#trixie why would you say this?

[barbiebiddie]

???

[disinhume]

Ohhhhh honey, is that too faaaaar?

[unhhhhbelievable]

And can I be honest? I am annoying.

No, you're- no, you're not.

[d3l3t3d-deactivated]

always a little taken aback when i tell strangers that i do drag, and then they wildly overestimate how famous i am. told my optometrist i was going to be in a taylor swift themed show next weekend and she asked me if taylor swift was going to be there

[asifyoudidntknow]

All Time Favs

I began reading fanfic in my teens during the original run of the show. There were lonnng breaks from it, but coming back to the fandom in 2017 reignited my interest. I now keep a spreadsheet as well as a "to read" list. I already have almost 600 logged (not including 5 years), so I wanted to share my top favorites. Divided into my 4 favorite genres (AU, casefic, angst + romance, and smut + romance) and in no particular order...

*Alternate Universe*

I used to wonder why someone would choose to read AU. Then I read one of these and was completely blown away.

Katherine of Ireland by Jenna Tooms (gossamer)

Katherine, princess of Ireland is married to Walter, king of Angora. When Walter is killed during battle, Katherine is taken by the enemy, FitzJames. William is FitzJames right hand. When FitzJames orders her to be beaten (even after discovering her pregnancy) William devises a plan to save her, heal her and get her back to Ireland. Will William always be seen as the enemy or will Katherine come to see him for who he truly is?

By the dim and flaring lamps by @sunflowerseedsandscience (ao3)

Civil war AU’s are my jam and this was one of the first ones I read.  When Mulder discovers (disguised boy) Scully bathing in a waterfall by darkness and realizes what he is dealing with will remain etched in my brain forever.

In darkness by DKSculder (ao3)

What if Scully was married to Daniel?  What if Daniel was a serial killer?  What if Mulder was a VCU agent still?   This is an unfinished work, but the idea is unlike any other I’ve come across.

Blinded by the white light by DashaK (ao3)

Need I say more?  When Mulder and Scully find each other after colonization, will they remember each other and will they act on it?

The second side of light by @scapegrace74-blog (ao3)

Oregon Trail.  Mulder is leading scully and Melissa across the trail when Melissa dies.  They end up getting very close to one another on the journey.

Paracelsus by profuckslove (ao3)

Another amazing civil war AU.  When Mulder goes looking for his lost son and comes across a pregnant scully what will happen to them?

Hiareth by profuckslove (gossamer)

Wales 1215.  Scully escapes the king by marrying Mulder, the prince of wales.  Marriage leads to love and fighting off dangerous men.

Paracosm by @softnow (ao3)

This is an unfinished work.  College AU.  Mulder has a crush on the library girl, will she return his advances?

A companion unobtrusive by @slippinmickeys (ao3)

A college AU where scully is looking for a roommate and Mulder is looking for a room.  Melissa introduces them and the rest is history.

Qui Si by Trixie (gossamer)

After accepting an offer from a gypsy to go back to a life with Samantha in it, Mulder, a child psychologist, helps Scully, a PhD, get over her past.

You he did not fail by extraordinarily_ordinary (ao3)

Scully abruptly leaves TXF after surviving cancer and moves to LA to start anew.  She is dating when Mulder is assigned as a profiler to a case she is working and they have to deal with things left undealt with.

Five years and a lifetime by @monikafilefan (ao3)

Mulder is a Peds psychiatrist. Scully is a Peds neurologist. They meet at a conference and have a one night stand.  What happens when they come to work together 5 years later and Scully is a single mom?

Amish country by lolabeegood (gossamer)

Mulder and Scully go undercover in Amish country trying to catch a serial rapist while navigating very traditional values and roles.

You and me by lolabeegood (gossamer)

Mulder leaves his wealthy parents to serve under Scully’s father in the military.  In order for her to stay safe, fed, and clothed she needs to marry.

The mountain man by aka Jake (gossamer)

Scully is sent from nyc (where she was becoming a doctor) to Montana at her father’s wishes.  He wants her to marry a lieutenant under his command and not practice medicine, but she becomes intrigued with a local mountain man.

The countess/the earl by @slippinmickeys (ao3)

When scully is to be married to an old duke in order to save her family from financial ruin, a strange, alluring earl steps in to save her.

*Case*

There is nothing quite like a casefic. It's classic x-files and I am here for it. Writers in this fandom are so talented with their abilities to create a fic that rivals/trumps actual episodes.

Perchitor by @aloysiavirgata (ao3)

A little girl goes missing in the mountains with the superstition of Jenny Greenteeth to blame.  Mulder and Scully investigate while navigating a new physical relationship.

Omens by @lepus-arcticus (ao3)

I read this one as a WIP and was anxiously checking for an update every night.  There were several lines in this fic that made me gasp.  Cancer arc angst. Give me it alllll.

XII by fragilevixen (ao3)

A killer that romanticizes every victim.  His next target?  Guess who.  *coughSCULLYcough*

Hearts desire by malibusunset (ao3)

While in a small town scully runs into an old BF and starts wondering why she doesn’t prioritize her dating.  She decides to go for it.  The author makes me like Scully’s old flame.  That says something.  When the MSR convo finally does come, I thought I’d die from the slow burn.

Resurgam by opheila_interrupted (ao3)

One of the most xfiles like cases I have ever read.  Remains unsolved at the end and has our agents investigating ghosts near Mulder’s hometown while dealing with their own (Emily & Teena).

Universal invariants/laws of motion by @syntax6

Scully is engaged to Ethan throughout the first season while her and Mulder’s relationship is deepening and then consummated right before she is abducted.  How do two guys in love handle Scully’s abduction and what happens when she is returned?  

All the way home/head over heels by @syntax6

Mulder is pulled into a past unsolved VCU case of a killer with a shoe fetish while navigating a new physical relationship with scully.  When scully is targeted, Mulder has to gamble with his personal feelings while working to find the killer.

Queens gambit by Suzanne Schramm (gossamer)

Under Kersh, Mulder and Scully are assigned to a VCU case Mulder worked in Utah in 89’.  The killer was put to death and then revenge began.  Local mines and children involved.

*angst + romance*

This is my crux. Angst in any way, shape, or form. Add in some slow burn/ust and finally the rst *chefs kiss* particularly fond of Ethan fics and cancer arc.

Contact high by penumbra (gossamer)

Still feeling the residual effects of the spores post field trip, our agents try out Mulder’s new waterbed.

Early on by @sunflowerseedsandscience (ao3)

10 vignettes set during season 1.  Our baby agents are becoming close, but Ethan is still around.  How does scully navigate her relationship with Ethan while working with Mulder?

Center Mass by @kateyes224 (ao3)

Another Ethan fic set in season 1.  Mulder and Scully make an effort to get to know one another… in more ways than one.  And when Mulder gets aroused at Scully’s marksmanship it’s all over for me. 

One blue line by sarie_fairy (ao3)

IVF arc.  Scully is defeated by a negative pregnancy test.  When Mulder tries to comfort her, she suggests having sex.  I just remember wondering if I was reading or actually doing the act myself considering how detailed it was.

Salt by anjou (gossamer)

I remember reading this and being like WTF is happening to only have it all make sense at the end leaving me speechless.

Triptych by @iconicscullyoutfits (ao3)

My favorite FTF, post bee, how the f*ck did they get out of anarctica fic.

Snowbound by malibusunset (gossamer)

After missing their flight and being snowed in their rental on the side of the road, discussions lead to their relationship.  Once they’re recused they are put up in an inn with 1 room.  Dun, dun, dunnnn.

The ache by @storybycorey (ao3)

1999 Mulder has a visit with 2015 Mulder to urge him to get help with his depression and not lose scully.

Love bites by living_underground (ao3)

A review of vampirism cases throughout the years.  Hickeys from Ed.  Love bites from Mulder.

Goshen by bonetree (ao3)

Mulder and Scully are in a car accident where their car can’t be seen.  Major injuries lead to near death experiences and visions of Emily.

All that our senses can perceive by wonderland (ao3)

Mulder’s POV looking over Scully’s transformation from girl to woman and how all of his senses perceive her.

Caught in the Act I by parrotfish (gossamer)

Although the whole series is amazing, the first part is my favorite.  I love when scully lays into the review panel about being sexist.

The things she carries by @edierone (ao3)

One of my favorite cancer arc fics.  When Mulder confronts Scully 3 years later on the porch I literally stopped breathing.

Red valerian series by dashakay (ao3)

Scully looks to skinner for comfort during a grueling case, starting a 6 month affair.  Will scully ever love him or will the buried truth prevail?

Sex and Loathing by malibusunset (ao3)

Scully takes a drunk Mulder home after Roche.  He makes a move and they have terrible sex.  After 2 years of poking at each other they face things head on after Mulder almost dies in PBV.

Snakebitten by @onpaperfirst (ao3)

Set throughout season 5.  My favorite season. Say no more.

Five years and one night by Shalimar (gossamer)

When Scully transfers to LA and Mulder finds more babies like Emily, can they work together again to get to the bottom of this conspiracy?

The letter by Shalimar (gossamer)

Post TFWID, scully goes searching for more clues to her and Mulder’s past lives when she comes across a letter in a local Apison museum she sent to Mulder.

*smut + romance*

It's hard to have just smut when it comes to MSR, am I right? these two idiots are so in love that my smut category must also be romantic.

Undercover swing by 2momsmakearight (ao3)

What if Mulder and Scully go undercover as a married couple interested in swinging?  Can they both keep their jealously in check?  

Be kind, rewind by OnlyTheInevitable (ao3)

To help catch a suspect, skinner requests our agents watch porn together.  While watching, conversation leads to critiques about the performance and comments about personal preferences.

Girl 77 by mojo

A stripper is found dead with Mulder’s card on her.  She looks exactly like Scully.  Scully notices and confronts Mulder about it.

Dropped call series by @phillippadgettwrites (ao3)

Phone sex, but make it “not them”

December 31, 1984 by @phillippadgettwrites (ao3)

When Mulder saves an unimpressed scully from some jerk on NYE, they end up at her apartment having a one night stand.

Damsels by @sisterspooky1013 (ao3)

Scully is sent undercover as a stripper to find a missing woman.  Mulder is kept in the dark regarding her case, but pieces together where she is and what she’s doing and sets out to find her.

The Shirt by Audrey Roget (gossamer)

Skinner reconciles with Sharon leading to a vow renewal celebration. Skinner asks mulder and Scully to stand with him as his best agents. After slow dancing together, mulder bolts out of the celebration before scully catches the bridal bouquet and he crosses a line. When they end up in an accident while driving in a storm, things come to a head in an Elvis inspired motel suite out in the middle of nowhere PA.

[sailorblossoms]

Baz's raised eyebrow:

(yet another "Simon identifies as 'Baz-sexual' for very good reasons' post)

few things have annoyed me more with these books than when people do not take Simon's "I don't know anything about anything but maybe I'm just a Baz-sexual" comments seriously (dismissing it with a combination of not paying attention to what he's putting down and good old confirmation bias). He even says it in less "goofy" ways with lines such as "he's the only person I have ever wanted" (in the context of thinking about having sex) (note the emphasis on ever) (yes, it's one of the clues saying he didn't want to have it with Agatha, in case it's not clear)

"Like Baz has only ever wanted Simon, Simon has only ever wanted Baz," is necessary to bring up before I get to my point here. I have seen Simon being read as in love or attracted to Agatha ("he must have been or else how they had sex?"... I mean, Simon tells you why it happened without attraction, but even if he didn't, we could make an alphabetized list of reasons it can happen without it, the desire to fit in is no joke) or the idea of Simon liking all sorts of girls, including the girl he pointedly doesn't notice despite her being obvious to others, for the sake of drama and conflict. I have wondered if they don't believe the characters, or if they find the highlighted sentence here boring. "It's boring if the characters only want each other," "in real life people want multiple people" – indeed, but not everyone is wired the same (and why are we stuck on "real life" so much anyway in stories about half-dragon and vampire boys falling in love). But it's not like this sentence is without conflict. Note Baz's eyebrow...

In CO, when Simon says Trixie is cute, Baz's reaction is a boyish "I'm going to puke" comment, which is likely part of how he dealt with jealousy and thinking Simon was straight for years: masking his feelings with "harsh" or sort of "edgy" jokes (probably not the right words to use, but getting too hung up on precise wording is the reason I never finish these posts). In awtwb, Simon calls Pippa cute, and Baz raises an eyebrow...

By those reactions, we could say the idea of Simon calling someone cute because he finds them attractive crosses Baz's mind – or is something he feels in some way, even if the thought doesn't explicitly cross his mind. It's something the reader might assume as well... however, I don't think the way Simon uses cute – which can be used in many different situations – says anything about attraction for him. I mean, a gay man can see a girl being cute or gorgeous as well – Baz certainly does! (attraction is portrayed in these books as thoughts derailed, repetition, sentences being cut off, fixating in a detail no one else notices like they do – you see it with Baz and Simon, Agatha and Niamh, Shepard and Penny. Shep doesn't just call Penny cute – he loses his entire goddamn mind for a whole page about her cuteness and her knees. It's not just a passing comment).

I don't think those scenes when Simon says "cute" is highlighting something about him, other than the fact that he's able to note cuteness. I think it's saying more about Baz's insecurities (I know I once posted something long about it somewhere...) Baz brings attention to it in a way with his reactions... because he's bothered by it. It's something that's sort of hidden and sort of contained, but it's there.

Baz doesn't find himself desirable, partly because of his vampiric nature. But part of it is also about the complicated and messy fear that perhaps... Simon has a problem with being with a man (I know I have unpacked this in other posts, finding them though...). Perhaps "a girl would be better" (It's messier with boys than with girls, it's a thought that comes out before he catches himself with "I don't actually know anything about being with boys or girls".... "I don't know anything about being in a relationship," he says, while still being able to catch there was something wrong with Agatha and Simon's relationship when Simon talks about – because Simon will process things he would rather avoid when it's about opening up to Baz, he wants Baz to know things that would help Baz understand him better, even if he himself would rather not understand... still Baz can't let go of the programming of all those years believing in the golden couple – he has spent a longer time believing that than dating Simon, after all) (Agatha is alive and beautiful, the sort of beauty that's used to "embody" "desirability".... and Baz is "not alive"...) (as a side note, have you noticed the idea – or the actual action – of sex with Agatha is used both with Simon and Baz to indicate a lack of desire toward women?)...

While Simon thinks of Baz as the only person he has ever wanted – Baz is as desirable as it gets for him – Baz struggles with feeling desirable at all. Baz doubts and wonders and has to catch himself – even if he doesn't notice he's doing that. Even if he doesn't conciously think "a beautiful girl who is alive is more preferable than me, a gay male vampire." That is a far more interesting conflict than Baz having legit reasons to be jealous, I think. The fact that he has truly nothing to feel jealous about, and yet... he just can’t help it. It's hard to go against years of programming, of going against the idea that everything about yourself is undesirable and it's better to hide it – another way he matches with Simon. They also match in their insecurities, with small differences: Baz is so amazing and attractive while Simon doesn't feel like he's good enough for him, he can do better than him, etc... while Baz clearly only has eyes for Simon, Simon feels like Baz is merely stuck with him. And the conflict here is that you think "they need to TALK and voice their thoughts for the love of god, what do you mean Baz doesn't know Simon sees him as the love of all his lives??"... talking is not enough. That Simon and Baz only have eyes for each other is not without conflict. Sometimes we need to keep hearing some things, and even then... the fears and insecurities don't go away. Especially when we have spent a really long time believing ourselves to be unwanted, undesirable, something to be hidden. When we have been exposed to things that confirmed those beliefs for longer than we have been exposed to things that challenge them

[ateriblewriter]

A Sign (q.h)

Family is Everything

Series Masterlist

Requests

requested ✅

Enjoy!

Tonight felt different. The whole day felt off. Quinn left earlier than normal, leaving you to deal with a very upset little girl who never got to say goodbye to her daddy. In order to get Hattie settled down you promised to bring her to the game with you that night. And because you couldn’t find a babysitter for baby Beck, you had to bring him too, this was quickly becoming a family affair. On top of that, you wore the wrong shoes and stepped in a puddle and then the check engine light came on in the car. This night could only get better from here. After all, it was a hockey night.

At the game everything seemed to get better. There were no major meltdowns for either child. That odd feeling you had earlier almost completely dissipated, when you felt the little tug on the sleeve, making your eyes snap forward to focus on the game again.

You didn’t see what initially happened to get everyone in your area standing, gasping and cheering for the ensuing battle. You had seen the majority of the game, your main focus on your two babies. So it was a bit of a surprise when you looked up and saw a sea of blue jerseys going on the attack, fists were flying and a brawl was breaking out.

“Mommy, where’s daddy?” You could hear the anxiety in your child’s voice. It always scared her when someone went down, especially if it was one of her uncles or her father. You watched as the trainer was brought over to the player in a blue jersey who was still in obvious pain on the ice.

“Hattie, daddy’s.” You have a dark feeling starting to form in your stomach, your eyes dancing around trying to spot the familiar number 43 on the ice. It was  becoming very evident that he was nowhere to be seen, except for. Oh no.

You could hear your oldest rattling off a million and one questions about the scrum and the player that you were one hundred percent was Quinn. Not feeling bad for one second you drown out the child’s questions.

“He’s not getting up. Why isn’t he getting up.” You whispered hoping no one would hear your trembling voice. Quinn was still sprawled out on the ice. There wasn’t anything you could do about it. Why wasn’t he getting up? He always got up. A dark cloud of what ifs started circling inside your mind.

“Mama?” The scared little voice of your crying daughter brought you out of the trance you were in. Hattie was an empath and could pick up those kids of negative feelings. You quickly bottled your own emotions, to keep her calm.

“Look Trixie girl. Daddy’s okay.” The two of you watched Quinn get up with help and make his way down the tunnel. Before he completely disappeared looked up at you, gave you a slight nod and tugged on his left ear twice, a gesture whose meaning was only known to your little family. You let out the breath you didn’t know you were holding. He was going to be fine., but it was clear that he wasn’t going to going back into the game.

Towards the end of the game, you got a message from your husband telling you he was still getting checked out and it would be a while and that you just take the kids home.

“Daddy!” Hattie jumped her father as soon as he entered the door to the modest home you lived in. It was late and although her nerves were soothed after Quinn indicated he was okay, the small child refused to go to bed until she had a chance to inspect Quinn for herself.

“What’s the damage? You were down for awhile.” You finally got your husband to yourself once he laid Hattie down for bed.

“I was only down for a few minutes. Nothing major.” He tried to down play the unexpected hit. He just wanted to relax and not talk.

“Quinn.”

“Y/N, darling, my love I’m okay. Just a couple of bumps and bruises. They want me out for a couple of games.” Quinn shrugged wrapping himself around you, wincing as he did so. He would deal with his issues another day.

Please let me know what y’all think! Any thoughts, comments, or complaints! Also if you have any requests for the this little family, request away. I haven’t introduced the third child yet.

[caram3ll0tr1x]

Eager?~

Douma x male!reader Smut/18+ Anal+Deepthroating I can't write male y/n quite as well and I apologize for that. This was written a bit hastily for a friend, so, again, sorry. -Trixie🌸

"Come here," he whispered, beckoning you closer. "Sit down." Douma patted his lap and then waited as you clambered on. He wrapped his arms around you, whispering into your ear, "do you know what I want?"

You'd done this many times before. And you knew, yes, you knew what he wanted. You wanted it just as much as he did. So you nodded slightly, unsure if you were allowed to talk.

"Good," he muttered, tugging on your clothes. He pulled the collar of your shirt down to expose your neck. Gently, at first, he bit down. It was barely a prick but you flinched, though he'd done this time and time before. He slowly suckled on your neck, teasing you. His hands wandered over your body, letting them hover over your crotch for a minute before he went back up, sliding his cold fingers into your shirt once more. They ripped the seams of it apart until your chest was exposed. Your back was to him and he turned you to face him. He studied you carefully, smirking easily as he noticed, with satisfaction, that you were flushed. "Do you like that?" he whispered.

You nodded again, though he knew the answer already. He just wanted you to admit it. "Say it out loud.. Do you like it?" Douma said quietly. 

"Yes.. I.. I do," you whispered back, afraid to ruin the mood if you spoke loudly. 

His smiled curled and he went back down to your neck, his fingers lightly running over your chest, your collarbone, your arms. They roamed up and down your back carefully as his mouth left hickeys all over your neck, gentle at first, but growing harsher and harsher. Blood dripped from your neck as his teeth penetrated your skin. You tried not to wince, but he noticed and pulled away. "Does it hurt? Do you want me to stop?" he said, raising an eyebrow in mock worry.

You shook your head slowly and he smiled. "Good." Then, in a painfully slow way, he undressed you, pausing to admire every curve and line in your body before he picked you up and sat you comfortably on his lap. He lifted your chin up and you met his gaze. His eyes flickered over your face and he leaned in to kiss you. Your arms wrapped around his neck and his around you body as the kiss deepened. You could feel his cold touch on your back as his hands made their way down. He pulled away from you and said, "how far?"

How far would you like to go. He always asked that, and never actually paid mind to your answer. "As far as you would like, Master," you were to say. And you did, because if you didn't, he might break you beyond repair. Beyond what even a demon might be able to hold.

He nodded and you stood up obediently, as you always did. He slowly unbuckled his belt, watching your eyes track his movements. He pulled off his clothes until he stood in nothing. He didn't move at first, always loving the way your eyes took in his whole body. He was already erect, which was why he'd called you over. Often you wondered what caused this. Douma moved quickly, suddenly, pushing you against the closest wall and sticking his fingers into your mouth. In a low, husky voice, he told you to suck. Though his fingernails were long, they didn't once scratch or injure you as his fingers moved methodically inside your mouth, collecting saliva. He pulled them out after a minute and watched the sticky liquid drip from his fingers. Then he wrapped his hand around his cock, pleasuring himself until it was fully coated. He smiled at you as your gaze dropped with his hand. "Mmhm, eager today, no?" he hummed.

You said nothing, standing against the wall still, waiting, watching. Douma breathed a soft breeze of cold air onto you, making you shiver. He bent down poking chest then smiled. "Let's start here, no?" 

You nodded. Douma's mouth clamped over your nipples, sucking softly until he felt the buds harden. He looked up at you, noticing your hand covered your mouth. He took your arm and pinned it behind your back. "Let me hear you, my love. Let me hear those beautiful sounds~" 

Nodding again, you let your throat relax as he continued. Rather suddenly, he bit your neck again, causing you to squeal in surprise. He laughed collecting the little blood that had come from the puncture and licking it. "Hmm, sweet.." He looked straightened up then looked down at you with an almost menacing gaze, almost laughing as you shrank down. He picked you up and placed you on his hip as if you were a child. Then he said, in a falsely sweet tone, "how about we wait for a little bit~?" knowing full well you didn't want to.

You started to shake your head, defiant. He raised an eyebrow. "No? And why do you say no? You want to disobey me?"

You jolted as his hand holding your waist tightened. You could feel his cock so harshly pressing against your leg. You knew he wanted this merely to watch you struggle, and you didn't want to struggle. You wanted this now. Now!! But.. but he would make it worse if you disagreed, so you didn't, and just shook your head, sighing, dejected.

"Good," he whispered. Your eyes dropped down as he took you to the bed, letting you fall down onto it before laying next to you. He placed you on his lap, your legs on either side of his erection, and he got a book. He started reading it and you waited, annoyed. You were extremely aroused with all his teasing and you wanted him to continue, but you knew he wouldn't until you were on your knees begging. Except maybe this time he'll get too anxious to start and he'll be begging for you! Of course, if you could last that long. But you would. Yes, you will.

And so it went on. For an hour he read then switch to writing something down. You sat on his lap, shifting, eyeing his cock. Douma seemed to be paying no mind to you, however, which made you agitated. But you had to be paitent until he go impaitent. Except it seemed like he wouldn't ever when the second hour went. And by the third you were shifting so much, Douma looked up and said, "is anything wrong?" There was a smirk playing under his mock worry and he shifted slightly, his hand brushing over your own erection. You tensed but shook your head, wanting to last longer than he did. 

But unfortunately it went as he had planned. Again. You found yourself unable to contain yourself and you turned abruptly on his lap and opened your mouth to speak. He put his hand up and said, "If you want to speak, it must only be of one thing. And you know what I mean."

You sighed, annoyed. Nodding, you mumbled, "C-can we please start now..? I.. I want to.."

He smirked. "Dear, your master can't hear you.. Speak louder," Douma teased.

You groaned quietly but complied. "Can we start now?" you pleaded, your tone quite obviously desperate. 

"Start what~?" he asked.

"Start.. you know what I mean..!" you huffed, crossing your arms.

"Hm.. do I?" he asked, bringing his hand to your cock and stroking it lightly, putting you on edge. 

"Please!!" you whimpered.

He laughed and gave in. "Alright then, you did say please~!" He shifted on the bed and nuzzled you. "Where should we start~?"

He didn't even 'start.' No, instead he went straight into it. He grabbed your by your hair and pushed your head down, making sure your mouth was securely around his erection. He made you deepthroat him, no matter how much he caught you by surprise, and every time you always choked, his cold hands roaming your body as he let out satisfied moans of pleasure.

Eventually you could hardly breathe as he pushed your head further down and he made to pull out, then bucked his hips forward. You spluttered as he continued, urging you to make him cum. It took quite a while and you felt you might pass out but he came eventually and you pulled yourself up heavily, swallowing the sticky liquid the best you could. He went over to you and pinned you down, kissing your jaw, your neck, your lips. He wasn't going to be gentle. No, not anymore.

He pinned your hands over your head then used his other hand to line up his cock to your asshole, waiting for a short second before pushing inside, not an ounce of pity for your small body. Your screams of pain were muffled by his hand and you bit your lip to stop the tears running down your cheeks.

"Was I too harsh on you~?" he said, his voice mocking. He knew he was, but he loved to see you like this.

You said nothing, waiting for him to continue. And he did, continuing to pump inside you, though never going fully in. After all you were still human. Your back arched as the pain slowly morphed to pleasure and the movement of his hips was quick to speed up. You whimpered as he decided to push himself fully in, and you could feel yourself growing close to release. Douma's lip curled into a tight smile as he heard you speak your want to cum. "Already~? If you're going to release so soon perhaps I'm not good enough for you?" he asked, moving faster.

You shook your head. No, it was quite the opposite. But you were in no state to object and you said nothing. He smirked. "Perhaps we should go a few rounds more if you're already 'done.'"

His movement grew faster and your moans grew louder with them. Then, panting, and sweaty, you came all over yourself and him. Your body relaxed for only yet a second but then tensed again when Douma didn't stop, only going even harsher than before. 

"Don't sleep yet, we still have a long way to go, darling~" he whispered, his voice carrying over the dirty sounds filling the bedroom. "You better pray for yourself."

[best--dress]

WIP Wednesday

Thank you for tagging me today, @monbons!

I'm still scribbling away on my COBB fic. Last night I spent a few hours updating my playlist and figuring out which scenes I still need to write for chapter 2. Bouncing back and forth between "this is so good" and "literally no one except me wants to read this." Oh, and I squeezed in another Twilight joke.

Tags and a potentially intriguing bit of Penny and Simon under the cut:

“So you and Agatha are…?” I look up from my plate of scones. Penny is peering at me through her cat-eye glasses. She looks a bit like she wishes she hadn’t said anything. “Friends, I reckon,” I say. I pick up a scone. “You’re not – I mean, you’re not – You would’ve told me first – right?” “Pen, I have no idea what you’re on about.” “You’re not – dating?” “Christ! No! What gave you that idea?” “Oh. Well. I didn’t think so.” “Why would you even think that, Penelope?” “Well, Trixie – I know, I know, Si – but Trixie just told me that Philippa Stainton said something to her – and isn’t she Agatha’s roommate? So, I didn’t think – but then, what if Agatha’s roommate knew something I didn’t?” “There’s nothing to know…” “Well, and thank goodness. You and Agatha have no chemistry.” I whack her on the arm and she cracks up.

love ya @mooncello, @iamamythologicalcreature, @facewithoutheart, @thewholelemon, @ileadacharmedlife, @martsonmars, @youarenevertooold, @rimeswithpurple, @that-disabled-princess, @aristocratic-otter, @alexalexinii, @cutestkilla, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @artsyunderstudy, @onepintobean, @emeryhall, @arthurkko, @ivelovedhimthroughworse

[savannahrose223]

Chapter : prologue

For the spooky bitches who always thought Jeon Jungkook was swinging a horse cock and would fuck like a demon. He knows you can be a good girl and a dirty slut at the same time.

Pain in the body quiets pain in the mind.

                 — PENELOPE DOUGLAS, KILLSWITCH

JUNGKOOK

They say the system fails everyone in one way or another. Everyone is traumatized by people as they grow up. It’s a part of life, of being human. It’s something older generations were more accepting of and my generation is intolerant to.

Everyone makes mistakes, even when those mistakes leave them dripping in the blood of others. Blood isn’t too bad though. I’m drawn to it in an unexplainable way. The crimson hue grows in my vision with each passing day.

There’s something inside me that I can’t identify, but every second, it grows.

I pass the mountains of trash bags in the hall and force myself to breathe through the scent of rotting food before making it to one of the only clean rooms in the house.

As soon as I step inside, I tear open the zipper of my backpack–barely held together by the seams–and pull out the air freshener refill I stole from the store on my walk home.

Mom would be so disappointed, but she’s dead so she can’t say much. It’s not like Seomi is going to put out the money to make this room more bearable for our guest. She stands up in the little gated pen she spends her days in and giggles when she sees me.

Bellatrix Routh Child. My only guess is that her parents are huge Harry Potter fans and decided to take one of those weird names and give it to their only daughter. I call her Trixie though.

Seomi is an extended-stay babysitter, but Trixie is the only one who stays for more than a few days at a time. Seomi only has one rule for the parents. They aren’t allowed in the house for obvious reasons.

It’s insane that people actually trust her to take care of their kids. Mom never would’ve left me with Seomi if she hadn’t died in that plane crash seven years ago.

Seomi, the legal guardian in question, is my much older step-sister. Rodney, Seomi’s dad, and Mom married shortly after I was born and I was told the only condition was that Seomi never be left alone with me.

I didn’t understand why, but I do now. Seomi is in her late twenties and she’s always on something and in a foul mood.

“Hey, Trixie,” I say as I plug in the air freshener before dropping my backpack. She claps her hands with joy before flashing a toothy grin my way.

I try to remind myself that babies are like dogs. They love you as long as you’re the one feeding them. However, every time I try to keep that in perspective–that Trixie doesn’t actually care that it’s me who came into the living room–it feels wrong.

She doesn’t smile like that for her parents when they pick her up once every couple weeks for a few days.

I do everything for Trixie even though it’s Seomi who is supposed to be taking care of her. If I left it up to my evil step-sister to tend to Trixie, she would starve and live in her own feces.

Trixie is a well behaved little girl. Before I leave for school, I give her breakfast, leave her with three cups of water, change her clothes, and empty her potty chair.

I leave school during lunch time to do the same things as I did in the morning except for changing her clothes. When I get home, it’s another repeat, except I tend to bring her with me to my room while I do homework or whatever else Seomi makes me do.

That’s usually only when we leave the house though. Good thing Seomi brought Mom’s bike here when she died. It’s one of those bikes with a little playpen attached to the back so I can take Trixie with me.

I don’t feel right leaving her here with Seomi. She doesn’t do anything and, when she does, it’s not good.

“Jungkook!” Seomi calls from across the house as I rub my stomach, feeling the ache of the bruises along the muscles. “Are you home?”

I grimace before reaching into the pen and I lift up Trixie who quickly hugs me. “Kook kook!” Her arms tighten around my neck and I get the sense that this little girl wants to protect me from the monster in the next room.

No one else sees it, but she does because she’s here all the time. She clings to me and gets so upset when her parents come for her. In some way, she knows that when she leaves, I’m alone with pure evil.

I should be counting down the days until I can leave, but I’m not. Leaving means abandoning Trixie and I don’t want to do that. I could tell her parents the truth, but they won’t care.

No one does as long as evil puts on a mask and pretends to be something it isn’t. A person can be kind, but people are too wrapped up in themselves to see someone crying out for help. I’ve been crying for years, but everyone ignores it. As long as Trixie is taken care of, I don’t mind taking the abuse.

At least, that’s what I tell myself.

“Are you hungry?” I ask before I set her on the floor outside her pen and squat down. Seomi doesn’t like it, but I keep all of Trixie’s snacks in here, so her friends don’t eat them all.

I can only steal so much with my backpack and I can’t steal from the same places or they might notice a pattern.

Trixie sits on her knees and claps as I open the cabinet doors in the entertainment center and pull out a box of graham crackers. Flipping open the top, I pull out two sheets before handing them to her.

Trixie shoves one in her mouth before she extends the other out to me, pleading in her doe eyes. She wants me to eat, too. I’ll eat later. This is her food.

“That’s yours,” I say, but she shakes her head and thrusts the graham cracker sheet at me again, adamantly.

I sigh in defeat before I take a small bite off the end. She mimics the move as if to say keep going. My stomach rumbles in agreement with her so I follow her unspoken request until the cracker is completely gone.

“Thank you,” I whisper to her before I press a kiss to her cheek. Then, she shoves an entire graham cracker in her mouth, but it's too big. Half of it falls out of her lips as she chews with a big smile across her face.

“Jungkook,” Seomi chastises as she stumbles into the room, clutching her robe around her body. The way she moves tells me everything I need to know. She’s halfway to passed out on the floor. It’s barely three.

“I was calling your name,” she slurs as she drops onto the sofa, groaning from the lumpy surface.

“I was taking care of Trixie.” I grab her cup from inside the pen and hand it to the toddler as she grins up at me like I’m her favorite person in the world.

“Fucking brat has been making too much noise. I had a migraine all day.” Seomi presses a hand to her forehead with a groan, but I ignore her antics. A headache is no excuse for ignoring Trixie. She’s basically a baby.

She can’t take care of herself.

“I’ll make some food,” I offer before lifting Trixie into my arms.

“You’ll feel better after you eat.” Seomi sends me one of those smiles that tells me she’s thinking of something truly evil.

“Such a good boy.”

I duck my head and carry Trixie to the kitchen. I don’t have very many cooking skills, but I can make due with the basics.

Trixie doesn’t stop clinging to me until we’re away from Seomi and in the kitchen. I place Trixie in her high chair before I get to work on cleaning up the mess Seomi has made today.

Then, I start making food. Once I sit a plate on the kitchen table, I take Trixie and my plate of food up to my room before locking the door.

[firephoenix23]

So I know a lot of the pilots of Disney shows have been going around but someone sent me the pilot of what slugterra was going to be and I thought I would talk about it because it is interesting. First off it’s really short only about 3 minutes but basically it’s Eli or Elias Stone chasing what looks to be Dr. Blakk with Pronto or Pinto as he is called in the short

I want to apologize in advance some of these photos are not the best quality but I did what I had to. First off Slugterra was not originally called that it was called Subterrainea which thank god they changed it that is kind of a mouth full and it was a lot more western than sci-fi western we get later. Like even the blasters look like guns.

But let’s address the elephant in the room, why does Eli looks so ugly in this show 😂😂 and so much younger too. I feel like in the current show they make Eli look younger by making everyone around him look jacked as fuck even though all the younger male models look buff as well. But in this show he literally looks like a middle schooler. And I guess Trixie is like his friend from school who is the only one who knows about his adventures to Subterrainea. We don’t know if she goes with him or not but she at least knows. But thank god they changed Eli’s color scheme to blue, orange, white, and black. He’s a little better to look at than green, red, and pale yellow. I do wonder why all the changes though. I’m going to be wondering that the whole time

Which is the other thing I want to address is that Eli or well ELIAS and BEATRIX go to SCHOOL! We don’t know if Elias is like the protector or just goes down for the lols but we do know that he is trying to juggle this secret double life of going to school like a normal kid but also protecting the secret of Subterrainea like wow NEVER heard that premise for a kid show before 😒

That’s why I’m glad they cut out the surface all together but kept the secret part. I think it makes more of an impact in slugterra especially since it’s like who knows what. Also it just makes more sense. Like what kid would escape the world of slugterra travel 100 miles up just to go to middle school. Like nah fam couldn’t be me. Also I don’t actually know if they are in middle school but come on look at them.

Pinto is literally just Pronto even down to the voice acting. I like that they had the comic relief character down first before the main character. Also funny note did you know that Pronto in canon has a twin brother named Pinto. In ROTE Will Shane says like oh I’ve met you before and Pronto says no you’ve met my identical twin brother Pinto. I just think it’s funny that it’s a little nod to his pilot name

Uh Dr. Blakk kinda looks the same except for the hat and the mecha beast. It didn’t look like he was using ghouls just regular slugs so I’m not sure what Elias is chasing him down for. Elias shows Beatrix that he got a slug from him and then she touches it and the school lights go out which brings in SOOO many questions. Like is the surface electricity powered by slug energy???

I was gonna mention the slugs next but they are relatively the same except design wise. They look a lot more stylized and detailed than in the show which makes sense gotta save money where you can. Be honestly I’m glad they changed them some of them are kinda ugly like the joker looking one.

There are so many other things like why did they change Eli’s last name, why did they give him a white wolf mecha instead of the white horse (probably because it looks cooler not gonna lie), why is Elias Stone so ugly 😂😂 so many questions. But I think it’s just cool what slugterra could have been. It gives me such nostalgia for the late 2000s/early 2010s DisneyXD shows like Randy Cunningham, Kick Buttowski, Max Steel. Like all the EdGy boy cartoons that I somehow ended up watching as a little girl 😅

I mean I just looked and season wise and success wise Slugterra stomps them all. I mean which show has its own Roku channel the one and only Slugterra baby! 😂 But anyway I’m glad they made the changes that they did.

[sun2flower6]

Mending Hearts

Rick Grimes x Platonic!OC

Warnings: None

summary: rick grimes wakes up from a coma and is met with a nurse who stayed to care for him.

In the eerie silence of a hospital ravaged by the zombie apocalypse, Nurse Bellatrix Stokes still clung to her position. Tending to the only patient in her ward, Rick Grimes, the only name she can think of. The deserted corridor echoed as she made her daily rounds, administering fluids, whispering words of hope into the man ear before she's off to have lunch.

As Bellatrix laid in her "room" she began to feel lonely even with the motionless man next door. Constant buzzing of the life support machine started to drive her to the edge of insanity, but she refused to give up on the only person in her life.

The next morning, as Bella changes Rick's I.V., his eyes pop open and faintly whispers 'Family.'

➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰

Bella's heart skipped a beat. Rick Grimes is awake! Though he was disoriented and confused, the only thing he could think about was his family.

"Where am I? Where's my family?" Rick questions, trying to sit up when his eyes landed on Bella. Instantly Bella jumps into action trying to calm him.

"It's okay. You're okay. Just calm down, please!" Bella says. "You were shot on duty and put into a coma. Once your calm, I'll answer any questions you may have and fill you in. Okay?"

"Y-yeah, yeah." Rick stutter out.

Bella went next door to grab clothes for Rick to change into. She stopped for a moment realizing that the man she had been taking care of for months, the only person she had left in this broken world had finally woken up.

"AHHH!" Bellatrix hears coming from down the hall.

"RICK!" Bella yelled, running out of the room down the hall. She finds Rick on the floor in front of the door she marked 'DON'T OPEN, DEAD INSIDE'.

"What is this?" Rick questions. "What's that noise coming from there?"

"Nothing" Bella responds, trying to get Rick from that door. "That's why I need to catch you up. The dead started walking. I don't know how or why but it's happening."

"What? I don't-"

"Look, it's true. A couple of weeks ago, I went home after my shift and found my roommate getting her face eaten by her boyfriend. The next thing I knew, I was here trying to see what was going on. Walked in on this-" Bella says pointing at the door, hinting at the dead ones. "I was running from some dead ones and found you in your, lose in a coma. I didn't have no where else to go so I stayed, made sure you were okay."

"I just- I don't know what's going on. I have to find my family." Rick says.

"Well that makes two of us. Here." Bella says handing Rick some clothes. "Why don't you change into these and we can see what we can do." Nodding his head, Rick went back to his room to change.

➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰➰

After Rick is dressed, he sees Bella at the nursing station packing some supplies.

"Where you goin'?" Rick questions Bella.

"Thought you said you had a family to find?" Bella said teasingly. "I thought I'd hitch a ride. . . See if I could be of use."

Rick chuckles to himself. "Yeah, that would nice."

"Alright then, let's hit the road!" Bella says, walking down the hall to the exit.

"Wait, I never got your name. I'm Rick Grimes."

"Bellatrix Stokes, but my friends call me Bella."

"Bellatrix? That name sounds familiar." Rick says, trying to remember where he heard the name.

"Surprised to hear that. I just moved to King County not too long ago and don't go out much. Not many names like it around here." She says as they walked out the hospital.

"Let me guess parents were hippies?" He laughs.

"Not at all." Bella laughed, "My parents had a difficult pregnancy, so I was a preemie. They said I was a 'warrior'. So, they looked for names that meant warrior and landed on Bellatrix, but they called me Trixi."

"Well, Bellatrix Stokes, it's nice to formally meet you." Rick stuck his hand out for her to shake.

Taking his hand, "It's nice to meet you too, Rick Grimes."

[theveesbf]

hiiii could you do general dating hcs for trixie?? tysm!! :]

Trixie dating headcanons

☆notes - hello!!! Of course! I hope you like this, im not so sure about her personality but I hope I managed to get her decent enough😭

☆content - general dating headcanons with trixie

☆warnings - none

☆characters - trixie lulamoon

[♡] Trixie

Trixie would be very insecure at the beginning of the relationship, so she'd still have her "character" and even call herself the Great and Powerful Trixie.

After some time though, she'd be more confident about being herself and less insecure too.

Trixie is going to show you a lot of her magic tricks. And even if you know how it is done, whenever you show her a face of surprise or clap at the end of her shows, she's going to be really happy.

She easily gets scared, but Trixie tries her best to try to be brave around you. Always saying things like "No worries! You're wonderful girlfriend Trixie is here to protect you!"

And then she just screams and runs away pulling you with her to whatever sound she hears. That also means no horror movies with her.

Trixie likes to show you off to people, always holding your hand and kissing you in public. Though she gets really more shy in private if you're the one initiating affection.

If you ever get her a gift this girl is going to almost pass out from her happy she was! Trixie is definetly going to try to find something to give you back too after that!

Whenever she's feeling sad, you try to replicate her magic show, which always ends up in you falling and Trixie going over to help you. And that makes her forget why was she sad in the first place.

[regulus-books]

Hero - 880 Words - @jegulus-microfic

James Potter is a great person. Regulus knows that, James knows that, everyone knows that. He does community service, babysits little kids, reads to the elderly and so on. But in his tight schedule there's not much time for his boyfriend, and that is something James doesn't recognize.

Today, he arrives home a half hour later than he said he'd be home, with bags under his eyes. He places all his items, keys, water bottle, etc. on the table, kisses Regulus' head and trudges up the stairs.

Regulus knows he's being sensitive, and selfish, but him and James have barely talked all week. Regulus stands from their couch, throwing his blanket back down on the cushion, following James up to their room. James is now on the bed, reading something from yesterday's paper. He smiles when Regulus enters the room.

"Hi, honey. I missed you today." He sets the paper down on the bed, patting the spot next to him. Instead, Regulus sits across from him on the bedsheets.

"I miss you everyday," Regulus smiles back, taking one of James' hands on his own. "James, I need to talk to you about something, and you're not going to like it."

"I like everything you have to say." James traces his thumb over every little vein in Regulus' hand, smiling softly.

"You won't like this though."

"But I bet I really need to hear it. Go on, my love."

"James, lately I've felt..." Regulus tries to find a word that won't absolutely crush James, he never would want to hurt him. "lonely. I go to work, then I come home to an empty house. Besides the cats, but you're not here," James juts his lip out slightly, his eyes glistening. "and it's not your fault, and I know I'm selfish."

"I just... other people need me too." Regulus almost scoffs.

"Other people need you too? Other people... God I'm sorry James, I didn't know I was on the bottom of your priorities list." He knows he's getting worked up over nothing but how could he not? Other people need him too?

"That's not what I meant, you know that. You're being ridiculous, I like helping people, it's what I do."

"You don't always have to be the fucking hero! Those kids don't need you everyday for seven hours straight! Those kids don't clean the house everyday, cook every meal for you, feed the cats, send out the mail, tend to the plants, or anything else! Those kids aren't the person you are spending the rest of your life with James! I am! And I'm doing all of those things because I don't want you to feel stressed. I'm sorry you think I'm that ridiculous." Regulus stands from the bed and walks out of the room.

"Regulus, wait," James practically jumps out of bed following Regulus down the hall. "Where the hell are you going?"

"The guest bedroom." Regulus feels his eyes grow misty. Why would he bring it up, why couldn't he keep his mouth shut, why did James not reassure him, why isn't Sirius here to comfort him and come up with a solution, why is he being so fucking stupid?

"Come on, baby, I've barely seen you all week!"

"Yeah, not because of me. How the fuck do you think I feel James? Happy?"

"Please, I don't wanna fight. Come to bed with me." James takes Regulus' hand again, pleading with him.

"No, James, I can't just forget about how I feel," Regulus knows he won't win in the end, he'll always do what James wants, "I want you home. I need you home."

"What good am I doing at home?"

"Making me feel like I'm not alone. Making me feel loved, all the time. Just once I want to come home, and have you waiting on the sofa, maybe cuddled up with Trixie or Binx. I want you to be here for me. I don't want to have to call Remus and Sirius when I'm lonely, and I don't want them to pity me."

"I am here for you! I'm here for you right now, I'm standing right here!"

"I'm sorry I ruined your night, Jamie. I'm probably gonna go." Regulus places the palm of his hand against James' cheek and kisses him softly.

"What, why?" James holds Regulus' hand on his cheek.

"I love you, James. I need you to think about this for a little while. Im gonna go over to Pandora's and I'm going to think too. When your done, come over, I'll be there. Then you'll get to meet Luna too. Okay?" Regulus kisses James' cheek, pulling away he swipes away tears that have fallen from James' eyes.

"Are you breaking up with me?" James whimpers, his lip wobbling.

"No, baby, no. I just want you to think about the future. Think about me. I love you, I'm going to Dora's."

"I love you, Regulus. Why are you leaving me?" The last part slips out right after Regulus is out the door. What could James do without him? He wanders around the house, aimlessly. Binx follows him for a little while until he finally settles on the couch, falling asleep, looking at a picture of Regulus and him which resides on the TV stand

[incorrectmlpstudentsixquotes]

(Late at night)

Ocellus: (gently closing door) Easy… Gallus?!

Gallus: Ocellus?!

Ocellus: What are you doing in Smolder’s room at this hour?

Gallus: What are you doing in Silverstream’s room at this hour?

Ocellus: What?! We fell asleep studying! That’s all we did!

Gallus: If it was anyone else, I wouldn’t believe it.

Ocellus: Oh, and you’re about to convince me that you were studying in there?

Gallus: Dude, harsh.

Ocellus: You’re right, I’m sorry…

Gallus: I left my headphones in her room, Okay?!

Sandbar: That’s pretty sus, bro.

Gallus: Sandbar?! What were you doing in Yona’s room?!

Sandbar: Oh, I got lost.

Ocellus: …

Gallus: …

Ocellus: Could happen.

Gallus: Yeah, no, I could see a world where it would.

Sandbar: While I was lost, Yona texted me saying she got stuck crawling under her bed, so I went in and unstuck her.

Gallus: See, now he’s losing me.

Cozy Glow: Why don’t I ever get any of those text messages?

Gallus: Cozy?!

Luster Dawn: (coming out of the kitchen) Wait, Cozy, what were you doing coming out of my room?

Cozy Glow: …… You know, I don’t think it’s worth discussing.

Luster Dawn: Well, now I definitely want to discuss it!

Cozy Glow: No, my young padawan, don’t seek answers you don’t want to questions you shouldn’t ask.

Gallus: Okay, possible lawsuits aside, I think-

Felicia: (opening the door to Swift Foot’s room) Hello, everyone.

Gallus: Um…. Swift Foot?

Swift Foot: (poking her head out) I asked her to kill a spider.

Gallus: … Okay, I have no idea what to think.

Sandbar: It could be either.

Gallus: Straight toss up.

Ocellus: Okay, we’ve all been caught in compromising positions, but I don’t think anyone has done anything wrong except maybe Cozy Glow.

Cozy Glow: Show me the law.

Ocellus: Maybe later, so I think we should just go back to our rooms and never speak of this-

Trixie: (sleeping on the couch) Kids, I’m gonna count to ten…

[blueraineshadows]

Brothers Part 11

Garreth Weasley 🔺️ F!MC 🔺️Oscar Weasley

A love rivalry between two brothers. Oscar Weasley is an OC created by @eternalremorse and used with her permission.

Chapter Master List with Ao3 link

Chapter Eleven - Loss

The concept of being alone whilst surrounded by people was a new one for Oscar. It was isolating to feel so disconnected, and yet his friends were all around him, laughing, discussing the tactics they would be practising later on the Quidditch pitch after classes. The Great Hall was abuzz with chatter, and students were making a start on the day. And yet, Oscar sat, his breakfast untouched, his eyes drifting towards the Hufflepuff table. She wasn't there. Her absence was a reminder of what had happened last night.

He tried to smile, to shut off the ache that had formed in his chest that was akin to the cold, hard substance of a Bludger. The loss. Only, this Bludger he couldn't smash away with his bat. This one sat and festered, and he couldn't swallow past it without wanting to scream. Fists clenched he got up from the table, ignoring the looks from his teammates as he stalked from the Great Hall. Why bother trying to speak when he had nothing to say?

He had lost her. MC had walked away from him, and he just wanted her to come back.

....*....

On first entering the Great Hall that morning, Garreth's eyes had immediately landed on the Hufflepuff table only to face the realisation that MC was not there. Again. Did the girl never eat anymore? Sighing with his disappointment, he made his way to the Gryffindor table and took a seat next to Leander, dropping his journal down and grabbing several slices of toast.

"Morning, Lee," he greeted, stifling a yawn. "What are you up to today?"

Leander paused in spooning his porridge and smiled at Garreth. "Beasts, History of Magic and Quidditch practice. You? Party planning? I heard you were cooking up some brews."

Garreth smirked. "I'm meeting Seb later to work on them, actually."

Leander scowled. "You've got rather friendly with Sallow lately. What's that all about?"

"He's not that bad once you get to know him. He's been... helping me out. Plus, it means I get to spend more time with MC when I'm with him."

Leander huffed and glanced over his shoulder towards the Slytherin table where Sebastian and Poppy were huddled together, giggling and eating breakfast whilst trying to keep their hands respectable.

"He's got his paws all over Sweeting again," he huffed. "I'm surprised he has the time to hang around with you, or MC. Speaking of which, what's going on with MC lately? There's definitely something up with her and Oscar. She turned up at the common room last night looking a bit peaky. She asked for Oscar, and I don't think it went well, judging by the look on his face this morning."

Garreth frowned and looked up the table, Leander following his gaze as they took in Oscar's grim expression, his breakfast untouched. Leander was right. Oscar did not look happy. He gave Leander a curious glance. His fellow Gryffindor was usually up on the gossip. He didn't know how he did it, but Leander just seemed to discover and remember all sorts of tidbits about their peers.

"Did they fight?" Garreth asked, his stomach sinking as his thoughts flicked towards Trixie. Had she said something? Is that why MC was avoiding everyone?

Leander shrugged. "No idea, mate. Your brother isn't talking to anyone, but I wouldn't be surprised. I mean, look at him."

Garreth did look and felt a guilty sinking feeling in his stomach. He toyed with his slice of toast as he thought of all the times he had imagined Oscar not being with MC, and now that there were signs of trouble, he realised how awful that was. He didn't want his brother to be unhappy.

Oscar looked tired, pale, and very glum as he stood and left the table. Isaac called after him, but Oscar ignored his friend. Isaac and Felix, another Quidditch team member, exchanged a puzzled look, but nobody went after Oscar to see if he was alright.

Garreth dropped his toast onto his plate, lamenting the empty stomach he was going to have as he climbed from the bench. He grabbed up his journal and glanced towards Leander.

"I will catch up with you later, Lee," he said and plucked an apple from the bowl on the table. "Enjoy your breakfast."

He chased after Oscar, dodging other students whilst trying to keep his eyes on his brother's copper locks. He followed him out into the bright sunlight, the sky clear, and the air crisp as they crossed the courtyard.

"Oscar, wait!"

His brother paused and turned, a frown on his face before his shoulders slumped. Garreth slowed his steps, a little wary. Oscar was generally an easygoing boy, but there was a temper that simmered quietly beneath that charming exterior. He'd been on the receiving end of it more than a few times growing up. His ability to wind his siblings up had often landed him with a thump or a dunking in the rain barrel.

But Oscar was family. And family always stuck together, no matter what. They always made up in the end.

Garreth wondered if he was reminding himself of this because of a guilty conscience. If Trixie really had whispered her suspicions, then Oscar was going to be pissed at him. While he hadn't actually done anything wrong, his private fantasies that played out in his head were shamefully guilty.

"Are you alright, Oscar? You don't look too happy. Anything I can help you with?"

His questions were tentative, his fingers clutching at his journal as he eyed his brother. Oscar lifted an eyebrow, his mouth twisting bitterly. "You mean to say you haven't heard?"

Garreth frowned. "Heard what?"

Oscar gave him a closer look before looking away, his eyes betraying a glimmer of hurt.

"MC and I broke up."

Garreth's lips parted in surprise at those words, the flat, emotionless tone with which they were spoken worrying him more than anything. Oscar's face was tight, his body rigid. He was closing himself off, and Garreth reached for his arm, squeezing it gently.

"I'm sorry, Oscar. I didn't know," he said, his mouth twisting sadly.

Oscar's eyes narrowed a little. "You surprise me. Aren't you two close? You spend a lot of time with her Slytherin bodyguard, too. I bet he knows."

Garreth tugged at his robe sleeve awkwardly, not really liking the bitter tone to Oscar's voice. It didn't ease the worry that Trixie had been whispering in his ear. Also, Oscar was the second person to make a dig about his friendship with Sebastian this morning, and it was getting rather annoying.

"I haven't really spoken to MC much lately," he said, frowning. "She doesn't tell me everything, either. What happened?"

Oscar sighed and held out his hands as if he didn't really know. "She wanted out," he said vaguely.

Garreth hated the flicker of hope that sparked in his chest. MC had left Oscar. Was it so wrong and foolish to wonder if what happened in Hogsmeade was the reason? He had to shove the shameful hope down. His brother was clearly hurting. Now was not the time.

"I'm so sorry," he said. He grabbed Oscar, pulling him in for a quick hug, patting him awkwardly on the back with one hand, his journal in the other. "Let me know if there is anything I can do. Even if it's just to take your mind off things. I'm going off out foraging later if you fancy it. It would get you away from the castle for a bit."

Oscar pulled back away from him and pushed a hand through his hair, shaking his head.

"Thanks, Garreth, but I will pass. I've got Quidditch practise later, and to be honest, I am not good company right now."

"Okay," Garreth said, nodding, shifting awkwardly. He considered making a joke, coming up with something funny to try and lighten the mood. He wasn't so good with these situations, and he was never quite sure what to say. However, he thought perhaps a joke would earn him one of Oscar's bruising thumps, and so he kept his mouth shut.

Oscar managed a tight smile and patted him on the shoulder. "I appreciate the offer, though, brother. I will be alright. I just need some time. I really liked her, you know?"

Oh, he knew. Garreth completely understood. He had thought that liking MC from afar and seeing her with someone else was hard sometimes. He could only imagine how it would feel to have her and then lose her.

Oscar's gaze lingered on Garreth’s journal for a moment, his face shadowed and strained. He met Garreth’s eyes, the pain all too evident.

"I'll see you later, Garreth."

As he watched his brother walk away, his robe billowing in the cold breeze, Garreth couldn't help but feel as though he had done something wrong. It settled in his stomach, twisting around with his hunger, and it made a deep rumbling sound. He patted the apple in his pocket but couldn't seem to find the enthusiasm to eat it.

He wondered how MC was doing. Was she as sad as Oscar? If only she didn't hide away. A longing to see her tugged deeply at him. Even through his concern for Oscar, he still ached for her, that tiny flicker of hope hanging on strong.

Realising that his first class of the day was potions, his face brightened, and he hurried back into the castle.

....*....

Waking up and seeing Poppy’s bed still empty seemed to put emphasis on her loneliness as MC crawled out of bed. Her eyes were tight from tears and lack of sleep, her chest heavy. She was already doubting herself and her decision. Maybe she had rushed into it, her panic making her react.

People always left her in some way. Either being left in a children's home, making new friends only for them to move on to new places, or death. She'd had to learn how to be alone. And now that she had people to care about, it felt odd to push one away. Oscar had claimed to care deeply for her. Had she just made a silly mistake? Was she pushing him away to avoid the chance he would do it to her?

But, it was also wrong to be intimately close to someone whilst thinking of another. She could not get past it, no matter how hard she tried. The silly mistake had been allowing herself to fall for the charms of a handsome boy when there had been someone else there all along.

She took out the wooden box that held her letters, going over the ones she had received from Garreth over the summer. His words were not romantic. He had not sought to court her, but they were filled with so much warmth. It made her think of his arms when he had held her, his comfort through her moments of panic and distress. Without judgement or feeling like she was imposing, Garreth was there. He never asked for anything in return.

This was alongside his words spoken during a dance. Those words had been flirty and almost romantic. She could not forget those or the way he had looked at her.

At the bottom of one letter was a small ink drawing of a hummingbird dipping into a flower. He must have drawn it himself, and she smiled as she brushed a finger tip over the beautifully sketched lines. Such beautiful simplicity revealed so much about the boy.

She had made the right decision. As she tucked the letters safely away, her only regret was that even if she did feel something for Garreth, she could neither pursue or allow it. He was Oscar's brother. It wouldn't be right. It filled her with sadness, but she had to do the right thing. She carried enough guilt in her heart.

As she dressed and pondered the idea of breakfast, she realised that coming face to face with Oscar was something she would rather avoid. She had made the right decision, but seeing him would lean on her self-doubt. His eyes were too dangerous, his proximity overwhelming, and she needed to distance herself from that.

There was always fruit in a bowl in the common room, and she settled on an apple and a pear for breakfast before leaving the castle. A walk around the lake to clear her head was in order.

When it was time for class, she made her way back to the castle for potions. She would see Garreth, and she wondered if he knew about her and Oscar already. It was likely.

Outside the castle doors, she came across Sebastian and Poppy, stealing a kiss before heading to class. MC lowered her head, intending to pass them by, but Poppy called out to her. Her cheeks were flushed pink, her eyes dancing with happiness. It felt like a punch to the stomach, and MC couldn't look. She merely lifted a hand in a hurried wave and made a dash for the huge castle doors.

How awful to be jealous of her friend's joy, but there it was.

Avoiding Poppy was one thing. Avoiding Sebastian was another. As MC was about to walk into the potions classroom, a hand grabbed her arm, and Sebastian was leading her into the nearby stair well. With her back to the wall and his frame leaning over her, she looked up into curious brown eyes, his finger under her chin.

"What's happened?"

There was no getting anything past him. He had that stubborn look on his face. He wouldn't let it go until he had it out of her, and he was bound to find out soon enough anyway. She sighed, her shoulders slumping.

"Oscar and I have parted ways."

It was the first time she had said it. The words spoken out loud put a final seal on it, and her lips trembled. She tried to look away, but Sebastian held her firm, his eyes darkening at the shine of tears she fought back.

"What did he do?"

"Nothing!" She said immediately, taking hold of his hand and removing it from her chin. "Oscar didn't do anything. It... it was me. I ended it."

Sebastian had this way of looking at you, so penetrative and inquisitive. It locked you into his eyes, and it was very hard to look away. Ever since she had begun to know him, she had been caught under that spell, always unable to do anything but answer to his call.

Once, she had thought it love, and in a way, it was. They were bonded by terrible events and dark secrets, but also by affection and understanding. Nobody knew her like he did, and she suspected it worked both ways. She would do anything for him, and she had done some dubious things already to protect him. He would do it for her, though. She knew that and trusted him with her life.

Sebastian was her family now, a friend who was like a brother through choice rather than blood. She wasn't his lost sister, Anne. Nobody could replace his twin. But they were both orphans and alone in the world. She was glad to have found him.

The way he was looking at her right now was merely his own way of ensuring that nothing bad had happened. He was not a fan of Oscar, had tolerated her relationship with him because he thought it made her happy. Clearly, this was not the case, and Sebastian was in full protective mode.

"Oscar has done nothing untoward, Seb. I'm alright," she assured him. She caught hold of his hand and squeezed. "I just... it didn't feel right, and I thought it best to step away before I got in too deep."

"I can see that you are troubled, and I hate to see it, but as long as you are not hurt. That I can not abide, you know that."

Her gaze softened. "I know that. I am not hurt, just sad."

Sebastian considered her words and then nodded. He slipped his arms around her, holding her tight against his chest. His familiar scent really did feel like home, and she gripped the back of his robes, welcoming the push back on the lonely shadow that seemed to hang over her.

"You've done the right thing. Oscar wasn't right for you," Sebastian said, stepping back and patting her shoulder.

She almost smiled at the smug gleam in his eyes. He just loved being right. He took her arm and led her back out into the corridor and towards the potions classroom.

"Maybe now you can stop hiding away from the world and let us see that lovely smile of yours," he said, flashing a smile of his own. "We have party plans to take care of, and only a few days left to do it. Your other love deserves to celebrate coming of age in style."

"Sebastian... " She gave him a warning look. His comment about Garreth being her love a little too close for comfort after pondering over his letters this morning.

Sebastian merely smirked and escorted her through the classroom until they arrived at her workstation, complete with a smiling Garreth.

"Look who I found, Weasley. She hasn't forgotten us after all," Sebastian said, putting his arm around her shoulders for a squeeze. He winked at MC, and her lips twitched. He was too charming for his own good sometimes. He guided her towards the seat next to Garreth with a flourish. "She's all yours now, mate. Take good care of her. She deserves to smile."

MC gaped at Sebastian, her cheeks flushing as he backed up away from the workstation, his smirk unbelievably roguish. She'd hex him later for his audacity, knowing full well it was likely an empty promise, but it felt good to just imagine it for a moment. He knew exactly what he was doing and dared her to say something back with those impish eyes of his.

She turned to Garreth with an awkward glance, taking out her quill and notebook. She couldn't scold Sebastian here in front of Garreth. That could lead to other dangerous topics of discussion, such as the suggestion that she was all Garreth's now.

"Hi," she said, her cheeks far too hot and her awareness of him on full alert.

Garreth's smile lit the green of his eyes, and she felt the warmth of it. There it was. That unrelenting, soft warmth that only he had. Much like the sun, he chased lonely shadows back and surrounded you with light. How did one stay away from that?

"Hello, MC. It's good to see you. Let's see if I can do something about that smile of yours."

As they worked through the lesson, her shadows did indeed lift. They didn't completely disappear. They lingered over her shoulder, but it was easier to bear them with every funny quip, every clumsy mishap. Oscar was mentioned only once, Garreth's sympathetic smile and assurances of support were delivered, and then he moved on, turning the flow of conversation back towards much lighter subjects. It wasn't long before a smile was curving her lips, her gaze lingering maybe a little too long on green eyes and freckled hands.

As they packed up their belongings and prepared to leave class, MC caught Garreth on the arm, pausing his step. He met her eyes with a curious look, and her face softened.

Thank you," she said. "For cheering me up."

"I do my best," he said with a grin.

Sebastian sidled up between them, throwing an arm around each of them as they headed for the door, his smirk firmly in place.

"So then, what's the plan? We have party brews to make. Are you in, MC? We could use some help."

She looked at both boys, their effortless ways of making her feel like she belonged, almost bringing a tear to her eyes. "I'm in," she said. "What do you want me to do?"

"Well, we need ingredients," Garreth said. "I'm heading out after classes today to gather some."

"Excellent," Sebastian said, tightening his hold on them both and drawing them closer so they were a squished little trio walking along. "Why don't you go with him, MC? Meanwhile, I'm heading into Hogsmeade to have a chat with Sirona. I'm going to reserve the whole upper floor of the Three Broomsticks for the party."

MC met Garreth's eyes across Sebastian. Going with him would mean time spent alone. She should probably say no. It was placing temptation in her path, and so soon after Oscar. But, her head was nodding under the press of Sebastian's tight embrace. "Sure, I'll come along."

Garreth's eyes lit up, and Sebastian chuckled, his own gaze sparking with mischief as he glanced between them. He pressed a kiss to MC's forehead and then turned to do the same to Garreth. Garreth grimaced and tried to fight him off, a giggle bubbling up and out of MC's mouth as they stumbled in the hallway.

Sebastian let them both go with a laugh. He began to head off, turning to point at them both.

"Happy foraging you two, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Well, that narrows it down," MC said, rolling her eyes and desperately trying not to blush.

When she looked at Garreth, his cheeks were equally as pink.

"Looks like I will be seeing you later, then," he smiled. "Shall I come to fetch you from your common room when I'm ready?"

She nodded, clutching her bag a little tighter. "I'll see you then."

....*....

The chilly bite in the air meant nothing to Oscar as he swung his Beater bat and cracked it against a Bludger, sending it hurtling across the pitch towards Elijah. His teammate swooped and aimed, smashing the hard ball back towards Oscar. It was good practise to spar against each other, and today, it felt good to release the pent-up emotion that was festering inside him.

He grit his teeth and kept his eye on the Bludger, swinging back and hitting it with all his strength, an angry sound leaving his throat.

All day, through classes and navigating the castle, his eyes had been on alert for just one glimpse of MC. Anything, even if it was just from a distance. He had not spoken one word about it to anyone other than Garreth this morning.

Garreth. Soft, cheeky Garreth, with his romantic drawings, his eyes filled with longing whenever he looked at MC.

Oscar gritted his teeth harder, his head filling with every time he had seen his brother with MC. Garreth wanted her. He had always wanted her. Oscar had always known it, deep down. He recalled the first day of term, arriving in Hogsmeade, the way his brother had stood and watched her board the carriage with Sallow.

Had he deliberately gone after MC because he knew he could? He'd always been competitive, always had to be the best at everything. Had he charmed MC into his arms just so Garreth couldn't?

Maybe. Maybe not. Garreth could have charmed her, too. Maybe he would have won. Oscar had caught her attention, and then he had fallen in deeper than he had expected. MC was beautiful, soft, and so very innocent, but under that was a strength that she kept hidden. She intrigued him, and he had desperately wanted to delve deeper and discover what she so carefully guarded.

Now, he would likely never know. She had slipped from his grasp, and he hated it. Was there a way to try and get her back? How could he reassure her that he had eyes only for her?

The pain of it seemed to hollow out his chest, and he took it out on the Bludgers, working up a sweat that dripped from his forehead, his muscles screaming in protest.

"Easy there, mate. What's got into you?" Isaac said, coming up beside him. "You're running Elijah ragged there."

"Good, we need to be the best," Oscar said. He wiped his forehead and adjusted his grip on his bat. "No pain, no gain. Isn't that what the muggles say?"

Isaac made a stopping motion towards Elijah and used his wand to still the bludger. His piercing blue eyes took in Oscar, and he put a hand on his shoulder.

"What's going on, Os? You're not yourself. Is this about your little Hufflepuff still?"

Oscar's face tightened, and he shrugged off his friend's hand. "Stop calling her that. She isn't mine anymore."

Isaac held both hands up, eyes wary. "Okay, mate. I apologise. And I'm sorry to hear that."

"Are you?" Oscar grimaced. He tossed his bat to the ground and began to stride towards the changing rooms, Issac at his heels. "Last we spoke, you told me to get rid. Well, she saved me a job and ended it for me. I thought you'd be pleased."

"Why would I be pleased? Os... I don't want you to be unhappy," Isaac said. He made a grab for Oscar's arm, face filled with concern as they paused. "Hey, take it easy, mate. I really am sorry."

Oscar glared up at his friend, his anger and pain caught in a swirling ball in his chest, the words just not forming. He knew Isaac meant no harm. He knew it, but his head was clouded. He pulled his arm free and stalked away, shoulders set tight as he headed for the changing rooms. He was done with practise for today.

As he rounded the corner, he hesitated. A small group of girls were gathered near the door, charming little birds to fly around, their soft laughter filling the space. As they looked up towards him, he spotted the sultry gaze of Trixie, and he looked down. Normally, he would flirt, or at least wave, and smile, but he found he couldn't even look at her or any of the other regular girls who hung around the pitch.

Ignoring the girls, he entered the changing room. His habitual charm around the ladies had been a reason MC had pulled away from him. Was he really that untrustworthy? He'd never really looked at it that way before. All the girls that had come before MC hadn't been anything more than a bit of fun. A quick fumble under the stands, steamy kisses in broom cupboards, and late nights twisted in bed sheets.

Feelings had never really come into it, at least not for him, and he just moved on to the next chase. At least, that's what he had done until he met MC.

The feeling of being set aside was a new one, and he turned it over in his mind, considering for the first time that maybe he had made girls feel this way. It was a sobering thought as he pulled off his training gear and headed for the showers. Maybe he was an arsehole after all, not even stopping to consider that his actions might be hurting people. How many girls had he hurt and not even realised? It made him glum to think of it, hating the thought.

He stood under the hot water a while, letting it run over him in the hopes it might wash some of the tension away, but as he shut the water off and grabbed his towel, he realised it was going to take more than a cleansing to move on from this.

He dried off and wrapped the towel about his waist, walking with his head bowed towards the lockers. His thoughts were miles away, and so he was upon her before he even realised Trixie was there. He paused and stared at her sitting on the bench, her hands gripping the edge as she smiled up at him, her eyes soft for once.

She was truly a beautiful girl, her raven hair sleek and soft, her skin flawless and smooth. She knew she was attractive and used it to her advantage, but too often, the sly look in her eyes detracted from her natural beauty. There was a coldness to Trixie that had always made him keep her at arms length. They had shared some rather steamy encounters, but again, he had never looked for anything deeper.

She was always there, though, lingering. He looked into her eyes, the colour a light grey at the moment. She had the strange gift of her eye colour shifting depending on her mood. It had always fascinated him, especially when he had watched them darken with desire.

"Hello," she said. She tilted her head as she considered him, her eyes wandering over his bare chest, lips twitching up into a smirk as she stood. "Did you enjoy your shower? You were in there long enough. I almost came to find you."

"What are you doing here, Trix?" He sighed and moved past her, opening his locker and pulling out his school clothes.

"You don't look yourself, Oscar. I came to see if you're alright."

He stilled, hands on his clothes, his gaze facing into his locker. Suspicion crept over him. Since when did she do the sweet, caring act? He turned to look at her, but there was no calculating gleam in her eyes, just curiosity perhaps.

"I'm fine," he said, dropping his clothes onto the bench beside her. "What do you really want?"

She frowned. "I mean it. I can tell something is upsetting you."

"And you care because...?" He gave her a wry look as he shrugged on his shirt and began to fasten his buttons.

Her chin lifted slightly and she folded her arms. "It's her, isn't it? The little hero. What did she do?"

Oscar shook his head, his jaw tightening. "I'm not in the mood for one of your little games, Trixie. Go on, get yourself out of here so I can get dressed in peace."

"I was right about her, wasn't I? She isn't right for you. She brushed you off and denied you, didn't she? Uptight, little virgin who thinks she is so fucking perfect..."

He saw red. Ever since last night, the pressure had been building, and it finally snapped. He reached out and grabbed Trixie, his hand circling her throat as he slammed her against the lockers with a thud. Trixie didn't even yelp. She merely widened her eyes, her throat working hard against his tight grip. She didn't even attempt to fight him off. She had nerves of bloody iron.

Oscar glared at her, holding her in place, rage seething through him. His fingers didn't squeeze, but it felt strangely powerful and heady to hold her by the throat like this. He shoved the thought aside, not ready to glimpse into that box of ideas and study the implications.

"Shut your mouth," he said coldly. "You don't know anything about what happened between myself and MC, and I won't hear you speak about her that way."

Trixie gripped her hand about his wrist, gulping a little as she adjusted her head, but he didn't let go. Her eyes darkened to almost black, and she smirked.

"My, my. You've got feelings for her, haven't you? Real feelings."

He let her go as if she burned him, turning his back on those probing eyes. "Get out, Trixie."

"You love her," she said, a soft, surprised laugh leaving her lips. "That is a shame, isn't it? Oscar Weasley finally falls for a girl, and she is in love with someone else."

Oscar froze, his back stiffening as he turned his head a little. He could see Trixie in his periphery, stalking like a sleek, black cat. "What?"

"Dont tell me you haven't noticed," she purred. She leaned closer, the soft scent of herbs and incense emanating from her. "Your little hero loves your brother, does she not? They have such chemistry, and as for the way they look at each other... well."

Oscar turned to face her, his own suspicions coming back to him, sliding thickly through his gut with his envy. "What are you talking about?"

Trixie's eyes shifted into a greyish, blue colour, a sad pout on her lips as she touched gentle fingers to his face.

"I'm almost sorry I was right about her, Oscar. She wasn't the best choice for you. She will never be able to give you what you want, especially when she wants Garreth. I always wondered why he kept turning me down. That never happens. It was because of her. I'd bet my last Galleon on it."

Trixie let her hand drop, and she backed up away from him, her eyes still on him, mouth in a little pout. He swallowed, fought against his anger and the pain that twisted sharply in his chest. It would be easy to take that ache out on her, push it until they argued... or fucked.

He shook his head. No. He was done with all that. He needed to change, to try and be better.

"You don't look surprised, sweetheart. You knew all along, didn't you?"

His jaw tightened and he glared at her. "Get out, Trixie. We're done here."

Her lips twisted up into a knowing smile as she backed up further. "Don't be sad for too long, Oscar. She won't be. Trust me."

Oscar gripped his trousers until his knuckles turned white, watching as Trixie strolled out of the changing room without a glance back.

Was she right? Would MC be already moving on? Was he here wallowing in his sadness and pain while she was already thinking of the next path? Just like he had done with all the other girls before her. He sat down on the bench and held his face in his hands. Was this some kind of strange karma?

What would he do if MC and Garreth finally ended up in each other's arms? He'd had his suspicions, and now Trixie had voiced them, perhaps others had noticed too. How had she come to that realisation? What had she seen? He wasn't sure he wanted to know. He was already tormented by the drawings in Garreth's journal that he wasn't supposed to know about. Garreth definitely had feelings for her, and if MC returned them, would he be able to stand it.

His own brother. He felt the sting of tears, and he let them fall.

....*....

The cold seeped through Garreth's layers of clothing and the gloom of the Forbidden Forest felt heavier than usual this afternoon as they made their way along the trail. MC walked just ahead of him, her long hair loose about her shoulders, and a woolly hat pulled low on her head. Like him, she wore a winter coat, the hem reaching the tops of her long boots. Her scarf was of a lovely deep blue, very different from the Gryffindor scarf she had worn for Oscar.

The colour suited her, it complimented her colouring, and he told himself his appreciation of it had nothing to do with the fact that it wasn't Oscar's.

They were making their way under the canopy of trees in companionable silence, their bags already rather full of various potion supplies gathered. The conversation had mainly stuck to the tasks at hand so far, or schoolwork, and Garreth had tried to tempt another smile out of her like he had in potions this morning, but the strained look remained around her eyes. She seemed guarded, on edge, and he watched her carefully.

They came to a clearing and paused. Around the space were discarded items that seemed to show signs of a poacher camp. Garreth’s hand twitched near his wand, his eyes scanning warily as he remembered the last time they had come across enemies under the trees. His duelling practise with Sebastian added a new layer of confidence as he joined MC near a pile of empty cages.

"Whatever they had captured is long gone now," she said, leaning forward to test a cage door to find it unlocked. She glanced around. "I wonder what made them abandon the camp like this."

"Spiders? Maybe even a troll, although there isn't really any damage," he said, moving towards some empty barrels.

"Hmm, it could have been Aurors, I suppose," she said thoughtfully. "One can only hope."

He eyed her a moment, noting the cool determination on her face as she spoke. "Is that something you have thought of doing yourself? I mean, you are more than capable, I'm sure."

With those terrifying abilities of hers, he could imagine her making a rather successful Auror. Although, the thought of her out in the world fighting against the world's darkest wizardkind made him shiver.

"Me? An Auror?" She scoffed. She shook her head. "No, definitely not. I've had my fill of fighting dark wizards, enough to last a lifetime."

"Does that mean you have put some thought into what happens once you leave Hogwarts after all?"

As he came to stand before her, she looked up at him, her lovely eyes looking large and lost in her pale face. When they had spoken of this before, she hadn't been sure what she had wanted.

She fixed him with a long look, sadness clouding her eyes briefly before she shrugged.

"I know I don't want to be held up as some kind of hero or have my life on display for all to see."

"Is this because of the photo in the Prophet?"

That particular image of Oscar kissing her had been passed around and giggled over, lads slapping Oscar on the back as if he had done something marvellous in snogging the Hero of Hogwarts. He knew the image had bothered her, her snap comments about it, and Sebastian's word of warning not to bring it up, eluding as to why she was avoiding people.

MC nodded and sighed. "That article dragged out every awful memory of fifth year, and Oscar just didn't seem to understand..."

She trailed off, her eyes skipping away as she lowered her head.

"It's okay. You can talk about him, MC. It might even help. I know he is my brother, but I am also your friend. I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to me."

Her eyes were heavy and shining with unshed tears when she looked up at him. He stepped forward, his arms ready to hold her, but then she spoke.

"I don't want to come between you, Garreth. That's not fair. He is your brother."

He paused and let his hands drop to his sides. Now, that was a loaded statement. He felt his stomach sink, knowing that it made sense, but at the same time wishing that things could be different. Did she just mean about the talking? Or did she mean the as yet unspoken thing, whatever it was, between them?

That day in Hogsmeade had to have meant something, surely. Or was he just reading too much into it, filled with too much hope, perhaps?

"You won't come between us, MC. He's a pain in the bum sometimes, but he is my big brother. We always figure things out," he said. He risked another step forward. "He knows we are friends. He can't begrudge us that. And anyway, I'm not going to stop being here for you just because he was fool enough to lose you."

"Garreth, he isn't a fool," she said, shaking her head. "We just wouldn't have worked. Oscar has his future mapped out already, and that's great. It's just not for me."

"What is for you?"

"I... I don't know. A proper home, I guess. I've never really had one," she said. She looked so lost and uncertain, eyes looking everywhere but at him. She wrapped her arms about herself, a flash of vulnerability crossing her face. "The whole thing is so daunting to think about. I'm not sure I know what I want yet, if I am really honest."

He offered her a small smile. "Well, a home is a good place to start. You still have time to figure out all the rest."

She nodded, and he ached to hold her, but he worried that she would push him back if he tried. He clenched his hands into fists to stop himself and turned to look around the clearing again, moving away from her to look over some broken crates, sacks that were soaking wet and beginning to mould. He kicked at a stone, and it bounced across the clearing, rolling to a stop near a clump of bushes. As his eyes followed it, he noticed a shifting shadow through the leaves, and he stilled, squinting through the darkness in an effort to see better.

The shadow shifted again, and he reached into his pocket, fingers curling around his wand, his heart picking up. Was it a poacher? Or perhaps one of the huge spiders that loitered under these dark trees.

"What is it?" MC asked, moving up behind him, her voice low.

He held up his hand to quieten her, his eyes still trained on the bushes. A shape appeared, forming out of the gloom and low, swirling mist. It didn't seem to be the shape of a person, taller and almost wraith like, the beast stepped out from behind the foliage and into the clearing. It appeared to be sniffing around where the stone Garreth had kicked rolled to a stop.

Garreth sucked in a harsh breath, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the horse-like shape. Its skin was black and leathery looking, and it clung tightly to the skeletal bones of its frame. His mouth hung open at the sight.

"Bloody hell..." His voice was a strained whisper as he stared.

MC shifted behind him. He could feel her presence as a warm beacon in the chill air, goosebumps pricking his skin.

"Oh, it's a Thestral," she said, touching a hand to his arm to gently lower it. His eyes flicked down to realise he had been aiming his wand at the beast, his palm sweating around the wood. "It's okay. They won't hurt you. They're actually quite gentle beasts, despite their reputation."

"I... I've never... " He shook his head, still awestruck by what he was seeing. "I've only ever seen drawings of them."

MC frowned up at him. "Really? You've never seen the ones at school?"

He met her eyes and shook his head. They had Thestrals at Hogwarts? He'd never seen one! But then he'd never seen death before, so why would he? He froze.

"I hadn't seen death..."

They stared at each other, wide-eyed. Realisation dawned on her face, and she brought her gloved hands to her lips. "Oh, Garreth. I'm so sorry. It's because of me. That's how you can see them now, because of what I did!"

He saw the horrible realisation in her eyes, eyes that began to well up again, and he immediately took hold of her arms.

"Don't you dare, MC. Don't be upset about this," he said firmly.

"But, it's my fault. I forced you to witness death, and in the most awful way," she said, a tear escaping to slide down her cheek. She swiped at it, her face scrunching up in frustration. "And people call me a hero. I'm not. I'm a killer, I've hurt people, I've done things..."

She clamped her hand over her mouth and tried to turn away, but he wouldn't let her. He held her firmly. He felt the cool slide of fear slither down his spine as he wondered how that sentence would have ended. What things had she done? He tried not to think about it. He couldn't imagine thinking of her in any other way than the soft and generous girl she was. He'd seen her power, witnessed death at her hands, but he got past that. He still looked at her like she was the only girl in the world who could make his heart thump with fire.

"Look at me," he said, gripping her arms. "Okay, so you've done some bad things, but you've also done lots of good things. You help so many people with little favours. You support Poppy through all the trouble with her parents, and no matter what really happened under Hogwarts that night, you did stop Ranrok. You did save people, and nobody can take that away from you."

She looked up at him, tears escaping faster now, her lips trembling. His heart ached, knowing she carried so much dark within her, and struggled with it, but she was also so full of light. If only she could see what he could see.

"You saved me too, you know. That day in the forest. If you hadn't brought down those poachers, I could be dead right now. Dead and gone, and not able to see a real-life Thestral in the flesh. Don't be sorry, MC. I mean, look at them! As sad as the reason is for seeing them, look how amazing they are!"

They both turned to look at the Thestral as it wandered a little further into the clearing. Garreth really was in awe of it, his eyes absorbing every little detail and storing it away so that he could sketch it out later in his journal. He had spoken the truth. They were magnificent looking creatures, so unique and special. Much like the girl beside him right now. He looked back at her with a smile.

"I don't deserve you, Garreth Weasley," she said softly.

"Don't be daft," he said, pulling her against his chest. He cupped her head and held her there, his fingers stroking against her woolly hat. "I mean, sure, I'm a bloody delight, but you, my dear. You are something else. It will take a whole lot more than a Thestral to put me off, believe me."

She was tense to start with, stiffening up as he held her against him, but he refused to let go. He had the feeling she needed to be held more than she would ever admit, and besides, she was lovely and warm, and it was freezing out here.

Gradually, though, she began to relax. His hand stroked her head, and his other hand caressed her back, rubbing up and down in long strokes against the rough wool of her coat. He wanted her to feel safe. He wanted to be the one to give her that.

She snuggled in closer as they watched the Thestral, and he thought that it was maybe one of his favourite moments with her.

Until that point, anyway.

To be continued...

Below is a bonus image of Trixie McNair, my own Slytherin OC, and a regular bad girl. Her image was created by Midjourney AI.