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#wizard side please explain
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Dear science science of Tumblr, and Wizard side of Tumblr, why does soup taste better in a mug?
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indierpgnewsletter · 1 month
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There's Other Kinds Of GM Advice: Theatricality versus Transparency
(This first appeared on the Indie RPG Newsletter)
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I find that broadly there are at least two kinds of GM advice – and they have a very different philosophy underpinning them.
The first kind of advice aims at all costs to maintain verisimilitude. It’s a solution that you can implement without breaking the players’ immersion in their characters. This can just be stuff like Matt Colville explaining that if your players are taking too long discussing plans, guess what, orcs attack! We’ve all probably played a game where people were going in circles and not able to decide what to do. If it looks like we’re not able to decide, we’re probably going to be relieved if the GM makes something happen to break the deadlock and prompt us back into the action.
(Historically, this kind of thing was taken to egregious lengths like Gary Gygax saying if players start acting uppity, have a rock fall on their head. It’s mostly gone now but reddit tells me that Cyberpunk Red which came out relatively recently still says something similar.)
The second flavor of advice involves breaking character and talking to your players directly. I know “talk to your players” is a mantra repeated so often that autocorrect suggests it as soon as you type the letter t. At its worst, this advice is vague and unhelpful. We’ve all considered talking frankly to people in our lives, we just find it awkward and hard and annoying. But, but, but – at its best, just describing the problem as you see it and escalating it from a character discussion to a player discussion will make it go away instantly. Like magic. (If you’re not sure what that means: In a previous issue, I discussed Jason Tocci’s excellent advice on escalating conversation in this way.)
And since the theatrical flavour of advice has the weight of history on its side and transparent advice keeps getting boiled down to mantra form, I thought I’d write down some examples of situations and some alternative ways to handle them:
Situation 1: The players are marines discussing whether to dive into the alien lair and recover their stolen engine (their main goal) or go and see if another missing team of marines is okay. There is only 45 minutes left and this is a one shot.
Theatrical: The other marines suddenly come on the radio and say, “hey we’re okay, please complete the mission.”
Transparent: “Hey, folks. There’s 45 minutes left. If we don’t do the alien lair now, we won’t be able to do it at all. Is that fine?”
Situation 2: The players are low-level fantasy nobodies who have a famous wizard friend. They’re about to tangle with some medium-level bad guy and decide to call in their wizard friend.
Theatrical: When the players try to contact her via a telepathic phone call / spell, she sounds breathless and says she’s busy doing something way more important like fighting a dragon.
Transparent: “Hey, folks. If we get the wizard in, she’ll absolutely make this fight a cakewalk. We won’t even need to roll initiative really. Is that what you want? Or would we rather have a fun fight?”
Situation 3: The players were having fun exploring when they meet a cool NPC (an android! an elf! an android elf!) who has this interesting backstory with an urgent, earth-shattering hook. They go along with the android elf because it seems more important but immediately look like they’re having less fun.
Theatrical: Narrate how the android elf meets a group of other android elves and have the elf say, “Hey, now that I have these folks helping me, you can leave it you want!”
Transparent: “Hey, folks. Talking to you as players here, do we want to stick with this whole android elf plot here? It does mean that we won’t do any open-ended exploration. Which would you prefer?” If they want to ditch the elf plot, you could just retcon it entirely or do the theatrical solution.
All of these situations have happened at my table. They’re all relatively low stakes and I think whichever way you handle it, it’ll probably be fine. But that said, some situations absolutely work better when done transparently so if you’ve never tried the transparent way, give it a shot. If immersion matters a lot to you, try it at the end of the session.
/End
PS. The theatrical options often still require the players to willingly suspend their disbelief and go with it. If a player didn’t play along, they might just say “I thought their radios weren’t working, otherwise we could’ve just contacted them before. Why can they suddenly contact us now?” or “Oh, the wizard is fighting a dragon right now. We can totally wait. There’s no reason we need to fight the bad guy right now.” And sometimes I can’t shut off that part of my brain either so I won’t judge. But if there’s a way to sidestep that situation even coming up, I’m going to take it every time.
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rockpapertheodore · 1 year
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I cannot tell you how frustrated I am with the anti-math movement because despite what anyone thinks in high-school, you use math constantly every day in ways the very, like, sexless? way school teaches math will never prepare you for.
If you want to run a business? Inventory costs, storage and logistics, labour and wages, bills.
You have any customer service job? You are making change. You are making SO much change. All the time. Sometimes the computer works and you're safe, but sometimes your entire point of sale is beholden to the whims of a third party system with a web server of your entire inventory on the other side of the state and it's gone down. Again. So u gotta do all the math on paper because you're still open because it's an inconvenience, not a reason to stop business.
Baking.
Building something? Gotta do some dang ol' physics and engineering if u wanna do it efficiently and with minimal expenses.
Sports people are doing so much subconscious math all the time, without ever knowing it, and being aware of all the ways geometry (if ur playing a stick-and-ball game like baseball or cricket or pool) or physics (literally every sport)
I'm not gonna lie, I'm not sure where I was going with this beyond "im so annoyed with the incompetent presentation of math in US public schools." Please understand I'm not trying to shame anyone, and I am not judging anyone for struggling with math. Math is an arcane wizard language invented to quantify and understand the functions of the world around us. The human brain is a pleasure-seeking monkey with astronomical pattern-recognition abilities, and some beautiful autist in the past went "hey actually what if I could measure everything?" And math started.
I'm not even particularly good at any discipline beyond general mathematics because I've been making change for customers since I was 6.
Also its really fun making ur bosses sweat when you piece together the profit margins on accident because you 'tism for a second and guesstimate the cost of buying in the product and margin of profit based upon sale price and volume of sales.
Anyway learn and understand just enough to survive, and then just enough more to make your employers sweat when you can explain to your coworkers approximately how much the store is making.
Shoutout to my discalculic homies, I don't know how to make math that doesn't suck yet, but I'll do my damndest to help u out when they create a sequel to numbers that makes sense.
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makenoplans · 6 months
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all gale banter! (that i am currently aware of)
hiii gale enthusiasts, i just spent the past few hours picking through videos trying to find all of gales party banter and transcribing it! check under the cut for verbose details
copied directly from the doc i transcribed this into so youll have to bear with the initials to denote who is speaking when! generally speaking, initials are a=astarion, g=gale, h=halsin, j=jaheira, k=karlach, l=lae'zel, m=minthara, s=shadowheart, and w=wyll
(except for two minsc quotes that are also m, both where he mentions his name so like... it's obvious)
transcribed with attention paid to particular noises characters make that aren't quite whole words and also words that are emphasized!
please let me know if youre aware of any banter ive missed!
warning: long
G: Karlach! A hypothetical question for you. If someone - not me, of course - detected a hint of romantic interest in them from another… unnamed individual, erm, what might that someone… do about it?
K: Whoever it is, just talk to them, Gale! And leave out the hypotheticals.
G: Talking. Right! I'm good at that!
A: So, Gale, how is your sad, hopeless pining going?
G: [Ach!] I'm hardly pining! Been a year or more since Mystra cast me aside!
A: Oh, my dear wizard, I wasn't talking about Mystra.
W: I used to believe the beauty of first love was unable to be surpassed, but Gale, you are so much more tolerable now that you've found your second.
G: I'll take that comment with the sincerity and good will I assume it was intended.
G: Have you noticed any attachments of the more, er, romantic variety flourishing in our camp, Wyll?
W: I think I'm not the right person to be asking. I can recognize a troll silhouette on a far horizon, but I wouldn't know a flirtation if you whacked me alongside the head with it.
G: I see you waste no time pursuing your quarry, Astarion.
A: Hmph! I rather thought I was a little slow this time. Usually they're begging me to dream them on the first night.
G: Tell me - you always woo your lovers with such patient attention?
A: As the vampire ascendant I can grant my lover immortality and bind them to me forever.
G: Hmm. I trust you speak of the bonds of love, not the shackles of servitude.
G: Am I to understand that you are in love now, Karlach?
K: I sure am. [heh] If there's hope for me, there's hope for anyone.
G: I'm surprised you're permitted to choose a partner outside of your own people.
L: We had to use and misuse each civilization in the stars in every way we know. I do not conquer by blade alone, Gale.
G: I can't imagine Mother Gith would approve. Doesn't she prefer us lesser species enslaved? Or eviscerated?
M: You've been smiling like a fool of late, wizard. Explain yourself.
G: I found love. Surely even you wouldn't begrudge me some happiness?
M: All I can say on the matter is that you were wise to lower your standards from the godly to the ghastly.
G: Tell me, Lae'zel: is it common for githyanki to fall in love?
L: Love? Is that this feeling in me, then? This passion to peel every layer of one's heart to see what light and shadows lurk there? I doubt I am the first githyanki to… to feel this way, but few would ever declare it. Githyanki have playmates, thrill partners but I've never heard anyone profess love, nor read of it in our slates.
L: Gale, I've heard you talking in your sleep. Your mate needs better rest for our journey.
G: And deprive them of the pleasure of hearing my nocturnal postulations? I'd never be so cruel. The mind absorbs much while we believe ourselves dormant. To lie beside Gale of Waterdeep is positively educational.
G: If you're feeling faint after your bout with Cazador, Astarion, I don't mind donating some blood.
A: Aha! Well, you're still full of that Netherese bile, I'll pass, thank you! Besides, I have someone else to nibble on, and they are delicious.
G: I'm glad to know you have a softer side, Minthara. I was beginning to think you rather… heartless.
M: Loving another is not soft, wizard. It is one of the hardest things a person can do.
G: So you admit you found love! Aww. How delightful. I'm happy for you both.
A: So, how was your night with Gale? Did you have a long, hard debate?
G: Ugh. Ignore him. Astarion envies the depth of a bond because he's of a shallower inclination.
G: So Astarion, I hear your relationship has taken on a new aspect recently.
A: My life has taken on "a new aspect." It's only natural that my relationships change as well.
G: Halsin! You must have accumulated considerable wisdom on matters of the heart in your long life. Anything you'd like to pass on to a… strapping, lovestruck wizard such as myself?
H: [hehehe] Dispensing advice on matters of the heart would be like swapping boots. What suits me may be a… poor fit for you.
G: Ah. Well. There's no faulting that logic. At least you didn't tell me to "be myself."
H: Oh no, perish the thought. That can be outright cruel advice to offer in certain cases.
G: Indulge me, Lae'zel, as someone unfettered by Faerunian beauty standards: how would you appraise my appearance?
L: Your beard looks like the hairy tufts upon the [surlon], the largest of wyrmkind that sliver our skies.
G: Hm. I suppose that's… a bad thing? No. Don't answer that.
G: Wild-shaping must sprinkle some spice on your love life, Halsin.
H: Heh. Indeed it does. Did you… never experience such delights with Mystra? I, uh, hear the gods enjoy taking on the forms of swans, horses, eagles and the like when… visiting with mortals?
G: Oh no, quite the opposite, actually! She mostly preferred our interactions to be abstract, and incorporeal. Most invigorating.
G: So, Lae'zel, have you ever been tempted to use psionics in your, uh, romantic endeavors?
L: Only once. Did you know, in low-gravity settings, githyanki can maintain aerial suspension for hours at a time?
G: Fascinating! I think the arch-mage Tasha described a spell with similar affect! I really must look that up.
G: I've always felt flames to be a rather perfect expression of love, Karlach. Passionate! Primal! Capable of bestowing the most life-affirming comfort - or - inflicting the profoundest damage.
L: That's… pretty nice. Never thought about it like that. But… now I will.
G: I've been pondering something, Lae'zel. Why is it that githyanki have bellybuttons, hm? When they hatch from eggs?
L: I did not grant you permission to gaze upon my midriff.
G: I- I wasn't gazing! Merely observing! Though that can hardly be said for a certain someone else.
G: Y'know, Karlach, there are other ways to express love beyond run-of-the-mill physicality.
K: Ugh! Are you going to try and teach me about exceptional uses for a mage hand or what?
G: W-well actually, I was thinking of poetry!
K: Oops. Sorry. But, uh, now that I think of it… is mage hand especially hard to learn?
G: Even shaped by shadow as it is, Sharran architecture has a kind of beauty to it.
K: Beautifully intimidating. This place was meant to scare people into submission.
G: There you go. Cutting right through the ephemera to the heart of the matter. Hm! Your finest quality, I think.
K: Uh. Here I thought I rubbed you the wrong way.
G: Nothing wrong with a bit of friction now and then. You help me keep my mind sharp.
K: Aw, thanks, pal! I think.
G: When we met, Shadowheart, your gaze seemed to linger in the distance on some unseen goal, some insubstantial purpose. But I notice now your gaze settles on something or someone much closer.
S: Is it that obvious?
G: Of course! There's nothing escapes a wizard's powers of observation.
A: I gave my return to Baldur's Gate a lot of thought. I never pictured this, though.
G: Ah, what did you have in mind? A quiet party? Toasting your own return with a few good friends?
A: Less "quiet party with friends", more "days of hedonistic debauchery", but otherwise… yes!
G: Hmm. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. But you know what? I'm learning to enjoy the taste of chaos. Count me in.
G: I've heard that in Baldur's Gate, "wizard" is also a term used for one who eschews their more, [hr-hrm] carnal desires. Is that true, Wyll?
W: Where are we going with this, Gale?
G: Oh, nowhere. Just think it's a rather cruel misnomer, not at all reflective of the glamor wizarding life affords.
A: So Gale, you laid with a goddess? You must have some sordid tales to tell.
G: Sordid? I lay with the Mother of Magic herself! What we had was… transcendent. Euphoric. Incandescent. Not sordid!
A: You actually made sleeping with a goddess sound boring. Hm. Incredible.
A: I am enjoying our walks together, aren't you, Gale?
G: Uhh… sure! In silence.
G: When you've loved a goddess as I have, people often think you less experienced in the way of romance.
S: She just lives on another plane! [heh] Only jesting. I'm in no position to judge, especially after what happened with Shar.
G: It's true for a time, I neglected the physical in favor of celestial euphoria. But our relationship was no less real for it.
G: I feel I've been rather hasty to judge you, Astarion. One heartbreak was quite enough for me, but to experience it as many times as you have… must change a person.
A: Thank you, Gale, but let us both hope that broken hearts are a thing of the past.
A: So, do you have loves waiting for you once this is all over?
G: You know what, that is not the easiest of questions for me to answer.
S: You mean just… waiting? Like a lovesick puppy?
M: Do you have elder siblings, wizard?
G: You're about to say something awful, aren't you?
M: In Menzoberranzan, after a house has two sons, every subsequent male-born child is slaughtered at birth, as it is useless, even for breeding. You have the aura of a third child about you.
G: The architect who built this must have been remarkable. Pity their vision didn't stand the test of time.
K: All's not lost. I mean, just look at this place!
G: You've quite the knack for finding the bright side of things, haven't you?
K: Hope keeps you going.
K: So Gale, got any book recommendations for me?
G: You can read?
K: Hmph. Yes, very funny. I can read. School put me off big, boring tomes. Sometimes I wonder what I'm missing.
G: Ah! Say no more. I'll find the perfect book for you. I might even lend it to you from my library in Waterdeep, ooh.
K: Ooh, something with magic please! And no devils!
G: Do you feel that? The darkness, pulling at the strands of the Weave?
K: Er, you'll still be able to do your wizard thing though, right?
G: Of course. Doesn't make the shadows less dangerous.
K: Joy.
M: Gale. Minsc worries you might send a fireball up his butt with all of this… stringy hair in your face.
G: Is that why you keep your head shaved? I assumed it was a custom of some sort.
M: Oh, no. Most warriors of [Rashinan] wear long battle braids weighed down with stone. Minsc can show you, when next we camp.
G: Thank you, but I'm more wizard than warrior. Not sure my scalp would stand up to such a plaiting.
A: Gods! We're not back, are we?
G: On the Nautiloid, no. This is a different nursery. Similar, but not identical. There's likely one in every colony.
A: I don't care what's in every mind flayer colony, Gale. Nobody does. Except you.
A: Ugh, another ruined temple full of foul-smelling beasts spoiling for a fight.
G: No mere temple. This was a monastery, devoted as much to study as to worship.
A: Oh, how ignorant of me. So it'll be free of foul-smelling beasts then?
G: Quite the opposite. Some monastic orders celebrated their pungency as proof of their devotion. "To think is to stink" was the motto of one ill-fated brotherhood near Arm. Oh! Huh, but you meant beasts of the life-threatening variety. Yes I'm sure it's teeming with those.
A: Moonlanterns to keep the curse back? Burly guards to fight off any monsters? I could get used to this place.
G: Don't get too comfortable. We shouldn't overstay our welcome in such a place.
A: No, of course! Why stay somewhere safe and comfortable when we could be in mortal peril?
H: Ah, Last Light Inn. Half aglow and lanterns lit. Just like a hundred years ago.
G: I imagine the vista was more idyllic back then. As were its patrons' chances of surviving the walk home.
H: [Grunt.] Still though, when you are expecting nothing but desolation, even a small glimmer of hope fills the heart. To think long ago, the druids feared this market down would grow into a city and threaten nature's realm… little did we realize what the true threat was.
G: Divination is a skill few can master. The rest of us must simply muddle along, content to view the past with a clarity the future rarely offers.
H: Perhaps I can yet turn hindsight into foresight, provided the curse is lifted. The better way for all. Whole generations were denied their chance to flourish… I must put this right, for them.
A: That orb seems powerful. What could it do once it's extracted?
G: Nothing good can come of it unless it is contained. Why.
A: It might be useful. Who knows?
G: I must tell you, Shadowheart, the bathing waters here leave much to be desired. The ablutions offered at the Temple of Beauty in Waterdeep were far superior - and, they have the most excellent soaps.
S: Hmm. I was wondering why you always smelled like a wealthy dowager.
A: From sweet woodland to stinking swamp. Can you do tricks like that, Gale?
G: Easiest thing in the world. Though I'd do it the other way around.
H: Brickwork and stonework. This place is far out of balance with nature, but the Oak Father will reclaim this all eventually.
G: Not too soon, I hope! I've a craving for a soft bed, a hot bath, and a large glass of Arabellan Dry. None of which I've ever found hidden under a log.
H: Hah, you may thrive, but what of other life? A city is no place for wild creatures.
G: Cities teem with life! Rats, pigeons, flies… they count no less, for all their more pestilent qualities.
G: The Society of brilliance has quite the reputation. Even Waterdhavian academics refer to their works from time to time.
S: They talk a great deal but do very little. Which may be for the best.
G: I take it you're not inclined to study the wonders of the Underdark?
S: Its inhabitants and cultures, maybe. Its fungi and cave slime, no thank you.
W: Ethel mentioned Netherese magic. What in blazes does that mean?
G: Magic from the fallen empire of Netheril. Ancient. Exceedingly dangerous. And quite unrivalled.
A: Wonderful. I'd hate to be destroyed by any common old magic.
G: Home and hearth, reduced to ruins. The shadow curse stole more than the light from this place.
H: That is why it must be stopped. Imagine a whole century of life and love denied the chance to ever take place.
G: A hidden shrine dedicated to the Moonmaiden herself. Even amidst this darkness, Selunites are stubborn enough to cling on.
K: Pretty beautiful, isn't it?
G: Look around you! Indulge your curiosity! Sorcerous Sundries is the finest purveyor of magical miscellany for miles around.
K: Where's the axes?
G: What they sell is far more precious than mere sword or shield! They sell knowledge! Ingenuity! The wisdom of mages past.
K: [yawns] Ugh, sounds like more your thing than mine.
K: Doing alright, Gale?
G: Oh, you know. Still alive and kicking despite being surrounded on all sides by an endless manifestation of… darkness and decay.
K: I feel it too. Here if you need a pick-me-up.
G: It strikes me that, for a mind flayer colony, there are remarkably few mind flayers about the place.
K: Squiddies have gone to war, is my guess.
G: On the Absolute's behalf? Now there's an alliance I'd've been quite happy without.
K: Aw, man, adventuring is thirsty work.
G: There used to be a monastery in this region known for producing a wonderful ale.
K: Ah, that sounds like heaven. Wait. Used to?
G: Oh yes, long ruined, I'm afraid. No chance of a frothing pitcher awaiting us there, but still. At least your thirst for knowledge is quenced!
K: Ugh!
W: It might seem a bit ramshackle, but this place is a boastworthy bar.
G: A bar is only as good as its cellars. Which vintages can we expect on its racks?
W: Here, a bottle is judged more by its ability to crack heads than the quality of its contents.
G: Ah. If that's the main criteria then I shall reset my expectations accordingly. Water it is!
K: We're not taking a boat to Baldur's Gate, right?
G: And give the Absolute free reign to use us as target practice from the banks? I think not!
K: Ugh. My mum always said the Chionthat was unlucky.
G: I don't suppose you've any clue where we are in relation to Waterdeep?
K: From this distance between Elturel and Baldur's Gate, I'd say… a long way away.
G: Ah. That will make getting word to my mother rather tricky. No matter. What she doesn't know can't hurt her. Not at this distance, anyway.
G: Nothing like a brisk stroll through the forest to invigorate the spirit.
K: I was just thinking the same thing! But… poetically.
G: And without so much as a stirring from our tadpoles.
K: A girl could get used to this.
L: These children and their pets lack discipline. Were they githyanki, I'd recommend further training.
G: Not everyone approaches the raising of their young with such militaristic vigor.
L: That is the very purpose of training. To determine which children shall be warriors, and which are suited to other roles. As for the unruly animals, they would make for nutritious marching rations.
G: Mm, that's certainly one way to make them behave.
L: These flowers are quite vivid, not to mention pungent. Not to my liking.
G: Are there no flowers in [tunirath]?
L: In the city of death, the m'lar cultivate the fruiting bodies that sprout from the corpses of the slain.
G: Huh. I'd rather get them from my florist in Waterdeep, if it's all the same to you.
G: That zaith'isk you mentioned intrigues me. Care to tell me a bit more?
L: An intricate device crafted by m'lar, our most gifted artisans. I am sworn to say no more.
S: Why must the Dead Three be so obvious and ugly with their decor? Blood and bones, bones and blood… Pointy nonsense. At least Shar had some panache.
G: As did Mystra's home on Elysium. Her ribbed vaults and buttresses created a magic entirely of their own… not to mention their pleasure domes.
S: Hah! Pleasure dome.
G: It's a perfectly legitimate architectural feature!
G: The road to Baldur's Gate is a long one. Who knows how long it'll take these folks to get there on foot.
S: If they make it. They're slow, vulnerable. Half or more will die long before Basilisk Gate.
G: Doesn't seem to trouble you a jot.
S: What good would it do for me to be troubled? We can't save them all.
S: You seem to know a good deal about our condition, Gale.
G: Everything, really. Not to put too fine a point on it.
S: A humble specimen, aren't you?
G: On occasion.
G: They're not mutually exclusive! The weave is served best with a dash of eloquence.
G: There's magic here, but it's of a rancid, impure form. Nothing like the true Weave at all.
L: This is why I appreciate a sharp blade to a ball of fire or a bolt of lightning. The Weave is inconsistent, unruly.
G: The Weave is constant, but its users - anything but. We must be on our guard.
L: A githyanki warrior hardly needs to be told that.
L: What is this? This place makes me feel sad, melancholy.
G: Ah, so you're susceptible to the tragedy of a broken home. Maybe you've more in common with us weaker beings than you thought.
L: There's no call to be insulting.
G: Not to diminish our efforts, but. Was rather simple getting here in the end, wasn't it?
L: The obstacles ahead prove to be higher still, which will make the pleasure of overcoming them all the more potent. Imagine the glorious din of it all, the streaming banners, the charging knights. The piles of severed limbs and heads.
G: Mm, I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you.
G: Whatever I expected to find lurking in this cursed gloom, it certainly wasn't this. A glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
S: That's one way of looking at it. You could also say it's a prime target, the one pocket of light in the gloom.
G: Oh pragmatism, thy name is Shadowheart. You're not wrong, though. Best we keep our sojourn here to a minimum.
G: So! Shadowheart. Such a name implies yours is a difficult heart to find.
S: It's not that hard to find. Perhaps any difficulty is more telling of you, Gale.
G: I always wondered what a vampire's lair would look like. Can't say I pictured it being quite this… theatrical.
L: I find it surprisingly similar to Queen Vlaakith's aesthetic.
G: That makes sense. She does have a flair for the dramatic.
G: No day, no night. It's as though time itself has abandoned this place. Similar to the Astral Plane in some ways, wouldn't you say, Lae'zel?
L: Mm, hardly. It is said that the Astral Plane is threaded with light and silver, life-giving and wondrous in all directions. Nothing like this dismal abyss.
G: Tell me, Lae'zel, what is it like on the Astral Plane? Your home realm intrigues me.
L: Githyanki lay their eggs on other planes. They cannot mature in the Astral.
L: A tadpole nursery, as on the Nautiloid.
G: Quite right, so long as the attempt won't leave us similarly dismantled.
L: Caution is commendable. Boldness is extraordinary. In this case, I recommend the latter.
W: You're an impressive fighter, Gale. You should consider a new name.
G: I take it you have some suggestions?
W: The Wizard Wonder. Or, how about… the Master of the Weave?
G: Tempting, but I think we already have the maximum number of theatrical titles.
G: Pigeons, gulls, sparrows. These streets would make a fine hunting ground for a tressym like Tara.
M: In the Underdark, we have packs of winged hounds to deal with vermin like your precious Tara.
G: Flying hounds? Come now, you're pulling my leg. Aren't you?
M: Yes, I am. It is the bats that would make a meal of her.
M: Umberlee. Her clerics possess a nasty streak as wide as her oceans.
G: So their reputation suggests, especially among the good folk of Waterdeep. I'm curious to learn how you fell foul of them.
M: Blasphemy, said the temple priestess, but Minsc says do not give horns to your statues if you do not wish the visitors to try and make them toot.
G: Yes. That would probably do it.
W: I admire your courage, Gale.
G: Thank you! Any particular reason?
W: Between the orb and the bug, you've got more than your fair share of unwelcome passengers.
G: What can I say? Mother always told me to be a gracious host.
G: My, my. Well I'll say this for the bonecloaks: they know their mushrooms.
S: Perhaps they should expand their horizons. Too much time spent obsessing over fungi seems to leave them a bit, well… like them.
G: Oh, a byproduct of their profession. Few can spend a lifetime inhaling fungal spores without turning out a bit… muddled between the years.
W: This is it, Gale. Today, we annihilate the heart of the Absolute's power.
G: Entirely unnecessary. Though, if they are so inclined, I might be convinced to share a stanza or two of my own for inspiration! Whatever outcome of what's just ahead… it will be the stuff of legends.
G: I knew you were a graceful man, Wyll, but I hear you're quite the dancer, too! I've been known to trip the light fantastic myself. Mine was a popular hand at the annual Blackstaff's Ball.
W: I'd have loved to have witnessed it, Gale. I wager you are as elegant on the dance floor as you are on the battlefield.
S: What did you mean before, Gale? "A woman with shadows for eyes", you said.
G: Merely that if the eyes are the mirror to the soul, yours have dark curtains across the mirror. No offense taken, I hope.
S: Not necessarily. I haven't made up my mind about you yet.
A: Ever heard of a vampire called Cazador, Wyll?
W: I don't think so, no. Why? Friend of yours?
G: He's patriarch of the Szarr family. Nasty fellow, if the histories are accurate.
A: I imagine they are.
L: The right of these prisoners to die in mortal combat was stolen from them.
G: Hardly the worst atrocity the Absolute's committed.
L: One of many, but by no means the least. To die properly is a matter of honor.
W: This is no aimless horde. The Absolute's forces are organized. What do you make of it, Gale?
G: All enemies have some chink in their armor, no matter how much they like to believe themselves invulnerable.
W: And if we don't find any clear weakness?
G: Then we hope our mutual strengths are enough to dominate them. Or! We die nobly in the attempt.
G: I was wondering about your queen, Vlaakith. What tales of her reach us are terrifying. I suppose that's not how you would describe her.
L: Vlaakith is unity. Fear and beauty, life and unlife… eyes like onyx, teeth like daggers. There is none more perfect.
S: Sounds vile. I assume the meaning of perfect was lost in translation.
G: Moonrise Towers lies ahead. We're nearing the heart of the Absolute, I'm certain of it.
W: Then let us push forward, head high, weapons in hand, and turn this tower to rubble.
G: Your confidence is encouraging, but a little premature. Let's keep our eyes on the task ahead- or eye, as the case may be.
W: Who's in charge of the mind flayers, Lae'zel? Is there a squid king or something?
L: No. Each ghaik is servant to an elder brain. No king unites elders, only their collective tyranny.
G: A mind flayer monarch! Imagine that. Such a thing could shatter worlds!
K: Ready to enter the belly of the beast?
G: Ugh. It's the stairs I'm dreading.
G: No sign of tentacles so far.
S: The same. Except for a knot of worry in my stomach that's in no rush to go away.
G: That I can relate to.
G: The masons here thought they were building something to last. How wrong they were.
W: Perhaps it's a blessing that none of them survived to see it fall to the shadows.
G: No need for such a grim assumption. Halsin helped many to escape these shadows before the town was consumed.
W: Then some masons were more blessed still, if they could put their talent to use elsewhere. Perhaps some of their work even graces Baldur's Gate.
S: You seemed quite forward with your compliments earlier. We'd only just met.
G: Seize the day, I say. More now than ever.
S: Careful you don't pull a muscle in this place.
S: Isn't it so that every time you speak as you cast a spell, you're endeavoring to call upon Mystra? I'm surprised she still listens to you.
G: She has no choice. She's sworn to hear all magic users. Even me. I'm sure she at least stuffs her fingers in her ears to muffle my invocations.
G: The history of the city itself is captured in the archives here. A fascinating resource.
W: I wonder what those archives will reveal about us a hundred years hence.
G: Only the most excellent and complimentary things. With some encouragement from us, of course.
G: Look at this place. Such horrors defy description.
S: Silence can be best. Give it a try sometime.
S: What if this creche doesn't work out, Lae'zel? What if your kin fail you?
L: If I can reach the creche, my kin will provide. Any failure will be mine alone.
S: If you say so. Just don't expect me to put all my eggs in the same basket.
G: That expression must sound curious to a githyanki ear, given the way they're birthed.
G: Gods. Who knew such a vile abscess lurked in the bedrock of this city? The very stone reeks of misery and despair.
J: Mm. A sad shrine kept by the lunatic and the lost. The last time I was here, I promised myself I would die beneath open sky. I have not changed my mind.
G: Nor should you. Far better to feel a cool breeze on your skin than whatever foul expirations blow through these halls.
A: Eh, can't say I love what they've done with the place.
G: Unsurprising, really. Fanatical cultists tend to care more for ambience then aesthetics.
A: Hrm. Reason enough to put them all to the sword, I say.
A: Heh, what's this? A clever little hideaway. A little too clever, if you ask me. Watch out for traps.
G: Not just clever. Rather ingenious! Somehow its construction keeps the shadow curse away.
S: The end must be near. No regrets, Gale? You may have been better off staying inside this boulder.
G: Unlikely. Had I stayed there much longer, the orb would have reduced it to rubble. Besides, think of all the fun I'd've missed out on.
S: Fun? Well, yes… I suppose we did manage to make the best of things.
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ellecdc · 2 months
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A Man With a Plan (prologue)
prologue // p1 // p2 // p3 // p4 // p5 // p6
Remus Lupin x whimsical!reader - Hogwarts Era (no Voldemort) - Soulmate AU
A/N: Hello! I've been stuck in my head about the idea of a whimsical reader (think Luna Lovegood) after reading the many sweet writings of other writers on Tumblr (specifically @ moonstruckme)! I totally ship a character like this with Remus because I feel like Remus has a tendency to overthink and get stuck in his own head and a character like this would be a breath of fresh air for him and balance him really well. Please note: whimsical does not = stupid! Rather, quite smart but people find her odd and reduce this to lack of intelligence. This is my little prologue, a sort of soulmate-esque AU - what do we think? Do we like this idea? Would we read it???
CW: swearing (cuz it's Remus 'Werewolf McSwearWolf' Lupin's POV, duh)
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If there was one thing people ought to know about Remus John Lupin, it was that Remus was a planner. At any given point, it would be safe to assume that Remus had a plan.
As would be typical of Remus Lupin’s luck, however, most of his plans got fucked to shit.
Example A:
As a child, Remus planned to grow up to be a wizard like his da, or a nurse like his mum. That plan was fucked to bits just before his 5th birthday when Fenrir Greyback damned him to a life of lycanthropy and a side serving of prejudice. 
Example B:
Remus Lupin planned to never be accepted to Hogwarts on account of his previously stated damnation. That plan also went sideways when an owl dropped a letter into his porridge on the morning of his 11th birthday, containing an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Remus’ da told Remus it was likely a mistake and they would rescind the offer once they learnt of his lycanthropy. Once again, plans were nullified when headmaster Dumbledore himself showed up on the doorstep of the Lupin Cottage after not receiving a response from them.
Example C:
Once he confirmed his acceptance to Hogwarts, Remus Lupin planned to be completely invisible throughout his time at school. This meant: no embarrassing himself, no bringing attention to himself, and absolutely, under no circumstances, would he make friends.
Of course, as should have been expected, this plan was fucked upside down and backwards seven ways to Sunday when the likes of James Fleamont Potter and Sirius Orion Black set their sights upon him.
Though Remus Lupin did have a plan, he was still just a boy. He’d been homeschooled his entire life due to being unable to explain his absences to muggle teachers as well as his scars/injuries from every full moon, and the village kids were quite fearful of the scarred boy. All this to say; he’d never had friends before.
So, sue him for relishing in the interest these boys seemed to have in him.
No matter: Remus could handle this. “How?” You may be wondering. By a plan, of course! 
Remus Lupin would allow these two (and Peter who went about befriending the boy in a much gentler way, so let’s make it three) friends, and planned to ensure that they never learned of his lycanthropy. He’d only just made friends; he wasn’t about to lose them. 
Of course, Sirius being the nosey fucker he is, James being the doting mother hen he is, and Peter being far too perceptive for anyone’s good – that plan was fucked to shit as well.
Remus, then, planned then to never let anyone else ever learn his secret again.
That plan was once again fucked by none other than Sirius Black and his unfortunate ‘prank’ on Severus Snape that could have cost Remus and Severus both of their lives, or at the very least, their lives as they knew it.
Remus Lupin then planned to never forgive Sirius Black for that horrible, thoughtless prank. 
Remus was admittedly not all that sad to say that this particular plan was shot too, though he ensured Sirius suffered at least a little during the process of his forgiveness. 
So, as he sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall in September of his 7th year listening to his friend’s wax poetic about their different love interests or conquests that they had made over the summer (i.e., James’ love for Lily, Sirius’ many hook-ups, and Peter’s enthusiastic support of them both), Remus made yet another plan.
Remus John Lupin planned to never, ever, fall in love. 
Moony, it would seem, had other plans. 
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Continue to the first chapter here.
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seriiousgiirl · 1 year
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Sweet Juice
Severus Snape x Alumni!reader.
NFSW! Basically (fluffy) smut with a massive plot. //! Incorrect use of Potions.
Severus is 30 years old in this fic, you are 23, minor age gap. 
Summary: Ever since your youth, you were passionate about the art of Potions. Luckily, during your time at Hogwarts, you found a mentor in the strict and cold Professor Snape. Having made a habit of spending hours after class talking to him, all of this came to an abrupt end during your final year. Leaving you in a total mystery, with no answers.  It was only years later that you took your revenge, in the hope of moving on. Not suspecting that it would bring you face to face with your deepest desires. 
A/N: I admit I could have turned this into a multi-chapter fanfic, but I figured that would break the rhythm, so enjoy this long read! This fic is inspired by ‘Sweet Juice’ by Purple Kiss, go stream it for a better life! Trust me (;
Word count: 14k. (hehe)
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"Ah- Miss Y/f/n, please accept this price. It is an honour to be able to reward young talents like yourself." The little cup was hurriedly placed in your hands.
"It is an honour to be awarded with this prestigious prize," You politely thanked the crowd.
Your eyes lingered on the name of the prize, ‘Research & Development, winner of the best potion of the year'. And without even realising it, your lips drew a somewhat smug smile. Standing upright, ready to have your photo done, to appear in the next edition of the Daily Prophet, with pride, you held the cup in your hands. In that busy room, you were the youngest. And yet, you are the one who has been praised for your achievements. Earning jealous glares from the potion makers, who coveted it as much as you did.
"Miss, can you tell us more about your potion, how did you get the idea?" You were asked, for what you guessed was now an actual interview.
"I wanted to be able to help the Wizards and Witches to unwind more easily, it is sometimes difficult to let go of work pressure and its boredom. That is why I decided to study Amortentia, and its derivations, in order to create a potion capable of releasing in us the hormones necessary to enjoy ourselves... Without the negative effects of the ancient Potions." You explained, in the simplest way possible to the journalists.
"So it's a potion that gets you aroused?" One adds.
You frowned, a little offended by this shortcut, "Yes, in theory, but it goes deeper than that. Otherwise, I wouldn't be rewarded today. But if you want to know, you have to taste it... All the reviews have been very positive." You commented, with a wink. 
To summarise months, almost a whole year of research, is almost an insult to your work. Amortentia is one of the most dangerous potions. Studying it to the point of understanding its mechanism and removing the obsession it causes, was the greatest achievement of the process. The rest was just a series of experiments, an understanding of the human body and its hormones, and it was done. 
The result was prodigious, it brought a sense of relaxation, without the risk of an eternal sleep like the Draught of Peace. Comfort and love, without the risk of being manipulated by an evil liquid. And then, depending on the quantity used, the effects could be more or less intense, but never dangerous. Quite remarkable, considering all the side effects that most Potions could provide. 
You deserve your reward tonight for many reasons, no one else has been able to do it in the past.
“Have you always held an interest in the subject?" The interview proceeded, to have some content for the beloved magazine.
"Yes, since my school days at Hogwarts. I quickly found a vocation in the subject, expressing my talents at an early age.” You paused, before continuing, "But it would never have been possible without the support of my teacher and mentor, Severus Snape, who taught me everything. His talent is second to none, and next to it, I am nobody, even after tonight." You humbly added, with another smile.
At the end of this sentence, your eyes searched for a certain dark silhouette. 
Unlike earlier, that smile was particularly forced on your lips. To say that he had supported you was a fine lie. While at first he was indeed ‘supporting’ you (more like a tolerating you), graciously accepting you to attend his prestigious private Potion club, the entirety of your last year was a failure. 
In your first years, you never had to face his wrath and nasty comments, simply because he couldn't blame you for anything. Your work was perfect, from theory to application. But to him, you were nothing.
With time, and your growing skills, things changed. There was a time when you even assumed that an understanding had developed between the two of you, you were not friends, it was impossible with such a man, but it wasn’t nothing either. Eventually, the discussions after class or the club, sharing theories and experiences, became quite regular. Sometimes up to dinner hour, and even after curfew, the time went by so quickly in these periods, as neither of you paid attention, caught up in the interaction. After all, the discussions were very entertaining, between two Potions enthusiasts, and you gained a lot of knowledge from them.
Perhaps because you had succeeded to raise his esteem for you, Professor Snape, during class, would give you one of his infrequent compliments on your methods, or provide you with advice while experiencing in the club. Over time, you came to really treasure this exclusive ‘bond’, with such a cold and distant person. It would be a lie to say that in every class, your shared private discussions weren't the moment you were most looking forward to. You felt special.
You couldn't remember exactly when or how this routine started, it had developed naturally during the end of your fifth year and lasted all the way through to the sixth. However, you could remember bitterly how it had ended. 
By the start of your final year at Hogwarts, a cold shoulder from Professor Snape had begun to creep between the two of you. He no longer commented on your work, or even dared to give you one of his rare compliments. It was simply as if you didn't even exist. This drastic change was particularly noticeable when you tried to revive another discussion after class, only to be rejected. 'I don't have time Miss Y/f/n', 'I've got too much work', 'Go, and revise', these were, obviously, bland excuses. 
You had spent time thinking about it, trying to understand this radical change, but nothing could be found. The discussions had never overflowed on personal information, at least on his side, you - You had been more talkative. And again, nothing major, just simple information like your preferences in terms of flowers, cake flavours, and favourite literature. It never looked like it bothered him to listen to you, and yet strangely enough it seemed to interest him. But, in the end, most of the talk was about Potions, nothing odd that should have ended it all brutally.
In the course of your discussions, you had always expressed an interest in a career in the field, and Professor Snape had consequently supported you (in his own way) in this idea. In all honesty, having his approval really encouraged you. Until, once again, your senior year. While you had been able to get decent, if not perfect, results up to this point, the downfall continued when you saw your grades drop for unfair reasons. You had never witnessed his unfair grading, but when you became one of his victims, he was unforgiving towards your harmless mistakes. It was as if he was trying to ruin your future career as a potion maker.
All this unjustified hatred, discouraged you, but not to the point of giving up your aspiration, otherwise you wouldn't be standing there with the precious prize in your hands. 
Was it some kind of revenge? Definitely. 
Mentioning Severus in your ‘thank you speech’ was perfectly legitimate, he had given you more than anyone else in your life. But, even though you kept telling yourself that it was already 3 years ago and it belonged to the past, your heart was still broken, disappointed. And by his presence tonight, you were hoping to finally put an end to it all. Snape had witnessed your happiness, you had won, the revenge was completed. Time to move on. 
However, it was easier to convince yourself than to apply it. It would be wrong to claim that you hadn't worked hard to impress him. Ever since that cold war between you two, no matter how strange it may seem, you couldn't get over it. 
Sometimes, in your most private moments, you would close your eyes in the hope of being able to remember. The damp smell of the dungeons invading your nostrils, your teacher's deep voice echoing within the cold walls to your ears, praising you how well you had worked. His dark eyes focused on you, and only you. In fact, the intensity of his dark gaze could suffocate you, and yet you would not care. You desperately wanted to reclaim that relationship, as someone to whom he would give his precious time, where he would share his passions anew, a time when in his mind you existed and were important. And no matter how embarrassing it was, the idea of finding pleasure in these memories was enough to make your knickers wet.
At the time, you had convinced yourself that you were not holding any affection regarding your Professor… Another fine lie from you, obviously. It had taken a few years to come to this conclusion, to get out of the denial of this forbidden love. But now it was clear and explained a lot concerning your addiction and pain. The feeling of anticipation at the end of each lesson, the way you would pour your soul into the subject in the hope of receiving a ‘compliment’... Or simply the way you kept seeking for his attention, even after years. Nothing about this behaviour was appropriate, regardless how hard you tried to maintain the classic student-teacher relationship, on your own. 
Perhaps Snape had even realised this, explaining the sudden cessation of your individual time together. 
And even though, with hindsight, you should have felt guilty, you couldn't throw away that attachment. It was as if he had put a spell on you, that the lack of contact with him since you graduated from Hogwarts had reinforced that love. 
But today was different, it was your revenge, your mourning over this period of your life. 
The sound of the camera flashes snapped you out of your thoughts. The lights blinded your eyes for a moment, and you blinked frantically to regain your sight. Hoping that the pictures would look nice on the magazine...
"Well, congratulations Miss Y/f/n, we hope to see your Potion soon on the market amongst our merchants. I can’t wait to taste it, as you have suggested." The interview ended on this note, and the journalists dismissed themselves to make room for those who wished to thank you or congratulate you in person. 
Thus, you were greeted with a new wave of questions, of praises, mostly it was older wizards and witches who were attending the event, and thus more 'experienced' than you in Potions. Their words tasted like hypocrisy, but you accepted everything with a polite smile. You actually enjoyed the attention, although deep down it was a particular Potions Master you were looking for, so it all went over your head. After a few moments you managed to escape from the conversation that had been built around the right to use the Felix Felixis at the Ministry's work, to get yourself a glass of alcohol from the buffet. 
The taste of alcohol eased your nerves, rejoicing in the moment of calm you just gave yourself after all the attention you received. But the moment was short.
“Miss Y/f/n. How fortuitous to find you here." A voice commented sarcastically on your presence at the bar. 
There was no need to look up at the person speaking to you because you already knew who he was. His deep voice was like a melody, a music composed by the finest musicians of this world. How, Merlin, you truly missed it…
“Professor Snape- Hum, or should I say Severus now that we are colleagues?” You answered him a little too smoothly for your taste, One drink and my anger is already forgotten? I need to get my act together!
“Snape will do, we are not direct colleagues. Let's keep some formality.” He replied somewhat distantly. Ouch- Years did not seem to have quieted the hatred he had against you.
You had not yet looked up to him, postponing the moment when you would be blessed with his physical presence. But you could see from the corner of your eye that he was pouring himself a shot glass of what seemed to be a fire whiskey.
"I must say that I am surprised that the award was given to you tonight... However, it would be wrong not to congratulate you." Severus began slowly, as if preventing himself from saying too much. “But…”
“But?” Your voice cut him off, a mixture of excitement and sheer joy at the thought of receiving praise from your dear Professor. This special praise you had been longing for. 
"But-” He sighed as if you had annoyed him, “I object to the fact that my teachings have led you to produce such a grotesque Potion." 
If your eyes had been glued to your glass since the beginning of the conversation fearing to feel butterflies in your stomach at the sight of Severus, you suddenly raised them, eyes wide with surprise. And in your stomach, anger. How dare he humiliate my work like that?
However, you were at a loss for words. He hadn't changed at all, he hadn't even made the effort to wear another suit for the event. He remained the same man as when you left him. Your eyes fell on his face, he had a neutral expression, as if his hurtful words were the most well-deserved ones. His eyes were on you, but because of the dim light and his dark pupils it was impossible for you to discern any judgement within. Otherwise, his hair was still the same length, falling gently over his shoulders, soft… His hooked nose made him look sterner than ever, and the crease between his over-frowned eyebrows did not seem to have increased.
He was still the same man, the one you were so fond of, and that made it more difficult. 
But it was as if you two had evolved in two different time spaces. It had only been two years since you left Hogwarts, and it was certain that the occasional times you ran into a former classmate, they all had trouble recognising you. Obviously, you have grown in maturity through your work. You were no longer a young girl, you were a woman, a lady, with stature and respect. You were even certain that if your name wasn't mentioned at your prize-giving, Severus wouldn't have known who you are. 
"A grotesque potion?” You took back his words, insulted, “You know perfectly well all the work that lies behind it. I explained it in a briefing for the association. You must have read it, right?" You tried to hide the irritation in your voice.
"I read it, of course. And although I must admit that it was all a tremendous amount of hard work... All these efforts, for such a clownish result, is disappointing."
You couldn't help but stare at him in disbelief. You were supposed to be the one to get your revenge tonight. And here you are, in the shoes of the student you used to be in your last year, being jeered for your hard work. His words were harsh, and perhaps because they came from your professor, they hurt you badly. 
"The mere fact that I am the one who taught you everything is even more terrible." He added nonchalantly, bringing his glass to his lips. 
You remained quiet, thinking of all the things you could say to him. After all, he was no longer your instructor, Severus no longer had superiority over you. What can he do now, if I snapped at him? Expel me from Hogwarts? Perhaps, it was the moment for you to confess everything that was weighing on your heart. How his coldness and distance had made you miserable. 
"I thought it was only fair to thank you in my speech." You retorted, "But as far as I can see, you don't even want to be associated with me anymore, even as a mere tutor. Your hatred of me, I don't know where it comes from, but it's all unfair. This was supposed to be my special night. But now you've ruined it.” You hesitated before speaking again, “Like you’ve ruined my seventh year at Hogwarts."
Severus’ face remained as neutral as ever, but in his posture you felt a kind of irritation, he was caught off guard by your curt reply. Well, he must understand that I won't take his nastiness easily anymore. 
However, you took no pleasure in giving him this answer. You had imagined many scenarios about your reunion... You had hoped that he would apologise, show that he felt sorry for having been cold to you, and in the more realistic scenario simply shake your hand, congratulate you and that was it. In no way, had you expected that he would remain so hostile. 
A heavy silence fell between the two of you. His lack of response bothered you further, so you grabbed your glass and finished it straight down. "I'm going to get some air, if anyone is looking for me." Your voice was less angry, as your throat tightened dangerously, poised to burst into tears and it was slightly audible. It was a disaster.
You took your trophy with great care, the only thing that gave you comfort, and left without even bowing to Severus. You were never going to see him again in your life anyway. 
The evening of the association for Potions makers of Great Britain (or simply those with an interest for the discipline), was held in the large manor house of the current Chairman. After escaping from the hall where the main event was taking place, you looked for a way out to the garden. Your heels clicked on the marble floor, echoing in the various empty corridors. The laughter and voices of the party began to fade with each step you took. 
You were getting away from these jealous and condescending people and above all, from Severus. Good, you didn't feel like crying miserably in front of everyone. Your hopes were already destroyed, your ego wasn't going to be the next crime. After a moment, you spotted a windowed door leading to the backyard and quickly rushed to open it, taking a deep breath of air in desperation. 
Stepping out completely, you were pleasantly surprised to discover the lovely atmosphere. The garden was well tended with bushes of various flowers and the grass was green and healthy, while lanterns lightened the path leading to the depths of the garden. You were caught up in the sense of peace and quiet that it gave you, feeling much more comfortable on your own. 
It was summer, late August, school was beginning soon, work was about to restart and the merchants would soon be back in business. But it was already late, the moon was already high in the sky, almost full, and the stars shone brightly in the country sky away from London's city lights. The air was a bit fresh, but cold enough to get your mind back in order without freezing in your evening gown, which was quite revealing… But still elegant and pretty.
Venturing into the garden you finally found a bench to settle down on and think about what just happened, alone. Your eyes lifted to the magnificent starry sky before you, and its darkness made you think of Severus... The way his pupils were fixed on you, the image replayed in your mind... Over and over. You wanted to despise him for his behaviour, he had broken your heart! Not to feed your already distracted mind with lusty thoughts. Did he, at least, appreciate the sight of me in this dress? Your mind began to wander in a dangerous area, and you needed to stop right now.  
Severus had been nothing but spiteful, he hadn't changed for sure, whether it was physically or mentally. And yet... You couldn't hate him in the slightest. It all seemed wrong on his part, as if he was forcing himself. Pushing you away. 
You sighed, it was truly a disaster, you were frustrated with Severus, with yourself. Tonight was about revenge, moving on was the main mission and now you were fantasising all over again, like the flame of your love had been rekindled. 
A tear rolled down your cheek from sheer frustration, disappointment in yourself. Then one tear broke into a silent cry. Were you doomed to love a man you will never see again, who is out of reach and seems to be loathing you? Put like this, it was as if you enjoyed suffering. 
Now, you had no desire to return to the house with the other members, the possibility of running into Snape again and worsening your mental state, made you dread the prospect. Great, he had won and definitely broken your heart. 
It was decided, you were going to stay there, with your trophy in your arms and with a bit of luck you will be able to leave unnoticed by floo powder. The plan seemed reasonable. 
But fate seemed to have decided otherwise. 
You jumped when you heard someone cough to get your attention. You were so deep in thought, your eyes fixed on the sky, that you didn't hear anyone approaching you. Your little moment of peace had been ruined, and you frowned as your eyes fell on the culprit. Severus’ brooding silhouette in the darkness of the garden lived up to his Hogwarts reputation as a bat. 
You sniffed, "What are you doing here? Go away. You've already hurt me enough, there's no need to make it worse, I heard your nasty comments once already." In your pathetic state you asked Severus rather rudely to leave. 
There was a small silence before it was broken by his voice, "Are you crying?"
You couldn't make out his face, so you concluded that he couldn't see yours either. You hesitated between telling the truth or lying before answering, “Why do you care…?” Your voice was weak, in no way hiding the truth. 
“I asked you a question, Y/n” He persisted.
Hearing his voice pronounce your first name, as he used to do when you were in private conversation, made you weak in the knees, much more than you would have liked to acknowledge. 
"I, hum... Yes." You replied, sobbing quietly. Resistance will only make things worse. 
"It's a wonder you've managed to make a respectable place for yourself in the business, with such a weak mind." But unlike earlier his voice was gentler, firm, but gentle. "I've talked a bit with some of your fellow peers, people who have been around you for the past few years. Supporting you in carrying out your work… Believing in this project of yours.” He paused for another moment. 
You didn't know what he was getting at, confusion all over your face. The people you had surrounded yourself with for work were not in attendance tonight. They were mostly former students just like yourself, who had attended the advanced Potions class. If they were absent tonight it is because in their research of Potions, unlike you, they had not managed to produce a viable solution. 
In the darkness, you discerned him taking his place beside you on the bench. The warmth of his body spreading over your arm, allows you to evaluate how close you were to each other. And the answer was easy, very close. You could smell the light scent of his fragrance, a bit musky, the bare skin of your arm was grazing against the thick fabric of his frock coat, and it was a miracle that he was still able to breathe under all those layers in this warm weather. You noticed that it was the first time he was so close to you, usually he would keep his distance. His desk or the potions station had always been a well-respected barrier between the two of you. And thus, it made you a bit timid.
"Well, talking…” He spoke sarcastically to rectify himself, “I’ve exchanged letters with them. Checking on my former students, those you are working with now. Ensuring that everything was going well for you." He emphasised the last part of his sentence. 
And Severus doesn't need to amplify his words, for you to understand what he was implying secretly. 
Severus had checked on you, taking news through his letters over the past two years. 
Each of his words hit you straight in the heart, making it pound faster each time. You thanked Merlin for the obscurity, because between your tears that must have drenched your makeup and the crimson spreading over your cheeks, the sight must be pretty dramatic. 
"Why didn't you send an owl directly to me?" Your voice was still weak, but your tears had ceased. You ran your delicate hand over your cheeks to remove the remaining tears. 
You heard Severus sigh quietly at your question. It took him a while to answer, as if he was tortured to answer honestly or lying, hesitating in the same way you did a few moments ago with his question. “It’s complicated.” Severus opted to be vague, "In any case, I've got nothing but praise for your work or even your person... They like you just the same as they did back at Hogwarts."
You didn't know if your mind was playing tricks on you by wanting to romanticise everything, but in his voice there was a faint hint of nostalgia. Severus' note brought a smile to your lips, "I'm glad to hear that, I appreciate them as well. At least they're not hypocrites like everyone else tonight..." Your honesty seemed to catch what sounded like a quiet chuckle from your former Professor. 
"I must grant you, Y/n... That my words were harsh against you." Severus' voice regained its usual firm tone, "But I must confess, that such a potion, with such utility, surprises me coming from you."
That was what you guessed, his form of apology, and you accepted the way it was. "It is true that in my youth I never showed any interest in Healing Potions. What interested me the most were Poisons... But Amortentia is a poison like any other, in its own way, and research can lead us to expand our minds, can't they?” The fact that Severus knew perfectly your preferences in the area, made it easier to explain. "And then, with hindsight, I'm proud that my invention helps people, rather than killing them."
Severus nodded quietly, indicating that he fully understood the meaning of your words, as you had hoped he would. He seemed to remember all the information you had told him about yourself three years ago. That made you more than happy.  
“‘Sweet juice’, that's how you named it?” He spoke with sarcasm, gently mocking. 
It was your turn to sweetly chuckle, “No! I had originally named it 'Aquae dulcis', from the Latin ‘peaceful liquid’... But for the promotion, I was advised to change the name to a more sales-oriented one, which would fit better with my image as a lady.”
"I was wondering why the name doesn't match you… I've got my answer." He sounded somewhat relieved, "Many people have mentioned the taste." Severus sounded less reticent over your Potion, it was even if he was aware of the feedbacks that were provided in order to boost the pre-sales. 
"Ah- yes, the taste... That's what gives the potion its reputation for being arousing." You sighed a little embarrassed to talk about this with him, “Unlike many Potions, with a disgusting taste… Mine is sweet. The liquid drips slowly down the throat, the taste hooked up everyone wishing to take it. The feeling is strange to describe, and actually I can’t… Like a flame, it all burns, it all gets on, the throat-burning sensation is taboo.” You added the last part of your sentence in a whisper due to the embarrassing nature of your language. It sounded sexual, you must admit. 
Again there was silence and you wished you hadn't said what you revealed about this special taste, fearing that you had gone too far and brought your former teacher into equal discomfort. 
But he answered with an unexpected thought, “I’m curious about the experience.” You caught your breath surprised, not even realising that you had stopped for a moment out of fear,  "No potions so far have managed to ease my nerves. The Draught of Peace made me feel like I was too tired to continue working properly, so I stopped years ago. And if there's one time when I'm extremely irritable, it's at work, or when I'm grading papers… Especially when I grade the papers.” It was as if Severus was 'justifying' himself for wishing to try it. But deep down, some peace would only do him good. 
"Only a few drops then, otherwise you'll regret the tiredness you got from the Draught of Peace when you'll feel aroused during your teaching." Even yourself was surprised by the bold words you used.
Thankfully Severus took less time to answer than last time, "Of course. I'll be careful. I'll give you a personal feedback on my impressions over the next few days following the start of term."
"Send the owl directly to me this time, it would be unfortunate if anyone found out you had an 'uncomfortable issue' because of my Potion." You laughed softly, clearly more comfortable around him. You were both adults now, fellow colleagues in the Potions discipline, you have the right to tease him about the unwanted side effects.
Well, unwanted for Severus’ case. You knew that many were looking forward to taking bigger doses... Precisely to get horny. 
“I will Y/n,” He answered in a tone that seemed to be almost as amused. 
“So… You want it, you want some Sweet Juice?” You ask him, hardly believing that you were asking Severus Snape, your cold former professor, if he wanted a stash of your own (arousing) Potion. 
"If you don't mind, as it will only be sold on the mid-September market, if I understand correctly. I will, of course, pay for anything you may want to send me." He firmly says, 
You shook your head sharply, "Absolutely not, I'll send you these for free as a thank-you. And before school starts, so everything will be ready for you to face those annoying and incompetent first years." 
Severus sighs, a mixture of exasperation and relief. Exasperation because you were strict about him not paying you for anything, relief at the idea of finally having a solution to calm his tense nerves. “Stubborn as ever, I see. You may have changed physically, mentally you’re still the same.”
His little statement had the power to make your cheeks even more flushed. So he noticed that I had changed… That I’m now a lady. “Thank you, I guess?” You had no idea how to reply to that. 
"That's a compliment.” He clarified for you, “You are, indeed, now… Excuse my choice of words- a pretty woman. But besides your appearance, you are blossoming in what you always dreamed of, with a remarkable career start. It's a good thing you've kept parts of yourself intact, fame must not go to your head. But you are a reasonable lady, I know everything will be fine." It was Severus' turn to be a bit awkward with his words.
His compliment went straight to your heart and seemed to soothe all the pain you had felt over the last few years. However, in his tone, Severus sounded as if he wanted to keep his words strictly formal, as he had always done even in your deepest discussions in the past. 
"Thank you Severu- Hm, Snape.” You hated how easy it was for you to say his first name, when he had just corrected you a few moments before. However, he didn't correct you this time, letting that minor error slide. 
You indulged in the peaceful silence that settled between the two of you. The way the conversation had progressed was comparable to the ones you had in the past, if not more comfortable. Two enthusiasts discussing about their favourite subject, trying to understand each other's opinion with respect and interest. Obviously, a formal one, Severus always maintains his distance from you, as if he was always your Professor and couldn't afford to be more. Your hopes were not high on a potential romance with Severus, he was older, your former teacher, mysterious… In the end you know nothing about the man and his job was keeping him busy all year long. However, a friend would be a good start… A rather affordable hope.
In the end, when Severus opted not to act cold, it was as if there hadn't been a rupture in your relationship. The chemistry had returned back in a flash. It made you bitterly regret those three lost years... Besides, you still had no idea of the exact nature of his past harsh attitude. Maybe even tonight was just an exception and the question will never be answered.
However, if Severus ever decided, as he had suggested with his impressions, to exchange letters, perhaps with time you would find the courage to ask him. Now, it would be a bad idea and would ruin the calm atmosphere. 
"Maybe it's time to get back to the party..." Severus offered, his voice not exactly enthusiastic about joining the festivities again as well, "The others will wonder when they notice our absence."
“Right, It would be unfortunate if they started to wonder about our connection..." You laughed lightly, mocking his constant worry about being paired with you. Severus huffed, outraged. 
He stood up, and in the half-light you saw him offering his arm to you, like a gentleman. You took it without hesitation, linking yours to his.
"It's been pleasing tonight…” You spoke quietly, as Severus escorted you back into the manor.
He inhaled shakily before answering, "Yes, I agree. And hearing from you, - personally - is always preferable. I hope this will last in your future letters." 
You smiled at his words, "Obviously, Severus." There was a deep fondness evident in your voice. This time you couldn't help it, saying his first name felt right, and he didn't correct you either. 
-
The October leaves had just fallen, the soft light with its morning rays of sunshine was reaching into your office. The scenery was quiet, peaceful even. And even though you had no reason to be in your office this early, you were waiting for a special occurrence. 
Sweet Juice' had been on the market for almost a month, at various shops in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, and sales were more than encouraging. In fact, it was a real success. Some minor stock-outs caused even a panic among the sellers when they couldn't satisfy their demanding customers. Everyone was talking about the benefits of your Potion, and how it changed their life.
The money you received was considerable, allowing you to take a break. After two years of hard work, you deserved it. And a new solution cannot be invented that easily anyway. So your days were pretty uneventful, sometimes you were occupied with checking in with the producer, the one you had trusted enough to share the secrets of your mixture, and the sales. Otherwise, most of your days were spent taking care of yourself, enjoying life and, above all, waiting for Severus' letters. 
Currently in your hands, the last letter you received, already dated from the previous week. The other letters, which numbered five, were neatly folded and kept in the first drawer of your desk. Severus' handwriting was as elegant and delicate as ever, and you took great comfort in receiving them. The content was kept formal, but somewhat ‘casual’ or ‘friendly’. Which was a good development. 
The letters were quite brief and mostly structured the same way. Severus would write about his thoughts on Potions, then about his days at Hogwarts, and finally he would reply directly to the contents of the letter he had just received, making his comments on your daily life. 
In each of his answers, you could tell that he was making the effort to maintain the relationship despite the distance. When the first correspondence started, you were quite surprised to see his owl on your windowsill within less than a week. You were pleasantly surprised, expecting to receive a response within a relatively long delay. To be honest, you weren't expecting this much from him, because you know how occupied he is.
Your eyes lingered on the contents of the one you held in your hands. 
Dear Y/n, 
Thank you for the new batch of Potions you have sent me.
I would like to use it sparingly, addiction would be regrettable. So I take precautions, even though the peaceful effect it brings me is always efficient. Being able to sleep properly is, I must confess, a luxury I had not enjoyed until recently. And it's all thanks to you. 
I would say my days at Hogwarts are bearable. Work is draining, as always. 
I hadn’t found a moment to read the book you recommended. I will try to make up for it before my next answer. 
However, I am glad to hear that you are taking the time to have a break. Don't worry if the days can be boring, and you miss work, you need it. Do not become like me, please.
Yours faithfully, 
Severus Snape,
You had lost count, you must have read the contents of the letter ten times already. In fact, every letter you received from Severus was read more than once. It was a forbidden pleasure, but seeing his words specifically directed at you, gives you butterflies in your insides. 
But, you put your mind at rest with the fact that they were just letters and nothing more. It was less severe than when you were seeing him daily, in your student days. It was impossible for Severus to even guess the depth of your feelings towards him, when the only contact the two of you had was a piece of paper and a few words. You weren't likely to offend him or make him feel uneasy with your feelings towards him. So you were living your affection for this man to the fullest in the privacy of your own home. 
Leaning back in your desk chair, while your mind wandered over Hogwarts’ dungeon bat, you heard a tiny clatter against your window. Looking up, a sweet smile came to your lips. Your hands folded the current letter you were reading, folding it carefully and storing it away before standing up to retrieve the new one you had been expecting. 
Severus' owl was just like him, black plumage, piercing eyes. The only thing they did not have in common was their sweetness. When you opened your window, you were immediately greeted by a warm hooting.
“Hey, I hope the journey wasn't too long.” Your voice was almost too mellow for just an owl, and your hand gently stroked the top of its head as you greeted back. With a smile, you carefully untied the letter from its grasp. Once done, you put the envelope on your desk and collected grains to feed the owl. The owl pecked into the palm of your hand, now used to this small ritual. A hoot of gratitude indicated that the mission was accomplished. 
"Return safely to Hogwarts." With a last small pat, you gazed at the black owl as it flew off into the distance, back to its owner. 
Returning to your desk, you opened the envelope carefully and unfolded it. You were surprised to see that the content was longer than usual, twice as long. You didn't remember that your previous answer was that interesting to deserve such a detailed reply... Thus, you hurried to read it. 
Dear Y/n, 
I fear I haven't kept my promise.
I think I underestimated the side effects of your Potion, and this past week I've ‘suffered’ the consequences. A few drops was the dose I set myself to respect every night before going to bed, following your advice and the instructions for its use. Alas, after a particularly difficult day, I wanted to experiment with a higher dosage. I don't need to tell you in detail what it did to me, I think you've already guessed…
But I must, at least, keep our initial agreement, so if you don't object I will give you a report on this new experience. For the sake of the profession. 
The usual few drops prevented me from being able to experience in its fullest, the unique taste of the potion's effects. And I must say congratulations, never in my life have I tasted anything so sweet. The description you gave me a few months ago has stayed in my mind since, and I must say that you were right, nothing can describe how it feels. Heaven? Maybe. On that night, I reached heaven.
I was starving, I was out of control (or so I thought). I was almost unable to bear it, and then, it was time to awaken the sleeping madness in me... 
The hardest part is, I can't blame the Potion. It's almost cruel, but as you said, unlike with Amortentia, I had full power over my body, I wasn't intoxicated or bewitched. I succumbed to my impulses on my own. And… It feels good. 
This followed, of my own accord, a kind of addiction. The nights prior to this uneventful ‘accident’ I made a habit of taking these larger doses, for my own pleasure… Thus, I would conclude the entire experience to be more than enjoyable. 
In the future, I will try to find a balance to avoid abusing what is more than good. For the time being, I'm still enjoying myself. 
However, even if your potion is a miracle, it does not take away all the work I need to complete. 
And I must say, a thought came to my mind. In fact, Dumbledore was the one who suggested it to me years ago. And even if I was reluctant to the idea at first... The prospect feels less unpleasant if you are the one taking on this duty. 
Not wishing to interfere with your precious break, would you like to be my occasional assistant? 
You have the right to refuse, I wouldn't blame you. 
If the answer is positive, the first period I would wish to ask for your help would be mid-November, before the first exams. And that's for a few weeks, maybe for two, more or less. 
Naturally, you'll be welcomed at Hogwarts with all the necessities, a private chamber and a paycheck. But I'll give you the details in due time.
In any case, I will respect your decision and will look forward to receiving your answer, as I always do. 
Yours faithfully, 
Severus Snape,
PS: I trust you to keep this information confidential. 
Your eyes frantically scan the contents of the letter, there is a lot to take in. Your cheeks were flushed, your heart was pounding, the first major piece of information was that Severus was using your potion for his own sexual needs. And while you detected some reserve in his wording, he had admitted it without shame in that letter. You would never have thought Severus capable of speaking in such a way (at least, towards you), even if his words were formal, they were nonetheless heavy with meaning and bold.
You couldn't help it, your mind perfectly pictured Severus. At night, alone, under the pleasurable effect of the Potion. In your fantasy, his face was focused, his eyebrows a bit furrowed, some sweat rolling down his forehead because of the heat. A few strands of his hair would fall into his eyes, but his attention was so focused on the intense pleasure he was experiencing that he couldn't care less. Was he the type to moan? Or to remain silent? Or… Maybe the cravings were so powerful that he would bite his lip to keep quiet. 
At first, his hands would temptingly wander down his body, slowly, carefully, intoxicated by the rising pleasure. Touching himself was a pleasant torture, and as he said himself in the letter, he was unable to stop. Knowing how the potion would affect his senses, his skin must feel sensitive, leaving burning trails with every brush of his fingers over every inch of his skin, over all erogenous parts of his body, making him lose his mind. 
The way Severus’ hands would desperately clutched his already erected manhood, dripping precum with impatience, hoping to reach an orgasm, maybe even one or several. Seeking frantically for friction to satiate his craving, his hips bucked, his hand tightening to increase the contact pressure. The sight must be sumptuous. 
You wondered, for a moment, about the thoughts Severus might have to stimulate his mind. Was the Potion working enough to turn him on? Or was he seeking greater satisfaction with some dirty images? This left you with a real question. And you realised that even after all this time, you knew many things about him, but not at all in such an intimate setting. Which made sense, since most of the time you were his student... The first glimpse you had of this point was the letter.   
And, you're the only one who knows his nightly routine. He trusted you, beyond the fact that you were the creator of the Potion who helped him satisfy his lusts. The mere idea to be in the confidence of this secret, made your knickers wet. 
And even though it was already a lot to process, this was not the only exciting news. Severus asked you, himself, to be his assistant. He even suggested it, because the idea of working with you sounded appealing. You. Of all people, he thought about you. 
You didn't question it, it was decided the moment the information reached your brain. You were going to accept. And how could you turn down the offer when the mysterious and reserved Severus Snape admitted on his own, that he was eagerly expecting your letters…
After years of longing to feel that special feeling again, in one letter Severus had given you a lot. 
-
Returning to Hogwarts was a hope you never thought imaginable. However, a week ago you arrived with a suitcase packed, ready to work. The stone corridors, the moving stairs and even the staff had remained the same. The only change was that instead of sitting at your house table for dinner, you were now placed between Flitwick and Snape. And of course, that most of your time was spent in the dark, damp dungeons of the School brewing Potions, or grading papers. 
Unlike what many might think, working alongside Severus was much more manageable than they might have thought. In any case, with you, he trusted your work enough not to question it. In fact, when you arrived, you were quite worried when you saw the dark circles under his eyes, which were more prominent than you used to remember. And when you became his assistant, you understood why. Severus was a perfectionist, and his teaching methods were all tailored to ensure the success of his students. So your tasks were simple, like preparing the exams, the basics for the Potions that were going to be taught, correcting papers, arranging the ingredients... And while you were just assisting him, within a few days he had managed to find more rest. Something that made you feel better.
Apart from that, the working conditions were quiet and calm. Severus was conversing with you during the simplest of tasks, he didn't seem as tight as usual (in private, at least), what you guessed were the effects of your Potion. At times, it was simply work performed in a comfortable silence. But between you, there was no longer any sign of discomfort or coldness. It was as if it had never happened, actually. 
Well, until today. 
"I wonder..." Severus began his sentence thoughtfully, his eyes focused on the cauldron in front of him, his hands busy chopping up ingredients, "How I used to find time to work and talk to you, back then."
You had a similar task, but unlike him you looked up in surprise. Severus rarely mentioned the past between you, or even the letters you had exchanged the past month. "I don't know either... That's why you stopped in my seventh grade, right?"
You didn't particularly want to mention the subject that had become nearly forbidden with time, namely your cold war. But you felt that under the current circumstances, you were old and mature enough to take it on yourself. Even though you might never get any solid answers about his past behaviour. 
“Y/n, we both know that’s not the truth.” 
Your eyes were still fixed on him, and you didn't know if Severus was too focused on his Potion to realise the implication of his words, or if he really wanted to discuss the issue once and for all. But you weren't going to miss your chance, trying to summon all your courage. "Oh- Really? Those are the excuses you gave me, would you like to tell me the truth then?" You answered casually, trying to play it cool despite your racing heart. Years of seeking the answer, it was as if what haunted you most was finally going to be removed. 
However, the answer did not come as easily as the conversation had started, Severus stopped in his tracks and raised his head to you. His expression was hesitant, or perplexed, you didn't really know. "It was best for us to stop there, that's the real reason." He replies vaguely, his eyes fixed on your face where you stand across the Potion station. 
You frowned, you were an adult now, you could handle and accept the truth. Severus, on the other hand, was being vague, as if putting a finger on what had happened was forbidden. "Are you implying that in our professional discussions, we were going down the wrong path?" You didn't want to tempt him, but getting the truth out of Severus' mouth was more complicated than you expected. 
"Our discussions were nothing professional." He sounded a bit irritated with himself, indeed, the subject was sensitive on both sides. He put a lid on his Potion and dried his hands with a cloth, "We're done for the day, you can leave me." He waved you off, putting an end to the conversation. 
But you stayed in your place, it was as if your feet were frozen to the ground, you couldn't leave. "You are the one who started the conversation. Don't be angry with me." Your voice was quite composed, you weren't afraid to face him. And just like at the event, he seemed stunned by your tone of voice. 
You put the tools down and placed a lid on the Potion in the same way he had just done. "You cannot cut off the discussion and asked me to leave, Severus. You don't know how I've suffered my entire last year because of this, because of you. You can at least look me in the eye and give me a proper answer.” You sighed, as he tried to keep his eyes from looking at you. Perhaps because of guilt. 
"Severus, we can sort this out, and go back to the way things were. But I need an answer, to move on. To be free of this guilt. Did I do something wrong? Was I bothering you so much? Tell me…" You hated how your voice was almost begging. But with every word you said, you could feel it, it was like he was re-building that distance between you. You didn't want to lose him, not that quickly. 
"Severus... Please." You finally decided to move, taking a step towards him, the atmosphere in the classroom had totally changed. But even if the tension was heavy, you weren't going to abandon him, not this time. He did not move as you approached him, however, his face was tense. You hadn't seen him this cold in a while. 
"I can't answer you. Things wouldn't be the same after that.” His voice was harsh, but not offensive. He sounded frustrated with himself, “But… If you want an answer, I must admit I'm not sufficiently secure to reveal my past intentions." 
His words were odd, leaving you confused. The enigma that was Severus Snape was impossible to understand no matter how much time you were spending by his side. Can he give me an answer or not?
Several times your mouth opened in an attempt to answer, but nothing came to your mind. The problem seemed to be stuck. It left you upset. "I... I want an answer." Your words were both hesitant and confident, the statement was, frankly, a bit silly. 
This seemed to amuse Severus, who laughed silently in mockery, warming the atmosphere. “Why are you so…” He paused for a moment as if hesitating, then at last he gave in, "Endearing?” 
His words slammed into your heart, leaving you baffled. But you didn't have time to answer, Severus resumed speaking just as soon, "But, if I can manage to calm myself, maybe I'll be able to talk to you. Does that please you, Y/n?"
You hesitated, understanding what Severus was implying behind those words, 'relaxing' meant taking a few drops of Sweet Juice. And as much as you wanted to keep a respectful image of Severus, the last words written  in his letter about its use stayed in the back of your mind. But, how can I refuse?
"Fine.” You agreed, nodding slowly.
Severus seemed somewhat reassured by your agreement, the walls he was starting to build around himself to push you away, were falling down again. It was his turn to approach you, offering his arm. A habit he'd adopted with every walk you shared at Hogwarts. You took his arm, the gesture had become natural, Severus added, "Follow me."
With that, you walked after him. Severus led you, in the utmost silence. Your heart was pounding, you didn't know exactly what to expect. The path he was taking, staying in the dungeons of the school, made you realise that he was inviting you into his personal quarters, which did not help your state of mind. Every step you made, was a step towards the possible truth. 
Your recent exchange had been unclear, Severus was just as confused by his attitude as you were, you could tell with the look on his face. Torture between two separate decisions: to hate you back or accept what was happening between you two. 
Still in silence, Severus finally arrived, unlocked the door to his quarters and let you in first. It was the first time you had entered, and the surroundings seemed oddly familiar. Everything reflected Severus, with its dark tones and simple, yet elegant furnishings. Your eyes rest on the many books, all meticulously arranged, and then, a little farther away, on the bed. It was impossible to miss the three vials filled with the purple liquid that you had conceived yourself, one of them was nearly empty. The sight of Sweet Juice beside his bed only made your heart flutter, as if it was confirmation that everything he had described to you was, indeed, true.  
"Well, sit on the sofa. I'm coming up with what's needed." Severus breaks the silence as he removes his cloak, stopping your dirty thoughts dead in their tracks.
"Yes, of course." You nodded, quite flustered, and you did what you were asked as you sat down on the couch, next to the fireplace and the bookcases. Your eyes followed Severus' actions as he made his way to his bed, lighting the fireplace with his wand as he passed. 
He came back with a new bottle of Sweet Juice in his hands, and sat without discomfort at your side. "Do you use it daily as well?" He asked you, an undeniable curiosity in his voice. 
"Um... No, I just tested it on myself a while ago before I submitted the notice. I have no use for it." You looked at him blankly, you didn't know what Severus was trying to find out with his question, "So, it was only for professional purposes." You added rather quickly, in case he wondered if you too were finding sexual satisfaction through its use. 
"Well, this will be the occasion to taste it again then." His hands opened the bottle carefully, and with some skill showing how familiar he was with its use. 
You looked at him, confused by his words, "I don't intend to take it, you said you were the one who needed it to speak honestly." 
"I think it's wiser for you to take it, to learn the truth. I don't want you to get mad at me." He replied with his calm voice, "Don't you trust me?" He raised an eyebrow with his usual expertise in the motion. 
Of course you trusted him, the question didn't have to be asked. And right now, with all the tension in your body from the pressure of the whole situation, you had to agree. He was right, it was wiser if the both of you were in the same state to discuss. "Fine, but only a few drops..."
Severus nodded, "A few drops will be more than enough."
You reached for the vial, but Severus placed his hand on your chin before you could get your hands on it, and directed your face in his direction. “Open your mouth, please Y/n.” 
His eyes were fixed on you, you felt like melting under his gaze, so intense was it. You couldn't ignore the intimate intensity of the situation, your cheeks were starting to burn. The scenario was far more pleasant than anything you could have imagined in your dirtiest dreams. 
Without even adding anything, you parted your lips for him. Severus seemed satisfied with your willingness, and put the eyedropper to let a few drops fall from it. A promise he kept. And even though it was only a few drops, the taste burned in your throat, taking effect as soon as it was swallowed. It was addictive, sweet… Divine. A tickling sensation settled in your body, you felt perfectly fine, as if your body had never felt any tension. 
Severus watched your every reaction, his hand still on your chin, you felt like your skin was burning under his fingers, "Well. You seem to be reacting well."
He withdrew his hand and this gesture left you with a feeling of need. Your eyes never left him for a second as you watched him perform the same operation with himself. His previously tense face, softened in an instant. To have Severus so effortlessly relaxed was quite an exclusive sight. He trusted you enough to be so vulnerable without shame, in front of you. It made you smile.
"Y/n, I've been intending to talk to you about this for a while, it weighs on me just as much. I'm sorry for the way I acted," Severus began quietly. 
Hearing him apologise was strange, he was such a proud man. It made you happy, because while he was under the effect of the potion, he was still aware of what he was doing or saying. He was not controlled by the Potion, in front of you there was a sincere and apologetic Severus. One of the many facets you were starting to find out about this very mysterious man. 
"I apologise as well, I wasn't always straightforward." You matched his gentle tone, 
Severus shook his head, "You were not the problem, I handled the situation very poorly. It's all my fault, I hurt you." He put his hand over his face, ashamed, "When, in fact, that's all I wanted to avoid... It haunted me, until I saw you again a few months ago. I wanted redemption, to make sure you were fine without me... But, I’m selfish as I am taking a role in your life again,” He sighed hopelessly, “There's still this guilt in me.”
Hearing Severus speak with such regret, made your heart grow fonder for the man, you couldn't fault him. He had suffered the same pain from his choices, he acted in order not to lose his teaching position, in order to not deprive you of a possible 'happy' life. And even if the Potion worked miracles, guilt and pain couldn't be erased. You wanted to reassure him, to remove this pain from him, to leave it in the past. "Severus, I only wish to understand what I did wrong..." You whispered, your eyes focused on the buttons that fastened his cutaway coat.
The more minutes passed, the more the Potion worked through your body. The sensation was odd, like a kind of ache, but it was unmistakably delightful. This only served to reinforce your self-consciousness about the situation, your body tickled everywhere, straining, trembling, longing to be close to him. 
"You have done nothing wrong... As the days went by, my regard for you changed. Your radiant smile, the way your eyes brighten at my every word, the way your perfume intoxicates me when it stays in the classroom, your delicate hands working with agility... All of this, I should never have noticed, and yet, I couldn't help but feel captivated. Charmed because of what you were, and still are, in fact." 
He slowly pulled his hand away from his face. But, you didn't want to leave him in his demise, so you laid your hand on his as he lowered it, encouraging him to continue. "I wasn't blind, I knew the feeling you held for me. I believed it was for the benefit of the both of us. But after rejecting you, I was terribly missing you. Inside me, it built up a terrible guilt…” He paused for a moment before concluding, “And without realising it, I was feeling the same way about you."
Severus gently takes your hand in his, as if you were a delicate flower, or would disappear at any moment. His gaze is now focussed on both your joined hands, "Since, I haven't stopped thinking about you, night and day. Seeing you again... Was a breath of hope, I thought impossible. And even though you sounded different, like you were angry with me, I couldn't help but appreciate you. I soon realised that despite all my efforts, pushing you away a second time was beyond me... Beyond my strength."
He intertwined his fingers with yours, "You can hate me, yell at me. I hurt you and yet, selfishly you're here with me, instead of enjoying what life has to give you. I’m older, grim, and stern. I don't deserve you."
As he confessed, what you were focused on, was the heavy pounding of your heart ringing in your ears. The intensity of his emotions was heartbreaking, as you listened to him. 
Your body's reaction to his was overwhelming, everything seemed like a raging fire that neither of you wanted to quench. The sensation of his own skin against yours only made it burn harder, leaving you with an insatiable urge of need and want. Your body knew what it wanted, the heat started to build up in the lower part of your stomach.
"I- Severus… I'm sorry that I was angry with you, when you were trying to do the right thing. I had no idea how you might be feeling on your own. But today, everything has changed, I’m not your student anymore.” You spoke with all the determination you could muster to prove him wrong, “And I don't care what life has to offer, if you are older. I know what I want. And it’s you.” 
“It's only been a few weeks since I've been back with you, and I've never felt so happy. I feel alive.” Your cheeks flushed hot at your blunt words, “And to be honest, the club, the award, Sweet Juice, I did it all, to get your attention. I wanted to be special to you again."
"Come," Severus uttered in a deep, rumbling voice. His hand, the one that was already holding you, pulled you towards him, and his other hand guided your hips as he gently settled you on his lap, straddling him. The way your body easily accepted his request, was a reflection of how much you wanted to be with him, to be close to him. 
"I wanted to move on, to forget you, but it was impossible. But nowadays, as I am closer to you..." Your eyes fell on his face, Severus seemed to be listening to you with such intensity, that coupled with this sudden intimacy caused you to speak in a shaky breath, "I burn and my body is feeling new things, and the intensity is only growing, nearly out of control. I can't think anymore, you're always on my mind…- I just want to be close to you, like I've always hoped." Your voice died down near the end, admitting your deepest thoughts. You were nervous, the aching sensation started to get on your nerves, overflowing with desire for the man in front of you.
His hands gripped your clothes, as if to remind you that he was indeed there, by your side. You were taken aback by the violent wave of emotions that flashed through his eyes. Severus had said nothing after your own confession, but there was no need for him to speak in order for you to understand. His eyes were speaking for him. Need, lust, desperation, want, longing- And most strikingly, love. His hands clasped your face, leaving you no choice but to lock your eyes with his. You couldn't escape the impact of his emotions, of the intense waves crashing over you nearly suffocating you. And the truth is, you had no desire to avoid him. 
It was as if time had stopped, his beautiful face, his lovely hands, the wildness in his eyes, and the way he made you feel was beyond description. 
"I love you," He exhaled as his thumb stroked your cheek. It felt like a weight was being lifted from his chest, 
Your fingers found his shoulders, pressing into the soft fabric of his coat, “I love you as well,” You answered, the same weight disappearing from your heart. 
The affirmation of your feelings towards him seemed to ignite something new in Severus. His thumb went down to your lips, running it over them, "You know, I thought about you as my assistant not only because you're the smartest, most diligent and serious person I know to handle the task perfectly," He spoke in a low grumble that made your whole body quiver, "But also because every night as I took a stronger dose of that delicious elixir you conceived, I always find myself thinking about you. I found satisfaction only when I thought of you.” 
He sighs, "I must admit that if you're here, it's also because I couldn't bear to keep all this to myself, I had to confess. I wanted to see you again, terribly."
“I’m here Severus, I’m here for you and only you.” You replied hurriedly in order to reassure him.
He took a deep breath, your words seemed to have reached his heart, "Maybe it's a bit premature, but I should ask you."
It sent a ripple of delight through your entire body, increasing the desperation you had to be against him, “What do you want to ask me, Severus?”
Your question, perhaps somewhat naive given the situation, brought a smile to his lips, “Would you like to make love with me?” The question was phrased extremely graciously, contrasting dramatically with the ferocity of his eyes. 
Your body shivered under his powerful stare. Your reply was obvious, and yet in the warmth of his body, in the puddle of intensity that Severus was bathing you in, you were at a loss for words. He looked at you like a hunter ready to chase down his prey, your consent was all he needed for him to pounce on you. It should have worried you, but behind his raging stare were years of self-restraint and pain. You felt more than special, being loved by such a cold and distant man made you feel like you were the only one in this wide world, the one and only for him. 
You couldn't make him wait any longer, it was torture for him as much as it was for you. So you nodded, silently at first, then you found the courage to finally voice your need, "Yes, Severus, I do."
He smiled again, it was a delightful sight to see Severus smiling, and you took a moment to observe him as if to commit the image to memory. It was so infrequent, that you were pleased to know that you were the only one to be blessed by it. He was perfect, you could do nothing but kiss him. Passionately, freely, desperately. There was nothing anymore to stop you from doing it. You tasted him, setting all your senses on fire. You licked the inside of his mouth, as his tongue linked with yours in an intoxicating dance that only the both of you seemed to know. The scent and taste of him captured all your senses, and you couldn't stop humming with delight as it resonated through your chest from the pleasure of kissing him. 
In that first kiss, you feel it all. 
Both of his hands clasped your face tightly to keep you close to him as your hands trailed through his long hair, down to his neck. The warmth that radiated from him made your flesh flush, your heart pounding so hard in your chest that even Severus should be able to feel it. He tasted like heaven. 
He skillfully guides you, allowing you to get lost in his adoration. One hand gently grasped your throat, while his other hand travelled from your cheek over your neck, down to your waist where his arm snaked around to press your body against his in a secure embrace. 
Severus didn't break the kiss, as he stood up, carrying you in his arms. Your eyes were closed, allowing you to get completely absorbed in the feverish kiss, but you knew he was heading for his bed. The next moment, your body found its place against the soft fabric of his sheets, enveloping you once again in his wonderful manly scent. Wrecking you, in the most pleasing ways possible. 
You moaned into his mouth as your fingers tugged his hair a bit tighter, Severus growled at your action, searing your whole being from you body to your soul. You were desperate for more, to see him, to touch him, to feel him. Your clothes were simply a suffocating barrier that separated you from Severus. Your irritation didn't seem to escape Severus as he broke off the feverish kiss you two were sharing. 
You finally opened your eyes, to be greeted by a dishevelled and flushed Severus. You were both out of breath, panting. However, he was quick to lay another kiss on the exposed skin of your throat. Sweetly, lovingly, small kisses from the tip of his lips teasing you, all dripping with desire.
"Love, you're perfect," He hummed against your neck as he gently nuzzled his nose against it to inhale your fragrance. You were like in heaven, your blood was running through your veins, your stomach transformed into butterflies out of worship for him. 
His hands ran along your body, before undoing the button on your skirt. Your thighs were released quickly from the constraint that your clothes provided you as he dropped the first piece of fabric on the floor. Your hands hesitantly passed over his upper body, your fingers delicately unfasten the buttons of his coat. Once done, your hands grabbed the lapels of his coat to let it fall over his shoulders, quickly meeting your skirt on the floor. 
Severus certainly was consumed by an insatiable urge, never getting enough of you. His lips never leave you, trailing against your jaw, nibbling your earlobe. His warm breath left your sensitive skin tingling with delight. Your hands were slightly trembling as you began to reach for his shirt, while his hands reached for the rest of your clothes with utmost care. 
The clothes that had been a painful barrier, began to strip from your bodies, slowly, teasingly. Falling one by one on the floor. Severus leaned on his arm as he took a few steps back, your breath caught with worry and missing his warmth. His eyes roamed over your body, in an intimidating powerful manner. You had never felt so vulnerable and exposed, only covered by your underwear, his intense gaze left a heavy feeling on everything you could offer him. 
However, you didn't have time to think for long when his lips captured yours. “Perfect,” He whispered as his eyes met yours. With burning cheeks, you averted your eyes. You could not hold his gaze, so much the intensity of his emotions caught your heart. His pupils were dilated, too wild, too fiery. 
Your reaction left Severus laughing in a deep breath, "You really are more lovely than anything I could have imagined. My mind didn’t do you justice, love.” The gentle title he gave you made your heart beat faster, and as your hands were pressed against his chest you sensed the intense pounding of his as well. Both your hearts were beating in perfect tune. 
Your hands began to undo the upper part of his shirt, releasing his neck from his stiff attire. You were still shaking, but proceeded nonetheless. There was only a layer left before you could see him as vulnerable. Severus waited, letting you take all the time you needed to finish. And the next thing you knew, you were pulling his shirt off his shoulders in the same way you'd done before. 
You marvelled at the sight in front of you, your breath caught in your throat at the sheer beauty of Severus, his broad shoulders, his pale pearly skin, his strong arms were now at your total disposal. You gave yourself a moment to appreciate the one you've craved for, over the years.
"Perfect," You whispered with the same adoration he had for you, your fingers spread over his bare skin, temptingly. You were amazed at the softness of his body despite his strength, he, who held himself so rigidly in his daily life. 
"Not as much as you, love," Severus left a warm kiss on your cleavage and his hands found the clasp of your bra as your hands found down his trousers. He removed the rest of his clothes at the same time as you.
Your skin was flushed, your breaths quick and uneven with anticipation. It's a good thing you had taken a few drops of Sweet Juice, otherwise you would have been a nervous wreck. This allowed you to handle the whole experience with confidence, coupled with your trust in Severus, it was pure bliss. And this must have been the case for Severus, because behind his expert strokes, he seemed a bit unsure with himself. 
Your skin burned under his every touch, letting the fire spread over your skin down to your trembling, hot, insides. You were wet, swollen and soft. Severus sat on his knees, between your legs. The action left your body screaming with desperation, arching with anticipation for more, for him. Until now, you had not dared to lower your eyes to the level of his girth, but now it was time to get acquainted with what was about to enter you. Your breath was taken away at the sight of his long, veiny and erect manhood. That’s going inside of me?
"Love, I'll be gentle with you," Severus sensed your apprehension immediately, his hands gently resting on your knees to spread your legs leaving your body on high alert. He leaned forward, and placed a first kiss on your jaw, then another one on your breast, before his mouth wrapped around your already hard nipples to sweetly suck on it. 
You didn't know if you'd taken a sufficiently large dose of the Potion for it to play on your sexual sensibilities, but you gasped. The feeling of his soft lips over your most forbidden body parts was exhilarating, your insides tensed. Your breasts were sensitive, responsive to every lick he gave. You were blown away by the way your body fit to him, catching his slightest touch. And as if he wasn't satisfied enough with himself, he moved his hand up from your hip, running teasingly along your skin to find your nipple, toying with it, pinching it. You couldn't help but moan, the sensation strains you again, leaving you longing for more. Your mind failed to follow, a wave of pleasure overtaking your whole body. Everything felt heightened, the sound of Severus' sharp breath, his tongue, his touch, his scent. Even the cotton of his sheets was seemingly intense. 
Severus let out a long, deep growl from the back of his throat, and it made your whole body shudder. Your legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, ready to welcome him. He understood the sign, but continued to whisper his words of adoration, of love for you. How he had dreamed of this for years, that he didn't want to be apart from you anymore. His words that met the hollow of your ear, made you feel in a whirlwind of emotions, cherished and safe. You held on to him, your arms reaching around his shoulders. 
He wanted to slowly devour you, until your rational thoughts were consumed by pleasure.  
“Sev,” You breathed out a long, deep moan as his finger slid inside you. You were soaking wet at this point, drenched for him. His finger stroked your insides, his thumb brushed against your sensitive bundle of nerves while his lips lingered on your throat, placing numerous small kisses. 
“You are perfect,” He hummed out, right by your ear, “Perfect for me,” His nose dragged along your skin, in the hope of finding a new spot to kiss. He pressed another finger into you. Your legs tightened while your insides softened further. The stretching of his fingers was astounding. “You are the only one for me, I love you,” His words shattered everything, all the common sense you had in you. You wanted him to ruin you with his love. In a manner as violent as the emotions you had for each other, giving him everything, everything you ever had. 
Removing his fingers, your eyes fell on his hand as it darted back and forth between his legs. You gasped as his delicate hand folded around the girth of his manhood. "Love, I'm here. It's going to be fine. Tell me if you don't feel well, I'll stop," he hummed softly as he laid back against you, pressing his body over yours. You nodded, and his lips found yours anew. 
You felt his body lowering, and the next instant, he was sinking inside you. You hissed from the pleasure that suddenly caught hold of you. There was no discomfort, no pain, your body adapted, moulded itself to him. Your body was being taken by Severus, and everything at that moment, finally being one with him, felt right. 
“Look at me,” He ordered you gently, holding himself up with one arm, ready to move. When your eyes met his, you were immersed in the depth of his love. You felt calm, in heaven, as you were shaped to accommodate him. He was the only one in this world, especially when he was looking at you with such worship. 
“Good,” He smiled in satisfaction when you complied. Your eyes were hypnotised by all the love he bore you. He began to draw out, slowly. And as with your skin, your insides were just as sensitive causing electricity to run through your body, sending a shiver down your spine. His gaze intensified as he began to move a bit faster, his movements always precise and well controlled, making it more intense. 
Catching his breath, Severus kept praising you, “You, are, magnifi-cent,” He growled in a low tone, between thrust as you moaned out his name in a barely comprehensible manner. You find satisfaction in being filled and stroked, to be loved in such a carnal manner, it was intense, overwhelmingly intense. He was everywhere, he was everything to you. 
“Sev-, Severus, I love you!” Your voice was slurred, your mind was unable to form a coherent thought, and yet you felt the urgent need to confess your love all over again. At your words, he quickened his pace and buried himself inside you, over and over.
You were consumed by him, by his love, by your love for him. You were his, and he was yours. Entirely, irrevocably, ineluctably. There was no other way. Severus was breaking everything you owned, and it felt right. With every push, with every pull, with his loving hands, with his loving words, with his hungry breath, he was breaking you.
“Please,” You pleaded for him, a moan escaping through your sore lips. His movements became powerful, irregular, hasty. As if to satisfy you as much as possible, even if he was exceeding all your wishes, pushing your mind to the edge of depravity with each of his thrusts. 
“Love,” He growled in a feverish manner, as if he had been entrusted with the most valuable mission possible, to please you. He shoved in so deeply that your eyes rolled back and watered from the sensation of being nothing but completely filled. You back arched in pleasure, welcoming the emotion in its fullest. 
“Awh-” You gasped as he started to pace harder, faster. Your legs were quivering from the pleasure, your lungs burned from your moans. He held onto you tighter, in order to be able to dig into you with more vigour. Over and over. It was relentless. His need for you became beyond desperate and engulfed him into the same depravity. 
“I love-, you,” He moaned darkly under his gruff breath, “I can’t-” He growled this time, in a low rumbling. His movements became irregular, erratic. 
You kissed his neck, inhaling his sweaty scent and the taste of his skin stirred in your mouth. “Me too-” You whispered, in a rather dark tone, meeting his love and distress at the same time. 
“Y/n-!” He growled, and after a split second, you felt him growing within you, as his whole body tightened, hardened. His cock shifted faster inside you, pounding against your inner walls. He buries his face in the crook of your neck and moans his release before his movements come to a slow halt. 
Ripples of heat mingled with the throbbing of muscles and the warmth of the skin inside you. You held him close and marvelled at the sensation of your orgasm, of being filled and being enough for him to reach such a fierce release. To be enough for him to love you, to be enough for him to be so intimate with you. 
You caught your breath, you were in a state of pure bliss. The last waves of pleasure take over your body, making the pleasure last longer. Severus withdrew from you, leaving you with a longing that he satisfied by taking you in his arms enjoying your post-orgasm state.
He placed a kiss on your sweaty forehead as he affectionately snuggled you pressing your body against his. After the intense encounter you'd just experienced he still longed to feel your burning skin against his. “I love you,” He said it again, as if he needed to prove it to you, but you knew by now that his affection towards you was wrenching. 
"I love you more," you lay your head against his chest, letting the sound of his heart lull you to sleep as it only started to calm. His soft laughter vibrated through his rib cage, 
"I doubt it, love, but this is not the time to talk about it. Tomorrow is another day, a day when I can finally enjoy you without any rules or barriers," Severus sounded enthusiastic, he pulled the blanket over both of your naked bodies and took his wand to stop all sources of fire from making any light. 
His uncharacteristic lively tone brings a peaceful smile to your lips, you are now the one that makes Severus eager to wake up in the morning, to carry on with his life. He was your source of happiness, and you were his. 
After years of trying to understand everything between the two of you, you were now in his arms. 
Peaceful. 
Loved.
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thechekhov · 3 months
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Dungeon Meshi Quick Reacts
CH.31 (Dryad)
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Marcille, your stick--I mean staff!
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Sobbing, wheezing with laughter, crying. Boys........boys why are you like this.
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IS THE PLOT GOING TO BE GETTING OUT OF THE DUNGEON NOW?
Did the orcs not point them in the right direction at least?!
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Marcille, you look like shit. I guess you haven't recovered after that intense battle too well.... and this is bad news if you guys are now being herded into a labyrinth by that sorcerer.........
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aww, come on. They're just a bunch of little guys! Look at em!
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Lookit em.
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MAKING THE WORGS WAVE THEIR PAWS GOODBYE NOOOO STOP IT THIS IS TOO MUCH
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S-senshi..... Senshi.........do you think you're traveling with children? Senshi. Did you. Did you actually think you faced a red dragon with children at your side? Was that a logical thing you did? Was that really how you reasoned it out...?
Then again, I think Senshi MUST be older than all of them in comparison but still...........
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Go, Chillchuck! I choose you!
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My money is on the ghosts which are clearly numerous and common in this world.
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👀
Oh?????
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SENSHI, LET HIM LOOK!!!! DON'T BE A HOMOPHOBE!
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Live slug Dryad reaction
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Well now that seems extreme but I trust him.
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So.... a cold...?
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Oh for the love of--
You had me going there for a second.
I'll develop hayfever if it comes free with looking at ladies smooching all day, ffs. First world problems, guys,
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Okay, on second thought, anthropomorphic allergens are kinda creepy.
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Someone who's never read Dungeon meshi explain what's happening in this image.
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Gotta say, improvised mastectomy was not on my bingo sheet.
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I mean......NOW it is........
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Their faces......they're so fucking tired of his shit.
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........I........I'm with Marcille on this one............ ....please put those back.
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Marcille and Essek would get along great.
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That dryad was the one with the least amount of boobage, too. Trans rights, I guess.
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Senshi draws the line at........fruit babies that don't yet look baby-like....? Curious.
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And now we're back to smashing faces. What an excellent harvest of uncanny valley.
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"I'll still eat it, though!" You know what that is? Growth.
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C-can he... do that? Just learn magic without anything?
I mean, it's stupid to ask I guess. I know wizards exist. I guess I just thought this fantasy system required a knack for it?
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What a big happy....... family.
Gods, the terror of having another adult try to babysplain sex to you. Every day Chillchuck wakes up.
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aita-blorbos · 9 months
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submissions are: open! FAQ link - this includes a list of things that, if included in your submission, will almost certainly cause it to be deleted
have you ever wanted to write an AITA about your favorite fictional character just to see if anyone notices, except your character is a wizard who gets into a fight with a unicorn and accidentally turns all the fish in the river into lollipops and somehow this seems like it would be a little bit too obvious? well you've come to the right place
rules
all submissions must be fictional. for real life scenarios try @am-i-the-asshole-official
the character must explain why they may be TA. obviously, most people think they're in the right when they do things. however, like the real AITA forum, both sides must be described in detail, and your character must make it clear why they may (or may not) be "the asshole".
title your submissions. the title should be a very quick, one sentence summary of what the character's seeking judgement on in the format of "AITA for [xyz]".
keep it relevant. like real life, it's a given that some context is going to be needed before any judgement can be made, but that context should only be relevant to the conflict being described. it should not be the entire plot of XYZ media.
not a hard rule but try to avoid naming names, we think it'll be more fun if we have to guess who it's about
you can write about ocs also
we reserve the right to delete anything graphic that makes us uncomfortable, or anything that's too vague (note: one sentence is definitely too vague)
we'll be using the same system as the blog tagged above, with the original acronyms from the subreddit as well as JAH, or justified asshole. this text is a link to a breakdown of the acronyms.
if you add an image please include an image description! learn about image descriptions here (text is a link)
before asking questions (through asks, comments, or reblogs), please check our FAQ. text is a link.
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[ID: blue lineart of a cat wearing a wizard hat sitting next to a ballot box labelled "AITA Blorbo". end ID.]
art by @pup-themlin
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deakyjoe · 1 year
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Beaming Beskar
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Pairing: Din Djarin x Reader (no pronouns are used but he calls reader mesh'la meaning "beautiful")
Category: Fluff, friends to lovers (not explicitly stated but may make a part 2)
Summary: Din has a unique way of telling you when he's smiling at you.
Warnings: none really, fluff
Word Count: 800ish (a baby)
A/N: A short little fic to celebrate my journey of getting back into writing. Thank you to Pedro Pascal’s filmography for inspiring me. Also I'm in love with Din Djarin.
It had started when you had made a joke, something silly about the child being a wizard when he made his food float in the air, and a small huff of air had rattled through Din's modulator. Your head had immediately snapped towards him, utter shock rocketing through you. The Mandalorian barely acknowledged your existence, speaking a handful of words to you since you'd met him, and yet here he was... laughing at you. No, not at you. With you.
"I'm sorry, did you just find something I said funny?"
"I laughed, didn't I?" All amusement was gone from his voice almost instantly. You'd pushed it. Finally an opening with him and you'd already ruined it.
"It's hard to tell. You could've just been breathing loudly." You shrugged it off and turned back to the kid, not wanting to provoke him further. He could be temperamental and you never wanted to upset him, meaning you had to tread carefully with him sometimes. You rather liked the Mandalorian, despite him hardly seeming to care for you much. To be honest, you didn't think he cared for anything apart from the child. Which was understandable.
"I smiled." The statement seemed almost sad as he said it, a note of reservation in his voice.
You glanced back up at him, eyes flicking over the helmet for a moment. "I can't... I don't know when you're smiling."
Silence.
Maybe a question wouldn't hurt...
"Do you smile often?"
Hesitation. "Sometimes."
Okay, that was something. Now another question. Just to see how much you could get out of him.
"At me? At the kid?" You answered your own question. "Ooh, definitely at the kid."
"Both. Mostly the kid." He added the last part on quickly.
"Hm." You nodded though the slight crease between your brows gave more away that you intended. You craved knowing him. That was the only way to explain it. And when he gave you so little... it made things difficult.
Din spoke your name softly to get you to look at him again. When you did, he lifted his hand up and traced a line across his helmet. His index finger started on one side, down near where his chin or mouth would be, and drew a curved line across to the other side. A smile.
Your eyes lit up at the gesture and Din found himself smiling at you again. So he repeated the motion. Seeming elated at the idea, you scooted the crate you were sitting on closer to him so you were almost knee to knee.
Gazing up at him with this gorgeous sparkle in your eyes that had Din grinning beneath the Beskar, you asked him a simple question. "Can you do that every time you smile at me? Please?"
"Yes, mesh'la. Of course." The Mando'a term of endearment had slipped before he even had the chance to think about it. But how could he resist when you were looking at him like that?
You always regarded him with a certain glint in your stare, that was only ever brightened when you smiled, as if Din was the most wonderful thing you'd ever laid your eyes on. There was never any hint of hostility, forever open and joyful when you looked at him. And the smiles only ever confirmed this. But in that moment, with the way you were looking at him, Din could feel electricity pumping through his body. He felt alive. And... seen. It was almost like you were seeing straight through the armour and looking at him.
With your shoulders hunched and head ducked in embarrassment at the name he'd given you, you shot him another gorgeous smile that he returned. He loved making you smile. And he loved you making him smile, which you did more often than he ever wanted to admit.
So, naturally, he drew the line across his helmet again and revelled in the happiness that was practically radiating off of you in hot waves as you looked at him do it. The positive emotions must have been pouring out of you as the child began to babble and giggle as well, sensing the high spirits in the room.
The noises the green baby was making seemed to remind you that you were supposed to be helping him eat as you let out a surprised sound and moved back closer to him, struggling to tear your eyes away from the Mandalorian. Din loved to watch you interact with the child, it was those moments that made him smile the most. And whilst he'd maybe never admit it out loud to you, he was happy to express himself through smiles drawn onto his helmet.
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faeriichaii · 3 months
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Hello I have a request for thorin!!
Can you please write a Thorin x afab!human reader, in which her family line worked for the line of Durin for many many years, and during the meeting at bilbo’s, Gandalf brings her along with him and Thorin recognizes her immediately because of her similarities to her family & he gets a little emotional and happy? :) Or anything of that sort! thank you in advance <3
A Part from Home ~ Thorin x afab!Human!Reader
A/N: Omg I'm so happy to get a request for Thorin haha! Ngl I struggled a bit because I didn't really know in what kind of direction I was going with this but I still think it turned out quiet nice and wholesome (I also let my best friend read through it and she said she blushed and smiled so Ig it’s approved) :) If you want a pt. 2 I can always do that :) But I still hope you like it and enjoy reading it <33
⇢ ˗ˏˋ Warnings: Softness, wholesomeness ࿐ྂ ⇢ ˗ˏˋ Words: 933 ࿐ྂ ⇢ ˗ˏˋ Request: Yes (Thank you <33) ࿐ྂ
Summary: Tagging along for an adventure with Gandalf, you didn't expect to run into people that remind you of your lost home.
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The night was dark as you walked alongside Gandalf on a small path through a town called Hobbiton. A soft cold breeze accompanied you on your travels. The soft chirping sound of grasshoppers paired well with the gentle glow of the fireflies, giving the small village a comfortable and cozy atmosphere. “Gandalf, is there a reason why you chose to take me with you on this adventure?” You asked him, shifting your heavy bag on your shoulder. Inhaling the smoke from his pipe he looks down at you. “Well, of course there is a reason to that.” He blows out the smoke, forming rings on the way up into the dark sky.
“Care to explain them to me?” At your inquiry, the wizard just let out a chuckle and shook his head, indicating you that he will keep it a secret for now. “You will find your answers during your journey (Y/N).” With that, the wizard knocked on a little green wooden door, which was connected to a hole in the ground. “Why do you have to keep it a secret from me?” You continue to interrogate him. However, Gandalf’s attention was fully focused on the hobbit that just opened the door. “Bilbo Baggins, it is nice to see you again.” Walking through the door the both of you enter into the small but pleasant home. Boisterous laughter and cheers could be heard from the table further down.
“Why on earth are dwarves swarming my home Gandalf?” The hobbit seizes, while slowly turning towards you. “Oh- Hello, my name is (Y/N). It is nice to make your acquaintance” You quickly introduce yourself, smiling at the man whose house you just entered. “Bilbo Baggins, the pleasure is all mine.” He gives you a tight-lipped smile before gesturing you to set your baggage to the rest of the bags that are already perched by the door. Setting your stuff aside, you follow Gandalf into the room, filled with dwarves that are sitting around a table.
“Gandalf, I didn’t expect you to be the last one to join in on this important meeting.” A dark-haired dwarf mentioned. Two braids on either side of his head framed his bearded face perfectly. “My apologies, I had to make a detour and collect your 15th member for the company.” Thorins gaze drifted towards you, making you shuffle on the spot a little. Most of the dwarves stopped talking and focused their attention towards you and Gandalf, as well as Bilbo, who stood beside you. The dwarven kings’ eyes locked onto your own as something unrecognizable flickered in his gaze. “Gandalf, you invited a human into the company?” One dwarf muttered, making you raise your eyebrow in annoyance. “I might be a human, however, my family has served for the line of Durin for generations. I know exactly how to handle my weapons and I am more than capable to protect myself and I am pretty sure that I could even take you down in a fight.” You snap back, shutting him up immediately. A chuckle escapes Thorin, as he made some space for Gandalf and you to join around on the table to talk about the mission at hand.
After investigating the map and Bilbo refusing to sign the contract, that was handed to him, you all started to clean up the mess that has been created throughout the entire meeting. Thorin walked up to you while you were washing the dishes used earlier. “I knew you seemed familiar the second my eyes landed on you.” He murmurs, taking a towel to dry the wet dishes. “How come?” “Like you said, your family has been loyal to the Durin line for centuries. You share a lot of familiarities with your mother.” You smile softly at the remembrance of the time you spent with her in Erebor. “I remember I used to constantly beg her to take me to work with her.” “Can you remember anything from the time you were there?” He asked you tentatively. “Not much, I was very young back then. I think I always brought little flower crowns I made in the garden for the royal family.” At that statement he chuckled softly. “Yes, I always made sure to wear them, when you were around. Else you would just pout at me, hang on my leg and spend the entire day with me instead of your mother.” A blush dusted your cheeks at that statement. “Hmm seems very made up to me. I really don’t remember that ever happening so I think you must be lying.” The two of you laugh, finishing up the rest of your work.
“Care to join me for a walk?” Thorin gently asks, holding out his hand to take for you. Placing your own in his, a welcoming warmth spreads through your body. As you both step outside into the cold night, you walk towards the stream, flowing through the small town. “I always wondered if your family made it out alive of Erebor.” His gaze was cold at the remembrance of the day the dragon decided to use the kingdom as it’s new home. “I barely remember that day, I just know that we somehow got away.” Looking at the reflection of the stars in the water you thought about your family, that moved to Esgaroth after the attack of the beast.
“I am glad to have you here. It feels like I have a piece of my home with me.” He smiles softly at you. Returning his with a smile of your own you squeeze his hand, that was still holding yours. “We will get back our home. We will fight for what is rightfully ours.” You reassure him, looking into his bright blue eyes that glimmer with hope. You will get your home back. Even if it is the last thing you will do.
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hufflegruff · 10 months
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Chapter 1: A Knowing Look
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Pairing: Sebastian x F!Reader Summary: In which Sebastian is whipped and literally everyone can see from a mile away that this is more than friendship.
“Friend?” Ominis said incredulously. No, no. It was one thing for Sebastian to call her a friend in passing. To explain it away because there was simply no concise word to describe the awkward purgatory between friendship and undying devotion. But to excuse this miserable pining under the guise of friendship? Come on. That would be making a mockery of his intelligence. Dubiously, Sebastian replied, “You say it like that’s news to you.” “Well, that’s because it is.” Ominis said pointedly, “Friends don’t look at each other like that.”
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 AO3 link
Chapter 1: Ominis
Ominis Gaunt was astute. Despite his impairment, he could still see more than the average seeing witch or wizard. His oldest friend, Sebastian Sallow, was living proof of this.
For the past hour, Sebastian had been stuffing food mindlessly down his throat, his attention lost on something across the other side of the Great Hall. He paid no mind to any question that Ominis had raised. No mention of quidditch, duels, or hijinks (and Sebastian loved hijinks) managed to tear his gaze away.
If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve thought that Sebastian had been poisoned or hexed.
But he did know better. And he didn’t need sight to know what (or rather who) had him so entranced.
“Sebastian. Please. Please. For the love of Merlin, stop with the staring.”
Sebastian spun around so fast he conjured a gust of wind into Ominis' face. He was surprised that the boy’s neck didn’t snap off from the whiplash.
“Who’s staring?” Sebastian bit back defiantly, with the slightest tinge of guilt in his voice. Like a small boy caught red-handed (and red-faced).
“You. At her.” Ominis quipped, “As if she’ll disintegrate if you look away for even a second.”
Sebastian said, “I wasn’t staring—”
Ominis snorted.
“— And even if I was ,” Sebastian bulldozed on, “Can’t a friend look out for another friend?” 
“Friend?” Ominis said incredulously. 
No, no. It was one thing for Sebastian to call her a friend in passing. To explain it away because there was simply no concise word to describe the awkward purgatory between friendship and undying devotion. But to excuse this miserable pining under the guise of friendship?
Come on. That would be making a mockery of his intelligence.
And if Ominis learned anything - anything at all - from bearing the Gaunt family name, it was that he was not to be made a fool. Ever.
Dubiously, Sebastian replied, “You say it like that’s news to you.”
“Well, that’s because it is.” Ominis said pointedly, “Friends don’t look at each other like that.” 
If Ominis had a penchant for drama, he would’ve rather enjoyed casting a cup of pumpkin juice into Sebastian’s terribly stupid face. In the hopes that it might wake him up from his denial. But alas, Ominis did not. So instead, he simply folded his arms cynically in a display of disbelief. Imagining the shell shocked look on his best friend’s face would suffice for now. 
Sebastian sputtered out, “Like what?” He flailed his arms inelegantly as his whole body moved in retort, “I look at her the same way I look at everyone. You, Nerida... even bloody Hecat!”  
Ominis wrinkled his nose, “God forbid, you ever look at me the way you look at her.” 
“Like what.”
“Like a soppy mooncalf babe needy for attention.”
Sebastian was rendered speechless. Like a fish out of water, his mouth floundered open and closed. Ominis had to fight the urge to roll his eyes so hard it reached the nerve-endings in the back of his skull. Sebastian was smart (sometimes too smart). But this wild goose chase was plain stupid.
After what felt like eternity, Sebastian muttered quietly, “I’m not a mooncalf…”
“Mhm.” Ominis managed through pursed lips. 
“And I don’t look at her - in whatever ridiculous way you’re implying.” He said this more vehemently.
“If you say so.”
“If anything, I’m just looking out for her.” Sebastian began indignantly, “She’s been so busy running errands for every witch and wizard in this bloody place, I swear this is the first time she’s been in the building in weeks!”
Sebastian was being dramatic. Ominis knew for a fact that they had spent quality time together by the boat docks just a mere two days ago; huddled in close quarters after a trip frolicking by the Clagmar coast. If the hushed whispers of prying fourth years were to be believed, Sebastian had been the picture of bliss. Fully content and totally whipped.
But now here he sat, two moons later, a completely different boy. Moody and sullen, lost in the absence of her attention. Ominis has spent the better half of his lifetime enduring Sebastian’s many moods and temperaments. This — he had sorely decided — was one that he was less fond of.
She wasn’t even sitting all that far away from them. On a table near the entrance to the Great Hall, she was engrossed in a deep, animated conversation with Natsai and Poppy. After Ominis’ accusations, Sebastian had made the conscious decision to avoid looking her way.
The mopey mooncalf comparison had wounded him a little. But the Ominis could sense his friend’s impatience. He could sense the itch in his fingertips yearning to push himself off the table towards her. The anxious tapping of his foot, almost signalling: so close, but so far.
“If you feel so desperately inclined, why not just get up and go speak to her?”
Sebastian stiffened, “There’s no need, I’ve nothing urgent to speak to her about.”
“So, you’re simply staring at her in admiration?”
“Oh sod off Ominis, I was just-”
Before more protests could leave his mouth, a patter of footsteps hurriedly approached them. As if conjured by Sebastian’s sheer will alone, she appeared magically before them. The girl they’d been just speaking of. No longer half a mile away. Just here, at arm's length. In the flesh.
Merlin, when had she gotten up from her seat? 
“Sebastian. Ominis.” She greeted them with a wide smile on her face. Her bright eyes, filled with unbridled warmth, met theirs. Ominis swore he could hear Sebastian’s breath catch in his throat.
“Hey,” Sebastian said breathlessly, as if she’d sucked the wind right out of his lungs herself.
In the wake of her arrival, Sebastian instinctually moved to sit up straighter, smoothed the creases in his robe, and ran a hair through his unruly hair. The distracted, weary shell of a boy suddenly long gone, replaced by a young man full of spirit, miraculously brought back to life.
Good lord, Ominis thought, the boy was entirely smitten. 
“Hello,” Ominis greeted, “I hear the Hero of Hogwarts has been quite busy.”
She laughed lightly before moving to fill the empty seat beside Sebastian, “I’ve certainly been busy, but doing nothing particularly heroic. I’ve somehow found myself becoming the go-to witch for slacking students in need of last minute potion supplies.”
How she ended up becoming the student body’s errand runner — Ominis would never know. The week she first arrived, she’d been quick to be coined the Slayer of Trolls. But from what he’d garnered from their few interactions, it was very like her to comply with every request that fell upon her ears, no matter how frivolous.
The chivalry was strong with this one.
“Well I certainly hope you’re being well compensated, at least,” said Ominis.
“Being so sought after and all, I’m surprised that you managed to find time to squeeze us in your busy schedule.” Sebastian finally said teasingly, with only a sliver of bitterness.
She looked over at him and an earnest smile grew on her face, “I will always make time to visit my favourite Slytherins.”
She had certainly said Slytherins (plural). But Ominis had a sneaking suspicion that she was saying it for the benefit of one Slytherin (singular) in particular. And it definitely had an effect on him. 
Just visible under the warm light, Sebastian’s cheeks grew red. The rumbling anxiousness that was rife in his body diffused into a soft, pacified murmur at her words. She had only said a small, simple affirmation. How hysterical it was that Sebastian Sallow - Hogwarts resident charmer - became mush in her small, delicate hands. 
“And thank goodness for that,” Ominis interjected, “A certain someone has been prudently waiting for your return.” 
“Is that so?” She said with an eyebrow quirked.
“He’s been in ruins ever since you left him by the docks.”
If looks could kill, Ominis would’ve been buried seven feet under rubble. Sebastian shot him a scathing glare, as if to scream how did you even know? Too bad Ominis would never be the wiser.
“Has he now?” She drawled.
“Please, I beg of you to fix it.” 
“Well then, my sincerest apologies,” Her voice twinkled, full of mischief as she sent Sebastian a cheeky grin, “I didn’t realise I’d be so missed.”
Ominis did not miss the amusement in her voice. It made him wonder if she knew the effect her every waking move had on Sebastian. If she was aware that if she’d told him to jump or roll over, he’d likely pander to her every whim like an obedient puppy.   
“Don’t listen to him,” Sebastian said hurriedly, “He’s delusional, what with all those extra hours Professor Binns has had him clocking in.” 
Ominis cocked his brow. Oh. Is that how he wanted to play it?
“Right. I’m the delusional one.” Ominis said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. 
Under the table, out of sight from her keen eye, Sebastian kicked Ominis in a bid to get him to hush.
Sebastian quickly returned his attention to the girl next to him. Mustering as much levity as his voice could carry, he reminded her:
“Onto more important matters… You promised me your time this weekend, did you not? Don’t forget,” Sebastian said firmly.
If Ominis wasn’t so annoyed by the frivolity of it all, he might have even thought it cute. All this yearning and nervousness that he radiated. Trying his best to appear nonchalant in the face of his Achilles heel.
Teasingly, she replied, “Don’t worry. I would never.”
There was a pause after she spoke. Suddenly, the air felt a little more dense. The soft, charmed look in her eyes — as they held onto his friend’s — became slightly heavier with the weight of things left unsaid. Just as he had in Sebastian, he sensed a longing deep within her.
If Sebastian was mercurial, stolen glances and raging fires, she was endlessness, tender touches and sun in your eyes on a quiet summer day.
Merlin’s beard. It was both of them.
They were both obtusely pining for each other. 
Ominis cursed his own luck, how did he always manage to find himself in the middle? If he hadn’t felt it so outrageously out of place for him to say, he would’ve smacked both their heads silly with his wand.
Instead, he just gently cleared his throat, which broke the spell between them. They’d both looked away, but a dust of pink still lingered on their cheeks.
“Actually,” she began, “I’ve been trying to find information on this blasted ancient Heirloom for Helena Thistlewood. If you’re also free tomorrow afternoon Sebastian, I was wondering if I could perhaps get your help in the library—"
“Yes.” 
The word left his mouth so quickly and so forcefully (like it had been sitting anxiously on the edge of his teeth just waiting to be said) that a whole slew of Slytherin students seated nearby jumped in surprise.
Sebastian hadn’t even waited for her to finish before hastily agreeing to her request. He didn’t need to. It didn’t take a legilimens to realise that he would drop everything on a whim to answer to her beck and call.
But that didn’t stop Ominis from choking on the piece of toast in his mouth. He couldn’t help the ungodly, strangled laugh that stumbled out of his mouth from how obscenely obvious his best friend was being right now.
“Oh!” She said, a little taken aback too. Her cheeks had grown slightly pink at Sebastian’s fervent, impassioned agreement, “W-well, lovely!” 
Even Ominis couldn’t help but cringe a little at the second-hand embarrassment. He wondered how Sebastian seemed so unbothered by his own… forwardness. 
But it must have suddenly dawned on him, because his face had begun to turn a comically bright shade of red. Consciously, Sebastian pulled at the knot of his tie, loosening it as he spoke hurriedly.
“I-I have nothing to do after all.” 
Ominis felt the grip on his wand tighten. Not knowing whether the urge to burst out laughing or to disappear entirely was stronger.
“Great! I- I’ll see you tomorrow then. After class.”
“Great.”
“Well then… I’ll leave you boys to it,” She brushed the folds out of her skirt before she stood up, nodded farewell, and made her exit. As she spun around, the pleats of her robe followed suit in dramatic fashion. 
As quickly as she’d arrived, she left again.
Sebastian watched as she went. His eyes followed closely, never once leaving her departing figure. Not until she disappeared entirely from the hall. When Sebastian finally looked back, any trace of the brooding boy from the morning was gone.
Chidingly, Ominis said, “Don’t you have crossed wands tomorrow afternoon?”
Silence.
“Oh. Right. That… slipped my mind.” 
Ominis snorted. Under his breath, he muttered, “Just friends, my ass.” 
Notes Cross-posting from ao3, I haven't written fanfiction in literally forever (or even been on tumblr in forever) but HL brought my 2016 self back to lifeeeee.
Anyways, I present to you Seb being a simp. Look out for more chapters of other people pointing out how obvious these two dummies are.
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captainkirkk · 5 months
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🦇🎃 WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP 🎃🦇
All the fics I’ve read and really enjoyed in the past week-ish. Reminder: This list features any and all ratings and themes. Please look at tags and warnings on ao3 before reading.
Merlin
The Hunt for Red Emrys by darkbluedark
King Arthur sets out to keep his promise to the spirit of the Druid boy by repealing his father's ban on magic. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, for reasons including but not limited to the following:
(1) He can't change the law until he understands magic better, but no sorcerer is willing to explain magic to him until he changes the law;
(2) The sorcerers all have some strange obsession with Merlin, which is awakening all sorts of feelings in Arthur that he really doesn't fancy examining too closely;
(3) He is starting to feel like the butt of some Druid-population-wide inside joke involving the mysterious phenomenon called Emrys; and
(4) Oh yeah, Morgana is still trying to kill him.
Thus he embarks on a journey of discovery, diplomacy, accountability, and self-improvement, and maybe even falls in love along the way.
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun
Kalego-sensei is...dead? by IcyPheonix
The Misfits come to school one day to discover that they have, a substitute teacher. They decide that this can only mean one thing; Kalego-sensei, has died.
He hasn't but that's not gonna stop them from pretending he has of course.
SVSSS
The Moon's Beloved Shadow by mofumofu
Shen Qingqiu is a man who hides his twin brother from the world with the ferocity of a phoenix-eyed mother crane.
Shen Yuan is a helpless transmigrator who wishes Airplane-bro had given even a single bit of backstory for this side character he's inhabiting!
Luo Binghe isn't doomed to face the Endless Abyss, but he is forced to confront something infinitely more frustrating: an overly protective brother.
Natsume Yuujinchou
What Colors Do You See In This Monochrome World by mermorgie.
Natori's voice brought him back to the present. "You alright there, Natsume?" The look the exorcist was giving him was warm and a tad concerned. Natsume gave him a small, but earnest smile. "I'm fine, Natori-san. Just a bit nervous." This was the truth. He had no idea why the head of the Matoba Clan invited him this time, but he was sure that the man was up to no good.
Or: Natsume gets invited to an exorcist meeting. He is not too happy about it, but at least the view is great.
Harry Potter
Three's Family by darkbluedark
It’s May 1979 and the Order has just apprehended a pair of mysterious wizards who look remarkably like a Potter and a Malfoy. Naturally, James Potter and Sirius Black are called in to identify the strangely familiar strangers and determine their backgrounds and loyalties.
(This would be a lot easier if their captives weren’t convinced everyone they talk to is dead. It would also be easier if they didn’t spend half their bloody time bickering.)
-
“Just ask them questions only they would know the answer to,” Malfoy suggests.
“There’s not a single thing that I know about either of them from the first war that any old Death Eater couldn’t find out.”
“How is that possible?” Malfoy huffs. “He’s your father!”
“Am I or am I not famously an orphan?” Potter snarls.
Once More Unto The Boggart by darkbluedark
Professor Lupin let out his breath very slowly. “So this is why you think you’ve been struggling to make progress with the Patronus charm? Because a part of you wants to let the dementor close, in a way, in order to hear your parents?”
Harry nodded again, though more guiltily this time. “I want to let the boggart out, just once, and, er, not cast the charm."
Those Who Have Seen by darkbluedark
Only those who have seen death can see thestrals.
It turns out, thestrals look different for those who have seen Death.
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bloofinntoona · 1 year
Text
HeadCannons: Sleeping Beside Sebastian and Ominis
700 words | fluff
Sebastian Sallow x f!reader x Ominis Gaunt
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Credit goes to https://www.youtube.com/@Picklerikk (seriously go check out their channel - I'm not sure if they are on Tumblr, but please do let me know and I will credit accordingly ♡ ♥)
Most nights, you and Ominis could be found on Sebastian's bed - legs tangled between the three of you, his light green blanket draping over Ominis, who complained a lot about how cold Hogwarts was. Books, scrolls, and crumpled papers sprawled on the bed, there was no space left, but you could never find a cozier spot in the world.
Sebastian welcomed his two closest friends with open arms to his personal space in the dormitory. His bed was rarely made, and you could always spot a book or two next to his pillows. Often a book stolen from the restricted section would end up under his pillow too.
You had suggested that the three of you switch it up and use Ominis' bed, and you received a glare from Sebastian. That day you learned that one of Ominis' pet peeves is when other people get on his bed with outside clothes on... and that Ominis is very particular about the things he owned.
Your bed is out of the question, even the castle itself didn't let boys step a single foot in the girls' dormitories.
Sneaking into Sebastian and Ominis' bedroom is basically a stealth and Disillusionment charm practice. You swore you got better at lurking in poachers' camps after a couple weeks sleeping at Sebastian's.
"Silencio!" Sebastian casted after the three of you already curled up on his bed, giggling as you tried to fit three bodies into one full bed.
Ominis always preferred to be on the outer side, "being in the middle is claustrophobic inducing," he said.
When it was Sebastian's turn to be in the middle, he opened up about his feelings to the closest people he had in the world. Anne's cure, how he dearly missed his parents and the insecurity that you and Ominis would drift away. You wrapped your arms around his shoulder and buried your face in his neck, assuring the boy that it would never happen. Ominis held Sebastian's hand tightly, assuring the same. Maybe it was the ambiance, or the fact that Sebastian felt he was the luckiest man on the planet for having you and Ominis around, that night his face was wet with a stream of tears.
While the three of you were working on Professor Bin's History of Magic essay about the great houses in the Wizarding World, Ominis talked about his family. Sebastian knew a lot already, but you were deeply touched that Ominis trusted you enough to share his personal struggles. He mentioned that the Gaunts weren't as rich as people thought, and his family was holding on to their name value as it was all that they had left. Ominis swore to himself that he would start a new life away from the Gaunts after graduation. (Then the three of you decided to find an apartment together to live in after Hogwarts, with Anne as well.)
You found comfort in letting out your frustrations with Ancient Magic and the pressure you have been feeling to Sebastian and Ominis. They were beyond patient in explaining the Wizarding terms that you don't understand. One time, Sebastian showed you his Patronus charm - blue lights emitted from his wand, quickly forming into a falcon, flying around the small confinement of his section in the room.
Your face would turn into deep shades of red whenever you felt Sebastian's arms wrapped around your waist after he fell asleep. He was obvious in his possessiveness towards you, even when no one was looking. He would bury his face in your hair, you even caught him planting a chaste kiss on your nape one time.
On the other hand, Ominis was more subtle with his affections. Sometimes you abruptly woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air, and the nightmares about Ranrok's attacks plagued you. You felt Ominis' hand soothing your backside, telling you that everything will be alright. You lay down again facing him, as his gentle hands snaked around you and rubbed your backside. Ominis' soft breathing and warmth lulled you back to sleep in no time.
At the end of the day, you were glad you came to Hogwarts.
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heli-writes · 4 months
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Seven summers, part 5.
Pairing: Draco Malfoy x female!reader
Summary: Every summer, Draco and y/n meet. First, by pure coincidence, then intentionally. Unbeknown to Draco, y/n's a muggle who has no clue he's a wizard. With the rise of the dark lord, how long can this go well?
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Series Masterlist
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fifth summer, August.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear Draco,
I hope you're well. I am writing you this letter because I think we should talk about what happened last month.
I'm sorry I deceived you. I never meant to lie to you. At some point, I just didn't know how to say it. I wanted to tell you this summer, I swear! Then we kissed and everything was so different than expected. I just didn't have the courage to...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear Draco,
I know you're angry and you have every right to be. Please believe me when I say I didn't mean to betray you. Actually, until our third summer, I didn't know you were a wizard. I just thought it was a culture thing. Then, after you told me how you feel about muggles, I was afraid to tell you. I thought you'd hate me too. Please, don't hate me. I don't know what...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco,
Please, give me one chance to explain myself. You've left without hearing my side. Hear me out and I promise...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draco,
I'm sorry.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Frustrated, y/n throws her pen onto her desk. There are dozens of crumpled papers around her. In the last two hours, she started the same letter to Draco over and over again but so far, she hasn't found the right words to say. Not that it really matters. Without Draco's owl which regularly visited her for the past two years, she doesn't have a way to contact him. Apparently, wizards don't have a phone. Y/N takes out the trashcan from beneath her desk and swipes all the papers into it in one big swoop. Afterward, she groans and falls onto her bed face down. There's nothing to do in her room but to brood on the whole Draco situation. Supposedly, it is not necessary to mention that she's stuck in her room for two more weeks. After the night her parents had to pick her up at a train station in the middle of the night, of course, her parents asked questions. Questions that y/n couldn't answer without getting entangled in more and more lies. It all blew up in her face when her parents called Olivia's parents. After that, y/n had no other option but to tell them about the boy she's been seeing for a while. A long talk about sex trafficking and teenage pregnancy later, y/n got grounded for three weeks. I suppose I can be lucky I didn't get grounded for the entire summer holidays, she thinks to herself as she turns around to look for her phone only to realize that that's been taken away from her too. Suddenly, she's glad for the communication via owl. At least this way, her parents will find no messages that would incriminate her further. Y/n burries her face in a pillow and lets out a muffled scream.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
One week later
Y/n,
Don't think I am writing this because I have any concern for your muggle self. I don't care if you got home safely or not. Considering I got no news about a dead muggle girl in Salisbury, I suppose you live.
Honestly, I am just writing you this to draw a line under whatever it was that we did the last two years. I suppose even someone like you understands that a wizard like me cannot be associated with a muggle. It's absolutely absurd that I didn't notice it.
Just to make it absolutely clear: Don't tell anybody about me or the wizarding community or I can assure you the ministry will take care of you. Also, we're done.
D.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Puzzled, y/n blinks at the paper in front of her and then blinks at the owl that is sitting on her windowsill. Why on earth would he feel the need to write a letter like that, she questions herself. Obviously, she shouldn't tell anybody about wizards and after Draco's glorious exit at the inn, it should have been clear that they've broken up. Suddenly, she feels a hot pit of anger swelling in her stomach.
How dare he write a message like that, y/n thinks. Not a word from him for two weeks and then he sends me a threat and a break-up notice?, she fumes. She's not sure why he would risk getting caught writing to a muggle girl in the first place. Draw a line my ass, she thinks and rips up the letter into tiny little pieces. She watches the pieces float silently to her floor. Then, she pushes down her window with a loud bang, and glares at the owl for a few seconds, before turning away and continuing a half-finished jigsaw puzzle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A few days later
Y/n,
Since the cover of the wizarding world hasn't been and there are no reports about a crazy woman talking about magic, I guess you didn't tell anybody about us. Good.
You know it really astonishes me how you managed to keep up the facade for so long. I never knew muggles could be this... adaptable. However, I think it was quite a malicious pretense of you. It makes me wonder if anything that you said or did was true. Not that it would matter to me.
Remember to keep quiet. I really can't have a muggle running around blabbering about wizard secrets.
D.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Y/n feels like she could spit fire. She lets out an angered scream and crumples up the letter. What a dick, y/n screams internally. I get he's angry at me, I get he doesn't want to so me anymore but what on earth is he trying to achieve with these letters?, y/n asks herself. She tries to shoosh Draco's owl away from her window. The owl lifts itself into the air and settles on a branch of the apple tree in y/n's garden. Y/n stares at the owl and the owl stares back. She turns away and throws Draco's letter into the trash bin. The anger made her feel too hot. Pulling her pullover over her head, she stumbles towards her closet and puts on a t-shirt. Meanwhile, she calls Draco all kinds of nasty names in her head. She no longer feels sorry. When she turns around, the owl sits at her windowsill again. Y/n rolls up a magazine and pokes the owl in the hope that it will take flight. The owl looks at her absolutely unbothered. Y/n pushes a bit harder and forces the owl towards the edge of the windowsill. Eventually, the owl gives up and glides to the apple tree again. "Go awaaaaay!!!", y/n yells out of her window and pulls her widow shut with a loud bang.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Another letter arrived a few days after that. It has a similar tone as the last two with an equal amount of insults towards muggle. Y/n is absolutely fuming. Draco's owl doesn't even bother leaving y/n's windowsill and already made itself comfortable. Y/n glares intently at the owl through her closed window. Finally, she pulls out a sheet of paper and a pen.
Draco,
I get it. I'm a stupid muggle and I shouldn't tell anybody about magic. I get it. You can stop sending letters now. You said we're done so I don't understand why you keep contacting me.
Don't get me wrong - I understand you're angry. I deceived you and breaking up with me is probably the right thing to do. I'm sorry I lied to you but I feel like you don't see why I acted this way. It's not like I knew that you were a wizard when we first met and when I got to know you, you started insulting people like me. What was I supposed to do? Have you ever considered that this world you live in intimidates me? Have you ever considered that maybe I was scared of losing what we had? Because I genuinely cared? I guess not.
Anyways, what's done is done. No need to dwell on it. Maybe it would do you good if you let go. It's time to get back to normal, don't you think?
Y/n.
Contently, y/n reads through her letter again. After folding it in two, she opens the window and holds it out towards the owl. The owl takes the letter without hesitation and takes off. Y/n watches the bird disappear into the grey clouds that hang low in the sky. Eventually, she closes the window and feels calmer than she has since the night at Stonehenge.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Y/n doesn't see any owl around her window for a little over the week. She's not grounded anymore for a couple of days. She spent the days in freedom by accompanying her mother to the dentist, to the supermarket, and to her auntie Paula. In short: her parents are still keeping her on a short leash. However, today she's allowed to meet a friend. Even if it's just to apologize. She's meeting Olivia in town. Olivia and her already texted after y/n got her phone back. So Olivia knows the gist and luckily she's not angry. Actually, being the teenage girl she is, Olivia is very excited to hear all about the mysterious guy y/n got herself in trouble for. It's the least thing y/n wants to talk about but it's only fair she owes Olivia some kind of explanation.
Y/n is getting ready in her room. Her mother already called her down several minutes ago. Obviously, she isn't allowed to take the bus by herself. Rummaging through her make-up bag y/n is trying to find a lip balm for her purse when she suddenly hears a soft clank on the window. By now, y/n knows the sound all too well. The sound of a beak on glass. She shoots around and is face to face with Draco's owl. For a moment, y/n contemplates not opening the window and leaving the owl where it is. At some point, it must get hungry and fly off again, right? However, curiosity killed the cat and y/n is pretty sure Draco will be the death of her. So she quickly opens the window, rips the letter out of the owl's beak and stuffs the letter into her bag. Her mother is already calling for her again and without looking back, y/n takes off.
"We pick you up exactly at 4 pm and the café, understand y/n?", her mother lectures her. "I expect you both to be there. I want to apologize to Olivia's parents in person.", she tells y/n. Y/n groans and pulls her hood over her face. "Didn't you already apologize on the phone? Can't we finally leave this behind? Obviously, I learned my lesson.", y/n begs. Her mother gives her a sharp look in the rear-view mirror of their car. "That's not of you to decide. You will have to earn our trust back.", her mother points out. Y/n knows her mother is right, but it still feels unfair. It was a horrible experience inside and out and y/n wants nothing more than to just forget about it. Her mother turns her attention back to the road. Y/n crosses her arms in front of her chest. Suddenly, she remembers the letter again. It's still sitting in her bag unopened. Carefully, she takes it out. She holds it low, close to her lap, so her mother wouldn't see.
Y/n,
Meet me today at Trafalgar Square. 3 pm sharp.
D.
Y/n stares at the message in disbelief. Is he joking? Is this some kind of setup? So that they can grab her and make her disappear or whatever wizards do to normal people who accidentally get to know about magic? Yeah, no, I'm absolutely not going., y/n thinks. Somehow she wishes Draco had a phone so that she could react to this message with a couple of middle finger emojis. She crumples up the paper and stuffs it back into her back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Olivia's already waiting when her mother drops her off. She even gets out of the car to exchange some words with Olivia and to make sure her parents are really picking her up. Y/n can feel her cheeks heat up with embarrassment. However, Olivia takes it cool. She answers y/n's mother's question politely and acts as if absolutely nothing out of the ordinary happened since the last time she's seen her.
This attitude drops really fast once y/n's mom is back in the car and out of sight. Olivia turns around, makes a squeaking sound, and says: "You need to tell me everything!". Apparently, y/n must've had a really dumb look on her face. "C'mon, y/n! My parents told me all about your lie.", Olivia grins. Once they've settled in a quiet niche at the café, Olivia looks at y/n expectantly. Y/n sighs. After all, she knew she had to talk about this. "Look, Olivia, I'm really sorry about all of this. I shouldn't have you involved in my lie. I-i was stupid and I really learned my-", y/n starts but Olivia immediately interrupts her. "Yes, yes! Save that speech for my parents. I get it, you lied. More importantly, you met a boy.", Olivia says and wiggles her eyebrows. "More like a massive jerk.", y/n deadpans. Olivia nods agreeingly. "And yet you lied so that you can spend a weekend with him all alone.", Olivia grins and gives her the look. Y/n sighs. "It's not like you think.", y/n tries to argue. "Riiiight... that's why you hid him from your parents.", Olivia says and crosses her arms. Y/n sighs and stirs her drink. "Well, fine, we've been together since Christmas and wanted to spend some time together in the summer.", she says defeatedly. "First of all, it's not. Second of all, since Christmas? Why am I only hearing now about it?", Olivia asks. Y/n shrugs. "It's not like I've been seeing him a lot since then. He goes to a boarding school and is only around in the summer and for Christmas.", she points out. Olivia thinks about this for a moment. "So, you've been just texting?", Olivia says unconvinced. "If that's your way of asking if we were screwing the answer is no. We've only been... uh, texting.", y/n says. Olivia crunches her eyebrows. "This is less juicy than expected. But did you kiss? And what about the weekend away? That sounds like a perfect opportunity to lose your v-card.", Olivia keeps asking. Y/n blushes. "V-card? Really? That's so lame, Olivia.". Olivia shrugs. "I'm not saying I'm supporting the patriarchal idea of virginity but the first time is special and exciting for everyone, isn't it?", she argues. Y/n shrugs. "I wouldn't know. Again, nothing happened. We only kissed.", she underlines her point. Suddenly, there's a glint in Olivia's eyes. "Ooohhh... you kissed? Was it good?", she asks teasingly. Y/n snips a small ball of paper at Olivia. "I mean, yes, but it doesn't matter. We broke up.", she says solemnly. "Clearly, otherwise your parents wouldn't had to pick you up at the station in the middle of the night.", Olivia points out, "What happened? You two had a fight?". Y/n shrugs. She feels her eyes burning. She thought she was over it. Really, she thought that Draco's stupid letters made her angry enough to forget how deeply the whole thing hurt her. "Yes. He expected me to be something I'm not. Took of when he noticed and left me behind.", y/n says. Olivia looks at her for a moment. "Let me guess. He wanted to screw you and when you didn't want to he dropped you? Man, guys suck.", Olivia takes a guess. Y/n shakes her head. "No, that wasn't it. He was actually super respectful. It was more like... a rich asshole finding out your common trash.", y/n lies. "Oof... he comes from old money? That kind of guy?", Olivia asks. Y/n nods. "Yup, that kind of guy.", she says. "Well good thing you didn't screw him. Those are the worst baby daddies.", Olivia nods as if she had any more experience with these things than y/n had. "Olivia, can you take this serious?", y/n says frustrated.
Olivia holds up her hands in defense. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You're right. ... So you didn't hear anything from him ever since?", she asks. Y/n puffs and puts her hair up in a messy loop. All this talk got her warm. "Oh, I heard from him, believe me.", she says angrily. "That doesn't sound good. What did he say?", Olivia asks. "Oh, he told me what a terrible person I am alongside some threats not to tell anybody.", she tells her. Olivia slurps a bit of her drink watching her intensely. "Ah, afraid about his reputation? So, he's an arrogant prick.", Olivia points out. Y/n nods. "Yeah, and look at what he sent me today.", y/n says and pulls out Draco's note. Olivia raises a brow and takes the piece of paper. "Old fashioned, I see.", Olivia mumbles and quickly reads through the note. "I really don't get it. He tells me he doesn't want to see me anymore and then he keeps sending me messages and now he wants to meet? Why on earth would I want to see him after everything? After he said these terrible things to me?", y/n rambles. Olivia gives her a side-eye and slides the paper back to her. "Well, isn't it obvious?", Olivia says matter-of-factly. "No.", y/n states bluntly. Olivia shrugs. "He's hooked. He doesn't want to mingle with a poor commoner, he's afraid about his reputation but he also can't let go.", Olivia explains. Y/n laughs into her face. "Sure, that's why he keeps lashing out at me.", she argues. Olivia shrugs. "Maybe he's not a good communicator and that's the only way he knows how to keep in touch with you. Or he's too proud to admit he likes you even though you don't have the same social status as him.", Olivia thinks out loud. Actually, she might be right, a voice in y/n's head says. Y/n shakes her head. "So?", Olivia asks. "So what?", y/n asks back. "Are you going to meet him?" Y/n looks at Olivia as if she's grown three heads. "Are you insane? Absolutely not!", she exclaims. Olivia shrugs. "You liked him enough to pull off this big-ass lie to get a weekend with him. And now you don't want to give him another chance?", Olivia questions her. Y/n kneads her hands. "I- it's... Look, he left me at a creepy in, in the middle of the night, in a town I don't know. Then he keeps pointing out what a low-life I am compared to him via text. Why would I want to see him again?", she exclaims. Olivia looks at her softly. "Because you have feelings for him? Clearly enough for his words to still hurt you. You guys could either reconcile or you can give him a piece of your mind.", Olivia argues. Y/n turns her head away like a frustrated toddler. "My mother would ground me forever.", she says. Olivia sighs. "Stop finding excuses to not face him. I'll stay here in case your mom shows up early. It's still early, you can catch the next bus.", Olivia says determinedly. Y/n looks at her blankly trying to come up with another reason to not go, but she draws a blank. "Don't look at me so stupidly, go!", Olivia ushers her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Y/n wraps her jacket around her. Even though it's summer and it's warm, she still feels cold. And nervous. And very uncomfortable. Olivia dragged her to the bus stop, shoved her into the bus, and before y/n could fathom what was happening, she was already standing on Trafalgar Square. She tries not to look around and search for him. She doesn't want to look desperate or give him the satisfaction of knowing she missed him, which she, of course, did not.
"Y/n", a familiar voice said behind her. Y/n turns around to Draco standing behind her. Suddenly all oxygen is knocked out of her lungs. She's not sure whether it's because she doesn't know what to say to him or because he is as good-looking as she remembers him. She wished her initial reaction to him would be repulsion, which would be an appropriate reaction she thinks. However, her heart takes a leap and she feels warm in places she shouldn't feel warm at all. Draco doesn't take his hands out of his pockets and y/n doesn't move her arms away from her chest. "You wanted to meet?", is all she can croak out. He nods without looking into her eyes. When he doesn't say anything. "Well, what do you have to say? Make it quick, I'm already in trouble.", she asks. Suddenly, but slowly, y/n can feel her anger returning in her chest. Draco's eyes snap to hers. "Don't you have anything to say?", he asks back. Y/n shrugs. "If you're looking for an apology, I've already given you one in writing.", she bites back. Draco frowns. "Really, that's all you've got to say to me?", he says bitterly. Y/n stares back at him irritated. "Well, what do you want me to say?", she asks.
Suddenly, Draco looks really helpless. "Well... I... you... I thought...", he tries looking for words. Y/n waits patiently. Let him struggle, she thinks. Draco stomps his foot on the ground angrily. "You lied to me!", he blurts out. Y/n huffs. "Firstly, I gave you an apology for that. Secondly, I never claimed to be a witch. You assumed it, which I didn't get at first, and then I just went with it.", she exclaims. Draco looks at her angrily. "Well, why would you go with it? I don't get it.", Draco argues. "Because I was thirteen years old, you just abducted me in a magical alleyway and then you go off about how awful people like me were. I was scared!", y/n blurts out a bit too loudly and Draco shushes her. "You telling me you were scared of me?", Draco hisses back quietly. Y/n lifts her hands above her hands frustratedly. "Yes! Of course! You grew up with magic, it's natural and everyday life for you! It's not for me. It scared me shitless because I suddenly didn't know what's real and possible anymore. Also, you literally told me your kind could wipe us out!", y/n whisper yells back at him. This stuns Draco for a moment. "I didn't say that.", he tells her. "Don't gaslight me, Draco. Yes, you gave me shit about muggleborns and muggles and then you told me wizards could literally wipe muggles off the face of earth.", y/n argues. Draco is quiet for a moment then points out: "If you are so scared of me, why did you continue to see me?". Y/n shrugs. "You're an arrogant prick, Draco, but you're also my first friend since I moved overseas.", she tells him. Draco is too stunned to speak. Y/n pushes her hands through her hair. "Look, I should've told you. Yes, at first I was scared and then... I don't know. You were my friend, Draco, I didn't want to lose that.", she sighs. Draco turns his head away. "That's what I am to you? A friend?", he mumbles. Y/n stares at him in disbelief. He's hooked, that's what Olivia said. Maybe she's right, y/n thinks. "For a while.", she tells him, "Obviously not since Christmas. Which didn't exactly make it easier to tell you.". Draco turns back to without meeting her eyes. "It would've been better to tell me than let me find out his way.", he says. Y/n looks at him softly. "Of course. It's definitely not how I wanted it to come out. But in all honesty... would the outcome be any different if I had told you? You always let me know how little you think of muggles. You still would've broken up with me.", she points out to him. Draco stays quiet and shrugs. "I don't know. Probably. It's not like we could be together like this.", he says. Y/n nods. "Yeah, guess it's against the law for people like us to be together. Your wizard police probably would have to erase my memories or something.", she says. Draco shrugs again. "It's... it's not against the law, actually. There are plenty of mixed couples.", he relents, "But my parents would never accept you". Y/n gives him a confused look. "Your parents?", she asks him. "No offense, Draco, but I don't give a fuck about your parents. I was concerned about you accepting it. You didn't strike me with the open-minded, tolerant mindset, you know.", she tells him. Draco looks away again. He seemed to be ashamed. "Look, I know I said some horrible things, but...", he starts. "But what?", y/n interrupts him, "You made it pretty clear what you think about people like me. Don't try to tell me you've changed suddenly. Because I don't buy it." Draco looks down in defeat. Y/n feels like it's the first time he's been called out on his racist attitude. She pulls her jacket closer around her body. Good, she thinks. "You're right.", he tells her, "And I'm sorry for the things I said. Actually, I've been thinking a lot about it". "About what?", she asks. "Muggles... and you, I guess.", he says. "Elaborate.", y/n simply demands. Draco shrugs and huffs. "Well, you see... I never had any contact with muggles. All I knew about your world, is what my parents told me.", he tries to explain.
Y/n starts shaking her head. "Nu-uh. Don't blame this on your parents. That's an excuse when you're six years old. At some point, you're old enough to question the things your parents say. You're old enough to understand the world and how human beings treat each other", y/n calls him out. Draco nods in defeat. "Yes, and I never did. I never questioned it. But I've been questioning it since I found out you're a muggle.", he tells her. Y/n rolls her eyes. "Oh, so it's been an eye-opening event, yes? Sorry, but years of internalized racism don't go away because you have one friend who is different.", she says bitterly. Draco nods again. "Probably not.", he admits, "but it did change my mind a little bit. I always had this idea how muggles are. You know, dumb, different." "Thank you.", y/n says dryly. Draco takes his hands out of his pocket and waves them in front of him in defense. "No, that's not... ugh. I mean, I realized that you're not that different from us. I mean I didn't notice you weren't a witch for years. I guess I'm the dumb one.", he explains. Y/n shrugs. "Sounds about right.", she tells him. "Doesn't mean you were right to not tell me.", he points out. Y/n shrugs again. "It wasn't. I was a coward and selfish.", she answers. "Sounds about right.", Draco repeats her sarcastically.
They stare at each other for a while in silence. "So, what now?", y/n asks. Draco shrugs. "Good talk, have a good live?", y/n suggests. Draco looks at her wide-eyed. "You want that?", he asks her. Y/n shrugs. "Do we have a different choice? Your parents will kill you when they find out about your muggle girlfriend. And my parents sure as hell will kill me if they find out I'm meeting the guy who stayed with me in an inn all alone for two days.", she declares. "You got in trouble with your parents?", Draco asks carefully. Y/n nods. "Yeah, what did you think? You left me at a magical inn in the middle of the night. Did you think I stayed and went home the next day like nothing happened? I went home in the middle of the night and my lie blew up in my face.", she tells him. Draco looks down ashamed. "I shouldn't have left you there.", he says. Y/n shrugs. "Whatever. Anyways, since our parents will not approve of this, probably better to call it off, eh?", she answers. Draco looks at her. Does he actually look sad?, y/n asks herself. "I mean... what if they don't know?", he asks quietly. Y/n laughs dryly at that. "Yeah, that worked out great the first time.", she says. Draco looks like she hit him in the face. "Because I was ignorant and you kept your secret. But we can do it differently this time.", he pleads with her and y/n thinks that it's a little bit pathetic. Also, she's really glad he is because right now her pride is in her own way. "You call me out when I'm a prick and you don't keep secrets.", he proposes. Y/n shrugs. "How about we both don't keep secrets?", she says carefully. Draco seems to cheer up immediately. "Deal.", he prompts. Y/n gives him a small smile.
Suddenly it's awkward between them. "Sooooo...?", y/n says and makes an awkward hand gesture. "So, we stay together?", Draco ends her sentence. "Yes?", y/n answers. "That doesn't sound convincing.", Draco deadpans. Y/n takes a deep breath. "Yes.", she tells him. Draco gives her a soft smile. "Now what?", y/n asks awkwardly. Draco shrugs. "We hug?", he proposes. Y/N smiley back. "Okay.", she replies. Awkwardly, they step forward and put their arms around each other. For a moment, y/n feels really uncomfortable. Then, Draco's smell hits her and he pulls her closer so that her face rests against his shoulder. Y/n's body instantly relaxes and she hugs him back closer. After a while, they loosen the hug a bit and are face-to-face with each other. "Do we...?", Draco asks carefully and y/n gives him a soft smile. "Yes.", she whispers and pulls his face towards hers. Their lips meet in a soft kiss and Draco leans in. Y/n would've enjoyed the kiss if her phone hadn't started vibrating in her pocket. Draco jumps back immediately. "What's that?", he stutters. "Just my phone.", she tells him and pulls it out of her pocket. It's Olivia.
"Hate to interrupt the moment, but it's half past three. We need to take the next bus back to the café.", Olivia's voice echoes on the other side of the phone. Y/n swirls around and looks around frantically. "On your right.", Olivia tells her and y/n catches her leaning on a streetlamp on the other side of the road. "How did you-?" "Get here?", Olivia finishes her sentence. "Didn't trust that guy and wanted to look after you. Seems like you didn' need me, bravo!", she tells y/n. "But seriously, we need to go." Y/n nods. "Alright, I'm coming.", she replies and hangs up. "I need to go.", she tells Draco. Draco's eyes are fixated on Olivia who gives him a short wave. "Does she know?", he asks her sharply. "About you and me? Yes. About you being a wizard? No. I keep my promises.", y/n tells him. Draco relaxes a bit and turns his gaze back to her. "You have to go?", he asks. "Yes, my mother picks me up soon. I'm already on thin ice with her. I'd rather not know what she'll do if she finds out about this.", she replies. Draco nods in agreement. "When will we see each other again?", he asks her hopefully. Y/n thinks about it for a moment. "Last week of the summer holidays? I might need some more time to convince my parents I won't do anything stupid.", y/n proposes. "Alright. Be careful. I'll send you an owl.", Draco says. Y/n nods and gives him a smile. They quickly hug each other and when y/n pulls away, Draco grabs her face and gives her a long, passionate kiss that leaves y/n breathless. She almost stumbles when he lets go of her. "See you soon, y/n.", Draco says softly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In the next few weeks, y/n and Draco frequently exchanged letters. What happened in Salisbury is not spoken of anymore. However, Draco's tone and choice of words slightly changed. No snarky remarks about the muggle world anymore. Instead, he includes lengthy explanations about anything magical. Y/n thinks he is trying a little bit too hard, but is grateful nonetheless. Finally, she gets some context for some things he says. Meanwhile, y/n is a bit more open about her own life. About the movies she watches or the things she does with her friends. In a way, things are better now. Y/n doesn't carry around the weight of constant hiding and doesn't have to be careful about her words. Moreover, in Olivia, y/n finally found a friend who she can giggle about boys with and who can keep a secret.
Y/n and Draco met a few times at the end of August. Y/n showed her some muggle activities and Draco took her to Diagon Alley again and made her try all kinds of magical things. Of course, it's a risk to take y/n to magical places but Draco decided that y/n managed to blindside him for 5 years, others probably won't notice for like 5 Minutes. It's been a bliss, really. Finally, this feels like a real relationship to y/n. They're just some teenagers holding hands and making out and sneaking around their parents. Y/n wished these moments last forever but sooner or later September arrives and Draco has to go back to Hogwarts.
Y/n is standing at King's Cross. Draco and her are hiding behind a pillar at platform 8. He already crossed over to platform 9 3/4 20 minutes ago after saying goodbye to his parents. He came back to say goodbye to y/n a couple of minutes later. "It's only until Christmas.", Draco says as y/n clings to his chest. She buries her face into him. "I know, but somehow this feels worse than last year.", she mumbles. Draco rubs her back and grins. "Geez, I wonder why.", he says. Y/n pinches his arm. Draco lets go of her and rubs her arms. "I'll write you every week, I promise.", he tells her. "You should really get a phone. We could talk every day.", y/n argues. She's been trying to convince him for the past weeks. Communication would be so much easier. Also, her mum gets suspicious about the amount of bird shit that's on her windowsill. Fair enough, she doesn't seem to get that a literal owl is visiting her daughter. Instead, she gives y/n shit about feeding pigeons.
"Seriously, it won't be that bad. School starts soon and then we both have so much school work up our asses, we won't even notice until Christmas comes around.", Draco tries to soothe her. Y/n sighs. "I guess. I'll still miss you.", she tells him defeated. Draco smiles at her softly. "Yeah, I'll miss you too.", he replies. He leans down and gives her a kiss on the lips. Y/n's eyes flicker to the big clock behind Draco. "You have to go.", she points out and Draco nods. Y/n's lips form a thin line. She really hates this. Draco softly strokes over her cheek. "Yeah. See you soon, love. Don't miss me too much.", he says as he turns around to catch his train. Suddenly, y/n's face lits up. "Hey, Draco!", she yells after him. He turns around. "We've survived summer! In contrast to Blaise and that girl!", she yells. Draco laughs and shakes his head. "Well, at least I have something to brag about.", he laughs as he makes his way to platform 9 3/4.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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demiguisemoon · 2 years
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letters and secrets - theseus scamander
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© demiguisemoon 2022, do not repost, modify or translate!
synopsis: When another auror wouldn’t stop hitting on you, Theseus took it upon himself to finally act on his feelings and show you who’s really meant to be with you.
a/n: based on this request, i was asked by most people to make it fluffy smut but i usually write pwp so idk if this is fluffy enough, apologies if that is the case. not my best work tbh and i was struggling quite a bit but pls lmk how you like it! much love <3
warnings: SMUT, oral (f receiving), penetration, unprotected sex (don’t do it kids, we got enough people on this planet), mentions of bodily fluids, hair pulling, does jesus exist in the wizarding world?, explicit language, jealousy, disgusting flirting, (finally acting on) mutual pining
wc: 4.3k
WW MASTERLIST
“Miss Y/L/N, could you please take this to Mr. Scamander’s office?” Audra Twigs, one of your superiors, appeared in front of your desk, reaching out with a sealed letter between her fingers. “It’s urgent,” she pressed. You sent her a smile which she reciprocated as you took the letter from her.
“May I ask what it’s about?” You asked sneakily, knowing it’s highly likely to be top secret if it has to be delivered personally to the Head Auror.
Mrs. Twigs only gave you a look, eyebrows raised, as she stifled an amused laugh. You, however, were never one to give up quickly.
“Is it about a certain dark wizard that’s been on the run for the past couple of months?” You asked again, but the lady in front of you wouldn’t say a word.
You knew you were right, though. With Theseus playing an important part in the prosecution of Gellert Grindelwald, it could only be about the notorious dark wizard himself.
“Well,” you said, getting up from your chair. “I suppose I better not waste any time then.”
You walked along the long, dark but still extremely well-lit corridors towards the elevators, letter in hand and heat beating continuously skipping a beat at the thought of seeing Theseus again.
Working in the Department of International Magical Co-operation, long journeys from level five, which your work space was located on, to level two, where you would find Theseus’ office, were happening on the daily.
The elevator came to a halt on level three. When the doors opened, none other than Edan Rubis walked into the small space.
“Good morning, darling,” the auror said with a smug smile on his face as he stood next to you. The admittedly quite handsome wizard did not waste a single opportunity to flirt with you, however, the interest was most definitely one-sided.
“Another trip to Scamander’s office I suppose?” He mentioned when he noticed the letter in your hands. Edan hated your frequent trips to the Head Auror’s office, always feeling that just the slightest bit of interaction between you and Theseus drifted you further and further away from him.
The way you looked at him, nervousness written all over your face whenever he talked to you. The way you laughed at all of his jokes, or the way you simply couldn’t stop yourself from completely ignoring him the moment Theseus appeared.
Edan wanted you to himself, but you only had eyes for Theseus Scamander.
“Yeah, I’m headed to Theseus’,” you replied. “Another urgent one. You can guess what it’s about,” you explained to him, reciprocating his smile with a rather reserved one. Edan nodded his head in a rather dismissive manner, frustrated that he simply didn’t have the same effect on you than a certain other wizard.
The elevator arrived on level two, both of you exiting, then walking along the corridor next to each other. “So where are you headed?” You asked, purely out of politeness, once you noticed the awkward silence between the two of you.
“Believe it or not,” he exclaimed. “It’s Scamander’s office.” A break. “You’re not the only one needing his attention.” You simply nodded, sighing once you realized there was no way for you to speak to Theseus in private today.
The two of you continued to walk along the carpeted hallway until you reached the door with the sign that read Theseus Scamander, Head of Auror Office.
“Ladies first,” Edan commented, taking a step back to let you knock on the door. You waited for Theseus’ voice to tell you to come in before you walked into the large and exceptionally tidy room.
“Y/N,” he greeted you as he lifted his head, a light blush creeping on his cheeks once he caught glance of your frame. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”
You giggled at his comment. “Actually it’s just been two days,” you told him, walking towards his desk as he got up from his seat, never forgetting his manners. Especially not when it’s you.
The two of you just looked at each other, both too nervous to say something. You already forgot why you even came here in the first place.
The silence around you got interrupted by Edan, the electric atmosphere around you disturbed as he cleared his throat, standing outside the office and observing the image in front of him.
“Y/N here told me her matter is really urgent,” he mentioned as Theseus and you directed your attention to him. When neither of you responded in any way, he spoke again.
“We had a lovely chat in the lift. Oh, and, Y/N, I’d love to continue our conversation outside of work soon.” And there was his smug smile again.
You could see Theseus moving around his desk out of the corner of your eyes until he stopped right next to you, his tall frame tense when he stood close to you. He wrapped his arm around your waist to pull your body closer to his, his entire demeanor suggesting protectiveness, maybe even hints of jealousy at Edan’s words.
“I understand that all of Miss Y/L/N’s matters are of utmost importance. If you’ll excuse us, Edan. You can come back later. I’m sure it’s not as urgent as Miss Y/L/N’s concern anyways,” Theseus said, walking slowly towards the other wizard before closing the door in front of his face.
He turned around, a sheepish grin across his face when he apologized for his ‘improper behavior’. “I hope you can forgive me, Y/N. It’s just that-“ He added, but quickly stopped himself.
“Anyways, what can I do for you today?” Theseus asked as he walked back to his desk. You followed him, then took a seat opposite him when he motioned for you to.
“I uhm… I have this… I-,” you stammered, his jealous and possessive behavior still on your mind. You’d never seen Theseus act like this before.
It almost made you feel hopeful that maybe you were lucky enough to have your feelings reciprocated…
You took a deep breath before speaking again. “Mrs. Twigs asked me to give you this letter. And yes, it is urgent, Edan was right about that.” Theseus took the letter from you with a thankful nod, the expression on his face changing, however, the moment you mentioned the other wizard’s name. You were incredibly mad at Edan for lying so blatantly about the conversation you’d had, when it was obviously anything but lovely. Or something you could actually call a conversation.
You were scared that Theseus now got the wrong impression about what you and Edan are, which was nothing more than a coworkership. But you worried that maybe it just wasn’t obvious enough to Theseus.
When the tall wizard didn’t say anything, you felt urged to keep the conversation going. “I’m sorry about Edan. I don’t know why he said that. I-“
Before you could say more, Theseus already walked around his desk again to face you. Standing right in front of the chair you were sitting in now, he seemed even taller than usual. The way he slightly bent down in order to properly look into your eyes when talking to you made the butterflies in your stomach flip upside down, and flutter from side to side.
“Don’t apologize for the ill behavior of a man who cannot control himself whenever his object of desire doesn’t show the same interest in him.”
Theseus instantly looked away in embarrassment, as if he couldn’t believe he finally uttered those words that have been stuck inside his head ever since he had first watched Edan Rubis flirt with you.
Ever since he noticed he liked you more than he probably should.
“I’m sorry, I mean you’re not an object of desire, of course. I mean, he looks at you as if you were…” He contemplated for a minute, seeming hesitant and nervous.
“What I’m trying to say is, you’re not just an object of desire to me. You are so much more than that.”
You looked up at him, observing the way his eyes danced around the room once the words left his mouth. You could feel your heart beating faster with every passing second that allowed you to process what Theseus had just said.
You didn’t know how to respond, too overwhelmed with feelings of excitement and nervousness that Theseus Scamander really saw more in you than just another auror delivering messages from a different department. A quite unimportant auror to be more specific.
Theseus’ eyes focused on your figure, however, avoiding eye contact just as you did, with your glance resting on his large hands, the way they were dangling almost right in front of your face due to his remarkably tall frame.
Before you could even try to think of something to say, Theseus groaned, fighting against his desire to always be a gentleman, but he’d been holding back for far too long when it came to you.  
“Fuck it,” he grunted as his strong hand gripped your biceps firmly, but without hurting you, as he pulled you out of your seat and flush against his broad chest. His lips hovered over yours immediately, though momentarily, as if he was expecting you to pull back.
But you didn’t. Of course you didn’t.
He closed the gap between your lips, nose brushing against yours as he devoured you with so much passion and so much intensity as if your first kiss might be his last. His tongue swiped along your bottom lip the second you slightly pulled back to catch your breath.
You didn’t refuse his request to deepen the kiss, pushing your tongue forward to meet with his as you wrapped your much smaller hands around his strong arms, then moved them up his wide shoulders to eventually bury them in his hair.
His hands wandered up your arms, too, then, until they found their place on either side of your cheeks. They fit perfectly, as if they’d been searching for the right amount of puffiness to cup, only for their tiresome journey to finally come to an end once they embraced the warm skin of your face.
Theseus deepened the kiss even more, so much that you thought you’d never been kissed properly by any man before. There was turmoil inside you as you indulged in this very moment, in this kiss, and in this man right in front of you.
He pushed you back until you bumped against the oakwood desk, his motions so forceful they knocked a small statue off the surface. You gasped at his actions, the actual reason for your nervousness now shifting from the effect he had on you to sheer fear of getting caught.
“Theseus,” you breathed out, fingers buried in the thick fabric of his suit jacket. “Theseus, wait- Wait a second.”
Instantly backing up, he looked into your eyes with a worried look on his face. “Sorry, I’m sorry. Did I-? Did you not want this?” The tall guy asked as he gently rubbed your arms, but rather subconsciously. “I’m so sorry, Y/N.”
“No, oh my God, no. I… want this,” you admitted, suddenly shy to hear those words actually outside of your head. You looked up into Theseus’ face when you caught him chuckle lightly. He seemed equally as shy about this now, even though mere seconds ago he had just shown you a side of himself you didn’t even imagine to be real.
“But… what about the others? I mean, this is crazy,” you said, gaze shifting to the elegantly designed door of his office, then back up into his blue orbs. “What if someone walks in?”
Theseus didn’t respond with words, instead, he simply pulled out his wand, flicking his wrist as he pointed it towards the door to which a clicking sound emerged. When he turned back towards you, the sheepish look on his face had changed to a mischievous one.
One that could’ve seemed playfully innocent, but considering the intent behind it right now, felt considerably dirtier.
He waited for your next move, wanting to make sure you were comfortable enough, as his eyes didn’t leave your figure, running down towards your heaving chest, then back up to your eyes. You almost didn’t say those next words, feeling self-conscious to reveal something so private.
“Well, but what if they… hear?” You looked down at the floor as soon as the question broke the silence of the room, avoiding Theseus’ reaction. But the wizard didn’t tolerate your avoidant behavior, pushing your chin up with two fingers to make you were looking at him again.
“What if they hear?” He repeated, raising his eyebrows in amusement at your squirming figure when you could barely hold his gaze. Theseus leaned down, his lips dangerously close to the sweet spot behind your ear as he whispered into it.
“Well, then I guess you’re gonna have to be quiet for me.” His lips immediately connected to the soft skin underneath your ear as he pushed your hair aside. Sucking on it as, he buried his other hand in your hair, pulling it down to gain more access. The distant bustle outside his office made the things you were about to do in there so much more exciting as you imagined walking back to your desk as if nothing happened.
Your hands traveled up his back underneath his jacket, feeling the ridges of his hard muscles as he moved with each suck at your sweet spot, before they moved to his front, sliding over his waistcoat and the neatly tucked shirt underneath as they discovered the way his body was moulded there.
Wanting to give you a break, Theseus took a step back, breathing heavily as he looked down at you, his curls disheveled and lips puffy. Even in the heat of the moment, he still made sure you were comfortable with every single move of his, but you were more than okay with everything right now, taking over as you pulled on his tie, loosening it in the process.
“We don’t have all day,” you gasped against his lips, gaining confidence by the second, your foreheads touching. “You’re an important man. I know how many people are waiting for you right now."
He chuckled at your words, relishing in the sweet naughtiness of the girl he’d always imagined to be shy, and in no way capable of letting him fuck her in his office, in the middle of the British Ministry of Magic.
“My, aren’t you a pushy little girl,” he rasped, his hungry eyes scanning your frame once again, this time almost in disbelief at your actions. His hands traveled up your sides, stopping close to the hills of your tits, his gaze glued to them.
“I know what a busy man you are, Sir Head of Auror Office,” you whispered, then cupped his face to make him look right at you. “Now fuck me, Mr. Scamander.”
His lips captured yours in an instant. You pushed his hair back as you pulled him closer to your body, your legs wrapping around his middle. Feeling how hard he was already as you rubbed yourself against his crotch, a moan escaped your throats in unison.
Theseus ran his tongue over your lower lip, then pushed it forward as soon as you opened your mouth, fully claiming you. His tongue swirled around yours as his hands wandered down to your chest, his hands splayed across your tits as he groaned into your mouth.
You tugged at his waistcoat, fumbling with the buttons until each one of them was open, so you could push it down along with his suit jacket and throw it on the ground. You complained at the unnecessary amount of clothing hiding his body from your sight and touch, pulling his shirt out of his pants before you tried ripping it apart — unsuccessfully.
His hands held yours immediately, stopping you from ruining his clothes as he broke the kiss. “Easy, darling. I don’t have any spare shirts in here,” he cooed, then placed several pecks to your cheeks and down your neck as he pushed more things off his desk, pinning you down on your back in the process.
Theseus moved down your body, pushing your skirt up once he reached his final destination. He didn’t hesitate to pull your tights down alongside your underwear, staring at you in awe. “You’ve got no idea how many times I’ve thought about this. You’re even wetter than in my sweetest dreams.”
He licked up your folds with one, thick swipe of his flat tongue, sucking on your clit as soon as he was done tasting your sweet juices. Humming against your hot and aching pussy, he expertly switched between sucking on your clit and flicking it with the tip of his tongue.
The dizziness in your head got stronger with each lap of his unbelievably skilled tongue as you buried your hands in his messy curls. Soft whimpers escaped your lips, and you mentally cursed yourself for not being able to keep it together, too scared that others might hear.
But Theseus didn’t mind. His approving hums against your aching cunt made it clear he wasn’t too worried, hearing those sweet sounds being worth so much more. He set a ruthless pace with his flicking tongue, one hand wrapped around your thigh to spread you open even wider, the other pressed on your lower abdomen.
Arousal running through your veins, your chest heaved the more your clit started throbbing. Sparks jolted down your spine all the way to your core as Theseus hit a particularly sensitive spot. “Ah, fuck,” you gasped out, and Theseus remembered the angle, focusing entirely on that spot now.
“No, no, no, no,” you cried, sensing how much your body chased that high, disregarding that you weren’t anywhere near ready yet. He looked up at your already fucked out face, his eyes meeting yours through strands of his disheveled hair.
You were almost there, your breathing incredibly uneven as you begged him to keep going. “Oh, fuck, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop,” you whined, voice strained from being on the highest tip of the mountain, so close to finally tippling over.
But then he stopped.
Stepping back, he swiped the back of his hand across his glistening mouth and chin, then moved to unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants. “I need you to cum around me. Jesus, I fucking can’t wait any longer,” he grunted and pulled out his dick, throbbing and leaking pre-cum at the tip.
He didn’t waste another second before he pushed his tip inside your dripping, wet pussy, his girth already stretching you out. He gave you a few seconds to adjust to his size before he pushed all the way in, his initial thrust unintentionally forceful and rough.
“Sorry, darling. Couldn’t keep it together. Are you alright?” He made sure, despite the unbearable lust inside of him he still wanted to know you were enjoying yourself, too. You could only nod, lungs stalled from the intensity of his thrust, a desperate cry forcing its way past your lips as your grip around his biceps tightened.
You tried to keep it together when he found his perfect steady rhythm. It was slow but intense for a few thrusts, then fast and rough, hitting the deepest spots inside of you that you didn’t even know existed.
“Please, oh God, Theseus, please, I-“, you stuttered, tears welling in your eyes, threatening to run down your hot cheeks when he wouldn’t even give you the smallest break to catch your breath. “Fuck, you’re so- ugh. Ah, Jesus, fuck, fuck, fuck.”
The lacking ability to articulate because of his unholy God-sent skills to quite literally fuck your brains out made you question if you were even educated enough to begin with, your mind hazy as you looked up into his blue eyes, so much darker than usual with his pupils dilated to the max.
Joining his rhythm as you chased your high once again, you pushed your hips up to meet his in sync with his merciless pounds. He was ruthlessly making space in your cunt, practically carving you out as more and more juice spilled out the sides of your throbbing pussy, dribbling down onto the oakwood of his desk.
Theseus bent over, his mouth mere millimeters away from yours as you inhaled each other’s breaths. His eyes were hungry, his gaze animalistic, as he watched the way your face contorted with each thrust of his.
You almost couldn’t believe what was happening, chuckling as you held his gaze, all the feelings and emotions of this very moment incredibly overwhelming. His lips curled up into a smile, too, for a second before his facial expression changed the second you clamped down on his dick, the increased tightness making it hard for him to keep his cool.
“Fuck, I’m so close, Y/N,” he groaned through his teeth, a hand snaking between your bodies. It stopped right on your clit, drawing circles that ignited sparks in your core, pushing you further back to that same edge you almost fell down from just moments ago.
“God, yes. Just like that. Keep going,” you whined, hands back in his hair and tangled in his curls as you pulled on them, eliciting deep groans from him. He was unbelievably close, his rhythm more and more unsteady with each thrust.
He has carved you out like a magical statue, just to fill you up again. His hips snapped against yours, stilling for a moment as you came around him. Clenching hard, your pulsing cunt embraced his dick, his cum almost spilling before he even pulled out again.
“Oh, fuuuck,” you cried out as Theseus coaxed you through your orgasm, fingers never leaving your clit as he helped you ride it out. The aftermath was blissful, the air sizzling around you while time seemed to stand still.
It was just you and Theseus, fixedly and disbelievingly staring into each other’s eyes. Your thoughts were written clearly and boldly across your faces. Did we really just—?
Once your breathing calmed down a little, he pulled out, his cum running out of your fucked cunt, creating a small puddle of your mixed juices on the shiny desktop.
“I’m sorry I can’t take care of you properly,” Theseus muttered as he peppered you with soft kisses along your inner thighs, then switched to caress your sweaty face. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” Then even more kisses.
Until he let out a sudden chuckle. “I think you forgot you wanted to be quiet, though,” he joked, cupping your cheeks as he looked deep into your eyes, squinting from the smile that simply wouldn’t leave his face. “But don’t worry, I’ll just use Obliviate if needed.”
You smiled back at him, feeling relieved and secure with him right by your side. A feeling you’d been searching for for so long. And finally found now.
“Miss Y/L/N?” The voice of Mrs. Twigs suddenly interrupted the moment, followed by her knocking on the door. “Are you still here?”
You jumped up from the table, hastily pulling up your tights and pushing down your skirt, your and his juices all mixed up underneath your clothes. The wet sensation was more than unpleasant, but the thought of having a little secret all the more exciting.
Theseus unlocked the door with a spell once he got dressed again, too, then cast another spell to clean up the mess he made and put all his things back on the desk, making his office look as good as new.
You turned towards the door, hiding your face when you noticed how hot your cheeks had become, the realization of what had just happened hitting you with full force. Another knock on the door pulled you back to reality, and turned your attention back to the lady waiting outside. “Yes, Mrs. Twigs, I’ll be right there. Just a second.”
You would’ve turned back around if it wasn’t for Theseus already standing right behind you, his still uneven breathing hitting your neck as he pressed his body flush to your back. His hands wrapped around your waist as he lowered his head, pressing a gentle kiss to your neck.
“Thank you for delivering that letter so quickly… and… passionately,” he whispered, then extended his left hand to open the door for you, immediately straightening his back the second Mrs. Twigs appeared in the doorway.
How easy it was for Theseus to act so completely unfazed, only a cheeky grin on his face the moment you looked at him.
“Apologies, Mrs. Twigs, I had a few questions for Ms. Y/L/N. She’s all yours now.”
Mustering a smile with the few fragments of energy Theseus somehow hasn’t fucked out of you, you approached your superior, following her down the hallway. “I hope that didn’t cause too much trouble,” you apologized. “Oh, no. Not at all, miss. I respect Mr. Scamander’s decisions. I was just getting worried, is all,” the other auror replied with a reassuring smile.
Arrived back at your desk, you tried your best to get right back to work, countless of papers still waiting to be read and analyzed. But a certain Head Auror just wouldn’t leave your mind.
The events played in your head over and over again. How gentle yet rough he was. How possessive yet respectful. How… messy despite his reputation being the orderly auror.
You turned to the next letter waiting for you on your desk, laying your notebook next to it. But even before you dipped your feather into the ink to take some notes, cursive letters appeared in a neat line, each letter perfectly placed after the other without a single error.
What a secret we have here. What was once yours and mine is now ours. I’ll hold it dear, and I’ll cherish it wherever life will take me. Are you going to follow me on that journey?
THANK YOU FOR READING <3
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easterbonnet · 5 months
Text
The Great Hogwarts Storm
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fem!reader x boyfriend!neville longbottom
{{a storm hits hogwarts and neville makes it his job to protect you...}}
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. . .
A grueling Thursday night fell upon the inhabitants of the old school: strings of charcoal clouds smothered the castle's turrets, shattering pangs of rain hammered the weathered tiles, sending a few slates down onto the courtyard with a crack, whips of blinding light drew across the angry skies aiding the few flames that flickered in it's windows, thunderous echoes being the only thing to muffle the wet droplets bouncing off the pooling puddles.
'One of the heaviest storms Hogwarts has seen'. A sentence reiterated along the halls - every professor warning batches of students to stay in their dorms, close all windows and have their wand on them at all times. Uncertainty, fear and the odd pang of excitement washed upon the witches and wizards as they scurried away to the safety of their dorms, ordered and guided by prefects.
"Gryffindors this way please!", a tall, auburn haired boy yelled, dressed in his red robes. A gaggle of tiny students wearing the same robes chased after him eagerly, shuffling their feet and bumping into one another as they went. Another group, slightly taller, wondered the same path, yet ten steps behind, traipsing rather casually and sparsely in comparison.
The chilling hallways were swarmed with robes of red, green, blue and yellow, darting every which way, squeezing narrowly through the doorways, as the lighting illuminated the large windows, exposing spooked expressions.
"Come on Ravenclaws! Follow me, follow me!", bellowed a tall, dark haired girl with a stern look about her.
"Quickly! QUICKLY!", spoke a honey haired slytherin with an annoyed huff, just after a rosy-looking girl beckoned the hufflepuffs down the stairs.
"N-neville", y/n trembled, her voice a whisper in the chaos. Her head twirled in a fashion not dissimilar to an owl, as she desperately searched for reassurance. Her fingertips drifted to her parted lips, her eyes doelike in worry, only enhancing when other students swayed her from side to side as they passed.
Her skin prickled in shock, an icy hand grasped her delicate wrist with a tickle of rough fabric, at the same time a familiar voice called, "Y/n, gah there you are". She swivelled around, her body physically responding to his presence, softening and relaxing. His gentle voice like a blanket of honey.
"Ah Neville!", she planted her arms around his body, letting his, drape around her frame. Whilst her face snuggled into his chest, she felt a feathery kiss drop onto the top of her head.
With a beckoning, Neville tenderly laced his fingers into hers and edged her away from the crowds until they reached the gryffindor portrait, widely open as the fat lady sat sleeping in her frame while students poured in.
Neville tightened his grip on her, yet still loving, as he pulled her to follow behind him as he weaved between gryffindors.
"Oi Neville, that you?", Dean questioned over the heads of the crowd in the common room.
Before she had time to realise, he hid her and her differently coloured robes behind his stature as he replied to his friend. Over the calls and chatter inside, and the stomping thunder and rain outside, she could only make out snippets of their conversation, but she gathered that the boys in Neville's dorm were going to camp out with some others in their dorm, a sleepover of sorts, since lessons were cancelled tomorrow and students advised to stick together.
"I- I've got... plans... tonight, sorry", Neville explained quickly before wrapping his robes around her, covering hers so people wouldn't see or question her presence in the wrong common room.
He guided her up the stairs quickly until the two of them were left alone in his dorm, the majority of beds stripped of their blankets and pillows, and only one flickering candle perched next to Neville's bed.
He turned to her, sighing, with a big grin and led her to his bed.
"No one should come in, they're all in the other dorm, just us", he admitted.
She nodded in response, jumping out of her skin whenever the thunder struck, silently wishing she was back in the populated common room, at least then the raging weather was dulled by overexcited students.
He came up beside her, placing an arm around her shoulder, as they sat next to each other in the candle light. She could tell Neville was hiding his own worries behind the adrenaline of keeping her safe and cosy, he wanted to put up a brave facade for her sake.
"Can't believe it, was only sunny the other day", he remarked, aiming to diffuse the tension.
"Hey, it'll be alright, we'll be fine here, no safer place than Hogwarts", he continued, seeing his small talk made no difference in the grip the harshness of the weather seemed to have on y/n.
She sat subtly shaking, "Y-you don't have to wait with me, really, you can go to the other dorm with your friends...", her voice trailled off.
He was quick to reply, "They're big boys they'll be alright, plus I'll be glad to get a night away from Ron's snoring, and Seamus mumbles in his sleep did you know?".
The pair smiled at eachother.
The truth was that Y/n was never fond of bad weather, the loud thunder startled her, and the lighting was unsettling. Neville knew this, so when he heard the news of the storm his first thought was y/n. He ran through the halls, the opposite of the crowd, searching for her. It wasn't that she didn't get along with the others in her house, she did, for the most part, but no one seemed to make her feel as Neville did.
After a few moments of couting the time between thunder calls, and deciding that the storm wasn't getting any further away, Neville got up from the bed and kneeled down by his shabby trunk.
"I think I've got some warm clothes in here", he dug around for a moment before pulling out a pair of pale blue and white linen pyjamas, two pairs of wool socks, two knitted jumpers, and finally, another pair of red pyjamas with small green leaves embroidered on them. "Mm 'ere", he threw the red pyjamas, a pair of socks, and a jumper over to y/n perched on the bed, "try this on".
He sat there busying himself with closing his trunk and standing back up before his gaze met hers. His face instantly reddened. "Oh, yeah, um, I- uh I'll turn around, yeah". Neville turned his back on y/n, allowing her to get changed out of her black robes into something cosier.
"Okay, ready", she whispered meekly, watching his expression as he turned back around to face her, regarding her cosy feet, baggy jumper and cheerful trousers. She smiled. "How do I look?"
"Brilliant, you should wear my clothes more often", he mumbled, before changing his own clothes and calling her back over to his bed where he pulled the duvet back and wrapped her in a blanket. Neville drew the rich red curtains closed that bordered his bed, pulling the blanket up over her ears to mute the noise of the storm, as she cuddled against his warm chest, her face in his jumper.
"My gran always says rain before seven will clear by eleven... It will pass, muffin, and I'll be right here next to you until it does", he gave a dopey, boyish smile, as her eyes fluttered shut, her eyelashes tickling his neck gently.
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