#(about to visit with brother and brother's family for the next several hours) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

withwritersblock · 2 months

Text

More Hearts Than Mine -Meeting His Family

~More Hearts Than Mine by Ingrid Andress~ Author's Note: I forgot that Jack didn't play this game lowkey so pretend Jack is playing <3 Also I don't really like this one as much as the other one but it's still cute Summary: Y/N meets Luke's family for the first time Warning: cursing? maybe lowkey forgot Word Count: 3,128 Luke Hughes x fm!reader

It was several hours before the game even started and she was standing in the bathroom finishing up the final touches of her makeup as her heart was beginning to pound. Today was a huge day for his family. It was the second time in their careers where the Hughes brothers would be playing together. Sure, it was a big deal when Jack and Quinn did it before but now that Luke was officially on the team it's become even more exciting.

It had happened once already in Vancouver. But since this was going to be the last time this season it would occur. His parents flew out to Jersey to experience it. Which meant she would be meeting his parents and Quinn for the first time.

Him meeting her family was a little different as her family was normal. His family was an empire. Sure, the few times they’ve briefly met on FaceTime went well. But it was completely different where she would be left alone with his parents for the entirety of the game.

Luke was left alone for a maximum four minutes with her family the entire three days he was there visiting. Obviously there were different circumstances but it was scary. They were planning on getting a late lunch before the game started to see each other since Quinn had to leave early the next day. She delicately tapped her finger against the underbags of her eyes trying to see if the product will stay. Luke peeked his head through the bedroom door, his hair still messily laid across his forehead.

“Hey beautiful,” he muttered as a small smile spread across his lips. She rolled her eyes as she fought off a smile forming on her lips. “We’re going to meet them at my place first and walk from there,” he explained as he leaned his body against the door frame. All she could muster up was a nod. “Baby, it’s going to be fine,” he whined out as he walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Was that helpful when I said that to you last week?” she asked, her head tilting to the side. He clenched his jaw as he fought the giggle leaving his throat. “Would they be weirded out if I wore your jersey to the game?” she asked, her eyes forming a puppy dog look.

“Oh my god, please wear it,” he muttered as he delicately pressed his lips to her cheek. “My dad was trying to figure out if he was going to wear mine or Jack’s, so if you wear mine the decisions already made,”

She squinted her eyes as she looked towards him through the mirror, “So your mom just was planning on wearing Quinn’s?” she asked a small chuckle leaving her lips.

“She wore Jack’s last time,” he said in a shrug. Y/N began pulling away from him walking towards her dresser to add some jewelry to her outfit.

“Remind me to stop after we have two kids, I can’t handle all that,” she said nonchalantly. She froze for a moment waiting to see if Luke would comment on it.

He simply smiled and said, “Well what if we have a kid that likes theatre and not sports?”

“Well, then I’ll consider having another one,” she mumbled, avoiding his eye as she struggled putting on the necklace. Luke walked towards her, taking note of her struggling. She pulled her hair away from her neck as he also struggled to get the necklace on. But she didn’t mind, she liked him being that close.

“So you want at least two kids?” he questioned as he finally settled the necklace. She spun around and met his gaze shyly.

“I’m sorry I said that, it’s too early-”

“No it's not,” he said as he rested his hand on her cheek, “It’s good we talk about those things now,” he let out before he delicataely pressed his lips to hers for a brief moment. “So, two kids?”

“Three,” she let out with a smile. He nodded as they started walking out of her bedroom.

“Three’s a good number, we know that very well,” he said as he chuckled slightly.

“How many kids do you want?” she asked him as she watched him grab his keys from the kitchen countertop. He shrugged.

“However many you and your uterus decide,” he said in a teasing tone as he checked his phone. She barked out a laugh. “Come on, Jack’s getting hangry,” he mumbled as he took a hold of her hand guiding through her apartment building.

They stopped just outside of his apartment door, when he started to turn the door knob, “Wait,” she mumbled. He shifted his gaze towards her bright eyes. She was taking unsteady breaths, “What if they hate me?” she asked barely above a whisper. His eyes widened as he shook his head. “I mean, I’m the first girl you’ve brought home, what if-” he shut her up by taking a hold of her cheeks and kissing her. She felt her body relax as he kissed her. “Huh, that really does work,” she mumbled as she pulled away.

He nodded his head, “Like magic,” he said with a dramatic wink before he pushed the door open. He rested his hand onto her lowerback as he guided her into the apartment.

“Fucking finally, I’m starving. Can we go?” Jack said as he jumped up from his sitting position on the couch. Luke rolled his eyes as he kept his hand on her lowerback as they walked past the kitchen. His parents stood up from the couch with wide grins on their lips. Quinn remained on the couch, shyly watching his youngest brother show off his girlfriend.

“Jack, it’s not about you, remember?” his father jokes. Jack huffed as he sat down back where he was sitting before.

“I told you guys, she’s cool. Do we really need to do this whole thing?” Jack muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. Y/N smiled softly as she scanned the apartment.

“Yes, we see a new girlfriend of yours like every two months. Y/N must be pretty special if Lukey wants to bring her home,” Ellen said as she walked towards Luke giving him a big hug before she walked towards Y/N to give her one as well. “Oh, you smell lovely,”

“Thank you,” Y/N mumbled, unsure of how to react to the land of royalty she was in. She was being dramatic but now she feels guilty for giving Luke so much grief of him being afraid to meet her family. His father walked towards the pair giving Luke a huge hug before he walked towards Y/N giving her a brief hug.

“How was your morning?” Ellen asked Y/N and she took a hesitant breath. The quick conversation she had with Luke regarding the possibility of kids popped in her mind. She wasn’t going to say that.

“It was good! We stopped and got coffee in the coffee shop in my apartment building before we got ready to come over here.” she replied with a smile on her lips.

“Oh what’s your drink?” Ellen asked as Luke wandered towards the center of the living room to see Quinn eyeing Y/N and his parents.

Quinn would never admit it but he was overly protective over Luke. He was the definition of the older brother role to a T. “You gonna stop being an ass and meet my girlfriend?” Luke asked teasingly as he kicked his leg against Quinn’s shin. Luke turned his head around to see Y/N talking happily with his parents. His heart fluttered slightly at the sight.

“Was starting to think you didn’t know what a girlfriend was,” Quinn chirped as he stood up from the couch to wander towards his parents and Y/N.

Luke smiled half heartily as he wanted towards the group as well. He quickly planted himself beside her, looping his arm around her waist. She was tense and nervous and feeling his arm around her body calmed her down.

“I’m Quinn,” he let out as he reached his hand out, she responded by shaking his hand. “Luke says your brother plays hockey?” he asked. She nodded dramatically.

“Yeah, he’s a goalie,” she mumbles. Quinn nods before Jack lets out another loud dramatic groan.

“We should probably feed him,” Ellen mumbles as she awkwardly bumped her arm against Y/N.

“Thank you, my God,” he groaned as he stood up from the couch, heading straight towards the front door.

His family exited the apartment, practically in a line with Luke and Y/N hanging in the back as he hand did soothing circles across her lower back. “Are you doing okay?” he whispered as they were in their own bubble as his family were joking together a few feet ahead of them.

“Pretty sure I can’t breathe, but I’m okay,” she let out as they walked closer to his family to get engaged in the conversation. He rolled his eyes playfully as they walked towards the restaurant that was only two street lights away.

“When did you move to the city?” his mom asked her as they continued down the street towards the restaurant.

“I moved here when I was eighteen, I’m studying to be a secondary teacher,” she explained.

“Any specific speciality?” his dad asked.

“I think I want to do more math or sciences, I haven’t really decided which side I want to go yet,”

They walk into the hole-in-the-wall rustic restaurant in a huge group, Quinn already called ahead to reserve a large booth for them to eat at. It was a typical pub place, some limited things on what the boys could eat before the game but it was close. The hosts guided them to the back corner of the restaurant where there were corner booths that could hold up to eight people.

Luke guided her into the booth so she would sit between him and Jack, the two people she was comfortable with. Quinn scooted in beside Luke, allowing his parents to sit beside Jack. Luke quickly began running his hand up and down her thigh trying to calm her down.

“This place is cute, do you guys come here often?” Ellen looked between the three of them.

“If we win, we usually get dinner here,” Jack said as he flipped the menu open.

“Y/N and I’ve come here a few times for lunch,” Luke said as he smiled towards his mom. She smiled softly towards her youngest as she dropped her gaze towards her menu.

“What do you usually get, Y/N?” his dad asked.

~~~

She stood in Luke’s bathroom as she adjusted her makeup from earlier in the day. Luke stood beside her as he contemplated on wearing a hat with his dark blue checkered suit he was wearing. He leaned behind Y/N and threw the hat through the doorway to land on his bed. He sighed as he turned on the faucet to get his hair slightly wet.

“You okay?” she asked as he took in a sharp breath as he ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed, avoiding her gaze.

“Hate playing against Quinn,” he mumbled as he then begna to take a hold of some gel to run through his hair.

“You guys will do great,” she reassured as she dropped her mascara back into her makeup back. She took a small step towards him as she delicately rested her hand onto the center of his back as she ran reassuring circles.

“He’s fucking rockin’ right now-”

“So are you,” she muttered as she pressed her lips against his shoulder as she met his gaze in the mirror. He smiled softly as he saw his mom lurking beside the door, his cheeks flushing red. Y/N pulled away from him as she began fixing her hair slightly.

“Mom,” he let out breathily as he shook his head. She smiled awkwardly as she chuckled nervously.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you two,” she said as she raised her eyebrows excitedly, “There’s a lot of family and friends that decided to come to the game. Suite’s going to be a bit more crowded than I thought. Just wanted to give you and Y/N a heads up,” she said as she tapped her hand against the door frame before she walked out of his bedroom. Y/N’s eyes widened as she shifted her body towards Luke. His own eyes went wide.

“It’ll be fine!” he offered as he quickly wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her closely to his.

“Lukey! If you are not ready in five, I’m leaving without you!” Jack shouted from the living room. Luke pulled away as he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers urgently. She responded by running her hand along the base of his neck.

“That’s a handy new trick,” he mumbled against her lips before he pulled away from her and looked back at his own reflection. His entire body relaxed as he took a deep breath. “It’ll be okay, it’ll be fine,” he let out trying to convince himself and Y/N. He quickly kissed her cheek, “Bye, my love, I’ll see you after the game,” he said, meeting her gaze before he walked out of the bathroom. She smiled towards him before looking back into her own reflection.

She was prepared to spend hours alone with his parents but multiple family members, extended family he rarely even sees. It was terrifying.

As she was applying lip gloss, his mom entered the bathroom again. A nervous smile on her lips. “Luke said you were gorgeous but you are even more pretty in person,” she said as she looked into Y/N’s eyes through the mirror.

Y/N’s heart hit hard against her chest as she tilted her head to the side. “That’s really sweet, thank you,” she mumbled as she brushed her hair away from her face.

“Does he treat you well?” she asked.

Y/N turned her gaze towards his mom and smiled softly. “He’s a gentleman and kind and he makes me laugh. I’m not saying this just to say it when he genuinely makes me a happier person,” she explained, her voice cracking up slightly as she spoke.

“After every game he brings me a singular rose to add to my vase in the kitchen. Even on road trips, he’ll bring back a few roses. I’m not even sure how he gets them, we travel to the arena together a lot and somehow after he leaves the locker room he has a rose in his hand!” she said chuckling, Ellen began laughing too, “I’m sure he gets one of the interns to get it for him or he has a secret stash in the locker room. I have no idea.”

Ellen pulled her into a hug as she sniffled slightly, “Had no idea he was such a romantic.”

~~~

The game ended in a disappointing loss for the Devils but it hurts a little less only because it was Quinn’s team. Luke’s parents and Y/N were waiting for Luke and Jack to leave the locker room when Quinn jogged towards the three of them.

He hugged his parents, “I’m glad you guys were here,” he said as he pulled away. He walked towards Y/N giving her a hug as well. She hesitantly returned the hug as this was the first time Quinn truly acknowledged Y/N’s presence, “He’s smitten over you,” he whispered against her hair before he pulled away. She felt her cheeks heat up at the sentiment.

“Good game, son,” Jim muttered as he slapped his hand against Quinn’s arm. Quinn smiled before he dropped his gaze.

“We’re flying out soon, I wanted to say goodbye before I bolted out of here,” he muttered before he hugged his parents again. Y/N tuned out the conversation as she watched a few of the Devil’s players leave the locker room. It was usual for Jack and Luke to emerge later in the crowd especially after a loss. “It was nice meeting you, Y/N!” he shouted as he jogged back towards the away team locker room.

After a few more minutes Jack and Luke began walking out of the locker room in the same suits they wore heading into the game. Luke walked out holding out a singular rose with a blush spread across his cheeks.

“You weren’t kidding,” Ellen let out as Luke continued towards Y/N. She glanced towards his mom before she walked towards him.

She gladly took a hold of the rose as she gave him a hug, “I’m sorry about the game,” she mumbled as she pulled away. He shrugged before he pressed his lips to the side of her head before he walked over and met up with Jack and his parents.

“They’re disgusting,” Jack muttered as they continued towards the parking garage, Jim and Ellen laughed as they gave Luke a quick hug before they walked towards their cars.

~~~

She had stepped out of the shower, running her fingers through her hair as she started to walk towards the living room when she overheard Luke talking in his living room.

“You like her?” he asked his mom.

“Luke, she seems perfect for you. She’s a little shy like you but she makes you happy, right?” Ellen offered. Y/N smiled to herself, feeling her heart swell.

“You have no idea, Mom,” he let out with a huff of air.

Y/N walked away from the door towards the bed as she slowly laid down onto the mattress, she smiled to herself.

After another ten minutes, Luke snuck into the bedroom, a hoodie covering his body with a pair of black sweatpants. He shut the door delicately behind him, standing by the door he stared towards her with such admiration. She met his eye as she watched him pull his lips between his teeth.

“What?” she asked softly as he shook his head. He excitedly jumped onto the bed, she erupted in giggles as he submerged her body beneath his. “What are you doing?” she asked as he rested his head onto her chest. He slowly ran his hand up and down her side.

“I just feel like I haven’t seen you,” he muttered as he delicately pressed his lips against her exposed collarbone. Her hands slowly ran through his curls that were damp from the shower he took earlier after the game. “I miss being alone with you,” he muttered as he shut his eyes. She hummed as she delicately pressed her lips against his forehead.

#luke hughes series #luke hughes fanfic #luke hughes x reader #luke hughes imagines #nhl imagines #nhl #nhl x reader #nhl fic #hockey #luke hughes #new jersey devils fic #jack hughes imagines #nj devils #new jersey devils x reader #quinn hughes #quinn hughes x reader #quinn hughes imagines #lh43

654 notes · View notes

candycandy00 · 17 days

Text

The Visitors (Dabi x Reader)

Dabi is in prison and refusing to speak to anyone, even his family. Until you visit him, bringing a surprise bundled in your arms.

Fem Reader. Sex is mentioned but there’s no detailed smut. Divider by @benkeibear

You and Touya were not in love. The two of you just happened to turn to each other occasionally when you were both horny and bored. You were a cook working at the villa for the PLF. He was a villain who showed up sporadically, always seeming to have secrets. But you always went into the kitchen, no matter what hour he showed up, and fixed him something to eat that wouldn’t upset his sensitive stomach. That’s how it started.

Touya didn’t love you. You didn’t love him. But on the night before the huge attack on the hero school, what everyone was cryptically calling “the final battle”, you went to his room.

He turned you away at first. He didn’t want to lose focus. But you’d stood rooted to the spot in his doorway, your eyes glassy as if you were about to cry.

Even you didn’t know where the emotion came from. He was just a guy you slept with sometimes. But your voice sounded small and fragile when you said, “I just have this feeling… that I’ll never see you again after tonight.”

Touya looked at you, met your gaze, and asked, “That would bother you?”

Maybe he was being sarcastic, but you gave him a genuine answer.

“I don’t want you to die.”

He’d looked away from you then, but invited you into his room. You spent the night in his bed, being fucked more gently than usual, and he was gone before you woke up the next morning.

During the battle, you only crossed Touya’s mind once. He didn’t think about the many nights spent thrusting into you, or how your naked body seemed to glow in the moonlight that filtered in through his window. No, the one time you entered his rage-addled thoughts, he only saw your teary face in his doorway.

After the fight was over, after the most grievous of Touya’s injuries had been repaired and he was, basically, left in a similar shape to when he originally joined the League of Villains, he was put in prison.

Several different people tried to talk to him, or rather, get him to talk. A parade of therapists, investigators, psychologists, and other professionals were brought in to speak with Touya, but he wouldn’t utter a word. Even when his mom and his siblings came to see him, he sat in the visitation room, a quirk inhibiting collar around his neck and his arms in cuffs, completely silent. He had nothing to say to them or anyone else. He was simply waiting to die.

Sometimes, lying awake in his cold and empty cell at night, his thoughts would turn to you. He would remember your skin soft and warm against his, your body trembling with pleasure beneath him, your hands in his hair.

And then, inevitably, he would remember your face from that final night together, your quiet voice telling him you didn’t want him to die.

He didn’t know why those words seemed to cling to his consciousness, to haunt him like a phantom. The two of you were never even a couple. He didn’t love you, and you didn’t love him.

… Right?

Many months after his incarceration, after everyone had given up on getting Touya to speak, his youngest brother showed up out of the blue.

“I’ve brought someone to see you,” Shouto told him. “She contacted me a few days ago. I think you’ll want to hear what she has to say.”

With that, Shouto left the room, and someone else stepped in.

Touya’s eyes widened slightly when he saw that you were his visitor. He never imagined you would come to see him. Visiting someone in this prison wasn’t an easy task. But what surprised him even more than your presence was what you carried in your arms.

A bundle of soft pink blankets that quivered with movement.

“Touya,” you said, sitting in a chair across a metal table from him, “they said you haven’t spoken since… the battle. But I had to see you. I had to show you…”

Your voice trailed off as you shifted the tiny bundle and gently pulled the blankets back so that Touya could see the infant in your arms.

His eyes shifted to the baby, then quickly away, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her.

“I named her Aoi. She was born two weeks ago,” you told him, desperate for him to say something, to acknowledge you. After several minutes of silence passed, during which Touya wouldn’t even look up, you sighed and started to stand up.

“Is she mine?”

The voice startled you. It had been so long since you’d heard it last. You lowered yourself back into the chair.

“Of course she is. Just look at her.”

Touya’s gaze flicked back to your arms, his eyes finally focusing on the child. That deep red hair, just like his when he was a child, those bright blue eyes… there was no denying her. He knew, without question, that this was his daughter.

His immediate, gut reaction was horror. He’d had zero intentions of becoming a father. He didn’t want to perpetuate the cycle of abuse and hatred his father had inflicted on him.

But once the horror subsided, another emotion took its place. Something strange and nebulous, unfamiliar but warm. He’d never felt this emotion before, so he couldn’t attach a name to it.

He looked you in the face, finally, and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t ever bring her here again,” he said harshly. “This place is dangerous. A guard was killed last week when someone tried to escape. For fuck’s sake, why did they let you bring a baby in here?”

You blinked, surprised by his reaction. “Your brother pulled some strings, I think. He escorted me in.”

Touya sighed. “Okay. Well, don’t bring her back unless Shouto is with you.”

He didn’t know very much about his youngest sibling, but he did know Shouto was strong, and was a hero who would defend a mother and baby with his life.

You smiled with relief. “So you want to see her again? See me again?”

Touya’s face stiffened, just then realizing how transparent he’d been. He shrugged. “If you want to visit, that’s up to you. Don’t blame me if she has nightmares later.”

“Do you want to get a closer look?” you asked him.

He reflexively pulled against the cuffs holding his arms in place behind his back. He could never hold his daughter, not like this. But you stood up and moved around the table separating you from Touya, bringing Aoi close and holding her up to his face.

If the guards saw this, they would tear you out of the room immediately. Touya’s brother must have been keeping them away. Perhaps he was watching from somewhere, just to be safe. But Touya would never hurt Aoi, not intentionally at least. You believed that very strongly.

A tiny hand reached up from the blankets and touched Touya’s face, causing him to flinch. He looked down at the small, chubby face smiling up at him, and was grateful that she was too young to understand that his face wasn’t normal, too young to be afraid of him.

“Touya,” you said gently, not wanting to interrupt the tender moment but needing to say this, “they said if you’ll just talk to someone, if you’ll do the therapy program, you could be released.”

He looked up at you sharply. “Is that why you came? To get me to talk?”

“I came because I don’t want her to grow up without her father. Do you?”

A brief look of hurt passed over his features, so quick you almost missed it, then he drew back against his chair, out of Aoi’s reach. “No, I don’t want that,” he said.

You smiled as you stepped away, toward the door. “Good. Then you’ll do the therapy program?”

Touya rolled his eyes. “Sure. Not that I think it’ll change anything.”

“Thank you, Touya,” you said. “We’ll come see you again soon.”

He didn’t say another word, just watched you leave, carrying his daughter. He sat in the empty room for a few minutes, then took a deep breath before yelling, “If any of you assholes wanna take a crack at my busted brain, come on! I’m all yours!”

#dabi x reader #dabi #touya todoroki #touya x reader #todoroki touya #bnha x reader

397 notes · View notes

primordial-shade · 6 months

Text

Minotaur Partner Headcanons

Hellloooo I’m back, very sorry for being away but honestly I uploaded those previous two posts on a whim and came back from Spain to my tumblr having loads of notifications. SO thank you and here’s another segment of my Monster Lover Headcanons with the Minotaur! One a bit of a Greek fix lately so here we go.

Background

Minotaurs. Big beefy and sweet as all hell.

Headcanon for how they started? Easy, out Mr Original, Asterion the sweet poor lamb (BTW for those who maybe don’t know that was the Minotaur’s original name) did actual kill the sacrifices but tried to help them but they all fled in fear of him and died in the Labyrinth except one, a lovely lady I’m going to call Hemera.

She ended up staying in the labyrinth with Asterion, falling in love and determined to get them both out.

Theseus fucks along and when he’s about to kill her beloved she knocks him the fuck out, uses the yarn to get them all out, then fucks off with her hubby to the Mountains and lets everyone think Theseus killed him by leaving behind part of his broken horn.

They start a farm up in the mountains (With support from Asterions mother Persiphae and his sisters and eventually his brother in Law Dionysus who are happy Asterion is alive and happy cuz FUCK MINOS.)

Eventually they have several kids (Adorable as fuck) and a thriving mountain farm that the kiddos inherited.

As such Minotaurs are all related, and as such they often seek human partners.

Minotaurs like in mountainous regions, often protected by the God Dionysus, whose wife is all their many times great aunt who was forced to marry Theseus and tried to kill him and only gave him the yarn so her brother could kill him and use it to get out we love you Adriane <3

They grow lots of things but they are famous for wine 😉

White, red, rose, dessert. They make every type and its so fucking good.

Maybe you’re a wine coniseur, maybe you decided to go visit the farms on holiday, maybe you’re a local they trade with or a worker on the farm.

Needless to say when you catch a Minotaurs eye, you are staying for good.

SFW

Big sweethearts. Big beefy adorable sweethearts. Muscled as fuck and strong, with big soulful eyes and soft fur and hnghhghhg

I got fucking sidetracked

Anyway, Minotaur’s are very family orientated and all work on the huge collective farms in various roles. Don’t worry, wether or not you can contribute to the farm is moot, you’re their love and you don’t have to prove yourself in anyway and also if you’re human they kinda get overprotective and its like, ‘no please don’t help we don’t want you to get bruised or tired we love you just go and relax and let us do all the hard work baby <3.’

The hardest of workers, baby if you have a minotaur partner one of your main jobs is teaching them not to overwork themselves because they just wanna be good and make sure everything is good and they can’t stand doing nothing or not taking care of you.

If they could physically carry you around all the time, and this is more about your want to walk because they could carry you around all the time, you’re their Love, their sweet delicate loves. Please let them carry you around, it makes them so happy.

Their favourite thing in the world is taking care of you.

You’re hungry? They will literally go out to the farm and find the juiciest, best tasting produce and will hand feed it to you.

You have achy muscles? Oh poor baby, let them get their big strong hands and soothe all those aches and pains away.

If you do the same for them??

Ooooh, love, love love love.

They’re favourite thing? Honestly is when you lay down and they can curl up and put their head on your lap, letting you scratch their heads and between their horns.

Ooooh you scratch between their horns or behind their ears?? Very happy Minotaur, very happy wiggly minotaur. You’ll be lucky if you can get up for the next few hours, this is a pleasure that is rare and cherished.

They will also always show off. They can’t help it they just so want to impress you.

They’ll play fight with other Minotaurs in front of their loves, pick up heavy things, lift you up and carry you around.

They love making flower crowns too, and any crafts they take up they’ll make you something.

They love being praised. They absolutely love it, please praise them. Tell them how strong they are, how sweet they can be, how soft there fur is or how lovely their eyes are. They will melt, making soft little ‘moo’ sounds out of sheer pleasure.

They will also praise you constantly.

Your talents, your looks, even how you breathe. If it can be praised they will do it.

They also take a little longer to fall in Love, it’s a long term distrust thing, but once they do they fall *hard*.

And they will do anything in their power to prove this love to you. They love hard and they love deeply.

Bless their hearts but for a long time they’ll probably act like a Minotaur in love until one moment when they see you holding a baby Minotaur, or if the sun catches on your face the right way or even just sitting together and drinking something warm and suddenly it’s like a switch goes off in their heads.

“I love this person. ILOVE THIS PERSON!!” Nothing but joy and love and warmth.

Very physically affectionate. Hugs, cuddles, handholding, licking, kissing….

Yeah, their love language is love and praise. Which leads us into

NSFW:

So Minotaurs are big. In every way.

Not only are they generally built like strongmen. All muscles and covered in a nice thick layer of fat, male and female Minotaur are built this way.

Big muscles, big breasts and pecs, fat cocks and pussies. Everything is big and ready for you to feast upon.

One of the major things they like doing to you is lick.

Their tongues are thick and long, and they love to lick the taste of your salty sweat from your skin, to lick your salty semen and tangy arousal from your pussy or cock. They long to spread you open and lock you clean or flick their tongue over your most sensitive parts.

Sit on their face. Don’t give them any bullshit about being to heavy they are fucking Minotaurs and you will sit on their face so help them Dionysus.

Suffocation??? Who gives a shit about that, fucking sit on them and let them eat your ass/pussy out!!!!! If they die they die, and they will die with no regrets.

They are so soft with you though, loving touches and praising how good you taste and feel around and in them. How good you sound calling their names and begging for them. Such a darling thing, a sweet pretty love.

Yeah they are the kings/queens of accidental overstim. It’s always just one more orgasm, one more sweet baby, just give me one more. God they love you so much, please let them keep going, please just one more orgasm, just one more sweet orgasm.

Your legs will be shaking, you’ll be cockdumb/pussydrunk to the point you can barely speak but you keep going because you love them so much and gods it feels so fucking good.

You will be covered in fluids. Cum, semen, spit, all over the place. Covering your skin, filling your mouth, filling you. There will not be an area untouched by them and you love it.

#monster x reader #monster fucker #monster lover #monster x human #terat0philliac #terato

490 notes · View notes

gabnills · 1 year

Note

Hii, can you do a neteyam x female! metkayina! reader where she’s tsireya (and the other siblings’) sister and instead of Ronal, it’s her spirit sister and her spirit sister’s calf that was killed, and everyone is just around her watching as she’s crying loudly and mourning and neteyam comforts her omg, then she’s all set on revenge and saying she wants to kill the sky people for murdering her spirit sister when she finds out about it ughh :(( I’m feeling in an angsty mood rn

darling why do you make us suffer like this :")

Tragedy and Revenge Neteyam x F!Metkayina Reader

Words:1207

Context: The Sully family arrived at the Metkayina village where their eldest son found a safe place to be himself with the eldest daughter of the village Olo'eyktan, teaching them the ways of their people both feel instantly connected in their respective duties like older children. The sons of Pandora, the Tulkun returned from their long cycle of migration.

-THEY RETURNED, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS RETURNED-someone ran outside the store, you heard that someone blew the alarm horn and a great noise began to be noticed outside. When you came out you met your brother Aonung quite happy, something unusual.

-T'ayla, the tulkun returned, dad wants you to look for the boys of the forest

-He really said that I should do it?

-That doesn't matter, go to look for them-most likely that task wasn't yours, but you couldn't say that you didn't feel like doing it

You were excited, you shared several tattoos on your body with the marks that your spiritual sister had on the skin, it had been a long time since you had seen Seren. You had a lot to tell him. Maybe about a special person you wanted me to meet.

It didn't take you long to find the pair of older brothers from the visiting family. Neteyam and Lo'ak did not go unnoticed among your people, they were quite confused by the repentant actions of the locals, standing on the edge of the beach where the small waves reached the soles of their feet before retreating.

-T'ayla, it's good that you're here, an explanation would help us- the younger brother spoke, but your eyes had lost themselves in Neteyam's smile when he saw you

-The tulkun returned with us after their immigration cycle, come with me

You took Neteyam's hand to start walking into the sea making sure his brother went after you. Once completely submerged, you let go of the older hand and invited them to swim and follow you. It didn't take long for you to hear the sounds of large animals underwater, also, the tide began to feel more agitated in front.

From one moment to the next, only Neteyam was behind you, it was when you could see your sister in the distance, Seren, what surprised you was to see a small calf taking refuge under her fin, you hurried your step.

-It's been a long time- you told him with some hand signals

-I am happy to see you, you have grown, I bring good news with me- Neteyam did not understand the sounds that came from the great animal, but he had an idea of what you were saying to the tulkun with your hands.

-Your baby is beautiful, I'm happy for you, I also have good news too, I met a good boy

Neteyam wasn't sure he understood what you said correctly, but when you invited him to come closer he already had red cheeks.

-------------------------

The conversation you shared with Neteyam was interrupted when you saw the return of your parents and his parents, behind them, some ilu were tied with some ropes while dragging something in the water.

As they got closer to the seashore, closer and closer to you, you understood the cold that enveloped your heart a few hours ago, and the shadow that you felt had fallen heavy on your shoulders, a gloomy feeling that crushed the good moments from barely an hour ago.

-I'm so sorry my daughter, we found them like this when we arrived - you hadn't looked up when your father and mother came to the arena to give you a big hug

The ilu were still dragging the corpses of your sister Seren and her young. Jake Sully and his wife also came to you and explained the situation to you, the sky people had kill them.

It wasn't until you entered the water and swam next to Seren, while you ran your hands over her rough skin and saw her gloomy and lifeless eyes, you began to cry inconsolably, your eyes seemed like the same marine currents of the ocean, you couldn't stop crying and screaming whint nothing else to do, you felt for a moment that you could no longer breathe and that you were going to drown in the water. Your vision had become cloudy and you felt that you could not continue swimming, you were sinking and running out of air and strength to reach the surface. At that moment you thought you were ready to follow your sister wherever her to go, your vision began to get smaller until you saw nothing.

You woke up with the feeling of the sand on her back and behind your head, you could hear a voice calling you from far, far away.

Then you opened your eyes and felt like vomiting, an unavoidable and painful cough invaded your throat and your eyes began to hurt once more, a great jet of water came out of your throat allowing you to breathe again.

-Oh, thanks to Eywa, I thought I lost you - suddenly you noticed an agitated and very wet Neteyam on you, literally, he noticed your scared look and he rushed down from your lap with the reddest cheeks you've ever seen.

-I'm so sorry, I really didn't know what to do and if I didn't get you out of there quickly I was afraid it would be worse…- he started talking very fast trying to justify himself but you were completely invaded by other feelings to bother you for his actions

-It's okay Neteyam, I'm fine- you tried to stand up but a painful dizziness clouded your vision, the boy next to you rushed to hold you by the waist preventing you from falling again

-Maybe you better get some rest, you almost drowned five minutes ago- the concern in his words was evident

-You don't understand, they killed her, they murdered both of them, she was so happy, you saw her, she was happy to meet you…- your eyes will develop tears once more and your vision clouded, Neteyam had comforted his brothers many other times, so he slowly approached you and wrapped you in his arms, warm and protective.

-I know, we're going to be fine, we're going to solve it- your crying didn't stop and instead you clung as much as you could to Neteyam's body, his closeness managed to comfort you a little and the sensation of his skin so close to your yours calmed your agitated breathing, Neteyam was afraid to you faint again in his arms

When your yanto was calmer, you separated enough from Neteyam to look into his eyes, your swollen eyes looked at him strongly and determinedly

-There is only one way to solve it, they murdered my family, I will kill each one of them

A chill ran through Neteyam's spine, from the top of his neck to the tip of his tail and the soles of his feet. It took less than a second for him to decide that he would help you with your purpose and that he would give his life to protect your angry eyes and determined in search of revenge.

890 notes · View notes

tenelkadjowrites · 1 year

Text

No Secrets At Christmas - Part One - Seonghwa x Reader (NSFW)

PART TWO HERE.

🎄 Summary: Having harbored a crush on your older brother’s best friend, Seonghwa, since you were both kids, you wear a dress to a Christmas dinner in a last ditch attempt to get him to notice you now that you’re a grown woman.

🎄 Word count: 8k

🎄 Genre and warnings: reader with brother’s best friend. fem pronouns for reader. mutual masturbation. dirty talk.

🎄 Tags: @thewonderofkpop - @obligatoryidolblog - @iusrene - @yunhofingers - @foggyinternetchaos - @multihoe-net - @spiderrenjunfics - @whatudowhennooneseesyou - @jess-1404 - @just-here-to-read-01 - @lilhwahwa - @btsreader12 - @talkbykhalid - @rdiamond2727 - @inneratinyrebel - @8tinytings - @mrszackfoster - @xirenex - this tag list is for ppl who have requested to be added to either all my fics or just ateez fics.

this fic is not meant to represent Seonghwa in any way, shape or form.

“I’m having second thoughts about this.”

“About what?”

“This dress. Everything. Existing.”

Hongjoong, who is rubbing his hands together to try to get some warmth into them, glowers at you. Underneath the lights of the restaurant sign, the snow swirling around him and landing in his black hair, wearing his oversized coat, he looks positively diminutive. The snowfall had begun to wind down for the night but his hair seemed intent on catching every final snowflake.

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

Seonghwa won’t notice me. He’ll forever see me as the little sister of his best friend. I won’t ever move past the memories of being ten and annoying them to let me hang out. He won’t ever see me as a woman worthy of feeling physically and emotionally attracted to and this trip will end with everything the same.

But since the last thing you feel like doing is spilling your soul outside the front of the restaurant, you just shrug and go, “I dunno.”

“You look great in the dress,” Hongjoong reassures you, heading towards the door, “Come on before we are late. We won’t hear the end of it from your parents.”

He isn’t wrong but it takes a few seconds for your feet to obey your brain and move. You are regretting listening to Hongjoong a few hours prior when he convinced you to buy the dress after discovering it at the thrift store. “Your brother said Seonghwa explicitly asked if you would be here for Christmas. He said he was looking forward to seeing you. Let’s push that advantage!” His speech struck the part of your heart that never quite gave up the crush on Seonghwa that first formed back when you were just ten years old.

But Hongjoong, your best friend of six years, was a convincing speaker with a charming smile and ten minutes later, you left the store with the dress. But now, knowing that seeing Seonghwa for the first time since last Christmas is at hand, you only feel extremely nervous. You are sure that his prior words were out of kindness and respect for the long time friendship he had with your older brother and not indicative of anything else.

The temperature change from standing outside in your bulky coat into the warmth of the restaurant makes you want to shrug out of it immediately but Hongjoong gives you a small shake of his head. “You get to the table with your parents and your brother and Seonghwa and you say hey to everyone as you shrug the jacket off. Make sure you’re near Seonghwa so he can see the dress. If you can’t sit next to him, sit across from him so you’re in his line of sight.” Hongjoong’s lecture in the car drive over is banging around your brain.

Everyone returned to your parents for Christmas, including Hongjoong who simply didn’t have a good enough relationship with his to want to spend the holiday there. Seonghwa, who grew up next door until he moved away after college, also returned to visit his own family as well as spending time seeing your brother. This year, however, due to Seonghwa’s job, he couldn’t fly in until tonight, December 23rd, which severely cut into your already small time with him – another reason wearing the dress made sense back in the thrift store.

The restaurant is bustling with people, the tables decorated with fake candles, wreathes with ornaments hanging off the walls, and a large Christmas tree in one corner which shimmered in lights that softly glowed in warm hues of red and white. Very faintly, instrumental Christmas music played, just enough to add to the atmosphere.

You notice Seonghwa before Hongjoong does. The table is near the back, your parents listening to your older brother talk. Seonghwa’s parents are there as well, nodding in agreement to whatever is being said. The wine glasses are almost empty, the fake candles dancing off the glasses to make them look as if they are twinkling.

And Seonghwa is sitting on one side, leaning back, turning his head to the side slightly as your dad begins to talk. Your heart constricts so quickly and hard that for a second you feel dizzy. He is wearing a black sweater that is a little too large for him, the sleeves extending down the palms of his hands, just his fingers poking out of the soft looking fabric. His hair is different than his last Instagram photo; it is now a sandy blonde. But no hair colour could trick you out of recognizing him with those cheekbones, that jawline and his full lips.

How can I have harboured a crush on the same person this long? It is so ridiculous. Aren’t you supposed to grow out of your childhood crush?

It is then your mom notices you, the entire table turning the attention on the arrival of you and Hongjoong, who wastes no time excitedly soaking up all the attention from everyone, dropping his jacket into the chair next to your brother, giving you the open chair directly across from Seonghwa.

Smushed in hugs from your parents, it takes a little bit to untangle yourself from them as they sit back down. To your surprise, Seonghwa has also stood up to say hello. His close proximity is enough to overload your senses – from the scent of clean laundry, that low voice that is so familiar to you as he says your name in the same fond way he has since you were kids, to his smile which no matter how happy he is always comes across as vaguely uncomfortable.

“Would you like me to take your jacket?” He offers kindly.

You can’t help but glance over at Hongjoong, who is shooting you daggers. He doesn’t have to speak, you know what he is saying – this is the perfect setup! Take advantage of it!

“Yeah, thanks so much, Hwa,” You reply, finally shaking off the cumbersome jacket.

The dress isn’t anything out of the ordinary; it isn’t as if you just showed up in a McQueen gown or something. But it fits you perfectly, hugging you in the right places, drawing the eye to where you would like it to be drawn, while still being simple enough to not be flashy and therefore too much for a Christmas dinner.

Seonghwa’s eyes travel down the length of the dress so quickly that you may have imagined it as he takes the coat from you, his gaze averting as he puts the coat to the side, his back turning to you to ensure it doesn’t fall off the chair where everyone had piled their own jackets.

Disappointment fizzles in your chest as you sit down in the chair across from him, numbly thanking your mom when she tells you the dress is cute. You weren’t sure what your expectations were when Seonghwa saw you in the dress but you were hoping for…some sort of reaction. Something behind his gaze or a compliment or…anything to indicate that he didn’t see you as a little kid anymore. But he seemed unaffected by it, settling down in his seat to rejoin the conversation.

So crushed you are that the magic thrift store dress didn’t work how you hoped that it is easy enough to zone out of the conversation and go through the motions until a subject change catches your attention.

“Wait, what?” You blurt out in confusion.

Seonghwa, who had barely said two words to you since taking the jacket, is now looking at you steadily. “I mean, if you don’t have any extra blankets, that’s fine.”

“No, not about the blanket. You’re staying at our house?”

“No one told you? My parents are remodeling their place pretty extensively so I’m gonna spend Christmas at your place,” Seonghwa explains, “Since you have the guest room. Your parents offered.”

Panic seizes you. This has never happened before. You planned to cry to Hongjoong tonight about how the dress flopped, not be on red alert because Seonghwa would be walking around the place you grew up in, with constant reminders and memories of you as a ten year old kid.

“Where is Hongjoong gonna sleep?” You dislike how accusatory this comes out, as if Seonghwa staying is nothing but a problem.

Hongjoong interjects swiftly, “How spaced out were you? I’m gonna sleep on the pull out couch in the living room. We were just talking about if everyone will have enough blankets.” His expression is neutral but one quick eyebrow raise lets you know he is aware of your panic.

Seonghwa is still staring at you, something flickering behind his gaze for a brief second before he clears his throat delicately. “It’s really okay if there isn’t enough to go around. I always seem have a hotter body temperature than most people and end up kicking off all the sheets in the middle of the night.”

“Sorry, just…no one told me,” You shoot a glare at your brother who looks sheepish, “But that’s great you’re going to be there.” The words sound hollow to your ears and you wonder if Seonghwa can tell.

You aren’t sure how to navigate Christmas knowing Seonghwa will be around 24/7. It meant seeing him in the mornings when you always look the worst, face swollen from sleeping on your side. It meant seeing him after your nightly skincare routine, when your skin is shiny in the least alluring way possible. Seonghwa is always well put together, one of those people who wake up at six am to go for a run like an alien or something, skin flawless and teeth perfectly straight and white while drinking coffee. He even can wrap a gift perfectly as if it is an artform.

Seonghwa’s gaze lingers on you for a moment, eyes trailing down your neck as he replies, “It might be fun. Like old times.” He then turns his attention back to the conversation, discussing what the plans were for Christmas Eve tomorrow.

You slump back in your chair, somehow feeling just like you did at ten years old – annoying and forgettable. You don’t actually want anything to be like old times where you were constantly tagging along with him and your brother, hoping for Seonghwa to notice you.

When the server returns, you speak up. “Could I actually have one of those candy cane cocktails I saw on the menu?”

At least now you are old enough to drink.

Dinner wraps up a couple hours later, with everyone shuffling outside to drive back home. The booze has warmed you up enough that your jacket feels too cumbersome to put back on as you stand next to a shivering Hongjoong. The snow is barely falling now and everyone is loitering just outside the restaurant as if you aren’t all driving to the same destination.

“How are you not cold?” Hongjoong asks, bouncing on the heels of his feet.

You shrug, still sullen and brooding over how the night played out. Your parents finally wrap up the conversation, taking off towards their car with your brother following. Hongjoong is scurrying off towards the rental car that you two picked up from the airport, telling you to hurry up.

There is a shifting behind you that gets your attention and makes you realize that Seonghwa didn’t go with your brother yet. He brushes some snow that has fallen off a tree branch and onto his shoulder, taking a step forward so that he is standing next to you, tilting his face to look at yours. The little bit of snow still coming down forms a small halo on the top of his hair, one lone snowflake landing on his cheekbone, almost melting immediately against his warm skin. Impatiently, he runs his fingers through his hair, shaking the snow off. It’s unfair to be this good looking, you think, staring at him, and it isn’t even balanced out by a shitty personality either. Absolutely no justice in this world.

“That dress,” He begins in an even tone, “Is it new? I can’t recall you wearing it before.”

Glumly, you reply, “Yeah, it’s new, I guess. It was just a couple of bucks at a thrift store.”

Seonghwa walks forward, heading towards where your brother is waiting for him by the car, yelling at him to hurry up, “See you at the house. To your horror.”

You know he is joking but prompted by guilt at your earlier tone, you blurt out, “I’m glad you’re at the house. I was just surprised, that’s all. It’s good you’ll be around for Christmas.”

Seonghwa stops, looking over his shoulder. “The dress looks nice on you,” He says in a stiff tone as if the action of complimenting you feels like a foreign thing.

He resumes walking at a brisk pace, cutting across the parking lot towards the car. Momentarily thrown by the compliment, you watch him for a few seconds, wondering if he just said something nice because everyone else did so at dinner. Seonghwa had always been fastidiously polite and it wouldn’t be out of character for him to do such a thing. Perhaps he realized his error in the middle of dinner and felt too awkward to compliment you at the table, drawing attention to his earlier misstep. His reaction when you removed your jacket showed there was nothing about the dress that left an impact on him so the logic, unfortunately, felt sound.

Standing underneath the lights of the parking lot, watching Seonghwa playfully shove your brother upon approaching him, your heart constricts. How many times at Christmas have you been so close yet so far from Seonghwa? There would be no such Christmas miracle when it came to him; life isn’t a Hallmark movie, after all –

“Hey!” Hongjoong’s irritated voice rings out across the parking lot, getting the attention of a group of people strolling to the front of the restaurant, “I’m freezing my balls off! Can you disassociate in the car?!”

“Oh my god, okay, I’m coming!” You huff back, tugging your coat back on and storming towards the vehicle.

I can’t even have a sad Main Character Moment in the snow, you think exasperated.

You toss your dress on the bed, switching to the Christmas themed pajamas that your mom gave you upon first arriving. Corny but her feelings would be hurt if you didn’t wear them – and fine, the little reindeers on them were kinda cute.

I am not changing my routine just because Seonghwa is here, you scold yourself, leaving to do your skincare routine in the bathroom. It is nearing midnight and the eventful night is coming to a close. Your parents and brother already went to bed, Hongjoong was on the couch downstairs watching a bad Christmas movie and dozing off, leaving just you awake with Seonghwa somewhere in the house.

In the bathroom, which is scented like cinnamon because of course your mom has some holiday scent plugger in the wall, and a hideous looking Santa thing in the corner which feels more Christmas horror movie than comforting, you do your skincare, mulling over the events of the night.

After getting home from dinner, everyone had hot chocolate in the kitchen and Christmas themed cookies (store bought because no one had the knowledge on how to successfully bake). Sitting at the kitchen counter, still in your dress, even the snacks couldn’t perk you up. Morose, you tried not to watch Seonghwa out of the corner of your eye. In his dress slacks and sweater, he looked like the sort of dream boyfriend conjured up in a romcom or something, the type that would cuddle you by the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Eventually, he would settle down with someone and do that with them and not you.

“You gonna finish your cookie?” Hongjoong asked, his mouth stuffed with one of the ones shaped like a snowman.

You pushed the gingerbread one towards him, your heart not in eating anymore – neither was your stomach, honestly. Between dinner, the cocktail, and the sweets, you were full enough.

Seonghwa laughed then at a joke your brother told, drawing your attention back to him. Your eyes meet briefly, his gaze falling away first, taking your heart with it.

Miserable Christmas, you think back in the present moment, finishing up your skincare routine. Tragic, actually, how you had put to bed any hope of Seonghwa caring about you only for it to come back stronger than ever just because your silly brother said that he asked about you. Why the hell were you taking anything your brother said as fact? The man once cooked a frozen pizza with the cardboard still on the bottom in the oven for fucks sake. Seonghwa probably had just said he was looking forward to seeing everyone, not you specifically.

Upon leaving the bathroom, you can see that Seonghwa is now in the guest room down the hall from the fact the door cracked slightly open, a sliver of light on the hallway floor. Your brother’s room is in between yours and his, closed and dark since he is already asleep.

You bite your bottom lip, debating if saying goodnight to Seonghwa would be out of character for you. Desperate, yes, but would he find it odd? The temperature has dropped considerably the last few hours and you wonder if bringing him a blanket would make amends for your earlier frosty tone towards him.

Going back to your room, you sigh, wondering if you kept your TV on low if it would bother anyone. If there is one thing that is annoying about your parents house, it’s that it is old and noise travels easily.

It is then that you realize the dress isn’t on your bed. Frowning, you double and triple check the bed, shaking out the bedsheets but it isn’t there. Curiously, you start scouring the floor, wondering if you had been so emotional that you thought the dress ended up on the bed but it fell elsewhere.

But the dress doesn’t turn up. After checking underneath the bed, you huff, scanning the room from your spot on the floor. You swore that after changing, the dress was on the bed. Where else could it be? Not like it matters. It was a couple of dollars and I won’t ever wear it again, you think, turning your attention back to giving Seonghwa a blanket.

The dress forgotten, assuming it will show up once you stop looking for it, you find an extra blanket and slip back out into the hallway. The light is still on in the guest room. Seonghwa might never have feelings for me but I still don’t wanna make things weird.

The sliver of light that pours out the crack of the door slices cleanly across the hallway floor as you approach. Your feet are cold against the floor, making you regret not putting socks on. You are mentally practicing what to say and the friendly tone in which to say it, your hand going to the door handle.

“Seonghwa,” You whisper but there is no reply – he either hasn’t heard you or your voice is too soft, “Hwa?”

You hear a low noise, impossible to make out, but you assume it is Seonghwa replying to come in. Pushing the door open a little, the pool of light unspooling around your feet, your body slips inside, getting ready to offer the blanket as a peace offering.

But the sight in front of you seems to crack all the words to a thousand pieces as you try to understand what exactly is happening. In fact, it is as if time slows down, just to give you extra time to process it.

Seonghwa is against the dresser, oblivious to the fact you have entered the room. He had not, in fact, been replying that it was okay to enter. Actually, he probably would rather you didn’t walk in on him at the moment. His head is rolled back, his pajama bottoms and boxers tugged down slightly, enough so that he could get a firm grip on his cock as he jerks off into a piece of fabric that suspiciously looks exactly like your missing dress.

He is biting down hard on his bottom lip, clearly trying to be as quiet as possible, given how sound travels in the house, something he would be well aware of having stayed the night here a thousand times before. He is jerking himself off hard and fast, your dress wrapped around his cock, stroking the fabric over his length. His eyes are tightly shut, a ragged gasp leaving his mouth.

You don’t know what to do. Seeing Seonghwa jerking off would be enough to fry your brain any given day. But it is the sight of your dress wrapped around his cock that is really driving home what a surreal sight you have stumbled into. A thousand questions swirl around your mind – did he take my dress? Why would he take it? I mean, obviously he took it because how else would it end up wrapped around his dick? But why? Maybe he has some…fabric fetish I don’t know about and my dress is made of it…because the only other reason he would steal it would mean it had to do with me somehow and that is impossible…

His hand is a blur, the dress growing sticky as his precum spills out onto it. The entire time spanning from entering the room and realizing what is going on only took a matter of seconds. And as your thoughts come to a close, you emit a tiny noise of surprise –

Enough to have Seonghwa’s eyes snap open, his head looking down sharply in your direction. Shocked, you stumble, accidentally striking the door, closing it with a soft click, your back against the frame. Seonghwa looks horrified, his face draining of colour as he hastily drops the dress to the floor, trying to pull his pants back up and attempting to speak at the same time you do. The result is gibberish, bumbling words from both of you colliding in the middle of the room.

But it is Seonghwa’s hushed voice that finally overpowers yours, looking absolutely panicked. “I am so sorry! I am so sorry! I didn’t – I know – I don’t know what came over me, I was going to go to the bathroom and I peaked in your room and saw it on the bed and realized you weren’t in there and I just –” His chest rises and falls rapidly, his hands in front of his pants to hide the bulge.

“I don’t –”

But Seonghwa cuts you off before you can finish, that terrified look still in his eyes, rooted in place. “I’m so sorry. It’s so disgusting, I know. I know, I’m terrible and it’s wrong of me. But please don’t…don’t tell your brother! I promised him –” He swallows hard, looking away from you.

“What? You promised my brother what?” You take a step towards him without realizing it.

You have never seen Seonghwa look so terrified. There is not an ounce of colour in his face and his bottom lip trembles for a moment as if he is torn on telling you more information or scurrying underneath the bed to hide. You aren’t even sure how you’re feeling in the moment because the only thing you can think about is clarifying the entire situation before your brain jumps to some conclusion that could lead to heartbreak.

“Promised him that I would never…never approach you in that way,” The words sound strangled leaving Seonghwa’s mouth, “A long time ago. Years ago. Before anything changed.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” The words are incredibly hostile, tinged with anxiety. Instead of anything becoming clearer, things just kept getting more muddled.

Seonghwa blanches at your tone and doesn’t reply, leaving you frazzled and making another attempt at figuring things out.

“Hwa…why did you steal my dress?” Another step forward, the distance growing smaller.

His eyes fall to the floor as he mumbles, “I…liked how you looked in it.”

You try to keep your expression neutral but the surprise you feel is intense. His reaction at the restaurant made you think he barely even noticed the dress.

“So, you…stole it?”

His cheeks flush with the first hint of colour since you caught him as he replies, “I saw your bedroom door open and the dress was on the bed. You were in the bathroom. So, I took it because I know I can’t do anything with you. Years ago, your brother had me promise not to ever date you. I agreed because I never saw you like that. He’s the older brother, he’s protective, so sure why not,” Seonghwa speaks more easily when he is looking down at the floor, his shoulders stiff as if he is wading through a jungle full of daggers with each word he utters, “I didn’t think much of it until last Christmas.”

“Last Christmas?” You reply, confused, unable to recall anything that stuck out from last year.

“I came over early one morning with coffee for everyone. You walked downstairs to get some because you were a little hungover the night before.”

“I remember,” You interrupt, “We were drinking and watching some stupid romcom the night before. I woke up with a headache,” You are still baffled as to where this story could be going, “I was going to make coffee and then you were already in the kitchen with some from that local place a couple blocks over.”

“Right.” He looks relieved that you remember and takes a small breath before continuing, “You came downstairs in these…little shorts. They had gingerbread men cookies on them. Even though it had snowed the night before and it was cold, you had fallen asleep in them cuz the booze made you warm the night prior. And I…couldn’t stop staring at your…ass in the shorts.” His face is starting to turn a bright red as he shifts slightly, making you realize the memory is getting him hard again.

You can only stare, shocked into silence at the fact some pair of ugly Christmas shorts you only got because they were on sale in the discount bin caught Seonghwa’s attention.

“I felt horrible every time I looked at you.”

“Wow, thanks,” You reply dryly causing Seonghwa to look horrified, his head snapping up.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that!” He exclaims.

Alarmed at the change in volume, you hurry over, shushing him. “You know how sound travels in this house! Do you want anyone hearing what we are talking about?”

Whispering now, Seonghwa explains, “I felt horrible because I knew what I promised your brother and here I was, checking out your ass over coffee. I didn’t know what was going on with me. But suddenly, I just kept staring until Christmas morning, after we opened gifts, I snuck off and…”

“And?” You prompt, chest tight from an overload of information that you never thought could exist.

“I jerked off to you,” He says so quickly that if you hadn’t been so familiar with the way he spoke, you would have missed the words completely. “And then the rest of the trip was torment. Just standing near you made me hard. I started noticing all these things about you I never had before. It was suffocating. By the time the trip ended, I was out of my mind. Leaving was a relief. That’s why I flew in so late this year. I lied and told your brother it was because of work but in reality I just didn’t want to be around you as much. I told myself if I came here for a few days instead of the full week, I could manage it more easily. But then you showed up in that dress and…”

“You didn’t even react to the dress!” You hiss, trying to keep your voice quiet, “You barely glanced at it.”

“Of course I didn’t!” Seonghwa snaps back, “Are you crazy? I was even kicking myself for slipping up outside of the restaurant and talking to you about it afraid that I was revealing too much. Especially after my other mistake of telling your brother I was looking forward to seeing you!”

Due to the whispering, the two of you are close now. Seonghwa’s back is still pressed against the dresser, the dress in a ball at his feet. The entire conversation feels ridiculous, something you’d make up in a pathetic little fantasy before going to bed.

“So, you liked the dress on me?” You dislike how frail the question sounds and the fact you are still looking for approval but it doesn’t seem like Seonghwa notices because he closes his eyes briefly at your question.

“Yes, I liked the dress. I liked it too much because when I saw it on the bed, I remembered you saying it was from a thrift store and only cost a couple of dollars. I used that to brush aside the guilt at stealing it and uh…”

“Jerking off into it?”

“I thought I could finish quickly, clean it sneakily and then just drop it somewhere in your room.” That look of embarrassment returns. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’m sorry. Please, do not mention this to your brother. Please, forget that this ever happened. I never wanted to change the dynamic between us.”

Well, I do, you think although the words don’t leave your mouth. You are struggling enough trying to wrap your brain around the turn of events that has just been slammed in your direction.

In all your random fantasies and daydreams about Seonghwa over the years, not one of them ever included the possibility that he could be down bad enough to steal your dress, or desperate enough for you to cut his trip short. In no universe did you expect Seonghwa to ever desire you and now that it has suddenly landed in your lap, all you can do is stare at him.

When you don’t reply, Seonghwa looks even more alert, immediately beginning to babble once again, apologies toppling out of his mouth in a quiet yet strained tone. There is something in his voice you have never heard before, a sort of fragility that sharply shifts away from the ever untouchable image you have crafted of him in your mind over the years to someone that is now expressing a panicked vulnerability you didn’t think could ever be directed at you.

It is that same fragility that gives you a confidence you haven’t felt around Seonghwa before, that same fragility that propels you to perch on the edge of his bed, gesturing to the dress on the floor.

“Well, don’t mind me. Just go back to what you were doing before I entered.”

Seognhwa stops speaking immediately as if he was a DVD disc that someone abruptly ejected. His breathing is shallow, swallowing hard, eyes darting from your face down to the dress at his feet.

“What?” is all he finally says.

“I came by to give you a blanket as an apology for my tone earlier. I should have knocked louder. I clearly interrupted something that you were very busy with. So, please, don’t let me stop you.”

Seonghwa stares at you, uncomprehending. You motion to the dress again and he swallows once more, balking at what you are suggesting.

“I…I can’t.”

“Why not?” You prompt, “You already were doing it.”

“It’s wrong.”

“Then why were you doing it?”

Seonghwa opens and closes his mouth a couple of times, his face so red that he might combust on the spot. But by the way he is shifting his hands in front of his pants again, you know that he is growing hard. Your thighs clench, your head still spinning at how everything is playing out.

You speak again, “If it was wrong before and you were doing it, then how does continuing what you were doing matter? You already decided that it being ‘wrong’ didn’t matter enough to stop in the first place.”

In a strangled voice, Seonghwa goes, “It’s wrong because I promised your brother I wouldn’t ever…do anything like that with you. If it remains my secret, then that’s just something I have to live with.”

“Well, it isn’t your secret anymore,” You bite your bottom lip, hesitating for a moment before saying, “Besides, we have the same secret. I’ve thought about you like that for….way longer than you’ve thought about me. I’ve liked you since we were kids,” The admission hangs in the air and you stare at Seonghwa defiantly, “So, either tell me to go because this promise you made to my brother matters more or finish what you started.”

There. You left the option up to him as terrifying as it was to do so. He knew the truth now just like you did about him; the two of you are now on equal footing. Of course, if Seonghwa opted to send you from the room, you could never show your face to him again. The entire turn of events, from trying to impress him in the dress to then discovering the very same dress wrapped around his dick, would be impossible to forget.

Seonghwa looks taken aback by your confession which gives you a little bit of comfort that your crush over the years has not been so glaringly obvious. He stares at you, his lips parted slightly, his eyes dropping to the dress at his feet. In the silence, you can just barely hear the Christmas movie Hongjoong fell asleep during still playing downstairs.

Seonghwa swallows. “Maybe you had a point. Before. About the promise. I feel like it is wrong to do what I’m doing but I’m still doing it,” He bends down to scoop up the dress, the fabric grazing across his fingers as he brings it up, straightening himself. He clutches the dress nervously while going, “So, I should see it through.”

You let out the breath you didn’t even realizing was being held. Your heart is skipping wildly, watching as Seonghwa brings his hand downward to wiggle underneath his pants, stroking himself through his boxers. Tearing your gaze away from the sight, you lock eyes with him.

“You just gonna watch me?” He asks tentatively as the tent in his pants grows evident.

You nod and then quietly add on, “Like I said. You’re just finishing what you started earlier.”

His breath catches at the words, his other hand tightening around the dress until it’s a ball in the palm of his hand. He is rubbing himself harder now, the bulge growing larger, pressing against his pajama pants. Your pussy is getting wet at the sight, your brain still unable to fully accept what is happening.

Still aware that it is necessary to be quiet, Seonghwa asks in a soft voice, “You think about this before?”

“You like this? With me watching?”

He nods, impatiently rubbing himself. Eventually, his shyness will be defeated by how turned on he is getting, just like you are sure yours will, but for right now, both of you hover at the tipping point.

“I’ve thought about everything,” You reply, “What about you?”

Seonghwa shakes his head, blonde hair falling in front of his eyes, whispering back, “That’s a cop out answer. You caught me jerking off with your dress. Give me something back.”

You click your tongue against the roof of your mouth, knowing he is right. “Yes, I’ve thought about it. You in bed and you can’t sleep and I wake up next to you and realize what you’re doing. And I don’t touch you, I just talk to you until you finish.”

Seonghwa’s eyes close briefly and then he tugs his pajama pants down, his cock hard and confined in his boxers, his hand diving back underneath the band of underwear to touch himself again. It is all you can do not to leap off the bed and jump on him but the entire situation feels akin to walking across thin ice that has formed over a lake and you remain on the edge of the bed.

“What sort of stuff do you say?” He asks, his voice taunt and low.

But you shake your head. “No, now you tell me something you’ve thought about.”

Seonghwa emits a low groan of either embarrassment or from simply being too turned on, you aren’t sure. “I thought about bending you over in the kitchen and fucking you with those shorts down around your ankles,” He huffs out as he finally pulls his cock free of the boxers, wrapping the dress around his length before you can get a good look, “And gripping your ass until my handprints are on your skin as I fuck you. Tell me something else.”

“I thought about visiting you and things got out of hand and next thing I know, I’m bouncing on your dick in your bed until you cum in me.” The words leave your lips hurriedly, your pussy wet and aching to be touched as you watch Seonghwa’s slender fingers jerk himself off, the fabric of the dress seemingly heightening his pleasure.

He opens his eyes then to look at you as precum smears across the dress, continuing to make a mess on it. You have never seen this expression on his face before and only dared to hope to ever see it directed towards you. The room, which felt chilly upon entering, now might as well have a fire roaring in the corner for how hot you feel. Seonghwa’s cheeks are flushed, his lips a bright pink, as he jerks off.

“Do you like watching me?” His voice is soft yet rough, trying to remember that minimal noise needs to be made. You nod, your hand snaking down to rub your pussy through your sweatpants, and Seonghwa watches as if entranced.

You lean back a little, dipping your hand to go underneath the pants and your underwear, your finger diving in between your folds. You’ve never been so wet in your life, your clit aching to be touched. Seonghwa licks his lips quickly as he watches, his speed increasing.

“Can you lift your shirt up?” He requests with a small pant.

You do so, having removed your bra earlier when changing, exposing your bare tits to Seonghwa. His breath hitches, his pupils wide with desire, his chest rising and falling quickly. You pinch one of your nipples, your gaze steady on his face – the same face you have pictured a thousand times making the same expressions he is now, wondering what it would look like when he is turned on. You just never thought he would want you this badly.

Adjusting your position on the bed, you kick your sweatpants off onto the floor, going, “You can’t jerk off in those, I’m still wearing them.”

“You’re making fun of me,” Seonghwa replies although he doesn’t stop jerking off, “Like I don’t feel bad enough for stealing the dress.”

“You feel so bad about stealing the dress that you’re gonna cum all over it,” You remark, spreading your legs open so he can see your underwear sticking to your pussy.

The sight seems to drive Seonghwa crazy, his hips bucking for a brief second, letting out a throaty groan before clamping down on his bottom lip in an effort to quiet himself. “I shouldn’t be doing this,” He lets out with a gasp, staring at your underwear clad pussy.

“You’re a bad friend,” You say and Seonghwa groans again, his eyes closing. It is that response that makes it clear that the anguish he feels over wanting you is a sort of sweet pain that heightens the pleasure – he secretly gets off on the fact it is “wrong” to feel this way about his best friend’s sister.

“I know,” He pants in response, his head bowed, eyes still closed as his hand pumps the dress around his cock.

Your finger brushes against your swollen clit. You are so wet that your finger keeps slipping off your nub while rubbing it furiously. You need to climax, it has become a powerful need to finish because you are too turned on to think clearly. A whimper escapes your lips and Seonghwa looks up to see you getting off, letting out a ragged sigh of his own at the sight.

“I want to watch you cum,” He gasps, his voice shaking from the effort of whispering and to your surprise, he moves away from the dresser to in between your legs, watching the way your finger moves quickly across your clit.

Your shirt pulled up, your tits exposed to him, with your legs spread and hand against your pussy, it is evident that Seonghwa is close to finishing himself. The dress is covered in precum, sticky strands of it across the material, his hand almost a blur as he pumps his cock, practically panting with desire over how much he wants you. Seonghwa has never looked sexier, even counting those times he would come over after going to the gym covered in sweat or the trip everyone took a couple years ago to the beach where he was shirtless daily for a whole week. Right now, nothing matches how positively needy he looks for you, the way the tip of his tongue pokes out slightly from in between his pink lips, how flushed his skin is, the speed at which he jerks himself off or the fact he is drinking in the sight of you like this in front of him as though he cannot get enough.

“Hwa,” You gasp out a little too loudly, your nickname for him since the two of you were kids leaving your mouth in the sluttiest tone of voice you’ve ever heard from yourself.

“I know,” is all he whispers back in a tight voice, “You gotta be quiet though, love, you have to finish quietly for me.”

The gentle reminder has you clamping your mouth shut, eyes closed tightly. But it is the use of the pet name love that brings on your climax, your hips rocking back and forth as you cum as quietly as possible, breathing hard and fast, head rolling back against the bed. Your free hand grabs the sheet so hard that your fingers might break. The orgasm is incredibly intense and it takes all your willpower not to make noise when the only thing you want to do is moan out Seonghwa’s name.

Your hips fall back on the bed, opening your eyes in a daze to look at Seonghwa, who is pumping the dress quickly around his cock, a shudder rolling through him.

You prop yourself up, whispering quietly, “Your turn.”

Grunting, he goes, “I’m gonna finish on your underwear. Gonna cover your cunt in my load.”

“Ruining my dress isn’t enough? You need my underwear too?”

“Y-yes,” His voice snags, he catches the volume and says the next sentence so quietly that you have to strain to hear him, “I’m horrible, I know.”

“Not only are you a bad friend but you’re going to make a big mess on me too,” You murmur softly.

“F-fuck,” Seonghwa grunts, the dress falling out of his grip onto the floor as he positions his cock over your pussy.

He begins to climax, exhaling sharply to try to remain silent as the first spurt of cum covers the front of your pussy, soaking into the fabric of your underwear. Another follows as he unloads all over your pussy, your underwear smeared in his warm cum. His eyes are closed tightly, his breathing ragged as he finishes, his hand milking his cock for every drop. You watch mesmerized at how he looks finishing, at his cum landing on your underwear.

In the silence that ensues in the aftermath of everything, reality seems to hit Seonghwa square in the chest. Immediately, he is back to apologizing for what he did, for ruining the dress and your underwear, tugging his boxers and pants up hurriedly, unable to look at your face.

Yanking your shirt back down, you stare at the cum all over your underwear and with a small sigh, wiggle the pair off your hips, thrusting your hand towards Seonghwa, who is still not looking at you.

“I don’t want to get your cum all over my pants,” You explain patiently as he blushes at the sight, gingerly reaching out and taking the pair from your hands, allowing you to slip back into your pajama pants.

When you stand up, he swallows hard, still holding onto the underwear, which makes you go, “You can keep the dress and the underwear.”

Tongue tied, Seonghwa emits a noise that might be some sort of word. You aren’t sure. You didn’t think it was possible to see him so flustered; the new side of him is endearing.

Finally, he manages to squeak out an ‘okay’ followed by, “Uhm, I should…try to sleep.”

“Me too, orgasms make me tired.”

Seonghwa immediately begins to blush again, another thing you didn’t think he was so prone to doing. Somehow, it makes you like him more, if such a thing is possible. To your surprise, he moves close to you, his voice dropping as low as ever, looking at you through eyelashes so long you feel a stab of envy.

“We can’t…” He clears his throat, “We can’t do anything…more than this. I shouldn’t have – you understand, right?” His eyes flick upwards to meet yours and you can see the mixture of desire and guilt swirling in him.

You take a step towards him, closing the little space remaining. This time, the two of you are almost touching. If you dared to, you could kiss him. You can feel the way his body responds to you, the slight tremble in his bottom lip, the tiny sharp inhale, his hand opening and closing to relieve the tension he is experiencing.

“Hwa,” You whisper, “I want you to fuck me,” Each syllable drips with desire, all pretense wiped clean by what just unfolded, “And now I know that you want to fuck me too. Do you really think we can get through Christmas without having sex?”

“I promised your brother –” His voice dies, his eyes shutting briefly before resuming, “I’ve tried for the past year not to let anyone, including you, think I’ve thought of you as anything other than the sister of my best friend.”

“And you did a wonderful job up until tonight.” The energy between the two of you is palpable, a crackling electricity that seems to buzz and hum, threatening to overflow. “So, why don’t you give me what I want for Christmas and fuck me?”

Seonghwa is speechless, too shy to reply, too wrapped up in what is right and wrong to say another word. You turn around, heading to the door, leaving him standing there with your dress and underwear, knowing that Christmas Eve is going to be truly something else.

PART TWO HERE.

#ateez fics #ateez smut #seonghwa x reader #seonghwa smut #seonghwa fics #kpop fic #no secrets at christmas #100 notes

412 notes · View notes

katuschka · 8 days

Text

Olalla – Chapter One

Josh Kiszka x female OC, Jake Kiszka 4.965 words

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, intended for adult readers. Any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental. Also, if you're under 18, go find some other entertainment elsewhere. Warnings: sadness, heartbreak, talking about death, anxiety, alcohol consumption

Taglist

I had a dream that the sky above the mountains darkened, but it was just my beloved’s darkening eyes.

I had a dream there was a lightning brightening the skies above those hills, but it was just my beloved’s cheeks that lightened.

I had a dream in which I saw storm clouds approaching, but it was just a boy making love to his beloved. (I Had a Dream, Čechomor)

It was true that Jake and Josh had seen the world, but their trips and explorations were always restricted by time. Everything was scheduled, planned and adjusted to fit the itinerary. Wherever they went, it was – first and foremost – a “business trip”. Sometimes they had days in between shows, oftentimes just hours. Be there on time. We don’t have enough time. You can visit only one of those galleries this time. Maybe next time... They were now rapidly approaching thirty, but haven’t yet experienced the simple joy of backpacking with all its perks and benefits. Freedom being probably the most important of them.

So, when the last show ended and it was time to fly back home, they decided to stay behind for a little while. It was a spontaneous decision, made in Josh’s hotel room after having had one too many beverages with several other people, none of whom shared their enthusiasm. Everyone just wanted to go home. They say there’s nothing like home and it’s true that there had been times when it meant something to the two of them as well, even after months spent away from it. But right now, their beds back home were cold and empty – a sad consequence, as well as a memento, of the lives they’d lived and the things they’d done. Could it have been prevented? Maybe, but what is past is past. It was the present that could and should be taken care of, and there was still the future to be shaped.

Even though the others tried to talk sense into them and nearly succeeded, by 4 am, the two of them finally made up their minds that it was time to really choose the road. “Time to write my own fucking screenplay,” Josh said. After a short nap, they repacked the essentials, said their goodbyes and hopped the train that was supposed to take them to all those yet to be discovered places.

Because it was summertime, last-minute accommodation options were pretty limited in larger cities. That only made it even more exciting, though, and turned out to be quite beneficial in the end. More often than not, they had to share a room that only had one king size bed. Not only they didn’t mind, it seemed as the most natural thing to do, and they welcomed it. Sightseeing or hiking during daylight hours, they didn’t want to part and disappear in their separate dens in the evening, like they did on tour. Touring – with all the rush and stress and boredom – often made them feel lonely.

They knew they had been hurting, they were well aware of the reasons why, but there had not been enough time to come clean about it. So, now, their late night talks often ended with at least one of them crying as the reminiscences of the people who no longer wanted to be part of their lives turned into shared melancholy.

Sharing…that’s what the trip turned out to be really about. Two brothers who once shared a womb, who later forged their mutual dreams about healing humankind through art into their shared destiny. Now they opened up to each other about how much they feared loneliness and lack of love. And it was a shared fear, too. It wouldn't be fair to say that there wasn’t enough love or affection in their lives, on the contrary. They were showered with it in great abundance. Their parents, siblings, other family members and all their numerous friends all loved them dearly and unconditionally, simply because they existed. The plentitude of it, including their mutual love for each other, shaped their personalities and nurtured their souls as they grew up.

That’s how they learned about the importance of love. They knew very well how lucky they were. Forever grateful, they wanted to share it and to pass it on…and then they were told that they didn’t. The reality hit them in their faces like a freight train loaded with reproach.

That’s how they found themselves mourning the kind of love they thought they failed to provide, the one they thought they consequently didn’t deserve. Once they conceded this to each other, they had to face the fact that they felt ashamed. They also had to admit that their own broken hearts still hurt, the raw and barely healed wounds opening up again during those midnight talks. A few times they fell asleep in a comforting embrace.

Wawel Castle, Krakow

“I think we should head back to the hotel.”

When Jake came back from the bathroom, Josh was still leaning over the railings, looking down at the river bend just below the high stone outer wall. He felt so much at peace up here, the fragrant summer air saturated with the scent of trees, damp stone, vanilla ice cream – as well as sudden whiff of ozone – filling his nostrils. They weren’t alone here. The courtyard was still full of people at this time of day, but the humidity muffled all the conversations as well as shrieking kids that were running around, and turned it all into a pleasant hum. It all felt almost dreamlike. Somewhere in the distance, less than a hundred miles further south, were the mountains…

Their adventure was nearing the end, it was their time to fly home the next day. It had rained heavily that morning and the forecast for the whole day promised volatile weather as the fronts collided, but that didn’t stop them. There were still a few places in Krakow which particularly Josh wanted to visit. Not really in a hurry, they went out for early lunch; later they were just idling around in the old town, eating pretzels and doughnuts, drunk on wine. It was almost 5 pm now.

“You're probably right,” Josh finally replied, looking at the sky with a frown, “but I’d really love to stay here a little longer.”

Jake didn’t say anything, just nodded. They stood next to each other for another ten minutes, overlooking the southern part of the city as well as ominous clouds that had formed near the horizon and were now slowly approaching. The wind was rising, playing with their hair, tossing the strands wildly from side to side. They should have been running for shelter by now, but the fresh breeze made them feel completely and utterly reckless. Jake started humming a familiar tune and Josh quickly chimed in: “But the fool on the hill sees the Sun going down

And the eyes in his head see the world spinning 'round…” …and they bursted out laughing like two madmen as the other people around them scrambled in their feet, looking for a place to hide, girls squeaking as the first raindrops hit the ground.

Now they were running too, heading back to the Old Town, passing crowded restaurants and pubs that didn’t appeal to them anyway. People were running around like ants and the storm clouds and the heavy rain quickly covered the streets in a blanket of semi-darkness. Soon they no longer knew where they were headed. They obviously missed a turn back to the main square and not much later found themselves on a much more quiet and nearly abandoned street that probably wasn’t on a tourist map. The storm hit in full force.

“Not a fucking thunder,” Jake groaned. They were both already absolutely drenched. Trying to find their way back to the hotel in the pouring rain now proved completely futile as they were probably at least a mile away from it anyway, and being no longer in the area of fancy cafés and parfumeries, looking for shelter of any kind wasn’t that easy anymore, either. A small – and already closed – grocery shop here, a tenement doorway there…finally they spotted a pub that looked promising. Both of them craved a beer anyway.

The pub was pretty cozy and warm. It was actually more like a café, only situated below the street level, in the cellar of the building. They sat in silence for a while, but Josh was becoming increasingly restless with each minute, chewing his lip and tapping his fingers on the table. “Ok, what’s going on,” Jake finally asked.

“I’m staying.”

When it was met with a half-confused, half-annoyed stare, he continued. “I mean, just for two more weeks. I’d like to go hiking.”

The confusion was gone. Jake was just annoyed now. “Explain. Where? Why?”

“The Tatras. A guy told me the other day… You were still asleep, so I went out to have some breakfast. You know, Krishna bistro across the street… The place was already crowded by 9 am so these two guys joined me at my table. They just came from their hiking trip down there and showed me some pictures.They called the place ‘miniature Alps’, so you can’t get lost,” he laughed nervously. “It’s a spur-of-the-moment thing, see? But I feel I need it.”

Jake needed a moment to decompress. This whole trip had been a “spur-of-the-moment thing”...and they did it together. They had also agreed that it was exactly what they needed, so what the fuck is this bullshit? Josh sensed the impending question even before Jake formed the words in his head.

“You still have some work you need to finish before the start or the next leg…but I don’t. That’s why I didn’t tell you before. You’d just try to convince me to go home with you. I know it’s a long flight…I’m sorry Jake, but I really need to do this. For once in my life.”

“It’s insane Josh. And probably dangerous. And it’s mid-season. You probably won’t even find free lodgings. Then what?”

“I already booked it. The guy gave me a tip. Jake…don’t be mad. You know it’s irrational. We’re adults.”

Jake was angry. But he had to agree that it was irrational. They drowned the irrationality in a few more beers and so it happened that the next day, their ways parted. Jake boarded the plane headed for Gatwick while Josh took the train south.

Jake

London, 12:15 pm

The weather improved considerably since yesterday, but I still couldn’t shake off the sense of impending doom. At first I thought that it was just the anxiety I often felt when flying, this time multiplied by the fact that I was completely alone thousands of miles away from home and wouldn’t even get there sooner than the next morning, at the very best. Only to be greeted by my housekeeper, if I were lucky. Then I remembered that since there was no one else there, she also only came on Mondays every other week while I was away, to do the most necessary tasks like making sure that the house wouldn’t be buried under a layer of gray dust when I came back.

However, I landed in London about half an hour ago, downed a beer, had a smoke, but the unpleasant feeling that something bad was about to happen still lingered. I couldn’t put my finger on it, all I knew was that I already missed Josh.

It was completely irrational. We were adults. I had no right to be angry that he stayed behind, but I was. We spent more time together in the last two weeks than we had in over a year. I mean really together, not just next to each other. It was supposed to be our trip, the purpose of which, among other things, was to shake off the growing feeling of loneliness that comes with this lifestyle. So, me being annoyed with him now was perhaps understandable. But anxious? As I said, I hate flying. Having to fly alone sucks and I was about to board a transcontinental plane later that afternoon. I finally convinced myself that anxiety was also understandable. Nothing to be ashamed of…I guess. Still, something seemed off.

Agnieszka

Zakopane, 5:40 am

I checked the weather app again. Yes, definitely a perfect day for a hike. The sky was perfectly clear after yesterday’s storm and the air coming through the open window felt crisp and fresh. With a bit of luck, it would stay that way well until early afternoon, although one could never be sure here.

That’s what I both love and hate about the mountains. Even now, at the age of total control over everything, the mountains are unpredictable, uncontrollable and untamed. Even if we destroyed all the life they harbour, bare and stony valleys would still kill you even more easily if you were bold and arrogant enough to venture too far. Many people come here to conquer the mountain. That’s why we hear the sound of rescue helicopters a few times a week.

Have you ever smelled wet granite? I don’t mean cobblestones or granite walls, but the rough stone, spewed out to the surface of the earth by the untamed power of this planet, broken and twisted with the forces of nature like plasticine…even though a small piece could easily break your skull. There are places here where jagged rock towers a kilometer over your head. When the clouds hang low, try just standing at the bottom of a glacial cirque, surrounded by numerous peaks. It’s a deeply humbling experience. The place literally breathes. You can hear it sing its ominous song and its cold breath can chill you to the bone. These places are indescribably majestic and beautiful…and also scary when you experience the power firsthand.

Dominik was never scared. He loved the mountains very much, but he had lost all his humbleness. This place does not forgive such folly. He fell 500 meters and was probably dead even before his body hit the ground. It took them three more hours to find him. By that time he was already half buried under fresh white snow. They couldn’t save him. It happened in one of those gorgeous, scary places and I never saw him again. I burned my white dress that day.

But that was more than 6 years ago…and I’m still here, taking care of pretty alpinists who come and go, but never stay. Fucking them is convenient. Sometimes, the sensation left by their warm skin pressed against mine lingers longer than I’d deem comfortable and safe, but no one broke my heart again. Mom keeps telling me that my decision to never marry after what happened is breaking hers. She prays for me every Sunday, but she never understood. My father is like a domesticated chamois. A former mountaineer, tamed by a local beauty. Now he spends more time chopping wood and fixing old pipes. He says his knees hurt, but I know he’s happy down here with her. I like men who are just as wild as the wolves running over these hills, but to actually love them is a slow and painful suicide. I barely recovered from the first one. The next would also be the last.

My dad has been a caretaker of Villa Eulalia for as long as I remember, and even before. I grew up here, surrounded by wild nature and the people who tried to monetize it. Later, my parents bought the building and Eulalia became our family business. It’s much more than that, though. It’s home. Surrounded by new, modern and luxurious hotels owned by townspeople who don’t know this place at all, we’re old residents who offer shelter to those searching for peace here.

There are generally two kinds of people who come to Zakopane: vacationers and explorers. We don’t offer nice views, jacuzzis and sparkling wine. We will – however – make you breakfast at 5 am.. Whether you want to explore the hiking trails that belong to all or hidden places in your mind that are your own, we are your people. We are the same.

I couldn’t imagine my life to be any different. I had been climbing these hills since I’d learned to walk. I went to Krakow to get my master’s degree in tourism management, I travelled a bit, made some new friends and even considered some other life options for a while, but I came back eventually. I missed the fresh air and the soapy smell of mountain grass. I needed to be here.

I was also needed here. With my parents getting older and my younger sister having a family of her own in her cozy city home, I became a maid, a receptionist, a cook, a webmaster and an occasional mountain guide. My parents don’t speak English. Well, not much, anyway. They know a few phrases, so they can greet our visitors and ask them about their day, secretly praying that they wouldn’t really want to answer those questions. Most of them don’t…unless they’re young and handsome. Those talk to me, though.

We didn’t have any foreign visitors at first, but later they slowly started coming. It was my sister’s job to take care of them at first, with me being away most of the time back then. But later, with three young kids, she couldn’t – and no longer wanted to – keep doing that any longer. So I came back and took over.

In August, the holiday season is in full swing. I didn’t have a day off since early July and really needed to get out and clear my mind a bit. I can’t stay in town all summer, not when the paradise is literally just a few steps away. This morning seemed like a perfect opportunity. There were no planned checkouts for today, I already managed to get all the rooms for all the new expected guests cleaned and ready the day before and most of them were locals, with one Slovak family arriving later in the afternoon. Dad should be able to take care of that.

While I was sipping my morning coffee, I checked the mailbox one last time just to be sure everything would be taken care of while I was away, only to discover there were two new last minute reservations. Kováčová…some Slovak lady with two more people who wouldn’t arrive until later in the afternoon, room 8. That one’s also ready. I vacuum-cleaned it two days ago. So, that should be OK. Aaand, the attic room for…some Kiszka. Perfect. I took one last sip, grabbed my backpack and was ready to go.

Agnieszka wasn’t in a hurry, knowing too well that her muscles would hurt like hell the next day if she didn’t take it easy. She was fit enough to set a much faster pace, but this was not a workout. Not today. In mid august, the former sheep pastures in Hala Gasienicowa were in full bloom and covered in violet. It was also a rather steep route that led there so even though she reached the place at half past nine, she could already feel a familiar burning sensation in her calves.

This was a perfect place for late breakfast. Yesterday’s wind was gone and once she got past the tree line, the sun was already high up in the sky, warming her skin enough to let her shed all the unnecessary layers of clothing. “Bathing in the breeze” was her favourite pastime. There was no better way to describe it. It was also still early enough to be able to enjoy the calmness of this place, which would be buzzing with life only an hour or so later as more people arrived.

It was already past noon when she reached the borderline ridge at a beautiful spot called “Lily Saddle” that separated High and Western Tatras – her final destination for the day. Most people aim for peaks, but she always loved mountain saddles and ridge routes. Reaching them wasn’t easy. You always had to overcome steep, rocky and often exposed tracks to get there. By the time you reached the saddle, you were high on endorphins and adrenaline, your whole body overheated from exertion, only to be greeted by icy wind that kept rumbling up there even during the hottest days of the year, sometimes tossing you from side to side like a rag doll. It was like falling in love…

She usually felt at peace here, even when she had to literally wrestle with the element. Not today. Today, she felt agitated. It started further down the road and intensified exponentially as she reached the saddle. She contemplated going further west along the ridge to calm her nerves a bit, when her telephone rang. It took her a while to find it in her bag, but the caller seemed super determined.

“Dad?”

“Neszka, where are you? An American just arrived… Apparently, he’s got a reservation. I need to house him.”

That must have been a mistake, she went through the reservations. Someone probably arrived at the wrong hotel. There were several of them called Villa Something Something in Zakopane…

“Daddy, that’s impossible. I double checked. We’re expecting a small German group on Saturday, but otherwise no foreign guests.”

“I’m not making this up. He’s here in front of me and I see him in our reservation system as well.”

“Name?”

“Joshua Kiszka.”

Fuck… That was probably why she felt so uneasy? Never underestimate your gut. Her subconsciousness knew she fucked up.

“Ok, get him on the phone.” She took a deep breath, expecting an outpouring of anger, the person on the other side berating her and demanding an explanation. Some people had the weirdest reasons for complaints and refund reasons, and this situation clearly was her fault.

Instead, the voice belonging to a young man sounded amused. He, too, tried to explain the situation he found himself in, even though there was no need for him to explain anything. With the wind gushing and roaring around and the service being shitty up here, she couldn’t even hear him properly, so – after what she hoped was the most heartfelt apology she could deliver – she tried to make it as brief as possible.

“Ok, listen, my father – that’s the man you tried to talk to – my dad will show you your room. Just…. make yourself comfortable, there’s a large garden behind the villa and free beverages in the fridge outside your room… You will find it with ease… And I’ll be there in three hours at the very worst. Then I’ll show you around and will tell you everything you need to know.”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t slept much at night so I’ll probably just take a nap. All I need is a bed to lie on…if it’s ready,” he chuckled again.

Fuck. With that, she took a few big gulps of water and started descending.

It was past four in the afternoon when she got back home, hot and sweating and out of breath, but the shower could wait. She stopped briefly by the kitchen to ask dad how well it went and then headed straight to the attic floor, taking stairs two at a time. She knocked on the door and…nothing. She had to repeat it two more times – at least it gave her the opportunity to catch her breath – before the door finally creaked open.

“Hey, I’m so sorry I kept you waiti…oh!”

The man who answered the door was unlike anything she had expected. He was approximately the same height as her, slender, not overly muscular but still well toned. She could tell quite easily, because he was in fact naked from the waist up, rubbing his sleepy eyes and smiling at her while still trying to shake off the post nap confusion.

She didn’t realize that she was staring until he spoke, and took a few steps back inside the room, basically letting her in. “Uh, oh, sorry, it’s a bit hot here under the roof, he chuckled again as he picked up a basic t-shirt from the floor and pulled it over his head. “And you must be the charming lady I spoke to on the phone earlier?”

He looked like someone straight from DaVinci’s painting…if DaVinci lived in some arty, boho community instead of a 15th century Milan: fine features, rosy cheeks, kind yet mysterious eyes, plump lips and soft curls with trimmed sides and a messy braid that ended between his shoulder blades, decorated with a tiny shell.

“Uuuh, yeah, yes, that’s me. I tried to get here as soon as possible, but it took longer than I expected and…”

“Please, don’t apologize. I see you went hiking. So cool! It must have been absolutely fabulous up there today. You must certainly give me some tips. Where to go, what to see... I heard how beautiful it is here. Saw some pictures too. But I’ve never been here, so I absolutely don’t know what to expect. I will need to buy some clothes and other essentials as well, this was a last minute decision. I helped myself to a beverage from that fridge, by the way. I hope it’s ok. I had peach iced tea…,” he kept on rambling as he tried to clean up the room that already looked lived-in even though he had been here for only a few hours.

She watched him, completely bewildered. But she already liked him. He was cute and wild and kind of sexy. Strange, but with a pretty face. Two weeks. He’s alone…yeah, and you’re sweaty, red faced and you stink, you idiot!

“…me around?”

She realized he was still talking, when put her back to earth. “What?” That chuckle again…

“You told me you’d show me around. I got my key, I know where the drinks are, I saw the garden, it’s fanTAStic, by the way…so, what else do I need to know?” he asked cheekily.

That put her back into her professional mode. She explained that she wouldn’t clean the room more that once a week unless he would specifically ask her to do so, privacy being held in high regard here…; she showed him where to find extra toilet paper and fresh towels, where to throw the dirty ones; she showed him the kitchen he had to share with several other rooms, told him about free tea and coffee and that he shouldn’t bother with washing the dishes, he should just leave them in the sink and she would take care of it. She also told him where to buy everything he needed and she had to bite her lip a few times when he absentmindedly touched her arm.

Later in the early evening, Agnieszka still couldn't shake off that unfamiliar restlessness she felt back up on the ridge. It lay heavy on her chest, compressing her lungs. She tried to read, but it was no use. Reading was a distraction fit for dark and rainy evenings, but the cloudless sky didn’t want the night to take over just yet. Even here, among steep hills where the sun sets early, the skies were still ultramarine blue and… vast.

The warm light on her bedside table wasn’t enough to disperse the magic of the blue hour. Instead of trying to reread the same paragraph for the third time, she put the book down and opened the window to let the cool and fragrant air in.

As soon as the scent of pines and freshly mown grass hit her nostrils, she also heard a soft hum coming from below. Looking down, she saw him sitting on a wooden garden table, with his feet on the bench. He had his back to her, sipping beer, his fingers rapping on the withered wood. He was also the source of that slow melody.

It reminded her of Dominik. He used to sit by the fireside, farther back in the garden. His guitar was often out of tune and people made fun of him, but he always just smiled and continued to play. It often baffled her that he didn’t mind, because it sounded awful, and he must have heard it. The man could sing!

Apparently, so could Joshua, but it was something completely different. Dominik’s voice was low and thick, and when he hummed her favourite songs, such as Sad Eyes, it often made her drowsy. Joshua sounded like the girls singing old local folk songs about dying from a broken heart. She had never heard anything like that. He sang silently, as he obviously did not want to disturb the calmness of dusk, as well as other guests behind their own open windows. Yet it made her heart flutter in her throat.

She watched, entranced, how his breath animated the muscles of his lean back, covered only in sheer white cotton in spite of the air getting increasingly chillier with every passing minute.

Agnieszka tried to lean out the window a bit more, which made the shutter crash against the wall, causing him to look her way. She panicked and ducked under the sill. Realizing how childish it must have appeared, she slowly straightened and saw him still looking in her direction, smiling. He gestured to the second can of beer standing on the table next to him and silently motioned her to join him.

She took a deep breath and nodded. She grabbed her cardigan, closed the window and went out to join him, oblivious to the fact that the way down the stairs and out the back entrance which led straight to the garden was in reality a steep, rocky road to ruin.

@writingcold @its-interesting-van-kleep @takenbythemadness @jakekiszkasbuttsweat @fleet-of-fiction @edgingthedarkness @thewritingbeforesunrise @myownparadise96 @lvnterninthenight

...and because you reblogged the teaser, this might interest you, too: @klarxtr @jakesleftankle @itsafullmoon @woyayaofdreams @pasionatematty @zoelle16 @tripthelightfantastix This is just for now. Let me know if you'd like to be added to the taglist.

#greta van fleet #gvf #josh kiszka #josh gvf #jake kiszka #jake gvf #greta van fleet fanfiction #greta van fleet fanfic #gvf fanfiction #gvf fanfic #Spotify

40 notes · View notes

mysticwolfshadows · 14 days

Text

Taken - Zutara

Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3 (here), Pt 4, Pt 5, Pt 6

When Katara opens her eyes again, Zuko has kept his word. He's slumped over onto a table, breathing softly. She can't help the little laugh that escapes when she notices the little line of drool coming from his open mouth. Her laugh only grows when Zuko jerks up in surprise.

"Whats so funny?" he demands, his cheeks somewhat pink.

"Nothing," she said. "You just reminded me of my brother."

They'd never really talked about her life before the Fire Nation, and he was clearly surprised. "You have a brother?"

She nodded, looking away. "His name is Sokka. He's a year older than me. He wants to be just like our dad." When he doesn't say anything, she looks up to find him watching her very intently. She can't help the heat that grows on her cheeks. "What?"

"You'll see them again," he promises. "I said that I was going to get your home, remember?"

His insistence on an impossible promise made months ago surprises her. She knows that it will never happen. If she isn't able to meet Ozai's demands, she will be executed, and if she is able to, the Fire Lord will never let her leave. So Katara just smiles and thanks him. She can't possibly expect him to keep his word on this.

There was something about that day that led to a change in Zuko. He comes to see her every day to get her out of work in some way. If he isn't able to come see her, he will warn her the day before. Within a month, if Zuko says he will do something, Katara can trust that he will have it done. He becomes a man of his word.

As months go on, others take notice. Katara starts to hear maids talking about how he is becoming an honorable young man, listens as governors express delight at having such a diligent and trustworthy prince next in line. A swell of pride fills Katara each time she hears them talking about her friend.

Months turn into another year, and then another. Katara spends each day with hard work under the Palace physician, with most afternoons interrupted by Zuko pulling her away. Some afternoons, they visit the training hall, Zuko now allowed in without a tutor, and he has her bend with him. Other days, they sit by the turtleduck pond, Zuko occasionally asking about her family. Rarely, Azula interrupts them, but Katara is able to get Zuko to ignore her, and his sister usually gets bored and leaves.

As her strength grows, Katara finds herself content with this life. She can live here, healing people and bowing to the Fire Lord's demands. Someday, Zuko will be Fire Lord. Perhaps he would be able to take her home then, but that is years and years in the future. Several decades, at least. By then, Katara would be unrecognizable to her people, and her people alien to her. She already begins to forget what her family looks like.

It's about 3 and a half years after Katara came to the Fire Nation that the fragile peace of her new life is shattered.

It was a very normal day for her. Zuko had warned her that he would be trying to join a war meeting, and wouldn't be able to see her if he managed to join. She spent the day in the clinic, healing stray soldiers and guards, and the occasional official that wasn't really injured. As the morning turned to noon, she found herself with nothing to do, and sat to have lunch. An hour later, the doors were being thrown open, a fanatic servant calling for a healer. Katara, being the best there was, grabbed up one of her water pots, and told the servant to lead the way.

She hadn't expected to be led to Zuko's quarters.

Rushing to her friends bedside, she ordered the servant to bring more water. Iroh was knelt at the other side, and as she pulled the wet cloth from Zuko's face, she demanded to know what had happened.

"There was an Agni Kai," Iroh said, his voice heavy with worry. "Zuko, he... He didn't fight, and then... Please, Miss Katara. Please heal my nephew."

Her hands were already glowing, gently laying bending cooled liquid on Zuko's red and clammy face. She didn't say a word, focused solely on healing the only friend she knew. Her heart was hammering in her chest, and she panicked each time Zuko made any noise. He had to be in immense pain, had to be going through something unimaginable.

She worked on Zuko for nearly five hours. Her body swayed when she tried to stand, and her stomach rolled. Zuko would be fine. At least for now. She had never dealt with a burn so severe before, and had done her best. There would still be a scar, a terrible ugly thing that she knew would change his life forever, but she had been able to heal it enough to hopefully save his vision at least.

"Thank you," Iroh breathed as she leaned against the wall. "Thank you... Please... Rest. You have done so much for us already, and I can not ask you to remain beside him through the night."

"I want to," she said, voice soft. "Please, let me stay. I want to be here when he wakes up, and if something happens..." She trails off, unable to finish the somber thought.

"The room next door is empty," Iroh insisted. "You will need your strength, should he need healing again, but you have already done so much. Please, at least sleep. I will come to fetch you if he shows any sign of waking."

Of all the Fire Nation royals, Iroh had been one of the kindest to her. He loved Zuko dearly, and she trusted him to do just that. So she dragged herself into the room next door, and landed with a flop on the bed.

Only, when she woke in the morning, it was not to Iroh. The early Fire Nation sun glared through the somewhat open screens. A blanket had been thrown over her. She went to Zuko's room immediately, only to find Fire Lord Ozai leaving it.

There were guards now stationed outside. Quickly, Katara dropped her head into a bow, not wanting to risk being pulled into some impossible task when Zuko was still recovering. She waited until she was sure he was gone before lifting her head and trying to enter.

The guards stopped her.

"Return to your quarters, healer," one guard said.

It was always healer with the guards. They did not use her name, and had originally called her waterbender, as if it were an insult. Now, most used healer almost in reverence. Some she had saved from serious injury, cuts or burns that could have easily caused a scar if treated without bending. None had been as terrible as Zuko's, however.

"Why?" she seethed, anger and shock turning her voice into venom.

"Fire Lord Ozai's orders," the other said. "No one is to enter. Return to your quarters, healer."

Katara wanted to lash out, whip water at the guards with a move she and Zuko had been working on. But she had no water, and couldn't risk being on the chopping block again. She had to stay calm. She would have to see Iroh.

The general was nowhere to be found. She spent three days and sleepless nights trying to get anything out of anyone. No one would tell her anything.

It was on her third sleepless night that the world began to spin, her eyes staring blankly at the moon. It was late. Midnight, perhaps. She hadn't been keeping track of time. All she knew was that her friend was locked away in his room, a grievous wound across half his face, and she could do nothing about it.

As she blinked at the crescent moon, it began to blur. There was a buzzing in her ears, and she began to tilt. She vaugely recognized the sound of her name, before the world tilted and fell completely dark.

#fanfic idea #atla #avatar the last airbender #fanfic #zuko #zutara #katara

26 notes · View notes

delulustateofmind · 21 days

Text

A City of Dreamers [Part One]

Series Summary: ModernAU of ACOTAR, Azriel breaks away from the small town of Windhaven to escape his toxic family and chase his dreams with his newfound family. Leaving behind his small-town life for new ventures in Velaris.

[Part One]{Part Two]

Work Count: 1.5K

Trigger warnings: Tabaco use and trauma mentioned, I think that's it!

Another night, another nightmare. Azriel awoke to the gentle sunlight creeping through his window, emitting a small groan as he stretched amidst the boxes littering his bedroom, remnants of his recent move taking a toll on him. Another task he needed to complete to a list that already seemed endless.

Three years prior, Rhysand, fresh out of university, pitched the idea of starting a tech company called ‘Night Corp.’ Rhysand’s father, a real estate mogul, agreed to fund the venture under the condition it operated in Velaris. As the company prospered, they moved into an apartment closer to work.

The company ‘Night Corp’ is the biggest in technology. Booming after a year of the three of the ‘brothers’ working eighty-hour weeks. Azriel running the programming and hardware side. Cassian working on management and dealing with the paperwork. While Rhysand was the face, he made sure to bring in the investors and funding. Over time, the company grew larger and larger. Which led to the boys moving into an apartment closer to work.

The apartment boasted amenities, including separate bathrooms and balconies for each room. Azriel found solace in his smoke breaks on the balcony, appreciating the alone time overlooking the city with a faint scent of tobacco in the air. Cassian however would always chastise him for smoking, but old habits are hard to die out.

Struggling with the sleepless nights fueled by long coding sessions and haunting memories, Azriel joined Cassian in the kitchen. Finding Cassian making breakfast and doing a small dance as he jammed out to his booming music.

Azriel moved past him to start his morning coffee, much deserved from the late night he had. Cassian shot him a big grin.

“There’s a boxing gym nearby if you want to check it out with me later today,” Cassian mentioned as he removed his headphones.

Azriel shook his head, his messy dark curls bouncing. “I need to ensure the program is fine for the next big launch. Security reasons” Azriel shrugged. “I’ll check it out later with you some other time.”

Cassian raised a brow. “You know, Az, you don’t have to work yourself to the bone anymore. We’ve got a solid team now. Gone are the days of us slaving away in Rhys’ mom’s basement. Remember, you hired the best from Velaris Tech. Let them shoulder some of the load.”

Azriel shrugged, pouring his coffee and taking a sip. “I’ll think about it”

It’s true, that Azriel did seek out some of the best programmers for the business. A business that started in a business that now had several major buildings around Prythian. While Velaris remains to be headquarters.

Rhysand, already at the office, tasked Mor, who was already busy as the marketing director, to find him a personal assistant. Signaling the start of yet another busy day at Night Corp.

*****

In an apartment two doors down from the boys lived Feyre and Y/n. Childhood best friends who grew up in a small town together that later reconnected. Both of them had faced their challenges.

Feyre is one of three sisters. The oldest was Nesta a famous ballet dancer, one of the best in all of Prythian who frequently traveled, rarely visited unless for the holidays. The middle child, Elaine, worked as a florist in the Springs. However, she did visit more frequently than Nesta. Feyre was the youngest and unfortunately, her father already exhausted most of his income on his other two daughters, leaving Feyre to figure her life out on her own.

Feyre never was able to go to college unless she wanted copious amounts of debt. Though her artwork was enough to pay for rent, her income wasn’t stable enough. Some months were better than others, leaving Feyre in the middle of applying for a position as a personal assistant, there was no guarantee she would even get an interview without a degree. She was still going to give it her best shot. The job paid well enough that she could start saving up for her studio and be able to pay rent.

Y/n on the other hand, inherited her parents' coffee shop. After they had passed away, left her with nothing but the deed to a business that she never knew her folks owned. Y/n spent her days tirelessly researching how to even run a business and while sorting through her emotions of losing her parents- cleaned up the place. From time to time Feyre would come and help. Painting the walls, even including a beautiful mural of the Sidra River on one of the walls. After a year of opening the business, the income was stable enough that she could hire a full staff.

The coffee house was unique in a way that instead of being open in the early hours of the morning, the cafe would instead be open late into the night. Allowing night owls like herself to feel the comfort of a good cup of coffee.

It was late afternoon when y/n woke up, she had worked a double late night shift after one of her managers called out. Climbing out of bed, groggy, hoping that her staff could handle the shipment coming in today, reluctantly checked her phone. Finding no calls from the afternoon staff, she considered it to be a small success, a small smile appeared on her face before walking into the living room to find Feyre on her ancient laptop typing away at her resume.

“Morning” Feyre murmured with her brows furrowed in concentration as she slowly typed away.

“Morning. Didn’t Tamlin get you the latest model from Night Corp?” y/n murmured sleepily. Taking a spot next to Feyre on the couch.

“He did, but…” A deep sigh escaped Feyre’s lips “We broke up” she reluctantly met y/n gaze. “He proposed and I said no…” her face showed regret as she didn’t meet y/n’s curious glance.

Y/n gazed at her, a look of pity for her friend on her face as she leaned her head onto Feyre’s shoulder. “I’m sorry Feyre. What made you turn him down?”

“Funny thing is, Tam wanted a traditional housewife. Someone to plan parties, wear fancy dresses, and be pampered” Feyre explained, her tone tinged with sadness. “That’s just not me, I need room to grow. He was kind, but I think I really hurt him y/n” She shook off the sadness and continued with determination “So, I’m applying to Night Corp for a personal assistant position. How hard could it be?”

“I’m here for you if you need anything…with the whole Tamlin situation. But I have to say, I’m proud of you for coming to that conclusion about what you want in life. That wasn’t an easy decision I’m sure.” Y/n gave her a soft smile before laughing softly. “You? Applying to a tech company, Feyre you had to ask me the other day how to download an app on your phone. Feyre you still use BuzzFeed!” Feyre playfully nudged y/n.

“Buzzfeed will always have a special place in my heart, how else am I supposed to know what kind of pizza my zodiac sign is?” Feyre said with a chuckle “But seriously, the job pays well, and it can’t be that challenging, right? Plus, they’re on the rise. Word on the street is that their main office has a slide! How cool is that?”

“I wish you the best of luck, I know you would nail that interview” Y/n grinned before getting up to get ready for her shift. “I have to be in early today, to help with the truck order. Let me know if you get a call from them, we can go celebrate!” Feyre gave a warm smile before slowly typing away at her cover letter. Feyre was absolutely awful with anything technology-based.

After an hour of getting ready, y/n waved goodbye to Feyre and headed out the door. Locking the door to the apartment and heading down the hallway. Scrolling through her phone she bumped into someone.

“Sorry,” she stammered before peering up at the man before her. Dark raven black hair with a slight curl that almost covered his eyes, a black face mask that hid most of his face, and hazel eyes that resembled burnt honey. He was beautiful, a classically handsome man. The man peered down at her roughly a whole foot taller and said in a voice that was so deep it sounded sinful.

“You’re alright,” he murmured before gliding past her down the hallway back to his apartment. The sultry voice sent shivers down her spine. A blush had warmed her cheeks before she made her way to the elevator, their brief encounter replaying in her mind. Seemingly hypnotized by the deep voice, a melody she deeply wanted to hear again.

Azriel returning from his run, sliding in the front door of the shared apartment, couldn’t shake the comforting scent of vanilla and coffee the girl exuded.

#acotar #azriel x reader #azriel #cassian #rhysand #feyre archeron #feyre acotar #rhysand acotar #modernau!acotar #modern au #sjm #azriel x you

48 notes · View notes

mandomaterial · 1 year

Text

Forgotten pt.6

Pairing: Tonowari x Metkayina!reader

Wordcount: 3.4K

Warnings: slightly feral mc, needles, humans, and i think that’s it. Maybe a little angst?

Notes: sorry that this took so long- i had a little bitta writers block… but i think this is a nice chapter btw the new guy is an oc so he isn’t in the avatar franchise :3 please leave some suggestions about what should happen to the reader.and ill try to update every week or so! Pics not mine, credit to the owners!

Masterlist /// Previous /// Next

Over the next few days the young human boy, Spider visited you every day. The two of you talked about anything and everything, it was very comforting to have someone around that spoke your language.

You were curious about him, so you asked lots of intricate questions. Why was he here? What’s his connection to the forest Na’vi? How did he speak your language so well, he even had a forest accent.

He answered most of them with enthusiasm. Telling you the story of him spending a lot of time with the sully kids and growing up in the Omatikaya clan, being there for all the events and learning their ways.

Spider explained that his father had been killed by Jake Sully's mate, Neytiri, in the first sky people war, but scientists had made an avatar for him a few years ago and inserted a chip that had a copy of his father's mind on it. You truly struggled to grasp the concept so he tried to explain it like he was reborn into the new avatar body after his death, when he died, but he was already twenty years old; you understood better but it still confused you at times.

Spider also tried asking you simple questions first and when you answered all of them he started coming out of his shell; starting to ask bolder questions. He asked about your family and your life as tsakìk of the Metkayina. How was your life different from the forest people’s? What were the animals like? What did you eat?

You happily started telling him stories of the metkayina traditions and the Iknimaya, where you had to bond with a tsurak and complete several trials with your spirit sibling to earn your place amongst the people. Even telling him that you struggled immensely when you had to bond with the wild beast and that you preferred the tasks with your spirit sister a lot more.

You told him many stories about you and your sister, Ronal, when you were training to become tsahìk; how much trouble you’d get yourself in with her, doing whatever teenagers did. Your favorite ones though were the ones where she’d cover for you when you snuck away with the handsome, brave, and charming young man you’d had a crush on; once you’d gotten caught with him past your curfew and your father threatened him for at least half an hour and scared him half to death. You giggled as you remembered. You continued that that boy was now your mate and father of your children.

He in return asked about your children, being curious about them. Starting with your eldest, your son A'onung, you described him as a brave troublemaker; he always hung out with his friends and was very caring toward his sister, even if he didn’t like showing it. A'onung loved his spirit brother as well and they’d spend a lot of time together once the tulkun returned.

Spider continued asking about your daughter; Tsireya. You started by telling him that she was a truly good-hearted and beautiful young lady who loved dancing and performing. She’s always be a performer when the tribe held celebrations or spiritual rituals. From time to time, you would teach her how to prepare medical remedies or how to lead sacred rituals. She was growing up so quickly and from what you’d seen, she had her eye on the youngest sully boy; Lo'ak.

Once you said that spider instantly asked how the sully's were doing. It didn’t surprise you, after all, they were kind of his family. You thought about it for a few seconds and then decided to tell him about how Lo'ak and A'onung went outside the reef. You’d never been so angry at A'onung in your life! Leading the poor boy out and stranding him there; who knows what could have happened? But after that little stunt, the boys seemed to get along better- even going as far as to say that they had become friends.

Next was the story about how Jake learned to ride a tsurak. It took a while because he didn’t want to start with an ilu; it would have hurt his pride too much. You both giggled. Jake had tried to tie his hand to the saddle grip but even that failed and he was left with some nasty leather burns. Spider confirmed that to Jake, like all men, his pride was one of the most important things.

Neytiri was a skilled warrior; so she decided to join the hunters. At first, she was just tasked with catching fish, but she wanted to hunt something bigger. So she forcefully made her place known amongst the others when she came back with a quite large deep-sea creature.

Spider and you talked for hours upon hours almost every day until you sent him off to bed. Then you were let alone in the dark room, having no items of comfort to keep you company. You thought about asking Spider for a few things, but you didn’t want to get him in trouble so you kept your lips sealed.

In the dark, the only thing that plagued your mind was your old life. The life you had just a little while ago. Oh how you wished you could return; not even getting the chance to tell your mate that you were with child again. What would happen if you didn’t return? How would you return? Your heart clenched and you placed your hand on your lower abdomen gently, hoping to comfort yourself and your baby as you tried to sleep.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

After you had sent Spider away, he decided to go talk to his father again. He’d seen how miserable you were in that tiny cell; you’d always curl up in a corner, trying to keep warm in the night. His mind was troubled with thoughts and just as he turned the corner to his father’s quarters, he bumped into someone. He looked up, wanting to apologize, and saw the familiar figure.

“Whatcha' doin' here kid?” Quaritch questioned while placing his hands on his hips, cocking his head to the side, and giving his son a questioning look.

“Uh- well… I wanted to talk to you,” he answered, “about the different room…”

Spider awkwardly moved his arms from side to side, looking away, not knowing what to do.

“Heh- I was just about to tell you the news,” he chuckled “I talked to some people and uuuh- told them to move her closer so that I can ‘keep an eye on her’” his fingers did little air quotes as he said it with a light mocking tone in his voice.

Spider's eyes lit up just a bit and he gave his father a genuine smile “Thanks Dad”

“No problem, kiddo” Quaritch sighed, a good feeling bubbling inside him at the thought of making his son happy; truly a strange feeling. He watched as Spider shuffled away, looking over his shoulder back at him, once or twice, cracking a smile as he turned the corner.

Spider had a little spring in his step; he couldn’t wait to tell you tomorrow! He continued thinking about what else he could do to bring you comfort. Maybe he’d ask what your favorite food was and get it when he joined his father on a mission again or he could ask if you’d like to do something like weaving or seeing, he could easily find the materials for that.

He finally wanted to see you smile; he wanted to see you happy for a change.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The morning came and you were blinded by the bright light flickering on in the cell; same as ever. You tried to shield your eyes by covering them with your arm, trying to get a little more rest. Just then a wave of despair washed over you. You wanted to go home; you wanted to return to your family; to your children.

Tears welled up in your eyes, spilling over the edge and rolling down your cheeks. You tried rubbing them away but that only man’s it worse; all your locked-up feelings spilled over. Sitting up you curled up against the wall, not knowing what to do. Would they ever let you go? Would you have to stay in this horrible room forever? These thoughts made your heart crack and crumble. You tried so hard to stay strong; for yourself and the little life growing within your body, but it was all for nothing. Nothing had changed and you don’t even know for how long you’d been kept here. Too long. Something needed to change.

Suddenly your anguish turned to anger; it was like a feral beast woke inside you. Pushing yourself up to your feet you, took a few steps around the room, observing it once more like the thousands of times you’d done before, your tails swishing dangerously behind you. The room had one wall that looked different, similar to the water, you could see your reflection. It was so clear and you’d never seen something like it before. There had to be a reason why it was there. Could something be behind it? You couldn’t know for sure but as you walked closer and closer, you’d started bearing your fangs and claws. Just like that, you charged against the wall, banging your fists on it.

Little sounds came from behind the wall. Hah- so there was something there and you’d given it quite a scare. You continued, trying to get more reactions from the thing that hid behind the wall. This went on for quite a while until you heard the mechanical door open. Thinking it was the human boy, you lowered your guard. Big mistake. Six human soldiers came in and you started hissing again, taking a defensive stance. They walked over with hurried steps, taking your personal space. As one tried to touch you you pushed him away, sending him flying across the room. The others made quick pace and tried binding your wrists. You were busy shoving off two humans as a third grabbed your arm and fastened the orange cuff. Knowing what would come next you tried to get them all off you, never holding your hands close in fear of them being bound again.

It was no use, soon someone grabbed your second arm and pulled it behind your back, forcing the second cuff around your wrist, locking them together. You yelled and screamed as you tried to escape their clutches only to feel a sharp sting on the side of your neck. Suddenly you felt ever so drowsy, your eyes closing as if you had no control over them. Sinking to the floor, calming down you saw that the humans circled around you, talking. Then your eyelids fell shut and you lost consciousness.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

As soon as you had lost consciousness the soldiers calmed down. “So uh- what are we supposed to do with her now?” one asked. “They told us to just knock her out before something happens- wait a sec il call someone.” another answered. While he talked the others observed you. You looked different from the recoms; you were a lighter color and had a different body. They all looked at you weirdly, one even nudging you with their foot until they heard their colleague hang up the phone.

“I asked around and the lab rats said that they wanna have her, so I guess we’ll bring her there,” he claimed while shrugging his shoulders. “You two, go get a cart to load her up. I ain’t carrying that thing.”

Just as told, two left and came back a few minutes later with some sort of transportation device. They parked it next to you and awkwardly tried to lift you onto it. Finally, they managed by holding you under your arms and dragging you over the rough surface, scratching your back as they did so. When you were finally on the cart the first man turned around and motioned for the others to follow him. It wasn’t long until the group reached the large metal door that closed off the science lab from the outside.

One of the soldiers went up to the touchpad, silently punching in the code to make the door open. The cart wasn’t pushed in first, being followed by the other men. They’d not been here often and this place always put them on edge, for they didn’t know what would happen. Your turquoise skin glistened under the fluorescent lights of the lab, pulling all the attention towards you.

Just then a tall scientist in a pristine long white lab coat came into view.

The head scientist rubbed his hands together with glee as he looked at the unconscious Na'vi. "This is it," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "This is what we've been waiting for.” he looked around the little crowd of soldiers “Thanks for bringing her here, dismissed.”

They all gave him a little salute, turning to walk out again, but the last one of the group gave the scientists a dirty look. They shouldn’t be taking orders from a nerdy lab rat, he scoffed silently.

The man was still standing over you, inspecting your physical form. You’d been the first Na’vi of a different species to enter his workspace and he was definitely looking forward to running some tests, so he told his team to help him put you on one of the large examination tables. It took quite a few people but once up there they began checking your vitals.

As the head scientist listened for your heartbeat, he heard his name being called out.

“Dr. Matthew! A call just came in and General Ardmore is on her way to the lab to discuss something.” The younger scientist shouted as she ran over to the table. Dr. Matthew rose to his full height, placing the stethoscope to the side, and smoothing out his lab coat. “Did the general say what she wanted to discuss?” He asked with a bitter tone in his voice. He didn’t like when people messed with his work or gave him instructions on how and what to research. He didn’t become a top scientist only to be given orders by someone who doesn’t even understand his work.

“N-no… she didn’t specify…” the young woman said. Matthew noticed that she wasn’t on his usual team and she had a short lab coat, which meant that she was still studying. Could she be an intern? He thought to himself. So he skied “I haven’t seen you here a lot, are you an intern?”

“Oh- y-yea I just transferred from communications… seems they put me in the wrong unit when I came here.” She stuttered, avoiding eye contact with the experienced lab leader.

He hummed in response, walking past her to greet the general at the door. Just as he unlocked it he could see the frightening woman turn the corner. Putting his hands on his hips and slapping a smile on his face, he called out to her.

“General Ardmore! How nice of you to visit my lab. Can I help you with anything?” He asked with a smirk glued to his face, a slightly annoyed tone in his voice.

“I just got the news that the new specimen was delivered to you. What’s that about, I thought I told them to keep her in her cell,” she replied sternly.

The doctor sighed “Look, she went feral for a sec there and they asked me if I wanted her. Of course, I said yes! Do you know what we could do with her? We can sample her DNA and grow new avatars that are adaptable to water? And- there’s such a difference in species. You should see her- she, she looks completely different! Different body structure and everything!” he started rambling, clearly excited about the new discoveries he was going to make.

“Listen, I don’t care about all your sciency stuff alright? I need to make sure that we meet our clients' demands and that you don’t spend all your time and resources on your silly little avatar program. That feral beast belongs dead- six feet under! What are you going to do when she wakes up and goes wild again huh?” She prodded. To be honest, Dr. Matthew hadn’t thought about that, so he quickly tried to come up with something.

“Uhhh- uh well give her sedatives! Make sure she stays calm. But then again…” he started thinking.

“But then she won't be able to cooperate.” She finished for him.

“Yea… that…” he raised his hand to his chin and thought for a bit “Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out”

The general sighed and looked around the lab, seeming just the tiniest bit of you, laying on the table, motionless.

“You better, and don’t spend all your time on that thing. You hear me, doctor?”

“Yes ma’am. Will do.”

“Good. I'll leave you to it. I'll check in now and then to keep an eye on you understand?”

“All clear.” He followed up with a little two-finger salute as she turned on her heels and walked off, not looking back even once. Matthew let out a breath that he didn’t know he was holding, relieved that he managed to get her off his back. Even this was one of the more gentle encounters he had with her. Tough woman.

He walked past the open lab doors once more, closer to you. Someone handed him a checkboard that had all your vitals on it. What an efficient team he had. He looked over it with care, checking for anything abnormal but everything seemed fine. His eyes slowly shifted from the paper to your unconscious form. You were so mysterious and he had never wanted to examine something this much before. He had grown up, learning about the Pandora project and the Avatar program. He read all the books and studied hard just to be here, and now he was the first to see a new species of the indigenous people of the foreign planet. He was just itching to start running tests.

But he didn’t know where to start. What should he do first? He ran a hand through his hair, hoping t come up with a plan. In the end, he decided it was best to start fresh tomorrow. He made sure that the sedative was dosed correctly so that you wouldn’t wake up for at least another day. Then he told his team to hit the hay and get some rest. After all, tomorrow he needed them to be sharp as a knife, as they would start their examinations.

He himself was the last to leave, taking one last look and finally locking up the lab. He couldn’t wait for tomorrow, but first, he had all night to organize his plans for you. Oh, how exciting!

#avatar 2 #avatar fic #avatar tonowari #avatar: the way of water #tonowari #tonowari x you #atwow #atwow fanfiction #atwow tonowari #atwow x you #avatar x reader #avatar tsireya #avatar ao'nung #avatar #avatar fanfiction #tonowari x reader #tonowari angst #tonowari is a HUNK

140 notes · View notes

lelitachay · 3 months

Text

Frozen fanfiction: Søsken

Summary: An accident in the North Mountain forces Elsa to spend several weeks in her brother’s apartment under Anna’s care. During that time, Anna realises there is more to Elsa than meets the eye. The truth about Elsa’s past comes to light after an unexpected family reunion, and both girls’ lives begin to fall apart when they realise Elsa wasn’t the only one with a big secret and a turbulent past.

Anna/Kristoff - Elsa - Family - Family drama - hurt/comfort - Modern AU - Elsa & Kristoff are adoptive brother and sister - Ice bros - Found family - Serious injuries - Mental health issues - Health issues - Frohana

Links:

Fanfiction.net - HERE AO3 - HERE

Tumblr -

Chapters 1 to 10 - Here Chapters 11 to 20 - Here Chapters 21 to 30 - Here Chapters 31 to 40 - Here Chapter 41 - Here Chapter 42 - Here Chapter 43 -Here Chapter 44- Here Chapter 45 - Here Chapter 46 - Here Chapter 47 - Here Chapter 48 - Here

It don't matter to the sun

“My family and I will find a way to pay you back.”

For the first time in the last twenty four hours, Anna felt something akin to optimism growing inside of her as she watched her father and Kai coming to an agreement. Even if it was only a small glimmer of hope, she was delighted to know her sister could count on their father when she most needed it.

She felt proud her father had given her his undivided attention the previous day, when she had asked to talk to him in private. Anna then explained Elsa needed his help and, following Kristoff’s suggestion, she kept all the small details for him to discuss with Kai. It had only taken a few minutes to convince her father that the clinic needed a down payment to continue with Elsa’s treatment —given her delicate health condition. And to her good luck, Agdar hadn't asked too many questions, promising to go talk to Kai as soon as he informed the board about the family emergency and got a partial approval. True to his word, the next day he was at the clinic in the early afternoon, discussing Elsa’s health with Kai and coming to what she believed was a favourable agreement. He’d pay for Elsa’s treatment, taking the load off Kai and Gerda’s shoulders.

“No need to give anything back,” Agdar said with a small tight smile. Regardless of their agreement and knowing he could finally start helping his daughter, he knew there was nothing to be truly happy about. Elsa was still unresponsive.

“It’s a lot of money…” reminded Kai, uncomfortable about the enormous favour he was asking.

“We'll have to delay a few projects and make some cuts,” Agdar explained. “ArenCo will manage nonetheless. It's nothing we haven't done in the past.” Placing his hand on Kai’s shoulder, he reassured him the money was Elsa’s, no need to pay it back. “I've denied my daughter the help she needs for far too long. Don't worry about the money.”

Smiling in return, Kai nodded with a faint, “Thank you.”

Smiling at the scene unfolding in front of her, Anna hoped Elsa could see them at that moment as well. Sure, her sister still had her reservations about her biological parents —about their father in particular— but thankfully he was proving how much he did care.

“There's only one thing I don’t understand,” Agdar said, pulling Anna back to their conversation. “Why is the payment so urgent? Anna insisted it couldn’t wait.” Looking over his shoulder, her father found her gaze expecting her to confirm what he was saying.

Anna opened her mouth to explain the situation better, but Kai beat her to it.

“It's a delicate matter. I was hoping we could discuss it in private. With Dr Nielsen, as well as Kristoff and Anna.” Kai then turned to Idunn who had been standing by Anna’s side in silence ever since the two families had met. “You’re welcome to join us too, Idunn.”

Idunn glanced up and took a second to think about his offer. “Umm… Kai, I was hoping–” She looked down, wringing her hands, unsure of what to say. “Anna has told me they’re being quite restrictive with the visits but… Would it be possible for me to see her?”

From the moment Elsa had been admitted to the hospital, Idunn had been dying to get the chance to see her. Always asking Anna if there existed the possibility of her being allowed inside the ICU. All she wanted was to sit by Elsa’s side and talk to her at least once. Finally getting the chance to say everything she had ever wanted, even when Elsa couldn’t hear her. The idea of waking up one day, only to realise it was too late to make amends terrified her mother. And with every passing day, Anna knew she was becoming more and more afraid of never getting one that last chance. So, the moment Anna saw her mother walk into the clinic that day, she knew it was only a matter of time until she asked Kai or Nielsen to see Elsa. Yet, now that she had the chance, Anna could see the doubt and uncertainty consuming her.

“We'll need to ask Nielsen,” Kai said. “Perhaps he’ll allow you to.”

Idunn nodded as she anxiously tried to smooth the invisible wrinkles of her dress. “Is she all alone in there?”

“No.” A small smile formed on Kai’s lips as he paid a quick look to the door that led to the wards. “My wife’s been by her side from the very beginning.”

A watery smile drew on Idunn’s face. “I’m glad.”

Turning his attention back to their main conversation, Kai addressed Agdar once again. “Anna mentioned something about a good legal team working for you, is that correct?”

“There's one working for us at the company, yes.” Her father’s seriousness told Anna he was more than willing to ask the legal team to start working on anything that was needed. “What’s going on, Kai?”

“Dr Nielsen will be here any minute now. He's checking on Elsa as we speak. I'll explain everything as soon as we can discuss things with him.”

Her father agreed, and she knew there wasn’t much to do than wait for Nielsen after that. Deciding it was best to go for a short stroll before their meeting, Anna walked to where Kristoff was sitting and gently informed him she was going out to get some fresh air. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have minded staying. She would have talked to her mother or found excuses for both families to bond. But this time, the situation was anything but normal and staying still only made her more anxious.

Looking up in concern, he asked, “Is everything okay?”

She smiled and nodded. “I just need to move my legs.” She kissed his cheek reassuringly and left the room in silence.

---

Truth be told, she could barely tolerate being inside the small room. It was where they had stayed after receiving the news about Elsa a week before, and the place they had awaited every medical report they’ve got ever since. It was more comfortable than the hall leading straight to the unit, but it didn’t mean Anna liked it any better. More than once they had shared the room with other families, who just like them, were sleep deprived and hoping for positive medical reports. The only thing she saw inside that damn room were long faces and hopelessness. Not wanting to think about that anymore, she hurried down the hallway and into the main waiting room.

“No, you listen to me.”

Anna heard an angry man say as she walked into the now crowded place. The voice was coming from Andrea’s desk, and Anna didn’t need to see the face of the man to know it was no other than Marshall. She had gotten used to his frustrated tone of voice by now, and she was certain the receptionist had too. This time, however, he sounded hostile and more aggressive than he had in the last week. Wanting to make sure things didn’t spiral out of control, she decided to go see what was going on.

“I've been coming here for the past week, day after day, asking time and time again to see her. You can't tell me no when I clearly saw the two of them walk in.” Marshall had both hands on the receptionist’s desk, leaning forward and making the poor receptionist deeply uncomfortable. Andrea tried in vain to put some distance between them and Anna knew it was only a matter of time until she called security to escort Marshall out.

Anna was curious as to what had finally driven him over the edge, though it was best to put a stop to it and then ask than to see a disaster unfold in front of her. Grabbing Marshall’s good arm, Anna forced him away from the desk.

“Marshall, what do you think you're doing?” Glancing in Andrea’s direction, she offered her an apologetic smile. “Excuse him, Andrea.”

Frowning at her for a split second, Marshall tried to pull his arm from Anna’s grasp. “Get away, Anna.”

She was able to hold his wrist firmly and called his name again. When he didn’t pay attention, she tried once more, this time, appealing to his emotional side. “Marshmallow, please.”

“Don’t– Don’t call me that,” he said, clearly displeased.

Anna took a step back, startled by his reaction, letting go of his arm. This seemed to bring Marshall back to his senses, finally taking a step back and turning in Anna’s direction.

“They keep telling me I can't see her.” He was trying to stay calm, but Anna could see he was failing miserably, making the people around them uncomfortable. “Always the same excuse!”

“I know you're frustrated,” Anna said in a lower tone of voice, expecting him to listen and understand they could discuss whatever was going on more quietly. “But this isn’t the receptionist's fault. Only family members are allowed inside. You know that.”

Part of her was confident he’d calm down once he was reminded of that fact. She had been expecting him to say he already knew, like he had done a few times before. However, what she hadn’t been expecting was for him to look daggers at her as she was the one to blame.

“I saw your parents walk in.” He spat, surprising Anna.

Anna gaped at him unsure of what to say. She couldn’t really understand why her parents being there was reason enough for him to get so mad. “They're family,” she muttered.

“No, Anna,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “They are not.”

The way he towered over her, glowering, made Anna realise how truly intimidating he could be. But she wouldn’t let that stop her from talking some sense into him. “I thought Elsa told you about us. My family is—”

“She did,” he said, interrupting her. “I know the two of you are related. I know you're sisters. That doesn't mean your parents are part of her family.”

Not understanding the logic behind his words, Anna couldn't help but crack a smile. “That's exactly what it means. They're family.”

“No, that's what you want them to be.” He took a step closer and Anna couldn’t stop herself from taking one backwards. “Your parents have no right to call themselves family all of a sudden.”

The way he kept glaring at her gave Anna the impression that no matter what she said, he wouldn’t change his mind. Her best bet was trying to show him she understood what he was going through. “Marshall, look, I know you've been coming here everyday. Trust me, I know how frustrating it is, but—”

Marshall groaned, exasperated. “Elsa wouldn't want them visiting.”

“You don't know that.” Now Anna was getting irritated. Marshall was entitled to his own opinion, it didn’t mean it was the right one.

“Yes, I do,” he said, lowering his voice. Anna guessed he had finally noticed the rest of the people in the waiting room, all staring at them. “She doesn't trust your parents.” He took another step closer and poked her shoulder. “The only reason she ever gave them a chance is you.”

Anna glared back and slapped his hand away. “My parents are helping her right now. They've got the right to see her.”

“She's told them time and time again she doesn't want to see them,” Marshall scoffed. “As soon as she's unconscious they walk all over her wishes, I see.”

“Marshall—”

“I can't believe Kai and Gerda agreed to this,” he continued, ignoring what she had to say. “I can't believe you agreed to this. Elsa trusts you!”

“I— You’re getting it all wrong.” Anna was at loss for words. What he was saying was getting to her, and she wasn’t sure how to explain everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. “You talk as if I'm doing something terrible to her.”

“It baffles me you don’t see it!” Marshall shouted, startling Anna and everyone around.

Unable to hold his gaze, she looked around. A man, a couple of years older than her father, wouldn't take his eyes off Marshall, ready to intervene in case it was needed. Anna then noticed Andrea had already stood up from her desk and she was holding a phone’s headset to her ear. It was a matter of time until someone came to walk them both out of the building and Anna couldn't let that happen. She knew he was probably just taking his frustration out on her and he would regret being blacklisted.

“The least you could do now is respect her wishes,” Marshall kept talking, ignoring everything that was going on around them. “She loves you so much she chose to ignore the pain your parents have caused her just to make you happy. But that wasn’t enough for you, was it?”

She felt a sudden pang of guilt and she tried to speak up, but no words came out as she felt her throat tightening. Was he truly talking out of frustration, or was he finally speaking his mind? ‘Or Elsa's mind?’ she wondered, the uncertainty making her shudder.

Marshall took her silence as an answer and a new wave of anger ripped through him. “You kept pushing. And pushing. And pushing. All you wanted was for Elsa to forgive them, to make your family happy, even when you knew she was miserable.”

Anna’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears and she instinctively took another step back.

“I know Elsa’s never been truly happy,” he admitted with bitter sadness. “I’m not going to pretend that’s the case. But she wasn’t this miserable until your parents walked into her life.”

“She said that?” Anna managed to ask in a quavering voice.

“I may not have known about her po—” Marshall stopped abruptly, finally aware they were surrounded by strangers. Most of whom were paying close attention to their conversation and whatever he chose to do next. He looked around and after making up his mind, he took one more step and leaned in closer to Anna, whispering, “I may not have known about her powers, but it doesn't mean I don't know her.”

By the time he finished speaking, the man who had previously been staring stood up and gently asked Marshall to give Anna some space. To Anna’s surprise, Marshall did take a few steps back, even when he glared at the meddling man. Only a moment later, a man wearing a white shirt with the clinic's emblem approached them as well. He ignored Marshall and made sure Anna was okay before he asked if she needed him to escort Marshall outside.

Ignoring the staff-member and the old man, Marshall found her gaze once again and said, “You and your parents are crossing the line, Anna.”

Anna ignored the men as well. She didn’t need them to stand up for her. All she needed was for Marshall to listen and perhaps talk things through in a less crowded place. “Marshall, you don't understand—”

“No.” He shook his head, stopping whatever she had to say. “You don't understand. It's sickening to think I've been in Elsa's life far longer than her biological parents have ever had; yet, somehow, I'm the one who’s not allowed to see her. Not allowed to say goodbye.”

Although he mumbled the last part, Anna and the men standing between them heard him clearly. What he said, combined with the raw pain in his eyes, finally helped Anna understand his anger and resentment. Marshall was not only mad at her family and the rules in place. He was afraid. He was starting to lose hope and Anna couldn’t take it. Anna’s stomach was in knots and, once again, try as she might, there was nothing she could say to lessen his heartache as the anxiety and fear for her sister’s life consumed her.

Placing a comforting hand on Marshall’s shoulder, the man in the white shirt said, “Sir, perhaps it’d be better for you to get some fresh air.” His cautious look now morphing into a compassionate one.

“Let go— “ Marshall said, annoyed at the man, moving his arm away from him. Anna knew he couldn't stand the pity look the men were giving him, making him over react once again.

Just as the staff-member was about to talk, a familiar voice called their names. “Is there a problem?” Kristoff said as he approached them.

“No, there isn't,” Marshall said loud enough for everyone who had been interested in the scene to hear.

Anna watched him walk away, and once again the pang of guilt constricted her throat, barely allowing her to breathe. Before she realised, the tears she'd been holding back began streaming down her face.

“Hey,” Kristoff said, engulfing her in his arms. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She nodded against his chest and in vain tried to dry her tears. “Don't worry.”

Kristoff took a hard look at her, then the people around them and finally at the door through which Marshall had disappeared. “Whenever I think he's finally learning how to behave around people, he shows the kind of moron he is. I don't understand what Elsa sees in him.”

“He loves her,” Anna mumbled, as she hugged Kristoff tight, feeling thankful for his presence.

“So do you and I,” he said with contempt.

Anna nodded, but didn't say anything. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t completely agree with Kristoff this time. Marshall had successfully planted the seed of doubt in Anna, and she couldn’t help but feel as if she was in fact breaking Elsa's trust.

Kristoff thanked the men for stepping in, and then apologised to Andrea for the inconvenience. To Anna's surprise, instead of blaming Marshall like he'd have done in the past, Kristoff explained the last few days were finally catching up with all of them and begged Andrea not to kick Marshall out next time.

With things calmer around them, Kristoff walked Anna outside and asked her about their argument. Anna shook her head, not wanting to discuss it with anyone. The last thing she needed was for Kristoff to find reason behind Marshall's words like she did, and for him to realise they were making a terrible mistake. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does. I’ll talk to him if you need me to.”

“No, Kristoff. It doesn’t matter.” Before he could insist, Anna decided it was best to change the topic. “Has Nielsen met our parents?”

Kristoff stayed silent for a short moment, debating what to do. After a minute, he breathed out and nodded. “Kai told me to get you and wait for them at the café. They don’t want to discuss things in the hospital.”

---

The door leading to the ICU closed behind Idunn and only then she breathed out with relief. Until then, she had been afraid the medical staff would suddenly change their mind and she wouldn’t be allowed to see Elsa after all.

She had been told to wait for a nurse to come get her and she didn’t plan to move from that spot until they did. The last thing she needed was entering a room or area she wasn’t supposed to, when Nielsen had been clear about the staff making an expectation for her to visit — given the circumstances.

As she waited, she wondered what she’d find once she walked into Elsa's room. The last time she had seen her daughter, Elsa looked thin and fragile. Like she hadn’t been taking proper care of herself. It made Idunn wonder how many things she had been dealing with, only for Agdar and herself to make things worse the day they met. No matter how hard she tried, Idunn couldn’t get rid of Elsa’s words during their last conversation. Elsa had not only admitted needing her mother more than anything, she had also confessed suffering more than they could imagine. Her words were on repeat in Idunn’s mind. Taunting her and showing her she was responsible for everything that had ever gone wrong in Elsa’s life.

Even this, she realised regretfully. If she had only stopped Agdar on time. If she had only taken Elsa to the ER instead of trying to get Elsa to like her; then, perhaps, her daughter wouldn’t be on the brink of death now.

She was so absorbed in her own thoughts, it took a moment for Idunn to realise a nurse had been standing in front of her for half a minute, waiting for a reply. She apologised and nodded her head when the young woman checked her name on the clipboard in her hands. When everything was set, they began walking down the hall at a faster pace than Idunn would have liked. There were so many questions she wanted to ask about her daughter and so little time. But as they moved past the doors in the unit, Idunn became more afraid of the answers she could get, desisting finally of her idea. The nurse continued walking until they got to the end of the hall.

The last room in the unit. Away from everyone else. Forgotten.

The thought alone made Idunn’s chest feel heavy and she had a hard time trying to understand what the young woman was explaining.

The young woman explained she was only allowed to remain inside the room during visiting hours and she was to leave the room if a family member requested her to do so. Idunn nodded in agreement, hiding the pain of not being allowed to see her daughter for as long as she wanted. But then again, she had lost the privilege years before.

When the nurse left, Idunn drew in one more deep shaky breath, gathering her thoughts before she grabbed the handle. Slowly, trying to bother the people inside, she opened the door just a crack. The first thing she saw was Gerda, sitting by Elsa's bedside. Eyes closed, the older woman rested her forehead on her clasped hands which were holding onto Elsa's. Opening the door a bit wider, Elsa's face came into view and only then she realised it didn’t matter how long she had to wrap her mind around the idea. Finally seeing Elsa’s pale form, connected to more machines and wires than she had imagined, made her stomach turn. Her heart constricted painfully and for a moment she couldn’t breath nor move.

Gerda raised her head slowly, opening her eyes and looking at Elsa, unaware of Idunn’s presence. She caressed Elsa’s hand with her thumb and a sad smile drew on her face.

“You know, there'll still be a tomorrow even if you choose to leave.” Gerda’s voice, barely over a whisper, got Idunn’s attention. “It ain’t gonna stop the world… but I think it'll be the end of mine.”

The sorrow in Gerda's voice made the situation too painful, too real. And for the first time since that night, when she abandoned Elsa, Idunn felt as if someone was ripping her heart out. She imagined she’d never feel the way she felt back then, until now.

“I know it’s unfair —selfish of me— to ask you this, but…” Gerda said, as one of her hands let go of Elsa’s to dry a lonesome tear running down her cheek. “Please, dear. Don't go.” The hand returned to its original position and she held Elsa’s hand a bit tighter. “I know you're tired and I understand why it'd be easier to just let yourself go. But I need you. I'm not as strong as you are. I—” She breathed out, tiredly. “What would I say to Kristoff?”

Unable to deal with the aching pain in her chest, Idunn tried to hold back a sob and close the door, hoping to give Gerda some privacy, but the sudden movement caught the old woman’s attention and she turned to look at the door, their gazes finally meeting.

“I didn't mean to interrupt,” Idunn blurted out as best as she could. “It's— I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry.”

“It's okay,” Gerda murmured. “Kai told me your husband or you might stop by.” She let go of Elsa’s hand and looked at her watch, surprised to see it was already time for visiting hours. She tried in vain to blink away the tears and stood up. “Is Agdar waiting outside?”

“No.” Idunn shook her head and silently hoped Gerda didn’t feel pressured to leave. “He's in a meeting with Kai and Elsa's doctor… Uhm—”

“Nielsen.”

“Yes.” She regretted not paying more attention to the names of the people who were doing everything to help Elsa.

“What about Anna and Kristoff?” Gerda asked, sitting once again by Elsa’s side, unsure of what else to do.

“They're with them as well. I don't understand what's going on, but it seemed urgent.”

Gerda nodded. “I don't have all the details yet. They said it’d be best for me to look after Elsa instead of worrying about it. Come in,” she offered at last, inviting Idunn into the room with a hand gesture.

Idunn did as told and she walked until she was standing at the foot of the bed, keeping her distance from the machines. “She looks so pale,” she murmured, unable to keep her voice from shaking.

Both women stayed quiet for several minutes after that. The heavy silence that fell between them was only interrupted by the beeping noises of the machines. The minutes stretched and Idunn felt as if they were running out of air inside the small room.

After twenty minutes, which felt like an hour, Idunn decided it was best to break the silence. The only thing Gerda had done during that time was hold onto Elsa’s hand, and something told her she’d like a distraction or the opportunity to move her legs.

“Please don't take this the wrong way, Gerda.” Idunn said, hoping she wouldn’t be overstepping. “I could stay with her for the next hour if you need. You look awfully tired.”

“I'm not leaving her,” Gerda answered with a frown.

Only then, Idunn realised how stupid what she had just said truly was. The woman had been looking after Elsa for over a week. It was more than obvious she already knew how she looked and how tired she was. But even then, Idunn felt bad and wished she would take a moment. Breathe some fresh air at least.

“I don't think she'd mind you taking a short break.”

“I can't selfishly beg her to stay.” Tired eyes looking up to meet Idunn’s gaze. “Only to leave her alone a moment after, Idunn.”

Choosing it was best to drop the subject, Idunn looked at Elsa’s left hand. It was slightly raised and covered in bandages. It seemed surreal that that small injury could be the cause of her current state. “Her hand's getting better from what I heard.” Kai had told her so before Nielsen met them in the waiting room. “Why isn't she recovering?”

“Her body is fighting more than just her hand’s infection. She has a hard time breathing and now her kidneys are failing. Her blood pressure needs to go up before we can even think of pulling her out of the coma.”

“Will she have permanent damage?” Idunn was terrified of the answer. Elsa had struggled her whole life with her powers getting in the way. Dealing with physical or mental damage on top of that would certainly be more than she could handle.

“Only time can tell,” Gerda said, her eyes filling up with tears. “It all depends on her.”

“She's strong,” Idunn said with conviction. “She'll make it.”

As Gerda shook her head, Idunn felt her throat constricting. “I fear she might see no reason to keep fighting…”

“What do you mean?”

“Elsa's soul is older than mine. She's endured too much and…” Taking a deep breath, Gerda tried to make up her mind. “Lately she's been losing—” She stopped again, unsure if it was right to share what she was about to say with Idunn. “She’s started to wonder if it's all worth it.”

---

As soon as the words left her mouth, Gerda realised trusting Idunn with the way Elsa felt about life had been a mistake. From the moment Idunn had walked into the room, Gerda could tell it was hard for her to face the truth of what was happening to Elsa. Gerda couldn’t blame her for it, everyone in the family had had a difficult time coming to terms with it, but she did wonder why she’d put herself through it when she could barely look at the girl in the bed. It was no surprise then, that with every new piece of information she began to crumble until the weight of it all was too much for her to handle. Idunn was nothing but a crying mess now that she knew the truth and despite the way she felt about the Arendelles, Gerda considered it was necessary for her to do or say something that could help the younger woman. Though, before she could make up her mind on what to say, Idunn surprised her by suddenly pulling herself together.

“I wanted to thank you for loving and caring for Elsa the way you do.” Idun’s voice cracked and she pressed the heel of her hands to her eyes to stop her tears. “I understand seeing her like this must be as difficult for you as it is for me, still you manage to stay strong. I don’t know how you do it.”

“No,” she said firmly. “You may think it’s the same, but no.” Gerda tried to focus on the good side, the positive thing Idunn was trying to say; but try as she may, she couldn’t do it.

Idunn blinked a few times, unsure of what she meant, and once again Gerda tried to make an effort to remain calm, hoping to find the right words before she spoke. “Seeing Elsa like this is not—” She took a deep breath, and started over. “When I see Elsa, all I see is the malnourished little girl I met over ten years ago. The little girl who somehow found comfort in my arms and begged me to stay… who still to this day begs me to. I see the daughter life once took from me, and the one I fear will be taken from me again. So, no, Idunn, I don’t think it is.”

Idunn’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened, unsure of what to say.

“I’m not saying you feel no pain,” Gerda clarified. The fact she was feeling heartbroken didn’t erase whatever Idunn was feeling. “I’m sure the guilt and regret must be eating you up alive in moments like this, but when night comes and the day is done, you go back home and I’m the one who stays to try and put back together what's left of her.”

Just as Gerda finished speaking, Frida, one of the nurses who worked in Elsa’s recovery, opened the door, calling their attention. “Gerda, I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said with an apologetic smile. “Mr Bjorgman and Dr Nielsen are asking for you.”

“Tell Kai I’ll meet them later,” Gerda said, not turning to look at her. Her eyes fixed on nothing but Elsa.

“They said it’s urgent,” the nurse insisted, knowing Nielsen would send her back to get her if Gerda didn’t come out.

“More urgent than Elsa?” Gerda scoffed, not believing there was something more important at that moment. She was aware how serious their current situation was. She couldn’t blame her husband for needing her to meet them. After all, they were discussing the next step to take. But her role was to look after Elsa, make sure she didn’t become a test subject to those bastards in charge.

“I– I don’t know what to say,” said Frida. “They just asked me to—”

Gerda knew the girl wouldn’t stop insisting. She had worked under Nielsen’s instructions during her time at the hospital, and she knew he could be a pain when things didn’t go his way.

“This better be important,” she murmured and stood up with a weary sigh. She looked at her daughter and then where Idunn was still standing. The woman’s head was hanging low and she didn’t seem to be aware of the nurse’s presence. “I know now doesn’t seem like the right time to ask you a favour,” Gerda said, calling her attention. “But… Could you stay with her until visiting hours are over, please? I promised I wouldn't leave her alone.”

“Of course,” Idunn said, her voice barely over a whisper.

With a heavy feeling in her stomach, Gerda brushed a few strands away from Elsa’s face. “I’ll be back soon, dear.” She smiled sadly at her and gave her a short kiss on her forehead before she followed the nurse out of the room.

---

Gerda’s words and the chapter’s title were inspired by the homonymous song: It don’t matter to the sun by Rosie Thomas.

I want to apologise for not answering your reviews sooner. I’ve read them all and I loved each one of them, but I didn’t have too much time in my hands to reply. Now that the new chapter is out, I’ll take the time to get back to all of you. Rest assured I really appreciate every word, comment and reaction you guys have sent my way.

Originally, this chapter was going to have two (or three) scenes more. I changed my mind yesterday when I realised that would push the update for at least another week. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

Take care. --

Do you guys still want to be tagged? Let me know, please. I don’t want to bother people who are no longer following the story. Also, do tags even work?

@swimmingnewsie @melody-fox @kristoffxannafanatic @kristannafictionals @neptrabbit @skneez @ellacarter13 @wondering-in-life @who-i-am-8 @fanfictionrecommendations-com @815-allisnotlost @khartxo @joannevixxon @betweenthedreams @burbobah @rileysfs @earlvessalius @blood-jewel @snowycrocus @the-sky-is-awake @disneyfan103 @anamaria8garcia @welovefrozenfanfiction @bigfrozenfan @bigfrozenfan-archive @frozenartscapes @deisymendoza @zackhaikal123 @cornstarch @roostercrowedatmidnight @showurselfelsa @when-dawn-arrives @tare-disney @wabitham @just-your-local-history-nerd @dontrunintofirexoxo @daphmckinnon @poketin @luna-and-mars @shimmeringsunsets @aries1708 @wabitham @agentphilindaisy @spkfrozenkindikids123 @jimmi-arts @snowmanmelting @loonysama @hiptoff @loonysama @tare-disney @frozenwolftemplar @true–north @holycolordreamertree @bigfrozensix

#Søsken #Sosken #Anna #Kristoff #Elsa #Idunn #Iduna #Gerda #Kai #Agdar #Agnarr #modern au #frozen #frozen fanfiction #frozen fanfic #chapter 49

29 notes · View notes

gabessquishytum · 8 months

Note

Concept: Hob's in his first year at university, and he’s actually become good friends with his randomly assigned roommate (Destruction). He knows Destruction has a... less than ideal relationship with his family, that he's basically only in contact with them at all because he doesn’t want to lose touch with his younger sister.

And then Destruction complains to him that his older brother is coming to visit/check up on him/take him to dinner, and he’s such a self righteous asshole this is going to suck-

And Hob's like "Just bring me along to distract him. I'm SO good at being annoying, he wont be able to judge your life choices if he's judging mine." It's a toned-down of that "I'm a convicted felon do you want me to come to your Thanksgiving dinner" Craigslist post.

Dream shows up. Destruction insists that Hob come to dinner with them.

Hob proceeds to switch whatever filter he had off and spends the whole meal just. Talking at Dream. He starts the evening a textbook overconfident jock who acts like no one's ever told him no and ends the evening very drunk (hey, Dream is paying and it's good alcohol) and earnestly telling Dream he's going to become a doctor and figure out how to cheat death. The concept, not his sister. Why does their family have such weird names, anyway?

Dream comes away from the meal unwillingly fascinated with Hob. He wants to watch as the stress of university deservedly takes him down several pegs and bleeds the light from his eyes. He figures it'll take a month.

So even though the older siblings had set up a 'check in on Destruction' schedule he volunteers to go again the next month.

And honestly there are two directions I could go from here:

A: Destruction once again panics about seeing family he's trying to distance himself from. Hob once again offers to run interference. But somehow they orchestrate it so that Hob ends up spending an entire day with Dream, and they end up doing a 12-hour enemies to lovers speedrun. Hob gives Dream a manic pixie dream girl tour of the campus and its surroundings. Poor Destruction comes back the next day to find his asshole older brother and his roommate in bed together.

Or B: the slowburn version. The first time Dream comes back he meets a slightly mellower version of Hob, and decides he doesn't hate him, actually. And then he just keeps coming back, and he and Hob end up genuinely becoming friends. Dream and Destruction actually start to repair their relationship, too! Trouble is, he's convinced Hob and Destruction are dating (partially bc Destruction still brings Hob along to everything, partially bc both Hob and Destruction are very casually touchy and very lax about wearing clothing while at home). So when Hob finally works up the courage to ask him out, he pulls a "YOU DARE".

He very unhappily tells Destruction "so Hob hit on me"

And Destruction's like "fuckin finally. The man is so stupid about you I swear his pupils turn into little cartoon hearts when he looks at you"

Dream's like "You're not upset?"

And Destruction's like "No, I'm happy for you both, you deserve it. You did. Reciprocate. Right?"

And then Dream establishes that he wasn't actually the other woman and does some over the top rom-com bullshit to win Hob back (this is unnecessary) (he'd never lost Hob) (Hob still appreciates it very much and falls even more in love with him)

Chaotic ADHD coded med student Hob + cutie art student Destruction + stuck up older brother Dream... this is absolutely the ideal combination.

At the end of that first evening Dream is hissing "your boyfriend is unbearable!!" And Destruction is like "he's not my boyfr- you know what never mind. yes i love my very annoying boyfriend hob gadling."

And Dream can't wait to see Hob’s dreams and spirit crushed, but... this doesn't happen. If anything he gets MORE annoying and sunshiney, and Dream becomes unwillingly fascinated by his little brother's terrible boyfriend. Destruction has exams to do so it's Hob who ends up showing Dream around on his next visit, and of course Hob teases him the whole time and makes sure that Dream pays for his lunch and dinner. He sometimes feels like Hob is flirting with him but he tries to ignore that, putting it down to being a part of Hob’s personality.

Destruction is desperately trying to find a way to tell Dream that he's "broken up" with Hob and tell him that it's totally ok to ask Hob out now!!! It doesn't help that Hob keeps sitting on his lap. And braiding his hair. But he can't tell Hob to stop being himself!! What a mess.

There are two possibilities in my mind: Destruction eventually tells Dream that he was lying about the relationship with Hob BUT if Dream doesn't ask Hob out, he will!! And so Dream is faced with the sudden realisation that he's not irritated by Hob, he's actually in love with him!! Oh no!!

OR. For my Hobstruction fans. Destruction is like. "What if we act like good siblings and share him?" And after Dream has recovered from passing out on the floor he has to consider that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea?

Either way Hob is getting Endless dick tonight, as he deserves. Bless our favourite annoying gremlin cockslut <3

#the sandman #dreamling #hobstruction #dream x hob x destrustion #nsft

56 notes · View notes

eleanor-bradstreet · 1 year

Text

Love to Spare - Part 2 (Anthony Bridgerton x Reader)

Anthony Bridgerton x fem!Reader Friendship, fluff and angst gif by @greengableslover Word count: 1.7k Part 1 Part 3 Masterpost

Summary: A friendship deepens, a tragedy occurs

The next day, a bouquet of flowers was delivered to you with the note reading simply:

Thank you. - A

Before she grew suspicious, you had to convince your mother that they were from your old friend Anne.

When the ton returned to London in the spring and Anthony next came to meet with your father, he sought you out and you spoke for an hour about your respective winters. Weeks later, he gave you a book about the law. You gave him a pamphlet about the dangers of imbibing and laughed when you saw his sardonic smirk for the first time. The conversation flowed easily, as did the jokes and ribbing. He did not treat you with the honor and flattery typically required for delicate young ladies, and you did not treat him with the deference and respect typically owed a viscount. Perhaps it was because of the differences in your social strata that neither of you feared reproach, or more likely, it was the unique and vulnerable circumstances in which you met that put you at ease with one another thereafter.

Slowly but surely, Anthony Bridgerton became your friend. One of your best friends, in fact. More akin to the brother you always wished to have. The years passed and you both grew older. You continued to study with your father and refused to debut, and the pressures and complications of Anthony’s life only increased. Your family lived year round in London, so you only had the opportunity to see him during the parliamentary season when he was in town. Not engaging in the social soirees yourself, this limited your chance meetings to his appointments with your father, or passing each other on a promenade. When in public, you always made time for a friendly exchange, but were careful not to meet too long or too frequently, lest the rumor mill begin roiling that you were courting one another, which could only elevate your reputation, but would seriously complicate and diminish his. Besides, nothing could be further from the truth.

You found ways to have more meaningful conversations a few times a year. Anthony had started keeping his own apartments in the city separate from his family home, and you would meet him there to swap stories over brandy, reminiscent of your first encounter. He would tell you about the Bridgerton estate, its finances and property issues, things most others would find boring or tedious, but you listened with rapt attention. It was helping you to broaden your legal knowledge, seeing how all the rules in your father’s enormous books were applied in the real world. You would press him for details, figures, examples, and he would smile as you hypothesized and argued and counseled, referring him of course to your father for a final assessment.

He also told you about the mounting pressure to marry, directed at him by his mother. He made it clear that he was reluctant to do so, but would never reveal precisely why. You had heard the stories around town of course. Lord Bridgerton the rake had a reputation. But you could hear in his tone that it wasn’t the monogamy he took issue with. His look grew haunted whenever he talked about finding love, and it was love itself that seemed to scare him, for whatever reason. He never asked you about your love life, not that there was one to speak of. He had known from the beginning that you were not interested in finding a husband, and he understood the annoyance of being asked and cajoled about such things, so he didn’t visit this upon you.

He brightened when he told you about the opera singer. He never claimed to love her, but remained interested in her exclusively for several years. From what he shared with you, you weren’t sure she gave him the respect he deserved, but protective though you may have been, it made you happy just to see him happy, and so you listened supportively. You met her once when you crossed paths on Anthony’s doorstep, you heading home and her coming in. She was very pretty. Anthony assured you later that he had told her you were dropping off documents for your father, so there was no jealousy or suspicion. You were grateful he kept your meetings secret, but felt a stab of bitterness that he would not claim you as his friend. You supposed that would only have complicated things.

The meetings weren’t all happy, though. Anthony’s demons roared through him from time to time; when he was exhausted from dealing with the estate’s affairs, or when he had gotten into a row with a sibling or his mother, or when he and the opera singer were taking yet another break in their tumultuous romance. Then he would drink too much and grow either bitter and cold, or helpless and broken. Once, when you were trying to offer advice on how to untangle a knot in his finances, he shouted at you, snapping that you didn’t know what you were talking about because you weren’t a solicitor, never would be, and were just playing a stupid game dreaming of an impossible future.

You were fairly certain both of your hearts stopped as you froze, staring at each other. When you spun to make for the door, suddenly his arms were around you, pulling you tightly against him as he uttered a hundred apologies and pleas for you to stay, tears starting to roll down his face. Despite yourself, you started to cry too, and held him back. It was the first time you had ever embraced, in the many years you had been friends. You had never been so close to a man who was not your relation, and it felt so comforting, so sure. It felt like he was family, a brother, an extension of yourself. You knew he hadn’t meant what he said. You knew very well by now the pain he lived with day to day, and you knew that it took control of him sometimes. But you also knew that his heart was good and pure, that he was your dear friend, and that you needed each other.

You had tried, gently through the years, to ask him if he confided any of his challenges to his family. He always answered vaguely, alluding to conversations with a brother or his mother, but you got the impression he never truly opened up to them and thereby didn’t receive their full support. You knew him well enough to know that vulnerability was not in his nature, especially when sober. He had to be steadfast, a bulwark between his family and the world, and admitting to them that he was struggling in any way would be considered a deficiency in his estimation. It was only you, you realized, that he allowed himself to show weakness to. Only you had been allowed to peer beneath the mask that he wore for society, all thanks to your messy chance meeting that night years ago, when he had unwittingly shown you his worst self and you reacted with nothing but kindness. He never shouted at you again.

Anthony embraced you the second time when your father died. It had been winter, and he had passed suddenly in his sleep. A brain hemorrhage the doctors said. Word was sent to all of his clients and your household was flipped upside down, with assessors and businessmen, colleagues and friends moving in and out, offering condolences but more often looking for paperwork. You did your best to handle everything smoothly and manage his affairs while your mother locked herself away in grief. You didn’t really have time to cry. Until you opened the front door three days after it happened, and Anthony was on the doorstep, shoulders white with the heavy snow that was falling. He simply said your name and you fell apart entirely, collapsing into his arms as he held you tightly, shushing you and stroking your hair. You don’t remember moving into the study together, but that’s where you stayed for the next few hours, crying yourself out into his shoulder. You were bonded closer now, adding the bitterness of fatherlessness to the list of all you had in common. You leaned against him as you sat on the floor by the fire, talking through everything you had to do, and how he would help you accomplish it all.

Months later, with your father’s practice officially closed and your family’s finances pored over, your paths for the future became clear. If you pursued your goal of working as a governess, you would be able to support yourself and live with whatever family hired you, but there would be no income for your mother to survive upon and maintain your family home. She would need to move in with your uncle and the added mouth to feed would stretch his finances uncomfortably. You were collectively facing a diminishment in lifestyle, most likely a descent into noble poverty.

The alternative, of course, was for you to marry. Even marrying a gentleman from a lesser noble house similar to yours would replace your father’s income and allow you to keep your home and keep your mother comfortably within it. When your uncle proposed this, your mother looked at you in alarm, assuring you that you did not need to do anything you did not want to. She would not ask you to divert your dreams and end up miserably bound in a loveless marriage for the rest of your life just for her sake. She was willing to sacrifice everything for your chance at independence. But you couldn’t let her. The thought of losing your home, the only one you had ever known, and of seeing your family sink and struggle, the humiliation and hardship of it all, was something you didn’t want anyone to shoulder. Their fate was in your hands and you would save them. You would find a husband.

Besides, you told yourself, it was not a guarantee that you would end up in a loveless or unhappy marriage. There had to be some decent, amiable gentlemen among the ton. Although you doubted if any of them would still be available or interested in you, a twenty-seven year old spinster with no money and too many opinions, but you kept these thoughts to yourself.

#bridgerton #anthony bridgerton #anthony bridgerton x reader #anthony bridgerton x you #anthony bridgerton x y/n #anthony bridgerton imagine #bridgerton fanfiction #bridgerton x reader #bridgerton x you #bridgerton x y/n #bridgerton imagine #female reader #regency #regency era #fluff and angst

216 notes · View notes

hollowwrites · 10 months

Text

Blindsided

Part 6

Ominis x MC

Summary - Sebastian, Ominis and Eve visit Anne and surprise her with the ability to visit Hogwarts whenever she likes. They all spend the day together as a little family. 💕

I will not lie this is filler! It’s cute fluffy filler but I debated waiting until the next part is ready! But it’s already soooo looooong!

Hopefully you guys like domestic cutesy bliss!

Again feel free to swap Evelyn with MC or Y/N

Warnings - Mentions of a Mom passing away. (Sorry I wrote about this a lot it helps me personally) all characters aged up 18+

Word Count - 3675

The train ride to Evelyn’s muggle town was not too far outside of Hogwarts but far enough that walking was not an option. She’d managed to wrangle both Sebastian and Ominis onto the train at the early hours and they now settled into the private cabin for the long journey.

Her eyes settled over Ominis, who had almost immediately took a nap. She sat directly opposite him, his knees trapping hers as the train chugged along its course. It was a common enough experience to see the boys outside of their designated school uniform, but it stunned her every time. Without robes to hide their physique they both sat, unrestricted before her.

Ominis was as dapper as ever. Head to toe in black, his long sleeves folded neatly up his forearms, shirt tucked into his tapered trousers and a tie somewhat lazily wrapped around his neck. She could always tell when he’d tied it himself, it was slightly sloppy, but purposeful. He’d commented multiple times how he hated the feeling of things touching his neck, and whenever a professor turned their back after scolding him for his uniform, he would immediately tug it back to a more casual position. His top bottom lay open, showcasing the muscles in his neck straining against the trains turbulence, his head bobbling around as he slept. Evelyn pulled off her scarf and gently pushed it between Ominiss’ head and the hard casing of the window. He nuzzled into the plush material and she laughed softly at the juxtaposition of his stern crossed arms and stoic face and the quiet hum as he settled against her scarf, a warm smile threatening to tug at the corners of his lips.

Sebastian was significantly more casual than Ominis. His shirt collar lay messily over the top of his jumper, the untidiness carried down as the tips of his shirt stuck out at the bottom. Similar to Ominis, He’d pushed the sleeves of his jumper up so as not to catch on the pages of the book he was reading, lying open across his legs. His forearms flexing slightly as he ripped up his train ticket, eyes darting across the page but not taking in what he was reading.

“What if the conductor needs that?” She joked in a hushed tone.

“Then I’ll obliviate him into forgetting we exist” he said flatly

“Please don’t obliviate any muggles while we’re away” she put her hand on his, stopping him from ripping up any more of the ticket.

“Sorry” he muttered not looking up from his hands “I’m nervous”

“Why? She’s your sister.”

“I haven’t seen her in a while. Unless she writes me I avoid her. Since fifth year I…I worry she doesn’t look at me the same”

“She probably doesn’t” Evelyn shrugged

“Thanks…” he looked up now from under his lashes

“That’s not a bad thing. The things you did, though stupid and wrong, were all for her. And you stopped, for her. She knows this and she loves you for it. Trust me. She misses her brother” she pulled away from him leaning back on the old seats. He thought for a moment before speaking

“Thank you, Vee” he smiled, squeezing her knee “Thank you for taking care of her as well. After Solomon left and- I didn’t know what to do and…Rookwood- If you hadn’t have killed him…” his voice shrank thinking about how bad her pain was. No one would have suspected that killing Victor Rookwood would have mostly severed the connection between Anne and his curse. It was a pleasant surprise for everyone, and a huge contributing factor towards the mending relationship between Sebastian and…everyone.

“Of course” she said matter-of-factly “Solomon was right about one thing before he ran away” her voice heavy with venom “Getting away from Feldcroft, was probably for the best. Besides, I love your sister. She’s like a tolerable you” she flashed him a brilliant smile

“Har har. Now I know why nothing has happened between you two” he jerked his head towards their sleeping companion “it’s impossible to have a sincere moment with you” as her cheeks flushed bright red he shot her smile back, mirroring her own exactly.

She opened her mouth to snap back with something smart and cutting but the little bell above the carriage door tinkled to indicate they were pulling into their station.

“This is us” she chirped before quietening her own voice “Ominis?” She held his shoulder gently giving it a little squeeze “Ominis, we’re here” His eyes fluttered open before smiling upward towards Eve

“Thank you, Sebastian would have just shook me awake” Ominiss’ fingers dusted lightly over her knuckles

“I would never…I was planning on screaming down your ear” Sebastian smirked gathering his things into the small bag he had brought along.

“Beast” Ominis muttered fiddling with the scarf “Can we please not forget that I can’t use my wand-” he muttered “-to get around, someone has to guide me”

“I’ve got you don’t worry” Sebastian hauled their collective luggage onto his back before collecting Ominiss’ arm. “Lead the way, Evie”

The walk from the train station to Evelyn’s hamlet was pleasant. They chatted idly about school, the tournament and quidditch as they went but Evelyn could see that Ominis was visibly uncomfortable, his constant angry expression and the twitch in his hands gave him away. It all bubbled over when they entered the little muggle village and they saw Evelyns home perched upon a small hill. Anne waved at them from a distance and Sebastian, immediately released Ominis and ran to her.

“Sebastian!” He hissed standing perfectly still “you can’t leave me!” He huffed tapping his foot in place contemplating exposing the wizarding world just so he can navigate towards Sebastian to slap him. A cooling set of fingers gripped his bicep and trailed down along his forearm. They linked with his arm at the elbow before gently tugging at him.

“I’m here” Evelyn said “Come, just a few more steps and you’re back to using your wand. You don’t go to the muggle world very often do you?”

“This is my first time actually…without my family” He said much calmer now he was in her soothing presence

“Oh! I wish you’d have said. We could have made this special. I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t be silly, you’re inviting us to your home this is special enough” he placed his free hand over hers on his arm and smiled. He could hear Anne clearly now as they approached the house

“Ah hello you two” Anne strained out as she was crushed by Sebastians embrace. He finally put her down after a moment and they all shuffled inside. The second they passed the threshold, Ominis retrieved his wand and sighed contently, finally able to perceive the world in his own way once more

“So to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my three favourite people?” She pinched at Ominiss’ cheek and he batted her away playfully “It’s like my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one” she spoke more cheerily than she had in a long time. Cheeks more rosey and full than the last time Eve had saw her. She was looking better and better everyday.

“You haven’t told her?” Sebastian asked

“Told me what?” Anne bounced between everyone

“No I wanted it to be a surprise” Evelyn said holding Anne’s forearms trying to calm her bouncing. But Anne’s excitement was infectious and she just forced her giddy nature upon Eve as well

“What surprise what’s going on?”

“Well…” Eve started, releasing Anne “I managed to pull some strings at the Ministry and at Hogwarts aaAAAaand” Eves sing-songy voice made the boys smile. She opened her satchel to reveal the stone plaque of Ignatia Wildsmith, currently inanimate, resting in her bag. Anne gasped “We can connect my house to the Floo Network. We can smuggle you into Hogwarts”

“Oh Merlin” Anne’s hands flew to her face trying to stop tears from welling in her eyes “You’re all going to be sick of me I’m going to be there all the- ooof” she crunched over slightly at the sudden interruption from her curse. Sebastian shot to her side holding her hand “Honestly it’s not that bad, just too much excitement for today” she smiled as the pain washed away again “See?” Sebastian face was a boiling pot of emotion, happy at how his sister was doing, concern that she was still in pain, embarrassment from his behaviour in fifth year. Ominis could feel the shift in the room, choosing to change the subject than put a downer on the day.

“Come let’s get started installing this” Ominis said and Eve turned towards the fireplace in her front room. Anne’s hand shot to her arm.

“Actually, whilst you’re here, I was kind of hoping you could cut my hair for me? If you don’t mind. I’d ask Seb but he’s a tad wonky”

“I’m right here” he retorted “ah whatever, that’s fine, me and Ominis can go and do manly things whilst you two braid each others hair” he mocked taking Ominiss’ arm before being violently shook off.

“I don’t need your guidance now you Buffoon, I could have died early you just left me…” Ominiss voice faded to mumbles as the two boys started their work in the living room. The cacophony of tools working away and the liberal use of magic emanated from the room as Anne settled into a chair in the kitchen.

“I’ll get some scissors” Eve said making her way up to the first floor

“They’re in my bag, in your mothers room” Anne called up to her

“Your room” Eve corrected

It hadn’t been her Mothers room for quite a few years now. After she had passed, Evelyn spent a year all alone, until her magic started to blossom and Fig had knocked on her door. Since then the room had been avoided causing too many warm and pleasant memories to resurface. Memories, Eve couldn’t always handle lamenting in.

She wasn’t heartless. Evelyn loved her Mother dearly and kept many mementos of her. But the room in which she spent her final months was harrowing to witness. She lost herself in grief if she allowed herself to be in there for too long.

She was almost grateful when Solomon Sallow had left Anne alone. It meant the room could be used again. At the time Anne’s relationship with Sebastian was tumultuous, at best. So when Eve offered Anne her spare room for her to stay, the Sallow Twins both agreed some time apart may help them patch things up. Over the fifth year summer, Eve redecorated the overly floral walls to something a bit more plain for Anne to make her mark upon. Slowly it looked less like her mothers room and more like Anne’s.

Preparing for the hour or so it would take to cut Anne’s hair, Evelyn found a brush and scissors in Anne’s Vanity bag, in her bedroom. When she bounded back downstairs she found Anne rakin her fingers through her hair pulling odd strands out that offended her before Evelyn could stop her.

“Stop” Evelyn scolded slapping her hand away “Do you Sallows have no patience? I’m here now” she began brushing through the brunettes thick hair, carefully placing her hand over the brush to prevent any snags

“No I’m afraid that’s a Slytherin trait. We’re just a big family of impatient-“ she started before hearing shouting from the other room

“Ominis!! I swear to Merlin, if you don’t do something I’m going to-“

“What do you want me to do, Sebastian! You have to tell me…I cannot see!!” Ominis chided loudly, followed by muffled arguing in the other room. The girls giggled.

“I’m glad nothing has changed between the two of them.”

“So they’ve always been like this?” Eve asked separating out her hair and beginning to snip away.

“Oh yes. Sebastian is a brute”

“Not that much of a brute…he was worried about coming here” Eve confessed

“I know” Anne smiled “when he hugged me I could feel him shaking. He’s a big softy always has been. We’re definitely twins in that regard”

“I’ve heard otherwise. You were quite the handful for the first few years of Hogwarts”

“I still AM a handful” Anne laughed defensively “Who says I’m a handful? I bet it was Garlick…or Weasley”

“It was A Weasley” Evelyn teased

“Garreth called me a handful? Oh wait till I get my hands him”

“Don’t threaten him with a good time.” Evelyn giggled as she watched the tips of her ears turn pink “So you like Garreth too huh? We’ll have to fix you two up with a date” Anne turned suddenly snatching the lock of hair from out of Eves hands.

“Don’t mock me, Hollow! You wouldn’t know what it’s like having forbidden love?” She dabbed a handkerchief to her dry eyes, feigning heartbreak “A Slytherin and A Griffindor? We simply cannot be” she turned back in her chair for Eve to continue, wringing the handkerchief in her hands. “He still writes me, you know” she said suddenly sincere “every week” she smiled down at her lap.

“I know, he talks about you all the time. Perhaps you could see him, once we’ve got Ignatia up and running”

“I’d like that” she whispered “Don’t tell Sebastian. He’ll get protective and him and Garreth are close, it’ll make things weird for him”

“I won’t. It could be worse. You could be trying to date his best friend”

“Yes I think you have that covered don’t you?” Anne quipped and the sound a sharp snip rang out as Evelyn twitched.

“What do you mean by that?” Evelyn gulped and feigned innocence

“Oh please, he’s blind not me!! I’ve seen the way you look at Ominis. The way he ‘looks’ at you. It’s like you’re the only thing in the world he can actually see.” She sounded almost romantic before…“it’s disgusting”

“I- Ominis is my best friend-”

“Excuse me?” Anne gasped clutching her heart

“Besides you” Evelyn wrapped her arms around her neck from behind giving her a quick squeeze before continuing on her hair.

“Doesn’t matter if he’s your best friend, clearly you’re attracted to him” Anne continued not letting it go

“…Yes, he’s attractive that doesn’t mean I-“

“So you find him attractive and you get on well with him…I don’t see a problem”

“…he makes me nervous…” Evelyn whispered

“…and?” Anne whispered back mockingly

“I just…I don’t know what to do!!” Finally admitting defeat. She threw her arms up covering her face, scissors still in hand.

“Baby steps, You’re already close just take it that little step further” Annes eyebrows scrunched together in a sympathetic gaze

“I tried that…I kissed him at Crossed Wands-”

“YOU KISSED H-“ Evelyn clamped her none scissor wielding hand around Anne’s mouth

“Shhhhh!!” She hissed “it was only a peck it’s all I could muster” Anne bounced excitedly in her chair “but some Beauxbaton student just bounded over and kissed him too! It took me two years to build up enough courage to kiss his cheek and she just bounces over all bubbly and and and…French and just…does it. I’m hopeless” Eve collapsed to the floor putting her head in Anne’s lap

“I’ve never seen you like this” Anne stroked her hair as Evelyn groaned loudly “it’s cute”

“Come on…” she sighed “Let’s finish you’re hair before I die of embarrassment”

A few hours passed before the boys were finished with Ignatia. Evelyn had hidden herself away in her room fiddling with her and Anne’s laundry. The conversation with Anne had left a pit in her stomach and she attempted to fill it with idle household tasks.

He didn’t like her how she liked him. Right?

There is absolutely no way a man raised in a pure blood family would look even once at a muggle born witch. Even if he stated multiple times how much he disagreed with his families views, some things are just ingrained in a person from childhood.

She racked her brain over past conversations and meetings for any evidence of ‘how he looked at her’. She fell short. Anything she seemed to think could possibly maybe be a show of interest could easily be explained away.

How tender he’d been after she had been cursed? He’d experienced it, he just did what he would have wanted.

His lingering hands on her face after Sebastian interrupted them the night before? He didn’t know what she looked like! If you’d had a best friend for two years and were unable to see them you would linger on their features for any sort of detail.

Their hand holding and constant touches? He needed guidance. Well, he didn’t need it but she offered it willingly and why would he turn down the help? Actually she’d seen him scold multiple people who tried to help him accusing them of finding him incapable. But she was his friend, he’d never speak to her like that! He was a gentlemen. And besides they were friendly embraces. Their fingers never entangled the way she’d seen other infatuated couples do so. It’s was friendly.

She squeezed her eyes shut at the thoughts of Ominis being anything more than her best friend. Her train of thought was interrupted by the knock on her doorframe and the creak of the hinges being pushed open.

“Come in” she called to the door, seeing the familiar glowing tip of Ominis’ wand poking through the crack of the door.

“We’re all done downstairs if you want to come and see” he beamed as he walked into her room.

“I’ll be down soon” she replied curtly. He swiped his wand across the room getting a feel for the new area. Once he’d located her padding over her bed and a pile of clothes, he frowned.

“Are you okay? You’ve been alone for hours and I don’t think I’ve ever felt you so tense. Figuratively-” He walked behind her, placing his hands on her stiff shoulders. He chuckled breathily as he felt her square her shoulders furthering her standoffishness. “-and literally” His thumbs dug softly into the hard planes of her shoulders. He felt her soften somewhat to his touch and she hummed out a tiny noise of pleasure.

No. It’s things like this people read into too much. Anne would say ‘see he’s so attentive to you, clearly he wants you’…but he’s just being a good friend.

His hands did feel wonderful though. And she was being incredibly uptight. Maybe just give in-

No, this is what you were talking about when you said you were taking advantage of him

“I’m sorry” she shrugged him off causing his frown to return “I’m not used to visitors I’m just…I’m trying to make you guys feel at home” she said not completely lying. Though the reason she was so uptight was her previous conversation with Anne, she was being truthful about not having visitors. She’d spent her life as an only child to a single mother, not many people came by her home and having two additional guests as well as her now permanent resident here was…a bit much.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Sebastian has Anne. He’ll feel at home anywhere where she is.” He returned to her side but didn’t touch her. Not until this hard exterior broke down and she returned to normal “and I wouldn’t want this to feel like home”

This.

Some muggle home.

“Oh” she spoke, her bottom lip trembling threatening to betray her emotions.

He heard the faltering in her voice and his eyes widened to what he had said.

“No. No no, that’s not what I meant” his hands flew to her face cradling her cheeks and lifting her face towards him “No you don’t know what my home is like. I wouldn’t want here to feel like home because this is good. This is better than ‘home’ could ever be. You’re here. You’re impossibly better than any manor could be” Still worried he’d said something wrong, he held her face until he felt he cheeks puff out in a faux smile. “Besides, you haven’t cursed me so…” he shrugged “an immediate improvement on Gaunt Manor”

“Haven’t cursed you…yet” she smiled, genuinely this time.

“You wound me”

“I’m sorry…I’m a mess today” she rubbed violently at her face and groaned “Sometimes it’s tough being back here…I thought I could handle it but everyone being here…it’s…a lot. I just need some space” she huffed

“I can leave you if you’d like” he whispered

“No” she muttered realising the last thing she wanted was to be alone arguing with herself. He smiled releasing her face. Her skin felt cool without the heat of hands. It was unfair how she was treating him all because Anne had called everything to question. Better to forget the whole conversation happened and to go back to normal. What had Ominis said that night in the common room?

‘Get back to being us?’

She can do that.

She reached out to him, placing her hands on either side of his tie. She felt the slow rhythmic beat of his heart under his shirt. So calm and collected, as always.

“Thank you for today” she reached up to him and placed a kiss upon his cheek, no Beauxbatons to ruin it this time. Her hands slide up from his chest to around his neck pulling him down to her in a hug she didn’t want to admit she needed “I’m glad you’re here” she muttered into the crook of his neck. In any other circumstance her breathe upon his neck would have sent his mind into a spiral, but she still felt a little stiff. He was thankful her hands had moved from his chest. His heart now threatening to deafen him in his own ears.

He wrapped his arms around her waist picking her slightly off the floor. She melted into him, finally, and she giggled.

“As am I”

Masterlist

60 notes · View notes