#and i wish i did better with my siblings and that i could be kinder to my mother and that i could maybe...one day live for myself

[wh0r3-for-klaus]

draco malfoy x sister whose dating theo and like draco is lowkey a bully to her and she takes the spell for one of them and dies and they reminisce

I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, but I hope you like it! I tried to make it so they reminisced together and separately. Warnings: death, grief, Draco being remorseful for his d!ckhead past self, I think that's it? Let me know what you think in the comments. If you want to be added to my tag list, leave a comment. My works are not to be reposted.

Beneath the Malfoy Oaks.

~~~

Dinner in Malfoy manor was a formal affair, and the long dining table was set with silver and crystal. As y/n and Theo sat together, Draco joined them, his posture stiff and his eyes cold.

“Lovely to see you two making yourselves at home,” Draco said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Although, I must say, it’s rather amusing watching my best mate choose such unsavory company.”

Theo kept his voice calm. “We’re here to enjoy a meal, Draco. Can’t we have one evening without your disdain?”

Draco’s smile was tight. “Oh, but this is just the beginning. I’d hate for y/n to forget what it means to be a Malfoy."

~~~

Draco couldn’t stop remembering the last family dinner that he shared with y/n, he wished he would have been kinder to his twin, he had always been so cruel to her, but he didn’t even know why. Draco wished he could have told y/n how much he admired her, she never let her emotions control her actions and he needed her to keep him in check.

The large oak trees that stood in the middle of the Malfoy estate gardens had red and orange leaves, the air was getting a bit chillier, and the days were shorter, it was close to winter. The gardens, more precisely the oak trees, had always been y/n’s favorite place to escape to when the siblings were home from Hogwarts. She would most of the day just sat beneath the two oaks reading or just looking up at the sky, y/n had a habit of falling asleep in this spot too on occasion.

Draco looked down at the blanket hung over his arm, the once pristine purple and black quilt was now old and had started to rip, but y/n did love the quilt, and it showed how well loved the blanket was. The silvery-blonde male laid the quilt on the ground beneath the two oaks, in the middle of the large trees, in the same spot his siter always would and sat down on the worn blanket.

~~~

The Slytherin common room was unusually quiet for a Saturday evening, the usual murmur of students replaced by an uncomfortable silence as Draco Malfoy approached y/n and Theo Nott, who were sitting close together by the fireplace with their hands intertwined.

Draco’s gaze was icy as he swept into the room, his presence commanding attention and declared self-importance.

“Must be nice to have such a cozy little corner to yourself,” Draco sneered, his eyes flicking disdainfully over y/n. “Too bad it comes with the price of your dignity.”

Theo’s jaw tightened, but y/n stood, stepping between them. “Draco, what do you want this time? Don’t you have something better to do with your time?”

“Just making sure my best chaser isn’t being dragged down by anyone who isn’t up to our standards,” Draco said, his voice dripping with condescension and cruelty.

Once the Malfoy male had walked away, Theo turned to his beloved girlfriend and looked at her concern and sympathy. "I'm sorry, amor mio. It's not fair for him to treat this way without any reason, and even then you don't deserve his cruelty." Theo's arms wrapped around the Malfoy girl and he pulled her into a tight embrace, which the girl happily returned.

~~~

Theo thought back to that day in the common room, it was only four months ago but it felt like years, wondering if he had chosen to stand up for y/n if things would be different. If she would still be here, standing beside him with her nearly silver hair pulled back all pretty and her lips pulled up into a smile, her hand held in his as they looked at the rose bushes that were no longer blooming for the winter.

The once heavenly scented rosebushes that y/n always smelled nearly identical too, were now devoid of any flowers even though the thorns remain. Theo wondered if the roses died when she did, if the thorns remained as a reminder that even after the beauty is gone the danger still lurks. Flicking the ash of his cigarette onto the ground, Theo felt like there was a hole in his heart, where y/n had claimed the moment he met her.

~~~

The blonde-haired male sat beside someone he considered to be one of his best mates, someone who would have potentially been his brother-in-law a few years from now, Theodore Nott. The two men sat beneath the two Malfoy oak trees on the purple and black quilt, a box filled with parchment stained with ink sat in front of them, the box was one of the many things’ y/n had left covered in her favorite book quotes and little drawings.

 It was y/n’s safe keepings box that was kept under the floorboards in her closet, so she always knew where it was, and she could look back on memories that were import to her. Now it was filled with the little trinkets that the younger Malfoy twin had placed inside, and the many letters that she had given to her brother and her boyfriend over the last seven years.

Y/n had only been gone for four months, but if you asked Draco and Theo, they’d say it couldn’t have been such a short time ago, it felt like it had been four years. The months have seemed to just drag on and to the rest of the wizarding world, it seemed like the two men were either just going through the motions or numbing their grief with alcohol or other substances.

Theo reached forward and grabbed the first piece of parchment from the box, being careful not to cause any damage to the page. He smiled when he read the first few words that were written, turning his head towards Draco and handing it over. A quote from the play “Hélas, Je Me Suis Transfiguré les Pieds” was written at the top of the page, the rest of the piece of parchment was covered in drawings and spells with their use/purpose.

“Y/n really did like to read that play, didn’t she read it like eight times in like a month?” Draco asked with a hint of amusement, his lips were upturned in a slight smile as his fingers faintly ghosted over the handwritten quote that his sister had written. He knew that his younger twin had liked to write this line from her favorite play, he was never sure why, he was sure the girl didn’t even know herself, but he had found it annoying then.

“Yeah, she really did love to read, it didn’t really matter what she was reading as long as it wasn’t boring.” Theo said with a small chuckle while shaking his head, his brown eyes were focused on the next piece of parchment that he was lifting from the box.

~~~

The corridor of Hogwarts seemed to freeze in time, the echo of the battle outside muffled as if the world had narrowed to the space between them. Draco’s and Theo’s eyes were wide with terror, watching helplessly as the dark figure advanced, wand raised, a curse poised to strike. Their breath came in short, ragged gasps.

In the chaos, it was as if nothing else existed but the impending doom and Draco’s sister, y/n, rushing forward with a determination that seemed both fierce and fragile. Her face, usually calm and composed, was now a mask of resolute bravery and determination.

Y/n, her light hair tumbling in disarray, reached them just as the curse left the enemy’s wand. Her own wand flicked in a desperate counter-curse, but she was too late. The dark magic surged forward, relentless and unstoppable.

“Y/N, NO!” Their scream was a raw, desperate sound as Theo lunged forward, but she was faster, throwing herself in front of them.

The curse hit her with a sickening, sickly glow. For a moment, time seemed to slow, the world holding its breath. Y/n’s eyes widened in pain and shock, and then her body crumpled to the ground with a shattering finality.

Draco and Theo rushed to her side, Theo’s hands trembling as he cradled her limp form. Her eyes, still open, looked up at them with a serene acceptance. The light in them was fading, dimming like the last embers of a once-roaring fire quickly.

“Y/n, no, stay with me. Please,” Draco begged; his voice choked with tears. He shook her gently, desperately searching for a sign that she was still there, that she could hear him and would be okay.

Her lips moved slightly, forming words that were barely a whisper, but they were enough. “I... I’m sorry...”

Her breath grew shallow, and then it stopped altogether. The finality of her absence hit both men with an unbearable weight, leaving Draco and Theo alone in the shattered remnants of what was once in this world.

~~~~

The sun had set a long while ago and it had grown cold, but the two men still sat beneath the two oak trees in the Malfoy gardens on the purple and black quilt. The box of keepsakes had been gone through long ago, but now they just discussed different stories about y/n. They weren’t ready to say goodbye, the realization that they would never get to say anything to her face to face hadn’t fully sunk in, they didn’t want to accept that she was gone.

Draco and Theo thought back to that day in the corridors of Hogwarts, to the sound of battle and carnage that left many dead, injured, grieving, or traumatized, To the day that y/n had jumped in front of them to stop a curse from hitting them. Even though Draco had never been anything short of a bully she still saved him. Y/n sacrificed herself to save her boyfriend, the man that had confessed his love for her in the astronomy tower under the night sky in fourth year.

In that dark, sorrowful moment, Draco Malfoy and Theo Nott were left with nothing but the memory of y/n’s bravery, her final gift to them, and the unbearable silence of a future that would never be the same and the past that can never be rectified.

If you liked it please re-blog or like.

[moshieee]

Hello it is I, random anon who does not know you and has never interacted with you before, what is your opinion of your mutuals?

Oh hi @bixell-pixell I'll include you even if we're not mutuals I think you're pretty chill all things considered

That's kinda it idk you that well

Anyways

You didn't specify so I'm going to list all my mutuals in the order of oldest to newest on my following page that I remember sorry of I missed anyone and for the @ s

*inhales*

@e-the-village-cryptid (I don't have a tag for e yet but it would probably just be E)

Not only the first person who I became friends with here but also the first one I ever started sharing my stories with, even if we don't talk too much I'm glad Every time we do and I see them on my dash, (they bring some of my favorite posts and when I do send posts sometimes I mix up and send them their own reblogs) I'm so glad we're still friends, thanks for letting me ramble about stuff for 6 hours hehe

@jaqofallgenders (no tag for jaq yet either)

my in person friend and the longest friendship I've ever had with someone, love you 🫶. I'll be more specific on Monday if our ADHD doesn't kick in and make us both forget

@strawberry-seal77 (seal-berry!!!)

Hi hi hi yellows my friend 👋 the person I consider to be the second ever friend I made on here, a lovely person as well and wait waaa and an amazing artist too 👀??? Love you silly goofball and the amazing posts and jokes you have we should chat more often I thinkith.

@rabid-mercenary16 (Rabid jumpscare)

Hey hey hey .... BWAMP! Hope you feel better soon

I probably have the most to say about Rabid but all try to make it a bit shorter. besides being the first artist to do art jokes and include me, with we also became mutuals and interacting around a time when my life started to get a lot better. Even if she's not the only factor in that I definitely associate her with stuff improving, and she did play a big factor in it (I already explained a lot on my Valentine's Day gift to her and the others). Also she's just an awesome person to spend time with and be goofy, amazing sense of humor and I just love being friends with such an awesome person and artist.

@dia-smthidk (Dia fren)

I'm assuming you don't want a bowl of soup

I also said a lot about them in my Valentine's Day gift, but we've become closer friends sense then even if we don't get to chat as much as I'd like to. I relate a lot and am surprised how we have so much in common. Amazing artist and person as well and I wish we could hang out more, idc if they think they're bringing down the mood when/if they bring stuff up about irl, and maybe I won't figure out their timezone but oh well, please take care of yourself gender sibling.

@bunnybunnsowo (BUN BUN BROTHER!!)

little brother 🫶🫶💝💞🫶✨👋❤️!!!

(I could have sworn we became mutuals before Dia?)

another person I shared a lot about with the Valentine's Day gift, I love you my little brother! Seriously one of the kindest people I've met and I'm so glad they have bug in his life. Bun deserves the world and they keep sending me opposum images!!! Gona die from cuteness and his kindness one of these days istg

@spookykittyzzz (greaah why don't I have a tag for you???)

A very kind person and artist I don't know too much sense we're not that close yet but love the few chats we have had so far. Hope we get to hang out more even if I'm awful at reaching out to others and saying hi.

@glitchyk (goop buddies)!!

Nooo the parallels

One of the first people who was interested to deep dive into my creations and ask about my stories and worlds They're probably competing with Rabid with how much I have to say about her/silly. Seriously it's incredible how much we have in common and now I get to share and collaborate our sonas stories together it's amazing. And as someone once said "you can yap for hours". I love how creative and clever they are, I just wish they would be kinder to herself. One day I'll make glichy see how awesome she is.

@unfunnyaceartist (Floridian disadvantage) I feel like I should change that

When I say I was shookith when ace asked to be friends I mean I was shookith first person so show up and ask that (the others kinda just happened). Amazing artist and don't believe her lies she is funny. I'm so heckn glad we're friends., love the goofy and silly idc if she's a bit of a simp they've helped me a lot start to understand slang and references I'm supposed to understand shhshsh (such is the curse of how I grew up) we need to make our mafia sonas interact at some point I can already imagine the chaos /silly

@neptunestoast (plushy slime)

Hugs hugs hugs*

Trying my best not to baby talk I swear. amazing person first person to show up and be like "hey I Wana do something for you and your friends". Love their humor and another gender sibling!!! Hugs for ever for as long as they're ok with it. I love their creativity as well and Noodle is so adorable. I just want to pick them up in a hug so much. Kibbity/silly

@ner5y (no tag woops ill figure something out)

What are you doing here??? How are we friends???

I was absolutely confused and startled when they followed me especially since it was during a spoons argument . Amazing artist like holy heck I wish I was allowed to curse on this blog. Their humor also took me by surprise when I got invited to the discord, and even if they doubt how well they're running it I think they're doing amazing. And I love our silly interactions like this one

@vexation-816 (chaotic ADHD buddy!!!)

Why did it take me so long to follow you istg

ADHD ADHD ADHD my buddy oh pal we both got that and it's driving us insane/silly. Love how creative he is and the ideas for his sona and character lore. Also one of the first people who shared a character they added to my nightlight au. This is getting twords the end and I'm tired of whiting so much and am on a timer oh no. But your amazing dude don't ever forget thag

@butlerbugbunny (anxiety bunny buddy)

This is why I didn't respond to the DM yet hshsh

New friend who I feel anxious talking to sometimes but a wonderful kind bunny who I'm also incredibly happy to be friends with. Love his art so much it's amazing (shoot shoot timer is going off) I'm glad he's their for bun and wish them the best I possibly can 🫶.

@lilithloves-you (lillith my be-loathed?) need to change that

Don't you dare bring up grilled cheese

Glitchys friendo who I'm also friends with now. We don't interact too much but I've sent her on missions to go hug glitchy (to help both of them feel better but shhh). I hope we become closer friends in the future.

[riversimmone]

Line in the Sand

Line in the Sand - chapter 1

RiverOfTheSand

Summary:

AU GaaSaku. Because war is coming. Because a king needs a queen. And because no-one warned him his most dangerous opponent would be the one warming his bed.

Notes:

Cross-posted from fanfiction.net. Technically. I'm done waiting for my muse and want to post this here on AO3. Please read the tags and read and kudo and comment. I hope you enjoy. :)

End chapter notes:

Thankyou so much for reading. :)

.

This is a work in progress story you can also find on AO3 and FF.NET.

Enjoy. :)

.

Chapter One: Enough is Enough.

-o-

Death was such a final affair. It couldn't be undone, bribed away, or blackmailed to disappear. Fighting it was a delay tactic at best, and denying its existence was detrimental and foolish.

It was also, sometimes, the only thing that made sense.

"The king is dead!"

The voice came from outside the mausoleum, but echoed through the building like a doomsday proclamation.

Death made sense.

Except the fact that sometimes it didn't. Sometimes it made no sense whatsoever. He was struggling to understand how he had come to be standing here, looking at this particular coffin, feeling these… feelings; guilt, regret, hatred, love and sheer terror.

What kind of omnipotent being let murderers, rapists and other sundry evil men live, but took away a broken country's last ray of hope? The sky was already darker than it should be at this time of the day, so what was the point? Why was he here, mourning, when so many others deserved it more?

"The king is dead!"

Yes, he'd died this morning; the blood in his bedchambers had yet to be cleaned and the redhead staring at the coffin in front of him could still smell the stench of it, hours after having found the body.

Sabaku no Gaara lifted his arms, his eyes travelling over the lines of the palms of his hands. It all seemed so arbitrary.

"The king is dead!"

He growled. Would someone shut that person up?

The words that echoed within the walls of the mausoleum (despite coming from outside), haunted him and he wished they would just die too.

He had never felt more confused, more foolish for believing that death itself would not touch these hallowed halls. He should have seen this coming. It was his duty to his king, to his family, and to his country.

The king is dead. He reminded himself.

And yet somehow, those four words were more comfort to him than he'd ever felt.

Gaara was still torn, however. He hadn't hated the fool, though the older man had given him every reason to. They were family… once upon a time.

But the children of the Sabaku clan had been scattered to the wind when their country fell into civil war. Who would claim the throne? Who would kill their own flesh and blood to get on that throne? And who would be forced on bended knee?

Ultimately, the answer had been: no-one.

And so the war raged. For three years; for three years their loyalists fought for and alongside the sibling they wanted to see crowned. People died then too. And then the outsiders invaded, taking advantage of the chaotic state of affairs; more death had come to them, and the estranged children were forced to put their disagreements aside to force the invading harbingers out of their lands.

And they won.

Gaara stood stiffly, glaring down at his brother's coffin.

Why did you have to die, stupid fool?

It was Kankuro that the people had wanted when the dust settled, and for once, the trio siblings had sat down and listened to the voices around them. It was Kankuro's cheeky face that was plastered around the royal home, the royal city, and pretty much the entire kingdom. The people didn't even know him personally, but somehow he had the kinder face of the Sabaku children, and they trusted that dorky smile.

Gaara groaned inwardly.

And the truth was, they weren't wrong. He had his foul moods just like anyone else, but Kankuro had been the better sibling – the nice one. Even in the heat of battle; Temari could scare a battalion with a glare and he… Gaara didn't have to try, he just naturally terrified all.

But who would the people want now? And how long would that person hold the crown before they too, were betrayed?

Even now, other nations were circling the borders like vultures, sensing their weakness. How long would it be before death visited them all again?

For three years, Gaara had fought his siblings, thinking he wanted to rule. He might not have been the first born, like Temari, or as well-liked as Kankuro, but there was no denying his power. If he wasn't meant to defend their people with that power, then why had he been born with it?

The gods were laughing at him, he was sure of it; give an ant the ability to conquer every ant hill, but deny him the spoils.

"Gaara!"

Temari's voice broke through his thoughts and the redhead looked up to see her striding into the mausoleum, flanked by two guards. She waved at them and they halted, letting her approach Gaara alone. She looked determined.

"The people are going to riot," she said. "Advisor Yura believes we cannot sit on this; the people will want retribution."

Gaara stared back at Kankuro's coffin. This was not how he had intended to celebrate his twenty-first birthday. It seemed so long ago now, that Kankuro had been slapping him on the back and questioning his sexual orientation, given that Gaara hadn't wed any of the noble ladies yet. He was the only sibling without a significant partner.

I have standards. His monotone reply had been met with a laugh and a giggling confession of his brother's own sex life.

Kankuro's widow crept into his head, and Gaara sighed. He felt sorry for her, mostly. She was too kind hearted a person to do what needed to be done next.

Gaara himself didn't want a kind woman. For most of his life, he hadn't wanted a woman at all (he liked them, but only when they didn't talk). He was twenty-one now, and had never held down any kind of relationship. He'd rarely partaken in sex and still had little idea what he was doing – which only added to his desire to avoid sexual situations. He found it too hard to let everything go and open himself up in front of anyone without the pressure of pleasing another person, let alone himself.

He was too easily impressed by feminine curves to trust himself in the sight of them.

It was a free life, but also a lonely one.

"We have to get out there." Temari stepped up next to him. "We have to tell the people that this treachery will not go unanswered."

The warm hand on his shoulder reminded him yet again that he wasn't as alone as he felt.

Finally, he'd been on good terms with his brother, and now this?

He couldn't stand it.

The pain was going to tear him up from the inside and he didn't know how to stop it.

"Gaara?" His sister's voice was soft, almost cautious.

He shook his head slightly. "How could he?"

Temari frowned. Was he asking how Kankuro could die, or die and leave them behind? She sighed.

"He loved you. Even when you were at each other's throats – even when we were all trying to kill each other. Kankuro… never stopped hoping we would all come back here someday. He loved you most of all."

It still didn't make any sense to him.

He didn't get it.

Making his decision, Gaara squared his shoulders and turned to face the guards who had been dutifully waiting for them to finish their conversation. He stared into their faces and they stared back. Loyalty in this country meant equal footing – even a servant deserved to be treated with respect.

He nodded to them. "Tell the advisor to gather the people. It's time to make a stand."

A wide grin spread over the faces of the guards and they rushed to obey his command.

Temari clasped her brother's hand, feeling the same desire for revenge rush through her. Gaara squeezed her hand back, though he didn't feel as confident as he'd sounded. But he was determined: he would not let anyone take advantage of his people again.

-o-

On the other side of Sunagakure, green eyes raked over the city hungrily, taking in every detail.

Silk curtains wafted over her face, falling against her body gently, highlighting the contours of her petite body; she loved the feel of it, but more than anything, she enjoyed the cool breeze drifting in – a sign that even balmy summers in this city could be gentle on the wind. She was taking a moment to admire the beauty of the foreign city beneath her before letting the reality of her situation sink in. Sunagakure. Her new home. It had seen better days – at the height of its power years ago, it had stood as a beacon to distant travellers – but even now it still retained a regal air about it.

It was… entrancing.

Sakura Haruno was the heiress to the last of the nomadic tribes that had come to Sunagakure to parlay with king and request permanent residence, only to hear the news of the man's untimely death. They were a proud people, brave warriors and healers, but they were dying. Country borders were closing in light of the new political tensions, and it was becoming impossible to safely traverse the old travelling roads they loved so much – in just this last month alone they'd lost fifteen people in their caravan to brigands and foreign soldiers mistaking them for spies.

This couldn't continue.

Most people thought they were just gypsy nobles who were hardy and interesting enough street entertainers when they were short on money, but the truth was that they were the descendants of the Kiraaku – a Yakuza-like clan that had once been infamous for manipulating their way into powerful families. They'd literally fucked, manipulated, and murdered their way into the noble court.

But things changed when Sakura's great-great grandfather gathered what was left of their clan (after an assassin killed their patriarch) and turned them into nomads. Slowly, the legend of the Kiraaku died down, and very few knew of their bloody past. Their history was dead. And yet they themselves, survived.

Sakura turned away from the balcony and looked at her sleeping father; she had come to his chambers, hoping he was awake, but now hesitated to disturb him. He was dying, and there was nothing she could do about it. A sickness picked up from a neighbouring country had infested his body and now he had very little time left. Kizashi was all she had left of her mother – the woman who'd been kidnapped, raped and murdered by brigands before Sakura was even old enough to talk. Mebuki had been a beautiful woman, and it was her exotic looks that the pinkette had inherited.

But enough was enough.

They needed to find a new home if they were going to prevent these things from happening again. And her father had a plan to make that happen.

In this country, the daughters of the smaller tribes were highly valued in buying and selling for marriages with nobles because of their exotic looks and rumoured, unique skills. It was a fetish that made her uncomfortable, but what kind of Kiraaku descendant would she be if she didn't take advantage of it?

"Sakura?"

Her father stirred, reaching out for her as she ran to his side.

"Daddy?"

"I knew it was you."

His sight was failing, along with his internal organs. Even she, with all her medical prowess, couldn't save him, and she hated herself.

"Don't cry."

Her tears trickled down his arm as she kissed the back of his hand.

"I can't help it, daddy."

"You can't cry yet."

She nodded. "I know."

"Yuri can lead our clan now, but you need to do something else for them."

"I don't know…"

"Do this, please? For me?"

Sakura tightened her hold on his hand. "I will, daddy."

She had no problem with seducing the richest noble she could catch the eye of. They were all rolling in dough. If they fell for her charms, it was their own fault. But her father had higher dreams and, upon news that the king had died, had expressed his desire for her to aim much higher.

The youngest Sabaku…

He had more wealth than your average noble, and the power he wielded in battle was too much of a temptation; she may not agree with the way her ancestors had hurt people, but the blood of the Kiraaku ran through her and she couldn't deny she really wanted to see this living legend in the flesh. His people mostly feared his power – though they revered it too – but if the rumours were true, he was headed for that ivory throne.

Even if she failed with him, there had to be someone in that court that would find her attractive.

Sakura kissed her father's forehead as his eyes closed and his breathing evened out again, indicating he was asleep.

She would marry into wealth and restore her clan's honour by taking that crown (or similar) by whatever means she felt necessary. But first, she needed to play the marriageable woman. She needed to show off her exotic looks, her unique skills, and charm the pants off that man.

-o-

[loosesodamarble]

Before the final battles really begin

I want to share my thoughts and hopes regarding the final fights that will be going down eventually.

I won't call these predictions because I honestly don't have any confidence in predicting how Tabata will write the final arc. These are just my personal wishes for what I would want to happen.

I'll just be discussing possible Magic Knight vs. Paladin match ups and the team-ups on the heroes' side of things. Thoughts below the cut.

.....

Nacht vs. Morgen

Let's start with the obvious one. Nacht will be fighting Paladin Morgen. No questions asked. Tabata may not do everything the way I'd want it to go but he'd be a fool to not go through with this match up.

I'll take a guess that Yami will join this specific fight. Yami and Morgen were BFFs and it would essentially be a combination of Yami's initial fight against Patry (Dark vs. Light Magic) and the YamiNacht team-up against Lucifero. But on steroids. But like... that's not the only way it could happen...

What I want to see happen: -Nacht use all of the powers of his devils at once. Let's see him with eight freaking horns on his head! Let's see him become a monstrous devil to fight the "angelic" form of Paladin Morgen. -Finral and Langris join the fight. There are parallels and contrasts between the Fausts and the Space Bros that I want to see worked with. Finral and Nacht are both older brothers who were looked down upon by those around him (for Finral it was his parents and for Nacht it was most of the public). Langris and Morgen were powerful Magic Knights admired over their elder brothers (again, parents for Langris and society at large for Morgen). Finral and Nacht both want to help/protect their younger brother but bungle it up along the way; Finral withdraws from House Vaude due to failing to live up to expectations which left Langris all alone while Nacht avoided Morgen to keep from hurting him which only worsened the rift between them. Both sets of brothers have one person between them that complicates their relationship further. For the twins, Nacht and Morgen both saw Yami as the better partner for their brother. For the Space Bros, it still hasn't been determined who will marry Finesse. Contrasts include: —the Fausts being identical twins (most genetically similar siblings) while Space Bros are half brothers (only one parent connecting them genetically) —the kinder brother being the older one with the Space Bros and then being the younger one for the Fausts —Space Bros having two different flavors of the same magic attribute while the Fausts have opposite but connected attributes I also think Finral would sympathize with Nacht's situation. He'd remember how Langris had been possessed by an elf and how much he wanted to save Langris. Thus, it would make so much sense for Finral to help Nacht save his own younger brother. Langris being present would give him a chance to essentially see what he did to Finral during the Royal Knights Exam (possessed younger brother trying to kill older brother who really doesn't want to fight). When it comes to how the fight happens, Langris' aggressive magic would be a good tool against how aggressive the Paladins are shown to be and Finral's teleportation might be able to keep up with Morgen's speedy attacks. -Gauche joins the fight. Nacht and Gauche are both older brothers who think the world of their younger siblings. Nacht kept his distance from Morgen while Gauche smothers Marie with adoration. Also, Gauche could totally reflect Morgen's Light Magic the way he did with Patry's. -Ichika joins the fight (and Yami doesn't appear whatsoever). She contrasts with Morgen by magic attribute the same way Yami does. But she also has the opposite attitude towards her older sibling. Nacht was Morgen's favorite person while Ichika hated Yami for years (because of mistaken memories but still). The "devil pills" from Ichika's flashback would also be worth bringing up considering the Fausts and their devil connections. Also, I'm pushing for Nachika content. -Patry joins the fight. I want to see the elves again. Light vs. Light would be cool. That's all really. (Also, yes I'm definitely playing favorites with who I want to fight alongside Nacht. How could you tell?/lh+j)

I'm honestly torn on how I want the fight to end. Do I want a maximum tragedy end where Morgen and Nacht kill each other but also get proper reconciliation for what happened before? Do I want Nacht to successfully kill Morgen and live with the guilt of having actually taken Morgen's life, even if it's for the greater good? Or do I want Morgen to be freed of Lucius' influence and also somehow stay alive so the bros can be Magic Knights together, as was Morgen's dream? Genuinely, I want to see all three happen.

(Tabata, I'm on my hands and knees. Let me be part of your staff so I can give you the bestest freaking ideas for the Nacht vs. Morgen fight. I'm begging.)

Silva Siblings vs. Acier

It's another obvious one. Noelle is going to arrive to fight her mom and the four siblings will fight together.

An online friend of mine - half-jokingly but half-serious - brought up that there's a chance that Acier's motherly love will break her brainwashing. And I really hope that's not the case. Acier should be mercy killed.

And I hope the high heavens that it's not Noelle alone who gets the final blow. Noelle is my baby girl but it would make literally zero sense for Noelle to be the one to finish Acier off. Literally, the Megicula fight ended with Nozel musing that he and Noelle should've been getting stronger together from the very beginning. To follow through with that conclusion, it has to be a simultaneous attack from Nozel, Nebra, Solid, and Noelle that defeats Acier. The Silva children have to finally come together as a united family to defeat Acier and finally put her rest (seriously, the woman's soul got held captive by Megicula for roughly 16 years [remember, Acier died when Noelle was around 1 and Megicula was only defeated when Noelle was 17] and then Lucius yoinks her for Paladin-ification. Tabata, give Acier a break!).

While it's likely that the fight will remain between the Silva family, a few other people who I would like to join the fray are: -Mereoleona: Acier was Mereo's mentor and the one person she could never beat. It would be appropriate for Mereo to show her teacher how she's grown. Unlikely though. -Vanessa: it's the mommy issues, I'm sorry. The parallel of Vanessa's strained relationship with the Witch Queen against the Silvas' utter adoration of Acier fills me with satisfaction. Vanessa would be excellent support (emotionally and with the Red String of Fate). She could give the siblings a pep talk about how fighting one's parent may not be pleasant or easy but sometimes, they're just plain in the wrong and you have to set them straight. Plus, Vanessa is one of the Bulls Noelle is closest too next to Asta, Nero, and Finral. She ought to be there for Noelle. -Nero: another one of Noelle's closest friends in the Bulls. I think Nero should get another chance to support Noelle against a very emotionally testing opponent after they were unable to beat Megicula back in Heart. -Yosuga: for one, his iron would be a hard-hitting element that the Silvas might need. Not to say the Silvas are weak. I just mean that mist and water are "softer" seeming elements so a strong metal magic to pair with Nozel's mercury might be nice to see.

Vermillions vs. Morris

Recent chapter only showed Fuegoleon and Mereoleona squaring up. But uh, where's Leopold? If the Silva siblings are gonna fight together, perhaps all the Vermillion siblings should too. It would be an amazing way for Tabata to show Leopold finally standing as an equal with his siblings (maybe still a little weaker because of the 15+ year difference between them but you get my point).

Also Fuegoleon should totally have Saint Stage for the fight. Tabata, come freaking on! He's had Salamander for nearly two years at this point. If Noelle could unlock it within 2 days, surely Fuegoleon would've figured it out by now.

I might also want to see Mimosa and Kirsch show up, just for a whole Vermillion family reunion of sorts. Plus, I think it'd be a neat parallel if her introduction pitted her against a victim of Diamond's magic experiments (Mars) and then this final battle pitted her against the evil mastermind behind them (Morris).

The Black Bulls vs. Damnatio

This one is a stretch and really is just based on the fact that it'd be hilarious if Damnatio passing judgment on others (first time was Asta and this time it's the whole world) got interrupted by the Black Bulls AGAIN!

YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT WOULDN'T BE A HILARIOUS COINCIDENCE BECAUSE IT IS!

Zora vs. Zara

Look... Zara coming back as a Paladin would be so right. Julius knew Zara and really admired him as an ideal Magic Knight. Lucius would then also know of Zara and think he'd be a wonderful addition to the Paladins. They are meant to bring happiness and Zara was all about serving the people.

And hoo boy would Zora be traumatized to the sun and back to see his dad corrupted this way!

I mainly imagine Magna joining this fight because 1) they're peasant buddies, and 2) Zora (emotionally) backed up Magna in the Dante fight and now it's time for Magna to back up Zora in the fight against Zara. Luck is another option, mostly to pair with Magna since the boys have been apart too long. They need to team up to fight a baddie again, just like with Vetto. Also, I think Luck's unhealthy relationship with his mom set beside Zora's sweet admiration towards his dad is interesting; something could be done with it.

Asta, Yuno, Yami, and William vs. Lucius

Y'all, if I don't see both the main boys who are fighting to be Wizard King as well as Julius' two successors all fighting Lucius as a team, I'm going to question what Tabata is doing with his work.

Asta is the protagonist and Lucius' biggest threat so that's a duh. Yuno is Asta's rival and another potential threat, as Lucius has openly admitted. Then Yami and William are the people who Julius has helped the most. So those two should definitely fight Lucius who has taken away their mentor.

Not only that, but Asta has fought alongside his captain so many times now. And Yuno hasn't. Yuno should get a chance to fight alongside William the way Asta has with Yami. Especially against Lucius because fighting him has meaning to all four of them.

Other thoughts/potential team ups

Ryuuya and Yami (and Nacht): These old buddies gotta reunite and wreck something. And Ryuuya, the og childhood friend, meeting Nacht, the other childhood friend is sure to be interesting.

Charlotte and Ichika: Please. Please let the woman crushing on Yami and Yami's little sister meet on the battlefield. They're going to mad respect each other only to find out each other's connection to the man and it'll be so awkward.

Jack and Gin'no: Jack's not dead. He's not dying. We're ignoring that hole in his stomach. He's going to live. And he's going to meet Gin'no and they're going to fight with all their feral might together.

Komari and Luck: genki lightning users would be fun together, that's it.

Any of the Ryuzen seven with Charmy: She is their sacred ochaami incarnate! It'd be awesome for them to meet a deity and fight alongside her!

[in-my-feels-probably]

We’re Burned For Better - Chapter Three

Chapter Three

---

The next day had turned out to be quite the series of events. Aelora, amongst many other things, bore witness to Daemon beheading Vaemond Velaryon, in defense of her Mother. Vaemond had called her and her brothers bastards, and Rhaenyra a whore.

If Daemon hadn't done something about it, Aelora would have. She didn’t take kindly to insults towards her family. While it was true that her brothers bore no resemblance to their father, she didn’t let that get in the way of defending them.

To tell the truth, she harbored no great affection for her Father, Ser Laenor. He was a kind man, even kinder for fathering children that were not his, if there was to be any truth to the rumors. He loved Aelora, as any father would, but he never made any attempts to strengthen hers and his relationship.

Aelora’s Mother told her it was because she resembled the Targaryens. Her spirit reminded him of his sister, Laena, who he greatly missed.

When he “passed,” and Daemon married Aelora’s Mother, she was happier for it. She always enjoyed Daemon’s company, and of her siblings, he seemed to prefer her. He had no shame in hiding it. He was infinitely better at fathering girls.

Aelora was happy to have Rhaena and Baela at her side during her time at Dragonstone, as well as Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys, who often visited. She missed them dearly when they left, although she was soon after sent to King’s Landing. She was very happy to hear that Daemon had brought them along to the city with him.

Aelora had a great love for the Blacks. She was extremely loyal to them, and when they were threatened in court, she stood by Daemon's side without so much as flinching.

Helaena gasped and turned away, shielded by her mother, even Aegon taking a step back. Aemond just watched, slightly bewildered, but intrigued.

He met Aelora’s eyes across the room, and her face was stoic. Brave. He had always liked that about her.

That night, the King ordered that the family dine together, united as one. It went about as well as could be expected with all the estranged family members in one room.

Aelora had grown quite fond of Daemon since he had married her Mother, and she shared an amused glance across the table as Alicent said a prayer before the meal.

She looked over towards Aemond, to see if she could catch his gaze, but he had his eyes dutifully closed. Whether he was actually praying, or just attempting to appease his own mother, she did not know. Still, she’d have to tease him for it later.

Aelora’s Mother announced the betrothal of Jacaerys and Lucerys to Rhaena and Baela. The news was taken surprisingly well across the table, and Aeloraa smiled fondly at each pair, truly grateful to see them all happy. Even more so grateful that she was finally getting true sisters.

Aegon, being the bastard he is, had to spoil everyone's fun. Aelora supposed he couldn’t help himself, it was in his nature to be a perpetual nuisance. Still, that fact didn’t make him any less insufferable.

Aelora only heard the tail end of his words to Jace, not only embarrassing her brother in his attempt, but her soon to be sister in law.

“Hold your tongue, Aegon. It would be a shame to see you lose it.”

Aegon grinned, narrowing his eyes at Aelora. “Always a pleasure, aren’t you?”

She was sidetracked from her response by the King congratulating Luke on his inheritance of Driftmark. The toast was short, once again interrupted by Aegon antagonizing Jace.

Jace clenched his jaw. “I believe my sister told you to hold your tongue. Are two warnings necessary, or are you just that daft? You can play the jester if you wish, but you will hold your tongue before my betrothed.”

The King stood, expressing his sorrow to see his family so estranged. He removed his mask, giving Aelora a view of his decaying face. She fought to keep her face steady, not wanting to offend him. She watched with respect as he did his best to stay upright, and instill the importance of the message to everyone.

“Set aside your grievances. If not for the Crown, then for the man who loves you all. So dearly.”

Aelora looked around the room as Alicent helped him sit, watching everyone’s faces. No one could seem to make eye contact, staring at their plates. Suddenly her Mother stood up, raising her cup. The King’s words seem to inspire a round of toasts, all of which struck Aelora. Knowing the history of her Mother and Alicent, she felt a twinge in her heart at their words, smiling as she watched them commend each other.

Of course, the peace only lasted so long. The revered toasts game to jokes, blows to blows. Aegon angered Aelora’s brother, who stood to look Aegon in the eye. At the intensity of the stares, Aemond stood as well, staring them both down.

Rolling her eyes, Aelora cleared her throat, ever so slightly. Aemond caught her glare, and decided to sit, rather than endure her wrath. Jace and Aegon took it as their cue to follow, sitting and half heartedly making up, at least as cordially as they could without hitting each other.

Helaena stood, and as much as Aelora loved her, she rolled her eyes, thinking that she couldn’t bear another awkward toast. To her surprise, although she didn't think Helaena intended it, she took a dig at Aegon, wounding his pride.

To Aelora’s amusement even more so, when the harpist began to play, Jace asked Helaena to dance, who gladly accepted. Aelora smiled at the pair, thinking of the possibilities of what could have happened if Jace had been promised to Helaena. Maybe everything would be different, and Aelora wouldn’t have to watch Helaena sit with her children all day while Aegon was off somewhere.

The thought saddened her, but she smiled as Jace made Helaena laugh.

The peace was once again overlooming, if only for a moment. Seeing her family smile brought a smile to Aelora’s face. She laughed as she watched Jace and Helaena dance, if you could even call it dancing. Her Mother’s laugh was bright, warming her heart. There was nothing more in the world Aelora enjoyed more than seeing her happy.

When the King groaned in pain, and was carried off by his guards, Aelora knew it was the end of the peace. He was holding the family together, and without him, it was bound to crumble.

The final straw was the roasted pig, placed in front of Aemond on the table. Aelora covered her mouth with her hand in realization, silently willing him not to react. She wasn’t so lucky, because Luke snickered, and Aemond, never the one to let his pride be wounded, stood up for the final toast of the night.

“To the health of my nephews. Jace, Luke, and Joffrey. Each of them handsome, wise…strong. Come, let us drain our cups to these three Strong boys.”

Aelora finally stood, giving him a look of warning. “Aemond.”

Jace squared his shoulders. “I dare you to say that again.”

“Why? ‘Twas only a compliment. Do you not think yourself Strong?”

“Aemond!” Aelora said louder, but she wasn’t quick enough.

Jace quickly walked over, swinging and punching Aemond in the jaw. Aelora gasped, although she did nothing to stand in the way. Aemond pushed Jace to the ground, guards suddenly filing in. Aelora only stepped in when Aegon grabbed Luke, who was trying to come to his brother's defense, and pressed him to the table, holding him still.

“Unhand him or lose that hand,” she said, picking a knife up from a stray plate.

Reluctantly, Aegon let go, and Aelora pulled Luke into her, pushing him towards her Mother. Aelora whipped around the table, moving next to stop her twin, but Daemon had beaten her to it. He held him back as Aelora came to step beside him, and she overheard Aemond’s words to his mother.

“I was merely expressing how proud I am of this family, Mother. Though it seems my nephews aren’t quite as proud of theirs.”

Aelora’s Mother ordered her children to go to their quarters, but Aelora remained by Daemon’s side as she watched Aemond stand opposite of her.

Aemond looked at Daemon, not necessarily willing to challenge him, but then he looked at Aelora. He saw her face, riddled with anger and disappointment, and finally chose to step down, turning and walking out of the room. He didn’t look at her as he left. He walked straight past her, so close that all she had to do was reach out and touch him, but she didn’t.

She let him go.

As people began filing out of the room, Daemon turned to Aelora. “You should have hit one of them. Gods know the bastards deserved it. I would have approved.”

She nodded, still seething. “There’s still time for it, I assure you. They’ll wish for it when I’ve finished with them.”

“I’m proud to call you my own.” He smirked at Aelora, patting her shoulder before walking out of the room. “Make it hurt, darling.”

Aelora’s Mother and Alicent were all who were left, except a few guards and servants. She suddenly felt the urge to cry, and she rushed over to her Mother, nudging into her side. Rhaenyra ran a comforting hand through Aelora’s hair, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“I think it’s best we go back to Dragonstone, my love.”

Aelora’s eyes widened. “You mean me too?”

“Yes. I’ve missed you dearly, and I cannot bear having another child on Dragonstone while my firstborn is away from me. You will come home with us in the morning. Don’t worry, you can visit on Meraxes whenever you want.”

Aelora felt like she was going to be sick. She desperately missed her home, but the idea of leaving her family in the city was enough to make her cry. How was she going to tell Aemond?

Alicent shook her head, taking Rhaenyra’s hand. She placed her other hand on Aelora’s arm. “Please, don’t go. You’ve only just arrived.”

Rhaenyra nodded, sighing. “Let me see the children home. I’ll return on dragonback.”

Aelora’s shook her head, and she turned to her. “Mother, you can’t come alone, not in your condition. I can see everyone home, or I can come back with you.”

Rhaenyra shook her head, cupping Aelora’s cheek in her palm. “No, love, I need you with your brothers. You’re the only level headed one out of them all, including Daemon. I want to know that you’re safe, that you’re all together. Say your goodbyes.”

Aelora wanted to argue, but she just nodded in defeat. She looked to Alicent, who gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

“Helaena will want to say her goodbyes. To her and her children, they’re quite fond of you. And Aemond…I know he acted tonight without cause, and I will not defend it. But please, let him see you off, too. He sulked for a month the last time you left. He’s too prideful to come to you himself, and he knows he’s angered you. I won’t blame you if you don’t say goodbye, but I’m urging you to. You know where he’ll be.”

Aelora nodded. “Of course, Your Grace. He may have made a fool of himself, but I know I can persuade him to apologize. I’ll say goodbye to both of them, I promise. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Alicent smiled at her with a genuine fondness. She turned to Aelora’s Mother. “You’ve raised a fine daughter, Rhaenyra. She’s just like you.”

Rhaenyra smiled. “Yes, I’m very proud. I don’t know where she gets it all from. Go ahead, say your goodbyes, my girl.”

Aelora nodded at them both, turning to leave the room. She knew where Aemond would be, it was where he always went to sulk.

Sure enough, she found him up on the hill just outside the dragonpit. Vhagar was too large to stay in the pit, so she slept outside when she stayed close to the castle. Aemond always went to the pit, standing on a perch that overlooked the hill so he could watch Vhagar.

Aelora supposed it was because, while Aemond was a very independent person, he didn’t truly enjoy being alone. With Vhagar nearby, he could still feel like someone he connected to was closeby, without ever having to go to another person and face the risk of embarrassment.

Half the time, he’d choose to come to Aelora. The other half, this is where he’d be.

She clenched her jaw, willing herself not to shout at him. It wouldn’t accomplish anything, and it would only cause him to sulk further. She could see his shoulders square, and his body tense. She hadn’t made her presence known, but he had picked up on it anyway.

“If you expect me to show you pity, you have the wrong idea. Do you want to tell me what that little performance was?”

He said nothing, but she could see him flex his hand, balling his fingers into a fist.

“I suggest you speak now because I will be gone by morning.” This got his attention, and he turned his head just enough that he could see her. “What?”

“Mother has ordered we go back to Dragonstone,” she informed. “I tried to get her to let me stay, but she wouldn’t hear it. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

Aemond hummed, his eyes cast to his feet. He just nodded, turning back to face Vhagar.

Aelora scoffed. “Really? You have nothing to say to me? If you let me leave now without an explanation, don’t bother sending a raven because I won’t receive it. So, what will it be?”

He turned around to fully face Aelora, taking a step forward. “I…I’m sorry.”

Aelora raised a brow. “Sorry? You’re sorry? It was one dinner, Aemond. Surely you could have made it through without adding any more fuel to the fire. I understand your resentment towards my brothers, and I know Aegon was no help, but for fucks sake. You had no right.”

“Jacaerys insulted my family!” Aemond said, taking yet another step towards her.

She took a step forward, shortening the gap between them both. Her eyes were full of anger, her voice bitter.

“No, Aemond, no he didn’t. Your brother made snide remarks, not only to Jace, but to my soon to be sister, and Jace stood up for her. If Aegon is who you are offended on behalf of, you have misunderstood who your true family is. You, however, insulted my family. Belittling my brothers is one thing, even I do it when they’re being uncivil. But they did no such thing.”

Aemond wouldn’t meet Aelora’s eyes, looking down at the ground.

“To question their legitimacy in front of the entire family, and in front of the King no less, is to question mine. Or have you forgotten I’m a so-called Strong, too? I may not have the looks, but I am every bit of his child as my brothers are, if you truly believe it to be so. I will not have you think any less of me because of it.”

He met her eyes at the accusation, his face softening. “Aelora, you know I would never question that about you–”

“Do I, Aemond? Do I know that? Because you seemed pretty content to do so tonight. Hear me when I say this, I can’t be more clear about it. I don’t give a shit who my real father is. I would be just as proud to call Ser Harwin my father as I was to call Ser Laenor my father. Just as I regard Daemon as my father. The truth of it matters not to me, and it shouldn’t to you either. Do you think of me less because of my parentage?”

“No–”

“Then why question it? Why, in an effort to humiliate my brothers, would you drag me into it? What purpose does it serve you?”

Aemond nodded ever so slightly, his shoulders slumping. Reluctantly, he reached for one of Aelora’s hands, and she begrudgingly accepted.

“I know. I acted on impulse, and I didn’t think–”

“Exactly, Aemond,” Aelora said, although she didn’t let go of his hand. “You didn’t think.”

“I’m sorry.” She felt him squeeze her hand ever so slightly. She squeezed back.

She brought her other hand up to cup his chin and turn his head to face hers. Aelora held him still, so he had to meet her gaze. Her voice was soft.

“Answer me this, then. I know you have no great love for your own father, and that is understandable. If you discovered that he wasn’t your true father, tell me in truth, would it really matter? Because if it doesn’t, why should mine? Does my parentage really matter that much to you? Or any of my family’s, for that matter?”

He shook his head. “No. It doesn’t matter. It is no one’s fault what family they’re born into.”

“Exactly. Blood isn’t what defines a family. Your family is who you choose it to be, and the rest doesn’t matter. I don’t give a shit about blood. My Mother is my family, Daemon is my family, my brothers and their betrothed are my family.”

Aelora intertwined her fingers with his, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand. “You’re my family, you insufferable idiot. You, and Helaena, even your mother. And that is enough. That is who I pick. Are you hearing me?”

He nodded, face softening, his shoulders relaxing. His voice was quiet. “You’re mine, too.”

“Good,” she nodded, pulling him along with her. “You’re going to come with me to apologize to your mother, Gods only know what she must think of me and my brothers now.”

“She likes you. She smiles when I mention you.”

Aelora grinned to herself, tugging him along. “Fine, we can do that later. But we are going to say goodbye to Helaena, I won’t leave here without doing so. I feel so bad for her, cooped up everyday with no one to talk to. Promise me you’ll be with her more. I know she’s lonely. Promise me.”

“I promise, Aelora. But why am I coming with you to say goodbye, I am not the one leaving.”

“Because…I don’t want to leave you alone just yet. I know it has been months, but it feels like I’ve only just arrived, and now I will be without you again. I’m taking all the time I can get…and, in the event that we run into your brother, you will be here to stop me from doing anything rash, like maiming him, or possibly killing him, I haven’t decided yet.”

Aelora could hear him chuckle, knowing from the sound of his voice that he was smiling.

“That’s my girl.”

—

A/N - Hi! So I know this part is largely recycled, the next part will be too, at least partially. I hope that’s alright. And then after that part or two, the rest will be entirely new work. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think!

[bluiex]

Grian goes through a lot in my superhero AU, so I decided to write parts of it! These are honestly some of the best moments during his imprisonment. Everything else is way worse.

A bit of warning for discussion of character death and experimentations. None of it happens in writing, but it does happen outside and they talk about it.

—————

Grian holds his knees to his chest, wings hanging limply behind him. He’s not sure if it will work, but… well, he’s already losing hope, it can’t get much worse from here. If talking about their families helps, then he’ll listen.

“I’m the oldest of my siblings,” Ray begins, moving closer to the bars of his cell. “Our parents weren’t the best, so I was the one who raised them. We… we’re all really close still.” He cracks a grin, “within a few minutes travel close.” It feels hollow.

“I’m really close to my sister too,” Cassie says, “we’re twins.”

“The oldest of my siblings are twins too,” Ray says, his smile seeming a little bit more real. He looks around at the others, “anyone else here related to a twin?”

“Me,” Grian speaks before he can even think it through. He shrinks back when everyone looks at him, “but, um, she doesn’t live around here. It’s been a while since we talked. I regret that now,” Grian adds on, voice just a whisper. He looks away to avoid their gazes.

After a minute Cassie speaks again, “me and Karie, my twin, are as thick as thieves. Cause problems like that too, we drove our parents crazy.” She laughs, it’s not fully hollow, “we’re close knit still. Parents live out of town,” she pauses before continuing, tone quieter, “we talk regularly though.”

Now if that isn’t a stab to his heart… Not that Grian can blame her, it’s his own fault after all.

~

“Not that I want to bash your topic choices,” Adrian begins, “but all I’m hearing about is blood family.”

“Is that an issue?” Lily asks, tone curious and genuine.

“Nah, I’m just starting to think that I’m the only one here who’s only close family is a partner.”

“Tell us about them then,” Cassie prompts him. Grian can’t help but be curious as well.

“Her name is Anna and we’ve been dating for some years now.” A wistful smile crosses his face, “I was planning on proposing to her before this. Went through so much effort to make sure the ring was hidden, she sniffs out secrets better then a wolf to meat. She probably found it.” His smile falls, “I wish I could have seen her expression when she did.”

“I’m sorry, man,” Ray murmurs.

“I just have to keep hope that I’ll see her again.”

“I feel that,” Grian speaks, meeting his eyes. “Just hoping I can see my boyfriend at least one more time.”

“Mhm,” Adrian hums, “Anna and I did everything together. We’re only really apart when we’re working. There’s never a dull moment around our place with her around.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he confirms. “She could bring humor and light to any situation as well. Probably even this one honestly, I’m glad she’s not here though.”

“Scar’s the same,” Grian murmurs, letting himself think about happier times, even if it leaves an ache in his chest. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone kinder or with a bigger heart. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

Adrian chuckles, there’s definitely humor in it now, “I feel the same about Anna, I’d be a mess without her.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a mess, but I can’t imagine my life without him.”

“They sound wonderful,” Lily murmurs with a light smile. “I’ve had a crush on my best friend for a while now, couldn’t bring myself to say anything though. Guess this is a lesson that I shouldn’t delay doing things. Too bad I learned it too late.”

“Hey, no,” Ray says, a protest, but a gentle one. “We’re going to get out of here. I won’t give up until we do.”*

Erika smiles, “thanks Ray. For putting in the effort to keep things positive. This would be way worse without you.”

“I mean it,” Ray says, “I’m going to do everything I can to get all of us out of here.”

“I don’t know what I’d be able to do,” Grian begins, confidence boosted by Ray’s passion. “But I hate sitting around powerless, so I’ll help any way I can.”

~

“It’s been a few hours,” Erika whispers, staring down the hall, tense.

“Do you think something has happened to him?” Adrian asks, worry clear.

“A test has never taken this long before,” Grian murmurs, sitting up and fully focusing on where they last saw Ray.

“What if he succeeded?” Cassie whispers, voice cautious, like she’s too afraid to hope.

None of them answer, all tense as they wait, fear and hope clashing with different strengths.

Not much longer two watchers stalk down the hallway, empty handed. Besides a key. They open one door and beckon towards Erika, “come.” She startles, stepping back. Without hesitation, one of them steps inside and grabs her, dragging her out and away.

“Wait!” Adrian calls, “what happened to Ray?”

The other watcher turns to look at them, “he wasn’t strong enough to handle our gifts.” They leave, ignoring the chilled silence they left in their wake.

~

“Do you think there’s much hope left?” Lily whispers, legs pulled up to her chest with his arms and tail wrapped around them.

“We’re still alive, aren’t we?” Adrian replies, but he doesn’t sound confident.

“Just us three,” Grian says, slowly losing his own confidence. It’s not like he still isn’t trying, but they haven’t made much progress. Not to mention that each ‘gift’ The Watcher’s attempt to give them only saps their energy and strength more. Grian isn’t sure if he’s waiting to be able to use something they give him against them, or for the next one to kill him. He’d rather not die, of course, but sometimes with the pain he feels during…

“At least some of us are, there’s still a chance,” he counters, clearly trying to keep his voice strong.

“You’re just trying to convince yourself, aren’t you?” Lily whispers, eyes focused on him, parts of her Iris turning purple.

“I forgot you could do that,” Adrian whispers, and his facade crumbles. He slumps against the wall, all energy seeming to drain out of him. “I’m just getting weaker over here. I’m already counting down to my death.” He glances over at Grian, “you two are the ones who have a chance of getting out of here.” He takes in a slow breath, as if steeling himself for what he’s going to say, “when you guys get out can… can you tell Anna that I love her? Tell her that I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye in person.”

Grian inhales sharply at the words, caught off guard. He composes himself after a minute, “I will. I’ll tell her,” he says

solemnly. “I’ll find everyone the others mentioned too. I’ll make sure none of you will go forgotten.” If I survive. Grian doesn’t say it.

Lily stares at them for a moment before nodding too, “I promise as well.” The doubt is clear in her voice.

~

Once he’s sure he’s far enough away, Grian pulls out the paper and pen he stole. It was a risk, but he has to do it. It’s the least he could do, for not being able to save them. He writes down all of their names, followed by everything important they shared with him.

They may be dead, but Grian will keep them alive in his memories. He also has to tell their loved ones. He doesn’t want to face them and tell them that he survived while the one they loved died, but it’s his price to pay. They deserve to know the truth, deserve to have closure.

They all deserve to have a proper burial, Grian thinks bitterly. The Watcher’s destroyed the bodies of everyone who died, leaving not a single trace of them ever being there. He wished there was. To give their loved ones something to remember them by.

This is what Grian would have wanted if he died, so he has to do it for them back. Grian glances back at his wings, now colored with a purple gradient. He feels the magic coursing through his veins, ready to be summoned whenever he wants.

After all, if he can’t face his own family, why not face theirs?

—————

I’m not all too happy with how I wrote some of this, but I think I got the general idea of things down.

*cries in the corner of my cage* THEY ALL DIED

poor Grian tho having to go through all that, get close to them just for them to get ripped away and him getting out alive.. WAAAH

[slashingdisneypasta]

Dude, I feel like dealing with some of the Disney Villains’s siblings would make the villains annoyed/embarrassed and they might apologize to their S/O later for having to deal with their family.

Like with Hades and Scar, they’d definitely be embarrassed because both of their brothers are prideful, loud, and seem to be overly optimistic.

Ursula is more annoyed then anything because her sister is always trying to outdo her (but always seems to fail to). Ursula is just trying to take her little S/O on a date and now her sister is challenging her. (Obviously, this is kinda headcanon because we never actually saw these two interact but I feel like Morgana definitely challenges Ursula on a monthly basis)

When it comes to Prince John, meeting his brother is actually that bad, but you have to deal with the fallout of dealing with PJ’s tantrum after.

And there’s Jafar, who’s actually happy to have his twin sister around because they’re basically the same person (I mean…that’s most evil twins right?).

Oh Hades and Scar would absolutelyyyyy hate it if their S/O's met their brothers. All their lives they've been second best to Zeus and Mufasa! What if you like them better now that you've met them? I mean, neither Hades or Scar will let you leave them if you did, but they might be deluded into thinking you do want their brothers more now- even if you insist you dont (-yeah yeah yeah whatever. C'mon, babe, we're gettin' outta here. You're stuck with me, ya got it? // You know how i detest lying, dear. *sigh* nevertheless- you belong to me. Right?... yes. Good.) . It's just what they've been taught all their lives and its been ingrained into them; that Zeus and Mufasa are just always preferable cuz they're kinder, stronger, more approachable, and all that. Even if Hades and Scar talk like they're confident I bet you they have this subconscious thinking.

Oh my goodness Morgana! XD 😅 Ursula would be so bored and annoyed- like, assuring you like sweetums this will be over quick and then you and I can get back to it, I promise~

Oh boy, P.J having a tantrum afterwards 😅😅😅 You and Hiss are just trying to calm him while Richard's in the other room like 'sorry guys! Wish I could talk to him without it ending this way but he always does this! Bye now- ' (sorry, I'm not familiar with Richard 😅😅😅)

Evil twins, huh?... oh you're right about that, they would be very similar XD Very similar... what if Nasira developed her own liking for dear Y/N?... XD and because they are, you know, EVIL- she tried to steal you right out from beneath Jafar's thumb. Luckily Jafar warned you this might happen beforehand and has you right by his side the whole time XDD

[afaroffsong]

lantern - how did you meet your best friend? What were your first impressions of each other?

frost - if you could give some advice to your younger self, what would you say?

maple - is there a hobby / skill that you’ve always wanted to try but never did?

harvest - what fictional character do you most identify with? Why?

fireside - if you had your dream wardrobe, what would it look like?

cider - a food that you disliked as a child but now enjoy?

amber - share an unpopular opinion that you may have.

fog - how well do you think you’d do in a zombie apocalypse scenario?

jack-o-lantern - if you could look like any celebrity, who would you choose?

spice - have you ever encountered a house that you believed to be haunted?

orchard - share one thing that you’d like to happen this autumn.

crow - which school subject do you wish you had an aptitude for?

bonfire - describe your dream house.

cinnamon - if you had to live in a time period different than the present, which would you choose and where?

cobweb - (if you’ve graduated) do you miss high school?

cranberry - what’s one physical feature that you get complimented on?

maize - share the weirdest encounter you’ve had with a stranger on the street.

quilt - how do you take your tea (or coffee)?

pumpkin - do you think that humans are inherently good or bad?

moonlit - are you a neat or messy person? Is your room / house orderly?

flannel - have you ever gone on a bad date? 

cocoa - if you could have any type of hair, what colour and cut would you have?

ghost - is there someone that you miss having in your life?

Everything. I want to know everything about you, my dear. ^_^

Best friend - My best friend (besides you) is my sister. I don't know what my impression of her was, but I'm told I tried several times to poke her in the eye. I was exactly 15 months, 6 days and 12 hours old when she was born.

Advice to my younger self - Oh. I've actually thought about this a lot. Little me needed a lot of advice and guidance she never got. Probably I would tell my 11-year-old self to trust God, trust that He cares, and pray a lot more. Maybe I would tell my 12-year-old self, "God doesn't hate you." I really needed to hear that. One or the other.

Hobby/skill I've always wanted to try - I've always wanted to dance. I did ballet as an 8-year-old. I was really quite terrible at it. But Irish dancing has my heart...

Fictional character I identify with - Beth March. She is literally me. Or I am literally her. Except she is much kinder and more selfless.

Dream wardrobe - *sigh* I am not a fashionable person. I would be happy wearing plain black leggings and purple/blue/black sweaters for the rest of my life. That being said, I do wish I could find clothes that actually look flattering on me. It seems everything these days is made for women with my sister's body type. We never share clothes because the moment I see her wearing something of my own I say, "Right. That's it. Keep it. It looks way better on you anyway." XD

Food I disliked as a child but now enjoy - Stuff with yeast in it. I hated the flavour of yeast as a child. I don't mind it now. Either that or soup/stew--little me thought it was disgusting, but I could eat soup every day.

Unpopular opinion - Oh dear. I don't know. I think liquorice is quite tasty? Most people don't. XD

How well would I do in a zombie apocalypse - I would either die in a really dumb way or trying to protect my siblings. I don't think I would last very long. XD

If I could look like any celebrity - Hmm, this one stumped me. Audrey Hepburn was very pretty.

Have I ever encountered a house I believed to be haunted - I don't think so. If ghosts are real I am among the majority of people who are totally clueless to their existence.

One thing I'd like to happen this autumn - I would like to enter my first dressage competition on my pony. But that would take a lot of courage, more than I have at the moment.

School subject I wish I had an aptitude for - History. Fascinating, of course, but nothing ever stuck in my head.

Dream house - Small, cosy, located in the countryside. A few stables, a lot of land. A family, some horses, a dog, maybe. I don't really dream about what it would look like, mostly how I would like it to feel.

Different time period - I'm quite happy in this modern age BUT if I had to go back in time... maybe the 50's? It's a time period I don't know much about. Also I'd like to wear dresses in my day-to-day life without that being weird, but also have the convenience of electricity and plumbing, etc.

Do I miss high school - I was homeschooled and no. I was so stressed out for no reason. And lonely. Not a fun time.

A physical feature I get complimented on - My hair, occasionally. Maybe once every other year.

The weirdest encounter I've had with a stranger on the street - I honestly believe my baby brother and I were nearly kidnapped once. We were walking on the road, a white van with two men inside stopped alongside us and they just stared and smiled at us. It was very creepy and I don't know why they drove away, but I was EXTREMELY happy when they did.

Tea - one sugar cube, a drop of milk. Decaf so I don't vibrate into oblivion.

Do I think humans are inherently good or bad - I think everyone is, inherently, both. Made in the image of God but raised in a broken world. Environment, potential, choices, experiences--these all add up. I have a hard time putting my thoughts on deeper subjects like this into words.

Neat or messy - Unfortunately I am very messy. If I didn't share a room with my sister I would probably be worse. (She hates my mess.)

Gone on a bad date - I have never been on a date, period. XD

Hair - I have always wanted curly hair. I don't really mind what colour--I am too dark in complexion, probably for anything lighter than what I have, which is really really dark brown.

Someone I miss having in my life - Probably just extended family in general. My grandparents on my mother's side keep in touch with me, but everyone else seems to have forgotten we're still alive over here in the little country of Ireland.

Thank you for the many, many asks, I really enjoyed answering them. :D <33

[all54321]

Prisoners’ Hope

Summery: With nothing to do beside waiting for a horrible fate, the prisoners of the Watchers recall happier times. This way, at least someone can share the news with those they love.

Some snippets of moments during Grian’s capture. The first one takes place a good while into it, while the rest are spread throughout the rest of the time.

Warnings for mentions of death, torture, and experimentation as well. Nothing in detail, but they talk about it.

—————

Grian holds his knees to his chest, wings hanging limply behind him. He’s not sure if it will work, but… well, he’s already losing hope, it can’t get much worse from here. If talking about their families helps, then he’ll listen.

“I’m the oldest of my siblings,” Ray begins, moving closer to the bars of his cell. “Our parents weren’t the best, so I was the one who raised them. We… we’re all really close still.” He cracks a grin, “within a few minutes travel close.” It feels hollow.

“I’m really close to my sister too,” Cassie says, “we’re twins.”

“The oldest of my siblings are twins too,” Ray says, his smile seeming a little bit more real. He looks around at the others, “anyone else here related to a twin?”

“Me,” Grian speaks before he can even think it through. He shrinks back when everyone looks at him, “but, um, she doesn’t live around here. It’s been a while since we talked. I regret that now,” Grian adds on, voice just a whisper. He looks away to avoid their gazes.

After a minute Cassie speaks again, “me and Karie, my twin, are as thick as thieves. Cause problems like that too, we drove our parents crazy.” She laughs, it’s not fully hollow, “we’re close knit still. Parents live out of town,” she pauses before continuing, tone quieter, “we talk regularly though.”

Now if that isn’t a stab to his heart… Not that Grian can blame her, it’s his own fault after all.

~

“Not that I want to bash your topic choices,” Adrian begins, “but all I’m hearing about is blood family.”

“Is that an issue?” Lily asks, tone curious and genuine.

“Nah, I’m just starting to think that I’m the only one here who’s only close family is a partner.”

“Tell us about them then,” Cassie prompts him. Grian can’t help but be curious as well.

“Her name is Anna and we’ve been dating for some years now.” A wistful smile crosses his face, “I was planning on proposing to her before this. Went through so much effort to make sure the ring was hidden, she sniffs out secrets better then a wolf to meat. She probably found it.” His smile falls, “I wish I could have seen her expression when she did.”

“I’m sorry, man,” Ray murmurs.

“I just have to keep hope that I’ll see her again.”

“I feel that,” Grian speaks, meeting his eyes. “Just hoping I can see my boyfriend at least one more time.”

“Mhm,” Adrian hums, “Anna and I did everything together. We’re only really apart when we’re working. There’s never a dull moment around our place with her around.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he confirms. “She could bring humor and light to any situation as well. Probably even this one honestly, I’m glad she’s not here though.”

“Scar’s the same,” Grian murmurs, letting himself think about happier times, even if it leaves an ache in his chest. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone kinder or with a bigger heart. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

Adrian chuckles, there’s definitely humor in it now, “I feel the same about Anna, I’d be a mess without her.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a mess, but I can’t imagine my life without him.”

“They sound wonderful,” Lily murmurs with a light smile. “I’ve had a crush on my best friend for a while now, couldn’t bring myself to say anything though. Guess this is a lesson that I shouldn’t delay doing things. Too bad I learned it too late.”

“Hey, no,” Ray says, a protest, but a gentle one. “We’re going to get out of here. I won’t give up until we do.”*

Erika smiles, “thanks Ray. For putting in the effort to keep things positive. This would be way worse without you.”

“I mean it,” Ray says, “I’m going to do everything I can to get all of us out of here.”

“I don’t know what I’d be able to do,” Grian begins, confidence boosted by Ray’s passion. “But I hate sitting around powerless, so I’ll help any way I can.”

~

“It’s been a few hours,” Erika whispers, staring down the hall, tense.

“Do you think something has happened to him?” Adrian asks, worry clear.

“A test has never taken this long before,” Grian murmurs, sitting up and fully focusing on where they last saw Ray.

“What if he succeeded?” Cassie whispers, voice cautious, like she’s too afraid to hope.

None of them answer, all tense as they wait, fear and hope clashing with different strengths.

Not much longer two watchers stalk down the hallway, empty handed. Besides a key. They open one door and beckon towards Erika, “come.” She startles, stepping back. Without hesitation, one of them steps inside and grabs her, dragging her out and away.

“Wait!” Adrian calls, “what happened to Ray?”

The other watcher turns to look at them, “he wasn’t strong enough to handle our gifts.” They leave, ignoring the chilled silence they left in their wake.

~

“Do you think there’s much hope left?” Lily whispers, legs pulled up to her chest with his arms and tail wrapped around them.

“We’re still alive, aren’t we?” Adrian replies, but he doesn’t sound confident.

“Just us three,” Grian says, slowly losing his own confidence. It’s not like he still isn’t trying, but they haven’t made much progress. Not to mention that each ‘gift’ The Watcher’s attempt to give them only saps their energy and strength more. Grian isn’t sure if he’s waiting to be able to use something they give him against them, or for the next one to kill him. He’d rather not die, of course, but sometimes with the pain he feels during…

“At least some of us are, there’s still a chance,” he counters, clearly trying to keep his voice strong.

“You’re just trying to convince yourself, aren’t you?” Lily whispers, eyes focused on him, parts of her Iris turning purple.

“I forgot you could do that,” Adrian whispers, and his facade crumbles. He slumps against the wall, all energy seeming to drain out of him. “I’m just getting weaker over here. I’m already counting down to my death.” He glances over at Grian, “you two are the ones who have a chance of getting out of here.” He takes in a slow breath, as if steeling himself for what he’s going to say, “when you guys get out can… can you tell Anna that I love her? Tell her that I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye in person.”

Grian inhales sharply at the words, caught off guard. He composes himself after a minute, “I will. I’ll tell her,” he says solemnly. “I’ll find everyone the others mentioned too. I’ll make sure none of you will go forgotten.” If I survive. Grian doesn’t say it.

Lily stares at them for a moment before nodding too, “I promise as well.” The doubt is clear in her voice.

~

Once he’s sure he’s far enough away, Grian pulls out the paper and pen he stole. It was a risk, but he has to do it. It’s the least he could do, for not being able to save them. He writes down all of their names, followed by everything important they shared with him.

They may be dead, but Grian will keep them alive in his memories. He also has to tell their loved ones. He doesn’t want to face them and tell them that he survived while the one they loved died, but it’s his price to pay. They deserve to know the truth, deserve to have closure.

They all deserve to have a proper burial, Grian thinks bitterly. The Watcher’s destroyed the bodies of everyone who died, leaving not a single trace of them ever being there. He wished there was. To give their loved ones something to remember them by.

This is what Grian would have wanted if he died, so he has to do it for them back. Grian glances back at his wings, now colored with a purple gradient. He feels the magic coursing through his veins, ready to be summoned whenever he wants.

After all, if he can’t face his own family, why not face theirs?

—————

I’m not entirely happy with this, but it has the vibes I was going for. They’re trapped, they do their best to stay positive, everyone but Grian dies, he escapes and becomes a vigilante.

Some explanations on what the Watcher’s are doing to them: Normal people aren’t supposed to be given non natural power. Either someone is born with it or not. The Watchers are trying to forcefully give people magic. They do it in small portions to try to mitigate the risk. Which works, since in small doses the issues from the experiment failing is minimal. Over time the person’s strength and energy is sapped until they literally cannot go on anymore. If it succeeds, the person gains whatever power the Watchers chose to give them. Lily could see through lies, for example.

I really want to emphasize Grian’s line about being powerless in this AU. Because it’s a major aspect of his actions here. Before this, he was just a normal person, no powers or any abilities to make him close to a hero’s strength. Which is an issue since Grian hasn’t liked the heroes for some time as it was. He hates being powerless against them. The Watchers gave him powers, he is no longer powerless against the heroes. Somehow, something good came from this. A little bit, at least.

[lunarosewood23]

28 Days of Love #5: Toxic

Sibling Shenaniganry AU: A love like theirs was never meant to last.

Context: This AU is a what if of “What if Charibert had been adopted by the Cross family and went through MSQ with Raven.” It still happens mostly the same (so Haurchefant still dies which rips Raven to shreds). He meets Yotsuyu and Echos off of her, seeing her entire story and he is PISSED...

Or I have a scary realization that if they met while in the “Imma burn the world to the ground” phase then there would be a lot more bodies bc they enable each other.

Gods above what kind of monster have I made???

Previous Prompt

Prompt List

~~~

“Come here, huǒ hè.”

And of course he went to her side.

He could hear his sister’s disappointed sigh, but he knew she knew he was the only one who could help her see reason.

“The Witch of Doma was a monster of Doma’s own making, Lord Hien. If you wish to ensure it doesn’t happen again, teach your people to take better care of their daughters.”

Those were the last words said before the castle began to crumble. The old man Gosetsu had stayed behind to allow his sister and the others to escape.

He hopes his sister won’t be too angry with him.

~~~

They were alive, somehow.

By the grace of whatever deities were out there they were alive.

But Yotsuyu...

His dearly beloved Yotsuyu...

She lost her memory. She remembers nothing of before and doesn’t even remember her torment from her past. Which in a way is a blessing due to not remembering the torment and pain she suffered.

By the Fury it hurt though. The very fact that she couldn’t remember a thing about him or their relationship. What little of it there was anyway.

“What hurts you?” She’d ask.

And he’d always reply with “Nothing, cherished nightbloom. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

~~~

She remembered.

But she summoned a primal.

He hated this so much. He made an oath to protect her and she goes and does this.

“My nightbloom please listen to me! You don’t have to do this!”

“Oh huǒ hè, I know. But I am tired my dear, and we both know that even if we were to go away I would not be suffered to live.”

“Yotsuyu...”

The battle raged, and when the shades of the dead appeared he raised a wall of fire around them to protect her, but even then it did not stop the shade of Zenos from cutting him down to get to her.

Alas, the primal would take hold again.

Yotsuyu must survive...

He hoped, but he doubted it would come to pass.

His heart squeezed when the primal had been destroyed and he caught her in his arms.

"Cherished nightbloom, please..." He breathed as he held her tightly against him.

A gunshot rang out and he acted as a shield with his body to protect her, followed by a sharp pain and a boot connecting with his back.

Ahh, Asahi.

If Yotsuyu couldn’t muster the strength, he would gladly rip the bastard apart for her.

She was able to kill him, her bloodlust finally satiated after the last of her tormentors were slaughtered by her own hands. But it was the last thing she could do.

"Why do you weep huǒ hè? The Witch of Doma will soon be dead." She asked him, her voice soft and raspy as her bloody hand cupped his face.

Tears slid down his cheeks as he held her. "You deserve a kinder fate, my cherished nightbloom..."

"Who would care for a speck of night dew that will only evaporate in the dawn?"

"I do. I love you, Yotsuyu."

Her breath caught in her throat before she gave him a soft smile. “A fool you are huǒ hè...yet...I feel the same...perhaps in another life...”

“Yotsuyu please don’t go...please...” He sobbed, but it was too late, her aether dispersed and all that was left was her body, cold and lifeless.

His sobs echoed across the castrum as he mourned his lost love, his beloved nightbloom.

[floralseokjin]

Big fan of 9MTFIL. This is a little personal so if you're not comfortable sharing on your blog, no need, but I just wanted to let you know author how your work has touched me. And respond a bit to that anon who dismissed your work like that.

My mom passed away when I was in college, and then a little less than a year later, before my siblings and I were ready, he quickly got into a very serious relationship and got remarried (on Mother's Day... lol). He didn't handle the whole thing with a lot of grace and he treats her and her kids very differently than he did my siblings and my mom. Much kinder, more involved, etc. Throughout all of this, despite our efforts to communicate, my Dad maintained this stance that we just didn't want him to be happy and the heart wants what it wants. Needless to say, we now have a very strained relationship with our Dad and it reminds me a lot of 9MTFIL.

I can't speak for everyone's experiences, but I personally have loved reading this story so much because it makes me feel so seen. It took a lot of time, therapy, and slogging through trauma to come to terms as best I could with the situation and to realize that our parents are just humans, not infallible beings who are always in the right and we must always defer to. Through therapy I realized that a lot of what I experienced in my childhood was not normal, and was not okay. I still don't agree with all of my Dad's choices, but it's through this process I have at least been able to understand him better and relieve myself of the blame for him not being the father I wish he was.

I see OC going through a lot of these same struggles in the story. She has a right to be upset with her Dad, and she shouldn't be forced to absolve him for the past just because he's her father, and her struggle to move forward with coexisting with the pain of the past and the possibilities of their relationship in the future. Obviously her dad's reaction to her pregnancy was the crux of the conflict in these latest chapters, but the anon doesn't seem to recognize that both he and OC are reacting in the context of these greater, underlying issues that have been brewing between them for a long time. It's so much more nuanced than: "a woman from a "good" family should care about her parents' opinions".

Also, reading this last chapter was so cathartic for me. I really wish I could have that type of conversation my Dad. Maybe someday. At the very least, this chapter has given me a little bit of inspiration to have those harder conversations. Much love, author.

Thank you for letting me know this. You didn’t have to share your story but you did, and I’m very thankful and touched. To say you found the last chapter cathartic means so much to me. I really hope that one day you do get to have that conversation with your dad, you deserve it. I know this is essentially “just” a Seokjin fanfic, but Oc and her father’s story is one of my favourite things to come out of it. Can’t wait to write more of them this season!

[notes-from-the-neath]

A diary entry

Although the book's pages are still largely empty, this journal is beginning to look slightly more worn-in - a section of the leather on the back cover is lightly scratched, as though its owner had been leaning it upon a rough surface while writing. The second entry reads:

"The first of April, 1899 the fourth.

"Upon arrival to the Neath, I had hoped to find answers. While I suspect that this week has left me with rather more questions than answers, I feel that at least they are a better variety of question, and that I am beginning to locate - as if searching by fingertip in darkness - the points which require most attention for a satisfactory resolution.

"I have been rather fortunate in that my initial forays into employment have complemented these desires well; I have conducted a number of minor investigations upon request, most being relatively simple matters. One, though, has left... something of a weight on my mind. I had known that all manner of impossible things were made possible in London, but the discovery of the poor young Comtessa slowly turning to stone... the thought still shakes me. At the time I had considered whether it might not be a kinder thing, to give her a true death as a member of humanity. The thought of my own body becoming stone fills me with nothing but a sick dread, and yet... I could not bring myself to decide something so final for her. If it were true that she chose to become stone, what right had I to overrule her in that choice? What good would it have done, when either way she would be lost to the world she had known? I still cannot say that I know I took the right path on that night, but surely there is not evil in having let her have what chances of life are left to her. Surely.

"I will not dwell on the matter for now; it is done, and it cannot be undone. I am at least fortunate that the troubling business led me to acquaint myself with the singular talent that is the Implacable Detective, of whom I had heard so much praise. I provided her with assistance on some minor escapade involving a mandrake, and she in turn has passed on a little investigative work when she has been otherwise occupied, which has proven decidedly more lucrative than my previous endeavours. To this end, I have chosen to allow my focus to move on from my employment in investigative work for the moment, with the reassurance that should I wish to return, I am in good stead to find future paying cases with her aid.

"I have, however, chosen to retain a few investigative projects for my own curiosity. Of particular note are a particular Curate and a lady who was introduced as his sister, although from what I have gleaned I must hope that this is a falsehood - although many taboos of the world above go unremarked in the Neath, I cannot believe that incest would be included in that number, and I have slipped glimpses of letters that leave little doubt in my mind that they do not see each other in a familiar manner. I do not know why exactly they would choose to present themselves as siblings, but there is clearly something afoot, and if I am not mistaken it may well involve Hell, for I have heard concerning whispers regarding the selling of souls linked to such a hallowed place as the Church. For now, I am choosing to slowly ingratiate myself to them both so I may decide what to do with the fullest clarity.

"Another matter I have been introduced to concerns an individual I known only as the Cheesemonger. From what little I can glean, she is a figure in the world of intrigues referred to in Fallen London as the Great Game, and evidently one of some renown to those in such circles. I had fully expected that she would be found only if she wished to be, but did succeed in making myself known, and hope I will see some benefit to it in time. If knowledge is currency, who would better be able to source it? However, given the foolishness of expecting spies to readily part with their secrets, I have found a rather promising avenue for my own research: an area known as the Forgotten Quarter.

"I am told that the Forgotten Quarter is all that remains of the Fourth City of the Bazaar; London is evidently the Fifth. I had, of course, seen a number of examples of supposed relics of this departed city, but they were frankly somewhat uninformative as to the character of the city itself. Exploring the Quarter, by contrast, has proven rather more revelatory. The relics one finds there are not only of far more reliable providence, but are frankly marvellous, with one find in particular outshining all others thus far. The Correspondence Stones! Words struggle to describe their mysteries - not helped by a regrettable tendency of the symbols upon them to encourage both eye strain and blinding headaches upon prolonged examination - and yet I succeeded well enough to pen a little study which attracted rather flattering amounts of attention. It seems that before long I may once again find myself welcomed to a University's campus - and, rather unlike my previous studies, without the need for any dissembling! for gender seems to be viewed as entirely irrelevant should one have sufficient thirst for knowledge. I intend to take full advantage of the welcome I have been offered in good time, but there are other matters that I must attend to before I devote myself to those solely academic; there is yet much to be done.

"I shall finish today's entry at that; time continues apace, regardless of the calendrical oddities of London, and I have business to attend to. I can but hope that it continues to be informative."

[truckstoptigers]

sometimes i feel bad because i feel... angry w/ my youngest brother's mom. she's a much better mother to him than she was when she was still with our father, but i can't seem to forgive her. not when she almost backhanded my brother for accidentally spilling his toys and came within inches of doing the same to me because i darted in front of him when she raised her hand. not when i saw how absolutely abysmally she treated my brother because he's autistic (and so am i).

not when if it weren't for her, our father never would've gone to court & gotten custody in the first place, and i never would've been abused. he held me once when i was born & promptly fucked off after until i was four, and my brother's mom convinced him to take my mom to court. he signed away his rights on my big sister, and i was born just a year or two after her. he had no intention of being a father to any of us, and she found that out the hard way.

i hate her sometimes for being the one that actually convinced him to fight for custody. i can't help it. i kind of hate the judge that looked at his track record & somehow thought he was a worthy father that deserved time with the child he made explicitly clear he didn't want. she was not nice to me in the years that they were together. she screamed at me often if i did anything wrong/anything she just didn't like, & i got that from him too. i never once felt safe in that house.

she doesn't know what he did to me. she doesn't know how fucking lucky she is that he wasn't interested in my brother like that. i made sure the question never even came up. i wanted to be enough for him, because if i was, then nothing would happen to my littlest siblings on his side. she has no idea that he took so long to put me to bed every night i was there (mom got 80%, he got 20%) because he was raping me. sometimes he'd even sneak in a couple hours later just to wake me up and do it again.

all while she was just down the hall in the living room.

she was right there and she has no idea. i HOPE she has no idea. if she knew and didn't say anything, it'd kill me. at that point in time i wouldn't have put it past her to know & not tell anyone, especially my mom, about what he was doing to me. i wouldn't put it past his next girlfriend either, who gave me my little sister. i can only pray to a god i don't think i believe in that he didn't do the same to my little sister. it would kill me. but as far as i saw, he didn't try.

my brother & his mom live in kentucky now. she's with a much kinder man who loves my brother the way a father should and i couldn't be more grateful to him for that, even though i've never met the man. her relationship after our father was abusive, and even though i can't say i like her, i do firmly believe that she didn't deserve that. no one does. i have half a mind to think our father hit her too, because he hit me. i don't know. i'm just glad she and my brother are safe.

i don't think i can forgive her. i wish i could, but i can't find it in myself to do it. i remember too much. we were still living with her when he started trafficking me. didn't she think it was weird that he would always be driving me places & returning alone, often not leaving again for hours? didn't she wonder where i was? what did he tell her when she asked? DID she even ask?

did she care enough to ask?

[klaus-littlestwolf]

Time’s Up -Klaus M.

Klaus’ Trip to Wonderland Pt8

Klaus Mikaelson x Cheshire Cat (F Human Version)

KTtW Masterlist

If you asked me I honestly couldn't tell you how I got here, running through Time's castle with all my friends (still strange to think that I have friends) trying to keep time from ending.

After seeing the Hatter and being kicked out for not believing his family could still be alive I spent the evening with my mate, something I had not had the chance to do as of yet.  From the time we met we were always running, running from the red knights or the Red Queen, my being locked in a jail cell seperated from her, the only time we had to ourselves was the night before the battle, and even after that we were separated yet again.  So you could understand my happiness at the idea of spending the rest of eternity in a land that doesn't seem at age all that much with my mate, no worries of Mikael or my siblings or any other enemy that may want to hurt me or my mate, and here I am, yet again, running.  I may be a vampire and able to do it for quite a long time, but I am starting to hate running.

Unknown to me, Alice had stolen the Chronosphere, the only device in existence that can enable you to time travel.  She discovered the Hatters family is alive and was being held by the Red Queen, he now has them back but in the oddest possible form, shrunken in an ant farm. I wish I had that kind of thing when my family displeased me through the years, it would have been kinder than daggering them...

Back to the running.  It seemed everything was completely freezing, now covered in some kind of stone.  "Run Alice!"  Mctwisp shouted, jumping from a platform and hopping along side us and I knew as we came to a fork in the hallways, seeing the stone spreading down the walls and all that laid in its path, that we were next.

"I love you pet."  The words came out of my mouth before I even thought about it but I pulled my tiny mate closer to my body and nuzzled her throat, taking in her scent one final time.

"I love you too Niklaus, more than anything."  She was shaking, terrified and clinging to me so tightly I could feel her claws, that were not usually on display, digging into my arms.

"I've lived 1000 years and had no better day than today just being with you.  I always thought that in the end we were left infinitely and utterly alone, but you...you spared me of that and I wish we had more time kitten."  Her fear only made her scent more intoxicating and I held her so close there was no space between us, her face in my chest.

"I was so lonely for so long, thank you for finding me, I cherish the time we did have together but..."  She pulled back to look in my eyes as the stone reached us, freezing our friends, getting closer to us, I felt my feet stick to the floor and it spreading up my legs as our eyes met.  "...times up."  She connected our lips as she said this and the world went dark.

[sandbees]

A few about the Great Seven interacting with Twisted Wonderland characters VIA Yuu. 👀 I only have one word summary; Chaos.

Who would meet the Great Seven first? Obviously the first years (along with Ortho and Grim). They’re Yuu’s best friends after all.

Actually, it was Friday, the last day of the week. And coincidentally, that night would be a special night at the House of Mouse. Ariel and her sisters would be performing that night.

Mickey told Yuu that that they could invite anyone to watch the performance. So Yuu went to get special permission to take their friends along with them.

After kidnapping Ortho After Yuu gathers everyone, they explain that they’re going out to see a special performance at their workplace.

Keep in mind that no one knows exactly what Yuu’s new job was except Grim and Crowley. So naturally everyone was in on it and curious. (Only Grim knows about Yuu meeting the Great Seven though)

Ace: So where do you work at?

Yuu: I work at a club.

Epel: ...As in a strip club or a book club?

Yuu: Wtf Epel? It’s like a club but no alcohol. It’s technically a restaurant but they have live shows and put on a lot of performances so-

Deuce: Oh! That’s cool, we get to see it together!

Yuu: Actually I’m not going to be with you guys. I’m on duty that day so I’ll be waiting tables. But I’ll join during break.

Ace: Really? Bummer.

Ortho: Aw, I wanted to hang out with you too! But it will be fun nonetheless. :D

Yuu tells them to wait downstairs as they go upstairs to get everything ready.

They are low-key nervous, because the House of Mouse isn’t...exactly normal by Twisted Wonderland standards.

Meanwhile, Grim was telling the first years about Yuu’s experiences there.

Grim: You know, the House of Mouse is really popular, I’ve heard about a lot of customers Yuu has met.

Deuce: This job must have been hard...I’m glad Yuu got it though!

Grim: Yeah, they pay them 5,000 madol! Isn’t that great?!

Sebek: 5,000 madol?! That’s a lot more than being a waiter.

Ace: In a week? I mean having a salary of 5,000 is pretty impressive.

Grim: Hehe, it’s actually 5,000 a day.

First Years: WHAT?!

Jack: To be able to pay that much...the owner must be wealthy.

Epel: Yuu lucked out!

When Yuu comes down, the first years are asking a billion questions.

How did you find a job with such a high pay??? Is the work good?? Is your boss nice to you?? Explain everything-

Yuu assured them that their job is just waiting a bunch of tables, and that they’re payed well because the place is very popular.

Anyways, Yuu tells them that they’re going now and leads them upstairs.

“Shouldn’t we be going to the hall of mirrors-?” “It won’t work.”

The group kind of loses their mind as Yuu casually pushes Ace into their mirror, Grim follows behind.

“Come on, or do I have to push you through the mirror like I did with Ace?”

Safe to say is that they go through the mirror and are greeted with a very lavish dressing room.

“Wait woah this isn’t Mickey’s dressing room.”

Yuu finds a note and read it out loud. Apparently Mickey moved the mirror to a new room so they could have privacy. Anything in the room is for their use.

“I’m going to cry. He’s so nICE I DON’T DESERVE THIS-“

Yuu is pretty happy with this arrangement, actually. They also begin to explain the club’s shtick to their friends.

“So this is basically a club for entertainment with live shows and also cartoons on the screen. Oh, and sometimes a cat named Pete tries to sabotage the show so he can kick everyone out and make this his club.” “Isn’t that illegal-“ “Not if there’s no police.”

So anyways Yuu leads them outside and they run into Goofy.

Sebek: Is that-?

Yuu: Hi Goofy, I’m bringing my friends to a table for the show-

Goofy: Yuu! There you are! You’re needed at table 14.

Yuu: What? But my shift hasn’t started-

Goofy: Reservations from Hades himself.

Yuu: Oh shit, ok yeah I’ll be there as soon as possible-

Ortho: Hades? As in the God of the Underworld?

Yuu: Yes, I’ll explain later, more importantly let’s go find you a table.

Ace: I think not telling us you actually met one of the GREAT SEVEN!

Yuu: I did tell you; and you didn’t believe me.

Everyone is vibrating in nervousness and excitement. Especially Ortho. I mean, this is the GREAT SEVEN we’re talking about!

Yuu decides to introduce them to Hades. But surprise surprise, it’s all of the Great Seven!

Yuu’s first year friends are going to pass out from shock. Oof.

With some inquiry, Yuu explains to the Great Seven that the friends they brought were from Twisted Wonderland.

Let’s just say that the First Years got invited to sit at their table. (Sebek is quaking at the idea of sitting with the Witch of Thorns)

So while Yuu leaves to start work (not after taking all of their orders first, of course), the Great Seven begin asking the first years + Grim questions.

The first years are expectantly tense, but they loosen up.

Ursula and Jafar are a little disappointed that no one from their dorm is present, but they seem to easily forget that after Yuu tells them that they know people from their respective dorms anyways.

Yuu also gives them a little more information they found about their respective dorms, so that they don’t feel...left out? (Satisfied is a better word for it)

Ursula pets Grim and Jafar feeds him crackers. Grim does not complain, he’s fine. He becomes more compliant as his tuna arrives.

And some of the other’s thoughts? Well...

The Queen of Hearts almost blew up in anger at Ace and Deuce. They are idiots that do nOT KNOW THE PROPER WAY TO SPEAK TO THEIR SUPERIORS AND THEY HAVE BROKEN AT LEAST 359 RULES ALREADY-

But somehow, the Queen of Hearts warms up to the idiotic duo. She sees them as...annoying children she has to babysit but they’re also really adorable that she can’t stay mad at them forever. Plus, Deuce is trying and Ace has these wonderful card tricks that would make her Jester cry.

So at first, she does not approve, but as the night progresses she does. 8/10 would meet the ADeuce combo again.

Scar and Jack...hm. Well, I don’t think they’d get along of Scar’s sense of morality and justice of the past was brought up. However, the villains all agreed to not bring up their villainous past because they didn’t want to scare away Yuu/make them wary and distrustful of them. Same goes for the first years.

Anyways, Scar is impressed at how buff Jack is. He isn’t surprised though - he expected residents of his dorm to be powerful. Scar lays down some well deserved praise and Jack eats it up with a tail wag. Jack also talks about his dorm and what the dorm represents. Scar’s ego rises 100x and Scar becomes somewhat...egotistical. Well, maybe not like in a “I’m shoving my ego in your face” type of ego but in a “This pleases me and I will treat you kinder” ego.

Basically, Scar opens up a little more to Jack as the night progresses. Like a mentor/student bond.

The Evil Queen and Epel...well, the Evil Queen was quite picky with how Epel was acting. Yes, he had the proper posture but really, he was using the wrong forks to eat that particular kind of food. She expected better from someone who came from her dorm. So she ended up chastising him and scolding him for being “improper”. Like Vil.

She was shocked to say when Epel accidentally snapped back at her, before returning to his more “princely” persona. Ah, so the child had more than meets the eye. She tried a different approach, as in trying to ease Epel into talking to her. Certainly, Epel was much more headstrong and willful than that naive Snow White.

So, the Evil Queen and Epel have a rocky start, but by the end of the show.

Hades and Ortho...well, that’s a combo you never see everyday. But I think Hades would basically adopt Ortho. As in suddenly he gets father vibes from the kid. He’s also particularly interested in his own dorm, and asks Ortho about it. Ortho’s pretty chatty with Hades, and is happy to tell Hades about his dorm! He also asks a few questions himself; which Hades happily obliged to.

...and then it turns into Ortho talking about Idia and how wonderful he is. And Hades is like, “damn, this kid has a wonderful big brother. How come my younger siblings act like shit to me-“

So Hades silently swore to the River of Styx to keep this child safe, and Ortho had a fun time interacting with Hades!

Sebek and Maleficent...well, it could have been worse.

Poor Sebek was tense and tight lipped for most of the night. He really wanted to make a good impression on Malleus’ grandmother. (I don’t think Sebek has met Maleficent yet so-)

Maleficent was patient, however. She knew Fae kind were raised to think of Maleficent as a high authority figure that should be treated with upmost respect. Unlike the other kingdoms; the Valley of Thorns praised Maleficent like a goddess. She didn’t blame Sebek for acting like he was.

So she started with baby steps. Talking about how wonderful it was to meet her grandson’s bodyguard, how Malleus must have grown to be a strong magician, how she wished she had stayed to know more about her grandson.

Actually, the breaking point between the tense atmosphere between the two was Malleus. Sebek opens up a little more as he continues to talk to Maleficent.

At the end of the night, they’ve only talked about Malleus, but Maleficent was content with that. After all, keeping up with what her grandson was doing was more than enough.

By the end of the night, the First Years enjoyed the special performance and their time with the Great Seven. Things went well especially when Yuu came to join during their break.

So when it was time to go, everyone had happily said their goodbyes as they were ready to return.

“Oh, before I forget...Yuu, I have almost completed the portals for the others so do expect one of us to pop in soon.” “Oh, ok!” “...THEY MIGHT VISIT US?!”

Everyone is low key excited to meet again though.

So, the first years go through the mirror and stay at Ramshackle, chatting away at their time at the House of Mouse.

_=_

Yeah, this was a looonngg write, I’m actually going to do the rest of the TW cast in another post. I hope you enjoyed this one! :)

[fandom-imagines]

Little Miss Favourite

Fandom: Harry Potter

Pairing: Teacher!Snape X Legal!Granger!Reader 

Warnings: Teacher x student relationship x)

Words: 2.5k 

It would be a lie to say that the Granger sisters weren’t incredibly smart, anyone could see it. Whilst Hermione, the younger sibling, was exceptionally talented with spells, Y/N was talented in the art of potion making; not that she wasn’t talented at other things also.

Due to her consistently high scores in potions, Y/N had caught the attention of her favourite teacher: Severus Snape, despite his annoyance towards the younger Granger. Whilst he found Hermione insufferable, Y/N was more than tolerable in his honest opinion; not that he would ever admit that to anyone, maybe not even himself.

Perhaps it was her confident personality, her boldness or her smarts, Severus would never know. Of course, it wasn’t only him that had his attention focused on her, many people did. Those people included Hermione’s friends. Y/N knew this, how could she not? The way Harry did his best to show off whilst Hermione rolled her eyes and Ron got all embarrassed, it was obvious; at least to her. Even though her personalist screamed confident, she wasn’t mean like other people at Hogwarts, not often at least.  

“Morning Professor,” her words were sweet as she greeted the dark-haired man, early as always.

“Good morning, Miss Granger,” Snapes tone was kinder than usual, but without it being clear. To anyone else, it would seem normal.

“Got a date for the Yule Ball yet, sir?” Whilst her question was genuine and not flirtatious, Severus couldn’t help but wish it was.

“Why would I bother with something as childish as having a date?”

“I shall take that as a no,”

He could hear the stool she usually seated at drag out from beneath the desk before she seated herself on top of it.

“What about you Miss Granger?” Y/N, who had forgotten what she had previously asked him, was confused at his question. “Surely someone like you must have a date,”

A sight blush ran up her cheeks at his words, eyes wide.

“No sir,” she giggled. “Not interested in anyone that’s asked me.”

Her words caught his attention, eyes glancing towards her for a split second before returning to the work he was marking. It was Harry Potters; he could almost roll his eyes.

“Why is that?”

“Immature men that feel like I should go with them because they’re popular? No thank you, give me a mature and unentitled man any day,”

For the second time in five minutes her words caught his attention, suddenly distracted by what she had said rather than being distracted by Potter’s work.

“I see,”

It wasn’t long until the rest of her class began to pile into the dungeon, taking their usual seats as Fred and George came to sit beside her at their typical desk.

“Morning, Y/N/N,” the greeted in perfect synergy, almost as though it had been rehearsed but she knew better than to expect that and simply laughed.

“We heard something,” Fred began.

“Potter is wanting to ask you to be his date to the Yule Ball.” George finished, the twins laughing at Y/N’s shocked face.

“Please say you’re joking,” she pleaded, desperately hoping that it wasn’t true. “He’s so much younger than me!”

“Oh and Hermione is going with Krum,”

“This day just gets worse and worse,”

“Weasleys, detention.” A harsh voice interrupted their conversation as to be expected.

“But sir!” They groaned, once again in unison. “She was talking too!”

“Not as much as you two.”

*

The great hall was quiet, everyone there working on their essays, everyone being the fourth years. Fortunately for her, Y/N was allowed to sit and work alongside the younger students having been given permission by Professor Snape himself.

“Hey Y/N,” Harry’s quiet voice pulled her attention away from the parchment in front of her. “I was just wondering-“ His words were soon cut off by a hand shoving his head into his own parchment.

“Silence,”

“Yes, Professor Snape.”

An amused smirk covered Y/N’s lips as she turned her own attention back to the work in front of her that was soon to be finished.

“Later guys,” she shot the trio one last smile as she walked towards Snape, handing him her essay with a small smile, one he almost wished to return.

“I’m sure this will be as excellent as always, Granger.”

“I sure hope so, sir.”

With one final nod, Severus dismissed her.

*

Music blasted throughout the hall as the Tri-wizard champions begun to dance with their partners. Y/N and her own date, who ended up being George due to both forgetting about the dance until the night before, stood laughing at Ron’s dress robes.

“He looks like our great aunt,” George chuckled, his words making Y/N snort in amusement.

“Poor kid. He looks so embarrassed,” she giggled.

“Well, looks like its our turn to dance. Care to join me, Granger?” George grinned, offering him her hand which she gladly took.

“After you, but can you even dance?”

“Nope,”

“Good, me neither.”

Their dance was horrendous, and they were both glad when the music ended, the pair running off the dance floor in laughter, hands still together.

“That was- “George began, only to have his sentence finished by his dance partner.

“Dreadful?”

“Yeah,”

Their fit of laughter was cut short by another voice joining the conversation. “Nice dancing guys!”

“Shut up, Fred!” This time it was Y/N and George’s turn to speak in unison, something that triggered a smirk to grow on Fred’s lips.

“Alright, alright, calm down you two,”

*

“I almost feel bad for him,” Fred chuckled, catching George and Y/N’s attention as they followed his gaze.

“I would but he gave us detention and not her, talk about favouritism!”

An idea popped into Y/N’s head, as she removed herself from the twins’ arms.

“Where are you going, Y/N/N?” Fred asked. “Wait are you-“

“I feel bad for him, okay!”

The twins burst into laughter as they realised her plan.

“I bet you my entire allowance that she can’t get him to dance,” Fred whispered as they watched Y/N walking towards Snape.

“You’re on,”

*

“Evening, Professor,” Y/N greeted, desperately trying her best to not show her nervousness.

“Good evening, Miss Granger,” He returned her greeting, turning his attention fully to her. “Shouldn’t you be with your date?”

“George? No, we both forgot we needed dates, so we went together. He’ll cope on his own,” The girl giggled, glancing back at said man to see both twins smirking at her. “You look lonely, want to dance?”

“Do I look like the sort of person to dance?”

“Do I?” She joked, enjoying the small smirk that pulled up at his lips. “It’ll be one dance and then I’ll let you go back to enjoying your own company. It’s a teacher and student dance anyway!”

*

“No way…” Fred gasped, watching as Snape and Y/N headed to the dancefloor.

“I knew she could do it! You now owe me your entire allowance,”

“Shit,”

*

“See it wasn’t too bad, was it, Professor?” Y/N giggled, aware of the fact that everyone had been staring at her dancing with Snape.

“You stepped on my foot at least three times,”

“I said I don’t dance!”

She celebrated a silent victory as Snape shook his head, a small smile pulling at his lips.

“This is true,”

“Welp, I’ll leave you to enjoy your own company again!” The older Granger grinned, giving him one final nod as she headed by to the twins who were still in shock.

“Shut your mouth, Fred. You’ll catch flies,” Y/N smirked, placing her hand on Fred’s chin to shut up mouth that had been open since she managed to convince Snape to dance.

“Did you bewitch him or something?! How on earth did you manage to get him to dance?” George asked in shock.

“Night guys, thanks for the fun time.” She winked, downing the rest of her drink that she had left before leaving the hall to head to bed.

*

“Miss Granger, you��re late,” Snapes’ words ran throughout the dungeon.

It was strange, how he knew it was her before he had even turned around to face her.

“Sorry Professor, I had a detention.”

“Well now you have another, stay after class.”  

*

“Good luck, Snapes detentions are horrible,” George chuckled, giving Y/N a reassuring pat on the back.

“Yeah, we would know, Miss Favourite,” Fred chimed in with his typical teasing tone.

“Thanks, that makes me feel better. I’ll see you guys later,”

“Good luck.”

The second everyone had left the classroom, Snapes attention was on her.

“So why did you get a detention?” His words were questioning, not malicious. It was almost as though he was genuinely curious.

“I got in a duel,” Y/N shook her head with a slight laugh. “Malfoy was being, well Malfoy. So, yeah.”

A grin covered her lips as Snape shook his head in slight amusement; it was cute in a way.

“Next time don’t get caught, it makes my classes a lot easier,”

“Got ya, Professor,”

“Good, you may leave,”

*

“That was quick, did he have to leave?” Fred, who had been waiting outside for about two minutes, asked.

“Little miss favourite,” were her only words as she shot Fred a wink, just like she had done at the ball a few weeks ago.

“I swear he has a crush on you or something,”

“Yeah, imagine. Professor Severus Snape developing a crush on a student, nice one George. Why are you two even here?”

The twins, who had been caught red-handed, shared an amused look, quickly rushing into action by grasping Y/N’s arms, tugging her along.

“We need someone to test our latest concoction!” They spoke in unison.

“No, no way! Merlin knows what you’ve put in that!”

“Either you help us, or we’ll tell everyone about your little crush on the potions professor,”

“Fine.”

*

“Fred and George Weasley, you come here this instance!” Y/N’s voice shrieked, her words echoing throughout the entire Gryffindor common room.

“Run!” Was all she heard, followed by laughter and footsteps leaving through the portrait.

Y/N rushed after them, hell bent on causing as much annoyance to them as they had to her.

“I will kill you!”

“That’s not very nice now, is it? You love us really,” George teased her once more before darting away.

“George Weasley I am faster than you and you know it!”

It wasn’t a lie, Y/N had been, and always will be, faster than him. No matter how many pranks they had to run away from, the twins would never be able to outrun her.

“What have you done to my hair?!” Y/N demanded to know the second she caught both boys by the collar of their robes. “Please say this comes out, I don’t want my hair to be yellow and green forever, I hate it!”

“Well you see, Y/N/N,” Fred chuckled with a hint of nervousness. “We don’t know, you’re our first consumer!”

“Fred, I am begging you, I look like a lollipop.”

“I’m sure you taste as sweet as one too, Y/N,” a Slytherin by-passer commented, clearly having heard the entire conversation.

“Shut th-“

“Detention and ten points from Slytherin,”

Fred, George and Y/N shared a terrified look as Professor Snape stood behind the trio.

“Trying a new style are we, Granger? It is quite bold,” despite the blunt words, there was an almost undetectable teasing tone laced in his words.

“Not willingly, Professor,”

“Then why did you do it?”

“They blackmailed me!”

“With what?”

The twins smirked at each other, as though they were sent on a mission to ruin her day.

“She has a crush, Professor,” George smirked at the, now multi-coloured haired, girl.

“George Weasley!” In a swift movement, Y/N rushed towards the ginger, only to be stopped by a hand holding her robe. “Professor let me go!”

“Isn’t she cute, Fred?”

“Adorable, George,”

“I hate you both.” Y/N, who had accepted her fate of being held my Snape (which didn’t seem too bad in all honesty), sighed.

“You love us really,”

“You wish, Fredrick.”

“Don’t call me that!”

“If you three have quite finished,” Snape interrupted their quarrel. “I think I know how to remove that colour from your hair, Miss Granger. Follow me.” There was no room for debate as the potions master turned and rushed towards his classroom.

“I’ll kill you,” Y/N mouthed before rushing after him.

*

“Sit,” Snape said, lightly kicking a stool out towards Y/N before walking towards a cupboard that, she assumed, had potions or at least ingredients for them.

“Are you sure this will work, Professor? I really don’t want anyone else to see me like this,”

“You mean you don’t want your crush to see you like this?” He said with a raised eyebrow.

“He already has,” her words were a mere murmur, but it was one Severus had heard.

“The Slytherin?” Snape asked whilst he grabbed a weird looking liquid. “Here drink.”

“Merlin, no. I don’t even know who that was. This tastes disgusting,”

“Do you want the colour gone or not?”

“Sorry,”

Snape let out a small sigh, his arms crossing by habit.

“Potter, perhaps?”

“Are we playing guess the crush or something?”

“Well, we have time. This needs a second dose in around thirty minutes,”

Now it was Y/N’s turn to sigh.

“It’s probably not a good idea to play this game with me,” she joked. “I’m quite competitive,”

“You would have done well in Slytherin,”

“I doubt it,”

“Under me you would have done brilliantly. You are doing brilliantly already.”

A bright red blush ran up Y/N’s cheeks at his use of words.

“You should be careful what you say, Professor. Someone might interpret your words wrong,”

“That someone being you?”

“Perhaps,”

“I see.”

An awkward silence filled the air, something that was uncommon between the pair.

“I’m sorry, that was a bit straight-forward,”

“Yeah, it was.”

“Sorry,”

“Don’t be,”

Whilst his reply was short, the words caught her attention, her head spinning to face him.

“Don’t be?”

“I said what I said.” Came his simple response.

“I don’t understand,”

“Maybe little miss favourite should do some thinking,”

“Oh…” She whispered. “Oh! Here I am thinking I’m just a teacher’s pet,”

He smiled slightly. “Not quite, Miss Granger,”

Footsteps echoed throughout the dungeon as he walked towards Y/N, his fingers lightly pushing against her chin to bring her to face him, her cheeks as red as flames.

“So, I’m your little miss favourite?”

“Clearly,”