laughing you bolted, weaving in and and around the mats. Blue squawked out something and gave chase, you ran for the gym entrance and without thinking did a baseball slide towards the group. You laughed when you collided into them, not hard, you slowed down enough where you just barely pushed some of them. You slid into Papyrus and Sans, Blue ran up and huffed.

“That was rude! You said no changing hiding spots!”

You laughed. “I wasn’t changing hiding spots, I was the last to be found so I just saved you the trouble of finding me. Besides I couldn’t resist giving you a little surprise!”

Oh you knew Blue was gonna get back at you, it was why you had to be sure to find him quickly in the next round.

An so the game continued, Ash won the next round, Blue did get you back when it was your turn by jumping out at you but in doing so ruined not just his hiding spot but also Nox and Red’s. Everyone got their chance to win, you actually enjoyed Rus being the ‘Fox’ in one round cause he’d constantly was muttering a curse if he couldn’t find someone.

After a while you checked your watch, over two’n a half hours had past since you started the game. Wow how time flies, you waited till the current round was over before announcing the end of the game, it was time to get some lunch anyway.

“Ok everyone’s been found, its getting close to lunchtime so lets pack up the mats and grab some food.”

“We’re already done?”

Oh man, it wasn’t fair to see half of their faces go into ‘sad puppy’ mode but you only rented the place for three hours and you had to put everything back, which would take twenty minutes with everyone’s help.

“Sorry guys but I only rented out the place for a little while, besides we can do this again another, that and we need to put the mats away properly.”

That answer was suffice, everyone....well almost everyone pitched in, Sans and Rus were laying on one mat they set aside. But that was rectified by Boss and Nox, flipping the mat they were laying on over. It took a bit longer then you thought but you had five minutes to spare, you went and told the Rec-center supervisor you were finished and got your deposit back. He’s such a sweet old man, with that you went back to the others and told them to clean up and change into their street clothes. You went and did the same, despite it being a low energy game you and the boys still worked up a sweat.

Once that was done you all proceeded to walk towards the restaurant in question, you had reserved a spot in a nice little Japanese noodle place you like to frequent. They had all kinds of delicious noodle based dishes that you hoped would please some of the skeletons, it was also a very accommodating place as it had an entire menu dedicated to people who were vegetarian. You piled into the large round booth, sitting between Poplar and Ash.

As you waited for your drinks and enjoyed an appetizer of tempura sweet potatoes, you decided to see what they thought of the game.

“So did you guys have fun?” You were a little worried..

“A tad immature but it was still an enjoyable experience, something we can do at least once in a great while.” Said Boss taking a sip of water.

“I liked it a lot, its a nice change of pace.” Said Rus as he munched on his sweet potato.

“It was a wonderful game human, thank you for sharing such a fun cherished game with us!” Said Papyrus.

“Yeah, gotta admit it was fun, ya didn’t have to do much when you got to hide and being in the dark hiding in the mats...I can see why a game like that is fun for you.” Said Sans giving you a playful wink.

You smiled, beaming at everyone. Soon the waiter arrived to take everyone’s order, you helped Ash and Poplar make a choice from the vegetarian menu. You tried some of the stuff on that one and recommended the Ramen bowls with fried tofu in it along with the beautiful array of colorful veggies such as mushrooms and cabbage.

You went with the kitsune soba while everyone else got Ramen, when you got your food it was a treat seeing everyone trying to eat with chopsticks. Yeah it was mean of you but seeing some of them struggle you told them there were forks wrapped in the black cloth napkins placed around the table. You had gotten some deadpan looks from some of the skeletons but all you could do was smile, you used chopsticks before and were pretty good at using them.

You took a moment to look at everyone, some engaged in a conversation, some content on the food itself or simply listening to others talking. It filled you with a sensation of comfort, you couldn’t have asked for better neighbors or friends.

“So, human.”

Your attention was grabbed when Nox spoke up.

“What game do you plan to show us for next time?”

End.

[For some backstory, this was a game I played back when I was in grade school. Normally durning my gym class we’d go outside and play during gym but of course if was winter or raining we’d stay inside the gym. One rainy day our gym teacher came up with this game and I loved it so much, I wanted to do a fanfic that was more innocent. The world is so serious and telling us we need to ‘grow up’ but sometimes its nice to be a little kid again and thats why I wrote this particular Reader insert. Oh this is also for the @bonelyheartsclub I hope you enjoy it, it was such a treat to write]

#undertale #fanfic #bonely hearts club

[m8ve]

Veela’s Mate

Veela! Draco Malfoy x OC Hufflepuff

Summary: Draco, a pure blood Veela, comes into his inheritance the summer before his sixth year. When boarding the train to return to Hogwarts he senses his mate nearby. The only problem is that she has no idea who or what he is, and Draco has to somehow convince her to accept him.

Voldemort does not exist in this.

Warnings: kissing, possesive Draco, fluff, swearing.

Draco could smell her as soon as he entered the train station. The scent wafted through the air and seemed to stick to him like a second skin. Sweet and soft, just like he imagined it would be, it made his inner Veela growl in a possesive way. She was here, and he was going to find her. Draco barely spared his father a second glance before he was off, his nose slightly tilted up in the air to follow her alluring scent.

He followed her scent to the train, going past the Slytherin section as the scent was barely there. He then got to the Ravenclaw section, shoving past the annoying first years and growling at any that tried to act tough with him. The scent was getting stronger the farther down the train he moved. Draco could feel his fangs beginning to grow and sharpen, and his wings itched to come out.

“Malfoy. What are you doing here.” Draco scowls at Potter standing in front of him. He was of course accompanied by his two sidekicks. Draco snarls, the sound echoing off the train walls.

“Move Potter. I don’t have time for you and your goons.” Draco goes to move past them, but Potter stands in front of him, his beady eyes narrowed.

“What are you planning, Malfoy.” Draco goes to snap back at him, but then all of a sudden his mates scent spikes.

Draco stiffens, focusing al of his attention on the scent, and his Veela ears pick up a faint sound of someone crying. The voice pierces Draco to his core, and he knows that it’s his mate crying somewhere in the train. He needs to get to her, to protect her and hide her away from the rest of the world until he marks her.

Potter puts his hand on Draco’s shoulder, pushing him slightly. Draco snarls, and in an instant grabs Potters hand and twists it until he hears it break. “Get the fuck out of my way before I kill you and your worthless friends.”

Draco pushes them out of the way and sprints towards her scent and sounds of soft weeping. His heart hammers in his chest the closer he gets. He stops when he gets to a closed compartment, the scent is strongest inside and the crying can be heard faintly.

Draco opens the door, his grey eyes scanning the little room until they land on a small girl cuddled up in the corner, a book clasped in her trembling hands. Upon his arrival she looks up, blonde hair falling in front of her tear glistened green eyes. Draco’s whole world stops, tilts on its axis, and suddenly revolves around her. He moves forwards, his hands already reaching for her before she has the chance to move away.

He brings her into his chest, burying his face in her neck and licking the spot where he will mark her as his own. His wings unfurl, cocooning them to keep his mate safe. The girl gasps in fright, beginning to struggle against him and crying more.

“Shh mate. You’re okay.”

She has no idea what’s going on, she was scared and trying to get away from him all the while crying harder and harder. Draco shushed her and held her tighter, beginning to hum an ancient Veela song to calm his mate. The effect is immediate. She stops struggling and her sobs gradually come to and end.

“There you go darling it’s okay. I’ve got you, good girl sweetheart. My little mate, your okay I’ve got you.” Draco whispers these comforting words in her ears, letting his wings shift around them tighter and his hands running up and down her back. The girl eventually sniffles and looks up at him with big green eyes.

“W-who are you?” She whispers.

Draco smiles and reaches up to wipe away a tear with his thumb. “My names Draco Malfoy. What is your name little mate.”

The girl sniffles again. “I-I’m Brynn Nox. W-what exactly are you?” She asks, her eyes taking in the wings that surround the pair.

Draco shifts them so she’s straddling his lap, his wings still surrounding them in protection. “I’m a Veela, and it seems you are my mate.”

At this Brynn tilts her head. “A V-Veela? I thought those were just a myth.” She murmurs.

Draco smirks, fluttering his wings quite proudly. “I can assure you darling. We are no myth.”

Brynn giggles slightly, a sound that makes Draco’s heart flutter in happiness. “Can I- can I touch them?” She whispers, almost afraid to offend him.

Draco groans, pressing his forehead against her own. “Not now mate. If you do I won’t be able to control myself. I’d take you right here in this train where everyone can here you scream my name.”

Brynn blushes at this, wiggling in Draco’s lap which does nothing to help ease the situation. Draco places his hands on her hips, his fingers digging gently into her creamy flesh. He leans down and connects their lips, his sharp fangs nipping at her bottom lip. Brynn gasps, letting Draco’s tongue in to dominate her mouth.

He moves down her jawline, and over to her neck. Before he reaches the spot where he will soon mark her he pulls away, watching as Brynn breathes heavily. “Behave yourself.” He murmurs.

The rest of the train ride Draco spends telling Brynn everything about Veela’s and what being his mate means. He explained how the male is the dominant one, and how Draco will mark her so other males and Veelas know that she is his. He also explained how it would physically hurt the both of them to be away from each other for long periods of time, and how Draco could never hurt her even if he wanted to.

By the end of the train ride Brynn was more comfortable around him, something that made a Draco the happiest man on earth. He puts his wings away as they exit the compartment together, keeping Brynn close to him by holding her waist as they maneuver through the crowd of students.

Draco smirks down at his mate when she looks up at him shyly. He couldn’t wait to show her what it meant to be the mate of Draco Malfoy.

Three months later, Draco and Brynn had officially started dating. Draco had started courting her first. Sending her small gifts like her favorite flowers(daisies) and favorite candies(gummy bears) to extravagant gifts such as a diamond bracelet and high end silk robes and clothes. The little huffelpuff didn’t know what to make of Draco Malfoy at first.

He had made it clear that she was his, but that he wouldn’t pressure her into anything. He treated her like a princess, had even gotten rid of her Gryffindor tormentors. He had found them bullying her one day in an empty hallway and had hexed them to the point of near death before Brynn managed to calm him down by kissing him deeply and leading him away.

He had been so sweet to her despite the bad rumors that surround him. Her friends had been skeptical at first, insisting that he was no good for her. But as time went on and they saw how well he treated her, they grew to have respect for the Veela.

“Hello darling.” Draco coos at his mate. Brynn blushes, looking behind her shoulder and up at him with wide green eyes.

“Hello.” She mumbles and places a quick kiss on his cheek before she turns back to her book. She was studying for an upcoming potions exam since it was her worst subject, so she had secluded herself in the back of the library where people couldn’t poke and prod at her.

Draco bends down and places kisses at the base of his mates neck, trilling in pleasure when the female shudders under his touch.

“Tonight’s the night mate. Are you ready?” Draco hums into her ear. He was referring to his heat, as it would be coming tonight and he would finally claim his mate as his. Brynn had been hesitant to complete the bonding process, as it would be her first time and she wanted to make sure Draco was the one. When she had said that Draco had to resist the urge to scoff in disbelief and amusement. Of course he was the one, they were practically soulmates, but he decided to abide by his mates wishes and they agreed to wait until his next heat.

“Will it, will it hurt?” Brynn asks, closing her book and standing up, taking Draco’s hand.

He smiles, wrapping her into his chest. “Trust me love. Once I start you won’t want me to stop.”

Brynn gulps, her body flushing in arousal at his words. Draco pulls back, taking her hand and leading her out of the library and to the room of requirement. He stops outside the room, picturing the what they would need then gently leads his mate inside. Brynn gasps as she takes in the room that Draco had conjured for them.

There was a king sized bed in the along the wall to the left, with a giant fireplace along the back wall. There was a sofa in front of the fireplace, a table with several water bottles and various foods, and a bath tub in the middle of the room.

Brynns heartbeat picks up at the sight. Draco comes behind her, kissing her neck softly. “Come. We will bathe first mate.”

Draco leads Brynn over to the bathtub. He leans down and starts the water, making sure it’s warm enough before he turns back to Brynn.

To be continued...

#draco malfoy #draco smut #draco x oc #dracotok #draco fanfiction #draco malfoy smut #draco fuckingmalfoy #draco fluff #harry potter #hogwarts #veela mates #veela #veela fic #veela!draco #possessive #smut #kiss

[hopelessly-me]

This fic is for Nox who sent me a DM on discord and said she wants more witchy Clint. And since @noxnthea deserves all the good things in life- I had to write her some witchy Clint with a dash of future winterhawk.

I hope you enjoy it! (1765 words.)

Clint sat perched on a barstool, leaning over the desk and reading from his book. One elbow was propped up on the desk, his head on his hand as he read the lines. His other hand was near his mug of tea, the spoon spinning automatically for him, a thin purple line running from his finger to the mug. It was a quiet afternoon so far, and Clint really hoped it stayed that way.

The front door opened and he could tell from the giggle that his day just got a little less fun. Clint marked the page he was one and closed his book before he sat up straight. “Welcome to Herbs and Roses. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks!” a girl called out cheerfully. “Com’on Buck,” she said, pulling at the hand of a man following behind her. He looked around the store a bit suspiciously, hesitant before he followed through.

Clint smiled and shook his head before he got up and made himself a mug of fresh tea. What he really wanted was coffee from across the street- the cutie behind the bar was always so nice, and it helped they knew his exact order so even in his sleepy states he could get his caffeine fix. But tonight he was supposed to work on some spell work, maybe even some shadow work, and coffee somehow made that worse. His friends had warned him that sometimes you needed to be off certain things when practicing spells you didn’t know because it could exaggerate the process. Apparently that was coffee for Clint, which was a damn shame.

“Hi.”

Clint nearly startled and looked at the girl that was standing much too close. She was a sweet little thing, big blue eyes and dark, curly hair. She gave off that energy of kindness, with a bit of spunk and a whole lot of fun- she was definitely someone Clint should hang out with after he took on too much negative energy from others. Being an empath was the worst.

“Hey. Something I can help you find?” he asked.

“I’m looking for a love potion,” she said, following Clint as he walked back to his spot behind the counter.

“A love potion? You?” Clint asked, setting his mug down and leaning in. “Seems unlikely. Who doesn’t fall for your charm?” he asked. Maybe a little flirting would soften the blow once she became demanding, if she became demanding.

“Apparently the guy I want to date,” she answered. “It’s a witches shop, right? Don’t you make love potions?”

“It’s not something we keep in stock, no,” Clint answered. “I am of the firm belief that everyone has body autonomy so I don’t stock items that take away any layer of that. No love potions, no truth serums. Usually the people using them don’t understand the consequences that come with their use.”

Soon enough the man she walked in with joined her and looked as surprised as Clint felt. It was the cutie from across the way who worked at the coffee shop. He smiled after a moment and looked at his sister before he gave a ‘what can you do’ type of shrug.

“Is that something all witches have to say?” the girl asked. “Some spiel about how bad things can happen, yada yada. Like it’s a liability clause so you don’t get sued.”

Clint laughed and picked up his mug and took a sip before he set it down. “I wish anyone luck suing me for using spells- those aren’t covered under anything the government takes seriously. But no, that’s not why I say that people don’t understand the consequences.” He propped both elbows onto the table and rested his head on his hands. “Let me ask you a question- what’s your name?”

“I’m not supposed to tell that to people, right?” she asked, all proud of herself.

“Hmm- yes and no. But seeing as I’m no fae and I am not collecting your hair, I think you are safe,” Clint teased. “My name’s Clint.” He offered her his hand.

“Rebecca,” she answered, shaking his hand for a moment.

“Rebecca. That’s a nice name. And who is this?” Clint asked.

“My brother, Bucky,” Rebecca answered.

“Rebecca and Bucky. Okay Miss Rebecca. How about I cut you a deal?” Clint said. “I will make you this love potion- I certainly know how to make it, I’ve made it before. But there is a price.”

“Five bucks?” Rebecca asked.

“Close,” Clint replied. “I will give you enough of this potion to make this person fall hopelessly in love with you for a year. But- in exchange I want Bucky here to drink it too for a year.” Rebecca’s eyes widened at the request. “That’s not asking too much. No cost of supplies. You wouldn’t owe me anything really. Just a moment to convince your brother that this is a good idea.”

“You would- you would make him drink it?” Rebecca asked, horrified.

“At least you would be asking him to do it, right?” Clint asked. “You are giving him that choice. Or would you have me add it to his drink without him knowing?” Clint asked. “Anyway, what is a year of someone’s time? Or even just a weekend? What did you want this potion for? A dance?” Clint guessed.

“I… I couldn’t. Not to Bucky,” Rebecca replied, stepping closer to her brother. Clint looked up at Bucky who didn’t look too concerned- he must have caught on to what Clint was trying to do.

“So if you wouldn’t allow it to happen to your brother… what makes you think I would allow it to happen to someone who also might not want that?” Clint asked. Rebecca stared at him before the lesson started to kick in. “Love potions strip away who you are and your choices, and replace them with the desire to appease, and love, the person who casts the spell. All your body autonomy? It's gone. And you have to hope that the person who made you drink the potion will grow bored and stop. And even when it stops- it doesn’t get much easier without time to heal and a good therapist.”

Clint stepped around the counter and walked down an aisle, looking at a row of books before grabbing one and bringing it back, setting it on the counter. “This book is filled with stories from people who were used by others, and by the spiritual world. Love potions, truth serums, spells to make you do the bidding of others, and people who used a spirit board thinking it would be fun. I think… you may benefit from reading this book.”

“How much is it?” Rebecca asked.

“It's from my private collection. As long as you bring it back in the condition I lent it, it’s free of charge,” Clint said. Rebecca nodded and picked the book back. “I know it’s October and that means it's spooky season and all the kids your age are looking at witchcraft and thinking about dabbling. And there is nothing wrong with dabbling as long as you know there is a give and a take. So. My suggestion?” Clint said. “If you want to dabble, come back and see me, and I will connect you with a person who can help you learn the safe way to do some things.”

“You don’t teach anyone?” Rebecca asked.

“I don’t- I’m not suited to be a teacher,” Clint answered. “I’m more suited towards… helping people find their paths and connecting them to others who can take that path too. So. Read this book and come back to me. Let me know if you are serious. No harm either way.”

“Thank you,” Rebecca said, hugging the book. “Bucky?”

“Go ahead, I’m going to stay behind for a minute,” Bucky said. Rebecca nodded and waved before she took off. “How many times a week do you get to give that talk?” he asked.

“You don’t even want to know,” Clint replied with a laugh. “Although having you there made it easier. No one ever thinks about the consequences unless someone they love is there.” Clint sat down on his stool and picked up his mug. “If it helps and she wanted to go through with it, I wouldn’t have done it.”

“That is comforting,” Bucky admitted. “So… witchcraft?” he asked, looking around the shop.

“Pays the bills. Been burned before in the past and want to make sure it never happens again,” Clint answered.

“Sounds like an interesting life story,” Bucky replied. “You know... when you get off work, since you were such a big help to my sister and all, I could make you one of those fancier drinks you like but rarely buy. All it would cost is some stories.”

Clint smiled and picked up his mug. “Sounds awfully close to a date,” Clint commented.

“No, a date would be taking you to dinner. I was thinking about asking that after the coffee repayment,” Bucky said. He leaned forward, his arms crossing on the desk space between them. “You can say no if you aren’t interested.”

“I am very, very interested,” Clint answered. “But tonight I have to… do-” Clint waved his hand at his book. “And I can’t have coffee before I do spell work or else I will end up with another disaster.”

“Sounds like another good story,” Bucky said, starting to smile. “When are you off next?”

“Wednesday. I get off at six,” Clint answered.

“Well, would you look at that? I’m off Wednesday at six as well,” Bucky said. “Meet me over at the shop when you are done here?”

Clint tried not to look or sound too eager. “See you then,” he said as casually as he could.

The door opened and Clint saw Rebecca’s head pop back in. “Stop flirting and let’s go.”

“You are… a huge problem. Do you make potions to make little sisters less annoying?” Bucky asked, walking backwards to the door.

“Sadly, no, or else I would have used it on my older brother,” Clint replied.

“Shame,” Bucky said, wrapping an arm around his sister’s neck and pulling her in, using his free hand to ruffle her hair. “Wednesday at six!” he said before he dragged them both outside, laughing and smiling.

Clint watched them as they went and picked up his mug. He slowly took a drink, trying to keep the giddy feeling down. “Okay Clint- that was… one way to get a date,” he said. “Now where were we-” he said as he opened his spell book.

#spooky season prompts #a wild prompt appeared

[sheeple]

Not that bad

PHOTOS NOT MINE. THIS IS ALL FICTION. Genre(s): hogwarts!au / fluff Group(s): NCT Pairing(s): Nakamoto Yuta x reader Summary: Slytherin’s aren’t evil. Sure, there are some bad apples between them. But you find them everywhere. A/n: Holy damn this must be the longest alone standing fic I’ve ever written, and the quickest. I just love the concept of Slytherin x Hufflepuff. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I had when writing this <3 [Masterlist] [Moodboard] 

It’s late when I sneak out of the Hufflepuff dorm, whispering Lumos as the tip of my wand lights up. The corridors of the basement may be lighted by torches but extra light can’t kill nobody.

As I turn around a corner, I bump into someone and I look up with big eyes, scared that it may be a professor. But to my luck, it’s a student.

Nakamoto Yuta, a sixth year Slytherin. He’s nice. At least, I think he is. I never really talked to him. He usually has this serious scowl on his face and hangs around Johnny ─ a Gryffindor who I am convinced is half-giant but that’s beside the point. He kind of... scares me? 

“Oh hi”, I chuckle awkwardly, taking a couple steps back to respect his personal space. “Lovely night isn’t it.”

Yuta cocks his head to the side and his eyes study my face before going further down. I tug at the bottom of my oversized sweater to make it somewhat longer.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed, it’s cold down here”, he says as he puts his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants. 

I look bewildered at him actually speaking to me. “I eh... I should but I couldn’t sleep! Yeah, no sleep for me.” I laugh awkwardly and point finger guns at the Slytherin boy. I grimace at my awkward self and mentally facepalm myself.

Yuta raises an eyebrow and looks confused, not really sure what he has to say.

I sigh. Idiot. The first time I practically speak with a Slytherin in all my six years here and I point finger guns at him? Pathetic. “I’m sorry... I’m actually on my way to the kitchen, do you want to join?” 

“Why would you... it doesn’t matter. I wish but I can’t. I have something important to do so good evening.” Yuta turns around and walks away.

“Oh?”, I question as I walk after him, “maybe I can help?” I smile slightly and fold my hands together.

Yuta glances down at me, his everlasting scowl on his face. “I don’t think you can. Just get your food and get back to yo─”

Yuta suddenly stops mid-sentence and stands still, listening for something. We hear footsteps in the distance and he pulls me to the side, squeezing into a crevice in the wall and whispering nox to extinguish the light on the tip of his wand. I copy him and suck in my breath, watching the hallway light up. 

Professor Snape walks in a quick pace to where we previously stood and looks around sternly, his light-up wand pointing in different directions before walking away, the light disappearing.

We stay cramped up in the small place for some time and I start to shiver. The stone of the wall Yuta has pressed me against not really the warmest. 

Yuta notices me shivering and looks down. I look away and climb out of the crevice, dusting off my backside.

“Here”, says Yuta and removes his scarf from his neck, tying it around mine. ”Next time bring your own.”

A slight blush spreads on my face at his words. ‘Next time’? Does he expect us to do this again?

“I’ll walk you to the kitchen”, he says as he starts walking and I quickly walk after him. 

“You don’t have to do that”, I say softly, “you obviously have something important to do.”

We turn a corner as he looks at me. “It’s just my cat, no big deal. He will turn up again, eventually.”

We reach the entrance of the kitchens and I tickle the pear, the portrait swinging open and revealing four long tables and a bunch of house-elves walking around.

“Miss Y/n, how nice it is to see you again”, says Pobbey, a house-elf that always greets me. “Does Miss Y/n wants Pobbey to make a cub op warm cocoa?”

“Good evening Pobbey. Just warm milk is fine.” I smile kindly at her and she hurries off.

“Don’t you want anything?”, I ask and turn around, but Yuta has disappeared from next to me, the portrait just closing and a feeling of sadness washing over me. I guess he really needed to find his cat after all.

The next morning, before I go to the Great hall, I put Yuta’s scarf in my bag just in case I see him today. I’m not going to give it to him during breakfast, that would be so awkward for both him and me. 

I walk into the Great hall and scan the room. I quickly find my friends at the Hufflepuff table and also Yuta at his house’s table, his eyes fixed on me as Doyoung is talking to him. 

I smile slightly at him and give a short wave before hurrying to sit between Taeyong and Jaehyun, them looking weirdly at me.

“What?”, I question and put eggs and two pieces of toast on my plate, “something wrong?”

“To whom did you just wave to?”, asks Taeyong and I turn crimson.

“Nobody, just a friend. Is that so wrong?”

“Of course not, but I didn’t know you had any friends outside our house”, grins Jaehyun and I give him a harsh shove, almost pushing him off the bench.

“I have a lot of friends outside our house, fyi. I just prefer to hang out with you, ungrateful mushroom.” I scowl at him.

Taeyong laughs at my insult and pats my head. “We know, we know. You’re very popular, Y/n.”

I thank him while munching on my food. “What do we have today?”, I ask and turn towards Jaehyun. 

“How should I know? You’re the smart one between us two.”

“You two have Transfiguration first. When will the two of you learn your timetable out of your head? Or just... look on the thing.” Taeyong facepalms himself and I swing my leg over the bench, giving him a hug.

“We know, but you do it for us.” Jaehyun and I quickly grab our bags and hurry out of Taeyong’s reach as we giggle, walking towards Transfiguration while joking around. 

We reach the class and I see a plethora of yellow and green scattered around the room. Oh right, we have this class with the Slytherins.

I feel immediately a pair of eyes on me and smile shyly at Yuta. He raises his eyebrows before turning around with a slight smile, shaking his head. 

“Why is Yuta smiling at you?”, asks Jaehyun as he and I take place on the other side of the room. He places his bag on the table so we’re blocked from Yuta’s view.

“I may or may not have sneaked out last night and I may or may not have hidden with Yuta from Snape patrolling. And I may or may not have his scarf...” I pluck at my nails as I await Jaehyun’s reaction.

The latter looks at me with a shocked expression and his mouth wide open. “You did what with whom?!”, he says a bit too loud. 

I hiss at him and smack the back of his head. “Not so loud, you screech owl or the whole castle knows about it. I don’t think Yuta would be so happy about that.” I glance over Jaehyun’s bag, seeing if Yuta’s looking. He’s not, luckily.

“That’s so scandalous, Y/n. Did something... more happen, if you know what I mean.” Jaehyun wiggles his eyebrows and shimmies his shoulders.

Before I can answer or flick Jaehyun’s ear, McGonagall walks in and demands all the bags are off the table and wands on the table.

I throw Jaehyun a glace saying he’s lucky and listen to McGonagall start the lesson, this time turning a pawn into a queen.

The whole lesson passes like a blur and before I know, Jaehyun and I walk out of transfiguration. I see Yuta and his friends walk at the end of the hallway and I speed up, taping on his shoulder while taking out his scarf. He stops and raises an eyebrow, something he surly loves to do.

“Sorry for borrowing your scarf. I wanted to give it back, but you disappeared.” I hold it up and chew on the inside of my cheeks. Is he going to take it or not?

“Thanks…”, he mumbles and takes back his scarf, letting his arms fall next to him.

“Well, I’m going to… go. See you in Runes.” I quickly turn around and walk towards Jaehyun, grabbing his arm and dragging him away.

I stop at an empty corridor and lean against a wall, groaning loudly while ruffling my hair. “That was so awkward. I can’t believe why I did that. I really couldn’t wait until I saw him alone.” I let out another loud groan.

“That was so painful to watch, don’t ever do that again. Be grateful Taeyong wasn’t here.” Jaehyun grimaces and runs a hand through his hair.

Right, Taeyong’s issue with the Slytherins. Nothing really big happened except that his cousin is a Slytherin and he loathes his cousin, so he automatically hates every Slytherin. A bit childish in my opinion.

“Let’s not tell Taeyong, alright? He’s already so stressed out about his N.E.W.Ts and probably can’t handle you fraternizing with the enemy.” Jaehyun pushes his hands in his pockets and starts to walk towards our next class.

“Hey! I was not fraternizing!”, I call out with red cheeks as I walk after him, a scowl on my face.

The next time I see Yuta again ─ not counting the times I glance at him in the Great hall ─ is at the end of the day on Friday in our Runes class. It’s one of the only classes I have without Jaehyun. He’s outside practising quidditch with his team. And Taeyong has Divination right now.

I take place at the back of the room, finding it more peaceful and so that professor Babbling doesn’t pay much attention to me, as she usually asks people at the front row all the questions.

The chair next to me creaks and I look up from my textbook, surprised to see Yuta sitting next to me. 

“You don’t mind if I do, do you?”, he questions with a half-smile as he unpacks his books, laying them open on the pages Babbling has written on the board.

“Ehrm no, of course not”, I answer while avoiding his gaze, hyper fixating on one rune.

“I’ve been noticing something; you are actively ignoring me.” He taps my arm while cocking his head to the side.

“That's not... true”, I mumble and pull my arm away, fully aware that Babbling just walked in and is starting her class.

“Oh?”, he whispers. “Is that so? Then why don’t you look at me while I talk to you?” 

A shivers run up my spine as Yuta traces figures on my arm and the hair on my arm stands up straight. He smirks at me tensing up and he leans closer to me, to whisper in my ear.

“I’ve developed a great liking in you, my little Hufflepuff. You intrigue me. You act all shy and humble around me, it’s quite cute.” 

“But why?”, I whisper, not wanting Babblings attention. I look at Yuta ─ which was obviously a mistake, seeing he has his head propped up in his hand and a sly look on his face.

“You’re a challenge and I like that. You’re like a reward.” 

Something starts to boil inside me at his words and my hand shoots up in the air, catching the attention of Babbling. 

“I’m not feeling very well, professor. Is it okay if I go to madam Pomfrey?” I make my voice sound weak and frill as Babbling nods, sending me off.

I glance one more time to Yuta before dashing out of the classroom, walking towards the Hufflepuff conmen room instead of the infirmary.  

Once I enter the cosy, round room I let myself fall on one of the couches next to Taeyong, who’s reading. 

He looks up in concern as he knows I have class right now and shouldn’t be here. “Don’t you have to be in runes, right now?”

I bite my lip, considering if I lie to him or not. “I’m not feeling well and went to madam Pomfrey. She has sent me here to rest. Lucky it’s the last period, am I right?” I chuckle awkwardly as Taeyong pulls me closer, letting me lean my head on his shoulder.

“You sure are a bit hot. Make sure you rest for a bit. Have you packed your bags, by the way?” 

I look up at him and frown. “Packet for what?” Did I forget about a school trip or something?

“Our spring break? Aren’t you going home?” Taeyong closes his book and lays it on his lap.

“I totally forgot. My mom asked me to stay here because they are visiting my aunt in Scotland. I don’t really mind though.” 

“God I wish I could stay here too. My snake of a cousin is staying the whole week.” Taeyong grimaces and shakes his head. “At least I don’t have to share my room with him again.”

I laugh. Taeyong had to share his room last year with his cousin and almost strangled him in his sleep, twice. Now that Taeyong’s family moved to a bigger house, the cousin can stay in one of the guest rooms. 

“Just breath and count to ten, it always helps me. Just promise to write to me, okay?” I grab his hand and squeeze it softly.

Taeyong scoffs. “When do I not write to you?”

“Well...”, I begin and laugh at his expression. “I’m kidding! You always do. Jaehyun does not. I’m still going to beat him up for that.”

The following Monday I wake up just in time to still have some lunch so I hurry up the stairs. It was rainy the whole weekend so I spent it doing all my homework. Now I truly have a week off.

The tables are almost empty when I enter the Great hall. Most have left to go home. Just a few stayed behind, probably not wanting to go home or unable to. Just like me.

I take place in the middle of the Hufflepuff table and grab a sandwich, plucking the tomatoes off. If there is one thing I hate, it’s tomatoes.

“Good afternoon, Y/n. Slept well?”, asks Moon Taeil, a seventh year Ravenclaw who helped me pass my History of Magic O.W.Ls, and he sits next to me with a bright smile. He always stays behind the vacations because he’s Head boy, making sure everybody stays save even when it’s spring break.

“Like a peach. Maybe a bit too good, seeing I just woke up”, I say with a chuckle and take a bit out of my sandwich. 

“Still no fan of tomatoes I see.” Taeil points towards my plate, a slight smile on his face. “You need to eat all of your veggies.”

I mimick Taeil with a scowl. “I always eat my veggies. I just hate tomatoes.” I push my plate away and swallow a big gulp of pumpkin juice. “Do you have plans for this week?”

“I’m probably spending all my time doing homework and making sure the Ravenclaw dorm gets cleaned up. You? Any fun plans?” 

I sigh. “Not really... If it’s nice weather I will hang out by the lake or go to Hagrid’s but otherwise, I’m stuck indoors.” I pout and run a hand through my hair. God, I wish I could be home, or even at my aunt’s.

An owl ─ Taeil’s Screech-Owl Violet ─ flies down and lands in front of Taeil and me. He takes the letter as I pet her, almost getting bitten. I always forget she’s a bit cranky.

“I have to go, professor Flitwick has requested me to come to his classroom. See you at dinner tonight?” Taeil swings one leg over the bench and looks at me expectingly.

I nod with a smile. “Of course. Your table of mine?” 

Taeil jumps up from the bench and hugs me quickly. “We’ll see. See you tonight.” He walks out the Great hall and turns right, quickly speeding up.

I follow Taeil’s lead and walk out of the Great hall. I glance outside the window and see that’s it okay weather outside and decide to walk down to Hagrid’s. 

I walk down the crooked stone steps and pass his pumpkin patch before knocking on his door. There’s no sound in his hut, not even Fang barking and I glance through the kitchen window. It’s dark inside.

He’s not home. What a shame... I turn around and walk towards the patch, looking around to see if I can do something. But of course, it’s neat and there are no weeds. 

I kick against stone as I walk up to the castle. Maybe tomorrow I can help. If the whole week is going to be like this I’m going to be a ghost at the end of the week. One thing is sure, I’m going to haunt Jaehyun for sure.

By Wednesday I have picked up a routine; I have my breakfast with Taeil and two of his friends, I go to the common room, and after lunch, I go to the lake and read my book under one of the trees as the weather has been really nice.

I’ve been borrowing some of Taeyong’s books and I am grateful for his taste. The library has only educational books and I won’t ask Pinche for anything other than educational books again...

I let myself fall on the soft grass with a huff, closing my eyes and enjoying the warm glow of the spring sun. A soft breeze ruffles the leaves on the trees and a shadow casts over me.

I open one eye and let out a sigh. I have tried to avoid him as much as I can but it was only a matter of time before Yuta would catch me. 

“Wel, well, well, look who we have here. A little badger enjoying her freedom.” He grins at me while standing over me, his hair in a low ponytail. He’s out of his school robes and is wearing nothing more than a pair of jeans and a shirt. It’s the first time I see him outside the normal school hours.

I let out a sigh. “Hello Yuta, fancy seeing you too. Shouldn’t you be at home right now?” I prop myself up on my elbows and look at him in faux question.

A playful scoff leaves Yuta as he takes place in front of me. “Don’t act like you haven’t been avoiding me on purpose. I have eyes, you know.” He folds his arms in front of his chest.

I sit up and put my book next to me, plucking the grass out of my hair. “I do not...”, I mutter and look down. Be damned my inability to telling a good lie.

“Oh really?”, challenges Yuta and grins slyly, leaning close to me. “And then why are you ignoring my gaze now? And why, every time I try to talk to you or we meet each other in the hallways, you suddenly disappear.”

I suck in my breath. Why can’t I be subtle about my blatant avoiding? I chew on the inside of my cheeks and calculate the possibilities of me getting out of this situation.

I could tell him that he scares me, but that would be awkward. But the truth. I also could just tell that I am expecting an owl and I have to leave. 

“Cat got your tongue?” 

I look at him blankly, not knowing what to say. I’ve never been in such a situation. “I... have to go”, I whisper, the way Yuta looks at me creeping me out. I get up and turn around, speed walking away, ignoring his calls for me.

I spent the rest of my day in the common room by the unlit fireplace and attending the little plants scattered around.

It’s not until diner that I come out of my hiding and walking down to the Great hall to eat dinner with Taeil until a hand grabs mine and drags me towards the Slytherin table. 

I look in shock at Yuta as he places me next to him, the Slytherins and Taeil looking at me with shock. 

“What?”, mouths Taeil to me and I shake my head, not knowing what’s happening.

“This is Y/n, a Hufflepuff. Y/n, this is Doyoung.” Yuta introduces us to each other and I wave awkwardly. Doyoung frowns at Yuta but continues to eat, not bothering to really acknowledge my presence.  

“What... why?”, I manage to get out as Yuta puts some chicken on his plate. 

“I start with the first one. What? You’re joining me with eating dinner. Why? Because I like you”, he states matter of factly as if just didn’t practically force me. 

“That’s... not how it works.” I frown at him and stand up, looking down at him. “You ask people, not force them, Yuta. That’s wrong.”

I turn around and walk towards Taeil, sitting in front of him so my backs towards the Slytherin table. I hear Doyoung laugh out loud and telling Yuta that he told him that it didn’t work.

“What happened?”, asks Taeil in a hushed tone and leans over to me.

“To be honest, I don’t know. I never really talked to Yuta and now he suddenly is ‘interested’ in me.” I use air quotations and Taeil glances over my shoulder. “Is he glaring this way?”

He nods. “Yes. He doesn’t look particularly happy.” Taeil looks in pity to me and I let out another sigh. He is going to be the death of me.

“Yer look tired, Y/n”, says Hagrid with great concern as I visit him and Fang for a cup of tea. “Ev’ryting all right?”

I set my gigantic cup down on the table and sigh. “Yes and no. There is this boy, a Slytherin from my year. He has never really talked or looked at me and suddenly he talks to me and drags me to his table.” 

Hagrid hums, petting Fang’s big head. “I’m no’mally not of girly talks, but yer has to giv ‘im a chance. Isn’t that what Hufflepuff’s about?” 

I chew on the inside of my cheek. “I guess you’re right... Maybe he’s not just one of many words. Thanks, Hagrid, you’re the best.” I smile brightly at him and get off my ginormous chair. “I have to go now to catch him before lunch is over.”

“Good luck, Y/n.” Hagrid waves me off as I run to the castle, almost out of breath when I reach the Great hall. 

I look around and spot Yuta, pricking sadly at his lunch with his fork. I walk up to him but slow my steps as the Slytherins around him look at me.

“Hey, Yuta”, I say quietly, sitting next to him. He glances at me but doesn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry for treating you so harshly yesterday. I was just overwhelmed by it all, we never really talked until that night.” I scratch the back of my neck. “Would you like to join me to hang out at the lake after lunch?”

He looks up surprised. “Why are you... being so kind to me?”

I look bewildered at his question. “Because... that’s what you deserve? Do you want to join or not?”

“I never said I didn’t want to”, smirks Yuta and leans back, a playful smile on his lips. 

I let out a relieved breath. That’s the Yuta I know. 

I close my eyes as the soft breeze ruffles the trees and warm sun rays dance on my skin. I smile and lean back, on my arms.

“I have something of yours”, says Yuta, breaking the silence and pulls out my book.

“Hey, I thought I lost it. Why did you find it?” I grab the book and inspect it, to make sure it isn’t damaged.

“You left it behind yesterday when you stormed off. I wanted to give it to you back at dinner but you didn’t give me the chance.”

My cheeks flush. “I didn’t storm of...”

He laughs sarcastically. “No? What did you do then? Walk away quickly?”

I roll my eyes while laughing. “It’s called speedwalking. A totally normal thing, by the way.” 

I grab the book and open it, only for it to be grabbed away from me and Yuta stands up, running away with the book in his hands.

I jump up and run after him, almost tripping over my own two feet. “Give it back! Tae will murder me if something happens to it.”

Yuta turns around and runs backwards, a playful smirk on his lips. “So it isn't even yours? Did you stole it from hi─”

As Yuta runs back, he doesn’t see the tree root peeking out of the ground and he falls over it. I run with too much speed that I can’t avoid Yuta and I fall on top of him, knocking the hair out of both of us and bumping our heads against each other.

I groan and roll off him, laying a hand on my forehead. I begin to laugh and soon we’re both rolling over the ground, tears in our eyes.

“That’s going to leave a mark”, I wheeze and get up, only to be pulled down by Yuta. 

He hovers over me with a grin. “You should watch where you’re going. You’re going to pay for that.” He begins to tickle me and I spasm around, trying to push him away from me.

“Stop... please... I can’t”, I say in between laughter and tears stream over my cheeks, my sides and abs hurting. “Please...”

“Should I? But I have so much fun...” He stops briefly and I see my chance to flip us over, finally getting to breathe.

I sit back and huff. “You son of a...”, I let out breathlessly and run a hand through my messy hair.

“Are you comfortable?”, questions Yuta and I quickly get off him, apologizing. 

We sit next to each other in silence, both looking at the lake. I lean to the side and let my head fall on his shoulder. Except I miscalculated and I fall on his lap. Yuta looks at me surprised but I don’t dare to look at him, my cheeks flushed.

I groan before turning and laying on my back, staring up at the cloudy sky. “That was the most intensive abs-workout I’ve ever had.” I close my eyes exhausted.

Yuta looks down at me, studying my features. He slowly lays a hand on my head and begins to stroke my hair. I close my eyes and let his actions relax me. And before I know, I’m deeply asleep.

I wake up, maybe a couple hours later in a damp, dark room, green and silver the main colour all around. I sit up and ruffle my hair, looking around. It’s a Slytherin dorm. High, gothic windows that show green murky water on the right side of the bed give the room an eery glow.

I swing my legs out of the bed and glance at my watch. Seven-thirty. I just missed dinner. How did I even come here?

I open the door slowly, scared to make a sound and walk down. I stand at the top of the stairs, looking down at the common room, the fire in the fireplace lit and Yuta sitting on one of the couches, his back towards me.

I walk down and the second to last step of the stairs creaks, making him look around with a dark expression. But it softens once he sees it’s me. 

“Good evening, Sleeping Draught. How was your nap?” Yuta pats on the spot next to him and I take place, making sure there enough space between us.

“For how long was I out?” I frown, rubbing my head. I slept too deep. My head always hurts after I do that.

“A couple of hours. You actually missed dinner but I asked the house elves to make you something.” He points to a silver plate with the food still steaming. “I put a freshness charm on it so the food won’t spoil or cool down. Please, eat.” 

I grab the plate and the fork and knife next to it. “Have you eaten?”, I ask and turn to him, my eyes concerned. I wouldn’t want him to starve because of me.

He nods. “Yeah, the elves made a plate for me too.” Yuta looks at me as I eat, shaking his head. “You surely slept like a hippogriff. Are you all right?”

I look bewildered at him. Is he... concerned about me? “I... yeah? I’m just a heavy sleeper. Why did you bring me here?”

“I didn’t know where else to go. I tried to enter your common room but as soon as I tried, I was drowned in vinegar.” Yuta sulks and scrunches his nose. “That stuff really stinks!”

I giggle. “Yeah. Helga is really protective of us. She’s proud it still works after centuries.” 

Once I finish my dinner, I place the plate back on the table in front of me and sit back, my eyes dancing around the room. It’s so different from our basement...

“Y/n...”, begins Yuta and I look around scared of what to come. “Do you remember in our third year, when we went to Hogsmeade before Christmas? It was snowy and you walked with your friends in front of me and you had all this snow in your hair because some shitty Gryffindor threw iceballs at you?”

I knit my eyebrows together, trying to remember. “Yeah that really hurt... he suddenly stopped and the next day he had this huge black eye as he apologised to me... What’s with him?”

“It was me, I punched him ─ believe me, he deserved it ─ I made him apologise to you. I am... ehrm... I kinda had a crush on you then, ever since you saved a kid from the cry of a Mandrake a year earlier. And I still do...” A bright, red blush spreads over Yuta’s face and neck.

I look at him speechless. “You have a crush on me? But... we never talked? I thought you hated me...” I frown, looking back at our past years.

“Hate you? I could never hate you.” Yuta shakes his head and scoots closer. “I’m... just not good at expressing emotions. But please, give me a chance. I try to be better.”

I shake my head and grab his hand that lays on his lap. “You don’t have to be better. You’re already good enough. I like you, Yuta, I really do. But I'm... scared what Taeyong will say.” I look down and chew on the inside of my cheek.

Having feels for Yuta feels like I'm betraying Taeyong. I don’t want to lose him or our friendship.

Yuta squeezes my hand and he pushes my chin up with his finger. “I don’t care what he says, you deserve to be selfish sometimes. I like you and you like me and that’s the only thing that counts.”

Yuta closes the gap between us and presses his lips softly against mine. I look shocked at him as he pulls away. I grab the front of his sweater and brings him closer, this time kissing him back.

He’s right. It doesn’t matter what Taeyong says, it’s my turn to be selfish. 

Yuta and I spend the remaining two days outside in the sun, him reading out of my book and me plucking out flowers from the ground and weaving a crown. 

I smile content and place the crown of daisies on top of Yuta’s head, making him stop mid-sentence. He looks up and feels the flower crown. “You’re adorable”, he smiles and ruffles my hair, making me whine and pushing his hands away.

“Y/n?”, questions a voice behind us and I turn around. Taeyong stands with wide eyes a couple of meters away from Yuta and me and I jump up, distancing myself from Yuta.

“Taeyong... I can explain!” I take a couple of steps closer to him.

Taeyong shakes his head. “How could you?! You know how I feel about... them!” He points towards Yuta in anger.

“Look man, it’s her choice.” Yuta gets up from the ground and stands next to me, grabbing the flower crown on his head and giving it to me.

“Keep your nose out of our business, filthy snake.” Taeyong takes a step closer and pokes Yuta in his chest. “And keep away from my best friend.”

Before Yuta can spit something back, I push the two guys away from each other and stand in between them. “No Tae, stop. I like him, I really do. Not all Slytherins are evil. Yes, there are some bad apples, but you find them anywhere! So grow up and stop being so prejudiced against them.” 

Taeyong’s eyes study my face with a sharp glare. “So it has come to this, hasn’t it? The moment you chose a Slytherin above your own best friend.” He shakes his head disappointed and turns around, walking away.

“No!”, I cry out, “that’s not what I meant, please come back!” I try to walk after him but Yuta holds me back and tears fill my eyes. “Please...”, I whisper to no one in particular.

“Come, flower.” Yuta wraps his arms around me and pushes my face against him, stroking my hair.

“I didn’t mean for that to happen”, I sniff and wipe my eyes with my sleeve. “I didn’t want him to hate me.”

Yuta laughs softly, laying an arm over my shoulders and pulling me towards the castle. “You Hufflepuffs are so dramatic sometimes. Give him time to... get used to us I guess.” 

My ears dust pink. “Yeah... I guess. Time...”

And time is what Taeyong takes. Three weeks of the next term have already passed and he still doesn’t talk to me. Jaehyun was quite delighted once he knew about us and went off to find Taeil to claim his ten Galleons.

Yuta is a delight. He walks me to every class ─ even when it’s on the other side of the castle ─ he even carries my books or bag. 

I also started to hang out with his friends more. You know, Slytherins aren’t so scary as I thought. They are really nice and sneaked me lots in their common room to hang out, even letting Jaehyun join.

It’s a Wednesday afternoon and I stroll through the castle, admiring the tapestries and paintings when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and gasp softly. Taeyong.

“Hi”, he smiles sadly and I return the gesture. “Can we talk?”

I nod, pulling Taeyong to the side so we have a little more privacy.

“Look, I’m sorry... The way I reacted was not acceptable and just childish. I also... missed hanging out with you and Jaehyun.” Taeyong looks down at his feet and plucks at the hem of his robes.

I smile sadly and wrap my arms around him, pressing him tightly against me. “I missed you too, you weird houseplant.”

He holds me at arm's length and grins. “I’m glad we’re Hufflepuffs. Imagine if two Gryffindors had to make up.”

I let out a laugh. “That would have taken ages!” I grab Taeyong’s hand and drag him towards the Great hall, taking him over to the Slytherin table where Yuta, Jaehyun, and Doyoung are seated.

I take sit next to Yuta and place Taeyong next to me. “Doyoung, this is Taeyong. He’s alright”, I say and smile to my self, happy that all the people I care about are right by me.

#nct #nct 127 #nct au #nct hogwarts #nct hogwarts au #nct yuta #nct jaehyun #nct taeyong #nct taeil #yuta #nakamoto yuta #yuta hogwarts ay #slytherin!yuta #yuta imagine #yuta scenario #nct scenario #nct imagine #hogwarts #hogwarts!au #hufflepuff!reader #slytherin x hufflepuff #hufflepuff x slytherin

[damn-stark]

The Trouble ~ Jesse Imagine

(Not my gif)

Jesse x Fem!reader

Requested by @expecto-nox “Uh..Hi? I just saw that you take TLOU 2 requests and I just wanna request if you're okay with it,only if you're okay with it. It's a Jesse x reader fic and Reader almost got bitten by an Infected and Jesse was there to save her. Can you make it angsty then fluffy? If you wanna add anything it's totally cool. Thanks for taking the time to read this if you did.”

A/N- I kind of want to do a mini series off this imagine? Like follow their journey towards Seattle and then end it when the unfortunate event that shall not be mentioned happened. What do you guys think? Would yall like to see that??

Warning- Violence, Angst, swearing, fluff

———-

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around us traveling to Seattle.” You complained to your boyfriend.

Even if you were currently halfway to said destination. With no sign of turning back.

Jesse sighed and briefly looked over his shoulder to show you his look of disapproval. “I told you that you didn’t have to come.”

“And let you come alone?” You quirked your eyebrow and showed a smug smile, “no.”

Jesse let out a small chuckle as he looked forward, “just admit it you’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” You scoffed, “no I am not. Why should I be?”

“Because we’re going to Dina.”

“So?” You question as if clueless to what he was referring to. “We’re also going to Tommy and Ellie.”

“Okay.” He nodded with an amused smile, “well just so you know you have nothing worry about.”

You smile and even if you were never going to admit it, his comment was a reassurance to your overwhelming worry. It’s not that you didn’t trust him because you did. You trusted this man with your life, but the only reason why the thought of Dina and him bugged you so much was because they dated for a long time—Even if it was on and off again. It’s just if they got back together so much it was for a reason right?

And your relationship was still so new and you really cared for him. Maybe even loved him? And maybe it was because the both of you were traveling through different states, fighting and avoiding danger from both the dead and difficult people, but that’s how you really felt and if this trip was just going to end up with them getting back together then it was really going to break your heart and make this trip just disappointing—not worthless since you did come help your best friend Ellie.

“Watcha thinkin back there?” Jesse questioned, making you pull away from your thoughts.

“Nothing...just tired.”

“Once we’re past this path we’ll set up camp and rest, okay?”

Responding with a quiet “okay” you wrapped your arms around his waist and rested your head on his shoulder, avoiding looking ahead at the continued narrowed path or to the side and looking down at the steep ledges.

Even if you never liked to because you liked to keep guard while Jesse guided the horse, it was getting hard not to drift to sleep. The slow careful pace, the sweet smell of fresh rain and sound of nothing but each other’s calm breathing surely not helping your situation. But it was also a moment that didn’t last long as you began to hear rustling from the ledge above you, making you pick up your head and your ears to perk up.

“You hear that?” You pointed out.

Jesse looked up to where the noise came from, but didn’t stop the horse, seconds later shrugging off said sound. “It’s probably nothing but some animal. Don’t worry.”

The rustling continued and this time you slowly pulled out your pistol, trying to ignore the sound of your heart beat picking up in your chest and trying real hard to focus on the noise above you.

“It’s not—” Jesse’s words were abruptly cut off as someone came tumbling down the ledge and blocked the path before you. “What the hell?” The horse lets out a loud squeal before she rises up on its hind legs, causing you to hold on tightly to Jesse as to not fall back. “Wow, wow calm down girl.”

The horse gets back on its four legs and walks back, snorting and nodding her head. Just as you were going to ask what or who fell the figure lifts up and reveals its torn clothes, blood covered mouth, and clouded dead looking eyes, letting both Jesse and you come to the realization that it was no living person but a runner.

Quickly Jesse pulls his gun out and shoots the runner directly in the head, said monster dropping dead before he could run forward.

“Told you.” You breathed, right as he was going remark more growling was heard followed by tumbling down, same as the previous runner had. This time though there was more than one and they blocked the horse from both sides, not that the horse cared as it jumped up, knocking both Jesse and you off her back, seconds later barely managing to avoid being attacked and jumping over the dead to run away.

Jesse quickly helped you to your feet, the both of you standing back to back, ignoring the pain all over your bodies from the fall and facing the dead that surrounded you.

“I count five in front of me. All runners.” You inform Jesse through heavy breaths, “I only have four bullets.”

“I count four in front of me. Theirs a clicker in the group.” He responds and just as he was going to report how many bullets he had, you avoided a swing from one of the fast approaching runners, moments later following by kicking it back into another runner and making them fall on the ground.

The other two ran towards you, growling and snapping at you, but in a swift motion you took out your machete and hacked it into one of its head, that single runner dropping whilst you shot the one behind it in the chest and then in the head killing it completely.

You quickly then focused your pistol on the other two that had now stood up and were making a beeline directly towards you. Right as you were going to shoot one, you were roughly tackled from one unsuspected clicker that tumbled down, the force of the impact taking you both down to roll off the ledge, only Jesse’s distant exclaim heard while you did so. “No!”

You kept your hands on the clickers neck as you tumbled down, having to hold it back as it kept snapping at you in attempts to bite any part of you it could. “Shit, shit!” The pain only worsened as you landed on your back on the hard muddy floor, the cuts all over your body combining with your new pains and making the clicker increasingly more violent. The thought of Jesse’s well being replacing the thought and worry for yourself.

But you knew you had to focus on the fight you had, couldn’t worry about Jesse even if that’s all you could think about now. You had to and couldn’t let the clicker get you, and now having no weapon in your hand you had to tighten your grip around its throat, before kneeing it in what you think is it’s stomach, that action giving you the opportunity to throw it back.

Without hesitating you struggled to pick yourself up, grunting in the effort. Through heavy breaths and shooting pains you searching for any weapon, smiling to yourself as you saw your machete a couple feet away. Right as you took one step forward you were pulled down by the same clicker gripping onto your ankle.

“Get off!” You growled as you tried to stretch your hand towards your machete while using your other foot to kick the clickers ugly head. “Get off—” a sharp pain shot in your leg making you bellow out loudly, making your efforts to escape falter and for the clicker to gain the upper hand and climb on top of you. The ugly sounds of its teeth clicking sounding right in your ear as it tried to bite your neck.

Again and without any other way you tried to fight it off your back as best you could, using every piece of strength you could. Right before you were able to reach the handle of your machete the repetitive annoying sound of the clicker stopped and the weight of it was completely off you. Before you could react you were turned on your back, coming face to face with Jesse.

“You’re alive. You’re alive.” Jesse repeated under his breath before offering his hand to help you up. “Are you okay?”

You nodded in agreement, trying to calm your breathing before you could verbally confirm or ask about himself. Before you could even attempt, the sharp pain on your leg reminded you that you were definitely not okay and that you had something worse then just cuts to worry about.

Hesitating to look down you exhaled deeply, briefly closing your eyes before you looked at the pained area, only and disappointingly seeing it covered in mud and blood.

“Shit.” You cursed as you sat back down and groaned from the pain.

“What’s wrong?” Jesse stressed, his eyes following your hands as you tore the new rip on your jeans. “Are you okay? Y/N?”

You swallowed thickly and blinked to meet his worried gaze, following his movements as he crouched in front of you; “I don’t know. I-I” it pained you to even say the next words or to even think of them and think of the outcome of the big what if. “I..think it bit me.”

Jesse’s eyes widened, a hand running through his hair and a deep frown appearing on his features, a terrified look replacing the one of worry.

“No. No it didn’t.” Jesse shoved your hands off your leg and ripped the jean up wider, tears prickling at the corner of his eyes as he couldn’t immediately identify your wound because of what covered it. “You can’t be bit.” He mumbled as he shrugged the backpack strap off his shoulder and searched for something inside.

“Jesse.” You tried to catch his attention but he kept frantically searching, ignoring you or tuning you out with the thoughts running through his head. “Jesse!”

Said man finally looked to you, his lips partially open and eyes glossy with tears.

You reached to cup his cheek, showing him a small smile even through your own worry. “I just want to say that the time I’ve spent traveling with you has been more than amazing. I’ve got to see and explore more than I have ever had in my life, I got to know what’s it’s like to do that with someone I like and really care for and that’s all I could ask for. Jesse I know we haven’t been dating long but the time we have—and maybe it’s because I’ve liked you before we actually dated, but regardless Jesse, I—”

“Don’t.” He cut you off, the tears you never knew he would shed or let you see rolling down his cheek, “don’t say it. Not like this, not when we don’t know if you’re bit or not. I can’t hear it if you are.”

Jesse pulled his face away from your hand and focused back on the contents inside his backpack, causing your own tears to roll down your cheeks. Only lifting his head moments later when he pulled out a half full water bottle, choosing to remain silent as he twisted off the lid and poured water on your wound, in a gentle motion rubbing the grime off it, the both of you hoping it wasn’t what you thought it was.

A soft wince escaped your lips as he did what he did, that making him let out a quiet apology as he continued with a fast beating heart. The anticipation of if you were, or if you weren’t bit making you turn your head away and focus on anything else beside the fact. Jesse feeling the same as his hand covered the awaited answer, a deep shaky exhale heard coming out his nose as he slowly pulled his hand away.

“Shit,” Jesse cursed as he fully sat down, rubbing his face with his hands and calming his fast breaths.

Not receiving the answer you wanted you peeked at your wound, a grin breaking through your lips as you saw nothing but a deep cut caused by the fall.

“It’s okay,” you shared as you threw your head back and lay on the ground, the fear you had moments ago slowly fading away. “I’m okay, I’m not bit.”

Jesse shifted around to lay next to you, the tears that once pooled his eyes no longer visible and instead replaced with content, a smile replacing his deep frown.

“You can say what you were planning to say before.” He grinned.

Turning your head to face him you matched his grin but shook your head. “You ruined the moment, I can’t say it anymore.”

“Come on say it.” Jesse urged, “it will help me feel better after the scare you gave me.”

“You did great back there, fighting those runners,” You shared. Words you knew he didn’t want to hear. “I’m proud.” You lifted your hand to ask for a high five, a action he glared at but did so anyway, to later interlace his fingers with yours and pull your hands down to the your sides.

“I’m just going to ignore you said that because you didn’t even see me fight them off.”

You shrugged and showed a cocky smile, “I still know you did great.” With your other hand you moved it to cup his cheek, moving in to give him a soft kiss, a gesture he easily returned and pulled you closer to deepen the kiss.

Later pulling away but keeping you close to stroke your cheek and express what he wanted to say before. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

You smiled and pulled him in for another kiss before pulling away and standing up—“the horse shouldn’t be far off we should find her. Seattle is still far off.”

“What about your leg? Let me stitch up your wound.”

You shook your head and began to walk, “after we find your horse.”

“Y/n.”

“Jesse.” You turn and face him, quirking your eyebrow, that letting him know that you weren’t going to accept any other suggestion.

Jesse sighs and moves past you to walk ahead just in case anymore surprises happened, choosing to stay silent and not wanting to add or question your previous conversation.

But that making it the perfect opportunity for you to bring it up. “Jesse?”

“Hmm.”

“I love you.”

Said man stops in his tracks, hiding the warm smile he had on his lips by having his back turned to you. Not failing to add a witty remark, and quoting you from before right before he could continue forward.

“You ruined the moment I can’t say it anymore.”

#The last of us #jesse x reader #jesse #jesse the last of us #jesse tlou #jesse imagine #jesse imagines #jesse fanfiction #the last of us part two #the last of us imagines #the last of us imagine #the last of us fanfiction #tlou #tlou imagines #tlou imagine #tlou part 2 #tlou2 #tlou jesse #tlou jesse x reader #tlou2 jesse x reader #tlou2 jesse

[the-inc-den]

I Think This Could Be the Start of a New Life (The Inc Den)

A/N: Oh hi 👋🏻. Here’s the first piece I guess. Figured I’d get everyone introduced. I hope you enjoy them because I love everyone dearly. so yeah.

Warnings: None? swearing I guess, but this is SFW

Summary: River would really like to stop being sexiled from their apartment.

Word Count: 4.5K

River was lounging on the couch in the main space of their apartment waiting for their roommate Lacey to come out of the bathroom. Literally lounging as one foot was propped up on the couch while the other stayed on the floor, careful to keep their still shoe wearing foot off the couch lest Nox or Lacey throw a fit. They were scrolling through their phone and half answering texts from their work group chat, Al and Roger debating pop music influences with commentary chimed in from time to time. They tapped their foot to some mental tune they were playing to keep themselves occupied, probably something that was on Drake’s playlist that they’d heard at work. River had to wonder if Nox was in the room and waiting for them to leave before coming out, but they were probably still curled up under Lacey’s bed. River threw their head back and let out a groan as they looked at the clock on their phone, Lacey’d been getting ready for nearly an hour.

“Lace, c’mon, do you want to get to Labyrinth before last call or not?” They called. They hardly remembered why they had agreed to accompany Lacey on her night out, she was just going to meet up with Scott and then sexile River from the apartment. Then River would have to call up Drake or Roger or Al and crash on their couch and they weren’t super keen on doing that tonight, their hips still hurt from the last time they’d had to. Lacey exited the bathroom with her red hair curled and her makeup done to perfection which was really impressive, River just wished it didn’t take an hour to do.

“Please tell me you’re not going out like that?” Lacey pleaded. River looked over their outfit: ripped jeans, Converse that had seen better days if the faded canvas and scuffed bottoms were any indication, and their “River’s Fight School” t-shirt that Lacey had made them after the “worst breakup she’d ever experienced” that had ended with River threatening to kick the ex’s ass. The outfit had been what they’d worn on shift and it’d been fine, mostly because unlike Roger, they never dressed to impress at the shop.

“I am, because may I remind you I’m not keen on impressing anyone. Besides, I wanna sleep comfortably on whatever couch I have to end up crashing on.” River replied with only a dash of bitterness sneaking into their tone. Lacey rolled her eyes and slid her boots on.

“Fine, fine, c’mon,” Lacey said. River stood up and grabbed their jacket off the couch arm.

“Nox, don’t tear the apartment apart!” River shouted into the apartment as they closed the door. Their typical parting words to the shadow monster who lived under Lacey’s bed.

The duo walked to Labyrinth with little fuss, minus Lacey occasionally twirling her hair around her finger. After six years of friendship, River knew that she was nervous about something.

“Are you and Scott okay?” They asked.

“What? Oh! Yeah, totally, work’s just been a pain and I’m… wait what —“

“You’re twirling your hair,” River said, miming the gesture by twisting their bangs out of their face. Lacey looked over at her finger and immediately dropped her hand.

“Damn you Rio,”

“You love me,” they were quick to interject with a smile. Lacey chuckled as they approached the bar. Frankie was standing outside and Lacey smiled up at the rakassha as she entered and River gave a mock salute. “Evenin’ Frankie,” they said and received a nod in response. River walked in and was almost smacked by the noise. Boys Don’t Cry was playing over the speakers as the bar and surrounding tables were crowded. As to be expected on a Friday night.

“Lacey Loo!” A male voice yelled from one of the side tables. Lacey grinned as she turned to greet the voice. Decked in a red plaid shirt and good jeans was Scott, the himbo werewolf boyfriend. He was a good guy, he and River got along when they hung out together, they were just… loud when it came to nightly extracurriculars, and that was before getting into the whole “is a werewolf” thing. River nodded that they were taking their leave as Lacey went over to Scott and they found themselves going to the bar. They waited for the bartender to finish dealing with some newbies as they took their seat in their usual stool. It was a miracle that as busy as the bar was, they managed to snag it. If River didn’t know any better, they might’ve thought that Chrissa was saving it for them. They watched the orc bartender work, she eventually turned around and seemed relieved to see River.

“Finally, someone easy,” she said with a sigh. River chuckled and smiled.

“Hey Chrissa, my usual?” They asked.

“One mildly large glass of Coca Cola, coming up.” She said as she pulled a glass and the soda gun. Chrissa filled it and slid it to River with a smile, garnished with its usual orange umbrella, a mental note to whoever came on shift after Chrissa or simply any passing waiter that River wasn’t drinking. They snuck a glance around the bar, trying to spot if there was anyone they knew hanging around. Other than Scott and Lacey cozied up in the corner, the answer seemed to be a resounding no, not that it wasn’t expected. River sighed and went back to focusing on Chrissa doing her work. They’d always had a fascination with watching the bartender work, it was always interesting, trying to follow Chrissa’s hands move and grab the bottles without thinking too hard about what they were, measuring the liquor with ease that only came from repeated movements and months of training before her first shift. Laurence had hired her after he got tired of working the bar himself, roughly around the same time River and Lacey had started frequenting the place when they first moved to the city.

Chrissa dealt with some customers at the other end of the bar before coming back in front of River.

“How was work by the way?” She asked. River shrugged in response.

“Wasn’t too bad, mostly just stayed in the basement with Drake.” They said, the record shop they worked at had a light dampened basement for those who didn’t do well with sunlight, which included their vampire coworker. River just liked it because it was usually a lot quieter than working the upstairs front counter. Even if Al sometimes sent the most ridiculous requests down to them.

“No wonder you’re so fucking pale,” Chrissa joked as she cleaned glasses. River just rolled their eyes.

“Hey, I’m pale because of a lot of reasons. The basement and Nox are just two of the reasons.” They remarked.

“How is Nox by the way?”

“Good, he’s mostly keeping to himself, deep cleaned the apartment the other day and I didn’t even know he could do that.”  River remarked with a chuckle. Nox didn’t pay rent, but he usually made up for it by keeping the apartment clean when Lacey and them couldn’t. “I think he wrote something about wanting to try manifesting fully again while we were there, but we haven’t been in the apartment at the same time long enough.”

“Scott?” Chrissa asked. River groaned and nodded.

“I swear, it’d be easier if they just moved in together so I could start looking for other roommates, but they’re “still taking it slow”.” River remarked.

“Heads up, someone headed your way,” Chrissa said, her tone of voice taking on a dash of an edge. River furrowed their brow until they turned and saw a purple skinned woman stride toward them with a glint in their eyes that River had a sneaking suspicion they should fear.

“Do you?” River asked with a slight head tilt of confusion

“Yeah, if it were anyone else, I’d say run.”

“But it’s me so…”

“Oh I’m so looking forward to what comes next.” Chirssa said with a laugh as they moved down the bar a bit. The woman who finished coming over made a show of coming next to River without getting into their personal space. River watched them out of the corner of their eye, waiting to see what the play was.

“What’re you drinking sweetie?” The woman asked. She had wavy purple and pink hair with white ox horns that curved just below her chin.

“Just soda, I’m a DD tonight,” River lied. Not about the soda, but about being the DD. Really, they were waiting for the text that said they were out of an apartment tonight, but DD seemed like the safer excuse.

“Ah, the responsible friend, those are always nice to have, I’ve never had the luck,” the woman said with a smile. Her voice sounded like honey and it was pleasant to listen to. But between Chrissa’s warnings and this woman seeming to lay on thick whatever it was they were trying, River let a chuckle escape them. “What?” she asked with a slight tilt of her head.

“You’ve struck out Misae,” Chrissa said, coming back over with a martini glass with pink liquid in it. “You managed to pick the one ace human in the whole establishment.”

“I doubt that,” River remarked, the venn diagram of “ace being” and “human” in this establishment was a thin middle ground, but not one person thin. At least, as far as River knew. Misae however chuckled and smiled.

“Then I’m terribly sorry about all of that,”

“Ah don’t worry about it, you’re still pretty and I like getting hit on by pretty women even if they are trying to mildly charm me.” River said with a grin. “I’m River,” they said, offering their hand.

“Misae as Chirssa mentioned, charmed to meet you River,” She said, shaking hands with a gentle grace. When they released each other's hands, Misae furrowed her brow. “Nothing?” She asked which got another laugh out of River. “Not a thing,” they said.

“Wow…” Misae said with a sigh as she took a sip of her drink. River thought she’d leave and go find another target before a grin came onto her lips. “Would you mind coming and pranking my friends? I’ve got one who needs to be taken down a peg and I think you’ll be my secret weapon.” She asked. River looked over at Chrissa who gave a short nod.

“If it’s who I think it is, they’ll knock him down several pegs.” She said, River turned back to Misae who was still grinning, more conspiratorial than sensual, they snuck a quick glance to where Lacey and Scott were still curled up together before facing Misae again.

“Yeah why not,” they said as they popped off their barstool. Misae giggled and offered her hand, a hand that River took, as she dragged them to a booth tucked into the back of the bar, it was an eight person booth currently filled with three similar looking individuals, in so much as they weren’t human and definitely had demonic lineage. River did their best to not make assumptions, but judging on what Misae had brought them over to achieve, the members of the table were all various forms of incubi. Concubi? Was that the technical term? One on the edge of the seating arrangement was a light blue man with his horns curving up from his forehead and a darker blue coloring on his cheek that River had a hard time telling if it was a blush or makeup.

“Mis, who’s this?” He asked, his voice slightly higher than expected and a curious look on his face.

“This is River, River this is Azzy,” the light blue one who smiled slightly and River was pretty convinced that this was the closest they were going to experience an embarrassed incubus. “Kori,” a maroon inc who seemed to be the eldest of the group as he simply smiled at their appearance. He had long hair tied up in a bun and River felt a little bit more at ease seeing him. “And Joliet,” another maroon skinned being who was grinning, he also had tied up black hair, though he wore jewelry on his horns. “Where’s Rose?” Misae asked as she gestured for River to sit next to Joliet. She sat down next to Azzy across the table and River tried not to feel like they’d been suddenly thrown off the deep end.

“Bathroom.” Azzy said.

“Biblically speaking,” Joliet quickly added. River chuckled a little at the need for clarification. Something told them that for him it was actually necessary. They also suspected he was probably their target.

“Ah, well, that’s chill.”

“Mis what are you planning?” Kori asked with a slight glare directed at his friend. Ah, he was the dad friend.

��Oh nothing, just a lil bit of karmic justice,” Misae said with a grin that was anything but innocent. Joliet leaned over to River and whispered in their ear.

“Blink twice and I’ll get you out of here,” he said with a smirk. River stared at him with a smirk of their own and Joliet broke into a laugh. “Oh they’re good,”

“Seriously Mis, what’s going on?” Kori asked.

“It’s payback for Rose stealing my mark last week.” Misae said.

“And how is this gonna be payback?” Kori asked. “You just put a perfectly beautiful human in front of him, if anything all this is going to do is insure none of us sleep tonight,” he said.

“Oh you’ll see,” Misae said, throwing a wink River’s way. River tried to not blush at being called beautiful and simply kept their game face on.

“What’ll Kor see?” A navy blue inc asked. He wore a grey t-shirt and dark black jeans and River saw the issue. Between golden eyes and a charisma that dripped off of him, even as unaffected as River was, he knew who and what he was and was well aware that manipulating people was second nature. He’d been looking over at Kori before scanning the table and landing on River. “Oh… oh hello,” he said. His voice was warmer than Misae’s was, more a whiskey than a true honey, but it didn’t hit River the way they imagined he intended. “If you’d scootch in sugar,” he said. To play along, River did so, pressing a little closer to Joliet in the process. River snuck a glance at the others who all looked a little nervous, even Misae, but River softly shook their head, hiding it by pushing their bangs off their forehead a bit. “Now, hello. I’m Rosair, you can call me Rose,” he said as he offered his hand to shake. River took it with a smirk of their own.

“Nice to meet you Rose, River,” they said. Rosair took their hand and kissed the back of it and River chuckled. “You do this to all the pretty people who cross your path?” They asked.

“Yes,”

“Then I can see why Misae and Chrissa put me up to this,” they said with a chuckle. Rosair furrowed his brow to which River only grinned. “I’m ace Rose, you’re just pretty.” Rosair looked over at Misae who was grinning.

“Payback’s a bitch Rosie,” she said.

“Ah no matter, you’re still here.” he said with a small smirk that seemed to indicate he wasn’t done yet.

“Sure,” River said as they tapped his shoulder. “So, other than trying to pick up people at bars, what do you lot do?” They asked with a tilt of their head. Even Misae looked a little surprised at the question. “What? You think I’m just gonna go back to the bar and go back to sitting alone? C’mon now, you guys are not that dumb.” Joliet broke out of the stunned silence first with a laugh.

“You’ll have to forgive them, they’re very used to transactional interactions and have not quite figured out just normal interactions, I work at a tattoo parlor.” He said with a smile.

“Interesting, Kori?” River asked, glancing a little around Joliet.

“Oh uh, I work at a bakery. Mostly donuts and cake.” He said.

“I’ll definitely have to try it some time, assuming you’re any good,”

“I’m mostly the counter, but Mandy, who actually owns the place, is quite good.” Kori clarified.

“Azzy?” River asked with a raised eyebrow, watching him fight off the dark blue crawling onto his cheeks.

“I work at a thrift shop.”

“I’m a grad student,” Misae said, “mostly focusing on art and culture, and Rosair’s a mooch.”

“I think the technical term is gold digger,” Joliet commented.

“I thought it was drifter,” Kori chimed in.

“None of you are correct, I’m a freelancer.” Rosair said with a roll of his eyes.

“That’s what we said: a freeloader.” Azzy said and River had to quickly get closer to Joliet as Rosair nearly vaulted over the table to get at his friend. River laughed a little and looked over at Rosair for the first time since he sat down.

“What’s your specialty?” They asked leaning on the table and cutting off the others physically a bit, which got a gasp from Joliet.

“Graphic design,” he said.

“You any good?”

“I’ve been told so, but you’re welcome to find out,” he said with a smirk returning. River laughed a little.

“Okay, yeah, I walked into that one,” they said as the giggles subsided.

The conversation continued on like that for a while, giggles and quips and jokes at everyone’s expense. River learned that Kori, Misae, and Azzy had known each other since high school, Joliet wasn’t technically an inc but his dad had been, so his cambion status gave him a weird in when they were in college with the other three, and Rosair had needed people to help pay the rent on his, in Azzy’s words, “fucking massive” apartment which had led to their loose confederation of people. Joliet called them “the Inc Den” which only got a groan out of Kori. They were pleasant and funny, and River tried not to think about how they were the first friends they’d made outside of work in three years.

When Misae had left the table to get drinks, River felt their phone vibrate and they tried not to groan as they fished it out of their pocket.

“Careful sugar,” Rosair said. He’d tucked himself in close next to River even after the rejection and they kept their phone in the pocket next to him.

“Shut up Rose,” they muttered as they clicked it on.

From Lacey Loo: hey…. I’m sorry. Tell drake i’ll pay for his breakfast.

River tried not to slam their head on the table in response. They tried not to think about how normal it was that Lacey didn’t even have to say much for River to get the whole picture. They changed their text channels and started texting Drake.

To Drake-ula: please tell me your couch is open

From Drake-ula: sorry dude, ditto situation

To Drake-ula: a) get some, roger’ll expect a review b) fuck you fine c) please tell me it isn’t roger

From Drake-ula: you think too lowly of me, it isn’t roger. And fuck you too, see you tomorrow.

River went to change chats again when Joliet piped up, “What’s with the angry eyes Riv?” He asked.

“My roommate just sexiled me and my go-to couch did the same.” They said as they pulled up Roger’s contact.

To Roger Snake: please tell me I can crash on a pile of pillows

The lack of instantaneous reply led to River looking at the time. The fact that it was a little after midnight meant Roger wouldn't even be up, the early sleeper he was. “Fuck!” They hissed.

“Aren’t you a little old to get sexiled?” Kori asked.

“Do you want to be in the same apartment as a werewolf having sex when he’s noisy even unshifted?” River asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Fair enough,” Kori said almost immediately. River sighed and tried to think of literally anyone else who might be okay with them crashing. Derek usually didn’t want anyone in his apartment except for holiday dinners, Chasen was out of town, and Al lived with six other people and they usually had people on the couch. They felt bad for Nox, who could technically leave the apartment, didn’t like doing it so they usually just suffered in silence and berated Lacey in the mirror the following morning.

“You could stay with us sugar,” Rosair said. River looked over at him with a look of confused amusement.

“Bet you say that to all the pretty people,”

“Actually we have a “no marks in the apartment” policy,” Azzy said. “It ensures we all sleep and don’t end up in this very situation,” he added.

“Why should I?”

“Because going back to your place means a very vocal werewolf,” Rosair said.

“And we have a pull out couch.” Kori cut in quickly.

“And they think you're cute and the fact that you haven’t run for the hills after nearly two hours with us is a sign they might want to keep you around,” Joliet whispered in River’s ear. Joliet had quickly become a grounding element at the table. He seemed to translate the unspoken wants of everyone with ease of exetend exposure. River tried not to flush a little at the comment.

“Can I convince you all to swear on no funny business?” They asked cautiously.

“Absolutely, just a couch,” Kori said. River looked over at Rosair who chuckled but nodded.

“On my name, there’ll be no funny business, just a couch.” River glanced at Azzy and Misae who nodded in agreement.

“We’re with them.” Misae said. River did a quick pro-con list in their head and sighed.

“Alright, yeah, I’d love it if I could crash on your couch,” they said.  

“Then we should probably get out of here,” Kori remarked. Misae stood up and allowed him and Azzy out of the booth. Rosair did the same for River and Joliet. River quickly realized that other than Azzy and Misae, River was the shortest amongst the group, and even Azzy had his horns for a little bit of extra height. As they started walking for the door, River caught Chrissa’s eye who only slightly furrowed her brow and came a dash closer

“Rio,” she said. The group stopped and River went over to the bar, leaning over on their elbows.

“What’s up?” They asked.

“You’re fully conscious and aware you’re leaving with these people right?” Chrissa asked. River chuckled slightly and nodded.

“Yeah, Drake’s got someone over and Lacey kicked me out, they’re letting me crash on their couch,” River said. They appreciated the check, really, it was out of character for River to leave Labyrinth with anyone other than Lacey, Drake, or even Roger if they managed to catch him early enough.

“Alright, text me in the morning, yeah?” She said, which River nodded without comment. They went back over to the others and they continued their way out of the bar, River saluting Frankie at the door as a symbol that they were leaving willingly. Frankie let out a low growl but nodded as they let Kori lead the group to the apartment.

It wasn’t a far walk from the Labyrinth, probably why they favored it like Lacey and River did, and it was actually surprisingly closer to work than River’s own apartment. Which meant it was in the opposite direction of their apartment making changing before work tomorrow a challenge. Maybe they could? No, no that’d be pushing it. They’d just ask Derek to have a spare set in the back room when they got in. When the group reached the complex, River realized why Rosair had needed help with the rent, it was not an inexpensive building, even if Rosair was as good as he said he was. They all piled into the elevator with Azzy practically leaning on Misae out of exhaustion. Kori was scrolling through his phone while Joliet was fishing out the keys. They reached the sixth floor and wandered down the hall a little before opening the door.

The main space was fairly open, a decent size kitchen off to the right, a television on a stand by far wall in between two doors. There was a small set of stairs that seemed to lead into a small hallway. If River had to guess, they were going to go with the idea that that’s probably where the den’s bedrooms were.

“Bathroom’s the left door, I’ll help with the couch when you come out,” Joliet said. Having been relieved from bed duty, Azzy and Misae wandered their way upstairs. River nodded once and wandered into the bathroom that was quite well furnished for a half bath. They quickly went and splashed some water on their face and came back to Kori and Joliet waiting for them. Joliet had tugged the bed out and it looked really comfy, even by pull out bed standards, as Kori had seemed to stack pillows and extra blankets on the end. Kori then handed over a pair of sweatpants.

“Figured you didn’t want to sleep in jeans,” he said and River couldn’t tell because the apartment was dark, but they could’ve sworn Kori was a little flustered.

“Thanks Kor,” River said with a small smile. Kori nodded and untied his hair as he wandered over to the stairs, shaking it out and running his hand through it. River tried not to be mesmerized by the gesture but based on Joliet’s chuckle they were unsuccessful.

“I’m pretty convinced that’s why he keeps it tied up,” Joliet remarked.

“Probably, he could cause traffic accidents like that.”

“Wait until he reminds you he can be a whore,” Joliet said.

“Huh?” River said with a small flush of pink.

“Kori doesn’t like to advertise he’s an incubus, rather just let people think he’s a slightly tall tiefling. Hell, if he could survive without having to feed, he’d do it. But every once and a while either Misae or Rosair will convince him to dress up and it tends to lead people to have a hard time keeping their hands to themselves.” Joliet said. “But, enough chatter, I’m the door to the right, if you need anything just knock. Most of us don’t get up before noon, but I’m your best bet if you need something in the morning.

“Like a different t-shirt?” River asked.

“Oh yeah, I’ll even loot a pair of underwear if you need it.”

“I don’t think--”

“Don’t worry, Rose won’t notice.” Joliet said with a smirk. River tried not to laugh too loudly at the prospect.

“Thanks Jols,” they said. Joliet grinned and held their arm out, allowing River to come into his side if they wanted to. They did, with ease tucking themselves into his side and receiving a quick squeeze.

“No worries darling, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, yeah?” He said with a smile. River nodded and quickly disappeared back into the bathroom to change into the sweatpants that anyone with eyeballs could tell weren't theirs, but they didn't really mind. They were comfy and that was all that mattered. They tiptoed back out and carefully curled up in the pile of blankets. This.... this was good.

#exophilia #terato #demon boyfriend #demon girlfriend #exophilia writing #nonbinary lead #incubus #sucubus #my writing

[starlocked01]

Not So Grim as She Seems

AO3 @tsshipmonth2020

Masterpost- Previous- Next

Day 3 Analogical- You and your Soulmate own an animal that only you can see 

Virgil did not like Nox at all. Not at first.

Nox was the name he'd given to the terrifying giant black dog that would follow him around every so often. No one else ever saw Nox, and having been raised on tales of Grims and other magical omens, the first time he saw the dog he'd run home and cried. He didn't want to die so young.

After seeing the dog several more times, young Virgil had finally made the connection that the animal wasn't a magical death omen, but rather a soul animal. He'd named her after his favorite spell but still kept his distance. The black eyes sparkling from within the dark black fur were still scary, even if they didn't mean death.

On his 11th birthday, he got his letter to Ilvermorny. Virgil sat on the swingset in the backyard after the birthday party guests had left, staring at the sheet of paper. He'd known it was coming, his whole family was Magic and despite his older brother's teasing, he knew he wasn't no-maj. Nox loped around from the front yard, sitting next to him and letting the frightened boy bury his hands and face in her soft inky fur. Virgil didn’t want to say goodbye to the other kids at school, how would he make new friends? What if he wasn't good in class? What if he couldn't do any magic? What if none of the houses wanted him?

Nox whined softly, reminding him of the present. Maybe having a grim as a magical soul pet wasn't such a bad thing. But would she be allowed at school if he needed her?

Logan was a serious young man. He didn't quite accept the stories of soul animals that only you and your soulmate could see. For starters, no one could show him theirs. All of his scientific research couldn't explain selective invisibility. And the concept of soulmates was another problem altogether.

His unwavering faith in science took a serious hit when Nova showed up. The large black dog was beautiful, but when he tried to show his parents and ask to adopt her, they just stared right through her as if she wasn't the most obvious thing in the front yard. His mom was quick to assume Nova was a soul animal. Logan protested but as no one else could see her, he had to concede the point.

The second blow to his faith in science came from a strange letter received on his 11th birthday, months before he was to finally enter middle school.  Ilvermorny didn't even look like a word, much less the name of a prestigious-

Magic school? Impossible.

Nova showed up that evening, nosing the letter excitedly as Logan attempted to research the school online. Somehow it had 0 results and the poor boy was very frustrated.

Two days later a strange woman showed up at their home, explaining that Logan was a wizard born of No-maj parents. Logan was nervous as the adults spoke about particulars of the school, but Nova was there to offer comfort.

"Can I bring, Nova?" He asked the woman.

"Who’s Nova?" She asked with a kind smile.

"Oh, his soul animal. I'm sure she won't be a problem, right?" Logan's mom replied brightly.

"Oh yes, Nova won't cause any problems, and perhaps her other owner will be there too? Generally, we can't really keep soul animals out; they manage to find ways in even the few times we tried to use magical deterrents. Just so long as Nova doesn't distract from your studies."

"Nothing ever distracts me from the pursuit of knowledge," Logan replied, chin in the air, scratching Nova behind her ear.

Janus and Virgil made the trip to school together at the end of the summer. Janus was petting the invisible rat on his shoulder and Virgil wished more than anything that Nox had shown up. Maybe his soulmate needed her more today. He hoped that wasn't the case because he was terrified and didn't want his soulmate to be feeling worse .

Janus looked over and gave Virgil a sympathetic smile. This year would be a first for both of them. No one but Janus’ closest friends at school knew him by that name yet and this would be his first year after social transition. Virgil knew it would be rough for both of them, but his older brother at least had friends there who would be supportive.

Virgil had Janus and Nox, and Nox didn't even show up for his first day.

Logan was so grateful that Nova was snuggling into him as his parents drove him to this mystical wizard school. Everything about the situation defied logic. None of the textbooks he had to get made sense, he couldn't find their destination on any map or see this "castle" as it had been described no matter how close they got. And a seemingly invisible large black dog was licking his cheek as he pet her to calm his nerves.

All of a sudden, they found a long line of cars on the mountain road. Peering ahead, it appeared the cars were filled with other students of the school. Another car pulled up behind them in the slow-moving line and Nova sat up to look out the window. She barked, but only Logan could hear her.

Virgil looked up as they hit the line of cars dropping off students. He was curious who else would be at school with them for the semester. He saw a black dog looking out the back window of the car in front of them, barking while a boy about his age tried to calm it down.

"Aww that dog looks like Nox"

"What dog?" Janus asked in confusion.

"In the car in front of us?" Virgil pointed, only to see that the dog was no longer in view, "oh never mind. I'll point them out when we get there."

"Okay, twerp," Janus rolled his eyes, inching the car forward.

All of the new students were herded into a separate room for the sorting. Virgil had long lost sight of the boy with the black dog. He felt crowded by all the other new students and kept getting bumped into. He felt like he would be sick all over the floor.

Before he knew what was happening, they were all being herded into the hall where older students were already sectioned off by house. One by one they were each called up to be chosen by the animal mascots of each house.

A boy named Roman was quickly chosen by the Thunderbird's flapping wings, smiling broadly. Another boy named Patton was chosen by the Pukwudgie raising its arrow. Logan was called forward, uncertain what any of these houses stood for. He saw Nova standing in the shadows and put on a brave face. The Horned Serpent's crystal started glowing almost immediately and he went to stand with other new students who had been sorted into that house.

Virgil watched as other students were sorted. He recognized Logan as the boy with the black dog and watched him join Janus in the Horned Serpent house. His heart was beating fast as his own name was called. Please just let one house want him. He stepped up to the Gordian Knot. The moment felt agonizingly long but the Wampus broke out into a roar, startling him and causing him to jump back. Virgil caught a glimpse of Nox in the shadows and smiled, glad she'd been there to see him sorted as he walked to the other new Wampus house students.

The first semester went quickly. Logan was diligent with his studies and excelled in most of his classes. He'd managed to make acquaintances with others in his house as well as other houses. Nova always seemed to know when he needed her most to show up but she often disappeared when he otherwise wanted her around.

Soon, he was studying for finals before Thanksgiving break. He decided to take a break by walking around the courtyard when he saw something curious.

Nova was snuggled up with another student who looked stressed beyond belief, burying their face in her fur as they both sat underneath a tree covered with gorgeous red and golden leaves.

Logan blinked, reassuring himself that yes, that was Nova. He walked up to the other student and cleared his throat gently.

"Hello, can you see Nova as well?"

The other boy looked up, "who's Nova?" The dark bags under his eyes were frightening, almost the same shade as the dog's fur.

"Nova is my soul animal. She's a large black dog who you are currently hanging onto," Logan replied.

"This is Nox. Can you see Nox? She's my soul animal…" the boy looked suspicious. Logan sat down next to him and reached a hand out to pet Nova.

"Are you having trouble with finals?" Logan asked, petting the dog as Virgil stared in disbelief.

"Yeah, how did you-?"

"I find that Nova shows up when I'm most stressed out and in need of comfort. I was surprised that she wasn't around for finals prep, perhaps that's because she's been here for you instead," Logan looked to Virgil with a small smile, "my name is Logan. I'm in the Horned Serpents. What's your name?"

"Ah, Virgil. Wampus House. And yeah, Nox has been around a lot this week. No one else has been able to see her before though," he replied, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Perhaps that's because she's our soul animal, making us soulmates," Logan replied in a matter-of-fact tone despite his racing heart.

"You think so?" Virgil asked with a hopeful tone.

"Yes. She's good for comfort, but would you like help to prepare for finals, Virgil?"

"Yes please," Virgil stood and offered Logan a hand up, "yeah, thanks, Logan."

Both stood and walked off towards the library, the large black dog trotting behind them happily. The next 6 ½ years would be a lot smoother with her owners helping each other as well.

#sanders sides fanfic #tsshipmonth2020 #Soulmate September 2020 #soulmate au #harry potter wizards au #ilvermorny #Virgil sanders #logan sanders #analogical #fluffy fic #brotherly anxceit #trans!janus #I love Nox/Nova so much #like I adore big black dogs

[official-weasley]

The Irreplaceable Charlie Weasley: Pt. 2, Ch. 7

PART 2: THE YEAR OF MISCHIEF AND SNEAKING AROUND Chapter 7 - The Forbidden Christmas

Nova

Upon our surprise, Molly let Charlie stay at Hogwarts for Christmas AND she gave Bill a choice to come home or stay, whatever he would want. Of course, in her letter she indicated that she would rather that he comes home, so one night before he had to leave he made Charlie listen to a half an hour-long speech about how he better be good. How he got some of his friends, which are staying for Christmas, to keep an eye on him and that if anything ought to go wrong he will never leave him out of his sight ever again.

Of course, Charlie nodded to all of his threats as he couldn't believe just how easy his mum made it for us to go into the Forest.

In the week before Christmas, we visited Hagrid a couple of times. It was hard not to talk about the Forest as it was all we could think about and we couldn't help but sneak behind his hut one afternoon before we returned to the Castle, just to see if we remembered the entrance correctly.

Tonks and Tulip were all up for us going into the Forest and even offered to keep watch and tell us if we would have to come back sooner. We didn't know exactly how they were planning to do that but Tonks said that we should leave that to them so we didn't give it a second thought.

Penny, on the other hand, had a lot to say about our plan. She thought it was foolish that we were going without any of the adults knowing about it. She also said that we are way too young to pull something like this off successfully and that she can't understand why we can't wait a year or two more to go or simply why do we have to go at all.

In the end, she didn't have a choice but to let us go. She knew how much we wanted to explore the Forest and she even admitted that she was against it only because she didn't want anything bad happening to us. After promising her that we would come back to the feast on time she joined Tulip and Tonks on the guard duty.

The last week before Christmas passed quicker than expected. I thought the time was going to pass slower as we could hardly wait to go to the Forest. We got our equipment ready as we both prepared warm clothes and somehow managed to sneak the coats Hagrid gave us the last time, on our last visit to his hut.

We also took our wands, in hope that we wouldn't lose them and decided to take one day before Christmas Eve to go down to the Lake and practice some defensive spells we learned this year in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

As the day finally arrived, you can imagine that I didn't sleep well at all as I was so excited that we were actually going to pull this off. We packed our bags and went over everything we were going to bring with us at breakfast so that we wouldn't lose any time at the feast.

When the feast finally started and Dumbledore finished his speech, we quickly filled our plates with food and ate as much as we could but not as much that it would slow us down going into the Forest.

Then I started to act as if I was sick, which was Tonks' brilliant idea, and Charlie accompanied me to the bathroom. Since everyone was still at the Great Hall, including the teachers, we sneaked out of the Castle and towards Hagrid's hut.

We decided to take a little detour to the hut as we didn't want to risk Hagrid coming down from the feast earlier than planned or that anyone would spot us through the Castle windows.

Soon we were standing at the exact spot where we entered the Forest with Hagrid. We took a deep breath, took out our wands, and slowly stepped inside. We decided that as much as we would like to explore the whole Forest in one evening, we would only go as far as to the tree where we found the Bowtruckle the last time.

As it took us 4 hours with Hagrid, we didn't want to get lost or risk being caught as we both knew that meant that we wouldn't get another chance like this again.

We were quite proud of how fast we found the tree where the Bowtruckle lived. We didn't have any Fairy eggs but we were hoping that he would remember us from last time and let us observe him anyway.

Much to our disappointment, the Bowtruckle was nowhere to be seen and since Hagrid wasn't with us we couldn't get up the tree to search for him. We then decided to stand in complete silence and listen if we would be able to hear the Unicorn again. The Forest was so quiet this time around that it was quite eerie.

“Let's go to the right.” Charlie whispered to me after thinking about our next move for a few minutes. I nodded.

I grabbed his elbow as we started to move. We wanted to make sure that we weren't going in deeper but just to the right of where we already were. I wasn't certain that was the case, though, as the Forest got darker and darker the more we walked.

“Charlie,” I was getting concerned as it felt like we were walking for more than 15 minutes and we haven't seen anything but trees, “I think we're lost. Should we go back?”

“Yeah, I think we won't be as lucky as last time.” Charlie stopped for a second and turned to me.

“So, um...” I started and looked around. “Which way exactly is back?” My voice shook a little.

I admire how brave Charlie wanted to look for me, but I could see that he was just as worried as I was.

“Well, if we trace our steps we should find our way out in no time.” His smile was weak.

We turned around, cast Lumos, and pointed our wands at the ground. Our footprints were nowhere to be found. We both gulped and looked at each other in fear. Suddenly, we heard a noise on our left. It sounded like the wind at first but then an arrow hit the tree next to me.

We both screamed and started running. Unfortunately, not in the same direction but at that moment we couldn't be bothered. I ran and ran as much as my legs allowed me. As I was running, I was looking more behind my shoulder rather than where I was stepping and I caught my foot in a tree vine. I fell flat on my face and I decided to stay like that for a second to catch my breath and to listen for any more arrow sounds.

“Cha...Charlie?” I tried to steady my voice. I called for him a couple of times more and suddenly it dawned on me that I was completely alone. I stood up and dusted my jeans and my jacket. I picked up my wand, the tip was still lit, and looked around. There was nothing but trees around me and there was no hint of where to go to exit the Forest.

I was on the verge of tears and was ready to just sit down next to the tree that tripped me when I heard Charlie's voice.

“Nova!” I could barely hear it but it was enough for me to gather up some courage and wipe my tears.

“Charlie! Charlie, where are you?!” I shouted in every direction and then I stood completely still so that I could learn where his voice was coming from.

“Nova! Please help! I'm in trouble!” I looked to my left. I was 100% sure it was coming from that direction. I started to sprint and I promised myself that I wouldn't stop until I find him.

I called out for him here and there just to confirm that I was still going in the right direction. At that moment, fear left me completely and I didn't care what kind of creature I stumble upon. My best friend was in danger and he needed my help.

Charlie's voice was getting louder, making me run even faster.

“Charlie, where are you, I'm coming!” I stopped for a second to wait for his reply.

“No, Nova, you need to get help! Don't come here!” Of course, he was going to say that if he was in trouble but I knew that if I leave I'll never find my way back to him again.

“Ahhh!” I heard Charlie shout and I started running again. I couldn't help but notice that the ground underneath my feet started to change. There was no more rustling of the leaves. I was stepping on something dry and a bit slimy.

“Charlie?” I lowered my voice now as I took a few more steps. I pointed my lit wand to the ground and saw that what I was stepping on looked like a web. I gulped as I moved even closer to where I last heard him.

I narrowed my eyes as for a second I thought I saw Charlie's red hair. I quickly took a few more steps and saw that my eyes were not deceiving me. He was standing in what looked like a hole in a giant tree, looking up at something. He didn't look like he was in trouble at all. I ran towards him.

“Charlie, what are you doing just standing around?” I grabbed his hand and tried to pull him out of the tree cave. He was still looking up, so I did the same. What looked like at least 100 spiders, the size of my head were crawling towards us from the trees. I gasped and pulled Charlie's hand one more time but for some reason, he couldn't move.

I looked at his feet and they were covered with spider webs, gluing him to the ground. His wand was also on the ground, almost swallowed in spider webs.

“Nox.” I frowned. Then I took a step back and pointed my wand at Charlie's feet.

“Flipendo!” The webs ripped open and freed Charlie's foot. I cast the Knockback jinx on his other foot and finally set him free.

We exchanged a look that told us both to run. Charlie picked up his wand along with a ton of spider web as we turned away from the cave and started running. We barely escaped some of the spiders that now dropped to the floor and started crawling after us. I couldn't believe how fast they were.

I decided not to look back and just keep running. Suddenly, a Centaur appeared in front of us, his bow aiming at us and if I didn't pull Charlie by his hand, he would've run straight into him.

“What are you doing in our Forest, younglings?” He frowned at us.

“Mr. Centaur, sir.” Charlie bowed to him. “We are just trying to get out of here. We got lost.”

“And what were you doing in the Forest in the first place?” The Centaur narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“We...we were trying to find a Unicorn we saw the last time we were here with our friend Hagrid.” My voice almost a whisper.

“You are friends with Hagrid?” He lowered his bow.

“Y...yes.” I nodded.

“My name is Torvus,” he gave Charlie an angry look as Charlie opened his mouth trying to introduce himself, “and you shouldn't be in here alone, especially so far in. You are disturbing peace.”

“We are aware of that Mr. Torvus, Centaur sir.” Charlie bowed his head. “We are just trying to get out, would you be so kind and point us in the right direction?”

Torvus looked like he was giving Charlie's proposal some thought.

“Alright, as you are friends of Hagrid's. However, if I ever see you in the Forest again, you are never getting out.” We both nodded.

We followed Torvus for quite some time. I couldn't believe how deep into the Forest we went. I couldn't help but wonder what the time was and if the feast was over already. We have been walking in complete silence for a few more minutes as Charlie finally gave up on questioning Torvus and wanting to know him better as the Centaur obviously ignored him when the trees started to thin out and we were finally able to see the moonlight.

“This is as far as I go.” Torvus suddenly stopped and turned to us. “Now promise me you will not go into the Forest again. You were lucky that I was the one who found you.” He looked at both of us.

“Thank you, Torvus.” I said and bowed my head. “We promise we won't be so foolish anymore.”

“Can we come and visit you?” Charlie asked enthusiastically. Torvus responded with a glare and galloped back into the Forest.

“Do you think that means no?” Charlie kept staring in Torvus' direction. I couldn't help but chuckle.

“C'mon. Let's hurry before we're too late or someone spots us.” I squeezed his shoulder.

On our way to the Castle, Charlie told me that I was lucky that I only saw the small spiders coming to get us. When I commented on the fact that those spiders didn't look small he told me what was in the tree he was standing in.

As he was running he stumbled upon it and thought it was a good idea as he was sure that a fascinating creature had to live inside. As he got closer something shone in the cave and he soon realized that it was 4 pairs of eyes looking right at him. The giant spider rose from its nest and got closer to him and before he could make a run for it saw that his feet were already covered in webs.

He said that the spider spoke to him and introduced himself as Aragog and Charlie, of course, complimented his name. The spider kept talking about how nice it was to see a face other than Hagrid's and Charlie started to tell him all about how Hagrid is his friend and thought that Aragog was rather nice.

While Aragog was asking if he was alone, Charlie couldn't help but search for the clicking sound he kept hearing. He then looked up and realized that Aragog was not talking to him to make friendly conversation but rather to distract him so that his younglings could come and get their dinner.

“You saved me just in time, Nova. Thank you for that.” He stopped at the Main Courtyard and hugged me tightly. “I would probably make a lot of baby spiders very happy if you didn't come to my rescue.” We entered the school.

“Did you think that you telling me not to come and find you was going to stop me?” I smiled at him.

“Well, I was trying to be modest but I was really hoping you wouldn't leave me behind.” His cheeks turned pink. “And nice job on the Knockback Jinx, Nova! If Flitwick saw that...”

“If Flitwick saw that, we would both be expelled.” I chuckled.

We might not have been as lucky with our Forbidden Forest adventure but we have at least been lucky enough to sneak back into the Castle and sit back down to our House Tables as the feast wasn't over.

Tulip bombarded me with questions immediately, while I could see Tonks smiling at the Hufflepuff Table and Penny looking rather relieved to see us alive.

“I'll tell you later.” I whispered to Tulip and put some food on my plate. I was starving.

#harry potter hogwarts mystery #hp #harry potter fanfiction #hphm mc #harry potter hogwarts game #hp hogwarts mystery #hphm charlie #charlie weasley #charlie weasley fanfiction #hphm #hogwarts mystery mc #the weasleys #hphm tonks #hphm fandom #hphm au #hphm characters #hphm fanfiction #hphm tulip #hphm penny #bill weasley #weasley family #weasley fanfiction #ron weasley

[ladynightmare913]

Red Rose, Blood Moon

Welcome to Chapter 7! This is an original inspired by the tale of  Red Riding Hood. I would like to say a special thank you to my best friend and co-author Olivia ( @asunshinepuff ​ )for joining me on in writing this world onto paper. 

CW: There is a brief mention of implied intercourse. You have been warned!

This story contains only original characters created by Olivia and myself. For those of you who want to be tagged, feel free to send an ask to me or Olivia on her blog. If you have any questions, theories, or curiosities about any of our characters or how the story will progress, send them to the ask box!

Now without further adieu!

Chapter 7: The Necklace

The hunters lead Rosabella and Bardolph to their village. The hunter hurriedly ushered Rosabella into his home, leading her up the stairs and into the room where his wife rested. Rosabella lifted the back of her hand to her nose, the room smelled foul. The scent of rotting herbs overwhelmed her. She looked over to the woman who was bed ridden.

The woman was deathly pale, her skin was clammy, her eyes were sunken and when she tried to speak, her voice croaked. Rosabella looked at the hunter who stared at his wife in silent grief at the state of her. “How long has she been like this?”

“Months, it wasn’t this bad at first. But it got worse over time, she says it feels like someone is stabbing her on her back.” 

Rosabella’s eyes scanned over the room, lowering her hand, she followed the scent of rotten herbs. She suspected the cause of his wife’s sudden illness. “What do you smell?” Rosabella asked the men. 

They looked amongst themselves, some sniffed the air. Shaking their heads. The hunter spoke. “Nothing.” 

Rosabella merely nodded, “I see,” she crouched down to her knees, bending over to look under the bed. She smirked when she found what she was looking for. She stood back up with an object in hand. Turning to the hunters, she opened her gloved palm, showing a dark purple pouch covered in markings. 

“This is the cause of your wife’s illness.” She spoke. 

The hunters all frowned, trying to get a closer look at the small pouch. “What is it?” 

“It’s a witch’s pouch. A witch can hex anyone with it from a great distance. It’s filled with cursed and rotten herbs like Voodoo Lily. Those flowers smell awful, and over time, can cause extreme pain.” Rosabella paused, looking amongst the hunters. “Someone cursed your wife.” 

The hunter frowned, the others began to mutter to themselves. Rosabella pushed past them, walking to the fireplace down stairs. She tossed the pouch into the burning flames. “Your wife should recover soon.”

“Who would do this to her?” The hunter asked.

Rosabella only gave a sympathetic glance. “It could be anyone, someone in the village could hold a grudge against your wife, and went to see a witch to get this pouch. I suggest you track down who might have done this.” 

The hunters nodded in agreement, a weak call from upstarts startled them, the hunter who’s name was called on their wife’s lips raced upstairs. She was already starting to recover.  

The hunters gave the huntress many thanks, Rosabella bashfully accepted their kind words. Bardolph whistled. “My lady, you truly are a maiden of many talents.” He grinned.  

“Why thank you Bardolph, but my talents are the product of years of study and experience. I still have much to learn.”  

“But of course.” He bowed his head. 

Rosabella rolled her eyes, catching sight of a woman walking towards then. She was a short woman with brown eyes, which widened at the sight of Bardolph. “You, don’t I-”

“Bonjour my lady, I am Bardolph Sinclair,” He grabs her hand, a smirk on his lips. “Au chanté mademoiselle.”

The woman flushed, “My word monsieur, you are too bold.”  

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Rosabella chuckled, quickly taking her leave when Bardolph called after her. 

Rosabella ignored him. Looking up at the moon, she deemed that it would be hours before she needed to return to the inn. She decided to go for a stroll in the woods. She’ll come back for Bardolph after. 

The night air was crisp and cool, Rosabella breathed in the fresh air. Twirling slowly as she gazed upon at the moon. A smile graced her face. Looking down, she stopped. An inaudible gasp escaped her. A fawn walked towards her, its nose twitching as it sniffed the air. Rosabella slowly crouched down, offering her hand. A bright smile on her face.

The fawn trotted over to her happily, licking her face, Rosabella laughed in joy. 

“Oh what a sweet thing you are!” She spoke softly, gently stroking it’s head. The fawn began to suckle her hand. 

“Oh little fawn, I have no milk to give you,” Rosabella looked over the fawn, her eyes scanning the forest, “Where is your mother?” 

A twig snapped, Rosabella gasped, turning quickly. Her heart raced, she hadn’t heard anyone following her. She searched for anyone hiding in the shadows, sniffing the air, she frowned. This scent, it was familiar. Where had she smelled it before? 

She wasn’t given a chance to ponder on her questions, the fawn trotted away from her, its tail wagging happily. “Wait I-” The fawn didn’t stop, only jumping into the brush. Rosabella humed in thought. Perhaps the fawn head it’s mother calling for it. Taking a deep breath, Rosabella continued her walk. 

She returned to the village when the moon was making its final light in the sky. Rosabella followed Bardolph’s scent, which was mostly ash and earth. But his scent was everywhere, so Rosabella decided to wait outside of the hunter’s home. 

The scent of ashe and earth reached Rosabella before Bardolph walked towards her briskly. Rosabella’s brows rose as she leaned on the wall of the house, her arms crossed. His lips were swollen, his hair was a mess, a dark purple bruise lined his collarbone, and looked out of breath. He was tucking in his shirt. A musky scent lingered on him, and the scent of the woman from earlier. Her nose crinkled. 

“Have an eventful night Bardolph?” She raised a quizzical brow. He responded with a weak laugh. 

“Why don’t we just head on back to the inn, hmm?” He smiled before he walked ahead. 

Rosabella shook her head as she walked silently behind him. Glaring at his head. He seemed to notice, he looked back at her. 

“Surely you can understand a man has needs Mademoiselle.” He chuckled awkwardly. 

Rosabella didn’t dignify him with a response, only raising an unimpressed brow. Bardolph sigh, about to turn around his eyes, caught the necklace on her neck. He frowned. 

“Where did you get that?” His eyes narrowed. 

“Get what?” Rosabella frowned in return. 

“That necklace.” He pointed to her chest. 

Rosabella eyed him skeptically, her hand gently grasped her necklace. Her fingers tracing over the gold antlers and ruby, “It was found on me as a babe. I do not know where it comes from. I like to believe it was my mother’s.” 

Bardolph stared at the necklace for a long while, “I had not noticed it before,” he muttered. He cleared his throat, seeming to come back to himself. “Forgive me, it’s just. I have only ever seen that necklace once before. It was thought to have been missing.” 

Rosabella looked at her necklace. Why would it have thought to be missing, unless… 

“Do you know this necklace?” Her eyes tracked every move he made. Maybe, just maybe, he would know where it came from, it may even lead her to her family. 

“No, but even if I did, it’s probably a fake.” He shrugged and continued on his way. 

Rosabella frowned. That was, quite rude. Rather insulting actually, to insinuate that her own mother left her a cheap copy of an original necklace. But, Red hadn’t said anything about it. Her head tilted as she walked, deep in thought. If what Red said was true, about him being older than that sixty year old man, which she sincerely doubted, he might know about her necklace. 

Red had said he was a traveler, he might have answers for her. Answers that might lead her to learning about her past. And if Bardolph’s reaction to it was anything to go by, it was indeed something travelers knew about, since he too was a traveler. But again, why hadn’t Red said anything about it?

Rosabella froze, the back of her hair stood on end, she felt as though someone was watching her. She looked around behind her, but there was no one there. Taking a breath she faced forward once more and paused, Bardolph was watching her from the window of the inn. She exhaled slowly. Why did Bardolph alarm her so?

The next day, Bardolph was nowhere to be found, and so Rosabella was alone in the carriage, not that she minded. She was relieved actually. It took another two days before they finally reached Paris. There Rosabella hugged the old man goodbye and went about her way back to her village. 

When she was about to enter the gate, she could hear a loud gasp and was suddenly enveloped with a near bone crushing hug. Rosabella laughed in joy. Cassandra pulled away with a smile and her own laughter, Felis was smiling. 

 “Where have you been? We’ve looked for you for days! I tried to track you with my magic but-”

“Let’s just say Royce has forever banned us from the kitchen.” Felis interjected. 

Cassandra elbowed Felis in his stomach, muttering about how he was a traitor. Rosabella laughed, overjoyed to hear their familiar bickering. A loud yipping raced toward her, looking down she saw Nox running straight at her.

“Nox!” Her arms opened wide as the Russian Sable jumped into her waiting arms. “Oh Nox, you have no idea how much I missed you.” 

Nox licked her cheek, giving her wet kisses as he walked over her arm to take his rightful place on her neck. Rosabella chuckled while Cassandra smiled at her sister, Lumi was perched on her shoulder. Rosabella hugged Cassandra once more, she spoke, “Oh Cassandra, I have so much to tell you.” 

Cassandra nodded. “Tell me everything.” 

Tag list: Let me know if you wish to be added!

@spookypotato

#Original Story #Red Riding Hood #asunshinepuff ocs #our ocs #Rosabella Louve #Red #Bardolph Sinclair #Cassandra Azure #Felis Marin #Nox the Russian Sable #Lumi the Ermine #Werewolves #Curse #cw implied sex #ladynightmare ocs

[iraacundus]

Star of the Show

SEQUAL TO CIRCUS

PART TWO OUT OF THREE

reader x jaehyun; reader x doyoung

genre: angst, smut, fluff words: 8k warnings: sex, swearing, alcahol, mentions of emtional abuse 

stars shine brightly into the sky until some become blackholes that destroy everthing around them, the same went for circus stars

You grabbed Jaehyun and peeked between the curtains, there were hundreds of people sat in the crowd. You were in a busy area so this was to be expected. Tonight was Jaehyun's first show, tomorrow, the company was coming to begin filming their promo with you both at the centre of it. 

The trapeze was scheduled as the last act, so you watched Jaehyun sit on a chair nervously the whole time. He hadn't been given a second act yet so nox periculosa would be his first performance ever.

You came back in from doing the aerial hoops to see Jaehyun pacing up and down. You walked over to him and stopped him, placing your hands on his shoulders reassuringly.

"You will be great," you told him with a smile."We are a great team and Doyoung,.. well he is good at what he does." You said referencing your ex-boyfriend who was sitting across the room talking to Mademoiselle Isobel. So much for it being a meaningless kiss, you thought.

You pushed it to the back of your mind and focused back on Jaehyun, who was chewing on his lip more frequently ever since he had seen the crowd. 

"I have done much scarier things than this, I once volunteered to be shot in the foot and yet this, this performance scares me, not because I can't do it, but because I know we have to do it right," he explained. 

You knew almost nothing of Jaehyun’s life before the circus so you were kind of surprised to hear what he used to get up to in his free time. 

"Maybe choose safer hobbies," you noted, causing him to flash a nervous grin, "and as long as you try your best I will be proud of you Jaehyun, as cliché as it is." 

Taeyong walked over to you both.

"One minute," he said before rushing off to sort something else out. You pulled Jaehyun's hand into yours. It was actually part of the routine, but you felt like you would have done it anyway. You heard Taeyong's voice echo through the circus.

"And now for the finale, we have the star-crossed lovers, on their most dangerous night. I present to you Archibald, Adeline and the Angel of Death in nox periculosa.

The crowd clapped and cheered as you walked out, squeezing Jaehyun's hand before you let go running to the opposite platform. As you climbed the rungs of the platform you kept your gaze on Jaehyun. He was fine, he looked focused, he had gone into a form autopilot created by countless hours of practice. You took your first leap and swung, feeling at peace Jaehyun caught you and as Doyoung weaved in between you. 

It had gone so well throughout that when you reached the final scene and Doyoung placed the blindfold over your eyes, you almost didn't want to breathe. You exhaled and made the run, jumping into the air blind with only the trust that Doyoung would catch you this time. And he did, he caught you, spun you, threw you into the air and caught you again. All as planned. 

The trapeze lowered down and Doyoung let go, seconds later you were in Jaehyun's arms. It had gone right, it was all good. You pulled the blindfold off your eyes and gleamed at Jaehyun, who was smiling just as brightly as you. You could hear the roar of the crowd cheering but it was like you were underwater, all you could see was Jaehyun. 

"We did it," you whispered to him before you ran to the front to bow. And after a few minutes of everyone bowing and lots of applause the show was over. The chatter of people leaving, buying last snacks and souvenirs played in the background as Taeyoung walked over to meet you all backstage. 

"Your officially a circus man now," he said to Jaehyun. "You guys were as good as I hoped, thank you so much all of you and especially you Addie." He knew what he had asked of you, he knew what a feat it was that you had all pulled it off. 

You thanked him before walking out with Jaehyun into the night sky. There were less visible stars in the sky in this new location, the distant city lights prevented them from being seen. 

"How do you feel?" You asked him. 

"Exhilarated," he replied, "it's the second-best feeling I have ever felt."

You looked at him with curiosity. 

"What's the first?" 

"When I watch the stars with you at night," he said pointing up. It was your turn to have slightly pink cheeks. Jaehyun stopped walking and looked over at you. "I know you love Doyoung, but I just want to be honest, though I think you probably already caught on Dr Watson, I really like you. Like more than just as a friend or a trapeze partner. I don't expect anything from you, I just had to be honest." 

He looked down at his shoes before looking back up at the sky again.

"Before I came here, I lived quite recklessly I suppose, the people I was around, we hung out constantly but they weren't real friends, deep down I always felt alone, I don't feel alone with you though, I feel happy." You stared at his face as he made his confession even if he couldn't look at you. 

"So I know that you might not get over Doyoung or that if you do you may not like me but... I just had to tell you, I'm sorry," 

"Stop being sorry all the time." You smiled at him. You turned his face with your hand softly so his wandering gaze was forced to look at you. 

"I do love Doyoung, but it has been two years, it's different now, I don't know how to explain it. I do know how to explain about you, however. When I kissed you, I haven't felt like that in forever, when I talk to you I feel calm, I never felt that with Doyoung, I loved him but our relationship was... unstable, we were unstable," You explained. 

“I don’t think the kissing could have been your favourite part,” he joked. 

As you talked Jaehyun's fingers lightly brushed your own until he linked them together lightly, playing with your fingers like a nervous habit.

"When you came here you didn't talk, I thought you were strange and rude. In reality, you are kinder to me than Doyoung ever was. I can't promise that I can like you back or love you because I honestly don't know, but I do know that I can imagine us together, and it's a really lovely dream." 

Jaehyun stepped forward and pulled you into his chest grinning.

“Maybe we are like the stars, we can see each other, but it takes a while for the light we give each other to reach us... we just need to wait for our light.”

You didn’t know what to think, for a while you thought you only saw Jaehyun, at the end of the performance he was certainly all you had seen. But when Jaehyun said goodbye and walked back to his trailer, your mind wondered back to Doyoung. You didn’t want it too, you never had, but it did. 

Jaehyun lit up your darkest nights, your star, beautiful and reassuring. Doyoung was destructive to everyone around him, a black hole, consuming the life of everything around him. Once one sucked into a black hole, one can never escape.

***********************************

Doyoung was early for afternoon practise, something you noticed when you saw him leaning against the outside of the tent, eating ice cream. It reminded you of how he had once been, carefree yet always on time.

You forced yourself to smile lightly at him.

“How are you,” you inquired in earnest. Doyoung shrugged,

“Better I suppose… you were really good yesterday, the audience loved it.” He commented, pushing himself up from the ground, “the cheers could be heard for miles.”

“We could only do it because you were there, thank you, for trying,” you replied. Doyoung took a few steps towards you, eyes fixed on yours.

“Maybe, but the cheers were for you nonetheless, you were always the star of the show.” He said, it sounded like it was meant to be a compliment but somehow you felt he intended it as an insult like he was sneering at you.

He moved towards you further, until his face was inches from yours. The rational, part of your brain told you to just walk away, but you were frozen, still trapped under his spell, still falling into his black hole.

To someone watching something enter a black hole, it happens instantaneously, to the person falling in, they continue to fall for eternity, the cursed nature of physics.

Doyoung chuckled sort of sadly, interrupting your thoughts.

“You’re afraid of me y/n,” he observed, “I guess that’s my own fault.” You managed to regain control of your thoughts.

“Yes Doyoung, it is.” You confirmed, before walking past him into the tent. You wanted to look back, to see what expression he had on his face, to see if he cared how much pain he had caused, was still causing. But you couldn’t, because chances are he would still have a blank expression. And you couldn’t have dealt with that. Jaehyun was waiting inside the tent, either he was even earlier than Doyoung, or he had come in another entrance.

“I saw you two talking, I thought best not interrupt,” Jaehyun said, answering your question before you had even said it aloud.

“Let’s just start,” you said, climbing up the rigging towards the top of the tent, “We need to practise the third sequence, it wasn’t quite perfect.” You asserted. It was also the only sequence that you didn’t have to perform with Doyoung in.

“You know that’s bs, we need to do the penultimate sequence,” said Doyoung, who had just walked up behind Jaehyun.

“He’s kinda right Addie,” Jaehyun added. You cursed Jaehyun’s honesty at that moment. The day wasn’t turning out how you planned, but you relented.

“Fine, we’ll do that one, democracy and all.” If Doyoung wanted to earn your forgiveness he was doing an awful job.

The first part of the sequences went fine. You and Jaehyun swung past each other, never quite reaching each other, just as planned. When it came to Doyoung though, something changed, you seemed to have a mental block, you almost never messed up but when you let go of one bar, aiming to grab onto Doyoung’s hand, you missed and fell.

The net caught you, no harm done physically, but you were shocked. You didn’t understand why you had messed up, you hadn’t messed up that particular move in years.

Both Doyoung and Jaehyun rushed down, concern evident on their faces.

“Are you okay?” Jaehyun asked, helping you down from the net. You nodded.

“Yeah I’m fine, there’s a net for a reason.”

Doyoung shook his head,

“We need to check, Addie, can you try and follow my finger please,” he said moving his finger in a cross-motion, “Do you have a headache, do you feel sick,”

You chuckled slightly,

“I’m fine Doyoung really, I don’t have a concussion, there is no way I could have even hit my head anywhere.”

Doyoung ignored you and continued to check for any sign of injury, he moved your arm, asking if it hurt.

It started to dawn on you that Doyoung was checking more for his own peace of mind than yours. You getting injured was clearly still something that worried him a lot.

You put your hands on both sides of his face, forcing him to look at you.

“Calm down, it’s okay, I’m okay, you’re okay, it’s all fine,”

“I’m just gonna give you guys another minute, I need to talk to Haechan anyway,” Jaehyun said, backing away. You looked over Doyoung’s head and mouthed ‘thank you’ to Jaehyun before looking back down at Doyoung.

“Is this why?” you asked him, “Is this why you changed? Fear of people being hurt… I don’t get it, we always knew the dangers of our job, it never bothered you before,”

Doyoung didn’t answer for a while, you sat in silence, your hands still on his cheeks.

“Not really, I don’t think that’s exactly why, no.” He finally replied. You sighed, moving your hands away, running them through your hair.

“Why then, why can’t you even explain why just why?” Your brain wasn’t even fully coherent anymore, you couldn’t seem to get across to Doyoung how desperate you were for answers.

“Explaining won’t make it better, I know I’ve hurt you y/n, and I really am sorry.”

“Fuck you Doyoung. Sorry doesn’t change anything, all I want is for you to tell me why, sorry doesn’t count if you won’t even explain why you are sorry and why you treated me and every one like we didn’t exist for a whole year. You don’t just get to be sorry. You don’t get to kiss that new girl, give me no explanation and then try and tell me you’re sorry, because if you were sorry, you wouldn’t act like this.”

“I still love you y/n,” he said, but he couldn’t look you in the eye.

“At least say it like you mean it,” You chuckled sadly before walking away once again.

Everything had been pretty quiet at the circus throughout the weeks following. Your performance for the recorded show was perfect, even though you had barely talked to Doyoung since.

You felt lonely, you had spent less time with Jaehyun since that day too. Doyoung had started to mend his relationship with the boys much more effectively, he started sitting with everyone at dinner, laughing and chatting as if nothing had changed.

You were glad he was getting better, even if you weren’t fully sure why he had decided to make that choice. But you couldn’t help but resent him for how he treated his return so lightly, how expected you just to get over it, no questions asked.

But you didn’t ever call him out on it, you loved him too much to do anything that would put his recovery from the darkness at risk.

Jaehyun didn’t talk to Doyoung but he always hung out with Haechan, who was always with Doyoung, and as you were avoiding Doyoung, you didn’t spend much time with Jaehyun either. You figured he was giving you space to sort out… everything, which you appreciated but you couldn’t help but feel this loneliness.

*******************************************

It was after dinner one day you decided to just make peace with Doyoung, you decided it was better to have a happy friend than to force him to tell you something he didn’t want to, you figured he would tell you in time.

You actually hadn’t seen him, or Haechan at dinner that day so you ate quickly, wanting to tell him a soon as possible so you could get on with life, so things could return to normal.

When you got outside you saw Haechan talking to him by the costume trailer, they looked like they had been arguing, Doyoung looked angrier than you had seen him in a while. Haechan looked panicked.

You hurried over towards them.

“What’s going on?” You asked.

“You would act all innocent wouldn’t you,” Doyoung sneered. You felt like someone had just punched you. You couldn’t bear the thought that Doyoung was mad with you again. You looked at Haechan expectantly.

“I’m sorry Addie, I didn’t mean to tell him, Jaehyun didn’t even mean to tell me, it's just.” He stopped explaining. Realisation swept over you. Somehow Haechan had told Doyoung what had happened between you and Jaehyun. It was the only explanation, it was the only secret Jaehyun had.

“How can you be mad at me for that?” You protested, “You hadn’t spoken to me in a year, I broke up with you before I had sex with him, I can do what I want Doyoung, I’m an adult woman.”

“Can we talk inside?” Doyoung asked. You wanted to walk away, but you knew you needed to sort it out with him once and for all.

You grabbed his arm and dragged him inside his caravan, shutting the door firmly behind you.

“I thought you still loved me,” he said quietly. His voice sounded say but somehow you didn’t quite believe it.

“I did Doyoung, I loved you so much even after what you did but you ignored me, I cried for months about you, worrying about you. Jaehyun was nothing but kind to me, he’s a great person” you sighed, “I needed someone Doyoung, I needed someone to be there for me, and you weren’t.”

“I love you,” he said, “I need to know if you still love me too,”.

“You know I do, you know I never stopped loving you.” The words felt like a betrayal to Jaehyun, but they were not a lie. 

Doyoung said nothing and then suddenly he was kissing you, you could feel how desperate his lips were, you could have pushed him away but you didn’t want to.

You moaned lightly as he began to kiss down your neck, his hands entangled in your hair. He wasn’t as careful as Doyoung, his actions were rougher, more impulsive, but as you both pulled your shirts over your heads and Doyoung kissed you again, pushing you back against his fridge, you didn’t mind.

Your hands travelled down his chest, continuing down until you could feel him through his tracksuit joggers, you carefully slid your hand into his underwear, soliciting a loud moan from Doyoung as you started to pump his length.

“Fuck y/n,” he said, “You don’t know how I have dreamed of feeling this again,” he said. You stopped your motion suddenly, removing your hand. You kissed his lips once, teasing, payback. “You could have always talked to me,” you reminded him.

“I was stupid,” he said, pushing your underwear and shorts down your legs, before tossing them across the room.

“Fuck your panties are wet,” he remarked, even you were surprised by how much your body seemed to want him, it seemed to agree with your fucked up heart. Before you had any more time to think, you felt Doyoung insert two fingers, he didn’t want to make you wait any longer. You tried to hold back your moan, but when Doyoung used his other hand to rub your clit, you couldn’t help it.

Doyoung grinned,

“I love it when you moan for me love,” he said, fucking you with his fingers the same strong pace. You felt dangerously close so when Doyoung brought his lips back to your neck, combined with all his actions, you felt your body move, walls clenching around his fingers as you called out his name,

“Ah, Doyoung.”

“You’re so pretty when you cum for me y/n”.

When you had regained composure slightly you reached your hand back down to Doyoung, pulling the waistband of his underwear down, his cock springing out, hard and pink.

When you ran your tongue lightly alongside his dick, Doyoung moaned quietly, you could already taste the salty pre-cum as you took him into your mouth. You lowered your head down until you could almost feel him hitting the back of your throat.

His grip on you tightened as you began to bob your head up and down, his eyes fixed on the sight of you. You held his hips in place with your hands to stop him rising up to meet you as you began to suck faster, hollowing your cheeks.

You were sure he was close when you stopped your actions entirely.

“You’ve been a bad boy,” you said to him with a smile, “you only get to cum if you fuck me properly,”

“My pleasure love,” Doyoung replied, ushering you to his bed before motioning for you to move onto all fours. He moved behind you, rubbing the tip of his cock against your wetness.

He pushed inside, groaning loudly, before quickly moving back out again, fucking you roughly from the start. His hands pressed into your hips as he thrust in and out relentlessly. It was a hot and quick affair that had you both undone in mere minutes as you clenched around his cock, reaching your high. Doyoung pulled out, you lent back down, sucking him again until he came in your mouth, his warm load, spurting down your throat as you swallowed.

“You’re amazing,” Doyoung said, as you lay down next to him. But you didn’t feel right. While you had enjoyed your experience with Doyoung you realised it wasn’t the same anymore. All you could think about, the second you had stopped was Jaehyun. How you wished you had spent the night with him instead. And thoughts like that weren’t fair to anyone.

Your love with Doyoung had been passionate, explosive, but unstable. As much as you were still attracted to Doyoung, as much as you still cared for him, he wasn’t what you needed any more.

You sat up straight. A split second descion. 

“I can’t do this Doyoung,” you said. You had expected him to look angry like before, but he didn’t, “As much as I love you, you don’t make me happy anymore.”

“Jaehyun does,” Doyoung finished for you, even though they were words you were not going to say. 

“At least we went out with a bang, pun unintended.” Doyoung joked. But he was right, Doyoung was no longer a black hole pulling you in, he was a supernova, your love had exploded as it died.

You didn’t say anything else to each other as you picked up your clothes and put them back on. You checked your phone, it was 12:30 am.

“Bye Doyoung,” you said, before closing the door to his caravan quietly, trying not to wake anyone up as you walked the short distance back to your caravan.

When you got back to your caravan you swore quietly when you saw Jaehyun sitting on the step outside.

When he saw you got up immediately,

“Haechan told me what happened I wanted to make sure you were…” his voice cut off when he saw you closer through the darkness.

Your heart almost broke when you saw his forlorn expression. The state of your makeup and that fact that you only had one sock on, were clearly good indicators of what you had been doing.

“I’m sorry,” you said. Jaehyun shook his head.

“Don’t be sorry, I knew you still loved him.” He said, “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“What if I want to?” you asked.

“I came to see if you were alright Addie, and you are, and I’m happy that things worked out for you, I really am. However, I don’t really want to hear the tale of how or why you fucked Doyoung,” He said.

“I love you too,” You said to him, a tear falling down your face. You could see how conflicted Jaehyun was, Even though he was hurt, he still didn’t want to see you upset. He was too good for you really.

“I said before I would work until you loved me, that is still true Addie, but I also need to wait, I need to wait until you love me more than him, or I will just be setting up my heart to get hurt.” You could almost hear a slight waver in his voice.

He stepped closer to you and kissed your head carefully.

“I can’t put my whole heart towards someone when I don’t even know their name,” he said sadly, “Goodnight Addie.”

He walked off back to his caravan, his figure blending into the darkness. There were no stars lighting up the sky that night and neither the smell of sex or tears comforted you, Jaehyun or Doyoung as you fell asleep.

***************************************

You didn’t have time to wallow the next day, which was probably a good thing. That was something great about the circus, it didn’t give you the time to be sad or down, you just had to keep going for the sake of the team. There was something about hanging from a metal pole twenty feet in the air that just took all the bad thoughts away.

Haechan had proposed a new comedy act the other day. The only comment from the sponsor company had been that the clown act seemed outdated. Haechan had spent all night working out how to make it more interesting. Somehow his more interesting version just seemed to be a version that included more work for everyone else.

He wanted some of the acrobatic people such as you to take part in order to create some slapstick falls.

He had set you up in an exercise where Haechan the clown was trying to get you to go on a date, but you kept falling running away from him. You were meant to be chasing after the good looking Jaehyun instead, which was rather awkward given the situation.

Jaehyun kept trying to avoid any form of eye contact with you, which you understood, it just made working together kind of hard.

You pulled Haechan to the side.

“Is there no way I can work with someone else for this?” you asked him. Haechan looked down at his list, confused as to why you didn’t want to work with Jaehyun.

“Well there’s Doyoung, but I figured you would rather work with Jae,” he said. Between a rock and a hard place you thought, but not really, because working with Doyoung would have definitely been worse.

“Forget it,” you said, walking back to Jaehyun. You had to focus, you only had a day to learn your final part of this before the cameras came to refilm. You decided to practise the part where you fell three times because that didn’t involve Jaehyun.

You continuously flipped yourself into the mat, stood up, fell onto your knees and flipped into the mat again. By the end of the two hours, your knees were bright red and you could tell your arm was going to bruise horribly.

You saw Jaehyun watching you, clearly aware of what you were doing, but you didn’t go over to him. You had no idea what to say to him. He had been right, you needed to work things out in your head properly, unfortunately, your continued action of throwing yourself into the circus floor had not solved your issues.

Jaehyun’s mind had also clearly remained unchanged as he made no effort to speak to you either. He tried unsuccessfully to mask the fact he was staring at you by talking to Johnny, but the fact he was still actively staring at you, not looking at Johnny, sort of gave it away.  

When you talked to Johnny at dinner he confirmed as much,

“You need to talk to Jaehyun,” he said, “I have no idea what’s going on between you two but he has been weird all of today.”

“Oh really?” you replied, hoping your acting was slightly better than Jaehyun’s.

“You were staring at him too, even if you were throwing yourself into the ground at the same time,” Johnny replied.

“I’ve been exposed,” you laughed.

Comedy acts didn’t take much time to put together, they mostly rested on Haechan and he had always been a comedy genius so after only four days of practising the piece was ready for the show.

The sponsor company had come to refilm the show, complete with the new act. You had just moved to a busier part of the city you were in, the company thought a bigger crowd would also make for a better video.

What wouldn’t make for a better video was your own trapeze act. You had not spoken to Jaehyun or Doyoung in those four days, nor had any of you practised together. Haechan had made it abundantly clear that he thought ‘one of you is going to die.’

While that was certainly a slight bit dramatic, he was right in the sense that the act could easily go wrong.

The comedy act was okay, you and Jaehyun managed to act well together despite the circumstances, even if you couldn’t look him in the eye. Unfortunately, all of the self-throwing must have damaged your ankle, as when you made your last final fall you felt it twist, hard.

You winced, visible to Jaehyun right next to you, but luckily not the crowd a few metres back. Jaehyun grabbed your arms and carefully dragged you away, pretending to chuckle as if he had finally won as if it was a part of the act.

The second you were out of view he leant down, picking you up, before moving you away to where you could both speak away from the stage.

“What happened?” he asked, the concern evident on his face, the anger he had towards you momentarily forgotten.

“I was never one for comedy,” you joked, knowing the irony of it. Jaehyun got up for a second and came back moments later with a small green medical kit that had been hanging on the wall a few meters away.

He opened it, rustling around, before finding the ice pack he had been looking for. There was thankfully many a spare costume lying around which Jaehyun wrapped round the icepack before placing it on your foot.

“We are fucked.” He said. You looked down him confused.

“Why?”

“Well… we are the most important act, and with a foot that swollen, you cannot perform, we have to grab you by the leg, you have to jump, you have to hang – you will do permanent damage.” He explained.

“I was permanently damaged a long time ago,” you smirked, “And a small injury will not stop me performing, worry not Jaehyun.”

“Surely you can’t be allowed to, there must be rules regulations?” he asked.

“This is an underfunded circus, not Cirque de Soleil, not the Olympics, nobodies checking if we follow said regulations. The circus needs this video, after that, we get the money we need, that is more important than my bloody foot injury, there is always another performer Jaehyun, you proved that. However, there is not another tonight.”

Jaehyun shook his head,

“Why do you pick yourself to be the one thing you don’t care about, don’t look after,” he asked, the sadness in his eyes was almost unbearable to see. So you stopped looking at him.

You stared at the distant lights of the circus ring instead.

“The circus is me, I am the circus. I am nothing without it.”

“That’s not true, you are…” He stopped.

“I am Addie, the trapeze Juliet, and no one else and for Adeline, the show must always go on.” You said, grabbing some bandages out of the box Jaehyun had found and standing up, feeling the shooting pain it caused in your foot and ignoring it.

“Just because you won’t tell me your name doesn’t mean you don’t have one,” Jaehyun called after you when you walked away.

“Maybe I’ll break a leg,” You replied, “literally.”

You stopped outside the tent where there was a bench for getting changed, surrounded by a curtain of sorts. You sat down on the bench, sighing as you felt the pain in your leg once again.

Jaehyun hadn’t been wrong, performing with this sort of injury ran the high risk of permanent injury. It also had the chance of having no issues at all, it could all be fine in three or so hours. Without your performance, the circus had a one hundred per cent chance of shutting down – to you it wasn’t even a contest.

You wrapped the bandages tightly around your foot, you knew about first aid, you knew how best to support it. You fixed it in place with some sports tape lying on the ground before getting your costume out that you had left, in order to get changed for the trapeze performance.

You were just about to open the curtain when you heard to voices arguing outside.

“We can’t let her just like… break her leg!” you heard someone protest, realising it was Jaehyun.

“I have two things to say,” You heard, to your own surprise, Doyoung reply, “Firstly, she is a grown woman she can do what she wants, even if you disagree. Second I don’t even object, people perform slightly injured all the time around here.”

“Am I the only one who cares enough about her to not want her to get injured. I get the circus has really helped you all, it helped me, but people are more important than this fucking circus.” Jaehyun replied angrily.

Doyoung said nothing.

You exhaled before throwing the curtain open and walking over, the pain in your leg already fading.

“Just chill Jaehyun,” you said, as you got closer, only leaning to one side slightly as you made your way over. “It already hurts less, it will really be fine.”

Jaehyun unfolded his arms, pinching the bridge of his nose as he looked up at the sky above.

“I just really don’t want to see you get hurt,” Jaehyun said.

You breathed in sharply. Fuck it, you thought as you stepped forward, wrapping your arms around Jaehyun’s shoulders.

“I know you’re mad at me,” you said. His body has frozen, one arm by his side, one in the air, totally still, “but I don’t want you to worry, if I thought I was really at risk I wouldn’t do that.”

You didn’t really know why you were hugging him, or what you thought that would achieve. Reassurance maybe?

Jaehyun’s body finally caught up with his brain when he moved, pushing your arms away and stepping back. He didn’t say anything before walking back into the tent. You knew he was still annoyed, why wouldn’t he be. Just because he cared about you didn’t mean he wasn’t hurt.

You refocused. The performance started in ten minutes. You started stretching and warming up. Doyoung was still standing a few metres away.

“I think he’s mad at you,” he joked, “I wonder why, it can’t just be the foot thing.”

You gave him a sharp look.

“Take a fucking guess Doyoung.” You said, eyes looking dead at him.

“Ah because you sort of still love me but also don’t,” he said, the joking look gone from his face.

“It doesn’t matter I don’t think you or me is in the mental place to be finding new relationships anyway,” you asserted. Doyoung shrugged.

“Performance time, Adeline,” Taeyong cut in, walking past you both. You looked away from Doyoung, picked up your stuff and walked back into the tent.

The crowd was clapping and cheering, you could hear the laughter even from outside. Haechan had become funnier on all accounts seemingly.

Standing in the wing, waiting to go on you could see Jaehyun’s eyes glistening in the lights on the other side of the tent. Doyoung walked up next to him, both of them standing side by side.

They both looked ethereal in their costumes, they were dressed like angels so it made sense. But Jaehyun… maybe because he was wearing white, but you didn’t think that was it… Jaehyun shone. He was like the brightest star in the sky.

The music started and you ran, the pain in your foot faded into the background. You lifted into the air on the trapeze and you flew. And Jaehyun caught you. And Doyoung caught you. And the crowd clapped when it was over.

Taeyong walked into the ring, he thanked everyone for coming, he thanked the sponsor. But you barely heard a word. You were still looking at Jaehyun. His once sad face looked exhilarated after performing, he had become a real circus star.

Taeyong had put on a party to thank everyone for the hard work they put in. You were on an adrenaline high, confused and sad. Something you used as an excuse to get blackout drunk.

Johnny looked alarmed as you downed another shot.

“Whoah there, you good?” he asked.

“Absolutely not!” you slurred back. Johnny laughed.

“Fair enough.”

You stumbled around a bit, talking to people here and there, none of them Jaehyun. You were annoyed that your antics hadn’t gained his attention yet. You knew it was selfish, that he had every right to what to keep his distance.

You wanted to be near him though, without him you felt like your life wasn’t quite what it needed to be, you needed your guiding star.

Instead, you saw Doyoung making out with a random girl. You felt a severe rage build inside of you. It could have been the alcohol or the fact that Doyoung seemed to be able to move on, in less than a week.

“Dickhead!” you screamed in his general direction before you could stumble closer. The girl quickly made an exit, she clearly wasn’t the kind of person who wanted to get in the middle of somebody else’s issue.

“How can you be mad?” Doyoung asked. “You broke it off with me!”

You stopped about two feet in front of him, bringing your arm up and poking him in the chest.

“I waited a year, a year, to move on from you, you take a week, is this a joke?” you shouted, infuriated.

“You’re drunk,” Doyoung said, trying to brush you off.

“I may be drunk, but I can still process thoughts, I am mad, alcohol or not,” you clarified.

“I just don’t think it’s a big deal,” Doyoung said, “You can go kiss Jaehyun, I don’t care.”

“Did you even still like me?” You asked, “When we had sex, you said you still loved me, but if you got over me this fast, I just don’t believe that can be true.”

“I said what I thought you wanted me to say,” he replied. That was it for you, you couldn’t forgive him saying that. It was like something in you just broke. All the time you spent, all the time you wasted. You ruined your relationship with Jaehyun just for someone who didn’t even love you.

You weren’t in love with him anymore, but you still loved Doyoung, Doyoung never seemed to care about you though. That was the person you had caused Jaehyun pain for. You broke inside, you were drunk and angry.

You took the bottle of vodka you were holding in your hand and smashed it straight over Doyoung’s head, causing him to fall to the ground, blood leaking from his forehead. You screamed, not believing what you had just done.

“Help!” You screamed, pulling your jumper over your head and pressing it against Doyoung’s forehead where it was bleeding.

Johnny and Jaehyun ran over.

“What happened Addie?” Johnny asked, but you couldn’t answer, you had begun to bawl uncontrollably.

“Ambulance,” was all you could say, “call an ambulance.”

Jaehyun pulled out his phone and dialled for the emergency services.

Johnny took over holding the jumper against Doyoung’s head. By now Haechan and Taeyong were both there, Haechan was trying to get people to move back to give Doyoung and Johnny more space.

You were crouching beside them both now silent as tears streamed down your face, in shock. You couldn’t believe what you had done, you wanted to hurt him… but you didn’t want to hurt him.

Jaehyun got off the phone.

“They said ten minutes. Try and keep him awake.” He said. Johnny nodded.

“Doyoung? Can you hear me?” he asked, “what happened?”

Doyoung was half asleep when he replied,

“Addie hit me, not her fault…”

Johnny turned around and looked at you.

“What the fuck did you do?” he asked which only caused you to start to cry harder. All the shit you had been dealing with for over a year, you were dealing with it now, in one explosion of emotion.

“Jaehyun, can you just,” Johnny said pointing to where you were panic-crying. Jaehyun nodded, he leant down and picked you up,

“It’s okay,” he said to you, trying to calm you as he carried you away. You couldn’t stop the tears from falling continuously, so Jaehyun carried you the whole way back to your caravan, a two-minute walk away from the scene with Doyoung.

“I did something terrible,” you whispered when he set you down on your sofa. Jaehyun didn’t say anything in reply. He just reached over and undid your laces, pulling your trainers off, before walking over to your kettle and turning it on, pulling out two tea bags.

As the kettle boiled he found a blanket in your cupboard and wrapped it around your shoulders.

“What happened?” he asked quietly, as he sat down, pushing your tea towards you, before taking a sip of his own.

You wiped your eyes on the blanket.

“I hit him over the head with a vodka bottle.”

“Why?” Jaehyun asked, knowing you wouldn’t have done anything for no reason.

“He said that the day we … you know… that he only said he loved me because that’s what I wanted to hear. He was making out with a girl you see and it just made me angry. I wasted a year of my life waiting for him… he moved on in three days. He didn’t even love me that day, yet I hurt you, who did love me.” You explained.

“I guess it was just all the anger I ever felt towards him came out, it was stupid,” you admitted, a tear falling into your tea.

“You’re not stupid for feeling how you feel,” Jaehyun said.

“I did something really bad.”

“Doesn’t make you a bad person, you taught me that,”

“Using my own words against me,” you managed to chuckle, “Do you think he will be okay?”

Jaehyun nodded.

“Johnny texted me, he’s in the ambulance with Doyoung, he’s going to survive at least.”

“That’s not the best outcome,” you said, tears falling down your face again.

“It’s also not the worst outcome,” Jaehyun reassured you.

“Yes. Thank God I’m not a murderer.”

Jaehyun didn’t know what to reply to that. You both sat in silence for a while just drinking your cups of tea.

“He kind of deserved it overall,” Jaehyun joked, trying to make you feel better, “You’re even now, both of you have severely injured the other.” Except Doyoung hadn’t dropped you intentionally. Jaehyun watched you sadly, he didn’t ask any more questions, he just sipped his tea and waited for you to talk, he knew you wanted to say something, he was just waiting for you to say it.

You both got a text from Johnny: DY fine. He has an internal head injury but Dr says it will heal on its own within a few weeks. He doesn’t need surgery. He can’t perform trapeze anytime soon though.

“I destroyed the circus I worked so hard to save,”

“There are always other performers,” Jaehyun argued, again using your own words against you.

“I guess I just tried so hard to be something better at the circus, but Adeline clearly isn’t any better than the old me.” You confessed, “She got into the wrong relationship, resorted to violence and anger just like the old me did. Adeline isn’t any better than me.”

Jaehyun placed his cup down on the table and stared at you, dead in the eye.

“You’re the same person, you are not some character, you are not actually a star crossed lover thwarted by the devil. Not telling people your name, doesn’t make you not you.” Jaehyun said, “You are just you, good and bad, you’re a beautiful and talented person. Today you made a mistake but then we all make mistakes. You are a person, not a flawless character.”

You thought about what he was saying. Maybe he was right. Maybe part of your problem was that you were trying to distance yourself for your past, you couldn’t learn, you couldn’t grow because you never even accepted your past.

You reached your hand out across the table for Jaehyun to shake,

“Nice to meet you Jaehyun,” you said, he looked confused for a second before you continued, “I’m y/n.”

He was surprised, he took a few seconds to understand what you had just said, murmuring your name under his breath, before he could properly reply you continued.

“I am y/n and I joined the circus when I was 19. I joined the circus because when I was 18 I had this deadbeat boyfriend, though I didn’t realise it at the time. I had been dating him for just over and he treated me like I meant nothing. It wasn’t that he physically hurt me or anything but he was emotionally abusive. He controlled every aspect of my life, made me feel like I meant nothing.

One night we went to watch the circus, it was one of the nights I remember him be actually nice to me. He bought me popcorn and we saw the acrobats twirl and we laughed at the clowns.

I saw the smile on the Ringmaster’s face, I saw his pride in his show. I looked at my life at that moment and realised there was nothing I was proud of. All I had was a boyfriend that mistreated me. He was all I had and I couldn’t even be proud of him.

That night I managed to get him to let me go to the toilet without him waiting outside for me. I didn’t go to the toilet though. I went to the back of the tent and found the Ringmaster where he had just finished his show. I asked him if I could join the circus.”

Jaehyun looked like he was about to cry but got you to continue,

“What did he say?”

“Well seeing as we are here right now he said yes. But more specifically he asked me why I wanted to join the circus. I said I wanted to do something I could be proud of. I explained that I was hiding from my boyfriend also, but that was only part of my problem. So he said yes, Taeyong said yes.”

Jaehyun got up from where he was sitting across from you and moved to sit down next to you pulling you into a hug.

“And you said you hadn’t got better y/n, you must be kidding.” He said, “Look at everything you have to be proud of now, you are a talented performer, you have so many great friends, who respect you so much, your trapeze act saved a circus.”

You shook your head, leaning into his arms.

“I also have temperament issues and assaulted a man, a man who was my boyfriend who still didn’t ever really respect me.”

Jaehyun brushed his hand through your hair, looking up at the stars through your skylight.

“You are negative marking yourself – you are taking away points for the bad things, instead of adding points for the many more good things. Even back then Addie… I mean y/n you said you had nothing to be proud of, yet you were brave enough to pull yourself out of an abusive relationship. That was something to be proud of.”

“You are too kind,” you said to him, looking into his brown eyes. Yet he was so sincere you couldn’t help but believe his words.

“That is your fault, if you really have one, is not believing enough in you. You found the good in me, once you even found it in Doyoung, now just recognise it in you.”

He kissed your forehead.

“You always talk about how I am your star and Doyoung was a black hole, but you don’t realise y/n – that it is you, you’re the star of the show. You’re certainly the star of my show.”

You leant up the last few inches and kissed Jaehyun on the lips, just for a second. The most innocent of kisses but to both of you, it was more powerful than anything.

“That’s the final thing I am proud of,” you said, “the one thing you missed on your list.” You explained.

Jaehyun looked confused,

“What, but I said that you were a great performer.”

You cut him off.

“No, I meant loving you. I am proud to say I love you Jaehyun because I finally love someone who is really worth loving, who loves me just as much if I can be bold enough to say it and someone who respects me. You really are my north star, a light to guide me home.”

“We talk about stars a lot,” Jaehyun joked as you settled your head back into his shoulder.

“Because that’s what we are,” you joked back, “as you said – the stars of the show.”

#nct #nct scenarios #jaehyun #nct jaehyun #nct doyoung #jaehyun smut #doyoung smut #doyoung #kim doyoung #jaehyun scenarios #nct smut #doyoung scenarios #nct imagines #nct 127 #jung jaehyun

[archonssun]

We Have Time

We Have Time

WC: 1732

Okay, yeah, this is gonna take place in the alternate ending, seeing as the last Noct story I wrote was both a) kinda shitty and b) sad.

You will always remember the first time you met Noctis. He had been such a shy thing back then, back when he had visited Tenebrae. You were from a lesser known branch of the Nox Fleuret family, being cousins with Ravus and Lunafreya. But you were the last of the branch; your parents had died years earlier, along with your older brother and sister. Sometimes, you felt so undeniably alone, only for Luna and Ravus to find you and cheer you up.

Your first encounter with the prince of Lucis was interesting, at least to the adults around you both. Neither of you had known of the other's existence until you had been looking for Luna.

*

“Luna! Luna!” you called, tears threatening to spill. You and your cousin always hung out with one another at this time, but for the past few weeks, she had been avoiding you. And you were afraid -- afraid that you were losing her the same way you had lost your older siblings. Out of sheer desperation, you had run into the greenhouse, crying, “Luna!”

You had found your cousin, along with an unfamiliar face. It was a boy, around your age, and he was sitting in a wheelchair with a book perched on his knees. When you had cried out, both he and Luna had turned to you. “(Y/n), are you alright?” Luna asked, standing from where she sat next to the boy. Unbidden, your tears started falling.

“Is this why you’ve been avoiding me, Luna?” you asked, voice breaking. “Because you have a new friend? Do you not need me anymore…?”

“(Y/n), that’s not--” But she didn’t get to finish because you bolted, running through the halls of Fenestella Manor. But you didn’t see the man standing in front of you right outside the greenhouse, and ran straight into his legs.

“(Y/n), are you alright, dear?” Aunt Sylva said, coming to kneel at your side. You curled up in a ball, hugging your knees to your chest as the tears fell faster.

“Does Luna not need me anymore, Aunt Sylva? Is that why she’s been avoiding me? Do I serve no purpose here any longer?” At your rambling, your aunt hugged you to her, shushing you and rubbing your back.

“I can assure you that is not the case, my dear,” Sylva cooed, brushing strands of your hair from your face. “Luna will always need you.”

“But--”

“I didn’t realize there was another child in the Manor, Queen Sylva,” the man standing next to your aunt said, making you freeze. You slowly looked up to him, feeling intimidated by the amount of black he wore. Yet, he looked kind -- and kind of like the kid Luna was currently with.

“Yes, she is my niece, King Regis,” Sylva offered, pulling you to your feet. “(Y/n), I would like you to meet King Regis Lucis Caelum, King of Lucis. Regis, this is my niece and Luna’s future advisor, (Y/n) Nox Fleuret.”

You were overcome by a sense of shyness that rarely showed itself as you hid behind your aunt, causing both her and the king to laugh.

“Dad!” a boy’s voice made you look to your right and see both Luna and the boy approaching the three of you. Taking a closer look at the man the boy had called ‘dad’, you realized that their resemblance now made perfect sense.

“(Y/n), I’m sorry,” was the first thing Luna uttered, and you were quick to hug her, almost sending the taller girl to the ground. Luna’s face was split with a sweet smile, and you glared at the boy.

It wasn’t until a month later that anyone had the decency to introduce you to the prince of Lucis, Noctis Lucis Caelum.

***

When Tenebrae was occupied by the Empire, you had been taken by King Regis to live in Lucis, apparently at the behest of your aunt. Queen Sylva had an idea that the Empire was closing in on the country, and had asked Regis to take care of you, the last of your lineage. It took a while, but you got used to the hustle and bustle of Insomnia, and began going to school with Noctis as a close friend.

That time in your life was very difficult, having to juggle between schoolwork and learning how to be an advisor -- that was your job, after all. The branch family of the Nox Fleurets have always been advisors to the Oracle, and that hadn’t changed since that role had been passed down to you from your siblings. You had spent many a sleepless night going over protocol, only to fall asleep during school. Many times you had been reprimanded by those at the Citadel. The only ones that seemed to give you some room were Regis and Ignis, the boy training to become Noctis’s advisor.

*

“I can’t do this, Ignis,” you sobbed, rubbing furiously at your eyes in an attempt to stay the tears. “I can’t! I can’t help Luna!”

“Yes, you can,” the older boy chided, shaking your shoulders gently. You shook your head at his words.

“I can’t!” You had had enough at this point. You were seven years removed from your home, forced to start anew in a foreign land without your family. Hell, you hadn’t even been able to take with you the one picture you had with them. Your body is filled with hopelessness, making your limbs sink like lead to the floor. Yet you still mustered up enough strength to throw the Nox Fleuret crest across the room. “I should’ve been the one to die, not them! Sera should be here, or even Sole -- not me! They would know what to do…”

*

When you awoke, it was to King Regis and Noctis sitting next to your bed, and an unfamiliar blond standing awkwardly in the corner.

“(Y/n)!” Noctis called as soon as your eyes opened, crushing you in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re alright!”

“I can’t help her…” you whispered, daring not to meet his gaze. You stared at the ceiling, feeling the tears begin again. “It should’ve been me, Noctis. If it hadn’t been for me, Sera and Sole would still be alive… I’m useless to Lady Lunafreya… Why did it--”

“You’re not useless, (Y/n)” The heat in the prince’s voice caused all in the room to stare incredulously. The lazy prince had never so much as raised his voice since you two had met, and your tears stopped momentarily. You finally met his gaze, taking in a sharp breath at the look that met you. “You can help Luna, I know it. Wanna know how I know?” You furrowed your brows as you waited for him to continue. “Because you’re still the same girl who glared at me while hugging Luna.”

***

When you were eighteen, you and Noctis became inseparable, bonding over your shared love of video games. At first, you were hesitant when the man had convinced you to play a game at the arcade with him and Prompto -- the blond that you had seen three years prior in your room -- but soon found out that they were pretty good stress-relievers. Since then, you have been hooked, spending most of your time not spent training playing games.

It was also that same year that you realized what you felt for the heir: you loved him. But you knew how he felt -- about you, and about Luna. He loved the Oracle dearly, and while it pained you, you were happy for your cousin. And when the wedding was announced as part of the treaty?

You died a little on the inside, all while giving your prince the brightest smile you could.

*

You wanted so badly to be able to go with Noctis on his trip to Altissia, but fate had other plans for you. Regis had you stay in Insomnia, planning on sending you to Tenebrae -- to Luna --  soon after. But when she appeared in the Crown City, his plans were dashed. And when Insomnia fell, you were able to escape with her and Libertus, putting all those years of training to good use as both you and Nyx had to fight to keep the Oracle and the Ring safe from the Empire.

And you followed after your cousin for weeks as you two travelled all around Lucis, forging Covenants and helping the people. But for a reason you couldn’t remember, you and Luna were separated, and you were left behind once again. So, you stayed in Lestallum, where Gladilus’s sister Iris was. She was happy to see you well, and quickly told you that the boys were in Lestallum as well.

As soon as you saw Noctis, you were hurtling towards him, clinging to him desperately. After weeks of not knowing what had happened to the man and his entourage, seeing him in front of you, breathing, made everything come crashing down all at once. Sure, you were getting weird looks from passers-by, but you didn’t care. You were finally back with your best friend.

*

“Noctis,” your sobs echoed in the street as you clung to him. All the frustration of being left behind not once, but twice, came pouring out all at once. Your body shook with the intensity of the emotions that wracked your being, and at some point you had collapsed, taking Noctis with you.

“Hey, it’s okay, (N/n),” he whispered. One hand came to rest on your waist while the other stroked your hair. “I’m right here. I promise, I won’t leave you again. You’re stuck with me, for better or worse…”

***

Ten years. It’s been ten years, and Noctis stood before you with a lazy smirk on his face.

“Hey, (N/n),” he said. You barreled into him, sending him to the ground as you straddled his hips.

“You little fucker,” you scowled, keeping his back to the ground with your hands on his shoulders. “You promised, Noct. And you broke it. Do you have any idea how much it hurt to not see you come home after you left for Altissia? I needed you when Luna died, and where were you?”

“Well, I’m here now,” he interrupted, a hand coming to graze your cheek before cradling your face. He pulled your face down to his, lips landing lightly against yours. “We have time, my queen.”

#noctis lucis caelum #ffxv x reader #reader insert #noctis x reader #ffxv