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lovie-dovie-angel · 21 days

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Exist for Love (Chapter 1)

James Potter x Reader

Chapter Warnings: reader is a child in this but is going to age up very quickly in the coming chapters

Word Count: ~2,000

Chapter 2

Your childhood was what you would consider a lonely one. You’d only ever had one friend, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. You tried to be a very social and friendly little girl, but your playdates with others were limited in order to keep you safe. The children of your parents’ close family friends were to be the pool of children you could select from.

You gave your parents and servants quite a fright every time you ran outside the manor’s stony walls to peer through the gate at passerby, wanting to make friends with each and every one. You shouldn’t have felt lonely, though. The aforementioned close family friends had very many children, but to you it felt like slim pickings.

There was, of course, the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black (or so they called themselves), with several children around your age. There was Narcissa, a stoic and cold child. You always felt she’d been jealous of your status, even as young as you were. Then there was Bellatrix, a girl who gave you a sense of unease you could never shake. It was something about her unhinged smile and cruel treatment towards the servants. Then there were the mysterious brothers Regulus and Sirius, whom you saw very infrequently. Sirius was to be the head of the family at his coming of age, and Regulus was a very quiet and clever boy. You gathered though, after a bit of eavesdropping, that Sirius was a rather troubled child.

Your parents were also very close with the Weasley family. There were three boys, and though Arthur was near your age, he was quite an odd one. Always wandering out into the world to spend time with the people of the kingdom. You were green with envy, of course. You’d only ever wished to leap over the gates surrounding your home and spend time with others.

Last, but most certainly not least, were the Potter family. Euphemia and Fleamont were perhaps the most trusted of your parents’ friends. Their son James was your most cherished treasure. Though treasures were something you had so many of, James was unique and indispensable.

From an early age you’d shown an interest in each other. You would most definitely say that James was your best friend. You spent what your parents considered an indecent amount of time together, but how could you not? Every moment with him felt like you were laying on soft grass, the sun kissing your cheeks, content.

Though, you knew you couldn’t always continue on playing with James every day. You had very many responsibilities as the only child of your parents. They were unable to conceive again after you, and therefore you were the crown princess. With no other alternatives.

But you thought you would have more time with him than you would actually have. Because at age eleven, along with many of the other children you were ‘allowed’ to spend time with, he went to a special boarding school.

“Why can’t I go?” You’d had this conversation before, but nothing had ever felt so unfair as this. Your peers were all going to boarding school, you were being separated from your Jamie, all the while you had to stay and be educated within the grounds.

“You have a different set of skills you need to hone, your highness. Boarding school isn’t fun anyway,” your tutor was trying to placate you. He was a scholar from the Malfoy family. A wealthy noble family you didn’t much care for.

“I don’t want to learn about politics and etiquette! I want to learn about the stars, maths, and philosophy!” You complained, and your tutor raised his eyebrows at you.

“You hate mathematics, I would know,” you pouted at his words and resisted the urge to run your fingers through your hair in frustration. Your lady-in-waiting would have your hide for ruining the updo she put together. And your mother would have it for acting childish.

“But I am a child,” you’d told her one time, at which point your father scolded you for talking back to your mother.

And so, the year you turned eleven was the beginning of your blue period. Because you, like the great artists of the world all did, were experiencing a great deal of mourning and internal turmoil. You were facing nearly nine months without your best friend, with a short break where he would come back for the holidays.

In those first few weeks you were inconsolable, you were lonely, and all you did was study and attend meals. Your bodyguard, a distant member of the Longbottom family (and a man thirty years your senior), was the only person who could cheer you up. Between etiquette, maths, and family history lessons, he would give you lessons of his own. It wasn’t something you thought your mother would be happy about, but Charles’ literal only job was to keep you safe. So, he gave you self-defense lessons.

“You’re eleven now, just a wee thing really, so you can’t do much damage. What’s our number one rule?” He would ask you.

“Flight, not fight.” You recited dutifully, before quickly spouting the part you’d forgotten: “And call for help!”

“And our second?”

“If I must fight, I will do so with the goal of being able to flee.”

“And if you are unable to flee?”

“Then I have to fight for my life, no matter what.”

“That’s good, princess. Now, today we’re going to work on conditioning. How many times can you run around the east wing?”

You thought for a moment, heart beating excitedly.

“My record is eight, but I think I could do more!” Charles grinned at you.

“That’s a good start, princess. But I bet James could run around it twelve times,” you gasped at his bold statement.

“He could not! I always beat him in running contests!” You were red in the face, the picture of indignant, when Charles leaned in close as if to whisper something secret.

“You don’t think he’s been… letting you win? Do you?”

And so the autumn passed by.

You felt as if you were a spy living a double life, learning pretty princess politics and language arts and filling out your schedule with planned events and lessons… And in between them learning how to defend yourself. It was thrilling, but it couldn’t compare to the deepening loneliness you felt without James near you.

Your mother attempted to set you up to spend time with the younger generation of the Black family, but you knew they would be attending this magical boarding school in the next few years as well, so it wasn’t worth pursuing.

When the holiday season started nearing, snow settling quietly on the roof and warm soups filling your belly, you began to feel nervous about Jamie returning. What if he had found new friends? Well of course he would have friends, but what if he’d forgotten about you? How would you cope? What would you do if by the time his summer break came ‘round you no longer had a single friend?

These horrible thoughts were all running through your head as your lady-in-waiting tied you into a dark jewel-toned velvet dress.

“You look lovely, your highness,” she was a few years older than you, still a girl really. She had beautiful skin, a color somewhere between yours and Jamie’s, and long curly hair. You could only hope to grow up as beautiful as she.

She ushered you out of the dressing room and out into the hall where Charles awaited you.

“Ready, princess?” he grinned like he knew a secret, and you were highly suspicious it had to do with the gathering your parents were holding. A gathering of many of the noble houses to kick off the holiday season, and renew their friendships. Many of the heads of houses were very busy and didn’t come by the estate often. You weren’t excited to see all of them, but it did mean you would get to see James. It had only been a few months but it felt like a lifetime.

So when you stepped into the dining hall, expecting to see a dozen or so guests… You stopped short. Instead of the grand tables your parents would bring out for large gatherings there was an intimate table set for six.

Seated at the table were your parents, Euphemia and Fleamont Potter, and your Jamie, face split open into the widest grin you could have imagined.

Your mother had a coy smile on her face, and your father rolled his eyes lovingly.

“Well go on, I suppose a hug is in order,” he laughed as you threw yourself towards the table, and towards James. He stood just in time to catch you and throw his arms around you.

“Oh, I’ve missed you James,” you wished you could cry, but you knew it was unbecoming to do so, especially when hugging a boy. Which was usually something you were told not to do. But, you supposed this was a special occasion.

“And I’ve missed you, princess,” he was still smiling, you could hear it in his voice. There were rules to be observed though, so you parted from his arms (though you were loath to do so) and straightened out your skirt.

Your dinner was lovely and joyful, both your and James’ parents sending their two young children indulgent smiles as the night went on. James told you a little about school, but you would have a few weeks to learn more.

“Could we go for a short walk outside?” James asked your parents after dessert was served. “With Charles of course,” he added hastily.

With the permission from both your parents, and with Charles’ supervision, you and James grabbed your winter coats and stepped outside.

James seemed to know where he wanted to go, leading you towards the gardens. Once you were surrounded by snow-laden bushes and pretty winter blooms, he brushed off a bench and gestured for the two of you to sit down.

You were sure your nose was red with the cold, but James had reminded you to wear your mittens and earmuffs.

“I wanted to tell you about what I learned, and I couldn’t do it inside,” he was throwing that huge grin at you again, and you couldn’t help but smile back. “I’ve been taking astrology classes, and I wanted to show you all the constellations that are out tonight,” his cheeks were reddening, with cold or possibly with emotion, you weren’t sure. But at the mention of constellations you brightened. You always wanted to learn about the stars.

As Charles stood by, you stared up into the darkness and listened as James told you a story about the Greeks and the stars. He was animated, gesturing and pointing them all out for you.

“Two of my roommates are in my astronomy class as well, though we’re always getting caught up in mischief. You know me,” he laughed a little at himself and you nudged his shoulder with your own.

“You? Mischief? There’s no way,” you joked, eyes lingering on the snowflakes in his eyelashes and hair as he laughed. He was a lovely sight, and the art lessons you’d taken reminded you of the word: chiaroscuro. A contrast between light and dark.

“You two must be cold, why don’t we head back inside?” Charles piped up from behind you, and you felt your bottom lip wobble as you thought about parting with James again. But you reminded yourself that crying wasn’t to be done in front of others. So when James stood and offered a gloved hand to you, you took it and allowed him to help you up. Again, you were loath to let go of him, but you forced your fingers to loosen their grip on him.

“I’ll come back soon. You’ll see me again before I head back to school. I still have to tell you all about my roommates!” He really seemed to take to his new friends, but you were happy that he hadn’t forgotten you.

Unfortunately, you wouldn’t see him again before he left, as you were taken with a fever soon after the holiday passed and weren’t able to see anybody outside of Charles and your family for several weeks.

You did begin to write him letters though, writing about everything and nothing. The only secret you had from him was your lessons from Charles.

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lovie-dovie-angel · 21 days

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Exist for Love (Chapter 2)

James Potter x Reader

Chapter Warnings: None that I can think of

Word Count: ~2,700

Chapter 1

By the time the summer came around, you were smarter, taller, faster, and stronger than you had been the year prior. You were excited to race around the halls with James and listen to more about the stars and his friends, but the Potter’s were leaving for a summer trip to their family’s estate. James hadn’t seen his grandparents in quite some time, so you understood, but you were also devastated to hear that you wouldn’t be seeing him until August, right before he left for school again.

You were twelve, and alone during an especially sweltering summer. You were miserable.

“All the other children take a summer break from lessons, why can’t I?” You’d asked your mother and father early in June. They were traveling on a diplomatic mission and leaving you with Charles and the staff. “I want to come with you! I could learn something!” You begged, and your father reprimanded you for doing so.

“Princesses don’t beg.”

When they left, and you were alone in your bedroom at night, you wept. It seemed like Charles was the only stable person in your life, as your parents spent much of that summer on diplomatic trips. You had a feeling something was amiss, as they typically would have told you what the reason was for the trips, but this time they didn’t.

That being said, it gave you more time to openly train with Charles. With the estate on a skeleton crew, only a few being needed to feed and house two people, you could do as you wanted. You could run around the east wing as many times as you possibly could, you could throw as many angry elbows into the training dummy Charles snuck in as you wanted, and you could train as much as you liked with the wooden sword he’d brought you.

“You have to keep this hidden, princess. Understand?” He seemed very grave, and you nodded. You didn’t want him getting in trouble for helping you. You knew your tutor would rat him out, so you made sure to hide it as soon as you were done using it.

By the time the leaves began to yellow and crinkle, you’d suffered your first menstrual cycle. Now, that was a lesson you’d wished you listened to. Your mother was gone and the only person in the castle you could talk to was your lady-in-waiting. She was a wonderful help, but you felt even more isolated, feeling even more different from everyone else. You were royal, you weren’t allowed to meet the people of your kingdom, and now this? Being a princess wasn’t bad enough, now you had to be a woman?

James responded to every letter you wrote him, though, so you had that little seed of happiness growing inside you. He would be coming back for the holidays again, and you were going to spend as much time with him as you could. He told you that he and his roommates were always getting into mischief and having fun, but that his one roommate kept them in check to make sure they did their homework and listened to lessons. He seemed to have found some really great friends, and you wanted to meet them. Any friend of James was a friend of yours.

That winter, your family actually hosted their annual winter gathering, and when you stepped into the hall with your silky violet gown, hair styled just so, you felt more pretty than you had in a while. Though when you looked around, you suddenly felt like you weren’t the most beautiful person in the room.

James had gotten taller. He was excitedly speaking to someone with shoulder-length curly black hair, and you gulped. Was that… Sirius Black? Actually attending an event with his family? It was nearly unheard of. It was… James must have seen you because Sirius was turning, cheeks pink against his pale skin with a smirk you could see a mile away. Suddenly you were feeling shy, but they’d noticed you so it would be impolite to pretend you hadn’t seen them… If they noticed the war going on in your mind as you approached, they didn’t say anything.

“James, Sirius, it’s lovely to see you both,” you offered a small smile. You wouldn’t be allowed the same effortless displays of affection you had last winter with James, this was a public event, and you were a princess.

“The feeling is mutual, your highness,” Sirius somehow made the title feel heavy, and for a second you wished he would call you by your name.

“Princess, it’s good to see you,” James was still smiling, but you felt like the room was heating up.

“It feels like it’s been ages,” you responded, huffing through your nose and rolling your eyes.

“It has been a long time, but awaiting your letters makes the time go faster,” he replied, and you were sure your cheeks were burning. Since when were you this shy around him? You wanted to scold yourself, especially when you saw Sirius’ calculating eyes moving between the two of you like a tennis match.

You heard your mother calling your name, and when you turned towards her, you were sure you heard a whisper.

“Those letters are from the princess?”

But it could have been your imagination.

You wished you could have sat with the two boys during the dinner instead of near your parents and the other adults. But your mother had insisted on you learning how to act at the head of the table, and wanted you to listen in on the discussions happening.

You struggled to pay attention though, because every time you went to look at James you would catch Sirius’ eye. It was like torture. And you were sure he took note of the redness high on your cheeks. The only issue was you weren’t sure if it was due to you staring at James, or the attention you were getting from Sirius.

Later that night when you confided in Charles that you were feeling unusually shy around James and didn’t know why, he gave you a knowing smile and made a comment about you being too young for boys. You didn’t know what that meant.

So when James came by a week later to free you from your tutor’s claws, you weren’t sure how to act. The two of you were walking through the garden, James regaling you with stories of his roommates (named Peter, Remus, and of course Sirius) and his shenanigans, when it clicked.

There were snowflakes settling in his hair, and his red and gold scarf was unraveling from around his neck in the wind. You had a crush on James Potter.

There was a pause in the conversation and as you sat down on a chilly stone bench you decided to be bold. You pulled your hands free from your pockets and reached out to twirl his scarf back around his neck, tucking the end into his coat.

“You’re going to freeze to death if you’re not careful,” you only let your rapidly cooling fingers linger on his scarf for a moment longer.

“Me?” James laughed, a hearty thing, and you were lost in the beauty of him. He looked so happy just to be spending time with you. As you were pulling your hands away, he was quick to grasp them in his own gloved ones. “You’re the one out here with no mittens, princess,” his eyes sparkled as he looked down at you (a new thing that came with his recent growth spurt). You were so enamored by him you didn’t realize he had removed his gloves until he was gently coaxing your frozen digits into the warm fleece where his hands had just been. James was always taking care of you, you were very lucky, and you knew it. “We should get back inside, your hands are freezing, and I’m sure Charles is tired of standing there in the snow,” you looked behind you, eyeing up your windblown bodyguard with a little frown.

“I’m sorry Charles, I’d quite forgotten you were there,” you shook your head, trying to get your thoughts off of James for a moment so you could form a coherent sentence. “Let’s all go warm up, I’m sure there’s a fire burning inside.”

And so you all trudged inside as the frigid air nipped at your noses, but your hands were toasty warm inside James’ gloves. The thought of it made your heart flutter.

But of course, James had to go back to boarding school, and when January came you were alone again. You spent the rest of the winter and all of the spring writing letters, training, and learning about being a proper lady and a princess. Your mother had gotten quite ill that spring, and you didn’t see much of her outside of her bed. It was frightening, and you told James as much in a letter. He was sure she would recover, and she did, but she was weaker, and you were worried.

You told that to Charles, and he was very serious when he said you could speak to him about your concerns, but it would not look good if the other nobles heard of your mother’s weakened state. You nodded, gravely serious, but even more afraid.

June came, your thirteenth summer, and you spent every moment you could with your mother. You couldn’t remember being around her this much ever in your life. You were always taken care of by nannies, ladies-in-waiting, and bodyguards. But you had an awful feeling growing in your knotted stomach. She was becoming sick more often and for longer each time, even in the heat of the summer. She was strong though, and kept up a happy face for you, but you knew it was a ruse. Your father was looking more tired, and your mother more pale. You weren’t able to see James in August at all before he went back to school. And though you still wrote him letters, they were becoming fewer and further between. He was getting busier with a harder workload, and you were being forced to sit in on more political discussions and take lessons in diplomacy. You were both busy, though you kept up training with Charles when you could. You were getting taller, and leaner, though your chest was filling out and your mother was always trying to talk to you about potential matches.

The thought made you nauseous.

“You have to start thinking about these things, my love.” She would say. And you kept putting her off. You didn’t want to have a coming out ball yet, you were thirteen. You wanted to spend time with your friend and lay in the sunshine and read fiction instead of history books.

She allowed you to put it off, but as autumn came and went, and you got taller and stronger, your mother weakened. She was bedridden for weeks, nearly up until the holiday dinner.

You’d confided in Charles that you thought having all of the noble families coming over was a bad idea, one of them could have a cold and could get your mother more sick.

Charles explained that your parents had to display their strength as monarchs every so often, and that meant inviting the others over and socializing with them.

So, on another cold winter night, you were dressed in your finest with your hair tied with a ribbon, walking into a room filled with family friends, but you’d never been more anxious.

“Don’t worry about her tonight, it will only draw more eyes to her,” Charles had instructed. And you thought it would be hard, but there was a duo coming up to you that would surely be a good distraction.

You threw on your best smile and greeted them.

“James, Sirius. Happy holidays. I’m so happy you came.”

“It’s lovely to see you again, your highness” Sirius stood close to James, and you could tell the two were very close friends. Even more so than last winter. They seemed to anticipate each other’s movements. Sirius would move one way and James would follow. James smiled and turned towards you fully, and Sirius shifted as well. They were like two planets orbiting but not quite touching.

“Princess,” James’ voice cut through your inner monologue. “Happy holidays.”

“How was your school year so far, the two of you will have to tell me all about it,” you ushered them to a seating area, as the dinner wouldn’t start for a while, and children weren’t meant to participate in cocktail hours. As you sat neatly with your ankles crossed across from the two boys, you took quick note of their appearances.

Sirius was looking dapper, also taller, and his hair was growing longer. He was all porcelain skin and high cheekbones that any girl would be envious of. He wore all black, with a red and gold tie. You had heard that while his entire family had been going to this boarding school for generations and had all been sorted into Slytherin, he had been sorted into Gryffindor. Your lady-in-waiting had explained that the houses were a way to split up the large student body and help keep them organized, but that there were vicious rivalries.

You thought the red and gold looked good on him.

Your eyes flitted over to James as you brushed invisible lint off your dress and straightened the fabric so it laid correctly.

He’d started playing rugby at school and you could tell, he was looking stronger. Not much, but you were so well acquainted with him that every little thing was noticeable. He, too, was in his formal wear, with a white button up shirt and another red and gold tie.

You’d also been told that each of the school houses had a color scheme, which would explain their ties and James’ red and gold scarf from last winter.

“You’d love Remus and Peter, princess,” James gushed, his brilliant smile lighting up the room. “Peter is very kind and quiet, but he likes to get in on our pranks and mischief. He’s a bit of a background guy, wouldn’t notice him if you didn’t know he was there. But he’s got a kind word for everyone.”

“Remus is great, too,” Sirius interjected, giving his own grin. “He’s witty and clever, it’s no wonder he got that scholarship to Hogwarts. He’s the brightest boy in the whole class,” his eyes were sparkling and you gave him an encouraging nod, telling him to keep going. “He’s the one always keeping us out of trouble, really. He could talk us out of detentions, he’s great at distracting people when we need a quick get away. And he’s truly a great friend, I think we’re lucky we got to room with him.”

“They both sound lovely, I wish I could meet them,” you offered sadly. It was unlikely with your rigid tutoring structure and strict socialization guidelines that you would be able to meet them. James’ fingers stretched out and curled back in, like he wanted to reach out to you but rules of propriety prevented him.

“Nonetheless, I’m glad I have the two of you at least to talk to. I don’t know what I would do if I were totally alone at these functions,” you let out a nervous giggle. You could always talk to Narcissa or Bellatrix, but you preferred the company of the two boys in front of you. You felt like you knew Sirius a little better now from hearing about him in all James’ letters. The same with Remus and Peter.

The night dragged on once you had to leave their company and sit with the adults, listening in on discussions. You tried your best to absorb the information, but your mind was drawn to your mother’s state. She did look awfully pale, and when the dinner ended and she retired, you were left with your father to see out the guests.

“You’re doing so well, little bird. We’ll make a queen out of you yet,” his warm smile was comforting, but his words filled your stomach with knots. You knew, theoretically, that you were being groomed to take over, but it felt like it was faster approaching with your budding womanhood, your mothers sickness, and her insistence on you finding a good match for marriage.

So you simply nodded, smiled up at him, and bid the rest of the guests a good night.

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lovie-dovie-angel · 26 days

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Solving Brookshire Heights — James Potter x reader

summary: you and james live in the same apartment building and share a rather hostile relationship – constantly bickering over noise complaints and shared spaces. But when you’re both targeted by a neighborhood crime spree, you’re forced to team up to solve the mystery (no real danger, friends, it’s a comedy if anything)

modern!au (1.2k words)

part 1

In Brookshire Heights, where even the pigeons seemed to strut with purpose, you once again stumbled into a reluctant tango with your neighbor, James. Your fateful collision in the hallway might have very well been orchestrated by some playwright, crafting a narrative reminiscent of a sitcom script.

As he hurried out of his apartment, a man on a mission to address the disturbance caused by an elusive midnight guitarist, a twist of timing caused his crash with you – head-on with none other than his favorite neighbor.

“Ah, the noise police graces us with his presence,” you quipped, tone laced with playful reproach.

“There’d be no need for that if certain someone wasn’t blasting music at ungodly hours. Again,” He retorted, his frustration evident.

Amidst the verbal sparring, the root cause of your encounter emerged – the nocturnal serenades that had disrupted the tranquility of James’ apartment sanctuary.

“That wasn’t you?” James inquired, a tinge of confusion coloring his tone.

“Oh, how fast you are to blame me. You wound me, 3A.” With a wry smile, you point towards the source of the disturbance, directing his attention to the neighboring apartment, where the cacophony of guitar chords had recently echoed through the halls.

Only then does James take a double look at your disheveled appearance. Brown leather coat, something short underneath. Mascara smudges hint at recent tears. The scent of cigarettes and perfume lingers around you.

You looked both tragic and quite lovely.

“Looks like someone had a fun night out,” he comments, eyes keenly assessing your response.

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” you tease, though your words carried a weight that hung heavy in the air. You retreat into your apartment, leaving your frowning neighbor behind.

A few months back, you stumbled into the neighborhood, fleeing one dismal dwelling for another, until you stumbled upon a slightly less shitty apartment.

Things started really looking up for you when you stumbled upon the identity of your neighbor across the hallway. A young man, seemingly in your age range, greeted your gaze with an air of confidence. Despite his perpetually tousled hair, there was an undeniable appeal to his well-composed appearance. His boyish grin stirred a flutter of excitement within you, his charm radiating from the mere utterance of a casual greeting.

But as the days passed, the tranquil corridors of the building were disrupted by sharp raps on doors, accompanied by colorful complaints – your penchant for late-night jam sessions, his tendency to leave his bicycle parked in the hallway. Your supposed noise pollution clashed with his complete disregard for communal space, fueling a simmering tension that bubbled to the surface with each passing day.

Despite your protests, there came a point when it seemed as though you both actively sought to provoke each other’s wrath, leading to hilariously heated exchanges in the laundry room.

“How many fucking times, 3A,” you exclaimed, your frustration evident in the furrow of your brow.

“I warned you about that infernal creature urinating on my doormat again,” James’ eyes narrowed accusingly, lips pressed into a thin line.

With a sigh, you countered, “It's a cat, confined to my own living space. Besides, she has a litter box. How does that implicate me?” Your tone carried a hint of disbelief, eyebrows raised in incredulity.

James shook his head, a scowl etched onto his features. “Your bloody vendetta against me, that's what. I wouldn’t put it past you to manipulate the situation.”

“As much as you love to believe otherwise, I do have more pressing matters to attend to in my life, thank you very much,” you met his glare with a steady gaze.

“Oh, sod off,” James spat, his annoyance palpable as he turned to leave.

“Gladly,” you shot back, a smirk playing at the corners of your lips as you watched him storm away.

Each interaction seemed like a scene from a comedy of errors, igniting a fresh wave of bickering and banter with every encounter.

Except for you two menaces, the atmosphere in the apartment building had always been relatively peaceful, with other neighbors exchanging polite nods in the hallway and occasional small talk by the mailboxes.

But as the days passed, an eerie tension began to settle like a fog, thickening with each passing incident.

It started innocently enough, with a few missing packages here and there. At first, you shrugged it off as a common occurrence in such a busy city. But when more and more parcels went missing, conversations in the elevator turned from pleasantries to whispers of confusion.

Then came the graffiti. Colorful tags and crude drawings began to appear overnight, defiling the once pristine walls of our building. Each morning brought a new addition, each one more brazen and audacious than the last. The sense of violation hung heavy in the air, leaving everyone feeling vulnerable and exposed.

As tensions simmered, alliances were formed and sides were taken, and you and James found yourselves unwittingly thrust into the spotlight as the primary suspects.

No surprise there, you had to admit.

The feud between you, once confined to petty disagreements, now took on a sinister edge as each of you tried to deflect blame and outmaneuver the other in this escalating game of cat and mouse.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the dimly lit hallway, tension crackled in the air like static electricity. The string of mysterious incidents had escalated to a point where you and James couldn’t ignore each other’s suspicious glances any longer.

“So, another stolen package, huh? Starting to feel like you’re the main character in a crime thriller, aren’t you?” You quipped, leaning against the wall.

James shot you a glare, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “Funny, coming from the person whose walls suddenly turned into a canvas for amateur graffiti artists. Nice new decorations you’ve got there, 3B.”

You chuckled, shaking your head. “Oh, come on, 3A. You think I’d deface my own walls just for kicks? I’d go for yours, if anything. Besides, I’ve seen your eyes darting around the building like a detective on the hunt. Got something to hide?”

His lips twitched, a half-smirk forming. “Maybe I’m just keeping an eye on the neighborhood watch, making sure no one else falls victim to the mischievous deeds happening around here.”

You raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress a grin. “Yeah, well, seems like you’ve got your hands full trying to keep yourself out of trouble.”

The banter continued, each of you trying to outwit the other while secretly wondering if there was any truth behind the suspicions. But amidst the teasing, there lingered a sense of unease, a nagging doubt that perhaps one of you was indeed behind the strange occurrences plaguing your building.

Midway through the conversation, a crash broke the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of glass shattering.

Both of you froze, your playful exchange abruptly halted as you turned to see the source of the commotion.

A rock lay in the shards of broken glass, the window it had crashed through located farther down the hallway.

Though the damage was contained to the window, the message it conveyed was crystal clear: things had taken a serious turn, and neither James nor you were responsible for the escalating chaos.

Silence descended upon you, the tension in the air thickening with each passing second.

His gaze locked with yours as the reality of the situation sank in.

“Bloody hell” was all he said.

Fair assessment, you supposed.

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lovie-dovie-angel · 27 days

Text

Oh my god, guys this is actually crazy😭 thank you SO SO much for 1k!! When I came back to tumblr I genuinely had no idea what I was gonna do on here and I’m very glad I went back to writing fanfic, the love you all have shown me on my old and new works means so much to me! It’s been so nice to be welcomed back so warmly to a fandom after leaving it for some time. To all my old and new followers, thank you for being here <3

Tagging mutuals just to say I love y’all! Even if you aren’t tagged I LOVE YOU!!

@imabee-oralizard @juneberrie @madwcman @miss-celestial-being @maroon-winestain @augustinapril @vinzity @thecitysgraveyard @anglbby444 @marshymallo @themadhattersqueen @lovie-dovie-angel @alanangels @pxgeturner @ashley-slashley @ali-r3n @olives-and-sunshine @eddiesxangel @ddeadly-succubus @canmargesimpson @nailbatanddungeon @str4ngergirlw0rld @jenniquinn @thepurplelovewitch @rowanswriting @mediocredreams @mmunson86 @tiredasstaurus @eddies-puppet @eddie-munsonscoffin @yoongisababygoat @d64d-n0t-sl66p1ng @boa-hemian @kingstevesgf @asimpforthe80s @tracymbcm @arthurcerverogf @voyeurmunson @mxrcjqckspnchqsc @rafesmuse @queermaxwooo @mrssoapmactavish @hiya-itsamber @taintedcigs @perseephoneee @damp4eddie @toadstool-amongst-the-tulips @emilyj444 @spenciesprincess @ceriseswift

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lovie-dovie-angel · 28 days

Note

okay hello hi me again with a james potter request if u feel like it 🦌🦌 how about a drabble about reader calling james a pet name for the first time like baby or honey or something and he just melts on the spot and gives her the biggest lovesick puppy eyes ever and then begs her to always call him that and refuses to answer to james because ‘that’s baby to u!!!!!’ Or something<333 love u hope you’re well

ty for the request! <3 (wc: 495) fem!r

“It says we could use banana as a substitute for egg, did you know?”

You shuffle to James’ side as he pauses in the baking aisle, craning your neck to see his phone over the bulky shoulder blocking it.

“Oh yeah,” you hum, “I’ve seen that.”

James turns his wrinkled nose your way, a wink of amusement in his eyes.

“That cannot be good.”

Scanning the row of mixes beside the cart, you palm his side, his shirt soft and thin under your fingers.

“No, it’s kind of alright, actually.”

You blink back up at him, smiling, even when his big eyes bug even further under his glasses.

“You’ve tried it?”

Laughing, you encourage the cart forward again, and James with it.

“Can you see what we need next, please?” You croon. James’ eyes soften, and he looks back to the recipe page as he walks.

“Er, do we have baking powder?”

“Yes.”

He scrolls an inch further.

“Lemons?”

“I was thinking we’d just use that lemon juice in the fridge,” you say, shrugging.

“What?” James stops walking. “Baby, no.”

He steers the cart around, making a break for the produce section. “We are making these cupcakes right, my darling. I need all the best ingredients.”

You just laugh and trail after him. “It really won’t make a difference…”

As you catch up to him, James is hoisting a full netted pouch of lemons out of its sales basket.

“Jamie, we only need one,” you say, a bemused smile pulling at your lips. He looks to you, still holding the lemons up like a fresh catch.

“That’s quitter’s talk. We just need to make more cupcakes, s’all.”

He drops them in the cart, and then creeps toward you.

“Whatever you say, baby,” you tease.

James freezes before he can reach you. A slippery grin parts his lips, creasing around his eyes.

“What’d you call me?”

Flipping back through your words, you realize what you’ve said too late. In your mind, James and baby have been synonymous for a good few weeks now, you’ve just been trying to play it cool, and for good reason.

James will never let this go.

“I—” You huff, relenting. “Baby.”

In a split second James is around you, lemons forgotten in exchange for a snug embrace that warms your cheeks.

“James, we’re in public.”

“Who?” He asks, a grin pressed against your temple, and a strong hand between your shoulder blades.

Cushioning your chin on his chest, you look up at him. James has bigger heart eyes now than he did on your first date, which is saying a lot.

You know the two of you look painfully smitten, and that any passersby might be bothered by the PDA, but it’s hard to stifle your affection for James.

“Can you call me that more often?” He asks gently, so lovelorn that it nips your heart a little. “I really liked it.”

And how can you say no to that?

thank u for reading! xx

masterlist

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lovie-dovie-angel · 29 days

Note

ty for the request! <3 (wc: 495) fem!r

“It says we could use banana as a substitute for egg, did you know?”

You shuffle to James’ side as he pauses in the baking aisle, craning your neck to see his phone over the bulky shoulder blocking it.

“Oh yeah,” you hum, “I’ve seen that.”

James turns his wrinkled nose your way, a wink of amusement in his eyes.

“That cannot be good.”

Scanning the row of mixes beside the cart, you palm his side, his shirt soft and thin under your fingers.

“No, it’s kind of alright, actually.”

You blink back up at him, smiling, even when his big eyes bug even further under his glasses.

“You’ve tried it?”

Laughing, you encourage the cart forward again, and James with it.

“Can you see what we need next, please?” You croon. James’ eyes soften, and he looks back to the recipe page as he walks.

“Er, do we have baking powder?”

“Yes.”

He scrolls an inch further.

“Lemons?”

“I was thinking we’d just use that lemon juice in the fridge,” you say, shrugging.

“What?” James stops walking. “Baby, no.”

He steers the cart around, making a break for the produce section. “We are making these cupcakes right, my darling. I need all the best ingredients.”

You just laugh and trail after him. “It really won’t make a difference…”

As you catch up to him, James is hoisting a full netted pouch of lemons out of its sales basket.

“Jamie, we only need one,” you say, a bemused smile pulling at your lips. He looks to you, still holding the lemons up like a fresh catch.

“That’s quitter’s talk. We just need to make more cupcakes, s’all.”

He drops them in the cart, and then creeps toward you.

“Whatever you say, baby,” you tease.

James freezes before he can reach you. A slippery grin parts his lips, creasing around his eyes.

“What’d you call me?”

James will never let this go.

“I—” You huff, relenting. “Baby.”

In a split second James is around you, lemons forgotten in exchange for a snug embrace that warms your cheeks.

“James, we’re in public.”

“Who?” He asks, a grin pressed against your temple, and a strong hand between your shoulder blades.

Cushioning your chin on his chest, you look up at him. James has bigger heart eyes now than he did on your first date, which is saying a lot.

You know the two of you look painfully smitten, and that any passersby might be bothered by the PDA, but it’s hard to stifle your affection for James.

“Can you call me that more often?” He asks gently, so lovelorn that it nips your heart a little. “I really liked it.”

And how can you say no to that?

thank u for reading! xx

masterlist

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