#and I’m pretty sure it was made hours und hours ago

[floral-hex]

This coffee tastes like bad butt but but but it was $1.50 I’ll drink piss at those prices

[simslegacy5083]

Not So Berry (Straud Descendants) Gen 9

Today's (9/6/2024) Episode: Mr. and Mrs.

Following their reception Luigi brought the Missus to a lounge on Mua Pel’am Island for a nightcap to start their intimate afterparty.

“Yeah, Dad’s feast was tasty, but did you see their faces when we started the dance? Worth all the practice to be sure, I mean I loved practicing too…”

Fortunately for the rapidly backtracking groom, a fan approached “Cyber Lu”, interrupting their conversation by begging for an autograph. While the self-centered star happily provided a personalized headshot for the excited young lady, Noemi sipped her drink with a self-satisfied smile.

He got so adorably thrilled by the attention, and his fans never bothered her. Well worth sending out a quick anonymous Luigi sighting via text. 

When the hubbub died down and their drinks were gone, Luigi grabbed Noemi’s hand, pulling her up to face him “So, Mrs. Lawbourne, are you ready for me to show you the real reason I brought you all the way out here?”

Judging by the look on his face Noemi decided she had a really good feeling about whatever he had up his sleeve “Oh, this sounds interesting” she replied, matching his excited grin with one of her own “lead on, Mr. Lawbourne”

So late at night, they met no other sims on the winding sandy path leading up to a large misty waterfall.

“Papa used to love bringing me here when I was a kid,” Luigi said over the soft roar of the falls. “He’d pack a lunch and we’d spend hours eating and splashing around. However, apparently, there’s a little crystal cave tucked away back there that’s famous as a venue for more “adult” rendezvous…”

At the suggestive waggle of his eyebrows she teased: “Are you sure we’re not being observed? We were just accosted by one of your fangirls.”

Luigi made a big show of looking over his shoulder and then carefully checking behind nearby rocks and bushes before tiptoeing back over to her and whispering: “It’s all good, I think we’re alone now” before pulling his squealing bride into the intimate gloom behind the curtain of falling water.

“Well worth it’s reputation!” Noemi said when they emerged sometime later “Reminded me of the best parts of that grotto where you proposed.”

“I’m glad you liked it” he replied “Now, as much as I’d love to stay and explore, I think we’d better get home and finish getting ready for our trip. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“If we must… but first, get over here” she teased “I think I forgot a little something I wanted to do in there when you distracted me.”

Back home, the couple temporarily split up. While Noemi did some last-minute honeymoon packing, Luigi uploaded the video footage from the wedding onto his fancy new video editing station and started some quick revisions.

He quickly found the large, specialized workstation much easier to use than his laptop. As he put the finishing touches on a quick promotional clip, he made a mental note to see what upgrades he could make to their everyday computer setups when they got back from their trip.

He’d maxed his programming skill ages ago and could overclock any PC easily. In addition, a full size, ergonomically correct, desktop system would help keep his carpel tunnel at bay. They were developing his videogame on a laptop and a tablet for crying out loud! “It’s settled… when I get back, we’re getting new computers - no excuses!” he declared to the empty studio before finishing up and heading off in search of his wife.

Luigi found Noemi in the bedroom, waiting for him once again, in an outfit he hadn’t seen her wear since before she got pregnant.

“I hope you haven’t hurt yourself again” she said, “because that would be very inconvenient.” Her crop leapt up to press his lips together before he could respond, leaving him to shake his head silently.

“Good boy. Now, to have a nice night, you’ll want to go put on the little present I left on your bedside table, and keep that pretty mouth closed until I tell you what to do with it. Understood?” Luigi nodded again, eager to see what his mistress had in mind to cap off their wedding night in style.

After “round two” the pair finally drifted off to catch a couple hours shut eye before catching the teleport to their honeymoon destination.

As he snuggled his wife close Luigi dreamed of their upcoming adventure. They’d talked about how much fun it would be to visit the park when they’d been “just friends” back in college and now they’d finally be doing it as husband and wife. He couldn’t wait to get started.

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[emeren]

Mmm maybe eren walking in on the reader using a vibrator and offering to help her and over stimulating her..

you got it! here it comes :)

red handed - eren jaeger 

pairing: eren jaeger x fem!reader 

word count: 2.5k

content warnings: smut, 18+, masturbation, overstimulation, crying

notes: this one was fun to write, it was my first time writing about a vibrator so idk if it’s that good but i hope you all enjoy nevertheless! <3

you sighed to yourself, anxiously glancing at the clock. your roommate had informed you he wouldn’t be back until around nine; the numbers 7:30 blinking back at you expectantly. there was no way he’d be home early; eren was late to nearly everything he did. 

deciding to move into a small, crappy apartment with your childhood best friend had seemed like a good idea at the time. you and eren knew each other forwards and backwards; right side up and upside down. 

what you didn’t know was just how needy eren could be. he hated being bored more than anything in the world. he was always lingering, always pestering you to go do something. he would sometimes just walk into your room and stand there, asking you what you were doing and if you wanted to hangout. 

most of the time you didn’t mind. most of the time. but there were instances where the lack of a lock on both your bedroom and bathroom doors became an issue.

instances where the pent up hormones became too much to bear and you had to relieve yourself, quickly and quietly. 

you thanked your lucky stars that eren had decided to go out with some friends tonight. you’d finally be able to enjoy a moment of bliss for the first time in well over two weeks. 

after double checking that the front door was locked and peaking your head into eren’s room to make extra sure he was gone, you skipped to your own space with an air of giddiness. finally some alone time!

you softly closed the door behind you, turning to look at your beside table. pulling the small drawer open and rifling through various pieces of junk, your eyes landed on the small, inconspicuous piece of plastic. 

you’d come to realize that your hand wasn’t quick enough to combat eren’s nosey nature, and after a few near misses, you invested in your very first vibrator. 

it was a light pink color; just nearly longer than your middle finger. you picked it up carefully before plunking down on your hard mattress. you shifted so your back was pressed against the head board, knees slightly bent. 

you could feel yourself aching in anticipation, cold hand slipping past the hem of your pajama pants to press the plastic device against your clit. your thumb moved to click the on button, halting as you heard a floorboard creak from out in the hall. 

“ugh,” you muttered to yourself, trying to quell your paranoia. “eren’s not gonna be home for at least an hour.” 

you paused for a minute longer, ears straining. when you were met with just the distant sound of sirens, you allowed yourself to continue, clicking the button. the soft vibration buzzed against your nerves, breath hitching involuntarily at the sudden pleasure. 

it was a wonderful feeling; your chest heaving as your lower half embraced the foreign object. you leaned your head back against the wall, shifting to a more comfortable position as you bent your knees for better leverage. 

your mind began to wander, an image of eren popping into your brain. a few years ago, you would’ve cringed and banished the thought away, but you’d come to acknowledge there was no denying just how attractive your best friend was, no matter how guilty it made you feel. 

you pictured his muscular back, leaned over the sink as he washed dishes with a pair of black sweatpants hanging dangerously low on his hips. you could feel your face heat, closing your eyes as the pressure within the pit of your stomach began to build. 

it was easy to reach your breaking point with the vibrator; breath growing shallow as the image of eren’s muscular arms and defined v-line started to fog your mind. you exhaled out through your nose, the gentle buzzing making your clit twitch with desired release. 

you were so wrapped up, so distracted. it was the single moment of bliss right before your orgasm, face hot and hands clammy. 

you’d never let your mind wander so far before, but you were beginning to imagine eren touching you; letting his hands wander down your skin and caressing your curves, squeezing and- 

“what’re you doing?” a voice startled you from the moment of peace, replaced by an overwhelming embarrassment as your eyes snapped open, focusing on the tall figure leaning against the open doorframe. 

eren’s arms were crossed, face shadowed as he observed you. you quickly sat up, pulling your vibrator from your pants and clicking it off. the pace of your heartbeat was through the roof, eyes wide and chest tight. how fucking embarrassing! 

“i’m- i was-,” you were at a loss for words, standing from your bed. your heart pinged with annoyance, the embarrassment quickly dissipating into anger. “can’t you learn to fucking knock?”

eren didn’t say anything, quirking a brow at your snippy tone. it just aggravated you more, your brain trying to combat the dopamine that never truly reached its full potential. he stood in your doorway, staring you down as you seethed in your place.

“don’t be embarrassed,” he spoke softly. his face had some unknown expression on it, one you’d never seen before. his pupils were dilated, brows furrowed and gaze serious. “it’s a normal thing to do.” 

you huffed, shifting your legs in an attempt to quell the burning between your thighs. “i know that. what’s not normal is you barging into my room without knocking when you weren’t even supposed to be home for another hour.”

“i got bored, so i decided to come home and hangout with you,” he explained. his lip was curved upwards, as if he were trying to suppress a smirk. “s’more fun here anyway.” 

you frowned at his words, your mind flashing that image of his rough hands trailing down your body, squeezing. you swallowed at the thought, the anger quickly being overpowered by your unfinished arousal. “how long were you standing there?”

“long enough to know you didn’t finish,” he commented, holding eye contact as your eyebrows raised in surprise. you opened your mouth to respond, but eren beat you to it. “c’mon, i think i know you pretty well.” 

“not like that,” you muttered demurely, the dull ache nearly too much to bear. you felt like you’d be antsy till you got off, shifting uncomfortably as your eyes fell to the floor. “could you- could you give me some privacy?” 

eren didn’t respond for a moment, the sound of your bedroom door shutting sending a feeling of relief to your brain. you looked up, frown deepening. 

eren was leaning against the closed door, eyes dark and serious. “let me help you.”

his words sent a confused throb to your cunt, face going slack. was this really happening? 

“eren, you don’t mean…” you breathed out, the ache in your center multiplying tenfold at the sight of his tall and muscular figure staring down at you. shit, shit, shit!

“i do,” he responded seriously, taking a step towards you. he was normally tall and formidable, but in the darkness of your bedroom, he seemed infinite. you paused for a moment, your resolve already thin due to the incessant throbbing of your clit. eren seemed to take notice, eyeing you carefully. “who better than your best friend?” 

you held your breath before responding. you’d been thinking of this, dreaming of this. now here he was, standing before you and looking at you as though you were his for the taking. and it excited you. it excited you to no end. “i- okay.” 

eren was quick to smile, stepping up to you. you craned your neck to look at him, heartbeat erratic as his calloused hands ran down your bare arms. he slowly lowered himself to his knees before you, fingers hooking under the waistband of your pajamas. 

his teal eyes glanced up to you, asking for permission. you were afraid your voice wouldn’t work, instead feverishly nodding your head in acceptance. he pulled your pants down tantalizingly slow; like he was unwrapping some sacred gift. 

you bit your lip as your thighs became exposed, the feeling of eren’s hot breath fanning across the newly exposed skin. he leaned forward, eyes still locked with yours as he placed a kiss to the soft flesh, lips slicked with chapstick. it was sinful and he knew it. 

your cotton pants dropped to the floor, standing in nothing but your underwear and a t-shirt. eren’s gaze grew heavy on your panties - the inevitable wet spot showing just how desperate you were for attention. 

“trying to finish before i got home?” he cooed, curling his lip. you felt your face heat, glancing away. 

“yeah,” you responded bashfully, eren motioning his head towards the bed. 

he breathed out a laugh at your answer, giving your thigh that deeply desired squeeze. “that’s so cute. bet you’re so needy for me now, hm?” 

you could feel yourself growing wetter at his words, choosing to sit on the end of the bed in front of him rather than respond. he kissed your leg again, eyes catching on something beside you. 

“what’s this?” he smirked, reaching to grab your vibrator. you were too slow to react, reaching for it in vain as eren inspected it. “tsk, tsk. sit back down.” 

you hadn’t even realized you’d lifted from the mattress, eren’s dark tone making you abide as though you had no free will. 

he gave you a sadistic look, lunging forward to press his tongue flat against your clothed clit. you hissed at the feeling, hands fisting your bed sheets. eren chuckled against you, the vibration making your stomach burn. 

“just that already has you squirming?” he mumbled, lips pressing a kiss. as if this couldn’t get anymore embarrassing. “’s’hot.” 

you breathed out, the sight of eren between your legs in the lowly lit room entirely too attractive. you weren’t surprised he was so bossy and vocal, hand tapping your leg impatiently. 

“off.” he deadpanned, leaning back to watch you as you stood, yanking your underwear down your legs. you tried to quell your excitement; eren’s pupils growing impossibly larger at the sight of your exposed cunt. you sat back down, breath shaky as eren situated himself in front of you. “so wet already.”

eren, just as he always had been, was impatient. you’d just sat down and he was prying your knees apart, tongue hungrily pressing itself against your center. he was sloppy; eating you out with an animalistic hunger that had you nearing your climax much faster than usual. 

“eren,” you whimpered, the feeling of his tongue circling your entrance causing a moan to ripple from your mouth. the sound of his name only made him suck harder. he wasn’t letting up; absolutely determined to bring you to your high as fast as possible. “m’gonna cum, eren.” 

he groaned at your words, arms hooking around your thighs to hold you in place as he focused intently on your clit. the warm, wet feeling was becoming too much; edges of your vision growing dark as you let your release come crashing down, legs twitching as eren released his suction on you. 

he looked at you just long enough for you to notice the sheen on his chin, the sparkle in his eyes, and the grin on his lips. “been waiting so long for this, i’m gonna make the best of it.” 

your chest was heaving, brows pulled down in confusion as eren brought his first two fingers to your entrance, circling it twice before stuffing you with his long digits. 

you were burning, just having come down from your embarrassingly quick release only to have eren fucking you with his fingers. they easily slid in and out, wet with your sheen as he began to gently suck on your inner thigh. your vision was hazy, eren pushing his digits in to the last knuckle and curling slightly. 

the feeling of another release was building in your core; churning and readying you to succumb to eren’s will once more. and you were ready; a breathy moan leaving your lips as he angled his fingers particularly deep. you laid down, hands subconsciously lifting to grope your own chest - searching for an anchor. 

“shit,” eren swore at the sight of you palming your breasts, squirming in his hold as his fingers pumped in and out of you, quickening his pace. you whimpered in response, screwing your eyes shut. 

you felt the cold object press against your clit before he turned it on; eyes widening in surprise as you shot up. eren was grinning at you, thumb clicking it on as an involuntary cry ripped from your chest. 

the vibration was too much as his digits abused your cunt, stuffing into you as far as possible. your clit twitched aggressively, face and neck hot. your brain was growing fuzzy, thoughts clouded as you stared down at eren, mouth hanging open and eyes glossy. he was watching you seriously, pressing the vibrator harder against your clit in order to make you jolt. 

you were burning, abdomen flexing as your eyes began to water. the sensations were too much, legs trying to close but you were blocked by eren’s broad shoulders. 

you’d never been one to scream, but you couldn’t help the strangled sound that escaped your mouth as eren included his tongue in the overstimulating mix. hot, sticky tears slid down your cheeks, eren’s tongue lapping at the spot where his fingers disappeared inside of you. 

his eye contact. oh, his eye contact. it was pervasive and inspective, analyzing every sound and movement you made. 

he pulled his tongue back for just a moment, the vibrator buzzing intensely against you. “cum for me.” 

and you did. it was too much; your legs jerking and stomach cramping, mind turned to mush at the overflow of dopamine. you collapsed back on the bed, eren leaving the vibrator pressed against your clit for a moment longer, the feeling now more uncomfortable than anything. you waved your hand, too exhausted to beg him to take it off. eren only chuckled, pulling his fingers from you but pressing the object against you harder. 

“let me see those tears,” he said sweetly, tapping your thigh. it was a sinister sweetness, the tears pooling down your face as you began to grown numb below your waist. you forced yourself to sit up, eren smiling as he saw your wet face. “good girl.”

he removed the vibrator, tossing it on the bed as he stood. you laid back down, breathing heavy and legs weak. eren hovered above you, leaning down to wipe your cheeks. 

“next time, just ask for my help,” he sneered, your eyes rolling weakly. he had a boyish grin on his face, something teasing about his nature. “i’m way better than some stupid vibrator, anyway.” 

<3 <3 <3 

[mistersshelby]

I have an idea for the story. So, maybe Thomas Shelby would be invited to a party to do some business but all of the guests would be speaking in different language (unfamiliar to Thomas) and he would ask the reader to come to the party to translate it (she would be almost native to it) and the guests would hit on her all the time and even though Tom and reader are not together he would be veeeeeeery jealous of her!!! (We love some good jealous Thomas) It’s just an idea, I hope you liked it! 😊

sorry this took so long!! hope you like it! also just disclaimer i don't actually speak german anything i used here i used google translate for so i'm sorry if it's incorrect!!

masterlist

questions, comments, concerns

“Business with the Germans?” You frown, “I didn’t know you worked with the Germans.”

“The alliance is new. Will you do it?” You’re sitting across from Tommy in his office and he looks rather bored, “I’ll pay you extra.”

You smirk, “Can I get a new dress?”

He sighs, “Sure.”

“Okay.” You fold your hands in your lap, “I’ll do it.”

“Great.” He says dismissively, “I’ll pick you up at 7.” He pushes some cash across his desk, “Go pick out a dress.”

You eagerly take the cash and leave his office. Tommy never took you on business. You had always hoped he would, but you knew for the most part he only ever asked you to check over the books for him, needing your patience and attention to detail. But now, now he needed your German. And you got to wear a pretty dress.

Tommy was silent as he drove you to the party. The only instructions he gave were to not let anyone know that you spoke German, at least at first. Easy enough. After being in Birmingham for so long you were more capable of sounding like a native Brummie than a German anyway. Though your mother had left Germany with you long before the Great War, you knew the way the Brits saw Germans and so you had removed every trace of your native country from yourself.

“You’re German.” Tommy had said the day you sat across from him, to apply for the secretarial position.

“Yes.” You swallowed tightly. You knew a decorated war vet like Tommy was highly unlikely to hire a German, but you had to try. You were out of money and you needed a job.

“When did you leave your home country?”

“1910, sir.”

“And who did you support in the war?”

You opened and closed your mouth, “I was still quite a young girl then, sir, I knew nothing of politics.”

He carefully leaned forward at his desk and folded his hands in front of him. You avoided his eyes, “Which side?”

“I supported the Allied Forces, sir. I like living here, I supported my new home.” You say quietly, still unable to meet his eyes.

“You don’t sound German.” He says.

You look up at that, “When the war started I made sure I sounded like true Brummie. I think you know what patriotic men do to women from the enemy country.” You recalled a memory of being backed into an alley by two Englishmen who had heard you mutter something in German while in a shop. “I rarely speak German anymore.”

“But you can?”

“Yes,” You say and smile sadly, “Sprechen erinnert es mich an meine Mutter.”

He had no idea what you had just said, but it made no difference, “Good.” He took out a cigarette and lit it, “You’re hired.”

You think now as you sit in this car that even all that time ago, Tommy must have foreseen that he would need someone around who spoke German. 

Though you had looked forward to this party all evening, you felt like your heart was going to burst out of your chest as Tommy walked you inside, “Stay close to me and just listen.” Is all he says and you manage a nod.

Hearing the cacophony of German as you entered the room nearly brought you to tears. You loved England and were proud to be English now, but you hadn’t been in a room with so many Germans since you were barely a girl and the nostalgia rushed through you. You thought of family parties, your father sneaking you a sip of beer when your mother wasn’t looking, the smell of her potato pancakes filling the whole house.

“Are you alright?” Tommy asked, noticing the expression on your face.

You shook off the memories, “Fine.”

Tommy grabbed two champagne flutes off the waiter’s tray and handed one to you as an older man approached him, flanked by two associates.

He spoke to Tommy in heavily accented English about a deal. It didn’t concern you and they were speaking English so you directed your attention elsewhere and found there were several sets of eyes on you. You were one of maybe two women that were in the room currently and you found yourself sweating beneath their predatory gazes.

And then one of the associates of the man who spoke to Tommy said something lowly and German and you had to hide your blush. Tommy sensed your change in behavior and forced a smile, “Excuse us a moment,” He takes your arm and drags you from the room, “What did he say?”

You open and close your mouth, “Tommy, it had nothing to do with the business, it’s fine.”

He narrows his eyes at you, “They said something about you. They know you’re German.”

You sigh, “No, but with the way you just pulled me out of there, I’m sure they do now.”

“What did he say?” He repeats.

You chewed the inside of your cheek and sighed, “They want to have a go at me as well in addition to… The weapons that you seem to be selling them.”

He stares at you and then nods, “You can let them know you speak German now.” And then walks back to the men without waiting for you.

You frown to yourself and then walk back to Tommy. When you return, they’re speaking business again and the one who suggested he wanted to fuck you stares you down again. You look away.

He elbows the man talking to Tommy, “Sag ihm, ich will Zeit mit seiner Hure oder es wird keinen Deal geben.” Tell him I want time with his whore or there will be no deal.

You finally look at him, the disgust evident on your face, “Ich bin keine Hure und wenn du mich berührst, werde ich sicherstellen, dass du mit einer Hand weniger gehst.” 

The men pale and Tommy leans to your ear, “What just happened?”

“He insisted on fucking me and I told him if he touched me he’d leave without his hand.”

Tommy couldn’t hide the smirk on his face as he turned back to the Germans who still had yet to regain their color.

“You brought a German with you?” The first one said.

“Well, I didn’t want to be at a disadvantage seeing as I’m the only Englishman here, surely you understand. It appears you’ve upset her as well,” He clicks his tongue, “That’s not a very good idea.”

“My men are not afraid of your small woman, Mr. Shelby, and they still feel that since you brought her here she is fair game--”

“I think she made it perfectly clear that no one will be laying a hand on her,” He stepped to the man, “You may not be afraid of her, but you should be very afraid of me. And I don’t take kindly to my associates being disrespected.” He steps back, “Now we can resume the business or we’re leaving. Your choice.”

“You forget, Mister Shelby, that you are outnumbered here.”

Tommy smiles, nodding, “You think I would come alone. I brought a German with me, none of you thought to consider that I would prepare in that way. Do you really want to take the gamble that no one else is with me?”

The Germans hesitantly looked around the room. You were fairly certain Tommy was bluffing, but he could have men waiting outside that he hadn’t told you about. If you were the Germans, you wouldn’t take the gamble. Tommy was fuckin’ ruthless, you’d witnessed it first hand, but he was also clever as hell. Could probably outsmart every person in this room. You would never bet against him.

Suddenly, the Germans smile, “Why don’t you and your woman enjoy the party, eh? The business can wait.”

Tommy stares for a moment before smirking, “Pleasure, gentlemen.” And then he leads you away.

You exhale in relief and Tommy notices, “I’m sorry.”

“No,” You frown, “No, don’t be sorry.” And then you smile, “This is the most alive I’ve felt in years.”

He manages a small smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, “Go enjoy yourself, then. We’ll leave in an hour or two.” And then he’s gone before you can protest.

Before you know it, there’s another man next to you. He has kind eyes, “Sprichst du Deutsch?” He asks.

You nod, offering him a shy smile, “Ja.”

Tommy had disappeared into a dark corner, perplexed by the sudden feeling he needed to protect you, needing to drown it in alcohol. He was watching you still, the easy way you talked to the men who ate up your smiles and shy glances. You were kind, good. And yet, when you bit back at those Germans like a Rottweiler he thought maybe you had been hiding something from him. These men would rue the day they underestimated you, he was sure of it. He was beginning to regret it himself especially as he saw the glint of a knife tucked away in your hair disguised as a clip, something he certainly had not told you to bring.

They all eat you up, and you’re polite, but you keep looking around the room. Looking for more suitable men or looking for him? He lets himself imagine the latter and then feels incredibly stupid for even wanting it. Wanting you. And the want and the jealousy only grows as he keeps drinking and you laugh at some joke the German toff next to you had recited. You even reach out a hand to rest on his arm. Tommy’s hand tightens on his glass.

And then when he leans over to whisper in your ear, his lips fall to your neck. You don’t push him away and the roaring in Tommy’s ears is deafening. He wants you to reach for that knife in your hair and cut him, but instead you lean into his touch, your eyelids fluttering with pleasure. 

That’s the final straw. Tommy cracks his neck each way before standing. He walks over to you calmly and clears his throat from behind and you jump, spinning to look at him. “Tommy, I--”

“Are you having fun, love?” His tone becomes territorial and the toff is already frowning. Good. But you’re also frowning at the endearment. He doesn’t blame you, he hadn’t paid much attention to you before tonight.

You frown, “Yes.” You say firmly. He almost raises his eyebrows at the challenge in your voice.

“Go and fuck off now.” He says to the toff, not taking his eyes off you.

“I, but, we were just--” The toff starts and you begin smirking.

“Yes, Tommy,” You continue, “We were just getting to know each other, did you need me for something?” He can see in your eyes you’re aware of the effect you’ve had on him tonight and you’re enjoying this. You’d push him over the edge if you could. He had gravely misjudged you.

“You’d like to continue talking with the toff?”

“Oh, Tommy,” You lower your voice, “We were doing much more than just talking.” There’s deadly rage in his eyes and it delights you.

“Brauchst du mich, um ihn loszuwerden?” Do you need me to get rid of him?

You laugh, still looking at Tommy, “Oh nein, Liebling, du würdest dich nur umbringen lassen.” Oh no, darling, you’d only get yourself killed.

“What are you saying to him?” Tommy asks coldly.

You ignore his question, “What would you do if I kissed him right now?” You whisper in Tommy’s ear.

He looks at you with such disdain, you’re unsure if maybe you crossed the line. “Do you want him dead?” Tommy asks quickly in Romani. You had spent enough time with the Shelbys to pick up some words here and there and he knew you would understand. 

You stare him down for a few moments, the poor toff still waiting behind you. Finally, you sigh and turn to him, “I’m terribly sorry, but I must be going.” You tell him in English, “It was lovely to meet you.” You don’t kiss him on the mouth, but you do kiss his cheek lightly and it takes everything in Tommy not to pull that knife out of your hair himself and cut him.

You walk out without waiting for the toff or Tommy and as he walks behind you he thinks of all the ways he’ll give you hell for what you did in there. When you’re outside, he catches up to you and grabs your arm, backing you against the wall. He grips your throat with his hand, enough that it should scare you, but not enough to make it hard to breathe.

But you only look at him defiantly, that smirk still on your face, “If I had known it was this easy to make Tommy Shelby squirm I would’ve done this ages ago.” You said.

He can’t answer you, can’t think of anything but that mouth, that dirty, cursed mouth. And so he covers it with his own. His kiss is rough and angry and his hand tightens around your throat enough to make you gasp, but he can feel you’re still smiling. You like it. That only arouses him further.

“You’re fuckin’ evil.” He says into your mouth and you moan when he tightens his hand again, “Will you come to bed with me?”

He pulls away from you the smallest bit to read your face. “Yes,” You say breathlessly.

He leans in for one more hungry kiss before pulling you roughly by the wrist to the car. His hand wandering up your thigh throughout the drive home. It was probably the best night of your adult life.

[sunnypogue]

hockey!jj: the origin story (feat. hockey!rafe)

rafe isn’t the only obx boy that plays hockey.

a couple weeks ago, @oopmyheartwent-obx​ & i created hockey!jj - loosely based on rat king/elite shit-talker, travis konecny. 

this is his origin story.

(major, MAJOR shout out to my lady @oopmyheartwent-obx​ for compiling all of our insane notes, creating a google doc & carrying the team on her back for this lil headcanon - we’ll be posting additional hockey!jj/coho!rafe stuff to both blogs, so keep an eye out for a masterlist in the near future!)

warnings: cursing, fighting.

It started when JJ was nine

John B had come sprinting home to the chateau, an hour after he normally got home from school, two hockey sticks tucked under his arm

“Look what I found! Lost and found!”

The boys immediately took to the street, swinging them around like maniacs, trying to hit an old tennis ball as far as they could

JJ had a particularly hard shot - he nailed a car, denting the door

Needless to say, he was hooked.

JJ became a bit notorious for terrorizing the streets of the outer banks, playing street hockey from sunup to sun down, recruiting anyone and everyone to play

Most of the kids on the cut didn’t get hockey, considering it a kook sport & opting to spend their summers surfing instead

Why play a game on ice when they lived on the beach?

So JJ found himself (begrudgingly) playing with kooks, taking solace in the fact that he was significantly better than most of them 

Blatantly ignoring the fact that most of them were more focused on lacrosse anyway

And that’s how Ward Cameron found him

Rafe also played hockey, had been playing for several years in a travel league, and he was pretty good despite constantly carrying the weight of his dad’s expectations

Rafe and JJ rarely crossed paths - Rafe was vocally “above street hockey,” opting to travel to the mainland for his reserved ice time (along with his regular team practices)

JJ was better though - it was like hockey came naturally to him, and Ward saw the opportunity to capitalize on his skill

JJ was wary at first - because what the fuck did Ward Cameron want to do with a 10 year old pogue like himself?

But then Ward promised him an opportunity to play actual ice hockey - and how could JJ say no?

An escape from his shitty home life and the opportunity to finally play with some talent sounded like heaven to young JJ

Ward took JJ under his wing 

Signed him up for the local team, bought him skates, new gear, and made sure he was able to be at every practice

Made sure he had the tutors and the resources necessary to clean up his grades for future college possibilities

JJ was immediately recognized as “raw talent” - he lasted on the peewee squad for exactly one week, before being moved up to the travel bantam team, making him the lone 10 year old on a U14 team 

Which also meant he was teammates with Rafe

Carpool buddies!

Rafe simultaneously loved and hated it. It took some of the pressure off of him as his dad’s attention shifted 

But he also craved his dad’s attention and approval - which he was no longer getting with JJ in the picture

Conversation at the Cameron dinner table often consisted of “JJ’s latest achievement on the ice,” with Ward rattling off stats like a rinkside reporter.

“He’s leading the team in points, despite missing two games - I think the next kid is like, 13 points behind him.”

Rafe would roll his eyes, stabbing at whatever vegetable was left on his plate, “I’m the next kid, dad.”

He wanted to make the point that he was a defender and JJ was a forward, but he knew his dad wouldn’t care. 

He was right.

Ward would wave a dismissive hand, continuing his praise for JJ

“Kid’s so chippy, makes up for his huge size disadvantage”

This one especially hurt Rafe, who was one of the biggest guys on the team

“I’ve never seen anything like his playmaking ability, no one else on the team even comes close to his vision”

Ward essentially became JJ’s foster-hockey dad, convinced this scrawny kid from the cut would Make It Big

JJ never had to pay a dime - travel & league fees completely covered, the latest gear waiting for him in the Cameron’s foyer before practice (after JJ would bike 8 miles from the cut before sunrise to make it on time for carpool)

When recruits started knocking? Ward was advocating for JJ (a sophomore), meeting with coaches from UND, Wisconsin, BU, BC - the big ones.

Ward helped him put together highlight footage - “It’s like a portfolio, son, so they can see what you can really do.”

Fielding calls from NTDP (which JJ was wary about, because...leaving the outer banks? In the middle of high school? - terrifying.)

Meanwhile, Rafe (a senior) was attempting to lock down his SINGULAR offer from Huntsville, and trying (but failing) to swallow any jealousy/animosity he had towards JJ and his dad.

Of course, JJ and Rafe’s teammates were Very Aware of the weird dynamic the OBX boys had - they would occasionally chirp JJ for his “sugar daddy,” chirp Rafe about playing with his “stepbrother”

Rafe & JJ would go along with it, internalizing any frustration, offering up some half assed comebacks in response

They both wanted out of the outer banks, if keeping their heads down and getting along was the way to do it - so be it.

But you know - boys.

One practice - late June, days before Rafe was supposed to head down to Huntsville to report for summer conditioning - one of their teammates made a particularly nasty comment

Spouting something about Rafe leaving, meaning Ward was finally able to put all of his time into his actual prodigal son: JJ.

Rafe saw red - he was on top of the guy in a matter of seconds, shoving him to the ice as he tried to rip his helmet off

All the years of frustration, of feeling second best in his own dad’s eyes, surged forward, and Rafe couldn’t stop it

JJ was the first to the scrap, trying to pull Rafe off of their teammate before any real physical damage could be done, yelling at him to “calm the fuck down!”

Rafe knew getting the reputation of the hothead who’d fight his teammates looked bad to the coaches, but he didn’t want to hear it - especially from JJ, who’d essentially ruined his life

Rafe shook him off - “Don’t fucking touch me, you wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for me, still playing street hockey with your dirty pogue friends on the cut.”

JJ flew back, face bright red from Rafe’s sharp comment - he fired back before he could think - “Whatever, you fucking loser. Have fun slumming it in Huntsville.”

Rafe glanced up, gritting his teeth as he chucked his glove in JJ’s direction, before skating towards him and shoving him over with his stick. He towered over JJ, sweaty hair dangling onto his forehead as he hissed - “Keep trying to pretend to be someone you’re not - we all know you don’t belong here.” 

Rafe threw his other glove at him, nailing JJ in the chest, before standing up straight, slicking his hair back with one hand -

“Fucking leech.”

[misskittysmagicportal]

I’m A Creep

Fandom: The Messenger Jack x Rin Davies

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: suicide discussion, oral sex, penetration, mention of masturbation, angsty whomp because OOOOF is Jack a Whomp!character

Note: The events of this fic contain spoilers for those of you who havent seen The Messenger.  It takes place after the end of the movie.  Read at your own risk if you haven’t seen it!  If you want it’s free on Tubi :)

Present Day:

Jack stood beside Rin in the dead of night watching her sleep for just a moment. Only a moment because she roused the instant she sensed him breathe. Sitting up, she quickly reached inside the nightstand. He knew her routine, Rin was impulsive about making sure her leather motorcycle gloves were on before she let him in.

Jack wordlessly pulled his shirt over his head and stepped out of his sweatpants and boxers. 

Rin lifted her covers and opened her legs to him. Obliging, Jack lowered himself onto her showering her neck with kisses. His tongue and lips trailing down along her collarbone, erection hard against her thigh. A hand found its way under Rin’s t-shirt and over a naked breast where he pinched at a nipple. 

“Jack,” she was breathless. “Stop. Don't touch my skin, please.”

Jack pushed himself up by the arms, “How is this enjoyable to you, duck?” A northern term of endearment. “My thighs ah touchin’ you aren't they?” The moonlight caught his eyes as he teased her with the head of his cock. “What about this, inside you?” Suggestively whispered. 

Rin moaned but held her cool. “It’s not the same. Like you said, that's inside. It's just my.. skin. From my..” her voice trailed off. 

“Would it be so bad? I just want to feel you under me without fuckkin clothes.” Jack took a chance and kissed her. Tongue pushing inside of Rin, but she stiffened. “Sweetheart,” now he whispered, just his fingertips brushed her cheek. “Please, love, just touch me”

--------

Several Weeks Before:

Rin sat alone at a center table in the middle of the visitation room.  This wasn’t her first rodeo, probably won’t be her last.  She flexed her hands outwards the leather of her gloves cracking and flexing in a satisfying manner.  No one was going to come and see her. Besides, the solitude allowed her to quietly spy on all the other nutters around the room.

Just to her left Rin noticed a pretty redheaded woman and her son as they sat across from probably the most attractive guy ever in an institution.  There was a tenseness to the way he sat, shoulders hunched and hands between his legs.  His hair unruly and a blank stare that wasn’t really focusing on- she came to realize-  his sister and nephew.  Rin knew him from group therapy where he was equally quiet, eyes glassy from a psych med cocktail.  The majority of his speaking hours tucked away in that overbearing therapist’s office.  

“Jack, will you please just look at me?” his sister, Emma tried her best to reach out to her brother. “I.. I think Martin and I made a mistake.” 

Jack only stared straight ahead between Emma and his nephew, Billy. The preteen looked uncomfortable and scared as his mother nudged him softly. “It's ok. Billy tell Uncle Jack.” 

“I did, Mom” , his voice quiet. “I'm supposed to say no. That you should get me help before it's too late.”  Rin watched as Billy folded his arms and laid his head down. “Only I can't. It's all night and day, Jack. I can't sleep because they don't have you.” 

“Best leave him here with me then, Emma.” It was the first time anyone heard Jack speak in weeks. His sister had a posh accent, so Rin was surprised when Yorkshire dripped from his lips. “For good, right?” 

“That's not fair. You are sick, Jack.  You weren't caring for yourself. You.. you got too involved with that murder. You were hurting yourself,” Emma struggled with tears. “I want to take you home.”

“Oh like I'm some kind of fookin dog? Emma you and Martin made it clear I belong here. She's right, maybe it was all dad. That's traumatic you know.” 

“You deserve someplace warm! A home. Please, Jack. I found this in your things.” She slid a newspaper clipping towards her brother. “That's the boy who drowned. Why.. why didn't you tell me?” 

“Loads of kids drown in pools,” Jack stated bluntly with a shrug. “Why should your pool be any different?” 

“I never said it was our pool.” 

“I recognized the address in the article”

“Jack, it's from two years ago.” 

“I got lucky. Ah we doon here? I have walls to stare at. Here Billy you can have this back,” from between his knees he produced a glass paperweight with a scorpion inside. “Tell all ya mates Crazy Uncle Jack sends his loov” 

Jack tried to stand but Emma grabbed his arm. This was Rin’s cue to swoop in. She swiftly moved from her table to theirs. 

“JACKIE!’ I've been looking for you everywhere!” His eyes panicking in her direction. “I'm Wren,” she took her glove off and reached a scarred hand in Emma's direction. “But my brother couldn't say it so you can call me Rin” She smiled brightly. 

Emma tentatively shook Rin’s hand, smiling in turn.  Rin took a moment as her mind’s eye zoned in on what was inside of Jack’s sister.  It was a loneliness, a desperation to take care of her little brother but protect her son from the same fate.  But most importantly Rin felt a small tingling of warmth from somewhere deep inside of Emma’s heart.  It was white and pure and instantly recognizable as hope.  Even though it was tiny it was growing and starting to spread, and Rin knew Emma was eager to share that with her brother.

“Wow,” Rin blurted, “I wish my brother was as invested in me as you are.  You’re a good person, Emma.  Trust me,” she winked.  “Woman’s intuition.”

Emma narrowed her eyes and studied the crazed looking woman standing between her and Jack.  The scars on Rin’s hand raised some alarms, but Emma ignored them.  She omitted a relief and let go, “Well thank you.  Can you talk some sense into my brother?”

Moments later, with the visitors gone, Rin sat down in Emma’s place.  “Thank you is a start,” she teased Jack. 

He rolled his eyes and slowly turned in her direction to face her dead on.  The intensity of his eyes took Rin by surprise.  “Thank you,” the sarcasm poured like a waterfall.

Rin took off her other glove.  “Now, Mr-”

“Jack is fine.”

“Jack.  Tell me,” Rin feigned a German accent, “Und why do zey sink you are crazy.”   

He blinked slowly.

“You got sectioned.  What bullshit excuse did they force you to believe?  Because it seems like Lovely Emma is desperate to get you out, and we know how hard that is.”

Jack took an impossibly deep breath, “Schizo-effective disorder with some dissociation, post traumatic stress disorder, non-suicidal self injury disorder and depression.”

“Fuck me, that's a trail mix of bonkers. Now ask me” 

Jack closed his eyes. They were shut for so long that Rin was certain he had fallen asleep having given in to his meds. His hunched, thin body sort of folded a bit in on itself. A moment of possible self-soothing when he started to sway. 

“Jack?” Rin's tone fell quietly with concern. She poke his arm carefully avoiding touching the skin. “Darling what cocktail did these quacks put you on.” She was an expert after all these years; if the drugs were working, no way would he be this much of a zombie.

Green blank eyes hidden behind enviable eyelashes attempted to focus “Seroquel. Clozapine?” His words start to slur a bit. “Fine. How fucking barmy are you?”

“Well,”  the young woman softened, “I have suicidal ideations with self-injury tendencies myself, severe clinical depression, a bit of the old borderline personality disorder and wait for it..”  she practically whispered a few inches from Jack’s face, “total emotional attachment to partners.”  

The skin around Jack’s eyes crinkled as he squinted just enough to indicate his hazed brain was trying to process everything Rin just unloaded. His lips parted to speak but he paused resulting in a gobsmacked expression.  “You’re barking.”

“Says the sexy scarecrow with journo clippings of dead boys.”  Rin pursed her lips and crossed her arms, “Why are you really in here Jack.”

“I’m fucking mad.” It was matter of fact.

“To quote the Cheshire Cat, we’re all mad here, love.  Look at me,” she held her hands aloft to display gnarled and prominent scars covering both hands in their entirety.  “I developed a gift or two by primary school.  See I can touch a person, and I know what they are feeling.  Except it.. It goes deeper than that.  I can PICTURE their true selves.  It’s a bit overstimulating, but no one can lie to me.  Not really.  Doesn’t do much for my sex life.  Or lack of one really.  Honestly, you put a cock in your mouth only to find out the guy you’re with is fantasizing about slitting your throat and wanking in your blood.”

Jack shook his head, “Jesus christ.”

“Well yes! My parents were religious zealots, right?  They got wind of my gifts.  Tried to use me in the church, but I rebelled.  Long story short, darling Mumsy and Papa decided if they may be stuck my hands in boiling grease I wouldn’t be able to use it anymore.  It’s not in my hands though.  It’s in my skin,” Rin smiled almost pleasantly. “Sometimes I get a bit over the edge.  I stop shielding myself from the pure air around folks, I suffocate in it.  Then,” now she held out her wrists, “I have my little accidents.”

Jack’s mouth hung agape.  His brows furrowed in confusion, “You are off you’re fucking nut.”

“That’s all relative.  Now, you can tell me why they REALLY sectioned you.  What power or ability are they masquerading as mental illness, or I can find out my way.”  Rin shrugged. 

“Why the fuck do you care?  I’m sleeping at night.  I have food and a bed and a shower.”

“Und electro-shock zerapy, und coma inducing psychopharmaceuticals, und most importantly you has lost your voice und a chance to harness your ability correctly.”  that mock German accent again.  “You shouldn’t be here, Jack.  Emma certainly doesn’t think so, and neither do I.  You’re special.  Or that bitch shrink wouldn’t have made you the living dead.”

Jack snorted followed by a rather loud.  “Just fuck off. Fuck off.  Fuck off.  FUCK OFF!” he screamed in Rin’s face.  Not once did she flinch, arms crossed again in a challenge. Disgusted by her, Jack kept bellowing his words thick with anger and cotton from the meds, “I DON'T BELONG OUT THERE EITHER!  I DON'T BELONG IN HERE!  I DON’T FUCKING BELONG ANYWHERE. HE’S DEAD.  SHE’S DEAD.  EVERY SINGLE FUCKING ONE OF THE CUNTS IS DEAD!  DEAD DEAD DYING!  JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!” 

He shot up out of the chair to leave, but Rin caught his large hand.  Skin to skin, hands so small together they barely covered just his one.  Instantly her body stiffened as she gasped for air.  Tears immediately stung her eyes as she crammed them shut.  There in her mind was just a large body of water.  Ocean waves crashed overhead as she sank far below the surface.  Dark, cold, horrifying that sensation of being drowned.  Rin choked on the last bit of oxygen in her lungs and started to suffocate.  The hand she held brought her mind’s eye around to opening under the water to see Jack floating near-motionless in front of her.  It took all of her strength to push against the tide towards him where she held his face in her hands.  Death and decay flashed above them, the dead peering down from boats just waiting for Jack to return to the surface.

Rin strained to convey that tiny bit of hope Emma had passed along to her earlier as she pressed her forehead into Jack’s in the icy deep.  There was no reason in particular that she was drawn to him.  Not in the hospital or here trying to save him from drowning slowly. Was he attractive, undoubtedly, but that wasn’t all or it. Maybe it was now that she knew he was a messenger, a harbinger of death.  That was itself a form of an empathic gift.  Or it was just compassion. 

Suddenly Jack’s eyes burst open.  In that languid way your body moves underwater, he pushed her away.  His arms and legs thrashed around in a panic as if he only just realized he was allowing this place to kill him.  There was an instant loss, and Rin’s inner self slammed into a brick wall.  The physical Jack had severed the connection between her body and his.  To resurface that suddenly forced Rin gulping in blessed oxygen that she never really lost.  It was an illusion, where the two of them had been.  He really had shoved her back though, she realized that now.  Storming out of the visitation center, Jack left Rin alone to cry.

--------

Several days later

Rin lounged against the wall outside of Jack’s room with her gloves firmly in place.  Patients weren’t SUPPOSED to fraternize outside of the common rooms, but Rin had been here a few times before.  She knew which orderlies and nurses to finess, and which to avoid.  In this case Jerry was the giant, affable St Bernard of a man that kept watch in this particular hallway.

“Wren back so soon?” he teased. “What are you doing hanging around the human handbook for the recently deceased?” 

“Delightful, Jer.  How is he?  I mean really.” Rin hooked her thumb in the direction of the room.

“Easiest patient I’ve dealt with on account of he rarely speaks, pops his meds and keeps to himself.  Gave us a bit of a row when he first got here, but I like the guy.  I don’t know what to believe though.  His sister’s been sniffing around administratives.”  The orderly shrugged his massive shoulders.  “Heard you took quite the piss on visitation day.”

“I didn’t take the piss!” 

“Did ya do your handsy thing,” Jerry made jazz hands.

Rin’s eyes almost rolled back in her head, but suddenly there was a figure in the doorway which caused her to jump.  “How about we don’t talk about the nutter like he isn’t 10 feet away and only 27 years old?” Jack insisted.  His arms crossed and shoulders sagged in their usual way.  

“Can we talk?”  

Before Jack could truly answer, Rin had already pushed past him and sat down on his bed.  His mouth hung somewhat agape before he eventually joined her.  Jack attempted to sit close, just for some human contact, but the young woman beside him shied away.

“Right,” a retort.  “You’ve started being just as bloody fucking annoying as they were.”

Startled, “Who?”

“You know those.. Schizo delusions I’m here for.”

“The dead?”

Jack’s green eyes narrowed and Rin knew there was a sarcastic remark just sitting there waiting to be released.  Instead he curled his posture as if he was trying to fold in on himself.  Make himself smaller, less noticeable.  “Dissociations sparked by my father’s suicide.”

“Psycho babble bullshit jargon.  Congratulations, you’ve become a parrot.”  Rin waved her hand, “Jack has anyone ever-.”  There was a hesitation.  

“Has anyone ever what? Go on, enlighten me then”

Rin started stripping her gloves off but thought better of it.  A sense of foreboding, of drowning and clutching her chest for hair flashed across her mind.  The loneliness emanated from Jack without her touch. That empathic conduction of her skin.  Reaching instead to place the soft leather against his cheek, her thumb brushed his bottom lip.  Her eyes searched for him in that moment where time stood still before a mouth replaced a thumb.  

To not only Rin’s surprise but his own, Jack didn’t recoil.  His body relaxed as instinct took hold. There was a fervor in hands that got tangled up in hair.  Tongues fought each other as arms made their way around bodies in an embrace.  They held one another tight, the desperation apparent.  

The spell broke when Jack laid Rin down on the bed and let his warm mouth trail down her neck. He was awkward and hungry like a teenager.  He fumbled around her chest to attempt massaging her breast. 

A snort came from Rin simply to hide the panic of rushing water when Jack’s lips came into contact with her skin.  Maybe hers found it easier to beg off that inner eye from opening, but now she didn’t have a choice.  They weren’t as deep with the surface just rippling only a few inches away.  

Before she started to lose oxygen again, Rin began to squirm.  “ Stop.  Please?”

Jack sat up and faced forward as if nothing had transpired.  His cheeks flushed and a hand tugged at his tee-shirt embarrassingly then stuffed between his legs. He blinked a few times as he breathing calmed. 

“I only came to ask you if anyone had ever shown you affection.  Held you.  Emma.. Emma”  Rin inhaled deeply as she forced Jack to hold her glove hand.  “I know she sort of longs to hug you.”  Back on his cheek to make him look at her. “Obviously I got my answer,” she laughed. 

Jack silently replied by pushing his forehead into Rin's.  They laid down again this time with their heads on his pillow legs and arms tangled up in each other. Jack nuzzled the edge of his nose into the skin behind her ear; her breath caught. Then the couple seemingly melted together.

“Jack you seem less-” fingers twisted up in his curls.

“Like a walking coma patient?” hand gripped the thick of her thigh.  Then reaching a shelf above Rin Jack seized one of those creepy glass paperweights housing a floating tarantula. Turning it over underneath to show a tiny white envelope. “I started hiding my meds. Pass them along to my sister when she visits.”

Just under the surface of the water, still struggling for air exploded before Rin's eyes. Perhaps she had passed something between Emma and Jack. Was it her own faith that was transmitted to him? That first touch that woke him up after all this time. 

The next few weeks became a game of trial and error. Of how little or much Rin and Jack could consume of each other.  Kissing was no longer an issue once the meds began to wear off, lips and tongues and mouths. It felt more like standing ankle deep in a bathtub. Warm and comforting; it was Jack that was overpowering.  

Eager to make up for a very long very lost amount of time. He stumbled along Rin's body uneasily because of how little clothing she removed at first. Not that he was in a rush to reveal what was underneath his oversized shirt and sweatpants. He wasn’t the one recoiling when the stimulation overwhelmed.  

“I'll take off my shirt. Touch me here, but where the fabric of my bra is. Tease the nipple with just your fingertips. No that's.. maybe under? Touch them. Oh God. Now your mouth. Right there.  Are you.. you took your shirt off too?” (She marveled at how defined, muscular Jack's body seemed despite his slight stature)   

Jack took initiative now and slid his fingers inside of Rin. He pumped them a few times guided by her ``Oh.. maybe you can touch me.. Do you feel.. It’s like a bud or a kernel.. Here let me.. It’s just right.. OH GOD.  Right like.. ”   And she would ride his hand and fingers that circled that bud.  

Rin would cry out in surprise.  Her body exploded in ecstasy. They weren't drowning anymore. Just swimming, bobbed under the water and surface. It was the sense-memory of suffocating, coupled with the dazzling pleasure of Jack's warm tongue as it teased her nipples, his strong fingers teasing her clit at the same time. His hot skin meshed with hers washed out by fear.  She apologized as they scrambled to arrange themselves. 

“Don't think I'm going anywhere for quite some time, my love.”  His words changed with the possessive my in lieu of the once meaningless sentiment. He would steal a chaste kiss from Rin whose cheeks flushed to match his own as he made that familiar adjustment between his legs.  In the future, Rin would come to him without a bra but reluctant to take her shirt off when Jack kept on never minding.

Jerry became an ally of sorts. He always had been on Rin's side after she read him her second section. It wasn't difficult to get him to believe in Jack's abilities. Staff has whispered down the corridors that Jack had suddenly found himself aware of a suicide attempt.  That dead reporter Emma mentioned, his fiancé had taken more pills than Rin ever fathomed any number of her attempts. (She had a flare for dramatics: slit wrists) Jerry mentioned Jack had a tantrum the likes of a toddler screaming the name Sarah whatever over and over, pounding his fists into his head to make whatever haunted him. Sure enough, this Sarah was found nearly having bled out and foaming at the mouth. 

“How would he even fucking know, poppet? Not unless Jack really was chatting up her dead fiancé “ As if that was all he needed, Jerry turned his back and caused distractions all the nights the Empath and her Beautiful Broken Man longed to be together.

It was stunning the way Jack learned to manipulate the system.  Only Rin, and reluctantly Jerry, knew he pocketed his meds.  Safely tucked away in those ugly arachnid globes in the pockets or purse of Billy and Emma.  He started talking more in group therapy and far less in private sessions.  Engaged in conversations with his sister and nephew, true ones that resulted in a simple smile or a laugh free from a facetious tone.  To the staff and doctors those fucking psychopharmeceuticals worked.  To Jack’s sister and nephew and whatever Rin was to him, there was a slowly lifting weight making the air around him lighter. Yet Rin kept her hands to herself.

More trial and error.  In the midst of fervent kisses, Rin took Jack in her hand.  A stroke or two was all she got in before he spasmed and came.  The mortification that flashed in his eyes as he curled in a fetal position between her and the wall while she whispered reassurances in his ear.  Touching him, caressing him and eventually taking him into her mouth became easier and longer with practice and patience.  

They laughed into each other’s mouths before Rin let her tongue trail down over his stomach. Anxiously Jack took off his pants and boxers, lying backwards.  He held the back of her head, moaned and twisted as she licked and sucked on him. His hips bucked and thrust upwards.  

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

Present Day, Again

“Would it be so bad? I just want to feel you under me without fuckin clothes.” Jack took a chance and kissed Rin. Tongue pushed inside of her, but she stiffened. “Sweetheart,” now he whispered,  just his fingertips brushed her cheek. “Please, love, just touch me?”

Rin took a moment to think.  He wasn’t drowning anymore.  She could push that old feeling out of her third eye and bury herself in new ones.  She took a hold of her shirt and tossed it on the floor.  She took the erection that twiced against her thigh and held it just outside of her pulsating and ready sex.  With hands that sunk into her vunerable skin, Jack buried himself inside of her. 

That fire from Emma all that time ago poured from Jack’s body into hers.  It pushed back the water as he pumped rhythmically into Rin.  Building into a frenzy quickly, his pelvis crashed into hers before she could really come around to what was happening.  It briefly conquered the fears from before; caused hot tears to spring to her eyes that flowed uncontrolled down her cheeks.

In his fervor, Jack noticed and bent to kiss them away.  The gesture she had made that first time, a thumb brushed across her cheek and lower lip as he slowed his pace. Wren,” he took to calling her that tentatively.  “What is it?”

Before she could answer, Jack became distracted by something in the corner of the room.  Eyes passed between Rin and whatever it was that she couldn’t fathom or see.  She took his chin and focused it on her as they crashed together and apart again in another wave of building friction. It was too late though, he had abruptly pulled out and away from her. 

“NO!  STOP!  LEAVE ME ALONE!  CAN’T I HAVE ONE MOMENT OF FUCKING HAPPINESS WITHOUT ONE OF YOU LOOMING OVER ME LIKE A FUCKING PERV.”  He used fists to beat out a rhythm on his temples as he scurried to the corner of his bed with knees up to his chest.  

In the frenzy, Rin had been knocked to the floor.  Jerry had rushed in, he was never too far away just in case.  In a whirlwind, he picked Rin up with one hand and with the other attempted to intervene between Jack's fists and his head.  What could either of them do?  If attention was drawn to the room, surely the doctors would realize Jack had gone unmedicated for weeks.  Jerry’s eyes wide gestured towards Rin’s hands.  She shook her head, but Jack carried on.  

“Go on Jenny Wren, there has to be something your hands can do.  I’ll lose my job and you’ll be separated.  They’ll put him back in the Zoo.”  He was already yanking her arms forward and trying to remove her gloves before she could consent.

Rin knew The Zoo. It being rooms that could be monitored with two way mirrors.  You got a bed and a blanket.  They controlled when the lights came on and when they turned them off.  No privilege, no real structure.  They fed you, bathed you, and gave you “playtime” when they said.  No matter how you suffered from mental illness no one deserved that. She would never forgive herself.

“JERRY LET ME DO IT MYSELF!”  Rin bellowed if only to out yell Jack and his fit.  “Make her go away!  LEAVE ME ALONE” he cried underneath her.  Her hands free, she flexed them a few times before joining Jack on the bed.  She clutched his forearms and struggled to get a grip enough to pull them away from self-harm.  “JACK!  YOU HAVE GOT TO FUCKING STOP, MY DARLING.”  She slid her hands over his temples before he could punch them anymore.  She used the heels of her palms and pressed.  

It was immediate, the way her mind opened to him.  This time he was floating along the tide in a boat surrounded by what Rin could only guess were dead people.  They grabbed and tugged on Jack’s clothes.   Rin sat on the other side from him between two oars; she used one to swat at the ghosts who tried to pull them back in.  But there, walking along the surface, was a beautiful young woman.  Blonde hair flowed in waves down her back.  Sarah.

“You said we would be together, Jack.”  She was angry.  “That’s what you told him when he warned you I overdosed.  I survived that attempt, but not the second one.  Where is he Jack?  Why isn’t he here waiting for me?”

Jack stood up and the boat began to dangerously rock. Rin took his hand and he squeezed it in return.  He bellowed at the dead woman, “YOU SURVIVED AND HE MOVED ON.  I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU BEING FUCKING STUPID, SARAH.  WHAT I TOLD YOU WAS MEANT TO EASE YOUR GUILT.  HE LOVED YOU.  YOU WERE SO LOVED.  HE DIDN’T CARE ABOUT YOUR MISTAKES.  YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ME ALONE.  ALL OF YOU.  I’M FUCKING DONE.  MOVE ON.  GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.  I CAN’T BE THE ONLY ONE OF MY KIND.  AND FUCK OFF BILLY TOO, MATE.”

“Jack?”  Rin spoke softly.  The hands gripped her tight in place of him.  They started to pull her in with him because he was useless now.  He stood up to them for possibly the first time in twenty years.  They would take her instead then.  

Jack seized Rin’s body before she could go over in his place.  He held her fast and tight and shielded her from them.  “NO.  You don’t fucking get ANYONE I love.  Not Billy.  Not Emma.  Not Martin.  No Wren or Rin.  AND YOU DON’T FUCKING GET ME ANYMORE.”  He took the oar up in his free hand and swung it around the bodies in the water.  He jabbed it forward like a sword at Sarah still pacing the side of the boat.  “GO, SARAH.  HE’S WAITING FOR YOU.  I PROMISE THIS TIME”  Jack insisted and pleaded.

Then it was so silent it deafened both Jack and Rin as they clung to one another in the boat.  In a flash and explosion, they separated and landed back on the bed in the room in an institution.  Jerry panted and pawed at the two of them dazed and uncertain.  Jack blinked a handful of times with no recollection of what just took place in his head and Rin’s.  They never knew or remembered Rin had learned.

Jack scoured the room for any sign of Sarah or anyone else.  He rubbed his eyes a few times then sighed heavily.  “I.. I want to go back to my room now.”  It was matter of fact.  

Jerry nodded and helped him back into his clothes.  Jack stumbled a bit but managed to kiss Rin sweetly before being led away and down the hall.  Rin knew Jerry would probably give him something to help him sleep at least for the night and probably into tomorrow.  She was afraid Jack had woken up a second time.  Not just from his nightmare of the last twenty years, but whatever happened between them.  It was a price she had to pay sometimes when she helped.  There was something Rin longed to say earlier.  What made her cry was an ember somewhere deep inside of Jack that he had never experienced before.  For the first time in his life, he had hope.

[godess-ofthe-underworld]

Love Finds A Way

(sequel to “See You Again”) ( A Hary Hook X Reader story)

Part 6

Harry sauntered into the chip shop after his encounter with the former occupants of the Isle.  His mind still drifted to Hadley and her scared expression as he pointed his hook in her face.  He mentally kicked himself as he promised her long ago that he would never point his hook at her face.

 He groaned as he sat down at a table, kicking his feet up and rubbing his hands down his face slightly smearing the eyeliner around his eyes.

He only put it on because he knew Hadley liked it, she always said it made his eyes seem more menacing, and maybe it would her her to break if she saw it but no such luck.

Uma came around from the back and saw Harry propped against the table.  She knocked his feet down, startling the young pirate and causing him to yelp as the chair fell to the floor.

“Well? Is she coming?” Uma asked crossing her arms.

“Yeah I don't see why they wouldn't. I gave them a pretty irresitsable ultimatum.” Harry grunted.

“ Wait.. wait. Who's they?” Uma raised an eyebrow.

“ Mal.” 

“And?” 

Harry didn't respond right away, he just continued to look at the floor.

“Harry!” 

Harry mumbled something as Uma rested her hands on the table.

“What was that?” She tilted her head.

“ Hadley.” Harry spoke, his voice was low and his eyes stayed put on the floor not daring to look at his Capitan.

“Did I tell you to invite the hot head?!” Uma shouted

“ I did it for meself!’ Harry roared as he forcefully stood up, knocking over the chair. 

Uma laughed.

“Oh Harry.  She left you remember? She doesn't care about you.  It's been six months, get over it.” Uma shot.

Each word cut into Harry's chest like a searing red-hot knife. 

“ I know.” He whimpered. 

“ Just remember where your loyalties lie.” Uma growled.

 Uma sauntered away from the table, leaving Harry to pick up his chair.

He sat back down and slammed his head on the he table top groaning as he did.

An hour past and the time for Hadley and Mal to arrive neared closer.  Meaning Harry grew more nervous and Uma grew more agitated.

She slammed a tray of fried fish on the table in front of a witch causing some to spill onto the table top.

“ Hey! I wanted the fried clams!” The witch complained.

“ And I wanted a sea pony. Life ain't fair!” Uma retorted, making the witch jump back.

Harry was tapping his hook on the table when the two swing doors flung open.

All heads turned to the two new additions to the shop, some gashping and some growling.

“ We're baaaack.” Mal and Hadley sung still standing in the doorway.

Harry's head shot directly to Hadley as he stood up. 

Uma laughed as she went to stand by harry.

“Losers, party of two. Right this way please.” Uma gestured to an empty table in front if them.  Uma pushed a chair towards mal, who caught it before it hit her.

“ Place still stinks.” Hadley commented, wrinkling her nose at the putrid smell of fish.

“Oh I'm sorry. We're down a Butler today.  Princesses.” Uma scoffed.

Hadley went to pull up an empty chair when a large hand covered hers.

Hadley looked up to see Harry had grabbed her hand, his blue eyes seemed stone cold.

“Let's go. We need to talk.” Harry stated looking anywhere but at her.

Hadley looked to Mal as Harry drug her from the shop by her wrist.  

He took her to an alley next to the shop.  He let go of her arm and started pacing in front of her.

Hadley cast her eyes to the wet, muddy ground, kicking some rocks around. 

“Why?” Harry voice broke through the silence causing Hadley to snap her head to look at him.  He'd stopped pacing and was standing in front of Hadley. 

When she opened her mouth to ask what he meant he silenced her with his hand.

“You promised me you wouldn't.  You promised we would get out of here together.  It's been six months Hadley and I've heard nothin’ from you.  You're over there living the perfect little life not giving a single care about me.  You left me here hoping that you'd come back. Did you even think about me when you chose to stay? Hm? Cause you weren't wearing the necklace then.  Just like you aren't now.  What? Did you forget I existed the minute you stepped foot in Auradon?  Did you ever care about me at all?” Harry's voice got louder and louder and by the time her finished ranting.

Hadely stepped forward. “ That's not true.. I-I-” 

“ Save it.  You lied to me.  I waited six months.. six months for you to come back here.  And now the only reason you're here is to get you precious King and princess back.” 

“Harry..-” her voice came out broken and quiet.

Before Hadley could return any answers, Mal came slamming out the doors of the shop. 

“Hadley! Let's go!” Mal shouted.

Hadley turned back to Harry not sure of what to say.  She backed out of the alley keeping her eyes on him.  She watched as his head hung and his shoulders slumped as she backed up.

“I never forgot you Harry.” She whispered.

Harry looked up just as her hair flicked around the corner.

Hadley jogged to keep up with Mal who seemed unsettled.

“ Mal wait up! What happened in there?” Hadley panted as she caught up.

Mal stopped and sighed “ Uma wants the wand, in exchange for Ben and Ruby.” 

Hadley stared wide eyed as Mal walked on.

'great here we go again with the whole wand thing’ Hadley groaned out loud rushing to catch up.

A/n: Hey guys! forgot it was Friday again yesterday... oops.  anyway here is Part 6.  if you liked this part and would like part 7 please like and comment.  aslo if you would like to read the illustrated version you can do so on my Wattpad (@phelpsphan).  As Always if you would like to be added to the tag list please message me. <3 <3 <3 Summary: You would think that six months in Auradon would do any villain kid good.  Well, not Hadley.  After the events of the Coronation, Hadley's mood took a downward spiral; and for one reason, guilt.  She'd broken a promise and left her best friend on the Isle of the Lost.  How will she handle seeing him again when certain circumstances bring her back to the Isle? Will she finally tell him what she really feels?  

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters in Descendants.  Hadley and the plot between her and Harry are mine. 

Tag list: @unded-bride

[sergeant-donny-donowitz]

Safety First (Hugo Stiglitz x Reader)

Requested by @cass-danvers

@owba-chan @war-obsessed @inglourious-imagines @tealaquinn @struggling-bee @frozenhuntress67 @kwyloz @sodapop182

Let me know if you wanna be added to the IB or OUATIH taglists! :)

A/N: (p/n)=your pronouns :)

_________________________________________ Utivich was panicking as he cried out, "DO WE TAKE IT OUT OR LEAVE IT I-" Hugo pulled Utivich away from Wicki, who had a bullet in his chest, and blood pouring out his mouth. Hugo shook his head, and muttered,  "Don't do anything." "WHAT DO YOU MEAN DON'T DO ANY-" Donny was crouching by Wicki, "He's sayin' something in German. Hugo, listen!" Hugo sat by, and listened. "It's an address," he looked up at the others, all of which were as confused as him.  Aldo immediately turned to the last nazi they'd left alive, "Where the hell is that?"

The nazi raised a shaking finger as he stuttered some directions.

Aldo nodded, "Well, very kind of you, boy." He cleared his throat as he studied his newly acquired luger, "Normally we let one of you shit faces go with a pretty little mark on his face and a story to tell, but we can't have you tellin' 'em where we went, now can we, boy?" The nazi looked at Aldo with wide, terrified eyes. " An' that don't change the fact I got a man dyin' back there..." He raised the gun, and shot the last nazi in the face, as the basterds moved Wicki carefully. ******

It was nearly two in the morning when you heard a knock...no...a knock is polite. And unheard at such an ungodly hour. This was incessant, endless, deafening sound, threatening to break down the door.

Fortunately, you were wide awake, in a quiet room, hidden to the untrained eye, studying things that would be a death sentence if found by nazis.

You quickly and quietly hid the papers away, and pushed the bookcase back into its tidy space, hiding away your secret rebellions.

You sighed, knowing perhaps you were in over your head... Perhaps this would be the night your luck ran out.

When you opened the door and immediately saw a gun pointed directly between your eyes, you raised an eyebrow. You knew nazis would draw out their cynicism.

Then, you looked at the face behind the gun.

You recognized it from the newspapers, not so long ago.

Hugo Stiglitz.

In spite of an imminent threat of a bullet being lodged in your brain, you were no longer worrying, or even wondering what was wrong. His voice was demanding as he pushed the gun against your forehead. "Sind Sie ein Arzt?" 'Are you a doctor?' You nodded, and Hugo grabbed onto your collar, pushing you inside as what could only be the basterds, began to pour into your livingroom. "Schreie um Hilfe und du stirbst." 'Scream for help and you die.' "Notiert." 'Noted,' you smiled a bit smugly, then glanced past him, spotting a bloody man in their arms. "This way," you pulled away from Hugo, completely defying him and his threats...You knew the stories, and frankly anyone with half a mind in your place would be scared of him... But you weren't. You glanced at Hugo for a brief moment as you walked by and led them down the hall. That man was one of the most gorgeous people you'd seen in your life. And...he was stunned that you didn't even blink in the face of death. Hugo looked down at his thumb. When you pulled away from his grip, something on your collar had cut him. You pushed your bookcase aside, and turned on the lights. You pushed papers and maps away from a steel table, and turned on every lamp in the room. You pulled out a kit with surgical supplies, and pulled a cloth over the table. "Here." You turned, and saw the face of the basterd that was bloody and barely breathing. Your eyes went wide, and your heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be him... You shook your head once at yourself. No, this wasn't the time to be emotional. You had to act, and act quickly. There would be enough time for this nonsense later, you hoped. "That was fast..."Donny muttered as he and Aldo lugged Wicki onto the table. Smitty looked around, "Is no one going to ask what the fuck this place-" Aldo ignored him, and looked to you, "Is he going to live?" That struck you. Your half moment of hesitation took everyone's breath, and an uneasy, eerie silence blanketed the room. You turned to look at him, studied the wound for a moment, "Schwer zu erzählen..." 'Hard to tell...' you sighed, and Hugo caught on. He asked again. His tone was not quite as aggressive as it was minutes before. It was pleading, as you lingered by the doorway, on your way to wash your hands, Aldo following with a gun to make sure that was all you did. You turned for a moment, "Ich werde alles tun, was ich kann." 'I'll do everything I can...' You disappeared down the hall, and Omar asked, "What'd the doctor say?" "(P/n) will do the best (p/n) can." You ran back in, and started to lay out everything you needed. You looked up, "I have no morphine."

Hirschberg muttered something as he lit a cigarette. Aldo raised his gun, and kept it trained on you, making sure you did as you were told. "I need you to hold him down in case he wakes up." You set down a bottle of whiskey on the edge, and turned him over slightly. No exit wound... You nodded, silently hoping that bullet wound was shallow, and that  the bullet itself was in one piece. You felt a looming presence by you, and saw Hugo Stiglitz was standing over the wounded man, holding down his shoulders, just in case...though he seemed distracted, and distant. He was looking at you, with a gaze only a soldier could have. He'd seen much, but he was not ready to see his friend like that. You took a shot, "Sicherheit zuerst," 'Safety first,' which made Hugo’s expression soften. It was the closest thing to a smile as he made in a long time. Some of the other basterds circled around, ready to hold Wicki down if he woke up in the middle of it all, and also took a shot for 'safety.' You sighed, understanding how that soldier must have felt, placing his friend's life in the hands of someone he couldn't trust. Better yet, you knew you had to save Wicki. Because you didn't have time to explain that you knew him, and you had known him for most of your life. You had to save him because you had so many things to tell him. You had to save him because you wouldn't be able to bear life knowing that you didn't.  So, you sighed, and quietly explained everything you were doing, hoping that would ease at least Hugo Stiglitz. "Es sieht so aus, als ob keine Arterie oder kein Organ berührt wurde," 'Looks like no artery or organ was touched,' you glanced at him for a moment, and Hugo nodded once. You looked back down, patting away blood with a clean cloth. You shuddered as you took your scalpel, and took a breath. For years, you had stayed up late nights, wondering what had happened to Wilhelm. Now you knew. You met Wilhelm Wicki when you moved to the city as a kid. Wicki lived in the house next door. When you were older you moved out on your own, to the place where you lived now. Wil was your best friend, and he came over almost every day, always told you about work, asked you what he was doing wrong when his girlfriends were angry at him... One day, around 1938, you had a bit of a falling out, though nothing that couldn't  be fixed. He simply didn't show up. A day or two passed before you began to wonder about him. He didn't even answer the phone. Wilhelm wasn't one to hold a grudge, this just wasn't like him. So you marched down to his house, but he was gone... along with his mother and sisters. You feared the worst... you worried they'd been taken away. It wouldn't have been unheard of. You spent years looking for a clue, a sign, even a rumor. But you never found a word. So, you decided to do your best. You were a doctor, but that didn't mean you didn't have your own convictions. You wore a safety pin hidden by your collar, as many across Europe were doing as a sign of resistance. You built this hidden room to help people hide. You used maps and stolen documents to chart escape routes for Jewish families since you couldn't help Wicki. But now, as he was on that makeshift operating table, you realized you'd been looking for him on the wrong side of world. You smiled softly for a brief moment with a soft sigh. You whispered hopefully, "Wilhelm..." Hugo glanced at you, his eyebrow raised, wondering how you knew Wicki’s name. But, a gleam from your collar diverted his attention for a moment. His eyes widened, spotting the safety pin on your collar. He looked to Aldo, "Aldo, put the gun down." Aldo looked to Hugo, "What? But-" "The doctor's not a nazi." "How do you know?!" "Trust me." The basterds all looked at Hugo. He never said much, but when he did, they listened. You glanced at Hugo, and he looked to you, then nodded. Aldo lowered his gun. He sat on a nearby chair, and realized he was sitting on a few papers. He picked them up, and only took a few moments to realize who you really were. "Y'know doc, if we was nazis, you'd be sent to a firing squad by dawn," he smiled as he raised the papers up.   You chuckled, spotting what was in his hands, "I don't think so. That's far too much mercy for a traitor like me." Hugo whispered so softly, you didn't hear, but you felt his gaze fall on you again, "Wie wir." 'Like us...'  he referred to you, and himself. He knew you were right. He was tortured by the nazis as a traitor once, and for a moment, it horrified him to even imagine you going through something like that. In that moment, each and every basterd flocked to the table to hold down Wicki, who was screaming at the top of his lungs and beginning to thrash around. You focused back on him, looked into his wide, pain-struck eyes, and sweaty, palid face. "Just one minute more," you looked around as the basterds, just before you picked up the pace. Wicki's eyes feverishly focused on yours as you shook your head sincerely, and whispered "Es tut mir leid, es tut mir so leid, Liebling, nur noch eine Minute." "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, darling, just a minute more." His breathing slowed a little as you worked quickly, and he tried his best to hold still as you whispered, "Du bist in Ordnung. Du bist in Ordnung, alles ist in Ordnung, Wil." "You're ok. You're ok, everything's ok, Wil." Hugo  glanced up, seeing how gentle you were, and his heart sank a little, dismissing the fleeting hope that some day, someone somewhere would show at least an ounce of the kindness you showed to Wicki. "There, not so bad, was it?" You pulled the last stitch shut, and smiled wearily down at your old friend, who smiled through the pain, and murmured, "You're still here..." "I'd never leave," you smiled softly, as you patted sweat away from his skin. It was then that he looked up at you, "I'm sorry that I did." You shook your head, "That was so long ago," you smiled kindly at him, as Hugo looked on, wondering what had happened. "Y/n..." Wicki tried to get up, put you shook your head, "Rest now. We'll talk in the morning." Aldo asked Hugo, "What's goin' on?" Hugo glanced at you, then Wicki, then looked to his lieutenant. "Y/n...” He paused, and sighed slightly as he said your name, “Y/n  and Wicki knew each other once..." Donny shrugged, "Guess the address thing makes sense now..." **** It was decided later that night, in a relaxed and relieved circle littered with drinks, that Wicki was going to stay with you until he recovered. The basterds would come back for him. The next morning, Hugo was trying to think of something to say. He said something you already knew to be true, "We'll come back." "I know," you smiled softly, and it melted his heart. You were both quiet for an instant more than Hugo wanted. Normally, he was comfortable in silence, but, he liked hearing your voice. Somehow, it soothed aching memories that always lingered in the back of his mind. "I'm sorry if I scared you when-" You shook your head, "Don't be." "For yelling..." "I understand," You smiled a little again, poured him a drink, and handed it to him kindly. He looked at it, then at you. You both looked at each other for a moment or two, then couldn't help but to kiss. When it was over, Hugo opened his eyes a few moments after you did and remained breathless, and you giggled quietly as he smiled to hide a red shade of embarassment, It had been a long time since he kissed anyone. Longer still since he'd felt anything close to what he felt for you. "Can I make it up to you?" Suddenly, your expression changed. Something cunning, something lurking behind the kind smiles and soft giggles emerged in the form of a smirk and a twisted wink, "Bring me a nazi or two when you come back here." **** You and Wicki caught up, telling each other any and everything. Well...the one thing you didn't tell him was the time that you kissed Hugo. Some time passed. It was nearly four in the morning. You were halfway up the stairs on your way to your bedroom. Wicki had fallen asleep hours before, and was in another bedroom. Suddenly, you heard pounding at the door, and you stopped in your tracks. You sighed. It was a toss up between nazis searching your home again, the basterds coming back for Wicki, or a housecall for a sudden burst appendix. By the time you got downstairs, Wicki was already standing by the door, with a revolver in his hand. "Way to raise suspicions." He panicked for a moment, "If they're nazis, just...well...just say we're married an-" "That would never work! They'd know from records, first of all. Second of all, I wouldn't marry you." He rolled his eyes, "I forgot how mean you were." You both heard a familiar voice behind the door, "Wir sind keine Nazis" 'We're not nazis.' You smiled, and opened the door, finding the basterds there, Hugo up front, holding two nazis whose mouths were duct taped, and wrists were tied. "But we brought you a gift." You chuckled, "Come in, boys." You quickly shut the door so no one would see. Then again, only basterds like them would be up at that hour. "Gift number one, this boy here done broke his arm fightin' that nazi over there."  Aldo nudged Utivich over to you. The poor kid was holding up his arm, and seemed green from the pain. "How long's it been this way?" You asked as you started to feel for the broken bone. Utivich grimaced, "A few hours." "Come on," you led them all back to the sliding bookcase, and brought them all to the hidden room. "Sit there." You looked up, "Well the good new is, it isn't broken." Utivich shut his eyes as he rolled his head back, and muttered through gritted teeth, "Well it fucking feels like it." You nodded with a sigh, "I know but it's...oh shit...what's the word...." You glanced not to Wicki, but to Hugo. Wicki was stunned for a moment, but...he had suspected some things. By suspected...he saw you and Hugo kiss before the basterds left. He smiled, as you looked to Hugo and said, "Ausgerenkte?" He nodded, "Y/n says it's dislocated." "You're....you're gonna..." You saw the fear in the poor kid's eyes, and you smiled kindly, "It'll only take a second, don't worry. Take a breath,"  sure enough, as much as it hurt, and as much as he groaned, you remarked, "Don't scream too much, or you'll scare the next two." Hugo smirked, and looked at you. There it was again, that glint of something plotting...something vengeful beyond the gentle eyes and smiles. Once you were done fixing up Utivich's arm, you offered to put up the basterds for a few days so they could all rest. Once the basterds settled in, most of them fell asleep immediately. This was the first time they had warm, relatively safe beds to sleep in months. Only Hugo stayed awake, waiting until he heard you come upstairs. But he didn't. He heard the bookcase slide shut, and nothing after that. He looked for you, as soon as morning came, and in that hidden room, something unspeakable had happened. Something with an unmistakable flair for the macabre, and yet, with surgical precision. It was almost surreal. But revenge was revenge, and it was beautiful in Hugo's eyes, just as you were. He looked at your work, and the unidentifiable nazis, then at you. "This place is sound proof, isn't it..." That smirk was all he needed as an answer. He smirked right back. All evidence was expertly wiped down. The results of your experiment were left somewhere the nazis in the city could find as a warning, but not traced back to you. Soon, it was the basterds' last night staying with you. Hugo noted you were quieter, and a little distant. The silence wasn't so unnerving this time, just heartbreaking. Hugo kissed you, and you kissed him. There was an air of desparation shared by both of you, knowing that nothing was ever certain in the time you lived in. He broke away from your lips for a spare moment, and whispered, 'Ich werde zurück kommen.' "I'll come back." You smiled softly, remembering the last time he promised that. "Ich weiß." 'I know.' You looked up at him. Your quiet, soft smile fading into something more as you began to wrap your legs around him. He smirked at you,  shutting the bookcase behind him, as he wrapped his arms around you, winking about the sound proof room, as he remarked "Sicherheit zuerst," 'Safety first.'

[twistednuns]

February 2021

Irises and purple, lavender and white hyacinths. For merely three bucks. What a gorgeous bouquet.

My own thai curry recipe. It's THAT delicious.

A pep talk from Manu. Realising I really need to take more chances. And get rid of that dude I've been hanging out with. I've been feeling so stuck lately. I'm toying with the idea of giving it all up. Quitting my job. Leaving the country. Just to see what happens. Because I'm pretty sure I'll love what happens next. / Whatever worlds you live in, there are other worlds out there. If you are uninspired living life a certain way, it’s your duty to change. Nothing, not a relationship or job or housing situation, is worth sacrificing your ravenous hunger for life for. X

I feel my obsession with artificial cherry flavour creeping back up on me. Cherry-flavoured diet coke is one of my guiltiest pleasures.

I keep seeing those multicolour graffiti tags everywhere and I finally found out what kind of pen they use for this effect! I ordered one, I just had to, and it's fantastic. So beautiful and vibrant! I've already asked around how illegal it is to walk around the neighbourhood signing my tag on random surfaces...

Fresh pineapple.

The ocean. Talking about diving. Watching documentaries about marine life like My Octopus Teacher and Blue Planet. Drawing nautical objects, sea dragons and mollusks.

Learning more about apophenia.

It actually smells like spring in the forest and the days are already so much longer. I even saw a deer jumping over the path last night. I even got Frank to join my on my walk for the first time.

A little glimpse of summer. The south of France is my happy place I keep going back to. But there are more little reminders of the world out there, of travel and summer, that I thoroughly enjoy. Like watching Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat with Samin Nosrat. Not only do I really want to try making my own Tahdig now but I also kept smiling throughout the whole show because they filmed episodes in Italy, Japan and Mexico. Just imagine walking across a citrus market in the Yucatan right now. Or making Pesto Genovese with an Italian nonna in a Ligurian castle. Maybe even learning how to make your own miso in a remote corner of Japan. There is so much longing within me at the moment. What made my virtual culinary travels even better was Netflix's Street Food series. I especially enjoyed the episodes from Bolivia and Mexico.

I May Destroy You. Different, and very relevant.

This year's Valentine's Day happened to be pretty rad. So I've exchanged the boring nerd I had been dating with an exciting artist from Colombia. John is a painter, a poet, photographer and filmmaker who gave me a Spanish copy of an Oscar Wilde book with a poem he had written for me. My cold and cynical German heart is not used to wooing on this level but I love it. On Sunday we walked through the English Garden and Schwabing in the sunshine, took photos, looked at some art and antiquarian bookshop windows. We saw two cats inside the cat café, bought fancy macarons at Maelu and just kept talking. I even found a few interesting books about dream interpretation on my way home. John has a reference to Kleist's tragedy Penthesilea tattooed on his collarbone - Küsse/Bisse ("das reimt sich, und wer recht von Herzen liebt, kann schon das eine für das andre greifen"). He is a Scorpio with impeccable taste and sends me songs he plays for me on the guitar / Cocteau Twins tunes upon waking up. I really needed this.

Having my students create English comics with Pixton. I love how much their avatars actually look like them! I hope they had fun, too.

The smell of cherry-flavoured candy wafting through the air.

Semolina pudding with banana. The subtle heat does something to the bananas; the combination is simply delicious.

I watched the first season of Chef's Table and was really impressed by Francis Mallmann. I admire his courage and lifestyle. The constant change he craves. The way he speaks foreign languages and just bravely does his very own, unique thing. I want to live like that, too.

A crystal clear view of the Orion constellation.

Very fine snow powder against the sunlight. As if it was raining glitter.

Feeling cool and confident. A fleeting feeling but it makes such a big difference.

When we practice forgiveness, we let go of shame. Embedded in our shame is always a sense of being unworthy. It separates. Compassion and forgiveness reconnect us. / reading bell hooks' all about love.

Mustering up enough motivation to go through all my stuff in the basement and put a few items on eBay. I'd been putting this off for years now.

I'm amazed how good my phone camera is. I took some pictures in the pitch-black forest and you can make out the moonlight on the path and even see star constellations on the photo.

Spending quality time with a cuddly kitty boi.

Blue corn quesadillas prepared for me by a bloody gorgeous Mexican metalhead.

Writing that message I should have written weeks ago (letting Simon know that I wasn't particularly  interested in dating him anymore).

Trolli burgers. The best gummy candy out there. Arguably the most fun. I love being able to disassemble my food and eat it layer by layer.

John's story about that acid trip on a boat somewhere in the ocean off the Colombian coast. They lay under the bright moonlight and were suddenly surrounded by Gray whales communicating with each other through song.

The spicy smell of a fresh, moist loaf of rye bread. Eating it with soured butter and salt.

The first snowdrops of the year.

Another one about the moon: walking home late one evening there was a lunar corona in the fog. I loved how the light illuminated my arms in that cool, white light.

The morning after the worst weekend in months or maybe even years (with both a mental breakdown and a medical emergency because misery loves company, eh?) Waking up early, pain-free. With a little spark of excitement and motivation. Just lying around for an hour in the darkness. Meditating. Falling back asleep for a little while. Getting up eventually, brushing my teeth and hair, painting my nails.

Painting more. Just experimenting with colour, intuitively. Without putting pressure on myself. The other night I painted with oil pastels and chalky pastel crayons while watching Dawson's Creek (I successfully avoided this series for 20 years and now, in my thirties, I start watching it?).

Bananas with nut butter, dark chocolate and sea salt.

Meditating with the blanket covering my nose. Breathing in fresh laundry smell.

Riding home from school with Anastasia, talking about diving adventures.

Reading Jill Heinerth's book Into the Planet. Her career as an explorer and cave diver is breathtakingly exciting. I couldn't put that memoir down. And it made me even more antsy. I'm really unhappy and bored right now - I wanna go out and learn something new, explore, live a little more.

Going to work without make-up. In the last ten or even fifteen years I put on make-up every single day I went to school. I'm done. Lockdown made me come to terms with the look of my bare face.

Learning about Antarctica cruises. It only takes about 24hours to reach the area from Argentina! I'd really love to go but the cruises are crazy expensive.

My house plants sprouting new leaves.

The moment the pain suddenly stops and you can breathe again.

Tropical breakfast. Banana, kiwi, mango, pineapple. And plain yoghurt. Decidedly non-tropical.

[peterparkerstarker]

hello it is me and I want to request that part 2, pretty pretty please 😭😍❤️ *peter kneels in front of you and offers his whole body just for this one request* PLEASE I LOVE YOU

First of all you’re adorable and I love you 3000 and holy crap this ask made me smile.

Secondly, I’m apparently a slut for praise cause this was originally gonna be under 500 words in my head, and turned into 2.3k of smutty filth. This one is from Peter’s perspective, and it gets nasty fast, y’all. It continues off right after my Kinktober Day 5: Age Difference (Starker) fic. 

I’m tagging everyone on my Kinktober list, but this one is just a bonus that doesn’t fit into any of my prompt days really.

@readysetstarker @jwolf18791 @warathena418 @pray4meireadstarker @thotticusmaxximus @mvrphyblooms @morgoona-stark @silkystark @untold-royalty @pollyparrot8 @sthefystarkersworld @katzenbaby1 @another-starker-hoe @tony-is-my-daddy @mystarkershame @plsstopgivingpetertrauma @hoeforthegays @lonleystarker @awesomeimportantfan @friendlyneighborhoodlosxr @hpspazz @starker-obsessions @starkershomelife @tightaroundthewebslinger @animefan1998-love @peterpissparker @starkercandy @loki-helmet @petecake @starkercrossedlovers @nerdylocksandthethreebears @thirstyhoe4yoongi @starker-reader @starkerissemiok @petersmoan

————–

Peter was laying in bed, staring up at his ceiling, glow in the dark stars casting an odd light across the room. A couple years ago, he and Ned had spent hours putting them up, trying their best to do an accurate representation of the night sky. 

All it made him think of now was Tony. 

Tony, who had been to space and back. Tony, who was old enough to be his dad. More than 30 years too old for Peter. But it was Tony that his mind wandered to on cold nights like this. Tony who made his heart race when they worked together in the lab. 

He knew it was wrong. Knew he shouldn’t be having this childish crush. Knew Tony didn’t see him as more than a goofy kid. Besides, Tony treated him like the son he’d never had. He’d been so good to Peter.

And in return, all Peter could think about was Tony showing up at his and May’s Queens apartment like he did that very first time. He imagined the older man crawling on top of him in his bed and pounding him into the mattress. 

That filthy smile aimed at him, kissing and sucking and licking up and down his bare chest, making him shiver and cry out. 

Tony holding him down by the wrists. Peter knew he was stronger. He could easily break Tony’s hold. But he didn’t want to. He wanted to be dominated and told what to do and punished for disobeying. He wanted to feel the sharp sting of Tony’s hand on his ass as he took his punishment, all the while rutting against the older man’s leg like a dog in heat.

Peter got himself off every night to the thought of Tony holding him down and fucking him, slapping his face until he cried desperate sobs, holding his hand over Peter’s mouth so he couldn’t make a sound, couldn’t cry out against how mean and teasing and incredible Tony was to him. 

He wanted to come untouched, with only the sensation of Tony’s cock slamming into his needy ass. Wanted to shoot his load all over his stomach and have Tony scoop it up and make Peter lick his fingers clean. Wanted Tony to come in him and play with his ass as it dribbled out of his abused hole, sopping wet and gaping. 

Peter wanted Tony more than he’d ever wanted anything. 

He wanted to feel filthy, fucking the man who was like a father to him, a man more than twice his age and more experienced than he could ever imagine. A man who had seen it all, and still couldn’t resist a piece of virgin ass like Peter. 

He wanted to tease Tony, show up at the lab in short shorts or a crop top, drive him mad with need until Tony shoved him up against the work bench and fucked him senseless. Peter wanted to be made a mindless, fucked out mess on Tony’s aching cock. 

And he’d grasp onto Tony’s hair, streaks of silver making him look distinguished and sexy, and he’d feel absolutely incredible, being the focus of a dirty old man’s desires. 

He stared up at his ceiling, glowing yellow-green in the dark, and came, shoving his pillow into his mouth to dampen his cries, and desperately wished he could have all that and more. 

Silent sobs of want and desire wrenched through him, and he lay there, gasping for air as he came down from it all.

There was noise, something muffled and melodic, but it was there. He groped around on his bed covers, trying to find its’ source and finally gripped onto his phone. It was ringing, the screen blinking to life as he picked it up. 

Tony Stark, it read. 

Peter gulped, still panting from the exertion of his orgasm and trying to find his phone. 

He hit the Accept Call button.

“Hey Mr. Stark. Are you okay? It’s like 3 in the morning,” he asked, hoping he just sounded tired instead of turned on and desperate. 

“Hey kid, you’re up.” Tony sounded surprised. “I need to talk to you about something. Can we meet?”

“S-sure Tony. When?”

“Right now. I’m in the car outside.”

Peter slipped out of bed to peer out his window and saw a sleek gunmetal grey sports car. 

“Get dressed and meet me outside in 5 minutes, Peter. And don’t wake up May. Don’t want her to worry.” There was an edge to Tony’s voice. Something rough and tight and so unlike him. Something dominant and powerful. 

“Sure. I’ll be right down Mr. Sta- I mean Tony. Be right down.”

“Good boy, Peter. See you soon.” The phone call clicked off, and a shiver ran down Peter’s spine. Good boy. He didn’t know what was going on, but he couldn’t wait to find out.

He shuffled quietly into some joggers and a hoodie, slipping on a pair of shoes and padding down the hall, careful not to wake May. The door quietly clicked closed behind him and he made sure to lock it, pocketing his keys. He didn’t know when he’d be back, but something told him it might be a while. 

His hands shook as he made his way down to the street level. What if Tony knew? What if he could smell the come on his sweaty stomach?

Shit. He’d been in such a rush he hadn’t bothered to clean himself up. He was sticky and damp with his cooling fluid on his chest and stomach, and it made his hoodie cling to his skin. Surely Tony would notice something was off. His excitement was quickly turning into anxiety.

Peter spotted the expensive car, glad to see it was just Tony. No Happy in the driver’s seat. He didn’t want an audience to whatever this was going to be. It was 3 in the morning for fuck’s sake. This surely couldn’t be good.

Maybe Tony was going to tell him he couldn’t come by the lab anymore. It would make sense. Why would a nearly 50 year old man want to hang out with a 17 year old kid still in high school? That had to be it. 

He opened the passenger door, slipping into the seat with an awkward wave hello to Tony, who had turned to face him. He braced himself for the inevitable let down. It had been good while it lasted. But he couldn’t take advantage of Mr. Stark’s hospitality any more. He just hoped he could keep it together enough to not cry in front of him. God that would be mortifying. 

He looked at Tony, who still hadn’t said anything. He looked tired. Stressed. He probably hadn’t been eating well, if his history of working himself to death was anything to go off of. 

Peter opened his mouth to speak, and was silenced by Tony raising a hand to stop him. 

The older man’s eyes looked haunted. Like he was terrified of what he was about to say. 

“I’m only ever going to say this once. If you’re not interested, you’re completely free to leave this car and we never have to talk about this again. I don’t want you to feel like I’m making you do anything you’re not completely okay with.” His eyes darted around the car interior, anywhere but on Peter. “Fuck,” he continued, scrubbing a hand down his face. “This is crazy. What am I doing here Pete? This is insane.”

Peter opened his mouth to speak, to ask for clarification, but one steely look from Tony silenced him once more. 

“I want you, Pete. Wanted you for a long time. I tried so hard to resist it. Tried to convince myself I just saw you as my kid. Tried so hard not to want you. But it’s not working. I don’t want to have these thoughts. These dirty, ugly thoughts about holding you down and having my way with you. But I am. I can’t deny it anymore. Fuck! I’m a disgusting old man, chasing after you.” His voice was hoarse, and it made Peter’s gut clench. 

Was this a fever dream or something? Tony’s words swam in his mind. Holding you down and having my way with you. Had Tony really just said that?

Tony let out a frustrated sigh, turning to stare at the car’s dash panel. “Fuck, forget what I said. I’m sorry. You should go back up to the apartment. We can just pretend that this never happened, yeah?”

Panic rose in Peter’s throat, No! He didn’t want to pretend. Didn’t want to sweep this under the rug. Not if Tony was saying what he thought he was saying. 

“No!” He called out, making Tony wince in shame. 

“I’m so sorry kid, I should never have come here. Should never have confessed all that to you. You’ll never have to hear from me again, promise.”Peter realized his mistake now. Tony thought he was turning him down. Shit.

“I mean, no. Don’t leave. Please don’t leave. I want you. Wanted you since the day you showed up and asked me to join your team. I’ve spent every night since dreaming about you. About what it would be like to be with you. Like, like that. 

Tony’s eyes widened, and Peter noticed his hands were shaking as they gripped the steering wheel.

He continued, “Please, Tony. I want this too.” And as he spoke, he laid a hand gently on Tony’s own. Tony let out a held breath, stuttered a laugh, and then suddenly he was leaning in to kiss Peter and it was everything.

Scorching hot and softness turning rough and Tony. He breathed in the heady scent. Cologne and motor oil and metal. Tony.

Tony gripped his hips, pulling him closer over the dash, desperate for more contact. His hands roamed Peter’s body, slipping up under his hoodie, eyes alighting with confusion as he made contact with Peter’s come-damp skin.

“I uhm… I may have been thinking about you right before you called,” he mumbled by way of an explanation. 

Tony let out a deep laugh, kissing him once more, this time softer, sweeter, taking his time. They stayed like that, groping and kissing and feeling the other, Peter half in Tony’s lap, thankful for super strength because there was no way his pre-Spidey self could have held that position without getting a leg cramp.

And then hands were roaming down, Peter fumbling with Tony’s zipper as he unsheathed Tony’s cock from the tight fabric. It was huge, thick and long with a slight upwards curve that made his mouth water. And then Tony was guiding him down, muttering happy hums of praise as he took Tony’s cock head into his mouth, savoring the salty sweet flavor of his pre-come. He didn’t really know what he was doing, but he let Tony guide him, made little adjustments as Tony recommended.

He licked and lapped at the head, delighting in the steady stream of fluid dribbling into his hungry mouth. He took Tony deep into his throat, trying his best to relax his muscles, and bobbed his head like he’d seen in porn. Tony let out a grunt of appreciation, which was enough approval to encourage Peter to go faster, suck harder, until Tony was thrusting his hips, rutting up into his warm, wet mouth. 

A stream of filthy praise made his head swim. “That’s it, Pete. Fuck. you’re so good. Bet you’ve never done this before, but you’re taking me like a pro. You’ve been dreaming about this, haven’t you? I can tell. So hungry for me. My little Spider slut. God, imagine how good it’ll feel when I pound into your tight hole. Wanna mark you up, claim you as mine. I’d be your first, wouldn’t I, baby boy?”

Peter hummed a noise of approval and took Tony deeper, until his cock hit the back of his throat. He fought the urge to gag, but Tony seemed to like that, was turned on by the fact that Peter was choking on his cock.“‘M gonna come. You ready Petey? Ready to swallow my come?” Tony’s voice was raw and strained, and he let out a low groan as he emptied himself into Peter’s throat, the milky warm come dribbling out even as he desperately tried to swallow every droplet.

Tony ruffled his hair, leaning back into the driver’s seat, gasping for air as Peter lifted his head. He kissed Peter, hungry and blissed out and all smiles.

And Peter felt safe, here in this car with the man he loved. He didn’t have to deny it anymore. Didn’t have to pretend he didn’t notice how good Tony’s ass looked in his jeans, didn’t have to try to hide his erection in the lab behind chemistry books and workshop tables.

They sat there for a while, in the quiet of the car, considering what this new development meant.

Eventually Tony kissed him again and with a sad look told him, “You should probably go back up to bed. Don’t want May to wake up and start worrying.”

Peter knew he was right. Knew this perfect moment couldn’t last forever. As he got out of the car, he turned back to ask, “Are we still on for Monday afternoon in the lab?”

Tony grinned back, “Absolutely baby, but somehow I think we’ll find ourselves too preoccupied to finish that new blaster we’ve been working on.” He winked and Peter shivered with anticipation. “Call it a hunch, but it might be quite some time before we’re back to working on anything productive.”

[wiener-blut]

concert report, I guess

Idk if anyone wants to hear this, but here’s my memories from the Lindemann show in Leipzig, 14th february 2020. Keep in mind, all of this is my own opinion, I don’t mean to attack anyone here, and that I could easily be mistaken with some, my memory loves playing games with me :^) Also if you’re still to attend a concert and don’t want to be spoilered, avoid this, obviously.

Waiting.

Drove by bike to the venue, arrived at around 1.30/2pm. Around 15 people were already there, waiting. They were really nice altogether. Into 3pm, people started to form a disciplined queue. Shitty weather, but at least no heavy rain. Cold, though. 4pm; I decided to drive back home to get rid of our bag (on my way to the bikes a man in his fifties asked me who’s playing tonight, pointing at the crowd, bewildered, I responded “Lindemann, front singer of Rammstein”, he was like “I read he was born here!!” super excited that he knew – he was cute lol so confused by how crazy people are); got into a rather unpleasant rainfall on my way back to the venue. 5pm; people were told to not stand on the street, so people gathered all around us, ignoring the built queue from before; assholes tried to cut in line. Got really crowded, people in front us were still being really kind and considerate, people behind us not so much. Last hour went by quickly, good company around us, save for some idiots. 6.30pm; security let us in – people from behind were pushing, not cool. Inside the venue, it was really chill, I even waited for @haifisch-ohne-traenen​, walked inside, people gathered around in the middle, low-key ran to our spot in the first row, right in front of Peter AW YEAH!!! Another wait til 8pm, filled with squeezing through people to get to the toilet and back, and chatting with the two guys behind us.

Jadu.

Shit, I’m so gay. She literally owned the stage so hard and her band mates were so cute and the keyboarder interacted with us a lot, he kept grinning at us whenever he saw us singing along; a perfect opening to an awesome night.

Aesthetic Perfection.

Surprisingly good tbh? Wasn’t the biggest fan after listening to some songs on youtube, but they’re a banger live. Really set the mood for the main act.

Lindemann.

Oh boy, where to start. First thing we saw was a video of Till in a diaper, with a bald head and the goggles from drsg’95 (at least I think it were those?), running and dancing around on the street, sucking his thumb (note: I reckon this video was shot a couple years ago). Actually hilarious, a surprisingly, and welcome, light hearted start to the show. I’m just gonna go through this song by song, because I suck at remembering things and need some kind of guidance lol.

Skills in Pills

Good song, good opener. The crowd went apeshit, it felt like the air was exploding, really unbelievably powerful. Peter was looking at us (naturally, because we were quite literally in his face), making faces, which he kept doing throughout the whole concert. Till was wandering across the stage, it seemed like he was noticing a lot of people, esp. in the first row, including us, huehue.

Ladyboy

One of my favorite Lindemann songs. Was so cool seeing and hearing it live, I went absolutely wild. I think this was the first time they changed places, and Jonathan (the one with the braided pigtails) came over to us, and whoops I fell in love.

Fat

Not the biggest fan of the song, admittedly. Still a good one. Good placement. The first time I glanced at the screen behind them, only did it one or two times more. I came here for the music, not some fucked up porn clips, I can easily find those on pornhub, thank you.

Ich Weiß Es Nicht

Never liked the verse, but the chorus is so touching to me, idk why. Sang my heart out at the chorus.

Allesfresser

Okay so I came prepared. I knew what was gonna happen. First half of the song was incredible, another fav song. Screamed my head off. Then, cakes were brought and ngl, it kinda took away from this awesome song for me. I really, really did not want to end up having cake smeared all over me by the first third of the concert. So I watched out for them, praying that they wouldn’t aim in our direction. Ended up with a few lil teeny tiny sprimkles on my arm and in my hair (that actually came from a cake Jonathan yeeted over our heads :3c), nothing too bad. Cake was actually delicious. Last cake was thrown by Sebastian, Peter’s son, Till was standing in the middle, in front of the drums, stealthily (so he thought) pointing to our side, but Sebastian didn’t catch it and threw it into the audience across from us and boy, you should’ve seen Till’s face lol. He looked so mad, internally. Also I was really happy to get to rewatch a clip from Hänsel und Gretel on the screen.

Frau & Mann

I have never seen a crowd go that hard to a song. Probably the loudest on the audience’s side. Was jumping a lot, Till came over a lot. Guess bobbing boobs really are an efficient Till-magnet. Actually, when the line “Kann dich nicht vergessen” (“Cannot forget you”) came on, Till pointed directly at us, like no fucking lie, we just froze. I know, I can’t be for sure, blah blah, but come on, just let me believe he pointed directly at us ok. There’s a video on youtube, where you see him pointing into the crowd at that line, that’s where we stood.

Knebel

Best choice they could’ve made regarding the placing of the song. Everyone was still hyped up from Frau & Mann, Knebel topped it. Starting out so calm and lovely, I really like the first half of the song. Beautiful lighting, they were so pretty in the blue light. Scream point hit, Lindemann hoaxed us into screaming MUND but made a break, Till shaking his head at us. Haha. Funny funny. Eh. I knew it was gonna happen, so it fell a bit flat for me personally, but okay I guess. Crowd went absolutely apeshit. So insane.

Home Sweet Home

Beautiful song, so heartfelt and a really good way to calm down after Frau & Mann and Knebel. Almost cried, ngl.

Cowboy

I. Fucking. Love. This. Song. Second time I looked at the screen and wow ngl, Till looked really good on the rodeo machine thing with his cowboy hat on lol. Also the song where Jonathan came over again and I made a heart with my hands and he smiled at me and :’)))

Golden Shower

Such a good song. My heart went big badum badum every time Peter shouted “Cunt” into the mic right in front of us, it felt like we were bonding just through shouting “Cunt” in unison lol. Also there was this part of them taking turns in raising their arms to the audience in time to the music, and I was laughing my ass off, because while Peter, Jonathan, and Sebastian all were perfectly in synch with the beat, Till always was a tad off and idk man, this shit was just so funny to me like c’mon Till, it’s not that hard.

Blut

Ah, yes. Like I said, we came prepared. We had our hoodies safely (and dryly) brought to the coatroom before the concert started so we were READY to get wet. The one thing I didn’t know though, the sprinkler system at the edge of the stage started right at the beginning of the song. I expected it to go off in like the middle of the song, or with the first chorus. So, sprinklers started, I saw the water coming. I thought “ah okay it’s just a little drizzle”, but boy, I was wrong. It felt like we were soaked after the second (and last) time we got sprayed. And actually? It was so nice. You know how concerts just make you all sweaty and drain your body from all water? I wouldn’t recommend trying to drink the water that was sprayed over us (it just had a weird smell to it, idk), but it was a welcome cooling, in that moment. Just imagine you feel like a little crop in the blazing sun, and then, finally, you get watered. Bye bye make up, but I just didn’t care lol. I don’t want to know what we looked like after that song. About the song itself; I didn’t mind the “interruption” at all, Blut is a decent song imo, but nothing more, so it didn’t bother me as much as the cake war during Allesfresser.

Platz Eins

Another top fav song for me. I’m not quite sure how to describe it, but Till and Peter climbing into that balloon thing and shuffling “out of reach” actually heightened my hype?? Like I could concentrate on really letting go during the song, screaming the lyrics out like there was no tomorrow. Also watching Jonathan and Sebastian’s little choreography was so entertaining. Jonathan being lifted up high also was something for the eye, at least for me :^) Also I remember the light show because it was gay. As in, so many vibrant rainbow colors. When Till and Peter returned to their starting point, Till climbed out, and Peter was holding his nose like Till just farted lol. The balloon started deflating and Peter mouthed an “OH NO” and when he climbed out, he made jazzy hands like “hell yeah guys I made it, I didn’t die in here”. Peter is a good man.

Praise Abort

Tbh, I don’t have many memories for this one. For me, one of Lindemann’s weaker songs, although it still slaps, don’t get me wrong. Just not one of my favorites. Only thing I remember is being happy about seeing the ballerinas from the mv on the screen in the background.

Fish On

Here we go again. After Praise Abort, I asked @haifisch-ohne-traenen​ if we wanted to change places, she looked at me like “You sure?” and I was like “Yeah, absolutely” – “You know which song comes next?” – “Oh. Nevermind lol”. I like Fish On, it’s my ringtone, but like with Allesfresser, the anticipation of the chances of getting hit by a fish kinda ruined the song for me. I couldn’t enjoy it as much. Also I was wondering why they needed so much time between Praise Abort and Fish On just to throw on this stupid raincoat. We successfully avoided all fish. A lot of them were thrown back on the stage by the audience, two of them hitting Till on the leg and arm, and one of them bowling down Till’s water bottles that stood in front of the drums. Also, when all fish were thrown, someone handed Till a last plate of fish pieces that he threw into the audience, but it slipped out of his hands and the plate went flying across the stage, shattering on a speaker and almost hitting the security guard that stood in front of us. I swear, that guard looked like he wanted to murder Till right at the spot lol (Also, this security guard was cute; he greeted us before the concert like “hi I’ll be your guardian for the next three hours”, he took pics of some people from the first row for them, and before the concert started, he got himself some gummy bears which he stuffed into his pocket to snack during the concert).

Ach So Gern

I was so mad about this?? But at the same time I was not?? So when they started Ach So Gern, they played the tango version and I was like !!! YES and I got all hyped up because I low-key hoped that, maybe, for valentine’s day, they’d switch the pain version for the tango version, but they didn’t. I guess if they HAD played the tango version though, I probably would’ve been mad I didn’t get to hear the pain version lol. The pain version definitely is more suited for a concert, I guess. And I still love it. Praise Peter. Seriously, he’s a god of music, just accept it.

Steh Auf

Incredible energy in the room when everyone’s screaming “Steh auf” on the top of their lungs. One of the most powerful songs live. Also Jonathan came over to us again and [insert heart eyes emoji].

Gummi

Okay, everyone slander me, but I really didn’t like this song as the finishing song. I don’t exactly love this song and I always skip it whenever I listen to F&M, so this was the only song I didn’t know the full lyrics to. It just doesn’t have either a specifically “deep” feeling to it, neither does it have the power I would expect from the last song of this kind of concert, if you get what I mean. For me, it was just missing this last, final BANG. Either that, or have a nice, calming song at the end, that will make people cry and think “fuck man, I don’t want this to end, but it’s been such a good concert”. Gummi just fell really flat for me as the final song. The happier I was when they put on an instrumental of Wer Weiß Das Schon, even if I was really hoping to see that one live and in full length, but you know, life isn’t a bowl of cherries. Also I certainly would have cried. Alas, I did almost cry when they took their bows and thanked us. Till’s voice was so soft and he sounded so sincerely humble and thankful. I don’t know whether it did have any impact on him or not, but he was born in this city, after all.

Till The End Teaser

So instead of showing the video of Till getting sucked off under the Rammstein stage (which I’m still not convinced is real, but that’s another story, I don’t want to delve into it) they put on the first like two minutes of Till The End. This is gonna sound super snobby and ungrateful, but I just turned away. Like I said, if I wanna watch porn, I’ll open pornhub. The two guys behind us, however, were standing there, eyes glued to the screen and their mouths were literally half open, no lie, it cracked me up so hard like really? Shit, it’s gotta be hard to be a person with a dick instead of a brain sometimes.

Bottom line.

Everything was worth it. The hours of waiting, the mediocre weather, driving to the venue by bike, the “fear” of getting hit by a cake or a fish. The concert was amazing, outstanding, mindblowing. I don’t want to compare it to my first row Rammstein experience, because they’re so vastly different bands, and I want to keep them separated. But man. This was probably the best valentine’s day of all time, by far.

[dieaprikose]

LESEN AUF DEUTSCH | books to read in German

If you are bored of Duolingo (which I personally dont’t find that useful, but it is just my personal opinion, if you like it, if you gain knowledge by using it, then it is awesome) and other learning apps and if you want to find other ways to encounter your target language, you should READ! It may seem hard at first, it may puzzle you or give you a headache, but I swear it is one the most useful methods when it comes to language learning.

WHY READING IS ESSENTIAL

I know it is because this is how I got my English knowledge on a more advanced level. I actually remember moments when the language have started to make sense in my head, when I started to develop a deeper and wider passive vocabulary. I remember when I was sitting in an English class in school, and I remembered words from my readings. If you read in your target language, you become familiar with phrases, idioms; it will give you an image of the correct usage of language: it is essential when it comes to different registers. Maybe you learn a phrase or a word in a learning app, but reading them in a book makes you understand that in what kind of situations you can use them, to whom you can tell them. In short: read.

(personally, I remember that in 2013, I started to read 5SOS fanfics on wattpad because there were no Hungarian fanfics that time, and it was truly a breaking point in my studies. So even if it is fanfictions, read them. They help).

WHAT TO READ IN GERMAN | BÜCHER AUF DEUTSCH

There are some pretty good possibilities for beginners/lower-intermediate (A2) language learners.  Here are some suggestions:

1. André Klein - Learn German with Stories - Dino lernt Deutsch (A2) The Dino lernt Deutsch  series is a wonderful and extremely useful book series for language learners. It follows the life of a young guy called Dino, who moves to Germany to find a job. The problem is that he has to learn German because he is a beginner-level. So the book basically introduces Germany, the German language and culture from the point of view of an outsider. The series has 8 part, all of them take place in different cities from Berlin to Zürich. I have only read the first two (Café in Berlin and Ferien in Frankfurt) but I can tell you that they are kinda mandatory for your language studies. All the parts have 10 short stories, and at the end of each story, there is a vocabulary with the most important/mostly unknown words and phrases and then a little exercise which tests your understanding of the text. If you have a Kindle or another e-book reader with a built-in dictionary, I advise you to buy an ebook version as you can check other unknown words immediately. WEBSITE

Café in Berlin

Ferien in Frankfurt

Karneval in Köln

Momente in München

Ahoi aus Hamburg

Plötzlich in Palermo

Walzer in Wien

Zurück in Zürich

2. Language Learning University - German Short Stories (9 Simple and Captivating Stories for Effective German Learning for Beginners) (A1-A2) I haven’t read this book yet, however, I plan to do so after finishing the Dino lernt Deutsch series. As the title already suggests, it includes 9 short stories in German. After every chapter, there is a short summary in English and a short, but useful list of unknown words in English; and then there is an exercise just like in the Dino series. 

3. Roald Dahl - Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (A2-B1) Everyone knows the story of the little boy who gets a golden ticket to the Chocolate factory. The German translation of the book is surprisingly easy, maybe I wouldn’t recommend it to complete beginners, but if you are around an A2 level, you can try to read this book. I again suggest an ebook version because of the built-in dictionaries. I have started to read this book, however, I couldn’t finish it yet, but I have no problem with understanding. it. A short quote from the book just the examplify how easy it is:

“Das Haus war viel zu klein für so viele Leute, und so war das Leben darin für alle miteinander äußerst unbequem. Es gab nur zwei Zimmer und nur ein einziges Bett. In dem Bett durften die vier alten Großelten schlafen, weil sie so alt und müde waren” (Roald Dahl).

I don’t think I have to go into details, the quoted part is about how small the house Charlie’s family live in. To be honest, there was only one unknown word for me in that section (äußer). 

4. Mark Haddon - Supergute Tage oder Die sonderbare Welt des Christopher Boone (A2-B1) (rather B1) It is again a translated, originally English book, however, not hard to read for German learners. I have found out about it in a youtube video (just like about Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik), and it is indeed seems to be a good choice. I haven’t started it yet, but it seems not hard to understand. Maybe it is a bit challenging text than the Roald Dahl’s book, but at least you can learn more words.

5. J. K. Rowling - Harry Potter (B1) This list wouldn’t be complete without Harry Potter. Years ago, my sister found the first part (Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen) in German in a thrift shop,  but I only started to read it this year. Not gonna lie, it is hard, I think, it is the hardest one in the list. I read the first chapter for at least a half an hour, then I got a pretty heavy headache, but I understood (!!!). It was the very first book I have ever read in English, I remember that the first time (summer of 2011 or 2012, not sure), I tried to check every single unknown word for like 100 page. Then I read it again in around 2013, and I loved how easier it became. Now, that I’m reading it in German, what makes it ‘easier”, and why I still recommend it is that all of us know the story. If you read the books a lot, you maybe even know what is coming in the text. I remember scenes, even sentences which makes it easier to comprehend it in German. A pretty lame example is coming:

“Mr und Mrs Dursley im Ligusterweg Nummer 4 waren stolz darauf, ganz und gar normal zu sein, sehr stolz sogar”

I don’t even have to say which sentence it is (the very first, obviously), but yeey, it made me understand phrases and words:  stolz sein auf - to be proud of ganz und gar normal - perfectly normal And I haven’t even had the need to check these words, partly because I already knew the first sentence, and partly because I have a basic knowledge of words and grammar in German. Let’s see another example, just because I love Harry Potter sooo much.

“Fast zehn Jahre waren vergangen, seit die Dursleys eines Morgens die Haustür geöffnet, und auf der Schwelle ihren Neffen gefunden hatten, doch der Ligusterweg hatte sich kaum verändert” (Chapter 2)

That is a bit harder sentence, but if you pay attention, it is not that problematic. I already knew some words from this sentence, but again, there were some which were new or at least I haven’t seen them in these forms yet. waren vergangen - have passed (I only know the word “Vergangenheit (past) from the series Dark).  die Schwelle - doorstep (! in the sentence it is used with der, but it is because of the auf, and the Dativ form of die is der).  sich verändern - to change

Oookay, that last part about Harry Potter was a bit long, but I just wanted to prove you that reading challenging texts can be fun and useful as well. You just pay extra attention if you are not on that level, but you can do that. 

If you have any German book recommendation, feel free to suggest me (and others) some. I love to read and I could only find these so far in German. 

Bis bald,

[our-time-is-now]

May 13, 2019: I want you to be more important to him than running away

(previous play)

(Joint project from @riddikulus und @shakshuka-grandpasweaters, translated from @girlwholovesagirl, @divingdeepintothewater, @m-ger and @julerocks. Here is the timeline and the link to the original blog @unsere-zeit-ist-jetzt. If you would also like to help translate, please contact one of us.)  

Monday, 4:30 pm:

Matteo: *came back home an hour ago* *took a shower and put on a fresh shirt* *wanted to throw his clothes in the laundry, but then smells at his hoodie which still smells so wonderfully like David and puts it on again* *knows that the boys wanted to come by at half past five and was just thinking about making some food when he hears the doorbell* *goes to the intercom and hears that it’s Jonas who says that he wanted to come by earlier* *buzzes the door open and awaits him* *grins when he sees him* Hey… were you bored?

Jonas: *is supposed to meet the boys at Matteo’s at half past five but had some time before and was very curious what Matteo has to tell* *just stopped by earlier on a whim and was happy that he opened the door* *puts out a ghetto fist to greet him and then gives him a quick hug* *grins slightly* Yeah, that too. But most of all, I'm curious to hear what you have to tell. *looks at him for a moment questionly* It's okay that I got here earlier than planned, right?

Matteo: *laughs because Jonas has always been curious* Sure, come in... *walks with him to the living room* *has to wait for a moment because of course Jonas takes off his shoes* Do you already want a beer? *sees Jonas nodding and goes back to the kitchen to get two beers* *hands one to Joans and plops down on the couch next to him* *doesn’t really know what Jonas wants to know and what he is willing to tell*

Jonas: *grins pleased when Matteo invites him in* Nice... *comes in and takes off his shoes first before following Matteo to the living room* *doesn’t say no to a beer and puts his guitar into a corner* *sits down on the couch and accepts the beer Matteo is offering to him* Thanks… *waits until Matteo joins him on the couch and then stretches out his beer to toast him* *takes a big sip and then looks at him expectantly* *when Matteo stays quiet he asks* So since you stood us up Friday and apparently spent the night with David, I assume congratulations are in order? *looks at him carefully* Did you guys finally made it and are together now?

Matteo: *toasts with Jonas and takes a sip* *grins slightly and nods* Yes *sees Jonas’ look which clearly says “don’t let me tear out all the answers out of you” and sighs* Okay, well… you know he planned on coming back on thursday but then I got a message of Laura, his sister, that he didn’t came home… and well I went a bit crazy… and I went looking for him and tried contacting him… well yeah on Friday he got in touch and I went over and we… well, we talked and clarified a few things and… yeah that’s how it is. *nods slightly and takes another sip* *knows that this probably won't be enough for Jonas but leaves it for now*

Jonas: *beams when Matteo confirms that he is now together with David and shortly ruffles his hair* Perfect bro! I am so happy for you! *waits expectantly what else Matteo has to tell and is happy that for once he doesn’t has to tear all the answers out of him but instead he starts telling by himself* *only understands vaguely and asks again* What? He didn’t came home? Did he stay at his godmother’s longer or what? *understands that Matteo was worried and thinks its stupid that David didn’t get in touch with him until friday*

Matteo: *shakes his head* No he came back on Thursday… well to Berlin at least… he stayed in this run-down building, I think it once was some health institution or something like that… he somehow has this flight instinct… *takes another sip* There we had… well after we escaped from Abdi’s party we were there as well… I never thought he would be there until he sent me the message…

Jonas: *takes a sip while Matteo talks and frowns when Matteo talks about the run-down building* *nods slightly when he talks about the flight instinct* *shakes his head and has to ask again* He spend a whole night in an abandoned building!? Very spooky! *takes another sip* Do I get that right? You didn’t know where he was since Thursday and on Friday he sent you: I am here by the way… And you then went there? And then? *doesn’t get why David didn’t came to Matteo and why he didn’t tell him earlier where he is* *thinks it’s all pretty weird but holds back with comments*

Matteo: *just nods slightly at Jonas first question* *nods again* Yeah, well… actually I think he said goodbye… but he mentioned something and then I knew where he was so I went there… *shrugs* He was really miserable and thought he is alone anyway and… well… that’s why he didn’t contact me I guess… *looks at Jonas and tilts his head* Sometimes we just can’t accept help right away… you and I know that quite well…

Jonas: *widens his eyes when Matteo tells him that David wanted to say goodbye and interrupts him* To say goodbye?! To you or what?! Dude… *doesn’t likes that at all and snorts quietly* *can’t hold back anymore and it practically bursts out of him* Ey, Brudi, being miserable or not, but he could have known that you were worried! And saying goodbye… don’t you mean anything to him or what? If I understand you correctly then running away was more important to him than you? *frowns when Matteo tries to compare David to the both of them and shakes his head* Not being able to accept help immediately is something different than running away! You and me... we just occasionally needed some time... but in the end we've always been looking for a way to talk!

Matteo: *swallows slightly at Jonas’ outburst* No man, he was just… it wasn’t about me, ok? It was about everything else going on… *shakes his head because that doesn't sound any better either* Yeah, okay, it sucked.. but it all just came back for him after being outed by Stefan… what happened at his old school and all… *swallows slightly* He knows that it was shitty of him… and to be honest in this moment it didn’t matter to me… *hesitates for a moment to sort his thoughts and feelings and to decide what he wants to say to Jonas* I just wanted and want to be with him, okay?

Jonas: *wanted to ask what Matteo means with ‘everything else’ when he adds some parts* *is a bit sceptical and wants to add something but closes his mouth again to think first and takes a sip of his beer* *would like to know what happened at David’s old school but knows that Matteo would never tell him and that if at all he would hear about it from David at some point* *looks a bit surprised at Matteo when he says that all of it didn’t matter to him but begins to understand at his last sentence* *feels his heart burst a little bit when he realizes the extend of what Matteo just said an has to admit to himself that he doesn’t know Matteo that way - him really fighting for something he wants - but knows to well that he holds himself back* *however wonders to what extent "holding yourself back" is actually decisive when you get what you want in the end* *nods hesitantly and says* Okay. *takes another sip and adds apologetically* I didn't mean, and I don't mean to talk bad about him, okay? I just want him to appreciate what he has in you. I want you to be more important to him than running away. *looks at him questioningly and then carefully adds* I hope he's got the point!

Matteo: *nods slightly at his okay* Okay. *shrugs at Jonas’ statement* *can’t speak for David* *but then thinks back at the last three days and nods* I think so… *grins slightly at the memories and looks a bit lost for a moment* *looks then back to Jonas* I mean he is here now, isn’t he? *nudges him with his foot* Don’t give him the “I will kill you” speech immediately when he comes by later, okay?

Jonas: *nods hesitantly when Matteo tells him that David is here now and sighs quietly* The important thing is that he stays... *laughs and kick Matteo back a bit harder* Dude, what do you think of me!? *takes a sip of beer and grins* He won't get it until next week at the earliest... when he feels safe in my presence... moohar... *pretends a mean laugh, but then shakes his head* Just kidding! *then sits up a bit straighter and gathers himself* Okay, go on... you found him in this building and apparently found the right words... no, don't worry, you don't have to repeat them... and then? Did you drag him back to your place and you have...? *does some obvious sex moves and grins a bit dirty*

Matteo: *shakes his head but grins at the same time* I knew I could count on you... *had hoped that question time was over, but knows that it's not when Jonas sits upright* *shakes his head and kicks him again in his motion* Dude! *throws a pillow at him* First of all, it's none of your business and secondly, it wasn't here and with that the topic is closed!

Jonas: *avoids the pillow and laughs* *asks innocently* What?! *makes big eyes and says* Ohoo... you dragged him to his place and then you... *wiggles his eyebrows and protects himself in his corner of the sofa from any more possible kicks or pillows* *laughs but then eventually it gets serious* *sighs once and then sums up* So in summary: You've got it all figured out, and now you're one of those cheesy couples in love...

Matteo: *nods and grins big* Yep, that's it. We stand outside our windows and sing love songs all the time now and... um, I really don't know what else is cheesy... *laughs* Besides, we already got Carlos and Kiki for the super cheesy stuff... *then grins a bit meaner* Or some others who may find back together...

Jonas: *laughs together with Matteo* Yes, Carlos is very passionate in this role... *then sways his head back and forth as Matteo obviously talks about Hanna and him* Oh, come on... Hanna and I have never been cheesy... *leaves it uncommented whether they get back together or not* *has no idea if it’s ever going to work out between them anyway and is also unsure whether or not to take the initiative*

Matteo: *laughs* Sure… you and your guitar were never cheesy when it came to Hanna… *takes another sip of his beer* Is that the end of the question time? *sees Jonas nodding and hears the doorbell*

*Jonas laughs and says that there must be someone else who is curious* *Matteo lets Carlos and Abdi in, gives them a beer and but only tells them the short version, that he and David saw each other again on Friday and not Thursday, but that they sorted everything out and now all is good* So please guys, don't make a big deal out of it when he gets here later, okay? We'll just chill together, okay?

(next play)

[inkribbon796]

The Midnight Hour is Close at Hand Ch. 2

Chapter 2: Wonder if You’ll See the Sun

Summary: Marvin decides that if everyone else is going to give up he’s going to pull out his little dark book of spells and get the job done himself.

A/N: Warning! The death of a minor is detailed in this. This is for Robbie’s birthday, which is actually tomorrow but I didn’t want to push the release of another story back a day for that. Also no black magic was actually used in the making of this story because I refuse to be responsible for getting anyone in trouble.

Chapters: 1, 2

Pretty much every hero rushed to the base, Chase and Henrik were waiting for them.

Chase let in a broken gasp when he saw Robbie, “The fook happened?”

“The whole operation went south, either we were directed to the wrong building or it was a trap, but . . .” Silver took a deep breath. “Wilford shot him, we found Robbie alone with Dark.”

“Where’s J.J?” Marvin demanded. “I don’t know why he didn’t fookin’ reset us already.”

“Jackie vent und looked for him,” Henrik’s voice choked as he approached. “Vhy? Zis never should have ‘appened.”

The door opened and Ethan raced out, “Robbie!”

“Get back inside!” Mark ordered. “Get back inside right now!”

Ethan raced towards Silver, and he flew inside, pushing Ethan back in.

“How is he dead?” Ethan sobbed, “I was only gone for two minutes!”

“Don’t worry,” Marvin reassured in that same desperate panic. “J.J will fix this, he always fixes thin’s.”

“Zen vey has he not?” Henrik demanded.

Ethan was already in a panic, sobbing profusely as Silver carried Robbie into the main room. Jackie was walking.

“Where’s J.J?” Marvin demanded.

“He can’t—” Jack started, pulling off his hoodie and running his hands through his hair.

“The fook yeh mean he can’t!” Marvin shouted, and tried to step around Jackie to go and hunt J.J down. “Where is that motherfooker!”

Jackie put himself in the hallway so the magician couldn’t muscle past him. “I tried ta ask him an’ that’s what he told me.”

“He can’t just give up on him!” Marvin demanded, using his magic to force Jackie to the side and race down the hallway. “Where is he?”

He got to one of the living rooms and tore it open to see J.J idly drinking whiskey.

“Turn us back!” Marvin yelled at J.J, grabbing him by the front of his shirt. “This is what it’s fer.”

J.J just brought the glass to his lips, seemingly ignoring Marvin and Jackie.

“Marv,” Jackie warned, trying to pull him off.

“No! Turn us, back, Robbie is dead!” Marvin demanded angrily.

J.J leaned over and tried to pick up a stack of index cards.

Marvin pulled him back, “No! Tell me yerself yah fookface!”

“Tried,” J.J signed sloppily. “He always dies. Tried 20 times.”

“How can yeh fail twenty times yeh gobshite!” Marvin demanded.

J.J flipped him off, Jackie was finally able to pull him off, grabbing the cards and reading through them.

“Jackie help me talk some sense into him,” Marvin ordered.

The argument continued for a bit before Jackie forced Marvin out, J.J eventually just falling asleep and the other Septics reluctantly deciding that J.J while drunk couldn’t fix anything.

Slowly as the minutes ticked by the others were getting less hopeful, only J.J really remembered what happened when he reset time, other people who were involved sometimes got the sensation that time had been messed with. But if the mute hero didn’t want to set back the clock, there was nothing anyone could do.

J.J’s cards told a story in the hero’s elegant cursive, that his attempts hadn’t just drained J.J physically, but mentally. Robbie would either die by Wilford’s gun, or accidentally when Dark tried to protect one of his younger enforcers that was always present. Robbie and his overconfident curiosity. Or in the attempts they tried to keep the sidekicks safe in the base, Ethan would sneak out and he would die as a result.

Marvin’s desperation turned to anger, and that then turned on Henrik when he and Silver brought Robbie to the hospital’s morgue, along with Marvin tagging along Chase was with them. Ethan had thrown a fit when he was forced to go home by the older full-time heroes, angry and sad and blaming himself for not staying with Robbie in the building. Even if that would have probably led to both of the teens dying instead of just Robbie.

Robbie’s only family was his mother, who was supposed to be on a business trip until Wednesday.

“Vat vould you ‘ave me do?” Henrik shouted in anger as they stood in the hospital Henrik and Iplier worked at, they were in a room, Robbie’s body on a stretcher next to them. “I cannot cure ze dead!”

Chase was shaking and crying, completely taken over by his grief. Silver was trying to talk him into heading back but Chase didn’t want to leave Robbie. After months of treating the young man like a surrogate son, Chase was devastated.

They all were.

“I have a call to make, Marvin,” Henrik dismissed. “Zey vill make sure zat Robert’s body is safe.”

“Hen,” Silver called out as he walked over. “We should have called her ages ago. You’ve got her number?”

“I’ll make ze call,” Henrik sighed miserably, his hands smoothing over Robbie’s hair. “Vergib uns, mein Junge.”

Marvin glared at Robbie’s body, filled with furious indignation, “I’ll be back, Rob, promise.”

The magician slipped past Silver and ran out of the hospital. Time was ticking and he had supplies to collect.

It was late, 2 AM late when Marvin snuck back into the morgue with a bag full of things that would probably get him arrested on sight if the trespassing didn’t do the job first.

Only the hospital’s late night shift was still here, and to Marvin the security at this hour was a joke. It was why he’d had to wait, even though he was aware time was starting to run out.

Marvin walked into the morgue, quickly finding Robbie and sliding his tray open.

The magician gently ran his hands over his frozen hair. “I’m not fookin’ givin’ up on yeh.”

Walking back towards the door, Marvin locked it and began pulling things out of his bag to get the spell ready.

There were a lot of misconceptions about necromancy. When Marvin had first studied the topic in his formative years, he had dismissed the whole field as evil or a guide book on how to be a scam artist. But the more he researched, the more he’d realized it didn’t have to be. He didn’t need to kill or hurt people to make the spell, all he needed was the components, it didn’t specify they had to be from the living and unwilling.

Human souls were a tricky business, and getting one back into its body was even trickier. Mostly because you didn’t want to summon the wrong soul, or even worse a malicious spirit, and cram it into a body. There were all kinds of horror stories that Marvin had heard, but Robbie had barely been dead a couple of hours. He hadn’t been embalmed or cut open besides Henrik removing the bullet.

All Marvin had to do was be careful, and so as he separated a bowl with a human heart he had procured from a hospital. The heart had been a donor reject, but Marvin didn’t need a perfect one or a beating one, he just needed a heart. Two pints of Marvin’s blood he’d drawn himself, because he didn’t want Henrik or anyone else involved, they could get hurt and he didn’t want to risk them stopping him. Then he started setting up the floor, taking Robbie’s much heavier frozen body and placing it in the middle of the floor and drawing a circle of salt around the body, and a circle for Marvin to kneel in as he worked. Runes and writing was carefully traced in Marvin’s blood and then he separated the remaining out with the rest of the ingredients.

Finally Marvin sat with his legs folded under his thighs and tried to clear his thoughts from his blind, desperate hope, and his furious grief. He had to get Robbie back.

He took out a box of matches, and struck the match and quickly blew it out before using his magic to reignite the match.

Suddenly, all the candles in the room blew out at once and Marvin held his breath, trying to stay awake as his own magic was robbed from him. But he wasn’t trying to create a human from nothing, just wake up a long sleeping one.

He began a series of long incantations, designed for the soul purpose of bringing a soul back. Marvin envisioned Robbie, and how his life had been snuffed out by the villains that had killed and snuffed out the lives of many like him.

Marvin had power, he had magic and if he couldn’t use that to actually save Robbie, he figured he should back up his books, swear off magic, and go back to Offaly.

Then, the candle in Marvin’s hands flared back to life, already starting to feel drained and lightheaded. The flame was a gentle, ghostly blue, something about just making Marvin feel giddy. He hovered the magical fire over one of Robbie’s shoes and waited for a reaction.

Nothing.

Marvin let out a nervous, tired, giddy giggle. “I knew it, I found you.”

With extreme gentleness, Marvin touches the flame to the crown of Robbie’s head and the flame quickly erupted along the young man’s body.

Then in one breath it snuffed itself out, and Marvin, lightheaded, held his breath. The room was spinning and Marvin felt like throwing up, but he’d made his circle a bit too small and if he disturbed his circles then Robbie would leave.

He got distracted when for the first time in hours, the teenager’s fingers twitched, his eyes scrunched up.

“Rob—” was all Marvin was able to manage before he threw up and collapsed onto the floor, out before he could think.

Marvin didn’t know how long he’d been out, it felt like only a couple seconds and he felt like his body had been hit by a train. There was a pounding sound close to Marvin that was probably his awful migraine because his head felt like Marvin should take a bat to it.

When he finally opened his eyes he realized the pounding wasn’t just in his head, Robbie was trying to break the door down.

With his head still spinning, Marvin tried to pick himself up, but the nausea and his migraine were not helping and he fell back to the ground. “Rob, s’not locked on our side.”

Robbie turned and growled at him, a low throaty snarl that was distinctly inhuman.

Marvin struggled to pick himself up, wondering if somehow he’d read the flame wrong, he didn’t think he had the strength for another attempt.

“Rob,” Marvin stood up, so relieved to see him. “It’s okay, yer back now, yer safe.”

“Robbie” let out a grunting yell and went to grab or swat at Marvin but his hands contacted the barrier of salt and it was almost like an impenetrable barrier was suddenly around the magician. In frustration the teen slammed his fists on the ground, the linoleum splitting and crunching like glass with inhuman force.

“Woah, woah, Rob, it’s me,” Marvin cautioned.

Robbie made another inhuman yell at Marvin, clearly not recognizing him as anything other than something to fight.

The door to the morgue opened and a security guard shone his torch into the room. “The hell is going on in here?”

Robbie roared at him and then lunged, Marvin cast a quick spell to knock the door closed again. It didn’t work but Robbie slammed into the door instead of the unsuspecting human.

He collapsed to the ground again, but the security officer was able to pin Robbie to the ground.

“Don’t hurt him,” Marvin pleaded. “He’s been through enough.”

“What is going on?” The officer demanded but Marvin succumbed to exhaustion, blacking out for the second time.

When he woke up, it was to Henrik talking admittedly over him. “Regardless, vatever he has done, he vill not hear ze end of it.”

“Can yeh turn it down?” Marvin asked, he was less nauseous but now he was lightheaded.

Henrik was instantly leaning over him, looking furious, “Vat is vrong vit you‽”

“I saved Robbie,” Marvin was struggling to get back up.

“He vas dead!” Henrik shouted. “Und ve don’t know vat you have brought back to us.”

Marvin picked himself up to see that Robbie was lying on the ground, bound with metal cords and Silver was holding him down.

“What did you bring back?” Silver demanded.

“I did the spell right,” Marvin insisted.

Everyone but Robbie flinched when a dull ringing came from the other side of the door, and Dark opened it. All the heroes freezes, as if hoping the villain would just go away instead of probably escalating the situation.

Silver groaned, “Come on, Dark we got enough to worry about.”

Dark stared at Robbie, looking at him in confusion before the anger rolled over his face.

“You monsters,” Dark growled, slamming the door behind him. “None of you can let the dead rest, can you?”

Marvin scrambled off of the table to get in-between Dark and Robbie, “No, fook yeh, he suffered enough.”

“And that suffering is now ongoing,” Dark snarled resentfully. “He should have been allowed to rest. You filthy heroes just can’t let anything slip out of your control, can you?”

“Don’t touch him,” Marvin ordered, he’d only just gotten Robbie back, and now Dark was back to finish the job.

“How long has it been like that,” Dark dismissed, grabbing Marvin by the front of his cloak. “Don’t bother, you’re in no position to fight.”

“I don’t care,” Marvin literally spat in Dark’s face and he was thrown to the side, Dark’s aura pinning him down.

“Dark let’s talk this out,” Silver cautioned, trying to still keep Robbie pinned as the Entity walked over.

“How long has it been in that body?” Dark demanded.

“We don’t know, maybe a couple hours,” Silver admitted and Dark let out a groan of frustration.

“Do any of you know if it’s the boy or not?” Dark asked.

“Course it fookin’ is!” Marvin shouted.

“He hasn’t really said anything, just growled,” Silver answered.

Dark reached his aura down and started running it along Robbie’s teeth, as if checking, and Robbie was snarling before suddenly he froze up and started letting out a couple soft, huffed breaths.

Dark seemed to be checking for something, his ringing pitching up and down. Marvin was desperately trying to kick free, a loud bang from Marvin putting his foot through the wall, probably breaking a couple toes in the process. He screamed in pain.

Robbie however, flinched at the bang, looking around. Dark was carefully watching him for a bit longer before he pulled his aura away. Robbie didn’t start growling again, he was just watching Dark.

“There’s no guarantee you’ve brought back the right person, but I’m sure you would know the boy better than I would,” Dark sighed, sweeping his hair out of his eyes. “This mess is now your problem. Do tell me you’ve discontinued your internships.”

“We’re talking about it,” Silver actually admitted. “One or two of the kids have nowhere to go.”

“If they try and face my network or other villains, they will die,” Dark reminded. “Oh and that Derekson kid you have, if you don’t keep him off the streets, I’ll take him back.”

“How—” Silver started.

“None of your business, but,” Dark motioned down to Robbie, “whether or not you’ve got the right person, he will never be the same. Also, he might be hungry.”

Dark left through the door, only of the doctors nervously following him, which made sense for Silver how Dark even knew what was going on in the first place.

Now that Robbie had been calmed, the heroes did their best to keep him calm, Dark had been right, he was hungry. Henrik ran out to get him something.

After a short check up the heroes were starting to understand the problem: Robbie’s body had already started to decompose before he was brought into the morgue. A process that had now magically been halted.

One of the doctors showed up with a couple notes, all written in Dark’s fancy, cursive handwriting. Dark was instructing them on how to get Robbie to act human again.

It took several more hours to get Robbie responsive in a way that wasn’t blind rage, a full day to get him to recognize them. Silver mostly suspected that it was Marvin’s coaching whenever he was left with him, which everyone was hesitant to leave Marvin alone with Robbie again and would continue to be suspicious of Marvin for months.

Talking would take weeks, and even then Robbie’s ability to form complex, long statements would never come back. He would speak and even smile again, but sometimes Silver would look at the young man and wonder if they were just wishfully hoping it was him.

Dark had been right, they couldn’t be sure, and even when Robbie’s mom was allowed to finally see him again, a woman who had already been struggling to deal with her only child’s death, was heartbroken again when Robbie didn’t immediately recognize her. He needed several long minutes, and the woman calling out to him in desperate hope, to seemingly understand who she was.

Even Jackie was suspicious, but there was nothing they could do, Robbie was back, he was slotting himself uncomfortably right back into where he had been before, but with much more supervision to all the sidekicks as Robbie was kept with the doctors more than he had been before.

For better or worse “Robbie” was back and so far he seemed to like the real deal. All the heroes could do was hope he was.

[boywizardscanbecute]

A Slow Burn- part 1

Hey guys! Here’s a loooong theseus x reader fic, part 1 of 2. Sorry to leave you with a cliffhanger :) Hope you enjoy and as always my requests are open! 

*Not my gif*

taglist: @bowtrucklescamander, @clockworkherondale

word count: 17,000

Summary: Post CoG by about 9 months. Newt reluctantly lets Bunty go when he figures out how in love with him she is. You’re Newt’s new assistant and illustrator of the new editions of his book. Him and Tina are in an established relationship and you’re close friends with both of them. Newt made you come to ministry events because if him and Tina had to go, then so did you. Newt’s primary purpose was the new edition of his book, but he helped out the ministry in regards to Grindelwald, sort of a volunteer auror. You had only met Newt after the events of CoG, when Dumbledore recommended you. Slowly, you begin to fall in love with Newt’s older brother Theseus. 

Two weeks after you started working for Newt. 

“Accio niffler!” you call, pulling Einstein the baby niffler into your arms and returning him to his locked habitat. “Well done,” Newt pats you on the back. Feeding the nifflers you ask, “Where’s Tina?” Newt immediately smiles and says, “She’s at the ministry, working on her transfer paperwork. Should be back soon.” You nod and continue your rounds around the case, feeding the animals. “Who do you need me to sketch next?” you ask Newt. He replies, “The illustrated edition isn’t due to come out for a year so you don’t have to go in order y/n. Sketch whoever you’d like.” So you grab your sketchbook and immediately head for the mooncalves, a personal favorite of yours. Losing yourself in the illustration, you jump when Tina and Newt come up behind you. “Merlin’s beard you scared me! What’s going on?” Newt replies, “There’s a ministry event tonight. Travers’s 20th anniversary of the head of the department.” “What does that have to do with me?” you ask him. He tells you, “Tina and I want you to come with!” You immediately blush saying, “Newt I’m just your assistant. It wouldn’t be appropriate.” He shrugs your comment off, “Nonsense. You’re my friend, and you’re the illustrator of the new edition of my book. People will want to meet you.” “An illustrator isn’t nearly as important as the author,” you counter. Tina interjects, “Y/n, you are terribly talented. You should come and meet everyone. Besides, Newt is constantly being pulled away by important ministry employees and I could use someone to keep me from getting bored.” You laugh, “Me at a ministry event? Does that sound like me at all?” Newt chuckles, “No it doesn’t. But it doesn’t sound like me either. If we have to go you do too.” You groan, “Fine. Now just how fancy is this thing?” Newt returns your frown and says, “It’s a banquet, so pretty fancy.” “And when is this event?” you ask. “In 2 hours,” Tina returns. “Bloody hell that’s barely enough time to get ready,” you say, jumping up and turning to run upstairs. Tina follows you.  

“What are you wearing?” you ask Tina, the woman notorious for pantsuits. “I’m not sure. I was thinking just a beaded dress with capped sleeves. I’ve got this real nice navy blue one,” she comments. “That will look fantastic on you,” you tell her. “What will you wear?” she asks, changing into her dress. Pulling out one of the only fancy dresses in your wardrobe, you show it to Tina. It was a tea length dress that had wide straps that covered your shoulders, made of satin material and colored black. The material plunged to a somewhat appropriate depth on your chest. Pairing it with matching black, open toed high heels, you wore your hair in a soft, low bun and added dangly, tear drop shaped diamond earrings. Wisps of your hair fell out and framed your face but you didn’t care. On your face you only wore a light gold eyeshadow and red lipstick. You finished off the look by extending your eyelashes. “You look gorgeous. I’m jealous,” Tina tells you. Laughing, you reply, “Tina. You’re with a man who only has eyes for you. Trust me.” Newt appeared in the doorway and just as you had predicted, Newt’s eyes immediately went to Tina. He stepped over to her and lightly kissed her on the cheek. “You look beautiful,” he tells her. Tina blushes and says, “Thanks.” After gazing at her one last time Newt asks, “Ready to go?” You reluctantly nod. So Newt takes Tina’s hand and you take Tina’s as well. 

Arriving at what you can only assume is Travers’s house, you’re shocked at how big it is. Releasing Tina’s hand, you walk behind the happy couple feeling oddly out of place. Everyone was with someone. Everyone except you. It bothered you to be seen without a companion. It wasn’t completely outrageous, you were only 26, but nevertheless it still embarrassed you. 

The first person to approach the three of you is one of the publishers at Obscurus Books, someone you recognized as Mr. Ethan Virgil. “Ah Mr. Scamander, Ms. Goldstein, Ms. l/n, how are you all this evening?” “Just fine,” Newt replies. Turning to you, the executive asks, “And how are the illustrations coming?” You eagerly jump into detail about your artwork, something you were extremely passionate about along with magical creatures. “They sound marvelous. Would you mind sending me over a small sample? No particular reason, I’m just quite eager to see more of your work. Your reputation precedes you,” he tells you. Blushing, you reply, “Of course Mr. Virgil. I’ll send them over as quickly as possible.” He turns back to Newt and says, “Where is that brother of yours?” You’d heard of Newt’s brother Theseus, everyone had. He fought alongside the muggles in the war, he was considered a war hero and was head auror. He was also a man who, almost a year ago, lost his fiance. You’d never met him. Newt answers, “I’m not sure where Theseus has gone off to. I know that he was gone, sent to try and follow a trail that's gone cold.” Mr. Virgil replies, “Yes, everyone does seem to be on edge with the fact that Grindelwald cannot be found.” More people arrived and soon the publisher announced that he had to leave. 

Lingering around the refreshments table, you watched as Newt was dragged away by a ministry official. Even nearly 10 months later, people still wanted to hear Newt recalling the events of Paris. He, however, was able to talk about it, because even though Leta died, he had Tina. “This is extremely boring,” you say to Tina through bites of food. “I agree. But what are you gonna do? Newt and I were apart of the events that happened that night. And since Grindelwald hasn’t been spotted since, everyone is extremely on edge,” Tina says. You sigh, “It’s not only that. Newt’s book is becoming more and more famous and people want to know about him. I’ve already had people interested in me anyways.” “Why?” Tina asks curiously. You bite your lip, considering if you should tell her or not. “Well?” Tina implores you. You huff, “I’ve done more illustrations for the public before.” “Like what?” she asks eagerly. “Like….  Maybe the illustrations of the reprint of The Tales of Beedle the Bard.” Her jaw drops. She babbles, “Okay I know that that book isn’t really famous in America but even I have heard of it. That’s amazing!” You blush and look down, “It’s not a super big deal.” She scoffs, “Yeah okay.” After a beat she adds, “But that edition came out like three years ago. You mean to tell me that you became a published illustrator at age 23?” “I guess, yeah,” you whisper. “So why are you working as Newt’s assistant?” she questions. “Because. I like illustrating but I also am passionate about magical creatures. Combining them brings me the most happiness,” you comment. Tina just hugs you and breathes, “You’re brilliant.” 

Newt soon walks back over, a tall man in tow behind him. Studying the man, you realize just how similar he looks to Newt. He had dark auburn hair with the same curls as Newt. Freckles covered his face, but instead of Newt’s green, this man had stunningly blue eyes. He walks with his head down. Gracing Tina’s cheek with a swift kiss, Newt says, “Y/n, I’d like to introduce you to my older brother, Theseus Scamander, head auror for the Ministry of Magic.” You smiled at the tall man and held your hand out for him to shake. His eyes studied your face closely, and you felt yourself blush under his gaze. Shaking his hand you tell him, “I’m y/n l/n, Newt’s new assistant.” He gives you a soft smile, his hand lingering briefly in yours. Then he shoves his hands in his pockets. Turning to Newt he asks, “What happened to Bunty?” Newt awkwardly rubs his neck and replies, “Bunty was…. Infatuated with me. It didn’t seem fair to her especially now that I’m with Tina. Besides, y/n is not just my assistant. She’s illustrating the next version of my book.” At the last comment, Theseus looks back at you and studies you again. You return his gaze and say, “It’s really an honor to meet you Theseus. You’ve done so many great things.” Theseus, a man who has never once blushed in public, blushes and mumbled, “Thanks.” Tina speaks up, “Y/n also illustrated the new edition of the Tales of Beedle the Bard that came out three years ago.” Theseus’s eyes widen in surprise. “You’re really talented,” he compliments you. “Thank you Mr. Scamander,” you answer. “Please call me Theseus,” he tells you. Theseus then includes his brother in the conversation once again and claps him on the back, saying, “Hopefully my baby brother doesn’t work you too hard.” You look at Newt, someone who hated being called a baby brother. Smiling you say, “No he doesn’t. Besides, I love the work.” “Are you a magizoologist then as well?” Theseus asks you. Considering the thought you say, “Aspiring. Maybe.” 

Dinner is served and you can’t ignore the pleasant feeling in your stomach at the fact that your name card sits next to one that’s labeled T. Scamander. You quickly find yourself lost when you sit down and look at what must be at least 12 different utensils. “Merlin’s beard what are these all for?” you hiss under your breath to Tina. She just shook her head, “You think I would know?” Theseus gracefully sits down next to you. It’s then that you look and appreciate just how great he looks in his tux. The first course is served, a salad, and you reach for one of the various forks in front of you. Theseus leans over to you and whispers, “That’s not the salad fork.” Setting the larger fork back down you turn, looking into his big blue eyes, and ask, “What’s a salad fork.” Theseus struggles to not burst out laughing as he takes a sip of water. It results in him coughing profusely, trying to cover up his laugh. Your face turns beet red and you ask, “Are you okay?” Recovering, he says politely, “Yes I’m fine, thank you.” Leaning closer again he whispers, “Just follow my lead and you’ll survive.” His breath tickles your ear and you force out a reply, “Thank you.” Tina and Newt are unaware of this interaction, lost in their own little world of new love. Following Theseus’s lead, you pick up a rather small fork and eat your salad. 

After dinner, the dancing begins, much to your distress. Newt asks Tina to dance right away. Before she’s swept onto the dance floor Tina tells you, “Don’t worry, I’m sure someone will ask you to dance. I’ve seen so many sets of eyes on you tonight. Just try to relax.” You give Tina a pouty look. “Oh come on don’t look at me like that,” she stomps her foot. Rolling your eyes you huff, “Oh just go dance.” She smiles and walks away, towards Newt. You slowly saunter over to the refreshment table, picking up a glass of champagne. Sipping on it slowly, you watch the couples around you swirl on the dance floor. A tall figure gradually walks over, and stands beside you. Turning and looking up at him, you realize it’s Theseus. Immediately you gush, “Thank you again for helping me at dinner Theseus.” He smiles, “I haven’t truly laughed like that in a long time. I should be thanking you.” “Well in that case I’m glad I could help,” you respond. Theseus picks up a glass of champagne and drinks half of it in one gulp. Your eyes travel back to the couples on the dancefloor. Unbeknownst to you, Theseus watches you carefully. His eyes take in the figure you cut in your black satin dress and he took in the fact that even though you wore heels, you were still at least 6 inches shorter than him. You stand in an awkward silence. 

Not much later, a young girl with a perky attitude approaches Theseus. “Would you like to dance Mr. Scamander?” she asks hopefully. Theseus looks at her with pity and sighs, “I’m sorry Cynthia, I don’t dance. Not anymore.” The phrase Not anymore, pulled you back from your daze. You recalled that Theseus was engaged, and that his fiance died in Paris. The young girl walks away, looking crushed. Theseus finishes his drink and automatically reaches for another.  Your eyes travel back to Newt and Tina spinning across the room. You couldn’t help but feel a pang in your heart for wanting what they had. You’d never went on more than three dates with someone. Taking another sip of champagne you tell Theseus, “I’m sorry about your fiance.” You have the good grace to not look at Theseus as he struggles to compose himself. “Thank you,” he manages to say. Trying to distract him you ask, “Do you like working for Travers?” Theseus lightly chuckles, “I don’t think anyone likes working for Travers. But he’s got such a hold on the department you’ve got no choice but to pretend to like him.” You agree, “He doesn’t seem like a very nice man.” Theseus finally turns to you and says, “Oh, he's not.” Theseus looks down at you with a small smile on his face. Looking up at him with a rather large grin you tell him, “Well I’m sorry you have to work for him then. Seems like you should be running the department.” For the second time that night, Theseus blushes. “That’s really too kind of you,” Theseus says properly. “Maybe it’s the truth,” you offer the statement to him. There’s a grateful look on his face, as he graciously accepts your compliment. 

A tall man approaches the two of you and clears his throat, which pulls your gaze away from Theseus. “Pardon me for interrupting, but I couldn’t help but notice a beautiful lady such as yourself standing on the side and not on the dance floor. Would you care to dance?” he asks you. You’re not sure why, but you look to Theseus first, wondering if he knew the man. Turning back to the man you ask, “And you are?” He’s immediately embarrassed and says, “Merlin’s beard I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Colin Clarke, I work in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.” “That must be terribly interesting,” you reply, somewhat intrigued. Holding out a hand again, he says, “I’d love to tell you about it over a dance.” “Well okay then,” you take his hand and let him lead you out onto the center of the floor. Theseus watches as your pulled away from him. A slow pulling feeling forms in his chest, and for a moment he wishes he had asked you to dance. Because maybe he could dance with you. You made him laugh, a real laugh. And he couldn’t ignore the fact that you were the only person that night that didn’t look at him with complete and utter pity. In fact, you hadn’t even asked him about the night, instead you form new memories with him, making him feel alive again, if only for a moment. 

The man called Colin twirled you delicately in a proper waltz. He gushes, “Your illustrations in The Tales of Beedle the Bard were quite lovely. I’m so excited to see the work you’ve done on Mr. Scamander’s book.” You blush at his compliment. “Well thank you Mr. Clarke that’s very kind of you,” you tell him. He says nervously, “And I must tell you that you look extremely beautiful tonight.” “Thank you again,” you say, looking down at your feet. The dance continues and he proceeds to tell you about the craziest cases of misuse of muggle artifacts. “I’m sure you’re never bored,” you tell him. He chuckles, “Never. I never catch a break either.” “That’s unfortunate,” you reply, “But as long as you enjoy the work.” He nods at the comment. 

Across the room a pair of piercing dark blue eyes stare at your form dancing around. Theseus watches as your dress twirls gracefully around you. Newt and Tina stop at the refreshment table. “Enjoying yourself Theseus?” Newt asks, somehow miraculously not noticing his brother’s longing gaze as his assistant. “I suppose so. And you?” Theseus responds. Newt smiles, “For once I can actually say I did enjoy this night. Having someone with you makes the event much more enjoyable.” He squeezes Tina’s hand. Theseus finally looks at his brother, holding the young American auror’s hand. Tina speaks up, “I’m still sorry about how our first meeting went Theseus.” Theseus laughs, “Think nothing of it. You were doing what you thought was right.” That answer surprises both Tina and Newt. Continuing Theseus says, “I never congratulated the two of you on your courtship. Newt, you’re lucky to have someone as strong as Tina. And Tina, I’m so happy you’ve decided to work as an auror with me.” Theseus says these words, and while he is happy for his brother, he feels a pang of jealousy for what him and Tina have. Even when he was with Leta, he could admit that they were never head over heels in love like Newt and Tina were. The couple begins conversing again and Theseus indulges himself in watching your delicate form dance again. When the song ends, Theseus watches as the young man Colin presses a lingering kiss to your small hand. Then you walk back over. 

“There you are,” Tina squeals at you, “Told you someone would ask you to dance.” You sigh, “Yes I suppose you were right.” Tina continues, “Was it a love connection?” You splutter, “Gods no Tina! Just because you dance with someone doesn’t mean you’re interested in them. Besides he’s just a kid.” Tina argues, “What is he? 23, 24?” You sigh, “23.” “That’s only 3 years younger than you!” Tina urges. Before he can stop himself Theseus gasps, “You’re 26?” Turning to the tall auror you laugh, “Yes Theseus I’m 26. But don’t start treating me like a baby.” Theseus gives you a small smile, “I won’t.” Newt glances at his watch and says, “It’s getting really late. We should probably go.” “Goodbye Theseus, good to see you as always,” Newt hugs his brother briefly. Theseus nods, “Goodbye Newt, Tina.” Then he turns to you. “It was really quite a pleasure meeting you, Theseus,” you confess, holding out your hand for him to shake. He takes your hand in his and bites back a gasp at how tiny and delicate it felt on your skin. Blood pumping in his ears, he replies, “I hope to see you again soon y/n.” Gazing into his eyes you say, “And I you.” You let yourself briefly get lost in the big blue beneath his eyelashes before dropping your hand from his. Tearing your gaze away from him, you turn and depart with Newt and Tina. Theseus Scamander stands, watching you go, feeling his chest pumped full with emotions he hadn’t felt in a long while. Helpless to it, he lets himself begin to think about you, every delicate detail of the new woman that just took his breath away. 

Later that night, you worked at your desk in Newt’s basement, pouring over some of your illustrations. You’re interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind you. Newt walks into view. “Hello Newt,” you greet him. Yawning, he smiles at you, “Awfully late for you to be up isn’t it?” You shrug, “I couldn’t sleep.” Newt sits across from you and asks, “Did you at least enjoy yourself tonight?” A knowing smile plays across your lips as you say, “Perhaps.” “Meet anyone interesting?” Newt implores you. You sigh, “Gods, no. The only person remotely interesting was your brother.” Newt laughs, “I wouldn’t exactly call Theseus interesting.” “To each his own,” you reply vaguely. Newt studies you for a moment, wondering why you would respond that way. Changing the subject you ask, “What illustrations do you think I should send Mr. Virgil to preview?” Newt scoots his stool closer to you and pours over the drawings with you. Thoughtfully he comments, “Well this drawing of the mooncalves is quite perceptive. You capture their eyes perfectly. And of course you have dozens of sketches of the nifflers so I’m sure you could spare one or two of those.” You nod along. Newt yawns, “I am much too tired, however, to continue sitting here and I suggest that we both get some rest. Day after next we have to be photographed for the Daily Prophet, for the announcement of the second edition.” “I suppose you’re right,” you reply, following him up the stairs and back to your room. 

The Daily Prophet photographer wanted to photograph you and Newt working together and as a result, decided to visit the home you shared with him and Tina. She particularly focused on photos of you and Newt dealing with the kelpie, while Tina looked on. “These pictures are great. Now I’ll just need a single head shot of each of you and we should be good,” the photographer asks. Pulling you to the side, she asks you to stand against the wall and takes your headshot. Your smile was small, nerves evident. You wore your hair down, tucked behind one ear. Tina’s style had rubbed off on you and you wore a pair of wide-legged black slacks and a long sleeve white button up blouse, no makeup. “Thank you Mr. Scamander, Ms. l/n, that’s it!” she announces, dismissing herself. You eat lunch silently with Tina and Newt when there’s a knock on the door. “Are you expecting anyone?” Tina asks Newt. He shakes his head. “Are you?” Tina asks you in turn. “Not at all. But let’s not leave them waiting,” you reply. Standing up, you walk over to the door and open it to see Theseus Scamander standing there. 

Theseus’s blue eyes widen when you swing the door open. “Theseus what a surprise,” you say, instinctively brushing your hair out of your face. He stands, still in the doorway, staring at you. “What is there something on my face?” you ask, suddenly beet red under Theseus’s stare. He’s pulled from his daze and says, “No, your face is fine, sorry. I got a little distracted, can I come in?” “Of course,” you stand aside, leaving him an opening. He walks into the kitchen. 

“Theseus, this is quite the surprise,” Newt stands, offering his brother a small hug. “What brings you by?” Newt asks. Theseus says, “I’m not sure what you did Newt, but you were the hit of Travers’s banquet. Everyone expects you to be at the minister’s dinner on Saturday. Will you be attending?” Newt groans, “As much as I want to say no, the executives at Obscurus Books are requiring that I attend as many ministry events as possible. That way the book is promoted.” This catches your attention. “Does that mean I have to go too?” you moan in frustration. Newt laughs, “If I have to go, so do you.” You shoot him a glare before taking another bite of your sandwich. Theseus casually slips in, “Well at least if y/n’s there I won’t be bored out of my mind.” You immediately blush and look down, responding, “Happy to help.” Theseus watches you pick at your lunch and he suppressed his thoughts of how cute you are flustered, a thought completely and uncharacteristically not like him. Newt interrupts Theseus thoughts saying, “Is that all you came to tell us Thes?” Theseus clears his throat, “What? Oh yes, I suppose that’s it. How did that interview for the Daily Prophet go?” Newt responds, “It was alright I suppose. Was a bit distracting from work though.” You immediately agree, “Yes. She wanted to get pictures of the kelpie which I thought was outrageous. The kelpie takes two people to handle and is much too fast to capture an image of.” Theseus nods like he knows what you were talking about. Then he glances at his watch and mutters, “Bloody hell, better get back to the ministry. So I’ll see you all on Saturday then. Goodbye.” His eyes linger on you. 

As soon as Theseus leaves, you fall into a tizzy. “I barely have any fancy attire is this going to become a regular occurence?” you babble. Tina groans, “This means we’ll have to go shopping.” “God I hadn’t even thought about that,” you moan in displeasure. Newt laughs, “Has anyone ever told the two of you that you’re women?” He immediately shuts up when you and Tina glare daggers at him. “I’ll be downstairs,” he mumbled, clearing his plate. 

You and Tina did your reluctant shopping, finding appropriate attire for every sort of ministry event imaginable. The next day the Daily Prophet comes out with an article about you and Newt. It focused on the new talents you brought to the table, as well as the fact that you now worked as his assistant. You hated the headshot the photographer took of you. You looked timid, almost scared, and you had no makeup on. “I want to burn this picture,” you complain, sitting down at Newt’s workstation. He chuckles, “Y/n, it’s not a bad picture of you at all.” You roll your eyes at him. “I wish I had more time to prepare. This is sure to push away any men in my future,” you laugh sarcastically. Newt shrugs, “The eyes see what they want to see,” and dives back into his work, picking up a bucket of feed and walking off. 

Theseus Scamander sits on his desk, mindlessly flipping through the Daily Prophet. His eyes stop on an article entitled, “Youngest Scamander and Illustrator Turned Assistant Magizoologist To Release Second Edition of Book.” He immediately flips to the page of the article and his gaze freezes on the headshot of you. Your eyes briefly glanced at the camera and then looked down shyly. Your hair was down and you wore a white button up dress shirt with no makeup on. A small hand, your own hand, briefly entered the frame, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. Theseus studied the way your lips turned up at the corners of your mouth. Before he even knew what he was doing, Theseus reaches in his desk drawer and pulls out scissors. Cutting hastily, Theseus takes your picture from the newspaper. Setting the rest of the paper back down, he smiles at the picture of you, to which the picture of you immediately blushes. There’s a knock on the door and someone enters. Theseus immediately shoves the picture of you in his desk drawer, a guilty look on his face. 

Saturday came around and you reluctantly got ready with Tina, putting on one of your new dresses. It being the minister’s dinner, you felt you had to dress fancier. So you wore a mermaid style ball gown, with wide straps that covered your shoulders. The material was silk and it was a beautiful maroon color. “I don’t know about this Tina,” you tell her, suddenly nervous about your dress choice. Tina wore a gown with similar straps, though it was A-line and didn’t hug her curves as much as your dress did. “Y/n you look amazing. You have to wear it,” Tina replies. “Fine,” you groan, putting on a pair of nude heels. You finished the look with simple makeup, just some light gold eyeshadow and nude lipstick. Tina learned to have a knack for hair in Queenie’s absence, and she curled yours gently. She pinned the side strands of your hair back, securing them with a beautiful ivory hair pin. The dress was extremely fancy so the only jewelry you wore was a dangly, silver charm bracelet. Newt tells you and Tina, “You both look amazing.” “Thanks Newt,” you casually reply. Tina is blushing profusely under Newt’s lingering eyes. “Shall we go?” you ask them. Newt reluctantly tears his gaze from Tina’s and says, “Yes.” Taking each of their arms, you depart for the minister’s mansion. 

You’re immediately swept away by random ministry employees that you don’t recognize. They eagerly questioned you and Newt about the new edition of the book. Mr. Virgil quickly approaches, planting a kiss to your cheek. “Y/n darling I got your preview of drawings and I must say they were marvelous! I look forward to seeing more of your work in Newt’s book,” he gushes admirably. “Well thank you Mr. Virgil, you’re too kind,” you tell him. People then begin to focus on Newt and Tina again, which you’re very okay with. Excusing yourself, you go looking for a glass of champagne. Standing at the table of drinks, you sip your champagne slowly, studying the people around you. The minister’s house was gigantic, his dinner’s a regular event that grew more extravagant each week it got closer to Christmas. 

Theseus was bored out of his mind. He searched for you, but he couldn’t find you amongst the party guests. Cursing himself, he walks over to the refreshment table. His breathing stops when he sees you. Your silk dress hugged your body in all the right places, the purple-ish material accentuating everything that made you a woman. Theseus couldn’t help but study you closely, your back to him. Your perfume gradually floated over to him and he immediately felt intoxicated. Theseus audibly gulps, mentally preparing himself to trip over his words and make a fool of himself. He gently taps you on the shoulder, his fingers softly brushing against your h/c curled hair. 

There was a soft tap on your shoulder and you turned around to see the older Scamander brother, red in the face, looking down at you. “Theseus there you are! I was looking for you,” you let slip. “You were?” he asks, surprised. Blushing, you look down at your feet and say, “Yeah.” He laughs at your shyness. You tease, “I was hoping you would sit next to me at dinner again. I don’t think I remembered completely how to use all of those utensils.”He laughs, “I’d be happy to help you again.” “You’re a lifesaver,” you breathe a sigh of relief. Theseus smiles down at you, a smile that crinkled the corner of his big blue eyes. Instinctively, he felt a pang of guilt for letting himself admire you so openly in public, when it had barely been a full year since Leta passed. Nevertheless, he was helpless to admiring everything about you. Your beauty, your grace, and everything in between. The eager Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office employee, Colin, makes his way to you and once again presses an eager kiss to your hand. “How are you Colin?” you ask him kindly. He responds, “Better now that I am seeing you. You look so beautiful tonight.” You laugh at his flirtiness but inside you hope that he backs off. “Would you allow me to steal you for a dance once more later in the evening?” he asks. You smile politely, “Perhaps, though I felt quite bad leaving Theseus alone to be bored the other night. It’d be quite rude of me to do it again.” Colin looks between the two of you, appearing slightly confused. He bids you goodnight and leaves to talk to someone else. “Sorry about that,” you hastily apologize to Theseus. Theseus shakes off your apology, replying softly, “You know you really do look beautiful tonight.” Your eyes shoot up to his and meet an intense starry blue gaze. “Thank you,” you whisper, managing to hold his eye contact. Dinner is announced and Theseus says, “Shall we?” Properly offering his arm to you like a perfect gentleman. You smile and hook your arm in his, letting him lead you to the table. Theseus felt like a sleeze, the way he was gushing over someone 13 years younger than him. You felt the opposite, like a dooey eyed school girl pining over a teacher. You felt the situation you wanted to unfold would never happen. Theseus found himself wanting the same thing. 

You followed Theseus’s lead again as you made your way through yet another fancy dinner. “Theseus, how is the department doing now with smaller numbers?” the minister asks Theseus thoughtfully. Theseus replies politely, “I won’t lie minister, it’s not easy. But we’ll manage. We’ve got every man working over time and every new face that comes into the department is triple checked for any ties with Grindelwald or his followers.” The minister compliments, “You do great work my boy, you’re doing the ministry proud.” Theseus gushes, “Thank you minister.” To your complete and utter horror the minister then turns to you and comments, “And what a lucky man Theseus is to be sat next to such a talented woman.” Theseus says quietly, “Very lucky.” Not hearing Theseus’s comment, you turn to the minister and blush, “Thank you minister you’re too kind.” He replies, “Nonsense. I’ve seen your work. My children love The Tales of Beedle the Bard and your illustrations in the new edition fascinated them.” “Well thank you,” you say politely. The minister then turns to Newt and asks him more about Paris. Theseus’s reaction is to immediately look down at his plate and push his food around, not eating it. You whisper to him, “How much are they  going to ask about that night before it becomes old news?” Theseus shrugs, “Dunno. You’d think they’d get the picture by now. That and the hundreds of reports they have on it.” You nod. Whispering softly you tell him, “I’m sorry they keep making you relive that night.” “Thanks,” Theseus gulps. 

There’s dancing once again and Newt asks you, “Tina’s getting her ear talked off by the minister. He’s very interested in President Piquery and her policies. In the meantime, would you like to dance?” You grin widely, “Now that sounds like a fantastic idea.” Newt takes your hand and leads you to the dance floor, leaving Theseus to stand alone and watch. As Newt twirls you around you ask, “Do you think the ministry will ever stop asking about Paris?” Newt responds, “I don’t know. It does seem to get quite irritating though doesn’t it?” You shake your head, “It’s not that. It’s the toll it’s clearly taking on Theseus.” Newt’s eyes widen and he looks over at his older brother, who in turn, is already staring at the two of you. “You think it does?” Newt asks. You immediately respond, “Yes. It clearly does Newt. And I feel bad. I mean imagine if you’d lost Tina, and then everyone kept making you relive the night it happened.” Newt looks thoughtful. “I didn’t think about it that way,” he admits. When the song ends you make your way back over to Theseus. “Sorry to leave you fending for yourself,” you tease him. He laughs, “I managed.” Newt comments, “Brother I watched at least three women approach you during that song alone, surely you could indulge one of them?” Theseus looks at his brother, a sadness lingering in his eyes. “Not tonight Newt. Maybe some other time,” he responds. Newt picks up on the somber mood and leaves you to cheer his brother up, announcing, “I better go find Tina.” 

You stood with Theseus nearly the whole night, the fast friendship between the two of you continuing to form. “I saw the article about you and Newt in the paper,” Theseus says. “Oh geez. That was probably my worst interview. And my first, so there’s that,” you reply. Theseus eyes you, “That was your first interview? But what about when you illustrated The Tales of Beedle the Bard?” Shrugging, you reply, “I declined to be interviewed. I was only 23, I didn’t want all the attention. Even now all the attention makes me really uncomfortable.” “Really?” Theseus is surprised. “Really,” you pause, your eyes spying Colin who was searching the room for you. Downing your drink, you toss it aside and hide behind Theseus, who is frozen in surprise. “Colin is looking for me. God, I hate letting people down, just hide me. That way he can’t find me,” you plead, shrinking behind his tall form. Theseus laughs wholeheartedly at your reaction, all the while standing taller to block you from sight. “I’m sorry. I just can’t deal with this right now,” you breathe against Theseus’s shoulder, pressed close to his back, your hands absentmindedly gripping his suit jacket tightly. Theseus feels a chill run down his spine as your warm body is pressed against the back of his. For a moment he closes his eyes, inhaling your scent and your presence. Leaning his head back, Theseus whispers, “Don’t worry. He can’t see you.” You cautiously place a hand on Theseus’s broad shoulder and stand on your tiptoes, peering over him. You breathe a sigh of relief when you don’t see Colin, the rush of air from your mouth washing over Theseus’s neck. The hair on his skin stands straight up. Theseus now visibly shivers, the breath you left on his skin making him squirm, his mind wandering to a dark place full of inappropriate thoughts. Theseus turns around to face you. You stare up at him sheepishly, embarrassed at your reaction. “Sorry, you must think me pathetic,” you mumble. He stares down at you, perplexed by your comment. “Not at all,” he reassures you, “I think it just makes me appreciate your kindness more.” You play with a strand of your hair and mutter, “Thanks, I guess.” Theseus says reluctantly, “Now I hate to leave your side but I have to go to the restroom. I’ll be back shortly.” He departs. No sooner does he depart then does one eager young ministry employee approach you; Colin. 

Plastering the biggest fake smile you could muster you say, “Hello Colin.” He’s nearly hopping on his feet as he says, “Y/n. Can I have that dance now?” It was just your luck that the moment Theseus left your side, Colin showed up to ask you to dance. You sigh, “Sure Colin,” rather unenthusiastically. He doesn’t seem to notice your tone and practically drags you to the dance floor. Colin tried to hold you as close to him as possible, and you let him while your mind wandered to Theseus, praying for him to appear in front of you. 

Theseus emerges from one of the minister’s mansions various bathrooms and is stopped by a fellow auror; Yaxley. “Spending an awful lot of time with your brother’s new assistant I see,” he smirks at Theseus. Theseus tries to keep a straight face as he says, “She’s pleasant company.” “Yes and easy on the eyes too,” Yaxley comments. Theseus struggles to keep his composure as he lies, “I hadn’t thought about her that way.” Yaxley grossly smiles, “Well you should. I hear talks of aurors wanting to lock her down before anyone else.” This catches Theseus’s attention. Before Yaxley can turn to go he asks urgently, “What?” Yaxley responds, “Oh yes, she’s quite a beautiful woman who many men want on their arm. She’d make the perfect companion.” “Oh,” is all Theseus can manage to say. “Enjoy the rest of your night, Theseus,” Yaxley says, departing. Theseus stands briefly frozen, considering the words that Yaxley said. A new feeling filled his chest. A feeling he had never experienced with Leta, Theseus lets the newfound jealousy course through his veins. Then he remembers he left you alone, and he had no doubt that Colin had found you. He was right. 

Before he could figure out what he was doing, Theseus marched straight back into the Minister’s ballroom, his eyes searching for you. He spies an eager Colin spinning you around rather frantically on the dancefloor. And while the fear in Theseus’s chest made him want to stay put, his feet had a mind of their own and they carried him swiftly over to you. 

Your eyes traveled up to Theseus’s tall form that sauntered quickly over to you. Frozen in complete shock, you watched as Theseus tapped Colin on the shoulder. Colin turned around and jumped at the sight of the tall, fearsome head auror. “May I cut in?” Theseus’s voice comes out smooth. Colin looks to you and sees as you stare up at Theseus, a gigantic grin on your face. “Of course,” Colin’s voice falls, and he releases your hands, slowly walking away. Then Theseus’s eyes fall to you and you gaze into the familiar deep blue. “Thank you,” you whisper softly. Theseus holds his large hand out to you. Your mouth suddenly goes completely dry. Theseus was going to dance with you. So you laid your hand in his, and took in how tiny your hand looked cradled in his own. A new boldness moved through the eldest Scamander when he felt you take his hand. And as a new waltz started, he places his hand on your waist and pulls you into him, knocking all your breath away. “Your other hand is supposed to go on my shoulder, or do I have to teach you this as well?” Theseus teases. You gulp audibly and place your hand on his shoulder. And when the music begins, Theseus whisks you smoothly across the floor, managing to hold you a little too close than deemed necessary for a waltz. “You’re so light on your feet,” you breathe into Theseus’s chest. He chuckles, “I’ve had practice, you know with all the ministry events we have to attend.” You laugh, “I’ve had less practice. I wouldn’t want to make a fool of your good dancing reputation.” Theseus lets slip, “Nonsense. I like dancing with you.” You look up into his eyes and gasp, “Oh.” Theseus blushes, mumbling, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” You smile thoughtfully, “No, you didn’t. I just was surprised to hear you say that is all.” Theseus continues, “How are you surprised? Have you not seen all the men eyeing you tonight?” You turn beet red, saying, “That’s not true.” Theseus shakes his head, “Of course it’s true. Even just now Yaxley was telling me about how the other aurors talk about you and how perfect you are. You could have anyone of them you want, they’re all dying for a shot at you. Take your pick.” You decisively say, “None of them really appeal to me. They’re all really immature and I don’t think they see me as someone you’d want to spend time with. I’m not stupid, I know they only think of me as arm candy.” Theseus comments, “Well they’re idiots.” Your eyes widen and you manage to continue to hold his gaze, the blush traveling to your nose and ears. “Thanks Theseus,” you manage to get out. He merely nods. 

A slower ballad begins and while you’re hoping for the dance to continue you offer, “Theseus, we can stop dancing if you want.” His face falls and he asks, “Is that what you want?” You look down, avoiding his eyes as you whisper, “No. I’d like to keep dancing.” And while you can’t see his look, Theseus’s face breaks out into a massive grin. “Me too,” he agrees. Theseus removes his one hand from yours only to place it on your waist, causing your breath to hitch in your throat. His large hands wrapped around your waist, his fingers nearly meeting. You reach up your arms and wrap them around his neck. Theseus mercifully dips his head slightly, so you don’t have to stand on your tiptoes. His face is extremely close to your own and you let yourself get lost in the ocean blue of his pupils. You felt your torso pressed close to him and couldn’t help but smile at the warmth that spread through you. No matter what was going on around you, your eyes stayed glued to Theseus’s. Across the room, Newt and Tina studied the two of you. 

Inside his chest, Theseus felt a turmoil of emotion. His heart felt as if it were on fire, a new passion for the woman in front of him forming faster than he could keep up with. Theseus’s arms subconsciously tightened around your waist as he gazed affectionately at you. Then, a biting feeling came back in his chest, this one a familiar one. The familiar sense of self loathing and disgust developing inside of him. Theseus tried to combat the feeling, praying that his heart would just let him enjoy your presence for once, without thinking about how this would look. Theseus’s mind taunted him with images of you slipping out of his grasp, being pulled away by one of your admirer’s asking for your hand. In the meantime you let out a beautifully soft sigh, resting your head on his chest. Theseus’s heart was racing, and he tried desperately to get it to slow down, worried you would feel his heart beating wildly against your cheek resting there. Gently, he rested his head on top of your own, swaying in time with the music, your body held tightly against his. Dark thoughts loomed in his head as he thought about desperately kissing you, holding you all night and showing you just how special you were. 

The song ended and switched to a fast paced Charleston, which neither you or Theseus were prepared to dance. Reluctantly, you dropped your hands from Theseus’s neck. His grip on your waist lingered, before he dropped his hands. Realizing you were still standing in the middle of the dancefloor you say, “Maybe we should…..” Theseus answers the question for you, “Yeah. We should get out of the way.” To your delight, Theseus takes your hand in his and leads you back towards the refreshment table. Handing you a glass of champagne, he takes one himself. You sip the bubbly happily, elated with the fact that you just danced with Theseus for two songs. You giggle, “You should have seen the looks of death I was getting from some other girls.” Theseus replies, “I got equally malicious looks from all your potential suitors.” You scoffed, “Please, potential suitors? I couldn’t see myself with any of them. They’re all too young, too immature.” Theseus replies, “But they’re your age.” You shoot back, “What does age have to do with anything?” Theseus is intrigued by your train of thoughts and adds, “Don’t you think it would be inappropriate to be with someone much older or much younger than you?” You look at Theseus and the realization dawns on you; Theseus was implying that whatever was between the two of you, was inappropriate. A brief look of emotional pain flashes across your features. Summoning the last bit of courage you had, you looked into Theseus’s great blue eyes and tell him intently, “Age is not a factor that matters to me. Whenever and whoever I decide to spend my life with, age is never something that crosses my mind.” Theseus watches you with sadness. He easily saw your face fall and your eyes grow somber. More than anything he wanted to tilt your chin up and kiss you and tell you that of course you were right, age is just a number, and he wanted to be with you more than anything. Before he got a chance to articulate his thoughts, you briefly looked up at him and said, “I should go Theseus. It’s getting late.” “Y/n, wait,” he struggles to form what he wants to say to you. “Till the next ministry event. Bye Theseus,” you offer him a small smile and turn to find Newt and Tina. Theseus watches you go, his heart filled with sadness as your form grew farther and farther away. A voice speaks beside him, “You know I’ve never seen her look at anyone like that before.” Theseus looks over to see his younger brother Newt, looking at him concerned. “Newt, I-” Theseus begins but is cut off by his sibling. “Listen, Thes, I know y/n. Sure I haven’t known her for long but she’s a lot like me. Besides Tina, she’s my closest companion. And Theseus I will not lie to you, you didn’t even look at Leta like that when you were together. Don’t let something as trivial as age get between you at least having a close companion. Now I’m going to take her home.” Newt walks away from his brother, finds you and Tina, and takes you back to the house. 

The rest of the weekend you stayed in the basement, pouring yourself into various illustrations and treating creatures. Tina and Newt tried to talk to you, to get you to open up about whatever you were feeling, but you wouldn’t budge. On Sunday night Newt walks downstairs, a plate in hand. “Brought you some dinner. You need to eat,” Newt tells you. “I’m busy,” you reply, concentrating on a new sketch. Newt sets the plate on your desk and sits down beside you. “Y/n what happened?” he asks quietly. “What do you mean?” you respond, not taking your eyes from the paper in front of you. Newt rests a hand on your shoulder, causing you to look up. He sighs, “I saw the way you looked at Theseus. The way you danced with him. He hasn’t dance with anyone, something he loves, since Leta. I’m not gonna ignore that.” You shake your head, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Newt groans, “Well I can’t help you if you won’t admit it to yourself that something’s there.” Turning to your friend, you say, “Newt. Even if there was something there, your brother clearly has an issue with my age and how young I am. So case closed.” Newt grumbles, “Theseus always did have a problem with letting himself be happy.” “Newt can I get back to work please?” you ask him. He sighs, “Fine, I’ll leave you to it. But before I forget, Mr. Virgil wants some more illustrations and in exchange for this preview, he’s agreed to pay for us to travel to eastern Asia, to search for more undiscovered creatures.” You jump up from your stool, “What? Are you serious?” Newt laughs at your excitement, “Deadly serious. Three week expedition, not sure when it’s happening. But I agree it’s very exciting. Anyways he’s having lunch with Yaxley tomorrow and I was hoping you could deliver him some copies?” It slipped your mind that Yaxley was an auror who worked with Theseus, so naturally you reply, “Of course I can do that. I’ll bring them to the ministry tomorrow.” “Thanks y/n, that is a huge help. Not sure how I got along before you,” Newt grins, offering you a hug. “I’m not sure how you did either,” you joke. 

The next morning, you meticulously pick out your best sketches, putting them into a file. Donned in your usual black, wide legged trousers, and white button up shirt, you slipped on nude flats and left for the ministry. Stopping at the information desk you say, “Hello, I’m looking for Mr. Virgil, I’m told he’s meeting with Yaxley.” The secretary smiles at you and responds, “Yes, he’s eagerly awaiting your arrival. He’s in a meeting but he asked that you bring them to him directly so you can go to Yaxley’s office. Down the corridor and to the left.” “Are you sure?” you ask her. “Positive. Go ahead,” she responds brightly. Gulping, you follow her directions and knock on the door. “Come in,” a deep male voice calls. So you enter the room, finding Yaxley and Mr. Virgil chatting over a meal. “Hello, I just came to drop off the drawings you requested,” you stand awkwardly in the doorway. Mr. Virgil pipes up, “Y/n my dear thank you very much. I just had to get my hands on some more of your work. Thank you for coming to the ministry.” Handing the file over you respond, “Of course Mr. Virgil. Thank you for providing the funds for Newt and I to continue our research.” He smiles, “I look forward to more of your work. You seem quite the aspiring magizoologist. Together, I’m sure you and Newt will do great things.” “Thank you,” you respond graciously. Yaxley eyes you hungrily throughout this entire conversation and leaves you with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach. 

Theseus walks back into the auror department after lunch and asks his secretary, “Any messages, anything important?” She answers, “Nothing important sir. Only y/n l/n, stopped in Yaxley’s office to deliver her new sketches to Mr. Virgil.” His heart stops at the mention of her name. “Very well, thank you,” he says in passing, racing down the hallway. He had no idea what he was going to say, all he knew was that he was dying to see you. He skidded to a stop in front of Yaxley’s doorway, looking at the back of you standing there. There was a slight smile that grew on his face, as he took in the same outfit you wore in the cut out headshot he had of you in his desk drawer. It was the first time he’d ever seen you in non-ministry event attire. He tried to suppress the urge to study you, but failed as his eyes poured over the way your shirt clung tightly to your shoulder blades and your pants fitted so well to your hips. 

Bidding Yaxley and Mr. Virgil goodbye, you shut the door and turn around to see Theseus Scamander staring at you. “Bloody hell Theseus you scared me!” you jump at his presence. He laughs profusely. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he wheezes in between laughs. You frown at him and say, “Yes, well, I have to get back to work. Goodbye Theseus.” The eldest Scamander reaches out a desperate hand to find yours, gently pulling you back. “Y/n, please wait!” he begs, his hand still pulling you back in his direction. You turn around to face him, looking down. Theseus drops your hand and says, “I’m sorry okay? I didn’t mean to make things weird between us or insult you with my age comment. I’m lucky to have you as a friend and it doesn’t matter how young you are, I wouldn’t trade your friendship for anything. Truthfully, you’ve been great company at these ministry events and I’m lucky that you even spend the night standing with me.” His confession brought tears to your eyes for so many reasons. You were glad to be Theseus’s friend, but what you wanted in your heart was so much more than that.Fighting back your emotion you looked up into his familiar gaze. “It’s fine Theseus, really. I’m glad that you’re my,” you pause, “Friend too. I really enjoy your company.” He visibly relaxes, then says, “Did Yaxley stare you down?” You chuckle, “How did you know?” Theseus responds, “They all talk about how they’d love to make you there permanent piece of arm candy.” A darkness, a fury clouds his face as he continues, “Personally I’d love nothing more than to put them all in their place. If they can’t appreciate you for your talent, intelligence, and grace along with your beauty, then they don’t deserve you.” Your jaw drops at the clear jealousy and protectiveness displayed on Theseus’s face. You manage to croak out, “Theseus that was… very sweet. You’re very sweet.” He blushes and rubs his neck awkwardly. “It’s the truth. Anyone can see that,” he admits. And when asked about it in the future, you’re not sure you could ever say what compelled you to do this, but nevertheless you’re glad you did. 

Instinctively, you rush forward into Theseus’s arms, hugging him. Your face was pressed against his chest as you deeply inhaled his cologne. Your fingers intertwined around his neck, standing on your tiptoes you took in everything about the wonderful man in front of you. Theseus is shocked. But as the shock fades, he gracefully dips his head down so you don’t have to keep standing on your tiptoes. His hands meet behind your back and he holds you close to him once more, just like he did last week at the Minister’s dinner. His lips brushed against the top of your head as he cradles you close to your body, so many things being said unspoken between the two of you. You’re not sure how long you stand there, but eventually you lift your head from his chest remove your hands from around his neck, placing them to rest on his arms that were still around your waist. “Theseus I….” your voice falters. He gulps, “I am a coward sometimes. I should have said something earlier.” There’s a noise coming from inside the office and Theseus scrambles to put a phrase together. “What do you mean?” you ask hopefully. You both hear footsteps grow closer. Theseus says quickly, “Look, there’s not enough time right now. Can I stop by Newt’s when I’m done with work and come see you? There’s something we need to talk about.” Your voice shakes, responding, “Of course you can come over. I… I guess I’ll see you tonight.” Theseus beams brightly. He very reluctantly removes his hands from your waist and says, “I look forward to it.” With a new confidence leaping from your heart, you rise up on your toes and plant a lingering kiss on his cheek. Theseus gasps, his eyes fluttering closed as he relishes in the feeling of your lips on his skin, thinking about all the other places you could kiss him. “Until then. Bye Theseus,” you smile at him, turning around and walking away. “Bye y/n,” his voice comes out raspy, a hunger coursing through him. He watches you walk away and gulps, trying to decide just how much he should convey to you the deep feelings he harbored inside for you. Running his hands through his auburn curls, Theseus sighs, falling back against the wall behind him. He resembled a lovestruck teenage boy, but nevertheless he gave in and let his thoughts wander to the way it felt to hold you in his arms. 

Arriving back home, you rushed to the menagerie and busied yourself with treating various creatures, a lovesick smile plastered to your face. “Y/n what’s got you smiling like that?” It’s Newt who asks this, wandering up to you. Still dazed, you respond, “I’m not sure what you mean.” Newt laughs, “I know that look. Did you happen to run into Theseus or Tina at the ministry?” You playfully shrugged, “Maybe.” Newt smiles, “Well, I’m glad to see something that makes you smile.” You continue feeding the baby nifflers in your arms and say, “Newt, how do you let Tina go to work everyday? Don’t you miss her terribly?” He responds, “Of course I do. Given a choice I’d much rather spend everyday with Tina doing no work. But Tina does what she loves for a living and I love Tina. I could never take that away from her.” You immediately stand up from your stool, nearly shouting, “Did you just say you love Tina?” Newt turns beet red as he backtracks, “No, I didn’t, I didn’t say that.” Returning the baby nifflers to their cage you laugh, “No! You said you love her! You love Tina!” Newt responds, “So I love her. What’s wrong with that?” You walk up to your friend, taking his hands and respond, “There’s nothing wrong with that Newt, that’s wonderful!” Have you told her yet?” Newt mumbles, “No, I haven’t had the courage.” A plan formulates in your head and you tell him, “Newt, tell Tina. Tonight.” He trips over his words, “Y/n, that’s so soon. These things take time.” You stop him, “No, Newt. Just say how you feel. We’re in times of war okay? You watched your brother’s fiance die in Paris almost a year ago. You can’t let these things linger. You need to tell her. It’s obvious she’s loves you too.” He gulps, “Maybe you’re right. I suppose I could take her for a walk and try to tell her.” You say excitedly, “Yes of course! Newt I’m so happy for you, you and Tina are my best friends.” Newt grins, “You’re my best friend too. Now I’m gonna go check on the baby Occamys. Thanks y/n, you’re the best.” You tease, “I know.” 

    Later that night, at around 6, there’s a knock on the door and you and Newt exit the basement, going to answer the front door. Opening the door, Newt looks surprised to see Tina and his brother staring back at him. “Theseus, what brings you by?” Newt asks him confused. Theseus looks at you briefly before trying to put together a sentence, “I came to talk to y/n.” Before Newt can continue you butt in, “Newt, didn’t you want to take Tina for a walk?” Newt looks at you and responds, “Oh yes. Tina darling, I’d love to go for a walk with you, let me just grab my coat.” And as he grabs his grey overcoat, Newt shoots you a lingering look before walking out the door with Tina. Theseus stands awkwardly in the doorway. 

    “Well don’t just stand there silly, come in,” you joke. Theseus whispers, “Okay,” and steps in the door. You make your way towards the basement and a confused Theseus follows. “Where are we going?” he asks you. Looking back, you smile, “I have to finish feeding everyone. I figured you wouldn’t mind, do you?” Theseus beams back at you, “Of course not. I did grow up with Newt after all.” Descending the staircase, you make your way over to the mooncalves and hand a bucket of feed for Theseus to hold. Theseus watches in awe as you’re surrounded by mooncalves, the lot of them nipping at your heels. Theseus chuckles, “These guys were always one of my favorites.” You look back at his comment and smile. The moon of the habitat creates an angelic glow around your figure. “Do you want to help me feed them?” you ask tentatively. Theseus cracks the largest smile at you and says, “I’d love to.” You take his hand and help him reach into the feed bucket, pulling out some beetles to give the mooncalves. He throws them into the air, where they’re happily lapped up by the babies. When he’s done Theseus returns his hand to yours. “Theseus,” you begin, trying to piece together your thoughts. Lucky for you Theseus does the work for you, saying, “I’m sorry we didn’t get enough time to chat in the ministry. What I wanted to say was, well, I’m not really sure how to say it.” Theseus looks at you sheepishly. You smile encouragingly at him and take his hand, leading him to a quieter area of the basement. Stopping in a lush green pasture besides the Kelpie’s habitat, you sit down and motion for Theseus to follow. Theseus sprawls out awkwardly beside you. “I think I know what you’re gonna say,” you encourage. Theseus sighs, “I’m not very good at articulating my thoughts. Here’s the thing though, for the life of me I cannot understand why a beautiful, young, talented woman like you would want to spend her time with me.” You immediately blurted out, “Because I like you Theseus.” His cheeks flush and he looks to you, a longing in his eyes. You continue, “There’s no denying it now, it’s true. I do have feelings for you, but I wasn’t prepared to act on them because I know you need time to heal. And I know the ministry doesn’t make it any easier on you with recalling the events of that night. So I’m happy to just spend time with you.” Theseus beams, “I like you too y/n, quite a lot actually. But I’m torn. I don’t want people thinking the worst of you if you’re with a man 13 years your senior. And it’s not only that I just…. I feel guilty.” You study him thoughtfully and replied softly, “I understand why you feel guilty. But you shouldn’t. You deserve to feel happy. To truly be happy.” Theseus groans, “But it’s not fair for me to make you wait for when I’m ready for that to happen. You could turn around and be engaged within the week at this rate, with all the other ministry men after you.” Taking his hands, you scoot closer to Theseus and say strongly, “Theseus, I don’t care about any of those men. The only person I have feelings for is you. And if you want to take things slow and just see what happens, that sounds great to me. And if you’re not ready for that, that’s okay too. I’m not going to go and run off with someone else just because you’re still grieving.” A single tear falls from his perfect blue starea as he says, “I want to see where this goes. Everything I feel with you is different…. Stronger than before. But my guilt won’t go away overnight.” 

    You decisively moved closer to Theseus, sitting between his legs. “I will help you through it,” you whisper to him, your breath hitting his lips softly. Suddenly aware of how close you were, Theseus looks down and traces his fingers along the material that covered your knees. “I,” his voice falters, “Thank you, y/n.” “You’ve been through a lot Thes. I just want you to be happy,” you reply, watching as he fiddled nervously with your pant leg. This nervousness was completely out of character for him. Laughing, you leaned forward and went to press a kiss to his cheek. At the same time Theseus made to look up at you, resulting in your lips brushing ever so slightly against his. You immediately jerk back, “I’m sorry, I was just trying to kiss your cheek god I’ve really made a mess of things.” You watch as Theseus stares at your lips, transfixed. Blushing, you look down and mutter more apologies. It’s Theseus who reaches a hand out and lifts your chin up, to look at you in your e/c eyes. Wordlessly he brushes his thumb against your bottom lip. His blue orbs full of unsung emotion, you stare back into them helplessly. “Theseus please-” your voice is cut off by Theseus holding his pointer finger against your lips, silencing you. Inside he feels a somersaulting of emotions, all wrapped in an overwhelmingly desperate need to kiss your lips again. “So beautiful,” he whispers, barely audible, as he leans closer to you. You feel the breath in your chest stop as his lips loom over your own. Closing your eyes, you let the inevitable happen. Theseus’s lips hit yours and you kiss him softly, for real, for the first time. Moving softly against yours, you relish just how soft and smooth Theseus’s lips are. Theseus subconsciously wraps his legs around your form in his lap, pulling you closer to him. 

    Inside, what Theseus felt was indescribable. In one word; heaven. Theseus tried to fight the hunger, the building lust in his chest, but failed miserably. With a low growl, he places his hands to your waist and pulls you fully into his lap. His hands trailed across your back, aching to feel your bare skin. Your hands found their way to Theseus’s curls and you yanked on them, causing Theseus to open his mouth more to your kisses. Slipping your tongue in his mouth, you let out a slight moan of pleasure as you feel Theseus’s hands squeezing your waist tightly. Wrapping your legs around his waist, you press your body into Theseus’s, aching for more of his touch. From behind the two of you, you hear a loud cough. 

    Theseus instinctively removes his hands from you and straightens his tie. Turning your head you see Newt and Tina, hand in hand, standing with wide eyes and reddened cheeks as they caught your intimate moment. Turning around in Theseus’s lap, you gracefully sit in front of him on the grass, blocking his arousal. Newt clears his throat, “Sorry to interrupt. I didn’t realize there would be something going on.” Theseus is frozen in embarrassment, leaving you to speak for the both of you. “I didn’t think you’d be back yet. Sorry Newt,” you mumble. He awkwardly laughs, “It’s okay. Tina and I are going to get started on dinner. Theseus you’re welcome to join us.” The couple depart the basement, ascending the stairs. 

    As soon as they leave you burst out laughing. “That was mortifying,” you breathe in between chuckles. Theseus, the hunger inside him now gone, looks at you laughing, and smiles. “I don’t think I’m ever going to live that down,” he admits. Your laughter slows and you spin around in the grass, facing Theseus. “I’m sorry Thes. I got a bit carried away,” you say sheepishly. Theseus looks at you astounded. Brushing the hair from your face he says softly, “This is not your fault. I couldn’t help myself. Anytime I’m around you, I lose control.” “Well you cover it surprisingly well,” you tease. Theseus stands, and offers you a hand. Taking it, Theseus pulls you up so strongly, your feet momentarily leave the ground. You laugh, stumbling into his arms as he catches your fall. Theseus looks down at you brightly. “I’m so glad Newt hired you,” Theseus gushes. You giggle, “Me too. I wouldn’t have a job otherwise.” Theseus says more seriously, “No. I mean because otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.” You smile, “Theseus I’m equally just as lucky to have met you.” Sighing, you stroll hand in hand back towards the staircase. “I’m sorry for kissing you. Don’t get me wrong I wanted to. But without being in an established relationship, I feel like it’s not fair to you,” Theseus confesses. You briefly brush a finger against his cheek before replying, “Thes. I wanted it just as much, if not more. I’m a big girl. Okay sure I’m only 26, I’m a lot younger than you. But I can take care of myself. And all I care about right now is spending time with you.” Theseus grins like a young school boy and  wraps you in a tight hug. “You’re so great,” he says against your hair. “So are you going to stay for dinner?” you ask him. Theseus sighs, “I don’t think so. I’m not going to be able to live it down. Not at least until we are in a relationship. Raincheck it for another time.” Grinning foolishly you say, “Until we’re in a relationship? Theseus Scamander is there something you’ve forgotten to ask me?” He lightly laughs, “Soon darling, soon.” The word darling rolled off his tongue with ease; it felt right. Walking up the stairs, hand in hand, you lead Theseus to the front door. “See you soon?” you phrase the question. “How could I keep myself away,” Theseus chuckles. He looks down at you, pining evident in his gaze. “You can kiss me whenever you know. I promise I won’t mind,” you say softly. That’s all the permission he needs and Theseus leans down, pressing his lips to yours. He reluctantly pulls away after a few lingering seconds and says, “Bye y/n.” Turning he disapparates. “Bye Thes,” you let his name hang in the air. 

    When you return to the kitchen Tina nearly shouts, “Mercy Lewis what is going on with you two?!” Laughing you say, “I’m not sure yet Tina. I’ll be sure to let you know when I find out.” Newt looks at you curiously. “Are you two dating?” he asks you. You sigh, “Not yet Newt. Theseus needs time, he feels guilty, which I understand. But if I’m honest I’d wait my whole life for someone like your brother. There’s no one else like him.” Newt grins widely at you, “Well next time you’re… preoccupied, give me a warning.”  You immediately defend yourself, “I didn’t expect for that to happen, it just did!” Newt and Tina burst out laughing and you realize they’re joking. “We’re happy for you, really,” Tina speaks for both of them. “Well, thanks,” you reply. 

    The next time you saw Theseus was two days later, on a Wednesday when he stopped by on his lunch break. “Coming!” you call at the sound of the doorbell, bounding up the stairs. Wiping your hands on your navy blue slacks, you swing the door open. Theseus stands in the doorway, a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand. “Thes what’s this?” you breathe, surprised. He grins and asks, “Can I come in?” “Of course,” you reply, stepping aside to let him in. Theseus walks into the kitchen and you follow. “These are for you,” he hands you the beautiful batch of flowers. “Oh they’re gorgeous Theseus. Thank you,” you kiss him on the cheek. Busying yourself with cutting the flowers and summoning a vase, you’re oblivious to Theseus watching you intently. Theseus chuckles, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything but wide-legged trousers and a white button up.” You turn to him and reply, “Dresses are overrated.” Theseus steps closer and says, “Yes but you always cut quite a figure in one.” His hands find their way to your waist and he kisses you swiftly, a touch too fleeting for your like. He turns away, but you catch his tie. “I wasn’t done,” you tease, pulling his lips back on your own. 

    Theseus’s heart thumps wildly against his chest. And as he watches you make lunch for the two of you to share, he finds his mind wandering, envisioning a future with you by his side. Bringing him a grilled cheese you ask, “What’s got you daydreaming handsome?” Pulled from his daze he answers, “You.” Your face turns beet red as you exclaim, “Theseus Scamander you sure know how to make a girl blush!” He laughs, “You’re cute when you blush.” Finishing lunch, Theseus prepares to return to the ministry. Theseus asks, “Will I see you at the minister’s dinner tomorrow night?” “Of course, I wouldn’t leave you alone there,” you reply. Theseus looks at you in awe. “You’re so great,” he gushes. You playfully roll your eyes and push him towards the door. “See you tomorrow darling,” Theseus plants a chaste kiss to your forehead. “Until then,” you reply, watching him go. 

    The next night you get ready for the minister’s dinner and find yourself excited for a ministry event for the first time in your life. “Tina, I’m nervous,” you admit as the two of you get ready. Tina rubs your shoulders comfortingly and reassures you, “Y/n, it’s clear Theseus adores you. You couldn’t do anything wrong, I promise.” “Right, sure,” you reply. Tina laughs, “I mean it. You can see how he looks at you. It was clear to everyone except apparently you two for a while.” You playfully swatted her arm. Emerging from the closet, you ask anxiously, “Do I look okay?” You wore yet another mermaid style evening gown, with wide straps that covered your shoulder blades. The back of the dress plunged dangerously low. The bottom of the skirt was made of a tulle material, the rest of it was satin. This dress was a beautiful shimmering aquamarine color, something surprisingly bright. “You look amazing,” Tina replies immediately. “You look great too Teeny,” you tell her, taking in her own, very similar dress, that was instead a shimmering gold. You had told Theseus you would meet him there, he wasn’t ready to arrive with you yet and be swarmed with questions about the nature of your relationship. “You two look stunning as ever,” Newt comes in, complimenting you both. “Thank you Newt,” you grin at your friend, whose eyes are now glued to Tina, drinking her in. “Alright love birds, let’s go,” you joke, taking one of each of their hands and disapparating. 

    You were now familiar with the minister’s mansion, and told Newt and Tina that you were going to look for Theseus. You made your way through throngs of people, managing to stumble only twice in your brand new nude pumps. Tonight your hair was pulled up high on your head, nestled in a wispy bun. Wearing the same teardrop earrings you did the first time you met Theseus, you kept your makeup simple, just gold eyeshadow with bronzer and a nude lip. You managed to spy him across the room, talking to Yaxley. Striding over, you tap him on the arm. 

    Theseus turns at your touch, his jaw visibly dropping. “I think that’s my new favorite color,” he breathes, gesturing to your dress. You planted a quick kiss on his cheek and replied, “So you like it?” All he could manage to do was nod fervently. Finally, he says huskily, “You look ravishing darling.” He eyes you hungrily and you warn, “Watch yourself Theseus. We’re in public.” Taking in your comment, Theseus turns and says to Yaxley, “You remember y/n l/n, my brother’s assistant don’t you?” Yaxley’s eyes are full of lust as he kisses your hand and says, “Of course I do. Y/n is quite unforgettable.” Theseus watches Yaxley’s lips linger on your hand and you see Theseus’s fists tighten by his side. “Mr. Yaxley, how are you this evening?” you ask politely, drawing your hand away. He smiles, “Lovely Ms. l/n and may I say you look beautiful this evening. The belle of the ball.” Blushing, you thank him as you try to ignore his eyes that study your figure in your dress. Theseus interjects, “I’m quite parched. Anyone care for a drink?” Yaxley politely declines but you pipe up, “I’d love one. I’ll come with you.” Theseus grins, satisfied that you caught on, and offers you his arm as he leads you towards the refreshments. You casually sip on champagne and shiver when Theseus whispers in your ear, “Meet me in the study in five minutes. I need to feel your lips.” Wordlessly, you nod. Then Theseus is gone. 

    The five minutes pass by agonizingly slow and Mr. Yaxley immediately comes back up to you when Theseus leaves. Throughout his monologue, you finally manage to interject, “Mr. Yaxley I must go and use the powder room. It was lovely to see you.” He watches as you race off down the hallway. As you grow farther away from the crowds, you hiss into the air, “Theseus? Where are you?” No answer. Rounding a corner, you go to peek into a room, hoping it’s the study. When you open the door, a hand comes out to meet yours, yanking you through the doorway and into the room, the door shutting behind you. 

    “Theseus I-” you’re immediately cut off by his lips on yours, the hunger and lust in the kiss evident. Theseus’s hands grip your waist tightly and your palms rest against his chest. In a thirst for more, Theseus pushes you up against the wall, planting his palms against the wall on either side of your head. You helplessly pulled at his tie, small moans escaping your lips. “Thes,” you breathe heavily as his lips fall to your collarbone. In between his sloppy, hunger filled kisses, Theseus sighs, “My god y/n, you’re so sexy.” Too overwhelmed to respond, you simply run your hands through his auburn hair as his lips move to your earlobe. You whimper as he nibbles on your sensitive skin, sending fiery pleasure shooting through your veins. Theseus raises his lips back up to your own and kisses you once more. Outside of the room there’s a sudden scraping of chairs against the ground and dinner was being prepared. Theseus moves his lips against your own, and it takes everything in you to push against his shoulders. “Easy tiger, we’ve got a dinner to attend,” you whisper. Your breathes intermingle with his own as he stands against you, heavily exhaling, trying to pull himself together. Finally Theseus raises his hands to his hair, readjusting his curls back to normal. He has a lingering irritated look on his face so you ask, “Theseus what’s wrong?” Turning to you, Theseus looks at you lovingly before saying, “Next event you’re coming as my date. I couldn’t stand to watch Yaxley shamelessly flirt with you. It’s torture.” You grin stupidly and reply, “I’d love that. To come as your date.” Theseus stares at you in awe and decides right then that he’s going to make the jump. “No, not as my date. My girlfriend. Will you be my girlfriend, please?” he asks decisively. Theseus barely has a chance to catch you in his arms as you squeak, “Yes! Yes! Of course I’ll be your girlfriend!” Theseus lets you pepper him with kisses, laughing at your overload of affection. Reluctantly he says, “They’ll notice us missing at dinner.” You nod. “You first,” Theseus pushes you out the door. 

    Sitting at the dinner table, you notice Theseus’s name tag next to your spot. Playing dumb you ask a ministry employee seated near you , “Where is Theseus?” “I’m not sure, I haven’t seen him yet,” the man replies. Tina coughs loudly and you look at her, raising your eyebrows. She makes a move, readjusting the strap of her gown, hinting that you should do the same. Looking down, you bite back a gasp as you cover up one of Theseus’s bite marks on your shoulder blade. “Thanks,” you mouth to her. She nods, suppressing a giggle. Newt looks at you with bug eyes in disbelief that you would be so careless. Before you can attempt to mouth an explanation, Theseus enters and sits down next to you. Throughout dinner he is quiet, overcompensating to try to cover up the fact that he just groped you in the minister’s house. 

    After dinner is long over, Theseus asks you to dance. Smiling, you let him lead you to the dance floor. Your feelings for each other now clear, he doesn’t hesitate to hold you close to him, cradling you against his chest. “I could dance with you forever,” you sigh into his chest. Theseus murmurs into your hair, “I could too. I’d love nothing more than to hold you in my arms forever.” You smile into his chest at his confession. After a moment you look up into those familiar blue eyes and ask, “Thes, when we do come out as a couple, what will people say? I don’t want to ruin your reputation.” Theseus chuckles, “They’ll say lots of things. Probably that I’m a cradle robbing pervert. But for once I don’t care. I don’t think I could imagine my life without you.” You struggle to hold back tears at his sweet statement. Theseus went from worrying about what people would say about the two of you being friends, to wanting you on his arm at the next party as his partner, regardless of how it would look. 

    The night is soon over and you timedly ask, “Want to come over for some tea?” Theseus nods. Grabbing your coat, you smile at the eldest Scamander brother and take his hand, holding it for a moment .Sighing, you lean against his shoulder as Theseus presses a kiss to the top of your head. Then you disapparate. In your absence stands a seething Yaxley, muttering dozens of curses under his breath at the affection that you and Theseus seemed to share for each other. “Son of a bitch,” he grist through clenched teeth, soon leaving the party himself. 

    Newt and Tina are almost all too eager to leave the two of you alone, rushing down to the basement for some fun of their own. Theseus hangs up his coat and sits on the couch, patting the spot next to him. You tell him, “Theseus I know you love this dress, but I’ve got to get out of it and into something comfier. I’ll be back in a moment.” He gives you a fake pout as you walk away to your bedroom. You hiss in pain as you take off your tight heels, kicking them under your bed. Shimmying out of your dress, you put your striped pajamas on. Finally, you remove your earrings and let your hair down, the only remnants of the night being your makeup. 

    You smile at Theseus on the couch and curl up under his arm. “I had a great time,” you whisper. “Me too,” you can hear the grin in his voice. Laughing, you recall, “You left a bite mark on my shoulder.” Theseus stutters, “I may have gotten a little carried away.” Laying your head in his lap, you look up at Theseus, admiring all his features. “You’re so handsome,” you state, running a finger along his jawline. He laughs, leaning into your touch. You yawn sleepily, and you gradually fall asleep gazing at Theseus. 

    Waking up the next morning, you feel a rush of confusion as you found yourself on the couch, not in your bed. Blinking your eyes open, you see Theseus’s arms around you and realize the two of you were curled up on Newt’s couch. You sit up on your elbows, looking around at the clock. It was 11 am. “Theseus wake up,” you hissed in his ear. He groans, slowly opening his eyes. “What time is it?” he asks groggily. “11 am,” you answer, waiting for his inevitable shock. “I’m late for work!” he shouts, jumping up immediately. You laugh at his reaction. He rushes to the door and then stops when he realizes he hasn’t said goodbye to you. “See you later silly,” you giggle, kissing him sweetly. He smiles, “Goodbye beautiful,” as he rushes out the door and to the ministry. 

    Not long after Theseus leaves Newt comes traipsing up the stairs and over to you. “What is it Newt?” you ask at the curious look on his face. He responds, “Mr. Virgil wants to meet with us about our upcoming journey. I think he knows when he wants us to go.” “Oh,” is all you can manage. After everything with Theseus, the last thing you wanted to do was leave England. “He wants to meet at 11:30,” Newt adds. “Oh let me go change, be right back,” you respond, rushing off to change out of your pajamas. 

    Ten minutes later you depart with Newt, clad in a navy blue pantsuit with your white button up underneath your blazer. Entering Obscurus Books, you go to Mr. Virgil’s office. Before you enter, you grab Newt’s hand nervously and ask, “Do you know when he wants us to leave?” Newt gulps, “I have a hunch.” You groan sarcastically, “Great.” Knocking on the door, Mr. Virgil calls for you to enter. “Ahhh my two favorite Magizoologists, please have a seat,” he says. You and Newt sit across from him at his desk. Mr. Virgil begins, “Now I know I’ve gouged you for as many sketches as I can. I want some new material now, so I won’t beat around the bush. I want the two of you to leave right away for your Eastern Asia expedition!” Newt smiles broadly as you ask, “What do you mean right away?” Mr. Virgil responds, “Yes with the holidays coming up I realize the timing is rather inconvenient. I also the impact the two of you are making at ministry events, so of course you must attend the Christmas ball. But you’ll leave on the 1st of the new year!” You nod and manage a small, “Of course.” “Well kids that’s all I have for you. Enjoy your holidays and I’ll see you at the Minister’s Christmas eve ball next week!” he shoos you out of his office. The whole way home you’re silent, your mind floods with worries. 

    Later that night in the case Newt breaks the silence, “What gives?” You nearly sob out your answer, “Newt! Theseus just asked me to be his girlfriend, he’s finally letting himself be happy and now we have to leave!” “It’s only for three months,” Newt sets a reassuring hand on your back. “Three months,” you choke on your words, “But at the worst time imaginable. I don’t want to leave him.” Newt hugs you, rubbing comforting circles across your back. “I know how you feel,” Newt whispers, “I don’t want to leave Tina either. But this is the opportunity we’ve been looking for.” “I know,” you croak. You stand in Newt’s arms, letting him comfort you. Eventually you ask, “How am I supposed to tell him?” Newt walks over to his desk, and you follow. “I don’t know,” Newt confesses. “Don’t know what?” Tina walks in. You immediately panic and turn to Newt, wordlessly asking him what you should do. Apparently Tina caught on and breathes softly, “You’re leaving aren’t you?” Slowly, you nod. “When?” her voice cracks. “January 1st,” Newt whispers. “Oh god,” Tina gasps. Newt looks at his girlfriend and says, “Tina I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to be this soon.” She says nothing, but rather she falls into Newt’s arms, softly whimpering. You let them be and walk back up the stairs, giving them a moment. 

    The next three days you avoid Theseus completely, which he doesn’t appreciate. So one day, around 9 pm, you sat in the basement, pouring over sketches, when you hear footsteps bounding down the stairs. “Newt don’t worry I ate,” you stop your sentence when you look up and see Theseus standing in front of you, breathless. “Thes, I….” your voice trails off, you’re not sure what to say. “Why are you avoiding me?” he asks, the pain evident in his voice. Your voice trembles, “I’m sorry Thes, I really am. I just, I didn’t know how to tell you.” Immediately concerned, Theseus grabs your hands and searches your gaze. “Tell me what y/n?” he asks hurriedly. You avoid his gaze, sputtering, “Newt and I are supposed to leave for our new set of research on January 1st.” “Oh,” he says pained. You look up into his emotional blue eyes, and brushed a hand against his soft cheek. He covers your hand with his own and asks, “How long?” You sigh, “Three months.” Theseus’s face falls, tears threatening to spill over his eyelids. “We can do this,” you try to reassure him. He agrees, “I know we can. But I really don’t like being away from you. You’re kind of special to me.” Instead of replying, you stand on your tiptoes, grabbing Theseus’s cheeks and kiss him passionately, pouring all your emotion into the kiss. The kiss soon grows salty, the tears from both of you mixing on the surface of your lips. 

    The kiss deepens, and Theseus lifts you up, wrapping your legs around his waist. Theseus carries you over to the green pasture where you first kissed and lays you down gently. Theseus looks to you for permission to continue. You nod, letting out a fluttering sigh as Theseus begins to worship every inch of your skin with his lips. Your mind empties of all thought as Theseus makes love to you. And afterwards, you lay in his arms, overcome with love for this man. Turning to face him you whisper, “Theseus, I want to tell you something.” “What’s that?” he mumbled tiredly. “I don’t want you to feel pressure to say it back, but I want you to know this,” you continue. Theseus raises his eyebrows in question at you. “Theseus, I love you,” you tell him, brushing a curl away from his forehead. He sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes combing over you wildly. “I love you too,” he blurts out. Your face breaks out into a huge grin, “Really?” Theseus kisses you briefly, replying, “Really. Really I do.” “It’s gonna be so hard to leave,” you groan in frustration. Theseus nods, kissing you on the nose. “I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back,” Theseus tells you. “Good,” you reply, kissing him again. 

    The rest of the week before the ball, Theseus was over constantly whenever he wasn’t at work. The four of you lived in harmony, Theseus and Tina suppressing their sadness of you and Newt leaving. The day of the ball was here and you and Tina pushed Newt and Theseus out. “You can’t watch us get ready!” you laugh, pushing the two men from your bedroom. Theseus pouts at you. “Don’t give me that puppy dog look,” you playfully frown at Theseus. “Fine,” he groans, turning away and shutting the door. 

    You helped Tina with her hair, delicately pinning it to the side near her shoulder in a low bun. You put gold eyeshadow on her, as well as blush and a deep red lipstick. The dresses you wore were a surprise, they were matching. Each dress had a sweetheart neckline with off the shoulder long sleeves that flowed down in drips of sheer fabric. The rest of the dresses were made of elegant satin with large skirts that billowed around you, the various tulle layers underneath the satin propping the skirts up. Tina’s was navy blue, yours was emerald green. You did your makeup the same way as Tina’s and pinned your hair into a low side bun as well. Putting in your pearl earrings, you slipped into your nude heels, and declared yourself ready. 

    When the two of you walked out of your bedroom, Newt and Theseus had no words. “Say something won’t you?” you asked Theseus anxiously. Theseus manages to put a phrase together, “My god you look beautiful.” Newt plants an adoring kiss on Tina’s cheek. “Ready?” Theseus offers you his arm. “For anything,” you respond brightly, hooking your arm in his. The four of you depart for the Christmas eve ball. 

    When you entered the ball on Theseus’s arm, all eyes are on you. “Thes I’m nervous,” you whisper to your boyfriend. He chuckles lightly before he presses a kiss to the side of your head saying, “You can do this.” The first man to approach is none other than the minister himself. “Theseus my boy, I saw you arrive with Ms. l/n, I must say the two of you look quite good together,” he smiles. Theseus responds politely, “Thank you minister. I’ve actually brought y/n as my date tonight.” The minister’s eyes light up as he responds, “Does this mean you’ve struck up a courtship?” Laughing, you answer, “Yes Minister. Theseus and I are dating.” The minister claps Theseus on the back and exclaims, “Well done my boy! Well done! You two look marvelous together I do hope to see her at more auror events!” You smile, “Of course minister.” He soon departs. Across the room, Yaxley approaches, fuming. Plastering a fake smile to his face, Yaxley asks, “Can the rumors be true? Has the older Scamander brother begun dating his younger brother’s assistant?” Before you can respond, Theseus does for you, “Yes, it’s true. I’m quite happy with my y/n, she’s a marvel.” Your brow furrows at hearing Theseus call you ‘his’. Then you notice how Yaxley is looking at you and immediately understand why. Yaxley was mentally undressing you with his eyes and you swallowed your disgust. Turning to look at your beloved, you smile up at him and say, “I’m quite happy to be with Theseus as well. He’s the kindest man I know.” Yaxley manages a, “How nice for you,” and storms off. Now facing Theseus, you grin broadly at him and say, “It could have gone worse.” He nods, agreeing with you. “It feels so nice to be able to kiss you in public,” Theseus adds, planting a small kiss on your lips. Grinning at him you reply, “Yes that’s always nice.” 

    You and Theseus were questioned throughout dinner, about your relationship. Theseus graciously fielded all the questions for you as you sat next to him smiling. And when dinner was over, Theseus sweeps you onto the dance floor, showing you off like a beautiful flower. During a tender ballad he holds you tightly against him, fighting back his emotions. “I love you,” you murmur into his chest. “I love you too beautiful,” Theseus responds, tilting your chin up and kissing you deeply. Staring into the blue eyes of the only man you’d ever love, you sigh, “I wish I didn’t have to go.” Theseus looks at you thoughtfully, before brushing a strand of hair that got loose behind your ear. “This is a great opportunity for you and Newt, y/n. You have to go. I’ll still be here when you get back, waiting with open arms,” he tells you firmly. “But what if… what if something happens to you?” you let slip your worst fear. Theseus looks at you sadly, realizing just how scared you were. He reassures you, “Hey, hey, I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be right here when you get back. Nothing’s gonna happen to me.” A tear spills onto your cheek and Theseus wipes it gently away. “When I come back,” your voice falters, “When I come back from Newt and I’s trip, I want to spend the rest of my days with you, by your side.” Theseus audibly gulps, “I want that too.” You gently smile at him and ask, “Is that something you’re ready for Thes?” In that moment, in his heart, Theseus had never been more sure of anything in his life. “I don’t want a life without you in it. I want you by my side always,” he replies firmly. You stare at Theseus, longing in your eyes. “Can we go now?” your voice is barely audible. Theseus nods, saying, “I’ll get your coat.” When he leaves, you go to find Newt. Tapping him on the shoulder you say, “Newt, I think I’m going to spend the night at Theseus’s. I just need some time with him. I’ll be home before we’re supposed to leave.” Newt smiles and replies, “Of course. Try to be excited y/n. It’s not everyday you get to go on an all expenses paid research trip with your best friend.” You smile softly, “Okay Newt, I’ll try. See you later.” Returning to Theseus, you let him envelope you in his arms and disapparate you to his home. 

    What was meant to be one night at Theseus’s ended up being nearly a week. Surprisingly, Theseus took the whole week off of work, instead choosing to spend his days laughing with you, crying with you, and making love to you. Theseus returned to Newt’s with you the day of your departure for your trip. Waiting in the living room for Newt to finish explaining to Tina all the treatment his creatures in the basement needed, you looked at Theseus sadly. He sees you studying with him and walks over, wrapping his arms around you. “It’ll be okay y/n. I told you, I’m gonna be here waiting for you when you get back. I’m already counting the days until you return.” Brushing an auburn coil of hair from his forehead you tell him, “I love you Theseus Scamander.” Theseus smiles down at you and responds, “I love you too y/n l/n.” Newt and Tina emerge from the basement, and noticeably, a tearful goodbye. “I love you Newt,” Tina whispers to him. “And I love you Tina Goldstein,” Newt kisses her on the forehead. Newt approaches you and his brother and says, “We’ll try to write when we can.” Tina and Theseus nod. In a last moment of weakness, you throw yourself into Theseus’s arms, kissing him with everything in you. He returns the kiss just as desperately, his insides falling apart at the idea of you leaving for three months. “I love you,” the two of you breathe together. Separating from your love, you take your spot beside Newt and take your friend’s hand. “Be safe,” Tina advises, the worry in her voice clear. You and Newt nod wordlessly. “See you in April,” Newt says, looking at his brother and his girlfriend. Before you disapparate, you let yourself take one last look at Theseus, drinking him in. Then you and Newt are gone. 

7 weeks later, Somewhere in the East Asian rainforest 

Sitting in Newt’s shed in the case, you smiled, rereading the letter Theseus sent you a few days ago. 

My dearest y/n, 

I miss you more than words can convey. In your absence, I feel how empty my life is without you. I can’t let another day go by without knowing that you’ll spend your life by my side. Assuming you feel as strongly, y/n, I intend to marry you the day you come back to London. I can’t wait anymore. I want you to be my wife. Take this ring so you remember what we’re fighting for. Hope the research is going well. Stay safe. I love you. 

Your fiance, 

-Theseus 

    Glancing away from the letter, you smiled at the glittering sapphire ring that sparkled on your finger. It was risky, sure, but Theseus sent the ring with the letter, wanting it on your finger right away. It was perfect and you couldn’t wait to finish up your research with Newt and return to your waiting fiance. Speaking of Newt, he entered the shed, a grave look on his face. “Newt what is it?” you ask immediately, stepping up to him. He looked like a ghost. He gulps and looks up at you, pausing before saying, “It’s Theseus. He’s gone missing.” Blood rushes in your ears and you’re sure you heard him wrong. “What?” you ask, your heart suddenly pumping very loudly. “Theseus is gone,” Newt repeats. The letter in your hand flutters to the ground and your blood curdling scream fills the night air. 

To be continued 

[breg21]

Ladynoir Month: Lucky Charm

@ladynoirjuly2019

Ao3  FFN

Sorry for the delay guys! Life got in the way. Anyways, I was able to get the next prompt out, this is more of part 1 of the two prompts, so the second one should be out within a few hours. I hope you guys like it! Lemme know your thoughts.

I promise this is the only time I'll use Bunix

They didn't talk after the kiss, he needed comfort, and she was more than willing to give it. She knew they'd talk about it another time, and layout all their cards on the table as to where their relationship stood, but for the rest of the night, they just enjoyed each others company.

But days had passed and without an akuma attack for almost a week, they both had to cut patrol due to homework piling up, along with other things in their civilian lives, and Marinette knew neither of them could help it, they'd figure they would talk on the next patrol that both promised they wouldn't break.

She had to focus on the here and now. Now It was a quiet day in class, classmates were chatting, teachers were assigning the usual homework assignments, and everything was going pretty normal for once, and she was on time for class. It was a miracle.

That was, of course, until the ground began to shake beneath her feet.

Before Marinette could even respond to the tremors, she heard the all too familiar screams coming from outside their class window.

Another akuma attack. Because what else would it be?

Ms. Bustier waved her hand signaling for the students to find their designated hiding place. The terror on her face as she forced herself to stand against the tremors sickened Marinette to her core. All she wanted was an end to this madness. While she loved being Ladybug and loved Chat, in what way she has yet to fully discuss, but she would give anything to put this to an end.

She was tired of this being the norm.

When she got out of the classroom, she turned to run down the stairs and into the abandoned locker room. With a heavy heart, she took on her transformation, when a portal appears from behind the row of lockers.

Out popped future Alix with a nervous grin on her face. "Come on, lil' Bug. We've got some work to do."

"Come on, dad. This is the third one this week. Please, pick up."

Nothing.

Chat threw his phone on the desk before jumping out the open window. While his father had his moments, Adrien would do anything to see him safe. At the moment, his father was the only family he had left and while Ladybug was there for him, he still needed his father. He needed to know he wouldn't lose him like he lost his mother.

Yet, whenever he called during the attacks, he rarely got an answer from the man. All he wanted was to keep him safe.

Jumping from roof to roof, he was surprised when he saw a certain bunny joining them in their fight today. He made his way to the rooftop they were perched on when he made his presence known with a cattish grin. "What do we have today?"

Ladybug looked to him with a solemn pause, eyes scrunched in thought. One that he didn't often see on her. "We don't know quite yet. The victim seems to have super strength and incredibly fast speed, yet they have no idea how to control them. It's like their not used to their own body."

Chat looked to Alix in a state of confusion. "How bad is this guy if you're here with us."

She didn't make eye contact with him. Instead, she kept her eyes locked on the Akuma victim, a dead stare set firm in her gaze as she muttered out. "Bad enough to fix something that should have never gone as far as it did. Come on, let's get this started."

She jumped down before either he or Ladybug could get a chance to respond.

"Billy!" Alix shouted.

The Akuma turned to her and before any of them had a chance to blink the Akuma had broken through the building they were standing on, charging towards them with a speed that should've been nearly impossible.

Both Chat and Ladybug jumped to the nearest rooftop.

When they were in reach of the akuma, Chat took a swing at it, but missed. Over and over, he tried to throw punches, kicks, or anything that would work, but he always missed his reach by a few seconds. "Okay, he's fast." Chat let out as he did his best to catch his breath.

Ladybug nodded before she added, "Yeah, and apparently he doesn't like being called Billy either." She considered calling on her lucky charm and seeing if it could give them any insight as what to do next, but thought better of it knowing that her timmer might run out too soon if she did it then.

The two looked around in the rubble to see if anyone was hurt. Luckily, they found a condemned sign amongst the wreckage.

Ladybug continued to search for the future miraculous holder, but came up short in her findings. The fear held an iron grip on her spine, and started to slowly crawl all over her being. "No sign of civilians, but where's Alix?"

They felt the ground shake beneath them as a blur spit the space between the two.

Turning around, they could see the extremely muscular man trying his best to shake the little bunny off his shoulders.

"Get off!" He shouted, before plucking Bunix and tossing her back to the other heroes as if she weighed no more than a rag doll. She was able to catch herself before hitting the pavement face first, and spun onto her feet instead.

She sighed as she turned back to the two superheroes. "Okay, I really shouldn't be telling you this but it's too important. Bil... this victim, he has super physique, meaning he can run faster than all of us, he's stronger than all of us, but he has absolutely no control over his body, meaning he's like a raging bull. If you can outsmart him we can take him down with him hurting himself or anyone else."

The victim turned around to face the group, planting his feet firmly in the ground.

Alix's eyes shot open wide and she rushed to the two. "He's getting ready to charge. Bug, Chat, you get one arm each. When he makes it to us, you grab and flip do you understand?!"

Chat and Ladybug both nodded.

Just like Bunix said, he came running at them full force. Chat hardly had anytime to pick up on his movements, before he reached them. Catching him just in time, they took hold of his arms, flipping him onto his back where he lay nearly motionless.

Chat looked to the hopping little bunny as she knelt down beside the Akuma victim. "Wow, Bunix, you really were our lucky charm with this one. Get it?" He chuckled, slapping his knee at his own joke. "Because... rabbit foot."

Ladybug let out a strong sigh as she walked past her partner.

Before she could make it too far past him, however, the akuma victim smashed his fist into the ground flipping him back on his feet.

"Billy, please we can help you." Bunix pleaded.

His growl was low, and it rumbled deep within his chest. "Nobody helped! Nobody but Hawkmoth. If I give him their miraculous, I get to stay like this. I get to stay strong."

He took a swing at Bunix as she caught his fist with her arms, doing her best to hold him still enough to talk to. "Not like this, Billy. Please. I'm sorry."

Chat looked to Ladybug as the two bolted to the aid of their friend.

Ladybug was the first to bring up what was on both of their minds. "Okay, we need to know what is going on because clearly, you know a lot about this Akuma victim."

She kept hold of his fist as the other two lent their support against the behemoth. Between gritted teeth, she got out, "I'll tell you once we get this taken care of."

The force of his punches was beginning to hit Chat as he struggled for breath. "If you don't tell us now, then this might not get taken care of. Now, tell us why you know him?!"

"Because he's my victim!"

With that, the akuma smashed down on the ground surrounding them in a cloud of dust, Ladybug yelled, "What do you mean he's your victim?!" She didn't get a response, rather, she felt a gust of wind fly past her as a bright golden light illuminated the dust, blinding the two of them further.

After it cleared, and they once again regained sight, Chat looked to Ladybug, nothing but fear laced onto his features. "Come on, M'lady. We should go after them."

She gave a curt nod. "Agreed."

They bolted out of the little bits that remained of the dust cloud and jumped back onto the rooftops to see where the pair had gone off too.

Chat scanned the area for any possible sightings of the two, but came up short. "I don't get it, what could future Alix have done that would affect this guy in our time."

Her frown deepened. "That's just it, Chat. I don't think it was future Alix. She knows this guy's name and then entire time she hasn't done a single thing to hurt him, even in self defence. All her actions have been to immobilize him. She knows so much about him, I'm thinking whatever happened, must have happened long ago, to her at least."

"What could have happened to get her to come back in time?"

Ladybug looked away for a brief moment. "Regret is a powerful thing. If you fail to take action you might always wonder what could have been. Alex has the power to change her regrets. To find out what could have been. Perhaps, we should make sure that we don't follow in her footsteps and take care of-"

The sound of an explosion went off in the distance and horror shot through Chat as he recognized which direction it was coming from.

Father.

He could feel her hand on his shoulder knowing he was off but he didn't have time to think of an excuse, Instead, he just bolted to the sound of the explosion. Hoping beyond hope that his father was still safe.

"Chat!" She yelled. But it was no use. He was already gone.

Darn it, kitty. You could have at least given me a signal.

She began to chase after him, hoping she could catch up to him before he got himself hurt any worse than what he already was.

She hopped from building to building before she noticed exactly where the explosion had come from.

Adrien's home.

She kicked it into high gear. While she was no longer pursuing him romantically, she still felt deeply for him and knowing his house was under attack only made her speed increase that much more to help her partner defend her friend.

With Chat not too far ahead, she took out her yo-yo and wrapped it around him, yanking back to get the little kitty under control before jumping into an unknown situation. "Chat, we have to take a minute to figure things out. I know Bunix is in there but she's one giving all the info if anyone stands a chance it's her now please just."

A familiar voice could be heard coming out of the top of Adrien's house.

The screams of Adrien's father.

He shook his head, too deep in shock to think clearly. "I'm sorry, LB, I have to help him." Chat jumped from the rooftop and pole vaulted into the now broken circular window.

Ladybug adjusted her throw and landed her yo-yo just above the broken spire. Swinging in, she was immediately enraged to see Hawkmoth standing there in the flesh.

Then it hit her. This was it.

This is the end to all of this. She noticed Alix in the background, still fighting the Akuma victim with relative ease now that she got ahold of his patterns.

The look on Hawkmoth's face was that of shock. But it soon turned to rage as he lunged forward, raising his staff to strike at her. She dodged his attack making sure to sweep his leg before fully moving from his reach. He recovered but he seemed distracted.

Meanwhile, Alix kept dodging the large man shaking the entire floor they were fighting on.

Just as Ladybug dodged another punch, she looked to Alix. "Bunix! Mind lending me some muscle here?!"

Alix sent her a smile, apparently picking up on Ladybug's meaning.

Ladybug kept Hawkmoth busy as Alix lined up her shot. "Do it, now!"

Alix charged at the Akuma victim and upon meeting him opened a portal sending him through. Before anyone could figure out the plan another portal opened behind Hawkmoth releasing the beast and sending them both falling out the broken window. While still airborne, Ladybug threw her yoyo catching the two before they could finish their fall. She heaved with all her might to bring them back up the upper room. When she finally did so she placed in Alex's care, making sure they stayed securely bound.

"I take it you know where the Akuma is?"

Alix smiled. "The dumbbell in his left hand."

Ladybug retrieved the item tossing it on the floor, shattering the weather frail piece of exercise equipment. With the butterfly released she cleansed it to reveal a rather large man about her and Chat's age.

"Now all that's left to do is bring the cure-"

"Ladybug… Where's Chat?"

Ladybug looked around the room before seeing Chat crouching in front of a glowing glass cylinder.

She walked forward to him and upon further inspection saw a beautiful blond woman that appeared to be sleeping. Looking down, she saw that every inch of him was trembling as she heard a small weeping escape his lips.

"Chat?"

He looked up to her with tear filled bloodshot eyes. He then looked past her to see their captive. The way he got up from his crouch seemed heavy as though his body was glued to the floor but when he moved closer to Hawkmoth she could tell there wasn't a force on earth that could stop him.

He pressed a finger into Hawkmoth's chest and then pointed back the cylinder.

"What is that?" His voice sounded hoarse. As if he had to fight the words that came out of his mouth. "Answer me! What is that?!"

Harkmoth averted his eyes. "I have nothing to explain to the likes of you."

But that only made Chat angrier. "No!" He snapped. "I want to know why my mother is here!"

There was a hitch in Hawkmoths breath as a single tear fell from his eyes. "No." His eyes searched the room as if he was lost in his thought.

The rage inside Chat's eyes terrified Ladybug. "Cataclysm." His voice was cold, empty. Not a tone of life swam in his voice. "Why is she here?"

There was no fear in Hawkmoth's face, even in the sight of the antimatter swirling around Chat's hand. Instead, he spoke with shame in his words. "I wanted to save her. Save her from my mistake."

Chat's hands were shaking as he used his free hand to rip the butterfly miraculous off of him, throwing it to the other end of the room.

When the light faded around Hawkmoth's figure, Chat fell to his knees upon seeing Gabriel Agrsts sitting before him. His cataclysm wiping out the power throughout the entire house.

Ladybug looked over to see Alix in complete shock at the events taking place before her.

Walking up to Chat she placed a hand on his shoulder only to have it pushed off on contact. "LB, please, get a lucky charm and cure this, so I can leave."

But she didn't. She was too confused to even think about using a lucky charm that second. "Chat, I don't understand. What's happening?"

He wouldn't look at her. And when he spoke, she could tell he his words were dead. "Ladybug, if you have ever loved me, please just get this mess over with. We have him. That's all that matters today."

Even though she could tell he was distraught, she knew he was right. They had done it.

Lifting up her yo-yo, she was about to yell out her famous words. Yet today of all days, they weren't said in victory.

They had finally caught Hawkmoth, but this wasn't a win.

"Lucky char-"

She stopped when she felt a hand grip her arm with immense strength. "I'm so sorry, Ladybug." Hot tears fell from Alix's eyes. "But this isn't right. I'm so sorry."

A bright light flashed before her eyes completely overtaking her vision.

"I wasn't your lucky charm, afterall."

Now It was a quiet day in class, classmates were chatting, teachers were assigning the usual homework assignments, and everything was going pretty normal for once, and she was on time for class. It was a miracle.

That was, of course, until the ground began to shake beneath her feet.

Again, sorry that this one was late, but the second part that will be part of 'Bad luck charm should be out soon within a couple of hours, and then we'll be all caught up! Lots of love! See ya soon.