#avery is facepalming

[riddles-n-games]

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If this isn’t the most Jameson thing I’ve seen today, I don’t know what is.

[whatlovelybones-if]

How would the ROs react to a virgin!MC? How experienced are they?

J PARK

oh? 👀 this wasn't really a surprise to them since they had been with the MC for most of their lives and there may or may not have been moments where they stalked them. but now you're both inexperienced so expect to find cosmopolitan magazines scattered across the whole house as they try to figure out how to make the MC feel good and comfortable.

they are clumsy during their first time but they trust the MC completely and can only hope that the feeling is reciprocated. will try not to say "i love you" every time their eyes meet. aftercare is basically J hovering around the MC and making sure they aren't feeling uncomfortable, even if their lower half is tired. now let me tell you, that's love.

J has never slept with anyone and they are saving their virginity for the MC. it was something that frustrated avery a lot 😭 poor person was getting used as a rebound for a relationship J never even had 💀

T KAUFMANN

they are surprised and very confused. don't get them wrong, there is no judgment if you decide not to lose your v-card, but they could run around the town and find plenty of people who'd be interested in the MC. the detective just finds it a little ridiculous that no one has tried to snatch the surgeon before. but hey, that also means that they can show you what sex feels like for the first time, right? there is no better way for their self-confidence to rise even more.

newsflash: their plan doesn't necessarily go the way they wanted. instead of acting like a sex god/goddess in bed (which T is btw), they end up making love to the MC. there was a difference that the detective didn't realize existed until meeting the MC. they facepalm internally when it's over but the giddy butterflies won't leave their tummy alone. now you can expect a lot of confused grumbling from them during aftercare.

they got around. more than viv and sebas combined. let's just leave it at that 🤭

VIVIENNE MALHOTRA

like the detective, she is also surprised but equally as delighted. she has never really taken the lead before when it came to sex. her past two exes taught her plenty of things but it wasn't often when she was the one doing the teaching. her voice is soothing and the pads of her thumb brushing over MC's cheekbones do more than a good job of calming them down. vivienne feels a little embarrassed at first as she might need a while to figure out how to proceed.

she is so gentle and her kisses are sweet like honey. viv doesn't really expect the MC to catch onto everything quickly like a sex prodigy so she eases into everything and makes them familiar with her touch first. there will be praises spilling from her mouth as she watches them enjoy the newfound sensations in all their glory. aftercare is anything if not filled with the same affectionate language of actions.

like i've mentioned before, she had two prior relationships before getting together with the MC. the first one did not last for a year since he ditched viv after taking her virginity when they were in high school. the second one was when she was in college and her ex-girlfriend just made her mommy issues worse.

SEBASTIÁN NAVARRO

he would probably have that usual kind of lost puppy look in his eyes when MC tells him they're a virgin. honestly, he's just trying not to blurt out the fact that he's not that experienced either but he doesn't want to disappoint them in any way. racks his brain into remembering everything he learned from his past horizontal tango sessions. sebas would probably end up patting MC's shoulder awkwardly as she psychs himself up for what's to come.

while it is to be predicted that he'd be as clumsy as a newborn deer, he does a good job of taking MC by surprise as he eases into making them feel good. his touch is fiery and with little to no callouses, they glide over their skin smoothly. there are certain methods that will certainly have MC's jaw-dropping and by the end of it, they will learn never to underestimate sebas's giving skills.

he has been in around two relationships so far, although the last one was more of a 'situationship' which sebas misinterpreted as a genuinely romantic one. other than that, he used to hook up with this one closeted guy and vowed never to do it again after it left him feeling miserable and heartbroken.

[akikocho]

Here's some dialogues I thought featuring my HPHM OCs and canon characters that I thought:

*Astral's first date with Talbott at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop*

Astral and Talbott: *awkward af*

Tonks: *whispers* how long are they going to stare the ceiling and the floor?

Charlie: A couple of hours maybe?

Maya: *huffs* I'm getting impatient!

Castor: If Winger makes a move, I'm going to jinx him!

Charlie: That's brutal mate. Let your twin sister be happy.

Tonks: Yeah!

Malachi: Be quiet. They can hear us!

Talbott: Yes, we can hear you clearly.

Astral: *facepalms*

Rowan and Maya during their 2nd year:

Rowan: Out of all people at Hogwarts to fancy, you chose our prefect!?

Maya: But...look at his jaws-

Rowan: Are there any other features of Felix that you like instead of his jaws?

Maya: ... Nothing...

Rowan: ...

Maya during her third year:

Maya: *casually enters the Hospital Wing*

Madam Pomfrey: Miss Avery, this is the 10th time you visited this week. Did you get another injury again from bumping the walls?

Maya: Yep...

And that's how Maya learned she got myopia

Third Year Rowan and Maya conversation at the Great Hall during their free time:

Rowan: *sees Bill and sighs* Look at Bill, Maya. Isn't he so charming?

Maya: Yeah, he's okay to me?

Rowan: I'm not impressed with your answer, Maya.

Maya: What? I'm being honest!

Rowan: Right. Do you ever see someone so attractive that you compliment them other than "okay"? Or do you fancy someone other than our prefect?

Maya: Woah there, Rowan. What type of question is that? And no, I don't have someone that I fancy nor I will not try to date someone. My crush on Felix Rosier is just a childish play. End of discussion.

Rowan: I don't believe you. Everyone falls inlove.

Maya: Not for me. I don't fall in love anymore.

Rowan: *sighs* If so say so.

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 196: The Prince's Tale

The meadow was a little clearing she could walk to blindfolded by the time she was nine. Sev had found it, he’d slid down the embankment walking alone one rainy day to her house and stayed under the patch of trees for shelter instead, the noise had been so soothing, the wet smell of grass and sounds of wildlife entrancing. He’d thrown rocks at her window for an hour before she woke up, and they’d come back before the drizzling sky had run its course, sitting on the dark, damp earth as they felt it, watched the world change around them all because of a little water.

It was the first time Lily had believed the weird Snape kid from a few streets over had been telling the truth about magic, as he dazzled her eyes with a torch and the puddles flashed rainbows of color. It was where they did their first ‘potion’ mixing leaves and sticks into the mud and convinced themselves some magical elf would come along to try it and grant them immortality.

It was where she’d first realized she could never have both Sev and Tuney in her life, that day she caught them talking about dementors.

It was in this very spot she knelt now only last summer she’d raged about having to go back to school because Potter would be as big an arse as ever and follow her relentlessly around, she’d be isolated from her best friend in Gryffindor tower, and he’d nodded and agreed with her how unfair it was and they could just keep sneaking around being friends, the two of them.

The place looked small, with the eight of them all sprawled out in the clearing. Sun dappled down on them from a bright afternoon, leaves were tangled up in her hair. It was just a patch of trees with no real magic, a place she’d isolated herself away from the rest of the Muggle kids because Severus had always tried to keep just the two of them here whispering about their school. It was the basis of every lie, he’d only ever wanted to keep her to himself. She’d hated Mulciber and Avery that very first week of school when Sev kept trying to have them all hang out.

Now he was a Death Eater and she casually took James’s hand to get to her feet and gaze sadly around at what she’d be leaving behind when she went back.

“You think he regrets it?” She asked, eyes resting on the golden book propped against the base of a tree. His death had been a meaningless ploy to service his master, just like he’d always wanted apparently.

“I know everybody regrets something,” he was watching his friends with a forlorn smile before looking back at her. “Take all the time you need Lily.”

“How’s your leg?” Remus offered his boyfriend a hand while at least trying to suppress his anxious expression, covertly inspecting said appendage to make sure no new gushing blood would spontaneously come pouring out from the grass stains.

“Perfectly normal, don’t fuss,” Sirius scoffed as he took it and stood without a single wobble.

“You might have died you ass, I’ve a right to fuss for at least the next twenty-four hours,” Remus scoffed right back.

“Considering we can’t actually measure time, I refuse to allow that, you could be fussing for the next twenty years or twenty minutes,” Sirius snarked as he squeezed his hand.

“We could always measure it in the span of how long it takes to get to your next death defying stunt,” Remus rolled his eyes and leaned in closer.

“Oh, that’s right clever,” Sirius snorted, the soft gust of wind coming from the wrong direction than just seconds before.

“Do you actually know the meaning of that word?” Remus mock asked. “You could have at least pretended to deny-”

“Like your one to talk Mr. -”

There was a soft throat clearing, and both looked over to see Peter with no clue how long he’d been standing there.

Remus blushed and leaned back, but Sirius gave him a friendly smile and blabbed, “hey, glad you’re not dead by the way. Don’t do a stunt like that again, where was your exit strategy mister?”

Moony facepalmed and muttered about the idiot, but Wormtail smiled and took it in stride. “It went up in smoke.”

Sirius laughed, but Remus was still watching in concern. He had his wand in his less dominant hand, just holding it casually at his side. “You feeling okay?”

His fingers trembled around the wood, but he kept his voice steady. “Just, feels funny, like it should hurt, but there’s no pain for now, thankfully. Um,” he stopped and cleared his throat before extending his hand, palm up, offering his magical connection. “You two can borrow it, at least until we get out of this.”

Remus tried to protest at once, stepping back quickly and slamming into a tree, but Sirius was watching him curiously. Peter shook it temptingly. “I can just change and keep out of the way.”

“You’ve really thought this through?” Sirius confirmed.

“Yes,” Peter challenged back, stiffing his lower lip. “I, unlike unnamed others, am not an impulsive twat. My magic was shoddy at best with my wand arm. I can stay low the best. Take it.”

Sirius was smiling as he reached his hand out, and then curled Peter’s fingers back around the warm wood. “Then you’d best keep practicing mate. I’ve got too much time on my hands practicing wandless magic.” Peter was still blinking like he hadn’t gotten the sun out of his eyes yet. “Watch this,” he cleared his throat and put up an eerily good impression of McGonagall as he yelled, “Mr. Potter!”

James startled in surprise and actually looked around for a moment before he glared back at Sirius.

“That’s just you being an asshole,” Peter rolled his eyes.

“So, you agree, I still need practice,” Sirius was still snickering remorselessly.

Peter was still hesitating and tapping the little ringlets on the end against his hip.

“Honestly mate,” Sirius still insisted in as close to a serious voice as he could get, trying his hardest not to make this come across as a joke even as he kept it light. “Stop trying to get out of doing anything around here, you think I can deal with this shite? Put up with Regulus by myself while you hide out in our pockets?” He hesitated, checked himself, and then corrected himself over the joke. “I trust you know what you’re doing.”

Peter slowly lowered it back to his side like he was expecting Sirius to yell ‘gotch ya,’ any second. When that didn’t happen and he tucked it back into his pocket, he choked out, “thanks,” before clearing his throat, and smirked, “just in case though, I trust you know how to fetch?”

Sirius laughed, the sharp barking noise echoing in the clearing before he flipped him off.

They all fell respectfully quiet when Lily finally pulled together the last of her resolve and picked up the book and went to sit.

It couldn’t really be called a circle, the different points of how they all connected was a mismatched shape in each posture of who was angled towards whom, there was no center piece of where they all connected.

Lily sat next to James as she told of the chapter title and felt the pain in those first couple of paragraphs, all of the Marauders' shock, despair, but quiet acceptance of their last fallen friend and what had been left behind.

Another orphan in Teddy Lupin, another story that deserved to be told for his lost parents' sacrifice, his godfather who now had a choice to make as he clutched his enemies memories and ran to Dumbledore's office alone.

Her foot brushed against Regulus as he took in her every word, riveted by the childhood so similar to his own for the sister Lily had loved and the friend who had taken away and changed her future that day in the park. He watched his older brother squeeze his boyfriend's hand and hold his tongue like he’d never in his life managed before as he stopped himself demeaning her past.

She angled herself towards Frank and Alice as their school life unfolded, how alone she’d always felt, how everything in the cosmos seemed to have set them both up for failure as she went off to be isolated in a house with such a popular prat that she’d wrongfully taken out on everything lion and scarlet, and he embraced the snakes and greener future of power in the dark arts on all sides of himself. What could have been so different if the smallest thing had changed and they’d been in one of the other two houses, or even the same…or if it all would have remained exactly the same as the outcome.

Severus Snape calling her that hateful word in anger, hatred, resentment, and more than anything she feared if she gave him another chance he’d always deep down think her a mudblood. They had all changed though, every one of them, in some small way or another. Would he, could he?

His apology felt as disingenuous on paper as if she could see it in her mind's eye, just because he was sorry the word had slipped out forgave nothing, he’d have to make an effort if they were to remain friends to be away from those Death Eater’s. Would he believe her now, when he’d never before, if she warned him they would corrode him into this spiteful future? It had to be his choice.

The rest of the memories were news to her and came in rapid succession, she felt the distance growing in more than just time could ever explain, they became two separate people over the span of the war as he did unspeakable things under Lord Voldemort’s orders for years before selling out some unknown family, only regret for her being involved instigated his guilt.

Guilt. He wanted to atone for his actions by both asking his master and Dumbledore to protect her. Fix his mistake, but never correct his actions by finally choosing a side. If he’d only come to her himself…

His remorse for her death was genuine, she believed that, but in the way she grieved for her lost friend already. They missed the person the other used to be, she’d long since fallen in love with James and had her son by this point and still Severus kept lying, kept burying his feelings away and letting them fester. The following time in school with Harry had only made him grow more bitter by the day and she still loathed this man that wayward child had become, no matter his secret motive, it was not good enough for traumatizing her own child because of who his father was.

She hoped he could still change, still make the right choice and be her best friend once more like he hadn’t been in so long, even she didn’t know when it had stopped and they’d just been fooling themselves. The following memories that continued in a fast-flash gave her just the smallest smidge of hope, in his secret ways of helping Dumbledore save Draco’s soul from murder, the revelation of what had been buried in Harry’s mind and soul all along, and his double-crossing ways of assisting the Order but allowing such horrible crimes to continue in school never made his motive feel clear even with Harry’s understanding of it all at last.

Her son thought his path forward was clear thanks to an old man who had always been told how clever he was and made a sacrifice of one for the many, and a mucilaginous half-blood who had never given up on anything. Not a failed friendship, not his conniving and lies to get what he wanted, and not a bitter old grudge.

What then, should she choose?

[lovekaikim]

My Ocs after reacting to the news about Winwin (NCT)...

Synopsis: Oh dear...Looks like SM is in deep shit...AGAIN

Iona: THATS BULLSHIT! WHAT THE FUCK SM?! FIRST SEUNGHAN NOW WINWIN!

Eunhyuk: You're walking a THIN LINE SM!

Donghae: *plotting to kill SM in 9248 different ways*

Hongjoong: I swear to god...this is why no one likes your ass.

Yeonjun: *SWEARING IN SPANISH*

Mark: *facepalms* This is stupid...

Jeno: Fuck off *refuses to talk*

Phayu: *dramatic crying* Rain: You are gonna die tonight.

PhayaTharn: WTf

Lucas: Why are you still a company??

Force: I wanna die*drinks a bottle of banana milk*

Avery James: Someone has a death wish...*cocks pistol*

Neo: *disgusted in 12 languages*

Melanie: GOD HELP ME

Chaoren: Kindly fuck off. Before I break someone's neck.

[dxrknessembr8ced]

9:39 A.M. Metro City

Back within the ruins of metro city walking past dead bodies and other dangerous from the road of the dead city is an unknown and extremely dangerous creature that wears a weirdly large reddish brown trench coat and a large hat and the creature appeared to be a preteen roughly the age of thirteen while drenching in blood from her previous meal. Behind the creature what presumed to be a dismembered woman who was pregnant and had her unborn baby ripped right out from her womb eating the baby in the along with gouging out the woman's eyes as she died a grisly and agonizing death. She seem to take great pleasure in watching her prey scream and cry in agony while their life fade away. She grew a sadistic smile around it's grotesque face showing vicious sharp teeth strong enough to bite a man's head off in one clean chop.

The creature walked past 20 TV boxes place in display from a convenience store playing cartoons from the original black and white era which made her stop and stand through the glass watching cartoons through these television boxes displayed. She ignored and blocked out everything around her and just enjoy her break with cartoons. Though she questions herself in her twisted mind that she forgets, then probably though if she had forgotten than its not important, that is until a certain little birdy appeared.....

' CAW ! '

' CAW ! '

" YOOO! PEACOCK!! "

Flying across the city is an infected crow but it isn't a normal. This creature was infected with the T-Erebus virus and somehow the virus gave him not only the human level intelligence but also made him talk. This is Avery, the creature's loyal companion and the only friend she ever has in this den of death and bloodshed.

" WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?! I BEEN LOOKING FOR YOUR ASS FOR A LONG TIME! "

Avery now lands on top of the girl's shoulder turning to the television now showing all sorts of cartoons.

" Oh, of course it's cartoons. "

Peacock shrugs letting out low growls as the creature turns her focus for a few minutes on her companion.

" Get off my ass already... "

" I'll stop getting on your ass if you don't stop getting lost you know I'm suppose to keep watch and here you are watching cartoons! "

" You say it like it's a bad thing... "

The bird sighed facepalming with his wing.

" Ugh crud, whatever you ready to get going and crack some skulls? "

She nodded and pointed at the television where a cartoon rabbit smash someone's head with a sledgehammer.

" Hehe, hell yeah let's paint this town Red... "

Together both the B.O.W. peacock and the talking crow Avery stop watching cartoons through the TVs and returns to traversing through the ruins and doing what they do best, painting the whole city red.

[sunshines-and-rain]

When Sol and Avery Met

[At the student clinic]

Avery: *Just settling in with their book. They know that this student clinic is just a glorified nurse’s office. Might as well use this time to study and get even farther ahead in their classes*

Marina: *runs over and pulls Sol with her* ¡¡Oyé!! Avery!! We need assistance!! We require knowledge from you!!

Avery: *facepalms and then points to the sign that reads “Please keep quiet” with a sticky note that says “Marina, that means EMERGENCIES ONLY.”* Marina, you’re going to get me in trouble again if this isn’t an emergency! Who’s the shorty?

Sol: *in his head* 5’6 is a decent height for guys. But she’s super cute. Maybe she doesn’t know what she’s missing out on. *turns around to “stretch” and flex his muscles for Avery with “D1 Catcher” clearly showing on his letterman’s jacket*

Avery: *clearly unimpressed and they’re kind of on the edge with this show off now. The only other person they know on the baseball team is the person they share shifts with occasionally, but even that person is annoyed with the rest of the team. Judging by Short Stack here, it might be time to deflate egos. Especially if Short Stack is hanging around Marina* Does Short Stack need a brain transplant? Because I’m gonna tell you right now, science hasn’t advanced enough for that.

Sol: *deflates immediately. In his head* I’m definitely feeling that one. Now I’m faced with a challenge: either I can continue to try and win this girl over or I can back off and show how much of a coward I really am. Maybe she’s not really all that worth it? *looks back at her sitting behind the desk.* Even though her voice says she’s a girl, her short haircut, the blues in her hair, her septum piercing, and her figure all say she’s a girl. Looking at her clothes a muscle shirt with nothing underneath and I could’ve sworn I saw cargo pants. Well, whoever she is, she’s definitely nothing like what I grew up with. She’s definitely worth the shot. *out loud while leaning down on the counter* Then I guess I’ll have to go with a heart transplant since a beautiful girl stole mine.

Marina: *before Avery could respond with well-deserved slap to her new Chocolate Labrador Retriever friend, moves Sol back and puts her hands in front of her face* ¡Espérame! Actually I think he might have dyslexia!

Avery: *ever used to Marina putting herself in between and stopped* You know we can’t diagnose him here, right?

Marina: I know! Which is why I sought out the smartest person I know to come up with a plan for him! Who better than my non-binary best friend who goes by they/them pronouns and is definitely not a girl, y si tienes un cerebro puedes mirarle *with each word, the grip on Sol’s wrist got tighter and tighter*

Sol: *wincing from the pain but still trying to prove he can handle it* N-nice to meet you Ah-Avery. Won’t d-d-do it again.

Avery: *relaxed and smiled* As long as she claims you as her friend, you won’t be able to. *went to the computer and typed things out* I’m looking up clinics around the area where they can actually see you. Do you have a primary care physician that you could schedule an appointment with first?

{A/N: I won’t go on with the nitty gritty details of how to get a diagnosis, but this is the start of the MAS trio. Marina, Avery, and Sol. These three became friends and because Avery and Sol are friends with Marina, Sol and Avery hopefully become friends soon. I am learning how to navigate with so many different characters, but it’s nice to know this format is more friendly for my head and I can go with it. I probably should have physical descriptions of them, but yes Sol is a short king who grew up in Catholic school which is why he should come off as ignorant.}

[goofyrpmaniacs]

Alt-Warners: ....*to the audience* We have a lot of work ahead of us...

Alt-Y: *to Avery* Come on! If Sadie is injured it means she won't be able to work right!

Alt-D: Yeah! If you really want better results out of your actors, do them a favor and help them out!

Alt-Y: And what's a few days vacation gonna do?

Alt-W: Yeah it won't kill you!

Av: *facepalms* Uggghhhh....if it will get you to shut up and leave....I'll THINK about it.

[theboywhocriedworf]

DS9, S5E13, For the Uniform

[spockvarietyhour]

[riddles-n-games]

Angles of Jameson Hawthorne

Avery: What's your angle here?

Xander: Hypotenuse.

Jameson: Nah, Xan. She's just being obtuse.

Grayson: Says the guy who's hanging at a 45 degree angle.

Jameson: I don't appreciate you being acute-ing, Gray.

Nash: *facepalms*

[pen-of-roses]

Random thought of the eternal cast going on a roadtrip and Conor going “no we cant go there, i died there. bad memories. We can’t go there either, same reason. Or there.” Gem looking on horrified, Conor “I got better. No we can’t go there either I-”

Avery “you can’t have died everywhere!”

“-got banned from the town.”

Avery facepalms.

[toonytoodles]

Okay @pinksparkle224 I'm gonna keep stealing your characters for these I'm sorry

Incorrect quotes again

-

Clementine: What's wrong?

Avery, saddened: Ah just found out me mum isn't really me mum...

Clementine: Your mom... The fairy?

Avery: Mm-hmm...

Clem, holding back frustration: ... I'm- I'm very sorry, that must have been very hard for you.

-

Emma: Why Toon- why is Toon here

Clem: Toon is here because Toon won't leave

Toon: Well if I wasn't here who would be the funny guy?

[Later]

Toon: Wuh-Oh, looks like someones in trouble! Wuh-Oh, looks like that someone is me!

Emma: Oh my gods shut up

Clem: Yes, that's rather distracting

-

Toon: ... How do I spell my name again?

Pink: It's your name, you figure it out

Toon, as she's writing: T-O-O-N... E... T-O-O... D-L-E-S, yes!

[Pink is incredibly annoyed]

-

Toon: Could I get some burgers, fries, and a milk shake?

Pink: ... This is a library?

Toon, whispering: Could I get some burgers, fries, and a milk shake?

-

Clementine: I never learned to read!

-

Kalvin: Avery, can I talk to you?

Avery: [dramatic gasp] YER NOT ME FATHER?!

[They both laugh]

-

[Audrey exists]

Avery, angrily: Audrey...

-

Rex: Avery is an annoying little shit

Nixie: Rex! Language!

Emma: Yeah well she's my annoying little shit so watch it!

Nixie: Emma!

-

Sam: Well gee golly gosh that really ruffles my feathers

Kim: Sam, please just say fuck

-

[Ruby signs]

Avery: Mm-hmm... Okay... Well then... Huh... I definitely don't speak sign language!

[Ruby facepalms]

-

[Sofia's body falls down the stairs]

Michael: Oh my gods are you okay?!

Sofia, from her room: No, actually, I think I need a lot of help... Like now-ish please

-

Kim: Avery is an annoying little kid, but she's the closest thing I have to a best friend here... God what is my life...

-

Kim: Well if you need me, I'll be in the woods looking for portals to another dimension

-

Gib: How to spell Hawaii?

Andy: Well... You need two eyes...

Gib, slamming his hands on the table: Am I a joke to you Andy?!

-

Clem: Centaurs have six limbs and therefore qualify as insects, what are your thoughts?

[Andy looks distraught]

-

Gib: I've only known sapphire for half a day but if anything bad happens to her I'll kill everyone in Tradeskeep

-

Avery: Well everything I've ever known was a lie and life is pointless, so I'm gonna get a burger and sleep on a bench, see ya later ya farts

Andie: ... Huh. Avery seems sad?

Clem: Yeah ya think?

[the-raven-who-writes]

Medieval Adventures: A Tale of Kingdoms and Knights

Genre: Slice-of-life, Fantasy, Magic, Self-Insert

Trigger Warnings: Bandaging wounds, food mentions and a touch of anxiety

Word Count: 1718

Chapter 6: Would you like a seat?

“He what?!”

I flinch as Lizzy stands up, enraged. (Loud..) Why did I think it was a good idea to tell her about this? Just because she and Avery were awake?

Besides, they asked.

Other than the table lamp in the living room, and the cluster of stars, there wasn’t much light. Three textbooks were laid open on the table, along with a notebook. The digital alarm clock revealed it to be 4:56 a.m. on the 7th of November, 2021.

Lizzy was probably studying for a test or something. She had her hair tied in a bun which was already falling apart. Both she and Avery had zipped up hoodies on their night-wear.

“Sorry.” she apologizes, pausing. She pulls her lips tight. “But how else should I react to the fact that a man who is in charge of leading a whole regiment, is that petty?”

“Oh God, that’s fucked up,” Avery agreed, eyes wide. He stops wrapping my arm with gauze.

Apparently, the cut is big enough to need stitches, but it would heal much quicker thanks to the pendant so they were redundant. I don’t know why he’s awake but oh well. He didn’t even bother tying his hair up, so it’s in his face.

“That bitch.”

He looks at me. “Couldn’t you have been a bit more careful? And keep your guard up, idiot!”

I sigh, pulling my legs up onto the couch, crossing them. “I know, I know. But I didn’t duel someone who hates me before, though. Never.” I admit impatiently.

“Then how am I supposed to know he was gonna pull that ish on me? He cheated!”

Lizzy sits back down at my left. “That’s a common thing that happens in sword-fighting, and you know that.”

I bite my lip and sit still as Avery finishes dressing my wound. It’s on my right arm, and I’m sure as hell not left-handed.

“Done,” he says, with an unsuccessful attempt to push his bangs to the side. “Look, we don’t want you getting hurt alright?”

“I know.”

I stare at the carpeted floor, not knowing what else to say. Or how else to say it. This isn’t even a bad injury, compared to the ones I’ve gotten in the past few years. In INS-U, obviously. So, I’m fine. But I’m not? Argh!

I feel a hand on my back. I know it’s a hand; I can feel the fingers. “What’re you thinking of mate?” Lizzy asked patiently.

I wring my hands. “I’m going to be honest with you two,” I say.

“Yeah?”

“I’m not doing this to prove him I’m better,” I disclose quietly.

“I’m going to do this because I want to prove myself that I’m better. Better than that.”

Avery leaned forward. “Do what, Jo?”

I pause, and look at both of them. They seem concerned – concerned and intrigued. They know I can take care of myself out there, obviously. I’m the Green Raven. I’m a Hero. I can do it. But why is the question.

“I technically still have a chance at becoming a squire.”

—————————————————————————

“But aren’t you have supposed to be trained for your whole life?” Lizzy questioned. “You do know that, right?”

I chuckle, before pulling out another panel. Going to the rules and constitution of Equinox, I change up one with a few simple commands.

“Oohh…” Avery realizes. “You sneaky little girl.”

Lizzy facepalms lightheartedly. “Really? Just because you have the power doesn’t mean you have to use it you know,” she smiles.

“Then what do I have it for, blueberry?”

“Who are you calling blueberry?”

“Does anyone else in this room have blue hair? Or a cute, round face like yours?”

“… You little!”

I poke my tongue out teasingly as her cheeks turn rosy.

“Very funny,” she mumbles, embarrassed.

“Oh boy,” Avery chuckles. “So you are going back?”

“Yep,” I hum matter-of-factly.

“Not because I want to impress the thunderfucker.”

“Thunderfucker?” Avery snorts.

I pull my sleeve down, looking away. “I meant it like, he’s loud as fuck. You know, like the thunder from that storm.” I add with a satisfied smile, “That came out wrong.”

—————————————————————————

“Not to prove him wrong, then?” Lizzy adjusts her glasses.

I roll my eyes, “Maybe just a little. I want to see his jaw drop at my success,” I smirk.

“Oh really?”

“Yes really.”

“After you take a break, dumbass. You’re not going there just yet,” Avery adds, hugging his knees.

I cross my arms in mock offense. Tilting my head up dramatically; I say, “Is this what I get for waking you up?”

“No, it’s because you’re human.”

“Fair enough.”

—————————————————————————

I did not expect it to feel this freezing. As soon as I walk out the portal, I shiver at the icy gust of wind. Yeesh, too cold! I’m behind the apothecary, or whatever it’s called. So no one can see me.

It still amazes me how my breath can turn into mist. My poor lungs…

Things haven’t really changed in the past few seconds here, but then again, what was I supposed to expect?

I take a few brisk steps. But wouldn’t it be weird if I went back right now? Should I go now or risk it by coming back in the evening? They could get suspicious on how fast I got here, and I still don’t have an excuse for the feint.

I pull my cloak tighter. Wait..

I glance at my worn-out, slate-grey hooded cloak. It had round clasps around the neck. But this isn’t mine. And it smells a lot like this place…

I clap my hands. The tavern! How did I forget? It’s where I took the identity of Brenna Cadieux, a troubadour. Although I didn’t mention it in chapter two. Maybe....

—————————————————————————

I step into the Nimble Hawk’s tavern, closing the slightly rusty iron door behind me. Admittedly, there are more people here, and they’re getting started on lunch. There’s plenty more meat than last time.

I completely forgot about my coif at the Hall, so I was freezing my ears off! Which is why I pulled my hood down long back, even though it wasn’t that helpful for them.

Again, everyone was busy with their own things, which is completely okay by my standards. Oh, and looky-looky; the long tables are again occupied by the knightsies! Why’d I say that.. And it feels like there’s more long tables today.

Maybe I could join them….

But I need a meal before that! I luckily didn’t forget to bring more money this time; last time I spent all I had.

I tread on to the barkeeper. Wait, the cloak! I quickly pull it off me, wrapping it around my right arm like a shawl. Hopefully he doesn’t recognize me! I sound one of the stupid, naive protagonists from a bad story.

Mr. Woolf stopped in his tracks when he saw me. Well, shit. He splutters, “Do I know you?”

I stand dumbly. No, make a move dummy!

Clearing my throat, I answer, “No, you don’t.”

He does not look very convinced. Woolf raises an eyebrow. “Jein..” (‘Maaaybe..’ in German)

“What is your name, then?”

I gulp. How the fuck am I gonna tell him that we have the same first name? Ugh, fine; I’ll risk it.

“Jonas Raven. I came to Equinox to become a knight. And yours is?” I answer smoothly. (Or was it? I can’t give myself that credit yet.) After all, I ‘don’t’ know him.

“Jonas Woolf,” he replies, bemused. “Are you sure we haven’t met?”

What do I- Oh! I know!

“You mean you’ve met my cousin, Brenna.”

“Ah, that explains it. You two look very…. alike,” he says.

I chuckle, “Yeah, we get that a lot.” I.. really hope I sold it.

He wipes the spill on his counter with a tablecloth. “So what would you like, squire Raven?”

“Well..”

—————————————————————————

It just hit me like a train.

I was going to be sitting with them for lunch! What was I thinking?! Like, what if they found that stupid and laughed at me? Since I’m a nobody to them? Then they’re gonna tell me to-

“Hey Raven! Where have you-“

I snap my head at the voice before I even realize what was going on. It’s coming from the.. table? The knight with the long penny-brown hair. Sir William?

“-been? The commander said you chickened out!”

They weren’t annoyed. They’re not looking annoyed. More.. neutral. Sir William sounded curious. They’re curious?

I stood very still, processing what just happened.

Jeez, shut up brain! Just ‘cause it happened in real life doesn’t mean it’ll happen here, dumb-dumb. Definitely not. Nope. No.

“Hello?” I answer loudly.

“Yes you!” Dame Kyda called out. “Come here!”

Well. I guess my food will take a while to get ready anyway.

I tread over to the long table by the fire place. The same knights from last time are seated: Schuyler, Sellanddatter, Aurand and Chevalier. There seem to be more knights on the other side of the table. They’re also seeing if I would come or not. Hold the fuck on, knight cliques?! ….. Nah. They aren’t cliques.

I exhale, standing in front of the knights.

“No, I did not give up. I simply had to get my wound treated.”

Sir Jakob smirks. “That’s the spirit, le fiston.” (‘le fiston’ means ‘son’ or sonny’)

“Good then,” Dame Kyda nods.

“Well,” Sir William asks. “What are you doing here?”

“It was cold, I was hungry and the tavern was near-by,” I answer promptly. “What other reason do I need?”

“Ah,” Ser Sequin responded. “Not much else. Clever response. Would you like a seat?”

“I know it…” I blink, realizing. “Wait, what?”

“I said, would you like a seat?”

“A… seat?”

Sellanddatter narrowed her eyes. “What, do you not understand what they’re saying?”

I blink quickly, attempting at a proper answer. “Oh no- I understand- obviously- but um- well… okay.” (Fuck they’re all looking at me weird what do I do)

I quickly seat myself in in the empty chair at the corner of the table to spare myself more embarrassment.

Why- why does it feel so strange to sit with people for lunch? It’s completely normal. I shouldn’t…. act so weird. I wanted to sit with them anyway. I wanted this.

I look down at my legs.

[ottogatto]

Snapetober Day 22 - Collapsed

(Hurt/Comfort incoming. Marauder-era Severus/Harry friendship)

By the time he reached the Great Hall that Thursday morning, Harry knew something was wrong. He was catching people whispering and laughing under their beards—Gryffindors, mostly. He felt strangely alone at lunch. Sure, he hadn’t talked to Snape since that day, and he knew that the Slytherin was avoiding him in favour of his “groups” of Voldemort sympathizers that were supposed to protect him at all times in the corridors. And yet something felt off. As if he was missing something. As if a great mistake was being made. So he ate the baklavas in his plate with half a mind, settling for a try to talk with Severus today. Or just see him.

For now, Harry wanted to become an Auror, and hadn’t they said that you had to trust your instincts, like a spy would do? So he wolfed down the rest of his meal, slightly unnerved to see Evan, Mulciber and Avery at the table staring at him intensely. He thought he caught Evan’s jaw untightening, as though about to speak but deciding against it in the end. Harry walked faster. He caught sight of Lily, Alice and Mary at the Gryffindor table. It was at the door of the Great Hall that he stopped and looked back. The girls were laughing as Remus talked to them, a sweet smile on the lips, and there was a reason Harry felt like he was interacting with Lily the most, having sat just in front of her. Where were the other Marauders…?

He was going to find Severus now.

Harry was half-running the corridors, lost as he tried to remember what to do in these situations. How to find Severus quickly, was there a spell for it? He didn’t have the Marauder’s Map this time. What about asking people if they’d seen Severus? No, of course they’d deny it.

“The Tracking Spell!” he exclaimed with a facepalm.

The wand pointed upwards, and Harry’s brain was screaming ‘Where is he, where is he?!’ as he bolted up the stairs, trying to guess where the wand was indicating. It was mostly pointing to walls for now. Until Harry reached the sixth floor. There was a faint noise indeed, coming from a corridor on the left. His instincts told him to remain quiet, making sure his breathing and footsteps weren’t heard. There was laughing and shouting behind a certain wooden door.

As he opened it, the little part of his brain that remained functional was thanking his gut feelings profusely.

He stared, limbs frozen in shock, barely registering the taunts and insults, the laughs and the violent shoves and pulls on the struggling boy forced to kneel—but then, an all-consuming rage burned in the pit of his stomach until it was two seconds from erupting, letting lose a beast that had grown since he’d arrived in that godforsaken world. The House of Slytherin had taught him well however. There were three enemies against him in this room, all compentent, and he was alone.

Then again, they may be the Marauders... he was the Boy-Who-Lived Twice.

His wand was jerked out from the arm-holster, caught in Harry’s palm, and pointed at the form of Sirius Black.

‘Petrificus Totalus,’ Harry thought with all his might.

Before the Gryffindor had even hit the floor, Harry was pointing his wand at his father.

‘Levicorpus!’

The shouts of James Potter were forming a weird white noise in the background of his mind. He knew he had taunted again though, because when he pulled Severus’s head out of the toilet bowl, Severus was yelling in a hysterical voice.

"I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP!"

Before the Gryffindor could think of casting spells from above their heads, Harry used Expelliarmus, levitated him above the toilet bowl, before freeing him and letting his head fall head first. The water was charmed with a Duro for good measure. And Potter’s head was caked inside, unable, despite his struggles, to get out of it.

'No of course you don’t need help,' Harry thought scathingly. 'It’s not as if your head had been forced down a toilet’s bowl just then.'

He was filled with cold fury and the spells came naturally to him. He extended his arm and opened his palm towards the wall at his side, not even looking. 

"Accio Cloak."

He caught the Invisibility Cloak that flew out of Peter’s reach. Harry swiftly silenced him with a Stunning Spell that was so vicious it knocked him out. The rat had his turn for a Petrification Spell. Then the two immobilized boys were set in the same cabinet as Potter. Muffliato ensured to silence them all from being heard by the other boys for the following hours. Confundo would alter the Gryffindors’ recalling of events, if they ever tried to get McGonagall on their side to retaliate. Colloportus and a Notice-Me-Not on the door of the cabinet, and they were trapped.

Harry couldn’t recall the last time he’d gotten so vindictive.

Severus was coughing his lungs out and spitting the foul water on the floor of the bathroom. And when he settled for panting, Harry moved.

"DON’T TOUCH ME—!"

Harry had caught the back of his collar, pulled up, and barely waited for Severus to stand on his two feet before he thrusted him out of the toilets. He locked the door, re-opened it, called the wands at him, caught the three and locked the door again but with a strong "Coloportus!" Then he didn’t even let Severus begin protesting before he took his arm and led him away with a step that tolerated no objection. 

As Harry dragged the mortified Slytherin down the corridor, he felt like Professor Snape. He was digging his fingers in the young man’s flesh, but really it was himself he was most angry with. He was fuming. Quick, change direction before he tries to get free of Harry’s grip—flip the tapestry over their heads, say "Cheddar" and hide inside the walls of the castle, where for the time being the other Gryffindors wouldn’t be able to find them. The Marauder’s Map wouldn’t be made until mid to far fifth year. For now, they were safe. 

The corridor was filled with Lumos and his noisy breathing, though it was nothing compared to the trembling boy who, collapsed on the floor, was starting to hiccup uncontrollably for some reason.

"WHY DID YOU DO THIS?! WHY—" 

Severus’s throat could not bear this any longer and it devolved into a violent coughing pit. 

It was when Harry heard the second heave that he kneeled beside him, dropped his wand, and gathered his long damp hair behind his head so Severus could vomit without discomfort. He kept brushing and smoothing the black strands as the young man curled on himself, encircling a visibly hurting stomach with his bony arms. If it wasn’t for the hair Harry wouldn’t have known where to set his hands for comfort. In a sense, comforting Severus was the same as doing it for himself. 

When it became evident that the boy wasn’t shaking from the stomach tremors alone, but rather shock, Harry straightened his back and pulled Russ’ shoulder so the soaked head rested against his chest. He brushed the soiled hair as he let Severus dampen his shirt. Harry was shivering himself. 

He felt very cold. Everywhere. 

Time passed, thick, dark, silent in this hidden corridor inside the stone walls. Harry was sure the afternoon classes had long begun. Who cared though?

His knees were hurting by the time they both stopped shivering beyond reasonable. 

They kept close together, still.

And then, Severus was speaking in the littlest voice Harry had ever heard. 

"I... I don’t know why I cried... I don’t do that usually..."

"That might be because usually you don’t have somebody here for you after this."

"Yes there is. There’s Lily..."

He stopped talking, but even he must have seen it. The way Lily, despite all of her pretence, was half-flirting with James every time 'Snivellus' was getting roughened up for her. 

It was not much the problem of James fancying Lily. It was how she fancied him back. 

Harry’s stomach rolled in disgust, and for a moment he wondered if he too would puke on the floor. 

"Now there’s me. That’s the difference, I reckon."

Severus stiffened.

“There are… them.”

“Them?” Harry bit back. “Your so-called friends? Do you know where they were?”

He remained silent.

“I saw them in the Great Hall. They were doing nice on their own. Never once appeared concerned about you. More competent to protect you than me, you said? And where did that lead you? Can you tell?”

Still, he remained silent.

“So… Would you…” Harry murmured. “Would you please stop being a stupid git, and let me do this? Help you? You don’t have to understand why. Just—“

Severus nodded against his chest, grasping Harry’s robes with long, curling fingers. Harry sighed. They stood of shaking legs, wiping themselves dry. At long last Russ dared looking up, eyes glittering with relief under the exhaustion of his face.

Together they left the secret passage filled with the rancid smell of dry vomit; stepped out in corridors empty of students, and yet full of light.

[whatever-it-takes3000]

Natasha: New year, new me!

Steve: That’s the spirt!

Natasha: *burns off fingerprints*

Steve: Nat, what are you doing?

Natasha: There is no Nat here. I am a new me. You shall now know me as Avery McGregor of Luxembourg.

Steve: *facepalm*