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sergeantbuckybarnes · 11 months

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the little things // ben barnes

Summary: It's the small, consistent demonstrations of love and affection that build the foundation for a successful and long-lasting relationship.

Pairing: Ben Barnes x Reader

Word count: 1.2k

Warnings: lots of fluff

A/N: As always, remember English is not my first language. This isn’t proofread, so I apologize for any grammatical errors this may have.

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As the sun’s rays kissed the room, you slowly opened your eyes and found yourself wrapped in Ben’s arms. He looked so peaceful as he slept, his breathing steady and calm.

You couldn't resist leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek, ushering in the start of a new day. A soft groan escaped his lips as he stirred from his slumber, his eyes gradually fluttering open.

“Good morning,” you whispered, a smile forming on your lips.

“Good morning to you too,” he replied, his voice still groggy with sleep.

“How did you sleep?” you asked, tracing circles on his chest with your finger.

“Really well. Especially since I had such a beautiful woman next to me.”

A quick warmth spread across your cheeks as soon as the compliment left his lips. “Stop it,” you said, trying to hide your smile.

Even after two years of dating, you’d still flush every time he showered you with compliments. Which happened a lot, since Ben loved complimenting you. He never held back when it came to expressing how much he loved you, and how beautiful and talented you were. Among many other things. You also knew he secretly enjoyed having that kind of effect on you. He found it amusing to see you flustered, which added an extra layer of charm to your relationship.

Ben leaned in for a soft kiss on your lips. “I mean it,” he said, looking into your eyes. “I love waking up next to you.”

“I love waking up next to you too,” you replied, nestling your head into the crook of his neck.

You both lay there for a few more minutes, basking in the warmth of each other's embrace. The morning light peeked through the curtains, painting the room with a soft golden hue. Everything was calm and peaceful until the sound of your phone's alarm blasted through the serene atmosphere.

“Ugh, already?” you grumbled, reaching over to grab your phone and turn off the alarm.

Ben chuckled. “Time waits for no one, my love.”

You snuggled deeper into his arms, but you knew that you couldn't stay in bed forever. You let out a groan of protest as you rolled out of bed, making your way to the bathroom. As you brushed your teeth and got ready for the day ahead, Ben sat on the bed, scrolling through his phone.

“So, what's on your agenda today?” he asked.

“Just work,” you replied with a sigh. “Same old, same old.”

He nodded in understanding. “Well, when you get back we can cook dinner together and binge-watch our favorite show? How does that sound?”

You smiled at him through the reflection in the mirror. “Perfect.”

As you exited the bathroom and began to get dressed, Ben wrapped his arms around you from behind, resting his chin on your shoulder.

“You know I love mornings like this,” he whispered softly in your ear, placing a loving kiss on your neck.

With contentment, you made your way to the kitchen to have breakfast before heading out to work.

You sat at the kitchen table, sipping your coffee while admiring the way the soft morning light danced gently across your boyfriend's face. The sweet aroma of pancakes filled the kitchen as Ben flipped them over in the skillet.

It was moments like these that made you realize that it was the simple things in life that brought the most happiness. All you needed was the warmth of the kitchen, the comforting aroma of breakfast, and the company of your loved one.

“Those pancakes smell amazing.”

Ben smiled as he lifted his gaze from the frying pan. “That’s because I’m making your favorite, blueberry pancakes.” He returned his gaze to the pan, watching the mixture bubble and sizzle. “Just a few more minutes until they're ready.”

“You truly are the sweetest,” you gushed as you took another sip of your coffee.

Ben set two plates of fluffy blueberry pancakes on the table and sat down across from you.

“You know I only cook, so I can see you smile,” he said with a grin.

You laughed, taking a bite of the fluffy pancakes. “Mmm, well, it's working,” you said with a contented sigh. “These pancakes are amazing.”

Ben chuckled. “What can I say? It's my secret recipe.”

You sat in silence for a brief moment, taking bites of your food while lost in thought. Your gaze lifted to meet his and spoke softly. “Do you remember when we first met?”

Your boyfriend looked up from his plate. “Of course I do. Why?”

You smiled, remembering the day you first crossed paths. “It seems like it was ages ago, doesn't it?”

Ben chuckled, “Yeah, it does. But I remember it like it was yesterday. You were wearing a white sundress and had your hair in a messy bun.”

You laughed in surprise, “I can't believe you remember what I was wearing!”

Ben shook his head, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. “I couldn't take my eyes off of you. I knew I had to come over and talk to you.”

You felt a rush of warmth spread through you as you recalled that moment. “Thank you for doing that,” you said, reaching across the table to take Ben's hand.

He smiled back, his fingers curling around yours. “I'm glad I did. It was the best decision I've ever made.”

For a few moments, the two of you sat in quiet contemplation, lost in your own memories of those early days together. You remembered the butterflies in your stomach, the nervousness that came with holding hands for the first time, the late-night conversations, and the laughter that filled your home. Even though time had passed, those memories remained crystal clear, reminding you of everything you had built together.

Maintaining and strengthening your relationship over the last two years has not always been easy. Many difficulties have arisen along the way, ranging from trust issues to long-distance problems and personal disagreements. Despite these difficulties, you never gave up on each other or your relationship. You continuously worked on establishing and rebuilding trust and resolving issues through open communication, understanding, and forgiveness. You learned to appreciate the importance of resilience and perseverance in any healthy relationship, and never took each other for granted.

You both understood that a relationship requires hard work, patience, and effort from both parties. You knew that love alone is not enough to sustain a relationship in the long term. It requires constant nurturing and attention, as well as a deep-rooted commitment to make it work.

Your love for each other has only grown stronger over time, and you have learned to cherish and appreciate each other more every day.

“I still can't believe how lucky I am,” Ben finally said quietly.

You looked over at him, feeling grateful for the love that radiated out of every word he spoke.

“I feel the same way,” you replied, your words overflowing with genuine affection. “I can't imagine my life without you.”

Ben stood up from his chair and walked over to your side of the table. “You’ll never have to,” he whispered, as he delicately cradled your face in his hands.

Your faces were mere inches apart, and without any hesitation, Ben leaned in and pressed his lips to yours. The gentle caress of his hands against your cheeks sent shivers down your spine.

When you pulled apart, the way Ben gazed at you stirred up a flurry of emotions within your chest. You could feel the words forming on his lips before he even uttered a word.

“I love you,” Ben declared, his voice unwavering. “Always.”

“And I love you,” you said, your eyes shining brightly.

#ben barnes #ben barnes x reader #ben barnes imagine #ben barnes x you #ben barnes fanfic #ben barnes fic #ben barnes one shot #ben barnes x y/n

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alexanderlightweight · 1 year

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Before prompting (which woo boi pushing through my anxiety to do this took a hot second XD) just wanted to say thank you for all the absolutely outstanding content, my first day off every week is Wednesday and your writing has become the perfect way to detach from work and destress my brain so again thank you!

I saw a tiktok today that I just went omg mobwife!Alec and I am sharing a screenshot but also more mobwife!Alec please?

i'm so proud of you! good job even though that must have been a lot pushing through the anxiety. i'm glad the days work well together and i'm happy you look forward to my writing! i was very happy getting your ask and prompt and just everything! i'm really happy to share wednesdays and writing with people!

here we go! more mob!wife alec and i hope you enjoy and i love this picture and image and he absolutely wears it and he also wears these a lot cause i realize i never added a picture

“You know he’s gonna bring Alec, honey.” Mari warns as she fluffs her skirt and pats down her waist. “There’s never a chance he’ll show up anywhere without him, but especially not a strip club. What were you thinking, anyway?”

“Jamie changed the venue.” Leo grumbles and he sounds as miserable as she feels. “You’re not gonna be able to pull him away from Bane, are you?”

Mari shakes her head, truly sympathetic and also filled with a little vindictive glee.

“Alec didn’t like that secretary touching Bane, you think he’s going to put up with girls hoping to score? He’ll be sticking close tonight.”

—

“When you said a strip club, this is not what I thought you meant.” Alexander admits and his nose crinkles in distaste as the vast amount of naked, mundane bodies on display.

“Would you have stayed home?” Magnus asks, genuinely curious and Alexander gives him a grumpy, petulant look and sighs.

“No Magnus, I would not have stayed home. I just wouldn’t have worn something with so much skin myself.” Alexander looks intensely uncomfortable, “it’s suspiciously sticky in here and for once, I wish it was ichor.”

Magnus muffles a chuckle in Alexander’s hair and uses his magic pass over his boy’s skin.

“Better?” He murmurs and Alexander nods against him in relief, his entire body coated with a thin layer of magic that will look like specks of glitter when he shifts.

“I love you.” Alexander murmurs into the crook of his neck and Magnus genuinely wishes they didn’t have to worry about a faerie aphrodisiac being leaked into the mundane world. If they didn’t, he could have Alexander back home where they could be reading together, in bed or having dinner just the two of them in some country across the world.

“I’m taking you to France, in the morning.” Magnus tells him, “we’ll go to that place with that little river you loved, the one you spent the morning hunting crayfish in.”

Alexander genuinely looks interested at that and he perks up a bit before he eyes the stage and deflates again.

“Just stay close.” Magnus tells him, because the last thing he needs is Alexander away from him and being swarmed by mundanes who think he’s pretty. Which is something that has happened before on the mundane levels of Pandemonium.

“Like I’m going anywhere.” Alexander scoffs and he steps even closer, letting Magnus wrap his arms around him and pull him flush to him.

Magnus hums and kisses his neck and lets his fingers play with the threads of Alexander’s corset and he wonders just how much it would cost him to bribe Alexander onto the stage.

“No,” his boy mutters, giving him an unamused but loving glare, “I can see something going on in your head, Magnus. I don’t know what it is, but no.”

“Next time.” Magnus promises, because that would be a little cruel to try for tonight and then he’s guiding Alexander over to the group they’re supposed to be a part of.

The start of it goes well enough, until the drinks start coming and then things go sour.

Alexander freezes from where he’s drinking his champagne and he eyes the cup consideringly before he reaches out and plucks Mari’s glass away from her and he instead drinks it.

To the increasing shock and horror of the man across from them all.

“Alec?” Mari asks, confusion and wariness in her voice as she eyes the glass Alexander is now holding.

“Magnus—” Alexander slurs, eyes going hazy almost instantly, “sa’ hot in here babe.”

“What was in that?” Magnus asks, voice furious and heated as he takes the glass from Alexander and sniffs it. He recoils a moment later and sends a vicious, seething glare to the man he was supposed to meet tonight.

“This is an extremely volatile aphrodisiac.” Magnus says lowly and he stares at the mundane, “it’s been known to kill half the people who consume it.”

Mostly because half of the people consuming it are mundanes and it will kill them with pleasure.

A little death still kills, after all.

There’s silence in their little section for a bare moment and then the man is being penned down by Leo’s personal security and Mari is being sat down by Leo into a chair.

“Leo, you will deal with this. Won’t you?” Magnus asks, voice cruel and casual as he gets an arm around Alexander’s waist. His boy is stable, even while drugged and listless and the arm he slings around Magnus’ neck is firm and sturdy, meaning Alexander is playing up the affects to a degree.

“Do you need a doctor?” Leo offers, shaky and worried, and Magnus knows that he means well but he scoffs and shakes his head.

“There are very few I trust with my husband, Leo. Especially on nights like tonight.”

—

“Why did you drink it, sweetheart?” Magnus asks when he finally gets Alexander to their loft and his boy is sweating and miserable and touch-hungry and grumpy about it.

“The dosage would have killed a mundane.” Alexander gasps out, “I didn’t recognize the scent, but I knew it wouldn’t kill me.”

“Not good enough!” Magnus bites out as he gets Alexander undressed and in the cool, tepid water of the bath. “You don’t put yourself in danger like that, ever. Especially not for something as reckless as this. “

Alexander pouts up at him and sighs and then admits, “I knew we’d have to leave if I drank it. Plus, it was evidence, someone is definitely leaking faerie drugs into the mundane world.”

Magnus hisses like a scalded cat and cups Alexander’s wet face between his palms. “I’ll make up a reason, if you’re going to be dosed with something like this, it should at least be a good experience. Not this!” Magnus sighs in exasperation and adds oils to the cold water that Alexander is shivering in.

“Honestly, darling.” Magnus chides as he lets his magic untangle the aphrodisiac and drugs apart from each other so he can purge the mundane drugs from Alexander’s body. It won’t be so easy with anything else, but mundane drugs don’t affect shadowhunters accept as a mild allergy.

“Love you.” Alexander slurs cheekily and Magnus uses magic to make him hold his breath and then dunks him, scrubbing his hair viciously before pulling him back up. Alexander splutters and shakes his hair, water going everywhere as he pouts up at Magnus.

“Menace!” Magnus tells him, suddenly exhausted and relieved and far less likely to destroy half of New York’s criminal underbelly.

#writing wednesday #writing wednesdays #lumine writes #magnus bane #alec lightwood #shadowhunters #shadowhunters au #malec #my fics #my fanfics #my ficlets

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averagewriter777 · 1 year

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Ghost and Doc (Simon "Ghost" Riley x F!Reader)

Masterlist

(Part Five)

“So, what do you usually drink, (Y/n)?” The question was asked by Gaz to break the awful silence in the car. (You’d think the radio would at least be playing some music- but nope!)

You fumbled with your fingers. “Well… I’ll drink anything, I guess. But I feel like my drinks are mood-based, you know?” Soap raised a brow towards you. “Okay- let’s just say that I’m down in the dumps, feeling miserable… I’ll open a bottle of scotch or whiskey. If I want to get wasted- which hasn’t happened for a few years, I’ll take some vodka or tequila. If I’m out drinking with friends and they’re having shots, I won’t join… because that’s a hangover and I fucking hate those- probably have a margarita or two. If I’m trying to flirt with a man, it usually works for some reason- I’ll order a sex on the beach… and he’ll get the memo.” You stopped talking when you realized Gaz, Soap, and Ghost were staring at you. “What? Told you it’s mood based.”

“We’re having some shots- you won’t drink them?” Soap said, albeit disappointed in his tone. You shrugged, then shook your head. “Damn, found our designated driver then. Hope you know how to drive around in this country.” You didn’t, but you’d figure it out.

Everyone took a seat at a table in the corner. You and Soap were in charge of grabbing drinks, mostly because you wanted something different- as did Ghost. (The man was also still wearing his mask, something you were confused about, but didn’t ask about) Soap ordered a round of tequila shots, a bourbon for Ghost, and you surprised him by ordering Fireball whiskey.

“No margaritas?” He chuckled while carrying the tray back to the table.

You almost snorted into your glass but remembered you were also carrying Ghost’s drink, so you held it back- not wanting to spill it. “Not tonight. You’ll witness me order a margarita when I feel more at home. My old team made fun of me for ordering those. Nice try there, Soap.”

“Call me John,” he said while setting down the tray. Everyone took their respective shot glasses and immediately downed them.

Ghost took his bourbon glass from your hand, lifted his mask, then took a small sip of it. You took that moment to look at his jaw and lips- because you were curious. Your gaze snapped away when his eyes lingered over on you. “Thanks for the drink.”

“Of course,” you raised your glass a little then took a sip. The whiskey burned in your mouth, but you didn’t flinch. “Why don’t you drink with them? Tequila’s a good time if you have enough of it… until the following morning.” You raised the glass to your lips again, watching Ghost sigh.

“Johnny told me once it tasted like dog piss. Seems like he’s changed his mind.” Ghost shrugged and took a sip of his bourbon again. “And I prefer bourbon, no matter what. Dark drinks I seem to enjoy the most.” He looked at what you were drinking. “Didn’t you say you only drank whiskey when you were miserable?”

You set down your glass and rubbed the edge, wondering if you should say anything. Both Soa- John, and Price told you to be careful… “Well, I’ve got a daughter at home. This was a poor time for me to deploy. Her birthday is tomorrow, she’s turning six.” Your brows furrowed. “A ‘friend’ has her gift ready… but I was hoping to give it to her this year. The last time I was there for something important was her first words and steps.”

Guess you didn’t realize you were being emotional as well as crying a bit, because Ghost had reached across the table to put one of his gloved hands over your own. “It’ll be alright. We’ll make sure you get to give her a call, okay?” You nodded and rubbed under your eyes then let out a shaky sigh. “Now, let’s go get you a different drink. You’re right about it being emotion-based.”

- (At the table while you and Ghost are at the bar)

“So, what do you two think of (Y/n) so far?” Price asked while staking his third shot glass on top of the other two.

Soap added to the pyramid that Price was creating with his shot glasses. “Good woman, good medic too. Seems to be getting along with the team alright too.” He looked over at the bar, gesturing to you and Ghost, who were talking while waiting on your new drink. “Ghost has warmed up to her quick.”

“That’s probably the most surprising out of all of this,” Gaz said while scratching the back of his head. “Work-wise… she’s good. Can’t wait to see how she handles a weapon- she was a monster on that training mat.” He almost cheered out loud whenever there was an almost-win against Ghost- but this wasn’t a wrestling match, so he kept it to himself. “I wouldn’t be worried about her on the field so far.”

Soap was going to add something, but he shut his mouth when you and Ghost started walking back to the table. You raised a brow toward him but decided not to say anything. “Y’all are out of shots? That was fucking quick, need some more?” The men shrugged as if they weren’t opposed. “Right then, I’ll take these…” You gathered up the tower of shot glasses that Price and Soap created, put it all on the tray, then made your way back to the bar.

When you were out of earshot, the three men turned to Ghost, who went back to drinking his bourbon. Once he noticed he was being watched, he set his drink down and sighed. “What.”

“Just wondering what you think of Sergeant (Y/n) so far,” Price said calmly as if he was talking to a ticking bomb. “It looks like you’ve warmed up to her thus far, are we correct about that?”

Ghost grunted and picked up his glass again. The look in his eyes told Price that he did indeed not want to talk about it, but they were correct about it. “She’s alright,” he admitted. He wouldn’t say anything more, not to his drunk companions. “Excellent sparring partner… good medic too.”

You were back within that second, holding that *last* round of tequila glasses for the group. When everyone picked up their glasses and raised them to the air, Ghost included, you went to do the same. “To (Y/n) and the 141!” Everyone repeated what was said and took their shots. You and Ghost sipped your glasses- you shuddered when sipping yours this time.

“Ugh, it’s been so long since I’ve had bourbon.” You set the Old Fashioned down on the table and looked at Ghost, who was smiling into his glass. “Don’t laugh- that’s fucking rude.”

Ghost *probably* raised a brow at you. “You drink whiskey and every other drink out there… but bourbon is the one that makes you cringe and shudder? That’s all.” You took another sip, lifting your middle finger not-so-subtly at the same time. “That’s no way to talk to your lieutenant.” His smile had fallen, but it remained in his eyes.

You nearly choked on your drink. “I’m sorry- that’s your rank?” Ghost shrugged, and also made a face that said ‘you weren’t told?’ “Price didn’t tell me. Shit, sorry.” With that, you decided it was time to call it a night. “Alright, how the hell are we paying for this?” Ghost pointed to Price, who was taking out his wallet- but was struggling. “Alright, give me one second…” You remembered that Price had given the bartender the card at the beginning of the night.

“Closing your tab?” He asked. You nodded and folded your arms on the counter while you waited for the receipt to come up. “It was under… Price, right?” You nodded again and clicked the pen you were given. “Alright, here you go… just sign and you’ll be good.”

You weren’t sure how Price signed his name, so you just made up some scribble- kind of like a doctor’s scribble. It was similar to what your signature was, just with different letters. And you left a hefty tip, based on what everyone drank, that is.

“Thanks, have a good night!” The bartender was grinning at the receipt as he put it back in the drawer. Guess you left a good enough tip.

Back at the table, Ghost was getting everyone to get off their asses and out the door. You asked him on the way out why he doesn’t just drive since he only had that one glass of bourbon, but he shook his head. “I don't like driving. I’ll tell you where to go… you just go from there.”

A/N: That’s right. He’s a shit driver. Everyone has seen how he drives- right? That’s it. That’s just it. But he wouldn't tell you that, not yet at least.

(Part Six)

#mwii #simon ghost riley #ghost x you #ghost x female reader #simon riley x reader #ghost mw2 #john soap mactavish #kyle gaz garrick #captain price #alejandro vargas

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citygirlcharlotte · 2 years

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The Sister Halstead (Part 7)

Masterlist

Pairings: Hank Voight x Female OC, Will & Jay Halstead x Sister!OC

“I can barely walk Henry this isn’t funny.” I whined.

After last night, earlier this morning and in the shower, I guess you could say I was hooked on henry and everything he has to offer. Unfortunately, that also means I’m going to be hobbling for at least a day because of just how good he was. At his age, I didn’t know that smug bastard had it in him.

“You’re supposed to be able to keep up sweetheart.” He laughed, fixing us both some coffee.

“I definitely can, you’ve just got a dick the size of a beer can and I’m not used to it yet. We’ll have to get some more practice in later.” I purred, kissing him lightly and running my hands through his still damp hair.

“Sounds good to me sweetheart.”

Henry had to get back to searching for the guy who shot Jay while I got to work on ordering breakfast for him and will. I grabbed my red headed brother a change of clothes from my spare room and headed down to my car. First stop food, second stop the flower shop and third stop a pharmacy to get a plan b.

“Done, done and done.” I smiled, praising myself for making quick work.

I pulled into the hospital parking lot armed with bags of food and flowers to make my brothers lives less depressing.

“Knock Knock!” I announced, barging into the room.

Will was still asleep on the pull out bed while Jay was visiting with one of Will’s doctor friends and what looked to be one of his fellow detectives.

“Charlie, I hope there’s food in one of those bags.” Jay whined.

I set up his flowers in a beautiful arranged before slinging Will’s clothes at his sleeping body and unloading the food options on Jay’s overbed table.

“Choose your poison sir.” I said with a mock bow as I made him scoot over and joined him on the bed.

“I’m starting with this eggs benedict.” He announced, quickly finding a fork.

“He’s gonna puke if he eats all of this.” Will’s doctor friend stated.

“Lighten up Doc McStuffins, he won’t eat it all.” I snorted, reaching for a muffin.

“You’re literally going to get crumbs on my hospital bed.” Jay complained.

“You literally almost gave me a heart attack by getting shot. Get over it dumbass.” I smirked, adding a kiss on his cheek for good measure.

“It’s Dr. Rhodes.” The doctor friend interjected.

A light bulb went off in my head.

“Your Neils son?” I asked.

“How do you know my dad?” He asked, getting a little defensive.

“Charlotte Lahey, my dad is Charles Lahey the owner of Lahey Engineers. We worked on the last 2 new builds for your dad’s store.” I explained.

“I think I’ve met your father once or twice at my dads office. Give him my best.” Dr. Rhodes said before turning to leave.

“Weirdo.” I commented, plucking my muffin into my mouth.

“That’s Will’s best friend.” Jay commented.

“Stop talking with your mouth full.” I complained at him.

His coworker sat watching us interact for a moment before it turned into staring and was making me uncomfortable.

“Charlie, nice to meet you.” I greeted, extending my hand for her to shake.

That seemed to break her out of her staring problem.

“Hailey Upton, I’m Jay’s partner.” She replied with a firm shake.

“Aren’t you lucky then, you won’t have to deal with him for a few weeks.” I joked.

Chuckles over here was scarfing down food like he hadn’t been fed in a week.

“I didn’t realize you were seeing someone Jay.” She commented.

I looked around confused.

“Whose he seeing?” I asked intrigued.

She looked me at with a confused look.

“You?” She questioned.

I nearly projectile choked my muffin across the room and Jay actually choked on his egg.

“Disgusting!” I heaved, trying to catch my breath from my coughing.

“I’m gonna puke.” Jay whined.

All of the commotion woke up the sleeping brother.

“What the hell is with all this noise?” Will complained.

“Are you with Will then?” Hailey asked confused.

“Double fuck no lady.” I exclaimed. “They’re my brothers.”

“Brothers?! Since when did you two have a sister?”

“A couple of months ago. Turns out old man Halstead had a daughter he didn’t know about.” Will explained, reaching for a muffin.

Hailey took a second to look at the three of us.

“You two make Jay look adopted.” She commented.

“It’s the hair.”

After Hailey left, I got insanely bored lounging around while Jay slept and Will went back to mine to get ready for shift. Thankfully the boredom ended soon as I got a call from Henry.

“Hey baby.” I answered.

“Hi sweetheart. How’s chuckles doing?” He joked.

“Not being very chuckly at the moment. Mans is asleep. Are you with his partner right now?” I answered.

“Yeah she’s here.”

“Give her extra paperwork or something, she made me choke on my muffin because she thought I was dating one of my brothers.” I gagged.

Henry let out a loud laugh on his end.

“Don’t know if I can do that honey. We caught the guy who got a shot at Jay though. He’ll be hobbling just like you today.” He laughed.

“Can I hit him?” I asked.

“I’ll hit him for you. I just wanted to let you know we’re going to take him down.”

“Good, thank you baby.” I sighed.

“When’s he getting discharged?”

“Tonight I think. With Will playing doctor at home, I think they’re gonna let him leave early.”

“He staying at home?” Henry questioned.

“I was going to offer my place. Will is already on and off living with me and Jay has already claimed a guest room. I was going to see if he wanted to stay over at mine until he’s better.” I explained.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll feel better knowing you’re not alone at night.” He confessed.

“Another way to make sure of that is for you to stay over more.” I coaxed.

“Probably not a good idea while your brothers are under your roof sweetheart. I’ve got to head into an interrogation but I’ll call you later okay? I love you honey.”

“Love you more baby, be safe.” I replied.

“Can you not rub my singleness in my face.” Jay whined.

I didn’t even hear chuckles awaken!

“Your partner seems like she wants to change that.” I teased, heading over to his bed.

“Don’t start.” He whined.

“Since when did you and Henry move onto the L word?” He asked.

“Last night actually.” I smiled.

“You happy?” He asked me.

“Incredibly. With you guys and now Henry in my life, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.” I lamented, leaning my head on his shoulder.

“I better get to meet this guy soon.” Jay warned.

My body straightened up at that comment.

“There’s something I have to tell you but you can’t get mad.”

“Don’t really think you get to control that.” He replied.

“Pinky promise me Jay bird.” I complained, holding out a pinky.

We made a promise before I spilled the beans.

“Neither Henry nor I realized this until yesterday but you know Henry.” I explained.

Jay had a look of confusion and he tried to go through the rolodex of people he knew for a ‘Henry’.

“I don’t think so, are you sure?” He questioned, confused.

“Yeah. He mostly goes by Hank but I prefer Henry.” I explained.

He looked confused again before his face went blank.

“I only know Hank Voight, my boss.” He growled.

“I am in love with a man named Henry Voight.” I confessed.

Jay didn’t even yell, he went dead silent and it was freaking me out.

“We didn’t even know we knew the same people until he came in here yesterday and the dots got placed together.” I confessed.

Tears started to well in my eyes at his silence.

“Please say something.” I begged.

He looked me dead in the eyes and shook his head ‘no’.

“Hank Voight does not deserve someone as kind and loving as you Charlotte.” He stated.

“But he does Jay.” I tried to reason.

“No he doesn’t! You don’t know what he’s done, what he’s capable of. That man is going straight to hell one day and you are not going down with him.”

“Then let me love him here on earth, Jay. He makes me so happy it hurts, and I am incredibly in love with him it’s ridiculous.” I sobbed.

His eyes softened for a second at my tears and he reached an arm out to pull me into his chest.

“We are discussing this later Charlie.” He vowed.

I felt like shit the rest of the day knowing that Jay was upset but not willing to give into what I knew he wanted me to do. Will caught onto the vibes as he came in to check on us, ultimately giving Jay the all clear to head back to my place.

“Come on chuckles, I ordered burgers.” I called out.

I heard him hobbling into the living room as I got a call from Henry and quickly stepped onto the balcony.

“Hey baby.” I answered.

“Hi honey. You really didn’t have to do this.” He replied.

Hailey had mentioned on her way out that the team was going to be pulling over time tonight working on this case so I made sure to send them all dinner from this Italian place I like to order from and some coffee from my favorite café.

“Not a problem, I know you guys are working hard.”

“You’re their new favorite person now. Upton spilled that the Halstead’s had a new sister as soon as she got back and with dinner, I’m sure you’re in for a round of beers once they finally get to meet you.” He joked.

“Do I just get to be introduced as Jay’s sister or do I get to be revealed as their sexy boss’s girlfriend?” I teased.

That earned me a small laugh.

“Let’s start with the first one. I’m still waiting for your brother to hit me for the second.”

“Fair enough. How are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m okay. We should be done before midnight then I’m heading home and straight to bed and getting back here first thing in the morning.”

“Or you could come here? Some well deserved cuddles with your girlfriend?” I offered.

“Really don’t think that’s a good idea honey.”

“Chuckles will be asleep by then and Wills on shift all night. The choice is yours but I won’t complain if you crawl into bed with me.” I tried to coax.

“We’ll see sweetheart. I’ve gotta get back to the team.”

“Okay baby, love you.” I smiled.

“Love you more.”

I returned to the kitchen to see the chuckles in question stuffing his face yet again.

“You leave me any?” I asked, looking at the nearly empty box of fries on the table.

“I was shot Charlotte.” He deadpanned.

I rolled my eyes at him using that as an excuse for eating a family sized box of fries.

“Asshole.”

---

“Come on Jay bird, time for bed!” I shouted.

He had some nighttime pain meds that would knock him right out and I needed to check some stitches.

“Yes mom.” He groaned playfully, taking the pills from my hand as I lifted his shirt to see his bandages.

“Looks good. How do you feel?” I asked.

“Sore. Better now though. Thank you Charlie for letting me stay here.”

“Not a problem. You’ll always have a place in my home.” I smiled, leaving his with a kiss to his head and dramatically tucking him in.

“Don’t you let me catch you with the TV after lights out Mr.” I teased.

“I’m literally 10 years older than you.” He groaned.

“Then act like it!” I yelled from down the hall.

I spent the second half of the night on the couch, browsing some shopping and ordered Will food because he called me complaining that he was starving. My grown brothers were children I swear.

Deciding to call it a night, I checked on Jay one more time before retreating to my room and crawling under the covers. The bed still smelled like my honey and I feel asleep with a smile on my face.

I was however awoken 2 hours later to ruffling in my room. Had I not heard Henry swear under his breath as he accidently hit his foot on my dresser, I would have thought it was an intruder.

“Come snuggle.” I smiled, throwing the blanket open for him to enter.

He crawled into bed quickly, bringing me securely into his chest while wrapping his arms around my body tightly.

“Good night pretty girl.” He smiled, giving me a quick kiss on the lips.

“Good night baby.”

---

Taglist:

@royaltysuite @jadakiss13 @ego-allie-bap @acdassenza @alldaysdreamers @sande5098

#chicago pd #hank voight #hank voight x reader #jay halstead #jay Halstead x reader #will halstead #will Halstead x reader #chicago fire #chicago med

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spnhunter4life · 1 year

Text

So Long Version 2 Chapter 9

Word Count: 6.3k

A/N: A couple more cliches thrown in, because why not? Are you ready for them to finally get together yet?

Series Masterlist

Ages 24 and 25 August 2004

I woke up the next morning feeling very comfortable and well rested. I laid there for a little bit before opening my eyes, just trying to wake up more, and realized my pillow was moving slowly up and down. Then I felt the arm wrapped around me. My eyes flew open and I slowly tried to look up to see if Dean was awake yet.

“Mornin’,” he rumbled in a sleep roughened voice when he felt me moving.

“Morning,” I echoed, moving to sit up. “Sorry about invading your space like that. I’m not really sure how that happened.”

“Don’t worry about it. It didn’t bother me,” he assured me.

“How long have you been awake?” I asked, trying to move past the situation and not hyperfocus on it the way I wanted to.

“Just a few minutes.”

I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost 8.

“Shit! We need to get going!” I said, jumping out of bed. We didn’t have much time to figure out what was going on here.

“I think we should go back to the conference room first,” I said when we were both dressed and ready to go.

“Okay. Why?”

“If Mallory and Dave are there we can see if we can learn anything from them. If not, we can look around that little office.”

“Alright. I guess that’s a good place to start.”

We took the elevator back down to the first floor and headed for the conference room. A quick peak in the door didn’t show any signs of the two hosts, so we headed towards the office they’d retreated to last night.

“Oh!” Mallory gasped when we walked in the open door. “Hello! Can we help you with something?” she asked politely. She and Dave were sitting at a desk. They didn’t look like they were going anywhere anytime soon.

“Yeah, actually we forgot to grab one of those schedules last night. You wouldn’t happen to have another one, would you?” I asked, the lie coming to me easily.

“Of course!” Dave said, opening a drawer and handing over a piece of paper he grabbed from inside. “Here you go!”

“Thanks,” Dean said as he took it from him, pretending to look it over. “I’ve gotta tell you, this is a really great retreat. Jenna and I were just saying last night how glad we are that we decided to come.”

“That’s great! We always love to hear people are enjoying themselves,” Mallory smiled.

“How long have you been doing retreats like this?” I asked. “I mean, to have something this well set up, you have to have done it before right?”

“Oh, Dave and I have been doing these for a while now. We’ve hosted all the couple’s retreats here since the first one.”

“We actually do these events at hotels all across the country,” Dave added proudly.

“That’s a pretty fun job,” I said.

“It’s so much fun. We love it,” Mallory agreed.

“Well, thanks for the schedule,” Dean said. “We’re gonna go get some breakfast. We’ll see you for the scavenger hunt!”

“So what do you think?” I asked when we were a safe distance away, walking down the halls towards the breakfast bar.

“The fact that they’ve been here every year seems a little suspicious. But if they’re traveling all over the country doing this…”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Maybe it’s just their job and they’re not involved. I guess we could try to look into some of the other retreats they’ve done. See if anyone’s gone missing from any of them?”

“Sounds like fun,” Dean groaned.

We rounded the corner to the room breakfast was served in and Dean immediately headed for the buffet. The room was almost empty, only a few other people scattered throughout. I stepped into line behind him, watching him pile his plate with eggs, biscuits and gravy, bacon, and sausage.

“I’m just gonna say it again. We have to stay in places like this more often,” Dean said. He went and set his plate on an empty table and then came back for coffee.

I just smiled and shook my head as I dished up my own plate.

“It is a nice hotel, isn’t it?” The older lady waiting patiently in line behind me commented. “I never would have thought it could turn into something this nice.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well it’s a beautiful place now. It wasn’t that long ago this place wasn’t very popular and kind of run down. Rumors were going around that they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Then, almost overnight things started to get better. Within a month this was one of the most popular hotels in the state.”

“Weird. Did they hire a new manager or something? Someone with more experience who was able to turn things around?” I asked.

“Oh no. The same man has owned this place for going on twenty years now. He manages it himself.”

“Huh. How long ago did it turn into what it is now?”

“Oh, about… seven years ago I think.”

“That’s really interesting. Well, I better go sit down before my husband wonders what’s taking so long,” I smiled, gesturing towards the table Dean was at.

The lady smiled back and waved me off. I grabbed some orange juice and then sat down.

“I don’t suppose you heard any of that?” I asked.

“Not a word. You looked pretty interested though,” he said around a mouthful of food.

“I think Mallory and Dave are off the hook,” I told him. “I’d say the hotel owner just got bumped to the number one suspect spot.”

I relayed to him the information I’d just gotten from the old lady.

“Awesome,” Dean grumbled. “So we’re probably dealing with some sort of pagan god.”

“You think so?” I asked.

“Think about it. The people that have been disappearing have probably been sacrifices to keep this place running. The guy is about to lose everything. He’s desperate. Desperate people do crazy things. He decides to try sacrificing a couple people to some random god in a last ditch effort and it turns out it works. So now that he’s doing well, he schedules retreats. He’s got a group of people to choose from every year. It’s even a couple, a man and a woman. Sounds like a pagan ritual to me.”

“Awesome,” I sighed. “There’s only about a thousand of them. This could take days of research, Dean. We don’t have that kind of time.”

“I know. We’re just going to have to do the best we can,” he said.

We quickly finished our breakfast and then I went back to our room to start making a list of pagan gods that wanted sacrifices in exchange for money or success while Dean went to check out the hotel owner’s office.

I’d only been looking for about twenty minutes when there was a knock on the door.

“It’s me,” Dean said from the other side.

I got up to open the door for him.

“What’d you find?” I asked.

“Nothing. I couldn’t get in. There’s some guy sitting in the hallways where all the offices are and he wasn’t leaving.”

“Okay,” I sighed. That complicated things a bit. The office might have held clues to help us narrow down what god we were looking for. “We’ll just make a list of every god we can find that fits the bill and find a different time to get in the office.”

The next couple hours were spent in relative silence as we looked up every god we possibly could online, writing down the names of ones that could be the one we were dealing with.

By the time noon rolled around we had a pretty decent sized list, but thankfully it was smaller than expected. There were more gods than I realized that didn’t require human sacrifice in order to be helpful.

Dean had also spent a little time looking into the hotel owner. His name was Connor O’Reilly. His parents were Irish immigrants and he’d inherited this hotel from them when they died in a car accident when he was 24. There was nothing out of the ordinary about him, but then again, the real psychos out there usually hid it well.

We went to the hotel restaurant to get some lunch before the scavenger hunt. Once we’d eaten, we headed back to conference room A. We were the last to arrive again.

“Hello,” Mallory chirped. “I hope everyone enjoyed their morning! We’ve got a fun rest of the day planned out for you all!”

“Starting with a scavenger hunt!” Dave continued. He showed us a stack of paper in his hand. “Each couple is going to get their own list of things to find. None of the lists are the same, so you’ll all be looking for different things. You have 45 minutes to find all ten items and then meet back here.”

Dave passed out the papers as well as a stopwatch to each couple.

“Start your time… now!” Mallory instructed. Everybody started their stopwatches and then took off.

“Alright. What do you say we do some real hunting?” Dean asked.

“I think we should spend five minutes at least pretending to be participating. Give everyone time to spread out and not pay attention to us,” I suggested.

“Fine,” Dean huffed. “Five minutes.”

We managed to find two of the things on the list in those five minutes and then we decided to go try and get into the offices again.

There was no one around to see us slip into the now empty hallway. We walked all the way to the end, stopping at the one labeled ‘Manager.’ Dean quickly picked the lock and we slipped inside, quietly closing the door behind us.

A quick scan of the room showed a couple of big filing cabinets and no computer. This guy was old school then. Dean and I each headed to a filing cabinet and started digging.

“This started seven years ago, so skip over anything from before then,” I said to Dean as I flipped through the well organized folders to more recent years.

I skimmed through employee files, renovation details, bills, tax information and countless other papers he’d filed away, but I wasn’t coming up with anything useful.

“Find anything yet?” Dean asked. He had finished going through all the more recent files in his cabinet and was going through the desk and searching the room for anything that might give us a clue.

“No, nothing.” I sighed and looked at the stopwatch. “We’re supposed to be back to the conference room in a couple minutes.”

“Can’t we just skip it?” Dean asked.

“No, because then they’ll come looking for us. I don’t think there’s anything left to look through here anyway.”

“Fine,” he agreed. “Let’s go.”

We started walking for the door, and that’s when I saw it.

“Dean, wait.” I said.

“What?” he asked.

I’d missed it on the way in because I hadn’t stopped to look at the walls. But hanging right next to the office door was a picture that I recognized. A group of warriors in a line, facing a large figure who was dunking a man in a cauldron. Above these warriors was another group of warriors, these ones on horseback, riding away from the large figure.

“I know which god we’re dealing with,” I told him.

“How?”

“That picture,” I said, pointing to it. “That’s a Celtic god called Teutates.”

“We must have looked up hundreds of gods today. How can you remember one specific one? Based off of a picture?” He questioned.

“I remember a few. He just happens to be one of them. And I’ve seen him before when I was doing research with Bobby.” I answered.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. How do we kill him?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But at least we know who we’re dealing with now. It shouldn’t be hard to figure out how to kill him.”

“Let’s get the rest of these stupid activities over with so we can finish this hunt,” he said, opening the door enough to check that the hall was clear before we stepped out, relocking the door behind us. We’d only made it a few steps when the click of high heels sounded just outside of the hallway we were standing in.

Possible explanations for our presence here raced through my mind, but before I could decide on the best one, Dean was pushing me up against the wall. He grabbed my arms, wrapping them around his neck and then put his hands on my waist. This all happened so quickly that I didn’t even have time to ask what he was doing.

Then his mouth was on mine. I froze. I could feel his lips moving, trying to get me to respond, but I could barely even manage to remember to breathe with the way my brain seemed to be short circuiting. The footsteps got louder and seemed to filter through my shock.

I felt my hands reflexively tighten a little in Dean’s hair and I had just started to kiss him back when we were interrupted.

“Excuse me,” a female voice said. Dean and I broke apart at the sound of it. “You’re not supposed to be back here.”

“Sorry,” Dean apologized. “We were just…” Whatever excuse he had been about to give her trailed off at the unimpressed look she was giving us. “Leaving,” he said.

He grabbed my hand and quickly walked away, out of the hall and towards the conference room.

“Dean,” I said when I regained the ability to speak. We were almost there. Not a good time, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself.

“Not now,” he told me.

I didn’t want to let it go, but I knew I had to. For now at least. We walked into the room to see that, for once, we weren’t the last ones. James and Stephanie still weren’t back yet.

“That was pretty fun, wasn’t it?” Julia asked us, coming to stand beside me.

“Uh, yeah it was great!” I replied.

“How’d you guys do?” She asked.

I didn’t get a chance to answer because James and Stephanie came back at that moment and Mallory and Dave were immediately ready to move on.

“Okay! I see everybody’s back. Is there anyone who managed to find all of their items?” Dave asked.

Four sets of hands went up.

“That’s great! And how many did you find?” Mallory asked Stephanie and James.

“We got nine,” Stephanie said. “We were trying to find the last one when we realized we were out of time.”

“Nine out of ten is still impressive!” Mallory assured her. “And what about you two? How many did you find?”

“Um, well… we only found two,” I told her.

“It’s this one’s fault, really,” Dean said as he slung an arm around my shoulders. “She got a little bit distracted.” I frowned, wondering where he was going with this. We could have just told them we were really bad at scavenger hunts. “She just loves interior design so much. We spent most of our time looking at the furniture layout and pictures and woodwork.”

“I can’t help it,” I shrugged. “It’s just so interesting.”

“Well that’s ok,” Mallory said. “As long as you were having fun together. That is what this retreat is all about.”

“Everyone please put the items you collected into this basket,” Dave instructed, setting a large plastic basket onto the table. “And we’ll move on to our next activity!”

I didn’t want to move on to the next activity. I wanted to talk to Dean about what just happened a few minutes ago. I wanted to finish the case too, but that had been bumped from the top priority slot.

“I’m sure you’re all familiar with the newlywed shoe game. We’re going to be playing that, but with a slight twist. The couple who answers the most questions the same wins a free couple’s massage for tomorrow morning!” Dave explained.

“So if everyone could please take off one of your shoes and hand it to your soulmate, and then take a seat across from each other,” Mallory said, gesturing to two rows of chairs positioned back to back.

“You answer them all correctly, I’ll get a few wrong,” Dean whispered to me as we handed over our shoes. Neither of us wanted to win the couple’s massage, but we also couldn’t get them all wrong. I nodded in agreement and we both sat down.

It turned out they had a long list of questions. It took about twenty minutes to get through them all. I was getting pretty bored and fidgety by the end. The questions weren’t difficult and they kept my focus squarely on Dean, right where I didn’t want it. I wanted to keep myself distracted and my mind off of that kiss until we were able to discuss it. Unfortunately, couple’s retreats weren’t really designed to let you not think about your other half.

“Well that was a lot of fun to watch!” Mallory cheered when it was finally over. “The couple who agreed on the most questions is… Hannah and Tristan! Congratulations you two! Enjoy your free massage!” She held out a free massage coupon which Tristan accepted with a smile.

“Alright. Now, if you all think you’ve been having fun so far, just you wait. The next thing we’re going to do is my favorite part of the whole weekend!” Dave announced. “I’m going to ask you to help us move everything to the edges of the room. We’ll need a lot of space because we’re going to be teaching everybody some fun group dances next!”

I heard Dean’s quiet groan beside me. We all worked together to move the tables and chairs up against the walls and then Mallory disappeared into their office, coming back with a speaker and an ipod.

“The first step to learning any dance is to learn it without music first,” Mallory told us. “Dave and I will demonstrate one step at a time and then we’ll go through it slowly while you learn it. And then we’ll move on to music!”

“We’re going to teach you three different dances,” Dave continued. “We’ll spend half an hour on each one, so don’t worry if you don’t get it right away. They’re pretty simple dances so we have plenty of time to work on each. Now I want everybody to line up. Ladies on one side, gentlemen on the other, and leave some space between the lines.”

And so we spent the next half hour learning the first dance. It was the kind of dance full of skipping and turns and switching partners. We would complete a series of steps with one partner before moving to the next person, doing the steps again, switching partners again and so on.

At the end of the first half hour, we were instructed to take a water break. I was sipping from a bottle of water when Dean came to stand next to me.

“What do you think the odds are that someone sprains an ankle and we can be done with this?” He asked humorlessly.

“It’s not that bad,” I told him. He looked at me, surprised.

“You’re enjoying this,” he said accusingly.

“So what? It’s fun,” I said a little defensively.

“I didn’t even know you liked to dance,” he said. I just shrugged.

“Neither did I.” I hadn’t been any more excited about this particular activity than Dean was. I was surprised how much I was enjoying it.

Break over, everyone moved back to the center of the room to learn the next dance.

We were on to the third dance, just about to try it with music when the woman from the front desk peeked into the room, saying there was a call for Anna and Ethan. They excused themselves and we finished the dance minus one couple.

I was slightly out of breath when Dave stopped the music and called an end to the dance portion of the day. A phone rang in the office, and Mallory left to answer it. I’d had a lot more fun than I expected and the dances, simple as they were, had been sufficiently distracting enough for me to forget about Dean kissing me. That is, until I looked over to see him talking to James and smiling, and my eyes focused on his mouth.

“Bad news,” Mallory said, coming back into the room. “Anna and Ethan won’t be coming back. They got a call about a family emergency and had to leave. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t still have fun, right?”

Dean and I looked at each other. So the human sacrifices had been chosen and taken already. We needed to get moving. And fast.

“We figured we’d do something a little more relaxing after all of that work everyone just did. As I’m sure you are all aware, there’s a lake just behind this hotel. There are a few kayaks available for rental, and we’ve got the next hour booked!” Mallory told us.

“Oh, you know what? I’m actually terrified of being on open water.” I said the first excuse I could think of to give us a chance to get away.

“It’s a pretty small lake. There’s no big fish or predators of any kind. Perfectly safe,” Dave assured me.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s just a phobia I’ve had pretty much my whole life. We’re going to have to sit this one out, but you all have fun! We’ll be able to keep ourselves entertained.”

“If you’re sure,” Dave said. “Alright, everyone else, let’s head outside. If you have anything on you that you don’t want to risk falling into the water, I’d leave it here.”

We watched everyone file out of the room and then started planning.

“What are we going to do?” Dean asked. “We don’t have the slightest idea where to start looking for them. And we don’t even know how to kill this god yet.”

“I know. But we can’t just let them die. We might have to figure it out as we go.”

“Figure it out as we go? We can’t help anyone if we’re dead,” he argued.

“I don’t know what else to do! We don’t exactly have time for research. Besides, who says he’ll even actually be there?” I pointed out as an idea occurred to me.

“Why wouldn’t he be there?”

“Think about it. Back in the day when sacrifices were the norm, the god didn’t show up on your doorstep to watch the sacrifice. It was just something you did and then the god would give you some sort of benefit in exchange. Why should this be any different?” I reasoned.

“That’s risking an awful lot on a maybe,” he said. Then he sighed. “But I guess you’re right. I don’t see that we have much of a choice. Alright, where do we start looking for these guys?”

“Well, from what I remember, sacrifices were made to Teutates by drowning the victims in a large vat of liquid, like in that picture in the office. Nobody knows for sure, but the theory is that they used ale.” I paused for a second as a realization struck me. “Which would explain why I found an order for a vat of ale every August. How did I miss that?” I groaned. “I just assumed it was for the hotel bar.”

“The ale was shipped here?” Dean asked.

“Yeah. Which doesn’t mean he couldn’t have moved it afterwards. But he wouldn’t be able to move it on his own.”

“Plus it would make more sense to do it here. Otherwise he has to find a way to either sneak two unconscious people out of the hotel or lure them out with him. That would put him as the last person to see them before they vanished, which I imagine is a risk he wouldn’t want to take,” Dean continued piecing things together.

“So they have to be here somewhere,” I concluded.

“The basement?” Dean suggested. “I didn’t see any mention of renovations done down there. It could be an area that no one uses. Or not often enough for it to be a concern.”

“Let’s go,” I agreed.

We had to stop at our room first to grab weapons. We didn’t know what we were walking into for sure and it would be foolish to go in unarmed. Dean grabbed a couple guns that he was able to hide with his jacket and I grabbed two knives that I tucked into my boots. It was better than nothing.

We took the elevator back down to the first floor and then went to the stairwell. The elevator didn’t go down to the basement. We went down the flight of stairs and stopped at the heavy basement door while Dean picked the lock. He handed me his second gun and I gave him one of the knives and then we stepped in.

The basement was a mess. The concrete floor was littered with all kinds of junk, everything from old pieces of furniture and musty books to rolls of wire and broken shards of glass. The concrete was broken and crumbling in places. It was dim down here too, only a few of the lights still working.

The room we’d stepped into was open and huge but, aside from the junk, empty. There was another door on the other side of the room, left open. From inside I heard a breathless voice begging to be let go.

“Jenna, wait!” Dean whisper yelled as I rushed in without checking my surroundings first. I was worried about getting to Anna and Ethan on time.

They were hanging upside down from a machine that had an arm that lifted, lowered, and moved side to side. They were suspended over a metal vat that stood about waist high and was covered in carvings. Their hands were tied behind their backs and the machine had been lowered just enough that they could lift their heads out of the ale, but it would take a lot of effort. They would run out of energy quickly, and then they’d drown.

I ran towards the machine to lift them out, but as I was climbing into the seat I felt a sharp stinging sensation in my left side, just below my ribs. I cried out at the pain and turned to see a man holding a knife.

He was probably in his mid forties and in shape. But he didn’t know how to fight. I was able to easily block his next attack and aim a well placed kick to his chest that sent him stumbling back straight into Dean. Dean quickly disarmed the man and pinned him up to a wall with a knife pressed to his throat.

“Get them out of there, Jenna,” he instructed.

With a hand held to my side to try and stop the flow of blood I could feel streaming down, I climbed into the machine and looked over the controls. I quickly figured out how to move Anna and Ethan safely away from the vat. I lowered them as far as the machine would go, going as slowly as possible when their heads came close to touching the floor so they wouldn’t hit them on the concrete.

Once they were laying flat on their backs with their feet still in the air a little bit, I climbed back down and used my knife to cut the ropes.

“Alright, get out of here,” I told them when they were both free.

“What are you gonna do?” Ethan asked.

“You’re gonna call the cops and we’re gonna keep an eye on him until they get here,” Dean answered. “Now go!”

They ran from the room.

“So. Connor,” Dean said conversationally. “Where do you get off on killing people? And all to keep some stupid hotel running? If you ask me, you should have cut your losses and moved on.”

“My parents spent every dime they had to open this place up. It was the most important thing to them. I wasn’t just going to sit back and watch it fall apart,” Connor spat.

“Right. So naturally you decided human sacrifice was the way to go. Because isn’t that everybody’s plan B? Something’s not going my way, so I’ll make a sacrifice to some random god and see if that makes things better,” Dean retorted.

“He’s not some random god. Do you even know what Teutates means?” He asked.

“No. And I don’t particularly care,” Dean said.

“It means ‘god of the people.’ He takes care of us. My family has worshiped him for generations. In fact, we were one of the first families to live under his protection,” he said proudly. “How else would I have gotten the sacrificial vat?”

“The sacrificial- So what you’re saying is, in order for the wish granting portion of your little setup here to work, people have to be drowned in that thing specifically? It can’t just be a barrel of beer or something?” Dean asked.

“Of course not! The offering is sacred! The container it’s offered in must be sacred too.”

“Oh buddy. I’ve gotta tell you, I’d like to just take care of you myself and not wait for the cops.” Connor stiffened at Dean’s clear threat. “Luckily for you, I think it’ll be a much bigger punishment for you to live and watch your hotel go back to being bankrupt. Jenna, cover him.”

I moved to stand next to Dean and aimed my gun at Connor. When I was in position, Dean climbed up into the machine. He turned it on and used the arm to knock over the ancient vat. Ale spilled out in a wave, covering the floor. He drove forward, pushing the vat in front of him until it was pressed up against the nearest wall. Then he kept pushing the heavy machine forward.

“What are you doing?” Connor screamed. “You’ll break it!”

“That’s the idea,” I told him.

He tried to take a step in Dean’s direction and I moved my gun in front of his face.

There was the horrible sound of bending metal. Dean backed up and the vat fell to the floor, crumpled in on itself. He ran it over a few times for good measure until it was unrecognizable.

“That should do it,” Dean said, climbing out of the machine and coming to stand by me. “How you doing?” He asked, nodding to my side. I’d switched the gun to my left hand and was using my right to keep pressure on the injury.

“Fine,” I told him.

“How long do you think until the cops get here?” He asked.

“I don’t know. Pretty soon I would imagine.”

“I’d rather not be here when they show up. I just want to get out of here,” he said as he grabbed the discarded rope off the floor.

“Sounds good to me,” I said.

I kept my gun pointed at Connor as Dean tied his hands and feet. Turns out the gun wasn’t really necessary. The man just sat there, despondently staring at that lump of metal on the ground.

“Alright. Let’s go,” Dean said.

We walked out of the basement and took the stairs up to the eighth floor. I wish we could have taken the elevator, but we couldn’t risk walking through the lobby while my left side was covered in blood.

Back in our room we quickly packed our bags. I was about to head out the door when Dean stopped me.

“Let me take a look at your side,” he said.

“Later. We need to go.”

“Jenna, you’re bleeding a lot. I need to check it out.”

“If we don’t leave now, we might not get out before the cops show. I’ll be fine for a little bit longer,” I told him.

“Fine,” he sighed. He disappeared into the bathroom and came back with a clean hand towel. “At least use this. And you should probably change your shirt quick.”

Not wanting to waste more time arguing, I grabbed a different shirt out of my bag and went to the bathroom to change. I quickly wiped away the blood that hadn’t dried yet and pressed the towel to my side under the shirt. I balled the old bloody one up and stuffed it in my bag.

“Okay, let’s go,” I said.

We took the elevator down to the lobby and walked out the door. There were two police cars in the parking lot. We kept a casual pace as we walked to the Impala and loaded our bags. Then we climbed in and Dean drove away.

~~~~~

Half an hour later we checked into a room at the first motel Dean found at the first town we passed.

“Okay, let me look at your side now,” Dean said, coming in from the Impala with the medical kit.

I grabbed the hem of my shirt to lift it and show him the injury, but stopped. This would expose my tattoo to him.

“When are we going to talk about it?” I asked.

“Talk about what?” Dean set the kit on one of the beds and came over to me, reaching out to grab the hem of my shirt. I backed away.

“About the fact that you kissed me.”

Dean looked at me, startled. Had he forgotten or just not expected me to bring it up?

“Someone was coming. We had to have some sort of excuse for being back there. It was the only thing that made sense,” he answered, reaching for me again. I backed away again.

“Jenna. Let me look at that,” he ordered.

“It was not the only thing that made sense. I came up with about five reasons for being there,” I argued.

“Like what?”

“Like we got lost. Like we just came down the hall to see if there was anything there for the scavenger hunt. We could have hidden in one of the rooms or just kept walking and acted like we were supposed to be there. That usually works.”

“Well I didn’t think of any of that,” he said.

“I don’t believe you,” I told him. “You’re the fastest thinking guy I know. You always have a whole list of excuses ready to go.”

“Would you let me look at your side before you bleed out?” He snapped.

“Not until you answer my question,” I insisted. “Why’d you do it?”

“Why does it matter?”

This might have just been a convenient way to avoid him seeing his own name tattooed on my body and dealing with what would follow. I was still sticking with the theory that he had a different soulmate and I wasn’t sure how he’d react when he found out he was mine. I didn’t want to deal with the awkwardness and pity that would follow.

But I also just really wanted to know the answer. I knew the kiss wouldn’t have meant to Dean what it did to me, but there was a reason he did it. Not knowing why would be torture.

“There doesn’t have to be a particular reason. I just want to know,” I said.

He clenched his jaw.

“You really wanna know?”

“Yes.”

“The truth?” He questioned.

Obviously, I wanted to say. But that wouldn’t help the situation.

“The truth,” I confirmed.

“You might decide you don’t want to stay with me anymore if I tell you,” he warned. No, begged. He was pleading with me not to make him say it.

“There is nothing you could possibly say that would make me want to leave you. We’ve been over this,” I told him.

He paused for a minute, thinking it over.

“Fine,” he agreed. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He gave me a few more seconds to change my mind, and when I didn’t, he continued.

“I did it because we were on this case. As far as everyone around us was concerned, we were married. I’ve never been in a situation before where kissing you was a valid excuse for being somewhere we weren’t supposed to be. And I just figured I might not get another chance. And I’ve wanted to kiss you for… a long time. So I took advantage of the opportunity.”

I couldn’t even imagine what my face must look like right now. I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. I was shocked beyond belief and I felt so much happiness and hope building in my chest that I thought it might burst. Dean cleared his throat.

“That’s my end of the deal held up. Now it’s your turn. Let me see your side,” he said.

To be honest, I hadn’t formulated a plan yet, but I’d had no real intention of letting Dean take care of it. I couldn’t let him see the secret I’d carried for so long. It still made me nervous. After this many years, finally telling him what he was to me was a terrifying thought. But now, with this giddy, hopeful feeling, I let myself consider the possibility that he belonged to me the way I belonged to him.

So, slowly, I lifted my shirt up, exposing my side up to my ribs. I dropped the towel I’d still been holding to the wound. I watched his eyes zero in first on the bloody gash in my side and then lower. To the four letters sitting there in thick black ink. He inhaled sharply and his eyes shot to mine.

Chapter 10

#supernatural #fanfiction #dean winchester #original characters #original female character #soulmates #soulmate!au #dean winchester x ofc #dean winchester x soulmate!ofc #so long v2

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jimblejamblewritings · 2 years

Text

sunshine | part 6.

Summary: Y/N Riddle. Not much more has to be said. Life at Hogwarts when your dad is Lord Voldemort is an interesting experience. And four particular people at school make it even more interesting.

Warnings for the Series: THIS IS THE DARKER VERSION! IF YOU WANT THE LESS DARK MORE ANGSTY VERSION CHECK OUT PRINCESSE DE MORT

Pairing: Marauders x black!reader, eventual Remus Lupin x black!reader

Word Count: 3.0k

Previous Part | (Series Masterlist)

The boys woke up in the morning when they felt a shift on the bed. They opened their eyes to see you coming back into the room with stuff in your arms. You thought they were asleep still so you kept yourself quiet. You figured after last night someone was going to ask you to do something so there was no point in going back to the guest room just to get called back. You were still dancing around them, not as uncomfortable anymore but still feeling weird. They didn’t say anything as they watched you stripped to change into something else.

You plopped down on the floor in front of a little mirror you brought in and poured a hair potion on your hair to detangle curls since you passed out without any hair prep. Grabbing the small bag, you cleaned your nails of the Christmas polish and grabbed new polish. It was the end of December and still winter so you picked a blue polish and another pale blue almost white. The Marauders watched you paint each finger and toe blue before adding white suns onto your fingernails. You looked around for the book and snack you brought. There was only a chapter left. The boys just quietly stared as you chewed on grapes and finished the last precious pages of your reading. You nodded slowly as you closed the book. Missy had come upstairs and you gave her little scratches. Your cat meowed.

“Shhh, Missy, they’re sleeping,” you said quietly.

Your hand tapped behind you before you looked around when you realized that you didn’t bring your drink upstairs. Your whole body seemed to huff when you faced the fact that you left it in the kitchen. Slowly, you peeled yourself from the floor and went back downstairs.

“Princess is kind of cute when she pouts,” Sirius commented. “… was I that drunk or was last night not as good?”

“No, it was definitely not very good,” James said. “I don’t think alcohol agrees with her at all. Or maybe us? Someone was off. She tried though. We should let her cum, been damn near a month.”

They all laughed. Remus stretched. “Second Christmas present, didn’t think she’d last that long.”

“She just doesn’t want the girls punishing her again. Merlin, those three can go all night. Who’s gonna give it to her?”

Peter got up. “Moony’s room, he can do it.”

The others nodded as they all got off the bed and retreated to their respective rooms to get ready. You came back up, surprised that only Remus was still there. When did they even wake up? Remus reached out a hand and beckoned you over. You sat on the bed before he patted on his chest and you went to him. Just like last night, he started moving your hips so that you’d grind on him. Remus eventually flipped the two of you over. His hands went to your shorts— this was the part you were used to from them. He settled himself between your legs and swatted your thigh.

“Saw how you clenched up every time Wormtail spanked you. Count.”

He threw an arm over your stomach to hold you down as he started spanking. Remus watched you start to squirm quicker than before. James was right about you holding out to not get punished because he could see how hard your face was twisted up. You bit your bottom lip and tried to focus on anything else. It was getting harder to just let Remus have his fun. The other boys were dressed and washed up, coming back into the room to watch. They loved putting you on display for them. But they all acknowledge that it felt a bit different.

After what you told them last night, humiliating you had less of an edge to it. Sirius chalked it up to the shock of seeing you so soft with a teddy bear. They all agreed. It almost made them want to make you their sub— they had considered it as they kept going through their list. They were still only confident that you wouldn’t go telling everyone about every bedroom secret. They all had things they were a bit insecure about and just didn’t need it talked about. But that was an ‘almost consideration’. You weren’t their sub and they didn’t want you as such. Riddle was their little slut, toy, plaything— ‘whore’ if they feeling mean and ‘condescending princess’ if they were feeling nice. Your back arched as best as it could while he was pinning you down. Your fingers gripped the sheets and twisted them around. You had to ask, not being able to take it any more.

“Can I cum?”

“No,” James said. “Go faster, Moony.”

He did just that as you started to beg more. Your hand wrapped around Remus’ wrist did nothing to slow down his speed. Your voice rose an octave as you asked again only to hear another no— from Peter this time. Your head shook as you felt the coil snap even though you tried. You bit the fist that you shoved in your mouth to stop from being too loud. You had been doing so well, following all their instructions. It had been a month with no punishment and you were upset with yourself for ruining it.

“Fuck,” Remus groaned out. “We’re edging her again, that was sexy.”

You looked up to see his arm and front of his shirt were soaked. Cringing, you felt the wetness of the sheets. You looked at all their faces. None of them seemed annoyed like they usually did if you broke a rule. They were actually looking at you like you were the hottest thing they had seen in a long time. Sirius took Remus’ place.

“You can cum again. It’s been so long since you got to cum, right, Princess? I think you deserve a few more.”

They were on a mission to make you squirt on all of them. At first, they just wanted a mind shattering orgasm. A gift for you taking all your denial so well. But then you squirted all over Moony and one little gift turned into another game. You didn’t even care that you were completely spent. It wasn’t as intense as the ten times, considering that you were still alert. But it was a lot. It was a lot but you thought it might have been worth it because James scooped you up and took you into the bathroom while Peter stripped the sheets off the bed. He actually stayed until the tub was filled. Sirius and Remus left clothes and another piece of chocolate. They sarcastically told you ‘Happy Christmas’ and left.

It wasn’t the aftercare you had been craving and you were probably never getting it again but your brain felt the fuzziest that it ever had. If they were always like this then maybe you wouldn’t mind what they did. You found comfort in the fact that you were promised chocolate now. The two pieces you’d gotten so far with the wrapper you didn’t recognize were delicious. You were always going to get that chocolate. It was better than any Honeyduke’s one.

You were riding a weird sort of high all the way back to school. It was fucked up to be so happy over damn chocolate but it was the first kind thing that was done for you not under your father’s orders. They weren’t trying to please Voldemort— you just got the chocolate because they asked you what you wanted for Christmas. And that weird high only continued because no one even threatened you with their wand pointed out. You were the Marauders’ plaything— granted they all thought it was for bullying not sex— so no one touched you. They enjoyed thinking of what might be done to you. You overheard a group of Ravenclaws say they hoped that one of them threw you back in the lake before the school year ended. The Marauders chuckled as you skipped through the halls as they walked behind you. Sirius tutted.

“She acts like she fucking owns the school now. Is it bad that I like it?”

“You just want her to fuck up so you can spank her again.” Peter shoved a hand in his pocket.

“You all want to spank her again, don’t lie.”

They all agreed as they started to watch your butt more than just the entire back of you.

“Think I’d rather watch her squirt again,” Peter said.

“There’s time today. Slytherin’s got the pitch for practice this afternoon. Princess!” James called you over.

You turned like a deer in headlights. Sirius, James, and Peter almost broke from their serious expression when they saw you had a whole chocolate bar in your hands and part of it in your mouth. It was Remus’ chocolate. Not just a piece but the whole damn bar. You had figured out which of the big bars matched the strange wrapping on the tiny individual squares. Technically, he never said no to the bar. It was just that Remus always gave everyone the tiny wrapped pieces. But with all that they were doing to you, didn’t you deserve a whole chocolate? You swallowed the piece in your mouth as Remus moved his fingers in a ‘come here’ fashion.

“Now, you’ve been such a good girl for the past month, even most of this one. I thought you would do the same going into the next one. Do you want to explain why you’re holding my stuff?”

The other boys snorted to hide laughter as you took another bite. You were going to be punished anyway, you wanted what you were going to be punished for. Especially if the other girls were coming back. Then you would really finish what was about to get you in trouble.

“I like when you give me this one after we have sex. I couldn’t find it in Hogsmeade, I even saved up sickles for it but they didn’t have it anywhere.”

Remus’ thumb brushed over your lips to swipe up the melted chocolate on it. He held it in front of you expectantly and you wrapped your lips around his thumb. His pupils dilated as he watched you.

“Because it’s a muggle chocolate brand, my mum sends it.”

You looked at the floor. You didn’t mean to take something his mother sent to him. Parent gifts meant a lot and you would never intentionally take that from someone. Remus grabbed your chin. He dropped his hand when you went wide-eyed, not sure why but you seemed a bit frazzled by it.

“I’m sorry,” you said, actually meaning it.

“The four of us are going to be gone tonight, you can make it up to me when I wake up in the morning.”

“Okay… here.” You extended the chocolate towards him.

“Go ahead and finish it.”

You took another bite and started walking ahead of them again to the owlery. Sirius clapped his friend on the shoulder.

“Are you suddenly getting soft on her?”

“No need to punish her when she’ll already get it rough tomorrow. She should be happy it’s the weekend, I won’t hold back.”

The other three laughed knowing that you weren’t walking straight in the morning. You made a note that you wouldn’t steal this particular chocolate from Remus since his mother sent it. But you would steal other big chocolate bars and you would do it on his moon nights. It was the perfect way to worm out of punishment. Remus was the same roughness the next day as any other night after he transformed into a werewolf. The timing of stealing his chocolate was so perfect. He spanked you one more time as he spilled into you.

Remus walked over to the tiny trunk that held the stuff for you in it. He grabbed fresh panties and a shirt, laying them on top of you. You’d eventually get up to put it on. Both of your heads snapped up as the door slammed. James walked in looking frustrated.

“Gonna kill Snivellus,” he murmured as he moved your shirt and panties off of you.

You winced, butt still stinging from the spanking, as he parted your legs again. You had no clue what Snape did but you could feel all the anger as James slammed into you over and over. You weren’t going to ask to cum. Not when he seemed so upset— he was already going so rough.

Remus just rolled his eyes and grabbed his homework. “Is there a reason you’re murdering Snape and when should I have a good lie ready?”

“Nothing, I’ll get over it.”

James pulled you up so he could hold you better. He thrusted twice more and then dropped you. You whimpered when he felt the need to add his own spanking to the one that Remus gave you. He got off the bed and you heard a drawer opening, closing your eyes when you thought he was pulling out a toy.

“Which one do you give her, Moony?”

“Silver wrapper with the stars embossed on it.”

James lifted you up. His fingers unwrapped the packaging and placed the chocolate on your tongue. Remus grabbed the shirt that had been discarded and helped you put it on as James cleaned himself up. Ever since winter break, this had been the weird little change between you and the Marauders. They were still rough but they had softer moments now.

You were given chocolate. Your clothes were placed on you. Games between them and their friends never went back to seeing how long you could cum until you passed out. They still pushed you to the edge of the bed. You still took multiple people in a row or sometimes all at once. They still called you a whore. But you tried not to think about that and clung to the clothes and the chocolates. You clung to that whenever they did something. You especially clung to it as James tied you up with ropes and positioned you on Peter’s bed. He promised to steal a big chocolate bar from Remus’ stash for you.

“It’s his birthday,” James said as he covered your eyes with his tie. “So you’re gonna be a good toy for him, right?”

You nodded.

“Good, Princess. I’m gonna take a picture and then leave you for him, okay? You can use words for this.”

“Okay.”

James grabbed the camera and you heard the click of it go off. He shook out the polaroid and when it developed he dropped it in the box with all your other photos and left it by you on the bed for Peter. The door opened and then closed and you were left alone. You knew when Peter got out of class but with the blindfold on, all sense of time seemed abandoned. It couldn’t have been that long because you weren’t aching anywhere. You just pouted and waited.

Sirius was waiting with Remus for the present from Peter’s parents to come. James was off tying you up in the Room of Requirement and left the two of them on present pick-up duty. If he knew it was going to take so long, Sirius would have offered to tie you up instead of waiting on presents. People gave them hellos as they passed by, a few even stopped to talk. He checked his watch.

“Didn’t they say it was coming when classes ended?”

“Give ‘em a break, they’re both muggles. Probably just forgot how to work everything.” Remus wasn’t nearly as impatient as the other man.

“Sirius!”

Both of them turned at the voice. Avery Garth from Ravenclaw was coming up. Sirius gave a wave.

“Hey, Avery.”

“Are you still copying my Astronomy notes?”

“Oh, shit, sorry. Yeah, I finished yesterday. It’s in our dorm, right on the end of my bed. Just go grab it. Gryffindor password’s felicis.”

“Cool, thanks.”

“Thanks for letting me borrow them… when is this stupid package gonna get here?”

You readjusted as best as you could when you heard the door open. Avery stopped in his tracks. He blinked and rubbed at his eyes like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His eyes drank in the sight of your naked body, looking at the words ‘your good toy’ written on the back of your thigh. He almost forgot about his notes before grabbing them as he continued to stare. His eyes narrowed when you lifted your head to look back at where you thought Peter was, not sure why he was teasing. He liked denial but that was usually denying you while he got off. You just dropped your head again.

Even with a blindfold, Avery could recognize your face. He smirked. The Marauders actually got you in their bed. That was smart. It was a good joke, Voldemort’s daughter being their plaything. Shit, it might have been better than when you were thrown in the lake two years ago in the middle of winter. It was definitely funnier than when they heard about you almost getting smothered in your sleep. He stepped closer, looking down at the open box. His eyes widened as he saw the Polaroids. The pictures were incredible. How long were the Marauders keeping you to themselves?

He looked closer. There was a picture of you slumped over Marlene’s lap and another one with Griff and Archie. Fuck, was Gryffindor slowly passing you around first? How’d they even pull this off? This was one of the only times he wished to be in Gryffindor. Knowing the Marauders, as well as Griff being his best friend, he knew that they’d all get a chance. But where was the fun when it seemed like Gryffindor already tried everything with you. Humiliation. That was still fun. Avery took a bunch of polaroids and walked out without another thought. You shifted and whined until you heard Peter finally decide to speak after what felt like forever.

“Bloody hell, you’re my present, Princess?” He laughed. “Did James say you can’t speak?”

You nodded. Peter unzipped his pants.

“Then I don’t want to hear a peep out of you, slut. Be a good toy and stay quiet.”

(Part 7)

#marauders x reader #remus lupin x black!reader #remus lupin x reader

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carewyncromwell · 2 years

Photo

Barnaby 🤝 Carewyn

Requested by @dat-silvers-girl

Early one Saturday morning, Barnaby came doubling back to find Carewyn in the Great Hall, sporting a bruise on his chin but looking more excited than she’d ever seen him.

“Carewyn!” he called over brightly. “Hagrid and I rescued a new creature in the Forest last night! Hagrid’s just found it a permanent place at the Preserve -- you’ve just gotta come see it!”

Carewyn agreed, but only after quickly packing up some sausages and pieces of toast in a napkin so that she and Barnaby could eat on the way. Good thing too -- Barnaby had been so excited he’d completely forgotten to get any breakfast.

“So what sort of creature is it?” asked Carewyn.

“You’ll see!” Barnaby said as he bit into one of the sausages Carewyn had packed. “Hagrid thought it should be a surprise. But you’ll absolutely love him, Carewyn -- he’s so cute! His little mouth tentacles and his teeny little four-toed hooves...”

“Mouth tentacles?” repeated Carewyn. After a moment, she realized, “You and Hagrid found a Graphorn?”

“Yeah!” said Barnaby eagerly. He then immediately flushed. “Oh...guess I ruined the surprise...”

“Of course not,” Carewyn reassured him. “It’s a lovely surprise. I’ve never seen a Graphorn before, except in books...and if you and Hagrid have been working with him, I’m sure he’s wonderful.”

Barnaby brightened up. “Well, Grappy -- that’s what I’ve been calling him, Grappy -- he’s still a little skittish...not used to being around people, I think. He seems a bit more comfortable around me than Hagrid, just because he’s so big, but I think he’ll really like you. You’re both small and sweet!” he added with a boyish grin.

Carewyn bring a hand up to her mouth to hold in a giggle. “I guess Grappy feels most comfortable when he’s the biggest thing in the area?”

Barnaby looked thoughtful. “Mm, I wouldn’t say that. I reckon it’s more because of that mountain troll -- he captured him to try to make him into a steed, see.”

A combination of empathy, compassion, and righteous anger flooded through Carewyn. “That’s horrible!”

Barnaby nodded. “Yeah -- I had to duel the troll, just to get him to back off. But anyway, I think that’s why Grappy likes people on the smaller side. Prefers them to be a bit closer to his own size...”

Carewyn frowned. “His own size? But aren’t Graphorns supposed to be -- ?”

At that very moment, though, they arrived in the dry, desert-esque portion of the preserve that was their destination. And waiting for them just on the other side of a cluster of rocks was Hagrid, standing a short ways away from not one but two bizarre-looking creatures with four-toed hooves and twitching mouth tentacles, who were sitting together close by. The first was easily three times the size of the second and seemed to be giving him a bath, grooming his head with her tentacled mouth.

Carewyn’s heart swelled up with delight as both of her hands flew to her mouth.

“Oh!” she whispered, her voice coming out much higher and girlier than usual. “It’s a baby!”

Barnaby was grinning from ear to ear. “Yup!”

Hagrid was very pleased by her reaction too. “Carewyn, meet Babar -- tha’s the mum -- named her ‘fore I found out she was female...and lil’ Grappy! Me an’ Barnaby here found him stuck with a mountain troll in the Forest, ‘fore we rescued ‘im.”

Carewyn approached very slowly and carefully, not wanting to spook the mother Graphorn or her baby. Babar watched Carewyn approach very mistrustfully, even as little Grappy perked up his head to watch her.

“Be careful, Carewyn,” Hagrid warned her. “Graphorns are generally aggressive at firs’. Best come at ‘em nice and easy.”

Carewyn nodded. “Do they like direct eye contact or not?”

“Only if they’re used t’ it,” said Hagrid. “Young Graphorns, and Graphorns raised in captivity, yeah, they’re okay if yeh look at ‘em straight-on...with Mama, though, I’d say keep those eyes low, at least ‘til she’s used t’ yeh.”

Carewyn nodded again, keeping her focus solely on Grappy instead of Babar. The little Graphorn definitely seemed to like that he could look Carewyn in the face without having to crane his neck up. Babar, however, gave a sharp, abrupt bellow, making Carewyn quickly move back and Hagrid sweep forward protectively and throw his massive hands up like a shield.

“Easy, girl,” Hagrid told the mother Graphorn. “Easy -- Carewyn’s a friend...no need to worry...”

Babar glared distrustfully at Carewyn. Carewyn was careful not to keep too pointed of eye contact.

“It’s okay,” she said, her voice incredibly calm despite how fast her heart had pounded, in response to the Graphorn’s aggression. “After what happened to her baby...I don’t blame her for being protective of him.”

“Maybe if I coax Grappy over with some food, we can show Babar you don’t mean him any harm!” Barnaby offered.

Hagrid beamed. “Tha’s a swell idea.”

He handed Barnaby a bag of what looked like dead moths. Without flinching in the slightest, Barnaby took the bag, bent down, and started tossing some over toward Grappy and Babar.

The baby Graphorn gave a happy little gurgle, picking up each one with his mouth tentacles so he could gobble them up. Babar watched her baby like a hawk, still keeping a very close eye on Carewyn standing just behind Barnaby.

“Hey, Carewyn?” said Barnaby. “Why don’t you try singing something too? Creatures always seem to like it when you sing to them.”

Carewyn smiled. “Okay.”

I guess me singing while you feed him would give it a positive association, she thought to herself.

Carewyn settled herself primly down next to Barnaby on the ground, smoothing the creases in her wide A-line skirt out as she did so, before turning her focus back to the little Graphorn Barnaby was feeding.

“You and I must make a pact -- We must bring salvation back -- Where there is love, I'll be there...

I'll reach out my hand to you -- I'll have faith in all you do -- Just call my name and I'll be there...”

Barnaby glanced over his shoulder at Carewyn, smiling broadly. He clearly liked the song she’d chosen, even if he most definitely had never heard it previously. Carewyn grinned back.

“And ohhhh...I'll be there to comfort you! Build my world of dreams around you -- I'm so glad I found you! I'll be there with a love so strong -- I'll be your strength... I'll keep holdin' on...”

Grappy had reached Barnaby and was now eating moths right out of his hand. Barnaby stroked the top of the little Graphorn’s neck to praise it, looking from it to over at Carewyn with a larger grin than ever. The calm in the baby’s expression gave Carewyn enough confidence to reach out and let Grappy sniff her hand too, before gently trailing it along the top of his tiny horned head. His skin was rubbery and hairless, but Grappy gurgled contentedly at the attention all the same.

“Well done, Carewyn!” said Hagrid, looking delighted. “Looks like Grappy likes yeh!”

Carewyn beamed. “Well, I like him too.”

Barnaby’s green eyes had to squint to a third of their usual size, just to make enough room for the huge grin that had overtaken his face. “I knew you would!”

Babar settled her head down on her front legs and diligently watched as the two red-haired, green-tie-wearing humans lavished food and attention on her baby.

These two didn’t seem so bad, she seemed to think. She wouldn’t have to impale them on her horns right away.

Friendship Drabble Prompt!

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #friendship drabbles #barnaby lee #carewyn cromwell #rubeus hagrid #my writing #god I love these two so much!!#yay for creature buddies :')#also of COURSE carewyn would like the graphorn and her baby -- she's a mama bear herself!!

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apparitionsxanonymous · 2 months

Text

Free [Part One]

Apparition Anonymous is a collection of fictional stories told from the POV of the Grim Reaper as they guide newly departed souls to the Afterlife. Enjoy, and thank you for reading.

“It’s weird, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“One moment they’re here and the next… you blink, and they’re gone.”

“I know. We had a lovely conversation last night. So, when I got the phone call this morning saying they’d…”

“But they’re not in pain anymore. It was quick. I’m almost… happy for them, I guess.”

“Quick? They’ve been in the hospital for two months.”

“Right, but the actual death was quick. And no one wants to spend the rest of their life in the hospital.”

“Can you see me?”

The third voice jolted me out of my eavesdropping. I shouldn’t have been watching and listening to the living. I had a soul I needed to bring back. When I turned around, the newly deceased stood a few feet away from me, staring deeply into my soul.

I nodded.

“Are you here to take me home?”

I sighed. “That depends; which home are you talking about?”

“Not this one. My family can’t hear me anymore.”

I didn’t need to wait long for this spirit to talk to me again. They found their way to the crossover room. I stared at them as they gazed out into the abyss through the hole in the wall that mocked a window.

“So this is it, then?” they asked.

I stayed silent. Were they talking about death? The afterlife? Their new home, as they liked to refer to it?

“This is what death is like. What a joke.”

I peered down into my mug, watching the steam delicately rising from the liquid. As the Grim Reaper, I was always confident in reading the souls’ emotions. But this one? I had no idea.

They were numb. I didn’t know if that was due to grief or secret relief.

“Quick? Painless? Is that something the living tells themselves to make them feel better about their loved ones moving on from the world?”

Yes. Yes, it was. But I didn’t dare say that out loud.

“I guess I shouldn’t be angry. I said that many times to people who had lost loved ones. But now I know the truth. It’s not quick. The journey here sucked.”

I cast my gaze back to the spirit before me. They still stared out the window, and all I could see was their profile. I couldn’t read their full expression. But the tone in their voice… was it anger? Sadness?

“Until you came along, I mean,” they added casually. “It took me a moment to realize you were there for me, but before I completely left my body… it wasn’t quick, that’s all.”

I nodded despite them still not looking at me. They were right. The soul leaving its physical form was a rough process. It wasn’t as quick as blinking or as peaceful as falling asleep. The soul and body were connected in ways no one could ever understand - not even me.

The soul doesn’t rise from the body delicately like the living world depicts in movies. No, it rips itself free. The body doesn’t want to let go. It holds on tight; the heart and brain are always the last to loosen their grip.

But the soul doesn’t want to leave, either. It doesn’t fly out of its physical form because it wants to. The spirit world pulls it through to the other side. When time is up, when the clock turns red, that’s it.

There’s no going back, no changing fate’s mind.

The body and soul are woven together into a beautiful tapestry of individuality. Every death on the outside is different but on the inside? It’s a struggle. The soul doesn’t want to leave, but it has no choice. And the body doesn’t understand until it’s too late.

“It wasn’t painless, either.” They continued, unaware that I was lost in my own thoughts. “All those months spent in the hospital… even on my good days, I lay in that bed struggling to move. I couldn’t breathe. I suffocated.”

I didn’t understand the extent of this spirit’s illness when they were alive. All I knew was that by the time they were diagnosed, it was too late. It was terminal. They had a few months left to live.

Unfortunately, after three weeks of final freedom, the illness took a turn for the worse, and they spent their final two months in a hospital bed.

“I get it, though. At least, I think I do,” they stated, turning away from the abyss to peer into their mug. “No one wants to see their loved ones suffering. So, it makes me wonder… were they happy I was at peace or because it finally brought them peace?”

Thanks for reading. Apparitions Anonymous is updated every Monday and Friday. If you enjoy my work and want to stay updated with my writing journey, please consider visiting my Ko-fi page.

#creative writing #paranormal fiction #short story #writeblr #writers on tumblr

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leseandbsavetheworld · 2 years

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character themes #3

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another character themes (I say as if I didn’t do these all in one night... holy moly, another hour has already passed?)! I’m pretty excited for this one... I love these boys (even though i forgot Alex’s full last name and im too lazy to go scroll through all my notes to find it) As I do more of these (again, it’s been one day, chill out), I think my summaries of why I designed the boards the way I did and why I chose the songs I did are getting longer... I hope they’re still interesting! Also, I didn’t plan on having more than one/two AJR songs for these two, but AJR’s music is honestly perfect for describing their personalities and when I was looking for a good ship song for them, Wow, I’m Not Crazy started playing and I nearly died. Anyway, I’ve bored you enough. Here you go!

Story: The Short Book of Mortals Universe: tSBoM universe

ship--Alex & Corry Wow, I’m Not Crazy by AJR

Okay, I have a few things to explain here. On the French--when Corry was younger, he taught himself French for various reasons, from insulting his family in a way they couldn’t understand to having more opportunities in the future. Over the years, Alex began picking it up, and eventually was pretty fluent. je t’aime translates to I love you in French, which is to be expected. Then there’s the top message, which has probably been confusing any French speakers. n'oubliez pas de charger le lave-vaisselle translates roughly to don't forget to load the dishwasher in English. This is sort of an inside joke from the story, where Corry once said je t'aime. N'oublie pas de charger le lave-vaisselle quand tu rentres à la maison--I love you. Don’t forget to load the dishwasher when you get home--at the end of a phone call to embarrass Alex, who was around some non-French speaking family friends who definitely thought he said something a little more... fruity.

character--Corry Keens Next Up Forever by AJR

I wanted to keep a yellow color palette in the background & most of the details because yellow is one of the colors used to represent suicide prevention, along with the turquoise and purple (hence the ribbon in the corner), and being a suicide prevention activist is something fairly important to Corry’s character. I chose this song because, when I was listening to it, it just sounded perfect for him, especially the lines about overthinking. I added the little “love yourself” thing as a little thing to show that Corry’s still trying to get better mentally himself, along with trying to help others.

character--Alex M. Don’t Throw Out My Legos by AJR

So for Alex’s, I originally thought about going with Way Less Sad, because... y’know... it’s about depression. Then, while I was beginning to make his board, I was listening to AJR and realized that Don’t Throw Out My Legos applies to him too, even if he does have depression and Way Less Sad has a lot of good points. I wanted to make it a bit chaotic to and gray to represent those days when it’s hard to get out of bed, but at the same time, he’s a generally upbeat kind guy. I wanted to show this by adding a few splashes of color, especially the flowers poking up through all the gray.

Alright, this has been fun, but it’s 3 in the morning and i have a busy day tomorrow. Eons magic system coming soon! Love you all, have an amazing day! <3, Bat

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folkloreguk · 3 years

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💌🧸 Brother's Best Friend

A/N: Got this request a while ago and now I'm wondering why I've never written this trope before bc this was so fun??? Lmk how you liked it! x

genre: optional bias (m) x reader (f), smut, size/strength kink??, choking, dom!bias (it’s kinda playful tho), brother's best friend!au, sneaking around, play fighting, lowkey getting caught but not directly?

words: ~ 4.1 k

disclaimer: I don’t mean for the age gap to be gigantic…I’m talking about anything from 1-2 years maximum tbh!!! Anything else would be weird and I’m not about that! They’re also both obviously consenting adults!

[H/N means 'his (bias) name']

In youreyes, your first meeting had been a disaster. The new spider man movie had been released only days ago, and you were adamant on seeing it. And to your luck, your older brother and his best friend had already made plans to watch it together. As a little sister, you were treated like the baby of the family, and it didn’t matter that you were far from being an infant anymore. So naturally, your brother had been condemned by your parents to bring you along. He declared his distaste in your presence by attempting to ignore you, but you were used to that. Just like you were aware of his bad moods, you knew he could change within minutes and magically turn into the sweetest, most caring big brother you could wish for.

Whatever. You didn’t need his approval to enjoy the trip to the movie theater, you told yourself. Had it not been for his best friend, who you hadn’t seen in ages. H/N and you had never properly spoken before, and the last time you saw him he had been an awkward, prepubescent boy who had appeared at your door to pick up your brother for a playdate. There was no trace of immaturity now. Instead, it was you who had morphed into an awkward, shy mess at the sight of him.

His ‘hello’ had a warm and deep melody to it which swooped you up in his aura so suddenly, you had no time to prepare. Had his smile always been this stupidly charming? Hell, it was so bright, you had to meticulously inspect the ground every time he sent a grin your way. When before you hadn’t felt guilty for being a bother, you now sure did. What impression would you leave, trailing behind the older boys like a lost puppy? What would he take you for? The annoying little sister who didn’t have friends of her own? The mood-killer, who wouldn’t understand any of the boys’ inside jokes? The anti-social, weird girl who was obsessed with fictional men, like people loved to belittle teenage girls with normal interests?

As things turned out, his initial opinion of you was quite the opposite. If only you could have spied into his brain, it would have saved you a landslide of worry. Although your brother took up all of H/N’s attention before the movie started, he noticed you a good amount. To be precise, you blew him away at first sight. Your cute laugh won him over in a matter of seconds and he liked that your merch sweater could have been stolen straight out of his own closet. He didn’t want to feel too smug, but the way you diverted your eyes away from him whenever he looked in your direction only boosted his confidence further.

Your brother might have warned him. Stay away from her. She’s off limits for you. But not a thousand vicious, older brothers could have kept him from trying to get to you. It was up to you, after all, whether you wanted him around or not, and not to your brother. From that day on, H/N didn’t skip out on a chance to see you, even if it meant merely an exchange of a few words, or a simple greeting. And to his luck, you turned out to be equally as enraptured by him.

There was something about the untouchable, the forbidden, that attracted him to you even more. Plus, you were simply too precious to forget about. One morning, you dropped off a beanie at his place, which he had left at your house after meeting with your big brother the previous day. When he had asked if he could drive you to school as a thank you, you happily accepted. You had marked that day as the first day of your new life. First, it was harmless flirting. To be honest, you were under the impression he was merely messing with you. Because you were the cute little sister of his best friend. Because you would turn into an awkward shell of a person who had lost all ability to articulate, and your cheeks would burn as if they were on fire, whenever he charmed you.

But the flirting slowly reached newer levels, and before you knew it you were discussing your sexual fantasies over text messages and giving him bedroom eyes as you opened the front door for him. “H/N’s here!” you would then shout to your big brother. Then you would watch the two boys walk off to your brother’s room, pondering why life had to be this way for you. It wasn’t fair. Siblings were supposed to share, right? Why did you have to wait your turn until after midnight, when no one would notice, to spend time with H/N?

But to H/N, the sneaking around in the middle of the night and the secret messages you sent to each other, it all added to the excitement. Surely, there were days on which he wished he could just break the truth to your brother. The impact it could have on their friendship was enough intimidation for him to refrain, though. Things were better off this way, for now.

Today was no exception to your usual lies. When your brother asked if you would go out with him to do some shopping, you had played the victim and feigned a stomachache. Your parents wouldn’t be home all weekend. You’d have been stupid to waste a perfect opportunity like that. Who knew when you could have H/N in your bed the next time? Normally, you were restricted to his car, or to his bed in the dark of night. Yes, those places had something enticing at first glance. But the backseat of a car was only enjoyable for so many clandestine meetings. So today you notified him of your golden opportunity before your brother had even walked out the door.

The moment H/N texted you that he was outside your home, you opened the front door and dragged him to your room.

“Are you in control today, little one?” he asked, closing the bedroom door after you.

“Why are you asking that?” you replied, not wanting to talk at all but rather do so much more productive things.

“I don’t know…perhaps because you haven’t let me say a word since I came through the door,” he said.

“Right. Maybe I’m planning on tying you up, blindfolding you, and torturing you with ice and wax,” you joked in a casual tone, despite not usually requesting such graphic ideas.

“I don’t know if I’d let you do that,” he grinned with raised eyebrows. “Besides, I know you’d rather be at the receiving end of that. It’s a sweet idea, though. If we had some more time…”

“Think you could get away from me if I tied you up?” you said, but he was towering over you with the calmness of a king who knew he reigned over the situation.

“We both know I’m stronger than you, doll,” he said. You didn’t like it when boys called you weak. But you’d let it slide, knowing he was only joking and would never underestimate you outside of the bedroom. He put his lips right up to yours, so you felt his breath on them. His fingers came up to cup your face, but then slowly inched to your neck. When they closed around your neck, putting the slightest amount of pressure on your skin, you whimpered quietly.

“Need reminding?” he asked. As much pent-up frustration you had, and as much as your stomach was flipping upside down from how badly you needed him, you just had to play with him. You knew it would make for more fun.

“I think- “ you started, with a grin. Then you grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pushed him backwards, until he was stumbling. Although caught off guard, he was quick to pull you along with him as he fell onto your bed. You landed on top of him with a small squeal.

“Go on, let’s see who can throw the other off the bed first,” he teased with a superiority that only spurred you on. Then again, you would always be in the mood for the oldest childhood game you had ever known. Only now it wasn’t your brother, but his best friend you were playing against. It added a layer of excitement, and after only seconds, giggles had overtaken you as you struggled in his grip.

“No tickling is allowed,” you said. He nodded obediently with a smirk that told you he might not abide by your rules.

At first, you had attempted to hold him down by his arms. But your legs tangled, and he pushed his chest up against yours, like he was about to flip you over. Your plan seemed to be working only momentarily. You groaned a little as he grabbed your wrists swiftly and held his stance against your attempt to pull his upper body to the side.

“Cute,” he said. That’s when you realized, he was barely struggling, barely trying, even. While you were giving your most, he smirked like he was watching a kitten trying to fight a lion. It was child’s play to him, keeping you in check. Literally. With an annoying expression of amusement on his face, he let you have the upper hand for a while. Then, as if you had never had an ounce of advantage, he turned it around and pulled you into him. His eyes suggested he might just send you tumbling down onto the floor any moment now. Nonetheless, you weren’t going to give up so easily. Taking your chances, you let go of his arms and moved sideways, so you could have your go at pushing him towards the edge of the mattress.

“I don’t think so,” he said. Suddenly, he bear-hugged your body and rolled you both over. Before you could protest or defend yourself, your arm was dangling off the side of your bed and if you had moved a tiny bit further, you would have slid off the bedsheets and right onto your carpet. It was his turn to straddle you now. As if his actions hadn’t been enough declarations of his strength, he pinned your wrists to the bed above your head and gave you a challenging smirk.

“I was going to let you win, doll. But you weren’t trying hard enough,” he said. “What are you going to do about it?”

What were you going to do? He had you completely immobilized. “Just let it go, then. We get it, you’re super strong and super big and the coolest,” you said.

He seemed to take an instant liking to your declaration. “Say it again. This time minus the eye-rolling, sugar.”

“You’re stronger than me,” you said, trying to avoid the laughter that was threatening to come out. Could he read in your gaze how badly you wanted him to kiss you already? If he could, he wasn’t acting on it. Instead, he bent to the crook of your neck and spoke.

“Does it turn you on that I can overpower you?” his breath fanned your ear and you had to close your eyes to control yourself.

“Yes. Because I trust you,” you answered truthfully. The corner of his lips curled into a cocky grin.

“You know what? I think I’d rather you stay in bed with me instead of throwing you on the floor. There’s so many things we can do up here, isn’t that right, little one?” His lips brushed over your cheek and then over your lips as he spoke. The nickname had always made you weak in the knees and he knew it. When he finally enveloped your lips in a kiss, you swore you could feel an electric spark jump between the two of you. The mellowness of it turned into hunger rapidly, and as soon as his tongue flicked over your bottom lip, you whimpered like you hadn’t seen him in a year.

“Needy, are we?” he asked, running his hand up your sides and underneath your shirt. He could say that again. “Let’s get these off, then.”

The seconds in which you pulled off your clothes and couldn’t hang on his lips and feel his skin on your body should have been considered a form of torture in itself. Then, time always went by so much slower than usually.

When you had both shed off your clothes, he climbed back on top of you. Instead of straddling your hips he was now resting between your legs. There was nothing separating you from him, and it was apparent not only through the body heat that radiated off him. He reached down and whilst peppering kisses on your chest, slid his fingers through your slick arousal that was pooling in your core.

“You’re so wet,” he said in surprise, but couldn’t hide his approval and self-confidence in his voice.

“I know,” you said, rolling your eyes but simultaneously fighting the urge to moan at the smallest of touches he was teasing your with. “I’m so horny. Can’t we skip foreplay?”

“Poor doll,” he said. “I should’ve come over earlier, huh?”

“You know that wasn’t possible,” you said. With a desperate look, you pleaded him silently.

“I wanna taste you,” he said, but your put your hand on his cheek softly.

“Maybe later?” you said. “Please, I need to have you inside of me. Now.”

“You’re extra cute when you’re this needy,” he smiled. “Are there still condoms in your nightstand?”

You nodded and had never moved so fast to open a drawer in your life. Pretending to have any patience left, you waited for him to roll on the rubber.

“I love the way you look at me,” he said. “When you’re waiting for me. Could watch you for hours.”

“God, I hope you won’t. Come here, please?” you replied, making him chuckle. He lined himself up with your core, but then made no inclination to move ahead. His dark eyes and little head tilt told you everything.

“Don’t mess with me anymore,” you whined, reaching for the back of his neck to pull him closer. “Do it. H/N.”

“Beg for it.” His words twisted something in the pit of your stomach. Although you were burning with hunger, you could never say no to him. Then again, you were curious to see what would happen if you did.

“What if I don’t? Don’t you want to fuck me as much as I want it?” you challenged him. Something glinted in his eyes, and you knew you shouldn’t have even brought it up.

“I can always do this,” he said, and you followed his eyes down his body and to where he had wrapped his hand around his cock. Slowly, he jerked himself off, and you weren’t sure he was biting his lip because of the feeling or to discompose you. His small sigh should’ve been caused by you. This wasn’t what you had wanted. His tip was right by your slit. He could’ve pushed his length in so easily, and yet he wasn’t. Debating what to say, you kept your eyes trained on his hard member that looked so delicious in his hands. His deep groans rang in your ears. It didn’t take long for you to cave.

“Fuck. That should be me around you,” you said. “That should be my pussy you’re fucking and not your hands. Please.”

“Isn’t that right?” he said.

“Yes. Please, fuck me. I would feel so much better than your hands, and you know it. Please,” you whined. “I need you right now H/N. Please.”

You added another ‘please’ – for good measure – because the way his tongue darted out and licked his smirking lips could make you say anything if it would get him to fuck you.

“It’s okay, I’ll take care of you,” he said. “Think you can take me?”

“Yes, yes-, I can! Please, fuck me,” you said in a waterfall of words, and he chuckled handsomely.

“Good girl,” he said, running a gentle hand over your head. “If it’s too much you let me know.”

“As always.”

The tip of his cock gently pushed into your core, making you hold your breath as he entered you slowly. It caused you to feel every inch with every second. Your brain felt fuzzy, and you sighed gratefully at the relief.

“Fuck, you’re so perfect,” he moaned. The carefulness in his thrusts paired with his moon eyes at you only remained that way for a few seconds. Then, he straightened up and grabbed your hips to drag you in closer. You moaned helplessly when he almost pulled out completely, so slowly it almost made you crazy, only to slam his length into you until his tip brushed against the deepest spot inside of you. It was an action he repeated over and over, until you were reduced to a puddle of desperate whimpers, and you clasped the bedsheets in your hands tightly.

“You like it this way, little one?” he asked. He was apparently finding enjoyment in your reaction. How you could barely keep your eyes open, and when you did, your eyeballs threatened to roll to the back of your head. How your fingers clenched around the closest plushie, and you cradled it against your chest in bliss.

“Yes- fuck,” you said. “Feels so good.”

Of course, right as you said this, he had to change things up. His thrusts turned lazy and messy as he leaned backwards slightly. With an equally lazy demeanor, his thumb flicked over your clit, rubbing circles on it.

“Let me hear you. Say my name,” he said, and you quietly moaned his name. You adored the way it sounded, voiced like this, with barely more than a breath underneath your soft tone. Now and then, his cock slipped out of you, making you clench around nothing and furthermore had you going completely out of your mind. When he would push himself into your opening again, it felt as if it was the first time he was entering you today. Except you felt it repeatedly, each time as incredible as the previous. Your mouth hung open, rendered speechless except for the little moans and whimpers sounding from your throat. There was a familiar knot beginning to form in your stomach, tying firmer with each passing minute.

As if he could read your mind, he decided then he was done with his sweet torture of teasing you to an orgasm. You couldn’t be mad at him, though, because what he had planned was just as perfect, if not better. His hands wandered to their original place on your sides, and he began to snap his hips into yours at a faster pace. A small cry of surprise left your lips, while he only smirked at you through heavy-lidded eyes. Impulsively, you lifted your legs a little, intensifying the feeling of his member roughly dragging through your velvet walls.

“H/N, I’m so close,” you whimpered.

“Me too,” he replied, not slowing down for a second.

His broad frame towering over your body was a sight you would never get enough of and his gazes at you were hot enough that they could have stopped your heart in its tracks. A few strands of hair stuck to his forehead and there was a thin sheet of sweat on his neck. It all just made him more breathtaking to you. The slight pain from his nails digging into the skin on your waist was staggering, and you could barely wait to see the masterpiece of marks he would leave tonight.

You were a moaning mess, flying on cloud nine and simultaneously overwhelmed by his treatment of you. It clouded your mind at took over your whole body like you were made for him to fuck you. His length filled up your tight hole and he did it with such force that your whole body rocked into your mattress in a steady, fast-paced rhythm. He let go of your waist then and supported himself on his arm by the side of your head. When his other hand went to your neck you shuddered in anticipation.

“You should see yourself with my hand around your throat,” he said. “So pretty, little one.”

“We can do it in front of a mirror sometime- ,” you suggested, but were cut off at the end of the sentence as his fingers tightened on your neck. Instantly, the effect of it hit you. The lack of oxygen made your head swim in a sea of pleasure and the unrelenting desire to come. Through fluttering eyelids, you peeked up at him. The way he licked his lips and then clenched his jaw, the gorgeous shape of his collarbones and shoulders – you sometimes wondered if he was even real. Every so often he loosened his grip on you. When he did, you took gulps of air and then instantly whined for him to choke you again.

“Let go for me,” he said. “Show me your pretty face when I make you come. I’m fucking you well, aren’t I?”

You nodded as well as you could when he was gripping your throat and you couldn’t breathe properly at the moment. It didn’t matter you couldn’t talk. He was probably not expecting you to answer, either way. In a pleasure-induced trance, you closed your eyes and let it happen, like he had asked it from you. Your hazy consciousness barely registered that he was reaching his high with you. Too overcome were you, with your thighs trembling uncontrollably and your back arching off the mattress. He had let go of your neck and was riding out his own orgasm with sloppy thrusts that only sent you into another frenzy and had you whimpering his name softly. When he had finished too, he slowed down and pulled you into a gentle kiss, rubbing his nose against yours sweetly.

“That was amazing,” he said, and with a blissful hum you nodded. Your lips changed into a pout when he rolled off you and got up. You were tired of sending him back home so quickly. As he discarded the condom in the bin, you put on your most enchanting eyes, so he would have no other choice.

“Stay a little longer, please,” you asked. You knew he wanted to, as well. So although he was aware that your brother could return at any moment, he tumbled back into bed with you.

“Just for a little while,” he said. “Mhm…you’re so perfect to cuddle, baby.” His embrace was warm and his scent comforting, as he hummed a lovely melody. The soft touch of his fingers running through your hair lulled you right into a light sleep. You were awoken rather abruptly, and with half a heart attack.

“Hey Y/N, have you seen my charger- “ your brother’s voice suddenly broke through the silence and you wondered if you would have to pack up and leave the country after this sort of embarrassment.

“It’s not what it looks like,” you said, knowing well enough it was the dumbest thing you could have said. But who could blame you? You had only woken up two seconds ago.

“Really?” your brother asked. “Because I hear H/N sneak into our house so often lately, I’m starting to wonder if his parents threw him out.”

His tone was surprisingly calm.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you,” H/N said to your brother. “I thought you’d hate me and that we’d be over as friends.”

“I know I told you once to leave Y/N alone. But now…I guess it’s cool. She’s been in a great mood lately, and if that’s thanks to you, I think I can approve of you two. Although I’m not looking forward to being a third wheel, I think I can get used to it if I try hard enough,” your brother said. You couldn’t believe your ears, and involuntarily smiled like a fool. No more hiding. No more secrets.

“I stole your charger. I’m sorry,” you said then, making your brother roll his eyes. “It’s by the sofa in the living room.”

“Great. I needed a reason to leave anyway,” your brother said. “I might approve of you, but this situation is still too awkward. I’ll see you tomorrow, then, H/N?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” the boy in your bed said.

“You’ll see me too!” you added as a joke, as your brother already walked away from the door.

“Unfortunately I will!” your brother shouted, with the unnerving tone only a big brother could possibly muster.

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rcksmith · 3 years

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Not you — Five Hargreeves

Requests: “Five Hargreeves x fem!reader, Fluff prompts 9, 52 and 53, please? (You can do this whenever you feel like it) Five and Y/n are both hit by one of Hazel and Cha-Cha’s bullets in the Gimbel Brothers store and they immediately go to the academy (Five wants Y/n treated as soon as possible.) after they’re fine, the siblings start to question them on Five’s protectiveness over Y/n”

“Hii could I request 4 & 23 off the fluff prompts for Five pls ty 😌✨”

Fluff prompts:

4. “Sweetheart, you’re my entire world”

9. “So you're saying that girl is your girlfriend?!" "No, that girl is my wife!”

23. “i’ve dreamt about this.”

52. "Help her first."

53. “There are no limits when it comes to you. I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

A/N: We not tolerate any pedophilia here !!

I write about Five with their 20s. I write the same about the characters of Harry Potter.

I hope you guys like💖I decided to compile these two requests, since they were the same energy and they prompts connect to a central plot. I added all the elements that were asked for individually, and made sure that all ideas were respected and written down. Good reading.

I used here some fragments of the central plot of Five, but, guys, keep in mind that he is 20 years old, and that when he comes back to 2019 Five does not make a mistake in the calculations. I changed the location of the fight too, but a really I hope you, Anon # 1, don't mind.

English is not my first language, so I so sorry if have a mistake.

Requests are open. Love you ❤️

Couple: Five Hargreeves / Fem! Reader.

Warnings: blood, mention of death, swearing, fluff too.

— — — — —

You remembered perfectly when you met Five Hargreeves, the commission's golden ball, The Handler's award-winning shamrock. If you closed your eyes, even after years, you could still smell the male cologne wafting in the air, and you could relive the same feeling in the pit of your stomach that you had when he looked at you with those obsedian eyes.

Five Hargreeves was gorgeous. Absurdly gorgeous. But absurdly arrogant, boastful, presumptuous and completely absent of any delicacy in relation to empathy and kindness. He was the type who would open the door for you to enter first, but who would be the first to make fun of your erroneous reasoning.

And that was why, at the time, when you were assigned to be his partner, you lived in conflict with what you really felt. It was a mixture of tantrum and physical attraction.

But unlike all the people around Five, when he spit fire at you with all the anger at his difficult temper, you didn't run. In fact, when it exploded the first time in front of you, you crossed your arms, arched an eyebrow and looked at him with boredom.

“Have you finished your show yet?” You said, as if you didn't care, leaning against the hood of the car while Five screamed through the 7 winds “Stop to imply with everything.”

Five had been your partner for a few months now and it became clearer each day that the irritation was mutual. He made it perfectly clear that you pissed him off until his last hair.

But, unlike you, it was for another reason.

Shit, you were a fucking goddess! Your beauty was notorious, but that was not all that caught his attention. You were smart, canny, brave, Five never saw you in fear of any situation or shaken by any scene of blood. You knew your goals and went after them. It was strong, decisive, and, goddamn, he loved it. You had a fist, you were firm, and you always made it very clear that you were no helpless maiden.

It felt like you had gotten out of his imagination, from the daydreams in which Five rambled about what kind of woman he admired. And, hell, you came with the full package. It was a combination of overwhelming beauty, intelligence, dexterity, and he never thought that someone like that could be real.

But of course you were. And now Five was completely irritated because you were real, and not just another his dream and daydream in which a sublime woman starred.

“To Imply?” Five turned to you, eyes on fire “To Imply?!”

“Like a 2-year-old who didn't take his afternoon nap. It's not the end of time, it doesn't have to be childish.”

Now Five felt himself ignite. He was a dry, rough fire and you were gasoline, igniting everything saw ahead.

Was that damn woman calling he a child?! You?! Just you, the person whose Five wanted to tie the bed and do all kinds of sinful things.

Oh hell no!

Five came forward, furious, like an angry god, his coal eyes never leaving your direction.

“Childish, isn't it?” He snarled “I'm going to show you the childish!”

Five held your face tightly in his hands and pressed your lips to his. Fierce, needy, set on fire, lost in half sentences of feelings about you. He slid his hands to the back of your neck, closing his fingers in your hair and invading your mouth with his tongue, letting you taste the caffeine, danger and lust he had.

You sighed, or Five, or both. You held him as close as he was, with the two of you being on the same mission: to conquer, to take, to possess. But Five had an extraordinary intensity, a magnitude that managed to win you

Then your touch became more docile, your kiss became submissive and you were surrendered. When Five walked away, not with his body, he still held you against him, but with his head, enough to look you in the eye, you sighed.

“I’ve dreamt about this.” You gave up your game, because you couldn't pretend anymore, and Five responded by kissing you again, this time tasting your whole mouth.

After that day, Five and you never came apart. You two were like a dynamic duo, crime partners in the morning and intense lovers at night.

But Five spent so much time with affection, love and caring being denied that when, on a night when work got the best of him, Five fell into the bed you shared in a Motel room, very close to your lap and you smiled sweetly and ran your fingers through his black hair, establishing the affection there, Five was catatonic.

His wild mind wanted to take it away and go, tell you to swallow those loving gestures and that he would never need them. That they were a nuisance, a distraction.

But his body and heart... well, they begged Five to stay another second. Just one more second enjoying that touch, the care, the importance that someone felt for him. He liked to be pampered, who knew.

So he ended up falling asleep with your touch and, after that day, Five realized that if his body and heart couldn't get any further from you, then no one would ever take you away from him. You would stay with him, until the end. As long as you wanted to stay.

And you wanted to. You wanted all the stages, all the moments, all the fights. You wanted Five, completely. And after some time like that, he said that you two were going to get married. It wasn't a request, it wasn't a speculation, it was a fact and that's it. You laughed, it was Five's style to be embarrassed about something and treat it more coarsely, just because he didn't know how to deal with the emotions he felt.

“Of course I do.” You reassured him by bringing your hands to his face, tracing affectionate circles on his cheek with your thumb.

“You would have no other option.” He grunted, not looking at you, trying to divert attention from his own racing heart.

You laughed and sealed the future of the two of you with a kiss.

After five years of making it official, Five said he had found a way for him to get home. And as he spoke, you noticed a flickering hesitation in his eyes. You knew, at that moment, that Five would leave it behind if there was a chance that you wouldn't want to go along. He promised to love you, in joy and sadness, in difficult times and in good times, and he never broke a promise.

Five Hargreeves would stay for you. In 1963, in 1988, in 2019, it didn't matter the season, the year. It wouldn't be worth anything if didn't have you by his side.

But, like him, it was logical that you would never abandon him, ever. So you went along. It was together in the murder in 1963, it was together at the time of the target, and it was together when he jumped in the portal. You were with Five when he reunited with his family, they all amazement by the 13 year old little brother who disappeared to reappear as a man of 25. On top of that accompanied by a girl.

But Five still couldn't administer his emotions properly, he still couldn't say that he missed his brothers and that being without his family had been terrible. His past contained many shipwrecks and he did not know how to open up about it. After so many years alone and then killing without any judgment, it was difficult to connect with emotions.

So, instead of saying everything that screamed inside him, after just some time with the siblings he took your hand and pulled you out, telling the Hargreeves that he would go after a decent coffee.

“I wish I could have talked to them better.” You grumble whit Five and he rolled his eyes.

“As if they were going to understand the things you were going to explain.” He murmured, covering the whole issue of the Commission and time jumps.

“This is not difficult to explain.” You raised your left hand, signaling the silver circle that hugged your finger.

Five laughed, sipping his coffee.

“You will be my wife forever, there is plenty of time for you to tell that.”

But as soon as Five's words had just left your lips, blowing in the air like fog, the door to the store opened, and you two didn't have to turn around to find out who they were. Years on the commission have earned you enough training to even recognize the sound of their footsteps.

The exchange of looks that Five and you gave was enough to know what each one was thinking and how they would act. That was your secret language, the superpower that you two shared. No words were needed to understand each one like the back of your hand.

You took a deep breath, while your fingers on your right hand steadied yourself on the coffee cup and Five on the knife. There was no waiting for speeches, exchanging words, you both knew that the Commission would send the best agents besides you, and Hazel and Cha-Cha were not known to be late at work.

Then the action started, Five turned and teleported with the knife, shoving it into the leg of one of the agents covered in rabbit masks. You didn't stay behind and swivel your chair around, throwing the sizzling coffee into the second's hands, causing him to drop the gun on the floor. You didn't wait to kick him in the chest, making him stagger backwards as you got up from the chair. You and Five were good, but so was Hazel and Cha-Cha, and you couldn't count on the powers to dodge physical attacks.

Everything was very fast indeed, windows were broken, punches were exchanged, blood was plucked. But when you looked to the side and saw who was probably Cha-Cha pushing Five against a broken glass stake, you understood why love at work was so dangerous. You understand completely. Because you've lost your focus. It took a thousandth of an instant for years of training and improvement to be thrown out the window. Only the possibility of Five getting hurt got you off track, and that was fatale.

The agent who fought with you took advantage of your distraction, reaching for the gun that was on the floor in that split second. And a shot reverberated through the place.

Suddenly, the world for Five stopped the axis. Everything was suspended, appalled, frozen. And in that very second, his body shivered from head to toe, as if misfortune had sighed in his neck. Five Hargreeves never feared anyone, even death itself. But as soon as he heard the sound of the shot, Five tasted death. Was rough, metallic and cruel, the blood drained from the body and the world released a dark and funeral note, sinking into a black sea.

Because fear is not the bullet hitting you, but someone you love.

Five turned back, eyes wide, hands shaking, and he didn't know what was beating faster: his fear or his heart.

He would remember that moment as the most cruel and frightening of his entire life, years in the apocalypse and killing had no comparison to the terror that was seeing your white shirt start to be stained with blood, the bullet hole marking your abdomen. You looked up at him, shocked, livid, and Five could see death perfectly, pulling the vitality out of your eyes.

He didn't think, he didn't reason, he just teleported himself to you, taking your body in his arms and teleported you two away from there. Five’s hands were shaking, a visceral pain snaking through his body and suffocating him with the worst sensation Five had ever felt in his life.

He took you both to the Hargreeves mansion in the blink of an eye, his powers failing when the blue flash left you both in the giant living room.

“Five!”

Maybe it was Luther's voice, or Klaus, or Diego, he didn't know. Everything was a distant echo, a note submerged in the water. Five saw or heard nothing but your body in his arms, your eyes closed and face frighteningly pale, his right hand, which was pressing on your wound, was already soaked in blood.

It was too much blood, the smell was overwhelming, and for the first time in a long time, Five Hargreeves was in despair.

Hands touched his shoulders, and Grace's voice was heard in the background. But he didn't want treatments, whatever the goddamn his wounds were going to be.

“Help her first!” Five shouted, his voice finding strength in the terror he felt. And also in fury.

The Handler would pay for that, and so would Hazel and Cha-Cha. And, by God, the whole world would pay if you never opened your eyes again.

“Right now.” Maybe it was Pogo “But, Five, are you…”

“No!” He ordered “She first!”

Then Grace's hands took you out of his arms and Five refused to leave you for even a second. He was beside you at the operating table, holding your hand, with him bloody fingers of your blood and the agent he had fought.

But Five didn't care about the himself state, the people around it, or anything. His eyes were focused on you, his face frozen in a livid expression.

And when Grace said that you would need a blood transfusion and Five barely let her finish speaking before rolling up the manga and extending his arm, the siblings Hargreeves and Pogo were shocked. What they saw in Five's eyes was not a man afraid of losing someone, but of losing the person he loved.

I shouldn't have come back. Was Five's first thought when the surgery ended well and you were still asleep. It was his fault that you almost died. And everything was buzzing in Five's head like a propellant.

“So…”

Klaus appeared in the kitchen, with the siblings, while Five was washing the blood from his hands, now calmer since you were alive.

“That was heavy.” Luther let out a little gasp, a kind of choked laugh.

“Aren't you going to tell us what happened?” Allison sat at the table.

“She almost died because of my decision, that's what happened.” Five replied, turning and picking up a cloth from the table, drying his hands.

“Five...” Allison made his eyes go towards his sister “Who is she, actually ?”

Five gave a bitter laugh. Who were you? How would he explain it?

You are everything. The reason wake up everyday was good, what made the summer breeze and the sun's rays warm, the reason why his world was still spinning.

Who were you? It was absolutely everything for Five.

“Someone very important.” His whispered escaped.

“So you're saying that girl is your girlfriend ?!" Luther looked at Five in shock, as if the possibility of him having a girlfriend was absurd.

“No.” Five looked at Luther with fire in his eyes, his voice hoarse “That girl is my wife!”

The room's breath evaporated, everyone was dumbfounded and bewildered. But Grace came in at that moment, saving Five from continuing that conversation.

“She woke up.” His mother's voice was soft, and Five dropped everything he was doing and disappeared into the blue flash.

The first thing he noticed when he entered that room was you sitting on the bed, your back against the headboard.

“Hey...” the smile you gave made Five's world spin again.

He didn't wait a second before walking up to you in quick steps, holding your face in his hands and sealing your lips in a desperate kiss, as if that could prove that everything was fine.

“I thought I lost you.” He whispered against your lips, hands shaking, thumbs stroking yours cheeks.

“Bad vase doesn't break early.” You joked and Five laughed softly, his forehead touching your. “Were you hurt?”

He denied it, still with you, as if letting you was impossible. Maybe it was.

“I got distracted, I'm sorry that we let them escape and...”

Five interrupted your sentence

“Sweetheart…” You stopped, bewitched by his tone of voice “You’re my entire world.”

Five wasn't calling Hazel and Cha-Cha right now. He would kill that entire Commission later. Later. Now the only thing that mattered was you.

“I shouldn't have broken our contracts with the commission. I shouldn't have put you in this.” He said “But ... but I am very selfish, and even though I knew it would be better to let you go back to the Commission, I cannot live without you...”

“Hey, I not go come back.” You held his hands that were on your face, looking at him with love "My place is with you.”

“I promise you that I will never let anyone else hurt you. Even if I have to kill every single person on this planet. ” Five guaranteed “There are no limits when it comes to you. I'll do anything to keep you safe. ”

You smiled, put your lips together in a passionate kiss and whispered:

“I only need you, my love. Forever.”

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botanicalbarnes · 2 years

Text

Paper Cut

Summary: Druig comes into your bookstore one day and you catch each other's eye.

Trope/AU:Bookstore AU

Pairing: Druig x F!Reader

Warnings: Fluff

word count:3k

A/N: This is my first fic since my extended hiatus and my first Druig fic so please bear with me. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! And thank you so much @siempre-bucky for helping out and beta reading for me❤!!

Masterlist

The bell at the door jingled merrily as the door was pushed open for the first time that day. You stood on the ladder leaning on the bookshelf you were adding the newest copies to.

“Good Morning!” You said cheerfully to whoever walked in.

“Mornin’” The man, with a delicious voice and Irish accent, said back to you. As you placed the last book on the shelf, you turned to glance back at the man walking in your direction. But instead of getting a look at him, you felt yourself slipping from the tall ladder as your foot slid unexpectedly from under you. Your hands reached for something to grab and hold onto, to save yourself from the fall, but all you could grip was air.

You squealed, expecting to feel your back hitting the hard wooden floors. But instead, you felt yourself land in a pair of strong arms and against a firm chest. You looked up to see beautiful blue-gray eyes staring fixedly into yours. Everything stopped. Just for a second. A perfect, wonderful, mesmerizing second. The whole world seemed to stand still. Your breathing was heavy and labored, from shock or awe, you didn’t know.

The man must have run to catch you because he was breathing heavily too. After a moment, when you both realized you had been in his arms a second or two too long, he awkwardly set you down on your feet. Taking a step back from you, he rubbed his neck and looked down shyly at his feet. “Are you ok then? You should be more careful when you stock your shelves.” He said with a small chuckle.

“Y-yea I’m fine. Thank you for catching me, I would have had quite the fall if you hadn’t.” You looked him up and down quickly while his gaze traveled around the room. “So, um, is there anything I can help you find today? Or are you just browsing?”

“Well you see, my friend has become a bit of a regular here. She's a friend of yours. She recommended your lovely shop to me so I thought I would stop by.” You saw him fiddle with his thumbs, clasping his hands together in front of him. “She was right too. It’s beautiful, just like its owner.” At that he looked up shyly at you from the floor, meeting your eyes for the first time since he put you down.

You could feel your cheeks grow hot at his words. “Oh, I see.” Now it was you who couldn’t meet his eyes. “And uh, who’s your friend?”

“Her name is Sersi.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Well, I’m glad you stopped by. Is there anything in particular you’re looking to find?” You ask with a smile.

“She told me you have a great selection of antique books and collectors editions. I was hoping to check them out.”

“I see, are you a collector yourself?”

“No. I just prefer them, there’s just something about them.”

“Indeed, I enjoy them as well. The smell, wear, even the crinkle of the pages is special. I’ve spent years building the collection and it makes me happy to pass them on to those who will love them until they pass them on, one way or another, to their next caretaker so to speak.” You snapped back to reality after a moment, realizing you had started going off on a tangent about something that this man likely had no interest in. “Sorry, sometimes my passions get the better of me. They’re right this way if you’d like to follow me.”

He had a light smile on his face, watching you walk away, visibly cringing at yourself for ranting on. He trailed behind you, hands clasped behind his back. You both came to a stop at the very back of the shop. In front of a long tall bookshelf spanning the whole wall. He sighed seeing the books. He could tell how passionate you were, how much you appreciated each book’s history and beauty. Each was placed in the perfect place, creating an array of color, texture, material, and features. Those with special, especially beautiful covers and hues were displayed on stands in the middlemost section of the shelves.

His eyes trailed to you, watching the silent awe of your own hard work. He watched your mouth curve into a smile, your eyes crinkle at the corners, the way you bounced slightly on your heels. You were fucking beautiful, he thought. More than he ever thought you would be.

When Sersi suggested he come here, he knew it was for more than to browse the selection. When she told him about you offhandedly with that smug look on her face, he knew what she must be thinking. But he never imagined actually being intrigued or attracted to you to such an extent.

He looked away quickly when you turned to him, embarrassed to be caught staring. “I’ll leave you alone to browse, if you need any more help let me know. I’m happy to help. Um, I’ll uh be up front at the counter.” You said pointing vaguely towards the way you came before slowly turning and walking away.

“Wait.” His own voice surprised him when he spoke, not meaning to. You turned around again and nodded expectantly. “Uh… I didn’t get your name.” He said, searching for something to say that wouldn’t be too awkward. ‘Too late’ he thought.

You smiled brightly, a twinkle in your eyes as you opened your mouth to speak. “It’s Y/N. Nice to meet you…?” You trailed off.

“Druig. Call me Druig.” You gave him a small nod with a smile and continued your walk towards the front. He couldn’t help himself looking down at your ass for a second as you walked away before he began inspecting all the books closer with a wide smile.

***

You flipped through your latest read and sipped from your favorite mug, shaking your head at the clearly misguided actions of the protagonist. You took a long drink but quickly put your mug down seeing Druig approaching.

“Were you able to find something you like?”

“Yes actually. If I’m not mistaken, this was binding from the late 1800’s right?” He held up a copy of ‘The Odyssey’ with a golden spine and a greenish cover with cherry blossoms against a deep red section.

“Yes! That’s actually one of my favorites. Even though it has one of the most beautiful covers in my collection, I keep it kinda hidden among the rest. I just want it to be passed onto someone who will love and care for it the way it deserves. So tell me, Druig… Are you that person?” Your playful smirk made him chuckle and feel something akin to butterflies inside him trying to escape.

“I’ll certainly try to be deserving of it. I promise I will take good care of it as long as it’s mine.”

“That’s all I can ask of you.” You grinned as he paid and laughed lightly with you.

You couldn’t help the warmth that spread in your chest as he gazed back at you from the door and sent you a small smile before leaving.

***

A week later, Druig was back in your shop. Five minutes after you opened the doors, in he came, looking just as, if not more, delicious than when you met him.

"You were right. Everything was different. The sound, smell, feel, even the fuckin' aesthetic. It felt like a crime to read it casually without a hot drink in some special spot in a particular light." He chuckled softly.

This time, he just leaned against the counter laughing with you. If anyone had walked in, they would surely think you two were old friends.

"I was actually thinking about something. Was wondering if maybe… if you'd like of course… you'd like to see my small collection? It's not much. But I've spent a long time picking things up here and there. I think there are a few special copies you might appreciate."

You beamed at his awkwardness and how adorable he was being. "Yeah. I would really really like that. I thought you said you weren't a collector though."

"I'm not. But I know something special when I find it." His eyes were fixed on yours, almost searching your soul. You felt open, exposed to him in a way you didn't hate.

You bit your lip with a smirk and nodded, looking down into your coffee. "And how long have you been finding special things?"

"Ages. Centuries if you will." Druig’s face looked smug for a reason you couldn't decipher. "Anyways… I need to get going, my friends will never let me hear the end of it if I’m later than even Sersei. I can pick you up here if you'd like, around closing time? Tomorrow maybe?"

"Perfect. See you then Druig."

Slowly, he pushed himself off the counter. Walking until he reached the door, then turning back and waving at you as he left.

***

By now you were definitely late. Even though it was meant to be casual, you closed a bit early to get ready. You felt like you might throw up thinking about going out with Druig tonight. The nerves and excitement were starting to overwhelm you. You really wanted this to go well.

You pinned the stray hairs down in the mirror and applied your light makeup in the bathroom. Then, a knock at the door signaled Druig's arrival. With a deep breath, you made your way to the door. 'You got this' you muttered to yourself.

He stood leaning against the brick wall outside, foot propped up against it, hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. ‘Fuck he was hot’ you thought as you inhaled sharply. Your breath came out in an involuntary sigh. He turned to look at you, subtly letting his eyes wander up and down your body. You thanked the cool air for giving you an excuse for your blush.

“Hi.” He said while stepping towards you, stopping a foot from where you stood.

“Hello.” You hated that you sounded out of breath just from seeing him again. For Christ’s sake, you barely know the man, and you’re practically drooling over him!

“Have you eaten today?” As if on queue, your stomach growled. You were giddy all day, distracting yourself with dusting and inventory and reading. You had forgotten to eat anything all day.

You blushed hard and looked down and your feet shuffling them. “Busy day, I completely forgot. But I’m ok. It happens more often than you’d think…”

“We can’t have that, can we? I thought we could get something to eat first. If that’s alright with you?”

“Sounds perfect. Shall we?”

***

By the time Druig walked you to your door, your jaw ached from smiling and your lungs and stomach burned numbly from laughing so much. You had never met anyone like him. You simply understood each other and you felt as if you’d known him forever. You could tell he was shy, the strong and serious type. It made you appreciate his chuckles, grins, smiles and laughs all the more.

Every few days he would pop into your shop. Sometimes empty-handed, other times with a cup of tea or coffee in hand. Some days, you read quietly together, others you would stand on a ladder stocking shelves while he handed you the books, and on other occasions, when the shop was empty, you sat somewhere and just talked for as long as you could.

Today, you sat together on the floor between shelves, you reading and sharing your thoughts while he sat across from you, fiddling with other books behind him offhandedly between glances to you when he thought you wouldn’t see.

Turning a page, you hissed as you felt that familiar sharp pain of paper slicing shallowly into your finger. Of course, it was only a paper cut, all a matter of wiping it off and forgetting about it. But Druig had other plans apparently. Before you could put your finger down, he was at your side, holding your hand. He inspected it as though counting the ridges and mapping the curves in your fingerprint. “Dru, It’s fine, it’s ju- ''. You were cut off by his warm lips on your finger, kissing it gently. So gently you weren’t sure if you felt it or only imagined it.

But there he was, holding your hand up to his face. His eyes widened before dropping your hand and looking down. “There. All better… Sorry.”

“It’s ok, don’t know where I’d be without you to catch me when I fall or heal my paper cuts. My hero.” You smirked and looked down at the book again shyly. Your hair fell forward to shield your blushing face. You were thanking God for that small blessing when you felt Druig’s fingers brushing it out of your face and behind your ear.

You turned your face towards his hand to look at him. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw his hand drop. You didn’t know how much time passed while you sat that way. It could have been hours for all you knew. Druig’s eyes shifted between your eyes and lips quickly and you looked down at his lips with a shaky breath. You were starting to lean closer when the bell above the door made you both jump apart and look towards the sound.

Sersei walked up to the counter with that smug grin of hers, holding a drink in each hand. You looked at Druig and knew you both were thinking the exact same thing. Fuck. “Nice to see you, Druig. I brought you your favorite Y/N. Did you forget our plans for tonight?” Sersei broke the heavy silence.

“I’ll leave you to it Y/N. Have fun, see you both later. Bye Y/N. Sersei.” He awkwardly said, not meeting Sersei’s eyes once as he left.

Carefully and slowly, you looked up at her. Her brow was raised and she hadn’t the smuggest smirk on her face. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“He didn’t tell me he had been coming here. I thought it had been just the once. How long has that,” she waved around in the air, “been happening? And why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I knew you’d make a big deal of it. We’re just friends!” She scoffed. “I’m serious! We just hang out sometimes.” You hated the way you felt your face flush.

“Mhm. Sure. What was all that then? You looked very cozy for being ‘just friends’. Don’t think I didn’t see the way you looked at each other. I knew there was something going on with him, I just didn’t think it was you!” She was enjoying this way too much.

“Oh hush. It’s nothing!”

“You like him.”

You wanted to lie to her and tell her you didn’t, even just to make her leave you alone. But instead all you could do was nod and giggle.

***

To your surprise, the following day, Druig walked in holding two bags in his hands. “Thought I’d bring you lunch. And I also wanted to apologize. For leaving like that yesterday. I brought your favorite. You forgive me?”

You grinned at him. “Nothing to forgive. I appreciate the food anyway though.” You winked at him. “Anyway, I could use your help with something after we eat.”

“Fineee, if I must.” He said with a dramatic sigh. You were pulling the food out of the bags and laying them out for the both of you. You took a fry and threw it playfully at him but he dodged it before picking it up and throwing it away.

“So,” Druig started after you both ate, “What is it you wanted my help with.”

“I got a big order and I need to get all the books together before anything else. I made a list and I put down the sections they’re in. If you could get the first few that would be great. Most of them are higher up so I’ll leave them to you so you won’t have to save me from falling off the ladder again.”

“Easy enough." He smirked and walked off.

Half an hour later you were getting the final book. Dammit you should have told Druig to get this one. It would be too much to carry around the ladder all the way across the store. With your luck, you would likely break several things in your attempt to do so.

There was only one thing you could do. Get on your toes and reach as high as you could. Not even close. Curse past Y/N for wanting super tall shelves, you thought. Carefully, you tried to climb up just one row, placing a foot slowly onto it, preparing yourself to be quick.

Just as you were going to though, that delicious chuckle you'd grown used to by now rang lowly behind you. Within a second he stood by you, reaching up to the perfect height, pressing lightly but firmly against you.

You could feel that warmth he radiated, and his chest as he breathed in and out calmly. You turned around and looked up at him, your chests now practically pressed together. His warm scent of cloves and cinnamon, with something you couldn’t place that was just so him, was all around you.

Oblivious to your position, he looked down at you. The grin he wore so well faded and he just stared. His eyes were like the sea, turbulent and calm all at once. Pulling you in like Siren song.

You hadn’t even registered when your eyes dropped to his lips, slightly open and getting closer as you almost imperceptibly leaned in. His hand on your side came up to brush the stray strands of hair from your face. His fingered gently touched and caressed your cheek before you felt his palm at your neck.

He held you there, rubbing his thumb up and down on your skin. He pulled you in gently, barely applying any force. Your eyes fluttered shut just a second before you felt the feather like touch of his lips on yours.

Druig’s lips were soft and warm against yours as they moved together. You moaned breathily into his mouth and he nipped gently at your lip. He tasted a way you hadn’t thought he would but in this moment, you couldn’t imagine him tasting any other way. This wasn’t a fast or hard kiss, but it was more passionate than any other kiss you’d had before nonetheless.

When you finally parted, you stayed together, foreheads touching, leaning against each other. You panted softly together wondering if this was a dream or a beautiful reality. ‘No, this is real’ you thought. You couldn’t help giggling and biting your lip when you met his eyes.

“My beautiful, beautiful Y/N. I’ve been wanting to do that for weeks.”

“And? Was it everything you hoped for?”

“Even better.” He whispered before closing the space between you again.

#druig #druig fluff #marvel x reader #druig eternals #druig fanfiction #druig fic #druig x female reader #druig x reader #druig x you #female reader #druig x shorter reader #marvel #fanfiction #eternals x reader #sersei #eternals fanfiction #eternals

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babyboibucky · 3 years

Text

Charm

Pairing: TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Bucky checks whether he still has his 1940′s charm.

Word Count: 1,613

Warnings: TFATWS spoilers! No warning, just a bit of fluff I guess???

A/N: Nothing really, just that Bucky deserves all the love in the world :’)

Charming (Part 2) || MAIN MASTERLIST

“You should date someone.”

Bucky groans at Yori’s suggestion. Again. The old guy had been pestering him about it ever since they started their little friendship. Introduced girls and forced him to take them out to dinner or bingo. He did try of course, but it always seemed too fast for him.

“I already did, haven’t I? You sort of forced me to go on one, remember?” Bucky asked before downing a glass of sake in one go.

Thank god they went to a different Japanese restaurant this time. His date with the girl at the other restaurant went pretty badly, with him walking out after a particularly sensitive topic and never returning. Bucky felt bad and as much as he wanted to go back there and apologize, he just doesn’t have the courage to show his face again.

“Yeah, well you messed up.” Yori said pointedly.

Bucky chortled, “Or maybe you messed up by forcing me. I told you, you gotta take it slow like a dance. I mean, you don’t just ask anyone to dance with you. You ask someone you’d like to dance with.”

Yori’s shoulders trembled as he tried to bite back his laughter. Bucky made a face when he realized he’d been talking a lot.

“Then go find someone you want to date. Or maybe you just don’t have it in you.” The older man teased.

Bucky couldn’t help but grin, “Sounds like a challenge.”

As Bucky poured himself another glass of sake, he began to wonder whether Yori was right. Maybe he really didn’t have it anymore, the confidence and charm he used to have back in his time.

Only one way to find out.

The club was a bad idea. A really bad idea.

Initially, Bucky thought that it would be the perfect place to find someone to date. Apparently not, because despite the presence of beautiful girls, they were pretty much throwing themselves at him. As much as Bucky was curious about the so called “hook-up” culture in the modern times, it just wasn’t for him.

And good god, the dancing? It’s not what it used to be; Bucky wasn’t even sure if he could call those movements “dance”.

Bucky called it a night and quickly headed to the exit. And that’s where he noticed you, fumbling with your phone and clicking your tongue from what seemed to be frustration. He slowed down in his steps, not wanting to interrupt your little moment as you mumbled a string of curses to yourself.

He eyed you from head to toe, noticing that you were wearing something too simple for a club: just a white shirt, some jeans and a pair of sneakers. With Bucky’s experience, he learned to be observant enough to read someone’s personality.

You were definitely not a frequent visitor to these clubs. And he was right about that because you were just forced to tag along to your officemates to celebrate a promotion.

“Ugh, fuck. Come on!” You unintentionally exclaimed out loud, stomping on the ground causing for Bucky to let out a chuckle.

Bucky’s eyes widened when you abruptly turned around, “Oh sorry. I didn’t meant to uhh...are you okay?” He asked timidly, slowly walking over to where you stood.

You huffed out, “I’m trying to book a ride, but the signal here sucks.” You explained. “And I’m not really comfortable to walk home at this hour.” You quickly added.

It was close to ten in the evening, it wasn’t that late yet but given the location and downsides of being a woman, you really didn’t want to risk your safety.

“Won’t your friends give you a ride home?” He asked.

You groaned, “They aren’t really my friends...I just work with them. They’re all shit-faced drunk and I didn’t even plan on coming here. Not a fan of clubs.” You admitted.

Bucky chuckled as he kicked the ground, “Guess that makes two of us.”

Your hum caught Bucky’s attention and when he looked up, you were looking at him suspiciously. For a moment he thought that you might have recognized him but you merely laughed and shook your head.

“You don’t seem like the type to hate clubs. Why are you here then?” You asked curiously.

Bucky shrugged, “Thought I’d find someone here that I can you know...take out on a date.”

You cackled out loud, it was the kind of laughter that made Bucky join in. You probably thought it was stupid for him to come looking for love at a club. And well, given his experience inside, you were correct.

“I know. It’s stupid. I haven’t been to clubs really, so I honestly didn’t know what to expect.” He admitted, rubbing the back of neck sheepishly.

You nodded, “How was your experience inside then?”

“You could say I was pretty shocked. And disoriented. The lights made me dizzy.” Bucky said, widening his eyes in emphasis.

Laughing, you nodded and agreed before introducing yourself so casually. Bucky repeated your name, he liked the way it sounded.

“I’m James.”

Bucky found himself easily opening up to you. The conversations flowed naturally, from something as basic as favorite food down to your mutual hatred for crowded places and everything in between. Bucky learned that you often volunteer at an orphanage and that you hate plums which happens to be his favorite. It resulted to a harmless debate that lasted ten minutes.

You asked him about his work, something that he had to lie his way around. As much as he wanted to be honest with you, he was afraid that revealing the truth might scare you off. You seemed to be really interested in him whenever he talked about his boring daily routine.

“Do you...do you like to talk somewhere else?” Bucky blurted out.

You offered a sad smile, one that broke Bucky’s heart because you were probably going to reject him. Understandable though, he was a stranger and it was late at night. It was hard to trust people nowadays.

“I have work tomorrow morning.” You apologetically said.

“But you can walk me home...if you’d like?” You asked. “I probably sound demanding but uhh, I don’t think I can really book a ride and I don’t want to walk home alone at this hour.”

Bucky heaved out a deep sigh of relief and laughed, “I thought you didn’t like talking to me.” He sheepishly admitted.

“No, I actually like talking to you. You’re fun. And interesting.” You smiled.

Bucky beamed and extended a hand, letting you lead the way before matching your pace. The more he talked to you, the more he realized that maybe, just maybe, you’d be the first person he’d willingly ask out on a date.

The walk lasted half an hour but to Bucky, it only felt like minutes. It was definitely not enough for him to get to know you more.

“Well, this is me.” You announced when you reached your apartment building.

“Thanks for walking me home, I really appreciate it.” You said.

Bucky placed his hands inside his pockets and nodded, “Call me old-fashioned, but I felt like any gentleman should do so.”

Bucky held your gaze and debated how he should ask you out. Should he just blurt out the question? Would that be too soon? Your number! Maybe he should ask for your number first, show his therapist that finally, there was a new number registered in his contacts.

“Well, I should head inside.” You said when Bucky remained silent and although Bucky didn’t want to assume, he thought he saw a look if disappointed in your eyes.

Yori is going to regret saying that he doesn’t have game.

“Wait,” Bucky called out before you could turn around. “Being old-fashioned and all, I know this might be too forward. Or too fast, even.” he trailed and cleared his throat.

“Would you like to go out on a date with me? This Saturday. We can go to the beach, get ice cream...” he suggested.

Wrong move! Out of all the places he could suggest, it just had to be the beach! It’s not like he could wear a long-sleeved top and his gloves without getting dirty looks from people. You were going to find out the truth about him, his arm, his past. And then you’d regret letting him walk you home because who knew what the Winter Soldier was capable of?

“I’d love to.” You replied with a grin but before Bucky could suggest another place, you had already walked up to the front door of your apartment building, pulling it open before suddenly stopping.

“Or we can just take a walk at the park if you want, if that’s more comfortable for you.” You suggested turning your head to look back at Bucky.

He furrowed his brows in confusion. Again, he was unable to say something because you beat him to it with a surprising revelation.

“I’ll wait for you to come pick me up on Saturday. And don’t worry about your arm, I don’t mind. Good night, Bucky.”

And with one final beautiful smile, you headed inside the building leaving Bucky with a confused look. You knew him all along but didn’t say anything. You opened up to him, held his arm when you laughed and still, it didn’t bother you. You didn’t call him out when he lied about working for a mechanic shop, didn’t get scared when he offered to walk you home.

It took a few seconds for Bucky’s brain to process everything. And then he found himself grinning like a fool when he proved something to himself. And well, Yori too.

“Guess I still got it.”

Everything Bucky Tag List:

@ddowii @jessou893 @stealapizzamyheart @bagelofthelord @mxnt @dontputyourfckingdrinkonmytable @jeeperky @ohladymacbeth @wildflowergubler @supraveng @twinerd14 @buckysmar @bakugouswh0r3 @sweetcoldharmony @wintersfilm @charminivy @amelia-song-pond @iamvalentinaconstanza @mcubqrnes @i’m-squished @tcc-gizmachine @sipsteacasually @tcc-gizmachine @prettyintopeerpressure @weloveyasmin

#bbbwrites #tfatws #tfatws spoilers #oneshots: bucky barnes #bucky barnes #bucky #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky x you #bucky x reader #bucky fic #bucky barnes fic #bucky fluff #bucky barnes fluff

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mimzy-writing-online · 3 years

Text

Writing Toph Beifong, Advice from a Blind Writer

I’m Mimzy, an actual visually impaired writer and blogger who talks a lot about writing blind characters accurately and sensitively. A while back someone sent me an anon asking how to write Toph more accurately and sensitively.

Anonymous asked: Hi there! Your blog has been super-helpful already - I thought I knew a bit about writing with blind characters, but it turns out there was a lot to learn - but this is more specific. I'm writing a The Last Airbender fanfiction, and one of the characters is Toph. I think the fandom has done a fairly good job of respecting her blindness, but what are some things you'd like to see when people write her? I want to represent the character as best as possible; thanks in advance!

It’s taken a while for me to answer because I have a lot of thoughts about it as both a blind writer and someone who has read a lot of atla fanfiction. So here we go:

Before we get started, I want to mention some things:

One: I have an entire series for writing blind characters that continues to grow with time and the most up-to-date version can be found pinned as the top post on my blog. There will be a time-stamp for when the post was last edited and a long series of links to all relevant posts on the subject.

Here’s a quick link to that post, but again, all you have to do is click my blog url and you’ll find it immediately.

Two: I’ve noticed something amazing about the atla fandom and I would like to thank you for it. I’ve noticed a lot of bloggers have taken to writing image descriptions for both the fanart and memes you post in the fandom, whether it’s OP including the description or another blogger adding it themselves. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a fandom so consistently doing this and that’s incredible. Realizing how many different blogs were picking up this habit has warmed my heart.

I’d like to see writers use her other senses. There’s soooo so much more to her O&M (Orientation and Mobility) than earth sense.

Beyond sight and earth bending, there’s hearing, touch, smell, taste, sense of direction, hot vs cold, sense of pain, sense of where your body parts are in relation to the rest of you, sense of internal well-being, etc. Before Toph had mastery of her earth bending, she had to have mastery of those too.

Toph also must have very strong opinions about certain smells, sounds, tastes, and textures. Toph is opinionated about everything, and when so much of your understanding of the world depends on senses that most people are ignoring in favor of some other sense you don’t have, it gets frustrating. I’m sure that tree looks pretty but the smell is terrible. Who cares if this fabric looks pretty, it’s scratchy, do. not. like. at. all.

But also in positive ways too. Oh, that flower arrangement looks bland and monochromatic? Who cares, it smells sweet and honey-like. Weird dark cavern with high ceiling and no light? The harmonics are awesome.

Every character probably has a certain sight or image they’re particularly fond of: Katara watching snow fall, or Aang enjoying how small the world looks from up on Appa, or Zuko enjoying the sunrise every morning during meditation. In that line, Toph must have some things personal to her that she enjoys.

I imagine she likes the taste of foods familiar to her childhood, the smell of whatever flowers grew around her home, and the texture of certain kinds of dirt Example: loose dirt probably isn’t the best for seeing, but I think she would enjoy how it feels to run her fingers through it or maybe enjoy the way it softens her perception of the world the same way sighted people like to see colorful, bright lights reflecting off puddles in the middle of rain.

If you struggle with this, that’s okay. I recommend taking some time to think about it for yourself, to find what tastes and smells and textures and sounds you enjoy the most, what makes you feel safe and at home, what brings you comfort, and relate that back to Toph.

In a Modern AU, I want to see Toph have a cane. Even in a Modern AU with bending included in the world building, I think Toph would benefit from having a cane.

The cane has a lot more function than bumping into things. A big part is that it signals to others that you are very obviously blind. Which is a big deal because sighted people are really, really bad at spotting the blind person.

(psst, please stop saying ‘the blank look in her eyes’ because I swear to god it’s been killing me inside for years.)

Also, even in an AU with bending, I think Toph would like the advantage of tapping her cane to create a stronger, more distinct vibration than a small shifting of her weight on her feet. It would have more control.

You could give Toph a guide animal, buuuuuuut, um, Toph is not a guide dog person. Like, there are some people who definitely prefer a guide dog, and some people who definitely prefer a cane, and some who definitely prefer no mobility device at all. Toph does not have the vibes of someone who wants to be both responsible and reliant on an animal when she’s so insistent that she can take care of herself on her own. Toph likes animals, but not that much.

Although, yeah, only 10% of the blind community use mobility devices, so cane and guide dog users are the minority of the blind community, but I stand by the vibe that Toph would love the independence of a cane. Also, it’s almost never ever done. Modern AUs never seem to touch much on Toph’s O&M skills with canes or guide dogs.

I wrote a whole post on everything you need to know about canes, what orientation and mobility is, how you learn O&M, what kind of canes exist, how to use them, how to describe the sensory input a cane gives you, and everything I know about guide dogs from past research.

Honestly, you could give Toph (or any blind character) a cane in any AU, because I fully stand by the theory that canes are a piece of technology that has been invented, lost, and reinvented again and again.

I wrote “I found a piece of lost blindness history” a few months ago after a visit to see my grandparents. My grandmother told me how her blind aunt found a way to write letters by hand to send to my grandmother when she was a child. I speculated on how the long cane has probably been invented and then lost and then reinvented over and over again in history, as well as giving a little history on the growing popularity of guide dogs in the 20th century following World War 1.

About the “blank look in her eyes,” I have a theory to the exact cause and nature of Toph’s blindness.

I know it’s common to think that the milky green color of her eyes is why she’s blind, though I’m not sure how many realize that milky green color is caused by severe cataracts. At least, cataracts is what I assume to be the reason for the color of her eyes. However, people with cataracts still have some remaining sense of light and shadow perception.

Only 9% of the blind community is completely blind, seeing absolutely nothing. The rest have some remaining vision, even if that’s only light and shadow perception or the perception of vague movement.

The percentage of people born completely blind is even smaller.

Toph says that she’s never been able to see, which would lead me to guess that the initial cause of her blindness was a defect with the visual processing part of her brain. I also theorize that the cataracts developed slowly over her very formative years and that she likely wasn’t born with them. For that reason, I think it would have taken a few weeks or months for her parents to realize there was something wrong with her eyes.

Here is a post about the developmental years of blind children and how their life would differ from both sighted children and from someone who went blind as an adult.

What is it like to see nothing?

It’s a concept that sighted people struggle with and I completely understand. I myself didn’t understand the concept of “nothing” until someone explained it as this:

“Imagine trying to see out the back of your head.”

Which, genuinely, imagine that. Try that. Because here’s what I found. There’s no part of my body that can help perceive that. I don’t have eyes there, nor do I have a part of my brain that can process that. Because of this, there is no sense of light or dark, no shape or shadow or movement or depth that I can perceive. There is nothing.

And honestly, it gives me a headache trying to think too much about it.

Toph doesn’t see black, doesn’t have a mental image of it. When people talk about light and dark, Toph has nothing to base the concept on. The closest relation she has to that is silence versus sound, or her earth sense when she’s in the air on Appa versus when she’s on solid ground. But it’s not the same.

I would like to examine the way the show tried to describe Toph’s earth sense, that black void with ripples of white stretching from her feet and outwards. Television is a visual medium so of course their explanation of Toph’s earth sense would be visual, but that’s not what it’s actually like in her head. More accurately, it’s like touching the back of your head to something and feeling what’s solid behind it and what has more give. A wall versus a pillow for example. Slamming your hand on a flimsy table and feeling it rattle under your palm. And for someone so adept at using that sense, she feels not just the table surface under her palm, but the individual rattles down the four legs, how uneven those rattles are because the legs are carved decoratively instead of solid planks, and how the foot of each leg bumps against the ground, and how the floor vibrates in response to the impact, which she feels in both her feet and hand.

About Toph’s Relationship with Her Parents

It’s not something I see touched on much. There’s been a lot of focus on Zuko and Azula’s relationship with their parents and the abuse, as well as exploration of Sokka and Katara’s trauma with losing their mother, and Sokka looking up to his warrior father while Katara struggles with her abandonment issues.

Please don’t take this as a critique, because there are a few valid reasons for this and I would like to give you some insight on how to explore Toph’s relationship with her parents.

For starters, the show had a lot more reason to focus on Zuko and Azula’s parents, with Fire Lord Ozai being the primary villain and Zuko’s greatest abuser, and Azula’s dependent worship of her father in response to Ursa’s neglect and favoritism of Zuko, which was likely Ursa’s response to Ozai’s favoritism of Azula. Their parents are huge driving motivators for why Zuko and Azula make the decisions and mistakes they do, why they are at one point in the show the villains themselves. (And why I think Azula should get a redemption arc and some healing.)

Katara’s trauma of losing her mother and blaming herself is a huge factor in both her response to the war, her relationship with her bending, and her motherly nature with her friends. The show has to explore that. Just as it has to explore Sokka’s problems with toxic masculinity in response to being the man of his village, and his desire to be a great warrior and leader like the father he idolizes.

The show needs to explore that to make the plot move forward, and it benefits from these being two sibling sets with different responses to their upbringing and different sibling dynamics, setting them up as foils for each other.

The show also wouldn’t benefit by giving Lao and Poppy Beifong more screen time. Their established character were two nobles who kept as far out of the war as possible and prospered monetarily for it. Poppy was polite and demure and Lao liked to lead the conversation. Unless the gAang decided to return to Toph’s home, those characters had no reason to pop up anywhere in the show. And if they did, they would be a hinder to Toph and her part in the plot as both Aang’s earth bending teacher and as the greatest earth bender in the world, tossing Fire Nation soldiers eight ways to Sunday.

So truly, I understand that there’s not a whole lot of canon material (comparatively) to go off of when developing this, but I will offer some insight on what is there in canon.

Toph’s relationship with her parents is explored in that it maps out why Toph doesn’t want to be mothered by Katara, why she wants to prove how independent she is, but there’s very little on screen interaction between Toph and her parents.

Toph deeply loves her parents. I think that plays into why she doesn’t want Katara mothering her, because she has a wonderful mother at home who she loves and wants to better understand her, but she had no friends growing up and no older sister, which are the roles she needs and wants Katara to fill. If Toph wanted a mother figure, she would have latched onto Katara. Look at how Zuko never sought out another mother figure but did find a father figure in Iroh as he began to heal from his childhood trauma and separate his self image from his father’s acceptance.

Toph is in a complicated situation, she loves her parents but the way they’re raising her is hurting her in the long run. But Toph can see that their actions are because of their immense love for her. She can see how they would do anything for her. While she never had any examples of how other noble children were treated by their parents, who might have been distant or disinterested or always away for their social and work lives, she was remarkably loved by her parents. Her father put careful thought into her tutors and checked in on her progress. Her mother feared for Toph’s emotional state when she was kidnapped (even if she was incorrect about how Toph would respond), showing genuine empathy for her daughter.

I think their over protective nature became the love language Toph best understood them by, and part of her reasoning for not revealing how capable she was, was because she wanted to keep experiencing that love and care for as long as she could. But it’s not a love language she would put up with from anyone else.

I would like to point out Toph’s genuine excitement to see her mom again in the season finale of Book Two, how badly Toph wants her mom to understand and accept her for who she is.

My thoughts on what Toph can’t do: read, swim, see in the sand, fight things mid-air.

For how incredibly powerful the show makes Toph with her earth bending and the O&M she taught herself through it, they do touch on some of her weaknesses when they come up and find a useful way to showcase them.

The Serpent’s Pass was an excellent example of Toph’s vulnerability in water. From her fear of not being able to see on Katara’s ice bridge to not being able to swim and needing Suki to save her, Toph’s weaknesses putting her in danger added to the excitement and “sitting on the edge of your seat” feeling while watching the episode without turning her into someone who was helpless. She was just in a position where her normal defenses were useless.

Just like the earth benders in the metal prison in the ocean, or Katara having little water in the middle of a desert where her friends needed that water to survive more than she needed it to fight, making her vulnerable later in the show when the insect-wasp things attacked. Just like fire benders being weaker at night, or powerless during a solar eclipse, or a sighted person being lost in the dark. Those were just situations in which the tools you were accustomed to relying on could no longer help you or were taken away.

The show was clever in that it didn’t make her inability to read a direct threat to her safety, but rather as a clever plot device for her to be alone when the sand banders attacked and have to choose between fighting them to save Appa, or holding back an entire fricking building by the tiniest spire on its very top from falling into a void leading to the spirit world. It also showed her weakness to not being able to see or fight as well in sand. Which the show later made an effort to show how she’d improved on that problem in Book Three when she was surrounded by nothing but sand at Ember Island.

Like improving her ability to see in the sand, I would like to see a character teach Toph to swim, or at least float, so that she never feels helpless again. If she took the initiative to improve her sand bending so much, I’m sure she would have learn to swim eventually.

And on the note of reading, I’ve seen some speculation on how Toph could learn to read, whether it’s through using ink that has some percentage of earth mixed in, or developing the sensitivity to feel out the different weight, consistency, and texture of ink on paper.

I would like to bring your attention to Louis Braille, the blind Frenchman who invented Braille while studying at the Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles, the world’s very first school for the blind in Paris France (established 1785). Previously Louis was learning to read through a method in which each letter was pressed into the paper to leave an imprint that someone could feel out with just their fingers.

Louis Braille concluded that raised lettering was impractical because-

1. It is difficult to read, the letters had to be printed in huge font to be fully felt out and printed on thick paper.

2. Thick paper means higher quality, more expensive. Larger font means more paper is needed for a single text.

3. This made it inaccessible due to expense and the sheer volume of a text.

4. If today’s Braille books are hard to access and giant compared to traditional books, I can’t imagine how inaccessible those raised letter books really were.

The subject of Braille, the start and controversial near downfall to Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles were discussed in a post about writing a blind character during the Victorian Era.

I’ve heard others complain in the past about fantasy universes in which a sighted person invents a solution to allow the blind to read, when the most effective and longest lived method was invented by a blindman over two hundred years ago and is the standard taught in schools today.

And while I couldn’t easily explain it or how it works because I can neither read Braille nor speak Chinese, I can tell you that Chinese Braille exists and works only slightly differently from the Braille western languages use. So, again, modern AUs especially would benefit from enabling Toph to read Braille and use a computer and phone with screen reader.

But just as easily you could choose not to have her learn to read but rather have sighted people read things aloud to her. Whether it’s in a professional setting as an adult having an assistant who reads and writes for her, or as a cute, fluffy little moment between Toph and another character. Both are just as genuine to the blindness experience.

Blind Jokes

If you ever get around to reading my post about blind jokes, I’d like you to remember that it’s primarily written for people writing original characters and that Toph canonically makes blind jokes, so to take away from that would not be true to her character.

Does Toph’s Earth Sense Negate her Blindness?

It’s a question I’ve seen raised before and discussed by both abled, disabled, and blind people. There are multiple perspectives on it, but my own take on it is that Toph’s earth bending does not negate her blindness, but rather functions very much like the process of learning to use a cane.

She had a tool, a teacher, and she learned to use that tool. Instead of a cane, it was seismic perception and her teacher were blind badger-moles. She spent years learning to earth bend as they do and then continued to take it to new heights as she explored fighting with it on her terms against sighted fighters.

Come to think about it, I would love to see Toph teach another visually impaired or blind earth bender who to see and bend as she does.

Is Toph Good Blindness Representation?

This question was posed to me in the comments of my master post, and my answer was something like this: “Toph is good representation, but she can't be the only type of representation we get. She's the best we had 15 years ago, but there are a million ways to nuance the blindness experiences. Toph's experience being born blind, having very over protective parents, being a small girl in a patriarical and wealth influenced society, having no friends growing up. Those are all great aspects of blindness to show, but there is so much more to explore. As for her blindness and whether or not that's negated, that's also nuanced. She has limits, she's not all-powerful, but she is the best earth bender hands down. More or less, I love Toph, she's a great character, give me like a million more blind characters who are completely different from her.”

I want to see accurate and well-written blind characters become much more common in modern media, and that’s why I started this blog. So if you decide you want to write your own blind character from scratch, feel free to come back and look at some of my other stuff.

End Notes:

I want to thank the anon who sent the original question because it never occurred to me how much the atla fandom would benefit from a post like this.

You should follow my blog. Along with advice about writing blind characters, I write general writing advice and answer questions about writing, college, plot development, character analysis, and living with blindness. I curate writing advice from fellow writeblrs, write my own image descriptions for writing memes, post about mental health and working/living with ADHD, disabilities outside of blindness, and LGBTQA+ topics.

#avatar the last airbender #toph beifong #atla toph #atla #blind character #writing advice #writeblr #fanfiction

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