#birdies one shot

[kalolasfantasyworld]

The late hours 🦅

One shot for 5000 hits. It's not too long, but I hope you enjoy.

Summary:

Nozel is working late, so little Heinry decides to come see him.

Yes, there is an illustration 🩵

Type: One shot

Word count: 709

Ao3 link

Nozel was working late. He did not know how late it was, just that he was sitting in the library for much longer than he had planned. He promised that he would fill out these few documents and then join his wife and sons for a bedtime story. Yet the paper work seemed never ending and the deadline was incoming. 

He sighed and brought his attention to the document ahead of him. Nozel was so focused that he did not hear the screeching of the library door and bouncy footsteps that followed. He was only pulled out of his work, when he felt a tug on his tunic.

“Papa?” Big lilac eyes were looking up at him and a little hand was gripping on to his leg. The little boy looked almost like Nozel’s copy, maybe a shape of his eyebrows was slightly different. However the emotions, that he would show with his body language were certainly Helena’s trait. At that moment he could see that Heinry was tired and a little upset. “When will you finish working?”

“I…” Nozel paused and he felt a needle of guilt pinch his heart. “I’m sorry hijo. I lost track of time.”

Heinry nodded slowly with a pout on his face. 

“Noureen and mama fell asleep,” he said. “We were waiting, but they were too tired. So now I decided to come and get you.”

“You were waiting?” Nozel asked, but it felt more like an empty question to no one. “Of course you were,” he sighed.

Nozel shot a glance at the document, before letting his gaze drift to his son. Paper work could wait for the next morning. He stood up and gently ruffled Heinry’s hair.

“Let’s go to bed hijo,” he announced. 

Heinry immediately perked up. Nozel did not even notice when the little fingers wrapped around his. They made they way out of the library, but suddenly Heinry stopped. 

“Papa, I’m tired,” he complained.

“That’s why you’re going to sleep,” Nozel stated flatly.

“I don’t have the energy to walk…”

“Am I supposed to carry you?” Nozel raised his brow.

“YES!” Heinry jumped up, suddenly forgetting about the lack of said energy. “A piggyback ride!”

Now Nozel had no choice, but to oblige. He owed his son that much for making him wait. He picked Heinry up and positioned him on top of his shoulders, while making sure that he was tightly holding on to his legs. His son had a tendency to wiggle around and Helena would probably prefer not to be woken up in order to treat a concussion. 

“Woah!” Heinry exclaimed. “I’m so tall papa!” He gripped on Nozel’s hair.

‘I’ll be bald in no time,’ Nozel sighed, but he could not stop the soft smile appearing on his face.

They made their way up a flight of stairs. Heinry pointed with his palm towards the door to the master bedroom. However when he was brining them back he nearly stuck his finger into Nozel’s eyes. 

“Heinry watch out,” he told his son, who listened sheepishly grabbing Nozel’s hair again.

‘Bald and blind… perfect combo,’ Nozel chuckled softly. 

They approached the door. 

“Hold on now,” Heinry listened gripping on tightly. 

Quietly Nozel pulled on the handle, letting himself inside. He stopped in his tracks upon entering, his hands once again on Heinry’s legs. Nozel’s breath hitched. 

On the bed Helena and Noureen were lying curled up together. Their brown hair spread on the soft pillows. Relaxed expressions on their faces. However he could see that they were not wearing their pyjamas. They waited…

He slowly approached them letting Heinry down on the covers. Then Nozel slowly climbed on himself. His son watched him carefully as Nozel gently brushed Noureen’s hair, before moving closer to his wife.

“Helena,” he whispered, but she did not wake up. 

She needed a stronger nudge. 

“Nozel…” she yawned when her dark eyes finally blinked open. “Did you finish your work?”

“I’ll finish tomorrow,” he stated. 

“Are you sure?” She asked worriedly. “You said that it’s important.”

“Not more important than the three of you,” he smiled softly. 

“Such a charmer mi amor,” Helena chuckled. “Who taught you that?”

Nozel rolled his eyes affectionately. 

“Let’s get them to bed,” he announced.

[birdiewriteslit]

can i request family skate w jack hughes for the celebration pls!!

“family skate”

jack hughes x f!reader

birdie’s 300 celly

ik i already made a post about jack and his gf but i think the family skate hard launch is the sweetest thing ever so here’s this for y’all!

When Jack asked you to come to family skate, you nearly melted into a puddle on the floor. You’d been dating him for about four months now, and he had made it clear how he felt about you, but the invitation warmed your heart nonetheless.

He’d kept you out of the public eye since the start of your relationship, and while you liked keeping things private, you also loved the fact that he wanted everyone to know you were his.

You knew the media had always been present when it came to Jack, especially the many fans who had a crush on him (who you admit you were a little scared of at times), so the world finding out about you was inevitable. Jack wanted to do it his way.

“Is everybody looking at me?” you whispered nervously to Jack as you skated beside him, your hand in his. Thank god he taught you how to skate on one of your first dates, because this would feel much more embarrassing if he didn’t.

“Of course they are, you’re a knockout,” Jack said, nudging you with his shoulder and grinning down at you.

You rolled your eyes but you couldn’t fight the smile that made its way across your face. “You know what I mean.”

“All I’m gonna say is, don’t be surprised if you see yourself in a TikTok later,” Jack said, nodding toward the social media person skating around the rink.

“I’m anticipating a few. I think your fans might be a bit disappointed when they find out about me,” you admitted, half joking, half serious.

Jack shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what they think, because none of them compare to you,” he said earnestly, giving your hand a squeeze.

You craned your neck to see a tiny smile form on his face, and you weren’t sure if the red in his cheeks was a blush or just from the cold. “You’re too sweet to me,” you professed.

“I don’t know,” he pondered. “I think I could be sweeter.”

“I’m not so sure, but I think you should keep trying,” you proposed.

He abruptly stopped skating, making you almost lose your balance. He was quick to press his free hand to your arm to steady you. He then leaned down to kiss you softly on the mouth.

“How’s that?” he asked, pulling away.

You smiled so wide that it hurt your cheeks. “Perfect.”

[danwhobrowses]

You know, as much as I would've loved a massive catharsis-led triumph over Athion Zathuda in battle, possibly left at the mercy of the vibrant flames of Fearne's Titan form reiterating herself with aplomb as Fearne Calloway, I actually kinda love how the narrative chose to defeat him. In many ways it is just hilarious, but also ironically in-character. Man talked all about wanting to prove himself, had a grandiose title of 'Sorrowlord' and was looking to be both a physical and mental adversary after threatening to torment Fearne into becoming Exaltant by targeting her loved ones. But then when he is pit against Bells Hells he barely does a thing; he tries to talk his way into turning Fearne again, gets jumpscared by Ira, the 'farm girl' he mocked to Fearne commandeers his dragon, he loses a leg and is thrown off his dragon, and the Hells even opt to keep him alive for some reason in 107 before kinda accidentally offing him in 108.

He thought he was the shit, but enemies of true threat like Ludinus, Otohan and Liliana (a threat before she was turned) looked down on him, and thus his attempts to prove them wrong - while also falling into the same trap as Ashton's father in seeking out a personal destiny and being willing to see their child as a tool to do it - bore no fruit at all, he was practically an afterthought through and through, his dragon really being his entire threat level. In the end, he got killed running (well, hobbling) away, and while Gloamglut's keening was a little sad in a way that a pet cannot fathom the moral complexity of having to kill their owner he still had it coming, plus following his eternal torture in the Tiki Bar of Ligament Manor, the last sorrow he wrought was his own; he achieved nothing, everything he hints he did to get to his position was for naught, and for all the fear and danger he tried to make himself possess he truly had no power over anyone, especially not Fearne - who can only pity him and, as further proof of being better than he ever was, hope that he takes the time to reflect on his sorrows.

[robo-dino-puppy]

the sunhawk, and sunwing

↓ wider version bc i couldn't decide:

i didn't really like the composition here (unbalanced and why? is the roof not straight???) but it gives more perspective on size of sunwing vs. lodge

[birdietrait]

just his ear….ugh

[seenoversundown]

End of Summer Blurb ; Sam & Willa ✧˚

Days like today are ones I cherish the most. Birdie has a show on the tv that I can’t quite recall the entire plot of. I nod my head along occasionally or laugh when she laughs. Her laugh. She throws her head back like a little kid every time she laughs hard. Clutching her stomach, as her fit goes on her laugh starts to go silent. Mouth wide open no sound coming out until she’s gasping in deep breaths and blinking rapidly to clear the happy tears from her eyes. Nearly sending me into my own at the sight of her. She calms herself down with a few deep breaths, her little “ahhs” as she relaxes out of it. That is until I give her a cheeky side eye and she’s right back at it again. 

At the rate she’s going, her dinner is going to get cold. Once the summer starts to wind down it takes the warmer weather with it prompting Birdie to request ramen to ‘warm me bones’ as she put it. You can’t take her word for it though because she’s always cold, but I obliged conveniently side stepping the joke I could make about her borrowing  Jake’s pirate accent. She might spend too much time at the bar when I’m away. But far be it from me to keep her from happiness in the form of asian cuisine. I could never rob her of such joy. 

“If you keep cracking up your noodles will get cold.” I point my chopsticks at her bowl. 

She resets her position and picks up her fork, never having been able to get the hang of using chopsticks no matter how many times I try to show her. 

“I could make it 5 second without laughing if you would stop looking at me like that.” she jests. 

“You callin me funny lookin?” quirking my eyebrow up at her and giving her another side glance. 

She gasps, resting a palm against her chest. “I would never, Samuel. You’re the most handsome man to ever handsome. No one in their right mind would ever call you funny looking.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, alright. Flattery won’t get you very far, little bird.” a smile starting to spread across my lips. “Eat your food, then we cuddle.”

Her eyes get wide and she picks up her bowl, the use of the magic word ‘cuddle’ leading her to comedically attempt to shovel the rest of her noodles in her mouth.

“That excited to cuddle and finish the show huh? Miss me that much?” I joke. 

“Sammy” she mumbles around a full bite. “I haven’t seen you in a week and a half.” She swallows. “I didn’t even wanna leave bed this morning, I just wanted to stay in bed and cuddle you forever.” 

Her words are a small punch to the gut. Our jobs make it hard for us to see each other consistently. One of us is usually gone on a trip, the other stays home and watches Penny so she’s not alone. We facetime as much as we can to try and keep the connection, both of us agreeing the second you start to get lazy and stop putting effort in the farther apart you grow. The thought of us losing our connection, of losing her, is enough for me to take extra measures to ensure that never happens. 

“Okay I’m done.” She says, saving me from internally spiraling down a path of delusional relationship destruction. “Cuddle time, Kiszka. Let’s go.” The smile on her face and the softness of her eyes helps bring me back to reality. Back to her. 

We pick up the remainder of our dinner and stash away the trays. I sit back down on the couch until I see her wandering around in circles looking confused. 

“.. you okay?” I question, my brows knitting together. 

“Can’t find the good blanket.”  A frown starting to play across her lips.

“OH!” my voice reaching an octave louder. I jump off the couch and hustle off to the back room. I turn off the dryer and grab the blanket from inside. No doubt the closing of the door caused her ears to perk up from the other room. 

When I round the corner back to the living room I say, “Little miss always cold needs a roasty toasty blanket to keep her warm. Comere.”

I sit back down on the couch and open my arm for her to settle into and she helps me spread the blanket across the two of us. She pulls it up to her chin and rests her head against my chest spreading her feet out over the remainder of the couch.

Her whole body shudders, “Oh yeah. Mhm, that’s the stuff.”

I let out a chuckle and place a kiss on her forehead. “Glad you approve” 

She starts to relax with each breath. Like clockwork I know she’ll fall asleep soon, and she’ll mumble and grumble as I direct us back to bed. In the morning I’ll gently roast her for it and she’ll blame it all on me because ‘You’re too comfortable Sammy. How am I supposed to stay away when you’re so cozy?’ These are the little things I miss when we’re apart. 

“I love you, Sammy,” she hums out our nightly routine. 

“I love you too, Bird”

“Promise?” 

“Promise, promise.” 

Yeah, days like today are the ones I cherish the most. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

You guys all earned a slightly longer blurb of Sam & Bird, I've missed them too. 🥹💕

Sparrow Of The Dawn Masterpost | Playlist

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[leclercskiesahead]

“Try to hit a decent one Carlos please”

He’s just out in the grass talking to himself 😂😂

via Grant Horvat Golf

[kalolasart]

Princessa Natalia Silva

Illustration for The swan Birdies one shot.

[birdie-writ3s]

Hiking with You

Prompt: Fluff Jade x Prefect/Reader - What it feels like to go hiking together with Jade Leech.

Author’s Note: Hi Birb here again! This will be my second work here on Tumblr, this time, it will be a short fluff jade one-shot <3 This is a special gift for my Jade lover friend <3 Have a nice day/night darlings/fledglings~!

CW: None

Word Count: 927

“So are you ready (name)?” Jade asked the reader as they locked the front door of their dorm.

“Ready as I'll ever be! This will be the first time I will get to hike with someone here in Twisted Wonderland! Thank you so much for inviting me here today Jade”, The prefect smiled as they fetched all their belongings and soon they embarked on their journey towards Mount Olympus. 

After an hour of traversing the rocky road of Mount Olympus, Jade saw a peculiar mushroom that was growing beside a tree's bark.

"(Name) look! What a marvellous-looking mushroom!" Jade said as he took out his camera to take pictures of the glowing mushroom.

The prefect looked at Jade, wondering how such a man switched from being intimidating to being cute in a split second. Perhaps this is just Jade’s hidden charm. Something that not every NRC student has a chance to know, and the student body never even tried to look deeper past his normally composed and calm self.

In all honesty, the Prefect was still a bit cautious of Jade given the circumstances that they were in just a few months ago when his housewarden, Azul Ashengrotto, overblotted.

This hiking trip definitely helped the prefect understand and get to know Jade a little bit better. He has always been an enigma to them. And now, given this perfect moment, they were surprised to see his jolly and energetic side. It is honestly adorable and refreshing to see such a tall man gush over peculiar mushrooms and plants in the vast terrain of Mount Olympus.

The two spent the whole day in Mount Olympus observing different types of plants and animals that inhabited the mountain. During those eight long hours of hiking, they talked to each other as if they were longtime friends. Having just the two of them helped ease the atmosphere between them. No responsibilities, no siblings, no friends—just the prefect and Jade enjoying hiking together.

It did not take too long before they settled on a clear path to eat snacks and rest for a little bit before continuing their hiking trip.

“How is your first experience of hiking (name)?” , Jade asked as they sat on a tree log to eat their packed snacks.

“It was great! It is definitely my first time having a chance to explore the mountains here in Twisted Wonderland, this is truly a wonderland.” the Prefect replied while munching on their tuna sandwich. 

“That was good to hear, you know…I’ve been observing you for a few months (name), I want to invite you to a hiking trip for my club’s monthly activities but I was too … how do I put this..ugh..-!!” Jade suddenly stopped talking as he became flustered. 

"Hahahaha! Come on, Jade-san, why did you hesitate? You know that I don’t bite, right? It is the first time I saw you this flustered!", the Prefect winked as they softly put their hands on their lips to stop them from chuckling. Jade is definitely more than meets the eye.

"(Name)..." Jade could not bring himself to say anything as he continued to look at their smiling faces, his blush 

"(Name)... Do you know that whenever I'm around you, my heart skips a beat? I can't help but smile and feel butterflies in my stomach. I think... that I might be falling in love with you,", Jade thought, as he was not able to compose himself to say it personally to the prefect.

"I swear to the Great Seven that one day... I will finally muster the courage to confess my feelings to them", Jade swore to himself that day. For now, he was perfectly fine staying as friends and a senior to the Prefect.

After eating their snacks, the two started their trek towards the highest peak of Mount Olympus. They exchanged jokes and even told stories from their past. Since this is the first time the Prefect went hiking, they stopped occasionally for little rests. Jade was truly a commendable and dependable young man. He was always ready to help his crush while they struggled to ascend some of the mountain's slopes.

As they reached the highest peak of Mount Olympus, they were just in time for the sunset. It was a truly magnificent sight for both the moray eel and the prefect. 

“To witness this stunning sunset from the mountain’s peak with you (Name) is such an unforgettable memory.”, Jade uttered as he looked at their surroundings. 

"It's a moment of pure natural beauty as the sun sets behind the faraway hills and illuminates the scene.”, Jade remarked as he looked at the Prefect.

"Wow Jade-san! I never knew you were poetic and really liked sunsets, huh? Well, I totally agree that this is such a magnificent view", the Prefect replied, not knowing that Jade was referring to the unadulterated beauty that comes with the view. Perfectly capturing the natural beauty of the prefect, she gave Jade a perfect view of their luscious hair and genuine smile.

The prefect did not hesitate to bring out their ghost camera to capture this special moment.

“Jade-san! Come let’s take a picture together to commemorate this special moment!”, the Prefect said as they took Jade’s hand to make them closer as they tried to take a good angle of their faces and the sunset.

Jade softly looked towards their hand as he softly whispered,

“Hopefully soon we can continue adventuring in love forevermore, together we'll climb our life's peaks and valleys, just like the mushrooms that are boundless”

[babydin]

ONE FOR SORROW: FOUR

When Joel Miller loses his wife tragically, he is thrust into the role of father and mother violently and without warning. He doesn’t think he will ever sleep again, never mind love again, until he meets Birdie Mae and she’s exactly the voice his guitar has been longing for. A second marriage and eight happy years and tragedy strikes again with the sudden death of his little girl, and Joel once again finds himself plagued with guilt and night terrors. When a package comes in the mail addressed to Joel, containing a carefully wrapped, meticulously preserved raven's skull. With a wife who is a collector of the weird and the macabre, this might not seem unusual except on this occasion Birdie has no memory of ordering such an oddity. With the skull in the house, Joel’s nightmares intensify and he starts to experience unexplainable events. Is it all in his head due to lack of sleep, or is there something more sinister at play?

PREVIOUS PARTS: Characters | ONE: COFFIN NAIL | TWO: EYE FOR AN EYE | THREE: I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN WORD COUNT: 2,838

Joel was perplexed by the mysterious object in front of him. He had no clue as to its origin, purpose, or who had sent it. It simply sat there, and staring at him. He couldn't help but chuckle as he recalled the famous poem about a similar bird, and wondered if his recent dreams were a sign that he was fated to suffer the same fate.

ADDITIONAL CHAPTER WARNINGS: Handjob (Male receiving), frottage, breast/nipple play A/N: The chapter numbering is screwed because I went back and added all my character aesthetics/blurbs as chapter one because of the confusion between Puck and actual Tess. And I thought it might help for those who have good imaginations. FOUR: AND NOTHING MORE | READ ON AO3

[birrdies]

An excerpt from a bigger piece based on "Never Love an Anchor" by the Crane Wives

(On some level, I think I always understood)

It’s hard to let Scar die, the first time. 

Maybe he’s distracted. Maybe this whole thing has been one giant distraction— the game, the desert, Scar. Grian feels like he’s missing something. Something vital. A lung, a wing. A time? 

He thinks there was something before this, but he can’t quite grasp it. There’s a glimpse of it in the corner of his eye, but it slips away from him like a shadow when he turns his head. Where Grian thinks there should be memories of before, there’s only Scar. 

Maybe this is why Scar has to die. Because Grian had been too distracted, too confused to get rid of him properly. Before they ended up like this: Scar kneeling in the pond, bearing Grian’s blade on his shoulder with a smile like he’s grateful for the weight. 

“For everything you did to keep me alive, you may slay me and take the enchanter.” 

Grian should’ve kept his promises. Once I lose my green life, I’m gone. It would’ve been easier that way, before Grian got attached. Before Scar brought red poppies and lilacs to Grian’s door. Before climbing to the top of the desert mountain felt more like a death march than it did any sort of victory. Being the last two standing meant nothing when there only could be one. 

Can we still be friends?

A fight. The spectators demand it. Something else demands it too— bigger than the spectators but small enough to fit somewhere inside Grian. It’s always been there, whatever that piece of rot is. It led the Creeper to Scar’s feet, taking his first life. It planted explosives and lightened the excitable match in Grian’s fingers. And now, it wants blood.  But Grian doesn’t. He’s irrevocably human and it hurts. It hurts because when Grian throws a punch, Scar lets it land and purposefully trips in the sand. Because under that desert sun, Scar’s blood on his knuckles, Grian feels like a part of himself has died as well. (That a ship could never truly love an anchor).

[kalolasfantasyworld]

The bedtime story 🦅

Promised birdies one shot 💕 Honestly this is the cutest one so far.

Summary:

Just a fluffy evening at the Silva estate, during which the birdies are listening to a bedtime story.

Yes, there is an illustration 🩵

Type: One shot

Word count: 3736

It was supposed be short... but you know I can't write short stuff anymore. (I have no idea how literally reading of a story turned into 3736 words... There's nothing more there)

Author's note:

The bedtime story is @lyranova's YuNeva Mermaid AU, so all the snippet's were written and provided by Lyra. 💕

Ao3 link

The doors to the master bedroom at the Silva Estate opened very suddenly. Heinry dressed in his blue silky pyjamas, ran inside laughing and he was closely followed by little Natalia in her own lilac set. She was screeching and following her brother. They took a sharp turn towards the bed and Heinry propelled himself forwards only to land on the soft blue covers. He then helped Natalia get on as well, because the four year old was still a little clumsy. 

However they did not have a lot of time until their mama dashed into the room and stopped in front of the bed. Her dark chocolate hair fluttered and a bright smile adored her face.

“You really think that you can hide on a boat?” She exclaimed to her children. 

Natalia giggled and Heinry stood up on the covers. 

“Sea monsters can’t get on the boat!” He replied. 

“Mama sea monster!” Natalia added and jumped up. 

“Oh really?” Helena flipped her hair. “Do you know what sea monsters can do?” She quirked her brow. “They can wreck the boat and then tickle the passengers!” 

She quickly joined two of her kids on the bed, Heinry tried to shield Natalia, but he became the victim to the first wave of tickles, so his little hermanita tried to help him. Somehow they were both failing. 

“Noureeeeen!” Heinry managed to shout between the laughs. “SOS!”

The brown haired boy ran inside the room at that exact moment. 

“The sea monster got us!” Natalia screeched. “Hermanooooo!”

So Noureen had no choice but to join his siblings in the struggle. Only a flash of his pale red pajamas was visible and he jumped on the bed. Somehow the three of them managed to pin Helena down, or maybe she let them… Natalia was proudly lying on her mother’s stomach, while the boys were making sure she would not move. 

“Mi amor!” Helena exclaimed. “Will you save the sea monster?”

Nozel walked inside the room. He closed the door behind him, before turning to face his family. He crossed his arms over his chest and raised his brows trying to look disapproving, but only trying because the soft smile on his lips was giving him away. His silver hair messily fell over his forehead and the parts which were usually pushed back and up stuck out in many directions. Long bags covered his nose and bits of his lilac eyes. Blue, silk pajamas softly crumpled. He took off his slippers and on his feet was obviously a pair of fluffy socks. Helena had stopped pondering years ago why he kept on wearing sandals outside, while at home he could just not wait for his feet to be warm.

“NO papa!” Heinry shouted. “We won fair and square, if you become a sea monster as well we’ll be at disadvantage.”

“Papa and I would win the war then,” Helena laughed. 

“Only because you’re bigger,” Natalia was not letting Helena move as she continued to press on her belly. 

“You’ve won hijos,” Nozel stated flatly. 

“And I was once again abandoned by you,” Helena pretended to sob and earned herself a deadpan from her husband. She could not contain a chuckle.

“It’s late,” he said, “and we promised you a story. If you want to hear the whole thing we should start now,” he glanced at them. “Get off mama.”

The birdies listened quite excited about the idea of hearing a story. Heinry had a wide smile on his face. Natalia’s dark eyes were shining like little stars, while Noureen was blinking curiously. Helena managed to sit up as they let her go. 

Nozel on the other hand slowly approached his desk. Next to neatly folded paper work there was a little pile of story books. They had found their way to that spot some time ago and since the story nights became quite a frequent occurrence, he did not feel the need to put them back to the library. He picked up the first tome. 

“What are we reading?” He asked. 

“Magic wars!” Heinry shouted. 

“What about Pirates of Spade Kingdom?” Noureen inquired. 

Nozel nodded and as he was about to grab the chosen story, Natalia looked up. Her deep dark eyes were like a puppy’s. 

“Papa,” she pouted,”but it’s my turn to choose a story.”

Nozel narrowed his eyes. She was right, the last two times the boys got what they wanted. He nodded and noticed Helena gently stroke their daughter’s hair. 

“It is hija,” Helena said. “What story do you want to hear?”

“Hmmm. Since you were a sea monster, then what about…” Natalia furrowed her silver brows adorably, but then her features brightened. “The little mermaid!” She announced. 

“Whaaaaat?” Heinry made a grimace. 

“But that’s for girls,” Noureen rolled his eyes. 

“I am a girl,” she huffed annoyed and crossed her little arms over her chest. The movement was very Nozel like and Helena could not help the warm feeling bubbling inside her chest. 

Nozel nodded once again, slowly blinking. He picked up another book and made his way to the bed. Noureen moved to the side to make space for him, so that his father could comfortably lean his back against the headrest. Helena also moved up on the bed and sat next to him. Between them there was a little space, so Natalia tried to wiggle her way in there, Nozel picked her up and placed on his lap. Noureen sat on Helena’s right side and Heinry lied down on his belly looking up at everyone. 

Nozel opened the book and cleared his throat. However before he started reading Natalia softly pulled on his shirt. 

“Papa?” she asked. “Can mama read again?”

Helena snorted and quickly tried to hide it, covering her mouth with her palm. 

“You don’t want me to read?” he asked, blinking confused. 

“Papa you sound like our governess,” Noureen pointed out.

“One of the most important events in the history of Clover…” Heinry started talking in a very flat and monotone voice, before making a snoring voice. 

Nozel just parted his mouth, offended. His children were brutally honest. 

“Okay hijos,” Helena chuckled. “Leave papa alone, or you’ll make him sad and there won’t be a story then.”

“There won’t?” Natalia squeaked. 

“There won’t be,” Helena confirmed. “Because I would need to spend the whole evening cuddling papa, instead of reading.”

“Me disculpo papa,” Noureen looked down.

“Sorry,” Heinry added. 

Nozel just passed the book to Helena, who smiled upon receiving it. Natalia used that moment and tucked herself closer to his chest.

Helena flipped the first page and then looked at each one of her children with a mischievous glint in her eyes. 

“Are you ready to hear the STORY of the little mermaid Neva and prince Yuno?”

“YES!” Natalia squeaked.

“I still think that’s for girls…” Noureen sighed. 

Helena just gazed at her son fondly, before continuing. 

“Today was a very special day in the underwater kingdom of Atlantica; it was the king’s birthday. Everyone in the kingdom was celebrating, and it wasn’t just the merpeople, but the sea creatures as well! But out of all the festivities…”

***

“He watched as Neva’s long platinum blonde hair, which was kept in a loose braid at all times, swayed back and forth with the current. Her amethyst colored eyes that stated at the water’s surface shone with longing and wonderment. Her tail and fins, which transitioned from a lavender color to an amethyst one the further down it went, swayed calmly in the water and when the sunlight from above hit her scales just right they sparkled like thousands of diamonds,” Helena prolonged the last word.

“Neva is really pretty,” Heinry pointed out. 

“I have silver hair. It’s not platinum blonde…” Natalia brushed through the strands and her nose adorably crinkled, “but maybe I could dress up as mermaid Neva for halloween.”

“But you don’t have amethyst eyes,” Noureen said. 

“Hmmm,” Natalia pouted.

Nozel softly stroke her hair.

“You can still dress up as mermaid Neva,” he said. “Now let mama continue.”

Helena glanced at each one of her kids with a smile, before once again picking up the book.

“I heard that there was a ship coming by today, Neva explained softly.”

***

“She saved prince Yuno!” Heinry shouted.

“And she woke him up by singing,” Noureen added.

“Neva is sooo cool,” Natalia said.

***

“If I didn’t have these legs, I probably would have been caught by this animal. Legs really are convenient! Neva thought with a small smile. As she looked at the animal, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking how cute it was! It had long, golden hair and green eyes that stared at her with a perplexed look. But as Neva looked at it more, she noticed the dog looked very familiar…and after a moment she gasped,” Helena gasped as well and made a dramatic pause. 

Currently a pair of deep brown eyes and three lilac ones were piercing straight through her. Nozel and their children all had the same perceptive gaze. The room was silent and everyone held their breath. 

“This animal belonged to-!” Helena paused again, much to her loved ones dismay. She chuckled looking at all of them. “Belle, there you are!” Prince Yuno exclaimed,” and Helena with him, “his golden colored eyes narrowed and a stern expression appeared on his face.”

“I knew it!” Noureen was getting more energetic as the story progressed.

“Prince Yuno is handsome,” Natalia nodded and Nozel’s eyes widened in panic. Not his little girl. No boys until she was an adult, or no boys period!

“So, this animal was called Belle? Interesting,” Helena nodded thoughtfully. 

***

“You…don’t have a voice? He asked, and she nodded. The grin slipped from Yuno’s face and a disappointed look appeared in his amber eyes, and that only made Neva’s heart sink further,” Helena breathed out heavily and looked down. “Then, there’s no way you could be the woman that saved me, he muttered softly as his gaze moved from her and towards the ocean. Neva frowned for a moment before she realized why he was saying that; she had sung to him that day, and that was probably what he remembered most,” she whispered. 

“Oh no,” Natalia gasped weakly. 

“I knew it was a bad choice to trust Vanica,” Noureen huffed. 

“But she wanted to get to know Yuno, hermano,” Heinry furrowed his brows.

“And now she’s regretting it,” Noureen crossed his arms over his chest.

“She’s not regretting it! Things are just getting complicated.”

The boys were getting agitated. Nozel needed to stop them before it would escalate further. 

“I see your point Noureen,” he stated. “It was a risky move, a dangerous one, but Neva decided to take a chance on love.”

“After all, if he falls for her within this time everything will end well,” Helena added. “Love is not simple and it’s not straightforward, but it’s worth it.”

“Really?” Noureen raised his brow unsure. 

“You wouldn’t be here if your papa decided that love wasn’t worth the risk,” she pinched his nose and Noureen giggled softly.

Nozel just watched them and he could easily admit that it was all worth it. He had made many decisions that he was not proud of, but taking a shot with his and Helena’s relationship despite all the bumps was not one of them. Sometimes he continued to not believe how he had found himself in the current state, with their little familia, surprisingly full of love and affection. He was still learning about that second part and he wondered if at some point he would ever fully grasp it, but it did not matter that much. They loved him the way he was and his wife made sure he knew about it almost every day. He was so deep in his thoughts observing his familia, that he did not even hear, when Helena had started reading again.

***

“Was this…love?” Helena’s voice sounded dreamy. “Yuno shook his head and felt a blush rise to his cheeks as he looked away. This couldn’t be love, could it? But as his gaze drifted back to her, and watched as a gentle smile appeared on her face as she continued watching the fireflies, he realized that maybe this could be love…” she leaned forward and made a dramatic pause. 

“It is love Yuno!” Natalia squeaked.

“This is so girly,” Noureen sighed.

“There, you see her, Sitting there, across the way, She don't got a lot to say, but there's something about her,” Helena started humming.

Nozel smiled softly and listened to his wife’s voice. She was not on Kahono’s level, but Helena could sing well. She put emotion into her voice and made his heart flutter with each note. He began stroking Natalia’s hair, remembering the night when he saw Helena cradle their little girl and sing her A La Nanita Nana, or that other time when she sang to him after... Nozel got lost in his memories and was pulled out only by Heinry and Natalia joining in on the song.

“Sha-la-la-la-la-la, don't be scared. You got the mood prepared. Go on and kiss the girl,” the three of them sang and Natalia giggled after the verse ended.

“Yuno could feel his heart beat anxiously in his chest,” Helena leaned towards Heinry, “just like the voice said, the mood was perfect right? So, why not?” there was an apparent question in her voice.

“It is perfect!” the boy agreed. 

“Just kiss her,” Noureen whined.

“He leaned forward a bit, and he began to reach out to take her hands; but hesitated, wasn’t this being too forward?” Helena raised her brows. “What if she actually didn’t feel the same way about him as he felt about her? What if she got upset that he kissed her? What if…?” she paused.

The birdies held their breaths.

“Sha-la-la-la-la-la,” Helena hummed, “don't stop now Don't try to hide it how…”

“You wanna kiss the girl,” Heinry sang. “Sha-la-la-la-la-la, float along. And listen to the song.” Natalia and even Noureen joined in. “The song say…” Helena looked at Nozel and smiled lovingly. 

She leaned in and closed her eyes.

“I’m looking away,” Heinry huffed.

“Bleh,” Noureen added.

Nozel leaned in still holding onto Natalia. 

“Kiss… the girl?” he spoke awkwardly, as a reward receiving a small peck on the lips.

“Good job mi amor,” Helena pulled away and ruffled Natalia’s hair on the way. The girl giggled. 

***

“And they fell in the water,” Noureen sighed. “I knew it! Vanica will not let them be happy.”

“Those were eels,” Natalia commented. 

“Eeels belonging to Vanica!” Heinry pointed out.

“Ohhh,” she quickly nodded, that she understood.

***

“Yuno gasped and panted as his head breached the water's surface. His eyes quickly surveyed the area; the ship he was on had sunk, and Vanica the Sea Witch was nowhere to be seen,” Helena dramatically posed and gasped, her voice turning into an unsure whisper. “So, that meant they defeated her, right? They had won?”

“Of course they won,” Heinry said. He was excited with the story, but Helena noticed sleep slowly coming over him.

“But what if Vanica lived?” Noureen asked curling himself more comfortably next to Helena.

“So, that meant they defeated her, right? They had won?” Helena continued the question apparent in her tone. “A sigh of relief escaped him at the realization, everyone in the kingdom was safe…that was good. As he continued looking around he noticed someone was missing,” she spoke sadly. “Neva? He called out, his voice full of confusion. She was just here wasn’t she? So…where did she go? Maybe the beach?”

“Neva?” Natalia was worried. Even though her eyes were closing themselves every few minutes, she was determined to stay awake until the end of the story. 

Helena continued to tell the sad story of how Neva watched Yuno from underwater, supported by her caring sisters. Nozel furrowed his brows. Was a bedtime story not supposed to be a happy one? Yet crossing a bridge between two worlds was not an easy task, love required sacrifices and sometimes even they were not enough. 

“Yuno!” Helena pulled him out of his thoughts. “An unfamiliar voice called behind him, making him stop dead in his tracks. That voice…that voice belonged to-!” 

Nozel smiled, so after all there was a happy ending.

“Finally, after three months of going back and forth, of skirting around their mutual feelings for each other, of the building romance and tension between them…the two finally shared their first ever kiss. There, on the beach, where the two had first met,” Helena finished in a quiet, dreamy tone. 

Nozel had to admit he enjoyed hearing the story himself. It was not always fluffy and positive, but it actually made him connect with it. Building relationships took time, patience and a whole lot of mistakes to make, only to fix them later. He knew it well enough.

He glanced to the side watching his children. The birdies were all curled up next to them. Now that the story was over none of them was able to hide yawns. They had soft smiles on their faces and relaxed expressions. Seeing them made Nozel’s heart fill with pride and joy. 

***

Helena softly chuckled as she gently pushed Noureen away and tip toeing made her way to the desk. She put the book down on the wooden surface and looked back at the bed smiling. 

Noureen was lying on the side, but since she slightly pushed him off, he somehow scooted closer towards Nozel and now his palm was softly resting on his father’s lap. Hainry was resting in Nozel’s legs, but in a very undignified manner with his limbs spread in all the directions, making it impossible for his father to move. Natalia on the other hand had curled up even more in Nozel’s embrace and leaned her head on his chest. 

“I think you’re stuck, mi amor,” Helena whispered once she got back on the bed.

He lifted his brows annoyed as if trying to tell her ‘You don’t say?’

Helena chuckled quietly and by pushing Heinry slightly to the side, she made for herself some space on Nozel’s lap, the other one that Natalia very distinctly took over. Helena put her head there. She yawned and closed her eyes. A moment later she felt a gentle touch to her head as Nozel began stroking her hair. 

“As much as I appreciate the four of you using me as a pillow, I have work tomorrow,” he whispered. “We need to get all of them to their beds.”

“I know,” Helena answered just as quietly and lifted her head up. She nudged Heinry, who clearly did not want to open his eyes. He turned to the other side and curled up there.

“Hijo, time for bed,” Nozel patted Noureen. The boy slowly blinked and nodded. Still half asleep, he began to get himself up.

Heinry needed a stronger nudge, but thankfully he woke up and just as lazily he stood up from the bed. Now only Nozel and Natalia stayed on the light blue covers. She was asleep and her head was resting on Nozel’s chest. Her little hand was curled in a first and a soft smile adored her lips. If Helena could save that moment in her memory, she would treasure it forever. Actually she was sure that she was going to sketch it later, in her familia Silva sketchbook.

“Let’s not wake her,” Nozel whispered and supported her head as he stood up. Natalia shifted in his arms and softly murmured, but her eyes stayed closed.

Quietly the familia left the bedchamber. Rooms belonging to the boys were close by so once Nozel and Helena walked them there, they both came up to their parents to give them a quick hug. Helena knelt down to reciprocate and place soft kisses in their foreheads. Since Nozel was holding Natalia he could not do much, so he slightly moved her so that he would be able to free one of his hands and gently ruffle his sons’ hair.

“Goodnight mama and papa,” Heinry yawned and Noureen made a small wave.

“Goodnight hijos,” Nozel whispered.

“Sueños dulces,” Helena smiled.

After their boys disappeared behind the doors to their bedrooms, Helena and Nozel turned on their heels towards Natalia’s room. They walked in comfortable silence and Helena was watching her husband and their little girl fondly. Nozel continued to support Natalia’s head with his other hand. 

Helena opened the door for them and let them in. Nozel made his way towards Natalia's bed. He lowered his daughter on the soft lilac bedding and covered her gently. She murmured something and squeezed the cover with her little palm. Nozel stroke her hair before leaning over her to place a soft kiss on Natalia’s forehead. 

“Daddy’s girl,” Helena chuckled quietly earning herself a semi-eyeroll semi-smile from her husband.

She then leaned over and did the same. Helena also made sure that the bedding indeed covered Natalia fully. Once she was satisfied she pulled away.

Her and Nozel silently left the room, making sure that the doors would not creak on their way out.

“This was a nice evening,” Helena smiled.

“It was,” Nozel responded with the same gesture and Helena felt his fingers intertwine with hers. She squeezed them gently. 

“Don't worry mi amor, next time you can read the book,” she half joked.

“I like it when you read,” he admitted. “You put so much emotion into it and everyone gets immersed in the story.”

“Thank you Nozel,” she leaned her head over his shoulder, but it was uncomfortable to walk that way, so she pulled back after a moment. Comfortable silence once again fell between them. 

Inside their room Nozel and Helena lied down on their bed. They covered themselves and Helena nuzzled into Nozel’s side. He placed his hand on her shoulder and began gently massaging it.

“We did something right,” he stated.

“What do you mean?” half asleep Helena raised her brows.

“Our hijos,” Nozel said. 

“Ohhh,” Helena groaned. “Right. Although the amount of time it took me to convince you to have Natalia was massive.”

“You know why…” he whispered to which Helena nodded. “However I'm glad, that I was convinced. The four of you are my everything.”

“Same here, mi amor,” Helena was already drifting away. “Same here."

[birdiewriteslit]

. “there’s nothing to worry about! my family will love you.” with jack!

and maybe jack has never really brought anyone serious to introduce to his whole family but she doesn’t know that… but hsi whole family can quickly see how much jack loves her

“meeting the family”

jack hughes x f!reader

birdie’s 300 celly

i LOVE this and this is kinda short so lmk if you want a part 2!

Jack would never admit it to you, but he was a little nervous for you to meet his family, especially all of them all at once.

“Bring your girlfriend to the wedding,” they said. “We promise we won’t embarrass you,” they said.

He knew his brothers would intentionally embarrass him in front of you, and even though the others wouldn’t make that effort, he still had never brought a girl to anything like this before, especially not one that he liked so much, and he had no idea how they would react.

It was Jack’s cousin’s wedding, one that he wasn’t particularly close with, but was still related enough to be at the rehearsal dinner.

Jack sat beside you, his leg bobbing nervously under the table. You placed a soothing hand on his thigh as you made easy conversation with Luke.

You met his parents and brothers earlier, and you hit it off easily with them. His parents had already told him how much they loved you. You got along great with Luke and Quinn, but they weren’t the relatives he was worried about anyways.

“So, Jack, that fall you took on the ice last week, pretty brutal. What’d you think of that, Y/n?” asked one of Jack’s younger cousins mischievously.

“What fall?” you asked, glancing at Jack in confusion.

“Oh, you didn’t see it?” he grinned. “He was skating a little too fast, and I guess he just lost his balance.”

“You can barely skate, Johnnie. Call me when you get off that bench,” Jack combated.

You ignored him, stifling a laugh. “Jack, when did that happen?”

Jack sighed. “At the Rangers game you couldn’t make it to.”

“Well, I bet you were glad I didn’t see that.”

“I was,” Jack said, glaring at his cousin who just smiled innocently.

Luke snorted into the beer he was trying to steal from Quinn, who was distracted talking to a bridesmaid.

“Give that to me, you’re not legal,” said Ellen, grabbing the bottle from Luke and setting it back down in front Quinn before taking a seat beside Luke. “And be nice to your brother.”

“Sorry, mom,” Luke mumbled.

Jack took your hand from his thigh and interlocked your fingers under the table. He watched you as you conversed with his mother, and how easily you made his brother laugh.

Your eyes were bright and your smile was big. He’d never thought you looked so beautiful. He ran his thumb over your ring finger and smiled to himself. He knew it was too early and he was too young to be thinking about marriage, but in a setting like this, it was kind of hard not to.

When he looked up, tuning back into the conversation, he saw the look on his mother’s face and knew she had him all figured out.

[grblledo64]

[cumikering]

Ghost x plus-sized reader

2.1k | fluff, drink spiking Did you just call Simon weak? The rest of the 141 didn’t like that

“Can I carry you?”

At the pub table, you almost spat the last gulp of your drink at the question. You turned to the source of the gruff voice, meeting the man’s chest before craning your neck up to his eyes. He had to be over 6 ft tall.

You set your glass down. “I’m sorry?”

“My mates are betting I can’t get anyone to piggyback.”

“And you picked me?”

He nodded at your top. “Skulls are sort of my lucky charm.”

You scoffed, looking past him at the other ladies in the room. “Are you serious? There are plenty who weigh far less.”

His brow rose. “Are you calling me weak?”

You took in the width of his shoulders, how his loose black shirt couldn’t hide the thickness of his biceps – the left one inked. He was handsome, rugged with the scar across his cheek, his short blond hair and light scruff, but his stare and bluntness made him beyond intimidating.

How could you get out of this situation with the least fuss?

“N- no.”

His eyes softened a touch. “May I? Please?”

Playing along and getting it over with should be the safest bet. “Okay... But-”

He turned his back and squatted slightly. “Hop on.”

“Wait- are you sure you can?”

“Hop on,” he repeated.

At that point, it was not your fault anymore if he ended up embarrassing himself. So you gripped his hard shoulders and did as told before he swiftly hooked his large hands under your jean-clad thighs. He didn’t grunt or strain when he bounced you to position and straightened up. As if you weighed nothing, which was a feeling you never thought you’d experience.

You had to give it to him - his strength was impressive. You chuckled to yourself, seeing the top of everyone’s head amused you. Across the pub, the table of three men grinned at the massive stranger. The one with the mohawk was very much entertained as he gave him thumbs up.

It was then that Simon groaned, because his team was embarrassing the hell out of him. That, and he finally got to feel how soft and warm you were pressed up against him. A little creepy, but a man was allowed to fantasise about a birdie he’d been eyeing, right?

“That’s all, yeah? You just have to carry-”

He stepped towards the bar, making you latch onto him.

“Oh! Where are you going?

“I’m getting you a drink.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Please, I insist.” When he flagged the barman down, you held on tighter. “It’s the least I can offer for getting you involved.”

You laughed, your breath warm against his ear. “Are you going to set me down or am I having my drink on your back?”

“Don’t give me ideas.” He chuckled as he lowered you to your feet.

He leaned against the bar, arm folded as he stared at you on the stool, downing your shot before looking at yourself on your selfie cam.

“Would you… like something as well?” you asked after you tucked your phone back in your pocket.

He shook his head.

“Okay. Well, thanks for he drink. You could get back to your mates if you want.”

“I’m Simon,” he mustered instead.

“Hi.” You shifted in your seat. “Is something the matter?”

“No.” He frowned. “Why are you asking?”

“It’s just you’ve been staring, and there’s nothing on my face. I checked.”

Bloody hell, could he be any more awkward? He just wanted to ask why you were alone without being weird about it.

He looked away. “I didn’t mean to.” You make me stupid. It didn’t help that your previous drink had tinted your lips, looking even more kissable up close.

“I think your mates want you back though.” You chuckled, nodding at his table.

When he turned to them, they immediately busied themselves with their drinks, averting their gazes.

“They’re a nosy bunch, they are.” He inched closer to you. “The one in the beanie, that’s our captain. The other two are my sergeants.”

“You’re the lieutenant?”

He hummed. “The one with the mohawk is the prankster. He’s a bad influence. He’ll talk you into doing anything.”

“He put you up to this then?”

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips.

As if on cue, Soap looked up with an uncontained grin, only to look back down when he realised eyes were on him.

”Seems like he can’t wait to say hi.” He swiftly picked you up off your seat, bridal-style. “Is this enough to show you weigh nothin’?” he asked, fighting the urge to grab a handful of your soft thigh and waist.

“Oh- oh dear!” You laughed, arm wrapping around his neck, pretty fingers grasping his bicep. “Wait, wait, put me down!”

When you were back on your feet, you pulled your phone out of your pocket. “Sorry, I’m actually meeting someone. He’s almost here.”

So that was why you were alone. You were waiting for someone. Disappointment anchored at the bottom of his chest.

“Right. Okay.”

You smiled. “Thanks for the drink, Simon. I’ll see you around, yeah?”

He grunted and you headed to the end of the bar. He stood umoving for another second before retreating to his table like a kicked puppy.

“L.T., wha’ happened? She was havin’ so much fun!” Soap shot as soon as Simon took his seat next to him.

“She’s meetin’ someone,” he said quietly.

“Aww… Sorry, Ghost,” Gaz said. “But hey, she let you carry her!”

With your back to him, you looked at your phone whenever a man walked in.

Huh, first date?

You flagged down some other blond man who walked over to you with a smile. The barman took your order before you chatted with him with a polite smile, keeping a respectable distance between the two of you.

Simon was in no place to watch and invade your privacy – he really should look away. But what was it that simmered in him when the bloke scooted closer, his arm along the back of your chair?

He laughed, pointing at something on the TV. You looked up, and your hand deftly covered your drink, like an instinct.

He smirked. Smart girl.

“I know she’s with someone, but I can tell she likes you more,” Price said, and Simon finally tore his gaze away from you.

“Ye should fight ‘im, L.T. He dinnae stand a fuckin’ chance.”

“You can knock him out with a slap,” Gaz quipped.

He chuckled, blatantly looking over Price to you again. “Rather just look.” While it wasn’t for him, at least he could watch your pretty smile from here and quench his thirst a bit.

With the bloke’s drink in hand, he wrapped his arm around your shoulder, his other hand inching to your covered drink now. He tipped his glass over you, causing you to jump and grab serviettes to dab yourself with. Just as fast, his fisted hand opened over your drink before helping you.

“No fucking way,” Simon said out loud.

“What?” Gaz followed his line of sight.

He marched over, yanking the man around by the shoulder. “What the bloody hell did you just do?”

He stumbled off his seat from the force, making the lieutenant tower over him even more. “What? Who- Do you know him?” He turned to you.

His finger jabbed the man’s chest. “What. The. Fuck. Did you put in her drink?”

“Nothing! What are you accusing me of?”

Simon didn’t miss the crack in the man’s voice. He raised your drink to the man’s face, a tiny white tablet swaying at the bottom of the glass. “Empty your pockets.”

“Simon, what’s…”

“I’m not repeating myself.”

The man fished out his phone, wallet and keys with trembling hands.

“That’s not all.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s nothing else, mate!” he said exasperatedly.

Simon’s patience ran dry. He patted his front pocket, hand bumping over something. “You need to see this,” he said quietly to you.

You hesitantly stuck your hand in the man’s left pocket, coming up with a bag of white tablets.

The man smacked the bag out of your hand. “You planted that, you slag!”

“If you didn’t do anything, drink it.” He spat, holding out your drink to him, now cloudy and fizzing.

He stared at the glass. “Fuck you,” he said, pushing it onto Simon’s chest before dashing out of the pub.

“Did he…”

“The fuck was that, Simon?” Price questioned from behind him.

“Fucking piece of shit spiked her drink.”

Price turned to you, a hand on your shoulder. “You got his name and number, love?”

“Yes.” You blinked. ”Yes, his number and dating profile.”

“I’m sending the coppas his way.” He picked up the evidence on the ground with a serviette. “Simon, get the details and make sure she gets home safe,” he said before approaching the barman.

You dried his ruined shirt with a wad of serviette. “I can’t even begin to thank you for your help, Simon. Really, thank you so much. I wouldn’t have-”

“You did good.” He squeezed your hand over his chest. “You covered your glass when you weren’t looking, but spilling his drink on you was something else.”

When you looked up at him with wide eyes, he dropped your hand.

“Would you like me to send you home?”

“I don’t want to trouble you. I don’t even live nearby.”

“Would you let me, if I want to?”

There was a pause before you smiled. “I think I’d like that, actually.”

When he grabbed his jacket from the table, Soap patted him on the back.

“Good catch, L.T. What a fuckin’ disgrace, the lad.”

“Have fun, Ghost,” Gaz teased.

Outside the pub where the streets were quieter, you forwarded the profile and chat screenshots of the man from your group chat to Simon.

“Can’t be too cautious. I’m not surprised if that’s not even his name honestly.” You shrugged, stuffing your phone back in your pocket. “I knew it was dodgy he insisted on meeting here when I said I’d rather somewhere in the middle, in broad daylight. That, and he was half an hour late too!”

It was disheartening to know this was the reality of dating, that all sorts of people lurked online, sometimes not with the best intentions. He’d show you his ID just to prove he wasn’t a creep, just someone smitten with a staring problem if any.

“If it was me, I’d have taken you anywhere you wanted.”

You chuckled.

“On my back too, if you prefer. I think you quite enjoyed that.”

“I did, actually,” you teased. “Is it a bad time to tell you I’m starving?”

“Yeah? That’s good news, because I’m always hungry. A kebab sounds about right at this hour.”

“Extra chips?”

“Extra chips,” he affirmed.

“You know what, I think this is my sign.” You pulled out your phone again, deleting an app. “Don’t think online dating was ever my thing.”

Is a stranger at a pub who shamelessly stares at you more your thing?

“Going out with someone who offers to carry me around is more like it.”

He bit back a smile. “So? Another ride on my back?”

You chuckled. “Next time,” you said, taking his arm instead.

As much as he enjoyed your touch, he couldn’t do with your fingers over his jacket. He needed to feel you. When he held your hand in his, you smiled up at him.

Simon had to thank his team for painstakingly convincing the stubborn lieutenant to approach the lady he’d been staring at. You didn’t have to know there was no bet, that asking to carry you was his own idea, an outrageous excuse to talk to you. But he wouldn’t complain if he ended up helping you, taking you for a little supper and even got to send you home.

“When’s next time?” he asked at your door, squeezing your hand.

You really shouldn’t have said it, because he was going to make sure there would be one. It had become a goal to show you how you deserved to be treated on a date.

“Is tomorrow too soon?”

“Right now isn’t even too soon.”

You laughed, pulling him down by the shoulder to meet your lips.

For @glitterypirateduck ‘s Ghost Challenge :D check out her page for fic recs!

Neighbour Ghost AU if he still had his family

Ghost's online fantasies came true Masterlist

[thisiswhereikeepdcthings]

AU where Jason comes back to Gotham and begins his plan to confront Batman and all that. Except after only like a week the Joker gets hit by a bus and then shot by a little old lady with a shotgun and dies.

Jason’s plan is now in shambles because the dramatic climax of his plan is no longer possible. But that’s fine. He’ll think of some other suitable alternative. Granted, it’s not quite the same if he uses some other villain. Making Batman choose doesn’t mean nearly as much when it’s not about the person who killed him.

And really, is he going to try and get Batman to kill Black Mask or something? Scarecrow? Red Hood is competent; he could do it himself so why bother.

So Jason lays low continues to build his criminal empire with astounding speed and efficiency. If only he could think of a good way to announce his return. Nothing he can think of is dramatic enough.

Meanwhile, the Bats are freaking out because who is this guy that’s taken over half of the Gotham underworld in like a month? He’s obviously trained, but they just can’t seem to get any information on who he is or where he came from. It is beyond frustrating.

After a few months Jason is frustrated that he just can’t seem to find any dramatic good way of making Batman prove himself. It has to be something big! Something magnificent!

During his weekly chat with Talia he complains about his problems and she suggests he come back for a visit. He argues that he can’t just leave, but she says if he has competent enough lieutenants it’d be fine. He spends the next three weeks making sure that everything will be fine if he leaves for a week. He will not have all of his hard work falling apart and going to waste due to incompetence. Absolutely not.

So then once his lieutenants are sufficiently prepared (and the rest of Gotham’s criminal element sufficiently cowed), he heads to Nanda Parbat, only to find Ra’s on the phone with Bruce, who is demanding to know if the Red Hood has any affiliation with the league.

Oh. Oh. He can give them affiliation.

A new plan begins to form.

He’s going to be the most affiliated he can be. Jason immediately goes to Talia with his newest plan: Overthrow Ra’s and takeover the league. Talia whips out her forty step outline for overthrowing Ra’s and tells Jason she’s so proud of him.

Jason has a new goal now, so he gets to work. He checks on things in Gotham, but everything seems to be fine and there haven’t been any unplanned explosions so it should be fine if he stays here for a bit.

Taking over Gotham really was good practice, as it turns out. Thanks to Talia’s plans and previous foundational efforts the takeover happens in no time.

Meanwhile the bats are still freaking out. Red Hood hasn’t been seen in three weeks, he may or may not have league of assassins connections, and even in his absence his goons seem to be managing things competently.

Back in Nanda Parbat, Jason and Talia finish their takeover. And now, finally, he’s ready to confront Batman.

He arrives in Gotham as the new head of the league. His arrival is loud, elaborate, and dramatic enough to fulfill his inner theater kid’s dreams.

Batman is speechless. And not his usual grunts instead of words, but actual surprised speechless. Jason is alive?!?!?!?

Jason was not expecting all the tears. And hugs. And mother henning. Goodness gracious, this was not part of the plan.

Bruce is obviously struggling with Jason’s revelation that he took over the league, but the newest little birdie seems almost relieved at that(?) and Dick and Alfred both seem strangely proud. Whatever. Even Bruce seems to be at least mostly ignoring that for now.

Then someone asks him if he knows Red Hood. Jason blinks. Says that yeah, he knows Red Hood. Everyone seems to ease at that. One mystery solved. Jason quickly realizes that most of them have no idea he is Red Hood. Cass seems to be the only exception but also appears amused and willing enough to not mention it.

Dramatic appearance complete, Jason now has a new goal: see how long he can keep the bats (minus Cass and potentially Alfred) in the dark about his crime boss identity.

He will bribe Cass as much as it takes to keep her on board with the causing chaos plan, but she seems eager enough. Favorite sibling status definitely unlocked. (The whole killing thing is fought over at great length and a truce of sorts is eventually made)

David Cain is never heard from again.

Damian shows up at some point.

At least one league member has suddenly found themselves as an HR rep for Gotham criminals? They’re still not quite sure how that happened.