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#and then Merlin went and literally gave up his life for him
echoesofcamelot · 1 year
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Friendly reminder that this conversation takes place in 01x03:
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Note:
The ambiguity of his response to Morgana.
His choice of words. The right person to love. Not woman. Person.
And then, only one (1) episode later:
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He didn’t even hesitate.
It seems he had, in fact, found the right person to love.
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festivalsofmargot · 10 months
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Illicit Affairs {Dad!Garreth Weasley x F!Professor!Reader}
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AGED UP CHARACTERS, 18+ SCENARIOS (Characters are adults, graduated from Hogwarts, and are 18+)
Introduction: Garreth thinks back on his life with you, and it was far from perfect. But he’d relive every second if he had the chance. 
Word Count: ~ 13,100 (I think I’m gonna puke)
Warnings: Smut, Angst without a happy ending, Cheating, Loss
Author’s Note: Want to say right now that cheating is disgusting. This is purely a fantasy scenario. So if you get triggered by cheating I highly recommend you skip out on this fanfic. This romanticizes it and I didn’t really write the person getting cheated on as a realistic human being. More than anything, this is smut with a plot. I watched Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and I’ve never felt so empty inside. So writing this, I just felt like being sad, ya know? Like literally ruining my entire month.😃 Anyways, it’s 10 pm my time so still Wednesday for me. Bone Apple Tea Weasley Wednesday-ers! I’m going to hyperventilate and cry in bed. (Like wtf did I write this...?)
Songs (if interested):
Illicit Affairs - Taylor Swift
Little Stranger - Dawid Podsiadło
I Really Want to Stay at Your House - Rosa Walton, Hallie Coggins
Baby Teeth - Bunny Lowe
It’s My Fault - End Credits -  Roque Baños
-
Whether the warmth in Garreth Weasley’s cheeks was coming from the multiple glasses of whiskey he had or the fireplace he sat across, he wasn’t sure. But it was welcome all the same. As he looked into the flames and slouched in his chair, lightly rubbing at his chin, he thought back on his life with you.
The two of you had been the best of friends while you attended Hogwarts. The moment he asked you to sneak a fwooper feather out of Professor Sharp’s office, he had felt in his gut that you were going to be someone special. 
He had always been upset he only had three years with you at Hogwarts, and you had been too. Both of you had said “If only we met in first year.” too many times to count, but meant it every single time.
He knew it now that you had felt the same way about him. But during school, it was a constant struggle not to kiss you, especially after every dangerous outing the two of you had gone on. He had fallen hard and fast for you during his fifth year, and that infatuation never seemed to dissipate, even to this day. 
Everything about you was perfect to him, you had fit together just right. But he was afraid if he ever confessed and it turned out you hadn’t seen him in that way, he’d lose you forever. 
Thankfully, you had made the first move a few years after the two of you graduated. Merlin knows his cowardly ass never would have. That following month in Hogsmeade had easily been the best month of his life.
-
“If you’re sweet, maybe I’ll get you that discount.” Garreth said coolly to the woman with fox eyes before him, restocking some potion ingredients on the shelves.
“Are you sure sweet is what you want, Gar?” The woman flirted back, and Garreth’s body tensed at the shortened version of his name coming off her lips. He was able to keep an easy smile on his face and continue restocking, but he still didn’t like anyone else calling him that except for you.
“Fine, play coy.” She sighed playfully when he kept quiet and she made her way out. She gave him a little wave and as soon as she was out of sight, he let the smile vanish from his face. He didn’t even remember this woman’s name truth be told, thank Merlin she left before he had a chance to let that slip.
Garreth had been a little more reckless than usual these past few months. He hadn’t received a letter back from you in ages. As soon as you graduated from Hogwarts, you pursued the magizoology field while he went to work for Parry Pippin.
Garreth knew your main focus would be going after any poacher you came across rather than studying magical beasts. Try as you might to talk down what you did in your letters, he wasn’t stupid, he knew you. 
Your silence had filled him with so much dread, he was wishing more than anything you had just decided you wanted nothing to do with him anymore. He didn’t care, as long as you weren’t dead. Please Merlin, don’t be dead.
To distract himself, he dove head first into the bachelor lifestyle. Drinking and women were his main hobbies outside of J. Pippin’s Potions. Being young and handsome, living on his own, and having plenty of his own money now, he was making himself enjoy it.
Garreth was manning the store by himself that day, looking over stock and crossing items off his parchment when he heard the doorbell ring. He absently greeted whoever had just entered the shop, not taking his eyes off his list.
“Welcome to J. Pippin’s, let me know if you need help with anything.”
“Gar?”
At the sound of your voice, Garreth nearly broke his neck turning to look at you. His eyes were wide, breath hitching in his throat. 
The moment he locked eyes with you, you lost every word you had planned on saying to him. “I um… It’s good to see you again.” 
Garreth dropped everything he was holding, closing the distance between you two in only a few steps, pulling you into a tight embrace. You didn’t hesitate to hold him back, letting his warmth envelope you.
“I was worried you were dead.” He whispered into your hair as the relief washed over him.
“I nearly was.” You admitted.
Keeping his hold on you, he pulled back just enough to look at your face. He noticed then that there was a small bandage on your cheek, and some other areas looked recently healed.
“That’s why I’m here. I needed to see you. Needed to tell you I -”
Garreth looked into your eyes and listened close, silently urging you to continue. 
“I’m in love with you, Gar.” You breathed, as if a huge weight lifted off your shoulders finally telling him. “I always have been. It was close during my last outing and - When I thought I wasn’t going to make it, my biggest regret was never telling you. It’s alright if you don’t feel the same. I - I just needed you to -”
Garreth silenced you by crashing his lips onto yours. Keeping one arm around your waist, he brought up one hand to cup your jaw. He had caught you by surprise, but it didn’t take long to register what was happening and kiss him back. 
This. This right here was exactly what you two always dreamed of doing ever since your fifth year at Hogwarts.
The sound of voices approaching the shop from outside made him tear his lips away from yours. He took a step back and you couldn't help the bashful smile that tugged at your lips.
"Sorry. Parry Pippin will have my head if he caught word of me snogging in the shop while he was away."
"No need to apologize." You chuckled and turned to leave. "I can leave you to it."
Garreth's eyes widened. "Where are you going?" He asked in a panic and took a step towards you. 
"I was going to run a few errands around Hogsmeade. Get a room."
Garreth opened his mouth to protest, but some customers came in. "Welcome." He called, dismissing his usual greeting line and looking back at you. "Don't get a room." Garreth said loud enough for only you to hear.
You gave him a smile and nod, then took your leave. He made his way back behind the counter, watching your form out the window until you were out of sight. How was he supposed to carry on working as normal now that you were back and he had free reign to kiss you?
-
By the time you finished up what you needed to do and headed back to J. Pippin's Potions, Garreth was hurriedly closing up the shop. 
He looked up with a beaming smile when you walked through the door again. Setting down some empty vials, he strode up and pulled you into another deep kiss. He was learning fast that he wasn't going to be able to help himself around you.
Pulling away, he went straight back to his closing routine, aiming to finish as fast as possible so he could leave with you. "Get everything you need?" 
"I did." You got a bit shifty, wondering if you should tell him what you had done or it would seem like too much too soon. It hadn't seemed that way to you, having known Garreth for so long. But you hoped he would be happy to hear the news.
"You know you’re staying with me, right?" He said as he put away some ingredients.
You smiled. "I was hoping that was what you meant earlier." 
He shot you a smirk over his shoulder. "I think you'll be very proud to see how tidy I keep the place."
"Oh will I?" You quipped, nervously glancing down to your feet and shoving your hands in your pockets.
Garreth took a double take at you, his brows furrowing in concern. “What’s got you so quiet?” A worrying feeling began to set in that he may have been too bold to assume you would be alright with staying with him.
You raised your brows and looked back up at him. “Nothing.” You assured. “Sorry, I uh -” You let out an amused huff at having gotten yourself so worked up. “I got something I want to tell you when we get to your place.”
The ease came back to him as he locked up some cabinets. “You know you already told me you’re madly in love with me, right?” 
“I don’t remember saying ‘madly’.”
“Oh, silly me. ‘Devastatingly’ was the word.”
“That could have been it.” You shrugged, biting back your amused smirk. “Wouldn’t hurt to say it a few more times.”
A cheeky grin pulled at his lips. You love me.
“And you haven’t said it back by the way.” You teased.
Garreth’s movements slowed to a stop and he looked back at you, quirking a brow. “I haven’t? Yes, I have. Haven’t I?” Fuck, I haven’t. He had said it in his head so many times, were you certain he hadn’t even slipped up and said it aloud once? 
“Well, then…” Turning out the lights and grabbing his coat, he shrugged it on and strode up to you. He cupped your face in his hands and planted another kiss on your lips. “I love you too.”
“That was corny.”
“It was.” He took your hand in his and led you out. “I’ll work on it.”
-
“After you.” Garreth said as he opened the door to his home. 
“Wow.” Your eyes widened as they roamed his place. “You weren’t joking when you said you kept it tidy. I thought you were, or at least had a different definition of tidy.” You turned back towards him and looked him up and down suspiciously. “This isn’t the Gar I knew back at Hogwarts.”
“I’m a changed man.” He said coming up and pulling you against him, capturing your lips. How could you expect him to keep his hands off of you at this point? If you asked him, he’d say the two of you had some lost time to make up for. 
On one hand, it was wonderful knowing you pined for him all these years just as he had for you. But on the other, it was a bit frustrating knowing he could have been with you all this time, could have pulled you off to secret corners and kissed you senseless.
“Wait wait,” You slowed his kisses to a halt and took glances around his home. “Is there a room I can change in? I’ve been traveling all day and want to get out of these clothes.”
“Bedroom’s just there.” He gestured with his head towards it, not taking his eyes off of you. You gave him a grateful nod, slipping from his embrace.
“Won’t be a moment.” You called over your shoulder.
While he waited for you, he decided to grab some glasses from his cupboard. Maybe you’d be up for a stiff drink or two with him to celebrate. But truth be told, he needed something to help with his nerves. He was beyond elated to have you back, he didn’t want to mess this up.
His hands were shaky as he poured, and he cursed under his breath. The nerves were really hitting him. Easy now, Weasley. It’s you. We’ve been friends for years. He tried to inwardly calm himself.
But you weren’t quite friends anymore were you? Your confessions meant you were seeing each other now, right? So he was heading into uncharted territory with you. Merlin, of all the times for him to overthink in his life, why did it have to be then?!
He heard his door open and he turned back towards you with drinks in hand. “How would you feel about -” Garreth’s jaw went slack and he dropped the glasses, shattering them along the floor. You were standing at his bedroom doorway, completely naked.
“Oh fuck.” He croaked.
“Come here, Gar.”
“Yep, coming.” Though his mind was a mess, he was thankful to every higher power he could think of that his body kicked into gear to get to you. 
His hands went for your hips first, gripping the soft skin there as his mouth went for your neck like a starved man, leaving open mouthed kisses and bites everywhere he could. So this is what it’s like to taste every bit of you, I always wondered.
You let out the most delicious sounds as he walked the two of you towards his bed. You fell back and he fell on top of you. You instantly wrapped your arms and legs around him, holding him close. You had dreamed of having him like this for so long, it was hard to keep a loose grip.
“Mmh. Wait. Let me -” He sat up, and with hurried fingers began undoing his vest, you sat up as well and helped him, the both of you smiling like ecstatic idiots. If there was a feeling to describe looking down at you looking back up at him as you went for his clothes, it would be euphoria. 
Shrugging off his vest and then going for his shirt, he couldn’t believe how many layers he had on. Was this really what he dressed himself in every day? How did he ever find the time? 
Slipping off his shirt and unable to keep his lips away a moment more, he bent down to capture yours again. He stayed locked with you as he went for his pants. Thankfully there weren’t as many buttons as the shirt, and he shoved them down with your help. But the pants caught on his legs. He stood to his feet to get them off but tripped over himself, hitting the ground with a loud thunk.
“Ow!” He cackled, finally kicking them off and you went into hysterics. 
Climbing back onto the bed with a groan, he smiled down at you as he crawled over and laid on top of you. The nerves completely gone as you continued to howl with laughter. 
Sighing, he buried his face in the crook of your neck, and you held him lovingly against you as you tried to calm down.
“Satisfied already, are you?” He said with a feigned annoyance, but the grin was still on his face, hidden against your neck.
“Yes, very much so.” Your laughter dissipated into little giggles as you wiped away the amused tears from your eyes.
The two of you laid there like that for a moment, just holding each other. And he thought back to when you had cuddled and napped together in the Room of Requirement frequently during your Hogwarts days. How in Merlin’s name did he think that was just something friends did? He certainly wasn’t cuddling with Leander Prewett.
He didn’t let himself dwell on his missed opportunities anymore. Here was his opportunity now, right under him, holding him close.
He began kissing at your neck, and that seemed to get rid of your amusement entirely, something carnal beginning to take over. His mouth went up from your neck to your jaw, finding his way to your lips again.
He slid his tongue in when he felt your mouth part slightly, and you met him with yours. As your tongues tasted and entwined, he realized it was the closest he had gotten to being inside you, and he wanted more.
Breaking the kiss, he adjusted himself between your legs, teasing his tip at your entrance. He glanced down at you two about to join, then up at your face. Breathless with anticipation, you gave him a nod of your head, and he pushed himself in, ever so slowly.
You kept your eyes on one another as he thrusted into you with a slow rhythm, a rhythm that would help him savor being in you for the first time. 
“I’ve wanted this for so long.” He breathed, relishing the feel of your slick heat enveloping him.
The noises that escaped you were maddening, and he was beginning to lose himself. But he didn’t want to lose himself, he wanted to be attentive to everything you did as you clung to him, naked in his arms. But when you arched your back and your breasts pressed hard against his bare chest, the control was fraying at the seams.
His thrusts into you came harder and faster, and your hold on him tightened, nails digging into his back. It felt as if you two were more alive than you ever had been. Being intimate with someone was one thing, but being intimate with someone you were in love with brought you to a whole other level.
Multiple times that night, you had gone over the edge together. Tasting, touching, gasping, and sighing.
-
Both of you sweaty, sore, and satisfied, Garreth had you tucked under his arm, looking up at the ceiling, completely serene. “Back at J. Pippin’s,” He began, his voice raspy. “You said you wanted to tell me something.”
You sat up a bit to look at him, he kept a hand on your back. “When I went around Hogsmeade, I stopped at Brood & Peck.” 
You sat up a bit more and Garreth sat up with you, beyond curious at what you were going to tell him. 
“I got a job there.”
Garreth’s eyes widened. “You did?” He had been too swept up in your confession and being with you, he hadn’t even thought about where you two would take things from there. But it seemed you were already a few steps ahead anyway, just like you always had been. 
He shifted closer and pulled you onto his lap so you were straddling him. “But what about your magizoology career? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled but… are you sure this is what you want?” He asked looking up at you, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.
“I don’t want to fight anymore.” You sighed. “I don’t want to live on the road for years to come. I just want to stay in one place and live my life.”
Garreth loved the sound of that. Even if you hadn’t decided to do this to be with him, he would have been ecstatic just to know you were leaving your dangerous lifestyle. He didn’t have to worry constantly about you getting killed anymore.
“Give me a few days and I’ll find my own place. Promise.”
“About that.” His hand went up through your hair and he pulled your head back towards his. “I wasn’t really planning on you leaving.”
-
Garreth was a nervous wreck. When the third potion that day had slipped through his fingers and shattered on the floor, he knew he needed to step out and take a breath of fresh air. 
He went out back and reached for the ring that was burning a hole in his pocket. When he had bought it, he had been more sure than anything you would say yes. But now that the time was approaching when he would ask you, doubts began to swirl.
Would it be too soon? Sure you had known each other and been close for years, but you had only been seeing each other for a few weeks. Granted, those past few weeks had been some of the best of his life. What if he proposed and you weren’t ready like he was? What if his eagerness to marry you would scare you off and you’d want to leave him and…
Garreth shook his head, taking another deep breath. His overthinking caused him to miss out on so much with you already, he couldn’t let it stop him again.
He took his time closing up the shop that day, he was still fidgety and wanted to get it together at least somewhat for when he went to meet you. Closing had always felt like it dragged on and on, but that night it seemed to speed by.
He went down to Brood & Peck and stepped through the door. You were looking over a map with Ellie Peck and discussing who knows what, probably another home relocation area for the beasts. Garreth couldn’t seem to pay attention, too in his own head still.
You glanced up at him and smiled, mouthing one moment. He smiled back and gave a little nod of his head, praying you would take your time. Merlin knew he needed every second you’d give him.
Finishing up, you grabbed your coat and waved goodnight to Ellie. You met Garreth and took his arm as you walked up the path to your home. You shot each other little smirks as you trekked along.
You sighed in exhaustion and rested your head against his shoulder. “Long day for you too?”
“Hmm? Oh er - yes. Long day.”
“More than anything I want to fall asleep, but I need to bathe first. The stables were a mess today.”
“That’s good to hear.” 
You huffed an amused breath through your nose and looked up at his face. He was staring ahead, seemingly off in his own world. “I think it was so bad I might quit and go back to my old job. Hope you don’t mind, I’ll be sure to write you.”
“Mmhm.”
“Sebastian Sallow showed up today and confessed his love for me again.”
“Mmhm - Wait what?!” He snapped his head to face you with wide eyes, but then relaxed when you started to cackle. “Not funny.” He grumbled.
“It was a little funny.” You gave his arm a loving squeeze. “What’s got you so distracted?”
He swallowed thickly and stopped walking. You stopped walking with him and raised a brow at him. “Should I be worried?” You teased.
He decided he just needed to get this over with or he was going to be a nauseated mess for the time being. He took a step back from you and went down on one knee.
At first, you thought he dropped something on the ground, then it hit you when he reached into his back pocket and took out a ring.
He said your name and looked up at you with tortured eyes, your lips parted slightly in shock. “I - I was going to make a special dinner tonight and ask you then but I think I’d burn the house down cooking I’m so nervous.” He swallowed thickly, glancing down at the ring and then back up at you. “I can’t remember exactly what I planned to say. But it was along the lines of me having been mad for you since we were kids, and how I want to be mad for you the rest of my life.”
Tears pricked at your eyes and your chest was nothing but a fluttery mess. “Yes.” You breathed, getting on your knees with him. 
An elated smile tugged at the corner of Garreth’s lips. “Yes? I - I had more I was going to say though - but… Yes?”
You nodded your head vigorously and the two of you couldn’t help but laugh. He put the ring on your finger and you grabbed for each other, kissing one another wherever you could get your lips on.
-
It had already been a month now that you and Garreth were together. He couldn’t believe how the days flew by being with you. But he shouldn’t be surprised. Every day consisted of him waking up to you in the morning, getting up and going to a job where he was surrounded by potions, walking down to meet you at Brood & Peck when he was done, then finishing it off by being buried deep inside you throughout the night.
Sure, you two may have lost out on some hours of sleep. But one could argue that you two taking the time to wear yourselves out could get you a deeper, more effective sleep. It was a running joke between the two of you, and neither of you were sure it was true. But you were both happy, and that was all that mattered.
With a smile on his face he couldn’t seem to shake, Garreth took the time to restock shelves at work. The doorbell rang when someone came in, he recited his usual line with the peppiness that had a hold on him this past month.
“Welcome to J. Pippin’s.” He turned towards the customer. “Let me know if -” He stopped cold in his greeting seeing it was Victoria Willowsmith, an ingredients delivery girl he had been seeing off and on before you came back. “Afternoon, Victoria.” He began as casually as he could, inwardly praying she just wanted to drop off ingredients and leave. “Got ingredients for me?” He put on a polite smile.
She looked uneasy as she walked towards him, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread. “Um… not today.”
He absently took out a rag and began polishing a nearby potion vial. “Then what can I do for you?” Something was off, he could feel it. 
“I need to speak with you.”
-
When Garreth arrived to meet you outside of Brood & Peck, you threw yourself into his arms as you always did. “Mmm, I’m ready to head home.”
He kept quiet as he wrapped his arms back around you, but you noticed his hold wasn’t nearly as tight on you as it normally was. You stepped back slightly, looking over his features and noticing he wasn’t meeting your gaze.
“What’s wrong?” You asked in concern, placing a hand on his cheek.
He took a deep breath and took your hand down from his face, stroking his thumb over your skin as the anxiety built up sickeningly at what he was about to tell you. “Walk with me.”
You remained silent as he guided you away from Hogsmeade, down the stone path to a place more isolated.
Garreth sat the two of you on a nearby bench as the sun began to set. He held your left hand in both of his, looking at the ring on your finger. He couldn’t stand the thought of it ever coming off.
The way he was acting brought on a sense of trouble. But you willed yourself to keep quiet, and let him say what he needed to say. As he held your hand, you looked out into the sunset, hoping the sight would help keep you calm.
“You’re everything to me. I hope you know that.” Garreth began, but it only made all of this more eerie. When you didn’t say anything in response, he knew he had to just tell you, not drag this on any longer. “Before you came back, I was seeing this girl off and on. Nothing serious. But she’s come back and told me that she’s -” He ran a shaky hand through his hair and he felt you tense up. “- told me she’s pregnant with my child.”
Your stomach went into agonizing knots as you continued looking out into the sunset. You wanted to throw up, you wanted to scream, you wanted to cry. But after a moment, all those intense feelings turned into something numb. 
“Please say something.” Garreth pleaded, finally looking at you then, unable to read your expression. “Shout at me. Anything. I just need you to say something.” 
You met his gaze and gave him the smallest of smiles. “You’re going to be a dad.”
Something in him broke. He had wanted you to say those words to him one day, but not under circumstances like this. He sighed your name as you stood up and slipped your hand from his. 
He stood with you and tried to search your eyes, but you gave him nothing.
“I uh -” You cleared your throat, trying to hide the sadness that constricted it. “I need to be alone at the house for a bit if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. Whatever you need.” He took a step towards you, but you took a step back, and he wanted to die. 
Without another word, he watched your form walk away. 
He slumped back down on the bench until the sun had completely set. Then he headed over to Hog’s Head. Three Broomsticks felt a little too upbeat for such a night.
After a few drinks he decided it was time to face you again at home. Taking one last sip of liquid courage, he made his way out. 
The first thing he noticed approaching the house was that none of the lights were on. 
“No…” 
He burst through the door and called your name in a panic, striding through the house and searching every room for you. “No no no.” But you were gone, and so were your things. There wasn’t a trace of you anywhere, not even a note.
Garreth fell to his knees, the pain hitting him all at once. He had never felt such an ache in his chest, as if a piece of him was gone, ripped right from him.
-
“Let’s see your list, bug.” Garreth said to his little one as he stepped out the door with her. The ecstatic, freckled, redheaded girl handed him the parchment that listed everything she needed for her first year at Hogwarts and he looked it over.
“Merlin’s beard! I don’t think I had this many books when I attended.” He teased, ruffling her hair.
“Dad.” Matilda grumbled, swatting him away and fixing her curly locks before they got into town. He and Victoria had agreed to name her after his aunt after she passed. She may have been tough on him growing up, but she had done so much for him, it only felt right.
The two of them went up and down Hogsmeade, getting everything she needed. Thankfully, they could save a bit on everything related to potions class. Ever since he took over for Parry Pippin, they had more potion equipment and ingredients to last a lifetime, even for him. Too bad Matilda didn’t seem to share the same passion for it as him. Her attention always seemed to lie in magical beasts, of course. Try as he might to shift her interests all these years, it was no use. 
He saved the most exciting part for last, getting Matilda her wand. As they walked on to Ollivanders, he caught sight of that day’s Daily Prophet on the news stand they passed. His jaw tensed when he saw you were on the cover yet again. Seems he saw you there several times a year. 
The first time he ever saw you on the cover, he had to do a double take. His legs turned to jelly and he immediately bought the first copy he laid eyes on. He would sneak off to stare at your portrait on the paper for months, maybe even over the course of a year truth be told. But the more he saw you grace the cover over the years, he’d eventually grown indifferent to it. It did start to get old after more than a decade of it happening.
What could you have accomplished this time? Perhaps you took down another magical beast fighting ring, discovered another abandoned dragon’s nest still full of eggs, or maybe even became the first ever human leader of a mongrel pack! Garreth didn’t care. All he needed was that little reassurance you were still alive and well and he could move on with his day.
He hoped Matilda didn’t catch it. Much to his chagrin, she was one of your biggest fans. He always… always had to buy the paper for her when you were on it. When he heard her gasp, he squeezed his eyes shut briefly in defeat. Of course she caught it.
“Dad! Can I have some galleons for -”
“Here, love.” He was already reaching into his pocket and handing her some money. He had never been one to say no to her. She gratefully (he liked to think) swiped it from him and took off towards the news stand. 
“Come right back to Ollivanders.” He called, waiting back and not wanting to chance reading over the headline.
-
You stepped out to greet your students for your first beasts class. Who would have thought, even after the career you’ve had, you’d still get nervous? 
As you looked out to all the little first years, you were surprised to see them all silent, attentively waiting to hear what you said next. “Well… Hello, everyone. Today, I say we jump into things and start with basic caretaking for each beast here we have in the stables. All we’ll need is a brush and some feed. But before we begin, any questions?”
Hands shot up, way too many hands. “Oh! Ah - yes you?” 
“Is it true you took down Bartley Barrin’s graphorn fighting ring?!” A curly haired student that reminded you all too well of Lucan Brattleby asked in amazement.
You raised your brows, not sure if it would be appropriate to answer such questions, especially to your first year class. “Ah, right. We can discuss such things later, I suppose. Outside of class hours. Now, any questions on basic caretaking?”
All the hands slowly went down except for one, enthusiastic, redheaded girl’s. She was reaching her hand up in the air so high you were worried she’d pull a muscle if you didn’t call on her. 
“Yes?” 
“Should we grab extra feed for the nifflers so they can stow it away for later?” 
A smile tugged at your lips. “No need. They’ll get fed multiple times a day just like the other beasts.”
The girl gave a firm nod of her head as if saying got it. Then her eyes widened and she shot her hand up again. 
“Go on.” You were trying to bite back your delighted smile. You’ve only had an enthusiastic student for a few minutes and it was already making you giddy. Please let there be more like her.
“Can we use the same brush on all the beasts? Or do we need to grab different sizes?”
“You can certainly use the same brush on all of them, er - What’s your name, dear?”
“Matilda Weasley.” She answered with a gap toothed smile.
You kept a straight face as your insides constricted a bit and you nodded your head. This wasn’t the first Weasley you had encountered since you arrived back at Hogwarts, it was probably the seventh truth be told. Yet you couldn’t stop your mind from reeling.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Miss Weasley. I hope you keep this enthusiasm even after you see how grumpy kneazles can be.” You clapped your hands together. “All right then! Everyone grab a brush and some feed and we’ll head over to the stables.”
-
“Dad!” Matilda burst through the door of J. Pippin’s Potions and ran up to Garreth.
He met her with open arms. “There’s my girl. Sporting the Gryffindor robes too, I see.” He looked at her proudly. But then he furrowed his brows and checked his pocket watch. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at dinner?”
“I ate fast.” She said dismissively. “I wanted to ask if I could have some money to go to Brood & Peck to get my own beasts brush!”
Garreth sighed. “Don’t they have brushes you can use for class, bug?” 
“They do, but they lock them away when class isn’t in session. Professor Y/N said I could visit the beasts whenever I wanted in my spare time to -”
“Professor who?” 
“Y/N, the beasts professor. Didn’t you read the paper?! Now, as long as I have my own brush, I can stop by even when no one’s able to take out the class brushes from storage so…”
Garreth let Matilda go on as the room started to spin. Shakily, he reached into his back pocket and grabbed some galleons for her. Probably giving her too much for what she wanted at Brood & Peck. But he couldn’t seem to think straight at the moment, and he didn’t need Matilda around to see her dad possibly faint.
“Thank you!” She sang, sprinting out the door.
Garreth leaned himself back against the counter, trying to stay steady. He rubbed at his chest in hopes it would help his heart rate go down. The last he saw you was 12 years ago, when you walked away from him. Not a letter, not a glimpse of you outside the Daily Prophet since. 
The Daily Prophet.
Garreth grabbed his coat and keys. Switching the open sign to closed, he locked up and made his way home.
He was greeted by Victoria when he stepped through the door. "What are you doing home so early?" She called from the kitchen.
"Matilda needed something from her room." He threw out as he headed there.
Throwing open her door, his eyes roamed the room quickly in search of the Daily Prophet he had gotten her. He spotted it on her dresser and made a beeline for it.
"Famed Magizoologist Takes Up Teaching…"
He looked over the article explaining your move to becoming the next beasts professor for Hogwarts and the bustling nerves within him wouldn’t let him stay still. You’re here… you’re just down the road. 
His body seemed to be moving without thinking. He dropped the paper to the ground and made his way out, headed down the road to Hogwarts.
-
“All right, that's enough questions for today I think.” You chuckled awkwardly, and the several students that had been asking you endless questions about your poacher hunter days whined.
“I know I know. Now I think it’s best you all be off before curfew anyway. I won’t be so interesting when I have to give you detentions, will I?” You guided the students out of your office. 
Once you shut the door behind them and were finally alone, you let out an exhausted sigh. Sure, you were grateful you didn’t have difficulty getting students to listen to you, but you couldn’t have predicted how exhausting their questions would become. 
Your “career” wasn’t something you looked back on fondly. You had done a lot of things you couldn’t take back, things you lost sleep over. But pursuing it was all you had.
As you turned to get ready for bed, a knock sounded at your door, tensing you up. You took a deep breath to relax and prepped yourself up a bit. No need to get a reputation as a scowling, moody professor quite yet. 
Turning on your heel, you went back to the door. “It’s almost curfew.” You called as you opened the door. “You should -” 
Words seemed to escape you, which probably didn’t matter much since your voice did as well. Locking eyes with the green ones before you seemed to have the same effect as petrificus totalus. 
Garreth was just as frozen in place as you. He didn’t have a plan for when he faced you again, all he had been set on doing was seeing you in person before him. He had walked up and down the road from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade until the sky went dark. Even after all that time, even after 12 years, he still had no idea what he’d say to you.
After a few moments of silence and the both of you trying to regain composure, you swallowed thickly. “Mr. Weasley.” You nodded your head in some sort of greeting, at least that’s what you thought your head did.
“Professor.” He attempted to greet back. “May I… May I come in?”
Nodding your head, you moved to the side to let him through. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he stepped inside. He needed to or else he’d be a fidgety, thumb twiddling mess.
You closed the door and the both of you stood there in silence for a moment, not sure where to begin in starting a conversation with a history such as yours. “Would you like a drink?” You offered. 
“Yes. Thank you.” He answered, looking around your office and living quarters. Any minute now, he’d be able to look your way again. Any minute now…
You went to grab the bottle given to you as a welcome gift when you first arrived to teach at Hogwarts. You were planning on saving it for a special occasion, and you couldn’t think of anything that could top what was happening then.
Pouring for the both of you, you grabbed the glasses and walked over to hand one to him. He gave a polite, if not awkward, smile as he took it from you. Both of you downed it a bit fast. Your frantic nerves helping you push passed the dreadful taste. 
“Another?” You asked.
“Please.” You gladly took the glass from him again and he ran a shaky hand through his hair. 
You returned with your refilled glasses, and he took his from you, just as appreciative as the first time.
“What brings you here?” You managed to begin.
He looked down at his glass, twirling the liquid around in his hand. “I needed to see you.” He decided to confess.
Your breath hitched and your heart rate picked up. The only response you could manage was a nod of your head and an absent sip of your drink. 
He looked up and met your gaze. “Was this stupid of me?” 
You shook your head. “No.”
He gave the smallest smile and looked back down at his glass.
“I think I met about ten different Weasleys today.” You casually began with a chuckle, the warmth in your cheeks putting you a bit at ease. “By chance were any of them yours?”
He let out an amused breath through his nose. “My little Matilda just started.”
“Ah, so it was Matilda. I had a suspicion. She’s delightful to have as a student just so you know.”
Garreth began to feel a bit more at ease now too. “I bet you it’s only because you have her for beasts class. Any other subject, you might have struggled to keep her attention.”
You nodded your head. “I may have gotten the sense she loved magical beasts. Just a little though.” You quipped.
Garreth shook his head. “Already asked me for her own beasts brush. I tried to remind her the school had some she could use, but she’s a silver tongue that one.”
You laughed at him then. The thought of Garreth Weasley being such a sucker for his little girl was too sweet not to smile at.
“What?” He asked, an amused smile of his own plastered on his face.
“Look at you, Gar. A proper dad.”
His chest fluttered at you calling him that again, but he shoved it back. “In all its glory.” He took another sip of his drink when his emotions began to swirl. In a perfect world, he would have had children with you. You would have been Matilda’s mother. But he shouldn’t dwell on impossible things like that, he had done enough of that already.
“What are you up to these days?” You asked.
Garreth gave a shrug. “A lot of the same really. Parry Pippin gave me his shop.”
Your eyes widened. “He did? That’s wonderful, Gar!”
There you went, calling him Gar again so effortlessly, blissfully unaware of what it did to him. He took another sip. “Not too bad, yeah? Never felt the need to change the name, thought it worked fine as is.”
“Outgrew ‘Garreth’s Subterranean Concoctions’, did you?”
He grunted and rolled his eyes in response, taking another sip of his drink. But he had to admit, at least to himself, he was a little impressed you remembered. “I decided it was, in fact, too obtuse. But I’d rather talk about you and your adventures. Think I’ve seen you in the Daily Prophet once or twice.”
It was your turn to roll your eyes. “Merlin, don’t remind me. Those journalists are pests. Won’t leave me alone.”
“Can’t really blame them. You’re probably the most interesting magizoologist they’ve encountered. You’re famous now.”
You rubbed at the back of your neck. “I wasn’t trying to be. I think the only plus side is my students seem to be very keen on what I have to say in class.”
“My Matilda’s going to talk your ear off. I hope you’re prepared.”
You smiled again, a warm feeling coming over you. You always knew Garreth would be a doting father. As much as you wanted him to have been the father of your children once upon a time, you couldn’t be mad with where things ended up. He clearly adored his little girl.
“I think you’re underestimating how much I’ll appreciate her enthusiasm.”
“Oh.” He guffawed with a shake of his head. “I don’t think I am.” Another sip. When he realized he finished the last of his drink, he took out his pocket watch and cursed under his breath. “I apologize, I shouldn’t have come to see you so late.”
You waved him off and chugged the last of your drink, going up and taking his glass from him. “You, Mr. Weasley, are welcome any time.” You said as you went to put away the glasses in your kitchen.
He rubbed a hand down his face as you walked him to the door. “Thank you… for tonight. Really.”
You met his serious stare and smiled at him. “Of course, Garreth.” 
He smiled back, but it had a hint of sadness to it. Call me Gar one more time. Just once more. 
“Goodnight.” He opened the door and went into the night air, giving you a small wave over his shoulder.
“Goodnight.” You called and waved back, then shut the door. You took a deep breath and released it, relieved that your reunion had gone as well as it had. Maybe you could do this. Maybe you could be friends with him again.
Another knock at the door tore you from your hopeful thoughts. You didn’t hesitate to open it back up. “Forget somethi -”
“What’s on your neck?” 
You stilled, you had completely forgotten you had it on. You had worn it for over a decade, it basically felt like a part of you now. If you had known he was coming you would have hidden it for the time being, but it hadn’t even crossed your mind until he asked you about it just then.
You were too flustered to answer, and Garreth walked up until he was toe to toe with you. Not taking his eyes off yours, he reached a delicate finger up to tug at the necklace you were wearing. He pulled it up just enough so that it wasn't covered by your shirt anymore. His eyes dropped to what was on it, and he lost all sense of reason. It was the engagement ring he got you. He thought he was seeing things when he caught the briefest glimpse earlier, but he had to be sure. He had to. And now that he was, he knew he was about to do something really stupid.
He looked back up to your eyes, his hand shifted from holding the necklace to cupping your neck, and he slowly leaned down towards you. “You need to tell me to stop.”
You shook your head, your breathing growing heavy. You didn’t want him to stop. You wanted him to close the distance between you so badly, but not like this, not when he had a wife at home. “Go home, Garreth.” You somehow got yourself to whisper, his lips just a breath away from yours.
He stopped. “Alright.” He whispered back and nodded, forcing himself to come to his senses. He kept his eyes on yours as he released you and walked backwards. Once he was far enough, he turned on his heel and strode up the path back to Hogsmeade.
-
The next day, Garreth headed down to Hogwarts with a crate of overstocked potion ingredients. He remembered how you always asked him for potions back in your school days, surely giving the excess stock to you would be better than tossing it out. Of course, that was, without question, the only reason he was heading to Hogwarts.
He walked along the path towards the beasts class stables, carrying the crate over one shoulder, and he spotted you talking to a student. He walked a bit slower so he could watch you. 
You knelt down to the young student’s level and explained something to him. The child was cradling a puffskein in his arms, and you were gesturing to different points on the creature while you spoke. Seeing you interact so well with kids did something to Garreth’s insides. 
You glanced in his direction and his throat went dry. You turned back to the student and stood, finishing up your lesson. The student handed you the puffskein and you waved goodbye as he ran off.
You turned towards him, squinting slightly with the sun in your eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of your lips. “Can I help you, Mr. Weasley?”
He pointed up at the crate on his shoulder. “Was wondering if you wanted some spare ingredients.” He called back.
“I’ll take whatever you can give me. One moment.” You turned to put the puffskein back in the stable.
Garreth shifted on his feet as he waited for you. He tried to keep his gaze on you subtle as you bent over to put down the puffskein and lock up the gate. But once you faced him fully and walked towards him, he eyed you with undivided attention. Merlin, you’re stunning.
“Let me get the door.” You said as you passed him.
He followed close, doing everything he could to not look at your backside in those pants. With a click of your key in the slot, you pushed open the door.
He stepped in and glanced back at you. “Anywhere?”
“Anywhere.”
Garreth went and placed the crate on your desk, taking glances around your hut, getting a scope of the place. Then he went back up to you, bringing himself toe to toe again, just as close as the night before. “I’m off then.”
You took in his freckles for a moment. Surely it was harmless to admire from afar, right? “You’re welcome any time, Mr. Weasley.” You decided to remind him.
He took the briefest glance at your neck, catching you still wearing the necklace with your ring. “Then I’ll be back tomorrow, Professor.” With that, he took his leave.
-
It had become a daily occurrence for Garreth, walking down to Hogwarts with spare ingredients from the shop. It was the highlight of his day every time. Just getting to be near you and feel that thick as honey tension between you, it was intoxicating. 
It had gone on for weeks, and the excitement hadn’t dissipated in the slightest. If anything, it only grew by the day.
His newfound routine had been thrown off when there was a shortage of wiggenweld potions across the valley. He had been the only shop to have stock and he wasn’t able to leave until every last customer was helped. 
As soon as everyone had cleared out, he rushed to close up. Throwing the crate with ingredients over his shoulder, he picked up the pace to make it down to you before Hogwarts’ curfew.
He didn’t expect to walk down and see you waiting on the steps of your hut.
His footsteps slowed to a stop as you stood and eyed him. “You're late.” You stated as you went to get the door.
“Busy day.” He replied as he came up behind you and stepped inside. Walking past you, he went to your desk as he usually did, but stopped and turned when he heard you close the door and lock it.
He met your gaze as you took determined steps towards him. “Put it down.”
Garreth recognized that look in your eye, even if it had been over a decade since he’d seen it. He dropped the crate to the ground, the wood breaking and the ingredients scattering across the floor. He closed the distance between you two, grabbing the back of your neck and pulling your lips to his.
Your hands reached up and gripped the fabric of his shirt, holding him against you just as you had dreamed to these past 12 years. 
The two of you licked and bit and sucked at each other's lips in an attempt to fill this insatiable need between you, gasps and sighs escaping. Garreth gripped at your thighs, picking you up and hoisting your legs around him. He carried you to your desk, the two of you urgently shoving off everything that covered it as he sat you on top of it. 
With hurried hands, you went for each others’ pants, unbuttoning and pulling down the fabric that separated you both. As soon as he had access, his tip was at your entrance. You shifted so he could enter you, moans coming from both of you as he did.
His thrusts were hard and spaced out as soon as he was in you again. He couldn’t let himself go fast. No, he needed to savor every second of this. The two of you kept your eyes locked on one another as he pounded into you. 
When your head began to fall back, he cupped your face, keeping you upright. “Keep looking at me.”
Your hands shot to the back of his head and held tight to his locks as he thrusted into you. He crashed his lips back onto yours, your tongues battling for dominance, and his release was coming fast. 
He reached up for the top of your shirt, tearing the top few buttons open, breaking them off and sending them flying. He broke your kiss and looked down at your necklace, the ring in full view before him. Grunts escaped him as his thrusts came faster and he plunged into you until completion.   
Both of you breathing hard, you remained holding one another. He rested his head on your shoulder as he caught his breath. You seemed to come out of the blissful haze before he did, but when you shifted to get up he held you in place. 
“No.” He said. “No, please. Can we stay like this a little longer?”
The desperation in his voice matched the desperation you felt. But this was a mistake, you shouldn’t have initiated as you had. You should have let him drop off the ingredients and go. But you shut the door and locked the both of you in, selfishly taking him as if he were still yours. 
“I’m sorry.” You breathed as you shifted away from him and off the desk. “I shouldn’t have… Forgive me, this is all my fault.” Your voice was strained as you went to grab your discarded pants. 
Garreth pulled up his own pants as well, numbly looking at the wall before him. He wanted your warmth against him again, he didn’t think he’d ever be able to get his fill of it. “I’m just as much to blame.”
“I think -” You took a shaky breath and went for the door when you were both clothed again. “I think I’m fine on ingredients. Thank you for everything.”
Garreth’s face went stoic, and he took his leave without looking at you. “You’re welcome.”
-
You and Garreth kept your distance from each other throughout the following months. But he still kept an eye out for you throughout Hogsmeade. He allowed himself to look, but the temptation to touch never faded.
After a rather taxing day at the shop he decided to pop into Three Broomsticks, he tensed when he saw you at a table in the back talking with Brood & Peck’s new worker. He had seen the fellow around and heard some things about him. He had quite the adventurous background, just like you. 
Garreth tried to keep the scowl off his face as he enjoyed a drink or two… or three.
Throughout the night, Garreth spoke amicably with everyone seated next to him at the bar. He’d sip at his drink as he took casual glances your way. You had been talking with that blockhead all night, smiling at him, acting smitten. He hid it well, but it was sending him up the wall.
He caught that you finally said goodbye to the man and took your leave. He downed the last of his drink and left after you. He could probably blame it on the alcohol in his system, but in truth, it was just how crazy you made him. 
Coming up behind you, he grabbed your arm and pulled you into a dark, nearby alleyway. 
“Hey! Garreth, what in Merlin’s name are you doing?" You took rapid glances around to make sure no one could see you two.
Pinning you between him and the wall, he pressed himself against you. You were taken aback, but immediately compliant. You looked up at him as he put a firm hold on your neck, feeling the chain of your necklace under his fingers. 
A thrilling sensation coursed through you and you were eager to see what he would do next, ignoring all the screaming voices in your head to not let it go any further. 
He leaned down and bit at your bottom lip, then placed his forehead against yours. “Trying to replace me?”
You didn’t respond, only looked into his darkened eyes with yours as your breathing picked up. Keeping his hand on your throat, he slid his free hand down the front of your pants, immediately going for your folds. 
“Go ahead. Just try.” He moved his fingers against your slit and greedily took your lips with his.
You kissed him back with just as much hunger, but you got yourself to turn away and push feebly at his chest. “Garreth… We can’t -” A whimper escaped you at his touch, and he plunged his first finger into you.
“I had to watch you with him all night.” He spoke in a low tone next to your ear. 
You bit your lip and your hands slid up from his chest to grip his shoulders. He took that as his chance to slip another finger in.
“Does he know what’s around your neck?” His fingers moved faster. “Hm?”
You narrowed your eyes at him, wanting to slap him, but also wanting him to continue taking you as he was.
“Fuck, I like the way you’re looking at me.” He breathed. He had never taken control like this before, and it was a power trip he never knew he wanted to experience. 
Your breathing was becoming shallow as he kept up his movements. “Don’t stop.” You panted in his ear as you threw your arms around him, holding him even closer.
“I’ll stop when I want to stop.”
The combination of his rough fingers and the way he was speaking had you delirious, the fire in your abdomen now an inferno. You were a furnace completely at his mercy and it was everything.
When your heavy breathing melted into moans, Garreth shifted back a bit, moving the hand that was on your throat and placing it over your mouth. “Keep fucking quiet.” He commanded in a hushed tone. But his fingers moved faster within you, almost challenging himself to get you to scream out.
He glanced down at his hand in your pants then back up to your face, and caught your half-lidded, pleasure filled eyes. His knees nearly buckled at the sight, but he stood strong. He could tell you were close, and more than anything he wanted to get you there, be the only person who ever did for the rest of your lives.
Your eyes began to roll into the back of your head and he removed his hand from your mouth, capturing your lips with his. He was going to swallow every cry and mewl he got out of you.
When your walls stopped contracting over his fingers, he slowly slid them out of you. His hands went to your hips and he rested his forehead against yours. As you caught your breath, the two of you had left your hate-fuck filled state and somehow shifted to something else.
“Tell me you still love me.” He exhaled, trying to stay steady. “Tell me you still love me like I love you.”
You took in his freckles with him being this close, just like you had always done. “Of course I still love you. You’re all I have left.”
His throat constricted. “Then why did you leave?”
Your arms snaked around his shoulders. “Garreth…”
“You didn’t even leave a note.” He shook his head slightly, the tears began to sting at his eyes. “You left me with nothing. We could have figured something out. We could have -”
You pulled his head down to your shoulder, cradling him there. He wrapped his arms around your waist, holding you tight to him.
“Please just… tell me why you left without giving me a chance. I know I didn’t deserve it. I know that. But I have to know what was going through your head.”
You let out a shaky breath, keeping your own tears at bay. “There wasn’t a place for me there.”
He tightened his hold on you and buried his face into the crook of your neck.
“It didn’t feel like my home anymore. That house was for you and your family.”
“You were my family.” He argued against your neck. “We were going to get married.”
“But we weren’t yet. And you had a baby on the way, Garreth.” You sighed. “I thought about coming back so many times. I did once.”
Garreth pulled back slightly, furrowing his brows and meeting your eyes. “When?”
“About a year after I left.” You admitted. “Your aunt had passed and I wanted to visit her grave. Told myself I was going to let you go and give you back the ring while I was at it. Then I saw you sitting outside your house holding little Matilda.” You smiled a bit thinking back on it. “You looked tired, but so happy. I felt like I’d only intrude, so I left.”
Garreth thought about it, and he didn’t know what he’d do if you decided to meet with him. He had come to terms with it all by then, marrying Victoria, having Matilda, losing you. He might have been able to stand tall. But then again, he went mad just seeing your picture in the Daily Prophet for the first time.
“And the ring? After all this time?”
You shook your head. “I can’t seem to let you go.”
You held each other in the alley like lovesick teenagers who snuck out in the night. He kissed you then, but without the aggression or urgency. For the first time since he’d had you in his arms again, his lips were tender on yours.
-
Just like it had when you were seeing each other over a decade ago, time seemed to fly by. Months had passed since he began sneaking away to see you, taking a quick floo to your hut and locking yourselves away for a few stolen moments. Moments where you two would be entwined. He’d be on top of you, under you, any position he could manage while he was inside you. Sometimes you’d make love, sometimes you’d fuck. It was all perfect to him. 
That potions shop keeper is having an affair with the beasts professor at Hogwarts. Garreth imagined people around Hogsmeade would say. But your meetups were the best kept secret he had ever had. No one ever suspected a thing.
Sure it was a bit thrilling to have secrets, but all that mattered was that he had you again. He couldn’t ask for anything more.
Except for maybe a divorce. He felt awful running around on Victoria as he was. She was a fine wife, a fine mother. But he hadn’t felt that spark of life he always had with you. The moment he saw you standing in person before him again, he knew his marriage was over. He had nothing more to offer her.
It had weighed heavily on Garreth. Separating wouldn’t exactly be easy to do legally, or cheap. But he’d push through, whatever it took to get the life he had been aching for since the moment you left. 
He hadn’t touched Victoria since you came back. She had tried, and he’d been dismissive. Even spending a good amount of his nights sleeping at the shop. She had sensed his distance easily, and eventually gave up on trying. He hoped she found a lover too.
He’d go easy on Matilda and break the news to her when the time came. He reasoned her being away at Hogwarts a majority of the year now would give her enough space from it all. There was never a good time for parents to separate, only the sooner the better at this point.
-
Matilda hadn’t attended beasts class that day. You would assume she was out sick, but something felt off. Every time she was sick she would still make her way to beasts class, and you’d always have to tell her she could catch up after hours and to go get some rest. But she hadn’t even shown up that day, and it set all your alarm bells off.
“You’re not in trouble, I promise you.” You assured the student you overheard mentioning her name. “Just tell me where she said she’d be.”
“W - Well, she mentioned a place called Henrietta’s Hideout? Hideaway? Said she needed to find a runaway niffler.”
Your blood had gone cold. Henrietta’s Hideaway was beyond dangerous for anyone, let alone a child. It had been riddled with traps and dark wizards when you and Garreth went exploring there, when you were particularly young and stupid. “Are you sure?”
The student nodded his head, clearly nervous. 
You turned on your heel, immediately heading to the nearest floo.
-
Matilda felt in her gut coming to Henrietta’s Hideaway would be dangerous, but she ignored that feeling and ventured forth anyway. The thought of leaving Agnes Coffey’s pet niffler to roam here and get killed made her sick to her stomach. She couldn’t sit by and let it be. She couldn’t.
She had managed to find the niffler, Rococo, but getting back out alive was starting to feel impossible. There were traps everywhere, and she didn’t know how to cast disillusionment on anything else other than herself. Rococo would give her away to the surrounding dark wizards for certain.
As she stood there, hiding herself and cradling the niffler in her arms, her hope slipped away every time she peeked around the corner. Each time it seemed like the amount of dark wizards lurking around went up. She let herself panic, but she didn’t let herself cry.
She startled when she started to hear spell blasts. Hearing the alarm in the dark wizards’ voices as they started casting spells back, Matilda held tight to the niffler and slid down the wall she was leaning against. She was finally starting to feel like the child she was. 
She needed to get out of there, she needed her father. He could save her, he always had. She squeezed her eyes shut and closed out the world around her, the tears started to come then.
Because her fear had taken over, she didn’t even notice when everything went quiet. She continued to hold tight to the whining niffler and keep her eyes closed when you approached.
“Matilda? Matilda, it’s me. Everything’s alright now. Come with me, dear.” You knelt to her level and spoke in a hushed tone. 
She slowly looked up hearing your voice, her eyes widening. Letting herself sob then, she threw an arm around you while still holding tight to the niffler. 
She threw you off balance slightly but you kept upright and held her back. “I got you.” You soothed and slowly brought both of you to your feet. “Let’s get going.” You pulled back, keeping a hold on her shoulders. You looked into her eyes, trying to get her steady again. “I need that Gryffindor bravery, alright?” You gave her a reassuring smile.
She wiped at her eyes quickly and gave you a firm nod. “A - Alright.”
The two of you moved forward out of Henrietta’s Hideaway. You tried to remember what the trap mechanisms looked like when you were there back in your school days. Dark Wizards you could handle. Nearly invisible traps? Those could sneak up on anyone.
You and Matilda caught sight of the entrance and she was immediately filled with optimism and relief. “There!” She shouted and began sprinting. 
“Matilda, slow down!” You called, keeping up with her as best you could.
You caught it at the last second. The tile Matilda stepped on made a clicking sound, and sank just slightly under the pressure of her foot.
“Matilda!” You shouted and shoved her out of the way. You weren’t sure what the trap being set off would do, but something moved into your abdomen, a strong pressure hitting you immediately. It didn’t hurt at first, but it had a solid hold on you. You couldn’t move. Then whatever was in your abdomen slipped out, the blood and the pain started to come. It was a spike, triggered by the plate Matilda had stepped on.
The realization started to kick in then. You did your best to keep your breathing even and not scare Matilda. This was it. This was the misstep that got you, wasn’t it? You could feel it. You weren’t going to be alive after today.
“Matilda.” You began as calmly as you could. “Go… Go get your father. He can help me, he’ll know what to do.” You sat down on the ground, clutching your stomach, slowing the bleeding to buy yourself time. “Watch your step as you go.”
Matilda was scared seeing your wound bleeding as harshly as it was, but she was able to stand strong at your handling of it. You were her hero after all. Of course you could handle something like this, no problem. She nodded her head vigorously and ran out.
You tried to keep your breathing even, last long enough to see Garreth one last time.
-
“Dad!” Matilda burst through the shop door. Garreth caught her panic in an instant and didn’t hesitate to run up to her. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he looked her over quickly, ignoring the niffler in her arms. 
“What is it?! What’s wrong?!” He cupped her cheek when he noticed some of the scrapes on her face. “Let me get a wiggenweld.” He turned to get it but she grabbed his wrist.
“No time! It’s Professor Y/N. I - I was at Henrietta’s Hideaway and she helped get me out of there. She saved me from a trap but she’s hurt, dad. She - She said to get you. Said you’d be able to help.”
Garreth’s eyes widened, nostrils flaring. Henrietta’s Hideaway? “What in Merlin’s name were you doing all the way out there?!” Not waiting for her answer, he ran for the door. “Wiggenweld! Now!” He snapped before he was out of sight and at the nearest floo flame. As soon as he returned with you, he’d give Matilda an earful.
-
Garreth called your name as he carefully stepped into the hideaway. It had been so long since the two of you had explored there. He had no doubt it was still as dangerous as it was back then, the both of you had barely made it out in one piece even with how capable the two of you were.
He heard you cough. He turned your direction and his heart dropped at the sight.
You were sitting on the ground in a pool of blood, back up against a rock, hand clutched over your abdomen attempting to stop the bleeding. Garreth strode up and knelt before you. “We have to get you out of here.” He swallowed thickly once he got a closer look at the wound and noticed the loss of color in your skin. A sickening thought took hold of him. 
Are you dying?
“No, I -” You hissed in pain. “I’m not going to make it out of here, Gar.” 
He had never heard your voice so weak, dread started to set in. No, you’re not dying. You survive everything. You can’t die. “We’ve got to try. I can carry you.”
He wanted to scream when you only shook your head at him. “Be with me.” You reached for his hand.
His nostrils flared, his breathing starting to come out uneven as he tried to shove the panic down. “I’m getting you to St. Mungo’s.” As carefully as he could, he attempted to lift you. But your cries of pain stopped him. He shifted just enough so he was on the ground with you, holding you in his arms, your blood coating his clothes. The helplessness he felt was crippling.
“Tell me what to do.” He pleaded. “You always have a plan. Tell me what I need to do.” Garreth was crumbling, the pieces of him falling too quickly to catch.
You rested your head against his chest and looked up at him as he looked around the cave frantically. “Be with me. Please, Gar.”
He shook his head. “I just got you back.” His voice cracked, his throat constricting. “Please… Please don’t leave me. I can’t do it. I can’t lose you again.”
You weakly reached up and tugged at your necklace. “You never lost me.”
Garreth looked down at the ring he gave you and the tears stung at his eyes, ready to fall. You let go of the necklace and cupped his cheek, looking at him with so much love, he didn’t feel worthy of any of it. 
He reached up and held your hand against his cheek. “You saved my girl.” He whispered, more grateful than you’d ever know.
“You know me. Always have to be the hero.” You quipped, your voice so weak it nearly came out as a wheeze. “I wish we met in first year.”
He squeezed his eyes shut, nodding his head, tears falling.
“It was always you, Gar.”
He shifted you in his arms, holding you tighter. “And it was always you.”
“You and me.” You smiled, your voice getting quieter.
“You and me.”
As you looked up at him and he looked back down at you, you seemed to stop breathing, seemed to go perfectly still. He said your name, but no response. He said it one more time, waiting for something, anything at all. But nothing. 
He pulled you up more against him, resting his cheek against the top of your head, and let the rest of the tears come. 
Come back to me. 
Come back to me. 
Come back to me.
-
The day of your funeral, he’d barely been able to speak, his voice would betray him each time. Nobody expected him to speak much anyway. After all, who was he to you? He wasn’t blood, he wasn’t your husband. At most he was an old friend, as far as everyone knew. No one would ever know what he truly was to you, would they? If he thought he felt loss when you left him all those years ago, it was nothing compared to what he felt then.
You were gone, for good this time. The permanence of it made his chest ache with an unbearable emptiness. It seemed every breath he took, he needed to guide himself through it. In, out. In, out. In, out.
Even after everyone left, he remained with your grave. As he stood there, looking down at your tombstone, he realized this was all he could have with you for the rest of his life. 
He tried to think about your smile, your laugh, picture you there still with him. But as soon as he’d fall into the memory, a little voice in the back of his head reminded him it wasn’t real. Then your laugh in his head went silent, and he’d be brought back to reality in front of your tombstone.
Someone had walked up and looked down at your grave with him. “Seems I’m late.”
Garreth glanced up briefly and saw Sebastian Sallow beside him, looking down uneasily. “Afraid so.” 
He had never liked Sallow. The lad would be fine in Garreth’s eyes if he hadn’t been so hopelessly in love with you back at Hogwarts. He had been sane before you showed up, but as soon as you arrived, something about you drove the poor fool mad. He had to stop him from following you around and begging you to reconsider your rejection too many times to count.
“Merlin, this can’t be real. She was supposed to outlive us all.” He whispered in disbelief. “When was the last time you spoke to her?”
Garreth blinked away the memory, trying to get the image of your bloody, lifeless form in his arms out of his head. “Not long before she passed. You?”
“I’d say about five years ago. Last I saw her, she was walking out my door, breaking my heart once again.”
Garreth wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer, but he asked anyway. “You two…?” 
Sebastian glanced up at him, then looked back down with a shake of his head. “Not really. I mean we tried for a while. But she was never able to love me like I loved her.” Sebastian let out a shaky sigh. “Untameable that one.”
Garreth could only nod his head. That you were.
“I really thought I had a chance after you.” Sebastian huffed humorlessly. “But if it wasn’t going to be you, I don’t think it was going to be anybody.”
Garreth swallowed the lump in his throat and knew it was time to be alone. He gave Sebastian’s shoulder a cordial pat as he passed. “Good seeing you again, Sallow.”
-
Garreth sat before the fire, and let himself wallow in his own whiskey fueled pity. How many times had he let you down throughout knowing each other? How many times had he failed you when you two were right on track to live happily ever after?
There was nothing he could do now, was there? The only thing left to do was mourn. So he thought back on his life with you again. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could see you again in his dreams tonight.
198 notes · View notes
cbk1000 · 7 months
Text
Hey, remember how I wrote a fic that was literally just about two men driving around the countryside looking at animals and being gay for one another? And it was 90,000 words? And at the end I went, "That wasn't enough nothing, so I'm going to write a sequel to this?" Anyway, here's a preview from that sequel:
Merlin gave him a few biscuits to show they were still chums, and then rested for a bit with his forearms on the table, recovering his stamina and courage for the follow-up round. The pocket on his scrub top was torn, and his trousers had seen neater days in a byre. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm. The door opened, thankfully, before he had launched himself into the next round, and in came Gaius with his stethoscope round his neck, saying, “It sounded like the Blitz in here, so I thought I’d give you a hand.”
“Yeah, did it give you flashbacks?” Merlin asked cheekily, though he did not yet have the breath to be a fully-realised shit.
Gaius rolled his eyes. “Ah, Charlie. Have you been giving Merlin some trouble?”
“He’s given me all the trouble. I’m sedating him next time.”
“It’s only an ear cleaning, Merlin.”
“That’s easy for you to say. I don’t see you in here being the David to his Goliath.”
“David won, didn’t he?” Gaius replied serenely.
“Sure, if you believe a book that says some guy talked to a burning bush and he wasn’t even tripping balls.”
Gaius rolled his eyes. “Where’s Arthur?”
“Does everyone ask ‘Where’s Merlin’ when I’m gone?” Merlin demanded.
“No.”
“He’s shopping because we’re the worst gays ever and we live like two bachelors who forgot that they have to do things like actually keep replenishing the refrigerator which, turns out, doesn’t just refill itself. But I can’t believe he’s still not here. I bet he knew Charlie was coming in today and he’s sat at home right now swigging champagne and living the high life and laughing at me cutting off dog’s balls and putting in bloody ear drops.” Then his phone went, and he slipped it out of his pocket to find there was a text notification from Arthur. “His ears must have been burning.”
Gaius put on fresh gloves and knelt down stiffly to greet Charlie whilst he read the text, which said very cryptically, Ring me; I need saving.
He did so. “Hullo, it’s your handsome, charming, taller boyfriend, saying these things because he assumes if you try and refute them you’ll ruin the bit. Who do you need saving from?”
“Oh,” Arthur said on the other end of the line. “Ok. Right. Well, don’t worry, I’ll be there straight away.” Then: “I’m sorry, Olivia, I’m afraid there’s a bit of an emergency at the clinic. Right. I’ll tell him as soon as I see him. Right. But I think it’s really a pretty big emergency and I’m needed straight away. Yes, I’ll tell him. Yes. No, it’s not him on the phone, it’s one of the front desk staff. I think he’s in surgery. Yes. That’s why I’m needed. Exactly.” Merlin took the phone away from his ear for a moment to laugh.
“Are you free of her?” he asked when he had finished snorting.
“I’m hurrying across the street now, too quickly for her to follow, so I think I’m in the clear. Or else I’ll be hit by a car; either way, I'm free.”
“Is that what’s taken you so long to do the shopping? I was about to ask if you’d gone to York.”
“I’m at our very own Morrisons right across the street. I finished shopping nearly an hour ago. She ambushed me. Trixie has rabies again.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Merlin blurted out.
“Merlin,” Gaius scolded him with a frown.
“Well, sorry, but Olivia Harris thinks her bloody dog’s got bloody rabies again, so I’m pretty confident the next thing Arthur’s about to say is that she demands I go out there and fix her up with one of those rabies shots again before she’s torn limb from limb by her 14-year-old Pomeranian. Some people are too stupid to live, and I wish they wouldn’t.”
“Merlin!” Gaius barked.
“Oh, yeah, because this whole village is going to go into mourning if she cocks up her toes. Probably give Death a plaque and a hand shake when he comes for her.”
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Arthur said. “I’ve still got to get the shopping home, but I know she’s watching me, and if I don’t pop into the clinic for the ‘emergency’ then I might as well walk into oncoming traffic.”
“Don’t do that; I need you to help me with Charlie.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the phone. “Don’t,” Merlin snapped. “You dare go home or walk into oncoming traffic. I’ll drag you right out of hospital.”
He did not walk into oncoming traffic, but through the employee entrance a few minutes later, after Gaius, citing the imminent arrival of Arthur as a reason to scurry off without having so much as scratched one of Charlie’s ears had scarpered. Merlin, sensing the presence of a fellow cow wrestler, who might have been up to the gargantuan task before him, poked his head out of the exam room, said, “Get in here,” and yanked Arthur in by his shirt, in case the command had not been clear enough.
“Don’t manhandle me,” Arthur said.
“I thought you liked that,” Merlin said.
Arthur was still fresh enough to being dicked down that he coloured, very faintly, though bamboo shoots under his fingernails would not have gotten him to confess to it. He went into the overhead cabinet for some gloves, and then knelt down in front of Charlie, though all he would have had to do to meet him eye to eye was to stoop down a bit. “Hello, Charlie. Has this twat been mucking about with your ears again?” He rubbed them.
“I’ve cleaned them out and just need to put in the antibiotic drops.”
“‘Just.’ That’s like saying you ‘just’ need to build the third Pyramid of Giza,” Arthur complained.
“That’s right, I did the first bloody two, you whingeing pillock, now man up.”
“Good morning, by the way,” Arthur said, in a tone which implied very heavily it was not. Arthur had had a rare lie-in that morning whilst Merlin slipped out ahead of him, so that their last interaction had been the night previously, a shag which ought to have put him in a better mood.
“Good morning, you crotchety tit.”
“You’d be crotchety too if you’d just had to listen to Olivia Harris for an hour.”
“Well, I’m going to have to listen to her for another hour this afternoon I’m sure, so I don’t actually have any sympathy.”
“You never do.”
“He’s a rotten liar, Charlie, I’m delightful.” He hauled Arthur in by the front of his shirt, and briskly pecked him on the mouth. “In case Charlie leaves you my war widow.”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “Don’t be such a coward; he’s like a giant teddy bear.”
“Yeah, that’s why you were thinking about walking into oncoming traffic when I said you needed to help with him.”
“I was thinking of walking into oncoming traffic because I had to talk to Olivia Harris for an hour.” 
The teddy bear stood cooperatively enough for his two friends, delighted to see they had multiplied, and that the second was the lovely blonde who gave him against the express advice of his stingier partner an extra biscuit; then this friend too transformed into that vile, snakeish Judas. Arthur patted his shoulders, and said, “Up” a little wearily, though he regularly bore the weight of an animal almost as heavy. He scratched all round the ears with Charlie’s hot breath in his face, and under the lax chin whilst Merlin sidled in with the drops. He managed the right ear before Charlie had quite comprehended what was happening to him; then he lunged back from Arthur with a look to show how he had wounded him. 
“Whoa, there, mate,” Arthur said, catching his front legs, and pinning them to his shoulders, whilst Charlie hopped about on his hind legs, shaking his head, and whipping it about, and turning Merlin’s ministrations into something like a bloody-minded Cirque-de-Solei audition, where the interviewers were throwing roundhouses at him whilst he contorted himself for their amusement.
They were all three panting, sweaty, and dishevelled when at last the ordeal was finally over, and Charlie clumped down onto the floor, and then galloped over to the Sulking Corner because he knew that Arthur would want to make friends again with some treats, whereas Merlin would have merely called him a great baby. 
“How did this morning go?” Arthur sked, squatting in front of Charlie and offering him a chicken flavoured gravy bone. “Ear drops aside.”
“Pretty well. Diggy’s bollocks are no longer amongst us, RIP. Had an emergency c-section after that; poor bitch was in labour all yesterday and still hadn’t progressed by the time her owner brought her in, but all the pups were alive and she came through the surgery just fine. Oh, and Emma says she wishes you weren’t gay. And that you’re such a soppy loser for me that it defeated her mum’s homophobia.”
Arthur looked round from Charlie and arched his eyebrow. “What? So what you mean is, today Emma confessed to being totally insane?”
“She did all but say she fancied you, so, yeah.”
“I do have a history of attracting lunatics.”
“True,” Merlin said. “It’s your arse. If you just had your personality, even crazy people would leave you alone.”
“Oh really? Maybe I should stop doing squats, then. Live out the rest of my days in peace.”
“Don’t do that,” Merlin said, and swatted him on the bum, unfortunately timed to the opening of the door, which had been opened by Gaius.
“Merlin.” He frowned.
“What? That’s one of the most innocent things I’ve ever done to him.”
“At the clinic he is your coworker, not your boyfriend. I’m not going to have another complaint from one of our clients about you sexually harassing people.”
“That was a misunderstanding.”
“So you didn’t make a lewd comment to Arthur at the front desk in front of Mrs Clarke?”
“Well I thought it was under my breath.��
“You don’t have an under your breath,” Arthur retorted.
“Arthur started it anyway,” Merlin said. 
“I did not!”
“You said--”
“I don’t think Gaius needs to know what I said to know that you’re guilty,” Arthur cut in hastily.
“I’m certain I don’t,” Gaius said drily. “Nor do I want to have any inkling of 98% of what’s said between the two of you. Just keep it away from the front desk.” He jotted down something in the chart he was holding. “Do the two of you have time to see an alpaca today?”
“An alpaca?” Merlin asked.
“There’s a local breeder who’s just got a new male and bred him to several of her females without any pregnancies, and she was hoping we might nip over and take a sperm sample.”
“What am I supposed to use to collect alpaca jizz? I assume what we’ve got for the bulls won’t work.”
“We say semen, Merlin.”
“Well, regardless, semen, jizz, spunk, baby batter--what am I supposed to put it in?”
“You could use a bit of tupperware.”
“We are not using our tupperware to collect alpaca semen,” Arthur broke in.
“Calm your tits, I’m not going to make you eat out of it afterwards. Obviously we’d chuck it; you can’t erase that with a washing-up. But, yeah, not really keen on wasting some tupperware on that.”
“A sandwich baggie, then,” Gaius said with the serenity of a man who would not be sticking his hand under an orgasming alpaca. 
“I’ve still got to put the shopping away. I’ll take Merlin, nip home quickly, and then drive us over to the farm.”
“You just want me to put the shopping away,” Merlin complained.
“Well I did it the last two times in a row.”
“Well I was operating on a pig.”
“You always have some excuse.”
“‘Can’t, I’m sorting out intestines’ is an extremely valid one.”
“I just find it extremely interesting that these things happen when there’s shopping to put away.”
“It’s not like I’m scheduling rectal prolapses to coincide with when we do the shopping--”
“Boys,” Gaius said.
“Oh, yeah, right, alpaca jizz,” Merlin said.
They bickered amicably all the way home and whilst refiling pantry and fridge and cupboards, comparing the number of items each had put away, and determining whether he was or wasn’t carrying a fair load, till Merlin decided to cheat by saying, “I am putting away my stuff so much faster” to ensure that Arthur finished the job.
“You’re a cock,” Arthur said.
“You’re way too easy to goad,” Merlin said.
66 notes · View notes
thegaunlets · 1 year
Text
just a whim
i just wanted a soft ominis who wanted children, was that too much to ask?
Warning: 18+ only
-who also loved sebastian at first but then saw the amazing world of ominis?
-I dunno what happened to the POV, pls do not ask.
After an eventful year of school, being a new kid in the fifth year, Sebastian almost dwelling too far into the dark arts, and literally almost dying one too many times, you’re happy to say you were content with the last quiet years of school, and with your life now.
You and Ominis had settled down in Feldcroft to be close to Sebastian and Anne. Their uncle was the sole caretaker of Anne, but Sebastian wanted to be as close as possible.
Sebastian had taken up a job with the Bernard Ndiaye, making deliveries and supplying some products for the shop. You had a peace of mind knowing he is quite capable in combat (Merlin forbid), from personal experience.
Ominis, ever so good with his hands, took up pottery while you had snagged a job at the Ministry of Magic in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
“How was work, love?” You heard Ominis ask as you stumble through the chimney.
You grunted in response and dragged your way to the couch and face-planted onto the decorative pillow. You heard him make his way over to you and sat on the edge of the couch, being careful not to squish you.
“That bad?” He asked as he rubbed circles on your back.
You turned your head from the pillow, “No, it was fine.”
“But?” Ominis dragged out.
Moving to sit up, you sighed, “There was this Kneazle, right? And they had held up in the basement of a muggle house. They called animal control and there was a whole kerfuffle.” Ominis was quiet and nodding his head patiently. “Turns out, they had taken shelter there and gave birth. Wouldn’t leave until their mate came back.”
While you were telling your story, Ominis had moved to sit next to you and put his arm around you.
“I’m sorry, I still fail to see- “
“I’m not finished,” you whined into his chest.
He let out a small chuckle, “Then please, continue.”
“So,” you started up again, “while we were trying to take care of it, I caught a glimpse of the babies. Oh Ominis, they were so tiny, but they were looking at the Kneazle and you could tell they felt so safe. Then the other Kneazle showed up and they were just a big happy family and I just…” you trailed off and then mumbled something into his chest again, but this time, he couldn’t hear it.
“What?” Ominis leaned down a bit and tried pulling you away. He was not used to this. Normally you are very vocal and upfront about what you want, one of the things that attracted him to you in the first place.
Given you were a Gryffindor, you tend to be loud, boisterous, and extremely outgoing. Hence, why you knew each other in the first place (he supposed Sebastian helped) given your first meeting. You gave him energy, a new way to see the world with your colorful descriptions. He finds he doesn’t like you so meek.
You had mumbled again.
“Love, I cannot help if you do not speak up.”
“I want that,” you whispered softly.
“A Kneazle?” Ominis raised an eyebrow. “We can see about finding a breeder. We have to find one that’s trusts us both. Though I’m sure for you, it’s- “
“No, Ominis. Not a Kneazle.” You interrupted, your cheeks were hot, and you still couldn’t look at him head on. If he felt your cheeks, you’ll be doomed.
“Then what?” He started to sound exasperated.
“Children. I want children.”
Ominis went quiet. You finally looked up at him and his mouth was slightly agape and his cloudy eyes casted downward. His hands had stilled on your thighs.
Your chest felt heavy, and your breathing sped up. You seriously needed to throw yourself in the snow outside. Messing with one of the buttons on your coat, you started spewing words, excuses, and apologies. Your visions began to blur as your tears threatened to spill.
Ominis had never not want kids, he had just never thought about it before. He never thought he’d have the life he did. He always assumed that he’d be pawned off, living a loveless life, stiff and cold. Instead, he had a family. He had you, his warmth. You loved him so much to want to create a family with him, of all people.
But he had things that he would never want to pass down. He didn’t see his lack of sight as a burden, but knowing there’s a chance that they would go through the same hardships made his chest tight. Then there’s the parseltongue. He swore that the time in the scriptorium all those years ago was the last time he ever uttered that language, and so far, he’s made good on his self-proclaimed promise. If his children had that curse…
He realized that you were still speaking in rapid time, your voice cracking and he knew there were tears rushing down your face. He felt for your hands and squeezed tight. You had gone quiet aside from your small hiccups.
Ominis gave you a small smile, “Let’s think about it, okay?” he offered delicately.
You nodded but then realized he couldn’t see it and gave out a meek okay. He trailed up your arm and cupped your cheek, his thumb wiping away the tears that stained your cheeks.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too.”
He leaned in and kissed your forehead. That night, you both spent it with each other on the couch relaxing into each other’s arms in comfortable silence.
A few days had past and neither of you have brought up the subject again. It was a bit awkward at first, but as the days went on, touches were softer, voices were sweeter, and kisses lasted longer.
Ominis still had no clue how to go about this. That’s when he found himself at his best friend’s home, explaining his inner turmoil at his dinner table.
“Hm, very conflicting indeed,” Sebastian mused as his he brought his cup of tea to his lips.
Ominis openly rolled his eyes and sighed, “Yes, precisely why I am here, talking to you.” He gripped his cup, thumbing the swirly design. “I want to give her what she wants.
“Well, what do you want?”
“I just bloody told you- “
“No, you told me your worries. What do you want? Think about it,” Sebastian leaned in a bit, “wouldn’t you want to see a little carbon copy of her running around?”
Ominis lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh, you know what I mean,” Sebastian groaned.
Ominis sighed for the umpteenth time but let his mind wonder. He thought about how he would hear a small little voice yelling “Daddy, daddy!” and felt a warmth in his chest. Intelligent and observant, like their mother, dragging him from shiny thing to shiny thing they found interesting. But if he were to be involved, that could all go wrong in an instant. He frowned.
“None of that matters if- “
“You are NOT your family,” Sebastian said firmly.
“I understand, but…” Ominis tilted his head down. “What if they are led down a dark path like the rest of them?”
His best friend reached over and put his hand on the blond’s arm. “It’s easier to pull someone out of it, than to lead them in. Trust me.”
Ominis took a long breath in and opened his mouth to rebuttal, but the brunette cut him off. “As long as YOU are the one to raise them, they will turn out just fine.”
Ominis gave a small smile and patted his friend’s hand that was still on his arm. “Thank you,” he said.
He felt Sebastian’s hand drag away and there was a beat pf silence.
“How did you become so wise, Sebastian?” Ominis asked.
“Maybe your sweetheart has rubbed off on me.”
They both shared a laugh and Sebastain mentioned how Anne found a Niffler in her jewelry box the previous morning.
A week had passed since his talk with Sebastian, and you have been busier than ever that you both had forgotten the conversation. He felt he had barely seen you since.
Your job had you by the throat at the moment, taking you to the States, the Ukrainian wilderness, and the Japanese mountainside at one point.
Your department had been short staffed and that’s when beasts wanted to cause a muck. Finally, you had finished your last job for the week and were looking forward to lying in bed all weekend, not lifting a finger.
You also missed Ominis dearly. The only time you seem to see each other is when you go to bed for the night.
As you walk through the chimney into the living room, you heard Ominis humming from the next room. It was late, you know this. He should be asleep right now, but you know he’s probably too deep in concentration to realize.
Walking into his workshop, he’s actually not working on a project at all. His wand was flicking here and there, moving his pieces and tools to different places.
“Hello love.” He greeted, his back towards you. He could always sense your presence, ‘It’s your aura.’ He told you once. You had no idea how to comprehend that, so you had just accepted it.
“What are you still doing up?” You leaned on the doorframe.
“Oh, well, I was cleaning and then one thing led to another and all of a sudden, I was rearranging everything.” Ominis made his way towards you and leaned down to give you a quick kiss. He scrunched his nose in a way that makes you want to squish his face and never let go. “You smell like a Hippogriff, did you encounter one?”
You’re always amazed by this sense of smell. “Yes, in the states,” you held his hand not occupied by his wand, “I need a bath, I know.”
He chuckled as you gave another peck to his lips and slipped out of his grasp towards the bath.
Half an hour later, you walked into your bedroom, now in a nice, comfy nightgown. In bed, Ominis had a book in one hand and his wand in the other, gliding it across the book’s pages.
After a beat of you standing there admiring him, he looked up in your direction while putting both his book and wand on the nightstand. He pulls back the covers for you. Passing your wand that you dropped off before your bath, you extinguished the lights and crawled into bed.
As soon as you got comfortable, Ominis pulled you towards him, your back to his chest, and entangled your legs with his. You sighed in content.
“I’m so happy I don’t have to worry about work for the next few days,” you said.
Ominis squeezed your middle. “Me too.” His face was buried in your neck and as he spoke his lips grazed your sensitive parts and instinctively, you tilted your head, giving him more room.
Taking the hint, he kissed your neck softly, knowing how to drive you mad in the sweetest of ways. Your breath got heavier as his kisses became more fervent. His arms left your middle to roam your body that he has since become attuned to.
You reached back to run your fingers through his hair when his wondering hands met your breasts. Feeling your hand tugging his strands, he pinched one of your nipples through your nightgown while his other hand squeezed the other. He rolled your nipple between his long fingers, tugging just enough for you to moan out softly. You felt him push up against your backside, feeling how hard he was already, and you couldn’t help but push back.
“Ominis,” your voice was breathy and low.
He hummed, “Yes, my love?” His assault on your neck hadn’t stopped.
“Kiss me.”
Ominis obeyed your command, bringing his hand to your chin and forcing it backward to meet his lips. It wasn’t long before your tongues meshed, both moaning into each other’s mouths, letting him rut more aggressively against you.
He had shifted and turned you on your back. He kissed down your neck, unbuttoning your nightgown as he went. When he reached your breasts, he took one in his mouth, swirling his tongue around your sensitive bud all the while his other hand continued its mission on your clothes.
You moaned into the air as Ominis continued his assault on your breasts, now moving to the other. Once your nightdress was opened, his hand felt towards your already wet cunt, not feeling any resistance.
“Oh?” He mused, “Feeling cheeky?” He grazed at your pubic hair, relishing in feeling you shiver.
You let out a small whine. “Please.”
You felt his grin against your skin as he kissed his way down. “Since you asked so nicely.”
When he finally made his destination, he spread your legs wide, and it’s times like this when he wishes he could see. No matter, through the rose scent you were emitting form the bath, he can still smell you just fine.
He pressed his thumb softly against your clit, moving in soft circles. The sensation made you twitch and raise your hips slightly, which made Ominis press your hips down with his free hand.
When his tongue found his way into you, you couldn’t help but cry out.
“Please, baby. Please.” You begged. Your fingers found their way into his hair once more and he had groaned into your cunt. Soon, you were moaning uncontrollably, trying to ride his face but not getting far due to his grip on your hips, now with both of his hands.
Ominis licked firm but fast circles around you, inside you, and anywhere he could reach. He then let your hips go and reached under and over your legs to grip your thighs, keeping them open as he heard how close you were.
He pulled back, your wetness evident on his chin from how close he was trying to get inside you. You raised yourself on your elbows and looked down at him.
“Please.” He begged as he rutted against the bed, dragging his wet kisses all over your thighs. “Please, cum. Cum on my tongue.”
He dived back into your dripping cunt, and you could feel that blissful feeling rises through your chest. He had finally pushed you over the edge, gripping hard at your thighs to keep them open while he ate you out as you rode through your high.
You twisted and pushed at him as you let out soft whines due to the sensitivity.
“Omninis, oh my stars, stop, please- “ you had one hand grip his arm and the other pushing him away and he finally gave way, as did your legs.
You closed your eyes as you tried to catch your breath. You felt him settle between your legs as he wiped his mouth.
“How was that?” He then asked after a beat of silence.
You let out a chuckle. “Perfect, like always.” You reached up to cup his cheek and him to your lips. After tasting your salty remnants, you reached for the buttons of his shirt and soon, you both were naked.
“Oh, hold on,” you told him. He tilted his head and his eyebrows furrowed as he heard you reach into your nightstand. Once he realized you were reaching for that potion, he reached out and grabbed your arm.
Your fingers were an inch from the bottle as you turned to Ominis. “What is it?”
His eyes darted back and forth and then decided to focus in the direction of the nightstand. He licked his lips. “You… you don’t have to. If you don’t want to.” His voice grew quiet towards the end, unsure of your reaction even though YOU were the one to bring it up in the first place. What if you had changed your mind?
You felt your chest bloom, and your eyes weld up. “Really?” You whispered. He nodded and you reached up and gave him a hard kiss, which he reciprocated. His hands found your cunt once more, feeling how wet you still were, and pushed a finger in with little resistance. You gasped into his mouth as he wiggled another finger inside, just as easy as the first.
“Ominis, please. I’m ready,” you moaned.
“Are you?” You cried out after a brutal scissor of his fingers. “You’re ready to take me? My seed and all?”
You mewled at his words and a low groan escaped his lips.
“Yes, of course you are. You’ve always been ready haven’t you?” He lined himself up, rubbing himself against your folds. “You just couldn’t wait for this day, hm? When I fill your cunt,” he pushed in, “to the brim?”
Your head was thrown back against the pillow, mouth open, moaning softly into the air. Ominis could talk dirty, yes. But never like this. It lit a fire in your belly as you squeezed around him.
He bottomed out, feeling your soft thighs against his pelvis. Over the years, Ominis has gotten less pale, spending more time outside instead of in a large, dark, cold mansion. His almost milky skin had turned a light beige color, making him look more alive. You watched as your fingers scratched the skin of his arms, marking him, just as he will do to you.
“Always so tight, hm?” He whispered sultry.
He pulled back until only his tip was left and plunged back in, drawing another moan from your lips. Soon, he found a slow hard rhythm at first, basking in your moans as he touched you wherever he could. That rhythm quickly grew sloppy as he whispered sweet, dirty things into your ear, feeling you clench harder around him.
Looking up at him, you were in awe of his normally composed, gorgeous face, scrunched and sweaty all because of you.
“Oh, Merlin. You feel heavenly,” Ominis uttered in between his moans.
“Yes, yes!” You tried pushing back against him, but the grip on your hips made it hard. One of his hands let go to grab at the sheets below, and when he leaned down and practically shoved his tongue down your throat, his hips never faltered. After a sharp suck of your tongue, he stopped, pulled back and grabbed one of your legs and put it over his shoulder.
Granting better access to you, he resumed his harsh tempo from before. As he thrusts, his thumb finds your clit and rubs in tempo, making you writhe with pleasure.
Ominis growled at the sensation, his head back and his jaw clenched. You’re reduced to panting at this point, your nails leaving harsh crescents in his skin. The sound of flesh slapping together made your skin tingle.
“I’m close, please, Ominis,” you pleaded, close to tears.
Ominis made a noise, his hair falling into his face, “Yes, please. Let go, I got you, I got you… “ He was mumbling anything at this point, rubbing you faster until you followed his command and let yourself fall off of the cliff of pleasure and into a tingling pile of ecstasy.
Ominis never slowed his thrusts and he felt you pulse around his cock. Looking up at him with bliss, regardless of your twitching, you reached up to drag a hand across his chest.
“Fuck,” he swore. “Fuck, I’m going to cum love. Take it, take it all.” His thrusts turned animalistic as he bit your calf.
“Yes, please!” You cried.
He grabbed your chin. “Fuck yes, of course you want it. And you’ll have it. And you’ll have my children, mine.”
And with that, his hips stuttered as he gave a shout. He was gripping your leg like his life depended on it, and after a beat, you felt his arm on your chin go slack.
After what seemed like a lifetime, he pulled out of you slowly and your cringed slightly as he seeped out. You instinctively clench, trying to keep him inside. He laid down beside you and pulled you towards him in a tight embrace.
You brushed his hair out of his face as he was still breathing hard, and he leaned into your touch.
“Thank you,” you whispered.
That made him open his eyes, eyebrows furrowed. “For what?”
You shrugged, “For going with my whims.”
“First of all, they aren’t whims. Second,” Ominis put his hand over yours. “I want this too. So do not fret, my love.”
You felt yourself tearing up again when you felt him leak out of you once more.
“I… may need another bath,” you said.
Ominis chuckled. “I’ll join you.” And with that, he helped you off of the bed and into the bathroom where there may or may not have been a round two.
-----------
thanks 4 reading :) ao3
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xreaderbooks · 1 year
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The Shadows of Our Love |3|
Chapter 3 | In the Shadow of Evasion
Pair: Sebastian Sallow x Reader
Word Count: 2.5k
Warnings: slow burn, language
Summary: Y/n had DADA and a group date in Hogsmeade
Also available on Wattpad and AO3
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a/n: let me know if you'd like to be tagged for future parts... picture is not mine, credit to @legacyshenanigans
Chapter 2 - Series Masterlist - Navigation - Chapter 4
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The passing week went by as soon as it started with most- if not all your classes with the boy who was keen to avoid you for all of eternity it seems. Every attempt to talk to him was shut down with him quickly walking away in the opposite direction or talking to one of your classmates, finding any and every excuse to seem too busy to talk.
It hurt, you didn’t know what you did wrong, as far as you knew with the last exchange of letters, everything should be fine. He was getting along with Ominis despite the fact that you were the one who convinced him not to turn Sebastian in. Being a part of someone’s life, dueling side-by-side in life-risking situations, it’s almost impossible not to grow feelings.
You shared moments that one would dare call ‘bonding time’, fighting off all kinds of monstrosities, helping him find a cure for Anne no matter how drastic. You were his support when his own best friend wasn’t, and in a way he became yours. Poppy and Natty aside, he became a huge part of your life at Hogwarts, learning the secrets of your shared house (made you feel like you had a special connection with him), and especially out of Hogwarts with all the dangerous situations you both got involved in.
You foolishly thought he shared the same sentiment.
You felt betrayed, betrayed, and angry. You thought you were giving him space to heal, thinking you needed to heal on your own as well, you didn’t think you were giving Sebastian the perfect excuse to disappear on you.
When you walked into the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom on Friday morning, you were determined to get answers. He would speak to you whether he wanted to or not, one conversation was all you needed.
“Today I will be introducing the topic of Nonverbal Spells,” Professor Hecat announced to the class as soon as everyone had arrived.
The only familiar faces are Sebastian (of course, You thought), Leander Prewitt, and Cressida Blume.
Leander raised his hand, “But Professor, I thought we were going to continue our lesson on Dementors.”
Last class, Professor Hecat gave a lecture on the soul-sucking wraiths, their strengths, what they feed off of, and the charm that repels them. It was expected that you would be learning how to cast a patronus but she had other plans.
“I can understand that some of you are excited to produce a patronus charm,” She walked around the class and placed her hand on his shoulder as she passed him. “However it is more difficult than it may seem, Non-verbal spells and counter spells are just as exciting, Mr. Prewitt.”
“ Now, I would like for you all to divide into pairs, one partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence.”
You searched the room with your eyes dreading pairing with literally anyone other than Sebastian, due to the current status of your friendship, your choice would be either one of the Gryffindors that you were sort of acquaintances with.
“Mr. Sallow, I’d like for you to be paired with Ms. L/n,” Professor Hecat declares and motions for the two of you to take up an open spot on the floor. It looked like Cressida was headed for Sebastian and Leander was headed towards you. “Both of you are my most skilled students, it would do you both well to get a feel for Non-verbals, that way shall I need any assistance going further, you two will be more than capable.”
Sebastian look as if he wanted to protest but didn’t, you on the other hand were thanking Merlin for the opportunity, perhaps this lesson will be able to break the silence between you. Ironically.
“Sebastian, Why don’t you start?” The older woman suggested. “Y/n, try your best to block him. I’ll be walking around the room, checking everyone’s progress.”
You and Sebastian stood facing each other, 5 feet apart as everyone else was. There was no humor in his gaze as there normally was, you had gotten used to his jokes, the flirty comments that suggested more than there actually was between the two of you. When it was just the two of you on a quest, he had an easygoing manner that made fighting off villains, easier.
Now, in class, the intent in his gaze, was nowhere near humorous as he focused on the conjuration of a spell to attack you with.
You kept your ground, waiting for the blow, not sure what to expect from him. Your thoughts were soon answered as several moments passed and the knockback jinx sent you to the floor.
“Are you even trying?” Sebastian retorted, as you lifted yourself off the ground, nothing you haven’t dealt with before. The comment though, reminded you of the argument you had with him last year when he called you ignorant after finding out you were in league with Lodgok.
Oh, Lodgok. You shook the memory of the goblin who had been a victim of his own brother's wrath and how you wished you would’ve been able to defeat Ranrok before it was too late.
Another blast sent your way, you scowled dusting yourself off, once again standing from the floor.
“I’m fine Sebastian, thank you for asking,” You sighed and focused harder this time. You widened your stance, now that you knew what to prepare for, you felt the magical aura rise, and as you felt the vibration in your wand, with the perfect timing you blocked the spell with your wand. “My turn.”
You mentally think of the spell you wanted to use, nothing came to mind except for the sharp sting of his words.
His eyes narrowed for a second before going back to normal, steadying his stance to focus as you did before.
You willed a spell, any spell to counter his previous moves, the feeling of magic in your veins you wanted a stinging jinx one that would hurt him. A dull hum sang in the back of your head, familiar and consuming.
You tried to refocus on the stinging jinx, or a knockback spell, anything to bubble up your ancient magic. You winced as your wand sputtered out red, green, and purple sparks.
Sebastian had a hand on his hip, his head tilted as he observed you.
“Do you mind?” You shot at him, you felt the heat rise from your neck at the embarrassment.
“Not at all,” He smirked. You wished you could conjure something, anything to wipe the amusement of your failure off of his face. You weren’t used to not being good at something, it had been a long time since you felt a failure at the hands of something magical.
You sighed and attempted to will a single spell into your wand without saying a word, and every time, you felt the icy blue glow that came from your veins.
You both settled on him practicing jinxing you and you, blocking them. At the least, you were successful in doing that, but the glow from inside you never faltered, it was like it was absorbing all the power sent your way.
Professor Hecat dismissed the class after the second hour, encouraging you and your classmates to keep practicing and to begin thinking of one of your happiest memories, listing them if you had to, and turn in a paper on why it was your happiest memory for homework.
Leaving the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom, you searched for Sebastian, in hopes of being able to tell him and thing or two about his treatment of you this past week.
Once again, he was gone before you could reach him.
~~~
The dorm was empty when you got there.
You got dressed into your usual brown pants, white blouse, and blue corset with a belt around your waist, lacing up your almost knee-high boots. It reminded you of the adventures you used to go on, making you reminisce, despite the dangerous feats you had to admit you missed it.
You descended the steps of the girl's dormitory and into the common room when you caught sight of Ominis who was already moving toward you.
“Hello, Y/n.”
“Hi,” You greeted him, placing a hand on his shoulder so he would know where you were.
“Have you spoken to him?”
You didn’t need him to specify who ‘him’ was, unfortunately, what happened just 30 minutes ago left a bitter taste in your mouth.
“Not exactly…”
“He was in quite a mood in the Undercroft,” He exhaled. “I was simply minding my business when I hear the gate shut and he begins casting spells like a madman.”
You smile to yourself fondly at knowing Ominis ‘minding his own business’ actually meant taking a nap. Sebastian’s behavior was a surprise, in fact, you knew that is what he chose to do with his free time, especially when letting off steam but you couldn’t find yourself to care at the moment.
“I’m sorry to hear that he disturbed your peace Ominis, but he was in no mood to speak with me, nor I him for that matter. I tried to catch up with him after class, to tell him a piece of my mind- he’ll no doubt tell you about it when he’s ready- and he was gone.”
Ominis hummed in thought, you glanced at the clock, noticing it was almost lunchtime. You and the others had agreed to go to the three broomsticks for lunch, so you would all have the rest of the day to walk around and shop before dark.
“Garreth and I are going to Hogsmeade with a group if you’d like to join?”
“That’s alright, I should be checking on Sebastian, see if I can get him to stop being… well him.”
“Okay, next time then.”
He bowed his head as he used his wand to guide him to the boy’s dormitories. You climbed the stairs up and out of the common room, hearing the sound of the cement snake slither into an arch, you walk to the great hall entrance where you saw Garreth pacing around.
You cast the disillusionment charm, creeping up behind him and shouting in his ear. He jumped and screamed, it was a high-pitched one that echoed in the moderately full hall.
He clutched his chest, “You!”
You laughed heartily at his expression, “That was for yesterday. What are you doing out here for?”
“Well, meanie.” He lightly pushed you, “I thought of waiting for you in front of the Slytherin door like a gentleman but… you know, Gryffindor.”
“Aw, Garreth are you scared of a couple of Slytherins?”
He glared at you playfully, “Shut up.”
Footsteps, loud and heavy came closer from running. “Wait!”
Imelda slowed to a jog, stopping once in front of you and Garreth.
“I’m coming with you.”
You raised a brow in suspicion, “Really?”
“Ugh, don’t act so surprised Y/n, you said I didn’t know how to have fun.”
“So, you’re willingly coming with us?”
She shot you a look, weaving between the two of you, opening the Great hall doors and holding it open for you. “Well?”
You looked over at Garreth who shrugged. “You’re that desperate to prove me wrong.”
You and Garreth walk alongside Imelda, seeing Poppy and Natty sitting by the fountain with Leander and Nellie.
“I can be fun, I consider Quidditch fun, not my fault you lot can’t feel the greatness of winning. But since this is what you losers consider fun, I’ll try it.”
“Okay,” You responded simply. The sight of Leander trying and failing at flirting with Poppy makes you cringe. “Why’d you invite him?”
Garreth’s face held something cold, something you’d never seen from him, no matter what the circumstance. “He invited himself.”
“Let’s how this goes then,” You braced yourself for Leander's overbearing presence.
Natty and Poppy greeted you with a hug, and smiles for Imelda, Poppy gave Garreth a shy wave. One he returned with equal warmth in his cheeky grin.
~~~
The three broomsticks were busy as per usual so seating was a bit complicated but once a couple of people left, the boys who had let you girls take the available seats first (much to Leander's dismay), they were able to sit.
Lunch made by Sirona was arguably one of the best meals you’ve ever eaten, the time flew by with your friends, and Leander made more than a few distasteful jokes but nothing that could’ve ruined the good vibes.
You all got to catch up, sharing stories on what you were all up to during the summer.
Poppy helped her grandmother with her research on unicorn blood and its benefits, Natty went back to Matabeleland with her mother but only for a short period of time because of safety, you and Garreth told them about how it was to live together.
You both confessed to having a bit of a fling… mouths were left open, and jaws dropped. Imelda smugly said she called it.
“It was too weird, he’s like a brother now,” You said. “It was only for a month and a half towards the end of summer.”
“A month and a half?” Leander exclaimed.
“Who broke up with who?” Natty asked.
“It was mutual,” Garreth answered. “And gee thanks, Y/n/n.”
You rolled your eyes, knowing why you both decided to break up with each other, it was fun and a nice distraction. You had always found Garreth attractive and apparently so did he, but your heart belonged to Sebastian and he belonged to an unknown girl. The only time Garreth made a mature decision, it was easy to confuse the two when you both aching for other people.
You both knew that though your relationship could have continued, as a couple, you didn’t have the spark.
You chose to leave out the romantic feelings for other people.
“Now that I know red hair is your type-” Leander began.
“Leander!” Nellie smacked the boy behind the head.
She then, thankfully, changed the subject to her new hobby which sounded all kinds of risky. A new sport apparently, called rock climbing, she loved all things that gave her a thrill. Only a handful of people knew how to do it in the world, safely, that is.
All in all, a brilliant time, you had all agreed to do this every other week, just send an owl if you couldn’t make it. The rest of the night was spent strolling around Hogsmeade, looking at all the new in-season merchandise.
~~~
You and Imelda stumbled into the common room, tripping over yourselves and giggling. She took Quidditch too seriously, but other than being desperately passionate about the sport, she was a nice hang. She proved as much throughout your time, hardly being as stuck up as she normally was for literally everything.
Your cheeks hurt from smiling so much, it had been a while since you felt this light.
That was, until she said goodnight, noticing how quiet you got. You stood stunned at Sebastian sitting in his usual armchair in front of the fire, book in hand, he stared at you as you stared at him.
Seconds, minutes, passed, and he broke the silent staring contest by going back to his book. You strolled passed him, pretending what passed between you, never happened. 
~~~
Chapter 4
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@vanivivs
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justalittleobsessed · 6 months
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🧡 A Little Fanfic for You... Or My Fic Masterlist ✍️
Fandoms: Merlin, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (all iterations)
Total Fic Count: 29
Main Fic RN: I Get Knocked Down (But I Get Up Again)
All fics can be found on AO3!
*Last updated March of 2024!
Merlin:
How to Reveal Your Magic Because You Have No Sense Of Self Preservation Whatsoever: A Guide By Merlin Emrys
A series of unrelated one-shots and short stories about Merlin revealing his magic because both he and all his friends are idiots. Also, Merlin, for the life of him, has no sense of self-preservation at all and I try to embody that in these fics.
Series info as of November 2023:
Not completed
10 works (listed below)
Best + Bitter = Better (one-shot, 2,637 words, part 1 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
This was actually happening. They were being serious. They were actually being completely, utterly serious.
“You can’t actually believe this.” He gestured wildly to the group of people in front of them. Well, as best as he could tied up. This was one of the most ridiculous things he had ever heard. This was… this was… he didn’t even know. “This is complete bullshit.”
“Emrys was clear in his instructions. You must be sacrificed in order to bring peace to Albion”
OR
The one where Merlin has had enough of everyone's shit.
Ironically Alive (one-shot, 3,139 words, part 2 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
Gwaine smiled that way he does when he wants to tick Arthur off. So really, it was his normal smile. “Seemed like a perfectly reasonable detail to point out.” He flipped his hair to the side, turning to face Arthur.
“Perfectly reasonable?!”
Behind Merlin, he heard some of the bandits shifting, whispering to one another. He was pretty sure it went along the lines of ‘what in the hell is going on’ and ‘there can’t actually be that many mysterious magical druids with blue cloaks that talk about destiny and give out magical red amulets to help stop enchantments that one sorcerer meets’, which, unfortunately, was sad and accurately true.
OR
Merlin is never relaxing ever again. He was going to make sure of that after this shit.
Pick Your Poison (Literally) (one-shot, 2,469 words, part 3 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
So. That… just happened. Leon, in his lifetime, had witnessed many strange, unbelievable, and frankly quite concerning things. When one lived in Camelot, and was friends with both Arthur and Merlin, one usually got into a lot of crazy and unbelievable situations. And Leon was no exception.
But this. This had to take the cake. “Merlin.”
He hummed in response. It was entirely too calm. “Why did you just drink poison?” Fire, no literal fire and chaos reigned around them.
“It seemed like the reasonable thing to do at the time.”
And yet, he found himself not surprised in the slightest.
Leon pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the oncoming headache behind his eyes. Goddamn fucking stubborn idiot.
OR
Merlin decides poisoning himself is the best way to prove a point. Leon is just tired. So tired.
Caves and Valleys and Magic, Oh My! (one-shot, 2,603 words, part 4 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
Merlin stepped back. He was… appalled. Shocked. Angry. Slightly hungry. MAD. Who did they think they were?!
“Excuse me?!” Arthur screeched. “Merlin has magic?!”
“Yes.” Leon deadpanned. “Now please, Merlin.”
How did he get here? How did this happen to him? Why was his life like this? He just wanted to be in his nice warm bed and instead he was soaked, stuck in a magical cave, and made to listen to his friends reveal all his secrets.
Right. Sounded about accurate.
OR
Merlin just wants to be home. Unfortunately, it seems like everyone else his different ideas. Typical.
Let's Do the Time Warp (Hopefully Not Again) (two-shot, 9,946 words, part 5 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
“Merlin, mate. He’s not lying. I wish you two were married. I, for one, would be your best man, obviously.”
"Poetry," Leon mumbled behind him, "Goddamned poetry."
Merlin gave him another startled look-voice rising in distress. “You were my best man!”
Oh, how thoughtful. Too bad he doesn't remember.
Gwaine gave him a thumbs up. "Okay."
OR
Gwaine is generally confused about everything that is going on. Merlin, on the other hand, just wants to go back to his NORMAL, totally STRESS-FREE life. Hahaha.
Just Another Tuesday (one-shot, 3,104 words, part 6 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
Arthur… really didn’t understand what was happening here. Look, he was generally confused by Merlin most of the time - the man was a riddle wrapped in an enigma with a side of sass to boot. But this was too much, even by his manservant’s standards.
“No. I refuse to believe this. You,” He pointed at the woman, who had just been walking on water, and then to Merlin, who had just kissed the lady who was walking on water, “and you are not married.”
Merlin and Freya held out their hands. Rings that formed out of water moved onto their previously empty ring fingers.
“Oh,” Merlin said, like an ass, “I think we are.”
OR
Arthur just wants to be in bed. It seems the entire world is against that idea.
Today Has Been Like... Torture (one-shot, 2,299 words, part 7 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
“Wait a minute… Do you have a pit of fire?”
The shack they were in was very small. Very cramped, and very much smelling of blood. They both looked around the room as if a pit of fire would suddenly appear. Merlin hoped a pit of fire would suddenly appear. That would make getting kidnapped on a Sunday worth it.
Murder Man looked at the ground sadly. “No.” His voice was quiet, sad. So disappointing. A pit of fire would’ve really spiced things up.
OR
Merlin is positively bored. Sounds like a great time to get tortured, of course.
Call It Like It Is (one-shot, 2,900 words, part 8 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
“How do you…” Arthur wiggles his fingers, like he’s teaching magic to a five-year-old, “conjure the fire?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Merlin starts, because what the fuck else does he have to do, and Lancelot just looks at him with that stupid look he always does when Merlin’s about to say something particularly stupid- “I call it forth from the deepest pits of hell.”
OR
Everyone may know about Merlin's magic, but nobody knows what he's actually capable of. Merlin decides that this is a great advantage when your boyfriend is an idiot.
To Be a God (one-shot, 2,419 words, part 9 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
“Bow before me,” The sorcerer announces from his perch atop a pile of rubble, “for I am the Mighty Emrys, and I am a god.” It’s not a very mighty perch for someone who claims to be a god. In fact, it’s a very sad, unremarkable perch. Or maybe he’s just a sad, unremarkable man.
“No, I’m Emrys.” Merlin bites back.
“Maybe… we’re all Emrys.” Gwaine breathes out. Gwaine, Merlin thinks, really needs to shut his mouth.
OR
The one where someone claims to be Emrys, and Merlin decides to put him in his place.
Just a Minor Accident (one-shot, 2,431 words, part 10 of How to Reveal Your Magic series)
“I’m sorry... I must’ve misheard you. What the hell did you just say?” This can’t be real. This cannot possibly be real. He must be hallucinating. Hearing things. Maybe he’s finally lost it. That would make more sense than this.
Gwaine grins back at him with a somewhat manic smile. Merlin tries to sink deeper into his bed. “I said that we accidentally raised the dead.” No. He heard right.
OR
The Knights raise the dead. Merlin just wants one full night of sleep, please.
The Once and Future Reign (one-shot, 7,034 words, part 1 of In Another Time series)
It started with Merlin. It always starts with Merlin.
Just One Yesterday (chapter story w/ 4 chapters, 24,076 words, on hiatus)
Merlin had waited a long, long, long time for the return of Arthur. Maybe even the knights or Gwen. What he wasn't prepared for was an ancient evil rising up to destroy the world. He certainly wasn't prepared for six new occupants in his house, who had no idea how to navigate the new world around them. But, he could handle it. After all, he was the most powerful being on the planet. How hard could it be?
Auribus Teneo Lupum (chapter story w/ 1 chapter, 5,691 words, on hiatus)
Morgana had unleashed something onto this world that had shaken Merlin to his core. Something cold and dark and not at all right. It swirled and settled inside of him, mocking his magic.
No matter what happened in the next few days, Merlin knew that nothing would ever be the same.
The Remnants of a Warlock (one-shot, 6,588 words)
Merlin sees everybody he has ever held close to his heart die off one by one. But he always moves on. He has to. So he locks it up and keep moving, because that's what he does. It's what he'll always do.
OR
The one where Merlin watches as all his friends die. He might see them live, too.
TMNT:
Move Along
Mikey's got this bad habit of dying, and his brothers got this bad habit of not liking that. Mikey would appreciate it if his brothers would stop caring so much, and his brothers would appreciate it if he could start caring about it a whole lot more.
It's gonna be a wild ride.
Series info as of November 2023:
Not completed
2 works (listed below)
I Get Knocked Down (But I Get Up Again) (chapter story w/ 46 chapters, 120,944 words, updates every Monday)
Mikey lives, and Mikey dies. He’s been doing it for years, and yeah, sure it’s not his favorite thing to do, but it’s whatever. It’s nothing to worry about. He’s not worried about it. He just hopes his brothers never find out, ‘cause he has a feeling that they’d way overreact.
OR
Mikey’s died a bunch of times and is totally Okay™ with this. His brothers? Not so much.
When the Thunder and Lightning Comes (I Know That You'll Be by My Side) (chapter story w/ 16 chapters, 44,731 words, updates frequently, side story to main fic)
Mikey lives, and Mikey dies. His brothers live too, although they don't die, and find it very concerning that Mikey continuously and worryingly continues to do so without caring. They'll get Mikey to understand that maybe that's not all that great... as soon as they figure out what's going on, that is.
OR
Mikey keeps dying. His brothers would greatly appreciate it if he would stop doing that, please.
On Some Days (one-shot, 2,431 words, TMNT - All Media Types)
Sometimes, if he listened closely enough, he could hear their voices. Not often, not often enough, but sometimes.
It's too Quiet. He misses the Loud.
Life Could Be a Dream (chapter story w/ 9 chapters, 35,678 words, TMNT 2003, TMNT 2012, TMNT IDW, completed)
"Hey Raphie..."
"And that's another thing," he adds, narrowing his eyes, "since when do you call me Raphie?"
Since forever. He wants to say. But that was before, and this is now. He thinks he might kinda hate now.
OR
Mikey, being Mikey, finds trouble. It's just that this trouble seems to involve him being human. It also seems to involve him not talking to his brothers, or having a dad, or being a ninja. So there's that. But all those things can be fixed, right? Something's telling him it's not gonna be as easy as it sounds.
Whumptober 2023
Michelangelo-centric whumptober fics!
Series info:
Completed
11 works (listed below)
If Only the World Could Stop Spinning (one-shot, 2,019 words, part 1 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - All Media Types)
The world is spinning, and his head is hurting, and he's not really sure what's happening, but he thinks it'd be better if his brothers were here.
Day 1: Swooning, “How many fingers am I holding up?”
Denial Only Gets You So Far (one-shot, 1,569 words, part 2 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - All Media Types)
Mikey is not feeling the best... no matter how much he tries to deny it.
Day 2: Thermometer
All That Burning (one-shot, 1,058 words, part 3 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT 2012)
Mikey is burning, and he is fire, and he is everything, and he is nothing. He just wants it to stop.
Day 3: "Make it stop"
Just a Flesh Wound (one-shot, 3,301 words, part 4 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - All Media Types)
Mikey has an unfortunate night. You see, getting stabbed wasn't really a part of the plan, but here he is, bleeding out and all, and that might be a bit of a problem.
Day 4: Shock, "You in there?"
Under Pressure (one-shot, 2,965 words, part 5 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - All Media Types)
It's just a normal patrol until it isn't. It's just a normal patrol until Mikey decides it would be fun to get himself caught up in a collapsing building. The it was not a normal patrol. Donnie should've guessed.
Day 5: Debris, pinned down, "it's broken"
A Survivor's Guilt (one-shot, 833 words, part 6 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - The Last Ronin)
Michelangelo watches everyone around him die over and over again. Never able to save them. Never there in time. And the only thing he can think of the entire time as that it would be better if he was dead instead.
Day 6: Made to watch, "It should have been me"
Don't Go Silent on Me (one-shot, 2,846 words, part 7 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - All Media Types)
Mikey is sick. His brothers aren't answering their phones. Well. Big brothers will always take precedent over fevers, so he'll just have to deal with that later.
Day 7: Alleyway, radio silence, "can you hear me?"
Actions Have Consequences (one-shot, 3,524 words, part 8 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT 2003)
Donatello is not having a very good day. And to top it all off, his baby brother is on the verge of death. And if he does... if he goes down... all they've done will be for nothing.
On the other side, Michelangelo is thinking the very opposite. Because if his enemy, the person that tried to hurt his family comes away with only a few scratches, then it'll all be for nothing.
Seems both brothers have some issues to work through.
Day 8: "It's all for nothing"
Something Old, Something Treasured (one-shot, 3,517 words, part 9 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT 2003)
In his pocket, Michelangelo carries around a picture. It has four brothers in it – orange, purple, red, blue – and smiling, laughing faces. It’s still glossy, even after a few years. Full of love. A reminder of heartbreak and pain. He keeps it around anyhow. It’s his most treasured item.
Day 9: Polaroid
Broken Promises (one-shot, 2,228 words, part 10 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - The Last Ronin)
They keep leaving. They keep leaving him, abandoning him. They're not supposed to do that. His big brothers promised him, after all.
Day 10: "You said you'd never leave"
Not the Best of Days (one-shot, 3,926 words, part 11 of Whumptober 2023, TMNT - All Media Types)
Waking up in a cell is not the best place to wake up, nor is it the best way to start the day. He just needs to figure out how to escape, how to reach his brothers, and most importantly... how to not die at the hands of this psychopath.
Day 11: Captivity, "No one will find you."
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quodekash · 1 year
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OUR SKYY 2 IS HERE ITS FINALLY HERE THIS IS NOT A DRILL
first lemme make myself an ice tea and then we’ll get into the ridiculous commentary (which will probably be entirely keysmashes but anyway) 
fingers crossed for something benchopper 
also i find it rly interesting that the series i finished with when going through all the our skyy shows is the one that theyre start with 
also also idk anything about the order for our skyy but i do know that there’s no way bad buddy isnt the final one 
ICE TEA HAS NOW BEEN ACQUIRED, NOW WE SHALL COMMENCE THE COMMENTARY (that a lot of you seem to like, why do you like my commentary) 
literally shaking what the hell
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STOP IM GONNA CRY, HE HAS HIM AS HIS LOCK SCREEN???? 
WE’RE LITERALLY LIKE TEN SECONDS IN AND IM ALREADY FILLED WITH TEARS 
IM SORRY, IT’S BEEN THREE FREAKING YEARS??? WHY WERE WE NOT AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION 
ok so judging from the intro, it’s nlmg first, and then simm, then THE ECLIPSE MY BOYS AAAAAA, AND THEN VICE VERSA, AND THEN MSP HEGUERIHBGKREJB, im literally vibrating with excitement rn help, and then abaab, AND THEN BAD BUDDY GERJHBGUKREJBKGURBJ, AND THEN 1000STARS 
ITS LITERALLY HAPPENING IN FRONT OF MY EYES RN AND I STILL CANT BELIEVE THIS IS REAL 
HOLY BAJOOLIES 
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HE HAPPY
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HE;S SO FREAKING EXCITED TO SEE HIM 
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NO STOP IM GONNA CRY AGAIN 
palms hair is so freaking pretty what the hell 
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i sense a sponsorship
palm is so happy to see him and he’s trying to be sweet but nueng is moody and i guess i get why but also pls just be happy to see him again 
okay they are happy now yayyy 
yup i was right theyre sponsored by suzuki thats kind of hilarious 
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damn, two sponsorships within like ten minutes of each other, they really went all out 
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CRYING AGAIN, THAT’S PERFECT 
well that guy was confusing. ‘you guys are soulmates and youre fate but also you cant be together but you will be but you wont’ 
HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT THEM, NUENG WAS ABOUT TO SAY HE’S DECIDED TO STAY IN BANGKOK AND FINISH HIS STUDIES THERE RATHER THAN OVERSEAS 
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bRO HAS A SWORD?? I WANT A SWORD 
also like oh shoot they might be about to die 
but also just imagine walking around every day with a sword 
the power 
id never like actually hurt anyone with it and id probably rarely take it out of the sheath 
but seriously. sword. its so cool. 
not cool that theyre probably about to hurt nuengpalm and probably that poor woman 
holding hands and running for their lives, absolutely nothing new here 
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heh i paused it at a funny moment 
he’s such a good bodyguard/protector/boyfriend/whatever ghrjgbhr 
ill show you what happens to heroes. they wake up in historical clothing. 
why are the roles suddenly reversed 
and why is palm the only one with knowledge of the present time and the only one without a clue about whats going on in this au  version of events 
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DAM OKAY THAT WAS QUICK 
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see, at first i was pretty sure he was faking it cos it didnt make sense that only palm was aware of the present, surely it would be both of them, but then he confused me, but its fine cos he remembers him YAY 
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IM SORRY, LITERALLY ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS THAT ONE TIME IN BBC MERLIN WHERE MERLIN GAVE ARTHUR AN ORDER 
ALSO PALM IS LITERALLY JUST DOING WHAT NUENG DID AND ITS SO FUNNY 
wait this entire thing is a complete repeat of the series just switched and historical
their first major interaction was being introduced via parent sending child to work for the other child 
their second major interaction was at the pool, and in this version its by the lake 
their third major interaction is the master making the servant eat with them because ‘theres too much food for me to eat by myself’ when really its just bc he wants to spend time with him 
wait please let chopper and ben be in this historical version of life 
phum is there 
surely its plausible to think that benchopper could be there too 
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i freaking love these two 
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IM SORRY????? WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT 
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NOOOOOO I WAS WRONGGGG
NOOOO CONFLICT 
its okay tho theyll iron out the conflict, its fine 
see, they figured out the conflict 
well that was wonderful but it is now 1am so i need to go to sleep 
goodnight folks! im gonna spend the next 24 hours Thinking About Them 
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embraceyourdestiny · 2 years
Text
I really hope the only reason Kairi has not been at the forefront of kh is because, like nomura often does with the series, he didn’t write a specific and concrete story for her so she could be used at a later point that fit her and the story more and gave him room to really work her in.
She’s the only main character in the series that we truly know basically nothing about which is bananas considering her significance to the story. She’s been a Princess of Heart since the beginning of this story and yet we hardly know what being a Princess of Heart even means? While we really don’t know much about the pasts of most of the main characters we at least know other aspects of their life and personality and abilities because of the journeys we went through with them.
Sure, we don’t know Aqua and Terra’s past and what life on the Land of Departure was like but we’re intimately familiar with their image of themselves, how they view morality and righteousness, their fears and shame and ambitions.
With Roxas, Naminé, and Xion we genuinely know every aspect of their life because we were there for it.
With Riku and Sora we’ve had deep dives (literally) into their subconscious. We’ve seen the worst sides of themselves and the best. We know their morals, their hopes, their feelings. They are easily the two main characters we know the most about.
Even Ven, though his past before and between Khux and BSS is still missing and he’s the most elusive of the main cast, we know about the things he’s chosen to hide from or forgotten against his will. We know about Vanitas and how he was abused by Xehanort (which even Terra and Aqua don’t know much about). We saw his struggle with jealousy and desire and we’ve seen the extent of his anger and his love.
But Kairi? We know a handful of things about her and most of them are just facts, not decisions she’s made or many aspects of her personality. Of Kairi we know,
•She was from Radiant Garden (KH1)
•She’s a Princess of Heart (KH1)
•Her grandma told her about the legend of Worlds and Light, which is connected to the Age of Fairytales (KH1)
•She enjoys writing letters, specifically to Sora (KH2)
•She trained with Axel under Merlin (KH3)
•She is the one who held onto Sora’s image and brought him back / kept him safe (KH1/3)
•She feels strongly about Naminé and thinks she deserves to exist (KH3)
•She was experimented on by Terranort and had her memories messed with (MoM)
And… that’s really it. Of course there are little, nuanced moments scattered throughout the series but they’re very small and rare that it really doesn’t add up to much. Melody of Memory gave us the most tease of the kind of person Kairi is beyond being kind and that’s 18~ years after she was first introduced.
What does Kairi look like at the end of her rope? How does she react under duty and responsibility? What makes her laugh, cry, sentimental? What insecurities does she have? Has she struggled with darkness? What would that look like to her? In depth, how does she feel being left behind beyond “it makes me sad?” There are so many questions to be asked of Kairi’s character and it feels too intentional for her to have “conveniently been forgotten” all this time. Out of 10 protagonists and dozens of other characters both major and minor, she’s the only one with minimal motivations and expressed emotions?
To me it feels like Nomura’s been waiting for the right place to put her and I really hope it’s true because Kairi has SO MUCH POTENTIAL. As a Princess of Heart, as a keyblade wielder, as a student, as a friend, as a person. And it feels like she’s just WAITING to be utilized. I really hope that finally that can happen for her because I know when it does it’ll be phenomenal.
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galactic-pirates · 1 year
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Ok ok ok
Picard episode one.
Let’s see if I can be coherent.
Obviously spoilers. Spoiler alert. All the spoilers.
Right ok first breathe. That was a lot.
I wasn’t keen on Riker hinting at relationship trouble with Deanna :( just why?
Actual impression of me when I first saw hooded figure: “RAFFI RAFFI RAFFI RAFFI” and then “no no no no!!! Let it be a cover please let it be a cover. Oh thank merlin it’s a cover” air punch whoo I do love a badass Raffi. I mean she is so strong. Surrounded by all that stress, all that temptation, and she’s struggling and she’s still winning. Whether she slides after her ‘failure’ in grief at not having saved all those lives I don’t know. I wouldn’t judge her for that. Whomever Raffi’s handler is, is a real piece of work. They know Raffi is the best and they know Raffi can be convincing in that world because of their personal struggles. They are taking advantage of Raffi’s pain and making them do it anyway.
I’m not sure whether I believe Raffi and Seven are broken up or if that was a lie like Raffi being bounced from StarFleet was a lie (still a commander, they are both commanders!!) but they might have ‘released each other’ so to speak given that they are apart for months. I hope not given how they seem to have done than dance, shouldn’t they have learned that lesson?
But this then goes into Seven and oh man that was physically painful. The mention of how Janeway as well as Picard convinced Seven to join StarFleet (now StarFleet was willing to accept her!!! I am still ??? About that). Anyway Seven decides to go all in and they pair her with a bigot of a Captain who insists on her deadname? I metaphorically threw up a little when Seven corrected Picard and it was only her utter discomfort which gave me some hope. I flinched everytime Picard said Hansen and I literally cheered when he went back to Seven.
It feels like with how Seven was “sirs” all the time, that she surrendered to StarFleet as she chose to give it a try but in doing so she surrendered her hard won individuality. It was like she was robot Seven again but without the “I know I am right” confidence which led her to go against orders all the time in the name of efficiency etc. in the early days of Voyager. So with Seven on this “can I be myself and StarFleet which I wanted and they rejected me and I pretended it didn’t hurt, and then decided I would do it when it was offered but at what cost?” type journey I could see her splitting with Raffi. Self-protection and also a bit of self-sabotage. Raffi would be a good thing in her life and this StarFleet position feels more like punishment.
Anyway the thing with Crusher looks like it’s going to go as expected with her son also being Picard’s son. It was not subtle with the “I don’t need a legacy” line and all the references about their romance ending badly. I do wish they could have come up with something a little more original, and also a little more logical. I can not understand given how they were friends, even if Crusher didn’t think Picard would be happy, why she wouldn’t tell him. Cutting everyone off to keep the secret just does not make sense. I hope that it’s something to do with this weird being hunted business and not just a lame “I didn’t want to mess up your life as I thought you didn’t want a child” kind of miscommunication because they never talked about it. I mean that would just be so ugh.
I like the junior LaForge :)
Can we shove Captain Shaw out of an airlock?
I wanted Ranger Captain Seven to be honest. So Commander Hansen because StarFleet protocol + bigoted Captain is just no. I really want that to end fast. If I have to hear Hansen much more I will throw up for real. It would be one thing if Seven chose that but used as a weapon? I can’t stand it. So wrong. Picard mentioned mutiny and junior LaForge will side with them and I can’t imagine Shaw is beloved amongst his crew. Perhaps if he tries to oust Seven for helping Picard the crew will oust him instead. Seven won’t be the Captain so long as Riker and Picard are around but after maybe? I just want Seven to be the Captain she deserves to me, not in rank but in who she is. As I said Ranger Captain, a Captain with a heart like Pike. He followed the rules, he was the ‘Boy Scout’ but he was loyal and he did what was right which I think is all Seven wants to do - look out for the little guy, make the Galaxy safer.
Ok so speculation for next week! Well there’s going to be a battle. I am guessing Shaw doesn’t want to help and maybe that’s why the crew follows Seven as she orders the Titan in to save Picard, Riker and the Crushers. I suppose Shaw could surprise me and save them but he seems to be the kind that likes to use the rules to his advantage. They are outside federation space, doing unauthorised stuff, and so he doesn’t have to help and as it suits him he won’t.
I am worried Raffi will spiral and fall off the wagon :/ Laris is so ill-used. Why does she not get to go on the adventures? C’mon former Romulan intelligence badass. Make it make sense. Anyway more characters will show up. I doubt it will be everyone as I suspect they will drag out the full reunion for a while but somebody will show. Maybe Geordi first? Especially if they sustain damage.
I am wondering if the orchids on Crushers ship were significant? That was an image from season one to do with the fact that there were always two/twins of the androids. So cloning kinda. Not sure how that would work or why it would mean someone was hunting them. I am guessing it connects in some way with Raffi’s mission as that is how story works. It will build together for the big finale. Daystrom was the research institute for androids as well where Agnes worked. Add to that the kid is an adult and Crusher locked him in his room to protect him. I get that she’s a mum but from what I saw in TNG she respected Wesley’s abilities, so why not let him join the defense? Unless it was him that the attackers were after because something experimental.
I can’t believe I have to wait another week. The anticipation is real. On the other hand I don’t think my heart could take another episode right now. I think I need a few days to calm down before I would have the spoons to watch more anyway.
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weakforarwen · 2 years
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You can hate Uther for being a genocidal manic, you can hate Kilgharrah for being manipulative, you can even hate Gaius for encouraging the Status Quo (and for out-living Arthur!) but the whole fandom can get behind Agravaine as the Scrappy. He is in every episode of the 4th season (& everyone acts like they already knew him), hogs up the screen-time with pathetic lessons in espionage, dies & is never mentioned again. Season 4 should have been Gwen's rise to power but the writers ruined her arc.
I hate Agravaine.
Uther was practically a tyrant, but his relationship with Arthur was a huge, if not the biggest, part of Arthur's character. The struggle between wanting to please his father and doing what he felt right made Arthur into the compelling and complex character he is, and was also how he showed he was worthy of becoming The Once and Future King.
Kilgharrah is a complicated character. I'm still not certain of his intentions, but Arthur would've died without his interference, though he was prophesied to die in Camlann, so Kilgharrah's role in Arthur's story must've been prophesied also? Dunno, but I think he was a very interesting character, who gave Merlin good advice he didn't follow on many occasions, as well as misleading advice Merlin did follow on others. He played an essential role in Merlin's story and in his growth.
Gaius also had his flaws, for sure, but he did so much for Merlin (and Arthur). He was a good person, very likable, easy to understand imo.
But Agravaine? What did he do? He was neither interesting nor necessary. Uther was key to Arthur's growth as well as being a multifaceted character who wasn't just wrong all the time. Agravaine made Arthur regress as a character and took away precious screentime from more deserving characters. He was also literally dumped in the middle of the show without any explanation. We know nothing of his backstory or why he was so into Morgana. He was a terrible addition to the series.
And, yes, Gwen married Arthur in season 4, as she already knew she would when Arthur became King. Both Gwen and the audience were aware that she was a Queen in the making, but we didn't get to see her step into that role or adjust to her new life as King Arthur's girlfriend. Becoming Queen can't be easy and her life went through so many changes from Prince Arthur's secret girlfriend to having that secret exposed and then later becoming King Arthur's lover. How did she prepare for her marriage to Arthur? We never saw that. Gwen and Arthur never talked about what it would mean for Gwen, Arthur, and Camelot. Arthur never gave Gwen any advice or warned her of the difficulties she would face as Queen. It's complete bullshit. The creators just didn't care for Gwen at all, or for Gwen and Arthur's relationship. Gwen was one of the two female characters they had, so she really deserved more screentime and much better writing. It's the 21st fucking century, white men can't make up 99% of the cast, and women deserve good writing and to play important roles.
Anyway... thanks for the ask!
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strangefellows · 1 year
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Hmm Artoria, Emiya (servant), Nagito, and Elidibus
First impression
Artoria: KING ARTHUR AS A GIRL????????? Okay you know what that could absolutely work, let's see how this goes.
Emiya: .........oh shit. Just. Just that, in the most resigned tone of voice humanly possible. Especially when he opened his mouth and I heard his seiyuu.
Nagito: Oh, he's fluffy! But also fandom is weird as fuck about him I do not trust like this....
Elidibus: ASCIAN! Interesting one, clearly evil, but also...helpful? Hmmmmm.
Impression now
Artoria: My god, I love her. I love you girl, I'd kill for you girl, you need to treat yourself better girl. Girl. Girl you had to deal with so much lunacy in that kingdom I love you please go take a nap. Love yourself.
Emiya: lies slowly down on the floor and cries into the carpet, good lord i love this stupid fucking depressed traumatized big brother idiot man.
Nagito: MY BOY MY CHILD MY POOR SWEET FUCKED UP BABY I DON'T CARE HOW WEIRD FANDOM IS ABOUT YOU I CHERISH YOU ANYWAY
Elidibus: [uncontrollable sobbing] THEMIS MY BABY BROTHER I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUU
Favorite moment
Artoria: I don't have a standout moment for her? She's just lowkey amazing the whole time, frankly.
Emiya: His final fight with Shirou, that whole backstory dump speech, every time his theme starts pumping. But also his entire existence in the Servant Summercamp event is pure distilled joy, I love when they roast him for UBW.
Nagito: His almost-confession, how absolutely 100% Done he is with Mikan in chapter 3's trial, that one condescending talksprite, how ready he was in DR3 Despair Arc to fucking murder the shit out of Junko...everything about his OVA...
Elidibus: 5.3, just...5.3. All of it. Also the bit in Pande part 1 where he fucking punches the floor to dispel the binding, CHILD I love that shit.
Idea for a story
Artoria: Like I said, I desperately need Camelot shenanigans, I also want to write stuff with her and PHH Vortigern post LB6 loredrops. I also also want to sit her the fuck down and shake her until she realizes Camelot falling wasn't something she needs to fix.
Emiya: Give this man a fucking vacation let him be a stupid college student let him have fun he deserves it.
Nagito: I still have that 'Nagito didn't get Despair'd back in the beginning and works with the Future Foundation to save his class' AU rent free in my head...
Elidibus: MORE THEMIS SHENANIGANS PLEASE GOD
Unpopular opinion
Artoria: She is NOT WAIFU BAIT SHE IS A PERFECTLY GOOD AND REASONABLE INTERPRETATION OF WHAT IF ARTHUR HAD BEEN A WOMAN AND IT WORKS VERY WELL AND I LOVE HER AND SHE'S EXTREMELY WELL HANDLED THANK YOU
Emiya: He's not an edgy hardcore badass, dudebros, he's not cool and he's not admirable and you don't wanna be him, he's a traumatized fucked up 20something but also ancient immortal cleaner who desperately wanted to die badly enough he was going to try to kill his past self even knowing there was a good chance it wouldn't work, but also kind of hoping it didn't anyway. He's a mess, and I love him for it. Also I don't ship him and Cu.
Nagito: OH GOD OH JESUS WE DO NOT WANT TO OPEN THIS CAN OF WORMS, EVERYONE. Just know I hate 95% of fandom opinions on him.
Elidibus: There's been a lot of pushback on this, so it's becoming more popular but I'll just reiterate: HE'S NOT A LITERAL CHILD. Also, I don't really ship him and Erich? Cute friendship tho!
Favorite relationship
Artoria: Her and Rin and Shirou, her and Merlin, her and her knights. Her and Mordred, poor kid. I'd love to see her interact with Oberon Vortigern for obvious Vortigern reasons.
Emiya: Him and Shirou and Artoria and Rin, but also like I've said, the Gil Cu Emiya idiot trio gives me all kinds of life.
Nagito: KOMAHINANAMI!!!!!!!!!! But also his friendship with Fuyuhiko is absolutely amazing.
Elidibus: The unsundered, yes, and also Themis and Azem.
Favorite headcanon
Artoria: She met her uncle Vortigern when she was veeeeery little, before she went to Ector and Kay, and he gave her her first hair ribbon because he wore one too.
Emiya: He has a scar through his eyebrow that neither Shirou nor Emiya Alter have, it's the one thing that's completely one hundred percent his, not something he has to share with a double.
Nagito: He needs glasses very badly, he just loses or breaks them enough he goes without. Who needs contacts?
Elidibus: Themis and my personal Azem are blood siblings and both the sons of Venat and potentially a certain other Convocation member who will remain unnamed because neither Themis nor Azem know who their dad is, but it makes Pande hilarious. :)
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messers-moony · 3 years
Text
King and Queen | S.B
Paring: Sirius Black X Fem!Potter!Reader, James Potter X Fem!Twin!Reader
Summary: James goes through a lot during his time at Hogwarts but his sister is always by his side.
Inspiration: Click
A/N: If this comes off insensitive to anyone please let me know and I will remove this.
James Potter was a handful. From the minute he was born, he had this gleam in his hazel eyes that raged and burned with trouble. His twin, Y/n Potter, was almost the opposite. The soft smile that laid on her features and the glitter of calamity in her eyes. Euphemia and Fleamont were in for a lot the minute their twins were born. 
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is most comparative to having a web browser up with one too many tabs. James had always been unable to focus and was naturally messy. Truth be told, he thought it was normal, just as everyone else did. It wasn’t until his second year at Hogwarts did he realize something was genuinely wrong with him. 
Remus told him that he had this muggle thing called “dyslexia,” which was a difficulty in interpreting words, letters, and other symbols. However, it never affected his overall intelligence because everyone knew that Remus Lupin was indeed and wholly brilliant. It got James wondering, did his inability to focus, be organized, and hyperactivity have a deeper meaning?
His twin - Y/n - was quite the opposite. She made quick friends with Remus, Sirius, and Peter, who were close friends of her twin. Y/n was top of their class, creating a friendly competition with Remus, but she was always able to focus. Often she would hyper-focus, which would leave her working for over five hours at a time without realizing it. In those times, James would have to snap her out of it. 
Over the summer, James expressed his concerns to his parents. He was talking about how this could be a real issue he’s facing using Remus’ dyslexia as an example. Eventually, they gave in, letting James go to a muggle doctor. James had to fill out a questionnaire that would come back with his results in one week. That week was probably the longest week of his life. Nonetheless, his test results had come back positive. 
Fleamont and Euphemia would be lying if they were surprised. After hearing about the disorder, it was almost the definition of their eldest son. Fortunately for James, the muggles had come up with a cure - no, not a cure - dammit, what was it again?
Impede the symptoms! That’s what those muggle pills do. James was required to take two pills a day, one in the morning and once at night. Y/n was in charge of making sure he did so because - more times than he’d like to admit - he would forget everything if it wasn’t for Y/n. 
In third year, James was as energetic as ever while getting on the Hogwarts Express, “Aren’t you excited, Y/n?!”
She chuckled, “Yes, but Merlin, you don’t need to literally jump with joy.”
“But I’m excited!”
“I know that.”
They made their way to the compartment that held Remus, who was reading a book. James sat in front of him while Y/n took her seat beside Remus, “‘Ello Remus.”
“Hey, Potter pair.”
Y/n sighed, and James groaned, “That nickname needs to go away.”
“I quite like it.” Remus stated smugly, “Suits you both.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?” Y/n accused falsely, “It means that wherever one of you are, the other isn’t that far behind.” Remus replied. 
James had zoned out already, and Y/n snapped in his face, “Take your pills?” 
“Forgot.” James muttered guiltily, “Oh Godric.” She whispered. 
“Pills?”
“James went to a muggle doctor this summer.”
Remus quirked an eyebrow, “Did you now?”
“Got diagnosed with ADHD.” James informed, and Remus looked amiss, “Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.”
“Ah, I’ve heard of that.” Remus said, and James smiled sheepishly, “I feel kinda odd, like out of place.”
“Why?”
“Dunno, just, why can't I be normal?”
“You are normal, James.” Y/n reassured, “And anyone who says differently obviously doesn’t care about you.”
The compartment door slammed open, “Who doesn’t care about who?”
Remus snorted, “Ever the dramatics, huh, mate?”
“‘Course.” Sirius flopped down beside James, “It comes with my charm and devilishly good looks.”
“Ah, yes.” Y/n said, chuckling, “Don’t you see how I’m swooning for you?”
The back of her palm was against her forehead, “Come off it.” James swatted at her and then elbowed Sirius, “Better not make my sister swoon.”
Sirius chuckled and shrugged, “Can’t help it. I’m just that irresistible.”
The four of them laughed at Sirius’ dramatics and continued talking about the new term. Remus and Y/n were talking about books they couldn’t wait to read. Remus was even kind enough to gift her some muggle books he bought over the summer holiday. Sirius and James bickered about what pranks to do this year, along with which ones were better. 
Third-year was fun. It was a year of flooding corridors, turning Slytherin robes red and blasting music in the common room after a Gryffindor victory. James was a brilliant Quidditch Chaser, and Y/n was a fantastic Seeker. Nothing was quite like the Potter pair. Something about them was just unforgettable. 
Maybe that’s why Sirius was so fond of her. Something about the Potters made people around them smile on the hardest of days. They made sure that every moment was a night to remember. Every memory was worth reliving. So adventurous, so reckless, yet so kind and loving. 
By the time fifth year rolled around, Sirius Orion Black had fallen off a cliff into a lake called love. Sirius completely submerged himself in love for Y/n Potter. The younger twin by just 20 minutes, but something about her was so divine. Was it her silk and glittering h/c hair? No - maybe it was her gleaming e/c eyes. Perhaps it was for her strive for adventure and extreme kindness. 
Nonetheless, Sirius fell hard.
And who better to tell than James Potter himself?
Causally - as usual - Sirius opened the door to the Marauders dorm. It was empty aside from the brunet boy with glasses on the bridge of his nose. His hazel eyes were focused on a textbook - Potions textbook - maybe it was to impress Lily. Sirius couldn’t care less, so he pulled the chair out in front of the desk and sat before James. 
“Mate, I need your help.”
“Running from Filch?”
“No. Something- Something worse.”
“Something worse?” The textbook shut loudly.
Sirius nodded, “Way worse.”
“Alright then, come into my office.” James teased, and Sirius grinned. 
It was silent, “I’m in love with your sister.”
James sputtered, “Excuse me?”
“I’m in love with Y/n.”
“No, no.” James waved his hand horizontally, “I heard you.”
“Then what else would you like me to say?” Sirius asked. 
“Literally anything else.”
“Sorry, mate.” Sirius muttered, “I- I really didn’t mean to.”
James chuckled and wiped his hand across his face, “I suppose you can’t really stop love, huh?”
“You really can’t.” Sirius agreed, “I tried. I promise I tried.”
“It’s not that big of a deal late.” James assured, and Sirius looked at him with wide eyes, “I trust you just-“
“Just?”
“I’m worried about her.” James completed, “I- I worry about her every night.”
Sirius softened, “It’s like you with Regulus-“ James continued before Sirius could interject, “And don’t pretend. Your silencing charms are bloody terrible.”
“I know you still care for Regulus, you worry about him every night, and I do the same for Y/n, except my silencing charms are better.” James teased sightly, “I trust you, Sirius. You’re the brother I never got but always wanted. You know, the brother I can play Quidditch with, rough around with, the brother who’s just as sneaky and mischievous as I.”
“But Y/n is still my blood. She's my twin, my best friend, my partner in crime. She was the mind behind my pranks before Remus.” James elaborated and then smirked, “Remus and Y/n make a great team, ya’ know?”
“They are quite brilliant.”
“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, take care of her?” James looked like the eleven-year-old boy again, “Don’t make her a fling and don’t make this temporary.”
“Y/n is a strong woman, and she isn’t for weak men. I’ll be honest,” James chuckled, “She doesn’t need a man. She doesn’t even really need me. I need her more than she needs me. Regardless, take care of her. She deserves a man worthy of her. Someone that’ll get her ice cream at 4 a.m. because she’s craving it. Someone that’ll go on sporadic trips with her. Someone that’ll understand that after a hard day, all she wants is a book and coffee.”
Sirius was appalled; he’d never seen James look so passionate, “Growing up, mum always told me to be a gentleman. I know it may not seem like it sometimes, but she always raised me as one. To hold a door for them, push and push in their chairs for them, give them my jacket even if I’ll freeze.” 
“Those kinda things. Dad said I should practice on Y/n, and I did. From then, Y/n always got treated like a queen, and she deserves no less. I won't lie, my parents treat me like a king too, and I don’t want any less either.” James explained, “Be the king that’s worthy of my sister.”
“That’s all I ask of you.”
Sirius nodded, “I’d be honored to serve her as my queen.”
“And if you show her no less, she’ll spit you out like chewing gum.”
He shuttered, “I hate how accurate that phrase is.”
James laughed, “I know her more than you think.”
By sixth year they were dating. Sirius would be lying if he wasn’t eternally shitting himself when Y/n said yes to going to Hogsmeade with him, alone, as a date. In fact, James almost wanted to throw him a party for finally not being a little bitch and asking out his sister. This party consisted of a bottle of firewhiskey and chocolate because that’s all that was in the boy's dormitory. But a party nonetheless. 
When Lily rejected James for the last time before graduation, he was utterly heartbroken. He’d spent and dedicated seven years of his life to this gorgeous woman. Despite all his efforts and all his charms, she still wasn’t interested. James tried. He really tried. He wanted Lily so bad. His heart broke when she said her final words of goodbye.
“I’m sorry, Potter. Maybe in another life, just not this one.”
Tears had ebbed at the corner of his eyes as he made his way back into the castle from the Black Lake. In the common room, where he felt like he had just got dowsed in water. James made his way to the girl's dormitory. His hand curled into a fist and knocked lightly on the wooden door. Shuffling was heard from the other side, and the door finally opened, revealing his sister. 
Without warning, James crashed into her arms, forcing his nose in the crook of her neck, “Woah.”
“Are you okay, James?”
His body shook with sobs as he shook his head no, “It’s okay. Let’s go lay down, okay?”
Gently she led him to her bed. He curled up beneath the navy blue comforter and placed his head on the silk pillow sheets. If he tried hard enough, he could forget the way Lily’s hair smelt today or the way her green eyes glistened in the sun. Now engulfed in his sister's scent, trying to remove every feeling for Lily possible, he dug his nose deeper into the comforter. 
Y/n sat beside him, her back to the headboard, and ran her fingers through James’ already untied hair, “What's got you so worked up?”
“It’s done.”
“What’s done?”
“L- Lily and I.” James choked, “She- She really doesn’t want me.”
A new wave of tears overcame him, and Y/n continued to try and soothe him, “Well, she’s a tosser.”
James narrowed his eyes, “James, you know I love her. She's my best friend, but if she can’t see what’s right in front of her, then she’s an idiot.”
“Can I- Can I stay here tonight?” He asked hesitantly.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay at your dorm?” Y/n questioned, “Because you know who sleeps here.”
“Will you stay with me?”
“Till the end.”
After a couple of minutes, Y/n and James made their way down the steps to the boy's side. They walked up more steps and finally made it to the boy's dormitory. James collapsed on his bed in the left corner of the room, and Sirius perked up at seeing his girlfriend enter the room. 
“Whatcha doin’ here, love?”
“Staying with my brother.”
Sirius nodded and stood up to hug her, gently pecking her forehead, “If you guys need anything, let me know, ‘kay?”
“Thanks, Siri.” 
Gently Y/n pulled back the maroon curtain and sat down beside him again. James reached for her hand and intertwined their fingers. Something they used to do as kids. When a thunderstorm would go by, James would always seek sanctuary in his sister's comfort. 
He fell asleep that night, knowing he was safe, loved, and knew that someone cared about him. Even if Lily didn’t love him, at least someone else did. He had his boys, and he had his sister. Right now, that’s all he needed beside him: Screw Lily and her idiot decision skills. Y/n was right; she was a complete tosser. 
When Hogwarts was over, James and Y/n got a flat together. Sirius, Remus, and Peter got one only a floor above. Realistically this wasn’t the plan. James always planned to buy a house with Lily, but he was still healing, and after everything going on, it was vital for him to hold his sister close to him.
Euphemia and Fleamont barely lived to see their children graduate. Not too long afterward had died due to the horrid dragon pocks. It devastated both twins and Sirius. While Sirius wasn’t their true child, he very well could’ve. Euphemia noticed Sirius’s lingering stares on Y/n and the loopy smile that graced his features.
She was the one who got Sirius to man up. She was the one who gave him advice. She was the one who told him what books were her favorite, which chocolate she liked the best, her favorite quills. Euphemia was one of the main components in getting Sirius to date her daughter, and when it finally happened, the parents couldn’t have been happier.
James’ ADHD still remained even in his adulthood, making regular everyday tasks much harder and twice as long. Most of the time, the pills were able to help him complete those tasks. But sometimes, when Y/n wasn’t there to remind him, he would miss his days. When Y/n got home from work, she had barely taken off her shoes to see the apartment spotless.
It was a pleasant surprise, but James was never really one to clean, not that she really minded, but the apartment didn’t have a speck of dust on it. Hesitantly she put her keys on the island along with her bag.
“James!”
“Yes, Y/n?”
He appeared in the kitchen where Y/n was, “Um, did you clean the apartment?”
“Yes, I did!” James nodded enthusiastically.
Y/n sighed and gave her brother a sweet smile, “What did you not do today?”
“So, you know how you told me to go to the pharmacy?”
“Mhm.” Y/n nodded, “Indeed I do.”
“Well, they were out of my meds.” James informed, “I have to wait a week.”
“Oh, Merlin.”
“On the bright side!” James was already causing her a headache, “It’s gonna be a fantastic week! I’ve got so many things planned for us! We’re gonna go-“
James continued to ramble as Y/n grabbed her keys, bag and slipped back on her shoes, “I’m going to Sirius’!”
“Thought you were my sister.” James faked pouting, and Y/n smiled, “I love you, but you’re crazy.”
“I love you too!” He yelled as she closed the door.
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Day 127: Fake Dating
"It's just annoying," Draco continued as he and Harry packed up for the night. "Literally every single party or brunch, I am hounded about when I'll start dating someone." He slammed his desk drawer closed, "I'm a bloody auror! I haven't got time to date anyone," he groaned. "And now I have this party tonight and I just know-"
"I'll go with you," Harry offered.
He broke off and stared at the other man. "What?"
"Yeah," Harry said with a shrug, "I'll go and be your pretend boyfriend, it would be easy to fake that we're dating since we already know everything about each other."
"But," he started, tilting his head at the other man, "Then people will think we're dating."
"I thought that was the point?"
He stared at Harry, waiting for it to click. When no click was forthcoming he said "but then people would think you're dating me."
"Am I missing something here?"
He rolled his eyes, "I don't think you quite understand what dating me entails."
"Ah, need to be pampered, darling? Wined and dined? Roses on Tuesday and dinner on Friday nights? I could bring you coffee in the morning-"
"I- What?" Draco spluttered. "No! No. Merlin, that's not what I'm saying, although, yes if we're being honest I want to be absolutely doted upon," he added.
"Obviously."
"Wait," he said, shaking his head to clear it, "You're missing the fucking point."
(Read more below the cut)
"Sorry," Harry said, smirking at him and not looking sorry at all, "What's the point?"
"The point," Draco said, poking him in the chest, "Is that dating me is not a pleasant experience."
"Oh come on," Harry teased, "You're not that bad."
"I am a fucking delight," he replied, exasperated, "I am saying that the press will make your life hell."
"Ah," he said, nodding, "I have no idea what dealing with the press is like."
"The press has been kind to you for at least the past decade because of the whole saving the world nonsense," Draco replied as he opened the door and held it open for Harry.
"Except for the lurid months after I came out and all sorts of lies were spread about me," Harry replied wryly.
He shook his head and headed toward the floos, "Even those were mostly flattering," he added with a lewd glance.
Harry laughed, "Whatever. My point," he said, poking him in the shoulder, "is that I'm not afraid of the press." He bumped his shoulder against Draco's, "Come on. What have you got to lose?"
"Fine," he huffed but his stomach was silently doing back flips while his heart did a complicated tap routine in his chest. "Meet me at the Screaming Goblin at 7:00pm sharp." He stepped toward the floo and turned, "Don't dress like a homeless person," he added before stepping into the floo.
---------------
Harry did not dress like a homeless person. In fact it was quite the opposite.
Harry looked fucking hot.
He was wearing tight dark-wash jeans and a lightweight jumper that hugged his body, making his strong, broad shoulders look even broader and his trim waist even narrowed. He'd done his hair, putting enough product in his curls to make them look artfully tousled and not a mess. And he'd arrived before Draco but instead of waiting, he'd gone in and bought Draco's friends a round and was sitting and yammering away at them.
As Draco approached, Harry turned his head and gave him a wide grin, "Hey, babe," he said, standing up and pulling out Draco's chair for him.
"Hi," he said weakly.
Harry pressed a kiss to his temple and a thrill shot through Draco's body as his brain went pleasantly fuzzy.
And thank Merlin for Harry because Draco hardly answered a question all night, hardly even heard a question all night because he was too busy focusing on the way it felt to have Harry's fingers trailing through the hair at the base of his skull. Harry talked and laughed with Draco's friends like they'd all been friends for ages as he sat with his arm resting on the back of Draco's chair.
When it was time to go, Harry helped Draco into his coat and bid all of the former Slytherins goodbye as he wrapped his arm through Draco's.
The bar wasn't far from Draco's but still Harry murmured, "Can I walk you?"
And Draco found himself charmed into saying yes.
Harry hummed, quiet now that all of Draco's friends were gone, but he still kept his arm looped through Draco's as they walked. When they arrived at Draco's front door Harry asked, "Everything alright?"
Draco's eyes snapped to his and he nodded, "I just can't believe how well they took to you."
He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and grinned up at Draco from the bottom step, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Well, I can be very charming, what can I say?"
"It's a little strange-" Draco started but Harry leaned in and pressed a kiss to the corner of Draco's mouth and every word that Draco knew disappeared.
"Don't overthink it," he said with a wink. Then he turned and started off down the sidewalk calling, "See you tomorrow," over his shoulder.
Draco was half way to bed before he realized that there was no one watching when Harry kissed him on his door step.
------------
They spent the next two weeks fake dating and it was the best dating experience Draco had ever had. Harry was sweet and doting, just like Draco had said he wanted and Draco enjoyed that thoroughly.
But what he hadn't expected enjoying as much as he did was being good to Harry in return. While Draco loved to be praised and brought little treats, Harry loved to be touched. He melted when Draco ran his fingers through his hair; when Draco held his hand, he got a huge dopey grin on his face that took hours to disappear; and even a casual touch, fingers trailing over the small of his back when Draco walked by, made his lips twitch up as he leaned into the touch.
Draco was quickly, and disconcertingly, becoming addicted to those smiles.
Smiles were in short supply that day, though. The case they'd worked had been tough. Harry was scowling at the folder splayed out in front of him, his jaw clenched as he filled in paperwork.
"Hey," Draco murmured as he slipped behind him and slowly rubbed Harry's shoulders.
Harry dropped his quill and leaned back into the touch, "Hey," he murmured, closing his eyes.
"Alright?" Draco asked.
He nodded, "I just hate the ones with kids."
"They're going to be alright, though," he said.
"Yeah," he agreed, "But it just brings up bad memories." He shook his head and covered Draco's hand with his own. "Want to get out of here?"
"What did you have in mind?" he asked as he combed his fingers through Harry's soft curls.
Harry tipped his head back to look up at Draco, "this is nice," he said softly. "Want to go back to mine and I'll make you dinner? Then I'll lay with my head on your lap and you can stroke my hair?" he asked wistfully and Draco's heart stuttered in his chest.
"That sounds an awful lot like dating."
"Yeah," Harry affirmed.
"But there's no one there-"
Harry pulled away, breaking Draco's contact with him, "You're right," he said, nodding as he stood up and started shoving files into his bag. "Forget it."
"Harry-"
"No, it's fine," he said, giving him a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You're right. I'm just," he shrugged helplessly. "Forget it," he repeated as he grabbed his bag and headed to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"But-" Draco started before realizing it was useless because Harry was gone. He packed up his things and headed home, this was what he should have been worried about; pretending to be dating had been a terrible idea.
When he got home he flooed Pansy and told her everything. "And now I don't know what to do," he finished, imaging Harry at home all alone make dinner.
"You're such an idiot," Pansy groaned.
"Excuse me?"
She rolled her eyes. "You do know that we all knew you thought it was fake, don't you."
"What?"
"We all knew. Potter told us that first night when we met up for drinks," she said.
He frowned, "Why? Why would he say that? And why haven't you said anything?"
"Because he asked us not to. He said he was really into you, or whatever," she said flippantly, "And that he thought he could win you over by showing you how great dating him could be. He begged us to play along."
He stared at her, mouth open, "He feels the same?" he breathed.
"Yeah," she said. "Obviously."
"I've got to go," he said, abruptly ending the call so he could floo to Harry's flat.
He stumbled out of the floo and immediately called for the other man, "Harry!" he shouted, heading toward the kitchen. "Harry!"
The other man's head appeared outside of the kitchen doorway, "Draco?" he asked as though he couldn't believe his ears.
Draco took one look at him and then closed the gap between them in three steps before wrapping his arms around him and kissing him.
Harry dropped whatever he'd been holding and it shattered at their feet but Draco didn't care because he was kissing Harry Potter and that was all that mattered at the moment. He poured his heart and soul into the kiss and Harry met him with the same.
"Me too," he gasped when he pulled back.
"What?" Harry asked, looking a bit dazed and Draco could hardly blame him.
"I'm into you too," he said. "Or whatever you said to Pansy that first night."
"I told them I was in love with you," he confessed. "You still want to own that?"
He nodded and threw himself at Harry again, kissing him and wrapping his arms tight around his neck.
The next time they parted Harry asked hopefully, "So, do you want to stay for dinner?"
"How about I stay forever?" he asked, grinning wide at the other man.
He nodded, "Even better."
--------------------
Day 126: Arranged Marriage | Day 128: Snake
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cursestothemoon · 3 years
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yay for the open requests! I really reallyyyyyy love your Harry's older sister hc, could u pretty pls do more? like their brief life as a family with lily and james, then to the dursleys and then at war, so on. I agree with the anon that did the request, harry does needed a bigger sister❤️
aH I LOVED THESE REQUESTS
YOU GUYS CAN READ THE HEADCANONS THIS ANON IS TALKING ABOUT HERE
ok so this is L O N G i need to add a keep reading tab
alright so let's talk about harry's older sister
so lily and james did not plan you
they were straight out of hogwarts
just having fun
and suddenly lily is having morning sickness and james running into a store to buy a pregnancy test (or whatever the wizard equivalent would be 😗)
james would be so nervous the weeks leading up to your birth
he already knows that you aren't even here yet and there isn't anything he wouldn't do for you
and when you are born
he swears he'd never love anything as much as he loves you
his little girl
this sweet little lump of baby fat that was born with eyes just like his
he'd put his glasses on your little baby face, and he could laugh for hours at the way they just barely sat on your little nose (a miniature version of his)
your chubby little baby hands are his favorite
when you'd plan your hands on his face or wrap your hand around his finger he'd melt
Lily would joke all the time about how she carried the baby yet James is constantly hogging her
I think james would have some serious separation anxiety
Lily would also have trouble leaving you to go do something but she knew that you getting to see other people would be good
james is NOT a fan
and you were a big daddy's girl
"it's going to be alright, darling, uncle Padfoot and uncle Moony will take care of you."
and you'd respond with sad baby talk, something along the lines of 'daddy' and 'wanna stay with you' and you'd get all teary eyed
it's a whole dramatic scene
youre crying
james is about to cry
Sirius is quite literally trying to sob silently into his hand because you just look so sAD
and remus and lily are just
😐
because you guys do this eVERY TIME
there was one time james got back into the car with lily after dropping you off and he was unusually quiet until he kinda just whispered out
"It just feels like i'll never have enough time with her, like one day i'll wake up and suddenly she's not mine anymore."
his tone gave Lily the worst chills, his tone and the fact that she felt the same though never voiced it
honestly
i don't think harry was planned either
he kinda just happened
and they were like
you know what, yes.
so you were two when harry was born
and you LOVED your baby brother
he was so small
so cute
and he had your mum's green eyes
from the get go you were very protective of your little brother
james thought it was the cutest thing
ok ive been avoiding it
but we need to talk about October 31 1981
you were upstairs with our mum and harry
james was downstairs cleaning up from dinner
that was when there was a knock on the door
assuming it was peter, uncle wormtail, james was quick to go open the door
grabbing his wand for protection was the last thing on his mind
the thud of his body was loud
he was killed before he could even open his mouth to warn Lily
the door to Harry's nursery flew open and it all happened so fast
there was screaming
bargaining
a sudden flash fo green before Voldemort turned to harry
his cold, pale hand pushed you out of his way
the prophecy had said nothing about you, so he didn't care for what happened to you he just needed to kill harry
which obviously backfired
half the house was blown up
he was gone
harry was crying
and you just wanted your dad
you found your way downstairs, just barely making it down the steps
lily and james had never let you go up or down the steps on your own
only to come face to face with your dad just lying on the ground motionless
his eyes were still open
now i want you guys to think of the lion king
you know the scene where simba finds mufasa's dead body and just lays with it because he doesn't know where else to go
you just wanted any kind of comfort you could find
so with tear streaks going down your face you slayed next to your dad, getting as close as you could, hoping he'd just wake up
sirius is the one who finds you, asleep next to james' body
it was rather rough for sirius
and he could hear harry crying somewhere upstairs
you wake up to uncle padfoot trying to keep in his tears as he takes in the scene before him
you're just glad to see a familiar face
you run over to him, tears freshly falling as you wail about how daddy and mommy won't wake up
you also gently pull james' glasses off his face and keeping them in your small hand
keeping them safe for him later
you knew he didn't like to sleep with his glasses on
eventually hagrid shows up
you guys know the story
but i will say
it takes a lot for you to leave uncle pads and go with this big strange man
youre basically heaving as you beg to stay with sirius
and forcing you off his hip and onto the bike with hagrid was the worst thing he's ever had to do
even for a two year old, youre eyes held such a strong emotion of betrayal
sirius would never forget it
the dursley's were not fond of you and harry
you had james temper and stubbornness
harry was just a 6 month old baby
doing 6 month old baby things
for the first month you'd ask for james, lily, uncle moony, uncle padfoot, even uncle wormtail on a daily basis
until one day petunia just snapped
you had asked about sirius, or as you called him uncle padfoot, and petunia lost it
she started to shout, her hand coming out to strike your cheek as she told you that no one was coming
not now
not ever
you never asked after that
over time you forgot about sirius and remus and peter
you forgot about the song your dad would sing every saturday morning when making breakfast
or the way your mom would hum when she brushed your hair
all lily and james had become were familiar scents and the same pair of eyes you'd see in your dreams (though for a long time you just assumed they were your eyes, they looked enough like yours)
and you grew up always feeling like you were on the wrong side of a billowing curtain
you and harry grew up only having each other
you were very protective of him
and dudley hated it
because you had James art for pranks
and his art for rarely getting caught
unfortunately for you petunia and vernon didn't need evidence to incriminate you
you were often on the receiving end of disciplinary swats and missed meals
and you'd often take harry's punishments for him
you and harry were also forced to share a room
or cupboard
you let him decorate it with all his things (he didn't have many)
and you guys shared a bed up until you got your hogwarts letter
which that was kept very quiet
you got the letter
and petunia and vernon were just glad to be able to send you and your pranks away
you weren't allowed to tell harry
but you did anyway
secretly
you didn't tell him all the details but you told him that you were going to a school far away and you'd be back whenever aunt petunia let you back
going to school was interesting
you didn't know anyone
bUT HAGRID WAS ALSO THERE TO HELP YOU AND BUY YOU YOURE STUFF AND HE BOUGHT YOU YOUR FIRST WAND
you still have james' glasses
you put them on when youre nervous
so youre sitting in the train
first day
you don't know anyone
big round glasses sitting on your nose as you look out the window barely able to see what's going on
james was as blind as a bat
on the train you spend your time reading your new books
absorbing all the material
you were not going to just walk into this new school of mAGIC not knowing aNYTHING
by the time you got there you were at leas base level with most subjects
some were easier to catch onto than others
as long as you didn't let the logical side of your brain do too much work
within the first week you'd find out about your parents
curtesy of older gryffindor kids who knew your last name and were just amazed by the story
oH ALSO YOURE IN GRYFFINDOR
AND WHEN MCGONAGALL READS YOUR NAME SHE GASPS TO HERSELF
BECAUSE
Y/N POTTER
she remembers when james had written to her with the news of Lily's pregnancy with you
and how he was nervous you'd come out just like him and he wouldn't be able to handle you as well as she had, he was asking her for advice
and when you walked up to sit on the chair she nearly dropped her scroll of parchment and pulled you into a hug
you looked just like him
dark hair
pale skin
same eyes and eye shape
and same habit of picking at the skin around your thumb nail when nervous
the hat announcing you were a gryffindor was very overwhelming for her
then she realizes you
are e x a c t l y
like james
and merlin is she tiRED OF THIS SHIT
ok so at this point i am going to direct you to the other headcanon (linked above) if you want a more fred x reader approach 
continue here if not
so youre on the quidditch team
and youre a natural 
let me tell you
you just have the innate ability 
much like james
and at first they had you as a seeker
and you were good
but you excelled as a chaser 
i also firmly believed that there was a practice broom that james had carved his name into
or maybe just a ‘J.P.’
that was the broom you'd practice on
even use for games before you got your own broom
ok so
let’s talk your relationship with harry 
you made sure you were the one to tell him what happened to your parents
as i said it was your first year when you fond out about what happened 
the gryffindor student had told you what they knew
and you went to professor mcgonagall pretty distraught 
you were near tears as you practically begged her to just tell you what happened, you wanted the truth 
because all your life your aunt and uncle had told you that your parents had been killed in a car accident 
needless to say 
you didn't want harry to find out that way
but you also knew he was noticing the stares
the whispers
so you told him on the first night
he had already been put into gryffindor and was getting ready for bed when you are up to his dorm 
bECAUSE IT’S CANON THAT GIRLS CAN GO UP INTO THE BOYS DORMS AND BOYS CANT GO UP INTO THE GIRLS DORMS AND I WILL CITE THE PARAGRAPH IF ANYONE NEEDS
and you kinda push out ron, neville, and dean 
but yeah thats how he finds out all the details and such 
ok so you and harry are sUPER CLOSE
and you are very 
v e r y
protective of harry 
you'd do anything for the kid 
wHEN YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE WHOLE SORCERER’S STONE FIASCO 
YOU ARE LIVID
because harry is your baby brother and you love him so much and don't like seeing him hurt 🥺
as harry grows older he gets a bit more
embarrassed 
about having you protective over him
and im pretty sure i mentioned this in the last headcanon post 
but yeah he’d be like 14 and you'd be 17 and he'd just
“stOP this is so emBARRASSING”
what a little dweeb
ok leTS TALK ABOUT SIRIUS 
BECAUSE YOU AND SIRIUS WERE CLOSE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER
HE WAS UNCLE PADFOOT
YOU LOVED HIM
until your fifth year (harry’ third) when you were told he betrayed your parents and got them killed 
youre in the whomping willow when with harry, hermione, and ron 
its a lot for both of you
because sirius is seeing his goddaughter who looks just like james, and his the same fire in her eyes as his bestrfriend
his b r o t h e r 
and youre seeing the man who was responsible for your parents murder 
again 
it was A LOT
i have a feeling you, JAMES POTTERS DAUGHTER, would just lunge at him 
and youre crying
trying to hit him
hurt him like he hurt you
just anything to bring pain upon this man
and sirius is having flashbacks of when you had ran to him from next to james’ lifeless body 
and how different everything had been just days prior to October 31 1981
upon finding out the truth 
scammers is now wormtail
peter ‘little bitch ass’ pettigrew
you and harry are immediately forming this connection
this sort of dependency on sirius 
within a few minutes
because he is the only living connection you have to your dad 
apart from yourselves of course
but eh was the only reminder that james potter was a real man 
and lily potter did exist 
and there was a time where your family was complete 
it never crossed your mind that any more misfortune could strike 
not now 
not when you finally got back your uncle pads
and then you guys walk into the moonlight, the full moon light
everything flips instantly 
you guys are back to square one 
i like to think you have a very big part in getting sirius free 
so you guys know what happen in between prisoner of azkaban and order of the phoenix 
and this headcanon is already getting very long and we haven't even gotten to the wAR YET 
so we are doing a little time jump
order of the phoenix 
your last year
you are living with sirius in grimmauld place 
petunia and vernon kicked you out once you turned 17 after finding out that was the legal age in the wizarding world
you and sirius are close 
super close
i mean he is like a father figure to you
he is uncle pads again
oOO AND OK 
SO 
AFTER FINDING OUT HIS DAD AND HIS BROS 😤
WERE ALL UNREGISTERED ANIMAGI 
OBVIOUSLY YOU WANTED TO BE ONE TOO 
youre a gazelle 
it just makes sense
father figure sirius is not happy when he finds out
uncle pads, however, couldn't be happier
its finally starting to feel like a family again
you and harry have sirius 
aLSO REMUS
icon
anyway
everything is falling into place
you and harry are filling the james sized hole in Sirius’ heart (not completely but it’s better)
and he is doing the same for you two
you and harry love your uncle pads
then the battle in the department of mysteries happens 
youre there
you see it 
you watch as bellatrix hits sirius with a curse 
youre not sure which 
nothing too serious you hope, and seeing that he’s still standing he should be fine 
but then he stumbles
she's stunned him perhaps 
and he makes eye contact with you
there was a look so final, so sad
yet so relieved in his eyes as you watched him fall through the veil
remus grabbed harry
tonks held you
if she hadn’t been you knew you would've thrown yourself into the veil after him
its a whirlwind from then on let me tell you
so we know what happens
all that fun stuff 
the war hits
harry, hermione, and ron leave
youre left with the weasley’s 
it’s hard being away from harry
not knowing if he was ok
if he was even alive 
you guys finally reunite at shell cottage 
bill calls you the second he sees harry, hermione, ron, and dobby apparate in front of his house
you were quick to pull harry into a bone crushing hug 
keen on never letting go 
because after all he is still (and always will be) your baby brother 
you guys are all at the battle of hogwarts
oK WAIT
SO
YOU REFUSE TO LET HARRY WALK TO HIS DEATH ALONE
ALSO YOUVE FIGURED WHAT HE PLANS ON DOING BUT NEITHER OF YOU HAVE SAID ANYTHING
NOT WANTING TO ACCEPT THAT THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME YOU GUYS SEE EACH OTHER 
AND THE RESURRECTION STONE COMES OUT 
BOTH YOU AND HARRY ARE HOLDING ONTO IT 
AND SUDDENLY
SIRIUS 
REMUS 
THERE ALL THERE 
EVEN A WOMAN WITH RED HAIR 
AND A MAN WHO LOOKS PAINFULLY FAMILIAR 
ok so hear me out 
i think harry enjoyed looking at pictures of james and lily
but you didnt
you didnt want to see everything that was taken from you
so you weren’t super aware of what your dad actually looked like seeing as you avoided pictures of him and your mom like the plague 
but you just knew 
and james was standing there
beaming
and he just looked so proud of you and harry 
so did lily 
she was the first one to say something 
“Your father and I are so proud of the both of you”
and you just broke down 
james right there with you 
he watched as you sobbed, choking on your cries 
and he couldn’t do anything about it 
he couldn’t hold you or comfort you
he couldn’t be a dad 
and it broke him
as much as it could break a dead man 
“you’ve grown so beautiful, darling” he'd smile sadly
his voice seemed to bring back all of your memories once lost 
“have you always been here, with us?”
“always.”
“typical, your father shows up and everyone forgets about uncle padfoot”
both you and harry laugh at that 
but the mood was somber 
harry then speaks up
“does it hurt?”
it was the first time either of you had confirmed that you both knew what was going to happen 
“dying? not at all, quicker than falling asleep.”
“will you stay with me?”
“until the very end. 
james is the one who answers, looking teary eyes at his son
and you know you cant go any further 
harry has to do this alone 
its quite symbolic actually 
the one time you'd let go of the reigns 
removed the protective arms you had around your baby brother 
he’d die 
but you had to do it 
so everything goes as planned 
harry dies
comes back
we love a resurrecting king 
and the war ends 
when you got back home from the war 
let’s say you are still living at grimmauld place seeing as it was left to you 
the first thing you do is go through old photos with harry 
any and everything you can get your hands on 
you see your mother’s sparkling green eyes
the same eyes your brother had 
and your father’s unruly mop of curls 
the same wave pattern in your dark hair 
everything finally felt right 
tags:
@pogueslandia
@vsawyer1989​
@lifeofkaze
@siriusement
@erinruby003
@maybesandohnos
@onlyfreds
@fullofsourgrapes
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draco malfoy and the supermarket basil plant
draco has a showdown with the last basil plant at the supermarket.
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this fic is for if you've ever bought something just because it looked lonely! it deals with themes of heightened empathy, particularly for inanimate objects, something i've dealt with my whole life. it has a happy ending! i sort of love the ending, actually, and if you read it you might like it too.
also on a03
It was all doomed from the start, you see, because there was only one. Just one basil plant, some buttery green leaves in a small black pot, wrapped in cellophane in an empty crate between the bananas and the tangerines. And Draco stood in front of it like they'd glued him to the floor. He'd just dashed off to get mushrooms while Harry waited at the register, something that would have taken less than a minute, that let him indulge in one of those mad sprints through the aisles at a speed that stopped being appropriate when you grew up. The cling-wrapped shiitakes were cold in his hand, his breath was still coming out in little huffs from the run. It was just Draco and the basil plant. "Real popular, those! That's the last one - they all got snatched up for the holidays," chimed a girl in a store uniform vest from behind the aubergines. "They come in some special soil so you don't have to worry about them growing - just take the leaves off and chuck the whole pot after your meal!" The look Draco gave her must have been halfway between terror and murder, because she quickly turned away.
Oh God, oh Merlin. It was happening again.
See, Draco cosplayed a regular person every day. He passed so well, especially after he finally lost that hungry, haunted look brought on by the trials, and the homelessness, and the Inditex employee handbook. And so now, at 29, Draco could usually leave single uneaten Biscoff packets on the tray when he left cafés, and he didn't spend his salaries on one-eyed plush bears at charity shops, no ma'am. But the big secret of his life, one that only a handful of people knew and understand with context, was that something in Draco was broken and that he felt everything.
It's like this: if there's only one of something, if something looks like it's sad or alone or missing a friend, Draco's heart literally hurts. It feels like everything is squeezing really tight, like a hole in the world. A timer that starts ticking down to an imminent threat as soon as it's spotted, the opposite of kindness. They'd accused him of stealing, in the Slytherin common room, when he'd moved lonely little things onto shelves to sit with other objects in comforting groups. Lucius had made a dent in the vaults buying up lonely trinkets, just the ugliest things, to stop him wailing. Every rose in Mother's garden had a twin. It wasn't that there was a balance in the world and that it was Draco's job to maintain it - it was that everything had feelings and no one else was listening.
There had been three people in the check-out line before Harry and him - there was barely any time to go back at this point. But Draco wasn't moving. One of this thumbs had poked a hole in the mushroom packet and he could feel the styrofoam under his nail.
Harry knew about it, of course. Mostly because Draco went quiet in bed, sometimes, or would miss a question while they cuddled on the couch, and so he knew that was when Draco was counting. He always pressed his fingers together two by two. The blue cup with the cow-shaped milk jug, the wooden cat figurines in a set of three. The wall with the floor. The tiles and the grout. "Here, have mine," Harry would say, offering Draco his hands, spare fingers to count on. Draco would press them together too. The magazines and the table, the cat and her bed. The double paned windows and the air in the gap. So theoretically, if he made them miss their show (the show and the other viewers, the television and the wall) that night, or made Harry (Harry and the grocery cart, Harry and the floor) check out alone, he wouldn't be in trouble. But he'd been doing so well, is all.
It was too much. He'd looked at it, so his fate was already sealed, but the quip about it being disposable had hit him like a rusted nail to the heart. It was harder with things he found in nature, because they died sometimes, because snow melted and leaves blew away. Because sometimes people killed them, hurt them cause they could. Ron had left their house after tea one day, but came back after a minute, knocking heavily at the door. He'd been holding a tiny bird in his hands, pink and fleshy and horribly twisted up. It wasn't moving. "I found it on the street." The bird was so small in his big, freckled hand. Draco stood there, perfectly still in the hall, while Harry tried his best to get its heart started, but it was long gone. Harry and Ron laid it to rest in one of the potted azaleas out front, and then Ron went to work and Harry came back in. Draco doesn't remember crying that much in years, the bitter kind of sobs that went on until they were done with you. He wept, arms tight to his sides, and Harry held him tight, whispered I know, I know, I know. Harry couldn't have known about the bird in the vanishing cabinet, the one he'd fixed because he could feel its lonely hum. About its broken body that Draco couldn't touch. There was a horror in the death of small things in big careless places. In the idea that something wasn't loved, wasn't heard, to the end. It had been too much, in the darker times, and it was too much now when all was well.
There was a chime on the supermarket's speakers, and Draco tensed. A child was waiting for its mother at the service counter. The child and the shop attendant, the mother and her cart. There was a bit of dew on the side of the cellophane around the basil, like condensation on a windowpane. It was breathing. Draco felt something in him snap, and the vice on his feet slackened. He didn't have a choice. He didn't need one. He grabbed the plant and took off towards the register, tile squealing under his shoes.
In the days when they were fixing the castle, he'd been assigned to spend long, awkward shifts with Neville, pulling up severed tree stumps and recovering what had been left of the grounds. In the summer, Hogwarts - just like Malfoy Manor - was usually impossibly green and brimming with life - but at the time, the land surrounding both of Draco's homes had been trampled, stepped on into nothingness, turned brown and soft and dead. One day, as they made their way from the castle to the edge of the Forest, Neville stopped abruptly, head snapping backwards as though he heard someone call his name. He turned to look at Draco, so tall and so clearly steady in his new confidence, and then ran. Draco swayed, so hesitant, still so careful at the time to even breathe out of turn, and then after a shouted "Come on!", took off after him. They didn't go far, just up a little slope towards the west and into a clearing. Draco didn't realise what they were running towards until he almost stepped in it, arms flying out to his side for balance when he stopped. Flowers. Hundreds of little pink flowers, gentle as anything, swirling out like a thick carpet, vivid like strawberries bursting on your tongue. Neville, standing a few paces away, slowly turning in place - smiled. And it's not like he hadn't been kind to Draco all these days but it was such a lovely smile, the kind you would share with a friend.
"Dianthus. They're perennials! Their petals feel like silk," said Neville, crouching to pet one of the bright blooms. Draco leaned down and hovered his knuckle over the flowers, not touching, not really. He had an inexplicable feeling that he would taint them, somehow. Braced his left arm against his chest. When he looked up, Neville was watching him with an odd look on his face - it would have been fondness, if Draco didn't know better, didn't know himself.
"It's never late, you know? Nature. We can do whatever we want, always have. We can tear it all up. But nature's never late. Everything grows how it's meant to. It's got no choice, you see. It's just life."
They sat on the damp, rich ground until the sun moved, and they knew it was time to go.
The cashier was scanning the last bits of their shopping when Draco smacked the mushrooms and the basil on the counter. Harry looked up from where he was filling their reusable bags, but didn't say anything, just smiled and tapped his card when it was time. Draco slung one of the bags over his shoulder and hugged the basil to his chest. They were halfway through the parking lot when he went "It was only-" and "The lady said!" And Harry just moved a bag from one shoulder to the other and cupped his free hand around Draco's while they walked. And when the tears came, softly, finally, refracting crosswalk lights like snowflakes in his eyes, Harry just tapped his fingers against Draco's, two at a time.
This story ends well. They named the basil Ferdinand. He lived, repotted and pampered, in the kitchen, watching the world in every kind of weather. He was there for the times of humble delight and the times of golden rings, he was there to see small hands appear and grow bigger to reach and hold and help. And in the words of the oldest stories, if he didn't die, he's still alive and happy to this day.
----
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witchmd13 · 3 years
Text
Sometimes I think that the assumption that Merlin and Arthur would’ve grown up together weren’t for the purge is a little off, but then I remember that Uther knew Balinor. Actually knew him. Knew him enough to risk war by sending knights after him to a neighboring kingdom to make sure he got rid of him, and Balinor knew Uther well enough to not believe for a single second that he wouldn’t kill him if he went back to Camelot even if it was to save it, knew him well enough to know any family he’d ever have would suffer at Uther’s hands just because they’re related to him, chose a life of being constantly on the run because he knew Uther was vindictive enough to chase him to the ends of the earth. 
We know that Uther tricked Balinor to lock up Kilgarrah during the purge. I don’t think Balinor would’ve ever done that if he didn’t have some sort of friendship or at least some friendliness with Uther and thought he would hold his promise... Or maybe it wasn’t friendship at all, but some kind of blackmail? Maybe Uther promised Balinor he’d let him go if he gave him the dragon? Maybe they’ve been rivals before, or at least with Balinor’s family. I mean the Dragonlords who tamed and talked to dragons would be a natural threat to Uther who ‘won’ Camelot through war. 
It sort of annoys me that they never explored that in canon, but on the other hand, it’s so fun to imagine what sort of relationship Balinor had to Camelot, or even the dragonlords at large. Were they allies of Uther that he sought to get rid of once he secured the throne, much like Nimueh who was his ‘friend’? Or were they rivals? Served the previous ruler, whoever that was, and only submitted to Uther later? And how would that even happen with dragons at their command? 
Were they citizens of Cameot before? Were they nobility or were they like the druids? How did Uther even win their loyalty at first? 
Uther literally wiped off an entire family, mothers and sons and fathers, because that’s what you have to do to make sure no more dragonlords were born, right? It makes my skin crawl. 
I can’t believe Merlin could look Uther everyday in the eye and not want to sit him on fire. 
Also not to make this merthur (tm), but what kind of love do you need to have for someone to spare the life of someone like that for their sake? Someone who wouldn’t only kill him if they knew who he was, but is also responsible for the slaughter of his entire family. Merlin literally had Uther’s life in his hands with Arthur’s sword at his throat, and then stopped him because Arthur wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. I’m losing my mind. 
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