#i could just draw pink diamond forever and be happy

[villowrose]

[hargreevesd]

Broken Daffodils [1]

Summary: You are so art deco - Lana Del Rey

Chapter one

For some reason she did not have any motivation to draw that week. It was weird since she always had, even if it was 4 A.M. She tried many times to draw something, even a simple flower or a small house but she could not even draw a single line.

"Ah what is wrong with me!" she screamed and her maid came to her room scared.

"Oh I am so sorry for scarring you Betty, I am alright do not worry."

"It is okay miss, I am also here to inform you that your cousin has returned!"

"Really? Oh thank you so much Betty dear for telling me!" she immediately ran to the hall to find her cousin. The hall was painted by pastel colours, decorated with many different flowers, Y/N's and Dorothea's favorite ones. Next to the door was a huge gold mirror and exactly next to that were many shelves with books. Under the shelves was a comfortable chair that you could read and relax. Dorothea and her mother were sitting in the main sofa's at the center of the room to take a break after so many hours outside shopping and walking.

"Y/N! Look at my dress!" Dorothea rushes to her, suddenly she was alright again, not tired at all. She grabs her box to pull out the dress "Isn't it so pretty?"

"Indeed Little one! Lavender is definitely your color and truly matches you."

"We have one for you too!" Her aunt joined them, holding a box with a bright pink bow.

"What, why? Auntie I told you I do not need any dresses!"

"Well, I saw it and it reminded us of you, also you need a beautiful dress to attend tomorrow's ball!"

"So early? Agh I wish I had their energy and patience right now."

"You are not wrong, but it's been like that since forever dear! Also Dorothea I heard Daphne is making her debut this year too!

"Daphne? Daphne Bridgerton. Oh she is the ultimate diamond auntie!"

The Bridgerton's... Interesting she thought. She did not know any of the famous and noble families since she did not care to ask about them. She was about to leave and go to her room since her aunt and her cousin were talking but her aunt called her.

"Hey Y/N look at your dress, it's the right box!"

She did not want any dresses really but it was rude to not see her aunt's gift.

"Pink?" she sounded offended.

"I thought it was your favorite color!" her aunt answered with a look full in complaint.

It is.

"I mean I do not want to show up with such a dress I would-"

"You will look so pretty dear stop thinking otherwise." She did not even finished her sentence, her aunt already knew what she was going to say.

Maybe her aunt was right, but all she wanted was to blend in, hide in the shadows not be the center of attention, because with a dress like that, she definitely would be.

"My dear Y/N!" Her uncle just stepped in, he sounded like he was running miles to get there. He was holding an envelope. A big one to be exact. "Guess what. Your Lost at Sea painting made all of those"

She lost a heartbeat for a second and immediately let go of the dress and grabbed the envelope with the money and opened it. "A single painting made all of those? This is enough to live for a year!" she could not believe her eyes.

"I know dear I know. When I went to receive the money I was shocked and I rushed back home to tell you! I knew it would make you happy!"

"Happy? I am speechless. I can not even breathe." she fell into her uncle's arms to find her comfort and feel alive again after the shock of her great success. Even though her motivation was at the absolute zero this week, this made her feel complete.

"Y/N the world must obey to your talent!" Dorothea was on the sofa and gave her a "medal" for her success, a flower from the vase next to the book shelves.

"Oh come on Little one, you are flattering me!"

"No, no, no, you deserve much more. Everyone in the town must be talking about your painting now!

"Mama!" "MAMA!" a deep male voice echoed on the walls of a big and lovely house.

"Benedict dear, please do not scream I can still hear" a woman responded with the same tone.

"Who is this?" Benedict asked as he entered the room.

"Who is what?" his Mama asked confused about her son who was now doing circles around the table. "You seem nervous."

"This painter's name!"

"How should I know my boy, ask your brother he may know!"

"Agh, he signs with a fake name this is so unfair."

"Why all of the sudden you want to learn about a secret painter who hides his identity?"

"You truly need to see at his artworks to understand. They are brilliant, fascinating, breathtaking. His talent is extraordinary. I am not jealous, I am amazed. I want to meet him, to tell me his secrets, his inspirations, it is truly making me nervous."

"Before you ask me too brother I have no idea about your painter" his brother also entered the room with a big bunch of papers to sign.

"Brother I did not expect anything else from you"

"Oh you are lying, you definitely thought I would know." Anthony said with a smirk.

"Whatever. One day I will find him I assure you. Both of you!"

her perspective:

"Y/N!"

"Yes?"

"Come on darling we will be late!"

oh. OH. How did I even forgot this. This is Dorotheas day and I will ruin it. I have to make haste. Um what to wear, I do not know. Maybe this? No too white, oh that one! "BETTY!"

She opened the door "Yes ma'am?"

"Can you help me with this foolish dress?"

"Of course, turn around!"

What even is this presentation all about. Just for the Queen to pick a diamond for this season. All girls are diamonds and this is unfair. But who am I to disagree to the British rules.

Dorothea was gorgeous. Her aura could tell it too. She was so pretty with a bright smile and full of elegance. She is like my little sister and I want her to keep that pretty smile forever in her face. The Queen had a face that I could not understand until now. She stands up and reaches Dorothea and smiles at her. Ah my Little one did so well! I wish I could run and hug her now but that was inappropriate so I had to wait.

To admit it, it was boring. Honestly if it was not for my cousin I would never do that. Watching all these girls do the same thing in repeat... No that was definitely not fun. Until a caught a man looking directly at me. The first thing I noticed was his eyes. A very light green. He was so-

boom

A girl just fell on the floor. Okay that was interesting indeed. Social events are not that bad after all, maybe I am just not used to it. But even with this accident the man still looks at me. Why. Have I done something, do I have something in my face? I do not understand what is wrong.

"Daphne Bridgerton" the guard said.

And now he turned along with all the people near him to look at the girl.

The Bridgertons.

"Dorothea, I hate you. Why did I give that promise in the first place."

"Oh do not be so miserable Y/N, it is just a ball everything will be alright."

"Oh yes I am so sure about that!"

"Look at her she is shining!" she showed me Daphne Bridgerton who was talking with her mother.

"Indeed! But so do you! So let me be and go dance Little one!"

"Okay fine, I just want you to have fun!"

"I am having fun as long as you are. Now go"

She was an angel straight from heaven. Her dirty blonde hair with her dark eyes and her olive skin. I only know her two months now and she became my sister since day one.

What should I do to entertain myself instead of staring. Lemonade! Always fresh, always there for you. I turned to go to the table but a lady took my hand and pushed me behind.

"Pretend to be my friend for a bit!" she said with a shaky voice and then I turned to see her.

Daphne Bridgerton?

"Is there something wrong?"

"No. I mean yes. This annoying man keeps following me and speaking to me and I am tired so this is the only way for a bit. Oh I am so sorry I did not introduce myself. Daphne Bridgerton!"

"It is a pleasure to meet you Daphne. I am Y/N Theo!"

"Theo? Do you happen to be a sister of Dorothea Theo?"

"She is my cousin! I just moved here to be honest so I do not really know any families or-" I could not finish she seemed so happy and desperately wanted to speak.

"Ahh I did not know Dorothea had a cousin! I am so happy to hear you are a Theo! Your aunt is a lovely woman! So you are new here? If you want to one day come by and I can show you around and tell you things you must know about people here! You are my guest!"

"Daphne it is not necessary, I am alright do not worry!"

"Oh no, you are my friend now! I am sure you and I will have a great time together Y/N!"

"Daphne you should not leave your suitors like that!" A man spoke that was behind us, I assume her father or her brother.

"Anthony let me be please. I was talking to my friend and you are interrupting a girls talk!"

Oh, so her brother.

"Your friend? I am pretty sure it is my first time seeing her."

"We just met my Lord, do not worry!"

"And your name is?"

"Y/N. Y/N Theo."

"You do not look like you are from here really..." He was looking at me with a weird look, a judgy look full of doubts if he was kind or extremely rude.

"Because she is not Anthony, leave us now I was in the middle of something!" Daphne answered for me. Thank God she was a fast thinker and knew what she had to say.

"No young Lady, you are coming with me. As for you Miss Y/N have a great night, you will continue your chat with my sister another time!"

And I was left alone once again. To be honest I liked Daphne's company. She just wanted a friend to talk to. Just like me. And truly I forgot why I started walking too. Oh lemonade! Right. But I guess the universe did not want me to get that glass of lemonade today, because as soon as I reached the table someone fell on me.

"I am so sorry Miss, I was searching for-"

He raised his head to look if I was alright and he stopped talking.

"You."

"For me?" I asked. That was the man that could not keep his eyes off me last time. Why he was searching for me he does not even know my name.

"Oh yes! I noticed you my dearest Lady, on the presentation and I had a feeling that you would be here tonight."

"An excellent feeling you have Mister Bridgerton!" Another Bridgerton, another brother of Daphne's. Three out of three today.

"Oh, so you do know me! But I do not know your name, it is not fair."

"It is alright, I guess you will live without my name."

"I am not sure about that to be honest. But of course if you do not tell me I am pretty sure I will end up learning anyway." He smirked at me and leaned to the wall next to him.

"Are you planning on becoming a detective?" Of course he was not. He was looking for something more artistic more-

"Oh of course not I do not think I have a talent on that. I have talent on other things"

Let me guess, flirting?

"Okay Mister Bridgerton since you are not planning to leave if I do not say my name... Y/N Theo, pleasure to meet you."

"And you are from Italy? Or France?"

Is this man serious?

"Greece."

"Are all the women in Greece like you?"

"Excuse me? Why is that?"

"If yes, I must visit this country as soon as possible."

"That is how you start a conversation with a lady?"

"Aristotle, Plato or Socrates?"

"What?" I said that out loud accidentally but it is my honest reaction to this question.

"Aristotle, Plato or Socrates?" he repeated

"Aristotle."

"Iliad or Odyssey?"

"Iliad."

"Favorite line from the Iliad?"

"Μῆνιν ἄειδε, θεά, Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος"

"You speak ancient greek?"

"What is the point of your questions? And yes I do speak ancient Greek."

"No point I just wanted a proper conversation with you and I was sure you would know about your country's history."

Oh.

"Well thank you for wanting to have a proper conversation with me but I am busy!"

"Really? With what may I ask?"

"With... With um." I looked around to find a reason "Lemonade!"

"I can get you some if you want!"

"No I can get one myself!"

"I do not doubt it, Miss Theo. Now tell me, do you happen to know anything about art because-"

"Benedict! Go dance with your sister." a voice behind us interrupted.

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

Okay thank you Lord Bridgerton.

"Are you meeting my whole family?"

"To inform you, my Lord, they talk to me first. Just like you now." He gave me a strange look and left. The eldest Bridgerton was honestly such a confusing person.

Benedict. That was his name. From Anthony's appearance and speech he must be the first son and Benedict the second? Unless I am missing someone.

"Did you see the girl mister Bridgerton was talking to?" "Ah yes she was pretty and she had a really nice dress too." "I do not care if she was pretty, she is not even from here and she has already pull the hardests ones. Even the first son!" "She seemed rude, she should be proud that lovely Benedict even spoke to her." "Maybe this artist is looking for his muse this year ladies, it is our chance!"

Artist? Muse? So I guess Mister Bridgerton is famous among the ladies. Such a pleasure. Ugh this man just flirt with any female he sees? He indeed had something artistic on him. Once I look at him again, dancing while he moves effortlessly and his hair fall into his face and cover his eyes, he seems different than before. He speaks art. He is shinning. He even ignores all the other ladies in the ball room and only speaks to me.

"Missed me, Miss Theo?"

"Not at all Mister Bridgerton!"

"How is that? I caught you starring a while ago!"

"This is a rude observation for a lady Mister Bridgerton!"

"Call me Benedict, Y/N."

"Is there is reason behind that?"

"Not at all. There must not be a reason behind everything. Life is a weird thing and you can not explain every move of yours"

"You are right but I am keeping my senses together and I found it necessary to ask."

"Well Miss Y/N, you are free to ask whatever you want. Either way we are born to be free."

"You may be, but I do not think this includes me Benedict. Now if you excuse me, I will go and check my cousin"

I did left him at the ball hall but he did not left my mind that night. His eyes, his hands, his voice, everything remained pure into my head. A little party never hurt no one, but after that ball he is the only thing I have on my mind. And this was annoying. Annoying to think of his stunning face all the time. I did not want a man on my head. Especially him and his annoying smile.

A/N: so here is chapter one! Interesting how art deco vibes they both have? And how they both realized it? Also the iliad quote is the first line of iliad <3 thank you for reading!

@ayoitsmickey @preciousbabypeter

[julianobungus]

I came up with this idea a long time ago, when Steven Universe had just ended.

Lapis has been watching Jasper from time to time since she was uncorrupted, and a few days after Steven left, she saw Jasper sitting on the Brooding Hill and joined her. They had a conversation. They recalled different events that had happened to each of them. And Lapis didn’t like Jasper's pessimism. She didn’t like Jasper, who didn’t believe that she could change, who recalled Lapis' memories of being imprisoned in the mirror and thought that she should be imprisoned in the same way, who wanted to be rejuvenated or even shattered.

And Lapis thinks what Steven would do. He always forgave everyone and was friends with everyone. He would have liked it if Lapis had done the same. Lapis holds out his hand to Jasper and offers to remember the old days.

– You... Do you really want to do this? You said it was a prison for you.

– I want to help you. Like Steven helped me. Like he wanted to help you.

– Aren't you happy to see me so pathetic?

– NO! – Lapis shouts and Jasper twitches in amazement. Lapis grabs Jasper’s head and pushes it to her head.

This time Malachite was smaller, she was slightly higher than the Jasper herself. She had long horns, a pair of hands that were instead of hind legs, were wearing pants and flip-flops.

On her wings, she flew to the Beach City and immediately went to the Snowflake Obsidian and Larimar, as the memories of her components told her that snow cone is very tasty. She really didn't want to meet Crystal Gems, especially Garnet, but ironically, she soon meets Garnet. She says that Malachite has cute horns, notices that she has greatly decreased and asks if she is going to exist forever.

Malachite asks Garnet to leave her alone, but Garnet just having fun from this reaction. After all, she likes to see another fusion, and also the one that has changed and become better.

Malachite outsmarts Garnet and hides from her to get to the snow cone stand, where she asks Snowflake Obsidian for a watermelon-flavored cone, since the only food Malachite ever ate was Watermelon Stevens. Lapis ate snow horns many times, Jasper ate them only a couple of times, and Malachite did it for the first time. And because of that, the taste was like a new one.

Since Garnet knows that Malachite is back together, she can tell everyone about it, and Malachite thinks what to do. She's thinking of going to Bismuth. Jasper and Bismuth did not communicate as much as Lapis and Bismuth, but they had more or less friendly relationship. They mostly discussed Pink Diamond and her second personality Rose Quartz.

Malachite does not notice how she comes to the beach in front of the Crystal Temple. She thinks about the Obsidian that Lapis knew about, and thinks about her power that has nowhere to apply. And suddenly an idea comes to her, and she begins to create ice blocks and destroy them. And then she starts creating ice statues of Garnet. Amethyst finds her doing this, says that Malachite is on fire, and calls her Sis. Statues of Garnet throw snowballs to Amethyst. When Amethyst digs out of the snow and throws a huge ball of snow at the statues of Garnet, knocking them down like in a bowling alley, Malachite is nowhere to be found.

Malachite arrives in a Little HomeWorld and meets Vidalia, who offers her to be model for her drawing class. Vidalia calls her a beauty and Malachite is outraged because her name is Malachite, not Beauty. But she agrees to sit still and pose, because she is afraid that the next person she will meet will be Pearl.

Malachite was amazed to see the drawings, as it was the first time she saw herself not in the reflection of water. She couldn't even believe that she looked so beautiful.

In fact, Vidalia recognized Malachite immediately. Amethyst and Lapis told her about Malachite and showed her the drawings. So even though this time Malachite was smaller, Vidalia remembered her.

Amethyst sent her a message about the snowball fight, at the same time sharing Garnet’s story about meeting an old friend. Therefore, it cost Vidalia nothing to write a Pearl, Garnet and Amethyst message asking her to stay away from her class while Malachite is here. If green fusion didn't want to see them so much, then let her not see them. But no one said anything to Peridot. And she wondered why Lapis didn't come back from a walk for so long, and she went to look for her.

She was very surprised to see Malachite, but Vidalia calmed her down and told her everything. And then Alexandrite comes to Malachite, and she is also very small. They are about the same height. And Malachite is very angry. But Alexandrite offers her a duel. "You're both against us," she says. "I'm against you," Malachite corrects her. They smile at each other, Malachite tells his new friends that he will be back soon and goes to the teleport with Alexandrite.

Previously, Malachite was the hate of Jasper and Lapis for each other. But now... She became forgiveness. She will do anything to be good. Not just for the sake of Her Diamond. But also for the sake of her components. And for her own sake

Honestly, yeah, this'd be my ideal ending for Malachite as well. Her becoming the physical embodiment of reconciliation between two survivors traumatised from the culture they grew up in and the issues that caused for them both. I love how everyone is just so accepting of Mal, too. fr, Love this, such catharsis.

[permafusion-stevonnie]

So this idea isn’t leaving my head. While I’m not going to get it started for now, since I want to concentrate on my current Stevonnie comic, ideas are still ticking away and I just really wanted to draw this cover for the idea.

Maybe I’ll get its own page started in time. I’ll let you know if I do. But even if I did, I wouldn’t expect regular updates to it, not while I’m working on Together Forever.

I want to quickly say something that I think some people may have gotten confused about when I was talking about the Fallout Universe before:

Crystal Gems are still called Crystal Gems, but their role is similar, but not the same as the Brotherhood of Steel. In that they are isolationists, who will try to protect humanity from dangerous gem technology, and corrupted gems. they aren’t bothered with human mutants, human problems, or human technology. But I feel that, ove time, Steven will help their character growth away from this and help them, at least, start opening up to the local comminuty and helping where they can.

Homeworld Authority is still called Homeworld, or The Authority, but take on a similar role to the Enclave. They view themselves as the rightful masters of earth and they’re automatically more superior to any other lifeform by birthright.

I have been thinking over what could have occurred to create this world, how’s this for a (work in progress) backstory: (ended up a lot longer than I thought it would, so I’m space saving by putting in this break)

The Gem colonisation of earth happened later than it did in canon. A couple of thousand years, maybe. Unlike the 6000 years ago in canon, it was perhaps 5000, or maybe 4000 years ago. Enough for a bigger human civilisation to take part in the gem war for earth.

Pink still gets her colony started, still changes her mind about it, and finally chooses to become Rose Quartz to lead the rebellion. I think the human zoo will still be made, because I like the idea of that being around to give a mash-up of the human zoo and the mother ship zeta dlc from Fallout 3.

What really diverges from the timeline is when the rebellion starts fighting back with larger groups of human allies. 4000 (or 5000) years ago we are talking some good military strategies, chariots, bows and arrows, cavalries and tactics, etc. Some research will be needed to really flesh out the lore.

Homeworld, facing a bigger threat than a hundred or so rebels, puts a little more effort into research and development of newer technologies to counteract the human strategies. Nothing develops technologies quite like war.

Rose and the others start capturing some technologies from Homeworld and start studying them to not only understand them, but even attempting to reverse engineer them. They obviously won’t be able to replicate the weapons in form, but hope to do so in function.

This is where Scribes would come in for the Crystal Gems are the replacement for the Brotherhood of Steel that I’ve talked about before. Some Gems and some clever humans, would dedicate themselves to trying to understand the newer Gem technology they’re starting to see.

With inventive people like Bismuth to build their own version of it.

The actual Gem Technology will be locked away in the temple- or whatever name I may give it- but the remake versions that the Crystal Gems turn out will be spread far and wide.

I’m just thinking off the top of my head, but it’d be like- if they tried to make their own version of the gem destabiliser, it would be like a giant tuning fork hooked up to something similar to a large Baghdad Battery (google it, it’s kinda cool) that they would carry in a backpack.

The war would carry on like that, with Homeworld making new tech to combat the threat, sooner or later the rebellion captures some, they make their own version of it, and Homeworld makes new tech to combat the threat.

This drain on resources does take its toll on Homeworld though, and their war against earth is perhaps much shorter, between 300 and 800 years, I haven’t decided yet.

Things do play out similar to canon though. Homeworld decides to abandon earth as a lost cause, implant the Cluster so they’ll get something out of the deal and the three Diamonds blast the earth with their powers as a final middle finger to the rebels.

Gems are destroyed, except for the original Crystal Gems, and Bismuth! Canon Bismuth made a lot of regular weapons and armour and the rebellion was still losing. She was driven to making the Breaking Point because she didn’t think they had a chance of winning any other way. In this new canon, however, because Bismuth was working on newer and newer weapons all the time, each one she was confident would help turn the tide of the war, she never had chance to work on the ultimate weapon of the Breaking Point. She may have designed it, or may have the idea kicking around the back of her mind, but never got around to building it. 

Rose does her thing of finding somewhere isolated to live in both peace and regret for the war. This is where the Crystal Gems become isolationists

With the Gems gone, humans are left to their own devices with all this more advanced technology than they should have in this point in history. Tech continues to develop with this head start.

Fast forward to the year 1929 and people are living lives as you’d see in the Fallout universe in the 2070′s. Nuclear fulled cars, robot assistants, laser rifles and power armour and all that other stuff.

The reason I chose 1929 is two-fold. The first Fallout game was set 84 years after the nuclear war, and 84 years after 1929 is the year 2013; the year Steven Universe first aired.

The failing of the world is the same reason the Fallout universe failed. Resources started to become scarce, wars started over what remained and the whole thing was escalated by a race that may have been too young to fully understand the forces they were really dealing with, having come a long way, but still too fast, thanks to the ancient interference.

Nuclear hellfire rained down and some people took their shelter in the vaults, while everyone else had to find ways to survive outside.

Rose and the Gems stick to their isolation as humanity all but wipes itself out. Rose is heartbroken to see the beautiful world that she fought so hard for, so easily destroyed. There can be a lot to explore there. Maybe Rose will leave the group, maybe she’ll just wander off and be alone a lot but still return to the temple eventually. I haven’t decided yet.

Perhaps all the gems will have some additional guilt, knowing that their old tech is what pushed humanity so far so fast.

Fast forward 70 years and Rose meets a travelling wastelander named Greg. They fall in love. I’m not going to go into a lot of detail here mostly because I haven’t really thought too much about it, but partly because I know I want it to be explored within the story itself to show how different from canon it would be. Not just the flashback elements from “Story for Steven,” and "We Need to Talk," with a Fallout flair. I want to work out some other nice adventures to bring them together.

Rose and Greg come back to Beach City with Rose expecting their baby.

Steven is born and the Gems immediately take custody, with the logic that their secure base is a better place for Steven to grow up than the harsh wasteland. Greg is allowed to visit as often as he likes, but not stay there. Nor is Steven allowed off the base. They want to protect the legacy of their leader, Rose.

I’m going to say that Steven starts showing hints of Gem powers around 10 years old. Nothing he can control. Perhaps his Gem glows when he’s really happy, if he falls down some steps his bubble forms but immediately pops so it’s just enough to save him from injury. Little things like that.

But this serves as a point where The Gems start “encouraging” Greg to visit less and leave the raising of Steven to them, as his upbringing has now become “Gem Business”

Steven may have snuck off the base once or twice to see the world beyond the base, but after this he’ll do it a lot more often to see his dad and the Beach City settlement.

I think Bismuth suspects he sneaks off but both can’t prove it, and doesn’t want to try and prove it, Garnet knows but says nothing, both of them are letting Steven have his fun, and Pearl has no idea he does it.

Amethyst is not part of the group in the beginning, she’s out as part of a raider gang somewhere. Thank you to theyarheeguy for giving me that idea, and many others, to work with.

A total of 84 years after the bombs dropped, Steven is now 12 years old, sneaking off the base for another visit to town, when he spots a pretty young girl dressed in a strange blue jumpsuit, emerging from a hidden trapdoor that was underneath the old Beach City water-tower.

Steven is 12 because I believe that’s how old he was when the show started. Based on the timeline, the passing of the seasons and so on, he has to have a 13th birthday that we don’t see on screen, before we do see his 14th birthday.

[castiel-kline]

happy birthday @angelfishofthelord !!!

here’s Cas being Old and talking about dinosaurs to hopefully make you smile <3

---

“Hey, there you are!”

Castiel is tucked in a corner of the library when Dean’s voice startles him out of the book he’s reading. He stands up, a million things that could have gone wrong racing through his imagination at top speed.

“Dean. Is everything alright?”

He waves a hand in dismissal. “Yeah, no worries. Me, Sam and Jack are gonna watch Jurassic Park. You wanna join us?”

Castiel wrinkles his nose. He’s seen stills from that movie, and those plus the references Dean has made to it over the years make it sound like an inaccuracy-riddled insult to the beautiful creatures he once watched over.

But Cas has never been one to refuse time with his family, so he follows Dean through the bunker’s halls and takes a seat next to Jack on the sofa.

Sam passes him a bowl of popcorn.

“You made it!” he says, looking uncharacteristically relaxed. It’s… nice.

“Of course,” Castiel says, passing the popcorn to Jack’s eager hands and returning the boy’s smile. He’ll enjoy it more than Cas will. He cares much more about the people than the snacks or the film, anyway.

He takes in Sam’s easy smile again, and the calm in Dean’s posture where he stands preparing the DVD. Even Jack looks toward the blank television screen in excited anticipation, despite having learned by now not to trust Dean’s taste in cinema. Jack much preferred getting to explore films on his own, and Castiel was always thrilled to be included in his late night Netflix adventures.

He clears his throat, unsure why he’s so nervous. He does like dinosaurs, after all. “So… you like this movie, right?”

“Hell yeah we do,” Dean says. “Sam and I watched it in theaters when it first came out. He wouldn’t shut up about velociraptors for months.”

“I was ten,” Sam protests, pink creeping across his cheeks. “Besides, it wasn’t even velociraptors. It was... dilophosaurus.” He’d trailed off into a barely audible mumble in his embarrassment, but it was still loud enough for Dean to hear.

“Oh, that’s right!” he laughs, eyes alight with the delighted gleam of a sibling collecting ammunition to tease with. “He’d sit in the library for hours searching for any mention of the damn thing. I always said he’d be better off with a T. Rex obsession like a normal kid, but no-o.”

Castiel leans over, nodding in Sam’s direction. “Well, I think dilophosaurus is a very good choice of favorite dinosaur.”

Sam looks surprised, and Jack, who’d been watching the conversation like a tennis match, looks to Cas directly.

“You know about dinosaurs?”

Castiel frowns, confused. “Yeah, of course I do.”

They’re cut off by Dean, who keeps talking as he’s sitting down on Jack’s other side with the remote control.

“Could’ve sworn we watched this one with you before, Cas. When we found it at that movie rental place in Minnesota, after that ghoul hunt?”

“We would’ve,” says Sam, tone caked in playful bitterness. “But you wanted to get Mars Attacks instead, remember?”

Dean looks a bit sheepish. “Hey, sometimes you need a good B movie after a day of ganking monsters. Today, though, we gotta get the kid another check off the list of Spielberg must-sees, right? Cas, too. We’ve waited long enough as is.”

Castiel has just enough time to hope once more that this movie is of a better quality than many of Dean’s other favorites, and then his thoughts are swept away by the opening sequence lighting up the television.

---

Jack enjoyed the movie immensely. He liked the scares and the way it made his heart beat faster. He liked the way Dr. Grant was so protective of the kids. Most of all, of course, he liked the dinosaurs.

He’d found a book about them the other day when he was cleaning in the library with Sam, and when Dean overheard their conversation he immediately suggested this movie.

Jack thought Cas would be just as interested in dinosaurs as he was, but the angel spent the whole movie with a frown on his face and a furrow between his eyes.

As the brothers stand up, Dean to turn on the lights and Sam to collect the empty snack bowls, Jack nudges Cas’ arm with his elbow.

“Are you okay?”

Cas meets Jack’s gaze with gentle eyes.

“I’m fine. I- I thought that the ending was a bit sad.”

Jack frowns. “How was it sad? Almost everyone got off the island.”

“That’s not…” Cas shakes his head, and takes a moment to compose himself before giving Jack a small smile. “You don’t need to worry about me, Jack. It just made me remember when the dinosaurs died.”

Shocked silence falls upon the room like a fog. Jack knows he’s gaping in disbelief, and feels Sam and Dean doing the same.

Cas glances around, taking in everyone’s surprise. “What’s wrong?”

“Dude,” Dean says. “Did you… are you…”

“Were you really there when the dinosaurs died?” Sam manages, sounding strained.

Cas answers slowly, eyes narrowed. “Yes? It was very sad, but it was a long time ago. I’ve had time to mourn.”

“But you were there!” Dean repeats, dumbfounded. Cas continues staring.

“Yes, Dean, I was there.”

“I mean, what- what was it like?” Sam asks, wonder in his eyes.

“Well, um. It was hot. And fiery.”

“It was hot and fiery,” Dean says, broken record. “Wow.”

“I don’t understand. Why are you… why is this such a surprise? I thought the dinosaurs’ extinction was common knowledge.”

“Yeah, but talking to someone who saw it is… it’s amazing,” Sam says. If he wasn’t holding the butter-greased popcorn bowls, Jack is sure he would be gesturing every which way. “Why didn’t you tell us about it before?”

Cas blinks. “I didn’t know that you were interested. I thought if you wanted to know, you’d just ask me.”

“Dude. We didn’t know we could ask! I mean, we knew you were older than the pyramids, but the dinosaurs? That’s, what, fifty million years?”

“Sixty-five,” chime Sam and Jack, in unison.

“Wait a minute, how old do you think I am?”

That gives them pause. Jack exchanges hopeless glances with Sam and Dean, the three of them clambering for any exact number in the recesses of their minds. Jack draws a blank, both because Cas doesn’t really talk about his past and because time is a little twisted for him to begin with.

He knows he’s almost two, and that two years is not a long time, but to Jack it feels like forever.

He knows his mother was thirty-nine when she died, and he knows Sam and Dean are hovering somewhere near forty. Cas has lived millions of years, and though Jack can’t quite wrap his mind around that vast length of time, he knows that makes Cas near eternal. Like Jack’s supposed to grow up to be.

Oddly, it’s a comforting thought.

“How old are you?” He asks it to put an end to the silence, and because he’s realized he really wants to know the answer.

Cas hesitates, brow creasing in thought. “It’s hard to say. The first thing I really remember is the tiktaalik, so I suppose that makes me…”

“Holy shit,” Sam breathes. He must know what the tiktaalik is, Jack thinks. He’ll have to ask about it later.

“Three and a half billion. Approximately,” Castiel finishes.

Jack can almost hear Dean’s jaw hit the floor.

“That old, huh?” Dean asks. His voice is strained, and he sounds faint.

“I might be closer to four billion, actually,” Cas muses.

“Okay, whoa,” Sam interjects, before Dean’s brain melts entirely. “That’s… that’s really impressive, Cas.”

“I- really?”

“Yeah, man,” Dean manages. But Cas still doesn’t look convinced, so Jack speaks up.

“You’re prehistoric!” he says. “I think that’s really special.”

Cas takes a long moment to respond, inexplicably looking younger as he processes their praise. It’s like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders- like for the first time in eons he feels like the years behind him, drenched in blood and pain and regret as they are, can be a gift rather than a curse.

Sam and Dean clap Castiel on the shoulder and take their leave from the room, the elder brother murmuring something about “antique angels” as they go.

Jack steps closer to Cas, clearing his throat.

“I, um. I found a book about dinosaurs the other day. Dean said that this movie would be educational, but… I was wondering if you could tell me about them? I don’t think I learned very much.”

“I would be happy to.” Cas smiles, reaching out to squeeze Jack’s shoulder. “This film wasn’t very accurate, anyway.”

“Really? How?”

“Well, for one thing, most of those dinosaurs didn’t even live during the same millennium. And they weren’t nearly so lizard-like. They had feathers.”

Jack responds in kind, whispering conspiratorially: “Like birds?”

“Sort of. Come on, I’ll draw some for you.”

Jack follows his father out of the room, smiling from ear to ear. Though the full scope of Castiel’s age remains far beyond his comprehension, Jack thinks it’s incredible. With all those years behind him, it’s no wonder that Cas is such a good parent.

Time is a teacher, and Cas has had a long life in which to learn. He has so much wisdom to share- and it’s not all about the dinosaurs, not because of the things he’s seen or the battles he’s won.

No, Castiel shines brighter than the most beautiful of stars. It’s a brilliance that comes from the inside out, forged through fire and pain and a heart stronger than diamond no matter how many times it’s broken.

Castiel shines with four billion years of love.

[sunshineandbnha]

After All These Years - Denki x reader (Denki birthday special)

Word count: 2,355 Warnings: not edited A/N: I really did try to get this out on his birthday, but now it’s 8 minutes too late. It’s kinda rushed, but I really like this idea. Hope you like it.

~

"It's almost our third year in UA."

"I know, crazy right." Kaminari laid back in the grass. His hands were folded behind his head.

The wind combed through your hair. It was a nice day and you both agreed to meet at the park.

"You know, back when I applied to UA, I thought I'd have a girlfriend by now."

"Yeah." You absent mindedly nodded.

"I know! If we're still single when we're thirty, we'll marry each other!" 

You laughed, not taking his suggestion seriously. "Well, I would want to date someone before I marry them. Besides, how do you know I won't become a hobo by then." you said jokingly.

He let out a sigh. His gaze drifting down to his side. "I just don't want to be alone." 

You paused before rolling your eyes a little, but you decided not to tease him about it. You jokingly agreed, "Yeah. Sure."

~

It was your first day off in a while, and you took this precious time to sort through the growing mess in your room. Picking up each individual item and trying to figure out what to do with it. You came across an old photo. The frame around it was a nice wooden brown, though it was clear from touching it that it was just plastic. It had collected some dust

It was a photo of you with your friends while you were still in highschool. Among them was Kaminari. You smiled as you sat back on the one area of your bed that wasn't cluttered from cleaning. It had been years since then.

Wait.

"Shoot!" You stood, "It was his birthday today wasn't it?"

You quickly walked out of your room to find your phone. Both to check the date and to text him if it was. You were in the process of searching for it when a knock at the door interrupted you. You didn’t recall anyone saying they were coming over. You carefully walked up to the door.

"It's me, Denki."

You opened up the door to the smiling blond on the other side. 

“It’s my birthday! Miss me?”

"Hey! Not that I'm upset, but what are you doing here?"

"I thought I texted you that I was coming over?" He said.

With an eyebrow quirked, you found your phone after a minute of searching and checked.

"Oops. Sorry, I had it on silent."

“No problem.” He bounced on his toes. “It’s been a while since we saw each other in person. Like, a month or so?”

“Yeah.” You nodded. “Wait a second, that was in winter.”

His eyes widened. “Oh! Right! Yeah, it was cold that day. So, ouch, five months ago.”

“Good for catching up. Sorry, I completely forgot it was your birthday. I swear I had just remembered and was about to text you before you knocked.”

“It’s all good.”

You nodded and fell into an awkward silence. Both wanting to talk about something, but having no idea where to start.

Kaminari smiled. “So, thirty, right? Back in U.A. I almost thought I’d never get this far.”

“Yeah.” You laughed. “We’re getting old.”

“I know,” he nervously nodded. “So are we gonna date now?”

“Excuse me?”

“Remember about fourteen years ago when we said if we didn’t find anyone by now, we’d start dating?”

“Holy- we’ve been friends that long?” You shook your head. “But, I did? I don’t remember... well, I guess I kinda remember that now that you mention it?”

“Oops, I guess it was a while ago.” His head sunk into his shoulders and looked to his side with a nervous grin. “But… wanna try?”

You bit the inside of your lip and looked up. Well, considering this was your day off, you didn’t have much better to do. Of course, there was the clutter in your bedroom, but you were also subconsciously keen on looking for an excuse not to do it. Plus, you really didn’t have a problem with going on one date with him. And…

"Fine. We'll go on a date and see how we feel by the end of it."

His golden eyes lit up and his smile grew the biggest you'd seen it in a long time.

You loved to see him happy.

"But, I have one condition," you had said, "it can't get out to the media."

The media and citizens loved to meddle in pro heroes' love life. Simply going to a café together would get you on trending pages for the next week. And though you never experienced this, you've seen how stressful it could be. Lord knew how much hate Shouto's girlfriend received from his fangirls when a camera first caught them. There was even a rumor about reporters going to her apartment when someone found out which complex she lived in.

Of course, you didn't know her or Shouto personally. It happened around five years ago, and you didn’t even know if they were still together. But it was enough to convince you to try not to get caught up in that kind of drama if you could help it.

"This mask is kinda stuffy," Kaminari tugged at the black mask on his face.

You walked by his side on the sidewalk. The air felt still and hot. But at least the night prevented it from getting any warmer. The temperature actually felt comfortable if you were sitting.

"Sorry. I just don't want someone to see us together and blow it out of proportion. Especially since we don't know how we feel about this yet."

"True. But it's so hard," he whined.

"Hopefully you didn't pick a restaurant to go to."

"I actually didn't. I hope you'll really like it."

It all felt so strange, because it didn't feel odd. You were both talking and hanging out like you usually would. The only difference now was that there was the official title of "date" going along with it.  You both spent a lot of time together like that when you were still high schoolers. He actually asked you out a few times, but you always said no and insisted on being just friends.

Though just a few months before graduating, you started to develop feelings for him. You ignored it. You knew he didn't feel the same. It hurt to see him asking other people out at that time, but it was fine. It hurt, but you knew your silly feelings meant nothing and you liked being friends with him.

You past shops, getting closer to the park.

Initially after graduating, you didn't see each other very much. You were both busy and it put strain on your friendship, or maybe just you. It was because you wanted to talk to him, you really did, but you had other, more pressing, things you needed to do. It was around that time, when you weren’t constantly seeing him for the first time in a few years, that you realized how much you relied on him, despite you being the one to remind him of homework and keep him out of trouble.

You wandered into the park. Kaminari took your hand and led you off the path and towards the pond.. You tilted your head in confusion, but followed. He stopped by the water next to a cherry blossom tree, though by now the pink petals were gone and replaced by glossy green leaves.

He stared out onto the water, you did the same. The night seemed so much more still here. The sky was a beautiful black with flecks of diamonds that reflected off of the water.

You almost forgot you were still holding hands.

"I've always wanted to take someone special to me here on a date." He smiled. "But I've never gotten to before."

"So, I'm the first?" Out of all everyone, were you really the only one to get to see this with him.

"Yep."

You thought for a second. "What about Natalie?"

He gave a small laugh, but one that was filled with some sort of bittersweet emotion. Sadness? Longing? None of those were really the right word. Maybe if there was a word that meant "remembering a happy what-could-have-been".

"Yeah. Natalie was amazing, but by the time I was comfortable enough to take her here our schedules didn't allow it."

You picked at your memory. "She was born in America, right?"

"Yeah, but she couldn't remember it since her family moved to Japan when she was three."

You nodded, then your eyes drifted downwards. "Sucks she had to move to Paris for her career."

"Yeah. But that’s in the past. I hope she's doing good right now. I bet she has awesome clothing lines out now." He stared up in the sky.

The tension was way too thick for you right now. You playfully bumped his arm. "Admit it, you liked her because she could draw."

"Yeah! Her drawings were amazing!" his eyes lit up and had a distant look, like he was remembering them. Then he paused "Waiiiiit, are you saying mine aren't good?"

"What? No, no!" 

You burst out laughing and he did the same. It rang out across the water and in the night air, where everyone could hear, but you didn't care. It felt like your own tiny world.

"You know," you started. "Back when you said that whole 'if we're thirty and single' thing, I thought you were joking. You know,” you said before he could respond, “Back in the last year of U.A. I actually did start to have feelings for you.”

“What?!” he jumped back in surprise. "You liked me? Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Because you didn’t feel the same.” 

“True,” he said in a quiet voice, “But I did earlier, you were just a year too late. I mean, since then I mostly saw you as a friend, but another part of me wondered what it would be like if we did date.”

You hummed and nodded. “But for me, it took me forever to get rid of those feelings. A part of me almost didn’t want to do this because then that time would be wasted.” Especially when it hurt so much and took so long.

He glanced at you, but didn’t say anything. You didn’t blame him. If you were him you wouldn’t be able to find any words for what you just said too.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

A silence fell on you.

He bit his lip. "So, I guess you're my friend, a really close one, but at the same time I also see you as something more. If that makes any sense." 

You nodded. "Yeah, I think it does." 

"So, you actually, really, like me, at least at some point?" He said slowly.

"Yes. Stop asking. This is really embarrassing." You covered your face with your hands.

"Hey! Don't cover your face!" 

He fought to get his fingers around your wrists to pull them apart. You did your best to keep them in place, hands shaking in effort, but he was stronger. You angled your face away in a futile attempt to prevent him from seeing it, but all with a smile on your face.

He put his finger under your chin and turned your head toward him. He was already smiling. The small amount of light coming from the city reflected in his eyes. But then his features softened. He leaned in ever so slightly.

"Gosh, you're beautiful." 

You could feel his breath fanning your face as he whispered. You felt yourself being pulled closer to him, as if some magic force moved you, and your lips met. The moment they touched, you felt a tingle, not quite like electricity, but there was no other way to describe it. You felt yourself relax. Muscles you didn’t even know were wound up went slack. You found your hand reaching to the back of his neck and gliding up into his hair. His arm snaked around your waist to hold you closer.

It was like your forgotten dreams were coming back to life, stronger and more vivid. You felt walls you built crumbling down before him as you melted into the kiss and the moment. And for that moment, you were the only ones in the world.

Then that moment ended. You suddenly squinted from a sudden flash of light.

The kiss broke from your mutual confusion. You blinked hard and looked to see where it came from. What you found was a guy, who appeared to be in his twenties, though it was hard to tell in the light. And in both his hands, he held a phone, ready to take a picture.

Oh, this was NOT happening.

You stomped up to him. The look of fear on his face was comical. It was hard to tell, but you think he turned pale.

“Delete that right. Now!”

He frantically nodded, fumbling with his phone. You stood over him, staring at his phone to make sure he deleted it and didn’t upload it to the internet. As you did so, Kaminari walked beside you and bumped you with his elbow.

“Still shy?” he whispered.

You pouted, eyes turning down slightly. You waited for the guy to be done. After inspecting his recent photos to make sure he did, you gave his phone back. He apologized before running away.

“I just don’t want anyone to know for now. It's just... this is personal for me. Just... give me time, okay?" you said.

"I've been waiting forever to be with you. I'm pretty sure I can wait to tell my friends about it." He wrapped his arm around you.

It was a beautiful night. The still water glistening. The trees decorating the horizon. The stars shining above you, witnessing the event. Crickets applauded you. Aside from that, the world was quiet, as if respecting this special moment 

.

.

.

"But seriously. Don't tell your friends about it, okay?" 

"Okay. Okay. I won't. I promise."

"That's what you said with the pop tart incident!" 

"Okay then, I pinky promise. On our love... and friendship! Alright?" 

"Alright."

[p---ink]

Stark Contrasts: Chapter Two

Author’s Note: Hey guys, an anon asked for angst, so I gave them a bunch of drama with this chapter. Though I personally wouldn’t classify this as angst, im gonna tag it that way. I think angst is more like a story with a depressing tone, but this is more so dramatic if anything.  But don’t worry I sprinkled in a bit of fluff and some smut to lighten it up a bit. This is a sequel to Stark Contrasts, which I recommend reading first in order to get a background of what led to this chapter. Caution, I used google translate, to add in some French. If any French readers find it offensive or wrong, let me know so I can take it out or edit it. I really hope you enjoy reading this chapter, it took me over a week to write due to writer’s block, but I am pretty happy with the outcome. Once again PLEASE DON’T REPOST MY WORK! 

Summary: Edward Stark realizes the errors of his ways towards the reader, and tries to woo her in order to save their relationship.

Warnings: Smut, Angst, cheating, age gap, daddy kink, etc. 

Song: From Eden by Hozier for the first half, and Run by Hozier for the second. 

Word Count: 11.2k.

Parts: one | two | three | four | five

Chapter Title: Daddy Issues. 

So much had changed since your night with Tony. For one, the entire dynamics of your relationship. Long gone were the unsure lovers with unresolved sexual tension. You two were more confident in your affections now, and this made you reach a new level of comfort within each other and within yourselves. Through the eyes of a stranger, the description would be that of an old—in love, married couple. 

Though he was much older, you were the more mature one. Tony enjoyed doing things just to annoy you. He found your irritation both adorable and sexy. You would get so pouty, and your voice would go up at least three octaves. If he really did his job right, you would end up banging your small fists against his chest, which he thought was the cutest shit in the world. He took pleasure in poking the sides of your stomach, when you were performing tasks that took your attention away from him. “Kitten,” he’d whine when you were entranced in a book, “put that down, and come and play with me.” Then he would lay his head in your lap and talk about absolutely nothing until you noticed him. He only ever drew the line in his endeavors when you were studying. He preferred his head attached to his neck, rather than rolling on the ground. 

Besides always trying to piss you off, he religiously spoiled you rotten. That extravagant lace pale blue body con dress that you saw in your favorite shop? Better believe you’d find it on your bed the next day after Edward left for work and you were getting ready for classes. He would place expensive Cartier bracelets around your breakfast muffins, and bvlgari necklaces around the necks of gifted stuffed animals. He loved buying you luxurious gifts, ranging from earrings to bags. But besides your pleading for him to stop, he knew you struggled to find ways to hide it. If he happened to notice it, explaining to Edward where you got the money to pay for diamond encrusted rings would prove difficult. You were only able to wear your shiny new gifts when you were out with Tony; he found other ways to spoil you however. There were many days, where you had nothing planned, and he’d surprise you with a day at the spa, or a night on the sky in his private helicopter. If it had been up to him, everyone in the world would know you were his, but he just couldn’t risk being seen with you. Because of this fact, he had to become creative with the ways he treated you. From the rooftop dates in secluded towns to the lavish wine tastings alone in Napa, you had experienced more with Tony than you had in your entire life. When he could arrange bullshit business events for Edward to attend, he gave you bullshit reasons to fly with him to Paris, Italy, Greece, and everywhere in between. While Edward had his trips, the two of you had your own. 

Of course you always felt it was too much when he would do all of this. However, no matter how much you begged him to stop spending money on you, he never listened; it was like second nature for him to give you the world and more. He felt it necessary for someone he believed created the moon and stars. 

Most who knew him closely thought he was an asshole. He would often over-talk, dismiss, and challenge others. They always pinpointed on his shortcomings, forgetting that he was a good man in the process. He was a genius billionaire philanthropist, for fuck-sake, who many a time sacrificed his own desires for the wellbeing of others. This is why he always felt guilty. The one thing he kept to himself, the one thing he was not willing to give up, was you, even though you belonged to someone else. 

He just wouldn’t give you up though. Tony adored you. When the rest of the world felt like pollution in his lungs, you were his breath of fresh air. He was intoxicated by you. Enamored in your existence. He saw you as perfect which he knew was impossible in a world full of imperfections. 

He became obsessed with your hair, curious as to how it could defy gravity some days, then dance on your shoulders the next. He needed to know the secret on why the sun resided in your skin, giving it a mahogany glow, with golden undertones.  Your soft full lips, coffee-colored with a tint of pink, were his eternal bliss. It didn’t matter if you smelled of his sex the morning after or if your tired eyes were baggy from a night of studying, he knew you were the most beautiful person he laid eyes on. It was just as simple as that.

Tony wasn’t the only one to change. One could argue you became more bold. Where he showed his love through gifts and adoration, you showed yours through care and touch. “Tony, you’re working too hard. Come to bed now," you’d urge when you’d find him in his study hunched over a stack of papers at his desk. If he had too much on his hands, you would happily take over to help him get done sooner. You were surprisingly stubborn, and would stand firm in your attempts to get him to take care of himself. Though Tony loved annoying you, he hated when you were worried. If he was sick, you’d drop everything to tend to his needs. Whether it was making homemade soup, or driving halfway across town to get a specific type of medicine; you would do it for him no hesitation. It got the point that whenever he wasn’t feeling well, he tried to hide it. In a way being ill made him feel insecure and old. You couldn’t give a shit about those silly worries of his though, because if he needed to be taken care of, that’s what would happen. When nameless idiots over the internet spoke bad on his name, you were the first to draw your sword to defend him. You could never tell him that, but the screen name Tonysbitch99 wasn’t really fooling anyone; how could it when the anonymous face behind the name would say exactly what you would? To you, your love felt minuscule in comparison to his. It’s the reason you hated when he spoiled you. Tony however, appreciated your gestures, and felt that he was the one that was lacking. In reality your love language complemented each other perfectly. His love for you was loud and vocal, whereas yours moved silently. He needed you to ground him, while you needed him to drown out any shadow of a doubt that his actions were genuine. Besides, what could you possibly do for a man that had everything in the world?

Among other things that were now different was the constant sex. You two fucked like rabbits. He once cleared out an entire store just so he could fuck you in your dressing room. Your favorite times were when he didn’t clear the store at all. “Daddy, someone might hear us” you’d moan into his skin while he thrusted into you against a wall. “I want them to.” He would counter, before picking up the pace to build your reaction. On the way home from dining out, you would often ride him in the backseat of his car, the two of you clawing at each others skin desperate to get closer. When you just couldn’t wait to get home from your outings, he would start fingering you underneath the restaurant table while whispering sweet-nothings into your ear; this usually resulted into you getting dragged to the nearest bathroom stall. On nights where Edward was home, he would come up with any excuse to get you alone so he could bury himself into you. The two of you were playing a dangerous game, but Tony was an addict and he didn’t plan on stopping any time soon. 

Perhaps the person to change the most though, was Edward. Whether it was because he learned to work hard for the things he desired in life, or the fact that said things could be taken away from him in an instant, he was changing. Most importantly, he saw that you were changing. Tony and you may have thought him to be a self-absorbed idiot, but he saw the fading love marks that littered your neck. He saw the expensive shopping bags filled with shoes and high-end lace, carefully tucked away in your shared closet as if it was meant to be hidden. The new housekeeper bought your hand-stitched lingerie in with the laundry, smiling to him relishing in how lucky he was. But you didn’t wear that for him. He saw the way you bounced around without a care in the world, even though he had not done right by you for the entirety of your relationship. Who was all of this for? Whose texts were you chuckling at while you laid in bed so late at night? Whose scent was embedded in your bedroom sheets? Whose hickeys bruised the surface of your skin? Who was all of this for? 

It was true that he was somewhat of a different man now. Edward in the past would have accused you of being the biggest slut in the world. This Edward however, knew that he had no room for anger. He had absolutely no room for judgement. He had cheated on you since the genesis of it all. That didn’t change the fact that he loved you. He meant it when he said you were his forever girl, and that you were the best thing to ever happen to him. How could he be so foolish and let you give his love away?

“Dad,” he started, looking up to observe the older man. He and Tony were currently sitting opposite in their breakfast nook. Tony with his legs folded, newspaper in hand, orange juice in the other, hadn’t even looked up to acknowledge him. All that could be heard was a barely audible “Hmm?” 

“I think maybe I need some time off from the company” He stated.

Expecting his father to just be okay with that, he was slightly taken aback when Tony replied, “Why is that?” briefly meeting his eyes before returning to the words on his paper. 

“Well, its actually about Y/N” at this, he had his full attention. 

“What’s wrong with Y/N? Is she sick?” Slight panic dripping in his words.

“Well no but…” he began, trying to find the words to say. 

“But what Edward? Use your words, kid!” He demanded, tone a few notes away from a shout. He saw the surprise in his son’s face, so he straightened himself and said “Sorry. It's just you know how close we are. She’s my best friend.” He wanted to say you were his girlfriend, but best friend reigned true as well. 

“Well,” Edward began again “Our relationship is in shambles. I’m pretty sure she’s cheating on me and I don’t want to lose her. She might be the only woman who’s gonna put up with my shit. And I know she’s genuine because she doesn’t ask for my money. I feel like if I’m here more, I have a chance of rekindling our connection” Edward stated, confiding in his father, hoping to find some sense of relief. He hadn’t realized how hurt he was. Is this how he made you feel? Tony almost felt guilty. But protectiveness over you soon clouded his sense of remorse. Who was he to try and take you away from him? 

He examined his son. The younger boy looked like he hit copy paste on his mother’s genes. They shared the same facial features, down to her high cheek bones, only Edward had raven black hair and dark brown eyes. He was more compared to Robert Pattinson than he was to his own father, even though he looked nothing like either of them. Man, genes were a funny thing. 

Tony thought about his words. It was true that you were humble and any other woman with an ounce of self-respect would have hit the door running the minute they found out how sleazy Edward had been. You almost did, until you met his father.

He put down his newspaper, turned to Edward and took in a sharp breath before saying, “She is taken care of, so you have nothing to worry about. There isn’t any unknown man coming in from off the street sniffing around your woman.” Tony chose his words carefully. They were cautiously crafted so that he technically told the truth. He was many things, but he hated to be called a liar. 

He read the uncertainty in Edward’s face, then continued his case. “In all honesty, Ed, you know I need you at your desk. You wanted this, are you really gonna let your insecurities get in the way of that? If so, maybe I should find someone better to take your—” 

Quickly interrupting his rambles, “No dad, listen. I don’t want to give up my seat. I’ll just have to find some other way to solve our issues.” 

“Exactly what issues do you have?” Tony pressed, eyebrows knitting together. 

“Don’t ask me how I know, but she’s cheating on me. I’m sure of it.” He confirmed, staring blankly into his father’s eyes. What does know? Tony thought to himself. Does he know it’s me? “Besides why are you getting so defensive?” Edward challenged. “It almost sounds as if you’re mad.”

“It’s just I know what kind of girl she is.” He defended, throwing his hands up and sitting back in his seat a bit. “She wouldn’t cheat on the man she loves. And I’m sure she cares about what you think.” Taking in his words after a moment, Edward chuckled to himself. His dad was right, you had to care about him. Why else would you still be here despite how much he had put you through. 

“Thanks dad. I think I was worried about nothing for a second there.” In the back of his mind, he still knew you were sleeping around, but now he was certain that it was all done as a cry for help. You just wanted his attention. He felt silly. He smiled to himself, then to his father. Tony returned a weak smile; the rest of his face couldn’t fake the empty sentiment. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, you came in to distract them. You came bounding down the staircase on your way to make some breakfast before your trek to school. Both of the men instantly averted their attention away from each other, to instead lay it onto you. 

It was a cool fall day, so you were wearing a cropped white turtleneck that you paired with a pleated floral skirt. Long tan thigh high boots hugged your brown legs in just the right way, and you wore a simple (but expensive) necklace that Tony purchased for you. You used to care, but now you thought nothing of it since you knew Edward never paid any attention to you. Today happened to be one of those days that you were wrong. While Edward silently fumed over your choice of jewelry, Tony thought of new ways to violate you. With your consent, of course. 

Focused on the iPad in your hands, you failed to notice anyone else in the room until you heard the creak of a wooden chair. Looking up from your device, you were greeted by the men of the house eyeing you meticulously. “Oh sorry. Good morning” you smile, shy from the sudden attention.

“Good morning sweetheart” “–Morning babe.” Tony and Edward say simultaneously, surprising each other, and surprising you. As they say it,  their necks snap towards each other for just a second and their expressions match; furrowed brows and clenched jaws. Your eyes widen for a second before you continue on with your business. 

Before swallowing the awkward silence, Tony begins, “You’re down here pretty early. Do you have something important to do?” 

“I don’t have anything planned, I just wanted to wake up early to get some things done before class.” You returned, searching the cupboards.  

Upon hearing your plans to do nothing, Edward sparked up an idea. He cleared his throat, and rose from his seat to hesitantly trudge over to you. At the moment, you were standing on your toes trying to reach your favorite coffee mug in the top of the cupboard. Tony always placed it there to watch you struggle, just like he was doing right now. While taking pleasure in how cute you looked bouncing up and down, he hadn’t noticed Edward leave from his seat until he blocked his view. He shadowed your form to place a hand over yours bringing down your mug. Slightly startled, by his touch, you dropped it. It fell into his hand before it could shatter on the floor. “I’m sorry for scaring you.” He chortled, turning his lips into his famous sexy grin. It did nothing but repulse you. 

“Its fine.” As you take your mug and turn away from him to pour your coffee, Edward wraps his hands around your hips to turn your body towards him. You were now facing Tony, but even if you weren’t you would be able to sense the daggers he was throwing into Edward’s back. His orange juice glass was on the verge of shattering, and the wood on the table threatened to splinter his fingers, from the grip he had on it. He wasn’t supposed to touch you. 

“So I was thinking” Edward began, dragging his thoughts out. “Since you don’t have any plans, I’m taking you out tonight.” You mentally cursed yourself for going into detail about your day in front of him. Mouth agape in utter disgust, you were at a loss for words. Tony could think of a few he wanted to say; however, but he stayed silent. Edward took your silence as surprise. In his eyes, you were happy to finally be spending some time with him. Everyone just stared at each other. Edward at you, you at Edward, and Tony back and forth between the both of you. “I can tell you’re happy.” His hands began to roam up and down your sides as he spoke. He drew a line up your spine, and pressed his lips to your ear before whispering, “Make sure to wear something sexy—”

“Edward sweetie, as the boss, don’t you think you should be at work bright and early.” Tony advised. Saving both you, and Edward. He worked very hard to ensure his words didn’t fall through gritted teeth.

Without taking his eyes off of you, Edward rolled them and smirked at you, as if you too were frustrated with Tony for cock-blocking. He quickly pecked your lips and went to grab his workbag. Your eyes followed his movement about the room. Just before exiting the house, he turned back to you to say “Be ready at seven” and then he turned the knob to leave.  

You, Tony, and silence were all alone together. You didn’t dare look at him, but the side of your face was burning from the glare he had on it. Acting as if nothing happened, you turn back around to prepare your day.  

Still staring in your direction, it was now Tony’s turn to get up. He leaped from his seat to take long strides towards you. He stopped just short of where you were standing, waiting for you to acknowledge him. You tried to busy your hands with your current task, cracking eggs into a bowl, waiting for him to break the silence; he was waiting for you to do the same. The sound of egg yolks hitting the surface of the bowl, followed by the stirring of a whisk were the only noises to be heard in the kitchen. 

“Yes, my love?” You ask after a few moments, the quiet becoming too unbearable. 

“Why aren’t you looking at me?” He replied, eyes boring into the side of your head. 

“Tony what are you talking about. I’m busy.” You sigh, growing annoyed. 

“Well fine, if you won’t look me in the eyes, can you at least answer me this? What. The Fuck. Was That?” He asked, soaking his words in drama. He placed his hand flat onto the counter awaiting an answer.

“I honestly don’t know.” You answer truthfully, still whisking your eggs. 

“Well did you two make up?” Tony pressed.

“No, I guess—”

“Well then why did he kiss you?”

“Tony, I don’t know wh—”

“Well then why don’t you know?”

“Could you let me finish!” You shouted before giving him your undivided attention. Your outburst both surprised and shut him up. “I don’t know why he kissed me. I don’t know why he asked me out on a date. We did not make up, because as usual we don’t say a word to each other. Fucking hell, this has been the first time in a year since we’ve been in the same room for longer than a minute, besides when we’re asleep.” You end your rant with this “All that I know is this, I don’t care. I’m not going on that date because I would rather spend the night with you. To be completely frank, I think I’d rather spend the night in a closet with murderous clowns, than go on a date with your shitty son.” With that, you walk away to aggressively click on the stove to begin cooking your breakfast. 

“Well,” Tony began, only slightly taken aback. “I know he’s shitty, but you didn’t have to say it. He is still my son, so I’m the only one who reserves the right to call him a shitty.” He chuckled, leaning opposite to you against the counter, looking down to observe your actions. 

“And to that I say, when you do a piss-poor job at raising a man to respect women, then anyone reserves the right to call them shitty.” You comment, meeting his eyes with a small smile before turning back to your  cooking. 

Tony smirked at your remark. “Blame his mom, because I’m a total feminist.” He grasped your chin to turn it towards him, bringing his face down to kiss yours before abruptly stopping. He took a paper towel from the bar, and began wiping your lips, earning a glare from you, that soon turned into a fit of laughter. His smirk only grew wider at his successful attempt to diminish your anger. 

“You make me sick.” You roared, calming down from your fit, before wrapping your arms around his neck to pull him in for a deep kiss. When you were ready to let go, Tony wasn’t. Ignoring his needy looks, you turned back around to your task at hand. Like that, the mood changed from light-hearted, to serious in an instant. Unsatisfied, Tony moved from his spot at the counter to wrap his arms around your middle, pulling you flush against his chest. 

“You know I could get used to you yelling at me. It really turns me on” he said, rocking from side to side which made you sway in his arms. 

“Babe.”

“Hmm.” He hummed, rubbing a finger down your spine the same way Edward did earlier, only this time instead of chills and shivers, you felt warm tingles. 

Not now.” You warned, already knowing where this was going. He pushed a bang behind your ear to admire your neck.

“Why not. Can’t you skip school for just one day?” Tony responds, fanning his lips over your ear.

“ No. No I cannot.” You reply, trying to overlook the kisses he planted against your neckline, and the traveling hands against your curves. 

“Then just be a little late.” He said, palming your chest, taking his time to massage the fleshy mounds. You lose your composure as he brings a hand down your sternum to dip underneath your skirt. You both groaned, him at how wet you were, and you at how good his hands felt. “Besides I know you wanna stay a little longer.” His voice was shaky and husky, and he was about to snap, which made your knees like jelly. 

“Tony, please.” You were going for stern, but your demands came out in labored pants. You felt his hardened member pressed against your ass and back, and you knew if you didn’t stop him now, there was no way you were leaving the house any time soon. You unfastened his hands from your waist, and pushed him away from you before continuing your cooking. You cleared your throat to say “Maybe later.”

Seemingly defeated, Tony started with a sigh “Fine. No more teasing. But I’m hungry.” 

“I have time to make you some French toast or pancakes.” You respond, placing your cooked breakfast on a plate and turning the stove off. 

“I think I’ll have you instead.” He says, before planting one more kiss beneath your ear.

“No thanks love.” You chuckle. 

“I wasn’t asking,” he retorted, before hoisting you up by your knees and placing you on the island away from the stove. You laugh in the process, knowing that this was inevitable. Upon sitting you down, his lips were on yours in an instant. Hurried sloppy kisses, covered your mouth and jaw as he explored your body with his fingers. As he traced his the index along your collarbone he realized he found new things to worship every time. His lips were hot and wet on your skin, both burning and soothing everything in their path. Breaking the kiss for just a moment, he brushed passed your shoulder  to push everything that was on the kitchen-top’s surface to the ground. 

“You’re cleaning that up this time.” You exhaled, before grabbing his face to bite his bottom lip, something you knew drove him crazy. 

“Fuck it princess, it’s worth it.” He groaned, before roughly pushing you down, while being careful enough to not injure your head. He reached up your thighs and under your skirt, to pull your panties down your legs and over your boots. 

“Let me take these off” you suggest, lifting the band to your shoes, but he raised his hand up to stop you, eyeing you through his tousled brown locks. 

“I like them on.” He pressed a gentle kiss against your exposed skin, before saying “I’m keeping these by the way.” in reference to your lacy black underwear, before stuffing them in his back pocket. He bent down to pepper love-marks along each leg before lifting your skirt to place a soft kiss against your entrance. There was no time for him to be a tease, so he quickly dived his tongue between your folds, and he began writing his full name into your lips. The name Anthony Edward Stark felt both long and short, as it was being etched into your core. Shocks of what felt like electricity rippled through your spine, as your pussy purred to his beckoning. You were a fucking mess. He let a string of spit fall from his lips and onto yours, before flattening his tongue to gather the mixture, slurping and suckling in the process . Your eyes started to roll to the back of your head, until Tony pinched your clit. This became his favorite signal for you to give him your attention, the jolt always conflicted your pain and pleasure receptors. You loved and hated eye contact. That feeling of vulnerability sent your mind into a frenzy. But Tony refused to let you look away; he was obsessed with the way your face looked when you came undone. He began making the lewdest sounds against your cunt, tonguing it in the same way he’d do your mouth. You made a mess of his face. Your juices were dripping down your folds and in between your cheeks; what his tongue didn’t catch spilled onto the island. With his face buried in your box, his nose would lightly brush your clit, sending you straight into ecstasy. 

You slightly squeezed around his head, only to have him pry your legs open. His tongue fucked your hole, making you clench around it.  You were already so close, but Tony wanted this to last—that way, you’d be bursting at the seems by the time he was finished with you. “Someone wants to be fucked senseless, doesn’t she?” He asked as he raised up, licking his lips. Smirking down at you, he lifted your sweater up to your chin, in order reveal your happy breasts. He then pulled your bra under them to get a full view of the spread.  

Dragging you closer to the edge, he massaged his fingers into your pussy, running them through your lips, while watching you squirm underneath his touch. He placed a hand between your thigh, kneading the immediate area with his thumb. He was enjoying the view, but knew that he only had a few minutes left; so, he pulled his pants down, coated his length with the hand he previously used to massage you with, and sunk into you no warning. 

You took in a sharp breath, tears welling in your eyes and chest rising and falling. As many times as you had been with him, you still weren’t used to his size. “Shit, kitten. I’m sorry, I thought you were ready for me” he swore, grunting at the feel of you. Despite the overwhelming pleasure, he wouldn’t move until you said it was okay. 

When the pain subsided pleasure quickly took over. You looked him in his eyes to say “Please wreck me baby.” He crooked his neck to look at you sideways for a second as if to ask ‘are you sure?’, dick twitching inside of it. You were more than sure. Then, before you were able to comprehend he snapped his hips forward, drilling into you at a brutal pace. Your moans and pants turned into screams, and you braced your hands against his abs. He grabbed your wrists to steady himself, so that he could thrust deeper into you. He loved this shit. The way your chest bounced. Your broken moans and cries. Even the expressions you wore, were enough to spur him on. 

“I can do this all day!” He growled, relentlessly hammering into you. He thought your tight little cunt was euphoria. At this point you felt like he was in your stomach, threatening to go further. You felt your dam about to break once more, but he was a step ahead of you. 

He sat you up and pulled you off the counter, quickly turning you around, ridding you of your orgasm again. Frustrated, you wiggled your ass, and pressed it against him, desperate for his touch. This earned you a harsh slap against the cheek. “Don’t play that game with me, unless you don’t wanna walk for a week” he warned before digging his nails into your skin. Within a second after that, his cock vanished behind your walls, instantly hitting your g-spot. You yelped throwing your hands back to cushion the slaps between his thighs and your own. Tony grabbed them, and like before,  used them to pull you back onto him. “No, no princess. Take all of me baby. I want you to feel it all.” He growled, slamming his frustrations into you. The cabinet doors below you were shaking from the impact of your thighs. Your nipples, slid across the cool countertops as Tony stroked in and out you. You laid your head down on the counter, strength leaving you as he rocked you back and forth.

To reach a better angle, he grabbed one of your knees, lifting it to lay beside your hip against the counter. He then leaned over, so that your back was against his chest. “This pussy is mine, do you understand?”

“Yes daddy.” You whimper. 

“I’m sorry what was that?” He challenges, grabbing a fistful of curls to yank, lifting you both back up.

“I said yes daddy” you shout, approaching your orgasm once more. 

Tony roughly grabs your chin to turn it towards him, pressing his forehead against yours. “I can tell you’re close princess. I can feel you getting tighter around me. But good girls always ask before they cum. Beg for it.” He whispered. 

You knew he wasn’t joking, but you wore your worried expression on your face. “Don’t be shy kitten. It’s just you and me.” He assured, lightly kissing your lips as he spoke. 

“Please let me cum Tony.” 

“Do you think you deserve to?” He questioned, suddenly ticked off from Edward’s bold gestures earlier. His lips ghosted over yours and he began slowing his moments, to really pound himself into your core. “You’re a filthy little slut for letting another man touch you.” On any other occasion, his words would have pissed you off, but in this moment they just made you wetter. 

“I only want you to touch me daddy, I’m sorry” You whine, throwing your ass back onto his cock, determined to take your orgasm, but wary of the consequences if you do. 

He gripped your neck with one hand, and grabbed a tit with the other. He fondled and massaged the breast, while applying pressure with the hand on your neck. He places his face to the side of yours, chin hairs tickling your cheek.“Do you promise to never let that happen again? Hmm?’” He presses, squeezing your breast and tweaking your nipple. All of this was happening while he was continuing his movements in and out of you.

“I promise baby, please just let me cum.” You screamed. You were losing your composure, and your vision was becoming blurry from tears. He had denied you one too many times, and you didn’t know if you could hang on any longer. You were pleading with him at this point. 

“Cum” was all he said, as you coated his dick in your juices. Tony followed you not a second after, shooting his load up, feeling it come oozing down his member. He bit into your shoulder-blade to suppress his moans. You however lets yours come out in an almost embarrassing shriek. You had no shame though, Tony had brung you out of your shell many, many orgasms ago. 

Now a sweaty mess, he unsheathed himself, and leaned down to place a kiss on your back before readjusting your sweater and skirt. He then turned to readjust himself. 

“I know you’re gonna hate what I am about to say,” he warned, buckling his belt and bracing himself for your reaction, “but you should go on the date.”

“What, why?” You questioned, turning to face him, confused by his suggestion. Was he tired of this? Was he tired of you?

“I just don’t want this to end. So…to not raise any suspicion, you should go out, and have fun.” He stated before averting his gaze. He clearly didn’t want you to, but he knew you needed to. 

“Tony I’m not going.” You stated, fixing your hair and walking away to collect your items for school. “He didn’t even ask me, he told me. So I don’t want to do this.” You pout. 

Trailing behind you slowly, he asked this question “So if he had asked you, would you have been more willing to go.” You were kneeling down to adjust the straps on your school bag at the moment, but you stopped to survey him. His hands were buried in his pockets, and his shoulders were squared. He wasn’t the usual sure of himself cocky man you’d come to know, for a minute he seemed insecure. 

“Tony, I wouldn’t want to go period.” You confirmed, raising up to stand at his level. You unplanted his hands from his pockets, and clasped them to your own, stroking his knuckles. 

“Sweetheart,” he started. He let go of your hands to so that he could cup your cheeks. “I think you have to baby.”

“Ugh.” You loudly scoffed, letting his hands go to walk back into the kitchen and grab your breakfast. Your eggs were cold now, so you searched for an apple and a granola bar instead,  as Tony continued his case. 

“Listen, Edward knows about us. Well, not us specifically, but he knows you’re with someone. Without him, there is relatively no reason for us to continue…us. It would look bad if we still remained close with each other if your relationship with him ended.”

“Tony I’ve been living here for over a year now. I think it would be even weirder if I just cut off ties with you completely” you sneered, violently flinging the refrigerator door open in search for the string cheese. Tony mirrored your movements, and slammed the door back. 

“Sweetpea, could you just think about it.” He pleaded, while talking with his hands and peering down at you with his chocolate orbs. Butterflies started to flutter in your stomach, at the new pet name he assigned you. He always tried out different ones for different situations, and this one just happened to fit this one. “We always knew this was a difficult relationship. Even if you guys ended on good terms, dating me right after would not be the greatest idea. At least if you’re with Eddy, we have more time to figure things out. Please.” 

Contemplating his words, you knew he was right. But that didn’t change the fact that you hated it.  “Fine. I’ll go on this stupid ass date.” As you said it, the word date was laced in venom, venom that you wished to reserve for Edward’s veins. “How are you okay with all of this though? Whats your secret?”

He thought about it for a moment, and then replied, “I’m not” before pursing his lips and looking down at his feet.  Weirdly enough, you needed to hear that. Knowing that you both were going through this dread together oddly made you feel better. You grabbed his chin to lean in for a passionate kiss. Your taste from earlier still lingered on his tongue. 

“Everything is going to be fine.”  You assured, gazing up at him. 

“Ya, I know.” He smiled, before looking down at his watch. “Well not everything, because you’re late for class again.”

“Shit!” You screeched. He watched as you sprinted through the door after scrambling to grab your stuff, all before he could even blink. 

“I love you, Y/N.” He said to himself, as he waved at your fleeting car. 

——————————————————

“How does this one look?”

“No. No. No. That slit is entirely too high!”

“Tony, it’s literally below the knee. And you’re the one that chose it!”

“Too much skin. Next.”

“Yea well he has seen me naked before so.” You mumbled. 

“What was that? Yea maybe this whole thing was a bad idea. You were  right kid, take it off and we’ll come up with an excuse as to why you couldn’t go.” He was worried. He became worried after the first dress. Though he would never admit it, you knew when he was upset. He would place his glasses on his face and get to talking faster than normal. 

“Baby, like I said earlier, everything is going to be fine. Trust me.” You assured, as you went to get changed into the 7th dress of the night. 7:00 o’clock was approaching faster than normal. You had been home for a few hours now, so you and Tony mentally prepared yourself. He drew you both a hot bubble bath to calm your nerves, but it didn’t do much for them.  As the time got closer, it got harder to convince each other, that this was fine. At the moment, it was your turn to persuade Tony.

You came back into the room, in a flirty fit and flare dress. Though the dress was less than a foot away from your ankles, it hugged your curves perfectly. “Hell no. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” He shouted. He had crossed and uncrossed his legs so many times at this point, you thought he’d pull a muscle. He got up to pace the room. You had never seen him worry this much. 

You met him from across the room, skipping to stand behind him. As you hugged his back, you stood on your tippy toes to press your chin on his shoulder. “Honey,” you cooed, “it might help if you told me exactly what you were afraid of.”

“I’m a grown ass man Y/N, there isn’t much that I’m afraid of.” He retorted. 

Aware of the sudden attitude, you reply “Fine, maybe afraid is the wrong word. Let’s say nervous. What’s got you so anxious?”

He placed his hands on top of yours  before sighing, “I don’t want him to steal your heart. But I also don’t want my son to be hurt. I really don’t want to lose you, but I also feel like I am being selfish towards you both.” He turned around after making his last point, entangling your fingers together. “Most of all, I don’t wanna lose you.” 

You placed your head on his chest and chuckled, the gesture sending small vibrations through him.“You said ‘I don’t wanna lose you’ like three times already.”

“Well I don’t. And you know what, who gives a fuck about me being selfish. I am that way when it comes to you. And don’t I get to be?” He asked the question more to himself than to you. 

“Yes pumpkin.”

“I know. I mean, I’ve failed him as a parent you know? If he doesn’t have the decency to appreciate someone as wonderful as you, then I have failed him. I don’t know what to do. I usually do, but I just don’t this time.” You had never seen Tony be so vulnerable before. Over the past year, he had seen you in so many compromising situations that would have made any other man run straight for the heels. But you seldom saw him in those same compromising situations. This was new, and while you always liked new, this was scary. You feared, that he saw an end to this before you could. 

“It is going to be okay.” That was all you could say. He sighed, and placed a kiss against your forehead before speaking. 

“Y/N,  I’ve been wanting to tell you,—”

“Dad! Y/N!” You heard Edward yell. You two quickly removed yourself from each other, just before he could make the room. You ran back into your bathroom to slip into another gown. When Edward came in, he was surprised to find his father in his room. “I was looking for you, but I didn’t expect to find you in here.” He began changing out of his work clothes, to freshen up. 

“Well yea, she asked me to help her pick a dress.”

“I hope you helped me out here. I am trying to get laid tonight.” He admitted, winking at his dad. Tony just stared at him blankly. Taking his expression as disapproval for his choice of word, he awkwardly laughed, “Oh come on dad, don’t get stiff on me now, you know you taught me everything I know.” He began changing into his date attire, before realizing something was missing. He went to look in your shared bathroom. 

Attempting to walk in, the door was immediately slammed back into his face. He was embarrassed that it happened in front of Tony, who was currently chuckling on your bedroom couch. Regaining his cool, he knocked on the door. “Babe, I need to get in for a sec.”

“I’m in here.” You replied, with short words and short tones. 

“Yea babe, I know you’re in there, the thing is I need to be in there too.” He was annoyed, but you were already pissed about going out with him. Especially since he interrupted his dad from earlier. What was he gonna say? You thought. 

“Well you’re gonna have to fucking wait Edward.”

“Listen, if this is about your dress, I’m gonna be happy with whatever you put on for me okay?” He assured. 

“No, Edward. This is about me not wanting you to see me naked.” You corrected. “Now you could either wait, or forget about the entire date.”

“Well, I guess that means you’re not getting laid tonight.” Tony teased, fighting the shit-eating grin, that threatened to plaster his face. It got harder when Edward looked at him with the biggest death-glare .

Why does the bastard seem happy about that? he thought to himself. “Whatever. There’s always next time.” He stated matter-of-factly, not noticing the joy that left his father’s eyes. “Do you have any cologne that I can borrow?” He was still annoyed but it was fleeting. You two were not going to ruin his night. He would have you by the end of it. 

“Uh, yea I left it in the downstairs bathroom, follow me.” Edward found it hard to read Tony at the moment. As mentioned before, the older man rarely lost his composure. Those closest to him, knew his ticks, but by no means were Tony and Edward close. Father and son, maybe, but they would never be friends. Edward always took to his mother, listening to the poison she spewed in his ears from the time he was old enough to understand. To him, Tony was a terrifying, self-entitled, know-it-all, who never granted mercy tho anyone, even those he loved.  

Up until recently, he saw that that wasn’t true, or if it had been it was in the past now. As he followed him down the staircase, they reached the bathroom where the cologne resided. Tony, trying to play nice, handed Edward a tiny glass bottle. The bottle itself probably cost over a thousand dollars, what did that say about the tawny brown liquid inside. “Thanks man.” Was all he said, as he carelessly took it. 

“Hey, you be careful with that! It cost more than your entire outfit.” 

He spritzed the liquid onto his collar and wrists before speaking “This smells really good. What is this again? I feel like I’ve smelled this before.”

“Forget about the damn cologne Edward. We need to talk about Y/N.” His demeanor turned serious, as he addressed you. 

“What is there to talk about?” He questioned, tousling with his hair in the mirror.

“She’s fragile right now, and I just don’t think you should force yourself onto her.”

“Woah, woah, woah. I’m not a rapist.”

“That’t not what I’m saying at all. The very fact that that’s the first thing your mind jumped to is alarming to say the least. Whatever, anyway, I’m saying that you can be a little aggressive with your approach. She doesn’t appreciate your selfish nature.”

“Selfish? Did she tell you that?” He stopped with his hair and eyed him through the mirror. 

“All that I am saying is that you may win more points with her, if you ask her about what she wants.” Tony didn't even know why he bothered trying to help him. In all honesty, he was just trying to to help you.

“Dad, you just let her call me selfish? I am your son, shouldn’t you care more about what I think?”

“You literally just proved her point. And shouldn’t you want to be more attentive to your girlfriend’s needs?”

“Why are you two so close? Don’t you think that’s a little weird?” He inspected his father skeptically. He turned around to slowly look him up and down before continuing “Whose side are you on?”

Tony stood firm. He made sure to show no sign of weakness. “I’m on her’s.” His eyes burned a hole through Edward, and the younger boy bit back his anger to cower his head away from his father’s menacing look.

“Let’s go, before I change my mind.” They both perked their heads up to look at you standing through the bathroom’s doorway. 

You were wearing a silk mauve spaghetti-string top, paired with pearl colored high-waisted wide-leg dress pants; those were held together by a simple Gucci belt. A chic baggy blazer that matched the pants graced your arms, and three-tier pearl earrings dangled from your lobes. Your perfectly manicured cream colored nails clutched a large white wristlet against your person. You sported a curly shoulder-length bob, and your makeup was done to look natural. On your feet were a pair of costly looking suede heels whose color resembled your top; their points were so sharp they could puncture skin. You looked more ready for a business meeting, than a date. 

“Wow babe” Edward started, eyeing you in detail. “You look great, but I thought you were gonna wear something a bit more comfortable.”

“Well Edward, you said you would be happy with whatever I chose.”

“I mean I am but—”

“You look amazing.” Tony interjected, eyeing you a little too long for Edward’s liking. 

“I mean don’t act so surprised, I am a boss ass bitch” You respond feeling shy all of a sudden. You broke eye contact to bite your bottom lip and examine your feet. How could your stomach still swarm and your face still heat up after all this time. 

He cleared his throat before saying, “Right well, you guys have a date to attend. I hope you have fun” He turned to Edward to adjust his collar, “But not too much fun.” He left it at that for a moment before adding, “Because ya know, I’m too pretty to be a granddad right now.” He patted his chest and turned him so that he could push him out of the door.

He stopped you before you could follow, to say in a hushed tone,  “You look beautiful. Hurry back please.”

“I’ll try. Don’t worry.” You gave him a small smile, before turning to leave. 

He grabbed your hand to whip you around and slam the door. He pressed you against it, hands on either side of your head. 

“Tony what the fuc—”

“Say the word and we can call it off.”

“Honey, at this point it’s too late. He’d know something is up if we did that.”

“Do you think I give a flying fuck what he thinks. Come on just say the word.”

“Tony, I am going. We won’t be long. So don’t worry.” You grabbed his cheeks to peck his lips. 

He released his hands from their spot on the door and reopened it to a confused Edward. “Sorry.” He directed towards him. “It looked like she had a gaping hole in her pant leg. Couldn’t let it ruin your date.” He was always a terrible liar, and as he said it, he watched your retreating movements to the vehicle. 

“Thanks for looking out,” Edward said sarcastically before following your steps. He tried to open it for you, but you ensured that you could open the door yourself in a cold manner.

When you got into the car, you prepped yourself for the long night before you. If you had looked back at Tony’s expression, you may have never left with Eddy. 

———————————————————————

Shit. You thought, as you pulled up to the restaurant. Of course it had to be one that you and Tony frequented a lot. Every time they saw him, they called you both by name. You should have known something was up when the drive took an hour outside the city. 

“Eddy, why don’t we go somewhere else.” You say as you slide down in your seat. “This place looks expensive.”

“I want to try this. I’ll take care of the bill.” He was being short with you now. It was due to the lack of communication during the entire drive. No matter how hard he tried he just couldn’t get more than two words out of you. You almost felt bad, but that diminished when you saw him shamelessly checking out a girl who was passing by your car. You didn’t even care about it, you were just annoyed that he did it in your presence even though it was his idea to take you out. 

“Fine.” You retort, unbuckling your seatbelt to beat him inside. You felt that if you got in before him, you could warn the staff not to mention Tony, or your being there before. Too bad Edward’s legs were way longer than yours. 

“Slow down, I’m the one who made the reservations.” He ran up to walk beside you. He sensed you sense him checking the other woman out, and took your sudden mood shift as jealousy. “Don’t worry baby, she wasn’t even that pretty.” He snaked an arm around your waist, which made you recoil away. He opened the glass doors for you, and you were immediately embraced with the familiar smell of French cuisine. The ambiance was soft and warm, and the lights were dim as golds and yellows lay in the scenery. Being here without Tony wasn’t the best, but at least you felt somewhat at home.  

As the two of you approached the maître d’s desk, the jolly man lit up at the sight of you. Samuel was the sweetest, and sassiest person you had ever come to know. The fact that he could be both was why you loved him.

“Aww ma cherré! C'est si gentil à vous de nous rejoindre ce soir!” Samuel exclaimed. He was elated to see you since it had been a while. 

“Tu m'as manqué Samuel!” You were happy to see him as well and expressed how much you missed him. 

“You two know each other?” Edward inserted, causing Samuel to focus his attention on him. 

“Well no. I just read his name tag.” You said nervously.

“Qui est-ce?” Samuel asked, trying to figure out who Edward was. He was currently sizing him up. This wasn’t his precious Tony.

“What did he say? I knew I should have gone somewhere, where they speak English” Edward complained. 

Samuel mumbled something about Edward being an entitled prick, which made it hard for you to suppress a smile. “He asked what was the reservation name under.”

“Ahh, it’s under Stark! I am the one who called ahead 3 hours ago!” Edward shouted, like the asshat he was.

“Monsieur, I understand English. I’m from New York.” Samuel stated with an attitude. “However speaking French helps set the tone for this environment. Also, if you yell at a person who you presume to speak a different language, it makes you look like an obnoxious prick.” You couldn’t suppress your smile this time. 

“Is it customary to speak like that to your guests too?” Edward challenged, making both you and Samuel’s smile falter. 

“Non monsieur.” He replied, the confidence from before had left now. 

“Yea I didn’t think so. I would like you and your staff to speak English to me for the rest of the night.” He informed, a menacing smirk playing on his face. “I should see that you take care of those who give you service.” 

“Yes sir. Allow me to lead you to your table.”  You tugged on the cuffs of his jacket to look at him with sorry eyes. “ Ahh Mrs. Y/L/N, will you be taking your usual spot on the roof—”

You looked at him with wide eyes before you said “Monsieur!” You shouted. You guys had stopped, “Could you show me to the restroom! I am sorry I cannot hold my bladder any longer.”

“But you already know—” Samuel you idiot! You thought to yourself. 

“Restroom please!”

“Okay okay, just a minute!” Your outbursts were out of character, so he was just now realizing something was wrong. “You can sit here sir. Right this way ma’am.”

When you two got  out of earshot, that’s when you tackled him with a hug. “I am so sorry he treated you like that.”

“It’s not your fault, my dear. But who is that son-of-a-bitch.”

You rolled your eyes and scoffed before saying, “That’s Tony’s son. We are dating.”

“Wait! No what happened with you and Tony!”

“Nothing, we are fine…we just met at the wrong time.” 

“Ahh, does he know that you are dating his son?” You basically just told Samuel that you were dating two people who were blood-related, and he didn’t bat an eye-lash. 

“Of course he knows! Edward doesn’t though, so if it isn’t too much to ask, please tell everyone to act as if they never met me. I would really appreciate it.”

“Anything for my favorite girl! You stupid bitch, I can't believe you didn't tell me all this juicy gossip.” He winked at you before leading you back to your table. 

You sat down in the booth and let your blazer fall from your arms. All of a sudden you felt nervous, but determined to play nice. Edward’s irritation took on a new level, and you forgot that you were supposed to be “rekindling” your relationship. All you had done this entire evening was make it worse. You almost forgot how to talk to him, being alone only made things worse. He was sitting opposite to you, examining his menu. And when he spoke it was cold. 

“I took the liberty to order us some drinks while you were off talking with that server.” So he knew you had lied about the bathroom, yet his eyes hadn’t left his menu. Maybe he was trying to decipher the French, and wasn't really worried about you.

“I don’t drink anymore.” You declared.

“So much has changed about you. Like you speak French now, when did that happen.” His voice was like liquid turned into stone. Hard but smooth at the same time. 

“I took an online class.” You lied. Tony was the one to teach you. “I have an internship in Paris that requires me to learn it.” That part was true though

“Does that internship pay you ahead of time?” He glanced up from his menu to meet your gaze.

“It doesn’t pay me at all.” Your brows furrowed. Where was he going with this? 

“Oh. You know I just thought it did, since you can afford Gucci, and what is that?” He asked referring to your wristlet “That’s a Valentino right? Oh and let’s not forget the Louboutin’s on your feet!” He was losing his cool now. 

“Eddy you’re gonna cause a scene. Lower your voice.” You hiss. 

Fortunately your waitress came over to distract him for a second. “Bonjour, je m'appelle Elise. Je serais heureux de te servir ce soir.” You knew Elise, but you had to act as if you didn’t. You hoped that when she looked away from her notepad, she wouldn’t recognize you.

“English please. I already told your host this.” He was already an ass, but now he was being plain rude. 

The peppy red-head looked up from her notes to examine him. Her doe-like eyes wide in terror that quickly turned into joy upon noticing you. 

“Y/N! It’s so nice to see you!” She looked around for a second before looking back to you, “Where is Mr Stark?” You held your breath at the mention of Tony. I guess Samual hadn’t warned Elise yet. 

“I am Mr. Stark.” Edward rudely inserted. You were relieved he didn’t realize the error, until he spoke again “Look. We’re not ready to order yet. So why don’t you come back later. Fuck off” He waved his hand in a dismissive behavior, before turning back to you.

You watched the girl bow her head before quickly retreating.“Why do you have to be such a fucking dick?” 

“What? Do you think I hurt your little friend’s feelings? Why did you act like you’ve never been here before.” His nostrils began to flare, as he sat up from his seat.

“I haven’t—.”

“Don’t fucking bullshit me Y/N. I heard him ask you about your usual spot on the roof. You must think I am an idiot.” He snarled. “I asked about it before reserving the restaurant. My point is that I know it costs more than your tiny bank account could hold. So what, did you plan on freeloading off of me and my dad, while your sugar daddy takes care of you too?”  

“Don’t speak to me like this.” You state through gritted teeth. Your eyes were starting to water from his interrogation, but you wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing you cry. 

“Who pays for it? Hmm? Is it the same person who put those hickeys on your chest? Or is it the person who bought you that cheap ass bracelet.” Before you knew it, he grabbed your wrist to snatch off the Cartier bracelet Tony got you for valentine’s day. It meant the world to you, since he had the words ‘My heart belongs to you, T.S.’ engraved inside it.  You watched the jewels bounce and clatter on to the hard-wood floor. Rolling under feet and nearby tables. People were starting to look over, but you didn’t care. You also didn’t care about the tears that spilled from your eyes. 

Edward sat back in his chair, and rubbed a hand through his hair while acknowledging your tears. He coldly mocked these next words “What’s wrong. Can’t he afford to buy you a new one?” 

“Yea.” You said, voice shaking, while your eyes remained on the floor. You turned back to him to say, “Maybe if I fuck him good enough, he’ll get me an even prettier one.” His hands began to shake as you watched him go red in the face. He balled his palms into fists, knuckles turning white; a sharp contrast to his crimson fingers. He unexpectedly slammed them on the table, causing you to jump, and the conversations around you to cease. 

“Well maybe he should give you a ride back home while he’s at it, you fucking bitch!” He shouted, spit flying from his mouth. He got up to storm out of the door, pushing passed Elise who was coming back with your drinks. He left you embarrassed, without a way home, and alone. Oddly enough, you weren’t crying because of Edward. You were crying because you felt like you failed Tony.

————————————————————

You arrived home over four hours later, after hailing a taxi. You would have been home sooner, if you didn’t spend the night with Elise, Samuel, and the rest of the staff, insisting on helping them close. You partly helped to make up for the scene you and Edward had caused, and you also wanted to give Edward enough time to get home and go to bed. From the looks of it, he had made it there in just a little under an hour, because that’s when Tony started lighting your phone up. That’s why you stayed longer to wait for him to fall asleep as well. You were an even bigger idiot than Edward if you thought he would be asleep before you made it home. 

He was sitting on the staircase when you unlocked the door to come in. “Are you okay?” He asked, leaping up to stand before you. 

“Yea I’m good.” You respond, tiredly. 

“Good. Because I am fucking livid.” He said in a frantic tone. “What’s wrong with your phone?”

“Nothing. Where’s Edward?”

“He’s asleep. So why didn’t you answer you phone?”

“It died.” 

“Was that before, or after you turned it off? Because I know for a fact that’s what you did. That’s always your excuse when you don’t want to talk to someone.”

“Can we not do this tonight.” He grabbed your shoulders and bent down so that he could look you in your eyes. 

“I would prefer it if we did this now.”

“Well it’s not about what you fucking want all the time,” You snapped.

“Hey. That’s not fair.” Hurt was plastered on every inch of his face. You saw it, so you began to apologize. 

“I’m sorry.” Your voice cracked, and you were about to cry again. “Tony I can’t do this anymore. I can’t live in this house with him anymore. I can’t live this lie any. more.” The tears spilled, and you couldn’t tell who was more hurt at this point, you or Tony. 

He pulled you into his chest, which muffled your sobs. “What am I supposed to say, when you get like this? I can’t bear seeing you cry, princess. What do I do?”

“Please just hold me. Don’t let me go.” You mewled. 

He pulled back to wipe away your tears with the backs of his thumb. “Now when have you ever known me to do something stupid.”

“Everyday.” You laugh. He tapped your nose and gave it a quick kiss, while still cupping your cheeks.

“Yeah, well besides then.” 

“Never.” You whispered. He stared into your eyes lovingly. You two stayed mesmerized in each other for longer than usual. 

“I love you, Y/N. I guess that goes without saying, but I thought you should know.” He confessed. Believe it or not, it was the first time. The two of you never had to say it, because you just felt it. Just knowing it, still wouldn’t beat hearing the actual words though. He had just made it fact in your heart. 

Speaking of your heart, it was beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings, threatening to leap from your chest at any second. The butterflies he gifted you quickly turned into elephants, that threatened to trample your insides, and replace the remains with Peruvian lilies.  Your cheeks were now hot to the touch, and your mouth searched for words that came out in random incoherent spouts.

Tony, suddenly overcome with unsureness started with, “Maybe this wasn’t the right time to—”

“No!” You shouted, “I love you too.” You cried, smiling before you stood on your toes to wrap your arms around him. His arms dropped to your sides, and he pulled you in by your shirt, latching his mouth on yours. This kiss was different from the rest. They all felt good, but this one felt better than them all combined. Taking in all of you, your scent, your taste, your feel, he felt spoiled. He grabbed at the sides of your face to deepen it, while you grabbed at the back of his neck. You both tried your hardest to get closer, but it may have not even been possible, since there was no space left between you. 

You were the first to pull back for air, while Tony still pecked at your lips, stealing wet kisses, that trailed from your mouth to your forehead. He peppered them over your eyelids, nose, and cheeks, desperate to cover every perimeter of the skin. 

You fluttered your eyes open when he was done, smiling up at him though your lashes. His chocolate brown orbs danced with more joy, than you had ever seen, and his pearly whites peered through his goofy grin. He eskimo kissed you, and rest his forehead against yours. You were happier than you had ever been. 

You both snapped your necks towards the sound behind you before you heard Edward say “I should have known it was you.” He, like his dad before, sat at the bottom of the staircase watching the both of you. You two were so wrapped up in each other, you didn’t even hear him walk down.

And just like that, your happiness left the chat. 

  A/N: Sooo... tell me what you think? Also, I proofread, but please let me know if you see any errors. Please like comment and share. To  @swaggysposts​ @scarletsoldierrr​ I am so sorry for posting so late, but I really hope you are still interested. Please tell me what you think!  PART 3 here 

[whatanoof]

Luck Be the Lady Tonight

Rating: Mature

Pairing: Maxwell Lord x Reader

Word Count: ~4.4k

Content: blood, violence, fluff, death, gods who like to fuck around with peoples' minds, oh did I mention swearing yet?

Prequel to I Wished For Your Happiness

Dawn filters across the sky like the coming of the tide. It pushes into the inky twilight gradually, so slowly that one doesn’t notice the changing colors until it’s in full swing. Reds and oranges and yellows and the slightest hint of pink streak across the clouds and chase away every memory of the previous night.

Not that you were awake to see it of course, Max made sure of that last night when he exhausted you with… um… certain activities. But shortly after the dawn, the door to the bedroom creaks, waking you from peaceful sleep to the drowsy world of the waking. The creak is the only warning you get before the seven-year-old boy equivalent of a mortar shell drops onto the covers, bouncing the bed violently and bringing weak protests from the man under the covers to your left.

You thank every star in the faded night sky that Max had the awareness to redress both you and him last night before falling asleep. Good luck.

“Good morning!”

Max groans sleepily and pulls the covers over his head, “Alistair…”

You smile and blink blearily, “Good morning, Alistair.” You stretch under the covers luxuriously, rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

“Come on, come on! We have to go soon!” Every other word is accompanied with another bounce on the sheets, and you wince. Ali is pretty much situated completely on top of the Max-sized lump under the blankets, and that can’t feel good.

“Okay,” You laugh, sneaking out from under the sheets. “Come on, let your dad sleep in just a little bit more. What do you want for breakfast?”

“Silvia usually makes eggs,” You nod. Silvia is Alistair’s nanny that accompanies him back and forth between his parents, but you had given her the weekend off. It was her twenty first birthday, and you only turn twenty-one in America once.

So you decided to take time off too, and to take Alistair for a day on the town. Max had been more reluctant to take the day off, but you’d pestered him until he’d given in. And you’d promised him a weekend of nighttime fun in return, so who was he to deny you? “But I want pancakes!”

You laugh, “Pancakes it is! Chocolate chip, or strawberry?” You don’t even have to ask, you already know that Alistair is going to pick chocolate. That child is just like his father: a ridiculous sweet tooth and too adorable for you to say no to.

You’re halfway through the mixed pancake batter, and Alistair is most of the way through his second pancake by the time Max stumbles into the kitchen, hair mussed and eyes half-open without coffee. It’s a struggle to hide the giggle that threatens to burst from your throat, but you manage and pass him the steaming mug that’s been sitting by the stove to keep warm.

“Woman, you are a true goddess.”

“I know. No need to feed my complex.” You smile as Max hugs you from behind and buries his nose into the crook of your neck before going to sit beside his son.

“Big day planned?”

“Yep.” You flip the last pancake onto the plate. It’s a little crooked, but passable considering your normal amount of cooking talent. “Sight-seeing, museums, walking around…”

“And parks!” Alistair interjects, “And the airplane museum!”

“Of course the airplane museum!” You place the dishes in the sink and pick up your own plate, “You coming, Lorrie?”

“Have some work to do, but I’ll be done before noon.” His shoulders hunch even as you stare him down. “Promise, baby. Something came up right before I left the office last night. It’s urgent.” You raise a single eyebrow at him, and he raises his hands in mock surrender, “I didn’t plan on it. Bad luck, that’s all.”

“I--” You level the dirty spatula at him, “--will take your word for it, Lorrie.”

He grins and stands, taking the kitchen tool from you and gently placing it in the sink. “Thank you, my love.” He folds your hand into both of his and kisses the tip of your nose, and you giggle as he nuzzles into your neck.

“Gross!” Alistair claps both of his hands over his eyes. You and Max laugh together as he detangles himself from you.

“I am going to get dressed.” Max grins at you rakishly before walking over to his son, who still has his hands covering his face. “And you--” He taps Alistair on the nose, and Ali giggles as Max leans in and gives him a hug. “--have a good day at the airplane museums.”

---

The minute you step into the Metropolis Space Museum, Alistair is heads over heels in love. You truly can’t believe that it took the kid seven years to get to the most iconic airplane museum in the city that he grew up in, but his childhood wasn’t exactly normal. You understand Max’s work ethic and schedule all too well, having parents who were workaholics as well. So when you’d first met the starry eyed little kid, you’d silently promised yourself that he was going to have a better childhood than you. You’re not his mother or his nanny, but Max is a dedicated father. And you’ll be dedicated to this kid too.

Alistair sprints through the museum with all of the speed of The Flash himself, and it’s all you can do to keep up with the little ball of energy. You wonder how he’s able to even take in the aircraft with the combination of the speed and his small stature, but this is his day, and you’re just the chauffeur.

He finally hits a wall when he reaches the astronaut exhibit. You’re walking among the space shuttles when you find Alistair gazing up at the Artemis I craft.

“See something you like?” You stop beside Ali and grin down at him. He hasn’t ripped his eyes away from the craft, and you can see the fluorescent lighting reflecting in his dark eyes. You turn to admire the shuttle again.

“That.” Alistair only speaks the one word, and you raise an eyebrow down at him. He’s pointing, “I want to be able to fly in that when I grow up.”

You chuckle, “It’s possible. You work hard, and you can be an astronaut when you grow up.”

“Work hard like Daddy?”

“Yes. Just like your Daddy.” Your gaze softens as you look down at the boy, seeing shades of his father in his determined expression. You check the time on your phone, “Speaking of, he should be meeting us soon. Wanna grab a snack, then we can go see him?”

You can see Ali’s obvious reluctance to leave the exhibit. “Alistair, ice cream…” You trail off with a teasing grin as Alistair turns.

“Yes please!”

You grin, “Alright! Come on.”

Alistair speeds ahead yet again, and your phone buzzes. You take it out, and it’s from work. You send a text off to your partner as you reach the stairs.

Your heel hits the edge of the step wrong. Your heart drops in your chest as you pitch forward, your arms wheeling in the air. A scream lodges in your throat as you fall forwards down the steps.

You land hard on your chest and you feel a stabbing pain in your chest as the air is knocked clean out of your body. Alistair screams your name, and you roll over to find the gazes of dozens of concerned strangers fixated on you as Alistair rushes to you.

“Are you okay?” A woman crouches over you.

You chuckle dryly, the air coming back to your body in small increments. Embarrassment floods your cheeks with heat, “Yeah, missed that last step. Bad luck, huh?”

“Good luck that it was the last flight. Could have been much worse.” She straightens and extends a hand to help you to your feet. “Anything hurt?”

“Besides my pride? No, I’m fine. Just got the wind knocked out of me.” You accept her help and stand, wincing at the residual pain in your chest. You remember what you’d distracted with that led to the misstep, “Where’s my phone?”

Alistair holds his hand out with a solemn look on his face. He’s holding your shattered phone, “I think it’s broken.”

You sigh. Bad luck. “Thank you Alistair. And thank yo--” You turn, but the woman is gone. Huh. Interesting. You look all around you at the bustling crowd, but no one looks familiar, and all of the gapers have gone back to their business. You prop your hands on your hips, “Well. How about some ice cream now?”

---

Max’s brow furrows as he stares down at the glinting ring. A twenty-four karat gold band, platinum setting with tiny obsidian studs and a diamond the size of a pistachio. The ring is exactly his style, and it’s the ring that he always imagined himself buying for the hypothetical girl that he would have if he ever got his work done. But ever since meeting you, he’s been learning to remember that his likes aren’t necessarily the likes of the others.

For example, you don’t like flashy. Which is ridiculous, because his entire existence is flashy, so he can’t begin to imagine how you ever were attracted to him. The memory of your first meeting draws a grin to his lips. But now he knows better after a couple of botched Valentines and anniversary gifts. Your look of horror at the massive bouquet of flowers and yards of chocolate will be forever seared into his mind. Flashy and gaudy is a big no no, though maybe he can make the proposal a little more to his tastes. His gaze is drawn to another ring to his right.

“Excuse me?” The sales associate comes over to him. “Can I see that one?”

---

“Alright, you don’t tell your dad, and I won’t tell either.” You plop the massive ice cream cone into Alistair’s hand before settling down next to him with a cone of similar size.

Alistair grins mischievously at you, “This is a lot of sweets for one day.”

“Ah!” You hold up your free hand, effectively silencing the kid, “Snitches…?”

“Get stitches!” With that, Ali digs into his chocolate fudge cone with sprinkles, and you start with yours, gazing at the city across the water. The beach is empty on an early spring day that is much too cold for swimming. Seagulls screech across the sky, and the sand looks fun and inviting, but Ali seems content to sit beside you on a bench and look across the water at Gotham City.

The sun is shining, the water is glowing in the afternoon sun, and it’s a perfect afternoon. Until an explosion rocks the building that you’d been admiring in Gotham City across the bay and the miniscule figure of a supervillain appears as a shadow in the dust. You sigh. Bad luck. “View ruined.”

Alistair shrugs, “Pretty. Big booms are cool.”

“Since when do you like explosions?”

Alistair looks up at you, and makes a zooming motion with his hand before mimicking a takeoff with massive engine explosions. Oh. Right.

You finish your ice cream and reach for your phone to check the time before remembering that it’s broken. “Hey, Ali. What time is it?”

He shows you with his little digital watch, and it’s half past noon. Max is probably looking for you. You rummage in your pocket for some change, and pull out the coins to count them. Oh good, you have a quarter left over from the ice cream cones.

“Come on, we’re going to find a pay phone.” Alistair stands and follows you off of the beach and towards the street.

Only, I shit you not, a chunk of building hits the water with a boom near shore, and water explodes into the sky like a geyser. Debris scatters the beach, and you wince as you see the amount of rocks that hit the bench where you had been sitting not five minutes before. You stare for a split second, then over at Gotham, where you can see the supervillain hefting cement chunks over his head and lobbing them at a speck in the sky. That’s an interesting combination of luck that you’re not sure you want to dissect mentally at the moment.

Alistair whines, “How did we miss Superman in the sky?!”

---

Max walks out of the museum, squinting in the sun as he fumbles in his pocket for his phone. You’d said that you would be at the museum until afternoon, but he’d waited at the entrance for an hour and you and Ali never came out. He calls you, but the line rings to voicemail.

The little velvet box weighs heavy in his breast pocket. It almost feels like it is burning a hole in his chest with how hyper aware he is of the promise pressing on his chest. He can’t even remember when he woke up feeling like this. Well, of course he only recognized the feeling today, but he’s been feeling it for sometime now. That swelling in his chest when he looks at you, the one that seems to increase everytime he sees you with Alistair, or when you’re laughing, or when you raise that single infuriating eyebrow that communicates every feeling of skepticism within your body. It’s been building over the past years, it’s not new. The label is new, it’s the one that he realized this morning after you got up and promised Alistair pancakes for breakfast.

He’s ready to make this promise. He’s ready to swear to spend the rest of his life with you. Now, if only he could find you. Bad luck, it would seem.

His phone rings right as he pulls it out of his pocket, and he glances at the caller ID. It’s you, and he swipes the ‘answer’ icon excitedly and raises the phone to his ear.

“Hey, I’m at the museum, where are you?”

You sound a little harried, “A payphone near Stryker Beach. Sorry, my phone’s busted up, so I couldn’t tell you that we left the museum.”

“No, no it’s fine. I’ll come get you. Give me an address.” He swipes around on his phone until he gets to his maps, but he’s interrupted by a resounding boom on the other end of the line. “What was that?”

“Nothing. There’s another Gotham villain, and Superman is fighting him over the bay. On second thought, you probably shouldn’t come here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you two could be in danger.” He already has the car keys in his hand when you cut him off.

“Lorrie.” Your voice is every bit as intimidating over the phone as it is in real life. “Stay there. Traffic is awful over here anyway, we could walk to the museum and back twice by the time you get through it. See you in a few.” He can’t wait, excitement thrilling in his chest even as worry tamps it down a little.

---

His palms are sweating. Why are his palms sweating? He hasn’t been this nervous since his first kickstarter campaign for Black Gold Corporations. He’s scanning the crowd for any sign of you and Alistair, though he’s simultaneously dreading your appearance as much as he’s anticipating it.

There! He sees a flash of your hair through the mass of people, and then you’re standing on the other side of the major street, gorgeous and windswept and smiling at him while holding Alistair’s hand. Cars whizz through the intersection, but even the minor interruptions in his line of sight to you can’t detract from your beauty. Fuck, he’s nervous,

So nervous, apparently, that he fumbles his phone and drops it on the sidewalk. As he bends over to pick it up, the velvet box slips out of his pocket and falls to the ground with a small thunk that may as well have been the impact sound of a meteor.

His gaze darts up nervously at you, and your eyes are glued to the small black box. They flick back to his, and read the nerves as clear as the day. Understanding floods through your face, then shock, then your mouth falls open and he can hear your joyful laugh from where he crouches twenty feet away.

Shit. He had wanted to do it differently. Maybe by the massive fountain, or on the Ferris Wheel by the bay. Something that brings a little bit of pizzazz and flash and romance, something that is distinctly him. But he sees the giddy look in your eye and everything else falls away.

The pedestrian sign flicks on, and the rest of the crowd starts moving across the street, pushing you and Alistair with the flow of people. Your hand still firmly grasps Ali’s as you move across the street, and his heart fills at the sight of your love for his son and steadies his hand as he picks up the box and opens it towards you. His knees bend, and he sinks to the hard concrete, awaiting your approach.

His knee is centimeters away from the sidewalk when a swoosh echoes overhead and Superman rips through the intersection. The crowd tracks him with a rush of murmurs, but you’re still watching Max and walking forward with a spark in your eye.

Then the gunfire starts. Everyone ducks as Lex Luthor’s latest mech suit flies overhead in pursuit of the flying hero. Bullets whizz through the air, pinging off of telephone poles and shattering windows. You’re only a fraction behind the crowd, your eyes widening in panic as you finally notice your surroundings. Max is frozen in time, watching you cover Alistair with your own body. Bad luck.

Then the spell breaks, and everyone is running and screaming, and Max’s heart rises into his throat. He loses sight of you in the middle of the road, and he stumbles to his feet and begins shoving through the crowd.

“Alistair!” He screams your name too, but his voice is lost in the surrounding noise.

Finally, finally, he catches sight of your hunched form in the middle of the road. Right as he sees you, your head raises and begins scanning around you, and he allows himself to breathe. Good luck.

He grabs your arm and yanks you to your feet, his other hand securing around Alistair’s upper arm. Then he’s moving and dragging you to the other side of the street. You’re almost there, you’re almost safe when the explosion happens.

It’s small, a stray thermal charge that’s miniscule compared to the previously witnessed destruction. But a shudder passes through your group. Max’s heart sinks in his chest and he turns to look. Alistair is staring up at you with a look of complete horror on his face. Your hand lets go of Max’s, drifting up to your chest where a bloodstain is rapidly spreading over your chest. Your eyes meet Max’s, and then your eyes roll back in your head and you pass out.

---

The ambulance ride is a blur. Alistair is crying into his chest, and it’s all Max can do to keep it together while he holds your hand. You’re still unconscious, but the ambulance had gotten there fast, and you’d been one of the only casualties in the intersection. Hope. He has to hope, because he has to hold it together for Ali.

Words float around his head from the paramedics, words like random, ricochet, shrapnel, and bad luck. Bad luck. Fury swells in him. Your life is worth more to him than simple bad luck. Villain or hero, how can it matter? Who gave them the right to leave charges in public places, to scatter bullets like rice on a wedding day?

But what can he do about simple bad luck? What can he do about super-powered people who hold the power of gods in their hands? The answer is nothing, not right now anyway, because Alistair needs him, and you need him, and he will bide his time.

---

You wake up when the ambulance gets to the hospital. The gurney jostles as they lift you down from the ambulance and he wants to yell at the paramedics. But he holds himself back. Your voice echoes in his head, ‘They’re just trying to do their jobs, Lorrie. Leave them alone.”

So he does, clinging to you as your eyelids flutter. “Lorrie?” Your voice is a painful rasp that hurts in his own chest. You tighten your grip, bringing your interlocked hands up against your chest, slightly to the right of the roughly bandaged wound.

“I’m here.” He grips your hand all the more tightly, pressing a kiss to your knuckle. You murmur something, and he doesn’t catch it the first time. He leans in, “What? Say it again, baby.”

“Yes.” You whisper into his ear. With shaking hands, Max takes out the little black box and puts the ring on your bloody finger. It’s a simple gold band, curling around a teardrop onyx gem. Perfectly you and him. You only have time to lift your hand to gaze at the ring before you're whisked away to surgery. Max is left standing there with empty hands, feeling like the world has been yanked from his grasp.

---

When you wake up again, the world is sterile and cold and Max is gone. Your hand instantly flies to your chest, where the phantom wound throbs. But your hand grazes over nothing but your own skin and clothes. A glance downwards confirms your suspicions. The wound is gone, the ugly shrapnel vaporized as if it never existed.

But the glance down confirms another suspicion that only just started brewing in the back of your mind, one that you hadn’t dared to confront.

“Am I dead?” Your eyes widen in shock, and you reach to touch your lips. They hadn’t moved, and yet you had heard your own voice echoing into the void. You whip around, your toes hovering above the surgical table where your body rests. Surgical tools scatter around the trays, and the monitor emits a continuous, flat tone. Doctors lay down their tools, taking off their masks and caps with an air of exhausted defeat. Your body is still, covered in tubes and sheets so that you can barely see a hint of gray skin. Fuck, Max is going to be devastated.

“In a way.” The voice is wonderfully melodic, and you look to find that one of the doctors is staring at you while the rest look right through you. Her mask is still up, but there is a familiar air about her that you can’t place. “You are caught in-between right now, unable to move on, but unable to return.”

“So, purgatory?” Again, your disembodied voice speaks the words directly from your mind.

She laughs, and the tinkle settles somewhere deep in your soul. “No. Powers of another sort, past the Catholic tradition.”

You work your jaw, testing it before mouthing the words along with your voice. It just feels right, more natural. “I don’t understand. I’m trapped here?”

“Not trapped. Suspended, perhaps.” Her eyes are a piercing gray. “The Lords’ refuse to let you go. One might say that it’s luck. Good or bad, depending on if you are scared of what’s after. I hear you and Maxwell like to keep count.”

You blink. She’s right. You and Lorrie had a running joke that bad luck seemed to follow the both of you wherever you went. Today had been especially heavy with bad luck. “And if I’m not scared?”

“Luck is entirely dependent on perspective, child. But, I will admit, your death was more accident than anything.” There’s a cold, callous tone in her voice as she remarks about your death as no more than a minor inconvenience. “Couldn’t have been avoided, and that’s true bad luck.” Her brow furrows, then it lightens and she claps her hands, “But, good luck now! You get to go back!”

Your spirits lift. Back to Earth. Back to Alistair and Max. Max. You bring your right hand up in front of you. The ring is gone.

“Missing something?”

Your gaze darts back up to the woman, and she’s holding the ring to the false light, examining it closely. You try to keep the tremor out of your voice, “That’s mine. Give it back.”

She gives you a long side-eye, “You do not command me, girl.” You shudder at the tone of her voice, vibrating through your non-existent body and threatening to dissipate it. You grit your teeth, and continue to stare her down. She raises an eyebrow, and you think that it’s a look of approval in her eyes. “But, I suppose it is yours. Catch.” She tosses the band back to you, and you snatch it from the air. She continues, “Consider that my token to you. A favor from luck itself. Not many mortals ever gain such an item.”

“I don’t care what it is to you.” You only care about what it means to you and Max. It’s a promise. There had been a shared understanding in the emergency room, that you probably wouldn’t make it. And that understanding had been correct. But he promised anyway, and you’d promised him right back. “Who are you?”

“Lady Luck, at your service.” She winks, pulling her mask down finally. It’s the woman from the museum, but there’s a different air about her. An air of power that didn’t exist back on Earth hovers in her every word and motion.

A chime echoes through the air, and Lady Luck straightens. “That’s my cue. Don’t worry, you won’t remember this encounter when you wake up on Earth.”

“What was the point of this conversation if I’m not going to remember it?”

She looks back at you with a hint of humor in her eyes. “There wasn’t one. Just me testing out my wisdom on a mortal. Don’t get much chance for that anymore.”

“Any last wisdom then?” Your lips twist in a wry grin.

Lady Luck regards you, “Luck isn’t everything. But it isn’t nothing. Remind your Lorrie of that for me.” Then she turns and waves her hand, and the world filters to blackness around you.

A/N: This made me sad, but it was actually pretty fun to write and play around in the DC universe. I don't get over there much, it's mostly Marvel over in Oofville these days. But yes, now I'm expanding this universe as well too, because it's not like I don't already have enough WIP yet. It's fine, it's all going to be fine.

But Max's planning for the engagement?! Gave me life, it made me so happy.

Taglist: @alliterative-albatross

[darlinvandijk]

Baby Lotion

Concept: “ruel fresh outta the shower no shirt wet hair 🥺 smellin like baby lotion 🥺”. That’s all, just really in love with the idea of being loved by him and seeing the most intimate and vulnerable side of him. I hope this not only makes you soft, but happy. I hope you enjoy :)

I lay down across his bed, watching the rain slowly trail down the widows of his room, a small smile on my face as I listen to the playlist he has on softly flow throughout the room. I finally truly feel at peace for the first time in a long time, my heart no longer yearning for a better life, because everything I’ve ever needed and wanted has finally been bestowed upon me. I have a beautiful boyfriend, friends who truly care about me, a blooming career in my hands, and real self love filling my heart to the brim. All of the lights in the room are turned off, except for his strip lights, that he has set on a deep purple, almost representing the state of peace and fulfillment I feel within me.

I roll over and face the doorway of his bathroom, watching as he makes his way out after his shower, my eyes trained on the droplets of water coming off of his hair. They slowly trail down his bare chest, making their way down his abdomen, before soaking into the waistband of his sweatpants. He gives me a small smile as he makes his way towards me, a towel in hand as he dries off his hair to the best of his abilities, the light smell of his lotion filling the air as he sits next to me. He passes me the towel as I sit on my knees behind him, softly drying his hair for him, knowing without me his bed would be absolutely soaked with water. I mean let’s be honest here, he’s a boy, what more could we expect from them.

“Hi sweetheart” he mutters, his voice breaking through the peaceful atmosphere we had, his hand grabbing mine as he presses a kiss to my wrist, letting go so I can toss the towel into his laundry basket. He turns towards me and pushes me on to my back, hovering above me with a boyish smile on his face, my heart filled with love as I look at my beautiful soft boy. I raise my hands and let my fingers comb through his still partially damp hair, falling more in love as his eyes close, and a blissful expression takes over his features. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?” He groans out, my nails scraping against his scalp as he sags against me, giving up on holding himself up.

“Hmm maybe a few times bubba” I tease, knowing he tells me at least twenty times a day, having never felt unappreciated or unloved when I’m with him. He lifts his head at my response, mouth dropping as he feigns shock, a laugh bursting through my lips at his dramatic expression. He laughs upon hearing my laugh, his eyes crinkling around the corners, and his cheeks heating up with a pink hue that’s almost impossible to detect with the lighting. I press my hand to the side of his face, feeling content as his warm skin presses against mine, my mind hazy with love and utter infatuation.

“Well what am I doing with my life then, I should be telling you every second how much I love you” he whispers, his eyes staring straight into mine, a love struck expression on his face as I smile at him. I feel entranced as I gaze over his face, the soft love filled expression reminding me of a puppy, but he’s kinda tall so maybe like Clifford as a puppy. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you” he mumbles, leaning forward to press his lips against mine, his body moving till we’re face to face. I trace his bottom lip with my thumb when he pulls away, laughing when he lightly bites down on it.

“You’re only saying that because no one else will put up with your annoying self” I joke, feeling his body shake as he laughs. He shuffles to wrap his arms around my waist, rolling on to his back while pulling me with him, resting against his pillows while I rest against his chest. He slides one hand under the hoodie of his that I’m wearing, drawing shapes and patterns on to the bare skin, the other hand simply resting on my underwear clad backside. “I love you too Ruel, always have and always will. You’re stuck with me forever darling” I grin, smacking his chest when he groans in mock disappointment. He laughs at my fake anger, lightly patting my ass with his hand before giving me a curious look, asking a question that completely leaves me speechless.

“If I were to ask you to marry me right now.. would you say yes?” He softly questions, a hint of underlying vulnerability filling his voice, my body going still at his genuine but serious inquiry. I don’t even have to think about what my answer will be, having known what it would be the second he walked into my life, but more so need to pause to comprehend that he’s actually asking me this. “You don’t have to say yes, I just wanted to know where we both stand right now. I know I love you and that you’re it for me, it’s okay if you’re still figuring out what you want the future to hold for you” he reassures me, the intimacy of the question and position we’re in, causing chills and goosebumps to spread across my body.

“No I’m not unsure on our future, I want you in every aspect possible. I was just shocked by the suddenness, that’s all” I mumble, using my thumb to get rid of the small frown lines between his eyebrows. I press a kiss to his chest, laying my head there as I look at his purple lights, wondering what the future could hold for people like us, two people who would do anything for one another. He’d bring me the moon if I asked him for it, as I would for him. “I would say yes.” I confidently reply, knowing deep within my heart that I could never feel the way I feel for him about someone else, because when god created our souls, he made us at the same time. Two souls that were lucky enough to find each other in life, to find each other and explore the world, all while seeing it through rose colored lenses when together.

“Hm okay” he mumbles, lost in thought as he stares at the ceiling, something clouding his thoughts as he contemplates over what he should do. I close my eyes as I rest against him, letting the music flow in to my ears, the feeling of his heart racing under me slightly distracting me from the song. “I’ve never loved someone as much as I love you. I’d do anything for you. You know that right?” He asks, lifting my head so I can look him in the eyes, his hand entangled in my hair. I curiously watch him, wondering where all of these feelings are coming from, since he’s usually not caught up like this.

“I know, I’d do anything for you too Ruel. Trust me, you make it clear everyday how much I mean to you” I gently tell him, turning my head to press a kiss to his palm, trying to ease his concern. He looks content with my answer as he leans over and grabs something out of his nightstand, my body shifting with his as I stay rested on top of him.

“This isn’t much, but I thought of you the day I saw it” he mumbles, adjusting us to sit up, my legs straddling his hips as he leans against the headboard. He grabs my hand and slips something cold to the touch on my ring finger, my heart stoping as the diamonds littering the band glitter in the light, shining almost as bright as the tears that fill my eyes. I stare up at him with wide teary eyes, my bottom lip wobbling as I try to contain my emotions, his eyes still trained on the ring perched upon my finger. “This isn’t an engagement ring, because I want to truly be able to be with you every step of the way through the planning process when that time comes, which I can’t do with my work schedule right now” he mumbles, a frown on his face as he thinks about all the time he’ll be away soon, knowing I won’t be able to be with him at all the tour stops and press conferences, wanting nothing more than to be with me and only me.

I stay silent as he tries to situate his thoughts, not wanting to interrupt him when he’s trying his hardest to be intimate and vulnerable with me. I shakily lift my hand, moving my hand in the light as I become mesmerized by the beautiful ring, my other hand coming up to wipe the small trail of tears leaving my eyes. He grabs my hand in his, shaking slightly with nerves as he presses a kiss to my ring finger, smiling as the cool metal touches his lips.

“Think of it as the training for your engagement ring, getting you ready for when I can finally switch it out in the next year or so” He smiles at me, watching the way my eyes fill with love for him, wondering how I could have ever lived at one point without him by my side. “It’s more than a promise ring in my opinion, since you’re only wearing it until I can get the time off to make it the real deal” he chuckles, running his thumb over the gems, smiling at the way it fits perfectly on my finger since he had it custom made to fit the way I love.

“So this is the prequel to the engagement huh? Nates going to love this” I giggle, pushing some of the hair that’s fallen on to his forehead back, letting my hand rest in his hair as I grin at him. He rolls his eye at my comment, already knowing Nate was going to give him shit for taking this big jump, having already dealt with the needy monster when Ruels away from me on tour, probably unable to comprehend how he’ll be away from me now. “I love you” I whisper affectionately, pressing a kiss to his forehead before resting mine against his, looking into his eyes as he silently watches me.

“I love you more, even when you laugh at the lectures I’m going to get from him” he groans out towards the end, resting his face in the crook of his neck as he squeezes me tight against him. I laugh at the feeling of his hair tickling my neck, the damp hair sticking to my neck as I try to pull away from him, his arms tightening around me in response. “Nope, you can’t get away from me now baby. You’re stuck with me, literally” he laughs, his heart content with the future he can already picture, seeing many nights like this where we’re just in love with being in love. In love with having someone made just for you, that wants you in your purest form.

I laugh at his cheesy joke, finally pulling his face out of my neck as I press a kiss to his lips, his molding perfectly to mine as he returns the soft gesture. His tongue swipes at my bottom lip for entrance, lightly biting it as I refuse, pulling away with a tiny smile as I stare at him with eyes shining that could almost rival the shining of the stars outside now that the clouds had cleared away. His mind wanders to the thought that god must’ve made the stars in the sky with my eyes as inspiration, having never seen anything as beautiful in his life, shining and twinkling in ways only he will ever see, but of course all cute moments must come to an end.

“I’m only agreeing to spend my life with you because you smell like baby lotion, just remember that”

[ladyanput]

Ah lee lee, my favourite internet cousin I need a fic saltier than the Dead Sea Alya salt (in the Daminette universe uwu) maybe at a high school reunion? Or seeing the couple on TV OR she accuses marinette of sleeping with Damian just to get jumpstart her career (she says this on Twitter) and a lot of people are like ‘hmmm ok, sure honey’

I'm in the mood for salt tonight, so let's work on this one, from my favourite cousin.

---

A high school reunion was always an interesting affair. Some people didn't show up because they hated high school, thinking it's hell incarnate and never want to revisit it again. Some go just to catch up and see how old friends are doing.

But, honestly, most go and show off how successful they are in life, trying to be the best amongst their peers.

At least, that was the case, many noticed, for Miss Bustier's former class. Many people who had been in the same year at them stared as they entered, greeting their former classmates loudly and bragging about their accomplishments.

But anyone could see most of them were blowing smoke. They all knew the stories from forever ago, it had been a running gag for many of the students at DuPont.

Lila Rossi told someone that she'd get you in contact with someone in the industry to planned on entering, when you heard nothing, she'd feign that they were busy or some bullshit like that, then when you didn't get the job or internship because you didn't bother even applying, thanks to you being gullible enough to believe Lila's lies, she'd go about convincing you that the company or whatever was too blind to see how amazing you were, and that you deserved better.

It was a cycle. And it was hilarious because now most of that former class were at low end jobs. Kim wasn't the Olympic swimmer he had dreamt of being; instead he taught swimming lessons at the local pool. Max never became the scientific genius he thought he would be, no,he worked at the school as a tech teacher. Most of that class were in the same scenario, save for the people who hadn't listened to Lila's bullshit. Juleka was a famous model, her wife Rose was the lead spokesperson in a field dedicating to taking care of and curing sick children. Nathaniel and his husband Marc had a bestselling comic book series.

Even Nino made a decent living, working as a DJ and a an upcoming director.

When Lila arrived along with Alya in a stretch limousine, everyone watching pitifully as Lila's followers from high school quickly grovelled to her, as she went on about marrying Damian Wayne, everyone knowing he had a wife, but the wedding had been so private, rarely anyone knew who she was.

"My dearest Dami would be here, but he's away in Japan right now, an important contract for Wayne Enterprises needed some of his expertise." Lila went on to say. She had her signature hair style still, making many grimace at the sight of it.

"But you promise that I can still interview him,right?" Alya spoke up, the past ten years having been the hardest on her. She had gained weight, mostly around her middle. She was squinting, as she had abandoned her glasses, due to Lila saying real reporters never wore glasses, as many people found people without them more appealing, there for more willing for an interview, but Alya couldn't afford contacts, so she was stubborn with being basically blind. And she dyed her hair blonde.

Enough said.

But there was one person they were eagerly waiting to see. And when she arrived, she didn't disappoint in the least.

Marinette strode into the gymnasium, looking as stunning as she always had been. Her dark hair had been grown out, framing her beautiful face, her trim body clad in a dress of pale pink, one of the newest designs from her latest fashion line.

And the man on her arm made many men and women stare in envy. Tall, dark, handsome, he reminded them all of a dark prince, with his muscular build and piercing green eyes.

"Is that Marinette?" Someone asked rather loudly, drawing everyone's attention from Lila's wildest tale and to the lovely designer as she strode in with her husband.

"Marinette, how was Taiwan?" Juleka spoke up, smiling as she and Rose strode over to greet the couple, Nino, Marc, and Nathaniel quickly joining them.

"It was lovely. I'd like to thank you again, for being able to model for me last week, you were a lifesaver." Marinette giggled softly, pulling Juleka in a tight hug.

Alya crossed her arms, scowling as practically everyone swarmed Marinette and the man she came with. She couldn't help but feel envious at the sight of Marinette, looking so beautiful and well put together.

Lila wasn't doing much better, wishing with every fiber of her being that she was basking in that attention.

"Who is this with you, Marinette?" Alya strode up, her hand always slipping into her purse, reaching for her cell phone. "A man you had to blackmail into marrying you? I feel sorry for him."

"... Is she serious?" Marc's brows shot up, sharing a bewildered look with his husband.

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Damian, Damian Wayne." Damian smiled cooly towards Alya and Lila, his eyes narrowing a fraction. "You must be the undesirables my wife had to deal with during her time here, aren't you?"

"... Nice try, Marinette. Seriously? Hiring a guy to pretend to be Damian Wayne? You're so pathetic, Lila is married to Damian, if you bothered even to check your facts." Alya snorted, crossing her arms as she glared at Mari, scowling again. "You've ruined enough lives already, you ruined mine and Nino's relationship, so you can just fuck off and go home. No one wants you here."

Damian stepped forward, cold fury written clearly on his face, but Marinette's gentle touch on his shoulder stopped him. She merely put on a kind smile and stepped around her husband.

"You're still believing her lies, Alya? All of you still are? That's pretty pathetic, if I'm being honest." Mari's smile sharpened a bit as she crossed her arms, her blue eyes alight with fire. A fire no one had known was there. "You're the biggest hypocrite I know, Alya, as you've never checked a fact in your life. You tend to jump to conclusions before getting all of the facts in the first place. That's what ruined your relationships, I didn't think of you once for the past ten years."

"You don't need to talk to Alya like that, Marinette! You're still the biggest bully ever!" Lila sobbed, wiping away her tears. "Wait until my Damibear hears about this! We'll sue, ruin that tacky brand of yours."

"Highly unlikely." Damian stepped forward, his expression morphing into one of cool calm. Then a smirk twitched his lips. "At least I know who has been throwing around my name to get into places, or to get things for free. My lawyers will love to take care of the messes you've been causing me and my family."

"I beg your pardon?!" Lila felt the blood drain from her face, but she teared up, sniffling, desperate to keep her façade. "Damian, you've been cheating on me with Marinette, I was just trying to help you save face!"

"Oh give it up, Lie-la, no one is buying your bullshit." Chloé strode in, her hands gripping Kagami's and Luka's as they entered. She gave the liar a haughty look, diamonds dangling at her ears and her neck. "Except for Alya. But she must have one good barbed tongue, if you keep letting her kiss your ass and such for all of these years."

"Chloé! You fu-" Alya's face went red and she and Lila began advancing on the trio, but no one noticed as Rose 'spillt' her drink, causing both girls to slip and go stumbling. Juleka stuck out an elegant leg and Lila went tumbling back into the punch bowl, toppling it all over herself. The screech she let out was so satisfying.

Nino pretended to grab hold of Alya to steady her, but her hands 'slipped' from his grasp and she was sent falling onto the food table. A bit of revenge for her destroying his DJ equipment seven years ago, after their break up.

"I guess coming here wasn't a waste of our time afterall." Damian's rare smile appeared as he took his wife's hand and kissed her knuckles.

"I agree." Marinette giggled, ignoring the screaming coming from Alya and Lila. Instead, she turned to her friends. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, we're meeting Adrien and Tim after this, would you guys wanna join us for dinner at our home here in Paris?"

Alya felt hot tears of frustration as she glared at the blurry Marinette, grinding her teeth. That couldn't be Damian Wayne, Marinette couldn't be married to him! Because... Because that would have meant Lila had been lying. Lying about Marinette, lying about Nino cheating on her with multiple men and women, lying about Alya's chances with New York Times.

And Lila wouldn't lie to her, she just couldn't!

Alya felt the hot tears steam down her cheeks as Marinette and Damian walked off with their friends, looking so... So happy.

Something that she hadn't felt in such a long time.

Taglist:

Permanent: @vixen-uchiha @ravennightingaleandavatempus @2sunchild2 @crazylittlemunchkin @bee-wrecker @souleateralicestein @loysydark @kceedraws @realrandomposts @alienjoyful @f0xylegs

Salt: @virgil-is-a-cutie @sidessunnybumblebee @persephonebutkore @18-fandoms-unite-08 @suzen23smith @luciferge @theelventhgod @noirdots @space--butterflies @ghostglaceon @magicalfirebird @goggles-mcgee @chocolate1721 @minightrose @bookcrazybby @cupcakeandkisses @mewwitch

[muilkyu]

Treasure's Types of Dates

🐷 Hyunsuk

"This would look so good with the new shoes I got last week." Hyunsuk gushes while picking up a pair of shades.

"Hyunsuk, that's amazing, but my feet hurt now. Can we leave now?" You whine. 

"Just one more store babe. I saw this dress the other night that would look adorable on you," he says. Then he walks away, spotting a different pair of shades that he just needs.

Thrifting dates are a must for both of you

You both drag each other to underground fashion shows when you can

If you are staying home you decide to have a runway date with both of you just playing around with different types of styles 

For lazy nights it's just face masks and a Netflix movie party

🐼 Jihoon

"Tilt your head to the left!" Jihoon yells from across the field of wildflowers he's crouched down eyes squinted holding his camera trying to get a good picture, "Extend your foot. A little more! Okay perfect!" 

The sky is a beautiful orange shade that compliments the wildflowers and your sundress. Jihoon was right about this being the perfect place for a photo. 

"Okay. You look gorgeous. Come look," He says again. You make your way over to him looking at the photo. He really does have a talent for photography. "These are my best ones yet. I don't know if it's the sun or the model I should be staring at more."

Jihoon likes to visit places where you can get a pretty picture

He finds the best cafes for dates. Even though he wants a picture before you can eat which can take forever

You often travel outside of Seoul to see even more of Korea

You got to Busan often for your dates just spending a day walking around and enjoying the city

🐯 Yoshi

"If you fall I will catch you."

"I trust you, but I also can't take the chance of that happening," You say placing a foot on the skateboard. It's staying still for right now, but any second it also could move forward, "Just hold my hands and guide me." 

Yoshi was 100% determined to teach you how to skate. Even though you told him you had no interest in skating. When he told you he wanted to teach you his face lit up so you agreed.

The type that wants to share his hobbies with you so that's usually your date idea 

Yoshi likes to make you laugh on dates 

You don't do too many dates at home unless you are playing a game or something

Sometimes you spend time helping him make art which leads to a big mess and paint staining both your cheeks and clothes

🐨 Junkyu

"We have been here before," you point out as Junkyu lays out a blanket on the grass.

"I know, but it gets even prettier every time we come back." He says laying down on the blanket.

"Don't you think we should go somewhere else next time? We have been to the Bank river on just about half of our dates."

Junkyu shakes his head patting the blanket, "Nope. Now let's lay down and watch the clouds."

Not the best at planning dates at all

You can tell he tries however so you let it slide

Dates are usually more relaxed than exciting

When you want to have full-on fun he makes you do something 'crazy' aka roller coasters

🐹 Mashiho

"Bend your elbow a bit more so you can aim properly," Mashiho says pushing your wrist back.

"I won't make it either way." 

Mashiho smiles, "Exactly why you have me as a teacher. Now bend your knees and shoot." 

You do as he says. You watch as the ball hits the back of the rim and then slowly falls into the basket. 

"You did it! I told you I was a great teacher."

Dates with Mashiho are always playful

You end up either playing a game outside or shopping for cute toys and plushies around Seoul

You pick up hobbies together that interest you both 

You rarely go out to eat or order food for dates, but when you are getting food you stop at a bakery for sweets

🦁 Jaehyuk

"We will take whatever the chef recommends," Jaehyuk tells the Waiter. He's decided to bring you to a very fancy restaurant, definitely one that you don't deserve to be at, but he insisted. 

"This is all so amazing Jae." You say looking around. You're sitting right next to the window which allows you to look out into the Seoul nightlife.

"I know right. I've always wanted to eat here and now I can with you it makes it all that more special."

Fancy dates. At nice restaurants and cafes. 

He likes to pamper you when you go out together so he doesn't hold back

All of the money he has saved up goes towards making you happy

A true romantic at heart he loves to spoil you and make you feel loved

🤖 Asahi

"Which color should I use for the flowers?" You ask digging through the pencil bag of markers. 

"Why are you adding flowers on my self-portrait?" Ashai questions. He's still sketching he's very focused on his drawing. 

"I know, but I went above and beyond and gave you a background. I should get extra points." 

He chuckles at that remark, "I'm highly doubtful you can beat me, but you should do pink."

Homeboy dates 

You end up trying to cook homemade pizza which turns out horribly so you just order in

One time he built a fort and you snuggled inside with a movie marathon and hot chocolate 

🦊 Yedam

"We should get green tea and a banana nut muffin," Yedam suggests as he looks over the menu. You're at your favorite cafe that's just down the street from your dorm. Yedam suggested you have a study date today which is exactly what you agreed on. 

"I want a muffin, but order a different drink. I'm not in the mood for tea." 

"Okay," he circles the option on the menu and sets it aside. A worker will walk past soon and pick it up. He unzips his bookbag pulling out a binder and a workbook ready to work, "What are you going to study?"

"I think I am going to start on my Language Arts report. I just need to decide on a topic." You say pulling your laptop out from your tote bag. 

Yedam smiles, "I can help you with that."

Study dates happen often because grades are important to you both

Sometimes you end up at a Karaoke bar because you would be a fool to not love his voice

You walk around in parks often just looking at the scenery and enjoying nature

🐰 Doyoung

"Are you sure you should be adding so much salt?" 

"I'm only adding a little bit. Trust me It Will taste amazing." Doyoung smiles. 

"After your strawberry jam disaster, I don't think I should trust you." You say looking down into the pot at the bright red liquid boiling. 

Shrugging off the comment Doyoung reaches for the sesame oil adding a teaspoon, "It will taste fine. Now can you please set the table?" He pushes you towards the table so you leave him to his work.

Doyoung is a wildcard for dates

At times he will bring you to a restaurant for a nice dinner

At other times he will insist on cooking something

Sometimes he finds really weird places for dates such as going to a token food market or he books a ceramics class

One time he tries to teach you a dance one can only imagine how that went

🐏 Haruto

"So what do you have planned for me today?" You ask pulling off your crossbody bag hanging it on your chair. 

"I was thinking we should watch a horror movie." He says. 

You laugh, "No seriously what are we gonna do?" 

"I am serious we should watch a foreign film together and eat popcorn." 

"Are you sure this is a good idea? The last time we watched one you wanted to be the knight in shining armor, but I had to walk you home." You point out recalling the memory from a few months ago. 

"I promise I can handle it. Let's pop some popcorn."

Spoiler Alert: You only made it 15 minutes into the movie before you had to turn it off. You ended up watching Wreck-It Ralph instead.

Haruto doesn't really plan for dates be just goes with the flow

Most nights you just enjoy the presence of each other talking for hours 

Haruto seems quiet but when he is comfortable he loves to sit and talk with the people around him

🐺 Jeongwoo

"Why did you tell me to wear pants?" You ask as you meet Jeongwoo. 

He just smiles, "With what I have planned you'll be happy you wore pants." 

-

"You're not going to win!" You shout while running after Jeongwoo. He's decided to bring you to an indoor jumping park. The floor is filled with trampolines and there are sections for different games. 

He has a head start already making it to the jumping area, "Hurry up. I want to beat you in dodgeball."

Jeongwoo has a lot of energy so most of the time he has you moving around when you meet to go out. 

Sometimes you're screaming your lungs out on a roller coaster other times you're racing him just to see who will win

When you want to just stay home your still moving around either just singing and dancing till you can't anymore or eating ice cream and watching YouTube

🐮 Junghwan

"There is a zombie behind you!" Junghwan shouts. He's right next to you, but he still feels the need to shout. 

"Kill it more me I'm still smelting the iron!" 

He shakes his head, "No you do it I have to go look for more diamond." 

"Wow, you're not gonna protect me from a zombie. I'm gonna take all the diamonds and leave you then." You say turning your character around to kill the zombie. 

"I was just kidding. I'll kill any monster that tries to hurt you."

Video Game dates at home 

You both enjoy taking each other down or working together to meet a goal in a game

When your not gaming for a date you just walk around Seoul till you find something fun

Him being from Iksan he's only really looked at bits and pieces so you just walk to you find interesting shops and stores

-

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed!

[shreddedparchment]

400 Buffalo Wings

02/14/2020

Pairing: Thor x Reader          Word Count: 2,149

Warnings: language, allusions to penises and sex, lots of buffalo wings, fluff

A/N: Just an intended drabble that turned into a one shot for Valentine’s Day. I did Bucky last year so I thought I’d do Thor this year. I may do another one, if I’m in the mood. I hope you enjoy it! This is seriously just silly fun. xoxo

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

It feels like your whole apartment is shaking.

Startled you spring to your feet and reach for the heavy wooden bat that you’d placed by your umbrella holder in the foyer.

You’re not exactly scared but you know the threats you might face.

It’s been three months since your life changed. Three months of surprising bliss. Three months of dating the perfect man.

With this perfect man, however, comes dangers that you know you’re not ready to face. Dangers that might very well end your life more quickly than you can attempt to fight them.

In fact, as you approach your front door—Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!—you know that if whoever is on the other side wants to hurt you, you won’t even have the chance to swing this bat.

There’s a heavy shift on the other side as you reach it, and with a trembling hand placed against the red painted wood, you push yourself up onto your toes and peek through your peep hole.

Your heart unclenches and relief floods you as you plant your feet back down and rest your forehead against the cool wood.

“Why are you knocking on my door, dummy? You have a key!” You tell him, pulling back to unlatch the chain and unlock the door.

He doesn’t answer you, but you open the door and you suddenly notice the way he’s swaying a little, the glazed look in his eyes, the sloppy grin stretching his bearded cheeks.

“There she is.” He says, his booming voice finding its way into your chest cavity to restart your heart at twice the speed.

Gods, you could listen to him talk forever, and be happy with only that if you couldn’t have anything else.

“Are you drunk?” You ask, brow furrowed.

“No.” He argues, frowning at you.

He blows a raspberry to emphasize the absurdity of what you’re saying, but then he sways too far forward and only stops when you throw your hands out against his chest to keep him upright.

His electric blue eyes look down at your hands, and suddenly he’s smiling like an idiot again.

“Thor, you’re drunk.” You insist.

“I’m drunk.” He agrees, too happy to notice your annoyance.

You hadn’t expected him to remember. This isn’t his thing. Earth holidays aren’t exactly something that he’s studied.

And technically this isn’t even a real holiday.

But you’d hoped…

“Come on.” You tell him and move to wrap his free arm around your shoulders so that you can help lead him inside.

He’s staring at you as you walk him in, absolutely pouring heart eyes at you and you’re so irritated by it that you really wanna just let him fall to the ground in a heap.

Instead he tightens his arm around you as you shut the door and presses his massive forehead against the top of your head.

“I missed you.” He whispers, sending shivers across your skin.

“Not much if you went out drinking after your mission.” You counter, not really meaning it but wanting to fight to expend all this damn disappointment.

“I had to!” Thor exclaims, voice rising and cracking in octave as he stands up straight.

He does it too quickly and he almost goes teetering backwards into your kitchen.

“Woah,” You exclaims but reach out with your bat less hand now and catch the loop of his jeans to keep him upright.

“When there is victory, there must be revels!” He assures you.

You sigh.

“Are you angry with me?”

“No.” You sigh and move him towards the room.

He can sleep it off.

“You’re angry with me.” Thor insists.

“Not angry. Just…I’m…”

“What were you doing?” Thor wonders, looking around the apartment as you pass through the living room and into the hallway towards your bedroom.

He notices the glass of half-drunk wine on your coffee table, a small plate of half eaten pasta. Netflix is still running, Sleeping With Other People still playing.

“Nothing. Just watching movies.” You tell him. “What are you carrying?”

You look over at his other arm, tucked underneath it what looks to be a sleek fancy black box with a golden ribbon tied around it.

For a moment, you wonder if maybe he didn’t forget…maybe someone reminded him?

“Food from the party.” He tells you, shifting towards you so that you can take it.

“Oh.” You reach over and grab the box by the bow and place it on the end of the bed as you near it.

Quickly you shrug out from underneath his arm and turn him around before helping him sit, but he throws himself back making your whole room shake.

“Thor!” You gasp, chastising him as the walls and ceiling creak and complain.

“That’s my name.” He says, slurring his words. “Dunweritow.”

His eyes are already closed.

“Dumbass.” You sigh, watching him scratch at an itch on his chest.

You smack his leg and he lifts it for you to place on your lap. You untie his boot and peel it off, letting it drop to your floor with a thud.

You do the other, then move to undo his jeans and begin to tug those away too.

“Are you trying to take advantage of me?” Thor accuses you. “Getting me naked while I am not of sound mind?”

You scoff and almost laugh, but you only pull harder until the jeans fall free of his hips and you can slide them down his massive thighs to leave him in red form hugging briefs.

They leave nothing to your imagination, but you have to stop and laugh when you see that they’re covered in tiny black hearts.

“What?” Thor asks, pushing himself up onto his elbows despite the sleep in his eyes.

He looks down at his pants and makes an O with his mouth as he sees his underwear.

“I forgot I chose those.”

“Why did you choose them?” You wonder, still laughing a bit.

“Is it not St. Valentine’s day today? Where are your heart underwear? In my research this is what is done, is it not?” Thor asks, trying to clear his mind of his drunken fog to focus on you.

So, he did look into it, but maybe didn’t do more than get past the images part of the search? At least he tried…

“I don’t have any underwear with hearts.” You remind him.

“No…” Thor shakes his head. “No, but you have those red ones. With the pink lace?”

There’s a shift in his underwear that draws your eyes. You frown.

“I’m not changing into any lingerie, Thor.” You get up and throw his pants into your hamper, the move around the bed to take off his shirt.

“Come on, take this off. It reeks of booze.” You grab the ends and he sits up completely then raises his hands up above his head so that you can peel the shirt away.

“You just want to get me naked.” He insists.

You scoff a chuckle again. “Yes, it’s my dream. You naked, in bed, all the time.”

Never mind that it is partially your dream to have him naked in bed all the time. He doesn’t need to know that when you’re upset!

“Mine too.” Thor says, “One of them.”

He sits there, slouching, hands between his thighs as he watches you dump his shirt in the hamper too.

“I’m hungry.” He tells you.

“When aren’t you hungry?” You counter. “And you’ve ben drinking. Of course, you want food.”

You move to the sleek black box—there must have been fancy caterers at the Avengers after party—and pick it up only to deposit it back into his lap.

“Here, eat your leftovers.” You grab his boots and move to place them by the end of the bed. “I’m gonna go clean up the living room and I’ll be back.”

“Very well.” He sighs but grunts.

The sound draws your attention and you find him struggling with the knot of the golden bow.

You let him struggle with it for a minute, a little smug that he’s so helpless right now. But watching him also frustrates you more and you move to sit beside his legs and push his hands away to take the box.

Placing it in your lap, you sigh and begin to work the tight knot slowly.

Thor leans against the bed, his hand beside your thigh so that both your knees are between his hand and his body.

He scratches at his chest and his head, his thigh and his beard as he waits and watches you undo the knot.

It finally pulls free and you run the stiff glittery ribbon through your fingers as you pull it apart.

You’re going to just give it back to him and let him open it himself, but you’re curious as to the quality of food that would warrant such a fancy box.

As you toss the lid aside, you see that there is mostly white wax paper inside. You rifle through it, folding the layers of paper back and find instead of food a small drawstring pouch in deep velvet red.

Suddenly, your hands are buzzing. You’re not sure what you’re seeing but your body seems to respond to it before your mind can catch up.

“Did you really think that I’d forget what today is about?” Thor asks, reaching around to wrap his arm around your waist, tickling the small of your back.

You pull out the pouch and with shaking fingers you pull it open. Slowly you reach in and feel for what he might have hidden in so much paper and box, when your fingers make purchase on a small metal circle.

You were hoping for a card maybe. A bracelet or necklace at most. Flower or chocolates. Something small and simple.

Well, this is small…but most definitely not simple.

You fish it up and find yourself staring down at a thin golden band around which is wrapped another in silver creating a beautiful Celtic vine pattern.

The gem is round, brilliant, but modest in size. The brilliant yellow diamond, however, stuns you with its color.

“Will you marry me, babe?” He asks.

You meet his eyes, tears threatening to spill across your cheeks. You had accepted that you’d get nothing and all of a sudden here he is, offering you everything.

“Yes…” You nod. “Yes.”

Thor smiles and pulls you closer to kiss you silly as you struggle to lean against him with the angle that you’re sitting.

He kisses you until you can’t breathe then pulls back to rest his forehead against your own.

“How about that red underwear now?” He tries.

You throw your head back in laughter, as you shove him away and get up to go clean.

“Is that a no?” He pleads, and you look back to find him splayed out on his back at the center of your bed, watching you with deep longing.

“That’s a no.” You assure him, but as you go out of sight, you know that it’s only a no for now.

~~~~~~~~~~

“THOR!” You shout, staring at the team of delivery men as each one comes in and deposits tray after tray of what looks like buffalo wings.

There are at least twenty boxes, each one with twenty wings each.

“Is my food here?” Thor wonders, still drunk off his ass despite the very competent way he just made love to you.

“Your food?!” You demand, looking at not only your small kitchen table, but your coffee table and end tables all laden with boxes of wings.

Thor smiles at the sight of them and throws himself down onto the couch as he reaches for one of the boxes but being so drunk, he falls sideways and just stays there where he’s fallen, eyes shut as sleep threatens to take him.

“Thor! What the hell were you thinking?!” You demand, flabbergasted by the sheer amount of food in your home.

“I’m hungry.” He explains, eyes still shut, voice losing strength with his drowsiness.

“That…that doesn’t mean that you order four hundred buffalo wings!” You nearly shout.

“Well, I’m the God of Thunder and this is how I eat and I love you, babe.” He tacks on at the end and you’re not sure if he says it because he’s trying to get out of trouble or if he means that you’re supposed to eat too or whether his drunken stupor is just making him say whatever comes to mind.

You remember that you just told him that you’ll marry him and that you will have a lifetime of buffalo wings in your future. The very thought is so ridiculous that all you can do is laugh as you watch your husband to be pass out on this, your first shared Valentine’s Day.

[sirrriusblack]

My Secret Agenda

This fic is solely for the purpose of making @e-of-west-glendia smile but uh yes. I provide wolfstar fluff :)

* * *

Sirius thought it a crime that he’d never stepped foot into Remus’ bedroom before.

When Remus had mentioned Sirius staying in one of their letters at the start of the winter break, they’d asked their parents immediately. Hope and Lyall—both of whom had insisted Sirius call them by their first names—had been more than happy to have Sirius stay for the last few days of the winter holidays, after Christmas. Sirius’ mum—Euphemia, not Walburga—had agreed on the conditions that he took with him a box of chocolates for Remus’ parents, along with the promise to keep his hands off Remus unless necessary. Sirius had agreed, but decided to leave the concept of ‘necessary’ up to interpretation. He’d had the full house tour—excluding the basement that Remus transformed in whenever he was home during the full moon, but Sirius definitely didn’t deem that as necessary—guided along by the whole family. Until they’d reached Remus’ room. Then, Hope and Lyall had left the boys to it, Hope murmuring softly that they had to keep the door open. Remus had gone bright red. 

Now, Sirius stood at the entryway to Remus’ bedroom. It was… everything he’d ever wanted as a kid. Well, maybe not his style, but, it was free and cluttered. Sirius’ childhood room consisted of dark floorboards, white walls, grey bedsheets and curtains and a rather unnerving portrait of a great uncle Sirius had never met. Well it had, until Sirius decided to litter it with muggle posters, pictures of his friends and every record he could get his hands on. His room at the Potter’s was great, too. He now had the freedom to have the biggest David Bowie poster he’d ever seen hanging right above his bed. He now had the freedom to do anything he wanted, within reason. But still, Remus’ bedroom was… something else. It felt lived in. Loved. Like Remus had spent his life here and there were traces of it everywhere. Remus was everywhere. He sat on the bed—which would be a tight fit for both of them, but Sirius wasn’t complaining—and gestured for Sirius to follow suit. He did, looking around the room and smiling at certain items and photos that caught his attention along the way. Sirius fell onto the bed, worn in and surprisingly comfortable, especially when Remus curled into him like that.

“Do you like it?” Remus asked, running his hands along Sirius’ back and shoulders.

“The room?” he asked. Remus nodded. “Mmhm, yeah, I love it,” he said, cuddling closer to Remus. Sirius shot up quickly, realising something.

“Oh, um, Sirius?” Remus moved forward, unsure of what Sirius was doing, until he turned around and kissed him. They hadn’t seen each other for three weeks and that meant they hadn’t kissed for three weeks. Sirius said as much to Remus, who laughed against Sirius’ mouth, the sound only making Sirius deepen the kiss. Yes, this was very, very necessary. Nothing had ever been more necessary than when Remus pulled away for a moment, only to sit back against his headboard and tug Sirius toward him, up and onto his lap. So, very necessary. Sirius was content to stay like that forever, wrapped in Remus’ arms and their shared breaths. But those were footsteps out in the hall. In a matter of moments, Remus and Sirius were on opposite ends of the bed, looking all but casual. Hope knocked lightly on the slightly open door and poked her head in. She took in the scene—both boys flushed pink and too far apart to be anything but suspicious—and smirked a little.

“Hey, mam, need something?” Remus asked, running a hand through his tangled curls. Sirius felt his heart glow at the sight. Hope’s smirk turned into a kind smile, one that Sirius still wasn’t entirely used to seeing on many adults. 

“Lyall and I are going to the market for groceries, is there anything you two would like?” the Welsh lilt in Hope’s voice was just as pleasant as the first time Sirius had heard it. For a moment, Sirius let himself imagine a forever like this. Days spent walking through the fields of grass and flowers that surrounded the house, lying in Remus’ bed learning all about each relic of his childhood, chatting over the dinner table to Hope and Lyall with their kind smiles and wonderful accents. A forever with Remus. Sirius almost sighed at the image, but kept it in for fear of embarrassment. Remus was looking at him. He realised Remus was waiting for an answer and shook his head.

“I’m okay, thank you,” he said, smiling back at Hope. Her eyes glinted as she looked back to Remus. 

“There’s not much point in telling you to keep the door open while we’re not home, is there?” she asked, her smile growing wider. Remus’s cheeks flushed pink.

“Mam!” he shouted, throwing a pillow at the door. Hope had already rushed off though, her laugh floating in the air. Remus’ accent had worn off over time, so that it was mostly gone now; a result of spending most of the year at Hogwarts and around the other Marauders. Some things he said, however, had a hint of the same Welsh accent his mother and father had. Other times, he’d say entire words in Welsh—like how he called his parents mam and tad when he was talking to them—and, at least in Sirius’ opinion, it was the fucking cutest shit ever.

“We’ll be back soon!” Lyall called from the front door before it clicked shut and the two boys were left alone. 

Sirius fell against Remus so he was lying between his legs and Remus started running his fingers through Sirius’ hair. Something on the wall caught Sirius’ eye. It was a photograph of a young Remus standing somewhere with his dad and holding a huge stick of cotton candy in his small hand. A muggle photo; neither of them were moving. Sirius clapped a hand over his mouth.

“You okay?” Remus asked, trying to see what Sirius was looking at. Sirius turned to face Remus and stuck his bottom lip out. 

“How old are you in that photo?” he asked. Remus looked adorable. His hair was just as curly as it was now, but it was longer in that photo. Down-to-his-chin-long. Sirius was going to die, he was sure of it. Remus laughed and stood up, carefully pushing Sirius off his lap. He walked over to the wall—a wall filled from ceiling to floor with photos, paper, drawings, writing, everything—and pulled the photo down, before walking back over to his bed. Sirius sat up, cross-legged. Remus laid back down, though, and pulled Sirius down next to him until every part of them was tangled.

“I was five. For the first year or so, once I was feeling better, after every full moon dad took me somewhere fun. I think he felt guilty about…” he trailed off, his eyes focused wholly on the photo. Sirius looked too. Remus did look a bit rough around the edges in the photo, but he was smiling. He was happy despite it all. “Uh, but yeah. We went to a carnival near our old house and that was the first time I tried cotton candy,” he finished with a small smile on his face. Sirius turned and kissed him slowly, knowing it wouldn’t erase the past but hoping it might help Remus. It seemed to, because he stood up and walked back over to the wall and grabbed a different photo this time. Before he could start talking about it, though, Sirius stood up and walked over to his bag. Remus raised his eyebrows, confused, before Sirius pulled out the record player he’d gotten from the Potters for Christmas last year. Remus shook his head, grinning, as Sirius placed it on the large wooden desk in the corner of Remus’ room. 

“What’s it going to be this time? Bowie?” Remus guessed, leaning back against the wall and smiling. Sirius lifted a record out of his bag, trying to hide it behind his back. 

“Surprise,” he explained, turning back to the record player. Remus only nodded and waited for Sirius to set the music up, dropping the arm down and letting it start. Once he was sure it was working, Sirius moved back toward the bed, this time sitting on the floor and leaning back against the frame. Remus flicked some hair from his face and smiled down at Sirius. He walked over and they resumed their position, but this time Remus was in front and they were on the floor, facing the wall.

The music started playing, the lilting sound of Pink Floyd’s Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Remus turned to Sirius, eyes wide.

“The Potter’s got you Pink Floyd’s new album?” he asked, running over to the record player. Sirius laughed and nodded. He’d never been as into Pink Floyd as Remus was, so when he’d opened the record on Christmas morning, all he could think about was how excited Remus was going to be. And he was right. Remus was reading through the album cover, like he was trying to memorise each song. Sirius wished he could have gotten it for Remus for Christmas, but he felt terrible asking the Potter’s for money. And Sirius’ own fortune...well that was long gone now. Probably in Bella’s bank if anything. Mr Potter insisted on giving Sirius an allowance for the chores he did around the house during the holidays, but Sirius had never touched any of that money. He was going to give it all back to them when he moved out instead. It was the least he could do. And sharing his gifts with Remus was the most he could do for his boyfriend at the moment. 

“I’m bringing it to school, so as your Christmas gift, you can access it any time of any day,” Sirius offered, smiling. Remus placed the record back on his desk and looked down at his shoes. “Remus? Are you alright?” He shuffled over, sitting back between Sirius’ legs.

“I didn’t—I mean, I don’t have anything for you,” Remus said, pointedly avoiding his eyes. Sirius lifted his hand to Remus’ face and gently tilted his head up to face him.

“Remus… I’m kidding, I was just…” he didn’t finish the sentence, knowing that whatever he was going to say next wouldn’t improve Remus’ mood. He remembered something quickly and once again walked over to his bag. Remus raised an eyebrow. “Okay so technically I have got something for you but it’s cheesy,” Sirius started. Remus looked nervous, like he still felt bad for not getting Sirius a gift. “If it makes you feel better, I already had this and I just thought you might like it.” Remus looked up, the photo he’d taken down from the wall earlier still in his hands. Sirius walked over to him and handed Remus a small envelope.

“What is… Sirius, if this is money—”

“No, no, just open it,” Sirius cut in, waving toward the envelope. Remus placed the photo down by his side and tore open the envelope, careful not to damage the contents. It was a photo. Sirius and Remus were in third year, laughing over a game of exploding snap. Sirius couldn’t even remember the day it was taken, couldn’t remember who’d won the game, even. But it was his favourite photo of him and Remus. It was light, and pure and Sirius could watch how Remus’ eyes shifted from the game to Sirius and then how his face exploded into a grin that was just everything, all at once. Sirius had kept it on his bedside table at Grimmauld Place, one of the few actually non-muggle items he’d kept in his room. He’d fallen asleep to it, cried to it, smiled to it. And he thought Remus might like it.

Remus was staring at the photo like Sirius had just given him a bar of gold. Sirius’ 13-year-old face split into a grin in the photo and Remus’ eyes lit up. He looked up at Sirius, as if making sure he was still there, and grinned with just the same amusement and happiness as both the boys had that day. 

“Who took this?” Remus asked, already standing to place it on his wall. It was ironic, Sirius thought, that he’d brought a photo for Remus, who had an entire wall of them in his bedroom. Remus taped the polaroid to his wall in place of the one he’d taken down and sat back next to Sirius. 

“I think it was James,” Sirius said, wrapping his arm around Remus. 

“I love it,” Remus whispered. Sirius couldn’t help himself, couldn’t resist from leaning forward and kissing Remus, long and slow. He reached down and picked up the photo, holding it up for Remus to see.

“What’s this?” Sirius asked, parting lips and looking down. Remus blushed, looking down before he mumbled something incomprehensible. “What was that?” Sirius pushed, amused. Remus’ cheeks turned redder and he finally looked a the photo. Sirius was sitting by one of the large arched windows in the Gryffindor Common room, the sunlight filtering in while he was practising charms. Sirius’ arm was moving in circles as he got more and more frustrated with the spell he was trying to cast. Remus laughed at the picture, at Sirius’ pout, and in turn earned a light shove from his boyfriend. 

“I took this early fifth year, y’know, when I was still hopelessly in love with you,” Remus explained. Sirius faced him, shocked. 

“And you’re not now?” he asked, feigning outrage. Remus laughed, the sound floating in the air. 

“Nope,” he said, and before Sirius could interject, he added, “I’m full of hope. Full to the brim. You give me hope, Sirius, I’m…..hopefully in love with you,” Remus finished, linking their hands together. Sirius chuckled, unsure of how he could possibly get so lucky.

“You’re a dork, Moony,” he said, leaning to kiss him again. Remus hummed against Sirius’ lips and Sirius couldn’t help but grin. Every single moment of these few days was absolutely, one hundred per cent, definitely necessary.

The song died down and Sirius shifted closer to Remus, settling his head into the crook of his boyfriend’s shoulder. Wish You Were Here started playing and, much to Sirius’ delight, Remus started humming along, swaying ever so slightly. Sirius pointed up at the wall, at a muggle photo of Remus and his mother in rollerskates.

“Tell me about that photo,” Sirius requested, and Remus smiled. 

“That was the day I broke my arm for the first time,” he started, thinking back to try and remember all the details of the day. Sirius turned to him, jaw wide open.

“The first time?!” he asked, grabbing Remus’ arm like it might break suddenly right there. Remus laughed, shifting into a more comfortable position. “Yeah, first of a few too many,” Remus said, grinning. Sirius decided he could live off of that grin and that grin only. He was content, here in Remus’ room, on the floor, listening to their favourite music and Remus’ childhood stories.

[fireopal-tash]

Pearl and Garnet finally talk with the Diamonds. It doesn't go as expected...

This happens at the same time as the previous chapter. At last there will be answers... Right?

Also, this is my AU, so some things will be different: Homeworld free form; Gem's history free form

(read chapter 6 first!)

CHAPTER 7 - ETERNAL DESTINY

That same morning, while Steven was still sleeping with Spinel and Amethyst was in her own room, the fusion and the pearl decided to visit Homeworld again. More than anything, it was to finally speak with the Diamond Authority, and thus contrast the information they obtained from the last time. Their first visit was interesting but not enough for them. Helping Steven, that was their priority. And the only way to achieve it is by talking to the same gems they were so afraid of -no matter how much they deny it-.

Today the palace seemed to be busier. Looking around, you could see gems of all colors and of all shapes walking from one place to another, some talking, others in silence, but all animated. Pearl, uncomfortable and not used to such a large and varied group in this place, moved closer to Garnet and hugged her arm.

"Pearl, calm down. No one is going to attack us."

"Easy for you to say. You can see what's going to happen with your future vision, but all I see is chaos and a mess. Years ago this would have been more than enough to piss off the Diamonds" she hissed, and then she shook her head "It still amazes me how much everything has changed..."

"All thanks to Steven" Garnet smiled softly, feeling pride wash over her. That made Pearl smile too. Her son had grown a lot, and she couldn't be happier for him. Then she sighed.

"But that thing about Gem Mates is something unexpected. I'm afraid how it might affect Steven. Spinel too" the pale gem paused, watching some amethysts shout happily among themselves, drawing the attention of other gems "Do you think she has anything to do with all this?"

"I don't know. I... I can't see much since Steven came back. Things have changed, and I can't even know what's going to happen anymore" explained the fusion. She was worried, but she also knew that they couldn't depend on her future vision. They had to trust Steven and whatever decisions he'll make from now on.

"I think we've arrived..." Pearl announced. Her hands on the fusion's arm dropped and she approached the white doors of White Diamond's room. At least some things don't changed. Pearl knocked on the door, deciding that this was better than entering without announcing their presence.

"Come in" came the voice, the doors opening and giving way to White's chamber. Said Diamond was in a yoga pose of sorts, somewhat tense. The giant opened her eyes, without changing her position. "Ah, the crystal gems. What about Steven and the amethyst?"

"They're at home," said Pearl with irritation. Garnet touch Pearl's shoulder, then took a few steps closer to the large diamond.

"We came here to talk about him, actually. We've been... investigating, and we suspect that Steven is infected by Gem Mates." Hearing those words, the doors to that room slammed shut, blocking the only exit there was and surprising the other two gems. Meanwhile, White was looking at them with a seriousness not very common in her.

"Where did you hear that term? And what makes you think Steven might have it?"

"In The Great Library on Gems and Their History," Pearl explained with some reluctance. Then she looked at her with a hard and firm gaze "We know about Tourmaline, Tanzanite and Moissanite. We know what happened to them."

"You" she stopped suddenly. White turned around, her shoulders shaking slightly. Then she spoke, without turning around, in a solemn voice "Steven is not affected by anything. Gem Mates is not a vulgar disease or a virus. It is... a part of the history of the gems that was lost after what happened with Tourmaline, Tanzanite and Moissanite. They weren't... They weren't to blame. I should have stopped this from appearing long before. I never thought..." this time she turned around, looking directly at Pearl and Garnet "Did you say Steven could have a Gem Mate?"

"He's... he's been feeling strange."

"As if he could feel someone else's emotions inside him, correct?" she lowered her gaze, almost sadly "Sounds right"

"What else can you tell us about that? How can we help Steven?" Garnet finally asked.

"Nothing" was White's decisive answer. "You cannot help him because nothing can be done. He will have to live with it. And above all, in no case let anything happen to his other half"

"His other half? And what will happen to him if something happens to his other half?" Pearl asked, dreading the answer. She was sure she read about it before...

"Little by little, very slowly, he will cease to exist. He will disintegrate until there is only an empty shell of who he was before, although who knows, since he is half organic" the diamond replied with an absent look. Her white pupils fixed on the crystal gems, still lost "You already have your answer. You can go now" The great doors opened, and as if something were moving them. Pearl and Garnet left, dumbfounded.

~

"Blue Diamond?"

"Oh, Steven's friends. Welcome" the blue gem invited them, finding herself alone at that moment, and surrounded by what appear to be many empty bubbles "Excuse the mess. I was... cleaning" With that said, she turned her attention to Pearl and Garnet, curious "Why have you come? I know you don't like Homeworld, and you don't like us" she was referring to all the diamonds "Is everything okay with Steven?"

"Steven is fine. But we wanted to know what can you tell us about the GemMates." And just like the other time, Blue acted affected upon hearing those words, turning away from them with an expression of anguish.

"How...?"

"Steven. We have been investigating, and we believe that Steven has a GemMate" announced Pearl, feeling some panic inside her when she saw another diamond react negatively. All the things she's read about this topic couldn't possibly be the reason, right? It seemed as if it was affecting them more than it should. Or maybe I'm being insensitive, Pearl thought with some pity.

"Out" Blue ordered, not wanting to talk about it. It has to been a joke, right? Steven couldn't...

"Running from the truth is not going to make it all go away" was the last thing Garnet said before they both left, leaving Blue alone, still affected by their words. Specifically the last sentence because she knew more than anyone that she could not run. Not forever anyway.

~

"My Diamond, Pink Diamond's Pearl and the Fusion" announced Yellow Pearl, leaving shortly after, knowing that this must be something personal and too important for two of the members of the Crystal Gems to be there.

"Steven is not here" was not a question "What do you want?" she folded her arms, beside her a screen with indecipherable writing.

"We wanted to talk about the GemMates" Pearl began.

"Out" she did not give them time to say more than that.

"Excuse me!?" exclaimed the pale gem in frustration "This is enough. Obviously you know something about this and you don't want to tell us. We have talked to White and Blue first. Why do you react like this?"

"A pearl like you... of course you don't know anything"

"We know about Tourmaline, Tanzanite and Moissanite," she countered.

"Like I said, you know nothing"

"Then tell us what you know in order for us to understand" Garnet asked quietly. Perhaps they would have better luck with Yellow if they were more patient and rational.

"If I tell you, will you go away?" They both looked at each other, then looked at Yellow and nodded in unison. The yellow diamond snorted, but sat down in her seat and began to narrate. "This started shortly after our creation"

"Our... You mean, all the Diamonds?"

"Not exactly, and don't interrupt me again or I'm not going to tell you anything more" that closed Pearl's mouth, who was going to ask something else. "As I was saying. When we were created we knew everything we had to do. Create more gems, colonize, collect and store all the information we obtain. And that we did. We followed the protocol. We created guardians to protect us, workers to build what you see around you and intellectuals so that they could archive everything that happened and what we learned. Then we created even more types of gems, until we couldn't find anymore jobs for more gems of different types. We just needed more soldiers to facilitate the process of colonization and expand our empire"

Pearl made as if to interrupt, but Garnet stopped her with a simple glance. Yellow continued as if nothing happened.

"During that time, we realized that there were gems that had a special connection with some of their... partners. And although at first we thought it would be a mere distraction and an easy weakness to exploit, we noticed that these gems obtained certain advantages. At least, that was the case until that the misfortune of The Fall"

The Fall? Pearl thought with some disbelief when she heard that title, knowing what she meant by that.

"Tourmaline, Tanzanite and Moissanite. The last two were created with the mark of destiny" her gaze became wishful "Tourmaline was not happy about the close proximity between Tanzanite and Moissanite. She shattered Tanzanite -Fusions were allowed back then- the diamond explained in between, as if saying, see? That was the reason Tourmaline really attacked "Moissanite wanted to shatter her old friend as retaliation. Everyone knew what happens when you lose your gem mate. Something similar happened with the first gems created with the mark of destiny. But that was not accidental. Not like this time. White had to punish them with the Vindicta. After that, me and Blue were created. Era 0 had ended with a misfortune but it began with a new opportunity. And the other gems created with the Mark were either destroyed, or... Well, surely you have an idea" she said that last part bitterly. She was not proud of those times. It was a mess back then, but also the stronger their empire had been.

"Thank you" Garnet got up, gesturing for Pearl to do the same.

"Uh... No need, I think" Yellow answered uncomfortably.

~

It was too late again, so late that neither of them expected to find Steven awake. Nor Spinel or Amethyst. That is why, when they heard music and voices in the background, they were so surprised that for long minutes they did not move from where they were standing, and shrouded in darkness.

"What do we...?" Pearl began with her hands clasped. Garnet shook her head.

"Let them have their fun, while they still can"

To be continued...

Notes:

I decided to upload two chapters in a row because I did not want to make my readers suffer more for not having written anything in such a long time. So HERE YOU HAVE CHAPTERS 5 and 6! \: D /

(and sorry for any mistakes I've made :'3)

[return-of-a-space-cowboy]

I love Fairy Tale AUs! And your sleeping beauty one was soo great! Could I request a Snow White AU with yandere EvilQueen!Diavolo x snow white reader x yandere prince!Bruno? Unless that’s too weird, thanks anyway!

Aww thanks

I'm going to upload this in two parts, as well as a few other requests I got but here you go

Fairest of them all pt1

(yandere Diavolo and Bruno X Female Reader)

Warning: mindbreak

"oh my dear... To soon marry the fairest in the land is nothing short of a dream come true" your captor chuckled as he pulled you closer by your leash. You simply let out a groan in pain.

"Yes my king... I've dreamt of marrying you for my whole life" you croaked to the the man with many title's The evil king, The crimson king, emperor crimson but he preferred that you called him by his real name, Diavolo.

You were convinced that you were made for him, you never knew why you ever testified against it to begin with. It was a sick form of Stockholm syndrome that you had developed after weeks of starvation in a cold cell but you now believed that you were the one at fault and not your captor.

"My love..." He cooed before grabbing out a knife, causing you to cower back.

"Don't be afraid, this is just to ensure that we'll be together forever" he explained to make you comply

"Now just lay down" he said and like an obedient dog you laid down on your back as the male began to strip you down.

He wanted to make sure that the fairest in the land was his and his alone, and what better then to litter you with scars... He intended to make sure that he'd be the only one in the world to see you as beautiful.

Slowly the pink haired male graze the blade against your body.

"Where oh where should I mark you first?" he chirped however you didn't respond, you were there with him but also far away in your own delusions. You loved Diavolo but you didn't want this.

"Maybe I'll carve my name into your stomach, that will let any man who tries to have their way with you know who you belong to" he said as he pressed the blade against your stomach, blood soon appeared like little red pearls as it pierced your skin. Tears formed in your eyes as you felt the harsh sting but you refused to let him hear your screams in pain, you were his compliant little doll after all.

He soon began to carve each little letter in his name nearly into your skin. You hicuped lightly as you tried to deny the pain until he finished but it almost felt like a burn as you continued to deny until you could hold it no longer. You screamed and cried but you did not dare to thrash in his grasp.

"My dear... You have taken it so well, just a little longer and it will be over" he cooed before kissing your forehead and carving the last letter.

He looked down at his name carved into your skin like it was a fine work of art.

"My beautiful girl, how you make me so happy" he cooed.

🍎🍎🍎

Bruno hated king Diavolo like many others in the his kingdom but as a prince he was obligated to attend  the soirèe that King Diavolo had organised. As he arrived he was given a mask from one of the servants. Inside he saw all of the luxuries that the king claimed for himself over the well being of his citizens.

Every masked attendee was of a higher status, generals, aristocrats, political figures or royalty. Many chatted away with drinks in hand or stood to admire all the works of art displayed around the palace but amongst all the crowd of masked stranger one stood out to the ravenette prince. A young (H/C) female who wore a black dress with red lace and a red mask with a white diamond pattern and black feathers.

The male approached her and became entranced by her beauty but soon it turned into disgust as the realised the golden bangles on her wrists were actually a pair of handcuffs, the golden chain draped along the ground and her elegant choker did not have ivory or jewels but another chain link which made it look more like a dog leash then a piece of jewelry.

Without a doubt the lady was a unwilling wife, not even a cocubine, just a slave. Yet the male still dared to speak to the young lady who's (E/C) eyes were hazy and lifeless.

"It's a wonderful night is it not?" Bruno asked in an attempt to start a conversation with you.

"Yes" you replied in a hushed tone.

"My name is Bruno Bucciallati and I am the prince of Bergian" he introduced himself with bow, you looked around before you spoke but we're quickly silenced by the rattle of your chains.

"Oh Prince Bucciallati it seems like years since I last saw you" a man in a similar mask to yours spoke to him in a voice of mocking delight.

"...and I see you have met my fianceé (Y/n)" he smiled as he wrapped his arms around you.

"Diavolo" you almost sung in delight, the life seemed to return to your eyes as you looked at him.

"You see Bruno my beautiful girl was considered as a treasure to here kingdom... They called her Snow White because she was the only child to ever be born alive on the first day of snow... They saw her as a blessing" Diavolo explained.

"they also saw great beauty in her... She was adopted into the royal bloodline and many saw her as a muse, many wrote songs and poems, many created paintings and sculptures to immortalize her beauty... Many all over the world claimed that she was the fairest of them all" he continued to brag, he had no shame in telling other of you like you were another trophy in his collection... You were simply another prize he had claimed from another conquered kingdom.

Bruno felt his blood boil, he knew what he thought of you all to well but he could only bite his tongue. You were a poor innocent girl that had been brainwashed into loving such a evil and cruel man. On the other had Diavolo knew that Bruno was already falling in love with you. He knew that you had a way of making people fall in love with you, even if it wasn't intentional.

A servant quickly broke the conversation between the King and Prince.

"Your majesty, the Huntsman of the east has arrived and is ready to speak with you" he whispered in Diavolo's ear, just loud enough for only him to hear.

"Take him to the drawing room on the west wing, I will meet him there" he ordered and the servant replied before leaving.

"I'm sorry Bruno but our reunion must come to an end, I have a few personal matters to attend to but I'm sure my dear (Y/n) is willing to keep you entertained until I return" Diavolo spoke as he handed Bruno the end of your chain before swiftly disappearing into the crowd as an orchestra hummed to life.

"Would you care to dance?" Bruno asked and you nodded in response as he took your gloved hand. As he lead you to the to the dance floor. He held you by the waist with his left arm while holding your hand with his right  as he gently took the lead of the waltz.

You tried your hardest to look away from the male, even if Diavolo had given you the permission to be with this stranger it still felt just as scandalous as if he hadn't.

"Have you ever done the waltz before?" Bruno asked.

"Yes... With my adoptive brother, but those times are long gone" you told him like your brother had died years ago but in reality it had only been a few weeks since he held you in his dying arm as you cried in fear and uncertainty.

And while you danced the night away Diavolo made his way to the drawing room. He open the door to see a masked man who's hair was as white as snow and pupils as red as blood amongst the deep black of his scelra.

"You requested my services your majesty?" He asked.

"Yes I did Risotto Nero, I have heard so much about you... I've been told that you are the best Huntsman in the land" he explained before sitting down, Risotto stood silently as he watched the king.

"I've heard you killed thousands... Men, women and monsters of many kinds, some tell me you have even slain a dragon" the king continued.

"However the job in which I'm tasking you with probably the easiest you've ever received"

"And that is?" Risotto asked.

"You see... I am to marry in a few weeks time however my future wife was a very persistent woman at first, she use to try to escape me... Luckily that has come to an end" he explained.

"I will have my guards take her to the forest tomorrow, they will then leave her there alone and that is where you come in. I want you to scare her, cut her up a little bit if you so desire. I want you to scare her to the point where she'll never leave my side" Diavolo concluded.

"And how much will you pay me?" The tall man asked.

"Oh so demanding... Well my offer is three bags of silver-"

"You expect me to do your dirty work for three bags of silver, it's an insult!" Risotto cut the king off with a scowl.

"A bargainer... Well maybe I could up it to five" Diavolo said but the male simply turn his back and headed towards the door.

"And a bag of precious jewels..." Diavolo added and Risotto turned back towards him.

"Will you take my offer now?" Diavolo asked and Risotto nodded in approval.

"Alright the it's set, I will have my servants show you to a room to stay in until the time comes.

🍎🍎🍎

"Where are you taking me?" You asked the guards.

"The king has ordered us to take you to the forest, he has a surprise waiting for you" one of the guards replied. Your conversation attracted the attention of Prince Bruno however soon his attention had shifted to the other hall in which was odd, surely the king would accompany his fianceé for such a thing.

Bruno silently stalked Diavolo around the castle until he saw him go through a secret passage. Bruno carefully followed, hiding behind any corner until Diavolo entered a small room with only a mirror inside, however the mirror did not reflect Diavolo but instead a man with long brown hair and deep red eyes. Bruno peered from behind the corner and watched.

"Hmm it seems you've let your little dove go, the question now is will she return?" The man in the mirror asked.

"I'm certain she will Illusio" Diavolo replied.

"You must be careful thou, if you seek to break the girl further she may just shatter like China... After all you can only break something so many times before it can no longer be fixed" the male chuckled.

"I'll have no need to break her again after this... Once the Huntsman of the east has done his job, I will no longer have to worry about such" Diavolo stated in a cold tone which shocked Bruno, may the king have possibly lost interest in the young lady and wanted to kill her off.

Bruno quickly ran away in search of you, hoping to catch you in time before the huntsman did. He ran though the castle and took one of the swords on display as he exited.

🍎🍎🍎

"Hello? Where did everyone go?" You called out as you realised that the guards had disappeared.

"Is anyone here" you called out again as anxiety built inside of you, had Diavolo found you no long of interest? Had he sent you to be eaten by wolves?

No it couldn't possibly be, Diavolo would come. You just had to wait and so you did. You waited with not a single word until you heard footsteps slowly approach.

"Diavo-" you called out as you turned your head only to see someone else.

[rune-writes]

A Promise Remade

Fandom: Final Fantasy VII

Word Count: 1881 

Rating: T

Summary: The holidays have arrived and all Cloud wants is to become a family, to let go of the past and make up for all the time he wasn't there for them.

Note: My piece for the Cloti Holiday Cheer mini-event hosted by The Cloti Zine team.

Read on AO3.

~*~*~*~*~

There was a party held at the heart of Edge, where the new Meteorfall Monument now stood after Bahamut SIN wrecked it into pieces last spring. It'd have food and dancing and music, complete with a show displaying all the lights and glitter the city could afford for the entire year. 

“The year’s almost over anyway,” Barret had said when Cloud had pointed it out. They’d been waiting for the kids to finish dressing, Cloud sitting on a barstool with a half-empty glass of cocktail while Barret munched on the fries Tifa had cooked for him. 

The words had just left Barret’s mouth when they heard rushing footsteps from upstairs. Distant shouts of warnings followed short after, the kids had to be climbing down the stairs two at a time. And indeed, a moment later, Marlene burst out the back door in a thick woolen jacket and a pair of pink earmuffs—the ones she had received from Cloud. The seven-year-old twirled in front of him. “How do I look?” she said. Her grin cheeky, Marlene didn't wait for him to form an answer before she turned around and asked her father the same question. Barret's smile was the warmest Cloud had ever seen. The burly man was only ever soft to children, most of all his own daughter.

The back door swung open again. Tifa emerged with a scowl on her face, Denzel on her side. She scolded Marlene for ignoring her warnings and running down the stairs, but Barret cut her off, asking Denzel, “Did Cloud give you that too?” 

The boy blinked, surprised at being addressed. He touched the rim of the dark green beanie covering his head, then glanced sideways at Cloud, a small smile tugging his lips. “Yeah,” he said. “For the holidays.” The swell of affection enveloping Cloud’s heart was short-lived when he heard the quiet snort and saw the amused smirk caressing Barret's features. 

"What?" he wanted to say, but before he could, the big man was already clearing his throat and rising to his feet.

“Well, guess we better go then. Don't want to miss the light show now, do we?" He waved Denzel over, then gave the last of his fries to the children, tightening the collar of his coat before reaching for the door. A flurry of light snow brushed the entrance like dust. He held the door open, then fixed a hard look at Cloud. “And don’t you be late now, y’hear? You’re the guest of honor.”

Cloud’s brows twitched, a retort forming at the back of his mouth. But before he could return the sentiment, Tifa gave his shoulder a hard squeeze, reining him in. “Of course,” she said. “Don’t you worry, Barret.”

He wanted to shrug her hand off, to say he could answer for himself. Because yes, he would be there; Barret didn’t have to worry about anything. Cloud had no desire to break his promise to the children. 

Barret only grunted in response, then broke eye contact. Ushering the kids to leave, they beamed and waved at Tifa and Cloud, rushing out the door like the bundles of energy and excitement that they were. They ignored any calls to be careful and watch their steps as they leaped down the stairs onto the ground beyond. Barret sighed, then chuckled. He followed after them and called for them to wait, his shouts growing muffled and distant as the door closed behind him. 

“For an environmentalist, Barret doesn’t really care much about electricity use, does he?” Cloud downed the last of his cocktail in one shot, mouth still pulled into a frown as he glared at the entrance door. 

Tifa laughed, soft and breathy. She patted Cloud’s shoulder, asked him to bring his glass to the sink while she picked up Barret’s empty plate. Cloud pushed himself off the counter and followed close behind. 

“Marlene wanted to see the light show,” she said as she turned on the tap. “Of course he’d be happy. He’s simple like that. If the kids are happy, he’s happy.” Cloud could see that. Barret’s priority had always been Marlene. What Marlene wanted, he’d do his best to fulfill it. “Also,” Tifa went on. She grabbed the sponge and dipped it in soap. “He wanted to make up for all the time he wasn’t there for her.” 

Cloud's gaze flitted to Tifa. Her voice had been light, no sign at all that her words carried any hidden meaning, yet Cloud felt a quiet prick in his heart.

Standing in profile, her long dark hair spilled down her back and framed her round face. The light blue turtleneck he’d bought her hugged her body loosely. He watched her hands move efficiently, washing and rinsing then placing the dishes on the rack to dry. And just as she was finishing the last dish, Cloud moved to her back, slipping his hands around her waist and locking his fingers over her stomach. Her tiny startled jerk brought a small smile to his lips. He pulled her close to his chest.

“Cloud?” Tifa tried to look over her shoulder, but Cloud rested his chin on the crook of her neck. He felt her light laugh more than he heard it, like a shudder reverberating through her bones. It sent thrills down his spine, and he fought the temptation to bring his lips to her jaw. “Cloud, I’m still doing the dishes.”

“Should we not go?” His voice was only a breath of a whisper, fanning the strands of her hair around her collar. He felt her glance—felt the way her eyebrows quirked as her lips tugged into the tiniest smirk. 

“Cloud, you promised Marlene and Denzel.”

He did.

“They’re waiting for you.” 

They probably were. 

Cloud had never planned to go to the party. He’d wanted to have a family dinner, just the four of them—or five, because Barret had come unannounced just as he’d been planning the dinner with Tifa. But then the mayor had knocked on his door and invited them to the city-wide event.

“Everyone wants to invite the hero,” he’d said. 

Cloud’s heart had sunk at his word. He wasn’t a hero. He had never been one. Cloud had only been trying his best to protect his family. He’d thought to refuse, to say that he already had plans, but Marlene and Denzel’s faces had lit up and Tifa had looked at him with this delighted smile on her face. Any hesitancy he’d had was erased from his mind, and Cloud had said “Alright” without a second thought. 

Tifa’s gaze lingered for a fraction of a second. She resumed her chore, then put the last dish on the rack before wiping her hands dry on a nearby towel. Her voice was soft when she called his name, coaxing him to tell her what was wrong. 

Nothing was wrong. Nothing, just—

His arms tightened around her. A gentle squeeze—her warm hands wrapped around his fingers, urging him to loosen his hold and give her space to turn around. Her eyes met his, she cupped his face between her hands. 

“What’s on your mind?” she asked.

Those ruby eyes were wide, searching. So deep, their faces so close, he could almost see his reflections in them. Cloud was tempted to let them suck him in, to lean forward and press his lips against hers, pry open her mouth and let her tongue turn him senseless. He wanted to be with her, spend more time with her, make up for all the time he wasn’t there for her. 

“Nothing, I just—” His voice trailed off. Her gaze pierced him and he felt the urge to run away. But that was all he had ever done, wasn’t it—looked away when things grew tough? He’d cut off contact when he failed the SOLDIER exam, then repressed his memories enough for her to question her own recollections. And just when he’d thought he could finally start a family, Denzel had contracted an unknown illness, and he’d left again when he realized there was no cure. An atonement, he’d told himself, or punishment, for failing to protect those he loved. 

“I just thought…” He began again, but his tongue felt as heavy as lead, and he dropped his gaze, finding purchase at the high-necked collar of her shirt. “I just thought I should also make up for all the time I wasn’t here.” 

Tifa stared at him, blinking once… twice… Her voice was quiet when she spoke: “You know I didn’t say that to make you feel bad.”

Cloud knew. But his heart still felt a little sting whenever he thought of how she’d stayed, waiting for him, always believing he would return. He’d always taken her for granted. No more. 

He held the hand cupping his cheek, turning his face enough to plant a kiss on her palm. Her eyes widened in surprise, a tiny, breathless gasp escaping her lips as a faint blush colored her cheeks. 

“Then let me renew the promise I made ten years ago.” 

His voice was a quiet murmur. Cloud took half a step back, drawing his arms from around her. He fetched in his coat pocket a small navy-blue box sprinkled with glitter dust like starlight. Tifa had gone still, her gaze fixed on the little box as Cloud brought it to her face and opened the lid. A silver crescent moon pendant lay inside, glimmering under the little diamonds attached to its surface. 

“Cloud…” A gasp, or a sigh, or a breathless sound of his name as Tifa gazed upon the sparkling pendant. She gingerly picked it up, letting the pendant hang from its silver chain. The letters C and T were engraved on the back, next to a small 12.24.10. Her astonishment was almost palpable. “It’s beautiful.”

Cloud couldn't help the smile tugging his lips. He’d found it in a jewelry store when he had been searching holiday gifts for Tifa, Denzel, and Marlene. Clothes had been an obvious choice. Something to keep and something to wear—something a family would give. But then he wanted something personal for Tifa—something special to remind them both that he was hers and she was his, that he would always stay with her, now and forever. 

Tifa unhooked the chain. She swept her hair to the side, then brought the necklace around her neck, clasping it into place. The pendant rested just beneath her collar bone, gleaming under the light. When she lifted her face, the smile blossoming across her features was the most beautiful he had ever seen yet.

“Thank you, Cloud.” 

It was instinctive, the way their bodies drew together like magnets. Tifa looped her arms over his shoulders as he snaked his arm around her waist, one hand resting on the small of her back while the other found its place on the back of her head. He pulled her into a kiss, so deep it left them breathless when they broke apart. 

“This is my promise to you,” he whispered. He rested his forehead against hers, letting her scent wash over his senses. “For now and forever, I’ll stay with you, always.” Tears pricked her eyes. She let them fall, one by one, rolling down her cheeks. “Merry Christmas, Tifa.” 

~ END ~