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nnt-nextgeneration · 6 years ago

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A gift for @okamideimos as part of the @creators-anonymous exchange. Here’s your Storm and my Astrid. The prompt was bonfires. Thank you for your friendship! - Galfridus1

Cheers rang out, so loud they could be heard even over the bangs and whistles emanating from the sky. Storm looked up, his face stinging with cold as he watched patterned lights exploding in the dark in a wide array of greens and reds: Camelot’s colours carefully chosen for the occasion and choreographed to perfection. It was all very flashy and the humans around him were oohing and aahing in the appropriate places, their joyous faces shining in the light of the fire.

Not that anyone was allowed to get close to it of course. Storm pouted a little as he regarded the bonfire that blazed in the middle of the field, surrounded by a wide cordon so no one could approach. “You children cannot be trusted to keep yourselves safe,” Merlin had said with a scowl when he complained. “Besides, why do you need to go near it anyway?” Storm had looked up at his mother innocently and said, “No reason,” then wandered quickly away before she could ask him more questions. He had felt Merlin’s eyes following him but, thankfully, Arthur had gone to see her about something or other and she had needed to give the king her full attention.

But Storm still faced a dilemma. The firework he has built all by himself was practically burning a hole in his pocket and all he wanted to do was set it off. He had watched as Merlin developed her own specimens, mixing different types of powder in careful measure, and decided he too would have a go at the craft. And for his rocket there would be no half-measures. It was going to be an absolute whopper that put these little puny firecrackers that made a few tiny bangs squarely in their place.

Head cocked to one side, Storm surveyed the scene. There was no way he could approach the bonfire unnoticed: Camelot’s citizens encircled the flames, the ones who had worked their way to the front of the crowd standing right up against the rope that kept everyone back. Even if he was sneaky and even if the humans all had their eyes glued on the explosions above, the auburn glow of the fire would betray his location. It would only take one person to see him for his ruse to be up.

He could, of course, set his firework off with a blast of Hellblaze and he was sorely tempted, but even he knew that was a bad idea. The purple flames were pretty distinctive. If he somehow managed to escape suspicion, which was by no means likely, then blame would no doubt attach itself to Tristan or Max, neither of whom could afford to forfeit any goodwill. Max was on his last legs as it was. Storm bit his lip a little as he remembered the snatches of conversation he had overheard just a few days before between Merlin, Gelda and Zeldris, his own mother sounding uncharacteristically sad and defeated. He knew she was telling Max’s parents that the time was fast approaching when the boy would have to sent away from Britannia, his power and volatility growing too great to contain. This pronouncement had been followed by a long, unnerving pause; Gelda had cried and Storm had never before known Zeldris to be so quiet.

“What are you doing?”

Storm, jumping a little into the air with the shock, turned quickly around to face the voice, his heart rate returning to normal as he saw Astrid looking up at him with wide, violet eyes. She was sucking on a toffee apple that was nearly as large as her head, her face gleaming with residue from the sweet. When he failed to answer, Astrid giggled then thrust the apple in his direction. “Do you want a bite?” she asked and Storm had to step back to avoid being covered in sticky goo.

“You’re alright, thanks,” he said wrinkling his nose.

“You’re plotting something,” Astrid gloated as she looked at him more closely. “Mummy says you’re always plotting something. She says you’re the naughtiest little boy she’s ever met.”

Storm, feeling the injustice of this, snapped back, “At least I’ve never destroyed the castle. Well, only that one time, or maybe two times,” he amended a little sheepishly. “Your brother does it nearly every month.”

“Mummy says he can’t help it.” Astrid peered at him some more and Storm shivered a little. It was as if she could see right through to his soul. “Max is rough but he’s not naughty. He doesn’t plan it. When he loses it he just goes mad. But you have a lot of power too,” Astrid said thoughtfully and Storm gasped as he felt her energy running up against his. “Loads of it, wow! Way more than me. Just like Max. Do you find it hard to control? They want to send Max away,” she added abruptly and her lip started to wobble. “He’s going to be lonely. I want to go with him but mummy said no, and daddy agreed and it’s not fair!”

To Storm’s horror the little girl burst into tears. A few of the nearby humans glanced in their direction, looks hardening to stone they saw him next to the sobbing child. Quickly, he put an arm around Astrid. “Hey, it’s alright. Stop crying. Please!” he hissed in her ear as she ignored him and the humans continued to glower. “Please stop! They think I upset you. I’m going to be in so much trouble.”

Astrid gulped, then swallowed hard over and over again, relief flooding Storm as her sobs gradually turned into hiccups. “I don’t want Max to go away,” she said sadly. “Daddy says he’ll be happy but how can he be? The demon world is horrible,” she said with a shudder. “I went there once. It’s all black and grey and cold. There’s no grass,” she explained. “How can you live with no grass? Or trees?”Storm said nothing, his arm still awkwardly around the small girl. “Um… would you like to see something interesting?” he asked tentatively, his other hand in his pocket, fingers running over the rocket he had constructed.

Astrid wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “What is it?” she asked.

“A rocket. A massive one,” Storm boasted. “It’s much, much better than the ones we just saw. All I need is some fire to set it off.”

“Oh! I can do that,” Astrid proclaimed. With a shifty sideways look she glanced around at the humans who, now the fireworks display had ended, had started milling about, exchanging pleasantries and buying spiced wine and smoked sausages. “Mummy said I mustn’t show anyone but you’re not going to tell on me. You have your own power.” Eyes darting around, Astrid turned her back on the crowds, pulling Storm with her. Then, to his amazement, shielded from the people’s view by both of their bodies, the little girl opened her hand to reveal a bright, burning flame.

“Mummy said the humans don’t like it,” Astrid said sadly as she closed her fingers, snuffing the fire out in an instant. “I think it’s pretty, don’t you? But some stuff happened before I was born and they don’t like magic anymore, unless it’s Lady Merlin’s, that’s what mummy said.”

Storm gave a small nod. “Yeah,” he agreed. “It’s best not to show them. So, no one knows you can make fire?”

“No, just my family. They said it’s a secret.”

“Good.” Storm pulled Astrid even further away from the bonfire and into the shadows. “No one will suspect you then. Just send out a spark and light this fuse,” Storm instructed as he pointed to the bit of rope that trailed from the body of the firework. “Then you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

Astrid looked up at him, grinned and, without another word, sent out a flash of flame to ignite the string. Instinctively, Storm pulled her back and away from the rocket, dragging her into the crowd just as a piercing whistle rang out over the land and, with a tremendous boom, the missile launched into the air, spitting every colour of spark in its wake.

“Woah,” Astrid cried appreciatively as the rocket whizzed up into the velvet black of the sky and then broke apart in a shower of blue and purple and gold, three heads of silver snakes angrily hissing outwards from the copious plumes of smoke. The people below gasped, children huddling close to their parents as the serpents writhed and coiled, their fangs gleaming as streams of light scattered down from them to the ground. A few of the kids started screaming and panic settled over the crowd, the tension palpable until, with a burst of flame that matched the sudden rush of relief, the snakes vanished as quickly as they had arrived, leaving nothing but light grey streaks of cloud behind them.

“That. Was. Amazing!” Astrid gushed. “Do it again! Please,” she begged as Storm gaped at her. “I want to see another one. That was… Oh…” she trailed off, her face collapsing as a shadow fell across her face. Storm bit his lip, already knowing what he would see as he turned to look at what was behind him.

“Storm!” His mother was fuming, her eyes narrowed and her hands planted firmly on her hips. “I know that was you. You made that… aberration while I was working. How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing these things? Why can you not just behave, like Astrid here? She is never in trouble.”

Storm swallowed, begging Astrid in his head to keep her mouth shut as Merlin continued, “How even did you manage to set the thing off? I did not detect any trace of Hellblaze. I was on the lookout specially…” Merlin paused, her eyes flitting to Astrid, then to Storm, and back to Astrid again. “I knew you had the power of flame,” she murmured under her breath as she peered at the girl. “How could you not given your parentage. But to exert that amount of control, at your age and without any training?”

Storm gulped. “It wasn’t her…” he began.

“Do not dare lie to me!” Merlin ground out through her teeth. “You are both of you in serious trouble. Astrid, I had come to expect better from you. You have a reputation for being an obedient child. Think carefully before you sully yourself next time.”

Astrid shuffled her feet uncomfortably and looked as if she were about to burst into tears. Merlin sighed, then patted her on the head. “Do not fret yourself child. There was no harm done. Everyone seems to think it was part of the display. It is my reputation that shall take a beating on this occasion, but I can weather it. And I am interested in exploring this power of yours. I am disappointed that your parents did not see fit to confide in me about your abilities but… perhaps after all I can understand their reticence. Be that as it may you must commence training, starting tomorrow. Come to my laboratory with your brother in the morning.”

“You mean it!” Astrid grinned so widely Storm thought her face might crack. “I’ve always wanted to do that. Thank you! I’ll be good. I really will!”

“I know you will child,” Merlin said kindly. “And Storm,” she barked, halting his progress as he had started to slip quietly away. “You are in disgrace. You will spend the rest of this evening in your room and, barring emergencies, you will not emerge again until morning. Is that understood?”

“Understood,” Storm said with a sigh. Astrid gave him a little wave as he set off for his room, smiling to himself in spite of the punishment. “This should be fun,” he muttered under his breath as he made his way back through the dark line of trees.

#nnt #next generation #fanfiction #storm #astrid #merlin

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nnt-nextgeneration · 6 years ago

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Storm

@okamideimos won the @creators-anonymous challenge and commissioned this fic for his OC Storm. You can find out more about Storm here. Hope you enjoy this :) - Galfridus

A splash of red cascaded from the knife, falling to ooze onto the surface below. Storm hummed a little as he moved the blade, swiping it from side to side, trying to recall the snatch of tune Merlin had sung to him the previous night. It was elusive, slipping like sand through his memory and his brows furrowed as crimson goo smeared over his fingers. It was a bit hard to see by the dim lantern light, but a peek out of the window showed a splash of vermilion creeping over the darkened landscape. Dawn was approaching, and soon the bustle of the day would begin, ending the boredom that came with being the only one awake. Adults were impossible! They slept way too much.

Storm put down the knife on the wooden counter top, grinning broadly as he picked up the bread he had, with some effort, managed to brown on the stove. He had done a good job with it. The toast was coated to the very edge of the crust with a thick, glutinous layer of berry jam, the jar of which he had found in the back of the cupboard. He took a large bite, smacking his lips as a delectable sweetness coated his tongue. It tasted amazing: he had used every single last speck of the jam and it had been totally worth it.

Jumping down from the stool he had used to reach the stove, Storm padded back into the bar, crumbs falling over the floor in a trail as he walked. Golden light was beginning to stream through the windows casting diamond patterned shapes onto the stones below. He hopped up to sit at one of the circular tables, resting his elbows on the wood as he chewed his toast, ears pricked to catch any voices or clomps of footsteps upstairs. But there was nothing; nothing but a soft snuffle coming from behind the counter, punctuated by whistles and snorts.

He licked his fingers, sucking at the traces of remaining jam before wiping his sticky hands on his trousers, a thin coat of fibres adhering to his skin. With a shrug, Storm climbed down from the stool to tiptoe across The Boar Hat, stepping carefully around the tables and over the uneven floor. He had met Hawk before of course on the many visits Merlin would make to catch up with her old comrades, bringing her ever-curious young son along with her, but this was the first time Storm had really appreciated what he was seeing. A talking pig - an oddity he had not come across outside of this place even in Merlin’s lab - and he was keen to get a closer look. Something had to explain the animal’s power of speech, and he was going to find out what it was.

The fat, pink body lying prone on the floor rose and fell as Hawk snored, bristles of the pig’s hair standing to attention in the cool draft of morning air. Storm crept towards him, head tilted as he looked the animal over, trying to spot any sign or symbol that might explain the creature’s strange abilities. The pig’s skin was unblemished, and Storm’s brows drew together, mouth twisting a little to the side. Merlin had told him of the various escapades the Sins had got up to in the Second Holy War, the foes they had faced and the battles they had fought, this pig travelling alongside them at all times. Meliodas had described in detail just the previous night how Hawk had been sizzled up by lightning and kicked halfway across a forest, as the other Sins laughed, the pig interrupting with indignant squeals. Yet here he was, not only snoring peacefully but completely unmarked. It did not make any sense at all.

It was clear a thorough examination was called for. Storm crouched down, running his hands over the pig’s fleshy flanks, pausing his movements sharply when Hawk raised his head and grunted. Seconds ticked by, Storm sipping the air with barely there breaths as he waited for the creature to relax, snores coming in faint whiffles before he continued his work. The animal’s skin was surprisingly hard and scratchy under his fingertips and the legs were snort with neat trotters, the feet dainty almost as they moved back and forth in Hawk’s sleep. But this was not concerning; Storm had seen dogs in Camelot behaving in the same way and, as he continued to inspect the pig, he could not find anything which he would not have expected.

Shuffling sideways, Storm crawled to the right along the pig’s body, intent on studying the animal’s head. Hawk’s breath was hot on his bare arms, sending a shiver up Storm’s spine. Again nothing out of the common as far as he could tell: a wrinkled nose, thick drool dripping down to pool on the stones, dark lashes twitching as Hawk muttered something Storm could not quite make out about the disposal of scraps. He huffed, lower lip protruding as he gently pulled up the pig’s mouth to better examine the sharp, yellowing teeth. An aroma of boiled cabbage and slightly sulphurous eggs wafted towards him and he swallowed hard, but managed to suppress the urge to gag. He was a fearless explorer, an adventurer: he did not get sick because of a bad smell.

He was on the point of standing, stomach tight with disappointment when, on a whim, he decided to carry out one last investigation. Placing a thumb lightly over Hawk’s eyelid, Storm dragged it up a fraction, gasping audibly as he looked into the pig’s bright eye. Instead of white and iris and pupil, he could see shapes shifting in a shimmering mass, pointed bodies, deformed looking birds, demented animals with pointed claws and teeth. He scrambled backwards, heart beating wildly in his chest, and crashed straight into the wooden shelves behind him. The glasses stacked neatly there wobbled then fell, crashing to shards on the flagons below. The bottles lined up above also toppled, several joining the glittering splinters of glass, colourful contents spreading out in puddles on the floor. Storm coughed, the alcohol tickling his nose as Hawk stirred beside him.

“Oi!” the pig cried, his snout raised into the air. “What a mess! You’re in trouble now.”

“But…” Storm felt the blood drain from his face as boot heels clacked on the wooden stairs, the clipped tread both familiar and frightening. He closed his eyes, flinching as he heard his name yelled across the bar.

“Storm! How dare you!” Merlin’s voice was hard and cold. “I told you yesterday you were on thin ice. What the hell is wrong with you? Why can’t you just behave?”

Eyes wide, Storm began his defence. “I didn’t mean it,” he whined. “I was just…”

“I don’t want to hear any of your excuses. You are impossible. I’m taking you straight home, and you will spend the whole day in your room. I am so cross with you!” Merlin’s arms were folded tightly over her chest, her face set like ice and Storm knew she meant it.

Rage boiled inside him. It was so unfair. She wouldn’t even let him explain. Power surged through him, his eyes darkening to pitch as the air shivered, sparks crackling at his fingertips. Hawk have a loud squeaking before scurrying beneath one of the tables, but Storm did not care. He needed to hurt, to destroy. He was about to unleash the full force of his wrath when a lazy voice called, “Hey, Merlin, it’s alright. The boy looks sorry enough~”

The anger fizzed out as quickly as it had come. Storm gulped, a shadow falling over his face as Ban peered at him over Merlin’s shoulder. The human was scary to behold with his pointed canines and impossible height, but the boy could feel his thoughts and knew the Fox Sin to be kind at heart. True to form the man ruffled Storm’s hair, face breaking into a leering grin. “He’s only five, right? Cut him some slack.”

Casting her son a cold look, Merlin muttered something under her breath and the gold, green and violet puddles on the floor separating before swooshing upwards. Clear bottles reformed around the colourful patches before soaring back to their place on the shelf, thin silver shards flying through the air to snap into place as the glasses also repaired themselves, no trace of the breaks visible to the naked eye as the vessels stacked themselves neatly away. “See, no harm done,” Ban said with a shrug, giving Storm a pat on the shoulder then sloping off to the kitchen.

His heart rate was just beginning to approach something more normal when a loud bellow pounded through the space. Merlin’s head shot upwards, the orb of power she always carried materialising in her hand as she turned to face the source of the disturbance. Storm’s mouth fell open as Ban thundered back into the bar, his face so fierce he was almost unrecognisable.

“Master!” he called. Hawk struggled out from beneath the table he’d squeezed under, shaking a little as Ban glowered down at him. “Did you eat this?” Ban demanded, shoving the empty jar practically into the pig’s face.

Hawk was squealing a protest when Storm stuttered, “Um… I ate it. I… It was just in the cupboard. I thought…” Ban’s stern gaze shot quickly in his direction and Storm’s eyes went wide, but to his relief the angry human just shrugged, shaking his head a bit as the fury in his eyes morphed into something softer.

“Nevermind~” Ban’s body slumped. “You weren’t to know.”

Storm opened his mouth to ask what was going on, when suddenly he was flooded with Ban’s thoughts and feelings. This human’s heart always was easy to read. He did not want to pry, but Storm could not stop the tide of information which washed through his brain, showing him exactly why Ban was so upset. The jam Storm had consumed less than an hour ago was special, a blend of berries from the fairy king’s forest, a treat for Elaine. Ban had come down so early to prepare breakfast for her, a way of celebrating their wedding anniversary. Tears pricked at the back of Storm’s eyes, his throat burning as Ban’s bitter disappointment became his own.

Quick as a flash Storm ran, pelting from The Boar Hat into the cold Britannian morning. He was still wearing his nightclothes and the grass scratched his bare feet as he dashed without thought over the ground, dew-soaked blades sticking to his skin. Merlin was right, he thought to himself as misery curdled in his stomach. He was impossible. He couldn’t even make breakfast without hurting people, without running things. Everyone would be better off without him.

How long he ran for he had no clue, but he stopped when he reached the lake, its glassy surface, shimmering like silver, spreading out before him for miles and miles. He had never seen so much water in one place, except for the sea with its tang of salt and fish and the call of squabbling gulls. This place was quiet, almost eerily so. There were no birds, no chirrups of insects, not even the ruffle of leaves in the wind. Storm took cautious sips of the frosty air, the sound of nothing ringing in his ears.

“What is this place?” he panted to himself, lungs tight and heart racing. The exhilaration of his sprint was beginning to wear off, and his legs shook and wobbled as he tried to catch his breath. Collapsing against a rock, Storm’s chest heaved so much he winced, the pain in his side and the raw rasp in his throat growing sharper with each gasped inhale. It took some time for his pulse to slow and the tears to spill in hot lines down his cheeks.

“It’s not fair!” he sobbed, his hands curling to fists which he balled hard into his eye sockets.

He didn’t notice the wasps until they were buzzing around him, so close it was if they were drilling in his ears. With a cry Storm sprang back, hissing a word Merlin would have thoroughly disapproved of as his shoulder blades whacked into the rock behind him. “Go away!” he yelled as the wasps closed in, aiming for his hands and face. The more he flapped his around, trying to wave them off, the more determined the insects grew. It was as if they were flying in formation. Panic gripped him, heart sinking like a stone as he realised the wasps were after the traces of jam on his skin.

Dark fire burst to life in his palms. Storm did not even try to stop the balls of Hellblaze, all Merlin’s lectures about controlling his power slipping away like sand. Without pausing to think, he hurled his magic hard at his attackers, barely even aiming as he charged towards them. The insects buzzed angrily, but flew away into the trees, Storm continuing to fling orb after orb of magic in their direction, powered by nothing but reaction and hurt until a sudden loud howl made him pull up short. The cry had come from the direction he was running, further into the copse.

He had hurt something. Again.

Storm ran forwards in the direction of the yelps, feet pounding into the uneven ground, failing his arms a few times as he stumbled over snaking roots that protruded through the soil. Patches of sunlight gleamed through the leaves, turning the world before him into a blur of greens, golds and browns as he rushed onward. “Where are you?” he called, as the yowls of pain stopped, twisting his head to look around to seek some sign of the animal. Shaking his head in frustration, he paced forwards, pushing branches and large ferns aside as he searched the woods.

He almost missed what he was looking for. The creature lay still, brown fur blending into the dead leaves that carpeted the floor, head resting forlornly on its paws. Little whining noises escaped from its nose, and Storm crept forwards, hands outstretched. “Don’t be frightened,” he said softly as he drew closer. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

It was a dog, a young one to judge by the roundness of its eyes and fluffy coat, but it was larger than any puppy Storm had ever seen, more the size of a full grown wolf. He approached the animal carefully, tiptoeing towards it just as he had when he crept up on Hawk earlier that day. But this time his prey was awake, and it looked at him sorrowfully, whimpering pitifully as it held up its left front paw. Biting his lip, Storm looked at the wound, wincing; the poor thing’s fur had been burned completely away leaving a nasty patch of shiny red flesh exposed.

As tears threatened once more, Storm stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I… I didn’t think…” The dog raised its head, seeming to give a nod before it pressed its nose back to the ground and Storm felt his heart would break.

“I take it this is your doing?” The curt voice behind him made Storm close his eyes, tears squeezing out under his lashes. He should have known Merlin would use her magic to find him. “If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times. You have to stop lashing out. Your powers are lethal, Storm, you could kill something. It is your responsibility to learn to control them.”

“I didn’t mean to!” Storm protested as he spun round angrily to face Merlin. “It was an accident!”

“It always is with you,” Merlin snapped. “This is not good enough. Your intent means nothing when you are so disruptive. You have to stop!”

“I know.” Storm’s eyes slid to the ground and he watched as a line of ants scurried across the forest floor, some carrying small seeds in their powerful jaws. He did know, he always did remember when he was calm, but the thoughts left him whenever he was angry or scared. Merlin sighed and he risked a glance upwards. “It’s hurt,” he said, tears falling in earnest. Merlin’s face softened and she kneeled down, Storm hurtling towards her. “I hurt its paw. Can you fix it, please?” he begged as he clung to his mother, who wrapped her arms around him in return.

The air shifted, ruffling his hair as it moved and Storm sniffled as Merlin gently pressed him back, turning him so that he could look at the animal. “Don’t worry, she’s fine,” Merlin said softly and Storm smiled through his tears as the dog carefully stood, before bouncing joyfully around the woods like a yapping ball. He took an involuntary step back as the creature pelted towards him, licking his face with a rough, wet tongue.

“I think she’s forgiven you,” Merlin observed, chuckling slightly as the dog went for another lick, Storm laughing as she placed her paws on his shoulders. The weight was unexpected and he fell to the floor, the dog tumbling down after him, continuing to cover his face in thick, wet saliva. Tentatively at first, then more surely, Storm patted the dog as it panted hot breath in his face, marvelling at the soft fur on her head and behind her large, floppy ears.

Storm sat up breathless as the dog moved off his chest to bound towards Merlin. His mother backed away a little, putting her hands out before her in a vain attempt to keep the animal at bay. “Can we keep it,” Storm asked breathlessly. “Can we, can we?”

“No, Storm.” Merlin folded her arms across her chest. “And this is a she. You can tell if you look at her stomach. Female dogs…”

“I really want to keep her,” pleaded Storm. “I’ll look after her, I promise. I’ll…”

“Storm… no,” Merlin replied. “Now come on, we have to get back to The Boar Hat.” She took his hand, squeezing it a little. “Ban is worried sick about you. You need not worry about his feelings, he knows now what happened with the jam is not your fault. I explained that I have not yet educated you about the flora and fauna of the fairy king’s forest. You could not have been aware that the berries used for that confection are special. I suggest we go and pick some more tomorrow, and I will teach you how to make that jam.”

Storm nodded gratefully, then paused, pulling on Merlin’s arm. “But I really want to keep her,” he said forlornly as he looked over his shoulder, laughing in surprise to find the dog standing next to him. “She wants to come too,” he said defiantly.

Merlin sighed deeply. “Very well,” she relented, casting a disapproving look at the animal. “This is against my better judgement, but she is fully grown, and I suppose she will help teach you the importance of being gentle. But you have to agree to take care of her, and see to her needs. If she causes problems, Arthur will not be happy. I will teach you all you need to know.”

“I promise,” Storm readily agreed. “Come on, Rose,” he called with a grin, laughing as the dog barked loudly enough to shake the leaves from the trees. “That’s her name,” he said proudly.

“I supposed as much.” Merlin smiled fondly down at her son, before resuming her quick pace back to the bar.

Storm placed his hand on Rose’s shoulders as they walked after her, the dog’s warm body rising and falling beneath his fingers. He stopped short as he felt the fur stretch under his palm, looking up sharply to see the dog elongate by about half a centimetre. It was a barely noticeable change, but he could definitely see it, and dog’s proud whiffles enough to confirm what he had witnessed.

“You’re not full grown at all,” whispered Storm, grinning as Rose panted her agreement. “You’re going to get bigger! Well, that’ll be our secret,” he said as he ran after Merlin, Rose bounding happily along at his side.

#nnt #oc-storm #merlin #ban #oc-rose #hawk #fanfiction #next generation #nnt creators anonymous #thanks for letting me write this dei!

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