#Claire gets pregnant on their wedding night AU

[imagineclaireandjamie]

First of all, I love you all so much you're amazing at what you do and inspire me so much. Thank you for this blog I have not lived before this. I'm not sure if this has been done before or not, but what if Claire found out she was pregnant before she fully realized her feelings for Jamie?

Leaning back against the nearest tree, Claire huffed out a large breath, her mind finally calming as the rage of being *abandoned* here with young Willie dissipated.

“Mistress…?” The young lad yelled, scratching the side of his head, displacing his cap as he hopped from foot to foot, nerves getting the better of him.

“Out with it, Willie,” Claire sighed, exasperated with the whole ordeal.

“I’m just going further into the woods, aye? To piss…” he trailed off, not needing to explain further as he awaited Claire’s approval.

“Go on then,” she replied, a terse tone to her voice, one that she couldn’t seem to eradicate no matter how hard she tried, “just make sure you go downwind!”

Nodding, the lad scarpered, the leaves around his feet flying to the sides in his haste to leave.

Flopping back against the tree, Claire swayed to and fro, her toes buried in the detritus at her feet as she gazed around her, her mind trying not to conjure up fresh images of the raiders in the glade.

Pushing herself up, she wandered the same stretch of forest over and over, her movements making a wee path in the mulch, her footprints embedding into the forest floor. Shaking the renewed anguish from her head, Claire’s eyes darted just passed the tree line.

There, just out of sight and hidden ever so slightly by the thick bark of the oak trees, lay a familiar outcrop.

“Craigh na Dunn....” she whispered, her heart beginning to race as she stepped forward slightly. The swishing of the leaves around her kept her grounded as she laid her hands against the bark of the last evergreen, digging her fingers into the thin trunk as the wind blew through her hair.

Having little time to think, Claire hiked up her skirts and made for the hill, the rough terrain hampering her footsteps only slightly as she darted through the open ground paying no mind to anything or anyone who might be passing by.

Images of Frank swirled before her eyes as her ankles buckled, the small dips in the grass causing her to lose balance more than once.

She had to make it up there.

The wind blew, rising around her as she forged her way onwards, not giving a thought to the highlanders she’s ceremoniously dumped, or whether they would be perturbed by her mysterious disappearance.

Beckoning her forwards, the stones seem to call to her, the brisk breeze making hollow screeching sounds the closer she came to the circle.

The sun dipped low on the horizon as she finally reached the brow of the small incline, the hum and whisper of the stones echoing loudly in her ears now.

Reaching her hands forwards, Claire slowed her pace, her heart thumping madly in her chest --partially from her sprint, but partially a build up of nervous energy.

Could she really do this?

Could she simply abandon Jamie without a second thought, without leaving him some simple sign that she hadn’t been abducted, hurt or even killed outright.

The attack in the glen hit her square in the chest, the memory of the rogue redcoats grasping hands causing her to shiver as she slipped closer and closer towards the unconscious pull of the fairy hill.

Inside, deep in her belly, a warmth started to emanate. Beginning in her womb, the *glow* seemed to fill her frigid veins with new life, her eyes tearing up as the image of Frank wobbled and faded.

Suddenly her rash decision didn’t seem so clear anymore, and her flight away from Willie and the protection of the forest seemed foolish and selfish.

*No*, she reasoned, anger flaring as she took a measured step forwards, numbing herself to the strange sensation currently bubbling up just beneath her pale skin. She needed to go home, to the twentieth century where she belonged --where she had been desperate to return to this entire time.

Clenching her fists, Claire steadied her shoulders and fought back against the emotions coursing through her.

In the distance, a subtle cry pulled her from her internal conflagration, her ears pricking at the sound.

*Willie*...she could hear him calling out to her, his anxious fretting reverberating through the low ground as he searched for her.

Dipping down, Claire hid herself, her mouth going dry at the mere thought of him out there, frantically scraping every inch of the nearby surroundings in the hope of coming across her.

Her stomach dropped, the sensation rocking her as she gripped her belly, doubling over as she gasped for breath.

*NO*, she cried, albeit silently, the improbable explanation for her unease causing bile to rise in her throat.

*No. No, no...no!*

It couldn’t be.

She wasn’t sure, but it was certainly too soon to tell.

Her body, however, immediately dismissed the notion, the muscles in her womb tightening as if to protect the tiny visitor growing inside.

Slamming her back against a tree that grew on the edge of the hillock, Claire clenched her eyes shut, moisture spilling down her cheeks as she rubbed the same spot over and over, the rough material of her bodice irritating the sweat-drenched skin of her palms.

Before she had time to debate any further strong hands grabbed her, hauling her from the damp grass where she’d collapsed in anguish only moments before.

“Up with you, mistress!” The redcoats spat, distaste lacing their tone as they pulled Claire aside, taking advantage of her delirious state.

Finally, her faculties returning to her, Claire awoke, fury shooting through her from head to toe as she began to fight, her arms aching where the men had tight hold of her.

“No!” She yelled, her cheeks burning, impassioned rage seeping from her pores as she tried hard to flee.

“I don’t think so, my girl,” the older of the pair sneered, his blackened teeth grinding together as he bound her wrists and thrust he up into their small cart. “I’d save all your strength,” the younger returned, a fowl glint in his eyes as he secured her to the wagon, her wrists burning and her blood running cold as she guessed the next words out of his mouth, “you’ll need it soon enough. Just you wait until Captain Randall sees you, eh…”

With that, her heart plummeted.

As the horses began to pull away, Claire slid her knees upwards, cocooning herself against the thin material of the wagon wall, protecting the only thing that mattered now. The one thing she had wanted most of all.

Burying her head in her hands, she wept quietly, bitter tears rolling in thick rivulets down her flushed cheeks.

Why now? She cursed, her internal monologue going unheeded as dusk settled over the highlands.

Why now with a man she barely knew in a land where she was all but a stranger?

“I’m so...sorry,” she whispered.

To Frank.

To Jamie…

...and to their unborn baby.

TBC

[gotham-ruaidh]

Happy 5th Birthday, Modern Glasgow!!

When I published the first Modern Glasgow AU ficlet on this day in 2015 - never would I have expected to still be writing about our favorite Frasers 5 years (and 119 chapters) later!

Thank you so much for loving this story as much as I enjoy writing it!

More to come!

Catch up here (tumblr) and here (AO3). Or click behind the cut for all ficlets in chronological order:

Jamie departs for the airport

Jamie meets Claire on the plane

On the plane, Claire tends to Jamie

On the plane, Jamie comforts Claire

Jamie introduces Claire to Murtagh

Jamie tells Murtagh how he feels about Claire

Jamie and Claire’s first breakfast together

Claire breaks up with Frank, exchanges “I love yous” with Jamie - one day after they meet

Jamie and Claire get engaged - one day after they meet

Murtagh, Jamie, and Claire celebrate the engagement - one day after they meet

Jamie and Claire discuss having children - one day after they meet

Jamie and Claire wake up together for the first time - two days after they meet

Jamie and Claire enjoy Glasgow together - two days after they meet

Jamie and Claire discuss whether she will change her name / Jamie watches Claire get ready for work - three days after they meet

Claire tells Mrs. Fitz about her engagement - four days after they meet

Jamie and Claire get ready for their wedding

Jamie and Claire’s wedding - four weeks after they meet

Jamie and Claire’s wedding night

Jamie and Claire attend the hospital benefit - one day after their wedding

Jamie and Claire enjoy the day after the hospital benefit - two days after the wedding

Claire shares a story about Uncle Lamb - about one month after the wedding

Claire shows Jamie her swimsuit - six weeks after the wedding

Jamie meets Laoghaire; Claire gets possessive - about 3 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire attend a Christmas party, and he gets all possessive - about 6 months after the wedding

Claire sees Frank again - about 6 months after the wedding

Claire takes *those* pictures of Jamie - about 6 months after the wedding

Jamie takes *that* video of Claire - about 6 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire’s first Christmas - about 6 months after the wedding

Claire finds Annalise’s letters to Jamie - about 6 months after the wedding

Jamie reads a poem to Claire - about 7 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire’s first Valentine’s Day - 8 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire fight at the club - 8-9 months after the wedding

Claire tries (and fails) to make dinner for Jamie - 9-10 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire return to Lallybroch - about 10 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get their “C” and “J” tattoos - about 1 year after the wedding

Jamie and Claire celebrate their first anniversary - 1 year after the wedding

Jamie has difficulty in bed - about 1 year after the wedding

Jamie and Claire have a terrible argument - about 1 year after the wedding

Jamie reflects on his love for Claire - about 1.25 years after the wedding

Jamie reassures Claire when she’s stressed - about 1.5 years after the wedding

Claire meets up with Vi Baird - about 1.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire celebrate their second Christmas - 1.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire are propositioned - about 1.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire take their second airplane trip - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire decide to visit Dr. Joe Abernathy - about 2 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire visit Dr. Joe Abernathy - 2 years after the wedding

Claire has a girl’s night with Louise, Jeanne, and Malva - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie has a guy’s night with Charlie and Stefan - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire realize they miss each other - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie tells Claire about his great-grandfather - 2 years after the wedding

Claire tells Jamie she is pregnant with Faith - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Claire has a nightmare - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie takes pictures of Claire’s belly - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire talk about names - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie is not amused that a pregnant Claire is working so much - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get a scare during a prenatal check-up - about 2.75 years after the wedding

Murtagh meets newborn - very preemie - Faith Fraser - about 3 years after the wedding

Jamie, Claire, and preemie Faith share a quiet moment in the hospital - about 3 years after the wedding

Faith’s belated (and surprise) baby shower - about 3 years after the wedding

Claire realizes she is pregnant with Brianna - about 3.25 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire have a silly argument - about 3.5 years after the wedding

Frank (unknowingly) visits Jamie at the printshop - about 3.5 years after the wedding

Claire graduates from medical school - about 3.5 years after the wedding

Jamie reassures Claire after she gives birth to Brianna - about 4 years after the wedding

Claire tells Jamie she is pregnant for the third time - about 5 years after the wedding

Jamie encourages a very discouraged Claire - about 5 years after the wedding

Claire helps out when the emergency room is attacked - about 5.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire meet Fergus - about 6 years after the wedding

Jamie tells Claire he visited a strip club - about 6 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire send a postcard to the girls - about 6 years after the wedding

Fergus settles in to life in Glasgow - about 6.5 years after the wedding

The Fraser bairns read a bedtime story - about 6.5 years after the wedding [note - written by the lovely Mod E!]

Jamie and Claire dance at Murtagh and Suzette’s wedding - about 6.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire have an emotional long distance conversation - about 6.5 years after the wedding

Murtagh comes to the rescue after a frazzling night - about 6.75 years after the wedding

Brianna - and Jamie & Claire - celebrate “Kiss A Ginger Day” - about 7 years after the wedding

Jamie is badly injured in a car accident - about 7 years after the wedding

Jamie recovers from the car accident - about 7 years after the wedding

The wee Frasers bring Claire breakfast in bed - about 7.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire enjoy Edinburgh - 8 years after the wedding

Jamie is tired from trying to get the bairns to bed - about 8 years after the wedding

The Frasers meet Aunt Jocasta - about 8 years after the wedding

Jamie, Claire, and Fergus care for sick bairns - about 8 years after the wedding

Claire has a disastrous movie night with Geillis - about 8.5 years after the wedding

Murtagh, Suzette, and the bairns have tea - about 9 years after the wedding

Jamie stays home to take care of sick bairns - about 9 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get sick - about 9 years after the wedding

Jamie tucks the bairns into bed - about 9 years after the wedding

Claire breaks her arm - about 9.5 years after the wedding

10-year anniversary - 10 years after the wedding

An eventful day at an amusement park - about 10 years after the wedding

Faith’s dance recital - about 11 years after the wedding

The family attends Bree’s shinty game - about 11 years after the wedding

Claire realizes she’s pregnant for the fourth time - about 12 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire tell Murtagh she is pregnant for the fourth time - about 12 years after the wedding

The Frasers enjoy a quiet night full of Doctor Who at home - about 12 years after the wedding [Note: Written by the lovely lenny9987!]

Claire tells Faith the facts of life - about 12 years after the wedding

Jamie quits his job at the printshop - about 12 years after the wedding

Fergus finds *that* book - about 12 years after the wedding

Julia Fraser is born at Lallybroch - about 12.5 years after the wedding

Claire runs into Frank at a garden party - about 13 years after the wedding

Jamie and the bairns go grocery shopping - about 13 years after the wedding

The Frasers go blackberry picking - about 13 years after the wedding

Claire has an accident - about 13 years after the wedding

Brianna tells Jamie about Harry Potter - about 15 years after the wedding [Note: written by the lovely writtenthroughtime!]

Jamie brings home Rollo - about 15 years after the wedding

Claire *enjoys* Jamie’s new boots - about 15 years after the wedding

Julia brings home Adso - about 17 years after the wedding

A visit to the National Museum of Scotland - about 17 years after the wedding

Jamie receives a surprise in the mail - about 18 years after the wedding

Fergus and Marsali share some news - about 19 years after the wedding

A visit to Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum - about 19 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get a late-night phone call - about 19 years after the wedding

William Fraser repents - about 19 years after the wedding

The Frasers ask Brianna about her scarf - about 20 years after the wedding

Jamie catches Brianna and Roger - about 20 years after the wedding

Faith and Brianna go to a school dance - about 21 years after the wedding

Murtagh and the bairns arrange a surprise renewal ceremony - about 21 years after the wedding

The whole family visits Forget-Me-Not Farm - about 21 years after the wedding

More from the visit to Forget-Me-Not Farm - about 21 years after the wedding

Jamie, William, and Julia walk the Lallybroch fence - about 22 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire visit Fergus and Marsali in Glasgow - about 22 years after the wedding

Julia finds items from the ‘45 during a dig - about 23 years after the wedding

Jamie waits for Julia to come home from a date - about 27 years after the wedding

[perriewinklenerdie]

The secrets are out (Ethan Ramsey x MC)

Open Heart, Ethan Ramsey x MC

Author’s note: Hello, hello, hello! Anyone remember me? The last thing remember is wanting to post the next part of my AU on Christmas and now it’s the middle of February and I feel like a fool. I was literally in a hole of uni, time was not even a concept. I’ll try to get some fics more often and you know… OPEN HEART 2 COMES IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS SO IT’S GONNA SPARK MY BRAIN. It’s not going to be as often as it used to be, but I’ll try my best to give you what I feel you guys deserve.

This fic right here fits into the timeline in which Ethan and Claire are married before she works with him.

AO3 link:

 https://archiveofourown.org/works/22760494

  Tag list:   @paleweasels , @lilyofchoices , @hopelessromantic1352 , @aloehasrose , @valiantlychaoticbarbarian , @radlovedreamer , @usuallyamazinglyaverage, @palestazure, @cordoniaqueensworld, @universallypizzataco, @princess-geek, @faithhasnowords, @mightyfangirlofthefandoms, @drakewalkerfantasy, @timmagicktoad, @laceandlula, @greywitchyshots, @llamasgrl, @gingerjane15, @bucket-harrington , @marywrites-things , @ethanplaysfavorites , @mfackenthal , @betelgeusebee , @simsvetements,  @i-only-signed-up-for-fanfiction, @buzz-bee-buzz, @owleyes374, @cora-nova, @aworldoffandoms, @l822, @cream-ray, @ughhhxjazzy, @silverlitskies, @justendlesssummerfeels, @togetherwearerapture, @desmaranj, @edgiestwinter, @friedherringclodthing, @daisy-ashton, @waytooattuned, @choicesgremlin , @lapisreviewsstuff, @the-soot-sprite, @writerapprentice, @chasingrobbie, @choicesobsessedd, @cassiusownsmyass, @x-kyne-x, @thisperfectmemory, @drakewalker04, @rookie-ramsey, @jlynn12273, @thepinknymph @dr-brianna-casey-valentine, @a-i-n-a-a-s-h

Enjoy! <3

----------

They knew the day was coming. While at first it wasn’t hard to hide the fact that they were married, it became increasingly difficult to disguise the looks they were giving one another, the familiarity they felt when they were together.

Claire teased him about how he had to try and be more stern with her at times, that other interns were commenting on how he was a lot less angry with her. He smirked, saying how if she wanted him to be rude to her, she should have just asked, and then ripped her apart at morning rounds. So much so that she even had a single tear sting her eye for a moment. Later that night he told her that it was the worst thing he ever had to do, apologized, said that he felt horrible for the rest of the day and that she just had to be brilliant so he wouldn’t have to do it again.

“That is, more brilliant than you already are… if that’s even possible.” He muttered into her ear, earning him a bright smile on her face.

They had it all figured out. How to act around one another to not seem suspicious, how to talk to not sound like two lovestruck idiots that they definitely were. Things were about to get much more complicated for both of them, and they didn’t even think about setting up a game plan just in case.

Two lines.

She didn’t see him cry often. Come to think of it, she has seen him cry about two or three times. The first time was when he proposed, and she was in such a state of shock that she didn’t answer him for solid two minutes. The broken expression on his face broke her out of her trance, causing her to cry as well when she managed to choke out a breathless ‘yes’ and they were both an engaged mess that night. The second time Ethan Ramsey cried was when he saw her in her wedding dress. Admittedly, it wasn’t the traditional way that it happened, he stumbled into her room by accident and as soon as he saw her in her white gown, tears gathered in his eyes, and he needed at least two tissues.

“Good thing you don’t have any make-up on, or Louise would have had to kill you for crying.” Claire laughed as she helped him with wiping the tears off his face.

“Now I feel like a fool. How come I’m the only one crying and you’re holding yourself together?” he responded as he wrapped his arms around her gently, taking a closer look at her face.

“Sheer willpower to not get killed by my sister before I marry you.” she whispered, pressing her cheek to his delicately.

“If I say I was hoping for a kiss, would you laugh?”

“You’ll get one soon, have some patience.” She did laugh, as she pushed him out the door with a wink.

And now the third time. She could pinpoint the exact moment in which his brain registered what was happening, his eyes got glossy and a choked sob escaped his lips. He pressed his palm to her still flat stomach, touching the back of her head softly as he kissed her forehead, crying silently.

At that exact moment they didn’t know just how difficult for him it would be to keep himself away from her at work. The first few weeks seemed to fly, and they both seemed fine. That is, if one was to overlook how Ethan insisted on helping her walk the stairs any chance he got when they were alone or how he insisted on doing everything for her when they were at home. It seemed as though he was more terrified about the pregnancy than her.

Keeping quiet about it would prove to be more difficult than they both previously thought it would. Ethan had no self-control when it came to her wellbeing. All it took was for her to bump her shoulder into another doctor and he was all over her, checking urgently if she was hurt. If she thought he would calm down as time went on, she was in for a surprise. He didn’t. If anything, it got worse.

As she began showing, and her clothes had to become more loose, he began thinking how the hell were they going to explain it to basically everyone that she was pregnant without revealing their marriage. The thought of coming out with their relationship crossed his mind briefly, but after a conversation with her, they decided to put it off as much as they could. Or as long as mother nature would let them.

Her friends found out by accident. She made sure to change her clothes when no one was around, but that one time Sienna and Jackie came back for Sienna’s bag and they saw her stomach. A very weird conversation followed, and she had no choice but to tell them. As far as they knew she had a one-night stand and got pregnant by accident. They were all supportive and offered her their help, even if the urge to know who the father is was killing them on the inside.

Ethan thought it was the most sarcastic joke that the world could pull off. Claire found the whole situation more funny than concerning, but their secret was out. Just like that. He wanted to do it on their own terms, but as always, the universe had different plans.

Running kids were not a normal thing in the hospital, but as much as staff and parents tried to minimize that activity, there was only so much one could do. And if one wasn’t careful enough, there was bound to be an accident, much like the one Claire experienced. Everything happened so fast that most of the people in the hall didn’t even see the whole incident.

A kid was running from his friend, and as he was turning around to shout something, he bumped into Claire, sending her onto the floor with a surprised gasp. All she felt was a slight pain in the lower part of her back, but she was seven months pregnant so there was a possibility of damage to the baby that had to be considered. Before she could even think about getting up, she heard Ethan call her name with concern and horror coloring his voice. Not even a minute passed before he was by her side, running his hands all over her, making sure that she was in one piece before picking her in his arms.

“Those kids…” he muttered under his breath, causing Claire to giggle quietly.

“You do know that we have one of those on the way, right?”

“Oh trust me, I’m aware. But they’re not going to be knocking pregnant women over.” Ethan nudged his nose against her forehead, the lines of his lips turning into a teasing smirk that was barely visible.

While Ethan arranged a doctor to get Claire checked out, the hospital began gossiping, and by the time they were done with the appointment, everyone had their own theory about what exactly was between the two doctors. Them having an affair was the most popular one.

Naveen, being Naveen, knew about all the rumors, and called both of them to his office to figure out what they would do. He wasn’t the only one aware of what was happening, as Harper, Ines and Zaid knew too, but he didn’t see the need to call the other three for the meeting, as the whole circumstance didn’t concern them.

“We all know what’s about to happen. The question is, what do you want to do about it?” he started, leaning back into his chair, looking at the couple before him. Ethan’s arm was draped over Claire’s shoulder, stroking her arm gently, while his other hand was curling into a fist and relaxing. She saw his frustration and covered his hand with hers, smiling gently to offer support.

“How bad is it?” Claire’s voice was quiet, with underlying sense of pensiveness and weariness. It wasn’t easy to be that careful about her pregnancy, not to mention how cautious they had to be about their relationship, and now it has finally reached its peak.

“Half of the hospital thinks you two had an affair. Some people think you used her.” He pointed to Ethan, watching how his friend’s face stiffened, anger evident in his features. “Others think you’re the one that used him.” his focus shifted to Claire, which unsurprisingly got her even more upset. “Some of them don’t know what to think, and there are also us normal people, that are waiting for some explanation before making their mind up.”

“We don’t owe them a damn thing.” Ethan seethed, his teeth clenched as he got more and more outraged.

“It’s your decision. It’s up to both of you to make the decision. I’ll support you, whatever you two decide to do.”

Ethan stood up, pacing all over the room, pinching his nose as he tried to come up with something, anything, that would not end up blowing up in their faces. His own stupidity frightened him, he could feel frustration rising in his chest, threatening to suffocate him. How could he have let it happen? How was it possible that he, Ethan Ramsey, a man that had a strategy for most of the scenarios that could occur in his life, didn’t think how to handle the most important part of his life, that would very obviously cause confusion and possible problems later on should anyone find out the truth. How could he be so irresponsible?

“Ethan.” His spiraling thoughts were interrupted by his wife’s voice, breaking through the tempest of his insecurities and raging anger. He stopped pacing, the sweet silence fell upon his mind, and suddenly there was only her. There was nothing else in the whole world for him, nothing else mattered, only her and the immense love he had for her. She approached him slowly, her back hurting her more than before, resulting in the necessity for her to press a hand to the small of her back. Her feet touched his when she stood in front of him, but he was still not looking at her. He was ashamed, he felt like a failure; she could see it very clearly, and the closer to him she got, the more signs she noticed.

She placed her hand on his shoulder to keep herself balanced, brushing her other palm against his cheek, turning his head so their eyes would meet. Never before in her life had she seen him so upset, he was looking at her with so much shame that it almost overpowered the love she could still see there. Ethan leaned down, pressing their foreheads together in a moment of tender hush. The world could be falling apart and he would not notice, as long as he had her in his arms.

“I’m sorry.” He murmured, wrapping his arms around her slightly, careful to not cause her more pain. Claire shook her head, leaning back to look at him properly.

“I have no idea why you’re apologizing. You didn’t do anything… well, that’s not true. You are responsible for half of this baby, so there is that. And you’re also half of this marriage, so there is no walking out of that one either. And no, I don’t want you apologizing for either of those.” She teased him, achieving her goal to make him laugh. Pressing her lips to his cheek briefly, she walked them both back to their chairs.

Naveen remained quiet, watching the scene in front of him unveil. He’s spent enough time with the two to know that it was only a matter of time before Claire would figure out what to do, and then pull Ethan right along with her plan. He was stubborn, but when his wife was involved, the younger man transformed into an entirely different person.

“I’m tired of all that nonsense. I want to be able to hold your goddamn hand if I want to, I want to kiss you when I please and I don’t want to restrain myself. You’re my husband, but we’re acting like a pair of high schoolers that are scared of getting caught making out. We’re having a baby, there is no way I’m keeping you being a father a secret. So…” she spoke clearly, her hands gesturing lively. Turning to her husband, she took his hand in hers and laced their fingers together, squeezing gently. “We’re gonna walk out of here, holding hands, and we’re not going to be trying to pretend like we barely know each other. We’re going to be together. We’re gonna be a family.”

“I quite like the sound of that.” He let out a relieved laugh, his expression softening when he saw Claire take her wedding ring off the necklace that she wore and handed it to him. He put it back on her finger, where it belonged, then kissed it, looking up at her with warm gaze. He let her pull him up from his chair and out the door. “Naveen?”

“Oh I’m definitely going with you. There is no way I’m missing that”

Ethan and Claire walked ahead of Naveen, giving the older doctor a chance to gauge reactions from people they passed by. Ethan’s arm was wrapped around her gently as the two spoke in a quiet manner, smiling brightly at an inside joke. From what The Chief of Medicine could notice, most people had to do a double take. A wave of whispers followed the three of them, which was to be expected, but it did nothing to put them at ease. There was no way of knowing how people would react, but as far as Naveen could see, neither of them seemed to notice the commotion around them.

Harper was standing by the nurse’s desk, signing off some paperwork, when a sound of whispers and gossip, like a wave, crashed into the room. From the scraps of the conversations around her she could vaguely make out what was happening, and once she saw Claire and Ethan walking down the hall, all was clear to her. Smirking to herself, she decided to help the pair along and make it a bit easier for everyone in the hospital.

“Claire! I heard you had an accident.” She called out to the blonde as she approached them, running her eyes along Claire to make sure she was fine.

“It wasn’t that bad, we’re fine. How could we not, Ethan didn’t let me make a single step without him by my side.” Her green eyes sparkled with confidence, turning to look at Ethan, whose eyes were already on her, one of the gentlest expressions taking over his features.

“Oh, right, you two are married. It’s kinda hard to remember that when you two are acting all…” Harper raised her voice a little, making sure to be heard, shaking her hand as though she was searching for a word to finish her sentence. “… professional.”

“Someone around here has to.” Ethan spoke up, looking away from his wife just in time to see Harper roll her eyes sarcastically.

“Sure. You are the most professional one here. I would never be able to pretend like I don’t know my spouse, let alone keep each other at the arm’s length once you ‘get to know each other.’, so you two are my heroes.” She looked between the two and then walked around them to stand next to Naveen. “That being said, I would never be able or willing to do that.”

Their conversation sparked interest among their surroundings, and in her peripheral vision Claire could see her friends, walking towards them with confusion on their faces. She excused herself, pointing towards the group, and Ethan pressed his lips to her forehead before letting her go, keeping a close eye on her in case something happened.

Sienna jumped to her side, helping her walk to the rest of their friends, smiling reassuringly at Ethan. Claire gave her a look of mock annoyance, knowing exactly what she was doing. Her friends were looking at her with confusion overtaking their faces, clearly waiting for some sort of an explanation.

“I’ll say it as simply as our current circumstances and amount of time allows me. I promise I’ll explain it further later, it’s just that we don’t have time now, and I need you to know what’s going on, okay?” Claire took a deep breath when all her friends nodded in agreement.

“Take your time… kind of.” Bryce nudged Jackie’s arm with her elbow, her form shaking in a quiet laugh. Claire joined her, nodding her head slightly.

“Okay, so… I assume you already know at least part of it. The pregnancy was not an accident… well, it wasn’t exactly planned either but-“

“Herondale, breathe. We get it, you didn’t plan on it but it happened and you’re happy, good for you. Who’s the father?” Jackie interrupted her, waving her hand in the air impatiently in the gesture to hurry her up.

“Ethan.” His name burst out of her lips before she could think of a way to deliver the news, but maybe it was for the best. Her friends had the reaction completely opposite to what she was expecting. They seemed… fine with it.

“Can’t say I didn’t expect it, honestly. I did catch him looking at you with something tender in his eyes but didn’t pay much thought to it. Guess I should have asked.” Elijah smiled teasingly at her, causing her cheeks to flush.

“There is something else.” Claire added, earning a collective groan from the group.

“Seriously, what else could there be?” Jackie whined, falling against the wall theatrically. It was at this exact moment that Ethan decided to join them, wrapping his arm around Claire’s back, asking quietly if she was okay. She nodded, leaning against him a little.

“I was just about to tell them about us.” Explaining, she nudged his side with her finger, indicating that he should be the one to break the news. Seeing him being reluctant, she whispered something about her telling them about the baby, so he didn’t really have a choice.

“Very well. We have been married for the past three years.” He tried to keep his tone still, but it proved to be impossible. Being able to finally say it felt liberating, like he was able to breathe again. Her friends were going through quite the opposite process at that exact moment, and there would have been more questions if it wasn’t for the fact that their pagers went off at the exactly same moment, summoning them to the opposite parts of the hospital.

“I’ll explain later, I promise!” Claire called out after them as they left the room, laughing under her breath, relief flooding her body.

Ethan observed his wife with curious eyes. He couldn’t remember the last time she was this relaxed, despite everything that happened that day. An idea formed in his mind and he smirked as he approached her. Not giving a damn about who saw them being a married couple felt like everything would be alright. Wrapping his arms around her, he leaned down to kiss her gently before whispering, their eyes locked.

“Does that mean that you’ll finally let me escort you everywhere, so I’ll know you’re safe?”

“Absolutely not.”

[softdadcarlos]

(You’re) Having My Baby

Masterlist

Fandom: Resident Evil/Biohazard

Pairing: Jill/Carlos

AU: Family Life

Summary: After a couple years of being happily married, Jill and Carlos are ready to grow their little family of two.

Requested by @vgames-lover​ and three anonymous users because yet again I combined requests! The title is taken from the song of the same name by Paul Anka and you’ll see why.

It was November 2003 and Jill had been suffering from a stomach bug for about week. She was a bit concerned, maybe the take out she had ordered - Carlos was out with Chris and Leon for Leon’s bachelor party - was bad as she had thrown up the next day and those following. Carlos, despite being slightly hungover, was there to hold her hair back as she muttered curses and promises never to order from that restaurant again. However, being very much under the weather meant she couldn’t go on the mission she was scheduled for and she counted her blessing that Claire’s bachelorette party had been the day before Leon’s. But Jill would not let some mystery illness stop her from attending her friends’ wedding, it would take much more than throwing up in the morning to stop her. Carlos, for his part, kept a close eye on her, understandably worried until he noticed something she murmured to herself while getting ready for the ceremony.

“Need to get new bras, these ones are starting to make my nipples hurt.”

Normally, those kinds of statements would be overlooked by someone who couldn’t put two and two together. But Carlos never overlooked anything when it came to Jill, it might have been a result of trauma but he felt the niggling urge to keep an eye on her, make sure she was safe and okay. So it was safe to say he was starting to piece together a picture and, if he was right about it, it was a picture he had wanted to paint for about a year at that point. He felt butterflies in his stomach at the thought of it.

He noticed her struggling to zip up her dress and went over to help, “You know, I think it might be worth picking up a pregnancy test on our way to the venue. We have been trying for a couple of months after all. We should also stay clear of alcohol today, just in case.”

Jill turned to him, a pensive look on her face, “You really think so?”

Carlos pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and gave her a reassuring smile, “Better safe than sorry.”

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Jill was impatient throughout the ceremony, wanting to get to the bathroom as soon as possible. She was happy for her friends, she really was, and it was sweet seeing Sherry be flower girl yet again, this time for her adoptive parents but after what Carlos had said earlier she just had to know. So as soon as the ceremony was over and it was time for the reception, Jill sped away into the bathroom with the pregnancy test in her over the shoulder bag. Carlos was not aware that she was rushing to take the test. No, the poor man was none the wiser and followed after her, worried that she was having another bout of sickness. His concern grew when she locked the bathroom door behind her. He sighed, leaning against the wall as he waited for her to come out. He was stood there for about 5 minutes before he heard the door unlock and Jill emerged.

He grasped her shoulders, worry in his eyes as he looked her over, “Are you okay?”

“I’m more than okay. Carlos, I’m pregnant,” She beamed at him, tears welling up.

Carlos pulled her into a hug, kissing the crown of her head, “Hello pregnant, I’m dad.”

“Seriously? You’re starting with the terrible fucking dad jokes now?” Jill groaned, nuzzling into his neck.

He shrugged, “I’m a dad now, it’s my job to make bad jokes that embarrass my family.”

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Although Carlos said that they both wouldn’t drink, Jill managed to convince him that he should be allowed to drink as they were now celebrating two things. She got a few looks from their friends as she turned away drinks because if there was something Jill never said no to, it was a free drink. Instead, she would either pass the offered drink to Carlos or sip on some sort of soft drink with an excuse of “I’m the designated driver.” But maybe she made a mistake passing drinks to him. Even though they agreed to stay quiet until the next day as not to detract attention away from the newlywed couple, there Carlos was, fucking serenading her.

“Having my baby. What a lovely way of saying how much you love me. Having my baby. What a lovely way of saying what you're thinking of me.” Carlos sang over the sound of the reception, on one knee, cradling her hand between his as their friends stared at them.

He was cut off before he could continue by Claire rushing over to envelope Jill in a hug, “Oh my god! Jill, you’re pregnant?! How long have you known?”

Jill’s face was red under all the attention, “Today… although I feel Carlos had an inkling sooner since he’s the one that suggested I buy a test this morning.”

“This is the best wedding gift! I’m going to be an auntie!”

The rest of the evening was filled with congratulations and getting Carlos to drink enough water to sober up slightly so he wouldn’t be as hungover in the morning. Chris helped to get Carlos home, insisting that since she was pregnant she shouldn’t be lugging her husband around. A husband that was now just speaking Spanish and making Jill very very thankful Chris only knew the basics of the language as Carlos was getting rather… colourful in verbally displaying his affection to his wife. Chris even opted to stay in their guest room as they had “much to talk about” the next morning.

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The following day saw Chris and Rebecca sat on one sofa as Jill and Carlos, who was nursing a slight hangover that wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been, sat on the opposite one. They hadn’t been expecting Rebecca to knock on their door at 10am but they weren’t entirely surprised since she had been the one to keep an eye on Jill’s health over the years.

“First things first, I’m going to state the obvious: You won’t be able to go on missions for about one year at the very least. Not only would it be dangerous for the baby for you to still go while pregnant, but pregnancy and birth itself is traumatic for the body. You’ll need time to recuperate afterwards. I recommend a two-year leave. Maybe longer depending on how quickly you get back into a fit state.” Rebecca declared sternly, eyeing up the coffee Jill had in front of her.

Chris crossed his arms, “We knew that already. I was planning to talk about her leave today and have her help me pick out a suitable temporary replacement for the meantime.”

Jill was about to take a sip of her coffee when Rebecca reached her hand out and covered the top of it.

“Sorry Jill, but it’s going to be decaf until after the post-birth recovery period.”

Carlos took the coffee from her and headed into the kitchen with it and his own.

Jill levelled Rebecca with a stare, “Decaf tastes like burnt toast.”

Carlos came back in with two glasses of orange juice, “It’s for the good of you and pequeño. But you won’t have to suffer a coffeeless world alone, whatever you’re not allowed, I won’t have either.”

Jill smiled at him as she accepted the offered juice, hand coming to rest on his knee once he was seated again.

“What else is there ‘Becca? What do I need to purge from the pantry.” Carlos asked, lacing his fingers with Jill’s.

Rebecca reached into her bag and pulled a document from its confines, “It’s all written here but I’ll give you a brief rundown. Unpasteurised or mould-ripened dairy products are a no go. Uncooked meats, liver, any and all pates and game meats are not to be eaten. Liver contains high amounts of Vitamin A which can be harmful to the baby. Raw and partially cooked eggs as well as: duck, goose or quail eggs are dangerous unless cooked solid, no runny eggs.” She flicked over to the next page, “Oily fish is to be limited to two portions a week. Tuna should be limited to 140g a week as it contains the most mercury than any other fish. Swordfish, marlin, shark meat and raw shellfish should be avoided. Sadly herbal teas should be limited to four cups a day if you were looking to them as a replacement for coffee. Fruits and vegetables must be thoroughly washed before eating or cooking. Oh and no multivitamin supplements as they can contain vitamin A. That should be about it.”

She handed the document to Jill who was frowning. Carlos had been nodding along the entire time, Jill could see the cogs working away in his head as he thought about what was currently in their kitchen cupboards.

“Is there anything that needs doing asap?” Jill asked.

“A simple urine test to see how far along you are, then we can try to predict a due date.”

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The due date they had been given was for mid-August and an ultrasound scan during the second trimester revealed they’d be having a baby girl. Carlos had reached out to Barry to help them set up a nursery as well as set up a birthing plan, a fount of knowledge thanks to being a father of two. One thing Jill hadn’t accounted for was Carlos becoming more protective than he had been before. He hardly let her in her office, saying that she might stress herself out and that wouldn’t be good for her or the baby. If she wanted to go out with the girls for a chill night, he would text her every half hour to make sure she was okay. She wasn’t mad, not at all. In fact, she completely understood his behaviour. It was just… a tad much sometimes. The bigger her stomach became the more anxious he became about her going out because “What if something happens and I can’t be there to help.”

So there Jill was, sat between her husband’s legs as she leant against him playing Animal Crossing (a game she had grown addicted to much to Carlos’ relief) on the GameCube he bought her as an apology for his worrying ways. She had started taking to wearing his clothes instead of the expensive maternity they had bought because she just found them more comfortable and comforting. Carlos wasn’t complaining, loving the sight of his rounded wife waddling about in his clothes. He had his arms resting around her front, hands pressed to her belly under his baggy shirt, feeling their pequeño’s little kicks. She was definitely going to be a fighter like her mum, that much Carlos could tell.

As it was August, Carlos had a hospital packed and ready to go as well as Barry on speed dial. They had decided on a hospital birth instead of a home birth just in case there were complications at Barry’s suggestion after all. Jill felt a little bad for the older former S.T.A.R.S member, Carlos had been picking his brains ever since they formally announced the pregnancy.

“Carlos playing this game makes me see why you were a communist. Slaving away to pay a raccoon who does nothing is insulting. Fucking Tom Nook-”

Carlos was chuckling until his wife cut herself off, “What is it?”

“...I think my water just broke…”

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Twelve laborious hours later and Eliza Anne Valentine was welcomed into the world. Sure Carlos’ hand hurt like a bitch but he wasn’t complaining if the small chubby baby in Jill’s arms was the end result. He smiled as he watched the scene. Jill was sweaty, her hair a mess as she tiredly greeted their child, stroking her small round cheeks.

“Hello there Eliza, I’m your mama. I’m going to make the world a safe place for you. I promise.” She looked to Carlos, unshed tears in her eyes, “Do you want to hold her?”

Carlos nodded unable to form words with how his throat tightened. Carefully, oh so carefully, they passed the small bundle of joy from one to the other. And upon seeing his daughter’s face, he started crying. She had his nose and her mother’s mouth. Her hair was dark but matted with embryonic fluids so there was no way of telling its actual colour in that moment. He wondered what colour eyes she’d have when she finally opens them. But no matter what traits she took, Carlos didn’t care. She was made from them and their love. She was going to be perfect in his eyes no matter what.

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A/N: To break your hearts further, the way Jill’s maternity leave works out means her first mission back is the one she “dies” in.

I love hearing from you guys! Please tell me what parts you liked!

Requests are temporarily closed. I'm also on twitter @mxbelmounte.

[thetranquilteal]

The Gift [AO3] by @thetranquilteal​

Jamie has spent almost every night of his deployment yearning to be with his wife and newborn child. When he is given the opportunity to be home for Brianna's first Christmas, however, he unexpectedly finds himself torn between the past, present and future. 

A modern day short story inspired by @thelallybrochlibrary Holiday Prompt: "Soldier Jamie returns from his deployment in time for Brianna’s first Christmas” submitted by @becc127.

Part I: Home For Christmas

Jamie looked down at the photograph resting in the palm of his hand. 

There sat his beautiful wife, their brand new wean resting in her arms. The stark contrast between Claire’s dark and unruly curls lightly brushing their daughter’s red tuft was only highlighted by Claire’s dark blouse and the cream coloured crochet blanket she had wrapped Brianna in. 

He chuckled to himself and raised his eyes as if to follow the sound carrying away with the wind into the mountains lit only by moonlight shining through sparse clouds.

He could still remember the moment Claire had announced her name over the phone.

“Brianna,” the mouthed to himself and smiled again. He had made a fuss at the time but it had been token, half-hearted at most, as he hadn't truly minded. How could he? After what had happened with Faith -

He shook his head quickly in an attempt to dispel the thought.

He loved Faith. A Dhia, he loved her. So much so that it hurt to think of her - their first, a daughter born too early, too silent and too still - let alone speak of her out loud and, truthfully, he could only deal with so much heartache on a dark night like this, where stars were dulled by lingering clouds and death curled around them like unwelcome hot breath. 

His hold on the photograph tightened as his throat constricted and heart thumped in his chest. 

It had been a standard patrol. Standard. There was a scoff bubbling up from within but he hadn’t enough energy to dispel it, instead opting to let it simmer in the barely controlled but well-concealed anger that had been plaguing him for hours. It was supposed to be standard, damn it! Instead, they had stumbled across an IED. 

Unmarked. Unexpected. Deadly.

Now, instead of continuing their assignment as planned, they would be departing at first light to escort Angus' body home. 

Christ, how he wished he could speak to Claire. Touch her. Feel her. Wrap his arms around and just hold her. 

During her time as a Combat Medical Technician, she had been on two tours of her own and had seen such violent harm up close and intimately more times than he would wish upon any soul. Unlike any other Tech here in this God-forsaken desert, however, she had the ability to heal a lot more than just physical wounds. She had hands that wove stories across the skin, lips that formed words to heal the soul, and a heart more loving than anyone - including he - could ever deserve.

From the very first, when she had come and laid a hand on him to reset a dislocated shoulder, he had known - she was everything. 

Everything he knew he wanted.

Everything he hadn’t known he needed. 

Leaving her, just weeks pregnant with their second bairn, to go on this tour had been one of the hardest things he had ever done and news of a happy and healthy daughter had provided incredible relief. For a moment in time, he was devoid of the burden that had been tying him down ever since he had step foot on the aircraft and the weightlessness had left him giddy with the feeling he could do anything - achieve anything.

But all too soon that feeling had been replaced with something new. A yearning, almost.

A calling. 

On nights he managed more than an hour or two of solid sleep, he would dream of Brianna. Shifting within her swaddle, asleep in her crib. Small fingers wrapped tight around one of Claire's. Crying out blindly in hunger only to be soothed by her mother’s scent shifting closer. 

The following day the images would linger, there in the background of his mind, as they cleaned their rifles and organised equipment, long after shifts changed and there were no words to fill the silence that fell down upon them, and every time they paused to take refuge from the hot sun beating down upon them. 

Despite their continued occurrence, he resisted speaking of them out loud, too afraid that the sound might interrupt the ethereal connection that existed between the two of them. That he might be left even more alone than he already was. 

The mere thought made him grit his teeth. 

In his youth loneliness hadn’t bothered him - if anything he had welcomed it. First, it was the solitude that came with working in the Highland fields as a teenager and, then, the freedom that came with being an entry-level soldier travelling between various stations and training grounds, never staying anywhere long enough to put down roots or form any serious relationships outside of work.

Then he had met Claire. 

While, from that point onward, he had spent his days afield eagerly awaiting their next reunion, their intimate relationship had had very little impact on life in the Armed Forces. It was one that the two of them were used to and one that continued on even after they had wed. When Claire, pregnant and suffering from terrible morning sickness, was released from active duty, however, things changed. It was then he had come to truly understand what it meant to be ‘away’. Away from his wife. His family. His home. And now, another daughter. 

One that would be there when he returned. 

The thought gave him hope - a small flicker somewhere deep down beneath the bone-weary exhaustion and budding sense of desperation.

The sound of worn boots upon dusty gravel grew nearer and he turned slightly, more so due to a long instilled need to keep anything and everything within his line of vision than simple curiosity. 

He shifted again as Murtagh sat down next to him and waited. 

It wasn’t uncommon for the two to sit side by side in comfortable silence from time to time but he knew the man, both godfather and superior, had sought him out with purpose. 

"Received confirmation from Stuart - schedule remains unchanged,” Murtagh stated casually. “Dougal's putting together the last of the equipment. Thought it would be best to leave Rupert be fer now."

Jamie nodded his approval. While Rupert had not been severely injured by the blast, he remained in the medic station for a long while before making his way to Angus' cot to start packing his best friend's belongings and it had been second nature for the team to unofficially take the man off rotation, wordlessly absorbing any and all remaining jobs between them. 

"I should double-check the paperwork's been lodged," Jamie replied though he made no move to stand and Murtagh did the same, having obviously decided it was his own turn to wait. Minutes went by unchecked until he finally said aloud, “I always thought this job couldnae get any harder,” the words spontaneous and providing little to no detail for their use. 

Still, his Godfather understood.

“Tomorrow may be harder than most, aye," Murtagh brushed a hand over his bearded chin and then waved it towards Jamie’s own, "but at the end of it, you’ll be home. In time fer the bairn’s first Christmas, no less.”

"Christmas," Jamie echoed, mostly to himself, nodding his head slowly before looking back down at the photograph. “I'll be home for Christmas.”

When Murtagh put a hand on his shoulder and stood, he dipped his head in acknowledgement but continued looking a moment longer, before tucking it back into his chest pocket and rising himself. He rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck - a long practised method used to replace the battered armour he had worn for far, far too long but destined to wear a little while longer yet. 

He would be home for Christmas but until that day came, he reminded himself, he had a job to do. And a promise to keep.

A/N: For a lot of people, Christmas is not a time of joy but of sadness, anxiety and distress. There can be an overwhelming sense of pressure to be happy and this underlying notion that expressing anything different is not only inappropriate but harmful to those around us. It leaves many - like Jamie in this AU and myself in real life - conflicted, confused and, at times, hopeless and lost. This story is dedicated not only to all service-men, -women and their families but to all of those who struggle during the holiday season. Please know that I am thinking of you and hope that you, like Jamie towards the end of this story, are blessed with a sense of inner peace and many restful nights. A x

[singofsolace]

Madam Spellman 2020 Challenge Masterlist!

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Madam Spellman 2020 Challenge! Over five weeks, we created thirty-four, I repeat, THIRTY-FOUR fanfics, and five pieces of gorgeous fan art. A grand total of 73,530 words were published to the collection on Ao3. I am in awe of how much content was created, and over the moon at the response this challenge received. 

Since this masterlist is going to be very long, I've decided to put it all under the cut! Check out the 39 pieces of fanwork below!

Week One Prompt: New Year’s

a year has fled o’er heart and head by Singofsolace (@concreteangel1221)

Summary: Mary Wardwell has never been kissed on New Year’s Eve. Zelda seeks to rectify this grave injustice.

A Mortal Tradition by lady_needless_litany (@lady-needless-litany​)

Summary: Even though months have passed since Blackwood’s massacre, everything’s still up in the air. Zelda’s barely hanging on - and now she can’t even kill Hilda as a form of stress release.

Remembered Footsteps on Old Roads by brokenmemento 

Summary: Lilith asks Zelda to take a little trip, one that will prove difficult for her to do.

Happy New Year darling, for whatever is in store by Saturn_Silk 

(@saturn-silk)

Summary: Mary and Zelda spend New Year’s Eve together at the cottage.

this gorgeous fanart by @bainelland  

Art Description: A polaroid picture from the Spellman’s album. Taken on a New Year’s Eve night by Sabrina who accidentally walked in on a quiet moment between Zelda and Lilith. Illuminated by the Solstice Tree, with Ella Fitzgerald’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” playing in the background. It’s one of Zelda’s favorite pictures in the whole album.

this stunning fanart by @miss-spellman (aka @asterleaf and @moon-rise )

Art Description: Zelda Spellman and Lilith stand, wrapped in an embrace. They are kissing as confetti and streamers fall around them. Zelda has one hand wrapped around Lilith’s waist, and the other is precariously holding a glass of champagne. Lilith’s hand is placed on Zelda’s cheek. 

Piece of My Heart by sweetdreamsaremadeoffish (@claire-de-macarune​)

Summary: Yes, Lilith, I love you. Yes, Lilith, this is your home now. I could never deny you. Yes, Lilith, I want you to stay.

~~

Week Two Prompt: Road Trip

Strangers by brokenmemento 

With the coven in shambles and the Academy without a sense of direction, Zelda finds a place to start rebuilding and settles on asking an unlikely person to aid her in her mission.

this will be our year (took a long time to come) by sweetdreamsaremadeoffish ( @claire-de-macarune ) 

Mary’s keys in the ignition and her head lolled back on the headrest, Zelda blew a last, elegant kiss out the back windshield to her family and trundled the old Ford down the drive, onto the passing road. They disappeared in a wink of distance rather than magic.

Road Trip by AlexusOnFire ( @alexusonfire )

Poetry, written from Lillith’s perspective.

wrestling with the wind by Singofsolace ( @concreteangel1221 )

When Lilith, the skateboarding, tomato-stealing lesbian meets Zelda, the elegant, willful daughter of a mortician, sparks (and motorcycles) fly. 

this sweet fanart by @moon-rise​  

Zelda and Lilith take an impromptu road trip and stop at a little witch friendly café. Zelda orders her black coffee and Lilith orders a coffee with 4 creams and 7 sugars. Zelda hates the colour scheme of the room but the romance of it grows on her as the sun sets and lights up Lilith’s impossibly gorgeous blue eyes. 

Pulp fiction for Zelith by @jyou-no-sonoko19​ 

(please show your support for this fabulous edit by reblogging from the original source!)

~~~

Week Three Prompt: Winter

Breathe by sweetdreamsaremadeoffish ( @claire-de-macarune​ )

"I think you have what it takes. It’s completely reasonable for you to have some support, but this needs to work. I need this to work. We both do,” Edward said, under his breath. “It’s this or go back home. You know that.”

Chasing Out The Chill by Jyou_no_Sonoko ( @jyou-no-sonoko19​ )

After the fall of the Church of Night and its ceasing to worship Lucifer, Zelda in her new role as self-appointed High Priest has to transition them to the Church of Lilith. And while she believes in her Patron, it is a difficult adjustment to make. Lilith grows concerned for her and plans a little getaway.

Dance Under the Winter Sky by TommorowNeverCame ( @its-a-goode-day )

A year later, the coven has a winter ball. Zelda decides it's time for her and Lilith to be happy.

Double Black Diamond by Singofsolace ( @concreteangel1221 )

When Zelda Spellman gets driven off the ski trail by the Judas Boys, Lilith (the snowboarding lesbian) comes to her aid.

Fire and Ice by Saturn_Silk ( @saturn-silk​ )

Lilith really wants to go ice skating, and eventually, Zelda caves in and takes her.

Their Heart Grew Cold by stellastellaforstar ( @stellastellaforstar​ )

She looked beautiful, Zelda could tell even through the haze of snow. Her glasses were foggy and her nose was red, but every snowflake seemed to land so beautifully on her head.

These Winters Can Be Maddening by brokenmemento 

Winter through the eyes of Zelda Spellman at three points in her life.

Winter by AlexusOnFire ( @alexusonfire​ )

a lovely winter poem!

winter and hard earth by CallmeCordelia 

Zelda observes the Winter Solstice. Lilith observes her.

~~~~

Week Four: Alternate Universe

Like a fool, I fell in love with you by Saturn_Silk ( @saturn-silk​ )

Zelda Spellman, Greendale’s local coroner, needs a date for her sister’s wedding and who better than her colleague Detective Lilith Morningstar. Will they get away with it? Or will it turn into something more?

Lady Justice by Singofsolace ( @concreteangel1221​ )

Lieutenant Lilith Demos had spent the last twenty years investigating New York City’s most sensitive crimes. She was intimately familiar with the worst humanity had to offer, but getting justice for rape victims made everything else worthwhile. There was no case too perverse or too delicate for her to handle; she always remained coolly professional, no matter the situation. But that all changed the day Zelda Spellman walked into her squad room. Bringing Zelda’s abuser to justice proves to be her most difficult case yet, and it doesn’t help that Zelda is extremely uncooperative when it comes to the investigation. 

The Muse by AlexusOnFire ( @alexusonfire​ )

Zelda Spellman attends an art class. Lilith is her muse.

No Man is an Island by brokenmemento 

Zelda and her roommate Lilith have been fighting with this thing for five years. With the rain comes absolution. AKA the Madam Spellman as Grace and Frankie AU.

Vying Off Course by Claraon ( @sheep-in-space​ )

Her eyes stop in their track, surprised at spotting the eldest member of the Spellman family sitting at the bar. Her frock is modest enough – a pale linen thing with a simple blue lacing, and her strawberry hair is tied back in a conservative bun –  but she somehow manages to look at once regal yet perfectly at home among the buccaneers and other shady characters crowding the place.

We Lost the Sea by bainel ( @bainelland​ )

Their eyes locked for a second across the room, and Lilith felt her breath catch in her throat. She felt as if the whole room had faded away. For a fraction of a second, they were the only two people in the inn. But then the bartender placed a glass of amber liquid next to the redheaded woman. She turned away, towards her drink, and the moment was over.

Lilith gets dragged into a series of events that will lead her into one of her greatest adventures yet.

Wild with Adventure by stellastellaforstar ( @stellastellaforstar​ )

It’s a wild west AU, y'all! Sheriff Zelda and Outlaw Lilith.

Your Song by sweetdreamsaremadeoffish ( @claire-de-macarune​ )

Songwriter AU

And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it’s done I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you’re in the world

The Spelldelaire Children by @claire-de-macarune​ 

(please show your support of this fabulous fan art by reblogging it from the original source!)

~~~~~

Week Five Prompt: Fix It!  (the list is in alphabetical order)

a little death (une petite mort) by Singofsolace ( @concreteangel1221​ )

Mambo Marie intervenes when Zelda Spellman denies Lilith sanctuary. This changes many things, but not all things. Lilith proposes that the only way that the three of them will survive the wrath of both the Dark Lord and the Pagans is to perform an incredibly intimate ritual. Mary Wardwell stumbles upon this ritual, with gun in hand.

An Offering of Trust by paradox_n_bedrock ( @paradox-n-bedrock​ )

Zelda and Lilith try just a little harder for each other. They’re lucky Marie has an emotional intelligence greater than a potato.

Forever…(is a long time) by brokenmemento 

After the events of Part 3, things are still left hanging in the balance. Lilith forges an unlikely alliance with the least likely of suspects.

From Her Beacon-Hand by CallmeCordelia 

Lilith seeks asylum, but what will she find?

home in the heart of hell by sweetdreamsaremadeoffish ( @claire-de-macarune​ )

And all shall fade The flowers of spring The world and all the sorrow At the heart of everything

I Was Housed by Your Warmth by daisygrl ( @asterleaf​ )

Something about the other witch pulled her ever closer, made her ache inside. It was the strangest sensation: two parts nostalgia and one part pain. If she had lived lives other than this one, she would have sworn that they had met before. Perhaps their souls had passed one another by as they swam in the primordial muck.

The Witch’s Lullaby by marla_black ( @marla-black​ )

With Lilith pregnant with Lucifer’s baby, she is in need of a midwife, and who better than Zelda Spellman, the witch who has never lost a child in her life.

~~~~~

Many thanks to everyone who reblogged and commented on all of these pieces! You were as much a part of this challenge as the writers and artists!

[takemeawaytocamelot]

Master List Links

As always, if you find a link that doesn’t work, or takes you to the wrong story, please let me know. Thanks!

Modern AU:

Furniture Shopping

“We’ve all seen too much!”

“We’ve all seen too much!” Part 2

Strip Poker

Sweetness in Starlight

Honeymoon Movie Night

Unwedded Lodging

Tied Up

Bend it Like Beauchamp

Some Boudoir Photos

Tight Round Arse

Lovebites

Next To Her Heart

Modern Dougal

Crimson Dress and Jealousy

Brazilian Wax

Naughty Pictures

An Encounter

Angry/Jealous Jamie

Angry Jealous Claire

With the Fifth Wee Fraser

On A Beach Vacation

The One Where Roger Teaches Jamie

Straight Hair

Sweet and Smutty (Jamie Loves a Pregnant Claire)

Mile High Club

Love and Waterfalls

Sweet Torture

The First Time After Faith

James Fraser, Masseur

Naughty Church Service

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Canon Divergence:

Honeymoon Quiz

The Kama Sutra for Dummies by Dr. Fraser

Claire Gets Her Courses,

Jamie Tends Claire

Jamie is Visibly “Uncomfortable”

Honey Works Just as Well

—————————————————————————————

Multi-Part:

AU Honeymoon: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Home to Lallybroch: Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Virgin Bedchamber: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

First Bairn: Part One, Part Two

Exes AU: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five,

Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Drabble

Which is Better: Part 1, Part Two

Seen Too Much (Jamie and Claire Version): Part One, Part Two,

Part Three

Halloween Through the Years: Year One, Year Two, Year Three,

Year Four, Year Six

The New House: New House, Blurb, Willie, Tree House, Kitchen,

Breaking the House In, Shower, Garden Wall,

Snow Day: Snowy Day In

Secret Santa - Switcheroo: Part One, Part Two

A Wild Night in Vegas: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6,

Part 7, Part 8, Part 8-ish, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13,

Part 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, Part 15.1, 15.2, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18.1,

18.2, 18.3, 19

Red Jamie and the White Lady AU: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4,

Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Legend of the Faerie Wife, Part 8, Part 9,

Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17

Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, William, Part 24,

Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29

Eight Seconds: Such a Short Time, But An Eternity, Family Ties, Morphine Rambles

Teenage AU: First Date, Awkward Conversations, Nervous Energy,

Study Session, Flustered Fraser, Bashful Beauchamp,

Patience Rewarded

Speed Dating: One, Two, The Morning After, Dinner Date,

Learning to Ride, Learning to Dance, The Next Step, For Keeps

The Runaways: The Funny Twist of Fate, The Elephant in the Room,

Sweet Deliverance, Epilogue

Expedition of the Heart (Young Ian and Rachel): Prologue, A Love Story Repeats, The Memory of My Name on Your Tongue, 3 AM Wednesday Morning and I’m Waitin’ to Finally Talk to a Girl a Little Cooler Than Me, It is a Risk To Love, Fashionably Nervous

—————————————————————————————

Collaborative Work:

Trading Wine for Whiskey (Bookshop AU):

Lovely to Meet Ye, Tea for Two, Captain Murray, Agony

JAMMF The Knight: A Collaboration with @thescarlettpeacock

White Knight, Trapped Knight

—————————————————————————————

Challenge: Sweet Affectionate Moments

A Kiss Makes It Better

No One’s Home!

Able To Breathe Again

A Sad Kiss

Anniversary Dance

Come Have A Bath

Caught in the Act!

Awkward Attempts at Kissing

—————————————————————————————

Secret Santa - Switcheroo:

Part One, Part Two

—————————————————————————————

Smutterday:

Jamie and Claire

The Sauna

The Scavenger Hunt

The First Time After Faith

James Fraser, Masseur

Naughty Church Service

Sleigh Bells Jingling

Murtagh Hears Too Much

Always Knock First

Building the Treehouse

Merry Christmas Indeed

Anatomy Lesson

Why’s There A Stocking on the Door?

Breaking in the Kitchen

Young Ian and Rachel

Hunting Wi’ A Quaker

Second Honeymoon

Cooking and Seduction

Murtagh and Suzette

Murtagh Appreciation Day

—————————————————————————————

Visual Prompts:

Negligent Negligee

Murtagh Appreciation Day

Breaking in the New Shower

—————————————————————————————

Missing Scenes:

Quiet Moment at Lallybroch

Butter Churn Incident

Love in the Glade

—————————————————————————————

One Shot:

Fast Learner

“I didna ken ye could do that.” (Or the One Where Jamie Learns it Can be Done Like Horses)

For SCIENCE

Microscope

A Pic Prompt

Punishments

Creeper Dougal (Again)

Printshop Drabble

Love in the Glade

Dreams

Taking Things Into His Own Hands

Wee Stockings

A Talk About Discipline  

The Grant Raid

Trousers

A Surprise for Claire

Headstrong Frasers: Mandy and Jamie

The Indians and The Frasers

Claire is my Wife, Not Yours

“No One Has Died From Abstinence!”

Through Murtagh’s Eye

Skinny Dipping

“So ye need me, to give ye a bairn?”

Drunk Claire is  “juuuust fiiiine!”

“Ye may kiss yer bride” (Or Jamie’s Thought During the Wedding)  

Barn Rendezvous

More Barn Love

Tickle Spot

A Kilt For Two

A Wee Basket From Mrs. Fitz

Caught in a Thunderstorm

Rupert and Angus Visits Lallybroch

“What’s to do next Sassenach”

Brianna’s Imaginary Friend

—————————————————————————————

Young Ian and Rachel:

Young Ian and Wee Rachel

Second Honeymoon

Cooking and Seduction

Hunting Wi’ A Quaker

—————————————————————————————

Ian and Jenny:

Ian Learns From Claire

Ian Ships It

—————————————————————————————

Short and Sweet One Shot:

Short and Sweet: To Lallybroch

Short and Sweet: We’d Found Each Other Again

—————————————————————————————

Fic Off with MBD:

Love at First Sight

Dinner Date

[elejahfanfic]

The Vampire Files/7

Fanfiction

Part 7

AU story with tvd/to characters, but also with many others from different fandoms like Nick Amaro _Law&Order svu, that I am borrowing here. And Joel Goran from Saving Hope etc.

Main pairing_ Nick Amaro and Elena Gilbert

Nick and Elena are FBI Agents investigating supernatural activities and homocide caused vampires and demons.

Expect witches, demons, vampires. Inspired by X-files, Twin Peaks, and many other shows

✽-( ˘▽˘ *:)/✽

tag_ @miguelsbrat​

* thanks for reading, xoxo ✺◟(*❛‿❛)◞✺

Back in the city, Elena took her phone and dialed Jenna.

"How is New Orleans?" Jenna said as she picked up the call.

"Bustling. What is the connection of a Bloodborn with the Harvest?" Elena asked without any innuendos.

"I can hear you are in a bar?! Why are you not having a normal drink? Talking of Bloodborn means you ditched Nick or he found something better to do?!"

"Jenna!!" Elena raised her voice, which meant I need answers now.

"I need to look. Get back to you in five" Jenna said and hung up.

She then dialled another number, a person she swore she would never call as long as she lived, but she was desperate.

"Hello Agent" a female voice said picking up.

"Tess." Elena uttered as a hello. The witch knew Elena needed something major if she had given her a call.

"Tell me all about the blood of a Bloodborne" Elena then asked.

The witch was quiet for a second, which meant something terrible was about to come out. Tessa then continued-

"To get the Spirit of the Ancient One! There are no Bloodborns- or?"

"Thank you" Elena said hanging up. “Damn!” Suddenly, all was clear. Davina Claire's death had nothing to do with any of the other cases. She now ran back to the hotel to fetch the SUV and get to the Bayou. Her phone rang. And the display showed Jenna and an unknown number simultaneously.

She answered the other number,"Agent Gilbert? This is Agent Stavros"

“What's up?"

"A cousin of Davina Claire's has come forward  with some new info"

"Listening" Elena said as she now got into the SUV and started the car.

Flashback Twin Peaks

A week after Elena and Dale Cooper had arrived. He had disappeared in the woods.

"He entered the Black Lodge again,” Elena said to Sheriff Harry,"and you cannot follow me in there"

"Tell me what I can do?"

"Nothing. Just wait for us here. I will do my best to get him back. And- this is really very important- whatever you hear and see- STAY WHERE YOU ARE. The evil in there will completely consume you."

Hawk Hill, once the deputy of the Twin Peaks sheriff's department now approached them.

"Angel Heart" the former Deputy said to Elena, who was startled a bit as he called her that and looked at the man slightly wide-eyed waiting to hear why he had come, handing her a bracelet,"this is for you"

Elena took it. And then walked through the trees and she vanished like she had entered some other alternative universe.

Agent Stavros now met Elena in the Bayou at the Pearl Cottage.

Agnes, the voodoo priestes and Jane-Anne now approached the two Agents.

"Why did you wait?," Dean blasted at Agnes,"you knew, didn't you?"

From the Agent’s behaviour, Elena quickly put together that Dean not only knew the woman, but he was close to Davina.

Agnes to explain that the evil spirits didn't allow her to act, and that she tried to save Davina from them. Dean stepped forward got hold of the woman by the neck shouting that she was not telling the truth. Elena jumped and pulled him away from the woman, telling him to calm down and get a  grip.

"This is not helping!"she gritted with her teeth staring into his eyes still holding him tight. He clenched his teeth and tried to collect himself. She could feel his heart wanting to jump right out of his chest with all the anger and pain it was harbouring. His eyes watered."She is dead because of them"

"I know. But now you have to," Elena shot a stern look at him,"remember that you are an Agent of the FBI!!"

Dean ripped himself out of Elena's grip walking away for a second to catch his breath and try and focus. This was not an easy night for any of them.

"Another Special Agent of the FBI, my partner was taken tonight. If you know anything about what is going to take place you have to speak now, before this gets any worse. You all are implicated in the murder of Davina Claire, but if something happens to my partner, thing can get really bad. Death row is knocking at your door."

Elena's phone was ringing again and she knew by the alert tone it was Jenna. She had to take the call.

"Something tells me things are really bad. I left the voice-mail with the data, but - something is not letting me rest, so-"Jenna said.

"Call you later, I am in the middle of something" Elena replied and hung up. At that very moment she could not speak to Jenna. The time was ticking. She looked at the big harvest moon, then at the women.

"Talk!" she said in a low but stern voice.

The voodoo priestess could see a flicker of darkness from Elena's eyes and all she had felt about her as she came out of the SUV now made her shiver slightly.

"Move lespri yo ap chèche pou ou (The spirits are looking for you)" the woman said to her.

Flashback

Twin Peaks, Black Lodge

Elena walked through a long  red curtain into the room with a strange black and white zigzag floor.

"Cooper" she called.

Suddenly there were strange hollow screams coming from everywhere. The light flickered as if the bulb was faulty. She walked across the room and through the red curtain yet again. It seemed like she was in the same room. But there were no screams anymore. Then Dale Cooper got through the red curtain from the opposite side. He looked at her and smirked at her and then went all serious.

"Let's rock."

"Oh, I don't think so!" Elena said and got hold of Cooper's neck. And then he screamed as if thousand banshees came bursting through him.

*

In the Bayou, Elena was losing her tether with the voodoo witch.

"Seriously, you telling me something I don't know!? And I really don't care at this very moment! There is a ritual right?"

Agnes nodded.

"Where exactly????" Elena asked narrowing her eyes at the woman.

The woman was now agitated and suddenly pleaded with Elena that she needed protection if she was going to divulge where the ritual was taking place.

"What is this? She is trying to make a deal?" Dean spat.

Elena gave him one of those looks that said not now. I know that you are hurt and you are not thinking straight and everything sucks right now, but we have to deal.

"You have a deal. You'll get protection." Elena said trying still to keep her calm- "now show me where it is!" Inside her, her heart was clumped up. All the images of Dale Cooper lying in the woods stone cold as she pulled him out of the Black Lodge, Jackson, as she found him lying lifeless by the river. She could not go through it again. Like in a haze she followed Agnes deep into the Bayou, not letting Dean go with them.

****

In Washington, DC

Rebekah called Caroline to come to her house. And as she waited for her friend, she tried once more to get hold of Marcel, but no one knew where he went.

Angrily, she tossed her phone on the sofa, running her hands nervously through her hair. How did life get so upside-down? she wondered.

Flashback A year ago

Marcel walked a blindfolded Rebekah into the apartment.

"Come on Rebekah laughingly pleaded her husband to be to take the blindfold off and show her the grand surprise he had prepared for her.

"Here" he said undoing the blindfold.

Rebekah looked at the place smiling from ear to ear, gasping with happiness, "You got it!!"

"This should have been the wedding present, but now it's my engagement present to you"

"To us!" Rebekah corrected him dearly walking around the lounge all happy then running to him wrapping her arms around his neck kissing him.

"I love you so much!" Marcel said dearly as they broke away from the kiss.

"Forever!" Rebekah said her eyes gleaming with happiness.

"Forever!" Marcel said placing another kiss on her lips.

Rebekah wiped away the tears brimming in her eyes, gazing out in the night. The buzz at the door broke her thoughts and she went to open the door. Caroline stormed in asking what was so urgent that she had to come immediately. Rebekah ushered her in.

"Something's not right. What now?" Caroline pressed on seating herself down on the sofa.

Rebekah sat down as well making a small mimic of a smile- "It's not that bad. It's actually good... but -"

"What?" Caroline was baffled.

"I am pregnant! It should be Marcel first I tell, but- I needed someone close to me"

"Oh, Bekah, this is great" Caroline now exclaimed relieved that it was not something dark.

"It is great," Rebekah smiled,"and I am happy, I really am. You know that I so wanted a baby, a family"

"Yes, I know." Caroline said full of empathy, and she also knew how much it pained her friend that it all came now when Marcel broke it all off.

"I can have the baby on my own. It will be so loved. I won't be the first, but I wanted us to be a proper family. It's not like we didn't love each other. The kidnapping changed him so much" Rebekah took a deep breath.

"He is not answering your calls?" Caroline then asked knowing Rebekah would have tried to get in touch with him.

"No. His phone is off. Not even going to voice mail. Nobody knows where he had gone. I feel that something is not right. I am so afraid that he would harm himself."

"We will find him!”Caroline reassured her friend."I know a very good PI Will Kinney"

"Why would I need a PI? He has maybe just switc hed his phone off." Rebekah was suddely in in disbelief.

"Mabybe” Carolie said,"but if you or Thierry don't hear from him - then try Will."

"I hope it doesn't come to this," Rebekah said and then looked at her belly," I still can't believe it”

"How far along are you?"

"12 weeks" Rebekah replied.

"Soo happy for you. I get to be aunty Caroline"

"Godmother. I know it's early, but I want you to be her godmother"

"Her?"

"I feel it's a her"Rebekah said.

"I'd love to be a Godmother" Caroline went all proud that she was bestowed with such special request.

*** In the Bayou, NOLA

Elena got into a small boat with Agnes. She didn't take her eyes off of the woman nor her helper, who was rowing the boat to the place of the ritual, which was to take place in a little while. She never trusted anyone like Agnes. In her experience deals made with those who dealt in dark magic could turn in a heartbeat and all would dimminish.

Strangely, the voodoo priestes now asked Elena to stop staring at her.

"What? I make you unconfortable?" Elena said with a ironic whiff in her tone.

"Ou gen dife nan je ou. (You have fire in your eyes). Eyes of thousand suns blazing." Agnes said.

Elena was told something like very similar like that once before and now narrowed her eyes at Agnes saying, "They can burn you alive, so I suggest you keep the end of your deal"

"Nan kou te chwazi a (Of course, chosen one)"

Flashback

The morning after the police found Davina's body

"Agnes, you have to help us," Jane- Anne came to the woman completely distressed,"what if they come for Monique?! I can't lose her"

"The spirits showed me the one with the heart of an angel with powers of great obifyo."

"Someone possess that great magic? If only I could get Sophie back"

"She gave up her witchraft," Agnes said,"but we will win this"

"I don't know. Look what happened to Davina"Jane-Anne said sadly.

Elena's feelings of despair were vanishing by the minute as it was apparent they were approaching the supposed place of the ritual. She had to focus even though her heart continued being in the state trepidation for Nick. They didn't have the greatest start and she treated him badly, but not because she wasn't respecting his efforts, on the contrary, she liked him. She liked him a lot. More than she thought she would. And if she found him dead her heart would explode. 

Flashback

A week or so after Elena got out of hospital.

One evening Nick came to her apartment announced. As Elena opened the door he put two boxes one on top of the other right in front of him saying,"They had this pie and I thought you could need some"

Elena smiled a little showing him in.

"And no talk of vampires or any supernatural occurrences"

"OMG. I should get monopoly out!?"Elena joked a little.

"I have not yet been beaten at monopoly!"

"Right! Be ready to have your ass whipped!" Elena went to look for the game.

Her heart was beating fast and she grabbed hold of Agnes, before she knocked Agnes' helper unconscious. She had already sensed two vampires near by. This was no time for pleasantries, and she dragged the priestess to the place lit up with torches.

"Tanpri chwazi yon sèl, pa fè m ' ale la (Please, chosen one, don't make me go there)" Agnes pleaded, clearly terrified of the creatures. Elena now looked at the woman with her eyes gleaming like amber.

"Go!" Elena then said to the old woman.

The woman was not clear if she meant it. Elena now shoved her back to the direction they came from. Whatever was to happen next Elena had to face it herself, she alone had to deal with whatever was coming. And to her horror she now saw Nick being dragged out of the cabin and taken to the ritual spot being pulled up by his legs on a tree. She could see that he was not conscious and that the blood was dripping from his neck.

She closed her for a split second, her blood roared with anger, flooding her heart.            

When the silence breaks with a thunderous roar Seasons change and I transform Oh oh oh, my heart is a storm When the time has come, I'll fly away On wings of a silver hurricane Eh eh eh, my heart is a storm My heart is a storm I shed the skin I need no more Reveal the colours I have never shown before And it spreads like particles of light Like particles of light You'll see me shimmering like crystals in the stars

My heart is a storm

The two vampires and the hybrid didn't see her coming and Elena's attack was like a unexpected storm, unstoppable and swift. Tossing the bodies in the depth of the Bayou waters, she ran back to her partner.    

Untying him, she slowly laid him down on the floor. She checked his wound. The bite was not deep. It was done purposely as they obviously needed it to drip slowly. She now pulled a small tube out of her jeans pocket and applied the ointment on the wound that had magical properties. It sealed the wound and as it got into his blood stream it acted like a booster and Nick opened his eyes, looking at her drowsily, transpiring a joyful so happy to see you.

"You will be fine" she whispered to him taking him up under her arm and they walked to the boat.

_to be continued

****

[stopforamoment]

Pernicious Passion: Part Six

Please check out the Pernicious Passion MASTERLIST for the complete list of writers and artists who inspired this series!   Bastien Lykel belongs to Pixelberry, and Kara is a real-life talented PB writer. Events in this fic are purely fictional because this is just a fun spoof!  Author’s Note and Summary: Bastien reflects on all the fandom writers and artists who love him. It’s also a shamless plug for all of them. If I missed anyone, please send me a DM so I can add you! Links will take you to author masterlists.

Part Six (1,467 words) Bastien was lying awake on Kara’s couch, thinking about the Tumblr fics that gave so much depth to his character. The writers who advocated for him. He was so happy in those Tumblr fics. Yes, Kara was partially right. There were fandom writers who created angst in his personal life, but they still loved him as a character. @mrsnazario1223  created a series Secrets in the Dark where he struggles to free MC Elizabeth, his Bets, from the clutches of an evil Liam. In Sometimes Beginnings Start with Goodbyes, @innerpostmentality almost decimated him when Drake was hospitalized, and he felt so guilty that he missed the warning signs: How depressed Drake was after MC Giselle and Liam’s wedding. How he had been drinking more than usual. Fortunately, Duchess Olivia Nevrakis was able to comfort him. They had feelings for each other for so long, and it just happened so naturally. And @emceesynonymroll did focus on how much Queen Riley loves her King, but he is content with his secret crush on her. Besides, if enough people gently persuade and her muse agrees, there will be a follow-up series that will focus on him finding true love at last.  Yes, sometimes he experienced pain in the fan fics, but there was so much happiness. And he was so happy with his face claim, Fabricio Zunino. @cora-nova is the brilliant artist who first discovered Fabricio, and fanfic writers have been swooning over Zunino’s Instagram account ever since.

@endlessflame was the first person to write about him. His first love, Juliette, who left him because she couldn’t handle the danger of his career. And now, she writes about the sexual tension between him and Riley, and their secret rendezvous. The light between his legs began to spark. And then when he and Riley got engaged—such happiness in his life.

@riseandshinelittleblossom and her fics with him and Foxy. He adores Foxy so much, and @riseandshinelittleblossom was the one who made it canon that he made grilled cheese sandwiches with mayo on the inside so the cheese was creamier. And that he loves dancing the foxtrot to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” And when Foxy dressed up for Halloween in that skimpy black outfit with the backseam stockings and garter belt? Fuck. He was amazed they even made it downstairs to their own party. @tornbetween2loves also understands that backseam stockings are his kryptonite. His Scarlet Duchess frequently takes advantage of that weakness, but he never minds. @boneandfur was the first to create a NWFW ABC list for him. It features the noblewoman he vowed to keep safe after an assassination attempt. @boneandfur’s writing is so sensual with its description, and these words never fail to make his member twitch: “I love that fucking dress, my lady. I can tell you’re not wearing any underwear. I can smell your arousal. I’m going to walk you around that corner, and then I’m going to slide my hands up your thighs and spread you apart. I’ll get on my knees and I’ll bury my face between your legs and you’re going to ride my face and scream so loud the king will give me a medal for a job well done.” Mmmm. @jovialyouthmusic. She made it canon that he was so well-endowed that the madam at a high-end brothel begged him to visit every year—for free. And his Sophia. Such a strong, beautiful woman who loves him. Who cums for him multiple times, who makes him cum harder than he ever did before. But it was more than the sex and their relationship continued to grow, and she was the one who stood by his side after his injury. Yes, she is His Goddess and His Temptress. And soon, his wife. @jovialyouthmusic’s Protect and Serve series gave him life. @lolablackwrites is such a talented writer—especially smut—and he loves being the focus of her Guarded Hearts series. How brilliant that he and MC Alice met before that fateful night at the restaurant when she met Liam. She still came to Cordonia, not realizing he was there. But he is so glad she did because Alice has a sarcastic sense of humor. She’s intelligent. Sexy. He loves their playful banter and how she understands his literary references when he sends her text messages. Their relationship has already overcome so many challenges, but he asked Alice to move in with him, and he knows she’s the one he will marry. @likethetailofacomet has two series that he especially enjoys. The series Learning to Love Again focuses on Drake and MC Claire, but he is featured several times throughout. However, he frequently thought about his long-lost love Annabelle in that series. What he lost because of his duty to the Crown. Fortunately @likethetailofacoment wanted to explore that a bit further. That’s what prompted her to start a second series, called The Broken Bits, that explores their relationship 21 years ago and hints that perhaps their love will have a second chance. And @sirbeepsalot. She gave him a passionate, yet tender relationship with Olivia, his mon doudou. He was always an important part of Liam, Drake, and Olivia’s family. Bastien smiled as he thought of their children—Jackson, Stella, and Estel. He is their Papa Bas. He also started as Olivia’s lover, but their relationship developed into something more. Now they are their own family, and his mon doudou recently gave birth to his daughter Odette. Yes, he is a very happy man. Then there were the other fics that made him a father. @blackwidow2721 focuses on his daughter in the series Playing with Fire. Cami is beautiful and headstrong, and he is so lucky he can trust Drake to be a gentleman with her and also scare off Liam, Leo, and Maxwell. He can trust Drake, right?

@bobasheebaby did cause him pain in some of her series, but overall her muse treated him well. In Crimson Rain he is a mob boss who adopted Olivia when she was a child. Then he discovered he has another daughter, Hope, and they are developing a strong relationship. But Liza. Poppy. His true love. After the heartache of several miscarriages, he was going to be a father again. Her name is Sage Lana, and the entire family—including their adorable dog Buttons (Butt) and cat Pickles—are over the moon. Then there’s @stopforamoment’s slow burn with Rinda. In the series he and Rinda are still dating and they’ve created a loving family with her son, now his son too, Henry. But @stopforamoment is already starting to write drabbles where they’re married (she knows how they get there, but there are other projects keeping her busy—sorry). Rinda is in her 40s and they both agree they are happy with Henry and don’t need to expand their family, so he will get a vasectomy. But @stopforamoment ‘s muse already created a crazy-train drabble to explain how they could get pregnant even though he had a vasectomy. He, Rinda, and Henry are also going to be in a Choices Crossover collaboration that features characters from The Royal Romance, The Crown and the Flame, Blood Bound, Perfect Match, The Haunting of Braidwood Manor, Veil of Secrets, and The Freshman series. Ferals and matches will overrun Cordonia, and the characters must work together to save Cordonia. @kennaxval thought of the idea, and he’s working with @begging-for-kamilah, @sawyeroakleyscowboyhat , @scalpeljockeybrycelahela, @strangerofbraidwood, @stopforamoment, and @tornbetween2loves to bring this story to life. @innerpostmentality and @tornbetween2loves collaborate to create an AU titled Arcana Unbound that focuses on the next generation of Cordonia: the children of King Liam Rys and his Queen Hyclea, Drake and Meridoc Walker, Leo and Katie Rys, Duchesses Riley Brooks and Hana Lee, and yes. His children too. He, Bastien Lykel—the head of the Royal Guard, married Duchess Olivia Nevrakis and became a duke. His daughter Sarissa wants to follow in his footsteps, joining the Royal Guard and protecting her King. However, life may have other plans for her. His son Xiphos inherited his dark looks and Olivia’s emerald green eyes. Xiphos is known as a playboy, but he will find someone who sees him for who he truly is. And Bastien knows his popularity was growing. He welcomed a new writer to the Bastien fandom: @applevictorianico  Her series Bruises is only a prologue and two chapters in, but already other writers in the fandom are swooning over her description of him as a father who was reunited with his daughter on her 21st birthday. There is so much mystery about his past, and his daughter’s past, that will be a wild ride for the fandom. His daughter Roxy has her own impressive military career in the United States Army and shares his sense of loyalty. And grey eyes. It’s so much to keep track of, but fortunately @mfackenthal of The McFackenthal Show is the president of his fan club. He will always be taken care of in the Tumblr fandom.

Bastien sighed. It was going to be difficult ending things with Kara, but their love now had the bitter taste of the first crop of Cordonian Ruby apples. It was intense at first, but it had become an acquired taste. He now knew what needed to be done. A/N If I missed anyone, please send me a DM so I can add you to the list. If any tags or links are wonky, please let me know. Thanks!

CHAPTER SEVEN

[wellfic]

Not a Single One

Written for @waywardsons-imagines Valentine’s Day Challenge

An AU where there are no things that go “bump” in the night and Dean Winchester has a happy life.

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Warnings: Language, sexual innuendo, fluff

Words: 1,661

Prompt: “How’s the meeting?”// “I want to stab everyone.” // “Don’t get blood on your dress. We have dinner reservations at seven.” // “I love you for enabling me.” // “Love you too.”

It was an unusually warm February day, but Dean Winchester had no complaints. It meant he could open the garage doors and let some fresh air in while he tinkered on a ’69 Mustang. It also meant he could set loose two 5-year-olds and German Shepherd in the driveway where he could see them, but they wouldn’t get in his way.

“When I’m 16, do I get Baby?” The voice of your 9-year-old daughter, Alice, piped up from above the hood.

Dean couldn’t help the hearty laugh that escaped his throat and he leaned out of the Mustang to meet the pouting face of Alice. “You’re weren’t joking?”

She sat up straight in her stool and held her shoulders back. “Why would I be joking?”

“Why would you expect to get Baby?”

“You get a car for your sixteenth birthday, right?”

“That’s debatable. If you have your license and you’ve earned it, possibly.”

“Well, you don’t use Baby much.” Alice motioned to the black Impala on the other side of the garage, glinting from a fresh wax for tonight.

“Your point?”

“I could put her to good use.”

“Yeah, no.” Dean closed the hood of the Mustang, deciding to be done for the day. “You’ll be getting an old, reliable car that won’t break my heart if you crash it. You’re getting a bumper car, baby-girl. Take it or leave it.”

“Will I at least get to drive her?” The mirror of Dean’s own eyes narrowed in on him and he could admit to himself it was slightly unnerving. While she had his eyes, everything else about her was you, and he was all too familiar with that look. However, it wasn’t from you, so he was in the clear.

Dean laughed again. “In 20 years.”

“Unfair—”

“I didn’t even let your mother drive it for 5 years, and she had 20 years on you.”

“But—” Alice was cut off by the sound of AC/DC’s Shook Me All Night Long in Dean’s back pocket.

He didn’t need to check the caller ID, it was your ringtone, but he always found himself pausing to admire the photo of you under the words “The Wife.” You were standing on the beach, grinning from ear to ear, and hair tousled from the wind and sea salt of the ocean as you held all the girls. Alice was on your back and you had a twin on each hip.

“Hey, what’s up?” Dean leaned against the car and looked to the twins to see them happily racing their bikes on the track they had drawn in chalk. Renegade followed behind them, tail swishing with every stride.

“I have bad news, but good news.” Your voice was calm, so Dean wasn’t concerned.

“Okay, shoot.”

“Our babysitter canceled, she got mono.”

“Son of a bitch—”

“Dad! Swear jar!” Alice triumphantly held out her hand, and Dean dug his wallet out and handed her dollar. She stuffed it into the already full, glass jug.

“Way to go,” you chuckled. “But our plans aren’t ruined. Claire and I had lunch—”

“No—”

“Dean—”

“Last time Claire babysat we came home to a 9-year-old going on 21.”

“Alice starts middle school next year, we better get used to it. Besides, I made Claire promise to leave the makeup at home this time and she offered to babysit out of the kindness of her heart.”

“You took her to that fancy steakhouse, didn’t you?”

“And I told her she could order take out for her and the kids.”

Dean grunted, accepting the fact Claire was going to be in charge. He hoped this time she didn’t teach the girls how to have more attitude. “How’s the meeting?” Dean knew you had been stressing over work for the past week, it was part of the reason he was keen to have a fun night. That, and it was the 10-year anniversary of your first date.

“I want to stab everyone.” Dean could feel your eyes roll into the back of your head through the phone.

“Don’t get blood on your dress. We have dinner reservations at seven.”

“I love you for enabling me.”

“Love you too.”

“Ugh, Johnson is waving me back in. I will meet you at the restaurant. Give my love to the girls. Love you again.”

“Love you more.”

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *           

Dean stood outside the Italian restaurant that you loved for the handmade pasta, something that was hard to come by in Lawrence, Kansas. He shifted on his feet, checking his watch. It was five minutes to seven.

There was a tap on Dean’s shoulder and he whirled to come face to face with you. You had to keep from throwing yourself at him. Dean in tight, grey dress pants was a rare sight and it had you all sorts of riled up. “Excuse me, I’m looking for my husband. I can’t seem to find him. He’s usually sporting a canvas jacket and plaid, have you seen him anywhere?”

“I’m sorry, haven’t seen him. He sounds like a handsome guy though, it’s a shame he isn’t here,” Dean drawled. “May I offer my company?”

You pretended to give it a good thought. “As long as my husband doesn’t find out.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” Dean pulled you in for a lingering kiss. “Now let’s go eat.”

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *         

“This is bullshit!” Dean slammed his fist against the steering wheel. Baby’s headlights illuminated the highway in front of you.

“It’s okay, Dean.”

“No, I can’t believe they lost my reservation. It was going to be perfect.”

“Any night with you is perfect.”

Dean paused and sighed. “I know, but you love that place.”

“And we can go back on my birthday. Besides, I think I have a better idea.”

“What’s that?”

“Grub Off the Griddle. We haven’t been there in ages.”

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *           

“Oh my god, I never thought that not having to share a milkshake would be the most satisfying thing,” you groaned and took another large gulp of the Oreo milkshake.

“I look forward to not having to share my fries and settle any arguments.” Dean watched every single facial expression you made. You were as captivating as you had been on your first date exactly ten years ago.

“There’s a reason we only order take out these days.” You held a spoonful of whip cream out to Dean who gladly accepted it. “How many slices of pie are you going to get?”

“Oh, at least three. For sure.”

The waitress set your food down, and the two of you wasted no time digging into your thick burgers.

“So, you’re never going to believe what our daughter asked me this morning on the way to school?” You smirked.

“Which one?”

“The eldest.”

“Was it the dreaded ‘where do babies come from’ question again? Because I thought we had gotten her to leave that alone for a little while longer.”

“Apparently, her friend Lucy did a presentation on her grandma and about how she’s named after her. Alice wanted to know why we chose her name.”

“And what did you say?” Dean rose an eyebrow.

“That we just liked the name Alice.” You shrugged, a mischievous smile tugging at your lips.

“You lied to our daughter?” Dean’s smile mimicked your own.

“How do we tell her that we’re 99% sure she was conceived while listening to an Alice in Chains album, and we named her after that incident?”

“You could have at least said we named her after Alice in Chains, a band we both enjoyed.” Dean pointed his fork at you.

“If she brings it up again, sure. But I have a feeling when she brings it up again, it’s going to be with the question of why we weren’t married when we had her.” The thought of that complicated talk was starting to give you a migraine.

“Simple, because we wanted her so much and from the moment we met on that first date, I knew I wanted to have a family with you.” Dean was serious. It wasn’t an assurance for you. That Valentine’s Day ten years ago meant everything to him. You both had bad breakups prior and the date was forced between your mothers. But as the saying goes, mother knows best. Dean knew the moment you fawned over Baby and his classic rock collection that it was right.

“Maybe not as quick as we did though.”

“And I wouldn’t change it for the world.” Dean reached across the table and took your hand in his. “I know it’s been said before, many times. But even though everything happened so fast between us, I don’t regret a single choice we made.”

Tears pricked the corner of your eyes, because no matter how many years went by those memories of feeling so scared and vulnerable never went away. You and Dean had been together barely three months when you found out you were pregnant with Alice. Dean panicked when you had told him, but he wasn’t angry like you thought he might get. No, he stuck by your side and the further along you got, the more excited he was.

The day you found out you were having a daughter was the first time you had ever seen him cry. He cried again at all your children’s births, your wedding, and when you two got into a bad car accident two years after Alice was born. You had been pregnant at the time when you got t-boned on the passenger side and you barely escaped with your own life. Dean had only sustained a concussion and broken collar bone. The only saving grace was that Alice had been with John and Mary that night.

“Me neither. Not a single one.”

[gotham-ruaidh]

List  of Modern Glasgow AU ficlets - in chronological order

**Updated as of April 8, 2020

I write Modern Glasgow ficlets in no particular chronological order - this allows me to jump around within the world I’ve created, but it sometimes leaves readers confused as to where a particular story fits in the timeline.

So - below is every single Modern Glasgow ficlet in chronological order (also posted here on my blog).

Enjoy!

—–

Jamie departs for the airport

Jamie meets Claire on the plane

On the plane, Claire tends to Jamie

On the plane, Jamie comforts Claire

Jamie introduces Claire to Murtagh

Jamie tells Murtagh how he feels about Claire

Jamie and Claire’s first breakfast together

Claire breaks up with Frank, exchanges “I love yous” with Jamie - one day after they meet

Jamie and Claire get engaged - one day after they meet

Murtagh, Jamie, and Claire celebrate the engagement - one day after they meet

Jamie and Claire discuss having children - one day after they meet

Jamie and Claire wake up together for the first time - two days after they meet

Jamie and Claire enjoy Glasgow together - two days after they meet

Jamie and Claire discuss whether she will change her name / Jamie watches Claire get ready for work - three days after they meet

Claire tells Mrs. Fitz about her engagement - four days after they meet

Jamie and Claire get ready for their wedding

Jamie and Claire’s wedding - four weeks after they meet

Jamie and Claire’s wedding night

Jamie and Claire attend the hospital benefit - one day after their wedding

Jamie and Claire enjoy the day after the hospital benefit - two days after the wedding

Claire shows Jamie her swimsuit - six weeks after the wedding

Jamie meets Laoghaire; Claire gets possessive - about 3 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire attend a Christmas party, and he gets all possessive - about 6 months after the wedding

Claire sees Frank again - about 6 months after the wedding

Claire takes *those* pictures of Jamie - about 6 months after the wedding

Jamie takes *that* video of Claire - about 6 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire’s first Christmas - about 6 months after the wedding

Claire finds Annalise’s letters to Jamie - about 6 months after the wedding

Jamie reads a poem to Claire - about 7 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire’s first Valentine’s Day - 8 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire fight at the club - 8-9 months after the wedding

Claire tries (and fails) to make dinner for Jamie - 9-10 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire return to Lallybroch - about 10 months after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get their “C” and “J” tattoos - about 1 year after the wedding

Jamie and Claire celebrate their first anniversary - 1 year after the wedding

Jamie has difficulty in bed - about 1 year after the wedding

Jamie and Claire have a terrible argument - about 1 year after the wedding

Jamie reflects on his love for Claire - about 1.25 years after the wedding

Jamie reassures Claire when she’s stressed - about 1.5 years after the wedding

Claire meets up with Vi Baird - about 1.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire celebrate their second Christmas - 1.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire are propositioned - about 1.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire take their second airplane trip - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire decide to visit Dr. Joe Abernathy - about 2 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire visit Dr. Joe Abernathy - 2 years after the wedding

Claire has a girl’s night with Louise, Jeanne, and Malva - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie has a guy’s night with Charlie and Stefan - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire realize they miss each other - 2 years after the wedding

Jamie tells Claire about his great-grandfather - 2 years after the wedding

Claire tells Jamie she is pregnant with Faith - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Claire has a nightmare - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie takes pictures of Claire’s belly - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire talk about names - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie is not amused that a pregnant Claire is working so much - about 2.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get a scare during a prenatal check-up - about 2.75 years after the wedding

Murtagh meets newborn - very preemie - Faith Fraser - about 3 years after the wedding

Jamie, Claire, and preemie Faith share a quiet moment in the hospital - about 3 years after the wedding

Faith’s belated (and surprise) baby shower - about 3 years after the wedding

Claire realizes she is pregnant with Brianna - about 3.25 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire have a silly argument - about 3.5 years after the wedding

Frank (unknowingly) visits Jamie at the printshop - about 3.5 years after the wedding

Claire graduates from medical school - about 3.5 years after the wedding

Jamie reassures Claire after she gives birth to Brianna - about 4 years after the wedding

Claire tells Jamie she is pregnant for the third time - about 5 years after the wedding

Jamie encourages a very discouraged Claire - about 5 years after the wedding

Claire helps out when the emergency room is attacked - about 5.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire meet Fergus - about 6 years after the wedding

Jamie tells Claire he visited a strip club - about 6 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire send a postcard to the girls - about 6 years after the wedding

Fergus settles in to life in Glasgow - about 6.5 years after the wedding

The Fraser bairns read a bedtime story - about 6.5 years after the wedding [note - written by the lovely Mod E!]

Jamie and Claire dance at Murtagh and Suzette’s wedding - about 6.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire have an emotional long distance conversation - about 6.5 years after the wedding

Murtagh comes to the rescue after a frazzling night - about 6.75 years after the wedding

Brianna - and Jamie & Claire - celebrate “Kiss A Ginger Day” - about 7 years after the wedding

Jamie is badly injured in a car accident - about 7 years after the wedding

Jamie recovers from the car accident - about 7 years after the wedding

The wee Frasers bring Claire breakfast in bed - about 7.5 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire enjoy Edinburgh - 8 years after the wedding

Jamie is tired from trying to get the bairns to bed - about 8 years after the wedding

The Frasers meet Aunt Jocasta - about 8 years after the wedding

Jamie, Claire, and Fergus care for sick bairns - about 8 years after the wedding

Claire has a disastrous movie night with Geillis - about 8.5 years after the wedding

Murtagh, Suzette, and the bairns have tea - about 9 years after the wedding

Jamie stays home to take care of sick bairns - about 9 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get sick - about 9 years after the wedding

Jamie tucks the bairns into bed - about 9 years after the wedding

Claire breaks her arm - about 9.5 years after the wedding

10-year anniversary - 10 years after the wedding

An eventful day at an amusement park - about 10 years after the wedding

Faith’s dance recital - about 11 years after the wedding

The family attends Bree’s shinty game - about 11 years after the wedding

Claire realizes she’s pregnant for the fourth time - about 12 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire tell Murtagh she is pregnant for the fourth time - about 12 years after the wedding

The Frasers enjoy a quiet night full of Doctor Who at home - about 12 years after the wedding [Note: Written by the lovely lenny9987!]

Claire tells Faith the facts of life - about 12 years after the wedding

Jamie quits his job at the printshop - about 12 years after the wedding

Fergus finds *that* book - about 12 years after the wedding

Julia Fraser is born at Lallybroch - about 12.5 years after the wedding

Claire runs into Frank at a garden party - about 13 years after the wedding

Jamie and the bairns go grocery shopping - about 13 years after the wedding

Claire has an accident - about 13 years after the wedding

Brianna tells Jamie about Harry Potter - about 15 years after the wedding [Note: written by the lovely writtenthroughtime!]

Jamie brings home Rollo - about 15 years after the wedding

Claire *enjoys* Jamie’s new boots - about 15 years after the wedding

Julia brings home Adso - about 17 years after the wedding

A visit to the National Museum of Scotland - about 17 years after the wedding

Jamie receives a surprise in the mail - about 18 years after the wedding

Fergus and Marsali share some news - about 19 years after the wedding

A visit to Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum - about 19 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire get a late-night phone call - about 19 years after the wedding

William Fraser repents - about 19 years after the wedding

The Frasers ask Brianna about her scarf - about 20 years after the wedding

Jamie catches Brianna and Roger - about 20 years after the wedding

Faith and Brianna go to a school dance - about 21 years after the wedding

The whole family visits Forget-Me-Not Farm - about 21 years after the wedding

More from the visit to Forget-Me-Not Farm - about 21 years after the wedding

Jamie, William, and Julia walk the Lallybroch fence - about 22 years after the wedding

Jamie and Claire visit Fergus and Marsali in Glasgow - about 22 years after the wedding

Julia finds items from the ‘45 during a dig - about 23 years after the wedding

Jamie waits for Julia to come home from a date - about 27 years after the wedding

[anoutlandishfanfic]

Idyllwild AU: The One With A Picture Frame.

Merry Christmas!

This delightful little fluff is my take on a scene from Season Four... when Fergus and Marsali tell Jamie and Claire they’re pregnant. Looking forward to exploring this more in the future, but for now, here’s a little fluff to get you by.

Each Idyllwild fic is stand alone, but you can find previous chapters here.

Christmas Eve/ Early Christmas Morn (abt 2:30am), 2026; Lallybroch.

“Wait, Marsali and I have something for you and Da,” Fergus motioned me to stay in my place at the end of the couch as he turned to grab something from behind him.

I had no intention of leaving my cozy cocoon of blankets — my nest giving me a perfect view of the Christmas merriment around me — but smiled at his excited glow. We’d just finished opening gifts and everything was in a state of euphoric pandemonium  around me, the late hour making our heads spin and our voices a little too loud for casual conversation.

Jamie sat comfortably on the floor at my feet, one arm draped across my lap even as he examined the outfit Alexa received from my sister… which the not quite nine year old had promptly set aside in favor of the geography puzzle we’d given her.

“You’d think she’d ken the bairns better by now, Sassenach,” he eyed what was supposed to be the height of young girl’s fashion with disdain, holding it between two fingers as if it were Jake’s gym socks.

“Lexa’s no’ one for this sort of thing.”

He was right.

Alexa, the baby of our brood, would not be caught dead in pink… much less the pastel top Jamie was dangling before me. She was much like Bree in this regard and the two were close, despite their six year age difference. In fact, I rather thought the gap was one of the things that drew them together.

Quinn, on the other hand, was much closer in age to Alexa… yet the two were as different as night and day. Nearly everything the child possessed was a variant of pink. She’d be twelve in two weeks, but she rivaled sixteen year old Faith with her poise and wisdom beyond her years. If Faith was my old soul, then Quinn was my philosopher… and Fergus my optimist.

“What’s that?” Jake perked up at the sight of another gift.

Bree crumpled a fistful of wrapping paper and chucked it at his head, the projectile arching perfectly and bouncing off it’s mark.

“It’s not for you, clotheid,” she chortled, rearming herself as he lobbed the paper back in her direction.

Marsali cast a quick glance at her husband and commented, “Actually, it’s kind of for everybody.”

This got Jamie’s attention, as well as brought the wrapping paper mele to a halt, and my daughter in law suddenly found herself at the very center of attention.

My heart leapt to my throat as I caught the look Fergus gave her. She’d been positively glowing during the candle-lit, midnight mass earlier tonight and she’d had this sort of introspective smile playing on her lips all evening, as if she knew a wonderful secret and couldn’t hold back the joy it gave her.

Marsali was pregnant.

My eyes widened as I leaned forward to look at Fergus, gripping Jamie’s shoulder as I worked to not spoil the surprise. He grinned back at me, nodding his head ever so slightly as he handed Jamie a box wrapped in green paper.

“Ooo, what’s this?” Jamie murmured, unwrapping the gift much too slowly for my taste. I snatched it out of his hands and tore back the paper as he complained good naturedly, “Hey, I was opening that!”

I lifted the lid and an excited squeal left my lips as the box’s contents confirmed my suspicions… an intricately carved wooden frame held two images — a portrait of all of us taken at Fergus and Marsali’s wedding and a sonogram — with the phrase Only The Best Parents Get Promoted to GRANDparents etched beneath. I dropped it into Jamie’s lap as I bounded off the sofa and pulled my son into my arms.

Fergus laughed as everyone else caught on to the gift’s meaning and the room erupted in raucous displays of affection. A flash of movement caught my eye and I looked up just in time to see Faith tackle Marsali in an energetic hug, with Bree and Quinn close on her heels. Alexa wiggled her way in between Fergus and I as Jamie rose from the floor and wrapped all three of us in a big, gigantic bear hug.

I pressed a kiss to Fergus’ forehead, my spirit soaring as my heart threatened to burst with pride.

“You are going to be a wonderful father, Fergus,”  I murmured through my tears, clutching his head against my shoulder as if he were the little boy he’d always be in my heart. “I love you so very much.”

His arms tightened around me for a moment as he responded, “Love you too, Mum.”

With a contented sigh, I let go and gave his cheek a final pat, but paused before I turned to embrace Marsali. There was something in his eyes that held me there, a nagging doubt he had in the validity of my words.

My heart lurched as Fergus’ birth father came to mind and I took hold of him again in a second, more urgent hug. I had not thought of the man who had walked out on Fergus and his incompetent mother nearly twenty years ago in a long while, but I knew he was on my son’s mind right now. I felt Fergus shiver in my arms, the memory of St Germain’s sins intruding on what should be a purely joyous moment.

“You are not like him,” I insisted, needing to rid him of this budding doubt before it grew into a deeply rooted insecurity. “Your heart is so kind and loving and the opposite of everything that he was to you. You are your father’s son, Fergus… your true father, and he’s here to help you every step of the way. You have us and will always have us on your team.”

He nodded as he pulled away to look at me. His eyes shone with unshed tears, but his voice was steady and sure as he thanked me, giving me a peck on the cheek as he steered me towards his wife and lifted his littlest sister into his arms. Alexa clung to him and I wondered if the excitement was too much for her at this hour, but I pushed it from my mind as Jamie stayed at Fergus’ side, readily on hand if her emotions turned south.

“Congratulations,” I beamed as I pulled Marsali close, her blonde head tucking perfectly beneath my chin.

She fit so well in my arms and into our family that I thanked the Lord on a daily basis for the blessing He had given us in Marsali MacKimmie Fraser. She’d walked into our lives as a sassy sixteen year old with a troubled home life and a voracious need to find her place in the world... Fergus had been assigned as her lab partner in their human anatomy class — something he still jokes about — and they were together for a good eight years before they were married a little over a year ago.

Marsali’s mother, Laoghaire, had threatened all sorts of drastic measures when she discovered who Fergus belonged to, and for a while her disapproval fueled the teen’s ambitions, but eventually Marsali outgrew the insatiable need to spite her mother and found that Fergus understood her on a level that others didn’t. She’d found solace within our home and practically lived with us while they were dating in high school.

I slowly became aware of how tightly Marsali was clinging to me and moved my head to whisper in her ear, “We’ll find a moment to chat about things, mmm?”

She nodded against me without a word and I gave her a reassuring squeeze.

“I’ve got you, luv.”

[celestialvoid-fanfiction]

I really want to write a Darkest Minds normal life AU and I feel like I’m going to explode if I don’t talk about this. I want an AU where Liam’s dream is their reality--where they met in Virginia Beach when Liam ever-so-gracefully hit Ruby in the face with a volleyball and apologises profusely. He and Ruby go for ice cream - which Liam buys as a way of apologising - and the two of them hit it off, talking about their lives and their dreams until the sun begins to set. Liam offers to walk Ruby back to her hotel, but as they pass a street performer playing ‘Hey Jude’ by the Beetles, he stops, begging her to dance with him. She reluctantly agrees and the two of them dance as the performer sings. Liam gives the man a generous tip and continues to walk Ruby back to her hotel. 

If he’s lucky, he gets her email. If he’s really lucky, he gets her phone number. If he’s really really lucky, he gets a kiss goodbye.

They stay in touch as Liam goes off to university - studying to be a child care worker - and lives with his stuck-up-know-it-all roommate with a heart of gold, Charles “Chubs” Carrington Meriwether IV (who also becomes friends with Ruby, usually shouting things across the room while Ruby and Liam are video chatting). They call each other almost every night, and when they run out of things to talk about they just listen to the soft sound of each other breathing until they fall asleep (which Chubs mocks Liam about endlessly). Meanwhile, Ruby tutors a young and brilliantly smart girl called Zu. She tutors her in mathematics and literature, while also teaching her ASL since the girl doesn’t want to talk.

Ruby’s parents expect the relationship to lose it’s momentum after a few weeks, but nothing changes. Ruby’s mum invites Liam to join them over the break and he comes to stay with them. Ruby’s dad is very protective of his only daughter and decides to run a background check on Liam, finding a criminal record. When he confronts Liam, Ruby is horrified that her dad would do such a thing, running out of the house after Liam. 

Liam explains that he has a record for stabbing his dad. He explains that his dad was abusive and his mum ran away with him and Cole when they were little, but his dad tracked them down and attacked his mum. He was young and he panicked; he grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his dad to protect his mum. He doesn’t look Ruby in the eye--he can’t--but he tells her that he’d understand if she left him. Ruby just reaches over, taking his hand in hers and leaning against his shoulder. He offers to stay at a motel, since it’d be awkward to go back to her house, and Ruby says she’ll stay with him so he’s not alone. When they get back to the house, her dad explains that he didn’t read the whole report and assumed the worst. He apologises and asks Liam to stay. Liam does, although he continues to try and impress Ruby’s father.

During the summer, Ruby goes to stay with the Stewarts. She and Cole become close friends, although she does have to step in to stop a few brotherly feuds from time to time. Claire constantly tries to get Ruby away from Liam for girl time; she loves it when Ruby braids her hair and plays games with her.

Months later, Ruby discovers that Zu’s father is abusing her. She asks Liam for advice (since this is what he’s studying) and the authorities step in. Zu is taken into protective custody and Ruby is with her for the entire court case. When it’s all over, Ruby’s family take Zu in. (which conveniently means that Liam has to share a bed with Ruby when he comes over to visit--but he’s too scared of her father to pull any funny business). (Liam also has a soft spot for Zu and showers her with gifts every time he comes over.)

A couple of years later, Liam has finished his degree and moves into a small house with Ruby and Chubs, and Zu goes to college nearby to study photography. Months later, Liam proposes to Ruby and she says yes. In the following months, Ruby has to go dress shopping, which proves to be a challenge. After trying on about 20 dresses, Zu makes a call and Liam comes into the shop (while Ruby’s in a dressing room). Zu tells him to pick out 3 dresses that he thinks Ruby would wear (since no one knows her better than him) and he does--one of which turns out to be the perfect dress. Although, he doesn’t get to see it until the wedding (and begs Ruby not to tell him becasue he wants to be surprised). But things go to heck on their wedding day. The roof of their venue caved in from water damage, her family’s flight was diverted to another airport due to weather conditions, and the wedding band is sick. Cole steps in to take charge, he sends Liam back to their apartment with their mum and Ruby back into her room with Zu (her bridesmaid), he calls the reception and tells them everything that’s happened, moving their booking to later in the evening. Chubs and Harry go to the airport to pick up the guests flying in, Cole turns the backyard into a venue--putting up a canopy of fairy lights, a carpet for the aisle, and rows upon rows of chairs. Vida (Chub’s girlfriend) is enlisted to sing at the wedding and Cole steps down from being one of the groomsmen in order to keep the numbers even. Once the chaos settles, Chubs brings Liam into the backyard and they’re both awestruck by everything that Cole has done.  The wedding begins and Claire walks down the aisle as a flower girl, Zu as her bridesmaid and as Vida begins to sing ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love With You’, Ruby walks down the aisle and Liam nearly cries from how beautiful she is.

Cole starts dating a woman called Cate, who’s in the middle of a nasty split with her ex-fiance, Rob, and who has a beautiful little boy named Nico. Cole becomes the best soon-to-be step-dad.

A few years later, Ruby surprises Liam with the news that she’s pregnant and he’s over the moon. They agree on one thing, whether the baby is a boy or a girl, they’re going to name them after the first song they danced to--Jude/Judith. Months later, they have a little boy, Jude, who is the sweetest, smiling baby. When they bring him to meet the family, shy little Nico takes to him instantly and the two of them grow up to be best friends.

Their family takes a holiday in Virginia Beach almost every year - and one time, while Harry and Liam are playing volleyball and Cole, Claire, Nico and Jude are building sandcastles, Ruby makes her way onto the beach to join them, wearing a green dress that catches Liam’s eye. Only, this time, the volleyball hits him in the face.

[softdadcarlos]

Reunion 2: The Inbetween

Masterlist

Fandom: Resident Evil/Biohazard

Pairing: Jill/Carlos

AU: Family Life

Summary: Set after Chris tells Carlos and before Jill’s return, we see how Carlos struggles as a single father while dealing with his grief. 

Carlos rested his head against the door after he showed Chris out, letting loose a long shaky breath. She was gone. She wouldn’t be coming back. At least not anytime soon because Carlos refused to accept she was dead until he saw a body. And they did not have one. So, for the sake of their baby girl, he couldn’t doubt her will to live and drive to come back home. A part of him blamed himself, he let her go on that mission to find that fucking Spencer guy. He let her go and lost her for it. After a blissful two years of just them and their daughter, he lost her. A larger part of him blamed the B.S.A.A for sending out teams of two because of course with such tiny squads someone was going to go to an extreme to save their teammate. He didn’t blame Chris at all, just by looking at the man Carlos could see the guilt weighing him down.

He pushed himself away from the door and made his way up to Eliza’s room. He had placed her in her playpen there with large soft toys after inviting Chris in. She might have only been two but she was smart enough to understand what is being said around her. Hell, she was starting to string together sentences in three different languages. He slowly pushed open the door, not making a sound, and stood there watching her as she played. For now, she was all he had of Jill other than pictures, clothes, an empty side of the bed and a lifeless office. He watched as she brushed the hair out of her doll’s face.

“Mucho mejor (much better)! You pwetty dolly.”

How was he meant to tell her that Mama wouldn’t be coming back? That it’d just be her and Papa for a while until Uncle Chris finds her? He covered his face with one hand and took a deep breath. He had to be strong for her. He can save his tears once he put her to sleep. Jesus Christ he knew he wouldn’t be getting any sleep for god knows how long.

Eliza must have heard him as she whipped around to face him, “Papa! Where Unc’ Cwis and Mama?”

Carlos swallowed the lump in his throat, he needed to think fast. Looking around her room for inspiration, he spotted her chibi moon bedsheets. That’s it!

Carlos lifted her out of the pen and bounced her slightly like he used to do to soothe her when she was a newborn, “Remember when Usagi got captured by Prince Demande and Tuxedo mask and the sailor scouts had to save her?” Eliza nodded, her thumb in her mouth, “Well when Mama and Uncle Chris were on a mission, Mama got taken by a bad man when she was trying to save Uncle Chris from them. So now Uncle Chris is going to find and rescue her.”

Eliza dropped her thumb with a gasp, “Mama got captured! No no! Es no bueno!”

He felt powerless as Eliza’s bottom lip quivered, fat tears rolling down her chubby freckled cheeks. He tried his best to wipe her tears away one-handed before giving up and just cradling her against him, letting her cry.

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The first couple of months were hard. It was difficult to get used to Jill not being there. He was at a loss at what to do. Especially when Barry informed him that the B.S.A.A were holding a funeral for Jill. They didn’t even have her body and they were already putting her name six-feet in the dirt. It made him feel sick. He refused to go. Instead, Barry, Rebecca, Claire, Leon and Sherry came over offering their support and understanding. Carlos was very much thankful for that. He was thankful that at least they didn’t act like she was already dead. Sherry volunteered to help him around the house and with Eliza but he rejected the idea. He and Eliza didn’t need a replacement, they would make do until their family was whole again.

One thing he had taken to from the very first night was talking to a picture of Jill, the only one that was just of her. She was never fond of having her picture taken, especially alone. He would just talk about how he felt, how much he missed her, what he did that day and how Eliza was doing. Which led to him having the brainwave of writing a diary that recorded Eliza day by day so Jill wouldn’t have missed a thing. He could already feel her guilt over missing Eliza’s little moments in his soul.

Jill’s birthday came and went and Carlos’ heart ached for it. It ached for their daughter who placed an illegible handmade birthday card by their wedding picture, as if her mother would magically appear like Santa Claus on Christmas day. That night he put her to sleep on Jill’s side before heading downstairs to let the other former S.T.A.R.S members and their friends in. They all shared a drink in her memory while sharing stories about her, just to feel close to her. This gave him another idea. He didn’t want Jill to fade from Eliza’s memory while she was gone. So that night he decided that he would tell her stories of Jill every night and show her pictures from the family photo album during the day.

Their first Christmas without her hurt. And with Eliza’s arising mischievousness, he was hopeless at hiding presents from her. He couldn’t help but think that if Jill was there, she would’ve known where to hide the presents from their daughter’s prying eyes. But he was thankful that it wasn’t just him and Eliza. Thankful that Barry came over with his family baring gifts and a Santa costume. Then Claire and Leon with decorations and desserts as well as an announcement that Eliza would have a ‘cousin’ soon. Carlos felt a pang in his chest. Jill would’ve loved to have been there to hear it, to congratulate them as they had her. It was loud and joyous like Christmas with family should be, but Carlos couldn’t shake the emptiness he felt.

When his birthday came, he found he missed the smell of burnt toast as Jill would try and fail to make him some form of breakfast. He missed walking into the kitchen and hugging her from behind as he teased her mercilessly. He missed her stoney mask and watching it crumble into that radiant smile reserved only for him and later Eliza too. His only solace was the sleeping child starfishing and snoring loud enough to wake someone from a coma. He smiled down at her, biting his lip to hold back tears so that she wouldn’t see them if he accidentally woke her. He noticed her hair had grown so much in the last six months and her third birthday was fast approaching. He hoped that Chris would find Jill before then.

It was their wedding anniversary before he knew it. And as much as he hated to be apart from Eliza, he let Barry take her for the day. He needed this day to grieve without being interrupted. To let himself wade through the pool of sorrow in his heart and try to drown it with expensive wine he had saved for this day to share with Jill. What would she think if she walked through the door and saw him in that state? His hair in desperate need of a cut, his beard scruffy and overgrown. Would she tenderly trace the discoloured skin under his eyes and kiss him better? He wished. He wished she was there so he could give her the gift he still bought with the tiny sliver of hope that she’d be back by now.

Leading up to Eliza’s birthday Carlos watched lots of video tutorials on a new-ish website called Youtube. Learning how to style hair because someone in this family had to know how to do their daughter’s hair and in the time he was with Jill, he never witnessed her styling her own hair. He didn’t want Eliza to be upset on her day, so on the morning of her third birthday, Carlos woke her to breakfast in bed - pancakes. And once she had scoffed them all down, he sat her on his lap, combing through her hair and making quick work to put it up in a plaited bun. He helped her to pick an outfit to wear for the day, choosing khaki shorts and a Saint Seiya tshirt. ‘Granpa’ Barry, as Eliza had taken to calling him, came over with a gift but couldn’t stay long. Claire came over with Sherry, she was heavily pregnant and let Eliza feel the baby kick. She said Leon couldn’t be there because he got sent out on a mission but he was on his way back. Carlos felt an ounce of jealousy that Claire knew her partner was safe and sound then immediately felt bad for it. While Sherry and Claire kept Eliza’s attention in the living room, Carlos went into the kitchen to bake the birthday cake.

Far too soon it was a year since Jill’s disappearance. Chris tried to send him monthly updates on his progress in trying to find her but sometimes he couldn’t. Sometimes he just had nothing to report. This was one of those times.

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A/N:  I love hearing from you guys! Please tell me what parts you liked!

Requests are temporarily closed :)  I'm also on twitter @mxbelmounte. If you like what I write please consider supporting me on Ko-Fi (no pressure though I’m well aware there’s a pandemic going on)

[caraidean]

Plots Call || March

The following is a list of one plot for each muse on my blog, if you feel up for doing it as a thread let me know in the replies or a DM and we can work the rest out!

Mia

(Canon) Mia’s illiteracy comes to light after she has some difficulty on a shopping trip, and one of the other Greil Mercenaries decides to attempt to teach her how to read and write properly. 

(Ike/Mia Verse) After Mia and Ike’s relationship comes to light, Mia ends up getting cornered by another Greil Mercenary and weakly attempts to do something she’s always been bad at - talking about her emotions. 

(Heroes) Mia ends up facing disciplinary action after she attempted to stab Zelgius ‘mostly’ unprompted, and brings up how the Black Knight once hospitalized her following a confrontation during the wars. 

Sanaki

(Canon) Between the events of FE9 and FE10, she ends up recruiting the Greil Mercenaries for a covert mission to take down another Senator. She proves upset when the mission is turned down due to prior commitments. 

(Adult Sanaki) Ten years after FE10, Sanaki meets with one of the Greil Mercenaries or Dawn Brigade members for the first time since the war. Unfortunately, it’s because they were arrested following conflict reports along the borders with bandits, and Sanaki is upset that she had to pull some strings to get them out of this. 

Tanith

(Canon) Tanith takes over training the majority of the troops during FE9, and proves frustrated with the general lack of discipline from the mercenary components of Ike’s forces.  People are not particularly endeared to her when she enters Drill Sergeant Mode. 

(Immortal) Fifty years after the end of Radiant Dawn, the immortal Tanith travels the continent in an attempt to get away from her husband Sephiran and meets up with far older - or unchanged, in the case of Laguz and Branded - companions from the wars. 

Mist

(Canon) Mist catches one of the members of the army trying to pass off an injury as ‘nothing serious’, and corners them for a well-needed scolding. 

Titania

(Canon) Post-FE9, Titania finally has enough time to process her grief over Greil’s death - she doesn’t handle it well, one of the other mercenaries finding her half-drunk in a local tavern and weeping. 

(Pre-FE9) Titania left the mercenaries alone for two weeks to visit family, and on her return finds that Greil lost control of the younger members of the group and enters Disappointed Mom Mode. 

Elena (Mia/Ike Fankid)

(Canon or Heroes) Elena frets over her decision to be a healer instead of a swordsman like her mother and father, wondering if she’s wasting her talents despite her pacifistic nature. 

Annath (Tanith/Sephiran Fankid)

(Heroes) Annath channels her mother’s drill sergeant talents, putting the younger members of the Order of Heroes through an improvised obstacle course to prove a point. 

Lewyn

(FE4, Gen 1) Shortly after hearing of the plan to rapidly flee Orgahil to Silesse of all places, Lewyn vanishes for a few hours. He’s found drinking on a rooftop overlooking the sea, and proves strangely pliable to questions about his past.

Finn

(FE4, Gen 1) Finn is reluctant to return back to Leonster with Quan and Ethlyn, particularly considering his relationship with Lachesis. He pulls the other character aside and attempts to convince them to take care of Lachesis while he’s gone.

Ced

(FE4, Gen 2) Days after the final battle, Ced reflects on the things he’s seen - and wonders if the Divine Weapons should perhaps be locked away, if not destroyed

Ishtar

(Survives AU)  Realizing that Julius is present in Askr, Ishtar finds herself unable to summon up the courage to confront him again - locking herself in isolated parts of the castle and needing to be talked down from what is essentially a form of panic attack.

(Heroes) Ishtar’s time in Askr has been blessed, the woman finally getting to spend time with people unaware of her past and what she had helped Julius accomplish. Learning that he was recently summoned, Ishtar decides to sit down with either the Summoner or one of the Askran royals and share her life in her own words, hoping to avoid any further judgement.

Nanna

(FE4, Gen 2) Nanna gets injured with no other healers nearby, and has to verbally walk her companion through the healing process. 

Erinys

(Ghost of Silesse AU) After the final battle, Erinys’ spirit finally gathers enough power to leave the borders of Silesse and meets with her newly-extended family for the first time. 

Swanhild (Ishtar/Seliph Fankid)

(Heroes) Swanhild feels her own, minor achievements are nothing compared to her parents and frets about being unworthy of belonging to the Order of Heroes. 

 Clair

(Canon) Clair breaks her leg after narrowly avoiding being shot down, and spends a miserable two days in the healing tent due to complications from the magical healing. 

Catria

(Canon) Shortly after returning from Valentia, Catria finds herself having to tell the story of what happened over the ocean for the third time, and grows frustrated at having to repeat herself. She decides to start embellishing it a little, wondering if anyone will notice. 

(Catria/Marth AU) As the wedding approaches, Catria grows concerned that her lack of royal blood will prove more of an issue than she previously believed. 

(Heroes) Catria is bemused by the amount of hero worship herself and her sisters end up on the receiving end of from other pegasus knights further along in the timeline. 

Cynthia

(Bad Future/Pre-FE13) Before going back in time, Cynthia and the other children (along with some other survivors) are forced to rest for the night in a cave complex to escape a snowstorm. Cynthia’s cheerful energy and attempts to keep morale up just serve to irritate the others in such a close space, and she retreats deeper into the caves to reflect on her actions.

Tiki

(FE13) Tiki gets slightly tipsy at a celebratory feast, and ends up spilling all manner of less-than-flattering stories about Marth and his companions to anyone that will listen. 

Morgan (Cynthia)

(Canon) Morgan’s pet cat ends up pregnant, and the 14-year-old girl wanders around camp trying to give away the newly-born kittens to anyone who would take them.  Due to her reputation, most believe this is some kind of trap on her end. They aren’t wrong. 

Morgan (Tiki)

(Heroes) Tiki!Morgan abuses her emphatic abilities to wreak havoc upon the rest of the Order of Heroes, initiating a prank war that would take the combined efforts of several others to stop. Or her mother.

Selena Flourspar

(Heroes) After being brought to Askr before the events of Sacred Stones, Selena learns of her death and Grado’s failures as a country. Shaken, she heads to the first bar she can find and attempts to figure out what to do with her life with her ideals shattered.

L’Arachel

(FE8) In the ruins of a destroyed church, L’Arachel reflects on her childhood and personal beliefs while attempting to re-sanctify a desecrated altar.

Tana

(Post-FE8)  With her due to be wed to Ephraim in a few weeks, Tana takes to the streets of Renais to attempt to get to know her future citizens better. She returns to the castle slightly haunted by the suffering she saw, throwing herself into plans for charity work at the expense of sleep.

Igrene

(FE6) Late at night, Igrene opens up about the loss of her child to someone willing to listen. 

(Heroes) Igrene ends up having to corral not only Fae, but several of the other younger manaketes - Nowi, Myrrh, and Tiki - and ends up feeling quite harassed by her unwanted role. 

[imagineclaireandjamie]

will there be more of the external forces au?

Mod Note: Hi @internallydeceased I honestly don’t know if there is. I feel like that one sort of reached a natural end. I will certainly keep an open mind though, as the whether I extend it - although I do have a lot of other open ones to contend with too - but here, have another Chain of Command chapter and I hope that this helps a little: much love, Mod MBD. 

Chain of Command: Part Three:

With her escape attempt foiled, Claire’s mind had turned to more desperate measures. Once the Fraser’s knew about the baby she’d either be forced to give it up - or be sent away completely. She’d heard of it before and even though Ellen and Brian were kind, generous people, Claire didn’t think they’d be all too pleased at her’s and Jamie’s trysts.

Scrubbing at the dishware extra hard, she scoured the dirt from the large breakfast from the plates as she contemplated her options.

Being good at healing she had some less than reputable sources and though she’d never been embroiled in any of their less than legal activities, a horrid thought sprung to mind as she debated how much easier it would be was she not pregnant.

Mama Crook had scheduled a trip into Inverness within the week, this gave Claire ample time to get together some sort of plan.

--

As the pair, adoptive mother and daughter, rode in companionable silence, Claire’s mind warred with her heart.

Jamie had found her only moments before they were due to leave. Trapping her in a solitary corner, he had kissed her into oblivion, causing all thoughts to fall from her head as his hands circled her waist.

*She should have told him* she argued with herself, he *should* know. But in the end she hadn’t. He’d made her promise that she’d keep herself safe on the long journey south, and she’d nodded silently - unable to fully commit to the promise.

Her hands were shaking on the reins as the scenery of the highlands passed them by. Soon the hum of the city began to drift through the hills as the land flattened a little.

Nearly there…

She whispered to herself as riders on the road became more prevalent. The sounds of their muffled conversations soothed her a little and she started to pay more attention to Mama Crooks’ instructions.

They would first get settled at the inn, then they would separate and each go off in search of their own respective items. Claire had spoken of seeking out some new herbs. She’d run out of valerian root and she knew how popular that could be with some of the inhabitants of Broch Tuarach. Then, if she were caught in the company of her less reputable friends, Mrs Crook wouldn’t question why.

Claire had always been a good girl, she’d obeyed instructions, learned well and been adept at following the rules as requested. This was the first time that she’d been actively duplicitous.

As if to remind her of her awful decision, the tiniest flutter of butterflies tingled in her stomach. Her little visitor was making herself known more frequently these days and Claire couldn't deny the bond that had built between her and the bairn.

Shaking her head, she dismounted the pony and handed her over to the stable hand The more she thought about the baby, the more the idea of ridding herself of the burden of her (or him) became impossible to go through with.

‘Did ye hear me, Claire?” Mama Crook chirped, seeing that Claire was in fact away with the fairies.

“No, sorry mama, what was that?”

“Ye need to be back here for supper, aye? I dinna want you wandering these streets on yer own once the sun has set. Do ye understand?”

Claire nodded. Mama Crook worried for her, and the older she got - the more she worried, it seemed. Claire had wrongly assumed it would go the other way. But with Claire still seemingly alone with no marital prospects, Mrs Crook had quietly become concerned. Not many men would pass up the opportunity to wed Claire, she was a fine young woman with a bright future. Claire, however seemed to pay little attention to the opposite sex which in itself was concerning. She also didn’t see the danger in spurning their advances.

“I promise, mama,” she whispered, kissing Mrs Crook’s cheek in familial affection as she turned and disappeared off into the bustling crowds of Inverness.

--

It only took Claire a few moments to track Geillis Duncan down. Gellie was the subject of many a rumour, but her marriage to a high-borne litigator made her untouchable. She was a suspected witch and known abortionist.

Claire’s heart was pounding as she followed her friend through the large lounge area of her home and up into her private suites.

“And what news do ye have, Claire?” Gellie crooned, her eyes surveying Claire as if she were prey. Geillis knew. Claire could tell by the glint in her eye.

Claire swallowed. She shouldn’t have to say the words, but she knew Geillis well enough that the woman wasn’t going to let her off easily.

“I need your help, Gellie, on a *private* matter…” Claire returned, her voice cracking slightly as she spoke.

Tipping her head to the side, Geillis squinted, a wry smile appearing on her face. “Aye, go on then. Dinna make me wait to hear it.”

“I made a mistake, a rather large one,” Claire began, sweat gathering on her palms as she shifted her feet against the crude wooden floorboards. “If I don’t...if I can’t see it finished, I’ll lose everything.”

‘Are ye sure?” Geillis replied, a slight hint of worry in her tone. “There are no other options other than this?”

“N-no..at least I don't think so.” The slight indecision showed in her response and Geillis took the chance to verbally warn Claire of the dangers.

“I have a lassie to see me in a moment, maybe you should attend - help me a wee bit - and then ye can see for yerself the dangers of it.” Reaching out, Gellie took hold of Claire’s tepid hand and rubbed the back of it slowly in solid camaraderie. “You’re my only friend, Claire. I want to see ye safe, aye?”

Nodding, Claire slumped into the high backed chair by the fire, something akin to relief flooding her bones as she silently agreed to Geillis’s proposal. “Alright, what do I need to do?”

“No’ much. Just pass me the tools as I ask for them and dinna make a sound.”

--

Somber silence filled the room as only the sound of the ticking clock echoed around them. Claire did as she was bid, watching as the sun began to set behind her. She was going to be so late, meaning Mama Crook would be angry at her. But she couldn’t walk away now - she was in too deep.

The poor young lass who’d come seeking Geillis’s services was shivering, flat on her back with her legs parted, she’d told Claire and Gellie the sad tale of the rich captains who’d ridden inland from port on a small detour. One in particular had wooed her with false promises, taking her to bed and then fleeing for the hills once he’d realised his error. Left alone with the prospect of raising an illegitimate child, the woman had sought instead to rid herself of the baby. As much to protect it from a life of poverty and servitude as to protect her own shaky reputation.

It was just as Geillis was about to make the first incision that a large banging rattled the door. Pounding, the guards broke the lock and plowed their way in - not waiting for an invitation.

Claire gapped at the men, dressed head to toe in the very recognisable British army uniform. Dropping the knife she held in one hand, she took one measured step backwards, raising her hands in submission as the leader of the group marched forwards.

“Halt! I am under orders,” he barked, his eyes cold and hard as they focused on Claire. He grabbed at her arms, tugged her towards him without stopping to ask the meaning of their gathering. “I am here to stop these unlawful activities. Geillis Duncan, you are hereby charged…”

“She,” Geillis piped up, her tone harsh and unyielding, “is no’ Geillis Duncan, you wee fool! I am!”

The officer kept hold of Claire, dragging her across the floor until he reached Geillis.

One nod and his men had her arms pulled tightly behind her back. Claire cried out, pain ripping through her left arm as the unnamed Englishman thrust her forwards. “Well,” he sneered, his fingers tightening on Claire’s wrist as he brought her almost nose to nose with him. Claire balked. “It is of no matter, you are in the presence of this foul deed, and so you will be coming with us also.”

Losing the will to fight it, Claire stumbled forwards as the officer dragged her through the lounge and out into the dull Inverness street. Tying her hands in front of her, he made a solid knot between her wrists, ensuring that the rough rope rubbed against her fragile skin.

“I n-need to tell mama, she’ll be cross,” Claire managed to cry out as she was unceremoniously dumped into the back of a heavily guarded prison wagon, “please, have mercy!”

“Ha!” A taller gentleman of larger build stepped forwards as the door slammed shut in her face, “mercy? Like you would have had on that poor child! No, mistress. Take them away!”

--

Sliding her arms around her knees, Claire sat on the small prison cot and wept. Surely Mama Crook would have discovered her fate by now. And if she had, Claire knew she was in big bother. She shouldn’t have accepted Geillis’s invitation in the first place. She knew her friend had enough of a sway with the courts that she’d probably get her convictions dismissed as soon as they were levelled at her. Claire, however, had no such pull.

As the night drew on, the babe seemed to nudge at her insides, a constant reminder of Jamie.

Christ, Jamie. What would he do once he got wind of this?

She had, of course, protested her innocence. Claire had claimed Gellie simply provided her with medicinal herbs and she had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. It had all been pointless, though. Her protests had gone unheeded and she’d been left in this cold, dank, cell to await her fate.

Claire was certain that she could hear the telltale creak of the noose as she rocked back and forwards, the cold seeping slowing through her clothes as dawn began to break outside.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have even gone there…” she murmured, her words becoming fainter and fainter as night paved way for day and the sun peaked high in the sky. “I’m so sorry.”

--

It was the rattle of the door that brought her out of her self-loathing.

“Alright, lass,” the Scots guard called, his voice a friendly break in the quiet monotony, “your master has spoken for ye. It seems yer right, and you are free to go...this time.” His voice broke on the last word, his meaning altogether too clear. Be caught in the wrong place again and her freedom wouldn’t be so easy to obtain.

“Thank you,” Claire stuttered as she crawled to stand, her joints aching from sitting still for so long. Her stomach growled as she slunk towards the exit, worried about what she was about to face but hungry nevertheless. It had been hours since she’d last eaten and the bairn didn’t much appreciate being starved, no matter how small she was.

Outside, Brian Fraser waited with Mama Crook by his side, a disappointed look covering his weatherbeaten face.

Claire’s head dipped as she saw them waiting for her, an embarrassed blush covering her face as she rubbed her sore wrists.

“Come, Claire,” Brian ordered, leaving no room for discussion or argument as he wrapped his arm around Claire’s shoulders and led her from the dingy jail.

The ride home was wet and miserable. Neither Brian or Mama Crook spoke to Claire, not to voice their displeasure at finding her locked away by the redcoats or to ask if she was recovering well from her ordeal. Feeling the tension, she kept her thoughts to herself, leaving the matter of her incarceration to fester as they finally broke through the Fraser borders.

Just before reaching the rise that would bring them down upon Lallybroch, though, Brian stopped the party. With one hand raised, Claire pulled her horse to halt and waited with baited breath.

“Nobody down there knows what I’ve just been privy too, Claire,” he spoke, his voice low and serious. “Mrs Crook and I shall keep it that way. But I don’t *ever* want to hear of ye in the presence of that woman ever again. Do you hear me?”

Claire’s stomach dropped, bile rising up the back of her throat as she bit back the urge to vomit rather than respond to Brian’s kind gesture.

Instead she nodded - avoiding losing the small breadcrumbs Mama Crook had fed to her on the road.

“I ken ye mean well, lass. She gave ye good advice and until now, she has been a good teacher for you. Your healing is incredible and she’s certainly helped ye a lot wi’ that. But to be caught witnessing an *abortion*, Claire,”

Claire’s eyes filled with tears, the moisture spilling over and down her cheeks as her chin wobbled. She wanted to sob, but held herself back. Brian truly had believed her. He hadn’t thought she had gone for any reason other than to gather more herbs and the realisation of that sunk straight to the marrow of her.

“That’s a sin. A mortal one. And Geillis Duncan shouldna be partaking in such an act.”

“I didn't know, I promise,” Claire lied, her need to protect the relationship built between her and Brian overruling her need to be honest in that moment.

“I ken, Claire,” he sighed, his eyes not wavering from hers as he gazed sadly at her. “But she canna be yer friend any longer. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” Claire whispered, licking her dry lips as she dipped her chin and dragged in a large breath.

Grunting, Brian nodded and turned, ushering his horse onwards and Claire followed studiously behind.

--

Locking herself in her room, Claire flopped onto her small bed, fear sweeping through her now as the reality of her evening hit home hard. Brian was true to his word. He hadn’t told Ellen, Jamie or Jenny the reason for his hasty departure to Inverness, only that Mrs Crook and Claire had needed him to settle business on an urgent matter.

Cradling her belly, Claire shushed the rumbling, her heart lightening at the prospect of her inability to complete on her original mission. Whatever was to come, this child was apart of it and Claire now had to accept that inevitable truth.

Staring at the shelves full of books, Claire pulled the thin sheet over her, not bothering to remove her skirts as a sickening shudder rolled through her.

She had come *so close* to doing something horrific and the sudden shock of that irrational decision chiseled at her soul.

Close, but she’d been stopped. Closing her eyes, Claire rubbed her abdomen lovingly. “You’re mine now,” she sighed, the slow thud of her heart lulling her to sleep, “mine and I won’t let you go.”