#anyway i never do requests for fics really so this is your chance to influence if youd like

[sharkneto]

Playing around with the idea of making an audio for one of my fics so I can relearn what I sound like with my lower voice - that a thing people would be interested in me sharing if I did it? Requests for which fic I do, if so (limiting to the one shots, I'm not committing to the entirety of HIT lol)?

[siredtosturniolos]

First of all I’m sorry if this is the wrong place to send requests in. I’m new to tumblr so I have no clue how to use this platform 😭anyways I have a request I’m begging on hands and knees for a chris fic where reader is 18 and he’s 23. reader is a influencer (u can make up where they met) ENEMIES TO LOVERS KINDA and SMUTTTTTTT with praising (lots of praising and pet names) u can make up the whole story it should just be based off these things thank uuuu

Enemies

Paring: Chris Sturniolo x reader 

Summary: You had socially climbed the ladder to fame and gotten your very own spot on the Vidcon lineup. Freshly 18 meant you were fully able to go on your own, and meet some of your favorite content creators yourself. And Chris. You didn’t particularly like him, as he had been rude to you ever since you met him. You confront him and things turn a different direction than you thought.

Warnings: Smut! Praising, pet names, enemies to lovers(kinda? Maybe this means part 2?). Read at your own risk and mdni! (First pov) 

Authors note: thank you for requesting this! I hope you like it. <3

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Walking the halls of VidCon the day before the event took place really helped me ground myself. I couldn’t believe I was here, let alone someone thousands of fans wanted to meet. I started a YouTube channel in October of 2021, and it’s only gone up from there. Posting various forms of content such as vlogs, get ready with me, makeup tutorials, and even a couple cooking videos. 

I just hit 5 million subscribers, so on top of doing VidCon I was also hosting my own meet and greet the day after. I was hoping to make some connections and see if anyone would want to come celebrate this milestone with me. 

Even though I have been successful for a while now, I had just moved to LA last month. I’ve been to a party here and there, making a few friends along the way. I take a seat on a bench outside to soak up some sun, and so I can really reflect on what my life has become. 

Jake, Johnnie, and Tara are supposed to be here today as well and I couldn’t be more thankful. They had introduced me to so many of their friends in the last few weeks, most of them being welcoming.

Larray and I had clicked instantly and had hung out a few times, but he wasn’t set to be here this weekend. He had already made plans with other friends so he couldn’t come keep me company. He promised me that Nick Sturniolo would be down to let me hangout with him until I was comfortable, and I was super appreciative of that. 

Chris Sturniolo though? Not so much. I’ll never forget the way his eyes raked down my body, stopping at my chest for a moment before he looked back up at my face. 

“Hey baby, I don’t think we’ve met before?” 

I rolled my eyes at how corny he was, slightly drunk and incredibly stupid. Once he realized he wasn’t getting in my pants he had completely ignored me. I also met Nick and Matt later on, and they were absolute sweethearts. 

Ever since that night any time a fan would bring me up in a live stream of his, he’d ask them to either stop talking, or call me boring and move on to the next question. I had reached out to him asking him to stop, as his fanbase had jumped to my socials and started going insane. 

Every time I messaged him, he’d read it and not respond. Nick would occasionally bring me up in videos and it was clear as day Chris didn’t like me, and his fans made it known. Clipping it and tagging me thousands of times nearly made me delete TikTok all together. 

I had come to find out Chris was actually really nice to everyone, just not me. I’m not quite sure what I could’ve done to make him be so rude to me, but it’s not like I see him all the time. Maybe I’ll have a chance to speak to him in person, and make him really hear me out. 

“Y/N!” A voice called out to me, making me jump. I watched as Jake walked up to me, “Tara has been looking for you, yapping about getting ready for tonight.” He explains, shrugging his shoulders. 

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “Tonight?” I ask, standing from the bench and letting him lead me to Tara. “They’re hosting a party tonight for us at the hotel apparently. Something to kick off the event? Fuck if I know.” Jake laughed. 

The next few hours flew by and before I knew it, Tara and I were letting loose and dancing to Just Dance by Lady Gaga. I had a few drinks in me, just enough to stop worrying about everything. Tara on the other hand, is gonna have a hangover from hell tomorrow. 

“I have to pee!” I yell to Tara as the song fades out, she nods and gives me two thumbs up before I begin to head towards the bathroom just outside the ballroom the party was in. 

Just as I’m about to enter I hear snickering behind me, making me turn around. I come face to face with none other than Chris. His eyes were burning into me, as he slowly approached, a stupid smirk on his face. 

“What are you laughing about?” I ask him, letting out a deep sigh.

He shakes his head, “You look ridiculous.” He states, like it’s a known fact. I glance down at my outfit, a simple black tube top and cargo camo pants. My black and white Nike’s were clean and uncreased, so what the hell was he talking about? 

I look back up to him as his 5’8 frame slightly towers over my own, “What did I do to make you hate me so much?” I calmly asked him, as surprise flooded his features. Apparently he wasn’t expecting me to call him out in person. 

He stood there for a second, staying silent as he didn't know what to say, “Oh so you just hate me for no reason? Nice.” I scoff, before turning around to enter the bathroom. I was stopped by a gentle grip on my arm, making me look over my shoulder at Chris. 

“Look, I don’t really know why I act like this, okay?” He sighs, dropping his hand as I turn to face him again, “Ever since I met you at that party, I just can’t get you off my mind.” He explains, taking a step closer to me. Now I can smell his cologne and I hate to admit that it’s doing something to me. 

“Don’t make fun of me.” He continues, making my eyebrow raise in curiosity, “When we locked eyes that night it felt different to me. It felt like more than just two people meeting for the first time.” He says quietly, looking me in my eyes so I knew he wasn’t lying, “It scared the shit out of me.” 

I start to smile slightly, making him roll his eyes, “Are you telling me you fell in love with me at first sight?” I tease him, making him throw his head back and groan. “Just stop being rude Chris, we could’ve been something this whole time you know?” I tell him, watching as his eyes meet my lips before looking away quickly. 

“Wanna make up for lost time?” He suggests, making me glance around the hallway we were in. There were a few people scattered around, but none of them were paying attention to us. I look up at him to see that sexy smirk on his lips, “Fuck it.” I shrug, before I drag him into the bathroom with me. I lock the door before I’m pushed up against it, Chris pressing kisses to my cheeks before going down my neck. 

I let out a soft moan, lifting my hands to slide them into Chris’ hair and tugging slightly as he found my sweet spot, “No marks please.” I plead him, feeling his tongue lather the area before he moves lower. His kisses get harsher the lower he gets, looking up at me slightly before he returns to his full height and slams his lips on mine. 

I moan into the kiss, the tension between us coming to a peak, “Jump.” He mumbles into my lips, wrapping his arms around my waist. I use his shoulders for stability as I jump and wrap my legs around his waist. He pulls back so he can walk me to the sink, and I waste no time trailing kisses down his neck. Chris sets me down on the counter and spreads my legs so he can stand in between them. 

“Gonna make you feel so good baby.” He rasps, tilting his head back as I continue my assault on his neck. I make my way back up to his lips, taking him in for a split second before we kiss again. His hair is disheveled, his lips swollen from our kissing, and his eyes. They’re full of lust and determination, and I can’t help but try to clench my thighs. 

Chris smirks at me, playing with my top, “Can I take this off pretty girl?” He asks, to which I rapidly nod. Chris’ fingers slip underneath the fabric of my shirt briefly, before he snaps the band against my chest making me gasp. He wastes no time as he quickly takes it off, setting it somewhere behind me. His hands instantly cup my breasts, his lips slotted back onto mine. 

His large palms squeeze my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples making me let out a whine. I tug at his shirt and he pulls away to take it off, “Fucking incredible.” He mutters, letting his eyes fall onto my chest as I pant. He leans down, taking my nipple into his mouth, and my hand flies to the back of his head, arching my chest into his chest. 

“Fuck Chris.”  I moan, my hips bucking as that’s where I really want him. He switches sides, letting his hand trail down my body to pop open my pants, pulling away to look at me. “I’m about to ruin you, sweetheart.” He lowly speaks, making me bite my lip as I begin to help him remove my pants. I kicked off my shoes and Chris played with the band of my underwear. 

“Please Chris.” I beg him, already tired of his teasing. 

“Good girls say what they want.” He replies, using one hand to tease me through my damp underwear, the other dancing across my inner thighs. 

I let out a huff, “Please touch me.” I plead, reaching down to move his hand exactly where I want him, “Make me feel good.” 

Chris smirks at me, “Good girl.” I gasp as his hand suddenly slips lower, finally giving my body what it’s been craving for. His fingers collect my wetness, spreading it down to my opening, making my back arch with need. I open my mouth to beg him again but I’m cut off by him slipping a finger inside, his thumb connecting with my pulsating clit. 

“Chris!” I gasp, his fingers work mercilessly, the coil in my stomach already building. I let out whines and moans, already feeling fuzzy as he continues to work my body closer to my climax. 

“Look at me, baby.” Chris demands, making my eyes flutter open, “I want you to look at me as I make you cum.” He continues, working another finger inside my core. My jaw drops in a silent moan as his eyes bore into mine. I feel myself begin to clench around his fingers as he hits my sweet spot over and over. 

“There it is.” He smirks down at me, and half of me wants to tell him to stop, that the pleasure is too much. The other half of me wants to be greedy, and welcome the waves of ecstasy as they flow through my body. 

“Feels so good.” I whine out, watching the way Chris glances down at his fingers as they disappear inside of me, “So close.” I moan, feeling the coil twisting tighter and tighter.  

“Yeah? Gonna be a good girl and cum for me?” He asks me, and that's all it takes. The coil snaps and I fight to keep my eyes open as I release all over his fingers. Chris lets out a groan, mumbling praises left and right as I come down from my high. 

I’m still in a daze when he helps me off the counter and spins me around to face the mirror. He lifts his hand to my neck, tugging my body to be flush with his. I gasp as I feel his hard dick pressing against my ass, I didn’t even notice he took off his pants. 

“Gonna watch me while I fuck you, baby?” He asks, meeting my eyes in the mirror. I nod rapidly, “You look away once and I stop, got it?” Chris speaks, as he helps me bend forward and kicks my legs apart further for him. 

“Yes sir.” I reply, a small smirk on my lips as I back my ass further into him, making Chris grin. “Keep that up and you won’t make it to the event tomorrow.” 

He takes hold of his dick, running his head through my folds, bumping my clit making me whine. He pumps himself a few times before he’s teasing my entrance. I pout up at his reflection, arching my back even more to show how impatient I was. He takes that as a sign to slowly thrust into me, making my jaw drop at the burn from the stretch. 

“Fuck, you’re so tight.” He groans, one hand resting on my hip, the other coming to hold onto my shoulder. He waits a moment before he begins thrusting, my body shaking each time he fills me up. “Feels so good.” Chris moans out, his hand leaving my hip to deliver a harsh smack to my ass, rubbing the now red area soothingly afterwards. 

At this point, I can’t even form words and of course Chris took notice, “Got my baby all fucked out already.” He states, smacking my ass again. “Can’t wait to wreck this pussy.” He grunts out, his thrusts getting quicker and harder. 

My mouth hangs open in a silent moan, my eyes never leaving his. “Such a good girl, keeping your eyes on mine.” I feel the coil in my stomach reappear, and I can’t help but try to squirm away from Chris as the pleasure builds, “Don’t you fucking run away from me.” Chris spits, lowering both arms to grip my waist as he plows into me.

“T-Too much!” I finally whine out, clenching on him as his head nudges that sweet spot within my core. 

Chris shakes his head, “You can take it baby.” He lets out a rather loud moan before his thrusts start to get sloppy, “Be a good girl and take it.” He grunts out, sliding a hand to my front, quickly finding my clit and rubbing fast circles. 

My legs begin to shake, “I’m-” I’m cut off by a rather loud moan as Chris angles his hips upwards, bringing me even more pleasure. “Me too baby, fuck.” Chris moans, lowering his Chin to his chest as he watches himself slide in and out of me. 

“Cum with me.” He demands, my legs begin to shake as he meets my eyes as the coil within me finally snaps. I can feel myself pushing and pulling him in as I cum, and the feeling of his shooting out makes it all the more pleasurable. Chris finally halts his movements, staying buried inside. 

He gently pulls out, both of us wincing. He quickly cleans himself up and slides his pants back on before he turns to me. He rubs my cheek lovingly before he helps me clean up and get redressed. I quickly check my makeup and fix it, before turning to face him. 

“You’re staying with me tonight.” He states, holding out his hand for me to take. I take it with a smile on my face. 

“I planned on it.”

[crabonfire]

I'm out right now, and tonight I have to study for finals, so no big fic/request done (sorry)

so, here are my personal, tf2 sexuality, and interest headcannons.

Scout, as I've mentioned, is trans (ftm) and bisexual. Because, yeah. Mhm. He's into comics, specifically superhero ones like Marvel and Dc. He loves Spider-Man, Captain America, and Shazam. He started transitioning when he was 20. His mother was always supportive of him, plus she knew, he was super masculine when he was young, influenced by all his older brothers, plus, he never really liked the feeling of being a woman anyway. (He/they)

Pyro is transfem, I usually use he/they for them in my work, but that's cause I don't usually put my headcannons in my work. But I think I'll start doing that :)

Pyro uses any pronouns, likes mlp duh, and also has a weird obsession with motorcycles, totally random but it started when engie got him a motorbike one day and then she got super into it.

Soldier doesn't realize it, or cares, but he's pan. Made out with demoman a bunch drunk at a party so everyone knows, but he doesn't ever remember. When asked if he swings both ways, he will give you a slightly confused look. "YES! I GO LEFT, AND RIGHT. WHAT ARE YOU ON ABOUT?" (He/him)

Demo is bi, that man cannot be straight I'm sorry. Bi, kissed a boy once as a teenager and since then on he's had very strong feelings about men. Feel like he would be kind of androgynous in terms of how he dresses if he had the chance to, idk.

Also he likes books that teach on certain, very specific topics. Hes a weirdly cultured man. (He/him)

Heavy, I feel like would be demiromantic bicurious? like he's thought about it, he doesn't really get along with much people on a personal level, due to him always having to work, and always being feared. And he's had feelings for men, he just always sorta, denied it? in denial, even though the closet is made out of glass.

Heavy likes to woodcarve, and weirdly i think if he tried, hed be good at painting. (He/him)

Engineer is trans (real.) ftm, pansexual. He started transitioning when he was a bit older. His parents weren't supportive at first, but in the end, were proud of the man he became. He likes those wooden sets you buy where you construct your own object with wood! (Music boxes, animals, buildings, I did one of these, it was a music box, and I definitely know he'd like it as a stress reliever or gift. (Any pronouns)

Medic is not straight don't start w me. Androsexual, (if you don't know, androsexuality is being attracted to anything masculine no matter the gender. The opposite is gynosexual, attracted to anything feminine no matter the gender.) He's into masculinity, me thinks.

Likes bird watching and has a weird interest in the strange and unknown, like if YouTube existed he'd be the type to watch those long documentaries on the sea while he works or something. (Any pronouns, but mostly refers to himself as he.)

Sniper, panromantic demisexual. Don't know how to explain, so won't. Also likes to carve with wood, discusses it with Heavy a lot. Started when he was a kid, he'd get bored, go to the woods, and just carve a bunch of stuff. He also likes sweets. won't explain. (Any pronouns)

Spy is bisexual, genderqueer (omg same) does not gaf abt his gender bro, she'd look stunning in a dress. Has an interest in corny poetry, would never admit it, but it's true. (Any pronouns, but mostly He/She)

Ms Pauling is not straight. I don't? know her canon sexuality, I know it was confirmed she isn't straight so...bi? she seems like a bi queen to me 👍 (bis unite) but if I'm wrong definitely correct me

[cal-writes-never]

Requesting some hcs for being Sevika’s teen kid? (Found family trope)

you say headcanons and i turn up with a whole ass fic

pairing: sevika + child!reader

summary: how sevika ended up with a kid

(cw; mentions of violence & alcohol)

---

- you were a little younger than jinx, and nobody knew a single thing about you. one day you seemingly appeared in zaun from god knows where, yet you were sneaky and an excellent criminal, learning how to fend for yourself through a life of crime. - everyone recognised you, yet no one cared enough to actually call you out for the trouble you'd caused. shimmer was everyone's priority. besides, your line of crimes rarely strayed outside of petty theft and such. - sevika noticed how you would hang around the last drop more and more frequently over time. you'd just be there, not talking to anyone or looking for anything. you just stood alone. - of course this piqued her curiosity, but she found herself with no real reason to approach you - she knew there was no point in it, anyways. she knew her job, and she knew better than to care too much about a teenager who's name she didn't even know. - things carried on as they always did, sevika spending time both in the bar and around zaun, tending to whatever job silco needed doing, yet always keeping an eye on you. - you'd begun to get into small arguments with the strongest men in the undercity about how you'd stolen their limited cash or something, which she found entertaining, admittedly. - this didn't last long, though, as things began to quickly escalate and become violent. - sevika was quick to step in the moment he landed a punch on your cheek, taking not even a second to give him what he deserved: the beating of a lifetime. - you simply watched in awe as she spat in his face, half impressed that someone would help you yet also angry that you didn't even get the chance to defend yourself and prove your strength. - "come on, kid." she said quietly, guiding you into the back of the building. - she checked you over for any lasting damage, of which there was none, then bluntly asked you what the hell even happened. you explained the situation while she nodded slowly, and your explanation then lead on to how you ended up in the lanes and looking after yourself. - sevika thought for a minute, before finally telling you to stick with her for the time being. you were shocked to say the least and as time went on made sure not to overstay your welcome, but as stakes increased so did your bond with sevika, the woman who grew to become your mother figure.

- it goes without saying that most of your time was spent in the last drop. although sevika made her hatred for the blue haired girl who lived their quite apparent and did all she could to keep you away from her, you found your friendship with jinx growing and you two did all you could to see each other regularly. - she became your best friend and you did everything together, much to your mother's dismay, yet she refrained from doing anything about it as she understood how happy jinx made you, no matter how much she just didn't understand. - you also ended up making quite the impression on silco and his goons, he even admitted himself when he didn't know you were up in the rafters with jinx that you had grown on him a considerable amount since sevika first took you under her wing. - she definitely taught you how to fight properly, and taught you to be on your guard if you were to ever see a pink haired girl once vi returned. - sparring matches with sevika were common, and although she tried her best to keep it harmless, she did injure you on a few occasions, but you were strong, and got back up almost immediately. - that was definitely her influence, and she was so, so proud of the person you started to mould into. - of course she would never admit it to your face, but sevika really did love you as if you were her own child, and once even slipped up and called you her child. nobody left her alone about it for weeks. - she made sure you knew you always had a safe space around her, even if she was the last person you'd expect to be saying that. she truly was a kind person once you got to know her, albeit a bit brash and violent, even around you. - no mercy when it comes to beating people up if they even dare lay a finger on you, much like when she first met you. - bargained with silco until he believed that you were strong enough to go on missions under her guidance, and you made sure to never prove that you weren't ready. - once you even found yourself in a sticky situation with the firelights, and sevika had never been prouder when she saw how resourceful you were being, using every alternative before violence. - she'd make sure to support you no matter what you went on to do as you got older, even if she highly disapproved of it. - the most honest person in your life; will absolutely tell you if she disagrees with what you're doing but she will not stop you either. - overall, i think sevika would make a surprisingly good mother. the love would have to come from a place of loss or the sense of something missing, yet there would be times where her guard would drop and you'd hear how much you mean to her. - usually this would come only under the circumstances involving a heavy drink (which she absolutely let you have, too), but it meant the world to you when you heard it. - by no means is she perfect, but when you're living in the lanes a guardian like that is all you really need.

[prose-for-hire]

Double Dare

Pairing: Spander x reader [spike x xander x reader]

Request: Not requested (promise I will get back into posting my requested fics again soon – I have been writing a little more for them lately !!). Reader in this is soft/sweet.

Set around season 4s Hush/Doomed. Xander and Anya broke up and you go over to check on him not realising he has a guest with him. You spend time with the two of them and feelings spark during a night of drinking and then the aftermath. Fluff.

Warnings: Alcohol consumption, including kissing under the influence, sex reference, swearing.

The sun had started to set and your decision had been made. You were going to do it. You had spent months building up your courage and this was finally your chance. You had been thinking of him ever since you met him. This was finally your chance. Xander and Anya had broken their physical relationship off and you couldn’t help this guilty part of you that was pleased. Xander was someone you really liked. Okay, more than liked. You knew he had liked you a when you were in high school for a while but the moment had passed you by and you sorely regretted it.

You were apprehensive, you loved his friendship but you were interested in more. You didn’t know if it was too soon after his fling with Anya or not to show how much you liked him. You knocked lightly, trying to calm your nerves as you heard footfall coming towards you from behind the door.

“Hey, Y/n!” Xander’s face lit up when he saw you at the door. He had been just thinking about you.

“Well, I heard about Anya last week and I thought maybe we could talk? I brought-” You started to lift the bottle of alcohol you had selected in hopes he might invite you in but became interrupted.

“Close the bloody door will you? Man could catch his death with that draught!” A voice called as Xander rolled his eyes. Though his usual annoyance towards the vampire was slightly subdued.

“Oh, I didn’t realise you had company…” You said apologetically, although you smiled at the guest. It was Spike, you had forgotten that Giles wanted some private time and had asked Xander to take his turn to hold Spike hostage for a while.

“Don’t mind evil dead, I’ve been trying to pretend he isn’t there” Xander muttered, taking the bottle and inviting you in. Though, he didn’t explain there was a specific reason why he had been trying to forget Spike was there.

“Hi Spike, how’re you?” You asked with a little smile. He always managed to make you smile. Spike had always been nice to you. Yes, even during his stint as the ‘big bad’ he had been good to you. He had threatened you multiple times of course and almost killed you in one of his plots to get to Buffy.

He even took you hostage once but although you had been scared you had been too sweet for him to keep the act up. Somehow you had managed to melt his dead heart. You had ended up discussing your lives and sharing some quite personal stories and memories with each other. It had just come so easily. He wanted you but knew Dru would be so insanely jealous but that wasn’t exactly an obstacle anymore. He would have happily taken you both to bed, adored you both in the same way. He thought this to himself as he scanned your body, wondering if your sweetness was you showing an interest or just you being polite.

“Been better” He shrugged in answer to your question, gesturing at the restraints Xander insisted on using.

He considered now that you would perhaps treat him like the others did, but of course you hadn’t changed a bit. You had happily visited (under the guise of visiting Giles) to make him blood and talk to him about your life to try and distract him from his misery. You had been the only one to care that his life had changed forever, that he must be feeling more than he was showing on the surface. He never had to prove anything with you anyway, not how bad he was. Or how evil or how much of a man he was. That’s why he liked you, he didn’t have to put on any sort of act with you. He could be himself.

You, of course, harboured affection for Spike. You just hadn’t expected him to be with Xander. You shrugged, beaming at them both and following Xander into the basement. You sat between them both, there was a strange atmosphere in the room that you may have mistaken for sexual tension if you didn’t think you know them both.

Xander rushed around, being the perfect host and moving a pile of his washing off the end of his bed and offering you a seat before he opened the bottle. Rather than pour separate drinks, upon realising he had no cups and nothing to mix it with he just took a drink straight from the bottle before offering it to you.

This did surprise you but the usual glint in his eye although still there appeared more distant than usual. He was happy you were there though, it took his mind off everything. Sharing a space with Spike was hard and not just because of the obvious. Mostly, it was because he struggled to take his eyes from him.

You spoke about everything while sharing the bottle. You burned through every topic you could think of before you decided to ask Xander about Anya, he was surprisingly closed off about it, not explaining exactly why they had broken it off. He offered the bottle to Spike as he spoke bluntly. He didn’t even crack a joke at his own expense as he usually might.

Spike’s arms were free but his torso was still tied to the chair. He took a swig from the bottle and opened his mouth as if to say something but you saw the look in his eye which told you he could potentially be about to say something unhelpful to Xander. So you shook your head and this, miraculously, made him close his mouth again as you took the bottle from him and took a drink.

You rubbed Xander’s shoulder soothingly, holding yourself back from leaning against him and pressing your lips against his neck. The proximity nearly made you dizzy, you felt a certain electricity from this touch. You didn’t know but he felt it too. God, he was obsessed with you. He had always loved you, since the day he met you. He was sure of it.

Spike watched, his own mood hadn’t much improved since he figured out he couldn’t kill people anymore. He had been miserable but moving from Giles’ to the basement had been something that had improved his mood somewhat. He enjoyed the back and forth between him and Xander and now that you were here he was practically grinning.

You decided to cheer them both up. Little did you know that just by being in their presence was increasing their mood greatly. Not to mention, the present company was surprisingly comfortable for all involved. Xander put some music on and despite Spike’s complaints at the particularly cheesy numbers, the mood in the room lifted.

You moved to the music, confidence increasing from the buzz of the liquor. You were unaware they were both watching you intently, eyes drinking in your form until they caught each other’s eyes from across the room. In the glow of the dim light they gazed across the room for what felt like a while. Their contact only broke once you spoke again, you liked this song it was one of your favourites.

Conversation flowed freely. Laughter bubbled between you. You played drinking games, most of which the rules were half-remembered and made up by your group of three. You were having so much fun, their minds barely wandered from the moment. From you… each other.

You adored their company and you had to do everything that you could to stop yourself telling them every five minutes. Even the word love kept tingling on the tip of your tongue, you really hadn’t felt this way before. You were in love with this moment, with how you felt with them both. You had never spent a length of time with only the three of you and you decided it was something you wished to come home to every evening. Wake up to every morning.

God, you had it bad. You caught yourself staring, at both of them. Moon-eyed and unsure whether either reciprocated. You could only dream that it would be both. You tried to push these feelings down, not realising that this sentiment truly was being shared from each corner of the room.

You drank and talked through the night until you blinked and it was early the next morning. The drink was beginning to wear off and you remembered that you would still have to get home through the demon-filled streets.

Xander quickly offered for you to stay and you agreed, suggesting you and he could share the bed stumbling over your words so that you didn’t sound too eager, although you definitely hadn’t convinced Spike who raised an eyebrow.

“I should sleep…” You said eventually, yawning slightly and hoping that you could have nights like this one again.

“Don’t I get a kiss goodnight?” Xander said without missing a beat before he had even thought about what he said. Though surprised he, smiled crookedly in that way you found cute. It was as if he had asked you something really scandalous. You smiled brightly at this, happily sliding towards him from where you were sat on the bed and reaching to run your thumb along his cheek. You heard him breathe deeply before relaxing into your touch.

He was surprised how easily you accepted the offer but didn’t speak in case he ruined the moment. Spike perked up at this, watching the interaction closely. He couldn’t help himself, he found the two of you together incredibly attractive. The curve of his mouth betrayed him as he shifted in his chair. He would have blamed it on the restraints if either of you had been looking. The look in his eyes was as intense as the kiss felt. It had knocked both you and Xander breathless.

His hand cradled the base of your skull, as you crashed your lips to his. His tongue met yours with a brilliant passion, the kind that you felt from deep within. You clung to him, eager to bring him ever closer. This kiss was an awakening. It was earth shattering. His lips willed you to feel just how much he had thought of this and you hoped he felt the same from your own.

You reluctantly parted, not able to stop yourself from smiling until your face ached. That was better than you had ever dreamt, and you could almost hear him thinking the same. He littered a few kisses along your jaw, not willing to leave your form just yet. It was everything.

You both smiled at each other, words failing you. It was one of those ‘wow’ moments where you both became uncharacteristically speechless. Until you heard a familiar voice that made your stomach flip in the same way the man before you did.

“Aren’t you gonna kiss me goodnight too, pet? Only fair” Spike smirked at you in that way that caught you off-guard every single time. and you smiled giddily at this. He blinked twice in shock as if he couldn’t believe it as you crawled over the bed towards him to oblige his request. He quickly hid his surprise and continued his smirk as you straddled him and pressed your lips against his.

Much like with Xander, it wasn’t just a quick peck. Your head was spinning from the contact you had with your favourite people. Spike’s palms grasping your thighs and pressing you into him further as he caught your open mouth. You happily leaned into the kiss, just as much feeling poured between you as your lips moved in sync. You shifted further into him as Xander watched, a fire behind his eyes. Not one of jealousy as he expected, but of a deepening longing for those before him.

Spike’s kisses were sloppy with desire and wholly sensitive to you. His inhibitions gone as he became drunk on your form. This had been something he had wanted for so long, he was going to make it count. Even if you turned around the next day and never wanted anything to do with him again. He kissed like it could be the last time.

When you eventually pulled away and settled beneath Xander’s sheets you had an idea. It made your heart pound and your head dizzy with excitement as you spoke your thoughts. You weren’t stupid, you had seen the way they looked at each other, you hoped you hadn’t been projecting your desires onto them.

“I think you two should kiss. You know… if we’re being fair” You said sweetly, looking between them both. The shots making you bolder, you would love seeing them kiss so long as they enjoyed it. You had got carried away but there was something about the way they looked at each other when the other wasn’t looking that suggested they could be into it too. It cut through all the pretence and told you that there was promise there. That, or you had let your mind run wild with fantasies again. The way it often would.

When you looked over at Spike, he had shifted in his seat – sitting up straighter. You could see him sizing Xander up, cocking his head to the side as he scanned his form. The same way you had caught him doing to you earlier that evening. This made your eyes glisten with excitement. Spike’s interest and the way Xander’s cheeks began to turn pink at the idea. At how much he wanted him.

“Come on Xander, I dare you!” You sang, your voice one neither of them could usually resist.

“There’s no way-” He said quickly. A little too quickly… “I mean it’s Spike- he who-” He wasn’t sure how to end the sentence. He who he found himself increasingly drawn to? He who he wanted in his bed rather than sat beside it?

But, then, he thought the same about you. How could he feel these things for two people at once? How was it possible? Was there something wrong with him? All of these thought spun around his head until you spoke again.

“I double dare you!”

Xander saw that you were encouraging him. He wondered if you knew the dreams he had had about Spike, the ones that you would often be in too. That sleeping so close to him had been hard and Anya had noticed. It was the reason they had broken up, Anya being a committed monogamist with jealousy issues. She didn’t share but he saw that there was a possibility that you did.

Here, for possibly the first time, he felt… safe. To express something he had wanted for so long.

Spike raised an eyebrow at Xander, as if to ask what he was waiting for. It wasn’t a secret that Spike had had relationships with multiple people at once, including men. He wasn’t sure if it was the buzz of the alcohol or the excitement from the room’s reaction to his hidden desires but he crawled at pace across the bed to the chair Spike had been fixed to all night.

As soon as he caught Spike’s lips you saw him letting go. Spike’s instant movement against his lips told him he was safe in that kiss, to express feelings he hadn’t let bubble to the surface properly before. Although he was drawn to the danger of it being Spike too. His hands moved, cupping Spike’s face as you watch Spike forget he was in restraints as he tried to move his hands up to meet Xander’s form.

It was tentative at first but grew into a fervour. They became lost in each other and you could feel it from your proximity. It was a release, one that had been building up over these last few nights in each others company. God, how they had been thinking and dreaming of each other in this way. They began to crave more, as you did from watching them. Desire heightening as Xander’s hands grasped the hair at the base of his neck.

When they broke the kiss after what felt like forever and a mere second at the same time, both were breathless (Even Spike who had become so even after decades of not needing to breathe). It was a blissful moment that made you almost happier than your own kisses you had shared.

They stared at each other for a moment before Xander pulled away sharply. Both you and Spike began to frown in confusion, he scrambled from him, moving from you both as if to keep as much distance from what had happened as possible as he began muttering something about sleeping. He took his pillow and set up on the floor although he had seemed to like the idea of sharing with you earlier.

You shared a confused look with Spike before he shrugged as if he didn’t care. This left you turning off the lights and lying in his bed and trying your best to get some sleep. You actually slept easily, smiling as you drifted into a deep sleep at the memory of them on your lips. That had been one of the best nights, your two favourite people, the men you had adored from afar for a while had showed an interest in you. And even more excitingly, in each other despite Xander’s sudden need to close himself off.

When you woke, Xander was uncharacteristically already up and dressed and halfway out of the house. He called behind him, making an excuse, not looking at you or acknowledging Spike’s existence before he left. You became confused, there was no way to fake that kiss. Or the one he had shared with you. Was he scared? None of you had made a commitment to the others, it had just been a drunken kiss to them both perhaps. Nothing more.

This possibility disappointed you slightly. You were a romantic at heart. You had always been able to share your love out, having deep connections with multiple people at once. It had just been hard to find people that shared your vision of happiness. You had always had fantasies of being in a committed relationship, where three or more would fall in love together. You could only dare to dream (hell, double dare to dream) that Xander would be able to sift through his feelings in this way. You could sense his longing to have what you shared the other evening, but for some reason there was something stopping him.

You needed to figure out what. Perhaps you could talk to Spike about it?

After a moment where Spike had been stealing glances at you, finding that you looked cuter than normal in your sleepy state, you decided to be brave.

“I really like you, Spike. Y’know… like really like you…” You said softly, not quite meeting his eye with made him smile at you. The sweetness of your words made him glow with happiness. He gestured for you to sit on his lap the way you had the night previous. You matched his expression and happily obliged as he leaned into you to press a chaste kiss against your lips.

“Don’t think I remember a time where I didn’t want you close” he admitted earnestly.

“You feel that way about me?” He nodded, dropping his gaze slightly.

“Sweethearts melt even the most evil heart, pet. Anyone knows that”

“Uh, so, how do you feel about Xander?” You asked, more nervous about this than you had been at expressing your own feelings. You weren’t sure why, perhaps Xander’s sudden reaction to you both had made you feel embarrassed at how you loved (though, you never felt it before or since this moment).

“Good kisser, could work on his attitude” Spike shrugged though you could tell he was putting up a front. There were feelings there, though somehow he found them harder to express than the ones he had for you. Perhaps it was because you had this knack for making people around you comfortable, they could tell you their life story and you would hang onto every word.

“We could stick around, wait for him to come back… tell him that we-”

“Who says I feel bugger all for the blighter?” You gave him a look and his defences began to drop. You saw through him, straight to his very heart. The heart that had been battered and bruised. You gave him hope. You and Xander.

“Fine. Might have to work on the lack of trust he holds so dear” Spike said bluntly, gesturing at the ropes that were still tightly tied around him.

“So… would you be interested in… us both?” Your sentence ended barely above a whisper. You knew Spike felt love similarly to you but you thought your heart may break irreparably if he rejected your idea of true love.

He eventually nodded, unsure how to word his desire for you both. His fondness that he had always tried to fight considering he was supposed to be the ‘big bad’. Xander had grown on him over time where he had known he loved you the moment he saw you. His adoration of course growing as he got to know you. It didn’t make his feelings for the both of you any less valid, he saw how good things could be last night, even before those kisses. And he craved more.

“Maybe he was just kissing us to try to forget Anya… People have done worse” you said this a little sadly. Xander really did mean a lot to you and Spike shook his head, stroking your cheek tenderly as he reassured you.

“Don’t wager he could act that well or he wouldn’t be stuck in this damned basement now would he?”

“Why do you think he was so upset?”

“Simple, pet, Xander here has intimacy issues. Plain as day”

“I, uh, don’t think it’s that… did you feel the way he kissed? I would call him a professional intimacy… person” You struggled to explain and felt a heat rising in your cheeks as he smiled softly in your direction. He softened around you in a way he couldn’t help.

You discussed it well into the afternoon, between Spike having the occasional nap though he tried so hard to stay awake to spend time with you.

“Maybe if you told him how you feel… or… we told him how we feel… we could try and make things work?” You asked, trying to hide the hopefulness in your voice. You masked it poorly and he turned to look at you. He could see how much it meant to you. Spike could so easily laugh in your face. Cut you down harshly. You had seen him do it to many before. But he couldn’t do that, not to you. Not about this.

When Xander arrived, he was surprised that you were still there. You had showered it seemed, your hair was wet and his mother had been down to put a load on. You had untied Spike in this time and hidden him in the cupboard in case Xander’s mum wasn’t aware of the vampire that lived in her basement that her son may or may not have feelings for. When you explained this later, he was relieved and thanked you both for avoiding an awkward situation with his mom. He was pleased that even though Spike claimed to still be ‘evil’ he cared enough to do that for him.

As he stepped into the room, he couldn’t stop his mood lifting. He was happy to see you both there, waiting for him to arrive. He imagined coming home to you both every evening, surrounded by softness… love, even.

He rolled his eyes at himself and shook the thought from his mind, he felt stupid. Because he had hoped you felt the deep feelings that he did for you. And then he realised how unlikely it was that either of you would have an interest in him, let alone both. He could usually brush off things like that with a self-deprecating or distracting joke. But he just couldn’t. His mind hadn’t moved from either of you for the entire day. You were in his every thought.

“Why isn’t he tied up?!” Xander said dramatically, pointing between you, though you all knew it was a little half-hearted on his part.

“We thought that because of last night… we might try and talk and to do that we should all be, uh, not tied up… perhaps” Your confidence started to wane as your sentence ended. But rather than succumb to it, you took his hand and led him to sit beside you on the bed as Spike perched on the chair he had previously been tied to.

The three of you sat facing each other. A brief pause blanketed the room as everyone tried to sift through their feelings and emotions.

“We liked last night…” You began and Xander scoffed and looked at Spike whose face was unmoving. Xander wasn’t used to this kind of attention, he was used to not getting the person he wanted. He was used to being thought of last. Used to not being the centre of attention.

And then, last night, he felt on top of the world. He felt things, deeper than he had ever known and it was because of you. Both of you. It hadn’t just been a tipsy joke to him and he was scared that it had been to you. But instead of explaining himself, he got annoyed. That he had hoped.

He explained all of this to you and you squeezed his hand comfortingly. Spike even reached to land a reassuring hand on his knee that he just as quickly moved away but nodded that the gesture was sincere. It was a feeling Spike knew intimately. Rejection or the threat of it. Feeling as if nobody cared if you weren’t there tomorrow.

And he told him this. Which surprised you both, he spoke about Cecily and Xander spoke about his unrequited feelings for Buffy as well as the range of demons and ex-demons that had used him in one way or another. You pressed a soft kiss against his temple, he closed his eyes at the contact and it willed him to open up more.

You had never felt more honoured, for him to explain his inner-most feelings without hiding behind his jokes. You adored his humour, of course, but it was nice to hear him this way. Your heart wept for him and Spike as they shared their emotional scars. You wanted to kiss every one, make them feel better with as much comfort as you could share.

You shared yourself too, bared some of the hardest things you had been through. Though painful for you all, it was important. Xander sighed, he had finally worked up the courage to explain the way he and Anya had ended. Because she had caught the way he looked at Spike. She couldn’t understand sharing love in the way that the three of you did. She had been jealous and had made him almost embarrassed about his feelings.

Expressing feelings didn’t come easily to either of your guys. Your guys… the idea made your heart swell. You would make it work though. The three of you. You had to. You could nurture the love in your hearts. The feelings that you harboured. You could feel it, even if it was only the beginning. Your heart played a single note that you were sure would quickly transform into a symphony.

The ballad of true love.

[demonslayedher]

Buri-senpai~ it’s me again! It seems like the Kamado family was respected in town. How do you think the townsfolk would’ve reacted once they realized that Tanjirou hadn’t been visiting with charcoal, only to check up on the family where they see the wreckage. Perhaps Tanjirou had left a rushed note, noting how his family was attacked, how only he and Nezuko were alive, and how they won’t be able to visit for a very long time. If that’s the case, I don’t think Tanjirou will explain the cause 1/3

2/3 of the attack, but there’s a chance that Saburo would’ve eventually realized that a demon had attacked them. Also, side notes: if Kaigaku was still a demon slayer during the events of the red light district, do you think he would've heard about Zenitsu's contributions to the defeat of upper 6? I had read your amazing Ukogi fic and enjoyed the characterization of Kaigaku's crow embellishing his achievements as a slayer. I also enjoyed Matsuemon's fondness of Nezuko and it seems like

3/3 he was ‘conspiring’ (for lack of a better word) with Oyakata-sama behind the scenes, with how the events at Asakusa with Tamayo played out. I'm sure Tamayo's existence was pardoned by the Oyakata-sama of Yoriichi's time. Also, sorry for the length! I enjoy your input on everything!

Going to reply to this in a couple parts, but allow me to first borrow one of my LINE stickers to express:

I'll reply to the fic stuff under the cut, but I'm really honored by your close reading and consideration of one of my favorite fics, "The Legend of Ukogi." But first for your question about Tanjiro!

Honestly, I was surprised by the village's upkeep of their home, including nice new tatami and shelves which Nezuko noticed in the extended epilogue included the Volume 23 version of Chapter 204. I would had assumed they'd have a mess of a home to come back to (and wrote my canon diverent/continuation fic that way, for the first draft was written after Chapter 204's magazine publication but before Volume 23's publication). At least nowadays in Japan, uninhabited homes are often left as-is and fall to shambles, even in cities, causing problems for the neighbors as they become home to pests. Upkeep is an issue, and it seems unlikely the townspeople would had gone out of their way to keep the site of a tragedy so nice.

However, Gotouge seems to stress that the Kamado family, simply for being good people, were often humbled by being on the receiving end of such kindnesses. Even Sumiyoshi and Suyako were on the receiving end of this, as mentioned in a Taisho Secret in Volume 22, for having helped a local lord's wife and son while they were in peril without knowing who they were. Even though they tried to refuse reward, they made sure they had a nicely fixed up house anyway (side note, they moved in to Yoriichi's and Uta's abandoned house).

A sturdy house as returns for their kindness seems to be as much of a running theme in Kamado history as is Hinokami Kagura and making charcoal. We do see that Tanjiro is pretty popular among the townspeople and everyone knows they can rely on him, and if Tanjiro's highly biased word is to be trusted, Nezuko had a reputation as a local beauty. In good whether the little kids must had gone into town a bunch, and Tanjiro (and Inosuke's) continued charcoal business (despite the increasing reliance on electricity) in the Fanbook #2 extended epilogue shows that the Kamado family has always had a reputation for high quality charcoal. Certainly, they've been well-loved long enough that their tragedy would not go unnoticed.

As further evidence of this, in the Giyuu Gaiden, a hunter even notices that on a different mountain nearby there was a family of charcoal farmers slaughtered and a suspicious person in a half-and-half haori was seen around there. Clearly, the villagers were quick to notice the incident and start looking around for the man who might had done it!

But we're still left with the question of how quickly they'd have noticed the absence, how word got around, and just how much they knew. My initial thought in response to your Ask was "there's no way Tanjiro had time for that, he had bury his family and get Nezuko dressed and hurry and go!" but then again, this is Tanjiro we're talking about. Tanjiro who faithfully keeps a diary for Nezuko no matter how tired he is, and who faithfully keeps in touch with all his penpals even with all his demon slaying work to keep him busy. If anyone would had written a letter, it would had been him.

It's possible that his reasoning would had been for Nezuko's sake. Should word get around about the incident, and about Nezuko being a demon, people might suspect she was the one who did it. Even Tanjiro had to consider that possibility when he was first shocked by her transformation, though he had the evidence to clearly determine that she was innocent. So maybe if he did leave something, it might simply had been to inform people that Nezuko still needs help, and he's left to take care of her.

To the townspeople, Tanjiro's word is trustworthy. As soon as someone discovered the incident (and perhaps a letter), word would probably get around pretty fast, and if Tanjiro had circumstances that forced him to leave for Nezuko's sake, that implies that they might make a return once she was alright. That might be what inspired the townspeople, who cared for generations about their local charcoal farmers, to have their hearts wrenched with sympathy for the tragedy these two surviving children have been through, and to try to do what they can by taking care of the house while they're gone.

As for knowing if it was demons or not, it's possible only Saburo knew that. There's so much we don't know about Saburo, but my personal headcanon is that he lost his family to demons and was rescued by the Demon Slayers. While others might have been quick to blame the suspicious man in the half-and-half haori, anything said by Saburo, a man perhaps known for keeping to himself with a sullen personality, was dismissed or taken for mere superstition. Saburo, having told Tanjiro to stay with him that night, might had already felt something was off, and when the feeling kept bothering him, he might had gone to check on the Kamado family and been the first one to discover the massacre. Letter or not, he'd have known Tanjiro survived, and might had gotten there soon enough to trace the footprints to deduce to that one of the other older children must had survived too.

Now because of fic spoilers, Bird Fic commentary below!

As I was doing my best to make that fic fit alongside canon, I tried to consider where the birds might and might not been able to influence the events of canon, and that made Denroku (Kaigaku's crow) one of my favorite small bits to work with. Even though he never makes an appearance in the story (only mentioned as a slightly antagonistic bird), he struck me as having the most potential for influencing events.

Since we see a general pattern of the birds being very invested in the Slayer they work with, I imagined that Denroku would pick up on Kaigaku's ambitions. When he got in trouble for embellishing Kaigaku's achievements, that's when he tries the reverse, taking assignments into his own talons and leading to Kaigaku fighting an enemy out of his league. While most of the Kasugai-garasu would had immediately reported Upper Moon 1 so that a Pillar could be summoned, Denroku's underhanded drive to see Kaigaku promoted is what leads to a situation the Corp would had preferred to avoid.

And that brings us back to Matsuemon, who does his best to promote his underlings' achievements to get Tanjiro recognized as a Pillar. He is protective of Nezuko, having picked up on that from Tanjiro, but honestly, I had not considered Matsuemon leading to Tanjiro's encounter with Tamayo. Letting Oyakata-sama know about it, though, that does seem in character for Matsuemon, which we'll get to!

As for why Tanjiro encountered Tamayo so early on, I posited in this Ask that Oyakata-sama probably was hoping Tanjiro would make a connection with her. Gotouge has stated that the demon Tanjiro was sent to investigate in Asakusa was Tamayo. Like you, I assume that Kagaya's forefathers must had chosen to pardon her existence out of Yoriichi's good word for her, and we know from his later mention of her to Tanjiro and efforts to reach out to her later that he's probably always been curious about a way to gain her trust.

What probably gave him the idea to use Tanjiro, a kid with a demon sister, was Urokodaki's letter. We didn't hear the full letter read allowed at the Pillar meeting, but my thought is that Urokodaki wrote highly enough of Tanjiro that Kagaya was like, "aha! This is it! This might be the person who helps me gain Tamayo's trust!" and that was why he sent Tanjiro to Asakusa on his second mission. As for whether Matsuemon knew that or not, I suspect not initially, but he might had gotten aware of it overtime and been in on the loop of birds who know this but help keep it on the downlow, as per Oyakata-sama's request. Matsuemon might had also been given special instructions to report details to the Kasugai-garasu who initiated the personal correspondence between Oyakata-sama and Tamayo. Knowing this egotistical bird he probably would had loved to brag about it, but he's smart enough and respects the Corp mission enough to know when to keep silent about his achievements.

EDIT: Ack! I forgot to respibd to your Kaigaku question. I do assume Kaigaku was still a Corp member at that time and he probably heard and that it ticked him the hell off. Even if he didn't know the details, the fact that Zenitsu would had been credited with fighting an Upper Moon would tick him off with jealousy. Not to worry, Kaigaku, Upper Moon 6 is only the bottom rung of the Upper Moons. ; P

[rosiehunterwolf]

This request is the result of a very awake mind at 2 am. How about a part crack, part tooth-rotting fluff fic about and interview with characters of your choice.

I tried my best with this... it's difficult to do crack in such a short piece (hence this one ended up being a little longer) and although I think writing crack is really fun, I have no experience in the field XD. So... hope this is what you were looking for XD.

The Case of the Forgotten Birthday Gift

Summary: When the ninja are invited to the Ivory City of Shintaro for Princess Vania’s birthday, they find themselves in the most devastating predicament of all- they forgot to bring a birthday gift for Vania. In a panic, Cole offers her a chance to interview them as compensation. Not everyone is thrilled about the idea.

“We thank you for attending Princess Vania’s birthday,” King Vangelis said, hovering before the ninja with two winged guardsmen at his sides. “We ask that you leave any gifts on this table.” He gestured towards a table that was practically groaning under the weight of all the presents atop it.

“Um.” Cole blanched. “Gift?”

“Cole!” Jay whispered harshly in his ear. “Don’t tell me. That you didn’t bring a present for the princess. On her birthday.”

“I didn’t bring one? Last time I checked, we were all invited! Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Well, I didn’t, so you better come up with something now or they’ll never invite us back here again!”

“Uh…” Cole’s brain felt like it was whirring a mile a minute, and he reluctantly turned back to the king. “Thank you, your majesty, but our gift to the princess is not something material.”

King Vangelis raised an eyebrow. “No?”

“No, it’s a… it’s um… we’re giving you a free interview.”

“What?!” the other ninja all yelped, at the same time that Vania beamed, clapping her hands together.

“I get to interview the ninja? The ninja? Truly, this is the best birthday present ever!”

“Cole,” Kai groaned, putting his head in his hands, “what have you done?”

---

“When I told you to come up with something to give the princess, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind,” Jay grumbled from where he was sitting stiffly in a chair next to Cole. “Did you really have to offer the girl who’s obviously a bit bonkers about us an interview?”

“I didn’t see you coming up with anything better,” Cole snapped. “Besides, she may be a bit obsessed, but she seems nice enough. Just go along with it. She’s like any other fan.”

“Any other fan, you say? I wouldn’t be so sure!”

Cole sighed, glancing back at where Lloyd was standing atop his chair, glaring down at them. “Lloyd, sit down.”

“She’s no normal fan, I’m telling you! I don’t trust her! She was too excited about this interview! She’s out to get us, she just wants to trick us into giving away information so she can exploit our weaknesses!”

Kai glanced back and forth between Lloyd and Cole. “Seriously, does no one else see what an obvious cry for therapy this is?”

“Lloyd!” Cole hissed. “For the last time! Sit. Down.”

“Don’t worry, Lloyd,” Zane said as the teen plopped down grumpily in his seat. “The odds of our team member’s princess girlfriend turning out to be the leader of a criminal gang for the second time in our lives are practically nonexistent! Under seventy percent, at least.”

“She’s not my girlfriend!” Cole snapped.

Zane blinked. “Well, then whose is she?”

“Not mine,” Jay told them, grabbing Nya’s hand. “I’m already engaged!”

Kai laughed. “No thanks, she’s not my type. Plus, I already have a girlfriend who stabbed me in the back, although luckily for me, mine came around, eventually.”

“For the last time, Vania is not going to betray us!”

“It’s not our fault we have trust issues,” Lloyd sniffed. “You’d think someone would book us therapy, but apparently that’s not a priority.”

“Well, if she herself isn’t evil, maybe she’s related to someone evil!” Kai said. “Skylor’s evil, psychotic father influenced her to turn on me. Do you think Vania has an evil, psychotic father?”

“Definitely,” Lloyd agreed, at the same time Nya said “No way.”

Nya shook her head. “Do you know how ridiculous you guys sound? How many evil, psychotic fathers can there be out there?”

“Um. There’s Chen, Milton Dyer, Skales, my father- need I go on?”

“Don’t forget Nadakhan’s evil djinn father!” Jay chimed. Lloyd blinked at him. “Who?”

“See? That’s barely any!” Nya exclaimed. “Besides, like half of those people are good now, so they don’t count.”

“But they were, which means there’s a high chance of King Vangelis being evil and psychotic-”

“Who’s evil and psychotic?” A cheery voice interrupted them as Princess Vania pushed open the doors.

“Oh, uh… just an old villain we faced,” Cole covered quickly.

“Oh, you must tell me all about them!” Vania smiled, pushing the doors closed behind her and clicking the lock.

Kai blinked. “Did you just lock us in?”

“Of course! I can’t have anyone else breaking in here and trying to eavesdrop on my very special interview!”

“Do people break into your room often?” Nya laughed.

“Not at all! Only a few times a week.”

“Um… you do realize that we’re crime-fighting ninja, right?” Jay told her. “We have lots of enemies. Maybe you should have some people guarding us while we’re here.”

“Oh, don’t worry! If anyone attacks you, Chompy will scare them off!” The ninja looked to where she was pointing to see a tiny dragon snoozing on Vania’s bed.

“Oh, how reassuring,” Kai said dryly. “The overgrown gecko can keep us safe.”

Vania raised an eyebrow. “You’re lucky he’s asleep. Mr. Chompy does not play nice when he’s angry.”

“Oh yeah, I’m so scared,” Kai grinned, leaning back.

Vania narrowed her eyes at him. “He killed a dire bat once.”

“Yeah, well, we fought off an entire flock of them from our ship.”

“First of all, it’s called a colony of bats, not a flock. Second, I know that a squadron of our guards had to go save you.”

“We didn’t need saving! They interrupted us just as I was about to use my mighty fire powers to burn them to a crisp!” “Chompy would knock them out of the sky before you could do that.”

“Yeah, well, I could squish Chompy under my foot.”

“Chompy could gouge out your eyes.”

“Oookay, as fun as this is,” Cole interrupted, pushing them apart, “Let’s just get this interview over with. Vania, what questions did you want to ask us?”

“Hold on.” Vania jogged over to the wall and pulled over a small table, setting up a camera on top of it.

Jay stared at it. “What is that.”

“I need to record this, silly!”

“What’s the point of locking us in here and not letting anyone else listen in if you’re just going to broadcast this whole thing to everyone, anyway?” Nya asked.

“Because seeing it live isn’t half as fun as watching a recording!”

“Then why record it at all?”

“How else am I going to rub it in all my friends’ faces that I met the ninja?”

“This is a non-consensual violation of my privacy,” Jay grumbled.

“Oh please, your face is over half the city,” Cole sighed.

“Welcome back to Truthful Tidbits! I’m your host, Vania, and I’m here with an exclusive episode today- with me, I have the famous ninja!” “What,” Lloyd said slowly, “are you doing?”

“It’s for my TV show,” Vania whispered.

“You have a TV show?” Nya spluttered.

“Wait, no one told me this was going to be on TV!” Kai yelped. “The camera’s not getting my good side!”

“Wait, if this is a TV show, shouldn’t we have makeup artists or something?”

“Jay’s right!” Kai agreed. “I can’t go on television without a makeover!”

“My database shows no recollection of the show ‘Truthful Tidbits.’”

“It’s not on mainstream television,” Vania grumbled. “I just show them to my videography class.”

“Oh.” Jay relaxed in his chair. “That’s it?”

“What do you mean, that’s it? People are still going to see me without makeup! Just because it’s a small group doesn’t make this any less of a disaster!”

“I’m hoping to change that,” Vania beamed. “This is the big break I need! An interview with the ninja? Everyone will want to see it!”

“Andddd we’re back to privacy invasion again,” Jay groaned.

“Wanna bounce, Jay?” Lloyd asked.

“Do I ever-”

“Count me in, guys, I’m not doing this without a proper makeup job-”

“If you guys are all leaving, I’m not going to stay!” Nya insisted. “Zane?”

“It seems futile to stay if you all are leaving.” “You can’t leave!” Vania cried. “This is my present! Besides, you’re locked in here!”

Lloyd stared her dead in the eyes. “I will literally jump out the window to get out of this.”

“Are you kidding me? You’ll die!”

“Then tell Chumpy to catch me,” he told her, already climbing into the window.

“It’s Chompy!”

“Oh no, you don’t.” Kai reached out a hand, snatching the back of Lloyd’s gi before he could jump. “I don’t want to spend the rest of our stay in a hospital. What did you think was going to happen, you were going to sprout wings?”

“I’m part dragon,” Lloyd grumbled. “It’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.”

“I have a much less life-threatening way. Stand back.” Kai’s fist lit up in flames.

“I swear, Kai, if you burn down anything, we are never coming back here,” Cole warned.

“A little arson never hurt anyone.” Hurtling a fireball at the door, it burst into flames. Quickly, it burned a human-sized hole in the door, and Kai, Jay, and Lloyd quickly darted through.

“What about my interview?” Vania protested. “You promised!”

“Technically, Cole was the one who promised you the interview,” Zane pointed out. “He never specified which of us you would be interviewing.”

“And since Cole’s staying, we’re technically not breaking that promise!” Nya added.

Cole blinked. “I’m what?”

“Staying. Have fun, you two!” Nya waved, and the two of them shot out the door, spraying ice and water as they passed to extinguish the flames.

“Sorry about that, princess,” Cole said, scratching the back of his neck.

Vania narrowed her eyes. “This better be the best interview ever.”

Cole grinned. “Mark my words, it will be. Fire away.”

“Speaking of fire, you’re paying for my door.”

“... Yeah, I figured.”

[tinydooms]

I am so sorry to hear about your situation, I hope you are otherwise doing well. May I please request a prompt for Evie and Rick having a reading day (specifically set right after the first film, so they still are a little awkward around each other but still love and trust one another... I don't know, what ever you write, I love, so hopefully this gave you some inspiration but take it where you please :))

Thank you for your kind words! It's been a hell of a week, but I'm finally feeling better. Here is your fic: I hope you like it!

Cairo, October 1922

Evie woke up from her nap slowly, coming up out of deep sleep to find her Fort Brydon bedroom full of afternoon sunlight. The ceiling fan hummed overhead; the apartment was quiet save for the soft sound. Evie stretched, relishing the pull of her muscles and the softness of the bed beneath her. It was good to be back.

Her stomach gurgled and with a sigh, she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Time for tea. Hot tea, and lots of it, and maybe a sandwich or three. She was starving. There was nothing like roughing it in the desert to bring one’s attention to the blessings of home and a fully-stocked larder. Would the men be hungry? Probably. She had left Rick and Jonathan to their own devices after Dr. Wilkinson had looked them all over earlier that day; he had prescribed plenty of water and rest after their long, hot trek back from Hamunaptra. Opening her bedroom door, Evie looked around for the men. Jonathan’s bedroom door was closed; he was probably napping. Rick was where Evie had left him earlier, lying on his cot by the window with a couple of ice packs soothing his cracked ribs, head cushioned on a stack of pillows, a book in hand. He looked up as she came into the room.

“Hey,” Rick said, flashing her that sideways smile. “Did you have a good sleep?”

“Yes, thanks,” Evie said. “What are you reading?”

Rick waved the book at her. “Ah, Persuasion. I went through your bookshelf; I hope you don’t mind.”

Evie blinked. “You’re reading Persuasion?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard it’s one of Austen’s best and I didn’t feel like reading anything related to ancient curses. I’d only read her other one--I don’t remember the title in English--Orgueil et préjugés--the one where they despise each other at first because her family is obnoxious and he’s really shy and arrogant.” Rick lifted an eyebrow at the look on Evie’s face. “I do know how to read, you know.”

She realized that she was gaping at him, open-mouthed. Shame boiled up in Evie; of course he knew how to read. “I’m sorry. I just meant, I didn’t have you down as the type to read social satire.”

She hadn’t had him down as the type to read, period, but then, Rick had mentioned liking Arsène Lupin and Sherlock Holmes, hadn’t he? And there had been a couple of books in his suitcase last night, when she looked through it for clothes to lay out for him.

Rick grinned. "It’s okay, Evelyn. I know what I look like. We’re still getting to know each other.” He shifted, laying the book down on his stomach. “Actually, I really like reading. I’ve made it a point throughout my life to maintain membership at whatever public libraries are available.”

This was new and intriguing information. Evie sat down in the armchair and curled her legs under her.

“What sort of things do you like to read about?”

Rick cocked his head, thinking. “Honestly? I’ll read just about anything as long as I can understand it. I like detective novels and adventure stories, though I think I’m going to go off those for a while.” They grinned at each other. “I read a lot of art history books before the War, and I like a good popular history. I’m not educated; I only went to school through the eighth grade. Maybe if my mom hadn’t died, I’d have finished high school and gone to college, but, well…”

He shrugged. Life hadn’t worked out that way.

“But you read,” Evie said. “My mother used to say that anyone can learn anything they like if they are willing to read about it.”

Rick nodded. “My mom used to say something like that, too. She absolutely refused to let me quit school and get a job in a factory, even though it would have helped.” A shadow passed over his face; Evie saw him push it away. “Would you like something to eat?” he said, rising up on his elbows. “Your stomach is rumbling.”

“Oh! Yes, I’d come out for tea,” Evie said, scrambling to her feet. “Don’t get up; you’re supposed to be resting.”

Rick blinked. “I’ve been resting all day. It doesn’t hurt as bad as it did, you know.”

“Still.” Evie bustled off towards the kitchen. “You’ve looked after me so well these past weeks, it’s time for me to return the favor. Would you like a sandwich? How do you take your tea?”

Rick sat up, moving slowly. “Strong, with milk and a little honey, if you’ve got it. Thanks.”

Evie smiled at him; he smiled back. She bustled around the little kitchen, setting the kettle to boil and making up sandwiches, and when everything was ready she carried it through to the table and held out a hand to help Rick up. He took it, looking at her in a way that made her blush, and followed her to the table.

“Thank you,” he said, looking from the plate of sandwiches to Evie. “All this, I don’t-- Thank you.”

Evie smiled at him again; again, he smiled back, and for a moment they stood grinning foolishly at each other. It was all so new, this togetherness, this friendship. Funny how one could learn everything there was to know about a person’s character by their actions, and still know hardly anything about them as a person. Evie gestured for Rick to sit, and they fell on the sandwiches.

“So tell me,” Rick said after they had spent a few minutes quietly eating. “What’s your favorite book? Besides the Book of Amun-Ra. I’m sorry about that, by the way. Jonathan didn’t mean to drop it.”

“I know.” A pang flashed through Evie as she remembered the splash the book had made as it hit the water in the crypt’s brackish pool. “But we made it out with our lives, and we have all of the rubbings and sketches we made before we, er, raised him, so it’s not a complete loss. And as to your question…” She sipped her tea, thinking. “Do you mean favorite novel or favorite book? Because I’m not sure I can pick just one.”

“Top three, then.” Rick leaned on his elbow, watching her with the same interest he had shown at Hamunaptra. Evie felt herself blushing. She could get used to this.

“Well, then, I would probably have to say Professor Walter Emerson’s book on hieroglyphics, since it was a huge influence on me when I was a child; Flinders Petrie’s book Naukratis, and well, Persuasion.”

Rick grinned. “Which is why it was here, among all the books on Egyptology.”

“Quite.” Evie brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. She hadn’t bothered to pin her hair up. “What about you?”

Rick sat back, cradling his teacup in his big, strong hands. “I’d say my favorite book is Around the World in Eighty Days. I have a sentimental attachment to it; it was my favorite as a kid. I’ve read it in the original French, but I like the English translation better. But if I had a top three…” He paused to sip, thinking. “I don’t know, actually. I really like Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan and John Carter books, and I like Rudyard Kipling. I read a lot of Dickens after Gallipoli; they had his complete works at the hospital my regiment was sent to afterwards.”

“You were injured?”

“No.” A shadow passed through Rick’s eyes. “I mean, yes, I got shot in the side, but it was more a flesh wound than anything else. No, they sent us to rest and recuperate before going back to battle. It was a good break.”

He put the teacup down and reached for the pot. Evie hastened to lift it and refill. She brushed Rick’s hand as she scooted the milk jug towards him. He had such beautiful hands.

“I’ve never read Dickens,” she admitted, and he gave her a surprised look. “His writing never grabbed my attention,” she added. “I was much more interested in ancient stories than modern ones.”

“You don’t say.” Rick looked amused. “And you, a librarian. Is that what you got your degree in?”

“Library science? No, I did that afterwards. I, er, I studied Classics and Antiquity at university.”

Rick shifted his hands on the table, moving them close enough to tap the back of Evie’s hand. “Tell me.”

“You don’t mind that I went to university?”

The question leaped out before she could stop it, the tiny insecurity that Evie had always carried deep inside her and only rarely acknowledged. So many men were threatened by academic women. Rick looked astonished.

“Why would I mind that you went to university?” he asked. “Everybody should have the chance to go to university. I’d have loved to go to college. And anyway, of course you’re educated, I mean, look at you. With everything that’s happened the last few weeks, we’d all have died if you hadn’t known exactly what to do and how to read those hieroglyphs and all.”

“I know. It’s just...academic women are...frowned upon by society,” she said. “And I know we met in extraordinary circumstances, but I’ve never...You don’t think I’m ridiculous?”

Rick shook his head. “Nah, Evie, I’m crazy about you.”

And the little flame of her worry flickered and died. Evie smiled at him, folded her fingers around his. Rick squeezed her hand and raised it to his lips. They were going to be just fine.

[byulsgrease]

i rlly liked your "what are the chances" fic, and i just want to request something similar with the reader being a "hero" typa concept! Could you write a idol!hwasa x reader, and in there hwasa gets swarmed by paps and starts to struggle or panic, but the reader (who hwasa knows) just happens to be there at right place/time and takes care of her during and afterwards at the comfort of hwasas home?

o thanks anon! what are the chances truly came out of nowhere so it's a relief you enjoyed 🥺 so sorry this took me a while, my brain got a bit stuck at first on where to go with this one but I hope you like it

it's been a long time

(hwasa x gender neutral reader, ~1.3k words)

cw: food mention (are we surprised?)

a/n: the more I write the more I realize how much my own experiences influence my ideas? obviously it makes sense but just interesting that one could probably figure out a good bit about me if they knew where to look

A soft rain falls from the blanket of gray clouds above your head as you exit the 7-11 with a bottle of chilsung cider and a shiny plastic-wrapped inkigayo sandwich, your default lazy day dinner. The hood on your windbreaker comes back up to shield your hair from the rain. You're about to turn on your heel to head home but a swarm of people out of the corner of your eye turns your head toward it.

Squinting, it dawns on you: Oh... it's her.

Ahn Hyejin - or Hwasa, as most of your friends now called her. Weird to see her here, you knew her essentially a lifetime ago. Hyejin and Wheein in middle school were some of the nicest classmates around, despite the fact that they were picked on a ton. But you weren't super popular either so you usually found solace in talking to them, even if just in passing. Sometimes regret crosses your mind during their promotions. Could you have stood up for them back then? But they seem to be doing well, and the past is the past. Mamamoo's doing great. You long ago gave up pursuing music professionally after realizing you didn't have the means, so a hobby it became, but it meant a lot to see how far your fellow classmates had come to make their dreams come true.

The 10 minutes of your own internal existential reckoning really only takes about 10 seconds. You tread closer to the swarm as an endless number of camera shutters simultaneously create a loud flurry of clicks. A cacophony of voices renders you unable to make out whatever they're badgering her about, but she looks visibly agitated. Closer now, she wears that same expression she used to - when people in middle school endlessly mocked her for her body or not looking "Korean enough". That feeling of a lump in your throat where your words get caught and you can't tell whether a cry or yell will emerge when your mouth opens. Maybe she's changed less than I thought. Well, time to stand up to all those people I never did back when we were kids.

"Hyejin!" you whisper-yell. By some miracle your voice cuts through the noise as her head whips around to face you. You falter a bit when confusion leaps to her face - her not remembering your face didn't exactly cross your mind before approaching her. But desperation wins out as she takes your outstretched hand, mind racing, and bolts out from the crowd of cameras. There'll probably be a Dispatch article about this later.

With no bulky camera gear or bag to speak of, losing the crowd proves to be surprisingly easy. Slowing to a stop, you pause to take down your hood and unzip your jacket, an uncomfortable sweat forming on your back from the exertion. I should really start exercising again.

"Sorry," you nearly pant, a bit winded. "I'm not even sure if you remember wh—"

"Wait, I do!" she exclaims incredulously. "Holy crap, how long has it been?"

"A looong time. Sorry for sneaking up on you like that, but you wanted to get out of there, right?"

The hand not holding her purse runs itself through her hair as she sighs. "Yeah, absolutely. People think artists are perfect and will answer any call of the press on a whim, so this happens a lot more than I'd like it to. It’s just one of those days."

“I’m sure,” You're shifting weight from one foot to the other, unsure of what to do or say. It's a stretch to even claim to know her. "Um... were you headed somewhere? I could walk you, if you want— but no pressure!" Please. Get a hold of yourself.

The corner of her mouth turns up and she turns the proposition over in her head for maybe 2 seconds. "Sure, you can walk me home. I'll be more ready to run this time if they come back for us."

"This'll probably turn into a bigger story than whatever they were pestering you about, won't it...?" your tone apologetic.

She waves you off reassuringly. "Yeah, but that's tomorrow. Point is you got me out of there today, on a day where I didn't want to do... all that," her hand waving in the general direction from which you came. "Let's go."

~~~~~

It took everything in you to not say anything weird about how her place in real life looked so much like it did on I Live Alone. Can't be out here admitting I'm a fan.

She dropped her bag in the doorway and took a seat on the floor in front of her tv, running her hands through hair. Hesitating to follow her lead, a little overwhelmed from taking in her space, you ask, "Did you want some water or a snack?"

"Oh shit, sorry. Terrible host here, I should be asking you that."

The sandwich plastic crinkles in your fidgety hands, realizing you're still clutching it alongside your now luke-warm bottle of chilsung. "Wanna split these? Chilsung might need some ice, though." Your hands raise up the convenience store fare. "And don't worry about it, seriously. Relax - it's not every day you have someone to talk to after an ordeal like that."

"I have my members."

"Right, and where are they right now?" you posed, butt finally finding the floor in a spot next to her as she gets up to grab ice.

"Okay, okay, fine. What've you been up to since middle school anyway? It's obvious that you know what I've been up to - you could've caught some flies in your mouth with how low your jaw dropped when you walked in here," a small chuckle leaving her as you shielded your eyes. Caught.

"Mm, not much. Moved back in with my parents after getting a business degree and I have a typical 9 - 5. Or, well. 9 to 'whenever work is over', so basically never."

Sitting back down beside you and twisting the cap off the chilsung, she tilted her head at you. "Didn't you say back in the day you wanted to be a cellist?"

You sigh, resignation palpable. "Yeah, stupid kid dreams. There was no way I could afford to get through formal training and cross my fingers hoping for someone to give me a chance. You're financially in the red for essentially that entire time - I couldn't do that to my parents. But I'm really glad you and Wheein got to where you wanted to be," your tone brightening before taking a sip,

She smiles close-lipped, pensive. "Middle school feels like forever ago. Couldn't do it without her, that's for sure."

"It was meant to be, that she didn't debut with Moonbyul and all that," not caring anymore about exposing yourself after getting called out. "We've all got our own paths - it's inspiring to see you two walking down it together."

"I think you know full well that it's not quite that simple," she countered, her gaze coming to rest on you. "But, who says you have to stay on the path? RBW has an in-house string department, you know." Your head whips around to stare at her incredulously, blinking. What did she just say?

"You don't mean... um... I only play cello for fun now," excuses pour out but your mind soars at the hypothetical. You could leave business behind and at least be doing something you'd legitimately never tire of, even if the awful work-life balance remains.

She waves you off again. "Oh please. One thing I for sure remember is that you were always too modest for your own good. But I'm serious, if it's what you want." The ballooning feeling in your chest gives way to silent tears of joy streaming down your face.

You blubber, "Yes. Absolutely. Even if it doesn't—" She cuts you off with a hand on your shoulder and a dead-on look in the eye, her other hand already clutching her phone to make the call.

"It will."

[janetbrown711]

The Warners and Angelina the First

sooooooo- somebody asked me how i thought Angelina the First (my version) and the Warners would get along in my little au of Wakko’s Wish. However, I do have her dead before Angelina the Second and William are even married (her death is the reason why they’re allowed to get married, after all), but it did get me thinking about an AU of sorts- an AU in an AU if you will. 

For the moment I’ll just be referring it as the “Angelina the First Lives AU” (not to be confused with @madelynartz ‘s Angelina Lives AU). If anyone comes up with a better idea, I’ll update the post with a better title, but for now the hour is late and my brain is very full of angsty and over the top dramatic ideas I must release onto the public. 

For simplicities sake, I’ll be reffering to them as Angelina 1, Lena, and Dot

Before I start though, I must thank @madelynartz and @imbeccablee bc they helped bounce off ideas and stuff so yeah ^^

Trigger warning for a lot, a lot of abuse

So the way this would work is if Angelina 1 never got ill, and as the likelihood of Lena being forced to marry a suitor was growing stronger and stronger, her and William decided to elope so that wouldn’t happen. 

The conversation went something like “boom, divorce is forbidden for royals, I’m no longer ‘pure’ by your and societies stupid standards, and I’m already with child- suck it mom”

As you can imagine, Angelina 1 didn’t take that well, and was outraged, abuses the frick out of her, and locks Lena away for at least a month (William joins her later)

Lena and William did genuinely consider running away several times, but Lena knew she was too recognizable, and a bounty would be placed for her safe return, but not William’s and he’d be more likely to be killed if they escaped than if they stayed- plus, being pregnant and running away is hard

Eventually Yakko was born, and Angelina 1 made it clear that she would be an influence and figure in his life, and that Lena and William had no say in the matter, or else.

So William and Lena did their best to teach him morals and how to be a decent person and never leave him alone, before Angelina 1 would swoop in and teach him what she thought made a good king

“A good isn’t so emotional” “A good king puts his people above all else” “A good king listens to and respects his elders”

For awhile, he didn’t know whether or not all of her advice and wisdom was good or bad, as it didn’t sound wrong to his impressionable ears

Yakko didn’t exactly like Angelina 1 per se, but since she was family, and he was taught to at least show common decency to people- even those he disliked- he did listen and never got mad at her 

“Good- at least you’re a little bit smarter than your mother already”

Angelina 1 couldn’t have cared less when Wakko was born- however his “feral”ness and his clinginess to Yakko often got in the way of her “lessons”

One time, when Wakko was four, he got upset and raised his voice a little bit to talk over her, and she smacked him across the room

Yakko was furious, and bit Angelina 1 in anger and protectiveness over his little brother

This also forced Yakko to realize how awful his grandmother was, and how he was becoming a bad person, and after that he never gave her advice a chance ever again

Lena nearly went feral and full on attacked her mother when she heard that she hit Wakko, and William had to physically restrain her from going to kill her mother (not because he didn’t also want to kill her, but because he knew it was treason, and that Lena would have to be killed too)

Howevere, despite the fact that he fricken bit her, Angelina 1 doesn’t stop trying to shape Yakko into what she wants, and she just got crueler and more forceful with her lessons (however, they’re much less effective bc Yakko knows how much she sucks and refuses to listen and instead just sasses and “smart asses” her (like with Ms. Flamiel in canon)

She does try isolating him away from the rest of his family, but that never works, as he always found a way to escape and William would then protect him and make sure he made it out of his lessons alright (he is a knight after all)

Again, Angelina 1 didn’t really care when Dot was born, focusing her energy on trying to make Yakko listen to her by any means possible

Though she would refuse to call her Dot and would only call her Angelina 3, which Dot and Lena would loathe

I’m not quite sure what Angelina 1 would think of Dot outside of that, but I do imagine her trying to make her a proper lady, but Dot is very similar to her mother and has her infamous wit, and so she wouldn’t get far

However, Angelina 1 probably continued to try anyway, constantly pulling her away from playing with her brothers and giving her lessons in manners, which would irritate Lena and she and her mother would have long arguments about Dot which wouldn’t end pretty

At the end of the day though, they did have each other, and when Angelina 1 wasn’t around, they’d spend time together as a family, and the kids would often pretend they were over throwing the evil queen (which Angelina and William made sure they weren’t actually going to do- but didn’t discourage them from imagining-)

I’m not sure whether or not the assassination/attack on Warnerstock Castle would happen in this au, or whether or not Angelina 1 would die in that or if William and Lena would be the only ones to die in such attack, so I’m taking suggestions on that

My thoughts on if only their parents die, then the Warner sibs would be placed soley under their grandmother’s care and the protection they had with their parents would evaporate, and Yakko, Wakko and Dot would need to think of an escape plan bc they probs wouldn’t last long (sanely speaking) if they stayed. 

If Angelina 1 also dies, then Wakko’s Wish continues on like normal, with added childhood trauma for fun

So... yeah

I probably left things out, but these are my main thoughts. I might add more, who knows. 

If you’re going to request fics in this seperate universe, I humbly request you specify so in your ask, please and thank you ^^

[wlw-lovestruck-fiction]

Can I request a Viv Tang fic or hc?

It's angst, where The Poppy leaves MC to take the blame on one of their heists, promising that they would break her out, but never did. Yet despite that she never sold them out.

Then Nadia was the one who broke her out, manipulating her and plotting lies in her head to make her join Flashpoint.

The Poppy did do their everything to break MC out but everytime Nadia intercepts them. So when they finally tracked down where MC and Nadia is, on the location of their latest operation, they tried to reason to her. But MC's loyalty was too deep for Nadia maybe because Nadia also made MC think that she loves her or something.

And maybe the last words could be:

"Next time I won't hesitate to tell them to pull the trigger, maybe I'll be the one to pull the trigger myself."

Make it as angsty as possible please and thank you in advance!

Warning: Mentions of murder.

...

Prison life was hell. Try as she might, MC couldn’t endure it as well as she thought she could. There was an enemy in every shadow, in every corner. There was no one to lean against, no support.

The days dragged on and on, virtually endless, no help in sight.

MC remembered the warmth of the Poppy, their joyous celebrations, the life in their eyes as they planned a heist that would ultimately unveil in failure. No one had known then that it would go wrong, and MC couldn’t help but wonder if they would have cared. If they would have changed anything in the plan.

There wasn’t a moment in this damn place where people didn’t shove it in her face—no doubt it was on purpose, why the heck would they want to drag a failure like you around? —and scoffed at her when they saw her, not believing for a second that this scared little kid could belong to such a famous group.

Two weeks in, MC had abandoned any hope that she would be rescued. She was stuck for fifteen years in this place. Investigators would come in periodically, their eyes stone cold as they probed her for answers, but MC kept her mouth shut and looked away. They would get physical sometimes, intent on getting answers, but MC say nothing.

The memory of a place she truly belonged in was still fresh in her mind. She had always been an emotional person… it was no surprise she had no desire to sell them out. At least not yet. Give her a couple of months, and maybe she’d be bitter enough to do it.

Three weeks in, a blast had knocked the whole prison into chaos. The sheer relief that flooded her was only slightly evaporated by the spark of anger and indignation in her chest, but she still hurried out, thirsty for freedom.

She expected to see Vivienne’s impish smirk, hand extended in her direction, no remorse in her eyes, but was surprised by golden hair and a tight, crisp suit that had once been white, now marred by dirt and smoke and blood.

“Oh good, I was wondering how much target practice I would have before you showed up,” the woman said, her grin as sharp as a knife’s edge even though she was standing so casually, as if they weren’t standing at the edge of a broken prison wall but in a café.

MC froze, caught off guard. Someone—another inmate—ran behind her, intent on reaching freedom, and the woman whipped a gun in his direction so fast he didn’t even have time to react. His body joined the pile of bodies by the side, momentum making it flop like a sad, broken doll. The woman hums to herself as she reloads the gun.

“Hurry up, MC, I don’t have all day.”

“Wha—? But you just shot—”

She shrugs, nonchalant. “Yeah, well, since they are no use to me… I might as well practice my aim, no?”

“…I—”

“Hurry up and come here, MC,” the woman says, impatience making her voice firmer and deadlier. Her arm snaps up, the sound of a gunshot making the air vibrate, and MC covers her ears and flinches. Someone lets out a pained gurgle and the thump right behind her makes MC shiver. A swift glance reveals it’s a guard. “The cavalry has arrived—next shot is at your feet if you don’t move. Right. Now.”

MC has never run so fast in her entire life. The woman’s grin returns, pleased, and after one last shot, she guides MC out into a waiting helicopter. They are out of the prison without much trouble. Still a bit anxious, MC takes one of the seats, stiffly. In contrast, the woman lets herself drop in the seat in front of her and all but beams at her.

“Sorry about that—I like to make things dramatic. Name’s Nadia.”

“That was… a tad more dramatic than I would have liked…”

“You’ll get used to it in no time,” she replies, waving her hand as if it’s no big deal. She smirks and lets the gun drop on MC’s lap, who goes very still, staring at the device in horror. “Safety’s on, chill. I’d never do anything to you, MC.”

“You literally threatened me like three seconds ago.”

“Because we were going to get caught otherwise! I wouldn’t have acted on it, promise.”

MC chances a look at her eyes—there’s a dangerous amusement dancing in them, like the light blue of a river that doesn’t seem to have a very strong current until you are swept off into a certain death. There are no second chances with this woman, no false appearances. MC doesn’t realize how reliving this raw honesty is until it washes over her, and she wonders if right now she’s at the edge of the river. One wrong move…

“Thank you for getting me out of there.”

“No big deal. I heard what happened with the Poppy—figures they aren’t as noble as they make everyone believe.”

Those words cut into MC like a frosty knife.

“I… I thought they sent you to break me out…”

Nadia scoffs. “Me, working with stuck-ups like them? Now that’s a good laugh.”

“Why did you bail me out, then?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” She leans forward. “The Poppy threw away some very valuable talent. As any proper thief would do, I claimed it for myself.”

“…threw away, huh?”

“They were quite satisfied with themselves, too. Imagine the fit they’ll have when they know you’re with Flashpoint now.”

It’s hard to believe her words. The image of a joyous Poppy is still fresh in MC’s mind, but Nadia’s words tint it a dull reddish-brown, just like a faded photograph. She thinks about Vivienne’s words, about her promise to break her out, and frowns.

“You speak as though I’ve already joined your little group.”

“There’s no other option, MC. I’m not letting a talent like you slip away… plus, don’t you want to get back at them? Show them what a horrible mistake they did?”

“…”

“Or just let them seethe silently in rage, sure. Can’t say I love your approach, but eh.”

Her fingers curl around the grip of the gun. “What happens if I don’t want to work for you?”

Nadia looks at her with keen interest, still with a lazy smirk. “Then you’d be volunteering for target practice.”

“I thought you say you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I don’t hurt my coworkers, no, but if you cross me—whoever you are—then you seal your fate.”

MC hums, looking at the firearm in her lap, moving her thumb over the safety. After a small pause, in which she glances over at the pilot, she moves her hand away.

“Fine. I’ll join.”

“Great!”

Flashpoint, true to its name, prefers more flashy heists.

MC wasn’t too comfortable with their modus operandi at first, but got used to it soon enough.

Nadia was a strict leader. Every conversation with her was intense and dangerous, especially when she was in a bad mood, but she was thorough.

She didn’t mince her words. She was as honest as could be, and after months caught in Vivienne’s game, Nadia was a breath of fresh air. MC couldn’t be really blamed for falling in love with her, right? In the end, Nadia was the only one willing to support her.

That’s why it had been such a surprise when, in the middle of their latest heist, the Poppy had intervened.

They had been as organized as always—Flashpoint was completely caught off guard, the communication lost. MC could deal with not knowing what happened to the rest, so long as she had Nadia with her.

Nadia had been strangely amused when the Poppy crashed their heist, not worried at all, gripping her knife without a care in the world. That was reassuring… at least during this forced encounter, MC would have her by her side.

And it was comforting to see that Nadia hadn’t taken out her gun yet.

Vivienne is the one who speaks, voice as demanding as firewood smoke, and MC goes deadly still when the seductress goes straight to the point instead of dancing around the subject as she usually does. “Nadia prevented us from breaking you out.”

Her words ring hollow. Now that MC has been out of her influence long enough, it’s easy to ignore her words. They are fake, anyway. They must be.

Nadia scoffs, wolfish grin still in place. “Blaming me now, huh? That’s low. I thought you would have come up with a better excuse.”

Remy instantly starts to explain the foiled attempts, and their most recent efforts to find Flashpoint now that MC was with them, but MC can’t look at him without remembering her time in prison—dark, dark, not an ally in sight, contempt in every corner—and it’s enough to make her bristle.

How dare they? How dare they spill these lies after leaving her to rot in jail? After lying to her for months, making her believe she was one of them?

The fact that they had left her to take the fall was insulting. If it had been Nadia, she would have stayed with her. They would have gone down together, guns blazing. Nadia was the type of person that gave everything or nothing at all.

Vivienne tries to speak again, a desperation in her eyes MC had never seen before, but the sight is oddly satisfying.

Nadia catches it, because of course she does, her smirk softening as she reaches for her gun and aims casually. “Better beg for your lives now.”

And Nadia’s also a very dramatic person, that’s for sure. MC almost wants to laugh at their faces, eyes trained on the gun, expression tainted with disbelief, but MC sees no point in killing them. Not like this, at least.

“What? You still don’t want to get back at them?” But even then, even with how much she’s itching to pull the trigger, Nadia lowers the weapon and scowls. “Fine.”

“Don’t come back to me with this bullshit. Next time I won’t hesitate to tell Nadia to pull the trigger. Maybe I’ll even pull the trigger myself.”

Vivienne sets her jaw and stands still, and MC gives her a small, triumphant smile before she follows Nadia out of the museum.

[monaownsmyass]

Influence Her

Requested fic by anon. (If you have any fic ideas or requests you'd like me to write, you can leave me an ask!)

Book: Queen B

Pairing: Veronica Lombardi x MC (Bea Hughes)

Genre: Fluff

Rating: PG13, strong words and suggestive lines/scenes

Word Count: 5,125 (V stans feasting with this one)

A/N: MC doesn’t really like Veronica’s social media presence but can real-life Veronica change her mind when they meet? (Alternating POVs) Y’all wanted a Poppy x MC enemies-to-lovers? Nahhh Veronica x MC would’ve been much better imo 😏 I also gave her some personality since PB is shit with character development especially with their side characters. 

Tag list: @ineedskyecrandall @kamilahsayeet2063 @avalawrencefl @lovekamilahsayeed @thequeenkamilahsayeed @heygmicheelle @djtjsmith14 @jjlover01 @soft-for-drake @dopeyouth @alexroyard @satrinadia @toalltheboysididntlove @mypegasifly (lmk if anyone would like to be included or removed in my next fics and if you only want to be tagged for certain pairings.)

Part 2 is here!

I couldn't escape it.

It was all Veronica this! Veronica that! Oh, Veronicats! Oh, @vivilomborghini! And I've had it!

She was everywhere and I couldn't escape it. Obviously, she was all over my socials. On Pictagram, The T, but ever since I joined Belvoire, I couldn't even walk across the damn campus without seeing her.

I heard about Veronica long before I started attending Belvoire and I never liked her even since then. Something about her always rubbed me the wrong way.

When I found out she was also a student here on my first day, I was ready to head out. I did have other offers from different universities but Zoey convinced me that it wasn't gonna be so bad, so I took her word for it and stayed.

It was hard enough trying to avoid her on social media, which, trust me, was a sport all on it's own, but now I had to inevitably see her face every single day. I had no idea why, but I felt like she was wherever I went. At the library, at class, at the courtyard, it didn't matter, she was there.

She was like a constant nightmare haunting me. Okay, maybe a gorgeous, very attractive nightmare, but a nightmare nonetheless.

"I don't get why you hate her so much, babe," Zoey said at she followed my irritated glare aimed at Veronica who was vlogging not too far away. "She's not that bad."

"I don't hate Veronica Lombardi, but she hasn't given me any reason to like her either," I clarified.

"Why not?"

I scoffed. "Just look at her! Look how fake she is. She's basically lying to her fans. Her online personality is so artificially bright and happy it makes me wanna barf."

"Bea, that's basically almost every social media influencer ever."

"Maybe, but there's just something about her that doesn't sit right with me. How did she even get that many followers? I don't get what people see in her. Like sure, she's easy on the eyes and all but there's literally nothing else going for her."

Zoey raised a brow. "I'm surprised you admitted she's attractive.."

"I just don't like her, that doesn't mean I'm blind, Zo. I can appreciate a pretty face even if it annoys the shit out of me."

Zoey let out a laugh and gave me a pat on the cheek before standing up from the picnic table we were sitting at. "I'm sure V would be ecstatic to hear you call her pretty."

The space between my brows creased. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, babe, it's so obvious our favourite social media star has a crush on you."

"What makes you say that?" My nose scrunched up in disgust but something in my stomach stirred.

"You know, the looks, the movements," she replied, waving her hand around. "I'd love to explain more, but I'm gonna be late for class." She gathered her things and started walking away.

"Fine, fine," I sighed.

"And babe?"

"Yeah?"

"Dreamgirl is headed your way."

~*~*~

From the moment my eyes set on Bea Hughes, I knew there was something different about her.

Yes, the way she dressed, her accent, how she stood up to Poppy, it definitely made her stand out in Belvoire but there was just something else about her that caught my attention.

Maybe it was the way she carried herself, or her vibe. Maybe it was just how hot she was, I wasn't sure.

There was just a magnetic pull attracting me to her and I may not have known why, but I was determined to get to know her better.

I remembered the first time I caught sight of her. There was a crowd in the courtyard surrounding her and Poppy. She straight up roasted Poppy with no remorse and when she was done, our eyes locked. I could feel the tension between us. Was it sexual? Was it rivalry? Jealousy? Hatred? Maybe it was in potential alliance.

Whatever it was, I felt a connection.

Her smouldering gaze held onto my curious one and we held eye contact for a good minute before I raised a brow. She suddenly seemed to realise where she was and rolled her eyes, looking away.

I didn't know what that eye roll meant but that wasn't gonna stop me from finding out more about this interesting woman.

While I was vlogging, my eyes drifted to the girl that had me thinking about her ever since she stepped onto campus. She was eyeing me in annoyance. I've had people look at me like that but something behind her glare told me that wasn't all. I saw my chance. I smirked, ended the vlog and started walking up to her.

I didn't know what her problem with me was but I was gonna find out.

She was intriguing. 

And I, Veronica Lombardi, was always up for a challenge.

~*~*~

I whipped my head around to see Veronica headed my way. I didn't like her but the way she strutted towards me made me breathless. The power in her strides almost made me realise why she was as popular as she was. Almost.

Still, I groaned and reached an arm out to Zoey.

"Zo! Don't leave me!"

"Sorry babe," she laughed. "You're on your own. Tell me how it goes, though!"

My arm flopped onto the table and my head followed.

"Hey," I heard a smooth, low voice call out not long after.

I knew who it was from but it still shocked me. It was such a vast difference from the bubbly, higher-pitched tone I had associated with her.

I raised my head to look at her.

"Yes?"

"This seat taken?"

"Does it matter?" I sighed. "Looks like you're gonna sit anyway."

She chuckled and crossed her arms. "That wasn't a yes so I can only assume you want me too."

I was about to deny it but something stopped me. I couldn't get the words out in time and she sat across me.

Well, this would be interesting.

"What do you want, Veronica?"

"No need to be so hostile," she raised her hands up. "I just came by 'cuz I saw you ogling at me."

My jaw dropped. "I was not ogling at you!" I said defensively.

She laughed again at my apprehension. "Sure you weren't."

"I wasn't!"

"Anyway," she said, ignoring my protest. God, she was infuriating. "I thought it was about time we finally meet and get to know each other."

I just looked at her as she stretched a hand out.

"Hi, I'm Veronica Lombardi," she said with a dazzling smile.

I had no intention of shaking her hand but I didn't wanna be mean especially since she was being nice. Also, there was something so compelling about that smile...

I lightly held her hand but the slight contact sent a jolt up my arm.

What was happening?

Brushing it off, I gave it a single shake. "Bea."

"Nice to officially meet you, Bea."

The way she spoke my name was unlike the way others said it. It sounded like a praise on her lips.

"As much as I'd love to hang around and make you fall in love with me," she stated and I was about to say something to contradict it but decided against it. Not like it would've helped. "I gotta go. Perhaps we could continue this conversation later? Elsewhere?"

I glared at her in disbelief. "Are you seriously asking me out on a date right now?"

"Oh, it's a date, huh?" she said playfully.

"What? I- you- NO!" I flustered.

"Alright then, it's a date," she laughed and I could feel myself getting red in the face. Was it from being infuriated or from blushing? I couldn't tell.

"Why would I go out with you?"

"Look, I know you don't like me that much, but why not give me a chance, hm?" The right corner of her lips quirked up ever so slightly as she gave me a lazy grin, so unlike the awfully overexaggerated fake cheery smile I was accustomed to seeing. It was relaxed and laidback and I'd be lying if I said I didn't find it absolutely sexy.

"How do I know it's not just for a vlog or some prank video."

"I swear it's not," she quickly assured. "If you don't believe me, I'll let you keep my phone for the entire time. I promise. I just want to get to know you."

She gazed into my eyes and I could tell she was telling the truth.

"Alright..."

"It that a yes?"

"It's not a yes..." I paused before adding. "But it not a no either."

I saw her eyes light up and I thought it was pretty cute. I mean, it was good to know she wasn't devoid of human emotion.

"I'll tell you what," she said and reached into her bag for a pen and paper and starting writing. "You let me know once you make up your mind."

She slid the paper over to me and on it was her number. She signed off as 'V, xoxo'.

Before standing up, she took my hand that was resting on the table between us in hers and paused for a moment, looking me in the eyes and making sure I wouldn't flinch away.

Once she was certain I wouldn't pull back, she brought my hand up to her lips and placed a gentle kiss on it. The way her soft lips grazed my hand made my heart flutter.

She let it go and walked away, looking over her shoulder to wink at me.

"Until then, beautiful."

I felt my whole face burn as I watched her walk away.

And this time, it was definitely from blushing.

~*~*~

"I'm telling you, Zo! How many times do I have to repeat myself? It's not a date!"

"Didn't you say she said it was a date?"

"Well, technically I made the mistake of assuming it was a date then she got the wrong idea and called it a date."

"So you wanted it to be a date?"

I was ready to pull my hair out in frustration. "No!"

Zoey giggled at me. "You are going though, right?"

"Why should I? I have no reason too."

"The Veronica Lombardi asked you out on a date and you're gonna say no to that?" She looked at me like I was stupid.

"It's not a date!"

"Just go for it. What do you have to lose?"

"My time, patience and sanity."

She glanced at me skeptically. "I don't think you actually believe that. I think you just don't want to admit you wanna spend time with Veronica."

That made me quiet. Was the idea of going out with Veronica actually repulsive or did I just not want to acknowledge it?

"Fine, I'll go for the stupid thing."

Zoey first pumped and cheered. "I can't wait to see you in her next vlog!"

"Oh, she said she wasn't gonna vlog."

She blinked at me. "What?"

"She said she would let me keep her phone for the rest of our time together as proof when I asked her if it she was only asking me out for a video."

"Bea, do you not realise what this means?"

I just looked at Zoey, puzzled.

"Veronica, Queen of Social Media, who vlogs and livestreams everything, said she would give you her phone. That's where all her power is! She's basically giving it up to you! I've heard if anyone so much as touches her phone, there'll be hell to pay."

Involuntarily, I felt myself start to smile. "Really?"

"God, you look like a kid in a candy store. You sooooo like her."

I shoved her and tried but failed miserably to hide my ecstatic expression. "Shut up! I do not!"

Zoey collapsed into a fit of giggles. "Deny it all you want, but you said you'd go out with her and I don't see you texting her yet."

I rolled my eyes at my best friend but moved to grab my phone to shoot Veronica a quick text to tell her my answer was yes.

~*~*~

When I received her confirmation yesterday, I felt the excitement bubbling in me. From the how she was blushing and the way she looked at me when I left, I was almost certain she would agree but getting a straight answer from her was the best news I've had all week.

I looked at the mirror at the outfit I was wearing. Hmm, should I change or would this suffice? No, I didn't want it to just suffice, I wanted it to impress.

I went through my closet, flinging clothes everywhere, trying to find something that would definitely catch her eye when I heard someone shout, "V!!!"

I rolled my eyes as Poppy barged in with Chloe by her side.

"What the hell are you doing and why is your room messier than a pig sty?! You were suppose to meet me an hour ago!"

I simply shrugged at her. "I'm busy."

"Busy with what? Putting on a fashion show for the fly on your wall?! Get ready, we're going out."

"Like I said, Pops," I took a stride in her direction and booped her nose, no doubt making her madder than she already was. "I'm busy."

"With what?" Chloe asked curiously since Poppy looked like she was gonna pop her lid off.

"I have a date with Hughes," I hummed.

"YOU'RE DITCHING ME FOR THAT NEWBIE, FARMSVILLE?!" Poppy screamed angrily.

I ignored Poppy and turned to Chloe. "Help me pick out something?"

"I'd love to!" she squealed which made Poppy stomp her feet in frustration.

"Ugh! Fine! Don't come crawling back to me when your social ranking takes a plunge after being seen with Farmsville!"

"You're delusional, Pops, maybe you should rest," I laughed as she stormed off, leaving Chloe to help me find the perfect outfit.

I couldn't wait to see Bea again.

~*~*~

There was a knock on the front door and Zoey jumped in excitement.

"You're looking forward to it more than I am."

"Can't I just be happy for my best friend-slash-roommate?" She pushes me towards the door. "Now go get your girl!"

"She is not my girl!" But my mind started racing at the possibility.

I shook the thought away and opened the door to be greeted with the sight of Veronica holding a single rose. I hate to admit it, but my breath hitched as I took her in.

My eyes ran up and down her body, soaking in every single feature my eyes landed on. Her sleeveless shirt was loose against her toned body but showed off her biceps nicely compared to her usual long-sleeved sweater.

My gaze landed on her chest and travelled down to her hips which only lead to her long, muscular legs covered by her pants. I forced my eyes back up to her attractive face only to see a stupid cocky smirk playing on her lips.

It was infuriating but fuck, she was hot.

I didn't even notice I was biting my lip until I heard her speak.

"Don't bite too hard, it might start bleeding before I get to kiss you," she said flirtatiously with that calm voice of hers but I could see her own eyes roaming my body.

I rolled my eyes but I wasn't as annoyed as I lead on. "Someone's confident."

"Very," she replied with a full smile this time and held out the rose in her hand. "For you."

"This isn't a date."

"It is!" Zoey called out from behind me.

"Zo!"

"It's true," she laughed. "Have fun on your date! V, you better treat her good!"

"The best," Veronica laughed with Zoey. "Don't worry!" She turned her attention back to me. "So, are you gonna accept my rose?"

The way she phrased it and said it made me melt. How could I say no?

Sighing in defeat, I took it from her and tucked it into my purse, the flower sticking out, on display for the world to know and strangely, I didn't mind.

We made our way away from the dorm and across the courtyard to her car. I saw people looking and whispering, wondering what the hell the newbie was doing with Belvoire's social media queen, the third ranked in The T.

I snickered and felt a little smug. It was great knowing someone with so much power was by my side. I felt kinda protected and safe 'cuz I knew no one would dare toss any snide remarks my way when I was with her.

I also thought it was really sweet that she didn't care that she was being seen with me. Not like I think anyone would dare say anything about her but I was still touched.

She opened the passenger side door for me and I raised her a brow at her. "I can open my own door, you know," I teased.

"O.M.G., I totally didn't know that," she replied sarcastically in a deadpan tone. "Lemme just do something nice for you."

"I guess I wouldn't mind being treated like a princess for the day," I muttered jokingly.

"Darling, I'll treat you like a queen," she replied coolly and suddenly, my whole body was on fire.

That immediately shut me up which made her chuckle.

We got into her car and she began driving. After a while, I spoke up.

"Where are we going?"

"You're warming up to me, huh?" She glance at me from the corner of her eyes and gave me another exasperating smirk.

"What?"

"You're starting a conversation with me. You like me now, don't you?" She reached out to poke me in the arm and I swatted her hand away even though I was trying my hardest to stifle a smile that was threatening to spread across my lips.

"God, you're annoying."

"Hey, I'm just stating facts."

Eventually, we pulled up to a small quaint café that didn't look like what I thought Veronica's speed was at all.

She opened the door for me again and this time, I didn't bother with a witty remark since I knew she would turn it on me anyway.

As we walked in, she greeted the barista behind the counter as if they've known each other for some time and it occurred to me then that I was getting to see the real Veronica. The thought that she actually was willing to share this private part of her life with me made me soft.

After ordering, she guided me to a table and pulled out a chair for me, motioning for me to sit. I looked around to take in the surrounding. There was barely anyone else in the café, only two other customers who were in their own worlds, reading. The place was small and cozy and... quiet. It wasn't like the high-energy, over-the-top, loud parties and events setting I was used to seeing her in. It was much more peaceful. Even the contemporary R&B and soul music they were playing that Veronica was humming to was much different than the pop songs she played in her vlogs that I've seen.

"Is this your little hideout?"

She offered me a small grin before staring at a picture on the wall. "Somewhat. No one expects to find me here so it's where I come if I just want some time to myself. No Poppy, no Belvoire, none of the Veronicats, just me." She leaned forward as her enrapturing eyes landed on mine and the sheer intensity of her gaze sucked all the air out of my lungs. "And now you."

I looked away, not being able to hold eye contact anymore and all of a sudden feeling very overwhelmed.

"It doesn't seem like you. I mean, I knew your online personality wasn't all real but this is..."

"Different?" she gave me a rueful smile. "I'm not my brand, Bea."

"Who are you, then?"

Her sad smile quickly changed into a simper. "That's why we're here, aren't we?"

"Fair enough." I leaned back in my chair. "Why don't you show your followers the real you? I'm sure they'll appreciate it." 'I do,' I thought subconsciously.

She let out a humourless laugh. "It's not that easy. Changing my entire image is already a hassle, but then I'd have to deal with that rumours and the haters and all that bullshit which is annoying. Then, I have to worry about my followers who'll either bash me or get bashed for still supporting me," she sighed, looking more tired than I've ever seen her. "It's just a lot."

Before I could reply, she pulled out her phone and slid it over to me across the table. "Like I promised, I'll let you keep it."

"V," I started and realised I called her by her nickname for the first time. I knew she noticed it to when I saw her brows lift up slightly. "You really don't have to."

She shook her head. "No, no, I want to. I want you to know I'm serious about this. I want you to know I'm being honest. Also, it's relaxing to know I don't have to worry about my online appearance since it's with you," she joked.

"Aren't you scared I'll log into your accounts? Maybe try and steal you phone?"

She looked at me with an amused smile. "I'm right here, I can see whatever you're doing. And what, you gonna run off with my phone in an unfamiliar area when I have a car?"

"Maybe I'll steal your car too."

She let out a full laugh that made my heart flip.

Woah?

"Darling, you can try," she spoke and leaned in closer, almost whispering the next part with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But I think we both know who'll end up on top."

I caught the undertone in her statement and I felt my cheeks getting hot.

"You'd be surprised," I returned her energy and I saw her pupils dilate, the tension between us palpable.

We were interrupted by the barista from earlier. They served us our drinks and left, making me clear my throat and trying to shake out the image of Veronica and I in a.... compromising position.

I looked at her phone that was still in front of me and hesitantly slipped it into my purse.

"I have a question," I said.

"Mm?"

"Aren't you tired of pretending? To your followers?"

She crossed her arms on the table and my eyes immediately drifted down to see her arms flex as she did but I forced them back up to her face. 'Not the time!' I scolded myself in my head.

Her tiny grin told me she noticed. Damn, nothing slipped past this woman.

However, she looked over it and answered me. "It wasn't always pretend. That person was actually me once. That's what happens when you grow up in the public eye, I guess." She propped her chin on her hand. "I started doing all of this when I was young and it was only for fun. A kid just being a kid, you know? But then my content blew up and as I grew older, it was only natural for me to change, to discover who I really was. But the thing with people online is that they don't get that. They think we're a fraud or we went off the rails if we suddenly change things up."

I looked her in the eyes as she told me more about it.

"And before I knew it, I had an image to uphold. A brand to stick to. I was no longer that bubbly, excited kid from a decade ago but my audience didn't know that. I don't feel like I'm fake 'cuz that was who I am. But not anymore. And it might be tiring but it's worth it. I may be playing a character online but if that person inspires young girls and boys and is their role model, how could I take that away from them?"

Listening to her speak made me regret every awful thing I've said about her. A wave of sadness washed over me and as much as I wished I could reassure her and tell her it's not true, that everyone would support her, I knew that wasn't reality. 

So instead, I said, "Would you ever show who you really are?"

Her perfectly threaded brows creased as she pondered over my question. "Not anytime soon. But if it gets too much, maybe then I'll consider doing it. But until then," she looked down and then back up at me with an honest smile. "I'm happy just sharing the actual me with the people in my real life."

~*~*~

Opening up to Bea was the easiest thing in the world. Those warm eyes, that curios look, the way she hung onto every word I said, giving me her full attention, it was inevitable that I would spill my heart out to her.

And it looked like I had the same effect on her.

She told me more about her life back in the Midwest, her family, her thoughts, dreams and so much more that I didn't expect to get out of her on our first 'date'.

As she spoke, I studied her face and mannerisms, wanting to know every single detail about her. Her expressive eyebrows, her stunning eyes, her smooth skin and soft lips. The way she pronounced certain words and how her accent got stronger when she was angry or talking something she was passionate about. The way she would roll her eyes but her cheeks reddened when I teased her or said something flirty. How her nose scrunched when she giggled, the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled.

Fuck, that smile. I'd do anything she told me to if she smiled at me like that.

"Hey, I know I said I wouldn't use my phone today," I began and I saw her give me a worried look. I quickly continued so she didn't get the wrong idea. "But I really want to take a picture with you. Is that okay? I won't post it, I just wanna keep it."

I saw her disappointed look instantly turn to relief then shyness.

"You wanna take a photo with me?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "You look really pretty and I just want something to remember you by."

I wasn't sure if she would agree but then she reached into her purse and handed me my phone. Grinning broadly, I moved beside her and lifted my phone up.

"Is this okay?" I asked, moving an arm around her waist carefully, making sure she wasn't uncomfortable.

She simply nodded and when my hand touched her, I felt her shiver which only made made me smile wider.

The cups and plates piled on our table, customers walked in and out, the sky darkened, a hundred songs were played and the second hand on the wall clock travelled the same path thousands of times as we continued talking and yet, our conversation never died.

I had never connected with someone so fast and it surprised me just how easy it was for us to just talk.

It was getting pretty late and we decided it was time to leave. Before standing up, I jokingly asked, "Anything else before we leave?"

To my surprise, she replied, "Just one."

"Yeah?"

She smiled. "You're alright, Lombardi."

~*~*~

When we made it back to campus, V walked me back to my dorm. When I said she didn't have to, she still insisted which was really sweet of her.

"Plus I get to spend more time with you," she said teasingly while lightly bumping shoulders as we walked side-by-side and I felt myself smile.

We stopped outside my dorm room and admittedly, I had no idea how I was gonna say goodbye to her.

"Here we are," she announced.

"Yup."

She took a step towards me cautiously as if I would move back. I didn't.

I stared at her as my stomach filled with butterflies. Everything about her was painfully gorgeous and it made my heart ache. I knew she was attractive but now that I got to know her, to actually see her, it made it hard to believe she was a real person.

She was perfect.

One hand on my hip, she leaned forward and bent down, face inching closer to mine. I closed my eyes, here nearness making me light-headed and the smell of her perfume fogged my thoughts. My heart was hammering in my chest.

I expected her lips to meet mine. Instead, I felt it on my cheek but my skin still tingled from where her lips touched.

"Good night, beautiful," she whispered with a small smile and a longing look in her hazel eyes. "Hopefully you don't glare at me the next time you see me."

She stepped back but I instinctively reached out to hold onto her wrist, preventing her from moving any further. I shook my head. "No."

"No?" she looked at me, confused and I could sense the hurt in her voice.

"No," I repeated. "No, that's not enough."

I pulled her into me and crashed our lips together. The moment our lips touched, I swear I saw stars. She pushed me back until I was pressed up against the door with her body. She trailed a hand down my thigh and hiked my leg up to her hip, making me groan.

I sent a mental apology to Zoey if she was in and heard all this.

"God, I don't know what you hold over me," I muttered between kisses. "Yesterday I didn't like you and now you have me against my dorm door, making out with me."

She pulled back, breathing heavy and gave me one of those sexy, relaxed smile. "Well, I am an influencer."

Veronica grabbed onto my other leg and lifted me up. Arms wrapped around her neck and legs locked tight around her waist, she kissed me again.

"Ohh! V!"

I moaned as she bit my bottom lip. My whole body was burning with heat and everywhere she touched ignited me further. One hand moved to grip the side of my neck while the other rested on my ass.

"Are you in love with me yet?" She said into the kiss and pulled away again, looking at me proudly with a genuine smile on her face.

"Shut up," I grinned and tugged her head back so our lips could meet again. This time, in a slow, sweet kiss.

And you know what?

Veronica Lombardi wasn't so bad after all.

(More fics!)

[accioromione]

your last fic was nice... can you do a drunk! Hermione being horny for Ron please :( I like how you do it from Harry's POV

Omg okay I will try

It was a Hogsmeade weekend. Harry was excited because he had not seen Ginny in one month, he was also eager to see Hermione. He had grown used to her consistent voice of concerns that it felt oddly quiet without them. Ron, who was accompanying him was also ecstatic. When the two of them had decided to go onto Auror training, they had known that this would mean that they would spend the year separated from Ginny and Hermione, who had decided to return to Hogwarts.

Harry, although sad that he had to leave Ginny and Hermione aside, was happy he had Ron by his side. Doing Auror training with Ron reminded him of his Hogwarts days, when they would sit in the back of their classes and play around. However, Ron and Harry did not even remotely goof around during Auror training, the sense of having his best friend there gave training a more positive feel. Harry and Ron, who were no strangers to dark magic, did not struggle much in training. Harry had seen a great change in Ron in the last few years, he was talented, confident and determined, he also figured that having Hermione by his side was a factor at his new found confidence. Because Ron and Harry were excelling quite well in their training, they had been granted permission for a weekend off, which both of them had requested, in the hopes that they would be able to visit Ginny and Hermione. 

‘Are we apparating?’ Ron asked Harry, indicating towards his bags. 

‘I dunno, maybe we should floo’ Harry suggested, ‘you packed light’ he added, indicating towards Ron’s backpack, they had established that they would be staying in Hogsmeade for the weekend, both of them had gotten rooms in Hogsmeade, and although Hermione and Ginny weren’t technically allowed to sleep outside of Hogwarts, Harry was hoping she’d break the rules for him, he knew Ron was hoping the same thing about Hermione, and they both had a silent agreement  to not make it a topic of conversation. 

‘Well yeah, it’s just the weekend after-all, besides there’s a chance that Hermione won’t-’ he trailed off, his ears turning red,  ‘and I used the extendable curse Hermione taught me so I wouldn’t have too much to carry’ Ron responded, Harry hit his hand on his head, why hadn’t he thought of that? 

‘I should’ve thought of that’ Harry sighed, ‘sorry mate, apparition would be easier, I hate flooing’ 

‘It’s fine’ said Ron, ‘we can put the extendable charm on one of your bags and just put the other two in there’ Ron suggested, and he casually placed the charm on his smallest bag, Harry opened the bag to see that it was much larger on the inside. 

‘of course, brilliant,’ Harry said, ‘Hermione is really starting to influence you eh Ron, before you know it you’ll be quoting Hogwarts: a history’ 

Ron’s ears turned red, ‘doubtful- as much as I love her-’ he paused, blushing at what he had revealed to Harry ‘you could never catch me reading that, pretty sure she's the only person in the world to read it, bet you the Bathilda Bagshot didn’t even read it.’ Harry laughed, choosing to ignore Ron’s confession on his love for Hermione. 

Harry put the other two bags into the charmed one. 

‘Alright so that’s it, we’re settled then? They said they’d meet us outside the Three Broomsticks’ Ron told Harry, ‘wish they would’ve been able to go last week, y’know, for Hermione’s birthday’ Ron added 

‘S’all right, we’ll celebrate today’ Harry added, ‘ready?’ 

‘Ready, see you in a second mate’ Ron said, both of them pulled out their wands, Harry closed his eyes and thought of the Hogsmeade and the Three broomsticks, and sure enough Harry felt a sensation throughout his whole body that confirmed he was apparating, when he opened his eyes he saw the Three broomsticks and Ron standing by his side, who was now twisting his head, to look around for Hermione and Ginny. 

‘Where are they?’ Ron asked, stretching his neck, looking for any signs of Hermione or Ginny. 

Harry looked around too, and sure enough he saw a girl with bushy brown hair and smooth ginger locks making their way to them. Ron spotted them too, beaming at Hermione. 

‘Harry’ Ginny yelled, running at him.  Harry embraced her in a tight hug and placed his lips on her. Ron, who was too fixtated on Hermione, did not seem to mind this.  

‘Ron!’ Hermione yelled, beaming at him. He embraced Hermione, lifting her up off the ground and spinning her around, also going in for a kiss. Hermione put her arms around his shoulders and deepened it. After the excitement of seeing their significant others subsided, Harry gave Hermione a hug and Ron gave Ginny a hug. 

‘Nice to see you Harry!’ Hermione grinned, 

‘You too Hermione, happy belated birthday,’ he added, reaching in for his bag, when he felt his hand find a wrapped gift he took it out and gave it to her. 

‘Oh Harry, you didn’t have to! Thank you!’ Hermione said, taking it and giving him another hug. 

‘No problem, not as good as what Ron got you, but then again, he was worrying about it for a month, so I reckon I couldn’t have beat him anyway’ Harry added and Ron’s ears turned red. Harry and Ron were being paid for Auror training, and Ron, who had been worried about what to get Hermione a month prior to her birthday had been saving up just for her gift. Harry had gotten her a book, but Ron, who knew Hermione loved books, wanted to get her something that showed more significance in their relationship. They had been shopping around, and Ron had asked and looked around the whole day for a suitable gift for Hermione. In the end, Ron had bought a golden bracelet, that had sapphires, which was Hermione’s birthstone. encrusted in it. Ron had then spent money to get it magically customized so that, when it was placed on a book, it would be able to scan the whole book, and have it be able to recite the contents of the book either vocally, or could present the contents in a projection in front of the reader. Harry thought it was brilliant, it was like a magical audio book and projector all at once, when Harry had told Ron this he had looked at Harry confused, not realizing what an audio book or projector was. But it was perfect for Hermione, as she always had her back hunched reading, this way she’d be able to read at ease, and also have a pretty bracelet to wear. Ron had put all his savings and a lot of thought into the gift, and the idea of Ginny seeing that scared Harry for the expectations he’d have for her birthday. 

Hermione looked at him with a sparkle in his eye, ‘oh Ron you didn’t have to stress about my birthday gift- you just started training!’ 

‘I wanted to’ Ron said Hermione beamed at him ‘I er...want to give it to you in private, if that’s okay’ Ron said shyly to Hermione.

‘Harry and I are going to go for a stroll’ Ginny said, taking the hint, ‘we’ll meet you in the three broomsticks for drinks later’ 

Harry followed Ginny and they enjoyed their private time together. The only other date he’d ever gone on in Hogsmeade was the one with Cho in his fifth year, and he had to admit, this experience was much more enjoyable. As the evening approached, he and Ginny went to the three broomsticks, meeting up with Ron and Hermione, and the four of them settled at a booth. 

Harry sat beside Ginny and Ron sat beside Hermione, who was now wearing the golden bracelet Ron had bought him. They each ordered a couple of butterbeers, Ginny suggested a couple of firewhiskey’s as well to celebrate being together as well as Hermione’s birthday. Harry took one shot, and decided that was enough for him. Ginny had two shots and one butter beer, and seemed to able to handle it quite well for her size. Ron, much to Harry’s surprise, only had one firewhiskey and two butterbeers. Hermione, however, was already on her fourth shot of firewhiskey, and her face was looking flushed. She was about to order a fifth shot, and Ron shot her a look of concern. 

‘You don't think that’s enough for the night Hermione?’ Ron hesitantly asked 

Hermione’s cheeks were now a deep pink due to the effects of the alcohol, she smiled at Ron and hugged him. ‘You’re always so concerned about me you handsome man’ she said as she kissed him on the cheek 

‘Did you two see what he got me?’ she sighed at Harry and Hermione, and she drunkenly lifted her arm to show the bracelet on her hand. Ron’s ears turned red and Ginny giggled. 

‘Yes Hermione I know, you’ve told us two times’ Ginny said, smiling. 

‘He didn’t even have to! I just wanted to see him! Even if it was just a bracelet....but no he had to go get it all charmed too.....isn’t he amazing?’ Hermione sighed, looking at Ron adoringly. 

Ginny sighed, half amused, half annoyed at the adoration Hermione was showing for her brother.

‘Yeah, until you hear him singing in the shower’ Ginny teased

‘Oi!’ Ron said, his arm around Hermione, as he was supporting her to say up.

Hermione seemed to pay no mind to the joke, she put her head on Ron’s shoulder and sighed.... ‘Ou, you’re right, I love Ron in the shower......Especially when I’m there with him’ she said, now closing her eyes and embracing him. 

Ron coughed embarrassingly and Ginny looked disgusted. Harry also thought he could have done without that bit of information.  Hermione seemed to pay no mind to what she had said, she had drunkenly made her way onto Ron’s lap and Ron was supporting her back, making sure she would not tip over. 

‘You sick prat, you’re loving this’ Ginny said to Ron, 

But Ron also was paying no mind to Ginny. He had been keeping his composure in front of Harry and Ginny but it looked as though that had been eliminated the moment she had gone on his lap. Ron and Hermione were now sharing a heated kiss and Harry and Ginny looked at each-other awkwardly. 

‘Right- yeah, well....we’ll be off’ Ginny added, grabbing Harry’s hand and getting up, but the only response Ginny got was Ron moving his hands to put through Hermione’s hair. 

Harry retreated with Ginny, leaving money on the table for their drinks.

‘TAKE CARE OF HER RON....’ Ginny yelled back before exiting with Harry 

‘Right- well...’ Ginny said as they were now outside ‘now we know not to mix alcohol and Hermione’ 

‘Didn’t know she had it in her’ Harry added, looking at Ginny amused. 

‘All what Ron needs right? His head to get bigger?’ Ginny joked. 

‘They’re good for each-other,’ Harry said, ‘I doubt he see’s Hermione that way- he....he really loves her.’ 

Ginny looked at him, with a now serious face, ‘I know...she loves him too.’ 

‘And I love you’ Harry said simply, Ginny kissed him.

‘I love you too Harry’ Ginny responded.

‘I er, I was wondering , I got a room, and I know you’re not supposed to sleep outside of Hogwarts, but seeing as it’s the weekend and-’ he was interrupted with another kiss, 

‘Since when did you think I’d follow the rules?’ Ginny joked, ‘I’m not going to see you for another two months, of course I’ll spend the night here....Hermione will with Ron too obviously, reckon she’ll get in less trouble doing that than showing up at Hogwarts all pissed.’

Harry grinned, he and Ginny started to retreat and saw a Ron and Hermione also leaving the restaurant. Ron was carrying Hermione on his back, and she had her head buried in his shoulder, he saw Ron turn his head back to place a light kiss on Hermione’s forehead. 

‘At least I can say my brother’s a gentleman’ Ginny sighed, looking at the two of them. 

Harry, without a doubt, knew that Ron was indeed a gentleman, especially when it came to Hermione. And as Hermione’s close friend, he was very happy that she was with someone like Ron, who clearly cared about her very much. And with that, Harry and Ginny walked off, and Harry decided to forget that he would be separated from Ginny soon, and enjoy the rest of the weekend. 

(I thought this would be smutty but it ended up fluffy idk) 

[mercurysnitch]

Mother Mercury Part 4: So Take A Chance With Me, Let Me Romance With You

Summary: Important steps are taken in multiple relationships. More of Eve and Mel’s family life is revealed.

A/N: Yes, this fic is still alive! (Just...) After a very long hiatus during which I got a job, lived through one lockdown only to be plunged into a second one which still isn’t over nearly four months later, and utterly lost all inspiration for a while, I’ve finally finished this part (and persuaded myself to stop editing it). Yet again I’ve had to extend the part count, this part was supposed to run to the end of filming but I realised it was getting quite long enough as it was, so I split it into two. The next part’s maybe halfway done, so lord knows when that’ll be published, but hopefully soonish.

I’m not entirely sure about a couple of sections of this, but if I don’t publish it now I never will, and I really want to get to writing part 6 as soon as possible, so here you go. I’m also quite excited about finally sharing a couple of bits of Eve’s backstory that I haven’t been able to talk about yet because they were spoilers for this chapter.

A quick reminder if you’ve forgotten since the last chapter: this fic is based on the idea of Freddie having had a biological daughter via accidentally knocking up a woman while under the influence at a party. (If you’re just joining us, it’s mostly explained in part 3). If you don’t like that idea, move along now. Also, shoutout to @i-lay-my-life-before-queen, whose various Freddie fics were a big inspiration for this story.

Warnings: Discussion of age gap relationships, kids, Eve and her fam are meant to have cats but I forgot to write them in so they might have other pets next part, I have no idea what the word count is but it ain’t short

*******************************************************************************************The secret knowledge that there was a Mercury grandchild in their midst seemed to give the Bo Rhap cast a lift over the following weeks. This proved surprisingly useful, as those weeks were marked by a deterioration in working conditions on the set. The director, who'd seemed frequently out of sorts almost from the start of shooting, kept disappearing for longer and longer stretches, and when he was around the atmosphere was increasingly tense. Everyone tried to get on with their jobs, but the tension was utterly pervasive. 

Mel had even noticed a growing nervousness in the relative isolation of the costume department. Her boss Barbara tried to reassure her, but even she was worried. "We can't keep on like this, the ADs can't do it all themselves. Apparently Singer says he's been taking care of his mother, but I don't think anyone believes him." "Surely he has to be sacked?" Mel suggested. "I hope so" Barbara agreed. "Hopefully the producers can make the studio see sense and replace him before too long. I don't think anyone can take much more of this."

Privately Mel wondered whether Roger and Brian might be able to help. They were executive producers after all. Then again, would the studio listen if they raised concerns about the director? Mel suspected not, in normal circumstances. But she got the feeling plenty of people on the set would be voicing similar complaints before long. Perhaps Roger and Brian leading the charge would be enough to convince the studio take action. Mel only hoped something would be done sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, Mel and Ben could at least take comfort in each other. They’d quickly reached the point of spending nearly every night together, and now, after only a little over a month, Ben was wondering whether it was too soon for the ‘relationship’ conversation. He didn’t think it was, really, and he very much wanted to take the next step with Mel, small though it might be, but he was still plagued by nagging doubt about the age gap between them.

Ben tried very hard to keep his mind on work while he was on set, but the combination of a light day and an impending date that would be a very good opportunity for that important conversation had left him very preoccupied. He managed to get through the few takes he had to shoot without incident, but he knew the rest of the band could tell something was up even before he took the first possible opportunity to escape to his trailer during the break. He was hoping to be able to brood in peace, but that idea went out the window when he bumped into Roger en route. Normally this would have been a welcome coincidence, but today Ben was not in the mood. Not that Roger noticed.

“Ben! Just the man I was looking for. Just wanted to see how you’re going with the preparation for that next performance scene coming up. It’s a pretty straightforward song, but there’s a couple of…” The older man trailed off when he noticed his portrayer wasn’t listening. “Earth to Ben? You still here?” Ben started at the sound of his name. ‘Wha-? Oh, sorry, spaced out for a minute there.” Roger chuckled. “Yeah, just a bit.” There was silence as Ben realised they’d arrived at his trailer. “D’you wanna come in, chat in the warmth?” he offered. “Thanks” Roger replied, following through the door. The second Ben closed it Roger rounded on him.

“Right, what’s going on?” “What?” Ben was confused. “Something’s bothering you” Roger explained. Suddenly he softened slightly. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but talking about it might help.” Ben hesitated. He did want to spill his guts about his dilemma, but he wasn’t sure Roger was the best choice of confidant. So he stalled. “How can you tell?” “That you’re worrying? You were obviously miles away before, you weren’t actually hiding it” Roger explained. Ben was suddenly ashamed. “Sorry.” “It’s fine” Roger assured him. “So, what’s on your mind? Is it that prick of a director? I can talk to-” “No, no, it’s not work” Ben said unthinkingly. His eyes widened when he realised what he’d just said. “Oh shit.” He’d really done it now: Roger suddenly looked very interested, and perhaps a touch… was that really concern in his eyes?

“Not work…” Roger echoed wonderingly. “Love life then?” He smiled as he saw a flicker of alarm cross Ben’s face. “Ah, definitely love life.” “If… if I tell you will you keep it secret?” Ben asked nervously, eyes wide with worry. “Of course” Roger assured him. “Now, spill. It’ll help, truly.” Ben sighed. “Well, alright then.”

“The thing is, well, me and Mel are… going out, I suppose” he explained. Roger smiled triumphantly. “I knew it, I knew there was something-”“It’s been a month now” Ben went on, ignoring Roger’s crowing. “And I want to be official, but I just… I’m not sure.” Roger was puzzled. “Why not?” “Because of the age gap” Ben clarified. “I’m worried it’s too much. She’s only 21, and I’m… nearly 27 really, and I just… I don’t know.”

Roger stared at him. “That’s not actually much of a gap, you know.” “Well it feels like one” Ben countered grumpily. “I’m sure it does” Roger soothed. “But why does it bother you so much?” Ben looked at Roger as if he was mystified at the older man’s lack of understanding.“An older man with a younger woman’s supposed to be bad, isn’t it?” “You’re asking the wrong bloke, mate” Roger chuckled. Ben suddenly looked horrified. “Oh lord, I forgot, I didn’t mean-” “It’s fine, I know what you meant” Roger assured him. “I used to hear it a lot, when I started seeing Debbie. She was only 25, you know, and I was nearly 40.” “That… 21 and 27 seems like nothing next to that” Ben mused. “It’s not nothing” Roger assured him. “But it seems like more of a gap because she’s so young.” “More of a gap?” Ben questioned. Roger nodded. “Look, if you heard about a 27-year-old woman and her 33-year-old boyfriend the age difference would hardly register, would it?” “I s’pose not” Ben agreed.

“But you know why people get worked up about young women and older men? They worry the men are taking advantage of their younger immature partners who won't fight them because they don't know any better.” Suddenly Roger peered seriously at Ben. “Now, does Mel seem like a girl who’s easily led into doing things?” “No” Ben declared. “I’m not sure anyone could ever force her to do something if she didn’t want to do it.” Roger grinned. “Thought so.” “I’d never try to, either” Ben added defiantly. “Of course not” Roger agreed. “So, you know there’s no… unhealthy power dynamic, shall we say, and she's not overly immature, is she?” Ben grinned. “Definitely not. She’s a lot more mature than I was at 21. Maybe even more than I am now…” “Women mature earlier” Roger replied, nodding sagely. “Anyway, there’s clearly nothing wrong there, so why not take things further?” “But people might say-” Ben protested. “Oh, bugger that” Roger interrupted. “People say a lot of things, most of them absolute rubbish, there’s no point listening to any of them.” Ben knew, in his heart, Roger spoke the truth.

“Look Ben, you’re not wrong to think about these things, but I know you’re not the sort of man to try and push a woman around” Roger pointed out. “And I’ve seen you and Mel together, you…” Suddenly his voice softened, and he looked at Ben fondly. “You’ve got something special there. I think. If I were you, I wouldn't want to give that up so easily” Ben smiled, significantly reassured. “Thanks Roger.”

That very evening Ben and Mel had dinner at his flat, and a very important conversation. Mel was absolutely thrilled to officially be Ben’s girlfriend, and shared almost none of his concerns about the age gap. Much to Ben’s relief, she was happy to take things slowly from hereon in, though she was a little surprised at his request.

“It’s not you” he assured her. “I just… my last relationship I was with her for nine years, and we only broke up at the start of this year, I wasn’t looking for this to happen again so soon. But…” “I know” Mel said softly. “Neither was I.” There was a slightly awkward pause as they reflected on the unexpected events of the last few months. 

“Can I- Can I ask what happened?” Mel asked hesitantly. “I mean, nine years…” “It’s ok” Ben reassured her. “We were teenagers when we got together” he explained. “Kids really. It was good for a while, but we just sort of… grew in different directions. Too different, in the end.” 

“Well that’s…” Mel wasn’t quite sure what to say. She almost felt bad for even asking, but Ben assured her it was only human to be curious about these things. Even so, a distinct awkwardness had settled in the air, but fortunately Mel was soon able to change the subject.

“As we’re… official… now, how would you feel about meeting my family?” Ben was surprised. “Isn’t it a bit soon for that?” “Maybe,” Mel shrugged. “But we’ve got the Thanksgiving break coming up, and we always have a big family supper then, it’d be nice if you were there.” Ben was still uncertain. “As long as you think I won’t be intruding, or anything…” “You won’t” Mel assured him. “Besides, you’ve already met my mum, it’s not like you’re a total stranger.” “I s’pose not” Ben agreed, grinning.

He paused, suddenly thoughtful. “Why do you mark Thanksgiving, though? It’s not a British holiday.” “No” Mel agreed. “Have you heard of a guy called Joe Fanelli?” she asked. Ben nodded. “He was one of the ones who lived with Freddie, wasn’t he? The… chef, or something.” “Well, he was American” Mel explained. “He introduced the others to the tradition, and then Jim and my mum sort of kept it up.” Mel’s expression rapidly grew sad. “Joe died of AIDS too, only months after Freddie” she said softly. “The first year they decided to do a dinner to commemorate him… it was around Freddie’s anniversary too, it was always a time they wanted to be together.”

“I’d forgotten about that anniversary” Ben commented. “It’s Gwil’s birthday too, we might be busy that day…” “Poor Gwil” Mel joked. “Mum should be alright though, Vi’ll make sure she’s with her.” “Vi?” Ben echoed. “Mum’s wife” Mel explained. Ben looked shocked. “Wife?” Mel smiled mischievously. “Did you really expect Freddie Mercury to produce a straight child?” she quipped. Ben couldn’t help grinning; she had a point. His smile vanished when he noticed how Mel was looking at him, almost pleading with her eyes.

“Will you come then?” she asked softly. “To Thanksgiving supper?” “Of course” Ben told her, smiling reassuringly. Suddenly his expression shifted to a look of near-panic. Mel was instantly concerned. “What’s wrong?” “You’re not expecting to meet my family any time soon, are you?” he questioned. Mel shrugged. “Not if you don’t want me to. I mean, of course I want to, but I’m happy to wait if you’re not ready.” Ben exhaled in relief. “Oh good.” Mel suddenly glared at him. “I do want to introduce you to them at some point” he hurriedly clarified. “But I'm not ready to just yet, and I don't think they are either." "You don't think they're ready to meet me yet?" Mel questioned. "Why?" Ben sighed.

“It’s just… my ex, I was with her for so long, they all thought I was gonna marry her” he explained. “They really wanted me to marry her, actually. My parents absolutely loved her, I think they're still getting over the fact that she's not going to be their daughter-in-law.” “So you think they might not be entirely ready to hear you’ve found someone new” Mel suggested. Ben nodded. “I actually haven’t even told them about you yet.”

Mel grinned. "Should I be worried?" Ben shook his head. "No, no, they'll be fine" he assured her. "I just… this is still pretty new, y'know, I don't want my mum getting overexcited about us too early." Mel nodded. "That's understandable. I mean, I hope this lasts, but it has only been a month. And I know you've just agreed to meet my family, but I think Mum's planning to get you all round for tea at some point, so you'd be meeting them sooner or later anyway.” "I suppose.” Ben agreed. Suddenly he smiled softly. “By the way, I hope this lasts too."

Later, having finished dinner with much less serious chatter, Ben and Mel agreed that, happy though they were, it would be best to continue keeping their relationship quiet for the time being. This was exactly the kind of news that would travel extremely fast on the set, and Mel had absolutely no desire to find out what her bosses would say if they knew she was in a relationship with one of the stars of the movie. Ben was almost certain it wouldn't actually be an issue, but he knew if word did get out he wouldn't be the one bearing the brunt of any consequences. And he wouldn't put it past Singer to be an asshole about normally inconsequential things like on-set relationships.

Both Ben and Mel wondered whether their buoyant moods and satisfied smiles would give them away at work the next day. Fortunately, the attention of the rest of the band was diverted by the twin distractions of yet more unpleasantness from the director, and another set visitor.

Rami had assured Eve she would be welcome to stop by any time, but since her first fateful visit a month ago she simply hadn’t been able to find the time for another, until now. Naturally, Rami was thrilled to see her. “Eve! You made it!” She could see his grin from a mile away as she approached the wardrobe van. She trotted over eagerly, but when she got close enough to see his outfit she stopped in her tracks.

Rami was wearing the moustache today, and a short wig. For a moment, Eve thought she was seeing things. She’d known there was a resemblance, of course, but this was like looking into a time warp. “Are you alright?” Rami’s concerned voice cut through her reverie, breaking the spell. Eve suddenly realised she was getting teary. “I’m fine, I just… I never realised how much you look like him, with the moustache and all” she said, rather awed. Rami was confused. “But… you’ve seen me in costume before?” he questioned. “The glam rock days were before my time though” Eve explained. “But the 80s look… that’s the Papa I knew.” Understanding suddenly dawned on Rami’s face. “Oh of course. I, uh… Sorry?” “Don’t be” Eve assured him. “You’re doing nothing wrong.” Rami’s expression suddenly grew more thoughtful. “I just hope I can do him proud.” Eve smiled. “Oh, you will.”

Eve was quickly sent back to Rami’s trailer to see the rest of the band. She wasn’t terribly surprised to see her daughter there too, sitting apparently very comfortably on Ben’s lap. Mel was of course pleased to see her mother, though she couldn’t quite shake the feeling she and Ben were on the brink of being revealed to the rest of the band. Perhaps she shouldn’t have sat in his lap, but then nobody else had batted an eyelid at their apparent cosiness. At any rate her mother had shot her a wry glance when she noticed where her daughter was sitting, but said nothing. Maybe we'll get away with it this time, Mel thought to herself.

The band all greeted Eve warmly when she arrived, and they were soon chatting happily about all the happenings she’d missed on-set, good and bad. Mel wasn’t surprised to see her mother grow incensed at the way the director had been behaving in recent weeks. “All that and they still haven’t sacked him?” she exclaimed. “He’s on thin ice now” Rami assured her. “One more disappearance’ll probably get him fired.” “We live in hope” Joe quipped. “This is a good movie, but boy am I glad it’s nearly Thanksgiving, I am so ready for a break.” Eve smiled. “Looking forward to the holiday, then?” Joe nodded. "So much."

Still smiling, she turned to her daughter. “The little ones are so excited about the big dinner this weekend, they’ve been missing their big sister.” “I’ve been missing them too” Mel told her. “I’ve just been so busy lately… it’s been too long since I’ve been home.” Suddenly Mel noticed the rest of the group eyeing her curiously, apparently unsure whether to speak. Eventually, Ben cleared his throat, breaking the sudden silence.  

“Ah, the little ones?” he asked casually, not wanting to sound too interested in Mel’s personal life in front of the others. “My other kids” Eve explained. “They’re a lot younger than her, so she’s always been the big one and they’re the little ones.” There was a sudden outbreak of nods of understanding, before Rami spoke up. “So, how old are they?” “Well, my son just turned eight and my other daughter is three” Eve told him, her face alight with affection.

“That is little” Gwilym commented sympathetically. “Yeah, but she’s very sweet” Mel assured him. “Most of the time” Eve quipped. Meanwhile, Joe was smiling slightly. “Eight’s a cool age though, I bet your son’s getting into sports and stuff now” he said, half-questioningly. “Yeah, he’s becoming a big football fan lately” Eve agreed, grinning though she sounded almost regretful. "I’ve never been that interested in it, actually, but my wife’s football-mad, so she’s pretty happy."

A slight ripple of shock went through the group at Eve’s reference to a wife, apart from Ben, who desperately hoped his lack of surprise at this revelation wasn’t too conspicuous. Eve herself was simply amused at the effect of her words. “You know, I honestly forgot that you lot didn’t know about Vi” she commented. “It’s fine” Gwilym assured her. “We just weren’t expecting it is all.” Eve grinned. “Given who my father was it shouldn’t have been that surprising” she quipped, to general murmurs of agreement. “But never mind that now.”

She paused, turning towards Rami. “I’m guessing all the Americans are going home for Thanksgiving?” Rami nodded. “Yeah, why?” Eve smiled. “I was going to say that if anyone was feeling lonely over the break, they’d be most welcome to spend it with us” she said kindly. “But I suppose everyone’s accounted for already.” “Pretty much” Rami confirmed. “Ah well, I’ll have to have you all round for tea some other time” Eve declared ruefully. Mel surreptitiously flashed Ben a look that quite clearly said 'I told you so.' The others merely smiled. “That’s very kind of you” Gwilym commented. “Perhaps we could make it a celebration, when the film wraps.” The others nodded, murmuring enthusiastically. “Good idea” Eve agreed.

“In the meantime, if any of you have any questions or anything, do feel free to ask” she added. “I have one” Joe said, rather uncertainly. “Do you know John Deacon at all?” 

Both Eve and Mel instantly cracked near-identical knowing grins. Joe stared at them suspiciously. “What?” “We know him very well” Mel told him calmly, evidently enjoying Joe’s confusion. 

“He and Veronica are practically my other parents” Eve explained. “When Papa died he sort of entrusted me to them. Well, to John, mostly.” “Entrusted?” Joe questioned. “He knew I needed a father figure, and he gave John the job” Eve clarified. “John and Veronica raised me just as much as Mum and Papa.”

Suddenly Eve smiled mischievously. “And then I repaid them by having a baby at 16 who they also practically raised.”

Joe grinned as understanding finally dawned. “That’s how Luke knows you, isn’t it?” he asked Mel, who smiled fondly. “Yeah, I sort of grew up with him and Cameron” she explained. Joe nodded as he turned back to Eve, uncharacteristically nervous.“Could I… could we, I mean…?” “Talk about Uncle John?” Eve suggested. “Of course. Let’s have lunch some time so we can chat properly, it could be a very long conversation.” Joe grinned with relief he hadn’t been shot down. “Thank you” he said simply, before his jaw suddenly dropped as the full details of Eve's response finally registered. 

“Wait, ‘Uncle John’?” “I told you, we’re very close” Eve explained, with a slight laugh at Joe’s surprised expression. “Now, does anyone else have any other questions while I’m here?”

There was a pause while the rest of the cast considered the offer, before Lucy cautiously spoke up. “D’you have anything to do with Mary Austin, ever?” “Not anymore” Eve said darkly. 

“So you did once?” Lucy questioned. “She used to visit a lot, when I was a kid” Eve clarified. “Looking back I think Papa probably wanted us to be close, but I’m not sure she ever did.” Lucy was surprised. "She wasn't… did you get on with her, at least?" "Oh, she was perfectly nice to me when Papa was around" Eve said airily. "And, I mean, I was a child, I took everything at face value then. But after Papa died, and I got a bit older, I started to realise a bit more about what she'd been up to, even back then." 

"What she'd been up to?" Lucy echoed. "I think she always sort of resented me" Eve explained. "Obviously she knew none of this was my fault, but I think I still reminded her of all the things she would never have with Papa, …everything she'd thought they'd have together, before he realised the truth."

Lucy was taken aback. “That’s… actually quite sad, really” she said thoughtfully. “I just wonder, you know, I’ve heard such different things… some people say she was just very devoted to Freddie, but then often she’s painted as quite selfish, happily using the connection to her own advantage.” 

Eve nodded. “Oh yes, she’s definitely not the devoted angel some people seem to portray her as.” Lucy merely nodded, but Rami was honestly a bit shocked. “She’s not?” he questioned. “But I always thought they loved each other very deeply?” “Oh they did, very much” Eve confirmed. “But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t capable of getting nasty to other people.” 

“Can I ask how nasty?” Lucy said gently. “I’m sorry if that’s a bit forward of me, it’s just I’ve heard a few rumours about things she did after Freddie died, but no-one seems to know exactly what went on…” “It’s fine dear, I don’t mind” Eve reassured her. “Don’t share this around, but she tried very hard to challenge Papa’s will.” 

The others were baffled. “Why would she do that, though?” Gwilym asked. “Because Papa left a lot of his estate to me” Eve said simply. “And she felt she was owed a bigger share than she was given.” “Owed?” Lucy echoed. “For everything she’d lived through with him” Eve clarified. “This is just my opinion, of course, but in hindsight I think some part of her always blamed Papa for things not working out between them. Even so, she was happy enough being the most important woman in his life, until I came along and knocked her down a spot. So in her view he owed it to her to give her something to make up for her suffering.” Eve’s voice was laced with contempt. 

Lucy’s curiosity, meanwhile, was thoroughly piqued. “When you say she felt owed something…was she after something in particular?” she asked Eve. “She wanted the house” Eve revealed. “I was only eleven, so I couldn’t actually own it for several years, but Papa and Miami had set up a trust to hold everything until I came of age. At any rate Papa’s wishes were very clear, but Mary claimed that Papa had told her she would get the house and I would get the money, or something.” 

Eve suddenly smirked. “Needless to say, Miami knew it was utter rubbish” she explained. “So then she tried to say he’d wanted her to live in the house until I inherited it, because she had a 'proper family' or something but that didn’t work either.” Suddenly Eve sighed. “Eventually she started threatening to challenge the will in court” she said sadly. “My mum never liked Mary much, actually, but I don't think I fully understood why until she did that.” 

“So what happened?” Lucy asked, utterly intrigued. “It never went to court” Eve revealed. “Mary had absolutely no proof of anything being wrong with the will, no lawyer would touch it." "And the house?" Rami asked. Eve grinned. "Is mine to this day."

The band, Allen, and Lucy exchanged amazed looks. Meanwhile, Mel cracked a Cheshire Cat grin, knowing what they were all thinking. “So that means… you're the mysterious 'Lady of Garden Lodge' Rami marvelled. 

Eve looked so baffled at this he immediately felt the need to explain. "I read a bunch of articles for research, some of the more recent ones talk about the situation with the house now, the bits they've heard at least." Eve nodded in understanding. "I know dear, I'm just surprised you'd heard any of that stuff." 

Rami shrugged. “Oh, you know, I wanted to read all I could, it’s all useful.” Eve snorted. “I doubt the bits from the tabloids were terribly helpful.” “Not so much” Rami conceded. “But it’s still… I don’t know, I found it interesting seeing how they tended to present him, how it changed over the years.” At that Eve smiled mischievously. “Yes, I know. What fascinates me is the fact none of them have ever quite managed to put all the pieces together and guess who I actually am.”

“Surely that’s a good thing though, if you can stay anonymous and live a normal life” Gwilym pointed out. “It is” Eve agreed. “But it means I’m always wondering whether today’s the day someone gets a photo of me, or sees something, and works it all out. And any time I see Papa in the tabloids again I have to look, just to see if they’ve finally got the real story this time.” The others were rather taken aback at this. They’d never really considered what it would be like to live with a secret like Eve’s.

“I hate to say this,” Rami said, sounding distinctly uncomfortable, “but if this movie does as well as they’re hoping, it might mean…” He trailed off, unsure how to word what he wanted to say. “It might mean what?” Eve asked urgently. “It might mean more interest in Freddie, from the public” Rami explained. “Which would also mean-” “More interest from the tabloids” Eve completed. “I realise that’s a possibility” she assured him. “And I’ve got contingency plans set up if need be. If the secret does get out, I’ll be alright.”

Rami was reassured, but he also realised he’d never really considered the broader implications of making a movie to put Queen back in the public consciousness. Of course, the movie could still flop, it wasn’t even finished shooting yet, but deep down he really did think it could do well once it was completed. And he was beginning to wonder, if it was a hit, just how much it would affect everyone’s lives.

The next day marked the final day of shooting before the break. That evening, Ben stayed over at Mel’s to celebrate. But she had some slightly unexpected news. 

“Mum told me to tell you Luke and Cameron Deacon are coming to supper tomorrow” she announced over dinner. “Okay” Ben replied uncertainly. “Should I be worried?” he joked. “No, no, they just want to get to know you” Mel assured him. Ben smiled gratefully before growing thoughtful. 

“So it’s just your family and them tomorrow, no other guests I should know about?” Mel nodded. “Yeah, just them. All the Deacons have a standing invitation, but the rest of the kids are all busy, and Uncle John’s never in a social mood in late November…” Ben hoped he didn’t look too relieved at this news. “Oh, of course not.” Suddenly Mel smiled knowingly. “You will get to meet him eventually” she told Ben. “But I don’t think we’re at that point just yet.” “There’s no rush” Ben assured her.

The following day was largely spent relaxing at Mel's place, both Ben and Mel luxuriating in not needing to be anywhere for a change. Ben rather liked Mel’s house. He always enjoyed coming downstairs of a morning, padding into the kitchen, and being able to look out into the garden over his first coffee of the day, and that morning was no exception. 

He'd gotten as far as sitting at the dining table with his cereal, looking over the living room and trying to ignore the fluffy white cat staring at him from the next chair, when Mel joined him. She smiled when she spotted the cat.

"I see you've got company already." "I think Mab'd rather I wasn't here, honestly" Ben commented. "No, no, she likes you a lot" Mel assured him. "She's just… trying to work you out." Ben smiled slightly. "Does she like me as much as her human does?" he joked. Mel grinned. "Almost" she quipped. "But I think her human likes you juuust a bit more."

Their banter was suddenly interrupted by loud purring emanating from beneath the table. Strangely, Mab hadn't moved from her prime perch. Mel, totally unphased, reached under the table to pat the sleek black cat rubbing himself on her legs. "Morning Jupiter" she said cheerfully. But Jupiter withdrew from her hand almost immediately, leaping onto the chair at the end of the table, directly opposite Ben. "Not in a parting mood today" Mel commented. Ben smiled. "Ah well, at least he's happy to look at me now." "He's come a long way" Mel agreed.

Jupiter had taken a while to warm up to Ben. The first time the blond stayed over he'd taken one look at the strange new person and fled upstairs, remaining in his bed in the study on the top floor of the house until Ben finally left the next morning. It had taken another two visits before he would finally choose to stay in the lounge room while Ben and Mel were watching the telly together. Even now he tended to keep his distance, though he would happily greet the couple if they arrived home together.

After breakfast the day wandered on in a lazy, unhurried sort of way. However, as the afternoon drew on Ben was increasingly aware of the time, keen to make a good impression by not being late to supper. Mel, though, wasn't phased. "We don't have far to go, it's only round the corner" she reassured Ben. “I know” he told her. “I’m just being nervous and paranoid, I’ll be fine.” 

As he started to busy himself getting ready for the evening a thought occurred to him. "Say, why are you so close to your mum's? Is that just coincidence or-?" "It's not coincidence" Mel told him. "This used to be my gran's house, she left it to me when she died." "Your gran’s house?” Ben echoed. 

Mel nodded. “She and Mum lived with Freddie for a few years, but after he got sick and the paparazzi started hanging around, they had to move out” she explained. “But Freddie wanted them close by so it would be easy for him to see Mum as much as possible in the time he had left, so he bought this place for them.” Ben’s jaw dropped. 

“I knew he was generous, but a house?” he marvelled. Mel grinned. “Yeah. But he and Miami arranged it so it was his money, but the house was in Gran’s name.” Ben looked baffled. “Less conspicuous that way” Mel added hurriedly. “Wouldn’t raise as many awkward questions if people found out.” Ben nodded, considering the recent revelations.

“She renovated it a bit, later on” Mel reminisced. Ben nodded. “I noticed.” The first time he visited he'd realised the open plan kitchen and living room must have been the product of a later redesign of the old row house.

“I think once Mum took over the big house, after I came along, she realised she wanted her own space, set up the way she wanted” Mel mused. “She was always happy to have me round though.” She smiled. “I just about moved in when I did my A-levels. Lavender was born that year, I was a bit desperate for some peace and quiet.” "So the spare room used to be yours, then?" Ben asked. "No, I had the room up the top" Mel explained. "So I could stay separate from the other goings-on in the house while I was studying."

By the time they were ready to go Ben had managed to calm most of his nerves. But as they began the short walk to Eve’s house a worrying thought occurred to him. “Hey love, I’m about to meet your family but you’ve said nothing about your dad all week” he pointed out, trying to sound casual. Mel looked him over curiously. “My father,” she said pointedly, "won’t be there tonight, if that’s what you’re wondering." 

Ben was slightly surprised at this. Though he'd never asked, he got the impression Eve had split up with Mel's father many years ago. However, he knew so little about Mel's family that he wasn't at all clear on the kind of relationship she and Eve might have with her father.

“He won’t?” he asked curiously. “He’s not in our lives any more” Mel clarified. “He left Mum when I was only a baby which could've been fine, but then he fucked off to New York when I was eight and I’ve hardly seen him since.” “That’s really shit” Ben sympathised. Mel shrugged. “True, but he was barely around even before he left, I mean, he left for uni when I was only a year old” she explained. “It didn’t make much difference to me, really.” 

Ben was still considering the implications of this when Mel’s irritated voice cut through his thoughts. “Look, can we talk about something else, I really don't want to think about my father tonight." Ben smiled apologetically. "Of course. I'm sorry I brought him up now." Mel smiled reassuringly. "It's okay" she told Ben. "You couldn't have known what you were wading into." 

At this point Ben was mildly surprised to find they were almost at the threshold of Garden Lodge. “It’ll be fine, you’ll be a hit” Mel said encouragingly, spotting his nervous expression. Ben wasn’t so sure, but there was nothing to be done about that now. He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

Eve beamed when she let the happy couple in. “Welcome to the manor” she joked. Mel immediately started asking about her younger siblings, but Ben stared around, trying not to be too overawed by the period splendour surrounding him. It was… well, it was definitely fancy, but still stylish, rather than ostentatious. 

He was shaken from his reverie by a nudge from his smirking girlfriend. “Nice, isn’t it?” “Yeah, it’s… I was expecting it to be a bit, you know… but it’s very, um, elegant” he agreed. Eve smiled. “Thank you, dear.”

She led the guests through the house to the main sitting room, where the rest of the family was waiting. Ben had barely registered the three figures standing by an antique sofa when a little girl with long sandy hair came barrelling towards Mel. 

“Mellie!” she cried happily, only to stop short when she noticed Ben. “Who’s dat?” she asked, suddenly uncertain. Mel immediately swooped down to pick her up. “Lavvie, darling, it’s alright, this is my friend Ben” she explained, settling the child against her chest. “This is Lavender” she added quietly to Ben. “She’s a bit shy with new people.” “Hello Lavender” Ben said gently. Lavender smiled shyly at him, but quickly turned away, burying her head in Mel’s shoulder.

Meanwhile Ben’s attention was quickly drawn by Eve clearing her throat. He looked up to find her standing next to a tallish woman with a friendly face and fine golden-brown hair cropped short, who was accompanied by a dark-haired boy who was evidently at the awkward in-between 'older kid' stage, not quite on the threshold of adolescence just yet, but clearly no longer a little kid either.

“This is my wife, Violet, and our son, Jamie” Eve introduced. Ben smiled as he shook Violet’s hand. “Pleasure.” “It’s lovely to finally meet you” Violet said warmly. “I’ve heard plenty about you.” “All good things” Mel assured him, noting his worried expression. “I’m glad” Ben joked, moving over to shake Jamie's hand. 

Jamie shook politely while regarding Ben with curiosity. "D'you like football?" he asked. "I do" Ben told him. Jamie smiled. "Who's your team, then?" "West Ham" Ben replied. "Oh, they're rubbish" Jamie declared, clearly dissatisfied with Ben's answer. Mel smiled apologetically at her boyfriend, who merely gave her hand a quick squeeze to assure her he was fine as he continued the conversation. 

He did feel slightly out of place, not having much experience with kids, but Jamie was quite chatty, and clearly enjoying the attention. At any rate the time passed very quickly, and it wasn't long before the doorbell rang again and Eve was leading the two youngest Deacon children into the sitting room.

Ben was slightly nervous when they were introduced, knowing Mel considered them both her big brothers. He'd already met Luke, of course, albeit briefly, and he wasn't sure he'd made a particularly good first impression that day. Luke, though, greeted him warmly, and it was soon clear that Cameron was just as friendly and welcoming. Nonetheless, Ben couldn't quite shake the impression they were here in large part to scrutinise the new boyfriend, though they were evidently quite happy to socialise with the rest of the family too.

It wasn't long before Violet ducked off to check on the food, which was Eve's cue to start leading everyone to the dining room. Luke took the opportunity to chat to Ben alone while the others were preoccupied. 

"You know, I was a bit surprised when I heard you'd be here" he said casually. "You were?" Ben questioned. "Didn't think you two were that serious" Luke clarified. "I asked Joe about you and Mel, actually, that day I saw him, and he didn't even think you were a thing… yet." Ben raised an eyebrow. "Yet?" 

"Joe's words, not mine" Luke told him, shrugging. "Well, he wasn't wrong" Ben commented. "We went on our first date the night before you visited." Luke grinned. "Did Joe know about that?" Ben shook his head. "No, and he still doesn't, actually." "Well don't worry, I wouldn't dream of exposing you both like that" Luke assured him.

Luke took a breath. "Look, I'm not here to do the whole overprotective big brother bit, you know." "You're not?" Ben echoed, surprised. "No" Luke confirmed. "Mel's a big girl, she can handle herself. And you must know she's quite capable of destroying you all by herself if you are stupid enough to hurt her." "I… suppose I do know that" Ben said thoughtfully. 

Luke smiled slightly. "I think you're smarter than that, though" he said. "So I just wanted to say, it seems like Mel sees a proper future with you, a-" "So do I" Ben admitted, cutting Luke off. "We haven't been together long, I know, but I can already see it." Luke's smile grew at Ben's confession. "Good. I hope it works out, truly."  

Ben was relieved that Luke seemed to like him, but he didn't have time to dwell on their conversation as he was soon finding his place at the enormous mahogany dining table. Naturally he went to sit next to Mel, which meant he found himself down one end, next to Violet at the head of the table. Luke was sitting opposite, a move Ben was quite sure wasn't a coincidence, with Cameron next to him. Ben felt slightly awkward sitting opposite the Deacons, but fortunately the conversation flowed easily.

Cameron was very curious about film-making in general, and Ben’s career in particular. “So, what else’ve you done? Anything I might have seen?” he asked cheerfully. “You do look a bit familiar, actually.” Ben suppressed a groan at the inevitable appearance of his least favourite question, knowing Cameron meant no harm. 

“Um, I was in X-men Apocalypse?” he suggested. Cameron shook his head. “Haven’t got around to watching it yet” he explained. Ben smiled reassuringly. “Well, I’ve been in a few things, but that was the biggest, so if you haven’t seen it…” “There’s one thing he probably has seen” Mel piped up, smiling mischievously. Ben wasn’t quite following. “Yeah?” 

“He was on EastEnders for a while” she told Cameron and Luke. “Omigod, really?” Cameron gabbled exicitedly. Ben let out a defeated sigh. “Yeah, I was… I played Peter Beale.” Cameron was very excited at this revelation, which served only to make Ben feel even more disappointed. 

Mel patted his hand reassuringly. “He means well, darling” she murmured. “I know” Ben sighed. “I just wish that bloody soap wasn’t the only thing people knew me from, it just makes them think of me as 'the hot one'.” “Everyone who matters knows you're much more than that, darling" Mel assured him. "Besides, with a bit of luck they’ll all know you as Roger soon."

Fortunately the others soon started chatting about their own work, and the rest of the dinner passed quite enjoyably. The grownups were all very welcoming to Ben, and Jamie chattered away about football, school and all his other current interests, clearly enjoying having a few big boys around for a change. Lavender too had warmed up in the presence of more familiar adults, gabbling happily to whoever would listen.

In seemingly almost no time at all, the dessert dishes were being cleared away and the adults were apparently gearing up to leave the table. "What's going on?" Ben whispered to Mel. "Next tradition" she explained. "The littlies need to get to bed soon, but they want to join in with this first." Ben suddenly realised everyone else was leaving the room. "Where are we-?" "The music room" Mel told him. "Just… follow my lead, yeah?"

Ben nodded his assent as she led him away from the dining room to one of the smaller rooms towards the back of the house. Its' main feature was a gleaming, full-sized grand piano. "Was that… his?" Ben asked, in an undertone. "Yep, it was Papa's" Mel confirmed cheerfully. "He taught Mum on it, and then she taught me, when I was little." “Wow” Ben marvelled. His reverie was soon interrupted by Eve coming to stand by the piano stool, just as Mel led him to sit on cushions on the floor, next to Luke.

Eve smiled at the assembled company. “Alright Jamie, Lavender, it’s nearly bedtime, but you’ve got time for one song each. Which ones do you want today?” “One, doo, free, four!” Lavender cried, clapping her hands with glee. Eve agreed easily, but Ben was utterly baffled at what was going on until Mel retrieved a guitar from a corner behind the piano, and handed it to Luke, who tuned it up and began picking out the cords to ‘All Together Now’ from Yellow Submarine. And then Mel started to sing, and Ben was utterly amazed.

She sounded a fair bit like Freddie, undoubtedly, but she clearly had her own sound too. Ben couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard a better singer. She looked at him once she finished, and he absolutely beamed at her.

“We started her on the Beatles recently” Mel explained quietly. “She’s been obsessed with that song ever since.” “You didn’t tell me you could sing!” Ben marvelled. Mel smiled. “You never asked, darling.” Mel started to explain that singing together was something she’d always done with her mum, and it was their little tradition to sing together at Thanksgiving in Freddie’s memory, but she was called up to the piano before she could finish.

Jamie had asked for something called ‘Leeroy Brown’, a title Ben thought sounded vaguely familiar, though he didn’t think he knew the song. Violet got up too, to sit with Eve at the piano, and when Eve started to play Ben was shocked to hear the couple harmonising in the choruses behind Mel’s wonderful voice. He didn’t recognise the song, as it turned out, but it was a fun honky-tonk sort of song, and he picked up the singalong chorus quickly enough. Though he did feel slightly embarrassed at his lack of prowess in the midst of so many excellent musicians. 

When the song finished he had to resist the impulse to applaud. But all too soon all eyes were on him. “Ben, you’re the newbie” Eve said kindly. “Any requests, before the junior choir has to retire for the evening?” Ben blushed slightly. 

“Uhh… could you play something by Queen?” “Most of the back catalogue, actually” Eve quipped, smiling. “But let’s see, what sounds good with just the piano… ooh, I know. You ready?” she asked Mel. “When you are” Mel confirmed. “Alright. Ben, I think you might know this one actually” Eve told him.

There was a slight pause before she started plunking out a very familiar repeating note. Ben smiled in recognition just as Mel came in with “She keeps her Moet et Chandon,…” Again, Eve and Violet harmonised on backing vocals when appropriate. Ben found himself fighting the urge to bounce his leg in time with the beat, one he’d been playing quite a lot recently. And he couldn't quite stop himself singing along with the chorus.

When he wasn't joining in, he was watching Mel intently, and very much enjoying himself. She seemed very comfortable in front of an audience, and Ben was struck by how much her stage manner, as it were, reminded him of the videos he'd been watching of Freddie performing in the early glam rock days. Not in a deliberate way, there was just something about the way she moved, the cheeky faces she made while singing, that very distinctly resembled Freddie's particular brand of showmanship. 

All too soon, the song was over. Mel returned to a grinning Ben as Violet declared it was bedtime for the children. Jamie immediately protested that he should be allowed to stay awake longer as he was so much older than Lavender.

"That was amazing!" Ben gushed. Mel smiled bashfully."Oh, thanks darling." "No, really, you're amazing" Ben insisted. "And your whole family is… Well, your mum I sort of expected I suppose, but Violet can sing too?" He was deeply impressed, but Mel seemed unfazed. "That's actually how they met" she said quietly. "Mum joined a choir, and when she went to rehearsal Violet was there, and, well… you know." "That's quite cute, actually" Ben commented. "So d'you perform ever? Outside the music room, I mean."

"I want to be in musical theatre" Mel revealed. "But I haven't gotten any of the auditions I've had since I finished drama school." Ben's jaw dropped. "Drama school? I thought you did costume design." Mel grinned. "Oh, I did a couple of electives, that was enough for the assistant job, apparently."

"Clearly" Ben quipped. "But anyway, that's really awesome you've been to drama school, why didn't I know that?" "We've never really talked about school and stuff" Mel pointed out, shrugging. "No, I s'pose we haven't" Ben agreed.

Their conversation was interrupted by Violet's announcement that Lavender was going to bed, Jamie's protest having successfully won him one more hour with the grown-ups. Mel soon ducked off to help tuck in her little sister while the others drifted back to the dining room for hot drinks and biscuits. Ben felt rather uncertain without Mel next to him, but the Deacons and Jamie kept him chatting until she reappeared, grinning.

"I think Lavender likes you" she told him. "She asked when we'd be coming round again, if it'd be soon." Ben smiled. "Well, that's two down" he joked. "Oh, I think you're pretty popular with the brother" Luke observed. "He loves having the big boys around, I think he feels a little bit outnumbered as the only boy sometimes" Mel explained. "And you like football, so you're definitely alright in his book." Ben grinned. "Perhaps we'd better come back soon, then."

"We might not have time for the next few weeks, there's some big shooting days coming up" Mel mused. "And a big night, don't forget you'll need time for that" Luke chimed in. Ben was utterly confused, but Mel just smiled. 

"Oh yeah, the Christmas party." Luke nodded. "Yeah, you're both 'very welcome' apparently, which means Mum's definitely expecting you to turn up." He rolled his eyes, though he was smiling slightly. "I think Dad's actually hoping to meet you, too" he told Ben, who was rather taken aback. "John Deacon wants to meet me?"

Luke nodded. "Yeah. He was always a little bit curious about all of you blokes playing Queen, actually, but he's especially interested now that he knows his beloved Mel's been shagging the one playing Roger." He smirked at Mel, who rolled her eyes good-naturedly. 

"Very delicately put, Luke, if you're not careful you'll get the guest blushing." Indeed, Ben was now stood next to Mel looking extremely sheepish. Luke simply grinned. "Me? Indelicate? Never" he teased. "You're never living that one down, you know." 

Turning to Ben, he let his teasing expression drop. "Seriously though, we'd love to have you to the party, if you're not busy" he said kindly. "I'll do my best" Ben assured him.

The rest of the evening passed very pleasantly, and by the time the guests started to leave, having seen Jamie to bed and toasted Freddie several times, Ben felt as though he'd been very much welcomed into the fold. At the very least he'd made a good first impression with all the ones he hadn't met before. Later on, snuggled up in Mel's bed, he reflected on the events of the night. "Well, I think that went quite well" he declared. "They loved you" Mel assured him. Ben smiled. "I liked them too, you know." "I thought you would" Mel told him happily.

"One thing though, love" Ben said, content but still slightly curious. "What's this Christmas party we're invited to?" "Oh, it's just the Deacon family party" Mel explained. "Auntie Veronica and Uncle John have all the kids round for drinks and finger food a couple of weekends before Christmas, and we're always invited too." 

Ben was confused. "Why do they get together before Christmas though? Don't they all go home for Christmas dinner?" "Not every year" Mel explained. "I mean, Luke and Cam do, but the rest have partners and kids. In-laws to visit and all that. Having the party means they can all get together and see each other every Christmas even if fitting in a visit home on Christmas Day turns out to be too much of a faff." "Makes sense" Ben mused.

"So, should I go to this party with you?" Mel nodded enthusiastically. "Definitely, dear. John and Veronica are lovely, they'll be so pleased to meet you." Ben smiled. "I'll put it in my calendar then."

That night, Ben had a few things on his mind. The Queen movie wasn't even finished and it was already changing his life. It had brought him to his wonderful, amazingly talented girlfriend, and his equally awesome new friends. And now he was going to meet John Deacon. John Deacon actually wanted to meet him, who'd have thought that would ever happen?

Sure, he sometimes had to remind himself not to think about the fact that he was shagging Freddie Mercury's granddaughter, but at the very least he was pretty sure he hadn't incurred Freddie's wrath, so far. In fact, he was starting to wonder if he might in some small way have gotten Freddie's blessing.

*******************************************************************************************

A/N 2: Just in case anyone’s confused, the middle song that Mel sang is Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, by Jim Croce. Which was of course (part of) the inspiration for Bring Back That Leroy Brown (written after Jim Croce died in a plane crash, iirc). Also, yes, John Deacon will be appearing in the next part.

[k7l4d4]

Midnight Striga: Fairy Tail/Owl House Cross Fic Episode 4 Part 3

Hello all, once again, I have returned with more of Midnight Striga! Everybody Clap Your Hands!!

King grumbled as he stomped off to read Luz’s gracious gift to her ruler in peace. Seriously, what was the big issue anyway? So the girl had to start all over, big deal! People have to do that everyday, all the time. She was lucky she had someone as understanding and gracious as Luz willing to abandon their personal pursuits to accommodate her.

“Hmmphh! As the King of Demons, I would never stoop to such pitiful despair!” He boldly proclaimed, conveniently ignoring the multiple times he has, in fact, given in to despair, and often for much sillier reasons than an existential crisis. But, then again, he is a King, it is only natural that the pettiest of his woes are beyond the frustrations of an underling!! ...Except for Luz, her woes were most definitely something to be taken seriously. After all, SHE gave her ruler the respect he richly deserved. “Now, what chapter did I leave off on?”

As King flipped through the book, he carefully practiced some of the diagrams on how to perform this voice based Sound Magic; he drew the magic from his core, allowing it to circulate through his body, then slowly fed it into a cycling formation in his throat, pooling into a bubble-like shape, or that’s how he pictured the result in his mind, and how it physically felt, as if he had a little bubble in his throat. Slowly breathing in, and breathing out, he focused on how the bubble expanded and contracted in response to his breaths; that was something the book mentioned a practitioner should take care to control to some extent. He didn’t understand at first, but when he got a better look at the warning instruction, it made a bit more sense, as his ability to control the shape and size of his bubble of magic would better help him control the result!!...Or that’s what he got from the book at any rate.

To be honest with himself, King found the book pretty difficult to understand; while he did manage to glean some information from the actual words, he was mostly going off the diagrams, and the paragraphs connected to them. He really hoped this worked. What Luz could do, that Light-based Magic of hers, it was like nothing he’d ever seen before. Luz was his friend, even more than she was his subject. Sure, she was snarky, disinterested, and had a mean sense of humor sometimes, but she respected him, treated him like a person instead of a toy or a baby. She made him feel… big. If he could master this gift from her… maybe he could start repaying some of that feeling. A King must never let themselves be held to debts!!

“Hey King!” Luz's voice rang out, grabbing the young demon’s attention. “Boscha and I are gonna train! You want to join in!?”

King’s heart leapt at being included, though he quickly tamped it down so as to not influence his decision-making. “Hmph! As if you peons could get anything done without my presence!! Count me in!”

Boscha grit her teeth, ignoring the building annoyance as best she could. When she recalled that day when her whole world changed, she would admit that most of her recollection was occupied by the sheer awe she felt at seeing Luz’s power, her magic, in action. What she didn’t recall, however…

“As the King of Demons, surely I must demonstrate my skills first!” The adorable menace before her shrieked, Luz looking on indulgently.

-Was how absolutely ANNOYING the little demon that was with Luz that day actually was! ...To be fair, she only met him for a short time, and she was mostly concerned with fussing over how utterly adorable he was. She literally never got the chance to see just how much of a pompous menace he was!! If she was being honest with herself, he reminded her of how she was herself for most of her life; loud, aggressive, self-deluded, and utterly demanding of respect and compliance, no matter how ridiculous the reasoning was. 

The only difference was that she had actual authority and respect to leverage, and influence over others, and far less experience with consequences in regards to her actions, whereas he had essentially no power or authority beyond his own delusions, and was regularly subjected to consequences, even if they didn’t phase him. Boscha internally composed a list of people she’d have to apologize to at some point for being such a brat if she was even half as difficult as this guy.

“Alright, King,” Luz said calmly, gesturing to the area before them, a wide open space in the basement, the path opened by that *Shudder* house demon from before. “Show me what you’ve managed to get down, okay?”

“With pleasure.” The little menace stated. Walking out for about 10 feet, before stopping. Spreading his legs for balance, the demon took a deep breath, almost exaggeratedly deep, before speaking loudly and clearly. “Sound Magic: Demon King’s Rocking Roar!” With an explosive burst, a solid mass of sound screamed across the length of the impromptu training room. Boscha clutched her head as the sheer loudness ripped through her head, her ears ringing in agony at the bleedingly loud volume. How was his little body creating such a huge noise!? Fighting the urge to screw her eyes shut from the pain, Boscha blearily focused on the sight before her; a clear, drill-like structure punching into the far wall, originating from the little demon’s head, the whole thing being three times his height in all directions.

“HOW IS HE DOING THAT!?” Boscha shouted to Luz, who was similarly clutching her head, albeit not as tightly as Boscha herself. Was it not as loud to her for some reason?

“I CAN’T SAY FOR CERTAIN, BUT I THINK HE’S AMPLIFYING THE SOUND OF HIS VOICE AND SHAPING IT INTO PHYSICAL STRUCTURES TO ATTACK!! HE REALLY IS DOING A LOT BETTER THAN I THOUGHT HE WOULD!!” Luz yelled back. As King finally, blissfully, cut off, the two collapsed to the ground, sighing in relief at the mercy granted to their ears.

“So, was that a feat worthy of a King, or what!?” King cockily demanded, preening at his accomplishments. Boscha was willing to admit, however grudgingly, the spell was impressive. It was big, flashy, and, if the way King was subtly panting was anything to go off of, draining as hell, but it was also powerful, loud, and disorienting. Boscha genuinely dreaded the idea of getting hit with a spell like that in the future, especially with her seemingly heightened hearing.

“Yeah!” Luz said, just a little too loudly, before clapping her hands on her ears, and speaking in a more even tone of voice. “That sure was something King! I almost can’t believe you figured out how to cast a proper spell that fast.”

“Hmph, such a feat is nothing to the King of Demons!” King said as he posed gleefully at the praise he received. However, he quickly calmed down, a slightly nervous look on his face. “So, do you think there’s anything I need to work on?”

“Oh plenty,” Luz bluntly replied, prompting King to stare down at the floor and mope. “But that can wait until we get Boscha tested.”

Boscha gulped, feeling nervous. She intimately remembered what had happened the Last time she cast magic, and she wasn’t eager to try again. Nonetheless, her coach was requesting a demonstration. Better to get it over with. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself, beginning to trace a circle-

“Hold it!”

-Only to stop at Luz’s interruption. “What?” Boscha sighed, hoping they took it as a sign of irritation as opposed to relief.

“I need to record this.” Luz said simply, setting up some sort of rectangular piece of flat crystal paired to another. “And… ready! You can start now!”

Boscha sighed, not understanding what was going on but hoping that it could actually help. She really didn’t want to blow up.

“Oh wait!” Luz piped up, interrupting the beginning of Boscha’s casting again. “I think I have an idea that might help, maybe. When you’ve been practising, have you been using a spell you are very familiar with, or one that’s basic?”

Boscha blinked, slightly confused at the line of questioning. “One I’m familiar with, a fireball spell. Why do you ask?”

Luz smiled. “Well, it occurred to me that you might have slightly better odds if you try a basic or simple spell as a way to start. Something that doesn’t take a lot of effort to do, you know? Try and do this using the most simple spell you can think of!” She offered.

Boscha turned the idea over in her head; she couldn’t really see anything wrong with the idea, and since her biggest problem was her control at the moment, maybe starting small was a better idea. Either way, it wouldn’t hurt to try. Bracing herself to move, Boscha slowly traced a circle for the absolutely simplest spell she could think of; the light spell. Not to riff on her coach’s preferred element, but the Light Spell was the absolute most basic spell kids on the Isles learned, but considering most spells just did one thing or had a simple function, she supposed it made sense that a spell meant to create light wouldn’t have a lot of flexibility to it, not like Luz’s crafts.

As she completed the spell, Boscha held her breath as the circle flickered and shuddered in the air. ‘Don’t explode.’ She pleaded in her mind. ‘By the Titan, please don’t explode!’

The spell flickered, shuddered… and transformed into a ball of light. It was small, delicate, almost innocent. Boscha had never been happier to perform the most basic of magic. “I did it.” She muttered to herself. “Did you see that, I did it!” She cheered, a wide goofy grin flashing across her face as she cupped the spell in her hands. As she noticed the amused grins sported by Luz and King, she flushed, and tucked the spell behind her back, glancing at anywhere but them. “I-I mean, so, yeah, I did it. That’s… that’s cool.” Boscha felt a little bit of her self respect die inside.

Luz cupped her face as she mentally tallied everything she had seen. Honestly, the two were good, if noticeably amateurish in their own ways. King was a literal amateur, having only just learned the magic he had demonstrated (Her ears were still ringing!), but he had enthusiasm and a surprisingly large amount of Magical Power to call upon, particularly for his size; if he could work on his stamina and physical fitness, along with some general practice to hone his abilities and find some new applications for his magic, he could easily become a powerhouse in time. Boscha had a rather different problem.

Luz sighed, knowing this was partially her own fault, even if it was unavoidable at the time. Boscha’s skills were… unusual, as she seemed to have literally regressed in skill. Her previous abilities had been nothing to write home about, being mainly powerful by the standards of the Isles and highly orthodox, but she was noticeably practiced. Now…

*BOOM!* “DANG IT!”

Luz winced at the sound of Another explosion going off as Boscha and King sparred. Boscha’s control had been utterly shot; every spell she cast had a painfully high rate of failure, and the unfortunate tendency to detonate as a result. Her only spell that didn’t seem to have any failure rate was the Light Spell, so she could cast it reliably, but it was literally a floating ball of light, not much combat application to that beyond a very short range diversion or distraction. Still, the fact that she was now actively trying to cast spells and some of them were working had massively bolstered Boscha’s confidence. There was just one problem… Luz wasn’t doing anything!! 

She was supposed to be a teacher, and her alleged students were actively figuring things out on their own, no input from her needed! It was humiliating! The fact that they hadn’t noticed made it even worse! What was she even doing? Sighing to herself, Luz wallowed in self-pity, much to her own disgust. Ah well, at least she could review the footage from Boscha’s test. As she slowed down the footage, trying to figure out the spell structure with so little input, all she had was a circle and Witches apparently compressed the entire spellform into that little ring. It was maddening to figure out how it worked. A Bile-Sack had been mentioned several times before, and while her morbid side was definitely interested, she needed to pace these things.

‘Wait a minute…’ Luz thought, catching sight of something in the footage. ‘Is that… a symbol?’ She slowed the footage down to a stand-still, at the precise moment Boscha completed the circle. And there it was. A symbol floating in the center. She took out her notebook, slowly copied it, and stashed it away. This was definitely something to look into.

As she finished, Luz turned back to the fight. Well, if you could properly call it that. It mostly consisted of Boscha trying to get in close and cast a spell, which usually backfired, and King running away to give himself some range to launch his own spell, which took just a shade too much time for him to pull off before Boscha closed in. Oh sure, King had managed it two or three times, but each time he pulled it off left him vulnerable to an irate Boscha’s counterattack. 

Luz groaned internally. This hadn’t been what she’d intended when she proposed a training session. She thought it would be like the good old days back with Teach; throwing spells at her eager students faster than they could process while they desperately ducked and dodged, before they spotted an opening to counterattack, which she would block, and start the process all over again. But ~NO~, she had to have a conscience. Stupid conscience, always talking her out of fun stuff. Still, she had to admit they were making some progress, and this would give her good experience for when she had to do it for real when she went back to Hexside officially.

She grinned cheekily, before frowning. Boscha was only using her old spells, and avoiding her Devil Slayer Magic. On the one hand, it could be said that she was focusing on rebuilding her foundation, which was smart. But… that wasn’t the actual reason. Boscha was afraid of her flames. Every time Luz tried to broach the subject, Boscha gained a wild, panicked look, almost seconds away from bolting, forcing Luz to backpedal. She sighed. Boscha could run for now, but she couldn’t ignore what had happened forever. No matter how much it hurt, the past was always going to be a part of you. Her arm and back throbbed in sympathy.

Eda groaned, painfully dragging herself out of her nest. Woozily, she pulled herself to her feet, looking for her potion. She couldn’t believe she had allowed herself to forget taking it, and when she had a new tenant, King, and a guest in the house! As she rushed for her closet, she tripped, crashing to the ground. Lightning crashed outside, illuminating the feathers popping up along her arms, and the curved talons forming on her fingers.

[talatomaz]

words | lena luthor x fem!reader

a/n: i love lena so much and i don’t appreciate what the supergirl writers are doing to her character

warnings: mentions of abuse. sexual references - just kissing tbh & a little morning after

word count: 2.7k

masterlist | request list | request rules

r is a political journalist and works at catco. she is working late one night on her article about the presidential debate when lena notices her and interrupts her

i do not give you permission to repost or translate my fics on any platform - likes/reblogs are okay and are much appreciated

“12:37am”

Looking at the time on your phone, you sighed. You’d been here longer than you had intended to. You didn’t think writing your article would take this long but once you’d started, you hadn’t stopped. To be fair though, if you were home, you would probably be doing the exact same thing.

You often worked late, mainly staying up to all hours of the night working on your articles at home but tonight, you decided to stay at work.

You’d been in Washington, DC all week, interviewing politicians left, right and centre and had only just stepped foot back in the office earlier this afternoon. The majority of your notes were here anyway so there was no point in you going home yet.

You were currently transcribing your interview notes with your former boss, Cat Grant, who was the White House Press Secretary. You were happy for her, she seemed to really suit the job.

Then again, you think she just liked telling people what to do.

Laughing to yourself, you thought of the time when you used to be a junior writer working under Snapper. Miss Grant had given you the role but only because you had seized the opportunity to ask for it.

She always did like people who spoke up for themselves.

It was hard to say you miss her though, considering you saw her almost every other week. But now, her job had been taken over by James Olsen.

You were good friends with him, having known him when he worked at the Daily Planet. When he got the role, you celebrated alongside your other work friends, Kara and Winn.

Kara was now a reporter, a great one you might add, who always seemed to be getting exclusives with Supergirl.

That was funny to you because you knew she was Supergirl.

She didn’t know that you knew but the glasses didn’t exactly conceal much.

She was also very good friends with your new boss.

Lena Luthor.

You smiled at the thought of her. Whilst you were slightly intimidated by her, you did admire her. She was a very powerful and intelligent woman. And the fact that she was beautiful too didn’t hurt your perception of her. She was also the CEO of two major companies. That was impressive.

Glancing over at the large open office, you noticed the light on in the room.

It had to be Jimmy, you thought.

He did tend to stay over quite late; it gave him a reason to be out late when he conducted his Guardian business.

That’s right, you knew his secret identity too. He and Kara weren’t really good at hiding it, you thought.

Shaking your head, you clicked play on your tape recorder and decided to focus on completing the task at hand: finishing your article on the upcoming Presidential Debate so it could published for tomorrow’s evening issue.

Lena lifted her head at the sound of typing. She had been so focused on finishing the cross analysis reports for both CatCo and L-Corp that she hadn’t realised anyone else was in the building. Well, apart from the night team but they operated from a different floor.

She stood up and moved from behind her desk so she could see who the person clacking away on their keyboard was.

She stood in place, crossing her arms when she saw the woman hunched over at her desk, headphones plugged into her ears, typing furiously on her laptop, occasionally stopping to make brief notes on a piece of paper beside her.

Lena frowned. She had made it a personal mission of hers to interact with everyone on the floor so she could get to know her employees better. But she had never spoken to you. And she definitely would have remembered speaking to someone so dedicated to their work that they stayed in the office till this late at night.

She contemplated going over to interrupt you and introduce herself but decided against doing so. She began walking back to her desk before swiftly turning around, changing her mind at the last second.

As a reflection of the extraordinary nature of the Democratic field, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, better known as AOC, has-

You stopped typing when you felt the soft tap on your shoulder. Removing your headphones, you spoke, “Yeah, Jimmy?”

Turning around, you were shocked to see the person standing above you.

“I hope I have no resemblance to Mr Olsen.” The woman joked.

“I-Miss Luthor! I’m sorry-I thought-I mean. Why are you here so late?” You said, surprised.

The raven-haired woman chuckled as you fumbled over your words.

“Well, if my employees are going to be here this late, then why shouldn’t the following apply to me?” She smirked, accentuating her red-painted lips in the process.

“I believe we haven’t been introduced. I’m Lena Luthor, as you are already aware.”

“Y/N L/N.” You replied, standing up to shake her hand before leaning against your desk.

“It’s nice to meet you, Miss L/N.”

“Call me y/n, Miss Luthor. I feel like a teacher if you call me ‘Miss’.” You corrected, smiling lightly when Miss Luthor laughed. It was a genuine laugh, one that seemed to reach her eyes.

“If we’re ridding ourselves of formalities then please, call me Lena. So what are you doing here so late?”

“I’m finishing my article on the new Presidential nominees. I’ve been in Washington all week with Miss Grant and other politicians so I haven’t had a chance to complete my article.”

“That explains why I hadn’t met you.”

“Yeah, I’m constantly up and down the country, following the political story as it were.”

“I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”

“No, of course not. I was almost finished anyway. So, how are you finding it here?”

“It’s interesting. I’ve never really been involved with journalism. Been on the receiving end of scathing articles about me and my family, yes. But running a media empire, definitely not.”

“I do hate journalists sometimes. They just go with the crowd and join in on hating the new person of the week. People don’t realise that someone can grow up with their family but turn out completely different to them.”

Lena’s eyes narrowed, she appreciated your thoughts but knew there was more truth to it than it just being about her.

“I hope I’m not being too forward here but would you like to grab a drink from the bar down the street?”

You failed to hide your shock. You had only just met Lena and here she was already asking you out, as if she had known you for years.

“Yeah, sure. I would really like that Miss-Lena.” You said, correcting yourself.

***

“She didn’t?!” You gasped, holding your laugh.

“She did! She asked me if I was baptised and I just laughed and said no.” Lena chuckled. “She said she only sleeps with good Catholic girls.”

“Oh my god.” You couldn’t hold your laughter and almost spilt your drink in the process.

You and Lena were currently at the bar, hands nursing your respective drinks. Lena, much to your surprise, was drinking Scotch, and you were drinking Macallan Whiskey.

It was currently 3:30am and you had spent the past few hours chatting away, talking about your failed relationships among other things.

“So, y/n, tell me, what brought you to CatCo?” Lena asked, her chin resting on her hand.

You were about to give her your usual prepared answer that you gave everyone else who asked the question. But whether it was the fact that you had been drinking, or the fact that you had a beautiful woman sitting in front of you, you decided to actually tell her the truth.

“Truth be told, as much as I loved writing, I was actually studying to be an accountant.”

“Really?” Lena said, shocked.

“Yeah, my father always said journalism wasn’t a feasible career choice and pushed me towards accountancy so I could look after the family business. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed maths. It was reliable. There was a right and a wrong. Just plain facts. But, I don’t know.”

Lena listened intently as you continued.

“There was just something about writing. With words, you have this...this power where whatever you write can actually influence someone. It allows someone to see themselves in your work. And that’s what CatCo was to me. I started off at the Daily Planet but I think I knew that it just wasn’t for me and it was the same with James. So Jimmy and I both moved here and never looked back.”

You looked up at Lena when you had finished and saw her brows furrowed.

“I’m sorry. That was such a long explanation.” You began apologising before Lena interrupted you.

“No, don’t be sorry. That was just...very truthful. I appreciate your honesty, y/n.” Lena smiled, her eyes staring deeply at yours.

“Thank you. You’re one of the few people who do.” You added under your breath, as an afterthought, but Lena had heard you.

“What do you mean, y/n?” She reached over to place her hand on your arm and you felt your stomach clench. Such a simple embrace, but so caring.

“My father. Let’s just say he didn’t appreciate my change of career, among other things.” You stated, not really wanting to explain further but when you looked into Lena’s eyes, you saw truth and understanding and the next thing you knew, you were spilling the entire story.

You told her how your mother had died when you were young, leaving just you and your father. You explained how he pushed you to be the best at everything and how any failure was punished. How he controlled your life, preventing you from socialising, and instead, made you focus on work and furthering yourself in accounting. How, when you had told him that not only were you pursuing journalism but that you also were bisexual, he had slapped you and disowned you.

“It was for the best,” you shrugged, “don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the fact that he pushed me to always be the best, but I’m glad that we no longer speak.”

“I’m sorry about your father, y/n. He sounds like a horrible person to me.” Lena said, both horrified but also with understanding as she was treated similarly by Lillian.

“Thank you.”

Lena almost screamed then. You had explained how awful your father was and here you were, thanking her for sharing your sentiment and for believing you. She reined in her temper and brushed her thumb against the back of your hand.

“I’m really glad you decided to follow your dream, y/n.”

“Me too.” You smiled softly.

It was getting quite late, well, technically early, so Lena had called her driver and was insistent on dropping you off home.

You were now outside your apartment so you turned to face your boss.

“Thank you, Lena. I really enjoyed tonight.”

You moved to give her a hug and kiss her cheek but when you pulled away, you both sat there, faces inches away from each other.

Her eyes flickered down to your lips for a split second, but you caught it and just stared at her. Before you knew it, her lips were on yours, soft but demanding.

This time when you pulled away, Lena huskily whispered in your ear, “Come home with me.”

You considered the consequences.

She was your boss after all.

Lena placed a gentle kiss on the corner of your mouth and then brushed her thumb against your lip, most likely removing her red lipstick.

“Well?” She breathed out.

Her hand slid across the back of your neck. Sending a hard shiver down your body but not forcing you close to her. That was exactly what you needed to close the distance once again.

You pulled back and murmured “yes” causing Lena to smirk and tell the driver to take you back to hers.

***

You woke up in Lena’s bed, moaning lightly at the feel of Lena’s soft silk sheets against your skin.

You felt arms wrapped around your waist and then slowly remove themselves from you. You turned in Lena’s arms and smiled.

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself, beautiful.” Lena said, making you blush.

“I’ve been called into work early but you can sleep a little bit longer before you have to go into work.”

“It’s alright. I’ll leave with you. I have to go back to my apartment anyway. But I’ll meet you at work?”

“Sure.” Lena chastely kissed your cheek before you both got ready and left.

***

After Lena dropped you off at home, you showered and got changed. You sat down on your bed and thought about the night you had spent with Lena.

You did have a few doubts because of the fact that she was your boss but she honestly was one of the most honest people you had ever met.

And she was great in bed too. All you would say is that she’s very giving.

You stood up, deciding to make your way into work.

***

Walking onto your floor, the quiet of the lift was immediately eradicated and replaced with the ringing of phones, people typing on laptops and a lot of chatter.

As you made your way to your desk, you saw a familiar blonde sitting in your chair.

“Hey, blondie.”

Turning around, the blonde jumped up and hugged you.

“Y/N! I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you’re back. How was DC?” Kara asked, pushing up her glasses.

“I’ve missed you too, Kara. It was quite good actually. I’ve just been so busy. But I’m going to be staying for at least a month now before I need to travel again, so that’s good.”

“Oh my god, yay. I’m so happy. Hey, you can start coming to game night again now that you’re back.”

“Oh, the iconic game night. How I’ve missed you.” You said dramatically, making you and Kara laugh. “Is it the same old gang?”

“Mostly yeah. Alex and Maggie will be there, as will Winn, James, Sam and Ruby but now Lena comes along.”

At the mention of the latter, a light blush rose to your cheeks, luckily going unnoticed by the superhero.

“Oh that reminds me, Lena wanted to see you. She’s in her office.” Kara said, nodding her head in the direction of the large office now occupied by the business woman.

Giving Kara another hug, you made your way to Lena’s office where the former was sitting on her sofa. Upon seeing you, she gestured for you to sit beside her.

“Y/N, how are you?”

“Well, thanks. And yourself?”

“Very well. Especially after last night.”

Another blush rose to your face but this time, Lena noticed and smirked.

“Do I make you blush, L/N? It’s good to know that I have an effect on you.”

“I really enjoyed last night, Lena. I know that you’re my boss and that it’s not exactly appropriate for us to have such a...personal relationship.”

“I know, y/n. But after last night, I don’t think I can keep my hands off you. You’re a very caring person, y/n, and I really would like to get to know you better. I think we have something between us.” Lena explained, placing her hand on yours.

“I do too. I can feel something between us but I don’t want it to be awkward in the event we don’t work out.” You said, expressing your worries.

“I don’t think it will. But how will we know unless we try?” Lena countered.

“That’s very true. I think you’re right. We’re both adults and we can see where this goes. And last night...Wow. But I do have to tell you one thing about last night.”

Lena raised her brow, trying to hide her concern.

“I’m sorry to tell you, but I’m not baptised.”

Lena burst out laughing causing you to laugh too.

“Oh god,” Lena said, trying to stop herself from laughing.

Once she had, she gave you a sober look, “I know we’re at work but-”

She cupped your cheek to bring you in for a sensual kiss which you happily reciprocated.

Pulling away, a wave of shock hit you as you realised something.

You were dating Lena Luthor.