#come visit me and i will make you magnolia drinks

[scyllas-revenge]

I made a magnolia tea latte so good I'm having a religious experience at my desk

this is a PSA to go steal some magnolia flowers from your neighbor's yard TODAY

[kayhi808]

Lunch in New Orleans

The cool afternoon breeze brings in the sweet smell of magnolias from outside. The lunch rush is coming to a close. You own a little cafe on the outskirts of The French Quarter. A perk of being the owner, you decide to make yourself a mojito and take your lunch before you need to help prep for dinner. You start mulling some fresh limes & mint when someone enters & butterflies in your stomach are in a whirl. James Barnes.

You had met him over the weekend when you attended a BBQ at the Wilsons. He's friends with Sarah & Sam. Sarah is your best friend & her brother, Sam, was back in town and brought James for a visit.

Smiling, "James." He gives a short wave and makes his way to the bar. You wipe the spot in front of you down again & he takes a seat on the stool. You grab 2 menus, "Sam meeting you here?"

"God, no." His humor is so dry and dead pan, you don't know how to react. He looks at you & grimaces, "I ran away from him." You nod & laugh, setting down one menu. A grimace is an upgrade from his usual scowl or frown.

"Then welcome to Cafe Jaden Edenn. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

"What were you making there?"

"Care to join me in a mojito? I was going to take my lunch & sneak a drink."

"Sure. Sign me up," giving you a shy smirk. You add more limes to muddle. "What were you having for lunch?"

"We're making shrimp etouffee for supper tonight. Care to have a sampling?"

He places down the menu, "That was easy. Yes, please."

"I'll be right back." You go back to the kitchen, and you break out into a big smile. James came here to see you. You gather bowls & fill it with rice, scooping a generous portion of etouffee for James. You bring it back to the bar. "Are you ok with spice? It's nothing crazy, but I thought I'd warn you." You place his bowl on the bar & finish making his drink.

"This looks great!"

"I hope you like it." Garnishing his drink, "Here you go. Cheers!" You toast glasses.

"This tastes like a vacation."

You spend the time getting to know each other. Or you try. It's very evident that he's a VERY private person with a lot on his mind. You get the feeling that he's looking for a distraction or escape. You keep the conversation light & entertain him with old Sam stories. You got him laughing. His laughter transforms him completely. You feel like you got to see a side to him that no one gets to see.

"So, this is where you ran off to!" Sam enters the cafe and sits himself next to James, purposefully banging James on the shoulder. Now I got 2 grumpy men at the bar.

"Hey, Sam. What can I get you? Did you want some lunch? A mojito?"

"Hmmm," staring at James. "So, what's going on here?"

"James just came by for lunch."

"OH really, JAMES? Hungry, Buck?"

"Yes," rolling his eyes. "You should get a bowl. It's great."

Leaning into James, "What did I tell you?"

James sighs, "I don't know, you don't shut up. You tell me a lot. I stop paying attention."

"I can still have Carlos cut you up into pieces and feed you to the fishes," Sam threatens.

"Sam!"

"You told me not to flirt with your sister! Y/N is not your sister."

"Is that what you're doing, Mr. Barnes? Flirting with me?" winking at him.

"Don't! Stop it!" Sam turns on you. You laugh.

"If you have to ask, I must not have been doing a good job of it. I'm out of practice." James graces you with his boyish smile, which drives Sam even more crazy.

"I guess we shouldn't mention our dinner date tomorrow night." James gves you a suprised grin.

"For 7p?" You smile and nod. "Or the wedding."

"Old man, I will punch you! I have no problem hitting a senior citizen!"

Sometimes Sam makes it too easy to press his buttons.

[acommonloon]

I'm pretty good at drinking beer, as the lyrics to a country song go. Once I got too old to shag a fly ball without pulling a hammy I had to find interests other than sports so.

One of my favorite things is trying beers I've never had. Even better is revisiting old favorites I've not had in a long while. With the help of a FB feed filled with posts from bars, breweries, and restaurants, I'm often spoiled for choice.

Lately I've had some lovely sessions including properly conditioned Guinness, Spaten, as well as very rare German and Belgium imports, but I’ve also had a few beers that weren’t right.

On Friday I ordered an old friend from Lazy Magnolia Brewing called Southern Pecan, a brown ale. I knew instantly, the beer Mary delivered to me didn’t taste like that beer should. I first drank this beer in Mississippi and mostly I’ve drank it there and Louisiana where it’s on most menus, often the only craft option available except when Abita makes an appearance. This beer is distributed in the Kentuckiana area though and I bought a sixer a few months ago when a friend from Biloxi was in to visit. Yeah no. The beer in front of me was brown but it tasted like what might happen if you mixed it with a sour beer.

I’d noted before selecting this beer, the tap list was heavy on American domestics and sour beer! What an odd combination. I suspected the tap lines had not been properly flushed when the brown ale was put on. I guessed I was drinking half brown ale diluted with whatever sour was previously on that tap. I doubted if anyone had ordered this beer after it was tapped or if they did, they would know what it was suppose to taste like. I had many choices in this circumstance. I could insist there was something wrong with the beer, I’ve done this on a few occasions. I knew I’d get a new beer but the bartender wouldn’t believe there was anything wrong with the beer. I could explain I was someone who would know but it’s a difficult thing to do without coming off as a…man.

Lol I didn’t hate the beer and Mary, the bartender, had treated me well so I decided to just drink it. Then a young woman walked up to the bar and sat down about four seats away. I noticed of course, as we were the only two at the bar, but I assumed she was waiting on someone else to show up. It was when she asked the bartender if they had a red ale on, that I really took notice. Asking for a particular beer style was unusual for many reasons but Mary’s response was exactly what I expected. Ummmmm?

The young woman turned to me and asked, “What are you drinking.”

I grinned and replied, “Not really sure. It’s supposed to be Lazy Magnolia Pecan brown but it doesn’t taste right to me. Do you know the beer?” I asked

It was her turn to grin. “I should, I just moved here from Baton Rouge and I’m a bartender.”

Mary poured her a bit. She smelled it, gave it a quick taste and said, “No that’s not right.”

Mary said she’d let her manager know. Honestly I didn’t care, by that time I’d nearly finished the beer so never mind.

Yesterday, after a lot of consideration, I decided to watch a basketball game at a sports bar in Louisville. I was reconsidering my options about a minute after I sat down. Again, a large beer list made up primarily of domestics that mostly taste like water used to wash out a beer glass to me. There were also a half dozen sours. I settled on a local brewery option described as a pale ale. Dejavu all over again! I was given a sourish beer. I quickly looked up the beer on the brewery website and sure enough it wasn’t supposed to be sour. I drank the beer and asked for different one that tasted like “it” was supposed to taste.

So what’s “beer” supposed to taste like? A nonsensical question like what is wine suppose to taste like or what does soda taste like. Of course when it’s made, a specific beer is supposed to taste like whatever the brewer intended. If it does, like it or not, it tastes like beer.

After the game, I was in Total Wine and as I walked through the beer aisle I passed two employees talking to each other. One said, some people just want a beer that tastes like beer. My mind stuttered and I walked over to the Belgian imports next to where they stood. I put a sixer of Leffe Blonde ale and a four pack of Duvel triple hop in my cart. Both are beers I’ve drank for years. They taste like beer. I started to push my cart away then stopped. I looked at the employee who’d made the comment.

Beer that tastes like beer? What does that even mean? I asked

He looked unsure but didn’t say anything so I walked away.

After I’d drank the Southern Pecan, that didn’t taste like that beer was supposed to taste, I told Mary I’d have an Old Style. I said I’d never had one but it was a well known staple and I was curious.

After my first drink Baton Rouge asked me how it was.

I laughed and said it tastes like water with a bit of alcohol in it. She said, “In Baton Rouge we call those fishin beers!” I said we call them lawnmower beers. But I could drink gallons of it. She smiled, held up her glass of Taxman Belgian double ale and said, “Many do.”

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

[hangmans-darling]

Live Forever [Part 3] Jake Seresin

summary: Jake Seresin and Magnolia James have always been tied together, soon enough their ties become entangled over the years. This is their love story.  

word count: 5.5k

warnings: smut, fingering, a fight, mentions of blood, angst

masterlist

live forever masterlist

Feedback is always welcome! Enjoy!🥰

Nola has started her junior year at Ole Miss and on top of her student teachings, advanced art classes and being Vice President of Tri Delta she barely had time to write to Jake. Jake’s letters became scarce as well because he transferred to flight school and the training was more intense for that. 

They both agreed that she’d visit him the last four days of spring break but when she arrived, something felt different. That wall was back up between them even though he greeted her with the same enthusiasm he always did. The four days went by in a blur, there were a lot of tense silences but to ignore them, they both initiated sex to try and rectify it. 

On the last night, he sat her down on his bed and held onto her hands, Nola stared at him with wide eyes. 

“I start my real flight training this summer. I won’t be home at all,” he started, and she remained silent. “I…being a fighter pilot is dangerous, Nola. The last thing I want to do is break your heart again, but I don’t…I won’t put you through the worry of wondering if I’ll come home alive.”

Nola sniffed and looked at their joined hands in her lap. She felt this coming but even if she was expecting it, it didn’t make it hurt any less. She let go of his hands and moved in front of the window, it’s pouring rain and it hit the window harshly. 

“Nola, please say something,” he said.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay…we aren’t together anymore,” she surrendered, her shoulders falling. “But I don’t want us to stop being in each other’s lives, Jake.”

“Of course not,” he stood from his bed to stand next to her. “Do you still want to write letters?”

She nodded and turned around, she wanted to keep a brave face but when she looked at him, all of her walls crumbled. 

“Together or not…I’ll still worry about you and want you to come home safe. Even if you’re not coming home to me.”

“Nola–”

She cut him off by launching herself into him, her arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders as she kissed him like she’s never kissed him before. In this kiss was everything she feared to say and now it’s just breaking through. Jake knows they shouldn’t sleep together because this is already hard enough, but his willpower is always swayed when it comes to Nola. 

“No, we shouldn’t–” he tried to be the rational one, but his hands betrayed his words as he lifted her shirt. 

“I know, I know we shouldn’t,” she agreed, lifting her arms so he could pull her shirt off, “but…please, Jake? One last time.”

“My willpower isn’t as strong as last time…” he stared into her eyes as her hands undid his belt and pants. 

He made no move to stop her. As he stared into her eyes, he saw the future he desperately wanted with her. With a resigned sigh he kissed her again and lifted her into his arms. 

They fell to his bed shedding the rest of their clothes off. They moved together in a frenzy; he licked his fingers and prepped her quickly. Nola moaned at the precision of his fingers and the way his palm met her mound as she bucked into his hand.

“Ready?” he asked when she clenched around his fingers and her slick slid down his fingers.

“Yeah.”

Their love making is also frantic and rushed, both of them wanting to hold onto this moment for as long as possible. Their kisses were sloppy, teeth crashed together and her nails bit into his back. They came together in a symphony of moans and groans.

“I’m always yours,” he mumbled on her lips.

“And I’m yours.”

Nola cleaned up in his bathroom but when she came back out and laid on his bed to go to sleep, Jake rolled on top of her, capturing her lips. Their goodbye lasted all night, exchanging times of pleasure.

2 years after

Jake texted Nola asking if she wanted to come over for a drink. It was already one a.m when he messaged her, so she knew something was wrong. After their break-up they more or less only had a physical relationship with each other. Nola kept records of each one.

Six months after their breakup when they were both home in Texas, he invited her over to tell her about his first time flying. He was still giddy from the adrenaline of it all and one thing lead to another and they ended up having sex in his truck. 

Nine months later after she went through a bad breakup, she called him up. He let her cry about the asshole on his shoulder and he assured her that the guy was an idiot for cheating on her.

“Kind of like you?” she sniffed and he chuckled.

“Yeah, I guess. I would never cheat on you, no one should, because being with you is…there’s nothing like it. Who could compete with you?”

The way he was looking at her and stroking her cheek stirred that electric current between them once again and soon enough she was on his lap. 

And that was the cycle they had, a carousel of coming back to each other when they were home or he was stationed near her. The feelings were still there but a line was drawn to not cross into that territory of a relationship again.

When Nola knocked on his door after receiving his text, he pulled her in with lips already on hers as he unzipped her coat. Sex between them was always exceptional because they knew what the other liked. He knew her sweet spots and she knew that when her fingernail trailed beneath his boxers in a teasing manner, he would already be hard.

He was moving at a much faster pace than they usually did and Nola could feel how tense he was in his shoulders. Jake’s movements were frantic and uncoordinated, he lifted up her shirt but then quickly went to her jeans to undo those. But he didn’t pull her jeans down, instead he rutted against her with his tongue swiping inside her mouth once more. 

“Jake, Jake, Jake, wait,” she gasped when he bit her bottom lip a little too harshly. 

“What?” He looked at her and his eyes were a crazed electric green. 

“Slow down,” she said and held his cheeks between her palms. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I need to be with you right now.”

He pushed forward so he could kiss her again and she let him but then pulled away once more, her head thumped against the wall. 

“Jake, what is it? You can tell me. I can feel how tense you are and your hands are shaking,” she said. She felt them quiver on her lower back when he hugged himself a little closer to her. “Talk to me, it’s just us.” 

He stared at her, the crazed look gone and replaced by sadness. He swallowed harshly, licked his lips and shook his head. 

“I lost a wingman today.”

“Not Javy–?”

“No, no, he was on deck. It was…I don’t even know exactly what happened. It was a bird strike and Ferrari tried everything, but he started to spiral and was struggling to eject…” he closed his eyes. “I saw him go down, he never parachuted, and it was…the silence on the comms is living in my brain. I keep picturing it. I keep thinking if there was something I could have done.”

“Oh, Jake,” Nola stroked his cheeks affectionately and smoothed the crease of his brow until he relaxed, and his eyes opened again. “I’m so sorry. Do you want to talk more–”

“No,” his voice was stern, eyes a hard green. “I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to think about it. I only want to be with you and focus on you right now because you make it all disappear. Please, Nola, I need you.”

“Okay,” she nodded and leaned in to kiss him softly. “Okay.” 

He continued with his motions, but the movements were more calculated. They shuffled to his room and when all of her clothes were removed, he dropped to his knees in front of her holding his head against her belly. His lips were soft and tender on her skin as he kissed lower and lower, her fingers played through his hair gently.

“Lay down,” he commanded softly, and she did. 

He hooked her leg over his shoulder, breathed her in with lips hovering over her core. He licked at her tenderly and with precision, the soft moans heard from her enticed him more. He alternated between sweet licks and peppered kisses before sucking on her clit, his tongue throbbing against the bundle of nerves. 

She squeaked out his name, one hand flying to his hair, her hips lifted with each stroke of his mouth. Her eyes were already seeing stars when his finger slid inside her and her leg tightened around his head from the explicit pleasure, he was giving her. Just as she was about to climax, he stopped his motions and kissed her lower stomach again, his teeth nipped at her skin.

“You always taste so good, darlin’,” he mumbled and pumped his finger leisurely. 

“I was close,” she exhaled, staring at him. His eyes met hers.

“I know. Want to make this last.”

And he did. He edged her three more times, each one lasting a little bit longer and she was whining at him but enjoyed it at the same time. He’s never been like this before. When he’d had enough or just couldn’t hold out on not being inside her anymore, he lifted her, so she was further up on his bed.

He held her gaze while he lowered himself on top of her, pressing into her gently. It’s been a while since the last time they connected this way and Jake had to really concentrate and focus as he bottomed out. Being close with Nola like this really made everything else in the world disappear. He kissed her tenderly while his hips slapped against hers in another heated frenzy. 

When they lay together in the afterglow, he explained how his superior told him there will be many others in his career and he needs to learn to let go now or he won’t make it as a pilot. 

“That’s a little harsh,” Nola said tracing her finger in the creases of his chest. 

“He’s right. I can’t hold on or it’ll distract me.”

Nola’s finger stopped because she felt like his words held a double meaning towards her. 

“But with you, Nola…I don’t have to hide anything away.”

She rolled her head over onto his chest to look at him. His eyes were on the ceiling but quickly met her gaze and smiled. 

“I’m glad you feel that way,” she shifted herself, so she was straddling him. His hands flew to her hips, his fingers rubbed at her skin, and she peered down at him. “But you better not die on me Jake Seresin or I’ll have to kill you.”

“Yes ma’am,” he grinned, and she dipped her head down to his with a kiss.

After that round, he brought in some water.

“Have you gone out with Robbie at all?” he asked pulling on a shirt. Nola was already wearing one of his Navy shirts, he loved to see her in it.

“You really want to know?” she raised her eyebrows while she tried to untangle her hair after their exploits. 

“No, I guess not,” he flickered a smile. 

Eventually he fell asleep from Nola playing with his hair. Nola watched the digital clock by his bedside change from number to number as she contemplated staying the night or going back to her own place. Ultimately, she knows it won’t do either of them any good if she does so when she’s sure his breathing is deep and even, she removed herself from him. 

She dressed quickly and quietly and scribbled a note for him to find in the morning. She was about to walk out the door when his voice startled her. 

“You don’t have to go, you know.”

She turned and his hands were in the pockets of his gray sweats. 

“I know, but I should. You know that.”

“I keep breaking your heart and I hate myself for it everytime,” he walked closer, so he was in front of her. “And I know I’m selfish for reaching out to you.” 

“I’m selfish for never saying no,” she smiled softly. “Do you want to know the reason I come back time and time again after you’ve broken my heart? It’s because you’re the only one who can put it back together again.” 

“You put me back together again, too.”

***

A year after he lost his first wingman, Nola received an alarming phone call. She had finished her first month of her first job as an art teacher and drove to her parent’s house. She noticed Juniper’s green punch bug in the driveway which wasn’t uncommon but when she walked inside the house, she felt a shift in the air as her family stood up when she entered.  

“What’s going on?” she asked noticing Juniper and Lottie’s faces were pale. Their parents weren’t here.

“Honey–”

Nola’s phone lit up in her hand, she forgot she turned it back on as she walked inside the house. It was Javy and her heart fell to the floor. With shaking fingers, she accepted the call and her voice shook.

“Javy?”

“Are you driving or are you home?”

“Javy, what's wrong?” she asked staring at her family.

“Jake took a bad hit while on a mission. His parents were already notified and, on their way, but I know he’d want you here. Is there any way you can come to Germany?”

“I need you to tell me he’s alive, Javy. Please,” Nola whispered.

“He is alive,” he responded slowly. “But you should still be here.”

“Okay. Um. I’ll be on the next flight out.” 

Packing, going to the airport and the flight went by in a blur for Nola. Juniper and Lottie begged to go with her, but she told them they needed to stay with her parents; she promised she would call them right after she saw him. Jake’s parents picked her up at the airport, his mother was crying but smiling.

“He’s going to be just fine,” his mother Joyce said. 

“What happened?” 

“They can explain more at the hospital,” his father Jacob Sr. responded. “His friend Javy is there waiting for you.”

Nola ran towards Javy when she saw him sitting in the hallway. His left arm was in a sling and there were a few other pilots sitting not too far away from him. A woman with dark hair and a tall blond man with the shadow of a mustache. 

“Tell me what happened, Javy,” she begged holding onto his arm

“It was a dogfight the minute we were in the air, there was a lot of smoke and Jake took one of the enemies out. We were being tailed by another one and were fighting it off but then we ran out of ammo. Our reserve was on the way, and we tried to divert it, our left engine got hit. We inclined to try and put it out but then it really caught fire.”

Nola listened with bated breath, her eyes focused and unblinking on him as he explained. 

“We tried everything we could, but our other engine got hit and we ejected. Part of Jake’s chute got hit with a small fireball and he fell in a downward spiral. We had a rough landing in the mountains. He was unconscious when I finally found him and–” Javy closed his eyes as he remembered it and Nola’s filled with tears. 

“Can I go see him? Is he awake?”

“He woke up as we were flying to the nearest medic base and the only thing, he said was your name. He’s always told me that if something bad happened to not tell you but this…this was bad, Nola. I know he wants you here even if he denies it.”

“Sounds like him,” she choked out a laugh and wiped at her eyes. 

“You can go in; I don’t know if he’s awake or not. They’re keeping him sedated. Try not to freak out when you see him. He’s beat up pretty badly.” 

“Okay. Thank you for calling me, Javy. I’m glad you’re okay, too,” she stretched up to kiss his cheek and he held his arm out towards Jake’s room. 

Nola took a deep breath before entering. She kept her eyes on the handle as she shut it behind her and took more deep breaths before looking to the bed. Nola stood frozen upon seeing him for the first time. His forehead was bandaged and stained with dried blood, his face bruised and cut. His right arm was in a sling and cast and there were some bandages wrapped around his torso. 

She walked silently towards him and saw his chest rise and fall in even movements. There’s a chair next to the bed and she pulled it closer. Her body collapsed onto it as her eyes roamed over his body. His left hand had a splint on two of his fingers while small cuts were decorated up his entire arm. Did he fall through a tree? 

Very carefully, Nola touched his arm sliding her hand in his. His fingertips were cool, but his palm was warm, and she pressed her lips to the back of his hand. She could feel his heartbeat on his wrist and heard it on the monitors. She thanked the heavens that he was alive. She rested her cheek on his hand and stared up at him, wishing for him to open his eyes.

Nola isn’t sure how long she laid there holding his hand. Eventually his parents entered the room to sit and wait and Javy came in as well. They talked quietly with each other, and Nola kept stroking his hand watching for any movement of his eyes. When a nurse came in to notify them visiting hours are over, Nola threw a fit that she wasn’t leaving. 

“Let her stay, he’d want her to be the first person he sees when he wakes up,” Joyce told the doctor and nurse. 

Eventually the staff relented. Javy told her he’d be back in the morning after doing another write up of what happened in the jet. Jacob Sr. brought her suitcase in and Joyce kissed her on the top of her head. 

“Try and get some rest, honey. Thank you for staying with him.” 

“I’ll try. Oh no! I forgot to call Juniper and Lottie! I told them I would as soon as I saw him–”

“We’ll call them, don’t worry.”

In the middle of the night Nola jerked awake but Jake was still asleep. 

“I’ll be right back, I have to use the bathroom,” she told him. She kissed his hand and brought her suitcase inside. 

She changed and brushed her teeth. There was an extra blanket and pillow on the chair and a smiling nurse when she came out of the bathroom. Nola thanked her and asked how he was looking. 

“He’s stable, his stitches are holding well. He’s been in and out of clarity ever since he got here. We’re hoping he’ll wake up soon.”

Nola nodded then took her seat again, the nurse closed the door on the way out. Once she was settled with the pillow and blanket, she took Jake’s hand again and held it against her cheek. 

“I’m right here, Jake,” she whispered. 

Nola stayed up all night but eventually fell asleep around seven. Her body needed rest and the next time she woke up; the sun was setting, and Jake’s parents were sitting at the table in the corner.

“I’m glad you got some rest,” Joyce said. Nola shot straight up to look at Jake, but his eyes were still closed. 

“Did he wake up?”

“No, not yet,” Jacob Sr. sighed gravely. “We ordered food for you; it should be up here shortly.”

“Javy was here but he didn’t want to disturb you. He brought Jake’s things and there was this in his breast pocket of his suit,” Joyce handed Nola a folded-up piece of paper. 

Nola released Jake’s hand and took the paper. When she unfolded it, she recognized it as the note she left for him that last time they were together and a photo of her fell onto the bed. The photo was from their first summer together and she had on his cowboy hat. On the back he scrawled ‘my good luck charm.’. 

Her eyes scanned to the letter, the places it was folded were thinning as if he’s opened and closed it a thousand times. 

Jake,

I know last night didn't change anything between us. But I’ll always be there for you when you need me and have to let go. Just don’t ever let go of me.

Always yours,

Nola

“I hope my son will come to his senses and realize keeping you away like this because of his job is idiotic,” Joyce said, and Nola laughed. She folded the photo into the note carefully shut again. 

“I’ve been telling him he’s an idiot since we got together the first time.”

“Thank you for always being there for him,” Joyce brushed at Nola’s hair. 

Joyce and Jacob Sr. left when visiting hours were over and Nola couldn’t stop thinking about how Jake had her photo and note in the pocket of his flight suit. It warmed her heart that he carried her with him whenever he flew but Javy’s words are stuck in the back of her mind. How Jake told him not to contact her if something happened to him. 

“I know you so well and yet I don’t get you, Jake,” she said to him. “Should I not be here when you wake up?”

She closed her eyes to rest as she laid against his arm and hummed their song. Memories of them roll through her mind and a foggy future she still constantly clings to. She remained by his bedside for two more days, humming and singing to him softly while holding his hand. She’d kiss his fingertips and stare at him, silently begging him to wake up. 

“What’s an angel like you doin’ here with me?”

Nola’s head snapped up at the sound of his voice on the third day. His parents went downstairs to get some lunch. His voice was hoarse and scratchy but then she saw his eyes lift open slowly. 

“Jake?” she whispered. He blinked at her heavily, a corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile. 

“As I live and breathe.” His signature–slow but strained–grin appeared.

Without thinking, Nola leaned in and kissed his lips quickly.

“Are you really here or’m I dreamin’?” he asked groggily. 

“I’m here! I’m so glad you’re awake,” she touched his face gently. He went to lift his right arm to touch her cheek but then winced when he tried because of the sling and cast.

“What happened? Where am I?”

“You and Javy were in a crash…you’re in a hospital in Germany.”

“Javy…oh.” Jake blinked and stared at the wall as his memories resurfaced. He saw flashes of sky and earth and images of Nola before his vision went dark. “Where is he? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine, he has a broken arm but he’s okay,” she rubbed at his hand. “Are you in pain? Do you need me to get the nurse?”

“No, no ‘m okay,” he shook his head and hissed from the bandage around his forehead. “Want to look at you. Your hair’s different. Shorter.”

He lifted his arm she was holding so he could touch the ends of her hair with his fingers. She cut her hair to her chin.

“I wanted to try something new.”

“I like it,” he swallowed then coughed.

“Here, there’s some water,” she grabbed the plastic cup from the table by his bed. She held it up to him and guided the straw to his mouth. “Drink slowly.” 

He did as she told but drank the whole cup.

“Thank you,” he cleared his throat and cupped her cheek again staring at her. “I can’t believe you’re here. Beautiful as ever.” 

“Stop it,” she smiled and kissed his palm. Her fingers tickled up and down his forearm. 

They sit there staring at each other, years of history and love tied between them.

“I told Javy not to call you if I’d get hurt,” his lips turned down in a frown.

“It’s not like I wouldn’t hear it from your parents, Jake,” she sighed.

“Are they here?”

“They’re at the hotel,” she nodded. “No visitors allowed after ten.”

“How’d you get to stay?”

“I raised hell,” she smiled. 

“That’s my girl.”

Upon hearing those words and being able to look him in the eye, Nola rolled her lips into her teeth to try and keep her tears at bay. It didn’t work. It just hit her that this could have been a completely different outcome, he could have died in the crash or right here in front of her because of unforeseen circumstances. The idea of losing him forever washed over her like a tidal wave and she sobbed loudly against his hand. She breathed him in and thought how she could have lost him. 

“Hey, hey, c’mere,” he said in a hushed voice. Her head fell onto his chest and Jake did his best of holding her with his free hand. He kissed the top of her head. “It’s all right.” 

She cried onto his chest as he rubbed at her hair and murmured soft words to her. He told her she was on his mind the whole time he was falling through the sky, how he dreamed of her. He always saw her face and that’s what made him hold on. 

“Is that why my note and picture were in your breast pocket?” she asked after her crying subsided. Jake wiped her tears from her cheeks the best he could, he was frowning.

“How do you know about that?”

“Javy brought it with your stuff. Your mom found it and showed me. Why aren’t we together Jake?”

“For this very reason, Nola. I don’t want you to go through this everytime I go on a mission.”

“Hiding it from me while we’re friends makes it easier? I’m still in love with you, Jake and that’s never going to change.”

“Nola–”

“Tell me you aren’t in love with me, too and I’ll drop it.”

He stared at her. He couldn’t tell her that because he’d be lying. 

“We’re so good together Jake, how can you not see that?” she shook her head.

“I know we’re good together, Nola. I can’t put you through this again. I didn’t even want you to have to go through this now.”

“The only way that will happen will be if we are completely out of each other’s lives. I don’t want that because my heart will never recover.”

“Nola…maybe we shouldn’t–”

Nola closed her eyes. If she couldn’t see him, his words won’t come true.

“How does this not hurt you?” she whispered, opening her eyes, a tear rolled down her cheek. 

She stared at him then something within her shifted. Jake saw the way her blue eyes darkened.

“You want me out of your life for good, Jake? You know me, I’ll disappear no problem.”

“It kills me, I would rather burst into flames than to keep doing this to you–”

“Then stop doing it! Why is it so hard for you to just be with me?” Nola exploded; her eyes fiery. 

“You deserve better, that’s why,” Jake said. 

“What makes you think you can decide that? It’s my decision who I love and want to be with, not yours. I flew to Germany for you! Because that’s what you do when you love someone, you’re there for them no matter the circumstance.”

“You should leave,” he responded quietly. “Find someone who will be home with you and not risk their life. You deserve to grow old with someone.” 

Nola dropped his hand like a hot iron and snatched up her things, tears streamed down her face and Jake watched her in silence. 

“I hate you,” she said, voice quivering.

“I know you don’t,” he responded quietly. 

“Oh yes, I do. You break my heart time and time again and I let you because I know we’ll fall back together. But now that I’m here, in Germany and you’re still breaking my heart–you got what you wanted. Don’t contact me ever again, Jake Seresin,” she choked out. “You’re stupid for letting me go.”

“I know,” he nodded. He blinked tears away.

“Idiotic. But I don’t know who’s the bigger idiot, you for letting something that’s so good between us go or me for believing we’ll actually end up together.”

She rolled her suitcase to the door then paused, waiting for him to call her back and to apologize. When he didn't, she bit her lip and forced herself to not look at him as she walked out. This was the last time. 

She cried herself dry at the hotel and again on the plane and again when she was back home. Javy texted her asking where she went. Jake’s parents tried reaching out and so did his sisters. The only person she wanted to hear from was radio silent and that silence confirmed that it was really over between them.

Nine Years After Germany (Present Day)

Nola stares at the large 5 carat emerald cut diamond on her left hand. It sparkles in all the right facets when the light hits it but it’s the weight that bothers her. She’s not used to the size of it even though it’s been placed there for the last eight months. She’s driving along the highway near San Diego because a great job opportunity arose, and she had to take it. 

She’s teaching art at a private school, it’s her third school of her career since she graduated from Ole Miss, and she loves it. She helps teach grades K-8 with two other teachers and she absolutely loves her students even though it’s only been a few months. Since they’re a private school their first day was in Mid-August.

Nola was on her way home on a Wednesday when her phone started to ring. She answered it on her car system and saw it was Layla.

“Has he come home yet?” she demands.

“Hello to you, too,” Nola laughs. “I’m not even home yet so I don’t know. I’m not sure when he’ll land, you know the Navy.”

“I don’t know the Navy as well as you do. Let me know when he’s home, I know how it upsets you when he’s gone and dealing with the move to San Diego on your own…”

“I’ve learned to live with it and the move wasn’t so bad. I had a great experience with the movers. Maybe the four of us can get dinner at Champ’s on Friday if he’s home by then.” 

“Bodhi would love that. Oops, a bride just walked in. Don’t forget you have to get a dress soon too!”

“I know, I know,’ Nola sighs. “I’ll text you later.”

Nola arrives home ten minutes later, and she sits in her car allowing the heat to absorb over her as she recollects herself. It’s always hard coming home to an empty house, at least now she has everything put in its proper place, so it feels homier but still; she doesn’t even have a dog or a cat to keep her company. Going to bed alone takes its toll as well. It’s been four months since he’s been in Europe, which has been half of their engagement.

She stares at her engagement ring again, flexing her fingers with the facets twinkling back at her. An all too familiar song begins to play on the radio and before she gets caught up in memories, she shuts her car off and gathers her bags. She scrambles for her keys that always seem to end up at the bottom of her bag and when she finally unlocks it, she nearly falls on her face from a suitcase placed by the door. 

“Ow! What the hell?” she hisses and drops her own belongings on the floor.

“Oops, I wanted to surprise you, not injure you.”

Nola freezes upon hearing his voice. She turns around slowly and he’s there, still looking fresh and crisp in his uniform.

“Hey baby,” he greets with a dazzling smile.

“Johnny!” she gasps and runs into his arms. He lifts her off the ground holding her tight.

“I’m home, baby,” he kisses the side of her head.

[isabellafoster13]

This was requested on Wattpad by Bellaboo097023.

It is flipping hot and the air conditioner broke, so I'm writing this in the dark while I'm practically sweating. Fuck summer. I'm over this. I'm also learning how to write and send a letter because my partner is at basic training. That's pretty fun. 

Everyone, I'm sure that you're also dealing with terrible heat, at least to some degree. Please, take care of yourselves. Drink plenty of water, stay as cool as you can, and keep an eye on any friends and families that may be negatively affected by the heat. Stay safe! I love all of you!

Also, a quick heads up, I am looking toward graduating high school in December (a whole semester early) by taking two college classes, and I am aiming for an internship with a college history teacher. If I don't get an internship, then I will be getting a job. This is so I'll have an extra A that'll boost my GPA. Because of this, updates on my works will probably slow down a bit, depending on the hours that I'll be spending doing either schoolwork, internship work, or just normal work. I do not have any plans of abandoning you, so do not worry about that. It's just that since I am getting ready to start the college phase of my life, I might be a bit slow on updates. It's too soon to say though, but I'll keep you updated on that, if you are interested. 

I hope you enjoy!

Jellal and Lucy?! (Jellal x Lucy ft. Team Natsu)

Lucy stepped off of the train and looked down at the job request she had taken. After checking the listed address of the job requester and began making her way there. After Erza went on another date with her partner whom she hadn't yet introduced to the guild, Natsu and Lisanna went on a job, and Gray went to Lamia Scale to visit Lyon, Lucy decided to take a solo job. She liked the idea of earning a full reward and not having to fix the destruction that her team would leave behind. 

She took a job that looked more difficult than the rest. Take down a small dark guild. She already had a plan. Have a few of her spirits fight the dark mages while she uses her star dresses to fight the master. It was a great plan in her mind. The reward was great too. three-hundred-thousand jewel. She smiled, excited to fight this dark guild and get her money. 

She had found the job requester and got the location of the dark guild's hideout by the end of the day. She trudged through the nearby woods, looking for a clearing with a large building in the middle of it when she heard rustling in the undergrowth behind her. Lucy swung around and pointed Loke's key outward, ready to summon him and fight alongside him. She was just about to call out the Zodiac celestial spirit when a man that she recognized emerged from the undergrowth. 

She sighed as she hooked Loke's key back onto her keyring and lightly scolded, "Jellal! You scared me! I thought that you were and dark mage and was just about to summon Loke to beat you up!"

Jellal chuckled as he approached her, responding, "sorry, Lucy. What are you doing here? Where is your team?"

Lucy answered, "they are doing their own things. I'm here on a solo job." 

Jellal nodded as he walked in the direction Lucy had been walking in and Lucy walked right next to him. The blue-haired man asked, "came to fight a dark guild here?"

Lucy nodded, guessing, "you're coming after the same guild?"

Jellal nodded, giving her a smile. Lucy blushed and looked away. For some time now she's had a crush on Jellal. She never thought much about it at first, but as it remained and grew, she's had difficulty ignoring it. She doubted that he felt the same way, so she quickly decided that she'd complete this job as soon as possible, collect her reward, and head back to Magnolia before she ended up making a fool of herself. 

Her attention was drawn back to the independent mage next to her when he gently elbowed her and suggested, "mind if I help you? You never know what could happen when fighting a dark guild and it might be good if I assist you." He then quickly added, "I'm not calling you weak or incapable of handling yourself! I just don't want you to get into serious danger. Dark guilds are unpredictable."

Lucy chuckled before she answered, "I wouldn't mind the help." She really didn't mind fighting a dark guild with Jellal. It would give her a chance to get a bit closer to him without running the risk of making a fool of herself because she'll be too focused on fighting this dark guild. She also liked the idea of spending some time with him since it had been several weeks since the last time she had seen him and his guildmates. 

She asked as they stepped over a fallen tree, "where are your guildmates? I would've expected to see them with you." 

Jellal shoved his hands into his coat pockets as he answered, "their fighting other dark guilds. I decided to fight this one on my own since it's small." Lucy nodded. So, his reason for coming after this dark guild was the same as hers. She was sure now that defeating this dark guild would be very easy with Jellal joining her. 

She was about to continue talking to him but was quickly stopped when Jellal stopped walking and grabbed her arm, bringing her to a stop. He pointed ahead of them, whispering, "the dark guild's headquarters is right there. Just through the trees." 

Lucy stared ahead. She leaned closer to Jellal to better see through the mess of trees, at the large building that looked like a warehouse. She noticed Jellal shifting away from her, causing the blonde to look at him and see him looking away with a slightly pink color on his cheeks. Assuming that he was uncomfortable with how close she had gotten to him, Lucy leaned away. She felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. 

She questioned in a whisper, "what do you think we should do?" 

Jellal asked with a low, joking tone, "did you not have a plan when you came here?"

Lucy answered, "well, I was planning to fight the master while my spirits fought the other mages, however, that was before you showed up." 

Jellal chuckled. He then responded, "how about this? You fight the master and I fight the rest of the guild." 

Lucy inquired, "do you want me to summon any of my spirits to help you?"

The blue-haired man shook his head, reassuring her, "I'll be fine on my own." 

Lucy nodded. The pair crept forward and peered through the undergrowth that they hid behind at the building. Jellal whispered, "it'll be easier for me if either most or all of the dark mages come out of their hideout. I'll be able to ambush them and fight in a wide-open space. Do you have a spirit that can bring them out?"

Lucy nodded. She unhooked Virgo's key and turned around, pointing the blade of the key away from her and calling, "Open! Gate of the Maiden: Virgo!" 

With a flash of golden light and the chime of a large bell, Virgo stood in front of Lucy. She bowed and spoke, "you summoned me, Princess? Is it punishment time?"

Lucy shook her head with a sigh as she hear Jellal next to her stifle a laugh. She then instructed, "we need the dark mages inside that building to come outside. Can you bring them out?"

Virgo responded, "of course, Princess," before she used her Diver spell to disappear underground. Lucy and Jellal turned around and watched for the dark mages they were targeting to run outside. 

They heard the sound of Virgo emerging from the ground inside of the hideout, which was followed by the sound of magical attacks being launched. Within a few minutes, Virgo emerged from the hideout, followed by ten mages. Lucy asked, "how many mages are there in this guild? The job requester didn't specify that." 

Jellal answered, "ten in total, not including the master. That's all of them." 

They waited for Virgo to disappear back to the Celestial Spirit World before they jumped out of their hiding place. Jellal launched his surprise attack on the dark mages as Lucy raced into the hideout, placing her hand over her keys. The doors slammed shut, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. 

She turned back around to find a man sitting on what looked like a throne in the middle of the room. He stood up and sneered with an unsettling grin, "so, you're going to fight me all on your own, little missy? How laughable." He then followed his words up with a cackle. 

Lucy unhooked Loke's key. She pointed the blade away from her and called, "Open! Gate of the Lion: Loke!" 

Her faithful celestial spirit and close friend appeared, saying, "your knight has arrived, Princess."

Lucy then pointed the key's blade at herself and spoke with a strong voice, "Star Dress: Leo Form!" She became engulfed in a golden light and when it faded, she was clad in an elegant outfit that fit beside Loke's suit. 

The spirit next to her smoothly remarked as he wrapped an arm around her waist, "my, my, Princess. You look gorgeous in that outfit. I wonder what you'd look like in a wedding dress. Care to find out sometime in the near future?" 

Lucy gently pushed him away with a sigh, responding, "focus on fighting this guy, you troublesome lion." The pair then bolted forward, attacking the dark guild master. 

After Lucy and Loke had gone back and forth with the surprisingly weak man, the celestial wizard had delivered a Regulus Lucy Kick to the dark mage's back, sending him flying toward Loke who used a Regulus punch to finish him off. 

Lucy, not feeling at all tired despite the fight, thanked Loke and sent him back to the Celestial Spirit World before she exited the building. She found the dark mages scattered around the clearing, unconscious. She watched as Jellal strolled toward her, a smile on his face. He asked, "ready to get your reward?" Lucy nodded and the two mages walked back to the job requester. 

After the job requester had handed Lucy the reward money, she took out one-hundred-fifty thousand jewel and handed it to Jellal. The blue-haired man looked at the money before he turned his gaze to Lucy, an eyebrow raised, and he asked, "what are you doing?" 

Lucy responded, "giving you half of the reward. You help so I think that's only fair if we split the reward."

Jellal chuckled as he pushed the money away, saying, "I don't want any part of the reward." 

Lucy exclaimed, "but, you helped me by fighting the guild members so I could fight the master! I need to thank you in some way!"

Jellal looked away for a few moments, appearing to be thinking over her words, before he looked back at her and suggested, "if you really want to thank me, then how about you go on a date with me?"

Lucy stared at him dumbstruck. Was Jellal actually asking her on a date? Like, a date that couples go on? Did he feel the same way about her? She was snapped out of her thoughts when Jellal began chuckling at her reaction. He then said, "I would love to go on a date with you, Lucy. A romantic type of date." 

Lucy blushed deeply at what he had said. Jellal really was asking her on a date! She couldn't remember the last time she felt this happy! She nodded her head furiously, exclaiming, "yes! Yes, I would love to!"

Jellal chuckled as he held out his arm for her to take, saying, "then let's go get some food. How does that sound?" 

Lucy hooked her arm with his and answered, "sounds great!"

Two weeks.

That's how long Lucy had been away from Fairy Tail. She and Jellal would go out together every day and talk, getting to know each other better and falling in love. However, Jellal had not asked Lucy to be his girlfriend, much to the blonde woman's dismay. Was Jellal not as interested in her as she was in him after all? 

They were sitting on a park bench, talking and laughing, when Natsu, Gray, and Erza suddenly appeared in front of them. Lucy and Jellal stared up at them in surprise. The three mages had their arms crossed over their chests and they looked less than pleased. Lucy swallowed thickly, afraid that her teammates would disapprove. 

She stood up and asked sheepishly, "Hey, guys. What are you doing here?" 

Gray was the one that answered, "you've been gone for two weeks, Lucy. What have you been doing?"

Lucy rubbed her upper arm, unsure of what to say for fear of how her friends would react. Should she say that she was hanging out with Jellal? But, how would that be an excuse for not returning to the guild for two weeks? Should she say that she's been dating Jellal? Honestly, she wasn't even sure if she and he were dating. Did she have any right to call him her boyfriend when he hadn't asked her to be his girlfriend? 

As Lucy was struggling to come up with an answer for her protective teammates, she felt Jellal wrap an arm around her waist and answer for her, "I'm sorry for keeping Lucy away from Fairy Tail for so long. We've been having so much fun together that we both didn't notice how much time had passed."

Erza raised an eyebrow as she asked, "why are you spending so much time with her, Jellal?"

The blue-haired man answered with a smile, "she's my girlfriend. Why wouldn't I spend time with her?"

The three mages in front of the couple exclaimed with surprise, "what?!" while Lucy stared up at him in just as much surprise. 

Jellal looked down at her and said, "if it's okay for me to call you that."

Lucy pressed a kiss to his cheek and said, "of course it's okay." 

The pair were then enveloped by Erza in a hug. Once the red-haired woman pulled away, she said as she brushed away a single tear, "I'm so happy for both of you." She then turned around to look back at her other two friends and asked them, "what about you two?"

The shirtless Gray answered with a smile, "as long as he doesn't hurt her, I support it." 

Natsu, however, crossed his arms over his chest and looked away, answering, "I don't like it. I don't think he's good enough for you, Luce."

Lucy glared at her best friend as she scolded him, "well, I love him and I think he's good enough, so I'm going to be with him whether you like it or not." 

Natsu huffed and turned away. Gray rolled his eyes and said, "he'll get over it." 

Lucy smiled, knowing that once they got back to Fairy Tail, Natsu would be completely supportive of her relationship. She then leaned up to kiss Jellal, feeling him kiss back immediately. 

[oldgooddaysoldgooddays]

221

I realise I was raised in Europe and now I'm not European. When I later tell today's infants that I remember a time when England was part of Europe I will sound old. Like when someone today says they remember the Soviet Union

In your thirties you can either drink OR smoke cigarettes. You can't do both

The film "Triangle Of Sadness" is both a montage of my personal bulimia and a "Titanic" for the digital age. I like it when the boat rocks and a woman tries to throw up in the cabin toilet but keeps sliding across the room in her own juices. Also whoever thought "let's cast Woody Harrelson as a Marxist sea captain" is a visionary

Pimlico Plumbers are the greatest company in London. The meet homeowners at their most vulnerable. An engineer who visits my house to unclog a sink filled with cigarettes from my birthday party insists on showing me his "big snake" that obliterates all blockages in any pipe. You can take a photo of it if you like, he says. I can't five star Google review them enough

When I'm feeling bad I like to drink olive brine like it's a beverage. I call this a virgin dirty martini. R calls it “ a sports drink”. 

B convinces me to watch Tod Solondz's Happiness (1998), impossible to find online save for a YouTube link that requires my VPN. I am not disappointed. When the stoic father of a young boy admits to raping the boy's friends I begin to see why Netflix isn't peddling it. It has the air of Magnolia - grim interlocking lives - but was made the year before. I have seen more new films in the last 48 hours than in the last 10 years. Am I a cinephile now?

I am tagged in a video on Instagram on Monday morning, and a teenage dream comes true when the lead singer of early 2000s indie band Razorlight plugs my music on a radio show. Please take me back to a time when I didn't make songs of my own and I was learning Golden Touch on my dad's midlife crisis guitar

Most nights it's so cold in my bathroom that I climb into a scolding bath still wearing my waterproof jacket so the lower half of my body can warm up before bravely removing the rest

My two band mates come to butcher three of my songs at the studio. I am still having some problems with the hot drummer. His hotness is the reason he thinks he's a better drummer than he is, but it's also why I'll keep him for as long as possible. He tells me that rather than practicing until I feel ready to do a show, it's better to just book a show and spend the four or five days leading up to it rehearsing rigorously and shoehorning any extra musicians into a room to plug gaps in the song structure. I tell him this is my worst nightmare

[shadowsinger11]

Inspiration

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Reader

Requested by anon: Could you do a Fred Weasley imagine where he falls in love with Harry’s younger sister. (Maybe a after the war where he lives)

Word Count: 3.3k (my hand slipped oops)

Genre: Fluff, childhood friends to lovers, mutual pining etc.

Warnings: Slight innuendo, Fred being cute and hot simultaneously

Tags: @self-ship-love @susceptible-but-siriusexual @hufflexpuff @neovannii @jenniweasley @elf-punk @heart-of-tempered-steel @itseatyourdamnapples

Message me if you'd like to be added!

Masterlist

Ottery St Catchpole, Devon, England, July 16, 2000

It was a chilly Sunday evening. The summer air buzzed with excitement and the tender aroma of magnolia as tiny white and pink petals were gracefully falling from the huge cherry trees, carried by the light breeze. Twilight painted the horizon in liquid gold and fiery red, soon followed by mellow shades of dark blue that brought countless sparkling stars.

It was getting the slightest bit colder, but it did not matter; nothing else mattered but the loud cheers and cheerful music, celebrating the official bond between a Potter and a Weasley under the wide night sky.

You couldn't have been happier for your older brother, Harry, who was currently dancing with Ginny, his now wife - now and for the rest of his, hopefully, but not really likely, peaceful life. For the longest time you've been wondering how he'd always manage to get into trouble even as a small First year with no experience in the wizarding world whatsoever. Or, perhaps, that was the exact reason as to why evil-battling and rule-breaking were such common practices when hanging out with him.

However, there was no fighting that day. There was no room for worry and fear when the entire Weasley family and their loved ones were gathered on the clearing in front of the Burrow, chatting, laughing, dancing, singing, drinking, celebrating and living for what seemed to be the first time since Lord Voldemort's fall. Danger was practically nonexistent in that blissful moment which was frozen in time, once having looked agonizingly distant and impossible to hope for. But that dream was no longer just a foolish fantasy to heal wounded hearts. It was there, and it was happening in the most beautiful way imaginable.

And suddenly, all those clichés of a married life weren't even clichés. They were simply humble wishes of people who had witnessed far too many horrors in such a short period of time, and only craved stability among the massive chaos. So when you glanced at Ginny, a twirling blur of flaming red hair and a gorgeous wedding dress, you didn't feel the need to comment on how banal the color white was. You genuinely smiled, admiring the pure, exuberant joy, visible in her eyes and scarlet cheeks. Harry looked just as, if not even happier than his wife, dancing in the ridiculous but wholehearted way that only he could, and old memories of him winning the golden egg, training Dumbledore's Army and kissing Ginny in the common room for the very first time flooded into your mind.

It had truly been a long time since you had seen Harry careless and free like that.

You yourself had spent an ungodly amount of hours preparing the yard for the ceremony all day; rearranging chairs, decorating, making sure everything was going by schedule, only to then dance your tired feet off, and though you wanted to continue having fun with Hermione, Luna and the rest of the girls waiting for you, you really needed a break. And a drink.

Excusing yourself to leave the particularly interesting conversation you were having with distant Weasley relatives, you slipped off your black flats that, despite looking absolutely stunning, hurt your feet terribly after an entire day of fussing over the color of napkins and flower bouquets. Barefoot on the grass, you walked over to a chair next to a table which seemed to have been occupied, but judging by the mostly empty glasses and plates, the guests weren't coming back anytime soon.

You tossed your shoes aside with a sigh and rushed to rub your aching toes, hissing from how sore they were.

How has Ginny been dancing like that for hours?

"Enjoying the party, I see?" a familiar deep, slightly husky voice commented, causing you to look up.

It was none other than Fred Weasley, dear friend from childhood, staring down at you, his ever-present charming smirk resting on features and hands shoved into the pockets of his dragonskin suit. But it was his flaming red hair that made your eyes widen - it was carefully smoothed back, shining under the moonlight like liquid iron.

Fred's eyes still contained their famous, loveable mischief, except now slightly tamer and calmer. His firm biceps had visibly grown in size, stretching out the fabric of his coat just a bit to give you a prominent silhouette that caught you off guard.

It had been two years; he had changed so much.

And you were afraid to admit you had too.

You blinked in surprise, processing his uncharacteristically sophisticated appearance before realizing what he had asked you.

"Would've enjoyed it far more if my legs weren't killing me," you groaned half-heartedly and leaned back on your chair. "What's with your hair?"

"What's with your feet?"

"I asked you first," you cut him off. "I bet Ginny is responsible for this."

"Actually…" Fred trailed off, and, whether on purpose or not, ran a hand through the ginger locks to keep them in place, unaware of how you suddenly wished the hand doing the graceful motion wasn't his. "Mum insisted that I looked my best. What can I say, it's not like George and I usually listen to her, but we thought we'd make an exception this time; our sister doesn't get married every day. But honestly, Ginny couldn't care less about how we looked as long we showed up."

"So like usual, you mean?" you giggled. "Showing up is an achievement for you even if you're underdressed?"

Fred beamed, pearly white smile complementing his formal outfit. You wondered if he used that exact smile to effortlessly allure costumers and business partners at work.

He rested an elbow on the table as he leaned forward.

"Come on now, darling. I know you find my messy hair irresistible either way."

His cockiness only caused you to laugh, though Fred was quick to spot the flash of nervousness in your eyes; it brought him immense pride to know he was the one to turn you from confident to adorably bashful and flustered in the matter of seconds.

He was looking at you intensely, expectantly waiting for you to deny his flirty accusation despite your shyness.

"Nah, Weasley. It only reminds me that even at twenty-two you still do not know how to use a comb."

Fred's eyebrows shot straight up to his hairline, mouth agape. For the first time, he actually needed a second to form a reply.

"Didn't see that coming, I give you that. Courageous one, you are."

Your heart fluttered with joy and you openly grinned, shrugging in half-hearted humbleness.

"Perhaps I am."

Speaking to him felt unusually energizing, as though you had jumped headfirst into a chilly lake. It was unfamiliar and it set your nerves on fire, causing your stomach to twist and turn with sensations that left you dizzy, but unbelievably thrilled. And you wanted more of it, you wanted more of him.

"Fancy a drink?" Fred offered, already pouring champagne into a glass before handing it to you, and you keenly took it.

"Thanks, I've been thirsty with all the preparations I was doing."

"Is that why your legs are killing you?"

"Exactly, I've been running around all day, making sure everything was in order… you know, a lot of organizing and the like."

"It must hurt quite a bit then," Fred commented with a pained grimace. "But I absolutely get you, Georgie and I are just like that when it comes to the shop. It's a lot of accounting if I'm being honest, though I admit he's way better at it. We need to be completely precise; we can't allow any mistakes."

"Woah," you laughed. "Control freak much?"

He wettened his lips, never breaking eye contact.

"Perhaps I am."

You tilted your head to the side, gaze piercing into his in hopes of finding out what those gorgeous brown eyes were hiding. The tiny playful flames in them were eloquent.

Shifting slightly in your seat, you smoothed out your bridesmaid dress and raised your glass, the ghost of a smirk playing on your lips.

"Cheers to us control freaks then."

Fred mirrored your smug expression and your glasses met with a clink. The bubbly liquid tingled your throat, undoubtedly refreshing you and cooling you off. You glanced at the people dancing in the centre of the clearing and giggled - Ginny had apparently thrown away her white shoes long ago, bare feet stepping elegantly on the grass.

"You see, I'd like to chat a bit more with you, but I'm afraid it's a bit too loud here. What about we go to the pond across the field?" Fred suggested, pointing at the woods behind his back. You had visited them countless times when staying with Harry at the Burrow during holidays years ago; the tall trees and the glistening waters had never ceased to bring you comfort.

The noise started to become bothersome, and you felt it even more necessary to continue your conversation somewhere private, the unknown causing butterflies to erupt in your stomach. Fred's presence could only be compared to a shot of whiskey, or the sensation of anticipating a tidal wave to crash into you in less than a second. It was wild and the tiniest bit terrifying, but oh so tempting as it pulled you in.

"I'd love that, but… you know," you grinned and playfully swang your sore feet. "Can't really walk."

But this didn't at all seem like a problem to Fred Weasley who only shrugged and stood up, "You don't have to. I'll carry you."

"Merlin, no! Please, it's not necessary."

Fred frowned, but his confused expression was soon replaced by an amused one.

"You said it yourself that your feet hurt like hell. And even if carrying you around isn't necessary, it doesn't mean I don't want to."

You attempted to tame the butterflies.

"No, no! You seriously don't have to, I promise," you frantically protested as you held up your hands in front of you to reassure him, but he only gave you a weird look. "I can walk on my own. I'll be too heavy for you."

"There's only one way to find out."

Fred walked over to you and leaned down, one hand sneaking around your waist and the other slipping under your knees. You shrieked in terror, arms flying to clutch at his shoulders, and heat rose to your cheeks from the abrupt contact. Your chests were pressed together, and you were afraid he'd be able to feel your racing heart. His skin was warmer than you had thought, and it successfully fought off the night summer chill.

"Are we going?" Fred whispered down at you, lips so close to yours that you recognized the nuance of champagne in his breath, mixing unbelievably well with the scent of cinnamon and sandalwood of his cologne.

Not only is he sinfully attractive, but he smells heavenly too?

"Yes," you breathed and let Fred effortlessly walk across the meadow with you in his arms. They brought this new, odd, yet familiar sense of security, and you allowed your head to rest against his chest, nervous gaze wandering off into the distance in hopes of not meeting his. Nevertheless, curiosity eventually took the best of you, and your eyes would occasionally flicker to his, which were now completely black under the night sky. They could swallow you whole, you swore.

Minutes later, you found yourselves in the company of old, enormous willows which surrounded the pond you so vividly remembered from your teenage years. You thanked Fred as he carefully let you down, and took a few steps forward to look around and drench in the misty moonlight that enveloped the area. The waters were crystal clear and completely still, reflecting the moon and its majestic silver glow. The bushes had grown significantly over the time you were away, and you fondly looked back at the moments when you would pick up colorful wildflowers in the summer before your fourth year.

"Shall we sit?" Fred asked quietly from right behind your shoulder, and you followed him with a nod. You found a comfortable spot on the fresh grass to sit, a few feet away from where the water met the soil and moved back and forth ever so slightly.

"It's more beautiful than I remember," you noted, lips curled up in a barely visible smile. Fred hummed in agreement.

"That's why I always make sure to come here every chance I get when I return. But, unfortunately, that's very rare in my case."

For a moment, there was only the chirping of crickets and the soft bubbling of water.

Fred turned to you.

"Remember when mum used to call for us to de-gnome the garden and we'd hide here? We could stay in the bushes for hours before we eventually came back," he recalled, seeming deep in thought. It was an extraordinary sight; for once the playful spark in his eyes was more mellow, there was no cockiness seeping into the way he was holding himself. He was just Fred, the man who was currently thinking with so much adoration and love about his childhood, the most significant memories of it being marked by you.

You wondered, given you ever had the chance to spend with Fred as much time as your older brother did, if the charismatic prankster would have fallen for you like you had done. You wondered, given the chance you had let Fred get to know you better all those summers ago, if his heart would have belonged to you by now just like yours did to him.

Had you possibly missed your chance?

"Oh, I do," you sighed, the tension in your chest vanishing as warm nostalgia crept in like an old friend. "I also remember when I got this really bad nightmare that night. I was so terrified that you took me on a ride with your broom in the middle of the night to cheer me up."

"That's true! My parents don't know about it to this day," he replied smugly. "I can still hear you screaming like a lunatic."

You jokingly smacked his arm, "I was twelve!"

Fred's grin grew wider.

"Excuses…"

This only caused you to stare at him in disbelief and cross your arms, managing your most serious expression, but Fred was aware you were on the verge of failing to keep your stern facade. He squinted his eyes as a teasing attempt to provoke you, smile threatening to split his face in two.

"Alright then, that's enough about me," you announced, and Fred nodded in mock agreement as he studied your playful pretence. "If you're so much better than me, Mr Darcy, what else do you do aside from stealing ladies away?"

"Stealing their hearts," he said confidently, flashing you a seductive smirk, reserved only for special girls back in your Hogwarts days. You giggled, finding his antic utterly ridiculous, but you hated to admit that it still turned your blood into liquid fire. Fred apparently saw right through you, because when your eyes landed on his, they appeared completely dark once again, but, you suspected, for a reason other than the lack of light.

Your throat went dry, and you found it hard to swallow down the lump that cut your breath short.

He ran a hand through his ginger hair as he began to explain, "I'm kidding, you know. But to answer your question, George and I have been working on this potion that should be able to change the color of the eyes and hair. Fun for those who enjoy experimenting with their appearance, but it can also be useful to the Ministry. They're actually going to send a team of a couple of aurors to visit us next month so we can update them on our progress and negotiate the details."

"Wow! That's certainly exciting!"

"Is it? I mean, it probably is, but I've been having second thoughts lately if I'm being honest." He scratched the back of his neck, and you realised you had only witnessed him being anxious when it came to his greatest passion. "I'm afraid we might not be done on time, there's still plenty left to improve."

You put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention, and said, "I'm sure you'll figure it all out eventually. Keep working as you normally do, try not to stress too much over the deadline, and even if things go wrong at some point, don't go too hard on yourself. It wouldn't take away any progress you've made so far."

Fred's body relaxed just a bit and he looked down at you. He couldn't deny the sense of serenity that he felt only when he was with you. Even as a careless young boy, he was able to pinpoint the way his midriff would clench every time you'd laugh at his jokes or ask him to play with you, without knowing what it all meant.

But now, as a grown man, he had a word to describe the bittersweet fire within.

"You know what?" He tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. "I could really benefit from having someone like you around to give me motivation."

"Motivation, huh?" you raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. Fred sneaked a hand around your waist and pulled you closer.

"Yes, motivation."

"Motivation for what?"

"Marketing strategies, work projects…" he shrugged nonchalantly, "...among other things."

You quickly caught on, suddenly becoming way too self-aware of the way you were practically cuddled into Fred's side, hand resting on his shoulder while his were wrapped around your waist. But his shining confidence seemed to rub off on you, because you asked.

"What's with you offering me a job all of a sudden?"

His bottom lip was tucked between his teeth as he took his sweet time devouring you with his darkened gaze. You didn't know whether you wanted to hide from it, or expose yourself even further to the way it burned its way straight to your core.

"Well…" Fred dragged out in his low, hoarse voice, and caressed your cheek with his thumb before slipping it under your chin to guide it towards his face. You could nearly taste the remaining flavour of champagne on his lips. "I've certainly been feeling…"

Fred went quiet as he got lost in the way you fit so perfectly in his arms; you had always meant to be there, he realised. His mouth crashed into yours, hands tightly gripping your waist, and you let out a gasp. Fred's lips were soft, although slightly chapped, and they moved gently but firmly against yours, turning you into their slave. Your palms naturally slid up his chest and he closed any remaining distance between your bodies by placing you to straddle his lap. The kiss was a dance of pushing forward and pulling back, two lovers having finally found their rhythm after years of living in fearful desire. You were positively drunk on his taste, on him, and you wished to never become sober.

When your need for air overcame the one for physical contact, you pulled away. Your chests were heaving with rapid, shallow breaths, hearts beating in synch like they had always done. You let a finger tenderly trace his cheekbone down to his jawline, then it came back up to draw different affectionate patterns on his face.

"What were you saying?" you asked, clearly out of breath. "How were you feeling?"

He fondly took your hand that was caressing his skin, and lifted it up to press feather-light kisses on your knuckles. His lips retraced their path until they reached the tips of your fingers, and he kissed those with the gentlest of touch.

You heart ached pleasurably from the way he was handling you with such care, much more than you ever believed he was capable of.

After minutes of worshipping you by the moonlit lake, Fred looked back at you as though you were his entire world. And replied with a smile.

"Inspired."

Reblogs and feedback are greatly appreciated!

Masterlist

[miraculous-trinity-leo]

Tᕼᗴ ᑕᕼᗩOTIᑕ ᗩᑎᘜᗴᒪ

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6)

Chapter 3: Au Revoir Gotham My True Home

•—–—–·†·–—–—•

Marinette explained what happened and that she didn't mean to cause trouble, she didn't know why the bats were looking for her (author to audience... it's because she looks like one of his bat kids gone rouge.) When she asked how they knew the Bat was looking for her, she found out that Selina was actually dating the Bat... So Marinette was very surprised at that, her family talked about it and a few days after her birthday she'll be going to Paris, France with Selina to be with a family friend of hers. Marinette was now really thinking she was cursed, but she made sure to take it in stride and spend as much time with her friends and family as possible.

"Doan wawhry suguh, we'll make sure tuh visit as much as possible, yuh can even visit us durin' summuh and wintuh break." - Harley held back the tears as she hugged Marinette, Bud, Lou, Ivy, Selina, Ed and even Frank joined in on it.

……… ………

Marinette was out with her friends still not sure how to tell them, she started with the obvious.

"Sooo... tomorrow I turn 10... the double digits." - Marinette

"Soon you'll be one of us!" - Garfield gave Marinette a side hug with a big smile, god he made it harder to tell them

"So what do you want to do? We can celebrate, tomorrow and the day after that, and the day after that, heck we can celebrate for the whole week while we're at it!" - Garfield

Rachel noticed the sad smile Marinette had as Garfield continued talking.

"Is there something you need to tell us?" - Rachel's words stoped Garfield in his tracks, he then looked at a slightly teary Marinette, and he felt a slight tinge of pain in his chest.

"I- um, I'm moving this Saturday... I'm sorry I really don't want to, but- *hic* I-" - Marinette was cut off by Garfield giving her a hug, he rubbed small circles on her back as she let out a few sobs. Rachel patting her shoulder to try and comfort her.

After they were like that for a few minutes, they decided to get ice cream

……… ……… ………

"I'm sorry." - Marinette eating her chocolate chip ice cream

"It's not your fault Mari, besides, we can officially say we have a pen pal in Paris." - Garfield with his chocolate mint ice cream trying to lighten the mood, managed to get a chuckle out of Marinette.

"We can still video call, or text you. And your parents said you can visit on summer and winter break." - Rachel just starting her strawberry ice cream

"But what if I need a friend to talk to when I can't sleep? Or if I need a movie buddy? Or gaming buddy?" - Marinette

"There are online multiplayer games we can play you know." - Rachel

"Yeah, and I'm sure you'll make friends over there really quickly, I mean you already know a few other languages, including French, so there isn't any communication problems." - Garfield

"I wish you guys could come with me..." - Marinette almost done with her ice cream

"... Didn't you say you always wanted a hamster, maybe one that's unique, like a the rare Green Gotham Hamster?" - Garfield with a mischievous grin

"Selina's family friends own a bakery, so no pets allowed. Sorry Rare Green Gotham Hamster, I'm afraid you're staying native to Gotham." - Marinette said patting his shoulder.

"Wait they own a bakery?! As in you can be on a sugar high 24/7?! Take me with you!!" - Garfield

……… ……… ………

Soon it was time for them to go home, when Marinette got home, she continued packing what she would need, making sure that her Siren plushies where safely secure, and then went to eat dinner.

The next day she made sure to get up early, Garfield and Rachel knew where she lived, and wanted to make sure everything was ready for them, setting up the games they would play into the night, and the movies they would watch after that.

She then went to the Gardens to greet her Mom and the plants, doing the usual routine of checking all the plants, complimenting and watering them. During which a sleepy Harley walked over giving Ivy and Marinette a morning kiss before going to make her coffee.

At breakfast she didn't see her Aunt yet, she assumed she was robbing someone rich again.

……… Over to Catwoman ………

"Come ta mama." - Catwoman mumbled as she used her claws to cut the glass surrounding an old elegant purple sapphire that belonged to one of Gotham's founding fathers' wives.

……… Back to Marinette ………

About an hour after breakfast Garfield and Rachel came over, holding Marinettes' rapped presents, they started the day off with trivia games, which they called the MIQ (which can mean either Marinette Isley-Quinzel or in this case Memory Intelligence Quiz) which Marinette and Rachel came to a tie followed by Ivy, then Harley, and Garfield. They then moved on to board games, Marinette decided to play The Game of Life rather than Monopoly (because lets be honest, who has ever finished that game in the time of a signle day? An extreme speedrunner... maybe.) while the adults got the cake ready. Surprisingly Garfield won, he got the acting career, a sports car, a nice old fashioned mid modern house, a wife, and 3 kids... Marinette got the fashion designer career, got a motorcycle, and a small, but nice victorian house, a husband, and one kid... and Rachel got the scientist career (because science is just simplified mortal magic), a delorean car (and even said "Since science is magic I can make it fly, so technically, I don't need roads where I'm going."), a modern cabin in the woods, single (she didn't want a significant other to interrupt her magic science) and got a pet bird.

Once Selina and Ed came over, they began the party, playing games like DDR, Ultimate Mecha Strike 2, and Racing games.

When it came time for Marinette to blow out her candles, she wished that everything would be okay, and that she will be able to come back to Gotham permanently, and blew them out.

She then got to open her presents, she started with Harley's, and got a custom baseball bat that was a dark steel blue, with a light grey handle grip, and it had the words "Quinn For Da Win" on it, putting a smile on her face, when she opened Ivy's gift she got seeds of her favorite flowers to plant over in Paris. She then opened her Uncle Ed's gift, which was a small watch that had special A.I., it had a cover over the inside screen that would flip open to reveal another screen. The cover was silver with a blue question mark, and when it opened, it showed the time, and the location you where in, it could also act as a GPS, and a phone (it could even play music AND had an incredible battery life span). She then moved on to her Aunt Selina's gift, finding a small purple sapphire in the shape of a cat paw, surrounded in silver. She then opened Rachel's gift, it was a travel mug that said "Coffee lives in my veins." (Marinette started drinking coffee recently) which made Marinette laugh, and then she got to Garfield's gift. When she opened it, she found a handmade charm bracelet, it had animals that she really liked around it, and there was one that was a small tiger, with it's eyes and nose having a light green peridot stone, to represent the first day they met. She put the bracelet on her right rist and thanked Garfield for it, and gave everyone a big hug.

She spent the rest of the day playing with her friends, having a wonderful time, and getting a massive sugar rush from all the cake they had. When it came time for dinner they were running low on energy, but were back to normal after Harley snuck some coffee into their food... The only thoughts that went through Garfield and Rachel's minds where "That's why Mari drinks this stuff..."

After dinner they played all kinds of video games, and ended it by watching Back To The Future. They fell asleep some time after 2am.

……… ……… …….

The next morning they all had breakfast and then spent the day playing parkour tag over roofs and playing I spy games. And at the end of the day Marinette gave her friends a big hug, before heading back home. She spent her time with her moms, Uncle, and Frank, playing more boardgames and discussing what she should do to make friends...

"Just be yawhself, we love yuh fawh who yuh are, and I'm sure everyone in Paris will love yuh too... if dey doan, den dey most likely have a massive defective reject of a brain." - Was Harley's opinion

"Riddle the f-ck out of their brain, if they can solve all of them, and like you for you, then they are worthy." - Which was Ed's opinion

"Use a chemical based compound from the magnolia flower, combined with three tulip petals, one rose petal, and pollen from a lilac to create a befriending potion." - Ivy's words made everyone silent before Ed spoke up

"... Harley if you're being mind controlled blink." - Ed deadpaned, which had Marinette cackling

"I'm not bein' mind controlled, also yuh nawhmally say ‘blink once or twice’ not just ‘blink’ I could blink at any random interval and yuh woun't know what tuh tink, and here I thoughtcha were a genius." - Harley with her head on Ivy's lap as Marinette starts wheezing.

"I think y'all broke her." - Frank just pointed to Marinette as she was still cackling and wheezing while in the fetal position.

That's when Selina walked in...

"What the hell did you guys do to Kitten?!" - Selina dropping the bags she got from some high end shop, and after they made sure Marinette was still alive they continued their game... and Marinette may have actually written the list of ingredients for that position, but only as a last resort. When it was time for them to sleep Marinette spent the night with her moms, like she use to when she was 4.

She got up early to make sure everything was ready, she had her sketch book in her backpack, as well as some pencils, ear buds, snacks and a picture of her with her family and friends. She decided to wear her new watch and charm bracelet as she finished checking her bag, she then went into the garden to say goodbye to all the plants, and to give Bud, Lou and Frank one last goodbye. She had about 3 hours before her and her Aunt were to head to the airport, and she spent that time with her moms, almost never leaving their side.

……… ……… …….

As the plane took off she looked out the airplane window, saying goodbye to Gotham, until her next visit home....

•—–·★·–—•

Chapter 3 complete, also just in case I didn't describe her B-day gifts good enough, here's what they look like (꒪꒳꒪)

Hope you're all having an amazing day, staying safe and rockin' all positive vibes,!BUG-OUT! 💮🐞💮

〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜Tag List〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

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[megalony]

Teacher’s pet- Part 17

I haven’t written this series in a while but it feels so good to get back into it, thank you for all the lovely messages asking about this series, I hope you will all like this next part. Feedback is always appreciated.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem​ @butlegendsneverdie​ @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr​  @radiob-l-a-hblah​ @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6​ @rogertaylors-lipgloss​ @sj-thefan​ @omgitsearly​ @luckytrashgooprebel​ @scarsout​ @deaky-with-a-c​ @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac​ @vousmemanqueez​ @jonesyaddiction​ @rogahs-drowse @milanosaurus @httpfandxms​ @saint-hardy​ @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls​ @mrsalwayswritex​ @rogerina-owns-me @hellsdragon​ @im-an-adult-ish​ @crazylittlethingg​ @allauraleigh​

Series taglist: @im-an-adult-ish @gwilymleeisbae​ @k-k0129​ @haileymorelikestupid​ @glittrixvibe @youngpastafanmug​ @ultraviolencezs​

Series masterlist

Summary: (Y/n) teaches at the school Ben’s boys go to and they soon start a relationship. But they have their ups and downs with the problems Ben faces with his boys and how quickly the relationship progresses.

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"When daddy gets back, we go home?"

(Y/n) turned on her heels to look behind her when Finn's voice could just be heard over the radio. The four-year-old had been pottering around upstairs for a while but (Y/n) had started to focus more on the songs playing on the radio than the sound of her youngest boy hurrying about, unsure what he should do.

(Y/n)'s eyes glanced over to look at Gwilym before she headed over to where Finn was standing in the doorway, either too anxious or simply unsure about whether he should enter the room or not.

This was the family's fifth day in their new house but both Carter and Finn needed more time to get used to it. Carter didn't like change, it unsettled him and a new house meant getting used to a new room and different surroundings. The living room had a strange layout, he had to get used to the utensils in the kitchen being in different drawers, the dining room was different and so was the garden. (Y/n) and Ben were wallpapering and painting the house so every room was new and foreign and Carter didn't like it yet.

He got to choose what colour he wanted his room, where he wanted his bed and his tv and where he should have a shelf for his figurines and books. But it was figuring out the right place for everything that was unnerving Carter. He didn't know where the right place for everything was, he had to work it all out and have it looking perfect.

For the last four days Carter had scarcely come out of his room, mainly staying put to watch tv and rearrange everything. His room was the only one in the house so far that he was getting used to so it was the only room he wanted to stay in.

With Finn it was different.

He didn't mind that the house was being decorated or that things were in different places and it was new surroundings, he cared that it wasn't home. Finn had been too young to remember the first house he lived in with Ben and Lucy and his brothers but their old house was the one he had grown up in, it was a safe place for him and he had to feel safe. This new house was somewhere he would have to get used to and try and make it feel safe, he wanted to go back to their home, he didn't want to stay here.

Getting the house and moving into it had been done quickly but quietly, the boys were told they would be moving but Ben and (Y/n) had sorted everything and started moving things before telling the boys exactly what day they were moving to try and make it easier. They didn't overthink or panic about it because they didn't have much time to panic.

"Baby, I know you want to go back to the old house, but this is our new home, when it's all finished it will feel better I promise. Why don't you stay in here and help decorate with me and uncle Gwil?"

It had been a little easier for Finn to try and adjust because he was still sharing a room with James. Someone had to share a room and Carter needed to be on his own so he didn't lash out and the baby could hardly share with any of the boys because it wouldn't be fair. James and Finn were close and James didn't mind helping Finn when he was unsettled or panicked so it was the best option for them to share a room. Carter had one of the smaller rooms to himself, the boys shared a bigger room, (Y/n) and Ben had their room and then there was another small room that was for the baby.

Finn looked around the room as he stayed stood on the threshold like he was too afraid to actually take a step forward into the room. The boy's rooms had been decorated first to try and help the three of them settle in, now they were working on the baby's room before doing their own room and then working their way downstairs. It was going to take a while to get the whole house decorated the way they wanted it but at least if they got the bedrooms done it would be easier and more settling for the boys.

With Ben being called into work today due to being short staffed, Gwilym had offered to help with the decorating. The baby's room was being painted dark cherry blossom with one feature wall that had already been painted magnolia to give a bit more light into the room.

"No." Finn shook his head, staying put in the doorway. He wasn't too keen on painting, it seemed rather boring and very time consuming.

If James was still at home today then Finn would have been more settled, he could have watched tv or played games with him but James was with Ellie for the day since he hadn't seen her in over two months. And Finn knew better than to try and play with Carter when he was unsettled as it was.

"Why don't we take a break and get something to eat?" Gwilym spoke up, putting down the paint roller in his hand. They were about due a break by now and it might settle Finn if they watched some tv and had something to eat. "You go down and pick something out to eat and I'll come down in a minute."

They watched the youngest boy nod, looking a bit calmer as he turned and headed to the stairs and disappeared from sight.

"One more coat of paint and it should be done." (Y/n) spoke quietly as she rubbed the back of her hand against her forehead. With Gwilym being taller than (Y/n) it was easier for him to paint the top of the walls where (Y/n) couldn't reach, stretching up wasn't an option either with the weight of the baby. Both Ben and Gwilym had tried telling (Y/n) to take it easy but she wanted to paint because the quicker it got done the sooner they could get on with the rest of the house.

"I think another coat should do it, but I think you need a break. Me and Finn will make some dinner, you sit down."

Gwilym ran his hand through his hair, brushing the curls out of his eyes before he moved to put his glasses back on that had been stuffed into his pocket to prevent them from being coated in paint.

"I'm fine-"

"Ben said you didn't feel well this morning, you think I want the wrath of him if he finds out you've been overdoing it today? Sit down and rest, please."

Gwilym and (Y/n) had been friends since she started at the school and he and Ben had been friends for years, they were both close to Gwilym's heart. On the one hand he knew that (Y/n) would stop and rest when and if needed, she wouldn't push herself too far. Gwilym would never want to try and control her or tell her what to do. But on the other hand he knew that sometimes she would push through phases of feeling unwell or under the weather and he knew how protective Ben was about his family. Gwilym wouldn't want to be around if Ben got annoyed that (Y/n) hadn't taken it easy like she should.

"Hmm, fine." (Y/n) narrowed her eyes playfully with a tired but playful smile as she took a few steps over to sit down on the rocking chair in the corner that was draped with an old paint-stained sheet.

(Y/n) wouldn't admit it but it did feel better to sit down and rest for a bit, stretching up to paint the walls or bending down to get the bottom near the skirting boards was tiresome. And she couldn't allow herself to stop until the first coat of paint was done or it would dry funny and patchy and that would grate on her nerves.

Her eyes followed Gwilym as he raised a brow at her before he made his way out of the room, leaving her to sit and listen to the radio which she had forgotten was still playing in the background. She leaned her head back until the wooden back of the chair was resting lightly against the base of her neck to support her head. Her eyes fell closed to try and relieve the headache slowly beginning to form behind her eyes and she slowly shifted her weight from her heels to her toes to slowly rock the chair.

All morning (Y/n) had felt her headache come and go like it was testing her, visiting her to see how she would react to the intrusion and it didn't help matters how much the baby was shifting like she couldn't seem to get comfy.

A sigh passed through (Y/n)'s lips before she pushed herself to stand up, wondering if having a drink might take away her headache in case she was starting to get dehydrated. Weaving around the pots of paint and rollering boards, (Y/n) moved to get her drink that rested on the windowsil next to the radio. The room was starting to look more homely now that the first coat of paint was finished and (Y/n) knew once they'd got some pictures put on the walls and everything in its place, the room would look much better.

The one thing that (Y/n) didn't like about moving was how impatient she became. She wanted to paint and decorate the whole place in one day, she wanted to put up pictures and place books on shelves and make it feel like home. Downstairs wasn't even started yet so there was no way (Y/n) could start putting up pictures yet which made her agitated and impatient.

There were three canvas pictures that (Y/n) was desperate to put up in the living room, they were of Ben and the boys and all four of them were smiling and laughing in the pictures and they were something that would make it feel more like home for them all.

(Y/n) also knew that once their girl was born, she wanted to get a canvas picture of her and have it on the wall above the cot.

Putting the glass back down, (Y/n) took a moment to look out the window which showed the drive and front garden. Her hand moved to rest on her lower stomach when she could feel the baby shifting again proving that she simply couldn't get comfy today which in turn made (Y/n) uncomfy.

Her eyes focused on the light grey carpet she knew they needed to change and her feet slowly padded around the paint, not wanting to spill any since they had gone ahead and painted without any sheets being put down on the floor to protect the old carpet. But her free hand quickly reached out for the cot resting unused on her left when she could feel the room starting to spin.

Tilting her head down, (Y/n) tried to breathe deeply and see if it would take away the feeling that was as if a fog was clouding her mind and stirring trouble behind her eyes. She slowly shuffled her feet to try and get to the rocking chair, knowing it would be better to sit down than to keep standing and let the blood drain from her head.

(Y/n) didn't know what her foot got caught on, she didn't see what snagged at the toe of her slipper but whatever it was made her toes bend completely under her foot which felt like it snapped in half as it folded over itself. The top of her foot scraped against the carpet as the bones clicked either into or out of place before her body was suddenly tumbling forward off balance.

There was nothing around that she could use to steady herself and her eyes immediately snapped closed from both the pain and shock and from instinct when she started to fall. Some sort of gasp or even a screech instinctively left her lips before it felt like everything was turned off.

She could hear the static in her ears like the radio had lost its signal but turned its sound up to the max. Her eyes were tightly closed to the point they were stinging but it took (Y/n) a moment to realise she was no longer falling.

She knew for certain that she was motionless now and she was no longer flying forwards through the air, but she didn't remember stopping.

Opening her eyes was a struggle, they felt like they were weighed down like coins were pressed down on her eyelids to prevent her from seeing something. And the rest of her body felt heavy and was trembling like she was feeling the after effects of an electric shock. She could see the painting tray a few feet in front of her and the curved foot of the rocking chair was next to her. Everything felt numb and heavy but (Y/n) forced her arms to move so that she could shakily grab the seat of the rocking chair, she needed to pull herself up from the awkward way she was laying. She had to get up and check herself over to make sure she was okay, she couldn't lay here like this.

"Mum, did you knock something over again?" Carter's voice barely reached (Y/n)'s ears that still felt like they were full of static.

The eldest boy walked out of his room and up the three small steps that led to the upper two rooms. He leaned his head around the room on the right before moving towards the nursery room since he knew they had been painting that room this morning. But Carter froze in his tracks, his eyes blown wide with confusion and fear when he looked at (Y/n).

She was on her knees in front of the rocking chair which her arms were heavily resting on and she was trembling. It looked as if she was going to be sick or even faint and Carter could see that her eyes weren't seeing everything properly like her vision was blurring.

"Mum?" There was a lot of concern in Carter's voice but his expression was rather neutral. He didn't seem able to express any emotion but anger in his face and right now he looked unfazed but sounded scared and was stunned and unmoving.

(Y/n) wanted to talk, she wanted to try and tell Carter she just felt dizzy and had tripped. She wanted to calm him down and reassure him she was fine, but the only thing she could do was close her eyes and let her head fall onto her arms that were resting on the chair. Her throat was constricting and her head couldn't formulate a sentence or allow her to even move any more than this.

Carter's brows sank down until they were almost resting in his eyes as he pressed his lips together tightly. What was she doing? He could feel a bout of anger burning through him because she wasn't telling him what she was doing, she was kneeling like she was praying but she looked ill. Curling his hands into fists, Carter huffed his next breath before he turned on his heels and jumped down the three steps to get onto the hallway. He took long strides and rounded the corner to the right before he stormed down the stairs and swung round the bottom of the bannister.

He skidded a few times when running through the hall to reach the kitchen where he could hear Gwilym and Finn chatting away.

"Uncle Gwil, mum's sat on the floor and she won't talk to me. It sounded like she kicked something but she won't move."

A frown etched onto Gwilym's features and his eyes narrowed at Carter behind his glasses. It was always necessary to take Carter's words with a pinch of salt, especially when he tried to explain something because he could never say what he meant or explain what he had seen. He sounded cryptic a lot of the time like he did right now and he looked angry as if (Y/n) was purposely ignoring him which Gwilym knew she wouldn't do.

"Um, right... Finn why don't you sit and eat at the table? I'll go talk to your mum."

Gwilym didn't know what was going on but he knew he didn't like the sound of it, there was a bad feeling in his gut telling him that this wasn't going to be good. He headed over to Carter, resting a hand on his shoulder before he bypassed him and made his way upstairs to go and see (Y/n).

The moment Gwilym reached the nursery his body recoiled in shock and his lips parted but no words came out. He moved like he'd been pushed into the room, stumbling forward but catching himself before he moved to bend down on his knees beside (Y/n) who felt more awake than she did moments ago. He cautiously moved his arm to wrap around (Y/n)'s upper back and placed his other hand on her arm, trying to coax her to look at him and tell him what the problem was.

"(Y/n), what's wrong?" He sat back on his legs and leaned up a bit straighter when (Y/n) slowly straightened up and moved so she was no longer resting her head on the chair.

"I- I tripped a-and fell..."

When her eyes locked with Gwilym's it was like he was trying to have a silent conversation with her because he knew Carter was stood in the doorway, but (Y/n) couldn't work out what he was trying to say.

"Let's sit you down and make sure you're okay." Gwilym took it as a good sign that she wasn't sobbing in pain or cradling a part of herself that was hurt but he still didn't like how she seemed like her mind was somewhere else. She looked drowsy which told him she had blacked out or fainted even if it was only for a few seconds. He knew that look well, he had experienced it a few times in his life.

Moving his arms, Gwilym made sure they were securely around (Y/n)'s waist as she slowly moved her trembling arms until her hands were holding Gwilym's upper arms. She nodded and closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to plant her feet properly on the floor so she could stand up. Gwilym took most of her weight to help stand her up but he froze in place when a moan left (Y/n)'s lips and her head fell forward into his chest.

"Does something hurt?"

"N-no... oh no..." (Y/n) breathed through her words before it sounded like she was choking on a sob. Her words sparked worry in Gwilym and he shifted her in his arms so he was holding her against his chest, not wanting to risk her falling to her knees and hurting herself again. But he could feel himself starting to shake when he saw that (Y/n) had moved her hand to press to her stomach.

She didn't?

"Gwil i-it- oh, it hurts."

She'd fallen and hit her stomach on something. She could have hurt the baby, the pain might be something to do with the baby.

"Okay, (Y/n) listen to me it's okay, let's get you sat down and then we'll take things from there. You could have just grazed yourself, it might be nothing." She may have just caught her stomach on something very lightly, it might just be something that would bruise and cause no problems so there might not be a reason to panic yet. If they got her sat down and calmed down, they could see if the pain got worse and then take things from there, probably go and get her seen by a doctor just to make sure.

When he felt (Y/n) nod against his chest, Gwilym took a deep breath before slowly shuffling (Y/n) back and carefully setting her down in the chair she had been leaning up against moments ago.

"Carter, why don't you go-"

"No! I wanna stay with mum." Carter took a few steps into the room to show that he didn't want to leave in case (Y/n) wasn't well but at the same time, he didn't want to get too close in case she didn't want him to be here. She might be like Ben and wouldn't want Carter to see her in pain, he didn't want to go but he didn't want to upset (Y/n) either.

"Why don't you go and check on Finn and then bring me my phone so I can call your dad, let him know what's happened?"

Carter debated Gwilym's words, wanting to stay desperately but he also wanted Ben to come home. Ben always said that he took care of everything and that he looked after them all, if (Y/n) wasn't well then she needed Ben here so he could look after her. He pursed his lips before he nodded and turned to hurry downstairs, the thought of Ben pressing on his mind more and more.

"Can I take a look?" Gwilym crouched down beside (Y/n) before he motioned to her stomach, not wanting to touch her or try and check her over if she was in too much pain or felt too uncomfortable.

When (Y/n) nodded through gritted teeth, Gwilym slowly moved her shirt up so he could see her stomach. He pressed his lips together into a thin line as his nails dug into the palms of his hands so he could trya nd remain calm. The left side of her stomach was starting to mix red and white in an odd but large shape. If he had to guess, Gwilym was rather sure that she had fallen hard and smacked her stomach straight into something. There was no graze and no cut but she was bleeding under the surface of her skin, but there was no way for him to see if it had done any damage to the baby except for the pain that seemed to be getting worse.

"I think we should get you checked out, just to be safe."

(Y/n) didn't have the will or the nerve to argue because the pain was getting worse and when the baby moved it only made the pain increase and an uncomfortable feeling start to arise. It felt like her side and her lower stomach were on fire and the fire was slowly starting to spread and get worse. It was overpowering the pain in her foot which was throbbing from how awkwardly it had bent when she fell.

"Finn's watching tv, can we call dad now?" Carter's sudden interruption made them both jump before Gwilym nodded and reached his hand out for the phone in Carter's grip.

"Yeah, I'll call him now but I need to stay up here with your mum while we sort a few things so can you go and stay with Finn please? If he comes up here and sees your mum's hurt he'll get scared and we don't want that."

If they were going to take (Y/n) to hospital then they needed to sort out the boys. James would be coming home later this afternoon and none of the boys could be here on their own. If Ben couldn't come home from work then Gwilym needed to take (Y/n) to get checked out and taking the boys with them wouldn't be the best idea. Gwilym didn't want Finn finding out just yet because he would get unsettled and frightened and he also didn't want Carter listening to him talking to Ben because that would unsettle him too.

Gwilym pushed himself to his feet, trying to smile at Carter to calm him down before the eldest left the room, slamming the door behind him to show he wasn't happy about being told to leave.

Anxiety started to dwell up in the pit of Gwilym's stomach, he'd never had to call Ben before when he was at work. (Y/n) had only done that once and that was a few weeks ago when he had to come straight from work to the school to talk to Carter. Gwilym had no idea if Ben would actually answer or if he would be too busy and if he didn't answer then they would have to find someone to look after the boys so Gwilym could take (Y/n) to get checked over.

If that happened then Ben would be a nervous wreck when they got through to him and said they were at or had been to the hospital.

A sigh of relief left Gwilym's lips when he heard Ben's voice on the other end of the line, he had answered.

"Hey mate... look, I know you're at work but something's come up... no, the boys are fine, um, (Y/n)'s had a fall... well I think-"

Gwilym stuttered through his words, trying to stay calm and not overpanic Ben because they didn't know if something was drastically wrong yet or not. But he stopped himself short when (Y/n) made a noise that sounded like she was stuck between crying and wanting to scream. When he looked at her, she was doubled over in the chair to the point she was surely going to fall off and land on her knees. Her right hand was pressed tightly against her stomach and her other hand was gripping the arm of the chair, her chin tucked tightly into her chest.

He tried to follow her line of sight, pulling the phone away from his ear so Ben's concerned words didn't deafen him. But when Gwilym tried to see what was wrong and he looked to where (Y/n) was looking, a shiver ran down his spine and he jumped when (Y/n) started to sob.

"Ben, I think (Y/n)'s water just broke."

[angstyaches]

I’ve Been Away Pt. 2

Part One

CW: anxiety, nausea, indigestion, hospital/nursing home setting, past death mention, degenerative illness, memory loss (dementia), loss of sight, family drama/issues very vaguely implied.

AN: I’ve been sitting on this for so long that everything is now obvious to me, and I’m sorry if it’s a lot more vague/confusing than I think it is. Hopefully Part Three will clear things up if so.

___

“Are you gonna go in?” Shayne asked quietly.

Felix swallowed thickly as the silence broke. He hadn’t even realised Shayne had woken up; he’d been sleeping since about thirty minutes after they’d left, and now it was four hours later.

“I am,” Felix said, trying to sound firm despite the queasy tremble in his voice. He stared out the windscreen at the pale orange building that ran in a semi-circle around the car park. The paint job looked fresh and clean, and the whole scene – even the car park – radiated a silence that reminded Felix of a graveyard. Even the pale blossoms that sprung from the bushes lining the pavement made him think of funeral flowers. He’d seen pictures of the place online, but actually being here felt… strange. 

It was like he was stepping into a life that wasn’t his anymore.

He cringed at the sudden wrenching sensation in his gut. His stomach gave a low grumble as it shifted. He swallowed yet again, gently bringing the back of his hand to his mouth and stifling a weak burp that had crept up. He’d picked up indigestion tablets when he’d stopped to get petrol, but the chalky chunks hadn’t worked too effectively against the rising tide of stress in his belly.

“Did we drive here in silence just to sit here in more silence?”

Felix frowned at that. “We only drove in silence because you fell asleep.”

“Yeah, for about an hour.”

“You were awake for two hours and you didn’t say anything? You didn’t even ask where we were going.”

Shayne gave a lazy shrug. “Didn’t seem like you wanted to talk about it.”

Another uneasy belch rumbled in Felix’s belly. His shoulders moved forward slightly as it slipped up his throat. “Ugh. I really don’t feel well.”

Shayne gestured towards the main building. “I’m sure they’ve got a shit tonne of doctors inside. Wait, are we here to ask about checking Elliott in? He told me the other day that he’s almost seventy in human years, so it’s good that you’re thinking about where to stick him next.”

Felix sighed deeply, wishing he had the energy to deal with the joke, but the thought of Elliott only made his stomach and chest burn even more. He wanted this to be over. He wanted to go home and see his partner.

“Okay,” he said, tightening his grip on the steering wheel and inhaling deeply. “Wish me luck, buddy. I’m going in.”

“Okay, bye, then.”

By the time the long breath was released from Felix’s lungs, his hands hadn’t left the steering wheel of the parked car.

“You’re still sitting there,” Shayne mumbled in a sing-song voice.

“Yes, I’m aware,” Felix replied, sticking a thumb nail between his teeth and biting down on it. He wondered with a shiver of fresh anxiety if he was actually thirsty; should he have packed one of his lollipops to tide him over? Was it even safe for him to go, unescorted, into a building where there were likely needles and blood bags and other such contraptions? Had he really done such a bad job of thinking this through?

Had coming here been a complete mistake?

“Felix…”

“Yes, I know, I’m going,” Felix insisted quietly, an uncertain hand rubbing at his belly. 

“Jesus, are you okay, or what’s going on?”

“I’m fine, I’ve just got… a tad of stupid indigestion.” A slight flush of heat rose to Felix’s cheeks as he felt his stomach gurgle under his hand. “Happens when I’m nervous.”

Shayne clicked his tongue and reached across to undo his seatbelt. “God, if you’re this fucking worked up, what if I go inside with you?”

Felix raised his eyebrows. “Would you really?” he gushed softly.

“Please don’t make this weird and emotional.”

“I always knew you loved me, cuz.”

“Aw. It’s like you think I won’t punch you in the throat.”

___

At least Felix couldn’t have said that the place smelled like death; there was quite a pleasant, disinfectant smell from the moment they stepped through the doors. Well, maybe not pleasant, but it was at least reassuring. The floors were old – beige linoleum from the 90s, it seemed – but they glistened, all the way from the reception desk to the open-plan recreational space at the far side of the lobby. Felix could see at least six figures seated in armchairs, one of them being attended by a nurse while another was shaking a walking stick in the direction of a flat-screen TV.

He swallowed, blinking in surprise when he turned his head and someone had spotted them. Another nurse, a bit older than the one across the room.

“Hi!” the young nurse chirped, glancing at Shayne first, and then at Felix. “Are you here visiting someone?”

Felix’s grip on his documents and newspaper clippings tightened. He wished he’d put them in a folder instead of carrying it all around so conspicuously. His jaw was heavy and his throat was clenched. Yes, he thought, willing his lips to move. How had he forgotten how to form the word yes?!

“Yeah, we are,” Shayne piped up, his voice slightly higher to mimic the tone of the nurse’s.

“Great, what’s the name?”

This time, Felix knew he couldn’t cop out of giving an answer. Shayne could have been the most helpful person in the world, but he wasn’t a mind reader. Felix cleared his throat, swallowing a burning belch before it could burst out of his mouth. “Patri- Patricia Bramley.”

The nurse pursed their lips as they referred to a clipboard on the desk in front of them.

Felix swallowed, fidgeting with the zipper on his jacket. “Trish,” he mumbled.

“Ah, Trish,” the nurse repeated with an air of recognition.

There was a beat of silence that Felix’s mind filled in with disturbing readiness; he braced himself for a look of discomfort or despair to cross the nurse’s face, and for them to gently explain that Trish had been dead for years; that she had wept every night out of loneliness until the loneliness ate so deeply into her heart that it gave out, and that whoever was responsible should –

“She’s actually in her room right now,” the nurse said, an easy smile crossing their face. “She might be sleeping, but if she’s awake, she’ll be very happy to see some visitors.  Is one of you Avery, by any chance?”

The nurse’s gaze was more focused on Shayne as the question was asked, and Shayne quickly responded, “Uh, no.”

A panicked laugh burst past Felix’s lips, causing the nurse to throw him a confused look.

“Nephews, we’re – we’re Trish’s nephews,” he said, hoping his voice wasn’t as shaky as he sounded. “I’m Felix, and this is Shayne.”

“Alright, well, come this way,” the nurse instructed, guiding them towards a hallway to the west of the communal area.

Felix glanced towards the gathering of recliner armchairs and end tables, momentarily drinking in the sound of daytime TV and murmured conversation, before his chest tightened all over again. There was a shakiness in his bones and an empty longing in the pit of his stomach, and he realised he was missing Elliott. All of this could have been so much easier if he’d had Elliott’s hand to hold onto, Elliott’s calming voice to reassure him, Elliott’s easy smile to turn to.

“I can’t remember the last time Trish had a visitor, so this is exciting! She’s going to be delighted. Do you live far away, or..?”

“Mmm, something like that,” Shayne was telling the nurse, meeting Felix’s gaze as he looked forward again. His eyebrows were pulled together, question marks basically jumping out the top of his head. Felix gave a nervous smile that he was sure looked more like a queasy grimace, because he sure was feeling queasy, and the smell of disinfectant was suddenly not helping.

The nurse slowed by a private bedroom, peering around the door. “Here we go – ah, looks like she’s awake after all! Afternoon, Trish!”

Felix’s stomach pretty much hit the floor as he stepped into the room after Shayne and the nurse. The disinfectant smell vanished, talcum powder and the smell of roses swamping the air instead. She had always loved roses and had filled the house with them and doused herself with rose perfumes. Felix could practically hear her singing something in a soft, low voice as he inhaled, though his memory hadn’t held onto any words of the song.

Sunlight trailed gently through a netted curtain, warming the magnolia walls. A knitted purple blanket was thrown across her lower body as she cradled something to her chest with both hands, something that Felix couldn’t quite see. All he could tell was that they had cut her hair. She had always said she wanted to keep her hair long, even into her old age. She’d always been braiding it and twirling it between her fingers. He almost let himself get angry about it, before he realised that no one had been there to tell them to do otherwise – not even him.

“Trish? Your nephews are here to see you,” the nurse exclaimed happily. “Why don’t we sit you up, so you can have a chat?”

“Who – who is that?” the woman whimpered, reaching out a hand, which the nurse promptly took.

“It’s Andy, Mrs. Bramley,” the nurse replied, speaking a little more firmly this time. “I’m here with two of your nephews, isn’t that nice?”

The numbness began to spread out from Felix’s chest as the nurse adjusted the hospital bed so that the silver-haired woman was almost upright without the danger of slumping forward. Soft eyes that had once held such warmth and recognition were unfocused and foggy, never landing anywhere for longer than a few seconds.

She can’t see.

Just how long had he been away?

Shayne backed up a couple of steps, briefly meeting Felix’s panicked gaze, and then swept a hand through the air to beckon him further into the room.

“I-I –” Felix’s stomach flipped as he shook his head, pushing another bubble of acidic air towards his throat. “Shayne, I can’t – I-I don’t think I can do this.”

“Nephews?” the woman mumbled.

“Yeah, your nephews…” Nurse Andy looked at Shayne, beckoning him to the other side of the bed. “Felix and – Shayne, was it?”

“Uh, yeah, that’s me,” Shayne said, awkwardly letting himself be guided into a stiff plastic chair.

Felix lingered by the opposite wall, smiling weakly at the nurse as they glanced over at him.

“Shayne and Felix are here,” Andy repeated for the sake of Patricia’s hearing. “They’re gonna talk to you for a little while, okay? And I’ll be back in about fifteen minutes with your lunch.”

“Ah…” Patricia nodded slowly, a nervous twitch of a smile crossing her face. “Oliver will want steak for his lunch. But don’t let him near the whisky cabinet until the sun goes down.”

Andy shot Shayne and Felix a smile that said good luck, and left.

There was dead silence for what felt like the longest time, in which the woman turned her head to look in the direction the window. Felix could barely see her face now.

Shayne sat forward in the armchair, elbows resting on his knees. Felix felt his gaze land on him briefly before he stared at the floor. “Are you okay?”

Felix opened his mouth to answer, but Patricia answered first. Shayne’s head shot up at the sound of her voice, his eyes wide.

“Oh, I’m quite fine, sweetheart,” she replied, tilting her head in Shayne’s direction. “You can tell your father I’m quite alright.”

Shayne made brief eye contact with Felix again, before a wandering hand caught his attention. He seemed to automatically reach up to let it rest against his own palm, and the woman tightened her grip around it.

“I’m…” Shayne shifted in the chair and cleared his throat. “Patricia, I’m not – I’m not your son.”

“Oh, my son…” Patricia gave a low chuckle. “Are you friends with Avery?”

Felix felt his hair stand on end, bristling with a cold that just wasn’t there. He expected another look from Shayne, but he didn’t get one.

“Avery?” Shayne’s voice was surprisingly soft. He continued letting her hold his hand, which Felix found surprising.

A pinch of anxiety made Felix’s skin bristle. He shook his head in denial, thinking maybe he could shake the name out of his head; he hadn’t heard it in so long, and it felt like it would have dragged a gasp out of him, if he could bring himself to breathe at all. He looked down and rearranged his feet on the spotless linoleum floor. The nerves were a permanent tingling knot in the pit of his belly, a sour taste in the back of his throat that he couldn’t get rid of. Tears burned his eyes and throat, the kind that he knew would overwhelm him for hours if he let them fall.

“That’s a… nice name,” Shayne was saying.

“No,” Patricia mumbled, shaking her head with curious ambition. “My baby was never Avery, not for a single… Oh, I have to – have to pick him up at two o’clock. Have to – have to wash Avery’s hands, Avery’s little hands… Oliver hates mess. Hates it in the house.”

“Shayne,” Felix whispered, taking a step backwards, towards the door.

Shayne looked up. “What?” he hissed.

“I think we – we should – we should go,” Felix whimpered. He was starting to feel very, very ill, now that he was able to put a face, a voice, a set of memories, to the sketch outline he’d kept in his head. These were names and things he hadn’t let himself even think about for thirteen years. He’d put all of this in a box – in a coffin, more or less – and had never intended on opening it.

He lifted the back of his hand and turned his head to let out a couple of deep, anxious belches, trying his best to keep his eyes from watering.

“Hey, Trish?” Shayne said, starting to get up from the chair. “I have to go to the bathroom, but my friend’s going to keep talking to you. Right?”

“Wh-what?” Felix stammered. His heart leapt as Shayne nodded to the chair, beckoning for Felix to come around the bed and take his seat. Bitter acid licked the back of his throat.

“Yeah, come on, sit down,” Shayne said loudly, using that same breezy voice he’d put on when he’d spoken to Nurse Andy. It seemed to prick up Patricia’s ears and hold her attention, because she turned her head slightly, as though searching for

Felix’s hands shook as he laid his documents down on the bedside locker and then shuffled around the end of the bed. He let his weight sit at the very edge of the seat, legs too twitchy with nervous energy to sit all the way back. He glanced up as he sensed Shayne moving away.

He gently grabbed onto the dark-haired boy’s arm.

“Shayne,” Felix whispered, feeling the break in his own voice as it trembled.

“Relax, I’m right fucking here,” Shayne whispered. He cleared his throat and broke out the peppy voice from before. “Hey, Trish, this is my friend. His name’s –”

“Felix,” Felix murmured, gently laying his hand over the back of hers. The contact was surreal, like he was holding a hand made of wax, and he might have dropped it again out of abject fear, if she hadn’t closed her fingers around his. “I’m… I’m Felix.”

“Hello, sweetheart.”

“H-hi, how – how are you doing?”

“Oh, I was just weeding the flower beds.”

Felix’s heart sank. He wasn’t sure what exactly he’d been expecting; it wasn’t as though touching her own flesh and blood would suddenly bring back the coherency that had been eaten away by the dementia over the years.

“Sorry,” he whispered, clearing his throat and staring at the back of her hand. The words felt and sounded insufficient for what he needed them for, and yet he couldn’t think of any better ones. “I’ve been away for a, um, a long time, and I’m – I’m really sorry.”

Nothing changed on her face, nothing to indicate that she was taking any of what he was saying in. He felt a flutter of relief in his chest.

He realised Shayne wasn’t listening, either; in fact, he’d gone around to the other side of the bed and picked up something from Felix’s pile of papers. Felix didn’t have the heart to say anything to stop him.

“Oliver Bramley,” Shayne mumbled, frowning at a cutting from a newspaper. “Her husband’s a tech guy, apparently he’s worth millions.”

Felix squeezed Patricia’s hand and watched as Shayne flipped to the next clipping.

“Oh,” Shayne said, almost immediately after seeing the next headline. “He was worth millions. He’s been dead a few years…” His voice drifted off as he read to the end of the article. He looked up at Felix. “It says Avery’s dead too.”

“Yeah,” Felix said softly, turning his gaze towards her again. Her expression was peaceful, and her hands were gentle as they both cupped Felix’s. Her fingers, he realised, were drifting softly across his skin, a little more pointedly than Felix felt comfortable with. It looked like she was feeling for a watch or a bracelet, until she pressed the pads of her fingers into his wrist, as though she was checking his pulse.

Felix’s stomach flipped as he realised what was happening.

She was checking whether or not he had a pulse.

Felix sat up straight and tried to pull his hand free, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Patricia jumped slightly, and lifted her head as though to meet his gaze, even though she couldn’t. He blinked, and tears dropped onto his lap.

All of the things he’d thought, at some time or another, that he’d like to say to her, seemed to evaporate straight off his tongue. His throat was probably too dry to form any words, in any case.

“Felix,” Patricia whispered, that smile breezing across her face again. As he looked up at her and blinked away tears, he envisioned the years melting out of her skin, her face quickly becoming the one that he remembered.

“Yeah,” he said, nodding briskly and trying to ignore the tears that were gathering in his eyes. He had never believed he’d hear that name being spoken by that voice.

“That suits you much better, darling.”

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Chapter 2: Blossom

Narrated by Yexiao.

Narrator: I’ve always wanted to design a dress about magnolia, which is an obsession from the very beginning of the dream.

Narrator: So every day I’d water this magnolia tree in the yard, its canopy and trunks.

Narrator: When it rains, I’d dig a ditch to prevent water from drowning the roots.

Narrator: Also, I’d loosen the soil, shovel weeds, and trim leaves.

Narrator: Intensive care given, I’d keep painting down all those minor changes and look forward to her flowering.

Narrator: I lived every day in the yard to the full.

Narrator: Taking care of my beloved magnolia...

Narrator: Treating the insects, the birds, and the snails, all of whom were my guests.

Narrator: And of course, comforting the easily-frightened squirrels...

Narrator: Observing clouds in the sky, wondering what kind of world is above them...

Narrator: Cleaning the yard, doing the laundry and air drying the clothes until dusk came...

Narrator: And cleaning the cat house in the corner of the courtyard and filling the kitten’s stomach.

Narrator: Then I could sit back, drinking some tea and falling asleep.

Narrator: I like this courtyard very much. In this small world, every day there would be new changes.

Narrator: Branches are budding. The kitten’s growing bigger. It feels so soft on the stomach.

Narrator: The clouds are thick. Perhaps it will rain at sunset. Gotta hurry and bring in the clothes.

Narrator: Unknown flowers grow in the corner, visited by a bee now and then.

Narrator: The kitten tries to make friends with the bee, only to get a bite in the face.

Narrator: I couldn’t help laughing while the kitten looks at me, pitiful.

Narrator: I can stay here forever.

Narrator: I can draw paintings, observe everything, and just be with all that I like.

Narrator: This belongs to me only.

Narrator: Quiet times never rush me.

Narrator: But that magnolia tree still has yet to flower.

Choose either “Just wait some more,” “Fertilize it,” or “Talk to it.”

If “wait,” ...

You: Maybe you can wait.

Narrator: In my dream, I have time, enough for me to spend on waiting.

If “fertilize,” ...

You: Maybe you can use some fertilizer.

Narrator: I tried, but it didn’t seem to work.

If “talk,” ...

You: Maybe you can talk to it.

Narrator: Sure enough you are a very interesting person.

--

Narrator: From a point on, I found the branches of that magnolia tree extending in the direction of the gate.

Narrator: And outside...

Narrator: I could feel there’s a running river outside.

Narrator: It’s always on the go, day in and day out.

Narrator: It carries stones, fish, petals, and leaves in the entirety of its power.

Narrator: It’s as much fast as arduous.

Narrator: It will flow by captivating sceneries and intriguing stories, and eventually to the sea.

Narrator: That magnolia tree...

Narrator: Is it trying to tell me something?

Narrator: I don’t know.

Narrator: But if that magnolia tree doesn’t flower, I can’t draw inspiration from nature.

Choose either “Try to imagine it” or “Refer to a picture.”

If “imagine,” ...

You: You can imagine it’s flowering.

Narrator: Imagination needs to start from nature.

If “picture,” ...

You: You can look at the pics of a magnolia tree.

Narrator: Pics don’t present that vigorous and varying beauty peculiar to nature.

--

Narrator: Maybe I should look for another magnolia tree.

Narrator: Which means I’m going to get out of this yard and into the outside world.

Narrator: Which means I’m leaving here.

Narrator: When will that day come?

Narrator: Is it going to be a special day?

Narrator: Quiet times are slow and long.

Narrator:  I don’t have the heart to leave the kitten, the clothesline pole, and the crawling snail.

Narrator: And the clouds above the yard, the wind chimes below the eaves.

Narrator: Tinkle-

Narrator: Tinkle-

Narrator: It’s wind.

Narrator: It’s wind from outside.

Narrator: Unfamiliar yet compelling.

Narrator: One ordinary morning, I water magnolias, carefully loosen the soil and trim the leaves.

Narrator: It is beautiful even when it is not flowering.

Narrator: No laundry on the clothesline pole, there is the furry sunshine only.

Narrator: When I squint at the sun, my eyes can feel pure warmth.

Narrator: I think I’m ready.

Narrator: It’s time to go.

Narrator: I touch the kitten’s head - it’s still sleeping, crouching into a furry ball.

Narrator: When I step outside and look back, I’m surprised to find the magnolia tree in full bloom.

Narrator: And it seems to be waving goodbye to me with a blessing.

Chapter 1

Chapter 3

[llogllady99]

INTERMISSION

CHARACTERS | Levi, Erwin, Hange, Petra, Nanaba, Mike, Eld, Gunther, Oluo, Moblit

RELATIONSHIPS | Erwin x Levi

Genre | Reincarnation, Afterlife

IV | Afterlife, Hurt/Comfort, Reincarnation, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence. Alternate Universe - Modern Setting/ Reincarnation, Fluff, Reunions, Introspection.

SUMMARY | Levi dies and reunites with Erwin and the others in the Afterlife. 

WORD COUNT | 2.5k

It was one of those sunny days that Levi passed away. The kind of days that occurred in the middle of summer, sun shining proudly in the centre of the sky, beaming with light in all directions; its yellow rays placing gentle kisses and giving shape to everything around them. A breeze blew gently, ruffling the blades of overgrown grass, flowers, and other plants that were blooming by a pristine and crystalline river. A river so clean and fresh that even the tiniest of rocks could be visible. Southern Magnolias, Flowering Dogwoods, birch, and oak trees lined the river and gardens of the people resided in the area. On such particular days, Levi could be found gardening away his late adulthood; his garden was the most clean and organised with freshly mowed lawn and colourful flowers, trees, and bushes placed meticulously around the alleyway that lead to the entrance of the house, the backyard, by his windows and entrances, and inside the house. Therefore, it should have been no surprise when Levi spent his last day doing exactly that: cleaning, organising, and arranging things.

It came unexpectedly, like death often does. It should have upset Levi, he was still considered too young to die by the rest of the world, but he himself couldn’t have been more happier, more relieved, and at peace. It had started with a soft breeze, blowing through his now white strands of hair that were still arranged in the same familiar undercut and under his white cotton dress shirt that was a bit oversized. Then came a wave of unfamiliar fatigue, causing Levi to lie on his back on the grass, his eyes now on the sapphire sky, watching the different sized clouds move along in slow motion. Somehow he knew his time had come, he always had great intuition. With black now cornering his vision, the man closed his eyes, letting the sun rest gently on his face, warming him one last time. He smelled the sweet aroma of his flowers, he listened to the almost silent buzz of a bee in the distance, appreciating the things he had become so used to. Finally ready, Levi inhaled deeply, and with a contented smile spreading on his tired and wrinkled face, exhaled slowly as everything went black, sounds and sensations ebbing away gradually.

However, the world didn’t stop, the sun still shone, the birds still sang their relaxing songs, their high pitched chirps sounding through the valleys, the wind still blew, and the clouds in the sky still travelled their never ending journey; a perfect day for humanity’s strongest soldier to pass away.

-

Levi was now engulfed in deep darkness, thick and relentless. Silence reigning over the infinite void. It wasn’t a heavy silence or an uncomfortable one but rather comforting and warm, making him feel at peace in god knows how long. He looked down at his hands, they weren’t wrinkly anymore but soft and smooth again. He was back in his original form, his old inky black hair hanging daintily on his forehead, his cheekbones once again high and sharp, his eyes now a strong grey steel, and his lips rosy red. His body was also young again. Now that he was in this purgatory of sorts, a giant screen appeared in front of him, displaying moments from his life in chronological order. He saw himself as a baby, his mother cutting for the first time his hair in an undercut, his mother telling him stories, embracing him, loving him. Then came her death, her horrible death, leaving Levi alone. His uncle Kenny made his appearance on the screen, taking him under his care, teaching him how to fight and defend himself after walking away never to be seen again. It showed how he met Isabell and Furlan, the days they spent together in the underground. The blonde boy reading to them by the fire, Isabell snoring in Levi’s lap, his hands in her hair, twisting the ginger strands, Levi defending the redhead in a fight, and Isabell telling them jokes one night whilst playing cards. All of the precious moments now unfolding before his eyes. It made Levi’s heart swell with happiness at seeing their faces again. He had forgotten their faces after so much time but seeing them now reminded him of their bond, their brother like bond. Then he joined the survey corps and shit hit the fan.

Next came memories of joining the survey corps, of seeing Erwin for the first time, their first kiss, first time making love, moving in the same room together, going out with his comrades, Hange, Nanaba, Mike, Moblit, everyone made an appearance on the screen. Then came the brats, their round baby faces and bright eyes full of determination. Retaking wall Maria. Erwin’s death…

It displayed the four years in between their battles. The years when he moved in with Hange and having tea with them every other afternoon before making the plans for the attack on Liberio. The shit show started, the whole fucking rumbling, Eren going batshit crazy, Mikasa killing him, and them staying behind in Marley. His friendship blossoming with the other two brats and finally tasting true freedom, a world with no walls where the sky was the limit. Other sequences also played, like how he returned to Paradis, Gabi and Falco’s visits, who were now married and living happily in some exotic country, and then the day he died. He would have argued he lived a beautiful life, one which he certainly didn’t regret, but after Erwin’s and Hange’s death his only purpose was to survive the day, get through it and ignore the sinking feeling in his gut.

If this was the after life, why wasn’t anyone here? Did he do something wrong? Where was Erwin? Didn’t he promise he’ll be waiting for him? For the first time in the darkness, Levi felt suffocated, he couldn’t breathe, the overwhelming feeling he did something wrong washed over him, imbuing his every cell and tissue. Luckily, before he could finish that destructive train of thought, a glimmer of white appeared in the distance. As the small dot got bigger and bigger, Levi realised it was some kind of vortex that was sucking everything in it, including him. It sucked in his feet first then his hips, stomach, arms and finally his head. Everything went white around him, his spirit was travelling with so much speed that he felt he was inside an airplane engine, the turbines spinning faster and faster, the noise getting louder and louder, and finally the plane took off. As the noise reached its apex, Levi’s surroundings became silent until he was pushed out of the vortex and into the afterlife, the one in which his comrades also seemed to be.

Levi landed bottom first and with a thud, his backside coursing with pain. He flinched and got up. He scanned his surrounding and noticed that in the far off distance there was a group of people. Relief washed over his entire being as the feelings of panic and loneliness left him entirely. One by one he willed his feet to move, each step becoming more hurried, until he broke out in a run. The shape of the group was getting bigger and bigger as Levi closed the distance between them. The closer he got, the more he could make out their faces. Wait! Was that blonde and messy brown? Hange and Erwin? Happiness started blossoming in his chest, like a bush of Camelias in spring, the flowers opening up more and more, becoming bigger and bigger covering the whole green bush with their beautiful pure white and milky pink. A smile grazed his features and tears started falling down his face, each droplet streaming down his jawline then falling on the ground behind him.

“Erwin!” Levi shouted, finally getting his lover’s attention. Erwin turned, wide eyed as he recognised his voice and broke into one of his famous full mouth grins. He extending his arms, inviting the raven in. Levi gladly took that invitation, jumping on Erwin and sending both of them tumbling down, wrapping his arms tightly around the blonde, sniffling that familiar cent of cologne and tobacco. “You waited for me! I can’t believe you waited.”

“Of course I did, in fact all of us did. Look around Levi, we’re all here.” Levi lifted his face and looked around, his eyes landing on Hange grinning maniacally at him, Nanaba and Mike close to each other, Moblit, and his squad.

“Heya guys! Long time no see I guess.” Levi stood up from Erwin and made his way in between the group, taking everyone’s faces in. They were all here. He looked in Hange’s direction, they now looked truly happy without a care in the world. He approached them and wrapped them in a tight embrace, one which he so seldom offered when they were alive.

“Hey short stuff. Gotta admit watching over ya from up here got kinda boring. You were never up to any shenanigans, you just sat there all day reading your damn newspaper and drinking that awful tea.” Hange playfully reprimanded him. Levi snorted then play kicked their feet. Petra came up and hugged him from behind, burying her soft ginger hair between his shoulder blades. She inhaled shakily and choked out:

“Missed you so much, Levi Heichou.” Levi turned around and tucked some of her hair behind her year, setting his hand on her cheek, rubbing with one thumb a tear that spilled from her left eye. The raven then wrapped her tightly in the same hug he’d given Hange, burying her small head in his shoulder. “Missed you too.”

Mike came up and sniffed his hair, his nose scrunching up taking up as much of the sent as possible and his eyebrows furrowed in concentration, trying to pin point the smells. He then patted Levi on the shoulder and told him:

“You still smell the same, maybe except with a hint of a flowery touch to it.”

“Always so romantic.” Levi replied, shaking his hand like brothers do. Nanaba came up behind Mike and offered him one of her beautiful smiles. “Great seeing you Levi, but Mike,” she then grabbed the tall man’s hand pulling him towards her, “it’s time for us to go.”

“Go where?” Levi asked frantically, he just got here why were they going already?

“We will get reincarnated, me, Mike, and Erwin.” Nanaba replied casually as if it was the most natural thing. Levi started hyperventilating.

“Why?” He croaked. “I just got here, you can’t go! Not yet! Erwin please don’t go!” He looked around and found the blonde standing next to Mike, he grabbed his hand tightly, urging him not to go, however it was for nothing as his lover wouldn’t budge.

“I can’t Levi, my time has come.” Erwin grabbed both of his hand and kissed his knuckles and fingers, rubbing them against his cheek. “I need you to watch over me and when your time comes too, join me. We’ll meet again, in a world with no titans and infinite time on our hands. We will truly be happy there.”

“Fine, but promise me you won’t do anything stupid Erwin. Wait for me.” Levi demanded, raising himself on his tip toes and pulling Erwin down for a passionate kiss. After they parted, Erwin stepped next to Nanaba and Mike again and waved his big hand at the others before all three of them vanished from sight.

Over time, the same exact thing happened to the others. Eld and Gunther went, shortly followed by Auruo, the other people also gradually disappearing to god knows where. After some time, only him, Hange, Petra, and Moblit were left. Now it seemed that Moblit’s time had come too, if the bear hug he gave Hange was anything to go by. Offering them one last kind smile, Moblit vanished, leaving now only the three of them. Hange cried that day, harder than he ever saw them do it and Petra rested her head on Levi’s shoulder, sorrow and longing also emanating from her being. For a few years, all they could do was watch. Watch Erwin’s seventh birthday party, Mike and Nanaba chewing on their toys, Eld being adopted, guess he didn’t have much luck in this life either, Gunther ride his bike, Auruo playing his first song on the piano and so on. On a not so special day, when they resumed their seats and watched over the others, Hange stood up and with a kind smile and wave their hand they vanished too. Levi cried and so did Petra, they missed their friend dearly but it was bound to happen. A few short months after Petra also left, leaving Levi alone, drowning in the familiar feeling of loneliness.

A month after, Levi got visitors in the after life, they were Armin, Mikasa, and Annie. They greeted their captain and took their seats next to him, joining him in watching over his friends.

“I guess now I have you brats to watch over me when I’ll go down there.” He joked, getting a pat on the back from Armin.

“Hopefully, in the next life I won’t be a midget anymore, You guys don’t know how fucking hard that has been for me.” That earned him a laugh from all of them. Over the next two months all of them got closer together, Armin and Mikasa telling him about how his death impacted everyone. Apparently it has been a national funeral, all the nobles and even queen gathering around his coffin. How ironic.

One day, Levi woke up groggier than usual and much more heavy. It felt as if the ground was pulling him towards it. It was no doubt: his time had come. Armin was the only one that was watching the world down below, Mikasa and Annie sleeping soundly a few feet away. Levi sat next to him and cleared his throat, redirecting the blonde’s attention to him.

“This reincarnation thing is so beautiful, getting a second chance in a world not as cruel as ours.” Armin began. “I’m glad we aren’t stuck here forever, it gets more boring every day.”

“Try doing that shit for seven years.”

“That’s really long. I can’t stand this place anymore and I’ve only been here for what? Two months? If you don’t mind me asking, who was the first to go?” Armin asked, a little bit shy in case he was prying too much.

“Erwin.” Armin’s eyes widened. “Yeah, I just got here and he was already gone. But now is my time and I’ll finally be reunited with him.” Levi stood up and grabbed Armin’s hand also pulling him to his feet. “See ya Armin, you were always my favourite cadet.”

Bringing his fists and arms to his chest, delivering his last salute to the 15th Commander of the Survey Corps, he vanished, white clouding his vision. Everything went black afterwards.

-

The next time Levi opened his eyes, he was crying his eyes out and shouting like a mad man, his little legs and arms kicking and moving in all directions. He had been born into the new world.

Notes: 

A song I would recommand while reading the fic is It's been a long, long time. Anyways, thank you for taking the time to read it and notes and comments are welcomed, Obviously, I do not own Attack on titan or any of the characters that take part in it. They are inspiration for my works and I love them to the core. Thank you again lovelies for taking the time to read it! <333

[romantic-barnes]

strawberry & tape | part six

| part six - take a shot, cherry schnapps |

Pairings: dark!biker!bucky x reader

Summary: Bucky Barnes has the town in his hands and a lot of blood. All you have is a cafe your mother left you after her passing. But as Bucky’s attention moves to you, do you have the strength to pay revenge for his wrongdoings? Does your push into the dark paradise end in love or blood?

Warnings: mention of suicide, possessiveness, violence This is dark bucky! please don’t read if you are uncomfortable with any of the topics mentioned above!  

A/N: I know this is a little short but believe me it’s worth it. The next part will be the last and I cannot wait to show you how it ends! Please don’t read if you are under 18! 

Dividers by @whimsicalrogers​

'Cause if we don't leave this town We might never make it out I was not born to drown Baby come on 

It was early when you woke. Eyes opening heavily, focused on the window. You sensed the emptiness beside you, but fear still struck, soaring through your veins. You rolled onto your back, head slowly turning to find Bucky gone from beside you. But you knew he was just there mere minutes ago, his perfume lingering on the sheets, swirling in the air. 

You dressed yourself, washed your face and walked out of the room. The dining room looked like a distant nightmare to you, but this time the chairs were empty; except for one: Bucky’s. He sat with his arm resting on the table, shovelling food into his mouth. The floor beneath you creaked as you stepped further into the room, a betrayal from the house with love. Bucky’s head rose, gaze roaming over your body.

You sat opposite him, afraid to move too fast. Bucky’s eyes met yours briefly before travelling down your arm to your hand laying atop the wood. A smile creeping onto his face at the sight of the diamond adorning your finger. His proud prize, his bride to be.

You ate in silence with the eyes of Bucky following your every move, the plate clearing of food painfully slow. Once you finished, you rose from your seat trying to find the words but as your eyes met his, every single word you’ve ever known escaped, fled from your head. Bucky’s eyebrows raised at your silence, arms resting beside the plate. “Everything alright, darling?” He asked curiously, but you caught the sarcasm.

You nodded, opening your mouth. “I’m going into work today.” Your mouth tasted like cardboard. “Darling.”

Bucky’s eyes lit up, a flash of silver in his iris. “Good for you. It’s important to be busy. You might want to look for someone to take over the cafe though. Better start looking now before it’s too late.”

Your breath caught itself in your throat. “Why?” You squeaked out.

“Because once we have children you won’t be able to take care of a business. I need you here full time. Take care of my offspring and the house, then it will be your responsibility.” 

The thought alone frightened you. This house wasn’t a home, its wasn’t a place for children to grow up and you knew that no one should grow up having Bucky as a father. A man so wicked and demonic it was impossible to imagine him running around town with a baby in his arms. The possibility of him killing the child was too high and him strangling you in your sleep was way too possible.

You started to see the cafe with your mother’s eyes. The first glance, shiny and cute, fading with every blink. The paint chipping at the corners, chairs crooked and the smell of your mothers dead body in the back slowly making it’s way through the vents. 

You got everything ready for opening, but your mind was anxious about Mrs Wilson’s arrival, eyes jumping to the door in hopes to see her walking up the stairs, but she wasn’t there. Hours and hours went by and no sight of her. The possibility of an escape became slippy, flowing through your dry hands. 

You stared out of the window, lips parted and chapped. Your breath the only prove that you’re alive, the rising and falling of your chest, shaky but there. The beating of your heart confirming the life inside you, but the rest of your body was still, limb. Outside the sun was shining, rays of sunlight flowing through the trees, passing branches on the way down to the ground. 

The sound of the clock brought you back to life. Time. You looked over at it, hope further slipping between your fingers. It was time to clean up. Like you were in trance you started your routine but movement from the corner of your right eye surprised you. 

And there she was. Mrs Wilson climbed the stairs to the door and as the bell rang she stepped inside dressed in blue. Her eyes met yours and her face lit up. “Y/n, good to see you.” She stood in front of you. “Sorry for being so late I was held up by Stephen at the post office he- are you alright?”

You shook your head slightly to focus. Her eyes staring into yours with worry. “I- yes I’m fine. Just worried you wouldn’t come that’s it.”

“You look sick.”

You wiped your forehead, the back of your hand coating in sweat. “I just want to know that your plan is going to work.”

Mrs Wilson reached over the counter to place her hand on your shoulder. “Sadly I can’t promise anything, but it’s worth a try. The plan is safe as long as it stays between us.” Her lips curled to a reassuring smile but worry still found it’s way into your blood, flowing through my arms and down my legs. “So you agree to it? You’ll be there?”

You simply nodded your head. 

“Alright. On Saturday you are going to work just like you did today, at one fourty-five you’ll leave but make sure you keep everything as it is. That means lights on, food still on display. You have to take Elsberg street instead of Köpenick street, it’s that weirs smelling ally to the right.You’ll come out to the back of Magnolia Flowers and that’s where he’ll meet you.”

“Does he know that I’m escaping?”

“No, he just thinks he’s giving you a ride to the city to visit family. Once you’re in the city though, my friend Ally will take you in, she owns a pet store in the east and will take you there.”

You swallow thickly. This plan required you to leave not only Dawn, but also move to the other side of the country. 

You started cleaning up as soon as Mrs Wilson left and a sense of hope lit within you, a light sparking in you heart. You turned off the lights  in the back and heard the bell chimed gain thinking it was Mrs Wilson gain you walked to the front, but instead of her it was Bucky standing in the middle of the cafe. 

He stood there with flowers in his hands and as you approached him you thought the light within you would die, but it didn’t. It kept on burning.

“Come one, darling.” Bucky handed you the flowers and gestured for you to leave. While you walked towards his bike, Bucky’s demeanour frightened you. What if he heard you and Mrs Wilson talk? As if the walls turned to linnen, thin enough to hear the words of betrayal in his ears. 

Your couldn’t read his face as you sat behind him on his bike, flowers in one hand and the other holding on to his body for dear life. The houses passed you with speed, wind blowing beneath the helmet and all seemed so easy. You had no idea where Bucky was going but you didn’t care about that either. Tomorrow was coming and with the sun lowering behind Dawn you were reassured it was. 

The calm of knowing that you will be gone from here. 

Bucky came to a stop and you looked at the destination ahead of you. A small bar with motorcycles standing all around it. The neon sign flickering with every letter. With the flowers in hand you walked behind Bucky into the gloomy atmosphere, a change of scenery from the dull environment you were usually in. A place foreign to you. 

Bucky led you through the room to a table full of familiar faces. You didn’t know their names nor did you need to. A quick glance from everyone and you sat down, laying the flowers atop the table.

Bucky ordered round after round, encouraging you to take a drink as well, but you knew you needed a good nights sleep for tomorrow. So Bucky and the other Howling Commandos kept their stomachs full of beer and the air full of words. You sat quietly, observing the people around you until someone mentioned your name.

“Are those flowers from Magnolia? Bucky you’re a gentlemen.” Your head turned to the flowers on the table and it was true. They are from Magnolia flowers. Lana. She worked there. 

“Yes, they are.” Bucky’s arm swung around your shoulders. “Best flower shop in town.”

Your chest tightened at the mention. You looked at Bucky and his smirk stopped the blood flowing through your veins. It was intentional. It has to be. Satanic. That’s the only word you could describe his intention. Bucky’s lack of sympathy and the maniacal actions he had shown you over the moths you’ve known him were driving you to near insanity. He was mad.

You looked back at the flowers, staring at their petals of red and yellow. “I want to go.” You murmured.

“What was that?” Bucky asked.

“Can we please go?” Your gaze met his and Bucky travelled your face, a smirk forming on his lips. 

“Sure, darling.” Bucky said and rose from his seat. You took the flowers from the table and took one last look at the group, hoping that this would be the last picture of them in your mind. 

As you made it to the house Bucky walked ahead of you, up the stairs to his room. You found it strange since he never goes to bed with you at the same time. You entered the room, placing the flowers on the table and heading straight to the bathroom to get ready for bed, but Bucky’s hand stopped you. 

He turned you around with one swift move, the look in his eyes making the blood shoot straight to your head. 

“Get on your knees.”

If the sun don't shine on me today And if the subways flood and bridges break Will you lay yourself down and dig your grave Or will you rail against your dying day

[ next ]

[ taglist closed ]

[thalkonwrites]

Chapter Fifteen - The Journey Home

Table of Contents

Tess looked up from her position on the floor of the ship’s kitchen. “You’ll get your sea legs soon enough,” the cook grunted, as he picked her up and handed her another vegetable to peel.

“I never knew ships were so wobbly,” Tess groaned, sitting back on the bucket the cook had given her as a seat. She began peeling the vegetables handed to her. It had surprised her at the different varieties on Destru’s ship. Some of which she had never heard of before. She stopped peeling when she heard bubbling coming from near her. Tess looked at her cauldron and waved her hand towards it. The spoon sitting in the bowl began stirring at a steady pace.

The cook eyed her potion, then moved on to preparing their lunch, hardly uttering a word. “Add Tarragon to your drink,” he finally said, his back to her.

Tess cocked her head at the cook, thinking about why Tarragon would be a good choice to add to her brew. She shrugged, then went to the herb cabinet and added a few sprigs to her potion. She had only questioned the cook a few times since she could set up her potions in the kitchen. The cook was a troll with magical properties and had brewed potions in his younger years. He always stayed in the kitchen, since it was below deck and away from the sun. Occasionally she had caught him on the deck breathing in the salty air at night. “What will you be brewing next?” his gravelly voice asked as Tess sat back down on her bucket.

Tess sat thoughtfully as she determined what her next potion would be. “Perhaps a good memory potion,” Tess finally admitted. “We’ll be arriving at Tom’s home soon, and we’ll need all the wonderful memories we can get.”

The troll nodded their head as they continued to chop the food and put it into their pot of boiling water. They waved their hand over the pot, making the spoon stir the food. He had helped her take control of her own spoon stirring skills. Never once questioning how she could do some of the things that she did. He never spoke a lot of words, but Tess preferred his quiet companionship. She felt like they were pretty good acquaintances for the few conversations they had had.

Her mind wandered to Tom. He had become a tremendous asset for Destru, being able to climb the masts in heavy winds and help with the ropes. Tom seemed to enjoy the freedom the ship offered them, too. She wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to convince Destru to let them continue sailing with him.

“Tess!” Tom called as he bounded down the stairs into the kitchen, stopping short when the cook stared him down. Tom had caused a few accidents in the kitchen after they had set sail. This had caused him to be banned to the entrance of the kitchen, where he couldn’t do as much damage.

“I’ll be right back, Nyx,” Tess sat her items down then walked up to Tom.

“Come quick.” Tom pulled Tess’ arm and dragged her up the stairs. He didn’t stop until they were at the railing. He pulled on the back of Tess’ shirt as she stumbled, keeping her from falling overboard.

“What are you trying to show me?” Tess asked, blinking rapidly, trying to see what Tom was trying to show her.

“Look,” he smiled, pointing across the water to show her trees that were flowering on the other side of the water.

“Oh Magnolias,” Tess smiled, eyeing the beauty of the trees. She had always wanted to visit a grove of them. Not only were they versatile in her potions, but they were pretty and smelled delicious. “Will we be stopping near there today?” she turned towards Tom. She would love to grab a few blossoms before they moved on.

“I can ask Destru,” Tom’s ears perked forward at Tess’ excitement. She didn’t get excited over just anything. It had to be something that she didn’t see often for her potions, or something she deemed pretty. Tom had a stash of rocks and crystals to give her if she ever got into a bad mood.

“How’s the Young Lass and Wilkie?” Destru asked, coming up from behind the two. “My nose was itching, so I figured one of you must’ve said my name.”

“Destru, you have an entire crew that could’ve said your name,” Tess laughed as Tom made a face at Destru’s nickname for him.

“Nah, they know better than to call me by my name.” Destru gave a toothy grin. “What can I do for ya Lass?”

“Are we going to be docking anywhere near here?” Tess asked, pointing to the Magnolia trees. “I’d love to grab a few blossoms.”

Destru looked towards the trees, then shook his head. “Sadly, we won’t be stopping anywhere near that grove,” Destru replied. He watched Tess’ smile fade from her face. “But we will stop near another grove. One where you won’t have to fight off Tree Nymphs to get the flowers from.”

“That would probably be our better option,” Tom nodded. He watched the trees, now noticing a few moving figures tending to the trees.

“Agreed,” Tess nodded, remembering the last time the two of them had run into Nymphs. They were becoming corrupted from their mistreatment. “Let me know when we dock,” Tess turned towards Tom, who nodded, then bounded back down into the kitchen.

“She enjoys hanging out in the kitchens,” Destru crossed his arms, smirking.

“Nyx and her seem to speak the same language,” Tom agreed, before turning to Destru. “Is there anything you’d like me to do? I’d like to take a quick nap before we dock.”

“Have at it,” Destru waved Tom off. “I’ll have Rune come find you when we’re ready.”

Tom nodded, then headed below deck. They had a few more days of sailing before they made it home. He couldn’t shake a weird feeling that they were going to run into more trouble.

<< Chapter Fourteen - Preparations

                                           Chapter Sixteen - Magnolias >>

[dreamlover31]

Love Will Find a Way: Chapter 1

“Liv, I appreciate you trying to help but I just don’t think it’s a good time for me”

“Alexa, you can’t shut yourself off from people just because you’re afraid of getting hurt. Life is about taking risks and dealing with its aftermath whether it’s good or bad”

Alexa sighed as she took another sip of her wine, while Liv had a point about how she shouldn’t close herself off from people just because of a bad breakup, she didn’t feel that now was a good time to jump back into the dating pool. Earlier that day, she’d stopped by Liv’s apartment to check in on her and Noah and to get the low down on what’s been going on between her and Tucker, but at some point, the conversation shifted from talking about Olivia’s relationship status to hers. The drama started when Alexa found out that the man she’d been dating for a little over a year was cheating on her with one of his coworkers, heartbroken and devastated, she turned to the only person she could trust; Liv. Alexa couldn’t believe how she could have been so stupid, she gave her heart and soul to this man only to have it ripped to shreds, for a while she had gone into a deep depression in which she thought she would never crawl out of but luckily Olivia was there to help pick up the pieces. Now, here she was, sitting on Liv’s couch trying to gracefully decline her offer of being fixed up with a close friend of hers.

“Look I just don’t think I’m ready to take that leap again”

“I understand your hesitance, but I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think that the two of you would be great together”

Alexa sighed, “…So this guy works with you?”

“Yeah he’s the ADA for Manhattan, he’s a little rough around the edges but once you get to know him…he’s a pretty decent guy”

Alexa takes a moment to consider her offer, well if she’s vouching for the guy then I guess it wouldn’t hurt just to at least talk to him, what’s the worst that can happen right.

“Alright, I’ll meet with him but if things go south with this one, not only will I kick his ass, I’ll kick yours too”

Olivia laughed as she patted Alexa’s shoulder, while they sat on the couch drinking their individual glasses of wine, the two of them continued with small talk as Noah played with his toy truck in the middle of the living room floor, but in the back of her mind Alexa couldn’t help but wonder if she was making a mistake. A couple of days later, Olivia had texted her while she was working her shift at a domestic violence shelter, she told her that she was able to schedule a meet with him at the coffee shop down the street for later that day. Alexa sent a quick text back to confirm the time and place, once it was sent she felt a bit of anxiety at the prospect of meeting this mystery man, oh man what if I meet him and he’s not my type or that he’s too high strung for me or something…no wait, do not jump to conclusions until after you meet him. After she clocked out, she walked right down the street to the coffee shop and took a seat at one of the tables outside.

As she anxiously awaited his arrival, her nervous ticks started to kick in, first she tapped her fingers on the table then she would constantly look down at her phone every three seconds, the anxiety proved too much for her so she rose up from her chair and was about to leave when she saw an older man wearing a dark grey three-piece suit and brown long coat with a briefcase in tow approach the table. As she looked upon him, Alexa immediately recognized him as the ADA who was in the news recently for indicting those three cops in the Terrence Reynolds shooting, the same ADA that Liv had told her about that day she visited her apartment, he extended his hand out and said:

“You must be Alexa, I’m Rafael Barba”

“Yeah, I know who you are…I’ve seen you on the news.” Alexa replied as she reciprocated his handshake, after the initial introductions, she motioned for him to take a seat in the second empty chair that sat across from her. As the two of them sat down, the anxiety that she had felt earlier had slowly dissipated.

“So how much has Liv told you about me?”

“Well…she said that you are very dedicated to your job, that you are very passionate about getting justice for the victims but that sometimes you can be pretty stubborn-in fact she’s always mentioning how the two of you are constantly butting heads whenever a high profile case lands in her lap”

A smirk spread across Rafael’s face as the conversation continued. “What about me, did she give you any details?”

“Just that you’ve been working at domestic violence shelter for the last three years…and she mentioned that you suffered a break up recently”

Alexa nodded as she displayed a small smile, but then quickly changed the subject by suggesting that the two of them order some coffee because she believed that they both could use a caffeine fix after the long day each of them had. Rafael followed her lead as she stepped inside the establishment, while she was at the counter, she placed an order for two coffees-black with no sugar. With drinks in hand, they both made their way back to the table outside, the conversation continued with the usual back and forth; Alexa talked a little bit about her family but did not go into further detail while Rafael shared stories of his upbringing in the Bronx and of his years at Harvard. 

As the hours ticked by, it became increasingly clear that Alexa was impressed by how a man like him had come so far in his life, a poor kid from the Bronx making it all the way to the Ivy leagues to become one of the greatest and toughest ADAs not only in Brooklyn but Manhattan as well. When he made the comment of how his big mouth would get him into trouble as a kid, Alexa thought to herself: gee from what I’ve seen on the news, it looks like that big mouth of yours is still getting you into trouble. As she continued to listen to him, Alexa was thinking about how aside from his looks and intelligence, he seemed like an all-around nice guy and that maybe he deserved a chance. The conversation was then interrupted by the ringing of Rafael’s phone in his breast pocket of his jacket, once he reached in and pulled it out, he saw that it was a text from Liv and let out an annoyed grunt.

“I’m sorry, I’m needed down at the precinct…it was a pleasure meeting you Alexa,” Rafael said as he rose from the table and extended his hand towards her, as she shook his hand, she replied:

“Likewise…maybe we can do this again sometime”

“Sure, I’d like that”

“Great, I know this little Italian place about a block away from where I live…maybe we could have dinner”

“Alright, I’ll get your number from Liv and we’ll set it up”

Rafael hailed a cab and as it drove off, they waved each other goodbye, as she walked off in the other direction, Alexa smiled to herself and thought: wow that went better than I expected…remind me to thank Liv the next time I see her.

Tagging: @madpanda75 @laceybellerain @tropes-and-tales @southern-magnolia @thatesqcrush @glimmerglittergirl @misssirenlove @beccabarba @madamsnape921 @teamsladsandgents @karens-imagined-world @itsjustmyfantasyroom @youreverycolor  

[senjuhashirama]

Dear Friend,

Is it alright if I call you my friend, Hashirama? It's been a while since we've spoken so I decided to send this letter. Things are kind of busy around here and quite frankly I've missed our conversations and our time together.

The magnolia trees have bloomed and they're very beautiful if you'd like to come over and view them with me!

I'll make some lavender tea for you.

((Really, I'm bored to death in this office. Please come save me.))

______________ Lord Stellaris Atria-Astra

(and a smattering of dots underneath, meant to represent the star she's named after)

Dear Lord Stellaris, Astra,

thank you for your letter, it’s very nice hearing from you. I must say that your letter made me smile and I missed you too.

Congratulations on your blossoming flowers, the imagery of their lemony scent comes to my mind whenever I’m reminded of magnolias, so I won’t be delaying my visit much longer! I have been quite busy in the hospital, but I believe I can make time for a lavender tea. Believe it or not, but I didn’t have the patience to prepare tea for a very long time.

I can grow some lavenders to make up for what I drink! I might also add some thyme.

                         I will see you soon,                          Hashirama

                         🌞☀🌞☀🌞