#he was so small and weak from the coma the poor kid could barely walk and was stumbling to try and get home

[x-neurotoxin-x]

Can we all just take a minute to acknowledge how many times Touya should've been saved but wasn't?

Not even touching on at the home, that's an entirely other tragic situation, I mean the seven years he was on the street. It's such a messed up thing, because you're telling me there's this sickly teenager dressed in burnt up hospital clothes and no shoes wandering around COVERED in VISIBLE wounds all over his body (that only became worse with time as he started training his quirk again) and no one reached out to him? No one tried to help him?

You're saying for a damn near decade he lived on the streets, likely hungry and barely scraping by to get his needs met, probably frequently very sick due to his burns and the conditions he was living in, also in a terribly vulnerable situation where people probably did take advantage of and victimize him and you're telling me nobody helped him? They just ignored him? For nearly a decade??? Yeah, I'd go crazy and start plotting society's downfall, too, that's sick.

[quirkwizard]

QuirkWizard Character: Nigai Mame

Name: Nigai Mame (Bitter Bean)

Hero Name: Brewmaster

Appearance: Nigai can have a rather scary look about him.  With his sharp teeth and square head, Nigai can come across as unfriendly at first glance. He has short, dark brown hair and a pair of deep brown eyes. By no means out of shape, Nigai is a little on the thinner side of heroes. His costume consists of a skin tight black leotard, covering his body except for his arms. With that, he has boots, a belt full of pocket, and a double bandoleer covered in pouches across his chest, all of which match his hair color. On the back of the belt, there is a small first aid kit.

Story: Recently graduated from high school, with a few years to perfect his product, Nigai tried to make a profit out a unique coffee blend he had developed. While he tried to sell his brand, no one wanted to take his product. After walking home from another rejection, he saw a hero advertising another brand of coffee on display television. This infuriated Nigai beyond belief. Not only because he knew what he was selling was very poor brand of coffee, but he knew that hero was nothing less than an incompetent buffoon at his job. This gave Nigai the direction he needed. If that moron could be such an awful hero, promote a poor product, and still have both do really well, then anyone could do it. And so Nigai decided to become a hero, marking one of the few times anyone has done it out of spite.

Nigai went on to take the Special Hero Course, unique courses meant to train those in hero work who did not attend a hero school in their youth. He mostly went there to help sell his product, thinking that anyone could be a hero and make something to sell. However, as he trained to get his license, Nigai slowly warmed up to the idea of being a real hero after hearing stories from his fellow trainees. Especially, The Bovine Hero, Cowgirl, someone who wanted to be a hero, but couldn't due to her sick father keeping her from working. He still wanted to sell his coffee, but didn't want to shirk any of his duties as a hero. Nigai now runs his own agency, doing hero work while still peddling his coffee.

Personality: Bitter and aggressive, Nigai is very hard to approach. Nigai has high standards for everything and everyone around him. If he sees something he doesn't like, he's bound to let everyone know about it. However, this does seem more driven by an idea of perfectionism rather than just being hypercritical for no reason. Like if he sees a hero doing something wrong, they are bound to get the chewing out of a lifetime because they should be better as lives hang in the balance with their work. He's not entirely heartless, his anger aimed more at incompetence rather than ignorance. Nigai even holds himself to those same standards, getting furious even in small imperfects in something he does.

Quirk: Coffee Jockey This Emitter type Quirk allows the user to produce coffee from their hands. The effects of this coffee are much stronger than normal, energizing whoever drinks it without have any sort of addictive qualities, allowing the user to keep the spirits of themselves and their allies up. At worst, they can just throw scalding coffee in people’s faces. However, the Quirk will only produce black coffee, requiring the user to consume whatever additive someone may want in order to produce it from their body. The amount of coffee the user can produce is dependent on their mood, able to produce more coffee if they are in a bad mood.

Super Moves: -Whip Up: By condensing his coffee production to a thin line, Nigai is able to make a water whip of his coffee, extending his range while improving his accuracy.

-Pick Up: By pouring coffee directly into the mouth of one of his allies, Nigai is able to improve their energy levels, guaranteeing they can keep fighting even after a long day. May result in a caffeine crash afterwards.

-Expresso Shot: After throwing coffee in his opponent's eyes, Nigai then punches them in the face. It's not amazing, but it is satisfying and hands down Nigai's favorite move.

Costume: Bean Belt: A special belt designed to carry Nigai's various components, such as sugar and coffee beans, meant to augment his Quirk when it is necessary. This also extends to the bandoleer he is wearing.

First Aid Kit: A kid kept at the back of Nigai belt in case of emergencies.

Strengths: -Dedication: Likely due to his perfectionist nature, Nigai has a lot of commitment to whatever he is doing. No matter what it is, Nigai will throw his heart and soul into it, making the best of what he can.

-Keen Eye: Nigai is someone that has an "eye for trouble", making it easy to notice things others may miss. It's hard to get something past him, especially if someone is lying.

Weaknesses: -Perfectionism: Nigai has high standards of everyone around him, just barely hiding his annoyance. This can lead him to be needlessly critical, even to himself.

-Weak Body: While by no means frail, Nigai relies far more on his Quirk then his physical abilities, causing him to struggle in situations where he needs to use his body like a fist fight.

Stats: Strength: 2/5 Speed: 3/5 Intelligence: 3/5 Technique: 5/5 Cooperation: 1/5

Trivia: -He is thirty one years old. -His favorite food is muffins. -His blood type is A. -His self made coffee brand is called Brewmeister. -Once tried to escape a hospital while in recovery from an attack to get back to work. He didn't even make it off his floor. -While not the most social figure, Nigai was able to gain popularity by playing into his more aggressive persona. -When working on one of his cases, he worked four nights with no sleep with the help of his Quirk. He then went into a coma for a week. -Was once accused of using a villain fight to destroy a chain coffee shop near his agency. He was later acquitted due to a lack of evidence.

[tortorou]

If you could stand one night

Tw// Drowning, concussion, blood, Ximena being a bastard. As always, read at your own risk and enjoy. 

After some fervent, carefully worded persuading, Elaina had convinced Ximena to bandage up the man's head. It would be troublesome, after all, if he fell into some sort of coma before she'd had any chance to make use of him. Ximena would admit, Elaina was a crafty thing. It was why she liked her, to take something so crafty and make it feel dumb. There was an accomplished feeling in it. 

So Ximena rounded her way down the grim hallway, where shuffles and scrapes and muttering voices could be heard behind thick doors. Sometimes screaming, although the screaming was muffled enough not to cause her much issue. Emery's door was near the end of the hall, and Ximena busied herself along the walk by flicking through his wallet. It had fallen into the trunk of her car, likely amongst the tussle, not that she could bother herself in remembering. Emery Dalton, aged twenty-nine, just two years older than herself. An organ donor as well... at least he'd be useful to someone once she was done with him. 

She poked his I.D. back into its little slot in the wallet as she reached the door. Elaina had left the light on for him and she sighed. She'd have to fix that...

The door creaked open, and she spotted him still lying against the floor, looking like he'd fallen in and out of consciousness, smudged red stains trailing along beneath his head. It seemed he'd been squirming about, trying to get up or get out. The poor thing had barely even reached the door. Maybe she'd been a bit rougher than she thought...

"Hey, baby," she grinned, watching his head bob, looking up at her and squinting against the bright light above him, reaching out like she might be an angel cast in the fluorescence of the room.

"He...l... help..." he wheezed, struggling to try and sit himself up, fingers scraping uselessly along the ground as he lumbered up a few inches and then dropped right back into place on his elbows. 

"Shh shh shh..." she soothed, kneeling to cup his cheek in one hand, making him look at her as she peered into his eyes. One pupil was bigger than the other... it seemed like he did, indeed, have a concussion, "Oh, poor baby," she smoothed back his sweat-soaked hair, "Don't worry, I'll help you. Put your arm abouts my shoulder, would ya'?" she instructed, helping him along as he barely moved, limp as a boiled noodle as she draped his long, scrawny arms around her shoulder, "That's it, baby, just like that," she rose, struggling a bit beneath his weight, finding her balance before helping to lug him off down the hallway and into the main entrance of the lavish basement. Elaina stood in the middle of the room, hands crossed neatly over her skirt, eyes partially aimed towards the ground, right where Ximena had left her. Right, she'd say to 'stay-put', she forgot just how literally Elaina had come to take her word.

Ximena certainly wasn't complaining. 

The pale girl perked up once Ximena entered, going back to that eager look of waiting, knowing she'd be asked to do something or other. Well, may as well give the girl what she wanted.

"Come take him for me, will you?" Ximena asked, wobbling him about to emphasize, smiling a bit at the way he so limply complied.

Elaina came forward, though there was a distant fear in her arms, afraid to drop him, "Uhm... How, how should I...?" she hovered about like a confused bumblebee over wax flowers.

"Just take him, doll, it's no science," she practically tossed him onto her and her knees buckled under the weight, letting out a high pitched yelp as she collapsed to the floor with him, pinned beneath his weight.

"Don't go damaging him any more than he is, Lai," Ximena scolded, hands on her hips as she peered down at Elaina.

"Sorry! I'm s-sorry, I'll, I'll get him, I'm sorry...!" she softly rambled her panicked apology, scrambling to get out from beneath him, trying not to seem too pained as she twisted herself oddly to get up quicker, trying to pick him back up.

By some miracle, she managed to drape him over her back, hardly standing so much as squatting when she finally got to her feet with him, clearly shaking under the weight, "Sorry..." she said once more, barely a whisper, strained as she tried to focus on holding him up.

"Come on, then" Ximena continued to hurry her along, making her way towards an opposite hallway, not bothering to slow her pace.

"Uhm..." Elaina staggered forward, "Where... Uhm, which, which room are we...?"

"Bathroom, Lai, you see how dirty he is," Ximena replied in a tone that made Elaina feel rather silly for asking, just as much as it made her wide eyes go wider at the prospect of walking all that way.

"That's... Uhm, I, I don't know if I ca- can, uh..." she stopped when Ximena glanced back at her, the subtleties of her expression making Elaina's blood run cold, "Never- nevermind..." she corrected herself quietly. 

~~~ 

They reached the bathroom, Elaina feeling like her slim legs may just break, almost numb from forcing herself from falling again and fighting against the burning in her calves. She felt her heart jump a bit once they were done, in a good way, setting him down as gently as she good with a rather proud look in her eye, "I did it...!" she whispered to herself, having so truly thought that she wouldn't manage, that she'd sooner pass out than manage to carry this large man. It may not seem the biggest task, but for her, as weak and small as she was, so used to failing, she felt uncharacteristically happy.

"Would you like a gold star?" Ximena mocked as she knelt to run the bathwater, and just as soon as Elaina's emotions had soared, they came crashing back down just as roughly. 

Elaina fell silent, expression falling as she bowed her head and folded her hands again, an empty pit forming in her stomach. 

Ximena tested the water, turning to Elaina and chuckling at her expression, "I'm kidding, doll," she laughed, standing up to pull her into a loose hug, Elaina feeling her wet hands at her back, "Good work."

The new praise rose her spirits a bit, but they'd already been quite thoroughly shattered, "Thank you..."

"Now help me lean this babe against the side, we need to wash that bloodied scalp of his," Ximena was quick to move on, and Elaina followed her lead in propping Emery against the tub. He was still conscious, Elaina noticed, though it didn't seem like that was saying much. The two of them washed him, or more accurately, Elaina washed him while Ximena enjoyed the sight of watered-down bloodstains against Elaina's pale skin, somehow speckling along her bleach white hair and flecked over the ends of her short sleeves. Elaina worked gently to pull small bits of gravel from the gash in the man's head, brow furrowed with sympathy now that she could get a better look at the wound, the way it still bled and didn't seem to want to stop, head bent back over the edge, the ends of his hair kissing the surface of the water, trailing the blood down with it like some morbid water park. 

"What should we name him?" Ximena mused, quite sure he wasn't paying enough attention to hear anything more than running water in his ears.

"Uhm..." Elaina thought carefully as she carded through his hair, cupping up water in her small hands to better wet it. She thought of one answer, but it was an awfully bad one and could get her in a lot of trouble. Even still... she wanted to help him keep his real name, "What, what about... Em-Emery?" she glanced at Ximena, the back to the water, only catching a brief look of her face, unable to tell if there was anything different in her expression. Her heart pounded in her ears and the room stilled and froze around her, cheeks prickling with terrified anticipation, and when Ximena reached forward Elaina flinched, only to melt when she realized Ximena was just brushing some hair back that had begun to dangle in the bathwater. 

Now, Elaina turned to properly look at her. She was smiling, so Elaina smiled back, "... So you did talk to him," Ximena finally replied, and what little color was left in Elaina's face drained away entirely. 

"Wai-!" before she could finish, Ximena had her face shoved beneath the water, holding her there as she struggled weakly against Ximena's grip on her hair, flailing, splashing bloody water across the floors, staining them pink, her white dress soaked in the same color. Her scream muffled and bubbled up about the water, turning to something more waterlogged before the girl struggled harder.

The promptly began to go still, shivering instead of flailing, small bubbles rising before they stopped.

Beneath, Elaina tasted the stale water and the faint metallic taste of blood, water running up her nose, down her lungs, burning her eyes, her throat, her chest, everywhere. She felt her chest tighten as the water went to fill it, that was when her struggling got worse, when she couldn't breathe any longer, and when the burning seemed to spread along with the buzz down her fingertips, and she'd run out of air to exhale, her head felt full of cotton and she slowly stilled, knowing she wouldn't be let up if she struggled, not knowing if she would be let up at all. 

 And finally, just when her vision was beginning to go dark and her lungs felt empty and full all at once, she was yanked back up from the water and tossed across the floor, where she struggled in the puddle of her own flailed water and choked up the red-stained bathwater that had so blocked her from breathing, eyes bugging and blinking out the stinging water in them as she tried to hold herself up and slipped, hitting her elbow rough against the tile and watching as a new, brighter little puddle of red began to blend with the rest. She collapsed there, blurred vision looking towards Ximena, who was finishing in cleaning Emery up as if nothing had happened at all, twirling his damp hair around her finger with a smile.

"I think I'll call you Micah," she sang, and with that, Elaina blacked out. 

[glittermork]

Modern Royalty AU pt. 3

part 1 part 2

Summary: Jaemin’s mom is suing the king.

(Alternatively: Renjun and Jeno finally have that talk they’ve been meaning to get to for the last three months, and Jaemin is alive.)

Jaemin hasn’t woken up in a hospital since he was seven and his father bashed an empty soju bottle over his skull. Back then, the scar had been cool and the schoolwork he’d missed was easily made up. His mother had been by his side crying when he’d woken up. His father had given him ten bucks and the new Spider-Man comic for lying to the nurse about how he’d gotten hurt.

Roughly sixteen years later, he wakes up to the sound of someone sobbing.

“Hnnngnhghn,” he says, and the sobbing stops with a choked gasp.

Jaemin peels one eye open and regrets it immediately. Sitting on Jaehyun’s lap on the left side of his bed is Taeyong. (Fuck. Jaemin doesn’t know how to deal with people when they cry! This isn’t part of his job!)

“Oh shit, he’s awake,” he hears Jaehyun mumble, and he just barely resists the urge to roll his eyes, (mostly because he suspects that it would really fucking hurt), as he struggles to sit up. Unfortunately, this is also the exact moment his body decides to let him know that there is a bullet hole in his fucking torso, and maybe he should take that into consideration when he tries to make any sudden movements.

Collapsing on the bed in an uncoordinated flop, Jaehyun smirks at him and Taeyong frowns. “Lay back down, you dummy,” Taeyong sniffles, collecting himself from his boyfriend’s lap. Jaemin would spare a thought to wonder why he’s not worried about being caught, if it didn’t feel like his entire body was on fire. He should probably stop jumping in front of bullets.

“Na Jaemin,” Taeyong begins his lecture, and Jaemin groans. “Do you have ANY IDEA how fucking worried we were about you? You almost died on the operating table! TWICE! I thought we were really going to lose you the second time! What the fuck!”

“I almost died again? Jesus,” Jaemin mutters.

Taeyong splutters. “The fuck do you mean—AGAIN?!”

“You know I had a job before this, right?”

“Well, yeah, of course, but—you know what? No. Shut up. I was worried! And I thought your mom was going to actually strangle my dad and—“

“Hold up, my mother is here?”

Taeyong stares back at him blankly. “You got shot, Jaemin. Of course she came.”

“Your mom is, like, really fucking mad at you, by the way,” Jaehyun says. Jaemin assumes he’s just here for Taeyong’s emotional support.

“Shut up, Jae,” Taeyong groans, drying his tears on his boyfriend’s sweater. “I’m gonna go get a nurse. Play nice or I’m not putting out for a month.”

“Damn,” Jaehyun mutters under his breath, and sits back down in his chair next to Jaemin’s bed. “Seriously, though, kid, the doctor handed your mom your nipple piercings in a plastic bag ‘cuz I guess they had to take them out for surgery or some shit and she fucking, lost her mind.”

“Great! Thanks, Jaehyun! That’s exactly what I wanted to hear, two minutes after waking up from a coma!”

“I didn’t know you had nipple piercings,” he continues, and Jaemin thinks this is maybe the last conversation he’d like to be having right now. He’s tired. and he misses Jeno and Renjun. “Aren’t you, like, five? I didn’t know they let toddlers get nipple piercings?”

“First of all, I’m twenty-three,” Jaemin grumbles, glaring at him. “And I’ve had them since I was eighteen, so fuck you.”

Jaehyun holds his hands up defensively. “Hey, you do you, man, all I’m saying is—“

Jeno and Renjun, of course, decide that it’s the appropriate moment to make an appearance. Seriously, fuck his fucking life. The door flies open, and standing there, in all their slightly-haggard, stayed-at-the-hospital-for-over-24-hours-glory, are the two (2) loves of his life. Jaemin kind of wants to go back to sleep.

“Fucking hell, Nana,” Renjun mumbles, and promptly bursts into tears. Jeno looks mildly alarmed but he’s also holding up his boyfriend with one arm and staring at his other boyfriend (they really need to have that talk) in a hospital bed, so, whatever. Together they sort of half-limp-drag-walk to the unoccupied side of Jaemin’s bed, and now Jaemin has to fight the urge to cry as well. So maybe getting shot is god-awful, but as long as these two are safe, he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“Please never do that again,” Jeno breathes, and buries his face in Jaemin’s neck. Jaemin wonders if maybe this is some sort of punishment from god or whoever the fuck is up there, for falling in love with the prince and the prince’s boyfriend. There’s no other explanation for why they’re both climbing into his bed, and crying on his shoulders and holding his fucking hands.

“Um. What is happening here?” Jaemin asks Jaehyun, who is currently taking pictures of them for his blackmail folder.

Jaehyun gives Jaemin the most deadpan look, and sighs. “There’s no hope for you.”

He’s about to make a weak retort, when Taeyong, followed by a line of medical professionals, the king, and his mother, burst into the room.

Jaemin sighs. It’s going to be a long morning.

—

“What I don’t understand,” his mother is saying, but Jaemin hasn’t been listening since she started ranting about the Pride photos again. “Is why you didn’t think to tell me that boys you were in love with were the prince that you’re supposed to be guarding and his boyfriend?”

Jaemin shrugs half-heartedly, and licks another spoonful of pudding. They’ve gone over this four times already. He wants to take a nap. He misses his. . . .charges. (Are Jeno and renjun considered his charges? Is that the right word for it? Does he need to maybe cool it with the pain meds? Yeah, probably.)

“Could you keep your voice down?” He winces, and glances out the door. It would honestly be the cherry-on-top of the bullshit-sundae, if he got fired for being in love with Jeno and Renjun after he quite literally just took a bullet for them. Maybe it’s what he deserves.

“Oh, shut up,” his mom rolls her eyes, brushing a lock of Jaemin’s hair out of his eyes, and kissing his forehead. “You know they love you back, right, baby?”

“Mom, I—“

“No, you listen to me, Na Jaemin.“ Shit, she full-named him. “Those two boys have been here since the moment you were admitted. They’ve been crying over you all night and all morning and if you think that doesn’t mean they love you too, you’ve got another thing coming, honey.”

“Mom,” he sighs, and closes his eyes. The Academy didn’t train him for this. “They love each other. I’m sure they were just worried about me because we’re friends. Or they felt guilty that I took a bullet for them. Which they shouldn’t, it’s my fucking job. I’m probably just—reading too far into things. They’ve been in love since they were, like, infants, you know? I can’t mess that up. And I don’t want to.”

His mom gives him an unreadable look, and huffs, shaking her head. “you always were too stubborn for your own good, baby,” she says, and pats his thigh.

“Mom,” he sighs, and hides his face in the sweatshirt Jeno had given him because ‘I know you get cold easily’, (Jaemin had practically swooned right on the spot). He’d looked nervously to Renjun after that comment, but the older boy was just smiling affectionately at both of them, hand easily continuing to stroke the hair at the nape of Jaemin’s neck, his other resting clasped with Jeno’s over Jaemin’s lap. The entire morning had felt unreal.

“Jaemin,” his mom sighs back in the same tone of voice, and gives his sweatshirt a pointed look.

So maybe they do have some things to work out. But he just can’t get his hopes up. He’s doesn’t know what he’ll do if they get crushed.

“Don’t give me that look,” he blushes, tugging the hood over his greasy hair, and grimacing. “When’s the soonest I can take a shower?”

“I don’t know,” Donghyuck replies, poking his head into the room to announce his arrival. “You should’ve thought of that before you jumped in front of a bullet, idiot.”

“Hyuck!” Jaemin grins, making grabby hands at the giant plushie Hyuck is balancing with a bouquet of sunflowers and what looks like the entire boxed set of Buffy DVDs Jaemin keeps in the back of his closet.

“What’s up, Nana,” he grins, handing his mother the flowers and setting the DVDs on his bedside table. “How’s my favorite little bodyguard doing?”

“Shut up, Hyuck,” Jaemin rolls his eyes, hugging the soft bumblebee plushie to his chest. “I'm guessing the flowers are from your other thirds?”

“Yeah, Mark said sorry he couldn’t be here, poor baby’s been arguing with the charity ball security team all morning. The plushie is from Jisung, though.”

“Yikes,” Jaemin winces, “tell him I’m sorry I can’t be there to help him. And I know it’s from Jisung, I got his for him for his birthday last year.”

Hyuck shrugs. “I forgot about your weird symbiotic relationship. Anyway, clean up is Mark’s best skill, Nana. Besides, you should tell him yourself—he hasn’t stopped anxiety-ing over you all morning.”

“Tell him the flowers are lovely, too!” His mother interjects, gathering her purse and jacket and kissing him on the forehead. “I’m gonna go get lunch and find that dumbass king of yours—“ “Mom! Promise me you won’t—“ “I’m not promising anything!” She finishes, calling over her shoulder as she swings out the door. Jaemin would be assed to stop her if he didn’t already know what a losing fight looked like.

Hyuck rolls his eyes, and peels open Jaemin’s other pudding. Jaemin just barely suppresses the urge to pout.

“What kind of shit are they feeding you in here, anyway?” He asks, licking the lid, and Jaemin slumps back onto his pillows.

“Mush.”

“Gross. Okay! I’m done with small talk, time for the real reason why I’m here: you took a fucking bullet for them.”

“Hyuuuuck,” he whines, smashing his face back into the bumblebee plushie to avoid Hyuck’s knowing gaze. “Can’t you just be a normal visiting friend and tell me I was brave or some shit?”

“Fine. You were brave! And incredibly fucking stupid! Now, please tell me how you call that ‘a little crush that I’ll get over eventually’?”

“In case you haven’t noticed,” Jaemin mumbles into the pillow, “it’s kind of my fucking job.”

Hyuck sighs dramatically, and plops down on the newly-vacated chair. “Hopeless,” he mutters, and shoves another spoonful of low-fat pudding in his mouth.

—

The nurses had cut him off after two seasons of Buffy, so Jaemin and Hyuck had elected to play quiet music and talk about food. A subject neither of them could ever grow tired of.

Hyuck’s not really sure how that turned into this.

There are tears streaming down Jaemin’s face. It’s only two in the afternoon. The Weekend by SZA is playing for the sixth time in a row. Hyuck is five seconds away from murdering him in cold blood. His bullet wound kind of throbs but maybe it’s just his heart breaking into a million pieces.

“You’re not a side hoe,” Hyuck groans, snatching Jaemin’s phone and turning it off.

“Fuck you,” he sniffles, leaning back on the crinkly hospital pillows, “I’m a home wrecker. And I’m ugly.”

“You’re so incorrect about both of those things that I’m not gonna even respond to that! Okay, I think that’s enough phone-time. How about we just talk, okay? Doesn’t that sound nice?”

Jaemin sniffs. “Maybe,” he admits, sinking slowly into his pillow pile until the only visible part of him is his hair sticking out like an unruly tree branch.

Hyuck snorts. “Do you want to go to take a nap, baby?”

“Shut up.” Jaemin replies, and promptly passes out.

“Absolutely fucked,” Hyuck sighs to himself as he tucks the younger boy in.

—

Renjun has never been certain of anything as much as he and Jeno.

JenoJenoJeno. He could talk about him for days on end. He could wax-poetic about his eyesmile and his teeth and his hands for the rest of his life. Really, he plans to. Jeno, Jeno, Jeno. The boy he’s loved for as long as he can remember.  

And while Jeno is lovely and beautiful and Renjun’s very best friend in the entire world, he has a tendency to hang off Renjun’s every word. And while that’s, admittedly, fantastic, it’s not always what Renjun needs. Sometimes he needs someone to push back. Someone who can meet him blow for blow. Someone who’s not afraid to talk back.

In other words, Renjun needs Jaemin.

JaeminJaeminJaemin. His ears, his nose, his cheeks. Renjun could think about him for hours—days—weeks, on end. He feels like the wind is knocked out of him every time the bodyguard makes eye contact with him with that gorgeous smile. That smile. Renjun has dreams about it.

And, if his suspicions are correct, (fucking hell, please let them be) Jeno needs him too.

“So,” says Jeno after fifteen minutes of him and Renjun staring at each other across the unforgiving plastic benches of the hospital cafeteria.

“I think I’m in love with your bodyguard,” Renjun blurts out, and then immediately freezes.

“Oh, good,” Jeno sighs in relief. “Me too.”

—

“You can’t sue him,” Taeyong sighs for what feels like the hundredth time.

“Of course I can’t sue him,” Jaemin’s mom rolls her eyes. “He’s the fucking king. I’d lose in a heartbeat.”

“Then what, exactly,” Taeyong pinches the bridge of his nose, “was the point of you wasting my entire day?”

She shrugs, and takes a neat sip of the Diet Coke the prince had bought her after the first twenty or so minutes of arguing. “Just buying my idiot son some time to figure his shit out.”

—

Jaemin wakes up to the two people he’s most recently almost died for. It’s a pleasant surprise, considering he thought he’d be fired by now. Shit. Maybe they wanna do it in person?

“—min? You’re not listening to us at all are you?” Renjun chuckles, and Jaemin feels his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. So much for not being obvious. These meds are seriously fucking him up, huh?

“Jaem,” Jeno continues for Renjun, grabbing his boyfriend’s hand. Despite his better reasoning, Jaemin let’s his gaze rest painfully, just a second too long, on their clasped hands, and sits back against his pillows with a wince. Apparently, it’s time to be friend-zoned by the first people he’s been interested in since he was 20. What a sad end to a short career as a professional Kevlar vest.

“Jun, and I have finally had a talk, and—“We love you!” Renjun blurts out, and then promptly buries his head in Jeno’s shoulder as the prince chokes out a laugh in surprise. “Yeah,” he nods hopefully, staring expectantly at Jaemin as he scratches the back of his neck. “We love you. And we want you to be ours. That about covers it.”

Jaemin is absolutely floored. There are very few people in the world who Jaemin considers worthy of his complete love and protection, and two of them are standing here in his room looking at him like he’s the last piece to their 2000 set jigsaw puzzle, and this cannot be real.

He’s distracted from his own frantic, rambling thoughts by Renjun’s delicate, light fingertips brushing away a tear. That’s an interesting development, he hadn’t realized he’d been crying.

Through a few disgusting, choked out sobs, he manages to warble in his stupid, watery voice, “I love you too.” And then lips—he doesn’t know, and, frankly, doesn’t care who’s—are on his like a lifeline, and there’s nothing he feels like thinking about more right now, than how good it feels to finally, finally be complete.

In Renjun and Jeno’s strong, warm, arms, it feels like home.

—

There’s something to be said about the persistence of the paparazzi. Somehow, someway, they always know where to be to make the most absolute inconvenience of themselves and to make their subjects’ lives just that much less private. Truly, a marvel of a job.

There is also, however, something to be said about the sheer terror of going head to head with Jaemin’s mom.

“LISTEN UP, YOU FUCKING CREEPS,” she yells, and Jaemin doesn’t bother listening to the rest. “That was a pretty good start, I think,” Renjun comments, happily playing with the strings of Jaemin’s hoodie. He’s sitting on Jaemin’s lap and they’re both snuggled under the hideous blanket some nurse had draped over them when they’d gotten situated on the wheelchair. It still feels unreal to Jaemin, just as unreal as the sweet kiss Jeno drops on both of their foreheads as he skirts around them to deal with even more paperwork. Who knew even the prince’s bodyguard had to sign release forms?

“I can’t wait to get home,” Jaemin murmurs shyly into the base of Renjun’s neck, receiving a mouthful of soft, baby-pink turtleneck for his efforts.

“Me too, baby,” Renjun sighs, leaning further into his boyfriend’s embrace.

*click*

Their moment is interrupted by the snap of Jeno’s phone camera, as the prince shrugs at them sheepishly. “What?” He laughs, turning back to his paperwork. “It was perfect lock screen material, don’t judge me!”

Jaemin blushes, thinking back to his own lock screen, a picture of Jeno and Renjun he’d taken on one of their many forbidden, late-night, this-never-happened adventures. Renjun is on Jeno’s back, kissing Jeno’s cheek and holding up a peace sign, and Jeno is practically beaming at the camera, eye smile in full power. It’s Jaemin’s favorite picture of them ever, and he’s certainly spent an embarrassing number of nights staring at it desperately. Oh, if only he knew what was coming for him.

When he shows Renjun, the older boy gasps, immediately shoving it in Jeno’s face. “Oh, baby, this is one of my favorite pictures of us too! But, if I’m being honest, it’s missing something.”

“Hey!” Jaemin pouts playfully, trying not to grin. “It was the best I could do with my shitty old phone! I promise I’ll take many, many more.

“He didn’t mean the photo, Jaem,” Jeno laughs, leaning over to wrap Jaemin’s slightly-shaking hand in his warm, steady one. “He meant you.”

“Oh.” Jaemin, gasps, tears welling up in his eyes. How did he possibly get so lucky?

“Awwww, baby,” Renjun grins brightly at him. “We’re just gonna have to take a million more,” he shrugs.

Jeno nods solemnly in agreement, as he takes the safety brakes off of the wheelchair. Renjun slides off his lap reluctantly, taking Jaemin’s hand and tucking his blanket tighter around his shoulders.

“Ready?” Jeno grins, flicking his favorite pair of baby blue heart-shaped sunglasses down from their perch on the top of his head. Jaemin makes a mental note to buy him more colors when Renjun playfully whines that he wants to borrow them.

“Let’s go, you fucking dorks,” Jaemin laughs, tugging on Renjun’s hand and leaning his head back gently against one of Jeno’s arms. Renjun squeezes back and Jeno grins down at him, leaning down to peck Jaemin’s nose, and they’re out the door in mere seconds, to the flashes and screams of paparazzi and reporters alike.

Jaemin instinctively stiffens in his wheelchair, but relaxes immediately as both Jeno and Renjun squeeze his respective hands tightly in comfort.

It’s going to be fine. He has everything he needs, right beside him.

[talk2animals]

Hello there! Can you write an angst fic for soryu and mc getting into an accident. The accident almost killed mc but survived. While soryu was more lucky having small injuries. I'm really am an angst freak

Why oh why must you all do this to me! *Sigh* At least she survives, if you said either of them died I would have said no… to close though lol. So here yo go an angsty for Soryu, the poor baby mobster doesn’t deserve this. This is obviously from Soryu’s POV.

It was during a slow time for the Ice dragons so I picked up _____ for a surprise lunch for her lunch break. We were just heading back and she is talking and smiling while I nod and smile along. It was a sort of busy time a bit of traffic but nothing to bad. We were just going through an intersection on a green and before I notice I glance over to my fiancé and see a car barreling through the red light headed straight for us. Before I could try to protect her our car got it and sent screeching across the intersection, luckily not hitting any other cars.

I must have blacked out because when I come to I am sore and scratched but I hurriedly look over to her. Only to see her bloody her head loose and against her shoulder her arm looking broken and head most likely hit badly. I quickly get out of the car and run over to her side of the car ignoring my pain and try to wrench open the destroyed car door. “______ ______, wake up!” She doesn’t budge and I get shoved away just noticing the paramedics, cops, and fire fighters for the first time. “You got to help her, she is hurt!” My usual composure no where to be seen. 

I feel a hand on my arm and I glare looking over seeing Mamarou “Chill Oh, they are getting her,” I growl “You help then!” He shakes his head and pushes me or at least tries to take me to the paramedics. “Relax, get seen to, she’ll be out shortly. Usually would take your statement but it’s to much of a pain. Got enough witnesses anyways. Don’t need you around to long or you might be seen as threatening the witnesses,” I shake him off “Not going anywhere until ______ is out safe,” He sighs and scratches behind his neck as she is finally put into a stretcher to an ambulance and I quickly follow after her. “Get seen to too” I barely hear the slacker detective as I get in and the doors close behind us.

What seems like hours later which I knew was only probably minutes we finally arrive at the hospital me holding her hand all the while. Not letting anyone touch me to worried about my pale fiancé then to worry about me. I get pushed aside as she is taken to surgery apparently being worse off then I thought. I pace the waiting room calling all the dragons to get the information on what happened not realizing how bad I looked with my and her blood on me far from calm. I didn’t even realize that the others were there sans Mamarou and Luke for obvious reasons. I feel a hand on my arm and glare looking over seeing Eisuke and the others. I hang up the phone and growl “What do you want? I don’t have anytime for your nonsense,” I go to reach for my gun but find where it usually is empty and groan thinking must be somewhere in the car.

“We heard about the princess” Baba just says Ota nodding besides him, “How is Koro?” I just through up my hands “How should I know but from what I can tell bad,” Eisuke nods and lead me to a seat to sit down while I am to distraught to do the usual threatening to weak to do much but worry. “That’s what Luke is busy helping with,” Shuichi nods “Usually have to do all sort of paperwork but eisuke bribed him in.” The detective walks in and shakes his head “Didn’t I say to get yourself checked too?��� I sigh “Don’t care waiting to here about _____”

He shrugs and discreetly hands me my gun. “Had to sneak it away, be careful next time,” he says and I just weakly take it putting it away. “So what happened?” He shakes his head “Can’t say,” I get up and grab his tie yanking it up “Can’t say or won’t say?” I growl angrily wanting to know what happened. He easily pushes my hand away and doesn’t even fix his tie. “Well all I can say is if I did say, the kid would be angry if you did something to land you in jail. Not going to have that sobbing kid on my conscience,” I groan and sit back down knowing he was right.

After an hour or two, what felt actually more like years, Luke finally comes out. “Sexy bones has broken arm, fractured leg all on the one side plus concussion and internal bleeding,” I pale glad I was sitting down or else could have sworn I would have fallen. “But she is out of the woods right?” Eisuke see me pale and asks for me, Luke just nods “She’ll be in a coma for awhile though, don’t know for how long.” I just nod and meanwhile baba takes my arms and push me towards Luke “Good, now check up on him or else something might happen to him. He just quickly looks me over and shrugs “Scratches and bruises, maybe very minor concussion, nothing serious” After awhile I just zone everything out not bother listening to them any longer to worried about my love.

-2 weeks later-

I am at her bedside yet again sitting and reading her another one of my favorite detective books to her. The room filled with flowers and get well soon cards from all the bidders and from many of the dragons. I myself have been coming over as soon as I had time, the first few days never left her side. I finally got pushed out to take care of myself and do quick things for the dragons. Though without her around nothing seemed very important. I guess I let myself go bit, barely eating and not as put together as usual. All I can do is laugh at myself for letting it effect me so badly. Thinking that I would have never thought anyone would be so important to me as her before I met her. 

I wanted to kill the man that made this happen to her. Apparently it was a drunk driver, someone who shouldn’t have been driving in the first place. When I learned of it the bidders could barely contain me. But the thought of her being sad I killed someone because of her and being sent to jail was the only thing that stopped me. Though apparently didn’t have to do anything because once the driver sobered up and heard he put a Mobster’s Boss fiancé into a coma, he was apparently quick to accept a deal to be put in jail. Apparently wasn’t the first time he had a drunk driving accident happen, though first time put someone in a coma.

I sigh and close the book and take her hand. “Please _____ wake up, I can barely eat without thinking of your omelets,” I put her hand to my forehead and close my eyes. I just sit there quietly keeping her hand to my forehead. I don’t know how long I stayed like that but I started to feel her fingers move and I look up quickly to her face. Her eyes slowly flutter open and look over smiling weakly “You look like hell,” she gently lifts her. hand and caresses my cheek. It’s all I could do from wrapping her up in a big hug but hold myself back not wanting to hurt her but I kiss her cheek. “You saying that to me while you are in the hospital?” She laughs weekly but the light in her eyes slowly return.

“So guessing an accident or something?” She asks and tries to sit up but I lay her back down gently. “Yes a drunk driver, you were badly hurt,” she shrugs and runs a hand through my hair “What about you?” I smile “I’m fine, you always worry about me, how about worrying about you?” She laughs softly and I finally smile and she quickly brushes away the tears I must have shed. “I’m awake, sore but awake. I’m sorry I must have worried you,” I just nod and hold her hand to my cheek “Just never worry me like that again,” She just laughs and I finally relax knowing she will be ok.

Gah, this was longer then I thought it would turn out. I swear I almost started crying myself lol. I hope this is what you wanted! 

[ellana-ravenwood]

Fate is a bitch (2) - Bruce Wayne x Reader

Well, originally this story wasn’t suppose to have a second part but tons of people asked me so, here’s a second part :-). I hope you will like it : 

FINISHED SERIES : PART 1

My master list blog : @ella-ravenwood-archives

_________________________________________________

Destiny. 

You strongly believed in Destiny. 

No matter what people could say, how many arguments against it they had, and how much they were sceptic about it…it wouldn’t change your mind. You strongly believed in Destiny.

Because it was impossible only coincidences brought you were you were now…At your wedding with the famous Bruce Wayne. 

************

It all happened about four years ago, when your son, Billy, somehow ended up getting caught by the Justice League and you almost used your elemental powers on them and punched Superman and...it was kind of a mess. 

Basically, you ended up being part of the League. 

Which was something, for someone like you, who was from a poor neighborhood, who had so many struggles in life and who found a kid once, a kid who was living in an abandoned station of the subway (you don’t even remember what brought you there...well, Destiny obviously), a kid who changed your life, and that you just had to adopt. 

At barely 25 years old. Oh the struggles were no where near to end. 

Then you met that guy, that dark and broody guy who stood up for your son when everyone else wanted to “fire” him from the League because he was but a ten years old child.

And that always seemed to smile when you were in the vicinity, though according to everyone else, the Batman never smiled. It was weird right ? And you caught yourself more than once wishing he was smiling because you were there, but it was impossible. 

Sure you and him always seemed to be able to talk about anything without any restrain, like you felt you could tell him everything on your heart, and more often than not, he talked to you about his own troubles and fears...The Batman, talking to you about his troubles and fears ! But it was impossible.

Oh you fell for him pretty fast, and hard, so so hard...But you thought it as impossible. He was older, he was clearly a man with tons of issues that couldn’t hold a relationship (according to his Bruce Wayne persona), he was the goddamn Batman...It just couldn’t be ! 

And yet. Yet. Your sons set you up. Damian and Billy. They tricked you into coming to dinner to the Wayne Manor and...Then Bruce fucked everything up. He avoided you. He stopped talking to you..Because he was afraid to drag you into his dark life. 

But when you almost died, and stayed in a coma for three months. When he just had to take care of your son and make sure you were gonna be alright...He realized that, well, destiny. 

And that’s when things started to get crazy. 

************

All the media could talk about was that “mysterious woman” who seemed to have caught Bruce Wayne’s heart. 

You have no idea how, but they knew everything about you (which made you wonder why they called you “mysterious woman”...what the hell ?). They knew Bruce was twelve years older, they knew you already had a son, they knew you were almost poor (with an emphasis on this because of course you’re after the Wayne fortune !), they knew you were originally from Gotham but went to live elsewhere later, they knew;..they knew everything ! 

It was difficult at first, especially when all the questions you received were about how you were with the man you loved just for his money. After a while though, you got tired of it and started to answer things like : 

-Oh yeah. In fact, I tried every single billionaires in Gotham and in New Jersey in general, just to see who was the best, and well, I guess Bruce won. 

-What do you mean “tried” ? 

-Well, you know...Tried. How expensive the gifts they gave me were, how many times were we going on date nights, if they were really taking me to the best restaurants...Oh, and if they were decent in bed ! If they knew, for example, what the clitoris was you know ? Important things really. 

The look on the journalist’s face when you said that, and the panicky movements she made, the gestures to make the cameraman understand that he should film elsewhere. 

As soon as you said that though, you regretted it. Yeah sure most people would understand that you were being sarcastic and all, but there was definitely gonna be a percentages of people that were going to believe your words to be true. 

You didn’t care much, but you did care about Bruce’s reputation, and you were a bit mad at yourself that you probably just embarrassed him there...Oh he was totally going to realize that you were too immature for him and leave you. Damn you and your big mouth...Especially since those little outburst of annoyance were a recurrence with you...

************

You had nothing to worry about though. When you joined Bruce, a bit worried what he was going to say, he just smiled widely and said :

-Well I’m glad you set your eyes on me after...”trying” that many people. 

He winked, and wasn’t able to stop himself from laughing, because it was the first time he saw someone making a gotham’s journalist uncomfortable...usually, it was them who found the perfect words to make someone feel clumsy and embarrassed with their words ! 

With a loving kiss to your forehead he said : 

-You’re the best. 

And all worries about ever being an embarrassment for him were gone. You always cracked him up when you were being a sarcastic little shit, and more than once tv cameras got him bursting out in a genuine laughter after you talked back to a journalist that was asking you a too personal, or stupid question. There were even compilations on YouTube of you saying one of your famous punchline, and him just starting to laugh like crazy (you suspected Billy and Tim to make those video compilations). Oh, and memes too...

***********

Yes. Destiny. It was real, it couldn’t be otherwise. Almost four years after the League discovered you and your son, it was Destiny that brought you here, with Bruce, on a beautiful starry summer night, as he was taking you for a discreet date out. You believed in Fate more than ever. 

A hot dog at your favorite food truck in Gotham, wearing only casual clothes so no one would recognize you (and no one did, for most people, it was impossible that Bruce Wayne would go out in a plain t-shirt, cargo shorts and sneakers), a walk on the docks, which was your favorite place ever...And a knee on the floor. 

-Br...Bruce what are you doing ? 

-Hum. I...isn’t this how you’re suppose to do it ? I’m not sure I never done it before...and I don’t want to do it again after. 

You’re silent, as he takes a little box out of his cargo short’s pocket, take his cap off, and opens it in front of you...A ring. Not an extra fancy one. A white gold band with just a little diamond on it. Oh that man. He knew how expensive things always made you a bit awkward and uneasy. 

Not to say that this ring wasn’t expensive, but it was...Simple. 

Your heart stopped as he said : 

-(Y/N) (Y/L/N)...Will you marry me ? 

There was a few agonizing minutes of silence that almost drove Bruce crazy until you said, in a very weak voice, barely a whisper : 

-...Yes. Of course, of course I will. 

People around applause, unaware that they just witnessed the marriage proposal of the most famous persons in Gotham ! 

Bruce got on his feet and took you in his arms, crushing you on his strong chest, and all you could do is laugh stupidly. Laugh because you were so happy. You were about to say something, and to kiss him when : 

-YES YES YEEEEEEES !! Hey Dam...Robin, now we’re really brothers. 

You and Bruce turned around and glared at your son, fortunately, no one noticed the grown ass man and the kid, standing on a boat down the docks. No one noticed Shazam and Robin, just standing there, and cheering you up. Or rather, Billy was cheering, his arms slung around Damian, and Dams’ stayed stern and stoic. As usual. 

For a few seconds, you got scared that the one you came to call your son wasn’t happy that you’d marry his dad, but when he said : 

-Tt. Don’t be a fool Shazam...We already were brothers. 

It kinda melted both you and Bruce’s heart. And you could have sworn you saw tears in your boy’s eyes at his brother’s words. When Billy, still in his adult form, took Damian in his arms, you couldn’t help the little laugh escaping your lips as your little Dami’ was trying to not suffocate at the force of his brother’s hug.

************

And here you were, the day of your wedding, about to get hitch with the love of your life. 

It was a small and cute reception, only close friends and family. 

Alfred cried. Clark cried. Arthur and Hal cried. Barry cried. And Diana rolled her eyes at their over-sensitivness, though she had to admit, seeing the Bat and you getting married was very emotional. 

The amazon too, strongly believed in Destiny, and ever since she first saw you and Bruce interact, she just knew you were made for each other. 

She even asked her “half-sister” Aphrodite once, and when the goddess told her : “Oh I haven’t seen a love so pure and true since...Since ever, really”, she knew she was right. 

Your wedding was perfect. Your sons got really excited. 

Dick, Jason, Tim and Damian were the happiest boys ever, that Bruce found you, and that you always accepted them as your sons (ever since the beginning). Those last four years had been the happiest since a long time they had, and they really felt like they had a family. They were already all calling you “mom”, but this wedding...it made it all official. That morning, you had signed their adoption papers, and they now really were your kids. 

Billy too, was overly happy. Because now, he had the best mother ever...But also the most awesome father, and four amazing brothers ! Just like you accepted Bruce’s children as your own, Bruce had been nothing but great to Billy, and never did a difference between the five boys. They were his, and that was that. Billy sobbed like a baby in his dad’s arms when Bruce signed the official adoption papers...

Yes. That wedding was perfect. 

************

It was Billy’s seventeenth birthday, and you ended up having the best gift ever for him. You were just waiting for the best time to say it. 

Seventeen. You couldn’t believe that your baby boy was turning seventeen already. Damian had turned eighteen that year, and oh let’s not talk about Tim being already nineteen, almost twenty, Dick twenty four (the age you were when you and Bruce got together !) and Jason twenty two. It was too depressing for you to even thing about your kids growing up that fast.  

It was rare to be able to get all the family in one place. Five busy kids, your two oldest not living in the family nest anymore (you cried, when they moved into their own apartment, but their hugs and soothing words to you, the way they made sure you knew how much they loved you and how you’ll always be their mom, it made you feel better...just a bit). Tim still lived at Wayne Manor, and would until he was done with College...he was trying his hardest not to go crazy as his younger brothers made it a mission to annoy him. Oh but he loved those little buggers (that were not so little anymore), and would forgive them anything. Or rather, almost anything. 

As Alfred brings the cake in, and Billy jumps excitedly on his chair, you can’t help but smile, and snuggle against Bruce who was sitting next to you. 

He throws an arm around your shoulder, an brings you closer, smiling at his son as Billy blows on his candles. 

Damian spends the next few minutes trying to get his brother to say what his wish was, but no, Billy won’t say it because it means it won’t happen if he does ! But as each year, he ends up saying it anyway, and gets mad at himself because : “this is why none of my wishes ever happen !”. And this time, Damian seems to regret making him say it, because it was also something he wanted : 

-A little sister. 

The words made you stiffen in your husband’s arms, and at his worried look...yeah ok you had to say it : 

-Hum...Well...I don’t know about a little sister but...hum...I wanted to wait until after you opened your gifts but I guess now...Hum...

They all understand of course, but they want you to confirm it with your words. Well, scratch that, it seems like they all understand, but your husband. He pulled away from you slightly and looks at you, a mix of curiosity and hope in his eyes. 

You talked about having children of your own, though you never really tried because...Well, five teenage boys was a lot of work. And now...What were you saying ? 

Not looking at any of them, and especially not at Bruce, you blurted out : 

-I’m pregnant ! I’ve known since last week but thought that waiting for all of us to be here was best. I still don’t know what the gender is though and...

Your husband’s lips crashing on yours shut you up. 

Alfred lets out a high pitched scream and goes to literally tear away Bruce from you, and takes you in his arms. You respond to the hug, and the tears your adopted father let slides on your shoulder melt your heart. 

Dick jumps on his feet and is already blabbering about how he’ll teach him or her everything about gymnastic and how to be flawless and good looking at all time (oh that boy). Jason, after rolling his eyes at Dick, comes to hug you too (after Alfred finally lets go of you), and whispers a heartfelt “congratulations” in your hear. You hug him back, squeezing your now grown ass man of a son against your heart. 

Damian and Billy are...dancing a gig ? Billy because he won’t be the baby anymore (oh but he’ll always stay the baby, they all will), and Damian because...oh he was just so excited. The more the merrier. 

The only one that seemed a bit reluctant was Tim. And when you looked at him with a questioning look in his eyes, he simply says : 

-...I hope to god it’s a sister, I can’t deal with more boys right now. 

And the laugh that takes you over quickly spreads to your entire family. And of course, quickly after that, Tim reassures you, he’s also excited to have a new sibling. 

That night, you fall asleep in your Bruce’s arms, with his hand splayed protectively over your stomach. 

************

Your boys took a bet about the gender of the baby. Most bet on a boy, because...Well, they all wanted a sister, so of course they’d get a boy ! Bruce was sure it was a girl, so was Billy. 

Turned out, their guts were right, and when you told all of them that they were going to have a little sis’, the burst of joy that took over them was the best thing you ever saw. 

You felt a tint of jealousy for the little girl growing inside you...she was going to have the best brothers in the world, and an amazing father (who was already freaking out about so many things...Him and Alfred child proofed the entire mansion, and it was the most hilarious thing to see EVER). You grew up without a family and oh, you were just so glad that this little one you already loved to death was going to be lucky and have all the love you never had as a kid. 

************

Of course, there was NO WAY that, now that you were pregnant, your husband, your sons and even Alfred (especially Alfred) would let you go out on patrol, or on any missions. 

It was alright for you, you didn’t want to put your child in any danger...But as you approached the term and was full on pregnant, danger came to you. 

You were so tired lately, the baby was due for only a week after and oh this third trimester was hard on you. 

Your hormones had been playing tricks on you...Hell, this morning you cried because Billy asked you if you needed anything, and when Dick came by from Bludhaven to check on you, you bursted into tears in his arms, unable to stop. Your oldest son just held you in his arms and waited patiently for you to calm down and...the fact that he was so understanding made you cry again ! 

It wasn’t helping that Bruce, against his will, had so much work as Batman. Major world threat were acting up lately, and the League was busiest than ever...You wished you could fight by their side, make sure your family and friends were safe and all...

Yes, you just couldn’t wait for your daughter to come. 

Alfred was baking you your favorite cookies and making some tea when it happened. 

You were half-asleep on the couch, when you felt...Something was wrong. You didn’t had time to react, you didn’t had time to use your powers, you were too weak...The last thing you remember are masked men knocking you out. 

************

But of course. You were the famous (Y/N) Wayne. You were pregnant with Bruce Wayne’s child. Of course it was a great idea to kidnap you. 

How those guys went pass Wayne Manor’s security system was a mystery...that they explained to you. By hacking. They hacked into the system and annihilated it. Or rather, showed the cameras and such that everything was good. So they were smart...Because Tim was the one that set this security system up. 

Oh. Smart criminals. They were the worst. 

************

Alfred was frantic, and felt so so guilty. But Bruce reassured him, and didn’t allow himself to panic. He needed to keep his cool if he wanted to find you in one piece. 

He stayed cold and detached, as he was trying to get any clues. Oh those guys weren't amateurs, they planned all that, because the clues were few...but there. 

************

You started to feel the first contraction about an hour after the kidnapping. Your kidnappers were...strangely civil and nice. They didn’t tie you up or anything, they just wanted money. Though they did knock you out, one of them apologized as he gave you a pack of ice. 

And when your water broke, they slightly panicked. 

They didn't get any time to fully enter : “panic mode” though, as your husband and sons charged in. 

You almost felt bad for them and the severe beating they got. Almost, because you could feel your daughter wanting to come out and...Oh my god of course, she was a Wayne, she heard the fight and was resolute to come RIGHT NOW. 

When Bruce got to you, he freaked out. The baby was coming. And the nearest hospital was too far...

But that was not counting on Billy. He told them to join him afterward, and left flying, speeding through the sky.

************

Of course, all the media knew that (Y/N) Wayne arrived in Shazam’s arms to the hospital to give birth to a long awaited daughter in the hour you arrived. 

But also, Bruce made sure none of them could actually access the hospital. An army of private security was shielding the clinic’s doors, letting go only people who needed doctors in. 

A few journalists tried to sneak in, but the entire floor where you were had been privatized. Of course. Bruce did NOT want pictures of you and his daughter in the news the next day. The only pictures the media will get, was the one he would give them and that is it (because of course, a public figure such as Bruce Wayne kinda had to give said pictures...). 

Billy went to a closet when he got you there and was sure doctors were taking of you, and after a “SHAZAM !” he went back to his seventeen year old self, and waited patiently (but also very worried) for the rest of the family to arrive. 

************

When Bruce held her for the first time, he hadn’t been able to hold his tears. 

She was so tiny and perfect. 

She was so beautiful and precious. 

His little girl. His daughter. She wasn’t even three hours yet, and Bruce just knew he would give her the World if he had to. 

They all held her. A bit clumsy and afraid to hurt her. But whenever she was placed in their arms...Their eyes were shining with so much love that, yes, you knew your little girl would always be loved and protected.

Billy cried...Well, they all cried. Even Damian. 

A little sister. They had a little sister. 

You fell asleep that night, your daughter in a deep slumber in her cribs, your husband wrapped around you, and your sons asleep all around the hospital bedroom. Because you were the famous Waynes, your family was allowed to stay the night, and you needed them there, this was perfect. 

(Your daughter’s name) didn’t cry that morning, but she was already awake, making small sounds that woke your husband up. He unwrapped himself from you, and you were so tired that you didn’t even move. 

He looked around, Damian though he was now an huge eighteen year old, was slumped over Dick, Tim and Jason. They were all sitting on uncomfortable hospital chairs, asleep, their head on each others. Damian was laying across their laps, his legs, too long, falling at the end of the chairs in a mess. Billy, though he was also a rather large and tall teenager, was sleeping on his brother’s back, and Bruce couldn’t help but smile at the way all his sons seemed to always have to sleep close from each other in time of crisis and worries. 

But the crisis was avoided. The worries were gone. You were safe, and so was the baby...Well, Bruce was kidding himself if he thought that the worries were over. It was only starting, with his little girl about to start to grow up ! 

He walked to the crib and, there she was, eyes wide open, a tiny little bundle of curiosity...Already so curious, though she couldn’t really see anything. 

She reacted to his voice, and seemed to have decided already that her father’s voice would always be the thing that would soothe her the most. 

He took her in his arms, delicately, lovingly, tenderly, and with a small kiss on her forehead, he swore to her that he would always be there for her, that he would always be there...

-I love you so much already, my little one. I love you more than life itself. You’ll see, your brothers will too. They already are. And your mom...oh you lucky one, you have the most amazing mom ever, and I know she also already loves you so much...(Your daughter’s name), my child, my tiny baby girl, you are so loved, and though right now you’re too young to realize it, you’ll see one day. Welcome to the Wayne family, we’re not always the best, except for your mother and Alfred, but we’ll love you forever. 

Fin ?

__________________________

Are you disappointed ? You are disappointed aren’t you ? Oh my writing second parts to things always stress me out, cause what if it’s not good ? It’s probably not that great, I tried. ANYWAY. 

[prompt-master]

So here is my request: on a hero day Michael refuses to take off his jacket the heat gets to him which makes him start to throw up from the heat stroke I think(?) and Jeremy gets super worried and is like whY MICHAEL -ear

Here you go!! I hope this is what you wanted?? It’s kinda sucky// also can anyone tell me how to do read more on mobile??

Anyway here it is!!

–

It was hot. Unbelievably so. It was so hot that you couldn’t help but remember the humans were nonchalantly killing the earth everyday, because this was some Global Warming type heat. Everyone was pretty much dying. You’d either be at the beach, eating ice cream, sitting on an AC, or complaining all day. Michael had hidden himself in his basement, laying on the floor in nothing but a tank top and his boxers. He was sweating up a storm, convinced that death was coming and this was the end. He groaned, too hot to game, or smoke, or do anything really. His phone lit up, playing the Luigi’s Mansion theme, he instantly knew it was Jeremy and picked up.

“Yah…?” He sounded awful, but to be honest Jeremy probably did too. The poor kid was so pale that he could get a sun burn just from looking at the sun.

“Hey man! It’s Jeremy-”

“No shit man, who else would call me.”

“Ok so the heats gotten to you, that’s cool no big. But are you still up to picking me up? It’s ok if you’re not I mean- it’s ok cause I- cause I know you’re probably too tired. Everyone is so- hnng yknow??”

Michale’s eyes widened. Shit. He was supposed to pick up Jeremy from a date with Christine in 20 minuets, and here he was laying in his boxers.

“Yeah! Yeah no problem Jere, I’ll be over soon.”

Jeremy let out a sigh, just from that Michael knew he was planning on walking if he bailed. “Thanks man, you’re the best.”

“Anything for my player one” shit, he shouldn’t say stuff like that- he was dating Christine and-

“Haha yeah..see ya soon”

Michael stood up and started to get decent. The second he got out of the basement he groaned. It was so much hotter up here and he hadn’t even gone outside yet. He fixed his hair quickly, and went to grab a pair of shorts and a tank. But…he found his closet empty. All he had was his jeans, a tee shirt and hoodie which were still laying in the bathroom.

“Mother of All That Is Sucky.”

Dragging his feet into the living room, he found his mom over the washing machine.

“Mom?”

“Hmm??” She didn’t look up

“Did you wash my clothes already..? I need to go out real quick.”

“Yes, they’re in the wash right now. Sorry…”

Michael could deal with that, he’d just wear a tee shirt with jeans. He’d be a little hot but-suddenly he realized something, a sense of dread washing over him. He had to physically bite his tongue as he asked his mom a vital question.

“Mami…did you wash my gray sports bra” his binder.

“Yes why?? I know that’s your favorite but-”

“Nothing.” He turned around and dashed away “Nothing at all!!”

He stared at the clothes on his bathroom floor and sighed. There was nothing he could do really. There was no way he’d go without his binder, it was the only one he had too. He checked the time…he has to pick up Jeremy in 10 minutes. He sighed and put on all the clothes, including the hoodie. He yelled goodbye to his mom and hopped into his car.

The car ride was even worse. He had an old, used car. Recently the AC had broken, and so had the windows. Michael found himself leaning over as he drove, sweat dripping down his neck uncomfortably. He had to breath through his mouth, panting as he suffocated in the car. He felt like he was really about to die. His heart raced almost painfully, shaking his whole body. In the mirror he could his face was bright red, his hair no longer stuck up. It plastered against his forehead and puffed up from the humidity. He focused the best he could on driving, but all he could think was “hot hot hot”. His jeans stuck to his legs, his jacket felt like a physical oven. He almost didn’t notice that he’d pulled into Christine’s driveway.

As though he were waiting, Jeremy ran outside, waving goodbye to Christine. Jeremy looked pretty cute, the boy was wearing shorts and a loose tank top. The pac-man tattoo on his arm was clear as day, he wasn’t sunburnt surprisingly, he must have spent the whole day inside with Christine. Probably..doing couple stuff Michael thought sadly. The second Jeremy made eye contact with him, his smiled widely like the skinny dork he was and waved. Michael gave a small uncomfortable smile and groggily moved to unlock the door. God he felt like his skin was static, his cheeks and hands tingled, simple tasks felt difficult to do. Jeremy opened the door and yelled a strange noise when he felt the excessive rush of heat hit him.

“HoLY crap!! Michael it’s like…like death in here!!”

Michael wiped some sweat off of his face, trying to keep his breathing steady in front of Jeremy. “Yeah I’m sorry…AC’s broken. I got some water in the back though if you wanna grab some.”

Jeremy nodded and closed the door, reaching over to grab a water as Michael started the car again.

He heard the bottle cap twist, “Mikey…buddy I love you but why are you wearing that? It’s way to hot in here it’s gotta be over 100 degrees!”

“My uh…” he cleared his throat, he would have flushed in embarrassment if he didn’t already have all his blood in his cheeks, “my mom put my binder in the wash.”

“Ugh…”

“Yeah.”

Michael felt completely strange, the sides of his vision filled up with black spots, no matter how much he blinked the wouldn’t go away. He didn’t need to regulate his breathing either, he was oddly relaxed, his breathing slow. His stomach though…he felt like there was a rock sitting in it, which didn’t help his dizzy feeling. He was probably swaying, he knew that. He couldn’t hide this, not when his mouth tingled and tasted strange. Like…his mouth tasted fuzzy? Did that even make sense? He didn’t even care about how far gone he was at this point with how garbage he felt.

“Dude you are really sweating…like crazy. You should drink a water too..”

“Yeah that’s fine…just pass me one?”

Jeremy nodded and already handing him one as though he were prepared. He sounded pretty worried, in the back of his mind Michael knew he should reassure him. But they were at a red light and all he could think about was chugging the water.

“Michael no offense but you look like shit. Maybe we should get out the car and relax for a bit? Let the car air out?” Michael’s extremely pale face was starting to concern him, his fingers shook as he gripped the wheel, and Jeremy had never seen Michael so red.

“No..its fine, really we’re almost there.” The light turned green. Michael kept driving.

“Dude I really think that you should pull over. You…you really don’t look good.”

Michael shook his head, that rock in his stomach had grown in size. It was all he could think about. He barely even spoke when he said “how was Christine’s”

“What? Dude that doesn’t-”

Jeremy was cut off to let out a very girlish scream when Michael suddenly swerved to the side of the road, nearly hitting a truck.

“Michael what are you-?!”

Michael got out the car, and quite literally through himself to the ground, so out of it that he couldn’t even cringe as his knees his the pavement. His vision went mostly black before fading back in, and that’s when Jeremy started to hear him gagging.

“Oh shit-”

Michael continued to throw up the water and Doritos he’d had today onto the grass in front of the side walk. Jeremy got out the car, placing a hand on Michale’s back and rubbing it.

“Shit Michael are you- are you sick? Do-do you- shit what do I do?”

Michael couldn’t answer, unable to stop the painful dry heaves that wracked his body. All he could make out was Jeremy saying “shit” every now and then. When he finally stopped throwing up Jeremy held a water bottle up to him. Michael shook his head weakly, not even able to speak.

“Michael ? Come on man you gotta drink after all…all that” Jeremy tried his best to not look, they didn’t need two people throwing up. “…please?”

But again Michael shook his head, his breathing excessively slow and calm to the point of being scary. “Jeremy I- dude I’m gonna pass out…”

At that Jeremy felt his heart jump. “What?!” If he wasn’t scared before, he was horrified now. He put a hand to Michael’s face and nearly screamed.

“Oh my god! Michael you’re burning up!”

Michael simply blinked sluggishly as a response, Jeremy didn’t even know if he heard him. He moved to unzip Michael’s jacket, and only then did he get a response.

“No…” his words slurred together dangerously, like his tongue couldn’t move, “can’t let…don’t let anyone see”

“I won’t, I wont! But we gotta take this off ok?!”

Either Michael was too weak to fight back or Jeremy’s panicked tone convinced him, either way Jeremy tugged of Michael’s jacket.

Then Michael gagged again.

“Ok…ok listen we’re gonna put you in the car and I’m gonna drive you home ok?”

“Whhat? You’ve..you’ve never driven before you can’t.”

“I can have the SQUIP help..! They’ll know how to drive…it’ll only be temporary-”

Even through his incoherency, Michael has him a death glare.

“Are you-are you fucking stupid?”

Jeremy cringed, “Michael I gotta get you ho-”

“You can’t listen to anything that damn iPhone tells you to…you..you’re so better off now..you got the girl..the..the life.”

“Ok ok Michale you’re right, calm down.”

They had to take a break in their argument as Michael gagged again, bringing up nothing but bile.

“Don’t you…fucking…” Michael’s eyes rolled back as he dropped like a rock, like a puppet cut from strings. Jeremy screamed again, catching his best friend.

“Michael ! Michael?! Can you hear me?!”

When he didn’t respond he weighed his options of using the SQUIP. But no, Michale would kill him if..when he woke up. He brought out his phone and with a shaky breath dialed 911.

—

When Michael groaned, Jeremy instantly leaned over him.

“Michael ? Dude? You awake..?” Came his unsure voice.

Michael opened his eyes slowly, feeling like he just woke up from a coma. He looked around and saw he was in a hospital and instantly knew some bad shit went down.

“Oh god…what happened?”

Jeremy took a seat next to him and nervously grabbed his hand, fidgeting with Michale’s fingers.

“You…you had some pretty bad heat stroke there. Well..heat exhaustion? I can’t even tell anymore. You passed out and I called an ambulance.”

“Mmm…thanks Jere-bear.”

Jeremy blushed at that, crossing Michael’s finger over one another. He was a nervous wreck.

“You shouldn’t have been wearing your hoodie…especially in your car. You know better than that dude”

“You don’t get it ok Jeremy? I couldn’t let anyone see-” his eyes widened and suddenly he shot up in his bed

“Michael your IV-!”

Michael caught his jacket lying on a chair across the room. His eyes were wide and frantic as he looked down, but Jeremy held his head up.

“Don’t worry I didn’t let anyone see. I covered you with your jacket in the ambulance, and blanket here. You can wear mine when your mom gets here…” Jeremy sounded like he’d planned this out for hours, and honestly he probably had.

“…thanks…”

But then Jeremy smacked his arm.

“Ow- Jeremy!”

“Never! And I mean never do that again! I think my heart stopped beating there for a moment that was terrifying!”

“I’m sorry Jeremy I’m-”

“Don’t-I know. I know…just…you’re health matters too, you know?”

“Yeah…”

There was silence for a while. Jeremy was still holding his hand.

“At least I have the best player one in the whole world”

Jeremy smiled at that, and rolled his eyes “yeah, you’re really lucky. Go to sleep, stupid.”

Even if Jeremy was dating Christine, he’d accept this little moment. And as for Jeremy…after all this was over he’d tell Michael he’d broken up with Christine and why.

[fatcatsarecats]

Bossy Boots Strikes Again

Madara & Tobirama  Words: 3,051 A/N: Kid!Tobi is back to serve your daily dose of fluff! Huge thanks to @redhothollyberries​ for giving me hc’s to run with, and beta-ing this fic into shape! Send her all the love :D - Sequel to Bossy Boots -

When Hashirama specified that Tobirama will eventually ‘revert’ back into an adult, he never included an estimation. There’s a reason for that. It turns out, there are no estimates to when Tobirama will eventually become an adult again. Time moves on, and the small group of people Hashirama trusts to look after Tobirama return to the responsibilities they have to attend to.

Their days off hardly ever coincide. The days where everyone happened to be working, Tobirama had stuck to Madara’s side like a leech. Not going to lie, Madara preened a bit.

There’s something sweet about being chosen by Tobirama, time and time again. Even though Tobirama sometimes chooses to sleep with Hashirama at night.

He thought Hashirama would sulk at the idea, but when Madara strode into the office the next morning with Tobirama in his arms, there was an extra table with a high chair beside his Police Chief desk. Tobirama’s glower is still unparalleled. And Madara is shameless about utilising it for theatrical effect.

Thus began one of the strangest games of hot potato between Konoha’s elite, with small, chubby Tobirama being shuffled between the people who happened to have time off for the day.

Surprisingly, this is the most smiling Madara’s seen Tobirama do in years.

-

“Alright, Hikaku,” says Madara as he flicks a folder across the table. “You’re officially the senior officer in this case. Remember that the trainee is your responsibility. Do well, and there might be a promotion in your future. Flop, and, well–”

Tobirama doesn’t blink. “Say goodbye to your career.”

Hikaku, the poor teenager sitting across from him, actually breaks out a sweat. Madara cackles. Tobirama is unmoved, but Madara can see his lips twitching.

Hikaku basically flies to the door when he’s dismissed. Only then, does Tobirama let himself giggle.

Kagami pokes his head through the door. “Should I inform him that you’re kidding, Shishou?”

“Nah, wait till the afternoon.” Madara looks at Tobirama for confirmation. Tobirama nods in approval. “Fear is a good motivator.”

Tobirama goes back to his scribblings. He’s scribbling with such focused intent with the tip of his tongue poking out in concentration, that curiosity tickles Madara. Slowly, he leans over his desk, trying to take a peek at Tobirama’s drawings.

Tobirama slams his drawings blank-side up.

Madara frowns. “C’mon.”

“No.”

“Can’t be that bad.”

“It’s not ugly.” Tobirama scrunches his nose. “But I can do better. I know I can. It’s just not going the way I want it to.”

“Adult you can do better,” Madara agrees. He’s not known for coddling kids, and it would be a particularly idiot thing to do with a kid as smart as Tobirama. “The you with around twenty years’ worth of extra hand-eye coordination can do better, of course. That skill will come back as this jutsu fades. However, if it makes you feel better, I’m sure your current skills are better than what I can do.”

Ever so helpful, Kagami pokes his head through the door again. “It’s true. Every time Shishou tries to draw, the paper sets itself on fire. It’s a more merciful fate, to be honest.”

“Okay, new rule.” Madara points at Kagami. “Keep opinions to yourself, unless they support my statements.”

That tickles a smile out of Tobirama. “Well,” he says. “I guess if you’re so sure it’s better than Madara’s…”

Being better than him – the usual motivator for most of Tobirama’s actions.

Kagami and Tobirama break off into snickers. Madara levels them with flat stare.

“I’ll be finished when Kagami takes me to lunch,” Tobirama says. “You can flip it over then.”

It’s a good compromise, so Madara agrees.

When lunchtime comes, Tobirama orders to be carried with his customary arms-up. After melting into a puddle (“I can’t believe I’m carrying, sensei!”),  Kagami and Tobirama heads off to fetch his lunch. Madara leans over, and flips the drawing.

His breath hitches.

It’s a drawing of a red and black dragon, curled in the air and breathing fire. It’s a bit more cartoonish than Tobirama’s usual style, but there’s shading in each scale, and the details that differentiate the dragon’s mane.

Guess Madara’s correct about it being better than anything he could produce. Actually, it’s better than anything he could produce with training.

Incidentally, red and black are his favourite colours. He was thinking, just the other day, of how drab his office walls are. Maybe it’s time to decorate a bit.

Madara makes his way to the stationary closet to see if they’ve got some spare frames.

-

Almost two hours later, Kagami strides in carrying a half-comatose Tobirama in a new set of clothes and a bento box. Madara feels his blood pressure rise at least three notches when he spots an Uchiwa sewed on Tobirama’s armband.

“Before you panic,” says Kagami, “this is a food coma. We took a detour to get yakidori, then dango, then a bit of sashimi, and then some rice cakes, and then yakidori again because I underestimated how good it was–”

“Kagami,” Madara interrupts, “do you have any idea how much trouble I will get in for dressing up a prominent Senju member in an Uchiha Police uniform?”

“But sensei insisted on wearing one so he could be part of the team, Shishou,” Kagami emphasises. “Part of the team.”

“Uniforms encourage solidarity,” says Tobirama.

Kagami grins at Tobirama. “Exactly!”

Madara cannot deny that Tobirama looks damn good in Uchiha colours. Still, propriety.

“You should’ve seen what happened when we walked in,” Kagami tells him. “Half of the squad doubled over in pain, like they overdosed on cuteness. The other half is still terrified of sensei, but I can totally feel the morale rising.”

Madara narrows his eyes at Kagami. “We don’t even stock uniforms in a size that small. Did you throw a bunch of our uniforms into the drier?”

Kagami’s face doesn’t twitch. “No comment.”

(Although, in Kagami’s opinion, it’s so worth it.)

Before Madara can groan his frustration, Tobirama’s eyes are drawn to the frame hung on the wall to his left. His eyes brighten. “You like my drawing?” Tobirama asks, half surprised and half sheepish.

Slightly caught off guard, Madara answers, “Of course.”

His eyes crease in a pleased smile. It’s a good thing that Madara’s already sitting down, because his knees feels weak.

Tobirama tilts his head to admire his drawing. “I guess it does look better when it’s framed. You can have your lunch now.”

Squirming, Tobirama slides out of Kagami’s hold, careful not to knock over the bento box. He then tugs the box out of Kagami’s hand and delivers it to Madara, holding it up with a blinding smile that shows how proud he is at such a successful delivery.

Madara is pretty sure Kagami passed out on the spot. Overdosed on cuteness, as he said before. Baby Tobirama is lethal. That smile should really be outlawed, for the sake of Konoha’s constitution.

Accepting the bento box, Madara nods his thanks, and tries his hardest not to follow in his apprentice’s footsteps.

-

Tobirama is slippery at any age. At one point, he went beyond slippery and decided to literally disappear from air by inventing a space-time ninjutsu just to escape from his grasp. It’s debateable, however, if twenty-four year old Tobirama is more slippery than the little child that’s currently leading Izuna on a merry chase across the rooftops of Konoha.

Of course, Tobirama is thinking that this is just one huge game of tag. Izuna is panicking out of his mind.

“Tobirama, come back right now!” he orders. “Don’t you run away from nap time. Get back here and face it like a shinobi! And watch where you’re stepping!”

Ever since child Tobirama became a constant present in their household, they started stocking on caffeine-free green tea, because Tobirama at any age is also a tea and caffeine addict. The sneaky child almost took a sip out of Izuna’s own cup of coffee, but Izuna managed to switch their cups at the last minute. He gave himself a pat on the back at a job well done, and for averting disaster.

Izuna did not realise that he made the tea from the wrong tin.

He regrets making the tea from the wrong tin.

How he’s paying for it now.

Tobirama ignores his yellings, giggling as he zig-zags at impossible speeds. How the hell is he so fast? His legs are literally a quarter of Izuna’s. This is just shameful.

Charging chakra into his feet, Izuna springs into the air. With this much chakra, should be able to land about two steps behind Tobirama–

–only to be jerked back by the back of his collar to meet furious brown eyes.

“Why,” Tōka chews out the words in a way that suggest imminent death, “is my five-year old cousin cartwheeling across dangerous rooftops when he’s supposed to be sleeping?!”

Izuna winces. “I might have…given him the non-kid friendly green tea by accident.”

Tōka is on the verge of shrieking. She grabs his collar with both hands and shakes him with each word.

“You gave my five year old cousin caffeine by accident?!”

“I’m sorry! I made a huge mistake! The caffeine was an accident! And now, he’s so damn slippery! Look at how easily he’s jumping over the roofs. Tobirama’s not a normal kid – he’s already so adept with chakra. The first day he turned, he climbed to the top of Hokage mountain! I was doomed from the start!” Izuna manages between each shake. Although, his head is starting to get woozy. “Please don’t tell Madara.”

“Tobi’s already very active for a five year old! He doesn’t need caffeine to amplify it!”

“But look at how happy he is right now!” Izuna points at the blur of blue and white soaring through the sky. “He’s tiring himself out. I bet he’ll sleep so much better after this.”

Tōka snarls, looking pretty close to ripping his throat out using her bare teeth.

Izuna resigns himself to dying. He’s had a good life. At least he got to die with Toka taking a bite out of him, even though it’s not quite in the way he had wanted it to be.

Evidently, Tobirama realised that Izuna stopped chasing him. He doubles back towards where Toka and Izuna are without them realising. Izuna feels Tobirama tugging on his robe.

To their surprise, Tobirama puts a small hand on Toka’s leg.

“Tag, Tōka-nee!” he says, grinning like crazy. “You’re it!”

A second ticks by. Tōka melts into goo.

“You have to count to ten first because some people,” Tobirama side eyes Izuna, “need all the advantage they can get.”

Izuna squawks in protest.

Stern and solid, Tōka may be, but she is nowhere near invulnerable. Tobirama at five, the first time round, was inquisitive. He used to waddle behind her like a duckling. Tōka was too swamped in her duties to indulge him back then: when she finally earned to luxury to take a breather, Tobirama had long outgrown his habit of following her around.

But this Tobirama – this Tobirama is looking up at her with his huge eyes, and a cheeky grin that makes her feel like she could bench press an entire army. This Tobirama makes her will crumble into debris.

She sighs in defeat and releases Izuna to flop to the ground.  “Alright,” she says. Tōka makes a big show of putting her hands over her eyes and, quite dramatically, takes a huge breath.

Before Tōka could count to one, Tobirama is already fleeing as if the Shinigami is at his heels.

-

It’s not Madara’s turn with Tobirama today, it’s Izuna’s. Yet, his nerves itch away at his concentration.

The silence is his office is stifling.

He taps his fingers in sync with the ticking clock. Then he glances at the empty table beside him, looks at the crayons all in their neat box, before looking at the picture hung on the wall.

It’s silly, Madara thinks. Three days straight with him, and suddenly Madara’s getting separation anxiety.

Madara has no claim to Tobirama, and Tobirama doesn’t belong to him. He might be Tobirama’s favourite, but officially, he’s not Tobirama’s anything.

“It’s silly,” Madara repeats to himself. “You’re being silly. Stop worrying. He’s fine with Izuna – it’s probably his nap time, anyway.”

-

Izuna wishes he was better at de-escalating situations. First it was the great naptime escape, then it was the rooftop tag. Now, he finds himself chasing Tōka and Tobirama through Konoha’s wide, expansive forests in an attempt to supervise their impromptu ‘stroll’.

Their stroll across Konoha’s trees that are substantially taller and more dangerous than any building found in Konoha.

The height would scare any other child, but Tobirama is, as usual, unlike any other child. He’s perched on Tōka’s back, laughing like there’s no tomorrow, impervious to the palpitations of Izuna’s weakened heart.

“I don’t think this is good idea,” yells Izuna, the wind attempting to muffle his voice. “And this is coming from me. You know, the Emperor of Bad Ideas. We should go back and put him to sleep.”

“It’s fine,” Tōka calls out. “He’s using chakra to stick on to me, he’ll tire out soon! Hold on tight, Tobi. We’re going to freefall!”

They jump out of a tree that’s at least twenty metres in height, hollering in delight as they plummet through the air.

Somewhere in the village, Izuna is sure that a civilian mother is collapsing from shock.

-

He knows that something is wrong when Tobirama asks if they could skip work and sit on top of the Hokage mountain for a bit. There’s a weariness to Tobirama’s tone, one that indicates his past experiences are causing some confusing emotions. Helpless to anything that would make Tobirama feel better, Madara agrees.

Madara takes a day off – perks of being in charge – and carries Tobirama up to the mountain. It’s that time in the morning where the sky is a mesh of blue and pink. They sit in silence as they watch the first trail of people blink away their bleariness, the village breathing up to life.

“I dreamt about Itama and Kawarama last night,” Tobirama says. “It was – I don’t know, so vivid. I thought I was back in there with them, but I know they aren’t here–I thought I was–”

Tobirama curls into himself, and the action is so painful, Madara draws Tobirama into a hug. He knows what Tobirama means – how Tobirama thought that he had moved on from his grieving. That the feeling of their past and future lost, and the endless missed opportunities had become more bearable throughout the years. He thought he moved past it, only to have the memories smack the hollowness straight into his gut again.

Tobirama buries his face in his chest and takes a shaky breath.

“I miss them,” he finally says. “I wanted to be the best big brother ever. I wanted to be their favourite. The one they’d go to if they were sad or scared. I promised I’d always protect them.”

Madara just holds Tobirama tighter in his arms, and rests his chin on top of his head.

“I don’t know–I don’t know how to feel. This is–” Madara can feel Tobirama frowning, “–confusing.”

The thought of Tobirama trying to decipher something as complex as feelings makes Madara laugh.

“It gets bearable after a while,” Madara says. “Izuna and I, we do things to make it bearable.”

Sniffling, Tobirama peers up. “Like what?”

“Like singing, old kid’s games, and eating their favourite food. Our youngest sister loved it when Izuna sang. She’d always clap along to Izuna’s lullabies, which completely defeated the purpose of a lullaby, but she was happy. And Izuna’s quite a skilled singer. You might think that Izuna’s a tenor, what with all his undignified shrieking hitting those high notes, but he actually has a very rich, baritone voice.”

“Oh.”  Tobirama shuffles closer. “Do you sing too?”

Madara squeezes the small bundle in his arms. “Not as good as Izuna, sadly. I like to press flowers. Hanabi and Tsurugi liked to collect them and make flower crowns, so I like the preserve the ones I think they’d like. I try to grow my own, but sometimes I don’t have the time. ”

“Can we do that?” asks Tobirama. “Can we have a Kawarama and Itama day–can we have a siblings day?”

Like he said, he’s helpless to anything that makes Tobirama feel better.

“Anything you want,” Madara tells him.

Honestly, Madara’s just straight out helpless to Tobirama.

-

So Madara digs through their attic for their old card games, falling Buddha blocks and spinning tops. Being a hoarder comes with perks, especially when Tobirama’s face lights up when he sees them.

They spend the better part of their morning playing. The plan is to play till lunchtime before going to a barbecue house, since Tobirama said that’s where his family liked to eat when they were younger. Madara sends a messenger off to Tōka, Izuna and Hashirama to – quite politely, in his opinion – clear their lunch schedule under the threat of amputations and fire and pain and suffering. No threats of death this time. No need to defeat the purpose of Siblings’ Day.

An hour before lunch, a knock rings through Madara’s door.

He opens it to find Hashirama smiling sheepishly.

“I heard we’re having a siblings’ day today,” says Hashirama. “I hope I’m not too early.”

His tri-cone hat is nowhere in sight, and he’s out of the Hokage uniform. Dressed in his casual black robes, Hashirama might have done the impossible. Hashirama might have pulled a miracle; Hashirama has found a sudden substitute for the rest of the afternoon.

Truly, his friend never ceases to amaze.

At hearing Hashirama’s voice, Tobirama comes running to the door, halting himself right in front of Hashirama. He schools his face into a blank expression.

“Well, I suppose we’ll have to let him in. He is my brother, after all.” Tobirama sniffs, pretending to be unaffected by Hashirama’s sudden appearance.

They’re not fooled, of course. Tobirama already looks a lot brighter than he did this morning.

Tobirama lets Hashirama through the door. Instead of just entering, Hashirama swoops Tobirama off his feet and hugs him tight to his side. Squeezes him like Tobirama’s the only thing that matters to Hashirama right now.

Tobirama doesn’t pull away like he usually does. Instead, he melts.

 - A/N: The Great Sphinx of Giza is about 20m high. Rip to all those who thought that Tōka was a Responsible Adult™. She’s just as weak to kid!Tobi as the rest of us are. Also, I’ve become very enamoured with the idea of a Konoha/B99 spoof.  

I’m basically Madara with drawing so I’ll stick to writing.

[butterflyiiisms]

Sick Day

(What’s worse than trying to nurse someone back to health? Nursing two 'kids’ back to health before getting sick yourself and having your unhelpful lizard boyfriend there to make things worse.

An rp that takes place in my “Greater Forces” au where Moon has taken in Ludo, making him and Star ‘siblings’, and Moon is in a poly relationship with River and Toffee. Lots of MoonToffee. This isn’t Studo. Don’t dare tag as such)

"Stop fighting over the pillow, Ludo, there is one for each of you!"

"She wants this one because," he rasped between sneezes, "it has m-more ruffles! I demand more ruffles! The pillow stays with me!" His entire body covered the small cushion, clinging like a cat.

Moon sighed. "Star, just let him have the pillow."

"No, it has a kitten on it!" Star wailed and tried to grab it back. "Give it, Catelope Head! I've had that one since I was lii--iii-ttle!"When growling and demanding did nothing she started to bonk him on the head instead.

"Star!" Moon's hand grasped her wrist and shoved it away from the whimpering monster. "That is no way for a princess to act, sick or not! Just let him have the pillow this time."

"Grrrr..." She glared at the little monster and gaped when Ludo stuck his tongue out at her when Moon turned her back. She latched a hard grip on that tongue. "Wanna be able to ever lick ice cream again, Birdy??"

A threatening slap on her wrist. "Star!"

Ludo pulled his tongue back into his mouth, spitting in disgust. "Eugh! You taste like old glue!"

"He stuck his tongue out at me!" she protested. "Why are you sticking up for him?!" She grimaced and wiped her hand while rubbing her wrist. "Your tongue is about as sticky as old glue, ya nasty."

Ludo sniffed. "That's to ensure that bugs stay on it," he drawled back.

"EW BUG TONGUE!" She wiped her hand on his face. "Why are you still eating bugs? You get hot non-bug meals every day!"

"I eat any chance I get!" Ludo hacked and snuggled into the pillow and faced away from her. "Years of scrounging sticks with you."

"Why do we have to be in the same bed Mom?" Star whined. "He has cold stinky bird feet!"

"And you have warm perfumed Mewman feet, do you think I want to have those next to my face the whole time!?"

"Enough!" Moon rubbed her temples. These children were bad enough when they were in good health, but when they were sick, it was like pulling teeth. She wished River was already back, he was far more patient and could usually calm the two with songs. "Can't you both get along for one night? Fighting isn't going to help you get better."

"No, we can't. That's like asking a dog not to chase its tail," Star drawled, and then coughed. "Or..." A smirk. "Maybe we can get along. I'll take great care of him!" She tucked Ludo close to her, knowing he'd hate overbearing affection far more than her heckling him.

"Ugh! UGHHH! LET... GO!" Ludo wriggled helplessly, the fever making his movements weak as he struggled in the young girl's grip. "YOU'RE GETTING PRINCESS SWEAT ALL OVER ME!"

"Star..." Moon held a hand to her head, only to pause as she pulled it back. Did she feel warm? They must have been testing her patience. And they were. "Please, children, calm down..."

"But I'm healing you, with mah loooooove!" the girl whispered as she smooched the small monster's face. Mwah-mwah.

Ludo whimpered and spat at her face, squawking indignantly.

"Children!" Moon groaned and held her head again. It was getting quite warm now... She walked to the window and opened it, welcoming the cool breeze that crept in. And she blinked before she turned to huff at the bickering younglings. "Star, stop kissing Ludo. Ludo, please, please just... ignore her."

"How can I when she's trying to lick me?!"

Star growled and rubbed at her own face to get the monster saliva off it. "That's not how you kiss," she scolded him and then sunk down against her pillow. "...I want a grilled cheese."

Ludo scoffed and nuzzled into his pillow victoriously. "I guess Marco's been helping you learn how to kiss properly!" he stuck his tongue out.

Moon managed to reach out fast enough to shield Ludo before Star could react.

"I will get you a grilled cheese if you do not attack your brother," the queen offered tersely.

"Yeah?" Star decided to fire back with one of her own, arms over her chest smugly. "I'm sure you and Buff Frog have been tangling tongues too."

"STAR!"

Ludo's mouth fell open and he stared at the princess. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! I ... you just... tongues..." He sputtered and tried not to gag. "Where did THAT come from?!"

Moon sighed and left, but in the opposite direction of the kitchen. No grilled cheese for Princess Star today.

She was too smug to feel angry about losing out on her grilled cheese. Nice one, Star.

But she was still hungry, so maybe a bit of diplomacy would be nice. She stood unsteadily from the bed despite the fact neither were to be getting up yet. "I'm getting some grub. Want any, Beakers? For you it probably would be grub."

Ludo's hopeful eyes peered out from over the bed. "You have grub?"

"I mean it's an old castle, I'm pretty sure there's bugs. Or you could eat your spider," she drawled. "That'll fill you for a while."

The bird monster suddenly sat back. His eyes grew quivery.  "I wouldn't eat Geneva!"

"Joke, it's a joke, Feathers." She held up her hands in surrender. "I'll be back with my grilled cheese and your....bug thing..."

The room was spinning as she slowly trudged, and she was pretty sure she wasn't going to get far. But damnit she wanted her food! Bleary eyes focused on a serpentine form raising an eyebrow at her and looking unimpressed. "Heeeeey Toffee!"

The septerian remained unimpressed. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"You didn't hear? I'm 100% almost better!" the princess declared as she...slightly swayed.

"You are 100% lying," he drawled and reached out to keep her steady, only to use her lack of balance to turn her around and lead her back to her bedroom. "Go back and stay until you can walk a straight line."

"But I'm hungry," she whined. "And I told Ludo I'd get him some bugs."

"I'll have the servants get you food." He knew better than to try and prepare it himself. The servants were suspicious enough of a monster roaming the halls (though he merely had to give them a look for them to leave any room) without also preparing the royal family meals.

They made it to the room and he gently nudged her back toward the bed. "Stay there. If you can't wait for food, eat Ludo."

"DON'T EAT LUDO!" came the shriek from the blankets.

"I'll be back when I feel like it." Toffee turned and walked to find one of the cowering serfs that lingered in the halls.

"Nrgh...." She didn't need much convincing honestly, she felt like hell. She barely made it to the bed before she collapsed, on the poor bird. "I can't wait for food. How dry and brittle are you?" she asked her brother.

Ludo gave no response. His tiny form rose and fell silently under her body in small breaths.

No muffled shrieks? Star rolled herself over with difficulty. "You okay, Beakers?"

The small monster gave no indication that he heard her and remained face-down in the blankets.

"Oh corn..." She gasped in horror. "MOM I KILLED LUDO!"

--

'Mom' was in her room, hands planted firmly down on the dresser to keep herself upright as she looked in the mirror. She didn't look good. "Parenting these disasters has ruined my complexion..."

Toffee's form slid from the shadows to pose behind her, eying her tired eyes and flushed face. "I believe you're right."

"It's that noticeable?" the queen whined, more worried now than insulted. "I can't help it, it's either my beauty or the kids. Is River still not back yet?”

Toffee scoffed. “Moon, he’s hunting. You know he won’t be back until he’s slayed every monster he’s come across and worn their entrails like a hat.” He pat the Queen’s cheek as she pouted.

Claws crept across her shoulders in feather-light touches before they settled softly, tapping against her skin. "I think you pull off the exhausted matriarch look incredibly well."

"I do? What a contradicting compliment," she responded with a woozy smile. And then the monarch collapsed.

He anticipated that from the slight sway to her and the added flush to her cheeks and she fainted smoothly into his arms.

The septerian's snout nuzzled against her neck before he pulled her to her bed and laid her down carefully. He sighed when he heard the impatient knocks slamming against the door and went to open it.

"Yes, Star?"

The poor sick girl stood there with large tears quivering in her eyes, red face flushed even more. An unconscious Ludo was in her arms. "I didn't mean to--OH MY GOD!!" she screamed when she saw Moon.

He held up his claws to keep her from barreling into the unconscious woman. "Steady. She just has what you have. Although she... doesn't have your volume," he muttered and rubbed at where an ear would be.

She breathed out in relief and then looked down at Ludo, eyes watery again. "He bit the dust. Gone to birdy hell."

Toffee looked down at the unmoving monster and laid a claw against his damp forehead. He crinkled his nose at the sleepy mumbles and took him from the girl so she could run and hover at her mother's side.

"He's not dead. He's just in a fever-induced coma," he responded dully, settling the brat next to Moon. When he awoke, he would be on her like flies on a goat-pig. "He'll break through eventually."

"And Mom is okay too?" Star asked hopefully, wiping her eyes and looking over at her sick family. "Fever induced comas aren't like regular ones right?"

"Comas are the same when you think about them," he responded, sitting politely on a chair beside the bed. "Think of them as long naps with a small chance to wake up."

He looked at her teary eyes and her quivering lips. "... Is it not time for jokes?" he responded.

In her normal state she might have been able to laugh that one off--or hit him, one or the other. But now she just blinked, before her eyes overflowed with water and a tell-tale sound came from her. "Nnnnnnn....!"

Toffee stared, then rolled his eyes and went to the door. "I'll get the servant with the handkerchiefs."

Star was still crying when he came back, her arm over her eyes, her poor family still dead out. "Weeeheheeeh!"

Toffee opened the door and shoved the servant in, handkerchiefs at the ready.

"Don't drown."

The door slammed shut.

Star kept crying as the servant wiped her face off, which just flowed with more liquids. "When will they wake u-hu-huuup?"

"Um..." The servant wrung out the handkerchief, worriedly looking at his last bucket. "Sir Toffee said that they would wake up when you... stopped crying."

"Is that how comas work?" She was too sick to realize how stupid that sounded, and she wiped her face and nudged them both. "I'm not crying, wake up so I'm not alone anymore!"

The door opened and Toffee stepped in. He carried a covered plate. "Did you stop crying?" he drawled.

She nodded with a little gulp to lose the last sob and then looked helplessly back at her family.

Toffee nodded and went to her side. "Good. This makes it easier." The plate was lifted.

"I swear, if you don't take me back to the castle this instant, I will skin your scaly hide from the bottom of your gross lizard feet to the top of your unwashed, out-of-date hairstyle!"

The angry, babbling pixie was pinched between his claws as Toffee viewed him indifferently.

"Star," he began quietly, and looked at her. "Today's lesson is about favors."

That got her disoriented attention rather quickly. She gaped, confused. "Whaaaa? What are you doing with that poor ugly little thing?"

"Lonnie? Oh, he's an old friend of mine. Pixie." He shook the small being, making him yelp. "Short-tempered. Small wings. Gambling problem."

"I'll bet I can still kick your cold-blooded backside to Pixtopia and back!" The magical figure gnawed viciously on his claw to no avail.

"Anyway... You recall what your favorite tea is made from?"

The child gave a squeak of horror. "Crushed up pixie wings?!"

Lonnie stopped chewing and his purple skin grew pale. "WHAT!?"

The septerian smiled proudly. "Exactly." He held the pixie up to her face. "So to fix this illness and bring them back to consciousness, be a dear and crush the whole thing for me, will you?"

"Wh---wha...?!" Good thing she was already sitting down. Wide eyes looked over to her family. "Is that the only way to bring them back?!"

"It's the only way to bring them back quickly."  His tail moved and a small knife was settled in her grip.

The small pixie was shrieking and clawing desperately at the grip that encased him. "You... You sick snake! Don't do this! I'll p-pay you back, I swear!" he whimpered out, eying the princess in horror. "I CAN'T GO OUT LIKE THIS!"

"Hmmhmm-- Star, this is crucial." The pixie was slammed into the plate, his little arms and legs held down. "Do it slow. Draw it out. Make him really see his death approaching," Toffee added helpfully. "The slower the better. Maybe let him see the reflection in the knife before you start to cut the skin?"

"OH, DEAR CORN!"

A whimper escaped the girl as she backed up rapidly, and fell on her mother, who shifted with a grunt the child didn't even hear over her own terror.

"No! I--I'm not going to just slice the little thing like a piece of deli meat! Toffee, it's just...a pixie! It didn't do anything, and if there are ways to bring my family back that doesn't involve..."

Bleary eyes looked up and they narrowed tiredly. "Toffee, are you trying to get my daughter to kill things again."

Toffee gave her a smile that could have charmed anyone's skin from their body. He tucked the knife back out of sight. "Maybe a little maiming, my dear, but nothing too permanent."

Star watched her mother roll her eyes and then her own quivered with tears as a choked, breathy little squeak escaped her, a warbled, so high pitched and wobbly it was barely intelligible. "Mommy...!"

Toffee nodded. "Yes. As I thought. Star," he continued, eying the shivering pixie in his grip. "Crushed wings may prevent illness... but what's more effective in drawing out someone from a deep sleep?" His fangs shone and reflected the sweaty lavender face in his grip. "The terrified screams of a pixie about to die."

Lonnie's gaze was wide and frozen in horror. His voice was a whimper. "I'll... h-have your money back by tomorrow."

"Today. Three o' clock."

"Okay!"

The bundle besides the queen and princess shifted. Ludo groaned and rubbed his bleary eyes. "What's going on... ?" He looked at Star and at the sickly pale face of the woman beside him, and gasped. "Ma-- Moon! Queen! What's wrong!?"

Star sniffled. "You and Mom died! And came back! And I was worried! And...!"

Moon blinked tiredly, laying her head back. It was hard to keep her eyes open. That probably didn't look good. "I'm fine, Ludo..."

"WE DIED?! Moon, stay here! Please!" He squawked. His small form clung against her side, small talons scratching at the blanket as if to keep her spirit there longer.

"No we--Star!" Moon groaned. "Don't scare him like that." She blinked down at Ludo, wincing at the scratches but still more concerned for him. An arm gently draped over him. "Ludo?"

"Don't leave! Stay here!" Ludo couldn't bother to hide the tears as he clung tightly to her. "What do you need?!"

"Dear..." Moon chuckled but it was more of a sad chuckle. He really thought she was going to go. "Ludo, it's just a little illness. Nothing lethal, I promise. You're sick yourself Ludo, you can't do anything for me."

She reached down to pick him up and tuck him snuggly against her chest. "See? It's beating." Another arm draped around her daughter as she lay against her side.

Toffee had watched them, hands posed prettily under his chin. "What a heartfelt moment."

Moon's motherly smile fell immediately as she turned a scowl to him. "Yes, it is. Care to be a part of it?"

Toffee's smile returned. "I'm merely here to observe and ruin the moment, my dear."

"I'm trying to comfort my children," she grunted, petting them both. "So if you're here, you play nurse."

"Do you truly think I could pull off basic white?"

"Oh?" Moon tilted her head playfully. "I'd think Toffee could think he could pull off anything."

"Correct. Your dress on several occasions, for one."

Moon glared at him through a flush and looked down at the kids. They were just blissfully snuggled up, oblivious. “Would you just go and get us all some grilled cheese?”

“As you wish, my dear.”

[missdawnandherdusk]

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

Hufflepuff!Reader X Draco

The tricky thing is yesterday we were just children

But now we've stepped into a cruel world

Where everybody stands and keeps score

So here you are, two steps ahead and staying on guard

Every lesson forms a new scar

They never thought you'd make it this far

Chapter 1     Chapter 2    Chapter 3    

Chapter 4     Chapter 5     Chapter 6

Chapter 7    Chapter 8     Chapter 9

Summary: Planning for something in theory is easy... putting it into practice? That’s where the weak are separated from the strong. 

A/n: Hello my lovelies! So here is the second part to the last chapter!! If I had posted it all at once it would have been over 20k words so... yeah. I split them up. Also, this gets pretty dark and well, we all know how HBP ends... so I guess that’s a warning. And to add, this went in a completely different direction than I planned, but now it’s closer to my original idea so... Let me know what you guys think! Seriously, I thrive on your approval. (Also, I’d like to see if someone notices a MAJOR problem for these two kids... because I barely caught it myself) 

“Oh, my darling boy,” Narcissa crooned, nearing Draco’s bedside. She took his hand though he was in a spell induced coma and could not hear her.

“I’m so sorry Narcissa,” I teared up. “I...”

“Snape explained it all my dear,” She consoled, reaching out for me. “You have nothing to apologize for,”

I all but collapsed in her arms, breaking down into tears as she held me. Though Abby and Pansy—as well as many others including Ernie, Blaise, Greg, Vincent, and Hannah—had comforted me and offered me a solace, it was different having a mother there to hold me and tell me it was going to be alright.

“It was awful,” I sniveled. “I thought... I thought...” I began to hiccup with the lack of oxygen due to my tears.

Narcissa shushed me softly and rubbed my back in a soothing rhythm.

“You’re alright darling,” Her voice was gentle. “Everything’s going to be alright,”

She stayed for the remainder of the night and came back the next day. I was only allowed a day off from classes before I had to return though Draco had still not woken. Though I knew there would be rumors and whispers, and though I expected to have to retell the harrowing story again and again, everyone already seemed to know. And more surprisingly, each student I came across was sympathetic and kind to me and even towards Draco, wanting to know how he was faring. Yet the thing that took me back the most was the amount of Gryffindors who offered their sympathies to Draco, rather than siding with their own Golden Boy. Even McGonagall offered her sympathies.

And for the most part, I completely ignored Harry. The best I could. Which... well. I’d like to say that I did, but I can’t. To be fair, he did try to talk to me on my first day back, two days after his attempted murder.

“Y/n,” He rushed out in the Great Hall as I sat down with Pansy and Abby.

“You need to stay away from me,” I gritted out, glowering at him. “You’re a coward!” 

“Look, I didn’t know what the spell would do, okay?”

“No! That’s not okay!” I stood. “You almost killed him! And you would have! Why in Merlin’s name would you use a spell if you didn’t know what it did!?” Bristling, Abby had to place her hand on my arm before I drew my own wand. Her gentle hand allowed me a moment to take a deep breath and cam myself, ever so slightly. “Just get out of here Harry. Don’t... don’t talk to me,”

“Come on, mate, let’s go,” Ron pulled Harry’s arm back, sensing the rising tension in his best friend.

“You’re... you’re not really going to...” Abby asked softly as we sat back down. “About being the bad guy?” She was almost timid to ask.

I sighed and shook my head.

“No,” I admitted. “I just said it because I was mad and scared. I’m not gonna go off and join the Dark Lord,” a sad smile played at my lips. “I... I feel like I have no choice... This path was forced into me because of Precious Potter and I... I don’t want to be angry. I don’t want to be broken... but I don’t want to be walked on,”

“And you don’t have to be,” Pansy encouraged. “We all have your back,” Pansy nodded to the Hall. “We’re on your side,”

“I don’t want there to be sides!” I dismayed, scrubbing my face. “I don’t want to be divided because we still do have the same enemy and...” I let out a sharp breath in defeat. “When did it all become so complicated?”

Abby said nothing but wrapped an arm around me, soothingly rubbing my shoulder.

“It’ll all work out, you’ll see,” She encouraged, sharing a look with Pansy. “For all of us.”

After dinner, as I always did, I went and saw Draco. His steady grey eyes trailed me as I rounded his cot.

“Hey,” He offered softly as I slipped my hand into his. Despite his many blankets and long sleeves, his hands were still ice cold.

“Hey,” I echoed sadly. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” There was little confidence in his voice. “How’s class without me?” I scoffed and stared at the intricate carvings on the pillars of the infirmary.

“It’s not the same... nothing is the same...” The depressing thought left my lips before I could stop it. “I do miss walking to class with you though,” A small smile played at my lips at my gaze returned to him.

Wordlessly I reached out and brushed a few stray hairs from his face, my fingers ghosting over the pale pink scar that ran along the side of his face. Maybe fortune was on our side because though his skin was marred with scars, the spell hadn’t left permanent damage to his senses. His skin was still chilled under my touch.

“You’re still cold,” I murmured. “Do you want tea? Another blanket? I’m sure there’s a warming potion around here somewhere,”

“I’m alright,” His lips tugged upward. “Pomfrey and Snape said that it might happen, because of the Dark Magic...”

Worrying my lip, I nodded and intertwined my fingers with his pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles.

“What’s on your mind?” His question was soft.

“Nothing and everything,” I smiled. “Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing... but loved most of all, when she went to sleep, to hear the Angel of Music...”

“Haven’t read that one in a while,” Draco mused softly. “I think they’re having a show in London over the summer holiday...”

I wanted to snap at him. I wanted to say that it was stupid to think about the summer. It was foolish to think we’d survive the semester. That going to the opera shouldn’t be a plan we made on some false hope that we’d actually make it.

But I didn’t.

Instead I entertained the idea. Just for a while. Even if it would hurt later.

“You’d take me then?” I mused.

“Well, of course,” Draco smiled, enjoying that I was playing along. “Of course, Pansy and Abby would come with us,”

I laughed softly at the thought. The false memory of the four of us in some opera house amidst twinkling lights, dressed lavishly, laughing and having fun. I could see myself on Draco’s arm as he held his head high, smiling soft at my antics. I could almost hear Pansy scolding Abby for her poor etiquette. I could almost feel the thrum of the music in my soul and the magic of the performance before me as I was enraptured again by another story.

“I’d like that,” I whispered softly, tears stinging my eyes. 

“Then think of it done,”

A silence fell between us.

“Can I stay here tonight?” I asked softly.

“Would you expect me to say anything but yes?” He quirked an eyebrow.

Curled up in his arms, again I thought of everything and nothing, utterly exhausted—mentally, emotionally, physically. Draco still offered a sweet comfort that I had never found in anyone else. A comfort that quelled my anxieties and allowed me to sleep soundly.

“Told you she would be here,” I heard Pansy whisper harshly. “It’s not like it’s the first time they’ve done it,”

“Yes, yes, you’re so smart,” Abby said flatly. “They’re still precious, aren’t they? Even now,”

There wasn’t a response. I shifted through my sleep logged thoughts and blinked my eyes open. Draco was still fast asleep beside me, his mouth hanging slightly open as gentle breaths passed through his lips. Abby and Pansy were forgotten as I watched Draco bathed I the soft morning light.

“Hey Feathers, Dumbledore wants to see you,” Abby nudged my arm. “I don’t think it’s good either.”

Fear and dread struck my heart as I froze.

“Did he say why?” I squeaked out, carefully slipping out of the bed, not to rouse Draco. 

“No, just that it was a serious matter,” Abby frowned at me. “Are you okay?”

“Do you really want the answer to that?” I mumbled. “Please stay with him, tell him where I am when he wakes up. And if he tries to come and find me, make sure he doesn’t. He’s still healing,”

Timidly I made my way up to Dumbledore’s office, a list of a thousand things that could go wrong sprinting through my mind, willing them all true. Those thoughts however, changed and funneled when I saw that I wasn’t alone in his office with him. No, Harry, Snape, and McGonagall were all present along with the old headmaster.

“Miss Y/l/n, thank you for joining us,” Dumbledore smiled kindly. 

“Yeah... okay,” I closed the door behind me. “What’s this about?”

“What happened in Myrtle’s bathroom,” Snape informed with a monotone voice. “Though I have thoroughly explained that what Harry did to Mr. Malfoy was much worse and you acted in self- defense,”

“Uh... okay...” My eyebrows furrowed. “What exactly did I do?” 

“What did you do? You used an Unforgivable!” McGonagall dismayed. 

“You tortured me!” Harry exclaimed.

“You attempted to murdered Draco!” I shot back. “What was I supposed to do!?” 

“As I said, she acted in self-defense.” Snape cut the tension with his calmed voice.

“That wasn’t self-defense, that was malicious intent,” Harry growled. “You have to mean the curse for it to do any damage,”

“Oh yes, and I’m sure your use of Dark Magic is completely justified,” I snapped, crossing my arms. “And are you really going to play the victim when I have every right to loathe you?”

“Miss Y/l/n,” Dumbledore interjected. “We are not here to point fingers, but rather here the entire story. Both sides.”

“Why isn’t Sprout here?” I looked around. “She’s my Head of House... shouldn’t she be here?” 

“This isn’t a House matter,” Snape clarified. “This is a matter of the Order,”

“Of which you are a member,” McGonagall finished. “Now please, your side of the story,”

My mind processed this information then I began my tale.

“Draco was having a panic attack, so I led him to the nearest quiet place that I could find—” 

“Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom?” McGonagall clarified and I nodded.

“I was comforting Draco—walking him through grounding and Harry burst into the bathroom. Draco got defensive of me, drawing his wand, and Harry cast a hex at the two of us... I remember telling Draco to stop... there was water everywhere. And then Harry,” I glanced over to the golden boy who was sulking in his chair. “Cast whatever awful spell that was. I didn’t think. The Unforgivable was the first spell that came to mind...” I paused, drawing in a sharp breath. “Then there was so much blood. Merlin...” I wrung my hands together in a desperate attempt to wash my clean hands of blood that was no longer there. “I did cast the spell, and I’m not going to apologize for it. I’m sorry for hurting you, but not for defending Draco,”

“I see,” Dumbledore nodded. “Well, it seems that all’s well that ends well,” 

Harry and I both sputtered, glaring each other down.

“She should be going to Azkaban!” Harry exclaimed.

“Oh, you should really keep your comments to yourself Potter,” I snarled.

“If I remember correctly Mr. Potter, you also cast an Unforgivable at Bellatrix not last year,” Dumbledore raised an ancient eyebrow at a fuming Harry who instantly fizzled out.

“You cast an Unforgivable and you have the nerve to accuse me! Oh, stars above Harry where does it end with you!?”

“That doesn’t count! She was trying to kill me! She killed Sirius!”

I stared at him in quelled anger. “Funny,” My voice was calm and even. “I could have sworn I did it for the same reasons,” I watched the color drain from his face. “But I get it, I’m not the Chosen One, I don’t get free passes, do I?”

“Miss Y/n,” McGonagall warned.

“Am I free to go? I need to get back to Draco,” I looked to Snape.

He gave a seldom and I rushed out of the office, practically running back to the hospital wing. Abby caught me in her arms, stilling me outside the door.

“Hey, talk to me,” She demanded. “What happened?”

“Harry needs to mind his own damn business,” I growled. “He told that I used an Unforgivable against him after he tried to kill Draco. After he already used one last year! And he has the nerve—”

“Y/n?” Draco’s shaky voice was a lot closer than I thought it would be. It had to mean that he was up and walking.

“Dray?” My anger softened to concern and hope. “Draco what are you doing up?”

“You could have given us more of a warning about how much he would fight us after telling him that Dumbledore wanted to speak to you,” Pansy muttered, Draco’s arm slung around her shoulder.

“Sorry?” I offered, taking Draco’s weight, freeing Pansy. “You need to stay in bed,” I scolded him softly.

“How could you think that I would? How could you just leave?” His voice was trembling and uncertain.

“I know, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” I led him back to his cot, setting him down gently. “Forgive me?”

He nodded as I pulled the blanket back over him. Pansy and Abby aided me in getting him settled again.

“This is so stupid,” He groaned. “I should be there with you,”

“A few more days, my love,” I comforted softly, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Then you’ll be back beside me,”

__________________________________

Draco’s eyes met the plated silver. His reflection mocking him. His pale skin was decorated— was that the right word? Ruined, perhaps—with faded pinkish scars.

Of course, his mother had been livid. Visiting him in the hospital wing more days than not until he was medically cleared to go back to class, she was there, pacing, muttering, threatening, demanding.

Your sentiments matched his mother’s but ever since the fateful day that Harry had taken him inches from death, you had gone silent with a cold ruthless fury. A look that only faded from your eyes when they met his. Then adoration was evident. Love and dedication was evident. Kindness.

As he stared at his reflection, the phantom memory of pain danced along his skin.

“Hey there handsome,” Your gentle voice caught his attention. Catching the sight of you in the mirror he turned, leaning against the vanity.

“I don’t remember you ever calling me that before,” He mused, slightly teasing—part of him wondering if you were just saying it to make him feel better.

“I know you Draco,” You pressed off the doorjamb you were leaning against and took his hands. “Self-assured, confident, absolutely gorgeous,” A smirk hinted at your lips. “But I know you’re unsteady right now.” Gently your fingers traced the scars on his hands trailing up his arm making him shudder.

“And what of you?” He asked softly, bringing your hand to his lips pressing a kiss there softly, reveling in the warmth of your skin; something that he had lost, his skin retaining an icy chill with the dark magic that plagued it.

“What of me?” You countered softly. “I’m quite assured that I’m beautiful to those who matter to me... call it vanity,”

A chuckle escaped his lips, your words reminding him of Pansy. “No, that’s no mystery. You are stunning,” Your arms draped lazily around his shoulders as you waited for him to continue. “Are you okay? I know you, and you’ve been... I don’t know. Withdrawn? Distracted?”

He feared the anger that flashed in your eyes until you seemed to blink it away. With the fluttering of your eyelashes the ire turned to sorrow. Your shoulders rose and fell with the deep breath you took.

“I’m tired of being walked on. I’m tired of people underestimating me. Of thinking I’m harmless or weak.” You paused but then your eyes met his pleading, “I know who I am, I really do. I’m just tired of other people not seeing it.”

Draco smiled at you, reaching up and caressing your cheek delicately. “And?” He knew you had more on your mind.

“I’ve had enough of Harry thinking he can get away with anything.”

Draco nodded. Before his prejudices against Potter had been just that—prejudices. Now? Now they went so much deeper. The hurt and pain that Harry had caused to you and him was something that couldn’t be brushed off. Draco’s anger matched yours when thinking of Potter, but maybe the difference was he had never seen it from the outside looking in.

“He almost killed you Draco,” Your voice wavered. “If Snape hadn’t shown up, you would have...” Tears pricked your eyes and you quickly shut them. “I can’t... I can’t lose you... and I never want to feel helpless like that again,”

Draco cupped your face softly, your eyes meeting his as quiet streams of tears trailed down your cheeks.

“And you won’t have to, but my love,” He sighed softly and pressed a kiss to your forehead before drawing you into his arms, “I don’t want you to lose yourself... I know you’re angry, and I know you’re scared... I know you wish it would all just go away, because I do too,” He sighed deeply. “But we can’t lose focus on who we are,”

“When did you become the wise grounded one?” You pouted into his shoulder, earning a small chuckle from him.

“Some girl brought me back down to Earth,” He mused.

“Must have been some girl,” He could hear the smile in your voice.

“Oh, she’s quite wonderful, I think you’d love her. I know I do,”

“Sap,” You accused, smiling up at him.

“And yet you love me anyway,”

“I do,” You pressed up on your toes, your lips brushing against his softly.

The day that he returned to class, as expected, he got plenty of stares. Students gawking at him and whispering behind his back. Not that it was new for him. But maybe you were right—he was unsteady. You still held his hand in the halls though, and still looked at him as you would a piece of artwork. And whenever he became uncertain about his appearance your gently smile and soft kisses created phantom memories that kept him grounded.

“Ginny and Harry are together,” Hannah gave off hand one day at dinner.

Draco’s eyebrows raised in surprised. Your face soured a bit as your eyes drifted over to the Gryffindor table where sure enough Harry and Ginny were sitting together amidst their friends. He pressed a kiss to your temple, pulling you a bit closer. The pout didn’t leave your face, but your focus reverted back to your friends before you.

Draco hadn’t spoken to or gone near Harry since he had been back to class. The only real struggle was Potions, but Harry seemed content on ignoring him, and with Ernie as Draco’s partner, Draco’s thoughts weren’t consumed with Harry. Ernie was actually quite pleasant in class, Draco had to admit. Though he was a bit reckless and impulsive in a childlike manor, but he wasn’t impossible for Draco to work with. In fact, Draco almost preferred to work with Ernie because Ernie didn’t treat him any differently after his near-death experience. It was a vein of normalcy.

“This should work,” You lowered your wand, running your hand over the mended Vanishing Cabinet. “We should be done,”

His eyes met yours. There was hope in your warm eyes. Draco gave a seldom nod and grabbed an apple from his bag. It was the first test. Though weeks ago, the apple had made it to Borgin and Burkes, the live finches you had sent hadn’t survived. You mourned the small birds and buried them beneath your tree by the lake.

The apple was closed behind the wardrobes doors and after counting to thirty, your hand gripped tightly in his, Draco opened the door again and saw that the apple had a slice cut out of it. You let out a steady breath and went to the golden wire cage, with gentle grace setting down the small bird into the wardrobe. You closed your eyes, refusing to watch as he closed the door this time. Thirty seconds again, he opened the door, and the small finch was there, staring up at the two of you, an apple slice in his mouth.

You let out a scream of excitement and joy as you gathered the bird into your hands and kissing its small head before setting it back in the cage to enjoy its treat.

The next was a crow, easily transfigured from a goblet. Draco ser the bird into the cabinet and closed the door yet again. The ruffling of wings faded for twenty seconds until he heard frantic cawing and agitated movements. Throwing open the door, the crow flew out. With a quick flick of your wand the crow was a goblet once more, falling harmlessly into the piles of rubbish around the two of you.

“I have to go,” You breathed out, words that he had been dreading.

“Y/n,” He refuted. “We don’t know if it’ll work for larger animals, Pinnae might not make it.”

“It worked for the crow,” You pointed out. “Pinnae can make it,”

“It’s too dangerous,”

“Draco,” You gave him a flat look. “I need to go,” You took his hands into yours. “It’ll be okay, I’ll be back. If not, I’ll just fly back here from Diagon Alley.”

“You make it sound so simple,” He nuzzled his nose to yours.

“Because it is,” You smiled, pressing your lips to his fleetingly. “I’ll be back, I promise.”

“Please be careful,” Draco dismayed as your morphed into Pinnae, fluttering into the base of the wardrobe.

Then he closed the door, trapping you in darkness. Thirty seconds had never been so long.

There was a knock on the door then it slowly opened. Your smiling face was shining as you crawled out of the cabinet.

“It works,” You breathed out, amazed.

“By Merlin it works!” Draco exclaimed, spinning you in his arms.

You laughed and held onto him tightly. The two of you celebrated with laughter that turned to tears. When the entire world seemed against you two, at least one thing went right.

“I love you,” You sniffled through tears.

“Stars, I love you too,” He breathed in the scent of you deeply, burying his head in your shoulder. “We’re gonna make it,” He was almost hopeful.

“We’re gonna make it,” You affirmed.

“Who’s there?”

You and Draco froze, staring at each other in paralyzing fear. 

“Hello?” The voice called again.

You sagged and let out an aggravated groan. “It’s Trelawney,” Gritting your teeth you let go of him, sighing. “I’ll go see what she wants. You get to Snape and tell him we do this tonight.” There was fierce determination in your eyes.

Draco nodded and watched as you made your way toward the exit. He could hear your faint conversation with the professor. Giving you five minutes head start, Draco slipped from the Room of Hidden Things undetected.

“It’s done,” Draco panted out, catching his breath after nearly running to Snape’s office. “The raid has to be tonight,”

“I see,” Snape rose. “And you’re certain?”

You burst into the office just then, also out of breath. “Harry and Dumbledore are leaving to go find something called—”

“Silencio!” Snape casted the spell on you, proving you mute. Infuriated, Draco drew his wand, stepping between you and the professor. “Calm down, she’s in no harm,” Snape rolled his eyes and lifted the spell. “But be careful with what you speak. It is wise to hold your tongue.”

Fuming, you nodded still.

Draco lowered his wand and took your hand.

“Now, you both know the task ahead of you?” Snape questioned. Silent nods affirmed the question. “Very well. He will be pleased, Draco. Very pleased indeed.” Another silent moment passed. “You have twenty-three minutes.”

Draco took your hand and pulled you into the hallway and along the corridors.

“Go, find Abby. Warn your friends. Warn your house. No one needs to get hurt. We’re already doing enough damage,” His voice was soft and gentle as unshed tears lingered in his eyes.

“I love you,” Your voice broke as he cupped your face and pressed his lips to yours desperately.

The kiss was hasty and despairing. Though neither of you would admit it, you both knew that it was a kiss goodbye. The warmth of your breath against his was the last of your warmth that he expected. The urgency of your fingers in his hair was the last of your comfort that he sought. The taste of your mouth was the last of your sweetness that he accepted. The softness of your lips was the last of your peace that he pursued.

“Twenty-three minutes,” He breathed out before letting you go and heading down to the murky waters of the Slytherin Common Room.

The Mark on his arm burned and Draco knew that Snape had called the others of the raid. A plan set into motion long ago, now coming to fruition.

____________________________

“Y/n!” Abby called my name as you burst into the common room. “What’s going on?”

My friends were all gathered in the common room as Abby tossed to me something small and shiny. A galleon. My galleon. From D.A. I might have cursed.

“How does he even know?” I chucked the galleon into the fire, watching it ricochet a flurry of ashes. My eyes met Abby’s. “It’s tonight,”

She nodded, knowing what it meant, knowing what was expected of her. A plan made long ago, that was now set into motion.

“Okay, this is going to get very bad, very quickly.” My voice trembled as I looked at all of the horror-struck faces before me. “But please, I need you all to keep the younger years safe. I need you to stay out of the halls until Abby comes and gets you.”

“But what about you?” Ernie asked.

“Look, you’re going to hear things. Awful things about Draco and me. And I can’t deny them, nor should I ask for your forgiveness. But please,” Tears streamed down my face. “Believe that everything I’ve worked for... everything I’ve done has been for this family,” I looked around the room. “I don’t have much of one by blood, but you? All of you... you’ve always been my family. And Hogwarts is my home.”

Abby’s arms wrapped around me and I could no longer hold back my tears. Soon there was a massive comfort pile and I was in the center of it. My friends, my family all there, all holding me close.

“So, what do you need us to do?” Taylor asked. I wiped my eyes and stood tall.

“Someone get word to the Ravenclaws and the Gryffindors that they need to stay in their dorm. You all have about fifteen minutes to be completely locked down. Cast protection spells. Silencing spells. Comfort younger years. Distract them. Do not take an order from anyone unless it’s Abby. Make sure she is not under a spell before you listen to her.” I glanced over at her. “This is a grave matter and lives are on the line tonight. One of which is mine. I don’t know what will happen tonight, but I won’t be coming back. Not for some while.”

“But why?” I didn’t see where the question came from.

“It will all be revealed soon. I love you all. And I hope that you all can forgive me after tonight. No matter what you think of me, please, don’t forget: have courage and be kind.”

They all nodded. I rushed up to my room, changing quickly into dueling robes, pulling my silver cloak on.

“Are you okay?” Abby asked, tying her hair back.

“I’ll be fine,” I drew her in for a hug. “Please just get out alive,”

“You too kid,” Abby smiled weakly, taking my hand. “Sister for life,”

“Hufflepuffs for life,” I finished, looking back one last time before taking off through the window and into the night.

With a soft thud I landed on Draco’s floor. He was expecting me. We didn’t embrace another, but instead got to work.

“The Hufflepuffs?” He asked.

“Warned and locked down. Word was sent to Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. The Slytherins?” 

“Secured.” Draco affirmed. “Seven minutes,”

“Okay,” I nodded. “The Mark,”

Draco looked out his opened window and chanted something short and unfamiliar to my ears and I watched as a snake coiled from the end of his wand in a thick green smoke and into the sky merging with a skull. I took his hand, standing beside him.

“I still don’t want to kill him,” Draco confessed. “But I’ll do anything to keep you safe,”

“Draco don’t worry about me. Your mother and I have a plan if things go wrong.” It was an easy lie as I met his confused grey eyes. I smiled softly. “You don’t have to be afraid.”

“The Astronomy tower,” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Go,”

I leapt out of his window again and circled the school, patrolling, watching two figures on brooms land on the tower I was destined for. The quiet night was eerily quiet as I landed, perched on a sill, watching Harry and a frail looking Dumbledore. I almost slipped out of Pinnae because of the regret that fluttered in my chest, but it was easily pushed aside.

I watched as Harry hurried over to the door leading to the spiral staircase, his hand just meeting the door as I heard running footsteps from the door opposite to Harry. My eyes trained and waiting for Draco missed whatever had caused Harry to keep fleeing.

“Expelliarmus!” Draco shouted, and I sprang into action, catching the wand in my claws and settling back on the sill.

Standing against the ramparts, very white in the face, Dumbledore still showed no sign of panic or distress. He merely looked across at his disarmer and said, “Good evening, Draco,”

Draco stepped forward glancing over to me then to the empty room. He was making sure that we were alone. I wanted to warn him that Harry was close, but I couldn’t not yet. Draco seemed to figure this out on his own however, as his eyes fell upon the second broom.

“Who else is here?” He demanded.

“A question I might ask you.” Dumbledore eyed me before his attention reverted back to Draco. “Surely you’re not acting alone,”

“No,” Draco said. “I’ve got backup.”

“I see,” Dumbledore said as if Draco’s actions were praiseworthy. “And won’t you join us Miss Y/n?”

Draco glanced to me, panicked. That wasn’t a part of the plan. I wasn’t to be human at all. No one was supposed to know that I was there. Not the Order or the Death Eaters and certainly not Bellatrix.

“I know that it’s you my dear, you might as well join us,”

It was a wildcard neither Draco nor I were expecting. Draco gave a seldom nod, looking utterly defeated. Against my better judgement, I morphed back human, wand in my hand as I took my place at Draco’s side, adrenaline and anxiety threading through my chest.

“You always were such a talented witch,” Dumbledore praised. “I assume you had a hand in this plan, finding a way to get the other Death Eaters into my school?”

“Yes,” I answered, my voice shaking.

“You do complicate things don’t you my dear,” Dumbledore’s eyes fell upon me. “To think if Mr. Malfoy never had you, what would have become of him.”

“I don’t dwell on what might have been,” My eyes narrowed at the frail headmaster. “But rather what is to come,”

“Ah yes, your little job,” A twisted smile curled on his face. “Well, then, you must get on and do it, my dear boy,” said Dumbledore softly.

Confusion flitted across my face. Did Dumbledore know what we were here to do? How long had he known? Why the bloody hell hadn’t he said anything? A tense silence fell between us and I could faintly hear the fighting of Death Eaters and The Order occur somewhere below. I winced at the mental images.

“Draco, you are not a killer.” Dumbledore smiled. The words sounded cruel coming from his mouth rather than mine. Condescending.

“You don’t know what I’m capable of,” Draco snarled, gripping his wand tightly.

“Oh yes, I do,” said Dumbledore mildly. “You almost killed Katie Bell and Ronald Weasley—”

“That wasn’t us,” I interjected. “You really think I’d allow that?”

“Well you are here to kill me, are you not?”

Silently I seethed, gritting my teeth.

“It wasn’t us,” Draco replied coldly. “And we never figured out who it was,”

“Very curious,” Dumbledore mused. “But you were saying . . . yes, you have managed to introduce Death Eaters into my school, which, I admit, I thought impossible...How did you do it?”

Neither of us said anything. The echoes of the fight below were deafening. My blood ran cold, torn between who I needed to win. One to protect Draco and I. One to protect my family.

“Perhaps you ought to get on with the job alone,” Dumbledore taunted. “What if your backup has been thwarted by my guard? As you have perhaps realized, there are members of the Order of the Phoenix here tonight too,”

“The Order is here?” Frowning I met ancient blue eyes. 

“You think I wouldn’t have back up at my own school?”

Betrayal washed through me. I had no idea that the Order was here. That they were the guard against the raid that was merely a plan b. I never wanted them to get hurt. Why wasn’t I told that they were here? Wasn’t I apart of the Order as well? Then it dawned on me.

“You... you manipulated me!” I shouted. “You never wanted me as a part of the Order! You just wanted to keep an eye one me! Never for one moment did you believe in me!”

Draco winced at the realization of my words, as he took my hand, grounding me. 

“Who was I to go against your father’s wishes?”

“My father is dead because he believed in you,” I spat.

“He died for you. Not me.”

I growled dangerously.

“But never mind all of that,” Dumbledore waved the thought as if it were something easily dismissed. “And after all, you don’t really need help... I have no wand at the moment... I cannot defend myself.”

I ran my fingers over Dumbledore’s wand in my hand. It was urging me on, daring me to cast an Unforgivable. Begging me to. If I didn’t get my fury under control, Draco might not have to kill Dumbledore. Because I would.

A silence fell again.

“I see,” said Dumbledore patronizingly. “You are afraid to act until they join you.”

“I’m not afraid!” Draco snarled, though he still made no move to hurt Dumbledore. “It’s you who should be scared!”

“But why? I don’t think you will kill me, Draco. Killing is not nearly as easy as the innocent believe... So, tell me, while we wait for your friends... how did you two smuggle them in here? It seems to have taken you a long time to work out how to do it.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I hissed. “We had the plan since this past summer. We could have easily done it by Christmas, but Draco and I deserved another year together at our home,” My words dripped venom as they met the crisp air.

“We had to mend that broken Vanishing Cabinet that no one’s used for years. The one Montague got lost in last year.” Draco explained because anger claimed my voice, deeming me silent.

“Ah.” Dumbledore’s sigh was half a groan. He closed his eyes for a moment. “That was clever... There is a pair, I take it?”

“We don’t have to explain anything to you,” I whispered, my eyes closed as I tried to reign in my anger.

“I see,” Dumbledore smiled. “But I suppose that I was incorrect when I assumed that you were not sure you would succeed in mending the cabinet and acted rashly? It does leave me to wonder who did almost kill Ms. Bell and Mr. Weasley.”

Draco’s grip on my hand tightened. He didn’t like the loose end any more than I did. “If you suspected us, why didn’t you stop us then?” Draco demanded.

“I tried, Draco. Professor Snape has been keeping watch over you on my orders —” 

“He hasn’t been doing your orders, he promised my mother--”

“Of course, that is what he would tell you, Draco, but—”

“But nothing!” I interrupted. “I think Narcissa means a bit more to Snape than you do,” 

“We must agree to differ on that, my dear. It so happens that I trust Professor Snape —”

“That’s marvelous,” I deadpanned. “But trust isn’t the same as loyalty,”

“Isn’t it though?” The old professor seemed as if he were having a hard time standing on his own without the help of the railing. I almost offered my aid. “But as for being bout to kill me, Draco, you have had several long minutes now, we are quite alone, I am more defenseless than you can have dreamed of finding me, and still you have not acted...”

Draco glanced to me and a gave a soft smile. The fear and uncertainty in his eyes caused my anger to morph into a fierce protection.

“I see,” Dumbledore went on. “I wonder why Voldemort has let you live so long Miss Y/n. You really do hinder Draco from what is expected of him,”

“Shut your mouth!” Draco snapped. “She is the cleverest, most brilliant witch I’ve met! If anything, she pushes me past what I should be and into who I am!”

“And who are you Mr. Malfoy? Are you a killer?” Neither of us answered. “There is little time, one way or another,” said Dumbledore. “So, let us discuss your options, Draco.”

“My options!” Draco scoffed. “I’m standing here with a wand—I’m about to kill you—”

“My dear boy, let us have no more pretense about that. If you were going to kill me, you would have done it when you first disarmed me, you would not have stopped for this pleasant chat about ways and means.”

Draco’s aspiration to kill Dumbledore might be fading, but my desire for it was growing with each moment that passed as I untangled a web of lies and manipulation in silence about the frail headmaster before me.

“I haven’t got any options!” Draco despaired. “I’ve got to do it! He’ll kill me! He’ll kill her! He’ll kill my mother!”

“I appreciate the difficulty of your position,” said Dumbledore. “Why else do you—”

“No,” The fury in my voice was cold and unforgiving. “Don’t. You. Dare. Don’t you dare make yourself the martyr. You have no idea the hell Draco and I have been through together. Your chosen one almost killed him for Merlin’s sake, and you have nerve to offer a false kindness? As if you were blameless? As if you understood?”

“No, you can’t,” Draco agreed to the weight of my words.

“Come over to the right side,” Dumbledore continued as if I had never spoken, “and we can hide you more completely than you can possibly imagine. What is more, I can send members of the Order to your mother tonight to hide her likewise. Your father is safe at the moment in Azkaban...When the time comes, we can protect him too. Come over to the right side, you are not a killer...”

“Like you protected my father?” I whispered softly. “When will you see we are on the side of good. But we’re not on your side.”

Dumbledore did not speak. His mouth was open, still trembling, as if to find the right words to manipulate us back to his side. 

But suddenly footsteps were thundering up the stairs, Draco and I turned, in fear. We were both buffeted out of the way as four black robes burst through the door.

It seemed the Death Eaters had won the fight below.

A lumpy-looking man with an odd lopsided leer gave a wheezy giggle. “Dumbledore cornered!” he said, and he turned to a stocky little woman who looked as though she could be his sister and who was grinning eagerly. “Dumbledore wandless, Dumbledore alone! Well done, Draco, well done!”

“Good evening, Amycus,” said Dumbledore calmly, as though welcoming the man to a tea party. “And you’ve brought Alecto too... Charming...”

The woman gave an angry little titter. “Think your little jokes’ll help you on your deathbed then?” she jeered.

“Jokes? No, no, these are manners,” replied Dumbledore.

“Do it,” said the stranger standing furthest from me. He had a deep raspy voice and almost barked the words. All of my instincts told me to run from this man.

“Is that you, Fenrir?” asked Dumbledore.

“That’s right,” Fenrir barked, and I understood. Fenrir Greyback, the savage werewolf. “Pleased to see me, Dumbledore?”

“No, I cannot say that I am.”

Greyback grinned, showing pointed teeth. Blood trickled down his chin and he licked his lips slowly, obscenely. “But you know how much I like kids, Dumbledore.”

I choked back a sob, struggling to stand upright. Faces of my family flashed through my mind. Whose blood was on my hands and on his teeth? My world spun as I tried to get it back into order. Draco’s arm wrapped around me, trying to keep me upright.

“Ah, the little harlot,” A familiar voice cooed. “I should have known you’d be the one to stop Draco from his task.”

My eyes flashed up, meeting Bellatrix’s.

“She’s actually helped quite a bit,” Dumbledore interjected. “She has my wand, and she’s the one who made your arrival possible,”

“Shut up you old fool!” Bellatrix sneered. “Now come along little prince, we are short on time,” There was an urgency in her voice that made me hopeful that perhaps the Death Eaters hadn’t won but merely escaped.

“Draco, do it or stand aside so one of us—”

I didn’t take note into who was speaking because just then, from the door that Draco had arrived, came Snape, rushing forward and taking in the scene before him. His eyes met mine then went to Draco’s before settling onto Dumbledore’s.

“Severus...” The plead startled me. My eyes turned to Dumbledore who for the first time tonight was begging.

Snape said nothing but walked forward and pushed Draco and I roughly out of the way. Draco steadied me and we both moved to the back wall, watching the other Death Eaters—even Bellatrix fall back without a word.

Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face.

“Severus... please...” Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore. 

“Avada Kedavra!” It wasn’t my voice or Draco’s. But rather Snape’s.

Time around me slowed. Or maybe I could register everything around me all at once.

Dumbledore staggered back, falling, falling, falling down. Bellatrix cackled victoriously. Draco was a solace beside me, clinging to me as if I was his only lifeline.

“Out of here, quickly,” Snape ordered, glaring Draco and I down, a snarled look on his face.

He seized Draco’s cloak and forced him first through the door, with me trailing not far behind Draco. I didn’t bother to look who was behind me. Darkness fell over me and I proved blind. All I could do was cling to Draco’s robe and pray that wherever this darkness led, that there was a light somewhere at the end.

The darkness lifted as the starry night sky stretched before me letting me know that I was on the grounds of Hogwarts, not far from Hagrid’s.

“Go! Off the grounds and disapparate!” Snape ordered. “Go home!”

Draco and I stumbled as we ran through the dark. I wished nothing more than to morph into Pinnae and fly away, but I knew it was impossible. Just as we were at the outskirts of the grounds, Draco had to pull me out of the way of a bright red flash.

“Stop righ’ ‘ere!” A gruff voice called.

“Hagrid!” I called in relief until I realized I was no longer wanted here.

“Y/n?” Hagrid seemed just as confused as I was. “Wah are you doin’ ou’ wiff a bunch o’ Death Eaters?”

“I’m so sorry Hagrid,” I yelled into the darkness as Draco and I kept moving towards our freedom. “Take care of Steve, please!”

The distraction was enough to let a few black robes step foot off campus and disapparate. I turned back, a mistake, and saw Harry sprinting towards us, malice and torture in his eyes.

“I was right about you all along!” He shouted. “Don’t you dare show your face here again!”

Before I could respond, mostly just wanting to scream in frustration, Snape intersected the two of us, allowing Draco to grab my arm and pull me off the grounds.

“Y/n!” He called. “You need to disapparate! Go back to the Manor!” His eyes were wild and wide.

I nodded and wand in hand, I landed softly into the foyer of the Manor.

Of home.

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chapter 11

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