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minyoongijjangjjangmanboongboong · 6 years

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The Parting Chapter Seven

Description: The only certainty in life is death, and it seems to follow Park Jimin. All his life, the icy shadow of death has hung closely by his side, along with the shadow of…something else. Reapers exist to guide the souls of the living to the world beyond. But what happens when a particular Reaper tampers with the natural order and saves a mortal boy’s life? What will they do once their fates become inextricably linked?

Genre: Supernatural, Drama, Fluff, Angst

Pairing: Jimin x (f) OC

Word Count: 8.8k

Tags: Flower Shop Owner!Jimin, Reaper!OC, Non-Idol!AU, Cop!Yoongi, Supernatural!AU

Warnings: Death, swearing and mentions of alcohol, although infrequently

A/N: HI BABES! How are you all doing? I hope you’re doing well and if you’ve started school already, then I hope you’re not feeling too stressed. I’m still working on all the requests I have, but don’t worry! If you’ve requested something, then I will get through it within the next week or so. I’m sorry for the delay! I just have to juggle a bit between writing this fic and writing requests. As always, I will respond to all asks received within a day of receiving them, so feel free and feel comfortable sending me anything! And please send feedback, criticism, comments or concerns my way so I can address them.

AHH! And please follow @actualsoonshine! She’s such a lovely person, and my IRL friend and she just started her writing blog! If you like Seventeen and BTS, you will LOVE her!

- Mercury

Previous Chapter – Next Chapter

Chapter One

Masterlist

Weekly updates: Sunday, 1PM (PST)

Jimin sat up gently and turned to me, brows furrowed. “Nari, are you alright?”

I sobbed as I looked at him. I could tell from the innocent, fretful expression on his face. He didn’t remember. I felt inside me something altogether new. A nameless frustration that manifested in tears. I never knew I’d become so hungry for answers. I never knew that having those answers appear before me and then suddenly disappear in one fell swoop would be so incredibly infuriating. I wiped my eyes and shook my head as Jimin propped himself upright, eyes scanning me worriedly.

“You don’t remember anything?” I asked, desperation sitting heavy like fog in the air.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I sleep walk a little and I don’t remember it in the morning,” he said, voice low as he scooted closer to me on his knees, placing his hands on my wet cheeks. “Nari…”

I sniffled, eyes cast on the linoleum. “It wasn’t that,” I said.

He gently guided my face closer to his so I would look at him properly. “What are you talking about? You’re starting to scare me a little.”

I felt more tears brewing in my chest, but became powerless to stop them as I looked at his pure expression. He wasn’t lying. He wasn’t withholding information from me. He simply…didn’t remember. Just like that.

“I had a dream,” I said quietly. “A really strange dream.”

He nodded. “Did you remember something? Is that why you’re crying?” he asked.

I shook my head and shooed his hands off my burning skin. “Forget it,” I said, standing shakily to my feet. “Just…go to bed.” I began towards my room but stopped short as he grabbed for my wrist, fingers tight.

“Wait! We agreed that we’d start trusting each other more. Talk to me,” he said. He was begging me.

I sniffled once more and considered shaking him off again, considered going back to bed and burying my head in the sheets where I could cry and cry and greet him in the morning as if nothing had happened at all. But he spoke again, and when he did his voice broke.

“Please.”

I turned to look at him. Perhaps subconsciously, he wanted to remember too. Perhaps deep down he knew there was something between us that went deeper than either of us imagined. Perhaps we were both the keys to unlocking it. And perhaps…perhaps if I told him what I’d been dreaming, if I let him in just a little…

Perhaps we could solve it together.

I sighed and settled on the small couch, watching the rug as Jimin joined me. “You said you knew who I was,” I said.

He stiffened beside me. “I…I don’t know why I would say something like that.”

“Me either,” I said, then met his eyes. “But you know it means something, right?”

He blinked rapidly a few times before sighing and grabbing at tufts of his hair. “I don’t know, Nari. Earlier, I was mostly playing around. Do you really think there’s something weird between us?”

I nodded. “More than I can even say,” I said. “I’m certain of it.”

He watched me carefully, reading me. He stared at me long enough for Miso to leave his bedroom and pad over to us. Long enough for me to hear the refrigerator kicking on. Long enough for my tears to nearly stop. And, after an eternity, he nodded and his hand fell from his hair to his lap.

“Okay…assuming that’s the case then…what does any of it mean?” he asked.

I sighed, patting my chest and shutting my puffy eyes. There really was a special sense of relief that came from confiding in someone. “I don’t know. But Jimin…I’ve been having really strange dreams.”

Jimin tilted his head to the side as Miso jumped onto the arm of the couch, peering at us with glowing eyes. “What kind of dreams?”

I shook my head and turned to him properly, grabbing his forearm. “Jimin, do you know what shinbyeong is?”

Jimin cocked his head and pursed his lips. “I…I’ve heard of it. It has something to do with old shamanism. Like…when a shaman was becoming a shaman they say that they’d go through shinbyeong. It’s like…,” he paused and glanced into the middle ground, thinking. “I’m trying to remember what I learned about it from high school, but it’s something about the death of the self. Like, assuming a god as yourself.”

“What?” I asked, shaking my head. “That’s impossible.” I’d have known if the spirits of gods were entering the bodies of humans. And, furthermore, I’d never even heard the term before having those dreams. “What happens during this time?”

He shrugged. “I think…it was kind of like out-of-body experiences? Hallucinations or something?”

I sighed. “It doesn’t help much,” I said. “I’ve been having dreams that I was a poor girl a long time ago. I can’t tell exactly when but I can approximate. There were kings and a royal astronomer.”

“Goryeo?” he asked.

“No,” I said. “The language wasn’t so unfamiliar. It was Joseon.”

“Huh,” he said, then shook his head. “I know this is weird, but do you believe in reincarnation?”

I shook my head. “I do not,” I said, releasing his forearm. That much was true. I did not know where souls went after being Reaped, but I knew they didn’t fly off to another body.

“Maybe you should start,” he commented, then sighed and leaned back against the couch, running a hand through his wild, fluffy hair. “Honestly, it sounds like you’re remembering a past life.”

“That’s impossible, Jimin,” I said, meeting his eyes.

He shrugged. “Why?”

Because I was not human. Because I was a Reaper. Because this was the first time I’d ever been in a human body…

Wasn’t it?

I shook my head. “Jimin, it is impossible.”

I watched him swallow roughly before he glanced away and nodded. “Then…I don’t know, Nari. It’s weird. What else did you dream of?”

“I had a family,” I said. “A younger sister and a mother and a grandmother.”

“No men? In the Joseon era?”

I nodded. “We were in the lowest social class. Cheonmin.”

He raised his brows as Miso hopped agilely off the side of the couch and onto his lap. “Not slaves?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Seems like shamanism ran through the family, although my sister was not affected. My mother did not believe in it,” I said, then coughed slightly. “Or…whoever they were.”

Jimin inhaled sharply. “And…you said I woke up saying I knew who you were?” he asked, his eyes tinged silver in the moonlight.

“Yes,” I said, watching his jaw work, clenching and unclenching.

“I…I’m sorry, but I don’t know,” he said, then huffed, causing Miso to startle and jump across the couch to my lap. “I’m so sorry, Nari.”

I shook my head. “It’s not your fault, but…,” I began, them glanced at him. His expression was weak, frustrated. “I wonder if perhaps you also had a strange dream.”

His eyes snapped towards mine. “I…I mentioned that I dream about wearing a hanbok a lot, right? Back at the hospital?”

I conjured the memory and, although it was only a week ago it felt like a lifetime. Sitting in the sterile room. Talking of dreams… I nodded. “I remember.”

“I…Nari, I know you don’t believe in this stuff, but whenever I’d have a dream like that my mom would tell me it was just…deja vu. From my past life,” he said, then scoffed. “It sounds so stupid saying it out loud, but with everything you’ve been dreaming of…it’s the only thing I can think of.”

I furrowed my brow. How did I know for certain that reincarnation was impossible? Just because I didn’t see it myself? I was a Reaper after all. I only dealt in death, not what happens after…

I sighed. “So you think…I’m remembering a past life?”

He nodded. “I don’t understand it, but,” he began, grabbing my hand, “maybe since you lost your memory…different memories are returning.” His words came out quiet, careful, like they were meticulously hand-chosen.

I nodded. “It is the most reasonable conclusion for the time being,” I said, then gave his warm, soft hand a squeeze. “If I remember anything else, can I come to you?”

He nodded eagerly and flashed a bright smile. “Of course! Anytime.”

I forced a smile and glanced away. “Thank you.”

He blinked at me and chuckled, a fluttering, nervous sound. He patted the top of my hand and withdrew his own. “Y-You’re welcome,” he said, laughing once more as he rubbed the back of his neck.

I stared at him for a long moment, scanning his soft features, the kiss of blush in his cheeks. I sighed, long and slow, and nodded. “We’ll figure it out together, then.”

I counted the bills in the cash register quietly the next morning, Jimin retrieving new buds from the greenhouse and placing the pots prettily along the countertops. Jin had Wednesdays off, so the two of us worked quietly alone. As I counted the last of the money I tilted my head to the side, furrowing my brow. Jimin’s shop was surprisingly wealthy for such a small place. I glanced at him as he worked, a soft smile on his lips, lashes brushing against his cheeks as he focused on the pots. I smiled too. There was some relief at least in sharing my burdens.

The front door bells tinkled and a patron entered the shop. I was midway through standing straighter to greet them when I saw who it was. “Oh, Jisoo,” I said with a chuckle.

She approached the desk, her hair pulled back with a delicate floral pin on one side. She leaned forward at the waist and rested her hands on the counter, her chin on her hands. She smiled up at me and, coyly, turned her head to the side slightly, revealing the pin. I glanced at her, placing the money into Jimin’s tackle box, and took a proper look at her new accessory. As I did, my eyebrows raised and I smiled.

“Lilies,” I said.

She grinned and leaned away, popping her hip to the side and resting a hand on her pleated skirt. “Pretty right?” she asked.

I nodded. “It suits you,” I said. “But I get the sense that there’s something more to it.”

She laughed and nodded her head eagerly. “It’s a gift,” she said, flipping her tidy hair behind her shoulder. “From that boy.”

My eyes widened. “You don’t say!”

She nodded. “I do say.”

Jimin approached and stood beside me, easily draping an arm over my shoulders. I felt myself flush and glanced away, back towards the register. “Our Jisoo looks so pretty today!” he exclaimed, laughing.

Jisoo rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to take compliments from any other boys from now own,” she said, then smiled at her hands, clasped around the handle of her book bag. “Since I have someone I like now.”

I grinned. “What progress you’ve made!”

She met my eyes and nodded vigorously. “It’s thanks to you! After we talked yesterday, I realized it was better for me to be there for him like he really needed rather than trying to take care of him without him knowing.”

“And?” I encouraged.

She smiled. “And it turns out he knew it was me all along,” she said, bashfully rubbing the back of her neck. She chuckled. “He was just waiting for me to come and talk to him properly. He bought this for me after I got him that bouquet you recommended, Jimin.”

“Ah, the lilies,” I said, nodding.

Jisoo cocked her head to the side and peered up at me. “But you weren’t there, Nari. How would you know?”

I coughed into the crook of my elbow and shook my head. “I just meant the lilies on your hairpin,” I said.

She furrowed her brow and nodded. “Well, anyway we’ve agreed to eat lunch together now.”

“Good for you, Jisoo. I’m glad things worked out so well,” said Jimin, then chuckled softly. I felt it rumble in his chest, just beside my shoulder. My heart thundered. “Although I don’t really know what you’re talking about exactly.”

Jisoo waved her hand. “I’ll fill you in later,” she said. “For now, I’d better get to class. I just wanted to show Nari the pin.”

I couldn’t help the smile that touched my lips. I met her eyes and gently reached across the counter to smooth her hair down, tucking it behind the pin carefully. “It looks beautiful.”

She beamed at me. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ll be sure to come visit again sometime soon! Maybe I’ll be able to bring him with me this time.”

I nodded. “I’d love to meet him.”

“Me too!” added Jimin, leaning one hand on the counter as Jisoo ran out the door and onto the sidewalk, waving wildly over one shoulder. “She’s cute,” he remarked.

I slipped from beneath his arm and nodded. “She is a good girl.”

Jimin smiled down at me. “You like her don’t you?” he asked.

I glanced away. “Of course not. I’m…fond of her precociousness.” I cleared my throat and ran a hand through my hair.

He flicked the side of my head and shook his own. “You’re allowed to care about people,” he said, then chuckled. “The way I see it, you care a lot more than you realize.”

I stiffened. “How so?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I know you have some information that would’ve put Jungkook in a tougher spot,” he said, turning on his heel as he made his way back towards the greenhouse. He glanced at me over his shoulder and smiled. “But you chose not to share it. I wonder why.”

I blinked at him. “It’s nothing special! Just…,” I began, but by the time I’d composed myself enough to respond, cheeks aflame, he was already walking into the greenhouse, chuckling and waving at me before shutting the door.

I pushed a grocery cart while Jimin piled food items into the basket: breads, meats, packages of ramen and other processed food I didn’t even recognize. We rode through the aisles together, the fuzzy overhead speakers playing a song that was popular ten years ago. Few people were roaming the store in the middle of the day, the aisles sitting pristine before us as we turned down each one. Jimin paused in front of the cereal boxes, causing me to bump his hip with the shopping cart. I backed away and stared at him with wide eyes.

“Sorry,” I said, glancing toward the cereal. “What’s wrong? We need to get back to the store soon.”

Jimin waved his hand at me. “Say, Nari what do you like? Like…food?” he asked.

I stiffened and pursed my lips. “I…wouldn’t really know.”

He sighed and nodded, still stewing over the cereal. “I wanna take good care of you so you can remember something more.”

My cheeks warmed and I smiled at my hands, clamping them around the cart a little tighter. “I’ll be fine regardless of which cereal you purchase, Jimin.”

He pouted slightly and nodded. “You’re right.” He smiled at me and grabbed a box before jerking his head toward the register.

The employee checked our items and stowed them neatly away, and we made our way out towards the exit. We only made it a few paces before a familiar, joyful voice called after us, “Hey!”

I turned towards the back of the store and noticed an older employee smacking the back of another employee’s head. Dark, untidy hair. Red patterned bandana. I smiled. Jungkook had gotten a job? I decided not to bother him while he worked and instead adjusted my hold on the groceries.

Jimin opened the door and held it for me to walk through, but as he did, he stepped back to walk beside me. Our steps were identical as we walked through the empty aisle. Every swaying step we took caused the backs of our hands to brush just slightly. Neither of us moved slightly to prevent it. Neither of us even looked at the other. But there was a strange shift occurring. I’d noticed it particularly in recent days. Jimin was becoming more and more comfortable touching me. Under normal circumstances, perhaps I’d have found it strange. But maybe I was too enamored. Maybe a part of me believed that if I allowed us to move closer…I could figure something out. Capture something elusive about those odd dreams which had been evading me. After all, it seemed we were intertwined somehow.

Or was I just giving myself an excuse to be greedy?

We walked back to the store, chatting idly, each of us holding two pager bags of groceries.The weather was fine and, for a brief moment, I was grateful to have a body to enjoy it with. I felt my senses were rather acute, like my body was anticipating something. I glanced around, down towards the uneven pavement, up towards the bleached buildings, up towards Jimin’s grinning face. We neared the shop, the greenhouse catching sunlight and sending it off in prisms. My steps slowed and Jimin matched me subtly as something caught my eye on the ground. Glittering in the light, fractals of something sat at awkward angles. I could almost swear it was glass…

As we approached the steps up toward the apartment, I paused. Jimin was still engrossed in his story about a middle school soccer game, but my attention was seized. “Wait,” I said, holding my hand up and resting the groceries on the bottom step of the stairs.

Jimin stopped and stared down at me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

I shook my head and walked, tentative, towards the front of the shop. Something was pooling in my stomach and I recognized it at once. I’d felt it the night I’d saved Jimin.

Dread.

I stopped dead in my tracks as I stared at the front of the shop. I’d been right, this fractals on the ground were shards of broken glass still falling onto the ground from the windowsill as the breeze knocked them around. It must have occurred rather recently, as the door stood swinging on its hinges. I took high, careful steps around them to avoid puncturing the toes left exposed by my sandals and held my hand up behind me as Jimin approached too quickly.

“Hold on,” I said, eyes set on the floor. “There’s glass.”

“What?” he asked, and I heard his steps rushing forward despite my warning. “Wait, why-,” he began, then stopped speaking as he noticed the broken window. “Oh my God.”

I nodded and wrapped my palm in my shirt, trying to preserve any residual DNA, twisting the door handle. “I’ll go look around-,”

“Absolutely not,” said Jimin, grabbing my shoulder and wheeling me backwards.

I stared up at him with wide eyes. “Excuse me?”

He shook his head. “Nari, you could get hurt. What if someone’s still in there?” he asked.

I furrowed my brow and cocked my head. “Then I’ll be able to identify them.”

“Nari,” he said, tone stern and low. My heart raced. “I said you could get hurt.”

I shrugged. “If so, then that’s fine. I’d rather catch the culprit,” I said, then sighed at the damage in front of me. From what I could see in the store, numerous pots had been shoved from the shelves and the cash register had been forcefully pried open. Thank God I’d removed it that morning. “You’ve already been attacked. What will I do if that man isn’t caught?”

He stared down at me with smoldering eyes and a stiff jaw. “Nari, this isn’t something to take lightly. This is damage of property. Someone forced their way into the shop. They might have a weapon.”

I remembered what Yoongi said. If anyone else died, it was on my shoulders. After years of taking lives, why now did the thought of being responsible for someone’s death feel so serious?

I sighed and shook him off. “Jimin, does that matter?” I asked. “What if this is the only chance we get to catch him? To clear Jungkook’s name? To keep you safe?”

He leveled his gaze with mine and set his lips in a straight line. “If you go in there, I won’t forgive you.”

I swallowed hard, catching a hint of that earthy smell he had on the lazy breeze. I glanced away, back towards the ground, and chewed on the inside of my cheek. The day Hyungwon and I had fought, I was certain Jimin would hate me. I was certain that after everything he said, every request of his that I hadn’t heeded, he would surely cast me aside. But he’d forgiven me. Surprisingly easily, at that.

But this time…he wouldn’t. I could see it in his eyes. Normally lustrous and bright, now the endless brown of his eyes seemed dark, troubled, serious. I blinked at him before taking a step back, away from the shop’s front door. I sighed and crossed my arms, shaking his hand off my shoulder, and walked towards the steps beside the shop, sitting down beside the groceries we’d left behind.

Quietly, Jimin approached and pulled his cell phone from his back pocket. He typed a number and pressed it against his ear without looking at me. He was silhouetted beautifully against the radiant sun, and normally I’d have admired it for a moment. But I was frustrated. Frustrated with him.

Just like that day with Hyungwon, it felt suffocatingly familiar.

I rested my head against the railing and sat with crossed arms as Jimin began speaking. “Hey. Someone broke into the shop. I don’t know when, but…,” he paused and listened quietly, voice terse. “Yeah. I’m not comfortable having Nari here, so could she maybe…yeah, that’d be good.”

My eyes snapped towards him and I furrowed my brows. He avoided my gaze. “Jimin,” I said, loud enough for the person on the other end to hear.

He cleared his throat. “Alright. We’ll wait here for you…five minutes? Okay.” He hung up the phone and slid it into his back pocket, coming around to sit beside me on the stairs.

I edged away and leaned against the railing once more. “Sending me away?” I asked.

“It’s safer.”

“I sincerely dislike when you decide things like this for me,” I said, staring out at the stone wall separating the street from the cliff face. “It infuriates me.”

He sighed. “It’s because you are totally incapable of making normal decisions,” he said.

I scoffed and angled my body away from his. “I am making perfectly rational decisions,” I said, then shrugged. “Seems you prefer to choose emotionally.”

“Do you just, like…not value your life? Or what?” he asked, clearly getting riled up.

I watched a car zoom past and rolled my eyes, although I wasn’t sure when I’d learned to do that. “Nothing would have happened, and if it did that would have helped your case,” I said. “Now the perpetrator is long gone from here. No chance of catching him now.”

Jimin laughed, but it was bitter. “Alright, so it’s my fault for wanting to keep you safe.”

“Yes,” I said. “What value do I have if not to help you?” I asked, then shook my head. I’d said too much.

He huffed. “That’s insane. If you really think that way, then it makes me very uncomfortable,” he said, staring at me with heavy eyes.

I met his gaze and furrowed my brow. “You have no idea what you are talking about,” I said, surprised at the bite in my own words.

He raised a brow. “I don’t? Then explain it.”

How could I? How could I tell him that the only reason I was human was because of him? “Forget it. Just…ignore me,” I said, settling once more against the railing. “This conversation is meaningless.”

“Do you really like me that much?” he asked, a cruel laugh escaping him. “You hardly know me. Please get a handle on your feelings.”

I felt my throat tighten. I tried to remember a time in the years I’d watched over him when he’d said something so unkind. Nothing came to mind. Did he really think all that? Did he truly want me to collect my emotions and settle them somewhere else? After asking me to trust him, after touching me and smiling at me and making himself dear to me? Was that really fair? I glanced at him and saw his gaze was locked far away.

“If that’s what you want,” I said, nodding. I watched two police vehicles slow to a stop on the side of the road and stood to my feet, walking towards them.

Jimin sighed and I turned to watch him kick a bag of groceries harshly, scattering the contents across the cement. I shook my head and walked to the edge of the sidewalk. Namjoon exited the first car while the second one idled. I stiffened as his penetrating eyes landed on me. Was he perhaps still upset with me? Had he not had enough time to cool down? My heart pounded.

Slowly, he offered a small, dimpled smile which set my nerves at ease slightly. I sighed and retuned the gesture. “Hello,” I said.

He bowed his head. “Hi,” he said, then examined the damage over my shoulder. “God…I’m sorry you’ve been through all of this.”

I shrugged as Jimin stood beside me. “I suppose I’m only involved by proxy,” I said with a dismissive shrug. “I shouldn’t be especially bothered, should I?”

Jimin groaned. “Nari!” he exclaimed beside me.

I met his eyes and shrugged. “It’s true isn’t it? They’re your problems after all,” I said, returning my attention to Namjoon. “What should I do? Jimin’s sending me off somewhere, right?”

Namjoon nodded. “Yoongi is waiting in the other patrol car. Please go with him to the station,” he said, smiling at me.

I sighed and felt my shoulders fall. “I think I would prefer the crime scene,” I mumbled, but as I turned to look at Jimin I found his brows lowered and his gaze sturdy, irritated. I swallowed and bowed my head to him. “I’ll be going then.”

I stepped away towards the second patrol car and opened the door. Yoongi stared straight ahead, not so much as making eye contact with me. I settled beside him and latched my seatbelt. “Are you not assisting Namjoon in this investigation?”

Yoongi bristled and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. “He thought it would be better to keep me and Jimin apart for a little while.”

I chuckled as he started the engine. “I suppose that’s best.”

“And you?” he asked with a smirk and a sly glance my way. “You’re being exiled too.”

I stiffened and leaned back in the seat, watching the road before us as it stretched along the cliffside. “Just drive.”

Yoongi had a surprisingly gentle expression while he worked. I sat opposite him at his unruly desk, reclining against the stiff chair he’d given me as he shuffled through papers. Occasionally, a sigh would escape him or he’d work a hand over his jaw. Watching him that way mad a thin sliver of guilt course through me. Of course he was rough and caustic, but I wondered if perhaps he had a reason to be. I wondered if I’d been to quick to write him off. Perhaps, just like Jungkook who looked rather harsh, he was soft inside. Maybe he was like Hyungwon: scaly exterior revealing an innocent heart. I watched him carefully. His eyes stayed steadfast on his papers, scanning then, and now and then his dark hair would slip onto his eyelid and he’d flick it away with a huff and a pout.

Half an hour passed before he spoke.

“Can you stop staring at me?” he asked quietly.

I continued observing his fine motions as he lifted his gaze to meet mine. “What else am I meant to do?”

He sighed and sat upright, folding his arms across his chest. “Why did Jimin send you away?” he asked. “Aren’t you his pet or whatever?”

Indignation rose in my chest and I sat straighter. “I am not,” I said, remembering Jimin’s words. He wanted me to sort out my feelings after all. “I wanted to investigate the shop in case the person responsible was still inside, but he opposed.”

He chuckled. “You sure you’re not his pet?” he asked.

I opened my mouth to retort, but simply sighed and shrugged. I’d grown tired of fighting. “I think I’m worse than a pet,” I said, shaking my head. “Even Miso makes her own choices.”

Yoongi raised a brow. The air between us was different than before, perhaps less acidic. I wondered what could have caused such a shift as he smiled softly and arranged his papers. “Well…for what it’s worth, I think you had the right idea.”

I nodded. “It’s only rational.”

“I agree.”

“And if I got hurt, then at least he would have been caught,” I said. “We gave him every opportunity to get away, and then afforded him extra time for cleanup.”

“It was a critical time period that could have been used to further the investigation,” said Yoongi with a nod as he set the documents aside and laced his fingers, resting his chin atop them as he examined me. “I’m surprised we think alike for once.”

I set my lips thin and glanced away towards the wall beside me. “Perhaps we think alike in more ways than we know,” I said with a shrug.

He chuckled. “You never know.”

“Do you have any hypotheses about who could have done it?” I asked.

He shrugged and leaned back in his cushioned chair. “Well, it’s most likely the same man who stabbed Jimin in the first place. He’s a target now.”

I furrowed my brow. “It seems likely but…,” I began then sighed. “But the reasoning seems strange. You’re watching for him very closely. Why would he make such dangerous moves just for one victim that escaped?”

“Seems like a rookie move,” he said with a nod. “It’s weird.”

“Do you still think it’s Jungkook?” I asked quietly, watching his expression fall slightly.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Truth be told…well, what you said the other day kind of messed with me. Am I looking at this case objectively or am I trying to force the pieces to fit my own narrative? For my ego?”

I raised my brows. “You thought about it?”

He scoffed. “Am I an idiot?” he asked, sighing and averting his eyes. “Of course I thought about it. You had a point anyway.”

I smiled. Humans were pretty charming. “Well I’m glad you’re moving on to other suspects.”

He glanced up at me. “We haven’t yet though,” he said. “And especially after today. Intimidation is usually associated with gang activity. And with the crowd Jungkook runs in-,”

“It wasn’t him,” I said. “This time I’m certain. Jungkook was working.”

Yoongi raised his brows. “Working?”

I nodded. “At the supermarket.”

Yoongi laughed. “He tried to rob the owner and now he’s working there?” he asked, smiling to himself. “That kid…”

“So he has an alibi.”

Yoongi shifted forward to look at me. “Or it’s more elaborate than that,” he said, smirking. “Maybe they did it during his shift to take the heat off of Jungkook’s back.”

I stiffened. “I…I don’t think so,” I said, rubbing my chin. “Hyungwon and Taehyung came with Jungkook to the shop yesterday evening. They were nothing but cordial. Apologetic even.”

Yoongi exhaled slowly. “All I’m saying is that it’s possible this is more complex than we think,” he said.

I nodded. “On that, we agree.”

He smiled, almost mischievous, and glanced at me. “That’s twice today.”

I shrugged. “Please don’t read too much into it.”

He nodded. “Well…I guess you’ve been kinda helpful,” he said with a sigh. He crossed his legs and rested his hand atop his knee. “Talking with you gave me some new ideas.”

I pursed my lips. Again, nobody was in the facility. I supposed in such a small town the police force wasn’t all that large. Distantly, I heard the hum of chatter, perhaps coming from one of the private offices. But in that dim, cold room I couldn’t help but feel slightly sympathetic towards Yoongi. How often was he alone here? “Do you not have anyone else to talk with about the case?”

He shook his head. “Joon’s giving me the cold shoulder lately,” he said, then laughed. “Nobody else in the office likes me all that much, so they’re not options.”

I shook my head. “That doesn’t seem right.”

“Hm?” he asked, eyes round, almost doe-like.

I swallowed and glanced away, disarmed. “Well…you should maintain healthy interpersonal relationships if you intend to live a healthy life.”

He laughed. “Weird way to say I’m antisocial, but…”

I met his eyes and sighed. “You’re not so bad like this,” I said. “If you could show this face to the others…I’m sure they’d like you.”

His high cheeks went slightly pink and he cleared his throat. “Well…anyway, thanks for talking it out with me. You’re…you’re not that bad either, Jane Doe.”

I blinked. “What exactly is this?” I asked, pointing between us. “Are we friends now?”

He sputtered a laugh and leaned into his chair, tilting his head back as he continued laughing. “Where did that come from?” he asked.

I shrugged and pointed at him again. “You were being warmer to me! I only assumed naturally based on the conversation and atmosphere-,”

“Acquaintances,” he said, nodding. He smiled at me. “Acquaintances until we don’t benefit each other anymore.”

I blinked. “Rather…pragmatic.”

He nodded. “Gotta be in life,” he said. “Anyway, you want some coffee? I’ve got some in the back.”

I cringed at the memory of that bitter drink and shook my head. “No thank you.”

He chuckled. “We’ve got some snacks too. How about you come take a look and see if you want anything,” he offered, standing and gesturing towards the break room in the back of the office room.

I followed suit. As I stood to my feet and dusted off my pants, Yoongi turned to me and, with a smirk, added, “Please don’t read too much into it.”

Yoongi offered me a copy of a novel Namjoon had loaned him, Demian, to read while he worked. We sat quietly opposite one another, neither one intruding on the other’s private time. A half-empty cup of sweet orange juice sat in front of me as I reclined against the chair, letting my mind wander as I read the story, scanning the pages easily as a comfortable silence enveloped us. Every now and again, Yoongi would make a sound that would rouse my attention, causing me to move only my eyes to inspect him. Every time, I found him in the same position: gaze downcast, tabbing through papers or typing at the computer, elbows resting firmly on the desk. It was as if his body was making the noises without his knowledge. Little coughs here and there, exhalations that sounded like sighs. I wondered how much stress he was under.

Again, guilt descended upon me. Was I doing the right thing opposing him so steadfastly? Was I defending Jimin by opposing him? Or was I simply being cruel? I was learning every day that the world was not as binary as I used to think. Right and wrong, sympathy and apathy, one side and the other. It seemed everything was separated not by uncrossable roads but thin, transparent, fading lines. My eyes fell again upon the worn pages of Namjoon’s book as Sinclair spoke about the painting of the woman.

“We’re back,” called a voice from the entrance.

I snapped upright and glanced towards the source. Nearly two hours had passed, with noon turning to midday without my notice. Namjoon sighed and removed his light jacket, setting it atop his desk as Jimin followed behind with crossed arms. I watched him, gauging his expression for any sign of regret or apology.

None was present.

I crossed my legs and returned to my book, sparing Namjoon a soft smile as he approached. “Did you find him?”

He sighed. “Unfortunately no,” he said. “Looks like he fled the scene pretty quickly after breaking in. He tried to rob the register and then ran on foot out the back through the workroom.”

I nodded. “Do you have a timeframe for the incident?” I asked.

Namjoon settled in the seat beside me as Jimin lingered to the side, avoiding looking at Yoongi who was avoiding looking at him. “Probably fifteen to twenty minutes before we got there.”

I hummed. “Pretty quick,” I remarked, then met Jimin’s eyes from my seat below him. “I can’t help but feel like I could’ve done more. Since it happened so shortly before we arrived.”

Jimin inhaled as if to speak, but Namjoon beat him to it. “We wouldn’t want you risking getting hurt just to find this guy,” he said, rubbing his forehead. “If it really is the killer, he’s already hurt enough people.”

I shrugged. “Might’ve helped the investigation at least if I’d gone inside.”

“I agree,” said Yoongi. “Who cares about personal injury when a killer is walking around?” he asked. “Seems like Nari is thinking seriously about all of this.”

“Enough,” said Jimin, sharp eyes scanning me. “Nari wasn’t thinking. That’s the problem. Being brave and being careless are different.”

I glanced at Namjoon who shifted uncomfortably in his seat with a sigh. “Anyway, do you have any leads?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Since Jimin doesn’t keep cameras in the shop, there’s not a lot to go on.”

“Hm,” I said, sipping my orange juice. “I like this book, Namjoon.”

He glanced at the novel in my hands and grinned. “Oh yeah? Yoongi let you borrow it?” he asked, then chuckled. “It’s a good read.”

I smiled and handed it to him. “I like that line — what was it?” I began, flipping through the files of memories in my mind until I landed upon it. “If a person is afraid of someone, it’s because he has allowed that someone to acquire power over him.”

Namjoon’s brows raised. “Funny, I liked that line too,” he said.

I peered up at Jimin as he sighed and crossed his arms. “Nari, we should leave. I’m booking you a hotel room.”

I stood up and scoffed. “When was I going to be informed of this?”

“Just now,” he said, jerking his head towards the exit. “Let’s go. It’s right down the street. I’ll walk with you.”

I rolled my eyes. “No. If you’re going to make me stay someplace, then I may as well stay here,” I said, turning towards Yoongi who watched us bicker with a sly smile. “You operate during the night, right?”

Yoongi shrugged. “Sure do.”

“Nari!” shouted Jimin, setting his jaw firmly. “Let’s go.”

I huffed. “If you continue to insist on being my benefactor, then I have no choice but to refuse!”

“What’s wrong with that? I’m just trying to take care of you since you don’t have anyone else to do it! You seem pretty damn ungrateful to the person who’s been taking responsibility for you,” he said, shaking his head.

I nodded. “Responsibility?” I asked, all anger fleeing from my body, replaced with something far worse. Hurt.

He raked his hands through his hair. “I can’t deal with you right now. Meet me outside or don’t,” he said, waving his hands before turning on his heel and storming out the front door.

I stared after him before sighing and rubbing my forehead. “I’ll go then,” I said.

Yoongi laughed. “After all that?” he asked.

I smiled softly and shrugged. “I never intended to be obstinate until the end,” I said. “I just…I want him to understand me.”

“He’s having a hard time,” said Namjoon gently from below, giving me a smile. Although there was still something odd between us, uncomfortable.

I glanced away. “I know. I will try to be softer with him,” I said, then smiled at Namjoon. “May I come back sometime to finish the book?”

His back went straight and he nodded quickly. “Anytime you want.”

I nodded. “Thank you for keeping me company, Yoongi,” I said, waving at the dark-haired man as he chuckled my way, tossing a lazy hand in the air in response.

I walked outside to find Jimin leaning against the front of the police station, kicking dirt on the ground. It seemed there was still something irreconcilably different about the two of us. Despite promising to figure things out together, I was beginning to wonder if we could. We were both too stubborn, perhaps. I was used to being alone and making my own decisions, so his well-meaning care felt like an imposition. Likewise, Jimin was likely used to caring for himself so caring for another person could be difficult.

And besides, I was nothing more than a responsibility. An obligation.

I was a burden to the one person I valued above anyone else.

He lifted his heavy gaze to meet mine and sighed. “Why fight if you’re gonna do it anyway?” he asked.

I said nothing and simply stood at his side. “If you’ll tell me where the hotel is, I can go alone,” I said, avoiding meeting his eyes.

He groaned and threw his head back. “Jesus Christ, Nari. Enough of the drama!” he said, grabbing my shoulders and forcing me to look at him. “I’m looking out for you.”

“I understand,” I said, nodding. “Now if you’ll just tell me where it is-,”

“God damnit!” he shouted, shoving his hair off his forehead before taking my hand in his and wheeling me down the street.

I struggled against his grip. “No! Jimin, no! I can go alone!” I yelled, writhing backwards.

He was stronger than me, however, and easily overpowered me. He walked ahead, clasping my hand so tightly the blood rushed out of it, and led the way down the sidewalk. After a few moments of protesting, I sighed and simply walked behind him, watching the ground as my feet slapped against it. There was a heavy silence, the kind that you can feel, and I jammed my free hand in the pocket of my slacks.

The hotel came into view at the end of the block and I was thankful for the rather short walk. But my legs were tired from keeping up with his ruthless pace, so once we entered the lavish lobby and Jimin released my hand to speak with the receptionist, I gave my thighs a quick squeeze before massaging my wrist. He’d been too rough — not rough enough to hurt me, but rough enough to make me sad. He’d mentioned that he was scary when he was angry, but I never imagined that anger would be turned on me.

Perhaps I really was a heavy burden.

He turned back to me and, without looking at me, took my hand once more. His grip was softer this time, more yielding. I walked beside him with furrowed brows, watching his face as he stared ahead. He didn’t even spare me a single glance, simply pushing the call button for the gilded elevator and leading us inside silently. He pressed the button for my floor and released my hand to fold his arms over his chest, brow heavy and eyes dark.

I wasn’t going to be the one to break the silence. Not for stubbornness or hurt, but rather because I’d lost the confidence to speak comfortably with him. How long had he been seeing me as a responsibility? How much of what he’d done for me had been done out of obligation? How much had I asked of him without even knowing it? The fact alone that he wished for me to settle my emotions for him was telling enough…

We arrived at the tenth floor and he walked out first, leaving me again to follow. This time, however, I didn’t fight. I simply walked a few paces behind him in silence and when he slid the electronic key through the reader in one of the doors and swung it open, I walked inside after him. He placed the plastic key card on the table in front of the big bed and turned to me, meeting my eyes for the first time since we entered the hotel.

“You’ll stay here until I get the shop cleaned up,” he said.

I swallowed and glanced away, towards the wide windows behind his back overlooking the endless ocean. “I can just…go stay at the police station instead,” I said, rubbing my hands together.

He stiffened and stared at me. “What?” he asked.

My throat felt tight. “I never considered the position I’d been putting you in all this time. I feel like I may have overstayed my welcome and expected too much from you,” I said with a nod.

He sighed. “Is this because of what I sat outside the shop? About sorting out your feelings?” he asked.

I shook my head and met his eyes. “It’s not just that,” I said, forcing a smile. “Of all the people in the world…you’re the last one I want to burden.”

His expression softened as he looked at me, his brows now knitting. “Nari…,” he said.

“It’s okay,” I said with a smile. “Really. We can still…help each other. But I think I was expecting too much.”

“Stop it,” he said, voice gentle as he walked closer. “You know I say stupid shit when I’m mad.”

I nodded. “But even if you don’t realize it, those might be your real thoughts,” I said. “And you have every right to have them.”

“It’s not that, Nari.”

“Back when Hyungwon tried to hit you, you said something similar,” I said softly, wringing my hands. So much guilt was weighing on my shoulders lately. “You said I’d caused you a lot of trouble.”

“You know I didn’t mean that,” he said. “It slipped out because I was mad.”

“I don’t want to cause trouble for you-,”

“Nari!” he shouted, placing both hands on my face, causing me to meet his eyes. As I did, I felt tears brimming over my eyelids and falling onto my hot cheeks. He wiped them away carefully, smoothing his fingers over my skin. “Do you know how worried I was about you?”

I swallowed my tears, but they kept falling. “What?”

He stepped closer and I stepped back. “Back then and today too. I’m so worried about you, every day,” he said, eyes scanning my face as he set his jaw. “You care so much about me that you’re always putting yourself in dangerous situations. Someday, you’re really gonna get hurt because of me.”

I shook my head. “I told you there’s no other reason for me to be here,” I said. “If I’m not protecting you, then it’s all useless.”

He shook his head. “I don’t understand,” he said gently, thumb rubbing softly against my cheek. Unconsciously, I leaned into his touch. “There’s so much that I don’t understand, Nari. But…more than anything I don’t understand why, from the start, I feel this way about you.”

I stiffened and took another small step backwards, countering his forward step. “What are you talking about?”

“Why does the thought of you getting hurt make me so angry? From the very beginning, I couldn’t stand it,” he said. “I don’t care if you hate me, but you can’t get hurt.”

My skin felt hot, especially so beneath his gentle fingers. “I-,”

He took another step, forcing me back against the hotel door. My eyes widened as I stared up at him. His cheeks were pink and his eyes were tender, warm. “You don’t cause trouble for me,” he said. “But having you around makes me so confused. Because every day I care about you more and I don’t understand how.”

“What?”

“I’ve spent my whole life being careful of people,” he said, the puff of breath from his sigh brushing my hair off my forehead. “It’s…it’s so scary to let people close, you know? They could leave so suddenly and then what?” he said, shaking his head. “So I take my time. Always.”

I blinked. “You have so many friends.”

He chuckled, eyes dropping. “That’s not the same,” he said. “You’re the only one who’s seen me like this. You’re the only one who makes me so mad.”

“That’s a bad thing,” I whispered, more tears spilling.

He shook his head and wiped them away. “You don’t get it,” he said, voice breaking. “I shouldn’t care about you this much. We hardly know each other and still…you’re shaking me up every day.”

My heart fluttered and my stomach felt light, as if I’d fallen from a great height. I balled my hands into fists and scanned his features. “Jimin, what are you saying?”

“I don’t know,” he said, moving his face closer to mine. I could see every detail in his eyes, every long dark eyelash. “But you’re not a burden. It’s not you who needs to sort out your feelings. It’s me.”

I swallowed something tight in my throat and watched him carefully as his hand moved to the back of my neck, holding me in place. “I…I think you’re confused,” I said, but my words were weak like my resolve. I could feel my knees shaking at his proximity. Every centimeter between us was charged, and I was hyperaware of his chest heaving so close to mine.

“Then let me try to clear it up,” he said, nodding at me with worried eyes, as if asking permission.

I could say nothing more. It took everything I had within me to stand erect without falling. He was frustratingly handsome, even up close. Since when had I found him so beautiful? The delicate curve of his lips, the smooth rosiness in his full cheeks, the softness of his hands on my skin. It was inexplicable. And as he moved closer, I didn’t turn away. I was not naive. I knew what he was doing to clear up his emotions. I knew what was coming, even before his lips touched mine.

But when they did, I could no longer keep my eyes open and my hands, holding all the tension in my body, released against my thighs. His lips were soft and gentle against mine, almost pleading, and very warm. I felt his nose brush against my cheek and flush as he eased my lips apart. I didn’t protest. I didn’t want to. The sensation of it was not only intoxicating, it was…familiar.

He took my lower lip between his own, eliciting a gasp from me that made his grip on my neck tighten. Without meaning to, my hands found their way to his wrists, holding tightly to his forearms until one slipped down to my waist, pulling my body flush against his. I was feeling hot, and as he embraced me I felt even hotter. My stomach did flips and my heart was pounding loudly in my ears. He pulled away and unwittingly I followed, only to crash his lips against mine again, forcing me back against the door once more. His hand roamed my lower back and my own raised to clutch his shoulders, fingers digging into his skin. I ran a hand through his soft hair, pushing it back from his forehead as I’d watched him do countless times. He sighed against my lips and chills ran up my spine.

“Nari,” he whispered against me, pulling back once more and opening his eyes. “I…”

I blinked up at him, my face flushed and my hands starting to shake. My knees felt unsteady and I had to hold onto his shoulders to remain standing. As I took in his unruly hair, his reddened lips, and his tender eyes my vision began to blur, darkness encroaching from the sides. I began to feel lightheaded. Was this what happened when humans kissed? Was that why they wrote so many songs about it? He scanned my features, eyes hooded as if he may kiss me again. But as he leaned in once more, the darkness overtook my vision and the last thing I felt was my body collapsing against his.

And the last thing I heard was Jimin’s panicked voice calling, “Nari!”

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nautiscarader · 6 years

Text

New Year’s Kiss

Tristeva, Yumalia, T (though with some naughtiness Ankama got us used to), 4.9k (say whaaaa)

(masterpost which I still need to update from the november prompts shut up I know just use the tag for now) (Read on Ao3) (Read on FF)

Elely is sick watching Yugo and Amalia moping and doping about their on-and-off relationship, and decides to put a plan to tie the knot around them, whether they like it or not.

Happy New year everybody (especially my buddy @ninja-courtney)!

If you decide to start reading this fic at 23:45:33, then it will end precisely at bugger all because of time zones.

This fic takes place post-Season 3 and post-whatever Ankama decides to do with the heroes stranded in the Gods' dimension...

I just wanted to write some holiday fluff about Percedal family, because they are #bestfamily2k17 and out of all them Elely is #bestshipper2k17, as I have told in my episode "reviews". and you know me - Yumalia gotta prevail.

Wait, wait, I got a nice one: What do you call a christmas Yumalia fic? A YULE-malia! Eh? Eh? I'll shut up now.

- Open up, Tristegnon, the choo-choo is coming... - Evangelyne cooed to her youngest son, bringing the spoon filled with mushy cawwots closer and closer to his mouth. She smiled, staring into his surprised face, hoping that this time...

SPLAT!

In a blink of an eye, Tristegnon smacked the spoon from his mother's hand, which smashed in the same spot on the wall as five previous ones, deepening the orange splash against the dark wood. His cries broke the seeming tranquillity in Percedal household kitchen, forcing Evangelyne to slump onto her chair, defeated once more.

- What do I do with you? - she groaned - You're crying because you're hungry, and then you won't even take a single bite, so you cry more! - Mom, let me do it.

Up until now, Elely, chopping cawwots at the other side of the table, patiently watched her mother's attempts at handling another Iop baby. She stood up, walked around the table, quite unceremoniously yanked the bowl from her hands and half-sat on the table to meet her brother eye-to-eye.

- That's how you should do it. - she instructed, taking the spoon - Hey there, Tristegnon! Look at that, it's a huge beam of cawwot energy that will kill all of your loved ones, and you're the only one who can save them by taking it! There goes a destructive beam of energy, there goes a destr... CHOMP! The small Iop eagerly clamped his mouth over the spoon, slurping the pulp, licking his lips afterwards.

- There, that should do it. - she jumped from the table, ignoring her mother's dumbfounded face. - Honestly, you and your brother sometimes give me nightmares! - she fumed, though slightly content that her littlest won't be hungry anymore - My sister warned me about having a Iop as a husband, and I can see why. I sometimes wish I didn't... Suddenly, the steady, monotonous sound of knife hitting the cutting board stopped, and the two met their eyes.

- Mom...? - Elely's voice quivered - What... What did you want to say?

At once, Evangelyne understood her mistake, and ran to her daughter, almost terrified that she might run away as she approached her. The avalanche of guilt swept over her as she hugged her, feeling tiny droplets of tears on her shoulder.

- Mommy, you-you still love us, right? And D-daddy, right? - Oh course I do, honey, of course I do. - Evangelyne whispered through her own tears, hugging Elely tighter She let her go, hoping to find a smile on Elely's face, and to her relief, she received much more, when her daughter placed a kiss, though not exactly non-teary one, on her cheek.

- I'm sorry, honey. - she wiped her eyes. - It's just... Sometimes love is difficult, that's it. And your brother, well, he's not exactly helping it. - How come? - Elely looked at her, curious - Love isn't hard at all. Evangelyne smiled and ruffled Elely's hair.

- Well, maybe to you, but once you grow up, you will learn it's a bit nuanced. That means "difficult". - No it's not! Love is easy. - she snorted, counting - You two spend equal time kissing, arguing... - That is one way of looking at it... - Evangelyne chuckled. - ...and doing the naked wrestling thingy. Not just the utensils, but Elely herself rose into the air when Evangelyne smashed her hand on the table.

- Elely! Have you been spying on me and your father when I specifically told you not to? - What's the big deal? - she asked back, gathering the scattered cawwots - If you like to play that way, it's your choice, you don't have to shout at us. - That's not the way to talk to your mother, young lady. - Evangelyne hissed - If your father were here... She looked towards the window, but through the steamed glass not much could be seen, and even without the obstruction, the snow outside wouldn't let Evangelyne locate her husband and her other son. She was about to say that once he gets back he will give them "the talk", but once she thought about it, she came to the conclusion that their father is not the ideal teacher for more delicate issues.

Trying to avoid any more arguing with her daughter, she slumped back onto her chair, and continued feeding Tristegnon.

- Grown-ups make all things complicated! - Elely grumbled under her breath, flowing her Iopish pent-up anger into her hand, utterly pulverising the cawwots in the process - Not just you and dad, even uncle Yugo and auntie Amalia act all stupid sometimes! - Elely, you mustn't call them that! - But they are! - Elely roared - They obviously love each other, but they act as if they didn't know about it! - I had the impression that you thought that kissing was gross and "icky". - Well, it kinda is... - Elely admitted - But it's makes me more angry to watch these two dumb-dumbs not doing it, even though they should!

Looking back at her daughter, Evangelyne's lips curled into a smirk.

- Well, as I said, love can sometime be tricky... - But in this case it's not! It's easy as chopping those cawwots! He loves her, she loves him, what's more to that? - she groaned, pointing to two bits of cawwots, one large and one small, using them as dolls - But oh, no, they have to pretend, and always use big words to talk to each other, as if they couldn't just explain this to themselves. You'd think that after they kissed it would be easy-peasy, but it got even more covno... conovo...difficult. - Again, Elely, I told yo-THEY DID WHAT? One more time the bowl of freshly chopped cawwots rose and fell onto the table, this time properly scaring Elely, lost in her own thoughts.

- Uh, what's that, mommy? - Did... did you say that Amalia... - Uh-uh. - Elely nodded. - And Yugo? - she inquired more, still utterly bewildered by her daughter's revelations. - Mhm. - Back in the Oropo's tower? - she added after a while, once she thought about it. Elely nodded again.

- That little... - Evangelyne grumbled under her breath - You'd think she would tell her best friend... Elely giggled under her breath.

- Maybe uncle Yugo wasn't good at it? Auntie Amalia didn't look very pleased afterwards... - Elely pondered. - And I assume you found out about it in the usual way? - Evangelyne smirked, raising her brow. - Yup. They didn't even see me, they thought I was in the glowing elevator thingy. Mom, I have an idea! - she suddenly rose to her feet - Why don't we invite them over and put them under a mistletoe? Then they will have to make up with each other and kiss! - Well, that is a plan. - Evangelyne sighed, taking fed Tristegnon into her arms to make him burp - I've been meaning to do that anyway, after we've rebuilt the house... She looked around the kitchen walls, patched with wooden planks that just a year ago were half-destroyed by Oropo's Pandawa henchman.

- We have spare bedroom! We can invite them for Kwismas! - Elely shouted, waving her hands eagerly. - Well, maybe not Kwismas, I think they would like to spend that time with their families... And so will we... But New Year sounds more doable, doesn't it? Elely cheered, but at the same time the rush of cold air invaded the warm interior, when Tristepin and Flopin opened the door, dragging something huge behind them.

- Look honey what our son caught!

Tristepin, or rather Rubilax, lifted the bag into the air and emptied its contents onto the floor, which turned out to be a carcass of an enormous boar, shot, seemingly with just one arrow sticking through his head.

- Oh, brilliant, more meat to prepare, as if the pantry wasn't full already. - Evangelyne sighed and rolled her eyes - If you want more jerky, then you will have to skin it and deal with it yourselves. - she pointed to her meat-loving daughter and husband. - Don't worry, dad, I will show you how. - Flopin nudged his father's healthy arm. - What were you two laughing about when we came back? Auch! - We've been talking about inviting Amalia and Yugo for the New Year's... - Evangelyne explained calmly, smacking Tristepin's hand with a ladle when he tried to taste the steaming soup from the cauldron. - Although Elely was a bit more... conniving about their stay. - Awesome! - Tristepin cheered, though his face frowned almost instantly - But what do you mean about that, uh, that other word? Evangelyne and Elely giggled, bringing more consternation to the men listening to the conversation.

- I will explain that later, honey. - she kissed him on the cheek - For now, why don't you make the table while I put Tristegnon to bed, hm?

Throughout Kwismas, the plan of inviting Yugo and Amalia, discussed primarily between Elely, Evangelyne and Flopin matured well enough to be put into action, and just two days after the kids sent their invitations, they got two affirmative replies.

One unexpected side effect of Elely's plan was how much more time the three spent with each other, trying to come with interesting ways of bringing their guests closer, though Evangelyne had to intervene whenever her twins' imagination went too far. Much to Elely's disappointment, her seemingly amazing idea of putting both Amalia and Yugo into one bedroom, was thwarted before Elely could even finish saying it. She grumbled about 'grown-ups' and 'spoilsport' for a good while afterwards. It was settled that Yugo will sleep in the twins' room for one night.

But a few better ideas were proposed: the amount of mistletoe doubled in the house, especially above the doorways and any vertical places one could sit on, to maximise the chances of the two finding themselves underneath it. Evangelyne would not dare to disappoint her children that the supposed rule is nothing more than just a tradition, seeing how eagerly the two decorated the house.

Whenever the three of them were not playing match-makers, under Evangelyne's supervision, she and Flopin prepared special arrows equipped with small sacks of exploding powder to be fired at the midnight, once the new year arrives.

A day before the New Year's Eve, the preparations to welcome the two guests seemed finished and that nothing could spoil it.

But the dawn of the new day rectified that, since from the moment Yugo's and Amalia's eyes met each other, as they stepped from the two Zaap portals over the hills, the two couldn't look more outraged at the other one's presence, though whenever Evangelyne turned her head to Yugo, she could see a longing frown as he marched behind the princess.

- Did you guys write that they won't be arriving alone? - Evangelyne whispered conspiratorially to Elely and Flopin, once their guests stepped into the house. - Of course not, mommy! - Elely eagerly answered - That was the whole point, otherwise they couldn't come.

Evangelyne sighed. If she had any hopes that the two would somehow make themselves comfortable in each other's presence, then the dinner time shattered it. Sure, Amalia was more than happy to talk with Eva, and Yugo was delighted to meet his best buddy and his wild children, but whenever the two met each other's eyes, it felt as if a cold wind swept through the room they were currently in.

The twins made sure to offer Yugo and Amalia matching seats across the long table, but to their disappointment, instead they chose the ones as far away from each other as possible, and only because the others chose their chairs quickly, Yugo and Amalia had to endure looking into each other's eyes throughout the feast. The monumental roasted boar made it a bit easier for Yugo to avoid Amalia's stare, but with Tristepin and Elely's hunger, the meat very quickly turned into bones, slowly revealing the disgusted face of Amalia, taking another portion of salad.

Not a word was spoken, and for once, Evangelyne thought it was for the better. Judging from Amalia's grimace, even the tiniest spark could set the emotional princess on fire, and she silently prayed that none such occasion would occur.

- So, what the two of you've been up to? I thought you guys would be so happy together, but you are dead silent, like there's something wrong! - Tristepin blurted out, swallowing a large chunk of meat - Eva, why are scratching your neck so funny? Amalia turned her head to spot Evangelyne moving her hand across her neck, failing spectacularly to cut her husband off. She faked a smile, and nearly stuck her face underneath the table, when Amalia gripped its edge, darted her head upwards and spoke, calmly at first.

- For your information, Tristepin, I didn't know that your friend would be here, and judging from his twisted face neither was he - she sneered, watching as Yugo's visage twisted into the very same scowl Amalia just talked about. - And if you could have made a worse faux-pas to invite a man that has broken, nay, shattered my heart, then... - And what about mine?

Yugo stood up, grasping the corners of his side of the table, mirroring Amalia's behaviour. - You don't think how horrible I felt when I had to leave you? - You didn't have to leave anyone, you spoiled egocentric immortal king, you! - Amalia leaned over the table, as if she wished she could get closer to shout at her sudden adversary. - Says you, who can live equally long life - Yugo roared back - Or maybe you don't, I-I don't even know how our relationship would look like, ever thought about that? - Well, if you think that we shouldn't be together, then we shouldn't be sitting at the same table. - You know, I think for once you are right. With his arms spread, Yugo suddenly moved them, forming a circle mid-air, and a flash of blue portal light hid him from the rest for a moment. Once the light disappeared, however, the part of the table with his seat was pushed as far back into the room as possible, and only the faint glimmer of light around its edge told the others that the furniture wasn't broken, but magically moved. In turn, Amalia fumed, grasped her end of the wooden table, who to Percedal's family surprise, rumbled, glowed green, and the wood grew under her magic, extending it and pushing her in the opposite direction, all the way through the long corridor.

Evangelyne, Tristepin and their kids turned their heads back and forth, trying to see if they can even spot their guests from their position, though to an onlooker it might have looked like they were watching an invisible game of ping-pong on a very uneven surface.

Just when Evangelyne thought the space between the two was an issue, Amalia and Yugo stood from their chairs, snorted, and walked in the opposite direction, joining at the stairs, towards their rooms upstairs, without even a word spoken. Two loud slams indicated that the two shut themselves off in their corresponding rooms.

Without their magic, both ends of the table broke, sending most of the plates to the ground in cacophony of shattered china, with only a few full plates surviving, thanks to the agility (and hunger) of Tristepin, Elely and Flopin.

Evangelyne let out a long, wailing sigh, that soon turned into a cry. Understanding her intentions at once, and foreseeing another storm coming from a mile away, the kids and their father rushed to the kitchen for brooms, cloths, and buckets of water.

Cleaning the living room took the three a better part of the evening, and while Tristepin visited the kitchen every once in a while to see how Evangelyne was holding up, after the nerve-wrecking argument, Elely and Flopin formed a new plan. It certainly helped that the twins understood each other's intentions almost wordlessly, and once they were done with gathering bits of broken wood, they grabbed the two plates of cake from the kitchen, under their parent's absence, and rushed upstairs, until they met the doors to the guest room and their own, turned into a temporary second one.

Elely pointed Flopin to the one on the right, while she gently knocked on the one on the left.

- WHAT DO YOU WANT?

The floor rumbled under Amalia's roar, though that didn't scare Elely in the slightest. She turned the knob and peered through the door, hoping that if Amalia decides to attack her, she will at least be able to save the cheesecake.

- Auntie Amalia? - Elely asked, putting quite an effort to pull off a sing-song voice - I brought you dessert, I thought you might want it...

But instead of rampaging, angry, heart-broken princess, Elely found Amalia curled onto the guest bed, sitting in the unlit room, staring at the snow, falling outside the window. Unless Elely was very much mistaken, the same orange light from the lamp outside reflected in the tears in her eyes.

- Oh... - Amalia said softly, taking the plate from her - Thank you. She absent-mindedly put it on the table next to the bed. As if approaching a sleeping sabre-tooth tiger, Elely crept to the chair, and sat on it, clearing her throat. She found herself in quite unsettling situation, as her usual temperamental approach to solving problems simply wouldn't work, but fortunately help came from the very person she was going to persuade.

- I'm sorry, Elely, that I lost my control over the dinner. I should be there, helping you clean the room. - It's okay, we did it already. - Elely waved her legs mid-air - So... you and uncle Yugo... You're not exactly... uh... - It's complicated, I think is the safest to say - Amalia sighed longingly - It is plainly obvious he was in love with me for years now... But then again, he... As an Eliatrope... Well, he might have different plans for the rest of his life. And as you can see, it is difficult for me to... reciprocate the feeling.

She took the plate, and ate a rather large bit of the cake. Elely had the impression that the empty calories might be just what the needy princess wanted right now.

- Okay, so here's the thing, auntie... - Elely cleared her throat again. - And don't get mad about it... But you're dense as a brick. - What did you say?! - And that comes from a Iophead, so listen, now. - Elely jumped from her chair to the bed, almost pinning Amalia to the wall behind her - Uncle Yugo is crazy in love with you, and so are you about him. And I don't care about any silly grown-up rules, or manners.... - That is obvious! - ...but I know that you two should have been married like mom and dad for years now. Both of you said some horrible stuff about each other, and you should apologise. A kid tells you that. And I'm sure Yugo wants to apologise to you as well.

Amalia blinked a few times, staring at the surprisingly authoritative-looking figure of the little Iopess, and swallowed loudly.

- Well, perhaps you are right.

To Elely's surprise, Amalia stood up, walked to the door, and froze in place as she opened it. Elely didn't have to peek in order to know what happened in Yugo's room, but from the look on Yugo's face, her brother succeeded into making him apologise as well. The twins gave each other a nod, and scooted from the rooms towards the stairs, though neither Yugo nor Amalia, linked by a sorrowful, silent stare, wouldn't have noticed either of them walking past them anyway.

Neither of them shouted or argued, the two simply walked slowly towards each other. The twins moved another step back, peeking, while they leaned on the stairs, seeing only half of a scene that was taking place before their eyes, though in the silence that fell, they could hear every word.

- Ami... Amalia... - Yugo... Elely rolled her eyes, watching the two slowly stepping closer to each other, saying only the other one's name. Flopin nudged his sister, pointing to the mistletoe hanging just above these two. Suppressing her happiness, Elely nodded back to her brother, hoping that the long, mopy act they had to endure might actually end exactly like they planned, and the two eagerly watched Yugo and Amalia staring at each other in a silent trance.

But once the initial moment of enchantment was gone, the two knew something was wrong.

- Well? - Amalia asked suddenly, crossing her arms. - Well what? - Yugo asked back, raising his brow. - The apology, Yugo. You were going to apologise for your outrageous behaviour! - Me!? - he stumbled - I thought you were going to do that! - You are out of your mind! Elely and Flopin sighed. Yugo and Amalia's voices dissolved into a quarrelling mess, as the two tried to outshout each other. Defeated and despondent, the twins walked down to the room without exchanging ever so much a word, until Flopin stopped on the landing.

- Look at the clock, it's nearly midnight! - The fireworks! Two two took one last look at the still arguing couple, shrugged, and ran downstairs. As they suspected, their mom was already on the porch, holding what looked like a small sack of fur in her arms, though they knew it was their brother, coated in several layers of warm clothes.

- There you are, Flopin. I've been wondering what took you so long. Wait, where is Amalia? And Yugo?

Evangelyne looked inside the house, as if expecting to see the two, though from the frowns on her children's faces, she already knew what was the reason of her friends' absence. She kneeled, and still holding her newest member of family, patted the twins heads, sliding woolen hats on them.

- I'm sorry, kids, that your plan didn't work in the end. I wish Yugo and Amalia could find a common ground more than anyone else, believe me. - I think we made everything worse... I think. - Flopin mumbled, snorting. - Don't say that - Eva cheered him - You did everything you could to bring these two together. But sometimes... - she sighed - Now, who wants to see some fireworks? - she stood up, happy to see at least a slightly faint smiles forming on their faces - I know who definitely wants to see them for the first time, don't I? Tristegnon laughed at her mother's smile, wiggling his arms, though with the amount of protective clothing, the range of his arms was minimal. His father burst through the door, holding the long explosive arrows, a task Evangelyne wasn't sure he was up to, at least initially.

It was barely snowing anymore, and the night sky, glowing with Winter stars, seemed like a perfect canvas waiting for a bit of colour. Eva and Flopin took their bows, waited a couple of minutes, and when the first bells of a distant Xelor church rang, they shot the flaming arrows high in the sky, which exploded with a loud "bang", illuminating the snowy fields with orange that slowly turned into crimson red. From his father's arms, little Tristegnon marvelled at the miracles unfurling in front of his eyes, babbling ecstatically every time a new colour appeared seemingly out of nowhere: yellow, red, green, blue...

Just like the bells announced the beginning of new year's celebration outside, the first sneeze of Flopin sounded like a good time to end them, after already impressive tenth round of firework arrows. Elely called Flopin a "runny nose", and rushed to the door, knowing well he still had one explosive arrow in his quiver, and he won't be afraid to use it. But when she arrived at the door, she froze, turned around and waved eagerly at parents and brother to stop running and creep towards her.

Only when the rest of the Percedal family got closer to the window, they understood Elely's sudden giggling.

Next to the warm, inviting fire, two people sat on the cozy sofa, embraced in a tight, passionate kiss. While Amalia's loose hair blended with the green drubbing, Yugo's yellow Kwismas sweater and blue hat contrasted with it, and provided a clear indication where she begun, and he ended, as with the tangled mess of limbs it wasn't as easy as one might think.

- Well, what do you know... - Evangelyne whispered, trying to suppress equally girly giggle. - Yeah... - Tristepin added somewhat nervously - What? Aren't you happy about your best friend? - I am, but the weather is frightful, and that fire looks so delightful... - he spoke through his chattering teeth. Another sneeze, this time from her youngest, mortified Evangelyne, lost in mushy thoughts about her friend that has been through so much recently, and without any guilt, she opened the door, causing the couple, entwined in each other's arms to jump in place, when the sudden rush of cold air that made the hair on heir skin stand in an instance.

- So, who wants some cocoa before hitting the bed? - Evangelyne asked, getting a loud simultaneous cheer from the rest of her family.

Almost nonchalantly, she looked at the still flustered princess and her admirer, caught red-handed, and from the looks, red-lipped, and returned the well-earned smile that slowly moved the corners of Amalia's mouth up.

The next morning things seemed much different than a day before. Evangelyne, Flopin, Tristepin and Elely kept exchanging knowing, happy looks, while Yugo and Amalia were too absorbed, staring into each other's faces, sitting across the table at the first breakfast of the new year. Their plates were intact, and the two love-stricken had their faces so close to each-other, that their noses almost touched each other.

Only Evangelyne's less-than-subtle cough brought the two lovebirds back to reality, painting their faces crimson, preventing them from pulling each other into a fierce kiss. Amalia fixed her hair, and looked around, as if she didn't spent last few minutes gaping at her boyfriend.

- I'm going to forgive you, Eva, for the, uhm, scheme you put us through. - Amalia asserted, passing a bowl of salad, trying to evade her eyes - Though I can't say I'm too disappointed with the outcome, of course. - Oh, then you should be forgiving our kids - Evangelyne smiled, putting her arm around Elely's shoulder, pulling her closer to her - They were right saying that you guys were taking about half a decade too long to realise what's between you two. Flopin and Elely exchanged a loud high-five across the table.

- And I've got to admit to you, children, perhaps you were right. - Eva said - Sometimes love can be easy. - It sure is! - Elely shouted - You did all the things to do: you argued a bit... - ...then you kissed... - ...and then...

Evangelyne understood her children's intentions a bit too late to stop them, and she nearly lunged herself across the table, eyes-widened to silence them before they could finish, in unison, resulting in her almost falling onto the plate of meats.

- ...and then you did the naked wrestling!

Out of all the other listeners, only Tristegnon, sitting in his high chair couldn't understand the consequences of his siblings' action and only his cooing could be heard in the dead silence that fell in the kitchen, and stayed for quite some time, until Evangelyne and Amalia roared.

- I told you, mom, Elely saw some fireworks on the horizon, she dragged me out, so we can watch them, and the we heard them... Auch! - Snitch! - Children, I can't hear the dishes being cleaned. From her comfy chair, Evangelyne didn't bother to argue with her hyperactive children. She hoped that a few weeks of household chores should teach them a lesson, though perhaps the more informative one on the subject of biology was a proper torture already for their too eager minds. - You could have told us it's about making babies! - Elely groaned from the sink - It sounds so gross we won't sneak and watch you, it even if you'd ask us... - You know what, I change my mind, love is difficult as heck. - Flopin lamented, putting another cleaned plate on his side, with vague hope that this might end his bit earlier.

Elely and Flopin weren't the only ones to receive a punishment. Smiling, Evangelyne read Amalia's lengthy letter, describing not just the kiss she didn't mention to her, but also as the events of the New Year's Eve, and the first week of Yugo's stay at her castle. One of two things were obvious: either Amalia developed imagination and a literary talent that could very well swipe other cheap romance novels for lone housewives from the shelves, or Yugo's skills really were as fabulous as she wrote, and their future was looking rather bright.

Somewhere above the kitchen, Tristepin was desperately trying to put Tristegnon to bed, though from the sounds of it, his attempts at making his son sleep turned into another pretend sword-fight. Evangelyne stretched her arms, and got comfortable in the chair. She will need to save the two later, of course, but for now, the brave Cra enjoyed well-earned bit of peace and quiet. Until another quarrel, that is.

A/N.: The scene at the table, with Yugo and Amalia growing apart is definitely not stolen from a little movie called "Citizen Kane". Nope, no siree. No, but seriously, that was coincidental.

#wakfu #tristeva #yumalia #nautiscaraderfics #yugo x amalia #yugo and amalia

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punk-is-notdead · 7 years

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Fic title: Stirring The (Coffee) Pot, by tfw_cas

Rating: Explicit

Tags: Castiel (Supernatural) Dean Winchester Sam Winchester Newly Human Castiel Men of Letters Bunker Castiel/Dean Winchester First Kiss Castiel/Dean Winchester First Time Blow Jobs Smut Dean Has Self-Esteem Issues Fluff Fluff and Smut Switching Castiel Takes Initiative

Summary: Dean sets out on a mission to make the now human Cas the best cup of coffee ever. When Cas tastes the heavenly beverage the sounds he makes lead them in a very different direction.

AO3

“Mornin’ sunshine.” Dean looked at Cas as he shuffled into the kitchen, and suppressed a laugh. Sunshine was not really a word that could be used to describe the ex-angel, who was definitely not a morning person. Grumpy would have been much more accurate. However, Dean had already gotten into the habit of using this endearment with Cas every day when he got up. He wasn't going to stop saying it now.

Castiel muttered something unintelligible under his breath, before he turned to face Dean. A few words went through Dean's mind as he took in the sight; dishevelled, rumpled… adorable. He rose from his seat, wanting nothing more than to pull Cas into his arms and tell him that everything would be okay - platonically, of course - but instead he went over to the coffee machine and poured some of that precious beverage into a mug.

Cas took the drink gratefully from Dean and sipped delicately at it. He had learned the hard way not to drink scalding hot coffee; a few days of pain and an inability to talk properly was a lesson he would not forget in a hurry. He was very careful these days, with everything he put in his mouth, and Dean stood and watched affectionately as Cas let the coffee wake him up.

After a few moments of watching his friend - it was definitely not staring - Dean smiled and sat down again, gesturing for Castiel to do the same. The dark haired beaut ex-angel decided to sit next to Dean, immediately leaning against him tiredly. Oh, okay. Dean soaked up the warmth and this new tingly feeling he was experiencing. The two of them could have easily stayed sitting like this forever, if Sammy had not come into the room about ten minutes later.

“Hey guys. So get this…” Sam’s voice trailed off as he looked at Cas, who seemed to be having immense trouble waking properly this morning. “Cas, man, you look like shit. Coffee not giving you enough of a buzz?”

“Good morning, Sam. I believe that is the case, yes.” Castiel yawned and snuggled closer to Dean, whose willpower was beginning to crumble.

Dean knew that his feelings were wrong - there was no way that Cas could feel anything but brotherly affection for him. Cas might be human now, but he used to be an angel… a heavenly warrior. But Dean, what was he? A broken, worthless, borderline alcoholic whose body was unfortunately starting to feel all the injuries he had received over the years. Sure, he hardly drank alcohol any more - nothing to do with his ex-angel bestie being around all the time now, obviously - but the point still stands. Dean shook himself out of this reverie and turned awkwardly towards Castiel.

“Another?” He pointed to the mug, so that Cas would know what he was referring to.

“Mmmm, yes please, Dean. I like your coffee.” Stop that. It was not a double-entendre.

Dean reluctantly peeled away from the clingy body next to him and poured Cas another cup. He might not be good for much else, but he could do this. Sam silently watched the exchange, before sitting himself opposite Cas, who was waiting patiently.

“Maybe you could add other ingredients to your coffee, Cas. Make it more to your taste.” The younger Winchester waited expectantly for a response to his brilliant idea.

“Other ingredients?” The thought of this had obviously never occurred to Cas before and he seemed genuinely intrigued by it.

“Yeah Cas, you know… coffee shops do it all the time.”

Castiel glanced up at Dean as he came back to the table with the mug, and gave him a questioning look. Dean settled himself back in the same position, with Cas pressed into his side, and thought for a moment.

“Sammy’s right. We could try different flavours, or varieties of coffee, until we find something you really like.”

Cas stared into his drink and mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like ‘I already have’.

Well, Dean had absolutely no clue what Castiel might be talking about, so he set his mind to thinking of various things he could add to Cas’ coffee. He was determined to make him the best damn drink in the entire world.

Dean set about researching the topic on the internet, and over the next couple of weeks, Cas was served more varieties of coffee (with all things weird and wonderful added) than Dean would ever have thought possible. Dark roast, mellow, aromatic, espresso, cappuccino, milky, black, with and without sugar. He also tried adding vanilla extract, cardamom, flavoured syrup, creamer. Dean even busted out the blender, adding all too sweet ingredients and making a mess. Sam had laughed at him outright when he came in, to see Dean covered in little splashes of blonde blended coffee and whipped cream.

None of these recipes seemed to be quite right for Cas, however, and Dean was becoming frustrated with the task he had set himself. How damn hard could it be to make a perfect cup of coffee?

On the verge of admitting defeat, Dean had a sudden thought. Cas loves bees, and bees make honey, right? Okay, might as well try it. He bought a jar of organic honey - only the best for his angel friend. The next time he made Cas a drink, he added a nice big spoonful, along with some creamer, which they already knew Cas liked. At the first mouthful, the ex-angel’s eyes widened and he beamed with delight.

“Oh Dean, this is wonderful. Mmmm.” Cas sighed contentedly, as Dean watched him, feeling that they were starting to get somewhere with this mission. However, now that he was on the right track - and being a perfectionist - he felt that he could improve it even further.

It was morning two days later when it happened; Dean put honey, creamer, and cinnamon in Cas' coffee and handed it to the former angel. As soon as he tasted it, Castiel’s face lit up like it was the fourth of July, and he moaned loudly. Dean hadn't heard a sound like that since he had watched some particularly enthusiastic porn.

“Ohhhhh, Dean. This is so good… Dean.”

Dean was frozen to the spot; his brain having malfunctioned around the time that he had started to think of Cas and porn together. The ex-angel stared at him in awe, wanting to share this truly heavenly experience with him, but the hunter just looked dazed. Plus, he was desperately trying to hide an unfortunate boner. Sonovabitch! Being a fearsome hunter who wasn't afraid of anything, Dean's reaction to his predicament was to run.

“Glad you like it Cas, yeah. I just have to… go now.”

Dean leapt up the bunker steps - wanting to get out as fast as possible. Once he was outside he took a few deep calming breaths until he felt like he could function properly again, then jumped into the car. It was a short drive to the nearest bar, where he spent the next few hours ignoring his feelings. When he finally returned home late in the evening, he was pleasantly inebriated, and tumbled into bed untroubled by any thoughts of what had happened that morning.

When Dean awoke he gave himself a good talking to, and came to the conclusion that he needed to get a grip. So what if Cas sounded like he was having an orgasm when he was drinking the special coffee Dean had made for him? He was a grown man, and should be able to handle this kind of situation maturely. And yet…

Dean went to the kitchen, and just like every other morning, switched the coffee machine on and started to prepare breakfast. As he set about these tasks he was surprised to discover that he was filled with an overwhelming desire to hear Cas make those sounds again. Maybe I like torturing myself. Without giving it a second thought, he added the same ingredients and waited.

It felt like an eternity before Cas appeared, but eventually he was there and Dean was ready to put himself through hell again. As he took his drink the ex-angel smiled sweetly, and Dean immediately felt guilty for his inappropriate thoughts. Cas brought the mug to his lips, took a mouthful, and moaned sensually, all while maintaining eye contact with Dean, who was unable to look away. Oh god. As the staring and the moaning from the ex-angel intensified the hunter began to wonder, was Cas doing this on purpose? It certainly felt that way.

Before he could think any further on this, however, Cas had put his drink down on the counter, and was crowding into Dean’s personal space. His eyes were boring into Dean’s with the intensity of a thousand suns, as he brought his hand to Dean’s face and gently touched the hunter’s cheek.

“Dean, is there something wrong? Can I do anything to help?”

Well. Dean considered this question for a moment, until he came up with a suitable answer.

“Yeah, you can. You can kiss me.”

It seemed that this was the answer Cas was looking for; he surged forward, cupping Dean’s face in his hands, and pressed their lips together. What started out as soft and gentle quickly became hard and passionate, as Cas moaned into Dean’s mouth and Dean took the opportunity to explore the ex-angel’s mouth with his tongue. He brought his hands up - placing one in Cas’ sexy as fuck dark hair, and the other on his back. He could feel the body underneath his hand, but he needed more contact, so he pulled at the shirt until it was free of Cas’ pants. He ran his palm along the smooth skin and pulled the ex-angel closer to him.

Cas moved his hands up into Dean’s hair and tugged gently at the spiky strands. The hunter pulled away slightly and gazed into those beautiful blue eyes.

“Cas…” Dean couldn’t manage any more words, as the ex-angel pressed hard into his body. Oh, the feeling was just glorious. They were pushed against the kitchen counter, and Cas was rolling his hips into Dean’s in such a way that made him see stars. Dean's hands found their way into Cas’ pants, and he placed them on that sexy round ass and pulled him even closer.

“Oh Dean. This is very pleasurable.” Cas’ eyes dilated, as a look of pure desire came over his face.

“Y-yeah it… fuck!” Dean was finding it very hard to form coherent… anything, as the ex-angel was doing things to him that were decidedly un-angelic. Before this became too inappropriate for a public space, Dean realised that they needed to move, so he pushed Cas back a little. The ex-angel’s face fell, thinking that Dean wanted to stop. This worry did not last long, however.

“C’mon Cas, bedroom.” Dean grabbed his hand and started to drag him out of the kitchen.

“Oh, yes Dean… your room.” Cas’ face lit up with happiness, but he stopped for a moment and picked something up, before they left the kitchen for the safety of Dean's bedroom.

As soon as the door was closed behind them they became frantic; trying to kiss constantly while removing clothing. The fact that Cas had Dean pinned against the door so that he could barely move didn't help. Although Dean definitely wasn't complaining. Who knew that Cas would be so pushy - dominating - in the bedroom?

“Cas.” Kiss… “Wait, we need-” Kiss.

“Yes Dean, we do…” Kiss.

“No, we need… Jesus!” Cas had managed to get Dean's shirt off, and had started to suck his nipple. Dean arched his back, and grabbed handfuls of Cas’ hair, as his arousal grew.

Cas lifted his head and frowned. “No Dean, we do not need Jesus.”

Dean was about to start laughing at this ridiculous misunderstanding, but Cas reattaching his mouth to his nipple stopped him. For someone who shouldn’t really have a clue what they were doing, Cas really seemed to know what he was doing. The ex-angel caressed Dean's body lower and lower, until his hand reached the elastic of Dean's boxers. Before going any further, however, he looked Dean in the eyes, and waited for permission.

“Cas… yes.” Dean's words were breathy, and his breathing became shallower as Cas put his hand inside the boxers and began to stroke the now painfully hard member, long and slow.

Cas started to slide Dean's underwear down, along with the pants, so that he could get a better rhythm going, then an idea hit him. He released the man a little and manoeuvred him over to the bed then, from his pocket, retrieved what he had brought from the kitchen.

“Honey, Cas? What are you gonna do with that?” Dean wriggled out of his remaining clothes, then lay still on the bed and watched his lover open the jar he was holding.

Cas did not speak; instead he put his fingers in the honey then licked it off slowly, and oh so deliberately. Kinky bastard.

“I’ve got something better you can put in your mouth.” Dean smirked, but not for long, as Cas grinned wickedly and poured some of the sticky substance directly onto Dean's cock. “Cas… what-? Oh god…”

Dean swallowed his words as Cas took the full length into his mouth and began to lick and suck at it. As his orgasm built up he cried out wordlessly, until he was about to come.

“Cas… fuckfuck. I’m gonna…”

Cas continued undeterred until Dean's release spilled down his throat. He pulled off with a pop, then smiled serenely up at the hunter, as if this kind of activity was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Jeez Cas, what just happened?” Dean's brain felt a little addled, and he tried to gather himself together.

“I believe it is called sexual intercourse Dean.”

“Yeah, I get that. It's just, you know…”

With a look of sheer confusion Cas stared at Dean, until Dean decided to stop trying to talk, and return the favour. He had never done this with a dude before, but he knew what he liked. He flipped the ex-angel over onto his back, and before Cas could protest Dean took his impressively large dick into his mouth - without the honey - and swirled his tongue around the head. He bobbed up and down, feeling Cas resisting the urge to thrust up into his mouth.

“Dean… ahhhh… what?” Cas squirmed underneath Dean, as he experienced pleasure like he had never known before. He felt a warmth spreading through his belly, then what seemed like an explosion as liquid shot out of him, and into Dean's mouth.

Dean slid back up the body of the beautiful creature that was Cas, and kissed him, slow and gentle as he pulled him into his arms. The moment stretched out, as they became acquainted with each other's bodies, using hands and tongues, and when they eventually came up for air Cas sighed contentedly.

“Why have we never done that before Dean?”

“Because I’m a fucking idiot, and couldn't see what was right in front of me.”

“No Dean, you are not an idiot. Your soul is so bright, and you are so beautiful. And you are delicious.”

“Oh, okay.” Dean decided to accept the compliment, and smiled happily at his angel.

“I hope we will do this again Dean. I have found something that tastes even better than your coffee.”

As they held each other Dean felt he had to agree; Cas was pretty damn sweet too.

#destiel fanfic #destiel #fanfic #supernatural #i wrote a thing

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jaskiersbard · 7 years

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Stitch by Stitch (Part 2) - a Newt/Tina fic

Tagging: @pinkdiamonddolphin

A part of me didn’t want to publish this part – I don’t feel my writing is as good as some of the other Newtina fanfic writers, as I’m sure you’re all aware, but I felt like I had to post it anyway because I don’t like leaving things unpublished.

Phoenix – 22nd June 1931 – 9 (going on 10) Linnet – 13th January 1933 - 7 (nearly 8) Leo – 3rd March 1935 – 5 (going on 6)

(Miracle baby not born yet – Tina’s still in her early-stages of pregnancy!)

Tobias “Toby” – 15th October 1929 – 11 Daisy – 7th April 1931 – 9 (going on 10) Abel and Ruth (twins) – 20th November 1933 – 7 Elijah “Eli” – 28th January 1939 – 1 (nearly 2)

The Healers of St. Mungo’s had hurriedly rushed Tina away, Newt following closely behind as he talked a mile a minute over what he knew regarding the situation.

“…She’s pregnant,” He found himself repeating over and over again, voice cracking. “She’s about four months along. She’s been having morning sickness nearly every day, a-and she’s not been eating…”

“Mr Scamander, please,” One of the Healers said calmly, raising her brow at him. “Let us do our jobs and everything will be fine.”

Newt highly doubted that but he knew he had no other choice – with that in mind, he fell silent and watched as the Healers started casting various charms and spells on his wife.

Merlin, please let our baby be okay, He found himself think desperately, The baby has to be…surely they will be.

The tests had lasted a few minutes and then the Healers had left the room to confer over their notes; Newt immediately sat down beside Tina, taking her hand and squeezing tightly.

“Newt,” She choked out, and her hand squeezed back weakly. “I…I’m sorry. I don’t…I couldn’t…I didn’t mean to…”

“No, don’t talk like that,” He murmured, resting his chin on top of her head as he pulled her to him. “The baby will be fine, I expect, and so will you. We have to wait and see.”

Tina sniffed. “I’m fine, but…but the blood…oh God…if the baby’s not alright-”

“Then don’t blame yourself,” Newt interrupted soothingly. “Tina, love, if…if something is wrong then it won’t be your fault. I promise you now that, no matter what, you’re not to blame.”

“I tried to eat,” She said miserably. “I tried but it kept coming back up, and…and I’ve been so stressed at work, and…and I’ve probably hurt the baby now. I-I’m so stupid…”

His heart ached in his chest at her words; he was worried (and he’d admit to it this time, sometimes worrying was inevitable) and even terrified that something was wrong with their unborn baby, that perhaps things wouldn’t be as lovely as they had hoped. Having said that, there was no way possible he could ever blame his wife for this; she was a giver by nature, and she gave as much as she could all the time – but sometimes it was possible to give too much, to give so much and not think of looking after oneself.

“Don’t blame yourself, please, Tina,” Newt managed, exhaling heavily. “You’re far from stupid, love; you just lost track of things, that’s all. Besides, we don’t know anything yet – we’ll wait for the Healers to come back before jumping to rash conclusions.”

When Healer Monroe entered, this time without her colleagues, she closed the door behind her and gave the couple a tight smile – and Newt’s stomach lurched because usually that kind of smile signified bad news.

“Mr and Mrs Scamander,” Healer Monroe greeted. “Hello. I’ll get right down to business, shall I?”

“Please,” Tina agreed, voice barely louder than a whisper. Newt found himself clutching her hand even tighter, his body stiffening with tension.

The Healer conjured a seat before sitting down opposite them with her folder resting on her knees. “Now, we’ve run a few tests to check on what may have caused the bleeding – thankfully, you don’t appear to have lost a great deal of blood at all, and we won’t have to consider any transfusions of any kind-”

“And the baby?” Newt interrupted hurriedly – perhaps it would be viewed as a tad rude to do such a thing, but in that moment he found himself not caring a bit. “Is our baby alright?” Tina tensed beside him, her breath catching in her throat.

To their surprise, Healer Monroe offered them another smile. “Yes, your baby is perfectly fine.”

“Perfectly fine,” Tina repeated dubiously. “And…that’s definite?”

“Oh, yes,” The Healer agreed, nodding her head. “Very healthy, very strong heartbeat…no abnormalities whatsoever.”

Newt couldn’t believe his ears, relief flooding over him. “They’re fine? Thank Merlin for that… But the blood-”

“Sometimes spotting can happen,” The older woman assured him. “Pregnancy often means that there’s more blood in the body than usual, so some light bleeding is relatively normal… However, Mrs Scamander, it’s important that I stress to you how close you could have been to losing your baby.”

“Oh.” His wife’s shoulders sagged. “I see.”

Healer Monroe just sat back in her seat, studying the two of them. “Your pregnancy is very high-risk as it is, Mrs Scamander, considering the diagnosis we gave you a few years ago regarding your fertility – the fact that you’ve managed to conceive at all now is a miracle, let alone that your baby is as healthy as they are. Now, tell me, you work as an Auror – correct?”

“Yes,” Tina admitted quickly. “But I haven’t been doing anything dangerous at all – just deskwork and…and things.”

“I see. And has there been anything else that might have caused you stress?”

“Well…” She hesitated, and Newt found himself watching her curiously. “My boss at work is…he can be difficult to be around. He shouts a lot.”

The Healer nodded. “Yes, that’s not at all good for your health – and if it’s not good for yours then it’s not good for the baby’s either. Of course, stress doesn’t appear to be the only reason – you’re severely underweight, Mrs Scamander, considering how far along you are.”

Tina went bright red. “I’ve tried eating,” She defended. “I have, but I can’t keep anything down – the morning sickness is awful.”

“Then you should have come to us sooner,” Healer Monroe sighed. “We could have given you something for your nausea in no time… Well, that hardly matters now. We’ll keep you in overnight, just to monitor your health and the baby’s, and then we’ll send you home with an Anti-Sickness potion so that you can eat something properly.”

“I can’t stay the night,” She disagreed. “I have work tomorrow morning.”

The Healer frowned then, clearly displeased. “Mrs Scamander, with all due respect, I don’t think you should be working while you’re pregnant.”

Newt winced to himself – he already knew how Tina would take this. Perhaps it would be better to remain silent on the subject, he reasoned, to not side with either of them and cause more stress or tension in the room.

“How dare you?!” His wife seethed half-heartedly, though it was clear she was tired. “I am more than capable of working, thank you very much! I’m not even due until May, that’s still five months-”

“You nearly lost your baby tonight,” Healer Monroe reminded her seriously. “I understand that it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s my advice from a professional point-of-view that it would be far safer to stop working until the baby is born.”

Sure enough, this made Tina fall silent; her hand was still holding his, somewhat limply, and he squeezed it again to reassure her. “We’ll talk it over between us,” Newt promised softly, directing it at both Tina and the Healer.

“Yes, it’s a matter you two should discuss privately,” Healer Monroe agreed. “At the end of the day, I cannot force you to take an early leave, Mrs Scamander, only offer my advice. Now, one of my colleagues should be around shortly with an Anti-Sickness potion so that you can attempt some more sleep. Mr Scamander, if you’d like to stay-”

“I can’t,” Newt interjected before he could stop himself. “Not really; we left our children with Queenie and Jacob – that is, our brother- and sister-in-law. I don’t suppose I can really leave them without any word really…”

“Well, that’s your decision. I’ll be back later to check you over, Mrs Scamander – do try and get some rest.”

They muttered their goodbyes as the Healer left the room – once the door had shut, however, Tina was groaning and pressing her hands against her face. “I’m an idiot, Newt; I let Crawford of all people get to me. I let him stress me out, and now-”

“And now you’re stressing again,” Newt pointed out; when she didn’t look comforted in the slightest, he wrapped an arm around her. “Everything’s fine, Tina - you heard her: the baby is perfectly healthy. There’s no need to torture yourself over this.”

“But I nearly…” She stopped, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I…I nearly killed our baby, Newt – after how difficult it’s been to even get here, I nearly killed them…”

“Stop, Tina,” He said firmly, his hold on her tightening involuntarily. “You haven’t done anything wrong – it’s just stress.”

Tina nodded, somewhat tearfully. “Yes, stress – I’m stressing and putting the baby in danger.” She gave a heavy sigh. “I…I don’t want to stop working, I really don’t, but if it’s going to put the baby at risk…”

“It’s your decision,” Newt told her softly – he couldn’t force her to do anything, of course, for it was her job and her carrying their baby, after all. “Whatever you choose, Tina, I’ll stand by it.”

“I know you will,” She agreed, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

Neither of them said anything else – they didn’t need to really.

“So…how is she?”

Newt gave a shrug. “Fine, really – you know that already though, I suspect.”

“Yes,” Queenie agreed. “But I’d like to hear you say it – I been worried about her all night.”

Understandable. “They kept her in last night,” He explained quietly, only too aware that the children could come down the stairs at any minute and overhear. “Everything’s fine – Tina’s absolutely fine, and the baby’s more than healthy.”

The blonde witch let out an exhale of relief. “Oh, thank goodness! I was worried, see, since…well.” She hesitated, and he didn’t have to be a mind-reader to know that she was remembering the heart ache of losing a baby years ago – he knew better than to comment on it. “I’m glad she’s okay, though; the kids have been worried sick about her all night – especially Leo.”

“Ah.”

“They’re still sleeping,” She continued, putting on a rather half-hearted smile. “I put the boys in the spare room – Linnet was more than happy bunking with Daisy. So, is Teen still at the hospital or…?”

Newt shook his head. “No, no, they released her this morning after giving her some Anti-Sickness potion. She’s gone to work.”

“To… You let her go to work?!”

“It’s hardly my choice whether she goes to work or not,” He reminded her dryly – but his shoulders sunk slightly. “She won’t be working much longer – she’s decided to take an earlier leave than planned, if only for the baby’s health.”

Queenie looked rather relieved to hear that. “Of course…she’s putting the baby first,” She said aloud, and he realized she was skimming through his mind again. “She…She ain’t happy about it.”

“No. I think she feels rather…well…”

“She was worried last night,” She murmured, and her eyes seemed to grow teary. “Oh, Newt, honey…she really blamed herself like that?”

He looked down at the floor. “Yes. She did.”

“Oh, Teen… We’ll come visit tonight,” Queenie promised. “Once Jacob gets home, we’ll come over to yours; Teenie and I can have a chat, talk things over. Would that be okay, Newt?”

“Of course,” Newt agreed, looking up and giving her a somewhat forced smile. “You and Jacob are always more than welcome to come over.”

She studied him for a moment, obviously reading through his mind, before reaching out and putting a tentative hand on his arm. “Newt, honey, I’m sure Tina will be okay. I know that this was frightening – I know what it’s like,” She reminded him sadly. “But I think Teen will be more than okay, and so will the baby. Don’t fret too much.”

If only it were that easy.

It was with great trepidation that Tina found herself knocking on the open door to Crawford’s office the following afternoon, heart hammering in her chest and stomach fluttering nervously.

He lifted his head at the sound of her knock and gave a great sigh. “Scamander…can I help you?”

“I…I need to talk to you, sir,” Tina muttered quietly, stepping into the room.

He gave a nod. “Sit down then.”

She linked her hands together over her slightly swollen stomach as she sat down and took a deep breath, preparing herself. “Alright…sir, I…I have a request to make.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. “A request?”

“Yes. See, the thing is… I’m four months along,” She started nervously. “I’m not due until May, and my plan was to go on leave in April – to continue working until then. I was more than happy with that plan when I gave in my notice, and I would have been happy to continue like that but…but the thing is, I think it’s best if I leave earlier.”

“Earlier?” Crawford repeated.

“Yes, sir…as in within the next few weeks.”

His eyes narrowed. “A few weeks?! What in Merlin’s name are you playing at, Scamander?”

Tina squared her shoulders, forcing herself to look him in the eye. “The Healers at St. Mungo’s have suggested I take an early leave because this pregnancy is high-risk – there was an incident just a couple of nights ago where I nearly…well.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “The stress is putting the baby at risk, and I need to think about the baby first – I know this is far from convenient, and I respect that, but-”

“Scamander.” She stopped speaking, looking at him and gnawing her lip; it didn’t surprise her that he looked positively livid. “You want me to approve you going on an early maternity leave, is that it?” She nodded uneasily. “You honestly expect me to approve of you going on leave four months early?”

“It’s not that I want to go on leave,” Tina defended hurriedly. “I would happily work until my due date, but the baby has to come first – I’m not about to put my baby at risk.”

Crawford sat back in his seat, glaring at her coldly. “There is a war going on as we speak – if our Aurors aren’t in Europe fighting Grindelwald’s forces, they’re here trying to keep the peace and protect the citizens…and you have the audacity to ask to go on a paid leave early?”

“Sir-”

He raised a hand to silence her again. “A part of me is tempted to dismiss you completely from the department, to make you pack up your things and leave.”

Tina froze, and it seemed as though the world were about to crumble all around her at his words.

“You probably think I hate you – I don’t particularly like you, Scamander, but the thing is…well, you’re one of the few members left on the Senior Team,” He admitted, somewhat grudgingly. “And you are adequate at your job – even I know firing you would be a bad idea.” Crawford sat back in his seat, looking down at the table thoughtfully. “I won’t fire you, and the Ministry has a law in place that means you get paid for at least half a year – but do not expect any favours. Your leaving puts us in an even more precarious position than we’re currently in, and we’re not going to tiptoe around the matter just because you’re pregnant. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” She agreed quickly, though she wasn’t quite sure what was happening really.

“You can go on leave,” Crawford continued, looking as though he greatly regretted what he was saying. “But your status will be as a consultant in the meantime – that means you’ll be doing some work at home. There’ll be owls, I’m sure, wanting advice or for you to fill out some paperwork based on a case-file – that’s your responsibility.”

It was almost too good to be true, Tina thought to herself – but she didn’t dare question it, instead nodding in agreement. “Of course, that’ll be more than fine.”

Crawford gave a curt nod of his own in response. “Wonderful,” He muttered dryly. “You’ll remain here in the offices until the end of the week, and then you’ll start in your new position next Monday. Any questions?”

“No, sir.”

“Good,” He told her, straightening up in his chair. “Now: get out of my office.”

“You know, Teenie, things could have been much worse-”

“I know that.”

“You’re still miserable.”

Tina sighed, shaking her head as she finished preparing food for the Occamys. “I’m fine, really – I got off lucky. He could have actually fired me.”

“Then why are you so sad?” Queenie asked, folding her arms. “Don’t lie to me, Teen – I’ll know.”

“Yes, that’s true. Alright,” She relented, turning to look at her sister. “I’m just…I like working, even with a guy like Crawford breathing down my neck every few minutes. I get a real kick out of working, even if I’m just helping in a house raid. I’m glad I’m not fired, don’t get me wrong, and I do want the best for the baby-”

“But you’re gonna be bored,” The blonde witch finished, and she looked sympathetic. “I know, Teenie – it ain’t gonna be fun, having to wait for owls at home and not actually doing much, but it’s for a real good cause.”

Tina nodded, though she didn’t look at all comforted by this. “I know that, Queenie, and that’s the only reason I’m doing this – if it didn’t put the baby’s health at risk, I’d carry on doing assignments as normal.”

“You gotta be careful,” Queenie stated, and she put a hand on her sister’s arm. “Teen, this baby’s a real miracle, remember? You don’t wanna risk losing a miracle, honey. It’s…it’s awful.”

Of course, that’s why she’s so worried, Tina thought to herself, and she felt rather terrible for not realizing sooner; She knows what that’s like, after all.

“Oh, Teen,” Queenie sighed, shaking her head at her sister’s thoughts. “Don’t be like that. I ain’t offended that you didn’t think about me first – you had more than enough on your mind. Anyway,” She said brightly, changing the subject. “This kinda talk ain’t doing neither of us any good – you should be sitting down too.”

“I’m more than capable of feeding baby Occamys,” Tina muttered dryly, a fond smile spreading across her face. “I do it pretty much every day – it’s like feeding children.”

Actually…they kind of are children to us in some ways, she thought to herself.

Queenie giggled to herself in amusement. “Yeah, I noticed.”

“Let me see now…where’s the monkey?”

“On your back, Papa!” Ruth shrieked, laughing to herself.

“Look, Uncle Jacob,” Linnet called. “Just behind you!”

Jacob pretended to look clueless, though the grin on his face gave him away; Eli giggled from his perch on his father’s back, hands clasped tightly around his neck and legs tight around the torso.

“I don’t see no monkey,” Jacob fake-pondered. “Are you kids playing with me?”

“No!” Leo disagreed eagerly. “Monkey on your back!”

Newt found himself chuckling under his breath as he watched from the distance; the sight was remarkably similar to how Dougal had clung to Jacob in the department store in New York all those years ago, and the whole game was rather amusing to observe.

Jacob was still looking about the case, pretending to be puzzled, when Eli let out another peal of laughter – and he grinned widely to himself. “Ah-ha! There is a monkey on my back!”

“We told you,” Daisy stated, beaming so wide that her cheeks were hurting. “We told you he was on your back, Papa!”

“C’mere!” Eli cackled with laughter as Jacob reached around and lifted the toddler from his shoulders. “I knew it! I knew there was a little monkey back there!”

“P-Papa…tickles!” Eli shrieked happily, wriggling in his father’s arms. “S-S-Stop!”

The rest of the children were soon joining in, fingers tickling the boy as he cried out in weak protest; this continued on for quite some time, much to Newt’s amusement, and it was only when Linnet announced that she’d seen Dougal wandering about that all of them set off to search. Eli was positively red in the face as Jacob put back down on the ground, still shaking with laughter, and he was soon occupied by the sight of a pair of young Graphorns playing nearby.

“Hey, buddy,” Jacob started as he approached. “You sure you don’t need any help? I don’t mind, honest-”

“No, no,” Newt assured him, smiling fondly. “I must say, you’re doing a marvellous job keeping them all entertained – usually around this time of year Phoenix and Linnet get rather restless…the excitement of the holidays and all that…”

“Yeah, it’s a game we play all the time back at home,” His friend chuckled. “Ruth calls Eli, ‘Monkey’ all the time, ‘cause he moves around so much – kid’s got a real habit of climbing up on furniture too – and it’s starting to really stick. Kids love it.”

Newt turned back to the adult Graphorn he had been checking over, still rather amused. “We do the same thing down here all of the time – though I’m usually an Erumpent giving them a ride.”

“Ah, man… I’d pay to see that.” Jacob affectionately patted the Graphorn on the head, not even wincing when it tried to salivate on him. “Yeah, good to see you too… Say, Newt? How many these things you got now?”

“Well… Bertha – this one,” He gestured to the Graphorn he was currently caring for. “She’s expecting another baby soon, so that’ll be her third. Once she’s had that one, providing things go well, that’ll make eight.”

Jacob looked somewhat surprised. “Eight? I thought there’d be more.”

“Well, unfortunately a few have passed away,” Newt admitted, and he felt himself sadden at the thought. “Old age, mostly, though one did have a rather incurable illness that I couldn’t…well. It’s rather difficult to breed them, seeing as there are so few in the world left – most of them are in this case.”

“Oh. Oh, well, I’m real sorry to hear that,” Jacob said sincerely – and Newt knew he really meant it. “Listen, buddy, Queenie and I wanted to thank you for inviting us ‘round for the holidays; it means a lot to us, you know? This is gonna be our first Christmas and Hanukah over here, and we wanted it to be special for the kids…”

“It’s fine,” The Magizoologist assured him without hesitating. “Really, Jacob, when you think about it, you’re family. Besides, I know Tina and the children are looking forward to you spending the holidays with us too.”

The other man looked touched by this. “Thanks, Newt. Queenie and I, we was actually kinda worrying over how our first holidays over here was gonna go, especially since the kids have only ever spent them in New York, you know? We don’t exactly know our ways around the stores or anything either, so…”

“No, Tina and I are more than happy to help on that front too,” Newt agreed, and he grinned at his friend. “Just let us know when, and we’ll plan a little trip to Diagon Alley soon; we can find just about everything there.”

Jacob thanked him again and seemed to be even more animated as he set off to find the children once more; Newt watched him go, and despite the rather stressful time he and Tina were going through currently, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat warm at the thought of the entire Kowalski family joining his own for the holidays.

As it turned out, Hanukkah and Christmas taking place at the same time was not particularly easy to navigate.

In the previous years, Hanukkah had fallen before Christmas and so given the family time between the holidays – but because the two were taking place at the exact same time, it ended up being somewhat more difficult to organize how to celebrate. To add to this, there was the question of whether the entire Kowalski family would be staying overnight or not; Newt and Tina had agreed that they didn’t mind the house being crowded, but Jacob and Queenie had both declined.

“I think it’s for the best we spend it in the new house,” Queenie said to Tina quietly just a few days before the first night of Hanukkah. “Besides, we can come over in the evenings to light the menorahs, and then we’ll come over on Christmas early.”

It had all been worth it in the end, though; the Kowalskis came to the Scamander home shortly before nightfall on the first night, Queenie and the children with their menorahs. While Newt and Jacob set about making dinner (cooked in olive oil, of course, as was custom), Tina, Queenie and all of the children grouped together in the front room in order to light the first candle on each of their menorahs together as they recited Full Hallel. The younger children – such as the twins and Leo – were carefully watched and helped, of course, and while Eli was currently too young to really celebrate he did watch curiously.

Dinner had started to become slightly more difficult to prepare with each year that the war went on, especially due to the rations, but somehow it was manageable to create a satisfactory meal. The real highlight, of course, had been when Queenie pulled out her wand and made jelly doughnuts in the air above everyone’s heads – Jacob was momentarily stunned at how fluid it looked, even after so many years, and the children found great amusement in his facial expression.

After dessert, the children settled down to play a game of dreidel in the front room; to everyone’s amazement, Abel and Ruth (working as a team, of course) were the winners and so won the pot of chocolate gelt between them. The children wanted to play another game (for Toby and Phoenix were certain that they would win the next game), but because it was already starting to get rather late, Jacob and Queenie were adamant that they return home.

“You guys don’t wanna miss Santa, do you?” Jacob asked excitedly. “Yeah – come on, guys, we can leave Santa some babkas and milk.”

Once they had left, Newt turned to his own children and grinned at them. “Alright, you three – Santa will be arriving in England soon, and you need to be asleep when he comes to visit.”

“But I wanna play another game,” Leo yawned, swaying on the spot. “Wanna win.”

“I’ll tell you what,” Newt began, reaching out and taking his youngest son by the hand. “We’ll invite everyone over tomorrow very early so you can play – and I’ll play with you this time, if you want.”

Phoenix smirked to himself. “Don’t listen to Dad, Leo, he’s awful at spinning it: at least Mum knows how to spin it properly.”

The children were relatively easy to get into bed, however, going rather willingly with the promise of Christmas and seven more days of Hanukkah in the future; Leo was asleep before his parents finished tucking him in, and Phoenix just smiled tiredly as he said goodnight. Linnet seemed slightly more excitable, complaining that she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but Newt managed to coax her to try by promising that Dougal could come up from the case soon to visit. She seemed appeased by this and allowed him to tuck her in without any more fuss.

To his surprise, Tina had fallen asleep on the sofa by the time he came downstairs from Linnet’s room; part of him wanted to just leave her to rest, for he knew how exhausted she was. The other part, however, knew that she’d have a far better sleep in their bed upstairs.

“Come on, love,” Newt murmured, gently shaking her awake so that he didn’t alarm her suddenly. “I think it’s time we both went to bed and got some rest.”

Tina murmured something groggily but allowed him to pull her into a standing position; she gave a yawn as she left the room, and he couldn’t help but frown to himself as he thought about how exhausted she looked.

I hope this new year is easier for us, He mused to himself sadly, and he couldn’t help but think of Theseus; just this time last year, Theseus had been celebrating Christmas with his own wife and children, alive and well. Margaret and the girls were celebrating with their parents this year, he knew, but it made Newt’s chest ache when he thought about it.

Deep down, he strongly suspected his brother wasn’t going to be home for another Christmas – but he couldn’t say that. He had to remain strong, had to keep positive and not worry.

Newt sighed and silently waved his wand to turn off all the lights as he left the room; the candles of the menorahs by the window remained lit, burning bright throughout the night.

Fun fact: there was a much more depressing draft where Crawford fired Tina – but I couldn’t do that to her. She’s suffering enough.

I really struggled writing the Hanukkah bits because I’m not Jewish and so I’m not well-acquainted with the traditions – especially of the time period this is set. I hope I did an okay job. I didn’t write every single night of Hanukkah as, again, I’m not completely sure about the traditions/what’s custom on those nights. Everything I’ve written is based on what I’ve read online and from other people (who are Jewish)

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