#the professors trying to change the past to bring their baby back and accidentally disappearing the other

[katzenkarussell]

Der Nesträuber

The nest robber - this was such a fun piece to make :) A bit of a "What if" situation

[cielrouge]

YA SFF Books by Black Authors 

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow: About the strength of black sisterhood set in Portland, OR, best friends Tavi and Effie discover their true supernatural identity when Effie starts being haunted by demons from her past, and Tavia accidentally lets out her magical siren voice during a police stop.

A Chorus Rises (A Song Below Water #2) by Bethany C. Morrow: Teen influencer Naema Bradshaw is an Eloko, a person who’s gifted with a song that woos anyone who hears it. Everyone loves her — well, until she's cast as the awful person who exposed Tavia’s secret siren powers. When a new, flourishing segment of Naema’s online supporters start targeting black girls, however, Naema must discover the true purpose of her magical voice.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown: Inspired by West African folklore in which a grieving crown princess, Karina, and a desperate refugee, Malik, find themselves on a collision course to murder each other, despite their growing attraction.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor: Sunny Nwazue, an American-born albino child of Nigerian parents, moves with her family back to Nigeria, where she learns that she has latent magical powers which she and three similarly gifted friends use to catch a serial killer.

Akata Warrior (Akata Witch #2) by Nnedi Okorafor: Now stronger, feistier, and a bit older, Sunny Nwazue, along with her friends from the the Leopard Society, travel through worlds, both visible and invisible, to the mysterious town of Osisi, where they fight in a climactic battle to save humanity.

Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis: For fans of Us and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina comes a witchy story full of black girl magic as one girl’s dark ability to summon the dead offers her a chance at a new life, while revealing to her an even darker future.

Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi: After he eats the sin of a royal, Taj, a talented aki, or sin-eater who consumes the guilt of others whose transgressions are exorcised from them by powerful but corrupt Mages, is drawn into a plot to destroy the city, and he must fight to save the princess he loves and his own life.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray: Two Black teenagers, talented Beastkeeper Koffi and warrior-in-training Ekon, must trek into a magical jungle to take down an ancient creature menacing the city of Lkossa, before they become the hunted.

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton: In the opulent world of Orléans, where Beauty is a commodity only a few control, Belle Camellia Beauregard will learn the dark secrets behind her powers, and rise up to change the world. 

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney: A whimsical and butt-kicking Alice in Wonderland retelling featuring a black teen heroine who battles Nightmares in the dark and terrifying dream realm known as Wonderland. 

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves: 16-year-old Hanna reunites with her estranged mother in an East Texas town that is haunted with doors to dimensions of the dead and protected by demon hunters called Mortmaine.

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury: Set in near-future Toronto in which, after failing to come into her powers, 16-year-old Black witch Voya Thomas must choose between losing her family’s magic forever or murdering her first love.

The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley: Set in Victorian England, African tightrope walker Iris cannot die; but soon gets drafted in the fight-to-the-death tournament of freaks where she learns the terrible truth of who and what she really is.

The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris: A gripping, evocative novel about Black teen Alex Rufus, who has the power to see into the future, and whose life turns upside down when he foresees his younger brother’s imminent death.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: 17-year-old Zélie and companions journey to a mythic island seeking a chance to bring back magic to the land of Orïsha, in a fantasy world infused with the textures of West Africa.

Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legacy of Orïsha #2) by Tomi Adeyemi: After battling the impossible, Zélie and Amari have finally succeeded in bringing magic back to the land of Orïsha. But with civil war looming on the horizon, Zélie finds herself at a breaking point: she must discover a way to bring the kingdom together or watch as Orïsha tears itself apart.

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron: 16-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia flees, hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all.

The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris: A gripping, evocative novel about Black teen Alex Rufus, who has the power to see into the future, and whose life turns upside down when he foresees his younger brother’s imminent death.

Crown of Thunder (Beasts Made of Night #2) by Tochi Onyebuchi: Taj has escaped Kos, but Queen Karima will go to any means necessary--including using the most deadly magic--to track him down. 

A Crown So Cursed (Nightmare Verse #3) by L.L. McKinney: Alice is ready to jump into battle when she learns that someone is building an army of Nightmares to attack the mortal world, before she learns of a personal connection to Wonderland.

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron: In Jim Crow South, black teen Evalene Deschamps finds her place among a family of women gifted with magical abilities, known as jubilation - a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland: The Civil War is over, but mostly because the dead rose at Gettysburg—and then started rising everywhere else. Fighting the undead is a breeze for Jane McKenne, an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. But the fight for freedom? That’s a different story.

Deathless Divide (Dread Nation #2) by Justina Ireland: After the fall of Summerland, Jane McKeene hoped her life would get simpler. But nothing is easy when you’re a girl trained in putting down the restless dead, and a devastating loss on the road to Nicodermus has Jane questioning everything she thought she knew about surviving in 1880’s America.

A Dream So Dark (Nightmare Verse #2) by L.L. McKinney: Still reeling from her recent battle (and grounded until she graduates) Alice must cross the Veil to rescue her friends and stop the Black Knight once and for all in Wonderland.

Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds: Jamal’s best friend Q is brought back to life after a freak accident … but they only have a short time together before he will die again.  How can Jamal fix his friendship without the truth?

Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley:  Before they can save the world from the monstrous phantoms, four girls who have the power to control the classical elements: earth, air, fire, and water must first try to figure out how to work together. 

For All Time by Shanna Miles: Tamar and Fayard, two Black teens, are fated to repeat their love story across hundreds of lifetimes, from 14th-century Mali to the distant future, as they struggle to break the cycle.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna: Inspired by the culture of West Africa, a feminist fantasy debut traces the experiences of 16-year-old Deka, who is invited to leave her discriminatory village to join the emperor’s army of near-immortal women warriors.

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis: The country of Arketta calls them Good Luck Girls--they know their luck is anything but. Sold to a "welcome house" as children and branded with cursed markings. When Clementine accidentally kills a man, the girls risk a dangerous escape to find freedom, justice, and revenge.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron: Set in a West African-inspired fantasy kingdom, Arrah comes from a long line of powerful witchdoctors, yet fails at magic. When Arrah trade years off her life for magic to stop the Demon King from destroying the world—that is if it doesn’t kill her first.

Legacy of Light (The Effgies #3) by Sarah Raughley: After Saul’s strike on Oslo—one seemingly led by Maia herself—the Effigies’ reputation is in shambles. Belle has gone rogue, Chae Rin and Lake have disappeared, and the Sect is being dismantled and replaced by a terrifying new world order helmed by Blackwell. If the Effigies can’t put the pieces together soon, there may not be much left of the world they’ve fought so desperately to save.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn: In this King Arthur retelling, Black teen Bree Matthews infiltrates a secret society of powerful magic wielders to find out the truth behind her mother’s untimely death.

Mem by Bethany C. Morrow: In alternate reality Montreal (1925), a young woman’s personality is the result of a startling experimental procedure, leaving her to struggle with the question of who she really is.

Miles Morales, Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds: But Miles Morales accidentally discovers a villainous teacher's plan to turn good kids bad, he will need to come to terms with his own destiny as the new Spider-man. 

Oh My Gods by Alexandra Sheppard: Half-mortal teenager Helen Thomas goes to live with her father—who is Zeus, masquerading as a university professor—and must do her best to keep the family secret intact.

The Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds: After falling for Kate, her unexpected death sends Jack back in time to the moment they first met, but he soon learns that his actions have consequences when someone else close to him dies.

Orleans by Sherri L. Smith: Set in a futuristic, hostile Orleans landscape, Fen de la Guerre must deliver her tribe leader's baby over the Wall into the Outer States before her blood becomes tainted with Delta Fever. 

Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney & Robyn Smith: When Nubia’s best friend, Quisha, is threatened by a boy who thinks he owns the town, Nubia will risk it all—her safety, her home, and her crush on that cute kid in English class—to become the hero society tells her she isn’t.

A Phoenix First Must Burn: 16 Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope edited by Patrice Caldwell: Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels.

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron: In this contemporary fantasy inspired by The Secret Garden, Black teen Briseis has a gift: she can grow plants with a single touch. Up against a centuries-old curse and the deadliest plant on earth, Bri must harness her gift to protect herself and her family, when a nefarious group comes after her in search of a rare and dangerous immortality elixir.

A Psalm of Storm and Silence (A Song of Wraiths and Ruin #2) by Roseanne A. Brown: As the fabric holding Sonande together begins to tear, Malik and Karina once again find themselves torn between their duties and their desires.

A Queen of Gilded Horns (A River of Royal Blood #2) by Amanda Joy: After learning the truth of her heritage, Eva is on the run with her sister Isa as her captive, but with the Queendom of Myre on the brink of revolution, Eva and Isa must make peace with each other to save their kingdom.

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko: In a West African-inspired empire, Tarisai is raised by The Lady and sent to kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?

Redemptor (Raybearer #2) by Jordan Ifueko: For the first time, an Empress Redemptor sits on Aritsar's throne. To appease the sinister spirits of the dead, Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power as a Raybearer.

The Ravens by Danielle Page & Kass Morgan: The sisters of Kappu Rho Nu share a secret: they’re a coven of witches. For Vivi Deveraux, being one of Kappa Rho Nu’s Ravens means getting a chance to redefine herself. For Scarlett Winters, a bonafide Raven and daughter of a legacy Raven. When Vivi and Scarlett are paired as big and little for initiation, they find themselves sinking into the sinister world of blood oaths and betrayals.

Rebel Sisters (War Girls #2) by Tochi Onyebuchi: Though they are working toward common goals of helping those who suffered, Ify and Uzo are worlds apart. But when a mysterious virus breaks out among the children in the Space Colonies, their paths collide.

Reaper of Souls (Kingdom of Souls #2) by Rena Barron: After so many years yearning for the gift of magic, Arrah has the one thing she’s always wanted—at a terrible price. But the Demon King’s shadow looms closer than she thinks. And as Arrah struggles to unravel her connection to him, defeating him begins to seem more and more impossible.

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy: A North African-inspired feminist fantasy in which two sisters, Eva and Isa must compete in a magical duel to the death for the right to inherit the queendom of Myre.  

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves: In Portero, Texas, teens Kit and Fancy Cordelle, daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, bring two boys with similar tendencies to a world of endless possibilities they have discovered behind a mysterious door.

Siege of Shadows (The Effigies #2) by Sarah Raughley:  After Saul reappears with an army of soldiers with Effigy-like abilities, threatening to unleash the monstrous Phantoms, e-year-old Maia and the other Effigies hope to defeat him by discovering the source of their power over the four classical elements, but they are betrayed by the Sect and bogged down by questions about the previous Fire Effigy's murder.

The Sisters of Reckoning (The Good Luck Girls #2) by Charlotte Nicole Davis: The blockbuster sequel to an alternate Old West-set commercial fantasy adventure.

The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow: Set in the near-future, in which a captive teen human and a young alien leader—bonded by their love of forbidden books and music—embark on a desperate road trip as they attempt to overturn alien rule and save humankind. 

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi: Set in a futuristic, Black Panther-inspired Nigeria, sisters Onyii and Ify, separated by a devastating civil war, must fight their way back to each other against all odds.

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst: When the goddess Bayla fails to take over Liyana's body, Liyana's people abandon her in the desert to find a more worthy vessel, but she soon meets Korbyn, who says the souls of seven deities have been stolen and he needs Liyana's help to find them.

The Weight of Stars by K. Ancrum: After a horrific accident brings loners Ryann and Alexandria together, Ryann learns that Alexandria's mother is an astronaut who volunteered for a one-way trip to the edge of the solar system.

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson: Black teen Marigold and her blended family move into a newly renovated, picture-perfect home in a dilapidated Midwestern city, and are haunted by what she thinks are ghosts, but might be far worse.

Wings of Ebony by J. Elle: Black teen Rue, from a poor neighborhood who, after learning she is half-human, half-goddess, must embrace both sides of her heritage to unlock her magic and destroy the racist gods poisoning her neighborhood with violence, drugs, and crime.

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Thomas: In this Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut, two witches from enemy castes—one seeking power, and one seeking revenge—will stop at nothing to overthrow the witch queen, even if it means forming an alliance with each other and unleashing chaos on their island nation.

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood: An Ethiopian-inspired Jane Eyre retelling in which an unlicensed debtera, or exorcist, Andromeda, is hired to rid a castle of its dangerous curses, only to fall in love with Magnus Rochester, a boy whose life hangs in the balance.

Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson: Black teen Andre Cobb undergoes a liver transplant and as a side effect winds up slipping through time from present-day Boston to 1969 NYC on the eve of the Stonewall riots, delivering a story that is part romance, part gay history, and part time-travel drama, exploring how far we have and haven't come. 

[erodasfishtacos]

how do vamp H and YN meet

So we’ve established Harry’s grumpy and he finds YN to be the most annoying person on this planet. Is it a surprise she won’t leave him alone?

-

Harry hated humans. All of them, babies to elderly, he really didn’t discriminate. The only reason he was surrounded by them right now was to blend in.

He’d gone to nearly fifty different colleges in his time, all over the world, to not bring attention to his differences - like the fact he never ages.

Nobody knew he was a vampire but in normal human nature, something in human instinct told people to stay away from him.

Most did, there was the occasional girl who would push past that fear and still try to shoot their shot with him - but that never worked.

When there were group projects, he’d offer to do all the work to avoid having to meet the students outside of the lecture hall, and he’d never had one person turn down a chance to not do schoolwork.

Except now.

“Okay, Mr. Styles and Y/L/N. You two are going to cover The World War II Aftermath,” The professor announces as their final project - worth most their grade.

Perfect. He fought in the war. Also he’s written thousands of papers about this topic already in his academic time.

“Now I’m going to give you some time to find and get acquainted now but this will be an out of the classroom assignment. Try to schedule at least twice a week to meet,” Professor Humprehy announces loudly.

Harry figures the human will found him and she does, she plops down next to him and he grits his teeth when she accidentally spills some of her coffee on his notebook.

“Oops. Sorry, I’m Y/N,” She smiles kindly, reaching her hand out to shake the curly brunettes. But he just glances at her hand and frowns, ignoring it.

She smells of a artificial, overpowering cherry scent that makes him want to gag.

“I’ll do the project,” Harry tells her shortly before turning back to the front of the room, jaw clenched when she continues to look at him.

“Uh, rude? Also, no? I am participating in my final grade,” YN argues, tapping him to get him to look at her again.

When he felts a zip of electricity from the spot she touched, not painful but intense, “No, I will do it.”

“You’re a douchebag,” The human announces without fear, “I’ll meet you at the library, second floor, tonight at eight.”

Harry has to fight the urge to release his fangs and threaten her life until she’s shaking with tears falling down her cheeks.

Instead, he flares at her retreating back as she leaves the lecture hall. No fear in her body or neurological warning that she almost got herself killed.

Stupid little human.

-

Harry grits his teeth as the clock ticks by, the girl late to her own set up time. This is why he couldn’t stand the human race - one of the reasons.

“Hi! Sorry, I got distracted, there was band playing outside of Old Main,” YN titters as she drops her bag, her hair is damp like she just got out of the shower and her skin fresh, dewy.

No artificial perfume.

Her natural aroma floods Harry’s senses and it has him holding back a snarl at the pure sweet but savory mouthwatering scent.

She smells like sex, food, home.

All wrapped into one, his fangs begging to break through and dig into her soft skin.

Mate. Mate her. Make her your mate now.

Harry nearly topples of his seat, his internal predator had never been so loud but also he’d never heard that before - never desired to bond with someone.

Let alone a human.

It happened but very very rarely that a vamp would mate with a human. He only knows of one instance that ends with the human refusing the bond and the vamp killing him.

Humans were innately terrified of vampires so it wasn’t a compatible match to create a eternal bond of love and partnership.

“I have to go,” Harry snaps, harsher than intended. If he didn’t, he was going to do something he regretted but to an annoying, obnoxious human he despised.

—

He disappears off campus for a few days. He goes home to talk to his parents who assure him he was just having an off day and to ignore it.

When he arrives back, the next week, he is sitting in a shaded area on a bench. He was reading through a book that he’s read too many times to count.

Then a empty water bottle is being chucked at him, hitting off his shoulder before falling to the ground, and Harry looks up to see YN.

“You left me to do it myself!” She hollers loudly, making the vampire cringe at the high frequency but setting his normal glare.

“I had something come up,” Harry lies, well sorta, I mean beside the internal crisis of whether he’s looking at his mate right now.

“I-I couldn’t finish it, I failed,” The human breaks down, slick tears bubbling over the corner of her eyes with frustration.

Then Harry feels something he hadn’t in a very long while - remorse, empathy, shame. He didn’t miss them one fucking bit.

“I am sorry,” He says formally, straightening up his shoulders and tucking away his book.

YN scoffs, “Sure, sure your are. Well I just wanted to say fuck you because now I have to retake the class, asshole.”

With that, she storms away and Harry is left very very confused at the emotions swirling in his stomach right now.

—

It’s late, street lamps are on, and most professors are home already. Not Dr. Humphrey. Harry pays him a visit.

“Mr. Styles, what do I owe this pleasure?” The man asks his pupil, he was shoving papers into his briefcase.

“Change YN’s grade. Make it so she passes the class,” Harry orders, his shoulders so broad and straight.

The professor chuckles,”You know I can’t do that. She didn’t complete her final assignment.”

The vampire shifts until his eyes are pure black, not white or anything. His sharp, razor fangs presented as he curls his lips back.

His tone is other-worldly, deep as the depth of hell and it shakes the room like an earthquake, “You’ll do as I say, now.”

Dr. Humphrey opens his mouth in silent horror at the monster in front of him, eyes stuck wide open, and face crumpling.

“Y-yes, I-I will do-do that now.”

Harry reverts back to his twinkling green eyes and normal white smile, “Thank you.”

And as he’s leaving, he turns over his shoulder and says casually, “If you tell anyone about this, I’ll love to drain you blood and have you for my dinner.”

—

“What did you do?” YN accuses, finding Harry at the bookstore in town a few days later, “Dr. Humphrey won’t even look at me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” The vampire doesn’t even look at her, reading the spines of the books with faux interest.

Then, the most infuriating human to roam the planet - Harry seems, flicks his cheek to get his attention, he can’t stop when his fangs descend.

He’s never had a human get to him in the way this girl has.

Instead of a scream and horror, the absolute nutty college girl smirks, and clicks her tongue, “I bloody knew it!”

[not-looking-for-happy]

The Last Equation: Chapter 5 - We are All Looking for Happy

Summary: This chapter is mostly siblings bonding.

Notes: I'm sorry I keep on delaying Five and the professor's meet up. I guess there are just so many sibling issues I want to be handled. Please don't hate me.

For a downloadable format, click here.

Click here for the entire work.

After the short meeting and deciding the buddy system, Ben, Allison, Diego, and Klaus decided to separate with the rest.

Ben and Allison proceed to the courtyard as suggested by Allison.

“Come to think of it,” Allison started. “Ever since we came back here, we never got the chance to talk. Just you and me.”

“Yeah, I only got the opportunity to talk to Klaus and Five,” Ben said while trying to remember the things that happened after the time travel.

“Wait, you've got a chance to talk to Five?” Allison asked with disbelief.

“I just got lucky, I guess. Tried searching for him at the library last night, and there he was. Reading the last book he read back then before he actually disappeared.” Ben explained.

Allison gives Ben a glance, informing him to continue.

“Have you noticed how our baby brother of ours seem to be having difficulty sleeping?” Ben asked.

“The only time I saw him slept was during that time when he has shrapnel stuck in his gut and this time when he exhausted himself while using his power to bring us all back here.”

“Yeah. I noticed it too. He only gets the chance to sleep if he can no longer stay awake physically.”

Allison sighed at the thought. Yes, their brother's consciousness is that of a 58-year old man but he cannot deny the fact that his body is still that of a 13-year old.

“He probably won't admit it but I think he's the one who needs fixing the most,” Ben said while laughing.

“You know, when he came back, I thought he's just gone mad. All those things he kept on saying about the end of the world. I can't blame him during those times he tried to stop the apocalypse all by himself. He was all alone for more than 30 years and yet when he came back, he probably still felt that loneliness. Because even if any of us tried, no one would ever understand completely the pain he went through.”

“Yeah. Tell me about it. I've been dead for more than a decade but thanks to Klaus, I never felt alone. Not really.”

“I'm so sorry we didn't believe Klaus the first time he told us about you. You must have been frustrated about it.”

“Well. Can't say I blame you. Even when I was alive, Klaus has never been sober so he could keep the ghosts at bay. So for him to be able to conjure me is sort of impossible.”

Allison did not say anything. She just smiles.

“Thinking about it, Klaus being able to conjure me must have been a fluke,” Ben added while laughing.

“I'm not sure if you knew but dad requested for your statue to be built and it was placed here. Oh, but it was destroyed.” Allison said while touching her face.

“Yeah. I was there.” Ben replied.

Allison smiles at Ben, this time with pain she can't explain.

“You know I was actually thankful that Luther accidentally smashed it to the ground. It feels kinda weird to see yourself as a statue.” Ben said as he notices Allison's pained smile.

Allison laughs at Ben's statement. And then a tear fell in her left eye. She wipes her tear as fast as she can.

“It must have been hard for all of you. Five disappeared, and then I died. The pain I felt when I left all of you, the pain you felt when Five and I left - those are feelings that I think Five both understood. Which is why even though he's having difficulty reaching out to us, he's still trying his best.”

Allison's tears begin to fall endlessly as she tries her best to listen to Ben. No matter how painful hearing Ben's voice is, it still gives her comfort to know that her brother, who they once lost, is now back.

“You know, now that I'm already a mother, I can't help but feel your pain, Vanya and Five's pain too.” Allison started as tears from her eyes still continue on falling. “I guess I can't help but look at the three of you as a child. The pain you all went through when we were kids if any of that ever happens to Claire, I don't know what I will do so I can take away the pain.”

“Hearing you say that in your 13-year old body feels kinda weird,” Ben said in a teasing manner.

“Oh god. I'm still not used to this. Like my whole world suddenly got bigger. Is this how Five felt when he came back to us?” Allison said while laughing.

“Well, if it makes you feel better, at least we already know how it feels to be trapped in a body way younger than our actual age,” Ben replied.

“Yeah. I guess I'll try to be more careful next time about treating Five like a kid.”

“I, on the other hand, will still treat Five like a kid.”

“Stop it, Ben. Just so you know, this time, we want you to live.” Allison said, clearly implying that Ben will be killed by Five if he continues treating him like a kid.

“You can't blame me. After Pogo and Five told us that Five's body is no longer aging, I can no longer remove from my system to treat him like our baby brother.” Ben explained.

“About that, do you think there's still a way for Five to fix his body?” Allison asked in a worried tone.

“I don't know. Let's just hope he'll find a way to fix his body.”

Allison doesn't respond but just slightly nods at what Ben said.

“Although,” Ben said while smiling. “I wouldn't mind adopting him as my son once we make it back to 2019.”

Allison and Ben both laugh at the thought.

Within three months, Allison's aim is to train herself in using her powers correctly. This time, she wants to make sure that when they come back to the present time, she can be together with Claire, always. To start, she intends to consult her siblings first whether her power is necessary or not when doing missions.

As for Ben, he'll try to understand his power better rather than fear it. He believes that this will be the ultimate key in order for him to make it back to the present timeline alive. He always fears his power, but this time, having the support of his brothers and sisters, he felt like he's found the courage to face the monster hidden within him.

“Okay, Ben. You can do this. One step at a time.” Ben said to himself as he breathes deeply, trying to picture the monster trapped in his body.

*******

Klaus and Diego proceed to the library. Grace is cleaning the living room while Pogo is fixing one of the cabinets in the kitchen.

“Library it is,” Diego said as he surveys the other rooms looking for a place for the two of them to talk.

Klaus is still not talking. He simply follows Diego behind.

“You know, you're quiet,” Diego said while opening the door of the library.

“And?” Klaus asked languidly.

“There are only two situations where I saw you being quiet. One, when you're actually physically incapable of talking. And two, when something’s bothering you.” Diego replied.

Klaus was about to say something as he opens his mouth but decides not to as he looks desperately at the ground.

Seeing that Klaus has no intention of talking, Diego decides to initiate the conversation.

“Sit down. And don't move.” Diego said while holding Klaus’ shoulders so he could sit.

After less than a minute, Diego comes back to where Klaus is sitting. His hands now holding two books. He places gently the book in front of Klaus. The other one, he positions at the front of the empty chair near Klaus.

“They're just props, to make it look like we're studying. No need to actually read it.” Diego suggested as he sees Klaus opens the book in front of him.

Diego stays in silence as if to give Klaus the chance to speak his mind. A minute has passed. And then another, however, Klaus is still not talking.

“You do know that one way or another, you'll have to talk to me. Because this is part of the plan. We all agreed to it, in case you forgot. So you have to cooperate.” Diego said while trying to hide his irritation.

“I don't know. It's just that…” Klaus replied without looking at Diego. “Thinking about it now, if we are successful in fixing our past, that would mean I'll never get the chance to meet Dave again.”

“I'm so stupid, right?” Klaus continued. “Here you are trying to change the past so we could stop the apocalypse, and here I am thinking of selfish things.”

“That's not true,” Diego interjected as he gazes intently at his brother's eyes.

Klaus begins to cry as he buries his face in his hands.

“You can't blame yourself, you know? It's not your fault if, to you, he is your whole world.”

Klaus looks up at Diego upon hearing those words. He gently smiles at Diego.

“When Eudora died, it felt like my whole world stopped. And even if I'm already painfully aware of the fact that the end of the world was about to occur, I didn't care more than I cared about avenging her death. At that time, I was thinking that it didn't matter if the world ends, for as long as I've killed those bastards responsible for her death. Who would have thought that it'd be Five who'd actually put some sense to my brain.” Diego said in a soft voice as he tries to hide the pain he's feeling.

“So it's not stupid, whatever you're feeling right now. And it's not selfish. You've suffered too much already. Hell, we all suffered a lot just being in this family. So it's not wrong to think about your own happiness for once. There's nothing wrong with that.” Diego finished as his hand gently grasps Klaus' shoulder.

Klaus takes a deep breath as he wipes the tears on his face.

“How about you? What do you intend to change?” Klaus asked.

“I'm fucked up but I can handle that. I just want to save mom and Eudora…” Diego replied. “And you, my brothers and sisters of course, ” he added.

“I guess my main mission is to stay sober, huh?” Klaus said while laughing.

“In exchange, we'll be there with you when you can no longer handle your fear. You're probably not aware because no one ever pointed out but, you're a kind and gentle person. You deserve more.” Diego said while trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Thanks, Diego. I always think of you as the tough guy so hearing you say those words make me feel a lot better.” Klaus replied with a warm smile.

“And don't worry about Dave. We'll talk to Five about that and we'll see what he can suggest. He's the expert in this time travel crap so maybe he can do something about it.” Diego added to ease his brother's worry.

“Do you think our practical little brother would do something about me and Dave meeting again? He doesn't even know who Dave is.”

“Ye of little faith,” Diego responded as if mimicking Klaus' way of talking. “He did come back just to save us all. Didn't he? And let's not forget the fact that you tried your hardest to remain sober so you could get to see him again. Had you not been sober, you wouldn't have been able to summon Ben. How's that for a practical reason?”

“Okay. But you'll have to help me on this.” Klaus finally agreed.

“Not just me, us. So you have to tell everyone about Dave too.” Diego advised.

“Okay,” Klaus whispered.

*******

It's already half past six when Five finished reading all the books, including the manuscript. He stands and hides the books on the most end shelf so no one could easily find them.

And then, in a blink of an eye, Five spatial jumps in the courtyard. As he searches the ground, he finds Vanya and Luther talking. Vanya was about to say something to Luther when she notices Five coming towards them.

“Oh my god, Five! You're back!” Vanya exclaimed in excitement.

“Shh. Keep your voice down.” Five whispered.

“You came back early. So you've met the person you're looking for?” Luther asked.

“No. Not yet. But I know where to find him. He'll be back in a week so I decided to come back here in the meantime. I'll be at Vanya's room. Gather everyone.” Five replied.

And before Vanya or Luther could speak, Five disappears.

“Go check on Ben and Allison, I'll go find Klaus and Diego,” Luther said.

“Got it,” Vanya replied as she proceeds towards the door.

*******

Five is sitting at Vanya's bed as he patiently waits for his siblings to arrive. After five minutes, he could hear footsteps coming from the corridor. The door opens slowly as Ben tries to check the inside of the room before letting himself in.

“It's good to see you, Five.” Ben greeted as he motions the rest to come in.

“I brought you your favorite sandwich. I'm assuming you haven't eaten properly since yesterday.” Vanya said as she offers the plate to Five.

“Thanks.” Five replied as he looks at everyone to check if they're already complete.

“Okay, so who wants to speak first?” Luther asked while looking at his siblings.

“Allison and I are focusing on how we could utilize our abilities properly. As you may all know, Allison stopped using her powers because she's afraid of the consequences that might happen if she's not careful. As for me, well, I've always hated my power, still do as a matter of fact, but I figured that learning how to control my power is the key for my survival.” Ben reported.

Everyone nods in agreement.

“As for Vanya and I, well,” Luther began. “I already apologized for what I've done to her and she already forgave me for what I did.”

The rest smiles at Luther's statement.

“As for her training, I'm still trying to figure out how her training should be done. For now, she already stopped drinking her medication. We'll observe in a few more days to see if her powers are no longer suppressed.” he added.

“Okay. Listen up, guys. Klaus here has something he has to tell all of you. I need you to listen with an open mind and try your best to understand his situation.” Diego finally talked as he looks at his brothers and sisters.

Everyone glance at Klaus with a puzzled look. He feels so nervous at the sudden silence. He wants to leave the place and just be all alone in his own room but Diego's hand stops him from running. It's as if Diego already knows what Klaus is about to do.

“Okay. Fine.” Klaus replied as he places his hands at the back of his head.

He glances one more time at his siblings before he continues.

“When those psychopaths attacked our house, I was taken as their hostage with the assumption that they can extract information from me. I was held captive for 2 days until the lady cop, Diego's friend, helped me to escape. I escaped through a vent where I found a briefcase. I thought it's something I could pawn so I took it with me during my escape. When I opened it, I found myself trapped in a different timeline. It was in the year 1963, during the Vietnam War.”

“So that explains the dog tag and the tattoo.” Five interrupted. “You said you were there for ten months, right? So you actually fought in the war?”

“Yeah. I did.” Klaus replied as he laughs gently.

Everyone looks at Klaus with a concerned look.

“And that's where I met Dave. The only person I've ever loved more than myself.” Klaus finished as he checks the reactions of his brothers and sisters.

Everyone except Ben and Diego seems to stare blankly at space.

“And then? What happened to Dave?” Vanya asked, her voice full of sympathy.

“He died, in my arms. Just before I came back to the present time.” Klaus answered as he gently closes his eyes, tears silently falling on his face.

“I'm so sorry,” Vanya said as she moves towards Klaus and gently hugs him.

Five just looks down with a frown on his face while Allison places her hands on her mouth so she could prevent herself from crying.

“And since we came back in this timeline, it's as if that you and Dave never met.” Five suddenly spoke to himself but the others can still hear him clearly.

“That's correct,” Diego interjected. “And if there's one thing Klaus wouldn't want to change, that would be meeting Dave.”

Seeing that no one is speaking, especially not Klaus, Diego decides to proceed further.

“I know how p-painful it is to lose someone you truly care about. We all do. So I speak to all of you, n-not on behalf of Klaus, but for myself. I want us to do something about Klaus and Dave meeting once again once we come back to the present.” Diego concluded.

Diego looks intently at Five.

“Come on, kiddo. You're the smart one here. Can't you do something about it?” Diego thought to himself.

As if Five understands Diego's gaze, he suddenly replies.

“I'll think about it. Although, I can't promise ten months just like the last time. You're lucky the Commission didn't go after you. This time, we'll have to be more careful.”

“So I guess it's safe to assume that everyone agrees with this additional plan?” Luther asked.

Everyone nod in agreement. Five puts out Vanya's book in his breast pocket and writes something, basically, to remind him of the additional plan. Vanya, on the other hand, tries to comfort Klaus while she wipes his tears while Ben gently pats him in the back. Allison and Diego smile at him.

“Thanks, guys,” Klaus said while sniffing. “I guess I'm already starting to love all of you,” he finished in a teasing manner.

Everyone smiles at Klaus’ statement.

“Okay.” Five interrupted. “Guess the last person to provide an update is me.”

Everyone looks at Five signaling him that they are ready to listen now.

“Luckily, I managed to find the person I was looking for. Although technically, we haven't met yet. He'll be back in a week according to her so for the meantime, I've taken the liberty to study all of his books. As it turns out, I was correct. I'll be able to utilize his equations when I'm performing time travel.”

“Her?” Allison asked.

“Her name is Grei. She's somehow related to Professor Hansel Wallace. In fact, she has major contributions to Sir Wallace's works. And apparently, they both know about me and my previous attempt in stopping the apocalypse.”

“What? How?” Allison asked again.

“According to her, the professor was recruited too by the Commission. He's one of the major developers of the briefcases being used by the field agents. To make the long story short, he did not agree with the Commission’s way of doing things so he decided to destroy the Commission and stop the apocalypse from happening.”

“So his goals are the same with us? Except for destroying the Commission?” Ben clarified.

“Actually, it's part of my plan to destroy the Commission as well.” Five answered.

“What?? Don't you think that's very dangerous? Just two agents almost killed our family. What makes you think we have a chance?” Allison asked.

“You won't be part of that plan. I'll be executing that plan after I take you back to the present. Remember, I'll be gone for 17 years so I have enough time to do that.”

“You're doing all that by yourself? You know that's not how we do things now, right?” Luther interjected.

Everyone seems worried now. And Five knows that he has to somehow make everyone agree with his plan.

“I'm not alone. I'll be asking Professor Wallace to cooperate with me. In fact, he's already started executing his plan. He's trying to gather information about the Commission and their base of operation. He has his own briefcase as well so time travel wouldn't be a problem.”

No one is still speaking. They're trying to digest what Five had just said.

“Think about it, if the Commission continues to exist, they will always see to it that the apocalypse happens. They will do everything just to make sure it happens and we'll do everything to stop it. We'll just be trapped in a cycle.”

“Even if that professor agrees to help you, do you really think the two of you is enough to fight the Commission?” Klaus asked.

“I could use some help, but not from you guys. Remember, you only became aware of my former employer when I came back. So I'll only be involving all of you once I come back to the present timeline.”

“And who's help are you referring to?” Diego questioned Five.

“I'll try to find Hazel. Last time, he volunteered to help stop the apocalypse. Once I find him, we'll start from there. Besides, this will be a great diversion for you to push through with the plan. They'll be focusing their actions on us and not to you.”

“So what, you're a decoy now?” Ben butted in. His tone suggests that he does not agree with Five's plan.

“Come on guys!” Five replied annoyingly as he places his hand on his face. “This plan can potentially save billions of people and you're just letting it go down the drain because you're letting your emotions get the better of you.”

Everyone frowns at Five. He actually makes sense but in some way, they can't just let their brother suffer again for another 17 years. Seeing the pained faces of his brothers and sisters somehow made him calm down.

“I'll be fine, I promise. I survived the apocalypse, didn't I? And this time, I have actual people who will help me. I'm not alone.”

Seeing as nobody is talking, he proceeds to speak.

“And somehow, this could be a chance to redeem myself. I've killed hundreds of people just to make it back. This time, I could properly save people's lives that the Commission took mercilessly. This is also my way of helping myself.” Five said with conviction.

“Okay. If you really think that's one way of helping yourself, then I have no choice but to agree with you.” Allison replied. “As much as it pains me to.”

“That's so unfair. If you say it like that, then there's no way we can stop you.” Klaus said dejectedly.

“For those who agree with Five's plan, raise your hands,” Luther asked.

Five, Diego, Allison, Klaus, and Luther raise their hands. Ben and Vanya just stay silent, not looking at any of them.

“So it's five versus two. So with that, we'll push through with Five's plan as well.” Luther concluded in a low tone as if someone's just been sentenced to death.

Everyone is silent.

Great. Now you have to apologize to Ben and Vanya again.

Five keeps on thinking about what to say to Vanya and Ben about his plan. Clearly, none of them likes Five's plan. However, for Five, this is something he needs the others to agree upon no matter what.

Chapter End Notes: Klaus deserves to be happy, so I want to do something about Dave. Although, I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with it.

Draft for chapter 6 is almost done. I'll be posting it in a day or two.

[cathcacen]

Murder Most Fowl

Ethan Naveau is confused as heck about his brother in law’s obsession with chicken.

Requested by @phylophe

He doesn’t understand why his brother in law is so obsessed with chicken. It’s been three occasions now where the family’s gathered together in their ancestral home, and each time, Lear had taken him aside to loudly and enthusiastically proclaim the joys of fowl. The first time had made a bit of sense – they were newly acquainted then, and father had suggested a barbeque in the late spring to celebrate.

After all, that had been when Rei had returned fresh-faced from some far off land, a ring on her finger and a new husband in tow.

They hadn’t even known she’d been seeing someone.

Lear’s presence in their lives is a welcome one, of course, and as Rei tells it, they’ve been seeing each other on and off for over a decade. There’s more she hasn’t said, he’s certain, but if the man makes his sister happy, he isn’t about to kick up a fuss.

Still, it’s odd. And in some of these moments, when he’s cornered with his brother in law and that god damned white meat comes up again, he wonders if the man is trying to tell him something.

“Your husband doesn’t like me,” he tells his sister one day.

She eyes him curiously, one brow arched high into her forehead. It’s Easter, and she’s taken the day off to come help mother with the food. The others have yet to arrive - Izzy and her partner are flying in from Germany, and both Father and Strahan are coming in from deployment somewhere in Eastern Europe, where they’ve been helping settle a minor post-war dispute. It’s just them in the kitchen right now, peeling potatoes and dressing baby chickens for the night’s dinner.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she tells him. “Why would you say that?”

He shrugs. “Gut feeling I guess. He has a tendency to get really passionate when we’re discussing…” Chicken, of all things. “…stuff. And then I’m not sure if he’s angry or really enthused.”

“Good lord, Ethan, you’re in Psych. Shouldn’t you be able to tell?”

He flicks a potato peel at her. “You should know your husband is very hard to read. Anyway, you’ll let me know, won’t you?” It bugs him. “If I make him uncomfortable, you’ll let me know?”

“I don’t know that you can make anyone uncomfortable, but right now I’m starting to feel a little weirded out.” She grins at him. “Don’t worry, E. He’s probably just messing with you.”

He watches as she finishes laying the chickens out on a large tray. The scar under her wrist is still stark against her pale skin after all these years, and she hasn’t bothered to hide it in a while. When she turns away to put the tray in the oven, he notes the scars on her back, and his insides tighten a bit.

He doesn’t think about those days a lot. He tries not to, anyway. With mother in a state of near-constant breakdown and everyone else occupied in the war efforts, it fell to him to juggle home, family, the media, and work. It’s a messy, six month blur that corresponds with what he thinks is a self-imposed mental block. He remembers very little from the time.

When she passes him by, he grabs her arm and kisses her forehead. “I’m just glad you could make it after all,” he tells her when she blinks at him in confusion.

It’s later in the day when the rest of the family arrive back home. He finishes with the cooking while the others play video games and entertain the singular Naveau grandchild in the living room. Izzy makes balloon animals and her guest, Phoebe, plays the piano to the delight of little Maika. He’s just pulling the cooked chickens from the oven when his brother in law walks in, evidently fresh from a day at work. “Hey, Lear. Dinner’s almost ready, but if you’re hungry, you can grab a potato first.”

He’s told the man had once served as a lieutenant in the army, but like his sister, has been retired. Still, there’s a hint of underlying tension in the way he moves and talks sometimes, in a way that suggests he isn’t entirely at ease.

Around me, at least.

“Nah, I’m good,” Lear walks up to the island, then peers into the tray. Ten little chickens sit inside, perfectly roasted. “I’m just happy to see we’ve got roasted chicken. You must’ve been all fired up today to prepare this feast.”

Oh, here we go again.

“Eh, your wife helped a fair bit,” He chuckles wearily, rubbing at the back of his head. “I know how much you like chicken though, so we decided against the lamb.”

“Barbequed chicken, though,” Lear says, and there’s a gleam in his right eye. “It’s so great when it’s been burnt to a crisp, isn’t it?”

He blinks. Over the years, he hasn’t had much cause to stare too directly at his brother in law’s eyes, but there’s something that jumps out at him now. The scars around his prosthetic aren’t exactly familiar, but he can’t shake the feeling that he’s seen them before. Still, it’s rude to stare, so he shrugs a shoulder and tries for an easy grin to diffuse the tension. “Better not eat too many of those crispy bits. They’re carcinogenic.”

He swears the other is glaring holes into the back of his head when he walks out with the tray. Rei better be making me a very, very strong drink right now.

They get through dinner without much incident, and in the company of the entire family, Lear manages to keep the chicken talk to a bare minimum. The one time he does it, Rei glances over, and a frown slowly, but surely settles upon her expression, as if recognising a pattern here. She doesn’t say anything, however, and simply goes back to telling Phoebe about Izzy’s vampire fiction phase to the irritation of their youngest sister. He heaves a sigh of relief once they’re through with the dinner course, and Lear doesn’t bring it up again until he’s in the kitchen washing up.

“That was some really great chicken, Ethan. Thanks for cooking it so well.” His brother in law is staring intently at him from where he stands by the sink, drying the cups. “You must’ve encountered a lot of chicken in your life to be this good at roasting it.”

He lies awake in bed that night, unable to sleep. And then it clicks.

“MOTHERFUC-”

He sits up in bed, throwing aside his covers. The eye, and the scars around it. He knows where he’s seen them before now, and if he’s right, then this man has done their family no small favour.

Chicken. That stupid document filled with at least thirty pages of the single word in perfectly symmetrical rows and lines.

He’d thought it was an April Fool’s joke at first, and a rather cruel one at that. Five months into Rei’s disappearance and assumed death, the family had still been picking up the pieces. The tombstone was never good enough. Mother had had it commissioned and recommissioned, and he’d had to deal with all the artisans. They were understanding but rightfully frustrated. He’d hated every second of dealing with them.

And then the news had broken, with fresh perspective on the airstrike that had supposedly killed over fifty of their guys. Horrific images surfaced from the camp where, it was reported, some survivors were being kept. The officers who’d cleaned up after the incident had assured them that Rei was dead, that there was no way anyone would have survived the blast from where she was said to have been standing.

But what if, mother had said. What if? There’s no evidence. Not a shred of DNA, no shredded bits of uniform nor tag. Your sister could be in that place.

The blurry photographs leaked of the camp hadn’t made him feel too much better about the possibility of her being alive.

He’d been running late for an appointment that day. The past weeks had been a special kind of hell, and he’d been fending off reporters and their photographers throughout the grueling ordeal. The seasons had changed, and with the flowers of early spring came a bout of hay fever that had taken most of the faculty out of play. He’d taught class after class, surrounded by the unfamiliar faces of his colleagues’ students, so he hadn’t been too surprised when one of the students came up to him, after.

“Dr. Naveau,” He’d said. “Hi! I’m an exchange student, and I love your work with Dr. Starke on experimental conditioning.”

He’d shaken the student’s hand. Red hair. A slightly shaky smile, as if both excited and anxious. Eyes that looked just a little bit off. An odd accent he can’t quite place. “Oh, thanks. How can I help you?”

“I was just wondering if you would read my paper on the subject and see what you think.” There’s a hint of earnestness in his voice, and haphazardness in motion as the man shoves a manila folder at him. “My professors back home are expecting me to have learnt something here, so it would mean so much to me if you would look it through.”

“Oh, right. Of course.” He’d put the folder into his suitcase. “Anything else?”

The man smiles broadly. “If you hate it, do me a favour - torch it so nobody else reads it and judges me for it, okay?”

Torched chicken. He could slap himself for being so dense. Of course that’s what all this has been about.

He remembers now. He remembers how he’d sat at his desk, confused at the paragraphs and pages. He’d flipped through the sheets, bewildered. It seemed like far too much effort to go to for a mere prank on a total stranger. He’d considered the idea that it was a gimmick, designed to test the reader’s skill and patience. Something to do with the mind. And perhaps, if he’d sifted carefully through the words, he’d find something of actual value.

He hadn’t really placed much hope in that thought, but had tried for it anyway.

Carefully nestled within the rubbish manuscript were words that, once strung together, formed the basis for his baby sister’s removal from that hellhole.

On April twenty ninth at zero three hundred hours there will be an accidental detonation of a series of six undiscovered landmines five point two kilometres southeast of the camp

All that, hidden in a shit ton of chicken.

He waits until Rei’s left for her shift at the hospital before ringing the bell. Lear answers, dressed for a day of working with numbers at home, brow raised. There are hints of exasperation and amusement in his face. “Well,” He says. “Finally figured it out, have you?”

“You could’ve just said something,” Ethan pushes through him into the house. “Instead you made yourself out to be some fowl-obsessed lunatic. Well done.”

“You didn’t burn the chicken.” Lear shuts the door and turns to him, brows furrowed and arms crossed. “D’you know how much trouble I got into for pulling that stunt? I planned for weeks to make sure it wouldn’t get back to me, only to have you foil my plans.”

He doesn’t know whether he should be sobbing in gratefulness or yelling in exasperation. Instead, he settles on trying to be calm. It had been a method he’d employed, when he’d still been a practitioner of medicine. “I’m not sure anything is too much trouble for getting your wife back safe and alive. How did you even get that information?”

Lear simply blinks at him in silence. He’s clearly unimpressed.

“Right. Classified information.” He knows the words well enough. Father and Uncle had spent enough years locked together in the study for him to understand the importance of keeping a secret for the greater good. “Well, I had to surrender that information to my Uncle for it to be considered. And it didn’t help that it was full of shit.”

Lear’s voice takes on a petulant cast. “It was full of important and useful information. The team managed to use it as a diversion, and got the prisoners out.”

“And how would we have known it was legitimate information? In case you didn’t realise, you gave it to me on April Fool’s day.”

His brother in law lets out an irritated grunt. “You’re a Naveau. I expected you to use your connections, not go by the law.”

It’s his turn to stare, unimpressed. “I did use my connections, and they all said I had to surrender the document. We deliberated for two weeks. I’m just a civilian, and I had to sit through gruelling hearings with people who don’t give a shit. Uncle pretty much used every single card he had, called in every favour, and it still took forever.”

And why didn’t you do something about it in a more open way, he wants to ask.

Instead, he takes a deep breath. “Anyway. Now I know, and you have my eternal gratitude, Mr. Fore.”

That elicits a dry chuckle. “You know that’s not my name.”

Ethan rolls his eyes. “I’m starting to realise that maybe we don’t know anything about you at all, but Rei is clearly okay with that.” His voice softens, and he slumps a bit. “And you saved her life. So whether you did that for us, or for you, or her, or for whatever it is you two have, I’m grateful. Thank you.”

Lear huffs. The irritation lingers, but it’s somewhat less pronounced. “Next time I tell you to burn something, you better damn well burn it.”

“You’re full of shit.” 

“Nah, chicken.”

He chuckles tiredly, shaking his head. “Please don’t talk about chicken like that ever again.”

“I’m about as sick of it as you are, but you took forever to get what I was trying to say. I thought doctors were meant to be smart.” Lear’s grumbling does not go by unnoticed.

He raises a brow.

“Sorry.” The man doesn’t sound sorry at all. But he does turn serious, his voice darkening a bit. It sounds almost dangerous. “But you’re never going to tell anyone about this. Are we clear?”

“Tch,” He strides towards the door. “If that’s what you want. But for what it’s worth,” He stops, his hand just short of the knob as he turns his head a bit. “I’m pretty sure we’re all grateful for whatever part you played in that shitstorm.”

He understands. He doesn’t like it, but he understands.

[tylerhoechlns]

Sterek Recs: Bookmarked (1/?)

I’ve been lacking with my posts, specifically my sterek recs, so I decided I should post all 1,163 (and counting) fics that I have bookmarked on AO3 into a few separate posts.

WARNING: I have been bookmarking almost every sterek fic I have ever read since the summer of 2015. Some of these fics may include side pairings or briefly include Derek and/or Stiles with someone else. I tried to add some tags and warnings here but PLEASE read the tags and or warnings on the fic itself if this is something you do not like. All of these fics are completed. 

How to Win an Argument Without Really Trying by sffan (Explicit - 2.2k)

It started with a kiss.

Well, actually, it started with an argument.

— Tags and Warnings: Underage, First Time, Porn Without Plot

Blushing Pretty by the_deep_magic (Explicit - 3.2k)

Tonight’s the rare occasion when he gets to take Stiles apart, piece by piece, and Stiles – annoying, mouthy, brilliant, gorgeous Stiles – lets him. 

— Tags and Warnings: Porn Without Plot, Established Relationship, Light BDSM

🔒 The One In Which Derek's Dick Disappears by bleep0bleep (Explicit - 3.3k)

Derek wakes up one afternoon without a particular appendage.

Stiles thinks someone left a very realistic looking dildo in his bed.

— Tags and Warnings: Mildly Dubious Consent, Public Sex, Telepathic Sex

Muffins As A Declaration Of Intent by JenNova (Explicit - 3.7k)

“Top or bottom?” Stiles asks, off to Derek's right.

“Bottom,” Derek says automatically, not really looking at him. “Wait, what?”

— Tags and Warnings: Porn Without Plot

Stiles, why is Derek Hale passed out on our front porch? by marguerite_26, mothlights (Explicit, 4.4k)

Stiles doesn't hear the knock on his front door, but he figures there must have been one, because now his dad's calling out to him,

"Stiles, do you know why Derek Hale just passed out on our front porch?"

Stiles freezes, carton of milk half way to his mouth. He looks around the empty room, wondering if it has any answers. Derek Hale just passed out on his front porch -- sounds like one of the signs of the coming apocalypse.

— Tags and Warnings: Spark Stiles, Magical Bond, Hurt/Comfort

With Warmest Regards (Affectionately Yours) by asocialfauxpas (fuzzytomato) (Mature - 5.9k)

House Hale and House Stilinski form an alliance through the betrothal of Prince Derek and Prince Stiles. Having only met once before, they write letters to get to know one another.

— Tags and Warnings: AU: Royalty, Alive Hale Family, background/side pairings. 

Intro To Art For NonMajors by otatop (N/A - 13k)

Derek has one more class to pass before he can finish his degree but he can't bring himself to give a shit about art. He can, however, give a shit about his professor.

— Tags and Warnings: AU: University, Student!Derek/Teacher!Stiles, Artist!Stiles

an exaltation of larks by llassah (Explicit - 25k)

There are times when he feels as if they could fall into bed together, easy as breathing. If Stiles were not highborn, if he were an omega without connections, Derek would be sorely tempted. As it is, he resists. Derek wants, he yearns, but he resists. Still, the sight of Stiles in his cot is enough to test him, even now that it is familiar. At the end of each lambing season, he sleeps for a week, worn down by months of hard work, of relentless struggle. He doesn’t know how he’ll feel by the time Stiles leaves, how he’ll feel after long days and longer nights spent resisting the insistent tug of Stiles’s scent and the inclinations of his own foolish heart.

All Derek wants is to get through the lambing season with his body and spirit intact. He had thought that the blizzards would be the main danger, not a highborn omega with beautiful eyes and a stubborn streak.

— Tags and Warnings: AU: Historical, AU: Werewolves are Known, AU: Medievalesque Omega!Stiles, Alpha!Derek, Non-Graphic Torture, Mutual Pining

Nothing Short Of Perfect by GotTheSilver (Explicit, 27k)

In which Derek and Stiles are made aware of their potential and have to make a choice about what their relationship will be.

“Let me get this straight,” his dad says. “You’re telling me a witch told Derek and yourself that you could be destined to be together and now Derek will be going to college with you?”

Stiles shrugs, resting his hands on his legs to stop himself from fidgeting. “That’s about it, yep.”

— Tags and Warnings: University, Soul bonds, Getting Together.

By Any Other Name by entanglednow (Explicit - 33K)

He doesn't know his name, he doesn't know who he is, and neither does the werewolf he's on the run with. But he's pretty sure they hunt monsters, because they seem to be really good at it.

— Tags and Warnings: Angst, Amnesia, Violence

Strike Softly (Away From The Body) by qhuinn (tekla) (Explicit - 34k)

Derek is a bodyguard and Stiles his spoiled, resistant client.

— Tags and Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Hurt/Comfort, Slow Build, Enemies to Lovers

The Worst Thing I Ever Did by RemainNameless (Explicit, 41k)

Stiles would say his relationship with Derek is about fifteen percent empty threats, thirty percent sass, ten percent avoiding violence together, and five percent eyebrows. If anyone asked, he would say the remaining forty percent is mutual orgasms.

It’s a good thing no one ever asks.

— Tags and Warning: AU: Canon Divergence, post 3x03, Underage, Canon Typical Violence, Porn With Feelings, Possessive Behavior, Dubious Consent, D/s themes, Non-Negotiated Kink

 Traces by standinginanicedress (Explicit - 44k)

Derek snaps his fingers and glares into Stiles' eyes. “You say you're not the same, but – there you fucking go, acting just like yourself.”

Stiles bristles. “Oh, right. Because you know me so fucking well, don't you?”

“Better than you seem to think,” he mutters under his breath in response, and Stiles gets even more incensed.

“Pushing me up against walls, shoving my head into steering wheels,” he shrugs his shoulders, glares, “some real heart to hearts we've had!”

“Holding me up in eight feet of water when I was paralyzed, nearly cutting my arm off for me to save my life. Doesn't seem so fucking shallow to me, Stiles.”

— Tags and Warnings: Underage (17), Angst, Body Dysmorphia, PTSD, Kate Argent

our lives are changing lanes by grimm (Explicit - 47k)

There's a lot of screaming going on inside the first house Stiles visits. He isn't really worried, because it sounds like kids, but then the door opens and hi, says his dick, because the dude in front of him is gorgeous, built like a god with a face like thunder. Stiles wants to lick that solid jaw line. Hold the fuck on, says his cop brain, because the dude's got kids hanging all over him; one's on his back, skinny legs looped around his waist, and another two hanging off one arm, toes barely brushing the ground. There's a tubby toddler clinging to his leg like a koala, and he's got a baby tucked into the crook of the one arm that doesn’t have kids hanging off it. Stiles' mouth drops open.

"How many of those kids did you kidnap?" he asks before he can wrangle his brain into submission.

The man gives him a look that says what the fuck is wrong with you and snaps, "You think I'd subject myself to this on purpose?"

"Oooh," says one of the kids hanging off his arm. "I'm telling Mom."

— Tags and Warnings: AU: Werewolves Are Known, Deputy!Stiles, Single Parent Derek, Past Kate/Derek

☆ Sense of Home by siny  (Explicit - 53k)

Home can be a place, but it can also be a person.

After the events with the Nemeton, Stiles starts suffering the consequences of their sacrifice. A journey he attempts to make on his own, but only becomes worse with every step he takes. In the process he seeks comfort in an unexpected place and it draws him toward an unexpected person.

— Tags and Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Hurt/Comfort, Major (Fake) Character Death, Angst, Slow Build, First Time, Happy Ending, Background/Side pairings. 

Move A Mountain by ZainClaw (Explicit - 69k)

Stiles goes camping with his friends in New Mexico after graduation where they befriend a biker gang led by Derek: a guy whom Stiles can’t decide if he will be either relieved or devastated to never see again once their week is up.

— Tags and Warnings: Smut, Angst, Biker!Derek, background/side pairings

Occam's Razor by MissAnnThropic (Explicit - 74k)

When Stiles goes to sleep, he’s a junior in high school. He wakes up in a world where he’s twenty-four and married to Derek Hale. Stiles just can’t seem to catch a break.

— Tags and Warnings: Angst

☆ Cornerstone by Vendelin (Explicit - 83k)

Suffering from PTSD, ex-Marine Derek Hale moves back to Beacon Hills to open a bookshop and find a calmer life. That’s where he meets Stiles, completely by accident. Stiles is talkative, charming and curious. Somehow, despite the fact that he’s blind, he’s able to read Derek like no one else.

— Tags and Warnings: Blind!Stiles, Marine!Derek, PTSD

☆ No Homo by RemainNameless (Explicit - 84k)

Stiles' sophomore year starts something like this: 3 FourLokos + 1 peer-pressuring cat - 1 best bro to end all best bros = 1 Craigslist ad headline that reads "str8 dude - m4m - strictly platonic". Derek is the fool who replies.

— Tags and Warnings: AU: University, Internalized Homophobia, Recreational Drug Use (Marijuana), Alcohol, Lots of Safe and Unsafe Sex

🔒 Shatterproof by pyes (Explicit - 90k)

The first time that Derek kisses Stiles, they're in the Jeep—which is sideways—while they're trapped in an overpass collapse.

It's the second time when things really get scary.

— Tags and Warnings: Post 3b Pack, Hurt/Comfort, Injury Recovery, Canon Typical Violence/Gore. 

I Know Where Babies Come From, Derek by DiscontentedWinter (Explicit - 127k)

Stiles finds a baby on the porch.

It looks exactly like him.

Well, this is awkward.

— Tags and Warnings: Underage, Accidental Baby Acquisition, Domestic Fluff, Angst with a Happy Ending, Canonical Death, Pack Feels, Abduction, Threats of Rape/Non-Con

Little Wild Animal by DiscontentedWinter (Explicit - 131k)

Derek Hale finds a feral human on his pack's property. Humans are supposed to be extinct. But then, Stiles is full of surprises.

— Tags and Warnings: Underage, Feral!Stiles, Angst with a Happy Ending, Background/Side pairings. Fics 2&3 of sterek aren’t majority about Sterek.