#heart stopper fanfiction

[earth-ambassador-jim]

Lost Souls: Story 17

Bitter Reunion 

Lost Souls Summary: Merlin awakens early from his sleep. He decides that he doesn’t want to leaving anything to chance and kidnaps the young James Lake Jr. to began training his Trollhunter as early as possible.

Barbara is determined to hunt down the man who kidnapped her son. In her efforts to get her son back she finds a strange old radio that speaks to her in a woman’s voice. The radio leads her to an underground society of shapeshifters.

Mother and son meet again years later as strangers on opposing sides.

AO3 - Fanfiction

~~~~

~~~~

The Daylight armor was unnaturally light, yet it seemed to press down on Jim with the weight of a mountain. It felt wrong. Irreverent. Kanjigar was supposed to be wearing it not him. He tugged listlessly at his pauldrons.

“Come along,” Merlin huffed. “It’s best we take care of this quickly.”

He opened the oak door and started down the tunnel without pausing to look back. Jim hurried awkwardly after him. The clanking of the armor felt deafening in the caves. It was a relief when they exited out of the eerie green glow of the cave into the natural silver light of the half-moon.

“Now let’s see…” Merlin hummed.

He let his staff rest in the crook of his arm as he fished a dark vial of potion out of his bag and removed the stopper. He retrieved a grey piece of stone which he dropped into the vial followed by a glowing yellow crystal. He put the stopper back on, swished it around a few times and then smashed it on the ground where it dissolved into a green mist. After a moment or two the mist reformed into a vaguely hawklike form. It took off into the forest.

“Quickly now!”

Merlin and Jim followed.

It wasn’t more than five minutes before they came to a halt, the smokey bird circling above a pile of stones. A familiar scent reached Jim’s nostrils.

He rushed forward and fell to his knees by the pile. He sniffed and then opened his mouth slightly to better take in the scent. He smelled a strange chemical, human blood, plants and earth, but mostly he smelled Kanjigar. His heart clenched painfully.

Kanjigar was really dead…

A soft keening crept out of Jim’s throat.

Merlin came to a halt beside him. The light from staff cast a sickly glow over the crumbled stone.

“I shall gather his remains,” He said after a moment. “They must be returned to his kin.”

He planted his staff in the ground and opened his satchel.

Jim turned toward the wizard to say something, but a flicker of movement drew his gaze. He lifted his head and caught sight of a shadowy figure in the tree above them. The green light glinted off their knife.

Jim lunged forward, flinging Merlin to the side, and summoning Daylight to deflect the blow.

His opponent was bathed in the blue glow from the sword. They were human shaped: fully clad in dark armor with a ruff of black feathers around their shoulder and a yellow visor hiding their eyes.

“Step aside, Trollhunter,” A feminine voice said. “My business in with your master.”

She was after Merlin then. A jolt ran down Jim’s spine, raising his hair, and his heart beat faster.

“No,” He snarled.

He had just lost Kanjigar, he was not going to lose Merlin as well.

“I’ll kill you too then,” She stated.

Jim curled his lips back farther, fully baring his teeth, and lunged. His sword planted itself in a tree. His opponent dodged around him, sending a kick into his back. Jim stumbled and regained his footing. He spun around and saw she was heading toward Merlin.

The old wizard was in the process of sprinkling something on the remains. His back was to the fight.

Releasing Daylight, Jim crouched down onto all fours and sprung. His leap carried him effortlessly onto his foe, tackling her to the ground. He pinned her shoulders to keep her from moving.

A familiar smell reached his nose. Jim’s nostrils flared. Where had he…?

His grip on her arms loosened and in an instant a dagger was coming for his eyes. Jim reared back to avoid it and his opponent twisted out of his hold.

She came up in a crouch, a sword in one hand, the dagger in her other.

Jim growled softly. She was between him and Merlin, but her attention was on him. He had to get past her. He stood up slowly and flexed his hands. Daylight was a few feet to his left but if he went for it she would go after Merlin. Jumping at her unarmed would be risky though…

He moved sideways inching toward his sword while keeping his eyes on his opponent.

She took a step backward as he took one sideways then…

She turned and charged toward Merlin.

“Watch out!” Jim screamed.

He ripped Daylight out of the tree and ran after her. His pulse pounded in his ears. He wasn’t going to make it in time…

There was a flash of silver and a resounding clang. Jim saw with relief that there was a long thin, double-edged sword in Merlin’s hand. Kanjigar’s remains were nowhere to be seen. Their adversary jumped back.

It was two on one now.

“Who are you?” Merlin demanded.

There was a pause, as the figure’s head moved back and forth. Likely gauging her chances against the two of them.

“I am Nemesis,” She finally said, her visor facing toward Merlin. “I am Morgana’s chosen champion to bring about your downfall.”

Merlin’s face paled.

“Impossible! She’s locked away.”

Nemesis laughed. It was a cruel humorless sound.

“She is far too powerful. You knew when you did it that solution was temporary.”

She took a step back. Jim noticed that she was favoring her left side.

“I will meet you again. You will pay for your crimes in blood,” She promised. She turned toward Jim. “Be careful, Trollhunter, who you put your trust in. That bastard will stop at nothing to accomplish his goals.”

Nemesis turned and fled, disappearing into the dark shadows of the forest.

Jim growled and took a step forward, but Merlin stopped him.

“You’re not ready. There are things we must take care of before you can face one of Morgana’s followers.”

Jim sighed.

“Okay,” He said, but kept Daylight in his hand.

He sniffed the air, picking up more of Nemesis’ scent.

Jim stilled, hackles going up.

He realized why the scent was familiar. It was the human scent he had smelled on Kanjigar’s remains.

~~~~

By the time Barbara made it back to her Janus Order apartment, she had just enough strength to lock the door, stagger to the bed, and shove some of the books off it before she collapsed. It felt like someone was stabbing her side with a pickax. Her head ached and every muscle in her body was screaming.

She should have returned home immediately after dealing with the Trollhunter instead of camping out to see who would come for the body.

Gingerly she tugged up her shirt as best she could without getting up. Her whole midsection was bruised. She prodded at her side and gasped as her vision whited out for a moment.

Barbara released her shirt and laid back again.

Lovely…

She was sure several of her ribs were at least cracked if not broken. On the bright side, now that she was actively using magic, she healed a lot quicker.

She would need to take her armer in to be repaired too.

What a headache.

Barbara lay there and tried to muster up the energy to at least get a pain killer. She really should start carrying some with her.

She closed her eyes.

…

When she opened them, the clock on her wall told her that two hours had passed.

Barbara struggled to sit up, stiff muscles protesting the movement.

“Ugh.”

She didn’t want to move but it would only get worse if she stayed there.

She made her way to the bathroom and swallowed down the strongest pain killer she had that wouldn’t leave her loopy, then staggered over to have a seat at the kitchen table. She glared at the wall tiredly before reaching in her bag an pulling out the dimensional orb. She wasn’t looking forward to paying back what she owed for it, but storage spells were tricky so she hadn’t dared attempt one on her own.

Inside the crystal orb Kanjigar’s blank stone eyes stared at her. She wondered briefly if the young troll she’d met was the one he had mentioned.

She quickly shoved the orb back in her bag.

The next scheduled meeting with the Underlord was tomorrow. She and Walt were to attend.

She hesitated at the thought of Walt.

It had been rough after she had learned what the Janus Order really did, but she had desperately needed someone to lean on, to learn from. Walt wasn’t trustworthy but he did care about her.

She would not have done as well as she had without him.

“…There is no honor among assassins,” She whispered.

A bitter chuckle escaped her.

He was a very good teacher. It was unfortunate for him.

Barbara ran her fingers over her sweaty hair and sighed. She would take a shower and try to get some rest. She needed to be looking her best. Tomorrow, if all went well, she would be receiving a promotion.

[annahamiltonsstuff]

Got tagged by the beautiful @eolewyn1010 thank you!

favorite color: green, and I love the darker shades, but also the light ones, so basically I just love GREEN

last song: Verdammt, ich lieb dich from Matthias Reim. The song cures my depression and releases my stress. I know my german schlager heart is talking...

last movie: I actually went to the cinema on monday and watched Ein fest fürs Leben. I love Christoph Maria Herbst

currently watching: Der Bergdoktor. I am talking like a granny (first the schlager than christoph maria herbst...) but it is actually good. And no I am not 60 years old. I am actually 20 but mentally far away from it.

other stuff I watched this year: I also rewatch doctor who currently, and of course good omens, many new episodes of tatort and also Wochenendrebellen, loved it.

shows I dropped this year: series and films are always a commitment so I choose wisely and finish it even if I dislike it in the middle of watching. So I would say non... oh, hold on... heart stoppers, it is too much peace for me. I love pain in media, I want to get my heart broken, and the heart stopper world is to beautiful for me.

currently reading: Fabian oder der Gang vor die Hunde from Erich Kästner, Flieder und Samt (Joko und Klaas Fanfiction) from @sarcasmmeetssoulmate, Traumnovelle from Arthur Schnitzler (but the audiobook, I began to count it also as reading I hope it counts for you too ;)

currently listening to: apart from the song I mentioned above I love and breath podcasts. So I am currently listening to Gemischtes Hack and Zu schnell für manche (f1 podcast)

currently working on: trying to get a autism diagnosis. The one hospital I can go to, doesn't answer my Emails and this one is my last hope I ask every clinic in Bayern and Baden-Württemberg. The most don't take adults and the other say they don't have the space for another patient...

currently obsession/s: der bergdoktor, good omens, tatort... and many more. They are not current. My obsessions stay with me. And if I think, okay they must have died last spring they realive themself and are getting stronger back as expected...

tagging if you want: @halteinfachmaldeinefresse @karl-von-moor-official @bettinasdiary @mistofstars @tatwaffel @neverland-in-space @egirlgarak @sarcasmmeetssoulmate

[aalwaysthecarcrash]

Shannon’s recent watches:

Nosferatu: very cunty slay. Count orlock was just a little autistic gay boy who i aspire to be like. Also I learned that a lot of vampire lore is rooted in antisemitism which is NOT fun

They Cloned Tyrone: SUCH a good movie oh my GOOOD I havent seen such a good new movie in a while. The “plot twist” was kind of weird if you think about it a little bit but I still really liked it. Very spooky and the soundtrack was 🤌 yum chefs kiss and the film camera esque quality was very cool. Loved the fits and the strange vague time period

Midnight Mass: I started this to avoid watching and binging s2 of heart stopper because I had work early the next day but instead I wanted to binge midnight mass and was also terrified of it. I am only 3 episodes in and I am so scared of it which is saying something because I am usually pretty good with scary things

Warm Bodies: 💕💕 Nicholas hoult 💕💕 is so boy. I didnt like the book as much as the movie, weirdly. I think the fandom needs to be bigger bc I want more fanfiction. Will be writing some to make up for the lack.

Derry girls: have three episodes left of the show and i do NOT like the Erin/James dynamic

Heart stopper s2: caved. Binging it. Its a Friday night so what the hell. I had a to watch something to calm myself down after a scary ep of midnight mass

[sixeyesgojo]

ORV is one heck a ride. I binge read the novel for five days and I was bawling at the near end of the novel. I couldn't imagine a better ending for orv. It's witty, depressing, funny, exhilarating, a bit tragic cliffhanging and heart stopper Kim Dokja. This guy makes my blood boils with each time he sacrifices himself at some point I would want him in a leash to prevent him from running wild again.

I read this from someone but I don't really remember it well so I might be wrong but I think it goes like there's a fragment of Kim Dokja inside us. We are Kim Dokja. And something along those lines give me the feels.

Ello!! Thank you so much for sending this ask, I got so excited!!

Honestly, I haven't read the novel all the way through because a) currently too busy with my studies and b) I have difficulties concentrating while reading a lot of text :( but several things were spoiled for me (it's okay though). I will eventually get there though! Please pray for me because I am way too attached to these characters, especially Joongdok...

As a fanfiction writer and ORV reader, I see a lot of parallels with Kim Dokja embodying us as readers. Even the novel alludes to that because the introductory phrase/dedication is "To that one reader" or something like that. That could be the one holding the book or Kim Dokja. So in a way, we are all 'Kim Dokja'.

I have seen multiple people on Twitter, who have read the new side story, say that KDJ interprets the story and characters in his own way and therefore he is an unreliable narrator (+ the fact that he sees YJH as this cold-blooded guy when YJH isn't). It makes sense to me.

On another note, I strongly believe that just like Dokja, all of us want to see a happy ending for our favs. Who knows if we would have done the same as him to ensure that we'd get to see the ending we wanted to see so badly? I think I would, especially if it was for Dokja, in all honesty.

(SPOILER)

In addition, his face being blurred kind of reminds me of how fanfiction writers write formless readers so that their fics are inclusive... In the end, isn't ORV a self-insert fanfiction?

[algumaideia]

Heartstopper isn’t Harry Potter fanfiction it is a fancomic based on BBC Merlin. It is a Merthur High school AU with Morgwen as a background ship reskinned as OCs for profit

Hmmm last time some said Heart stopper was an au it turned out to be wrong so I won't believe on this, no offense to you

Thanks for coming here to inform me, but the post you are talking about is like an year old????

[whoops-my-mental-illness-slipped]

I keep seeing people gushing about the new heart stopper season and crying over good omens season 2.

I keep seeing people saying "omg heart stopper is therapy" and stuff but

heart stopper just makes me sad. it just reminds me of my own loneliness, of that right now I don't have anyone that loves me the way that I want to be loved, that my only outlet is fanfiction and my sketchbook.

I sit down to watch heart stopper and I cant get through e2 because it just makes me feel so fucking alone. I fucking hate the world, I hate the fact that sometimes I feel like I need a relationship to feel better because I don't but I want one so bad but I'm so scared because I don't think I'm ready and.

I know I'm not supposed to figure everything out because I'm 17 but.

I'm tired. I'm so tired. I'm so tired of being tired but not sleeping that I'm finding things that make it easier to not think but I know that's not healthy and.

to me heart stopper is unrealistic and too real at the same time.

I walk down streets and school hallways and all it does is remind me of what I don't/can't have.

I feel broken.

I need help.

I need a hug.

[royal-dragon7]

Greetings humanity, I’m a minor, I love all things art, martial arts, traditional, digital, musical, etc. I have pretty much zero control over my own mind- not so much emotion wise but my thoughts are somewhat concerning, I enjoy reading, philosophy, cooking, history, pretty much anything to do with animals including evolution and biology.

I’m Korean but was adopted into America when I was a baby.

My posts will be about the various fandoms I’m in, lemme try to list them Ig lol

Okayyyy so not necessarily fandoms but just stuff I’ve seen and want more of

Supernatural, dsmp, Merlin, mha, marvel, good omens, somewhat dcu, death note, demon slayer, attack on Titan, spy x family, s and d tier, Atla, dragon prince, my pride, Rick Riordan verse (I have read ALL OF IT.) the ashurgaravi idk how to spell his name stuff, Victorious (omg jade was one of my first crushes) I Carly(Sam too lol), criminal minds, Warriors (the cat book series) spy school, heart stopper, the good place, the mad wolf’s daughter (read it a while back) vampire diaries +Hannibal now

Can’t think of any more RIP

Most of my posts will be about RR verse spn, dsmp, Merlin, dcu, mcu, and death note

+ HANNIBAL NOW

I read a lot of fanfiction

Infp-t

[dimpledcherry]

Jealous Nelson

Summary: The new kid talks to Charlie, Nick is nothing but a jealous ball... due Nick being totally unhinged in the name of possessiveness  Pairing: Nick Nelson x Charlie Spring Trigger Warnings: Smut :? there is a lot of it implied but it’s still here Content Warnings: Blowies

Charlie was fishing through his locker, desperately trying to add some sort of organisation to it - there was only so many times he could cram his life in there before everything got scrunched up or ripped. The boy was also trying to fill the 5-10 minute wait he had until Nick would be done with Geography (even though they finished lessons at the same time, sadly due to Nicks kind approachable personality, he became subjected to his teachers mini geography rants after every lesson). He found himself a little too focused in his tidying to the point hearing his attention being called made him squeal. 

“Oh- I'm so sorry.” The voice sounded from his left, Charlie stepped back and looked over, it was a face he didn’t recognise. He must’ve gave a confused look to the boy, “You are Charles Spring, right?”

“Charlie, yah.” He smiled. fiddling with the book in his hands.

The boy happily sighed, “Good! I’m new here, I got told you were someone I could go to if I needed maths tutoring?” While not a question, the boys inflections caused it to be one, Charlie nodded along. “You’re in year 11, right?”

“Yeah. Um, what year are you in?”

“Year 12, I'm new. I didn't pass my maths GCSE so I have to do it again,” the boy shrugged a laugh. “You don’t have to help me if you can’t, or don’t want too, year 11 is a busy year.”

“Oh no no. I’d love to! I'm free Thursdays after school, if you can do that?” 

“Oh I'd love that!” He put his hand on Charlie’s arm, “Thank you so much!” They both smiled at each other, the younger one felt his checks redden. “Shall we meet in the library?” Charlie nodded, “I’ll see you around.”

The boy fell into the crowds outside the locker room while Charlie’s head fell into his locker. He huffed out a groan. You didn’t even get his name.

“Hey hottie!” 

Charlie yelped, “Fuck- what is it with everyone making me jump today?!” He pulled himself from his locker, to find Nick to his right, wearing his famous slanted smile.

“Who’s your new friend?” The rugby lad teased, crossing his arms.

“OH! No- he’s new. I don’t know his name, but he’s in your year. He wanted to know if I could give him maths tutoring,” Nick hummed and slowly nodded his reply, causing Charlie cross his brows, “What-” His boyfriend offered a confused pout. “-I know that look.”

“What look?” He said still with a tangy face, this time offering a breathy laugh.

Charlie raised his brows at him, smirking “Nicholas Nelson, are you jealous?” He taunted, “How dare a new man interact with little ol’ me.” He was being over dramatic, he could see Nicks brain racking through responses. The duo stood in a half friendly face off for a few seconds: Nick with crossed arms and an unamused face while Charlie was cradling his Latin book in his arms prenteding to be all gushy over the new boy.

Much to Charlies surprise, Nick took a step towards him and in 0.5 of a second, had him pushed up against a locker, one hand above his head, another on his arm and a leg in-between his own, pinning him there until Nick decided enough was enough. This bold move stole the air from Charlies lungs. He couldn't help but smile, he may have lost but he knows in so many different ways, he’d won. Nick threw his lips onto Charlie’s, taking full control. He left love filled, lust peppered, ownership sprinkled kisses all over his partners lips. His hands moved from Charlies arm and rested on the base of Charlie’s throat, he could feel the small whimpers dissolve in his throat. They pulled apart and Nick’s eyes were cemented onto Charlies face. The younger boys eyes ran across Nicks face, his own cheeks were getting hotter by the second. 

“You always do kiss better when you agitated.” 

“Oh shut up Char...” He tightened his grip on his throat slightly and leaned back in to drop the same kisses upon his boyfriends mouth.

After a minute or two, Charlie tapped Nicks shoulder making him step away, panting at the ability to breath again. “Well Mr Jealous, as much as I'd love to stay here, I've got an English lesson to get to.”

Nick laughed breathily, he lowered his hands onto his boyfriends waist, “Orrr...” He trailed, moving his eyes from Charlie to the toilets down the hall, leaning his head that way too. 

Charlie slapped his textbook into Nick’s stomach and began to walk away, only to be pulled back into Nick’s side as he had an arm thrown over his shoulder, “C’mon I'll be quick..”

He let out a chuckle, “I love you,” he put his head on Nicks shoulder, “But I don’t think I want to bring that rumour to life yet.” 

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

“it’s an awful film! Who singings to someone and then just.. falls in love!?” The gang: Tao, Issac, Charlie and today they were joined by Nick, were chilling on their lunch bench, the three having to endure Toa’s anti romcom rant for the 100th time this accademic year. 

“Taooooo” Charlie put his head in his hands, 

“I just wanna believe in romance!” Issac gushed, “Not everything needs to be complicated and extreme and difficult!” Charlie mumbled still from his hands. This action cause Nick to blush.

“Then,” Tao picked up his apple juice, waving it about, “What’s the point?”

“To enjoy the film!” Charlie appeared from his hands, now having his cheeks held in his palms.

“Having something handed to you, is not enjoyable!”

“Having to do research for a film to even begin to understand it, is not enjoyable...” Issac rebuttled waving his book at Tao. The coupled laughed at their squabbling. 

After a bit of comfortable silence, Tao said, “Hey Charlie, ain’t that the boy you tutor?” He motioned over to the infamous new kid hanging with Nick’s rugby boys.

“Oh he’s handsome!” Issac noted, “Does he play Rugby?” He asked generally but motioned more to Nick. 

Nick mumbled low enough only Charlie could hear, “I fucking hope not.”

Unexpected to the boys, Nick turned to Charlie and planted one of the most rushed, possessive, lust filled kisses he’s ever received on his lips. When they pulled away, Charlie knew he was blushing, he knew too he was smiling like a fool. Just as he pulled away, Nick stood up and left the table. Leaving Charlie in a small haze.

Both boys looked over to the friend with confused expressions. “I don’t think he likes that your tutoring Liam..” Tao laughed.

Charlie groaned, dropping his head back into his hands, “I dont know what his issue is!”

“Charlie. Have you seen Liam!” Issac put his book down, “He’s handsome handsome!”

“Yeah, but like.. he’s not... Nick”

Tao laughed to himself, “Anyway, by the way you reacted to that kiss, I wouldn’t think there’s gonna be much of an issue for you both..” 

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

It was after school and it was rugby day. Oddly enough this became one of Charlie’s most loved days of the week. It’d not been long after he was allowed to go back on the team but he found it made his week that much more enjoyable when he could go. Obviously, after everything that’d happened, him rejoining the rugby team amped up Nick’s protective side, being captain he kept a very close eye on him throughout practice. 

The boys made their way out to the pitch where Coach Singh was stood with a student, “We got a new player?” Otis questioned.

“Thought we had enough?” “Probably another reserve?” The boys nattered between themselves.

“Nelson! There you are!” Singh yelled to the boy, who waved his arm up to her. She continued her conversation with the student but as she moved, Nick noticed exactly who it was.

Charlie must have sensed his distain, he looked over to his boyfriend and let out the most gorgeous belly chuckle, pushing Nick in the arm. 

“Why-” Nick groaned, only causing Charlie to laugh all the more. 

When at the pitch, Nick was ushered over by their coach, “This is Nicholas, he’s our captain, and a damn good one at that. He has a stern side, but he’s an all round lovely boy nonetheless.” Nick did he best fake smile, she turns to the pile of boys, “Boys, this is Liam, he’ll be our new reserve. Understandably due to Charlie’s health, it’s beneficial for us to have a second... just incase you’re feeling under the weather, you won’t need to stress yourself if you don’t feel you can play.” She directed the end towards Charlie, who stood rather awkwardly. but smiling at the gesture. Nick couldn't thank his coach for this idea enough, but he held too much frustration over the choice of boy. “Liam used to go to a school in North Essex, he’s an incredible sportsman so I hope you all welcome him with open arms.” There was a choir of mumbled hello’s. “Pair up, you’ll be doing a few drills. Nelson, im putting you with Liam.” 

Charlie couldn't hide the shit eating grin on his face, making Nick shake his head in his direction. He felt an arm sling round his shoulders, “I guess I'll adopt you for the moment then.” It was Christian. Charlie got on with him really well, Nick was automatically relaxed at that pairing. He was moderately aware of the younger boys conditions so Nick knew Charlie wouldn't get pushed too far.

as for Liam.... Nick made it his mission. Everyones doing something 3 times? Nick made Liam do it 5 times. Tackle Nick while he didn't move? Oops, look like Nick dodged him. Simple star jumps? No, burpees. 

“You tryna kill me, man?” Liam huffed out after his 7th round of: weaving in and out posts, 5 burpees, passing the ball between cones, tackling sponge posts.

“Think of it more like an initiation.” He said rather stilly. 

After some time, and lots of masochism from Nick, Coach Singh pulled them back in for team chat. Charlie naturally found himself next to Nick.

“You having fun?” Nick murmured,

“Yeah, miss you though.” He paused, “How’s your new friend doing?” Nick glared at him, causing a little laugh to slip, “Says it all.” Nick playfully pushed his shoulder in Charlie, causing him to topple a little. 

“You boys listening?” Coach aimed at them,

“Better than ever!” Nick smiled, Charlie nodding.

“We’re going to work on speed, i want you boys to be quickest on that field! Your play can be fair but if that speed ain’t there, you’re bound to lose.” She paused, “Charlie over here, I want you boys to get closer to him. Some reason the kid is built like a spring bean but runs like a race car, so I doubt you’ll reach him but I want you to surprise me.” The compliment made Nick smile more than Charlie himself. 

They lined themselves up, Nick stayed with coach while a handful of the boys took their positions. Charlie was in the first race. He took himself over to his lane, making sure he was ready, focusing on being confident his laces were done up... Again too focused to notice the person next to him. The sudden voice caused him the yelp slightly.

“Oh- again? You’re a rather jumpy lad.” Liam laughed. Charlie smiled, tucking his hands in his sleeves, “I didn't know you were on the rugby team. You don’t strike me as much of the rugby player.” 

Charlie smiled at his comment reminiscing on the reason.. much rather person.. that caused him to actually play, “Neither did i.”

“always thought you were the library’s pretty boy.” His comment brought an uncontrolled blush to Charlies face, making him look down. “It’s a nice surprise of character to see you on a field.”

Nick could read him like a book, he knew how Charlie’s behaviours correlated to his feelings so the moment his hands went under his sleeves and his head dipped, he knew he was uncomfortable,, but he couldn’t see if it was a good or bad uncomfortable. All he knew was his stomach was in tight knots and his mouth was glued in a straight line. 

The boys got in their starting positions, Nick just hoped to to the heavens that Charlie kept his winning streak. Coach Singh blew her whistle and the boys were off. Nick kept his eyes on them, following Charlie most, much to his expectations, he was fulfilling them. That was until they got to 75 meters. Charlie practically slowed to half his speed and came 3rd by the end. 

The moment he got over the finishing line, he felt his lungs and heart were in his throat, Nick stood off to the side but close enough by trying to gage Charlie’s motions. The boy folded his arms above his head trying to get as much oxygen in as possible. 

Liam made his way over to Charlie, putting a hand on his arms, “You're very fast for a little lad. You did g-”

A different side of Nick took over, one that he doesn’t use all too often. A little too harshly than expected, he yelled “Spring!” Everyone looked over, Charlie squinted a little knowing what was about to happen, he looked over the Nick with a fake confusion still puffing in air, “Here, now!”

“I'm fine!” He called back, still panting.

Nick just looked at him, arms folded. “Wasn't a question.” every word punctuated perfect. Classic Captain Nelson voice. Charlie felt himself melt.

“Coming Captain!” He replied in an overly friendly yell, only for Nick to recognise the suggestive tone that swam under it. Walking over to his boyfriend, he had a little sway to this step and a smirk on his face. 

When he got to Nick, his panting subsided slightly. Nick greeted him with a bottle pointed at him. “Love you!” Charlie smiled, grabbing the drink. 

“You didn’t win.” 

“Wow. Is that all I mean to you now?” Charlie smirked

“Wha- No.” Nick crossed his brows at him, he put a hand on Charlie’s jaw, “You let him win.”

Charlie couldn't help the belly formed cackled that he had, “Nick! That’s ridiculous-” He put his hand on his arms, “You’re ridiculous.” 

His face softened, “Sorry, I don’t know why I'm being like this. Are you okay though?”

He smiled “A little wobbly, but I haven’t exactly ran full sprint in like a year.”

“Thank you for trying anyway. You did really well, honestly.” He planted a soft kiss to Charlies forehead.

“Are you really that jealous of him?”

“Ugh” He groaned against Charlie’s head. Stepping back slightly, he let go of the young boy, wading his hands in his hair “Yes! No? I don't know! Every time he’s with you, I just get all itchy and like I have to just make him aware your mine-” Charlie laughed, “God- I don't know what wrong with me. I don't know if its because he’s like the only one here that doesn’t know you're mine-”

“I’m yours?”  This made him blush.

“God yes. You’re mine, isn't that obvious!” Charlie blushed harder, “Mine, mine, mine, in every way. And I don't want him getting any ideas other wise.”

“You’re so cute! Nick, he’d never have a chance, there’s only so much rugby lad I can have in my life,” This made Nick chuckle and relax slightly, “Plus,” Charlie stepped closer to him, talking lower, “nothing and no one can beat,” His hands went to Nicks biceps, “Captain Nick Nelson and his rugby arms.” He spoke with the same tone as when he’d previously called him that.

He swooped down to Charlies ear, “Call me Captain in that tone again and I'll take you right here right now.” His voice went straight to his knees, making Charlie almost buckle, it didn't go unnoticed. “Oh you like that? Having everyone know who's you are? Having Liam know you're mine? Having him see-” his hands brought Charlies chin up so they were looking at each other, “-that you're mine.”

Charlie gasped slightly, his eyes were slightly more glassy, “Yes” He breathed out.

“God you’re captivating.” Nick whispered against his lips sealing them in a heartfelt kiss. If it weren't for Nicks hands under his jaw, Charlie was certain he would've been a puddle on the ground.

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

Charlie walked from form - which he spent alone today, unknown of Nicks where abouts - to meet Liam at the library for their weekly tutoring session. Charlie didn’t mind this part of his week as it gave him a nice sense of purpose and even though he’ll never admit it, he did enjoy the reaction he got out of Nick because of it: meeting him at his house after for an overly dominant, overly protective Nick Nelson kiss. 

Charlie had his headphones thrown over one ear, bag hanging off the opposite shoulder, he was walking the halls at the pace of the muse song not paying too much mind of the world around him. “Charlie!” He heard fainting behind the drums, he lowered the volume and saw Liam waving at him as he walked closer. “Hey! Funny seeing you here,” He joked once having met up with his tutor.

Out of respect, Charlie dropped his headphones to his shoulders, “Hey” He greeted with his warm smile, “Two people who go to the same school, going to the same place, it’s almost impossible they’d bump into each other.”

“Oh he’s bringing joke today! I see!” Liam playfully shoved into him as they made their way to their destination.

“How was your day?”

“It was oaky, thank you. My lessons weren’t too much trouble, got to sit out in PE today and had a drum lesson, quite an easy day. You?”

“Yeah,” He held the door for Charlie and waiting until both were through to continue, “Easy day too, had a free period this morning, had pe after, simples.” There was a pause, “Nick was my partner again. Man does that boy put people through the ringer!”

His comment made Charlie laugh, knowing throughly that tough love was no way near Nicks natural way, “What do you mean?”

“The whole session, it felt like he wanted me dead. We’d do a full set.. bear in mind one of our sets were like 3 of everyone else's and he’d give me like 10 seconds rest.” He rattled off, almost like he was lost in a day dream. “Like how that can kid do so much and not die!?”

Charlie shrugged, “Can’t have the Nick Nelson build without putting in the work, I guess.”

“Where is he anyway? He’s usually glued to you like a lot puppy.” Charlie wondered the same thing

“I’m not too sure.” And as if on que, he came bowling round the corner with Otis, Sai and Christian formed round him. Charlie felt his heart fly to his mouth, he wasn’t too sure what Jealous Nelson was gonna pull today,

“It’s almost as if he heard us,” Liam laughed. 

Nick had locked his eyes on Charlie, making a b line straight to him. Sadly, he’d clocked his arms were tensed to his sides and his hands were fanned out... Which only meant one thing. “Oh no,” Charlie murmured under his breath “Hey-” Low and behold Charlie was tossed up over Nicks shoulder before he could even get his words out, “-Oh my god! Put me down!” 

“Oi! Give me my tutor back-”

With his back Liam and his friends, Nick kept walking forward, “He’ll be back in 5.”

“C’mon mate, we’ll help you until Charlies back.” Sai guided the 3 of them into the library.

“Nick? Can you put me down now?” Charlie asked still dangling over the lads shoulder.

“Nah.”

“Nick!”

Once they’d made it into the toilets, Charlie was set free and then pulled into a stool. He huffed out a breath, “Very romantic. A school bathroom.”

“We’ll I can’t remind you who’s you are with others watching, can I?” Charlie’s stomach flipped at Nick’s bluntness.

“You wanted to the other day.” He smirked up to his boyfriend.

“Oh I missed that cheek-” Nick lent in and place a love filled kiss to Charlie's lips. He very kindly reciprocated. The two stood- Charlie pushed up against the stall wall- making out like they had done countless times before. So far it was familiar. Charlie’s hands found their way to the back of nicks head while his fell onto to Charlie’s jaw: their usual places.

Charlie broke the kiss, “Why weren't you in form?”

“Couldn’t bare looking at you knowing you were about to spent an hour alone with Liam.” Nick’s eyes felt a little darker than usual. “Knowing I'd have to spend 10 minutes looking at you, knowing I wouldn't be able to send you off to him with a little reminder... I couldn't handle it.” Nick spoke lowly, he mouth centimetres from Charlie’s. “Did he meet you outside form?”

Charlie ran his fingers through Nicks hair, massaging his scalp, “Nah, I was walking to the library and he kinda bumped into me.”

“Hm, What were you talking about?” He eyes stayed pinned to Charlie’s. 

“You.” He knew the response this’d get from Nick. “You and you’re...” Charlie’s hands fell to Nicks arms that were locked onto the wall around his frame, he ran his hands down his arms, nails gazing his skin, “... muscles, the way you go above and beyond, how rough you can be,” He took his time in complimenting Nick.

Nick was confident if Charlie kept speaking he’d knees would give out on him, he always had this odd ability to change his tone ever so slightly and cause Nick to melt. Nick threw himself back at this boyfriend, a lot more viciously now. The kisses were less delicate, less neat, less quiet. He bent his arm allowing himself to deepen his kisses, causing a pretty sound to fall in Charlie’s throat. Nick slid his knee in-between his legs. “God, you make such pretty noises for me.”

Charlie was looking at him with lust filled puppy eyes, his hands still hanging on his arm, “Only for you.” Nick was certain he’d met an angel.

“Yah?” Charlie nodded, “Why don’t we get you to make some more, huh? I think I need a little reminder of who's you are.” Charlie was yet again left nodding.

So they kissed, and kissed. and kissed. Charlie hands found their home in Nicks locks. Nicks hands moved to pulling off Charlie’s headphones, chucking off his blazer, loosening his tie and undoing the top button of his shirt. Nick rolled his kisses down to Charlie’s ear lope, taking it in his teeth. This alone caused him to see stars, a whimper bubbled in his throat. “God, them pretty noises.” He spoke barely above a whisper.

He moved down to Charlie neck. This was his favourite place to kiss the boy, ever since Paris, he’d never been able to leave it alone. One kiss and he was already a mess. “Nick-” Charlie tugged on his hair, soon enough the younger boys hands were pinned about his head by one of Nicks hands. The kisses began to be mixed with sucks, licks and open mouth kisses. Charlie had his head leant over so Nick could get as much room as he needed. 

“You’re so hot. Every noise you make, so hot.” Nick gushed into his skin, licking a panel of his neck. “All of this, just for me. just because of me.”

“just because of you.” Charlie repeated breathier than ever, rolling his hips into Nick. The elder boy scooted forward so his thigh became a place Charlie could relieve himself on. 

Nick pulled back, looking at the state of his partner. The well put together truham golden boy was now pinned in a bathroom stall wall looking fucked out even though he'd only been kissed. Nick smiled at his work, Charlie already entering his headspace, eyes half lidded.

He let out a breathy laugh, knowing Nick was staring at him, “What?”

Nick shock his head, “Nobody would ever believe me-” He pushed his thigh into his groin earning a breautiful shudder from the younger boy. “No one would believe that lovely little Charlie is such a slut of kisses.” This alone made him moan, “And dirty talk, wow.” If he weren’t blushing before, he was now.

“Nick” He sighed, opening his eyes, “I-um please.”

He used his free hand to stroke Charlie’s jaw, “What, baby?” 

“Need you.” He paused, “Want you.”

“Do you?” Charlie nodded, Nick took his leg out from in-between his thighs. “You want me to..” He thought for a moment, hand running along the front of his trousers, “... suck you off?” He felt him tense, “Yeah? Make you all fucked out and leave you to go tutor Liam with nothing but me on your mind?” He began undoing Charlie’s trousers, “Make you want to have my cock, make you beg for it but send out to see your friend? Hell I might even send you out there still hard, make tutoring him the most difficult thing.” Charlie let out a cute small moan to this, “Oh” Nick smirked, kissing his neck, “That’s what I'll do, being as you like the idea so much.” 

Nick tugged Charlie’s trousers down, pulling away to look at his boy, he stroked he cheek, “Hey, look at me.” Soft calm Nick was back. Charlie flicked his eye open, “you okay with me doing this?”

“Yeah” He smiled, speakly breathlessly,

“You not just agreeing for the sake of it?”

“No- god no” He ran his hands over Nicks, “Please, I want you so bad. Can’t stop thinking about you.”

“Yeah?”

“Fuck me Nick.”

“When we get home, but I wanna have some fun first.” He popped a kiss on Charlie’s head and fell down to his knees, “God you are so beautiful.” He palmed Charlie through his boxers, causing his favourite noise to come from him: a throaty groan. Charlie rolled his head up and covered his face with his hands. “Hey, I wanna see you.” Nick spoke softly.

He places a handful of kisses around the area, soon to pull his boxers down and letting Charlie free. “you’re so hard.” Charlie nodded frantically, “Who made you hard, Charlie?”

“You!” He said a little too eager, making Nick laugh, “You did.”

“That’s right.” He rolled his fist over Charlie’s cock, a couple pumps before continuing, “You’re doing so well for me. So beautiful. Love your cock so much.” Charlie was a head breath, closed eyed, head rolling mess. “You want me to suck you off?”

“Please please please please please” Charlie panted.

Nick licked his tip, causing a gasp to leave the Youngers mouth, “God, you’re such a whore.” Nick began putting more and more of the boy in his mouth, rolling his tongue around his cock, rotating his head as he pulled up from his base, eventually bottoming out so his nose touched Charlie’s pelvic bone. 

“Ohmygod-” He whimpered, “-Nick, wow. I love your mouth.”

“Char, you make such pretty noises for me. I wonder if Liam can hear you. Oh he has no clue what im doing to you right now, no clue how good I'm making you feel, no clue how fallen apart you are.” He went back to sucking Charlie, putting his all into bringing his boy so close to the edge but not enough he would go past it. “Your being so good for me.”

“Nick nick nick nick” Charlie spoke to himself, head still rolled back, hands now in Nicks hair, trying to pull his further onto his dick.

“Now now, be good and keep your hands to yourself, Charlie.” He pulled his hands from his hair and pinned them to his sides. 

The bathroom will filled with dirty sounds: Charlies whimpers, both their heavy breaths, the sound of saliva squelching. 

Charlie’s throat dropped an all too familiar hiccup: a sort of cross between a sigh and a whimper. Nick knew this sound, it meant he was going to come. He remembered the first time he heard it: the two were messing about in Nicks room, it was 3am, they were making out and things went a little further. Charlie was in his lap humping him, a collection of soft small noises were made from Charlie until he made this breath taking sound that lead to him shaking in Nicks arms. 

Nick pulled off his boyfriend, leaning back against the other stall wall, panting. He looked up and his partner was well and truly fucked out with a pout on his face. “You stopped?”

“I told you,” Nick stood up bringing Charlie’s pants and trousers up with him. “ I want you to go see Liam all fucked out and hard.” He tucked Charlie back into his bottoms causing a gasp from the boy and for him to steady himself on Nick’s shoulders. “I want you to walk out there with my name all over you, so he knows where he stands.” 

Charlie’s head feel into the crook of Nick’s neck, “Sometimes I think you’re a psycho. You’re lucky you’re so hot.” 

He laughed, zipping up his trousers, rebutting his shirt and reorganising his tie. “God” Nick gasped. “I'm trying so hard not to fuck you right now. You look so out of it.”

Everything Charlie said had an air of fuzziness to it, and a wave that made him sound sort of drunk. He was sure his brain wasn't even in his head, “I want you to. Please.”

“Go tutor Liam and if you're still good, I'll treat you when we’re home.” He gave him a chase kiss and went to leave the stall.

“Where you going?”

“Doesn't matter, you’ll know soon enough. neaten yourself up a little more before you go out there, yah?” Charlie nodded, still feeling like he was dreaming, he saw Nicks eye drop to his cock and float back up, he laughed to himself and left Charlie alone. 

Fucking rugby lads. 

Charlie desperately tried to pull himself from his lull. He straightened his blazer up, slung his headphones back round his neck and walked to the mirror, he certainly looked far more hazy. He splashed some water on his face and shook head trying to wake himself up, it worked slightly yet he was still convinced his vision wouldn’t return properly for a while. Huffing to himself, he checked his phone... only 15 minutes later. He recollected his thoughts, trying to push Nick as far back as he could and left the bathroom. 

When he made it to the library, he saw Sai, Christian, Otis and Nick sitting with Liam. Oh no why. Liam was head down in his homework, the three boys lent over the table guiding him through the problems and Nick was leant back, arms folded looking directly at Charlie with a small smirk.

Charlie knew he was blushing. The boys movements felt lazy but almost as though they had an unstoppable spring to themselves. The boys looked up over to him having sensed someone close by.

“Oh my god.” Otis laughed, he nudged Nick playfully. “Tell me you didn't actually fuck the poor boy in the toilets again.” He sighed leaning back in his chair, quiet enough only Nick would hear. Charlie sat down with a very blushed face.

Nick’s smirk grew to a proud smile, he remained in his position. He didn't need to correct his friends; his aim was achieved. 

“Hi Charlie, you okay?” Liam greeted.

“Yeah,” It was a breathy, daydreamy reply from the young boy. This made Nick laugh to himself.

“What did Nick want so desperately?”

“Um-” Charlie couldn't help but look over to his partner “He just-”

“I needed to show Charlie I found something of mine I'd lost.” Nick filled in, rather monotonedly, only one boy at that table knew exactly what that meant. 

“Oh was it anything exciting?” 

Nick flicked his eyes at the red marks that lined the neck of Charlie’s collar. “I think so,” He looked back at Liam, “Charlie seemed to be pleased I'd found it.” The boy in question, nodded along.

Charlie and Liam started talking about what area they were going to focus on this lesson, losing themselves in their little conversation. Otis, Sai and Christian joined in at times to tell Charlie what they’d done while he was out. The whole time Nick sat in silence gawking over his lover. After a short while, the three rugby boys shared a small look and one nudged Nick, stealing his attention and returning it with a collective eyebrow raise.

Nick simply shrugged over confidently. The boys laughed to themselves, punching the Caption in his arms. “Who knew Nick Nelson would be a dog!” 

“Fuck off”

The trio laughed, “We’re gonna go, you still meeting us at Sai’s later?” Otis asked Nick,

He looked up at the boys, then Charlie, then back at them, “Maybe, gotta take care of some things first, but I'll try come.”

“Oi oiii” “Of course you’ll come!” The boys heckled, punching him in the arms again and cheering as they walked away leaving the library. Nick laughed under his breath, thankful he took them boys back into his life.

“They're a lovely bunch.” Liam noted.

“The better half of the rugby team.” Charlie added. Nick collected his stuff, standing up, gaining Charlie’s attention, “Where you running off to?”

“Don’t you worry your pretty head about me.” He walked a step to Charlie, turning his head up to him, “Behave,” Nick delivered sternly, Charlie blushed, “I’ll be back in 40 to come get ya.” He lent down to kiss him, once he stood back up he saw Liam turn his head away, so he went in for another kiss. As Nick walked off he yelled back, “I love you Charlie Spring!” Charlie laughed loudly as his partners gesture, “I didn’t catch that?”

“I love you too Nick Nelson.” Nicks response was an over dramatic reenactment of him catching the words and pushing them into his heart and him pretending to fall over. Charlie shock his head laughing at the boy. 

Nick left the library in full confidence his goal was well and truly achieved.

[freaktape]

Heart stopper

Y’all Wattpaders do be taking advantage of Nick Nelson being bi sexual I see literally no male readers with him out their T-T

[gr3y-z]

Hey I’m looking for writing prompts from fandoms of

🍂Heart stopper

🌠My hero academia

💖Monster high

👑Young royals

✨And others

Feel free to ask for anything

[professorsnape394]

The Potions Master’s Apprentice

Chapter Seven: Potions Lessons

A/N: This is the seventh part to my fanfiction ‘The Potions Master’s Apprentice (Severus Snape x OC)’. Chapters 1-16 can be found already uploaded on Wattpad under the same name. Feel free to leave requests in my inbox for anything Snape related you want me to write. Leave a comment below if you wish to be added to my tag list.

Pairing: Severus Snape x OC (Dumbledore’s Granddaughter)

Summary: A talented young witch is employed as an apprentice professor at Hogwarts, but who will she be working under? Severus Snape is not best pleased with his new responsibility of taking on an apprentice, however she is relentless to create a friendship between them. Will she be successful? Or might the friendship just go a little two far? With the eyes of her grandfather constantly watching over them, an attempt at a relationship might not be in the cards for Aria Dumbledore and Severus Snape.

Word Count: 2831

Warnings: n/a

Credits to Gif Creator

The orange glow emitting from the floating candles lit the room as the dark star lit sky twinkled above. A distant rumble of thunder filled the Great Hall as the row of Professors sat awaiting the students arrival. Professor Dumbledore sat positioned in the middle of the top table, hands clasped in front of him, a subtle smile resting on his ageing face. On either side of the Headmaster sat the Deputy Headmistress and Head of Slytherin House, while his granddaughter nervously clicking her heel under the table next to the former.

"Don't worry, my dear, you'll be a great professor." Minerva whispered to her colleague, clutching onto her hand.

With a simple double clap from the Headmaster the grand entrance to the hall slowly opened to reveal a clamorous horde of students; from all years and houses. Just as quick as he had summoned them, Dumbledore silenced the crowd immediately after everyone had found a seat. Moments later a small cluster of first year students rushed into the hall, their faces a sea of shock and amazement, almost all of them turning their heads to view the exposed sky above them.

Teachers sat patiently while the children were sorted into their respective houses, the rest of the students however quickly became rowdy, cheering for the students that became part of their house and jeering against those who weren't; particularly the young Slytherins. Aria shook her head disapproving at the clear separation of the student body, wondering why the professors allowed for the other houses to discriminate against the Slytherins.

"I wanted to apologise for last night." Minerva spoke in soft tones. "I was a little merry from all that wine and the excitement of being back at Hogwarts. I was out of line, I should know better than to provoke Severus."

"Don't worry about it Minerva" Aria whispered, reaching out to clasp her hand again, reassuringly. "It was kind of funny when you think back on it. Besides you never done anything wrong, Snape completely overreacted to the whole thing, I mean It was obvious it was meant to be a joke ."

The two witches exchanged a comforting smile and squeeze of the hand, before turning to enjoy the feast.

When everyone seemed full enough from the feast Albus rose to his feet, stepping out to a podium at the front of the hall. He started with the same old reminder to the first years that the dark forest was off limits as was the village of Hogsmeade to all students below their third year. Aria had almost begun to zone out when she was brought back to reality by a loud groan from the students as Dumbledore announced the Quidditch inter-house cup would be cancelled this year. Straight away Aria's attention was pulled to the red headed Weasley twins sitting off to the left of the hall, heckling the headmaster, devastated they would be missing out on playing there favourite sport. Aria chuckled to herself, glad to see the boys again.

The objections from the hall soon came to a halt, not by Dumbledore's upcoming announcement, but by a deep rumble of thunder filling the room, followed by the screams of students as a bolt of lightning pulsed through the sky. Another fork of lightening shot through the sky, illuminating the wounded disfigured face of a suspicious man who had just hobbled into the room. Aria could not take her eyes off the dark silhouette of the man, the only part of his body visible in the shadows was the large unnerving electric blue glass eye which shot about in his head aimlessly, the stark contrast of the fake eye only emphasised when his small black beady one was revealed in the candlelight. The man limped towards the Headmaster, every eye in the room on him.

"Perfect timing." Dumbledore grinned. "May I introduce to you, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody. And on that note I would like to also present, My granddaughter and your new Potions Assistant, Professor Aria Dumbledore." Aria stood for a second, smiling to the crowd and gave a small curtsy before once again taking her seat. Less than enthused by his introduction, Moody immediately took his seat at the end of the top table, allowing Professor Dumbledore to continue with his speech.

"As I was saying, the Quidditch inter-house cup will not be taking place this year due to Hogwarts having the honour of hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Dumbledore proceeded to explain the details and rules of the tournament before introducing the competing schools; Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The excitement among the students only picked up as the opposing schools joined the great feast, each conducting a small show for everyone to enjoy. Aria's nervousness had long passed and she was now thoroughly enjoying the meal with her newfound friends and coworkers. However the silence between Aria and Severus remained as a thick air of tension settled over the Professor's table.

*

First period the next morning Aria was set to assist Snape in teaching first year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw's. She stood at the front of the Potion's classroom, her presence commanding but not intimidating. Aria couldn't help but grin as she watched the new students excitedly chatting away in hushed tones, enthusiastically awaiting their first ever class at Hogwarts. She felt sorry for them knowing their expectations were soon to be let down. Rocking slightly back and forth on her heels, Aria took one last look over the days schedule. She was determined not to give Severus a reason to criticise her today. Speaking of which she was shocked to find the man late for his own lesson.

Just as the thought entered her mind, the loud crashing of the door opening caught the attention of the entire room. The billowing cape of Severus Snape dramatically wafted behind him as he rounded his way around the children's desks and towards the front of the class.

"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class." He commanded, the velvety monotone of his voice silencing the class. Aria took a step back, not wanting to risk getting in his way as he begun to scribble on the chalkboard behind his desk. "For the select few of you who possess the appreciation for the subtle art that is potion making I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death." Snape enunciated.

Aria continued to stay out of the professors way, waiting for her cue to participate in the lesson. A cue which never came. She stood off to the side, her feet burning from standing so long in the one position, a feigned smile painstakingly plastered on her face, trying her best to keep up appearances for the sake of the students.

It was clear from the look on their faces they were enjoying today's lessons just as much as she was, her heart ached for them, their dreams of having a magical Hogwarts experience was crushed in their first hour of lessons.

Snape continued to teach for the rest of the day pretending like Aria wasn't even there at all. Aria chose to stay silent. Snape's rude demeanour giving her the perfect excuse to report him to Dumbledore for not carrying out his duties as her mentor; allowing her to participate in the teaching of his classes. Not giving him the satisfaction of her arguing she simply walked away at the end of the teaching day, leaving him alone in the class wondering why she simply gave in to him.

This was made clear to him when he was called to Dumbledore's office that evening to discuss the days lessons. Both Dumbledore's sat looking smugly as the Potions Master entered the Headmasters office refusing to take his seat next to the young woman when it was offered.

"I thought I made it abundantly clear Severus that Aria is to assist in all of your lessons." Dumbledore begun, not entertaining the man's supercilious act.

"I thought I made it clear, Headmaster, that I will not work with this woman. I respect she is your granddaughter and you felt the need to give her a job but I will not compromise my teaching for her childish demands."

"Severus, this is your job." Dumbledore said, his tone sharper than usual. "If you will not abide my commands then I shall have to take action into my own hands. Until you chose to cooperate, Aria will teach all potions lessons alone. You will have no interference or participation in any class until you agree to work in partnership with her. That is all I have to say on the matter." He finalised.

"Thank you, grandfather." Aria shot Severus a self-satisfied look, and rose from her seat, pleased with the outcome of her enquiry. Severus seen no point in objecting in fear of making the situation worse. The glare on his face simply intensified. He made to leave, just as did Aria. The two as stubborn as each other refused to stay behind and so they left side by side, the ever growing tension between them more apparent than ever.

"So that's how it shall be, will it?" Severus seethed through gritted teeth. "I do something you don't like and you go running to Granddaddy?"

"It worked didn't it." She chirped with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "Besides, there wouldn't be a problem had you not chose to ignore me all day. I do not want to step on your toes Severus, but if you refuse to work with me, I will do everything in my power to change that. I'm here to assist you, to help you. Utilise me! Stop thinking of me as your biggest enemy and start thinking of me as an asset. We could accomplish so much together." The witch pleaded. Severus shot her a look of confusion and slight disgust. "Professionally speaking." She finished, clearing her throat, making it clearer what she meant.

Snape huffed, in response, continuing to walk on, though they both kept a steady pace, remaining side by side all the way to the Dungeons. Showing no sign of stopping for the final word as he reached his private quarters, Severus huffed to himself in a rage of malcontent. "See you tomorrow." Aria called to him, her tone dripping in sarcasm.

And with that Severus slammed the door to his chambers putting a final end to the conversation.

*

For eight days Aria was left to her own devices, happily teaching potions her own way to the students. Depending on his mood Severus would either sit at his desk, muttering irritably to himself in disapproval. Other days he would be feeling more confident and he would consistently make snarky comments regarding her teaching style. And sometimes he wouldn't even show up to class at all. It didn't take Aria long to suspect what he might be doing during those long days he sat alone.

On the ninth day Severus had had enough. He couldn't take it any more. He hated feeling idle. He hated not feeling needed. He hated that students loved the way she taught. And he hated that one day Dumbledore might come to his senses and realise she was just as capable of teaching as he was and he would no longer be needed at Hogwarts.

That night after the Great Feast Severus went to the Headmaster's office and quietly gave in, agreeing to work in partnership with Miss Dumbledore. Aria was impressed by Severus' decision and could not wait to gloat victoriously when she saw him at breakfast the next day.

However when it actually came time for Aria to proudly shove her successful accomplishment in Severus' face, she didn't have the heart to humiliate him. It had been a good few days since she had saw him last and it was clear the time alone had not done him any good. Though he usually had a look of exhaustion about him the dark bags under his eyes were worse then ever, the lines across his face deeper and his general aura was less dangerous and intimidating dungeon bat and more exhausted sleep deprived man. He almost seemed more human to Aria now he was more reserved and timid than his previously obnoxiously arrogant self.

She let him lead the lesson and done as she was asked when she was asked. Snape was happy to use her skills to his advantage and was glad he had an extra pair of hands to take on the physical aspect of the lesson when he became too tired to move from behind his desk. The pair managed to maintain a professional dialogue for the whole day, with little to no arguments as Aria kept her mouth shut and Severus respected her position as his assistant.

By the end of the teaching day Severus was practically falling asleep behind his desk as he made his way through the stack of paperwork he had collected throughout the day. Struggling to keep his eyes open Severus ran a hand through his hair, resting his head in his hands and let out an painful groan of exhaustion. As Miss Dumbledore finished collecting in the small pewter cauldrons she took the opportunity to have a real conversation with the man in front of her.

Letting out a sympathetic huff, Aria couldn't help but give him a sad sort of smile. She pulled a seat over to the desk and waited for Snape to notice her. Although she hadn't known him long, and of course it was clear to everyone he was not the most well balanced human in terms of sleep and work, she could confidently say he looked to be at his worst. A small scruff of a beard threatening to form had appeared from the past days of forgetting to shave and the man could barely keep his heavy eyelids open.

"Can I help you, Miss Dumbledore." Severus grumbled, slowly moving his hands from his head to look at the young woman. "What is it you want?"

"Are you okay, Severus?" She spoke softly, genuinely concerned for the man.

"I'm perfectly fine, Miss Dumbledore." His slightly slurred words saying differently. "Not that it is any of your concern." He mumbled, once again turning to his stack of paperwork.

"What happened to you." Aria muttered more to herself than Snape. The professor looked up at the woman, who had now become preoccupied with straightening out her skirt. Snape let out a final sigh and sat his quill to the side, ready to fully invest in the conversation with the woman.

"What are you mumbling about, woman." He asked, though his tone was not as harsh as it could have been.

"I am truly, truly sorry, Professor." She confessed. "I knew you were unhappy about my being here but I hadn't realised how much it would have took a toll on you. I mean sure I wanted to mess with you for a bit just to give you a taste of your own medicine, but look at you."

"Despite what you may think, you are not the sole reason for my lack of sleep, Miss Dumbledore." He spoke softly, his captivating gaze catching her own. He seemed to be reassuring her more than doing it for the thrill of proving her wrong.

"I'm not?"

"You are not even half the reason. Though you can take full credit for the sudden peak in my blood pressure." Aria couldn't help but chuckle at the comment, and she could have sworn a brief smile flashed across Severus' face too.

"Do you want to talk about what's got you in such a state." The woman pried.

"Not even slightly." He droned, breaking eye contact, once again picking up his quill.

"Clearly its bothering you, I don't imaging keeping it bottled up will do much good."

"I said I don't want to talk about it." He replied curtly. "Now if you could please take your leave, your assistance is no longer required."

Aria thought it best not to aggravate the man more given his current state and chose to obey his command, giving a small nod before heading for the door.

"Miss Dumbledore." Snape called out, just as she made to leave, forcing to spin on her heel to face him. "I'll be okay." He assured, giving her a comforting nod before immediately turning back to his work.

Speechless Aria could only smile in return. Not only had they both had a successful day of teaching and a perfectly civil conversation but Snape had even gone as far as to reassure her, knowing if he hadn't she would have blamed herself for his deteriorating condition.

The soft click of the door closing felt as if it had been amplified a thousand times as the feeling of loneliness engulfed Severus.

Taglist:

@ayamenimthiriel​

[nichknack]

Does anyone have any heart stopper/Oseman!verse fanfiction recs??? I need them in my life

[justinewt]

The magic is back - OUAT Fanfiction Chapter Four

[OUAT Fanfiction-Masterlist] 

Chapter one / Chapter two / Chapter three / Chapter four

Summary: Things have been hard. For everyone. Rosaleen is reunited with Jefferson, unfortunately she does not remember him. Until a strange event manages to restore the memory of the young woman. The memories then resurface, and she remembers everything again. After 28 years, she finally finds her true identity and her family.

Words: 4.4k

Warnings: This is the final chapter :), fluff, little bit of angst, car accident, lots of tears, threats, mention of long-term imprisonment and ripped out heart, season 2 spoilers (especially season 2 episode 2 and 3)

“Grace ?” Rosaleen bit her lip playfully, groping around her small but cozy house in the middle of the forest. She had just passed in front of the tree behind which her toddler girl had hidden for her game of hide-and-seek with her mother. She stopped and looked at the tree in question out of the corner of her eye, sketching a smile as she was about to walk around to grab her daughter from behind. She put her arms around her little girl and softly kissed her on the cheek. Little Grace burst into laughter as she turned to face her mother to carry her. The young woman got up and returned to the house, her daughter in her arms.

“When is daddy coming home ?” She asked, her head resting on her mother’s shoulder.

“He went to pick mushrooms in the forest. He should be back for lunch.” She put her daughter down and the latter ran to her room and came back with one of her soft toys. She climbed onto a chair at the dining table and put her stuffed animal in front of her, playing quietly with it. Rosaleen smiled in front of this cute scene. She made her way to her own bedroom when her daughter called her.

“Mom ?” Grace looked at her. “Can I have a glass of your rose juice, please?”

“Of course, sweetheart.” She returned to the kitchen and leaned over to open a cupboard. She rummaged in it for a second and grabbed a glass bottle half-filled with a very clear candy-pink liquid. She removed the stopper and poured some pinkish liquid into a small glass which she handed to her daughter. The little one drank it greedily, smiling. The neighing of horses in front of the house called out to Rosaleen, breaking the sweet moment she was sharing with her daughter. She frowned, approaching a window with the curtains closed, and pushed them back slightly with her fingertip to see what was going on outside. A black coach pulled by a few dark-robed horses had stopped in the alley. Her eyes widened, and she stepped back immediately when her gaze met that of a guard in armor standing near the coach.

“What is it, mama ?” Grace glanced at her, playing with her empty glass, pretending that she was making her stuffed animal drink. Rosaleen stared at the blinded window and swallowed dryly. She gestured to her daughter to let her know everything was fine and approached the front door.

“Don’t get out of the house until your daddy comes back, okay ?” She turned her face to her daugther and smiled to reassure her. The little girl didn’t understand what was going on, neither did her mother to be honest.

“I’ll tell him to clean the glass bell of your rose.” She smiled in return.

“Yes, you do that, sweetie.” Rosaleen nodded at her daughter and went outside, closing the door shut behind her. An all black dressed woman turned to her. The evil Queen. She gave her a smile that chilled the young mother's back. She lowered her head, staring at the ground. “My queen. What brings you here? My husband is not at home.”

“Oh,” She walked over to the blonde woman and lifted her chin with her index finger to make her look in the eyes. She slowly took off one of her glove. “but I’m not here for Jefferson, my lovely friend. I’m here for you.”

“Wha-” Without warning, she buried her hand in Rosaleen's chest, making her gasp in surprise. Obviously, the Evil Queen couldn't find what she was looking for, and she quickly withdrew her hand, nodding as she put her glove back on.

“So, he really did take your heart.” Rosaleen coughed slightly.

“He did so a couple years ago already.” The Evil Queen looked at her, raising her eyebrows.

“It surprises me that he let you lead your quiet little life. What was the deal again? Come and pick you up when you're 21, that's right? I wouldn’t wait so long.”

“What do you mean ?” She turned her back to her and motioned to two guards standing near them. They grasped the young woman firmly by the arms and one of them tied her wrists with a chain before pushing her inside the coach. She found herself face to face with the Evil Queen who was watching her with an insistence that made her uncomfortable.

“No screams ? No fight back ? I must say I’m not really surprise coming from you.” She raised her eyebrows, as if she exactly expected the young woman to react like that. She glanced at her nails in a sigh. “Anyway, I’m taking you to my castle.”

“Why ?” Rosaleen gasped when the Evil Queen suddenly leaned forward and stared into her eyes without blinking, with this contemptuous and superior smile plastered on her face.

“Your husband,” she winced in annoyance. “doesn't want to do as I ask anymore, so I need effective leverage. If that is not enough, I will come back for your daughter.” Rosaleen opened her mouth but Regina raised her forefinger and pressed it against the woman’s lips to make her shut up. “And don’t mention your deal with Rumplestiskin. I know I can’t harm your daughter, but I can do worse.”

“What do you mean by worse ?” The Queen straightened up and smiled.

“You'll get first-hand experience of what I mean by “worse” once we get to my castle.” The chuckle that she let out of her lips made Rosaleen shiver once again.

The journey then took place in an almost religious calm. Rosaleen felt a knot forming in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't do anything against the Evil Queen and no one was there to help her and if the Queen kept her word, she would go through hell once at the castle. Not knowing what to expect made her deeply anxious. She didn't know what the Queen was going to do to her and when she would be able to see her family again. She froze thinking about it. Jefferson was going to go home and find only his daughter there, wondering forever where his wife went and what happened to her. What if he thought she died ? What if someone told him so ? Rosaleen gulped at that thought. Being taken away from her husband and daughter was hard enough already, she had to leave her father too. When the coach stopped in front of the castle, the guards unceremoniously got her out of the vehicle and at the Queen's order, dragged her into the basement of the castle. It was cold and humid there as if she had found herself in some underground cave. The Queen was there with them and followed the guards in silence, obviously taking pleasure in watching them throw the young woman into the cell. Rosaleen landed heavily on the floor and winced as the cell door closed behind her. Still on the ground, she straightened up slightly to look at the guards who stepped back to let the Queen approach, hands clasped.

“Enjoy your stay.” Rosaleen curled up against the wall as a scary smile crept on the Queen’s face.

Jefferson watched Rosaleen silently from the piano bench. She was lying on the couch, her eyes closed, her chest heaving slowly as she breathed. She almost could have seemed to sleep peacefully if her eyes weren't rolling so nervously under her lids. He got up and knelt by the sofa, watching her face closely. He went to put his hand on her blonde hair, but instantly rose to his feet when she sat up with a start. Eyes wide open, she looked around her, panicked, as if she no longer knew where she was. Jefferson put a hand on her shoulder to remind her of his presence, and she turned her head to him suddenly before bringing a hand to her chest and catch her breath as her heartbeat had quickened as she had woken up so suddenly.

“You’re safe, Rosaleen.” He said softly as he sat on the couch next to her, keeping his hand on her shoulder. She glanced at it and shook her head.

“Stop calling me that. Please.” She looked at her shaky hands and sighed. “What happened ?”

“You got upset and you passed out so I brought you on the couch.” She nodded.

“Okay, listen I-” She attempted to got up but she staggered, falling back on the sofa, closing her eyes as if she had been dizzy. Jefferson leaned over the coffee table and poured tea into a mug before handing it to her, but she brushed it away with her hand, shaking her head. “No. I- I need to go. I have to go.” She breathed out. “I can’t stay here. I’m sorry… but I’m not who you think I am. I don’t even know how long I’ve been here and my father’s gonna worry.”

“At least let me drive you home.” She looked at Jefferson and sighed before getting up and walking to the front door with him. As she put her coat back on, he slipped away for a second to get her purse. He handed it to her and as she looked at her phone and remembered that it was out of battery, he opened the front door and let her walk outside. He walked to his car, but Rosaleen's, or Lucy's, was still parked in front of the house. He waved his hand when she mentioned it to him, telling her that they would come back for her car later. They got into the vehicle, and he drove into town. Out of the corner of her eye, as Jefferson was driving, she caught sight of something in the car's outside mirror and narrowed her eyes curiously. She lowered the window and slid her head outside. A purple cloud was advancing at great speed, and she gulped as it engulfed them all of a sudden. It all happened very quickly. Next thing she knew, the car was upside down. Her breathing was hard, and she struggled to loosen the seat belt. As she panicked, stranded in the wrecked car, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and turned her head towards Jefferson, who was stuck as well. One look was enough. He knew she was remembering him when he saw that little spark  pass through her amber eyes as she observed his face. He smiled slightly to reassure her and started banging on the body of the car, calling out for help. Rosaleen heard footsteps rushing towards the car and someone started throwing boards away that must have fallen on the car in the accident. A man struggled with the doorknob, but managed to open it, freeing the couple inside. She recognized the one she heard about as Prince Charming.

“Oh,” He gunted. “thank you. No one heard us.” The man glanced into the car when Jefferson said “us” and saw Rosaleen who had finally managed to undo her seat belt.

“You okay ?” Jefferson looked at Rosaleen and seeing her nodding in a sigh, he nodded as well. “Good. That means we can talk.” Rosaleen frowned as the man helped Jefferson out of the car. Once the latter was standing outside, he held out his arm to take her out in turn and almost dragged her out on the tar. She winced as she got up, letting Jefferson’s arms help her up. He led them over to a table on Granny's dinner terrace and motioned for the two to sit down. Rosaleen didn't quite understand what he wanted from them until he unceremoniously put on the table a top hat –the hat she remembered Jefferosn wore at some points– that looked like all the others she had seen at Jefferson's work shop in his manor, except this one was worn and had a gaping hole in it. Rosaleen looked at the two men in turn, raising an eyebrow. “Can you get me through ?”

“No.” Jefferson breathed out. She let him do the talking since she had no idea where this hat was supposed to be able to take him to. It was obviously broken anyway.

“Can you get them back ?” Jefferson rolled his eyes and almost laughed at the man. “Can you get it to work ?”

“If you only knew…” He shook his head, chuckling at the stupidity of the questions.

“Okay.” He continued. “You had a little girl’s tea set in your car, and a stuffed rabbit toy, so I’m thinking you have a daughter you love.” Rosaleen frowned. She hadn’t noticed all these. To be honest, she hadn’t be able to think much after the accident and she felt like she was still prossessing a lot of things in her head, as if she wasn’t so sure what was true or not, what memories were actually hers or not. Suddenly, it hit her. Grace. The face of her barely 3-year-old daughter came back to her. And her stuffed animal. The little Grace she left so long ago, the day Regina tore her from her home. Her baby girl must have grown up during her imprisonment. “Well, I do, too. And a wife. And they’re out there somewhere, in the echanted forest or a void… I don’t even know, but I’m going to get them back.”

“They’re in the enchanted forest. That’s for sure.” The man raised his head slightly. This information seemed to reassure him a bit. “I just can’t get there.”

“It still exists ?”

“It exists.” Jefferson confirmed before pursuing. “I don’t know if that matters, since we can’t go there.”

“So you won’t help me.” He breathed out. He didn’t seem to understand that Jefferson wasn’t going to help because he couldn’t, but apparently he didn’t get that. Or maybe he didn’t want to understand this.

“I’m a portal jumper,” He briefly tilted his head sarcastically, pointing a the worn hat on the table. “and you’ve destroyed my portal. So you’re out of luck.” Rosaleen jumped when Charming who had pulled them out of the car and brought them here, crossed the table and grabbed Jefferson by his scarf, pulling her husband towards him.

“I’m the closest thing left to a sheriff here, so I can just throw you and your wife in a cell until you figure out a way.” Eyes widened, she suddenly stood up and forced the man to let go of Jefferson's scarf.

“Let go off him !” He turned his head to her as Jefferson sat back in his chair, tucking his scarf around his neck in annoyance. “You won’t keep threatening my husband, or me, any longer. I get it you want your family back, but it’s not a reason to act as if you were the only one in that case. I don’t know your story, and I don’t want to know it.” Jefferson was looking at his wife with an impressed and proud gaze. She was usually someone that would never have responded like that to anyone before, since she was fleeing all forms of conflict. He was surprised for the least, but not in a negative way. He stood up and let her take his arm and lead him on the sidewalk to walk away from the prince. The latter followed them but was stopped by a young woman that kept him from running after them. Rosaleen didn't care what she heard the both of them say, but a piece of information about the magic reached her ears and piqued her curiosity. “The magic...” She mumbled to herself and looked around, and her eyes fell on the glass door of Mr. Gold's pawn shop.

“Rose !” Jefferson called her and ran after his wife when she started running towards the shop in question. She stopped in front of the door, allowing him to catch up with her. “What is it ?”

“He has my heart.” She got on her tiptoes and looked inside the shop.

“What are you talking about ?” Jefferson frowned, grabbing her by the shoulders to calm her down. She was saying it so casually, he didn’t understand. She looked at him.

“You remember the day I told you I was pregnant ?” He nodded, without really knowing what was her point. “Before that, the same day, Rumplestiskin appeared next to me in the greenhouse and he… he told me I was pregnant, but he also took my heart.” Jefferson wanted to rush inside the shop as he heard her saying that but she put her arms on his chest to prevent him from doing so. “No, I need to talk to him myself. It’s gonna be okay.” Sighing, he let her go inside alone. At the sound of the bell that rang when the door opened, the young woman let the door close behind her and walked into the shop, observing with a curious eye all the objects on display. She glanced at Jefferson, who was waiting on the sidewalk. He didn't like having to wait there, that was obvious to say the least. Rosaleen immediately turned when a voice rose from the back of the shop.

“Rosaleen. How pleasant to see you again after so long.” He smiled at her, walking around the counter to reach the young woman. She nodded at him, clasping her hands in front of her.

“So, how do I call you ? Mr Gold, or Rumplestiltskin ?” He chuckled. Her question wasn’t so irrelevant.

“Mr. Gold, please.” He marked a pause, looking at her a hand on his cane. “I know why you’re here.”

“So let’s get on with it. Can you give me back my heart ?”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” The woman frowned. “But I can see you’ve done fine without it all this time.”

“Yes, obviously I’ve done just fine without it while I was imprisoned by Regina.” She stared at him. “I bet you knew about that. You knew about everything and everyone.” He nodded.

“Yes, I knew. But I couldn’t do anything about it, just like I can’t do anything about your heart. I’m sorry.” He was about to turn around, but he stopped when Rosaleen's voice rose.

“Why ?” With his back to her, he turned his head to the side to have the young woman in his line of sight.

“Wait here.” She nodded as he slipped into the back room for a moment. He ended up coming back with a box in his hands. Rosaleen froze as he handed it to her. She looked at it and took it hesitantly with one hand, running her fingers over the lid of the rectangular wooden box. “

“If you have it, why can’t you put it back in my chest ?”

“The magic is back, but it doesn’t work the same here.” Without further words, he returned to the back room, leaving her alone with the box that was supposed to contain her heart. She took a deep breath and lifted the lid slightly, she saw a red, glowing heart inside, beating. A glowing heart that was actually hers. In relief, a small tear beaded the corner of his eye. She couldn’t really have it inside her chest, but at least she had it. She left the shop and looked up at Jefferson who was staring at the box in his hands.

“So… there is your heart inside this box ?” She nodded. They had to walk all the way to Jefferson's mansion to put the box away. It was unreasonable for Rosaleen to carry her own magical heart around the city, and if they were really going to see their daughter again, the young girl didn't need to question the contents of the box either. Since Jefferson's car was still wrecked somewhere in town, they got into Rosaleen's and drove to the town square, where a number of the locals were gathered. Hand in hand, Jefferson and his wife froze in front of a notice board with drawings of missing people pinned on it and one of them seemed to catch the hatter's attention. He picked it up and eyed it sadly. There were actually two white sheets taped to each other in the center. On each of the sheets there was a small portrait drawn with colored pencils. It was clearly the work of a child, and seeing drawings that looked like Jefferson and her with the inscription "Have you seen my papa and mama?", they understood it had been made by Grace. Rosaleen squeezed her husband's hand, fighting back tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. Jefferson then led her out of the square, and they headed for the docks after hesitating an awful amount of time about their next destination. There, they sat down on a bench, watching the cute drawings in their hands to the soothing sounds of the lapping waves and crying seagulls aroundt hem. The voice of a little boy caught Rosaleen of guards and she wiped away the few tears on her cheeks. She looked at him and realized it was Henry. She had never really talked to him but she knew who he was.

“Jefferson and Rosaleen, right ?” He sat down on the bench, to Jefferson’s right. “The Mad Hatter and his wife ?” As Jefferson didn’t answer, he kept going. “I need your help.”

“Look, I already told your grandfather, I can’t do anything.”

“I know. But there must be something we can do.” Rosaleen stared at the drawing Grace had made of her. Grace was only 3 years old when her mother had disappeared, and yet she remembered her enough to draw her portrait. It was the fact that she remembered her after all this time that broke her heart even more.

“I’m the wrong person to talk to, kid.” He tilted his head, looking at the 10-year-old boy. “Magic’s not my thing. Try your mother. Maybe she’s got something in that vault of hers she can help you with.

“Vault ? Her vault is here ? In Storybrook ?” Okay, they had lost her right now. Rosaleen didn’t know at all what vault they were talking about. She didn’t know Regina had a vault, but apparently the both of them knew exactly what they were talking about so she didn’t bother to ask and stayed silent.

“It’s none of my business. Talk to her.” He tried not to scold at the kid but all these questions seemed to annoy him. Rosaleen rested her hand on his arm. The boy changed subject and looked at the drawings in their hands. Jefferson took Rosaleen’s from her hands and folded them in four before putting them into his coat.

“Your daughter’s looking for you, isn’t she ?”

“What do you know about it ?” He leaned on his laps, trying all his best not to lose his temper under the influence of emotions.

“I’ve read your story. Both of your stories. I know how the three of you were separated. I know how Rosaleen was taken away from you by the Evil Queen. Why are you here ? She’s at school.”

“We got to go home, kid.” Jefferson took Rosaleen’s hand and got up, dragging her along. Henry stood in front of them.

“She probably wants to see you. Rosaleen, she hasn’t seen you since she was little...”

“Get out of our way.” Jefferson breathed out.

“Why aren’t you trying to find her ?” The hatter grabbed the boy’s shoulders and bent forward to him to make him stop talking.

“Because I left her !” His breathing was shaky as his voice broke. Rosaleen stroke his back to let him know she was there know, and she was never leaving again. “And she’ll hate me.”

“How do you know that ?” Jefferson let go off the kid’s shoulder and sighed. “She hasn’t seen her mom since she was young and look, she wants to find her. She doesn’t resent her for having disappeard.”

“Rosaleen chose to let your mother take her to protect our daughter. Because I didn’t know what had happened, I let her believe her mother was dead. I shouldn’t go to her.”

“You should. I’ve been left, too. Anything’s better than nothing.” He looked at Rosaleen before looking back at Jefferson. “Even though you told her so, she still thinks her mom might be alive, and if you don’t go to her now, she will never know she was right to believe it and she’ll spend her whole life wondering why your left her. Not knowing is the worst.” Rosaleen turned to Jefferson with tears in her eyes. They exchanged a look as Henry gave them a sympathetic smile and walked away. They nodded at each other because they both knew where they were going now. Seeing Rosaleen cry, Jefferson hugged her and the young woman rested her chin on his shoulder.

“Let’s go see her, Jefferson.” Her voice quivered.

It was probably the end of school, since the yellow school bus had stopped near the sidewalk and was letting a few girls in uniform get out first, followed by a bunch of kids soon after. Jefferson and Rosaleen stood back for a few moments until he finally stepped forward. He had surely recognized Grace among the young girls who were about to leave where the bus had dropped them off. Nervous, she clung to Jefferson's arm, biting her lower lip.

“Grace ?” It was Jefferson who called out to her. A girl stopped, almost freezing at the sound of his voice. She turned to him. It was Grace. It was their baby girl. Her mouth and eyes opened slightly in surprise and relief to see them.

“Papa ! Mama !” They dropped to their knees and took their daughter in their arms, holding her tight against them. Rosaleen was smiling, but tears escaped from her closed eyes. Both of them sniffled as they hugged their little girl. “You found me. I knew you would.” She dislodged her face from her father’s shoulder and looked at her mother with a big smile. “I always knew you weren’t dead, mama. I knew it.”

“Oh, my princess…” Rosaleen stroke her daughter’s cheek and kissed her forehead. She chuckled while sniffling because of crying as Jefferson stood up and carried the little girl in his arms. Never in all her life had she ever felt so happy, so complete. She had found the man she loved and her daughter. After almost 40 years away from them, Rosaleen would finally be able to claim the family life Regina had taken from her so long ago.

[The end…]

Chapter one / Chapter two / Chapter three / Chapter four

Published (05/22/2021) by Andrea

Taglist: @cathrin2405 @learisa

[jurdanhell]

Heart Stopper

Read it on AO3!

Part I | Part II

Word Count: 2,983

TW: being poisoned/drugged, death

do not read if these may be potential triggers for you; your health is more important than a piece of fanfiction

Wonderous gowns spun with their wearers under the warm light of the lanterns that decorated the walls. Laughter echoed down the halls laced with mirth, all was well.

The High King of Elfhame stood making conversation with a head of one of the lower courts, his tail curled around his calf. Cardan hummed in agreement, not bothering to pay too much attention to the actual conversation. He swirled the wine in his goblet, the dark, bitter liquid aching to bite his tongue. He made comments every once in a while, and though he made a fair conversationalist when he was intrigued in the subject, it wasn’t uncommon to find that the High King’s attention lay elsewhere.

Jude was discussing something with someone Cardan couldn’t see, their person blocked by the bodies dressed in extravagant clothing that rested in between them. Jude didn’t seem to be having a particularly happy conversation, stress eating her nerves, her hands restless at her sides.

Cardan was sure he felt a brush against his hand that held his wine, but found nothing that could’ve caused it when he took another glance. The lord he spoke with cleared their throat. Cardan dragged his gaze to meet theirs, wishing he could be many other places than anywhere that involved having this conversation. Whatever this conversation was, anyways. He couldn’t be sure.

Cardan excused himself the first moment he saw an opening that wouldn’t have been too insulting. He made his way across the room to Jude, draining the dregs of his wine in one long sip. His steps faltered slightly, his head spun. Maybe he’d had just a little more to drink than he’d realized.

Cardan handed the empty goblet off to someone, though he wasn’t entirely sure who, and wrapped his arms around his wife from behind, his hands resting on her hips. He heard the sharp intake of her breath, felt the small gasp that left her lips. He rested his chin on her shoulder, a sight that was more common than many liked to admit — their seeing the High King bent over the High Queen, only so he may rest himself on her. Only so he may touch her. Cardan smiled into her neck.

Jude patted his cheek, pet his hair. Cardan thought he’d heard her excuse herself from the conversation, considered telling her not to bother, when she’d turned into him. That made it quite difficult for him to rest his weight on her. Her turning threw him off balance, but he held his ground.

Cardan took Jude’s hand and placed his other on her hip. Jude raised a brow, curious. Cardan needn’t have even shot the musicians that lingered in the corner of the revel a look, his eyes never leaving Jude’s. His gaze was intense; it bore into her, it crawled inside her chest and squeezed her heart. Cardan spun her as the music started. Soft and slow and calm; and if you paid attention, if you listened closely, you could hear that his steps were in time with the rain battering against the stain glass windows. As dawn rose, the sunlight streaming in cast a colourful array onto the ground, bouncing off of dresses and illuminating faces once lit by soft moonlight, now lit by rainbows. One by one, others grabbed partners and joined.

Cardan smiled, his behaviour oddly intrepid. It was not that he was never bold, far from it. But to smile so openly, to laugh so loudly. He spun her again, entwining their fingers when they met again. He quickened his pace, pushing the beat of the song, silently urging others to do the same, the music racing in time to match. Jude glanced between him and those around them.

Jude was not entirely practiced in this particular dance, but Cardan didn’t let her falter, didn’t give her the chance. And damn, Cardan’s smile was contagious. Jude smiled, too. And, admittedly, she was concerned with his behaviour at first. Then, she smelled the liquor on his breath. Smelled the bittersweet wine as he leaned in to peck her on the tip of her nose.

So Jude let him twirl her around the room. She let him pick the dance and the pace. She’d let him spin her until her stomach flipped, so long as he smiled like that.

It was wide, and warm. It was happy. And, even though Jude didn’t like to share Cardan, she didn’t mind sharing this. Sharing his smile, so blindingly beautiful, so soft and sweet that it could put many mortal candies to shame. So much so, that she dared say it fought for dominance with every sweet thing Jude could recall. The candies, yes. But perhaps it was also Oak’s giggles, tiny kittens, small flowers that Cardan often forged to scatter in her hair, her not finding them until much later.

So long as Cardan kept looking at her like that, would she play his drunken game. Tonight, Jude did not bear a dress. Instead, a dark green doublet adorned with golden fastenings incased her body, dark trousers dripping down her legs, meeting her black boots. Her black, soft leathered boots that Cardan had stolen from her one evening and returned with golden tips on their toes. Jude refused to let anyone else touch them because of it.

Cardan swept her off her feet, quite literally, and lowered her into a dip as far as he dared. Jude’s hair graced the floor, and she sent a playful scowl his direction. Lifting her again, he braced her hips with his hands and spun her around him in the air. Jude landed and fell back into the crease of his elbow, her body entirely reliant on Cardan’s balance. A sense of trust that her body learned to have, perhaps just a moment too late.

He twirled Jude on her toes, catching her in his other arm. Cardan bent down and kissed her nose again, a soft giggle passing his lips.

The song ended, the dance was over, and all had resumed their previous tasks. The soft chatter between the guests of the revel had steadily gone from a low murmur into an echoing madness of distorted voices. Cardan led Jude down the hall, slipping away from the festivities. He twirled her in the hall, his steps faltering slightly. As they progressed, soft laughs shared between them and gentle slaps on the shoulder, did they reach their chambers.

Cardan swept Jude into his arms and, tripping over his feet only once, did he make it to the bed they shared, setting her down gently among the soft coverlets as though she were the most fragile thing in the world. And, though he knew that was far from true, he’d be damned if he didn’t treat her in all the soft ways he truly believed she deserved. He removed his own crown, setting it on the bedside table, and then hers.

Cardan lifted a leg over her waist, straddling her. Jude cupped his face and brought his lips to hers. Cardan melted into her in a way that only she could make him. Jude hooked her hands around the back of his neck and wrapped her legs around his. Then, in one swift motion, she flipped him on his back, switching their respective positions. Jude sat on his stomach, taking his hands in hers. She rubbed her fingers over his knuckles gently, only meeting his eyes after she’d touched every last one. If she didn’t think the way he looked at her could’ve been any more intense before, she would’ve been horribly wrong.

It was nothing new, for him to look at her like she’d pieced the world together. But, perhaps because she was his did he look as though he’d break anything too close, anyone sending her a wrong look. And though he was all too aware of how Jude could handle herself, he was also aware of how that could be a horrible idea when the occasion arose.

With each of his hands in hers, Jude took both of Cardan’s hands above his head and pinned his wrists with one hand. She leaned in close, close enough to feel his breath hitch against her skin, brushed her nose along his. Brought her lips to his forehead, laced their fingers together.

Cardan’s eyes closed, a heat flushing in his cheeks staining them a brilliant pink. He could hear his heart hammer in his ears and worked one of his hands free from Jude’s grasp, much to her dismay, and began to work the clasps on the back of her doublet. She decided that made up for it, and trailed the hand that had previously held his now-free wrist down the buttons of his shirt. She worked the buttons one handedly, moving slower than Cardan did with the clasps on the bodice of her doublet. Jude worked one button free, the another. Cardan discarded her doublet on the floor, resting his hands on her hips and looking up at her in such horrible ways, with such an intensity that stirred her stomach.

“You’re drunk,” Jude said, brushing the hair out of his face.

“And you’re beautiful,” Cardan replied, sitting up under her. Jude slipped so they both sat, her hands falling to his shoulders. She wrapped her legs around him, his tail curling around her. Cardan smiled, resting his forehead against hers.

“Don’t change the subject.” Cardan kissed her sweetly then, his arms holding the small of her back. Jude wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, threading her fingers through his hair. He lifted a tendril of her hair, twisting it between his thumb and forefinger. Cardan brought up his other hand and twisted a loose braid into a lock of hair. Jude watched him, curiosity catching her tongue and holding her still. She took the braid in her hand, and untwisted it carefully, watching the curiosity spread like a fever between them. Jude shifted, twisting in place, her back to him.

Cardan raked his fingers through her hair, folding one strand over another, picking up some new ones, and dropping others. Jude huffed, blowing the hair out of her eyes. It landed back in its place, obscuring her vision and preventing her from moving it further. Every time she tried, Cardan batted her hand away; she was certain she could hear his frown.

There was a pull, somewhere deep inside her. It was like someone tied a tether to her waist, tugging every once in a while. Just enough to remind her, just enough to keep it on her mind. Cardan’s hands brushed against her neck, sweeping the hair up and letting it fall around her shoulders. He’d braided her hair into a crown. Cardan placed a hand just below each of her shoulders, rested his chin on the top of her head.

There was a sickeningly sweet smell of flowers, there was Cardan’s gentle breathing, as if he was falling asleep. His hands slipped, and took hers in his, holding her close. She could feel the thrum of his heart against her back, something deep and heavy, something unmatched to his breathing, his open smiles. Cardan chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Jude said, contemplating answers. A whirlwind of possibilities flooded around her, and there were too many variables to come up with any single solution.

Cardan lifted his chin from the crown of her head, dropping to her shoulder. He smiled against her skin. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be very funny,” he said softly, sending a chill down Jude’s spine. She felt the goose flesh rise on her skin, felt the way Cardan’s smile widened against her neck. Jude could play this game too, she decided.

Lightning struck the valley nearby, illuminating the room. If even for a second, when Jude had turned to face him as the light peaked through the curtains, did she look so horribly, hauntingly beautiful. Thunder rumbled, loud and low; heavier than it should’ve been. Jude caught sight of a flower obscuring her vision in the ephemeral light and snatched it from her hair. It’s petals laced with soft enchantment, a certain kind of adoration blooming in her grip. Cardan tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering on the curve of her ear.

There was a knock at the door, and they made a silent agreement that whatever it was could wait until tomorrow. Cardan brought his lips to Jude’s temple, her cheek. Down to the corner of her jaw, chaste and sweet. Another knock.

A door opened, alarm bells ringing in Jude’s head. Something wasn’t right. It was as if the fire could sense the trepidation, the flicker in its flames mocking tumult. Cardan lifted Jude beside him swiftly, turning the coverlets over her chest as the Roach walked in. Upon realization, the scowl from Jude meant to match Cardan’s confusion, did he turn and face away. He cleared his throat, staring at the floor. “Jude, there is something I must show you,” he said, a hazardous caution in his voice. Without another word, he turned and left, leaving Jude and Cardan to their own.

Jude glanced at Cardan, who was too busy watching flowers bloom above their bed to notice that she’d gotten up. She slipped her doublet on again, fumbling with the clasps and took a step over to the entrance to one of the secret Court of Shadows rooms that the Roach had left open for her. Cardan stood, joining her, and was met with a firm hand on his chest. “You’re drunk,” Jude said, gently pushing him back onto the bed. With few options and little other thought, Cardan complied. Jude left down the hall, closing the door behind her.

The hallway walls were littered with heavy vines, dark and weighted. They swayed slightly, even without a breeze, as if saying “Hello.” Or maybe, “Goodbye.” Jude had been down these halls several times, might’ve been able to walk them blindly, though the lack of light from lanterns or torches nearly provided. The walk seemed to stretch uncharacteristically, something unusual for the short halls that wrapped around other rooms. When she reached the door at the end, the heavy wooden door towering over her, the vines reaching for her from the cracks in the walls; everything around her screaming, something wasn’t right.

Jude felt the dread coil in the bottom of her stomach, felt the anticipation build in her chest. She felt like she was going to burst. Jude reached for the door handle, the cold metal burning under her fingers. She opened the door, half expecting the coil of dread to jump out at her like a snake ready to strike.

The Ghost and the Roach stood behind a table, glanced between each other, then at her. Jude closed the door behind her and stopped short in front of them, raising a single brow and crossing her arms. It was unsettlingly silent, a single moment stretched into what felt like an hour. Something in the air shifted, and whatever this was, it was steadily becoming much bigger than having something just be wrong.

Jude raised her head, acknowledging whoever it need be, to whoever would tell her what was going on. The Ghost looked at the table in between them steadily, then at Jude. “Say someone was poisoned,” he said. Judes eyebrows knitted together. “Say there wasn’t an antidote. What would you do about it?”

“What’s this about?” Jude said, pinching the bridge of her nose. There was a pull again, something familiar, and strange. There was something at the back of her mind, like a word you can’t place, like a name you can’t recall. Something, but nothing.

No answer. They can’t lie, and they didn’t want to tell her the truth. Jude sighed at the realization and caved. “What’s this poison supposed to do?”

“Stop someone’s heart,” the Roach supplied, finally giving answer to one of Jude’s building questions.

Jude thought for a moment, staring off somewhere in the distance. “Let it,” she said, filling the growing silence that gnawed at everyone in the worst ways.

The Roach cleared his throat, again. “Let it stop their heart?” Did she realize how that sounded?

“Let it stop their heart,” Jude said again, as if her repeating would correct their misunderstanding. “Then,” she continued. “Restart it.”

The Ghost scoffed, mirroring Jude with crossed arms. “Bring someone back to life? You know that’s not possible.”

Jude cocked her head slightly, debating how she should answer the questions they didn’t ask. “In the mortal world,” she started. “There’s something called CPR. Basically, it restarts someone’s heart. But there’s a small timeframe where it works, and I can’t do it. Vivi might be able to, or maybe Heather.” The Roach turned to the Ghost and gave him a single nod, queuing him to leave. “Will someone tell me what’s going on?” She felt the heat rise in her voice, and felt no sympathy. What was this, and why wouldn’t they just tell her?

“Jude, listen—” the Roach said, not making eye contact. The Bomb walked in, promptly cutting him off. She nods too, something heavy and sorrowful. No one looked at Jude.

She stepped up and slammed her hands on the table. The sharp smack grabbed everyone’s attention, giving the Bomb and the Roach little room to do anything other than look at her. “What,” Jude said, a cold edge in her voice. “The Hell is going on?” She said the words slowly, hoping that if she’d said them clearly enough, they’d understand what she was saying. That they’d understand it wasn’t a request.

Thunder rumbled in the distance. The vines that clung to the walls shivered, seemingly from the chill in her voice. Another glance was exchanged.

The Bomb looked up at her, voice barely above a whisper. “It’s Cardan.”

Next

Masterlist

Tag List:

@nite0wl29 @judexcardanxgreenbriar @queenofgreenbriar @mysweetvilllain @dontfwithlibrarians @sophiekarim @christalpaez @cardan-greenbriar-tcp @jurdan7 @faerielauren

[horansqueen]

You & Me : chapter 6

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

Sequel to AM CONVERSATIONS

CHAPTER 1 || CHAPTER 2 || CHAPTER 3 || CHAPTER 4 || CHAPTER 5

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his. -5.2k -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

- notes: its long because i had a lot to write, oops! also i tried to put as many requests for this chapter as I got. i suggest you dont look at them before reading the chapter or itll spoil it majorly to you! here are the requests!

the first one is the main request. and the others are the requests i got when i asked for requests for this specific chapter! :)

(SPOILERS OF THE CHAPTER)

Chapter 6 : Her chapter

OLIVIA

I pulled on my skirt when i got out of the car, feeling slightly uncomfortable and regretting wearing it. I was mostly a pants person and even just wearing jeans was annoying me sometimes. I knew all the girls present would look incredible, though, and I didn't want to feel ugly around them. I bent down to look at my face in the mirror of the car and sighed before turning back to my boyfriend who had a small smile creeping on his lips as he stared at me.

"How do I look?" I asked, raising my eyebrows with concern.

He didn't answer yet, he just just walked up to me, taking his hands out of his pockets and wrapping his arms around my waist. I felt his fingertips brush on my spine and my lips curled slightly.

"So good i'm actually thinking about ditching them and driving back home to fuck you into the mattress." he whispered with a smirk, looking down at me as I tilted my chin up. "One word from you and I jump back in the car."

I giggled a bit stupidly and was about to answer when we both heard the door open and I saw Heidi in the frame with Niall slightly behind. She waved at us and I was suddenly very happy of my choice of clothing. Dylan remained close to me and sent her a smile, a chin movement and a small wave before turning back to look into my eyes.

"Well, there goes our plan." he joked in a low tone, raising his eyebrows at me and making me laugh. "I guess we're gonna have to rain check on sexy time."

He chuckled and his arms slipped off my waist but he grabbed one of my hands with his and pulled me in the door's direction. I stopped him and he turned around with a questioning look before I tilted my head and frowned.

"When we get back home, perhaps?"

His facial expression changed and he moved back closer to me, squeezing my fingers in his.

"I'm sorry babe, I really have to sleep early today remember? I work tomorrow morning, I have to wake up at 4:30."

I bit my bottom lip and nodded but the truth was, I had completely forgotten. I let my eyes roam on his face and held my breath, trying not to sigh. I was not sure if it was a good or a bad thing that I was going to be away from Dylan soon. He was leaving to film a movie and the truth was, we hadn't been away from each other much in the past few months. In fact, we spent most of our time together.

"Are you guys coming?" we both heard Heidi's voice but my boyfriend didn't look away from me.

"I can see you're disappointed. I'm sorry babe, really."

"No, it's okay." I answered with a smile, tilting my head and shaking it slightly. "Don't be sorry, I know you work hard, I knew it was part of the game when we started dating."

His lips curled in a fond smile and he sent me a wink right before we heard Louis' melodic voice from afar. I had asked him to text me when he'd arrive so Dylan and I wouldn't be the first ones there. I didn't want us to interact only with Heidi and Niall or I knew it would have been awkward.

"Hey you two! You can eat each other's face later! Or like, stare deeply and passionately in each other's eyes or whatever! But right now we're all waiting for you!" he screamed, making me chuckle. "Liv! I bought your fave wine too, come on!"

I rolled my eyes but smiled and Dylan laughed slightly before pulling me with him. We walked inside and said hi to everyone but it's only when I felt Niall's arm around my waist that my smile faltered. I tried to tell myself I wouldn't let anything he does affect me but it was practically impossible. It was only his fingertips brushing on the small of my back and I wanted to run away.

"Hey Olivia, thanks so much for coming." he said in a low tone as I felt him press his cheek against mine.

I moved slightly and his stubble scratched my skin, making my heart skip a beat, but I tried not to show it.

"Someone needs to shave!" I joked with a laugh.

He was well-aware that I loved his stubble and would never want him to shave it, but that was part of the little banter we had together and he laughed, raising his eyebrows before bending down again close to me and rubbing his cheek against mine. I pulled away with a grown but started laughing again.

"Ouch!" I let out a bit louder before chuckling. "I hate when you do that!"

"Yea?" he asked, amused, before doing it again. "I thought you loved my stubble!"

He stared in my eyes with a smirk and he was closer than he should be but I didn't move away. By the way he was looking at me, I knew what he was thinking about and he was right : I've always enjoyed to feel his stubble on my inner thighs as he ate me out. I've always loved feeling it scrape my skin as I pressed my thighs around his face while he tongue fucked me. That thought made my pussy throb and I held my breath until someone talked.

"Here!" Louis let out, putting a glass of wine between us and taking me out of my thoughts. "Drink."

I thanked him and tried not to look at Niall again as I followed them to the kitchen. I frowned when I saw the bottle of wine on the counter, noticing the bottle stopper next to it.

"Louis! You said you bought my fave wine but it's literally my own bottle from home!" I exclaimed, turning to look at him and raising my eyebrows.

"Oh shit, did I say 'bought'? I meant 'brought'"

My face changed into an annoyed and unamused expression and he sent me a cute smile, making me roll my eyes as my lips curled slightly.

"It was started, too. You don't bring an already open bottle to hosts." I kept arguing. "You're a bad guest."

"Heyyy, I bought this one and two more, i'm an incredible guest!"

A bunch of us laughed and after chatting for a while, we ended up sitting at the main table. I sat next to Dylan and held my breath when I saw Niall walk closer. He was about to sit on the other side of me when Heidi talked.

"No no, babe! We're sitting here!"

His face changed but he just glanced at me and sent his girlfriend a smile before walking to the other side of the table and sitting right in front of me and next to her. I didn't know if I felt relieved or sad but he kept looking at me and I couldn't help but send him a smile. I noticed Heidi move closer to him and put my attention on her.

"Thank you so much for being here, all of you!" she said, holding her glass up. "We're always all so busy but it's nice to spend time altogether when we can!"

We all clinked our glasses together and I grimaced at Louis who stuck his tongue out at me. I was happy he was there, I felt like I wouldn't be able to stay sane if he was not.

"Oh my god, Olivia and Dylan, you guys are getting married right? I read that somewhere!"

Niall glanced at her and I noticed he rolled his eyes slightly without saying anything. I didn't know if it was because Heidi talked about it or because of the wedding specifically.

"Mmhm, yes." Dylan said, taking a sip of wine. "We are."

"In september I bet." Niall quickly let out. "The 9th I'm guessing."

Everyone remained quiet but he kept staring at me. I remembered us talking about getting married but we had never talked about a date. It did something to me that he knew, and he knew me so well. He knew me better than anyone in the world. He knew me better than myself.

"Well, yes." Dylan finally confessed, slightly uneasy. "I mean, don't tell anyone, we haven't announced it yet, we want to be sure before."

I saw Heidi's eyes open wider in shock when Dylan admitted that Niall had guessed right. I could only imagine what went on in her head and I suddenly felt bad for her. I knew she was not the jealous type but when she moved closer to Niall to ask for a kiss, I could swear she had glanced at me at the same time.

"Sorry mate." Niall said, taking a long sip of the wine after raising his eyebrows. "That's when her grandparents got married. Lucky guess."

The discussion drifted but I kept looking at Niall who sent me a fond smile. I held my breath when I felt one of his feet over mine and my lips parted slightly. I was not wearing socks but I felt the fabric of his brush against the top of my foot. My eyes fluttered at the contact. Just knowing he was touching me made me feel a certain way. It was not sexual, it was just my body suddenly coming alive in a way no one else could make me feel. It took me a few seconds but I finally pulled my foot away but gently, sending him an other small smile.

I helped Heidi clearing the table while the others went to the living room but I noticed Niall glancing at us, probably scared of what would happen. I was not going to make a scene though, and I was pretty sure she wouldn't either, at least I hoped so.

"I know there used to be something special between you and Niall." she let out when we were almost done, without looking at me. "But it's gone now."

I held my breath and licked my lips, not really sure what I should answer to that. It seemed like a fact to her but as she said it, it made me realize it was not true. There was still something special between Niall and I, and there probably always would be. That's why it would be so hard for us to only be friends. Could we even do it?

"Alright."

I turned around and left her alone in the kitchen only to walk to the bathroom. I leaned my hands on the counter after locking the door and closed my eyes, my head slightly down. I tried to breath in and out deeply but I could feel my heart beating hard in my chest and I couldn't seem to slow it down.

I had expected something meaner from Heidi. I knew the kind of person she was, and I knew what she was looking for but somehow, she had agreed to this dinner and I didn't know why. It was not new that she didn't like me and I would have thought she wanted me as far as possible from her boyfriend.

The problem was, I didn't want to be far from Niall and she probably felt it, just like I felt how insecure she was, which was not her type at all. She didn't use to see me like competition, what happened that made her change her mind about me?

I also felt how Dylan tensed when Niall guessed the date of our wedding. It was not so much that he knew that, no, it was more about the whole history Niall and I had together that no one could even begin to understand. He knew it, but the fact that he was now witnessing it made it seem more real. He was not jealous but it would be normal if he felt uncomfortable. I couldn't blame him.

I breathed in deeply, staring at my reflection in the mirror and trying to make something of this mess in my head but nothing seemed to work. Everyone's feelings were at stake and we were all a bit stressed. I also knew that with a few too many drinks, it could become very ugly.

I shook my head slightly and left the bathroom to join the others, hearing them laugh from afar. I sat on the couch next to Dylan and smiled at Louis and Eleanor, sitting together on the floor, almost cuddling. Julie and Liam were practically doing the same on the other couch and I felt Dylan's hand reach for mine and grab my fingers. Everyone was getting a bit tipsy and they were all recalling memories from tour and after. I tried to keep quiet but for some reasons, a lot of anecdotes included me.

"Oh remember that time we all went skiing and Olivia wouldn't stop falling!" Louis pointed out with a chuckle. "Niall had to literally hold her hands and guide her. It was pathetic, she was getting bypassed by a bunch of five year old’s!"

"Louis, I hate you." I just groaned low.

"Or when we ended up playing hide and seek in a hotel." he added, ignoring my comment. "Everyone was found except for these two fuckers! Apparently, they were hiding together in a fucking janitor closet! We never found out what went on during those two hours!"

I grabbed a cushion and threw it at Louis but it only made him laugh. I remembered that time. I remembered my body pressed against Niall's for hours as we chatted together in whispers. I remember feeling his lips in my hair and his hand on my thigh to stop me from moving whenever we heard a noise. Nothing had happened, but it was still a good memory. One that brought a rush to my brain and made me smile.

I noticed Heidi from the corner of my eyes, standing next to the couch and listening to Louis' stories. She looked a bit stressed and I bit my bottom lip in hope that Louis would just stop it. Her face twisted into a smile and she just sat directly on Niall's lap, making me squirm a bit on my seat. He seemed surprised and I knew he was not a fan of public display of affection but he just glanced around the room a few times without saying anything. She bent down and when their lips met, I had to close my eyes and look away. I felt Dylan squeeze my fingers with his and turned my head to him, focusing my attention on him. He smiled at me and I was not sure which emotions I could see in his face. Sadness, perhaps?

"So Dylan, the car you're driving in that show? Does it work?"

I tried to push the thought of Heidi sitting on my ex boyfriend away and smiled at Louis as I noticed Dylan's lips curl too.

"Don't start him!" I quickly said, opening my eyes wide. "He literally asked to keep that jeep! It's in his garage!"

"It's old and a bit dangerous to drive but I still do from time to time. I even let Liv drive it once or twice."

"Fucking amazing car, can't deny." I admitted with a laugh.

"We also saw your latest movie." Eleanor added. "Loved it."

"It was honestly very good." Julie agreed, leaning on her boyfriend and nodding. "Although I believe a beard doesn't really suit you."

Dylan chuckled, bringing his hand to his nape in an embarrassed way. He was not the type to be shy, but being praised like that always made him a bit uncomfortable. I personally thought it was extremely endearing but I didn't mention it, at least not this time. I tried not to react when I noticed Niall get up and leave from the corner of my eyes but I couldn't seem to follow the conversation anymore. Dylan was charismatic and everyone was always listening to him when he talked. He had this way to charm people that I didn't have and clearly never would. I was not jealous, I was fascinated.

I would guess on 10 minutes. That was probably the time it took me to get up and leave the room too. It seemed longer but I knew it was probably just in my head. I walked slowly in the hall, my heart beating fast, and followed the sound of guitar coming from afar, ending up in front of a closed door. I bit my bottom lip but it only took me a second to press my ear against it to hear better.

"I try and try to forget you, but." He stopped and I didn't hear anything until he started playing again. "Try and try to erase you, but you won't disappear."

Without thinking, I pressed my palm on the door but was surprised when I realized it was not completely closed. I ended up tripping inside and letting out a curse word as I almost fell. I knew he was staring at me but when I looked up in his eyes, I noticed a small and amused smile playing on his lips.

"Sorry." I let out after finding my balance again, glancing down and pressing my lips together.

"You were totally eavesdropping." he pointed out, his lips curling.

"I was... totally eavesdropping."

He chuckled and made a quick head movement, telling me to get closer. I hesitated a few seconds but walked to him slowly as he looked up. He was sitting on his bed and it was a bit weird to be in the room, alone with him, while both our significant others were in the living room. We used to be like that though, right? We slept in the same bed even when we were taken a few years ago, when our friendship was at its peak. Why did it feel so wrong now?

He patted the bed next to him and I licked my lips, holding my breath before shrugging a shoulder.

"Uhm, does Heidi live here?"

He frowned but didn't lose his smile.

"No, why?"

I didn't answer his question but simply nodded and after a few seconds, I sat next to him, trying not to touch him. I didn't want to sit in a bed that was hers, too, it would have been too weird to me, but knowing it was his bed made me feel better about it, even if I knew she slept there too sometimes.

Niall ran his fingers on the strings and my eyes dropped to his hand. He used to do that all the time. Just join me on the couch and start playing randomly. I didn't know if he noticed but I always ended up just turning the volume down to listen to him without being too obvious about it. Sometimes, he barely noticed me at all and it was alright. I always thought it made him even more handsome than he already was. When I looked up, I noticed he was looking at me and I smiled, feeling my heart jump slightly in my chest. After all this time, he still had this effect on me and I had no idea how it was possible.

"So, what were you playing?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. "Wanna play it for me?"

He chuckled a bit, obviously uncomfortable, and scratched the back of his head, glancing away before looking down at his fingers.

"New song, it's not finished, can't play it."

I felt something twist in my chest at the thought and I swallowed jealousy inside me. He was with Heidi and she already got a whole album written for her. It was a bit hurtful to think she was going to get a second one.

"You must really love her." I said low to make sure my voice wouldn't break.

"What do you mean?"

I looked up at him and let my eyes roam on his face. I wanted to stop thinking about him all the time and feel nervous around him but even more than that, I wanted to stop all the feelings exploding inside me every time he was near. We were done. He had a girlfriend and I was getting married, there was no point in dwelling on the past, right? I brought my hand up but hesitated and finally pressed my palm gently on his cheek. I wanted to ask him if he really loved me. I wanted to know if being with me for almost a year even had an impact in his life, I wanted to know if it mattered, If i mattered. Or at least, if I used to matter.

"You kissed me the other night."

I felt his hand over mine, on his face, but took it back slowly as my lips parted. How could he know that? He was asleep, right?

"N-No, I mean..."

"I thought you never lied."

I closed my mouth and breathed in before licking my lips, still staring at him. i had to assume my actions and I swallowed hard.

"I did, I kissed you. I thought you were sleeping." I admitted in a low tone. "I'm sorry, Niall, I shouldn't have."

He chuckled a bit awkwardly and shook his head, putting his guitar away and passing his hand in his hair. "Hey, I kept reminding you of when we fucked and I think I remember caressing your leg so, I can't blame you for a small peck on the lips."

"You were drunk, I was not." I pointed out.

"Not an excuse." he quickly replied. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"You didn't."

We stared at each other for so long and all I could hear was the sound of my heart beating against my rib cage and threatening to escape. I felt myself tear up but swallowed the lump in my throat and I could swear I saw him glance at my lips.

"You said you missed me too."

"I'm surprised you understood since I said it in french." I chuckled slightly, smiling at him.

"I remember a few things, I just can't pronounce them."

This time, I chuckled more until I realized how close we were from each other. Did he move closer or was I the one who did? Why did I feel so attracted to him, like my heart, body, soul and mind were connected to his?

"I'm gonna kiss you, okay?"

His voice was soft and low but I didn't answer and he moved even closer, so slowly that it seemed to take an hour. I felt his breath on my mouth and held mine before bringing both my hands on his face to stop him gently. He stopped and his eyes opened as my thumbs brushed on his cheeks. I moved my head lightly, feeling my parted lips brush up and down against his, so slowly it was like torture to me.

"Olivia..."

I shook my head and pulled away, turning on my seat and closing my eyes. It was so close and I felt my heart skip a beat when I realized we had almost kissed but the worst was, I really wanted it. I wanted it so fucking bad and I was getting mad at myself. I was also mad at him for doing this to me and I swallowed hard again.

"I can't Niall, and you can't either."

He didn't insist and I finally just got up as he did the same. I was about to get out of his room when I came face to face with Heidi. I tried to play it cool but her eyes got bigger as they moved from me to Niall and then back to me.

"What the fuck?"

I didn't know what to say and just walked past her to get back in the living room. I grabbed my glass and swallowed all of it as Heidi stormed back to the room. Everyone stopped talking and looked at her but she was staring at me, ready to jump at me.

"What the hell were you doing with my boyfriend in my room?"

I wanted to mention it was not her room but I thought it would only make things worse and I just sighed and raise my eyebrows.

"We were just talking."

"Just talking?" she repeated with a rude chuckle. "Oh yea I know how 'talking' goes alright!" she added, doing the quotation marks with her fingers.

I felt Dylan getting up behind me and he placed his hand softly on my lower back.

"Hey, relax." he let out, bringing his other hand in front of me. "They're friends, they've always been friends, you should know that by now."

"Are you a fucking idiot?" Heidi added louder, frowning at him.

I turned to Dylan's who's face suddenly changed into an annoyed one. It was a side of him I hadn't seen before and it was crazy to think Heidi, out of all people, could bring it out.

"It's not the first time you ask me that."

Niall suddenly placed himself between his girlfriend and us but facing her. He put his hands on her shoulders and she closed her eyes.

"Babe, please, relax okay? Come on, how many drinks did you have?"

"I'm fine!" she let out slightly lower than the tone she had used on us.

"Just come with me okay?"

It took a few seconds but they disappeared in the hall and I licked my lips before turning to my boyfriend. Louis was standing up next to me too and when he placed his hand on my shoulder, I turned my head and met his eyes.

"Are you okay, love?"

His voice was sweet and gentle and I sent him a small smile before nodding lightly. Did it show that I was extremely jealous knowing that she was going to sleep in his room, next to him? I shook my head, trying to push away the thought and also my feelings. It was ridiculous, of course she was going to sleep in his bed tonight, where else?

"Okay, well, I think it's time to go now." Julie proposed as Liam stood behind her.

We all said goodbye and hugged as Niall walked back in.

"Sorry guys, so sorry it has to end up like this."

I felt bad for him, knowing that he likes things calm and fun but at the same time, I felt guilty. I could try and blame Heidi all I wanted for the drama, it was partially my fault and Niall's if it ended up like this. I also couldn't stop thinking that if we had kissed, she would have caught us.

"Don't worry, it's all cool." my boyfriend said, extending his hand to my ex boyfriend. The sight was a bit weird but I didn't mention it. "Thanks for inviting us, we're gonna have to return the favor soon."

"Of course, my pleasure, thanks for coming." Niall replied, shaking his hand and sending him a smile.

I glanced a few times as I walked to Dylan's car just to look at Niall standing in the door frame, and I sighed before opening the door and getting in. We drove off and I leaned my head against the window with my eyes closed. I still couldn't make sense of this mess and even if I wasn't drunk, I knew the alcohol and tiredness would stop me from unraveling it all. We parked in front of my house and I felt a pain in my chest when I remembered that Dylan wouldn't stay. I turned to him and tilted my head.

"You really can't stay?" I asked in a soft tone, making him smile sadly at me.

"No, I'm sorry. Tomorrow?"

I nodded slowly and licked my lips.

"What did you mean when you said it wasn't the first time she asked you if you were stupid?"

He shook his head and chuckled, looking down.

"Let's just say Heidi has tried to date me a few years back. Or at least to sleep with me."

The shock was so big I felt my lips part. I probably looked like a fish out of water and it made him chuckle. He brought his hand on my chin and gently moved it up to close my mouth.

"You... you never told me."

"Just like you never told me how intense it was between you and Niall." he pointed out, raising his eyebrows. "I mean, maybe you did but I didn't think it was that bad, I don't know."

He paused and I held my breath as he looked down at his fingers. He grabbed my hand and looked up in my eyes and I suddenly felt so guilty I was close to throw up. I loved this man, I really did. Could he tell that I had almost kissed my ex boyfriend not even half an hour before?

"You know what sexual tension is, right?"

I frowned, scared of his words, but still nodded. I didn't want him to tell me there was sexual tension between Niall and I. I didn't want to know what we looked like from the outside. I didn't want to have this kind of conversation about my ex boyfriend, if only because I was not even sure of how I felt or what I wanted. Still, I waited as my boyfriend sighed and intertwined his fingers with mine.

"Between you and Niall, there's romantic tension. It's dripping everywhere. It's... scary, Olivia. It really is." he explained, surprising me. "So yea, Heidi's little tantrum was annoying, but I can see where she's coming from. She felt it, too. We all do."

My eyes roamed on his face as my whole body seemed to throb. His words made me anxious and at the same time, I didn't want him to keep all of this inside. I wanted to tell him that it meant nothing to me, that all he could feel was the dusts of an old love, the vestige of the story of two lovers who didn't work out... but I didn't know if it was the truth. I didn't know anything anymore.

I bent closer and pressed my lips against his. He let me and I deepened the kiss, letting my hand slide on his chest gently.

"I love you. Please, stay tonight." I begged him in a low tone.

"You hate when I leave in the morning." he whispered, his lips still against mine.

"I can make an exception."

It took him a few seconds to answer. I felt his fingers playing with mine and his lips brush against mine gently. I wanted him to agree, I needed him to agree.

"Okay."

[earth-ambassador-jim]

A Bad Reaction: Chapter 3

Story Summary:

“Changelings call it "Gravesand”. Derived from the  pulverized bones of fallen Gumm-Gumms, gravesand aids us changelings in  shedding our human form and embracing our more trollish nature…“

Strickler is a little off in his calculations and the gravesand draws  out an unexpected response from Jim. Hopefully he can figure out what  is wrong and how to fix it before it is too late.

AO3 - Fanfiction

~~~~

With a rather blatant disregard of the traffic laws, Nomura was back in the Janus Order base in record time.

Barbara was pacing around the room and glanced up when she entered. Nomura noted that her eyes were bloodshot and the skin around them red and puffy.

She held eye contact with Nomura for a long moment and the changeling debated shifting back to human form, but ultimately decided not to. It was better that she got used to trolls. No point in using kid gloves with her.

Finally she looked away and Nomura turned her gaze to the boy laying on the table.

He looked worse than when she left. The beeping of the heart monitor was sluggish and most of his skin was covered with livid red rashes.

“Did you find what Wal… what Strickler asked you to find?” Barbara asked.

Nomura glanced at the human and nodded. It was a pity there hadn’t been time or she might have had some fun with the old stiff’s office.

“That’s good,” Barbara said with a sigh.

She moved forward to stand beside the changeling (though still with several feet between them). The two of them watched Jim.

“Do you know how he got those scars?”

Nomura blinked at the question before she saw what Barbara was pointing to. A series of branching scars, like frost on a window pane, ran across the boy’s body starting from his left arm. Lichtenberg figures, she realized with a start.

When had that happened? He’d definitely shocked himself a few times trying to escape from his cell in the Darklands, but she didn’t think they had been hard enough to give him this sort of scarring.

“I don’t know,” She said.

“Oh… okay.”

They were both quiet.

Eventually Barbara went back to fussing with the machines hooked up to Jim, while Nomura settled in a corner and started to polish one of her khopeshes. She hated all this waiting, she was a fighter not a physician.

Her lip curled up from her teeth just slightly and her clawed fingers clenched around the hilt. Never before had she wanted a real physical foe to throw her energy at so much.

What felt like an eternity later, though it was really only about ten minutes, the door snapped open and Strickler entered.

“How is he doing?” He asked.

“He’s weakening,” said Barbara. “Did you find everything you needed?”

“Almost. I still need changeling blood. We will need to extract it in troll form.”

Finally! Something she could do.

“Well that shouldn’t be too hard,” Said Nomura standing up and tightening her grip on the khopesh.

She’d willingly sacrifice a finger (though preferably one of Stricklander’s) if it would save Little Gynt.

Strickler held up a hand to stop her.

“We need to do this in such a way that the blood is clean,” He said pointedly.

“Right.” She put the khopesh back in its sheaf.

“Do changelings have blood types like humans?” Barbara asked, looking rather wary.

Strickler opened his mouth and then paused.

“In troll form? I’m not sure,” He admitted. “Let me…”

“We do but they’re different than humans’.”

Barbara and Strickler turned to look at Nomura. She shrugged. Why was that it so surprising that she would know that?

“I was curious and asked my teacher when I was studying poisons.”

Barbara stared at her for a moment before closing her eyes and taking a breath.

“Do you know how doing a transfusion from a changeling to a human would go?” She asked when she reopened them.

Nomura shook her head. Normally there was absolutely no reason anyone would do that.

They sat for a moment thinking. The only sound was the beeping of Jim’s heart monitor and his faint raspy breathing.

“Shall I go through with the spell?” Strickler asked finally.

Barbara hesitated a moment chewing on her lip as she glanced at her son’s still form before nodding.

Strickler turned to Nomura.

“Since I will be doing the spell, I won’t be able to spare any blood. Not without risking running short of energy. Could you… ?”

“Just hurry up,” Nomura said holding out an arm.

~~~~

After a bit of back and forth on how to extract blood from something with stone skin and the eventual use of a surgical drill, Nomura was about a half pint of blood lighter and had a new soon-to-be-scar on her arm.

That didn’t bother her. She’d gotten scars over lots of petty things… what was one more one acquired willingly?

“What about the stone?” She asked.

“I will supply that,” Strickler said. “Having a component of my own involved will make it easier to channel the magic.”

Nomura nodded. Magic wasn’t her forte, but that lined up with the little she knew.

“Okay,” He said, opening his briefcase. “I will need quiet. Magic of this sort is finicky and I can’t afford to mess up.”

Nomura withdrew, moving to stand by Barbara and watch as Strickler worked. His eyes were narrow and his brows low as he pulled out a square sheet of parchment and began to inscribe an intricate pattern circles and runes onto it. When he was done with that, he set the vial of blood in the center. He carefully arranged some hairs he had taken from Jim around it. Next he took his knife out of the disinfectant where it had been sitting for the last few minutes.

With a flash he transformed into his troll form. Beside Nomura, Barbara jumped and her eyes widened. Her lips moved soundlessly as if she had come to some realization.

Sticklander wiped down the surface of his stoney skin with disinfectant and then water. Once he was done he scraped a very small amount of stone powder off into the blood. With another flash he was human again.

“I’ll need some of Jim’s blood,” He told Barbara quietly.

He held out a new syringe.

Barbara hesitated a moment and then took it.

Despite the tightness around her eyes, her hands didn’t shake as she took one of Jim’s arms and inserted the needle. Nomura felt her respect for the doctor go up a notch. She might be scared and out of her element, but she knew her job well. Nomura had made the right decision bringing her into this.

When Barbara was done she gave the syringe to Strickler.

Some of Jim’s blood went into the vial. The rest he meticulously used to fill three empty circles in the midst of the runes.

Strickler handed the syringe back to Barbara, without looking, and set his hands on either side of the paper.

He took a slow deep breath and then began chanting.

At first the strange words simply jarred her ears, then Nomura felt her hair stand on end as a charge of energy filled the air. The runes, beginning at the circles of blood, started to glow. Strickler’s voice shook as he got farther into the chant. The green glow became steadily brighter and brighter until…

All the light rushed inward to the center of the circle into the vial. The contents turned black.

Strickler’s knees buckled and he nearly fell but he caught himself on the counter.

“It’s done,” He said, rubbing his forehead.

He picked up the vial and swirled it around.

“Now we will need to inject this into him.”

Barbara grimaced at this but didn’t protest. She held out her hand for it.

She removed the stopper and filled a clean syringe with the potion. She held it up to the light and flicked the sides to make sure there was no air in it.

She turned back to Jim and stopped…

Nomura watched as she stood there. Her shoulders were shaking a little. Her hands clenched and unclenched. She glanced at the door and then back at Jim. Eventually she seemed to reach some conclusion to her internal debate and she moved forward.

Barbara carefully pressed the needle into the crook of her son’s arm. Once it was empty, she withdrew it and bandaged the insertion point.

They waited.

Nothing happened.

“Come on, little Gynt,” Nomura snarled under her breath.

An uncomfortable feeling fluttered in her core. If the little shit dared die on them she’d…

The heart monitor began to beep frantically. Barbara started to dart forward but stopped with a gasp. Black veins were appearing on Jim’s skin.

On Nomura’s left Strickler let out a startled cry as something glowing and blue shot out of his pocket.

It was the amulet. It settled on Jim’s chest with a flash of blinding light.

A scream rent the air, dropping several octaves as it progressed. Nomura blinked rapidly trying to clear the spots out of her vision.

Not a moment too soon.

The first thing she saw was a clawed hand drawing near her face.

She rolled quickly to the side, bowling over Strickler in the process (His fault for not moving quick enough). She came up in a crouch and got her first look at Jim’s new form.

Where the silver Daylight Armor wasn’t covering him, he was a grey blue color, almost purple. She had a brief moment to note that he had wings like Strickler and digitigrade legs like her (but ending in claws rather than hooves) before he was lunging again.

His eyes were still glowing a sickly gold and red.

Nomura bared her teeth and her hands twitched toward her khopeshes. It was just their luck that the gravesand would still be in effect. She pulled her hands back, letting them fall to her sides. They couldn’t risk injuring him further. She shouldn’t have done it the first time. She just hadn’t realized how bad this was.

Jim growled and dropped to all fours, new wings flaring out and tail (why did he have a tail?!) lashing threateningly.

Nomura hazarded a quick glance behind her and saw that Strickler and Barbara where huddled together… or rather Barbara was huddled, fear clear in her wide blue eyes, and Strickler appeared to be trying to calm her down.

She couldn’t help but be a little disappointed, but she supposed that was a fairly natural reaction to an angry troll for an inexperienced human.

It looked like this was all on her for the moment.

Jim advanced and Nomura planted her hooves firmly, steeling herself for a fight she wasn’t entirely sure how to win.

~~~~

“Listen, Young At… Jim is still under the influence of the gravesand,” Strickler was saying. Barbara could barely hear him over the ruckus of the fight and the pounding of her own heart. “I am going to help Nomura pin him down. You need to talk to him… connect with him emotionally… to make him snap out of it. Do you understand?”

She continued to stare in shock over his shoulder, where Nomura was trying to subdue Jim.

“Barbara!” He said sharply.

Her eyes snapped to his.

“Did you hear what I just said?”

“I… Yeah…”

Barbara watched as Walter changed into a green troll again in a flash of light and joined the other changeling in helping restrain her son.

She could barely believe it was really Jim.

The grey blue troll lunged against two larger changelings, eyes wild. He snapped sharp fangs at them and growled.

Barbara flinched.

How could this be her son?

The vicious feral creature before her was nothing like the sweet kind boy she knew.

Walter finally managed to capture his right arm and pin it against the wall, Nomura got his left.

“Come on little Gynt,” She snarled at him. “I know you’re in there.”

He twisted his neck and tried to bite the hand holding him in response. Nomura slammed her other hand into his throat to keep him from moving but didn’t press any harder than that.

“Quit it,” Nomura said. “Where’s your dumb speeches about hope and all that.” She hesitated. “You wouldn’t give up on me when I was trying to kill you, so I’m not leaving you like this. Quit fucking around and snap out of it.”

Jim growled but the yellow light flickered in his eyes flickered.

“She’s right,” Walter said, seeming to take heart. “I’ve tried to toughen you up but none of it stuck. Not in the way I intended. You are one of the most caring people I know, Young Atlas, and that’s your strength. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that. You don’t need to do this all alone. We’re here for you, let us shoulder some of the load.”

Jim was struggling less, but it still wasn’t quite enough.

Barbara needed to help them.

She was scared and shaking and way out of her element but…

But this was her son.

She loved him and he loved her. He’d always been there for her, even when it should have been the other way around.

She took a breath and shoved down the instinctual fear that was screaming at her to run and walked across the room.

“Jim,” She said.

The two changelings shifted out of the way slightly but still kept him pinned.

“Jim,” She said again. She reached out a hand. Beside her Walter flinched.

She pushed his sweaty black hair with shaking fingers. Jim growled slightly but didn’t try to bite her. His chest was heaving and she could feel that he was shaking as well.

“Please Jim,” She said, hand sliding down to cup his cheek. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you before… When you wrote that letter… You were trying to tell me what was going on but I wanted you to do it my way… I want to know what’s going on in your life to be there for you. So please…” Her voice cracked. “Please come back.”

The yellow light finally faded in Jim’s eyes. He started coughing. Nomura and Strickler let go and he brought up a fist and coughed harder. It was a raspy cough and followed with a rather unpleasant retching. He spat out a lump of black and purple mucus.

“Mom?” His voice was weak and rough, but when he looked up his eyes were blue and familiar.

“Jim.” She hugged him, tears leaking out of her eyes.

He was alive. They had done it.

~~~~

Notes:

I think I'm just going to wait to do my meta bit on how Jim's reaction to the gravesand and how the potion/spell worked. I'll do a bonus update with that after I'm done with the story.

This is the second time I've written something from Nomura's perspective. Which is funny because I really enjoy her character. Hopefully I did her justice.

I'm going to give myself another week for the next chapter, since I want to give this a satisfying conclusion and I'm considerably busier now that I'm working. The goal is to end this with the next chapter, but I might write some little oneshots in the AU if the mood strikes me.

As always let me know what you think and thank you for all the wonderful comments!