#cs ficlets

[creamsiclemelt]

short little natejo a/b/o ficlet for you guys 💖

i meant to write more but I'm completely dried up for inspo to keep going on this. i don't want it to sit in my gdocs forever.

so, enjoy!

Jo wakes up with his hands between his legs and his stomach clenching tight as he comes. He exhales sharply, daring to open his eyes when he feels like he can move again.

He doesn’t need to glance over beside him to know that Nate isn’t there. His scent is soaked into every inch of this room and everything in it, including Jo, but it isn’t strong enough for Jo to think that the empty spot beside him had been recently occupied.

Sleepily, Jo picks up his phone and checks it. Sure enough, there’s a text from Nate:

Sorry, had to go to see Joe and Chris. Should be back around noon. Keep yourself entertained. Love you

Immediately, Jo feels himself wake up even more. Then, his hand is on his cunt before he can think twice.

Keeping himself entertained means he’s allowed this.

Nate controls his orgasms tightly, tuts and talks about omegas and their hormonal balance, about discipline, about how it’s his responsibility to take care of his omega in every way.

He’s right, is the thing. Jo feels much better when Nate keeps his cock caged up and denies him everything else. It’s good for him, helps him keep a hold of his mental health, makes sure he sleeps better.

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t look forward to the wonderful day Nate gives him every few months where he’s allowed unlimited orgasms.

Not having Nate around sucks, though, because the most satisfying way to come, if you ask Jo, is around Nate’s cock.

He wonders if maybe the interruption to the day Nate’s been planning means that Nate will extend today’s grace into tomorrow.

But probably not. He’ll just want to fuck a few more loads into Jo tonight and tomorrow to make up for it, if anything.

Jo’s cunt clenches around his fingers at the thought.

He wonders how worked up Nate will be when he gets home. If he’ll bend over Jo wherever he is and fuck into him.

When he comes, it's with the phantom feeling of Nate's fingers hooked in his mouth and thoughts about how his dick feels at the forefront of his mind.

He makes a mess, but he licks it up. Because he's a good omega.

[searchingwardrobes]

Everything's an Innuendo

Just a little ficlet that came to me after this actually happened with my husband yesterday.

"Killian, not everything is an innuendo!"

"Whatever do you mean, love?" Killian asked, feigning innocence as he sipped his coffee, his eyebrows arching seductively at her over the rim of his cup.

"See!" Emma exclaimed. "That right there -that's what I'm talking about!"

Killian set the mug down and leaned back with a chuckle. He lounged in an appealing way, one arm draped over the back of the booth at Granny's. He tapped his hook against the table in a way that shouldn't have been sexy but somehow was. Her husband could be so infuriating!

"You'll need to be more specific," he teased.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Just this morning before we left the house! I was leaning over in the closet to get my shoes, and you . . ."

She trailed off, slightly distracted by the memory, her face burning. Killian grinned at her triumphantly.

"I what?"

Ugh, he was so smug! "You grabbed me from behind and pulled me down on your lap." She licked her dry lips before continuing. "And I said, 'Killian, I'm trying to get my shoes!' And you said, 'Oh, you'll get your shoes alright.'"

Killian chuckled again.

Emma threw up her hands. "What does that even mean?"

His laughter faded, but his smile remained as he leaned forward and told her earnestly as he took her hand, "It means that I find you beautiful and sexy no matter what you're doing, and I love you."

Emma couldn't help the smile that bloomed on her face as he kissed her hand. She gave a little shrug.

"Well, who can argue with that?"

Tagging @snowbellewells @jrob64 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @jrob64 @teamhook @shippingtheswann @shipsxahoy Don't know who else is in this fandom anymore, lol! So please share with anyone else you know who may like this.

[zestyzigzagoon]

Ok, finishing up final edits on chapter two after some restructuring. Part of me feels like the pacing is a little too fast, but I know that's the longfic demon in my head trying to get me to add more chapters and I will not fall to its persuasion.

[lamentfulwarbler]

THIS WAS MEANT TO BE A FICLET. I WAS TRYING TO KEEP IT CLOSE TO 300 WORDS SO IT WOULDN’T BE TOO FAR PAST THE 200 WORD MINIMUM. WHAT HAPPENED

[fleshengine]

A lot of HDG stuff I see boils down to “this would be a fun setup to getting domesticated” and isn’t really an exploration of the world or anything. Like… a human and an affini make a bet that the human won’t last 30 minutes on class Cs without confessing her love, the affini changes the rules to trick the human into getting domesticated, whatever. It’s fine, I liked it, when I was feeling subby earlier it gave me gut tingles.

Maybe I’m just a POS english major and shouldn’t be judging ficlets as harshly as I am but like… where’s the conflict? Where’s the story? What does this say about the world of HDG that affini can do something like that?

I think that’s why I’ve been enjoying Courtship by teagan_the_doll on ao3 so much. It has a predestined ending, we know how this is going to end like with most HDG stuff but in Courtship it is established as being firmly in the far future. It has so much more to say about the world and I think does a great job of doing it. Humans have conversations about their friend who’s a floret now. A human thinks about her own feelings towards being a floret in the future. There even seems to be a nod at the “traditional” HDG story with one of the characters getting domesticated in like a week after a funny encounter with an affini. I’m less than halfway through it and I absolutely love it.

Go read Courship by teagan_the_doll on ao3. NOW

[andtheywerefootballers]

WIRTZIALA University AU ficlet!

prompt by @disastrouscarrots

Word Count: 681

Synopsis: University AU in which Jamal's an architecture major whose biggest enemy is math and Flo happens to be his math tutor.

A/N: Idk how it works abroad, so putting a lil context just in case, but next to some lectures you have tutorials (Tutorium) where a tutor (sometimes a fellow student in an advanced semester) teaches the course. And @disastrouscarrots told me Flo slayed his math exams during hs so 💅. Flo doesn't have to be a math major to teach the course btw, ig just be in a math-involving major (engineering, cs, ...your headcanons can go wild here).

(ficlet below cut)

Jamal stares back at the weather app, then switches to his messages. Leroy isn't answering. The hallway is mostly empty with some steps echoing from afar. He stands before the seminar door: First one to show up like an overeager, innocent freshman. 

Leroy promised to tag along for their first math tutorial, he knows Jamal's a lost case who stopped going to the math lecture after the first week. He quit the 500 pages powerpoints filled with confusing equations, a professor who's supposed to speak German, but talks in mathematical lingo and theoretical messes and decided to have a mental breakdown at home rather than in a lecture hall instead. 

So. Leroy knows Jamal needs both academic and mental support after being betrayed by the fact that he has to take a theoretical math class.  For architecture. Like, huh? He didn't sign up for engineering, or administration or whatever. He signed up for architecture: construction, design, creativity…not exactly numbers. The uni counseling didn't brief him on this. 

He hears the door fall shut across the hall, glancing up in hope but finds only a handful of students he doesn't recognize. Coming towards him. Straight in his direction. There's a guy leading the group in front. He has a bag slung over his shoulder, wears baggy jeans and an oversized dress shirt. Silver rings flash around his fingers, a denim chain dangles from his waistband. Appears to be a chill dude. Judging by his short, slightly disheveled ash blonde to brown hair and darting eyes, he seems as lost as Jamal feels. 

Maybe he can bond over their fashionable sense of style and shared hatred over maths… because man doesn't look motivated but quite in the motions.  Quite I don't want to be here, but I have to be. Because I also have to practice this exasperating nerve-wracking subject called maths. Then the stranger meets his eyes— Jamal's heart stumbles and he quickly averts his gaze back at his phone. At Leroy's incoming, 'Sorry, won't make it.'

He doesn't roll his eyes. No. It's fine. Maybe Jamal can make a friend today instead. 

And then the guy passes him by and pulls out keys and unlocks the door, the door to the seminar room, like he's some teacher, like-

he's the teaching assistant, the tutor. 

It swooshes in his mind, any remaining thoughts flying away. He feels stupid for reasons he can't really put into words. And then he feels embarrassed, the back of his neck heating up as he realizes this is the guy who will try to teach you and see you're made of straw and empty space. He peeks down the hall, the urge to run away, hide, pay Leroy to take his math exam overbearingly strong. But then he mentally slaps himself, inhales, rolls his shoulders and braces himself for a challenge. Walks through the door to a medium-sized classroom with tables and chairs arranged in an U-form.  He takes a seat by the side, not immediately at the front, not too far at the back. Just right for an incognito plan to talk and interact as little as possible. 

But his classmates ruin his plan because they sit in groups at the end of the U, or parallel to him and he curses and wishes Leroy was here after all. Because now he's sitting on his own, sticking out like a sore thumb. And he feels the tutor's eyes on him. 

He introduces himself as Florian but he's fine being addressed as Flo as he's "only a semester above you guys, so no need to be formal and all." 

He takes his time to talk, mumbling and correcting himself a lot of times, sometimes fiddling with the hem of his shirt, biting his lips. It's…a little endearing. He's scatterbrained but clear when answering questions, even though there are a grand total of like two being asked for the whole lesson. 

From an outside perspective, Jamal may seem focused: furrowed brows, nodding along, taking notes. 

The notes in question are only doodles though, and his eyes are not following equations, but something else. 

[honest-moth-of-silver-grove]

Current Castlevania Masterlist (As of 01.21.24)

Key:

HC = Headcanons (most asks)

OS = One Shots, Ficlets, Drabbles (stand-alone pieces longer than bullets)

CS = Longform & Chapter Stories

CYOA = Choose Your Own Adventure (parts where Reader, s/o, makes different actions to appeal to different, separate characters)

Matchups = Character Matchups for Different Fandoms (readers get paired with a character based on their personality)

Hot! = Adult/NSFW Content

🧛‍♀️ Castlevania 🧛‍♀️

Longer Form (One-Shots) & Chapter Stories:

OS: Modern!Reader jumps into the flames to save Lisa

OS: Modern!Reader jumps into the flames to save Lisa (Part Two) & meets Dracula after rescuing her

OS: Modern! Reader jumps into the flames to save Lisa (Part Three) & goes back to the castle with Lisa and Dracula where she meets Adrian

OS: Yandere!Alucard x Reader

OS: Yandere!Alucard x Reader Part Two

OS: Yandere!Alucard x Reader Part Three

OS: Reader dies in Castlevania Trio’s arms after declaring their love for them

HC & OS: Sypha pegs Trevor- Hot!

OS: Third person in addition to Sumi and Taka finds Alucard tied up with the bodies of Sumi and Taka around him and they have to comfort Alucard

OS: Cho’s daughter comes to avenge her mother, but falls for a lonely Alucard

OS: Cho’s daughter comes to avenge her mother, but is captured by an obsessive Yandere!Alucard

OS: A empathetic herbalist reader comes to find Alucard post-S3, and their relationship is like Beauty and the Beast

OS: Kitsune!Reader leaves offerings for Alucard Post-S3

OS: Trio saves Werewolf!Reader from cruel vampire owner (Part 1)

OS: The Trio Saves a Werewolf!Reader (Part 2)

CS: Sacrificial Family: A child is sacrificed to Dracula by their cultist parents. Completely aghast by this abhorrent behavior displayed by who should be your caretakers, the vampire, and his wife decide to adopt them. But welcoming a new addition to the family when yours is composed of a human doctor, vampire lord, and dhampir child isn’t as easy as it seems. Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three

Choose Your Own Adventure:

HC & OS & CYOA: Witch Trio Ask Series (3 Parts)

HC & OS: Realizing they independently fell in love with the same s/o (1 of 3)

OS & HC & CYOA: Realizing they independently fell in love with the same s/o (2 of 3)

OS & HC & CYOA: The trio member of your choosing brings you back to the group (3 of 3)

Quizzes:

What Castlevania (Netflix) Character Are You Most Compatible With?

Trio:

HC: The worst partner for the trio to have

HC: Reacting to someone from the future

HC: Significant other with chronic pain

HC: How They Spend Valentine’s Day

HC: Falling in love w/ the same person & trying to woo them separately

HC & OS & CYOA: Witch Trio Ask Series (3 Parts)

HC & OS: Realizing they independently fell in love with the same s/o (1 of 3)

OS & HC & CYOA: Realizing they independently fell in love with the same s/o (2 of 3)

OS & HC & CYOA: The trio member of your choosing brings you back to the group (3 of 3)

HC & OS: Time Travel Lady Ask Series

HC: A lady from the future pranks them & they become obsessed (1 of 4)

HC: A lady from the future pranks them & they become obsessed & catch her (2 of 4)

OS: Alucard reflects on the status of his darling and the wedding portrait she pranked him with long ago (3 of 4)

HC & OS: The lady from the future gets revenge on the trio (4 of 4)

HC: Trio competes for the same girl/their flirting styles

OS: Reader dies in Castlevania Trio’s arms after declaring their love for them

HC: Trio falling for 4th adopted group member but they’re oblivious to the trio’s flirting

HC: How the Trio spends the Winter Holidays with their loved one

HC: How The Castlevania Characters Watch the Superbowl

OS: The Trio Saves a Werewolf!Reader

OS: The Trio Saves a Werewolf!Reader Part 2

HC: Soldier, Poet, King with the Castlevania Trio

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

HC: Modern!AU Castlevania Headcanons

Alucard

HC: Yandere! Alucard

OS: Yandere!Alucard x Reader

OS: Yandere!Alucard x Reader Part Two

OS: Yandere!Alucard x Reader Part Three

HC: Yandere!Alucard finds girl in coma in the woods & takes her home (½)

HC: Yandere!Alucard when coma girl wakes up (2/2)

OS: Third person in addition to Sumi and Taka finds Alucard tied up with the bodies of Sumi and Taka around him and they have to comfort Alucard

HC: A mother of a dhampir runs to Alucard’s castle for help & he falls in love with them & protects them from her evil vampire ex

HC: Alucard has a long-lost mute!sister who’s lost her memory

OS: Cho’s daughter comes to avenge her mother, but falls for a lonely Alucard

OS: Cho’s daughter comes to avenge her mother, but is captured by an obsessive Yandere!Alucard

OS: An empathetic herbalist reader comes to find Alucard post-S3, and their relationship is like Beauty and the Beast

OS: Kitsune!Reader leaves offerings for Alucard Post-S3

HC: Alucard Getting a Villager’s Attention (Pre-S1)

HC: Alucard Meeting Trevor’s Older Sister

HC: Confiding in Trevor & Alucard that you like Sypha

HC: Helping their Significant Other Through a Panic Attack

Trevor

HC & OS: Sypha pegs Trevor- Hot!

OS: Trevor and a Poor Vision!Reader outside of Gresit

HC: Confiding in Trevor & Alucard that you like Sypha

HC: Helping their Significant Other Through a Panic Attack

Sypha

HC & OS: Sypha pegs Trevor- Hot!

HC: Sypha Reacting to a Vampire!Child That’s Scared of Her

Lisa:

OS: Modern!Reader jumps into the flames to save Lisa

OS: Modern!Reader jumps into the flames to save Lisa (Part Two) & meets Dracula after rescuing her

OS: Modern! Reader jumps into the flames to save Lisa (Part Three) & goes back to the castle with Lisa and Dracula where she meets Adrian

HC: How The Castlevania Characters Watch the Superbowl

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

HC: Modern!AU Castlevania Headcanons

Dracula:

HC: How The Castlevania Characters Watch the Superbowl

HC: Castlevania Pairings and Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

HC: Modern!AU Castlevania Headcanons

Hector:

HC: How The Castlevania Characters Watch the Superbowl

HC: Helping their Significant Other Through a Panic Attack

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

HC: Modern!AU Castlevania Headcanons

HC: Isaac & Hector’s Partnership Post S4

Isaac:

HC: How The Castlevania Characters Watch the Superbowl

HC: Helping their Significant Other Through a Panic Attack

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

HC: Modern!AU Castlevania Headcanons

HC: Isaac & Hector’s Partnership Post S4

Godbrand:

HC: How The Castlevania Characters Watch the Superbowl

Greta:

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

Lenore:

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

Zamfir:

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

Striga:

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

Morana:

HC: Castlevania Pairings & Their Preferred Positions - Hot!

[another-lost-mc]

Hiii, I’m new to your page and I’m already obsessed with your work. I love how you write the characters and I absolutely love your O/Cs. I was just wondering if you ever planned on continuing your O/C’s stories? Specifically Feathered Friends and A Roll of the Dice.

Feel free to totally ignore this, I was just curious and I’m absolutely feral for Karasu!!

I'm so glad you enjoy my writing and the OCs. <3

I don't mind talking about upcoming plans for the OCs' stories so I'm happy you asked!

The next few chapters of Karasu's story are outlined. Part Four involves MC's tentative pact with Mammon and how that affects their developing relationship with Karasu. It goes into a bit of Karasu's backstory with Mammon and some insight into Karasu's opinions of pacts in general. I play a bit fast and loose with the canon story and pact order after that. I've mentioned this before, but Levi's pact is a long way off. That being said, the Dogi Maji game shenanigans in Lesson 10 becomes a critical turning point in their relationship progression. 👀

Karasu's Nightbringer story is being re-written now that I have the entire past plot to work with. I'm leaving the existing ficlets as they are since I wrote them for fun and like them as their own standalone thing. I do have an outline in the works that follows the NB canon right up to Lesson 40. It's going to be a longer one-shot rather than a multi-chapter fic.

The outline for Azra's entire S1 AU is practically done. It focuses less on canon events and more on the significant milestones in their relationship while MC is in the Devildom. I thought about re-writing Part Two's premise but now I'm not sure if I want to do that either. The original idea was a bit corny but also hilarious? I might keep it the way it is.

And since I'm already talking about OC stuff, let's cover the others too:

I have some brief ideas outlined for Zee's AU but nothing post-ready yet, which is why I'm trying to include him in the multi-character OC posts so he can still get some love. There are certain tropes/scenarios I haven't written about for other characters public sex period sex that apply to Zee, so at least I have some stuff to write about in the meantime.

I have the first part of Tenebris's AU outlined, but it needs some tweaking to reflect additions/changes I've made to his character and story (I originally wrote that outline like, a year ago). His SFW/NSFW Alphabets are in the works too.

Most of my focus for Metatron lately has been fleshing out his past and current standing in the Celestial Realm. I've had a lot of fun writing about his volatile history with Azra and how that will eventually tie into whatever present-day AU I write for him. In the meantime, he'll pop up in some of the Celestial Realm-based writing (he's already made a couple cameos and he's very good at making the other angels jealous lol).

[carletes]

Hello Hibi-san! You probably won't remember me but it's 2 am fanboy anon again... also sending this at 2am 🥹 anyways I literally can't stop thinking about hgiftbn and the "needy" aspect of it???? like both of them are needy but they just have like, different ways of showing it (ln needs to be taken care of and cs feels the need to take care of someone ((through cooking and acts of service)) and like the title amd the song im just cryingf (for me, the song is very lando pov but there is a hint of carlos AND IT PAIRS SO WELL ESPECIALLY ON THE PINING PARTS) and you've probably answered this before but I just could find it but essentially, how the fuck did u think about this au???? like what are the inspirations that pushed u?? I was literally shaking in my boots when I found the fic bc it was literally a perfect cookie cutter (or whatever that expression is) of my carlando cravings 🥹 okay that is all<33

HELLO thank you so much <3 and YES the song immediately clicked and i listened to it on repeat while writing the last act of the fic because i didn't want to leave the headspace i was in!

i actually had a post where i documented the actual manic state i was in but i can't find it alas so! i wrote it in 24 hours lol it was triggered by this tiktoker and i loved how well-dressed he was and i just said haha what if carlos was a personal chef

and then it all just came together, i'd written the outline of the fic in half an hour and then i realized if i didn't write it, it would burn a hole in me, and now here we are!

also i have a whole hgiftbn tag with headcanons and ficlets!

[hollyethecurious]

CS AU: The Witch in the Woods (2/?)

Summary: “If it’s aid of a magical sort ye seek, then you’ll be wanting to find the witch in the woods.”

A/N: This is a continuation of a short ficlet I wrote back in 2021 for that year's Halloweek (link below). When I had the idea of doing a spooky season bingo, I thought it would be a good time to add to this fun little tale so I could mark out the witches square. I would love to expand on this more, but that is entirely up to the muse. As of now, she has given me zero ideas for future installments, however, she is also a fickle bitch, so... who knows??

Although her bday was technically yesterday, I am offering up this continuation to @kmomof4 as a special gift. She yelled at me back in 2021 to continue it and has brought it up every year since. I doubt this will get her off my back, but maybe it'll satisfy her for this year... maybe. Happy belated Birthday, Krystal!!

Rated T for now / Also available on ao3 and ff.net / buy me a coffee / add to tag list / Curious? Come Ask Me! / Part One

Part Two

Hook stood stock still in shock. Her son was related to the devil who had bound him in servitude? How long had the lad been in Neverland? Was he a lost boy? Or perhaps one of the poor unfortunates the tribe of miscreants kept captive for sport? He would not put it past the deranged brat to torment and torture the boy for his own amusement, despite a familial connection.

Before Hook could voice any of this, a blinding glow illuminated from behind a cloth draped over something in the opposite corner. The witch turned and crossed the room, throwing back the cloth and revealing a tall mirror. However, in its reflection was not the witch or the interior of her meager hut, but a viewing portal, depicting a group of townspeople marching through the woods.

“Right on schedule,” the witch sighed sardonically before spinning around and murmuring an enchantment under her breath.

“What the devil is that?” Hook asked, but his question was nearly forgotten as his attention turned to the items that had begun moving of their own accord, whizzing past his head on their way to a carpet bag sitting open atop the work table.

“That-” the witch answered, gathering a few things on her own and packing them into the bag. “-is an angry mob. Note the torches and pitchforks.”

“I gathered,” Hook exasperated, attempting to duck out of the way while jars, vials, bottles, and sachets smelling of herbs continued to glide overhead. “Where are they headed?”

“Here, I'd imagine,” she replied with an unaffected air in her tone. “Most likely to hang me or burn me at the stake.”

Hook balked at that statement and the way she said it so matter-of-factly. “Come again?”

The witch stepped back towards the mirror and gestured at the figure centered within the frame. “See that man? He came here a few days ago, convinced his infant son had been cursed by the midwife and begged me to help.”

“The midwife cursed his newborn babe?”

“No,” she informed him, shortly. “She did her job and did it well. The issue with his son came later.”

“What issue?” Hook asked, making his way to stand next to her now that the objects in her hut had quieted down.

Her gaze still fixed on the mirror, she forlornly told him, “I do not believe the mother’s milk ever came in. The man said the boy would latch, but never seemed satisfied. He was slowly starving and I told the man as much. I suggested they supplement with goat’s milk and offered them an icing rod to feed him with, but…”

“But?”

The witch’s features tightened from a mixture of sadness and anger. “He said, no son of mine will be fed from a goat’s teet. That be the devil’s work.” Rolling her eyes, she turned back to the work table and began inspecting the contents of the carpet bag. “He insisted it had to be witchcraft and demanded I give him something to break the spell.”

“What did you do?” Hook inquired.

“I gave him some herbs to give his wife,” she said, glancing back over her shoulder at the mirror, her brow pinched and eyes squinted, straining to make out the details of the image. Perhaps attempting to ascertain how far into the woods the mob had traveled? “I did not tell him it was to increase her milk supply, but I did tell him it would take a few days for the ‘magic’ to take full effect. I warned him that if he did not see that his son was nourished during that time that it may well be too late, and unfortunately…”

“It was,” Hook finished, full comprehension of the situation now becoming clear to him. “So… the man blames you for his son’s death and means to see you pay for his ignorance and superstition.”

“It appears so,” she replied, focusing once more on the bag.

Hook gripped the hilt of his sword and raised his namesake menacingly towards the mirror. “I will not let that happen, love. I will protect you. I swear it.”

The witch chortled; an amused snort reverberated past her lips, causing Hook’s head to snap in her direction.

“I don’t plan for either of us to be here when they arrive,” she told him, closing the bag and lifting it from the table as though it weighed nothing at all. “Why do you think I’ve been packing?” Stepping up to him, she craned her neck to meet his gaze and said, “Shall we?”

“Shall we… what?”

Again, she rolled her eyes, another beguiling scoff huffing from her chest as she inquired, “You are a pirate, are you not?”

“I am.”

“Which means, you have a ship docked somewhere close by?”

“I do.”

“And you still wish for me to remove your binding, yes?”

“Aye.”

“And I’ve told you my fee, haven’t I?”

“Indeed,” he answered. “You wish for me to steal back your son from Pan.”

“Well, then…”

She paused and wet her lips, drawing his gaze down to her mouth. If not for the sound of the approaching mob, he may well have given in to the temptation of claiming that mouth… and other parts of her as well.

“I’m coming with you,” she said, stating that which should have been obvious to him before now.

“Very well,” he acquiesced, forcing himself to step back from her so he could make his way to the door, ready to fight his way through the mob if necessary.

“Not that way,” she said, grasping his arm and pulling him back to her. She set the carpet bag at their feet - or rather, nestled it on top of their feet - then wound her arms around his waist. “Think of your ship, Captain,” she murmured in the scant space between them. “Close your eyes and imagine us at her helm. I’ll do the rest.”

The shouts and cries echoing off the trees outside had become almost deafening. It took every ounce of trust he did not know he possessed to do as she instructed. His eyelids slid shut and his grip at her waist tightened. Images of the two of them together at the helm of his beloved Jolly Roger filled his mind’s eye and without warning a weightlessness took hold of him.

His eyes sprang open and he found himself surrounded by a swirl of white mist. Gone were the aromatics of the witch’s hut, replaced by the bite and brine of the sea. It was not a murderous mob, but the comforting snap of sails and lapping of water against the hull of his ship that filled his ears. When the mist dissipated, instead of the soft flicker of candles, it was the moon’s rays glowing off the shimmering waves that illuminated the deck. The same rays that sparkled in the witch’s eyes, her neck still craned so she could peer up at him, their arms still circling one another, their gazes locked in an enchantment far stronger than any mystic might produce.

“What’s your name, love?” Hook asked in a desperate breath, fearful that the slightest sound or sudden move might cause the woman to vanish as quickly as she’d had whisked them from her hut.

“Emma,” she replied on a breathless exhale. “Emma Swan.”

“Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger, Miss Swan,” Hook murmured, his fingers lightly skimming over the rough, woolen texture of her dress. “Captain Killian Jones. At your service.”

Hook had to force himself to not tighten his hold of her when she turned in his arms. Leaning back against his chest, she gently caressed the wheel, her fingers wrapping around one of the spokes. A crackling, the likes of which he had experienced during many a storm where lightning threatened to strike, swept through him and across the deck.

The witch - Emma - let out a giggle tinted with affection and lifted her head to gaze up at the sails. “A pleasure to meet you, too,” she said on a note of fondness, and Hook realized his ship, his enchanted ship, was also welcoming her aboard.

“I think it’s time we set sail. Don't you, Captain?” She made no attempt to move from the spot she currently occupied - the one manning the helm nor the one that kept her pressed against him.

Using the side of his boot, he shoved the carpet bag - still nestled between their feet - to the side and stepped in closer. Reaching around her, he grasped the wheel, caging her in, and gave his ship the command to set sail. The anchor was hoisted, the rigging was tightened, the sails snapped to attention, and the ship lurched forward, gliding through the waters. Once they were clear of the harbour, the mainsail lit up with a glittering sparkle and the hull lifted effortlessly into the night.

Emma gasped and braced her stance, but her surprised reaction was quickly replaced with an astonished laugh of awe and wonder.

“Hold on tight, love,” Hook crooned in her ear, a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth at the wash of gooseflesh that erupted down her neck and across the swell of her breasts. “We’ll be in Neverland before you know it.”

“Will we?” she replied, her voice a bit hoarse and husky, making Hook wish the journey to their destination took longer… much, much longer.

“Aye,” he answered, molding himself to her back and pressing his cheek against hers from over her shoulder as he pointed towards starboard. “See there?” he said, turning his face towards hers, their lips now a hair’s breadth apart. “That’s the way to Neverland. To your boy.”

Emma’s eyes cut to the sky then back to Hook’s forget-me-not gaze before dropping down to his mouth. “Second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning?”

“Aye, love,” Hook murmured against her lips. “Straight on ‘til morning.”

Part Three

[wyntereyez]

Body Heat

(A CS ficlet)

This is an oldie I pulled off my laptop.  I didn’t want it to rot on my hard drive forever, so here it is.  There’s no plot, just these two being idiots.  Emma’s ridiculous in this, and Killian finds it funny.

*****

They really needed to have someone come out and look at the furnace, Emma thought as she slowly pulled the duvet around herself in the hopes of becoming a burrito.  This had the effect of uncovering Killian, and she felt him shudder awake.  Good.  He could make himself useful.  “Swan?” he asked groggily.

“‘m cold,” she whimpered.  “Cuddle me?”

Her husband was better than any radiator.  It was how they’d survived previous winters with a barely adequate heating system.  Snuggling beneath a pile of fleece blankets with her husband was the best way to stay warm and save money.

This year was different.  This year, she was eight months pregnant, and her body was being absolutely ridiculous with its demands.  Fortunately, Killian was taking it all in his stride.  A lesser man would have been driven insane by her hormones by now.

Killian raised himself onto his elbow and raised his eyebrow.  “Swan, you told me you didn’t want me near you on pain of neutering.”

“Did not.”  Killian didn’t have the excuse of hormones; he was always dramatic.

“Did,” he said solemnly. His eyes twinkled.

That was a whole hour ago.  How long was he going to hold that against her?  He wasn’t wrong, but still…  “I was hot,” she muttered defensively.

“You pushed me off the bed.”

“You turned into molten lava.”

“I have bruises.”

“Killian… are you refusing your pregnant wife?” she asked plaintively.  Ugh, she couldn’t wait until her hormones stopped making her so dramatic.

“NEVER, Love.  I value my life.”  She could hear him muffling his laughter, the bastard.  

“I’m COLD now,” she insisted.

Killian huffed, again being oh so careful not to laugh, and wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her close.  He pulled the blanket over them both, and Emma breathed a contented sigh.

It lasted for a good twenty minutes.

And then Emma started to feel like she was in a sauna.  Then it moved on to a lava bath.  Annoyed, Emma rolled over and started to shove Killian away.

“What is it now, Love?” he asked, bewildered.

“Killian, I’m HOT!” she whined.  He burst out laughing, which she didn’t think was an appropriate response to her suffering, so she shoved him off the bed.

~fin~

[humble-pigeon]

My Interpretation of this week’s @seasonsofcapri prompt: Harvest Moon by SYML

* * * 

Evening fell on the southern realms as the full moon gleamed, marking the beginning of the autumn harvest.

His Highness, the golden king stood before the ancient bed of stone as the smell of incense permeated his lungs, candlelight dancing on the engraved dialect of the Old World.

“It is almost time, Your Grace,”

Lingering guards made way as two young maidens knelt near the open basin, pouring petals of black and gold efficiently into the carved ground. Upon rising they bowed curtly before making their leave.

With his eye sockets sown shut and his lips black as coal, Elder Nostradamus reached for Laurent’s arm, to which he extended. In reverent silence, he wrapped the vine of Kesus around his exposed wrist gently, holding the other end firm, before indicating for him to make his descent.

Laurent nodded as he paced toward the mouth of tomb, hovering near the top of the steps as Nikandros’ voice arrested him place,

“Do as they say, Highness, return when the vine withers…please, the realm needs you,”

He gazed at his loyal kyros evenly before venturing downward, laying on his back as his eyes fell shut.

Read the rest on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43292973

[godheadjones]

"What? I have never-" for ficlets!

"What? I have never-"

"Stop with the lies, Ivy," Zack stated, glaring at his sister. "You and Carm have definitely kissed recently. I need to know all the deets."

Ivy blushed. "Okay, but only if you stop shouting it. Carm might hear you."

Zack mimed sealing his lips shut with a zipper.

She took in a deep breath. She'd told Zack about her escapades with Carmen before. Now was no different.

Except for the fact that it was. This time, Ivy finally tied the knot in their relationship. DTR'd. Defined the relationship. Made the making out with her boss something more than a fling.

"It started as any other night," Ivy said, twirling her hair on her pointer finger. "Carmen invited me into her room, we chatted for a bit. Small talk, ya know?"

Her brother nodded, somehow able to keep silent. She was surprised he hadn't burst out an exclamation yet.

"Then she put her hand on my knee," Ivy continued timidly. Whatever she had to say next, she knew Zack was going to explode at any exciting point of her story.

"She asked if we wanted to take what we had to the next level."

"OH MY GOD, IVY THAT'S HUGE!"

She shushed him. "I swear, bro, you need to learn to keep your mouth shut once in a while."

"Why?" he asked, cocking his head.

Ivy felt a blush rising in her cheeks. "This is something kinda embarrassing for me, okay? I don't want to talk about this so loudly so just, be quiet? For me?"

She watched as her brother understood what she was asking of him. "Of course, sis," he said.

Ivy held out her hand. Zack understood immediately and they did their handshake in the privacy of the lighted room.

"Thanks, bro."

[snowbellewells]

CS Fic Rec Monday: “Safe” by: @kmomof4

So, this @cshalloweek ficlet was written way back in October of last year, but I am slow and lost track of it, so didn’t get it read until now. It’s just a short glimpse of Killian as a vampire, and his then discovering the newly turned Emma and being captivated by her and needing to ensure her safety.  It won’t take you anytime to read, but you’ll be completely caught up in it, and then you’ll finish and joining me in hoping maybe we can entice @kmomof4​ to give us more of this one... ;)  It really is that good!!

(I didn’t make the cover art, but it’s gorgeous, and hopefully it’s okay that I include it in the rec as well to draw more eyes to the story. It looks like @kmomof4​ made the art herself, with some awesome manips by @spartanguard​! )

“Safe” by: @kmomof4​

[wistfulcynic]

till we be dead ourselves

I saw a thing today that made me a bit cross and reminded me of how unsatisfying I've always found the Brothers Jones reunion in the underworld. This is the result. It's not anti-Liam but it does change him quite a lot from canon, so if that's not your jam you may want to skip this one.

Basically, this is the Brothers Jones I would have liked to see.

Also, at least part of the inspiration came from chatting with @thesschesthair and @winterbythesea about alternative POVs on our OTP. So here, guys, have a Liam. Beware, there are feels. 

SUMMARY: Liam Jones has been waiting for his brother for three hundred years. When he finally arrives, he's not as Liam remembers. Some not-typical or particularly respectful of canon Brothers-Jones-in-the-underworld feels, plus a dash of Captain Swan.

words: 2025 rating: T tags: not canon compliant, underworld AU, brothers jones. Major characters are already dead. 

on AO3

-

till we be dead ourselves: 

He’s been waiting a long time for this. Three hundred years. 

Well, two hundred ninety-three years and eighty-six days, to be precise. He knows because he looked it up. He had to. It’s not easy keeping track of time here; some seconds tick so slowly they’re torture while years can pass in the blink of an eye. 

Years, such as they are. There aren’t really years in this place, or truly ‘time’ at all. There’s not really anything. This is nothingness, a void, a repository for whatever souls are made of, and different to each one. They’re trapped here, these souls, until they finish whatever business still remains for them, and over the centuries he’s seen so many come and go—some sorrowfully confused by what they need to do, others firmly certain. 

As for Liam Jones, he’s always known why he’s here. His unfinished business is Killian. 

On the day Killian arrives Liam can barely contain his excitement. Not just because he may finally be free of this place but because he longs to see his little brother again. He’s missed Killian, and also he’s keen to know what the devil took him so long. How is it possible that his brother’s life stretched on for over three hundred years? 

He walks quickly through the town—an odd little town, unlike any he encountered while alive. His afterlife has manifested it for only a few years. Before that it was ships and ports and then it was jungle. Ships and jungle, jungle and ships for so very, very long. He’s come to realise that his afterlife reflects what his brother does Above, though what precisely that consisted of he is not privileged to know. He’s hoping Killian will tell him. 

He knocks on the door of a large, blue house and waits, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. When it opens he turns with a smile that freezes on his face. 

The man framed in the doorway is his brother, unmistakably him, yet Liam finds he’s not prepared for how much Killian has changed. He feels foolish for being taken so by surprise; of course Killian is not what he remembers. He’s not still the eager young lieutenant he was when Liam died, obviously not. He couldn’t be. 

But the man before him is… hard. Jaw set and eyes cold, with an aura of both danger and command. A man not to be trifled with. His face is still youngish—mid-thirties, perhaps—but his eyes are ancient. Tired and bitter and heavy with the weight of ages, and abruptly Liam feels very, very young. 

“K-killian?” he ventures. 

Killian’s brow wrinkles in confusion that lasts an uncomfortable beat or two, and then it clears. His eyes widen. “Liam,” he breathes. “Is it really you?” 

“It’s me, brother.” Liam attempts a smile again. “I’ve been waiting for you.” 

“Bloody hell.” 

Killian pulls him into a hug which he returns warmly, though the sound of curse words on his brother’s lips has stunned him. He smells of leather, and of the sea. And rum. Liam blinks through a fresh wave of astonishment. Killian has been drinking. Drinking rum. 

Killian pulls back from the hug but keeps his hand on Liam’s shoulder. His eyes are crinkled by a smile that Liam can’t help noticing barely touches the depth of sadness in them. “It’s good to see you, brother,” he says. 

“You’ve changed,” Liam blurts, then curses his impulsive tongue when the smile fades from his brother’s face. 

“Aye,” Killian says. “It’s been some time.” 

“Three hundred years, give or take,” Liam agrees. “How? How was it that long?” 

“Perhaps you’d better come in, Liam,” Killian says. He steps back and holds the door. “We’ve rather a lot to discuss.” 

-

Liam spends that first night in his brother’s house. Killian seems at a bit of a loss for what to do with himself in all the space and curiously reluctant to speak of why his afterlife has manifested such a dwelling just for him. Of course the dead don’t truly sleep, but Liam passes the night deep in thought, still in shock over what he’s learned about life his brother led. 

Killian is Captain Hook. A pirate. A man whose name Liam has heard in hushed whispers on the lips of many a soul who’s passed through this place. None of those whispers spoke of anything good. 

He cannot reconcile his little brother, even three hundred years of bitter loss and violent struggle later, as the cruel and vengeful villain of those tales. He cannot. It’s simply not possible. 

“Much of what they recounted was likely exaggerated,” Killian said wryly, “or hearsay. But I’ve done much I’m not proud of, Liam. I killed men without a second thought. I plundered lands across the realms. I have not led a good life.” 

“Then why are you here?” Liam demanded. “If you were as bad as all that, you wouldn’t end up in limbo.” 

“Perhaps I may have done enough in the past few years to warrant a chance at redemption,” Killian reflected. “I suppose we’ll see.” 

“And do you know what your unfinished business is?” 

Killian swallowed visibly, then nodded. “I believe I do.” 

-

Over the next week Liam keeps an eye on his brother. It’s not that he’s concerned—well, yes, it is that he’s concerned. There’s a restless energy to Killian that makes Liam uneasy, worried that he might do something rash. So he watches, from a distance, as Killian sets about finishing his business. He watches his brother seek out many of the men who bore the tales about him, those who still remain at least. He sees the fear in those men’s faces, and the anger. Sometimes he hears their voices, raised and vicious. It pains him to witness these things—not least the shame on Killian’s face—but he forces himself not to interfere. 

His brother is not a man to be trifled with. 

One day he observes Killian deep in conversation with a woman, dark-haired and statuesque. They stand close together in the manner of those who’ve shared a deep intimacy, and even from a distance he can see that they are crying. Killian pulls the woman into his arms where she weeps into his shoulder, and before they part he presses his lips to hers. 

It’s farewell. 

With every interaction Killian’s burden lessens, though he remains weighed down by things Liam can barely fathom. Each night they meet at the blue house, where they sit together and talk. They have three hundred years of catching up to do. As they talk Killian drinks, and Liam has begun to as well. He senses his brother could use company in more than conversation, and it’s not like alcohol can harm the dead. It doesn’t do them much good either, but the phantom rum seems to soothe Killian, and loosen his tongue. 

Though not enough, Liam comes to realise, for Killian to speak of why he’s really here. 

-

Her arrival sparks an uproar such as Liam has never experienced, even in all the time he’s passed in this place. She shouldn’t be here. She can’t be here. It’s not possible. 

Yet here she is. 

Word of it spreads like wildfire; Liam is polishing glasses at the bar where he inexplicably works when it reaches his ears. 

“They say she’s alive,” says one of the regulars, in hushed tones. “Alive, and here.” 

“That’s impossible,” Liam scoffs. “None of the living can come here. And even if they could why would they want to?” 

“She’s here to rescue someone,” the regular replies. “Her true love. That makes it possible, or so they say.” 

“And the man died in sacrifice,” another adds. “Huge sacrifice, before his time.” 

Before his time, Liam thinks. That should rule Killian out. Yet he can’t shake this feeling, this creeping suspicion born of Killian’s refusal to discuss how he died, or how he lived these past few years. There’s a reason this town is his afterlife, and Liam’s too. There’s a reason he’s alone in that big house. 

He sets the glass down, and the rag. “I have to go,” he says. 

-

It couldn’t be more obvious that the woman doesn’t belong. She’s visibly, ostentatiously alive, so full of life she glows. It draws the souls—ghoulishly, Liam thinks—but none dare approach too closely. The woman looks as though if anyone could kill a soul that’s already dead, it’s her. 

She heads down Main Street and Liam follows. Past the diner and the library, around the corner and up the street where Killian lives. A tight knot forms in Liam’s chest as she walks up to the blue house then stops, with her hand on the gate. 

The door flies open and Killian appears on the porch. He stares at the woman, who offers him a smile that strikes Liam as far too tremulous for her take-no-prisoners demeanour. 

“Swan,” Killian chokes. His voice sounds broken. “What are you doing here?” 

“I came to save you,” the woman replies. She opens the gate and takes a few steps forward. Killian stumbles off the porch to close the distance between them. 

“You shouldn’t have come,” he says. “You shouldn’t be here, not here. Not you.” 

“I had to, Killian!” She looks up at him imploringly. “You shouldn’t have died like that. You shouldn’t have had to make that choice.” 

She takes his hand and laces their fingers tighter. Killian’s breath catches. “Come back with me, Killian. Come home.” 

“I can’t,” he whispers.

“You can. I know a way.” Her voice drops as she steps closer, but Liam can still hear her words. “Don’t try to make me live the rest of my life without you, Killian Jones,” she says. “I won’t do it.” 

“Swan—” 

“I won’t do it,” she repeats. “I love you.” 

Liam can see the moment Killian breaks. He snatches the woman into his arms, holds her tightly as she clings to him and magic twines palpably around them. This is not what he had with the brunette, Liam realises. That was love, yes, and intimacy. It was grief, deep and terrible but of a normal sort. 

This is agony. This is two souls that should never have been parted and the connection that still binds them, so powerful it can draw a living woman into the land of the dead. 

No wonder Killian couldn’t speak of her, Liam thinks, or of the circumstances of his death. The pain must have been too great. 

Liam’s been dead so long he’s forgotten how sensitive a subject it can be. 

The man died in sacrifice, he recalls. Huge sacrifice, before his time. 

He died for her. And now she’s here to bring him back. 

-

“This feels too soon,” Killian says, as he hugs Liam tight. “I only just found you again.” He pulls back and gives his brother a shrewd look. “And I sense that when I’m here again, you no longer will be.” 

“No,” Liam agrees. His business is finished now. And Killian’s not coming back, not to this place. Not if Emma Swan has anything to say about it. The next time Killian Jones dies it will be with his life’s purpose fully met. 

He’s glad they had this time, though, and not just because he needed it to move on. He’s glad he got to know his brother as a man, a flawed and troubled one, yes, but one who has goodness at his core and is finally where he needs to be. It only took three hundred years for him to get there. 

He’s also glad Killian is still shorter than he is, for all that Liam appears ten years younger than his brother now. He’s glad because he can still wrap his arm around Killian’s neck and ruffle his hair. He does so now, though Killian’s indignant “Oi!” of protest twists his heart. He sounds so like his younger self, that boy Liam spent centuries waiting for and will never see again. 

“I love you, little brother,” he whispers. 

Killian swallows hard, and nods. “I love you too.” 

[sailtoafarawayland]

Alpha/Omega Ficlets Ch. 6

A Heart Full of Love II: A Bite-Sized Preview of Toddlerhood 

SUMMARY: A collection of alpha/omega OS and drabbles. All kinds of fluff, angst, humor, and smut will ensue. Chapters are not following a particular universe, so expect to see varying interpretations. I will rate as an M for what I'm sure will be eventual smut, but individual chapters will range from G up. Check each chapter heading for ratings/relevant tags.

AO3 - FF

Rating: G - Family Fluff

A Heart Full of Love II: A Bite-Sized Preview of Toddlerhood

“I'm sorry?” Killian said, his words edging slightly higher with surprise as he stared at the woman in front of him. “Our son did what?”

Ariel opened her mouth to respond, but a small, brown-haired child made a run for the doorway from somewhere behind her, and she had to stoop and snatch the child around his waist, sending him gently back into the classroom with an admonishment. Huffing out a breath and rolling her eyes at the near escapee, she tossed her red hair over her shoulder and turned her attention back to Killian.

“He bit one of the other kids today during free play,” she repeated, glancing over her shoulder to make sure there were no more escape attempts in the making. “Have you noticed any aggressive behavior at home lately?”

“No, not at all,” Killian faltered, failing to think of a single instance.“He's incredibly gentle with Hope, and Emma and I as well. We've never once seen him bite anyone. I'm sorry, but I've no idea what came over him. Was there an altercation of some sort – something that provoked it perhaps?”

“Play seemed to be quiet and calm. I regret that I wasn't in the room myself, but my co-teacher didn't see anything that would indicate it was provoked. We did look back over the classroom cameras just to be certain, but he seemed to be played nicely with Hope and another child. He simply leaned over during play and bit the other boy on the hand.”

“Honestly, I don't know what to say...”

Killian wasn't sure whether he was supposed to be upset or embarrassed, but he settled on confused. What the teacher was saying didn't align with the Liam he and Emma knew at all.

“Luckily he didn't break skin, and the other parent was very understanding. We spoke with Liam about how biting is not an appropriate behavior to engage in with his friends, but it would be helpful if you and Emma were to underline that in a home setting where he may be more receptive. He mostly seemed upset afterwards. Obviously, we also want to avoid any negative connotations when it comes to biting, while still stressing that in this situation, it's inappropriate. I think that's a conversation best left to you and Emma, however.”  

“Aye,” Killian murmured, feeling more out of his depth than he had the first time he juggled both twins together as pups. “We'll certainly have a talk with him tonight. Is there any way I can apologize to the other parent? I know both Emma and I would be distraught if either of ours came home with a bite.”

“Unfortunately, we don't share 'who bit who' in these circumstances, but I'll happily convey the sentiment to them. As I said, they were very understanding – these things sometimes happen in a daycare setting as much as we try to prevent them.”

“Well, again, my apologies. Hopefully tomorrow will be free of any such incidents.”

Ariel smiled and nodded, kindly reminding him not to forget the twin's lunches before returning to the rest of her charges. By the time Killian walked back to the car, a pile of artwork pressed between his wrist and chest, and two lunch bags in his hand, he still hadn't come to terms with the fact that their child had actually bitten someone.

“Everything okay?” Emma asked as he slipped into the passenger's seat beside her, picking up the scent of his agitation before she even noticed the slight furrow of his brow.

Ariel had never asked either of them to return to the classroom for a chat after they'd gotten Liam and Hope settled into their car seats, usually giving them all of the highlights of the day while the kids got their shoes on, so he knew Emma would be curious as to what was going on.

“Aye, why don't we get these pirates settled in at home though, we'll talk then,” Killian suggested, tucking the bags between his feet and thumbing the edges of their artwork thoughtfully. He didn't want to have this conversation about their son while he listened. “Everything's fine, just...we could use a bit more privacy.”

“What's privacy?” Hope wheedled, elongating her vowels as she tested the new word, her fingers drumming on  her seat.  

“What do you use it for?” Liam followed. “Can we have some?”

“Privacy is time that mommy and daddy have alone while you and your brother play quietly.”

“Killian,” Emma interrupted, pressing a finger to her head and biting back a smile, “I think that concept might be a little beyond them.”  

“Like when you do the dishes after dinner together?”

“Aye, lad, now who's hungry? The faster we get home, the sooner you'll get fed.”

The enthusiastic response from the twins soon devolved into a loud argument as Emma pulled out into traffic, Liam voting for apples slices and peanut butter, while Hope tried to convince him they should get the potato chips that Emma kept hidden on the top shelf.

/

“I don't understand,” Emma muttered, gaze flickering to where the twins were sitting in front of the television watching a movie about sheep who were playing soccer with llamas, both of them laughing ecstatically whenever one or the other kicked the ball. “He's so calm, and gentle. I mean, if she'd told me it was Hope...are we sure it wasn't Hope?”

“It's not as if they're easily confused, Swan.”

It was true. Though they'd both had blonde hair as pups, by the time they were a year old, Hope's had fallen out completely and had soon regrown the same near-black as her father's. By the age of three she had a soft set of curls that fell around her chin – the chin was Emma's, as was her stubborn, and at times, combative nature. Liam looked just like his father, down to his dimples and the eyebrows that simply never stood still, but his hair was Emma's flaxen gold, and his temperament veered more towards quiet and observant than aggressive.

“Right. Yeah,” Emma muttered, pausing in her attempts to cut the carrots in front of her so small that neither toddler would notice them mixed in with the rice. “It just doesn't make sense.”

“I know, but we'll have to have a discussion about it tonight with him. He can't do it again. The other parents might not be so understanding a second time.”

“Is it normal for kids to bite like this? I don't think Mary Margaret has ever mentioned Leo biting...”

“Perhaps we can check with their pediatrician, but I'm hoping it was just an experiment that he won't repeat. Do you think after dinner is a good time?”

“No, before. They both stink, and baths are just going to make bedtime too hectic for a serious talk...maybe I shouldn't have gone back to work,” Emma sighed, watching with a soft smile as Liam fed Hope half of the extra large potato chip he'd found in the bag. “Maybe they're just too young to be in a group setting like that. Maybe they miss me.”  

“I really don't think that's it, love – not that they don't miss having you around all day, but they've been in Ariel's class now for months, and they've been thoroughly enjoying it. You see how happy they are to share their adventures each day. It's good for them.”

“Yeah, but not for whatever kid Liam decided to snack on.”

/

Emma had thought Liam understood.

Unsurprisingly, given how proficient he was with the English language, Killian had found the right words to have a conversation with a three year old about biting – a loaded topic. He'd explained that there was a time when biting was appropriate, and a time when it wasn't, and that either way, it wasn't a behavior for children, and certainly not something that you did to your friends. Liam had nodded his head, and scrunched his brows, and itched his ear, and just been so damn cute with his hair flopped over his eyes that Emma wanted to scoop him up and tell him not to worry about a thing.

He was her baby, and clearly if he'd bitten some other kid, the kid probably had it coming.

But then her mom brain reminded her that if either Liam or Hope came home with a bite, she'd be pretty pissed, and she and Killian owed it to whoever that other kid was to make sure Liam understood.

She really thought he'd gotten the message.

But apparently she'd not only been wrong about that, she was also wrong about the other kid deserving it – because the little video screen she'd asked to see was paused in front of her, Liam's mouth latched very firmly around a small boy's arm as he tried to take a seat for circle time.

“I'm so sorry this happened again,” Emma stammered, unable to take her eyes off the image or her mind from the thirty seconds of video that had played before it – Liam and Hope had been sitting quietly for a story, and then a third child tried to sit down next to Liam. Sure, the kid had shoved a bit to get into the small space, but nothing that should have warranted an actual bite. “We talked with him last night and really felt he understood...he seemed to feel really bad that it happened at all.”

“I know this is a tricky thing to handle,” Ariel said. “It's not the first time we've had issues with biting, but it does cause health and safety issues for the other kids. Have you thought about taking Liam in to see his pediatrician? Sometimes things like gum or dental pain can cause this.”

“We haven't seen any signs of that at home, and we're very good with brushing, but maybe a visit to his doctor wouldn't hurt. We'll set something up. Is he – are the kids still okay to come in?”

“Absolutely, we just ask that you guys keep this issue at the forefront and continue to have a discussion with Liam about it. We'll do our best to prevent it from happening again, but of course we can't see everything each child is doing every second they're here, so...”

“Yeah, I totally get that,” Emma sighed. She had a hard enough time with just the twins. She couldn't imagine an entire classroom. “We'll let you know if we have any updated information. I'm just really hoping this is a phase or something...”

“And that is a frequent explanation,” Ariel smiled. “Hopefully it's nothing more than that and it will pass.”

/

“Emma?” Killian hollered up the stairs, slipping into his own leather jacket and dodging Liam as he ran into the living room with a toy ship in his hand. “Are you ready yet?”

Hope thumped down the stairs and raced past him, making tight circles around the kitchen table, her dark curls bobbing up and down as she ran.

“Mommy's brushing her teeth,” she sing-songed, clipping a chair with her foot and sending it crashing into the one beside it.

Killian sighed and got ready for Hope's next loop, snatching her and lifting her from the ground when she came within reach. “Listen here, you little scoundrel,” he mock-snarled, rolling her against his chest as she shrieked, “what have I told you about running in the house? I think it's time we make you walk the plank.”

“No, daddy, don't!” Hope cried, squirming against his grip as he pretended to heave her back and forth.

“Right, tickles it is then,” he growled, burying his nose in the crook of her beck and blowing raspberries as she fought him off with giggles that veered far closer to screeching.      

The sound of small feet slapping heavily against the hardwood was the only warning Killian got before he felt Liam barrel into his legs, the blow quickly followed by the sharp sting of teeth clamping down on his thigh. He yelped, more in surprise than pain, and scrambled to both maintain his balance and set Hope down safely, all while not falling on top of Liam, who had darted out of the way, his hand clutching the edge of his sister's shirt.

The urge to snap at Liam died on his lips when he looked at his son, taking in the utter confusion and fear on his face.  

“Okay, all ready,” Emma announced, bounding down the stairs in much the same way Hope had. “Did I hear something about tickles...”

Her words faded away as she took in the scene before her. Killian stood very still, his hand rubbing a circle on his thigh as he stared at Liam, and Liam was clutching Hope as if he were terrified.

“Where are we goin'?” Hope chirped, effectively breaking the tension as she dragged her brother to the front door where their coats waited, still crumpled on the floor from their morning jaunt in the park. Liam's eyes lingered on his father for a second longer before sliding away.

“Killian?” Emma nudged, the slight uptick in his musk alone alerting her that something was wrong. “What happened?”

“He bloody bit me, Swan,” Killian ground out, careful to keep his voice as calm and even as he was able, his fingers still pressed against the damp indentation on his jeans.

“Well,” Emma drawled, biting her own lip to stop the half-smile that wanted to break free at how hurt and put out her alpha husband looked, “it's a good thing we're on our way to the doctor.”

/

“Everything looks good to me,” Dr. Parsons said, flicking off the small light in his hand and dropping it back to the desk. “Now, you could always bring him to the dentist for an x-ray, but I'm not seeing any indications that Liam's experiencing oral pain, and since he's said as much himself, I wouldn't be too worried.”

“That's good, of course,” Killian sighed. “Is there any explanation you can give us for the sudden biting?”

“What has Liam said when you've asked him?”

“It's happened three times – the last just before we got in the car to head here, but that's the only time we've seen the behavior ourselves,” Killian said, rubbing at his thigh to indicate just who had been the victim this time. “He said he didn't know why he did it, and he seemed extremely upset and sorry over the whole thing.”

The doctor hummed, reaching for a stack of books nearby and handing a sticker book to Liam while he sat on the exam table. “Do you think you can put all of the car stickers on the road for me, Liam?”

“I like boats,” Liam asserted. “Daddy has a boat. We go on it when its warm and not bedtime.”

“Ah, maybe you can take a look for any boat stickers in there,” Dr. Parsons suggested, making sure Liam seemed involved in his task before turning his attention back to Killian and Emma. “What was going on when he bit you.  Were there any situational cues?”

“I was upstairs,” Emma said. “I missed the whole thing. Killian?”

“Hope and I were playing,” he shrugged, motioning toward their daughter who was sitting in one of the nearby chairs flipping through a book about animals. “Nothing out of the ordinary at all.”

“And was Liam engaged in playing with the both of you?”

“No, he was in the next room with some of his own toys.”

“And then what happened?”

“He threw himself into my leg and bit me. I nearly dropped Hope on top of him.”

“It sounds like you were carrying Hope?” the doctor asked, and Killian nodded in confirmation. “Is it possible that Liam thought his sister might be in some sort of danger?”

“Danger?” Emma scoffed. “Killian was tickling her. He tickles them both every day. It's one of their favorite games.”

“Well, I did threaten to make her walk the plank before that,” Killian muttered, wondering if perhaps the doctor was on to something, “but again, it's nothing Liam hasn't heard or seen a thousand times before.”

“What about the first two times he exhibited this behavior?”

“The second time was when the kids were sitting in a circle at school,” Emma said. “Another kid tried to sit next to Liam, and he bit his arm. The first time...I don't know – the teacher said they were playing in a close group and they weren't sure there was anything that happened.”

“Was Hope nearby in both of these instances?” Dr. Parsons asked, his fingers tapping on the keyboard as he made a few notes on Liam's chart.

“They're never far apart,” Killian interjected.

“Yeah, Hope was sitting next to Liam the second time, and the other child was trying to sit in a small space between them. The first time it was Liam playing with Hope and someone else.”

“I think that Liam is in perfect health,” the doctor reaffirmed for them. “My suspicion is that he is just going through some very early development.”

“What does that mean?” Emma asked, worried about what this would mean for their son.

“It's not very common, but sometimes traits that would have a normal onset during the early stages of puberty can start earlier. Even though someone may not identify as alpha, beta, or omega until their teens, the body has already started developing accordingly. For instance, the alveoli in the gums that an alpha possesses to transfer the compounds of their musk into the scent gland of an omega, while not fully developed in young alphas, are still present in an immature state from birth.”  

“That's all very interesting,” Emma said, “but how does it explain what Liam is going through? His teeth look normal for his age.”

“I think Liam may be experiencing some over-protectiveness, courtesy of his genetic makeup. As I said, it's not common, but it does happen. We tend to see it most often in lines with a strong alpha heritage in the males. Is that the case for either of you?”

“Aye,” Killian hedged, “all the males in my family have been alpha.”

Emma shrugged, looking elsewhere and taking a step closer to Killian as her discomfort rose to the surface, tinging her scent with a bitter edge that caused her husband to wrap his arm around her shoulder. She was never fond of this line of questioning. “I wouldn't know – I don't know my family history.”

Dr. Parsons simply nodded and made another note on Liam's chart. “I think the reason Liam is confused and upset by the incidents is because he truly doesn't understand why he's done it. There's no reasoning that he's aware of, it's simply a primal reaction to something his body perceives as a threat – maybe a child reached too close to Hope, or pushed her trying to get a seat. With you,” he said, motioning to Killian, “you were roughhousing as normal, and Liam reacted instinctively to his sister's outburst.”

“Okay, that all sounds very...I'll have to take your word for it,” Emma smiled, “but what can we do to keep it from happening? I get that it's normal – if a bit earlier than we anticipated dealing with something like this, but it can't keep happening at school.”

“Aye, how can we help him get through this?”

“Well, we can run some labs to be sure, if you'd like. Though if my suspicions are correct, the hormone imbalance responsible will most likely even out in a few weeks, and the phase will pass. For now, I would suggest having a conversation about how school and home are safe places, and that going to an adult if he is worried about his sister is more appropriate than biting. It may also help to explain the difference between actual danger and something more benign, like an unintentional push.”

“At least we have a possible explanation,” Killian sighed. “Is it a simple blood draw for the labs?”

The doctor nodded. “Absolutely, I can have the nurse come in when we're done and take care of that right here if you'd like?”

Killian glanced at Emma and she nodded. It wouldn't be Liam's first blood draw, and it would be better to have a solid answer just in case there were any other unforeseen complications down the road. They thanked Dr. Parsons, both kids looking up from their books just long enough to wave goodbye, and waited for the nurse to come in. It didn't take her long, and in a matter of minutes she had a small table laid out with the equipment used to draw blood.

Emma held Liam on her lap while the nurse made a game of finding a good vein in his arm, tapping different spots and making silly noises until she found a vein she claimed was the 'biggest and strongest'. Hope was still completely enthralled by the pile of books next to her on the other side of the room, seemingly oblivious to everything.  

“Now, there will be a little sting,” the nurse warned him, “but it will be very tiny, I promise. Then, I'm going to use this to take just a little bit of your blood.”

“What do you do with it?” Liam asked, brows scrunching comically together as he waited for an answer.

“We run it through a big machine with lots of hoses, and buttons and noises. Isn't that cool?”

“I guess so...” Liam hedged, still uncertain, but determined to be brave.

“You ready, bud?” Emma whispered, smiling as their little boy squeezed her hand hard and nodded.

“Yup.”

“Okay, here we go – just a little pinch,” the nurse said, sliding the butterfly needle cleanly into Liam's arm, red blood filling the line and pooling in the sample tube she quickly attached.  

Though both Emma and Killian had expected it, Liam's sharp intake of breath and clenched jaw still made their hearts leap – but what they hadn't expected was Hope's book falling to the floor as she leapt to her feet, both her arms crossed tightly in front of her chest as she glared at the nurse.

“Hey, you! Don't hurt my brother!” she scolded, looking for all the world as if she wanted to launch herself at the nurse.

“Well, that's interesting,” the nurse teased, clearly unused to seeing vocal, brazen little girls in her office.

“No, that's just Hope,” Killian beamed, wrapping his arm proudly around Emma. “She takes after her mother.”

END

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