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buckysgrace · 2 months

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Six

Illicit Affairs Masterlist Professor!Steve Harrington x Fem!OC

Daphne mourns over her mistake. Steve makes a troublesome discovery.

Daphne

She awoke to a thumping on her head and a pair of dark brown eyes and bright blue ones staring angrily down at her. She blinked the sleep from her eyes, groaning as the headache spread down her neck.

“What?” She groaned, licking at her chapped lips as a dry taste settled in her mouth. She looked around, hand searching blindly for the water bottle she had next to her bed a few days ago. Gillian’s features wrinkled up with anger, meanwhile Daisy’s turned to frustration.

“You were supposed to text us when you got back.” GIllian stated slowly, dangerously as Daphne continued to blindly search. She finally found her cup, groaning as her joints protested as she rolled over and devoured it in two big gulps. She wanted more.

“Oh, shit,” She groaned as she pulled herself into a sitting position, quickly regretting it as the world swirled around her, “Uh.” She searched for a moment, digging for where her phone may have been.

“You didn’t hear your phone going off?” Daisy asked as she continued to search through the sheets, trying to recall where she had put it. Underneath her pillow. Of course.

“Dead,” She answered as she held it up, leaning over to grab the plug in, “What time did I get back?” She asked them as she squinted her eyes, trying to recall how she got back. Or when they left. She couldn’t think straight over her mind pounding against her skull. Everything hurt.

“I wish I knew,” Gillian stated, “You ran off without us, remember ?” She asked, leaving her in a bit of a haze as she tried to recall what had happened. She couldn’t. Not with her stomach beginning to twist and turn. She felt nauseous.

“Honestly,” Daphne paused, “I don’t remember much about last night. My head hurts.” She whined as she shut her eyes, stretched her jaw out for some sort of relief. It did nothing.

“You could’ve texted us, you know.” Daisy mentioned as she popped a few pills in her palm, followed by a water bottle. She greedily downed it, though she assumed it would take a while to kick in. If it even helped.

“How can I do that with a dead phone?” She winced as she rubbed at her temples and wiggled her jaw around, “I feel like part of me died.” She told them honestly, her back aching as she rubbed her fingers against her sore skin.

“Serves you right,” Gillian commented, “You got that drunk?” She asked in amusement as Daphne continued to sip on the water, hoping that it might make the nausea disappear.

“What do you remember?” Daisy asked a little softer, trying to straighten Daphne’s hair out. She was fairly certain she had a clip in it at some point, but that was nowhere to be found. Unless she had slept on it. That would explain the achy back.

“Um I went into another bar,” She said thoughtfully, trying to piece her mind together, “And uh…” She blanched, suddenly thrust into her vague memories. She recalled running into Steve, flashing him, and then being alone with him. Oh God.

“Anything else?” Daisy’s voice was almost too soft to hear over Daphne’s increased pulse. She gulped hard as she shook her head, not daring to mention the very embarrassing activity she’d gotten up into. She was never drinking again.

“Someone called an Uber for me,” She answered simply as she stood, clad in her thong and her shirt from last night, “I need a shower.” She stuck her hands out, searching for balance for a moment before she gripped her towel and pajamas in her hand.

“You look a mess.” Gillian giggled out, making Daphne grumble in agreement. She took slow steps towards the bathroom, spurred on by the way her stomach was twisting up once again.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” She admitted before she locked herself away, eyes widening as she met her eyes in the mirror. She did look a mess. Smeared lipstick and mascara, thick bags underneath her eyes and tangled hair. She wondered how long she’d been wandering around in her thong before she got to the room.

The humiliation twisted inside of her just right, shifting her stomach as she leaned over and emptied the contents of last night into the toilet. She heaved and gagged until it was all up, until she was praying and pleading with God that it would never happen again.

She took extra long to scrub her teeth and tongue, then to wipe down her face until she could no longer see bits of makeup on her. She lingered against her lips, thinking of how his mouth had felt against hers before she buried the thought. He certainly wouldn’t want anything to do with her now that she had thrown herself at him repeatedly. She felt so dumb.

She scrubbed away the embarrassment and confusion of last night, trying not to crumple to the ground as she worried about what Steve surely thought of her now. She had acted quite literally like a whore.

Gillian delivered a greasy, buttery egg biscuit once she was done. And although her stomach still felt twisted with nerves, she ate all of it. Even licked her fingers clean before she poured herself another glass of ice water and dragged herself to her room.

“Are you going to tell me what happened or do I have to force it out of you?” Daisy asked once she shut the door, eyes narrowed as she finished straightening out Daphne’s bed. Daphne teetered her weight back and forth from foot to foot, before deciding it was time to come clean. If Steve had told his friend, she saw no reason why she couldn’t tell hers.

“You remember the guy I hooked up with on my birthday?” She started with, sipping on her water to keep her mouth from growing dry as she sat down on the bed. Daisy tilted her head, resting her hands on her hips. “How could I forget?” She snorted, “He’s all you talk about.” She teased, making Daphne groan. She talked about other things. At least she had been forced to since she found out who he was.

“He’s my Ancient Studies professor,” She groaned as she placed her hands over her face, “Like he teaches me.” She explained raspily, sleep still lingered in her system as she shook her head.

“No fucking way,” She laughed as she joined Daphne on the bed, “What did he say? What are you going to do?”

“He wants to keep it professional,” She huffed as she faced the blonde, “But I uh did something bad last night.” She wrinkled her features up, not sure how to break the news.

“What did you do?” Daisy was already wincing, like she knew it would be bad.

“I bumped into him,” She explained slowly, “And I don’t remember all of it but uh it ended in me naked in an alley and rubbing all against him.” She replied dramatically as the embarrassment seeped through her bones again.

“You humped him in an alley?” Daisy asked in horror, sounding like she was trying to keep from laughing. Daphne supposed she’d laugh about it someday. But not today. Or tomorrow. She’d be thinking over the whole event until she saw Steve again.

“Do you think the bar has a camera back there?”

“Uh yeah,” Daisy laughed, “You best hope it was too dark.” She teased her, but it was a horrible thought. She exhaled loudly.

“Daisy,” Daphne whined, “You don’t understand. He’s so handsome, he’s funny and sweet. He called me an Uber last night. I think.” She said as she wrinkled her eyebrows together. Or did she walk? Or some stranger gave her a ride?

“He couldn’t take you home?” Daisy asked curiously as Daphne shook her head. She was fairly certain he wouldn’t ever come close to the dorm rooms.

“Not here,” She scoffed, “He works here. It would be unprofessional.” She quoted him, mocking him playfully as Daisy raised her eyebrows.

“Sounds so romantic,” She drew out with a laugh, “What is his name?” She questioned as she stood to grab her phone.

“Why?” Daphne asked slowly, unsure if she liked where this was going.

“I’m going to look him up online,” She grinned mischievously, “Just to see if there’s any dirt on him.” She reasoned with a nod of her head, fingers at the ready.

“That feels wrong.” Daphne whispered softly, unsure if it was right to stalk him. And she was fairly certain she’d look him up everyday. She was like a high schooler again with a crush that was too large to handle.

“It’s public knowledge.”

“Steve,” She grinned softly at the mention of his name, her cheeks flushing, “Um, Harrington. Two r’s.”

“Not on Instagram,” Daisy huffed as she began to search through the various accounts, “He seems like an X type of guy, don’t you think?”

“Maybe?” She bit her lip as she watched Daisy begin to dig for information, “Is it dumb to be crushing on him?”

“Kind of lame,” She laughed in response, “But sorta cute. Do you think it’ll go anywhere?”

“I don’t know,” She hummed softly, “I don’t think while he’s my teacher, but maybe once class has finished.” She whispered hopefully, not wanting to admit how much of a hold he had on her. She was almost positive he didn’t feel the same, but maybe she was wrong.

Steve

He was panicking.

“Okay, okay,” Robin reassured him over the phone, “Just repeat it back to me again.” She said once again as he headed back towards the bushes that were covered in a dusting of snow.

“I got an email this morning,” He breathed out the icy air from his lungs as he paced back and forth at the back of the building, “And it was talking about how they have no tolerance for professors who have inappropriate relations with their students.” He repeated the email from memory, recalling how he’d nearly had a heart attack when he’d read it. He called her right away afterwards.

“Well that could be anything, right?” She asked him as he shut his eyes, turning on his shoe and heading back towards the little tree that had long since lost its leaves. He felt all twisted and knotted on the inside.

“Yeah,” He huffed as he ran his slender fingers through his hair again, “It just so happens that they sent that the weekend that I’m out with one of my students and nearly hooked up with her.” He told her with a shake of his head. Someone knew. He’d been caught. The board would be here to collect him shortly.

“Well it does sound bad when you put it like that.” Robin hummed in agreement. He was sweating underneath his thick sweater, despite the chilly temperatures. He was breaking down.

“Someone saw us,” He nodded his head in conclusion, feeling like he might puke from how much he was feeling right now, “I fucked up and for what?” He asked her seriously, trying to decide what he was going to do from this point on. His dad would laugh.

“I thought you liked her?” She questioned him, her tone accusatory as he shook his head. He couldn’t believe she was bringing that up now. That was before he knew about Daphne being his student.

“I don’t know her,” He replied quickly, continuing to head back and forth, “Nothing. I drank too much and I made a mistake. Now I’m going to lose my job.” He huffed as he shook his free hand roughly, trying to get the jitters out of it. He should just go there and face them, take it like a man. Maybe it would be less embarrassing that way.

“Are you sure it’s about you?” Robin asked softly, “I mean, surely they would’ve dragged you to the dean and fired you already.” She told him as he turned on his foot again. He thought about her statement, deciding there was some truth to it.

“You think so?” He asked as he came to a slow halt. Surely someone would’ve said something by now, or snatched him away before he made it to his classroom.

“Do you really think they’d send out a mass email and then fire you?” She questioned him dryly as he processed the situation all over again.

“I don’t know,” He admitted, “You think it’s just a coincidence?” He sought out clarity, hoping that someone could reassure him of his impending doom.

“You work with a bunch of old geezers,” She huffed, “One of those poor young girls probably got tired of them creeping on them.” She told him quickly, dramatically as he stared out towards the busy streets. Something about that didn’t feel right either.

“Probably.”

“So just pull up your big boy pants and finish your school day,” Robin started slowly, “And call me if anything major happens.” She added sweetly, making him nod his head along in agreement. Maybe it was fine.

“Right,” He nodded his head as he glanced at his watch, “I’m sure it’ll be okay.” He told her as he shook his hand again, taking a deep breath before he headed back inside. Right back up the stairs. He could do this.

“Now,” She added teasingly, “I hope you’ll remember this the next time you think with your dick.” She was unable to cover up her laugh as he scoffed, hanging up on her before he slowly rounded on his classroom. No one else was inside. He was still in the clear.

The morning preparation for his class was a drag, filled with strong tension that made his joints ache. He kept looking at the seat Daphne would plop herself down into, dread filling him as he waited for security to fetch him any second. Fucked. He was so fucked.

“Did you hear what happened?” Devon asked, a smug grin on his lips as Steve started on his third cup of coffee. Surely the caffeine jitters would distract him from the anxious feeling that was buried inside of him.

“No,” He snapped, then relaxed his shoulders as he glanced towards his coworker, “I mean just from the email. Do you know what happened?” He asked as he leaned a little closer, trying to decide if he was going to laugh in his face. Did everyone know? Were they making fun of him?

“Billings,” He smirked as he cocked his eyebrows, “He got caught fucking one of his students.” He tsked his lips, but all Steve felt was relief. It really wasn’t about him then. He was in the clear. For now.

“How did he get caught?” Steve gulped harshly, “I mean just out of curiosity. He’s been here for so long.” He laughed nervously, dumping another packet of sugar into his cup of coffee.

“She went to the dean,” Devon chuckled as he shook his head, like it was outrageous, “I guess got mad about something and ratted their relationship out.” Steve felt a stale smile form on his lisp as he nodded his head in agreement as a fresh fear spread through him. He wondered if Daphne had a breaking point. He was scared to find out.

It was hard to focus on lecturing when she sat in the front row in her cute little outfits. Her lips were painted red, eyelashes long and thick as she tapped her nails on the desk repeatedly. He only looked at her from the corner of his eye, refusing for anyone to get any sort of idea on what he was thinking.

“Daphne, can I talk to you for a moment?” He asked once people were packing up, heading towards the door. She stalled in her conversation to the blonde next to her. Jason. That was his name. He stood a little close to her for comfort.

She gulped before she nodded her head, giving Jason a polite smile before she stepped away. He pretended to search in his bag for a paper he didn’t have over hers. He glanced over, ensuring that everyone was gone before he began to speak again.

“This is about my paper, right?” She asked, looking hopeful, “Because I’m too sober to talk about the other night.” She winced as she rubbed the back of her neck, looking as embarrassed as he felt. At least she didn’t cum in her pants. Then again, she had been practically naked in public.

“I-,”

“For the record,” She held her hands up slowly, “I’m not usually like that. Well not all the time. Tequila makes me hot and a little frisky and I took it too far. I’m sorry and I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.” She replied all at once, looking worried. He moved on, something more concerning in his mind.

“You haven’t told anyone about it, right? Or you won’t, hopefully.” He added a little softer as he leaned against the desk, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible. She tilted her head curiously, eyebrows wrinkling together.

“Oh, oh no. I mean nothing that would get you in trouble,” She paused for a second, “I don’t want you to get fired.” She replied quickly, laughing in disbelief as he felt a small sense of comfort. Maybe he had been overreacting.

“Okay,” He nodded his head slowly, “But you understand why that can’t happen again?” He probed, watching the way she narrowed and then relaxed her eyelids. He hated how pretty she looked.

“I mean if we keep a secret-,” She started but he shook his head, knowing that it wasn’t able to happen.

“It can’t happen again,” He told her more sternly, “It’s not about losing my job at this point, it’s just wrong. You’re my student and I’m in a higher position. I can’t take advantage of you in that way.” He explained to her, letting the guilt pour free as she observed him for the longest time.

“You’re not taking advantage of me,” She smiled softly, “But I don’t want to make you uncomfortable either. We can stay as friends.” She added quickly, nodding her head in a hopeful manner. He couldn’t allow that either. He apparently didn’t have much self control.

“As student and educator,” He clarified as he gestured towards the gap between them, “Professional.” He smiled softly, watching the way she exhaled roughly.

“What if I dropped this class?” She asked hopefully, making him laugh in return. She was diligent, he’d give her that.

“You won’t get refunded.” He explained to her earnestly, knowing it was too far in the semester. She rested her hands on her hips.

“My parents pay for my college.” She tried again, making his heart flutter just a little faster. At least she was willing to give them a try. It was cute. He just wasn’t looking for that yet.

“I’m not looking for a relationship,” He told her softly, “And you’ve still got a lot of growing to do. I don’t think it’s appropriate.” He watched the way her eyes flickered across his features, hopefully realizing how serious he was being.

“It’s only seven years,” She reasoned gently, “There’s a lot of couples with larger age gaps.” She shrugged her shoulders softly, chewing on her bottom lip. He exhaled deeply, realizing being nice about it was getting him nowhere.

“It was nice meeting with you Ms. Williams,” He told her gently, “Do you still want to meet tomorrow at three?” He asked as he shoved his things into his bag, keeping his eyes peeled to his computer. He wouldn’t look at her as she left today.

“I sorta need to so I don’t fail,” She said with an awkward laugh, “I guess I’ll see you then.”

#steve harrington #Steve Harrington fanfiction #Steve harrington series #Steve harrington x oc #Steve harrington x fem!oc #steve harrington x original character #Steve harrington x female original character #Steve x Daphne #illicit affairs #professor x student #Professor!Steve Harrington

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19thsentry-blog · 2 years

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In The Shadows

Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic (Lukanette Endgame)

Chapters

Prelude | Chp 1 | Chp 2 | Chp 3 | Chp 4 | Chp 5 | Chp 6 | Chp 7 | Chp 8 | Chp 9 | Chp 10 | Chp 11 | Chp 12 | Chp 13 | Chp 14 | Chp 15 | Chp 16 | Chp 17 | Chp 18 | Chp 19 | Epilogue | Worlds Not Our Own | Timeline

Chapter Four: Back Down The Rabbit Hole (AO3 Link)

Chapter Snapshot

Despite all the people around him, pushing to get down to the subway or to one of the many shops that lined the sidewalks, Luka knew that he was the one being followed. He could feel the gaze on his neck like it was a breath that whispered on his skin, a soft but vibrant warning like a tuning fork. After his first month in New York the pervasive feeling felt like the flicker of a porch light, only every once and awhile garnering his notice but slowly gaining intensity, and a few days after Marinette had left for Paris it was on him all the time.

It really had been like Roman Holiday. Marinette had been so focused on the romance of it all, the way the stars had aligned just right to make it all happen, that she had forgotten how the end of that movie went. Princess Ann knew she had to go back to her home country, that there was a sacred duty she always had to bow to, and that was why Joe Bradley drove her back to the embassy himself--even if neither of them wanted her to go. The next day at the final press conference, they stared into each other's eyes with so many things left unsaid…and that was it. Princess Ann left. And it was beautiful and bittersweet and a classic because she left and he never said a word. They didn't make promises to see each other again. Princess Ann didn't tell Joe Bradley that she would wait for him because she knew better. And that's why Princess Ann, a totally fictional character, knew more than Marinette did.

When she opened the familiar trap door to her room and lugged her suitcase through, banging it on the stairs (she probably should have taken up her father's offer to carry it for her, but she was feeling stubborn) she was hit with an overwhelming state of grief. The Kwamis swarmed around her affectionately, welcoming her home with cheery voices and she really tried to keep it all together until it was late at night, and she was in bed, staring at the same ceiling she'd been staring at since she was 5.

It was all still here. Hawkmoth and Mayura. The ever-present pressure of her secret identity and duties as the Guardian. Thoughts about the future and her career, hoping to impress and desperate to create something worthwhile. Chat Noir loving her. Her loving Adrien.

Yep. All still here.

But it hadn't been last night, had it? Last night she didn't have that all hanging over her head…she was just Marinette, a girl on a first date with a guy who didn't follow up all their conversations or hangouts with "Oh, that's just my good friend Marinette!".

Marinette's hand stole under the pillow and pulled out the Jagged Stone guitar pick Luka had given her. He'd been paying for their ice cream and about three guitar picks flew out along with his wallet, and she'd stooped to pick them up without thinking about it. Of course he'd been watching her with those careful (and somehow also carefree) eyes of his, noting that she had spent special attention to the Jagged Stone pick in particular, turning it this way and that and running her finger down the edge of it. "You should keep it," he said, smiling. "I've got the record, right? Now we'll both have something."

And she could feel it, some invisible line tying them together even an ocean away, an inerasable piece of proof that for one night Luka had been hers. Someone had been hers. And maybe, really, that's why she hadn't followed Princess Ann's peerless example. Because she needed to know someone out there loved Marinette the girl (woman), and she could keep pretending that nothing else existed.

Because this? The real world? It hurt. And it hurt more every day. The world was sitting on her shoulders, ancient powers and promises strapping it tight around her back and chest and throat until she couldn't breathe anymore, until eventually she would have the life choked out of her and nothing would matter.

She screwed her eyes shut and tried to stop. Once she started thinking about it again, the walls would start to feel like they were closing in on her and she didn't want that. When Marinette opened her eyes again and felt the clean edges of the pick, the firm but gentle give of it, she just wanted to remember Luka. Marinette wanted to believe that there would be a world where he'd text her, and she would look up and he would be there again in the middle of the street. He'd look at her like he'd run through fire just to get to where she was—like he was being pulled towards her and just couldn't help it.

Marinette turned on her other side to look at the corkboard of pictures, the scattered faces of her friends normally induced some sense of comfort…and she'd spent far too many nights staring at Adrien's face until she eventually fell asleep. She'd known just a month into her tenure as Ladybug that she had completely missed the boat on ever being in a relationship with Adrien. Besides the seeming lack of interest, being Ladybug took too much of her time in conjunction with everything else. She knew that and had tried to cool off the remnants of her crush. But really, who was Marinette when she wasn't in love with Adrien? It had been so long; she really didn't know. She felt like the dog from the Pavlov experiments. Hear Adrien's name? Daydream. Smell his cologne? Get dizzy. See Adrien's face? Drool.

Looking at it from a distance she had to start to wonder if her crush was just a way to fill the remaining time she had during the day, without ever having to wonder about the repercussions of if he decided he liked her back and wanted to date. Because that wasn't ever going to happen.

But this, she thought staring at the guitar pick, maybe this could happen. It could catch like wildfire and engulf her before she knew which way was up. Luka had asked if she would wait for him, hadn’t he? He’d come for her someday soon, right? Marinette threw the covers over her face and tried in vain to sleep. Eventually her eyes slid closed, finally catching on to the fact that she really was tired, even though her brain was having a hard time getting the memo. When she finally drifted off, her brain weaved merry alternative universes that she would be left to dissect in the morning.

The one she clung to, revisiting over and over in a desperate (pathetic) attempt not to forget, was one where she took Audrey Bourgeois up on her offer to work under her as a fledgling designer in New York. She got on the helicopter with her (after a daring scene where she found Hawk Moth and Mayura and demanded their Miraculouses back with a "pretty please" and they handed them over, with the other two lost Miraculouses to boot). Marinette became the freshest designer whose creations hit the runway, and after her incredible success she went out to celebrate, and there Luka was, standing outside the venue like he'd been waiting for her to show up all his life. And they were happy. The End. Neat and tidy.

And because that's what she wanted, that's what the universe was determined not to give her. Instead, it had been a full three days and Luka still hadn't texted her and she was trying to be the bigger person about it (because hadn't she said that she'd wait? And hadn't she also decided it shouldn't ever happen anyway?). But she was still Marinette--she was still breathing and laughing and seeing her friends and working her butt off on her portfolio. Marinette might be a clumsy mess of a girl, but she was never down for long.

She was caught trying to remind herself of that when she was 3 days behind schedule and had knots the size of baseballs in her shoulders. Nothing screamed "Marinette" like panic sewing at 2 in the morning while occasionally whimpering like the white rabbit, a constant string of "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late," coming out of her mouth. If she didn't have this outfit ready for the rock n' roll shoot she was planning for her portfolio, a domino effect of hell would inevitably be launched.

Not able to finish the fantasy outfits because of all the time she spent on this stupid rock n' roll shoot? Then all the effort her friends put into creating the scenery for her would be wasted and they would hate her, and her portfolio would be weak, and Adrien would wince before handing it to Gabriel. Gabriel would laugh and rip the photos to shreds, telling her he would never consider recommending her for the Lanvin apprenticeship because she was clearly inferior, and Adrien would be sad that he put his name on the line for her and she messed it up--she'd never become a designer and would end up broke and destitute and living in a van down by the river and then someone would steal the Miracle Box from her and the whole universe was REALLY riding on the fact that she could sew this DAMN leather together in time--

The black cat pager that sat on her desk began to vibrate wildly, the sound of it interrupting the monologue of doom in her head. "Not now! Why now! I can't go now!!" she moaned. And yet despite herself, Marinette was already throwing down her half-assembled outfit, scrambling to stop the stupid pager from vibrating.

Tikki had perked up from Marinette's pillow on her bed, wiping at an eye with one of her flippers. "Marinette? Do you need me?" she asked blearily.

Marinette huffed, slamming the pager back down on her desk. "Yes, I'm sorry--sounds like there's trouble," she said. "Ready?"

Tikki nodded, and in a flash of pink Marinette was Ladybug, leaping and bounding through the cool Parisian fall night. She flipped open her yo-yo to check Chat Noir's location--across the museum by the Eiffel Tower, on Av. Franco-Russe. She put in an extra burst of speed. The avenue was tight, the backs of buildings facing each other stoically, and wrought-iron balconies and dark windows lined the road. Chat was lounging on a long, squat red-brick garage, waving at her with a wide smile. She landed next to him with a thump, the shock going straight to her knees, before looking around wildly.

"Alright kitty, where's the fire?" It was peaceful, quiet--no sound but the wind blowing through the leaves of the tall tree behind the garage.

Chat lopped up gracefully and bowed, "No fire, besides the burning of my heart to see you--"

"CHAT NOIR! It's two in the morning!!" Ladybug hissed, grabbing him by one of the cat ears on his head. She could never be sure if they functioned like actual ears, but they moved according to his moods, so she supposed he must be able to feel it.

"Ow, hey! I didn't just call you for cracker jacks and tiddlywinks, I promise!" He shook his ear out from her pinched fingers and rubbed his head with a pout. "Plagg couldn't sleep. He wanted to know if you managed to find the Snake Miraculous holder--you didn't stick around after the show the other day."

Any remnants of anger were flushed out of her and replaced by a flash of guilt. She hadn’t seen Chat Noir since the day she found the bane of her existence in New York and had totally lost to him. Not something she liked to ruminate on. "Oh. Right. I'm sorry about that." Ladybug sighed and motioned for him to come and sit on the edge of the garage facing the tree.

"You looked upset. Is everything okay?"

She wondered if she'd ever be able to answer that question with "why yes, everything's just swell!" and not have it be a lie. Chat Noir's deep green eyes were like emerald pools, staring back at her with every emotion she couldn’t handle right now. Love, adoration, concern, hope--couldn't handle it in herself or anyone else. Ladybug sighed. "No, it's…definitely not okay. I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. And whoever the holder of the Snake Miraculous is, they are way above my skill level. I couldn’t even touch them."

A frown flashed on Chat Noir's face, offended on her behalf. "I can't imagine that--you're incredible."

"Not like this guy--I mean, you should have been there, it was like he wasn't even trying." That was probably the most frustrating part. Every move he could counter, every step she took it was like he was reading her mind. She wasn't that predictable, was she?

Chat Noir shifted slightly on the ledge, head down. "I could've been, you know," he mumbled sullenly. He looked up at her from under his light brown eyelashes, clarifying when she looked confused. "I could have been there with you."

Ladybug shook her head resolutely. "I needed you here. If both of us were gone, who would've protected Paris? If we hadn't gotten back in time, who knows what kind of damage Hawk Moth or Mayura could have done. Anyway, I don't know if it would have done any good. I know the Snake Miraculous gives the holder the ability to turn back time, but I never once saw him go for his bracelet. He didn't even look slightly ruffled at anything I threw at him."

Chat processed that for a moment, one finger on his lips, before turning to her. "So you managed to find him and he immediately picked a fight with you?"

She winced. "Uh. Well. Not exactly."

A wicked grin spread on his face. "You picked the fight with him."

"What else was I supposed to do!" She threw her arms in the air. "I've got to get the damn thing back somehow!"

"Ahh, bugaboo," Chat Noir tsk'd with a self-satisfied look on his face, tapping her nose with one clawed finger. "This is why you need me around to be impulsive for you, so you can think! Did you even get to see if he was a bad guy before you started conking him on the head with your yo-yo?"

"Oh, he's definitely a bad guy. No questions about that. He's clearly using the Miraculous for personal reasons." It still pissed her off thinking about it. In her mind's eye she could see him, one foot on his bounty and that damn grin on his face with that sarcastic 'gotta eat' attitude (that's not exactly what happened, but the longer she thought about it the more it became reality).

Chat Noir chuckled and reclined back, laying down to stare at the stars. His belt/tail was swaying contently off the building. "Well, what's the next plan of attack? How can I help?"

"There is no plan of attack, at least not yet. If I found him once I can find him again, but I've got too much going on to do much more than stew on it for a few weeks." Her eyelids were starting to give out on her--exhaustion didn't even begin to cover it. She'd thrown herself into a work frenzy just to stop thinking about when Luka might text her. If he ever did at all. Maybe she should count her blessings and assume the whole thing was over with.

Ladybug felt Chat Noir's hand cover her own. He had sat up again, cat eyes scanning her features in the darkness. "It'll be alright, milady. We'll figure it out."

She gave him her best imitation of a smile. "Thanks. I should get going," she said, gently pulling her hand from his. She needed the comfort but letting Chat Noir do it seemed wrong when she knew how he felt about her. She never wanted to lead him on. "Tell Plagg I'm sorry. That I couldn't do more."

Ladybug didn't wait for his response before whizzing away, yo-yo pulling her up and over an apartment building. There was still too much to be done for her to be sitting around.

Luka drifted through the heavily crowded sidewalk, deftly ignoring any shoves to the shoulder as passersby rushed past him, dodging where he could and taking the beating elsewise. Despite everyone's insistence on personal space in New York, it didn't stop you from getting body chucked if you were in the way. The last rays of sunlight filtered through the concrete jungle as the sun began to set, human chatter the only animal sounds that could be heard. Trash flittered to and from as it was kicked under foot, bobbing in the turbulent air currents.

It might have been the Ladybug holder, but that didn't seem to match up with her outright hostility and seeming preference to just try and punch the daylights out of him. No, this was something else. Something far more sinister and much slier, and he hoped to resolve his business in New York so that he didn't drag the problem with him to Paris. He put up with the persistent tingle on his neck while he found somewhere to eat and let it follow him to the hotel while the dark curtain of night stole over the city, bright LED screens and neon lighting up along buildings with each passing minute, ads for Coca Cola and Ralph Lauren blasting the populace of the city.

Once in the hotel, no sooner had the door closed than Luka was quickly shucking off his hoodie and digging through the duffel bag at the end of the bed. Sass flew down to his eye level. "Are you ssure you will be alright?" he hissed out, eyes darting nervously to the door and back to Luka.

Luka smiled grimly as he changed into a dark button-up with light gray patterned swirls. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about this one. Feels different, doesn't it?" he said, roughly rolling the sleeves of his shirt to expose his forearms. Maybe he just felt like that because he had more to lose, or because he’d been in this exact situation before and had seen how it ended.

"It doesss."

They had been through this a few times before. Someone, somehow, would find out about the power of the bracelet—few of them knew exactly what power he had, just that he had it and they wanted it for themselves. Mostly he had gotten several offers to use the power for ill with all manner of promises of rewards that never seemed appealing. Or just threats to join them "or else". Regardless, he dealt with it, just like he'd deal with this now. Whoever it was behind this was acting too intelligently to just be some thug looking for a new minion--this was someone who knew exactly who he was and was smart enough to sit back and assess him. This was someone with time and resources to spare.

"Well, it's best we deal with it as soon as we can. I don't want the problem following us--especially if there are more Miraculouses in France that they would want to scoop up."

"That doesss sseem prudent." Sass acquiesced, floating to his holder's shoulder. The two appraised each other in the large bathroom mirror, their reflections regarding them back. Luka tweaked at his shirt collar and tucked Mullo's Miraculous in the shirt.

"I'll be honest, I think after…after the last time we tried to find…well, you know." Luka swallowed thickly as if that could push away the memories. "Neither of us came away from that very…" his brain searched for the right word. "Hopeful."

Sass's dark green pupils and green sclerae bored into Luka's reflection in the mirror. "You are right. Neither of usss has been the ssame ssince. I wissh to ssee you happy, Luka. I have not sseen you sso lighthearted in many yearsss..." Luka didn't need to ask what he was referencing. He could still feel the weight of Marinette’s hand in his. "You were not made for darknessss."

Luka fidgeted with the other bracelets around his wrist, feeling a slight burn when the friction tugged on his skin. It didn't do much good to imagine his life without Sass, probably because it would have ended quickly and unpleasantly; instead, he found himself thinking about what it would have been like to have been born later, during Marinette's time, growing up in France as just a normal teenage boy. He couldn't imagine what that looked like, either. Too different. Too odd. This was his life, and he was bound to it, and he was bound to deal with power-hungry egotists. Nothing could be done about it.

"We'll deal with this quickly, then. Figure out who's tailing us, keep watch over the boy, and cure Mullo. We'll head to Paris once we're done."

Sass nodded, perhaps a little regretfully at the weight of the mission on Luka's shoulders. Rather than hide on Luka's person the snake took to the bracelet, his body becoming one with the metal with nothing to show for it but a few green sparks. Luka turned from the bathroom mirror and left the meager hotel room, the ever-present eyes on him returning as soon as he stepped into the street.

The Pit wasn't too far away, just a few blocks north from the hotel, its blue and black exterior splashing across the street. A line of young adults streamed around the outside of the double doors like the flickering tongue of a snake. Wild dance music threatened to escape the front doors but left nothing except the bass of the beat, vibrating through his bones. Luka waited with the rest of them, arms crossed as he surveyed around for a minute, pretending to casually people watch.

After ruling out the Ladybug holder as the eyes on his back, he half suspected the culprit to be the man who’d given him his job tonight. If he was the one following him, Luka couldn’t spot him. Whoever it was, Luka wanted to shake them off--maybe not for good, but long enough to see if he could try to find who it was before he headed into a potential trap. There was no way to know if this job and the watched feeling were related, but even if they weren’t he would at least be offered a chance to try and see who was tailing him before carrying that trouble with him.

The bouncer waved him in when he finally reached the front, taking the $20 Luka gave him and shoving it through the door of a lockbox attached to the building. Luka weaved inside, immediately beset with loud pop and splashes of color in the dark. If they were intent on trapping him, they wouldn't risk losing him. They would follow him inside. Luka scanned the groups around the edge of the dancefloor, wisps of a plan coming together in his mind to get himself into the women’s bathroom, through the windows, and out of the club undetected.

Luka scanned the club from the second floor, eyes occasionally drawn back to the DJ on stage that had taken over for the live band, but more often falling to the swarm of people below. Attentiveness like this had become a habit, nearly a hobby. A swanky staccato beat began to take over the club, lights flashing blue and red, and young adults began stomping and gyrating to Soft Cell’s patented 80’s synthwave. A lanky boy in a ripped black tank top showing off the lean muscle in his arms walked in through the front. Messy brown hair nearly touched amber eyes that roved in a long and thin face, hollow cheekbones framing a dissatisfied frown.

The boy’s eyes caught something across the way and the frown wavered for a moment. He paused, the sure swagger he’d previously had slowed, and Luka unconsciously followed his eyesight to a man across the club. Something passed between them, although he couldn’t quite see what—and the boy suddenly spun on his heel, amber eyes doing quick frantic rounds until he caught Luka’s eye. He pushed through the crowd towards the stairs and took them two at a time.

To the left of the door was a group of rowdy, beefed-up college guys at a table, shouting over the music and jostling each other. Luka moved close enough to be in eyesight of the frat boy in the center, biceps the size of footballs and a tacky political t-shirt that made it fairly clear how he'd feel about his admittedly flimsy scheme. It should work, though, as directly across the dance floor on the other wall was the woman he hoped would be his willing savior.

Right as the man’s eyes slid over to Luka, Luka waved coquettishly with the tips of his fingers and winked. Thick brows turned down when he realized what had just happened, and Luka quickly turned and hightailed it to the highly attentive girl on the other side of the club--who had luckily only seen what he'd wanted her to. Boy walks in, gets a horrific and angry-looking glare from a guy 3 times his size, and then runs for his life.

Luka blinked in surprise at the urgency the boy was running toward him with, and he quickly turned his head to check on the man from across the club. He stood and began pushing his way through the crowd, eyes on the boy that was running towards him. So he was in trouble, then? The boy closed the few feet gap between them, throwing a hand on Luka’s shoulder, a wild smile on his face.

“In a spot of trouble, care to assist?” he asked without preamble, amber eyes flashing an unrestrained urgency.

Luka wasn’t in the habit of refusing anyone a helping hand. The man had paused at the foot of the stairs, an irate bull stopped by an invisible barrier. “Uh, yeah, I can help,” he said, suddenly feeling the weight of the bracelet on his wrist.

The boy regarded him with a tight but amused smile, then lightly slapped Luka’s cheek twice amicably. “Good. Nothin’ personal.”

Luka had just enough time to wonder if he thought the slaps had hurt before the boy’s lips smashed onto his, frantic and rough, pushing him back half a step. The boy broke it off first, turning his body to face the bull at the bottom of the stairs, flipping him an offensive backhanded peace sign. The man’s nostrils flared, and he began to force his way up the stairs—and the boy grabbed Luka’s arm with a wild laugh and began to drag him in a race across the second-story loft.

As he hoped, the girl's face was drawn into a concerned frown as she peeked around the exultant dancers in the center to watch the interaction. Her natural hair framed her face like a halo around smooth, deep brown skin, gold highlighter bouncing off her cheeks as she turned her head this way and that. A wary hand with long nails was draped over her the top of her drink. Luka caught her eye and she nodded, slightly, moving her drink to her left when he came up to her right.

"Baby, what kind of spell did you whip up on him?" she asked, deep purple lips barely moving as she watched the man he'd just royally pissed off.

"Toxic masculinity can really work a number on a guy," Luka said as he caught his breath.

She made a clucking sound with her tongue. "Uh-huh." The man in question was still staring daggers in Luka's direction, deciding if he should stomp over and demand an explanation for the unwanted advance.

"Any chance you know an escape route that's not directly through the front door?" He asked, leaning against the table and tapping his fingers nervously. "I'd use the windows in the men's room, but, ah, I believe that would be ill-advised." The man was handing his beer to one of his friends.

The woman gave him a long glance up and down before shaking her head and standing, several inches taller than him in her yellow stilettos. She downed her drink in one and set it on the table, readjusting her cardigan before taking his hand. Luka followed her through the throngs of young adults while the pop music transformed into a stuttering drumbeat with a keening electric guitar, a woman's voice moaning in pleasure before erupting into song. Hello again, friend of a friend, I knew you when our common goal was waiting for the world to end--

Luka looked behind him, pretending to check for the advancing bull. There was a blond woman watching him cross the club, finger running just beneath her lips, a couple whose eyes met his occasionally while they danced, a man at the bar in a clean white button-up… Now that the truth is just a rule that you can bend, you crack the whip, shape-shift and trick the past again--

The woman guiding him pushed through a throng of girls outside the women's restroom and pulled him inside, ignoring the giggles and pointed glances. One girl sloppily applying mascara in the restroom yipped when she saw him before blushing and turning back to the mirror. His savior let go of his hand and stepped up on the bright pink upholstered armchair that was tucked in the corner, heel digging into the cushion while she shoved open the window.

Luka breathed a sigh of relief and offered her his hand to help her get back down, hopping up gracefully in her place. "You're a godsend." Luka shot a sheepish grin first at her and then the gaggle of girls that had just walked in.

"Gotta stick together, right?" She asked, watching him hoist himself up through the window.

They burst out the door to the second-story patio together, breathless and frantic. The boy grabbed his arm again, pulling him past groups of friends and a couple that was definitely doing more than having a make-out session. He was dragged over to the back and realized there was a fire escape ladder that led into the dark alley. The boy waggled his eyebrows at him, eyes aglitter with mischief, then spun around to slide down it. The door to the patio slammed open again, and that was all the prompting Luka needed to bolt down after him.

“What’d you do that for?” Luka asked when his feet hit the pavement, waving his hand slightly in a half approximation of the peace sign. In trying not to pant too hard from the chase his nose was overwhelmed with the heavy scent of trash and sex that permeated the alley. “And what did you do to him in the first place?”

The boy flashed him another wild grin, spinning around in the alleyway as he made his way towards the main street. “Thought it was funny. Ponce looked right pissed, didn’t he? As for the other thing,” he ran his tongue over the top row of his teeth lavishly. “Maybe I’ll teach you sometime.”

Luka knelt by the window for a moment, waving to the girls in the bathroom with a genuine smile on his face before taking off. Either his pursuer was a woman, or he'd hear shrieks of drunken outrage if a man burst into the women's restroom 'uninvited'. Luka tucked himself behind a dumpster, whispering the words that ignited his transformation. Whoever was tailing him would be looking for him now. Luka jumped halfway up the building and quickly scaled it, gloved fingertips working quickly to find holds. He swung his legs up the roof and spun around to silently sneak his way to the corner of the building where he could watch both the main street and the alleyway he'd escaped out of.

They had found him out quicker than he expected. A clean-cut man in a white button-up and slacks with roman features and perfectly coiffed hair darted out of the club and rounded the corner, looking up and down the alley. Luka watched the man clench and then unclench his jaw, pacing a short circuit in the alley before pulling a phone out of his pocket. After a few angry perfunctory taps, he brought the phone up to his ear.

"He knows," was all the man said. He continued his pacing and looked over his shoulder a few times while he listened to the person on the other end. "No--stay the course." A moment, and the man grit his teeth. "I'm aware." He hung up the phone, slid it back into his pocket, and stood still with his hands on his hips. Without warning, he spun around and kicked the dumpster. The dense metal clanged viciously in the alley, echoing off the walls with the man's heavy breathing. Luka took that as his cue to leave.

#in the shadows mlb #lukanette #alternate universe #marinette dupain cheng #luka couffaine #adrien agreste #Nat's Monster In The Box #normally i use free stock images for the banners but uh #f it theyre actors #oc's continue to pop up like daisies #i cant help it the world is full of people

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marvelwitchergilmore · 2 years

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A Winchester’s Daughter

Summary/Disclaimer: This is a Supernatural x OC x B99 TIE-IN.

Maya is a 17 year old cop who is on the hunt for the dad, only, when she finds him, she also finds out the world in which he comes from.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These had been the longest 6 months of Maya's life. But, now, all that pain-staking driving and research had finally led to this moment. This moment where she was stood outside what looked like an abandoned factory with a big steel door. And so she knocked...

6 months ago...

"I'm sorry, you want me to do what?" Daisy asked her as she looked up from her laptop being sat crossed legged in the middle of the sofa, a bowl of noodles in her hand and her hair wet. Clearly, Daisy had been wanting a relaxing evening after a relaxing shower.

"I want you to help me find my dad."

"Okay," Daisy said slowly, setting her food down on the coffee table. "Why exactly?"

"I was with Amy, today, at that seminar in Manhattan."

"Of course, continue."

Maya nodded, continuing to pace. "Well, they started talking about genetics and different diseases - I don't know how we got onto the topic, we just did. Anyway, it got me thinking and they were going around asking a couple of people what their parents genetics were and what they might want to get checked out if it came to them having kids."

"Holy shit, you're not..."

It clicked with Maya. "What? Oh, god, no. No. Not unless I'm Virgin Mary."

Daisy sighed in relief. "Okay, so...why again?"

"Right, well, they were talking about kids and it popped into my head, what if there is some kind of genetic on my dad's side that I don't know about? What if I could have some...topical disease genetic in me that I don't know about. You know I'm up-to-date with all my medical stuff but what if?"

"So, you want me to track your dad down so you can ask him...if he has any tropical genetic disease?"

"Yeah."

Maya stopped pacing, placing her hands on her hips with a look on her face that looked both terrified and lost at the same time.

Daisy stood up, placing her laptop down and walked over to Maya. "Sweetie, have you maybe thought that you don't want his medical records but maybe you want to meet him?"

"Well..." Maya gave a little whimper.

"Because that's okay." Daisy told her. "You can want to know who your dad is. Medical records or not."

"But...it's been 17 years. I don't want to just drop in on him and say, "hey, I'm Maya. You don't know me but I've been on this planet for 17 year and you are my father.""

Daisy smiled. "Then don't say that. Just knock on the door and ask him if you can talk to him."

"Yes, but talking equals me saying what I don't want to say,"

"Then phrase it differently." Daisy told her.

"Look, we don't even know who or where he is." Maya told her. "What? What's that look on your face?"

Daisy's shoulders tensed up. She knew she wouldn't be able to lie to Maya. For one, she was her best-friend and roommate. For two, Maya's a cop. And had been for nearly two years, being the youngest to join the force. Maya did get odd looks when she said she was a cop - at 17 - but that was what being a child prodigie meant. That was actually how they met, Daisy and Maya.

At the ages of three and four they pair had been placed into a child prodigie group by their parents. This meant that they would graduate highschool at age 12, be able to persue anything and everything to the best of their ability and get a better health-care plan before they even turned 18.

"I might have already found him."

"You did?! How? I only came in 20 minutes ago."

Daisy nodded. "I know. It's just...when you didn't do the family tree for highschool, opting for the book reports instead, I maybe kinda did one for you. Just as a back-up."

"And you've had it all these years?"

Daisy nodded. "I know, I should have told you but I didn't want to scare you."

"Scare me? How could you scare me?"

Daisy barely said two words before she showed her the file she had saved on her laptop. None of it made sense whilst, somehow, everything made sense.

Present...

And now, here she stood. And she knocked...

It took a few minutes but eventually someone came to the door. And clearly, they weren't expecting anyone.

"Can I help you?"

For a split second, Maya stood frozen on the spot. What - How was she meant to explain this?

"Dean Winchester?"

"Depends on who's asking."

Maya took out her police ID. "I'm Maya. I was hoping we could talk."

The man eyed her up. She couldn't look more than 18. And she was already a cop?

"Look, this will take 20 minutes, tops. I promise. And then you never have to see or speak to me again."

The guy eyed her up once more before moving the door aside. "Come on in."

"Thank you."

"I'm Sam, by the way. Dean's brother."

Maya shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, just..." Maya pointed down the corridor and to the stairs. "Okay, thanks."

"Sam?! Who is it?" Dean asked as he turned the corner from the kitchen and into the library. "Who are - Sam!"

"She says her name is Maya. She's a cop."

Dean gave a confused look from the girl to his brother. "How is she a cop? She's barely out of college."

"Graduated early." Maya said as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Are you Dean Winchester?"

"I might be. What's it to you?"

Maya looked to Sam and then back to Dean. "I don't really know how to explain this - well, I do it's just...look, before I explain myself just know that in about 20 minutes you won't ever have to speak to me or see me again. You are under no obligation here."

"Yeah, yeah. What's this about, kid?"

"You're my father."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maya's words seemed to echo around the entire building.

"What?"

Maya looked to Sam and rocked on her feet before looking back to Dean. "You are my father. Biologically speaking, anyway. And, technically, I'm your daughter."

However, what happened next, Maya didn't exactly suspect. She was pushed against the wall by Sam before a silver blade was placed against her throat.

"Whoa, dude! What the-"

"Sam!"

"No, Dean. We don't know what she is?"

"What I am?" Maya asked. "Look, I'm not anything and this is really uncomfotable so would you please-"

"Did Crowley send you? How did you find us?!"

But, before Sam could give her another question, he was shocked to find himself lay on his back, a little winded and Maya with a food to his chest and his knife in her hand.

Dean was just in shock. He barely moved save for his eyes and worried/shocked expression going back and forth between his brother and Maya.

Maya let out a sigh and folded the knife up before looking to Dean. "Now, I'm gonna hand you this unless you'd like to attack me, too?"

It took Dean a moment but he took the knife from her. "N-No. You're...you're safe."

"You gonna attack me again?"

Sam pondered for a moment trying to catch his breath. "Not unless you give me probable cause."

"Good."

Maya helped him up before turning back to Dean. "Now, can we talk?"

Dean nodded but Sam answered for him. "We need to test you first?"

"Alright."

A few minutes later, Maya was sat down on a chair with a small knick to her arm, had both drunk and been sprayed with Holy Water and had to step in and out of a Devil's trap.

"Now can we talk?"

"Sure."

Dean sat down across from her.

"I...I don't really know where to start, so I guess I'll just ask it out right." Maya said. "Can I have a look at your medical records?"

Both Sam and Dean were confused. She was a long lost daughter and she'd come to find her birth father in order to find...his medical records?

"Look, I just want to know if you or anyone else has ever had genetic diseases that could effect me in the long run or allergies that have been passed down. I know it's odd and I know it's unfair to spring this onto you, finding out I'm your daughter and what-not but I'm a cop. Anything could happen and should I have some anti-biotic that I'm allergic to because of gentics then I'd rather know now."

Neither one of the brothers could really wrap their head around it. All these years being Hunters and this is what stumps them. A 17 year old cop.

"How did you find us?"

"My friend, Daisy."

"Okay, how did she find us?"

"She made a family tree for me. I didn't do that project in highschool because I never wanted to. I chose to do the book reports instead. But my mom only ever had a phone number of yours. It went out of range years ago but Daisy went to Cal-Tech so she's good at research. She found other numbers, last known addresses until she found your car and tracked it to this town and I asked around and someone finally gave me directions."

The room went silent.

"So...medical records if you have them...or not. I could just leave-"

"I think being a Winchester is enough to effect your future."

Maya jumped back in her seat spotting an Englishman in a black coat now stood behind the brothers.

"Mother-"

"Crowley, what ar-"

"Am I doing here?" He asked. "Good question. A little birdie told me that The Dean Winchester has a daughter. And there is no fooling me. I know Squirrel's eyes a mile off."

"Squirrel?" Maya asked, leaning towards Dean a little. But Dean just nodded and rolled his eyes.

"Crowley, cut the crap. Why are you here?"

"Just wanted to see it for myself. My, my, trust it to be your daughter who's the cop."

Dean narrowed his eyes at Crowley.

"How do you know me?" Maya asked standing up.

"You met one of my minions at that little seminar of yours."

"What?"

Crowley looked to Sam and Dean. "She doesn't know?"

"Know what?"

"We haven't exactly got onto the topic of family history yet, Crowley."

Crowley smiled. "Well, I'll be the first to introduce myself." Crowley turned to Maya and shook her hand. "I'm the King of Hell."

"King of what?"

"Hell, you know, Lucifer falls from Heaven after Eden and creates his own little world. Well, I run that."

Maya turned to the brothers. "Is he-"

"Deadly."

"It's all real." Dean told her. "The stories. The fairytales, the monsters, the lore. It's all real."

"Real?"

Dean rubbed his forehead and stood up. He'd battled Angels, Demons, Djinn, Ghosts - basically everything and somehow this was the hardest thing he had to do.

And so began the conversation that vampires, ghosts, werewolves, shapeshifters, fairies, elves, angels, demons - everything that she had been told was make believe as a kid. All real. Everything. And that she came from a long, long line of Hunters. People who hunted and killed these things so people wouldn't die.

"We're legacies and, I guess, you're now a legacy, too." Sam told her.

Maya was still trying to get her head wrapped around everything. Men of Letters? Time Travel? Judgement day?

Maya lay her head in her hands. "I knew I should have stayed in bed."

"Don't we all."

"I think my head's about to explode." Maya said aloud. "And you're friends with an Angel."

"Best-friends."

"And you were a demon?"

"They both were." Crowley told her.

"Huh." Was the only noise that came from Maya's mouth. All she wanted was some medical records. But now at least it made sense they didn't exist because somehow, they had both died like...a billion times a year only to be resurected a few months later.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Sam stood up and looked to Crowley. "We're gonna go and get some food. We'll be back soon."

"What? Sam - No, Sam."

Dean chased after his brother before stopping him at the stairs. "You'll be fine, Dean."

"What the hell am I meant to do?"

Suddenly, Crowley called out to Maya. "You armed kid?"

Maya just moved her jacket back, showing her gun in it's holster.

"See, she's okay. You guys can just talk."

"About what?"

"Anything? How about you start with her mom? Maybe then you'll get a couple of answers."

By the time Dean looked back to the stairs his brother and Crowley had locked the doors at the top of their stairs. So, now he was left alone, with his daughter.

"You...want anything to drink? They might be gone a while."

Maya shook her head. "No, thank you." - "You were really a demon?"

Dean stopped in his tracks for a moment before walking over to her and sitting on the table beside her. "Yep. Mark of Cain."

"As in..?"

"The brothers? Yeah."

"God."

"He ain't really around much these days."

Maya nodded. "I'd laugh but I have a feeling your actually being serious."

"Deadly."

There were a few more minutes of silence before Dean asked, "How come I didn't know about you until now?"

"My..um, my mom. She - She didn't actually know she was pregnant with me." Maya explained. "It was cryptic pregnancy. One day, she woke up and she felt really bloated and her pain got worse until she went to the hospital and she found out she was in labour. It was a complete shock to her. She had no symptoms, no nothing. I stayed with my grandparents for a while until she could wrap her head around it."

"How is she now?"

Maya went silent. "I...uh...She's - She's gone."

At first Dean thought she meant 'gone' as in left and moved, but then he realised she meant 'gone' as in..'gone."

"Oh, I'm..I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. Really. She's at peace now." Maya told him. "She was in a lot of pain the last couple of months. But, she got to see me graduate."

"How long?"

"Three years, but it feels longer." Maya told him. "Do you...Do you remember her at all? She never actually told me anything. Just...gave me your old number on a napkin on her deathbed."

It broke Dean's heart that he could tell her that it was some kind of whirlwind romance but the kid deserved the truth. "Honestly, not much. I remember her hair colour. It was just a little darker than yours. And her smile. But other than that, it was just two lonely people who managed to cross paths for one night."

Maya gave a small smile and nodded her head.

"I'm sorry it wasn't something written for the movies."

"No, no. It's okay." Maya smiled. "It's nice to know something. Even if it's not much. Mom never really told me much."

"You know, for finding out all of this, you're pretty calm. I mean, you've just found out fairytales are real and met the King of Hell all in one day."

Maya chuckled. "I've had AP Chem tests scarier."

Dean gave a small laugh, too. She was a 17 year old cop who did seem pretty open-minded.

"Do you have any photos? Of you growing up?"

Maya pulled out her phone. "Um, yeah. Here, just swipe."

Maya handed over her phone, clicking the file and showing Dean. He scrolled through photos of birthdays, christmases, holidays, summer days out, early admission acceptances, graduations photos. Everything. And he had a growing smile on his face the further he went into the file. He might have missed it all, but it was nice to know she had a good life.

"Mom liked to document everything since she missed the pregnancy and all."

"I'm sorry."

Maya was a little confused. "Wha-"

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to watch you grow up."

"Dean - No. It's okay."

"If I'd have known...I would have tried to be there." Dean told her. "But, my life isn't the life for a kid. Any kid. Maybe it was a good thing. After all, you're a helluva lot smarter than me and Sam put together."

Maya smiled a little at the compliment but mostly at the look in Dean's eyes. "So, Child prodogy?"

Maya nodded. Dean leaned back and looked up a little. "I always thought it would be Sam's kid who would be like that."

"You both do come from the same blood." Maya told him. "And, from what I've heard so far, as much as you're both incredibly stupid for selling your souls every time one of you is in danger, you're both as smart. If you weren't, then you'd both be dead and we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Before anyone could say anything else however, two people came running inside and down the stairs causing both Dean and Maya to stand up.

"Mom, Cas-"

"She could be anything-"

"Mary-"

"This has happened before, hasn't it? You nearly died-"

"What?" Maya asked, turning to look at Dean.

"Mary," Cas placed an arm in front of her, stopping her from diving onto her granddaughter and nearly killing her. "She's human. If she was anything else, I'd be able to see it."

"And we've done tests." Dean told her.

"Yep, look." Maya rolled up her jacket sleeve to reveal the knick on her arm as she stepped into the Devil's trap and back out. "I'm just a 17 year old cop."

Mary went to speak but was a little taken aback from what Maya had just said. "Seve-Seventeen? How can you be a cop? if your 17?"

Maya sighed and looked to Dean. "She's a child prodigy, mom. The only 'freak of nature' about her is that she's smarter than most of us in this room, except Cas. Maya, this was the Angel we were talking about."

"I'm Castiel."

"Maya." she smiled before holding out her hand, Cas shaking it.

"I'm sorry, I tried-" Sam said as she came down the stairs before laying the food out on the table.

"How do you know he's your dad?" Mary asked Maya.

"An old phone number and Cal-Tech level research for six months."

Mary looked to her sons. "I can't tell if she's being sarcastic."

"I'm not." Maya told her.

"She's really not."

"Okay then." Mary said aloud before finally taking a good look at Maya. And something small within her changed. Not much - she still didn't believe she was fully trustworthy. But something changed when she saw Maya's eyes. "She's got your eyes, Dean."

Over the next hour, Mary and Cas asked her questions along with Sam, Dean and Crowley. All of them trying to find out more about Maya. And she did the same. Asking how a woman who was supposidly dead managed to be raised back to life and how an Angel came to befriend two Hunters.

But that was soon cut short when Maya got a phone call.

"Excuse me a moment," Maya left, walking into the library and answering the phone meanwhile, the others talked quietly together about her.

A few minutes later, Maya came back in, the others trying to hide their fear that Maya has slightly shocked them. She was quiet when she moved. Something that must have come when training to be a cop.

"I have to go." Maya told them.

"Already?"

"Yeah, I have a job to get back to. That was them. My Captain wants to speak to me and he's heading away to Paris in a couple of days."

Sam looked around a little. "Can't you just catch a flight?"

"Oh, good god, no."

"You're afraid of flying?" Mary asked.

"It's a death machine that you have no power or control over if you crash and you can be left stranded or dead for days, weeks, months. No-one would ever know and-"

Mary smiled. "Okay, okay, okay, okay."

Maya took a breath. "I drive everywhere. It's the safest bet."

Sam leaned over to his brother. "More your daughter than you think."

"Shut up."

"Anyway, thank you, for everything. It's nice to know a little more about...everything." Maya smiled, gesturing to the whole building. "Not that you'd have to but if you're ever in Brooklyn and wanna talk...here's my number." Maya handed Dean her card. "Maybe we could get a coffee and some pie."

"Pie?"

Maya smiled. "I know the best place," she told them. "Anyway...um...do we hug? I don't exactly know how this is meant to go."

Without another thought, Dean hugged her. She is family after all.

"We'll talk, kid."

Maya nodded holding back a small smile. "Okay. I'd better go. Don't want to hit the traffic."

"Just, one thing."

"Sure."

"How'd you know it's the best place?"

Maya smiled and picked up her jacket. "My team and I did an all nighter to find out."

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tootiredmotel · 3 years

Text

Give him the real thing

For @floral-cas 's event!!! First time writing from an outsider/oc's pov so bear with me. Huge huge congrats on your milestone K!!! You are a PILAR of this lil community and we all love you 💚🌺💚🌺💚🌺

Read on ao3. 1.7k words

"Alright, uh… confession. I got no idea what I'm doin' here."

He looked around the shop like a monster was about to pop out of any corner. Like the carnations were going to bite him and the pots lined up on the windowsill next to them would come to life and crush his feet. The poor guy looked terrified, but it's nothing Maya hadn't handled before.

"That's what I'm here for. What's your name?" She asked, sensing they'd be there a while.

"Dean."

On any other day, Maya would've been resenting a burly, middle-aged guy with no idea what he wanted coming into the shop twenty minutes before closing, especially on a Thursday. Jade had their A.A. meetings on Thursdays so Maya was alone for the evening. But this Dean guy? He looked so lost, so nervous, so utterly out of place. There was something else about him that made her want to help, too. Maya wasn't sure what, but she'd figure it out.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Maya. Let's start with this: why are you here today, Dean?"

"Anniversary tomorrow."

Concise and to the point. Maya made a mental note. She also noted how he wiped his palms on his jeans and clenched his jaw. Nerves.

"How many years have you been together?"

That got a smile out of him. "A lot. A whole lot. But this is, uh. First wedding anniversary."

She donned a wide smile. "Congratulations. That's wonderful."

"Yeah. Thanks, thank you." He stuffed his hands in his pockets, still not meeting her eyes.

"Doing anything special?"

"Nothin' fancy. My brother and his wife are taking the kiddo for the night so, picnic in the backyard, lookin' at the stars, all that cheesy romantic crap."

His words didn't match his tone. It was evident Dean was absolutely smitten, Maya recognized the look, and he was making an effort. He was filled to the brim with giddiness and adoration for this person, and it shone through from him just thinking about them. Jade still looked at Maya like that every morning and night, and so did Maya at them. Every day since freshman year of college. Maya's chest swelled.

"Thing is," Dean continued, a bit more relaxed now. "Cas knows all about this stuff. We got this huge garden behind the house that I'm not allowed to even touch. There's a million books about nature and trees and flower meanings on the shelf, and Cas has read all of 'em. I didn't even know flowers had meanings, I don't know jack shit about any of it, but…"

"You want to impress Cas."

"I wanna impress Cas. It's gotta be good."

"You've come to the right place then." Maya kept an eye on Dean as she circled the counter. He was studying the pride flags hanging in the window with a clenched jaw, and Maya went on alert. She pulled out the binder they kept in the drawer and plopped it down in front of him a little harder than she needed to, calling his attention. "My partner Jade is more of a nerd about this stuff than I am, but they made this for situations like these."

Dean read the cover, Jade and Maya's Quick Guide to Flower Meanings, and smiled. "Nice."

They spent forty-five minutes walking around the store, binder in hand, slowly constructing the message Dean wanted to convey with his bouquet. He was adamant on it containing blue, so Maya went for the Forget-me-nots first. “Love and hope,” said the binder, which she deemed fitting enough for a first wedding anniversary.

Dean looked like someone content with his life, and he agreed when Maya suggested they look under the happiness category. “Well, Cas makes me happy,” he said, and they settled on Felicias, also blue.

Dean eventually got comfortable enough and leaned over to look at the binder in Maya’s hands. “Think there’s anything in there for grace?”

Highly specific, but possible, Maya thought. “Let’s find out.”

And they did. Plumerias, white.

“Anything else?” She asked him. Dean donned a thousand-yard stare as he thought about it, and Maya figured this man had been through a lot. More than she could ever imagine. She was glad he’d found some peace.

“Freedom,” Dean said finally. Freesias, white as well.

It was an odd bouquet, Maya admitted, but Dean was an odd man, and he looked happy with it. He was still nervous, still out of his element, but there was more excitement in the twinkle of his eyes than anything else.

“Cas will love it,” Maya assured him, and he beamed. She still knew very little about this Cas person— Dean could speak a lot without really saying anything, careful and reserved, even dancing around using gendered pronouns for Cas, which Maya found interesting—, but she could see Dean was living a happy life as their husband. That was good enough for her.

“Here’s hoping,” he said as he handed over his credit card, but he seemed a lot more sure than hopeful. He knew Cas would like it, and Maya couldn’t help a sense of pride grow inside her. Dean also put some cash in the tip jar and left with a smile. A good day’s work, and maybe a new friend in town.

---

“Maya?"

"Yeah, sweetheart?"

Jade poked their head in the door, beaming at Maya as she ran the books in the back room.

"There's a gentleman asking for you."

"By name?"

Jade nodded. Maya sent them a questioning look, to which they just shrugged. If Jade wasn't all that worried about it, Maya supposed there was no reason for her to be either. She made her way out, squeezing Jade's hip as she passed them, and stepped up to the counter. The trenchcoat-clad man smiled at her.

"Maya?"

The depth of his voice caught her by surprise, but she recovered in time to reply "That's me."

The man smiled wider. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Cas. You might not remember, but last week you-"

"Did you say Cas?" Maya couldn't contain her interruption, or the eagerness as she asked: "Dean's Cas?"

Cas's smile widened even more, which she didn't think was possible. It was blinding, and Maya, even in all her queerness, could definitely understand what Dean saw in him. "That's right."

Dean’s fixation on blue flowers suddenly made sense too, as she noticed his eyes. "He adores you, you know. You're his heaven and earth."

Cas's smile faltered at her words, and Maya feared she'd said something wrong.

"I'm sorry if I'm overstepping."

“No, no, it’s alright.” He looked down at his wedding band, and his smile returned. “He’s all that and more to me.”

Cas stared at his ring for a second longer. It was silver and had a small blue gem embedded into it. Maya could swear it appeared to swirl with light.

“Dean spoke wonders of you,” she said.

He looked back up at her. “You, too.”

She blinked in surprise at that.

“I loved the bouquet. I thanked him for it, over and over, and every time he said you were the miracle worker. That he was clueless the whole time and couldn’t have done it without you.”

“That’s not true,” Maya deflected, a steady heat rising to her cheeks. “He had a pretty good idea of what he wanted. And, if anything, he and I couldn’t have done it without Jade’s expertise.” She gestured toward her partner, helping a customer at the other end of the shop, and also tapped the binder, which was out on the countertop today.

“Then I suppose I’m here to thank both of you.”

He reached into a tote bag that Maya hadn’t noticed he was carrying and pulled out a plastic container. “We run a small baking business out of our home. These are on me. Apple and honey tarts.” He placed the container in front of her. On top of it was a label that read D&C’s Pastries. “They are also gluten-free, just in case.“

“What’s going on?” Jade asked, approaching Maya’s side with an expectant smile.

“Jade, love, do you remember Dean? From last week?”

“You told me about him, yeah, wedding anniversary.”

“Well this is Cas,” she gestured to him.

“Dean's husband,” Cas interjected. Jade and Maya shared a knowing smile. “I just wanted to drop these off as a thank you for helping Dean. Apple and honey tarts, gluten-free.”

“That is so sweet of you,” Jade exclaimed, eagerly taking the pastries. Maya rolled her eyes fondly at the pun, which Cas didn’t seem to catch.

“I was just doing my job,” Maya said. “But thank you.”

“Papa!”

They all turned to the child, blond and adorable, running excitedly toward Cas. At the door, where the child came from, stood an exasperated Dean.

“Jack,” Cas started, scooping the child in his arms. Jack wrapped his arms around Cas’s neck. “I thought I told you and Daddy to wait for me at the café, I wasn’t going to be long.”

“He missed you. We both did,” Dean gazed at him as he approached. “Dude, what are you-”

Dean scanned over the scene he’d just walked into and seemed to realize what was happening.

“So that’s what the tarts were for. Hey, Maya.”

“Hi, Dean.”

“And you must be Jade,” Dean said, extending a hand toward them.

“Yes! Heard about you, nice to finally meet you, Dean.”

“You too. You and that book of yours are life-savers. If I’d known the tarts were for you guys, I would’a made more.”

“These are more than enough, thank you. In fact, here...” Maya turned to a vase of daisies they had on a shelf and pulled out three. “Now I feel like we’re even.”

“Not by a long shot,” Dean said as he took his flower and Cas’s. He put his behind his ear, and Cas’s in his trenchcoat’s lapel, as Maya handed Jack his own flower.

They all promised to not be strangers, and kept their promise. Dean and Cas would bring over baked goods, and in exchange, Jade and Maya would let them take home a potted plant for their garden. Jack would always leave with a small flower in his hand, a different one every time, wrapped in Cas’s arms as he explained the flower’s origins or symbolism to his son. Dean would be the last one out the door, always turning back and mouthing a “thank you” to Maya. Every time, without fail.

And every time, Maya would think that she wanted what they had. Happiness, peace, a family, unconditional and true love. And every time, she would look over at Jade, and know she was well on her way.

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taetaespeaches · 4 years

Text

“I find you absolutely fascinating.”

namjoon x reader (oc) genre: fluff word count: 2.2K

a/n: Lovelies! Namjoon and Daisy/reader are being cute and soft and in love again :(( I mean at this point you probably know the drill. These two are about to take a big step and thinking back on how they started... they deserve this! I hope you all enjoy, and thank you for reading! :))

Strolling through the museum halls, you found it quite difficult to focus on the masterpieces surrounding you as you watched Namjoon stand in front of a colorful contemporary painting. Inspecting the piece, he leaned closer to it, his gaze bouncing from feature to feature within the work.

Nodding to himself, he put his pen to his notebook, jotting down a thought. You couldn’t help but grin at the way he absorbed knowledge, every piece of art intriguing him and inspiring him. It was something you truly loved about him.

Looking up from the paper, he slowly dragged his eyes from the piece to you, his orbs meeting yours as he noticed your smile. A bashful grin overtook his features, his dimples appearing as he stepped closer to you.

“Are you amused?” He asked, you nodding.

“Always by you,” you beamed. “I find you absolutely fascinating,” you confessed, amping up the cheesy tone of your voice to emphasize your playful teasing, though the words were genuine.

Shaking his head as he let out a breathy chuckle, he draped his arm around your lower back. Pushing his lips to your forehead, he snickered against your skin.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked, just before leaving a sweet peck to your temple.

“If you are,” you told him, Namjoon nodding his head. As he started leading you down the hall toward the exit, you halted, the man looking at you curiously. “Dimples, what do you think of this one?” You pointed to a painting, Namjoon’s head darting to the piece.

Humming in thought, he squinted at the painting. “I like the palette,” he nodded. “The colors are cool in tone, it’s interesting,” he continued, his eyes drifting back to you as you stared at the piece intently, feigning a serious expression. A smirk curved up on Namjoon’s lips as he watched you pretend to critique the piece. “What are you doing?” He chuckled, you fighting to hold back your grin.

“It’s phallic, is it not?” You asked, Namjoon’s eyes widening as he cocked his head, looking back to the painting.

“What?” He asked in shock. “Is it?” He questioned further, holding back a laugh.

“Yeah,” you held your hand out, dragging your finger in the air to draw the shape you were seeing. “Like that, see?” You asked, turning your head toward Namjoon.

“Fucking hell,” he chuckled, squeezing his eyes shut as he lowered his head, trying to hide his amusement.

“Jot that down,” you nodded to his journal with a smirk, Namjoon taking a deep breath as you began walking away from him. As you left down the hall, your boyfriend watched you go, shaking his head in utter amusement and fondness, a massive dimply smile spread across his face.

Crowds of people surrounded you as you walked down the busy Seoul sidewalk, your hand intertwined with Namjoon’s. After about thirty minutes of walking, and finding yourselves at Olympic Park, Namjoon bumped his shoulder against yours. “Are you hungry?” he asked, looking to your face to see you smirk.

“Starving,” you giggled, Namjoon chuckling as he nodded.

“Good, come with me, babe,” he said mysteriously as you led you further into the park, your confusion growing.

“Are we getting something delivered?” You asked him, the man simply smiling.

“Something like that,” he said, giving you no further hints, you huffing though you couldn’t hold back your grin.

You walked for a few more minute, watching other couples stroll the park, people play with their dogs, parents as they watched their kids run around, until your eyes landed on a couple across the field who looked quite familiar.

“Wait is that Jin?” You asked your boyfriend, pointing at the recognizable man and his fiancé.

“Ah,” Namjoon simply said, changing the direction of his walking to get to his friend. “I almost walked right past you guys,” your boyfriend called out to them, Jin lifting his arms into the air.

“I thought you already did, you took forever,” Jin complained, you looking between the three people completely lost.

“What is going on?” You asked, just before giving the girl a hug, not missing the way she randomly held your face between your hands as she beamed at you, though you chose to ignore it for the time being as you simply giggled at her. Namjoon smiled shyly at you just as you followed his gaze to the picnic setup in the field and slowly realized what was happening. “Wait is this for us?” You asked in surprise. “A picnic?”

“Yeah,” Namjoon chuckled. “These two set it up for us. And cooked everything,” he explained, you looking to the couple with widened eyes.

“Oh my god, guys, that’s so sweet, thank you,” you expressed your gratitude, Jin brushing you off with a wave of his hand.

“It’s all Namjoon’s idea, he just needed some help with the execution,” Jin explained as your lips spread into a warm smile, your eyes glued to Namjoon as he ducked his head slightly, the man bashful under the attention.

The couple didn’t stay long, leaving you and Namjoon to enjoy your picnic alone, however your friend kept looking back at you both as she walked away with Jin.

“They were acting weird, don’t you think?” You pointed out to Namjoon as you both sat on the cute little picnic blanket.

“I don’t know, they seemed about normal,” Namjoon countered as he opened Jin’s old picnic basket.

“No seriously, look, she keeps looking back at us,” you nodded to the couple, your boyfriend looking after them with a small chuckle.

“She’s always strange though, is that really any different to how she normally acts?” He reminded you of your friend’s sometimes weird behaviors. Giggling, you nodded.

“Ok, kind of true,” you confirmed. “And I’m letting you dissing my friend’s eccentricity slide for now since you planned this adorable picnic” you teasingly added as you watched Namjoon lift a bottle of champagne from the basket. “Ooh, fancy,” you smirked, Namjoon’s dimples on display as he dug further inside the basket, setting different food containers onto the blanket. “Jesus, it’s a feast.”

“You said you were starving,” he pointed out, you giggling as you reached forward and opened a container of fruit. Bringing a berry to your lips, you watched the man as he uncorked the bottle of champagne. His face was full of concentration as he twisted the metal cage that held the cork in place. Dropping the wire on the blanket, he pushed up on the cork, both of you flinching at the sound of the pop, the cork being sent a few feet away and landing in the grass. “Oh, shit,” Namjoon mumbled as he set the bottle down, nearly knocking it over as he hurried after the cork, you having to catch it before it spilled all over your picnic set up.

Chuckling to yourself, you looked toward the man as he adorably made his way back, holding the object out toward you with a goofy grin on his face. There were several moments, nearly constant actually, where you looked at Namjoon and remembered all over again just why you wanted to spend your life with him. And as he sat back down, less than gracefully, dropping the cork on the blanket proudly, you found yourself in yet another one of those moments. What a blessing it would be to spend forever with this man.

As you enjoyed the meal your good friends put together for you, all you could think about was how unbelievably lucky you were in this lifetime to have found Namjoon. And how privileged you were to be on the receiving end of his love, along with his forgiveness. The man could have given up on you early on in your relationship, leaving you behind when you gave him nothing but insecurity and inconsistency. But he stayed by your side, showing you the care and patience that you’d never been given before him. He was a treasure, and he was yours.

The sun was setting over the city, casting Namjoon in a heavenly golden glow. Staring at him fondly, you wondered if he understood how beautiful he was; how beautiful you found him to be.

“You’re gorgeous,” he suddenly interrupted your thoughts, your jaw dropping slightly as he stole the compliment you were just about to give him.

“I was just thinking the same thing about you,” you grinned, Namjoon letting out a breathy chuckle. “You really are gorgeous, Dimples,” you appreciated him sincerely. “I never tire of looking at you, or talking to you, sitting with you in silence,” you shared, Namjoon’s eyes softening as he stared at your face. “You really are the most fascinating thing I’ve ever come across,” you whispered.

Namjoon’s adam’s apple bobbed against his throat as he swallowed nervously, a warm smile overtaking his features. “I have something for you,” he announced, digging inside his bag. Watching him curiously, your eyes fell upon the envelope he pulled out. Presenting it to you bashfully, you beamed.

“What’s this?” You asked as you took it, reading your name that was written across the front of the envelope. Carefully, you opened it, pulling out a folded piece of paper. You weren’t sure what the contents of the letter would be, but you had a feeling this was going to be a major moment for you and Namjoon. Opening it carefully and slowly, your eyes scanned the words across the page, mostly scribblings with crossed out words. But the first sentence told you exactly what you were looking at.

Etched in hangul were the words person and love. And below that, You make live to a love, was written in English.

Your heart raced as you realized this was the draft he started with when writing his song Trivia: Love.

Other single lines were scratched across the page such as, What if I go? If I go, would you be sad? And You’re my person, my desire, my pride, my love, my one and only love.

You could feel tears pricking your eyes as you read over the paper, the sentiment of the lyrics hitting you all over again; the love and vulnerability and purpose he revealed on the page, all feelings you caused him. The word destiny was written with an arrow pointing to, we’re meant to be. Do you feel the same?

At the bottom of the page, he abandoned single lyric ideas where he instead decided to write his thoughts plainly.

“This is love. I know it is, I just feel it. I’ve never truly known it before, but this is it. Like how the moon rises after the sun. You give meaning to my memories. Will you make memories with me forever?”

Lowering the paper to your lap, you looked across the picnic blanket to find your boyfriend holding a ring between his fingers, his eyes soft and large as he stared at you nervously. “Will you make memories with me forever?” He asked you, your breath leaving your lungs as the love you felt for the man rushed through your frame.

You couldn’t even form words as you began nodding, smiles overtaking both of your faces as you stood on your knees. Namjoon mimicked your actions as he met you in the middle, your mouths crashing into a needy kiss. Ignoring the other park goers, you and Namjoon were lost on cloud nine together.

Trailing kisses across your face, he wrapped his arms around your body, pulling you against his frame as he held you close. “I’ve wanted to marry for years,” he chuckled against your hair, you smiling against his neck in response. “I wrote this song knowing I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“I’ve known for years too,” you assured him. “You’re incredible, you know that?” You asked him, chuckling as you pulled away from him to look at his stunning face. His eyes held your gaze for a moment before they landed on your hand, his fingers grasping your hand as he slid the ring into place.

“Here’s to a lifetime of being forever fascinated by each other,” he said cheesily with a massive dimply grin.

“A lifetime,” you beamed. “That sounds perfect.”

Staring at each other for a moment, Namjoon broke the moment first by lunging forward, pushing you to the ground as he positioned himself above you. Kissing you softly, your hands brushed over the sides of his face.

“I almost put the ring in your champagne glass but I was afraid you’d swallow it,” he giggled adorably, your finger tracing over the dimple in his cheeks before dragging over his smiling lips.

“Now that would have been a story,” you teased as Namjoon kissed the tip of your finger. “Thank you, Joon,” you said suddenly, his eyes widening in question. “For believing in us even when I couldn’t.”

Smiling softly, he shook his head at you as if he shouldn’t be thanked for such a silly easy thing to do. But instead of speaking against your gratitude, he chose to gently press his lips to yours. Because it didn’t matter how you started your relationship or who believed in what. You were there, and you were in love. And he knew you both would be loving each other for as long as you both lived in this lifetime, and even into the next.

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wiypt-writes · 4 years

Text

Riding On

Ch 6: It’s A Nice Day For A White Wedding

Summary: It’s Jake’s wedding day and poor Fliss appears to be the only sober one in the Circle Of Truth…and then that all important question is answered. Is Baby Adler Pink or Blue? (Place your bets, please!)

Warnings: Bad Language words. SMUT (NSFW NO UNDER 18s!!) Also some pretty heavy anti-Trump ranting so if this offends anyone, sorry (but also not sorry… I think the guy is as much of a buffoon as Boris fcking Johnson)

Pairing: Frank Adler x Fliss Gallagher

A/N: Just so you know, I couldn’t decide whether to give them a boy or a girl…so I literally wrote both down on a piece of paper and picked.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Fliss Gallagher and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer

Riding On Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 5 And I would answer all your wishes, if you asked me to. But if you deny me one of your kisses, don’t know what I’d do. So hold me close and say three words like you used to do. Dancing on the kitchen tiles, yes you make my life worthwhile, so I told you with a smile, it’s all about you.

Bonnie and Fliss stood in the small room at the side, the crowd of people milling around between there and the outside patio area whilst the main room was set up for the party following the conclusion of the sit down reception.

"It was a nice meal." Bonnie smiled.

"Yeah, really thoughtful of them to have the non-alcoholic wine available" Fliss smiled. “Felt nice to taste something that made me feel like an adult again.”

She looked around and her gaze settled on Frank who was leaning against the bar, his red tie long discarded, collar of his dress shirt undone. He caught her eye, flashed her a smile and then turned back to Greg continuing their conversation.

"He hasn't taken his eyes off you all day." Bonnie smiled as Fliss turned back to her. "It's cute"

Fliss smiled "You know he got me flowers yesterday. When I got back from work he had already left to come up here and when I called him to ask what they occasion was he said he just felt like it." She paused "I get the feeling he is still trying to make up for Vegas but he doesn't need to. We're good."

Bonnie grinned. "Did he tell you what he actually said to the girl?"

"I don't think he remembers" Fliss shook her head.

"Si does. Apparently he said, and I quote 'why the fuck would I want a Big Mac when I got a prime fillet steak waiting for me at home?’ “

Fliss blinked, and then let out a huge snort of laughter which attracted the attention of a few people around them.

"How fucking rude"

"She deserved it by refusing to back off the first time. Ho." Bonnie shrugged.

"I don't mean that I mean him likening me to a piece of meat. Mind you, quite apt really..." she shrugged

"How so?"

"He is constantly fucking horny." Fliss dropped her voice "Not that I particularly mind but the last week or so he's been really, really bad. Take Thursday for example. I woke up to him poking me in the back so he got a blowjob before we got up, then he fucked me on the couch that evening when Mary had gone to bed and then when I woke up to go to the loo at 2 am we did it again."

Bonnie sniggered "Maybe you're giving off some kind of sex pheromone because you’re pregnant."

"I know you're joking but..." Fliss shrugged "He’s always had a high sex drive but since I started really showing he has gotten so much worse. I think he has some kind of breeding kink."

"Must be so hard being you..." Bonnie said sarcastically "Nice man that buys you flowers and can't keep his hands off you...”

"He is the one finding it hard not me" Fliss grinned and at that Bonnie tipped her head back laughing.

Frank heard his girl’s laughter from where he was stood and watched as she tipped her head back, attracting the attention of a few of the guests with her loud cackles. His eyes scanned down her frame and back up again, lingering slightly on the gentle curve of her bump just visible under her dress as it hung over her lower body. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant knot at the base of her neck, a few strands hanging loose around her face and her eyes were lidded with a light dusting of rose gold powder, making her brown irises pop even more. The necklace he had bought her a while back hung around her neck, settling just above her cleavage which looked fucking amazing in that dress.

The moment he had seen her earlier when she had arrived with Bonnie he’d felt the all too familiar stirring in his pants that he seemed to get every time he looked at her recently. His mouth had gone dry and he’d been totally ogling her, enough to cause Greg to slap him on his shoulder and tell him, jokingly, to stop being a pervert.

Frank hadn't replied. He’d waited long enough to allow himself to open up to someone so they could see the entire shit show he was. He was happy, more than happy in fact. So as for being a pervert where Fliss was concerned? Well, he had no intentions of stopping at all.

As he watched her now, aware he was once more staring at her, she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and her hand went to her silver daisy pendant, gently twirling the silver chain in her fingers before she let go, pressing her hand over the pendant in the curve just above her breasts and that was it, he was done.

He wanted her, now.

Necking the short that Greg had passed him he patted his friend on his shoulder and told him he would be back shortly before striding over the room towards the two women. As he made his way over, dodging round a few people, he saw Fliss reached out and snatch Bonnie’s beer, taking a mouthful, letting out a groan of satisfaction. Bonnie’s eyes flew to him as he approached and he put a finger over his lips, telling her to be quiet.

“Pretty sure you ain’t supposed to have that…” Bonnie chastised, her eyes flicking back to Fliss as she took the bottle back.

“One mouthful won’t hurt.” Fliss replied, her shoulders rising in a shrug. “I always take a swig of Frank’s before I hand it to him…just don’t tell him.”

“Too late.” He leaned down and said in her ear, causing her to shriek slightly and jump as his hands settled on her hips, beard tickling her cheek and neck.

“Fuck! Fran, what you trying to do, send me into early labour?” she tilted her head to look over her shoulder at him before she glared at Bonnie “You could have warned me.”

Bonnie shrugged and grinned as she walked off. Fliss wrinkled her nose and turned in Frank’s arms, looking up at him sheepishly

“That was naughty.” he teased and she grinned a little.

“It was one mouthful…”

“I’m only teasing.” He smiled, dropping his mouth to hers in a sweet kiss and she sighed. He tasted of scotch and the cheesecake that they’d had for desert. “I told you before, one glass or one bottle won’t hurt if you want one.” “No, I don’t.” She shrugged “Just wanted a little taste that’s all.”

“Yeah well, now I want a taste of something.” “What are you talking about?”

“I want you.” He said, his mouth by her ear and he felt her still slightly, her breath hitching and he grinned, planting a soft kiss to the crook of her shoulder. He knew the effect those words had on her, being wanted as opposed to needed, it was a subtle difference, but one he knew meant something to her, and him for that matter.

“What, now?” She looked at him as he pulled away, glancing around the room before he looked back down at her.

“Right now.” He nodded.

“Are you serious?”

“Deadly.” He looked at her, “What’s the Ladies bathroom like?”

“You wanna do me in the ladies.” She deadpanned as he tugged her hand and pulled her away from the crowded foyer towards the bathroom.

“Yup.” He checked around once more to see if anyone was watching, before he opened the door and nudged her back gently with his hand so she entered the room in front of him.

“Wow, romantic, Frank.” Fliss said sarcastically as she arched an eyebrow, turning to face him.

“I’m being spontaneous.” His eyebrow arched as he backed into the cubicle, pulling her with him, reaching round to lock the stall door.

“There’s nothing spontaneous about you wanting to jump my bones” She looked up at him as her purse clattered to the floor, “You’re constantly after a bit at the moment.”

“Can you blame me Sweetheart?” he whined, looking down at her, his eye-line trained on her cleavage “You turn up…looking like that…been killing me sat next to you all afternoon. Frankie has needs.”

“My face is up here jackass!”

“I know.” he said, his gaze not moving “I was talking to Ben and Jerry.”

“Ben and Jerry.” Fliss scoffed “You named my boobs?”

“Only since they got bigger.” he grinned as his eyes moved back to hers

“Why Ben and Jerry?” she asked as his hands gripped at her hips.

“Because they’re delicious and soft like ice cream.”

Fliss snorted and he grinned at her, his eyes glazed slightly.

“You’re drunk” she stated.

“Nah ah, it’s hormones.” he said seriously.

“No.” Fliss laughed “I’m pretty sure you’re drunk. I saw you, Simon and Greg before, all necking from the hipflasks you each have in your pocket whilst they were taking the photos.” “Yeah, but.” Frank shook his head “I aint that drunk. Scouts honour.” “Like you were ever in the scouts.” she laughed, her hand brushing through his hair.

“Actually I was, you can ask the mothership.” he assured her “They kicked me out after 5 months thought. I made rude words out of a load of string that we were supposed to be using to mark out a flower bed at the old people’s home.”

Fliss let out a groan “Bean is gonna be a monster.”

“No they won’t” he shook his head “Gonna be sweet…” he placed a kiss to her lips. “…and gentle, just like their mamma bear.”

His hand moved to cup her cheek, fingers grazing her neck as he pressed his mouth to hers. The kiss quickly became heated and Frank pressed up against her, the door to the cubicle rattling slightly, neither of them paying it much attention. His other hand grabbed a fist full of her dress, and he was just hoisting the tulle layers up when the noise of voices hit their ear as the door to the bathroom opened. They both stopped dead, and Fliss bit her lip to stop herself from laughing as Frank grinned down at her, his finger flying to his lips as his shoulders shook with his silent sniggers. A few doors down the cubicle door opened and they waited for whoever it was to finish. Eventually the toilet flushed and the door unlocked, before the tap began to run.

“I’d hurry up you guys…” Bonnie spoke, amusement in her tone as Frank and Fliss looked at each other, “You’ve been gone 10 minutes already.” At that Fliss burst out giggling as Frank snorted and his face dropped to Fliss shoulder where he pressed a kiss to her skin, his lips sliding up to her neck, gently nipping beneath her ear, his hands fondling her breasts over her dress. She gave a low groan and he smirked against her skin.

“Still don’t wanna?” he teased and she shook her head.

“Fine, just…get on with it then you twat.” she mumbled into his ear and he looked at her, grinning.

“I love it when you swear in British baby.”

“I can talk dirty in British too…” she quipped.

Frank gave a groan, slanting his mouth on hers as he pulled her with him, her fingers undoing his belt and trousers, pushing them down with his boxers over his hips, before he sat down on the closed toilet, taking himself in his hand and pumping himself a few times until he was rock hard as she leaned down, kissing him.

“Turn round…” he said against her mouth and she did as she was told. His hands bunched her skirt up to her hips and she reached down to move it of the way as he grabbed her hips and pulled her down, shifting her underwear to one side. In a fluid moment she sank down onto him, both of them letting out soft moans as Frank’s arm circled her waist protectively around her bump as she tipped her head back against his shoulders, his hips moving upwards.

She ground down on him, rotating her hips and he let her set the pace, more than happy to simply sit there, holding her, trailing sloppy kisses over the exposed skin on her back. The hand that wasn’t round her waist moved up to the front of her dress, slipping inside the low plunge neck line to her bra-les breast, rolling her nipple softly causing her to shudder and push down on him further.

“Fuck, Lissy…” he groaned, his forehead pressing on her shoulder “Feel so good baby girl..”

Her response was a low pant of his name as her hips moved faster, snapping back and forth as she pushed down even further, seeking out the friction she desperately needed. Her head tilted and he caught her mouth in a sloppy kiss, swallowing another moan as she pushed down further, his hands pulling her onto his lap as he fucked up into her over and over.

It was dirty, quick and in his many times with women he wasn’t quite sure he’d fucked anyone in a bathroom before, certainly an alley way or two, a dark corner of parking lot too, but it didn’t matter either way as he was damned sure it wouldn’t have been as good as this, the woman who was carrying his baby, the woman he loved with all his heart bouncing on his lap as they both raced to their ends. As Fliss tightened down, her head rolling back, she parted her lips and let out a low keen as Frank’s hand gently moved upwards, his fingers caressing the font of her throat as he held her against him, turning her head towards his so he could catch her mouth in a filthy kiss as he pushed up for a final time and came with a grunt. They both sat still for a while before he gave a little hum as Fliss chuckled as his hands wrapped around her, resting on her bump.

“You’re a bad man.” she mumbled and he grinned, giving her a quick kiss.

“Yeah but I’m your bad man.”

With a snort Fliss stood up and Frank rearranged himself, standing up and pulling up his pants. With another soft kiss Fliss told him to go out ahead of her whilst he sorted herself out so as not to attract too much attention to where they had been, even though she was pretty sure Bonnie had already told their friends.

Telling her he would meet her at the bar, with a final peck to her lips Frank headed out of the cubicle. He quickly checked his appearance in the mirror and once he’d straightened his suit and smoothed his hair down slightly he pulled the door open to be met with a round of applause as Simon and Greg stood by the pillar outside the bathroom, both grinning as they clapped.

Frank grinned as simply took a bow before the three of them laughed and Greg slapped him on the back as the three of them headed to the bar.

***** “Welcome to the dance floor….” The DJ’s voice rang out over the room “The new Mr and Mrs Neill…”

Jake swept Lisa out onto the floor and Fliss smiled, watching a the woman’s dress billowed out behind her and he took her into a hold as the opening bars to Signed, Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder rang out. Jake began to twirl Lisa around, the pair of them laughing a various people took photos, recording. Frank dropped a kiss to the side of Fliss’ temple and she smiled as his fingers curled around her hip.

“They look so happy.” Fliss smiled.

“Yeah.” Frank nodded “Good job really, seeing as they just got married.”

Fliss smiled and then there were some giggles as Jake and Lisa’s young girls ran onto the dancefloor to join their parents, which gave the couple the signal to wave everyone else in to join them.

“Shall we?” Frank asked, turning to face Fliss and she grinned.

“Lead the way Sailor.”

They stepped out onto the dancefloor where Frank gently took her left hand in his right, his other hand curling round her back, fingers splaying at the bottom of her spint.

“Can’t pull you quite as close as I’d like.” he quipped glancing down and Fliss shook her head as she looked at him, a soft smile spread across his face “You’re beautiful.” “You’re not so bad yourself, handsome.” she smiled as he twirled her around the floor, his movements upbeat in time with the song. He was actually a pretty good dancer, which Fliss knew already from the various times they’d been out, but it never failed to make her smile the way he could move so gracefully for such a tall, broad shouldered man. When she had passed comment on it once he had grinned and informed he that it was ‘all in the hips’, hips that were now easily snaking side to side as he moved in time with the music, stepping back from her a little, his hands taking hers. Fliss laughed, simply dancing along with him and eventually the music changed into another upbeat song. The pair of them stayed were they were, dancing with their friends and enjoying themselves until after about 20 minutes or so Fliss declared she was out, and needed the bathroom again before she was going to sit down.

“To pee this time, right?” Bonnie called after her. Fliss didn’t even look back, simply raised her finger up over her shoulder as she left the dancefloor.

Once she had washed her hands she touched up her make-up, glancing at her cheeks which were quite flushed from the heat and the dancing, before she headed out. Frank was waiting for her by the door.

“People will talk, you hanging around outside the Ladies.” she grinned.

“Only one lady for me.” he winked back and she shook her head.

“Smooth.” “I try.” he grinned, kissing her cheek “Wanna get a drink?”

“Yeah.” she smiled, slipping her hand in his as he led her over to the bar.

Frank ordered himself a beer, deciding he needed to take a break from the hard-stuff and Fliss a water. As she took it from him with a thanks she glanced around watching everyone dancing and milling around, cocking her head to one side, a thoughtful look on her face.

“Penny for em.” Frank said and she turned to look at him smiling.

“Nothing of interest really.” she mused “Just thinking about all this. It’s been a nice day and a lovely ceremony and clearly what Lisa and Jake wanted but…” “Not what you want.” Frank smiled “Yeah, I know.” “But what about you?” she asked, looking at him. “I know we joke about how I’ve been there and done it but…” “Liss.” he cut her off, his hand curling round her hip. “Do you really think that all this showy shit is my style?”

“No, not really.”

“Exactly.” he smiled at her “I told you, I’d be happy to run away, me, you and Mary and do it with just the 3 of us there. But I’d probably get lynched by your mom and dad so…” He pulled her into his side closer, dropping a kiss to his head “It can be whatever we want it to be.”

We.

That word hit her hard, because her last wedding had been all about how her stupid bastard of a husband wanted to show the world how rich and special he was. There wasn’t a thing about that day she had chosen for herself, including her dress and her bridesmaids. She looked up at Frank, her eyes clouding slightly and he chuckled, shaking his head at her sudden emotion.

“Come on, let’s go sit down.” he smirked, nodding to a table at the side of the room where Simon was just taking a seat. Fliss nodded and allowed him to lead her over.

As is usually the case with weddings, people flit around all over the place. Fliss found herself dancing again with Bonnie, then talking to a few of Jake’s old school friends, then to some of Lisa’s friends, one of whom had her own horse so they got caught up in a lengthy chat about show-jumping and before long she realised she’d been away from Frank for well over an hour without realising. She finished up the conversation and headed back to where he was sat at a table, animatedly discussing something with a white haired gentleman, Bonnie watching him with a slightly amused expression.

"The guy is a fahking melt..." Fliss heard Frank groan as he leaned back in his chair, shaking his head.

"Who is he talking about?" Fliss asked as she sat down next to Bonnie.

"Trump" Bonnie replied, grinning.

"Oh this should be fun..." Fliss smirked, and Bonnie nodded.

"The guy he is talking to is apparently a big fan..." she turned to face Fliss, "But he's yet to give any kind of pro- Trump argument which Frank deems worthy of consideration. Oh, and Frank is getting more Boston with every sentence.”

“Yeah he does that.” Fliss she said, fondly turning her attention to Frank who shook his head and wrinkled his nose.

"You're being disrespectful." The man who Frank was talking to shook his head "He's our president."

Frank scoffed "Disrespectful? Not really, I just find it beyond comprehension that this country elected such a damaged, sociopathic narcissist."

"Say what you mean Frank." Bonnie nodded sagely and Fliss bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. Frank was in full flow, however, and fuelled by the amount of alcohol in his system he wasn't about to stop any time soon.

"John Oliver hit the nail on the head." he continued, necking the last of his beer. "Trump could be drowning in the damned ocean and he'd there, waving the lifeboats away screaming 'get out of here, I'm very buoyant, I'm the most buoyant. Everybody talks about my buoyancy... I'm a tremendous floater' ...fahkin jack-ass."

"Who got Frankie boy talking about Trump?" Simon asked, placing the tray of drinks down and handing them out. Fliss took her Sprite with a thanks as he slid a short tumbler of scotch over the white table cloth to Frank, before flopping down on the other side of Bonnie, dropping a kiss to her cheek. Bonnie nodded to the gentleman who was now saying something back, to which Frank let out a lout guffaw of laughter as Greg settled into a seat a few down from Fliss.

Simon grinned "Come on Jack!" he spoke and the man turned to face him "It's a wedding, no politics."

"I only stated I happened to agree with his policy of putting American's first..." the man held his hands up.

"And I only pointed out that his misguided beliefs that migrants are to blame for all of America's ills are exactly that, misguided." Frank shrugged, shooting a wink at Fliss as he reached for the glass of amber liquid in front of him. "People should look closer to home...at the people who run the damnedcountry, not everyone in it merely tryin'a make a living..."

"His policies made sense when I read them..." the man called Jack shrugged. “Well thought out, articulate…” At that Frank leaned back, shaking his head, an unbelieving smile on his face as he gave a groan “Articulate…come on…”

"You kniow..." Bonnie leaned forward "A random monkey hitting keys for an infinite amount of time will eventually come up with the works of Shakespeare" she swallowed the rest of her drink. "All Trump really needs to be considered one of the greatest Presidents of all times is an infinite amount of time and a monkey that can type."

At that Frank snorted into his glass and reached over the table, holding his hand up. Grinning Bonnie hi-fived him and Simon, Greg and Fliss exchanged a glance, before Fliss leaned forward.

"You know how they measure horses in hands." she said and Frank turned his attention to his girl, his eyes shining "well he must have the biggest horses on the planet." she said, making a claw like gesture with her right hand and Frank let out another loud bellow of laughter, his hand flying to his stomach.

"And why are his eye sockets always white?" Greg asked, looking into his glass like it held the answer before he glanced round at them all. "Like, you think someone would tell him to use the sunbed without the goggles every once in a while..."

At that Jack shook his head and stood up, walking away.

"Something we said?" Bonnie asked, innocently as Simon leaned back in his chair and spoke, his talent for impressions ringing out across the table as he imitated the President's voice perfectly "I'm going to build a wall, and it will be the greatest wall ever known to man, even better than China's...my time as President will go down in history as being part of America's dumbass years, the most dumbass years ever..."

As the 5 of them laughed, Jake plopped down at the table, pointing at Simon, then Frank then Greg.

"No politics at my wedding, bitches."

"We're not talking politics..." Frank hiccupped slightly "We were just roasting the cheeto skinned, toupee wearing prick."

"His dad should have definitely wiped him on a curtain." Greg nodded, causing everyone at the table to laugh once more.

"All that sperm and he got there the quickest." Simon sighed "Makes me wanna cry."

"You know what is gonna make you cry?" Jake looked at him "My foot up your ass. Come on guys, this is my fucking wedding. Let’s go do shots and rip up the dancefloor!"

"Oooh...shots..." Bonnie nodded, standing up.

"What happened to taking it easy in solidarity?" Fliss narrowed her eyes at her, patting her bump.

"I'm weak." Bonnie shrugged as Simon tugged her to the bar, Greg rising to follow them.

"Frank?" Jake asked

"I'll pass." he smiled

"I could get em to make you an apple juice shooter?" Jake offered as he patted Fliss' shoulder. She flipped him the bird as he walked off, chuckling to himself.

Frank pause for a moment, taking in his girl's slightly flushed cheeks before he stood up, grabbing his glass which contained what was left of his short, and rounded the table to sit next to her.

"C'mere..." he said, patting his knee. She stood up and settled on his lap, his arm curling round her waist, fingers brushing the side of her bump "You ok?"

"Yeah." she smiled "Which is more than you're gonna be in the morning."

"I'll live" he smirked, necking the rest of his liquor. "No one has ever died from a hangover Sweetheart."

"There's time." she smiled and he grinned up at her, placing his glass on the table.

"How's Bean?"

"Cooking." she grinned

"And Momma bear?"

"You asked me that a few seconds ago."

"And I'm asking again."

"In that case I'm still fine." she grinned leaning down to give him a peck. Frank smiled at her as she leaned back, his hand brushing her hip as he looked around the room.

"I wanna get married." he said, looking back to Fliss.

"We are."

"No, I mean like actually do it." he smiled "I wanna set a date."

"Don't you think we have enough to organise?" Fliss chuckled "Finding a house seeing as you're so adamant you want to move before Bean arrives..."

"They need a nursery." he pouted and Fliss smiled, running her hands through his hair.

"So you tell me." she replied "And then there's actually a small matter of me giving birth..."

"Piece of cake..."

"Oh really?" she looked at him "How about you squeeze a bowling bowl out of your vagina and then tell me it's easy..."

Frank laughed and grinned up at her "You'll be amazing...you always are." he placed a kiss to her bare shoulder. "But seriously...don't you wanna marry me?" he pouted.

"No, I just took this ring because it was shiny." Fliss rolled her eyes at him "Of course I do."

"Well...couldn't we just like pick a month...so...I have some kind of marker in the sand?"

Fliss looked at him as he turned his puppy dog eyes on her and she shook her head, giving a soft huff

"You're such a soft bastard when you're drunk."

He shrugged "I can't help it. You make me feel things."

"And I don't when you're sober?" she teased.

"Shut up." he looked at her and she grinned, running her hand through the whiskers on his face. His beard was now actually pretty impressive as he'd let it grow out properly, it was way beyond the untidy, short stubble it had been when she'd first met him. But then again he was also quite far removed from that fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, lost and damaged man he had been. He'd grown, a lot. And so had she. He knew it, she knew it...and the fact they had done it together made it all the more meaningful and special.

"September." Fliss smiled "Next year. Bean will be 1 by then and things will have settled. Think you can wait that long?"

Frank beamed at her "Yeah? You mean it?"

She nodded.

"Then September 2020 it is." his lips stayed curled up at the side as she dipped her head again and pressed her mouth to his. She pulled back, and found herself mimicking the infectious smile on his face. "I can't wait to make you Mrs Adler." he whispered.

"Who says I'm changing my name?" She teased and he frowned a moment before he shrugged.

"I just assumed..."he began to back track "I mean if you don't want..."

"Frankie..." Fliss cut him off, her hands cupping his face "I'm joking. I can't wait to have the same surname as you, Mary and our little one."

"God I fahkin love you..." he spluttered and she laughed, leaning back a little bit. At that point the opening bars to Hungry Like The Wolf hit their ears and Fliss heard Bonnie shriek her name.

"Miami BITCHES, HOLLERRRR!" Simon yelled as he leaned on the back of Frank's chair.

"Shall we?" Fliss asked, standing up. Frank grinned, took her hand and allowed her to pull him onto the dancefloor. As she began to dance and laugh with Bonnie his hand fell to her hips, pulling her back against him, just like he had done all those months ago in Miami, before everything had taken such a huge change in direction. A dramatic change, but a change he was loving day by day. As he felt her push back slightly against his groin he gave a low groan and bent over.

“Stop it or I’ll be dragging you off to the bathroom again.”

She tilted her head, looked at him all doe eyed and innocent and he shook his head, arching and eyebrow.

“Ok, ok, I’m sorry.” she spluttered and he rolled his eyes before she turned round to carry on dancing, this time behaving herself.

As it was getting later into the evening, after a few more 80s hits the music took a turn and dimmed into something softer, and Fliss cocked her head to the side as Frank reached out to her, pulling her to him.

“What is this?” she asked.

“It’s called God Gave Me You.” Frank said, his fingers curing around hers “By Blake Shelton. He’s a Country singer.”

“Ohh, the dude that’s with Gwen Stefani.” Fliss nodded.

“Yeah, I heard it for the first time in ages in the truck the other day.” Frank said “When we went to Tampa.”

“I thought it sounded familiar.”

He smiled, refraining from telling her he’d been playing it on a damned loop for days since because every time he heard it, it simply reminded him of her.

As he steered her around, he became lost in the lyrics, not really paying attention to anything but realising how much they stuck home, how they were true to what he felt about Fliss. How he had been a mess until she’d appeared and given him everything he didn’t even realise he needed and more. How she had fit so perfectly into his and Mary’s life. How she was now carrying his child. How he would always love her…

He felt her squeeze his hand and he looked down and she was grinning at him.

“You’re singing.”

“Am I?” he asked, giving a soft chuckle “Sorry, I didn’t realise…”

“Don’t worry about it, no one else heard. Besides you have a good voice, not like mine.”

“Well, I wasn’t gonna say anything but the other day when you were singing in the shower Mary thought Fred was stuck somewhere and crying to get out.” Fliss laughed and shook her head “Yeah it isn’t one of my talents. I’ll leave it to you.”

He smiled and gave her a soft kiss.

“You singing it to me or Bean?” Fliss asked, smiling at him as he twirled them round slightly.

“Without you there would be no Bean.” He shrugged simply and at his words he saw her eyes misting over.

“Frankie…” she muttered and he chuckled slightly, his hands cupping her face.

“Baby, what’s…”

“That’s so sweet and…” she spluttered shaking her head “Fucking hormones”

He laughed and pulled her closer, still swaying to the music and she let out a sight. Frank felt her sagging a little in his arms and then it struck him. It was almost midnight. She had been up since 8, they’d been out at this wedding one way or another for almost 12 hours now and she was 5 months pregnant.

“You tired honey?” he asked and she shook her head where it was pressed against his chest. “Liar.” he kissed her head softly.

“Ok maybe a little.” she looked up at him

“Wanna go?”

“It’s still early.” she looked at him. “I don’t mind if you want to stay, I can go and-“

“Absolutely not.” he shook his head “It’s half 11 now and I’ve drunk more than enough…Jake and Lisa won’t mind.”

“You sure?”

“Course. I’ll go get call us a cab.”

When he came back Fliss was at the table gathering her purse and his jacket. They made their rounds, said good bye to their friends and Frank led his girl out into the starry sky hand in hand.

*****

All things considered, on the Sunday morning Frank woke fairly clear headed, which Fliss pointed out shouldn’t have happened with how much he had drunk. They had a lazy morning before they headed home to pick Mary up, who was full of beans about how Steve had taken her out playing mini-golf the previous afternoon. They stayed for dinner at Bill and Verity’s before they made their way home along with the 4-legged fur babies and it wasn’t long before all 3 of them crashed out, the exertion of the weekend catching up on them all.

Monday and Tuesday seemed to drag by for Frank, and there was a reason. On Wednesday they finally got to find out what Bean was. Their scan was in the afternoon and Mary once again wanted to come, especially as she knew she would find out whether it was gonna be a girl or a boy that joined their little family in roughly 19 weeks or so time. Once more she was ignored and packed off to school with a frown on her face.

Frank was like a coiled spring all morning. The guys at work teased him relentlessly about how he was bounding around the place like Tigger on cocaine but he didn’t care. He was beyond excited to find out whether they were going to have a son or daughter. At exactly 12 he finished work and headed home. Fliss was already waiting for him having changed and showered and chatting excitedly they hopped in his truck and headed to the hospital. They were early so went to grab a drink at the coffee shop- Fliss having been told to drink plenty of water as it would help with the scan, and then when they had 15 minutes to their appointment they headed up.

“Miss Gallagher, Mr Adler.” Dr Kent smiled at them as they walked in “Nice to see you again.”

They both greeted her and Fliss settled on the bed, getting herself comfortable as Frank slid into the chair by her side. After answering the questions the Doctor asked her about how she was feeling, whether she was worried about anything, all the time Frank trying to pay attention but his mind was on one thing and one thing only. Seeing his baby again.

And when that time finally came, his heart skipped a beat. On the 3D scan there was so much more detail to take in this time. He could make out the little nose, the ears, eyelashes…fucking eyelashes. A tiny hand curled by its face which twitched as their baby move slightly.

“It says here that you want to know what it is…” Doctor said, looking at them both “Is that still the case.”

“Yeah…” Frank said, at the same time Fliss spluttered.

“No, I mean yes… “

Frank frowned “Liss? I thought…” “Could you write it down for us?” Fliss cut him off, smiling at the doctor.

“Ahh you doing a gender reveal?” The woman nodded, and Frank’s frown grew deeper. They hadn’t discussed that.” Not a problem…”

The doctor looked at the screen and Frank glanced at Fliss questioningly but she softly shook her head at him and squeezed his hand, telling him silently to trust her. The Doctor smiled, and headed off to write the results down and a soon as she had left the room, Frank turned to Fliss

“What are you doing?”

“I just had a thought…” Fliss took a deep breath “that if we do it this way, you know get it written down to open later, then Mary can be there with us when we find out.”

And once again, just like that, her fucking thoughtfulness knocked him sideways. He blinked and shook his head, smiling as he brought his eyes back up to meet hers “You’re fucking amazing you know that?” Of course the only thing wrong with her plan was that they now had to wait another 3 hours for Mary to come home.

Frank collected her from the bus stop and as usual was greeted by the grumblings that she was perfectly capable of walking home across the little park on her own, to which he shot back his usual I don’t care response. She walked into the apartment with her usual swagger, tossing her bag over the back of the sofa before she wandered into the kitchen where Fliss was stood chopping up salad for dinner

“So.” she said, dramatically “You gonna tell me then or what?”

Frank looked at Fliss who smiled before he spoke “Actually, you’re gonna tell us.”

“What?” she looked at him

“You’re gonna tell us what it is.” he repeated.

“Like how?” she rolled her eyes “I wasn’t even there.”

“We got the Doctor to write it down.” Fliss explained, “And seal it in an envelope.” Mary’s eyes widened “You mean…you guys don’t know?” Frank shook his head “Fliss thought it would be nice for all 3 of us to find out together.”

She looked at him, then to Fliss, her blue eyes filling with tears a she ran to Frank, her arms circling his waist.

“Hey…” he chuckled, crouching down and looking her in the face, his hand brushing her hair back slightly as she sniffed and gave a watery laugh “We good?”

She nodded and smiled “Where is it? The envelope I mean.”

“On the coffee table.” he said, kissing her forehead.

“Can we do it now?”

“I hope so.” Frank said, looking up at Fliss “Been waiting all damned afternoon.”

“Oh hush.” Fliss replied as he stood up, Mary in his arms.

“You know you’re getting kinda big now Stack.” he grunted a little as he shifted her onto his hip.

“You’re still bigger.” she said as he dropped her down onto the floor in the living room. She looked at the envelope and when Fliss nodded at her she picked it up.

“You know…” she mused, looking at Frank “If I open this that technically means that I was the first person to know. Well, other than the doctor…but they don’t count.” Frank looked at Fliss as his arm slid round her waist. “Yeah..” he turned back to Mary “Pretty cool, huh?” She grinned at him and took a deep breath “Ok…here goes….”

Frank felt his heart suddenly become quicker in his chest as he watched Mary pull open the envelope and look at the small slip of paper inside. She read the words, looked at them both, her eyes shining.

“Wow…” she breathed out.

“You’re killing us Stack!” Frank spluttered “What the hell is it?”

“It’s a boy!”

There was a pause and Frank blinked. “What?” he breathed out and looked at Mary “Are you sure?”

“I can read, Frank?” she narrowed her eyes at him, handing him the piece of paper. With a shaking hand he took ait and looked down at the words the doctor had written on them. As he read them, “Congratulations, it’s a Boy!” they suddenly registered in his brain and he looked at Fliss who had tears in her eyes. His own eyes misted over and a huge grin spread across his face.

“Lissy, it’s a boy!”

She gave a laugh as his arms wrapped around her and he kissed the side of her head.

“Happy Sailor?” she asked.

“I can’t…wow!” he chuckled, sniffing slightly, unable to form any other words. He moved one of his arms and signalled for Mary to join them and she rushed forwards, her arms wrapping around his waist as he dropped his hand to her back, gently rubbing between her shoulder blades.

A boy. A little boy.

Although he truly would have been happy either way, as long as their baby was healthy, he’d secretly always hoped the colour would be blue. They had Mary already, and from a selfish point of view had wanted a boy to even the numbers out. Not to mention the fact he was already envisaging matching baseball caps, sneakers, sailing days, basketball, football…

He looked at Fliss who gave him a smile and his face split into an even wider grin and he leaned over to give her a kiss before his hand dropped to the side of her bump, gently skating the place where his son was growing.

***** Frank wanted to shout their news from the roof tops. But Fliss forbid him from telling anyone until they told the family first. As Evelyn would be here for the weekend they decided to have a BBQ on the Saturday evening, and share their news then. And Mary and Fliss came up with the perfect way to do it.

Evelyn arrived in town on the Friday afternoon and due to her new found ‘friendship’ (if you could call it that) with Fliss’ parents since that fateful thanksgiving in Boston, she was staying with them. Her first comment upon seeing them all was how much Fliss had bloomed since her last visit a few months ago. Fliss had grinned and commented that she felt like a hippo to which Evelyn had snorted and told her to stop being ridiculous. The 4 of them went for dinner that evening to the Italian in town that Mary liked and on the Saturday Bill dropped her at the stables to see Mary ride. Mary had now moved on from the cross poles to a foot high straight upright jump, and she was easily taking it all in her stride. Frank had long since given up trying to talk her out of it. She enjoyed it, and it was hard to deny she was pretty good at it too. Saturday afternoon they all went back to the apartment where Evelyn, Fliss and Mary whipped up some cupcake batter…something which floored Frank. He couldn’t remember his mother baking, ever. Once the cakes were cooked however, Evelyn was unceremoniously barred from the kitchen whilst Fliss and Mary put the final touches to their Gender Reveal plans. At one point Mary burst out of the kitchen telling Evelyn to look away, and as Frank looked up from where he and his mother had been glancing at a few realtor pages and properties in the local area, he could instantly see why. She had blue food colouring all over her face and hands.

Later that night Verity, Steve, Bill and Roberta joined them and after a few drinks Mary handed out the cupcakes.

“Now, you have to eat them at the same time.” she instructed “Because the colour in the middle will tell you if the baby is gonna be a boy or a girl.”

“Did you make these?” Steve looked at Fliss. She nodded.

“And no, there’s nothing special in them…” she told him and he smirked “Other than the buttercream.”

As everyone eagerly began to dig into their cakes, desperate to find out, Mary skipped over to where Frank and Fliss were stood at the side of the kitchen steps, standing in front Frank as his arm dropped looping around her chest, pulling her back towards him a little. “A boy?” Verity shrieked, the first to find her splodge of blue cream in the middle of her cake as she looked over at them all.

“Yeah!” Fliss smiled, Frank’s other arm tossed casually round her shoulder.

“God help ya’ll, a mini Frank!” Roberta quipped and he shot her a glare before the rest of the crowd of people erupted into cheers and laughter. There were a lot of hugs shared and then Mary stepped over to Bill and Steve, holding her hand out.

“Pay up, losers.”

“Yeah…Dad can you sub me?” Steve asked, “I left my wallet at home” “Course you did.” Bill grumbled as he reached into his pocket. Retrieving a twenty from his wallet he handed it to Mary.

“Erm…what are you doing?” Frank asked, having watched the exchanged.

“Last week when you were at the wedding we were talking about it and I bet them it was a boy.” Mary shrugged “I had a hunch” “And now she has twenty bucks.” Bill grumbled as Fliss gave a loud laugh.

“No she doesn’t.” Frank put his hands on his hips “Give it back.”

“No way.” she pouted “I earned that.” “You’re 9.” Frank shot back “You know it’s illegal for 9 year olds to gamble, Mary.”

“What you gonna do Frank?” Fliss asked as Mary folded the money and sticking it in her pocket “Call the feds?”

Bill and Steve both sniggered as Frank looked at Fliss before he shook his head and turned back to Mary.

“How exactly were you gonna pay if you lost?” he folded his arms. “I was planning on winning it back by betting on the name.” she shrugged.

“Double or quits.” Steve nodded in agreement.

“Stop encouraging her.” Frank pointed at him.

“Relax…” Frank heard Evelyn chuckle a little and he turned to face her, where she was sat at the outside table with Verity and Roberta “You’re in dad mode already.” “I’ve been in dad mode for the last 8 and a half years.” he shot back before he felt his eyes widen slightly.

“I know…” his mother gave him a soft smile. “Believe me.”

Fliss hand tightened around his for a second and he looked down at her, giving her a quick peck.

“I’m gonna get another beer.” he said, suddenly needing the head space. “You want anything?” “No.” Fliss smiled at him as he walked off.

Truth was he’d shocked himself a little. That was the first time he’d ever referred to his role with Mary as being a dad out loud to anyone but her or Fliss. Truth be told, he was a little worried about how she was going to react once Bean was born and how they were going to try to keep her feeling as included as they could, especially when he started talking and referring to him and Fliss as Mom and Dad, when Mary didn’t. He ran a hand over his face, opening the fridge. It was an unorthodox situation, but…well, he knew full well there were worse circumstances Mary could be in.

“She wouldn’t mind you know.” a voice jerked him from his thoughts and Frank spun to face his mother

“Who?” he frowned. “Diane.” she reached past him for the bottle of wine in the fridge “Fliss told me that’s why you get so pissy about people referring to you as Mary’s father.” “I’m not pissy about it, I’m just not her father.”

“You are in every other way bar legally being labelled as so, Frank.” Evelyn poured herself a drink “And moreover, Diane’s memory isn’t going to suddenly fade away if you were.”

“What are you-“

She levelled him with a look and simply handed him the bottle back before she picked up her glass and headed off leaving him pondering her words. With a shake of his head, deciding that was a discussion for another day, he grabbed another bottle of beer and headed back outside.

“Hey Frank!” Roberta’s shout stopped him in his tracks as stood at the top of the steps and looked over at her. “You gonna cook anything on this BBQ or what? Been waiting so damned long my clothes are goin outta fashion.” “That’s assuming they were in fashion in the first place!” Mary grinned, skipping past Frank as he walked onto the lawn, tossing a ball for Fred as he scooted off after it, Thor following.

At that Steve snorted. Roberta looked at him

“Oh hark on the British boy in board shorts.”

Steve’s response was a cheeky wink “I have been reliably informed you like men in board shorts Roberta. Do I not meet your standards?” he gave a little twirl, his arms held out to his side, a grin on his face. “I’ve seen worse.” she mused, causing Steve and Bill to tip their heads back in almost identical roars of laugher. “You ever fancy yourself a sugar momma you know where to come lookin’ honey.”

“You know, if we’re discussing questionable clothing choices…” Fliss looked up, her eyes locking onto Frank’s before she glanced at Mary “I have something to say about someone’s shirts.”

Mary let out a lout hoot of laughter as did Roberta and Frank looked at Fliss as she grinned.

With a shake of his head and a soft snort of laughter as he looked around at his family, he headed to the BBQ.

**** Chapter 7

#riding on #frank adler #frank adler x ofc #frank adler x original female character #gifted #gifted fan fic #chris evans #chris evans characters

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ogjacksonsimp · 4 years

Text

(A/N)

The Battle of New York happens during the summer when Annabeth and Percy went to Tartarus and the rest of the seven were off trying to get to the doors of death.

The Winter Soldier happens roughly a year later during Percy and annabeth's Christmas break.

My OC Elizabeth is 18, works for SHIELD her job is purely to make sure demigods don't get discovered, she knows all about mythology. She is partly in the science division because of that and also in tactical, because of her battle reflexes and fighting abilities. (She's a part-time Avenger when things get really out of hand and they need another person. And a constant for Coulson's team so she's friend with Daisy.)) She's also one of Fury's most trusted agents, which is ironic because she's the one with the most secrets.

Ok now that's out of the way :)

Please tell me what you think.

SUMMARY:

Percy is a second time hero of Olympus and he just wants to live a relatively normal life with his girlfriend Annabeth Chase. But when his mother and step-dad Paul go missing he finds out his mother was adopted and he has not one but two cousins. One an older, kickass cousin, who's a superhero and a one his age thing's get compulated.

WORDS: 2,106

WARNING: talk of death, fluff

One

┌────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────┐

one

" We are pregnant and going to college! "

└────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────┘

THE RING IN PERCY'S BACK POCKET felt like it was going to burn a hole through his jeans and drop to the floor.

It's not that he was nervous to propose; he knew that she would say yes, it was just the timing, where and how he was gonna do it. They had talked about getting married and having a family together when they were in Tartarus. Selena, before she died, had told him how Annabeth wanted to be proposed too. Percy was gonna make it happen.

He had everything he needed set up. The ring pop in his pocket (along with the real deal), Yankees game tickets in his wallet, and (thanks to Piper's charmspeak) he had permission to get himself and Annabeth on the field during halftime. The cameras would be pointed at them, Grover said he was going to record at the stadium and the rest of his family (plus friends who were kinda family) were watching the game live from his mom's apartment.

It was a Friday night, they had both graduated from high school and Percy decided that sense demigods don't have long life expectancies. The present was as good as time as any. Especially with what Elizabeth, a daughter of Hecate and his second cousin, told him about the government organization she was working for. They were looking a little bit too closely into the lives of demigods for their comfort. With their luck something bad was gonna happen so every bit of peace everyone's gotten after the Second Giant War would be decimated. Because something happened, maybe whatever happened in New York, it was during the summer so everyone was at camp, that made the mortals see more clearly. It was disturbing to say the least.

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

" Hey Beth, are you ready?" Percy asked as he flipped the hotdogs on the grill humming.

" Yeah!" The soft notes on the piano stopped and the apartment went silent aside from the popping of the hotdogs. Annabeth found that music helped after Tartarus and decided to learn the piano, Percy learned the guitar in band, and together they did choir. Annabeth could sing Soprano and Alto. Percy sang as a tenor. Turns out he didn't sing as bad as he thought, he was actually pretty good, and Annabeth and him made a good team on and off the battlefield.

She walked over to him in his Yankees' jersey tucked in a pair of jean shorts, baseball cap on her head backwards. Percy tried to ignore the bite of possession he got when she wore his clothes, he however couldn't help but pull her to him so he could kiss her.

With his arm locked around her, he said, " help with this, please?"

Annabeth tried to pull away so she could, but he just tugged her closer. " If you let go, I can." She smiled, lips together, and raised her eyebrows.

He didn't.

" Fine I'll do it myself." He grinned and dragged her with him in the kitchen. Annabeth laughed loudly, and let herself be dragged behind him.

" You know we would be done faster if you would let me go so I could help." Annabeth grinned as Percy gracefully twisted around the room with her in one arm.

" Awe baby, please." Percy clicked his tongue and jabed her in the ribs. " This is hardly a challenge, and I love when I get to hold you."

" Babe calm down."

" Never!"

She grinned, " choose Woody how shall you die?"

Percy frowned slightly, " wait can he even die though? Like he's a toy."

Annabeth hummed, " I- I don't know." She shook her head, " does it matter? It's a movie."

Percy widened his eyes comically, " the great daughter of Athena doesn't know something?"

" Oh can it, perce."

" Don't hate the player, hate the game."

She gave him a look.

" What?"

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

Percy parked after 10 minutes of searching and they followed the rest of the rest of the crowd into the stadium.

Annabeth suddenly reached out and grabbed his hat and twisted it backwards to match hers.

" You look a little hyper, are you excited?"

"I've been looking forward to this for two weeks, of course I'm excited." Annabeth said in a 'duh' tone.

He smiled at her, if only she had any idea what was about to happen he thought giddy.

" Yeah and you can't talk, you haven't stopped smiling since we got in the car." She retorted quickly unaware of his thoughts.

" I have something to smile about." Percy tossed out casually, swinging their hands back and forth in between them.

" What's that, Seaweed Brain?"

" I get to spend the night with you, Wise Girl, and I have a surprise for you. I just hope you'll like it." Percy reached up and idly messed with his Camp necklace.

" I like all your surprises, you haven't let me down yet." Annabeth said, straining her head to look around the crowd.

Percy leaned down and swiftly pressed his lips to hers, " I love you."

She looked over at him, a smile stretched across the face. " I love you too."

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

It took them awhile but they found their seats eventually.

Halftime came faster than either of them said it would, by this point Percy was sweating bullets he really hoped he didn't mess this up. He took a deep breath through his nose, squeezed her thigh, got up, and tugged her from her seat. Her eyebrows furrowed and she looked at him confused as he started dragging her behind him toward the field. He led her on a path and they got on the field, by this Annabeth was thoroughly confused.

" Percy, what are you doing? You're going to get us kicked out of here."

" No I-, just trust me." he said, trying to shake out his nerves. Both teams lined up as a type of path for them to follow until they were in the middle of the field and the cameras were pointed on them.

He took a deep breath, turned so he was facing her, " Annabeth I love you probably a lot more than you know." The more he said, the easier it got to say, " We've been through a lot together in the time that we've known each other. I want to grow old with you. I want to have a family with you." Percy dropped to one knee with a shaky breath, he pulled the Ring Pop from his back pocket, and broke the rapper with shaky hands. He pulled it out and showed it to her with a smile. " My wise girl, the love of my life, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

Annabeth smiled widely and with tears in her eyes she answered. " Yes!"

She dropped to her knees in front of him and helped him put the Ring Pop on her finger laughing. She grabbed his face in his hands and kissed him.

The crowd went wild with cheers!

Sally Jackson and her husband Paul along with all of Percy and Annabeth's friends we're hugging each other in Sally's living room. Smiling and laughing, they couldn't hear what Percy said but then they saw the tears in both of their eyes and they knew.

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

Percy was keenly aware when Annabeth left their bed at 3 in the morning, he could feel the shift in the weight on the bed, hear the light pitter-patter of her feet on the carpeted floor. He heard the door to their bathroom shut and he could see the light underneath the door. He was tempted to get up and check in on her but he figured she'd like her privacy.

Although he is no longer responsible for his actions when he hears her throw up. He got up with concern and knocked on the bathroom door. " Annabeth, baby, are you okay?"

She threw up again and that answered his question.

" Do you want me to get you anything?" he asked through the door. He knew that she hated when he saw her sick.

" No," she choked out, her throat sore. " Just go back to bed, I'll be out in a minute."

" Are you sure?"

" Yeah."

Percy went back to bed although reluctantly.

He was sitting up when she walked out looking a little pale compared to her normally tan complexion.

She shivered and slipped back under the covers, her limbs shaking. Percy moved beside her, tucked her in his arms, and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

" Better?"

She moved so her front was facing him and tilted her head into the crevice of his neck and collarbone, and shook her head against him.

" Where does it hurt Wise Girl?" He whispered softly, grazing his thumb against the back of her neck. Hoping that if she had a headache it would be quiet enough that it wouldn't bother her.

" Just achy limbs, my stomach, and my head." She murmured.

" You don't think?" he didn't have to continue with his sentence for her to know what he meant.

" Maybe, I'll check in the morning. For now would you just hold me?"

Percy only tightened his grip on her, and that answered her question. " You're going to have to pry me off you, especially if what we think is right."

She laughed a little. " Ok. Goodnight, I love you."

He snorted, " you know I love you."

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

The next morning they had two surprises.

Percy was making breakfast when Annabeth decided to go to the drugstore, closest to their apartment, and grab a pregnancy test.

Percy was going out of his mind waiting for her to get back so they could see, but first he tried not burning their breakfast. He was obligated not to burn it, since he was the one who could cook well between the two of them. Annabeth was never taught, sure she could read the directions just fine, but she can't cook well because she gets distracted so easily. ( usually by him, he will admit) Sally taught Percy the secret to not getting distracted while cooking. He tried to explain it but she didn't understand it, so he was left on cooking duty. He was fine with it, it calmed him down, but only slightly.

Percy's mind was going a mile a minute when Annabeth walked into the front door. " Well?"

" Take a breath Percy. I haven't taken it yet." Annabeth lifted up the plastic bag in her hand to show him.

" Well then what are you standing around for? Go!" He shooed her off with his fingers. He jumped on the balls of his feet as he watched her trudge through their hallway.

Annabeth wondered absently, if she was pregnant, would it be a boy or a girl? What would they name them? Would they have to find a bigger apartment for their child to have their own room? She shook her head, of course that wouldn't matter until the child was big enough to have their own room, and if that child is anything like her, and Percy, they were gonna want to snuggle.

Annabeth pulled out three pregnancy tests.

She left them on the counter to decide if she was pregnant or not I'm headed to the kitchen. When she got in there Percy was putting his blue pancakes on two plates, one for her, one for him.

" How long until we know?" He asked, getting out the silverware.

" A couple of minutes at most." She took the fork he was offering. " Let's eat and then we'll look? Together." She offered.

" Deal."

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

Percy squeezed Annabeth's hand as she opened up the bathroom door, they walked in together. Annabeth looked and when she did she squealed and jumped in Percy's arms.

" I'm pregnant, Percy." she smiled in the crook of his neck.

Annabeth leaned back to look at Percy's wide eyes. He squeezed his arms tighter around her waist, leaned forward and to press a passionate kiss to her mouth.

" I'm going to be a dad." He brushed his nose against hers as he leaned back.

" I'm going to be a mom."

" So just to put this out right there, I would die for our unborn child."

" Percy, you would die for anyone, that's why you're going to be such a good dad."

Later that day two letters came in the mail, saying that they would both be accepted in NYC University next year.

Percy almost giggled, " We are pregnant and going to college!" And that was something neither of them thought they were going to live long enough to see.

#percy jackson x avengers #pjoverse #percabeth kids in the future #s.h.i.e.l.d.#avengers #percy jackson #annabeth chase #oc's x pjoverse #oc's x avengers and co

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snarkwriteswrasslin · 4 years

Text

three | hard to forget - adam p.

[ authors notes ]

This one took a little longer to get out and for that, I’m sorry. It wasn’t clicking until just now. So, this is the unedited and rough version because as soon as I finished, I figured to hell with the editing process, just post it and be done. Yes, it’s still angst city. Yes, they’re both still being stubborn. BUT... they were finally kind of forced into interaction so yay? I guess?

FYI, this is probably gonna be a mini fic, so there’s probably only about 9 or 10 actual chapters left of it. I never meant for it to be that long BUT... we’ll see... all depends on how well it actually goes over... Do with that what you will... Also, the OFC’s self worth issues are not going to magically disappear just because the story comes to some kind of conclusion. I believe I mentioned this once before, the ofc here has the same issues I do to an extent... Anyway, enjoy a little lingering sexual tension in this part?

[ one - two - darling, the unofficial first chapter of the story - the soundtrack ]

[ warnings ]

Self esteem issues cw. Anxiety cw. Alcohol cw. Angst and sort of a slow burn. Mini fic, fyi. Probably won’t be very long. Potentially smut at some point. I switch between first person pov ( my oc’s pov ) to third person pov ( usually hangman, but also any other side characters I might use in this).

[ tag squad ]

@kyleoreillysknee

@rampagewriting

@writertoo18

@thatnerdwriter

@wrestlingismyguiltypleasure

@chasingeverybreakingwave

@waywardwrestlewritingwaif

@sassymox

@hungmanhorsecarriage

@wardl0w

@unabashedwrestlefics

@cowboyshit

@adampage

@missjenniferb

@wrestlingthot

@mafiadaddypaulheyman

[ tag doc | about page | masterlist ]

T H R E E

[ ADAM ]

“Talking to her is probably a better idea than staring a hole through her, man.” Wardlow spoke up from beside Adam just as Adam poured himself another glass of whiskey. Adam took a long and thoughtful sip before shrugging.

“Obviously, there’s nothin to talk about.”

“And you’re an idiot if you believe that. Full offense meant.” Wardlow ordered his own drink and took a sip, eyes darting up to the screen mounted close to the ceiling behind the bar. He chuckled at the score on the hockey game playing and then spoke up again. “All I’m saying is you don’t want one of the other guys stepping up and getting a shot you didn’t take. I mean, earlier… Did you not overhear Maxwell?”

“Oh yeah. I heard him. Why the fuck do you think I put him against the wall real quick like I did. It’s not my business if she chooses one of them though. Nothin’ I can do about it, either.” Adam shrugged, but deep down, it had him on edge. On top of everything else… He was having to deal with the fact that one night with Rosalie showed him just how much he didn’t want things to be one night only between the two of them.

Everything was turning into a massive clusterfuck that he couldn’t escape, no matter how far in the bottom of the bottle he tried burying himself.

The win tonight over his opponent felt like a hollow victory because just as the ref raised his hand it really sank in just how alone he felt and how well he’d managed to alienate himself from his friends. The fact that Rosalie was fine with a one night stand and wanted nothing further to do with him meant that he couldn’t share the moment with her, either.

But the problem with all of this was that the more he tried to go without talking about how he felt, the further down he tried to push it all, lately, that was the harder everything tried to push it’s way to the forefront. It was getting to a point where he felt like he was one breath away from exploding in frustration at any moment.

The more he tried to find Rosalie in back and at least clear the air between them, the better she seemed to get at making herself scarce.

Just as he found himself thinking about it, he happened to spot her, pushing her way through the crowd surrounding the bar at the other end of it. Banging on the wooden bartop noisily, she hopped up and down, shoving money at a bartender who came past and getting herself a bottle of Tito’s. Adam felt himself tense all over and whether or not he meant to, his eyes were fixed on her. He bit his lip and took a long sip from the glass and Wardlow cleared his throat. “If you don’t step up, Page. Someone else will. Women like that don’t stay single or lonely long at all. Trust me.”

Without another word, Wardlow was gone, leaving Adam to watch intently. He swore to himself and grumbled when Matt Jackson wandered right up to her, boldly leaning against her from behind and muttering something against her ear.

“Naturally, he’s gotta go there.” Adam grumbled to himself as the scowl took over. He watched the scene unfolding and maybe he was a little more amused than he should’ve been when he saw Rosalie rolling her eyes before she turned around. She suck popped a gum bubble and blew at her bangs. Every physical cue she was giving off read clear irritation and annoyance and yet… Matt was apparently determined.

,, Jackass even has roses. If he really gave a shit he’d know she liked sunflowers or daisies.” Adam found himself thinking. The thought lingered, annoying him all over again. No matter how much he wanted to be angry and hate his former friends, he knew deep down that everything they’d said to him the last time they all talked had unfortunately been true.

They may have set it all in motion, but he’d been the one who let it continue for so long. Then he’d been the one who exploded and went straight for self-destruct mode rather than doing what he should’ve done, beating their asses and getting his frustrations out there and putting it behind him. And all of that, his brain wasted no time in reminding him, trickled down to the situation with her, and his inability to even fathom taking a chance and speaking up about the way he really felt. And it bothered him because he knew that not only was he letting his friends slip through his fingers but now, a chance at being with her too.

And then, it happened. Rosalie happened to spot him sitting there, watching her. For a few seconds, she stared right back, teeth grazing against a full lower lip. Adam hated to admit it, but he felt a small surge of pride at the fact that he’d done a good enough job leaving marks behind their night together that the small bite mark just below her earlobe hadn’t really faded that much. ,, then again, I was so desperate to leave any kind of sign that I even had her to myself for one night that I really latched onto that spot at least 4 times. Was the hardest mark I left.”

He must have been staring at the area pretty hard because her hand raised, fingertips settling right against the spot in question. She squirmed on her stool under his gaze and bit her lip. Adam shifted on his stool and took a deep breath, trying to will away the way he was starting to strain against his jeans. Because before that happened again, they needed to have a long and serious conversation.

She shotgunned a sip from the tequila bottle and swallowed hard, wincing at the way the alcohol must’ve burned it’s way down her throat and Adam raised his own glass, finishing it off without breaking his gaze with her.

Apparently, it was enough to be noticed by Matt, who glared at him before grumbling to himself and walking away for the time being. Neither of them were caving yet, the stare war still going on. If he were a more confident and far less anxious kind of guy, he’d almost swear that maybe the tequila was hitting her system and maybe, she was flirting across the room.

As soon as even the hint of that thought hit, Adam was on top of it, shoving it down deep before hope dared to have a chance to grow.

She sighed and the movement of her lips had his eyes locked there, following helplessly as her tongue dragged over the outline of her mouth. When she brushed shaggy bangs out of her eyes, Adam’s hand clenched because honestly, he just wanted to tangle his fingers up in her hair again, use his grip on the soft and thick locks to tug her mouth into his so deep that by the time the kiss broke they were breathing for each other.

She broke eye contact first, turning her attention to the doors of the sports bar and Adam tore his eyes off her, fixing them on his own drink.

,, if I don’t say something soon, I’m going to lose my damn mind.”

[ ROSALIE ]

I could smell Matt Jackson before he even pressed against me from behind. The cologne he wore is not my favorite and it never has been. ,, It’s not my fault I prefer Adam’s natural scent to the overpowering notes of whatever the hell Matt is wearing all the time.” my brain chimed in and I quickly shoved the thought out.

I was here tonight because no fucking thanks to Adam’s earlier match and win, I needed a good stiff drink. ,, Is a good stiff drink not how I wound up in the situation I’m in right now though?” - my brain was at it again, nagging and being pesky. Between my own mind and my mom, I was dangerously close to exploding lately.

Matt pressed against me from behind, reaching past me to grab a soda he’d apparently ordered and I cringed to myself, eyes rolling as I prepared myself for what Matt felt was ‘his best game’. In truth, his best game is a fucking annoyance to me.

If I were going to hook up with a Jackson brother, I’d die before I ever considered Matt. Nick… Nick clearly has more going for him that’s not quite so…. Overpowering and annoying.

Not that I’ve ever given them any sort of actual thought in that regard, I’m just stating a fact.

“You drinking alone, Rosie?”

“Don’t call me that, Matt. I have a name.”

Matt chuckled in amusement. He was still pressing against me a little. I tensed and he seemed to finally take the fucking hint, stepping away a little. “You could bring your bottle and come over to where me and Nick are sitting. It’d keep Maxwell off your ass.”

“I’m here alone. As in, I want to drink this tequila all by myself. Nice try, Matt.” I responded, turning just enough to smirk up at him as my words hit their mark. He grumbled and bit his lip, shaking his head. “I don’t get it. Why not just give somebody a chance?”

“Why not just leave somebody alone, though? I’ve told every single one of you who keeps trying lately, I have zero interest. That what happened that night is not only not any of your business, but it was supposed to stay between me and Adam.”

“And yet, you were telling your friends.”

“I didn’t tell them!” I grumbled and rolled my eyes in frustration, blowing at hair that flopped into my eyes and I took a sip, continuing, “They knew something was wrong with me and they kept at me til they guessed. Not that it’s your business, Jackson.”

“You can call me Matt.”

“Can I call you gone already? Because I’m exhausted with this conversation. Look.. I get that you have a hard time hearing the word no. I get that you’re trying to pour on the charm and I get that you think you want me but trust me, Matt, you don’t. Nobody ever actually does.”

“That’s not true, hon.” Matt’s brows knit together as he looked me up and down, licking his lips. I grumbled and turned away, rolling my eyes as I knocked more of my bottle back.

Somehow, I found my eyes fixed on Adam in all this.

And I tried, but I couldn’t tear my eyes off him. And as I stared, all I kept seeing was that fire in his eyes earlier tonight during his singles match. The way he looked fired up and ready to take on the whole world. I was starting to get soaked all over again and I shifted around on the stool a little.

The hunger burning in his eyes as they roamed over me had memories of that night stirring to the front of my mind and if I thought I was soaked before, that was in fact a lie. I could feel my thighs slipping off each other. The realization had me reaching for my bottle and taking a generous sip. I tried again to tear my eyes off him but I couldn’t do that either. Instead, I found them fixing on a not quite hidden hickie that I knew full well I’d left behind on the right side of his neck. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath because I remembered that I hadn’t been the only one who left a mark.

And at the sudden rearing of the thought, my fingers raised, gingerly dancing over the deep impression of his bite in my skin. I could feel my face getting hotter by the second.

Matt seemed to finally catch onto the stare down happening between Adam and I and he grumbled, making a hasty retreat.

It took everything I possessed not to shove through the crowd and go to Adam. Especially with the statement he made in an interview before his match earlier tonight burned into my brain. Hurting me because I knew for a fact that the words weren’t true and it killed me that he might even halfway consider them to be so.

I finally managed to tear my eyes off of him, spotting Sonny Kiss and Joey Janela making their way into the bar. I waved to them both, grateful for the distraction they’d provide me. The barrier they’d make between me and my desire to go to Adam and bare my entire soul.

And probably be rejected. Or have to hear him say that the one night between us was a moment of weakness and it didn’t mean anything.

Or any number of things I’d heard a thousand times before.

#adam hangman page #adam hangman page fanfiction #adam hangman page fanfic #adam hangman page fic #adam hangman page imagine #adam hangman page imagines #my writing; adam hangman page #my fics; adam hangman page #my fanfiction;adam hangman page #// yep. still angsty.#// a little intense too #// self esteem issues cw #// anxiety cw #// alcohol cw #// eventual smut cw #// this is going to be a mini fic i swear to God

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chuuguins · 4 years

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love u sm💖

MARY !! one of the first people to follow me back on here! film icon! icon in general! let’s see....

i love how you never fail to respond to everyone’s ask games. it seems like such a small thing but it’s actually huge. the first time i reblogged one i expected to get nothing because i knew nobody on tumblr (except daisy and kit ofc) but you popped up in my inbox and it made me feel so...welcome. it was really special and you continue to make me feel seen and included.

i love how passionate you are about film while not being one of those pretentious film people! you just sound so joyful talking about the things you watch and love.

speaking of, your podcast! i love it so much! i’m behind because i kinda want to watch the films you discuss first for the full mary podcast experience! but listening to the first episode made me so stupidly happy. you are so fun and engaging to listen to and your love of film really comes through.

i love how funny you are. like really, you make me laugh at my screen constantly. you’re like a fucking meme and always leave me smiling.

i love how hot summer nights is a part of your personal branding.

i love how you were so easily baited into making a ship with me just because i made a tom holland. truly iconic! but i also love how much you love archie because i love my boy too. and i love him and rosa. they were my first ship with someone that wasn’t daisy or kit so it was pretty special.

i actually love all of your ocs. i get really invested in them from a distance. you just have a way of creating really engaging characters. you know how much i love fliss!! she is my baby!!!

i love u sm u marvel nerd xoxo

#ask #MARY ILY #i don't even know if this is enough #but yes lkdjfldsk #i hope it makes u feel loved like u deserve #mary tag

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prettywordsyouleft · 4 years

Text

Mistletoe Manor: The Epilogues Part 4 (Final)

Genre: 1900′s AU/Romance

Pairings: Park Seo Joon, Bang Yongguk, Brian Kang, Jung Daehyun, Jung Jaehyun, Lee Taeyong x OCs

A/N: Becky ( @noona-clock ) and I wanted to re-visit our magical world of Mistletoe Manor. The series left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, so we really had no choice! We hope you enjoy this extra look into the lives of Cassie, Evie, Joey, and all their friends and family.

Thank you for joining us for this series.

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 // 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 || Epilogues: 1 | 2 // 3 | 4

Stepping outside only to almost fall when Taeyong went rushing by her, calling out apologies along the way, Lydia glanced around herself before looking over to the man now smiling at her. She pointed in the direction of the hasty footman. “Should I ask?”

“No, he is perfectly fine. Or will be,” Seo Joon assured, coming forth to place his arms around Lydia’s waist. Whilst her eyes did pop a little at his gesture, and her head moved to take in all that surrounded them, she did not step away from the embrace either.

“You can only have this for a moment; I actually stepped outside to find someone.”

“Lady Cassandra, by chance?”

Lydia’s lips curled up as she nestled into Seo Joon’s arms. “How do you know everything on my mind?”

“Well, to be fair, I did see my Lady heading down to the field to play with Miss Daisy not long ago so it wasn’t all that hard to piece together the mystery of whom you were in search for.” Seo Joon then pouted. “However, I had hoped it was me.”

“That will have to wait for much later,” Lydia lamented, and she soaked up the moment further before stepping aside. “I feel I am needed by Cassie today.”

Lydia’s suspicions had begun to mount just before the wedding. After serving the Hawthornes for as long as she had, and further knowing she was one of Cassie’s closest and dearest friends, Lydia could tell when she was off. She probably knew more about the eldest daughter of the house than Cassie did of herself and it had worried Lydia of the emotional struggles she seemed to be facing.

And it had her anxious to know if what she was assuming was right or not.

“I will see you later,” Lydia confirmed, stepping up on her toes to brush her lips over Seo Joon’s cheek, the pressing matter of finding Cassie now sending her off across the courtyard towards where Seo Joon had mentioned. Whilst she did not run, her gait quickened the closer she got to the area. And then she came to a stop altogether, watching on from under the trees.

Daisy, Joey’s daughter, was running around flying a kite that her father had constructed earlier in the day. With Joey and Brian off on a walk together, Cassie had offered to take care of their daughter for the afternoon, so Lydia had heard from Grace.

Cassie soon joined in with Daisy’s energy, laughing as they both ran about the field, watching the kite soar higher towards the heavens. Lydia smiled, wishing she somehow could capture the moment for Daehyun to see. She was certain he would be as fond of it as Lydia was.

However, Cassie soon stopped, her hands both moving to her forehead and stomach respectively. Dashing across the field, Lydia reached out for her friend. “My Lady, are you faint?!”

“Yes, just a bit,” Cassie breathed, dropping her hand from her head to take the one her lady’s maid offered her. Lydia gently guided her down to the ground, ensuring Cassie was comfortable before sitting next to her.

Daisy came running over as well, looking on curiously. “Shall I fly it alone now?”

“If you could, my love. I will be up as soon as I feel better!” Cassie called energetically; however, Lydia could see the fatigue in her friend’s face.

“You will do nothing of the sort; you need your bed more than anything.”

“The fresh air is doing me good,” Cassie retorted, her gaze unyielding from the child dashing around. “She reminds me of Joey so much. Is it not uncanny that this child was born by another and yet could fool anyone that she was Joey’s child entirely?”

“Some children come to find their truest family in ways as Daisy has.”

“I envy Joey a great deal with how easy it has been for her to become a mother. Why, for all the impractical sides of my sister, she is remarkable with Daisy. I’ve never seen her so attentive in my entire life.”

“Your sisters learned from your guidance all these years.”

Cassie shook her head. “No, her maternal instinct was there all along. She’s lucky.”

“Why, are you worried you are not nearly as ready?” Lydia asked, watching as Cassie’s focus finally found hers. So, her suspicion was correct. Lydia clasped her hands around Cassie’s and shook it repeatedly. “Why suffer in silence?!”

“When I finally realised that I was with child, it was far too close to Evie’s wedding. It was a time all about her; I couldn’t just announce it then.”

“Still, you have Daehyun, you have me! Why not share your news with us?”

“I worried so much about it all. I can’t be that far along and I was plagued with the mindset of what if the child and I do not mix? I couldn’t fathom telling Daehyun until I was sure.”

“And you’re certain now?”

Cassie nodded. “I feel her, as strange as that may sound. I can tell she is there and growing every day.”

“She?” Lydia repeated with a smile, nudging her friend. “Well, if it is to go anything such as yourself, another daughter would be fitting in this household.”

“I wouldn’t know what to do with anything else,” Cassie agreed with a gentle laugh. “All I have known are sisters my entire life. However, if I were to have a son as handsome as his father, I would be absolutely besotted.”

Lydia grinned, shaking Cassie’s arm again. “Oh, you must tell him!”

“I will. I should.” Cassie’s smile faded, falling perplexed once more. “He will be happy, of course.”

“Do you believe he doesn’t want a child yet?”

“There was some talk recently between his family. They were going to ask of his return for some months to his home. He seems concerned about his father’s health. It’s all very poor timing.”

“No, you mustn’t think like this. How often have you put everyone before yourself, Cassandra?” A small smile formed on her friend’s lips. “You only ever call me that when you plan on scolding me.”

“Then listen to me carefully,” Lydia announced, shifting so she was in front of Cassie. “This is wonderful news. Your sisters have both gotten married and the next generation is growing healthily within you. Mistletoe Manor will be filled with joyous cries in the near future. And you, my dear, are the one who will be at the forefront of it all. It is now about you. Please stop concerning yourself of what everyone else is doing, and focus on what your body is trying to achieve.”

“Mother will go into overdrive, surely,” Cassie breathed, looking rather aghast. The pair then giggled together before Cassie moved to hug Lydia tightly. “You will be at my side, won’t you? I don’t know how else I will get through all these emotions of mine.”

“Oh Cassie, there’s no place I would rather be.”

It had taken a lot more effort than Anna expected to convince Taeyong to leave the manor with her the next morning. Whilst he had not been standoffish towards her, he was definitely silent and that left her unsure of what to say or do for the first time since meeting him. And so, she spent most of the walk darting her attention to his face often, wondering if she stared enough at the man, he would somehow give her answers to why she felt this uneasy around him. She continued to stare at him as they walked along the path towards the lake, blinking rapidly when he finally caught her doing so. She smiled. “I was admiring the view.”

“Does it compel you to like it?”

“Very much so,” she confirmed, and Taeyong smiled gently, swinging the basket he held onto a little more freely.

After their dispute in the cellar, Anna had struggled to deal with the emotions that overwhelmed her. Of course, she knew the man to be more of a dreamer than she, however, she had not once allowed herself to contemplate that he had a world inside his mind that involved her in it. Even after all the months of endless bickering and then the kissing in corridors and closets to make up for it, it all felt surreal to her.

She wasn’t used to having someone to call her own.

When they finally reached the lake, Anna had to blink several times for it to come into view, her thoughts pressing down on her vision otherwise. Taeyong had already set up the blanket he had under his arm and placed the basket down upon it.

He was too efficient, she decided.

“Will you take a seat?” he offered and she nodded, accepting the hand he offered to help her down before sitting next to her. The shared meal was quiet, awkward even. Anna had so much to tell him, that she knew was overdue in being spoken of, and yet the words sat too far back in her mouth, unable to leave it.

She feared his response more than anything.

Taeyong cleared his throat after he was done eating and attempted another of his smiles. That didn’t even reach his eyes, she noticed sadly, picking at the bread left within her lap.

“Anna, I must apologise for the other day,” he stated and she frowned, watching as the wall he had up seemed to crumble in front of her. “You see, it was wrong of me to-”

“No.”

“No, you listen, please. Just this once. I have been working up the courage thus far and if I do not say my piece, I wonder if I will lose it entirely,” Taeyong breathed out, wringing his hands together. “I got carried away. My feelings for you, whilst vast, may be burdensome and-”

“No, they are not,” she cut in a second time and Taeyong whined.

“Will you let me finish?!”

“I do not wish to hear an apology. There is nothing to apologise for.”

“Well, I happen to think differently about the matter!”

“I have no one aside from you, Taeyong,” she blurted out, darting her vulnerable gaze down before he caught it. “I was abandoned at a young age and all I have done with my life has been on the back of my hard efforts. I have never relied on anyone to help me and I dislike when people do.”

“That does explain a lot,” he mentioned simply and Anna smiled.

“Having you like me and then experiencing this feeling within my chest over you, it hasn’t come easy. Some days I feel as if you are a dream and one day I will wake up and you will no longer exist at all.”

“The feeling you experience is called love.”

“Is it?”

He nodded. “If it is the same as what I hold for you, then yes. It’s love.”

“Love scares me. Frankly, you scare me.”

“The feeling is mutual,” he replied and Anna groaned.

“I am trying to be serious.”

“And I am listening, honestly.”

“I told myself I would never marry. I never needed it, wanted it. Lord, I could do with a whole lot more in life than a husband.” Taeyong’s smile faded and Anna reached out to make sure he would not frown instead. She inhaled a shaky breath. “You might be the most intolerable man I have ever met-”

“That was my line when I confessed to you,” Taeyong pointed out cheekily and Anna rolled her eyes.

“However, do know that you are the only man I will ever want. I trust that you will be there to hold my hand even when I do not wish for it.”

“If I am holding your hand, then…”

Anna nodded, leaning in to kiss him softly. “I will marry you when the time is right.”

“You will?”

“I expect a proposal, though not with petals all over the floor again.”

Taeyong grinned. “I have other ideas.”

“There is no stopping you, is there?” she grumbled, though inwardly, she was excited. Anna felt as if she had finally found someone who she wanted to keep, someone who she would eventually call her own.

Looking up at the large doors before him, Daehyun thought back to the time he had first entered this room. He was determined to see Cassie that fateful evening, ready to confess all about his love for her. She had surprised him with as much endearment and from that moment on, Daehyun was convinced he would never face another moment of doubt over his love for his wife.

However, lately she had pulled away, detached herself from his loving embrace and he was at a complete loss of what to do.

Nodding firmly in his decision, he pushed open the door to the library and stepped inside, startling the entangled pair on the very spot he had once sat that evening with Cassie. Daehyun coughed a little and turned to give the newlyweds their privacy to find some decency. He knew it all very well, the bountiful passion and insatiable touch that came from having someone as his own. Still, he couldn’t help but smirk at the concept of finding his usually very reserved, astute best friend in such a predicament.

“This is rather awkward.”

“Hardly, I understand it very well my friend,” Daehyun shot back amusedly, listening as the shuffling about subsided. “I am certain when you move on to your home that you will find yourself grow bored of losing such risky opportunities.”

“Shall I leave you both to it?” Evie breathed, evidently flushed even if Daehyun still had his back to her.

Finally, he turned, shaking his head and approached the couple. “Please, I ask for your assistance instead.”

“With what?” Yongguk questioned, examining Daehyun’s face for the answer.

“It is about my wife,” he started, letting out a long sigh and rubbed at his face. “She has been rather secretive lately about how she feels and even if I ask her outright, she avoids me.”

“She seems to be internalising something indeed,” Evie replied, nodding softly. “I passed her by earlier and she covered her mouth and ran off when I asked…”

“Asked?” both men repeated, Evie’s eyebrows joining together as she thought over what the issue might be. Evie shook her head to dismiss further explanation.

“Do you think she is upset with me because we did not join hands naturally for love but an arranged marriage? I am sure you both know how fond I am of Cassie-”

“I spent many a month with you, my friend. There is no one on this Earth who loves their wife as much as you do.” Evie glanced up at her new husband and Yongguk smiled sweetly. “Apart from us, of course.”

“Of course,” she giggled, beaming with satisfaction.

Their evident bliss only dampened Daehyun’s mood further. “I miss this. I miss that she would cherish every moment together. I am certain it is around the wedding. It must have brought back ill memories from her own experience.”

Evie lowered her head. “She was rather unhappy at the time, even if she did not admit it outwardly. She has always felt obligated as the eldest to fulfil some sense of a duty to this family. I never understood why. She is rather opinionated and full of wonderful ideas that so often never come out when they should.”

“Do you think I should propose again? This time, full of my love for her?”

“Another wedding?” Yongguk wondered, looking towards Evie who seemed to light up.

“There has already been one and rather, I would just appreciate doing it all over intimately. With Cassie and our closest of family.”

“How romantic!” Evie gushed, nodding in answer. “Shall we help you propose before we set off for our new home?”

“Would you? You both leave next week, do we have enough time?”

“Surely all you need is a moment alone with her, how hard can that be?”

Evie shook her head at Yongguk’s simple answer, reaching forward to take Daehyun’s hand. “I will help you! She will cry, I am certain of it!”

“Well, I do not wish for her to cry, she did an awful lot of that recently,” he admitted sheepishly and Yongguk smirked.

“No, happily of course! Please, after all the help she gave me with my wedding, I want to do this before I leave. Both Joey and I have left her to the manor house now. It would be magical to see her off this way.”

“Then shall we begin to plan it out?!” Daehyun enthused and Evie nodded eagerly.

“I feel I just lost my wife already,” Yongguk stated with a sigh, however it wasn’t long until he too was helping with the plans.

And finally, two days later, everything was prepared. To say Daehyun was nervous was an understatement. He hadn’t slept a wink the night before and was thankful that lately Cassie had been fatigued with her condition, watching her sleep beside him soundly all night long. He couldn’t wait to uplift her mood with what he hoped would be the best gesture of his love for her yet.

Still, much as he had been on his wedding day, he was entirely worried he would mess things up.

“I will bring her to you as soon as we find her,” Evie told him, giving a warm squeeze to his shoulder. “Joey is off doing just that right now.”

Of course, it wasn’t long until the plan had become a family affair, both sisters weighing in on how Daehyun should propose again until both Brian and Yongguk had pulled them aside and told him to do what felt strongly within his heart.

All Daehyun wanted to do was express his endless adoration for Cassie.

Nodding in response as his tongue felt too dry to speak with, Daehyun departed for his spot in the garden, smiling nervously at Grace and Jaehyun who were waiting under the trees nearby.

He worked on swallowing slowly, breathing in and out, and chanting the words over in his mind that he wished to utter.

And when he thought all was a lost cause and was about to call it off, he spotted the three sisters walking together towards him, Joey and Evie pointing him out and dashing away from Cassie’s side. Walking the rest of the distance to him alone, Cassie frowned.

“Why do I feel as though I am being left in the dark by something?”

“My dear, would you like to sit?” Daehyun offered and then shook his head, waving a hand to dismiss that thought. “Actually, please stay standing.”

“Whatever is the matter?” she pressed, her eyes filling with concern.

Daehyun scolded himself inwardly to pull himself together. “I noticed lately how you have been and it has prompted me to change that.”

“Oh darling, I need to talk to you about that.”

Nodding quickly, Daehyun took her hands in his shaking ones and smiled. “I have no idea why I am nervous right now.”

“Has something terrible happened?”

“No, something wonderful has happened to me. You see, I know we both spoke our feelings out when we met again at Christmas, and I do still believe that you love me just as much as you did then. But I must confess, it has troubled me for some time that it hasn’t been spoken between us from the start.”

“I admit I am not following you.”

“I love you. I love everything about you, from the way that you laugh and that little stern expression you pull when you are annoyed. I adore how the light shines in your eyes when you’re deliriously happy. I admire your ability to care for so many people genuinely and how honest you can be with me even if the subject is most difficult.”

Cassie burst into tears then, trying to pull her hands out of his. “I haven’t been as honest as I usually am.”

“We will face moments where it is hard to express ourselves but-”

“Daehyun, I am sorry to cut you off right here, but I really must talk with you.”

“Right now?” She nodded. “Cassandra, I am in the middle of proposing, albeit very laboriously, to you again.”

“You… what did you just say?”

“I wished to try and cheer you up because I was certain you were feeling miserable over the-”

“I am not unhappy, I assure you!” she exclaimed, shaking her head as the tears continued to fall.

“But… I was so sure-”

“I am simply dealing with much greater news and it has taken a toll on me.” Glancing at the others in the distance, Cassie then stepped closer to him, her eyes wide with emotion.

“What, what news?”

“I am with child,” she confessed quietly, chewing on her bottom lip as she waited for his response.

“You’re… pregnant?” he breathed, his gaze falling to her waist as she started to nod repeatedly. “You’re pregnant?!”

“Cassie’s what?!” Joey screamed, rushing forward as Daehyun scooped her up in his arms, swirling them around as his world grew brighter.

Daehyun hadn’t once stopped to think that this would be the reason and yet, now that he thought about it, everything fell into place. He couldn’t even hear the voices around him all congratulating the pair once he set Cassie back on her feet, the jostling dull as he merely stared back at his wife. Cassie held his gaze intensely until she started to laugh, pushing herself forward into his open embrace.

The news of her pregnancy travelled fast and Mistletoe Manor was thrust into further celebration. Although Cassie was relieved to share the news with those she loved, she was already weary from the endless visits to check up on her condition from her mother especially. She loved her terribly and knew she meant well, but it had been such a whirlwind that she was grateful for the quiet moments where she could feign needing rest and everyone would leave her immediately.

Except for Daehyun, that is.

“Do you think our child will have your hair colour or mine?” he wondered as they lay together in bed, his hand running up and down her arm gently. “What about my eyes or yours?”

“I hope they have my hair and your eyes.”

“Why? Your eyes are the loveliest I have ever seen!”

Cassie turned to face her husband and smiled at him. “Still, your eyes are warm and endlessly deep. I always get caught up in staring at them.”

“Then you mustn’t blink once whilst you do,” he teased, brushing the hair away from her face affectionately. “I love you.”

“And I love you. I cannot believe you thought I was miserable all because of how we started!”

Daehyun pointed at her sternly. “You left me with little understanding of how you felt, what was I meant to think?”

“I adore that you went to propose again.”

“And I would do it all over again to ensure you know I love you every single day.”

“Our child will be spoiled by that love of yours,” she countered and Daehyun grinned, kissing her temples softly.

“Is that such a bad thing?”

“No, I guess there are far worse things to face.”

“Such as Evie leaving later today?”

Cassie sighed heavily. Although she was excited about her sister’s new home, she had to admit that it did sadden her to be apart like this. Of course, she could write to her sister often and Evie and Yongguk assured they would return for the birth of her firstborn. It wasn’t like Joey leaving home, however. At least, Cassie could visit her whenever she pleased. Evie would be a great distance away.

Sitting up, Cassie patted Daehyun’s arm lightly. “I wish to go spend time with her.”

“Then let me help you get ready to do so.”

“I can still dress myself! Contrary to all belief; I am not yet incapable in my current state.”

“I know, but at least allow me the opportunity to,” he murmured, leaving kisses upon her neck lovingly.

It took longer than she anticipated, but Cassie eventually ended up walking outside with a sister on either side of her. Joey giggled. “It’s just like the old times.”

“How many walks do you think we have taken around this property?” Evie asked and Cassie smiled.

“Enough for our footprints to forever remain embedded in it.”

“Let us not be sombre, it’s not as if we won’t see each other again!”

Evie nodded. “Joey is right. I already have plans for my return. And when everything is settled, I am looking forward to hosting you all at my new home.”

“I hear it is even larger than Mistletoe Manor,” Cassie breathed and Evie looked a little faint.

“All I know is that Yongguk will never be too far from my side and so it won’t ever feel imposing.”

“That and he promised you a library all for yourself, did he not?” Joey pointed out gleefully, in which Evie beamed over immediately. “You won’t even know what the rest of the house looks like.”

“Regardless of where we all live, do know each of you always has a home here.”

“Oh, Cassie, don’t cry!”

“It’s the pregnancy, nothing sentimental, I promise!”

“If she continues to cry, I will begin blubbering before I even leave the house,” Evie whined and Joey reached hastily to wipe away the tears on Cassie’s cheeks.

“Honestly! If I ever fall pregnant, I hope I don’t shed a single tear!”

Shooting a watery smile at her youngest sibling, Cassie nudged her. “You won’t know until you are with child.”

“Admittedly, I cried the first night I held Daisy in my arms.”

“Stop it, I don’t want to imagine little versions of Yongguk running around just yet,” Evie implored and the other two squealed, teasing their sister immensely for the idea.

They continued to laugh and cry, mostly on Cassie’s behalf, all the way up until Evie was hugging them goodbye in the courtyard.

“Do write to me as soon as you arrive.”

“Tell us everything!” Joey added on, waving to her sister as Evie climbed into the car beside her husband. The remaining sisters held each other until she was finally out of sight and then Joey kissed Cassie fondly on her cheek, calling for Seo Joon to see if he would give her a ride home in time for dinner.

Surprisingly, standing alone after both her sisters were gone no longer frightened Cassie. She was excited for each of their new journeys. She also knew that no matter where they were, Mistletoe Manor would always welcome them back each time.

Looking up at her home that she was so fond of, Cassie reached for her stomach and held it affectionately.

“It looks like we have a lot ahead of us, little one,” she murmured before stepping inside and shutting the front door behind her.

Cassie knew there would be many more doors to open ahead of them all.

_________________

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thorongil82 · 4 years

Text

Forgotten But Not Gone CH2

Fandom: Pokémon

Chapter: 2/?

Chapter (Cumulative) Word Count: 8,548 (14,179)

Can also be read on AO3 and FFN

Chapter Summary: The invitations have been sent, and Seishi must get their preparations in order.

AN: I'll just address a couple of things: Firstly, I was aware after sending the last chapter that the Frontier Brains in Platinum are the same as the ones in HG/SS. Think it just slipped my mind. But, I'm not rectifying that, and I'll just use some other characters and/or make some OCs to fill those spots. Nothing overly major, just addressing my mistake.

Also, fair warning, a decent amount of this chapter is going to be exposition. And it's a longer chapter. Mainly we'll be going over some stuff for the tournament, along with characters appearing in the story. However, you will get your first look at all the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members of Seishi, along with the Champion. There's also another new character in as well. I'll leave a list for them at the end.

Well, that should be it. So, read on, and enjoy!

-----

“Now, Starmie, finish it with Water Pulse!” orders a female trainer with honey-orange hair, wearing a white and blue trimmed one-piece swimsuit with a light blue jacket thrown over the top.

The purple ten-legged starfish Pokémon crackles in acknowledgement as it leaps up into the air. A solid blue ball of energy forms in front of its shiny red gem, before launching through the air with trail of water spraying out behind it. The aqua orb collides with a flying chestnut brown and white feathered Pokémon arcing round in the air.

“Pi-Pirrrrrr!” the Pokémon cries out as the impact causes an explosion, before it crashes down to the water stage below.

“Pidgeotto is unable to battle!” a woman with long golden flowing hair calls out as the dual Normal-and-Flying type Pokémon lies still on the floating platform atop the pool of water, with spirals in its eyes. She raises her right hand up towards to the red haired trainer and her Starmie. “Starmie is the winner! So the victor is the Cerulean Gym Leader, Misty!”

“Alright!” Misty cheers with a giggle, pumping her fist in the air. “Good job, Starmie.”

The dual Water-and-Psychic Pokémon, rolls round on its legs to face her, its red gem lighting up as it beeps out a reply.

“Good job, Pidgeotto,” her challenger says with a small smile as she pulls out a Pokéball, a red light shooting out from it and engulfing Pidgeotto before it disappears inside. “We'll do better next time.”

The challenger then turns to Misty and bows, as the Gym Leader dives off of her podium into the pool below. She swims over to the other side in the time it takes the other trainer to walk down the stairs for her podium, and gets back out to head over.

“I'm going to go and train some more, and I'll come back another day,” the challenger says.

“Sounds like a plan,” Misty replies as she bundles up some of her hair and rings it out.

“I'll win next time!” she says as she takes off, waving behind her.

“Come back anytime,” Misty calls out as she disappears, before turning to her Starmie. “Why don't you have a swim?”

Starmie beeps out once before rolling into the pool with a splash. With a giggle, she also pulls out two more Pokéballs from her now wet jacket and enlarges them, before releasing a Seaking and a Quagsire into the pool.

“Why don't you both have a nice swim too? You all battled really hard.”

The two let out their own joyous cries before swimming off.

“You've definitely gotten stronger over the years, sis,” the blonde haired judge says as she hobbles over to the Gym Leader, leaning heavily on a crutch held in her right hand, taking the brunt of the weight that would have otherwise been placed on her right leg, also supported by a knee brace and strapping wrapping by the ankle.

“I … I guess,” Misty meekly replies as her eyes dropping down to look at the injured leg before darting away.

“Hey, it's getting better,” she says with a smile, placing a hand on Misty's shoulder. “Slowly but surely, and soon we'll be back to a full trio of Sensational Sisters.”

“Trio? There's four of us, Daisy, not three,” Misty points out, her brow furrowed.

“Hey, I only said you've gotten stronger. There's still a lot more you need to work on before you can even consider being sensational,” Daisy retorts with a wink and a slight poke out of the tip of her tongue.

“And yet I could still beat all three of you,” Misty jabs back with a growl, only for the pair of them to devolve into a fit of giggles.

“There's that fire we love,” Daisy smiles warmly, as they both settle down. “Feeling better?”

“Yeah … thanks, sis.”

“Hey! Misty!” another female voice calls out from direction of the entrance, before a woman looking very similar to both Misty and Daisy, with shiny fuchsia hair with two curly strands hanging down the side of her face, while the rest is scrunched up in a bun at the back, runs in, waving her hand above her head with a letter clenched in her other hand. She's quickly followed in by another similar looking woman, with long flowing indigo hair, who rushes over carrying another crutch in her arms.

“Some guy just came round with a letter for you,” the latter says as she hands the second crutch to Daisy, helping her as she gets her hand through the ring and gripped onto the handle.

“For me?” Misty asks.

“Yeah,” the former answers as she hands the letter over. “Oh, and can you and your Pokémon clear out the pool? Violet and I need to rehearse our routine for our next show.”

“You can wait a little longer until I've read this, Lily!” huffs Misty as she looks over the envelope.

“Hmph! Meanie,” Lily pouts, crossing her arms across her chest and turning her head away in faux anger.

“Come on, Lily, we can let her Pokémon have a bit of a swim,” Violet interjects.

“Fine,” grumbles Lily, “but we better not miss out on a big break because we're under-prepared.”

Misty rolls her eyes and turns the envelope over, her eyes widening slightly at the seal holding the envelope shut. Stamped into the blood red wax is an inscribed Pokéball with a trophy behind it, and a Moltres behind the trophy with flaming wings spread out.

“It's from the Pokémon League,” Misty mutters out loud, just strong enough for all her sisters to hear. “Wonder what they want ...”

-----

In a large room sitting high up in Lumiose City's Prism Tower, a short girl with light blonde hair, braided up at the front ending in a large bun on the left hand side that's bound with a scrunchie designed like a ring of flower petals, with the rest falling down her back to her waist, wearing a crimson jacket tied at the front with an orange ribbon, with a creamy white blouse underneath, and a short black skirt, hops onto the cluttered workbench. Her rose pink satchel bounces next to her as she lands down, the impact jostling a couple of the mechanical components resting on the bench, as she looks at an older glasses wearing man with the same coloured hair, clad in a grimy teal lab coat with a yellow horizontal stripe across the front, looks down at the letter in his hand.

“Come on, Clemont! she whines, ignoring the clattering as a robot looking similar to the man shuffles around the rest of the room, cleaning up the many mechanical components, processors, tools and metallic parts. “What does it say?!”

“I have to open it first, Bonnie,” Clemont mentions as he breaks the seal on the envelope, opening up the letter.

The room falls silent for a moment, save for the clattering caused as Clembot continues shuffling throughout the room, picking out the scattered mess and sorting it apart. Bonnie sighs as she waits for her brother, tapping her fingers against the bench.

“No way!” Clemont suddenly exclaims, causing his sister to jump in shock and fall off the worktable.

“What? What is it?” she asks, the flap on her satchel flipping open as a tiny yellow Pokémon pops its head out, antennae sticking out from the red sacks on its cheeks sparking with electricity.

“De-Ne?”

“The Pokémon Masters League is on this year!” Clemont exclaims, shaking slightly as he looks at her, only to be met with a blank look.

“The what?”

“The Pokémon Masters League! It's a prestigious tournament held every twenty years!” he says, standing up as he starts to pace around the room.

“Do you know what he's talking about, Dedenne?”

“Ne-nne,” Dedenne replies with the shake of its head.

“Is this some sort of tournament for strong trainers?” Clembot asks as it walks over, the cleaning forgotten as its curiosity is peaked.

“Not just strong trainers! It's for the strongest of the strongest!”

“Awesome!” Bonnie shouts as Clemont's words finally seem to hit home. “Of course they'd invite you if they were after the strongest trainers in the world. They'd be fools not to invite the Light of Lumiose City.”

“Well, some people, like Gym Leaders, automatically qualify for the tournament,” Clemont chuckles as he rubs the back of his neck.

“Well, even if they didn't, you'd still qualify with flying colours, I'm sure of it,” Bonnie insists, accompanied by a nod from Clembot.

“Indeed, sir. You're certainly one of the finest battlers I've ever seen.”

“Oh, I don't know about that …”

-----

“Remind me what I'm doing here?” a woman, with a long jet black ponytail with violet highlights in her hairline, down the right side of her hair, and the tip of her ponytail, asks as she looks towards the other two women sitting at their round table placed outside a café in Viridian City.

The woman who had asked the question is dressed in a plain white sleeveless shirt and a pair of black jeans held up with a worn brown leather belt. The woman to her left has sweeping shoulder length charcoal black hair that curls out at the base of her neck, while wearing a spaghetti string tank top that bares her lean midriff, a pair of long clean white pants, and a pair of thick and weighty looking black and glowing seafoam green bracelets on her wrists. The pale skinned woman to her right has rounded black hair, with cut bangs held back by a cherry red headband, and is wrapped up in a dandelion yellow kimono with tangerine maple leaves falling around the trim, tied off with a cherry red obi.

“I figured you wouldn't have heard about this,” the woman to her left explains. “It's only this time that your home region has been included in the festivities.”

“Along with Alola,” the kimono wearing woman adds, blinking as if she had just woken up before sighing and slumping back in her seat.

“Yes, but that's to be expected, as both regions didn't have a league during the last tournament. And it's being held in Seishi. So, maybe you could give us an idea of what your home is like, Jade?”

“No idea,” Jade sighs as she takes a sip from the cup of tea in front of her. “Left five years ago, haven't been back. Could have changed a lot.”

“Now why don't I believe you?” the tank top wearing woman asks, crossing her legs over one another, pressing her elbow onto the top leg and placing her hand under her chin.

“Because you can't trust anything that hasn't been checked by your powers?” Jade jabs back with a raised eyebrow, getting a smirk in response. “Besides, why don't you just use your powers to look into the future, Miss Psychic Mistress?”

“My foresight ability is somewhat limited,” she explains. “Besides, more fun to have things happen without knowing it beforehand.”

“Whatever. Why don't you start your history lesson that you've worked so hard on before we …?”

Both look over to their kimono wearing companion, who appears to be looking off vacantly, her gaze locked onto a point somewhere near the tank top wearing woman. Jade sighs as she leans back in her seat.

“Too late. We've lost her.”

“Erika, is something the matter?” the tank top wearer questions.

“... Huh? O-Oh, no, sorry,” the kimono clad woman absently answers as she shakes herself back to reality, her eyes losing their glassy sheen and returning to focus. “I'm just still a bit amazed by your wardrobe change, Sabrina.”

The sudden confession has the table quiet for a beat before a snort comes from Jade, followed by an almost unnoticeable curl of the corners of her mouth. The Saffron City Gym Leader, on the other hand, just looks at her Celadon City counterpart with a deadpan expression.

“I mean, before you used to dress up so conservatively,” Erika continues on, oblivious to the reactions of her fellow Gym Leaders as her voice gains a cheery mirth. “But now you look so cute and casual. And you even freshened your hair up. It really does suit this 'Psychic Mistress' image you've been showing off now.”

“L-Look, can we just get back on track with the Masters League, instead of focusing on my … complete … style … change …” Sabrina manages to strangle out, folding her arms over her exposed midriff and turning her head away, a light rosy tint dusting across her cheeks.

“I'm sure you've gotten a lot more attention thanks to this too,” Erika continues on, showing no sign that she had heard Sabrina's suggestion. “I must say, it's nice to see how much you've … grown … up …”

Erika's voice trails as she feels a hand on her left shoulder. She turns to her left, finding nothing there save for the disconnected floating purple hand lingering on her shoulder. Her skin manages to get even paler as a strained whimper sounds out from the back of her throat.

“HAUNTER!!!” a voice bellows from her other side, causing her to shriek and jump out of her seat, falling on the ground. Sabrina, despite trying to keep it smothered with her hand, lets a little giggle escape through her fingers at Haunter's antics, while the Ghost Pokémon laughs loudly at the result of its joke.

“O-Okay, please continue,” Erika says a little shakily as she gets back into her chair, dusting off her kimono.

“So, you both know how if a challenger beats all the Gym Leaders and wins that region's conference that they're allowed to enter the Champions League to take on the Elite Four and the Champion?”

“Is that meant to be a shot at me?” Jade asks with a glare.

“Not at all, just where I'm starting,” Sabrina mentions, unperturbed by the sharp glare burning onto her skin.

“Right …”

“Well, the Pokémon League wanted to give other trainers a chance to become a Pokémon Master if they competed well enough across different conferences. Their reasoning was that just because a trainer won a conference didn't automatically make them the strongest trainer overall, nor did it mean that if you finished in the Top 4 that you were one of the four strongest trainers competing."

“So, sixty years ago, the first Masters League was created,” Jade intervenes with a bored tone, getting a look from Sabrina. “To prove which trainers were the strongest of the strong, the Gym Leaders from all competing regions, along with the Elite Four members and the Champions, would be thrown into the mix along with the trainers that had won conferences, trainers that had consistently proven themselves in multiple conferences, and others who were recognised to be powerful trainers in their own right by a selecting committee. Every twenty years the event is held, in a different region, and the winner has the right to be known as the greatest Pokémon Master in the world.”

“So, you do know all about it,” Sabrina says.

“Force of habit,” Jade replies with a shrug as she takes another drink from her tea.

“Haun Haunter,” Haunter moans, holding out a flower to Erika as it looks down to the floor.

“Oh, is this for me, Haunter?” she asks.

“Haunter,” the Gas Pokémon nods.

“How sweet,” Erika smiles and reaches out for the flower, only to let out a shriek as the flower opens up and sprays a stream of water out into her face.

“Hau Hau Hau!” Haunter cackles, covering his mouth with his floating hands.

“Haunter,” Sabrina warns sternly.

Haunter continues to cackle wildly at the prank, spiralling around in the air jovially. That is, until it comes to a sudden stop as a cloud of dark flickering purple smoke circulates around it. The gas Pokémon pulls out a handkerchief seemingly from out thin air and starts fanning it out. And yet, the air pushing out does nothing to disperse the spontaneous smoke.

“H-Haun …” Haunter murmurs nervously, head swivelling around as the smoke starts to manifest into ominous spectres of indigo mass and flickering violet flames.

Haunter throws up his hands and starts to float away, only to be followed by the spectres no matter where he goes. Sabrina and Erika both watch this strange sight, as Haunter frantically flies rings through the air with the spectres never losing any ground, before the former looks over towards the Leader of the Viridian City Gym, who is very calmly drinking her tea as if nothing unusual is happening.

“Could you call off your friend?” Sabrina asks.

“No idea what you're talking about,” Jade replies.

-----

“So, this is a tournament for all the strongest trainers in the world, right?” a man with shaggy grape purple hair, dressed in a navy blue and black jacket with a cobalt shirt underneath, and a pair of indigo cargo pants, asks as he looks into a video phone in a Pokémon Centre located in Sinnoh's famed Fight Area.

“That's right,” answers a similar looking man on the other side, his long dark purple hair drawn back into a ponytail, wearing a long sleeved coral shirt with a seafoam green apron over the top.

“So, does that include the Battle Frontier?”

“Well, I don't believe the Battle Frontier was set up when the last tournament took place, though I know Brandon, Palmer and Argenta were invited. They all got pretty far, too.”

The man on the other side of the video call drops his head slightly and pulls up a letter into view of the bottom of the screen, as his eyes read across the page.

“However, they are saying that the Frontier Brains have been invited,” he notes.

“Good, so we get another shot at defeating Brandon.”

“Slow down, Paul,” the man on the screen chuckles as he notes the cold fire burning in his eyes. “There's no guarantee that you'll get matched up with him. And besides, you're challenging Palmer's Battle Tower first, right? If you're too focused on a future battle, you'll end up having more trouble with the battle before it. And Palmer is a trainer you'll want your complete focus on to stand a chance.”

“You didn't tell me you'd faced him before, Reggie,” Paul says, getting a slight chuckle in response.

“Well, this was before I stepped away from battling,” his older brother points out as he rubs the back of his neck, “and I'm certain he's gotten even stronger since then. So watch out.”

“It doesn't matter how strong he is. All that matters is that we beat him.”

“Well, that's certainly one way to think about it,” Reggie says with a sweat drop. “You know, that sounds a lot like something Ash would say, instead of you.”

“Well, if the strongest trainers in the world are going to be competing, then there's no way he'll miss competing in Seishi. I'll get to settle the score with him too.”

“Paul, focus on Palmer first,” Reggie sternly suggests.

“R-Right.”

-----

“Well, Forrest, I hope you've been keeping up with your training on your journey,” a man with dark skin and spiky hair, wearing a white doctor's coat over an orange shirt and brick red pants, says as his squinty eyes over from the letter to the video phone where a similar, if not younger, looking man is being projected to the room full of nine other people – six male and three female – who look virtually identical, save for the differences in hair colour and the hairstyles of the women, and another woman with a fairer complexion and wider eyes who is sitting on the arm rest of a recliner next to the eldest in the room, with wrinkles on his face and dark grey hair.

“Of course I have, Brock …” Forrest starts, “but I'm not sure if I'll compete.”

“What are you talking about?!” Brock says as he jumps out of his seat, the letter crumpling slightly in his hand. “This is a great honour!”

“Well, it's just, I've been on my journey to find what it is I want to do,” Forrest explains. “I'm not sure if I have that answer yet, and I don't think it's fair for me to represent the Pewter Gym if I'm not committed to being the Gym Leader right now.”

“Well, what do we do?” one of the girls, with her spiky chocolate brown hair pulled back into a shaggy ponytail.

“Personally, I think you should represent the gym, Brock,” Forrest suggests.

“Me?”

“Why not?” the male of the youngest twins, Billy, speaks up. “Forrest took over while you were away, and then when you were studying.”

“Yeah, and you were the one that took over when Forrest left for his journey,” the other twin, Tilly, continues on, tilting her head at the eldest of the Harrison children.

“Not to mention that he went on his journey because you suggested it, dear,” Lola, the mother and the most unique looking person in the room, adds on.

“By all rights, you're still the Pewter Gym Leader,” Forrest finishes.

“Except that you're still the official Leader, in the League's eyes,” Brock retorts to his brother. “We put in that transfer when I went off to study to be a doctor.”

“That won't be a problem,” Flint, the older man and father of the large family, speaks up.

“What do you mean, Dad?”

“If you keep reading, a ruling is that if anyone holding a position with the Pokémon League is unable to compete, they can nominate a substitute if they're deemed to be strong enough,” the Harrison father explains. “It's only been used twice in the three times the Masters League has been held, but it is possible. But even then, we wouldn't need to use that rule.”

“Why not?” Brock asks, his brow furrowing in confusion, along with several of his siblings.

“Why don't you take another look at that envelope, Brock?” his mother suggests. Brock nods and takes up the opened envelope that he left face down on the table in the middle of the room, before turning it over.

“It's addressed to me?” Brock reads, his brow rising as his eyes widen ever so slightly.

“Dad and I put in a request to make you the official Gym Leader while I was away,” Forrest explains.

“You both did that?!” the Pokémon doctor asks, getting a nod from both his father and brother. “And when were you going to tell me?!”

“It wouldn't have changed anything,” Flint defends. “Even without knowing it, you've still ran the gym as if you were official.”

“And you're a far stronger trainer than I am,” Forrest adds on. “I'd much rather have you representing us all than myself.”

“Hmm …” Brock sighs as he sits down, losing himself in thought.

“Well, Brock, what do you say? Are you going to accept the invitation?”

-----

“Hey, Dad, does it say what a trainer has to do to qualify?” a teenage boy with combed pine green hair, wearing an emerald green jacket with a beige undershirt, and grey shorts, asks, glancing over through his glasses at the man sitting down on a blue couch, while he keeps brushing the white fur of the Vigaroth sleeping in front of it.

“Well, Max, trainers don't qualify, in that sense,” the father, a man with short pebble black hair, dressed in a crimson red jacket with a soot black trim, and denim blue jeans, explains, an arm draped across the back of the couch. “The only real way to qualify is to win a conference. Beyond that, it's really down to the committee overseeing the selections for each region.”

“But they must have some way to determine who is the strongest, right?” a woman sitting in a matching blue recliner asks. She's dressed in a sleeveless tangerine tunic with a large folded black collar, a long white stripe down the front and two white pockets on her hips, along with a pair of slim black cycling shorts and a mint green pack strapped round her waist. She also has a pair of white gloves with black fingers and a pair of black wristbands with a green stripe going round, while her bronze brown hair – parted into two tails – is wrapped up in a mint green and snow white bandanna.

“In a way,” he replies. “There are certain conditions that are recommended for trainers to have met.”

“... and they are?” she asks, the two children looking towards their father, the Petalburg City Gym Leader Norman.

“Well, beyond winning a conference, it's recommended you finish within the Top 2 twice in a row, the Top 4 on four consecutive occasions, the Top 8 six times in a row, or the Top 16 on eight consecutive occasions,” Norman explains. “Beyond that, there can be other factors taken into account, such as the amount of conferences you've competed in, the trainers you lost to in a conference, and when you started out.”

“Guess I didn't make the cut then,” Max mopes, his entire posture slumping forwards dejectedly. “I only finished four times in the Top 16, from five conferences, and my best was a Top 8 finish in Kanto and Unova.”

“Well, you could still get in,” his sister says brightly, trying to encourage him. “You've only been in five conferences, remember? And you've been eliminated by a runner up and a winner as well. That could be taken into your consideration.”

“Maybe …” he mumbles, keeping his eyes on the floor and definitely away from Norman, fearing any possible expression that could cross his face. Max jolts up a little as he suddenly feels a hand rest on his shoulder, looking over to see the hand belonging to his sister.

“I'm sure it's just late, 'kay?” she says with a smile and a wink, hiding her other slightly shaking hand hidden behind her back.

“Yeah … Yeah!” Max pipes up cheerfully, his spirits raising by the second. He hums for a second, before pausing and looking over at his father. “Hey, Dad? There's something else I'm not sure about.”

“What is it, Max?”

“Well … I get why you got an invitation, seeing as you're a Gym Leader. But …”

He turns and looks over to the second opened letter in the room, a letter which both his sister and father's eyes are drawn to. A letter that was placed down in front of where his sister had been sitting.

“... do you know why May got an invite as well?”

-----

“It says that they're also considering and inviting coordinators that have fit the same recommendations in Grand Festivals as other strong trainers in Conference Leagues,” a messy orange-red haired woman reads off of a letter, dressed in a magenta woolly jumper with an orange vest over the top, with a faded pair of jeans on her legs. A pair of thin rimmed sunglasses sits atop her head, while around her left wrist is a bubblegum pink Pokétch with a white strap. A Glameow lies on her lap, softly purring away contently as it receives some small scratches from her trainer.

“Huh … I wonder why …” another woman ponders as she looks at her own letter. This one has long royal blue hair tucked within a pearl white beanie with a pink Pokéball print on the front. She wears a black v-neck tank top, with a white shirt underneath, and a pink mini skirt. Wrapped around her right wrist is a thin bracelet, along with a Pokétch on her left wrist identical to her friend's.

“I would guess it has to do with determining what makes a powerful trainer,” a third woman says as she walks in, holding a tray filled with cookies, a steaming tea pot and three tea cups. The third woman, quite a few years older than the other two, though not looking it, has a large round bob of royal blue hair held in place thanks to a red hair clip. She wears a white shirt with long sleeves, with a peach and red apron tied around her waist, and a pair of aegean blue capris underneath.

“Really, mum?” the second of the women asks as the latter sets down the tea set.

“Well, who's to say that a Coordinator can't be a strong trainer?” the mother responds as she starts to pour out cups of tea for the three of them. “In the past, it was kept to trainers who were competing in regional conferences to be invited to the Masters League.”

“But now, they're realising that a Coordinator can be just as strong a trainer as anyone else,” the first woman finishes as she catches on to the mother's point.

“Yeah, but our battles aren't necessarily about just knocking out our opponents,” the second interjects as she takes the cup of tea that's offered to her.

“That just means you have a different battling style to the rest,” the mother replies as she hands off another cup of tea, before taking the last cup and sitting down in a nice plush chair.

“Thanks, Johanna,” the first woman offers with a nod as she takes a sip of the heated aromatic liquid.

“You're welcome, Zoey,” she hums, before returning to the topic of conversation. “You've come across many trainers with different styles, right Dawn?”

“Yeah, like Nando,” Dawn responds brightly, as memories of facing off against the melodic Pokémon Bard come to mind.

“You see?”

“Plus you shouldn't forget Fantina,” Zoey points out. “She was a Top Coordinator before becoming a Gym Leader, and yet she still battles like she's in a Contest.”

“And then there's Wallace, someone who's both a Pokémon Champion and Top Coordinator,” Johanna adds. “Think of it this way, a trainer that takes on the gyms are more likely to focus on the strength of their Pokémon and the power of their moves. A Coordinator on the other hand showcases their Pokémon however they can. That includes utilising and redirecting their opponents moves.”

“Along with also working through different combinations!” Dawn finishes. “Yeah! We are totally going to have this!”

“Calm down, Dawn,” Johanna warns. “That doesn't mean you'll find it any easier. That just means you need to stick to you and your Pokémon's style, just like any other battle.”

“No need to worry, mum,” Dawn comments, brushing off her mother's cautions. “My Pokémon and I will be careful.”

“And what do I do when you tell me not to worry?”

Zoey lets out a good natured chuckle at Johanna's stern remark, along with the sulking pout in response from Dawn. She gives her Glameow another gentle rub, a warm smile crossing her face, before disappearing as a question comes to mind.

“Hey, Johanna? Have you been invited? You are a Top Coordinator, after all.”

“Oh yeah, it would be really cool to see you in action, mum,” Dawn jumps in excitedly.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't received an invitation,” Johanna answers. “Truthfully, the last time I competed was before the last Champions League. They're probably limiting it to results in the last twenty years.”

“Aww …” Dawn expresses with a hint of disappointment, before her appearance suddenly hardens as her eyes dart to the ground.

“Dawn?” Zoey says, noticing her friend's glum look.

“Oh, it's nothing,” she replies, plastering on a wide smile that doesn't seem to reach her eyes. “No need to worry.”

Zoey raises an eyebrow at her remark, which freezes her faux cheeriness. Dawn's fake smile shrinks down to a small curl of her lips, as her flickering eyes stare down at the cup of tea in her hands.

“Right, sorry,” Dawn softly apologises. “I was just wondering if Ash will be there …”

-----

Following in through a hidden winding passage on the southern face of Mt Daybreak in Seishi, a large room opens up from within the craggy walls – a secret hideout for the Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and the Champion of Seishi. The concealed tunnel morphs into a wide space hollowed out from the mountainside, showcasing a fully furnished area that could easily become someone's living space if they so desired. Smooth polished marble coats the floors, small flame lanterns hang from the cracked, craggy walls, while a couple of large globe lights dangle down from the tall ceiling.

In the middle of the chamber is a large fire pit, currently crackling away with a warm blaze, with a wide venting shaft hanging above that funnels any smoke out of the room. Seated around the flames are two large curved white velvet couches – one on the right and one directly opposite on the left – with eight people currently sitting on the furniture. Beyond, the far wall falls away to an open view of a roaring waterfall, with small vapour droplets gently spraying back into the room. Through the opening sunlight cascades in from a cavernous sinkhole, flooding half of the room in a shimmering light that dances against the golden flickering glow of the flames. Off to the right of the lounge area is a large oak dining table with ten chairs placed around it, while beyond that is a fully equipped kitchen, the surfaces sculpted in black slate, bright white quartz and handcrafted mahogany wood.

Seated on the couch on the right is Lillith, the Ice type Gym Leader; a woman with scarlet red hair pulled back into a ponytail, with strands falling around the side of her face. Her legs, clad in a form hugging pair of black pants, are crossed one over the other in front of her, while a big warm furry coat covers her torso.

To her right is Kai, the Fire type Gym Leader. He is currently slumped on the couch, with his lanky form allowing his head to still rest on top the back, allowing his eyes to stare straight up at the ceiling. His messy midnight blue hair cascades over his eyes and draws level with his nose, with little hints of electric blue roots poking through the fringe. He has on a loose white button up t-shirt, though the top three buttons are left undone, with a flame patterned tie hung slack around his neck, and a pair of denim jeans that are torn at the knees.

Beyond him is Sheamus, the Grass type member of the Elite Four, dressed in the same worn outfit that he wore during his meeting with the representatives from the Pokémon League and other regions.

Finally, beside him, is Juliette, the Electric type Gym Leader. Her bushy dark emerald hair gently brushes against the top of her shoulders, while a pair of red rimmed glasses sits delicately on her nose. She has a white lab coat – marred by a few scuff marks and holes towards the bottom – draped over a raven black undershirt, with a pair of baggy black cargo pants to match.

Across from them, on the other couch, sits Duncan, the Normal type Gym Leader. He has short fluffy ashen brown hair, while having a white and light grey striped scarf wrapped round his neck. He also has on a thick brown leather jacket over a steel-grey shirt with a white Pokéball print by his left hip – the last third of the design is cut off by the end of the shirt. Completing his look is a pair of black chinos, held up by a thin belt.

To Duncan's left is the Ghost type Gym Leader, Thane. Hunched over, with his pasty pale arms resting on his knees and holding up his head, a pair of sunken eyes stare out at the room through the curtain of raven black hair cascading down in front of his face. He has on a baggy indigo shirt that has had the sleeves torn off at the shoulders, along with several other small holes and tears pierce the fabric. His jet black pants share the same ragged look, having been frayed, torn and tattered all along the pant-length.

Sitting next to him is Alex, the Gym Leader who specialises in both Rock and Ground types. He has spiky dirty brown hair with a matching short scraggly beard running along his jawline, with a pair of slightly dirty goggles sitting amongst his hair. He's wearing a long sleeved khaki shirt – the sleeves having been rolled up to just below his elbows – and a pair of tawny brown cargo pants, both items slightly dusty, while sitting on the ground in front of him is a very large and seemingly bursting sage green backpack. Currently, Alex's head is down looking towards his hands, holding a pen and a small notepad, as he quickly scrawls across the page.

The final member on the couch is the Water specialist of the Elite Four, and Top Coordinator, Hikaru, humming softly to herself as she kicks her legs out ahead of her. Like Sheamus, she is wearing much the same outfit she did upon meeting the other representatives a couple of weeks ago, though she has also thrown on a sky blue hoodie for good measure.

Standing in between the fire pit and the opening looking out to the waterfall is Raphael, Flying type master and Elite Four member. Unlike his meeting with the other representatives, he has forsaken his black skintight undershirt, showing off his muscular arms. Also, this change in attire also shows off the winding runic and tribal-like tattoo crawling up his left arm, similar in design to the pair adorning Sheamus' bulky arms. In his hand is a clipboard that he keeps sneaking tiny glances to as he reports to everyone in the room, going over the information for the tournament and their responsibilities.

High above everyone else as she climbs up the craggy wall, whilst still vaguely listening to the former Champion, is Bridgette, the Fighting type Gym Leader. Her auburn hair is tied back in a braided ponytail that hangs down between her shoulder blades. A thin black tank top clings to her lean, toned torso, while a matching pair of black sweatpants hugs her powerful legs. Her hands, strapped up and chalked, cling to the handholds she's found as her eyes scan for her next opening to manoeuvre herself even higher than she already is.

Sitting alone at the head of large dining table is Ella, the Fairy type Gym Leader. A pale violet hoodie is wrapped around her, with the hood drawn over her head, though peeking through the front can be seen her pixie cut hairstyle containing a blend of golden blonde, sky blue, and rose pink hair. She also has on a pair of faded jeans, with her hands stuffed inside the pockets of her hoodie. Though she is still listening to Raphael's report, it may not appear so, as instead her eyes are following the Pokémon chasing each other around the outfitted chamber; including a Dedenne, a Flabebe, a Litleo, a Frosslass, an Azurill, and a Pikachu.

Leaning beside the entrance to the chamber with her arms folded across her chest is Jeanne, Steel type specialist and member of the Elite Four, keeping a watchful eye over the entire room, along with sending glances towards the pathway beside her, lest someone unexpected comes in. On her other side leaning against the wall is a large greatsword, nearly as tall as Jeanne herself, unsheathed and untouched, yet within reach. Her long flowing fiery red hair spills down her back. Adorning her torso is a plain black tank top, showing off her muscular arms and the scars that litter them, matched by the long scar carved along her right cheek. However, her legs are completely covered in armour plating, with nary an opening to be seen.

Finally, leaning up against the far wall of the room, with the aperture showcasing the waterfall just to his left, is the Champion of Seishi, Aaron. With the wide brimmed hat still tilted over his right eye, and the left side of his face still covered by his bangs, his cloak has been forsaken, instead showing off his storm grey sleeveless tunic and a large amount of strapping and bandages wrapped around his limp left arm. His right hand, still held within his fingerless gem embedded glove, sits against his waist, with the thumb tucked into the waistband of his cargo pants, and a small thin golden band sits further up on his forearm.

“So, you got us all in here just to tell us it's all sorted?” Duncan sighs as Raphael finishes giving them the details over the completed selection process.

“Not at all,” Raphael replies, “We've also got some other things to do.”

From above them on the wall Bridgette lets out a groan as she throws a hand out to her next handhold. “Really? More work?”

“There are times that we do need to get work done,” Juliette points out.

“You're just saying that because your boyfriend's organising it,” Bridgette retorts with a slight strain as she pulls herself higher, the remark getting a bright red hue to coat the Electric type specialist's cheeks.

“Th-That's not true …”

“Now, now, you'll find out that there are times you'll have other priorities than battling,” Sheamus interjects, reaching out a large comforting hand and placing it very gently on the flustered woman's shoulder, while she fidgets with the hem of her coat. “We knew that when we took up positions with the League.”

“Yeah, yeah …” the athletic Fighting type specialist sighs with a roll of her eyes.

“Don't worry, most of what's left for you is just supervising construction for the stadiums and accommodation,” Raphael mentions.

“Just watching over stuff?” Thane drones, his dark eyes slowly shifting over to Raphael who nods in response.

“Yeah, and making sure they aren't damaging the habitats and the wild Pokémon. It shouldn't be too much of a problem – Jameson Inc is handling the construction process.”

“So what do we do?” Lillith speaks up with a sigh. She, like quite a few others, weren't overly fond of meetings that came down to League business, and was getting pretty bored with the affair.

“Mainly we'll be working in shifts, apart from some stuff that still needs a specialist,” he replies. “Alex, you'll be taking care of the buildings being built into Daybreak.”

“Making sure it's not disrupting the energy levels and the structures?” Alex checks as his pen pauses along his page.

“Bingo,” he answers, Alex nodding and quickly returning to his note taking. “Make sure it won't come caving in. And that we can still sneak our way through to our hideouts and our floor without interference.”

Alex's writing hand pauses again. “… You know that one of those things is a lot easier than the other, right?”

“I'm sure you'll manage,” Raphael says, before glancing at his clipboard. “Hikaru's taking care of the contest stages for the Wallace Cup, which will be held over by the lakefront of Crystdrake Castle.”

If someone had just walked in, they wouldn't have guessed that the energy of the room previously was pretty drained as, with that statement, a chorus of voices bellow out their disapproval, to the complete and utter lack of surprise of the former Champion.

“We can't hold it there!” Bridgette shouts down from above, letting go of the wall with one hand so she can lean over and twist her body to look at Raphael. “It's too important!”

“Agreed,” Thane growls, the volume of his voice staying the same, yet gaining a very dark growl. “We cannot sully the spirits of that place.”

“Not entirely what I meant …”

As some in the group continues voicing their concerns, Raphael looks back to Aaron, silently asking if he'd like to intervene. However, the light mirth dancing in the gaze that darts out from the forest of bangs shrouding his eye, coupled with the slight curl of his lips, seems to communicate to Raphael that the Champion has no intentions whatsoever to bail him out of this mess.

“I agree with Bridgette,” Duncan speaks up. “Even without the sentimental reasons you guys have for protecting it, the lakefront there is central to a lot of Pokémon's lives. You just told us to make sure the construction workers aren't damaging the habitats for the wild Pokémon.”

“But it's perfect,” Hikaru objects as she leaps up to her feet. “A contest is a showcase of magnificence, allure and beauty. The water there is perfect for bringing it out. It's so clean!”

“And what about the Pokémon?” Lillith inquires.

“It's an open stage. We won't be building a full stadium. Open top, looking out onto the natural view, and the castle in the background.”

“A ruined castle …” Kai suddenly speaks up, with a dull tone, as he continues to stare up at the ceiling.

“A slightly damaged castle,” Hikaru retorts. “Besides, it's not that bad. You can't say it doesn't look like a gorgeous sight, right?”

Some murmurs of agreement come from the discontent members of their group.

“The stage will be portable, she continues. “We should be able to float it out and bring it back in easily. Enough room to dig, move around, and it'll open up for water performances.”

“Also, we were going to have some Pokémon help out with a barrier around the stage, just like with some of the stadiums,” Raphael adds on. “So, no wayward attacks will hurt the Pokémon living around there.”

“Are you sure the stage will work?” Alex voices.

“Professor Jones believes it will, based on her research,” Hikaru answers. “We should have the proper measures to make it all function perfectly. I was always going to ask Julie to help me there as well, if that'll ease everyone's concerns.”

Juliette suddenly looks up as the multitude of eyes in the room fall on her. She quickly looks back down at her lap, squirming slightly in her seat, before she shyly glances over to Raphael. “… Will it affect the Starlight Festival?”

Raphael shakes his head. “No. The Starlight Festival should be on the night before. We'll float out the stage the morning afterwards.”

“We checked with the lake Pokémon too, and they're on board with it too.” Hikaru adds on.

Juliette takes a moment before nodding. “Okay … I'll help with the stage.”

Hikaru lets out a cheer and hugs Juliette before returning to her seat.

“Stage aside, I'm still not sure about using the lake and the castle,” Jeanne speaks up, stern eyes looking over the rest of the room.

“I should also point out that I heard Governor Daniels was wanting to hold an event their during the tournament,” Raphael mentions, getting everyone to look back at him. “If what I heard is right, he'll even get an outside organisation to handle the restorations if he needs to. If we say we're using that area for the Wallace Cup, then Jameson Inc can handle the touch ups that's needed, and we'll have one of us there to make sure that only what's needed to be repaired in case an event is held is repaired.”

A few murmurs hum around the room as they converse with one another, before they look over at Jeanne. Her eyes float over each of the gazes looking back at her, before she sighs and closes her eyes. “Guess that sounds good enough.”

“Well, with that out of the way, I'll get to the other specialities. Sheamus will be focused on the accommodation on the edges of Shifmier Forest.”

“Are you sure that's a good idea?” Ella suddenly speaks up, having had stayed silent throughout the entire conversation. Everyone looks over at her, while she keeps her head down, watching the Pokémon who were still running around playing with one another, completely unperturbed by the earlier commotion.

“It should be fine, as long as the workers know what's going on and the trainers are told to stay near the tree line,” Sheamus speaks up. “My friends should be wandering through, too.”

“Plus the Protectors could also be on hand to keep an eye on things. Right, Jeanne?” Raphael says, looking across the room at his fellow Elite Four member.

“We could maybe spare a patrol or two over there.”

“Thank ye', lass,” Sheamus thanks with an incline of his head. “It would be a great help.”

Jeanne gives him a small nod in response before turning her head away with a small huff, appearing to an untrained eye to still be keeping an eye on the entrance for any possible intruders. Raphael lets a small smirk cross his lips before he glances back down at his clipboard.

“Finally, I'll be keeping an eye on the construction for the Tyrant's Maw.”

“Sky Battles?” Thane inquires.

“Sky Battles,” Raphael confirms with a nod.

“And what are the rest of us doing?” Duncan asks.

“Jeanne and Aaron will be working on getting the Protectors organised for the tournament, and will be coordinating with our Officer Jennys. The rest of you will be rotating through on different shifts,” Raphael explains. “Mainly, you're just making sure things are going on track. Really, the League just wants to make sure a representative with a position is present, and we'd like to make sure our land is as untouched as possible. Professor Jones is also going to be on call if any complications arise.”

“So, what's going to be happening with the gym challengers?” Lillith questions.

“The Nurse Joys have been asked to direct all new challengers to you first, Lillith. You tend to be the one that gets challenged the most by first timers, so it makes sense. Any of our Nurse Joys will let you know when a new challenger has registered, and when they should get there. From there, we ask that they then notify which gym they'll challenge next. Any expected battles will be worked into the flexible shift rotations.”

An annoyed groan comes from up above, and the group look up as Bridgette lets go of the wall and falls down, landing in a crouch. She then springs back up and claps her hands together, dusting the air in front of her with a cloud of chalk. “Supervising is so boring … Why can't those new challengers come face me first?”

Bridgette moves over to Lillith as she unwraps the strapping on her hands and wrists, before leaning on the couch behind the Ice type Gym Leader.

“Hey Lil'? Wanna battle?” she challenges. “Whoever wins gets any new challengers first.”

Lillith lets out a warm chuckle and stretches her arms out above her head, before placing both hands behind her head and leaning back into them. “Dunno, Bridge, Raph's the one who made all this up. Best you challenge him instead.”

“Come on, I'm not going to beat him!”

“If you're that desperate to do something else, you can help out with the paperwork that needs doing,” Raphael offers with a smirk, getting a frustrated look in response from Bridgette.

“… Supervision it is.” she grumbles, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face with a puff of air.

“Good. Anything other problems?”

His question is met with silence, so Raphael turns around to look at Aaron.

“Anything you want to add, Champ?” Raphael checks, Aaron silently shaking his head in response. “Alright then. Let's get this done, guys.”

-----

AN: So, there we go. A lot of information to be taken in, I'm sure.

Firstly, the list. I'll put it in order that I'd probably have them faced in, if this was a game. It will include name, type specialty, and age.

Gym Leaders:

Lillith - Ice type - 30

Alex - Rock/Ground type (yep, I'm going with a dual type specialist) - 28

Juliette - Electric type - 27

Duncan - Normal type - 26

Thane - Ghost type - 36

Bridgette - Fighting type - 24

Kai - Fire type - 27

Ella - Fairy type - 22

Elite Four and Champion:

Sheamus - Grass type - 44

Hikaru - Water type - 24

Jeanne - Steel type - 26

Raphael - Flying type - 29

Aaron - Various types - 25

So, beyond that, that's pretty much all I think I need to say. Next chapter should be people arriving in Seishi, which will be after a couple of months or so. Unless I decide I need to cover anything in between then.

Until next time, adios!

7 notes · View notes

knybits · 5 years

Text

- ̗̀ peonies, white roses and camellias ̖́-

hoooooooo boy guys youre all in for SUCH a ride :)) this is 5k words long so i broke it up into 2 parts!! also, this was LARGELY inspired off of the flower shop and tattoo parlor au that @thunderandrainclouds wrote (im linking it here!) and i thought “why not just write the au but with all our ocs” LMAOOOOO

she also drew some art, so i hope youll give her art work some love bc it LITERALLY SENDS ME ALL THE TIME

Akiko is my oc

Chiyo belongs to @thunderandrainclouds

Miyuki belongs to @kny-writings

so without further ado, please enjoy!

Part One || Part Two

“Have you heard? There’s going to be a new shop across the street,” Akiko says, looking out the window at the construction team that’s pointing at blueprints.

“Hah? Why the hell should I care?” Sanemi snaps, not bothering to look up from his client. Akiko rolls her eyes, directing her attention away from the busy scene outside and instead to her two co-workers, whom she hates with a passion.

The ever so quiet Giyuu that once snuck up on her, tapped her shoulder, scared the shit out of her, and made her fuck up on a client.

Sanemi, a royal asshole that can’t control his temper and snaps at Giyuu and herself.

Yup, Akiko is living the life at her job.

Unfortunately, the three of them are the best of the best, and they get clients from all over the world.

What with Akiko’s talented eye for precision, Giyuu’s incredible watercolor designs, and Sanemi’s bold sense of style, their names are well known by other tattoo artists.

It’s such a shame they all hate each other.

Well, maybe Giyuu has no hate in him, but tensions are high.

At any rate, a few more months pass, and Akiko is able to tell that the new store across the street is a flower shop. There are colorful buckets lining the outside of the store, and the windows are big and tall to allow for sunshine. The two stores line directly parallel from each other, and Akiko catches sight of three people that constantly walk in and out of the new shop.

She doesn’t even realize she’s looking at one particular guy until he turns around, and their eyes meet. Akiko blinks once, twice, then she quickly turns away from the window of her parlor.

It’s the next day that Akiko actually meets someone from the new store across the street.

The bell to their parlor rings, and Akiko looks up from her phone to tell them that they’re still closed, only to see that Giyuu is already at the counter.

“Hi! Sorry to just walk in, I read your sign I swear. But we’re your new store neighbors!” A bubbly voice says, and Akiko finds herself look at a pearl haired girl wearing a light green apron with a small batch of flowers in a small mason jar in her hands. Her white short sleeved shirt allows for Akiko to see her muscular arms, and she’s impressed by the size.

Giyuu makes no move to talk, only blinking stoically at the girl. Akiko can’t help but find this odd.

Sure, he doesn’t talk much, but he would at least greet customers or visitors.

Her smile turns a bit wry, she looks nervous in Akiko’s eyes, and she awkwardly places the jar of flowers on the corner of the counter.

“Uhm, anyway, there are two other workers over there, and if you ever want to stop by and say ‘hi’ you’re more than welcome to! No pressure or anything,” she mutters a quick ‘fuck’ under her breath, twiddling with her thumbs.

“Yeah, I’m Takenaka Chiyo, and uh… yeah, I think I’m gonna leave now so… bye!” Chiyo jets out of the store, the bell ringing a final time, and the store is quiet again.

Sanemi walks into the store a few minutes later, an eyebrow cocked at the odd sight of Giyuu and Akiko staring off into the same general direction.

“What? The fuck you guys lookin at?”

Giyuu bursts into a fit of red, and both Akiko and Sanemi’s jaws drop.

---

It’s been a week now, and Akiko finds herself looking out the window more often.

She hates it.

Why?

Because she’s looking out of the window to stare at some burgundy haired guy that works at the flower shop.

He wears a forest green apron that reminds Akiko of a Starbucks employee, and Akiko can see that he also wears hanafuda earrings. There’s also a scar on his left temple, but she finds herself drawn to his bright smile every time he gifts a child a small daisy.

She’s getting caught more often now though, and it’s embarrassing as hell for her. She tries to play it off nonchalantly, but she can’t help the quick blush that spreads across her face.

“Oh my! How cute! Did you get these from across the street?” A lady gushes once Akiko is done with her tattoo and is ringing her up at the counter. Akiko turns her attention to the batch of wisteria, peonies, camellias, and white roses.

Akiko smiles at her customer, handing back the change and replying, “Yeah! Our store smells a lot nicer ever since they’ve come into town,” she laughs, and the lady laughs with her.

“Well I think it’s a nice touch to the store. Perhaps you’ll get a discount and can have more flowers in the parlor?”

Akiko glances over at the window, catching the burgundy boy looking at her, before flicking her eyes back at her client with a polite smile.

“Y’know? I couldn’t agree more!”

---

“Sanemi go across the street and pick up some flowers I ordered.”

“HAH?! Why me?”

Akiko and Giyuu hold up their tattoo guns, continuing to scroll through their phones on a lazy Sunday before chiming in, “We have clients we’re waiting for.”

Thank god Akiko found out she could purchase the flowers online.

Otherwise she would have stayed staring out the window and sent in a telepathic order.

Sure, she wants to walk over and say ‘hi’ to her store neighbors, but she also doesn’t want to meet the burgundy haired boy. Her heart might not be able to handle his smile up close.

Sanemi glares at the two lazy asses before stomping over to them, his own tattoo gun in hand.

“Fuck that. I have clients too. Akiko you go,” he points his gun at Akiko, and on instinct she lifts her gun to point it right back at Sanemi.

He’s giving her the nastiest glare now, and Akiko glares right back at him, slowly standing from her seat to square him up.

“Wait, guys,” Giyuu makes the mistake to point his gun in their general direction, and the two whip their tattoo guns straight at Giyuu within a snap.

And now Giyuu can’t help but actually point his gun at Sanemi out of feeling threatened, and Akiko slowly slinks back to her work area to grab another gun.

The two other idiots do the same, grabbing another gun while moving back and forth between each other and glaring menacingly.

“Put the fuckin gun down you brat,” Sanemi snaps at Akiko, one gun pointed at Giyuu and the other at our golden eyed protagonist.

She scoffs, “You first, twat.”

“Guys maybe we should stop before customers walk in-”

“KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!”

“YOU HAVE YOUR GUNS POINTED AT US TOO DUMBASS!”

“How cool! What do you think is going on?” Miyuki smiles, resting her chin on her hand as she leans over the store’s counter to look through the window. She’s watching the three world famous tattoo artists and their stand off, and to say she’s interested is an understatement.

Chiyo looks up from the register, squinting her eyes at the scene then tilting her head to the side.

“Are those… Real guns?”

“Do I call the cops??” Tanjirou suddenly shows up, quickly putting down the watering can in his hand to pick up the store phone, only to be stopped by the two older women.

“Put the phone down,” they chorus without moving their gaze from the window.

“Miyu, are you recording this shit?”

“Do you take me for a fool?”

“I- I really think we should call in some law enforcement to make sure no one dies…”

“Oh wait? Oh? Tea? They’re putting their guns down- THEY’RE UP AGAIN!!”

“This is gonna go viral.”

“Guys I don’t think-”

“OH SHIT ABORT ABORT! OLD MAN IS WALKING OVER!!”

Miyuki scrambles to turn her phone off, shoving it into her apron pocket as Tanjirou scrambles to pick the watering can up again and rushes to the back of the store to hide. Chiyo, for reasons unknown, ducks under the counters and sits there, so Miyuki is left to defend the fort.

She picks up a random rag, wiping the counter and making sure she doesn’t look into the eyes of an oddly hot hell beast, finally hearing the bell chime.

“Hi! Welcome! How can I help you today?” Miyuki goes for a smile.

There’s a crash and a bang from the back of the store, a miserable, “Ow…” then Chiyo popping up from the counter to dash back and check in on a certain baby. Needless to say, the store isn’t making the greatest first impression.

But Sanemi pays the incident no mind, shoving his hands into his pockets before nodding his head back to the tattoo parlor.

“I work there, and one of my stupid co-workers bought some flowers from you guys.”

Miyuki can’t stop staring at his toned chest, which he so brazenly displays with the top half of his silk black shirt popped open. The shirt is tight fitting too, and Miyuki is about to ascend, her mind repeating ‘NICE’ on repeat like some mantra.

“Uhh, yeah, lemme go get that,” she mutters under her breath, then stumbles to the back of the store.

When Sanemi gets back to the tattoo parlor with another small batch of flowers, Giyuu looks up from his work and Akiko swings her legs off a nearby chair. She stares at him quizzically, in no way used to seeing him with a light blush on his face.

“What? You embarrassed you scared the flower fairies?” Akiko scoffs, and Sanemi moves to slam the jar onto the counter but stops himself, setting it down gently instead.

Now Akiko knows something is up.

“She kept me there longer than she should have. Rambling on and on and on about flower language and what the flowers we ordered means and the colors and stuff. God she’s annoying,” Sanemi snaps, and Akiko raises a brow and the newly budding love.

“Yeah, sure Romeo…”

“CALL ME THAT AGAIN AND I’M CARVING AN ‘L’ ON YOUR FOREHEAD!”

---

Akiko almost drops her tattoo gun and through her foot when she sees sunshine boy walk through her parlor doors.

She’s just finished up with a client and rather than setting the gun down onto the metal tray, she starts to cough on her own spit and freaks out a bit.

Sanemi and Giyuu look over at her, and she discreetly mouths at them to casually ‘fuck off’, before helping her client to their feet and assisting them to the counter.

Sunshine boy is accompanied by his oddly attractive friend, but they wait patiently while Akiko quickly explains the steps for aftercare while ringing her client up. She’s quick to notice that she better hurry up though, since sunshine boy’s friend looks to be a bit… energetic.

When her client leaves, Akiko tries her best to smile at her two customers, shutting the cash register door with a clank.

“Hi! How can I help you guys today?”

Sunshine boy looks apologetic, gesturing to his friend, who looks around the store at the examples of what he can possibly get tattooed onto himself.

“Sorry, uhm, my friend Inosuke has been wanting to get a tattoo for a long time, so I thought this would be the best place…”

Akiko starts tapping into the computer, spelling out Inosuke’s name before frowning at the screen.

“Sorry, but did you guys make an appointment?”

“Huh? Why would we do that? Just draw a boar on my arm,” the Inosuke guy stands before Akiko now, his arms buffer that the Chiyo lady Akiko met a few weeks ago. Akiko raises a brow, and sunshine boy quickly rallies his friend back.

“S- Sorry! I didn’t know we had to make a reservation. We’ll just go now-”

“Hold up,” Akiko raises a hand, clicking through the computer to check her schedule for the day. When she sees that she’s all clear, she looks up from the screen with a smile.

“It’s your lucky day. I can squeeze your friend in,” Akiko says, but sunshine boy looks distressed.

“No, that’s okay! We can schedule a real time and date and come back, honest!” He says, but Inosuke rolls his eyes and starts to waltz over to the chair that Akiko’s previous client was sitting on.

Akiko smiles at sunshine boy’s abrasive friend, not too bothered by this attitude since Sanemi is leagues worse, so she turns to sunshine boy and winks.

“Consider this a store neighbor special.”

Wow.

When has Akiko ever been this smooth?

Akiko tunes out her embarrassed thoughts, shoving aside the last 20 seconds to get out her sketch pad and asking Inosuke what he wants.

“A BOAR!!”

“You’re gonna have to give me more to work with. Else you want me to ink Peppa on you.”

So Inosuke rolls his eyes, and Akiko’s pencil dances across the pad of paper. She works quickly, listening to Inosuke ramble on about how cool boars are and how he used to live with a bunch of them when he was a kid (this mildly worries Akiko).

By the end of it, Akiko’s drawn the head of a boar with sharp tusks, and Inosuke marvels at her drawing, claiming it to be badass and worthy enough to be inked on his arm.

Even sunshine boy looks impressed, softly clapping for Akiko from his seat across she.

Akiko ignores her subtle blush, deciding to get to work as she fills up her tattoo guns and swabs the arm that Inosuke wants inked. Then she quickly redraws the boar onto her ipad, gets it printed out, then applies the art onto Inosuke’s arm.

“Is it done already?! That’s fast!!”

The sudden buzzing noise from Akiko’s tattoo gun makes Inosuke jump a bit, and his face pales enough for her to notice. Even sunshine boy takes note of his friend’s alarm, and he offers his hand with a smile. Inosuke turns the offer down though.

But once Akiko starts to get to work, Inosuke becomes oddly quiet, eyes trained on the flowers on the counter with the sound of buzzing clouding his mind.

Akiko looks up from her work to glance at sunshine boy, who is watching with wide and curious eyes, and their gazes meet once again.

She decides to strike up a conversation while she has his attention, flickering her eyes back down to make sure she isn’t messing up then casually saying, “I never got you name.”

He blinks to snap himself out of his concentrated daze, flushing a bit and scratching at his cheek.

“Oh, sorry! We’ve been store neighbors for months and I never properly introduced myself. I’m Kamado Tanjirou.”

Akiko smiles to herself, “Finally, I can call you something other than sunshine boy,” she chuckles.

Throughout the rest of the conversation, Tanjirou remains red in the face and Akiko busies herself as to not flush red too. Of course, the minute she puts down the tattoo gun, it’s over for her.

hhhh so for some last minute notes, ill,,, explain a few things :)

that tattoo gun scene? yeah think of that one episode from the office. cant picture it? literally type “the office showdown gifs” into google and bam, a live action of the scene.

this was such a joy to write!! and i cant wait for you guys to read the next part! this was like,,, the set up of the ships so :)

a huge huge thank you to mari and chuu for letting me use their ocs!!!!!!!! check our their blogs guys, theyre so so nice and such a joy to collab with :,,)

#machute #kny #kimetsu no yaiba #au!!#tanjirou #sanemi #giyuu #tanjiro #tamura akiko #himi miyuki #takenaka chiyo #chiyuu #sanemiyu #taniko

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taetaespeaches · 4 years

Text

“It’s an advent calendar. You’re supposed to open one square a day, not eat half the chocolate in a sitting.”

namjoon x reader (oc) genre: fluff word count: 1.1K

a/n: ahh that title quote is so long but fuck it lol. I’m team Joon in this one, I have been struggling to pace myself with my damn advent calendar. But I mean yeah, that’s the plot... Joon is going wild with the advent calendar and Daisy’s like dude, I’m fond of you and this is cute but chill. I hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading :))

HUSTLING through the hallway, your hands still cold from the wintery outdoor weather, you approached Namjoon’s apartment excitedly. He had some rare time off and you couldn’t wait to spend the evening with him without having to worry about early mornings or tight schedules.

You easily unlocked the door and stepped inside, instantly making eye contact with your boyfriend from his position on the couch. The tv was on, playing some Christmas bakeoff show, and the man seated on the couch was looking adorable in his sweatshirt and sweatpants, hair fluffy atop his head. Dropping your bag in the entry way, and kicking your shoes off quickly, you hurried through the apartment to him.

Placing your body directly in front of him, his hands gripped the sides of your thighs as your hands settled on his shoulders. Within seconds, you were straddling his lap, the man giving you a cute close-mouthed smile that made his dimples just barely appear.

“Hi,” he chuckled, “you could have taken your coat off,” he told you, bringing his hands up to tug on the collar of your outerwear.

“No time,” you told him, placing your hands to the sides of his face and lowering your lips to his, the man graciously kissing you back through a smile though a shiver jolted through his frame.

“These are freezing,” he mumbled into the kiss, closing his hands over your own, pulling them from his face and leaning back to press his lips to them before blowing warm air over your fingers.

“Good thing you’re so hot,” you replied with a teasing grin, leaning back in to push your lips to his once again as he chuckled into the kiss. Digging your hands underneath his sweatshirt, he yelled out at the cold touch, you giggling against his mouth as his arms wrapped around your waist.

Tugging you closer to him, he began trailing kisses down your jaw and neck, your eyelids fluttering shut at the sensation.

Letting out a light moan, you gripped the sides of his abdomen, tilting your head to the side to allow him more access to you. Opening your eyes and biting your lip, your gaze fell to the couch cushion next to you where you spotted a tin cardboard box, torn open messily. Pulling your eyebrows together skeptically, a small smile curved on your lips. Is that…?

“Joon,” you spoke with a slight moan and a chuckle, the man humming in response. “Want to explain to me what you found here for a snack?”

“Hmm?” He asked, resting his head against the back of the couch as he looked at you in confusion. “You?”

“What?” You questioned with a laugh. “No, that,” you nodded to what was clearly the cardboard advent calendar you bought to count down the days to Christmas. Each square had two pieces of varying flavors of chocolate so you and Namjoon could both have a piece each day, but it appeared as though your boyfriend couldn’t wait.

“Oh, chocolate,” he said simply, though a knowing glint was present in his eyes.

“It’s an advent calendar,” you told him as if that explained what he had done wrong, however the main looked up at you with wide eyes, not quite following along. “You’re supposed to open one square a day, not eat half the chocolate in a sitting,” you laughed as he stared at you with that guilty expression. The same one he gave when he broke something on set of filming a music video.

“Oh,” he said simply, you falling forward in laughter as you rested your forehead on his shoulder, his hands meeting the middle of your back as he hugged you close. “My bad.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you told him fondly, turning your face toward his neck to place a few kisses to the spot. “No patience,” you hummed.

“Does that mean you don’t want any of the chocolate?” He asked, your kisses turning to giggles against his warm skin.

“I didn’t say that,” you told him, Namjoon instantly reaching for the calendar to pull out a piece of chocolate for you. He had it unwrapped in seconds, you lifting your head to allow him to feed you the candy. As you chewed the piece of milk chocolate, Namjoon smirked at you, leaning forward to leave a kiss to your chin.

“How is it?” He asked, you scoffing as you swallowed the chocolate.

“It’s good,” you nodded. “I would have found that out on,” you paused, looking at the calendar to see it was the chocolate for, “December 21st,” you teased.

“But here you got it 16 days early,” he countered, you humming as you kissed his lips softly. “You’re welcome,” he whispered into the meeting, you smiling in response.

“You’re so impatient,” you told him between kisses, the man agreeing with a hum as his hands slid down to your hips. However, the chocolate was better than expected, and you could taste in your shared kiss with your boyfriend. Pulling away, you took a not-so-sly glance at the advent calendar. “What other flavors are there?” You asked, Namjoon instantly laughing before calling you out on your hypocrisy.

“What was that about me being impatient?” He teased, you shushing him as you reached for the calendar.

“Pick a number,” you told him, Namjoon flashing you a dimply smile.

“24,” he said. “Might as well see what we would have waited all month for.”

Humming, you nodded to show you agreed with his thought process. Pulling the treats out, you handed one to Namjoon as you began unwrapping the other one. Before popping it into your mouth, you held it toward Namjoon’s chocolate, clinking the pieces together as if you were doing a toast.

Instantly when you bit into it, a smirk overtook your face as you awaited Namjoon’s reaction with heightened interest. “How is it?” You asked, holding back a giggle as the flavors of mint and chocolate swirled your tastebuds.

“Ew, what the-” he looked down at the half-eaten chocolate between his fingers as you put the rest of your own piece into your mouth. “They saved mint chocolate for the last day?” He asked in disgust, you giggling, highly amused by his strong reaction. “What are they, evil?” He continued complaining.

Leaning forward, you took the chocolate from between his fingertips using your teeth, flashing him a smile as you did so.

“You’re gross,” he told you, making you chuckle further.

“Aw come on, Joonie, kiss me,” you whined, feigning a pout.

Glaring at you, he wrapped his arms around your waist quickly before flipping you onto you back, crushing the calendar underneath you as he pushed his lips against yours. “Gladly,” he whispered against your mouth, a smile spreading across your lips as you wrapped your arms around the back of his neck, deepening the kiss.

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harlot-of-oblivion · 5 years

Note

For the fanfic ask meme: 1, 13 and 19 maybe? 👀🌹

Hi Vita! 😍

Favorite fic you wrote this year

Oh god! Don’t make me choose! 🙈

Hmm...It’s between A Daisy follows soft the Son of Sparda and Partake Of Me.

A Daisy is where I really fleshed out the reader and my OC Lis was pretty much fully realized. I just remember having so much fun writing the cute banter, subtle romantic gestures, and all the flirting. That fic convinced me that they were meant to be. 😍

Partake Of Me was a breath of fresh air after writing so much fluff! I remember having a blast writing all the angst, blood, and passion. I love me some vampires and I relished writing a more aggressive Vergil. I dunno...writing that fic felt like magic.

Favorite writing song/artist/album of this year

Ahh I gotta choose again?! 😆

I listened to The Flowers by Regina Spektor a lot while writing A Rose Among the Briars. In fact, I mostly listen to Regina Spektor while writing that series. Her music has a sense of sweet whimsy that I capture while writing about our adorable flower girl.

I also distinctly remember Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge on repeat while writing Partake Of Me. The song itself sounds so darkly sensual and the lyrics portraying the struggle of controlling your desire...oh yeah. Perfection.

Any new fics to start next year?

Oh yes! An idea popped into my head back in September. Since then I’ve been mulling it over, coming up with some fun scenarios and spicy imagery, and now...I gotta to write Dante x Detective Reader. It’s just too good to let go.

A Rose Among the Briars is definitely continuing past the new year. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing vampire spice...it’s too much fun! 😁

Hope you’re having a wonderful day, my dear. And thank you for asks! 😘

#you might have noticed #im terrible at choosing #🙈🙈🙈#I just love all my fics!#BTW #i cannot wait for vampire v #and for chapter 1 of A Smoky Night #😍😍😍

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jinkisbelly · 5 years

Text

Dawning 2/4

This was my entry for the Halloween fic fest and I hope you like it~ Can be read on AFF and Ao3. Part 1

Pairing: Onkey, past Jinki/oc, and platonic ontae, jongyu and onho :D

Rating: Teen

w/c:15k altogether

Summary: After years of luring humans to steal their valuables, Jinki meets one Human that makes him question everything.

1952....

The sweet melody of birds singing swirled through the open window frames, the cool morning breeze causing the white curtains to flutter softly, and just the brush of color coming in from the slow rise of the sun on the horizon. As the inhabitant of the house began to awaken, so did the rest of his forest. The chattering of squirrels running along the branches of the large bunch of trees the home was settled across, the gentle roars from distant bears waking up to hunt, and the soothing trickling of the streams twisting between the trees slowly filled the forest.

Sitting up in his bed, Jinki stretched with his arms above his head. He smiled slowly as he realized it was raining softly, the gentle patter of drops against the roof of his home, comforting. Quickly tossing the covers from his legs he slipped out from the bed and ran to the ladder on the far wall leading up to the highest part of the home. The sun was just rising over the eastern mountains. His smile widened when he heard the familiar howl drift from the snow-covered peaks.

His favorite thing to do first thing in the morning was to watch the sunrise paint the sky in pretty oranges and pinks. As he sat on the edge of the deck, feet swinging off the edge and getting raindrops on them, he made an apple grow from a branch above him. As it fell he caught it with his left hand, biting into it without looking away from the sunrise on the horizon. The colors were so bright he felt he could reach up and smear them with his fingers. Even with the light rain the vividness of them wasn’t dulled in the least bit.

Just as he took a big bite from his apple he felt a disturbance outside of the forest. A grin pulled at his lips as he figured out what it was. A human venturing too close to his world. With the destruction he knew to be happening in the world around his forest he was all the more excited to take from the disgusting creature.

-----

Tingles ran up and down his skin under his dirty army uniform with each step. There was a flash of bright light causing his eyes to squeeze shut tightly. He blinked a few times to make the spots disappear, but the vision of green and flourishing life made him freeze and rub at his eyes. Underneath his boots were dark green grass, daisies popping up between the tree roots twisting over the expanse of life. Just a moment ago he was squinting his way through the dirt and fallen trees on the trek back to camp. Was he dreaming? Was he dead?

His head whipped to the left when he heard a branch snapped in half, but nothing could be seen besides thick trees as far as he could see through the thick foliage. Heart beating harshly in his chest, he gripped the rifle in his hand tighter and lifted it slightly. As he stepped forward it was only then he realized it was raining, something that hadn’t been happening before he opened his eyes to a field of green. The small drops plopped against his skin, pulling days of dirt and grime down his cheeks.

A flash of movement, a streak of dark green to his right, but when he looked there was nothing but the trunk of a tree. Blood rushed past his ears as a deep, sultry voice floated in the air around him, “How about you put that down, hmm?”

“Who are you?!”

“Who am I?” A soft, beautiful laugh bubbled. “That does not matter.”

Kibum lifted the gun higher, aiming at the seemingly empty space. One moment he swore the voice was coming from one place, and the next the opposite. “What is this place?”

“Why, this is Aurora.” Leaves fluttered in the breeze along with the pitter-patter of raindrops against the forest floor, “Put that awful weapon down handsome. Nothing will harm you here.”

His jaw tightened for a moment, before his hands began to fall, the end of the gun pressing into the grass. “Where are you?”

“Here, there. Everywhere.” Bright laughter was heard above him as leaves began to fall. The gun fell to the forest floor completely as the voice grew distant. “Come see.”

As if pulled by a taut string, he stumbled forward, hands pressed against the tree trunks, steadying him. The further he walked, the more drenched he became. The uniform was now sagging with the weight, as he continued to walk. He didn’t know where he was going, but at the same time, he felt like there was a certain destination he was heading towards. Before he knew it the sound of water crashing over rocks came to his ears and through the slowly spacing out trees he saw a wide river twisting to his left.

As if in slow motion his gaze moved away to fall on a figure standing between the opening a dozen feet in front of him. The breeze whipped the white fabric of their pants against their legs, dark green hair braided off their left shoulder. A gorgeous smile spread across their face as they lifted their hand, and suddenly daisies were popping up from the ground making the green of the grass white with petals. “Does what you see appease you?”

-----

“The voice… it was you.”

Very observant this one, Jinki thought to himself, but he kept the smile as he stepped closer. “So it seems.”

“This place, Aurora you called it. What is it?”

“A forest. A home. Sanctuary.” Jinki looked away from the man, humming. He walked around him, running a hand over the expanse of his back, feeling the heavy fabric of his clothes. “Aurora is whatever you need it to be, Handsome.”

“My name is Kibum.”

Jinki slipped by him closely, chest brushing against Kibum’s shoulder as he looked up at him through his lashes. “And Kibum, what is Aurora for you?”

Kibum's eyes are half-closed as he focused on Jinki’s face, and then lowered to his lips. Jinki can feel his smile widen. A few more moments and this human, while rather pretty, would serve his purpose and whatever valuable thing he had in his possession would be within Jinki’s grasp. Except suddenly Kibum’s eyes were fully open and he was breathing out, “A bath.”

For a split second Jinki’s facade cracked, utter confusion gracing his features before he got it under control. “A bath?”

“It has been some time since I have properly bathed. Even if this is a dream… I would like a bath.” Kibum grinned widely, “And food. Does this place have food?”

“It has whatever you need.” Jinki turned around, sighing quietly to himself before smiling over his shoulder. “Come, I will show you.”

-----

Jinki had seen many humans over the course of the last thousands of years since the barrier was put into place. Something intrigued him about this Kibum more than any human had in that time. He seemed as if he was fighting the lure which shouldn’t be able to happen in the first place. Thousands of humans have stumbled upon his forest, whether by accident or Jinki’s magic. Each one tempted closer with only one thing on their mind, lust. Kibum had barely looked at him since asking for a bath. The man was currently swimming in the lagoon the waterfall ran into and the rivers twisted from toward the south. If Jinki looked up he could see Taemin in his crane form, trying to be subtle in his spying.

Kibum’s clothes were laying over a nearby tree limb to dry. When the man wasn’t looking Jinki had slipped his hand into one of the pockets and fished out a necklace of some sort with rings hooked on it. Taemin had swooped just above him and caught the item when Jinki tossed it to him before Kibum could notice it was missing. The man didn’t seem to mind the missing item, too busy focusing on the food placed before him. Jinki swung his feet in the cool water before him, back against a tree and eyes steady on Kibum’s form. “You eat as if you have not in days.”

“I haven’t.” A bit of juice dribbled off his lips and down his chin, making Jinki wince slightly. Kibum wiped it off with the back of his hand as he continued, “The war has made it hard for food to be distributed to the ground troops.”

“War.” Jinki huffed. “You humans never seem to stop raging it.”

“I cannot disagree with such a statement; however,” Kibum’s hand falls against the grass around the river, fingers tight around his peach. “The north attacked us. Are we not supposed to protect our homes? Our families?”

“Violence and destruction can always be prevented.”

“There was no prevention! It was unprovoked.”

Jinki brings his legs up, wrapping his arms around them and resting his chin on the top of his knees. “War is not honorable. Whether you are the aggressor or not. My forest is here because your people have ruined your own land with this foolish destructive endeavor. There’s no honor in this.”

The peach in Kibum’s hand was smashed then, juice dripping down his fingers and palm as his voice rose in volume. “You have no right to question the honor behind everything while you sit here in your safe and lavish magical wood.”

“And you have no right to judge me while you bathe in my waters and you eat my food.” Jinki stood, hands held in tight fists at his side. “I have witnessed many wars over my years, thousands of humans murdered by their own kind for useless materialistic reasonings and with each, the world suffers more. The Earth Mother and her creatures suffer because she decided to create such a selfish breed. I believe it is time for you to leave.”

Kibum slowly blinks before pulling himself from the water, lips pressed together for a moment before he abruptly turns on his heel and heads for his dried clothes. Jinki turns away as the cloth he had provided for the human falls away and he changes. “How will I know the way out?”

“You will know when you see it.” Jinki calmly states, toes curling a little in the soft grass beneath him. He gestured to the gun, “Do not forget that invention of war.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.” The man stands there in the glow of the setting sun for a few moments staring at Jinki before he slowly turns away. Jinki barely watches him disappear through the trees before he ventures to investigate his newly acquired treasure.

-----

It’s only a few days before he feels another human approaching his forest. Even more intriguing is that the human feels familiar as if they’ve met before. Gazing from behind a tree, Jinki lets the human in through the barrier. Almost immediately he recognized them as the soldier he had taken the ring necklace from, Kibum. Jinki raises his brows as he steps out from his hiding spot, silently following the man as he storms through the forest. “Excuse me!”

Kibum jumps a foot off the ground as Jinki speaks. “There’s no need to yell, Sir.”

“Jesus Christ.” Kibum pants out. “You can’t sneak up on someone like that. I could have shot you.”

“You cannot do that without this, can you?” Jinki flicks his wrist and the weapon that was once held within the man’s hand is tugged away. Cocking his head to the side, he curiously asks. “Is that someone...Jesus was it, important to you?”

“What? I- that doesn’t matter.” Kibum bit his lower lip. “It took me two days to find this place again.”

“You remember?”

“Why wouldn’t I remember something like this?”

“No one ever has.” Jinki scanned the man’s form before waving his hand towards the woven archway that signified the exit. “All who ever leave here of human blood never recall what they have experienced.” When Kibum remains silent, Jinki ventures to question, hand tight on his staff in case something goes astray. “Why have you returned?”

“I lost something while I was here and I was wondering if you’d allow me to look for it.”

Jinki walked past him, planting his staff into the ground with each step. “Walk with me. Describe this, item. Maybe I have seen it.”

A few moments pass before he hears Kibum’s footsteps as he jogs to catch up. “It’s a necklace. It has two silver rings upon the chain.”

-----

A few hours later, upon retracing the path he had taken yesterday and not finding anything, Kibum felt the disappointment weigh down on him. His head was cradled between both of his palms, sounds of sorrow and words of disbelief leaving his lips as he curled into himself. “I can’t believe I lost it.”

“Why is such a simple thing so important to you that you would leave your fellow soldiers to find it?”

“It was my mother’s.” Kibum sniffles, wiping his nose with the back of his hand as he lifts his head to meet Jinki’s gaze. “The rings were her and my father’s wedding bands. It’s the last thing I have of theirs besides the photos locked away back home.”

“Are they away on an adventure or something?”

“They’re dead.” Kibum’s breathing shudders as his gaze lowers to his hands. “I am not sure how much of the world outside this you are aware of, but before this war, there was another. It was thought to be a war to end all wars, millions are believed to have been lost. My father and older brother died in such a war when I was only five or younger, leaving my mother being the only person I had left. She passed away just before the North attacked.”

“If you have no one left, then what are you fighting to protect as you so claimed on our first meeting?”

When Kibum meets his gaze the sadness in his eyes is tinged with anger. “So the men I fight with do not have to go through what I’ve had to...to give the little girl who’s father just died yesterday, a safe place to grow up, a place he fought to protect. Because… that is what you do for your country.”

“I see.” Without removing his eyes from Kibum, Jinki reaches into his pocket and pulls out his fist. He opens it, palm up, as he says, “Then I apologize for having stolen this from you.”

His hand is shoved with the force that Kibum grasps it. The man stands directly above him, looming almost as he hisses. “How dare you! You had it on you the whole time! How could you!”

Jinki slowly rose, right hand limp at his side, but gripping his staff with the other as he calmly met Kibum’s fuming gaze. “I lure humans into my forest and I take whatever I wish from them.”

“Do you have any shame?” A bit of spit flicks from Kibum’s lips as he speaks. “You speak of honor and yet you take what people hold valuable. How pathetic.”

Lifting his jaw, Jinki takes one step closer until Kibum is breathing down on him. “Your kind have taken my homeland from me, tried to kill me and burn this entire forest down so don’t you DARE stand here and attempt to make me feel sorry for trying to make up for the pain they’ve caused me by taking your little trinkets.” He stares at Kibum for a moment before turning away, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to get his breathing under control. “You have your necklace. Now please leave.”

When he doesn’t hear the man retreating, Jinki whips around, “Why are you still here?”

The gaze is different, soft and warm, an expression Jinki cannot place. “That scar… did a human do that to you?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry.” Kibum avoids his gaze then as he clears his throat. “I shouldn’t have judged without knowing your story. We all have our demons.”

“I don’t need or want your pity.” Flexing his fingers on his staff, Jinki spits out, “Why would a human care about my story?”

“The pain one experiences shape who they are. I want to understand.” Kibum meets his gaze then. “Will you tell me about it?”

His heart pounds in his chest as he replies, not expecting to concede to Kibum’s gaze. “Alright.”

----

Kibum slowly rises from running his hand over the long-ago dried earth, the blackened soil of the only remnants of the scarred past. “Why did you return my necklace to me?”

“No one has ever returned for something I have taken from them.” Jinki looks to his right, arms tight around his middle, and softly continues. “The last human I trusted with my world betrayed me. You are the first human to remember this place and...and I was wary of what someone like you could do for something they held so dear.”

“You were afraid I would hurt this world?”

“Yes. I still am.”

“I see.” Kibum turned, looking at the expanse of thick forest, the river twisting to the East, and the mountain line in the distance. “I understand why you are so protective of this place. It’s breathtaking. I would never do anything to put it at risk.”

“I have been told that before.”

“You’ve never given anyone a chance to prove you wrong.” Kibum let out a little chuckle before turning his head to look at him. “What’s your name?”

“Jinki.”

“Well Jinki,” Kibum smiles sincerely as he turns to face him. “I apologize for the betrayal and destruction my kind has wrecked. I know you do not trust me, but I hope I at least have earned your mutual respect. Deep down, biologically, you and I aren’t that different. You would do anything to protect your home, and so would I for mine. Don’t misunderstand me for doing the same.”

“I suppose.��

“That’s good enough.” Kibum softly smiled. “I guess I’ll get going. You won’t see me again. I will respect your wishes and keep this a secret.”

“Is that so?”

A few steps away Kibum looks back, shrugging. “You gave me back what means the most to me. The least I can do is to protect what is most dear to you. Goodbye Jinki.”

------

#onkey #jinkibum #onew #key #shinee #kibum #jinki #my fic #aurora au

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