#their family have good genes and well hello to the uncle!

[accio-victuuri]

wang yibo - one & only douyin update

[sunflowerdroplet]

Paging Doctor Duck Ch. 4

The soft twitters of birds outside his window slowly pulled Donald from his slumber. His eyes drifted open, snapping close when the bright, morning light sent dagger-like pains into his skull. He groaned as he buried his face into his pillow in order to hide from the well-meaning sunshine.

‘Being hungover sucks.’

Daring to take a peek at his bedside alarm clock, Donald saw that it was a little after eight in the morning. He also took notice of the bottled water, aspirin, and a small note right next it. ‘Huh?’ he thought, quickly helping himself to the medicine and water before reading the note.

Hola Donal’,

We had a lot of fun with you last night and I can’t wait until we do it again soon! Also, do not forget that the rodeo is today. Zé and I look forward to meeting your sobrinos!

See you soon,

Panchito

Right, the rodeo is today. Ugh, why did he have to make such decisions when he was drunk? ‘Oh well. At least it’s not until this afternoon,’ he thought before flopping back down in his bed. ‘Wait…how did I…get back home?’

While memories from last night were a bit spotty, he clearly remembered being too hammered to drive himself back home safely. He also remembered turning down José’s offer to spend the night at the club, the parrot having a bed in his dressing room in case he was ever too partied out to make it home. Donald also recalled declining the offer because no amount of liquor was going to make him trust those bedsheets.

That meant that Panchito “good genes” González must’ve gotten him home. Pushing past the pounding in his head, he somewhat remembered the familiar neighing of Señor Martinez, a drunken farewell from José, a long and bumpy ride somewhere, and finally the gentle feeling of someone tucking him into bed and petting the top of his head.

“Dulces sueños, Donal’~~”

The doctor flushed pink. ‘Screw this. It’s much too early to be thinking about such things…’ the duck thought with a grumble, covering his head with his pillow and falling back asleep.

~*0o0*~

“Boys, stay close,” instructed Donald as he and his three nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, made their way through the crowded area. Currently, the small duck family was at the California Rodeo Salinas to watch “World Famous Panchito” perform his rodeo tricks. Donald hadn’t really been all that keen to watch such a thing, considering how often the rooster would show up at the hospital injured after his performances, but the triplets were excited to see the spectacle, so he couldn’t really complain. He even bought them cowboy outfits for the occasion.

“’Naldo! ‘Naldo, over here!”

The uncle of three turned to see José running up to them, looking unfairly more put together than Donald felt. “Afternoon, Jo---ACK!”

“Boa tarde, my friend! I have missed you so much!” the parrot greeted, wrapping up the duck in a tight hug.

‘It hasn’t even been 24-hours yet…’ the doctor thought, feeling his ribs creak due to the strength of the hug. He awkwardly patted the parrot’s back in return before introducing him to his boys. “José, I’d like you to meet my nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Boys, say hello.”

“Hello…”

“Mr. José…”

“…It’s nice to meet you!”

“So nice to meet you boys as well! I especially like your cowboy outfits. Did your tio buy them for you?”

“He sure did…”

“…Mr. José…”

“…He’s the best Unca ever!”

The lime green parrot nodded in agreement. “Of that, I agree with you!”

“So, where are we sitting, José?” the duck asked quickly. His face was red from all praise he was receiving.

The smile on the Brazilian playbird faltered, a pout pulling at his lips. “… “José”…?” he questioned softly.

Donald blinked in surprise before more recollections from last night came to mind. His face turned an even brighter red somehow and he felt a phantom burn on his skin where Panchito and José had kissed his scarred shoulder. “…Joe…”

José brightened right back up after that before linking their arms together like they had last night. “Come, I will show you to our seats. ‘Chito is waiting for us there since his event isn’t until later. Let us go!”

“Alright, no need to pull…”

~*0o0*~

Introductions to Panchito went similarly to what it had with José, including the same back-breaking hug. He remarked positively on the children’s cowboy outfits and even gifted them with child-size lassos to go along with their color-coded clothing.

“Wow!”

“Thanks!”

“Mr. Panchito!”

“You are most very welcome, my little niños!” the Mexican said. He then turned to Donald and José. “I have a little something for you two, as well,” he announced before somehow pulling out two sombreros from underneath his own and placing them on their heads. “There we go, amigos! Now we match!”

“Obrigado, my friend!”

Donald tottered a bit, the brim of the sombrero falling over his eyes, temporarily blinding him before he could right it. “Yeah, thanks…Panch,” the duck said, trying to ignore the way Panchito’s ruby eyes lit up at his nickname.

~*0o0*~

“Whooaaaa!!” screamed a man as he tumbled end over end through the air.

*Crash*

“Oof! Do you think that guy is alright, Unca Donald?” asked Huey.

Donald was already analyzing the man’s injuries in his mind. Judging by the angle the man’s arm and leg were now in, he surmised the man most likely had broken bones, bruised ribs, and maybe even a concussion. The deep, hoof imprints on the man’s derrière, courtesy of the bull, would also make it hard for him to sit down properly in the coming days. “According to my medical expertise…no.”

“I am curious as to why people enjoy pursuing such dangerous pastimes…” José wondered as the group watched the rodeo clowns load the unconscious man onto a stretcher and carry him away.

Donald huffed. “Funny, I thought you’d appreciate a “flirting with danger” lifestyle.”

José laughed sheepishly at that.

Eventually, it was time for Panchito to take the stage.  The bull he was getting ready to ride was named Raging Storm, and it seemed to be aptly named. The beast had already sent multiple people to the hospital.

“Will Mr. Panchito be okay, Unca Donald?” Dewey asked nervously.

“…He should be fine…” the uncle tried to reassure, but even he was feeling a little anxious. While never to the terrible extent like the other competitors, Panchito would often sustain many injuries because of his profession. Donald jumped when he felt something touch the back of his hand, looking down to see José’s yellow-gloved hand on his, gently squeezing it.

“‘Chito will be okay,” the parrot said with a confident smile.

Donald returned the reassuring gesture with a smile of his own, squeezing back. “Right.”

After the announcer did the countdown, Raging Storm was released from the pen. As predicted, the bull began tearing across the arena, bucking and kicking aggressively to fling his rider off. Panchito, being the skilled rider he was, easily weathered the storm, holding on with only one hand while swinging his sombrero with the other. The crowd erupted into cheers, growing louder with each passing second counting down.

‘How is it that these last few seconds feel like an eternity?’ thought Donald as he willed time to move a little faster. He worried that he was crushing José’s hand, but the parrot was holding his just as tightly.

Three seconds…

Two seconds…

One second…

The sound of the ending buzzer filled the area and Panchito effortlessly dismounted from the bull to the roaring sounds of applause. The doctor breathed out a long sigh of relief he hadn’t been aware he was holding. Huey, Dewey, and Louie were cheering like crazy in their seats along with José. Donald tried his best to clap as well but found it difficult since José still had a grip on one of his hands.

“See? I told you he would be fine!” the Brazilian exclaimed, though he looked immensely relieved as well. “C’mon, wave to him, ‘Naldo!”

Donald did as instructed and waved at his patient/friend when he looked in their direction. The rooster’s ruby eyes lit up when he spotted the duck and parrot, blowing a kiss their way. Donald tried to blame the residual adrenaline for the way his heart skipped a beat.

~*0o0*~

“Are you holding on tight, niños?” asked Panchito as he held on to Señor Martinez’s reins.

“We are!” chorused the triplets.

“Bueno! Okay, here we go!” Panchito gently pulled the horse forward, moving at an easy pace.

“Wheeee!!” cheered the children.

Señor Martinez tossed his head back and neighed happily as he proudly carried his three passengers.

Donald watched the scene unfold with a smile, happy that his nephews were enjoying going on a horseback ride. Due to his busy and hectic work schedule, it was rare for him to be able take his kids out for a day of fun. The excitement from today also meant the boys would sleep like babies tonight, saving him from their usual bedtime wars. Currently, he sitting on the porch of Panchito’s ranch, polishing off the delicious, yet incredibly spicy meal from Panchito’s mother, Maria González. José doing the same next to him.

“Would you care for seconds, boys?” asked Maria, a plump hen with similar colors to her son. A yellow apron tied around her waist.

“No, thank you ma’am,” Donald declined. His already burning mouth wouldn’t be able to take anymore punishment. “Ah, maybe a little water, please.”

“I would like to have more of your delicious food, Mamá Maria. Por favor. And might I add that your cuisine is muito delicioso!”

The mother hen let out a giggle. “My, what a charmer! I’m so pleased that my son brought home such impeccable men! And Donal’, you raised such wonderful, well-mannered boys.”

“Hehe thank you, ma’am,”  the duck replied with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head. The mother took away their plates and walked back indoors with the promise of seconds and Donald’s water.

 “Of course, you’d be able to handle spicy food just fine…” Donald muttered with a little jealousy.

José chuckled. “True, but now that we have been introduced and accepted into ‘Chito’s family, you can build up your spice tolerance!”

“Yeah, I guess I…” the doctor’s words trailed off when he fully digested the Brazilian’s words. Mama Maria’s words also mixing in and created a weird jumble in his mind, his heart once again squeezing in his chest. “…Stop that…” he grumbled, both to José and his annoying heart.

“Hmm? Stop what~~?”

Donald felt his cheeks heat up as José leaned forward, a coy smile on his beak and his eyes shimmering in the sunset like the topaz his Uncle Scrooge made him polish for only a few cents an hour. “That! You know what you’re doing! Stop that!”

Before the parrot could do anything more, Donald found himself ensnared by a lasso, Panchito holding the other end with a teasing smile on his face. “And that, niños, is how you lasso someone!”

“Whoa!” exclaimed Huey.

“So cool!” cheered Dewey.

“Will you teach us how to do that one day?” asked Louie.

“Of course!”

“Will you teach me as well, ‘Chito?” questioned José as he happily took advantage of Donald’s lack of mobility, poking his stomach and pinching his reddened cheeks. “It is definitely a…useful skill~.”

“Oh, indeed I will, Zé!” a playful smile spread across Panchito’s face as he stepped closer to his two friends, his voice lowering a couple of octaves. “Es un buen aspecto para el…”

Even with his very limited Spanish, Donald understood what the rooster said. Steam was practically shooting out of his ears and his face the color of cherries. “I said to stop that!”

TO BE CONTINUED~

[kimi-twstheadcanons]

Blow Us All Away

-Malleus and (Y/N) have a child, Maelora. A fae king father, a human queen mother, and a half-blood princess. A very happy family indeed. All seemed well, but an unfortunate event has befallen the family. Maelora describes her experience in this…

Pronouns: She/her

Warnings: ANGST ANGST ANGST!!! ALL THE ANGST! Loss of a loved one

Note: I haven’t seen chapter 7 so this doesn’t really have anything in it other than one line inspired from what I’ve seen around the fandom. I also came up with this idea when I was listening to “Dear Theodosia reprise” a deleted song from Hamilton the musical. I COULDN’T HELP MYSELF AND HAD TO WRITE THIS I’M SORRY! It’s not perfect but I really tried. I just needed this idea out of my head

“I’ll be home soon, mother.”

•

•

•

I was picking flowers in the garden. Our lovely little garden that father had grown just for me away from all the other thorn bushes. He was the king of the Briar Valley, after all, he was ever so great and powerful. Mother is kind and compassionate but a mere human with no magical abilities. They say it’s because she’s not from this world but I never truly understood what that meant. Usually, she would help me with the garden and we would play and sing while waiting for father to visit us from his royal duties. If it wasn’t father it would be Lilia or uncle Silver who is usually accompanied by uncle Sebek. They may not be my real uncles by blood, but I don’t recall addressing them any differently.

“Hello there, our darling little princess! Are you making more flower crowns for your parents?” Lilia suddenly appeared out of nowhere, floating upside down above my head. He thought he could surprise me but I’ve gotten used to his tricks, at least for the most part.

“Haha, hi there, Lilia. Yes, I’ve almost finished up these new flower crowns. I apologize but I haven’t made one for you today.”

“Don’t worry about it, darling. Goodness, you truly do get your heart from your mother, yet you have your father's horns. You get your eye shape from your mother but your father’s eye color was so dominant in your genes it seems.” Lilia cooed as he placed his hand on my head between my small horns to gently ruffle my hair. I laughed gently and looked over the three flower crowns I had created. It took me a while because it was hard to remember the correct size of my father's head due to his large horns but I hope everything turned out well. Recently, my mother has been extremely ill. I don’t remember a day when she was the perfect picture of health, she had always seemed off, but her health rapidly decreased incredibly quickly over the last few months. Hopefully, the crown will make her feel better!

“LaLa, can you help me bring these crowns to mother and father? I think father is with mother in their room since it’s getting so late.” I asked Lilia, calling him by a nickname I had called him since I was born. He smiled a wide grin.

“Of course, Maelora, it would be my great honor to escort you to your parents.” He said cheerfully as he held out his arm for me to hold onto. I picked up all three flower crowns and carefully stood up from my blanket on the garden ground. Just as I wrapped my hands around Lilia’s arm, uncle Silver and uncle Sebek came running into the garden in sheer panic. They looked distressed and in a hurry. They panted as they tried to catch their breath.

“Lilia! Come quick, it’s important!” Sebek started since his breath recovered faster.

“Whoa, calm down! What is it? What could have happened so soon?” Lilia asked calmly yet confused.

“The queen! S-she…her illness! It’s gotten worse!” Silver was able to splurge out in pants. Lilia and I looked at each other in panic.

“Is Malleus with her?”

“Yes, but father, her time-“ before Silver could finish his sentence the sky of the Briar Valley began to rapidly swarm with dark and twisted clouds. Green lighting began to form within them. He was cut off by the harsh winds that blew along with the clouds. I knew who was doing that…my father. Something has happened.

“Take the princess and get her to her room immediately, she must not be allowed out until Malleus or I have said otherwise, is that understood?!” Lilia demanded Silver and Sebek. They saluted and offered me their hands for me to hold.

“No, what, why? Lilia, what’s going on?” I asked in fear. Lilia was quick to hand me off and now seemed to be in a very big rush.

“No time for questions, you have to go now! Please listen to me and be a good little princess! I promise I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Lilia, what’s going on with mother?! You have to tell me!” I begged him as Sliver and Sebek held onto my arm to keep me from chasing after Lilia.

“I can’t! I have to hurry before-“ Lilia was then interrupted by the longest and deepest, most heart-wrenching, bloodcurdling scream I have ever heard in my entire life, followed by loud green thunder and lightning strikes through the sky. The dark clouds turned black and the wind increased so much that it blew my mother's flower crown out of my little arms and completely into the air.

“Father…I think it’s too late…” Sliver said abruptly. Lilia went quiet as it began to pour rain on all of us. I looked around at all of them and noticed how all of their faces had fallen into dark shadows and auras of sadness began to radiate off each of them. I knew, but I didn’t want to believe why. I knew but young me was in strong denial. No one would ever wish for something like that to happen to them so suddenly.

~~~

The next day, I was in my room after a bath. Lilia did my hair and helped me get dressed but the entire time he was sad. Silver and Sebek were instructed with watching my door as to not let me out. Lilia enchanted my balcony in case I would try anything mischievous. So I was stuck in my room, confused and scared. I carefully crept to my door to try and see if I could talk to Silver. He’s the only one who actually tells me information.

“Are you sure it’s the right time? She’s so young. I don’t think she’d be able to handle the news.” I heard Silver say on the other side of the door. I place my ear gently on the door to hear more clearly. As a fae, I can hear from far distances but not much because of me being half human.

“My apologies, Lilia, but I have to agree with Silver on this one,” Says Sebek on the other side of the door.

“She is far too young, even by human standards, to know such heartbreaking information. I’m still in shock from the whole ordeal myself. It hasn’t even been fully processed in my head and I feel…conflicted and confused. I can only imagine her reaction when she finds out the news.” He continues, his voice straining slightly as he proceeded with his words.

“I understand. I cannot say that I agree with the idea of telling her so soon. But she does deserve to know. The entire kingdom of the Briar Valley will be in anguish and our friends will know nothing but grief for months.” Lilia says, although his voice sounds…cold. As if all emotion that could have been was washed away.

“Father, you can’t be serious. Give her another day.” I heard Silver insist.

“Another day of what? Locking her in her room with no knowledge of the truth and wallowing in confusion and concern?” Lilia snaps. “She must know… Malleus has reached that conclusion, even in his state of agony.”

“And what of our friends? Who will tell them?” Silver asked gently.

“We’ve already called upon them. Gather them to deliver the news. That way it’s easier for us all and we won’t have to repeatedly explain what happened. They will already be in the Briar Valley for the preparations, they at least deserve to see her one more time.” Lilia explained.

“I see…” was all Sebek said after that. A pause occurred for a moment, all I heard was their steady breathing.

“Princess, I know you’re there. You can come out now.” Lilia said nonchalantly. It startled me at first but not much. I reached for the doorknob and gently turned it. I opened it slowly into the castle hallway and stepped out of the threshold of my sleeping chambers. I peeked from behind the door over to the three guards. Silver and Sebek held gloomy expressions as they stared at me but Lilia had a gentle smile on his face. But if you look closely, his eyes…his deep crimson eyes…they were dull. Not out of anger or power, but of sorrow and emptiness. Yet that smile he holds is so melancholic. He holds it for me.

“Come with me, dear. Your father wishes to speak with you about something important.” He speaks gently as he stretches out his hand for me to take. I move away from the door and walk towards him hesitantly. I place my hand in his and he begins to gently lead me away. I look back behind me to Silver and Sebek. They seem beside themselves and void of light. I look forward once again, trying to think of the best. Lilia holds a smile on his face but he can’t hide his solemn emotions from me.

Lilia walks me up to the doors of my father's study. The room where he handles most of his Kingly duties by himself. Mother and I would sit with him near the fireplace and he would read us stories of the Briar Valley or I would find mother reading while my father worked on papers. They were inseparable for as long as I can remember. Even if father had to be gone long they would send letters. Even when mother would be gone to see uncle Ace and uncle Deuce in the Queendom of Roses, or going to the Sunset Savanna to visit Leona and Ruggie for royal occasions. No matter where they went, they would send each other letters. Their love is a bond that cannot be broken. Before mother’s health dropped she started to stay in the castle more often, then just a few months after, her health declined. I never understood why her health never seemed at its peak. When I would ask her or father they would change the subject. When I would ask Lilia, Sebek, or Silver, they’ll tell me not to worry and that it was not my concern for the moment. They said I’ll find out once I’m old enough. I always thought it was odd but I would listen to them. What else was I to do?

“Princess…your father asked me to tell you why your mother's health was always low. Would you like me to tell you now, or when you're older?” Lilia asked me abruptly, pulling me from my thoughts. I pause for a moment, not knowing how to answer. I simply shake my head. To others that would be a vague answer but to Lilia he fully understood. He nodded with a soft smile and released my hand from his.

“Tell me when you want to know. I just want you to be ready and calm. We all love you, Maelora. We just want you to be okay, safe, and happy.” He told me, his smile slightly fading. He gently knocks on the double doors of my father's study.

“Your father is in there waiting for you. Just open the doors when you’re ready.” And just like that, Lilia turned around without another word and walked away. I take a deep breath for a moment, trying to think about how to approach my father. I hesitantly put my hand on the doorknob and turn it. I slowly open the door and peek my head in. I saw my father standing in front of one of the windows, his back to me. I quietly step in and shut the door behind me. I take a few steps forward, the clicking of my shows being muffled by the giant dark green carpet that covered most of the stone flooring of the study.

“…father, you called for me?” I asked hesitantly. No reply from him back. This silent action made me more nervous.

“How’s mother? Is she doing any better?” I foolishly asked. I didn’t know what else to do. My father was never this quiet unless he was angered. I watched him for a moment and noticed that his hands started to tremble slightly. He was on the verge of collapsing and was visibly holding himself together by a thread.

“My dear Maelora, how do I say this to you?” He suddenly started, his voice slightly trembling. He turned around to face me, a soft smile plastered on his face. Yet his eyes were red and slightly puffy. He had been crying. His expression was one of pain and sadness.

“Sometime last night, your mother breathed your name. Then like a flame that flicked out too soon…far, far too soon, she…she died, she’s g-gone..” he tried to explain to me. Tears were streaming down his face and he collapsed to his knees on the ground. My eyes wide and in shock, not knowing what to do I ran over to my father. I kneeled to him and hugged him as much as my small arms could. My shock stopped me from crying, it hadn’t fully hit me. A shocking image for anyone to see: the Great Malleus Draconia on his knees, a mess, being consoled by his young, half-blood, daughter.

My father took a deep breath and looked at me even as tears covered his vision. His lime green eyes were now dark, his black hair slightly in disarray, and his smile holding nothing but pain. “She changed my life, she made my life worthwhile. Without her, I never would have known how great life can be. She taught me things I never would have learned. Not just about her world but about mine and she showed me that there are so many things wonderful about living. She has forever changed this kingdom for the better and there will never be another like her…but you. When you smile, I know a part of her lives on, I know the kingdom and I can go on.”

I smiled at my father as he placed a hand on my cheek. The tears now start to form in my eyes and a broken smile forms on my lips, knowing I will never see my mother again, knowing I will never hear her voice again. I wipe my father’s tears away gently.

“You have come of age with the new improvements of our dark nation. We’ll bleed and fight for you. Even if it seems that’s all we do, you and I together will build a strong foundation. I promise to be here for you, that way I’ll teach you how to blow them all away.” My father spoke as he wiped my tears with his thumb, still holding a smile on his face. Pulls me close and lifts me into his arms as he turns and we both look out the large window of his study that he had previously been looking through.

“Someday, yes my daughter, you’ll rule this kingdom as the first Half-blood Queen, and blow everyone away.”

~~~

I found it. The flower crown I had made for my mother all those years ago. I found it. I knew it was the same one from then because it was found outside the castle and the only flowers that hadn’t wilted were the green roses that were made from fathers magic. The only roses that grew in our special garden.

I walk up to my mother's grave, a beautiful statue of her befitting of a queen in place of a tombstone. I will never forget her voice, how she sang. How she and father would dance the nights away when they thought I was asleep. How she would whisper sweet nothings to me before I went to bed to assure me I am loved. She was nothing short of an angel.

I gently kneel and place the flower bouquet on her burial. “Hello again, mother. How are you today?” I ask her gently.

“Sorry I haven’t come to visit as of late. Leona insisted that I talk to him about matters between the Sunset Savanna and the Briar Valley since he and father got into another small quarrel. I can understand why you would visit the Sunset Savanna instead of father now, haha.” I told her as I stood up and placed the now fixed and renewed flower crown on the statue's head.

“In other news, the garden has gotten bigger. Father had it so the grounds would be extended and we could plant more bushes. You’d like it, I’m sure.” I continue to speak. The statue looked back at me with a gentle smile, a smile that resembled hers. But could never hold the same genuine warmth.

“…last night I had a dream. You were in it. You taught me how to dance the waltz-like the one you and father use to do. You sang me the song you and father used to sing together. It was like you were here again…” I looked into the statue's cold eyes. Eyes that looked like hers but would never hold the same life or light. I hesitantly reach out to place my hand on her face. It was cold and hard. Of course, it would be, it’s stone after all.

“You have her smile.” A voice suddenly spoke from behind me. A voice so familiar it’d be a crime if I didn’t recognize it. The voice that lead me all these years, even if he was busy with royal duties. I smile to myself and slide my hand away from the cheek of the statue.

Without turning to face him I ask, “Hello, father, how are you?”

“I’m perfectly fine. You were only gone for a mere few weeks, that’s nothing but a few days to me or even less.” He pauses as he steps closer.

“But to her…she would have said it was years. She couldn’t live without you close by. That’s why she took you with her for visits to wherever she went when she could.”

“I know, you told me that many times. No matter her state of health, she’d make time for her friends. Even more time for her family.” I reminisced. There is no other like her. So many people I have talked to. So many people who were kind and genuine. But her…she was different. It must be from the fact I am her child, but no one could match her light. Not to me. Not to my father. Not to our kingdom. She was like no other.

Father walks up next to me in front of the statue and places his hand on its head, careful of the flower crown I had placed on it. A melancholic smile on his face. I can see it in his eyes, the memories of him and mother flashing in his mind like it was yesterday.

A lingering question remains in my mind. A question I’m too afraid to ask in fear of an alternate answer from what I truly expect. But I ask it nonetheless; “…Do you blame me?”

The air tenses and I can now sense my father's eyes on me in confusion. So innocently he asks, “Blame you for what, my darling daughter?”

“Her not being here… Lilia told me the reason her health was always low. He said it was an after-effect of giving birth to me…” I continued. Lilia had recently told me the truth about my mother’s condition. I had been holding out on it but I got curious and now the thought of all of this being my fault couldn’t leave my mind. I needed an answer.

“My child. My only child. I indeed miss your mother dearly. She showed me that a world without pain doesn’t exist but a world with growth does. That is why I say now; it was not your fault.” My father said as he turned and gripped both of my shoulders.

“Your mother knew the consequences of having a child of fae - my child - a child so powerful it could kill her. She knew that no one of royal fae blood has ever had a human spouse, much less give birth to a half-blood royal fae child. She knew that there was a risk and she took it anyway, going against my and Lilia’s words of caution. We could not change her mind. She wanted you. She wanted us…as a family.” He continued, his lime green eyes staring into mine. Tears begin to well up, blurring my vision. I tried to hold them back but my father pulled me into an embrace and I started to bawl.

“Maelora Draconia, you are a gift. A gift that is more important to this world than they have yet to discover. Your mother loves you even in death. I will love you forevermore.” He smiles as he lifts my head to wipe away my tears.

“I miss her…” I say just below a whisper.

“I do too…” Father kisses me on my temple and moves his hands from my back. I grab his arm and turn the other way before waving to mother. As we walk away I strike up a conversation, just to break the silence. So I ask gently, “Father, do you mind telling me the story of how you met and fell in love with mother, again?”

“Not at all, my princess. It all happened, Once Upon a dream…”

[kagiura-akira]

i had a thing for kghr parent AU that I wrote based on a video by Brandon Farris but I based it so heavily on it that I don't feel right posting it on AO3, so here's an unofficial post instead that's not super polished or anything

Introducing an informal writing on kagihira's daughter growing into her chuuni phase xoxo

Sitting at the airport with his carry on luggage beside him, Hirano is lost deep in thought as he reads a parenting magazine. So deep in thought that he's startled when his phone starts buzzing in his pocket.

Sasaki Shuumei, the caller ID read. He frowned a little, unsure why Sasaki was calling after he'd just dropped off Asami at his house to play. It was somewhat worrisome.

“Hello?”

“TV broke,” the words of Hirano's six year old daughter were short and sweet, straight to the point. He's never been one for beating around the bush, so it's fine. It's a relief to know Sasaki wasn't calling himself to say that Asami had burned down the house.

Hirano cleared his voice before he spoke. “Hi, baby. Where's Uncle Shuu? Can't he help you?”

“TV broke. How fix it?” At six years old, she was perfectly capable of stringing together coherent sentences for the most part, but Hirano had to appreciate her dedication to efficiency, not wasting her time with insignificant matters like grammatical structure.

“Have you tried pressing the power button?” Hirano asked, wondering if he sounded as ridiculous to onlookers at the gate as this entire conversation sounded to him.

“Yeah, that fixed it, thanks.”

“Okay, good to know. Papa's gonna go now, okay?”

The first rule of being a six year old: the conversation doesn't stop after the first question. At least, not in her mind. While she neglected to fill Hirano in on the steps between her thought processes, it wasn't entirely surprising to him that she had more to say in an unrelated matter.A matter so unrelated that if “How do I turn on the TV?” was her first question, then her second question would be that question's second cousin twice removed's step uncle from a previous marriage.

“How big an explosion would it take to explode the whole earth?”

A remarkably well thought out question as compared to the previous - it made Hirano choke on his coffee mid-sip, burning his tongue. He was hesitant to answer, not sure if he wanted to give her a straightforward answer, knowing there would surely be more questions to follow from there. He didn't exactly have the time to be indulging her in this conversation, either, but he was nothing if not a sucker for the Kagiura genes and spoiling both his daughter.

He decided to be honest with her in his answer, keeping it simple enough not to invoke further investigation, “I don't really know, but probably a lot.”

The pause on the other end of the phone wasn't so much awkward as it was eerie. After a long while, Hirano was about to tell her he needed to go when she whispered to herself determinedly.

“I'm gonna do it.”

He knew well enough that no elementary school child had the connections, money, or resources to build anything remotely harmful on an international crisis level, but his curiosity as to what led them to this discussion ate at the back of his mind. As long as she wasn't literally starting fires, there was no need for alarm, but he couldn't help but wonder if maybe he should be calling his friends and family to tell them he loved them. A smooth voice came on over the speaker in the airport, “Good afternoon, we will soon begin to board flight 577 All Nippon to Los Angeles.”

Good, he had a way out.

“Sorry baby, Papa has to go board his flight. I'll talk to you later tonight before Daddy puts you to bed. Be a good girl for Uncle Shuu and don't cause problems on purpose, okay?” he said. Just around that time he heard Sasaki on the other end of the line, wondering where his phone was.

“Okay, bye bye, Papa! I love you lots,” Asami said, then made an exaggerated “mwah” sound like she were blowing him a kiss.

“Bye bye, I love you lots too.”

Perfect, Kagi could be the good cop to Hirano's bad.

Normally, he'd be one to encourage her to keep going after the first failure, but Hirano hoped that once whatever she was plotting in Sasaki's backyard went wrong, she'd be open to a new hobby.

Like. Dance maybe?

[meekmedea]

hello!! i absolutely love your time-travel au!! i saw on one of your posts that you said you have a lot of thoughts on the dovecote family- i was wondering if you’d be willing to share any of those thoughts?

Hi!! So happy to hear you've been enjoying the time-travel au :)

I'd love to share Dovecote family thoughts and to hear your (and also everyone's) thoughts as well!

So without further adieu...

Dovecote Family Lore

Some background info - TBOSAS mentions the old guard for some families in the book and I sort of took that idea and ran haha

So within the various families that make up the old guard, I like to imagine a hierarchy exists within them. There's families at the very top and also minor houses

And all these families that are part of the old guard have family crests and even Latin mottos to distinguish themselves from the nouveau riche and the lower classes (both Capitol and District) Is it a bit pretentious? Yes. But that's part of the fun

I see 'Dovecote' as one of the minor houses - old enough for the Latin motto and family crest, but not as prestigious as 'Ravinstill' or even 'Phibbs'

family crest ideas: a dove? a pair of them? idk but I'd like to incorporate the bird into it

motto ideas: I have like way too many, but these are my current favourites (My translations might be a bit rough 😅)

Alis grave nil (nothing [is] heavy with wings)

Ad astra per aspera (to the stars through difficulties)

Amata bene (well loved)

Cor aut mors (heart or death)

~~~~~

Also THIS idea that the Dovecote family is well-respected amongst the old-guard, but nobody knows where they first made their money/wealth and where exactly it comes from right now

I think it'd be funny if nobody in the Capitol can agree on how the Dovecotes are part of the old guard. They just sort of appeared one day on records and that was that

Nevertheless there are theories: some say the family is built on blood money (ie. a crime family /mercenaries /assassins elevated to the old guard either through blackmail or some notorious deed). There's some that think they're some vassal house that was elevated to this standing for some good deed or other 

Also Dovecote clementines 🤭 (I keep adding this to a lot of my other AUs)

They're as tied to the Dovecotes as roses are tied to the Snows

The fruit are especially sweet when compared to the average clementine and nobody has a clue where their supply comes from

They have it year round even when they're not in season

It's a semi-recent thing, it started in Clemensia's parents' time as teenagers

For the Dovecotes, the clementines are a way to communicate things - there is no one thing it represents (ie. I love you / be careful / you are dear to me etc. )

Random lore about our Dovecote family members in this AU

Clemensia is an only child

Endymion Dovecote and Aelia Dovecote née Beauchamps have a running joke whose charm Clemmie inherited (it's Endymion, the Dovecote genes are strong here)

like father, like daughter, especially the Dovecote smile. Also both of them seem to be able to befriend anyone, they really do have friends everywhere

Endymion is an indulgent husband and father

I had this in a different AU, but I liked it enough to want to maybe add it here; how part of the Dovecotes being sort of anonymous in their circles is because of their control on the media - unless Endymion approves it, nothing about the family is published. Especially if it's about his daughter

Because the movie promo had Clemmie talk about D1 and D5, I decided to connect D1 to her mother's family.

Her mother (Aelia) comes from a merchant family - so, wealthy but not part of the old guard. The Beauchamp family owns a jewelry business, Lavinium. And pre-war that was THE place for the elite to shop at

Clemensia stands in line to inherit the business from her maternal uncle (family inheritance in the Beauchamp family can be messy hehe. Doesn't help that her uncle has no children of his own and instead has 2 sisters with their own children)

Actually there's this one dialogue I have about Clemensia between Livia Cardew and her own father - inspired by that line in Dune

Livia has a bit of a motive here to be Clemmie's friend and to stay her friend

Livia's mother owns the biggest bank in Panem, there's no way she doesn't hear from her parents about her classmates' family's finances

Livia's father is probably one of the only people to have a semi-good grasp on what the Dovecote finances are like because he manages the accounts

Because the Capitol is still recovering, Lavinium isn't earning as much as it had pre-war. And the Dovecote accounts don't have any deposits from them either

Livia's father: I hear you've recently become good friends with the Dovecote girl. Well done. Make sure to keep her close.

Livia (age 8): Because she's a possible heir to Lavinium?

Livia's father: No. Because she is Endymion's daughter.

Yet the Dovecote family is considered is recovering quicker than anyone can explain

The salary of the secretary of energy pays well, but not that well.

Dovecote family rumours are hard at work again haha

[razberrypuck]

ep 102 liveblog

jehfjegdg thank you for this intro condi

NO THEYRE LEAVING ALREADY?????

GRYFFON 🙏🙏🙏

JAHSJWUDHSH "chip, I can't lie, tell him he did good out there"

chip flat out lying so hard it made grizz break character

"because the beyond section is actually navy ran" "whaaaaat D:????? noooooo!!!!"

"its government subsidized fucking mystery cave. fucking sure I guess."

"she told her no" "thanks for listening, gryffon" "no problem"

QUEEN 👏👏👏👏

"okay queen is being based right now" YEAHH YOU GET IT GILL

"can I just insight check queen" JWHWHDHAGDY

QUEEN I LOVE YOU <33333

jay: I was right to be angry, right? she was kinda making me feel bad about it

gillion: you reacted more than -- MORE than fairly

chip: I have a lot of opinions, none of them matter. I'm not gonna tell you how to feel.

gill giggling at chip going "I'll show you my hidden darkness" we love visible character development he would've gotten ready to throw down if this were early campaign

"no, it's like a metaphor" "a meta for what?"

gillion quietly trying to comfort jay im not okay..............

gillion: I'm just gonna be straight with you guys, if they fucking....murked a god of the undersea or something, or disrupted the natural order of life, I might be up for a little war."

jay and chip immediately being down to join the war on the side of the undersea hello???? they weren't lying these captains really are ride or die

hey actually I want to talk abt how MUCH having gillion be their moral backbone (whether they like it or not) has changed chip and jay. I don't have the words right now but I want to talk about it. you get it.

GRIZZ DO NOT BRING UP EDYN HOW COULD YOU

OHHH GRIZZ HOW FUCKING COULD YOU

OHHHH ITS AVA'S HANDWRITING ISNT IT

FUCK OFF FUCK OFF FUCK OFF >:[

" 'your face makes it look like a good memory' and I close her hand over the pin" GILLION TIDESTRIDER

gillion's trying so hard to bring jay comfort dude ohh my god. im so emotional over them.

JSJFJSH TAKING A SAFETY SNIFF

"he's not evil. he's just angry." "and a dick." "and a dick."

"we've got an arlin to find" "well, I was thinking first, maybe we could... see what was going on with edyn" OH CHIP. EVERYONES BEEN GOING THROUGH FAMILY SHIT AND HE KNOWS HOW WORRIED GILLS BEEN OHH HE WANTS TO BRING GILL TO HIS SISTER CHIPPPPPPP

hes a little confused but he's got the spirit

oh chip picked up on gill changing the subject 👀

"okay. I'd like that." STOP GILLION YOU'RE GONNA KILL ME. hes forcing himself to be more open gillion I love you

EARLLLL

JAHDHSJD WALKS OUT IMMEDIATELY CALLING OUT DREY LOVE YOU EARL

BEST FRIEND????????

drey earl stole your bestie

chip and gillion suspicious of queen

give me finn please gillion go see your grandpa

FINN TIDESTRIDER

"the g-paw dap is the nose squeeze" AWH

NOOO THEY EXPIDITED IT GRANDPA COME BACK

enza <333

"I dap her up as soon as she comes through the portal" "I give her a refreshing earl juice drink" "I give her a hug and I say hi" enza just join the crew fr they love you

JAHRHEJ CHARLIE

THE FUCKING COMPASS

OHHHH CHIP. HIS DEEPEST DESIRE IN THIS EXACT MOMENT IS TO HELP REUNITE GILL AND EDYN FUCK OFFFFFFF

grizz what are you doing.

PERMANENTLY INCREASE HIS STRENGTH BY ONE??????? HELLO???????

GRIZZ

THE FUCKING SUN DREAM AGAIN

YEAHHHH JAY YES JAY

JAY HETEROCHROMIA POG???????? HOLY SHIT??????????

JAYYYYYYYYY 👏👏👏👏👏👏

"I'd like to go whaling" "gillion just looks at you until you stop having the idea" "okay nevermind I don't want to go whaling"

oh jay wants to call ollie :[

the fact that zero could see the whole fight. dude. that's kinda sick.

"did we take you to the BLOCK?????" "ollie I'm happy you're home." jsjdnsfbfj

"they call me uncle rizz ferin" JDJFJSJFHHSH DREY

"I cast protection of evil and sex on myself"

JAFHSGDHS BIZLY AND CHARLIE FREAKING OUT

oh they really didn't think about their disguised huh

AMANDA RINN???? AMANDA RINN????????

"we're the boobatross"

blonde chip with big pants, pants elemental, and jeay ferin

lionel starr, jortstorm, and gene applebottom

JULIAN!!!!!!!!!!! JULIAN MY BELOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAPTAIN AMANDA RINN

GILL DONT GILL DONT GILL DONT

"lionel starr has never been married he doesn't believe in it"

HOW DID THEY FUCK THIS UP SO BAD?????????

NOOO THEY GOT ARRESTED

jahdhdhf amanda I love you

"what do you want me to say to her, I forgot I have the message spell" "move on, he's dead"

gillion head in hands

JAHDHSJD GILL KISSED HIM ON THE FOREHEAD

gillion's better at lying than chip?????

"they don't like you, but you get through"

gill immediately assuming edyn must be mad at him :((((

"happy low-tide to ya"

oh she hasn't come back.

oh she's letting him use her callnch........

please please please

"hiiiiiiii. it's, um... hi, edyn, it's me, gillion. um, just... wanted to give you a call. I know you might've seen the number and thought it was weird. um, but, in case you're by the phone right now and are just letting it ring out or something, 'cuz you thought it was work and are quitting, I'm just gonna scream really loud in case you're somewhere nearby -- [gillion screaming] -- in case you just hear that and you wanna run into the room and pick it up, 'cuz I know you can hear the voice message, um... okay, um, well... I just wanted to tell you that I, um, kinda sorta broke my phone, um... 'cuz I was really scared. and. I know you're okay, but I hope you're okay. um... I know you're out there doing really really big stuff... but... your little brother really misses you, especially lately. and... would give a lot to hear your voice again, um... I hope the gods bring us together soon, and... I just wanted to tell you that chip, jay, and I, and all of the other riptide pirates are sailing into the black sea, and it's, um... it's pretty dangerous stuff. I've got no doubt that we'll come back, and... sooner or later, our paths will cross, I just... I pray that it's sooner. I was... really upset. but. I think I can understand now, if you gave me a chance. And, um... I hope that this is the last message that we leave for each other. love you a medan, edyn. nope. that's nothing. love you a -- love you a m-mu-mi-gh-gu-mm- bye."

his deepest desire is still for gill to see edyn

northern sea. that's where the capital is. she's in the undersea.

"it's like if you found out your plug was a cop, but he's still your plug" I love you gillion tidestrider

"narc to narc" JAHDHWKJF GILLION

"we're the types of characters that would start making noises to comfort each other"

yooo cave song (not normal about how, once again, gillion is the one to start the song stuff)

it's a portal, not an actual gate. interesting.

the black sea is just one massive dead zone isn't it. god.

THE TREE. THE TREE. ITS THE TREE.

FUCKING GOOP BEETLES. GOOP MONSTERS.

[crazedlunatic]

The Next Steps

“How much longer? Charlie says within two years… but I think he’ll drawl it out until someone new comes in.” Blaine shrugged. “Any time I bring any questions up about it, he throws paper at me. I’m not sure if he’s joking or not is the thing.”

“He’s really not been that into anything law since Emily was kidnapped for ransom… but he’d had, like, five ‘and a half’ experiences like this. What does that even mean?”

“One of his attacks lost him a lung when he was getting big and 28 years old or something.’

“Why don’t you take ove—”

Blaine gave him the look like he always did when he mentioned taking over for Bob. “Just because my grandmother and uncles were lawyers does not mean I want to take over CMJ. They’d even have to make a new sign... but if we can all trick Nick into going to law school-.”

“Cody!” Kurt exclaimed seeing him outside of one of the coffee shops he frequented.

Cody jumped—it was habit after his sexual assault in middle school. When he knew someone was coming to see him it was fine but sometimes he was nervous when people quickly came behind him because of his past.

“Sorry. It’s him showing he likes you more than Nick.” Blaine joked.

Cody relaxed and waved. “Hey, I didn’t know you all got lunch on this side of town.”

“That big festival is happening, so we wanted somewhere a little less…” Blaine began.

“Not full of people my age?” Cody joked.

“Yes, but you are family... When are you two having babies?” Kurt asked.

“Oh my God. Did Nick put you up this?” Cody looked surprised. “Also, thanks.”

“Does that mean you… are talking about it?” Blaine grinned.

Cody hesitated.

Kurt’s face lit up.

“I don’t think it will be anytime soon.” Cody said slowly. “We need to get through things before we’ll consider it.”

“What’s the hold up? Out of curiosity?” Blaine asked.

“Nick doesn’t want to pass down his ‘bad genes.’ He’s afraid that his mental health isn’t well enough for so much added stress. When he’s really stressed it’s hard for him to eat like he should so he wants to make sure he’s really ready.” Cody explained. “Which I think is the best reaction we could hope for taking such a big step.”

“You think it’s a good idea?”

“Yeah!” Cody said enthusiastically. “As long as he does what he needs to do it will set us up to make sure. Closer to time we’ll all three hash out a plan… but not until I’ve gotten through grad school. He’s getting better and branching out more again too.”

“Ryan?”

“Oh, they see each other all the time as of, maybe, 4 months ago? Us, Ryan, and his girlfriend…”

“Maddie.” Blaine said and then made a smooth transition to, “Hello, sunshine.”

Nick groaned and sat in one of the chairs. He looked at Blaine and said, “Dad, you’re rich. Daddy, you’ve almost made more than grampa. Can I drop out?”

Cody rolled his eyes. Thursday classes made him say the same thing every day.

“You’ve got how long left?” Blaine played along.

“Maybe six months after that test I just bombed.”

“You always say this and you’ve never failed any test or final.” Cody was exasperated. “Come on.”

Kurt and Blaine shared a look. They loved it.

“You owe me ice cream if you pass the test.”

“What do I get out of this?”

“An BS degree…?”

“They’re just like us. They banter.” Blaine pointed out. “I’m glad Cody warmed up to me.”

“You walked in on us having sex. What did you expect?”

“I don’t know. That you wouldn’t be having sex in your childhood bedroom.”

“I was twenty. You shouldn’t just walk in. I know you two did the deed at seventeen and eighteen.”

“Well, this has been fun but my 90 minute break is up and the girl is always early and she’s my last appointment of the day which means I’ll still beat Nick home.”

“Rude. Can I just sit in your actual office and work on my homework?” Nick scoffed.

“Yeah. The front desk expects it anyway now. I mean my boss knows because she’s the one who did his therapy.” Cody said, grabbing Nick’s bag for him and waving goodbye to Blaine and Kurt. “But if you’re coming in with me, it’s gotta be now.”

As soon as they had walked into the office, Kurt and Blaine stood up.

“Have I mentioned lately that Cody is the best thing to happen to Nick?”

“An hour ago… I love him and them.”

“Just to be clear… I know that we helped Nick since he was hospitalized but as soon as he got that inheritance from Bob… I’m still seeing him getting better and better.”

“I would say that it was rude to do that but not for Zach… however, Zach’s killing it. I just wish he’d take a job here.”

“How is that we are always talking about our three kids in college? Two of them at the same school?”

“Yeah, for you. Now I’m close to the age Bob was at when I started my internship… or older than that. Ugh. I hate being old.”

[butterflyintochains]

The Grid's Royal Family

With the 2024 title wrapped up in Sao Paolo, Max flies home to Monaco to become a father. The Paddock's King and his Queen-Consort are on the verge of having their little family.

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

Max and Charles run for the plane as soon as they're parked at the airport. Both men on the verge of becoming a father and uncle in a few days' time. Charles is equal parts thrilled and terrified for his sister, she's come so far in this pregnancy with no anxiety, so he's worried it'll all come to the surface again. On Max's part, the excitement is dizzying, the love of his life is having their twins. He might be a four-time world champion, but husband and father will be his magnum opus. The pilot ushers them onto the plane, and they take off for home. Max gets on the phone to Stefanie, who has all but moved in lately. ''Steffi, are you awake?''

Stefanie says. ''Yeah, I'm making Julia some breakfast in bed, where are you guys?''

Charles informs her. ''In the air over the ocean, we should be home by evening your time. How is she? How are they?''

Stefanie says, assuring the concerned brother and husband alike. ''She's doing great, I have no idea how she's doing it to be honest. The cubs are in perfect health, doctor said they're almost in position. Could be any day now.''

They hang up, and get to answering texts in the Grid's group chat, seems like half the grid are going to be in Monaco to meet the cubs.

Lando Yeswins: Osc and I are plane sharing w/ Carlos and Logan rn, have we missed anything? SuperMax: No, you're good, Julia's asleep, she and the cubs are doing well. Predestinato: Steffi is with her. Albono: With George, Pierre, and Mick, the babies are still on board, yeah? SuperMax: Yeah, could be any day. Pastry: Can't believe they're almost here, our very own prince and princess. Predestinato: Where are the elders, Lance, Zhou, and Yuki? Smooth Operator: Flying in tomorrow, Mohammed made us stagger our flights for safety reasons.

The flight seems to last forever, but they eventually land in Marseille, and take a helicopter to Monaco. ''Welcome home, Mr Verstappen and Mr Leclerc.'' Their driver says as they drive to the house. Max and Julia moved over summer into a proper house near the north border, with loads of room for them and the babies. Lando was devastated to be losing his big brother and sister as neighbours. In all, the drive is quick, and they head inside. Security buzz them in, Mohammed insisted on that too, no harm shall come to the First Family of F1. ''Steffi, how is she?'' Charles asks his sister's best friend. Stefanie assures them both. ''She's doing well, come and see her.'' They go through to the living room, Juliette looks almost ethereal, dressed in soft white clothes, reading a book by the window. ''Hello, schatje.'' Max kneels down to kiss her lips, Juliette directs his hand to her belly. ''Hello, mon vainqueur.''

Charles kisses his sister's forehead. ''Excited, papillon?'' Juliette nods, her face serene amidst the storm. ''Yeah, I am. Can't wait to see who these two look like.''

Max says. ''Our princess will have her maman's ethereal beauty, I know that for sure.''

Juliette says, voice soft with love. ''Our prince will have his papa's Dutch handsome genes, gorgeous eyes and all.'' The rest pour in, and are astonished at how unchanged Julia is, by her face, you'd never guess she was carrying two babies. She's nearly saint-like in expression. Stefanie says to Mick. ''I have no idea how she's been staying this calm, if I was nine months pregnant, I'd be all over the place.''

Mick laughs. ''I guess she's just happy to be having babies with her soulmate.''

Oscar asks, pressing his luck. ''Who are their godparents, guys?'' Max smiles, and reminds him. ''We told you, Osc, we aren't having godparents. You're all their godparents.''

Lando braves asking. ''It's me, right?''

Juliette chuckles, and returns to her reading. ''Nice try, Lan.'' Lando faux sulks. ''Worth a try.''

The family cook dinner, and sit around the living room eating. Juliette puts the race highlights on, Sassy curled up on her lap, Jimmy on Max's shoulder. Luna curls up at her mother's feet. On screen, Max crosses the finish line a full fifteen seconds ahead of Charles in second, and seventeen seconds ahead of Carlos in third. ''That was number four, yeah?'' Juliette asks.

Max nods, and says. ''Your husband is a four-time world champion.'' Juliette says to her husband. ''Good, I'm proud of you.'' Max leans over to kiss her lips. ''That's the goal, schatje.''

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

A couple of slow, but edgy, days pass. Juliette is still very much the serene and saint-like mother-to-be, and no one knows how the hell she's been able to keep so calm. Max is also unusually chilled out, he's days away from having twins, he's tied Sebastian, and he's inherited his wife's serenity. Stefanie, Charles, Alexandra, and Mick are using the guest rooms. Juliette watches Mick help with breakfast on the last morning before her due date. He looks so much like his dad. He's making easy conversation with Stefanie, which she tries to ignore. ''You alright, liefje?'' Max asks her, handing her some tea. Juliette nods, and says to her husband. ''I think Steffi and Mick like each other.''

Max chuckles, and kisses her head. ''That'd be nice, have your best friend in the paddock with us more often.''

Alex asks her sister-in-law. ''Julia, can I ask you something?'' Juliette digs into her breakfast, feeling the twins shift inside her. ''Yeah, of course.''

Alex asks. ''How are you being so calm through all this? I admire you for it, but still, you're having twins!'' Juliette laughs, and sips her tea, she says. ''I don't know, Alex, it's just... happened. You'll understand when it's your turn.''

Charles' eyes bug out of his head. ''One pregnancy at a time, please!'' They finish breakfast, and relax with some race highlights in the living room. Juliette feels something painful within herself, she puts her hand on her belly, Max asks her. ''Is it time, love?''

Juliette rides what she now knows to be a contraction. ''I think so, darling.'' He helps her up from the sofa, into her shoes, and into her beloved Renault. Stefanie loads their bags in, and kisses her best friend's cheek. ''We'll be over once you've had them.''

Max says, buckling up. ''Take care of the cats and Luna.'' They drive down to the hospital, they check in, and Max wheels his wife to their room. Max gets her settled in, and lovingly braids her hair as Victoria showed him. ''We're doing this, amour, this is actually happening.'' Juliette says.

Max kisses her, taking her mind off of the contractions. ''We're doing this.''

The doctors come in to give her the epidural, and get her hooked up to the machines. The main doctor, a kind looking man in his early fifties, surveys her. ''Mon dieu, Mrs Verstappen, were you aware you're already five centimeters dilated? And that your waters have broken?'' Juliette and Max just laugh, she says, not surprised in the slightest. ''No, but it wouldn't surprise me.''

Nurse Adella asks, taking notes. ''Oh? How come?''

Max says, already proud of his children. ''We're Verstappens, speed is in our blood.''

Doctor Beliveau laughs. ''True enough, sir.'' The medical team keep on with their checks, and leave her to relax. This could be a couple of hours yet, so they'll need to be patient. Max updates the family in the group chat while his wife reads.

SuperMax: Well, it's happening, they're coming. Five cm dilated, should be later this afternoon. SchumiJr: We're getting the house tidied, give Jewel our love. Smooth Operator: God, this feels real now, they're really coming. LogieBear: Keep us posted. HoneyBadger: Daniel and Daniella are finally on their way!! SuperMax: We're not naming them after you, Danny. Lando Yeswins: What are you naming them, then? SuperMax: That's a secret.

The doctor comes back to check her over after a couple of hours, and says. ''That's nine centimeters, Mrs Verstappen. Shouldn't be long, how do you feel?''

Juliette says. ''Strangely not too bad, more excited than anything else.''

Max asks. ''How much longer?''

Dr Beliveau says. ''Thirty minutes to an hour at most.'' He adds the notes to her file, and goes to consult with the rest of the medical team. Juliette shifts in the bed, and says to Max. ''Wonder if any of them are on the way down.''

Max sits on the bed next to her. ''Charles and Alexandra will be, so will Arthur, Enzo, and your mum.'' He kisses her forehead, and muses to her. ''Which do you think is coming first? Our son or daughter?'' Juliette laughs. ''Well, if our son is anything like his papa, he'll be the first one out.''

They get their answer pretty soon, Dr Beliveau noticing one of the twins crowning. Juliette is given the orders to begin pushing. Max holds her tight, counting her in. ''Just a few more, Julia.'' Max promises her. She bears down, bottoms out, and hears soft crying. ''Which one?''

Dr Beliveau says. ''A very healthy baby boy, Mr and Mrs Verstappen.'' Their son is cleaned, and checked, before being placed on his mother's chest. ''Bonjour, mon chou.'' Juliette says. Max leans down to kiss his son. ''Hello, little man.'' She's able to kiss and feed him, and hand him over to Max before the second part begins. This one is easier, Max places their son in his crib, and holds her close. ''One more push, Mrs Verstappen.'' The doctor says, Juliette bears down, giving one last push, and feels the release. ''A very healthy baby girl, Mr and Mrs Verstappen.'' After she's cleaned and checked, she's given to her mother for a feed. ''Bonjour aussi, mon fleur.'' Juliette says to their daughter, kissing her on the head. Max, holding their son, kisses their daughter, and says. ''Hello, princess.''

Juliette says, drying her eyes. ''They're here, Max! We're The Verstappens!''

Max leans over to kiss her on the lips. ''We're the Verstappens.'' He says to the twins. ''Your maman is a CEO and a scary good artist.'' Juliette adds. ''And your papa is the best driver ever.'' After Juliette is tended to. The nurses get a photo, and the couple sign the birth certificates. Then, it's rest and recovery time.

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

The next day, the family begin visiting. Max is holding their daughter when Charles and Alexandra stop in. Juliette is fawning over their son. Charles is in awe of his sister and brother-in-law. The anxiety riddled Juliette is dead, Max killed her, and the twins buried her. Max, not one week off of winning the world championship, is now in full dad-mode. ''Hi, papillon.''

Juliette beams, still radiating serenity. ''Hi, Charlie.'' She goes back to fawning over the boy. Max looks up from their daughter. ''Hi, guys.'' Alexandra sits down by the window. ''Hi, how is everyone?'' Juliette says, speaking softly. ''We're all okay, a bit tired, but these two are worth it.''

Charles asks. ''What are their names going to be? Surely not Daniel and Daniella?''

Max chuckles. ''No, God, no. Typical Daniel to suggest it, though. Our son is; Emilian Victor Verstappen.''

Juliette adds. ''Our daughter is; Estelle Grace Verstappen.'' Alexandra gushes, with a beaming smile for her sister and brother. ''Emilian and Estelle, such perfect names!''

Charles asks his sister. ''Grace, like Princess Grace? And Victor because his dad's a champion?''

Juliette happily nods. ''Yeah, cool, huh?'' Max moves over to sit on the bed with his wife. ''We couldn't use Sophie for our daughter, Vicky already called her daughter that.'' He explains. Juliette adds, breaking off some chocolate for herself. ''And, we're saving Herve, Anthoine, and Jules for you.''

Max finishes off. ''Emilian and Estelle was a given, though.'' Charles and Alexandra update them both on happenings in the outside world. Then, head home to give the new family space.

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

Max and Juliette are allowed to bring the twins home the following day, They load up the car, and get going home. Max drives them up the road to a very familiar church. Juliette softly jokes from the back of the car. ''No heroics into Sainte Devote, mon vainqueur.''

Max chuckles, keeping his eyes on the road. ''Got it, schatje.'' In time, they arrive home. Max grabs Emilian's car seat, and helps Juliette out of the car, she grabs Estelle's car seat, and they head inside. There's an afternoon tea set up for them in the living room. ''Welcome home, guys.'' Lando says.

Juliette smiles, hugging her friend with her free arm. ''Thanks, Lan.'' She goes to sit down on the sofa, taking tiny Estelle out of her carseat. Max does the same with Emilian. ''There they are! They're gorgeous, guys.'' Oscar gushes.

Alex nods, taking Julia's armchair. ''You two have made two beautiful babies.''

Daniel asks, putting some food and tea in front of them. ''Did you take my name suggestions?'' Juliette occupies herself with a lion cupcake, letting her husband handle this one. ''No, Danny, sorry. This is Emilian, and Julia is holding Estelle.'' Max says.

Lily says, beaming ear to ear. ''Such perfect names. What are their middle names?''

Juliette says. ''Victor and Grace.''

Max says to Checo. ''Checo, we know your younger son is called Emilio, and we hope you don't feel offended by us using a similar name.''

Checo assures the younger Red Bull couple. ''They're cousins, Max, I think they'll be happy to have similar names. Besides, Emilian is your middle name, no?'' Juliette drinks some of her tea, and smiles at her husband's teammate. ''That's what I said back in July, thank you, Checo.''

Lorenzo sits on the arm of the sofa next to his little sister, though she's not so little anymore, owning a business, married to her soulmate, and now a mother of twins. ''Papa would be so proud of you, papillon. As am I.''

Juliette smiles up at her oldest brother. ''I'd hope so, Enzo, I saved his name for Charles.''

That night, after a feed for each of them, the couple finally get to put their little ones down for their first night at home. They head to bed themselves, Max says. ''I have no idea what to do about Vegas.'' Juliette says. ''I think you should go, Max. Remember, I designed your suit and helmet? I'd hate to see those designs go to waste.'' Max asks his wife. ''What about you and the twins?''

Juliette says. ''My maman said she'd help us if we needed her, I'll call her in.'' She adds. ''Besides, you'll be gone three days, I'm sure someone can handle your media duties.'' They kiss, exhausted in all the best ways, and fall asleep together.

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

maxverstappen1:

liked by JuliaVerstappen, charles_leclerc, redbullracing, and 1.2 million others.

maxverstappen1: How it started -> how it's going. In four years, I've gained everything I could ever dream of in life. Four world championships, the best wife and partner in this world, and two amazing children. Julia, schatje, my love for you grows everyday. And, to Emilian and Estelle, I will love you forever.

Replies:

JuliaVerstappen: I love you too, mon vainqueur, so do our little ones. I've been yours since I can remember, and will be yours for eternity.

liked by maxverstappen1

F1: Congrats to our world champ and his wonderful wife on the birth of their twins, Emilian and Estelle Verstappen. Can't wait to see them in the paddock next year!

charles_leclerc: I could not be prouder to call you my brother right now, Max. For all the on track battles, you are my brother, and nothing will ever change that.

maxverstappen1: Thank you, Charles, these two are so lucky to have their uncle Charlie in their life.

landonorris: No one deserves this like you two do, Max! Enjoy this!

redbullracing: Sending all our love from both Spielberg and Milton Keynes to the Verstappen family.

fernandoalo: I've seen you grow up, Max, and I am so proud of you for the man you've become, those two are so lucky to be yours.

maxverstappen1: Thank you, Nando, that means the world to me.

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

JuliaVerstappen

liked by: maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc, StefanieJoubert, and 500k others.

JuliaVerstappen: The two artists with their most beautiful creations. With all life has thrown at me, I never dared to dream I'd be here. With a job I love, the greatest husband and partner in the universe, and our two little babies. Max, mon amour, I've loved you since I knew what love meant. Emilian, Estelle, I'm so proud to be your maman already.

Replies:

maxverstappen1: I love you, Julia, I'm your man now and always. Our cubs love you too, and I hope you never doubt that.

JuliaVerstappen: Can't wait to raise our family together.

VitaLuxuria: Congrats to our Co-CEO and her lovely husband on the birth of their twins, the shop may feel a bit empty without you, Juliette, but these two are the best reasons for that.

danielricciardo: Love Emilian's little judgy face already!

JuliaVerstappen: Like father, like son!!

charles_leclerc: I am so incredibly proud of the woman you've become, papillon, you've handled this like a saint. Enzo, Artie, and I are so proud to be your brothers.

liked by JuliaVerstappen.

StefanieJoubert: From the shy little girls who found each other, to best friends, to CEOs, and now you are a mother to the cutest babies ever!

JuliaVerstappen: And, you are an auntie to said babies!!

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

From Friends, to Lovers, to Soulmates - The Max and Juliette Story. By: David Coulthard.

It was an overcast day in Hasselt, Belgium. And, thirteen year old prodigy Max Verstappen was on pole for the kart race, eternal childhood rival Charles Leclerc was in p2. Just another saturday, right? However, it was this weekend that would change everything for young Max. He had just met Leclerc's younger sister, eleven year old Juliette. According to the couple, they ''Just immediately hit it off''. Thus, beginning F1's modern love story.

Flash forwards to Spain 2016, Verstappen has just made history, becoming the youngest race winner in history. Who's the first person he finds in the adoring crowds from atop the podium? His now sixteen year old friend. According to the couple, this was when they fell in love with each other. Juliette Leclerc, as she was then, was in Ferrari red that day, a rare sight nowadays in the paddock. ''My allegiances have shifted, true, but I will always support both teams. There's enough of me to go around.'' Juliette said to me at Zandvoort in 2022, with a hearty laugh. To be sure, she still wears red in Italy, and 'the lucky orange dress' she made herself for Zandvoort. It would take a few more years for things to come full circle, with the couple finally getting together sometime in 2020.

Max is quick to call a spade a spade, crediting his wife with his win in 2021. ''She was there, you know? When I won, when I lost, when I needed inspiration, or someone to talk to. I could not have done this without her.'' Juliette is an ever present supporter for her husband, even at races she's not at - too busy running her ethical fashion brand Vita Luxuria. Max, for his part, is the blood in his wife's work. ''Max inspires me, I've loved art my whole life, and he woke my creativity up. He's a wonderful sounding board.'' Max is never shy about boasting of his wife's talents, often posting about her art and design on his instagram.

They've never had it easy, Max coming from a... difficult upbringing. Juliette surviving an abusive relationship a mere year before getting together with Max. But, they tied the knot during summer break of 2023, and haven't looked back since. Then, in february 2024, came the announcement of Juliette's first pregnancy, not even a year into their fairytale marriage.

This month has been massive for the couple. 27 year old Max becoming a four time champion in Brazil, and, four days later, 25 year old Juliette delivering their twins. Emilian and Estelle Verstappen being the products of what is arguably F1's great modern love story. But, according to the couple themselves; ''This is just life, we never expected to be here, and we are just happy to have found each other when we did.'' For them, they're Max and Juliette. Not some great love story, nor are they the 'king and queen-consort of the paddock'. Just two people deeply in love.

Perhaps this is why they've garnered so many fans together? There's no act, no branding, no pretense at something they're not. Indeed, the sight of them entering the paddock, always hand in hand, immediately lights things up. But, you get the sense that they're just being themselves. Either way, ''the cubs'' as the couple call their twins, are in the perfect hands.

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

Another marathon to finish! Glad I did, though, this one was being difficult.

[veryfancydoilies]

hello, hello it’s 🎅🏼!

this might be my last message before the big reveal! christmas is only a few days away, how exciting is that?!

my late great uncle (may God bless his soul) was a brilliant history teacher when he was alive and taught at the university level. i’ve been told that he always outsmarted his students and had the most impressive photographic memory in fact, that he could quote textbook passages in verbatim! i do wish he was still around to chat with me about significant historical events. you’ve mentioned the holocaust..one of the saddest eras in history, really. i used to live with an elderly woman who was a holocaust survivor and i am so glad i had the opportunity to meet her. i could tell how much suffering she went through, the trauma of it all..one can only imagine what it must have been like to live through it. she herself saw it as a very dark era of her life, and would never wish that degree of suffering on anyone. she was also a history teacher i believe, so i learned quite a bit of history from her. it is through that woman, that i have come to appreciate the Jewish faith. i am a Christian, but since knowing her i always have a special place in my heart for Judaism.

yes, i have known about Ray and Dave’s rocky relationship. i am not clear about why they never got along, my guess is that it was normal brother bickering but i will have to consult Ray’s book which i am currently reading for to find out more!

i do like The Turtles, though i haven’t really listened to them exclusively. Herman’s Hermits is another great group in the same realm as The Turtles, i think. i should really give those two bands a listen i think they are brilliant. i do like Led Zeppelin as well, a bit more on the heavy metal side but i love their energy. other favourites of mine are America, Supertramp, Pink Floyd, Chicago, Arctic Monkeys, Tame Impala and The Neighbourhood, the latter three being more contemporary of course. there are very few contemporary bands i like these days.

i do recall seeing the Dickens class “A Christmas Carol” as a play when i was in middle school. it’s funny really, as much as i love musicals, i have never actually seen one live but i have been thinking about going to see a live one soon. for musicals, “Oliver!” has always been a favourite of mine. “The Sound of Music” is also a favourite as i have mentioned. “Willy Wonka” Gene Wilder version and “The Wizard of Oz” are also others that i like.

well, my darling, it has been my great pleasure getting to know you. you sound like a wonderful person, and i do hope we continue interacting even after i’ve revealed myself. with that said, i would now like to wish you and your family a very merry and wonderful christmas! talk soon, ta!

Hello there! Oh I guess you’re right about this being the last Secret Santa message. Well I’ve had a lot of fun talking to you this month! Remember to not be a stranger after the month’s done. I’m on Tumblr almost everyday so I’ll always be around to chat about anything. I have a strong feeling we’ll continue to get along just fine! 😊

Oh yes, history is certainly not always pretty and many find it difficult to see but I believe we have a duty and obligation to learn everything we can to both remember the people who lived through it and do our best to prevent it from happening again. I’m a firm believer in the power of knowledge. It’s very touching that you listened to what the woman had to say about her experiences. Although I know very little about how survivors of trauma feel after the fact and don’t want to make assumptions, I think you listening to her was possibly a comfort to her. Your late great uncle sounds amazing! I love teachers who are passionate about the subjects they teach. It makes classes so much more enjoyable. I had a very good professor in the Holocaust class. He is Jewish himself and had family including his own father and grandparents who were fortunately able to flee Nazi Germany. He told us about the “memory books” compiled by Jews to honor the people who were murdered since there are no cemeteries where they can pay respects. They put their memories of people and communities lost to ensure they are not forgotten. It is a very sad and poignant reminder of how important it is preserve memories.

Being in bands does have a way of triggering anger and resentment, don’t they? I know the Beatles argued sometimes but they clearly have very strong connections to each other regardless. I hope Ray and Dave are no different. Which book on Ray Davies is that? I’d like to read it myself but I still haven’t finished reading two books I have about the Beatles. Do you often read history books like that? I’ve collected quite a few myself but I seldom finish reading them. I have a habit of buying books but not finishing to read them. Are you a fast or slow reader? The speed at which I read really depends on what the topic is. If it’s something I’m interested in, I read pretty fast but if I find it boring, I’ll read very slow. You can imagine that would make reading for school difficult sometimes.

I haven’t listened to a ton of Pink Floyd myself but like I do for any band from that era, I’d love to explore more of their music. I’d love some recommendations.

Seeing musicals live is a rare treat for me! I do hope you get to see one soon! Anyways, bye for now! I look forward to seeing your blog for the first time. For someone with superb taste such as yourself, I’m sure it’ll be wonderful! Happy Holidays to you! I wish you and your family an awesome Christmas!

[fruitcoops]

Hi, Eve

Rose here from yesterday, thank you very much for the Birthday message, I wasn't expecting you to read it let alone reply but I was looking for Coops kids Birthday fluff specifically. It doesn't matter if you don't have time however as I don't want to be a bother.

Hello Rose, and happy (belated) 20th birthday! Sorry for the wait--I really wanted to get this one right to celebrate such an important number. I hope your day was absolutely fantastic! SW credit goes to @lumosinlove, but Stella is an OC

Combined with asks for Sirius lightly making fun of Remus' accent and Remus yelling at a game show (@nazar4114)

“Medusa!” Stella shouted with all the force in her thirteen-year-old lungs. Remus leaned forward on the couch. “Medusa!”

The front door opened with a creak. “I’m h—”

“Yes!” they cheered in unison as Nicole answered correctly. Remus turned and gave Stella a double high-five, feeling his heart squeeze at the vivid joy on her round face. “Good guess.”

“I knew she was gonna get it,” Stella said with a pump of her fist as she turned back to the show and folded her legs underneath her.

“Gonna,” a familiar deep voice mimicked from the doorway. Paper bags rustled before footsteps stopped behind the couch; Remus tilted his chin up without sparing a glance, and Sirius pressed a laugh-laced kiss to his cheek before dropping one on Stella’s head as well. “You sound too much like your dad.”

“Love you, too,” Remus said wryly.

“I’ll take ‘Myths and Moths’ for 400, please.” Nicole’s voice snapped his attention back to the screen, and Stella narrowed her eyes.

“Daily Double!” the automated voice announced. Stella gasped; Remus bit his lower lip. “This mythical shield was wielded by Athena, and is sometimes said to be made of goat skin.”

“Aegis,” Stella whispered, then raised her voice. “It’s the Aegis, Nicole. You know this.”

“We know you do,” Remus said, scooting forward. “You just guessed whose head is on it.”

Nicole’s buzzer went off with two seconds to spare. “What is the Aegis?”

“Hell yeah!” Stella whooped.

Remus turned to her and raised his eyebrows. “Excuse you.”

“Sorry.”

“Are you two going to do this the whole afternoon?” Sirius asked from the kitchen, obviously amused. “We might need to get the neighbors some noise-cancelling headphones.”

Stella blew a dark lock of hair out of her eyes as she flopped her head back. “It’s almost final Jeopardy, papa. We have, like, ten minutes.”

Sirius blinked at her, then shook his head. “I swear you two share genes.”

“Ope, you caught me,” Remus said over the noise of the commercial break. “When I was 20 and had literally never left Wisconsin, I went and had a secret kid in Maine who looks terribly like you just so that someone would watch Jeopardy reruns with me thirteen years later. Oops.”

“It’s the truth,” Stella said with great gravity. “I remember.”

“Mon dieu,” Sirius muttered, though he couldn’t keep a smile down. He had never been able to hide around Stella, not once in the three years since they had adopted her. It was one of the things Remus loved most about him. “By the way, nobody under the age of fourteen is allowed in the kitchen for the next…hour. Ish.”

Stella squirmed around until she could rest her arms on the back of the couch. “What if I get thirsty?”

“I’m sure you can invoke birthday privileges and ask your dad to get something for you.”

“Birthday privileges?” Remus scoffed. “Nobody in this house has a birthday today. Yours was last month, and mine’s in March.”

“It’s my birthday,” Stella said.

“What? No, it’s not.”

“Yeah-huh.”

“Your birthday is in June.”

“It’s today.”

“Or maybe July?”

“It’s today, in December, when there’s snow,” she insisted, throwing herself back against the pillows. “Come on, dad, that’s not funny anymore.”

Remus raised his eyebrows. “Is somebody too old to find their poor old dad amusing now? Can you go back to being twelve so somebody will laugh at my jokes again? I know, I know, we're super lame compared to all your friends’ parents—”

“So lame,” Sirius agreed from the kitchen.

“—but I like to think we get one more year of pre-teen cuteness before the teen angst takes over.”

Stella sat up again with a groan. Looking at her, Remus saw a mix of himself and Sirius that had always baffled him, considering they had adopted her comparatively late in her life; beneath it was something uniquely Stella. Maybe it was her double-jointed elbows, or the board-straightness of her hair next to their curls, but there was no mistaking that she was her own person through and through. He loved that about her. “I’m not going to be a terrible teenager.”

Sirius poked his head around the edge of the kitchen—his nose was adorned with a smudge of flour. “Can I record that for future use?”

“Non.”

“Ooo, using the French,” Remus hissed. “That transformation is already beginning.”

“It’s not like you were bad teenagers, right?” She settled upside-down on the couch with her flamingo-patterned socks high in the air.

“I almost convinced Grandma to let me dye my hair blue, but otherwise I was pretty good.”

“I was terrible,” Sirius laughed. “I didn’t talk to anybody for a solid three years.”

Stella frowned. “How? I think I’d die if I did that.”

“He’s stubborn,” Remus stage-whispered.

“I heard that.”

Stella suppressed her laughter as best she could, but she was about as good at hiding her emotions around them as Sirius was. She didn’t really giggle—the amount her voice had deepened over the past three years always gave Remus whiplash—but her laugh had the same cadence as it did the first day they heard it. While Stella had been quiet at first, it only took love and time to bring her out of her shell. Within a year she settled into their lives like she was always meant to be there.

A thoughtful look crossed her face. “This is my last year before high school.”

“Does it feel different?”

“Not really.” She paused, then shrugged. “And a little. I don’t feel older. It just feels like there’s stuff I won’t get to do anymore.”

“And a lot more you will get to do.” Sirius left his dishtowel on the counter before joining them on Stella’s other side. “You can drive soon, you’ll get a longer curfew, you get more freedom…”

“I guess.”

“What are you going to miss?” Remus asked as she toyed with the hem of her shirt. It was a basic Lions FAN jersey; he was fairly sure she bought it to be ironic. That, and she only wore one of theirs if she was upset with the other, or if one needed a boost at a game.

“I dunno.” A few beats of silence passed. “My classmates. My team. It feels like everything’s going to turn upside down.”

“You can still keep in touch with your friends, and I bet your team won’t be too different,” Sirius said quietly. “Even if it does, that doesn’t mean you have to give all of them up. People change in different ways. They come and go on their own time.”

“There’s going to be a lot of upside-downs over the next couple years, kid.” Remus offered her a smile. “But you’re going to be just fine.”

“You two sound like such dads right now.”

“This might shock you, but that’s because we are.”

The corner of her mouth tugged up and she lolled her head to the side to look at Sirius. “Is the cake done?”

“Fifteen more minutes.”

“Will you watch final Jeopardy with us?”

“What’s the category?”

“US Presidents.”

Sirius exhaled through his nose, but nodded. She grinned and turned herself upright to snuggle against his arm. “You just enjoy watching me lose.”

---------------------------

“Alright, is everyone ready?” Sirius called from the kitchen.

“On three,” Remus said, raising his phone camera. “One, two, three!”

“Happy birthday to you,” over a dozen voices sang. They were off-tempo and so out of key the composer was probably spinning in his grave, but Stella’s clear joy didn’t waver for a millisecond even as her cheeks reddened. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Stella, happy birthday to you!”

Finn, of course, dragged out the last note. So did Leo, Logan, Kasey, James, Lily, and Talker in varying degrees of awful harmony attempts. It was terrible, and beautiful. “Make a wish,” Sirius said softly as he set the cake down and stepped back. His eyes were the brightest quicksilver Remus had seen in many moons.

Stella closed her eyes, took a breath, and blew as hard as she could—the entire room erupted into cheers when all the candles went out. She was laughing and blushing at the same time when Remus turned the lights back on, though the humor won out in the end and she helped pass plates of cake to her many aunts and uncles. Like every year prior, Regulus managed to smear a bit of frosting on her chin, only to immediately deny it with great offense when she noticed. It was becoming a bit of a tradition—one that Remus never grew tired of.

I know what I would wish for, Remus thought as he looked around the table at their patchwork family. Celeste, Dumo, and his own parents had no doubt spoiled their first grandchild with ‘cusp of adulthood’ gifts, and Natalie and Lily would certainly steal her away after cake for some girl time. Finn and Logan would remain the fun uncles while Leo and Regulus kept their thrones as the cool uncles; Stella would interrogate Jules on the intricacies of high school for at least an hour before they destroyed everyone in a snowball fight. The world they built together had a place for everyone.

I would wish for this. This, for us, forever. It wasn’t a bad eternity to imagine.

[shemarmooresfedora]

Rebuilding Family

Summary: Y/N and Spencer were college sweethearts at Cal-Tech but once Spencer got accepted to the FBI Academy, he ended things deciding it was not fair to make Y/N wait for him. When they meet again years later, he discovers something unexpected.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

please read A/N at bottom :)

Masterlist

Chapter 31

Spencer knocked on the LaMontagne’s front door.

He heard Jo screaming, “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” on the other side.

He chuckled, opening the door after hearing JJ yell “it’s open” from another room.

Jo bolted towards him and he scooped the little girl up in his arms.

“How excited are you to meet your baby brother and sister?” he grinned.

“This excited!” Jo outreached her arms to the widest they could possibly go.

“Well, they are very excited to meet you too. They are back at the hospital, resting with Mommy,” Spencer smiled.

“Can I come?” Henry asked.

“You’re going to come later Henry with your mom and dad plus the rest of the team,” Spencer explained.

JJ came around the corner, “Yes, Henry. We will go later. We’re going to give them some family time first.”

“Bye guys,” Spencer waved.

“Thank you Auntie JJ for letting me sleep over,” Jo said, “See you later, Henry!”

“Anytime for a kid with such good manners,” JJ smiled.

-

Spencer set Jo down right in front of the door to your hospital room.

“Okay so we are going to be extra gentle with the twins and Mommy and use our quiet voices,” Spencer reminded Jo.

Jo nodded and Spencer opened the door.

“Hi, Baby J,” you smiled, you were holding Ollie because you just finished breastfeeding him.

“Love, Ophelia is in her bassinet right there if you want to get her,” you told Spencer.

Spencer wasted no time picking Ophelia up because he already missed the babies after just a quick ride to JJ’s. He sat right on the edge of the bed.

Jo crawled into Spencer’s lap so she was right underneath him holding the baby.

“This is Ophelia, Princess. She was born 3 minutes earlier than Ollie,” Spencer rested the baby in her lap so she could hold him with his help.

“Hi, Ophelia,” Jo whispered, leaning down to give the baby a little kiss on the forehead.

“Oh that’s very sweet of you,” you smiled, watching the adorable scene unfold in front of you.

Meanwhile, Spencer was a blubbering mess like his body had gone into cuteness overload. You handed him a kleenex.

Oliver made a soft whine in your arms.

“Jo, I think your brother wants to see you now. You will have plenty of time with the both of them in the future, I promise,” you said.

Jo gently crawled into your lap and you set Ollie down in her lap, “So this is Oliver or Ollie for short.”

“Like the baby elephant in the book?”

“Yes, that was all your idea,” you confirmed.

Jo pressed another soft kiss to Oliver’s forehead.

“I love them a lot,” Jo beamed, switching her focus back and forth between the two babies.

“Daddy and I got you something to wear when the team comes if you want, Baby J,” you motioned to Spencer who grabbed a gift wrapped in dinosaur wrapping paper.

You got Jo a little something because you didn’t want her to feel left out since she was used to having you and Spencer’s full undivided attention but now she was going to have to share it with the twins.

Jo unwrapped the gift, revealing a white shirt with ‘big sis’ written on it in colorful letters.

Jo beamed, “I wanna put it on now please.”

Spencer handed you Ophelia before he helped Jo change into her new shirt. Then, she leaned over the babies in your arms and began blowing raspberries to entertain them. They couldn’t laugh yet but they seemed to be enjoying it. Ollie was staring up at his sister curiously while Ophelia was gurgling happily.

-

You heard a rapid knocking on the door and it swung open as soon as Spencer said “Come in!”

A flash of glitter and pink letting out an excited squeal sped past him. Penelope was in front of you before you knew it. She was setting two teddy bears with sweater vests and a bouquet of flowers down on your table.

“These are for the babies,” she gestured to the fuzzy bears, “and those are for you,” she pointed to the bouquet.

“Thank you so much,” you smiled, “you can put them in the twins’ bassinets if you want.”

“I don’t get a gift,” Spencer fake pouted.

“How many babies did you push out of your vagina yesterday, Boy Wonder?” Penelope retorted.

“Well technically she had a C-section but point taken,” he grinned, “The babies are the greatest gift I could ever get anyways.”

“Okay, names! I need names to call my godbabies!” she demanded.

“Yes since we have kind of unofficially decided that Jo’s godparents are JJ and Will. You and Derek will be the godparents of the twins,” you smiled, “whose names are…” you looked to Jo.

“That one is Oliver or Ollie. I named him!,” she proudly pointed to the little baby in your arms.

“And this is Ophelia,” Spencer tilted the baby in his arms slightly to give the team a better look at her face.

“Awwww,” the team smiled.

“Okay, everyone will get a chance but we’ll let the godparents get first dibs at holding the twins,” you said, starting to hand Ollie to Penelope.

“Wait!” Spencer exclaimed, “Please use the hand sanitizer first. I don’t know where you people have been,” Spencer joked.

Spencer bought baby-safe hand sanitizer in advance and put it in the hospital bag. He was very insistent on everyone using it to keep the twins healthy.

After everyone passed around the sanitizer, Penelope reached for Ollie once again, “Gimme this little cutie pie.”

Spencer carefully passed Ophelia to Derek.

“Hi, Ollie. I’m going to have a lot of fun spoiling you,” Penelope beamed.

“Derek, are you crying?” Hotch asked.

“No,” Derek adamantly denied, still not breaking his gaze away from Ophelia in his arms, “It’s just allergies.”

“Oh, then I should probably pass Ophelia to Emily so you don’t get her ‘sick’,” Spencer grinned.

“No! Five more minutes,” Derek insisted, “Ophelia, I’m your Uncle Derek. Can you say De-rek?”

“Morgan, she was born 16 hours, 35 minutes, and 53 seconds ago. She is not going to be talking already,” Spencer stated.

“Hey, you never know with your smarty pants genes, Kid.”

“Reid, coincidentally, today marks the end of your year leave from the BAU. I’m going to need an answer by the end of the day if you’re returning or not,” Hotch stated, “We’ll support you either way but I already have a feeling about your answer.”

Spencer made eye contact with you and then he looked at Jo leaning over Ollie in Penelope’s arms and JJ and Emily playing peek-a-boo with Ophelia in Derek’s arms.

“As much as I love you guys, I can’t come back. I think my heart would physically be ripped out of my chest if I had to leave my family for an extended period of time,” Spencer chuckled.

You smiled softly up at him and he grabbed your hand, kissing it softly with all the admiration and love in the world.

A/N: hello my loves! i am asking you for some feedback here (a comment, an ask, whatever you want). i currently have 2 WIP one-shots (one is A/F and one is just pure fluff). would you like me to prioritize chapters of this fic or try to get my WIPs out and only get out like one RF chapter a week? please understand that even if i prioritize RF chapters they will still be on a delayed schedule. thank you so much for your patience and feedback in advance!

taglist: (just ask to be added or removed!): @samuel-de-champagne-problems @g0lden-cth @spencerreid9 @averyhotchner @coldlilheart @k-k0129 @ickleronniekinsemotionalrange @harrystylesandthegoobs @cmily @rem-ariiana

[cyphersuna]

1. HUMAN DOGS

pairing: isaac lahey x fem!reader!mikaelson (Slow burn), derek hale x ex-lover!reader, mcCall pack x platonic!reader, original family x sister!reader, stiles stilinski x platonic!reader (at the moment)

sypnosis; Y/N Mikaelson arrives in a small town with the hope of becoming independent and having a new life but a near accident will turn her plans around and risk them knowing who he is.

Has the war of Original Vampires and Wolves started?

The smallest of the Mikealsons, will she be with a wolf?

Will Isaac accept Y/N?

warnings; none

author’s note: hello baeess, welcome to a new #saturdayofyouaremikaelson!!! I only hope you enjoy this chapter because your emotion excites me and if your emotion excites me, I will be excited to do more chapters to excite you. see you next week 😺

Word count; 1.7k

ﾟ･ 🌌ރ ੈ♡‧₊˚🎲 *ૢ✧ ۪ ♟️ ° ｡

YOU WERE ENTERING Beacon Hills while looking at the forest around you which looked spooky, possibly because it was night or they were infested with those human dogs. Possibly both. You still remember the faces of Niklaus, Kol and Elijah knowing that you would live here. You think it was the best thing in the world, but you get it. That your sister, the youngest of the Mikaelson clan, decides to move alone, with no one from her family nearby and in a "city" full of dogs. You would also worry.

It began to be heard on the radio lurk from the neighborhood to which you began to hum it. This century was very different: 16-year-olds look like 18 or 19, their type of clothing... You did not complain, it is better than the clothes of before.

Six teens and two adults appeared out of nowhere to which you stopped. You got out of the car and they watched you from head to toe. One in particular made your blood run cold. Derek Hale...

You sighed and spoke.

"Forgiveness! Are you okay?" You asked, and the bearded one came up to you.

"What are you doing here?" He asks and you start to breathe. Human dogs have to hear it and feel it so they know that you are not something supernatural. Speaking of that title, it's the best series and more daddy Dean. You pulled myself out of your thoughts and looked from left to right to fix your gaze on the dark haired man.

"Me?" He nodded. "Sorry. Do I know you?"

"Don't act, Mikaelson," he snap at and Peter comes closer to both of you. The Good Peter, he was more your brother than the ones you have, well not so much like that but he was like a brother.

"I think you're wrong" you say to see him in the eyes. "My name is not like that" you say playing stupid, well! When you don't? Coming here you thought that Derek and Peter would leave and more because of what happened to his sister who did not doubt that Peter would kill her. But just in case you knew you would have to change your first and last name.

"It's not a name," says the older of the two raising an eyebrow. "What's your name?" He ask.

"Diane Jones" you say pretending to be a little scared. You saw how Derek would glare at you deadly and the teens stared at the scene in confusion. Wow! The redhead's shoes were fantastic.

"What brings you to Beacon Hills?" Asked Peter.

"I came to live here" you respond.

"Alone?" Said the one with black hair, super furious. He looked sexier like that. "Without your parents?"

"Excuse me, but I don't have to tell you anything" You walked back and Derek took your arm tightly and the children approached looking worried.

"You won't leave until you answer." Peter put his hand on Derek's shoulder with a "calm down" look

"And your parents?" He asks calmly.

"I do not have. I'm an orphan" you say looking at your feet. Seriously, you deserve an Oscar for best actress.

"How did you get here?" Peter still asked.

"My uncles sent me here to study and not cause problems" you say looking at Peter.

"Don't li-" Derek says to be interrupted.

"It's not her" said Peter. "Listen" as you said, breathing helps and more if it is accelerated when you feel threatened.

"Can I go?" You asked.

"Yes" Peter says. You walked to your car and your turned it on to continue on your way, when you saw that you were far away you start to laugh. Derek's faces and the wolf children, the banshee, and the humans were gold.

You arrived at your new home. You smiled when you saw that it was normal, not big and not too small. A normal house. It was supposed to be furnished since yesterday. You got out of your car and opened to see the living room, you closed the door and walked into the kitchen and up the stairs. You went into all the rooms and they were perfect and yours was much more.

It was big, being a Mikaelson it couldn't be small. You were already beginning to miss them. Well not all. Elijah and Rebekah's overproduction were suffocating. Also you will no longer be listening "little Klaus" or "little Kol" You're not like them, you just like to have fun. And you like being with them more. Kol and you, hunted and had fun at parties and flirting with people. Klaus gave you life lessons. You were amused by his stories and how could he be so... him. Of your seven siblings, you only loved Kol and Klaus, of course you had your differences: you were friends with Katherine and Klaus hates her, you love the Salvatore brothers with your life and they detest them, even more. You lay down on the bed and you smiled a smile that only bring problems.

Isaac Lahey Pov

"It was her," Derek says, somehow I felt concern and more to see how he reacted when he saw the girl as our age.

"Who is she?" Scott ask.

"Y/N Mikaelson" Peter said calmly.

"And she is...?" Stiles question them.

"She is one of the Originals and Derek's great love," Peter replies.

"Original of what?" Lydia ask.

"From the Original Vampires," Derek says angrily.

"They exist?" Almost all of us say at the same time.

"Yes. And between them the two hybrid of Vampire and werewolf" explains Peter.

"What is a hybrid?" Allison ask to which Stiles responds.

"Hybrids are a supernatural cross between two or more different species. The term is commonly used to describe a werewolf turned vampire, as they were the first type of hybrid introduced to the world. However, since the creation of the werewolf-vampire hybrids, there have been other hybrids of other races in the universe, such as siphons turned into witch-vampire hybrids, werewolf-witch hybrids, among others" he says to finish.

"How do you know that?" Asks Scott.

"I read it when I was trying to find out what you were, but I thought the vampire thing was a lie," Stiles responds.

"A hybrid is more lethal than any werewolf or vampire" Says Derek. "Nature does not tolerate such an imbalance of power. Thus, the warlocks, the servants of nature, saw to it that the wolfish side of Klaus and Y/N Mikaelson are asleep. But they are still a danger.

"Who are the Mikaelsons?" I ask.

"The Mikaelson family is a powerful family whose line goes back at least to the Kingdom of Norway in the late 10th century with Mikael and Esther, a wealthy landowner and a Viking warrior, and a housewife and a witch, respectively. In the early 11th century, the family was deadly until the loss of Esther and Mikael's seventh child, Henrik to a werewolf attack that spurred them to use Esther's magic to turn Mikael and the rest of their living children into the The world's first vampires, from whom all Vampires are descended from the original vampires, are known as the most powerful supernatural beings in the world, but the Mikaelson family is also known to have members who are also witches and hybrids. Among them are two hybrids: Klaus and Y/N. In total the Mikaelsons are eight; Mikael, the father, Esther, the mother, Freya, The first daughter which is only a witch and does not belong to the original lineage, Finn, The second son, Elijah, the third son, Klaus, the fourth son which is the hybrid and is not the son of Mikael but bears his last name, Kol, the fifth son, Rebekah, the sixth daughter, Y/N, the seventh daughter which is not the daughter of Mikael and the last, Henrik, the eighth son. Of these eight only are alive: Freya, Elijah, Klaus, Kol, Rebekah and Y/N" Derek answers.

''They wasted no time," Stiles says.

"Neither is Esther. Children of different parents" I say smiling. "But how did "first hybrids" happen?

"When Klaus and Y/N first killed after being turned into vampires, they triggered their werewolf gene, which finally reveals the truth of their true paternity to their family: Klaus and Y/N were not Mikael's children but the boss's children of her village werewolf clan, with whom Esther had an affair. Once Mikael learned of Esther's infidelity and realized that her lover's pack were the werewolves who killed Henrik, Mikael hunted down and killed Klaus and Y/N's father and his entire family, igniting a war. Between vampires and werewolves that still exists. Shortly after the Mikaelsons became vampires and learned of Klaus and Y/N werewolves' legacy, Esther was forced to curse Klaus and Y/N to make their werewolf natures lie dormant, so that they didn't bother yet. More to nature by possessing so much power. However, Klaus and Y/N felt betrayed by this punishment, and in retaliation, Klaus murdered his mother and framed Mikael for the act. Understood?" Peter asks and I nod.

"I'm more than sure it's her!" Derek exclaims.

"It has to be her, if you questioned her or just stopped...-Lydia says to be interrupted by Peter.

"It's her Doppelgänger..."

Y/N Mikaelson Pov

You got out of the tub while you were dripping to grab the towel and start drying off. Tomorrow would be your first day in high school, you had never attended one and according to Caroline and Stefan they are very good, also Rebekah go into one and she looks older than you. You wrapped the towel around your body and left the bathroom to go to your room. You dropped the towel while you felt the air all over your body, you took off your underwear from the wardrobe and then put on a loose shirt and some pajama shorts. You go down to the kitchen for some whiskey and you go back upstairs. You arranged your things for tomorrow and left them arranged so that you only had to go...

masterlist

˚༉🎠·₊✧ 🧺 ϟ₊˚🎻ミ༉‧🍫₊˚

previously in you are a mikaelson > next

Taglist

@blessednereid @itmejado @rottenstyx @chloe-skywalker

[cheeriecherry]

hi!! how are you? can you write for baku, deku, & todo where they meet their s/o family for the first time & they’re super scary? they’re all super tall, buff, full of tattoos, loud, aggressive, mean & the fam is super overprotective over s/o & the 3 are just freaking out bc s/o is the opposite? s/o is super sweet, calm, bubbly & short so the last thing they were expecting was this & they’re just freaking out & trying to get on their s/o’s family good side? sorry if that sounds complicated 😭

The more specific the ask, the better! I’ll see what my brain can come up with, I’ve just had couch medicine so

Requests are temporarily closed so I can catch up on them!

BAKUGOU KATSUKI

-Loud boi isn’t gonna let anyone know that he’s intimidated.

-He’s already a little nervous to meet your family for the first time, though he’d never admit it. You were so hesitant to ask him to come over, and at first he thought it was because he was the loud and aggressive one.

-But that Saturday afternoon when he walks up to your house and your dad answers the door, he’s like ‘oh’ and it all clicks into place.

-He loves you a lot, so he wants to make a good impression, but he also never backs down from a challenge. So he and your dad have a stare down in the doorway, until you stroll around the corner and see them.

-You scold your dad and tell him to stop being rude to your boyfriend. Your dad doesn’t say anything, but he sighs and lets Bakugou in.

-The fun doesn’t stop there, though. You tug Bakugou around the house from room to room introducing him to your family, and every single one of them gives him the same cold, mildly threatening stare.

-Ngl your uncle who lives in the basement apartment kinda scares him, but he doesn’t say anything and tries to play it cool. The guy is built like a brick house and covered head to toe in intricate tattoos.

-He doesn’t mention it, but you can tell that your boyfriend is wondering about potential ties you have to the mafia, with a guy like that living in your house. But you assure him it’s just your uncle’s quirk that gives him the art on his skin, and that he’s actually pretty shy about it and doesn’t like going out.

-The last person he meets is your mom. With everyone being so much taller and physically stronger than you, he assumes that your mom is gonna be the person you got your tiny genes from.

-Lol no

-She’s at least six feet tall, and without a doubt the most intimidating person in the house. She’s got the face of an angel and the grace of a butterfly, but behind her smile Bakugou can see the willingness to kill anyone who hurts her baby (you).

-Lunch with the fam is a little awkward at first, until your younger cousin goads Bakugou into a spice eating contest. Then the shouting at the table begins, everyone placing their bets on who they think will win. You’re the only one who bets on your boyfriend, and you get like a hundred collective bucks out of your family members when he wins.

-He’s earned the respect of your cousin, who’s like eight maybe and now deems Bakugou a respectable opponent. Bakugou is torn between yelling and patting the kid on the head, so he probably does both and shouts at the kid to keep practicing so they can try and beat him one day.

-At the end of the visit, your boyfriend is surprisingly calm. You’re walking him home, arm in arm, not really saying much. Though you do tell him that he’s taking your living situation pretty well.

-He’s like wdym? And you explain to him that most of your friends and potential partners are scared of your family and refuse to come over because of them.

-Bakugou just scoffs and is like ‘of course they are, because they’re chicken shits. As if I’d be scared of a bunch of-’ and he pauses because you start laughing, not at him, just about the situation.

-Your family actually really likes him and find him a suitable boyfriend for you. They know you’re strong, but they want someone who can protect you and who’s loyal to you, and they see that in Bakugou. They probably invite him to the next family gathering.

MIDORIYA IZUKU

-A nervous boi

-He wants so badly to make a good impression on your family, to get their approval of your relationship. He knows you’re close with them, so he doesn’t want their potential opinions of him to sway your desire to be with him.

-He dresses casually but tidy, and while he waits at the door he fiddles with his shirt a bit.

-Almost has a heart attack when your sister opens the door and glares down at him with the rage of 1000 suns.

-He does his best to introduce himself formally and be polite, but your sister is making it awfully hard for him to stay focused. She doesn’t say anything to him, so he just continues chattering until he’s off on a tangent and saying way too much.

-And you’re like ‘I feel my boyfriend danger senses tingling’ so you go downstairs and lo and behold. 

-Ofc he’s not in any actual danger, just the danger of making a fool of himself. You set a hand on your sister’s arm, and the moment you do it’s like all the anger in her body dissipates and she turns into a sweet, smiling bean. Then she skips away to go do her homework.

-You pull Midoriya inside and give him a once-over anyways, just to make sure your sister didn’t burn holes in him with her glares. But he assures you he’s alright, and he’s a lot more relaxed now that you’re around.

-Probably says something like ‘I can see why you were so nervous about bringing me to your house, your older sister seems really protective of you’

-and you’re like ‘um,,,,actually she’s my younger sister’ and he’s like ‘wot’ and you’re like ‘also she’s the least scary of everyone’ and he’s like ‘wOT’

-You waste no time parading him from room to room to show him off, all while his soul slowly escapes his body.

-Your parents actually scare him the least, like, of course they’re protective of you, but they have the common courtesy not to exaggerate their scary qualities. They still tower over both you and Midoriya, but they’re mostly civil in terms of interactions.

-Your older brothers scare him a little bit more. They share the basement suite, so you drag your boyfriend downstairs to introduce them all to each other...and interrupt their poker game with their friends.

-All of them have some kind of tattoo visible, nothing Midoriya recognizes as any gang symbol, but he’s still wary. However, he manages to say hello and all the pleasantries, and actually gets a smile out of one of your brothers, who tries to rope him into a game of cards.

-Thankfully you save him with the excuse that you still have more family to show him off to, but he’s left with the promise of ‘later, then’.

-Lastly is your sister, who he’s technically already met. She’s arguably the scariest of everyone. She’s easily almost six feet tall and looks like she could bench press the two of you with ease. You promise him that she’s a literal sweet pea, but when the two of you walk up to her room, Midoriya isn’t so sure.

-She glares at him hard, like she’s judging him about everything and if he doesn’t pass she’ll snap him in half. He has to swallow the lump in his throat, and quickly looks around the room for some kind of thing to ask about that might get her to open up.

-And he sees it. One of the rarer All Might figures from an old merch line, one that he also has, so he’s like ‘do you like All Might’ and it’s like a switch is flipped.

-You breathe a sigh of relief as the two of them start nerding out about their favourite hero, sprouting facts and recalling films and old news videos. When he mentions that All Might teaches at his school, your sister honest to god squeals, and starts asking all kinds of questions about what kind of teacher he is, what he’s learned, what it’s like to be a protogee of such a great hero. He answers everything with glee, all his former fears forgotten.

-When it comes time for dinner, your sister insists that your boyfriend sit next to her, which is apparently a very high honor because one of your brothers sulks off to the other end of the table. (You assure your brother later that it’s just temporary and that your sister just really likes your boyfriend).

-But seeing the two of them interact warms your heart, it’s usually hard for your sister to make friends because she’s so intimidating, so you’re glad they’re getting along. And so does the rest of your family! They see Midoriya’s kindness and hardworking attitude, and they warm up to him pretty quickly.

-It ends up being a really enjoyable night, despite the rocky start. Though sadly yes your boyfriend does eventually get roped into a game of poker, and yes your brother’s cheat, but you cheat too, and you’re all betting in chocolate coins. You share your hoard with him.

TODOROKI SHOUTO

-He goes into it being not nervous, and ends up being Quite nervous once he meets your family.

-When he arrives, you’re thankfully the one to answer the door, so he doesn’t get hassled, so everything seems pretty normal right off the bat. Until your cousin walks through the room and is like ‘???? who’s this pipsqueak???’ and Todoroki is torn between being his usual snarky self and being polite.

-He wats to throw shade right back, but for your sake he wants to make a good impression. You’re used to his manners (or lack thereof) but he doesn’t want your family to think he’s not worthy of you. He really loves you a lot and wants to stay with you.

-So he goes for a formal introduction, even going in for a handshake. It’s kind of funny, because your cousin is like ‘lol what are manners’ but your glare forces him to return the gesture. His hand completely dwarfs your boyfriend’s, and you have to hide a snicker.

-And then the guy awkwardly wanders out of the room.

-You and Todoroki kind of just stand there for a second, and then he’s like ‘is this what you meant when you said your family was intimidating’ and you’re like ‘:3′

-You give him a tour of the house, a nice modest place with traditional aspects. It’s nowhere near as big as his, but he like it that way, it makes the place more homey and warm.

-You introduce him to family members as you come across them; your younger twin nuisances cousins, who are more mischievous than dangerous, your aunt and her wife, who look like they could get away with murder, your brother and his friends, who mostly only glare at Todoroki to try and make him uncomfortable.

-Thankfully he’s used to the stoic and slightly scary expressions, thanks to his dad. He wonders momentarily if you’re safe here, but then he realizes that everyone in the house is especially kind to you, and very affectionate when they think he’s not looking. He doesn’t even bother asking the question.

-Lastly are your parents, who are in the kitchen preparing dinner. They’re a little perturbed that you’re both in the kitchen when they’re working, but they seem to be less purposefully intimidating than everyone else. They’re still a little scary though.

-Then he notices that your parents are making soba. From scratch. Which is particularly difficult to master, so he figures they must be pretty well practiced if they’re so good at it.

-Without thinking, he asks if they’ve made soba before, and soon your parents are sprouting off about their culinary careers and the restaurant they run. You were supposed to take over one day, but you ultimately chose a different path in life, even after they taught you so much.

-Todoroki didn’t even realize you could cook, but now he wants more than anything to try your meals someday, or learn a few things from you and make dinners together.

-It startles him a little that he’s thinking so far ahead in your lives, but honestly if you’ve managed to get him as a boyfriend then you’re likely to have him for your whole life, if you want him.

-He talks a little more with your parents about the food, expressing in his way that he’s looking forward to a dinner that’s had so much hard work go into it. And you can see the little light go on in your parents’ heads, the light that signals they approve of your choice in boyfriend and have started making room in their hearts for him.

-Dinner is nice, pretty peaceful aside from your twin cousins causing their usual trouble, but he’s nonplussed by it. he still wonders how you managed to come out so small in comparison to everyone else, but it doesn’t bother him too much. He can see that you’re loved and well cared for, and a little piece of him hopes that one day he’ll be able to get to know your family even better.

[wittyvitale]

Uncle Awoocard (A Fluffy Netflix Castlevania Drabble)

Summary:  Alucard babysits Trevor and Sypha's baby. The baby absolutely loves when her uncle turns into the big puppy.  Possible mild spoilers for Season 4.

Author’s Notes: This idea has been in my mind for months and I've been dying to write about Wolf Alucard playing with the Trepha baby. I've also been wanting to write dialogue for Alucard for a while. Enjoy!

Trevor walked down the stairs of Alucard’s Castle with baby Sonia pressed against his chest. Trevor yawned widely while Sonia was wide awake, smiling and looking around at all the wonders the outdoors had to offer.

“There he is! Oi! Alucard!” Trevor called to the dhampir waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

“Good afternoon, Lady Sonia,” Alucard kindly greeted the baby, placing a hand on his chest and bowing his head. He narrowed his eyes in Trevor’s direction and flattened his voice. “Hello, Belmont.”

“Haha, you’re hilarious,” Trevor responded humorlessly as he rolled his eyes and handed the baby to Alucard. “Here she is. We just need you to watch her for a few hours so Sypha and I can sleep. Well, Sypha’s already asleep, she crashed as soon as I left our bedroom.”

“That bad?” Alucard asked as he accepted the baby. Sonia was excited to be in her uncle’s arms and began squealing, grabbing Alucard’s long blonde hair with both hands and pulling it gently.

Trevor sighed. “Up. All. Night. I don’t know what was going on with Sonia last night, but she wouldn’t stop crying and nothing Sypha and I did seemed to help. And somehow, Sonia is still wide awake and doing fine while Sypha and I are half dead. I’m convinced that human babies have some kind of supernatural powers. I’m thinking about adding an entry to the family bestiary.”

Alucard listened but kept his eyes on Sonia, staring at the baby warmly. “Well you know I never mind watching Sonia. I’m quite fond of her, which surprises me as she shares her genes with you.”

“Oh fuck off.”

Alucard raised an eyebrow. “Do you always use such foul language in front of your child?”

Trevor waved his hand in apology. “Sorry, sorry, I seriously owe you one for agreeing to watch her. I’m running on minutes of sleep here.”

“A Belmont apologizing to a vampire. You must be tired.”

Trevor gave his daughter a quick kiss on the head. “Don’t be good for your Uncle Alucard, Sunny. Give him hell. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Alucard gave Trevor an unamused look.

“Not that tired.” Trevor grinned before flipping Aucard off and walking back inside the castle. Alucard sighed and gave Sonia a worried smile.

“Parenthood has had absolutely no effect on your father’s maturity levels, Sonia,” Alucard started. “I’d be more worried about you if Sypha wasn’t your mother.”

Sonia babbled a little and continued tugging on Alucard’s hair.

Alucard began walking towards a small wooded area close to the castle. “So, how would you like to spend our time together?”

Sonia continued babbling nonsensically as Alucard reached a clearing in the woods. As soon as he sat on a tree stump, Sonia clearly said:

“Awoowoo?”

“Hmm? Are you sure, Sonia?” Alucard asked, his lips breaking into a smile.

“Awoowoo!” Sonia exclaimed again, giggling and pressing her body against Alucard’s chest. God she was cute for a Belmont.

“As you wish, milady. Just for you.” Alucard gently placed Sonia on the forest floor and he shut his eyes, thick mist surrounding him. As the mist cleared, a big white wolf appeared in front of the baby. Sonia was absolutely thrilled, kicking her legs and laughing at the sight of her favorite giant puppy.

“Awoowoo!” Sonia squealed as she reached her hands towards Wolf Alucard. Alucard padded closer to her and licked her cheek, which only made the baby erupt in more laughter.

The wolf and the baby played for a long while; Sonia ran her chubby fingers through Alucard’s soft white fur, Alucard booped Sonia’s nose with his cold puppy nose, and at one point Alucard lay on his back while Sonia crawled onto his belly. As enjoyable as this was for Sonia, Alucard was having a great time as well.

When Alucard turned to lay on his side, he saw baby Sonia sit back down on the grass and start yawning. Alucard stood up and walked closer to Sonia.

Getting tired already, Sonia? Alucard thought as padded behind Sonia and lay down in an upright position. The combination of you staying up all night and playing with your favorite uncle must be catching up with you.

Sonia crawled closer to the wolf and nestled herself into his fur. Before Alucard knew it, Sonia was fast asleep. Alucard curled himself tighter around Sonia so that he was fully circled around her, keeping her warm and protected.

Your father’s going to be so angry when he learns that you fell asleep with me while you kept him awake all night, Alucard thought as he lay his head down. I am very much looking forward to telling him.

[the-firebender-girl]

Thick As Thieves (Zuko x Reader)

-> In which Azula got her redemption arc and gets to be the cool aunt.

Zuko has been equally dreading and anticipating this day for months. The day his sister will finally be released from the asylum on a nearby island. She was continuously monitored and deemed stable now, safe enough to roam free again and insert herself back to society. His last encounter with her a few years back wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience so he doesn’t know what to expect now, will it go awry again? or has she really turned a new leaf? guess he’ll find out sooner than later.

His worries extend far beyond his own discomfort of facing his deranged and misguided sister because he also has others to worry about, he’s got his own family now. A wife, a daughter, and a son. His wife had briefly met Azula when she tagged along with him at one of his visits but he can’t say the same for the younglings. Izumi and Isao, the new beloved princess and prince of the Fire Nation, his pride and joy.

Being a father suprisingly comes natural to him despite his dreadful childhood and having no father figure to look up to. He learnt a lot from watching Hakoda though, he owed that man a lot. Especially now that the closest thing that he has to a father is gone. Uncle Iroh decided that he had done all he could in the material world and chose to ascend to the Spirit World, leaving his mortal body behind and letting his soul make a new home there.

It was a decision that Zuko supports wholeheartedly, but still sometimes he wishes that Iroh is still around to guide him with his wisdom. Now he has this world of ruling and fatherhood that he has to navigate on his own, hoping that he won’t mess it up.

“Love, are you ready?” Y/N’s gentle voice broken his train of thoughts, pulling him back into the real world.

“Yeah... just thinking about... things” He replied lamely, reaching out for her hand which she gives. He always love playing around with her fingers, the contact brings him comfort.

“Don’t get lost in your head too much, okay?” She said, giving him a tender smile.

He stares back at the love of his life appreciatively and gives her a sure nod.

“I just... I don’t know how to feel, it’s like i’m scared of expecting anything if it’ll just put myself up for a disappointment. You know how much of a wildcard she is” Zuko said timidly, looking small and more vulnerable than he has been for years.

“I know Zuko, this must be soo confusing for you, i’m scared too but we’re in this together right? I’ll be with you every step of the way” Y/N assure him, trying to subdue his worries as much as she could. Rubbing comforting touches at his shoulder.

“Spirits, Y/N. What did I ever do to deserve you?” He leaned his head back a bit so that he can nuzzle it into her stomach.

She hums, “I don’t know, you must be a hero or something with what a great catch I am” She grins teasingly, easing up the tension.

She considers it as a triumph when her husband lets out a scoff of disbelief, “Woman you are unbelieveable” Shaking his head at her.

“Part of the charm, love”

To that he can’t help but burst out laughing.

Oh the married life.

———————————————————————

Azula stood on her own two feet, no longer bounded by straitjacket nor in a wheelchair. She stood as a free woman now. She wouldn’t go as far as to say ‘free and changed woman’ because some things just scarred too deep too remove but the therapies she undergo definitely did some good. So was the time she spent away from the capital and from the expectations she used to bear.

Now she stands face to face with Zuko, all out in his Fire Lord regalia. It suits him, not that she would admit that out loud, her pride is still very much intact after all.

“Should I bow to you now?” Her voice sends a cold chill running through Zuko, despite being locked away it seems that his sister managed to keep the bite in her.

“According to formalities you should, but no” He replied, feigning indifferent.

“Whatever you say, Fire Lord Zuzu”

Zuko’s composure cracks at the sound of his childhood nickname combined with what is now his title, one of his eyes twitching in annoyance. From his peripheral vision, he saw Y/N raising one of her hands in front of her mouth to hide her growing smile and a laugh that threatens to escape.

Even the guards who are standing by and thus being a part of this reunion seems to have trouble doing their part after witnessing this exchange. The sound of giggling little voices reaches his ears, at this he softens and put his hands on Izumi and Isao’s shoulder.

“Now who might these be?” Azula said as she redirects her line of vision to the source of noise, raising both of her eyebrows expectantly.

“This is my children, Izumi my eldest....” Zuko said while patting her head lovingly then he moves to do the same to his son, “And Isao, her younger brother”

Azula’s eyes roamed over them, taking in every features as if sizing them up, then she stops when she reaches their faces. Molten gold meets its exact pair, a courtesy of the royal family (superior) gene pool if she say so herself. That eye color might as well be their trademark after all.

“Well hello there little ones, i’m Aunty Azula” She said as she carefully took a step closer towards them. The guards almost block her away but Zuko raised his hand to signal them to be at ease and let her pass.

Izumi shrinks back, scared but at awe at the same time at her aunt’s cat-like movement. It’s soo smooth she looks like she is gliding across the floor and now she’s in front of them in no time. She may be 7 but she’s old enough to understand things, things that she heard people say in a whispers about her aunt whom she never met before. And that is enough to make her reluctant.

Izumi looked to her right at her little brother but Isao doesn’t show the slightest hint of being unfazed. In fact he looks intrigued.

There was a small awkward silence moment before a huge grin bloomed on Isao’s face, making his puffy cheeks even more prominent.

“Hey there aunty! i’m sooo pumped to meet you” He said innocently, excitement oozing from his very being.

Azula is caught off guard by such a welcoming reaction, this is not something that she expected at all. She never even realized her inadequacy in dealing with children until she’s finally forced to face one. What’s the first thing that she should even do? feed them flaming fire flakes? use them as target practice? Agni, Zuzu better not do anything stupid like leaving her with any of them.

Y/N watched as her sister in law seems to be frozen in place, looking at her son as if he’s an alien being. Who knew that the great Azula will one day be stupefied at a mere interaction with a 4 years old child? well the more you know.

“Sooo... lunch, anyone?” Y/N said, a pathetic attempt to break the ice.

Azula just walked past them without a second glance. Making her way inside the palace that she once called home, with Isao tailing behind. Small feet attempting to catch up to her long strides. Zuko and Y/N shared a glance at each other, to which he just shrugs and they too follow after her.

———————————————————————

A week has passed since she came back and Azula is adjusting pretty nicely, well people still cower at the sight of her and most of them stay as far as they can but not that she mind that.

Well everyone except this little bugger called Isao aka his brother’s second spawn. He loves following her around and looking at her with those annoying big round eyes, think that would work on her too huh? too bad she hates children. He really doesn’t know what’s good for him.

Tonight they’re having a family dinner. To formally celebrate her coming back or whatever. At least the food is good. The mouth-watering scent of smoked sea slug, roast duck, komodo sausages, extra spicy fire noodles, and fruit tart filled the air. It’s starting to look more and more like a feast instead of a nice and quiet family dinner. Trust her brother to always make a spectacle out of everything.

Azula was minding her own business, scooping bits of this and that into her plate when the empty chair beside her got dragged back by a pair of small hands. Isao’s round face greeted her as she watches his sorry attempt at climbing the chair. Grumbling, she picks him up and put him securely on top of it before he hits his head on the side of the table or something.

“Thanks Aunty Azula!” He said, giving her his signature wide grin.

“Ughh whatever kiddo”

Azula turns her attention towards the head of the table where Zuko and Y/N are currently sitting, haven’t yet realized that their son has disappeared from his designated chair.

Azula clears her throat, that successfully got their attention.

“Zuko, Y/N would you mind giving some help over here? it’s trying to bond again” A hint of awkwardness creeps into her voice, face scrunching, she’s even shifting left and right in her seat.

Y/N rolls her eyes, “It’s got a name, Azula and he’s your nephew so play nice”

“B-but....” Before she could voice her protest, the couple has already turned their attention away.

She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, Isao’s curious stares burning into her.

Once she opens her eyes again, the boy is already stuffing his mouth full of sausages.

“I guess i’m stuck with you then” She said defeatedly as she watches him happily munching his food down.

———————————————————————

“You know you look exactly like your father when he was little” Azula said to the boy whom she’s babysitting, it pains her to even think about this. What were Zuko and Y/N even thinking when they decided that leaving their son to her care for the day is the best idea. Does she look like she’ll make a good nanny? Spirits, the audacity.

This carbon copy of Zuko is currently sitting beside the pond, with two little feets dangling in the water, creating small ripples here and there. The turtle ducks happily swam around him, waiting for him to throw in another good measure of breadcrumbs.

“Yeah I know that! Grandfather Iroh used to say that a lot” He said to which Azula scoffed and tsked under her breath, “Grandfather Iroh”

“Of course of course....” She said while lazily drawing patterns on the grass, “Good ‘ol Grandfather Iroh”

Isao stops his feeding session and crawled to where Azula is sitting.

“Do you know that my name means ‘honor’ or ‘meritorious’ ? How cool is that huh!? father picked that out himself” He said, wide eyed. Visibly bouncing in his seat while giving her this piece of information.

Azula lets out an incredulous chuckle as she shakes her head, “Of course Zuzu would choose something like that as a name, your father was obsessed with his honor” Drawling out the word obsessed to make her point clear.

“But I think it suits you, little one. So there’s that” She said giving him a shrug. That earned her a smile and Isao makes an exaggerated air fist pump, clearly pleased.

Azula reached out for the picnic basket that Y/N has earlier prepared for them, taking out the wrapped mochi and some tea. She then gives it to Isao, right on time as she hears his stomach rumble.

“Hungry are we? the mochi looks delicious but too bad the tea is already cold”

“Not to worry about that Aunty Azula! I got a little trick I can show you”

Imagine her surprise when fire sparks out of his fingertips, dancing on the bottom of the teapot, warming it quickly to a nice temperature.

“What?!?! how did you do that?” She said still pretty much in shock, watching as the fire slowly dies down.

“I once watched Grandfather Iroh do it, I haven’t figured out how then but now I can do it on command”

This boy really has no idea that he just executed a firebending trick perfectly didn’t he? warming up tea is a complicated form of art, it has to be done perfectly for the leaves and spices to fully release its essence. Such a raw talent in someone so young.

Come to think of it, even if he knows, he wouldn’t have thought about it too much nor dwell on it. If Azula got it right, Zuko’s eldest is a non-bender so Isao most likely or not has no experience in watching a firebending training.

“Kiddo, you can firebend? is there any other tricks that you can do?” Azula asked in an encouraging tone, this attitude is unusual coming from her but even she can’t deny that she has developed a soft spot for her nephew.

“I can create little fire here and there or warm myself up if I needed to but that’s all” Isao replied, looking her straight in the eye.

Azula hums as the gears in her brain is starting to turn, “Would you like me to teach you some things?”

Isao jumps up and down in excitement, this is all soo exciting! he is actually bonding with his aunt.

What an interesting turn of event indeed.

———————————————————————

They are in the middle of a rather pleasant dinner that night when Azula decided to break the news to her brother and sister in law.

“Do any of you know that your son is a firebender?”

The reaction that she earned is priceless, Zuko starts choking on his food whereas Y/N’s jaw dropped open, mouth forming a perfect O-shape.

“He hasn’t shown any sign of firebending abilities, we thought he’s a non-bender like his sister” Y/N answers for her husband because Zuko is still trying to clear up his air pipe.

“Firecracker, why don’t you show the trick that I taught you earlier?” Azula said to Isao, beckoning him with her fingers.

He excitedly nodded and turns to face his parents. He took a deep breath and concentrate, sparks of fire lights up from his fingertips. Slowly he guides the fire into forming a small circle in front of him, the circle then starts to take shape into a dragon, a fire dragon.

Y/N gasps as the shape becomes more and more prominent, flying across the dining hall but never too hot to burn anything. It’s an incredible thing to watch, she is indeed a proud mother. Even Izumi is enjoying the show, her eyes following the dragon’s every movement. Zuko is at loss for words, he can’t believe that his 4 years old son not only can firebend, but he’s damn good at it too. Azula may have discovered his potentials, but of course it’s up to him to mastered it.

Isao can only holds the form for 5 minutes before the fire burns out, after all he’s still young and has a lot more to learn, but that display is enough to make everyone clap their hands.

“Firecracker, you are marvelous! told you they’ll love it” Azula said as she moved one of her hands to tussle his hair teasingly.

Both Zuko and Y/N rushed from their seats to engulf Isao in a hug, Y/N peppering little kisses all over his face, meanwhile Zuko looks as if he’s high on cactus juice.

“Father, mother...stop....I can’t breathe” Little Isao complaints as he attempts to break free.

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Y/N said as she bends her knees so that she can be at head level with her son.

“I want to do it right, mother. That’s why I learned some new tricks first before I showed it to you. I don’t want to accidently burn something” Isao replied.

“And you will do it right, son. I’ll make sure of it” Zuko said as he gaze at his son fondly.

“Yeah! you’ll be a great firebender, brother” Izumi joins in and smiles encouragingly.

Azula can’t help the small smile that tugs at her lips. This is a scene that she and the palace walls never got to witness before, a loving and supportive family. Zuko has done it right.

———————————————————————

That night as Azula makes her way down the corridor of the Royal Wing and passes by Isao’s slightly ajar bedroom door, she can’t help but sneak a peek.

The little boy is being tucked to bed by his mother, Y/N who sensed the presence of someone else turns her head around and gives her a small smile.

“Would you like to wish him goodnight, Azula?” Y/N asks her, inviting her in with a nod.

Azula nodded back and let herself in, meanwhile Y/N stands up and gives Isao a kiss to his forehead, “Sleep well my little prince” Azula can hear her whispers the word softly.

After that Y/N walks out of the room. Azula took a few steps closer to the bed and sit at the edge. Hands rubbing comforting circles at his blanket-covered feet.

“You know you’re literally a mini Zuko but I like you much much better than him, firecracker” Azula said in a teasing tone.

“I’m glad you think so Aunty Azula because I like you too! people said you’re scary but I don’t see it, I think you’re a nice person”

Isao’s words got Azula holding back a choked sob, her eyes starting to get watery. No one had ever told her that she’s a nice person. People just see her as this monster, even her own mother.

Coming back here was a hard thing for her to do, she never had a home anyway or anyone to come back to. That does not comes as a surprise to her of course, her family is as dysfunctional as they come anyway. But this little firecracker proved her wrong. Maybe she too deserves to belong somewhere after all she’s been through.

Azula gives him a smile and a kiss to his head, “Sleep well, firecracker” to which she got a “Goodnight Aunty Azula” back as a reply.

As Azula steps out of the room and closes the door slowly, she turns around and came straight in contact with Zuko, nearly tumbling to the floor.

“Why you..” Azula started before Zuko puts a finger in front of his mouth in a shushing motion, reminding her not to wake up Isao.

Zuko made a motion for her to follow him and she did, they walk side by side along the hallway.

“He’s really fond of you, you know” He said, staring straight forward.

“Agni knows why, but despite him being your son he is actually.... tolerable” Azula said curtly.

“You know you should learn to express yourself better, sister. Some emotions won’t hurt you”

“Are you just gonna lecture me or is there a point to this conversation?”

“Fine, fine” Zuko said as he rolls his eyes in a childish manner, “Will you be Isao’s firebending teacher?”

Azula stopped on spot, “Did I just misheard you or do you actually trust me enough to train your son?”

“Hey, you’re a great firebender! no one can deny that. I can’t think of anyone better to be his master, your moral compass might be crooked but that’s what me and Y/N are here for, right” At this he earned an elbow shoved to his chest.

“You don’t have to be so abusive you know” He mutters.

Azula gives him a grin, satisfied that she caused him a slight pain.

“I’ll teach him, not because you asked me to, but because I genuinely wants him to be even greater. He’s got potentials, Zuko” Azula said, more serious than Zuko has ever heard her.

“Yeah I know that, he’s a great kid”

Azula and Zuko look at each other, sharing a silent understanding, and gave each other a nod.

Zuko reaches a hand out for her to shake, “Truce?”

With no hesitation, she reaches out her own hand and take it, “Truce.”

They both then part ways but before Azula turns around the corner, Zuko speak up again.

“Hey, Azula?”

She turns around and raised one of her eyebrow, silently asking him what.

“I’m glad you’re here.... welcome home” Zuko said, giving her a small smile before he turns around and walk to his chamber.

Azula stood in that same spot even after Zuko’s silhouette has disappeared. Contemplating to herself, before letting out a sigh and a smile that is actually meant for her brother despite him not being able to see it.

“I’m glad that i’m here too, brother.”

———————————————————————

A/N : I’m a sucker for Azula’s redemption arc so I can’t resist myself from writing this one. What do you think about it? would like to hear more from all of you darlings ♥️

[lorelylantana]

Savageries of the Heart Chapter 6; Heritage

First -Previous -Next

Chapter rating: T Overall Rating: E

Noodle turned out to be quite the escape artist, if the flickering of a forked tongue against her chin was any indication. Zelda’s giggle swiftly turned into a yawn. Noodle wriggled into her hair until Zelda lifted her head so the serpent could take her usual space coiled around her neck.

“Good morning, Dove,” Link cooed softly, kissing her shoulder as she sat up. 

“Good morning,” she said with a stretch. She leaned on Link’s shoulder to look down at the slate in his hands. “What are you doing?”

“I’m just looking through some of the messages that piled up over our honeymoon,” he said, tapping out a reply to his latest missive. Zelda’s brow wrinkled.

“Don’t you do that in your office?”

“I could do it in our office,” he admitted, and Zelda felt him smile against her cheek, “but that would mean leaving you here to wake up alone, and that wouldn’t be very hospitable, would it?”

She grinned and shook her head.

“What’s on the agenda for today?” she asked, booping Noodle’s nose. Link clicked out of his messages and brought up a schedule. 

“I don’t have many appointments today, so I thought I’d give you a tour.”

Walking through her new home felt like walking through a dream. Her breath steamed in front of her, even though Zelda fel perfectly comfortable, if not warm. Her bare feet walked across frozen stone floors as Link led her through chambers carved into the mountain. It was a surreal feeling, walking next to walls of solid ice, light filtering through in tendrils onto the floor. On her other side was a line of doors. Curious, she opened one, and was surprised to find a bedroom.

“For guests?” she asked, though she couldn’t imagine that many would willingly stay in a frozen abode such as theirs. Link shook his head.

“Children,” he clarified, then caught himself, “Not that we need them! I mean-” he sighed, “I didn’t marry you to pump out heirs. That’s not how we do things.”

“It’s how my family does things,” Zelda said. She wouldn’t say that she was a natural born mother, but there was this vengeful feeling that had grown over the years that was determined to continue her line, even if it was just to prove she could. Zelda ran her eyes down her husband’s figure. At the very least she had a strong set of genes to work with.

“In any case, It’s the one thing I can do to honor my family, making sure the weakest link doesn’t break the chain.”

Link paused then, turning to look her in the eyes. There was a tragic look in his eyes that would make Zelda bristle were it not for the rage burning quietly behind the melancholy.

“Is that how you see yourself?”

Zelda looked down, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze.

“It’s how my people see me.”

“I wouldn’t count on that.”

She looked up at him, a question on her lips, before he cleared his throat. “I think breakfast should be ready by now. Let’s go eat.”

An moment later, Zelda was seated at the table for breakfast, which gave Link an opportunity to help her settle into her new home and give her a brief explanation of what would be expected of her as a Warden’s wife. As a Mother of the Zonai she would be expected to handle domestic affairs. This included holding audiences and coordinating joint efforts between regions among other housekeeping tasks, handling the finances and presiding over festivals and rituals and whatnot. The Dragonlands were the political center of the Zonai, and marrying its Warden meant that she had an additional responsibility of leading an organization based on the Temple Mesa.

“Wait a moment,” Zelda held up a hand, “You mean to tell me the Hands of Hylia is a Zonai organization?”

The Hands of Hylia was a renowned charity that gathered resources from across Hyrule to redistribute them when needed. Their quick response to epidemics, famines, and other such disasters quickly earned them the reputation of the kingdom’s greatest first responders. Her uncle had poured a generous amount of money to the administration, if only to claim a portion of the glory and saving the castle embarrassment for it’s slow response time. 

“I don’t understand. What’s the point in helping a nation that looks down on you so?”

Link leaned back, considering before putting his thoughts to words.

“You know the Sheikah once served the Hyrulean royal family,”

“I did,” Zelda nodded, “Because of Hylia’s blood.”

“Yes, but that’s not all. The Sheikah value knowledge, and so they served Hylia’s daughters, paragons of wisdom before they were usurped by their fathers.”

“What does this have to do with the Zonai?”

“Because the Zonai follow the Hero. At least, we follow his example.”

“I’m sorry, what ‘Hero’?”

Link gave her a quizzical look, “The Hero, the one in all of the stories.”

Zelda shook her head, drawing a blank.

“You really don’t know? No one told you? What about the history books?”

“My uncle had all the history books burned shortly after he took the throne,” Zelda said, in a trance, “Anything that referenced Hyrule’s matrilineal line was disposed of.”

Link cursed before getting up and taking her hand, pulling Zelda as he walked to the same alcove they materialized in the night before. He pressed a button, and they were gone in a flash of light,

Zelda expected her feet to form on top of the sandy beach, not the stone worn smooth by eons pressing against her skin like a well trodden path. Her gasp echoed over towering walls etched with a procession of men and women making their way towards the biggest statue of Hylia she had ever seen.

Zelda felt all at once so small yet nostalgic in a way that drove her forward, paying no thought to her bare feet and the casual slip hanging from her shoulders. 

She had a place here, and she felt secure in this undeniable, instinctive sense of unity that swelled in her chest and seeped into her bones.

“What is this place?” she whispered.

“They call the Temple of Time the birthplace of Hyrule, but this,” Link gestured to the massive statue “Is where your bloodline began, when the Goddess Hylia came down to earth and brought her light to the land.”

Zelda walked with him as he led her over the uneven stone, wrapping her arms around his right. After years of precious little physical touch, going to be with her husband had been the release of a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, and found herself gravitating towards Link, who seemed more than receptive to her advances, holding her hand tightly in his while they walked upon the stone. They walked in revered silence until they finally reached the statue. Link took her hand and pressed it against the smooth folds of the Goddess’ robe. 

A gasp fell from her lips, there was a hum that resonated in her chest, causing her heart to flutter. Link’s skin burned against hers, and she felt this surge of affection for him that felt much older than their marriage. 

“Hylia’s line has survived for thousands, if not millions of years, surviving famine, disease, and several wars. Do you really think it can be extinguished so easily?”

Zelda shook her head.

“No.”

“Then we agreed,” he said, hooking an arm around her and bringing his slate around, “Now let’s go home.

Zelda had been sitting at her new desk when her translator began to chime. She glanced at her slate to see who it was.

Owlan (Resting Father of the Dragonlands)

“Owlan?” she said when the call connected. Was there anyone in Hyrule that wasn’t a Zonai in disguise?

“Hello Mother Zelda. I thought I’d see how you were settling in, and I wanted to say that you can call me anytime if you need some pointers for your new position. I was in your shoes quite some time ago.”

“Thank you, that means a lot,” she said, before clearing her throat, “How are things in the castle?”

“As you likely expected, Prince Nohansen wasted no time in commanding your old room to be refurbished for his occupancy.”

“What was wrong with his old one?” she asked. Owlan chuckled.

“It wasn’t yours, of course,” was his snide reply, “You should know the Commissioner returned from his sabbatical, he kicked up quite a fuss when he heard of your nuptials.”

“Really?” there was no love lost between Zelda and the Commissioner. Her uncle’s right hand man was adamant that she spend her days in the castle’s shadow rather than lend her talents to worthier pursuits. “You’d think he’d be glad to get rid of me.”

Owlan hummed thoughtfully, “I’m concerned he may know more about the Zonai than he’s letting on.”

“I could say the same of you,” Zelda quipped, she got a chuckle for her efforts.

“Fair enough. How are you adjusting to your new position?”

“I’m still a bit overwhelmed, but well enough considering the Zonai’s true nature,” she admitted, dragging her finger over her desk’s surface. A list of ingredients she’d ordered scrolled at her touch. Zelda had made her order hours ago, but still fiddled with the giant screen. The novelty of it all hadn’t quite worn off yet. “I must admit, the bath was divine. I’ve never seen such a lovely room.”

“I wouldn’t know, so I’ll take your word for it.”

That gave Zelda pause.

“But weren’t you Father of the Dragonlands?”

“The requirement for being a Zonai Caretaker is a family tie with the region’s Warden, what kind doesn’t really matter. It could be a parent and child, cousins, even best friends, if they sign an oath to one another. I’ve never had much interest in romantic relationships myself, but I was more than willing to support my sister as she watched over the land. In fact, I think you’re actually the first Mother who married in for quite some time.”

“Is that right?” Zelda asked. It seemed the older her marriage grew, the stranger it became. And then, before her eyes, strings of light condensed in front of her. 

“What is it?” Owlan asked when he heard her gasp. Zelda shook her head.

“Just more Zonai wonders I have to get used to.”

Owlan blew out a laugh, “I can imagine. I’ll let you get back to the intricacies of Zonai culture. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. I’m at your service, Mother of the Dragonlands.”

The call disconnected. Zelda shook her head ruefully, looking at the piles of fruit and herbs within her reach. With a swipe of her hand, the recipe for the Zonai body paint was on screen. She reached for the nearest Armoranth. 

It was time she got to work.