#(also neither of my partners caught it even though I've been sick well over a week now.)

[kirby-the-gorb]

[beetlegoose01]

stolen whispers: chapter 1

AN: this fic isn’t a request, it’s a story i’ve been preparing for a lil while and I’m so excited to share this with you all <3

I’ll link it on my Archive if you prefer to read it there. Also warning, there’s quite a few OCs.

Time: 2028 (Scorbus have been married for two years)

Summary: When a new generation of Death Eaters kidnap Scorpius, Albus and Rose put aside their differences to rescue him.

TW: Kidnapping/Language/minor violence

~~~~

Two witches wearing shadowy black robes entered the tavern, finding a table near the back. They ordered their mead, waiting for their third partner impatiently. It was a crowded area, so thankfully there was a small chance they would be overheard.

"We don't want more mead." The first woman growled, tapping her long nails at the table. The bartender, a tall man with a mustache put the drinks down.

"I didn't think so." He lips curled into a grin as he morphed into a younger man with wild dusty brown hair, wearing matching robes. He was handsome, but had an eerie presence to him. Any reasonable person would have at least flinched at the transformation, though neither witch did. "Hello ladies." He grinned cheekily.

"Soren, enough playing games." The second woman said, though she was smirking.

Soren barked out a laugh. "It was funny, Mara. And you know it."

The first woman, Lilith narrowed her eyes. She pulled down her hood, revealing cascading inky black hair down her shoulders. A scar that showed no sign of mending was down her cheek. "Your skills are impressive, but useless if you don't use them for our own gain. Don't forget that." She pulled her hood back.

"Understood." He murmured, taking a seat.

"We have much to discuss," She continued, flicking her wand idly. "Our current plan in action. Our...act of revenge. It's been thirty years since The Tenebris was wrongfully killed. I am sick and tired of his name being tossed around in history like he was some monster. He was on the right side."

"Are you certain we want to call the Dark Lord that?" Mara asked suspiciously.

"Shh! You know if anyone hears us, they'll lock us up for good. For speaking our minds." Lilith said. "It's safer we call him by his code name."

Her companions nodded.

"Because of his loss, we have mudbloods in positions of power. Our siblings that fought for his cause are locked up. Or worse, dead."

Mara and Soren looked grim.

"If we had more allies, perhaps we would have had a chance." Soren noted. "We weren't even alive then but...I have a feeling if we were..."

"Just because we weren't alive then, doesn't mean we don't have opinions over the lives stolen!" Mara argued. "That damn Harry Potter."

"Correct. And Soren is right too. For once. If we had more allies, or better yet...certain allies didn't betray us. The Malfoys for instance." She took a sip of her drink.

"Are you suggesting something?" Mara asked.

"Of course I am, don't be so daft." Lilian said, deadly calm. "I want to make that family suffer for what they did. My uncle Vincent Crabbe died for their selfishness. Draco Malfoy had a chance to save him, and he refused like the coward he is. His mother Narcissa lied to Tenebris' face. They are backstabbing filth that besmirched the Sacred 28. No, it isn't just about their betrayal or avenging those we lost in the war. Think of the big picture. They have the capabilities to join our side. To...respawn a new generation of Death Eaters. But that's not all...

"The Malfoys have lots of gold." She drawled. "Surely, they'll spare a few for us in exchange for something important. Or rather...someone."

"Someone?" Soren paused. "What are you suggesting?"

"Regretfully, Astoria Malfoy has passed on." Mara didn't sound the least bit sympathetic, instead stated it blandly. "So using her as a ransom for Draco is a no go."

"Ah, but there is still someone left." Lillian said, removing a small photograph from her cloak, she slid it across the table.

A young man with platinum hair was pictured, beaming brightly in Healer Robes.

"Scorpius Malfoy."

Soren and Mara exchanged a look of satisfaction.

"Bring him to me."

~~~~~~~~~~

The best thing about mornings, at least to Albus, was waking up beside his husband. The sun's bright rays peaked through the window of their cream colored bedroom, slowly stirring them both awake. If it was up to him, he would stay in their warm bed, arms wrapped around Scorpius until noon.

Scorpius rolled over, so that they were facing each other. His eyes fluttered open, and Albus felt his heart melt at his sapphire eyes.

"Hi." He yawned. His voice was slightly croaky, no doubt from the morning.

Albus replied by nuzzling his nose, then kissed his cheek. "Hi honey."

Scorpius laughed lightly. "Let's get up then. Start the day? It's a Saturday. We have the whole weekend to spend together."

"I'd rather spend it here with you."

Bathilda mewed from the kitchen.

"But our child is hungry." Scorpius teased, stretching as he slid out of bed. Albus begrudgingly slumped after him, not eager to wake up before ten am. But his own stomach was growling too.

"Speaking of children," Albus said, starting to work on their breakfast as Scorpius poured Bathilda's food. "Iris is pregnant again. James told me through a Howler yesterday."

"Really?" Scorpius' eyes widened. "That's great news!"

"Yeah, not for my ears." He commented dryly, still traumatized by James' excited screeching in his ear. "Baby number three." He whistled. "Do you think they're trying to make an entire quidditch team? With Teddy and Vic's lot included, they're on their way."

Though he was joking, Scorpius noticed that Albus was glowing, happy for his brother and sister in law. That was one of the many reasons he loved Albus. His love for his siblings.

"Perhaps. When are they due?"

"September. Which means...that's where they scurried off to last Christmas party." Albus quipped. "To have a little fun."

"Albus!" Scorpius scolded. "Honestly, only you would make a beautiful moment gross."

"It's life, Scorp!" He chuckled. "You're a Healer, you should know these things."

"We'll have to visit. Maybe bring a gift basket to congratulate them." He mused, smiling fondly. "I can't wait to meet our new niece or nephew." There was a wistful look in his eye that Albus caught.

"You've got that look on your face." He noted, amused. He served the plates of bacon sandwiches on the table.

"What do you mean?"

"That Scorpius 'I want something but I'm not going to spell it out for you' face."

"Oh."

"Yes, oh." Albus said, forest green eyes brightening in amusement. "What's up?" He took a seat, tucking into breakfast.

"Well," Scorpius started, staring at his food. "I was thinking..." He stopped himself, hesitant to continue his train of thoughts.

"Yeah?" Albus nudged him gently.

"I want a child." He said, his voice quiet, but firm. "I love my nieces and nephews so much, but they aren't...ours. I want to start a family with you, Albus. Raise a little one of our own to be bright and wonderful and brave and..."

Albus' expression softened. "I do too. You know I do, Scorpius. It's just...difficult right now." He stared at his wedding band. "You know it's harder for us than any hetero couple." He waved his hand vaguely. "Adoption is hard, surrogacy is expensive. Maybe once we settled into our careers more, we can talk about it."

"I think we're ready to go beyond just talking about it, Al."

"We're still young. We've still got time. But...I definitely want to work it out. Somehow, we will. We always do."

Scorpius beamed, reaching to kiss Albus' knuckle. "Thank you." He sat up abruptly. "Oh, I almost forgot- it's the farmer's market today."

Albus snorted. "You're exactly like your dad, you know?"

"Yes yes yes, but we should go!" Scorpius said, levitating the plates to the sink and it automatically was clean due to the floating sponges.

"We? I've got some work to do. I'm not very fond of small talk with old people selling fruit."

"Al, it's really good fruit." Scorpius said seriously. "And it's not all old people. I've seen some of our old schoolmates there."

Albus cringed. "That's even worse."

"Don't be so dramatic. Are you still coming?"

"Mm, but I should really finish this article. Go on without me."

"If you're sure...do you want me to bring anything back?"

Albus thought for a moment. "Those strawberries Ms. Beaker sells. Please? Strawberries and cream sounds so good right now."

"Brilliant, I'm on it." Scorpius did a mock salute.

"Have fun." Al waved as Scorpius appatered, leaving the kitchen empty. Albus went straight to work on his article.

~•~

The market was lively and merry, despite the early hour. Scorpius had stopped by the strawberry stand first, in case he forgot.

Ever since they had moved two years ago, Scorpius had found himself drawn to the quaint farmer's market. Not because of the delicious, fresh food, but to socialize. He made quite a few friends with the muggles who lived around there...mostly old ladies. The early days of their marriage, Albus would join him. Before life got in the way, and work had to be done.

Not that he wasn't busy himself. He only had two days off as a Healer, sometimes less. He didn't know how they would manage childcare, but like Al had said, it was best not to dwell on the future.

"Scorpius? Is that you?"

He turned around, following the voice from behind him. "Polly ...Chapman?" He uttered blandly, praying he wasn't mistaken. He didn't have the best memory- even with old schoolmates who bullied him.

"Yep." Polly said, laughing lightly. "It's me. Been a while."

"It has." Scorpius shifted his weight. "How are things?"

"Great!" She smiled, swishing her blonde ponytail, the same air of confidence from when she was a teenager. "Yann and I are engaged."

"Oh! That's wonderful." Scorpius said, pretending to sound pleased. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you. I proposed to them last month. It was just as I had dreamed."

"How is...Yann?" Scorpius did not actually care how Yann was.

"They're good! Brilliant actually, since they passed Auror training." Polly looked genuinely proud of them, which he had to admit was adorable. "Are you and Albus still..."

"Yes, yes. We um, er- we've been married almost two years actually." He added.

"Aw, that's very sweet. You two were always very close, yeah?" Polly looked at him, and Scorpius nearly walked backwards, intimidated by her stance. She still was extremely scary, like a lioness but with a great sense of fashion. "I know...Yann, Karl and I weren't the best to you two but perhaps we could..." She trailed off. "I'd like you both to come. To the wedding. If you'd like."

That...wasn't what he was expecting. He half expected her to invite him to another Blood Ball.

"Pardon?" Scorpius asked, dumbfounded. "I mean- yeah, that sounds great! Fun! Yes. That sounds nice. I'll bring it up to Al."

Polly was glowing. "Brill! I've got to go, but we should all hang out sometime. Like old times."

Like old times? Scorpius thought. When did they ever hang out?

Nodding mutely, he walked away from Polly with a puzzled, but cheerful expression. He hadn't completely fucked up the conversation, which was always a plus. It still felt odd that Polly Chapman of all people was talking to him, let alone inviting him to her wedding. It was bizarre.

He passed the final vendor, and was surprised and amused to see a tiny girl, no more than seven standing behind it. She had a Brownie uniform on, bright rosy cheeks and pigtails included.

"Would you like a biscuit?" She squealed.

It had taken him a moment to respond, he was still thinking of Polly being kind to him "Oh erm- of course." It was impossible to say no to an adorable small child. He reached for some muggle money, handing her the pound notes. "Just the one box please."

"Okie dokie!" She said, handing him the box. She waited a moment, pouting. "Go on, try it." She urged.

"I really shouldn't I-"

"Please?" The little girl gave him the most pitiful expression. "It's for a good cause, mister. We're helping orphaned puppies find homes."

"Well, alright. For the puppies." He fumbled open the box, taking a polite bite out of the cookie. It was a classic lemon cookie with powdered sugar, one of his favorites. But the second he swallowed, he felt dizzy all of a sudden. "What..." He stumbled back. "Oh my," He gulped, the entire market swirling around him. Something wasn’t right. "is there something in..." 

He would be damned if he let this happen without some sort of fight. Throwing his basket aside, he collapsed, slipping into unconsciousness.

"We've got him."

[bizarrewritings-blog]

Tension - B.B.

Bucky Barnes x Reader

For @gaybybirth 's 10k writing challenge 🌹 (Congrats again Molly, you deserve all the love 💞)

Promt: 26: “Are you going to eye fuck me all night or are you going to do something about it?”

Word count: 2,969

Genre: Fluff, Smut! 18+ only! [Oral (m receiving), riding]

Ever since you started working as an assassin for SHIELD, it was your dream to become a Part of the Avengers. And when only 6 month in, Fury introduced you to the one and only Tony Stark, it didn't took much time for you to convince him to add you to the team.

It would be more than an understatement to say you were excited when you moved into the Avengers tower and met everyone else. They were all really nice to you, even though you practically stuttered through you first day because of how nervous you were. You still managed to make friends with everyone, and now, a year later, they've basically became your family. You loved every single one of them, but one Person especially caught your attention. And that would be the metal-armed soldier.

In the back of your head, you always felt something for him. In the beginning, you believed it would just be admiration. He was an extremely attractive, polite guy. Who wouldn't feel at least a little attracted to him?

But then you spend a day at the gym with him. It wasn't the first time, but you usually had earplugs with music in to concentrate on your workout. You forgot them that day, thinking it would be alright. But then you heard Buckys deep groaning and heavy breaths, making you almost loose balance on your exercise bike. You felt heat rush trough you with every stressed moan that left his lips in such a sinful way that made even more sweat break out on your forehead.

Since then, you noticed even the smallest sexual things he did. Just his groans as he stretched while his shirt lifted slightly, making his prominent V-lines and the small patch of hair disappearing into his pants visible, it was enough to leave you clench your thighs together. You felt bad, he was your work partner. It was bad to think of him in the ways you did.

But then things changed completely. It started with you noticing Buckys stare while you were eating a Banana, in a completely non-sexual manner. As he realized you noticed his staring, he quickly looked away. A soft pink covered his cheeks while he shifted uncomfortably. A knowing grin spread on your face. You turned him on just as much as he turned you on.

After that, it became kind of like a battle between you two. He must have realized how thirsty you were over him as well as he made sure his work out noises were louder and more erotic like before; he was full on moaning and whimpering whenever you were around. But two could play this game. You stopped counting the times you bend down infront of his face or when you 'accidentally' pressed your butt in his crotch. The rest of the team was oblivious to this as you always acted like you always did around each other. None of you dared to actually talk to the other one about what was going on. But after months of him almost cumming in his pants from staring at you whenever you ate a phallus-shaped food, you've had enough.

It was the night of a charity event Tony hosted ever so often. You still couldn't believe how some people in the media could actually call him selfish, he was a really genuine person. You wouldn't be here without him.

You knew Bucky wasn't a big fan of these parties, but Tony always insisted that the whole team would show up. Thankfully, you thought, as you finally wanted to make a move on Bucky. You had bought a dress especially for this occasion. A black one, backless and not too long, with such a low neckline that left little to the imagination.

Finishing up your make up and hair, you took a look in the mirror. Your legs looked amazing with the complimenting heels, and the dark red lipstick made your lips look even more pouty than before. You smiled at yourself, confidence filling your nerves. You looked amazing.

"Are you ready in there?" Wanda called from outside your door, stepping inside. You grinned at her as her jaw almost hit the floor. "Damn! Where does all the Sexyness come from? I mean you always looked great but wow!" You rolled your eyes at her compliments, smiling. "You wanna impress someone with that?" She asked, a knowing grin on her face. You shrugged. "Maybe. We'll see how i goes." With that you linked your arms with hers, making your way to the elevator to join the party 2 floors below.

As soon as you entered the room, Wanda left your side as she spotted Vision. You took a breath, your eyes wandering across the room to find your friends. "Y/N!" A voice suddenly called, Sam walking towards you. "You look amazing, girl!" He grinned, his eyes shamelessly raking over your body. You chose to ignore his compliments; he was flirting with almost every girl he saw, it was his way of expressing kindness. "Where's the Rest?" You asked him, your eyes still searching through the crowd. Sam pointed into one direction before helping you squeeze trough the crowds of formally dressed people. As you finally spotted your friends, you were relieved to see Bucky was also there. "There she is!" Natascha called as soon as she saw you, pulling you in for a hug. "You look great!" "Thanks, you too!" You complimented her back before you turned to Bucky. A grin spread on your face as you saw his reaction. His eyes were wide open, his jaw a little slack as he eyed you up and down. As his gaze found yours you bit your lip, smiling. He blinked a couple times before gulping, turning away to take a sip of his Scotch.

Got him.

The rest of the evening consisted of him almost constantly staring at you from his spot by the bar while you walked around the room and talked to different people. It annoyed you that he didn't say anything. So you'd have to do that yourself as well.

As your current conversation ended, you turned to look at Bucky across the room. He quickly looked away, pretending like he hadn't been staring at you the whole time. He kept his gaze away as you approached him, taking the spot beside him before ordering a Martini. Neither you nor Bucky said anything for a while as you just nipped on your drinks. You were tired of your games. So you turned to him, noticing his cheeks immediately flushing, his glass between his lips. "So, are you going to eye fuck me all night or are you going to do something about it?" Your sudden boldness made him almost choke on his drink before he turned to you, a horrified look on his face. "What?" "Don't play dumb on me, Barnes. Our little game was fun and all, but it's getting on my nerves. I know you want me just as much as I want you." You kept a serious expression as his face went completely red. "I-I don't know what you're-what you mean, I-" You rolled your eyes and huffed out a laugh.

"You're seriously gonna play this card? Right after you were practically undressing me with your eyes since the second you first saw me in this dress?" He wouldn't meet your gaze as he kept his eyes on the glass in his hands, his jaw clenching. At least he wasn't denying it anymore. Your lips curled into a small smile as you leaned over to him, steadying yourself on his thigh. You felt his muscles stiffen under your palm as you lent to his ear. "If you actually want to get me out of this dress and fuck me, I'll be in my room." You left him without another word, heading towards the elevator. You told Tony you weren't feeling well on your way, needing a reason to leave the party.

Back in your room, you got rid of your earrings and bracelets. They would just be in the way, you thought to yourself. You sat down against the soft cushions, excited about what was about to happen. But that excitement sank with every passing minute Bucky hasn't joined you. Panic began to risen: Didn't he feel the way you thought? Did you make a complete fool of yourself?

Ready to leave the room to die in embarrassment, you suddenly heard a soft knock on the door before Bucky stepped in. His breath was heavy, his eyes dark. You smiled at him. "What took you so long?" He got rid of his tie and jacket, laying them over your small armchair. "Couldn't stand up for a solid 3 minutes after you said that to me." His hand gestured to the very obvious tent in his jeans. You bit your lip as you stared at his crotch. That you actually could work him up so much with simple words excited you. "So you're finally gonna take what you want?" You asked teasingly, looking up at him as innocent as possible. He growled at that, stepping closer as he took your chin between his fingers, tilting it up to meet your gaze. "I sure am, doll." He grinned devilish.

It only took a second for him to be on top of you, his lips pressed against yours in a heated kiss. He groaned as you tugged on his long locks carefully, his eyes closing. "Fuck, I've wanted this for so long." He confessed before biting his lip, looking down at you hungrily. A smirk formed on your face. "So? Stop talking and do something." You swear you could see his pupils dilate as he growled, head dipping down to nip on the sensitive skin of your neck. Your eyes closed as a sigh left your lips, turning into a moan as you felt his flesh hand move up your thigh, under your dress. He gently squeezed your ass, causing you to rub yourself up against his bulge. Shaky moans left both your mouths as he pressed against you, moving you against him.

"Bucky." You moaned softly, hearing him groan against your neck where he was still leaving small hickeys. "Buck, come on. I'm sick of the teasing." That caused him chuckle. "Really that desperate, doll?" He kept rolling his hips down against yours, watching in amusement as you grew impatient. Quickly, you swung your leg around him and pushed your weight against him. That took him by suprise as he was now beneath you with you directly on his crotch. Now it was your turn to grin down at him as you moved your hips in circles. You watched as his head fell back, his hands falling to your hips as his eyes closed.

They quickly shot open as you raised your dress over your head, a groan leaving Bucky at your exposed breasts. "You're so beautiful." He spoke, making you blush slightly. You quickly popped the buttons of his dress shirt open, helping him shed it off. Your lips found his exposed torso, leaving kisses on his impressive muscles and the scars where metal met skin.

Slowly, you made your way down his body. Kissing your way down his abs and his happy trail, stopping at the top of his pants to look up at him. His breathing was heavy, his gaze not leaving you. You bit your lip before popping his pants open, sliding them down his legs. Your eyes fell to the impressive bulge in his tight, black underwear. You pulled the last remaining piece of clothing off him, immediately taking him into your mouth. You've waited long enough for this.

Buckys eyes immediately rolled into the back of his head, his back lifting itself slightly off the sheets as a deep groan left him. "Jesus Y/N, warn a guy." He chuckled, quickly turning into a moan as you sucked on his sensitive tip. "Jesus Christ." He whimpered, eyes shut tightly as pleasure filled his veins. You kept concentrating on the head of his cock, your hand slowly pumping the rest of it as you watched him fall apart. The wetness between your legs grew by the second. Seeing him in this state was even better than your imagination.

"Babygirl, you gotta stop. I really don't want to cum like this." Bucky said, voice broken as he tried to pull you off him gently. You let go off him with a pop, crawling back up his body. Your lips found his again, your tongues immediately battling for dominance. As he tried to get you beneath him, you pushed against him to keep him down. "You're not the one in charge right now, Buck." You teased, keeping him from protesting as you leaned off him to take your panties off. His eyes immediately fell to the Glistening between your legs as he swallowed thickly. He was sure he has never been this turned on before; his mind was clouded with pleasure while his body practically screamed for you.

Since you didn't want to wait anymore, you reached inside your bedside drawer to fish a Condom out. Bucky simply watched as you ripped it open, still in disbelief that this was really happening. That the girl he has been dreaming of is there, naked infront of him, about to have sex with him. He was brought back to reality as you rolled the condom onto him, a shaky sigh leaving his lips.

"Hey, you sure about this?" You asked him, caressing his thigh carefully. You noticed that his thoughts were a little off, and you wanted to make sure he was still on board. He quickly nodded. "Still can't believe this is really happening, that's all." He added honestly, making you smile.

You swung your leg back over his hips, reaching behind you to take his dick into your hand and guide it between your folds. A content sigh left his lips as he felt your wetness. Slowly, you sunk down on him, groaning as he stretched you in the most perfect way. "Fuck, you feel amazing." Bucky moaned, eyes closed as his hands gripped your hips. Once he bottomed out, you waited a second to adjust to him. You felt his fingers caress your skin and you smiled at the gesture. Slowly, you lifted yourself up and dropped down again as you both moaned in unison. You circled your hips and moved up and down, falling into a quick rythm. His hands were tight at your side as he tried to meet your thrust, quiet moans and groans leaving his lips as you rode him. "Shit, wait a second." He suddenly said, making you stop your movements immediately. "Did i do something wrong?" You asked, concerned. He shook his head. "You're going too fast. I've been dreaming about this, i want this to last." He slightly nudged your hip, and this time you let him roll the two of you over.

Bucky lifted your legs around his waist, his metal hand staying on your thigh as he thrusted into you at a slow pace. Shaky moans left both your lips before he leaned down, his mouth finding yours. In this moment you realized this wasn't meaningless fucking; it was making love.

Bucky kept his slow but pleasing pace, shifting his hips every now and then to graze against your g-spot. The room was filled with quiet moans, heavy breaths and kissing noises. You knew you could spend the rest of your life like this, with the man of your dreams, slowly thrusting himself into you in the most loving way.

The knot in your stomach built slowly, almost sneakily. You felt Buckys thrusts get a little faster as he slowly lost control, searching his release. "Shit, James." You sighed in pleasure. His name on your lips made him completely loose it as his hips snapped against yours. You cried out as his metal hand found your clit, rubbing tight circles against it. "I'm so close Buck, fuck." You warned, head thrown back as you felt yourself clench around him. "Cum for me, babygirl, come on." He spoke between gritted teeth, dangerously close to his release.

Your orgasm rushed over you as you bit his right shoulder, silencing your screams as your walls contracted around Bucky. He followed quickly after, his lower lip between his teeth, silencing his moans as he spilled into the condom. After a couple more thrusts, he let his weight drop onto you. The both of you were breathing heavily, sweat covering your bodies.

"Wow." Bucky said after a couple seconds of silence in which you tried to catch your breaths. You let out a chuckle, agreeing. "Better than i could've ever imagine." You added, feeling Bucky smile against your neck. He slowly lifted himself back up, pecking your lips before sliding out of you to drop down beside you. He got rid of the condom, tying it before throwing it away. He pulled you to him, making you cuddle up to his side before he reached for the duvet to cover the both of you. For a couple minutes, you just enjoyed the silence between the two of you. You could hear his heart beating against your ear, making you smile against his skin.

"So...what now?" Bucky suddenly asked. You lifted your head to look at him, confused. "What do you mean?" "With us. I mean-I don't want this to be one time thing." He spoke, nervous about your reaction. But his expression softened again as he saw the soft smile on your face. "I don't want that either. I've wanted this for far too long." He grinned down at you, nodding in agreement. This was only the beginning.

[vivalamusaine]

I've always had this headcanon where Maruis and Cosette are each other's first love, and it's as sickening cute as it is in the book and everyone thinks they'll be together forever. Then they both realize they're bi and not actually in love anymore (two separate discoveries). They break up, stay BFFs and fall in love with other people. (namely Courf and Ep)

Hey, this speaks to me on a veeeery personal level, friend. This post will be long and have feelings and stuff.

June.

Cosette had been thinking about things for months. Unpleasant things, things that made her mood change and her mouth curve downwards in an uncharacteristic mope.

She could deny and try to pretend for as long as she wanted. But when it really came down to the quiet moments like these, she knew in her heart that her relationship with Marius had run its course. They felt much more like friends than lovers, more like roommates than cohabiting partners.

The worst thing about it was that everybody perceived them as perfect. She’d lost count at the amount of times somebody had aww’d in their general direction, described them as goals or told them they were perfect for each other.

But they weren’t, and it hurt- but Cosette was sick of pretending. She was also sick of fantasising about dates with other, pretend people. 

It was an awful call of judgement, to make such a sudden decision to break things off over a petty squabble over dinner. But it wasn’t the little thing that broke her, it was the collection of little things that became a mountain of one big unspoken thing. She was unhappy, and they had stopped bringing out the best in each other a long time ago.

There was crying and frustrated arguments and desperate attempts for each of the other to understand what they were saying, but by 9:00PM that night, they were done.

Marius & Cosette the perfect couple were no more.

Marius and Cosette the individuals were just beginning. 

When Marius came to Courfeyrac’s door, eyes red and slightly swollen, an overnight bag clutched tightly in his arms and a broken look upon his face, Courfeyrac didn’t need to ask him what had happened. Instead, like any good friend, he offered him a place on his couch and a kind ear to ramble to.

“I’m never going to find anybody else as perfect as her.” He said in between sobs. Courfeyrac’s heart broke for him, and he lent a comforting touch to Marius’ shoulder.

“Marius,” Courfeyrac said with his patented ‘everything will be okay’ smile. “You’re perfect, you have nothing to worry about. You’ll find your perfect match.”

As Marius moved onto another insecurity, Courfeyrac’s smile faded only slightly.

He thought sadly how unfortunate it was, that Marius would never know those words were not of empty comfort from a friend who just wanted to make their other friend happy. Instead they were words spoken genuinely, from a man who’d been hiding an unrequited crush for his dear friend.

July.

The last month had been incredibly difficult for Cosette. People always expected the person who initiated the break up to be more okay than the breakee, but for Cosette it was as though she’d lost a large part of herself.

It had taken almost all of her energy and self restraint to not reach out to Marius and break their mutual agreement of no contact. It was hard to adjust to the change. She had invested almost every day for the past 5 years into him, into them. To suddenly not have Marius to talk to was the biggest challenge of them all. Sometimes she just wanted to reach out to him, and tell him about the silly dog she’d seen on the street. Only to pause and remember, she had no right to do that anymore. 

White noise was all that was left, and all she was owed.

It had been a month now, and it wasn’t as hard anymore. There were nights where it would get lonely, but ultimately she didn’t regret her decision, and she found herself quite enjoying her time alone. 

She had finally decided it was time to come out of her homebody cocoon she’d built for herself by taking a trip to the nearest thrift shop for more knitting supplies. She was absentmindedly wasting time rifling through old vinyl records when her attention was caught.

“Eponine?” She said before thinking, and Eponine turned around to face, clearly she had not intended to see anybody she knew here.

“Oh, hey.” she replied, walking over to her.

“I haven’t seen you around in ages.” Cosette said, filling in the awkward silence. “You stopped going to meetings.”

Eponine rubbed the back of her head with a sheepish look. “Yeah, I um. I was busy. It was never on when I could go.”

The truth of the matter was that it was getting far too painful for Eponine to keep coming back and seeing Marius and Cosette so perfectly in love. She admittingly didn’t know why it had bothered her so much- she’d gotten over her crush on Marius a long time ago. But for some reason seeing them both together brought out something incredibly ugly in her. An untameable monster of petty envy and jealousy.

Cosette nodded. “I actually haven’t been lately either.” she admitted. It had been precisely a month since she’d last attended. She shot Eponine a grin. “Poor Musichetta must be sick of being stuck to deal with all those boys alone.”

Eponine laughed at this, a sound Cosette was fond to hear more of. She found herself grinning from ear to ear- the first time another person had made her genuinely smile in a month. 

“So, how’s Marius?” Eponine asked politely, and Cosette felt herself outwardly flinch. This was the conversation she had been dreading to have. A conversation that would possibly follow her for months on end, considering the amount of people they’d woved their lives into over the course of their relationship.

“We’ve actually broken up.” Cosette said looking down at the old unamed vinyl in her hands. The uneasiness in her stomach swelling slightly.

“Oh,” Eponine said sounding genuinely shocked. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Cosette said, forcing herself to look at Eponine’s eyes- her wonderfully gorgeous eyes- and smile despite the overpowering feeling of wanting to flee and hide in her bedroom for another month. “It’s for the better.”

They continued to talk, even after making their small amount of purchases and leaving the thrift shop, when they rounded the corner of the street where they needed to go their separate ways, neither of them seemed enthused to be leaving the others presence.

“You know,” Eponine said, a little uncertainly. “Enjolras still sends me those meeting invites like clockwork. There’s one on tonight if you wanted to go.”

Cosette thought about seeing Marius again, in a room with their mutual friends. She couldn’t do it. Not yet anyway.

Eponine seemed to know the answer before Cosette had a chance to think of an excuse. “Or if you’d prefer, I’ve got a cheap bottle of wine and a boxset of trashy TV at my apartment.”

Cosette smiled at Eponine. “I’d like that a lot.” She replied. 

August.

Marius hated moving. With the exception of the time he moved in with Cosette, every time he had moved his life had been a personal tragedy. He had been crashing on Courfeyrac’s couch for a month now, and regrettably it was time he moved on.

Especially because he felt that he had crossed an unspoken boundary, and cursed his hopeless romantic heart, for making him fall so quickly and so easily in love.

“You’re going?” Courfeyrac asked when he broke the news. “But why?”

“I just... Think it’s time I stop bothering you.”

“You’re not bothering me!” Courfeyrac said letting out a sort of desperate sounding laugh. “I told you that you can stay as long as you want and I meant it.”

“It’s not-” Marius sighed, he didn’t want to explain it to Courfeyrac whilst he was still under his roof. 

“Did I do something?” Courfeyrac asked uncertainly. Marius looked at him sadly. Took in his overgrown and luscious hair, the cute freckles clustered at the end of his nose and the pout that was threatening to form on his face.

“You haven’t done anything.” Marius replied dejectedly. “I just- I think I have feelings for you and I don’t want to make things weird by staying here. I need our friendship too much for that.”

When Marius finally found the courage to look up at his soon to be ex-roommate.

“Wait- so you’re not straight?” Courfeyrac asked.

“I- I don’t think so? I like you, so-”

“You’re not straight and you like me?!” Courfeyrac asked, his voice becoming high pitched.

“Yes?” 

Courfeyrac was laughing in relief as Marius frowned at him. This was a conversation he would rather be having when he’d secured another place to stay and wouldn’t have to be subjected to an awkward night in his company.

“Marius?” Courfeyrac said after a while. “You’re more than welcome to stay here with me, as long as you are comfortable with the fact, that I have feelings for you too.”

“Then why were you laughing?” Marius asked with relief.

“Because Bossuet owes me 20 euros.”

September.

It was a rare day of warmth and sunniness- Courfeyrac’s favourite weather, and a well needed break from the pre-Autumn chill. Marius couldn’t help the smile he found upon his face as the took what was supposed to be a leisurely stroll through the park. Nothing was ever leisurely with Courfeyrac though, he was getting excited at every little thing and taking Marius by the hand and dragging him over to join him in excitement.

Marius couldn’t even pretend to be annoyed by this. This last month had been the happiest he had been in a long time. He had never felt more like himself in Courfeyrac’s company.

“Marius!” A voice called out to him, he turned to see for the first time since their breakup, Cosette, waving to him from a picnic blanket. Eponine was sat comfortably beside her in sunglasses and shorts.

He approached her whilst Courfeyrac busied himself at the ice cream stand, and was surprised and oddly glad to find that it didn’t hurt to see her happy, and from the way she was leaning against Eponine, with somebody else.

“Hi.” He said, and as awkward and uncomfortable as it was, it was also liberating.

“Hi.” She said back. Eponine muttered an excuse about ice cream, and left to join Courfeyrac on the other end of the park.

The small talk that followed was short and to the point. By the time Courfeyrac and Eponine had made their way back over, Marius and Cosette were laughing with each other.

When it was time for Marius and Courfeyrac to depart, Cosette gave Marius a tight hug.

“I’m glad you’re happy.” Marius said to her, and meant it.

“Me too.” Cosette said with a grin. “Friends?”

Marius smiled back at her. “Friends.”