#a rabbit's wolfsbane

[arsonistbunny]

A Rabbit’s Wolfsbane, pages 56 & 57 First ♦ Previous ♦ Next

never thought id teach myself to draw water on skin for a fnaf comic

[kailuuart]

[evilhorse]

New Mutants #27

[calisources]

BOUND   TO   THE   MOON.   all   sentences   and   tropes   actions   are   based   around   the   concept   of   lycantrophy   and   werewolves.   taken   from   different   media   across   literature,   television   and   movies.   you   can   change   the   names,   pronouns   and   locations   as   you   see   fit. beware of warnings regarding body horror, harm and such.

SENTENCES AND QUOTES.

I'm a werewolf trapped in a human body.

When was the last time you shape-shifted?

I was going to fight vampires, and my name wasn't Buffy--I was so screwed.

A fucked-up family's a fucked-up family, whether or not werewolves are involved.

A werewolf is courting me with a dead rabbit. There’s nothing subtle here.

Why go for something cold and dead, when you can have something hot and panting?

No shifting in my car Blake,I don't want to slobber all over my seats.

Once a month, for one evening, we are free to wear our natural skins. We are on the outside as we are internally.

I warned you if you got any closer, I'd devour you.

You're my mate. The distance won't change that. It never has.

When the full moon rises and the wolfsbane blooms, you will be as cursed as I am.

The bite is a gift.

Why do you always have to prove you are the Alpha male?

I don’t need to prove anything, love, I am the Alpha male.

I tried to kill a werewolf, I failed. Now I feel like I'm not living up to the version of my best self.

If it were a choice, it wouldn't be called "a curse"

Werewolves will attack humans, but instinct in centuries of rivalry have hard-wired them to hunt their prey of choice. Vampires.

Hundreds of years ago vampires hunted them to almost to extinction.

Legend has it that a werewolf bite is fatal to vampires.

Werewolves are stronger in groups. That’s why they form packs. 

No one wants to be the Omega of the pack.

I was a small boy when I received the bite. My parents tried everything, but in those days there was no cure.

Well, I'm so sorry that I can't be the right kind of monster for you, Bella.

The truth is if a werewolf behaved like this psychopath it wouldn't be because he was part animal, but because he was still too human. Only humans kill for sport.

You've tasted the power. How can you not want more? What is it you care about so much?

I healed when we were all together again when we were a pack.

Now, you being the first werewolf I’ve come across in many a moon, pun intended.

You're not a monster. You're a werewolf.

It’s fascinating, actually. A werewolf who isn’t beholden to the moon, a vampire who doesn’t burn in the sun. A true hybrid.

You've been bitten. Bitten by a werewolf. Now you will become that which you have hunted so passionately.

The ancients thought pure metals purified the blood.

Tyler has to kill someone to activate his curse. He's not a werewolf yet.

Sorry about your pet wolf. You should have kept him on a tighter leash.

You might be an alpha, but you’re not mine.

Yes you. Glow your eyes at it. Something. Be the Alpha.

He is going around building his pack.

There’s no such thing as werewolves.

It’s wolfsbane. It’s like toxic for werewolves, hurts them.

Did you forgot today is a full moon?

Whoever is bitten by a werewolf and lives becomes a werewolf himself.

Just like us. Werewolves.

Start the car. Or I'm gonna rip your throat out. With my teeth.

Do you want to earn a place in his pack? You want redemption? Find another way to stand and fight.

We have to go. It’s werewolf territory.

You're cooking up werewolves out of every self-esteem deprived adolescent in town.

Do you know why wolves hunt in packs? It's because their favorite prey are too large to be brought down by one wolf alone.

You've been given something that most people would kill for. The bite is a gift!

You're one of mine, aren't you?

What's it like when it comes over you?

Every single bone in your body breaks.

Sometimes the transformaction can take up to hours. Specially the first couple of times.

Are those chains in the wall?

Don't get yourself killed for a human. She is not one of us.

Our packs have...a long history of animosity.

You can't be here! Get out, now!

What did I do?

I found others like me. They are helping me...get better.

I can smell him all over you.

Maybe the wolf was in love with the moon and each month they cried out for a love it would never touch.

Werewolves mate for life. You can't just runaway.

The lone wolf dies but the pack survives.

You are one of us, even when you haven't realized it.

I could recognize that scent everywhere.

You are the next in line. To be the Alpha.

A beta can always challenge an Alpha if they consider them weak.

Most challenges end with one wolf dying.

ACTIONS. add a +reverse if you want the reverse action.

[BITE]: sender bit receiver and now receiver is experiencing the fever of the bite.

[ENEMY PACK]: sender and receiver are from rival packs and get into a fight.

[LYCAN ROMANCE]: form rival packs, sender and receiver begin a forbidden romance.

[DISCOVERY]: sender finds out receiver secret lairer where he turns.

[WARM]: sender is a werewolf and cuddles to receiver side to warm them up.

[ITS YOU]: receiver realized the wolf they found it's sender.

[FOR THE PACK]: sender and receiver get married to join their packs into one.

[NATURE IS AGAINST US]: sender is a vampire and receiver is a werewolf who fall for each other.

[MATES]: sender declares receiver their mate.

[FOCUS ON ME]: receiver helps sender to calm down after they turn.

[ITS A GIFT]: sender bites receiver to save their lives.

[NAKED]: sender is without clothes the morning after turning and needs clothes. they arrive at receiver door for help.

[PROTECTION]: sender protects receiver whole in werewolf form.

[ONE OF US]: sender discovers that receiver didn't attack them because they are also a werewolf.

[ALL OF YOU]: sender witnesses receiver turn into a werewolf .

[fakescenariosbeforesleepblog]

Next time I see you.

Soap x reader x könig.

This is my first time writing and posting something, please be nice, this is a long story, have mercy lol. Gif is not mine, if the story is good give me a ♥️.

Warning: English is not my first language, you will find some grammatical mistakes.

You worked so hard with that team, you trained hard to prove you belonged there but, you fell in love. There wasn't a bigger mistake than that.

Soap, a sergeant, oh god, that man loved you too much, he just wanted to protect you, at first it was sweet but then it was annoying, you didn't become a soldier to never receive some hits, you wanted more action, you wanted more adrenaline and danger, you needed to improve your skills, be stronger, be at your limit but he was always there taking care of you, protecting you as if you were a porcelain doll, by extension, the rest of the team started to keep an eye on you, everything just became worse, you ended your relationship and still there were they, always protecting you.

- Oh! Come on Bunny, I just tried to protect you, you could die out there!

- Soap! I don't need protection! My Job is the same as yours! How do you expect me to be better if you keep putting me inside a bubble?

- listen... I love you, I don't want to think about losing you for a fucking bullet or a fucking knife or something worse!

- You can't protect me all the time Soap, I'm not fragile, I'm not a fucking deer or a fucking bunny! I'm tired of that nickname btw! I want to know how far I can go...

- How far you can go? Listen to yourself! This is not a fucking game, you're here to make the world better not to prove how strong or brave you are!

- it's not what I meant to say! Just... I can't do this anymore, I can't!

-...what? What are you talking about?

- It's over! All of this! This job, this team, this place, this fucking relationship! I love you Johnny but you're killing me in more than one way, I'm sorry, but I can't do it, I will not continue with this situation.

He just looked into your tired eyes, he didn't try to stop you, he knew he ruined your relationship, he lost you but not in the way he was constantly expecting.

After some months you decided you had enough, you left, disappeared without saying goodbye or giving a good reason, you thought you would never see them again or at least not in a long time.

Finally you had the job you always wanted, good payment, mates who let you do your job, you were feral and lethal, now, you were no longer a scared deer or a small rabbit, you were a wild predator, always ready to attack.

You were in a new relationship too, your colonel, König. He saw all your potential from the beginning, pushed you to your limit and taught you all he knew, he loved you, he respected you and was always helping and supporting you to be the better version of yourself, you fell hard for him.

You're his and he's yours, and he can't be more happy, proud and grateful because honestly, You're not only a wonderful girlfriend, you're a magnificent soldier and a very good addition to KorTac.

This new you, this new life, everything fit perfectly, until... destiny decided to play with you.

The small meeting was quick, there wasn't much to say, just details of the mission, still, könig looked very serious.

- This mission sounds easy and simple but it's important, we can't mess it up, okay? So Horangi and Wolfsbane, together. You will go for our informant, we need him alive.

You and Horangi smiled at each other, you were good friends and worked well together.

-Yes sir.

- understand.

- The rest of us, we'll clean the area, simple but still... We don't have chances for mistakes, understand?

There wasn't silence, everybody replied with a simple « Yes sir ».

- Any questions?

You saw the map with the location of the hostage, it looked familiar but you weren't sure, your curiosity talked for you.

- Sir, are we going to confront somebody else? This location is very isolated but maybe there will be more people trying to take the hostage too.

- No, we shouldn't have any problem, unless the informant tried to put any resistance or put us in the eye of the hurricane and someone appears, In that case, kill everybody who tries to stop you. NO MERCY, NO MISTAKES. Do y'all understand?

- YES SIR!!!

You were feeling something was out of place, an unusual vibe In the air, you didn't know what it was, you only felt something was wrong. Horangi noticed it, he knows you were not focused this time.

- Hey, you good?

- Uh? Oh... Yes, sorry I was just thinking if I already have all I will need. Let's go buddy, let's do this!.

You tried to sound calm and ready but you weren't, your senses were playing with you.

You look at König who was also very quiet and you could see how his mind is full of thoughts, you know him, he was elaborating more than one plan, just in case.

He finally feels your eyes on him, he walks in your direction and his big hand takes yours.

- Are you alright, Meine Liebe?

You nod, and fix something on his mask, while he puts on your own mask, he's still looking at you, you both know there's an unknown elephant filling the room.

- Schätz, I know you very well, I know there's something on your mind, I will not force you to tell me, I just want you to know that everything will be fine, I trust all of you, we will be fine.

You look at him one more time, you can't see his face but you're sure he's smiling at you, even with the mask you already know every expression, and without noticing you're smiling at him too, then, he kissed your hand In response. Both walked to the trucks and joined with the rest of the team.

The trip to the location was quick, the small conversation with the team helped you to relax, before you and Horangi separated from them, König let you know how much he loved you and asked you to take care, he wanted his team back to the base in one piece.

You and Horangi waited for König's approval to get inside to capture the objective, once there, the game started, König's voice sounded on your ear, letting you and all the team know that you're not alone.

- We have company! Some soldiers are here, secure our hostage, kill everybody who tries to take him!

All the team replied with a simple:

- copy!

You and Horangi were planning how to protect the hostage and yourself, which routes follow to arrive at the rendezvous point, until a window broke and the next thing you saw was a man jumping on Horangi, you took the hostage and without thinking you put the gun on his head, you knew this would turn into a negotiation or a race to see who dies first, your partner or your hostage, everything got blurry for a second when your enemy's face became to a familiar one.

- Let that man go now or I will kill your partner! All depends on you buddy!

You smiled under your mask, this man who you thought you would never see again is in front of you trying to put your nerves on charge of your next movements.

- I will not do such a thing... Sergeant.

You saw it in his eyes, he recognized your voice and still he couldn't believe it, this was your chance to take advantage.

- Bunny?... Is that you? What the hell are you... No, you're not with these people, tell me you're not...

You took off your mask, you wanted to show the new you, you had him out of balance, you saw how his mind was doing a mess with him.

- I'm no longer a Bunny, my new friends call me Wolfsbane, now let my partner go and I will not kill this not so innocent man.

You looked at Horangi who already knew what you were doing, he was ready to attack as soon as you gave him any sign.

Soap was out of his mind, his precious little bunny was now looking at him with uninterested eyes, cold and distant, his thoughts were distracting him of his mission, you were ready to give the sign to Horangi when Soap's radio spoke.

- Soap, where are you? let's go, they're more than we estimated, bring the hostage now!

Both were ready to speak when yours made a sound too. König needed your report.

- Horangi, Wolfsbane, report me, where are you? We will go to help...

- A little difficulties but all good sir, we can handle it, the hostage is still safe.

You interrupt your colonel, you didn't allow him to come to your rescue, you were sure you could handle it.

- Don't take too long guys, we have to leave soon.

- Copy.

You turned off your radio, looked at both and pressed your gun harder on your hostage head.

- You heard your captain, soap, we're too much for you to handle, and you heard mine, we don't have time to play, so... Let's make this simpler, I'll let this man go and you will let my partner go too, I already have the information I need, this piece of shit is not important for my boss anymore. What do u think? It's a good deal...

- look at you, you're a very different person... Who are you now? I barely recognize you...

- I'm not here to talk, I'm here for business! I'm giving you the chance to do this in the easy way, answer now or I shoot you and him.

Your cold attitude was Killing him, he wasn't thinking clearly, before he could even say a word u gave Horangi a quick sign, then Soap was on the floor.

The two of you and the hostage were running out of the room when soap took you by the leg, you put resistance instantly, fighting against your once lover. Horangi stopped on his tracks ready to help, his gun ready to end with Soap but something inside you reacted and before your brain could stop your mouth, you yelled at Horangi.

- Go, take the hostage now! I'll distract him, Go!

Horangi doubted for a second but nodded and while he was leaving he asked you not to take much time or he would be a dead man.

You give a wonderful fight, soap was very distracted by his own mind, your radio turned on once again and your Colonel's angry voice was filling the room.

- Wolfsbane, report! Where are you?...

No response from you, you're too busy to speak.

- meine Königin... where are you? I'll go to look for you.

You had a knife ready to cut Soap's throat, and yet... You couldn't do it, you knew you needed to do it and you couldn't. You threw your knife away and hit him repeatedly, he wasn't fighting you anymore, he was too heartbroken to fight you, you never saw him like that but it wasn't time to be weak.

- I'm on my way to join Horangi Sir, I already finished here, the hostage is safe.

- copy, I want all of you here NOW. Let's go home, meine liebling.

Before you answered to König, you looked one more time to Soap, he was on his knees you saw on his eyes how he was still putting the puzzle pieces together.

You took his face on your hands and kissed his forehead, before he could say something you put your mask on again and spoke first.

- This could be different Soap, but now, this is the way I choose, I will not have mercy next time I see you.

You took your radio and said with a soft and sweet voice:

- yes, mission successful, let's go home my love...

The last memory of Soap was your boot on his face, and the shadow of your body shape running away.

[direwombat]

she wip on my wednes till i day or something (etc., etc.)

tagged by @ivymarquis, @socially-awkward-skeleton, and @inafieldofdaisies (tysm y'all~!)

tagging: @strangefable, @voidika, @madparadoxum, @adelaidedrubman, @aceghosts, @josephslittledeputy, @g0dspeeed, @simplegenius042, @miyabilicious, @trench-rot, @strafethesesinners, @confidentandgood, @poetikat, @cassietrn, and anyone else with something to share this wednesday! (to be added/removed from the taglist please like/reply to this post!)

writing has been going at a snail's pace, but here's the intro to the first jacob pov scene in the werewolf au (he's sooooooo normal and not creepy at all <;3)

Jacob is running through the woods. 

His paws fly over the uneven terrain, pausing just long enough to sniff the air before taking off once again. Last night’s hunt had been an overwhelming success. After months of trying to pinpoint the exact location of the Hunter’s cabin, it was a fucking Sheriff’s Deputy that led the pack straight to him. The Hunter knew they were on his trail -- he’d been acting skittish, paranoid, doing a better job of covering his scent and tracks -- but the look of sheer surprise and terror in his eyes when Jacob had bust down the door to his cabin had been priceless.

In the end, Chad Wolanski bled and died just like anyone else. He was weak. Fragile. Human.

And he’d had his Betas leave a message for Eli, just to remind him that no matter how many silver bullets he and his crew may have -- no matter how much wolfsbane -- the second claws and teeth are close enough to rip into flesh and rend it from the bone, it’s over.

Of course, his own pack isn’t without weakness, and it’s weakness that he’s currently trying to root out. The junior-most member of the Hunt was an initiate, newly turned, and somewhere along the way, he failed the test. He lost himself to the bloodlust and went feral, the Wolf taking over and consuming his human mind. 

He was weak. He gave into the beast rather than controlling it. He’s now a threat to the Pack. They didn’t survive for as long as they have by allowing their failed recruits to run amok and terrorize the sleepy little backwater county. Humans may be slow, frail, and stupid, but an increase in violent animal attacks is something that they’d notice. And after this little display of showmanship, it’s best they lay low until the Blood Moon, when Joseph says that all their waiting and patience will finally be worth it.

So, in the meantime, it’s Jacob’s duty to find the whelp and put him down before he kills too many other people. 

He sent his Chosen out to scour the county in search of the Feral, while he, himself, has been combing the woods around St. Francis since dawn -- just in case the little pest comes back home, groveling and begging for mercy.

He stops for a moment as the wind changes directions. Sticking his nose into the air, he sniffs and catches a familiar scent. Not the one he’s looking for, but it gets his ears perking up, and his lips pulling tight as he bares his teeth. 

Deputy La Roux. 

He’s smelled her the few times he’d seen her around Falls End, but it was always muted and muddied by the stench of all the other humans around her. It was only last night that he got a good, unfiltered whiff, and once he made it past the thick blanket of tobacco, she was nothing short of delicious. His tongue lolls out his mouth at the memory of her pulse racing like a rabbit’s, all frightened and tender. It took every ounce of his willpower to not salivate at the sweet, [another adjective] that came through the small crack of her rolled down window. Every heartbeat made the vein in her neck throb, and were it not for the body of her truck serving as a barrier between them, the Wolf inside him would have made a compelling argument of sinking his teeth into her, just to get a taste. 

He wouldn’t have even killed her. He would have been content to lick at the sweat beading on her skin and her pulse jumping against his tongue; to hear the little gasps and moans she made as he pinned her down, asserting his dominance. There’s a sharpness to her, one that tells him she’d fight back -- claw and buck against him, snarling and gnashing her teeth -- and he’s curious as to what it would take to get her to submit. What would he have to do to get her rolling over onto her back, bearing the soft, fleshy parts of herself to him, and him only.

Then he had followed her to Eli’s hunting cabin where he smelled the sweet scent of her arousal, and he’d nearly lost control. He’s no stranger to the smell of sex. The Bitches at Joseph’s compound are kept well bred by their Mates. Establishing a strong bloodline, a pedigree, is important to Joseph and to the Project -- it’s their only way of being taken seriously as an actual Pack -- but Jacob never felt any kind of possessive draw towards any of them. They’re all taken, bonded, and mated. 

But her…

For the love of the Full Moon, he wants her so bad. The Wolf wanted nothing more than to charge into that cabin, rip Eli’s throat out, and make her his. Show her what a real hunter looks like. His own arousal got to the point where he had to satisfy his lust with blood instead, and had gone off to kill a moose on his own, all because he was so angry that he wasn’t the one making her cunt dip or pulling those cries of pleasure from her lips.

[dxrkenedheights]

where: the castle

with: astrid alfsson and esje grimm @wilddwcrds

★・・・・・・★

The Visser pack, like a storm claiming the sky, have seized a chamber within the castle's walls for their training sessions. To the townsfolk, it might seem as if they've staked their claim so firmly that nobody wishes to even enter and join them. Astrid like a wandering cloud, pays little attention to the instructions that Esje is to be trained by Roan. Her friend's escapades with Loki, the two of them escaping to the castle together hardly avoid notice, though battle might not always be the reason for their disappearances.

As Esje slips out of the training room, Astrid's hand finds her friend's shoulder, twirling the Grimm back through the door. "Not so fast, little white haired wolf." she chides and her tone is a playful melody. "If Loki and Roan are to tutor you in the art of combat, then I, Astrid Alfsson, daughter of Skadi and Torben Alfsson must teach you the art of archery." she declares with an air of jesting authority and her finger rises to Esje's lips, silencing any protest before it can escape. "And don't argue. I know you're already a skilled hunter, but this is different. Well, mostly. There are similarities, I'll grant you that much. When hunting rabbits, we aim for the heart. But sinking a vervain-soaked arrow into a vampire's eye? Exquisite satisfaction. And there's a certain joy in seeing a wolfsbane-laced arrow find its mark in a wolf. I have already made you a bow." she gestures to the two on either of her shoulders, grinning proudly.

[sliebman10]

Soil

Padfoot ran through the property with Moony hot on his heels. He caught an unfamiliar scent that distracted him completely. Nosing in the soil in front of the house, he caught the scent again and found himself face to face with a brown rabbit.

The rabbit peered at him with alert, scared eyes as a pair of yellow eyes appeared. Padfoot huffed and put his head down for the rabbit to sniff but it stood stock still. Moony had taken the Wolfsbane potion so he was not about to hurt the rabbit but it didn't know that.

Moony seemed to understand and crouched down, the rabbit looked back and forth between the two larger animals and turned around and ran. When it was gone, Moony got up and shook the dirt out of his fur, only to be tackled onto his back by Padfoot.

@wolfstarmicrofic

[skyward-floored]

Immediate thoughts (I just flippin love superheroes okay):

Twilight - Wolfsbane.

Legend - Pink Phantom lol probably just Phantom.

Hyrule - …maybe Sentry?

Wind - Tempest! Hurricane! Zephyr~

Four - ...all I got is Multiple Man lol ummmm something like Propagator?

is that all the unnamed kiddos?

Yeah that’s all of them! Though I might change Wild’s since I’m not sure it’s quite his style. Still thinking.

These are nice! I was actually thinking about some names after I got off last night, and some of these are similar to ideas I had XD Wind especially, I was thinking I might actually go with Hurricane for him even before I saw your ask!

Twilight I think I want something more night-like for his name, but also wolffish? Like, like Dusk Wolf, or Lycan-Night, or something clever like that. Wolfsbane is cool too, I’m just not sure how well it fits Twi.

Phantom for Legend is neat, but it also makes me think of spirit tracks so I don’t know if it would be the best for him since he’s got nothing to do with that... something that focuses on his invisibility does make the most sense though, since he tends to use it much more than his rabbit form. If only he was purple instead of pink, Ultraviolet would be a pretty cool name since it’s off the visible spectrum and all. Infrared maybe?

Hyrule... I dunno. I feel like I wrote some ideas down for him one time, but I can’t find where I wrote them, and don’t remember what they were, heh. I’m trying to think of names they themselves would pick, but Hyrule... is tricky 😅

And Four is even trickier. My immediate thought was ‘Tricolor’! But then I remembered there’s four of him, and ‘Quadcolor’ doesn’t have the same ring to it 🤣 Multi-Color? Polychromatic? Prismatic? Could steal the name of a tfh boss and call him Prismantis maybe...

[5am-the-foxing-hour]

Did my Wolfsbane au come and fucking kick me down into it's rabbit holes of ideas and lore and make me remember it existed again?

Yes.

Yes it did.

Gdi XD

[arsonistbunny]

A Rabbit’s Wolfsbane, pages 50 & 51 First ♦ Previous ♦ Next

So glad to properly introduce Cassidy in all her range and so incredible to finally draw William truly vulnerable. We're heading to a new flashback. c:

[morningstargirl666]

WIP WEDNESDAY #1

Divide We Fall - Chapter 2 -

I got a lovely comment on this fic recently, so I decided to share something from it. I do intend to update it eventually but I’m stuck in the middle of the chapter 😭 I’ve written the beginning and the end, its just the middle that’s giving me grief lol. I’m pretty sure I’ve shared bits and pieces from this before, but then I rewrote it at some point, and it’s going to be a lot of words, so might as well share the beginning, eh?

________

The first time Klaus killed a man, it was a mistake. An accident. A slip of control. 

He had always known one day he would take a life, that one day he’d have to swing his sword and go for the killing blow, and not the playful parry he would exchange with the likes of Elijah or Kol. Mikael always claimed he didn’t have the stomach for it, that when the moment came, Klaus would freeze and his enemy would slay him where he stood. For a long time, those words haunted him, still too much the little boy who would bring baby starlings to his mother’s door hoping she could save them, rescuing the little feathery things after they fell from the safety of their nest. Or still too much the wiry teenager who handed the knife to his younger sister when he couldn’t bring himself to slit the trembling rabbit’s throat, caught in one of their father’s traps. Rebekah always was better with a knife than he was, he used to tell himself. It wasn’t because he was weak. It wasn’t.

He forced himself to believe that it would be different, that for family, he would do anything to save them. Even if it meant staring his enemy in the eye and watching the life drain from their eyes.

But the first time he killed a man, Klaus didn’t look into his eyes as he died. He was too busy ripping apart the man’s throat, gorging on the blood gushing out of his carotid artery, vision white from the euphoria and bloodlust, finally, finally quenching his thirst. Then he moved onto the next villager, a girl a few years older than him this time, one that he once picked flowers for back when he was fourteen summers old and hopelessly sweet on her. She wouldn’t stop screaming, he would remember afterwards, but in the moment he was too busy feeding to notice because he was so, so hungry and he just wanted his throat to stop hurting, why did it hurt so much? 

And why was the girl’s skin cold under his touch? Why were his clothes soaked in blood? W-Why was he out on a full moon? Why, mother, why, why does it hurt so much-

His victims did not die an honourable death. He wasn’t slaying his enemies in battle, carving a tally of his kills onto the pommel of his sword like Mikael used to do. This wasn’t even a fair fight.

This was a slaughter.

Those first few decades as a vampire - even the first century - were stained by the blood on his hands he never did quite wash off, no matter how hard he scrubbed them raw. Back then he still had some slither of mercy; back before Niklaus became Klaus.

And that was the lesson he learned the hard way: this world had no room for Niklaus, the little boy who crushed flowers and berries into paint and saved little starlings that had fallen from the nest. This world was cruel and vicious, and if Klaus wanted to survive, he’d have to be cruel and vicious too. Ruthless. Dangerous.

One might say he succeeded in that goal far too well.

Blood sprayed across the walls, bodies dropping left and right as he tore through the soldiers, teeth bared and claws extended. His monstrous visage flashed in the darkness every time a gun fired, the flash of the bullet illuminating his form for barely a second before he attacked, the last sight the soldiers saw before they met their end. Even their vervain and wolfsbane-laced bullets couldn’t stop him; the hybrid moving too fast for them to aim accurately, any lucky shots only enraging him further, lethal fangs going for the throat in a vicious display of violence.

One by one, the soldiers fell. And one by one, Klaus let the snarl twist and curl across his face, driven feral by the maddening smell of blood in the air. Eventually, only one soldier remained, a frightened cadet all alone in the dark. The man shakily raised his gun, aiming for centre mass.

Klaus pounced, grabbing the assault rifle with one hand and pointing it to the ceiling just as the soldier opened fire. In a single motion, Klaus had thrust his hand into the soldier’s chest, clawing through his insides and tearing out the heart without hesitation. It was over in seconds, the soldier’s heart falling from Klaus’ fingers moments after the body fell.

A fierce grin stretched across his blood-splattered face and Klaus raised his hand, about to lick the blood off his fingers. Then a gun cocked behind his head.

Klaus froze.

“Don’t move, beast.” A voice spat.

Klaus dared to tilt his head slightly in the hunter’s direction. He couldn’t be killed, but even a wooden bullet to the head would still knock him out for the foreseeable future, and he’d rather not give the human such an opportunity to incapacitate him. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.

He considered possible paths to take, calculated whether he was fast enough to dodge the bullet at such close range. Klaus decided to take the chance. He raised his hands slowly, faking surrender. Unknown to the hunter, his eyes were blazing yellow, black veins crawling across his cheeks as his fangs erupted from his gums.

Then he spun, a blur of motion-

Muscles tensing, senses firing-

Eyes widening at the sight of the barrel of the gun closer than he guessed-

Suddenly, he was shoved backwards as another blur pushed the hunter’s handgun to the side as it fired, the bullet only just skimming its intended target - his head. Klaus stared as Caroline leaped onto the soldier’s front, legs around his waist, golden hair flying around her like a halo, tearing away the protective gear that covered the human’s neck and sinking her fangs into his carotid artery. The human screamed, deafening, piercing in its agony, Caroline ravaging the flesh at his neck. In a matter of seconds, she had snapped his spine, falling with his body to the concrete floor that was already stained red with pools of the hunter’s blood.

Silence fell.

Caroline’s heavy breaths were the only thing that broke it. Klaus watched as she slowly got to her feet, stumbling slightly as she tripped over the body, turning around to face him. Her lips and the skin around her mouth were bloody, the red liquid dripping down her chin and smearing her beautiful complexion. A few strands of her golden hair were sticky, smothered in blood, framing her furious expression as she kicked the prone body for good measure. Her chest heaved as she regained her breath, neck flushed from exertion, drawing his attention to her cleavage.

Klaus swallowed, all the heat in his body travelling south.

“Caroline.” He breathed softly, barely believing she was standing in front of him after all these years. Their eyes met, and for a moment time seemed to slow, Klaus reminded of the last time she had looked at him like that, watching him leave that day in the woods.

Then that moment was broken, Caroline’s eyes flickering to something over his shoulder, widening in panic.

“GET DOWN!”

For the second time that night, Caroline rushed towards him in a blur of supernatural speed, slamming into him and sending them both crashing to the ground. Bullets tore through the air in the spot where their bodies had previously been standing, one catching Caroline’s shoulder as they fell. Hearing her cry, Klaus instantly wrapped a hand round her waist, flashing them to safety behind an alcove, the bullets trying to follow them. He pushed her as close to the wall as he could, shielding her body with his own.

Then he waited.

In less than a minute, the bullets stopped, and the soldier that had caught them unaware was cursing, scrambling to reload. Klaus snarled, flashing out of cover and straight towards the soldier, grabbing him by the neck before he could even raise his gun. Lifting him high into the air with one arm, Klaus felt his fangs drop, revealing his monstrous visage, delighting in the terror flooding the hunter’s face. With a great heave of his hybrid strength, he threw the hunter through the nearest window, smashing the glass with a loud shatter and sending the screaming human to plummet to his death.

“Klaus?”

He turned immediately at her hushed call, flashing to her side. She had stood up, stepped away from the wall and was inspecting the wound on the shoulder, hissing slightly as she moved her clothing out the way.

“Are you alright?” He asked worriedly, hands moving to help her.

Caroline grumbled, hissing again as he caught a particularly tender spot. “I’m fine.”

“It grazed you-” He realised, concern rising upon seeing the burnt flesh.

“I said I’m fine.” She snapped.

Klaus stepped back, letting his hands fall, smothering the flash of hurt that spiked in his chest momentarily. As far as how he had imagined their reunion, this was certainly more similar to one of his more morose versions, cooked up on particularly despairing days when a bottle of bourbon was close by. Something of the emotion must have shown on his face, or perhaps he recoiled too quickly at her curt outburst, as Caroline looked up at him guiltily. 

“Sorry.” She mumbled, looking at her feet, the dried tear tracks on her face noticeable to him for the first time in the moonlight glinting through the window. Klaus clenched his jaw, wishing he had the time and security to tear every hunter in the building apart.

“Don’t be, love.” He said quietly, pushing the bloodied strands of hair away from her face. “It’s good to know you haven’t changed.” He tried to remark lightly, but it fell flat, both of them aware that although they hadn’t changed for the most part, still them, the world around them had.

Klaus glanced in both directions, checking again that the coast was clear. After all that gunfire, there was no doubt more soldiers on the way. They needed to move.

“Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand, their fingers interlocking with ease, “we need to get out of here.”

He moved, stepping away, intending to pull her with him, but Caroline planted her feet, refusing to move as she shook her head.

“No, Klaus, I have to find Bonnie!” She protested.

The Bennet witch?

Klaus frowned. “Caroline-”

“She wasn’t there for the blast, she must be still alive-” She rambled hysterically, backing up and pulling away from his grip, dodging him as he tried to grab her again. She turned, eyes wild, looking in the direction he had seen her run from. Was she thinking of going back? Surely she wasn’t that idiotic.

She started to move, and Klaus realised she wasn’t idiotic, just still as self-sacrificing and infuriatingly loyal as he remembered her to be.

“Caroline.” He snarled, managing to snag her uninjured shoulder, spinning her to face him. “If the witch is still alive, and if she has any sense, she’ll be running just like us-”

“What if she isn’t? What if they’ve captured her?” She snarled right back, angry and hurt and afraid-

“Then getting yourself killed by going back isn’t going to help her!” He yelled in her face, eyes flashing hybrid gold.

Caroline froze, flinching in his grip as his voice rose.

-Turns out he was afraid too.

He swallowed, his hands dropping from her shoulders, letting her step backwards, away from him. His arms rose again, hands twitching towards her, as if trying to comfort her but realising too late he was now the object of her unease. “Caroline, please.” He begged, eyes softening, and offered her his hand. “Come with me.”

He watched as she looked down the hallway, back towards where the soldiers had come from, screams faintly piercing the silence if you listened closely. Then she turned back to him, meeting his eyes. One last tear fell, sliding down her blood stained cheek.

“We’ll find Bonnie after?” She asked, voice small and broken.

Klaus swallowed.

“I promise.” He vowed. “But now we need to run.”

A moment passed. Caroline bit her lip. Then, slowly, she placed her hand in his and nodded.

Klaus breathed a sigh of relief.

He pulled her towards him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and bringing her close to his side, glancing behind them as they began to walk away at a hurried pace. “Come on, I’ve got you, love.”

And then they ran.

[sceosource]

Sceo Weekend 2022 Round-Up!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this year's Sceo Weekend! I have gathered the submissions for this year's event below--if you notice your work is missing, please let me know! I've listed all the fics that had corresponding tumblr posts, but you can find all thirteen fics posted for the event in the collection on ao3. If you'd like more Sceo works, you can also check out the Sceo tag at @dailyscottficrec, which recced Sceo fics for the event.

Lastly, remember that even though the event is over, we're always excited for Sceo, and would be happy to promote Sceo works!

Sceo: the Past (fanart) by @slumop

Black Rabbit (fic) by @domesticated-feral

Escape (fic) by @scribeoffate

Sceo textposts (edit) by @spikeface

ways from home (fic) by @slice-of-magenta

The Doppelgänger : to kill and replace (edit) by @seemebaremyteethforyou

Sceo: the Past (gifset) by @momentofmemory

Sceo: the Present (fanart) by @slumop

Wolfsbane bullets (fic) by @domesticated-feral

Say a prayer for the wounded heart within (edit) by @seemebaremyteethforyou

Sceo: the Present (gifset) by @momentofmemory

i can't get it out (the way i'd like to put it down) (fic) by @domesticated-feral

scott & allison / scott & theo | i know the end (fanvid) by @bericas

Sceo & Hades/Persophone (edit) by @alphaboyd

Sceo & Richard Siken (gifset) by @scintalla

Sceo: the Future (fanart) by @slumop

“I must get my soul back from you; I am killing my flesh without it.” (edit) by @seemebaremyteethforyou

Sceo + parallels (edit) by @seemebaremyteethforyou

Sceo song analysis (meta) by @a-lil-bi-furious

Sceo: The Future (gifset) by @momentofmemory

Sceo collaboration series master list and moodboard by @scribeoffate. The whole series is also in the ao3 collection, linked above, and two fics (below) have their own posts as well:

in your warmth i'd forget how cold it can be (rebloggable tumblr post for fic) by @a-lil-bi-furious heavy heart (rebloggable tumblr post for fic) by @momentofmemory

fake my heart (fic) by @daughterofluthien

Sceo moodboard by @allyjostan

Sceo fanart by @slice-of-magenta

[bikelock28]

Please what’s Favorite (good) things about Remus lupin?

‘I neither like nor dislike Severus,’ said Lupin. ‘No, Harry, I am speaking the truth,’ he added, as Harry pulled a sceptical expression. ‘We shall never be bosom friends, perhaps; after all that happened between James and Sirius and Severus, there is too much bitterness there. But I do not forget that during the year I taught at Hogwarts, Severus made the Wolfsbane Potion for me every month, made it perfectly, so that I did not have to suffer as I usually do at the full moon.’ ‘But he “accidentally” let it slip that you’re a werewolf, so you had to leave!’ said Harry angrily. Lupin shrugged. ‘The news would have leaked out anyway. We both know he wanted my job, but he could have wreaked much worse damage on me by tampering with the Potion. He kept me healthy. I must be grateful.’ ‘Maybe he didn’t dare mess with the Potion with Dumbledore watching him!’ said Harry. ‘You are determined to hate him, Harry,’ said Lupin with a faint smile. ‘And I understand; with James as your father, with Sirius as your godfather, you have inherited an old prejudice. By all means tell Dumbledore what you have told Arthur and me, but do not expect him to share your view of the matter; do not even expect him to be surprised by what you tell him. It might have been on Dumbledore’s orders that Severus questioned Draco.’

This while scene is lovely for everybody in it. I enjoy all of the Lupin stuff (Lupin burst out laughing. ‘Sometimes you remind me a lot of James. He called it my “furry little problem” in company. Many people were under the impression that I owned a badly behaved rabbit.’ He accepted a glass of egg-nog from Mr Weasley was a very close second) but I've chosen this part because I appreciate how measured he is about Snape. We haven't heard any adult defend Snape this way- Dumbledore is always vague in his explanations (of course later we find out why), and it's important that this is Lupin, who Harry trusts and who he'd asume would be on the same side as James and Sirius. Why is why it's also good that Lupin acknowledges this, but adds that he is different, he doesn't agree with them, and has moved on. That's also a very important thing to consider when you look back on Lupin and Sirius in OotP.

I also think this is a clever look into his character- everything comes down to keeping him being a werewolf and trying to keep himself and others safe. Here, it's implied that the fact that Snape did this is more important to Lupin than the fact that Snape outed him. It's up for debate how right he is about this and if, like Harry claims, he should maintain a frustration at Snape. I think it's a very interesting character moment which tells us a lot about him and his view of his illness.

Lupin shrugged. ‘The news would have leaked out anyway," is something which wasn't addressed in PoA. I wonder if he felt the same then, or if he only reached this conclusion later (the one-year DADA curse is rarely mentioned in-universe, but surely he must have known it would only be for a year, so that's potentially what Lupin's implying here).

Thank you for this ask. Happy to hear anybody else's thoughts :)

[dreamlandforever]

@writersmonth Prompt: Day 2 - Perfume

Fandom: Teen Wolf | Sterek

Warning: Major Character Death

Chapters 2/2 WC: 1.9k

Part 1 AO3

II. Perfume | Part 2

Stiles' Decision

There are many things Stiles doesn’t know, even if he tries his best to know everything. Countless hours going down the rabbit hole online, reading the old tomes Derek has in his library, the odd book he manages to steal from Deaton, and even memorizing the Bestiary from the Argents. And still, there is so much he doesn’t know. 

What Stiles never thought would make the list of things he doesn’t know is himself.

The day he finds out he had dementia, like his mother, he doesn’t cry. A part of him always knew. What he does is call Scott and ask him to go shopping. He buys stuff he doesn’t need so it looks legitimate; kitchen towels, Derek’s perfume-free shampoo, a new set of sheets for their guest bedroom, a few books in Derek’s list. The last item is the most important, so Stiles does his best to pretend it doesn’t matter. He tries at least 5 perfumes before he finds one that doesn’t seem to make Scott want to rip his nose off. He buys two bottles, just to be safe. 

He promised himself he wouldn’t make his Pack suffer with him, especially when there was nothing anyone could do. So he started wearing the perfume from that day on, using a little bit of Wolfsbane to really conceal his smell. The thing about running with wolves is that is not that easy to lie to them. But Stiles is nothing if not dedicated, and he has had years to practice.

Stiles doesn’t let the news sink in until almost a week after, when the moon is full and the wolves go for a run. He pretends he has overdue reports to turn in, and excuses himself from the rest of the humans, making his way to his and Derek’s loft, where he cries until morning. That was the one and only time he allowed himself that. 

He pulls it off for almost a year. It becomes impossible after that, because he no longer has control over his mind the way he used to.

Stiles knows he’s losing himself. He sees the hurt in everyone’s faces, and he can’t help but feel vindicated for not telling them sooner. It was his cross to bear, he knew, but he had a family that would suffer along with him. The least he could do was spare them as most he could.

But it got harder to do, because it was harder to stay himself. More and more each day. 

Now, Stiles seems to know mostly nothing. Not the people around him, not his situation, and above all, not himself. 

[jimblejamblewritings]

snakes & bets | part 7.

Summary: Social outcast suddenly makes friends? And those friends are Hogwarts’ most notorious pranksters? Despite being entirely suspicious, Y/N doesn’t question any motives. The world can’t possibly come crashing down around her…

Warnings: This whole story is angsty, hurt/comfort, smut, will end in fluff but goes through all the other stuff first.

Pairing: Marauders x black!reader, eventual Sirius Black x black!reader

Word Count: 4.2k

Previous Part | (Series Masterlist)

Professor McGonagall was seriously contemplating telling students that they could no longer knock on her door. Whoever it was kept knocking incessantly, refusing to go away. She didn’t want to hear anymore questions about if Voldemort’s reign was over. The Daily Prophet had dropped off the papers earlier that morning. It was all over the front page. Young upstart Auror, Alastor Moody, helped capture Voldemort and bring him to the Ministry of Magic.

McGonagall didn’t want to entertain her students who were wondering if this was truly the end. She didn’t want to speculate sentences about You-Know-Who. Death penalty or forever in Azkaban, she didn’t care and would rather enjoy her free time in peace. The old woman finally gave in and got up to open the door. She raised an eyebrow at seeing Sirius at her door.

“She hates me.”

McGonagall sighed. “She doesn’t hate you, she’s afraid you’re making a joke of her again. Quite frankly, I can’t blame her for thinking such a thing.”

“I’m not. I swear, I’m not. I love her.”

“Mr. Bla—”

“I mean it.”

“Sirius,” McGonagall said, quickly. “I know. I’ve seen a black dog following her around.”

“Professor, please help me.”

McGonagall found herself taking tea with two students twice a week. She had her normal tea with you. Then on a different day, she would Sirius and maybe one of the other marauders as they came up with a plan. You actively ignored them now. They couldn’t even give you a wave. Remus tried to thank you for the wolfsbane potion but you said that you weren’t interested in talking to him before he could even get out a word.

Sirius even waited half a day in the bathroom that Myrtle usually stayed in, hoping that you would come in. You never showed that day. He ended up talking to your aunt who had a few choice words for him. Myrtle told him the same thing that McGonagall did: Don’t be surprised if you’re too late.

Sirius was well aware of the fact that he might have missed his chance with you. But he couldn’t stop trying. Not until he said everything that he had to say. If you didn’t want him afterwards then he would leave you alone. But he had to tell you how he felt and he had to do it correctly. Sirius stopped listening to other people. Every idea failed and you didn’t like talking to anyone. He wasn’t using the girls, or his friends, or even McGonagall. He was just going to do it his way.

“Ow, fuck.” Sirius sucked on his fingers.

This was the fourth time he had pricked himself with the needle. You made embroidery look so easy but it took him just an hour alone to get the hoop correctly on the green sweatshirt that he bought. He tried to crochet you a skirt at first because it seemed the easiest. However, the pile of yarn that was shoved under his bed quickly proved him wrong. He looked up when the door to his dorm opened.

“Wormtail, does this look alright?”

“Decent.”

“Decent?”

“It’s not as good as (Y/N)’s if that’s what you’re asking. It looks fine, Pads.”

Sirius examined his work in the embroidery hoop. He nodded to himself. It was decent. However, it wasn’t quick. He thought he would be done before the end of February and before another Moony Night. Maybe if he had just done your name and a rabbit in the silver thread, he might have been done early. But, Sirius wanted to add little flowers on the sleeves and around the collar. He tried to mimic the style that you embroidered most of your clothes in. Finally, a few days into March, Sirius held up the sweatshirt in satisfaction.

“Prongs, I need your help.”

Remus and Peter insisted on taking a picture after James managed to get Sirius in his sweatshirt that you made for him. It took a while to get his front paws through the sleeves. James scratched behind his friend’s ear.

“Don’t you look adorable.”

Sirius growled, not that the other three cared. He picked up his gift in his mouth and started to leave, looking back at Remus when he realized that he needed one of them to open the door for him. With one more howl of laughter, his friends let him leave.

The weather was no longer freezing so you were outside underneath your favorite tree. The gnomes were back. They were laying flowers in your hair and trading their old hats for new ones. They were also swiping bread from your basket but that was to be expected. The last of the gnomes put on their new hat and ran off.

You looked over to see if they left any bread in your basket so you could have a piece. As your head turned to the side, you saw a large black dog in a red sweatshirt bounding over to you with something in its mouth. Shaking your head, you got up to leave before Sirius could reach you.

He ran faster. Thanks to the whole four legs being faster than one thing, Sirius overtook your pace and stopped in front of you. He quickly turned back into human form, dropping the sweatshirt from his mouth before he got drool on it.

“(Y/N).”

“I don’t want to talk to you,” you said as you began to turn around to leave.

“Please! One talk. One conversation.”  

“Please just leave me alone, Sirius. I’ve already cried my eyes out over you in the past, I’m not doing it again. And I don’t want to be the punchline anymore. It wasn’t funny the first time and it isn’t funny now.”

“It’s not a joke.” Sirius grabbed your hand. “That list was worse than a bad prank, I know that.”

“Yeah, it was. I just wanted friends.”

He could hear the desperation in your voice.

“I know, Bunny, I know. I’m sorry, I’m genuinely sorry. We should have never done that to you.”

“Apology acknowledged.”

Sirius gave you a smile. He started unfolding the sweatshirt. “I got th—”

“Sirius.”

“Yes?” He stopped what he was doing.

“I acknowledge your apology, that’s it. I don’t accept it.”

The green fabric dropped from his hand. “What?”

“I don’t know if you’re lying to me. I meant what I said, you all aren’t allowed to make a joke out of me anymore. I’m done being a punchline.”

“(Y/N)—”

“I’ll ask the professors about ending detention, I know that all of you are cleaning the school. Thanks again for the apology, I appreciate it. That was all I wanted from at least one person.”

You left Sirius dumbfounded as he watched you walk away. This couldn’t be it. He couldn’t lose you like this. Sirius gave out a dry laugh as he picked up the sweatshirt. He never even had you to begin with. But still. He didn’t want it to end like this. The other marauders asked him about it as they sat down in the Transfiguration classroom— all the sixth and seventh years had once again been called to the room. The raven-haired boy shook his head.

“It was a failure. I don’t think she believes me.”

“You can’t blame her,” Remus reasoned.

“I know. I just… I can come up with every gift, gesture, apology in the world but I don’t know how I can make her believe me.”

“Maybe you have to let her go?”

“No, I can’t.”

“Pads—”

“Moony,” James cut in. “How long did I chase after Lily? Let him have this, just a little longer.”

“Okay.” He sat back.

The rest of the students slowly piled in. Sirius still looked for you. As the professors came in, he knew that you wouldn’t be there. None of the professors seemed to be too pleased at telling the students that they were considering ending detention. As far as they were concerned, none of them had truly learned respect. They didn’t care what you told them.

If the professors had their way, the students would be cleaning until the school year ended. They didn’t feel comfortable just letting the students off the hook. Every sixth and seventh year’s eyes went wide as McGonagall presented them the ultimatum.

“You can clean in detention for the rest of the year or write to your parents about your actions. And we will be overseeing each letter before you send them. You must all remember that actions have consequences.”

James searched his school bag for a self-writing quill and some parchment. “Already told them, easiest choice ever.”

Most students were still trying to process what was just presented to them. Surely, their parents probably had scores of consequences waiting for them. Most of them weren’t sure. A lot decided that they would revisit the idea later and, for now, would rather continue with the detention. Remus and Peter had already told the Potters, telling their parents was significantly easier.

“What are you doing, Padfoot?” Peter asked.

Sirius scoffed. “I’m not telling them over a damn letter.”

“You’re going to keep cleaning?”

“No. I need to talk to Minnie, don’t bother waiting for me after class.”

Remus, James, and Peter didn’t listen. They grabbed lunch, saving some for Sirius, and waited outside McGonagall’s door until their friend came out. Sirius was holding several letters and papers in his hands when he left. He had a lot of things to give to a lot of owls. The boys followed him to the owlery.  

“Oh, Prongs, I’m missing your game next weekend. It was the only time the Professor said I could go.”

“Okay, but go where?”

“I have a dinner party to attend.”

“What?”

Sirius explained a bit more as he gave the first letter to his owl. The marauders praised Padfoot on his idea. It was actually a step up from waltzing alone. Regulus approached his brother like he was insane when he saw him in the corridor the next day. He held up his invitation.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? They’re going to eat you alive, Siri.”

“Yeah, probably.”

“I’m not joking.”

“I know. You’re coming right?”

Regulus scoffed. “Of course, I’m not letting you die alone. They’re already pissed they chose the wrong side of the war.”

“They should be glad they aren’t being put on trial.”

Both Black brothers laughed. Regulus tucked the invitation back in his pocket. He was about to make another joke when you passed by. You were reading an invitation that your owl delivered. It wasn’t an invitation for you but your parents. They had been invited to something and were requesting that you come as well. It was less of a request and more of a command considering they told you that they already discussed getting you out of class with Slughorn.

You already knew that you were getting no say in this. That was fine. It had been a minute since you had to perform the duties of old pureblood families. It was probably because of Voldemort’s downfall. So this was either a dinner party to celebrate or it was a party where the families that were on the wrong side tried to rebuild their social status and worm their way back into high society. Every family had bad people. You didn’t think a dinner to try and join the right side again was necessary. They could just denounce their views publicly.

But purebloods had traditions and this was one of them. So you met your parents outside the gates of Hogwarts late Friday night. The dinner was on Saturday but you had to get a dress. Well, you had to pick up a dress. The hosts insisted on buying something for you. You were getting more suspicious by the minute when your parents wouldn’t say anything. They still wouldn’t offer details even when your grandparents came over or your mother’s eldest siblings— they were a brother-sister twin pair.

This seemed like more than a dinner party. You were starting to feel like this was going to be a sit-down dinner between two families, not a party with several. The thought made your upper lip curl. You only relaxed when your uncle brought his children. This must have been for Mary. Pureblood families and their traditions. Mary must have gotten into a serious relationship.

You still rolled your eyes. Only purebloods would go all out for a simple boyfriend or girlfriend. This dinner party was like the pre-promise to the promise to a potential engagement. It was extravagant for no reason.

You piled into the carriage with Mary and your other cousins— the parents and grandparents were in the one up front. The carriages sped through the streets of London. So the family lived close by? Usually, you would need to apparate somewhere or take brooms to a station and then get in the thestral-drawn carriages. You all exited the vehicles and stood on the steps of some building. Your mother put her hand on your father’s chest as he pressed the bricks on the building.

“Don’t be so nervous, honey, you’ve done these things a million times.”

“Well, Walburga and Orion apologized for their comments but I still feel like they look down on me.”

“Well, they would prefer purebloods to stay pure and I don’t think that will change but I think they’re trying on their more extreme actions. They’ve even invited Andromeda and her husband. They just had a baby, you know?”

Your ears perked up. “I’m sorry, did you say Walburga and Orion? Walburga and Orion Black?”

Your grandfather chuckled. “Still playing coy. This is why you’re my favorite grandchild.”

You were ready to run down the steps, manners be damned, when the building started to move. A house elf opened the door that suddenly appeared with a number twelve on it. He ushered everyone inside and then escorted you from the corridor into a sitting parlor with dark green walls. This house was full of Slytherin pride to say the least.

The Black family— technically Tonks since Andromeda and her husband were there too— were already waiting and talking. They were dressed just as fancy as your family was. Andromeda and Ted stuck to speaking with Sirius. Walburga was fawning over the baby. Orion took the first step by greeting your father after greeting your grandparents and mother.

The two men were awkward with each other. It was clear that getting over blood purity was difficult but something that they were actually trying to do. Sirius stood up from the couch when he saw you. You had never seen him so dressed up— his hair was actually gelled back instead of being long and free.

“You look beautiful,” he commented when he got in front of you.

“Thank you,” you said in the most curt voice possible.

Walburga chuckled. “Sirius never showed us a picture of you so we had to go off of his descriptions for a gown. See, Orion, I still have style.”

The adults laughed at the joke that you, the Black Brothers, and your cousins didn’t think was all that funny. Their house elf informed you all that dinner was ready. Like you expected, you were sat right next to Sirius. This stupid dinner was for you and not Mary. You wondered why your parents kept it a secret? It wasn’t like they knew that you weren’t on speaking terms with everyone at school and that included Sirius. You suspected the invitation said to do so for whatever reason.

Dinner was full of small talk. The Zabinis and Blacks knew of each other but were never really in the same circles. Since both families had roots that were from elsewhere, when they got to England they had focused on establishing connections with UK wizarding families. They just never got around to becoming familiar with each other. You tried to avoid immediate discussion with Sirius and Regulus as much as possible. When dessert was brought out, Sirius stood up.

“First, thank you all for being here. I know we normally do these dinners a bit differently but this had to be done,” he started, nervously.

“We could all use a good shake up in tradition,” your grandfather added. The others laughed and Sirius just chuckled nervously.

“Right. Well, I would love for this to be one of those traditional dinners but it’s not. This is an apology dinner. I did something awful at the beginning of the school year.”

He turned to your parents. “And I would like to formally apologize for having hurt your daughter.”

Sirius brought out the parchment list. His parents’ face grew redder with anger as he explained everything. Your family was a range of anger, confusion, pity, and more. You went back and forth between watching Sirius, his family, and yours. You actually continued to look at him as he met your eyes.

“We weren’t kind to you and I should’ve said something the moment I started liking you. No, I should’ve said something before the list was even finished. I can’t take that back and that’s something I’m going to always regret. I will always be sorry for treating you how we did, (Y/N). Everything I said when I asked you to the Yule Ball was real. I meant it. I swear you aren’t a joke or a stupid punchline. Not to me.”

“Siri—”

“Regulus,” Orion cut you off. “Did you know about any of this?”

He hung his head down. “Everything he said was true. The, uh, the whole school doesn’t talk to (Y/N).”

Walburga’s jaw ticked. “Kreacher! Please show (Y/N) the room she’s staying in for the night.”

“Of course, Mistress Black.”

The little house elf took your hand and led you upstairs. The room was covered in posters and full of stuff that you were only used to seeing when you went to visit your cousins on your dad’s side of the family. Kreacher showed you the bathroom and handed you some towels.

Before you turned on the water to take a shower, you could hear Walburga and Orion yelling at their sons. After you got out, you could still hear them. When you got back to your room for the night, you could no longer make out exact words. You could tell the difference in voices based on pitch but had no clue what was being said. At some point— after you heard a voice speak that sounded like your grandmother— the volume went down considerably.

You could hear the clinking of silverware and the shuffling of several pairs of feet. The shower at the end of the hall started. Whatever conclusion had been reached, you weren’t sure. But a conclusion had been reached. Your family came upstairs as you began to braid your hair for bed.

“I have a game tomorrow, so we’re going to head out,” Mary said before leaving with most of the family.

Your parents gave you the very vague answer that they supported whatever you did and couldn’t wait to see you when Hogwarts got out before leaving with the others.

You finished braiding your hair when Sirius knocked on the open doorway, holding a bundle of green fabric. He tried not to stare at your body through your satin romper pajamas. It had been a while since he saw you with such little on. Sirius picked at his flannel pants, trying to will away certain thoughts of you before he got a hard-on at a very inopportune time.  

“Can I come in?”

You nodded. He sat on the edge of the bed, giving you some distance.

“This is your room, isn’t it?” you asked.

“Yeah. I guess all the stuff gave it away.”

“Where are you going to sleep?”

“I’m sharing with Reg.”

You both pursed your lips, not having anything else to say. You looked at him.

“It sounded pretty bad down there.”

“Not the first time they’ve told me I’m a disgrace to the family. The public shaming was new,” he tried to joke. “It could’ve been worse. Reg and I are still in the will.”

“Sirius, I accept your apology.”

He breathed out a sigh of relief. This was really his last attempt. There was nothing he could do after this if you didn’t want to talk to him. He took a chance and scooted closer to you, moving even a bit closer when you didn’t move away. He picked at the green bundle of fabric in his hand before lifting it up.

“I actually planned on giving this to you when I first apologized. You make it look so easy, I don’t know how you finished one at Prongs’ matches.”

You looked at the green sweatshirt with your name and a rabbit embroidered in silver thread. Sirius tried to make it match the sweatshirts that you made for them as close as possible. The needlework was kind of sloppy and there was a clear difference in your handwriting. But considering he started over four times, he was proud of himself for finishing. He was a bit over-excited, going to put the sweatshirt on you.  

You flopped the sleeves around. Sirius broke out into the dumbest looking smile when you flapped the extra big sleeves in his face. You suddenly pulled back, thinking he would see you as weird again. His smile dropped when he noticed you overthinking and analyzing everything. Sirius quickly grabbed at the sleeves, only getting fabric in his hands. He swung them around a little before cuffing them so they fit better.

“I bought it in my size… so we could switch sometimes.”

“So, we’re friends?” You asked.

Sirius looked down at you. “I was thinking more.”

“Oh.”

You leaned back as he leaned forward. The marauder pouted and tilted his head. His hand reached out to hold your chin until you looked him in the eyes.

“I’m a bad kisser,” you said.

Sirius just dropped his head. At least now he had confirmation that you had heard some of the stuff they said about you. You poked at Sirius’ head until he looked up. His eyes fluttered closed when you held his face in your hands. He opened them to see you looking at him. You gave him a small side smile.

“Friends, for now?”

“Yeah, friends.”

Regulus leaned against the doorway. “Siri, get your ass inside. I’d like to go to bed.”

The older boy groaned, wanting to spend more time with you. You looked past Sirius to meet Regulus’ eyes.

“He can stay with me, go on and sleep.”

Both boys blinked in surprise. Regulus gave his brother a thumbs up, closing the door and leaving. Sirius looked at you.

“Are you sure? I’ll go sleep on the couch when we finish talking.”

“You can stay, mister.”

He laughed, catching on. It was his turn to be the punchline for once. Except this was harmless and he was willingly entertaining it. The two of you talked well into the early hours of the morning. It was more on Sirius’ side than yours but there was clearly some tension that was past friendship. He wasn’t sure how long being just friends would last. It probably wouldn’t even be a problem if they hadn’t made fun of you.

The conversation stopped after you yawned, making him yawn which just made you yawn again. You both agreed that it was time to go to bed. Sirius transformed into his Animagus form, curling up near the foot of the bed. It might have been a bit creepy but he waited for you to fall asleep before doing the same.

Breakfast at Grimmauld Place was a very awkward affair. Walburga and Orion felt the need to apologize again for their sons’ behavior. In the kitchen, Sirius was told that he should consider himself lucky you saw something in him. He kept poking your foot with his underneath the table, enjoying watching the smile that came to your face. Regulus was mildly disgusted as he watched Sirius rest his chin on his hand and just stare at you. He had never seen his brother so in love before. Even their parents melted a little.

As you all left Grimmauld to go back to Hogwarts, Sirius grabbed your hand. His thumb rubbed over the back of your hand and he held on the entire time. You let Sirius lead you to Gryffindor Tower. He only let go of your hand once the two of you were inside the dorm— he had wanted to make sure the entire common room saw you with him.

“Prongs, the game, how was it?”

James couldn’t speak. Neither could Remus or Peter or Lily who had come up to relax with her boyfriend in a more private space. Sirius wanted to pull you in for a cuddle but wasn’t sure how comfortable you were with that. Instead, he handed you one of his pillows and you both sat side by side while resting against the headboard. Remus recovered first at the sight in front of him.

“It worked? You two are—”

“Friends for now, Moons.” Sirius couldn’t stop himself from grinning when he looked at you. “But yeah, it worked. Bunny’s back.”

(end)