#everyone is so dreadfully shocked and confused by him not wanting to go to his own father's funeral

[scintillatingshortgirl19]

i am begging one single person in this entire show to consider, for perhaps one single second, THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE IS A REASON HOUSE HATES HIS DAD THIS MUCH

[mayese]

Winter changes it all

Fred Weasley x fem!reader

Synopsis: You’ve been living under the stress and fear your parents felt during the summer, so when you return to Hogwarts they intend to see you again just in June. So, you have no else to go for the holidays, having to spend Christmas alone in Hogwarts. However, a blossoming friendship between you and Fred will make you feel less alone.

Warnings: Fresh scar on the hand.

Second chapter / Third chapter/ Fourth Chapter

December was arriving and for the majority of the students that meant they would be far away from the new director and teacher, the pink cow. Everyone was dreadfully expecting Christmas to get away from her, especially those who weren’t from Slytherin, and most of them who were from the red house.

However, the excitement of being away from this nightmare wasn’t even comparable to the comeback of Voldemort. Hogwarts was a safe place, so even with Umbridge, most of the students felt secure.

You wouldn’t leave the castle anyways since your parents didn’t want you at your house. You’re the Sinclairs, not a part of the sacred 28, but still an ally of Voldemort, or so you were. Your parents realized too late that they didn’t want to be a part of such dark times as the ones that were lived when Voldemort slaughtered thousands of people.

So when he died they kind of celebrated in the privacy of their house along with you, their little baby. Unfortunately, he came back. It wasn’t a surprise for your parents, it was just a shock. What if Voldemort knew of their betrayal? Of what do they really think about him? Would he go after you?

But for now their only worry is if he appears at their house. He probably doesn’t even know you exist since your parents hid you for almost a year until he died. So that’s why they preferred for you to not go home that Christmas.

You understood, but you just wished you could see your parents again. Meanwhile, you never felt so bad at Hogwarts. It was expected from you to be alongside Umbridge since you’re a Slytherin, and thus you are one of the many privileged ones. You never, ever saw her taking one of your fellow housemates to detention. But you can’t stand the punishment she gives to the other students. You never said anything to anyone about that, but sometimes you feel guilty when you hear little students crying with something in their hands or when she invites someone to go to her office in the middle of class.

You’re privileged because Umbridge would never lay a hand on you, but when it comes to your social life, you never were so miserable. Since the spread of the rumor of Voldemort’s comeback, the judgment and hatred stares increased. Nobody outside of Slytherin spoke with you since the beginning of the year, and that’s unusual. They don’t even want to pair up with you anymore in class, even if you are one of the brightest students of your year.

The urge to finish your school years and never see anyone from this school forever increased day by day, and that’s led you to not even go eating to the Great Hall many times. You would go to the kitchen and ask for something from the house elves, and then you would find somewhere quiet and hidden and eat there.

Sometimes you ate in the kitchen, but you were too afraid of the possibility of someone showing up and seeing you there. But that night, your 6-hour study session left no room for fear, only hunger. So when you reached the kitchen you didn’t felt the need to eat somewhere else. Instead, you sat on a bench and started eating the tomato soup.

Unfortunately, as your thoughts about how delicious the soup tasted traveled in your mind, the kitchen door swung open and revealed one of the infamous Weasley twins. You looked startled to the door, spoon in hand almost ready to feed you again, seeing the ginger looking at you, confused. It was odd not to see him with his brother.

“Sinclair,” he greeted after clearing his throat, still beside the open door, this time with a small grin on his face. “Great soup you’ve got there.”

Should you answer him or ignore his words? “Indeed,” you said, still tasting the soup in your mouth. “What do you want, Weasley?” This time your words were cooler and your semblance more serious, so as not to leave any doubt that you wished for him to go away or else you would.

“A good turkey sandwich, Sinclair. That´s what my belly is asking me for!" He chuckled, completely ignoring your cold demeanor and simply entering the kitchen, searching for the elves with his eyes.

"They´re not here," you warn him before sipping the soup from your spoon. The twin hummed, going behind the balcony and finding bread.

He searches for something more, and when you look at him you see him emerging from behind the balcony with ham. "Nice," he whispers, putting ham on two pieces of bread and joining them.

"Why are you here this late? Umbridge would love to catch you." He looks at you again, surprised by your chat.

"Well, I just left her office, so I don´t think she´ll be here right now," he says while munching a piece of his ham sandwich. Your eyes widen with surprise, instantly looking at his hands and seeing that the rumors that were spreading in the Slytherin house were true.

There was something written in his hand, but not written, more like carved. The ginger sees where your eyes are on, and so he lowers his hands and chuckles. "She got mad because I looked back in class."

"Doesn´t that hurt?" What a stupid question, you think. It obviously seems like it, but he doesn´t retorts, he just smiles softly at you, which makes you think. Since his arrival, he never gave you one bad glance. On the very contrary, he even chuckled and smiled at you.

"It stings a bit, but the pain was much stronger when I was writing it," he informs you, and you feel your stomach whirl. Did he write it? What a sick fucking bitch.

You look at your bowl of soup, practically full. You ate a plate of chips and fish sooner, and he probably hadn´t eaten anything. You thought for a while. Being generous for a Gryffindor was something you had to be careful about these times. But after what you found out and what you saw, you were sure your stomach wouldn´t want anything else, so you push the bowl to his side of the counter.

"You can eat it. I´m already full," you said in a generous but uninterested tone at the same time.

“I don’t think I can acce-“

“Goodbye, Weasley.” Before he could continue protesting you rise from the tiny bench and make your way to the door to leave.

“Goodbye, Sinclair.” You hear him shout from afar since you already left the kitchen behind. Why the hell was he being nice to you like that? It felt strange having someone smiling at you like that.

However you continued your way to the dorms, satisfied with your meal. When you reached the dungeons you said the password to the painting and entered the common room, seeing as being past the curfew already almost all of the Slytherins were in there. Some were chatting, others playing chess and others snogging in public.

You went direct to your room, seeing that you were the only one in there. So, you put on your pajamas, brushed your teeth, and quickly laid down on your bed, switching the lights off.

<>

You woke up after hearing Pansy talking with Daphne, the two were trying to find something to wear since they were going to Hogsmeade. You intended not to go, but you wanted to buy something for your parents to send them on Christmas, so you reluctantly rose from your bed, squinting your eyes at the sun.

“Morning sleepy head,” Daphne said with a cheerful tone and a wide smile. You nodded at her, murmuring something back, but even you didn’t understand what left your mouth, so she just giggled.

“Are you going to Hogsmeade, Sinclair?” Pansy asked from the bathroom, and you hummed in affirmation. “What?”

“I am!” You said louder for her to hear. But you hoped she wouldn’t invite you to go with them since you preferred to go alone. “But not right now. Probably in an hour or two,” you informed them, still sitting in bed watching Daphne look through her closet to find a jacket and Pansy leaving the bathroom, already ready to go.

“C’mon, Greengrass,” Pansy hissed rolling her eyes at her friend that sighed. “Just take your cloak and your scarf!”

Suddenly you hear the curtains of the other bed open, watching as Tracey sleepily rose from her sleep position to shush us. “I’m still sleeping, so please, don’t scream!” She said loudly before closing the curtains abruptly and going to sleep again.

You giggled when Pansy sighed in frustration before going to the door and opening it. “I’m on my way, Greengrass!” She shouted despite Tracey’s words and closed the door before Daphne ran to the closed door with her cloak and her green scarf in her arms, leaving her closet open.

“Wait!” She screamed while opening the door and closing it again in an instant.

You sighed, finally standing up and going to the bathroom. After a while you got ready, wearing black trousers, a green blouse, and one of your black and furred cloaks with green ankle boots.

Leaving Tracey alone and sleeping, you left an hour later since the other two left. You left the dorms and the Slytherin’s common room, walking outside of the castle and going to Hogsmead. It was cold, very cold. The snow painted everything, but the path you and the students were taking was cleaner.

You tighten your scarf while you walked alone, sometimes amongst a slower group of friends that talked and chuckled with each other. When you arrived at Hogsmeade you started to run all the shops, trying to find something to gift to your parents.

Nothing seemed to appeal to you, but it was only the end of October, so you understood why nothing seemed to be a gift to offer someone on Christmas. So, after half an hour of trying to search for something for them, you stopped and walked into Honeyducks, already smelling the sweet smell of all the candies. However, you were confronted with two gingers in front of you when you opened the door this time, both on your way and you on theirs. Just then you realized how enormous the twins were. They towered over you like fucking Big Ben.

“I…I’m sorry,” you whispered, walking backward to let them pass.

“Sinclair! Thank you, for yesterday. The soup really warmed my insides, man,” one of them said with a chuckle. You didn’t even know if he was Fred or George.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Aren’t you the one that almost killed Finnigan in your second year?” You looked at the other twin, surprised and embarrassed by his question.

Long story short, Seamus tried to do something alone to your potion while you went to the bathroom in the middle of class. When you returned you went to check it and suddenly it exploded on both of your faces. Even Snape found it hard to stop you from jumping to Seamus. You never looked on his way again, nor you partnered with him again.

“That’s just exaggerating. I never touched him,” you said annoyed, not liking how people depicted your actions. You would never kill someone over that, it’s just that you wanted Snape’s approval and a good grade.

“Don’t listen to George, he almost killed me several times.” Oh, so the twin you saw last night was Fred. “But you shouldn’t take Seamus's situation that seriously, he likes to blow up things, or so it seems.”

"I´m aware of that," you said, shivering softly under your cloak. It was so damn cold outside, and the snow falling didn´t help at all. "Well, goodbye."

You turned on your heels and started to go to the door of Honeyducks, ready to open it. But before you could move the handle Fred called out for you. "See you around, Sinclair!" You turned around and looked at the twins standing there. You quickly waved at them and entered the store, closing the door behind you and letting yourself be immersed in the hot air and the sweet smells.

You walked around the store, picking up some gummy worms and two sugar quills. You went to the balcony and paid for your items, leaving Honeyducks and walking back to Hogwarts, wishing the snow would stop falling.

Quick note: Hi! I wrote this on AO3 but I also wanted to post this here! I already have the next chapter ready but I’ll wait a few days to finish others. I pretend for this to have, at least, 10 chapters hehe. Well, I hope you enjoyed it!

[justanotherpjofan]

I know I been posting a lot on tcf but suck it is my blog so here we go again (This one is going to be long, but bear with me)

Before we knew for a fact that cale won't die even if he stabs his heart I was thinking about something sad at first but funny when all is done.

First of all Cale is dead.

He died while fighting after stabbing his heart and of course everyone in the continent is shook, the greatest hero is dead.

Because it was in the middle of a fight, the army and allies were all present so the news travel very fast.

Alberu decided to for at least this one time give the whole glory to Cale even though he knows he never want it but because he deserve it.

At the Roan kingdom's plaza every single being that was helped by cale united among the citizens and common people from all the western continent.

Is a huge funeral of the highest level of honor, Cale is laid down on a bed of leaves from the world tree given by the elfs, the wolf tribe, the tiger tribe and the whale tribe all of them there presenting their respects.

The leaders of Breck, Whipper, Caro and The Jungle all mourning.

Rasheel and Mila there without moving because they can't belive it.

Dodori crying because he couldn't give the hero a happy ending

Cale's family are a mess Raon who is threatening to kill every living is being hold by Eruhaben, just for him to not run wild, Choi Han making a vow to never leave his people alone again, Rosaly, Lock and Jack crying their eyes out because they fail.

Cage and Hannah cursing enraged.

Ron and Beacrox dreadfully silent, while a single tear runs out through Ron's cheek because he just lost a son.

Duke Deruth, duchess Violan, Basen and Lily all crying and blaming themselves.

On and Hong not wanting to leave Cale's side even though they know that he is not going to open his eyes anymore.

Alberu for once not even trying to hold his Crown Prince facade anymore and letting his true feelings show.

When suddenly Cage runs toward Cale, nobody tries to actually stop her because she is an allie, she then pulls out the divine item of the god of dead and puts the book on top of Cale's chest.

Then a neutral voice is heard all over the plaza and no one knows from where is coming.

"I bring this child to do my biding and he did it at the cost of his live even when he didn't wanted to, now I'll reward him by giving him some more time because at least once I can defeat death"

All the people there suddenly stop crying and lift their heads to look at Cale.

The book starts shining and burst open pasing all the pages till it close and then dissapear in thin air.

Everyone is expecting and finally they can see Cale's eyes opening slowly, it looks like even opening them is taking some effort.

And a soft groan could be heard on the deadly silent plaza.

Cale tries to focus his eyes but he truly is tired like he could felt asleep immediately, he looks around a little before asking in a hoarse voice "Hyung where am I?"

On, Hong, Alberu, Choi Han, Eruhaben, Rosalyn, Lock, Ron, Deruth and many others where by the bedside looking down with tearful expressions and the mouths open in surprise.

Cale who doesn't know what's going on just brush it aside because he is really tired just ask instead "Can I sleep some more?" His body aches and feels heavy so he doesn't wait for an answer and close his eyes again but nobody worries because they can hear his faint breathing.

The plaza is crying tears of joy now relieve that the commander is alive and shock because a god just revive him confirming pretty much that Cale was a god messenger.

Choi Han carefully lifts Cale and the crown Prince tell him to move Cale to his bedroom, while everyone silently follows.

Alberu takes care of the people gather in the plaza before following as well, saying to the people something like "My dosaeng just woke up I got to go"

Cale then wakes up a little confused but feels lighter than before, before stiffing up at the attentive gaze of his family Raon is weeping on his lap with On and Hong, Eruhaben and the other dragons are inspecting him, Choi Han is guarding the door without missing a single move that Cale made Alberu is sitting on the couch with a cup of tea not taking his eyes off him either.

They were all scared because they fear that Cale could stop breathing at any moment.

A confused and massively hungry Cale sits up and look around noticing that he is in Alberu's room.

A little later Alberu explains everything and there is a single thought in Cale's mind.

"The bastard god of death revived me infront of the people on the plaza, am I going to ever have my slacker's life? Forget being a hero I fucking got revived how the fuck I'm going to rest now?

[wheredafandomat]

Safeword ⛓ P19 ⛓ “Alone again”

Previous Chapter

Loki dreamt of what he wanted but didn’t know what he had lost. So did she except, she knew what she lost

After Loki kissed y/n, he quickly pulled back and stepped away from her before saying

“I’m dreadfully sorry about that” and teleporting away

Shocked at what had just happened, y/n put her fingers to her lips trying to relive the action. Loki had just kissed her. He kissed her. Confused wasn’t even the right word to explain how aghast y/n was feeling. Had he remembered? They had gone from not really speaking to him grabbing her waist and kissing her. Y/N didn’t know that Loki had been wanting to do that for a while or that he was finding himself falling for her. Again. He didn’t even know why. All he knew was that she was the woman of his dreams and that she understood him and she felt safe. Like home.

Arriving in his room, Loki scolded his growing excitement at the interaction with y/n. Just feeling her lips on his ignited something in him. He wanted more. Loki didn’t feel anything like this with his current fling. He’d bed her then leave. She was a form of release, nothing more but with y/n, he knew he wanted to take his time. He wanted to run his fingers over her body. He wanted to kiss her neck. He wanted to massage her breasts. Mark her. Taste her. He wanted to feel her thighs encasing him as he delved deeper into her hearing her singing his name. He wanted to feel her walls contracting around his cock as she reached her orgasm. He wanted to look into her eyes as he filled her with his seed. He wanted to hug her, kiss her, sleep next to her, stroke her, make her laugh, call her pretty, love her.

After taming his phallus, Loki thought back to the song that was playing and how he had recognised it. He didn’t much care for midgardian music but that song was definitely the one from his dream.

Once asleep, Loki began to dream. The dream felt so real. He saw himself and y/n dancing at a party whilst that song played in the background. Laughing, singing, smiling. He felt himself almost explode at the feeling of dread that overcame him when he saw the window next to y/n shatter. He felt himself grabbing her to lead her out. He didn’t care about his own safety, he knew he just wanted to make sure she was safe. He felt the fear that crippled the Loki in the dream when y/n told him to go, to leave her and help the people in the party. Loki saw the look on the Loki’s face in the dream when he slaughtered the man on top of y/n. The grimace that he wore. That was the last thing he saw before he woke up.

After waking up, still feeling restless, Loki recalled his dream. He was confused as to what the dream was trying to tell him. He was confused with how real the dream had felt. Just like the one in the hotel. He told himself he’d distance himself from y/n. She had plagued his mind. In the dream, it was like y/n was in control of his actions. In the dream, Loki knew he would have done anything to protect y/n, killed anyone that would try to cause her harm. This scared him. How had this near enough stranger managed to have such an affect on him so quickly? How had he managed to fall in love?.

Loki stuck to his word, he tried to not speak to y/n or be alone in her presence. She didn’t bring up the kiss so he wouldn’t either. Everything was going to plan until the day he had to collect the package that had been left outside because everyone was either on a mission, sleeping or hungover. Picking up the package, he saw y/n’s name on it. Mentally facepalming, he started walking towards her room. He knocked it awaiting her reply.

“Come in”

Opening the door, he saw y/n sitting on her bed looking back at him. Nervously, Loki gave her the package.

“For you”

“Oh- thank you”

“My pleasure”

Walking back out of the room, Loki didn’t see y/s face. The hurt that victimised her body.

Picking up the package, y/n opened it revealing an emerald green box with a ribbon. She tugged at the ribbon lifting the lid of off the box off to reveal what she had bought for herself. Smiling, she pulled the gift to her chest as tears threatened to escape her eyes.

After around a week since the kiss, y/n had a guest.

“Y/N what have you done?” Strange asked y/n in the same way you’d ask a guilty child.

“I haven’t done anything”

“Well you must have done something, it seems that Loki is starting to remember things y/n, we can’t risk him remembering because the—”

“Fate of reality depends on me etc etc yeah I get it.”

“This is serious y/n. Tell me what you done”

“Well it wasn’t just me. Loki kissed me”

“Kissed you?”

“Yes, it’s when you and someone else’s lips touch”

“Y/N I’m being serious here. Why did he kiss you?”

“Well we were listening to music and he just decided to kiss me” she said purposely missing out the fact that Loki had his hands on her waist as they lightly swayed.

“Did he say anything?”

“No he just left” she replied deflated

“I feel like there was more to this situation y/n”

“Well, Strange, unfortunately there wasn’t”

“Unfortunately?”

Y/N grinned at Stephen.

Trying to ignore the cheeky grin that covered y/n’s face, Stephen continued the conversation.

“I’m going to ignore that innuendo and carry on talking. Y/N you know we can’t risk him remembering”

“Yes Strange I know”

“Have you both spoken since?”

“Not really, he seems to not want to be near me, the last time we spoke he was in my room”

“In your room? Y/N you didn’t”

“Strange, not that my sexcapades concern you, but no we didn’t do anything he just gave me my package not his” she replied winking emphasising the his.

“Right.”

After a long pause, Strange looked back at y/n

“Y/N”

“Hmm”

“I’m sorry. I’m really really sorry but we can’t risk them remembering. We can’t risk Loki remembering”

“What are you inferring”

“You have to—”

“No Strange don’t say it”

“I’m sorry y/n” he said with genuine sadness

“Please don’t send me away” she said in desperation

“We can’t risk it”

“Stephen, I’m begging you, don’t make me leave”

“You have until the end of the week to pack your things then you’re—”

“Alone again. Naturally” she said timidly as her throat began to tighten

“For future reference, please stop interrupting me and I was going to say then you’re coming with me to Bleecker Street”

“Great” she said sarcastically

“Hmm”

A week.

Tag List:

@kingtwhiddleston

[ofpineapplesanddawns]

What do you think about Phileas visiting Aziraphale's bookshop for the first time?

It's hinted in the series that he's really well-read in general and enjoys both fiction (the Jules Verne cameo) and non-fiction so I suspect he'd love the place and Aziraphale would be delighted. (I'm assuming you still take prompts for them, even though you've started the full story on Ao3? Like doing bonus scenes haha)

I actually have it planned that Phileas has visited the shop a few times before the events of atwi80d! :O It would just be mentioned, not seen, but I am more than happy to provide the first visit here for you guys!

It is also mentioned in chapter one for Let The Adventure Begin that Aziraphale and Phileas had spoken about literature, and I'm more than happy to explore on that.

(And yes, I'm still taking prompts! Though most likely anything I write here will either be its own stand alone story, or snippets that may or may not make it into the full story on ao3).

Summery: Phileas decides to visit his new friends bookshop, and is in for quite the surprise.

On with the fic!

--

It had been only a month since nearly being kidnapped by Aziraphale, but a friendship had bloomed from that encounter. Most interactions had been at the Reform Club, but a few times had been at tea or coffee houses.

In that time, Phileas had learned of the location of Aziraphale's bookshop, and had decided that he might stop by for a visit. Though he suspected he might not be able to purchase a book, Aziraphale always got a certain look in his eyes, a tone to his voice, that said 'I don't sell unless if I have to'.

Still, a visit to his friend's establishment couldn't hurt.

He looked at the address he had written down as he walked down the streets of SoHo, before accidentally bumping into someone, dropping his note. The man apologized, picking up the note, seeing the address. "Oh dear, that's Fell's place." He said with a grimace.

"Is that bad?" Phileas asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Is that bad?" The man repeated before letting out a sharp bark of a laugh. "Of course! Everyone knows that Fell's shop is not the place to go for your books! It's dreadfully warm or freezing in there, it smells like mold, and sometimes a massive snake shows up, and Fell never says a word! And if you even dare to purchase a book, some say that the wrath of Heaven itself is brought down upon you!"

Phileas frowned, pocketing the slip of paper. "Thank you for the information, but I shall still be going, my friend is there."

"If it's Fell, that's a shock, he only ever has one person there as a friend, haven't see the fellow in years." The man looked at him funny. "You look a bit like him, hm, maybe that's why."

Watching him walk off, Phileas raised an eyebrow, but shook his head, strange folks around this part of London.

He arrived at the corner shop, seeing Mr. A.Z. Fell and Co. above the door and gave a nod, then went to try the door. Only to find it locked, oh, he thought that Aziraphale would be here. His shop hours, most confusing, said that the shop was open.

With a small frown, he decided he should knock. Should there be no one here, he'd just come back another time. He knocked on the door four times, then waited a beat.

Just as he was about to leave the stoop, the door opened, and Phileas saw the surprised face of Aziraphale, which then turned into a bright smile. Nearly shining with a light of its own, actually.

"Phileas, dear boy! What are you doing here?" Aziraphale greeted. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, I'm actually quite thrilled! I was just about to enjoy some lunch, if you'd like to join me!"

"I wanted to see your shop, actually. You've spoken about it a few times, and you know I am an avid reader." Phileas replied. "But if you're about to sit down to eat, I can come back later."

"Nonsense! Come in, come in, I always have more than enough, you can have some, if you haven't eaten already." Aziraphale stepped side, motioning for Phileas to enter.

With a nod, Phileas stepped into the shop, smelling what smelled like a mix of old parchment, a hint of mold, and a delicious mix of spices. He stared in awe at the large, crowded inside of the shop, of all the shelves and colorful book spines.

There was a beautiful skylight above the center of the room, brightening the place up, and he set his hat and coat on a rack near the door before moving to stand under the skylight. "Oh, this is beautiful." He smiled, feeling much like a child in a sweets shop.

He turned to look at Aziraphale, who was staring at him with an expression he couldn't read, but then it softened into a prideful smile. "I take it you rather like my shop, yes?"

"It's brilliant! I don't believe I've ever seen so many books in one shop like this, it's almost like a library. This is an impressive collection."

"Oh, it is! I have copies of books that have been out of print of ages!" Aziraphale said as he walked up to him. "Come, let's have lunch. I hope you don't mind curry, I've taken to making my own at home and I must say, I do believe I'm getting the hang of it!"

Phileas blinked, following after Aziraphale to a back area of the shop, where couches sat, more books were scattered about, and he watched as Aziraphale went into a small room off of the area, a kitchenette. He didn't know what else to do as Aziraphale puttered about his kitchen, so he decided to look around the small sitting area.

There were images on the walls, in old frames, of small tapestries, works of art, and a few photographs. There was one of Aziraphale, with his muttonchops, that he seems to have decided to shave himself of last week.

There was another of what looked to be St. James's Park, and then there was one that looked old, but he could still see someone well enough in it.

There was a man, dressed nearly all in black, sitting in a chair. He was posted in a way, resting his cheek against a gloved hand, his arm upon a table next to the chair. His hair was dark, but yet not as dark as Phileas would appear in a photo. He had a long, crooked nose, a thin face, obvious cheekbones, and thin lips.

Phileas was shocked, if he didn't know any better, he swore that he was looking at a photograph of himself! But there were differences, the nearly liquid pose of the man's body, his choice of clothing, and his eyes being hidden behind smoked glasses.

"This must be the mysterious Mr. Crowley..." He mumbled to himself before straightening up. "Well, he certainly does look like me, no wonder poor Aziraphale was so confused."

"Lunch is ready." Aziraphale announced with a joy in his voice as he came out with a serving tray. He spotted Phileas, where he stood looking at the photos, and seemed flushed. "Oh, uh, I see you found that."

"This is your friend, yes?"

"Yes, that would be Crowley, taken shortly before out, ahem, argument. He had gotten interested in photography and insisted we take pictures. He still had, I hope, the photo of myself at his place." He said as he sat down the tray, then motioned for Phileas to sit down as he started to serve rice with a thick curry, which looked to have chicken in it.

Phileas didn't have much experience with these spicy foods, he usually kept to what he was used to, but he wasn't going to be rude and say no to it. He tried a bite, and found that it was delicious, if a bit peppery for his taste. The glass of wine he was offered helped with taking away some of the burn.

"So," he said, clearing his throat, "last we spoke, you said you were reading Austen?"

"Oh yes, I just finished reading her latest, but I took your recommendation into consideration and have been hooked!" Aziraphale said with an excited glee, like he had been waiting to talk about this for days now.

Phileas perked up. "You're actually reading Verne?" He hadn't expected Aziraphale to, most never take his reading recommendations, often finding his suggestions to be childish, or boring.

"Oh yes, I got a hold of a first edition, of his first major work, and I've been reading it with such enjoyment that I had to force myself to put it down to do my chores around the shop!"

He felt a warm feeling come over him, and Phileas allowed himself to relax. There was just something about this strange man that let Phileas be himself, without having to always defend himself, to put up his guards.

"Tell me what you've enjoyed so far, I'd love to hear it." He said with a grin.

--

They spent the whole afternoon discussing books and Aziraphale happily showed off his collection of error Bibles and books of prophesy.

Phileas was allowed to take home a book, that he borrowed. Aziraphale could trust him to take good care of it.

[sierraraeck]

Struck by Lightning

Derek x Fem!Reader

Masterlist

Summary: After breaking up with your boyfriend, you go out for a girls night. Unfortunately, he follows you to the club to try and win you back. To show him just how over him you are, you kiss the first stranger you see walking through the door. Luckily for you, that man is a sculpted god of chocolate thunder.

Category: Spicy fluff

Warnings: Mentions of alcohol. Age gap between adults (maybe like 10ish years) but I never actually mention it lol. Some cussing.

Word Count: 2.2k

A/N: This was inspired by the song “Guys My Age” by Hey Violet. If you wanna give that a quick listen, go for it, if not, that’s chill too. This is also for @fortheloveofcriminalminds 600 follower celebration! The prompt “in the likely event that this all goes pear shaped, just remember I told you so” is in bold!

“I finally did it,” you told your friend over the phone.

“You did!” she squealed. “You dumped Brody? I’m so proud of you!”

You laughed, “Thanks, Jess. God, I was just so tired of his bullshit. He never wanted to do anything but hang around his house with his friends, ya know?”

“Yeah, I do know,” Jess responded very dramatically. “I’m so glad you’re done with him! This calls for celebration!”

“Oh god,” you mumbled, knowing exactly what that entailed. Jess was always a bit excited when it came to celebrating. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

“Yes! Girls night!” The high frequency of her voice nearly blew your eardrums out. “There’s this new bar and club downtown that I’ve been dying to check out. I’m going to call the girls!”

Without getting another word in, she hung up, leaving you no choice but to start getting ready for what you were sure would be a wild night.

# # # # # # # # # # # # #

Wild would not be the word you’d use to describe the night so far. Irritating would be more accurate.

Not even ten minutes after you’d arrived, Brody and his asshat friends showed up too. Of course, they couldn’t just keep their distance like any normal person who’d just been dumped would, maybe a normal person would even leave to go to a different club, but no. The first thing Brody did was approach you, sliding into the barstool next to you.

You could smell the alcohol and weed on his breath when he said, “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Go away, Brody,” you deadpanned. You’d finally gotten away from your immature, never-wants-to-do-anything boyfriend who never put you first, who now all the sudden that you’re gone, decides to start making an effort. And of course it had to be on the night that you were celebrating the single life again that he just had to show up.

“Don’t be like that, babe,” he said, reaching out to touch you.

You scooted out of reach of him, “Don’t touch me.”

“Come on, baby, we used to have a lot of fun. Let me remind you of that,” he said, leaning in to kiss you.

You put your hand in the way and pushed his face away from yours. “I would literally rather kiss anyone other than you,” you spat.

“You don’t mean that,” Brody tried to schmooze.

“Yes I do.”

“Oh really? Prove it,” he challenged.

“Come on, Y/N, let’s just go. He’s not worth it,” Jess told you, your two other friends at her sides.

But you were too competitive for that. Plus, this was your girls night out, at the club that Jess had been dying to see for ages now, and you weren’t going to let your stupid ex ruin that. So you accepted by saying, “I will. Next person who walks through that door.”

Brody shrugged, a smug smile on his face. “Fine. Let’s see it.”

You eyed the door as Jess leaned in and whispered, “In the likely event that this all goes pear shaped, just remember I told you so.”

You rolled your eyes, still facing the door. Then you saw movement behind the glass, the door swinging open to reveal the person you’d fated yourself to kiss.

And holy shit. You don’t think you’ve ever been so lucky in your life. The honest to god hottest man you’d ever seen walked through the door. He was tall, broad shoulders accompanying his strong build, and when you saw him turn and smile at the rest of what you assumed were his friends walking through the door, you thought you might pass out. He had to have been sculpted by Zeus himself.

You were staring in shock, as if you’d been struck by lightning, almost forgetting you had a small wager on the line. Jess gave you a small nudge, springing your feet into action.

You couldn’t believe you were about to do this. But, you strutted up to the man still partially in the doorway with confidence like you’d never had before, the group of people facing your way tracking your movements. The man himself had barely enough time to turn around and register you walking toward him before you reached up behind his neck and pulled him just slightly down to you. You smashed your lips to his with a bit more force than you intended, and could feel the shock coming from everyone around you.

They weren’t the only ones to be surprised, though. In only a matter of seconds, without pulling back to ask any questions, he started kissing you back. It caught you a little off guard, to be honest, thinking you were just going to kiss him and awkwardly walk away. But he kissed you back. Like really kissed you back. His lips were soft and smooth, and before you could fully register it, your tongues were exploring each other’s mouths, pushing and pulling in a way you’d never felt before. One of his hands rested on your jaw and the other snaked around your back, spurring on your confidence enough to place your other hand on his very firm, and very muscular chest.

You weren’t sure how long the kiss lasted, but you felt like you had to pull back when one of his friends cleared their throat. You looked into his dark, cocoa eyes now that you could really admire his face close up, and he was looking at you with a mix of confusion and wonder.

You bit your lip and turned to quickly glance at the brunette who’d cleared her throat. She was pressing her lips together to suppress a smile, but wasn’t failing dreadfully at it.

You turned your attention back to the man in front of you, still looking at you in awe. Running on pure adrenaline and confidence, you slowly looked him up and down, then let out a satisfied sigh. “Not bad,” you muttered to yourself, barely loud enough for him to hear it. You ran both your hands down his chest and flirtatiously continued, “Not bad at all.”

You easily slid out of his grasp and winked over your shoulder as you strutted away.

You heard the woman who’d cleared her throat say, “I know you’re Derek Morgan, and I know you’re a catch, but has that ever happened to you?”

You peered over your shoulder and saw him staring at you. Derek, you now knew his name to be, shook his head just slightly and mumbled, “Never.”

You quickly turned away, not wanting any of them to see your grin as you practically bounced back to your seat at the bar. Brody was nowhere to be found.

Jess was slack jawed, eyebrows almost lost in her hairline. You teased, “What was that you were saying about things going wrong? Something about telling me so or..?��

Jess pulled herself together and feigned annoyance, “Oh shut up. You know you got hella lucky.”

“Oh,” you nodded, “I know.”

“Seriously, Y/N, what the hell was that?”

You shook your head, feeling as in awe as the man you’d kissed only moments ago had looked. “I have no idea.”

# # # # # # # # # # # # #

You eyed each other for the next hour or so, neither of you being too inconspicuous about. You’d been on the dance floor while him and his group were at a bar table. He finally approached you when you’d taken a break to get another drink.

He walked up to you and leaned against the side of the bar you’d just order from. He hadn’t said anything yet, so, without looking at him, you filled the airspace. “You know it’s considered rude.”

“Excuse me?” he questioned. It was the first time you’d really heard his voice, and it was a deep velvety sound you wanted to remember.

“It’s considered rude to stare,” you started, turning to face him, “Especially if you’re not going to buy the next drink.”

He swiped his tongue across his bottom lip, “Is that so?”

You simply nodded as the bartender brought you your drink. He had already fished out a twenty, holding it up between two of his fingers. He never took his eyes off you as the bartender took the cash and you sipped at the liquid in your glass.

“That’s a little better,” you teased.

You stood there leaning against the bar shamelessly looking each other over for another moment before he spoke up again, “I’m Derek Morgan.”

“I know,” you stated, flashing him a smile. He looked at you expectantly, but you weren’t about to give anything up.

He sighed a little, but gave you a small smile when he asked, “Well, if you won’t tell me your name, would you at least like to dance with me?”

You opened your mouth in fake surprise, “Ooh, so you’re a trade off kinda guy.”

He quickly backtracked, “No, that’s not-”

You laughed, cutting him off. “It’s okay, I like a little trade off. How about I dance with you, and if I’m any good, you put your number in my phone. If I’m not, I’ll tell you my name.”

He smirked, “Deal.”

Derek offered his hand and you gave him a small smirk as you took it, letting him lead you to the dance floor.

You both started rhythmically moving to the deafening beat, sharing glances and mimicking movements. The two of you owned the dance floor, people from all across the bar looking your way, but neither of you bothered to notice. You were way too caught up in each other, slowing moving closer and closer as you danced.

Being around him was electric, and each time your skin touched his it sent shock waves through your body, as if the man himself was made from lightning. You were becoming more and more convinced that he was handcrafted by the gods themselves.

You couldn’t remember how long you’d been on the dance floor, but when Derek dragged you off, it seemed like you could have wasted endless time in your own world out there. He was a great dancer, and you loved that he was more than willing to dance with you. Not enough men were interested in dancing like he seemed to be.

He pulled you off to the side in a low traffic, dark hallway. His whole figure seemed to glow despite the dim lighting, and the only real sound was your labored breathing above the muffled bass.

Derek’s eyes raked from your eyes down to your lips, so it was no surprise when his actions followed his gaze. His lips were on yours, and your back was in contact with the wall in a flash. He kissed you with more passion and vigour than the first time, completely dominating the kiss. You didn’t mind, wrapping your arms around his neck to get as close to him as you possibly could and then some. Your heart was racing as you tried to cling to the feeling, ignoring your lung’s cry for air.

Derek was the one who pulled away, but only to trail kisses down your neck, giving you enough time to catch your breath. “Hey, hey,” you whispered. He looked up at you with curious eyes, “Does this mean I won our little trade off?”

A hearty chuckle escaped his chest making your knees weak and he beamed at you as he answered, “I guess it does.”

You grabbed a wad of his shirt and pulled his lips to yours again, then released it to take his hand. You led him from the hallway and back to the bar where you’d left your phone, handing it to him. After he’d typed in his number, one of his friends from earlier, the same brunette, approached the two of you. Derek gave her a defeated look and she nodded her head. He sighed, an entire conversation you couldn’t follow happening in front of you. She shrugged and walked away.

When Derek’s attention was back on you, he said, “It looks like I have to go. But is there really nothing I can do to convince you to give me your name?”

You shook your head with a cheeky smile, “I guess you’ll just have to wait for a phone call.”

“You know,” he started with a joking tone, “I work for the FBI and could probably get your name if I wanted to.”

You laughed, “Is that where you’re off to?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” he answered with dry humor.

“Interesting.” He gave you a look but you shrugged. “Makes sense, though, I’d pegged you as more of a SWAT guy.” He laughed and you couldn’t help but join him.

“Morgan, let’s go!” a blonde this time yelled to him.

He rolled his eyes, completely ignoring her and said, “I hope I hear from you soon.”

“Hang in there, Agent Derek Morgan,” you teased.

He flashed you that award-winning smile before turning to leave. You watched him all the way out the door, and once he got there, turned back to look at you. He smiled to himself again and left, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so.

Something about the energy in the room changed when he was gone, like all the electricity had followed him out. You were sure, then, that he wasn’t just created by Zeus, but had to have been Zeus himself. And you couldn’t wait to be struck by the lightning of his presence again.

Taglist

@90spumkin

[wastelandlovingscenarios]

crushing companions reacting to f!sole being caught under the mistletoe by someone who ISNT him?

omg, that’s so funny to think about. some are longer than others so i hope you don’t mind (also i got a little carried away). please enjoy! ❤️

i feel like i moved away from the topic but yknow.. ☠️

christmas/new years reacts are still open!

-

somehow, he was dragged into this and had no choice but to attend upon soles request, not being able to say no due to his obvious crush on her. now he was here, mindlessly listening to the chattering of the person who accompanied him during the party, being absolutely bored out of his mind despite the liveliness of the party. as the person continued on, words not being absorbed, his eyes scanned the area for sole, wanting to at least see her once during the whole event and hopefully strike a conversation before it ended.

he expected to see everything; her chatting with some people, maybe putting out some food, or playing with the kids, but what he didn’t expect was to find her under the mistletoe with someone else. someone that wasn’t him.

Danse:

his world stopped for a mere second, all his surroundings becoming blurred as he focused on the scene the raveled before him, unknowingly holding his breath while he did so. his mind slowly processed what was happening and once it completely settled in, a wave of genuine irritation and jealousy began to crash over him. danse being danse, he tries to keep his emotions under control as best as he can. on one hand, sole has the freedom to do anything and everything with anyone she pleases with... and on the other? he wants to pull her into his arms for him and him only.

as the person leans in for a kiss, he leaves no room for debate as he unconsciously rushes his way there, unable to cope with the idea of his precious crush sharing such contact with someone else. sole would yelp in shock as she was pulled away from the person without explanation. he ignored sole’s questions as he dragged her to a quiet corner, not thinking straight.

his eyes stayed on the individual, glaring at them silently with a displeased look as if sole wasn’t staring up at him with the most confused expression. the protective hold on her wrist never detached, the grip still as tight as when he first grabbed it.

she coughed to get his attention and his gaze immediately fell on her, forgetting that he had dragged her without a reason. he would be struck with horror, his heart stopping at the realization that he had done so without registering it. “so, uh. mind explaining what that was for?”

his face would go completely red, his mouth opening to respond, but much to his dismay, nothing came out. the words became tangled in his throat as he tried to come up with anything to cover him from the truth but eventually came to the conclusion that there was no way he could save himself at this point. swallowing nervously, he slowly slid the hand that grabbed her wrist to enevelope hers and with a flushed expression, he knew he had a lot of explaining to do. no better time to do it than christmas day, right?

Deacon:

if someone were to ask deacon why he was so afraid to fall in love again, this would be the exact reason why. he didn’t like the familiar feeling that began pooling in his stomach and the unwanted envy and insecurities that began to surface. instead of showing his discomfort, he smiled through it all and excused himself from the conversation, quickly sneaking up on them. he didn’t have a plan, but he knows damn well that he could at least make one.

before the person could lean in for a kiss, he’d pop out of no where, cutting the individual off even before they had the chance. with a “panicked” expression, he’d grab sole by the shoulder before she could let a word out, ignoring the confusion on her face. “charmer! i just came here to say...” he stopped for a moment, giving her the longest stare as the awkward silence began to build up, “..that you look great today, partner!”

she would send him a look of disbelief. “seriously, deeks? all that just to say i look good?”

“someone’s sounding a little ungrateful during the holiday season, tsk. a thank you would be nice.” he shook his head disapprovingly, both ignoring the individual that watched them dumbly, unsure of what to say. he then pointed to the door behind him while keeping a disappointed expression, “also, dogmeats totally destroying your vault suit.”

“he’s WHAT?!” sole nearly yelled, covering her moth instantly as she received stares left and right. with a paled expression, she’d laugh nervously and run towards the other way, excusing herself in a hurry. “sorry, gotta go!”

deacon would smile and pat himself on the back at the accomplishment of his mission. the person would be left dumbfounded at what just happened. “uhhh..”

with a smirk, he’d turn over to the individual and look up back at the mistletoe that hung above them. “so you gonna kiss me or what loverboy? these lips can’t wait forever.” and just like that, the person immediately shook their head and left the area with an embarrassed expression. he scoffed as he watched them drag away to another area of the party. that’ll teach them not to mess with him.

now he just needed to find another lie to tell sole when she realizes that dogmeat wasn’t at all destroying her vault suit but was instead sleeping by the fire.

Maccready:

maccready is many things; petulant, angry, and absolutely jealous to his core and does not bother to hide it. he disregards the person he’s talking to, immediately stomping off towards soles direction without a word spared to the individual that accompanied him. sole would hear the loud footsteps behind her and would turn around upon hearing the noise, seeing a red faced maccready making his way to them with the biggest scowl ever. the person would raise a brow, absolutely bewildered at macs behavior as they stepped forward in attempt to shield sole.

“hey man, you good-“

“take a hike, buddy.” mac shot back through gritted teeth, his tone full of venom. the persons confused and concerned expression would soon turn into a surprised one, full of disbelief at the words that left the mercenary’s mouth. before they could respond with just as much attitude, sole would stop the situation from escalating, a sweet tone in her voice.

“okay, okay. take it easy.” she cut in between the two heated individuals and slipped her hand in macs own, instantly earning a surprised and flustered from him. she looked at the person with a apologetic smile, “i’m sorry, please give us a moment.”

and just like that, she’d pull him to a more private area of the party, folding her arms with a demanding expression.

“what the hell was that?”

mac would try to pretend as if he was irritated, whining quietly but loud enough for her to hear. he’d throw his arms in the air dramatically in response, letting his emotions take over the best of him. “they were gonna kiss you!” then he began to panic more, realizing the position he dreadfully put himself in with little to no ways to take him out. “i mean- uh- they were gonna- i was-“

“so what if they were gonna kiss me?” she raised a brow, a small smirk forming on her face as she pieced together what was happening. “what then?”

“i- i-“ he began stammering, unable to find excuses this time around. he mentally beat himself up, instantly regretting the fact that he allowed his emotions to take control of the situation instead of his mind. ultimately, he gave up as soles eyes bored into him, his voice dying down into a quiet whisper. “i-i don’t know.”

sole would let out a laugh, entertained by his reaction, leaving mac a blushing and embarrassed mess as he looked towards the other direction, hands stuffed in his pockets. “don’t laugh at me.” he murmured, face growing more red.

she would immediately stop upon request but the smile on her face never left as she stepped forward, placing a hand on his bicep. “if you were trying to let me know you liked me, you got the message across.” mac grew rigid at the words that left her mouth but made no attempt to deny them, knowing the truth of it , “and just to give you a straight up answer..” she tiptoed and placed a quick kiss on his cheek, his eyes widening upon contact. he felt himself freeze at the softness of her lips.

“i like you too.” she whispered against his flushed skin and he nearly fainted from the intensity of the situation. what a way to celebrate christmas.

Hancock:

everyone knows hancock has it absolutely bad for sole, so for someone to approach her in such a brave manner secretly ticked him off. he saw the stupid ass smile that plastered that persons face and he wanted nothing more but to slap it off them. he’d look at the person accompanying him, holding a finger up to shush them for a moment with force, “hold that thought, sister/brother. got something i need to take care of.” and he’d immediately make his way to them, not wasting a precious second.

“sunshine!” he’d call out to sole with open arms and a smug smile, immediately attracting her attention away from the individual who wore an irritated expression upon seeing hancock. her face lit up with happiness, a grin stretching across her cheeks. “hey hancock!”

hancock would throw an arm over soles shoulders, gazing lovingly at them as she giggled. “looking beautiful as always, i see.” he chuckled at the redness forming on her cheeks. “so how’s my favorite girl doing?”

they’d continue on their conversation as if the other person wasn’t currently in their presence, wanting to continue where they left off. the endless compliments and inside jokes made them uncomfortable, unsure of what to do or say at the moment. “um hello?”

sole would smile sympathetically upon seeing the irritated expression on the persons face. “oh, sorry. got a little distracted.” hancock would cut in with a smirk, feeding off the persons reactions. “sorry brother/sister, we’re busy.” he pointed at the mistletoe above them, going straight to the point and sole let out a surprised, “huh?” with a flushed face. “now scram before i make you do it.”

the person cursed under their breath and stomped off elsewhere, leaving hancock satisfied and accomplished. sole would shyly look up at him. “so did you mean what you said or was that to help put me in a more comfortable position?”

he looked down at her, thinking for a moment but smiled warmly to ease her tension. “a mix of both, sunshine. if you’re still up for that kiss, i’d be more than happy to do so with your permission.”

she would become more flushed at his response but would grin happily. “you didn’t need a mistletoe to kiss me, hancock. i was more than willing to if you felt the same.”

“guess now we know, huh?” he’d whisper softly and tilt her chin up, slowly closing the distance between them both.

Nick Valentine:

nicks smile faltered in response, his eyes observing the scene before him for a little while. something in him throbbed with pain at the way the person smiled at her confidently as she stood still, not rejecting his offer and he took that as a sign that she allowed it. he excused himself from the conversation politely before it could happen and walked out of the room without a second thought to allow himself to have a breather. the muffled holiday music would fall on his ears as he took a seat on the patio, quietly attempting to push away the idea that sole was indeed having fun with someone else.

lighting up a cigerrate, he quietly watched the christmas lights that lit up the street with a sigh and took a drag, wanting to get the thought out of his mind as soon as possible. perhaps he’d head on back to diamond city as soon as he was done with his cigar, hopefully having the courage to thank sole for inviting him with a smile. nick wouldn’t realize how much time had passed or how long he’s been out in the cold until he heard a voice calling out his name faintly behind him.

“nick?” he’d look over his shoulder and immediately throw the cigar on the ground, stepping on it upon realizing who the voice belonged to. composing himself, he’d address her with a forced smile.

“hey there, doll.”

sole would smile back at him and stop in her tracks, looking at the empty spot near nick. “is this seat taken?”

“not at all. never taken for you.” sole giggled softly and sat near him, giving him some space. he quietly removed his jacket, placing it over her shoulders and she chortled, sending him a small thanks in return as she pulled the coat closer to her body. a silence surrounded the two for a moment before he broke it, not wanting to appear suspicious. “what brings you out here, doll?”

sole thought for a moment before responding, “i just came here to check on you.” she said with a worried smile, “i saw that you weren’t around and well.. they told me you just suddenly up and left the party, so i just had to check.”

he smiled, a warm feeling filling his body. even at times where she was occupied by other things, she still cared about his well being. “i’m doing just fine, no need to worry. besides, i know you’re busy with your date, so i wanted to give you some space.”

“my.. what?” she was pulled back at the words that left his mouth but then responded quickly upon realization, “oh! you mean the person you saw me with? no, no, nick that’s a misunderstanding!” she laughed. “they were just doing that whole mistletoe tradition thing, yknow. where they kiss and stuff... but i’m pretty sure you know about it.”

he gazed at her as she continued to speak, pausing in between as she processed her thoughts. she stared at the ground. “i didn’t kiss them though. i rejected them and told them i wasn’t interested.”

a sudden flood of relief washed over nick and he let out a breath he never knew he was holding, the dreading feeling in his chest immediately turning into nothing. “is that so?”

“yeah. i had other plans too, so it just wouldn’t work out either way.” she smiled with a blush, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. he looked at her with a curious expression. “did you manage to get around to those ‘other plans’?”

she blushed and scooted closer to him, leaning in to place a kiss on his cheek softly, immediately sending him to shock. his eyes fell on her the moment he realized what was happening and felt something inside him whir loudly. once she pulled away, she grinned at him shyly with a completely flushed face. “i have now.” she beamed happily as he touched the spot where she kissed, a smile of his own growing. “merry christmas, nick.”

he pulled her in, wrapping both his arms around her and kissed her temple lovingly as he whispered.“merry christmas, sole.” sole let out a pleased sigh at the contact, melting into his embrace.

Sturges:

sturges would swallow with a small, forced smile, trying to hide his discomfort in front of the eyes of others. much to his luck, he was great at doing that. his eyes would remain on her, not being able to avert it elsewhere no matter how hard he tried. despite his strange change of behavior, he’d still try to contribute the the conversation he was held hostage in, but give shorter replies, uninterested. a series of ‘uh-huh’, ‘yeah’, and hums would leave his mouth instead of well thought replies as he continued to focus on the scene nearby.

once sole presented a sign of discomfort that he was well aware of, he’d immediately excuse himself as apologetic as possible, quickly pacing to her. as he made it closer to them, he’d speak with a friendly tone, not wanting to make the situation worse. “hey now, is everythin’ alright here?” his eyes would flicker from sole for a while and then to the person who stood in front of her, a scowl on their face as they looked straight at him. he didn’t mind; if it meant irritating the person away from sole as far as possible, then so be it. he had no plans to leave now and he definitely wasn’t going to do so, even at soles commands.

“yeah, it’s just fine.” they said with an annoyed tone and sturges would reply with just as much attitude. “i wasn’t askin’ you.” he would then turn back to sole who smiled at him with relief, and he knew he made the right decision. “i’m okay, sturges.”

“i hope this fella wasn’t botherin’ ya too much, sole.”he commented loud enough for them to hear and their face went red with anger as they shot him a glare. “whatever, man.” and would stalk off towards the other direction with mumbled insults.

he’d sigh disapprovingly as he watched the person walk off childishly and then look back at her with a smile. “you okay, sweetheart?”

“of course i am. i was about to tell him off anyway.” she smiled happily at him and he felt his heart melt at the sight. “i’m glad you stepped up and saved me the trouble though. i really appreciate it.”

“no need for a thank you. i just did what was right.”

sole laughed and tiptoed, resting a hand on his cheek and before sturges could react, she placed a lingering kiss on his cheek, closing her eyes in bliss as she did so. once she retreated, she caught the familiar crimson that dusted his cheeks and giggled at the surprised expression on his face.

“my way of saying thank you since you won’t accept it and, uh..” she pointed at the mistletoe above them and he smiled nervously, letting out a shaky laugh. “gotta follow the tradition, yknow?”

“well, ain’t that a lovely way to say thank you.”

she nodded, taking both his hand in hers and stepped closer so that he could hear her murmur. “hope you don’t mind me saying thank you like that from now on.”

he leaned his forehead on hers and chuckled. “not at all.”

Preston:

preston would immediately show reaction to it, his smile dropping completely and his eyes widening in what seemed like terror and devastation. the words around him would become nothing but static and the music would be blurred as he felt time slow down. he knew sole deserved the best, but deep down, he hoped he was the best for her and maybe this was just the answer he was waiting for all along. with a heavy heart, he’d look away from the scene before it could happen and grow uncharacteristically silent throughout the whole conversation. he didn’t even bother to spare a second glance and tilted his hat down, afraid of what he’ll see.

when sole approached him later that night during the party, he jolted and automatically felt his heart drop as he met eyes with the one person he had it bad for. he tried his best to pull a smile but failed miserably as it looked absolutely forced.

“hey preston, not enjoying the party or something?” she said quietly, taking a seat next to him on the couch. the concern on her face meant she was picking up the unusual signs he was exhibiting and he felt panicked, knowing there was no escape.

“just not feeling it, that’s all.” he responded, looking back down at his drink on in his hand.

“we both know that’s a lie, preston. i can see right through you.” well it was worth a shot. “mind telling me what’s on your mind?”

he thought for a moment, wondering if it was worth telling sole about his feelings at this point since he had already gotten his answer. maybe he could fake it with a smile and carry on with the conversation casually in hopes that she’ll eventually drop it or maybe he could excuse himself elsewhere for the rest of the night to think to himself. instead, he just let out a deep breath and put down his drink.

“mind if we talk outside then?” sole smiled and nodded, standing from the couch and offered him a hand to help him up. they exited the building and walked down the quiet streets of sanctuary, side by side. sole remained quiet, waiting for preston to break the silence instead of forcing it out of him.

“you know what i’m about to tell you, i hope it doesn’t change anything between us.” he filled the stillness of the air and felt a small hand gently grab his bicep to stop him from walking any further. he looked back and caught the reassuring smile on her face. “you know it won’t change anything.”

he looked down at his feet, a blush forming on his face. “i know.” he breathed, “ i know it wont. you’re not like that.” she let out a hum of agreement.

“i guess.. i guess i was just upset that i saw you with someone else under the mistletoe.” he murmured, voice dying down the more he spoke, “and that i lost my chance.”

sole looked at him, baffled for a moment. “lost your chance? what do you mean?” he picked up his head to gaze at her with a defeated smile, lightly scratching the nape of his neck. “to tell you i like you, i guess. seems like someone already beat me to it.”

“what?” she looked confused and stepped forward, trying to explain herself, “preston, you’ve got it all wrong. i didnt kiss them! i left to go find you after i checked up on a few people.”

he stood there, wide eyed while trying to process the words that left his mouth and he realized in horror that he based off things due to his assumptions. “i- uhm, excuse me? you didn’t uh-“

“no, i didn’t kiss them preston and well, you could say i know who i want.” she grinned happily at him with a blush on her cheeks, keeping her hand on his bicep. he felt his heart beat loudly against his chest and he was caught off guard upon registering what she meant. “oh. oh!” a smile slowly grew on his face as he beamed at sole, holding both her shoulders in excitement. all signs of devastation and sadness immediately washed away as if it wasn’t there in the first place. “that’s - that’s great! oh my god! i-i don’t know what to say!”

“you don’t need to say anything.” sole laughed and moved her hand to his cheek, brushing her thumb over his skin. “just kiss me. you know, a celebratory one.. since it’s christmas and as my way of saying i feel the same way.” he nodded, leaning in to connect their lips.

“of course.”

Gage:

as if this party wasn’t bad enough already; the person talking was annoying the shit out of him and now the only person he’s ever had a crush on was being hit on by some low life. his scowl that was already there would only deepen more upon seeing that unsettling scene but would watch from afar, hand ready on his gun just in case some funny business were to arise. as much as he wants to put a bullet right between their eyes, he resists, waiting for some kind of signal from sole to give him the go.

without looking at the person who accompanied him, he’d speak gruffly, his expression absolutely twisted in anger. “shut the fuck up, will ya?” and they did, slowly sliding away from him in fear. he kept his eye on her, patience running thin as they grew closer to sole by the second. the second their hand stroked her arm flirtatiously, he snapped and made his way to them without a second thought, hand already drawing his gun.

“youd look better with a smile.” they commented as sole rolled her eyes, obviously unintimidated by their behavior. the sound of a gun cocking behind the person would stop her from responding and she’d peek behind them, seeing a furious gage glaring at the back of their head. the room went quiet, watching the scene before them but not daring to butt in, knowing gage was a tough one to take down. after all, they knew the safest route to this was for sole to take care of the situation before it escalated.

“and you’d look better with red,” he threatened, pressing the gun harder against the back of their head. “lots of it.”

the individual would turn a deathly white as they shook in fear, paralyzed. through stuttered words, they’d try to explain themselves, “i-i-its a tradition, the mistletoe! it’s - it’s just something w-we do every ch- christma-“

gage would shoot the mistletoe above them and sole watched as it fell to the ground, broken into pieces as sole sighed at the sad sight. “stupid ass tradition if ya asked me.”

she’d sigh and fold her arms, tapping her foot almost impatiently. “gage, quit it.” she demanded with an irate expression, “leave it and let’s go.” when gage refused to withdraw the weapon, sole sent him a sharp look. “now.”

and just like that, the person would let out a breath as gage retreated, mumbling some colorful language under his breath as he made his way to sole. they both walked past the silence crowd and once they made their way far enough from the party, she stopped in her tracks and faced him with a smirk. “jealous much?”

“i ain’t jealous. that was just getting’ ridiculous and embarrassin’.” he commented, looking elsewhere with a scowl.

“sure you weren’t.” she teased, earning a glare from the raider, “can’t deny that you wanted to kiss me though and you definetly wouldn’t think that tradition was stupid if you were under the mistletoe with me instead.”

he rolled his eyes and walked past her, wanting to hide the growing blush on his cheeks. “shut the hell up and keep walking, boss. we ain’t ever gonna make it back to nuka world with all yer blabberin’.” he stayed silent, knowing well that whatever sole had just told him was utterly true to the core and there was no absolute way he could deny it.

[army-author]

jimin scenario | in for a treat

❝ as you grow up together, you and jimin celebrate halloween in your own special way. with the passing of the years, your relationship continues to blossom while the trees shed their leaves... ❞

➝ prompt: i’ve never celebrated halloween before, but it’s your favourite holiday. you’re determined to make my first halloween the most exciting holiday ever. i’m loving the enthusiasm, but isn’t this a bit much?

➝ pairing: slytherin jimin x slytherin reader

➝ genre: fluff, hogwarts au, friends to lovers

➝ requested by anon | 8.5k words

➝ warnings: implied smut

➝ author’s note: sorry that this is so late. i had this written before halloween, but never got the time to edit it until now, so apologies if it’s weird reading such a heavily halloween themed fic in november. i hope everyone enjoys it, regardless! i think i may have strayed a little from the prompt, but hopefully all the fluffy moments are worth it!

Halloween was never a holiday that interested you. At least that’s how it used to be…

Growing up with a non-magic family, the festivities had never seemed that interesting. You couldn’t figure out the appeal of a holiday dedicated to something you didn’t believe in. The ghosts, the ghouls, the whispers of magic on the air – it all appeared juvenile. Of course, you would buy the occasional pack of sweets for the school children that scurried around the neighbourhood, demanding treats on every doorstep. However, you never went out to celebrate yourself, uninterested in the costumes, the decorations, or the general air of mischief that circulated that that time of year. You had no rose-tinted nostalgia for the holiday, and no desire to dress up or carve Jack-o-lanterns.

All this changed when you met Jimin.

When you had first received your letter from Hogwarts, both you and your parents had been shocked. You had no idea up that magic even existed, and yet, there was the letter in your hands, screaming the contrary to all you believed. A well constructed prank? The look on your parents’ faces suggested otherwise. Your parents explained to you that magic truly did exist, and while they themselves were non-magical, one of your aunts was actually a witch, who had also attended Hogwarts in her youth.

With that revelation, your life flipped on its head.

After a summer spent pleading with your parents to let you go, you finally arrive at Hogwarts, filled with wonder at the new world you’ve uncovered, and amazed that your family were able to hide this from you for so long. Sorted into Slytherin, you find yourself surrounded by witches and wizards who are already familiar with this alien lifestyle – students who’ve been watching Quidditch matches since they were babbling babies, and who are already familiar with simple spells. New and alone, you find yourself  estranged from your peers.

That is, until your first Halloween at Hogwarts.

✽ ✽ ✽

[First Year – October 31st]

On the night of October the thirty first, the girls in your dormitory are preparing for the Halloween feast, with excited chatter, tying up their hair, putting on their robes, and admiring themselves in the mirror.

You sit on the edge of your bed in your robes, swinging your feet, and feeling out of place, like a pulled muscle. You’re unsure of the customs of witches and wizards, and are sweating at the thought of messing up tonight, doing something that will instantly single you out as muggle born. Nerves clamouring as you listen to two of the girls, Padma and Beatrix, whispering about all the possible treats you’ll be served that evening, all of which you’ve never even heard of before, you decide that waiting around in the dorm is just making you feel worse. You get up and walk out of the dormitory, heading to the common room. You were hoping to avoid the commotion, but soon realise your mistake, having only walked further into the confusion. A group of boys are huddled in the corner, helping each other with their ties, while a gaggle of girls giggle in the other corner, glancing at the older boys who walk past with robes billowing. Some prankster has set off a magical miniature firework which crackles dangerously close to the green tapestries hanging from the wall.

You swallow, feeling all the more daft as you watch, excluded, while the rest of your peers enjoy themselves.

“Hello.” Startled, you spin around to the source of the voice.

A boy stands in front of you. You recognise him to be Park Jimin from your potions class. You haven’t spoken to him at all, but have often noticed him – for his undeniably friendly demeanour and his distinctive laugh which always travels around the potions class, followed by the shout of “Park Jimin, and Kim Taehyung! What is so dreadfully funny that you deign it appropriate to interrupt our lesson?”

Unsure if Jimin is speaking to you, you glance around to see if there’s anyone else, and then, suddenly mute, point to yourself.

Jimin laughs. “Yes, I’m talking to you.”

“Oh… Uh, right… sorry. Hi.”

“I didn’t mean to spook you,” Jimin says, a smile playing on his lips at your lost expression, “You just looked a little lonely, so I thought I’d put you out of your misery.

He must have noticed the alarm passing across your features, as he quickly continues, “Oh, Merlin, that sounded like I was planning your assassination or something! I just meant, I wanted to talk to you, since I didn’t want you to be by yourself.”

You laugh, “Well, thank you. I must have looked pretty pathetic, huh?”

“No… well… maybe.”

You open your mouth in mock shock, and then shrug, “It must be super obvious I’m new to all of this.” You gesture to the robe you’re wearing, and clear your throat, lowering your voice, “I’m… from a muggle family.”

You know that wizards and witches from muggle families are a lot more happily accepted by the magical community than they used to be, but it is whispered that some Slytherins still cling to elitist ideals about pure blood magic wielders. You had been both surprised and nervous when you were sorted into Slytherin on your first day. Despite this, you feel at ease explaining to Jimin, who’s currently smiling at your with a friendly curiosity.

“Ah,” Jimin nods, “This must all be very strange for you then.”

“Yep. It wasn’t until my letter from Hogwarts that I even believed that magic was real!”

Jimin’s eyes go wide, “I can’t even imagine what that must be like.”

“On top of that,” you continue on, your barriers breaking down as you easily chat with Jimin, “My family were never really into anything that even hinted at magic or the supernatural, so we never celebrated Halloween!”

You didn’t think Jimin’s eyes could widen further, but he manages to surprise you. “You what?”

A blush rises to your cheeks, and your eyes dart to the floor, suddenly embarrassed. “Yeah… not once.”

“Well, not to worry,” Jimin says, “Look at it this way – this is going to be the best Halloween of your life.”

You can’t argue with that.

“You’re in for a treat,” Jimin assures you, and you grin.

Around you, the crowd of Slytherin students have begun to meander out of the common room. “It must be time for the feast to start,” Jimin is bouncing on his toes in excitement. Feeding off his energy, you cannot help but feel excited yourself, despite not knowing what to expect at all. You follow him down the maze of corridors that make up the old school, leading you towards the Great Hall.

Entering through the grand doors, your mouth involuntarily falls open. Carved pumpkins float above the tables, casting a delicate glow over the array of delicious treats on display. There are plates piled high with tender meats, savoury pies and glazed vegetables. Sweets of all varieties sit in carved pumpkin bows, overflowing with colour.

You follow Jimin to the Slytherin table, where he offers for you to sit next to him. Across from you, at the Hufflepuff table, Jimin’s friend, Taehyung, waves at the two of you frantically.

Jimin grins and waves back, before turning his attention to you. “Well? First impressions?”

“This is all so amazing,” you gush, still transfixed by the wonderful foods piled in front of you. A mixture of delicious scents sing in your nostrils.

You wait patiently while the headmaster rumbles through his speech, welcoming each and every one of you to the feast. You’re salivating when you are finally allowed to start on the food. Despite knowing you should start with the savoury food first, your eyes are drawn, irresistibly, to the sweets. You reach for a handful of jellybeans from one one the plates in front of you.  Just as you stuff a handful into your mouth, JImin catches sight of you and begins shaking his head vigorously in warning.

Too late. A cacophony of foul tastes hit your tongue. You’re not sure what you’re supposed to be tasting, but it is not good. Eyes watering, you try not to gag.

“Here, here!” Jimin hands you a napkin, and you discreetly spit out the barely chewed mouthful, folding the napkin over a few times, hiding your faux pax in shame.

“What on God’s green earth was that?” you ask, hurrying to take a sip of water.

“Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans,” Jimin explains , “They’re well known, but I guess you haven't grown up with wizard snacks… Basically, eating one is  a gamble. You could get a delicious one. Or you could get an absolutely disgusting flavour. They’re made to cover any possible flavour under the sun. Some of the worst include skunk’s spray and vomit.”

“So that’s what that was...” You try not to think of it, despite the ghost of bitterness haunting your tongue.

Jimin chuckles, “I thought you were being incredibly brave eating so many all at once…”

“I’m new to all of this,” you remind him. Having regained your composure somewhat, you give him a nudge, “I dare you to taste one too. Just so I’m not alone in making a complete fool of myself.”

Jimin grins, “Okay, I’m up for a dare.” He roots around in the bowl, picking out a red one, which he pops in his mouth. “Mmm… cherry.”

You frown, “That’s cheating. You must have known red would be good!” You pick up a red one yourself and place it on your tongue, only to have the disgusting taste of liver clamber across your taste buds. You don’t need to tell Jimin how disgusting this bean is. Your face says it all, as Jimin begins laughing. You begin searching for the napkin again, but Jimin says, “No, no, you’ve committed. You gotta swallow now.”

You open your eyes wide, begging, but he continues, “I dare you.”

Your brows furrowing in effort; it takes all your strength not to retch as you swallow. “That’s not fair,” you say, “How come I got so unlucky?”

Jimin shrugs, “There’s about a fifty percent chance you’ll get something nice.”

You cross your arms on the table, “I still think you must have cheated somehow.”

“How about you try something tasty instead?” Jimin gestures to the other nice looking foods in front of you.

Your brow crinkles, “How am I supposed to know there aren’t other weird foods you wizards eat?”

Jimin begins spooning things onto your plate, “Don’t worry, these are all good. Cross my heart.”

You watch him pile foods higher and higher until you beg, ‘Stop, there’s no way I can eat that much!”

“Sure, but you gotta at least try a little bit of everything,” Jimin encourages, so you pick up a fork and make your way around the plate, sampling every flavour. You start with the meats, which are just as tender as they look. The chicken melts in your mouth, and the gammon is sweet and salty in the best possible way. The vegetables come next. You’ve never been a big fan of vegetables, but these could make you rethink that stance. The carrots are sweet, glazed with a honey dressing, and the parsnips are well seasoned. But the main stars of the show are the desserts. A myriad of flavours hit your senses, each one more delicious than the last. Sweet spices, creamy caramels, and smooth frostings all harmonising a ballad on your tongue, making you squirm in your seat with joy.

“Are they good?” Jimin asks, and you nod enthusiastically, mouth still full. “What’s your favourite?”

You point at one of the pastries as you swallow the last bite, “It’s all good, but I think this one is the best.

“Mmm, apple and redcurrant tart,” Jimin nods in approval, “That one’s good.”

There’s still so much food piled on your plate, but you’re too full to take another bite. You lean back, and sigh contentedly, gazing up at the starry sky that spreads out above you, stars winking down.

“I may be new to Halloween, but I could certainly get used to this,” you say.

“We’ll just have to try and make next year all the more exciting then,” Jimin says, and you give him a grin.

“Challenge accepted.”

✽ ✽ ✽

[Second Year – October 28th]

“We’ve got to make this Halloween better than the last year!”

Jimin is sat cross legged under a crooked tree, leaves just staring to turn orange and gold. You’re standing next to him, well wrapped up, not enjoying the cold that autumn brings with it, as you stamp your numb feet and rub your frozen hands together.

“Oh yeah,” Taehyung grins up at you from his spot next to Jimin, “You don’t normally celebrate Halloween, do you?”

You shake your head, at him, and his grin grows all the wider, and all the more rectangular.

“How do we top last year?” Jimin wonders, while Taehyung struggles with opening a chocolate frog pack.

“You don’t have to try and top it,” you say, finally taking a seat next to Jimin, and immediately regretting it as cold seeps into your rear. You pull your cloak around you. “Last year was fun. And next year can be fun too...”

“We could throw a party!” Taehyung burst out, interrupting you.

“Would we even be able to host one?” you ask.

Jimin’s brows are furrowed in thought. “That could be a good idea,” he says, and Taehyung smiles in pride, as he finally gets the chocolate frog pack open, only to watch as the chocolate frog hops away, finally freed from its cardboard cage.

“No, come back,” Taehyung digs in his pocket for his wand, but It’s already too late, the frog has hopped into the bushes, out of sight. Taehyung sighs, then digs in the pack for the card. “Hmm, Salazar Slytherin,” he says, staring at the card inside, “I already have him.”

“I don’t,” Jimin pipes up, “I’ll trade you the rest of my sherbet lemons for him.”

Taehyung nods, and you watch the two boys exchange, wondering what all the fuss is about. Jimin shows you the card, where a man poses proudly. You’ve got used to seeing pictures that move on paper, but you’re still always mildly impressed.

“You’re still missing the important detail that we don’t have anywhere to host a party,” you point out, and Taehyung shrugs, as he pops a sherbet lemon in his mouth:

“We can just use a common room. The Hufflepuff common room is close to the kitchen, and you don’t need a password or anything to get in. I bet I could get some of my Hufflepuff friends to help set up.”

“When would we do this?” you ask, giving in reluctantly to Taehyung’s infectious excitement.

“We can do it after the Halloween feast,” Taehyung suggests, and Jimin nods in agreement.

“This sounds great,” he says, glancing at you in anticipation, “What do you say?”

“I’m in.”

The two boys cheer.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Second Year – October 31st]

The next few days pass in a flurry, with Jimin and Taehyung passing notes around the classrooms, letting other students know of your plans. As only students from their respective houses are normally allowed in their house common room,  each student is told to keep the plans a secret from the professors.

As the evening finally arrives, Jimin is a ball of energy, struggling to contain his smile, as you walk down to the Great Hall for the feast.

All the way through the feast, you can’t help but think about what’s to follow, excited about the party that is in store later.

As soon as the feast ends, you follow Jimim along with the few other Slytherins who are going o the party, walking with the rest of the Slytherins, heading back towards the Slytherin common room. At one of the turnings on the way, you and Jimin make a left off the normal route, and begin to make your way back, following stairs down to the basement where the Hufflepuff common room is located. Reaching the door, you give the secret knock you had arranged with Taehyung beforehand.

His head pops around the door, a conspiring grin on his face as he lets you in. The Hufflepuff common room is round, with circular windows close to the ceiling which give a view of the darkness outside. House plants line the shelves of the room, some dripping their leaves down the earthy walls. Taehyung and his friends have added orange and gold streamers, with carved Jack-o-lanterns grinning from the alcoves and crevices.

“Ta-da,” Taehyung spreads out his arms, spinning around to show off his – and his friends’ – hard efforts.

“This is amazing, Taehyung,” you tell him, and he gives a wide smile:

“There’s more, come take a look at this!”

You let him lead you and Jimin over to a table stacked high with sweets. “I managed to scrounge these from the kitchens.” He gives a wink, “This is why it’s good to be friendly with the cooks. Hope you saved room.”

You hadn’t saved much, and you eye the sweets sadly, afraid that any more food would make you pop. There’s even apple and redcurrant tart. You cast it a wistful look, before letting yourself be distracted by Jimin and Taehyung.

Slowly, other students begin to trickle into the common room, some of them older students, most in the same year as you. Music begins to float from a corner of the room, and so, you grab Taehyung and Jimin, lading them to the centre of the room, where a few other students have started dancing.

Swaying in time with the music, you laugh as Taehyung and Jimin goof around in front of you, clapping along to the beat. The air is filled with happy chatter. You drink in the atmosphere, swept along by the other’s enthusiasm.

Taehyung notices a few of his friends from Hufflepuff and waves, before going over to say, “Hello”, leaving you alone with Jimin on the makeshift dance-floor.

You suddenly feel a little awkward, dancing alone with Jimin. You keep on swaying, smiling over at him every so often. His eyes are often on the floor, his dancing slowing to a gentle sway, but occasionally his eyes connect with yours before flicking down to the floor again.  Perhaps he’s feeling just as awkward as you are.

All of a sudden, there’s a shout, and the music cuts out. You halt, Jimin frozen at your side, while the other students twist their heads, looking around, trying to figure out what’s going on.

“What is the meaning of this?” Above the other heads of the students, you can just about make out the head of one of the tall Hufflepuff prefects. “You do realise that there are some students who are trying to sleep after the feast, right?” He strides forward, the other students parting in waves before him. “I think I see some non-Hufflepuff students here as well,” he comments as he passes by you. You pull your cloak around you, trying the mask the Slytherin colours on your jumper. “I have half a mind to report everyone in this room to the headmaster.”

“Aw come on,” one of the other prefects, a boy you recognise as Jung Hoseok follows behind his peer, “These kids are just having fun,” he places an arm on the other prefects shoulder. “Let’s just say it was a mistake – a learning experience – and move on. I’m sure it won’t happen again.” He gives a wink to Taehyung, who’s stood across from you, trying to look guilty.

“Alright,” the prefect snaps, “But if I hear even a single whiff of another party being held in this common room, I will march each and every pupil responsible down to the headmaster’s office myself, mark my words.”

With that, the party disperses – very quickly. Streamers are swept away with the flicking of wands, and the candles in the Jack-o'-lanterns instantaneously snuff out.

Grabbing Jimin by the sleeve, you both make a bee-line for the exit, giving Taehyung a reluctant wave as you leave.

“Well, that wasn’t as successful as I hoped,” Jimin whispers, as you make your way down the corridor, heading back towards the Slytherin dorms.

“Maybe not,” you say, “But it was fun. Did you see that prefect’s face? I thought he was going to explode with rage.”

Jimin snorts with laughter. “Sorry it wasn’t the best of Halloween experiences.”

“What do you mean?” you say, “It’s gotta be one of the best. At least top-three.”

“You haven’t even celebrated three Halloweens yet!”

“Exactly. So it’s been one of the best.”

“Well, we’ll just have to top it again next year.” Jimin decides.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Third Year – October 28th]

Moving into your third year you find yourself gifted with a little more freedom around the school. It’s the year that you’re allowed to visit Hogsmeade, and you’re an uncontainable ball of energy when the weekend closest to Halloween rolls around, marking the first date that the third years are allowed to make their way down to the all-wizarding village.

On the Saturday, you and Jimin meet up with Taehyung on the steps outside Hogwarts, and make your way down to the village.  All the way JImin is talking excitedly about how he’s planning on one-upping the Halloween festivities from last year.

“We can’t have another part  like last year,” Taehyung says, “No way am I willing to get us all in trouble again.”

“I know,” Jimin sighs, “But we’ve gotta do something exciting, right?”

The topic of Halloween soon fades away as you finally reach Hogsmeade. The village street is blanketed by leaves in red and orange, with cheery lights shining from the windows of shops, giving a cosy contrast to the drab autumnal sky.

“Where do we go first?” Taehyung asks, and you and Jimin share a look, before you both point to the sweets shop, Honeydukes.

“Do you guys think about anything other than your stomachs?” Taehyung asks, following after you, as you rush for the cosy looking shop, nestled under a crown of fallen leaves that adorn its low roof. Your eyes widen as you enter, drinking in the view of the magical sweets packed in jars from floor to ceiling. You pick out sherbet lemons, Jimin’s favourite, and he buys a packet of apple and redcurrant tarts from the pastry display. He shares the still warm pastries with you as you exit back into the cold air, and debate where to go next. Taehyung is eager to visit Zonko’s Joke shop, while Jimin needs to visit Ceridwen’s Cauldrons to get a replacement cauldron after an unfortunate incident in your last potions lesson involving an explosion and a very angry potions teacher. You make your way around the village, stopping in at each shop you want in turn, before finally stopping at the Three Broomsticks where Jimin offers to buy the three of you butterbeers.

As he leaves the table, Taehyung gives you a look that you struggle to interpret. “Looks like Jimin is super excited for your third Halloween.”

You laugh, “He’s more excited than I am.”

“Well sure, but he wants to impress you.”

“Huh?” you blush, not sure what Taehyung’s implying, “Nah, he just wants us all to have fun.”

“Yeah, but he wants you especially have fun,”  Taehyung goes on.

“Well of course, I’m his friend.”

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “You aren’t normally this oblivious, are you? I can’t possibly be speaking to the same person who’s aced all her divination and dark arts tests this year. I am, in fact, speaking with a moron, who’s somehow possessed the body of my friend.”

“Come on Taehyung, stop being daft” you give him a shove from across the table, “What are you trying to say.”

“I’m saying that Jimin likes you,” Taehyung enunciates every word, “As. More. Than. A. Friend. And you’d have to be an idiot not to see it.”

You shake your head, perplexed. Before you can question Taehyung further, Jimin is standing at the table, trying not to spill the three butterbeers as he sets them down.

He squeezes into the space next to you, while Taehyung gives you a meaningful look, and you blush.

“Well, cheers to our first Hogsmeade visit,” Jimin raises up his mug, and you do the same, clicking your overflowing mug against his and Taehyung’s, trying not to slosh any more of the golden liquid down the side than is absolutely unavoidable.

You take a deep sip, letting the warmth seep from your mouth down to your stomach and out to the extremities of your body, ears to fingers to toes. “Oh man, that’s so good,” you say, eyes wide as you set down your mug, wiping at the froth that was left on your lips.

Taehyung and Jimin both nod in agreement, and you settle back comfortably on your chair, pondering Taehyung’s words, as your two friends begin to argue over whether chocolate frogs are actually a good snack, or if they’re only good for the collectible cards you get with them.

✽ ✽ ✽

By the time you leave the Three Broomsticks, the sky is beginning to darken, with orange coloured clouds crowding out the deep navy of the sky.

Jimin suddenly stops in his tracks, spinning around to face you: “I’ve just had a great idea!”

You wait, curious, edging him on with your raised brows:

“I have an idea how we can celebrate Halloween this year,” he continues. You and Taehyung’s silence is encouragement enough for him to continue. “We should go visit the Shrieking Shack. I mean… I know it’s a bit early for Halloween. But it’ll be the perfect haunted experience.”

An uncertainty pools in your stomach, cold and clammy, as you stare at the abandoned house that looms over Hogsmeade. It’s rumoured to be the most haunted house in Britain. You mull over the idea in your head. “Don’t you think it’s dangerous?”

When you first arrived in Hogwarts, you were startled at the sight of actual ghosts, which you had gone your whole life beleiving to be a superstition. The ghosts at Hogwarts were friendly, but ghosts haunting an old abandoned house… you weren’t so sure.

Jimin shrugs in response to your question. “Who knows.” Seeing you hesitation, he gives a tug on your sweater, “Come on. I’ll keep you safe if anything happens, I promise.”

Taehyung raises his hands in defeat, “Listen, I don’t think I’ll stay. It’s getting late, and I just remembered I have a divinations homework to finish. But you two should go have a look and find out if it’s really haunted!”

Before you can stop him, Taehyung is spinning on his heel, and heading back for Hogwarts. Not before he flashes you a quick wink, and you suddenly realise that he’s trying to give you some alone time with Jimin. Or maybe he’s trying to give Jimin some alone time with you. You’re not sure what to think, but you feel uncertainty digging its roots deep, planting you firmly on the spot - right beside Jimin. His presence is suddenly incredibly distracting, feeling his heat so close beside you, battling against the cold autumn evening. His breath billows clouds on the air, his dark eyes blinking curiously at you, pleading.

‘Alright, fine. Just a quick look!”

Jimin grins, and you allow him to pull you to the Shrieking Shack that stands, creaking, on its own, ostracised from the other buildings in Hogsmeade. The building is rounded off by a rickety fence, casting a shadow over you. A cold fear trickles down your back, but you steel yourself, determined not to make a fool of yourself in front of Jimin.

Jimin gives you a leg-up over the fence, before climbing over himself, and suddenly, there’s nothing separating you from whatever might reside in the house. A cold wind tugs at your hair and scarf, pulling away your frozen breath.

Your fingers are threaded through Jimin’s. You don’t remember grabbing him. He squeezes your fingers.

You walk forward together, slowly. At the door, Jimin murmurs a spell, and the door creaks open on unstable hinges. Inside, the house is dark, and the strong smell of mildew rises to meed your nostrils.

“Maybe we shouldn’t go in,” you whisper, trying to steady your shaking voice, “We’ve got close enough.”

“No, come on,” Jimin hisses, pulling you closer. Swallowing your fear, you follow after him, huddled close for comfort. The house feels colder than the outside breeze, and your fogged breath clouds your vision.

As you step further into the bowels of the house, your ears pick up on a hissing, muttering sound. Your freeze, paralysing fear sinking its claws into your spine, and Jimin pauses beside you, hand damp in your own. Straining your ears beyond the pounding of your own heart, you hear – yes, those are definitely voices.

Carefully, cautiously, Jimin leads you forward, down the corridor to the door that is partially open, where the voices emanate from. Pressing his finger to his lips, Jimin peers around the door to find…

A group of sixth years smoking cigarettes. As the door swings open, revealing you and Jimin, one of them glances up and then nudges the other one, “Hey, look what we got here.”

“Oi,” the other, who seems to be the more authoritative, stands up, “Scram.” He makes a grab for his wand, but you and Jimin don’t need any more prodding. Turning on your heels, you flee for the door.

You and Jimin don’t stop running until you reach the entrance to Honeydukes, shuddering out shaky laughter that fogs the cold air.

Jimin’s hand is still in yours, not having let go through the entire experience. You don’t comment as he keeps his fingers laced through yours as you walk back to Hogwarts.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Fourth Year – October 31st]

The school is abuzz this year. Your professors have decided to host a ball on Halloween night, which all of the older students are allowed to attend. It won’t just be any kind of ball, but a masquerade ball, in keeping with the tradition of wearing costumes for Halloween.

Excitement shoots through your veins as you get ready for the night. You’re incredibly happy with the dress which your parents had sent to Hogwarts. It’s purple with a skirt that flares out and shimmers in the light, seemingly changing colour dependant on the light that strikes it’s folds and frills, shifting through shades of blue and aquamarine. You take one last look at your hair in the mirror, tucking a stray strand behind your ear, before you put on your mask of purple lace, matching your dress.

Your roommate, Padma, helps you tie the silk ribbon keeping your mask in place, and gives you a smile. “You look amazing.”

Blushing, you glance down to the floor, unsure how to take the compliment. “Thanks, you too.”

Her face flushes with happiness before she walks away to help Beatrix with her dress. Satisfied with your appearance as you cast one last glance over your reflection, you make your way out into the Slytherin common room. From the common room window, you can see the full moon shining on the surface of the Hogwarts lake.

You spot Jimin, despite his mask, immediately. He’s wearing a dark suit, with a black shirt and tie, and a black mask to match. Sneaking up behind him where he’s standing with a group of other Slytherin boys, you give him a tap on the shoulder.

He turns around, and a smile spreads across his features, “Wow, look at you!” He picks you up and spins you around, while you squeak his arms. “You look amazing.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” you giggle as he sets you down again, breathless.

You catch a flush of colour beneath his mask, and your mind flicks back to Taehyung, who’s been dropping hints that Jimin has a crush on you for most of the past year. You’ve been trying to ignore him, but you can’t help but notice the small hints Jimin gives out without meaning to. The thought of him crushing on you fills you with a warm, happy glow. It’s nice to feel liked, and you silently find yourself hoping – wishing – that it might actually be true.

Of course, you haven’t done anything to confirm it, not ready to put him – or yourself – on the spot. But moments like this make you all the more curious.

“Come on,” Jimin motions to you as the crowd of Slytherins begin meandering to the great hall.

You thread your fingers through his, and let him lead you along the corridors to the Great Hall, happiness fizzing pleasantly in your stomach at the touch of his hand in your own.

As you make your way into the Great Hall your breath leaves your lungs. Even after four years, when you think you’re used to all that magic has to offer, it throws another glittering spectacle your way. The entire hall is cloaked in a purple glow as the sky above your head opens up to the marvel of glowing colours from the northern lights. You know that the real sky won’t have the aurora borealis shining outside, yet it has somehow been summoned to light one room in Hogwarts castle. The whole hall is filled with sparkling streamers, and candles cast a warm glow against the cool lights shining from the sky that makes up the enchanted roof.

“Hey, look,” Jimin nudges you, “Your dress matches the sky.”

You look down at your dress, the purples and blues swirling in the seams of the material and smile. “Well it would be a shame not to go dancing when I look so good in this light,” you say, and Jimin grins, letting you lead him towards the centre of the hall, where a few other students have started dancing.

Holding onto Jimin’s arms, stronger than your remember, you spin around the dance floor, held close to his warmth.  The sky above your head is a glittering shimmer of different colours, ghosting past your eyes, with your gaze fixed on Jimin. His face is mostly obscured by his mask, but his eyes are clear to you, fixed on your own - dark pools of emotion that you can reach, interpret, if you just give yourself one moment of vulnerability. If you just give yourself one shimmering moment of honesty.

Your eyes rip away from Jimin’s, your face blushing, unsure of the feelings that you’re encountering. You notice Taehyung in your periphery vision. He’s standing at the edge of the dance floor, with a mug of butterbeer in his hand. Normally, you know that he would run over to you and Jimin, a grin on his face and a greeting on his tongue, but he seems to sense the same shimmering uncertainty hovering between you and Jimin. As he stands quiet at the edge of the dance floor, he gives you a wink, and then weaves his way back into the crowd.

This is what he’s been trying to encourage all this time – one moment of vulnerable honesty, where both you and Jimin open up enough to realise what’s so obvious to anyone else. You’re tired of waiting for confirmation.

Tipping your chin up, you push your lips to his in a rush of courage, almost as if you had drunk Felix Felicis. You can feel surprise rolling through his body, as he keeps his hold on you. Slowly, easily, he melts into your kiss. His lips open to yours, and with a whirling head, you give yourself over to the desires you had been ignoring for so long, fingers finding purchase on the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Your nerves conduct a symphony of excitement as everything you had needed was understood and relinquished to you in that moment.

As you part, both breathless, both smiling, you say,“Shall we step outside – just to get some fresh air?”

Jimin follows your cue, with an “Absolutely,”, walking after you as you weave your way through the crowds, out the door of the Great Hall, and towards the exit of the castle. The air is cold as you step out, and your shiver in the gauze of your shimmering dress, beautiful, but useless at protecting against the chill.

Seeing you trembling, Jimin removes his blazer and places it over your shoulders. You breathe deeply, enjoying the fresh crisp edge in your lungs.

Outside, with the real stars shimmering above you, unmasked from the aurora borealis that shimmered in the Great Hall, you turn to Jimin. You remove your mask, glad to let the cool air fall onto your cheeks.

Jimin takes off his mask as well, and you rake your eyes over his expression, hunting for a hint of regret at the kiss you had shared. There’s nothing but joy in his face.

As the rest of the school parties inside, you and Jimin share your hearts out in the cold.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Fifth Year – October 31st]

Jimin is taking Halloween celebrations very seriously this year. After all – it’s not just Halloween, it’s also your anniversary. One year of being a couple.

That’s why, when the Halloween Feast ends, instead of heading back to the common room, he leads you out of the school, sneaking through back passages and hallways until you’re outside, with the brisk wind whipping your hair.

“Where are we going?”

Jimin keeps throwing you knowing glances, pushing his fingers to his lips.

Impatience bubbles below your skin, but you allow him to lead you on to the edge of the lake, where you find a spread of your favourite snacks and drinks on a checkered picnic blanket, surrounded by candles that suddenly flicker on with the murmur of a spell.

“I hope you saved room for desert like I told you to.”

“Wow, Jimin,” you kneel down on the blanket, absorbing the array he’s arranged. “This is wonderful!”

“I hoped you would like it,” you can barely see it, but in the candle light, you notice a faint blush on his cheeks.

“I love it,” you assure him, leaning across  to give him a kiss on the cheek, and the blush deepens.

You allow yourself a few tastes of the of sweets that Jimin has provided, including the apple and redcurrant tart that is, magically, still warm, before lying back on the picnic blanket, snuggling up to Jimin, who provides an arm wrapped around you to fend off the chill.

As you stare up at the cloudless sky, with stars winking down at you, a wave of satisfaction spreads through your chest. You wish you could pause your life at this moment, bound by Jimin’s arms.

“Thanks for an amazing year, Jimin,” you murmur, and you feel his grip around you tighten a little, as he squeezes you.

“Thank you too. Here’s to many more.”

With no once but the stars watching down, you lean in to kiss him, pulling him closer. His body is firm and warm, a perfect distraction from the cold air that presses in from all other sides. After a year, you have so many emotions to share with him, so much love to give him.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Sixth Year - October 31st]

On the sixth year, your year group is allowed to go on a short school trip to a castle nestled in the mountains. The main goal of the school trip is learning of the history of some magical relics that were discovered around the area, as well as observing rare magical creatures that live in the area for your Care of Magical Creatures course.

The part you have been looking forward to the most is the Halloween celebrations. While you’ll be missing the normal Halloween feast, your teachers have allowed you your own room in the castle, where you can have a party with your year group.

The small room in the castle is cozy and cheerful, with a fire flickering in the hearth, and a tables piled high with food, making your mouth water and your eyes glisten.

When you and Jimin walk into the room together, your hand finds his, squeezing in excitement.

Taehyung walks up behind you, and throws an arm over each of your shoulders. “How are my favourite love-birds?”

Jimin laughs, “We’re good. You enjoying the school trip?”

“Sure… Although our group didn’t see anything exciting when we went orienteering. I swear the way the teachers spoke about it, I was certain that this place would be swarming with unicorns, But I suppose, even in areas where they’re more common… they’re still pretty rare.”

You bite your lip, not sure if telling Taehyung that the group you and Jimin were with managed to spot a young unicorn while you were out. Instead you say, “Isn’t this a nice change of pace from the normal Halloween feast?”

Taehyung looks around the room, a nostalgic smile on his face. “Yeah, it’s nice. Really nice... It’s strange to think that this is our penultimate year at school. It doesn’t feel that long ago we were just getting sorted into our houses.”

You feel Jimin’s squeeze your fingers. “Yeah, it’s going to be so strange when we have to leave,” he says.

“We’ll all stay friends when we leave Hogwarts though, right?” you say, and without any hesitation both Jimin and Taehyung answer - “Absolutely.”

✽ ✽ ✽

That night, you hear a knock on your dormitory door. Cracking it open, you peer out to find Jimin outside. “Hi,” he whispers.

“Jimin, you know we’re not meant to visit other students’ rooms at night,” you chide teasingly.

“I know, but I wanted to see you. Can I come in?” You peer up and down the corridor, but the entire hallway appears empty.

You nod, and let him in. The rooms you’ve been allocated at the castle are large, almost as big as the dorm rooms you’re assigned at Hogwarts, but you don’t have to share this one with other Slytherin girls. A large four-poster bed stands at the centre of the room, where you will be spending the night.

Excitement leaps up to your stomach as you realise that you’re alone in a bedroom with Jimin for the first time in a long time. Your professors are normally strict about students mingling in the dormitories at Hogwarts, so it’s difficult to get any intimate alone time.

You know the same thing is on Jimin’s mind, as his eyes fall to the bed. With a grin, you lead him over to soft mattress,  frosted by the thick duvet. Pulling him under the covers, you wrap your arms around him, your lips finding his in the dark. As he gets lost in the heat of your body, you murmur your love to him, whispered into the empty darkness beyond the haven of your bed. You learn new ways to know him, discovering new parts of him. The night stretches out to infinity, wobbling, and then collapsing with your secretly shared ecstasy.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Seventh Year - October 27th]

As it’s your final year at Hogwarts, some of your year have been tasked with helping to organise events. Of course, Jimin offered to organise the Halloween Feast, but now, as the night creeps closer, you can see he is getting more and more nervous.

When he comes back to the common room after another planning meeting, his tension automatically translates for you with a sigh, as he flops onto one of the chairs and rubs his eyes.

“You doing okay?” you ask, although you know he’s not.

His hair flops over his furrowed brows as he hangs his head. “It’s fine. I just… I want to make this Halloween Feast the best it’s ever been, and I don’t know if it’s all going to come together the way I want...”

You make you way to the back of his chair, and begin to massage the tense muscles in his shoulders. “I’m sure it’ll be amazing.”

“But don’t you see?” Jimin looks up at you, straining his neck, “This is going to be the last Halloween Feast we have at Hogwarts. It’s got to be amazing! Or I’ll let you down.”

“No matter what, if I get to celebrate it with you, it’ll be amazing,” you reassure him, bending to plant a kiss on his forehead.

He smiles, and you feel his muscles relaxing against you. “Well, no matter what, you’ll be in for a treat, I promise.”

“I always am, when I get to spend all my days with you.” You plant a kiss on his lips this time, feeling him smile into you.

✽ ✽ ✽

[Seventh Year – October 31st]

The day of the Halloween Feast rolls around, and you meet Jimin in the common room, both dressed up, ready for the feast.

Jimin’s face melts into a soft smile, seeing you, with your hair tied back, and your gown billowing out around you as you run up to hug him. You can smell his cologne as you pull away from him, dizzying you, as it clings to your clothing – a reminder that he held you close.

“You ready for this?” you ask, and he gives you a nod, hand squeezing at your own.

You let him lead you down the hallways to the Great Hall. You take in every detail, knowing you’ve got a limited time left to appreciate the unique crevices of Hogwarts, with the twisting staircases, and the curious paintings. You’re not sure what will happen once you graduate. Will you have to go back to a non-magical life with your parents? Or will you get to stay in the world of magic, using the skills you’ve learnt in potion making, divination, and spell casting?

Jimin’s hand grips yours tightly, and you know he’s thinking of what will happen after you leave as well.

As you step into the Great Hall, your worries are quickly swept away.

The Great Hall has been completely transformed. Candles float in the air, burning flames of blue and orange, sparking up to the sky, which burns golden from the setting sun. Crystals dangle down from the ceiling, cascading light across the hall. The tables have strings of lights shining around them. At first glance they appear to be fairy lights, but when you look closer you realise they are actually specks of light floating on their own, like fireflies. Pumpkins sit on the table surrounded by flowers, and sprigs of ivy cascade down the table legs.

“You really outdid yourself,” you tell Jimin in a hushed tone of reverence, “This is beautiful.” He glows with pleasure as you sit down at the Slytherin table.

You feel a poke behind you, and turn in your seat to see Taehyung, who’s stopped on his way to the Hufflepuff table. He grins at you, “Amazing, whoever worked on this did an amazing job.” He grins at you, while Jimin flushes at the indirect complement.

Clasping a hand on Jimin’s shoulder, Taehyung says, “Good job, for real,” before he’s ushered along by some other Hufflepuffs who are trying to get to their seats.

The night seems to go by in a blur of dazzling lights and delicious food. You sit back in your chair, as a house elf comes around offering tea and mints after the dinner. “This was amazing,” you tell Jimin. “I’m sad it’s our last Halloween at Hogwarts. I want to do this all again”

Jimin nods, “It doesn’t need to be the last amazing Halloween we have together though.”

You smile. “Of course not.”

“Hey,” Jimin shuffles in his chair, “I know you might want to go to university after this, but… what would you say if, after all that… we moved in together?”

You blush, thinking it over. You and Jimin have been together for so long, it only seems like a natural conclusion that you would end up together after this. Yet, it seems difficult to imagine what it will be like to be with Jimin outside of Hogwarts, in a hazy future. All you know is that if Jimin’s a part of your life, then the days will be bright.

Without giving it any more thought, knowing exactly what you want, you say, “Yes. I’d like that very much.”

✽ ✽ ✽

[Four Years after Graduating from Hogwarts - October 31st]

It’s the day of the Halloween party – the Halloween party that Jimin has become famous among for hosting at his house. Somehow, without you noticing, late afternoon has slunk in, and you’re helping Jimin add the last finishing touches to your house, making sure all the foods are ready for when guests arrive.

You look around at the spread of food crammed on the small kitchen table. “Not too bad, Park Jimin” you say, giving him an approving smile.

“Well, I couldn’t have got it all done on time without your help,” Jimin says, making his way over to sweep you into a hug. He smells of spices and vanilla from helping you to bake in the kitchen. There’s flour on his hands, which has definitely ended up on your jumper. Nothing a little bit of magic won’t fix.

“Hey,” he pulls away from you, “I was going to ask after the party, but I’m too excited to wait.”

You furrow your brows, wondering what he’s getting at.

He licks his lips, looking down at you, and you see his Adam’s apple bob. “I was wondering...” he pauses, and your hearts starts thudding against your rib cage.

“How would you feel about marrying me?” JImin asks, eyes searching yours.

You don’t give him any moment of hesitation or uncertainty. You’re already pressing a kiss to his lips before your remember directing your body to do so. “I’d want nothing more!” you murmur as you part.

“Good,” he laughs, nuzzling your neck as you hold him close. “Now I won’t have to return the ring I bought you.”

✽ ✽ ✽

After you wave off the party that evening, Taehyung being the last to leave as per usual, Jimin pulls you into the living room, where the remains of the party still linger in the form of dishevelled decorations, and the last crumbs of the snacks you baked.

“Well, did I manage to out do all the Halloweens you’ve had?” Jimin asks as you both snuggle up on the sofa.

“You definitely have,” you assure him, “I mean… you proposed to me!”

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to do even better by actually marrying you next year,” he retorts.

“October wedding?”

“Definitely.”

“I’d like that a lot.”

✽ THE END ✽

[gladerwolfstarkimagines]

Not just a soft princess - Azula x female reader imagine: Part Three

Your relationship with Azula develops but a reality check makes you question if you are wise to trust the princess of the fire nation...

Part one here

Part two here

Part four here

Part five here

Part six here

Your POV

Since the day Azula stood up to Ozai for you things changed. You supposed word got out Azula was protecting you that’s why people started treating you better but it could also be due to Azula’s presence herself. After that night you saw a lot more of her and you weren’t complaining. She attended your lessons more frequently and even took over some portions of them herself. You got more freedom granted to you and when you were with Azula you didn’t even need a guard anymore. Thanks to the clause Azula placed in the contract there was no reason to force you and Zuko together and so you no longer dreaded all the formal occasions. Instead you were free to do as you wished at such events and that often included Azula. You found her presence comforting but also enjoyable. She was witty and clever, making you laugh with her deductions and well timed quips. You liked the proud blush that would fill her cheeks when she made you laugh and the only thing better was when she’d laugh at one of your own jokes. The way her mouth upturned into her signature smirk, how her shoulders would shake lightly and then she’d realise you were admiring her and be unable to meet your eyes for a few seconds. You’d never seen a sight so beautiful and were convinced there wasn’t anyone as beautiful as Azula, ever. You realised you’d developed more than a fondness for her when you found yourself thinking about her when she wasn’t around. The realisation made you nervous but also excited for one reason in particular. You were pretty sure the fire princess liked you too.

You were thinking about Azula as you dressed for the party that night. You had been at the fire nation for 2 months now and the constant feeling of dread and uncertainty was now more of a memory. You still missed home but it was no longer painful being here, you were adapting. That thought in mind you frowned when your maid asked you what dress you would like to wear tonight. There were dozens of beautiful options but they were all green given Ozai’s desire to make you up as a earth kingdom doll. You were sick of the colour green now and wanted to wear any other colour at this point. You’d noticed Azula constantly wore red and it always looked flattering. You couldn’t tell if that was because of Azula herself or if red was simply a flattering colour but the fire nation certainly did fashion better than the earth nation and if you were forced to live here you thought you should benefit from that. "Are there any red dresses?" you asked and the maid looked at you "red?". "Yes...i just thought as i’m part of the fire nation now maybe i could show it?". The maid smiled 'that sounds lovely princess y/n, i’ll go find one right away".

Azula’s POV

Azula stared out of the window as her father complained about some nobleman. Typically Azula would hang on her father’s every word and rush to assure him he was superior to everyone but lately her mind had been elsewhere...well it’d been on you more accurately. The truth was Azula had greatly enjoyed her time with you and found herself looking forward to the next chance she’d get to interact with you. Sure she’d had her friends Mai and Ty lee growing up but she’d never had someone she could relate to or feel solidarity with. With you Azula felt that. She’d always figured she was the exception to the typical princess role but you had made her see that was incorrect. You were smart and outspoken, you weren’t intimidated by the fire nation anymore and it showed. Your confidence seemed to grow each day and while it clearly bothered her father Azula relished in it. Despite the nation you were from, she couldn’t help but root for you and it had nothing to do with the fact your fate was tied to hers. It was because she genuinely liked and cared for you, something she’d never expected to happen. 

Azula was ironically pulled out of her thoughts about you because of you.

"What is she doing?" Ozai snapped and Azula was so distracted she didn’t turn around for a few seconds. When she did her breath was knocked out of her. Her eyes were drawn to you immediately and they widened as a smile formed on her face. You were wearing her favourite shade of red and you looked amazing. The dress was simple and so was your hair and makeup but that seemed to make the effect all the more impactful, Azula remembered when she saw you back in Ba Sing Sei and how then you’d been dressed simply but still managed to look amazing. You didn’t need to dress up a diamond, it was beautiful no matter what adorned it. Azula was biased but saw this as a good sign, you had donned their colours, surely this showed your willingness to cooperate? 

Her father didn’t agree. "I ordered all the maids to give her green clothing only! What use is she to us if you cannot identify her as earth kingdom royalty at a glance". Azula thought the emphasis on colour scheme a tad ridiculous but tried to appease her father "i think it is only for one night, this is good though. It seems she is showing loyalty to us". Ozai scoffed "as she should given all we’ve done for her, less of a prisoner and more of a honoured guest considering we’re housing and educating her for free". "She will get us the whole of the earth empire". "So you keep saying but so far all she has brought is Ba Sing Sei". Azula’s eye twitched. Ba Sing Sei was the biggest victory for the war in decades and was the brightest piece of the earth empire. For her father to disregard that was ludicrously idiotic but Azula knew he was just in a strop. He knew your use he was just annoyed he couldn’t exploit every drop of it at once and she was more determined than ever to prevent him for ever being able to do that to you.

Your POV

"You must've been dreadfully bored to make such a bold statement" a silky voice called and you didn’t even have to turn to know who it belonged to. Azula always found you sooner or later but she was definitely getting quicker. When you looked at Azula confused by her comment she gestured to your outfit "the dress, I can’t imagine what provoked you to don our colours". You laughed smiling "i thought a change would be nice, plus if this is to be my home now i thought showing some loyalty to it couldn’t hurt, but given your father’s reaction...". Azula almost scoffed but caught herself. "He was anxious but i made him see it correctly, that this a symbol of unity. How you were proclaiming your support and love for the fire nation simply by wearing a colour...a very subtle but effective political statement”. You smiled "yes but honestly? I’m just sick to death of the colour green". That thought never occurred to Azula and it caught her off guard making her laugh aloud. Something the princess had never done at a formal event. She caught herself quickly but blushed to see you were beaming at her reaction. "I’ve seen you wear it so successfully i thought i would try" you smiled and Azula looked at you surprised. "I...i am flattered". Azula’s slight blush deepened making you more confident and so you stepped back from her and opened your arms "so what’s the verdict? Did i pass in red?". Azula glanced over you very quickly her blush still very evident as she purposefully avoided looking you in the eye "you know you did, the colour suits you rather well, especially with your skin tone...." Azula trailed off before coughing "so yes you passed". You blushed smiling too "i would wear it more but i do not know if that is wise". Azula shook her head "i think green is safer". You nodded your head but felt deflated "i thought as much". "It’s lucky you look good in that colour too then i suppose" Azula commented suddenly and you looked at her in shock. "Maybe it is simply all colours?" she suggested "that wouldn't surprise me". "It wouldn't?" you asked and Azula shook her head "not at all princess". You looked away first, flustered and now blushing too and Azula grinned widely.

Mai and Zuko’s POV

Mai and Zuko watched you and discussed your show quietly. Zuko was worried what this would provoke from his father and Mai was worried Ozai would like seeing you in red. They were discussing which outcome was most likely when Azula approached you. They carried on talking when they noticed Azula laugh. An actual genuine unprovoked laugh. The couple went silent and Zuko spoke first after a delay "did my sister just....". "Burst out laughing? Yes". "When has she ever...". "Never" Mai finished "i’ve only seen her laugh when somebody falls or says something stupid". Zuko nodded "what on earth did y/n sat to her?”. Mai narrowed her eyes wondering just that too. "Could Azula...are they friends?" Zuko asked watching you two talk and Mai paused "Azula did keep her promise to protect her and she did add that marriage clause to her contract risking your father’s wrath". "But Azula never likes anyone" Zuko frowned "especially enough to put her neck on the line". "She must really like y/n then" Mai frowned as Azula suddenly blushed. Her and Zuko watched the two of you both blushing vividly, glancing at each other excitedly and they both inhaled. "She really really likes y/n" Zuko gaped and Mai nodded "and y/n her it appears .

Azula’s POV

Azula knew she had secured your place theoretically but she still worried you were physically vulnerable. She knew you were a skilled earth bender but you didn’t know how sneaky fire nation fighting was. The earth nation was upfront in their attacks but the fire nation was a fan of knives in the back and so Azula thought it wise to prepare you. So she invited you to join her for an hour a day to train.

Your POV

When Azula first invited you to spar with her your initial thought was suspicion. Why would the fire nation want to train you physically? However that was quickly overshadowed by excitement as Azula assured you that you’d be alone and that she just wanted to show you some basics. You’d seen Azula fight and were more than eager to receive tips from her. Not to mention it would make the seemingly never ending days go faster. You arrived at the sparring yard before the agreed time to find Azula already there. "You’re early" she commented dismissing your guards and you frowned "i apologise i thought the walk would take longer". "Do not apologise being early or on time are the only two acceptable options". You smiled getting the feeling Azula was early for everything and your smile lingered as the princess had you warm up. After your cardio Azula started showing you forms. Basic crucial ones first like how to avoid a knife strike or block a blow. She made it look so easy but was also a very good teacher. By the end of your third session you were able to successfully block Azula at her fastest pace and you were thrilled. Azula had been springing surprise attacks at you all session and even once she declared the session over she attacked you once again. You didn’t even register it but instead your body reacted and blocked her using perfect form. Azula looked at you impressed and a smile broke your face "i didn’t even think about it I just blocked you! I did it Azula!". Azula smirked at your endearing excitement "yes well done". "You are a very good teacher, i am a slow learner but you helped me master that in three days!". "It is only one of many forms" Azula replied "we still have many more to go before you are truly a master or i a good teacher". "Of course but this is a good first step is it not?" you asked. Azula would’ve said no. She was always hard on herself and didn’t believe in small victories but your smile was infectious and so she agreed "yes, you did well".

Azula’s POV

As your hand to hand combat improved Azula turned her attention to your bending. She was more than excited to have you display your bending again and not just because she found it enjoyable to watch. She also knew you’d been strictly forbidden from bending ever since you’d stepped foot in the fire nation. She figured it might make you more comfortable to be able to bend again and so she quickly worked it into your curriculum. She was impressed again as soon as she saw you bend. Earth was the element of strength and you were very skilled in that aspect. Azula would catch herself admiring your back and arms as your muscles tensed before she’d catch and scold herself for being unprofessional.

It soon became tradition that at the end of every session you and Azula would spar using your bending and it was the favourite part for both of you, You were both in your element (no pun intended) and Azula could get caught up in the feeling easily. Sometimes too much...

The two of you were sparring and it was going as it always did. You would stubbornly hold territory and refuse to move while Azula would flit around attempting to dislodge your stance. It took a while for either of you to wear the other down and so when Azula saw you starting to grow tired she got excited. She attacked your left side with a flurry of attacks coaxing you into exposing your other side to attacks. Azula knew you’d block the attack with your quick reflexes but when she finally saw you neglect your right side defences she acted. Azula reached out for your exposed arm directing a whip of fire straight for it. She smiled as you noticed and went to block it when you lost your footing. The floor was littered with debris from all your rocks that Azula had shattered and a piece had wormed it’s way directly between your feet. You stumbled over the rock your defence forgotten as you tried to regain your balance and Azula’s fire sped at you. Azula tried to yell but it was no use as her fire hit you knocking you over, a trail of smoke following. 

Your POV

“Y/n” you heard Azula yell as the blast hit you. You had been knocked flat on the floor but managed to sit up. You arm had took the brunt of the attack and you clutched your arm tightly into your side as it pulsed in pain. Azula appeared by your side and stared at your arm horrified. The moment you saw her worried look you tried to play it off and smile. "I’m fine" you assured her but Azula shook her head "no you’re not, come here". You glanced down at your arm but held it out to her.

Azula inspected the burn and frowned. It wasn’t serious, the skin would be healed in a few weeks and it shouldn’t cause you too much pain in the meantime but it would scar. “It’s not too bad but it needs dressing...come on”. Azula soaked your arm and apologised as you winced. She carefully dried it and applied a cooling balm onto it. You flinched and she frowned “does it hurt?”. “Yes but that feels nice, it feels cold”. Azula nodded. She waited for the gel to soak in before bandaging your arm carefully. “We’re lucky it was just your arm...if you’d fallen and my fire hit you somewhere else...” Azula paused “I should’ve been more careful”. “It wasn’t your fault, it was just an accident” you tried but Azula shook her head “fire benders aren’t allowed accidents, accidents get people killed”. You watched Azula’s concentrated tense face and wished you could ease the guilt she seemed to feel. Azula finished bandaging your arm and tucked the bandages away expertly, you watched amazed as her fingers worked softly and swiftly. For the first time you noticed there were many small scars from burns and cuts along her fingers and you watched her face closely. The princess was immaculate but on closer inspection, you could see the small scars and flaws of any person. It didn’t surprise you Azula kept hers hidden, she seemed like the type to tightly guard her weaknesses and you frowned wondering if she’d been told to do that as a child. From how faded some of the scar were you were guessing she had and it made you angry. Azula was a powerful force of nature but she was still a human with flaws. Not despite those flaws but because of them you viewed her as the most beautiful and intelligent woman you’d ever known and you wanted her to know that.

"Finished" Azula declared and then looked up to see you staring at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked. In response you blinked and leant across the table to kiss her. Azula jumped pulling away as soon as you touched her and you jumped back too, upset and horrified you’d read her signals wrong. "You shouldn’t do that" Azula said and you blinked "i’m sorry i just thought...we’ve been flirting and I thought you might like me...". "No i meant here" Azula said cutting you off "we shouldn’t do that here but other places...". You paused and slowly smiled at Azula’s tone "other places....so you do like me?". Azula shushed you "not here too many ears come on" and held a hand out to you "but yes" she whispered as you took her hand. You smiled at her and Azula’s cheeks turned a shade of pink as she shot her eyes away from you. Azula led you through the palace confidently and to the royal gardens. You frowned figuring this was an open space with many prying eyes and ears but Azula just smiled more "as a child i learnt all the best places to hide are in here". "You had need of many hiding places?" you asked as Azula led you into the maze. She nodded "this was my mothers favourite place and so the last place she'd think to look for me when she wanted to yell at me, i hid right under her nose and avoided detection". Azula led you deep into the maze before she stopped suddenly "here".  A large hedge stood before you and you frowned “Azula it’s...” but Azula just smiled “watch”. She pressed her hands under the left side and pushed the bush to the side. It moved aside easily and Azula stepped through. You followed and found yourself behind large grass sculptures. They perfectly obscured you and gave you a small secluded area. You were still admiring how the hedge just bounced back hiding your entrance perfectly when you realised Azula was close behind you staring at you. Suddenly she couldn’t wait any longer and she kissed you. You laughed at her eagerness but kissed her back. As you were taller Azula wrapped her arms around your neck to be able to reach you easier. You rested your hands on her waist and smirked as Azula almost made you lose your balance in her excitement. You were thoroughly enjoying the kiss when Azula broke it and shot away from you "come on we have to keep moving" she laughed and tugged you out of your hidden area. “Why?” you asked and Azula smiled “you only go undetected as long as you keep moving so that’s what we’ll do”. Azula tugged you into another perfectly hidden alcove and brought her lips to your again before pulling away again just as you were slipping into it. Azula smirked at you exasperated look and you got the feeling she was toying with you. So in the third hiding spot Azula brought you too as soon as she had hidden your entrance you trapped her against it. Being taller had it’s advantages and you gripped Azula’s waist while hovering over her “No more running princess”. Azula grinned and happily accepted her fate.

You liked these hiding places in the garden and apparently so did Azula. She leant against your arms the most content you’d ever seen her. You could see why she loved it here. You could hear other people in the gardens but it felt so wonderfully private. The weather was beautiful and you laid down looking at the sun. “This is one thing I have grown to love about the fire nation, the weather...it’s so nice and warm here” you smiled. “Well it is summer” Azula smirked leaning on her forearms to look down at you “but it is beautiful, wait until you see the festival for the summer solstice. The sky stays light all night and the streets are lit with lanterns everywhere, the whole city glows and all night you just bask in the beauty” Azula sighed “I can’t wait to show it you all”. “Yeah?” you asked and Azula nodded “it’s beautiful even in winter too! We don’t get snow but it gets colder meaning there’s fires on every street corner. They even make a hot chocolate with fire flakes that you have to try” Azula told you “we can take a trip into town and get one....and the restaurants serve festive dishes that are spiced to perfection we will see it all” Azula declared and you smiled. “That sounds amazing”. Azula smiled up at you before leaning further into you.

A while later with a large sigh Azula sat up moving off you “I have to go...my father requested to see me and Zuko, it must be important...if it wasn’t there’s no way I’d go” she told you and you smiled “I know, it’s fine i’ll find someway to manage without you”. Azula smirked “I know Mai and Ty lee were going shopping, you could always tag along with them...they’re not as good company as me of course but it may distract you until i’m done”. “Until you’re done?”. Azula nodded “how about I come join you when i’m finished?”. You nodded your head “sounds perfect” and kissed her softly. Azula smiled and lingered with you as long as she could before pulling back “come on”. She stood up swiftly before helping you up. You walked out of the gardens together and Azula stopped at one path “Ty lee and Mai will be that way, you should hurry so you catch them”. You nodded “have fun at your meeting” and with a purposeful brush against her hurried away. You noticed Azula stayed long enough to watch you walk away before she rushed off for the meeting and smirked, she was definitely going to be late for that.

You came around the corner abruptly and both Mai and Ty lee jumped. “Y/n” Ty lee said surprised “are you okay princess?”. You nodded “I was actually looking for you both, I was wondering if i could accompany you into town? Azula mentioned you were going and suggested you wouldn’t mind”. “Of course we don’t” Ty lee cried and Mai shot her a look. You glanced at Mai who paused before sighing “of course you can come princess”. You smiled “thanks” and went to walk out of the open door but Mai held out her arm “are you forgetting something? A royal can’t leave the palace without a quadrant of guards and a royal precession”. “But she’s not fire nation does she really have to?” Ty lee asked and Mai sighed “you know she does” and turned to call the nearest servant.

It was easy to forget everything the fire nation stood for while you were running around the gardens with Azula but it had a way of reminding you. Mai and Ty lee were not permitted in the royal procession with you and had to walk behind you. The fire nation guards cleared the way through the streets mercilessly and you could see why Mai hadn’t wanted you to come. The citizens were either excited to see you and got beaten back or had been pushed forwards accidentally and suffered the same fate. When you finally reached your destination you felt so malevolent and cruel as the towns people stared but dared not come close. You’d never left the palace in the earth kingdom but there were often parties when normal people could come and they never hesitated to approach or touch you, here you bet the guards would have their hands if they tried. “Y/n?” Ty lee asked as you stared at the guards *controlling* the crowd. “Are you okay?” Ty lee asked and you paused before nodding “i’m fine” and you followed her inside.

Everywhere you went caused a fuss and you felt like you stuck out like a sore thumb. Ty lee wanted to go clothes shopping with Mai but because none of the shops sold green clothes you couldn’t join in. Every time you left a store you had to get back into your stupid cart even if the store was simply down the street. Each store you went into ignored Ty lee and Mai and only focused on you being the royal. You hated all the special treatment you received. You didn’t deserve it and you didn’t want it but there was no escaping it. This was the fire nation.

“What’s wrong y/n?” Ty lee asked “ you’ve barely touched your food” she said noticing how you were just pushing it around. You frowned “I just feel like i ruined your day, everywhere I go I causes a scene, it must be so annoying”. Ty lee shook her head “you haven’t ruined anything we’re used to it”. “How?” you asked and Mai fixed you with a look “you’re not the first royal we’ve travelled with, Azula and Zuko have the same rules but they revel in it a lot more than you”. “They enjoy it?” you asked shocked. “Well not so much Zuko” Mai admitted “but Azula does, she says it reminds people of their position....beneath her”. Mai’s disgusted tone wasn’t lost on you but it did make you think. You didn’t doubt Mai was being truthful, you’d seen first hand how Azula could act but recently you’d started forgetting. You realised with a crashing taste of reality that Azula was probably only like she was with you, with everyone else...who knows how cruel she was. You stared down at your hands feeling guilty for your morning activities with her. What on earth had you been doing sneaking around with the princess that conquered your city. Azula had taken over your home and sent your uncle into exile. The only reason you were here was because she liked you, if you hadn’t have appealed to her would you be exiled too or worse? These thoughts worried you and you couldn’t help but feel like a hypocrite. You’d personally sworn to detest the fire nation but had fallen for the princess? You couldn’t allow that and so you decided to call whatever this was off with Azula. As soon as she joined you.

However Azula never made it to the cafe. When you returned to the palace in the evening there was still no word from her and you weren’t sure if you were relieved or not. The evening pressed on when suddenly there was a knock at your door. You opened it to find Azula smiling widely. “I know I missed this afternoon but I have a good reason!” she waved some servants into your room and you watched confused as they started packing your belongings. “Azula what on earth....”. “We don’t have time!” she said excitedly “we’re leaving tonight! Mai, Ty lee and Zuko have to come too but it will still be great y/n”. “What will be...where are we going?”. “Ember Islands” Azula smiled.

[schnitzelbutterfingers]

"Come here, i need to hug you" for ethan x abby?

Here!

Mirani’s Confession

Book: Open Heart Book 3  Pairing(s): Dr. Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Dr. Abigail “Abby Chacko) || Past Dr. Zaid Mirani x Dr. Ines Delarosa) Word Count: 1400 Warning(s): tons of angst in the beginning, a bit of fluff in the end. Premise: Ines’s wedding reception , featuring Zaid’s emotions and lost love, Abby’s advice and Ethan’s promise.

Prompt(s): 

#17 from fluff: “Come here, I need to hug you.

Zaid’s POV

He stays seated, watching the reception sail away. It’s probably the first time a wooden chair is comfy to him. Well, it is white cushioned.

Everyone is grinning. Everyone is chortling. His twin brother, Baz, just fell down in his butt.

But he can’t bring himself to array any emotion. He is numb.

Zaid knows his heart is supposed to be full of life. Of joy. That his best friend is finally married. Ines Delarosa.

He won’t show it. Everyone understands how he shows delight through his moody behavior. It is very rare to see him smiling, even more rare than Ethan. Yet, he can’t move. If she’s happy, then he’s happy. That’s what he is supposed to do if he is Ines’s friend.

Friend.

“Zaid? Hello?”

A familiar voice interrupts his train of thoughts. At this moment, he effortlessly sports a scowl. Looking up at the voice, he realizes that it’s Dr. Abigail Chacko.

She’s beaming goofily. “Welcome back to the land of the living, Zaid.”

He softens his scowl and puts on more of a stoic face, looking at her straight through the eye. Dr. Abigail Chacko.

‘What is it?”

“You look grumpy.”

He sighs. “I always am.”

She sits next to him. “Fine. You look more grumpy. More than Ramsey.”

“Well, Ethan has been jolly-looking lately.”

She grins, most likely in acceptance, and a snug quiet overtakes them as they see Tobias and Harper walking into the photo booth. In the corner of his eye, he can see Ethan gazing at Abigail. Once she notices, she offers him a genuine-looking beam, to which he returns.

Zaid won’t admit it, but he wishes he had the same relationship as them with a special someone.

Ines.

Who is now enjoying her new beginning with her wife. She deserves it. She deserves everything.

Abigail furrows her eyebrows. “Alright, what’s wrong, Zaid? You know you can always talk to me...”

“Why would I want to tell you anything?” he snipes back.

“Because I care about you, believe it or not.”

They both have a mini staring contest. Abigail doesn’t give up, and he finally blinks once the wind starts blowing in his direction.

He sighs dreadfully. “Fine. Have you ever had this feeling where you fall in love with someone but that person marries someone else? And they’re happy with it?”

She appears to be demented. He doesn’t blame her.

“What are you talking about? I don’t...”

“Oh my-”

Instantly, her eyes showcase a light bulb turning on.

“You... you’re in love with Ines?”

Zaid suspires and reluctantly nods his head.

“Yes.”

A tense still overtakes their surroundings, with Abigail looking at him in a new light. He starts to regret everything he said.

“Look, don’t spread this around like wildfire. The hospital has enough rumors to destroy a doctor’s reputation, and I don’t-”

“Why didn’t you tell her you have feelings for her before?”

“...We dated for a while.”

Pin-drop silence between him and Abigail, other than the raucousness from the reception.

“And... I take it that it didn’t go well.”

“Well, you’re right about that.”

He sighs as his memory wanders to that unfortunate night in his townhome.

Flashback

“Zaid, I don’t understand. One day you want me in your apartment, and the next day you don’t!”

He has heard that the worst day of the week is Monday. While everyday is dreadful for him, Ines had made it more superior for him.

However today, it’s even worse. It actually fits with the rain pounding on his windows.

Zaid takes deep ragged breaths as she has tears clouding her eyes. He can see her trying to hide it.

Trying to mask her pain.

“Why do you push me away every time? It’s me! Ines Delarosa! Just let me in!”

“It’s because I DON’T WANT TO LET YOU IN!” he roars back.

Huge mistake.

His eyes widen.

Zaid tries to undo it. Every time he opens his mouth, however, no word comes out. He is shocked into silence. His feet is firmly rooted to the ground and makes no plans to move towards her and bundle her in her arms.

Ines stares at him blankly. No emotions splits across her face. 

Except her eyes. They turn light pink, misty, and a teardrop fails to hold on. 

It’s when she starts moving towards the door that he is fully conscious. He scrambles to hold on to her hand, not letting her go.

“Ines, I am so sorry...”

The latter takes in a shaky breath. “It’s okay. I... understand. But our relationship is not.”

His eyes widen. ‘What are you saying?”

Her eyes are filled to the brim with tears. “I am so sorry... but we’re over.”

And it’s then when his whole world begins to crash down.

Flashback ends

As the not-so-exciting story ends, Zaid has sentiment written across his face. And when he turns to look at his unexpected companion, so does she. Abigail clears her throat and finally speaks.

“And... how did you both move past it?”

“We didn’t talk for about a month. Obviously, we both needed space. We decided to stay friends, bust the best of it. We always hang out, always talk to each other. Hell, I was there when she came out as bisexual to her parents and friends.”

A puff of air sticks in his throat. “I was there when she told me that she finally found the love of her life. And I was, no, am so happy for her. Even if I’m not happy in the end, she’s happy. That’s all I really cared about. I love her, always have and always will. Nothing can ever stop me from doing that.”

“Is that why you were crying while you were reading your speech?”

“I was not-”

She gives him a look that silences him.

“...I was emotional. There.”

Abigail wipes her eyes at the drops that fell onto her cheek earlier. She then smiles.

“You know, you remind me of Ethan.”

His eyes broaden. “Really?”

“Yes, really. He has the same trouble opening up towards everyone. Ever since we started dating, he’s beginning to work on it.”

She sighs and turns to Zaid. “I know it is hard to believe, but somewhere in this world, a person is looking out for you. Your soulmate. Jest let them in. Open up. It’ll do you wonders, even if it’s hard to believe.”

“Alright... Thank you, Abby,” he gives her a nod and a heartfelt smile.

“No prob- wait. Did you just call me by my nickname?”

“Oh, for the love of-”

“Okay, okay! I’m leaving!” she chortles as she walks away from him, leaving him alone.

“Oh, and Abigail?”

She stops walking at his calling, turning her head around.

“Yes?” she asks.

“You and Ethan have a very unique and, dare I say, beautiful relationship.

And for the first time, he believes Abigail’s words.

Abby’s POV

Her mind is on Ethan and Ethan only.  The story left her reeling behind the remnants of heartbreak, and she does not want that to happen to her and Ethan.

She bumps into people and apologizes profusely, the piercing noise of music blaring through her ears. Finally, she sees him.

“Ethan!”

She doesn’t know how heard through the crowd, but he turns around and, giving her his signature smile, walks towards her.

“Abby. Finally,” he sighs in relief. 

Without responding, she drags his hand and follows her out of the party and into the hallway. His questions of confusion are ignored as she takes the elevator up one floor. Taking her key card, she opens the door to her lavish suite.

“Abby? What’s wrong? Is everything alright?”

“Come here, I need to hug you.”

Instantly, he does. She is burrowed into his secure arms as she wraps her own around his waist. He kisses the top of her forehead and gently grabs her head, bringing it to his eyes.

Her own is full of turmoil.

“What happened?” he questions in concern.

“Nothing! I love you but...”

Quickly, Abby grabs his hand and brings it to her head, placing it there. 

“Swear on my head that you won’t carry anything on your own, that you will let me in no matter what. Swear,” she requests with passion.

Ethan wraps one arm around her waist and brings her to him. “I swear that I won’t carry anything on my own, and that I will let you in no matter what.”

His reiteration of his words are enough. Slowly she brings his head down to hers, kissing his lips slowly, but surely.

As he reciprocates the motion on his own, but with fiery passion, she feels trusted and coveted. She feels needed. Loved.

And she knows that her love story will be everlasting, unlike the heartbreaking ending of Zaid’s and Ines’s.

Under the moonlight, she knows it’s true.

Author’s note: This is probably not what you wanted oop- At least it has fluff in the end

Author’s note: Aight, that took a different route but I loved the heartbreak couldn’t help myself. Hope I did this justice, and I’m sorry if this wasn’t what you wanted :(

Tags:

Perma: @potionsprefect​ @gryffindordaughterofathena​ @maurine07​ @missmiimiie​ @mom2000aggie​ @natureblooms24​ @parkdoesthings​ @parkbarks​

Ethan x MC: @rookie-ramsey​ @starrystarrytrouble​ @sophxwithers​ @lucy-268​ @udishaman​ @ohchoices​ @ariandrine​ @mayatrueman​ @takemyopenheart​ @obsessedrookie​ @estellaelysian @sunsetsparade @xxtraord1nary @aleynareads

@openheartfanfics​ @choicesficwriterscreations

[charlieliqueur]

Mark X Camper!Reader (Unus Annus)

Camp Days - Part Two

Note: Sorry it took so long! :/

---

Your eyes boldly locked onto the tent door. You heard it begin to open, and you frantically hid the journal and any other suspicious material under your pillows and sleeping bags. The door opened to reveal Mark.

"Heeey camper," he greeted politely, entering the tent without stopping to ask if it was okay. Didn't matter, you felt like even if you said no, he'd do it anyways. "Y/n right?" He asked. You nodded. "What are ya doing in here all alone?" He asks, giving you a confused look. "Uh, sitting. I don't like mosquitoes..." you said.

"Well, I don't think anyone likes mosquitoes. I was gonna teach some of the other spunky little campers to play a song or two on guitar. You wanna join me?"

"I, um, already know guitar," you spoke, not sure if he'd believe it or not. Was it a lie? You couldn't remember. You had faint memories of maybe playing an instrument, but they were like remembering a childhood dream. Faint and fuzzy.

"Perfect! You can help me!" He said, eagerly and not quite gracefully getting up off the tent floor.

"No, that's not what I-"

"Come on, what else are you gonna do, we're only in camp for another six days!"

"Six days?"

"Yeah! A week of camp Unus Annus, yesterday was the first say, pfft, obviously. Introductions and all..."

"Six days, you're sure?"

"Uh. Duh."

Thoughts went through your head. It wouldn't be hard to keep track of six days. Hell, you could record every minute if you had to.

"I dunno...."

"I'll get Thicc Water to apologize for pelting you and Gerald."

Your blood ran cold. You looked into Counselor Mark's dark, dark eyes. His smile was warm, but... empty. Like it used to hold some semblance of emotion that had long since left him.

"How did you-"

"Oh, y/n, nothing happens in Camp Unus Annus without me knowing. Now come on!"

He unzipped the tent and waited for you to leave as well. You did so, not wanting any hostility. You were hesitant on leaving the journal and everything behind, but you didn't want Counselor Mark to see them, obviously.

It wasn't quite midday, but it wasn't early morning. Maybe 11:00 am or so. Mark had a group of campers around a pit, a box was on the ground nearby, full of Tazer Fire bandanas, almost every other camper had one. You grabbed one awkwardly and began folding in diagonally. Mark sat down on a log with his guitar and started strumming. The other campers watched him with awe.

Then he looked at you. "Come here y/n," he said, beckoning you over. You awkwardly sat down next to him, you didn't feel comfortable in his presence. He looked to you and grinned passing the guitar. For a moment your vision fogged with images of two men in black and white suits. A swirling abyss. You exhaled and took it. "Play us a tune, eh?" He asked, giving a look around the rest, who watched expectantly. Including Gerald.

You managed to set it in your lap correctly, but before you had a chance to play, either well or awfully, suddenly another voice boomed "HEEEY HEEEY MARK!"

All of the campers and the head counselor looked to see a skinny guy with dark hair and a black camp shirt. Counselor Ethan, and his campers. "Day two of camp already!" He said, wrapping an arm around Mark and smiling, but his eyes settled on you a moment. But Mark began talking to him, before Ethan could get a good look at you. "Oh yeah. What are you doing all the way over here, buddy?"

"Oh, y'know, interested in some team building activities. Tug of war, egg races, three legged race, the good ones!"

"Sounds great! Am I right??"

All the campers cheered, except you...

You felt like you were the only sober person left at a weird party.

Counselors Ethan and Mark began leading their campers away from Camp Tazer Fire, and towards a grassy clearing. A few rocks and sticks littered the area, but other than that it was just grass. "Alright everyone, partner up!" Shouted Mark.

You looked around, confused. "Gerald? Gerald??" You shouted, slightly panicked. You'd just seen him at camp, hadn't you? You looked through the crowds of campers, but his face was nowhere. "No buddy? Y/n you know the rules..." said Mark giving you a strange smile and shaking his pointer finger at you. "I know! I'll be your buddy! Just for the rest of camp," he said, looking proud of himself and his idea.

You looked at Mark for a moment, your heart dropping. "The rest of camp? What about Ethan? Isn't he your-"

"Certain rules can be bent in strange circumstances... now come on! Tug of war!"

- - -

You were tired, nervous, hot and sweaty. You were sitting on a rock as, drinking water from an unmarked bottle, as the sun began to set. Hours and hours of games had been played. Being stuck right next to Mark. You'd constantly catch him staring at you, or standing just too close for comfort. This whole time a light, overly electric feeling had been around you. Not the good kind, the kind of electric that you feel before a scary test, or a vaccine shot, or anything dangerous that doesn't excite, that only makes you anxious.

An excess of energy.

Weird energy.

You looked from the sunset towards the rest of the campers, distracted by the sound of footsteps. Mark had made his way over. He smiled, and waved you close to him saying "Come on, let's go."

You raised an eyebrow, and suddenly Ethan shouts "Back to camp, Campers!! A good rest after a good day! Remember the buddy system!" You stood and cautiously walked over to Mark. But Ethan was approaching. Then he extended a hand. Mark seemed hesitant on letting him.

You shook it. It was cold. Ice cold. Dreadfully icy cold. You pulled your hand away immediately after. "Ethan, and you're y/n?" He made short eye contact with Mark, who tried to manage a quick discreet nod. You looked between them a moment. "What's going-"

"Back to camp, eh? Enjoy your time with us Mo- ER y/n!" Said Ethan, awkwardly rushing away. You stared in shock and confusion as he left. Then Mark slipped an arm around your shoulder and said "Like he said, back to camp." And he gave you a slight shake, as you gazed into the distance, confused and scared.

- - -

"Because I'd like some privacy while changing please," you said shakily, trying to convince Mark to stay out of the tent for even just a few minutes. "Alright, alright," he agreed. You exhaled a sigh of relief, softly. You dug the journal out from under your pillow and turned to whatever you thought was the page you were on. It wasn't, but you decided to read whatever you could anyways.

Mori.... momento mori. Remember Death. They say it all the time. What death? With them, death isn't an ending, it's the beginning. Or the middle. Or the constant state of being. Or a being itself. Almost like they're looking for it. Looking for death...

"Almost ready?" Mark interrupted.

"Just a few moments!" You replied. You threw the book closed and stuffed it under the pillow, and quickly changed into clean camp clothes. Then you said "All done." The zipper rustled and the door opened. "Thanks, worried I might get eaten by a bear, or a deer..."

Mark laid down, seemingly relaxed. You sat on your side of the tent, trying to clear your mind. Trying to think. Everything you've learned so far swimming in your mind.

How old the camp sites are, how Mark and Ethan are seemingly immortal. How campers seem to vanish, how GERALD vanished! And now Ethan calling you Mo... was he gonna say mori? Death? What did that even mean? Was it an accident? You didn't think anything was an accident here. Not when you randomly show up at some spooky summer camp out of nowhere with hardly any memories.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Asks Mark.

"Um, how we lost at tug of war..." you lied.

"Yeah, that sucked... but we killed it at the three legged race, am I right??"

You laughed softly, but you weren't amused. You looked around the tent for a few seconds before laying down. You sighed deeply, but quiet enough not for him to hear. "I think it's time to sleep," you said. "You know, good rest and all..."

"Of course, of course. Goodnight y/n..." said Mark, rolling over. He was still laying down, stiff, outside of his sleeping bag. You curled up in yours, wanting some feeling of safety. "Y'know y/n," started Mark, "you always seem so tense. Try to enjoy camp. It is only a week, and you can make friendships that last... forever..."

Mark sounded sad... distant and somber, like remembering something. You could tell something was off. You didn't reply, you didn't want to.

After what felt like an eternity, with Mark still in the same position after hours of laying down, you remember your eyes closing finally and falling asleep.

And then you awoke.

You weren't sure how much later. You just remember waking up to the door opening. You looked, and saw it open, and saw Mark gone. A cool breeze rustled the open tent flap. You sat up, heart beginning to race. You heard leaves rustling and wind howling. Like before a storm, but without the rain. You climbed onto your feet and cautiously peeked outside, your whole torso outside the tent.

Then you saw them. A man in a white suit, a man in a black one, in the distance at the edge of the forest, chatting it seemed. You ducked back into the tent a moment, looking around more cautiously, barely peeked out.

All the other tents were dark, oddly so. And closed and quiet. Like a silence fell over the camp site. Like they all... were in a dead sleep...

You climbed out of the tent, the site being dark enough for you to sneak around in. You hid behind other tents, and rocks, and anything you could.

You were about to go around another tent, when you caught a glimpse of a white pant leg, and you immediately hid behind the tent again, holding your breath. They were right there, talking.

"We've only got five days," said a voice that sounded like Counselor Ethan. But, different... more serious...

"Yes but we have her this time," said a voice, oddly similar to Counselor Mark.

"These hosts will not last forever."

"They've lasted this long."

"And if we cannot.... if we fail before they leave...."

"We won't, my friend. We will find peace again... I promise."

"Yes, peace... momento mori?"

"Momento mori, unus... annus..."

Then you watched them begin to walk towards your tent. What the fuck? Peace? Hosts?? You saw the man in the black suit approach a different tent, as the white suited one headed back to yours. They also looked like Ethan and Mark, but for some reason you didn't want to believe that to be true... The black suited one opened a tent, and pulled out a sleeping camper, and then laid the kid on the rocky ground. What was he....? He wrapped his hands around the kid's throat, and suddenly you realized what was happening.

"Don't-!" You burst out without realizing it.

He looked up, seeing you there. "Mori... can it be...?"

He stood, and turned to you, and you saw the man in the white suit begin to approach as well.

You panicked, turned, and ran, straight into the dark, windy, silent woods.

- - -

To be continued! Sooooo it took a million years to get part two, I know I know. But its here now, right? Sorry guys. A lot happened, and I know many are still hurting after the channel ended. But, here this is, for who ever is still waiting for it.

[officialsimppage]

-Why you, Why now-

this is based off of 4x24 amplification. i just changed it up a bit ya know :0. Warnings: anthrax infection, sappy love talk, crying, mentions of being nakey nakey. 

“Spence baby, have you seen my mug?” I say frantically looking around our apartment. I look in our room, in the bathroom, and in the living room. 

“Darling, it’s in your hand.” Spence says looking at me confused. I laugh at myself  and I walk outside the apartment locking it, and leaving with Spence. We are both a little freaked out since it is our first day back in 2 weeks. It’s been stressful.

 We just got back from our honeymoon in a small town in Italy. It was the absolute best being married. It brought us closer and bonded us for life. We loved Italy, don’t get me wrong, but we just missed home. We couldn’t stand being far away for too long. Our jobs as well.

 It can be horrifying, but it's the small rewards that get us up in the morning. Seeing parents and families get closure, reuniting people and children with their parents. It warms our heart and makes up for the evil side of it. 

We walk down the stairs towards Spencers car and he opens the car door for me and says, 

“Are you ready to go back?” closing the door and walking over to the drivers side of the car, stepping in. 

“Yeah, yeah I think so.” I say looking up at him. 

“Mk. Let's go then.” He says leaning in to give me a kiss, I then smile and look out the window as we drive to work.  

We walk into the building hand in hand, people congratulating us as we walk. We step into the elevator and I press the button with the number 6. We sit in silence for most of the elevator ride. When it dings Spencer looks at me with eyes that say, ‘You ready?’ I nod and walk out. 

Right when we enter the BAU, our eyes are swamped with soldiers and military officials. A million things run through my mind. Worries fill me from head to toe thinking about the million things that could have happened. We then see Penelope running up to us. 

“Ahh! Look! It’s the lovely married couple!” she says engulfing us in a signature Garcia hug. “How was Italy? Was it fun and eventful?” she says wiggling her eyebrows. I push aside her questions and ask, 

“Penelope, what is going on,” I say with worried eyes, making eye contact with her. 

“Oh, it's horrible. There’s been um,” she says pausing looking around the room. “An anthrax attack.” she whispers. Right as she says it, I figure out what we're dealing with. I worked with terrorists and chemical attacks. It's not fun. 

“Shit, well this is welcoming.” Spencer says looking around the room, seeing all the new military people crammed in the bullpen. 

“Yeah, sorry guys,” Penelope says, handing us our files. “But Hotch wants you at the round table now.” she says with a sad smile. I just respond with a shaky nod, gripping Spencer's hand tighter as we walk up the stairs to the round table. 

Right as we walk in, everyone faces us and runs. They engulf us in hugs and kisses. With questions asking us about the trip, congratulating us, and telling us how proud they are. Then, the happiness is put aside when a doctor named Linda Kamura walks in with medication, telling us they may be helpful if we are exposed. 

I take the pills down my throat with a swig of water afterwards. We look over the files, trying to put together a beginning profile for what we think is happening. I then finally focus when Hotch tells us to do and where to go. 

“Spencer and Y/N, go to the hospital and interview one of the victims. Rest of you, help put together a profile.” He says with a stern voice, and Spencer and I head with Dr. Kamura out the door and into one of the SUV’s to be driven to the hospital. 

I stay unfocused and out of it for the beginning of the car ride. I have a deep feeling in my gut that I should just jump out of this car and run home, knowing this isn’t going to end up good. I have always trusted my gut with everything I’ve done with my life. I want to just go home but I can’t. I need to stay and do my job. I need to help save other people. My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Spence say,

“Hey you ok? You look uneasy?” putting his hand on my thigh. 

“Yeah yeah, I just have a feeling that things aren’t going to end well today.” I say looking up at him, knowing my eyes have a glaze of tears over them. 

“Yeah, me too honey.” He whispers, pulling my head into his shoulder. I lay my head there, and just inhale his comforting scent. Trying to escape into a different reality. 

I lay my head on Spencer's shoulder for the whole car ride. We pull up to the hospital after a 30 minute long drive. I get out and stretch, already exhausted, even though I haven’t done anything. We walk in and get our badges out to show the doctors and police, to let us in and interview. 

I walk in and see the girl, Abby. She looks absolutely dreadful. All these machines hooked up to her, her face drained of color, and a red nose from all mucus. I let Spencer handle the interview, me, just listening and taking mental notes. She talks about how she and her friend were just on a normal bike ride around the park. They were just being teenagers. Until they got home and in the evening, they started feeling symptoms. And eventually, coughing up blood. It sounds utterly horrible and painful. She then starts slurring her words, Spencer is visibly confused until the Doctor states, 

“Slurring speech, one of the last symptoms before death.” with a pained face. Spencer just looks utterly shocked. Saddened as well. Mostly on how it worked so fast, but as well as who would want to do this to innocent citizens? He then says goodbye, and gets well soon, as he walks out of the room. 

“It's absolutely horrible Utterly and horrifically evil.” I say as we start walking out of the hospital. 

“I know, who would want to do this?” he says looking at me. 

“That’s what we have to find out.” I tell him as we dreadfully get back in the SUV, heading back to the BAU.

When we walk back into the bullpen after our visit to the hospital, it's busier than ever. People everywhere trying to prevent and predict the next attack. When we walk back up into the round table room, they are watching a video of a senate meeting with a man yelling at them about emergency preparedness. 

“What's this?” I ask, then everyone turns to face us. 

“It’s a clip of a doctor. He might be a suspect.” Derek says to us. He then resumes his focus to what is on the screen. We watch the man violently attack the senate. I can see why he could be a suspect. He is obsessed with making sure people are prepared for something like this. He is definitely in the right mindset to do this.

“Are we going to investigate him?” I ask crossing my arms, just wanting this day to be over. 

“I think so. You Reid and Morgan go to his house, check it out and contact us if you find anything out of the ordinary.” Hotch says calling some people. We then walk out, and make our way out of the building. As we walk up to the cars, we get a text from Hotch telling us where the address is. It ends up being only 15 minutes from the FBI headquarters. 

When we pull up to the large house, we knock on the door to see if anyone is home. When nobody answers, we start to look around. Knowing we can since we have a warrant. We walk around taking in the house. It’s a very nice house, actually. Filled with rose bushes and sheds. We were all walking together until I saw a shed and walked off towards it, leaving Spencer and Morgan to continue to search on their own.

Once I walked in, I knew it was a lab. It was full of micrscopes and peteri dishes. I then bump into a desk and I hear glass shatter. I turn behind me and see a glass bottle with a biohazard sign on it, spilled. The contents, a fine white powder. The first thing that comes to my mind is none other than anthrax. I then hear Derek and Spencer yelling my name. 

“Shit shit shit! No not today,” I say as I run over to the sliding glass door to close it. Right before I lock the door Derek and Spencer walk through the door to the shed. 

“Do not come in here.” I shout sternly. They immediately get worried looks on their faces. 

“Why Y/N? What’s wrong? Did something happe-” Then, Spencer stops talking once he looks on the floor and sees the white powder on the floor. 

“Shit Y/N,” Derek says massaging his forehead with his hands. 

“Y/N baby, no NO! You let me in there right now or I swear to god,” He yells banging on the door, tearing up right away. 

“I’m sorry baby I can’t do that.” I say tearing up myself. I put my hand on the glass, and he puts his hand on mine. He then whispers to me, 

“I’m not leaving you alone.” tears streaming down his face. 

“Hey it’s ok, it’s ok, I’m going to be fine ok? I’m just gonna look around and see if I can find out if he truly did this because I see two totally different desk setups. I’m also gonna look for the antidote ok?” I say trying to calm him down. 

“O- Ok,” He says, stuttering a bit from crying. “I love you.” He adds, looking up at my eyes. 

“I love you too,” I respond. “Now Derek call Hotch and tell him I’m going to investigate from the inside.” I say already starting to look around. 

“Shit, ok. God Y/N and whatever you do,” He says pointing at me. “Do not die on us.” Getting teary himself. 

“I promise.” I say holding up a pinky. They then walk out to call Hotch and to  get a hazmat team out here. While they do that, I begin to inspect everything and think of how to solve this. Ok ok, so there are two desks here, I think. One of them is extremely messy and the other is very neat and tidy. Has to be two different people. I start to wonder, as a professor, they’re could be many ways there are two different people working together. Either it’s an assistant, or a coworker, or maybe he even opens up his lab to students. I then start to drift away from that and think about the antidote. 

Antidote. For something so deadly, they can’t make the antidote obvious. It has to be like an unsuspicious household item. Right as I’m about to start looking around, I see Dr. K walking in with a hazmat suit. She asks me, 

“How are you holding up? Do you need anything? How are you feeling?” walking up to me and inspecting my face and body language. 

“I feel fine actually. My throat is just a little dry.” I knew that was a lie as soon as I said it. I have been wheezing and having chest pain. I just can’t break through this hard tough exterior. I need Spencer to see me strong. I tell her my theory of how the antidote isn’t going to have ANTIDOTE on it in big red letters, it's going to be in something non suspicious. We then begin to walk around, tearing apart different things looking for where the antidote could be. Spencer then walks up to the glass door yelling my name. 

“Spencer what is it?” I ask, running towards the door. 

“Oh my god Y- Y/n, you look horrible.” He says putting a hand on his mouth. 

“Well thanks for the confidence boost,” I say snickering a bit. Trying to make light of the situation.

“Gosh even when you’re infected with a deadly poison, you’re still you.” He says putting his hand on the glass, tears streaming down his face. 

“Spencer I’m going to be okay. But I’m telling you this to hopefully calm you down. I love you to the moon and back Spencer. You are the light of my life, the love of my life. I cannot imagine my life without you. Or me or you leaving each other early. We’re going to stay together for the rest of our lives. We’re going to have baby geniuses! We're going to be ok, I’m going to be ok.” I say crying a bit myself. 

“God, that did not help,” he says, wiping away tears. Me chuckling a bit through the tears. “Just, why you and why now.” He says making eye contact with me. 

“I don't know. But all I know is that I’m going to be ok and that I’m going to get out of this. I love you Spencer.” I say kissing my hand, and then touching my hand to the glass. 

“I love you too.” He says repeating the action I did. We are then interrupted by Dr. K asking, 

“Could this be the antidote? It’s an inhaler. It could work, and it's not too suspicious,” holding up a bag with a yellow inhaler in it. 

“Yes, yes! Good job that, that could be it!” I say laughing then coughing roughly. Hunching over, letting it all out. 

“Ok ok, agent let’s get you out of here and into the hospital.” she says partially carrying me over to where they have people ready with hoses inside of a sealed off area. They start spraying me with the water and then I see Spencer and Derek walk in. 

“How are you holding up pretty girl?” Derek asks me. 

“I’m doing good, but you can um go.” I say shrugging a bit. 

“No, I am seeing you off to the hospital. I helped put you into this mess.” He says looking at me crossing his arms. 

“No uh seriously. Leave. They’re about to strip me naked to wash me down and, I think that’s something only Spencer can see.” I say. His eyes then widen and he nods and walks out. I then begin to unbutton my shirt and take off my skirt. Spencer just is sobbing silently, watching me being so vulnerable being hosed down whispering, “It should have been me, It should have been me,” like a chant. They then put a hospital gown on me and put me on a stretcher. Right before they take me into the ambulance Spencer yells, 

“I love you!” looking at me laying on the stretcher, half dead. I start to yell that I love him back but then, I start coughing up blood. Well shit that isn't good. The Dr. then tells the ambulance driver to hurry up. And then she asks, 

“How are you feeling?” putting a stethoscope to my chest.

“I uh feel flime. Feel fum yoj now?” Shit Im slurring. Well this is fun. Her face is then drained of color, yelling at the driver to go even faster. After that moment, I feel my eyes shut.

The first thing that comes to me is my hearing. I hear the steady beat of the monitor, and the shuffling from the hospital. I then open my eyes to see blinding lights. I then turn my head to see Spencer reading. 

“Why aren’t you reading to me?” I ask, smiling at him. 

“Oh my god thank the lord you're awake.” He says standing up and giving me a hug. I chuckle a bit, weakly hugging him. “I- I thought I was going to lose you..” He says looking down at my left hand, looking at the ring he put on it. 

“You couldn’t get rif of me that fast,” I say pulling his head up to look at me. 

“I love you.” I say grabbing his left hand, fidgeting with his wedding ring. 

“I love you too Y/N.” he says, leaning in and kissing my cheek.

[thirdhandidiot]

Yes I’m here to offer domestic dialucibarb. No I havnt gotten any further on the Young Dialuci au. What you gonna do?

This is just 1.9k of unapologetic soft idiots in love

•The three of them are like your typical old married couple, except with wings and horns and oh dear, they’re arguing over who has to get up to make more tea

•Barb and Lucifer lovingly bicker a LOT, much to Diavolo’s amusement. It will be over the most trivial things that neither of them really care about either, they just enjoy trying to one up eachother verbally. Lucifer once threatened to throw Barbatos out a window, absolutely not meaning it, but Barb taunted him, telling him he probably couldn’t even pick him up, he’s so skinny and all he ever does is paper work and there’s no way he’d ever hurt him, never mind have the physical strength required. Lucifer absolutely decides he’s going to take it personally and lunges, picking Barbatos clean off the floor, bridal style, triumphant smirk lighting up his face, only to immediately realise that Barb has wrapped his arms around his neck to make sure he doesn’t fall. They’re both immediately far too flustered to do anything after that, just staring at eachother in shock, remaining there for what feels like hours until Diavolo walks in and coos at them, taking hundreds of pictures whilst the pair get impossibly more red. The image ends up Diavolo’s Home Screen, and don’t be fooled, he treasures all images of his boyfriends, especially together, but this one, he thinks, will always be a favourite

•They’re all sappy in their own ways, but mostly Diavolo, he is shameless. He will talk about ‘his darling boyfriends’ at any given opportunity, and more. Whilst it’s rather sweet to see him so passionate and so happy in love, it gets rather inconvenient in meetings when everyone just wants to go home. The brothers are particularly upset by this as whilst the gossip about Lucifers love life was fun at first, they’re rather bored of hearing how cute Lucifer is he wakes up, and they’re still a little scared of what Barbatos might do if they end up hearing too much. And that’s not all, Dia loves tropey dates that he read about in books and imagined going on with the two of them before they got together, his favourite being picnics, which he adores. He and Barbatos will spend hours in the kitchen preparing a sweet lunch date for Lucifer (by which Barb does all the preparations and Diavolo provides ‘moral support’ in the form of kisses and trying to steal bits of food only to get caught everytime and punished with more kisses- needles to say this is not an effective punishment to persuade him to stop)

•Barbatos relaxes a lot more when he’s off the clock, even having gently bullied Diavolo into making HIM tea, even if it’s not as good, after all, he’s been working all day and he’s tired. When they first got together he always felt guilty asking anything of Diavolo, feeling that it was an imbalance to their dynamic, but he quickly comes to see that Diavolo loves the chance to try to do things for him, even if they aren’t nearly as efficient or well done. Diavolo just wants to look after his boys like they do him and this usually comes in the form of serving them cute biscuits he found and hid until that moment just to see them smile

•Lucifer gets stressed easily and puts up a near flawless front of professionalism and dedication to his work, however Barb has spent decades doing the same and is always the first to tell when Luci needs to take a break. Whilst Barb has strict ‘off the clock‘ hours, Lucifer has tried to bring paper work to bed multiple times, frustrating the other two to no end. Despite that, Lucifer has gotten a lot better at taking care of himself ever since he realised how happy it made his partners, and it’s not like he minds spending more time with them, infact subtly asking lucifer if he wants couch cuddles is the fastest way to get him to leave his work, the man is tired and desperately craves affection, not that he likes to admit it, but they all know

•Barbatos has a strange fondness for human conspiracy documentaries, and Diavolo is prone to believing an awful lot of them. Barb loves to tell Diavolo that they’re real, convincing him that ‘Yes all birds are spies darling, is that not common knowledge?‘ or ‘The human realm has underground lizard people, didn’t you know love? The do all of Earth’s admin work, someone has to‘ This leads to an awful lot of misunderstandings that usually Lucifer clears up. He pretends to be annoyed but when he walks into the front room to see his Barb lying on top of Diavolo, enthusiastically telling him that there’s aliens in Area 51 whilst Diavolo stares back, mouth open in shock, he doesn’t stop them, just presses a kiss to each of their foreheads and goes to make hot chocolates for everyone and brings blankets back with him, making a note of whatever it is that Dia is about to believe so that he can make sure that damage control can be done ahead of time. (He finds it cute when Diavolo tries to tell his brothers about it, Mammon falling hook line and sinker for each one. The others are more sceptical until Diavolo says that Barbatos told him, at which point they just end up confused, surely Barbatos wouldn’t lie to Lord Diavolo? (He would if it was funny))

•When Lucifer moved out, Levi sent him an old console under the guise that it was for Diavolo, who had expressed an interest in learning to play various games. Dia absolutely loves it, and lucifer really is very competitive.. the two of them can be found trying to distract the other whilst playing mariokart, resorting to pushing, biting and even a few instances of manifesting wings to try block the others view of the screen. As soon as one of them has as good as lost they’ll switch to just making the others game as hard as possible. There’s nothing raunchy about the wrestling match that breaks out as a result, Barb has decided it’s a good form of physical therapy for them both and just records them. He has a file of ‚blackmail‘ that they all know he will never use, it’s mostly just a folder of cute but embarrassing pictures and videos of Luci and Diavolo. (Diavolo has Barb send him everything, he loves to watch it back)

•None of them are particularly ‘flamboyant‘ although Diavolos love for human world festivals has landed them at various pride festivals before. Lucifer was mostly confused seeing as sexuality isn’t an issue in the Devildom, neither is ‘polyamory’, a concept he’d never spared much thought to. Diavolo is delighted to see Humans celebrating love and feeds off the positivity (he also gets hit on a lot, but after spending just ten seconds with him it’s obvious he��s already madly in love and that there’s no separating him from the slightly alarmed looking men loitering behind him that he proudly calls his boyfriends). Barbatos is constantly trying not to get lost, it’s busy and he ends up having to hold on to someone at all times. It’s not his fault, he can’t use magic here and there’s no other way to combat the crowds, Lucifer stop smirking he isn’t short it’s just that you’re both bloody giants, Lucifer you’re encouraging Diavolo, p l e a s e. Dia loves it though because it gives him an excuse to cling to his boyfriends all day and people will randomly tell him how lucky he is, he absolutely agrees

•Both Barbatos and Lucifer have threatened Diavolo with bodily harm at some point after they’ve been woken up by one of his stray limbs in the night. The two of them sleep quite comfortably next to eachother, occasionally with an arm or leg over the other, but no matter how Diavolo falls asleep he ends up in a dreadfully confusing position that no one really wants to question. Unfortunately he also tends to gravitate towards the heat of the others too, making them easy targets Diavolo’s heavy limbs. He’s always sure to apologise when he finds out in the morning, even if he finds their grumpy faces quite amusing. He won’t laugh out loud though because one time Barb was so disgruntled when he woke up that he bit the hand that was smothering his face and Diavolo ended up having to have his hand bandaged in the middle of the night. Needless to say that Lucifer was both confused and concerned when he woke up (and a little proud, he’s extra nice to Barbatos all day, who feels a little guilty about it, even if Diavolo was ok)

•Diavolo and Barb will wind lucifer up deliberately, and whilst he is entirely aware what’s happening, he indulges them. Diavolo will convince the brothers to try some kind of scheme that they wouldn’t be able to pull off without him, but makes sure it’s never taken too far, and Barbatos will egg Lucifer on as soon as he finds out about whatever minor inconvenience has befallen him. He won’t admit it, but it makes Lucifer incredibly happy to see his brothers take such a shine to his partners, and whilst he wishes they’d have a little more trust in Barbatos, Barb assures him that he isn’t upset and that it can be used to spook the brothers a little. There will be weekly ‚family meals‘ which always seem a great idea before hand, he somewhat misses living with his brothers after all, but always result in him going home with a headache. He’s grown used to the loving and (mostly) calm presence of his beloved, so seeing his brothers hurling both insults and occasionally food or assorted table wear at eachother, has a tendency to infuriate him. (He hasn’t realised that they act up more when he’s there)

•Dia Is obsessed with matching couples things and is constantly trying to find things for the three of them, but due to lower supply, they end up being so much tackier and non sensical. Barbatos genuinely despises them, but opts to say nothing because of how happy Diavolo is. Lucifer knows this and whilst he isn’t exactly a fan either, he indulges Dia just to tease Barb. (They do all have matching keychains tho, with different charms. Diavolos has a little teacup and a feather, Lucifers has a crown and a cake and Barbatos‘ has a pickle and a peacock. He was the one who got them to make up for all the hideous ideas Diavolo had, and delighted in seeing Diavolos pouty face when he realised what Barb had chosen. He did end up also adding a golden heart tho, somewhat pacifying Diavolo)

•Whilst it’s usually Diavolo who initiates longer cuddles, Barb likes to wrap his arms around his lovers from behind, pressing his forehead into their shoulder blades. He finds is comforting to be so close whilst allowing the other to continue with whatever they were doing before. Before leaving he will stretch to place a kiss on the back of their neck, a silent reminder of his love. Most of the time Barbatos is very quiet, opting to watch, and it’s only when he’s relaxed that he becomes chatty. Both Luci and Dia recognise this and can’t help but feel special whenever Barbatos is particularly talkative, and Barb is grateful that they don’t ask questions and love him for who he is

•Lucifer absolutely initiates the most ‚traditional‘ kisses, he’s proud of his partners and wants everyone to know that they’re his. He’s also a bit of a traditional romanticist when given the chance, leaving bouquets of various flowers, with the meanings for each attached on a handwritten card, a line of poetry and an elaborate signature. If he ever gets given flowers back he melts a little and keeps them on his desk as long as possible, before pressing the best looking ones. He has notebooks just filled with pressed flowers that he treasures. He doesn’t know that Diavolo and Barbatos both know about the notebooks and is convinced he’s slick

•Some nights the three of them will get drunk together and spend hours giggling and pressing kisses to eachothers faces and feeding them fancy chocolates. They half lay half sit on a slightly too small couch that they never replace for a more suitably sized one. Diavolo will slowly reach across to brush Lucifers fringe out of his eyes before gently caressing his face and pulling him in for a long slow kiss that tastes of expensive demonus and the orange sweets that Diavolo keeps on his desk. Barbatos is more than content to sit and watch his two gorgeous boyfriends kiss for a few minutes before they both turn their attention to him and decorate his face with kisses, across his cheeks and forehead, straying down to his chin and up to his eyelids, trying to convey all their love for eachother in adoring looks and heads pressed into necks

@softrealism Thankyou for inspiring me to post xx

[gritsandbrits]

Sneak peek of scoob rewrite

Scooby howled in fear. Never had I hear him scream in such a way even at his most frightened. It was so awful! Shaggy ran to stop that bastard. "Stop you're hurting him!"  

Dastardly scoffed and pushed him down. "Go back to what you've always been doing running away like a little rat!"

"SHAGGY!"

"FALCON!"

Poor dogs cries echoed morosely through the caves as they slipped through the portal. It losed shut with one last, mocking puff. Nobody moved.

Silence.

My heart shattered like my pendant I closed my eyes fighting back tears.

Then, I smelled something off, like rotten eggs and looked up to see green smoke beginning to emit from where the portal was.

It opened.

Everyone watched as a hulking beast sauntered out. Its height so big it seemed to overcast the entire room.

Even Dastardly was stunned at the canine kaiju before him. Until he started to chuckle with glee. Everyone else were shocked as the beast's three faces glared coldly at us. I almost fainted.

For the first time in his life Shaggy couldn't scream. He only watch horrified at the face of his best friend. "Scooby" looked around in frantic confusion. His blank eyes searched for his humans. What should have been his ironic SD was now it was a wicked looking crescent moon. 

Dynomutt's face was calm. But the calmness of an apex predator stalking its meal.  His symbol was also replaced by the same Crescent. At the sight of his partner Blue Falcon whispered, "this can't be."

But the middle head...oh lord the middle head...bore the triumphant grin of Muttley. If he already looked hellish enough then he was really enjoyed his newfound power. Even his signature tooth glinted dangerously as if an extensions of that power. All three pairs of eyes glowed red - signalling who was truly in control.

"Jinkies," Velma gasped sadly. Scooby was gone - he was gone. All hints of his former self erased and replaced by such abomination. Beside her

Daphne covered her eyes and sobbed into the arms of a disbelieving Fred's. He could only comfort her as we watched our friend and Dynomutt.

Anger swelled up in me as I heard Dastardly cackle triumphantly. I really wanted to choke the lights outta him if I wasn't feeling so helpless.

"You monster!" Shouted Fred.

"You won't get away with this, oh please I've been getting away with it for years," the villainous inventor bragged. "Why'd you think I've been invited back to Wacky Races every year?"

"Dyno..." Deedee's voice trailed off.  Blue Falcon looked away in shame. He had failed. Failed his mission, failed his partner, failed his legacy.

We all failed. And it sucked.

Once again the cruel pos didn't care."Come my dear we still have a lot of work to do!" He snatched me up by the arm but i didn't fight him. I was too ashamed and weak to fight back. I couldn't face my friends anyways. Not after what I did.  As he threw me back on the ship he turned around to pour more salt on our wounds.

"Enjoy your stay folks! It'll be a trip to remember!" Dastardly shouted wickedly before getting in his seat flying off. I spared a glance out the window seeing my friends grow to the size of ants. I felt like a failure.

"Don't frown my dear," Dastardly cooed mockingly. He gently tipped my chin up so we could see eye to eye.

I wanted to slap that stupid mustache of his face.

"The night is beginning to shine. And with your power and my superior intellect the entire world will tremble!" I turned my head away fiercely and hugged myself as he went back to prepare his final goals. I was alone. Truly dreadfully alone.

Yes in this one scooby and dynomutt become fused with Muttley to become the giant cerebus in the movie so I'll be exploring multiple personalities

[arrestjellyfish]

Uhhh....17 (whispers) with Platonic Moxiety? If that's Oki?

From this October prompt list! I am still taking requests!

oOo

Title: Tender Loving Scare

Summary: Best friends Virgil and Patton want to scare their university housemates the night before Halloween. The closet isn’t as big as it looks.

Word count: 2.4k

Content warnings: Swearing, claustrophobia, panic attack.

Also on AO3!

oOo

‘Ow, ow, ow!’ Virgil whispered as his foot was suddenly crushed.

‘Whoops, sorry!’

‘Can’t you move over a bit?’

‘I’m trying, kiddo.’

The weight was lifted from Virgil’s foot only to immediately drop back to his toes. Virgil sucked in a pained breath and stumbled back with his free leg. Something large, clunky, and very painful met his knee. The vacuum, probably.

‘Pat, you’re stepping on me,’ he hissed. With a light shove on his friend’s arm - at least it felt like his arm - his toes were finally released. He wiggled them in his sock, wincing at how they ached.

Then there was the sound of rustling fabric and metallic screeches that made Virgil want to cover his ears. If only there was room to raise his arms above his torso. 

Patton’s huffy chuckles made the swell of frustration in Virgil’s chest dissipate. ‘The closet sure looked bigger from the outside, huh? It’s like a reverse TARDIS!’ Then Patton clearly stumbled again, going by his small gasp and more screeches, presumably from the hangers on the coat rail. ‘And I’m sure getting TARD-of-IS,’ he mumbled after the noises had settled.

As usual, Virgil couldn’t contain a snort at Patton’s pun. He took the opportunity of Patton leaning further back to lean down a little and wrestle something from where it had wrapped around his ankle. A hose? A cable? It was hard to tell in the darkness. The pitch-black darkness. Virgil gritted his teeth as he breathed out slowly.

It was only a dumb closet, it was fine. There wasn’t anything sinister in here. There was a vacuum that should have been replaced weeks ago, some of Logan’s old Bachelor’s Degree textbooks, Roman’s lacrosse gear and painting easel, Patton’s French horn, Virgil’s SFX makeup box (he should really get that out ready for tomorrow night). No murderers, no monsters, no demons. The only things in here with ill intention were the two university students wanting to jumpscare their housemates.

‘Maybe we should’ve taken some of this shit out first,’ Virgil grumbled under his breath. He was more than a little incensed at the cable that snaked around his foot and the darkness that swallowed him whole and the walls that wouldn’t let him stretch or move or breathe.

‘I dunno, these coats are a pretty nice cushioning for me,’ Patton’s voice mused. In quick succession, there was more shuffling, a strained creak, a metallic clatter, and a muffled thud. Virgil’s feet were immediately swallowed by a mound of heavy fabric, all the way up to his knees.

‘Did you just break the coat rail?’

Patton replied from the floor, wheezing, ‘I think it broke me.’

Finding Patton’s hands and hauling him up to his feet was no easy task, not least because of the other boy’s weight and the complete lack of visual aids, but Virgil managed. On account of the floor now being covered in jackets and scarves and a large metal pole, their space was even further limited. It forced them closer together, Virgil’s cheek being pressed up against Patton’s shoulder and Patton’s arm and leg needing to wrap around him slightly to keep balance.

And that was okay, really. A year ago, this closeness to another person would no doubt have sent Virgil into a downward spiral of overthinking and hyperventilating. Though since moving into this accommodation several months ago, he had come a long way in being comfortable with being close to his friends.

Even the idea of being friends with his new housemates would have baffled Virgil all those months ago. But he had soon found Logan’s monologues and structured routines and soothing words to be comforting and grounding. He had soon found Roman’s improvised singing and witty nicknames and melodrama to be amusing and endearing. Though it was Patton who had been the first one Virgil had felt truly comfortable around, the first one Virgil had allowed to see the real him. The first one in Virgil’s whole life who he could call a friend.

It was an unlikely pairing, he was sure everyone knew. Virgil had been so moody and so quiet and so, so emotionally closed off. Whereas Patton was so bubbly and so loud and so, so emotionally open. He couldn’t change who he truly was - and he was learning not to want to anyway - but Virgil had learned a great deal from Patton over the past few months. Namely, he finally felt comfortable expressing his emotions (his real ones: fear and giddiness and confusion). He finally felt comfortable asking for help when he was stuck. And, though he still struggled to outright ask for it, he finally felt comfortable accepting Patton’s physical affection.

When Patton had first started bestowing friendly touches upon him, Virgil had always tensed. Not in discomfort, but in shock, perhaps, that Patton would willingly be close to Virgil, so close that they shared physical contact. It became easier to accept it over time, and with that came the urge (as yet unspoken) for more friendly touches. Each time that Patton squeezed Virgil’s wrist during stressful visits from the landlord meant that Virgil wished Patton would wrap an arm around him when they chuckled at Roman rehearsing for his comedy skits. Each time that Patton absentmindedly stroked Virgil’s hair during their Disney movie marathons meant that Virgil craved for Patton’s warm embrace and thumping heartbeat against his cheek as Virgil struggled to breathe in, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four…

So it was not the intimacy that made Virgil’s breath stutter as he was pressed into Patton’s side in the closet. No, the intimacy was fine. Welcome, even.

It was the stifling heat of the enclosed space as their breaths bounced off each other. It was the impossibly heavy coats working like vices around his ankles, seeming to drag him down like quicksand. It was the all-encompassing, overwhelming, inescapable void of darkness that surrounded them like a black hole that crushed his chest and distorted his thoughts and sucked the breath from his lungs.

‘This was a dumb idea,’ he growled to hide the shake of his shallow breath. Why had he suggested this to Patton?

‘No, c’mon, Virgil,’ Patton pleaded, curling his arm around Virgil’s shoulders to squeeze reassuringly. It helped a little. ‘They’ll be back any minute, it’s gonna be great!’

Right, Logan and Roman would be back from their evening run at any minute. They would open the closet and Patton and Virgil would yell ‘Boo!’, as they had discussed, and the others would scream and then laugh and it would all be so very jovial.

Virgil’s shoulders tensed up to his neck. But what if it wasn’t? What if Roman was so pissed off that he decided he didn’t like Virgil anymore and convinced the others to stop talking to him? What if Logan was so startled he threw his running shoes at Patton’s head and gave him a concussion? What if Virgil was kicked out of the house because they all suddenly hated him? What if Patton got hospitalised?!

‘No, no, bad idea, bad idea!’ he frantically whispered, chest heaving with rattling breaths. The air was stale and humid and not fucking enough.

The arm around Virgil’s shoulders got heavier and fingers started massaging at his shoulder. He felt like it stopped him from floating away into the turbulent storms of his thoughts. ‘Hey, bud, look at - I mean, listen to me.’ 

Virgil scoffed at the slip-up but angled his head towards Patton all the same.

‘You wanna talk or count?’

‘Talk,’ Virgil croaked, fingers jittery and tapping at his thighs. He longed to wrap them tightly in Patton’s sweater but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Not least because Roman had knitted it for his birthday and would probably kill Virgil if he warped it.

‘Okay, we’re gonna talk you through it.’ Patton spoke softly, his voice like a soothing comfort blanket to the blood rushing in Virgil’s head. ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ 

That one was easy. ‘You could die!’ Virgil shrieked, his own panicked words reverberating around the small space and grating on his ears. From the sheer adrenaline of his panic, Virgil’s body spasmed and he spun around in place. There was a faint crash as the vacuum tipped to the floor and Virgil collapsed back into Patton’s chest.

Patton’s arms held him secure. ‘I… I’m gonna be super honest, I have no idea how you got from closet to death.’

It didn’t matter, Virgil didn’t care, everything was spinning. But he couldn’t see a damn thing, so how could it be? No, it was, it was!

‘Pat,’ Virgil whispered. He swallowed thickly (ignoring how dreadfully audible it was) and without a second’s hesitation, he threw his hand out blindly and gripped onto the first thing he could find. It was warm and it gripped back. Patton’s hand. Virgil squeezed it tighter and begged, ‘I really don’t wanna be in here anymore.’

There was barely a second’s wait between Virgil’s admission and his body being tugged and his feet being dragged across coats and hangers. Patton always was quick to act. 

They struggled past the collapsed coat rail and made it to the door. Right as Virgil’s free hand fumbled for the door handle, Patton stumbled over the vacuum and fell forwards with a yelp, their linked hands been yanked right along with him.

Both boys crashed into the unlatched door with a bang and tumbled to the floor. What little breath Virgil had managed to gasp into his lungs during the fall was promptly forced out of him as he landed on his front on the hallway carpet. Except didn’t the hallway have floorboards? Virgil opened his eyes.

Correction: What little breath Virgil had managed to gasp into his lungs during the fall was promptly forced out of him as he landed on his front on Patton’s chest.

‘Sorry, man,’ Virgil groaned, gathering the strength to push himself off from his friend.

‘Uh, boo!’ Patton yelped flinging one hand out dramatically. (His other was still clasped tightly in Virgil’s, and Virgil had no intentions of letting go anytime soon.)

The strange outburst made Virgil frown. ‘Bless you?’

‘No need for that when you’re already blessed by my glorious presence!’ a melodic baritone bragged.

There was only one person in the world conceited enough for that line. With a shallow sigh, Virgil rolled off from Patton to be met with the sight of Roman and Logan both looking down at them, shocked though clearly thoroughly amused.

‘When we told you guys to have fun while we were out, we didn’t quite think -’

‘Zip it!’ Virgil cut off Roman’s cheeky remark before it entered dangerous territory. ‘We were gonna scare you,’ he admitted, blushing a little at the realisation that they had failed quite pathetically.

‘I can’t say that I am scared,’ Logan chuckled, offering Virgil a hand to help him up as Roman mirrored the action with Patton. ‘Though the concept of walking in on our housemates being intimate - in the communal cloakroom, no less - was quite a disturbing one to behold.’

Thankfully, Patton giggled, so Virgil felt comfortable enough to allow himself to laugh a little too. They were both back on their feet by now and Virgil actually leaned against Patton’s side as they caught their breath. Roman and Logan were busy shoving their running shoes in the cloakroom and complaining about the broken coat rail.

‘If we were actually dating that would’ve been an awful way for them to find out,’ Patton said to Virgil with a cheery bounce to his words. He lifted his thumb from where their fingers were still interlinked to stroke over Virgil’s knuckle.

‘Would kinda be fitting though, right?’ Virgil muttered quietly so that only Patton could hear him. He was slightly shy about what he was about to do though still determined. With a glance to Patton, his lips twitched in a barely-concealed smile.  ‘I mean, we both just came out of the closet.’

The pure joy on Patton’s face, the shout of excitement, his constant stream of giggles, the way his eyes absolutely sparkled with pride - it made the whole ordeal worth it, in Virgil’s opinion. He would gladly be locked in a dozen closets if it meant he could see his best friend shine so brightly. Okay, maybe just two or three, but still.

‘Aw, yes! That’s my boy!’ Patton squealed in delight, using his signature Dad Friend Voice.

It made Virgil scoff and pretend he didn’t like it.

Then something wonderful happened. Patton’s soft, thick fingertips pressed gently into Virgil’s jaw and with one last breathy chuckle, Patton pressed a firm kiss to his cheek.

A dozen closets. Virgil would gladly be locked in a dozen closets for that. For the way his heart jumped and his cheeks warmed and his heart sang in the short moment Patton’s lips were pressed against his cheek.

‘You sure we didn’t walk in on something?’ Roman asked where he had turned back to them again. He looked and sounded a little wary.

‘Just bros being bros, Ro,’ Patton assured with utter sincerity, bumping against Virgil’s shoulder amiably.

Virgil did stumble a little to the side (Patton wasn’t all that aware of his own strength a lot of the time), though he giggled nonetheless. For the first time, he didn’t feel as though it was worth worrying about what others thought of him. What did it matter if Roman suspected Virgil and Patton were dating? They knew they weren’t. Perhaps Patton’s displays of affection were a little more pronounced with Virgil than they were with the others, but Virgil thought it must have been that Patton - being so intuitive when it came to emotions - could tell that Virgil needed it.

With a faint jolt in his stomach, Virgil leaned his head against Patton’s shoulder and sighed happily when Patton squeezed his fingers in return.

‘We’ll get them properly tomorrow,’ Patton whispered, voice laced with mischief and concealed giggles.

Virgil nodded, his cheek rubbing against Patton’s shoulder and offering endless comfort. He knew that intimacy didn’t work for every friendship, but it did for them. He enjoyed it and, going by Patton’s beaming smile, so did his best friend. And that was all that mattered.

oOo

Reblogs and likes are greatly appreciated!

AO3 link | More prompts

[celosiaa]

avoidance

From a wonderful prompt I received! “A cold going around the season 1 archival staff and them just actively avoiding Jon because they don't want him to get sick because they know it'll be worst for him with his asthma. What they don't know is Jon's already caught it and is getting the wrong idea and just thinks he's being avoided because they don't want to catch it from him.”

Hope you enjoy this short little sickfic! Featuring hard of hearing Tim, especially for @haunted-by-catholic-guilt :)

“Oh, there he comes, Sash.”

“How does he look?” she replies, being sure to speak louder while Tim has his face turned away.

“Can’t tell yet.”

Tim cranes his neck and squints to better catch a glimpse of Martin, who walks toward their office from the lift, bundled up against the unseasonably cold weather in a knit scarf and hat.

“God, I need to get new prescriptions,” he says, rubbing his eyes against the blurriness.  “He’s got a hat and scarf on, though.”

“Ooh, things are looking promising!”

Turning back to her, jaw hanging open in mock-indigence, Tim places a shocked hand against his chest.

“Miss James, I’m horrified!  You would wish illness on our poor poet, Martin Blackwood, Esquire?”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” she says, sniffling a bit as she punches lightly at his arm.

“Morning, everyone,” Martin croaks as he steps in—though it must sound rather congested, judging by Sasha’s satisfied smirk, and she holds out her outstretched palm to him.

“Morning, Martin,” Tim replies at once, not willing to hand over his fiver just yet.  “How are you today?  Just peachy, I’ll bet?”

Throwing him a glare from where he’s sat down at his desk, Martin’s face suddenly goes hazy, his eyes unfocused as he pulls his scarf quickly over his nose—before sneezing thrice, harsh and miserable, breaking off into painful coughs to finish.

“Aw, Martin, I’m sorry,” Sasha coos in sympathy, patting his back with one hand while reaching out to accept Tim’s begrudging fiver with the other.

“Don’t you apologize, Sasha,” Martin croaks after he recovers himself, rubbing a tissue against his dreadfully pink nose.  “We all know this is Tim’s fault.”

“Excuse me???” Tim bursts, throwing his arms wide in a gesture of disbelief.

“Shut it, you know it’s true,” Sasha concurs, unwrapping a spare tissue box to donate to Martin’s desk.  “You’re the one who fraternized with Research, knowing they’ve had this bug going around for weeks.”

“Why are you both attacking me?” Tim shouts, breaking off to cough for a moment, his own illness not yet entirely abated.  “This is homophobic.”

“Not if we’re all queer, you arse!”

He returns to clutching at his chest, taking a dramatic inhale.

“Martin, she’s slinging me with the cruelest of insults!  Are you really going to sit there and do nothing?”

“Basically, yeah,” Martin replies, voice whittled down to a hoarse whisper—he makes sure to speak slowly, such that Tim can read his lips.  “Because she’s right, and you deserve it.”

“I’ll have you know, sir—“

Tim’s scolding is interrupted by the opening of the heavy door to document storage, from which Jon emerges—looking unkempt as ever, carrying a stack of files tucked beneath his left arm.  Nodding briefly at them in greeting, he hastens across the room to his office, and Tim just barely manages a glimpse of him pulling his inhaler out of his pocket before the door shuts. 

“Is he coughing?” Tim asks, turning to gauge their reactions.

“Yeah.  God, he sounds absolutely horrendous,” Martin croaks, wincing at the dreadful wheezing coughs, ineffectively muffled behind the door.

“It’s his own fault,” Tim mutters, earning him looks from both Martin and Sasha.  “What?  He could ask one of us to root through the dusty shelves for him,  you know, like a normal boss.  But he won’t, because he’s too damn stubborn.”

Knowing he’s at least a little bit right, Sasha and Martin say nothing, only continuing to listen with concern as Jon pulls twice from his inhaler, before finally seeming to get his breath back.

“We should all try to keep our distance from him,” Martin says at last, giving them both a significant look.  “I don’t want him to get this—not when he’s coughing like that.  Don’t want to put him at risk.”

Grin dropping from his face, Tim nods solemnly back at Martin, and Sasha follows suit.

“You’re right, mate.  We’ll do our best.”

“Yeah, it’s a deal, Martin.”

“Thanks,” Martin replies, flashing them a sunny, if not stuffed-up, smile.  “Right then, anything specific to work on today?”

—

For what feels like the hundredth time that day, Jon slams the pause button on the tape recorder, snatching up a tissue as fast as he can—near-silently stifling two into it.  It makes his head pound every time, tears at his already-battered throat, but he’d rather not spread whatever miserable illness he’s managed to catch all around the office.

Though it seems that they’d all been avoiding him well enough as it is.

He’s not a fool—he knows he’s got a fever, knows that he’s contagious and really ought to be avoided—but when Martin had neglected to bring him his afternoon tea that day, well…he was more than happy to blame the lump in his throat on the fever.  For all he tells himself that it doesn’t matter, that he ought to take care of himself, it does nothing to settle the ache in his chest.  The one that his inhaler can no longer take the edge off.

Sighing in frustration, Jon does his best to turn his focus back to his work—rising unsteadily to his feet to search for the next file.

What was the number again?

God, I’m dizzy.

He stretches out a hand to brace himself against the filing cabinet, blinking away the stars sparkling across his vision as he adjusts to standing.

Right.  01319…0…8?  9?

Wait, did I—did I finish the last statement?

He muffles a cough into his elbow, bracing even heavier on the cabinet.

Doesn’t matter, I’ll just get this one anyway.

Won’t need to get up again, at least.

“Looking for something, boss?”

Tim calls from his office door, which he’s propped open—perhaps in the subconscious effort to tempt Martin into bringing him tea. 

Pathetic.

“Jon?  You alright?”

“Oh—err, of course,” he says at once, lifting his head toward him.  “Can I help you?”

“I was the one asking,” Tim chuckles, stepping forward into his office—before immediately retreating again.

Oh.

“Sorry, I would help you, it’s just—you know, with this cold going around, better not.”

“R-right.”

Jon buries his hurt as quickly as possible, refusing to let it show on his face.

“Right, of course.  Then, err, just—carry on then, I suppose, Tim.”

Turning back to the cabinets, Jon tries to leave the conversation there, feeling his chest beginning to tighten with every passing moment.  He doesn’t want to get Tim ill, not when they’re all so clearly worried about catching it—

“Jon?  You’re—you look shaky, are you alright?”

Don’t cough don’t cough don’t cough

“Fine,” he croaks, even as he brings a hand up to press against his fluttering chest.

“What was that?” Tim asks, stepping just a bit closer, tilting his head to better read Jon’s lips.

Don’t don’t don’t

He can’t hold it back anymore.

At once, Jon doubles over with coughing, shallow wheezing accented by the rumbling of congestion deep within his lungs—all of it nearly sending him to the ground with the force of it.

“Jesus, Jon—just sit down, alright?  Christ,” Tim urges, at last entering the room to grab him by the shoulders, lowering him to sitting with his back against the filing cabinet.

Every thought of hiding or sparing Tim from contagion flies from his head, replaced only with the gasping need for air, his body screaming at him to breathe—

“What’s going on?” Martin asks from the door, scanning across the scene quickly, alarm rising at once.

“Get his inhaler,” Tim orders, tipping Jon’s head forward between his knees.

“Oh god.  Right—right, h-here, I’ve got it—Jon?”

He taps gently on Jon’s upper arm as he crouches.

“I’ve got it here, can you look up?”

It takes every shred of focus he has left to his power, but he does—reaching out to cover Martin’s hands with his own as he guides the inhaler to his lips, pressing down on the button and drawing as deeply as he can from it.

“Good, good, that’s—that’s good, Jon,” Martin stammers, still holding the inhaler within his reach.

“Take another,” Tim demands, voice leaving no room for argument.  “When you can.”

After a few more labored breaths, Jon complies—chest expanding a little more now, though he can still feel the crackling wetness at the edges of it.

“Here, Jon, I’ve got you some water,” Sasha says as she enters the room, undoubtedly having heard the commotion from outside.  “You alright?”

“Shouldn’t be here,” Jon rasps, seeing Martin’s hands in his periphery, reaching up to sign for Tim’s understanding.

“I know—we didn’t want to get you ill, Jon, but—“ Tim cuts off momentarily, running a hand through his hair in frustration.  “I mean, it sort of seemed like you needed help, right?”

Wait.

“You didn’t…you didn’t want…to get me ill?” Jon asks through panting breaths, finally feeling steady enough to lift his head.

“Well, no, we—“ Martin suddenly breaks off, scooting a little ways back from Jon as he realizes their proximity.  “Of course we didn’t want you to get ill, your asthma’s been so terrible the past few days.”

Jon shakes his head in confusion, brows furrowing as he glances between the three of them.

“I...I don’t—“

Oh.

Oh.

“You didn’t…know I was ill?” he asks, and Tim’s eyebrows shoot into his hair, turning back to share a glance with both Sasha and Martin.

“Oh no, Jon, I’m so sorry,” Martin laments at last, sniffling a bit into his sleeve.  “We didn’t—we thought that, well…we thought we were protecting you from getting it.”

The relief Jon feels at this is astonishing—certainly inordinate for the situation, but…he finds he does not care much altogether.  Even if just a bit, the knot in his chest seems to loosen—his breathing made easier just for a moment.

“Woah—you alright?” Tim asks with renewed concern, the cause uncertain to him, before—

He feels a tear beginning to slip down his face.

“Oh,” he says, hurriedly scrubbing it away.  “Oh, I—I’m sorry, I—I-I’m fine, it’s alright, I don’t know why—“

“It’s alright, Jon,” Sasha says from above him, leaning down to press a warm hand on his shoulder.  “Look, if you feel like you can stand, I’ll drive you home, okay?  You need to rest.  I’m serious.”

The look she gives him now, that they all give him—it’s nearly enough to bring a smile to his face, his mouth barely quirking up at one corner. 

“Y-yes, I—thank you, Sasha,” he says, allowing Tim and Martin to lift him slowly to his feet, leaning against them momentarily as he sways just a bit.

“You’re calling your doctor on the way,” Sasha continues, leading them out of his office and toward the lift.  “I’m not leaving you alone until you do.”

“R-right,” he pants against the exertion of their slow-paced walking.  “I—thank you.  I suppose.”

“Don’t mention it Jon,” Martin says softly as they bundle him into the lift.  “Just get well, okay?”

Something warm and lovely floods through Jon’s chest at this, and he cannot help but nod—a half-smile flickering across his face as the lift doors close.