#he has locs because I thought they were neat

[drops-of-moonlights]

the spirit of the 2000′s possessed me and forced me to do an ancient ritual, aka genderbending

or I guess, if the Winx were masc-presenting lol?

[billskeis]

this was a req from anon that was suuuper long but needless to say im obsessed ^.^

ᡣ𐭩 bill’s a stalking pervert

bill’s a pervert. a real, pervert. and not in the way you think. he’s not obvious. he won’t look up your skirt as you walk up the flight of stairs in front of him. he won’t stare down your cleavage as you yell and nag at him for calling you a ‘bitch’ as your tits press close together with the cross of your arms. god no, he’s not that stupid. he plans everything through.

at a good distance away, your house resides a couple houses down from him. perfect for you not to notice the way he’ll angle his head to get a perfect of you slipping out of your outfit, stripping completely naked to then put on a night gown. he relishes in the sight of your body, watering at the mouth. every inch and curve of yours was just utterly perfect to him. he gets hard thinking about running his hands on your soft and supple skin.

he takes pictures, a lot of them. don’t be surprised if you were to ever stumble upon his room and find a few of them pinned to a bulletin board on his wall. decorated nice and neat. one of the pictures he has is of a portrait of you, with a black-sharpie heart drawn on it. most of them were candids, of course, others taken from your social media and social media’s of your friends, and your friends friends, desperate to find anything of you.

try not to be surprised either at the fact he will have a photo of you by his bedside table, with a roll of toilet paper and body lotion.

one day he was following you while you were out on a weekday meeting up with a friend from work. you greeted your friend who was running a little late, embracing her in a friendly hug as the two of you sat down at the cafe table, drinks already ordered. was he sitting at the table next to you in some gaudy disguise? no, too weird. was he peeking through like a peeping tom from the entrance door? god no, he’s not an amateur.

he sat in his car, parked in the parking lot in front of the cafe as he adjusted the earbud he wore. while talking about friends and family, your friend brought up the odd question of what you thought of bill. cringing, you question her as to why she was asking this in the first place and she had mentioned how you two had always bitched at each other, to what she refers to as ‘a little too close for comfort to be just enemies.’

you roll your eyes at her, immediately beginning to throw insults at the man she spoke of. his heart stung a little, pouting at he looked at you through the car window while listening to the microphone of your friend’s earbud on the opposite side, hidden behind the locs of her hair so you wouldn’t notice that bill had been on call with her this whole time.

he had bribed her. but not to mention despite being your friend, she was closely acquainted to him more than she was with you, the money just had to be the cherry on top. feeling a little upset, he suddenly can’t help the gasp that let out his mouth when you told your friend that ‘despite him being hot, i don’t think he’d ever want to get with me, he hates me!’

oh how he was gonna change your mind.

turning the metal knob, you stop the shower water running as you exit the glass enclosure. wrapping yourself in the soft fuzzy towel, you step out of the bathroom into your bedroom, hair slightly dripping onto the wooden floor that creaked beneath your footsteps.

noticing that your closet door was left slightly open, you quirked an eyebrow up. what the hell? you thought you closed it before you left your room to go freshen up. you always leave it closed. well, it didn’t matter anyways because you needed to grab some clothes anyways.

opening the closet door, you heart almost sunk six feet under the ground as you were met with a figure you were least expecting. it was bill fucking kaulitz, your D1 enemy, standing, there, in your goddamn closet. you almost let out a shriek until he immediately covered your mouth with his palm. pressed his body against your half naked one, only the cover-up of your towel separating the two of you.

you blink fast. scared, anxious, what the hell was he doing in your room. he looked calm, but a little nervous. your heavy suffocated breaths are the only noise that fill the room, as he tells you to calm down, you attempt to slow your breathing. not wanting to concern anyone in your family, you comply with his orders. it would be a bad spot if any of them were to find you half naked with a complete stranger, a man, at that.

“gonna keep quiet?” you nod, you wanted answers. you wanted to know why the man you thought to dislike you, along with someone who you’d disliked so much was doing in the vicinity of your bedroom. letting his palm go away from your face, he shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans, “well?? what the fuck are you doing here!? how—how the hell did you get inside??”

“does that really matter right now? aren’t you glad to see me?” he holds his arms out, waiting for your response. he knows just how to push your buttons, you bite your lip. god was he tall, he had to look down at you for the two of you to make eye contact. this fucker was lucky that he was good looking, or else you would’ve called the cops. pretty privilege amiright?

“get the hell out.” “princess—” “i said, get the hell out, bill.” bill can only stare at you. staring you down, his eyes shift up and down your figure. you can feel his gaze on you. of course, he was standing right in front of you, acting as if he wasn’t undressing you with his eyes. your face heats up, could it be you’re feeling shy that he was looking at you with such lust or the fact that you had taken a steaming hot shower not too long ago?

he steps a little closer to you, you take a step back to keep a distance. “prinzessin, bitte.. i need you so bad.. i don’t think you understand how much i want you. wanted you. i craved for this moment for ever.. can’t you make my dreams come true..?” you’re at a loss for words, totally unbelieving the words that are coming out of his mouth. he wants you?? does this mean he likes you??

“i came to see you, i love you.. and i want you to make me yours..” “i.. c-can i get a moment to think about this?? you’re moving way too fast—” pulling you into a hug, you towel could threaten to fall off if he were to let go, his body slightly unravelling the heavy cloth that wraps around your body. your head was pressed against his chest, you hear his heartbeat. it’s fast and never stopping.

“y/n please!! i can’t wait for your response.. just please let me out you out.. please let me fuck you.. i only want you to feel good.” his black dreads drape over and tickle your shoulders as he nuzzles his head into your neck. as he begged and he begged, you can feel his hard-on pressed into your thigh. swallowing, you let the lump go down your throat as you whisper him a small ‘fine.’ he can’t help but let out a moan of joy, clearly relieved by your answer. he’s so happy. he’s so happy he gets to go down on his favourite girl.

your legs clamps around bill’s head. a grip entangled in his black locs as you form a makeshift ponytail with your hands to hold bill’s dreads back away from his face as he eats you out. he’s starved, hungry, licking at your folds if it were his last meal on earth. his moans vibrate in your pussy, his nose nudging your clit as he motions his head up and down.

he wouldn’t be able to stop now, and neither were you going to be able to stop him. he’s been dreaming of this, dreaming of the day that he would be able to use your body as he likes. he wouldn’t wanna use you like that though! he loves you too much, he only cares about your pleasure, if you’re feeling good, he comes second in this equation.

“auugh, b-bill..” you thrash your head back into the pillow as he flicks your clit with the tip of his tongue, “you taste sooo fuckin’ good..” as he eats you out sloppily, he purposely sucks at your cunt in a way that the noises are only what’s heard in your bedroom.

he wanted to be gentle! trust me, he did! bill would only want the best for his girl’s first time. you let him know before he went down on you, telling you that it was okay and just let him do all the work for now. but he can’t get enough of the taste, it’s like nectar to him. he can’t get enough of how sweet your moans are either, how his name just so easily rolls of his tongue other than in the context of you screaming in his face.

your juices drip down his chin, and he looks up at you from between your thighs. expecting, his eyes look as though he expects you to say something, “feel s’good billy.. m’gunna cum soon..!” and this fires him up even more, wrapping both his arms around your legs to bury his face into your pussy even more. messily lapping at the wetness, he places wet kisses on your clit as he whimpers at how pretty your puffy, sensitive cunt is. suddenly, he stops.

“s’pretty, but i want you to come on this dick. get up schatzi..” with weak wobbly legs, you prop yourself up on the bed, crawling to bill who’s already sat up against the bed frame. nervously, you bring your hands to palm bill through his sweatpants, a wince escaping his lips as he slightly trembles.

“shit..” “sensitive are ya?” you let out a soft giggle as he nods his head, biting his bottom lip a little too hard that it may bleed. you free his cock from its constraints to see it stand tall. fuck. he’s huge. you pray to the gods he doesn’t rip you apart, with such a length and girth. it’s a pretty shade of pink, and it leaks pre, a lot of it.

bill brings his hand to jerk himself off, as you position yourself within his lap, cunt slightly hovering over him. both prepped, he asks if you’re ready, and with just a nod, he pushes himself into you. slow, he inches his dick into the tight walls of your cunt, letting out a wanton moan as tears begin to fill his eyes. he’s so sensitive, with just the tip inside, he might already come. his dreams were finally coming to life, and it’s all thanks to you :3.

he wanted to wait for you to feel adjusted to his size. he knows he’s big, he just doesn’t flaunt it, wanting to save himself in surprising you with it of course. sitting there, he holds your hips as he can only moan out words of affirmation to you, telling you how pretty you look perched up on his cock or how good you tasted.

as good as he knows how to get under your skin, you also learnt today how good he was at making you nervous. what a little shithead he is, isn’t he? to no further notice, you begin to bounce your hips on his cock, cunt sliding up and down his length as your walls mould to the shape of him.

“a-amazing.. you feel s’good.. don’t stop—oh god—p-please don’t stop!” a tear falls down bill’s cheek as he whimpers from the way you fuck your hips back onto his. a heavy slapping sound fills the room as you ride him with no intent to stop and his sensitive dick can only hold out so much..

bill’s gaze cannot seem to focus on one thing. the way your tits bounce with how hard you ride him, or how your cunt just envelopes his dick. he doesn’t know where to put his hands, so he lets them fall to the side of his body. as you do all the work, you smirk, suddenly clenching around bill as he gasps. eyes widening as he cries out from the pleasure.

he’s pathetic. a complete and utter sobbing mess. dreads prettily framing his face as his black eyeshadow runs down it. rising your hips, you attempt to get the both of you off as quick as possible. you notice how bill squints his eyes shut, he’s concentrating on trying not to come too fast. cupping his cheek with your hand, he opens his eyes in shock, quickly nuzzling his face to stifle his moans into your palm as he shies away.

“mmphf.. s’happy.. s’glad you said, ah! y-yes..” “yea?? you happy?” “mmhm!!” and that’s what did it for you. while bringing your face closer to his, you kiss bill hard as you shove your tongue in his mouth, invading his as you piston your hips on his. you grin at the whorish moans he lets out into the kiss, tongues swirling within one another as bill attempts to catch his breath, wanting to let go but you only kiss him deeper.

he’s pussy drunk, it’s like a drug. and for what seemed like forever, bill’s orgasm came as he filled your insides, cum spurting to paint the insides of you white. he wraps his arms around you to bring your torsos closer together. thighs trembling, bill only fucks himself deeper than he already is, hitting your cervix straight on as his cum fills your womb.

the cord in your stomach finally snapped as your orgasm followed shortly after, electricity pulsing through your body as you clenched around him. as you break off the kiss, a string of saliva following, heavy pants are exchanged as the two of you stare at one another. “you okay?” you ask bill, he seems way more disheveled than you were, “mm’kay.. that was.. amazing..”

“don’t tell me that was your first time too? “s-shut up..” you laugh as you wipe the sweat off his forehead, putting some of his dreads behind his ears as you peck the tip of his nose. bill only smiles at you, telling you that he’s sorry about earlier. you can only shake your head at him and tell him that despite the fact he could’ve confessed any other way, you didn’t mind this, telling him that you also like him.

bill’s heart can only skip a beat as you lead him into the washroom to run a nice warm bath.

so rip to everyone else who was in that house >.> anon also wanted aftercare but im lazy this is all u get >:3

gn guys ! i did not proofread this .. or any of my works matter of fact :p

[foreverisntenough]

LOVED THE NEW CHAPTER ABOUT MR AND MRS. ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

after reading “ours” and “your mine” i always wondered what’s the timeline for trent’s hair. in the beginning did he have locs and if so when did he cut it (chapter wise)? what would y/n think of his hair and does she have any preference?

YAY I’m so glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Okayyyy this is interesting…. Regarding the hair, sometimes I go back and forth but I know in my like chapter announcement posts where I do little photos it can change but it’s more for relevancy of what he’s doing I think in those. IMO he has locs rn. I definitely don’t think he’s had the braids yet because I know Y/N would’ve made some noise about that.

More thoughts on the hair

--------- My tiny one shot below for you 🤍

'Surprise' 🧸 - 625 words | Trent Alexander-Arnold

↳ Trent decides he wants to change his hair.

Other ForeverIsntEnough One Shots

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“I’m going to the barber tomorrow after training so I’ll be a little late for dinner with Ty.” Trent cooed walking around the kitchen island with Teddy in his arms. You nodded thinking nothing of it other than just a confirmation of his plans you already knew.

“Yeah, course. No worries. Are you just like going to retwist?” You asked nonchalantly, scrolling on your phone. You didn’t even pick your head up. It was just another normal morning, him going to the barber wasn’t exactly ground breaking.

“Nah, baby. I think just fresh start ya know. All off.” He said incredibly calmly. Plopping Teddy to sit on the marble countertop.

“Sorry? Is that a joke?” Your eyes went wide and shot up to him immediately. To say you were shocked was an understatement. What did he mean fresh start? “Like you’re going to cut it all off? T… baby.” You stood up from your chair and came round towards him, rushing towards him hoping you could convince him otherwise. You loved his hair. This felt like a tragedy.

“Baby. Relax. It’s a hair cut. I just want a reset.” He cooed pulling you into him by your waist with his free hand. He kissed the bridge of your nose.

“Oh… that makes me kind of sad.” You pouted at him reaching up to play with the ends of a piece of his hair. “Isn’t daddy so handsome like this though, Ted. We like daddy’s hair long.” You kept your pout. Teddy didn’t really know why you were upset about his hair. She didn’t have much of an opinion but she mirrored your pout back to Trent. You hoped that the vicious game of guilt of his girls looking back at him might change his mind.

“Wow I had no idea this would be such a big deal to you.” Trent laughed kissing Teddy’s forehead. “You like dada’s hair like this or should I cut it?” Trent asked her taking a strand of her hair in his hand pulling the curl straight and making a silly snip noise using his fingers to act like they were scissors.

“Long dada!” Teddy giggled. You gave Trent a smug smirk and cocked your head to the side as if to say ‘see.’ The conversation fizzled out and you didn’t really care at the end of the day. He’d be handsome no matter what and it was his hair, he could do what he wants and you told him that. The following day he was gone for hours. Much longer than you’d thought. Truth be told Trent didn’t have to go in to AXA this day, so he moved things around, knowing his appointment for the new direction he had decided on for his hair was going to take a long time. He figured a little surprise might be fun.

“Are you good? Little worried.” You spoke to Trent over the phone with a bit of humor but also starting to gradually get a bit more anxious.

“Yeah, all good, baby. I’ll be home in like erm… maybe hour and a half. Got a surprise for you.” He cooed with a smugness in his voice that made you even more nervous.

“Oh my fucking god.” You gasped as your jaw slacked seeing Trent walk into the kitchen after his long day, hair cleanly braided into neat cornrows. You actually felt like your heart might’ve stopped beating. It definitely might have dropped to beat elsewhere. He looked so sexy.

“Surprised?” He asked with a devastatingly handsome smile. He looked perfect in a clean crisp white t-shirt standing across from you. Genuinely radiating a type of beauty that was just plain unfair.

“Oh my fucking god.” You echoed your initial reaction once more. Your mind had gone blank. You had to manually stop yourself from drooling.

“Do you have anything else to say?” Trent laughed. “I’m really hoping this reaction is because you like it. So good, yeah?” Trent came over to you and shut your mouth closed for you his hand cupping your jaw now.

“Forget good. So so sexy. Oh my fucking god, T. Come here now.” You reached up and ran your hands over the fresh braids and smiled into a kiss. “So sexy.” You whispered, ghosting your lips over his. You couldn’t wait to go to bed with him tonight.

⇨ Read other ForeverIsntEnough work here!

[moralesluvr]

ENTANGLED | Ⅴ.

♡ pairings: miles morales x spider!fem!ohara!reader (reader is also black coded!) ♡ summary: being spider-girl isn't very easy, especially when your number one partner in crime happens to be your one of your best friend's boyfriend...who you might've hooked up with once? ♡ warnings: language, mentions of sex, blood & mentions of death...just strap in! ♡ READ THIS: there is some writing in this part, so be sure to pay attention to that as IT IS CRUCIAL FOR THE PLOT. so scroll instead of swiping through! also, a new character is added! ♡ series taglist form ♡

you turn off your phone, furious at your former-friend. the tension between the two of you is growing for a reason that you can't quite but your finger on, but you think it's only because miles truly does care about gwen, yet, you thought he would at least try to salvage the thinning friendship between the two of you. although that doesn't really matter now, you suppose, so you continue your packing as you hear a knock sounding from outside of your door. hands still folding up one of your shirts, you holler at the guest to come in. it's your father. he opens the door, and crosses his arms at you as you turn around to meet his eyes. "mija, are you ready?" you fold your last article of clothing and zip your bag closed, nodding at your dad silently, who gives you a frown when he realizes that your cheeks are glistening with tears. you're overwhelmed, about everything. your situation with miles & gwen, leaving home for a month, trying to hide your secret...it's a lot for you too handle. he doesn't do it often, but you feel miguel pull you into a tight hug, chin resting on your head as he whispered encouraging words to you in spanish. but, things must go on, and this mission has to be carried out, so you grab your things and give your room a hard last glance before following your dad, who placed a tiny watch on your wrist. it was discreet, made with careful consideration and perfection as not to cause you harm or unwanted attention. it looked like a normal watch, clock ticking against your skin, but it would stop you from glitching and could help you keep in touch with your main folks, that being your dad and jessica. your goodbyes were said and your kisses and hugs were exchanged before you were blasted into earth1610, your eyes screwed shut and nerves jolting as you held in a breath, until you felt yourself standing on a sidewalk. you peeled your eyes open to find the sight of new york, warm air hitting you as you sighed deeply, pulling out your phone.

when you finally arrive at simone's doorstep, your breath has left your lungs and your shoulders are worn from carrying all your bags. you knock on the dark wood in front of you with a weak fist, attempting to catch your breath when the door flings open. it's almost surreal seeing her. when you had to visit earth1610 a couple years back, tagging along with your dad, you met her and her family when your dad easily became friends with hers. you were both way older now but your friendship remained the same, and the smile that stretched on your face was a symbol that you both hadn't missed a beat. she throws herself onto you with a smile, "i actually might holler! i missed you!" you hug her back, bags rolling off of your shoulders, but you don't care. you're so engulfed in her sweet presence that you don't realize when someone comes walking out of the front door. he's tall, with extremely neat locs and a pair of glasses that sit steady on the edge of his nose. clad in a white tee and a pair of grey sweatpants, your eyes dart to simone's brother, adrian, who shoots you a perfectly white smile. no more braces??? you found that your mouth went dry as he waved to you. he was just a year older than you, and last time you saw him, he had short curly hair with braces and always had a pair on vans on his feet, which were now switched for a pair of jordan's. you swallowed your spit. this stay was going to be hard...but something about it didn't bother you. maybe you could finally put you and miles past you.

𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐑-𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓🕷️: @queenesther996 // @wydney // @rinnyisnothere // @brieryann // @starhrtz // @daisydark // @randomhoex // @solanawrld // @whore4hobie // @tanakaslastbraincell // @simp4miguell // @nyrovi3 // @aziulsworld // @enchantingfoxsparkles // @mancerseedu // @cafehyunji // @personofyou // @mcdvsr // @calliarlerte // @pr0wlerpunk // @tzuyuzzs // @clearskiiiess // @vienreina // @pixqlsin // @stvrgrl // @zerosinterweb // @mookiebut // @urmotherswhor3 // @cumbermovels // @asmobeuses // @yanghees // @popeheywardssecretgf // @mxspiderman2099 // @scryarchives // @rksses // @mmst4rz //

𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ✎: @ilyless // @milesmolasses // @laylasbunbunny // @all444miles // @thecoloredpages // @bl00dsuccker // @adoremvney // @anikaluv // @qtdenks

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @enj4i // @chaoticevilbakugo // @motheroffae // @luci1fer // @art-598

[judediangelo75]

Blast From The Past

MC Friends: David @that-scouse-wizard and KC @kc-needs-coffee 

Yes, I know these songs are more modern, but shhhh and go with it. I love this channel and these videos inspired this story. So deal with it.

---------------------------

Malik looked up at the grand castle that was Hogwarts.

He couldn’t believe that he was here. He’s heard all about the school and his old history. Scotland was a beautiful country.

Not as beautiful as his homeland, Barbados, or Uganda, where he goes to school. But beautiful none the less.

‘I wonder if she remembers me,’ he silently wonders as he remember that sweet face of a little girl with the prettiest pair of gold eyes he ever seen.

His old childhood friend goes to Hogwarts when she moved from Barbados after the death of her grandmother. He had a crush on for months before she left.

But he couldn’t admit it. He was too scared to ruin what they had. Plus, they were just kids, it might not have turned into anything serious.

Now they were older, maybe now he had a chance.

He sighed dreamily. He wondered what kind of woman she grew up to be...

No time to find out like the present...

------------

Malik was petting the Headmaster’s Phoenix, happy to hear the preens from the majestic bird when he heard a female voice say,

“You called for me, Professor?” He shivered at the sound of her voice. The accent she had a child was gone but he didn’t mind too much. Her voice matured, whilst it was still low, it was still very pleasant to hear.

“Ah, Miss Harris. I want you to meet someone,” Dumbledore greeted with a gentle smile. Urging his heart to calm down, Malik turned around to face his childhood friend.

Wide gold eyes stared into his nearly black eyes.

“Malik?” He smiled.

“Good to see you, Judith...”

-----------

Judith couldn’t believe her eyes. Standing in front of her was her old childhood friend, Malik.

He was one of the kids she used to play with when she was in Barbados in their small village. 

He grew up to be tall, just about the same height as Talbott, she noted with slight annoyance.

His black hair was still in its locs she remembered from his childhood. Though longer, landing around his upper back.

His complexion was rich dark brown. Facial hair was growing along his cheeks and jawline, reminding her very much of her father. He was muscular, seeing how the plain white he wore left nothing to imagination.

Her old friend grew to be a handsome young man. 

“Ha! Look at you all grown up,” she chuckled, playfully punching his stomach.

“Takes one to know one,” he sassed back with a smirk. He was quite serious. His childhood crush grew up to be a vision.

Her brown black long locs reached her shapely hips. The tips was dyed faintly to match the color of her eyes.

Her face lost all traces of baby fat, revealing delicately sharp features that resembled her father. Her body was tone and curvy, fitting her short stature. A purple sleeveless turtleneck and black tights hugged her body with black combat boots and a familiar shark tooth necklace around her neck to finish her look. 

She was breathtaking...

“This is some surprise, Professor,” she said, turning to the Headmaster.

“I’m glad you like it, Miss Harris. Mr. Coleman here is visiting our school for awhile. Since he said he knew you, I was wondering if you can be his guide and show him around Hogwarts.” Judith smiled and nodded at the old wizard.

“Of course, Professor Dumbledore!”

Malik silently cheered. It’ll be just like old times, and hopefully by the end of his visit, he can win her heart...

--------------

“Judith, you’re late,” David said as he watch his dear friend approach with another guy he didn’t recognize.

“Oh, relax will you? Professor Dumbledore called me to his office, talking about a ‘surprise’,” she replied with an eye roll. David raised an arched brow and nodded toward the tall male that was staring at his unknowing friend with a lovestruck expression.

“So I’m assuming this guy is the surprise,” he deadpanned, not impressed.

“Yup! Malik, I would like you to meet one of my best friends, partner in crime, and partially my little brother, David. David, this is my childhood friend from my time in Barbados, Malik,” she chirped. 

The dude, Malik, seem to snap out of it and looked at David with a megawatt smile. 

“Nice to meet you, David,” he said, holding his hand out. David looked at the limb as if it offended him before taking it.

‘Play nice, unless you want a black eye curtesy of Judith...’ he thought to himself as he shook Malik’s hand.

“Likewise.” was all he said. He’s normally not protective of his best friend, he knows she can hold her own no problem. But he doubt she can recognize that her childhood friend isn’t looking at her a friend should.

But then again, Judith has always been a little slow when it comes to realizing a guy likes her that way. 

‘Guys see me as a sister or just friend” my ass...’ David mentally sassed. His best friend was beautiful, it would take a dead man not to notice. 

Sadly, Malik was very much alive to notice...

“Introductions aside, ready for some good ol’ fashion spar,” he said, wanting to ignore Malik.

And get Judith away from him.

Judith didn’t hesitate move away from Malik to stand alongside with David with a toothy grin.

“Absolutely...”

-------------

Malik didn’t like how Judith seemed to immediately forget about him after introducing him to David. But he can’t find in him to mad as he watch the spar between the two friends.

When they left the Headmaster’s Office, she told him about the different houses and how she was a Hufflepuff. He heard about the Hufflepuff House, the one the seem to be a pushover. Whilst the other House Founders valued a specific thing about a student, Helga Hufflepuff seem to welcome all. Hufflepuffs were seen as weak because of their kindness.

But clearly that wasn’t the case as she watch the two fought. Judith’s movements were quick and fluid. Never putting too much in move that would overextend herself. The guy David was pretty good too.

Judith did say he was also a Hufflepuff as they came over here...

“HA! Victory!” Malik snapped out of his thoughts as he saw David has Judith pinned. Both them were sweaty and laughing.

“Alright, alright. You win, now get off of me,” Judith laughed. Malik inwardly sighed dreamily. 

He always loved the sound of her laugh.

David crawled off his friend and pulled her up by her forearm.

“Wanna get some food? I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry,” David said. Judith grinned and nodded.

“Oh definitely!, But I could use a shower first, I’m all sweaty and gross,” she said. David nodded understandingly, last thing he wanted was to sit with Merula and for her to complain how sweaty he was.

“So where to next?” David and Judith turned to find Malik standing next to them.

“Oh! Sorry for ignoring you, Malik. We usually tend to get caught up in our training. We’re heading to the Hufflepuff Common Room. I can fill you in some places along the way,” Judith said bashfully. Malik chuckled at his cute crush.

“Not a problem, Juju,” he said. The side eye she gave him made him laugh.

“All these years and you’re still calling me that infuriating nickname,” she grumbled. Malik smirked and hugged her.

“It’s a quality nickname.” 

“Alright, alright. Let’s go, we still need a shower and get to the Great Hall. I want food,” David said, not liking Malik touching his friend.

-----------------

Malik sat in the homey Common Room, awaiting for Judith and David to reappear. 

Malik can tell that David did not like him at all. He was polite, sure, but he didn’t like him. Malik was struggling to figure out why when a group of students walked in.

There was a total of four students. Two boys and two girls.

“Who are you,” the fair skin boy asked. He was young with gray eyes and dark brown hair.

Malik gave a charming smile to the group. If they were in here, then they had to be Judith’s House mates. Best to give a good first impression.

“I’m Malik Coleman, you are...”

“Diego Caplan, best duelist in Hogwarts,” the tall tan boy said. Malik hummed, he would like to test that claim for himself when he gets the chance.

“Hi, I’m Penny Haywood,” the blonde chirped. Bubbly and friendly, fitting for the Hufflepuff House.

“Cedric Diggory,” the fair boy said with a wave. Shy but confident. He can tell he’s the youngest of the group. It wouldn’t surprise him if Judith mothered the boy, she always had a maternal spirit within her.

“Wotcher! I’m Tonks,” the pink haired girl said. Malik can partially sense the mischief coming from her. 

“Nice to meet you all,” Malik smiled.

“Likewise! But, uh, if you don’t mind us asking... what are you doing here,” Tonks asked. Before Malik could give an answer, Judith’s voice called out.

“Hey guys! I see you met Malik,” she said as she walked up to group.

“Wotcher, Judith! David. You know this guy,” Tonks asked. Judith nodded.

“Malik is my childhood friend from when I used to live in Barbados,” she supplied to her friends. A series of ‘oh’s sounded.

“That’s cool, does Talbott know about him being here,” Cedric asked. Malik furrowed his brows at the name.

Who was Talbott?

And was that a blush on Judith’s cheeks? 

“No, not yet. I was gonna to introduce him to Malik in the Great Hall during lunch,” she replied. Malik narrowed his eyes at her.

Now that he was really looking at her, Judith looked good.

Really good.

A sweet white sundress hugged her figure with gold sandals on her feet. Her locs were maneuvered in a high, neat bun with a few gold accessories attached to a couple of them. Small gold hoop earrings and a heart key necklace around her neck were her accessories.

‘Is this what an angel looks like...’ he faintly wondered. He didn’t notice the glare David and Diego were sending his way. Nor the disapproving stare of Penny. Or Tonks and Cedric’s nervous expression.

Apparently, neither did Judith.

“To the Great Hall,” Judith asked.

A series of agreements sounded off amongst the group as the left the Common Room.

----------------

Malik looked around the massive room with awe, trying to take in everything at once. The name “Great Hall” was definitely a fitting title for the place.

Judith quickly walked ahead of him with David on her heels. He quickly followed so he didn’t lose them in the massive crowd. She was walking towards a specific table which had a girl and boy as their occupants. 

The pair looked up to find the trio approaching.

“Hello, little bird,” the guy greeted as Judith sat next to him. Malik frowned.

Little bird? Judith rarely let anyone just nickname-

Judith took the guy’s hand with a gentle smile.

“Hey, Talbott...” Malik unconsciously curled his hands into fists, a few joints popping. 

There was no way in hell that-

“Who’s the tall blokehead standing at our table?” Malik turned his attention to the girl, who had David sitting next to her. Malik took a seat next to Judith, feeling a bit weird for being the only one still standing.

Was that a smirk on David’s face?

“Oh!” Judith mentally slapped her forehead. 

Good Gods, where are her manners?

“Talbott, Merula, this is Malik. He’s my childhood friend from before I moved to Europe. Malik, meet Merula, David’s girlfriend. And Talbott, my boyfriend,” Judith introduced.

My boyfriend...

Malik felt his stomach twist into knots as his heart cracked. His crush was already taken by someone else. But just who was this person that seem to captivate Judith’s heart?

 He studied Judith’s “boyfriend” with narrowed eyes.

Slicked by chestnut brown hair that gradients to a dirty blonde color. Dark skin, just a shade or two lighter than Judith. Sharp angular features that remind Malik of a bird. Sharp red eyes regarding him curiously. He was in his class robes, which where outlined in blue.

‘Ravenclaw...’ he thought, remembering the rundown Judith gave him earlier...

Talbott struck him as the loner type, who much rather spend more time in the library than with other people. Why in the seven hells was Judith with this guy?

‘Judith is way more free-spirited than this guy. She was able fight guys with no issue! The Judith I remembered loved to sing and dance. She was open with her emotions. They probably have nothing in common. She deserves someone better... someone like me...’

Talbott didn’t like the way Malik was looking at him. He saw the look on his face when Judith introduced him as her boyfriend. 

Heartbroken.

Talbott knew what that meant. Malik liked Judith.

A lot.

And by the looks of it, she doesn’t realize his feelings. 

And now, his girlfriend’s old friend was looking him up and down as if he was deeming him worthy of him. Talbott was no fool.

He can see it clear as day, Malik didn’t approve, not the slightest.

Talbott looped an arm around his little bird’s waist, which didn’t go unnoticed by Malik. He wasn’t one for PDA, but he was going to make this clear. Red eyes met near black ones with a single message.

‘Back off, she’s mine.’

------------

David can see the tension between the two young men across from him. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Malik’s face when he saw that Judith was in a happy relationship and will never return his feelings.

But now, judging by the death glares being sent between the two, he wasn’t so sure. He half-expected Malik to back down.

Clearly not.

His girlfriend found it a little amusing. 

“How does Harris not notice the tension brewing when she’s literally sitting in the middle of it, is beyond me,” she snickered softly. David couldn’t defend his friend since she seem completely oblivious to everything around her as she ate.

“So, how long will you be here, Malik,” Merula asked. David wondered the same.

“Just a week,” he answered, taking a bit of his sandwich. David groaned internally.

‘Great, a week of jealousy. Just what I needed...’ he thought.

“That’ll be plenty of time to show you around. I can’t wait to show you what our school has to offer,” Judith said with a gentle smile. Malik mentally sighed at the sight of it.

“Yeah, I’m sure we’ll have a great time. You know what would be really great,” Malik asked rhetorically. Judith raised a brow.

“Some dancing, like the old days,” Malik grinned. David, Merula, and Talbott saw the way Judith’s brows shot up to her hairline with a slight blush dusting her cheeks.

“O-oh... I don’t know... That’s... not really something seen in here,” Judith said with an awkward laugh. That’s something Judith would do in the comfort of her own room. People here were more... stiffer for lack of a better word.

“Oh c’mon! It’ll be like the old days, plus you can show everyone something new,” he winked. Talbott glared, tugging Judith closer.

Judith blushed harder the longer she thought about it. Not even Talbott knew about that type of dancing she could do.

She was a bit embarrassed by it, she has no clue what kind of reaction she’ll get from him.

‘It’s my final year, not like everyone will remember this... Plus, it’ll be fun to have my old dance partner again...’ she thought.

“Sure, it’s my final year. I don’t see why not,” Judith finally said. Malik grinned.

‘Score...’

---------------------

After going everything, which took about two days, Malik and Judith starting practicing the dances Malik had in mind.

Malik decided to make this a mini show in the Courtyard. Judith appeased to this, not like things can remain vacant for long since people at Hogwarts were forever nosey.

So the pair were gonna draw a crowd, whether she liked it or not. 

Judith even recruited Andre to some outfits. Malik requested dashikis for the both of them, something that definitely intrigued the style wizard. But only for a few seconds before he saw the way Malik was staring at his Quidditch mate.

AKA one of his mate’s girlfriend.

Nonetheless, Andre said he’ll do it.

Judith had to her powers as Legilimen to look into Malik’s mind for the dances they were doing. She liked the songs, the beats were very energetic and upbeat. Just like she remember from her childhood. Though some of them she blushed at seeing how of the moves were a little...

What’s the word?

Close?

She just hoped she doesn’t get detention for scandalizing any of the younger witches and wizards. 

-----------------------------------

Talbott hasn’t seen much of his girlfriend ever since Malik arrived and since they practiced for their dance show in the Courtyard. 

And Talbott couldn’t stand it. 

“Ugh, bloody hell, I can’t stand him,” Talbott snarled as he paced in the Ravenclaw Common Room. Katriona stared at the tall wizard from the couch.

She didn’t need to ask who he was referring to. She met Malik and she wasn’t too impressed by him either. But she does think Talbott was overreacting a bit.

“Talbott, stop pacing or else you’ll burn a hole into the floor. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think it is,” Katriona said sternly. Anxious red eyes looked at her.

Katriona knew that Talbott felt a bit insecure when it came to Malik. He was Judith’s childhood friend after all. And Malik liked Judith the same way Talbott does. Judith accepting to dance with him probably served as a remainder of how different they were. 

Talbott would attend a dance when she was there, but most of the time, he would avoid it. He’s not much of a social person nor did he like having many eyes on him. Judith was a bit more open and found it easy to dance by getting lost in the music, no matter whose around.

And judging by the reaction Judith had in the Great Hall (Talbott made sure to tell her about it), this type of dancing is different. How different is almost anybody’s guess.

Katriona tried to soothe her fellow Eagle.

“Dancing seem something more prominent in their culture than over here. Besides, they’re just dancing, it’s not a mating ritual,” she said. Talbott rolled his eyes, but Katriona noticed how he relaxed a little.

“Besides you know Judith has eyes only for you. If she never noticed how Malik looks at her, I don’t know how she can’t, then it’s clear she doesn’t return his feelings. Try not to let this worry you, just a few more days and he’ll be gone,” she reassured. Talbott gave the small witch a small smile.

“Thank you, Katriona,” he said softly. She nodded with a smile of her own.

“Anytime, Talbott. Because Gods know you wouldn’t just go up to Judith to express your feelings. Which you need to work on, by the way.” Talbott glared at her.

“Everything after the “Anytime, Talbott.” was strictly unnecessary.” Katriona gave a small smirk.

“Simply telling it as it is...” Talbott groaned as Katriona laughed at his expense.

---------------------------------

Judith can hear her heartbeat in her ears as she stood at the entrance of the Courtyard with Malik. A crowd was already there waiting for them. Judith wiped her sweat palms against her black and gold dashiki.

Dark eyeshadow covered her eyelids paired with a dark red lipstick. Her hair was up in a high ponytail so it wouldn’t be everywhere as she was dancing. Her dashiki ended at mid thigh where she had black shorts underneath. Black high heeled combat boots covered her feet.

“There’s no need to be nervous, Juju. We’ll be great, I know it,” Malik said squeezing her shoulder. He had on a black and white dashiki, with black track pants and black and white sneakers. His locs were in a low ponytail.

Judith gave a nervous smile to her friend.

“Thanks, Mal...” Taking a deep breath, they walked towards where the crowd was.

--------------------------

David was standing with KC, Merula, Talbott at the front of the crowd as the pair of approached. His brows shot up when he studied his best friend’s appearance (he didn’t care for Malik).

She looked good. 

Different but good. 

It was the first time he’s ever seen her in heels too. Of course they were combat boots, but they were still heels. By the looks of everyone, aside Andre who looks proud of his handiwork, they were thinking the same thing.

David resisted the urge to chuckle when he saw the high points of Talbott’s cheeks were a little red.

Malik held a boombox and placed by the fountain next to Cedric before taking his spot next to Judith. He watched as Malik whispered something to Judith, who smiled and nodded. 

Malik gave a thumbs up to Cedric, who proceeded to press play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCqe_PMyso (3:13-4:17)

Now David understood Judith’s look at the Great Hall. There was nothing like that here in Europe. The fact that Judith was doing this in heels was impressive.

He just hoped she didn’t break an ankle.

He was also surprised. The two moved well together. Though he could do without the part where Judith had her legs around Malik’s waist for those few seconds (and the smiles he was giving).

But it’s clear that the two had good chemistry. He kinda liked the music, finding himself nodding along to it a bit. Sparing a quick glance at Talbott, he notice the Ravenclaw was still rather calm for the most part.

It wasn’t long until the next song played.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NZIQOdT-RA&t=241s (1:00-2:28)

“Damn...” This song was much faster and aggressive. And yet the two were able to keep up.

David lowkey wished that Judith kicked him for real, but he knew that wasn’t the point of the dance. Though he can see that she was really enjoying herself.

The crowd around them were cheering for more. Despite the different sound, it looked like fun.

Despite a few moments where Malik got a little too close, the dances were rather tame. David could see the small smile on Talbott’s face as he watched his girlfriend get lost in the beat of the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5bVE6RqDCU (0:34-2:00)

‘Alright, that last part was unnecessary. Judith should’ve kicked him in the shin.’ David thought with a frown. Malik seem to getting a hint bolder, and he’s not liking it. 

Neither is Talbott. Judging by his narrowed eyes. By the looks of it, they weren’t done yet. David really hoped he didn’t have to restrain Talbott from jumping Malik.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5F6La02GcQ&t=633s (0:36-1:52)

David gripped Talbott’s shoulder when he saw him moved forward. KC held onto his right arm.

Okay... he wasn’t expecting that. Far from it.

The crowd was all for it, seeing how nuts they were going save a few of their friends. 

There was one more dance, Talbott just needs to hold out until then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD7lN2-gbao (0:57-2:00)

“Talbott, I know you want to kill him, but you need to calm down before you make a scene,” David harshly whispered. The Ravenclaw was brimming with anger. 

Malik was sending him a sneaky smirk as he had a hand of Judith’s hip as they finished their last dance. Judith was laughing, still running off the adrenaline of last dance.

Talbott growled and stormed off before he could do anything. Judith did notice him leaving, staring after him with shocked, hurt eyes.

David winced. Judith did confide in him that dancing to these songs were fun but she was scared of what Talbott would think of it. Him storming off didn’t project well.

------------------------

 Malik walked up to the Ravenclaw later that day when he came back to the Courtyard just hours later. The sun was setting in the distance. While Talbott stormed off, Malik was left to comfort a hurt Judith. While he hated to see her tears, at least he was there to comfort her.

Maybe now, she’ll see that her boyfriend may not fully accept her and may see him as a better option...

“Hey, Talbott. I saw you storm off, didn’t like the show,” Malik asked with a smirk. The Ravenclaw glared at him angrily. 

“Listen here, don’t think I didn’t notice what the hell you were doing,” Talbott hissed. Malik gave him an innocent look.

“Whatever do you mean?” Talbott narrowed his eyes.

“I may not be as knowledgeable about the dances you guys are used to, but I noticed how you were touching her. The way you looked at her. The way you looked at me with that infuriating smirk of your face. You were trying to make me jealous on purpose! Trying to get closer to my girlfriend by using a dance,” Talbott growled. 

“I honestly don’t know how she’s with a guy like you. You seem so stiff and boring. Judith is a woman filled with life. She deserves better than you.” Talbott ignored the insecurity flooding his mind and clung onto the anger that threaten to turn his vision red. He was close to strangling him when a voice caused both of them to freeze.

“You know as my childhood friend, I expected you to respect my choices. But apparently I was wrong.”

“Judith!” They cried as the girl in question walked up. She switched out of her heels and switched into some sneakers.

Those lovely gold eyes were glaring daggers at Malik.

“I’m going to say this once, so you better listen Malik Kai Coleman and you better listen well. We. Are. Friends. Talbott is my boyfriend. Know your place or consider us strangers,” she said coldly. Malik winced when Judith called him by his full government before his blood ran cold.

“You would really let go of our friendship for him,” he gasped. She raised a sharp brow.

“Yes.” Her voice held a tone of finality. Malik looked at her with hurt eyes before hanging his head.

He loved Judith. Dearly. While Judith loved him, it was only as a friend. She was giving him a choice.

Accept her friendship or let her go.

He swallowed as he made his choice.

“I’ll back off,” he mumbled. He didn’t look at neither of them as he turned on his heel and went to the room he was staying in. Once he was gone, Talbott turned his shocked gaze to his girlfriend.

“Judith-MHM?!” Talbott didn’t get a chance to finish speaking when Judith yanked him down by his tie and pressed a kiss on his lips. He closed his eyes and accepted it.

“You could’ve said something, you know,” she said when they pulled away. Talbott huffed.

“You could’ve noticed that he liked you more than a friend, you know,” he sassed back. Judith rolled her eyes before chuckling.

“Okay, it’s both our faults,” she compromised. Talbott hugged her close.

“How did you know where to find me,” he asked when he buried his face in her hair.

“After having a small cry session after you ran off, David and KC explained everything to me and the real reason why you stormed off. I had a hunch you were here, I didn’t expect Malik to be here as well,” she replied. Talbott silently thank their two friends and he nodded.

“You’re an amazing dancer, darling,” he said. Judith chuckled and nuzzled his chest.

“Thank you, my love...”

---------------

For the remaining few days, Malik seem to resign to the fact Judith will never return his feelings. 

“Take good care of her, Talbott. Clearly she sees something in you, don’t break her heart,” Malik told Talbott on his last day. Talbott looked into the dark skin man’s eyes.

Resignation and seriousness danced in those dark orbs. Talbott nodded.

“Of course, Malik. She’s my everything, I wouldn’t dream of hurting her...” Malik looked into Talbott’ eyes, searching for something.

Whether it was, he found it as he nodded.

“Good... hopefully next we cross paths, it’ll be on better terms. At least for Judith’s sake,” he mumbled as he hitched his bag higher on his shoulder. Talbott can see the sadness radiating off the man.

Malik seem to really feel bad for his actions. He came here set on winning over his crush and meant no harm to any of her friends. Malik didn’t predict that Judith was with him.

Choosing him over Malik made the dark skin man realize that he shouldn’t get in the way of that. He didn’t want to lose his oldest friend.

“I believe we can have a decent relationship,” Talbott said. Malik looked at him surprised.

Malik was apologizing. And Talbott was accepting it.

While Talbott was glad that Judith chose him, he didn’t want her to cut off another tie from her time in Barbados. A time where she was the most happiest.

Malik gave a small smile.

“I would like that.” The two young men shook hands before pulling away.

“Hey Malik, I’m here to walk you to Dumbledore’s office. You ready to go,” Judith asked as she approached. Malik nodded at the Hufflepuff witch.

The two shared a brief hug.

“I’m gonna miss you, Juju,” Malik whispered. Judith chuckled.

“There’s such a thing called writing, Mal. As long as you know your place,” she said. Malik smiled a little.

“Of course...” Malik turned to Talbott, eyes sending a silent question.

“Like she said, as long you know where you stand, I have no issue. If you want, we can write as well. I’m curious about the wizarding school in Africa.” Malik’s smiled got wider as he nodded.

“Sure thing... Take care Talbott...” Talbott gave a casual smirk.

“Take care, Malik. Have a safe journey.”

[readyourimgaines]

Well Wishes: Chapter One

Good afternoon readers. I decided to try writing an actual NATM fanfiction that’s more than just odd little one shots- Snafu and I are planning on still taking one shot requests for NATM. By the way, the anon that ask Ahk fluff, Snafu’s on it. 

But so, I got the idea for this fanfic because of the Releasing Ahk AU I did a while back. It’s along the same idea: Larry has a sibling that works at the museum with him. Let me know that you think. -Freddie 

“He wants to be bond trader,” Larry let the door full shut behind him. Adley jumped and turned toward her brother.

“Call if you’re gonna come over,” she sighed. She wasn’t really mad or annoyed and her brother knew it. She just didn’t like being startled. Adley opened the cupboard and added more noodles to the pot on the stove. “Now who wants to be bond trader?”

“Nicky. Can you believe that?” Larry scoffed. “All because of that penguin suit wearing pain in the ass,” he huffed.

“Larry, Nicky’s nine. He doesn’t know for sure what it is,” Adley kissed her brother’s cheek as she passed him walking to the spice cupboard. “Remember when I was nine and I convinced that I was going to be a doctor, then you had to get me from school when I got sick during a sheep eye dissection in high school? And now I’m looking for a job. Give it some time.”

“I guess you’re r- Wait! What do you mean you’re looking for a job?” Larry asked, tripping over his tongue.

“I uh...I quit. Didn’t give a two weeks’ notice. I just sorta walked out…” Adley leaned against the counter facing Larry as she waited for the noodles to cook. That was when he noticed the bruise on her jawline. It looked like it was starting to fade; he hadn’t seen her in about three days, but that didn’t make him feel any better.

“Alex hit you?” Larry asked, horrified.

“Yeah. He tried to talking to me at work and I walked out. I called my boss earlier and told him I’m done there.” Adley ran a hand through her hair. “I’m thinking about getting my hair cut. What do you think?”

“How short?” Larry asked. Whenever something in her life changed, Adley always got a different hair cut. For the time being, her hair reached the middle of her back and was it’s natural black. She’d cut her hair so was almost as short at his, another time she’d added dyed streaks and highlights; each time she’d let it grow out before changing it again. Different styled bangs, everything but fully dye it.

“Bottom of my shoulder blades. Nothing drastic this time,” Adley laughed.

“Do what you’re feelin’ Ads,” Larry advised. “You know, I know where you call in if you’re looking for a job. The Natural History Museum is looking for new workers. I’ve got an interview there tomorrow. I kept the number if you wanna give a call.”

Larry knew he had her. She loved history and had been considering going back to college for a teaching certificate to teach history classes to high schoolers.

“Excuse me,” Larry spoke.

“Hi,” the woman greeted.

“Hi. We’re Larry and Adley Daley. We’ve got a job interview with Cecil Fredricks,” Larry introduced himself and his sister.

“Right. He should still be in his office.”

“Great. Thank you.” Adley said. She started to go but stopped when the woman

started to speak again.

“I’m Rebecca Hutman. I’m a docent here,” she introduced herself. “Let me point you in the right direction.”

“Great,” Larry smiled.

“Larry, I know the way there, I’m gonna walk around a bit.” Adley waved and started walking. They’d been a few minutes early, so that gave her a little time. She made b-line for the Egyptology display. It had always been her favorite. There was something so interesting that she just loved looking at it whenever she was in the museum.

The giant jackals, the chests behind the sarcophagus, the glass little informational plaques. She knew more than what the plaques read, she’d done her own reading on Ancient Egypt and the Ahkmenrah Expedition.

Adley waited around corner from the guard office for her brother. When he caught up to her, they walked together to the door. “Hi. I’m Larry Daley.”

“Adley Daley,” she added with a small half raise of her hand.

“Are you Mr. Fredricks?” Larry asked.

“Mr. Fredricks was my father. I am Cecil. Good to meet you,” he shook Larry’s hand “Nice firm handshake. I like that. Tells a lot about a man.” He turned to Adley and shook her hand. “You don’t see many female night guards out there,” he noted. “Come on in. Let’s talk turkey here.” The siblings walked into the room and glanced at each other.

“The museum is losing money, hand over fist,” Cecil went on. “I guess kids today don’t care about wax figures or stuffed animals. So they’re downsizing, which is code for firing...myself and the other two night guards. They want to replace us with one new or two new guards. Couple of youngsters.”

“Sorry,” Adley said quickly, shuffling her feet.

“Well, are you gonna do?” Cecil shrugged. “I’d like you to meet my two colleagues here. Reginald? Gus?”

“Where is he? I’ll beat him with my fists!” An angry, short man yelled. Adley was taken aback by the man’s harsh demeanor.

“Gus, this is Larry and Adley Daley, the kids who want to be the new night guards.”

“Night guards?” Larry and Adley asked at the same time. Adley’s voice had more of annoyed edge to to while Larry’s a mixture of shock and confusion.

“No,” Larry went on, “the lady at the agency said this a museum position.”

“Most important position in the museum, Larry,” Cecil dismissed.

“The guy looks like a weirdie,” Gus said.

“Wonderful guard, terrible people skills,” Reginald noted.

“Now listen, lunch box. Don’t try anything funny,” Gus snapped. “I once went nine rounds with John L. Sullivan.”

“You never fought John L. Sullivan in your life,” Reginald shot down.

“Gentlemen, we have job candidates here,” Cecil reached the attention of his friends again. “They both have excellent resumes, winning attitudes…and I say let’s give them a shot. What do you say?”

“Hand on a sec. I think I might wanna have a little time just to think it over,” Larry said.

“I wasn’t told the interview was for a night guard…” Adley muttered. This museum was in New York and it was filled with priceless artifacts. She didn’t know what kind of trouble the job would bring. It was a chance to wonder a museum at night, it didn’t look like she’d have to wait long to start. If three old men could do it, she sure as hell could. “I’m in.”

“Do you want the job or not, snack shack?” Gus scowled at Larry. His sister taking it sealed his fate in his eyes.

“No, no, I want the job-”

“Larry, Adley, welcome to the night guards.” Cecil smiled. “You two meet me up on the second floor. I’ll slip into my orthopedics and give you a little tour. Arthritic knees. Not fun getting old, my friends. Go on,” he shooed the siblings.

The tour of the museum was a little slow paced for Aldey. The museum was one of her favorite places and she often found herself wishing that she could meet the people in the displays so that she could them questions that she knew the tour guides wouldn’t be able to answer.

“And, finally, this is the temple of the Pharaoh Ahkmenrah. And in that tomb right down there, the pharaoh himself.”

“Neat,” Larry mustered.

“And hanging on the wall behind him-”

“The Tablet of Ahkmenrah. Pure gold and it’s priceless. Lar,” Adley took hold of the sleeve over Larry’s upper arm as she started and Larry smiled at her excitement, “it’s rumored to have magic. During the search to find his actual tomb, the loc-”

“You’ve gotten yourself stuck with a historian, Larry,” Cecil cut her off and Adley dropped her hand from Larry’s sleeve.. “All right. Report here at 5:00 tomorrow. We’ll talk you through your duties.”

“5:00. We’ll be here,” Adley nodded.

“Moving on,” Cecil lead the way again. Adley looked over her shoulder as they left, having thought she saw a shimmer that wasn’t just the display lights on the tablet.

“Your keys. Your torch,” Cecil listed off, handing them each a flashlight but giving Larry the keys. “You’ll wanna strap those to your belt. It can get a little spook around here at night...so you might wanna put a few lights on.” Cecil paused. “All right. Flashlight, keys. What am I for-

“The instruction manual.” Reginald advised.

“You start with one, two, three…”

“Four?” Larry guessed.

“Are you cracking wise? I ought to punch you in the nose, hopscotch,” Gus berated. Adley was about to speak, but Reginald spoke before she could even open her mouth.

“Leave him alone, Gus. You got it covered, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” Larry confirmed.

“And if he doesn’t, I’ve got for what he’s missing,” Adley spoke up.

“Do them in order, do them all, and do them quick. And the most important thing of all to remember: don’t let anything in or out.”

“What do you mean out?” Adley called as the three older men started walking toward the exit.

“Good luck, kids.”

Adley did her best to ignore her brother being an idiot with the PA. She was walking around the museum again. Nowhere in mind. They were clocked-in, but weren’t supposed to start going through the list of another ten minutes according to the wall on the clock.

Walking through the Hall of Miniatures, she looked around when she heard someone

yawn. It wasn’t a full on yawn, but it more like the sound someone makes when they’re stretching ad they first wake up in the morning.

“Larry?” she called. “Lar, whatever you’re trying to pull, knock it off!”

“Who is Larry?” asked a southern sounding voice. Adley’s eyes grew large as she turned around. “Who are you, Miss?”

“How are you talking?” she all but whispered. “I must be dreaming…”

“No...you ain’t doin’ that,” the little cowboy shook his head. She felt something poke the back of her neck.

“What the hell?” she pulled a toothpick like stick from her neck, a numbing feeling left in an almost unnoticeable diameter.

“Aw! Come now, that’s not how to treat a lady!” the little cowboy yelled across the room to the Mayans. Adley turned, but had the sense to hold her sleeved arm out in front of her as she walked closer to the tiny Mayans. She closed the case, but didn’t lock it as Larry had the keys.

Adley turned back around saw the little cowboy looked sad. “What’s wron- I’m not gonna close you guys up. You’re not shooting things at me,” she said. “I’ve gotta be crazy,” she shook her head and started turning away.

“You ain’t crazy,” he called. “Name’s Jedediah.”

“Adley,” she said slowly. “There’s a lot of noise out there…”

“You’re new here. Huh?”

“First night.”

“And you’re not gonna lock us up?” Jedediah looked unsure.

“Ads. Thank god,” Larry panted as he jogged into the room. “I couldn’t find-” Larry slipped and landed on his back...on the old west display.

“Shit,” Adley hissed. “Everyone okay?” she asked quickly. She helped Larry to straighten, everyone looking confused. The Americans, the Chinese. Everyone.

“You sure are different,” Jed shook his head.

“Prepare the Catapults!” came a deeper voice from behind them. They turned and looked down to see a large- in number- Roman army.

“Octavius, hold on. Ain’t reason to fight ‘em. She ain’t lockin’ our box if we don’t go ‘round attackin’ on ‘er.”

Octavius signaled for the men to stand down. “You’re not?” he and Larry asked together.

“I’m not,” she held her hands up. “I already made peace with the settlement, I’m not gonna go makin’ war with the Romans. If you want to, Larry, you deal with their fireballs.”

“We shan’t be locked up. We may be small, but hearts are large...metaphorically speaking.”

“Hey, uh...Octavius, right?”

“My Lady,” he bowed lowly.

“Right. So, Larry and I won’t lock you guys up if you can behave. That means no fireballs and spear throwing. Jedediah, no guns or rocks. Right?” The two miniatures looked at each other and they both nodded.

“The hunt is afoot,” someone said from the hall.

“Hunt? Larry-”

“I’m on it.” And Larry was gone.

“We have to go. Remember. Behave, and you stay free. Don’t kill each other please. I don’t want to punish anyone else on my first night as the new guard,” she pleaded before running out of the room.

“New guards, new rules!” Jedediah cheered. “Whooh!”

“Ads,” Larry called her over.

“Ads?” the man questioned.

“Short for Adley,” Larry dismissed.

“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Adley. I’ve only just met your brother. Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of these United States of America.”

“Excuse me, Mr. President. Could I ask you something?” Larry asked quickly, both siblings taking large steps to keep up with the man.

“Yes, but just one question,” Teddy said shortly.

“All right,” Larry agreed. “Okay, why? Is it just some, like, three-wishes kind of deal, or…?”

“Not at all. Self-reliance is the key to a vigorous life,” Teddy said. “A man must look inward to find his own answers. How can I be of help?” Teddy stopped and faced the siblings. The stopping was unexpected to Adley and she almost crashed into her brother.

“I don’t really know how to put this, and please don’t take it the wrong way...but isn’t everything in this museum supposed to be, you know...dead?” Larry asked carefully.

“Dead?” Teddy repeated.

“Yeah.”

“Follow me,” Teddy instructed, turning on his heel.

The siblings followed him and Adley looked widely around her, looking at everyone and waving back when different exhibits would have to her in greeting.

“Why are we going to the Egyptology-” Adley stopped herself. “The rumors weren’t rumors at all, were they, sir?”    

[bunni-blurbs]

The Greatest High Pt.2

Alex: This woman is always 5 minutes late for everything. It would frustrate him more, but she has worked for him longer than his marriage and even before that. He let it slide because when I tell you this woman is good at her job, and super detail-oriented, couldn’t pull off half this shit without her! She managed the two men, since their college days. The three met and decided to go into business together. For 10 years she shouldered a lot of the work, while his business partner and himself at times lived the lifestyle of a typical playboy billionaire. She doesn’t have the sex appeal or confidence of a businesswoman, so vote with me! Keep the majority of the shares with us. He voted the opposite, and she got her shares of the company after the years of work she put in. That selfish son of a bitch, wanting to keep the shares for himself, cut them both out, and he and his ex-wife would have the company they started in college. But why, they had all been such good friends, for so long. He should have seen the red flags when he tried to cut Mya out of the company and leave her as a workhorse, but she wasn’t getting paid like the partner she so rightfully was! He would do anything to protect her and her investments in this company. So, they cut him out of the business, a legal battle that lasted a year, all while still fighting a messy divorce, that almost cost him everything. WHAT A FUCKING SHIT YEAR! Maybe he would take her up on the greatest high, hell he felt he earned it! But enough of the evil plans that were now, behind him, well them he thought as his face soften for a moment, Mya reminded him of that daily. Today she was sweet and timid because she felt she was angering him. But she actually calmed him, but he couldn’t tell her that. The court tried so hard to make them a couple, his business partner even testified that they were fucking in private, he was sure of it. Yeah right! Do you think if I had it, I would hide it?! He didn’t like who he slept with being exaggerated, it was insulting. Because whatever was between those sweet thick thighs had never been his...Visions of those beautiful brown eyes, 5′1, thick frame, with those bouncy curls in her hair, he sucked in a breath as he bit his full bottom lip softly...Sometimes he just longed too...

Mya: Boss! Boss! Hello! Earth to the boss! Alex! She said waving her hand in front of his face. I know I’m late, but I had to get my supplies ready! But are you ready? Do you want to postpone?! You look spaced out. No, get on the plane so we can go! Are you...Mya! Now! She hurried on the company private plane, alright already, you’re being a real dick today, maybe we should rename you RICHARD, it stands for DICK, in case you were wondering! She flopped down in her seat and buckled up for take-off. He sat in his normal seat, mean mugged her for a second, then sipped his drink. Her eyes looked on to his strong jawline covered by a light five o’clock shadow, those perfect full lips as they met the glass, His hair was medium length tied back in his Kofi but she had seen those neat locs, so damn perfect! He could have picked anyone, literally ANYONE TO SLEEP WITH, MARRY, ETC! But he picked that bitch! Her rival turned friend, so she said, she used her to get close to him. She still blamed herself for all that happened to Alex. If she hadn’t, hey you, yea earth to Mya, what boy?! Don’t you see me trying to smoke, so I don’t tear the back of the plane off, to get to the ground?! Let me hit it? Huh?! You’re crazy!  You know you don’t smoke! Well, today, I smoke, now hand it over, he said with his hand out. Don’t inhale too hard, you might kill ya damn self she said with a laugh accompanied by a cough from the smoke. Girl I was smoking before you ever knew how to roll. Don’t forget who rolled your shit for you back in those college days, Haha very funny! Indeed, he said as he inhaled deeply. She watched his chest begin to fall as the smoke filled the area between them. So, you a grown-up today, I see!? What does that mean? You sat alone, or are you just mad at me? Who will hold your hand at taking off now he laughed, I will let you hold my hand from this distance no worries, Mya! He said teasing and poking fun as always! That was one time, I’m better now, at take-off. If you say so, he inhaled more smoke. She had to testify in both cases, she saw the hurt in his eyes as the cross-examination lawyer asked the following rapid-fire questions: Do you want to sleep with Alex? No. Did you ever sleep with him? No. Touched yourself to thoughts of Him? Objection your honor, relevance? I will allow it, Mya answers the question, No Sir. Do you think Alex thinks about you or has given you anything based on wanting sexual favors? No. I have earned and worked hard for this company: Alex has nothing to do with that! No further questions, the witness is dismissed, the court is adjourned, and tomorrow starts final arguments. She saw it in his face, he was sad, but why? Was it what she said or that she had to do it at all? Mya?! Here! She inhales deeply and sunk into her chair as she felt the plane taking off. She lied so bad that day, but so much had happened that year, she checked on him so much, but who was, Mya, are you okay? You always ask me, but what about you? Honestly, I’m confused. About? You, she exhaled smoke as she glanced in his direction. Me too, I’m sorry, I know that this past year was messy. I should have never asked about your friend. She was never my friend, she knows what she did and so do I. Inhaling and exhaling a big smokescreen, she is a bitch, I should have never trusted her!

Alex: Are you mad or Nah? And if yes, why Mya? Nothing Alex! Forget I said anything! He unhooked his seatbelt, sliding down into the seat beside her. He took the smoke and hit it a few times. Let me catch up to the new smoke dog! HAHA not funny! Funny to me! He leaned in close to her, why is she a bitch, miss kind, warm, hearted Mya thinks someone is a bitch, never knew you had it in you. Leave it alone, Alex! Why? Just tell me, since when did we keep secrets, he said as he passed it back to her. Nothing, I testify to that...she exhaled smoke in her own face, purposely trying to hide the sadness threatening to reach her eyes. But he saw it, he waved the smoke out her face.  Do you want to sleep with Alex? Wait for what?! She said coughing up smoke. Did you ever want to sleep with Alex? You can’t possibly be asking me this, right now. Did you ever touch yourself to the thought of Him? His hand brushed the skin right above her knee. I don’t see the relevance of these questions, not like you ever looked in my direction once! She slapped his hand and rushed away to lock herself in the bathroom, having to put some distance between her and everything she ever wanted from him. Sitting for a second, he was stunned by her words. How many times he had thought of just lifting her on that board room table and taking her one inch at a time, until she arched her back, begging him to use his body for her pleasure, ugh stop thinking like a submissive. Why did I touch her, God, she is never gonna wanna work with him again! He knocked lightly on the bathroom door, leaning next to it he said to come out! she screamed back, sounding a little teary-eyed, LEAVE ME ALONE!     

[mochaout]

heartsong (pt 5)

Tiring of looking at the off white bathroom stall door I finally lifted myself from the porcelain seat. I was so embarrassed. Somehow I managed to have a full blown panic attack while we sat our table at the jazz restaurant he had taken me too. Well let me rewind a bit to how I came to be in the bathroom. Seeing him is what initially triggered my anxiety. I really didn’t know what to expect.

Opening the door to my home and seeing him standing there took my wind away. “Good evening brown eyes.” He peered through me as those words left his lips. He smiled and everything in me went numb. He was gorgeous! He had to be about 6’2”. I, myself, am 5’7”. His skin was smooth with a deep rich dark hue. His smiled reached his eyes exposing beautiful straight teeth.

“Um…gooodd…evening.” I stammered. His smile widened. You know you tripping right? This is probably the reaction he always gets from women. Get yourself together ma'am!, said the shouting voice in my head.

“May I step inside for a moment?”, he asked politely.

“Yeah, sure, come in.” All good common sense left me from the time he first spoke. This man made me feel like I should be running away from and to him at the same time. He didn’t attempt to hug me which I found strange. Hugs seemed like normal greetings. Plus I secretly wanted to know what his body felt like pressed up against mine.

Closing the door behind him I took a step back to create a more open view of my foyer. “ Well, this is my home”, I continued pointing my hand in a spanning motion glad that my bedroom wasn’t visible. When I looked back in his direction I saw him in full. My heart began to palpitate.

“You look stunning”, was his verbal affirmation. I could have used Lena’s strength in that moment. My reactions must have been puzzling. He was affecting me emotionally. The scene was like something out of a fairytale. He didn’t flinch in declaring his sentiments.

“Thank you”, found its way out to become an actual response.

“Relax Reign. I have you now.” My head nodded in agreement and acceptance. I took a deep breath as he continued. “Before our night starts I wanted to speak with you about my intentions.” I swear everything he said sounded like ‘Take me to your bedroom’. I braced myself for what was to come and breathed slowly to work on calming down my heart.

“You are an intriguing woman to me. Speaking with you over the last two weeks has opened my eyes to the possibility of something new. I would like to court you.”

Was he serious? Court me? Where was Ashton Kutcher and the cameras? Were we back in the 50’s?

“Ok. I’m not sure how to respond. I’ve never had anyone say something like that to me.”

“Is it too forward for you?”

I thought about my response for only a few seconds. “No. I’m flattered.” Other words could have been used but flattered was the most appropriate.

“That makes me grateful. We can start our night now if you’re ready.”

“Yes I am. Let me grab my purse. I will be right back.” That was only partly true. There was a toilet with my name on it. Whenever my anxiety got to uncontrollable levels or was coupled with being nervous it was disastrous. Instant need for a bathroom. I tried to be as efficient as possible in removing all disturbances. Pausing briefly in front of the mirror, I surveyed myself one more time. Earlier I felt Lena made good choices with my hair and outfit. Looking in the mirror after laying eyes on him I didn’t know. I wore my black fitted v-neck cami dress with black suede Louboutin pumps. My hair was in a very neat high bun thanks to Lena. I don’t know how she put my locs up so neatly and uniformed. My eyes did look like the centerpiece of my face due to the subtle smoky eye look she created as well. I almost felt beautiful. The dress also hid my imperfections. When I walked back into the foyer his head lifted up and the look on his face was one of deep thought.

“You ready brown eyes?” His eyebrow raised at the question. I was convinced he was intentional in trying to disrupt my normal thoughts. “I am Caleb.”

After locking up we walked down my driveway toward his black 2015 BMW M6 convertible. He opened the door for me to get in. The red leather seats felt nice. The car fit what I’d come to know of his personality and style. I watched him walk in front of the car and even the strides he took were deliberate. Maybe rational thinking had left me but I was falling for a man I barely knew.

The trip to the restaurant was about 20 minutes away. I spent most of the time focused on being calm. The way he made me feel wasn’t so good for my health. He tried to ease the tension by talking but his words were different in my head.

“So you mentioned you liked jazz music in one of our many conversations. I picked a place based on what I’ve come to learn about you." He was correct and hearing him picking a place for my benefit warmed my heart.

However, my next response came out of nowhere. “Do you always talk like that? I mean I admit I thought it was your flirting style initially.” He chuckled again and I saw his smile before my eyes rested at his face. I wanted to touch him and feel how his beard felt on my hand.

“Yes, Reign. This is really me and I prefer a direct approach versus having you guess my intentions.” Although his words were serious his voice still had a hint of amusement in its sound. “Ok. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“No offense here. Relax.” I guess he could sense how tense I felt and embarrassed. I knew I had just insulted him even though he was saying it wasn’t bothering him. For the remainder of the trip I stuck to short responses. When we arrived to the restaurant and his car was valeted he put his arm out and I linked my arm in his. In that moment I felt like I was some sort of princess in a fairytale. The look on the hostesses face registered what I thought.

“Good evening Mr. & Mrs. Harrison, we have your private table available. Please follow me this way.” Caleb had let go of my arm but not before he noticed what must have been a confused and puzzled look on my face. We were led to a private table toward the back with its own door. The decor was intimate and cozy with warm earth tones dancing around under the faint candlelight. Our table was situated in the center of the room. A centerpiece of orchids placed on it. He remembered. Orchids were my favorite. It was something about their delicate and feminine shape that invoked affection in me. They were hands down better than roses. My breath was taken away and my comprehension of how I came to be in that space in that moment had left. I mean it could have been ripe for a marriage proposal. I felt like someone was going to yell, “Sike, we just playing. This ain’t real!” No such voice screamed from the background.

“Reign?” Caleb held his hand out. At some point he reached the table before I did. He guided me to my seat. “Thank you”, left my lips in a whisper. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through the night. The music was playing in the background through speakers as the live jazz band played in the front of the restaurant. I was about ready to lay my whole life story on the table because I suddenly felt like it was unfair. It was unfair for me to meet Caleb in my situation. I was on borrowed time and I knew I was falling for him already.

The waiter stood next to the table waiting for our exchange to complete before speaking. “Madam would you like me to get you a cocktail or glass of wine to start?” Now I knew the answer to his question but I was worried about Caleb’s opinion of me. He didn’t drink and hadn’t before. What would he think if I had my celebratory glass? It was one of the guilty pleasures I had. Before I could speak he ordered a glass of Chianti for me and iced tea for himself. He was impressive. I thanked him. It was like he had taken notes during all of our conversations. The waiter walked away.

“How was the rest of your day?”, he asked in an effort to engage me. “Things were pretty good today. I worked for a few hours in the morning and then took some time to relax and rest for tonight. How were they for you?”

“Today was well. I left the store in Brandon’s capable hands and checked on my plans for the evening.” Brandon was his cousin I believe. I know his business partner was a relative. “Sounds like a pretty relaxing day.”

“It was. Especially when you opened the door and I saw you without any distractions.” he rebutted.

Uh oh. I knew he was moving into new territory. And to spite myself I was already blushing shamelessly. “I want you to know what that was like for me so I ask that you listen with an open mind.” The shade being thrown in my mind, about him asking me to have an open mind, was dark. “Ok. I’m listening.” My heart rate increased after I spoke.

“When I first saw you at the basketball game I noticed you in the distance. I saw you smile and heard you laugh and then I looked at all of you. And I knew I wanted to meet you. Plus the Cavaliers shirt you had on at a Nets against Rockets game kind of stood out.” I couldn’t help but laugh then. I loved the Cavaliers.

He continued. “When my boys were ready to head out I noticed your conversation had come to an end and you were walking in the direction toward me. I shifted my vision to look at anything else but kept my head down. By the time I looked up to see if you had walked by I was bumping into you. That was embarrassing to me while giving me the perfect opportunity to see you up close. I admit your eyes held my attention. You are beautiful and I’m sure you are aware of that.” I really wasn’t aware of it but I was in no position to debate with him. I wanted to hear what else he thought. At least I thought I did.

“Giving you my card was so I could accomplish a few things at once. It allowed me to introduce myself to you, show you I owned a business and was employed, and gave me the chance to give you my number.”

“How did you know I was going to call?”

“Honestly I didn’t. I was hopeful and when you did it let me know you found me interesting enough to call.” I found him more than interesting.

“Let me move forward a bit. I made the decision to ask about courting you after the first week of phone calls. You have been honest, communicating openly, and showing and sharing who you are. Hearing the things you have accomplished and how hard you’ve worked is impressive. I’ve spent this time wanting to continue to get to know you better.”

I admit somewhere my thoughts started to become skeptical. This man was too good to be true. And Nana’s warnings were always poignant and true. If something seems to good to be true, it usually is. Caleb noticed my expression. It was the one eyebrow raised ready for the BS to follow look. “Is something wrong?”, he inquired.

“Um, no. I’m ok. Just listening. Well...honestly, I’m having a hard time believing you were captivated that much by me.” There I had said what was eating away at me and then I wanted to runaway. I didn’t want to face his response or face the potential I was purposefully pushing him away. If he felt like this and we hadn’t kissed or had sex, and it had only been three weeks since we met, I had no idea what it would be like in two months or three months or six months when I was gone. Everything was becoming overwhelming for me.

“Reign, I am going to be transparent with you. I really do like you and in places in my life where a potential future couldn’t be seen I am starting to see again. You have all the qualities in a woman that I am looking for. I want to spend time with you and observe you and learn you. You are very attractive internally and physically. Seeing you tonight was more than I was ready for. It took great restraint not to embrace you and feel you under my hands. Truth is I think the shape of your body is magical and looking into your eyes is like being lost in the best dream I ever had.”

In a span of ten seconds I felt about 100 different emotions and my stomach fell into my lap metaphorically speaking. The tears were imminent and so was my need for a restroom. I was starting to have a hard time breathing and needed to get away.

“I have to go.” Rising from the table with no further explanation I made my way to the ladies room. I was hyperventilating and needed to get my dress up and underwear down ASAP. What was I getting myself into? I was in the bathroom for about 15 minutes and dreaded walking out and facing him. We hadn’t even ordered dinner. Pulling together all the strength I could muster I opened the door back into the restaurant. And there he stood just outside the bathroom hallway entrance. I hadn’t paid attention to how fine he was and how his clothes looked. He wore a black sport jacket with a white collared fitted shirt. He was muscular. His pants had a relaxed fit and his loafers were nice. He looked classic with his dark skin, beard, and the white and black. He was a sight. “Are you ok Reign?”

“Um, yes. I’m so sorry and embarrassed.” I was about to start crying. He looked concerned. “Can I hold you?”, was what I was sure I heard him say. Was he serious?

“Yes, please Caleb.” He didn’t say anything further. He wrapped his firm arms around me and held me so close. I felt safe in his embrace. I knew in that moment it was over. Everything I had resolved myself to was over. I was no longer comfortable with my fate but what would I do? His words were only “I have you Reign.” And like the fairytale I had entered that night the band began to play Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington. It was perfect. The song always made me dream of the man I would marry and Caleb was now holding me while it played. He held me until it was over and it made me wonder if he orchestrated that too.

I was in trouble.

-MochaOut

[shardclan]

"GET UP."

Enyi's eyes snapped open, and he scrabbled to get on his feet in spite of his permeating exhaustion. There was no denying the voice of his boss and mother, especially not when it was in That Tone.

"P-pistis?" he squeaked.

Her hair was pulled back into a single braid coiled messily near the top of her head. A bandana that looked like it belonged to a farmer covered her forehead gem and kept her antennae out of her face. She was wearing the kind of clothes that lair painters wore: shabby things whose sole purpose was to cover the body and get dirty over and over again in its stead. The alchemist's kit on her hip was almost pristine against the rest of her garb.

She barely looked like the same dragon. And as he knew all too well, she would barely act like the same dragon when she got like this. She had that same feverish look in her eye that Carnelian used to get when he was close to a break in a case.

This was his mother in Work Mode, and words like sweet, kind, and gentle did not apply.

"My dearest son," she said in a voice that could have cowed the Icewarden. "I feel that I have been a good and patient mother to you in your time of struggle. Do you feel the same?"

"You have been supportive in the utmost," he answered immediately.

"Good." She reached out and took him by one horn, pulling with a strength that seemed impossible from such a small and slender woman. "Because I have grown so very weary of seeing you lay under these same boughs day in and out there like some tragic hero."

He sputtered but didn't actually dare to argue with her as she dragged him out into the sunlight. She released him blinking and somewhat disoriented at the edge of the Summerlands.

"Come with me."

Again, he didn't argue. He followed her into the lightly rustling plains, allowing himself to get lost in the dazzling, seemingly endless scenery. He was quickly brought out of the trance when they came to a clearly well-used footpath and Pistis high-stepped onto a slightly raised wooden path running along one side.

He paused to examine it. "What is this? When did this get here?"

She tsk'ed at him, and he immediately stood bone straight and climbed up to keep following her. He found his eyes on both their feet, and on the wood they walked on.

"The Summerlands are neutral territory between the Sunbeam Ruins centaurs and the serthis who occupy the area around the falls," Pistis drilled. "Dragons in the area are expected to honor the neutrality as well. Part of that is sticking to this path and not trudging through the prairie and stomping all the grasses down. We came in a hurry and weren't aware of the expectation, so as an apology and a peacemaking action, Queen Telos had this boardwalk built. It runs east to west, and we are encouraged to use it often and report any damage it incurs, especially once the rainy season hits and it sees more use."

He dared to ask again. "When did this happen?"

"You would know if you hadn't been sighing in the pines for the past several months."

He shrank a little more, and said nothing. But slowly he became aware of something that wasn't quite right. He glanced at the sun to check.

"Wait, we're moving south...ish?"

He caught the lift of her cheek that surely meant she was giving one of those wry business smiles. "Very good. Caress has been elevated to Marchess of the Shadow Border. Well, she likes to be called Margravine, but it's the same thing. She is well on her way to building a rather interesting entertainment district, and as such negotiated a branch of the path leading to the Bramble Step."

Her ran his fingers through his overgrown locks, suddenly aware that they were as neglected as the rest of his body. "How much have I missed?"

"Oh? You're curious? You feel like getting up and doing something?"

"Mother, please."

She turned, and made a gruff motion for him to stand aside. She leapt neatly off the path and in a smooth motion shifted into her true shape and took off into the sky. He rushed to follow after her, though he was not quite so graceful.

She alighted on his neck as he circled high into the open sky, and gestured down.

"There, the Court and the Hall, which you must know if you know nothing else.  To the west of it, Cloudwhyte and Alchemilla's new venture, The Sundial Brewery. All those little buildings around are business starting up. Witchery and spiritual services, Odds and Sundry, the cooling house where the food stores are being kept, a detention center, mail house, inn and tea house, ranger and escorting services... It's not going to be home, but the Queen has named it Noon Point, and declared it an important center of trade and rest stop for travelers from Trader's Walk."

Enyi thought his head would explode. He looked further south. "What's that?"

"In the distance? Marchess Maka of the Lightning border built a border outpost. It was slow going at first, but with Noon Point established, everything has gone much more smoothly."

"Well yes, that too, but the closer one. Over at the edge of the Hewn City."

"Twilight Labs and Artisans Guild. They're toying with new industries and products, so they wanted to be far enough away in case anything explodes."

He went silent and hovered as best he could, just to see all of it. Tears came to his eyes, and he rushed to wipe them away.

"Those are happy tears, I hope."

He laughed. "Mostly overwhelmed. But I think I'm happy too. I didn't realize there was so much progress."

"Good. Head west, toward the falls."

He hesitated, but it was momentary. Last he recalled, Lutia was always near the falls, gazing out at the glint of the Observatory that was visible on the horizon when the night was clear. But as Pistis was showing him, things had changed.

When they got close to their destination, she dived from her perch on his neck. With a precise, graceful soar that would have put swallows to shame, she arched into her landing, and was standing there in her humanoid form expectantly by the time he made it down to her.

She pointed at a pool bubbling up from the earth. "Bathe."

"W-what?"

"Did I speak too softly?" She glared through her pink goggles at him and leaned in. "Bathe."

She began rifling through her alchemist's kit, and he took that as the cue to strip down and hop in. He had been expecting a cool, bordering on cold pool so it came as quite a surprise that it was very warm, particularly near the bottom. Pistis presented him with a little brick that smelled of mint but had a fine granularity to it under his thumb.

He looked and didn't see anything else around, but the question came to mind instinctively. "Are you making a new spa here?"

There was a loud crack behind him. Two halves of a celestine geode joined him in the water. "You're in the beginnings of the preparation area yes."

"You have a product line in mind?"

"So far? Mint and Chickweed Oil, White and Blacksand scrubs, Charcoal masks, Pine tar and flax oil scale treatments. The heat your feeling is a test run of flamerest embers as a heating agent. I'd like to get a cinderkelp loach, but I have to work up a proper system so they don't boil clients alive, and I might not specialize in bathing services if I can work out a partnership with Nebula Springs."

"The Nebula Guild, I assume?"

"Mhm. They have a bath house, so it may be best to funnel clients there for bathing and soaking treatments if I provided the materials and training. They're competent, I think it will go well. And either way the pine tar is fully supported by Tungsten as medically sound for addressing scale conditions."

He smiled. 'Competent' was the highest compliment in the world when she was like this. Good for them.

"How are the flamerest embers?"

"Good heat, but I can tell they're piled up at the bottom of the pool and I'm scared to put my feet down."

"Hmm. You're fine to do so, they're not much hotter than the water near them, but I will keep that in mind. Are you done?"

He ran his fingers over his skin. The coolness of the mint paired well with the gentle exfoliation of what was probably fine sand in the soap. "Yeah."

"Good. Generous will see you now."

He whirled, but she was already stomping off like an unstoppable titan with his clothes bundled under her arm. In her place was Generous, offering him a towel and a robe and a small vial of rose-scented oil and smiling in his excited way.

"Take your time but don't keep me waiting, dear boy. It's been forever since I got to dress anyone even half as gorgeous as you."

Enyi found it in him to laugh as he dried, oiled, and robed himself. Generous never changed. "It looks like you might get to dress mom soon."

"Gods, you've no idea! She's been in those ratty things for months. Caress is the only thing stopping me from staging an intervention. And only then with co-planning our darling's opening day outfit."

"I'm sure it will be spectacular."

"She's a spectacular woman." The imperial reached out, touching fretfully over Enyi's beard and horns and face. "And you are a spectacular man somewhere underneath all these signs of self-neglect. Come, my love. Let's get you cleaned up."

Two hours later, Enyi scarcely felt like the same dragon. How long had it been since he had been properly groomed? It was hard to remember, and it felt like he had shed a grimy shell and emerged shiny and new. His beard was trimmed, his locs washed and twisted back into neatness, and Generous had done a wonderful job of giving him a fresh wardrobe.

His body wasn’t the greatest though. He was thin. He could’ve sworn he ate and cared for himself, but apparently the grief had gotten the better of him more so than he thought.

When Generous sat Enyi before Pistis, he wasn’t quite feeling himself, but he did feel the closest he had been in a long time. That had to count for something.

“Okay, Pistis,” he said solemnly. “This has been an enlightening intervention. I will come back to work.”

She snorted. “No you’re not.”

His face blanked. “You...didn’t do all this to call me back to the Spa?”

“Ha! You’re in no condition to work in my spa, Enyi. I did it because you’re my son, I love you, and I think you needed it. The fact of the matter is, it was your art that put you in the state that you’ve been in, and I think soon there will be need of that talent in the clan.”

Enyi shrank. “I see...”

“You don’t think you’re ready? There are some who say at this point you’re choosing to live chargeless, you know.”

Now it was his turn to snort. “They don’t understand anything. I want to create more it’s just...”

“It’s like having a child,” she offered. “You can always have more, but that doesn’t replace ones you might have lost.”

He nodded, his expression tight with pain.

“I can understand that. Nothing’s ever going to be the Starwood Spa. But sometimes, you do things in honor of what you’ve lost, my child.” She folded her hands. “One was recovered, you know.”

He shot up. “What?!”

“I see, you didn’t know. Well that explains that. There was a public announcement way back when the returning group from Camellia’s pilgrimage came back. I always thought it was odd you never came to see me about it, but a few of my assets were returned and I forgot about the whole thing for awhile. Busy busy, you know.”

“MOM!”

She smiled and gestured to a left hallway. He rushed away so quickly he almost tripped over the legs of his own chair. And fell to his knees when he arrived. It was clearly meant to be the eventual lobby area of the new spa, and hanging there as the centerpiece was the portrait. His very first.

A deluge of tears spilled over his cheeks. The edges were cracked and some of the color had been warped slightly, but it was right. It was Pistis, as she seemed to him as a young man.

She came to his side, still smiling in her knowing way. “Everything you hoped?”

He laughed even as the tears poured without end. “You look so divine here. So pristine. It’s amazing thinking that I thought of you like this once.”

“Oh? How am I now?”

He smiled and kissed her forehead even though he knew his own face was a mess. “Warmer. More approachable. More mischievous. Your friendship with Caress made you much more candid.”

She laughed softly, and folded her hands. “The queen got the Lightweaver to yield a bit on the Arcane paraphernalia rule. Starlight Museum is being built, and will house our long and wonderful history. And what it needs is a few portraits of the heads of the old dynasty. I know you are the most suited for the task, and I think it will bring you back up to yourself. All you have to do is accept the job.”

“Painting the past...” he sobbed softly, his face still a happy but tear-streaked mess. “I’ll do it.”

“You know you might not be able to protect them.”

“I know. But if this one being the survivor isn’t a sign I should keep going what is?” He gazed back up at it, his heart so full he could barely contain it. “I’ll get the past out of my system. And then... I want to paint new things.“