bots-basket · 1 year ago
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" Take a sip from a secert potion, it'll make you fall in love~☆"
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" for a spell that can't be broken, one drop should be enough~☆"
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" what the heck are you singing-"
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demonofnowhere · 1 year ago
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Time’s Time: Time for Thomas (don’t interrupt him) & Time for Stelle (interrupt me ASAP)
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* now, i once had a lovely introduction to this post.  i did, honest.  it discussed how twitter has gotten worse and worse, and how if things went well i will do my best to post more thomas stuff here, and even briefly mentioned what this post is actually about. . .
* then firefox crashed. * being new to tumblr, i had not saved a draft of my post.  in fact, i found out you could save drafts mere minutes before firefox crashed.  i thought to myself “wow! what a nifty feature!”, and then proceeded to not save it.  this almost happened twice actually.  i managed to save it the second time thankfully.  i’m still livid though.
* thank you stelle, you are a really useless idiot.
* therefore, we’re not going to have that nice introduction.  the only things you need to know from that post is that you can find me on Twitter (@DemonOfNowhere) for more of my usual infodumping, and that i’ve ditched my usual typing quirks in favour of making this post readable for you all.  let’s get straight to the point instead. * greetings, i’m stelle, demon of nowhere (name change pending?), and it is unfortunately time for thomas.
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Doesn’t it feel strange to see me type normally? With dignity? With even the slightest amount of respect for myself? Err, ahem, I mean... Thomas! I love Thomas. I love the ending of “Stepney’s Special” for Thomas.
Thomas tries very hard to maintain a very professional profile on his branch line. It’s likely something he picked up from Gordon, if his attempts to imitate him whilst he was younger are anything to go by (note “Thomas’ Train”). If you get in Thomas’s way, he kicks up such a fuss and holds it against you until either one of your gets a taste of Sudrian karma (”you” being Percy in this situation, usually). This all means that when Thomas is shunted to allow Stepney, a newcomer, fly past him with one measely coach while Thomas, Annie, Clarabel and their passengers crossly wait for him to pass, Thomas gets cross.
Really cross. Super cross. He holds it against Stepney and is still fuming by the time the next morning arrives.
Thomas spoils the effect of it very quickly though. Of course he does, he’s Thomas and he’s stupid. All Stepney had to do was give one compliment and next thing he knew, Thomas was telling him EVERYTHING about his branch like an eight-year-old telling their parent all about their cool new toy they got (don’t let Mattel hear about this). Stepney calls Thomas an expert once, and away Thomas goes, not only to stroke his own ego a little, but also just because he’s too happy to ramble about his prized branch line (which Percy and Toby clearly think is hilarious, based on the illustration...). He’s a bit like me in that sense; we like to ramble about things no one cares about, but we can’t stop ourselves. Please help me.
One of my favourite parts of this exchange is the following line: “Ah well,” said Thomas modestly.
“Modestly” is the funniest words ever used to describe Thomas the Tank Engine. You and I of course both know that, despite his good heart, he is anything but modest.
Now, there’s something else I’d like to talk about here too. If you’ve read my ramblings before, you know that I cannot type for five seconds without bringing up something else that I didn’t mean to bring up but brought up anyway. I’m silly like that.
If Thomas got mad at Stepney for interrupting his branch line’s timetable once...
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...How would he feel about having a whole train that has to do everything in its power to NOT interrupt the usual services?
In notes of Ffarquhar’s layout, the land cruise enthusaist train is noted to be scheduled in-between regular services, and mustn’t disrupt traffic. This is implied to be more difficult than it ought to be, partially because rail enthusiasts are rail enthusiasts and getting them back into the coaches is a miserable experience for the station’s secretary, and partially due to shunting arrangements at Ffarquhar that are absolutely mind-boggling (a document I wrote up of Ffarquhar’s timetable, according to the Awdry DVD, can be found here!).
The moment the Bloomer, or whoever the enthusiasts’ engine happens to be, arrives, he has to square his fancy saloon coaches away to make room for Thomas, Annie and Clarabel’s next down service. So, imagine for me, what happens when Bloomer indulges the enthusiasts’ interest in him at the platform for a little too long, only for Thomas with his grumpy little face to huff into the station yard and start angrily shouting at Bloomer to Get Out Of His Way Or Else The Fat Controller Will Find Out And You Will Regret That.
Now, we of course know little of Bloomer, but I’ve always thought of him not quite as an old grandpa, but rather a showman who takes a lot of pride in his theatrics on a railway filled mainly of engines still in regular service. Bloomer doesn’t get to appear publicly very often, but when he does, he’s going to make it worthwhile. He’s going to bask in the spotlight for as long as he can, impressing everyone who is lucky enough to draw eyes on him, and he’s certainly no pushover. If Bloomer wants to spend time talking to the enthusiasts about his past life (though he has to keep SOME secrets, of course. Part of the act, a bit of mystery is always fun), then he’s going to spend as much time as he can doing just that -- which he always does.
This drives Thomas insane. A WHOLE TRAIN THAT COULD THROW ALL OF HIS TIMETABLE, ALL THAT HE’S WORKED FOR, OUT THE WINDOW SO EASILY? WHAT. The poor guy. He and Bloomer would be the ultimate enemies, egomanaics for different reasons that will forever butt heads while the other Ffarquhar engines would wish they’d just shut up for two seconds.
He cheerfully and dutifully shunts Annie and Clarabel along from the carriage shed... then he sees Bloomer’s ugly mug taking up the platform. “YOU,” Thomas hissed, grounding to a halt, “YOU’RE not supposed to be here.” “Ah,” Bloomer smiled sweetly, “Thomas my boy, I most certainly belong here. It’s part of my act for me to be right here, right now. ‘Tis merely part of my script.” “Right now!?” scoffed Thomas, as Annie and Clarabel chattered quietly behind, “Right now, you and your ugly great houses on wheels are meant to be by the cattle dock! Never mind your ‘act’, my Timetable is much more important! You always talk such nonsense.” “And you always talk ever so much, yet say very little,” mused Bloomer, “A script would do you well, improv is clearly not your strong suit, Thomas my darling. For such a famous little engine, you never seem to respect the life of a shining star. What a waste, what a waste. We Enthusiast Engines have far more than timetables to worry about, boy; we have fans to please.” Thomas wanted to retort, but was interrupted by a shrill, long blast of Bloomer’s whistle. “I hope you all enjoyed the first part of the show!” Bloomer called to his passengers, as he began to back away, “We shall return after our intermission, and I have no doubt you shall all be there to witness the Grand Finale of today’s display! Make sure to be there at 6 o’clock sharp. After all, Time’s Time.” Bloomer winked in Thomas’s direction. Thomas’s face was redder than Bloomer’s paint, and he had practically vanished behind a thick cloud of steam. “What a horrid engine!” he grumbled to Annie and Clarabel when he finally made it to the platform, “He thinks the whole railway revolves about him, and expects everyone to work at HIS pace! The shame of it, the shame of it...” Annie and Clarabel really thought it all rather ironic.
This is all made funnier by the fact that once the enthusiasts’ train leaves Ffarquhar for the junction, it crosses Thomas with Annie and Clarabel going up the line at Elsbridge. Thomas has yet another chance to start bickering with Bloomer, especially when the Ffarquhar secretary likely couldn’t get the stragglers into Bloomer’s coaches in time (and Bloomer of course didn’t help her one bit). Their next rowl shall be exciting stuff for all involved -- except Annie and Clarabel, who have tried reasoning with Thomas the whole time, but haven’t quite been able to get through to their stubborn engine.
Now, realistically, I had planned to do a bit more talking rather than writing a whole scene. However, much like Thomas, improv isn’t my strong suit, and I hadn’t at first planned for this to be a Bloomer discussion, and perhaps this has gone on for long enough. Whoops!
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What have we learnt today? Well, personally, I’ve learnt that I probably need to get the hang of writing these posts. This probably hasn’t worked out super well. Those of you who are more familar with this site are probably cringing so hard at me right now, and you’re entirely right to do so. For shame, me, for shame...
Usually, I like to round these off with a nice, poetic conclusion about what we’ve discussed today... but really I didn’t know that this post was going in the direction it went into. I mainly wrote this to get my foot in the door and finally post something of substance here. Apparently my second to most popular post here is talking about how fucking funny Terence the Tractor here. Can we change that please? Terence the Tractor is funny but... I can do better than that...
Well, no, no I can’t.
...
You know, I meant to start using my typing quirks again at the end of the post.
But now we’re here, and it doesn’t feel right for me to start using them.
...
I’m doing an awful job at ending this.
...
Maybe Terence the Tractor IS the best I can do.
Hmm.
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the-unlucky-engine · 5 months ago
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Chapter 2: Confusion and Dismay
The next day, Sir Topham Hatt gathered the engines for a meeting. He introduced them to who was believed to be the new workmen, Sir Shawn and Miss Bridgette. Everyone greeted them with a warm welcome. “This is Shawn and Bridgette.” said Sir Topham Hatt. “They will be working with us from now on.” They were tasked with driving Henry to pick up Dowager Hatt. As they were getting ready, Henry showed up to meet the new workmen. But there was trouble. Henry came into the station, but he was a mess. Covered in dirt and blood. His dome was cracked, his buffers were busted, and his boiler started leaking water from the center. The others were shocked at the sight of Henry. The fat controller was shocked as well. Topham sent Henry to get cleaned up while reassigning Bridgette and Lila with Edward. Then, they set off to pick up Topham's mom. Thomas and Toby were worried about Henry. What happened to the poor engine? The others watched as Edward left the railway. On their way, They saw a glimpse of the scrapyard. All the scrapped engines, all the rotting metal, all the death. It felt like walking through the cemetery with all the dead just lying on the ground. The two workmen felt sick. Suddenly, Edward stopped. He froze in fear of what was in front of him. Bridgette, being confused, asked Edward what was going on. She looked up and her eyes widened. There he was. Felix himself. Just standing there. Dark shadows covering his face. Edward, Lila and Bridgette were frightened. After some time, Felix disappeared. They drove through the scrap yard without hassle. While driving, Edward noticed something. An engine sitting in the shed by himself. He looked as if she was sleeping. “Well bust my buffers," said Edward “she's just sleeping out here? In the scrap yard of places?" Edward took a closer look at the engine. He could tell that he's been here for a while. Then a soft groan came from the engine. She had woken up. “Ugh… My head…. W-where am I…?” said the engine. “Cinders and ashes!” cried Edward. It appeared to Edward that this engine was not aware that he'd been sent to the scrap yard. “Who are you….?” asked the engine. “I'm Edward.”
“Can you tell me where I am?” said the engine. Edward was puzzled. Never in his years has he met an engine who was unaware that they were up for scrap. “Oh dear…” mumbled Edward. He talked with the engine about the scrapyard and explained everything. “You're telling me that I'm up for scrap..?” she said, then chuckled. “And here I'm wondering why I've been asleep for the last couple of years.”
“You don't remember coming here?"
“Nope. My memory’s all blurry. The last thing I remember is trying to get those wretched freight cars to behave.”
“Well I can help you out. Get you out of this dump and have a fresh start. What’s your name?”
“It's Anna.”
“Come on Anna. Let's go!” and they headed off.
Meanwhile, at another railway station, Taylor, Topham's niece, was waiting for the train with her grandma, Dowager Hatt. Edward arrived and picked up the two as he made his way back to Sodor. Thomas had met up with Percy and the others. He couldn't stop thinking about his encounter with Felix. Neither could Toby. Percy had arrived with some cargo. The freight cars were giving him a hard time. “C’mon! C’mon!” they hollered. “Faster! Faster!" This upset Percy and he was very cross. “Those cheeky freight cars.” muttered Percy. “Always causing a racket.” Thomas couldn't help but notice. “Those freight cars sure can be annoying. Mind if I help?" Percy agreed. Nia drove by along with Kana, Diesel and Bruno. Carly drove beside Thomas. She noticed that he was spaced out. “Is everything alright Thomas?” said Carly. Thomas shrugged. “Yes, I'm fine.”
“Are you sure? You’ve been acting weird since you went to that creepy railroad station.”
“Well…. I did see something weird over there. It was rather unusual.”
“What was it?” asked Sandy curiously. “You see, there was an engine. A very peculiar engine. He had a brown coat of paint, and he was always sad.” Diesel came in, for he couldn't help but overhear. “What ever do you mean Thomas?” asked Diesel. Other engines started to gather around Thomas. His story seemed to have gotten popular. Thomas proceeded to tell everyone about what he saw and the mysterious engine he met that day. Meanwhile, Percy was at the shunting yard getting ready to shunt some freight cars. An ominous figure stood, hiding in plain sight. Percy was too busy shunting to notice at first. The entity started growling at Percy. This took him by surprise. “What was that!?” squealed Percy. A brake van snarled and hissed at Percy like a wild animal. Percy didn't realize that the brake van was a ghost. “Fizzling fireboxes! What happened to you!? Oh god… I need to get you to the steam works. You look awful!” Percy huffed, noticing a large metal pipe sticking out of the brake van’s body. With a missing eye and a mouth sewn shut. The brake van became aggressive and started lashing out on poor Percy. “What are you doing?! I'm only trying to help you!” but the brake van didn't want help. Toad and Oliver were nearby, watching the brake van attack Percy like a dog with rabies. With the help of the workmen, Oliver came up with a plan. Toad distracted the rogue brake van while Oliver tried to get the troublesome trucks to help. However, they didn't cooperate. In fact, they didn't even want to get involved. It was as if they were afraid of the brake van. No matter how hard Oliver tried, the troublesome trucks just wouldn't oblige. Rebecca had heard the commotion from the shed nearby and came out immediately after seeing what was happening. “What on earth is going on?!” said Rebecca. “There's something wrong with that brake van!” replied Oliver. Rebecca took a glance at the brake van. Right away she knew something wasn't right. If she didn't do anything right now, Toad would become scrap. “C’mon now, don't be stubborn! Help us out here!” she huffed. With a bump and a puff she got the troublesome trucks to finally cooperate. They coupled with the brake van and pushed him aside. He fell in the mud and couldn't get out. Percy sighed with relief. He was glad that Rebecca, Oliver and Toad had helped him.
“Fizzling fireboxes! Thanks for the help, I don't know what that was about.”
“That was rather strange. Freight cars don't usually do that. Especially with me.”
“I’ve never seen them act that way, Mr Oliver. Why do you think they were so hesitant to intervene?”
“I don't know Toad. It was like they were afraid.”
“I'm just glad that everyone’s safe. I should probably take you to the steam works. That brake van really dinged you up.”
“Thank you Rebecca.”
“I'll have to tell the fat controller about this. I'm sure he'll deal with it. Come along Toad!”
“Yes Mr Oliver.”
Oliver and Toad went to the fat controller and told him about the incident while Rebecca took Percy to the steam works. However when the fat controller got to the shunting yard, the brake van was nowhere to be seen. This freaked out everyone. Sir Topham Hatt knew that this brake van was no good, and it caused some serious confusion and delay. Later, he set up a meeting with the workmen and the engines addressing the mysterious brake van. “I want everyone to keep an eye out for this troublesome truck. He has caused confusion and delay! If any of you find him doing anything troublesome, report it immediately!” Shawn and Bridgette were looking at each other all worried. The fat controller had the police looking out for the mischievous brake van. How bad do you gotta fuck up that it makes Sir Topham Hatt hunt you down? Needless to say, he was very cross. “I saw Percy at the steam works earlier,” said a workman. “I wonder what happened.” another worker said, “I heard it was that cheeky brake van that sent Percy there.” Bridgette and Shawn couldn't believe what they were hearing. “A brake van did that to Percy?” said Shawn."Yes! Percy told everyone.” Bridgette was trying to figure out how something like that could have happened to Percy in the hands of a brake van. "Ugh, this is giving me a head-ache.” said Bridgette, “I'm way too tired for this.”
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chucktaylorupset · 2 years ago
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I posted 13,489 times in 2022
That's 6,857 more posts than 2021!
317 posts created (2%)
13,172 posts reblogged (98%)
Blogs I reblogged the most:
@menaceanon
@dabidagoose
@professorsparklepants
@mandaloriandy
@forpiratereasons
I tagged 11,889 of my posts in 2022
Only 12% of my posts had no tags
#uncaptioned - 3,757 posts
#art - 2,295 posts
#ofmd - 2,140 posts
#acofaf - 746 posts
#video - 462 posts
#my post - 391 posts
#interview with the vampire - 368 posts
#gideon the ninth - 326 posts
#captioned - 216 posts
#dnd - 180 posts
Longest Tag: 140 characters
#like. i'm sure izzy is the only person who'd be happy if ed and stede were murderhusbands.  you might want to try a hannibal rewatch instead
My Top Posts in 2022:
(all of my top original posts are text posts, some of them quite lengthy. i have edited them down to the first few lines and if you want to read the rest... well the link's right there)
#5
its been a million years.  percy has gone from young millenial to squarely gen z.  i think that while he’s up on that mountain demanding the gods pay their fucking child support, he should tell hera at the top of his sixteen year old pipsqueak lungs that polyamory is a thing now and she doesn’t have to define her marriage the traditional way if she doesn’t want to.  she’s the goddess of all marriages!  that includes these modern ones too!! ...
505 notes - Posted May 13, 2022
#4
I think there's something to be said for fanfiction that loves canon in a way that’s rude. Like thank you for this wonderful thematic tragedy made out of this character’s entire arc ending in death, it was emotionally and intellectually moving, but also fuck you fuck you fuck you they live, this time and every time they live, they never died, their flaws are not their undoing, actually they have no flaws, actually they save everyone, actually who cares about a story, any story, where this one dies, actually i cared about that story so much i made a new one, actually i cared so much i unmade the old one, you gave me morals and i left them for the mortal, but they’re mine now and i will never let them die, actually thank you, actually fuck you, strongly worded letter to follow
A kiss for canon and spit in its face all at once, it’s great
1,411 notes - Posted December 5, 2022
#3
It is actually extremely important to me that y'all understand the importance of the talent show subplot to the structure of ofmd being not just a gay romcom but a story fiercely thematically opposed to toxic masculinity and amatonormativity; how Ed the Emo crying into his blanket fort and silk gown writing sad boy poetry music is the most emotionally healthy he's ever been and a hairsbreadth away from sustained happiness...
3,121 notes - Posted April 11, 2022
#2
goddddd it’s fine!! its fine!!! its okay if if 12 year old girls decide they’re asexual and look back and realize that actually it was just puberty and the gross sexualization of women that alienated them from their feelings of attraction and actually now she feels she was always allo. That’s allowed! That’s okay! Its not the end of the world if some of the people coming home to the label of asexuality are actually arriving at a way station onto what will be a better place for them...
3,387 notes - Posted December 5, 2022
My #1 post of 2022
You can’t just call the “don’t stop me now” essay writing method the second worst essay method you’ve heard of and not tell us the story of the worst one 👀
i know a guy whose patented essay writing method is to, on the eve of the due date, set an alarm so early it should count as an atrocity, open an empty word doc on his computer and then placing it on his bed,
he then goes to sleep, presumably after drinking a full can of coke, as his immunity to caffeine, adderall, and the general life choices about to be described prove that (1) this man almost certainly is a colossal case of adhd and (2) that is the least of what's wrong with him...
23,319 notes - Posted May 25, 2022
Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →
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daily-hayley568 · 2 years ago
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could you write a charlie weasley imagine where the reader is the twins best friend and dating charlie in secret and sneaking around together around the holidays/birthdays where the family is all together including her because she’s like family (like harry and hermione)💖
Some Things Are Better Kept Secret|Charlie Weasley
Pairings: Charlie Weasley x fem!reader, platonic Fred weasley x fem!reader, platonic George x fem!reader, dad!sirius x daughter!reader
A/n: I love this! Tysm anon!
Summary: You’ve always been best friends with the twins but their older brother caught your eye.
Warnings: swearing, mentions of sexual content, kissing, use of pet names, age gap, forbidden curses, mentions of death, blood
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You had been best friends with the Weasley twins since your first year in Hogwarts. You were sorted into Gryffindor and you were inseparable from Fred and George.
Fred and George planned pranksters. You would charm their victims and lead them into the trap. You all tag-teamed.
The first Christmas you spent with the Weasley’s was your second year Christmas break. Your mother was out of town with her friend and you mentioned that you would be staying at Hogwarts but your two best friends couldn’t have it. They owled their parents and Mrs. Weasley insisted you came to their Christmas. Said she heard so much about the girl who the twins loved.
When you rode the train you sat in the compartment with the twins, and Lee Jordan. Four kids in a compartment playing exploding snap all the way to the train station.
When you arrived at the Burrow, you were attacked by Ron and Ginny, the younger ones. They were so excited to meet the girl that Fred and George couldn’t shut up about.
“Fred talks about you all the time. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” You looked up at the older boy. You knew him as the Gryffindor seeker. It was Charlie Weasley; and he was much more handsome closer then the distance from the pitch.
You swallowed quickly before taking his offered hand in the shake, you rose your eyebrows smirking at Fred and George. “You can’t shut up about me. How sweet.”
Fred rolled his eyes, “You’ve been mentioned.”
You giggled, releasing your hand from Charlie’s. Realistically you were still a kid and he was almost a full grown man, but you couldn’t help but swoon.
You thought that childhood crush would go away, but it never did.
You were now about to start your fifth year. You were once again at the Burrow for Ginny’s birthday party. When Ginny invited you, you were so excited to see the Weasley’s before school started in September. You knew that they were going to Egypt, so you would be separated from your best friends.
Ginny was going into her second year at Hogwarts; Ron, Harry, and Hermione were going into their third, and Percy had recent news of becoming Head Boy.
“Happy birthday, Ginny!” You smiled entering her room.
“Y/N! You’re here!” Ginny ran up to you pulling into a huge hug. You and Ginny had become even closer after the encounter with Tom Riddle.
You smiled when Fred peaked from behind you, “Didn’t even say hi to your best friends?”
“I said hi to Ginny?” You tilted your head, a mischievous glint in your eye.
Fred hit you upside the head, you chuckled elbowing him. “Where’s my favorite twin? George! There you are.” You squeezed past Fred hugging George.
“Hi, Y/N! I think everyone’s about here now.” George grinned.
You turned reluctantly giving a hug to Fred; who was pouting from receiving no love from his best friend.
You four went downstairs to find the trio; Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They were speaking with Bill and Charlie. Fred elbowed you and you hit him upside the head.
“Y/n!” Harry sprinted to you embracing you. You took it as your duty to keep Harry Potter under your wing. You were like his older sister. You never told him his godfather was your dad, or mentioned that he was in Azkaban.
“Heya, Harry.” You grinned.
Ron and Hermione waved. Bill hugged you and Charlie smiled with a wave, not without noticing a new scar on his arm.
At Ginny’s birthday party, you were sitting on the porch watching your friends play a game.
“You don’t want to join them?” You glanced up at Charlie Weasley taking a seat next to you on the step.
You shook your head, “It was a long travel.”
“I agree, apparating from Romania to here was a lot.”
“I’m sure it was. How are your dragons?”
You had never had a conversation with one-on-one with Charlie Weasley and your butterflies were erupting in your stomach. You wanted to choke them all out one by one.
Oh, Godric. His smile was so pretty, “They’re good. A new baby girl was hatched right before I left; Hungarian Horntail.”
“So many people are scared of those dragons; I know they’re much larger than other breeds and their fireballs are longer distance, but I think they can be cute creatures. People are scared of something that’s territorial and bigger than they are.”
Charlie Weasley rose his eyebrows. He didn’t know you knew so much about dragons, “Woah you’re like a dragon expert yourself.” He chuckled nudging you with his arm.
Your arm in return erupted in goosebumps over the ghost of his touch. Gotta get yourself together; your best friends brother? Really, Y/N.
Your thoughts scolded you. You ignored them anyway and decided to listen to Charlie instead of your angry thoughts and your drumming butterflies.
“I wouldn’t say that. I like reading about animals or just reading general, but I have taken an interest to dragons.”
“Maybe I could show you the reserve sometime.” Your face lit up.
“Yeah, maybe.”
You didn’t see Charlie again until that next Christmas. You couldn’t wait either. You begged Remus and your mum to let you stay for the holidays again. Of course they agreed.
At Christmas dinner, you were squeezed between Fred and George. You encouraged them to give the Marauders Map to Harry; leaving out his dad was Prongs himself.
Charlie sat across from you and you both talked about quidditch and dragons again. He told you about how the baby dragon from Ginny’s birthday was doing and you were so entranced with him, you didn’t even hear George asking if you wanted to play quidditch outside.
The twins shrugged and left you to talk with their older brother. You two were left alone before you realized you should head to bed.
“Would you mind if I owled you to ask on how Roxie is doing?” Roxie was the name of the new baby dragon.
“No! It’d be a pleasure to receive letters about dragons and not my mother scolding me from being too far from home.” You giggled shaking your head.
“Goodnight, Charlie.”
“Goodnight Y/N.”
You never told Fred and George you sent letters to Charlie through the rest of fifth year. Remus and your mum knew of course, you couldn’t shut up about Charlie to them. That’s how you and Charlie became good friends.
Then at the end of your fifth year, you were reunited with your father and Harry’s godfather. Harry thought he had been a murderer when he was out, but you knew your dad was innocent. Stories from your mother and Remus made you a firm believer that he was framed. Remus and your mum argued a lot about letting Dumbledore know he was an animagus, of course your mum won that fight.
You loved watching your mum and dad reunite. It was the favorite thing you saw that summer.
You attended the quidditch World Cup with the Weasley’s added Hermione and Harry. You shook your head when your best friends decided to bet all your money.
Worried, but you had full faith in them.
Charlie was there and you gave each small looks. You just turned 17 a few weeks ago. He said he was staying around a bit longer for something he needed to do. You had no idea what.
At the World Cup you and Charlie ended up sitting next to each other on the end. Fred and George were on the other end.
“Who do you think is going to win?” Charlie leaned over to talk in your ear.
You shivered your brain thinking of other times Charlie could be whispering in your ear.
“Ireland. It’s got to be.”
“I agree.” Another dazzling smile from Charlie Weasley himself.
After Ireland won, you and Charlie grinned fist bumping each other. Back at the tent, everyone stayed up for awhile. Arthur rushed everyone to bed after Ginny fell asleep on the table. You and Charlie had slipped out the tent sitting next to each other watching the Irish celebrate their victory.
“You know, I thought you were going to be as annoying as George and Fred are. Then I met you and I was totally wrong.”
“Thanks, though I do cause a lot of trouble with them.”
Over the course of the letters, you and Charlie were now close friends. You still had a raging crush on the boy. His light, platonic touches drove you crazy.
The Weasley family knew about Sirius’ innocence but you told Charlie first. Something ate at you about telling your best friends first, but it was Charlie who you ran to.
“That I also noticed,” Charlie chuckled.
You smiled, “Well I should head to bed. Goodnight Charlie.”
“Night, Love.” You froze at the pet name at the entrance of the tent but you let yourself smile brightly heading into the girl tent.
You knew you didn’t sleep for long when Charlie was shaking you awake, calling your name. You were confused as he pulled you out of tent as you struggled to put your nightrobe on.
“Charlie, what’s going on?”
“Death eaters.”
Your eyes widened as you met everyone in the living room. Fred and George were to take care of Ginny and you were to take care of Harry. Ron and Hermione and you two were to stick together.
Before Charlie took off you both shared a look of stay safe.
You took off with the crowd holding onto Harry’s arm trying to run to the gate, but you both fell getting trampled, becoming unconscious.
When you and Harry woke up, the tents were burned and Harry was stirring beside you. You saw a man and your breath was hesitant, but Harry didn’t.
“Black are you okay?” Harry muttered. The worst time to call each other by last names.
The strange man called the dark mark and you took in a sharp breath but after Harry spoke loud enough the man looked at you both. He ran off.
That’s when you heard a bunch of popping and surrounded by Ministry men. “You’ve be discovered at the scene of the crime!” Barty Crouch shouted.
Barty held a wand to your throat. Arthur came to your rescue. “She’s just a girl!”
“So? She’s Sirius Black’s daughter. He probably sent her to do this himself! Where’s your tent, Arthur.”
Arthur opened up the tent and the rest of the group shot up seeing Harry enter.
“Where’s Y/N?” George asked him and his twin worried sick. Thought he didn’t voice it, Charlie was too. Harry looked at his shoes not responding.
“Get in there!” Barty Crouch shoved you onto the couch.
“What’s going on?” Charlie asked; you looked frustrated.
“Y/N Black was discovered at the scene of the crime! She conjured the dark mark.” Barty accused.
“I didn’t! You can’t arrest me because of my relations? What about you? Your son?” You asked tilting your head and Barty gasped.
“How do you know about that?”
“My father.” You spat. “Check my wand. Check Harry’s wand. I. Didn’t. Cast. It.” Barty took both of your wands and checked it. You both didn’t cast the spell.
“Sorry for the inconvenience.” Barty muttered.
After all that, you were lying in bed and couldn’t sleep. So you walked to a room you knew you could find rest in.
Charlie was still awake when you walked in. “Can I sleep with you? I just-“ you swallowed, your voice small. I cant sleep and I’m scared, Charlie.”
Charlie opened his arms and you climbed on into the bed cuddling in his arms, “What you did was pretty badass.” You giggled.
“Well, I didn’t want to go to Azkaban.”
He grinned, his fingers playing with the ends of your hair. You fell asleep much easier with your head on his chest and him playing with your hair.
That night passed, and you were back at Hogwarts with your best friends. After the first years were sorted , the triwizard tournament was announced. Luckily, you turned 17 last June. You stuck your tongue out at the twins because they didn’t reach the age limit.
You decided why not and you entered the tournament.
Charlie Weasley apparently got wind that you one of the four champions. He was so pissed. You two had never even had an argument until now. He told you that you were just a kid and shouldn’t be doing the dangers that was coming for you.
You were furious. He thought of you as a kid? You didn’t write back for the next month. The four champions were as listed: Y/N Black, Harry Potter, Victor Krum, and Fleur Delacour.
The first task is when you saw Charlie again. You didn’t even look at him. You got the Swedish short-snout. Luckily you knew a lot about this dragon, and the Hungarian Horntail so you gave Harry tips when no one was paying attention.
Before it was your turn, Charlie dragged you privately.
“You’re crazy.”
“Thought I was just a kid.” You hugged. Charlie sighed running a hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry. You’re not a kid. You’re too strong. I was just angry when I wrote that. I just worry about you a lot.” He sighed rubbing a hand up and down your arm.
“Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I do what it takes to win.”
“Y/n one more thing.” You rose your eyebrows, “I want you to know-“ the cannon shouted and they screamed Black. It was your turn.
Without another word, you ran off to fight your dragon.
You tied first with Harry.
Charlie returned to Romania and you didn’t see him until Christmas. You were getting ready for the third task; you and Harry still tied. You joked about winning this thing together and it seemed possible.
At Christmas, you found yourself alone with Charlie after everyone had gone to bed. You both were sipping tea and just talking. “Have you ever tried firewhiskey?”
You shook your head and Charlie left before bringing back a bottle of it. He poured you and himself a glass. You took a sip letting the warm feeling travel down your throat. “Delicious.”
He chuckled, “Are you worried about the third task?”
You shook your head, “I’ve got Harry. I don’t care if I win.”
He smiled, continuing to sip his whiskey. Maybe you two drank too much. But Charlie ended up kissing you and you kissing him back. He mumbled something about tired dancing around stuff.
You were on the couch, his mouth on yours in a kiss of passion and heat. He slipped his tongue in your mouth and you moaned into his. He chuckled pulling back with a wide grin.
You and Charlie began to sneak around after that. The rest of the holidays ended up with kisses on the couch. You never talked about it after you went back to Hogwarts.
It was time for the third task. You and Harry decided to grab the cup together and it was a portkey. You were taken to a graveyard. You were left unconscious next to the trophy and Harry groaned getting up.
He noticed the grave that read tom riddle on it. He needed to get out of here. Before he could grab you and the key. Wormtail casted a spell to keep him bound to the tree.
He dropped Voldemort in a boiling cauldron, cut his arm off, sliced Harry’s for blood. Voldemort was back.
You were still unconscious when Voldemort talked to Harry.
Voldemort touched Harry’s scar before he noticed you. He kicked you and you let out a groan, stirring. Harry prayed that Voldemort would leave you alone.
“She’s important to you. I can tell.” The noseless man said to the scar boy. “Crucio!” Right as you began to stand you were back on the ground writing in pain, screaming in agony. It felt like needles were being plunged into your skin. Then he released the spell, you could breathe again.
Wrong. “Crucio!” He screamed again and that was the torture. Thinking that it was over but it wasn’t.
You couldn’t stand the pain and you were losing consciousness. Then it all stopped. Were you dead? No. You could hear Harry. Harry was fighting him. Next thing you knew you were back at the stadium, crying to be let go of. You didn’t know who was touching you.
There was cheering but it suddenly stopped when Harry was crying over your body. Your mum and Remus leaped out of the stands running towards you followed by the Weasley kids who were attending Hogwarts.
“Y/N?” George or Fred whispered, you couldn’t tell.
You blinked your eyes open tears spilling, “Harry.” You rasped holding onto his arm. He was sobbing. “It hurts.”
“I know it does, Sis. You got to stay with me your the closest family I have! Y/N!” Charlie was now at your side stroking your hair.
“Are you crying, Charles?” You whispered. “I told I’d win.” You tried to grin but it was more of a grimace.
“I told you to be safe too.” Charlie muttered.
Dumbledore finally arrived with mad-eye moody. “Harry what happened?”
“Voldemort!” He cried, “he’s.. he’s back. He could tell we were close somehow and just started Crucio after Crucio. She went through so many! I thought.. I thought she was dead.” The poor boy was heartbroken at the fact he could’ve lost his sister tonight. Charlie scooped you up and carried you to the hospital wing.
After a couple days of rest, you woke up feeling less painful and Charlie was sitting there. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, since you’re here.” He rolled his eyes with a smile.
“You scared me. I thought you were going to die without me telling you something because I was too afraid too.”
“What’s that?”
“What if you died before I told you I was in love with you?” He whispered grasping your hand.
“Well if I was dead I wouldn’t be able to tell you I’m in love with you too.” He grinned kissing your lips, lightly. He was scared of hurting you.
That summer you, mum, and Remus moved to the Grimmauld Place.
“Dad!”
“Buttercup!” You ran into your fathers embrace with a giddy smile. You hadn’t seen him in a good while. He visited you when you were sick but now you got to live with him.
You had just turned 18. You were secretly dating Charlie Weasley and you got to move in with your dad. Best year ever!
The Weasley’s also moved in and you, Fred, and George worked on their products. You and Harry gave your winnings to the twins so they could do their joke shop.
Charlie was there for the summer too. You were of age so you got to join the Order. During those meetings you sat beside Charlie. He had his hand on your thigh and you played his fingers in his lap.
It was subtle, no one could tell. Except Sirius, he loved to tease you about him.
Late nights was included Charlie in your room full of cuddles, kisses and your favorites. You always made sure to lock the door so no one saw you and Charlie and entangled limbs.
Your secret was falling apart. Or you two just didn’t care. You brought up to the twins what if you and Charlie went places and they said they didn’t mind. Though one morning you did forget to lock the door.
“Y/N!” You shot awake off Charlie’s chest. George was holding an order form. “Charlie?”
Eyes wide you turned to Charlie who was smirking and starting to lean against the headboard. He brought you on his lap. “Meet my girlfriend.”
“No. Fucking. Way.”
——-
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comfortwriting · 4 years ago
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Call Out My Name - F.W.
Fred Weasley X Reader imagine inspired by the song ‘Call Out My Name’ by The Weeknd.
Part 2 , Part 3
A/N: Your Feedback will be greatly appreciated! 
About: Fred is constantly in a ‘on and off’ toxic relationship and he uses the reader when he is lonely, overtime she falls in love with him but because she isn’t Fred’s girl - she has no choice but to walk away.
Themes: Heartbreak, unrequited love, sadness, longing.
Warnings: indication of smut, raw feelings of worthlessness, depression and anger.
Staring out of the train window trying to think of something to doodle in your notebook you couldn’t help but feel over the moon that you were going home for the summer, you had never felt like this before and you hated that you did - but after years of being strung along by someone and not being able to stay away from them - this feeling was bittersweet, hell, everything you had gone through was now nothing but bittersweet memories you just wanted to forget, almost like it never happened.
You fell in love with Fred slowly but the more time you spent with him you fell head over heels for him. This whole fiasco - whatever it was you had with Fred started three years ago, your first time spending the summer at The Burrow. Fred’s on and off girlfriend split up with him for the first time, Fred became withdrawn, not wanting to take part in his usual pranks or plan any new inventions with his brother George. At first, you believed that Fred wanted you around because he valued your friendship (a budding romance) and because you made him happy, but overtime you realised that this wasn’t the case at all - unfortunately you were just a stepping stone for him, someone to use when he couldn’t get what he wanted from the ‘love of his life’. 
You put your head in your hands and sighed deeply, the tears slowly pricking at your eyes, slouching in your seat you covered your house scarf (the one that Fred bought you) over your eyes, the memories flashing back to you like they happened yesterday.
We found each other I helped you out of a broken place You gave me comfort But falling for you was my mistake
Fred sat in his bed, his eyes red and puffy from all of the crying “I don’t know what to do, she doesn’t want me anymore” seeing him in such a state made your heartache, you had never seen him like this before - you were used to him bouncing around, always laughing and getting up to no good, not crying in bed too sad to be himself.
You sat on his bed and stroked his short hair that had been cut a few weeks ago “It’s going to be okay” you smiled at him softly “I know it might be too much to ask but why don’t we go for a walk? Get away from all the noise in this house, just this once.” you encouraged him.  
Fred contemplated your offer for a moment and then nodded “I can do that” he smiled, slowly getting out of bed. What started off as ‘just this once’ turned into routine - you and Fred going for stupidly long walks every morning you were at the burrow. 
Remembering the first time your hands brushed up against one another used to make the butterflies in your stomach soar but now all it does is hurt worse than before - rain now pattering down on the window.
Within months you and Fred did everything together, morning walks, quidditch in the afternoon basking in the warmth and orange glow of the sun, and then in the evenings you two would sneak downstairs whilst everyone lay asleep in bed.
“Hey Y/N” Fred whispered through the crack in the door, trying not to wake everyone up “fancy popping on one of those muggle horror movies you keep telling dad about?” 
You turned over, the landing light shining in your eyes and smirked at Fred, mirroring him “go on then.” 
Clutching your chest you could feel the pain of this memory hit you like a tonne of bricks, taking deep breaths you tried so hard to bring yourself back into the present moment... on the way home... leaving Hogwarts...but it didn’t work, like a leaf in the wind you were pushed back in relieving what you just wanted to forget.
The old and scratchy patchwork blanket sat over you and Fred, out of the corner of your eye you caught Fred glancing at you and smiling to himself. Turning to face him you asked what was so funny “nothing” he replied, yet he leaned in closer, his nose almost touching yours. Giving in, the two of you shared your first kiss and you could’ve sworn you felt sparks igniting within you. 
You brushed your fingers over your soft lonely lips reminiscing more of the memories that popped into your head as if they were being played on film. 
A few evenings later you and Fred were on the same sofa, covered by the same scratchy old patchwork blanket in the dead of night, yet this time instead this kiss lead to something much more, instead of sparks simply just igniting, burst into the biggest and most beautiful firework as you and Fred shared such an intimate moment together.
George had to admit that although he felt left out, he couldn’t deny how much happier Fred became when you were around - he started being himself again; pranking Ron and annoying Percy like it was going out of fashion.
But you had no idea that whatever you had with Fred would turn into the most intense rollercoaster ride you had ever been on.
I put you on top, I put you on top I claimed you so proud and openly
For the first time in your life you put another person before you and you deemed such an act ‘worth it’ at the time because you made mistakes out of your pure love for Fred, but you realised all you were doing was burning yourself out to keep Fred alight. Instead of getting perfect grades, you found yourself in enough detentions for everyone in your house.
In your mind Fred was yours, your boyfriend and he made you feel on top of the world and all you wanted to do was share your feelings and relationship to the world. Every Saturday morning you would be sat waiting at the Quidditch pitch to cheer on Fred, regardless whether it was a match or just practice.
You would write to your family and friends, telling them all about the soft haired troublemaker who swept you off your feet. “Looks like you’ve got another letter” George mentioned one morning over breakfast, your owl swooping up ahead delivering a reply. 
You smiled widely and nodded “Of course I do!” you giggled “My parents can’t wait to meet Fred this Christmas!”
George’s face dropped at your excitement, he cleared his throat awkwardly “I’m really sorry Y/N but did Fred tell you?” he asked, giving you a deep look of sympathy. 
You scowled and shook your head wondering what would get in the way of your perfect plans “tell me what?” 
George stayed silent for a moment but he tried his best to let you down gently “He’s back in contact with his ex, they’re working things out.”
And when times were rough, when times were rough I made sure I held you close to me
And for the second time, Fred came crying into your arms looking like he had been torn apart “She doesn’t think it’s going to work out, she said that it’s not the right time” you held him in your arms, cuddling on the sofa in the common room, rubbing his back with one hand and stroking his now long shoulder length hair with the other, you reassured him. 
“It’s going to be okay Freddie, you got yourself back on track last time and you’re capable of going it again sweetheart” you reminded him “you’ve got me and George, remember.” 
Within the months that came after, you two were inseparable once again, going to Hogsmeade on the weekends raiding Honeydukes and sharing a butterbeer or two in the Three Broomsticks but as always and like George predicted, once Fred’s girl came back into the picture, he dropped you again. 
You managed to break from your flashbacks for a moment, removing the scarf from your face. Checking your watch you had another hour or so until you would be arriving at Kings Cross Station, you slumped back down in your seat and doodled broken hearts and tears onto your open love letters to Fred, now hidden in your notebook.
So call out my name (call out my name) Call out my name when I kiss you so gently I want you to stay (I want you to stay) I want you to stay, even though you don't want me
“Well from the sounds of things you’re not in a serious relationship” you mentioned to Fred, taking off your muddy robes. George shook his head at you almost telling you off but you were both getting frustrated, the only difference is that you didn’t want to keep quiet anymore. 
“Not yet but I’m waiting for her” Fred said eagerly removing his robes too, George could feel the tension in the air and went to the common room.
“So what about us?” you asked bravely, your heart begging to hear what it wanted most. 
Allowing the last of your confidence that Fred had wiped away overtime, you walked towards him and cupped his face, kissing him softly, trying to convince him that you were the one worth waiting for but no matter what, deep down in your heart you knew Fred was thinking about her.
Fred kissed back and chuckled “us?” he flashed you a confused look “we’re the same as we’ve ever been, as we’ll always be” you felt crushed, this wasn’t the answer you were hoping for (and you now owed George all of your exploding bonbons) but you accepted your fate and left to find George so you could cry in his arms. 
“He never truly wanted me, did he?” You asked George, tears running down your cheeks. 
George shook his head “It’s always been about her Y/N, I’m sorry” you hugged George and cried into his chest whilst he held you.
“why can’t I be Fred’s girl?” 
Torturing yourself beyond repair you couldn’t stay away from Fred, no matter how hard you tried. You still found yourself supporting him at Quidditch, helping him study, you even engaged in conversation with him about his girl, how amazing she was and how happy she made him. You knew if he had the chance Fred would transform you into her if a single project came down to it.
Girl, why can't you wait? (Why can't you wait, baby?) Girl, why can't you wait 'til I fall out of love? Won't you call out my name? (Call out my name) Girl, call out my name, and I'll be on my way
Clutching your date and dancing lazily to the music you stared at Fred having the time of his life with the girl of his dreams on his arm, beaming up at him. You hoped this ball and your date would help you find a new spark and create new fireworks yet with every opportunity to do so all you did was wish for Fred, stare at him and act as if he were to realise you were the one with any coming moment - but it didn’t happen yet, it would never happen. You kept wishing over and over in your head for Fred to turn around, meet your gaze and to become blinded by your beauty when you had another admirer trying to break down your cold persona. 
I said I didn't feel nothing baby, but I lied I almost cut a piece of myself for your life Guess I was just another pit stop 'Til you made up your mind You just wasted my time
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Fred asked, taking a bite out of his toast “Mum and dad are really keen to meet her and she’s never been able to visit over the summer before and with everyone else there we just wouldn’t have the room.”
The two of you continued to walk towards the castle, George following not far behind.
Fred was now inviting his girlfriend to stay with him at the burrow this summer, something you had always done up until this very moment - this was the moment you realised that everything had been a lie, Fred never cared, he never loved you, he had just used you each and every time the love of his life got bored, only to drop you as soon as she wanted him back. 
“Yeah it’s fine, I understand completely” you lied, feeling anger, despair and insecure like you had never before “I’ll just see you at the shop once the ball gets rolling.” Earlier in the year Fred offered you a job to help out with him and George at the shop, placing your own career plan at the ministry on hold.
“Oh bugger” Fred stopped his tracks looking a bit stressed “that's another thing i forgot to mention, we won’t be needing you to help out anymore as-”
“she’s helping out instead” you cut Fred off, finally reaching your breaking point you ran away from Fred and went to your dorm, packing your trunk. 
You're on top, I put you on top I claimed you so proud and openly, babe And when times were rough, when times were rough I made sure I held you close to me
“Are you seriously running back to him after what he did?” 
“He isn’t like that! you don’t understand, you can’t judge him - you don’t even know him!”
So call out my name (call out my name, baby) So call out my name when I kiss you So gently, I want you to stay (I want you to stay) I want you to stay even though you don't want me Girl, why can't you wait? (Girl, why can't you wait 'til I) Girl, why can't you wait 'til I fall out of loving? Babe, call out my name (say call out my name, baby) Girl, call out my name, and I'll be on my way, girl I'll be on my
Jolting awake the train came to a stop, you had finally arrived at the station. Taking a deep breath you picked up your trunk and notebook, getting off the train your scarf slipped off but you were too busy trying to spot your parents to notice. This was it, no more Hogwarts, you didn’t want to look back.
Feeling faint you ran into the toilets, throwing up the last of your pumpkin juice from the ride home, you stared at yourself in the mirror, washing your hands and splashing your face.
“Why can’t I be Fred’s girl?” You asked yourself.
On my way, all the way On my way, all the way, ooh On my way, on my way, on my way On my way, on my way, on my way (On my)
Reaching the exit of the station you spotted The Weasleys, welcoming Fred’s new girlfriend into a tight hug with delighted expressions on their faces. You looked to George and he gave a sad smile, he wanted to say goodbye but even that would be too painful for you to handle; after all, you weren’t just losing Fred, you were losing George, Molly and the rest of the family you loved so much.
Before you could turn around and continue to look for your family, Fred noticed you, he stopped for a moment and waved, holding your scarf up in his hands and shaking it. 
You wanted more than anything to run to Fred and collect it but instead you didn’t wave back or smile, you shook your head and spun on your heel, acting as if he were never there at all. 
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retrievablememories · 3 years ago
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what happens at night | taeyong
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title: what happens at night
characters: vampire!taeyong, reader, BP jisoo, side character ocs
genre: vampire!au, fantasy, angst
summary: There has been a vampire sighting in a nearby town. You and a few other amateur vampire hunters flock to the area for fun, but are soon in over your heads when you come face to face with a real vampire. 
word count: 2.6k
warnings: some violence, use of weapons, mentions of blood and blood drinking, cursing
a/n: i got the prompt for this fic from this writing prompt post
writing vampire fic just reveals that i am maybe a little too intrigued with finding different ways to describe blood, lmao
also, this picture...are you fuckin kidding me
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"Y/N, look. You aren’t gonna believe this.”
Adrienne holds the digital ledger out in front of you, and you look at it with tired, uninterested eyes until your brain registers what you’re seeing. Your eyes light up as you recognize whose face is on the screen.
“Taeyong.”
You take the ledger from her as she offers it to you, holding it tight with both hands.
“The Vampire King?” Jisoo perks up and gets up from her seat to rush over to see the ledger, peering wildly over your shoulder. Likewise, Percy makes his way over to the rest of you at a slightly speedier gait than his usual unaffected amble.
“Can’t be,” he says, shaking his head in quiet disbelief even as he looks over your other shoulder.
“But it is.”
The ledger’s screen displays the seal of Hawthorn Academy and its vampire registry, which holds the name, age, suspected location, and family lineage of every registered vampire in the world, along with a plethora of other pertinent details. On Taeyong’s profile, there is the familiar portrait of him you’ve always seen—his hair styled perfectly and curling over his forehead, and his eyes dark, piercing, and shining vermillion.
Under the list of Status Updates, there is a new entry from yesterday—a sighting nearby in the city of Dresden. Within that entry, there is a blurry, zoomed-in photo of a man in a dark trench coat and black boots, walking away from the viewer and down a shadowy street lit up with lampposts, almost too vague to be worth deciphering to the average viewer; but that silhouette is unmistakable.
“When was the last time Taeyong was seen out in public? I can hardly believe it,” Jisoo says, her voice practically trembling with awe.
“If he’s letting himself be seen, he must have specific intentions...whatever those are,” Percy notes.
“Let’s go pay Dresden a visit,” Adrienne announces, darting off to her desk and starting to gather up her essentials—phone and silver staff among them.
“Go? Pay it a visit?” Percy echoes, his mouth rounding on the word go and his eyes widening.
“Of course! Why not? Isn’t this exciting? A sighting of the Vampire King so nearby, and so recently,” Jisoo replies, grinning with all her teeth. 
Percy narrows his eyes at her, uncertainty marring his features. “Yes, but what about dangerous?”
“Come on Percy, it’ll be fun,” you chime in. “Think of it as a field trip for baby vampire hunters. Dresden is huge, anyway, there’s like zero chance we’ll actually find him.”
“Just take it as more skills training,” Adrienne adds, grabbing her backpack and heading off to her quarters to get the rest of her things. “Except this time, we’re actually in the field instead of that same boring facility.”
Percy grumbles to himself, but he knows there’s nothing much left to argue about; when the three of you outvote him on a topic, he has no choice left.
--
By the time the four of you arrive at Dresden, it’s dusk. The perfect witching hour for the vampires to be out, with the last bleeding streaks of the sun fading out of the sky. The lack of sunlight unnerves Percy even more—you can tell by his disturbed countenance—but he says nothing. He quietly follows you out of the train once it stops.
On the outside, you all look like four regular sight-seeing young adults, taking a trip from the next city over and ready for a night on the town; but most of your weapons and gear are concealed within your clothes and the backpacks you wear.
“There’s a slight blood scent here,” you note, taking in a deep lungful of air once you notice it. Indeed, there is the lingering hint of sweetness and iron, and something more musky and earthy underneath it—like decaying organic matter. The smell every vampire hunter is trained to be able to recognize—the odor of a vampire who hasn’t taken their scent blockers.
“There is, though I’m just barely picking up on it,” Jisoo agrees, waving her hand across her nose and screwing her eyebrows up. “God, I’ll never get used to that.”
“Do you think he’s been here?” Adrienne asks, leading the pack as you all walk through the train station.
“I would think a high-ranking, old-ass vamp would know better than to leave their funk trailing everywhere,” Percy disagrees. “Maybe it’s a younger one.”
“Maybe we could get an actual kill tonight, then. Our first,” Adrienne suggests, and though her tone is nonchalant, her expression betrays her enthusiasm.
You chuckle. “Wishful thinking, but maybe that would make the seniors stop treating us like children for once.”
--
Your group ends up bouncing from the train station to a pub and then to a nearby park, where a festival is being held. There’s bright lanterns, food, dancing, singing, and little kids running around galore, which makes you think these citizens either don’t know about the recent vampire sighting in their area or don’t care.
You all spend an hour mingling around and checking out the festival’s fun-filled offerings, chatting in low tones about the recent vampire appearance and trying to put your skills to the test to scout out any other vampires that might be hiding in plain sight within this mass of people.
“Hey!” Adrienne’s shout rings across the area, and you whip your head around in shock as you watch her take off running behind some teenage boy, maybe 12 or 13 at most, who has managed to nip the digital ledger from her belt and take off with it.
“What the fuck?” Percy barks, and you all shoot each other a wild, surprised look before you and him follow behind her.
“Guys, really? Don’t leave me here!” Jisoo calls out from behind you. “You don’t need three people just to get the ledger back!”
You and Percy round the alley corner that Adrienne disappeared behind and spot her farther up ahead, still hot on the boy’s trail and cursing him profusely. He’s a lot faster than he looks. Just before you can get a good look at him, he’s turning down another road with her behind him.
“Maybe we can cut him off. I’ll go down one of the connecting streets,” Percy suggests.
“Wait, what? Shouldn’t we stay together?”
“That ledger is too important to lose to some street urchin, and the seniors will never let us leave campus again if we come back without it. You go that way, I’ll be down here.” He’s ducking into an adjacent alley before you can even respond.
“Shit…” you sigh and shake your head before running down the road he indicated.
You unstrap your silver staff from a hidden section of your pants and extend it, just to be safe.
This land is not overly familiar to you, with you only having been to Dresden a couple times before. You carefully navigate your way through the maze of interconnecting streets, listening for Percy’s and Adrienne’s footfalls, which have become distinctive to you by now, and the sounds of Adrienne’s yelling. There are few people on the streets, most of them at the festival or in their homes, which makes it easier to navigate and watch for the others as you catch glimpses of them rushing past neighboring alleys.
Percy bursts into the same alleyway Adrienne is running down, finally trapping the boy between them on either end of the narrow passageway. However, the boy remains undeterred from Percy charging toward him as he deftly jumps up onto a nearby closed dumpster and uses it to launch himself over the older man.
“Shit!” Percy makes a mad grab for the end of the boy’s shirt, but the boy is a few seconds faster and narrowly gives him the slip.
“Are you serious? You can’t catch a damn kid?!” Adrienne shouts; Percy only curses again and whips around to follow the boy.
You hear the commotion from a few roads over, and you make a beeline for the area.
Just before you make it there, Adrienne screams. The sound almost startles you into dropping your staff, and you tighten your grip around it. “Adrienne?! What’s happened?”
You reach the alleyway, your shoes skidding on the ground as you nearly overshoot it, but Adrienne is nowhere in sight. You look around confused and alarmed with your chest heaving, but there is no trace of her — when she was there only seconds ago. “Adrienne?” Repeating her name still doesn’t bring her out, and you see nothing as you walk farther into the narrow back street and search every shadow and corner. Something dark and distressing settles in your stomach, and when you catch a whiff of that blood-decay smell on the night breeze, your unease turns into an avalanche of fear.
“Percy,” you whisper, and you take off again. “Percy!”
Your heartbeat rushes in your ears, nearly blocking out all other sounds, and your legs and arms burn as you run. You are abruptly stopped in your tracks as there is another shorter sound, like someone suddenly being cut off in the middle of a scream.
You desperately want to call out for him, and the syllables of his name crawl up your throat though you struggle to contain them. The blood-decay smell still inundates your senses, and whatever vampire is skulking around this maze of streets with you is likely still present somewhere. You don’t want to call any attention to yourself with a shout, though it may already be too late. 
With a spiny chill driving itself down your back, you realize everything is suddenly silent. No insects, no night birds, no other people on the streets surrounding you.
Pushing the button on your staff ejects the silver blades from both ends, and you hold it for dear life as you stand in the middle of the dim alley, shivering despite your sweat and waiting for any hint that the monster is approaching you.
It happens so quickly that it’s almost outside of your perception.
The air around you grows significantly colder even with the existing chill from the early-winter season, and you shudder once more, your jaw clenching and molars chattering against each other. When you blink again, he is standing in front of you.
Taeyong.
Melting out of the shadows and becoming one with them all at the same time, a strange liminality similar to his existence—being alive and dead in the same time and space.
His mouth and chin are wet and red from blood, presumably that of your friends and teammates, which sends an intense ache through your stomach. The newness and excitement of the vampire sighting has drained out of you, replaced with stone cold dread. You’re not sure what any of you were thinking. Percy tried to warn you, but now he is likely dead for it.
Maybe it’s a foolish move. All your training has gone out the window in your panic and fear. You make a sloppy, sudden swipe at his front with the blade of your staff; and the next thing you know, it’s flying out of your hand and clattering feet away. Behind him, and out of reach.
It takes a second for you to realize he’s knocked it out of your hand without even touching it or you; his own hand is still raised with the movement of telekinetically shifting the object. “You came terribly unprepared. I guess I shouldn’t expect anything more from you fledglings.”
Your sweaty palm slides against the other leg of your pants where a smaller silver dagger is concealed in a tearaway pocket, but that idea is useless. In the time it’d take to get any weapon out, he could kill you.
“The Academy has really been in decline the last few decades. This is the caliber of hunters they’re putting out now?” Taeyong sucks his teeth, and he takes a step closer to you. Your entire body is on high-alert, but you feel too stiff to move a muscle, and you vaguely wonder if this is somehow his doing, too. Only in the stillness of this moment do you realize that you cannot detect any of that blood scent coming directly from him, though the putridness of it still lingers in your nose. It’s coming from somewhere else, then. This confuses you more.
When he realizes you aren’t going to speak, he stops approaching you and takes a moment to really study your face, his big and curious eyes blinking slowly. The redness of his irises and the shiny, pale quality of his skin from the moonlight shining on it make him look just as surreal as he truly is.
“You’re a pretty thing. Maybe I could make you one of mine.”
“Never,” you blurt out, and it’s the first thing you can bring yourself to say to the Vampire King.
“Oh, so you can speak.” Taeyong reaches for your chin. His fingers brush the underside of it, the coolness of his skin freezing you, before you snatch away from his touch, stumbling backwards. A flash of irritation sparks on his face. 
His hand reaches for you again, this time clasping at the back of your neck, and it is impossible to move away quickly enough. “Don’t waste any more of your time fighting. This will all be over soon. Well—this life, anyway.”
His teeth in your neck are sharper than needles, making your nerves twinge with stabbing pain; and then it’s strangely pleasant, like having painkillers injected into your veins. You can’t feel anything anymore except warmth and endorphins and his fangs inside you as the alley around you smears into a bunch of incomprehensible shapes—bricks, streetlights, strewn trash, Taeyong.
--
When you wake up, you’re in an unfamiliar place. An unfamiliar bed. You startle out of unconsciousness sweating and frightened, but with barely enough strength to push yourself up on your elbows. Looking around doesn’t provide you with many more clues; this space is murky with darkness, and your vision is foggy. You think you can make out the rectangular shape of a large curtained window, but it’s unclear.
You’re still wearing your clothes from the trip, although your backpack is now gone. Your throat has never felt drier in your life, and the pounding in your head threatens to split it clean apart.
You feel sick and feverish, like your body is trying to fight against some virus it’s picked up, but you haven’t the slightest idea where you could’ve contracted anything—you didn’t even eat at the festival—until you remember—
A door opens with a bang somewhere in the distance, and it isn’t until the footsteps grow nearer and a blurry figure approaches the bed that you realize the door is the entrance of the room you're in.
“You’ll want to feed soon.” As soon as those words break the quiet, you’re struck by the pungent smell of blood. Unlike the relative lack of response it would elicit any other time, its aroma pokes at a sudden and peculiar craving inside of you, and you find yourself futilely scrabbling on the bed to reach the source. “Lucky you. I have just what you need.”
There is a cold hand tilting your face up, the press of equally cold glass against your bottom lip, then the tang of blood entering your mouth. It is the best thing you have ever tasted, and a slowly dying, still-human part of you is horrified.
You finish the blood quickly. It doesn’t really seem like enough, but it does make you feel a little less like you’re actively decomposing. Despite your hazy vision, there is no misreading the small smile on Taeyong’s face.
“Happy Birthday, little one.”
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chasingpj · 4 years ago
Text
𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠
"You're more powerful than you think, Y/n. What's he gonna do? Splash you?"
pairing: percy jackson x child of hecate!reader
words: 4,321
warnings: none?? some violence but nothing gory
timeline: post sea of monsters
if you want to be tagged every time I update this story click here
a/n: i can't believe I actually posted this on time. i hope you guys like it!
Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four
Atticus leans against a tree, his hands in his pockets as he gives the wood nymphs a smirk that made you want to throw up. The three girls that stand in front of him giggle, nudging his shoulder playfully at something he said. You couldn't hear much from afar, but you doubt it was that funny, the girls just entertaining him because he's handsome or whatever. You scoff softly under your breath, turning away and sharing a look with Lou Ellen, who's scratching the backs of Ambrose's ears. The two of you rolling your eyes simultaneously before you turn on your heels.
While talking amongst themselves, your older brothers are huddled together, the three of them with furrowed eyebrows, serious stares seemingly deep in conversation. As Ernest takes a moment to look up from their circle, you meet his gaze. You don't fail to notice the nervous smile he gives you as he lightly jabs Alabaster in the ribs with his elbow. Furrowing your eyebrows, your steps become hesitant as Alabaster halts mid-sentence, his scowl fading into a friendly smile.
“What’s up?” You ask hesitantly. It was clear you had interrupted something. James and Ernest look at Alabaster, waiting for him to respond to your question. Alabaster shakes his head,
“Nothing. What happened? Got bored of watching your brother flirt with the wood nymphs?” He jokes with you, and you smile, willing to look past the strange tension between them.
“Not bored, more like I couldn’t stand it anymore,” you say, making your brothers chuckle.
“Dude’s got game,” Ernest nods proudly as he shrugs. You cringe,
“Gross.” Lou Ellen giggles as she joins you, her arms wrapping around yours. “Anyways, what are we doing to pass time today?”
Capture the flag was probably one of the activities you hated most at camp. Especially when you were playing on the same side as the Ares Cabin. None of you were strong sword fighters or archers, only relying on your powers in battle and this deemed you guys as not useful by Clarisse’s standards. This meant you and your siblings were always stationed at the same side of the forest where you rarely got any action.
Alabaster hums, his hands shoved in his pockets, “I was actually thinking that we should take over the game,” he suggests, and your eyes widen in surprise.
“What? Clarisse will lose her mind if we meddle with the game.” You really didn’t want to deal with her. Because of the run-ins you've had with her in the past, you preferred to stay out of her way because then, for the most part, she’ll stay out of yours. You were slow to anger, but when you got riled up about something, you raged. And in terms of Clarisse, she just knew how to get you there. Alabaster rolls his eyes,
"Yeah, well, we always lose because Clarisse takes the same approach every time. She has us tossed to the side as if we're useless. I'm serious; let’s prove ourselves. You can get the flag, Y/n. Take down Percy, and we'll cover you."
You shift, exchanging looks with your brothers. Not only were you surprised at Alabaster wanting to jump in the game, but he was also assigning you the task of taking down the other team's main defense. Alabaster was hands down your most powerful sibling at camp. Though you didn’t have a cabin, there was an unspoken agreement that he was the representative of the Hecate children. He’s been studying the longest and has taught you almost everything you know. You weren’t sure why he was putting you out there when he could do a better job at trapping Percy. Though Alabaster has praised you for being a quick learner and dedicated to your studies, you didn’t quite see the potential he obviously saw in you.
"I don't know… me against Percy? I don't think I'm the best one to put out there," you gradually begin mumbling your words as Alabaster’s face hardens at your self-doubt. He scoffs, looking off into the forest as he shakes his head,
"You’re more powerful than you think, Y/n. What is he gonna do? Splash you?" You gawk at him, not sure if he was discrediting Percy's powers or if he was truly ignorant to what he could do. You haven't seen Percy do much in person, but from the stories you've heard about what he's done on his quests, you couldn't act like he wasn't powerful. Your brother’s chuckle at what Alabaster said, and Ernest nods,
“You got this, Y/n. Remember, our powers are almost limitless; it all depends on up here,” he says as he taps your forehead with his index finger softly. “Your mind can be your sidekick or your downfall.”
You smile at the reminder and nod. Your siblings have always been your biggest motivators when it came to your magic. There are only 8 of you, so you guys are a tight-knit group, always encouraging each other to excel in your abilities.
Though you guys are all around the same age, you look up to your brothers the most. Alabaster, Ernest, and James are the most knowledgeable ones out of the bunch. They were usually the ones giving demonstrations of spells and potions, passing you notes from their book of shadows. James taught you and Atticus how to control your magic when you were angry, Alabaster taught you most of your defense magic, and Ernest just had a way of being able to lift everyone's spirits. They believed in you, you all believed in each other, and you couldn’t ask for a better family.
Still, with their words of praise and advice, you were still hesitant about going head to head with Percy. You didn’t want to disappoint them, though, not wanting to seem scared or weak.
“Okay, fine." Your siblings chatter excitedly, Alabaster smiling proudly as he pats your shoulder.
“Atticus!” Alabaster shouts, interrupting whatever your brother was saying to the wood nymphs.
“Yeaah?”
“Come over here.” Alabaster chuckles as Atticus's shoulders slump. He looks at the girls he was talking to, smiling at them before dismissing himself.
“What is it? I was on a roll,” he says, playfully annoyed.
“They’re sending me out as bait,” you say dramatically as you frown. Atticus furrows his eyebrows,
“Uh, what?” You laugh at his reaction, Alabaster side-eyeing you with a smile on his own face.
“What she means is she’s going to take down Percy, and we’re gonna handle the guys around the flag. James, Ernest, and I are gonna shadow travel as far as we can, which is maybe a little before their last line of defense, okay? You, Lou Ellen, Sage, and Alice are gonna deal with the Apollo kids,” he says, the 7 of you listening attentively. You shift on your feet; head cocked to the side as you raise your hand.
“Yes?”
“If you guys can shadow travel closer to the flag, why don’t you guys end the game?”
“Because it’ll piss Clarisse off even more if it's you,” James smirks, and your jaw drops,
“Oh, now, you’re really throwing me into the line of fire, huh?” Your face is straight as your siblings laugh, and you cross your arms over your chest. “I don’t know why you guys are laughing. I don’t find this very funny,” you retort, looking away to hide your smile. You couldn’t deny that you wanted to see Clarisse’s reaction when she realizes it was you who got the flag.
“When you have the flag, and it’s time to run back to the pond, you have to become ethereal,” Alabaster says, and you blink,
“What?! I just learned how to do that! And I did it at night,” you say, a little panicked. “I don’t know if I can hold it for long and-”
“You’ll do it,” Alabaster cuts you off, and you take a step back as Ambrose whines in displeasure. He definitely wasn’t giving you a choice, and it bothered you. You were grateful for his belief in you, but you really hated how nonchalant he was, considering you could get hurt. “Ready?” He asks the rest of the group, moving on from your concern and your jaw clenches. You feel unprepared, but it seems like it didn’t matter, so you didn’t bother saying anything else.
“Whatever,” you mumble, and you walk past your siblings, your familiar trotting close behind you. Before you disappear in the trees, you hear Atticus say something about not being sure if you should go out there alone before Alabaster shuts him down.
It didn’t take you long to arrive near the pond. Dodging the twigs and leaves on the forest ground, you get as close as you can, hiding behind a tree. You cautiously peek over the side to see if Percy was by the pond as he usually was and to your surprised, the pond is unguarded. You consider making a run for it but something about this felt too easy. Why wouldn't he be at the pond? A high-pitched whine comes from Ambrose’s lips, snapping you out of your thoughts and you quietly shush him, not wanting to get caught.
“Looking for me?” A familiar voice says, and you turn around fast finding Percy a few feet from you, his sword up and ready. The Percy you were met with in the past week or so always had this friendly glint to him. But right now, his eyes were clouded with determination. You feel your heart beating hard in your chest, but you maintain a pretty good poker face as you pull the dagger that’s strapped to your thigh in one motion.
You were by no means a strong sword fighter. Like everyone else, you attended a few classes initially, but it didn’t take you long to realize it wasn’t your domain. It didn’t come as natural for you as the other campers, and you hated when you weren’t good at something right away. After many defeats, you gave up, deciding you’ll excel in your magic so you can depend on it instead.
Your strategy was to go head to head with Percy with your abilities, not like this. Before you could adjust your plan, Percy makes the first move, lunging toward you. His movements were fast and strong, and you were struggling to keep up from the start. You grunt as you manage to defend his attacks, not confident enough to go for a hit because you weren’t sure of your timing. You had to think fast. There was no way you'd be able to win in this sword fight. So you did the last thing he'd expect, you ran away.
"Hey!" Percy calls after you, and you can hear the confusion in his voice. He looks around, not sure if this was some way to distract him or if you really gave up on the fight.
You turn around when you’re about 10 feet from him and you quickly shove your dagger into its casing. Electric green orbs form at the palms of your hands, and you swallow as concentrate on the tug in your gut. Your eyes meet Percy’s, the other now understanding what you were doing once he sees you form the orbs in your hands. He smiles, accepting the challenge as he caps his sword before shoving it in his pocket. His fingers spread out, his arm extended on his sides. He takes a deep breath as he channels his energy, and before you could send out your first attack, you see the water from the pond behind him rising in a thick controlled stream.
As he sends the stream right to you, you felt like everything went in slow motion. Your pulse is loud in your ears, and you focus on your energy, grunting loudly as you send out a thick green beam right at his water. You squint your eyes as you feel droplets splashing on your face from where your magic met his stream. There is a loud hissing in the air as the intense heat from your energy evaporates the water on impact. You’re out of breath by the time Percy retreats, his eyes darkening as he formulates another plan to attack.
Not letting him muster something stronger than what he did before, you begin throwing energy orbs at his feet rapidly, watching the heat burn the grass as Percy jumps back every time.
You had a new plan now, and as ridiculous as it sounded, a part of it was to get him in the pond. Most people would want to get him away from the water, but that would be too easy of a solution, and he’d be expecting that strategy. You had decided that you had to use his powers against him. Just as you planned, Percy eventually jumps into the water with a cocky smirk and you bite your lip. Don’t mess this up.
You close your eyes, feeling a tug in your core as you imagine yourself teleporting behind Percy. When you open them, you’re met with the back of his head, and before he can look around for you, you kick him behind the knees hard. He groans, falling forward into the water.
"Sorry!" You mumble as you jump out of the pond. The water begins to rise around him, and with the most confident voice you can muster, you shout,
“Incantare: Conglacio!" Your arms spread up in front of you, toward the pond. Almost immediately, the water that was risen suddenly becomes frozen solid around Percy. He grunts as he tries to move, quickly realizing that he was trapped in the ice from the knee down. You weren't sure of the extent of Percy's control over water, and you take into consideration that he may be able to change the temperature of it, but you don't wait to find out.
You speed past the pond, Ambrose racing after you, and he barks loudly. Not wanting to make the mistake of ignoring his warnings, you look up and you see campers from the Apollo cabin settled on the branches already pulling back their arrows.
“Where are they?” You mutter, hearing the whooshing noise of the bows being released. Anger and annoyance swirl in your chest at your sibling's late timing. You were already on edge about this whole plan. Now that you’ve taken down one of your big hurdles, you were determined to finish this game, not wanting to feel like a fool for trying if you failed.
Your orbs glow green with the returning of your aura, and you shout angrily as you abruptly stop running. In one quick motion, you extend your arms beside you with clenched fists, blasting a veil of your energy like a force field. The force sends their arrows in the opposite direction and manages to knock a few Apollo campers off the trees. You didn’t knock all of them, but it bought you enough time to run as they tried to regain their balance. Halfway through, you hear shouting and groaning as your siblings take down the rest and bind their arms behind their backs with magic.
You run past the Apollo cabin's defense, and soon, you arrive where the flag is. James and Ernest entertain the two disarmed Athena campers that were guiding the flag, fighting them with their hands while Alabaster tied up a couple of other campers in the trees nearby.
“Grab her!” One of the Athena campers yells, his partner lunging toward you without hesitation. You manage to dodge his attempt, the other grunting as he falls from the force that didn't meet your body.
The moment you were close enough to snatch the flag out of the ground and you hear your brothers cheering you on as you sprint back. Your mind races, not sure when you should attempt to become ethereal, and you begin to worry if you’ll even transform at all. Soon, you're greeted with your answer as you catch sight of Mark, one of Clarisse’s brothers, sprinting toward you, and you curse under your breath. Mark will take the flag from you and run back with it himself and you couldn't just let him claim you win. It was much earlier than you wanted, but there was no other choice.
You let out a rough breath, and you focus hard, recalling what you felt the night you transformed for the first time. A gradual tingle becomes more intense as it starts from your fingertips and from the tips of your toes. The sensation creeps up your arms and legs until it meets together in your stomach and as your core vibrates, you smile, knowing you’ve succeeded.
Your siblings shout at you excitedly from the sidelines, the moment you transform, laughing and taunting Mark while he makes useless attempts to grab you. You focus hard to maintain the vibrating in your core as you approach the river, afraid that you will lose your hold. As you get closer to the pond, you lock eyes with Annabeth as she, Percy, and a few others are waiting for your arrival.
If you weren't ethereal, she would have tackled you straight to the ground no problem, but as expected, she ran right through you. The other campers attempt to catch you after Percy sends out a thick slash of water that would have grabbed you by the waist and up in the air.
“What?! How are you doing that?!” Annabeth shouts, and you don’t say anything as finally get to the other side of the pond and you stab the flag in the ground. Your muscles and chest burn, and you double over, hands on your knees to catch your breath. The satyrs blow the horn and at the sound of it, echoing through the forest, signally your triumph, you manage a ragged laugh.
The distant cheers of your siblings become louder as they appear from the trees, running to you. The energy in your core disperses as you turn back to normal, but you don't have much time to recover. The moment your brothers approach you, you feel yourself being picked up and tossed in the air.
“Guys! Please,” you choke through your laughs, squealing when they throw you a little too high for your liking. You look over to your right, seeing Percy smiling, silently congratulating you as Annabeth was pink with anger.
As your brothers put you down, you notice Malcolm showing up a few seconds late with your team’s flag in his hand. Behind him, Clarisse stomps towards you with a few of her friends following beside her. You had to admit, it was kind of satisfying being the one to get the flag, but if looks could kill, you’d be dead.
“Uh oh,” you mumble as she approaches you, your siblings huddling close beside you protectively, and even Ambrose stands in front of you, growling deeply.
“You messed up the game!” She accuses, and your head jerks back,
“Are you joking? I won the game. Mark was barely halfway by the time I was running here.”
“It doesn’t matter! He would have made it.”
“He really wouldn’t have,” James points out, and Clarisse snaps her attention to him.
“Either way, you guys were supposed to stay on the north side of the forest! You freaks have no place in games like this, anyways.”
“Bold of you to say considering we won the game for you,” you say through a clenched jaw, your eyes glowing as you feel your anger stirring in your chest. You hated when you and your siblings were outed in the camp. Being called freaks or avoided because people deemed you guys as too dangerous without giving you chance, angered you the most. It just wasn't fair.
You laugh, not from amusement, but from disbelief. At this point, you didn’t care, you were at a high after your win, and if Clarisse wanted to fight about it, you were up for it. “Is your pride that wounded, Clarisse? Maybe you aren’t as good as you think you are,” you walk up to her, ignoring Atticus's hesitant calling of your name.
The way Clarisse’s eyes darken failed to intimidate you in your furious state. You guys were practically nose to nose, and in the reflection of her eyes, you can see your aura illuminate wildly around. As Clarisse draws her sword, you smirk, ready to blast her into the trees the moment she decided to move.
“Girls,” Chiron’s voice booms through the silence as he walks through the trees, and the both of you look over. He doesn’t say anything else, the tone of his voice being enough of a warning.
Atticus gently pulls on your arm, and you unwillingly back down. Clarisse scoffs, and she pushes past you hard causing you to stumble back. Atticus catches you from behind, letting you regain your balance and you rub your shoulder, looking back to watch her storming through the forest.
“You did well, Y/n,” Chiron praises, and you smile at him before he goes off to announce the winning of your team. Everyone except for the Ares Campers and the opposite team cheers loudly, excited to have fewer chores after a streak of losing. Soon the team crowds around you, and your siblings start telling a dramatic interpretation of what you did forcing you to chime in here and there as some of the things they described were a little off from the truth. You smile, listening to their chattering, and eventually, you fall behind the crowd as they begin talking about something else. Suddenly, a hand rests on your shoulder, and you look beside you, Alabaster with a proud look on his face.
“I told you you’d do it,” he says teasingly.
“Yeah, yeah.” You wave your hand, lightly nudging his hand off your shoulder. The last thing you wanted was for him to start his ‘I told you so’ speech. “I get it, you believe in me, and whatever,” you joke, and Alabaster laughs,
“I’m serious, Y/n. You’re-”
“More powerful than you think. I know.” You finish his sentence as you shift on your feet. “I guess you’re right,” you admit, mumbling under your breath.
“What was that?” He asks as he leans closer as if he didn’t hear you. You nudge his shoulder and scoff,
“If you missed what I said, then too bad!” You declare as you walk ahead of him. You hear his laughter, and he decides to let it go as he returns to walk with your brothers, Ambrose happily trotting behind him.
“Y/n!” At the call of your name, you turn around, Percy jogging over to you. You giggle, amused at how sweet he looked after being able to intimidate you during the game. “I can’t believe you apologized after kicking me."
“I felt bad,” you admit sheepishly, making him laugh. “How did you get out of the ice?” You ask, playing with the hem of your shorts. He hums,
“It took me a while to figure it out, but apparently I can change the temperature of the water,” he explains, and you nod.
“Yeah, I figured you might be able to. I won’t be using that again,” you say playfully, and Percy smiles.
“What you did was really cool,” he compliments, and you feel your cheeks warm up. Out of all the praise that you’ve heard just now, Percy’s made you feel different. “I have to look out for you now,” he nudges you.
“Yeah, you better watch out, Jackson. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve,” you warn him, and you take in how he gleams at your banter, making you smile even more.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m just happy that you can’t trap me in my own element; that would have been embarrassing.”
“I’m kind of bummed about that. It would have been funny if I did, though," you tease and Percy scoffs playfully.
“Y/n!” Alabaster calls on you and the other waves for you to come to him. “You have to rest,” he says shortly. You couldn’t read the expression on his face, but he didn’t look too pleased. You frown and nod, disappointed that your conversation was cut short with Percy.
“I’ll see you later,” you smile softly, and Percy nods.
“Yeah, same,” he says, returning the smile before you turn around to join your siblings back to the cabin.
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joezworld · 4 years ago
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I loved your fic "Mind Reading, Soul Stealing, Red Eyed, Diesel Electric Monsters!".
It got me wondering, how would Oliver react to meeting Rusty, Mavis and Salty. This would preferably take place either before or quite after your fic.
It would certainly be interesting interactions, especially with sweet little Rusty.
Mavis/Daisy
“Did you hear?” Daisy asked Mavis one morning as she brought the workers to the mine. “The Fat Controller’s found another engine - and a steamer at that!” 
“Really?” Mavis said as she lined up trucks to take down to Ffarquhar. “I didn’t think there were many left?”
“Mmhmm. This one’s been ‘on the run’ from BR. Made it all the way up from the West Country - apparently it took him all year, hiding in sidings and whatnot.” 
Mavis looked ill. “And I don’t suppose he met any nice diesels during his trip?”
Daisy side-eyed her. “He called me a 'coach possessed by Satan' and hid behind Donald until I left.” 
“I see.” Mavis didn’t look any less uncomfortable. “Maybe I’ll let him get settled in before I make myself known.”
“Too late for that.” Daisy chuckled fatalistically. “The Fat Controller wants him to do some general traffic work while they reopen a branch for him and Duck. He’s coming here tomorrow. For a week.”
Mavis’ eyes widened. “Oh no.”
-
Three days later, Mavis trundled down the tramway to Ffarquhar, a long line of trucks behind her. She was feeling poorly - the quarry company had received a batch of diesel that was sub-standard, and her motor was blowing thick clouds of sooty exhaust everywhere she went. The heavy train wasn’t helping matters, and she looked like a steam engine as she left a thick black cloud in her wake. 
As she approached the station, the sound of arguing could be heard. 
“- and I will not!” Bellowed an unfamiliar voice belonging to an unfamiliar green tank engine. “She is going to replace us! Just you wait and see!” 
Various unprintable statements followed this - it seemed like Percy had either woken up on the wrong side of the shed this morning, or he’d fully accepted Daisy as his friend and was defending her as such. 
Speaking of Daisy... “She has already been here for seven years, darling.” The railcar said in a voice so smooth it was practically dripping oil. “And if she has done nothing yet, then why would she do something at all?”  
“I don’t know! But I’m not going to sit here and do nothing while you enact your evil scheme!”
“What evil scheme?” Thomas shouted above the din. He’d arrived with a train of empties for Mavis to take back to the quarry, and was not happy about how Daisy was being slandered. 
“Evidently I have one.” Daisy muttered dryly while the tank engine sputtered about her “admitting it!”
It took a few more minutes for Thomas to bring the situation mostly under control. Mavis, having stayed mostly out of sight in the goods yard, was quietly shoving her train into a siding when Thomas mentioned her name. 
“- and look at Mavis over there. She’s been here for just as long as Daisy has and she’s not evil!”
Trying to be helpful, Mavis gave a toot of her horn as he pushed the brake van out of the way. 
This was evidently the wrong thing to do. The tank engine’s eyes almost popped out of his smoke box as he stared at Mavis and the cloud of black smoke pouring from her stack. 
“IT’S POSSESSED A STEAM ENGINE! I TOLD YOU THEY WERE EVIL!!!” He shrieked, and fled the yard so quickly it seemed like magic.
The yard was silent for a moment. Everyone stared at each other as they tried to process what had just happened. The tank engine had definitely just run through a red signal and left all his wagons in the yard as well, so they were going to have to deal with that in due time. 
“Well,” Daisy said as calmly as one could in this situation, her eyes never leaving the trail of black smoke that trailed in the runaway tank engine’s wake. “At least he didn’t explode.”
Rusty
Peter Sam watched the big railway with some degree of wariness. They’d just acquired a new steam locomotive from the mainland, and he didn’t seem to be a fan of diesels, no matter their size. Sir Handel had spoken at length about how this engine had spoken ill of Rusty even when the little diesel wasn’t there to stand up for himself. 
Skarloey had looked especially aggrieved, and had swapped trains with Rheneas that morning to see if he could give the big engine a piece of his mind. 
Of course, that was easier said than done, and midday heat had lulled both engines into a mild doze. 
The clatter of an engine approaching caused Peter Sam to lazily open his eyes. The new standard gauge engine was sitting nearby, looking at them quizzically. 
“You don’t look like the ones I met last night.” He said. 
“No.” Said Skarloey, who was evidently awake even though his eyes were shut. “There’s more of us than that.”
“Oh!” The other engine said brightly. “In that case, I’m-”
“I don’t care who you are.” Skarloey said with much more bite to his tone than Peter Sam had ever heard before. 
“I beg your pardon?”
“You won’t get any, but you can try.” Skarloey said without opening his eyes. “I heard what you said about my friend Rusty. Now, I don’t care what your actual thoughts about diesels are - I understand that you’ve had a bad experience with them, but Rusty is too innocent to hear your hurtful remarks.”
The old engine paused, and Peter Sam tried to not look like he was staring in shock - he’d never seen Skarloey speak to anyone like this.
Skarloey continued. “If I ever hear you speak to Rusty like that,” 
His eyes opened, and both Peter Sam and the big engine lurched back from the deep-seated malice in his gaze. 
“The difference in gauges will not save you. Understand?”
Salty
(I’d like to point out that I’m really not sure if Salty would fit into an Awdry-style universe, so this may or may not be canon)
“So then the Ghost Ship rose out of the deep! Lighting flashed, and ice crackled - the two tugboats were scared out o’ their minds by images of King Neptune that they saw in the fog!” 
Salty’s story was in full swing, and the dockside machinery were enjoying themselves, but the visiting diesel was having none of it. 
“Oh come on, that’s not scary!” He protested. “I’ve seen worse than that with my own eyes!”
Salty grinned. “Oh-kay then! What have ye got? Some buffer-tingling story is just what I need!”
“Oh. Well, it’s not a story really.” The Class 37 said. “It’s just - I’ve been doing the scrap trains recently, and let me tell you, going through the lines of dead steamers is scary even in the day - and I’ve had to go out there at night!”
That kind of took the air out of shed. Salty, the cranes, and a tramp steamer within earshot all looked dejected. 
“What?” The 37 asked. “It is scary!”
“Aye, lad, it is, but this be Sodor,” Salty said slowly. “And we don’t like that ‘round these parts. It’s too depressing, especially for the steamers.”
As if to illustrate his point, a steam whistle sounded in the distance - a small green tank engine trundled around the side of a building and appeared in the distance. 
With a barely audible “YIPE!”, he took one look at the pair of diesels, screeched to a halt, and went steaming backwards as fast as he could. 
“Y’see?” Salty said after a moment. “We don’t do that here.”
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imaginesxfandoms · 4 years ago
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Christmas at the burrow
Advent Calendar : Day 1 Harry Potter
Weasley!reader (female) x Oliver Wood (just mentionned)
A/N this is the first day of my advent calendar, I don’t know if i will be able to carry on till the 24th but I will try my best.
Summary : The reader is a Weasley and spent Christmas with her family and friends and a certain conversation reveals her crush. - For the purpose of the story the reader is in her 6th year and the golden trio are in their 3rd year. She is one year younger than Percy and one year older than the twins.
Disclaimer : None. Also English is not my first language :)
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! Not my GIF !
For the first time in a long while, all the Weasleys were reunited for Christmas. Bill exceptionally came home from Egypt, Charlie had taken a few days off and left Romania to go and see his family for the holidays, even Harry and Hermione got the chance to join them. After what happened this year, Molly wouldn’t let Harry stay at Hogwarts, it was too dangerous according to her. 
Y/N was so happy , she got to finally see her two older brothers again, even if she loved her other siblings she had a stronger bond with Bill and Charlie. When she was a little girl they were always playing together, they taught her everything she knows about quidditch, even rough tactics, which led to several minor accidents. But when that happened, her brothers were always there to comfort her. When she was not playing quidditch she would study and learn about various spells and potions with Percy which made her top of the class. Charlie, Bill and Percy always were very protective toward her, never in a toxic way but they would never let anyone hurt her or her feelings.
When Percy, Y/N, George, Fred, Ron, Hermione and Harry arrived at the train station Molly was happily waiting for them along with Charlie. The Weasleys couldn’t hide their joy and all jumped from the train and ran towards their brother. After Charlie introduced himself to Harry and Hermione, the group made its way out of the station to join Arthur and Bill at the Burrow.
They were all so joyful and excited to see Bill again but Molly insisted that they had to tidy up their belongings before dinner. Emptying their suitcase didn’t take long and they were now all running down the stairs to sit at the large table where they had a lovely meal with a lot of laughs and storytelling.   
A week had passed by and all the family did was cooking, wrapping presents, playing quidditch despite the cold weather and spending nights all gathered around the fire to hear stories and talk about their lives.
One particular night , all the children had meet up at their usual spots, Percy was sitting on the first armchair while Ginny and Hermione shared the second one, Harry, Ron, George and Fred were sitting on the ground with pillows and cushions under them, whereas Y/N was squished between Bill and Charlie on the small couch. They were all quiet at first in order to not wake their parents but when the stories got more and more interesting, they couldn’t help but start shouting.
- “So Y/N, next year you are going to be the oldest Weasley sibling in Hogwarts, uh ? You will have to keep an eye on everyone.” Charlie carried on.
- “I don’t think I can, it seems that none of these one wants to survive.” She answered pointing at her younger siblings. “They are always trying to get either expelled or killed.” She said, making everyone laugh. “On top of that it’s Percy’s last year, it will be sort of strange to not have him around anymore.” She said, making her twins brother breathe in relief which earned them smacks on the head from Ginny.
- “I am sure you will do great on your own, plus it’s not me you're sad to see leave it’s Oliver isn’t it ?'' Percy said with an amused look on his face while several “oooh” echoed coming from the friend group.
- “Wait, wait, who is it ? You’ve never talked about him before. Is it your crush ? Your boyfriend maybe ?” Your older brothers asked as they both turned their heads towards you making you uncomfortable.
- “No ! He is just a friend.” You answered the blooding rushing to your already hot cheeks.
- “Well maybe for you” “You should hear how he talks about you” said Fred and George.
- “Or how he looks at you at practice, he always admires the way you're flying across the pitch and worries about you when you play.” Ginny added.
- “Remember when he rushed to Y/N when she almost fell off her broom ? He didn’t even bother to go and see Harry as he had just fallen and broke his arm.” Ron said, making everyone node accept Bill and Charlie.
- “It seems that this boy really likes you Y/N” Charlie added with a smirk on his face.
As the others carried on with another discussion you couldn’t help but think about Oliver, did he really like you ? Did the crush you have on him since your first year when you went to sit next to Percy at the Gryffindor table and saw him, made you blind and you didn't see his attempt of confessing his feelings ? He was trying for years and all you saw was friendship while you wanted more.
Before you went to bed that night, you wrote a letter and sent it to him hoping for an answer the next day.
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bots-basket · 1 year ago
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Musical time eh?
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"Mmhm! I'm really excited to be back, and during mermay no less! So many of my friends are now cute fishies!"
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tricksters-captain · 4 years ago
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Weasley Twins/Cedric Diggory Imagines - Accidental Meeting - Part 8
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AN: Sorry for the wait, folks! 
Overall Summary: (Y/n), is a young witch who always kept her head down due to her complicated past; one day she bumps quite literally into one of the most popular boys in Hogwarts, Cedric Diggory, and that’s when (Y/n)’s plan of keeping her head down seems to go up into the air. Things only seem to worsen when two redheaded twins start to take notice too...
This Chapter: As the snow settles, will your dispute with Cedric settle too?
(MASTERLIST HERE)
Pairing(s): Cedric Diggory x Reader, (Eventual) George Weasley x Reader, (Platonic) Fred Weasley x Reader, (Platonic) Oliver Wood x Reader
Word Count: 3,336
Warnings: Some strong language
You had avoided Cedric mostly and when Fred and George had teased you about it, you snapped which warned them that it was not the right time for it. 
Oliver kept trying to convince you that Cedric only meant to do good and that you were being too harsh on him. 
You didn’t listen. 
Your mood only worsened when the snow started to stick. 
It got colder and darker very quickly so you found yourself huddled by the common room fire more often than not. That didn’t help Cedric as he would normally catch you outside or in the corridors. 
Fred and George sat beside you as you as tried to study by the fire with a knitted blanket wrapped around you. 
You looked up at them as they spoke but no sound reached you. 
The twins looked between each other and then back at you, speaking again but you frowned at them. 
Then you remembered. 
You pulled the cotton buds out of your ears and the loud hustle and bustle of the common room flooded your head. 
“Blimey, (Y/n), that brings a whole new meaning to a head full of cotton wool.” Fred teased you as he realised why you couldn’t hear. 
“It’s not cotton wool, it’s from one of my plants in the greenhouses. It stops all sounds, just gives you complete silence. It’s popular for anyone who dares to visit Azkaban.” You explained, after all the main reason for your greenhouse is growing magical plants for your own advantage. 
“Well, what I said before I realised you were temporarily death, Seyler, was that personally I think it’s for the best.” Fred repeated what he said when he sat down,
“What is?” You were confused. 
“Dating the enemy can only go wrong.” George chimed in which made you realise what they were talking about. 
“And he’s a prefect! You don’t need another Percy in your life.” Fred tried his best to make you smile but you just let your eyes return to your parchment and textbook. 
“Cheer up, (Y/n). You haven’t stopped studying in days.” Fred pinched your arm which made you flinch away from the boy with an unimpressed look. 
“You’re almost worse than Granger.” George referred to his younger brothers best friend and you just rolled your eyes. 
“We have exams this year, it’s what we should be focusing on.” You chided the both of them. 
You then noticed that Harry Potter and his two friends had entered the common room and you were thankful that the twins noticed too and decided to bother them instead. 
You pushed the magic cotton buds back into your ears and zoned out for the rest of the evening. 
Oliver had been observing you over the past few days. He saw you crawl back into your shell after the fight with Cedric and he realised how much he preferred you when you didn’t have your head in the sand. 
As much as he didn’t really like Cedric, he knew he was good for you just by the way you looked more alive after seeing him. Your light shone a bit brighter. 
He also knew that you’d need someone else to confide in after he had left at the end of the year and he thought that Cedric could be that one; even if it would only be another year for the boy himself before he left too. 
He also though that potentially the twins could be there for you especially after the other day with Lizzie Beckett. But he also realised you’d need more time to warm up to them before that happened. 
Oliver tapped you on the shoulder and you looked up to see who it was before removing your ear plugs.
“Hey Oli.” You sent him a small smile as he knelt down beside you. 
“We still on for Hogsmeade this weekend?” He asked, hoping to get you out of the common room for once. 
“I don’t know, Oli... I...” You looked down at your quill then back up at the boy who just stared at you bluntly. 
“Look, I don’t care what you say, (Y/n). You’re leaving this common room this weekend with me. Wrap up warm cause I hate to tell ya there’s snow out there.” Oliver pushed off his knees and back up to his feet. 
“Oli... Don’t make me.” You whined like a child and Oliver just laughed. 
“I’ll see you in the morning, first thing!” Oliver walked away and you watched him disappear into his dorms. 
You were only praying Cedric was planning a weekend in so you didn’t bump into him. 
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In the morning, the snow outside was falling lightly and you struggled to get out of bed. 
You rolled over on your mattress and watched the snowflakes fall against the window which was slightly fogged from the warmth of your dorm compared to the cold of outside. 
The log burner in the middle of the dorm was still crackling quietly and Angelina was still asleep. 
You let your fingers brush over your knitted blanket and sighed quietly. 
You didn’t want to leave your warm bed. 
You took your time getting ready to go even though you knew Oliver would be annoyed if you took too long. 
You zipped up your coat, wrapped your Gryffindor scarf around your neck and pulled on your hat then you went down to finally meet Oliver. 
“You’re unbelievably slow at getting ready in the morning, you know that right?” Oliver grumbled as you left the common room to head to the station. 
Many other students were already at the station waiting for the next train to Hogsmeade when you both arrived. 
“Want to visit the shrieking shack? Heard some rumours that the locals have been hearing the screams again recently.” Oliver asked as you waited for the train to arrive. 
“I thought you could always hear screams hence the name ‘shrieking shack’.” Your morning attitude was shining through as you answered back. 
“If you expect me to spend the day with you, I’m gonna need you to lose the morning personality and actually smile.” Oliver warned you, being only half serious, so you sent him a forced smile. “Better.” Oliver nodded. 
The train didn’t take long to get into Hogsmeade and you both walked along the snow covered streets arm in arm. 
“So Christmassy... It’s only November.” You couldn’t help but comment on the choir of dwarves singing carols nearby. 
“It’s like the middle of November. It’s snowing and the end of term isn’t as far away as you think, (Y/n). Let them feel the Christmas spirit.” Oliver replied as he starred into the window of Spintwitches sporting needs. 
“If you want to go in, I’ll head over to Tomes and Scrolls and we can meet back at the Three Broomsticks?” You suggested after shaking your head at the boy. 
“Wait outside of the Three Broomsticks if you get there before me! I hate walking inside and have everyone stare whilst I try and find you.” Oliver told you which only made you laugh. 
“Fine.” You reached up and pulled the boy’s hat off his head which made him reach for yours but you ducked out the way, tossing it back to him. 
 You trudged through the thick snow towards the book shop when Fred and George stumbled out of Zonko’s behind you. 
“Hey, (Y/n)!” Fred called after you but you recognised his voice and kept walking ahead. 
That’s when you felt it. 
The snow ball hit you dead smack in the middle of your back. 
You turned around slowly to face them only to be met with another to the chest. 
“You shits!” You ducked as Fred went to throw another. 
“Can’t use your arm, Seyler?” Fred asked as he scooped up some more snow. 
You scoffed reaching down to pick up your own snowball and you lobbed it at Fred but it hit George. 
You bit down on your lower lip as you realised you’d just started a war. 
You ducked down behind an old barrel and screamed as the twins pelted snowballs in your direction. 
You let your head poke out to the side as you searched for a way to beat them. 
You pulled out your wand and used a levitating spell to send a large pile of snow off Zonko’s roof above the twins. 
“You’re not gonna win this!” George shouted from afar. 
“I think I will!” You called back before dumping the pile on the two. 
The twins yelled out as they were soaked in snow and you took off from behind the barrel. 
You screamed as the twins chased after you, still sending snowballs your way. 
People stopped and watched as you ran in between them to get away from the twins. 
As you skidded round a corner, you spotted Oliver outside the Three Broomsticks. 
“Oli! Help!” You shrieked as you launched yourself behind him, using him as a shield. 
The twins stopped in front of Oliver with red faces and snowballs in their hands. 
“Move aside, Wood. Our war isn’t with you.” Fred panted out as he straightened up. 
“You guys are ridiculous.” Oliver chuckled, trying to move out of the way. 
You kept hold of him and dragged him backwards towards the door so you could be safe inside the pub. 
“We’ll get you next time, (Y/n).” George yelled as the door closed on the twins. 
“What happened to going to the book store?” Oliver asked, shaking off his coat as you sat in a booth. 
“Evil redheaded twins happened.” You did the same, unravelling your scarf too. 
“Two Butterbeers please.” Oliver ordered as you fell back against your chair. 
The drinks came over quickly and you hummed happily as you took a sip. 
“So, tell me...” Oliver put his glass down with a moustache of cream. “What’s going on with you and Diggory?” 
“Really? Honestly, Oli, you’re the last person I expected to––”
“––You’ve been moping around the common room for days. Don't think I can’t see you hiding yourself in your work.” Oliver interrupted you and you could tell that today, he wasn’t having any of your bullshit. 
“He embarrassed me, Oli.” You admitted, “He didn’t have to do what he did and he definitely didn’t have to do it in front of the whole school.” 
“He was making an example, can’t you see?!” Oliver groaned at your silliness. “He was basically telling the whole school that no one should mess with you because you’re his!” 
“But I’m not his, Oliver!” You snapped at him. 
Oliver sat back against his chair and raised his eyebrows at you. 
“Why are you pushing this?” You asked, leaning towards him with an apologetic look for snapping. 
“Because he makes you happy.” Oliver confessed. “I can see it plain as day. I’m your best friend, (Y/n), you can’t hide this from me.” 
“You make me happy.” You shrugged. 
“I’ll be gone after this year. Do you really want to be on your own?” Oliver poked at that wound. 
“So what? You think that I need someone else to latch on to, just like everyone else says?” You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. 
“No, (Y/n).” Oliver said. “I think you like this guy and if you want to regret pushing away your first real relationship then keep going the way you’re going, lass.” 
“Oliver, my life... my... me... It’s more complicated than that.” You tried to defend yourself but failed. 
“You’re using any excuse to sabotage this just like you have before.” Oliver reminded you once again about the times you tried to push him away. 
“Look where that left me.” You gestured between the two of you. 
“Look, even if you don’t go back to the guy, at least forgive him. He was only trying to help.” Oliver concluded that conversation before picking his drink back up. 
There was a silence before you suggested getting some food. 
After a little while, you sent Oliver out of the pub to see if the Twins were there but they weren’t. 
You felt your heart stop when you saw the tousled brown hair and the yellow Hufflepuff scarf from across the street. 
Cedric was with some of his usual gaggle. 
His eyes met you as he laughed at something someone said and you quickly looked down. 
Oliver’s hand found the small of your back and he pushed you towards the boy as Cedric left his own group to speak with you. 
“I’ll see you later.” Oliver excused himself as Cedric finally stood before you.
You shot him daggers with your eyes as he walked away, giving you a thumbs up. 
“(Y/n).” Cedric started, “I really am sorry about the other day.”
“I know.” You kicked the snow with your boot as you shrank away a little. 
“I, um, I was walking here when I saw these.” Cedric pulled a small handful of tiny flowers out of his pocket and you felt your chest flutter at the sight. 
They were snowdrops. 
“You remembered?” You asked as you took them from him. 
“Their the only thing you like about the cold.” Cedric did remember. 
“Cedric, it’s okay about the other day. I know you were only trying to help but––”
“––But you don’t need my help. I know that now. From now on I will only help if you ask me to.” Cedric’s cheeks and nose were pink from the cold and you couldn’t help but smile at him. 
“Thank you.” You looked back down at the tiny flowers and smiled once again. 
“Can I walk you back to the station?” Cedric asked, offering his arm. 
“What a gentleman.” You took his arm and shook your head at the boy’s behaviour. 
“I try.” Cedric beamed, sending you a wink. 
You walked in silence for the first half of the walk but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as you imagined it would be. 
“What are you doing for Christmas this year?” Cedric finally asked a question, breaking the silence. 
“I’ll be staying at school this year with Oli. It’s his final Christmas at Hogwarts so he’s staying here with me to celebrate.” You confessed your plan. 
“What about home?” Cedric was asking about your uncle. 
“Well, my uncle isn’t very paternal but it’s okay. Christmas is still nice with him if not a little boring so I'm not missing out really. And he knows that if I’m not there he can spend his whole day in his room, eating as much stuffing as he wants and not having to force socialising with me but instead inviting one of his many lady friends over.” You admitted, smiling at little as you thought about your uncle. 
“Your uncle’s a ladies man?” Cedric seemed amused by the idea and you weren’t surprised. 
“Demetrius may be slightly fucked in the head after everything that’s happened to him but he’s still an attractive man. Most girls like the mysterious damaged bad boy type. They just don’t like it when he’s got a grown niece walking about the house so he usually haves them over when I’m not around.” You explained. 
“Are you trying to tell me I need to be more mysterious?” Cedric cocked his eyebrows at you with a little smirk on his lips.
“No! No, definitely not.” You laughed. “I said most girls. Not me, I like to know what’s going on upstairs rather than having someone constantly hide it.” 
You could both spot Oliver waiting for the train back to Hogwarts with Dean Thomas and the twins by his side up ahead. 
“And what about Oliver?” Cedric asked. 
“What? Does he like his boys dark and mysterious too?” You couldn’t help yourself. 
“No.” Cedric laughed along with you. “What are his family doing for Christmas?” 
“Oh, they don’t mind him staying. They’ve invited me to spend it with them this year but I kinda wanted Oliver all to myself. Selfish I know but he’s the closest thing to family I’ve ever had.” You did like Oliver’s family and you had stayed there several times but you knew if you went you’d feel more uncomfortable spending your time with Oliver at his house than at Hogwarts. At least his family wouldn’t be pushing for you two to date again...
“My father would never let me stay away for Christmas.” Cedric told you as he thought about it. 
“Really?” You were slightly surprised by the statement. 
“He just enjoys spending time with me, I guess.” Cedric chuckled softly. 
“Well, you’re lucky.” You nudged the boy’s shoulder with yours and he smiled down at you. 
He realised he shouldn’t be complaining about his father being slightly overbearing when your father was a literal death eater that was going to force you to join the dark lord. 
“I’ll see you around, Cedric.” You told him as you detached your arm from his to return to Oliver. 
“Don’t hide from me again.” Cedric smirked. 
“I wasn’t hiding! I was studying.” You argued. 
“Yeah, right.” Cedric nodded his head repeatedly, backing away from you with his hands in his pockets. 
“What was that all about, Seyler?” Fred asked as you joined them. 
“Fred, call me that one more time and the snow won’t just be on your head next time.” You didn’t like him calling you that in front of others and Dean was stood right beside him. 
“Alright! Don’t bare your claws just yet.” Fred held up his hands as he teased you. 
“Everything okay?” Oliver asked, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and bringing you to him to keep you warm. 
You looked back to where Cedric was returning to Hogsmeade to find his friends. 
“Yeah.” You said honestly.
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Your good mood was later ruined. 
“(Y/n)!” A sing-song voice of a woman echoed down the dark corridor as you ran. 
It was dark and it was slippery, the walls and the floors were wet black stone. 
“(Y/n), there’s no need to run.” A man’s voice followed. 
“Go away!” You screamed a throat tearing scream as tears flooded down your face. 
“Mummy and Daddy love you so much, dear!” The woman’s voice was closer. 
You let out another roar of a scream to try and block them out.
“Now, now, (Y/n). That’s no way to speak to your father.” The man’s voice returned when you felt yourself slip and fall forward. 
You hit the floor with a hiss and you squeezed your eyes shut. 
When you opened them again, you were in a room instead of the corridor but with the same walls and floors. 
You looked around to see your mother and father stood together in their Aszkaban prisoner clothes. 
“Come on, my love.” Your mother opened her hand up to you and you saw the mark on her arm.
“Leave me alone.” You couldn't speak louder than a whisper. 
“Speak up, child.” Your father demanded. 
“Leave me alone!” You bellowed, taking your head into your arms and pressing your forehead to your knees. 
“(Y/n)!” A different voice. 
You kept screaming to leave you alone. 
“(Y/n)!” The voice was closer. 
“(Y/n)!” The voice ripped you from the cell and brought you into your room at Hogwarts. 
You realised the person who was calling you was Angelina. 
“(Y/n), are you okay?” She looked more than concerned as he held onto your arms. 
You were covered in sweat and your throat was sore from where you had called out in your sleep. 
“I’m sorry.” You whispered, wiping away your tears.
(PART 9 HERE)
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kookie-doughs · 4 years ago
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Y/N L/N AND THE HALFBLOODS
Percy Jackson X Reader
-Y/N L/N met Percy Jackson and everything was now ruined.
CHAPTER 13: I Have Trust Issues But Okay
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We spent two days on the Amtrak train, heading west through hills, over rivers, past amber waves of grain. We weren't attacked once, but I didn't relax. I felt that we were traveling around in a display case, being watched from above and maybe from below, that something was waiting for the right opportunity. We tried to keep a low profile because Percy and I's name and picture were splattered over the front pages of several East Coast newspapers. It seemed like when they saw me with Percy they realized me and my family are gone. The Trenton Register-News showed a photo taken by a tourist as we got off the Greyhound bus. Percy had a wild look in my eyes. His sword was a metallic blur in his hands. It might've been a baseball bat or a lacrosse stick. I was holding his hand with my knife on the other hand. The picture's caption read: Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, wanted for questioning in the Long Island disappearance of his mother two weeks ago, is shown here fleeing from the bus where he accosted several elderly female passengers. The bus exploded on an east New Jersey roadside shortly after Jackson fled the scene. Based on eyewitness accounts, police believe the boy may be traveling with three teenage accomplices. It has been found out one of which is Y/N L/N, a twelve-year-old girl who went missing with her family during a trip. Percy Jackson's stepfather, Gabe Ugliano, has offered a cash reward for information leading to his capture.
"Don't worry," Annabeth told Percy. "Mortal police could never find us." But she didn't sound so sure. The rest of the day we spent alternately pacing the length of the train (because I had a really hard time sitting still) or looking out the windows. Calm Once, I spotted a family of centaurs galloping across a wheat field, bows at the ready, as they hunted lunch. The little boy centaur, who was the size of a second-grader on a pony, caught my eye and waved. I looked around the passenger car, the adult riders all had their faces buried in laptop computers or magazines, Percy and I saw an amazed look. Another time, toward evening, Percy said he saw something huge moving through the woods. He swore it was a lion, except that lions don't live wild in America, and it was the size of a Hummer, then it leaped through the trees and was gone. I told him he might have been seeing things and Annabeth agreed. Our reward money for returning Gladiola the poodle had only been enough to purchase tickets as far as Denver. We couldn't get berths in the sleeper car, so we dozed in our seats. My neck got stiff. I sat between Percy and Annabeth. Grover kept snoring and bleating and waking Percy up. Once, he shuffled around and his fake foot fell off. Annabeth and I had to stick it back on before any of the other passengers noticed. "So," Annabeth asked me, once we'd gotten Grover's sneaker readjusted. "Who wants Percy's help?" "What do you mean?" "You heard it too didn't you? When he was asleep just now, he mumbled, 'I won't help you.' Has he told you what he's dreaming about?" "Gossiping about me?" Percy yawned. "Pretty much everyone is. So I think we'll join." I said. "Annabeth wants to know about your dream. I could tell he was reluctant to say anything. It was the second time he'd dreamed about it. Then he finally told her. Annabeth was quiet for a long time. "If you think it's Hades, that doesn't sound like Hades. He always appears on a black throne, and he never laughs." She pointed out. "He offered my mother in trade. Who else could do that?" We could. If you bring us together we could trade. "What?" Percy and Annabeth looked at me in worry. "Something on my face? Is there something close?" "Y/N, you did it again." Percy said. "Did what?" "You... Talked. Differently. Like weirdly." "Your definition of weird doesn't describe me. I did nothing wrong. I haven't even given an in put on your topic. Which we should get back on." I don't know why I had no idea what they meant by me talking weirdly, but I felt like I should stay away from that topic. "I guess ... if he meant, 'Help me rise from the Underworld.' If he wants war with the Olympians. But why ask you to bring him the master bolt if he already has it?" She explained looking at me as if I was the one that needed convincing. I shook my head, wishing I knew the answer. I thought about what Grover had told me, that the Furies on the bus seemed to have been looking for something. Where is it? Where? Maybe Grover sensed my emotions. He snorted in his sleep, muttered something about vegetables, and turned his head. Percy readjusted Grover's cap so it covered his horns. "Percy, you can't barter with Hades. You know that, right? He's deceitful, heartless, and greedy. I don't care if his Kindly Ones weren't as aggressive this time-" "This time?" I asked. "You mean you've run into them before?" Her hand crept up to her necklace. She fingered a glazed white bead painted with the image of a pine tree, one of her clay end-of-summer tokens. "Let's just say I've got no love for the Lord of the Dead. You can't be tempted to make a deal for your mom." "What would you do if it was your dad?" "That's easy," she said. "I'd leave him to rot." "You're not serious?" Annabeth's gray eyes fixed on me. She wore the same expression she'd worn in the woods at camp, the moment she drew her sword against the hellhound. "My dad's resented me since the day I was born," she said. "He never wanted a baby. When he got me, he asked Athena to take me back and raise me on Olympus because he was too busy with his work. She wasn't happy about that. She told him heroes had to be raised by their mortal parent." "But how ... I mean, I guess you weren't born in a hospital...." "I appeared on my father's doorstep, in a golden cradle, carried down from Olympus by Zephyr the West Wind. You'd think my dad would remember that as a miracle, right? Like, maybe he'd take some digital photos or something. But he always talked about my arrival as if it were the most inconvenient thing that had ever happened to him. When I was five he got married and totally forgot about Athena. He got a 'regular' mortal wife, and had two 'regular' mortal kids, and tried to pretend I didn't exist." I stared out the train window. The lights of a sleeping town were drifting by. I wanted to make Annabeth feel better. I don't know but the only way I could think of was a hug. So I wrapped and arm around her shoulders. She stiffened unsure of what I'd done. "My parents, they loved me all the same. The closet I got to talking about Gods was when they thought me. Not a single hint was dropped about me being a halfblood. I mean if you count my grandma Hestia. Which I think is just named after the goddess. I mean yeah, you had a not so wonderful life... But at least you're who you are now." I smiled at her. Eying Percy I gave him a nod towards Annabeth telling him to comfort her since he'd started it anyway. "My mom married a really awful guy," he told her. "Grover said she did it to protect me, to hide me in the scent of a human family. Maybe that's what your dad was thinking." Annabeth kept worrying at her necklace. She was pinching the gold college ring that hung with the beads. It occurred to me that the ring must be her father's. I wondered why she wore it if she hated him so much. "He doesn't care about me," she said. "His wife-my stepmom-treated me like a freak. She wouldn't let me play with her children. My dad went along with her. Whenever something dangerous happened-you know, something with monsters-they would both look at me resentfully, like, 'How dare you put our family at risk.' Finally, I took the hint. I wasn't wanted. I ran away." "How old were you?" "Same age as when I started camp. Seven." "But ... you couldn't have gotten all the way to Half-Blood Hill by yourself." "Not alone, no. Athena watched over me, guided me toward help. I made a couple of unexpected friends who took care of me, for a short time, anyway." I wanted to ask what happened, but Annabeth seemed lost in sad memories. Luke had already told me some of these part where he went here with Annabeth and Thalia. So I gazed out the train windows as the dark fields of Ohio raced by. Toward the end of our second day on the train, June 13, eight days before the summer solstice, we passed through some golden hills and over the Mississippi River into St. Louis. Annabeth craned her neck to see the Gateway Arch, which looked to me like a huge shopping bag handle stuck on the city. "I want to do that," she sighed. "What?" I asked. "Build something like that. You ever see the Parthenon, Y/N?" "Only in pictures." "Someday, I'm going to see it in person. I'm going to build the greatest monument to the gods, ever. Something that'll last a thousand years." Percy laughed. "You? An architect?" Her cheeks flushed. "Yes, an architect. Athena expects her children to create things, not just tear them down, like a certain god of earthquakes I could mention." "Percy! I think she'll be incredible." I pinched his arm. We watched the churning brown water of the Mississippi below. I took Percy's hand in fear that the water would just grab me and drag me down. "Sorry," Annabeth said. "That was mean." I nudged Percy to apologize as well, "I didn't mean to make fun of you. I'm sorry." "Can't you two work together a little?" I pleaded. "I mean, didn't Athena and Poseidon ever cooperate?" Annabeth had to think about it. "I guess ... the chariot," she said tentatively. "My mom invented it, but Poseidon created horses out of the crests of waves. So they had to work together to make it complete." "Then you two can cooperate, too. Right?" We rode into the city, Annabeth watching as the Arch disappeared behind a hotel. "I suppose," she said at last. We pulled into the Amtrak station downtown. The intercom told us we'd have a three-hour layover before departing for Denver. Grover stretched. Before he was even fully awake, he said, "Food." "Come on, goat boy," Annabeth said. "Sightseeing." "Sightseeing?" "The Gateway Arch," she said. "This may be my only chance to ride to the top. Are you coming or not?" Grover, Percy and I exchanged looks. I wanted to say no, but seeing the stars in Annabeth's as she watched, she was too adorable to say no to. Grover shrugged. "As long as there's a snack bar without monsters." The Arch was about a mile from the train station. Late in the day the lines to get in weren't that long. We threaded our way through the underground museum, looking at covered wagons and other junk from the 1800s. It wasn't all that thrilling, but Annabeth kept telling us interesting facts about how the Arch was built, and Grover kept passing me jelly beans, so I was okay. I kept looking around, though, at the other people in line. "You smell anything?" Percy murmured to Grover. He took his nose out of the jelly-bean bag long enough to sniff. "Underground," he said distastefully. "Underground air always smells like monsters. Probably doesn't mean anything." I took a peek at my knife and saw there was a very weak glow, or maybe a sunlight reflection. Somewhere in between. "Guys," I said. "You know the gods' symbols of power?" Annabeth had been in the middle of reading about the construction equipment used to build the Arch, but she looked over. "Yeah?" "Well, Hade-" Grover cleared his throat. "We're in a public place.... You mean, our friend downstairs?" "Um, right," I said. "Our friend way downstairs. Doesn't he have a hat like Annabeth's?" "You mean the Helm of Darkness," Annabeth said. "Yeah, that's his symbol of power. I saw it next to his seat during the winter solstice council meeting." "He was there?" Percy asked. She nodded. "It's the only time he's allowed to visit Olympus-the darkest day of the year. But his helm is a lot more powerful than my invisibility hat, if what I've heard is true...." "It allows him to become darkness," Grover confirmed. "He can melt into shadow or pass through walls. He can't be touched, or seen, or heard. And he can radiate fear so intense it can drive you insane or stop your heart. Why do you think all rational creatures fear the dark?" "But then ... how do we know he's not here right now, watching us?" I asked. Annabeth and Grover exchanged looks. "We don't," Grover said. "Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better," Percy said. "Got any blue jelly beans left?" Someone else could be watching. Hades isn't the only one to blend in the shadow young vessel. But worry not, all in the darkness, shall be your ally. So Hades will also be my ally? As air and water refuse, land and all there is shall be your ally. Can't I be allies with all? Hades, Zeus, Poseidon. Everyone. The three of them looked at me in surprise. "Don't say their name!" Grover whispered loudly. "Whose name? I haven't said a name!" I could talk through you young vessel. Is this the first time this happened? How can you forget about our conversation? Talk through me? Who are you? I am one of which that'll make sure you become one with yourself. "Y/N!!" Percy yelled. "What? Geez, you're too loud." "We've been calling your name for three minutes." Annabeth said. "Are you... Okay?" "Yeah why wouldn't I be?" When the tiny elevator car came. We got shoehorned into the car with this big fat lady and her dog, a Chihuahua with a rhinestone collar. I figured maybe the dog was a seeing-eye Chihuahua, because none of the guards said a word about it. We started going up, inside the Arch. I'd never been in an elevator that went in a curve, and my stomach wasn't too happy about it. "No parents?" the fat lady asked us. She had beady eyes; pointy, coffee-stained teeth; a floppy denim hat, and a denim dress that bulged so much, she looked like a blue-jean blimp. "They're below," Annabeth told her. "Scared of heights." "Oh, the poor darlings." The Chihuahua growled. The woman said, "Now, now, sonny. Behave." The dog had beady eyes like its owner, intelligent and vicious. I said, "Sonny. Is that his name?" "No," the lady told me. She smiled, as if that cleared everything up. At the top of the Arch, the observation deck reminded me of a tin can with carpeting. Rows of tiny windows looked out over the city on one side and the river on the other. The view was okay, but if there's anything I like less than a confined space, it's a confined space six hundred feet in the air. I was ready to go pretty quick. I could see Percy was too. So I took his hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze to calm him down despite my breakdown. Annabeth kept talking about structural supports, and how she would've made the windows bigger, and designed a see-through floor. She probably could've stayed up there for hours, but the park ranger announced that the observation deck would be closing in a few minutes. I steered Annabeth while Percy with Grover, toward the exit, loaded them into the elevator, and we were about to get in myself when I realized there were already two other tourists inside. No room for me. The park ranger said, "Next car, sir." "We'll get out," Annabeth said. "We'll wait with you two." But that was going to mess everybody up and take even more time, so I said, "Naw, it's okay. We'll see you guys at the bottom. I'll keep an eye on him." Grover and Annabeth both looked nervous, but they let the elevator door slide shut. Their car disappeared down the ramp. Now the only people left on the observation deck were me, a little boy with his parents, the park ranger, and the fat lady with her Chihuahua. Percy and I smiled uneasily at the fat lady. She smiled back, her forked tongue flickering between her teeth. Wait a minute. Forked tongue? Before I could decide if I'd really seen that, her Chihuahua jumped down and started yapping at Percy. "Now, now, sonny," the lady said. "Does this look like a good time? We have all these nice people here." "Doggie!" said the little boy. "Look, a doggie!" His parents pulled him back. The Chihuahua bared his teeth at me, foam dripping from his black lips. "Well, son," the fat lady sighed. "If you insist." Ice started forming in my stomach. "Urn, did you just call that Chihuahua your son?" "Chimera, dear," the fat lady corrected. "Not a Chihuahua. It's an easy mistake to make." She rolled up her denim sleeves, revealing that the skin of her arms was scaly and green. When she smiled, I saw that her teeth were fangs. The pupils of her eyes were sideways slits, like a reptile's. The Chihuahua barked louder, and with each bark, it grew. First to the size of a Doberman, then to a lion. The bark became a roar. The little boy screamed. His parents pulled him back toward the exit, straight into the park ranger, who stood, paralyzed, gaping at the monster. The Chimera was now so tall its back rubbed against the roof. It had the head of a lion with a blood-caked mane, the body and hooves of a giant goat, and a serpent for a tail, a ten-foot-long diamondback growing right out of its shaggy behind. The rhinestone dog collar still hung around its neck, and the plate-sized dog tag was now easy to read: CHIMERA-RABID, FIRE-BREATHING, POISONOUS-IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL TARTARUS-EXT. 954. I immediately pulled out my knife. And waited for the moment to jump in front of Percy who was ten feet away from the Chimera's bloody maw, and I knew that as soon as I moved, the creature would lunge. The snake lady made a hissing noise that might've been laughter. "Be honored, Percy Jackson and Y/N L/N. Lord Zeus rarely allows me to test a hero with one of my brood. For I am the Mother of Monsters, the terrible Echidna!" Percy and I stared at each other for a second stared at her. All he could think to say was: "Isn't that a kind of anteater?" She howled, her reptilian face turning brown and green with rage. "I hate it when people say that! I hate Australia! Naming that ridiculous animal after me. For that, Percy Jackson, my son shall destroy you!" The Chimera charged, its lion teeth gnashing. I managed to take Percy's arm to pull him aside and dodge the bite. We ended up next to the family and the park ranger, who were all screaming now, trying to pry open the emergency exit doors. I couldn't let them get hurt. I positioned myself able to parry any oncoming attack. Percy uncapped his sword, ran to the other side of the deck, and yelled, "Hey, Chihuahua!" The Chimera turned faster than I would've thought possible. Before he could swing my sword, it opened its mouth, emitting a stench like the world's largest barbecue pit, and shot a column of flame straight at him. Percy dove through the explosion. The carpet burst into flames; the heat was so intense, I could feel it where I stand and it was like I was in a sauna. Where Percy had been standing a moment before was a ragged hole in the side of the Arch, with melted metal steaming around the edges. Great, I thought. We just blowtorched a national monument. As the Chimera turned, Percy slashed at its neck. That was a fatal mistake. The blade sparked harmlessly off the dog collar. I saw the serpent tail lifted it whipped around and with all I could I ran and raised my knife to block it. Percy tried to jab Riptide into the Chimera's mouth, but the serpent tail wrapped around his ankles and pulled him off balance, and my blade flew out of my hand, spinning out of the hole in the Arch and down toward the Mississippi River. I pulled a weaponless Percy behind me and raised my small one. We backed into the hole in the wall. The Chimera advanced, growling, smoke curling from its lips. The snake lady, Echidna, cackled. "They don't make heroes like they used to, eh, son?" The monster growled. It seemed in no hurry to finish us off now that we were beaten. I glanced at the park ranger and the family. The little boy was hiding behind his father's legs. I had to protect these people. I couldn't just ... die. I was facing a massive, fire-breathing monster and its mother. And I was scared. There was no place else to go, so I stepped to the edge of the hole. Trust our hero. Jump with him. He had sworn to save us. Far, far below, the river glittered. Percy and I shared a reluctant and fearful look. If we died, would the monsters go away? Would they leave the humans alone? "If you are the son of Poseidon," Echidna hissed, "you would not fear water. Jump, Percy Jackson. Show me that water will not harm you. Jump and retrieve your sword. Prove your bloodline. Maybe your small friend could survive with you." We both knew the water hated me. But I trusted Percy. I'd jump if he told me. The Chimera's mouth glowed red, heating up for another blast. "Either you have no faith," Echidna told me. "You do not trust the gods. I cannot blame you, little cowards. Better you die now. The gods are faithless." Percy took my hand and backed up, he looked down at the water. Percy looked at me and smiled. I knew what he wanted. Holding his hand tighter, I got closer to him. "Die, faithless one," Echidna rasped, and the Chimera sent a column of flame toward our faces. "Father, please," I heard Percy say. "Don't hurt her. Help us." We turned and jumped. Our clothes on fire, we plummeted toward the river.
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melancholic-pigeon · 3 years ago
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WIP Wednesday #15
Since Jason's birthday is tomorrow and all, I'm doing something longer as a treat. A triptych, if you will!
Content warnings for child abuse and neglect, alcoholism and food insecurity.
Thalia wakes up, like she usually does, to Jason curled against her with his fingers in his mouth. She can't easily put him in his crib by herself, but her mattress is on the floor and there's nowhere for him to fall, so she can ensure that she's there to hold him whenever he wakes up crying. Her shirt's a little damp, but this time it's just because he's drooling in his sleep. Last night, thankfully, was free from disruptions.
For him, at least.
He's a year old today, and she hasn't seen their mother since two nights ago, slumped on the couch with an empty bottle of vodka on the ground next to her. The door to her room is closed. Whether she's in there sleeping it off or out somewhere getting drunker, Thalia has no idea.
Bitterly, she doesn't care. It's not like their mom cares about them, either.
Jason yawns, his hair sticking up like a cockatoo's feathers. The first eye contact of the morning always leaves him giggling and reaching for her, and the feeling of his small, warm body flopping onto her brings her focus back to where it should be.
"Happy birthday, shrimp."
"Happy," he repeats, nosing at her stomach.
It's up to her, like usual, so she gets him dressed and ready and gives him the last of the cereal to occupy himself while she digs through her closet to find the old coffee can she stashed there.
Every time she thinks she can get away with it, she lifts a bill from their mother's wallet and puts it in the can. Every nickel she finds on the street, every dime she pulls from the couch cushions; it all adds up, a little at a time.
After carefully saving as much as she could for the past few weeks, she's squirreled away enough. She takes out a fistful and stuffs it in her pocket, then re-buries the can under a pile of her laundry.
Today's special, and she'll cover the loss somehow— by sneaking some extra groceries under her coat again, if she has to.
Jason's finished with his breakfast by the time she emerges, sitting patiently and playing with the plastic dish she'd given it to him on. Her sweet baby brother, looking up at her with a smile so sunny you'd think they were living like kings.
Her chest feels tight and her throat's in no better condition. After a deep breath, she reaches down to grab his hands.
"Do you know what birthdays mean?"
He takes a second to think about it as she pulls him to his feet, then shakes his head.
"Birthdays, Jason," she says, grinning— it's harder to dwell when he's holding onto her hand— "mean birthday cake."
The gas station a block away at least has the miniature kind wrapped in cellophane. He won't know the difference, since he hasn't even been introduced to the concept of cake yet, but she'll still have to make it up to him with a real one someday.
By the time Jason turns two, Thalia has shoplifting down to an art form.
People are usually too busy fawning over how precious her brother is to pay her much attention, and having Luke along makes it almost easy. Jason adores him, and he's happy to draw focus away from her by translating the toddler babble and proclaiming that they're his favorite babysitting clients, which conveniently explains the lack of adult supervision.
Thanks to him, she's managed to get Jason something a lot better than cake.
She saw it in the window of a toy shop and immediately knew it was perfect, but it cost more than she'd scrounged in the past six months. She'd been resigned to the idea of stealing a brownie instead, and then last night, Luke showed up at her doorstep with it tucked under his arm and his face split into a wicked grin.
She's not sure she wants to know how he managed to smuggle it out without getting caught, but the way Jason lights up when he lays eyes on it, happier than she's ever seen him, is enough to make her ignore the uneasy feeling.
"Puppy!"
She can't help but mirror it back to him, her heart swelling with emotion as he flings his arms around the stuffed animal's neck. It's almost as big as he is.
"That's right. It's a wolf puppy. She's named after a mama wolf called Lupa."
The real Lupa is the matriarch of a pack living at a conservancy in San Diego county. Her likeness is an embodiment of the fiercely protective love Jason should have gotten from his own mother, and which has fallen to Thalia and her limited capabilities instead.
Jason rolls over, still holding tight to his new doll, and lays his head in her lap. If she's coming up short, he certainly hasn't noticed.
"My Lupa?"
He's gently petting the wolf's fur, in a movement that's strikingly similar to how Thalia's petting his hair. She blinks a few times to chase away the burning in her eyes.
"Your Lupa."
She can't give him the childhood that he deserves. It's a struggle to make sure even his most basic needs are met, and some days it feels like the whole world is united against them, but then he hugs her leg or curls up against her shoulder or tells her in that sweet voice love you, Taya—
And everything settles in her chest, refining itself into a white-hot determination.
She's all he has, and the one thing she can make sure he'll never want for is someone who loves him enough to fight for him.
She understands how the real Lupa must feel about her cubs. She knows, with more certainty than she's ever known anything, that if anyone so much as thinks about hurting her little brother— hurting her baby— she'll tear them to shreds with her teeth before they have time to run.
Everything is perfect. Thalia's made sure of it.
The party doesn't start for another hour, so she has to keep Jason occupied until then. He thinks she has lunch reservations and they're meeting at her place for coffee first— the second part is true; she has a pot of Kona ready to go as soon as he arrives.
While she's preparing his decoy surprise, the rest of his friends are in Manhattan, helping Percy and Sally get his bash underway. She finds herself quivering with excitement as she puts the last few touches in place.
The doorbell rings and she squeaks, shoving the main item behind a bookshelf before racing to answer the door.
"Happy birthday, shrimp." She stands up on her tiptoes and hugs him around the neck. "I have something for you."
Jason beams, pink, and squeezes her back.
"I told you last year that you don't have to get me anything. Your company is a gift in and of itself."
"Ha ha," she counters dryly, knowing he can hear her getting a little emotional at the sincerity on his face. "Very funny. Like I'm not going to try to make up for the ten of them that I missed."
She takes hold of his arm and pulls him into the apartment, past the kitchen to the hall that leads to her bedroom. She opens the door beside it, the one that used to be her study.
Jason's eyes go wide.
The desk is still there, but the chair is new, much larger than the one she used. The bookcase is the same, too, but she's put her video games in a box in her bedroom and filled the shelves with fresh sketchbooks and paints and pencils instead. The bed is new too, as well as the nightstand and the dresser.
Sally stripped and varnished all of the wood, and built a set of floating shelves that are currently storing a series of framed photos from Annabeth's camera reel. Piper decided on the paint colors— sky blue with a deep purple accent on the wall that slants to the ceiling. Leo took care of borrowing Jason's favorite sketches to make the framed prints above his bed, by pretending he was doing a photography project with them.
(He'd burst into laughter when she gave him Jason's baby drawings to frame too, and she'd almost punched him in the mouth— but then she'd noticed his voice was a little tight when he told her the crayon scribbles looked just like her.)
"Wow," Jason breathes, staring around the room as though he doesn't know where to land his focus. "This— is all of this for me?"
"Anytime you need an escape, you've got one. Think of it as your safe house. And there's one more thing."
Reluctantly, she steps away and retrieves what she hid earlier.
Jason's mouth drops.
"Lupa," he whispers, raising his hand. He stops himself halfway through reaching over, like he doesn't know if he should. "How did you find another one? I thought they were a limited run."
Thalia takes his hand, wrapping his fingers around the new doll's front leg.
"I traded twenty-seven ultra-rare mint-condition beanie babies for her with a collector in Montana."
"Do I want to know how you got twenty-seven ultra-rare mint-condition beanie babies?"
"It's not as sordid as you're thinking, I just spent a lot of time on Ebay."
Jason laughs, shaky, and sits down on his new mattress. He's probably not even conscious of the way he's running his thumb over Lupa's paw, exactly the way he did the first time.
He said that donating the original to charity was his idea, but Thalia has a suspicion he was pushed into it with a healthy dose of shaming and manipulation, and the look on his face— shocked, bright-eyed, a little scared like he thinks she'll disappear if he blinks— pretty much confirms it.
Thalia sits beside him and wraps an arm around his back. He slides down along the mattress until he's lying with his head in her lap.
"My Lupa," he says quietly, and she knows he remembers doing it before.
"Your Lupa," she chokes back. "For real, this time. Nobody's going to take her away from you, ever again."
It's different now, because Lupa is about the size of a two year old child, and Jason very much no longer is. She fits in the crook of his elbow, and he couldn't wrap his arms and legs around her if he tried.
Thalia tries not to think about all the nights between then and now that he's needed her, and didn't have her.
He smiles, wiser than his fifteen years.
(He's fifteen years old. God. She missed so much— thirteen months isn't long enough to even really begin to catch up.)
"I know they won't," he tells her. "You won't let them."
She's never going to get those years back. The only thing she can do is make sure she appreciates what she has now.
"I believe you would."
"I'll bite anyone who tries," she whispers back, leaning down to kiss his forehead. He bursts into laughter, reaching up to ruffle her hair like she used to do to him.
@perseusjackson-jasongrace @msdrpreist I still feel self-conscious about pinging people tell me if you'd prefer I didn't difjvhg
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slyttherins · 4 years ago
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Unexpected flame (part 1) | Fred Weasley x Sirius Black’s daughter
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December 1993
This year, Christmas fell on a full moon. Remus felt guilty about leaving Juliet for the holidays, but he had no other choice. Staying with her on a full moon was dangerous and endangering her was the last thing he - and Sirius - wanted.
''It's okay. You can't control the moon.''
''Wish I could.'' Remus flashed her a sad, apologetic smile. Although he had grown to accept his fate - or curse -, he still hated that part of himself. The wolf. ''Have you packed your bags yet? The train is leaving tomorrow morning, right?'' he asked, changing the subject.
''Yes.''
''Good.'' Remus nodded. ''I talked to Molly, she'll be picking you up at Kings Cross.''
In the red leather chair, Juliet sighed. Much like Remus, she didn't like when people made a big fuss or went out of their way for her. It made her very uncomfortable. ''I could've stayed at school, you know. Some students stay here for Christmas.''
Remus brushed her off with a whisk of his hand. ''Nonsense. Molly and Arthur promised it was no trouble. And, you and Ginny are good friends. You'll have great fun at the Weasleys','' he promised.
''I'll miss you.''
''Me too, darling.''
''Remus?''
''Yes?''
''If he returns-''
''I'll send an immediate owl to the Weasleys and let you know.''
.
Ginny by her side, Juliet joined the rest of the Weasleys after getting down the train. There were so many students at the station, but, lucky for her, their red hair were easy to spot in a crowd.
A round woman with a bright smile and ginger hair was waiting on the side. She greeted each of the kids with a tight hug, happy to see them after four months away from home.
''And you must be Juliet?'' she said, seeing familiar a pair of grey eyes. ''I haven't seen you in so long. It's crazy how you've grown!''
Juliet smiled politely, having very few memories of the woman. ''Thank you for having me, Mrs. Weasley.''
''It’s no problem. Remus is a friend of family and we’re always there for family. You can call me Molly.''
.
''You’ll be staying in Ginny’s room. It’s on the first floor,'' Mrs. Weasley announced when they crossed the Burrow's front door. She looked around, searching for her daughter who was a couple meters behind, struggling with her own bags. Why did she bring so much stuff? ''Ginny! Can you help Juliet set a bed? I've put extra blankets and everything you'll need on your desk.''
The younger Weasley nodded and grabbed Juliet's hand and led her up the stairs, excited to have a friend over and having a sleepover.
The room was small - not to say tiny - which was to be expected with such a huge family. The girls put their stuff away and set Juliet’s bed right by Ginny’s. It was a bit cramped, but it was only for a couple days.
Once everything was set, Juliet came back down and followed the yummy smell to the kitchen.
''Where's Ginny?'' Molly asked.
''Bathing. Neville wasn't sitting when the train took off and spilled pumpkin juice on her shirt,'' Juliet explained, shaking her head at Neville's mishaps. That boy was so clumsy!
''Well, come and sit. Dinner should be ready soon.''
Juliet pulled one of the many mismatched chairs and sat down. One of the twins was at the table, but she couldn’t tell if it was Fred or George. Hopefully by the end of the stay she’ll be able to tell them apart.
''So...you’re Black’s daughter?'' Fred asked as he subtly tried to steal some cookies that were cooling on the counter while his mother's back was turned.
Since Sirius' escape from Azkaban, it was difficult not to bring up her father every time Juliet mentioned her name. It didn't help that she looked so much like him. She had become well known over the past year despite Remus' attempt to hide her from the wizarding world. Not the magic, but people.
Although the Black family was part of the sacred twenty-eight and very high in the wizarding world's hierarchy, Sirius Black was considered a traitor. Therefore, as his daughter, Juliet was considered as so too. People could be so vile and quick to judge - even toward a fourteen years old girl.
Fred, though, didn't mean any harm.
''In the flesh,'' Juliet responded proudly.
''What does it feels to have a father on the run?''
''Fred! Don’t harass our guest,'' Molly warned, eyes on the cooking pot. ''And don't think I didn't see you stealing cookies.''
The two teenagers chuckled.
''It’s fine, Mrs- Molly. It doesn't bother me. I can handle the questions.''
''Well, you two can do that later. Dinner is ready.'' She turned to her son. ''Go get your father, he's in the yard studying another bizarre muggle invention he got his hands on.''
Fred left and she then proceeded to call out the rest of the kids, making Juliet jump. She had not expected Molly to have such a loud voice.
Seconds later, everyone stumbled in the kitchen, scurrying for seats. Ginny, freshly out of her bath, sat next to Juliet, telling her all about the delicious dish her mom had prepared tonight - and the desert. Ron arrived next, sitting on her other side and making a dash for the bread in the center of the table, taking a big bite and chewing like a cow. How charming.
''Apparently it's called a toaster. You put bread in it and it springs up when they are grilled and ready. It's bloody brilliant!'' Mr. Weasley explained as he walked in, Fred on his heels. He kissed his wife’s cheek and made his way to the table where all the kids were. ''Smells good in here.''
''I've never met him. Sirius. He was wrongly sent to Azkaban before I was old enough to remember him. I've only seen him in pictures,'' Juliet told Fred when he sat down beside his twin.
''Our father says he killed thirteen muggles and an old friend, Peter Pettigrew,'' Percy said, reaching for a piece of bread from the basket on the table.
''Percy...'' Mr. Weasley warned loosely.
''There is no proof. There was no body-'' the raven haired girl defended, only to be interrupted by Percy.
''Where is Pettigrew then?'' he asked with an eyebrow raised, scoffing when Juliet didn't respond. ''Sirius Black is a murderer. I hope the dementors find him very soon and put him back where he belongs. He deserves to rot in Azkaban for his crimes.''
Tears welled in Juliet's eyes at Percy's words and accusations, but she refused to let them spill. Was this what Percy really thought? Or was he repeating what he's heard from his father and other wizards?
''Percy!'' Molly scolded. ''That is no table talk.''
.
By 10pm, Ginny had already gone to bed, tired from the day. Juliet had been a bit bummed, but she stayed downstairs with the other Weasleys. Ron and George were disputing a game of chess in the living area, making the most of the time they had left before their bedtime. She had watched them for a few minutes, but then decided to get some fresh air.
She sat on the small wooden patio and raised her eyes to watch the stars, secretly hoping she could put her astronomy lessons to application. Since she was a kid, Juliet always loved looking at the starry night sky. It helped calm her mind. Maybe it was part of her bloodline? The Blacks had a penchant for astronomical names and took their names from stars or constellations. Even Juliet had carried on with the tradition. It was subtle, but Sirius had chosen the name very carefully.
''What are you doing out here?'' Fred asked, coming from behind. He had a thick sweater - most likely knitted by Molly -, shielding him from the late night air.
''Looking at the stars, although I can’t seem to find any stars I’m looking for tonight.'' Juliet frowned, disappointed and annoyed. ''I thought it'd be easy. I’m usually pretty fast at finding stars and even constellations in Astronomy class...''
''Ah! That’s because Professor Sinistra makes sure what you’re looking for can be seen from where you are. I'll help you.''
Fred took a seat beside her and looked up. He had never been an astronomy nerd, but he could recognize a few. Constellations were harder to find though.
The sky above the burrow was almost always clear which made it easy to see the stars. The view was even better from Ron's bedroom, being on the highest floor of the house.
Fred felt himself close having a crick in his neck when he finally found what he was looking for. A smirk curled on his lips. ''Can you see that one? Over the pond, right beside the Orion constellation.'' He pointed his index in the direction, helping the younger witch find her way in the night sky.
Juliet followed Fred's direction and nodded. ''The one that shines so bright it's almost blue?''
''Yeah. It's the Dog Star, also called-''
''Sirius,'' the raven haired girl finished with a smile, amazed by her new find. She had been trying to find her father's star for months, but Grimmauld Place wasn't ideal for stargazing and she didn't dare ask Professor Sinistra, worried she wouldn't help her because of the star's name.
''How did you know it was that one? Are you a secret nerd, Weasley?''
Fred shook his head, looking down with a small laugh. ''No. You should see my marks... But Bill, my older brother, had an astronomy phase a few years ago. He had a telescope in his room and all. From what I remember, the Sirius star is part of Canis Major which is a winter and spring star pattern. Sirius is the constellation's dog’s nose.''
''Thank you. For showing me this. It’s rare these days that when someone brings up my father’s name it doesn’t have murderer or criminal in the same sentence.''
''Sorry about what Percy said during dinner. He’s a git sometimes. Don’t listen to him.'' Fred didn’t have to apologize on his brother’s behalf, but wanted to, knowing Percy was stubborn and would never. Whether he believed Sirius was guilty or not, he didn’t have to be so cold and crude.
''Perhaps he’s right.'' Juliet sighed, putting her head in her hands in despair. ''I don’t know who or what to believe anymore.''
''It’s okay to be confused. The whole situation feels like it’s missing pieces of the puzzle,'' Fred admitted, platonically putting a hand on her thigh, trying to bring her comfort.
Juliet raised her head and stared ahead. ''If he didn’t kill Pettigrew, where is he? No one has seen him since that night at London. All that was left was his finger.'' The frustration and desperation were clear in her voice.
Fred wished he had answers for her, but he was just as in the dark as everybody else. ''What does Remus think of this?''
''That he’s innocent.''
When she turned old enough to understand what Azkaban was, Remus had revealed her father's whereabouts. He had insisted to be the one to break the news to her, not wanting untrusty wizards or loud mouths - or worse, students - to twist the truth. He told her about the Potters, about...Voldemort, and the wizarding war. Nothing was very jolly, but Remus insisted that she knew. Most importantly, that she knew her father had been accused of crimes he didn't commit.  
Fred thought for a moment, putting his words together. ''Want to know what I think?'' She nodded, turning to look at him with her grey irises. ''I think Remus is the only person alive that knows Sirius well enough to judge your father's intentions and what he's capable of. I also think there a hidden part to every story.''
Juliet frowned, confused. ''I don't get what you're trying to say...''
''I don't think Remus would feed you lies solely to make your father look like a good man to your eyes. If Sirius really did kill those people, he would've warned you about him being the dangerous murderer the Ministry claim him to be.''
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knuffled · 4 years ago
Text
just practice - chapter nine
hope you enjoy this chapter! it was supposed to be fluffy i swear, but then i started writing it and almost made myself cry. funny how that happens. if you enjoyed the chapter, it would mean a lot to me if you took the time to reblog! thank you for your support!
here’s the ao3 link!
Sunday afternoons were Annabeth’s favorite time of day. Time seemed to move slower than normal, like motes of dust waltzing in a beam of sunlight, with a lazy warmth that had nothing to do with the temperature outside. There was a hazy, dreamlike quality to them that made the world a little softer. She liked to have Sunday’s to herself for the most part. Her Fridays were usually swallowed by cross country practice after school and Saturdays were spent with her friends usually, so Sunday was often the only day she could ever sleep in or laze around in general.
However, she found herself parked outside Percy’s house today instead, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel. It wasn’t long before the front door opened, and Percy walked down his driveway towards her car and stifled a yawn and ruffled his hair, which was even messier than usual, like he had just woken up. He knocked on the window lightly, an easy smile on his face, to alert her of his arrival like she hadn’t spent the last fifteen minutes staring at his front door.
Annabeth opened the door with a smirk. “Wow, you look like shit. You do realize it’s three in the afternoon right?”
“Fuck off,” Percy said nonchalantly as he buckled his seat belt. “Like you’ve never slept in on a Sunday.”
“I have but I can’t say I’ve ever made it as far as three before,” Annabeth said. “In all honesty, that’s quite an impressive feat.”
“Thank you for recognizing the commitment needed to make this possible.”
“You should audition for the role of Sleeping Beauty. You’d be a natural.”
Percy raised an eyebrow. “My my, you’re awfully bitchy today, aren’t you?”
“That’s my secret, Cap,” Annabeth said melodramatically, starting the car. “I’m always bitchy.”
Annabeth couldn’t help smiling when that managed to get a rumbling laugh out of him. Percy turned the radio on and sank back in his seat once he found a station he liked. When he kicked his feet onto the dashboard, Annabeth swatted his shins to tell him to knock it off and pretended not to see him pouting, but the grin stretching across her face threatened to give her away.
Percy stretched in his seat with a scowl and said, “So what’s the special occasion? It’s rare for you to want to hang out on a Sunday.”
“Well, I know this is like two months overdue, but I did promise to take you on a date.”
Annabeth had to hold back a laugh when Percy jolted in his seat and turned to her with wide eyes, looking very much like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Relax, you’re not dreaming,” she teased.
“I’m just surprised,” Percy said, blushing. “That kind of came out of the blue.”
“Yeah, sorry, I know this is way overdue,” Annabeth said. “I wanted to do this earlier, but I just got wrapped up with all the invitational stuff.”
Percy cleared his throat and shook his head. “Uh, no, you’re totally fine. We both have a lot on our plates these days.”
Annabeth nodded and rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. Although she hadn’t lied, she hadn’t exactly told him the entire truth either. She’d spent the better part of the week thinking about their conversation after the invitational. It was the first time she had come face to face with the realization that Percy wouldn’t always be a part of her life — the prospect of losing him in a year’s time only served to highlight the urgency of the situation, making her realize that she couldn’t afford to squander what little time they had left agonizing over why things had suddenly become stilted between them.
Briefly, she had seriously considered putting an end to the fake dating arrangement altogether. If the time they had left was limited, then eliminating the source of all this new tension made sense, but Annabeth couldn’t help feeling that their current situation could not simply be undone. Although she couldn’t explain why, Annabeth had begun to harbor a nagging suspicion that stopping the whole fake dating thing would only make things even worse between them. It seemed to her that this whole fake dating thing had only revealed that there was something dysfunctional about their relationship, hiding in the woodwork, which meant that ending the arrangement would not address the root cause of the tension between them.
For better or for worse, it seemed that the only way forward was to finish what she had unwittingly started, but she couldn’t just continue to maintain the status quo if she wanted to fix anything between them. If Percy wasn’t going to make the first step, the onus was on her to be more proactive so that they could begin untangling this mess more quickly.
Her train of thought was derailed when Percy cleared his throat again surreptitiously. “So, uh, where exactly are we going?”
“You’ll see. We’re almost there,” Annabeth said.
“Wow, were you mimicking me?” Percy asked, raising an eyebrow.
Annabeth bit the inside of her cheek and said, “Having a taste of your own medicine really sucks, huh?”
Percy crossed his arms over his chest and stuck his tongue out. “Fine, be that way, you menace.”
“Dullard.”
“Your honor, my fake-girlfriend is bullying me on our fake-date,” Percy protested.
“Objection, your honor! By Percy’s own admission, I am only mean to people I care about.”
Percy huffed an incredulous laugh and said, “Wow, apparently anything I say or do can and will be held against me in a court of law.”
Annabeth shrugged nonchalantly and tried to repress her growing smile. “It’s your own fault for not invoking your right to remain silent.”
Percy’s shoulders shook from the effort of holding back the laughter bubbling in his throat. “Jesus, I’m getting roasted non-stop today, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m on my A-game today, Jackson,” Annabeth said lightly. “Try and keep up.”
Percy rolled his eyes and said, “When are you ever not on your A-game, Chase?”
Although he had intended for the comment to be sarcastic, there was an undeniably fondness in his voice that made it hard for her to respond. She forced herself to keep her eyes on the road to keep from looking at him. She was afraid the look in her eyes would give away everything couldn’t say. Luckily it wouldn’t be too difficult because she spotted the exit they needed to take not long after, and their destination was only a few minutes from there.
The parking lot they pulled into was in sorry shape. Unkempt tufts of grass crept out of the cracked asphalt and stray pebbles littered the lot that made Annabeth’s car creak and groan. She parked close to a wooden sign at the foot of a trail that led up into a small mountain of sorts. Well, calling it a mountain was probably generous, but it was too large to be called a hill either.
Once they parked, Percy stepped outside to stretch his limbs and watched Annabeth open the trunk of her car to retrieve the stuffed backpack inside.
He raised an eyebrow and said, “Are we going camping or something?”
Annabeth slung the backpack over her shoulders with a grunt and said, “Not exactly. We’re going on a hike.”
Percy looked momentarily confused before he shrugged and said, “Okay, sounds good. Do you want me to take the backpack? It looks heavy.”
“Nah, I got it. It’s better for you to focus on the trail,” Annabeth said, adjusting the straps. “Besides, I promised you I would be the one showing you around this time, remember?”
“Not sure what carrying a backpack has to do with showing me around but go off, I guess.”
Annabeth lightly knocked elbows with him and said, “You handled everything when we went to the aquarium so let me take care of you this time, okay?”
Percy ducked his chin to hide the sheepish smile creeping across his face and rubbed the back of his neck and said, “Okay.”
“Good,” Annabeth said, smiling. “Now let’s get going. It takes like an hour and a half just to get up there.”
With that, they made their way to the start of the dirt trail leading up the mountain-hill. Annabeth set a brisk pace to ensure that they would actually have time to stop a while at the peak before they needed to make the trip back down. It wouldn’t be very safe to hike when it got too dark. Without the sunlight illuminating the trail, it would be a lot easier to trip over a stray root or rock and get hurt.
“Where exactly are we?” Percy asked. “I’m guessing you’ve been here before.”
“We’re on a trail that goes up to Aspen Peak,” Annabeth said, without elaborating.
Percy must have picked up on her reticence because he didn’t pry her with additional questions. Annabeth felt a little bad for suddenly making things awkward between them, but he didn’t seem to mind because it wasn’t long until he spoke again.
“Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever been hiking,” he said thoughtfully.
Annabeth looked back at him over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “Really? That’s news to me.”
“Well, my mom and I never really had much of a chance to do this sort of thing. We couldn’t when Stinky Gabe was around, for obvious reasons, and these days she’s too busy with writing and Estelle to have any spare time,” Percy said.
Annabeth moved a low-hanging branch out of her way. “Well, I’m glad that I brought you today then. I think you’ll really like hiking. It sort of lets you get away from everything for a while.”
“That does sound nice,” Percy admitted. “This sure is giving my calves a good workout though.”
“Let me know if you want to stop and rest,” Annabeth said, laughing. “This trail can be rough if you’re a newbie.”
“Nah, I can keep going,” Percy said, shaking his head.
For a while, they were accompanied only by the sound of loose gravel crunching under their feet. After a while, Annabeth was forced to wipe away the sweat accumulating on her brow with the back of her hand with greater and greater frequency. The weight of the backpack and things inside were partly to blame, but she also hadn’t been on a hike in a long time either so her body wasn’t acclimatized to it. There was also the constant challenge of having to be careful with your footing to avoid slipping on loose gravel or tripping over something buried beneath the dirt not to mention avoiding low-hanging branches. The only positive was that they wouldn’t have to deal with mosquitoes tormenting them since it was the middle of November.
They were close to the peak when Annabeth heard Percy make a noise of surprise behind her. She turned to see him falling backwards after tripping on a root hidden beneath the dirt. Her body moved faster than her mind could keep up, helping her lunge forward in time to loop a hand around Percy’s waist, stopping him mid-fall, and with her free hand held onto the trunk of a tree to keep momentum from making them both fall.
Percy stared up at her, eyes wide, while Annabeth tried to catch her breath and keep her footing. At this proximity, the smell of his cologne intermingled with the faint scent of sweat was inescapable, and something about it made her face grow hot and prickly. The fact that she could feel the heat of his skin through his shirt somehow only made things worse. Annabeth helped him upright quickly to keep from dwelling on it any further, but before she did, she could have sworn Percy’s eyes darted down to her lips for an instant before he met her eyes again.
“You okay?” Annabeth asked, breathing heavily.
Percy swallowed conspicuously, making his Adam’s Apple bob. “Um, yeah. Thanks.”
“Are you sure?” Annabeth asked carefully. “Your face is really red.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away to avoid meeting her eyes. “Oh, um, that’s just because I’m really hot right now.”
Annabeth tried to keep her tone light and sarcastic and said, “You sure it wasn’t because I made your heart skip a beat just now?”
A beat passed before an easy smile slid across Percy’s face. “How could it not? You were like a knight in shining armor just now.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re alright,” Annabeth said, unconvinced.
Percy nodded in gratitude but didn’t otherwise say anything. Annabeth looked at him for a little bit longer before biting her lip and turning around. The air between them was charged with tension for the remainder of the way up the trail, much to her frustration, but it dissipated once they made their way to the top of Aspen Peak.
Annabeth paused for a moment and took in the familiar scenery while nostalgia washed over her in waves. One of the reasons she loved this trail so much was that there was a small lake nestled at the top of Aspen Peak. At some point in the past, the top of Aspen Peak had broken off, leaving a crater of sorts almost behind where the peak once was. The half-eggshell shape had been perfectly suited for collecting rainfall, which over the span of several centuries had helped form a small lake .
“Holy shit, this is so cool,” Percy muttered.
Annabeth looked at him with a grin and said, “Right?”
“I had no idea there was a lake up here.”
Annabeth shrugged off her backpack and said, “Yeah, that’s the secret about Aspen Peak that not many people know about.”
Percy watched Annabeth unzip the backpack and pull out a sleeping bag and blanket. She spread the sleeping bag close to the shore of the lake and patted the spot next to her for Percy to sit down. She could feel Percy’s incredulity emanating from him in waves when she continued to rummage in the backpack to produce a small portable campfire stove, a small pan, a lighter, and a thermos. In the front pockets, she had stowed away a few water bottles and a packet of hot cocoa powder.
“You were carrying all of this?” Percy asked.
“I thought it would be nice to have some hot cocoa,” Annabeth said.
Percy shook his head in disbelief. “You are definitely letting me carry all this shit on the way back down. I have no idea how you managed to stuff all of this in there.”
“Hard work and dedication,” Annabeth said sagaciously.
His ensuing laughter warmed Annabeth down to her bones that helped offset the chill in the November air. Percy took the blanket and wrapped it around them while she set to work making the hot cocoa. She emptied the water bottles into the pan and set it over the stove to boil before she added the hot cocoa powder. Once it was done, she poured it into the thermos and handed it to Percy.
“You sure you don’t want the first sip?” Percy asked, raising an eyebrow.
Annabeth smiled and said, “I’ll live. Just make sure you don’t drink it all.”
“That obviously goes without saying,” Percy said, rolling his eyes.
He took a tentative sip and made a noise of approval before handing it to her. “This is great.”
Annabeth tried some as well and savored the deep chocolate flavor and the warmth as it ran down her throat. Thank god she had splurged on a more expensive cocoa mix. There was something uniquely delightful about drinking a warm beverage on a cold day, she mused, and with the blanket wrapped around them, there was a pleasant warmth that made Annabeth drowsy.
They quietly watched the scenery and the water fowl gliding atop the water’s surface. The area behind the lake was covered in tall, dark trees that used to creep her out when she had been a child. It seemed like the perfect place for a man-eating monster to lie in wait for careless seven-year-olds.
The longer they sat there, huddled together beneath the blanket, the more acutely Annabeth could feel the heat of Percy sitting beside her. They were no strangers to cuddling with one another, but Annabeth could tell she was more hyper-aware of him than she normally was. It was like she could feel each individual hair on his forearms tickling her skin and feel his heartbeat reverberating in the space between them. An overwhelming feeling of closeness washed over her, filling her with an intoxicating warmth from head to toe, but it still wasn’t enough somehow.
She found herself reaching for Percy’s hand and holding her breath when her knuckles brushed against his with such imperceptible softness she would have forgiven Percy for not noticing, but Annabeth could tell that he had by the tick of his jaw and the hard look in his eyes. She couldn’t even bear to look at him, but she brushed his hand again, more insistently this time, and hoped the message was clear.
Annabeth did not know what love was, but when Percy caught her hand and laced his fingers between her own, she imagined it felt something like this.
“This was my mother’s favorite trail,” she said quietly. “We used to come here as a family all the time before she left.”
Percy squeezed her hand in acknowledgment and turned to face her so she could continue.
“Those were some of the only moments I remember liking from my childhood. Things were just brighter then. My mom would pack us sandwiches and my dad would get some crappy store bought cocoa mix and we’d spend the entire day up here, not really doing anything, but it was fun,” Annabeth whispered.
“Sounds like it was something really special,” Percy said softly.
“It used to be,” Annabeth said tightly. “I just- I just wanted to share it with you.”
A lump formed in Annabeth’s throat and she found herself hoping that Percy could tell what she meant because it was a little too painful for her to say aloud, and the gentle way Percy’s thumb brushed her knuckles made her think that he did. The intimacy of the gesture stood in stark contrast to the lump in her throat. Suddenly, an overwhelming wave of sadness washed over her, but she didn’t understand where it came from or why.
Maybe it was that she mourned for a halcyon period in her life that was cut short, a time that she would never get back again. Maybe it was the somber reminder that time only moved one way and that there were never any do-overs in life. Or maybe it was the sudden, stupid realization that her mother really wasn’t going to come back after all.
Even after all these years, there was still some small, infinitesimal hope unconsciously squirreled away to some dark corner of her mind, hope that one day her mother would knock on the front door and step into her life again like she had never left and everything could go back to the way that it once was. Although she had always known that intellectually, it hadn’t quite sunk in until now. Suddenly, her chest was so tight that it was hard to breathe, but at the same time her thoughts raced in a desperate effort to rationalize away the whole thing so she wouldn’t have to feel it.
She could not make any sense out of how it was possible for a mother to one day walk out of her daughter’s life without a word or how the years you spent together as a family could be erased into nothingness.
If love was anywhere near as strong as Annabeth had been led to believe, then why was it so fickle, so cheap?
Perhaps, love was nothing more than building a house of cards that would collapse at the slightest provocation, a nectar destined to turn to poison in your mouth given enough time. If that was the case, Annabeth wanted nothing to do with it — she could never understand the appeal of something that would never last.
Maybe Percy would know the answer.
There was a pensive look on his face when she looked at him, but it melted into a smile once he noticed her eyes on him while his thumb continued tracing the ridges between her knuckles.
He cocked his head to the side and said, “You look like you want to ask me a question.”
Annabeth breathed a laugh and stared out at the lake to collect her thoughts before she said, “I guess I feel like I’m realizing for the first time that my mom’s really gone and won’t be back. There was a small part of me that kept hoping that she would show up one day and things would go back to the way they used to be, and now I’m realizing how stupid it was to believe that.”
“It’s not stupid,” Percy said, firmly but kindly. “It’s not stupid to wish your mom hadn’t left or to want her back.”
“It’s stupid to want someone who doesn’t want you back,” Annabeth muttered bitterly.
She looked up when Percy’s thumb stopped moving and was struck by the pain in his eyes before he forced a laugh and looked away.
“I- I didn’t mean it like that,” Annabeth said, guilt welling up inside her.
Percy screwed his eyes shut and shook his head. “No, you’re right. We shouldn’t want someone who doesn’t want us, but we can’t help it anyways. We can’t help loving who we love, even if it hurts us.”
“Then what’s the point of it,” Annabeth asked desperately. “Why does everyone want it so badly when all it does is hurt?”
“Because that’s not all it does,” Percy said. “There’s more to love than pain.”
Annabeth hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin atop them. “Like?”
Percy leaned back on his elbows to stare up at the night sky with a sigh.
“To me, falling in love is like finding someone that you want to know as intimately as possible. Like how they look when they get caught in the rain; what makes them laugh so hard they can’t breathe; what their voice sounds like first thing in the morning,” he said softly. “And you try to find someone that wants to know you as much as you want to know them. You want them to see you for you, flaws and all, and still choose you anyways.”
“Is it even possible to show someone everything about yourself? And even if it is, what if they don’t like what they see?” Annabeth asked.
“Maybe it isn’t possible, but I think you still want to try anyway. It’s more about the effort than whether or not you succeed, at least to me,” Percy said.
“But yeah, it’s terrifying. It’s like you’re letting someone touch your heart with their hands and desperately praying they don’t crush it between their fingers, but at the same time, you kind of need someone who you can trust to help carry your heart. It’s too heavy a burden to carry alone.”
Annabeth picked at the grass and considered his words for a moment. Despite her hesitance, she couldn’t help thinking that it would be wonderful to have someone who would want to know her that badly, someone who could help carry the burden of being a person, someone who could see her for her and choose her anyways. It was just hard for her to believe she would ever find someone like that.
“Did you ever fall for any of the girls you’ve dated?” Annabeth asked.
“I don’t know, honestly,” Percy admitted. “I liked them and there was probably a part of me that was a tiny bit in love with them, but I don’t think I ever fell for them.”
“How could you tell the difference between liking them and falling for them?”
“That’s easy. Falling in love feels way different from just having a crush on someone.”
“So you have fallen in love with someone before?” Annabeth asked, seizing the opportunity.
Percy shifted uneasily in place and averted his gaze. Annabeth could see the conflicted emotions passing in his eyes as she watched him. She was about to tell him it was fine if he didn’t want to tell her when movement on the far side of the lake caught Annabeth’s attention. She squinted to see better through the dark and froze at the sight of a large gray wolf prowling towards the water’s surface at the other end of the lake. It’s blue eyes cut through the encroaching darkness and assessed her presence as it drew closer to the water.
Annabeth caught Percy’s wrist and whispered, “Percy, look.”
He followed her gaze and spotted the wolf before stiffening beside her. They weren’t in any immediate danger, but Annabeth could feel her breathing becoming shallower and how Percy had tensed up beside her. The wolf never took its eyes off of them as it drew closer to the lake and paused for a moment before lowering its head to drink from the water. Once it had its fill, the wolf looked at them once more before disappearing back into the forest.
“Holy shit,” Percy muttered.
“That was super cool,” Annabeth whispered.
Percy snorted and said, “It could have killed us easily if it had wanted to. There’s no way we could have outrun it.”
“It was still pretty cool,” Annabeth said, grinning.
He stood up and stretched his limbs with a groan. “White girls are truly fearless,” he said, shaking his head.
Annabeth laughed and said, “You realize human beings domesticated wolves, which is why dogs exist, right?”
Percy raised an eyebrow and said, “Feel free to go domesticate that giant ass wolf then. I’ll be watching here a safe distance away.”
Annabeth rolled her eyes and stood up as well. “We should probably get going. It’s getting dark.”
Once everything was stowed in the backpack, Percy shouldered it and followed Annabeth down the trail. They walked carefully and paid extra attention to anything that could make them lose their footing. It was far worse to fall on the way back down than it was on the way up because momentum could force you down a long way.
They walked for a few minutes in silence before Percy suddenly said, “To answer your question before: Yes, I have fallen in love before.”
Annabeth looked over her shoulder, surprised by his admission. “Would I know her?”
There was a sad look in Percy’s eyes as he said, “Possibly.”
“She must be a lucky girl,” Annabeth said lightly.
At this, Percy laughed humorlessly and said, “That’s a bit of a stretch.”
Annabeth shifted a stray branch out of their path and said, “What makes you say that?”
There was a pause before Percy said, “Well, let’s just say my former girlfriends could attest to the fact that I’m a pretty terrible boyfriend.”
Annabeth’s heart clenched a little in her chest at his words. He was probably referring to what had happened with Kara. She wrestled the instinct to tell him that he hadn’t let anyone down because then he would ask her about it, but she couldn’t just say nothing after what he’d said.
She cleared her throat and said, “It’s hard for me to imagine you’ve ever let anyone down in your life. You’re like the most reliable, loyal person I have ever met.”
Percy was silent for a few moments before he quietly said, “You’re giving me too much credit. It’s only a matter of time before I let you down too.”
Annabeth had to pause because she had never heard Percy’s voice ever sound so sad and filled with self-loathing. She turned to look at him, but his face was a mask — even his eyes betrayed nothing. The pain she felt now was different from the kind she’d felt at the top of the peak, but it was worse somehow.
She took a step towards him, desperately trying to find the right words to say but, like always, nothing came to mind. Still, she couldn’t just let a comment like that slide, especially when it was so blatantly untrue.
“You do know that you could never let me down, right?” Annabeth asked, voice catching in her throat.
Percy shifted on his heels and looked down at his shoes, refusing to meet her eyes. She took another step forward and took his hands in her own. That was enough to make him look up at her, but the look in his eyes pierced through her like a blade. It was so hard for her to see him like this. Her hatred for Kara and all of his other stupid fucking girlfriends reignited like an inferno from the void, making her hands tremble.
“Listen to me very carefully: none of this is your fault,” Annabeth said angrily.
“You don’t even know what happened,” Percy muttered.
“I-” Annabeth started, before biting her lip.
Why couldn’t she say it? Why couldn’t she push past the black mass of terror inside her so she could be there for the person who mattered most to her in the world? Why was it so hard for her to tell him the fucking truth?
Percy’s eyes softened when he saw the frustration on her face. “Thank you for saying that, Annabeth. It means a lot.”
“But you don’t believe me,” Annabeth said, trying not to burst into tears. “You don’t believe me.”
He opened his mouth to say something before closing it again, his eyes swimming. He looked lost for words, which just made her feel sadder and angrier. He shouldn’t have to comfort her right now. This was about him, but it was turning into something about her and she didn’t know how to stop it.
Annabeth took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up something painful. You do know that you can talk to me right? About anything?”
“Of course I do,” Percy said instantly.
“Then lean on me more,” Annabeth pleaded. “I can tell that there are things that you aren’t telling me. I’ve never pushed you to talk about things you didn’t want to talk about, but it’s getting hard when you’re suffering right in front of me.”
“I-I’ll try,” Percy said hesitantly.
Annabeth clenched and unclenched her fists at her sides. He hadn’t convinced her, but maybe this was the best she could hope for right now. There were more things that she wanted to say, but it probably wouldn’t make a difference, not right now. She needed to give him time to get used to the idea. All she could do now was be patient and believe in him.
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