#honestly though they went well. toddlers are always trying to crawl in my lap though. which is very sweet

[stardustvanfleet]

goodnight everyone i will be falling asleep thinking about them 🖤🤍

[gwynrielendgame]

Gwyncien part 2

Do not fret there is also a bit of gwynriel in this too. I’ll be tagging people who asked for this specific part 2 below.

Lucien hated coming to the night courts winter solstice celebrations. The sole reason he went every year was because of Feyre's birthday, contrary to popular belief that it was to see his mate. He much preferred to avoid his mate instead of sit in a room with her and the Shadowsinger. But he suffered through it for his friend, potentially his only true friend. She had been better to Lucien than he ever had to her, so in a way he was trying to earn her forgiveness- even if she claimed to have already given it. He secretly hoped to see Gwyneth Berdara again this year. She was beautiful- much like he remembered her mother looking. However, he truly just liked talking to her, to someone who understood the pain of a disinterested mate. It was a nice perk that it also seemed to enrage the one male to have caught his own mate's attention. He felt a bit smug about that if he was honest with himself. His three gifts were tucked neatly at his side as he stared up at the mansion. Feyre created a beautiful house. He should not have expected anything less given her paintings. He needed a moment to gather his bearings after winnowing directly to the river house. He would stay for an acceptable amount of time, or at least enough time to make Feyre happy, and then he would depart. It always made his skin crawl to be around Elain, simply because he knew it displeased her. He could do this though-for Feyre.

"Are you going in? Or do you plan to stare at the door a little longer?" A giggle escaped from the female behind him. He turned quickly only to let out a breathy chuckle himself.

"Did you want a turn staring at it? We could do it together. Might make the evening more bearable somehow." Lucien sent the copper haired female a half grin which she returned with one of her own.

"You caught me. I was hoping to have my turn to avoid going in as long as possible, but alas it appears I may need to share." Gwyn gave a long sigh as if she were exasperated by the situation. The easy banter between the two started to loosen the knot that had formed in Lucien's chest.

"It's lovely to see you once more, priestess. You look beautiful." And she did. The last time he had seen her, she was wearing her priestess robes. This time around she wore a loose black dress. Her hair was mostly down with some braids keeping it out of her face and a dainty necklace around her neck. Some might say she looked rather plain. Lucien knew better than that. For her, this was a big step. To be dressed at a celebration in anything other than her robes had to be stressful. A magnificent smile lit up her face.

"You look rather handsome yourself. I was actually hoping to see you tonight. I wanted to discuss a few things." She looked around as though someone might be eavesdropping. "Not right now though." He had a feeling he knew what she wanted to discuss.

"My ears are yours whenever you need them." Lucien then offered his arm to her. She slipped her hand through the crook as they made their way through the door. The night suddenly seemed less daunting. He could face Elain and Azriel tonight without his emotions getting the better of him. Gwyneth would keep him busy that much he knew and was thankful for the unspoken deal they seemed to have made. They would stay by each other's side tonight if only because most of the night court's inner circle had paired off. Rhysand never truly left Feyre's side, Varian is the only one to actually enjoy Amren's company, Cassian and Nesta disappeared to have sex rather frequently, Emerie and Mor spoke in hushed whispers to each other most evenings Lucien attended, and most unfortunately Azriel and Elain never really left each other's side these days. Lucien normally felt like the odd one out, but without Gwyneth it would have been painfully obvious.

+++

The night had been rather overwhelming for Gwyn. She had been around the inner circle a handful of times most recently, but having so many dynamics in one living room felt stifling to her. Nesta's relationship with her sister's was still rocky at best, Amren usually said something to piss someone off, Azriel and Elain being around appeared to make everyone uncomfortable, and apparently Gwyn and Lucien being friends seemed to make the group just as uncomfortable. Gwyn could not figure out why. If perhaps the irony of the situation was too great or if Lucien's background had something to do with it. Whatever the reason, almost everyone tonight side-eyed Gwyn as she sat with Lucien. She knew Elain and Azriel thought she was doing it just to piss them off. Gwyn just truly enjoyed Lucien's company. He was easy-going and made many jokes. When Gwyn was not engrossed in conversation with Nesta or Emerie, she was joking with the one-eyed male. If only he had been her mate she had thought to herself.

"Present time!" Mor exclaimed from her spot on the couch next to Emerie. Gwyn felt herself becoming red- she had not realized that gifts were exchanged here. She had already exchanged gifts with Nesta and Emerie (a song for Nesta that was recorded on her music box from Cassian and a particularly steamy book for Emerie that included two female leads). She felt overwhelmed as everyone started setting gifts beside her. While Gwyn felt ready to leave the House of Wind, she had not managed to venture the streets of Velaris. She could have asked the House for gifts for everyone, but truly she did not even think anyone would get her something. The most surprising to her was when Lucien plopped a gift on her lap. She could not hide her shock.

"I am sorry. I did not get you anything." She felt ashamed and refused to look up from her hands as she addressed everyone. "I did not realize you all exchanged gifts. I am sorry." She repeated.

"We did not expect you too." Feyre sent her a small smile. "We got you something because we wanted too, not because we wanted something from you." The tension eased the slightest bit. That did not stop the red from flaming her face.

"I expected a gift." Lucien announced loudly. It had Gwyn cringing. "I demand you play us a song." Lucien was sending her a grin that released the rest of the tension in her chest. Azriel shot the pair an icy stare, not necessarily a glare, but close enough.

"Yes!" Nesta shouted after him, clearly having one too many sips of wine. Gwyn could not hold back her giggle. "You have to sing for us. Your voice is beautiful."

Gwyn could feel Azriel's stare from across the room. It had shifted into a less hostile look. It did not appear as though he was trying to hide his interest though. A conversation between the two suddenly popped into her head.

Do you, though? Sing?

Yes.

She wished now more than ever to hear him sing. She wanted to sing with him, but was not willing to put herself out there in front of everyone. He would likely say no and then she would have to scrape any piece of humility she had left to sing alone after rejection. She would not ask Azriel to sing with her- this time. She hesitantly sat at the piano, Nyx sitting by her feet watching intently. As soon as she started playing the toddler laughed and clapped his hands. It gave her the confidence to keep going. She sang one of the many songs she had memorized. There was really nothing special about it, but she felt alive especially with the way Azriel was staring at her. She could almost feel his shadows slipping towards her. She missed them. Actually, she missed everything about Azriel. Before the whole mating bond/Elain situation, they had been friends. He was one of her closest friends and she felt as though she lost that. It was not only her fault. He also felt uncomfortable being her friend now. It made her sad so she decided not to think on it anymore. She finished her song which resulted in a round of applause from everyone.

"Beautiful!" Emerie cheered with a wide smile on her face. Gwyn looked to Lucien who was smiling ear to ear which was rare for the male who only seemed to give half grins and sarcastic smiles. She finally looked at Azriel, who unfortunately was not sporting a smile, instead a rather intense look took over his face. A shadow reached out to caress her hand. It was so quick she questioned whether it even happened. No one else seemed to register it. After that, everyone continued to open their presents. She received a painting from Feyre of Gwyn cutting the ribbon for the first time. It honestly had the female tearing up. Cassian got her new Illyrian leathers that fit her much better while Mor bought her a butterfly knife which was a much better improvement from her birthday where she gave Gwyn a shampoo that never lost its smell. While everyone was distracted opening gifts, Gwyn decided now would be the best time to talk with Lucien, who had gotten her earrings the same color as her eyes. She signaled the male to follow her to the kitchen. They were surprisingly given little attention as they made their departure.

"I was thinking about your invitation," she started off. She leaned against the counter top with her arms folded in front of her. "I was thinking I could leave with you, and if you are willing, you could help me gather some intel with the band of exiles." Lucien seemed to mull it over as he stood next to her, their shoulders almost touching. He leaned against the counter tops as well while running a hand over his jaw. Gwyn waited with bated breathe.

"When?" Was all he answered. She could not read how he was feeling about the situation which had her feeling even more nervous.

"Uh, tonight?" It sounded like a question even to her ears. She figured she would never fully know when she was ready to leave until she actually tried it. Worse comes to worse and Lucien could just winnow her back to Velaris. No harm done.

"Have you told anyone of this?" He asked quietly.

"No. They wouldn't understand.” They probably would understand, but they would most likely try to stop her. She did not want that.

"You have to tell someone." He glanced at her before turning his body to be completely facing her with one hand on the counter.

"Why?"

"So they don’t think I kidnapped you." She found it hard to believe that anyone other than Nesta and potentially Azriel would think Lucien kidnapped her. Best to not have them looking for her though.

“Oh right. I’ll leave a note for Nesta and Emerie to find after we have left.” She did not particularly want to leave her sisters, but she needed to finish what was started in Sangravah. She could not possibly travel a world where any of those Hybern soldiers still lived. A goodbye note might convince herself to stay, but having Lucien here made it less likely for her to cower.

“Okay. We shall leave tonight. Gather whatever you want to take and I will winnow us away after.” He already started to walk away.

"Thank yo-" she began to say when a shadow darted into the kitchen. She immediately stopped speaking. She should have known he would be listening in.

"Mind if I steal Gwyn for a moment?" Azriel cut in, looking quickly between the two with narrowed eyes as if he was suspicious of the pair.

"Sure." Lucien drawled with a roll of his eyes. “I will see you later, Gwyneth.” He gave her a meaningful look and then he was confidently strolling back into the living room.

"Hey." Gwyn finally started the conversation after a few uncomfortable minutes of Azriel just staring at her.

"Hey." An awkward silence ensued after that. It left Gwyn confused. She thought he came in here to discuss something specific. She took the time to truly analyze him. She always thought he was beautiful, classically attractive like Elain. It made them quite the couple. She wished he wasn’t so handsome, it made their situation much more difficult for her. Perhaps if he was less attractive she could ignore the mate bond, she thought wryly. He looked tired, per usual, dark circles were more pronounced under his eyes which looked sadder than normal. He was tense as if he was preparing for a fight which made no sense to her. They had never truly fought, physically or verbally. She was just about to ask him what was wrong when he finally spoke up.

"What were you two talking about?" The question had Gwyn smiling wryly. As if his shadows hadn’t told him.

"Nothing." She refused to tell him even if he already knew. For some reason she felt if she told him, he would be upset with her. Another awkward silence lapsed.

"So I figured I could give you your gift now." Azriel glanced down at the small package in his hand that Gwyn only just noticed. His shadows were swirling all around him, exposing his cool composure for what it really was.

"I didn't get you anything." She only felt slightly guilty considering he was in an open relationship with the third Archeron sister while also being mated to her. She kept her eyes firmly planted on her own hands which were clasped tightly together in front of her.

"I don't deserve anything from you anyways." She hated hearing that from him. Even if he was being a royal asshole, she truly believed he deserved the world. Azriel shifted on his feet uncomfortably. He ran a hand through his hair roughly before shoving the package towards her, stepping closer to her than he had been in awhile.

"Not true." She muttered as she delicately unwrapped the package. It was beautifully wrapped and part of her wanted to ask if he had Elain wrap it. Once opened, she spent a few minutes just staring at it. She was not quite sure how to respond to this.

"I know you said it does not bother you that your necklace was originally meant for Elain, but I wanted to give you one that was and will only be for you." There was a dozen or so stars in some sort of collection. She assumed it was a constellation but she did not know which one. It was beautiful she could admit, and knowing how much he enjoyed star gazing made her feel much closer to him than she should given his current relationship status. It felt almost inappropriate to accept, but she knew she could not deny him.

“What is it?”

“The constellation Andromeda.” He said so quietly it was almost a whisper. She was trying to remember if he had ever mentioned this one before but she honestly could not think of any reason why he might pick this specific constellation over another.

“Why this one?” She did not want to give him any reason to believe she cared as much as she did, however, curiosity was eating her alive.

“Her name means ruler of men.” Her heart squeezed. How unfair, she thought. He was allowed to give such a thoughtful gift, but she could not truly tell him how she felt about their current predicament.

"Thank you. It's beautiful." She wanted to say so much more, but was feeling tongue tied.

"Just like you." Was his immediate response. He said it almost like it was a reflex but it only upset her. Elain was in the next room over and he was sweet talking her.

"You cannot say that." She muttered a bit flustered.

"Sorry." He glanced down, appearing to notice how slim the space between them actually was. She felt suffocated by how close he was. The bond was yelling at her to touch him. His shadows seemed to want the same thing.

“Do not apologize. It just makes it harder for me when you say those things.” She realized this was the first time she had been alone with Azriel in a long time. She also realized she would not see him for a long time when she left with Lucien. It made her sad. These are the excuses she used to justify her next actions. She swears she never would have done this if she was not planning on leaving with Lucien tonight. Consequences be damned she thought. She quickly grabbed his face in her hands and brought her lips to his.

For the first time since the bond snapped into place, Gwyn felt tension ease from her shoulders. He was hesitant for only a second, letting out a groan and then they were off to the races. It’s as if they both knew this would be the last time they would get to do this. The kiss was rushed and heavy, passionate and wild. It was more than Gwyn could have ever dreamed. His hands were everywhere. Her hair, her face, her waist, and even lower. Gwyn let out a squeak when one of Azriel’s hands squeezed her backside. It did nothing to slow down the kiss, however. He was everywhere, even his shadows were caressing her. Her hands were not much better. They ran through his hair, tugging at the soft strands. Slowly, they traveled down- over his shoulders, finally resting on his waist to pull him even closer. There was much more tongue than Gwyn imagined. It surprised her even more at how much she liked it. How much further she would be willing to take it if they were alone. It was only when Azriel moved to work on her neck that she realized how much further their kiss went than the small peck she was expecting. Putting her hands on his shoulders, she pushed him stumbling back a few steps herself.

“I wanted to do that at least once. Sorry.” She felt the need to explain herself given that she practically just mauled him. His shadows were surprisingly calm for once, though his face was flushed bright red. It almost made her want to laugh at the idea that she made the Shadowsinger blush.

“Gwyn-“ he began but she did not want to hear anything he had to say, even if that was not quite fair.

“See you in training.” She tossed over her shoulder before fleeing quickly from the kitchen.

Fuck was the only thought pounding through her head.

[lilyharvord]

If you get the chance can you write a short fanfic about mare having baby fever? LOL the idea just popped in my head of like all her friends having kids and baby clara making it extreme and at first shes all like no kids and suddenly is like to cal gimme like 10, and ofc hes happy to do so :)

I love conflicted Mare. :))))

Baby Fever Drabble

“He’s gorgeous Lou.” Ruth announced as she held her fifth grandchild, and bounced him until he cooed and then gurgled. Turning to face the window so the light shone down on the massive blanket she was cradling, Ruth glanced him over again. The room was mostly empty, a majority of the cousins had been shuttled out to the little café downstairs to grab breakfast, and the rest of Mare’s family had gone with them. It was just her, Tramy, Lou, their daughter Elowyn, Bree’s eldest son Wes, Clara, Farley, and Ruth. It was nice though, the room had been so loud a couple minutes ago. Silence was precious by this point.

Glancing over her shoulder, Ruth grinned at her daughter. “Mare have you held him yet?”

Glancing up from listening to Wes as he chattered her ear off about the frogs he’d caught over the weekend with Kilorn, Mare shook her head. Next to her, Clara was napping in Farley’s lap after trying to stay awake all night waiting for her cousin to arrive, and stirred before sighing and settling again.

Before Mare could protest Ruth had already slipped the baby into her arms. “Oh, um, I—” He was heavy and Mare had to stifle a grimace as she imagined how much Lou’s back must have hurt the entire pregnancy. She seemed pretty content now though, and Tramy looked more like a bird puffing out it’s chest, as if he did anything for the past nine months. Their daughter Elowyn was napping in his arms exhausted just like Clara. How had her family gotten so big in the past few years? It seemed like the number of nieces and nephews had multiplied exponentially when she turned her back for a day. First Bree and Tora had Wes, and then Elowyn came along, and then Bree and Tora had announced the twins, and now there was this new baby. Even Sara and Julian had one of their own, a toddler now who stared at her like Julian used to over his desk. Everytime she turned around there was a new baby, and she would be lying if she said she hadn’t felt an… itch.

Because that was really all it was for a bit, just an itch. She scratched it by watch Wes and Elowyn, and babysitting Clara for a day. But after the twins and this baby, that itch was like a crawling wave all over her body. It drove her insane that she was thinking about it all the time. She’d think about it for hours while lying in bed, just watching Cal sleep. She’d think about it while making coffee, and while she showered and while she trained. She had started noting any new baby at the little market near her apartment every time she went. And a week ago, she’d almost not taken that little white pill that ensured everything stayed exactly as it was. When she had done that, she realized there might be a problem.

Her nephew yawned, stretching tiny pink lips into a perfect circle before closing his eyes. Ruth had been right, he was gorgeous. With little tufts of bronze hair, and delicate cheek bones that no baby really needed. Honestly, it was surprising Lou had let anyone else hold him. If this was her baby, Mare wouldn’t have let anyone near him. Her baby would be a lot prettier, she decided right then and there. Not that it mattered, she wasn’t planning on having a baby… ever. Mare Barrow was not built to be a mother. She was a wonderful aunt, because she could give the baby back whenever she needed to, and she could leave for the front whenever she was called for like she had to do. A baby did not fit into that mix.

But a baby that was half her and half Cal? She’d been thinking about it again yesterday while Cal was leaned over the sink shaving. It would be a boy, she decided that while he ran the razor over his jaw. He’d have Cal’s height, and build, and maybe a few of his other features. Those amber eyes wouldn’t hurt, and that smile? Well, maybe not the smile. That smile is what made her fall in love with Cal, and she could not deal with a string of broken hearts trailing her son around. Because without a doubt he would have her track record in that department. He’d have a face that was impossible to say no to, and a laugh that made her world a little bit brighter every time he let it loose. She’d name him Shade. It had been something itching at the back of her mind ever since her brothers had decided not to name any of their sons that.

“Now that is a sight.” Farley teased, making Mare startle and wake the baby in her arms.

Glaring at her friend, who smirked in response, Mare grumbled. “What’s a sight?”

“That face tells me you’re weighing the consequences and options.” Farley at least had the decency to drop her voice when she said that. It still brought all the blood to Mare’s cheeks at the insinuation, and the fact that she had been so obviously caught. She recovered quick enough that she wasn’t completely embarrassed though.

“What consequences and options?”

“Nine months doesn’t seem too long anymore does it, Mare?” Farley shrugged as she shifted Clara and went to rise from the plastic couch they’d occupied for the better part of three hours. “And besides,” bending down so her next words were for Mare only, Farley tilted her head in mock consideration, “Making it will probably be the fun part for you.”

If she didn’t need both hands to hold a baby, she would have actually slapped Farley for that. Mare’s neck joined her cheeks in burning bright red, and she tried to shrink away from that searching smile.

“You were thinking about it.”

“I wasn’t thinking about anything.” Mare grumbled before getting up as well, forcing Farley back a step so they didn’t smack foreheads. She stole across the room and deposited Tramy’s son in Lou’s arms, before trying to slip out of the room at the same speed. But Farley knew her too well, and Mare cursed her short legs once more when Farley’s strides caught up with hers.

“Just admit it, you have baby fever.” Farely teased as she shifted Clara to a better hold so she could nudge Mare’s shoulder. Not expecting the push, Mare stumbled to the side, and glared as Farley laughed.

Crossing her arms and standing her ground, she looked Farley up and down. The general was still beautiful, and would remain that way for the rest of her life probably. Even balancing a child on her hip, she was imposing. Mare twisted her lip at the thought. With a baby on her hip, Mare knew she would be far less terrifying.

“I don’t have baby fever because I don’t want kids.”

“For someone who doesn’t want them, you spend an awful lot of time staring wistfully at your husband while he plays with them.” Farley raised a brow, and smothered another smile which only made Mare raise her chin in argument. Even if she was right, she didn’t have to state that out loud within earshot of anyone.

“I don’t stare wistfully.” She argued, the words clipped and sharp. Like Farley, she had her own military tone now. It normally refuted any argument before it could begin, but Diana Farley had never been afraid of her. And that was not going to change with a few sharp words.

Rolling her eyes with a mocking nod, Farley turned on her heel to continue down the hallway. “Of course Mare.”

“I don’t!” Mare shouted at her back, drawing the attention of a nurse at one of the stations. Glaring in the woman’s direction, Mare stomped after Farley. It was pointless to refute whatever thought her friend had, because she wasn’t wrong. Mare just refused to admit it. She did sometimes catch herself sitting on her parent’s back porch watching Cal play with the horde of cousins. He never got tired of it, and the way he laughed when he was with them sometimes bit at her heart. They all adored him, and followed him around as much as the young Ardents had at the Notch. She knew he’d caught her watching a few times, and had given her a knowing, bittersweet smile she never returned.

And sure they’d… talked about things like that. But never seriously. It was always after one too many glasses of wine when they were sprawled out of the couch half-dressed and teasing. Fantasizing about kids was fine then, because they still didn’t physically exist. And Cal had never made an overt moves or comments to tell her that he wanted to have kids right this second. What if she was the only one feeling the itch this strongly and he shot down her idea? He was just as practical, if not more than her sometimes. They both knew the truth and the risk of having a child far outweighed the idea of having it. There were too many variables they couldn’t control, too many horrible outcomes that they’d face. It was better to just fantasize.

“It’s too dangerous.” Mare spoke quietly, and even though she thought her friend wasn’t listening, it got Farley’s attention.

Pausing so Mare could catch up, Farley raised her brow again. “What isn’t dangerous in this life Barrow?”

“This would be even more so. The Silver Secession has not let up, and with the State still in a precarious position—”

“The States will always be in a precarious position. It’s the nature of that mess of a country.” Farley argued with a huff. She wasn’t wrong, but it didn’t change the fact that Cal was always going to be running back and forth to uphold his duties as a general.

Pursing her lips in irritation, Mare glanced to the side to avoid Farley’s stare. No matter how many times she faced it, it still cut her to the core. Those diamond hard eyes were too perceptive, and they always found the truth, even when Mare buried it deep.

“I think there is something else keeping you. You’ve never been worried about the Secession and you’ve never been worried about Cal and the States.” Farley tilted her head to the side before shifting Clara again. The young girl blinked awake, honey eyes still dreamy as she looked at her mother and then at Mare. “But you’re obviously not ready to talk about it.”

Shoving her hands in the pockets of her jacket, Mare fidgeted with her ring. She knew there was a truth, a deep one she didn’t want to admit. A fear that ran deeper than the pestering Silver Secession and the nagging worry when Cal was gone in the States. It had haunted her for her whole life, and it would probably continue to do so.

“When you want to talk about it,” Farley whispered, her voice slipping into that gentle tone she so rarely used, “I am all ears Barrow.”

Mare considered it for half a second and opened her mouth to say something, only for the doors to burst open next to them and the twins to race by her, shouting like banshees. Clara perked up immediately, and squirmed until Farley sighed and set her down to race after the rest of the cousins. They all skidded around the corner together, pushing and giggling as they went. Craning her neck to make sure they went the right way, Farley sighed before turning back to Mare with an expectant eye.

Bree’s shoved his way between them though, grinning down at Mare and saying, “Pardon me, didn’t see you there.”

“Very funny. The short jokes died when we were ten, Bree.” Mare let a few sparks snap at his elbow as he tried to avoid her. Yelping at the sensation, he rubbed the spot and glowered like a child at her.

“Glad I’m not the only who gets that punishment.” Cal’s warmth always proceeded him, and this time was no different. Sliding an arm around Mare’s shoulders he pulled her close. “Is Lou finally sleeping?”

Pushing Bree along when he tried to linger, Farley responded for her. “Doubtful. The baby will want to eat, and then he’ll have to be passed around like a sack of potatoes for a little bit longer before she can sleep.”

“Sounds miserable.” Cal’s hand slid along her shoulders until his fingers brushed along Mare’s neck, tracing scars that he knew like a roadmap. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, and brought goosebumps to the surface. Glancing up, she considered him for a heartbeat. Maybe he hadn’t been joking when he told her she’d look lovely pregnant, when she’d insisted she wouldn’t. Maybe he had been serious when he said they should consider moving to the same neighborhood as Bree and Tora. Maybe he had been feeling this insatiable itch just as long as her.

When she finally dragged her eyes away from his profile, it was to see Farley struggling to hide a smirk. Even though it was completely childish, Mare stuck her tongue out at her bitterly.

“I obviously missed whatever just happened.” Cal’s hand slid away from her, but not before Mare caught it and laced her fingers with his.

“Farley’s being annoying, which is why we’re leaving.” Mare announced before pulling him toward the doors. Farley only laughed in response to her.

Throwing one more good glare over her shoulder as she pushed Cal through the doors, Mare stuck her tongue out one more time.

[milkcartonbastard]

You, Me, (Eddie Get Your Foot Out Of My Face!) and Huckleberry Finn Makes Three

Fandom- IT

Pairing- Richie/Eddie.

Warnings- Language warning- mostly because of Richie and Eddie. Fluff to make up for the IT: Chapter Two trauma I'm facing. Long title, I know. The only spoiler is the hammock, honestly. 

~~~

   Ms. Jeffords. The most annoying teacher in school- so of course Richie had been placed in her AP English class for the year. Ms. Jeffords, who was a short and round woman with the face of a horse, was going out of her way to load the "smart kids" down with homework. Read four chapters of this! Write an essay about that! I want your testicles on my desk tied neatly in a bow by the end of the class! All Richie wanted to do was hang out with the Losers- not do homework in the corner like a nerd. 

   But Richie cared about his grades, sadly, because they were his only hope of getting out of Derry. He needed good grades for a scholarship, just like the rest of his friends (except for Stan and Bill, who were riding on their baseball skills as well as their grades.) So Richie had the Huckleberry Finn book he was supposed to read when he got to the clubhouse. Beverly, Stan, and Ben were sitting in the clubhouse with music playing softly throughout their luxurious hideout. 

   The seven of them had worked all summer following Ben's directions and aspirations for their underground hangout. It was deep enough that their heads didn't touch the ceiling, but most of the boys were getting taller and that wouldn't last much longer. 

   The clubhouse had been made into a second home for the seven of them. Small things from their homes- the only good parts, in some of their cases- had been brought down into the Barrens to be placed on the shelves and the small tables in the squared hole. There was a portable stereo that Richie had bought, containers of snacks had been brought by Eddie, Ben had brought music as well as a few rugs for the ground, Bev had decorated with scraps of wallpaper and blankets, Mike had brought cushy seats- even though some springs were protruding from the cotton, they had made do-, and Stan had brought books to add to the small spaces on the shelfs. The best part was the hammock that Bill had snagged from his attic.

   They had placed the hammock between two of the sturdiest parts of the clubhouse, which was extremely sturdy minus the one pole towards the middle, and would take turns relaxing on it. Taking turns meant that Richie hogged it until Bev or Stan would come by and throw him out of it. Which was often.

   None of them were swinging in the navy blue hammock, just sitting around and talking. Richie dropped his backpack on the ground after descending the ladder and shedding his jacket. It was always warming in here than outside, which was an amazing thing in the fall. They hadn't faced a winter yet, but Richie had a space heater he was going to bring- if they could figure out how to get electricity down there. 

   The moment he sat back in the hammock, he felt his shoulders untense. This was a safe place to him, one to all of them. Unless you were part of their inner circle, you wouldn't be able to find this place. It was just theirs. Not anyone else's. It was theirs and Richie could feel- as sappy and dumb as it was to say- that this is his home. Not with Maggie and Wentworth Tozier. But with his friends in a hole in the ground. As long as he was with them- he'd be happy.

   "Richie Tozier? Reading a book? My, my, how Ms. Bitchfords had changed you." Bev teased, but she had her math book open and in her lap. Ben was behind her, scribbling something that looked like more building plans. Stan was working on a puzzle in the corner, a flashlight dangling from the ceiling above him.

   "You could say I've changed her. After all, I did bend her over he-"

   "Beep, beep, Richie." Stan said it softly and pressed one of the jagged edges together. It made a soft click noise and Richie fought off a smile. He grabbed at the flashlight above him and turned it on, angling it to hit the words on his book. 

   It was The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn. It was a banned book at the school, but Ms. Jeffords had talked the School Board into letting them read it. It wasn't too interesting, but only because Richie hadn't bothered to open the book yet. He wasn't too interested in much besides comics, but he had been known to read the occasional book. Gone With The Wind? Classic. Pet Sematary? Legendary. Cat In The Hat? Iconic. 

   Richie had barely gotten through the first lines of chapter one when someone else began to descend down the ladder. For a split second- which was always a fear- he was worried that maybe Henry Bowers or one of his goons had found their hideout, but that fear was squashed when he saw the familiar red and white striped socks.

   Eddie Kaspbrak descended the ladder's rungs. His red fanny pack was fastened around his waist like a shitty Lifeguard. The fist thing he did was sling down his backpack and toss the pack on top of it. His eyes fell on the occupied hammock and he frowned. Richie tried not to stare at him, but it just wasn't going his way. The door to the clubhouse let light in and it was pouring in around Eddie. His brown hair looked golden in the light and the freckles on his face looked like dirt. Richie bit the inside of his cheek. Dirt? Since when was dirt pretty?

   "No! You were the last one to be in the hammock last night. I want a turn!" Eddie toed his shoes off and kicked them towards his backpack. Richie rolled his eyes at the childish look on his friend's face. He looked like a grouchy toddler- which was Eddie in a nutshell. A cute, annoying, adorable, toddler.

   "I just got here! I'm too comfortable to move. Looks like you're out of luck, Eds." Richie made a dramatic scene of turning the page in his book. He hadn't finished reading the page yet, but nobody needed to know that. It was for dramatic effect, after all.

   "I hate it when you call me Eds. Let me on!" Eddie was tugging Richie's leg. He was trying to move him as little as possible, which was always what happened, but Richie never said anything. He knew that if Eddie really wanted the hammock to himself, he would flip Richie out of it like Stan and Bev did. Instead, Eddie usually wanted to sit with Richie.

   Richie didn't understand why he wanted to, but he didn't mind at all. In made Richie feel warm, physically and not. Eddie was like a human space heater, which was surprising since he only wore shorts and t-shirts. 

   Eddie picked up Richie's legs and crawled into the navy blue hammock. He got comfortable and let one of his legs stretch out towards the curly haired teen and the other folded up under Richie's knee. Richie rolled his eyes again, biting the inside of his cheek so he wouldn't smile and let Eddie know how much he enjoyed it. It might have been a trick of the light, but he thought that behind that annoyed expression on his friend's face, that one of his cheeks had a little indention now.

   Bev swore and crumbled up the piece of scrap-paper she had been working on. She chucked it toward the small trash can in the corner. It sunk into the basket effortlessly. She always had good aim, especially when it came to throwing rocks. Richie looked away from the corner and focused back on his book. He gently and subtly switched back to the first page. He read almost half of a sentence before Eddie's socked foot smacked him face.

   "I didn't know you knew how to read." Eddie's big toe poked into Richie's ear and he squirmed. He smacked Eddie's foot away from him with the hard-backed book. Eddie yelped and retracted his limb from Richie's immediate reach. Richie opened the book again and tried to read.

   Eddie hadn't said anything or moved around for a few seconds and Richie peeked up at him. He was pouting, looking off to the side. The Losers were split up into different classes during the day, so breakfast, lunch, and after school was the only times they got to spend together. Eddie must have been bored, because he was wanting attention and Richie wasn't giving it to him. Richie thought for a second about how to provoke his friend into a fight before deciding on something.

   "Don't be sad. Cause sad spelled backwards is 'das' and das not good." Richie pinched Eddie's leg that his own was propped on top of. Eddie's head snapped around to Richie's with a dumbfounded look on his face. He sputtered before moving his hands around.

   "What the fuck did you just say, Trashmouth?"

   "I said das not good." Richie enunciated and pinched Eddie again for emphasize. Eddie smacked his hand away from the skin on his leg. 

   "That's not even a real word!" Eddie exclaimed. Richie fought back his smile and instead went to pinch Eddie again. Eddie wiggled away from him, the hammock singing back and forth a little. 

   "Yes, it is!"

   "Oh, yeah? Use it in a word then!" Eddie challenged. Richie felt a grin spread across his face and Eddie's smile dropped. He knew what was coming. After all, most of their arguments ended up with Richie joking about his mother.

   "Das not what your mom sai-"

   "Beep, beep, Richie!" Eddie had launched forward and tried to hit Richie in the face, but something had gone wrong. Their legs had tangled up together and Eddie began to fall over the edge. One of Richie's hands shot out to grab him and the other grabbed the side of the hammock. Within the next few seconds, Eddie was pulled back on, grabbing onto Richie and somehow still managing to fall sideways.

   Nobody had been paying attention to the two until the posts holding up the wood above them creaked. Ben, Bev, and Stan looked up, hoping that the ceiling wasn't about to fall down onto them. It was not, thankfully. But the hammock was looking more like a cocoon now.

   The two teens had managed to twist the hammock around so they were wrapped up in the middle and being held upside down. They were tightly bound up and the ropes at the ends of the contraption were twisted up thickly, suggesting they had done a 360 degree spin more than once.

   "What the fuck! I can't- breathe-" Eddie's words were muffled by the fabric and the laughter barreling out of his friends.

   "I think I got motion sick..." Richie's words were strained and Eddie audibly gasped.

   "What?"

   "I think I'm about to vomit!" Richie's voice cracked and the blanket started bubbling with Eddie's frantic movement.

   "Don't you fucking dare! Richie, don't you fucking dare!" Eddie was screeching, making the hammock sway like crazy. Stan howled with laughter and Beverly was clutching her stomach. Ben was red in the face, slapping his thigh and trying to breath. Soon enough, Richie started making gagging noises and Eddie's warning screeches turned into ones of horror.

   With an ungraceful few flips, the two boys were tossed out of the hammock and sprawled on the dirt floor. There was no vomit, just Richie with tears streaming down his face and his chest shaking with laughter. Eddie still looked horrified, but his cheeks were turning rosy and he was trying to suppress his own giggles. Soon enough, the five of them were all howling with laughter, crying, and clutching their stomachs. 

   Eddie was smacking Richie gently, his laughter weakening his blows. Richie was trying to pinch Stan now, but he couldn't extend his arms without his stomach hurting from the laughter. They all calmed down soon though, and the hammock was once again underneath Richie. It wiggled a bit easier now, which was something Ben would have to fix.

   A sobered up Eddie crawled onto Richie, this time his back was resting against the taller one's chest. Eddie's hips were resting the split of Richie's legs, their feet tangled together. If any of the other Losers noticed- they did, but they didn't mind either- they didn't comment. Eddie held the Huckleberry Finn book up and Richie cracked it open again.

   "What's it about?" Eddie asked. Richie shrugged and found his place on the first page. He was one the second sentence, but he didn't remember what he'd read so far. His eyes flickered to the start of the paragraph, his brain trying to ignore the perfect way that Eddie's body fit with his. His chest felt like it would explode painfully any second, but that had nothing to do with Eddie's weight.

   Richie rested his chin on top of Eddie's hair. Eddie's hand wormed around the book and found one of Richie's hands that were propping it up. This was something that had been happening recently- it had really been happening forever but the two of them were just beginning to notice how the felt about it- and would send jolts of electricity pulsing through Richie's veins. Eddie's fingers rested over Richie's, not quite holding hands, but close enough to make their hearts skip beats.

   "How bout I just read it to you? Since you obviously won't let me read it myself." Richie talked softly, trying to spare Eddie's ears. Eddie made a sort of noise and Richie took that as yes. He looked at the top of the page and began to read aloud.

   After about a chapter and a half, Richie spared a glance at Eddie's face. His eyes were closed peacefully and for a second Richie thought he'd fallen asleep. Then the long, dark, eyelashes fluttered like wings and those warm brown eyes were looking up at Richie. Richie felt his cheeks go rosy and watched as Eddie's eyes flickered to his cheeks.

   "You quit annoying me, so I figured you fell asleep." Eddie grinned and shook his head.

   "I was listening. Now, get back to the ransoming of the women. Tom's got a point with the wooing." Eddie repositioned his head and closed his eyes again.

   "He's talking about Stockholm Syndrome, Eds."

   "Yeah and I'm talking about the disappearance of the female species. No offense, Bev- we'd keep you." Eddie was grinning and Bev rolled her eyes.

   "Yeah, but we give them Stanley." Richie offered and Eddie giggled. Without looking up from his puzzle, Stan flipped them off. Eddie giggled harder, the vibrations from his chest making Richie feel like he was holding onto a- well never mind that.

   "Alright, back to the ransoming then." Richie started reading the pages again. Soon enough though, he felt Eddie's breathing even out on top of him. He was asleep this time, but Richie didn't stop reading. He only curled his fingers around Eddie's palm, feeling smile overwhelm his face when Eddie curled his fingers around Richie's hand in response.

   Yeah, Richie didn't mind this. In fact, he thought he loved it. 

[mystic-kitten-writer]

Limerence [M] ︳14

Pairing: Zuko x OC

Genre: Romance, mainly fluff with future smut, and if you squint hard enough - you’ll find some angst.

Rating: SFW

Words: 4900+

Notes: Chapter 14! Please enjoy, and thanks for the love everyone <3

Masterlist ︳13 ︳ 15

❤ Buy me a coffee? ❤

Limerence: (English/n.) the state of being infatuated with another person.

The moment their eyes locked they knew - the flames within him twisted while the water within her turned. It was a connection, a connection that would lead to love, adventure, and drama.

Forelsket

(Norwegian/adj.) The euphoric feeling you experience when you’re in love with someone.

~ Azula ~

            “I have been waiting for five days Azula. Five. Fucking. Days.” He hissed under his breath. His chest heaved as he ran his fingers through his messy brown hair, no longer pulled back into his classic ponytail. Someone feeble would have cowered under such a glare, his blue eyes looking like a tsunami itself.

            I smiled and pushed back my hair, placing it into my classic updo with ease, not a care in the world. Oh, how the tables have turned. To think that just last week it was me, being all angry and puffy. I could see his temple pulse in irritation, not amused at all that I gave zero fucks to his temper tantrum. “You told me you had a plan. That everything will be ready when I arrived. Well?” he spoke once again as if I hadn’t heard him the first time.

            I rolled my eyes, letting out an exhausted sigh, “The plans changed, and I adapted.” I said with a quick flick of my wrist. His jaw clenched in annoyance, “That’s fucking great you can adapt, I don’t care. What happened to the plan?” He stepped closer to me; his chest swelled in annoyance. I smirked, he was about to snap, “I have a new plan already set, right before the Earth King arrives. It’s going to be quite a delight; either everyone dies or…we watch drama unfold.”  

            “End of the week? Drama? Delight?” He raged with a huff. He spat on the ground and kicked the dirt under his feet. For a split moment, I thought he was going to jump over the edge of the cliff at which we stood. He turned around sharply, with a pointed finger, “Fuck this, fuck you, fuck everything. I don’t have time to wait around like some lap dog Azula. I have business I have to deal with in the Earth Nation.”

            I scoffed, and crossed my arms, only for him to glare. It was time to stop playing around or else he was going to have an aneurysm. “What was your sister’s name?” I said vexedly. His eyes widen, taken about by my question before he sneered. “My sister? Why do you care?”

            “Tell me,” I said with a hint of playfulness in my voice. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he watched the way I swung my ponytail from side to side. “Kasa.” He said sharply, and I smirked. “Wrong.”

            “W-what-”

            “Kasa Jiang.”

            “H-how did you know that.” He said hurriedly. The muscles in his arms tensed as he eyed me cautiously. “I have my sources,” I said with a smile as I twirled the end of my ponytail around with my fingers. “Sources? No one besides other Earthbenders knows that Azula – that’s how I found out.” I rolled my eyes, “Next question. How did she die?”

            “She died protecting a village. Fire Nation troops were attacking and-”

            “Wrong. She died because she was fucking a Firebender.”

            His eyes widen, and within seconds I could hear the bones in hands crack as they balled into tight fists. I grinned, I got under his skin. “How dare you say that- my sister would never-” he raged, but I lifted my hand, interrupting him mid-rant.

            “‘be with a Firebender?’ Your sister was no Avatar – don’t be such a fool.” I said with a laugh, watching the way he grounded his teeth, trying his hardest not to lash out. It was ironic, given that within a flash, he could easily be the one manipulating me - literally. “You know, she looks nothing like you…” I said with a smirk as I pushed my ponytail behind me. “Must have gotten everything from her father, General Axe. Well, almost everything - rumours say she is a Waterbender. But based on how nervous she was with me, seems more of a fact than speculation. Think about; a Waterbender. Just. Like. You.”

            His mouth opened and closed, confused and unsure as to what to say next. His eyebrows pinched together before he finally spoke calmly, too calmly. “What are you going on about Azula?”

            “Your niece.”

            “What niece?” he sneered.

            I scoffed, “The one that’s fucking my brother.”

~ Ying Yue Jiang ~

            “Have you seen it anywhere Sokka?” I whinnied as I crawled along the floor of my bedroom like a toddler. I pouted in disappointment, where could I have put that stupid notebook? I was outside with Sokka, and I wrote ‘go out to eat’ a bunch of times. Then I went to see Zuko and Aang…and now it’s gone! Did I drop it outside? But a maid would have for sure have found it and given it to me by now. “Sokka~! Come on, yes or no?” I cried out once again. I raised my head slightly, only to see Sokka comfortably lying on my bed, eating something – all this man does is eat!

            I grumbled and reached over my bed to grab a pillow, only to fling it at him. “Sokka~!” I blubbered out in annoyance. His eyes widen as he winced as the fluffy pillow hit his head - as if it actually had hurt him. “What do you want from me now?” he complained. I rolled my eyes, “My notebook, have you seen it? I seriously wrote a single page in it, and it’s gone.” I huffed. Sokka shrugged before stuffing his face in…cookies? Did he find my hidden stash?! This MAN.  “If you only wrote a single page in, who cares. Just get a new one. No point fussing about it.” Sokka spoke as he chewed on another cookie.

            To distract myself from killing Sokka for the nth time this evening, I went back on my hands and knees, looking underneath my bed. Gosh…where did I put the damn thing? I knew it was silly but it was my notebook, and I wanted it. I lifted the blankets that hung off my bed as I gazed around. Just dust – hey…was that a cookie? How in the world did a cookie get left under my bed?

            “What are you doing?”

            My head shot upwards, knowing that deep, husky voice all too well at this point. It was the only voice in the world that could make my knees weak and make my heart beat a million times per second. “Zuko?” I spoke, well more like questioned.

            His arms were crossed across his chest as he leaned against my door frame. A look of interest danced in his eyes as he watched me scramble upwards, dusting off my dress. A grin painted his face before he let out a charming chuckle, “What are you doing?” I blushed and nervously scratched my head, why does it seem like he catches me at the worst of times?

            “I’m looking for my notebook. I think…I lost it.” I said with a pout.

            “Oh, you must be talking about this.” He reached behind him, pulling out a small notebook. It’s tiny. It’s white. It’s mine! My eyes lit up with excitement as I dashed towards him, grabbing it from him in an instant. “IT IS! Thank you, thank you, thank you~!” I gushed as swung my arms around his waist and hugged him without a second thought.

            Zuko chuckled before gently patting my head, while a muscular arm wrapped around my waist, “You left it in my room, although you didn’t seem too preoccupied with it during that time.” Zuko teased as I blushed and hid my face in his chest. Gosh, I could get used to this. There was something safe about being in his arms, even though it was usually to hide from the embarrassment Zuko always managed to inflict upon me. But despite it all, I felt happy and safe. I breathed in deeply, smelling his natural woody scent, almost like firewood. Is it creepy that I know his scent like the back of my hand?

            “What are you doing here so late into the evening? I thought you and Aang were working.” I mumbled into his chest. We had two days left. Two days before my party, but that also meant that we were two days closer to the impending arrival of the Earth King. I knew it was a big deal, but as the days got closer, the more stressed out Aang and Zuko seemed. In fact, they were so busy that I didn’t even get to see Zuko all day yesterday, not in the morning nor for a goodnight kiss.

            “Well…we managed to finish early. And I can do whatever I wish for tonight and tomorrow.”

            “W-what! Really!?” I said excitedly. The thought of Zuko unwinding for a bit was a blessing. Also, the fact that I may get to spend more time with him may or may not have something to do with my happiness… Zuko chuckled and nodded, “So what is Aang doing now?” I asked as I danced happily in my mind. “Hot springs.”

            “Aang and hot springs?” I said in unison with Sokka. It was then I remembered that Sokka was still here, eating my cookies, on my bed.

            “He isn’t feeling too well. His nose has been stuffy since yesterday, and he has a dry cough. Figured some heat and relaxing could do him some good.”

            “Sick?” Sokka spoke with worry as I heard him shift around on my bed and standing behind me. I frowned and quickly pulled away from Zuko, I was definitely no master healer like Katara was. Even though my mom was an amazing healer, I just never caught as on as fast as I did with combat skills. But even my rusty skills could do something to help relieve some of the symptoms Aang may be experiencing. “Can you bring me to him? Maybe I can take a look? Heal-” But Zuko shook his head and slowly brushed my hair behind my ear, “I figured you would offer. But he said no. He didn’t want to take you away from our date; he’ll feel guilty.”

            “Date?” I repeated with a tilt of my head, confused by what he meant. Did we plan a date…and I forgot? Oh my gosh, please don’t tell me I forgot. Zuko already probably thinks I’m the most neediest and clumsiest human being on the planet, let’s not add ‘forgetful’ to that list. As if the confusion on my face was evident enough Zuko laughed, “What’s wrong? You don’t want to go on a date with me?” He said as he placed his hand on his chest as if I had hurt him.

            I blushed and furiously shook my head, “N-no, that’s not it! I just don’t remember…us planning one.” I said honestly. I pouted and felt guilty, how could I forget a date?

            “Of course you don’t remember. I just decided like, twenty minutes ago.”

            Sokka snorted, and I could hear him fall back onto the bed, “This guy.” He said between laughs. I glared at Zuko, and he gave me a grin like a Cheshire cat. “You made me feel like poop!” I cried out and slapped his chest. He laughed and poked my nose, “Come on, grab a sweater, it’s going to be a bit chilly by the time we get back.”

            “Excuse me, but you aren’t taking my sister anywhere without telling me.” Sokka butted in. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. “Oh please. I’m old enough.”

            “And I said I don’t care. You can be 100, 200, 1000 for all I care. You’re under my watch.”

            “You’re just bitter cause Suki isn’t here,” Zuko said with a scoff. I giggled watching Sokka look hurt but nod, “You right, but that doesn’t change the fact that I want to know. I swear if she comes back with any more of those damn marks on her neck-”

            “You saw!” I whinnied out while Zuko laughed.

            “Love, you could see those marks from a mile away. Although…they do seem to be disappearing no thanks to Lia’s efforts…hmmm…maybe I can add some more elsewhere on you...” Zuko hummed as he leaned awfully close to my ear. The butterflies in my stomach started fluttering, and I could feel sparks dancing along my skin from his warm breath on my neck. Just when I thought I had my raging hormones in check, it all came bubbling up once again.

            I blushed and in a quick motion bolted to my vanity, “You – keep it in your pants,” I said sternly as I pointed at Zuko. “And you-” I started with a pointed finger at Sokka, “Get out of my room and you owe me cookies!”

            “Where in the world are we going Zuko?” I whinnied out, although, in my defence, I had every right.

            It was late in the evening, purple and orange hues painted the sky, almost as if a painter just leisurely brushed the horizon with fresh paint. The sun was almost completely hidden behind the mountainous range, settling in for the night. If you looked far enough, you could see a few stars starting to peek out from the black curtain of nightfall – ready to shine and say hello to all of the night owls. It was crazy how different the landscape was in comparison to the Southern Tribe. Besides the obvious, the greenery and nature of the Fire Nation was almost equal to that of the Earth Nation, which came to a surprise.

            I didn’t really expect to see such lush landscape, and I found myself once again distracted by the dark green hues of the trees and shrubbery that decorated the forest. I could already start hearing a few animals waking up from their slumber, while others dug away to rest. I was utterly captivated by the scenery; it wasn’t normal to roam a forest during the dusk, well, more like night. How beautiful this must all be during the daylight…

            I glazed up at Zuko, only to find him lost in his own thoughts. I smiled as I studied his features. Zuko really was a work of art. The way his brows pinched together in deep thought or the gold in his eyes that twinkled whenever a new idea came to mind. Although I knew better than to say it out loud, I found it adorable how he would unknowingly pout whenever he was in deep thought. His soft pink lips all pressed together in thought. I smiled to myself remembering us with Kiyi playing in the water, another wave of admiration engulfing me.

            It was mysterious how my heart felt like it was being squeezed whenever I looked at Zuko, or better yet, thought of him. Like a thousand fireworks were being blown at once and it brought me so much joy, it hurt. I knew it was silly, to adore someone so much. Infatuation, limerence; all words meant to explain strong feelings towards someone whom you just met. But Zuko was more to than just that, more than just a ‘honeymoon’ stage or love interest at the moment.

            What was this? I’ve known him the least amount of time, just a little bit over a month, yet it felt like I’ve experienced everything life has to offer with him. I’ve had fickle crushes throughout my time, but Zuko, he was different. I could read him like a book, recognize his subtle gestures and decipher his intentions with just a huff. What was this feeling? Was it normal? Am I just crazy? Love? I scoffed to myself. Love. What a funny word, mainly because no matter how hard you tried to define it – you couldn’t.

            ‘You just know’ Aang said when I asked him at what point in time he knew he loved Katara. ‘The moment I saw her. I…I think I loved her before I even realized it.’ Aang said with a laugh. I looked back at Zuko and pouted, “What’s on your mind Zuko?” I asked quietly. It was then he seemed to snap out of it and gazed downwards at me. His grip on my hand tighten, and he smiled, “Nothing, we’re almost there.”

            I raised a brow, not wholly believing him. There was something off with him, even at my bedroom. As if something was hiding behind his thoughts, as he anxiously zoned in and out of the conversation. I let it go and allowed him to continue guiding me through the forest. “Since I can’t know where we’re going…can I at least know how you know of this place?” I asked.

            Zuko laughed and nudged my shoulder, “Why? What’s wrong, tired?”

            “We’ve been walking for almost an hour! I really do like the nature walk, but I enjoy my bed a bit more.”

            “Well, if you wanted to get into bed that bad, you should’ve told me earlier.”

            I gasped and hit his shoulder while Zuko laughed at my rosy cheeks despite the dark skies, “Zuko~! You know what I meant. ”

            “Not really, tell me, what would like to do to me in bed babe?”

            “I swear Zuko, we’re in the middle of nowhere, and it’s dark. I'll not hesitate hiding your dead body somewhere.” I glared as he teased me without remorse. Zuko chuckled before letting go of my hand and instead lazily draping his arm over my shoulders, pulling me closer, “You wouldn’t hurt me. You like me too much.” He hummed pleasantly.

            “…oh shut up,” I grumbled as I crossed my arms and pouted. I hate it when he is right; I couldn’t even kill a fly even if I wanted too. Zuko’s hand tighten around my shoulder, halting my movements suddenly. I looked up at him as he looked down at me with a look of joy, “You trust me, right?” He asked unexpectedly. I raised a brow, “Of course I do, why do-”

            “Good. Shut your eyes and let me guide you. I want it to be a surprise.” I opened my mouth to protest. It’s not like I didn’t trust him, but I could barely walk without falling during the day with eyesight, let alone in the night with my eyes closed. But the look on Zuko’s face looked like a child during the winter festivals. I let out a breath of submission and closed my eyes, how can I say no to a face like his?

            I could feel him come from behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist while his other hand carefully covered my eyes. He pressed himself from behind me before he leaned into my ear and whispered, “Walk forward, I’ll guide you.” Hesitantly, I found myself tightly gripping Zuko’s arm that was hugging my waist. Move forward? Is this man crazy, I can’t see where I’m going!

            “Trust me; you’ll be safe. I promise,” Zuko muttered in my ear, his lips grazing as he spoke. I found myself relaxing feeling his steady heartbeat on my back. Trust him…of course I trust him. “I trust you...” I whispered as I began moving forward. Zuko chuckled at my baby steps, as I ever so wisely kept walking forward, step by step, “A-am I close?” I asked, but my question was answered as Zuko firmly held me in place.

            “On the count of three, I’m going to move my hand for you to see, okay? Ready…one…two…three.” The sudden warmth that engulfed my eyes left and I fluttered my eyes open.

            A pathetic gasp escaping my lips was all I could muster up as I looked around me. We were so high it felt like I was in the skies itself, just another star that had the privilege to graze the air. My feet were right at the edge of the cliff, not even a hair away from the end, but I was so overwhelmed with the sight to be anxious at all. I could see everything, coast to coast of the Fire Nation. The way bodies of water trickled down the ridges of the hillside or the illuminating lights of towns that scattered throughout the land…

            “Zuko…I-I can see everything,” I said breathlessly. Zuko chuckled as he pulled me closer against his body, feeling his warmth melting onto my cold skin. It was then I noticed just how chilly it had gotten from being so high in the sky. I could faintly see the mist that formed just below us, “The royal palace is built on the highest mountain, well, an extinct volcano to be exact. But, this is the highest ridge of the crater…you can see everything.”

            I turned around, noticing that nothing but stars were above, “H-how did you know.”

            “How did I know what?” Zuko asked with a small smile.

            “That I would love this.”

            Zuko chuckled before letting his fingers tenderly graze my face, “Seems like I know you better than yourself. Don’t you remember?” I titled my head to the side as I tried to read his face. “Remember?” I repeated. Zuko laughed and poked my nose playfully, “It wasn’t hard to figure out you love nature. You showed me the Southern Lights in the middle of the night, took me to see those trees, what are they called again…ahh, quince! And I always see you taking walks in the garden almost every day.”

            “You know I take walks in the garden?” I said a bit taken aback. Zuko grinned and nodded, “Every morning, you go for a walk around the gardens, usually with Kiyi or my Mom. It makes me smile since you always seem to be in your little world during those walks. I can see you perfectly from my office.” I blushed and found myself smushing my face once again in his chest; he watches me during my walks? I make him smile? “Don’t say stuff like that….” I grumbled into his chest. I could feel his chest rumble as he laughed at my expression and I looked up at him.

            “So tell me Zuko. Why did you bring me here?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Zuko sheepishly looked away, and I could see a faint tinge of pink starting to paint his cheeks. “No reason…” he said unconfidently. I pouted and shook my head, “Nope. Somethings up. You were zoning out the whole walk here. What is it?” I spoke light-heartedly as I ran my fingers through his hair mindlessly. Soft and silky, as his hair slipped through my fingers effortlessly.

            I could see his eyes dart nervously back and forth, failing to stay on me and I grinned. He was nervous, and suddenly the need to tease him grew. It was rare for Zuko to stumble, to lower his guard and be as vulnerable as he was now. Logic would argue not to tease him when he is finally opening up, but I also knew that based on how our relationship was, teasing meant we were comfortable enough to be with one another. “Aww, cat got your tongue?” I pestered, mimicking the same words he once told me when I was tongue-tied.

            Zuko frowned and I heard him grumble under his breath before speaking, “H-have you ever thought about, what, uh, we are?” Zuko muttered. I raised a brow before shrugging my shoulders, “I’m your Imperial Consort.” I said, but Zuko seemed dissatisfied with my answer based on the huff he released. “N-no. I mean, like besides that. Don’t you ever wonder what, you mean to me, and vice versa?” What in the world was he trying to get at?

            “Uhh…Zuko, you’re losing me here. I’m your consort, and you’re my Fire Lord. Did you forget?” I said with a nervous laugh. Zuko groaned before letting his head fall against my forehead, “You’re really not making this easy for me…” I laughed and poked his chest, “How can I if you aren’t making any sense!” Zuko pulled away before hastily running his hand through his hair.

            I giggled watching him look so flustered. If there was one thing I knew by now, he was not a man of words. Zuko had no shame teasing, flirting, even being too cocky for his own good in front of everyone. Yet, here he is, the same man who just moments ago teased about giving me more hickies, having a hard time formulating a sentence.

            With a heavy breath, Zuko finally attempted at speaking once more, “It has been…brought to my attention that I haven’t exactly been …forthcoming revolving my feelings.”

            “‘Brought to my attention,’ ‘forthcoming’ – Zuko what in the world-”

            “You know what, forget it. Just pretend I never said anything!” Zuko grumbled as he angrily threw his arms in the air and turned on his heels. I rolled my eyes exhaustedly before walking over to a defeated Zuko, “Just say it already! What are you trying to tell me.” I grumbled as I poked his shoulder.

            Within a flash, he turned on his heel, “I’m trying to tell you how I feel about you for fucks sakes!” He blurted. My eyes widen as he crossed his arms irritably and huffed. Tell me about his feelings? Before I could utter a word he continued speaking, “You don’t realize how much I think of you. That the moment I wake up till the moment I sleep, hell, even my dreams, all I do is think about you. That you somehow managed to consume every fiber of my mind, body, and damn soul.” Zuko ranted.

            “And I realized that it only took a second of knowing you to know that I wanted you. I gave you that seal, thinking that it would be enough. That you having the seal was in a way sealing our relationship. But I realized that it isn’t enough.” Finally, he cupped my face before placing his forehead against mine, “What I am trying to say is I want you to be mine. I want us to be official official. Fuck the seal, fuck the whole consort bullshit, I want you to be my girlfriend. I want you to be mine, only mine..”

            His cheeks at this point were aflame, so red that despite the nightfall it stood out like a sore thumb. His chest heaved from spilling out every single thought and emotion that seemed to consume him from the moment we met. But without thinking twice, I let a small giggle slip my lips. Zuko’s eyes widen in disbelief before he pulled away, “Are you seriously laughing at me? I just poured my heart and soul, and you're laughi-”

            “You’re an idiot Zuko. A giant idiot.” I said with a smile. I quickly pulled Zuko back towards me and pecked his soft lips. I could feel his body relax instantaneously as I smiled into his lips. Ever so slowly I pulled away and found myself caressing his face; my hand falling from his forehead, over the ridges of his scar, his sharp cheekbones, his high nose, down to his soft lips.

            “Zuko. I was always yours. I was yours the moment you walked off that ship. The moment you kissed my hand, and even the moment we fought…” I whispered as I gently pecked his lips once again. “I know you’re not a man of words, but that’s okay. Because you show how much you care about me through your actions. The way you hold me close to keep me warm, giving me the seal, the fact that you introduced me to your family…” Zuko pulled me close as I snuggled my face into his neck, “They say actions speak louder than words, and you Zuko, my boyfriend, are a living example of that.”

            I pulled away to look at his eyes, only to see a sense of relief and a proud smile on his face. “Yue, I like you. I promise I’ll do whatever I can to make sure you’re safe. To make sure that nothing will ever happen to you.” I smiled and found myself pressing my lips against his. A sweet, innocent kiss. My hands found it’s way around his neck while he pulled me closer to his body and indulged on my lips. “Zuko…” I muttered. Zuko pulled away slightly, “Hmm?”

            I love you.

            “I like you so much,” I said. Zuko smiled before placing another peck upon my lips, “I think like is not strong enough of a word at this point babe.”

~ Azula ~

            I scoffed to myself as I watched Zuko embrace Ying Yue. He chastely kissed over her, as they muttered to themselves, completely oblivious to their surroundings. It was a fluke that we managed to find these two lovebirds trailing along together at this time of night. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep brother,” I said with a taunt as I turned around on my heel and back into the darkness.

            After not hearing footsteps behind me, I swiftly turned on my heel, “Mai, let’s go.” She frowned as she walked behind me, her head held up high as she trailed along. But despite her prideful walk, I could see the look of hurt and betrayal lingering in her eyes as she watched the way Zuko locked lips with another woman. I smirked as we walked into the night.

            Hurt, betrayal, anger – emotions that only help fuel the fire. Feelings that can even motivate the purest-minded to the dark.

            Oh, how I love the dark side of the moon.

Copyright © 2019 Mystic-Kitten, inc. all rights reserved. No reposting, modifying, or translations of any kind allowed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Avatar characters portrayed in this story besides Ying Yue Jiang, Lia, Kima, and any future creations.

❤ Buy me a coffee? ❤

[hiei1300]

An Avenger’s Secret

Chapter 13: Getting Back Into Action

Pairing: Loki x Female Reader

Summary: Being the epitome of professionalism, you have one rule that must be followed to the T; Never mix business and personal. But how will your integrity fair against meeting the Avengers, or better yet, a certain Avenger’s brother?

A/N: I know I haven’t posted anything in some time, but hopefully you guys are still eager to read. This story is still going and I’m trying to catch up on the time I’ve missed. Thank you all for your support so here’s the next chapter. (Please let me know if I missed anyone in the tags. TY)

Word Count: 2516

Warnings: None (That I can see anyway)

Chapter 12

The day continued with seldom tension than it had started with. The biggest difference came from you actively avoiding Henry to the best of your ability, even if it meant sharing the company of the ones that held the most contempt toward you.

When you were unfortunate enough to be stuck with your living headache, the conversations were something in of themselves. With the day already packed with excitement, those in the vicinity would look on in curious wonder at the spectacle you made in the presence of the newest guests in the building.

Your interactions with the smaller female was nothing but sweet and caring, as if you were around a toddler almost, or a walking teddy bear. Your eyes softened in her direction, your smile was genuine and sweet, and you were always ready to help in a moments’ notice. The interaction was quite different than what you would show to anyone else, though you were more relaxed around Tony, you were never quite as attentive with him than you were with E. And they could see why, Elli was as sweet and friendly as any one person could be. Laughing and smiling with everyone and at nearly everything. There was this aura about her that seemed to make everyone happier and calmer, it was really quite welcoming.

Then, there was the other guest, Henry. If looks could kill, he’d be done in well over a dozen times by now. Every interaction with him was filled with silent bitterness and an eerily calm demeaner. Where E was met with a motherlike response, Henry’s was the complete opposite.

Elli asked for tea? Coming right up, even brought over a plate of cookies, careful, they’re hot. Henry asked the same? Oops, the boiling water just so happen to spill on his lap, the cookies fell on his head, or, “You have legs, get it yourself.”

Honestly, from an outer perspective, you’d think there was a case of a split personality happening here.

And in every instance, Henry’s smile never left. Should he get the opportunity to be next to you, he’d take it in a heartbeat.

Washing the dishes? He was leaning against the counter.

“Why do you always think so poorly of me?”

“Henry, I’d have to care about you to thinking poorly of you. Go die in a ditch for all it concerns me.”  

Washing the clothes? He blocked the only exit.  

“If you need help with anything you know you can ask. I’m a great asset.”

“You’re off by two letters.”  

And in every moment, he almost never seemed to stop talking.

The guy had a set of lungs like no one else, seldom anything would get him to stop for five seconds. And if he wasn’t preoccupied with you or E, he would attempt to share the space with one of the others.

Steve and Banner would humor him and hold the conversations well. Bucky wasn’t so eager and understood your distain for the guy. Same went for Clint and Sam. Nat didn’t get the full blunt of his presence, as whenever he even attempted to approach the assassin, you came about and generously escorted him away from her.

Elli had asked for a blanket to snuggle with as she watched TV with Nat and Clint. You graciously brought over a soft fluffy one straight from the dryer. Placing sandwich squares for the three to snack on while they sat.

“Thank you (Y/n).” the two said in union.

“What about me?” Glaring at Henry, “I’m cold too.”

“Want me to set you on fire?” Very flat, blunt responses. It was amusing to a few of the Avengers, mainly Sam and Bucky would get a good chuckle from anything that came from your mouth. Though you didn’t make it obvious, it was a little funny when you could get someone to laugh from all of this, even a little smile would form on your lips when you were sure no one was looking.

Every interaction continued in the same manner. You were sweet with E, nasty toward Henry, but what really got noticed was your attitude toward everyone else.

You were going back to normal as the day came to an end, even your demeaner to Rogers was shifting back to its first moments of professionalism and indifference.

Right now, as everyone was settling in for the night, Tony offered Elli and Henry to stay the night but they graciously declined. E still had to go home to her pets and you really didn’t care where Henry went so long as it was away from you.

“I never thought I’d ever see you like this.” Looking over at your boss, he sat at the kitchen island with an empty mug in hand. You were hovering next to the kettle on the stove waiting for the water to boil for your tea.

“In what manner are you referring to, Mr. Stark?”

“The way you were acting around your friends, it was quite something.” his smile was amusing at best and his eyes still held that worrying notion. You saw how they would shift ever so slightly at your marks; his brows would twitch and again you were reminded of your personal rule.

“Friend,” you corrected, “only one of them is my friend. The other was a nuisance at best.” just as the pot began to sound, you poured the water into your cup and shut off the heat. “But...”

Feeling his focus sharpen, with a shaky exhale, donning your professionalism once more before retiring for the evening, you turned your attention to the only man that shared your space.

“I do wish to apologize for how I’ve been behaving as of late-”

“(Y/n), you don’t-”

Holding a hand up to stop his protest, you continued,” Please, Mr. Stark, it was out of line and I do feel the need to redeem myself. Be sure that I will do everything in my power to make up the trouble I placed you and your company in. But I do need to set my own boundaries.

I am your maid first and foremost, I cannot stress enough how grateful for the opportunity you have given me, and I will do my job. But when I am here, I am not your guest, I am your employee. As such I feel as though it needs to be clarified that what I do in my own time, in my own life...that it is not for you to meddle in...”

The look on his face was heartbreaking. He knew what you were asking, he didn’t want to lose you, even if it was never said out right, it was evident that he needed you just as much as he needed the others. He wanted to protest, he wanted to lay out ever reason why that was a bad idea, ever reason why you should see him as someone more than just your employer.

Elli told him that you had a hard time letting people into your life, you were afraid. Of what, she never said, but he needed you to know that you didn’t need to be afraid of him. He trusted you, he also knew that you were growing to trust him as well. Whatever it was that was stopping you from relying on him, he needed to be patient.

Over the course of you being there, he came to find that as stubborn as he was at times, you were always set on keeping your word. And one way or another, there would be no way to change your mind once it was set.

“Then I won’t,” getting up from his spot, with a firm look he spoke, “but know this if nothing else, nothing will ever stop me from protecting the people I care about.”

It was an agreement neither of you wanted to yield to. As stoic as you tried, your chest still clenched uncomfortably.

“The moment you are healed, you may begin on making good on your word. No sooner...”

Walking to his room, just before he left, Tony had one more thing to add.

“It’s good having you back...(Y/n).”

And just like that, you were alone. This feeling should be familiar, it shouldn’t feel like this, yet, it feels like the weight only doubled.

Staring into the transparent liquid before you, it wasn’t until you saw something drop into it that you realized the tears forming.

You weren’t shaking, your breathing was even, and your body wasn’t hot. Even with all the control you were showing, nothing could stop the water from falling.

Dumping the cup, you left it there, hurrying away to your room.

The moment the door shut you away from the rest of the tower, everything came out. The crying hurt your throat. The tears blurred and burned your eyes. Every inhale set fire to your lungs and every fiber of your being collapsed right there. You weren’t supposed to get attached, weren’t supposed to care. Just do your job and go home, that was it, that was the deal. That's what you were supposed to do, all of the hard work you put in, to keep everything separate, all of it was gone.

And it hurt.

Crawling into bed, the room felt too cold, too empty, and too isolated.

“I’ll fix this...” you sobbed into the pillow, “I-I-”

-knock-knock-knock-

The sound startled you, pulling the blankets off, you hurried to the door. Wiping the tears away, you were grateful that you kept the lights off, it won’t be easy to notice the state you were in.

With a bit of hesitance, taking a deep breath to even your tone.

“Who is it?”

“I-It’s me...Bucky...”

Confused, you opened the door slightly.

“Mr. Barnes, was there something I could do for you?”

He looked uncomfortable standing there, even with his size, though it might not have been obvious to anyone else, it was clear that he had something on his mind.

“(Y/n), I uh I came to check in on you.”

As simple as the words were, a small sense of dread crept up on you. Please don’t say he heard you crying, please.

“I’m probably one of the last people you want to see right now, but I did want to say how sorry we are, how sorry I am, about everything.”

So that’s what it was, he wanted to make amends.

That fact alone had you releasing a shaky breath you didn’t mean for him to hear. In that moment, he became more aware of your state, even in the dark, the puffiness you dawned became clear as light to him.

“(Y/n), what’s wrong? Are you alright? What happened? Are you hurting?”

You didn’t mean for him to know, didn’t mean to show yourself. But just those question, had you spilling all over again.

Letting himself in, Barnes closed the door as he led you over to sit on the bed. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know how to help. Here you were, this woman that was set on showing nothing more than a tough and professional demeaner, crying and vulnerable.

You sat on the side of his metal arm, not wanting you to feel more uncomfortable than what you probably already were, making an attempt to get up he was stopped when you held him still.

Even when crying, not a sound left your throat. This was a bad idea; your mind was screaming that this shouldn’t be happening. But you didn’t care, having someone there with you, right now, it was comforting and you wanted to hold on to that comfort for as long as you could.

Bucky still was unsure how to help, but he didn’t know what he could say to make it any better. With a bit of caution, he wrapped his arm around you and held you close. His heart was racing a mile a minute as your arms clung to his torso.

There was no clear time for how long the two of you sat like that, but the moment he felt you dozing off, no doubt from emotional exhaustion, Bucky carefully ushered you into bed.

Before he could even attempt to leave, your grip tightened.

“please...”

It was so subtle, so quiet, Barnes thought he was hearing things. But when you didn’t relent and while cursing himself in the process, he got in bed with you. Pulling the covers over, he hugged you close as you snuggled against his warmth. As wrong as this was, it was comfortable, and if just for one night, you were going to be selfish.

‘Guess I should be happy this arm won’t fall asleep.’

Looking at you lying on the thing he didn’t exactly like about himself, Bucky was going to relish in this moment while he could. Knowing that this won’t happen again, this moment would forever be burned into his mind.

Relaxing his body from the tension, Barnes soon took slumber with you asleep in his arms.

The commotion didn’t go completely unnoticed however. In all that had aspired, you had completely forgotten that the three rooms beside your own were occupied.

Nat and Clint sat against the door in Natasha’s room listening to you cry and James attempting to comfort you.

“Guess she’s not as cold hearted as she’d like us to think.” Clint commented, both of them felt bad. They were able to hear your first round of crying before Barnes came to your room. Being directly across the hall, it wasn’t very difficult.

“Should we get James or leave them?”

“It’s late, let them sleep.”

Next door to your own, Loki heard it all as well. However, he wasn’t quite as keen on leaving you with the soldier. It irked him something fierce knowing that you were in another’s arms. Yet, there was really nothing he could do at that moment that wouldn’t upset you further.

He seethed in his room quietly. He was the one that found you, the one that brought you back to the tower. You had confided in him as he had with you and yet you were sharing your bed with another that was not him.

He remembered that hopeless look in your eyes when he first saw you in that miserable state. It was he who you had leaned your cheek against, he who had seen exactly what it was that you so helplessly wished to hide. And it should be he whose arms that would hold you tight right now and yet it was not so.

The moment he heard you crying, he knew that he should have gone to you, the same moment that the soldier knocked on your door should it have been he to deter him from your chambers. But it was too late. In your vulnerability, another man made way to steal away your company.

Another held you tight, and it only angered him further the more that thought, that fact, repeated in him mind.

Loki, for the worse of it, will not be getting any sleep tonight.

Chapter 14

@harrymewmew @themes87 @pieceofhamiltrash @trashyemonerd @haven-in-writing @jj-trickster @southside-serpent-princess @craftersdust @gravity-9-8 @blazefire2012 @alina-barnes @jayyx3oxo @for-my-mind @spac3unic0rn @manyimaginekay @bim-trimmer-protection-squad @bojabee@imarockstar45 @littlenugget8544 @fallen-imagine-angel @hiddlestoner3059 @sungkimgyu @phanficblr @holland-imagines @bbcsassdeadass @wickedlewicked @nikkalick @i-am-a-mes @anise-d-castle6 @independentgirl

[crazedlunatic]

“Are You Ready?” Cut Scene

I cut this from the proposal chapter since it was running too long and seemed random... here for anyone that’s bored? 

Kurt kissed his cheek and then went to open the door.

“I’m early, I know, but getting her ready and out of the apartment that quick is an anomaly because usually she’s pulling stuff out of the bag and everything as you try to pack up.” Wes cringed. “Sorry.”

Kurt gasped and held his arms out since Scarlett was reaching for him. “Hi, sweetie.”

Blaine got up and walked over to Wes, grinning.

“You good?” Wes asked.

“Yep.” Blaine nodded.

“Not upset it’s before April?” Wes laughed.

“No. With everything with Burt, I was kind of wishing I hadn’t said that.” Blaine admitted as Wes hugged him. “Where is AJ?”

“She got held up at work but she’s on her way home now and then she’ll be over… I can’t believe I’m so early.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Kurt smiled. “You can always come as early or as late as you want… especially if you bring this cute baby.”

“If you put her on the ground, she might walk for you.” Wes said, going and sitting on the floor near them.

“Dadadada!”

“Oh my God. It’s a word!” Kurt said. “I know she’s saying them but it’s so cute to hear it.”

“Yeah, it is. Sit her down, though.”

Kurt did so and she very quickly crawled to Wes.

Wes kissed her cheek and then stood her up. “Go get Blaine.”

She plopped on her butt and started to crawl.

“Ah ah.” Wes pulled her back and stood her up.

“I’ll come closer.” Blaine said, plopping on the floor close to Wes and Kurt, but far enough that Scarlett could take a few steps.

Wes tossed a bag to Blaine with some cut up strawberries.

“Do you like strawberries?” Blaine asked.

Scarlett looked between Kurt, Wes, and Blaine before crawling back to Kurt.

“Hmm.” Blaine shrugged and ate the piece.

“She’ll do it eventually… probably when nobody is looking.” Wes kind of shrugged.

“I’ve seen it once… but it was like one step then floor.” Blaine laughed as the front door opened.

“Mamama!” Scarlett took off walking towards AJ, making it nearly all the way before falling on her butt.

“Well, AJ is here.” Blaine smiled and waved.

“For the record, she does not do that when I pick her up from Adrian and Matt’s.” Wes told Kurt and Blaine. He then looked at AJ. “She didn’t want to walk for Kurt and Blaine.”

“She’s finicky.” AJ shrugged and scooped her up. “But she’ll do anything for David. It’s so funny.”

Wes took the bag of strawberries from Blaine and took them over when Scarlett motioned with both hands. “Eat.”

Scarlett blew a raspberry and took a piece of strawberry.

“We don’t like Daddy today, do we?” AJ laughed.

“That might be an everyday thing.” Blaine snorted, then grinned sweetly when Wes shot him a look.

“EAT!” Scarlett said loudly, moving her hands together again.

“I’m working on it, child.” Wes let out an exaggerated sigh and gave her two more pieces.

“Can you take her?”

“She doesn’t want me but yes, I can.” Wes set the bag down and took Scarlett.

AJ immediately ran over, bent down, and gave Blaine a huge hug from the side. “He got you.”

Blaine grinned and hugged her back.

AJ then gave Kurt an equally huge hug.

Kurt let out a loud laugh, seeing Scarlett hugging Wes’ neck.

“See? She hugs me but she wont walk for me. If someone gets kisses, she has to kiss somebody too.” Wes gave Scarlett a look and blew a raspberry on her cheek, prompting loud baby giggles. He then took Scarlett over, sitting on the floor and making a sort of circle between the four of them.

“So when’s the wedding?” AJ grinned.

“When’s yours?”

“August 2nd or something like that.” Wes joked and then smiled sweetly when AJ glared at him.

There was a knock and then Alec and Eric came in.

Scarlett squeezed between AJ and Blaine, then took off making a beeline right to Eric.

“I haven’t met you but I already love you!” Eric scooped her up.

Alec looked between Eric and Scarlett. “What, are you the baby whisperer?”

“Maybe.” Eric said before Scarlett stuck her fingers in his mouth.

“Oh my God. I am so sorry.” AJ stood.

“He’s fine. He plays with babies and toddlers all day at work. Even on his breaks.” Alec reassured her and then made an excited face at Blaine.

Blaine grinned again.

“Yay!” Eric said. “More married friends.”

“You’re older than all of us. Most of your friends are married.” Kurt laughed.

“Enjoy her while you can. As soon as David gets here, she’ll probably kick your head off trying to get to him.” Blaine said.

“Is David your friend?” Eric gasped. “He’s a good one to have.”

“How old is she?” Alec asked.

“Fifteen months.” Wes said.

“It’s been a long fifteen months.” AJ joked.

“The great thing about my job is I get to play with them all day and then send them home with mommies and daddies.” Eric went over and handed her to AJ, who she was reaching for. He then turned to Kurt. “Sooo, did you laugh? Did you cry? Did you say yes? I mean I’m assuming you said yes if we’re here.”

“I actually asked him.” Kurt said.

“I told you that.” Alec gave Eric a look.

Eric gasped and said, “I don’t know why but this makes me so much happier than I already was! I just assumed it would be the other way around.”

“Don’t wait three years.” Alec said.

“Honestly just go to the courthouse and do it tomorrow.” Eric said as David came in. “Saves a lot of stress… and money.”

“We didn’t even spend money.” Alec looked at him.

“Exactly because we didn’t have a typical wedding.”

Scarlett began to shriek happily and tried to crawl off AJ’s lap when the door opened and David came in..

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” David closed the door and rushed over. As soon as he picked up Scarlett, she gave him a hug. “I was going to hug you Blaine and Kurt but I guess I’ll hug you instead.”

“She will fall asleep soon.” AJ promised.

“Me too.” Eric said, waving at David. “Come back.”

“No.” David shook his head, grinning. “Regular sleep is awesome.”

“Bragger.” Eric sighed.

“Did you plan to ask me?”

“No.” Eric pouted.

“Oh my God.” Kurt watched the two of them, amused.

“Two half days a week? Your students are driving me crazy and technically I’m still employed there.”

“Yeah. I told the Chief I wasn’t coming back but I guess she didn’t care.”  David said, moving next to Wes.

“David’s the baby whisperer.” Alec whispered, seeing that Scarlett was asleep. “Not you.”

Wes stood and carefully took her.

“Ooh, the thing is in the guest room.” Kurt hopped up to open the door for Wes.

“I am so glad both of our parents bought us Pack ‘n Plays too.” AJ let out a relieved sigh. “It’s like Oprah. Everyone we know has a pack n play.

David went and hugged Blaine tightly. “Look at you, leaving me alone in the land of still dating.”

“Eh.” Blaine shrugged. “Kurt ordered pizza. Mainly because I asked for pizza. Is Adrian still coming?”

“Yeah. He had to drop something off at the post office and then get Matt.” AJ nodded.

“Is Matt the one who is a police officer?” Alec asked.

“Yeah, but he can’t be an officer anymore.” Blaine sighed. “Also, he and Adrian got married the weekend before last. That’s good, though!”

“Matt is so cute. I think he’s too nice for Adrian.” AJ laughed as Kurt and David came back out.

“I heard that.” Adrian said from the doorway and then walked into the kitchen.

“It might be truuuue.” Matt said and then went straight for Blaine. “You did it!”

“Kurt did it!” Blaine held up his hand.

Matt’s jaw dropped and then he said, “Yes! That is so much more awesome. Sorry, Blaine.”

“No offense taken.” Blaine shrugged.

 “You knew that. That is why Kurt stayed over last night.” Adrian said slowly.

“I mean you never told me why.”

“We were literally talking about how he was going to do it.”

“Yeah, sorry. I was nodding but really paying attention to the TV.” Matt plopped down by AJ. “If I need to fall asleep, will you be my pillow?”

“Only for you, Matt.” AJ patted his leg.

“Ooh, Wes is over there. Bye.” Matt hopped up and went into the kitchen saying, “Hey, do you still want to hear gross and graphic stories? Just a disclaimer, one of them made me vomit and that’s doesn’t happen often.”

“Always.”

“Yeah, I’m going to go listen.”  Eric stood. “Are you, David?”

“No thanks. I set a broken bone today so I’ve had my fill of dramatic things.” David laughed and stood. “I’ll go downstairs and wait for the pizza.”

“Oh my God. I can’t take him anywhere.” Adrian shook his head. “He’s been trying to tell me gross stories and I’m not having it.”

“I can’t take Eric anywhere either. He’ll hear someone coughing in a restaurant and tell them they’ve got Bronchitis.” Alec said.

“Blaine, I don’t want to go back tomorrow.” Adrian groaned. “Ryan texted me and told me tomorrow is going to suck.”

“Oh no. Why?”

“Because tomorrow is arraignment and the lawyers exchange information.”

“Already? Bob didn’t tell me that.” Blaine looked surprised.

“He knew what was happening today. He probably didn’t want to risk you not leaving at three.” Kurt said.

“Yeah. I guess.” Blaine nodded. “Oh God. The manila folder with no writing and with a paperclip on it… yeah, don’t open it.”

“Been there done that. Last January. It sucked.” Adrian sighed.

“So when are you going to get married?” AJ asked sweetly.

“We haven’t really talked about it yet. Between going to see Bob and calling Kurt’s parents there wasn’t a lot of extra time.”

“That’s, like, six hours.” Adrian looked amused.

“Look, we had only once in the last month. Give me a break.” Blaine complained. “He’s only been back in town for your wedding.”

“I’m glad we were able to give you the gift of sex.” Matt said from the kitchen. “But if you think that’s bad I had to wait ten weeks after my surgery.”

“That makes me feel a lot better actually.” Blaine looked at Kurt. “Don’t lose a kidney.”

“I will do my best.” Kurt promised, scooting closer to Blaine.

“So you really don’t have any idea when you want to get married?” Alec asked.

“I mean… we always talked about getting married between 27 and 30… but that was in, like… undergrad.” Blaine shrugged.

“You’re going to wait three years like us, aren’t you?” Alec asked, laughing.

“I mean, we haven’t really talked about it that much.” Kurt said. “Honestly it was going to happen after he got his scores back but after everything with my dad… it seemed stupid to wait for a number.”

“I don’t want to wait too long… preferably three years or less.” Blaine looked thoughtful.

“I’m okay with that.” Kurt smiled.

AJ gasped. “What about babies?”

“Oh, that’ll be a while.” Blaine laughed. “We’re too busy.”

“No. You two would be the cutest dads.” AJ shook her head. “And you don’t want to be too old. I wasn’t born until my parents were, like, forty and they were super boring… which is why I had so much time to learn science and math.”

“Yeah, my parents were pretty young and it was awesome because we went and did things all of the time. If you have more than one, you should try to have them close together… and if you have a lot of them, group them. My mom had my Annie and I at 22, Eli at 24, Noah at 29, and Ben at 30. It worked out well for us. We’re all pretty close.”

“Was your house super loud? I don’t have any siblings.” Alec looked interested.

“Not at all. Half of my family is deaf. I mean Eli and I will actually talk but for the most part, we all just sign. Mom gets mad when we don’t because she’s doesn’t know what we’re saying.” Adrian laughed.

“Yeah you and Eli are the only ones that can hear to actually talk.” AJ laughed. “Ben is so cute. I just want to put him in my pocket.”

“For someone who can’t actually speak, he sure talks a lot.”

“I have an older brother but I was born when he was 13 so we’ve only just now started to get close.” Blaine said. “Oh, I better call him in the morning.”

“You definitely need to.” Kurt nodded.

AJ stood when Scarlett started crying. “That’s our cue, Wes.”

“I’ll tell you next time, Wes.” Matt said cheerfully.

“Yeah if she lets us leave once she sees you.” Wes went to get Scarlett from the second bedroom. “David, you better hide.”

“Seriously?” David asked, scooting behind the side of the couch.

“Every time you leave she is inconsolable for twenty minutes.” AJ told him. “It’s actually pretty pitiful.”

“Did you her that Blaine? She is inconsolable when I leave.” David grinned.

“I hate you so much.” Blaine laughed.

“Let’s be real. That’s because Blaine was gone for three months. Now that he’s back, it will even out.” AJ said.  “Then you’ll both be equal…. But Matt will always be the best.”

Wes walked out. Scarlett saw Matt and reached out going “MA MA MA!”

“Maybe I should have hid too?” Matt asked.

Wes set Scarlett down and she toddled (literally, she was very wobbly) to Matt and reached up.

“Matt, do you care to walk us to the door?” AJ asked.

As if on cue, Scarlett’s arms went around his neck.

“Only for the squish.” Matt said.

AJ hugged Kurt and Blaine, waved at everyone else, and walked out to the hall.

“See you when I see you.” Wes said. “Congrats!”

“Thanks!” Blaine grinned.

Eric went over by Alec and David, yawning.

“Is that my cue-slash-hint?” Alec laughed.

“Nope. Just the body’s reaction to needing sleep.” Eric yawned again.

[nyanzaya]

Zuo’s birthday

words: 4094

     Zuo was not the type of person to remember important dates. If anything, he would have to constantly be reminded days before and even on the day itself.

     This year, it was no exception.

     His day went on as usual. Roaming the streets. Doing some work and eventually punching someone square in the face for ranting about how much they were in love with someone. Honestly, Zuo didn’t care who they were in love with. They pissed him off and without much control or thought he hit them unprovoked.

     It always happened. Some days he would actually get through it without the struggle of fighting a gang or punching someone because they had pissed him off. It was almost unbelievably that he would constantly find himself harming another human being, but Zuo knew he wasn’t exactly human. As much as he longed to be like everyone else, be normal and not as temperamental it was something he would have to work hard at.

     Of course, finding a place to start was hard so why did it even matter if he worked hard at it when there was so much he had to do about it? Zuo was a hard worker if it was to better everyone else. As long as people liked him the way he was, why change? He could be as erratic, unpredictably and quick-tempered as he wanted. Compared to how he was years ago, he was much calmer. When he was younger anything that moved he considered a threat but nowadays he didn’t see anything as a threat unless of course, someone would actually threaten or attack him first. Even the few who were petty thieves or a small gang that thought they could walk anywhere as if they owned the place were considered threats.

     He went to see his mother, Aiko, today. The feline had to see if perhaps Asher was being troublesome for her or if she was going to ask for Zuo to take him back. Zuo entered the building and walked into her apartment. His ears had perked unsure why it was dark, quickly he took off his sunglasses and pocketed them in his vest.

     Alert now, Zuo walked to the living room. “Mom?”

     Zuo looked around, seeing the kotatsu that shouldn’t be out in the middle of spring. The TV was off and appeared to be an older model. He forgot that his mom wasn’t exactly up to date on technology. Her apartment looked old, but it was one of the newer buildings that were built a few years back. The cream-colored feline heard the small coos and giggles of Asher and saw him crawling towards him when he had turned the corner of the couch.

     “Ah- Asher no!” A whispered cry and trill was heard.

     What was happening? Zuo wanted to start laughing when he saw his mother’s hand appear from behind the couch to try and catch Asher but it was a moment too late.

     The toddler crawled to Zuo’s feet and held onto their pant leg, making a small meow.

     Zuo wasn’t sure how to take that. Asher meowing? What was his mother doing? Meowing at Asher whenever he did something she considered stressful?

     The small child wasn’t a feline like Zuo or his mother. Maybe it was a bad idea to leave Asher with his mother. Regardless, Zuo bent down to pick asher up. “Hey, bud.” He spoke to them, hearing them giggle and reach for his ears.

     A white feline appeared from behind the couch, looking defeated with her ears flat. “He really is such a daddy’s boy if he instantly went to you.” She commented but she couldn’t be that upset. Asher was technically Zuo’s son after all.

     “What were you doing anyway?”

     “I was hoping I could surprise you, but well that didn’t turn out the way I wanted.”

     Zuo’s ears had leaned forward hearing that, despite the fact Asher was tugging at one and had his hair in the other hand. “Surprise me? Why?”

     “Ah?” Her ears perked up. She shouldn’t of been surprised that Zuo wouldn’t have remembered. It wasn’t in his habit to remember what today was. “Hold on, let me get something for you.”

     The cream-colored feline tilted his head. “Alright then, what is it though?” He asked and continued to hold Asher, gently swaying.

     “You’re about to see~” Aiko chimed from the kitchen and after a few minutes she appeared.

     Zuo saw the small lights of a 29 on a fish. His eyes went wide and he went still hearing her starting to sing ‘Happy birthday’ and walk towards him.

     How could he have possibly forgotten about his own birthday?

     Bashful, Zuo had a grin on his face. “You didn’t..” He tried to interrupt Aiko’s singing but she kept singing proudly.

     Once she had finished singing she was in front of Zuo. “Blow out the candles.”

     Truthfully, Zuo didn’t know what to think of it. It had been a while since he had last celebrated his birthday- well of course it had been a while it only came once a year but for the last few years, he had simply forgotten.

     A soft smile was on his face. He brought a hand to rest on Asher’s back, seeing how they were amused by the small light and attempted to reach out for it. The feline laughed at that.

     “I can’t believe I forgot.” Zuo said and blew out the candles.

     “Well, I figured, you know, that you’d want something special at least. It’s been a long time since we celebrated it.” The white feline said, placing the plate of fish on the kotatsu.

     Softly, Zuo purred and leaned forward to bunt his forehead onto Aiko’s. “Thank you. You don’t know how happy this makes me.”

     Aiko pulled away and licked at her kitten’s ears, lightly grooming them before she twirled away and cupped her hands, “Sit down! Sit! Let’s eat this.”

     Zuo laughed seeing how excitable she had gotten at being thanked and did as she asked. He sat Asher on his lap and seeing his mother bring a pair of chopsticks and a knife and handing them over, Zuo took them.

     “The one who’s being celebrated gets the first piece.” She said watching Zuo cut into the fish as she went to sit down.

     He put his hands together, “Thank you for the meal.” Then he cut the fish in half. He picked up his half with his chopsticks, while his mother picked up her half with her hand.

     They ate the fish quickly finishing it off and cleaned the meat off of the bones.

     Asher had crawled out of Zuo’s lap as he ate, crawling around to explore Aiko’s apartment, even if he had seen it already.

     Aiko watched Asher crawl around the room, “How have you been doing lately?”

     Zuo was also watching Asher until his mother had spoken up and turned his attention to her. “Lately? The same as always I guess. Gettin’ pissed off, punching a guy in the face…” He brought a hand to his neck, knowing that she wouldn’t be pleased hearing something like that.

     The white feline gave a soft smile. “Is there something else that’s wrong? It’s not like you to punch someone in the face just because you got mad, sweetheart.”

     His ear twitched at how gentle the words were but who knew him better than his mother? She was right, something else was grating on his nerves and made him angry.

     “Is it Izzy?”

     Zuo flinched. Was it because of Iza? “I mean… I guess. He keeps doing something stupid and cause trouble for me.”

     “Maybe he just wants your attention. I know you both aren’t...together anymore but maybe it’s not so bad to see him every once in a while.”

     “That’s a bad idea. He’d just make me mad because that’s what he always does.”

     “Oh, you know that’s not true. You used to be so happy when you and him were together.”

     Aiko wasn’t wrong. When they were together everything felt right and that they were doing something for the better of everyone. The ex-lovers knew that they had the same goal even if their way of achieving the goal was in completely different directions, they could still help one another.

     Iza could gather up the information and Zuo could be the man-power. Often, Iza dealt with the people underground and Zuo dealt with the people above ground. It wasn’t hard to split the work they both did and Zuo did just almost everything Iza would ask. Of course, recently, he had found the black feline to be of annoyance with how they would start trouble above ground for the fun of it.

     That was Zuo’s turf and for Iza to cross into it was seen as invitation for fight. Often times, Zuo would find Iza on his turf and from there they would engage in a scuffle. It ended with Iza getting away with a few scratched and torn clothes while Zuo was left with blade marks, seeping small amounts of blood and torn clothes as well. There had been a few times where Zuo would win, overpower the black feline immensely and injure them; as there had been times Iza would win and over power the cream-colored feline, but those times were not often and required careful thought and critical planning.

     “Yeah… but, you know, things change and stuff like that.” Zuo vaguely explained and Aiko could only nod.

     “Well, I’m sure you and him will come back together again. Maybe not in the way you want but from back then it looked like you both needed each other.”

     The cream-colored feline gave a sign, until he heard the sound of clattering from the kitchen.

     Aiko instantly jumped up and went to the kitchen.

     Suddenly there was a crash of glass.

     “My china!” She cried, picking up Asher.

     Zuo got up quickly and rushed to the kitchen. “Ah, fuck, is he okay?”

     Aiko inspected Asher, who was crying. “It’s okay, it’s okay.” She purred to him. “No, I think he’s okay, but my cup isn’t.”

     The cream-colored feline started picking up the large bits of the broken cup, going to the trash can to toss the ceramic. “Do you want me to take Asher with me when I leave?”

     “Oh, no it’s okay. He’s such a joy to have around it makes me feel young again.” The white feline said bunting her forehead onto Asher’s head, trying to calm him down. “I don’t mind accidents like these. Normally, he’s well behaved and he kinda does remind me of you when you were a baby his age.” She gave a soft laugh at the thought. Sure, they may have been on the streets for a while, but even then when Zuo was around Asher’s age he was just as adventurous and curious.

     Zuo’s ears turned to the side in embarrassment, picking up the broom and the dust pan to brush the rest of the broken cup onto it and once it was on the dust pan he pick it up and carried it to the trash to throw it away, “Alright, well if you ever want me to take him off your hands you know how to reach me or where I live.”

     Asher had calmed down, having one of his thumb in his mouth. Aiko opened a drawer to get a pacifier. “I know, but you don’t have to worry about me or him. It’s not like I’m going anywhere any time soon.”

     “I’m just reminding you is all.” Zuo said as Asher yawned.

     “Ah, I guess he’s tired now, huh?” Aiko softly laughed, watching how Asher’s eyes were started to flutter closed until he tired to keep himself awake.

     “You can go put him to bed, I think it’s about time I go.”

     “Ooh, well alright. You are busy after all. I’m glad you came over today.”

     Zuo gave a soft smile, “Yeah, me too. I’ll try to visit more, ‘kay?”

     “Please do, I think it’ll make Asher happy to see you more, since you are his dad.”

     “I’ll take him back next week. I should spend more time with him.” Zuo mused. It did sound like it would be a good idea to spend more time with Asher and tend to them. He didn’t want to put all of the responsibility on his mother.

     “That’ll be perfect. It’ll give me time to recharge and be ready for more of his little shenanigans.” Aiko said and walked toward Zuo to bunt her forehead onto his, finding it to be difficult considering her son was much taller than she was but Zuo leaned down.

     “Okay, I’ll see you Monday to take Asher off your hands then.”

     The white feline gave a hum, “Yeah, I’ll see you later then.”

     With that Zuo watched Aiko take Asher, who had fallen asleep against her shoulder to another room. He left the apartment and didn’t realize how long he had spent at his mother’s but he couldn’t get mad about it. Lately, he hadn’t gotten to see her as much as he wanted and he was hoping to change that soon, though; he could recall someone else who hadn’t seen his mother in a few months.

     It was almost strange that he couldn’t pick up their scent when he walked into or out of her apartment but who was he to tell Iza what to do with his time anyway? He knew that the black feline and his mother were close, in fact, Zuo was sure Iza accepted her as his own mother. Some part of Zuo felt bad for Iza. They didn’t know their parents, yet; he still claimed that it didn’t matter if he knew them or not but the cream-colored feline knew that to not be true.

     Zuo walked down the street in thought, not paying attention to the people around him. He was thinking about Iza and some part of him did miss the black feline. Missed when he would whine when he didn’t get their way, or how Iza would calm down whenever he picked them up and cradled them. He missed how Iza would come to him and bunt their forehead onto his or groom his ears, despite the fact that Zuo would give low growls about it. He missed their soft touch and how vulnerable they could be if given enough time and patience, but even then some matters had to be pressed even if it would make the black feline cry.

     The cream-colored feline didn’t register the fact someone had greeted him as he kept walking down the street to his apartment. He was looking at his feet as he walked. Zuo knew he shouldn’t miss Iza that way. He knew that they were the one that broke his heart.

     Unbeknownst to Zuo, Iza had done it for a different reason than the one he had told to Zuo but it was unlikely Iza would ever come clean with it.

     Perhaps being broken hearted was what made him see all the wrongs that Iza had made him do and how his sense of justice had come to be. It was all in the name of keeping Iza in check and under control. If the black feline were allowed to do as he pleased, then that would be havoc for the city and its people.

     The cream-colored feline had made it to his apartment. Walking up the stairs to get to his door he was still lost in few thoughts, but he figured it shouldn’t matter. It was better to not think about that bastard anyway. They didn’t deserve any of the love or attention Zuo had offered so long ago. Love that was frankly taken advantage of. Besides, it was his birthday. It wasn’t like Iza would ever remember something as small and insignificant as that.

     Though, Zuo thought too soon, he saw a box that was neatly wrapped. It was a gift from the looks of it and without much thought Zuo bent down to pick it up. Already he could smell Iza’s scent, the smell of it alone made his eye twitch. With a small growl, Zuo opened his door and tossed the box on the table. He wasn’t going to give into the temptation to open it. If he did, he was sure he’d have to owe that bastard something and he refused.

     Zuo was done with that life. He couldn’t go back to doing Iza’s bidding, even if it had been out of devotion years ago. Why Iza even bothered him always grated on his nerves to think about. It wasn’t as if someone like Iza loved him.

     With a huff, Zuo brushed his hand through his hair. Truly, it was annoying to think about Iza. He couldn’t lie to himself and say that he didn’t care about them when really, he did care. A part of him still wanted something more with them but it was hard to discern whether it was from his heart or from the nostalgic and loving memories that surfaced.

     “What are you doing?” It was softly laughed.

     “Distracting you.”

     “Ehh? Zuu-chan, please I’m trying to work.”

     A huff. “You work too much. It can wait can’t it.” Zuo spoke. He was holding Iza from behind, his arms around their middle, nuzzling into the black feline’s neck. “C’mon, we should go outside.”

     Iza laughed, bringing a free hand up to Zuo’s cheek, caressing the skin before he turned his head to press a kiss onto Zuo’s face. “Maybe in a few minutes, ne?”

     “You’re so stupid.” The cream-colored feline purred, pressing a kiss onto Iza’s face in return of the affection.

     As Zuo remembered, a pain struck at his chest. He gritted his teeth. His fist was clenched tight. Anger was on the rise.

     Iza laughed.

     And laughed before abruptly, he stopped. He gave a side-glance to the pole that had embedded itself in the wall, grinning. “Tom, just give into your true nature already. This-” He gestured to the fallen men before himself. “This is what you’re meant to do. Don’t you get it? Together, you and I could actually change something. Isn’t that what yo-”

     “Shut up! This- this isn’t what I fucking want. It’s what you want.” Zuo spat, the fur on his tail was fluffed, his ears laid back in defensiveness.

     These men Iza gestured to wasn’t the work of Zuo.

     The iron in the air wasn’t the fault of Zuo.

     It was Iza that drew blood and he was covered in it. The tips of his ears to the tip of his tail. He wasn’t drenched but it was easy to tell that the blood on his clothing didn’t belong to him.

     “Don’t shift this...this shit on to me. You did it.”

     Iza’s ears twitched. Rejection was a bitter taste. “I’m doing you a favor, Dear. Isn’t the scent wonderful? It tells us that we are survivors. So, why don’t you draw some blood as well?”

     A light flickered and suddenly Zuo felt a pain on his cheek. His brows furrowed. Iza flung a blade at him. The smell of iron further increased his rage. He didn’t want to return to being a brawler. Zuo was done being a gladiator for the entertainment of others and he sure as hell was not going to give into what Iza wanted. He brought a hand to his wounded cheek before he looked at his hand. Zuo saw the blood on his fingers.

     “Enough..” He spoke softly, his hand was shaking.

     Iza was quiet, watching Zuo. “Enough? Enough of what? This is the only way.”

      “How is this the only way?” Zuo’s closed his blood-tipped hand, as if to show his resolve on the situation.

     The black feline paced, taking a blade out of his pocket and twirled it between his fingers. “How? Haven’t you heard of the saying: ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?’ To allow these...humans to continue to use us and further lower our quality of life and longevity would be horrendous, no? We are just as capable as they are.”

     “Fuck off with your ‘we’ shit! There is no ‘we’. It’s just you against everyone else.” Zuo growled, flexing his hands before he brought them together to crack his knuckles.

     Iza stopped pacing taking in Zuo’s words. No we? He understood now. Even Zuo was an enemy of his now. This feeling in his chest hurt. It hurt to feel how Zuo rejected him. They were together, though Iza supposed that was impossible. There was a sting at his eyes but he wasn’t going to let Zuo see him fall into tears. Without thinking, Iza flung his knife. He almost missed his target, but his blade had impaled itself in Zuo’s shoulder.

     “Well, well. If there is no ‘we’ then there can never be an ‘us’.”

     Zuo knew Iza twisted his words. That wasn’t what he meant but if that’s what Iza saw, then all he could do now was to stop them from this senseless killing.

     These were innocent people. All Zuo saw in front of him was someone who was crazed, lusting after more bloodshed. Someone who, Zuo was fond of. It hurt to see Iza turn into someone he didn’t know, or perhaps he had known who he was all along but had never seen it from a different perspective. Perhaps, Zuo had tolerated this behavior until it was too much.

     How could he save them?

     The cream-colored feline pulled the knife from his shoulder. “You threw your knife at me. So, I’ll assume you meant to hit a pressure point. That’s what you do, huh? So, that means you wanted to disable me to kill me then, huh?”

     Iza’s ears leaned back.

     Zuo brought his other hand to the other side of the blade, snapping it in half before dropping it to the floor. Another solid resolve. Zuo was going to be the one to stop Iza. He had to be. To let the black feline running wild with power? He understood now that Iza couldn’t handle the power; the rush of the high of being on top of the world.

     Zuo would bring them back to earth. Even if it meant that this was their fate: To fight and oppose each other until the end.

     Iza furrowed his brows when his blade was snapped. He would never be afraid of Zuo. The black feline thought of them as something beautiful, worth praising and keeping. Iza knew Zuo was powerful and he wanted to use that power. Was it shallow of him? Perhaps but he needed it. Iza needed Zuo.

     Iza laughed out loud again, raising yet another blade. “That’s exactly what I wanted to do.” He lied. “If you look so determined to stop me, then come after me.” Iza threw his blade before he turned in his heels to dash away.

     Zuo’s fur stood on end again hearing Iza say that. Feeling the blade bite into his leg, he roared before he chased after him Zuo punched the wall holding his weapon, the pole that he had thrown before.

     Once that was in hand, he chased after his lost love.

     “Ah…” His table was broken. Zuo didn’t realize he had snapped it in half. He pulled out his catnip cigarettes, craving for a wave of calm. With the stick between his lips he lit it and inhaled, closing his eyes before he finally exhaled.

     Better. Everything was okay now.

     He looked at the table he had broken. The gift was still intact surprisingly. Zuo picked up it. He may as well open it considering how much trouble it had caused him.

     The feline ripped it open and popped open the box to find a card and a ring and quickly Zuo found he could open it up and turn it into a sphere. There were inscriptions and astrology signs. He then read the card.

[I still believe in fate. Do you? This was meant to be, even if it’s...bitter. Happy Birthday, Zuo                                                                                                           -- Iza]

     Maybe there was still chance. Zuo did believe in fate and past lives. If this was how they ended up, perhaps it was always how it was meant to be. They were fated to be on oppositions. If The Scales and The Ram had anything to do with how clear their oppositions where, Zuo wouldn’t know what would show it off any better than that.

[davidcarner]

Reassigned Ch 10, Carina vs Bryce

A/N: I swear this is not just because Wade1978 tagged me….I swear….but I'm not gonna lie, the thought popped into my head and I gave an evil chuckle…You all seemed to enjoy Sarah's dealing with Bryce…The simple thing to do would be for them to marry, and Sarah put down Chuck as the father. Bryce is "dead" so he'd have no rights….but this is Chuck…do you think he'd do that? Nope. He wouldn't…but don't worry, it's me…we'll figure it out…Charahkids, you may wanna premedicate….I give you Reassigned, Ch. 10, Carina vs Bryce

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Chuck opened the door to his and Sarah's apartment and went in. His and Sarah's apartment. Man, that sounded nice. What they'd gone though in a short time was crazy but they were together, and Chuck like the sound of that. Together. He saw his girlfriend messing with the Christmas tree. Her hair was damp, and she was wearing comfy clothes. She just looked like home.

"Hey, Sarah, I'm back," he said. She turned around, raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Really?" She didn't move. Chuck rolled his eyes, opened the door, walked back outside, and shut the door behind him. He counted to five, and opened the door to see Sarah still working on the Christmas tree. "Honey, I'm home," he said. She spun with a huge grin on her face. "Happy Miss Walker?" He walked up to her and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

"Ecstatic," she replied. She started to say something more, but bit her lip instead. She looked almost bashful and she turned back to the tree.

"What?" he asked softly. She shook her head. "Saraaah," he mocked whined. She turned around a soft smile on her face.

"I was going to say, Mr. Walker," she said, and bit her top lip. She rolled her eyes, annoyed with herself. "It's the hormones. I'm just being emotional and silly. I mean we've known each other a few months, living together is crazy enough, you being in my child's life is insane, and I absolutely want you in it, but I never even thought about ever being….I can't even say it when it's just us alone." Chuck was watching her, absolutely quiet, his eyes soft.

"So you don't want to be married?" Chuck asked. This was not exactly what she said at Thanksgiving. Sarah looked away for a second and then back at him, taking a deep breath. She was messing with the rings on her fingers.

"I didn't," she admitted. "Like I told Ellie, when I was with the CIA, I never thought about it. Even with Bryce when we would be the Andersons, I didn't think about it ever being anything more than a cover. Now," she sighed. "Now, everything's changed, and I can't figure out if what I'm feeling is what I actually want, or what I think should happen. I love you. I know that. I love you and want to be with you. Please know that." Chuck nodded. She took a deep breath. "But all of this, sometimes it's just so overwhelming, and I've got all these emotions! God! I always hid emotions before as a spy, but now, now they're just everywhere. If I try and shove one down now, two others pop up! I can't figure out what is real and what is hormones. Chuck I'm with you as long as you'll have me. I know it's been fast, but that's where I am, and I've changed so much, but I had no choice. I think I want to be married, but because of everything, I'm not sure." She was so scared with that admission. She had only started to realize it in the past few days. Chuck was her forever, and she knew that, but marriage? She just didn't know, and she knew marriage meant a lot to him. Chuck took her hands.

"This is an easy fix," Chuck said. "We table all of this until after the baby is born." She stared at him. "Or we talk about it now?"

"The baby," she said flatly. Chuck gulped.

"I'm sorry, I think I hit my head today and had a brain injury," he rushed out. "What I meant to say is we table this discussion until our daughter is born." Sarah beamed, and then her face fell.

"I scare you sometimes don't I?" she asked. Chuck nodded.

"What's worse," he said, grinning. "I find it hot." She grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. He thought his hair might be on fire there was so much electricity shooting through him. She let him go, smoothed his shirt, patted his chest, and walked into the kitchen. Chuck really wasn't sure what day it was.

"Apparently there's a mission tonight," Sarah said, looking out the window. "Casey in waiter gear and Bryce in a tux."

"You miss it?" Chuck asked softly. She turned to him.

"Being pawed by some slimy douchenozzle under the guise of good of our country," Sarah began. "And then there's a chance some evil, sadistic, macho, idiot will try to do the same?"

"For the record, the first was Bryce?" Chuck asked, grinning. Sarah nodded, with her own grin. "Then why do it for so long?" Sarah tilted her head, thinking.

"For the longest time it's all I thought I was good for," she said, looking down.

"Sarah, you are one of the smartest people I know," Chuck said. She looked up at him, a grin on her face.

"You know, it had it's perks, I could drive my car as fast as I wanted, wherever I wanted," Sarah said.

"That really hasn't changed," Chuck retorted.

"Shush, you," she said, pointing a spatula at him. "It was exciting, parts of it was fun, and I was good at it, Chuck." She sighed. "But, it bled your soul." She was quiet for a second, mixing up something in a bowl, thinking. "It bled mine to the point I wondered if I had one left." She looked up at him. "I was honestly surprised when I realized I wanted to keep our baby." Chuck smiled at that, and started to move his hands and open his mouth to say something, when she pointed the spatula at him. "Like I was saying," she said, grinning. "I thought all that inside of me was dead."

"So you think marriage is a possibility?" Chuck asked, cocking his head. She knew he was fishing. She bounced a shoulder.

"Maybe," she admitted. "If I do wish to get married, there's only one person I really want to marry."

"Jeff from the Buy More," Chuck said. Sarah nodded.

"That hair, just makes me want to do things to it," she said.

"Cut it, wash it, disinfect it," he went on. She came out of the kitchen and into the living room where he stood. She grabbed him by the waist band of his pants.

"You, Chuck," she said softly. "I know it's early, I know it's quick, but the only person I'd ever consider marrying is you." She began to walk backwards pulling him towards the bedroom.

"Sarah, I love you, and I want to make you happy," Chuck said softly.

"You do, Chuck, and I love you," she said as she pulled him into the bedroom.

-ooooo-

She came out into the living room and there he was, glued to his computer. This was the third night this week she had woken up and he wasn't in bed. This was ending, now.

"What are you looking at?" she asked. Chuck jumped, and slammed his laptop shut.

"Porn," he said. She closed her eyes trying to hold in the laughter that threatened to come out. "It was porn, and I'm sorry."

"Chuck, let me see the computer," she said, her hand out, and fighting to roll her eyes at him. She was smirking and Chuck was squirming.

"No, Sarah, I'm really ashamed and it will never happen again."

"CHUCK, the computer." It was quickly placed in her hand. She opened it up and looked at the last website he was at. She looked at him and then back at the computer.

"Sarah, I'm sorry," he said.

"Why are you sorry?"

"It's not my place," Chuck replied. "It's just," he began.

"Hold that thought, and scoot over," she said, sitting beside him. She opened the website back up. "I told you it's our baby."

"Yeah, but you're having it, it's your body, not mine," Chuck retorted. She rolled her eyes.

"So what is this all about?" Sarah asked. Chuck hesitated. "Chuck, just tell me."

"Well, breastfeeding is an option, and that's your decision," Chuck said, hurrying through that part of the discussion. He kept his eyes peeled on the website as she shook her head. "So there's different types of formula and I know from Ellie and Debbie that different conditions need different formula so I was kinda researching them so if something happens I would know what Debbie is talking about." Sarah looked at him. He clicked on another website. "These are all the different play pens/cribs you can have. There's portable one, ones that can convert into a bed for a toddler. There are different strollers and car seats and some that hook together." He was about to go on when he felt himself being pulled into a kiss. When she let him go, he blinked until he could see. "Not that I'm complaining but your very grabby tonight."

"Hormones," Sarah replied.

"Ah," Chuck said. "So after the baby you won't be as grabby." There was a little bit of regret in his voice.

"Oh, I bet I am," she said, winking. She took the laptop away from him and set it on the table. She then crawled up in his lap, facing him. "So, here's the deal, buster." He grinned at her. "You can look at any of this stuff you need to, whenever you need to, but let's keep the late night surfing to a minimum. Momma needs her snuggles, understand?" Chuck nodded and she leaned in to kiss him. Chuck felt her freeze, and her hand whip to her thigh. "Damn it," she muttered, realizing her knife wasn't on her.

"Calm down, Walker, it's just me, I really need to talk," Carina said. Chuck felt Sarah relax and saw confusion on her face.

"Guess I'll head to the bedroom," Chuck said.

"Actually, it's about Bryce, so I may need your advice as well," Carina said. Chuck nodded.

"Coffee?" he asked. Carina nodded gratefully. He turned to Sarah. "Decaf tea?" She rolled her eyes but nodded. "Only 24 more weeks," he said, kissing her on the cheek. Carina stared at Sarah and then looked at Chuck. Chuck stopped. "How bad?" Carina thought for a second.

"I've never been concerned about a mission before in my life until this one," she said.

"Whiskey," Chuck replied. Sarah patted the couch seat beside her and Carina joined her. In a little bit, Chuck brought them their drinks. She chuckled at them.

"Blondie, you look happy," Carina said.

"I am, Carina, I am," Sarah replied, smiling at Chuck. "Now, you're not here to talk about my domestic bliss, what did he do?

"We were supposed to go in as Mr. and Mrs. Anderson," Carina began.

"He's not very original, I mean he stole that from The Matrix," Chuck muttered. Sarah looked over at him. "Sorry."

"No, this is good, this is what I need," Carina said. "So he stole that idea from a movie, and is rehashing it again from when it was you and him," she said to Sarah. Sarah nodded. "Okay, so we went in and he was supposed to try and gamble, get Lon Kirk's attention, but after a few hands he bet it all because he said it was easier to seduce the mark and get the info."

"What?" Chuck said. "He has that thing in his head how are you supposed to get him the info."

"I'm not," Carina said. Chuck sat there for a second looking at Carina, and then down at his hands. He stood up after a second. Sarah watched him.

"You're telling me, he put you in harm's way because he was lazy," Chuck said.

"Chuckles, I'm capable of handling myself," she said, with a glint in her eye. Chuck jumped back, his hands in front of him.

"Whoa, hold on, wait," Chuck began. "I think you misunderstand me, obviously you're good at what you do, but isn't he supposed to be your partner?" Carina nodded. "Aren't partners supposed to look out after one another?"

"Chuck," Sarah said softly. "This Bryce she's describing, he's the one I know." Chuck sighed and dropped his head, his elbows resting on the back of the chair, his hands clasped together.

"What happened to the guy I knew?" Chuck asked, looking up. "Bryce was a nice guy."

"Remember I said earlier about you soul getting bled out by this job?" Sarah asked. Chuck nodded.

"Wait, how did you learn about this guy anyway?" Chuck asked.

"Oh, that's the best part," Carina said, grinning. "He found a counterfeit bill during an install where he had to accompany Jeff and Lester. Apparently they've not found anyone yet to replace you." Chuck was quiet for a second. "Hey, it's not your fault."

"No, no, no, wasn't thinking that," Chuck said. "So did you get the invite?" Carina stood up and smiled seductively at Chuck.

"Do you see all of this?" she asked, indicating herself.

"Yeah, but did you get the invite?" he asked, serious. Carina's mouth dropped opened, and Chuck grinned. Sarah burst out into laughter. "Okay, I suspect you're going to wear something slinky," Chuck began.

"A bikini," Carina replied. Chuck stopped. "What's the matter, thinking about me in the bikini, Chuckles."

"Yeah," Chuck replied, and then realized what he said. "I mean NO!" He looked up, affronted, Sarah had an eyebrow raised and Carina had a coy grin on her face. He held up a finger, disappeared for a second, and came back with a small flash drive. "I'm guessing even this isn't hideable in it?" She took it from him.

"No, but I'll have a bag I can hide it in, what will I do with this?" she asked. Chuck grinned.

"It will mess up his computer if you can up load the patch," Chuck said. "It's simple, plug and play. You plug it in, it will upload in about five seconds, you pull it out. I then have control and I can make his computer mess up. Then while he's trying to figure out how to fix it, tell them you know a guy. His girlfriend is pregnant and could use some money."

"Nice, I mean we don't really need money, I suppose maybe he does, but I'm good," Sarah said, winking at Chuck. Chuck pointedly ignored her.

"I come on board, get info, and then get out," Chuck replied.

"Uh, one problem, what about Bryce?" Carina asked. "Won't Kirk think something's up since I'm married."

"Nope," Chuck replied. "We talk smack about him, even talk about how he screwed me over in college." Sarah grinned. "I'll be long gone, give the info to Casey who can get it to the scary General, and it won't even tie back to me."

"Can you build a fake website?" Carina asked. "Maybe an alias to protect you?" Chuck looked hurt. "Sorry, Nerd. What was I thinking?" Chuck grabbed his laptop and twenty minutes later he had it all built. "Carmichael Industries?" Chuck shrugged.

"I may have had a thought about where my life would be if someone hadn't got me kicked out of college," he said. Carina looked at Sarah. "Who knew he was doing me a favor?" Chuck asked, winking at Sarah.

-ooooo-

"So Bryce isn't even here?" Sarah asked Casey. He shook his head.

"Seems like he had a shift to take care of at the Buy More and told me to surveil," Casey replied. He pulled down the binoculars and looked over at Sarah. "You're actually going to let you boy toy get involved with this."

"It's not like I want to, but Carina is in danger because of him," Sarah admitted. "I'm here in case something goes wrong." Casey grunted.

"Remind me not to get between you and the bad guys," he muttered. "Momma bear will eat them for dinner."

"Oh, whatever," she said, grinning. "How bad is he, Casey?" Casey shook his head.

"He's not right in the head," Casey said. "Not crazy, just not right." Casey pulled down the binoculars and glanced at her. "I think what you told him threw him for a loop."

"You think he actually feels bad?" Sarah asked. Casey thought and then shrugged.

"His progeny is about to come into the world, whether he wants anything to do with her or not, it shakes a man up to know he has a child," Casey replied. He pulled the binoculars back up. "Heh, looks like your boy toy did something, they're yelling at the computer. Even I know that doesn't work."

"Casey, you need to report him if he puts you and Carina in too much danger," Sarah said.

"Walker, everything we do is dangerous," Casey replied. "I got her back, I'm just glad you and Bartowski do to."

"He's not doing this anymore," Sarah said. Casey nodded.

"I'm honestly surprised you let him out of the house on this one," Casey said. "But, damsel in distress is kinda his thing," he said, side eyeing her. Sarah frowned at him.

"I'm am not a damsel in distress," Sarah replied. Casey shrugged.

"Whatever you gotta tell yourself to sleep at night," Casey replied.

-ooooo-

"Why am I here?" Chuck asked.

"Because you stuck your nose into MY op!" Bryce yelled. Sarah stood beside Chuck, arms crossed, looking as pissed off as a baptized cat. "Don't even start, Sarah, he screwed this whole mission up."

"How the hell do you figure that, Larkin?" Casey asked. "We got everything Beckman asked for and more."

"He inserted himself into my op!" Bryce yelled again. Casey glared at him.

"Actually, it quit being your op when you took the easy way out," Carina said. Beckman really wished she had popcorn for this show. Bryce turned and started to say something but Carina shook her head. "I get it, you think I'm a piece of ass, a set of tits, and legs," she turned to Sarah. "Baby ears," she said, winking. "Or I'd say more." She turned back to Bryce. "I know how to use what I have to get what we need, and I'm good at it. But Bryce, you turned me out like a pimp does a prostitute, and Chuck saved my ass. Chuck got everything we needed without leaving me there, with little backup while you went and played assistant manager at the Buy More. You took the easy way out. I know my job, and I get what I have to do sometimes, and trust me, I don't mind it, but Bryce, you don't get to do that to me and if you ever do again, I'll shoot you and make sure you're dead this time."

"I swear he was last time," Casey said.

"General, I can't work with this team," Bryce said.

"If you don't work with this team, then you don't work at all," Beckman replied. "Shut up, Larkin, now!" Bryce shut up, shocked. "Mr. Bartowski, thank you."

"My pleasure, General," Chuck said. "I never mind helping out a friend of Sarah's, but I am a civilian."

"You are, and that is why you will be compensated for you work today," Beckman said. Chuck nodded, with a pleased smile on his face. "Casey, as the only NSA member on this team, it would make the most sense to place you in charge of this operation." Casey nodded. "However, I am not going to. Since Agent Larkin has shown what poor decision-making skills he possesses, and Agent Miller knows best how to handle certain situations. I am making Agent Miller AIC on this op." Carina grinned. "That also means that if the occasion arises that we can use Mr. Bartowski's skills that do not insert him into an op, it is your digression to do so." She surveyed the room. "However, Agent Miller, I would caution you to consult Mr. Bartowski's girlfriend before doing so."

"He's his own man," Sarah said.

"Chuck, I'm talking to Sarah first," Carina said.

"Oh, thank God!" Chuck replied.

"Bartowski, no one will ever question who wears the pants in your family," Casey said.

"Thanks, Casey," Chuck said. Casey looked at him, confused. "For believing in Sarah, the baby, and myself. I think you're the first person to call us a family." Casey turned away, a snarl on his face.

"General, I am the Intersect," Bryce said.

"Larkin you're a…what was the word again, Sarah?" Beckman asked.

"Douchenozzle, General," Sarah said, grinning. Beckman nodded.

"If you don't clean up your act, we'll be forced to put you in a bunker," Beckman said. Bryce swallowed.

"General," Chuck said nervously. "While I have some history with Bryce that isn't the best and part of me would love to see him there, he is the father of Sarah's child." Chuck felt every eye turn and look at him. "What I'm saying is, can we keep that as a last resort?" Beckman studied him. After a second she nodded.

"Agent Larkin, you have your orders. Agent Miller is AIC, and you might want to consider all your future actions," Beckman said. "Dismissed." Bryce nodded. Turned to Chuck, mouthed, "Thanks, Buddy," and left. Beckman looked at Chuck. "I would think you'd want him thrown in the deepest, darkest, hole."

"General, I grew up without either of my parents for a long time," Chuck began. "I know I'll be there for our child, but Bryce is her father. Regardless of how I feel about him, he deserves to have a shot at being a father, if that's what Sarah wants, that is. I hope he's a marvelous father for our daughter's sake." He shrugged. "I get that she'll probably get hurt, but doesn't she deserve to get that chance to try with her father?"

"So you're doing this for Bryce's and Sarah's baby?" Beckman asked. Chuck nodded. Beckman shook her head. "Remarkable," she said. "I'll make sure and expedite the payment. Thank you again, Mr. Bartowski," and with that she terminated the call. Chuck turned to Sarah.

"If I overstepped," he began. Sarah rushed to cut him off.

"No," she said. "No you didn't." She placed a hand on his chest, and gave him a look. "I wish I had someone like you watching my back when I was an agent." She hugged him and walked over to Carina, tears in her eyes. Chuck was a little shook up.

"You're a moron," Casey said. "But you're a hell of a man," he added, clapping Chuck on the shoulder. He handed Chuck a sports drink. "Drink up, you're gonna need it." Casey walked off, as Chuck stared at the drink.

"I'm never gonna understand that man," Chuck muttered. Carina pulled him in for a hug, much to his surprise.

"You know, I rarely get to hold someone like this," Carina said into his ear, grinning. "Usually they're only after one thing. You're a good one, Chuck."

"Thank you, AIC Miller," he replied. She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"You saved my sexy ass today, you know that, right?" she asked. Chuck grinned at her.

"Really didn't notice it," Chuck said.

"Get out of here," Carina told him. "She'll want to talk with you."

"You're all coming to Christmas," Chuck said. "Bryce included, and take it up with Ellie if you disagree."

"Oh, hell no," Carina replied. "That woman scares me. Bye, Chuckles." She waved at him, and he returned it. He and Sarah left Castle. Sarah had her arm wrapped around Chuck's.

"Most guys would have tossed him in there and thrown away the key," Sarah said.

"Then I'd be no better than Bryce," Chuck replied. "I love you, Sarah."

"I love you, Chuck," she said. "So how do you feel about an August or September wedding?"

"Really?" he asked. "Wait, are you proposing?"

"What, no," Sarah said. "That would require me to get down on one knee."

"You'd never get back up," Chuck said. Sarah's mouth dropped in shock as Chuck took off running.

"You better hope I don't catch you, Chuck!" she yelled. "Because when I do, I'm gonna make you mine," she said to herself.

A/N: I wanted to through Bryce in a hole, but Chuck told me not to. I felt everyone of you laugh and roll your eyes at me when she said she knew 12 weeks was quick….I mean for me it's a life time apparently….Is there a wedding coming? Hehehehe… Hope you liked it, reviews and PMs are always welcomed…Til next time!

DC

[alicemoonwonderland]

A Hidden Goodbye - Part One

A little random idea I got and discussed with @themissimmortal. She said write it. Then I tortured @atlerion with it, and this is the result. It will be a two part short story as it felt natural that way. 

Summary:  You’re the young second wife of King Regis and mother of your second child. You two were happy….till the Nifs came.

Fandom: Final Fantasy XV

Pairing: Regis x Fem!Reader

Rating: NSFW ��� no smut though

Warning: Character Death, Angst

[part two]

Tagging: @itshaejinju @cupnoodle-queen@nifwrites @blindbae @hypaalicious @diabolik-trash-heap @louisvuittontrashbags @rubyphilomela @neko-otaku13 @insomniacapparel @xnoctits @insomniascure@ridingchocobros @dirtyffxvconfession @ponkita@stunninglyignis @fieryfantasy @sweetchocobae @atlerion, @angelic-guardienne

You laughed as you sat in the palace gardens, your little baby sitting on your lip and giggling happily as she wore a Moogle onesie her big brother Noctis had given her. You loved your daughter Aurora more than you could bear at times.

The little girl looked just like her father. The same beautiful green eyes and thick black hair. At times, you had to pinch yourself as you couldn't believe it was real. You, a simple assistant, married the King of Lucis as his second wife. And the Astrals had blessed your union with this little scrap of purity. "Aurora!" You cooed and kissed her belly happily. Making the child giggle more. "I love you little princess."

"You have some love for me as well, don't you, my wife." You looked up amused as you cuddled the toddler against your chest. The little girl beaming and wiggled excited as your husband and her father made his way towards you two. Leaning on his cane, his knee brace in place. It always tugged on your heart to see him like this. The Ring and the Wall demanding so much from him. Praying silently to the Astrals that one day he could finally rest and find peace.

"Mmmmm. Maybe," you drawled coyly, eyes twinkling as he laughed amused. Your daughter joining him happily as she held out her little hands at him. Regis sat down with the two of you, his movement stiff and slow. It made your heart ache, but you did not offer to help him. Knowing he did not like it at all.

Your little girl did not notice it, for her, daddy was just daddy. Wiggling off your lap, the little one crawled excitedly over to her father. Regis' green eyes lit up brightly as he picked up the little thing and cuddled her against his chest - taking off his crown and just became Regis, a husband and a father. Not the King.

You snuggled against his side and stroked his arm softly as he cooed and rubbed his fingers against Aurora's chubby little cheeks. He felt a bit tense, but that didn't surprise you. Being King was nothing if not stressful. Gently, you pressed your lips against his cheek - he automatically leaned into your touch. "Long day at work?" you asked him gently as he wrapped his muscular arm around your waist and pulled you closer.

He turned his face and pressed his lips softly against yours, making you giggle as his facial hair tickled your skin. Aurora let out a little huff, and you two looked amused at her. Her little cheeks puffed up, and her hands grabbing her father's shirt firmly. "Ah, isn't Papa allowed to give Mama a kiss?" Regis cooed amused as he rubbed his nose tenderly against hers, making her giggle again.

"You know how she is, she doesn't like sharing attention. Just like someone else I know...eep!" Slapping his arm lightly, you gave him a scolding look as his lips quirked up in a cheeky smirk. Handsome. He had aged a lot the last few years, his once black hair now completely silver. Lines on his skin and his body not as strong as it used to be. But he was still handsome to you. Still the strongest man you knew. Strength did not always come from the body, but from the mind as well. And few had such a steely mind as the one he possessed had.

You kept watching him tease and adore his daughter till the little kitten yawned and nodded off in his arms. Carefully, he put her in her sleeping basket and with a tender touch he tucked her in. "You are so sweet with her. I can watch you two for hours."

He turned to you and brushed his knuckles against your cheek this time. Having taken off his cloak as well and now sitting in only his suit. You turned your face and pressed a soft kiss against his knuckles. Enjoying the moment between the two of you. He tucked some of your hair behind your ear, pulling you back close against his body. "I wish I could spend more time with you two."

You nodded understanding, some days it almost felt like a game of juggle to find time between your duties and taking care of Aurora, to find time to just be together. He usually tried to be there for dinner with you, Aurora, and Noctis - when the young man came to the Citadel to spend time with you and his baby sister.

Another cute moment to watch. The usually quiet and tad awkward boy always perked up when he was with his sister. Regis also always tried to be back in your quarters around 10pm. So he could get some decent sleep. But the last few weeks, he had come to bed later and later. The issue of Niflheim weighing so heavy on his mind.

"How about you go visit your mother in Lestallum?" You blinked surprised at the suddenly suggestion. He pressed his fingers against your lips to prevent you from protesting. "It is a few months since you've seen her. And she has seen Aurora. It would do you some good."

"But what about you?" You couldn't just leave him alone, you were the one who made sure - even during these busy dangerous times - he didn't spend too much time working.

"I will join you in two-three days. Just got some stuff finish up, then I will come to Lestallum and we can have some time off together." When you tried to protest again, he didn't use his fingers to silence you, but his own lips. Making your toes curl and your fingers curling around his jacket. "You were the one who mentioned wanting to go on a little vacation. Now I am trying to make it happen, and you protest."

He let out a soft laugh when you playfully bit his bottom lip in retaliation. "Alright, Alright. But you will join me. Aurora gets super grumpy when her daddy doesn't give her a goodnight kiss." He rested his forehead against yours as his hand against the side of your neck, his calloused thumb brushing against your jawline.

"I will always be with you. Always"

  Aurora had been moody when you two had gotten into the car with two Glaives as escorts: your friend Nyx Ulric and Crowe Altius. She had settled down a bit when Regis had given her a Carbuncle plush, the little girl had holding it tightly.

Something had felt off to you though. The night before, Regis had made passionate but almost desperate love to you. His hold clingy and possessive. His kisses needy. You didn't question him about it, just gave him all he demanded and more. Chalking it up to stress. And what better way to release stress than by making passionate love?

He had kissed you extra hard and almost desperate again when you had been about to leave. Whispering to you to never forget how much he loved you. How you were his world. And would do anything for you. You had kissed him back, the unease increasing in your stomach, but again did not question about it. Clarus and Cor had been acting normally, so you tried not to be alarmed about anything.

You and Aurora had waved at the three men till you couldn't see them anymore, your heart growing heavier the further away from the Citadel you went. Something screaming inside of you to go back to him.

To be truthful, this had been the first time the two of you would be separated since becoming an official couple. So, again, you didn't listen to your instincts and chalked it up to separation anxiety. He would join you soon. Everything would be fine.

The next few days went by with a flash, Aurora and the others keeping you too busy to watch the news. Texting Regis whenever you could. You had laughed at yourself when your heart would still skip a beat like a silly teenager whenever he texted you. Or called you. Yes, he needed a damn holiday. Looking so damn exhausted. But he smiled. Cooed to Aurora. So all was well.

Or so you thought....

You woke up feeling sick as a fog. You shouldn't have had the fish last night. It really hadn't agreed with you. Checking up on Aurora, you smiled softly as you little girl slept sounding. Glancing around, you looked for your phone.

Regis had been oddly quiet last night but you had gone to bed rather early. Vaguely remembering him sending you a text that said. Forever yours and forever loving you. Honestly, that King of yours could be such a hopeless romantic at times.

Leaving the bedroom, you walked down the stairs to the living room. Your mind deep in thought as you thought of your Regis. The uncomfortable feeling almost annoying in your chest. Mmm, where was your phone? Maybe Nyx knew. You spotted the two Glaives and your mother sitting by the radio.

In Nyx's hand was a crumbled newspaper, Crowe squeezing his arm with a pained look on her face. Your mother stood up, her eyes red and rimmed with tears. Dread locked your throat, your hand immediately resting on your heart. "What's going on?"

....Niflheim laid waste to Insomnia with a gigantic Daemon of unknown origin. Recent reports are that King Regis, Prince Noctis, and the Lady Lunafreya all have died during the attack on Crown City….

You barely noticed your legs giving out on you, and you slumped onto the floor. King Regis and Prince Noctis dead. No. No. This couldn't be.

It felt as if sounds came to you through a wall or distorted like hearing it from under water. Your mother and Nyx rushed towards you. Asking you questions but you couldn't answer them. Noctis. Sweet little Noctis. No, he couldn't be dead. Regis.

A hysterical sob ripped through the air as you shook them off. No! No! NO! This couldn't be happening! He had promised he would be here soon. Go on a little holiday. "No this is a lie. It's propaganda! It's a lie!" you screamed as you grabbed his shirt and shook him in despair. "It's a lie, Nyx! They're still alive! THEY ARE ALIVE!!"

Nyx's eyes flashed with agony and wrapped his arms around you to restrain you from either hurting him or yourself. "Nyx please tell me it's a lie. Please! Oh Astrals. No this couldn't be happening! NO!" You sobbed against his shoulder as you clawed his chest. Not knowing what to do. Not know how to react. What to do with the crippling agony inside of you.

"I wish it was a lie. Fuck, I wished so much it was," he whispered apologising in your hair as he kept holding onto you. Rocking you, as your mother rubbed your back in some form of comfort.

The pain only increased as Nyx told you what had happened, Cor having called him to explain. The Nifs had betrayed them. Killed your husband. The City destroyed. So many had died.

"But Noctis is alive," Nyx whispered as he pulled back so he could look you in the eye. Cupping your face firmly. "The King send him away a day after you to keep him safe from Niflheim."

"He knew they were going to double cross him." It explained so much. The desperate way he had held you, kissed you. All the things he had been saying. He had been saying goodbye. It made the pain worse.

You screamed. Loud. Hard. Agonising. Your heart screamed with you. Your body shaking with the blinding sorrow and despair. Your voice cracked. Becoming hoarse and weak. But internally? You never really stopped screaming.